Hong Kong: CE welcomes national security chief

Chief Executive John Lee today welcomed the State Council's appointment of Dong Jingwei as Head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government (CPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to work and communicate closely with the CPGs Office for Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR and do its utmost in implementing the National Security Law, fulfilling the duty and responsibility of the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security.

In accordance with National Security Law Article 49, the CPGs Office for Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR shall perform its mandate.

Duties and functions of the mandate include analysing and assessing developments in relation to safeguarding national security in the Hong Kong SAR, and providing opinions and making proposals on major strategies and important policies for safeguarding national security; overseeing, guiding, co-ordinating with, and providing support to the Hong Kong SAR in the performance of its duties for safeguarding national security; collecting and analysing intelligence and information concerning national security; and handling cases concerning offences endangering national security in accordance with the law.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
NDRC vows policy boost for consumption, investment

09:05, July 19, 2023 By Ouyang Shijia and Zhou Lanxu ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Diners enjoy food at a restaurant in a shopping mall in New Century Square, Handan, Hebei province, on Jan 24. [Photo by Hu Gaolei/For China Daily]

China's top economic regulator pledged on Tuesday to roll out policies that would spur consumption and increase effective investment, as part of a package of measures to revive the economy amid the still-weak demand and a gloomy global outlook.

Jin Xiandong, director of the National Development and Reform Commission's Office of Policy Studies, said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday that the NDRC will "promptly formulate and introduce policies to restore and expand consumption".

"With the key focus being on areas such as stabilizing spending on big-ticket items, spurring consumption of automobiles and electronic products, expanding rural consumption and optimizing the consumption environment, we will roll out a range of practical and effective policy measures and strive to implement them as soon as possible," he said.

Analysts said that China's slower-than-expected GDP growth in the second quarter showed that the recovery has slowed amid pressures from the real estate downturn and weakening external demand, shoring up the case for policymakers to take more steps to boost domestic demand.

Retail sales, a key indicator of consumer spending, grew 3.1 percent year-on-year in June, compared with 12.7 percent year-on-year in May, data released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

Wang Yun, deputy director of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research's Institute for International Economic Research, said that a recovery in consumption still needs time to pick up due to the "scarring effects" of COVID-19.

Wang said that more efforts should be made to fully implement existing policies to support the consumption of new energy vehicles in rural areas, optimize the environment for services consumption, further improve the quality of available products and services, and advance reform of the income distribution system.

China's GDP grew 6.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, NBS data showed, against the 7.3 percent predicted by a Reuters poll.

Li Hui, deputy director of the NDRC's Department of National Economy, said the foundation for economic recovery is not yet solid due to challenges and risks in the domestic market, and the broader economy is facing pressures from a complicated international environment, a cloudy global outlook and mounting uncertainties.

Given that China has a complete industrial system in place, abundant human resources, an ultralarge domestic market as well as strong policy support, the country has the confidence, conditions and capability to achieve its full-year economic and social development goals, she said.

Several global banks have recently cut their 2023 GDP growth forecasts for China. JPMorgan cut its forecast for China's 2023 GDP growth to 5 percent from the previous 5.5 percent, and Nomura recently lowered its China 2023 growth forecast to 5.1 percent from 5.5 percent.

Rob Subbaraman, head of global macro research at Nomura, said that solely furthering monetary easing may not be effective enough to revive the economy. "Probably the more effective policy tool will be fiscal stimulus," Subbaraman said.

Additional quota of local government special bonds and ramped-up transfer of payments from the central government may be necessary to replenish the funding of local governments so that they can spend more on infrastructure and high-end manufacturing sectors, he said.

Bruce Cameron, chairman of Zespri, a cooperative of kiwi fruit growers in New Zealand, said, "While we see some financial challenges globally, which will no doubt affect all economies, the reality is we still see positive growth for our business in China."

As "the Chinese economy will continue to be resilient", Zespri will continue to invest in the Chinese market to further cater to local consumers' need for better products, he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
On Capitol Hill and in other Democratic circles, there are many Democrats who believe that Donald Trump would be easier to defeat in the general election than Ron DeSantis.

Trump certainly has his weaknesses. Most of the country does not like him, for reasons that are too obvious and numerous to list here. He has also been indicted twice and likely faces further criminal charges between now and the election, although so far that hasnt seemed to hurt him much.

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In addition, Trump is seen as the candidate who will most mobilize the Democratic base  and also Democratic funders. And some see DeSantis as more of a threat because he is 44 years old, and Bidens age has become a concern among a significant share of voters.

But Trump is unique in some ways that give him special powers. Ironically, one of these powers is something that stems from a personality trait that almost no politicians, demagogues or even dictators would want to display in public. But Trump seems to flaunt it: his apparent disregard for mostly anyone other than himself.

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This suggests that Trump has the ability, and possibly the willingness, to throw his party under the bus if he were to lose the presidential primary. This doesnt increase his own absolute strength as a candidate in the general election, but it could easily make any other Republican nominee a sitting duck.

Regarding his ability to do this: Trumps large following among Republican voters, currently about 52%, has been described as something of a cult following. But whatever the relationship between Trump and his voters, current polling indicates that millions of them would side with him in a fight with party leadership. In an NBC poll last month, 34% of Republican or Republican-leaning voters said that they were more of a supporter of Donald Trump than a supporter of the Republican Party.

What would happen if DeSantis  or anyone other than Trump  were to win the Republican primary? Would Trump accept the result, or would we see a repeat of stop the steal? If its the latter, it seems likely that significant numbers of Republican voters would stay home for the general election. In that scenario, current data indicates that Republicans would lose the White House. The 2016 presidential election was decided by fewer than 80,000 votes in three states.

[ Editorial: Republicans and Trump supporters, face reality for the sake of the nation ]

Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

If Trump loses the primary, there are a number of possible outcomes besides his outright rejection of the results that could also spell defeat for the Republican nominee. Given the size of Trumps loyal base, and Trumps inflammatory style, a primary won by another candidate is likely to be a close and very unpleasant race. If Trump were to refuse to endorse the winner, a significant portion of his loyal base might stay home. Currently, Trump has not yet pledged to support the nominee, although that is a requirement for participating in the Republican presidential debates. And its not clear what his pledge would mean if he were to offer it; in 2015, he signed this pledge but then disavowed it.

Even if Trump were to give a weak endorsement without sufficient and perhaps repeated appeals to his base, a significant part of his base could still stay home. Democratic attack ads, targeting Trump supporters, could help this along by highlighting some of the very mean things that Trump can be expected to have said about his lead opponent during the primary.

In major media outlets, it has become common to present polling numbers for the general election that ignore these possible, and even probable, outcomes, should Trump lose the Republican primary. For example, last months NBC poll shows Biden leading Trump by four points (49% to 45%) in a head-to-head matchup but tied with DeSantis (47% to 47%). But this measurement of preference in a hypothetical contest does not consider that voters might feel differently depending on how Trump reacts to a DeSantis win in the primary.

It would seem wise to consider other contingent outcomes than those that would have occurred in past elections by taking into account Trumps unique characteristics and relationship with the largest voting bloc in the Republican Party.

The general election is 16 months away, and many campaign resources will be deployed before the Republican presidential candidate is chosen next July. It does not make sense to look at Trump as if he were a normal candidate from the past. He isnt.

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Mark Weisbrot is co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, an economic policy think tank. He is the author of Failed: What the Experts Got Wrong About the Global Economy.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
U.S. officials say an American detained after crossing the border from South Korea into North Korea was a U.S. soldier.

There were no immediate details about how or why the soldier crossed the heavily fortified border or whether the soldier was on duty.

The four officials spoke to The Associated Press yesterday on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter ahead of a public announcement.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The crossing happened during heightened tensions over North Koreas nuclear program. The American-led U.N. Command overseeing the area tweeted earlier yesterday that the detained U.S. citizen was on a tour to the Korean border village of Panmunjom and crossed the border into the North without authorization.

It said that he is currently in North Korean custody and that the U.N. Command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident.
French lawmakers planned to vote yesterday on a sweeping justice reform bill that includes a provision for allowing law enforcement agents to remotely tap into the cameras, microphones and location services of phones and other internet-connected devices used by some criminal suspects.

The proposed law plainly stipulates that the procedure can be executed without the knowledge or consent of its owner or possessor but is limited to suspects involved in terrorism, organized crime and other illegal activities punishable by five or more years in prison.

The language authorizing eavesdropping is contained in a broader reform bill aimed at modernizing penal procedures, reflecting what polls indicate is a public demand for more law and order.

The goal of this law is clear: a faster, clearer, modern justice, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said when he presented the legislation in the spring.

Left-wing parties generally oppose the surveillance provision, but President Emmanuel Macrons centrist party can potentially rally the conservative The Republicans party in the lower house of the French Parliament to pass the bill. The Senate, which the opposition right controls, approved the legislation in May.

The justice minister proposed the high-tech hunt for suspects as an alternative to long-standing police surveillance practices, such as wiretapping a suspects vehicle and house, which he deemed no longer viable and increasingly dangerous for investigators.

The technique today is faulty, Dupond-Moretti told lawmakers in the lower house, the National Assembly, this month. Why would we deprive ourselves of new technologies? When some parliamentarians expressed concerns over privacy rights, the minister replied, By crying wolf, you are no longer credible.

Besides limiting use of high-tech spying on suspects to crimes punishable by at least five years in prison, the legislation contains other controls. The goal of tapping a connected device must be locating someone in real time, and the investigating judge in a case must give the green light. In addition to activating location services, the measure would also allow investigators to activate a suspects phone camera and microphone.

Critics claim the provision still would inevitably lead to abuses of power by French police, who in the past have faced allegations of misusing their authority, brutality and racism.

We already see that theres a lot of abuse in France today, said Bastien Le Querrec, a lawyer with French digital rights group La Quadrature du Net. In reality, who decides on the seriousness of an event in an investigation? Its the police, the prosecutors, the investigating judge. Nothing in this bill will prevent abuse.

In April, French lawmakers passed a law to allow the use of artificial intelligence and drones in mass video surveillance during the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.

Terrorist attacks in France over the past decade and recent riots triggered by the police killing of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk in a Paris suburb last month have made security a government focus as the country prepares to host athletes and visitors from around the world next year.

Violence also erupted this year during numerous demonstrations protesting Macrons decision to raise the French retirement age from 62 to 64. But rights advocates fear the government is capitalizing on safety concerns that many people see as reasonable to pursue draconian measures.

The use of surveillance technologies cannot be the systematic response to security issues, Katia Roux, an advocacy officer at Amnesty International France, said in an interview. The impact on human rights of these technologies must be taken into account before any normalization of their use. Under the guise of legitimate objectives that are linked to security, these technologies also promote violations of human rights, the rights to privacy and freedom of expression.

Police surveillance via a suspects phone and other connected devices could last for up to six months at a time, according to the bill. Certain professionals, including journalists, lawyers, and members of the parliament, would be exempt.

Sadly, yet again, France is a leader in a security strategy where we approach security by surveilling everybody,  lawyer Le Querrec said. It raises questions on the state of democracy and the state of French institutions. YOUCEF BOUNAB, MDT/AP
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told Chinas top diplomat yesterday that President Joe Bidens administration is very committed to stabilizing relations between the worlds two biggest economies, as the countries seek to restart high-level contacts.

On his second day of talks in Beijing, Kerry met with the ruling Communist Partys head of foreign relations Wang Yi, telling him Biden hoped the two countries could achieve efforts together that can make a significant difference to the world.

Ties between the countries have hit a historic low amid disputes over tariffs, access to technology, and Chinas threats against self-governing Taiwan.

In his opening remarks, Wang said the sides had suffered from a lack of communication, but that China believes through renewed dialogue we can find a proper solution to any problems.

Sometimes, small problems can become big problems, Wang said, adding that dialogue must be conducted on an equal basis.

China broke off some mid- and high-level contacts with the Biden administration last August, including over climate issues, to show its anger with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis trip to Taiwan. China claims the island as its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary, threatening to draw the U.S. into a major conflict in a region crucial to the global economy.

Kerry is the third senior Biden administration official in recent weeks to travel to China for meetings with their counterparts following Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Kerry said he appreciated the opportunity to change our relationship for the better and that Biden is very committed to stability within this relationship and also to achieve efforts together that can make a significant difference to the world.

Biden values his relationship with President Xi (Jinping), and I think President Xi values his relationship with President Biden, and I know he looks forward to being able to move forward and change the dynamic, Kerry said.

Kerry later paid a courtesy call on newly appointed Premier Li Qiang, the partys second-ranking official, who told him China and the U.S. should cooperate more closely on the extremely large challenge posed by global warming. No meeting has been set with Xi, and Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been absent from public sight for three weeks.

There was no immediate comment on Kerrys Monday meeting with his counterpart Xie Zhenhua in the first extensive face-to-face climate discussions between representatives of the worlds two worst climate polluters after a nearly yearlong hiatus.

China leads the world in producing and consuming coal, and has proceeded with building new plants that add tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere annually, while also expanding the use of renewables such as solar and wind power.

China has pledged to level off carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. The U.S. and the European Union have urged China to adopt more ambitious reduction targets.

As with the U.S. and Europe, China has seen record stretches of high temperatures that have threatened crops and prompted cities to open Cold War-era bomb shelters to help residents escape the heat.

U.S. lawmakers have faulted China for refusing to make bigger cuts in climate-damaging fossil fuel emissions, along with the countrys insistence that it is still a developing economy that produces far less pollution per capita and should be exempted from the climate standards adopted by developed Western economies.

Biden and Xi spent days together when both were their countries vice presidents and met in November at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia. However, no state visits have been held following the COVID-19 outbreak and no plans have been announced for their next face-to-face meeting. MDT/AP
The immigration authority of the mainland has announced an easing of the immigration procedures at the Hengqin border post for certain groups of people.

The authority said that those travelling for business as well as staff members of university institutions would start benefiting from the simplified procedures that already apply to certain other cases.

The idea is to facilitate the border crossing at the Post to boost uptake in transportation and commuting between the mainland and Macau.

The amended rules allow vehicles carrying businesspeople and staff members from the different universities to pass through a single immigration procedure, conducted jointly by both mainland and Macau authorities.

The expansion of the user-friendly policies comes as the mainland authorities finalize the new vehicle lanes at the Hengqin Port that will expand the capacity to receive vehicles crossing this border post.

According to previous announcements, 30 lanes are expected to operate from August this year, raising capacity by about 500%.

In the same regulation amendment, cross-border students, those with mobility challenges, as well as senior citizens will be spared the inconvenience of leaving their vehicle to complete the immigration procedures.

Special procedures are also being negotiated to reinforce the so-called one event, two places idea related to the exhibitions and conventions industry, which has several events planned following this approach until the end of the year.
The Chinese economy has gradually entered a stage of restorative growth after the pandemic and will shift to expansionary growth as it gradually returns to a normal track in the second half of this year, driven by industrial upgrading, robust development of the digital economy and the push for a green transition.

That upbeat outlook by Fu Linghui, spokesperson for the National Bureau of Statistics, was included in a report published by Xinhua News Agency on Monday on an economic roundtable it hosted recently.

It is a timely pick-me-up for public sentiment, as the second quarter data released by the NBS on Monday showed the economy grew 0.8 percent in April-June from the previous quarter, on a seasonally adjusted basis, which is indicative of the downward pressure on the economy over the past three months.

Although Chinas GDP growth continued its recovery, expanding 6.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, compared with the 4.5 percent in the first three months of the year and higher than that of most major economies in the world, the low base for that growth due to the impacts of the novel coronavirus pandemic last year must be taken into account. Plus, the growth rate of the second quarter was well below the 7.3 percent growth forecast.

Still that was a hard-earned result given the tremendous uncertainties and difficulties the economy has faced, and testifies to the adept and agile macro control of the government in response to the new normal of weaker domestic and foreign demand.

In a sign of this, and giving substance to Fus confidence, sales of new energy vehicles in China exceeded 3 million units in the first half of this year, displaying a growth rate of over 30 percent. The outstanding performance of Chinas NEV industry, which has become a highlight of the countrys upgraded economic development in the past two years, proves the effectiveness of key industrial policies implemented in recent years.

As outlined at a State Council executive meeting on the economy held in Beijing on July 6, more flexible macroeconomic policies are needed in the second half of the year to spur the expansion of effective demand, strengthen and optimize the real economy, and prevent and overcome risks in key fields. These policies should take into account both supply and demand, address the present issues and look to attain a better future, while coordinating development with security concerns.

It is expected that the macroeconomic policies will become better targeted in the second half of the year to help the economy effectively manage and control the risks and uncertainties, particularly the local government debt problem, while ensuring the upgrading of the industries and restructuring of the economy unimpeded.

At the same time, investment in infrastructure and manufacturing will gradually help expand domestic demand and stimulate economic growth. And as the production and demand cycles become smoother, residents consumption willingness and confidence are expected to stabilize and increase. That will consolidate domestic demand as a sustainable driving force for development.

Editorial, China Daily
Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court ruled yesterday that an investigation into the Philippines so-called war on drugs can resume, rejecting Manilas objections to the case going ahead at the global court.

The courts investigation was suspended in late 2021 after the Philippines said it was already probing the same allegations and argued that the ICC  a court of last resort  therefore didnt have jurisdiction.

The Philippines launched its appeal after judges in January agreed with the courts chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, that deferring the investigation to Manila was not warranted. At the time, judges ruled that the domestic proceedings did not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in a way that would sufficiently mirror the courts investigation.

At a hearing Tuesday, Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said that the five-judge appeals panel, in a majority decision, agreed and rejected the Philippines appeal.

More than 6,000 suspects, most of them people who lived in poverty, have been killed in the crackdown on drug crime, according to government pronouncements. Human rights groups say the death toll is considerably higher and should include many unsolved killings by motorcycle-riding gunmen who may have been deployed by police.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has defended the crackdown as lawfully directed against drug lords and pushers who have for many years destroyed the present generation, especially the youth.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from The Hague-based court in 2019 in a move rights activists said was an attempt to evade accountability and prevent an international probe into thousands of killings in his campaign against illegal drugs. However, the ICC still has jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed when the country was still a member state of the court.

The current Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said last year that Manila has no plan to rejoin the ICC, a decision that supports his predecessors stance but rejects the wishes of human rights activists. MIKE CORDER, THE HAGUE, MDT/AP
The United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea yesterday for the first time in four decades, as the allies warned North Korea that any use of the Norths nuclear weapons in combat would result in the end of its regime.

Periodic visits by U.S. nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by the two countries presidents in April in response to North Koreas expanding nuclear threat. They also agreed to establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group and expand military exercises.

The USS Kentucky, an Ohio-class submarine, arrived at the South Korean port of Busan on Tuesday afternoon, South Koreas Defense Ministry said. It is the first visit by a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s, it said.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-Sup called the submarines visit a demonstration of U.S. resolve in implementing its extended deterrence commitment, a pledge by the U.S. to use its full military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to protect its allies, the ministry said in a statement.

He said the submarines visit shows the allies overwhelming capability and posture against North Korea.

During the Cold War in the late 1970s, U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines made frequent visits to South Korea, sometimes two or three times per month, according to the Federation of American Scientists. It was a period when the U.S. had hundreds of nuclear warheads located in South Korea. But in 1991, the United States withdrew all of its nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula.

North Koreas nuclear ambitions have taken on a new urgency after it threatened to use nuclear weapons in conflicts with its rivals and conducted about 100 missile tests since the start of last year. Last week, North Korea conducted a second test of a more mobile and powerful intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland United States. After observing that launch, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further strengthen his countrys nuclear combat capabilities.

Also on Tuesday, South Korean and U.S. officials held the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group in Seoul to discuss ways to strengthen deterrence against North Koreas nuclear threats.

Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime, the two countries said in a joint statement after the meeting.

President Joe Biden issued a similar warning after his summit in Washington with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April.

Both sides affirmed that the NCG will play an integral role in discussing and advancing bilateral approaches, including guidelines, to nuclear and strategic planning and responses to (North Korean) aggression, the statement said.

The consultative body is tasked with sharing information on nuclear and strategic weapons operation plans and joint operations. The U.S. will retain operational control of its nuclear weapons. U.S. officials say the groups establishment and other steps announced in April were meant to ease South Korean worries about North Korean provocations while keeping Seoul from pursuing its own nuclear program.

Earlier Tuesday, Yoon told a Cabinet meeting that the launching of the consultative group will serve as an important starting point to establish a powerful, effective (South) Korea-U.S. extended deterrence, and that their alliance has been upgraded with a new, nuclear-based paradigm.

The meeting was co-chaired by U.S. National Security Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell and South Korean Deputy National Security Director Kim Tae-hyo.

North Korea condemned the Biden-Yoon agreements in April, saying they proved the allies extreme hostility toward the North. It threatened to further escalate its nuclear use doctrine in protest.

In a statement Monday, Kims powerful sister and senior adviser, Kim Yo Jong, warned that U.S. moves to reinforce its extended deterrence commitment to South Korea will make North Korea go farther away from the negotiating table desired by (the U.S.) and beef up its own military capability.

(North Korea) is ready for resolutely countering any acts of violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Kim Yo Jong said. The U.S. should stop its foolish act of provoking (North Korea) even by imperiling its security. HYUNG-JIN KIM, SEOUL, MDT/AP
A local resident 50-year-old woman is suspected of having been involved in a murder-suicide, the Judiciary Police (PJ) informed.

The bodies of the two people were found at their home in the early hours yesterday when the fire department was called to break into the apartment after the people were unable to be contacted by friends.

According to the first respondents at the scene, when they broke into the house, the woman was lying on the floor and very weak but still had signs of life. Her 14-year-old daughter was found lifeless on the bed in another room of the unit located at Hou Kong building in Rua Marginal do Canal das Hortas in the Northern district.

Called to investigate the case, the PJ investigators did not find any traces of a potential fight or struggle. No wounds or signs that force was used were found in the victims.

In the house, the PJ also found multiple suicide notes, allegedly written by the mother as well as traces of some chemical compounds.

Once the forensic doctor arrived at the scene, they found that the body also did not have any scars or fractures that would indicate the occurrence of a potentially violent crime.

The forensics team said that the daughter appeared to have been dead for over 24 hours.

After preliminary investigation, it is believed that the mother had mixed sleeping pills or other similar drugs in the food and consumed it with her daughter, resulting in the death of the daughter, in an attempt to take both of their lives.

The mother was taken to the hospital alive and is currently undergoing medical care.

The PJ is also said to be continuing to investigate the case to ascertain the cause of death and the motives of the mother, who is now considered a suspect in her daughters death.

The Social Welfare Bureau encourages residents to be conscious of their psychological and emotional state as well as those of their relatives and friends.

Those in need of support can call Caritas Life Hope hotline (2852 5222) or IAS counseling hotline (2826 1126).
Wisconsin's nonpartisan election administrator was interviewed earlier this year by federal officials investigating efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, the Wisconsin Elections Commission confirmed Tuesday.

Meagan Wolfe's meeting with federal investigators coincides with similar interviews of election officials in Madison and Milwaukee by members of U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith's team.

WEC spokes-WEC spokesperson Riley Vetterkind said in an email Wolfe was subpoenaed and interviewed "in the inquiry regarding the events surrounding Jan. 6, 2021."

"Administrator Wolfe cooperated with the subpoena and appeared in person before DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials in April," Vetterkind said. "Due to this being an ongoing federal investigation, we are unable to provide further information."

The interview comes as part of an ongoing investigation in key swing states about a pressure campaign to keep Trump in power after he lost the election to President Joe Biden.

Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl said this week she was interviewed May 17 by the FBI but declined to provide any details about the questions she was asked.

Madison City Attorney Michael Haas said the interview, first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, took place earlier this summer with several FBI agents and focused on the integrity of the 2020 presidential election.

Milwaukee Election Commission executive director Claire Woodall-Vogg told ABC News earlier this month she met virtually with federal officials investigating the election.

Late last year, election clerks in Dane and Milwaukee counties were subpoenaed by Smith to provide communications with or involving Trump and his allies.

A recount, court decisions and multiple reviews have affirmed that Biden defeated Trump in Wisconsin by about 21,000 votes. A report from the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau found no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election but made several recommendations for improvements. Despite that, Trump has continued to push baseless claims of a "stolen" election.
Wisconsin has reported 29 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal illness, since the beginning of June, health officials said Tuesday in a message alerting doctors to be on the lookout for the disease.

Cyclosporiasis, which can cause diarrhea and stomach pain and is common in tropical countries, is often reported in people who have traveled outside of the country. But the U.S. typically sees an increase in the summer associated with produce imported from countries known to have the parasite Cyclospora.

Its not known if the recent cases in Wisconsin are from a common, widely distributed food item or multiple possible sources, the state Department of Health Services said.

Outbreaks in recent years have been associated with fresh, raw produce such as leafy greens and salads, cilantro, basil, berries and vegetable trays, DHS said.

Federal health officials investigated two outbreaks of cyclosporiasis last year in which people said they ate various types of leafy greens, but were unable to identify a specific source, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cyclosporiasis, which has an incubation period of one to two weeks, can cause watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss and abdominal cramps. It is unlikely that the parasite can be passed directly from one person to another, DHS said.

The illness can be treated with antibiotics. To prevent it, officials say to avoid eating raw produce or uncooked foods when traveling in other countries. At home, people should wash fruits and vegetables under running water before using, scrub firm produce such as melons and cucumbers with a brush, and wash cutting boards and counters with soap and hot water.

Discover more reporting from Lee's Public Service Journalism team The Public Service Journalism team focuses on producing in-depth and investigative stories on local, state and national issues with significan
A protester waves a Trump flag during a rally organized by a group called Election Integrity Fund and Force at the Michigan state Capitol on Oct. 12, 2021, in Lansing. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has charged 16 Republicans on July 18, 2023, with multiple felonies after they are alleged to have submitted false certificates stating they were the states presidential electors despite Joe Bidens 154,000-vote victory in 2020. (Jake May/The Flint Journal)

If they hang around Donald Trump long enough, people start to believe his lies. And if theyre not careful, they risk going to jail.

Thats the message from Michigan, where Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that she had filed conspiracy and forgery charges against 16 people who allegedly signed paperwork falsely asserting that Trump had won the 2020 election.

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What happened exactly? First, you have to understand that these events involved the Electoral College, which technically elects presidents, and also that they took place against the backdrop of Trump claiming that the election had been stolen from him in Michigan and elsewhere.

[ Mark Weisbrot: If Donald Trump loses the GOP primary, will his supporters shun the nominee? ]

As a result of that big lie, the 16 people allegedly signed official papers declaring themselves to be the rightful electors who were supporting the rightful winner whose name happened to be Trump. This was all part of a contingency plan if Trump got his wish and Congress voted to not certify the results of an election that had found him to be the loser.

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Trump lost. Period. The alleged alternate slate of electors was all total nonsense, a consequence of a criminal delusion. For the record, Joe Biden won Michigan by some 150,000 votes.

Still, this motley crew variously presented these trumped-up papers to the Michigan legislature, Congress and the National Archives, all the while claiming to be part of a righteous alternative slate of Trump electors, according to authorities. In Nessels parlance, they thus were false electors and people who had committed federal offenses, such as conspiracy to commit election fraud.

The false electors actions undermined the publics faith in the integrity of our elections, Nessel said Tuesday, and not only violated the spirit of the laws enshrining and defending our democracy, but we believe also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan and peaceably transfer power in America.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel during a news conference on Sept. 19, 2022, in Flint, Michigan. Nessel has charged 16 Republicans on July 18, 2023, with multiple felonies after they are alleged to have submitted false certificates stating they were the states presidential electors despite Joe Bidens 154,000-vote victory in 2020. (Jake May/The Flint Journal)

Nessel is a Democrat, and she clearly and correctly anticipated that Trump would claim that these charges were merely political.

We dont doubt that Nessel and other Michigan Democrats were delighted to take down Trump, but she has the cold facts on her side. Undermining democratically conducted elections is serious business that risks taking down democracy itself; that is not a political observation but a factual one. As the vast majority of Republicans surely know in their hearts.

Did the people charged take all this stolen election garbage seriously and truly believe that Trump had won the election?

Who knows?

Perhaps some of that will come out in court, and it may well vary from person to person. Certainly, these look like local Republicans who believed what Trump was telling them and allegedly did the bidding of the former president and his inner circle. But we adults have individual responsibility for our actions, and it is hard to believe a judge or a jury would accept the losing candidate told me to do it as justification for election fraud.

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On Tuesday, the Detroit Free Press reported that those indicted included, among others, Michigan GOP co-chair Meshawn Maddock; Mayra Rodriguez, an attorney; William Hank Choate, former chair of the Michigan GOPs 7th District; Amy Facchinello, a board member of Grand Blanc Community Schools; and Ken Vanderwood, the mayor of Wyoming, Michigan. For the most part, these hardly were political neophytes.

As we saw Jan. 6, 2021, here is another case of how people who had not done anything like this before were persuaded by a huckster, according to authorities, to breach the kind of rules that Americans, including Republicans, long have held sacred. The reality that this very con artist remains a leading Republican candidate for president, without substantial evasive action by that party, boggles the mind.

The announcement in Michigan took place on the same day federal prosecutors made Trumps legal team aware that the former president is a target of special prosecutor Jack Smiths investigation into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. This would appear to indicate another indictment is coming to add to Trumps legal woes. Unsurprisingly, Trump went on the offensive with news that would have most Americans quaking in their boots: Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th grand jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the grand jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment, Trump said in a lengthy statement on his Truth Social channel.

He went on to call himself Joe Bidens NUMBER ONE POLITICAL OPPONENT, who is largely dominating him in the race for the Presidency.

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Thats all standard Trump blather (although he certainly remains a leading candidate). Our concern here is the 16 deluded Trump apparatchiks: Conspiracy to commit forgery and conspiracy to commit uttering and publishing each are punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Will Trump be paying their legal bills? Will he come visit them behind bars? Will the full power of Mar-a-Lago rise to their defense? We doubt it.

The most interesting question of all is whether the Michigan 16 will now admit to the error of their ways, perhaps by saying the wool was pulled over their eyes by a charlatan.

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Elections need laws to protect their integrity, and there have to be consequences when those laws are broken.

All of this has yet to play out in court, and arguments of innocence and maybe deals will be made; there is a case for a moderate, measured response for the good of the union. There is no need for politicized triumphalism.

But on Tuesday, the Michigan attorney general did the right thing.

Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
A man wanted for attempted homicide was arrested in Janesville on Wednesday, Janesville police reported.

On Friday, Janesville officers were sent to a domestic violence incident in the 400 block of South Main Street and learned the suspect was Kejuan V. Green, 27, who had fled the scene before they arrived, Sgt. Drew Severson said in a statement.

Police developed probable cause to arrest Green for domestic violence-related battery and disorderly conduct, and learned that Green also had warrants for his arrest for attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, attempted armed robbery with use of a dangerous weapon and other crimes, Severson said, including some from Dane County.

On Tuesday, Janesville officers learned Green was at a residence in the 700 block of Milton Avenue and they saw Green get into a vehicle and leave. They stopped the vehicle and arrested Green and the driver, Makenza L.F. Tripp, 21, without incident at East Racine Street and Interstate 90, Severson said.

Tripp was tentatively charged with harboring/aiding a felon, Severson said.

Close A police officer walks in front of forensic markers after a shooting Tuesday in the Merksem district of Antwerp, Belgium. A container is loaded onto a ship on Aug, 17 in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. Cocaine is spreading at an alarming rate through Europe, much of it through the world ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Kris Verborgh, chief police inspector of the Brussels Morolles neighborhood, shows a package of crack cocaine Monday in Brussels. Photos: Drug cartels vex Europe Cocaine is spreading through Europe, much of it through the world ports of Antwerp in Belgium and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. A police officer walks in front of forensic markers after a shooting Tuesday in the Merksem district of Antwerp, Belgium. A container is loaded onto a ship on Aug, 17 in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. Cocaine is spreading at an alarming rate through Europe, much of it through the world ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Kris Verborgh, chief police inspector of the Brussels Morolles neighborhood, shows a package of crack cocaine Monday in Brussels.
The Dane County Medical Examiner has identified the man who died Thursday after being shot during a dispute at an apartment complex on Madisons Far East Side.

Devon Grant, 20, of Madison, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after authorities say he was shot at around 3 p.m. during an altercation between two groups of men in a parking lot at the Harmony at Grandview Commons, 116 Milky Way.

Police continue to investigate the homicide, Madisons eighth this year. Additional testing is underway at the Medical Examiners Office as well.

More than 60 shots were fired in the incident, which police said stemmed from an interpersonal conflict between two groups of people. Multiple vehicles and buildings were struck by gunfire, but nobody else was injured.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com.
The Madison School Board finalized a timeline for hiring a new district superintendent Tuesday night and discussed how best to gather input from the public during the search.

The board is aiming to fill the position by February or March. It also determined next steps for engaging with community groups around Madison, including sending out a survey by the end of this month and hosting focus groups and one-on-one interviews with stakeholders.

The board has contracted with Chicago-based consulting firm Alma Advisory Group to help with the search. Longtime Madison School District educator and administrator Lisa Kvistad is currently serving as interim superintendent.

The board will develop and post the job description for the superintendent position by the end of October, with interviews likely in November and December. Candidates will be narrowed down to two or three finalists by early 2024, according to materials from Tuesdays meeting.

The board has been soliciting input from Madison stakeholders ahead of posting the job announcement. It is aiming to get a better understanding of the values and experiences people want to see reflected in a superintendent.

We want to give multiple ways people can engage, whether its in person or virtual, to really get to hear from people what they care about, what they want to see for the future of the district and for their next superintendent, said Monica Rosen, founder and CEO of Alma Advisory Group.

The board has set its sights on talking with a wide range of people, including those with different socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as senior citizens, parents of young children and disabled people.

The board is still finalizing an exact list of groups and individuals it wants to reach out to during the search.

Board member Savion Castro said getting lots of different feedback will be a good sign.

Id like to be left with a, for lack of a better word, kind of a messy result, Castro said. I would look for not a homogeneous result. I think no one community is a monolith.

The feedback will be taken into consideration when crafting a job description and selecting candidates to interview, Rosen said. Certain stakeholders may even be involved in interviews of final candidates early next year.

There are usually several themes that come out really strongly from a lot of people in the community, Rosen said. And then there are some things that are present in the community that may not be represented by everybody.

The board has already met with the consulting firm to share its own priorities for the superintendent search. One major priority for several board members is to be transparent about the hiring process.

This means educating people on the role the superintendent plays within a school district and how its ultimately the responsibility of the school board to hire someone for the position. In an effort to prioritize transparency, Alma Advisory Group is also proposing a communications and media campaign for this fall.

I am excited about this work; I feel like this is a really great start, board member Laura Simkin said.
There may be yet another reason to hate on one of the states most despised arachnids.

UW-Madison researchers have found that black-legged ticks, commonly referred to as deer ticks, can harbor transmissible amounts of prions, the protein particle that causes chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer.

The study of prions in ticks did not determine if ticks have actually spread CWD to other deer, but it is providing new insight and could help biologists improve the management of the fatal neurological disease that has spread throughout the states prized wild deer herd and on several deer farms and hunting ranches.

While many studies have been centered around prion-contaminated soil around common feeding areas, Heather Inzalaco, a researcher in the Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit of UWMadisons Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, set out to determine other potential means of transmission.

Ticks, which feed on the blood of animals, seemed like a likely culprit, considering that the most common non-aggressive social behavior that deer engage in involves grooming one another.

Our study shows the potential risk that ticks feeding on CWD-positive deer present to healthy deer, given social-grooming behaviors of deer, Inzalaco said Tuesday. In our study we provide an estimate of infectivity of ticks if a healthy deer were to consume one that is feeding on a deer with CWD. Based on our calculations and the samples we analyzed, ticks may present a risk of transmission of CWD in this capacity.

The study did not include wood ticks or lone star ticks, the states other primary tick species. Inzalaco said a next step in the research, depending on grant funding, would be to determine if the disease has been spread to deer via ticks.

Since CWD was first discovered in Iowa County in 2002 from a deer harvested in November 2001, the state Department of Natural Resources and researchers have studied ways to mitigate the spread of the disease. The efforts have included mass harvests to lower the density of certain animal populations and prohibiting movement of deer carcasses out of areas where CWD has been found. The DNR also bans the feeding or baiting of deer in areas with CWD because deer will congregate around a shared food source and infected deer can spread the disease to healthy deer.

The new research on ticks adds another layer of concern to CWD that has infected deer in some of the states most prime deer-hunting locations. In 2022, deer tested positive for CWD in a record 31 counties, including for the first time in Buffalo, Langlade and Waupaca counties.

Deer ticks, which serve as the vector of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, are present throughout Wisconsin and have a two- to three-year life cycle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deer serve as key sources of blood for ticks and are important to tick survival and movement to new areas.

The UW-Madison study, published in the journal Nature, began with researchers working in a lab feeding ticks CWD-infected blood. Inzalaco was able to determine that ticks can not only carry the prions in their blood meal, they can also carry enough of the agent to potentially infect another animal with CWD.

After seeing that the phenomenon was possible in the lab, the study moved to the wild. Inzalaco partnered with the DNR to study ticks collected from deer that hunters harvested and submitted for CWD testing. Of the 176 deer with ticks she studied, 15 of the deer were also positive for CWD. Inzalaco took the ticks from the infected deer and tested the blood they contained to quantify the amount of prion the ticks harbored.

She determined that wild ticks, which can stay on one bite for up to 14 days during which time there is rapid engorgement, did carry transmissible levels of prions  just like those in the lab  making them potential transmitters of the disease.

Theyre just like a little CWD Tic Tac that are possibly being eaten by the deer, Inzalaco said.

Deer hunting is one of the states most celebrated traditions and adds more than $1 billion to the states economy, according to DNR estimates. In the 2022 season, which includes the traditional nine-day gun season in November and the archery and crossbow season, 795,072 licenses were sold to hunters from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 21 countries.

Hunters registered 203,295 deer during the 2022 gun deer season  98,397 with antlers and 104,898 without  while bow hunters harvested more than 301,000 deer statewide.

While it isnt practical to treat all wild deer with tick preventatives, researchers believe better land stewardship could help manage tick populations, which in turn could reduce the spread of CWD and make for a healthier herd.

11 tick-borne illnesses and what to watch out for during your outdoor adventures 11 tick-borne illnesses and what to watch out for during your outdoor adventures Lyme disease Babesiosis Ehrlichiosis Rocky Mountain spotted fever Anaplasmosis Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness Tick-borne relapsing fever Tularemia Powassan Encephalitis
The House Oversight Committee is hearing from two IRS whistleblowers whose testimony alleging that the Hunter Biden criminal probe was mishandled has ignited a firestorm among House Republicans.

One of the two whistleblowers is speaking for the first time publicly: Joseph Ziegler, a 13-year IRS Special Agent with the Criminal Investigation Division.

In his statements to the Oversight committee, Ziegler outlined what he described as examples of prosecutors not following the normal investigative process, and echoed fellow whistleblower Gary Shapleys claims that IRS investigators recommended charging Hunter Biden with far more serious crimes than what the presidents son has agreed to plead guilty to, and that US attorneys in other districts wouldnt seek an indictment of the Presidents son.

It appeared to me, based on what I experienced, that the US Attorney in Delaware in our investigation was constantly hamstrung, limited, and marginalized by DOJ officials as well as other US attorneys, Ziegler said.

The whistleblowers told lawmakers Wednesday that Justice Department officials stopped their investigators from scrutinizing President Joe Biden and his grandchildren, after finding evidence potentially linking them to Hunter Bidens troubled finances. Shapley, told the committee that Joe Bidens name came up in their probe of Hunter Bidens finances, and that his team was essentially blocked from running down those leads. (Some of these references to Joe Biden, including in a much-discussed, alleged WhatsApp message from 2017, occurred when he wasnt president or vice president.)

When the subjects father is somehow related to the finances of the subject, in the normal course of any Investigation, we would have to get that information, to properly vet the financial flows of money, and determine what we end up charging, Shapley said.

The Justice Department and the White House have previously denied the whistleblowers claims that there was any political interference in the Hunter Biden criminal probe. These allegations are consistent with their previous closed-door testimony, which was made public last month. Biden has said he wasnt involved in his sons business deals.

Ziegler, who is Shapleys deputy, also told the panel in his written testimony that he wanted to interview Hunter Bidens adult children after uncovering potentially illegal deductions in Hunter Bidens tax returns, related to payments to his children. But a Justice Department prosecutor said that would get us into hot water and it didnt happen, Ziegler wrote.

This, again, was abnormal and deviation from normal procedure, Ziegler wrote, though he later acknowledged to lawmakers there are some situations when it might be appropriate for prosecutors to oppose pursuing an interview with a key player.

GOP claims of a politicized DOJ

House Republicans have capitalized on the allegations  from Shapley, a 14-year IRS veteran who oversaw parts of the Hunter Biden criminal probe, and Ziegler, whose prior testimony was anonymous  to support their claims that the Justice Department has become increasingly politicized to protect Democrats and target conservatives.

The testimony from the IRS whistleblowers has also reignited a new push for potential impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Merrick Garland, as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces growing pressure from an increasingly restive right flank eager to take aim at President Joe Biden and his Cabinet. McCarthy fueled the momentum by saying hes open to an impeachment inquiry if the whistleblowers claims hold up.

Shapley and his deputy told the House Ways and Means Committee in June that Justice Department officials slow-walked the criminal probe into Hunter Bidens tax issues, stymied their efforts to obtain subpoenas and search warrants and repeatedly blocked prosecutors from filing felony charges.

The whistleblowers also claimed US Attorney David Weiss, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump and is overseeing the Hunter Biden probe, allegedly said in an October 2022 meeting he could not make final charging decisions against the presidents son, and that he was denied special counsel status when he asked for it.

Republicans have seized on these comments to claim that Garland was not truthful when he told Congress that Weiss had full authority on the investigation. But Garland and Weiss have rejected most, if not all, of the GOP lawmakers assertions. Also, its common for there to be internal disagreements among investigators, like those described by the IRS agents, a point Democrats have made in memo ahead of the hearing, according to a copy of the memo obtained by CNN.

Shapley accused Weiss and DOJ of responding to his allegations with carefully worded denials and evolving half-truths.

Whistleblower defends his credentials

In his closed-door deposition last month, Ziegler told lawmakers that he is gay, and pushed back against the notion that his sexual orientation influences his politics or his job.

People have said, because Im gay and that I am working as the case agent on this investigation, that I must be a far-left liberal, perfectly placed to fit some agenda. This was stuff that was on social media regarding me, Ziegler told the committee, according to a transcript of his deposition. I can tell you that I am none of those things. Im a career government employee, and I have always strived to not let politics enter my frame of mind when working cases.

Its not clear which social media posts Ziegler was referring to. But a 644-page report about Hunter Biden  which was compiled by a former Trump White House aide, posted online, and has circulated widely in right-wing circles  highlighted Zieglers sexual orientation and used it to accuse him of being biased in the Hunter Biden criminal probe.

Ziegler said in his private testimony that he grew up in a conservative household and held conservative beliefs, but now identifies as a Democrat with middle-of-the-road views.

Democrats push back

Democrats also noted that many investigative decisions that the two whistleblowers disagreed with occurred during the Trump administration, highlighting specific examples from late 2020.

In his opening statement, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, called his Republican colleagues out for not following through on their mission to connect their investigation to President Joe Biden directly.

Like every other try by colleagues to concoct a scandal about President Biden, this one is a complete and total bust, Raskin said.

The White House repeatedly also pointed out that Weiss had been appointed by Trump in advance of Wednesdays hearing, encouraging Republicans instead to focus on the issues most important to the American people.

There are real issues Americans want us to be spending our time on, and President Biden believes we can work together to make real progress, if House Republicans would make an effort instead of constantly staging partisan stunts to try to damage him politically, said Ian Sams, a White House spokesman responding to Republican-led congressional investigations.

Weiss also refuted claims made about his title overseeing the investigation, writing in a separate letter to Congress that he never requested special counsel status but rather explored becoming a special attorney under a different statute.

House Republican committee chairs have requested interviews from Weiss and a number of individuals involved in the Hunter Biden criminal probe. The Justice Department informed House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, last week that they will make Weiss available at an appropriate time when the ongoing criminal investigation into Hunter Biden is officially closed, and offered to start negotiating how to move forward.

Some of the Democratic members of the committee who are Black and Hispanic used their time to highlight long-running inequities in the American justice system that impact minorities, like disproportionately high rates of incarceration and IRS audits. They ridiculed their Republican colleagues for claiming there is a two-tiered justice system that is targeting conservatives.

Asked whether Wednesdays hearing with the IRS whistleblowers is a step toward impeaching Garland, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer told CNN, Theres obviously a lot of eagerness to get the facts out and were moving as quickly as we can. He added, however, that hes just in charge of getting the facts out and that questions of impeachment will come later.

Comer, a Kentucky Republican, said, We have two brave and credible IRS whistleblowers who have risked their careers to come forward and provide important testimony. Their testimony about the DOJ, FBI, and IRSs investigation of Hunter Biden confirms the committees findings. That there is nothing normal about the Biden familys business activity.

Garland, a top target of the House GOP, is slated to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee for a routine oversight hearing in September.

Hunter Biden is scheduled to plead guilty to two tax misdemeanors at a court hearing next week in Delaware.

___

Photos: Hunter Biden through the years
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras  Honduras plans to build the only island prison colony in the Western Hemisphere and send its most-feared gangsters there, tearing a page from neighboring El Salvador's unforgiving approach to murder, robbery, rape and extortion.

Honduras's progressive president once promised to address gang violence through systemic reforms to governance and the criminal justice system. Now, President Xiomara Castro plans to build an isolated prison for 2,000 gang leaders on the Islas del Cisne archipelago 155 miles off the coast, part of a larger crackdown following the gang-related massacre of 46 women in one prison.

Island prisons once were common across Latin America, with facilities in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Peru. Deadly riots, brutal conditions and bold prison escapes captured filmmakers' and authors' imaginations before the last island prison closed in Mexico in 2019.

In Honduras, authorities are betting that a return to the past will help stem the wave of violence, but skeptics say such moves are little more than optics, and fail to address the root causes of endemic violence.

"A new prison is quite useless if you don't first regain control of the others you already have," said Tiziano Breda, a Latin America expert at Italy's Instituto Affari Internazionali. "Criminal gangs have shown throughout their history that they can adapt."

Last month, 46 women were killed in a fight between gang members in one prison. Many of those killed were sprayed with gunfire and hacked to death with machetes. Some inmates were locked in cells, where they were doused with flammable liquid and burned in the worst atrocity in a women's prison in recent memory.

Castro said she would "take drastic measures" in response and crack down on the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gangs that have terrorized the nation for years.

The only way to communicate to the Islas del Cisne is by satellite, Jose Jorge Fortin, the head the Honduras' armed forces, said in an interview. Officials hope that will prevent gang leaders from running their operations from inside the prisons. Escape would be difficult as the island takes about a day to reach by boat from the mainland.

"It's the farthest away they can possibly be, so these gang leaders feel the pressure once they're on the island," Fortin said. "The idea is that they lose contact with everything, contact with all of society  and they can really pay for their crimes."

Fortin would not specify the cost of the project or when officials expect it to be done, but said Castro ordered the facility built as quickly as possible.

Since the bloodshed, Castro's social media has been speckled with images of weapons seizures and men with gang tattoos sitting spread-legged, half-naked and hunched together on the ground surrounded by heavily armed police.

The images mirror those from neighboring El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has imprisoned one in every 100 people in the country, throwing thousands into a "mega-prison." Bukele has said inmates will never again see the light of day.
For nearly three years now, more than 1,400 households in the town of Campbell have been using bottled water for everything, from drinking and cooking to brushing their teeth and watering their pets.

"It affects you every time that you would typically turn on your tap," said Lee Donahue, a Campbell resident and town supervisor. "You fill your coffee pot with bottled water, you water your pets with bottled water, and you cook with bottled water.

The French Island community, located just west of La Crosse and hugged by the Mississippi and Black rivers, has been under a health advisory for more than two years due to unsafe levels of "forever chemicals" found in the town's wells.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been linked to health problems including low birth weight, cancer and liver disease, and have been shown to make vaccines less effective. They're called forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in animal tissues and the human body.

For Wisconsinites like Donahue, long-awaited progress on combatting the state's mounting PFAS crisis arrived last month in the 2023-25 biennial budget signed by Gov. Tony Evers. It includes $125 million to remove the contaminants in the state's ground and drinking water.

The next challenge, though, is figuring out how to spend the funds. Those details aren't in the budget.

It will take separate legislation  passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by the Democratic governor  before a penny is spent to address the contaminants that have been identified in communities across the nation and Wisconsin, including in Marinette, Wausau, La Crosse and Madison.

With funds approved in the state budget, all eyes shift to a bill introduced in May by Republican Sens. Rob Cowles and Eric Wimberger, both of Green Bay. Both lawmakers said they hope to bring the measure before the Legislature as early as September.

Wimberger told the Wisconsin State Journal the initial plan was to have finalized legislation ready by the time the budget was signed, but adjustments based on stakeholder input and wading through the technical components of the bill have slowed the process. Some environmental groups also have pushed back, worried the proposal could undermine the state Department of Natural Resources' authority when it comes to PFAS testing and cleanup enforcement.

"Its critical that we get this right, that we get it right the first time," Donahue said. "When it comes down to the bottom line, we cant undermine DNRs authority. And if we do, we are taking a very scary step that is going to impact every single community in the state of Wisconsin.

Some measures environmental groups oppose include:

Barring the DNR from sampling water on land not owned by the state without first securing permission from the landowner, and prohibiting the agency from taking enforcement action unless a contamination exceeds state or federal limits.

Prohibiting the agency from preventing, delaying or impeding a development or public works project due to PFAS contamination unless the project poses a risk to public health or welfare, could worsen environmental conditions or if the entity responsible for the project is the cause of the contamination.

"We have to be able to rely on the DNR to do what they have been given the authority to do and they have been given the authority to hold responsible parties accountable  otherwise communities like mine will have to live with this forever," Donahue said.

Said Wimberger, "Generally, we want the DNR to be able to regulate a substance without being too imposing on property rights for people and we want people to be eligible for grants, but we want some restrictions on it so people dont take advantage of it."

"Theres just some balancing that has to be done as far as restrictions and eligibilities and enforcement that we have to figure out yet, he said.

Grants proposed

Evers' two-year spending plan included a request for $100 million in increased spending to test and respond to PFAS, a group of synthetic chemicals used in numerous products, including food packaging, nonstick cookware and water-resistant fabrics. Their unique water- and fat-repellent properties also have made them a key ingredient in foam used to fight oil-based fires.

While crafting the budget, Republicans in May chose to place $125 million into a separate account dedicated to addressing PFAS.

"These are scary chemicals with serious impacts so were very, very encouraged that were seeing bipartisan progress at the state level," said Peter Burress, government affairs manager for Wisconsin Conservation Voters.

Wimberger and Cowles' legislation, Senate Bill 312, would create a municipal grant program to help communities cover the cost of testing and treatment for PFAS, as well as provide grants for landowners who own property with PFAS contamination out of their control. Another grant program created under the bill would provide funds to individuals who own or rent a contaminated private well for treatment and filtration or the construction of a new well.

The bill also would require the DNR to resurvey local fire departments on their use and possession of PFAS-containing foam and contract with a third party to collect any remaining foam in the state.

Wimberger said the bill does nothing to change how the DNR should approach enforcement  through the administrative rulemaking process. Ultimately, he said the final version of the bill should be one that can secure bipartisan support and a signature from Evers.

Outside of the dynamic of the enforcement issue, I think were probably going to have a meeting of the minds with the executive branch on a lot of this," he said. "Were not going to let some of the technical distractions be a poison pill for coming up with a solid grant program for people in need."

Evers' spokesperson Britt Cudaback said in an email the governor supports the PFAS spending Republicans included in the budget but added that PFAS "deserve immediate attention and effort."

"Our administration will continue working with Republican legislators to improve this bill to help make sure it receives broad, bipartisan support while ensuring these funds get out the door quickly to Wisconsinites and communities who need them," Cudaback said Monday.

Spills Law impact

Environmental groups have raised concerns that the bill could hamstring Wisconsin's 1978 "Spills Law," which requires anyone who "possesses or controls a hazardous substance which is discharged or who causes the discharge of a hazardous substance" to take the necessary actions to restore the affected air, land or waters. The law does not define "hazardous substance."

Rob Lee, staff attorney with Midwest Environmental Advocates, said components of the bill limiting DNR's ability to enforce hazardous substances could undermine the 45-year-old Spills Law, particularly when it comes to settlements through various lawsuits related to contaminations nationwide. Chemical manufacturer 3M Co. agreed just last month to pay $10.3 billion to water providers to settle a lawsuit over PFAS contaminations.

"When you're messing with the Spills Law, that can really amount to a significant shift," Lee said. "We have to be very careful that this bill doesnt have unintended consequences  we cant purport to spend $125 million on this issue while potentially giving way much more.

On July 11, Wisconsin Conservation Voters called on the bill's authors to remove from it any measures that would limit enforcement of the Spills Law.

Weve seen how the Spills Law has been really critical for identifying contamination across the state and making sure we are providing immediate relief to impacted Wisconsinites," Burress said. "From our perspective, any legislation that undermines that law has to be a nonstarter because its just not worth it to take money in the short term and undermine long-term remediation efforts.

Limits on PFAS

Another factor at play is the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed limits on PFAS in public water supplies, which were proposed earlier this year and are considerably stricter than current state rules.

The EPA has sought to regulate two common fluorinated compounds, collectively known as PFAS, at a maximum rate of 4 parts per trillion in drinking water. Last year, the DNR approved setting a standard for those chemicals  PFOA and PFOS  that was more than 17 times higher, at 70 ppt, in line with EPA guidance put in place in 2016.

The agency plans to issue a final rule sometime later this year.

What's more, a study released earlier this month by the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that 45% of the nation's tap water contains one or more PFAS. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last summer tested water from 40 Wisconsin communities and found about 40% of those samples had detectable levels of at least one type of PFAS.

Cowles said his hope is the final bill creates the legislative framework to begin to address PFAS in the state while also providing the flexibility to adapt to new research and updated federal standards.

"I really think this is the kind of issue thats going to be with us for a long time. I dont think theres any silver bullet that just ends the discussion," Cowles said. "As we find more stuff in the ground and in our drinking water, there will be pressure  and thats justified  to deal with it. People want to drink water that theyre not questioning.

As of June 2021, more than 500 wells in the town of Campbell tested positive for PFAS, with some wells registering levels thousands of times higher than federal recommendations.

The Associated Press reported last month that a law firm representing hundreds of French Island residents served the city of La Crosse with claims totaling $42.4 million related to the contamination. The city has 120 days to pay or deny the claims brought by the residents of Campbell. If the city denies the claims, claimants are able to file lawsuits seeking compensation.
A Twin Falls man faces three counts of aggravated assault charges after he drove a pickup truck in the direction of deputies, forcing them to draw their weapons, records say.

A deputy was dispatched to a housing unit near U.S. Highway 93 and 3500 North, southwest of Twin Falls, after Leslie Brian Van Wetter, 48, was reportedly using an ax to get inside a unit. A woman had locked herself in the unit and was holding a knife to defend herself.

The incident apparently started as a domestic dispute over how the man was disciplining a child, records say.

The deputy made contact with Van Wetter, who then got into a pickup and backed up  nearly striking the deputy  then pulled forward, nearly ramming other law enforcement vehicles that had responded to the scene. His actions caused the deputies to pull out their service weapons, court records say.

Van Wetter then drove his pickup truck into a farmer's field and got stuck in an irrigation ditch.

In addition to aggravated assault, Van Wetter was also charged with domestic violence, malicious injury to property, injury to a child, resisting arrest, and attempting to elude a police officer, records say.

Van Wetter is being held on a $75,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for July 28.
Agriculture plays a central role in Idahos economy and way of life. The farmers and agribusinesses in our state are responsible for one in every eight jobs in Idaho and are the main suppliers of commodities like potatoes and dairy products throughout the nation.

Protecting and promoting Idaho agriculture has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to Congress, and I take seriously my responsibility to advocate for Idaho agriculture within a responsible federal budget. I work hard to bring Idaho tax dollars back home to invest in Idaho agriculture, ensuring that Idaho farmers can continue to lead the world in innovative production while supporting the way of life we have always valued.

One important way Im doing this is by supporting Idahos dairy industry as it addresses the growing challenges facing the livestock industry. Dairy is Idahos top commodity, ranking third in the nation for milk production. As our dairy industry continues to grow, it faces a number of rising questions.

Can Idaho dairy farmers continue to produce quality products in a more sustainable way?

How can we address the waste and water quality concerns raised by large-scale dairies while giving dairy farmers the tools they need to succeed and continue to grow our states economy?

How we answer these questions is critical for the future of Idahos dairy industry and the economic and environmental health of our state. Thats why Im glad to support the work that the University of Idaho is doing in partnership with the USDAs Agriculture Research Service to address these challenges through the development of a world-class research center in the dairy-rich Magic Valley.

Quote I work hard to bring Idaho tax dollars back home to invest in Idaho agriculture, ensuring that Idaho farmers can continue to lead the world in innovative production while supporting the way of life we have always valued.

The project includes the development of the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (I) site in Rupert. This 640-acre, 2000-head dairy will be the largest research dairy in the nation and will explore how to make the dairy industry both productive and sustainable into the future.

Recognizing the value of this work in ensuring Idahos dairy industry can continue as a national leader, I have supported the development of the I site through a Community Project Funding grant. The CPF program allows me to address critical needs in Idaho through projects that have broad community support and local buy-in and meet rigorous standards for transparency and accountability.

Last year, I supported a CPF that helped kick off the initial development phase of this project, which officially broke ground in 2023 and expects to be operational next year. This years project continues that investment by building a system at the site to identify best practices for using water more efficiently, treating animal waste, and improving soil health in the Magic Valley.

These CPFs are only a small portion of the funding needed to make this outstanding project a reality  I is widely supported and invested in by industry leaders including Chobani, Glanbia, and J.R. Simplot Co. and agricultural groups like the Idaho Dairymens Association and the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, as well as the University of Idaho, the State of Idaho, and local communities.

This partnership is an exciting opportunity for Idaho, and Im proud to support the next phase of bringing this world-class research center to Idaho. There is no doubt that federal spending is a serious problem and that the state of the federal budget is so often a gloomy landscape, but the I project is a bright spot that should be highlighted. The research out of this center will help make Idahos agriculture industry more sustainable and successful into the future. I will always fight for impactful, important projects like this because they invest Idaho tax dollars into Idahos future.

If youd like to learn more about this or any other CPF project, please visit my website, where you can find all the information.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Bidens student loan forgiveness program this month, denying relief to tens of millions of Americans.

The 6-3 decision sends Biden and his administration back to the drawing board on an issue that will become all too real for student loan debtors this fall. Following a 3 1/2-year moratorium, interest on outstanding student loans will start accruing in September and payments will resume in October.

Last year, I wrote a column expressing support for the student loan forgiveness program, while also empathizing with blue-collar Americans who felt the measure was only benefitting a bunch of snot-nosed rich kids. While factually inaccurate, I understood the sentiment.

After reading that column, a Twin Falls City Council friend of mine asked me why I didnt suggest changing the bankruptcy laws to allow more student loan debts to be discharged. I thought it went against the point I was trying to make, but upon reflection, lets delve into that idea. At this point, changing the bankruptcy laws may be the most practical path toward student loan forgiveness.

First, lets introduce some context as far as Idaho is concerned. The average student loan debt for Idahos 218,000 borrowers is somewhere around $33,000. That amounts to $7.2 billion in total student loan debt. While Idaho is below the national average, we also have one of the lowest income rates in the country.

Quote I dont believe student loan debt should be treated like credit card debt or medical debt  which is routinely discharged in bankruptcy  but perhaps a lower standard than utter hopelessness is in order.

In other words, $33,000 of debt is a big deal to most Idahoans.

With no student loan forgiveness on the horizon, the best way to provide student loan relief may be to change bankruptcy laws to make it easier to discharge that debt.

I think this solves a few problems.

First, no one wants to file for bankruptcy unless they really have to. This means that people who can afford to pay back their loans will do so, while those being crushed by the debt will have a relief valve.

Second, changing the bankruptcy laws is something most Americans dont care about. If done correctly, you can change the laws in a non-partisan way that doesnt get anyones hackles up.

Finally, and I know this from experience as bankruptcy trustee in Idaho, there are plenty of Democrats and Republicans who file for bankruptcy every year. No party has a corner on that market.

Now, lets look at the law. You may have been told you cant get rid of student loan debt in bankruptcy. Legally, thats not true. In practice, however, its really hard. Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. 528(a)(8), you can discharge student loan debt ONLY if the debt would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtors dependents[.]

While many of us think weve experienced undue hardship financially, the bankruptcy courts interpret that phrase very rigidly. As Idaho Bankruptcy Judge Joseph Meier recently noted, the student loan debtor must reach the level of utter hopelessness. Furthermore, the court must find it unconscionable to require student loan debtors to take steps to earn more income or reduce expenses.

In legal terms, thats a very high bar. While Idaho bankruptcy judges have granted partial relief for student loan debtors, that relief is very much the exception than the rule.

I dont believe student loan debt should be treated like credit card debt or medical debt  which is routinely discharged in bankruptcy  but perhaps a lower standard than utter hopelessness is in order. Student loan debtors shouldnt be required to be living in their cars before they can get relief. An intermediate threshold may be the best way to provide loan forgiveness to those who truly need it, while requiring others to pay back their loans who can afford it.

Believe me, I am not opposed to requiring student loan debtors to make good financial decisions so they can pay back their debts. However, the current system is a little draconian for my taste. The law shouldnt require utter hopelessness before someone can get relief.

Having met thousands of bankruptcy debtors over the years, the solution Im proposing is not ideal. No one wants to file for bankruptcy. Its humiliating, embarrassing and sad for everyone. That being said, if we cant fund free college or get loan forgiveness done legislatively, then changing the Bankruptcy laws may be the best path forward.

Especially since our Congress is utterly hopeless.
In an image from a video made by a bystander, a Chicago police officer hurls Bernard Kersh to the ground for allegedly spitting on him during an arrest Nov. 28, 2019. The city council approved a $750,000 settlement for Kersh, who later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery for sptting in the cop's face prior to the takedown. (Jovonna Jamison)

In a high-profile rebuke of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the citys Law Department, aldermen narrowly rejected a $2 million police settlement Wednesday from a controversial case of alleged police misconduct.

The federal lawsuit had been filed on behalf of Darius Cole-Garrit, a 21-year-old man who was fatally shot by Chicago police in 2014 after officials said he pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at officers. The suit alleged police, who fired on Cole-Garrit 16 times, used excessive force and were insufficiently trained, but the citys Independent Police Review Authority had found the shooting justified, a city attorney said.

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Separately, the City Council approved a settlement of $750,000 for a man on whom police used an emergency takedown move  an encounter that went viral four years ago after it was caught on video.

Bernard Kersh, the man who was slammed to the ground by the officer in 2019, later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery for first spitting in the cops face, which was not caught on the video shot by a passerby.

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That video prompted widespread headlines and complaints. Noted civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson got involved, accompanying Kershs family to bail him out of jail.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which replaced the police review authority, found that the officer who body-slammed Kersh, Jerald Williams, violated department policy by using excessive force. Though COPA called for Williams to face a 45-day suspension, records show then CPD Superintendent David Brown recommended a 135-day suspension for Williams, a former mixed martial arts fighter. Williams, who is still employed by Chicago police, has not served that suspension and remains in the grievance process, according to a police spokesperson.

Activists at the time said the takedown at the bus stop was part of a continued pattern of police brutality against the Black community. But a police union representative complained that concern for the safety of police officers was being overlooked.

A bystander took video of a Chicago police officer as he hurled 29-year-old Bernard Kersh to the ground for allegedly spitting on him during an arrest Nov. 28, 2019. (Jovonna Jamison)

In yet another settlement, aldermen agreed to pay almost $5 million total to five people who alleged in a lawsuit that they were subjected to unconstitutional stop-and-frisk procedures by police.

Stop-and-frisk  the police practice of stopping, questioning and sometimes patting down people on the streets who are deemed suspicious  has also been criticized as unfairly applied based on race and prompted a 2015 lawsuit by a group of Black Chicagoans.

Following a critical study of the practice that year by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, the Police Department adjusted its practices, requiring officers to fill out more detailed forms to document their reasonable suspicion for stopping people. At the time, the Tribune reported that officers complained about how much longer the paperwork took to fill out, keeping them from their street duties.

The residents who sued the city over stop-and-frisk sought class-action status. But the city successfully fought the ability of others to participate in the suit, which could otherwise have covered the subjects of more than 2.5 million police stops since 2013, said city deputy corporation counsel Jennifer Bagby.

Bernard Kersh stands beside the Rev. Jesse Jackson after Kersh bonded out of Cook County Jail in Chicago on Dec. 6, 2019. Kersh was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer after allegedly spitting at an officer and being slammed to the ground. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

If the case were to go to trial, attorneys fees and costs could have reached $10 million, Bagby told aldermen Tuesday. As it is, about $4 million of the nearly $5 million settlement will go to attorney costs  of which new 34th Ward Ald. Bill Conway, a former prosecutor, said: Obviously, that is shocking.

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Another $750,000 settlement approved Wednesday was for a man who was severely injured when his car was hit by a suspect who was being pursued by police in an unmarked car for suspected drug offenses.

The case was recommended for a settlement because the pursuit created a danger to the public that outweighed the need to immediately apprehend the suspect, said James Ormond, assistant corporation counsel for the city, during Tuesdays Finance Committee meeting, when all of the settlements advanced.

Ald. Raymond Lopez took issue with the settlement, saying the subject of the police pursuit bears responsibility.

Were on the hook once again, because we happen to have the biggest checkbook, to the criminals, Lopez, 15th, said at Tuesdays meeting.

City Council discussions involving police settlements are frequently contentious, but the proposed payouts are rarely rejected.

Aldermen who represent wards with high concentrations of first responders, particularly along the North and Southwest side bungalow belts, often criticize settlements as rewarding criminals and punishing police. City lawyers, meanwhile, counter that the settlements are less than what a jury might award to residents who claim they were mistreated.

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Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, speaks during a discussion about police settlements during a Chicago City Council meeting at City Hall on July 19, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Wednesdays 26-22 vote to reject the Cole-Garrit settlement was different. Council members rejected the settlement after Conway noted that Cole-Garrit allegedly pointed a gun at officers and that his autopsy showed eight of nine bullets that struck him came from the front, indicating he was facing the cops at the time. Officials said a semiautomatic weapon was found about 20 feet from where Cole-Garrit was shot.

Ahead of the final CPD lawsuit vote Wednesday, aldermen hashed out long-running frustrations with how the council handles police settlements, which cost the city upward of $100 million last year.

Ald. Anthony Napolitano, 41st, chided his colleagues who have largely supported settlements and said, You need to do your due diligence.

For eight years weve been voting yes on cases, Napolitano, a former Chicago police officer, said. And I cant sit here any longer and hear put your money where your mouth is and pay for that, because its my money. Its your money. Its your constituents tax dollars.

**CAUTION: GRAPHIC CONTENT** Area residents voice their anger and describe the events surrounding a police-involved fatal shooting at 133rd Street and Forrestville Avenue on Aug. 19, 2014. (Chicago Tribune)

But conservative aldermen opposing what they saw as giveaways to people who may have been engaged in wrongdoing at the time met plenty of pushback too. Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, said the concern over the character of such plaintiffs was ignorant.

When we talk about a city that since its inception that has been segregated  they cant do that to a people and then generations down the line wonder where are the parents, Vasquez said. I will be damned if we talk like this in council knowing we represent communities of color.

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Asked at a post-council news conference about the now-monthslong strife over police lawsuit settlements, Johnson did not address the failed vote directly but affirmed his commitment to constitutional policing.

We have a long way to go, Johnson said. And if you are suffering under the oppressive conditions of poverty and disinvestment, along with the unfortunate interactions that too many communities of color have had with law enforcement, thats not something that can just simply be repaired overnight.

His newly confirmed corporation counsel, Mary Richardson-Lowry, added that Wednesdays debate was just democracy in action and defended the citys process of assessing all options in lawsuits as appropriate.

Richardson-Lowry, a previous Buildings commissioner, was tapped by Johnson to be the citys top lawyer in June. She will be the first Black woman to serve as Chicagos corporation counsel, according to his administration.

In other business Wednesday, aldermen approved an ordinance authorizing a working group to recommend guidelines for a city sidewalk plowing program, which would need separate City Council approval.

The council also backed the purchase of the Diplomat Motel along North Lincoln Avenue for a pilot program to shelter homeless people and voted to limit the inspector general to two four-year terms.

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The National Economic and Development Authority board approved a solicited mode for the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, effectively rendering the P267-billion unsolicited offer of the Manila International Airport Consortium de facto closed.

The NEDA board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., approved the solicited proposal to rehabilitate, operate expand and transfer the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It is now known as the Solicited NAIA PPP Project.

Now that the solicited proposal has been approved, we are now saying its open for competitive bidding so the unsolicited proposal is de facto already closed, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

Those who are planning or proposing to come in under unsolicited are encouraged, and we hope that they will participate in the solicited mode of PPP, he said.

MIAC, whose members include six of conglomerates such as Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Asias Emerging Dragon Corp., Alliance Global-Infracorp Development Inc., Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corp. earlier said that its unsolicited offer would be the fastest route to rehabilitate and modernize NAIA.

MIAC is one with the government on its infrastructure priorities, and is aligned with the DOTr and NEDAs commitment to the urgent task of revitalizing NAIA given its importance as the countrys main international gateway, the consortium said in a statement.

MIAC said it is united with the government on the mission to deliver a better NAIA for the country.

Regardless of the route, we firmly believe that NAIAs modernization requires a long-term and comprehensive solution delivered by a credible and capable party at the quickest possible time. These criteria  regardless of the approach  would best benefit NAIA and the Filipino people, it said.

The Solicited NAIA PPP Project would be administered by the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority.

The project, with a cost of P170.6 billion, aims to address longstanding issues at NAIA such as the inadequate capacity of passenger terminal buildings and restricted aircraft movement. It seeks to increase the annual airport capacity from 35 million to at least 62 million passengers.

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National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Wednesday assured the public that the signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund will not affect the 2024 national budget.

In a briefing in Malacanang, Balisacan said that the money put in the sovereign wealth fund are idle funds and not funds included in the P5.77-trillion national budget.

And what the fund is trying to do is to put those into more productive, higher-yielding instruments so that you can earn more from those funds, the NEDA secretary said.

He added that the Maharlika fund will allow the country to decrease its reliance on debt.

Asked about the selection of its board members, Balisacan said that there is a need to define and develop the guidelines.

He added that those guidelines should be publicly accessible to ensure transparency.

The Maharlika Investment Fund bill was signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 18.

Under Republic Act (RA) 11954, the MIF would be used to invest in a wide range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and high-impact infrastructure projects for the attainment of sustainable development.

RA 11954 also establishes the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC), which will serve as the investment body responsible for the overall governance and management of the MIF.

The MIC is expected to have at least P75 billion in paid-up capital this year, with P50 billion sourced from the Land Bank of the Philippines and P25 billion from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Balisacan said the MIF could be tapped for the implementation of any of the 194 high-impact infrastructure projects approved by the NEDA Board chaired by Marcos.

The MIC, he added, would be the one to decide, taking into consideration the risk capital and the rate of returns because the rate of returns across these projects may vary.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, meanwhile, hailed President Marcos decision to insulate Maharlika Investment Funds handling from politics, saying it is a prudent move that augurs well for the success of the countrys first-ever sovereign wealth fund.

On Tuesday, Mr. Marcos said he rejected proposals for him or the secretary of Finance to chair the MIF, saying that it must be run by competent and independent financial managers to insulate it from political interference.

President Marcos demand for MIF investment decisions and management to be predicated solely on sound financial and business practices manifests his resolve to ensure the fund is adequately safeguarded and would grow to achieve its purpose, said Romualdez, who is one of the principal authors of the House version of the bill creating the MIF.

It is a prudent move on the part of the President that would bolster its potential to achieve its purpose of mobilizing additional funds without the need for additional borrowings or taxes to accelerate the implementation of flagship infrastructure projects meant to sustain the countrys robust growth, he added.

Romualdez noted that in a recent meeting, new Singaporean Ambassador Constance See said sovereign wealth funds, when managed properly can really promote economic development, increase revenue, and boost national savings.

The envoy said the city-states sovereign wealth funds, namely GIC (Government of Singapore Investment Corp.) Private Limited and Temasek, along with its Central Bank remit dividends amounting to about 20 percent of the countrys national budget.

With competent managers of proven track record and unquestioned integrity running the MIF, I am confident that it would eventually provide significant contributions to widen our fiscal space to finance projects that would create jobs and uplift the lives of our people, Romualdez said.

Also on Wednesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he was confident the MIF wont be misused as Congress had put enough safety nets into the law. These guaranteed that no funds would be wasted or stolen, he said.

I am proud that we have put many pages on safeguards, Zubiri said, including two pages of penalties for the misuse of the fund.

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto on Wednesday urged the economic managers to prove their critics wrong now that their pet MIF is a law and deliver the earnings they confidently promised during the congressional debates on the measure.

The next order of the day is to shut down the critics. And because they have stuck out their necks for this, their professional reputation is also on the line. This is not just business, but personal, Recto said.

As in the case of new things which were initially doubted, Recto said brickbats can incentivize performance and [can be] a powerful motivation to prove the naysayers wrong.

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of the Commonwealth Kay Coles James have offered some insight, after months of speculation from Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups, as to what criteria the administration considers when restoring rights to formerly incarcerated people.

In a letter obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, James wrote to the Virginias state conference of the NAACP that Youngkin will be less likely to quickly restore the voting rights of anyone who used a firearm in the commission of a crime, and that, generally speaking, but not always, he will work to restore the voting rights of those who committed nonviolent crimes.

Virginias state conference of the NAACP says the answer is not good enough.

We need more specifics on use of firearms and committing felonies to determine whether thats fair to all, the organizations president, Robert Barnette Jr., said during a news conference Tuesday at the state Capitol.

The NAACP submitted a series of recommendations to the administration that include publicly available criteria for applicants, communication of the timeline for the process and monthly public disclosures of how many applications it received, granted and denied.

This past March, The Times-Dispatch reported changes to the secretary of the commonwealths website that indicated former prisoners have to apply to have their rights restored. In Virginia, felony convictions result in loss of rights like voting, running for office, serving as a notary or carrying a firearm. The state constitution allows for governors to restore the rights on an individual basis (except for the right to bear arms, which only a court can do).

Recent governors  Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam  had worked to streamline the process and restore rights to more people.

This spring, the Youngkin administration confirmed the process no longer began automatically and that people had to apply.

In the months since, the administration has stressed that it handles the applications on a case-by-case basis. Both a spokesperson for Youngkin and James (in her letter to Barnette) said that the secretary of the commonwealths office has hired additional staff to process applications.

The administrations response to a Freedom of Information Act request the NAACP filed in early May shows that Reginald Burroughs was hired as a project manager for $75,000. Personnel records included in the FOIA disclosure indicate he began on June 10, but the administrations announcement of his role came on July 7. Burroughs position is in addition to the other six people who serve as part of the Clemency and Restoration of Rights Team within the secretary of the commonwealths Office.

We are very pleased that all completed applications submitted on or before April 30, 2023 have been acted on, James wrote in her letter.

The FOIA response also shows that a form to apply for rights restoration is included in a Reentry Resource Packet as former inmates are released from prison and reenter society. A flow chart included in part of the FOIA response indicates the general process for how the administration processes applications. This includes review by various state departments: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Elections and Compensation Board.

In a Dec. 9, 2022 Department of Corrections memo, all unit heads were notified of changes James made to the Restoration of Rights form.

At the time of release from a correctional center, community corrections alternative program and at intake to probation and parole, staff are to provide each individual with a copy of the form and ensure the individual signs the Acknowledgement of Restoration of Rights Application Form.

Ryan Snow, a lawyer with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said the NAACP would like more details about the records needed for the restoration process. The committee is co-counsel with the firm Hoven Lovells in representing the NAACP.

Theres no memo or guidance as to which records need to be produced. We know that must exist because how would the state agencies know what to give them? Snow said.

Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups have expressed concerns amid recent lawsuits challenging the changes. According to one filed last month, Virginia has an estimated 300,000 people who have lost their rights for felony convictions. Though Black Virginians make up less than 20% of the states voting-age population, they account for half of people disenfranchised from felony convictions, according to the suit.

The suit alleges that the states constitution violates Reconstruction-era Congressional acts in 1870 aimed at preventing former Confederate states from disenfranchising Black people. The provision in Virginias constitution that eliminated rights for people with felony convictions was enacted in the 1902 version of the states constitution.

Some of the most pernicious attempts to suppress the voting rights of Black citizens originated in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, but they have consequences that persist to this day, said American Civil Liberties Union attorney Vishal Agraharkar at the time. Our constitution has enabled mass disenfranchisement through decades of over-criminalization, and it turns out that was illegal.

Barnette noted other ways Virginia has historically suppressed voters of color.

Virginia has a deplorable record with regard to voting rights, Barnette said. Poll tax, slavery all comes into play here, and now using voter disenfranchisement is part of that.

James wrote that race, religion and ethnicity play absolutely no role in the process.

Youngkins administration has restored rights to significantly fewer former inmates than his predecessors. In James letter to Barnette, she noted a 2016 Virginia Supreme Court ruling that governors could not grant clemency en masse. Virginia House Republicans raised that legal challenge after McAuliffe attempted to restore rights to more than 200,000 former inmates via executive order rather than through the traditional process.

While our process slowed to accommodate the mandatory directive of the Supreme Court, we have made serious progress to reduce wait times after application and are working to rollout increased process transparency, James wrote.

Still, the NAACP recommends that the administration offer more transparency on standards for review.

The governor cant hide behind the Constitution, Snow said. The previous three governors have found a way to do this in a way thats fair and equitable and consistent with the Constitution.
Exports to Angola reached 2.4 billion euros in 2022, a growth of almost 60% over the previous year and maintained a positive trend in the first four months of 2023, indicated the Portuguese ambassador in Luanda.

Francisco Alegre Duarte, who was speaking at the VI Portugal-Angola Business Meeting, promoted by the Portugal-Angola Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIPA), emphasized that after the Covid-19 pandemic, many of our companies resisted without closing doors, 2022 was a year of recovery, with Angola remaining the third most important extra-community market and ninth export destination, approaching 2018 levels.

According to preliminary statistics, 2022 was also the first year since 2017 in which there was an increase in Portuguese economic operators exporting to Angola, he said. Currently, more than 4500 Portuguese companies export to Angola and about 1200 companies of Portuguese origin or mixed capital operate directly in the Angolan market.

In the first four months of 2023, the positive trend of goods and services from Portuguese companies continued with a year-on-year growth of 12.3% in exports compared to the same period last year, reaching 775 million euros, said Francisco Alegre Duarte.

For the ambassador, Portugal is also an important partner in terms of diversifying the economy and training human capital, and the extension of the ceiling of the Financing Line from 1500 to 2000 million euros is also a sign of confidence.

The reinforcement of the line is an unequivocal sign of confidence in Angola and is also a measure that will strengthen the capacity of Portuguese companies to act and invest in this country, he said.
King Mohammed VI, has sent a message to the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Mr. Benyamin Netanyahu, in which the Sovereign affirms that the State of Israels important decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla is both just and far-sighted.

I would like to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for your letter informing me of the State of Israels decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara, and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla, emphasizes His Majesty the King in this message, adding that this decision has been warmly welcomed by the Moroccan people and the nations driving forces.

King Mohammed VI points out that the Moroccan Sahara issue is the national cause of the Kingdom and is the priority of our foreign policy, adding that your important decision is both just and far-sighted.

It is just in that it reaffirms Moroccos legal entitlement to, and irrefutable historical rights over, its Saharan Provinces, notes the Sovereign, adding that the definite jurisdiction of the Moroccan State and the legal ties of allegiance which have existed, since time immemorial, between the Kings of Morocco and the Moroccan populations inhabiting these territories  which have always been so dear to the hearts of Moroccos Monarchs  are both well-established and undeniable.

Your decision is also far-sighted because it is in line with the irreversible international dynamic that has seen many countries, from all parts of the world, backing a final solution to this anachronistic regional dispute, on the basis of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative for the Sahara region, within the framework of the Kingdoms sovereignty and territorial integrity, continues His Majesty the King.

The Sovereign also recalls that since December 2020, bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel have gone from strength to strength in all sectors.

The momentum characterizing our ties is unprecedented, be it in terms of the exchange of visits by officials and the business community, the development of the bilateral framework, the diversification of our cooperation or the consolidation of trade relations, notes His Majesty the King, welcoming the fact that the deep human bonds that exist between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel  notably through the Jewish community of Moroccan origin  have been serving as a catalyst.

The Sovereign expresses his confidence that the clear position taken by Mr. Netanyahu, on behalf of the State of Israel, regarding the Moroccanness of the Sahara will contribute to closer ties between Morocco and Israel, assuring him of His firm and unwavering commitment.

As I indicated during our telephone conversation on 25 December 2020, you are welcome to visit Morocco on a mutually agreed date, to be determined through diplomatic channels, His Majesty the King stresses in the message.

In this context, the Sovereign affirms that this meeting will open up new possibilities for bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel and will also be an opportunity to promote the prospects of peace for all peoples in the region, bearing in mind the content of the Tripartite Declaration signed on 22 December 2020 by the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel, including the principles which should guide the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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:

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Scientists are urging caution before artificial intelligence (AI) models such as ChatGPT are used in health care for ethnic minority populations. Writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, epidemiologists at the University of Leicester and University of Cambridge say that existing inequalities for ethnic minorities may become more entrenched due to systemic biases in the data used by health care AI tools.

AI models must be "trained" using data scraped from different sources such as health care websites and scientific research. However, evidence shows that ethnicity data are often missing from health care research. Ethnic minorities are also less represented in research trials.

Mohammad Ali, Ph.D. Fellow in Epidemiology at the College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, says, "This disproportionately lower representation of ethnic minorities in research has evidence of causing harm, for example by creating ineffective drug treatments or treatment guidelines which could be regarded as racist. If the published literature already contains biases and less precision, it is logical that future AI models will maintain and further exacerbate them."

The researchers are also concerned that health inequalities could worsen in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). AI models are primarily developed in wealthier nations like the U.S. and Europe, and a significant disparity in research and development exists between high- and low-income countries.

The researchers point out that most published research does not prioritize the needs of those in the LMICs with their unique health challenges, particularly around health care provision. AI models, they say, may provide advised based on data on populations wholly different from those in LMICs.

While crucial to acknowledge these potential difficulties, say the researchers, it is equally important to focus on solutions. "We must exercise caution, acknowledging we cannot and should not stem the flow of progress," says Ali.

The researchers suggest ways to overcome potentially exacerbating health inequalities, starting with the need for AI models to clearly describe the data used in their development. They also say work is needed to address ethnic health inequalities in research, including improving recruitment and recording of ethnicity information. Data used to train AI models should be adequately representative, with key actors such as ethnicity, age, sex and socioeconomic factors considered. Further research is also required to understand the use of AI models in the context of ethnically diverse populations.

By addressing these considerations, say the researchers, the power of AI models can be harnessed to drive positive change in health care while promoting fairness and inclusivity.

More information: Addressing ethnic and global health inequalities in the era of artificial intelligence healthcare models: a call for responsible implementation, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1177/01410768231187734 Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
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Researcher Andreas stvik at SINTEF demonstrating the equipment which uses artificial intelligence to harvest experience from previous patients. This will enable doctors to make decisions based on potentially thousands of similar examinations. Credit: William Hoven.

Cardiovascular diseases are the biggest killers in the world, accounting for 17.9 million deaths globallyevery single year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). To put that number into perspective, it is more than twice the entire population of London.

So if there is an urgent need for you to get your heart checked, it is important for the examinations performed by the doctors to be the best they possibly can be.

"One of the most important methods is the echocardiograph," says Bjrnar Grenne, who is a senior consultant in the cardiac department at St. Olav's Hospital in Trondheim, and an Associate Professor at NTNU.

Each year, a large number of patients are admitted to St. Olav's for cardiac check-ups. This means everyone from people with chest pain, to those collapsing in the street, or patients receiving regular heart checks.

What most of them then do is lie on a couch to be examined by a doctor, who uses ultrasound to look inside the body.

"The heart is extremely complex and is very well hidden within the body. We don't think about it being there, but it's there all the same, beating up to 100,000 times a day, every dayin each and every one of us.

"There is a good reason why the heart is so well hidden, but because we cannot see it, this also makes it harder to examine. That's why we need good ways of studying it."

The WHO has stated that cardiovascular diseases accounted for 32% of all deaths on a global basis in 2019.

"It's important to establish what is wrong with the heart at an early stage, so that people can quickly get the right treatment."

Beside the examination couch, Senior Consultant Grenne demonstrates the probe, which looks like a joystick, and guides it so that the heart of a volunteer from the research team is displayed on the ultrasound screen.

"This gives us real-time images of the heart, which are essential if we are to make the correct diagnosis," Grenne explains.

The challenge is that you need a lot of experience in order to guide this probe correctly and get the best possible images of the heart. Analyzing the images afterwards is also very time-consuming.

"We can take as many as 70100 different images and videos of the heart during an examination. These must also be studied carefully afterwards by people with a great deal of experience in this field, and that can easily take half an hour if you want to do it properly."

AI is the doctor's super-assistant

That is where AI, or artificial intelligence, comes in as an excellent assistant.

"Artificial intelligence can help Bjrnar and his colleagues guide the probe in the right direction and obtain the perfect image every time. AI can also analyze the images as soon as they pop up on the screen and help us to see what is wrong with the heart," says Andreas stvik, who is a researcher at SINTEF Digital and NTNU.

Using machine learning, the researchers have fed info into a machine, with Senior Consultant Grenne and his colleagues defining the criteria that must be met in order to get the right cardiac images, and how these images should be interpreted.

This allows artificial intelligence to be used to harvest experience from previous patients, which means that the doctors can make their decisions based on potentially thousands of similar examinations.

During the process, the AI assistant shows a green or red light, so that the doctor knows whether the probe is at the right angle. When the images are correct, AI interprets these, and automatically takes measurements of the heart. Typically, these are measurements of the size of the heart, and how good it is at contracting.

Testing on patients

The technology has now been developed to an advanced stage and has already been used on some patients as part of the treatment offered to them in connection with the research project. However, strict rules apply in the field of medicine, which means that it could take some time before doctors will be able to use this treatment option in all hospitals in Norway.

"We're expecting it to be available in a few years. We have to test it firstpatient safety is paramount, and we have to know that it works before it is made available everywhere," the SINTEF researcher says.

Grenne adds that the current way of examining the heart is very good, but that it will obviously be tremendously helpful if AI could contribute as an assistant.

"It saves us a lot of time and resources, which means that we can help even more peoplewhich could then save more lives," he says.
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EV characterization. Analysis of EV morphology using transmission electron microscopy (A). Scale bar: 100 nm. EV size distribution and concentration were measured by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) with ZetaView (B). The concentration of isolated total, monocyte-derived or EC-derived EVs was approximately 5.2  1012 particles/ml, 3.5  1011 particles/ml and 4.5  109 particles/ml, respectively. All EVs showed a similar size distribution profile with isolated particles within the 30120 nm range. EV markers (CD9, CD63 and CD81) and common contaminants (calnexin and GM130) in total, monocyte- and EC-derived EVs were detected by western blot (C). EV, Extracellular vesicles. Cell Lysate: human brain pericytes. Credit: Frontiers in Immunology (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1150564

MUSC researchers have identified a novel biomarker that could change the way sepsis is approached and treated. Sepsis, the leading cause of death in intensive care units, is the body's extreme response to an infection and can lead to organ damage and failure.

In a recent study in Frontiers in Immunology, the researchers report that the severity of sepsis could be predicted by the contents of membranous structures known as extracellular vesicles, or EVs, that are shed by cells into the bloodstream. Based on sepsis severity, treatment protocols could then be tailored to individual patients and reduce the mortality rate and organ failure associated with severe sepsis.

"In sepsis, the major problem is organ dysfunction," said Hongkuan Fan, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Medicine, who studies vascular dysfunction in sepsis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are complications of severe sepsis that arise when the blood vessels become leaky and major organs are unable to get the required amount of oxygen and nutrients. AKI usually results in a very sudden reduction in kidney function, making it difficult for the kidneys to filter waste products from the blood. ARDS commonly causes respiratory failure in critically ill patients, like those in the ICU, making it difficult for them to breathe.

The MUSC team studied the content of EVs because they are produced in high numbers by white blood cells and platelets during sepsis. EVs carry proteins and RNA throughout the body that can modify the function of other cells that pick them up. When these modified cells penetrate through the walls of leaky blood vessels, organ damage can occur. The complex and intricate functions of the body work to maintain homeostasis, or balance, and this balance can be easily disrupted by minor changes like an infection.

"Normal blood vessel walls could protect tissues; however, in a disease condition such as sepsis, larger molecules and cells can pass through this blood vessel wall, which can induce inflammation and will worsen the situation during sepsis," said Pengfei Li, Ph.D., lead author and staff scientist in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

The body relies on immune cells, a large group of cells that defend it from invaders, to clear an infection. However, sepsis severity cannot be determined by tracking just immune cells. Fan and Li believe that EV content could better group patients, because EVs are released from all types of cells, not just immune cells. As such, they could provide more information about possible organ malfunction or damage occurring throughout the body.

With statistical support from the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research (SCTR) Institute, the researchers analyzed the content of EVs. They found that EVs from septic patients contained higher levels of certain enzymes and lower levels of one specific RNA molecule when compared with critically ill nonseptic patients and healthy patients from MUSC.

Patients with circulating EVs that caused cell injury were more likely to develop ARDS, and EVs that showed a decline in specific RNA levels were also associated with increased mortality from ARDS and AKI.

"While further validation studies and larger cohorts of septic patients are necessary," said Li, "EV content could be a dynamic marker for sepsis."

Many hurdles must be cleared before these biomarkers are used in the clinic, but certain factors could speed progress. For EVs, that technology already exists. A simple blood test known as a liquid biopsy could be used to collect and analyze EVs and the changes that occur in their contents in a patient with sepsis. The MUSC research team hopes that by studying the proteins and RNA found in the EVs, sepsis severity can be predicted, allowing treatment to be tailored to the individual patient.

More information: Pengfei Li et al, Circulating extracellular vesicles are associated with the clinical outcomes of sepsis, Frontiers in Immunology (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1150564 Journal information: Frontiers in Immunology
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Giving pharmacists a greater role in patient care could ease the huge pressure on GP services, if they are supported in doing so, according to a new policy report co-produced by researchers at the University of Strathclyde.

With many patients struggling to book a routine GP appointment, owing to ever-increasing demands on services, the research team says that giving support to community pharmacists to help manage long-term and urgent conditions could significantly improve access to treatments.

The authors analyzed governmental and pharmacy policies in England and spoke to patients and other stakeholders to explore their opinions of the future of community pharmacy.

As a result, they recommend that in the future, medicines could be dispensed automatically at large, centralized facilities and then delivered to the patient's community pharmacy for collection.

The proposed 'hub and spoke' model differs from existing practice in England, in which pharmacists typically prepare prescriptions sent by GPs. The researchers say it would free up the time of community pharmacy staff to provide more patient-facing services, in turn relieving pressure on GP surgeries.

The policy brief, developed with researchers from the University of Bath, was launched at an event in the House of Commons, attended by MPs, senior policymakers and members of the pharmacy industry.

Professor Margaret Watson, Professor of Health Services Research and Pharmacy Practice with the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, said, "Community pharmacy personnel achieved so much throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; imagine what could be achieved with appropriate funding and workforce enablement. Pharmacists are society's experts on medicines, which are the most commonly used health care treatment. Government investment in community pharmacy services isn't just good for health; it's essential for building a better future for the people of Britain."

In June 2023, the UK Government announced the NHS Workforce Plan, which included proposals to increase the number of pharmacists in England 29% in the next five years and grow the number of pharmacy technicians to address the changing needs of patients over the next 15 years.

This complements the announcement of its Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care, aiming to provide 'pharmacy first' prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions.

The findings of this project have been submitted as evidence to the Commons Health & Social Care Committee's current Pharmacy Inquiry.
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Black Americans are 1.6 times more likely to believe medical information presented by a Black physician or patient compared with information presented by a white speaker, a new study shows. This finding, the authors say, highlights the importance of increasing racial diversity among health care providers in order to improve discussions about health care among minority populations.

Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the new investigation involved more than 2,900 men and women. It showed that while Black participants were more trusting of videos about prostate cancer that featured a Black presenter, race made no difference for their White counterparts.

"Our findings demonstrate the need to increase diversity in the health care workforce," said study lead author and urologist Stacy Loeb, MD. Loeb is a professor in the Departments of Urology and Population Health at NYU Langone Health.

The investigation also revealed that regardless of their race, the surveyed participants were more trusting of a physician discussing prostate cancer than of a patient explaining the same information.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among American men, killing over 30,000 each year. Black men are more than twice as likely to die from the disease compared with other racial groups, experts note.

"Our study emphasizes the responsibility of health care providers to play an active role in public communication, particularly in an environment flooded with misinformation and confusion," said study co-investigator Joseph Ravenell, MD. "Clearly, people really do trust what doctors have to say," adds Ravenell, an associate professor in the Departments of Population Health and Medicine at NYU Langone.

An earlier study by the same research team revealed that only a small percentage of online content about prostate cancer features Black or Hispanic men. The new investigation, publishing online July 19 in JAMA Network Open, was designed to demonstrate the direct impact of this under-representation on audiences, says Ravenell, who also serves as the associate dean for Diversity Affairs and Inclusion at NYU Langone Health.

For the investigation, researchers randomly assigned U.S. adults ages 40 and older to watch one of eight videos about prostate cancer, with half of them about cancer screening and the other half about clinical trials. Notably, clips from each category shared the same script. The presenter of each video was either a white or Black doctor, or a white or Black patient.

After watching the clips, the participants were asked to rate how strongly they trusted the information presented in the video using the following scale: "no trust at all," "a little," "somewhat," or "very much." They also answered questions about their age, race, and other information about their background.

Among the study's other findings, the responses revealed that participants were more trusting of videos about prostate cancer screening than about clinical trials. According to the researchers, this result could reflect the deep-seated distrust of clinical research that in part stems from a history of unethical practices before the onset of strict protections for human research participants since the 1950s. It may also reflect the fact that many Americans generally have low understanding about clinical trials compared with other health topics.

"These results underline the need to ensure that all patients, regardless of their racial or ethnic background, have knowledge of clinical trials and can participate if they are eligible," said study senior author Aisha Langford, MPH, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone.

Langford cautions that since their investigation only focused on videos about prostate cancer, it remains unclear whether the findings about public trust in medical information extend to other health topics, such as misinformation about vaccines.

She adds that the study team next plans to lead focus groups with Black patients with prostate cancer to discuss their experiences with online sources of medical information and their suggestions for improving the quality, accessibility, and impact of those resources.

More information: The Effect of Racial Concordance on Patient Trust in Online Videos About Prostate Cancer, JAMA Network Open (2023). Journal information: JAMA Network Open
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Credit: Northern Arizona University

Despite having an estimated two times higher risk of death than white Americans from the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada experienced surprisingly positive outcomesthey exhibited an impressive collaborative strength.

Principal investigator Naomi Lee is the first author on a recent publication in The Lancet Infectious Diseases that demonstrated Indigenous people have the ability to thrive anew.

In the article "Infectious Diseases in Indigenous Populations in North America: Learning from the Past to Create a More Equitable Future," authors from Northern Arizona University, the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and Johns Hopkins University used Indigenous data from a variety of search data and publications through Dec. 31, 2002, to examine the ongoing effects of colonization on Indigenous people, specifically in the historical context of infectious disease.

Their goal with the publication was to improve health equity among Indigenous populationsthe idea that everyone can be as healthy as possible. Through their work, they found that reclaiming health for Indigenous people is directly tied to reclaiming and promoting Indigenous ways of understanding the world and interacting in it.

"The COVID-19 pandemic showed colonization is still impacting Indigenous populations in North America," said Lee, who is Onodowaga (Seneca Nation of Indians from western New York state), assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry at NAU. "Collectively, we felt it was important to acknowledge these effects while proposing a framework to improve the health of Indigenous people. We also wanted to present culturally informed case studies the authors use to address the communities' infectious diseases."

Improving health equity for Indigenous people through colonization acknowledgments

The researchers found that Indigenous populations' infectious disease health trajectories can improve when governments and institutions commit to respecting Indigenous wellness models, acknowledging and ending ongoing colonization, practicing cultural humility and strengthening health care services.

Their publication also calls on governments, public health leaders, industry representatives and researchers to reject harmful research practices and adopt a framework for achieving sustainable improvements in the health of Indigenous populations "adequately funded and wholly grounded in respect for tribal sovereignty and Indigenous knowledge."

"The framework for attaining sustainable improvements in Indigenous People's health proposes ways for the government, health care providers and community to address health care through cultural humility," Lee said. "This includes respecting tribal sovereignty, committing to self-reflection and strengthening the community.

This framework would create sustainable improvements in Indigenous people's infectious disease health, including advances in biological, behavioral, environmental and structural interventions; community education and disease prevention; Indigenous research capacity and data sovereignty; and high-quality local data on disease burden and disease risk factors.

"In addition, we recognized that efficacious vaccines can receive infectious diseases, but to achieve equity, must respect the holistic approach to health; thus, we presented case studies to emphasize the impact of cultural humility on the respective communities," Lee said.

Infectious diseases among Indigenous started with colonization

In their publication, the authors examine the history of contagious diseases among Indigenous populations throughout the U.S. and Canada and the common risk factors directly tied to colonization's ongoing effects.

According to the researchers, colonization that began in 1492 was not a single event that happened long ago but is an event that "happened in waves, over time, leading to colonialitya living legacy of interconnected systems that perpetuates settler colonialism."

They also examined atrocities in biological warfare, such as colonizers' distribution of smallpox-infected blankets and medical experimentation. They forced sterilization, along with other infectious and bacterial disease exposure that colonization brought to Indigenous people, contributing to the ongoing experiences of mistrust, intergenerational trauma and historical trauma.

They found that structural oppression and colonization, which resulted in the loss of language and culture, environmental deprivation, racism and disconnection from the land, are prime contributors to poor health outcomes in Indigenous communities.

"We want researchers and government agencies to acknowledge the continued effects of colonization and assimilation on Indigenous populations," Lee said. "We also come together to implement change through laws, policies, cultural humility and sovereignty to address these effects and improve health in Indigenous populations."

More information: Naomi R Lee et al, Infectious diseases in Indigenous populations in North America: learning from the past to create a more equitable future, The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00190-1 Journal information: Lancet Infectious Diseases
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Decades after Purdue Pharma began to push physicians to prescribe addictive pain pills, the opioid crisis has been a slow-motion disaster, with overdoses destroying lives and families across the country.

Now, it appears the consequences of those early marketing efforts are even more devastating. In a new study, researchers at the Yale School of Public Health show that infectious disease rates in the United States also climbed as a direct long-term result of the marketing of OxyContin.

By comparing U.S. states that saw heavier OxyContin promotion with states that experienced less, the Yale study shows for the first time that this marketing caused long-term rises not only in overdose deaths but also in hepatitis diagnoses and deaths from infective endocarditis, a bacterial infection in the heart. This occurred after 2010, when many people with addiction to pills began to use intravenous opioids instead, running the risk of spreading infections through contaminated needles.

"The most shocking finding is that we're still seeing the ramifications of marketing decisions from 25 years ago," said first author Julia Dennett, a postdoctoral associate in the YSPH Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases.

The findings appear on July 19 in the journal Health Affairs.

Reformulation spurs illicit drug use

In the mid-1990s, Purdue Pharma began to target physicians in some states with an aggressive marketing campaign for its potent opioid pain pill OxyContin.

Pharmaceutical representatives offered free meals, swag, and conference trips alongside a pitch that aimed to convince prescribersparticularly those who treated cancer patients  that the drug was also safe and appropriate for non-cancer pain, such as chronic back pain.

"There was a lot of misleading information in the advertising materials," Dennett said. "They very much downplayed the risks of addiction."

In 2010, amid growing evidence that the pills were indeed addictive and that they were often diverted and misused, Purdue reformulated OxyContin to make it harder to crush and snort. As a result, studies have found, many people with an addiction to opioid pills turned to substitute opioids in the form of intravenous heroin or fentanyl.

Intravenous drug use can spread bloodborne infections, including hepatitis and HIV. Knowing this, the researchers investigated whether states targeted for more OxyContin marketing saw more injection drug-related infections, too.

Targeted marketing

Other scientists had already found that Purdue's 1990s-era marketing push led to worse long-term health outcomes. They did so by examining differences in areas targeted by Purdue Pharma for more OxyContin marketing versus those that received less marketing investment. Areas with higher cancer rates and/or states where less paperwork was required for prescriptions received far more attention from the company.

One study demonstrated that areas with higher cancer rates later saw higher rates of death related to opioid use, even though prior to OxyContin, both high- and low-cancer areas had similar rates of opioid deaths.

Another study examined five states that required doctors prescribing opioids to complete extensive paperwork called triplicate prescribing. In these states, the researchers found, the company shied away from aggressive marketing efforts, fewer OxyContin prescriptions were written, and fewer overdose deaths occurred.

Comparative analysis

To determine whether OxyContin marketing influenced later rates of infectious disease related to substance use, the Yale team compared post-2010 injection drug use-related outcomes in states that had seen more OxyContin marketing years earlier with those that received less.

The authors compared states with a higher cancer burden against those with lower cancer rates and states requiring less prescription paperwork with those requiring more documentation. Using these distinctions, they divided states into high-, middle-, and low-marketing exposure categories. States with either triplicate prescribing or low cancer rates experienced less OxyContin marketing and served as controls.

The outcomes of interest were new infections with viral hepatitis A, B, or C, or HIV, as well as deaths related to endocarditis, a dangerous infection of the heart valves that is often related to injection drug use. The authors also examined death rates related to synthetic opioid overdose or heroin overdose.

A dramatic divergence

Prior to the reformulation of OxyContin, the authors found, rates of infections spread by intravenous drug use as well as illicit overdose deaths were similar in high- and low-marketing exposure states.

After the reformulation, however, those rates diverged. Years after initial OxyContin marketing, there was more infectious disease related to intravenous drug use in states that had been exposed to more marketing, compared to states that had received less, the researchers said.

Specifically, from reformulation in 2010 until 2020, per 100,000 residents, high-exposure states saw, on average, an additional 0.85 acute hepatitis B cases, 0.83 hepatitis C cases, and 0.62 cases of death from infective endocarditis. In addition, high-exposure states had 5.3 more deaths per 100,000 people from synthetic opioid overdose.

"Prior to 2010, among these states, there were generally no statistically significant differences in these outcomes. After 2010, you saw them diverge dramatically," Dennett said.

Limitations of the research include limited available data on pre-2010 HIV rates and a lack of access to company marketing data. The authors were also not able to take into account all post-2010 changes in state policies that could have affected outcomes.

Regulatory controls needed

Dennett said regulatory systems need to take steps to prevent similar crises in the future, such as limiting the ability of the pharmaceutical industry to promote drugs to physicians or influence regulatory bodies.

Meanwhile, she said, it's crucial to ensure more support for communities harmed by their exposure to long-ago OxyContin marketing.

"Policymakers can promote harm-reduction services to try to reduce the spread of infectious disease and reduce overdoses, and they can also take steps to expand access to treatment for opioid use disorder," Dennett said.

Gregg Gonsalves, associate professor of epidemiology (microbial diseases) at the Yale School of Public Health, is co-author.

More information: Julia M. Dennett et al, Early OxyContin Marketing Linked To Long-Term Spread Of Infectious Diseases Associated With Injection Drug Use, Health Affairs (2023). DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00146. www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1  7/hlthaff.2023.00146 Journal information: Health Affairs
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More often than not, studies of human biology are conducted when the body is under duress from infection or disease. Now, as part of a larger effort to delineate what "healthy" looks like, two Stanford Medicine teams have unfurled detailed molecular maps of healthy human intestinal and placental tissues.

The maps, which capture cell types, cell quantity and other cellular nuances, are just two of a collection of maps that will establish a cellular baseline for the majority of the human body, including where cells in certain tissues congregate, how tissues develop during pregnancy and how cell-to-cell interactions drive human biology.

The studies, which will publish in Nature on July 19, are part of a larger effort spearheaded by the Human Biomolecular Atlas Programcalled HuBMAP. It aims to fill gaps in our knowledge of how the human body works when it's in tip-top shape. Dozens of teams from the United States and Europe contribute to the HuBMAP consortium.

"In research, we have a habit of studying things that are abnormal without really understanding what normal looks like," said Michael Angelo, MD, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pathology who is also the co-chair of the HuBMAP steering committee. "That's created a big gap in our knowledge. HuBMAP is the only effort that is systematically focusing on the spatial architecture of these tissues."

By combining cellular imaging techniques, machine learning and other methods of molecular analyses, the teams are creating a comprehensive resource for researchers to better understand all human tissue. The data collected during the project, including imaging data and annotations, will be publicly available through HuBMAP. The goal is to enable researchers to study tissue-specific characteristics, understand disease mechanisms, and develop automated annotation tools that identify and characterize cells.

In contributing to mapping the human body overall, Michael Snyder, Ph.D., the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor of Genetics and former co-chair of the HuBMAP Steering Committee, and his team focused on the intestine, revealing key characteristics of this type of tissue:

Cells in the intestine congregate in "neighborhoods," which are made up of different quantities of cell types with specific functions. The researchers were able to map these neighborhoods down to the level of individual cells.

The new maps revealed interesting clinical connections: The researchers found that tissue donors with higher body mass index had a greatly increased number of M1 macrophages, a type of immune cell associated with inflammation. And donors with a history of hypertension had fewer immune cells of a different type, called CD8 T cells, which play a role in seeking out and destroying possible cancer cells.

Angelo's team focused on the maternal-fetal tissue remodeling process, in which cells from the fetus embed into the uterine wall. Their study detailed several key pieces of developmental biology during pregnancy:

The team mapped the intricate, highly coordinated interaction between cells called trophoblasts, support cells that originate during early embryonic development, and the mother's immune system, which accommodates these unfamiliar cells as the placenta forms.

Corkscrew-shaped arteries that embed in the placenta and deliver blood and nutrients from the mom to the baby change their cellular make-up to ensure both cells from the baby and cells from the mother are incorporated into the placenta. This study was the first to sequentially show how these arteries change from un-remodeled to fully remodeled.

Snyder and Angleo hope that establishing detailed baselines, in coordination with dozens of other research teams creating cellular maps within HuBMAP, will help scientists further understand what happens when healthy bodies become diseased.

"These are really some of the first highly detailed spatial maps of the human body, allowing us to see not just what cells are there, but how they're organized," Snyder said. "It's hard to understand disease if you don't know what the healthy states look like. These maps will allow us to start comparing across different organs and analyzing what goes wrong during disease."

More information: Michael Snyder, Organization of the human intestine at single-cell resolution, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05915-x. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05915-x An atlas of healthy and injured cell states and niches in the human kidney, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05769-3. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05769-3 A spatially resolved timeline of the human maternalfetal interface, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06298-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06298-9 Journal information: Nature
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Spatial distribution of total number of wildfire smoke-days (20102016) at each MSA for the (a) 0%, b 25%, and (c) 50% thresholds. Thresholds are defined as the population-weighted percentage of zip codes within a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) required to experience a smoke-day, in order to assign a smoke-day to the MSA

Children exposed to wildfire smoke in the first trimester of pregnancy or the first few weeks after birth are more likely to be prescribed upper respiratory medication earlier in life, according to a new study from researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Wildfires are one of the largest sources of air pollution and have a significant impact on respiratory health. In the U.S., they have been growing in frequency and severity over the past two decades due to things like climate change and population growth, particularly in western states. Smoke from these fires carries a hazardous mixture of chemical compounds, particulate matter (PM) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that contribute to poor healthincluding exacerbation of asthma and reduced lung function in children.

While research has shed light on many of the health effects that come from PM in wildfire smoke, experts are still trying to understand how wildfire PM might affect children in their earliest stages of development. The UNC-led study, published recently in Environmental Health, sought to investigate whether exposure to wildfire smoke in-utero or in the first weeks of life resulted in earlier usage of medications to treat respiratory conditions.

These medications can include cetirizine (Zyrtec) and mometasone for upper respiratory treatment, albuterol for lower respiratory treatment, and methylprednisolone, prednisolone or prednisone for systemic anti-inflammatory treatment.

Results from the study suggest that infants who are exposed to wildfire smoke during the first trimester or the first six months of life may be at greater risk of upper respiratory illness in early childhood, according to Radhika Dhingra, Ph.D., adjunct assistant professor of environmental sciences and engineering at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and medical student at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, who is first author on the study.

Dhingra collaborated on the study with several EPA and UNC colleagues, including Ilona Jaspers, Ph.D., professor of pediatrics, microbiology and immunology at the UNC School of Medicine, environmental sciences and engineering at the Gillings School, and director of the UNC Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma and Lung Biology (CEMALB); and Ana G. Rappold, Ph.D., Branch Chief of the Clinical Research branch, statistician at EPA and adjunct associate professor of environmental sciences and engineering at the Gillings School.

Using data from private insurance claims in an IBM MarketScan database, the study team linked a group of 182,387 live births in Oregon, California, Montana, Nevada and Idaho to wildfire smoke exposure estimates based on Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product data, which is compiled by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They measured smoke exposure during each trimester and two postnatal periods (0-12 weeks and 1324 weeks), as well as the time it took to first fill an upper respiratory, lower respiratory or anti-inflammatory prescription, if a child needed one.

The team used these data to produce a statistical measurement called a hazard ratio, which estimated the association between the average weekly smoke exposure days and the time to first prescription fill for each developmental period. Hazard ratios greater than one suggested that a child exposed to wildfire smoke during a given period used a respiratory medication sooner than children who had no exposure to wildfire smoke during that same period.

In addition to finding that first trimester and post-birth exposure to wildfire smoke shortened the time to the first use of upper respiratory medication, researchers found that in utero exposure to wildfire smoke resulted in an increase in time until the first use of lower-respiratory and anti-inflammatory medications.

The reason for this unexpected inverse relationship was unclear. Researchers noted that one explanation could be a live birth bias, which often happens in perinatal epidemiological studies because data are limited to live births and cannot include information on pregnancy loss. It could also be a sign of a biological process in reaction to smoke exposure in utero.

Additionally, the team observed biological sex-linked differences in the results. The time to first use of upper respiratory medication was shorter in female children exposed to wildfire smoke the first trimester and the first 12-week postnatal period, while it was shorter for male children in the 1324 postnatal week period. According to the study, these results are consistent with other findings that suggest sex differences in lung development and wildfire smoke vulnerability.

Jaspers suggested that the difference between upper and lower respiratory results could be related to the difference in the way children were exposed to wildfire smoke. "The effects measured in the upper respiratory tract were likely caused by infants directly inhaling wildfire smoke via the nasal cavity," she explained, "while the first trimester effects were indirect via the mother's exposure. Infants are obligate nose-breathers and would potentially have significant nasal exposure during wildfire episodes."

The upper and lower respiratory tracts are also structurally and functionally different, which researchers say may have an impact on the effects the study measured.

"The upper respiratory tract comprises the nasal cavity, larynx and pharynx, while the lower respiratory tract is the bronchi and lungs," Dhingra explained. "The structure, immune protection mechanisms, and even the microbiome vary between the two. This variation in physiological and immunological functions may explain why these two portions of the respiratory tract do not behave the same way in response to wildfire smoke."

To further explore the complexity of these findings, Dhingra and fellow co-author Meghan Rebuli, Ph.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine and at CEMALB, are currently researching how the microbiome and immune system interact in the nose (part of the upper respiratory tract) and sputum (a substance produced by the lower respiratory tract) as a result of wildfire smoke exposure in adults.

"With this work, we hope to shed some light on the complex relationship between the upper and lower respiratory tracts," she said.

More information: Radhika Dhingra et al, Wildfire smoke exposure and early childhood respiratory health: a study of prescription claims data, Environmental Health (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12940-023-00998-5 Journal information: Environmental Health
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned of an increased risk of measles outbreaks, particularly in London.

Although the probability of a large epidemic is still considered to be low elsewhere in the UK, the UKHSA's projections suggest the capital could see 40,000 to 160,000 cases, with hospitalization rates of 20%-40%.

For 60 years, measles has been preventable by a widely available vaccine, so why is London facing a potential disaster now?

The answer lies in faltering vaccine coverage, particularly since the late 1990s, but exacerbated by COVID pandemic.

Measles is a viral infection that primarily affects children but can also occur in adults. It can cause serious complications, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.

The measles virus spreads through respiratory droplets from an infected person, making it easily transmissible in close quarters such as schools, hospitals, and public transport. It's known to be one of the most infectious pathogens affecting humans.

The basic reproduction number, R, for measles, is estimated to be between 12 and 18. This means one infected child can pass on the disease to 12 to 18 other children in a completely susceptible population.

The effective reproduction number, Re, takes into account the proportion of contacts who are not susceptible, either because they have already had measles or have been vaccinated. If the Re is larger than one, the disease spreads.

Before measles vaccines became available, almost everybody over five would have had the disease, which for most meant lifelong immunity. But complications like encephalitis or pneumonia caused many deaths. Even today, thousands die from measles globally every yearmostly unvaccinated young children.

Vaccination campaigns have been remarkably successful in reducing the number of measles cases. Mass vaccination programs started in the 1960s and quickly suppressed the spread in most developed countries. The measles shot is a "sterilizing" vaccine, which means it not only prevents illness, but also transmission.

Measles cases in the US, 19382019

We don't actually need to vaccinate every single person against measles for everybody to be protected. By vaccinating a large enough proportion of the population, we can lower the Re below one, effectively "starving" the pathogen of new hosts. The population then reaches "herd immunity".

Mathematical modeling, taking in the virus' reproduction number and other factors, allows us to estimate the level of vaccination needed to reach and maintain herd immunity.

This graph shows vaccination levels needed for herd immunity for diseases with different R values, and how this applies to measles. Credit: UKHSA; Adam Kleczkowski, Author provided

For measles to be eliminated, between 90% and 95% of the population should be immune (either from vaccination or infection).

Herd immunity could be lost if we don't keep vaccinating children who are born susceptible to measles. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are neededthe first at 12 months and the second at age fivefor effective protection.

The current levels of MMR coverage in England, particularly in London, are well below the 95% threshold.

Vaccination levels needed to maintain herd immunity

MMR vaccination levels across different age groups in London

The UK has never reached the 95% level of MMR coverage recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate measles, although it has come close enough to prevent a repeat of the large outbreaks that regularly occurred before the 1960s.

Credit: UKHSA; Adam Kleczkowski, Author provided

However, a drop in vaccination rates in the late 1990s meant repeated revivals of the virus. This drop is often linked to the publication of Andrew Wakefield's Lancet paper linking the MMR vaccine to autism, which has since been debunked.

Then, in 2017, the WHO declared that the UK had eliminated measles, but this was not maintained. Cases subsequently started occurring more frequently in areas with particularly low vaccination coverage. An outbreak in England between 2017 and 2018 saw a nearly fourfold increase in confirmed cases. Other European countries had similar problems.

The COVID pandemic has seen vaccination levels drop further, creating a perfect storm of low immunity levels.

Some children born since 2015 who were going to be given their second MMR shot during the COVID pandemic missed it. These groups of children are at particular risk, as they are now at school, where they can easily catch the virus.

As well as COVID lockdowns limiting access to routine health care, vaccine hesitancy and outright anti-vaxxer attitudes have likely been magnified by COVID vaccine misinformation.

Estimated immunity levels for different age groups, London and England

Credit: UKHSA; Adam Kleczkowski, Author provided

While only three-quarters of eligible five-year-olds in London have received their second MMR dose, immunity levels are not the same across all age groups. The UKHSA has sought to work out immunity levels in different age groups to better understand the risk of outbreaks.

The UKHSA combined the proportion of vaccinated people in different age groups with vaccine efficacy (93% after the first dose and 97% after two). It also accounted for the misclassification of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people.

The resulting immunity levels are unevenly distributed across ages, as seen in the graph above. Most adults 55 or over are likely to have had measles when they were young. Children born between the start of the vaccination program and the late 1980s were given a catch-up in 1994 and 1996 and are relatively safe. But children born in the late 1990s and early 2000s are potentially at high risk, as is the most recent, post-2015 cohort.

With its consistently low vaccination levels, London is more likely to face an outbreak than the rest of the UK. Counting how many people would need to become infected to fill in the "immunity gap" gives the worst-case estimate of 160,000 cases for the capital.

Some 1,053 cases of measles were reported in England and Wales over the past year, and we could see more. Most of the new disease outbreaks can be controlled by emergency vaccination and management of contacts. But loss of immunity makes the virus escape more likely and could lead to large, uncontrollable outbreaks.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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UniSA researchers have identified three new biomarkers for prostate cancer to help identify and differentiate potentially aggressive cases of the disease, which kills more than 300,000 men each year.

An international team of scientists led by UniSA Professor of Molecular Medicine Doug Brooks has made the breakthrough, which assists pathologists when visualizing prostate cancer in patient tissue samples.

The new biomarkers, when used together, will assist clinicians in determining which patients require immediate, radical treatment compared to those who need close monitoring. The research paper is published in the journal Cancers.

With more than 1 million men diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide each year, the research breakthrough is significant.

The UniSA-based team has collaborated with the Australian company Envision Sciences on the technology to improve patient management and treatment outcomes.

"It is anticipated this will lead to long-term improvements in the way prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded," Prof Brooks says.

"The biomarkers are remarkably sensitive and specific in accurately visualizing the progress of the cancer and confirming its grade. This discovery has led to the commercial development of a test designed to determine how advanced and aggressive the cancer is and whether immediate treatment is needed."

Envision Sciences, which funded the development and translation of the technology at UniSA, has signed a commercialization agreement with the largest tissue diagnostic pathology company in the US, Quest Diagnostics, to take the technology into clinical practice.

Pending a successful outcome in the U.S., it is expected that clinical trials using the innovative technology will be undertaken in Australia.

Describing the breakthrough as "life saving," UniSA Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO says the partnership between UniSA and Envision Sciences is an exciting development in cancer research.

"This technology represents a shift in the way clinicians can grade and predict the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. We look forward to seeing the difference it makes in coming years."

More information: Jessica M. Logan et al, Prediction of Prostate Cancer Biochemical and Clinical Recurrence Is Improved by IHC-Assisted Grading Using Appl1, Sortilin and Syndecan-1, Cancers (2023). DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123215
Health officials confirmed illnesses that sent two local dogs to the vet last week likely werent from harmful algal blooms in the Clark Fork River.

Last Wednesday, a social media post circulated around Missoula raising alarm about two dogs that were swimming in the Clark Fork River and subsequently got extremely sick and died the following day.

Department water quality district manager Elena Evans said the dogs owners reached out to the Missoula City-County Health Department on Thursday, reporting they had two dogs and believed the social media post was about their pets. The owner shared that one dog did die, but their veterinarian didnt think the cause of death was from water toxins, according to Evans.

In the week since the post made its rounds, health officials made trips down to the Harpers Bridge Fishing Access Site and determined the area where the dogs were reportedly in the water is free of harmful algae.

Evans said health department officials took samples from the Harpers Island area twice: last Thursday and Monday of this week. The results of Thursdays samples didnt show toxins present, and the Monday samples were sent to the Environmental Protection Agency out of an abundance of caution, but Evans said the department anticipates the results will be similar to Thursdays samples. She added officials visually surveyed the Harpers Island area and didnt see toxic algae.

Before you go to any body of water, take a moment to assess it, Evans said, urging people to think critically about water conditions before going into the water.

Evans said no toxic algae blooms have been reported in Missoula County this year, but its something to keep an eye on as temperatures rise.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, harmful algae and cyanobacteria, sometimes called blue-green algae, can produce toxins that sicken people and animals, even to the point of death. Blooms can occur in fresh water and are more likely when water is warm, slow-moving and full of nutrients such as nitrogen and/or phosphorous.

A worker at Pruyn Veterinary Hospital in Missoula told the Missoulian last week they have not had any dogs come in with poisoning from drinking river water.

We have had no patients with any toxicity in the last several weeks, said the staff member, who asked to remain anonymous. We also reached out to the local emergency vet, Sentinel Veterinary Specialists and Emergency, and they have not had any there, either. We work pretty closely with them. If this was a true emergency, you would think they would head to the emergency vet first.
Clinton firefighters and campers out at Rock Creek, including a vacationing California firefighter, successfully rescued an injured angler from a steep riverbank along the creek on Sunday evening.

According to Clinton Rural Fire Chief Bill Tucker, personnel were dispatched at 8:04 p.m. to a report of someone with a suspected fractured leg along Rock Creek near the Dalles campground, about 14 miles down Rock Creek Road from Interstate 15  just past the Welcome Creek Trailheads swinging bridge. Although the location is just within Granite County, he said, Clinton Rural Fire District responds to calls in the area because of its proximity to Clinton, which is in Missoula County.

Personnel found the man on the riverbank below the campground.

He was fishing in the creek and just slipped in the rocks and hurt his leg, he said. He had a severe injury and he was down that embankment, it was probably 70 feet or so on that bank to try to get back up there.

Leg injuries from slipping on rocks while fishing arent unheard of but they usually dont require a rescue or medical response, he said. This case was different because of the mans severe injury and hard-to-access location.

Brian Vibbert, the firefighter in command of the incident, considered requesting mutual aid from Missoula Rural Fire District, Tucker said, but the Clinton personnel at the scene were able to find people already at the campground willing to help  including a firefighter from Los Angeles. A U.S. Forest Service employee also assisted in the rescue.

There was some folks there willing to help with the heavy lifting, he said. As soon as he found out that he had enough local campers there who were able to help, he knew he didnt need to call anybody.

With the injured angler secured in a rescue litter, firefighters and volunteers used a low-angle rope rescue system to haul the man up the embankment to the campground, Tucker said. The man was then transferred to a Missoula Emergency Services ambulance.

With darkness falling on Rock Creek, crews were back at the station by 10:30 p.m., he said.
Elizabeth Guheen had no idea if the plan she and the Bair Family Trust had set in motion would work. But as the hammer struck and the bid of $350,000 was accepted on Lot 126 at the Coeur dAlene Art Auction last weekend in Reno, her phone started dinging with text messages.

The Young Chief, painted in 1905 by Joseph Henry Sharp, would return home.

The elation I felt when it happened, its hard for me to find words for, said Guheen, director and chief curator for the Bair Family Museum in Martinsdale. We kept it in Montana  that was our goal.

Soon, visitors to the museum in central Montana will be able to see a signature painting of an Apsaalooke family at their encampment by the renowned western artist, painted during the time Sharp lived on the Crow Reservation.

The painting was purchased from Sharp in 1915 by his close friend Charles M. Bair, a prominent Montana businessman, sheep rancher and philanthropist, who donated the painting to the Billings Commercial Club  the predecessor to the Billings Chamber of Commerce  as a thank you for hosting a show of Sharps work.

Sharp was a prolific painter who documented the life of many tribes in the region, painting with precision and intimacy gained by living among Native people, including the Puebloan people in Taos in the late 1800s and with the Apsaalooke on the Crow Reservation in the early 1900s.

Billings Chamber leadership had been interested in selling The Young Chief for many years, and in 2008 they received a $1 million offer for the painting, said John Brewer, Billings Chamber president, when interviewed by the Billings Gazette that fall. At the time, Brewer also identified two art auction houses that valued the piece between $500,000 and $800,000.

When it hit that level, the board began discussing how we could put that money to use, he told the Gazette.

The Bair Family Trust expressed interest in the painting in 2008, but its desire to have The Young Chief traces back to 1963 when Bairs daughter, Alberta (a philanthropist herself and namesake for the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings) wrote to the Billings Chamber expressing her and her sister Marguerites desire to have the painting returned to the family and to replace it with another painting of equal value and beautifully framed, Alberta wrote. The reason we want the painting (is that) Mr. Sharp was a personal friend of ours and we would like to have it to place with our Indian collection.

The response, signed by George M. Washington, president of the Billings Chamber of Commerce at the time, said returning the painting would indicate a lack of appreciation for us to dispose of the painting in any manner.

I believe that the chambers response was very sincere, but these things dont last, Guheen told Montana Free Press after this weekends auction. New generations come on and rewrite history.

The economic downturn in 2009 paused the chambers intent to sell the painting until this year when its board unanimously voted to sell the painting at the Coeur dAlene Art Auction. It wasnt until MTFP in June published an article regarding the possible sale of the painting that the Bair trustees learned that the painting would be auctioned.

A homecoming

Sharp, who was born in Ohio and studied in Europe, spent nearly 80 years painting and observing Plains Indian life. His portraits of Indigenous people were collected by entities such as the Smithsonian because of their detailed depiction of Native American clothing and culture.

The Young Chief, which features an Apsaalooke family in golden light outside a teepee, is a touted example of such a style and represented a departure from Sharps contemporaries, who were painting the more violent clashes in the American West. Sharp painted from within, portraying everyday life and ceremony.

Sharp came to know the Bair family while living at Crow Agency. Bair, who ranched and had a lease on the Crow reservation for raising sheep, befriended the painter and became a loyal patron. After Bair died in 1943, his daughters kept in touch with Sharp, and it is their affinity for him that could be the reason Alberta wrote to the Billings Chamber in the 1960s, requesting the painting back. That request was refused, and while the conversation was rekindled in 2008 there has been no movement since then to return the painting, according to Guheen.

The chamber has made no effort to reach out to the Bair Family Museum Board of Advisors or to ensure that this painting, a cherished part of Montanas history, remains in the state and be enjoyed by the public, Guheen said.

Brewer, Billings Chambers president, when contacted this week by MTFP, wrote in an email that the chamber received about a dozen emails asking the organization to reconsider the sale.

There was considerable misunderstanding as to who the Chamber is, Brewer said, adding that the nonprofit polled its 1,100 members several years ago and nearly 75% directed the Chamber board to sell.

After learning of the sale, Guheen said, there was no doubt among the Bair trusts board members how to proceed.

It was because of the letter, Guheen said. That was the linchpin. It was like, Nows your chance, Alberta. We are trying to get it for you.

The Bair Family Trust board invited Thomas Minckler, a Billings historian and art buyer who initially raised concerns about the sale of the painting, to recommend a course of action and represent the organization at the auction. A limit was set by the board on what it would bid  an amount not disclosed to MTFP  that also factored in the 21% fee to the auction house on top of the winning bid.

The board has a fiduciary responsibility to the trust, Guheen said, and you have to follow it rigidly, and they are careful about that.

Minckler, acting on behalf of the Bair Family Trust, made the highest bid at $350,000 and purchased The Young Chief for a final price of $423,500.

I felt at peace and a relief knowing that we had saved that piece of Montanas history, Minckler told MTFP. Charlie Bair and Alberta would be very happy knowing that the painting is coming home.

A 'soft' market

This years Coeur dAlene Art Auction featured 317 works, and sales totaled $21 million. Among the sculptures of cowboys being thrown from horses, portraits of warriors, oracles, culture bearers and scenes portraying Indigenous culture, 14 paintings by Sharp were on the auction block last Saturday.

Young Chief had the highest starting bid at $280,000 and was valued between $300,000 and $500,000, according to the auction catalog. However, many Sharp paintings sold at or undervalue, and four failed to meet the minimum bid and were not sold.

The market right now for Joseph Henry Sharp and other Taos artists is soft, Minckler said. They sold for the low end of the estimate. Usually at the Coeur dAlene auction, art goes above the asking price.

The Billings Chamber sold three works of art at the auction  the Sharp, a Warren Rollings oil painting featuring a Native American man smoking a pipe, and a charcoal sketch titled Indian Head by LeRoy Greene. The Rollings sold for $12,000 and the Green for $600, and the trio of paintings netted $362,600.

Brewer indicated the proceeds will be gifted to the newly formed Chamber Foundation, and interest from the funds will be used to support leadership development, education, talent attraction and retention, and community development initiatives.

They were setting up a nonprofit foundation by selling a piece of Montanas heritage, Guheen said. They didnt see anything wrong with that.

The driving forces for the trust and the board of advisors to purchase The Young Chief were its artistic value and the value and the history to the Bair family, said Gerry Fagan, president of the board of advisers of the Charles M. Bair Family Trust.

We are happy that we were able to obtain the painting and keep it where the public can see it, Fagan said. We really did like the idea of keeping this in Montana because of its Montana roots. Speaking for myself, I didnt want to see it go into a private collection where Montanans would never see it again.

The Bair Family Museum is in the old ranch house in Martinsdale where the familys art collection, Native American artifacts and weavings, collections of photographs, and furnishings from Europe are displayed. The museum even has Albertas characteristic red hats and the sisters clothing and other personal items.

The sisters had no heirs, and Alberta was the last family member to die in 1993. Three years before her death, she created a nonprofit charitable organization that maintains the museum and ranchlands, funds scholarships each year for eight students living in Meagher or Sweet Grass counties where the family ranch operated and grants money to Meagher, Sweet Grass and Yellowstone counties.

Charlie Bair was very influential here and in other counties too, and so was Alberta  she really led a fascinating life and to create the trust that she did upon her death was an amazing sacrifice, and it is paying dividends today with its trust and charitable contributions, Fagan said.

The Bair Family Museum is open daily in the summer through Labor Day; its closed on Mondays and Tuesdays the rest of the year. Guheen has already picked out a spot for the painting in the museums entry.

If we were fortunate enough to keep in Montana, she said, I want people to be able to see it right away.
Amid a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, the executive director of the Human Society of Western Montana said she is also seeing the squeeze across Montana, where people are struggling to get veterinary care.

When you have a veterinary shortage, nationally, statewide, it really is compounded for people who already dont have much access to veterinary care, said Humane Society Executive Director Marta Pierpoint. So it is really important for organizations like ours to reach into rural communities and provide support when theres just an inability to even access any kind of care.

The shortage has meant delays in surgery for animals and reduced hours at some clinics. It has professionals in the field pointing out the need for more vet training programs, especially because Montana is an agricultural state with livestock.

Pierpoint said the Humane Society, which is based in Missoula, has 12 trips planned on their outreach schedule to rural and reservation communities  to Browning, the Flathead and across western Montana. Employees take monthly outreach trips to the Rocky Boys Reservation, where they give X-rays and vaccines, and spay and neuter animals.

Because of a shortage of veterinary technicians, surgeries cannot be performed as quickly as they could with a qualified staff to support the efforts, and Pierpoint said it is difficult to do outreach trips with the shortage.

With a minimum 10-person team, Pierpoint said the Humane Society can probably do 40 surgeries and provide 80-100 vaccines to animals over the three days theyre on Rocky Boys Reservation.

If youre lucky enough to have two or three surgeons, then you need the support of veterinary technicians, with each surgeon monitoring the anesthesia and a prep team, said Pierpoint. Ideally, you would have one prep team for each veterinarian, because that can move your flow faster.

She said so far this summer, the Humane Society has not been able to staff the teams heavily, which slows them down because they need veterinary assistants helping the animals recover while others handle paperwork.

Cassidee Boland, the manager of the Missoula-based Pruyn Veterinary Hospital, said they have been lucky retaining doctors. But during the main days of the COVID-19 pandemic, they did see a shortage and were down two doctors for a significant period, but now are at five doctors.

When they had only two doctors, Pruyn had to change the hours of the typically 24-hour clinic because just a few employees were being spread thin, she said.

We can kind of speak for ourselves when we see how many more appointments are for our new pets  kitties, puppies  that people are adopting, said Boland. Thats one little area that a lot of people might not consider on top of the mental health issue that we see in veterinary medicine and the kind of burnout that we see.

Capacity for training veterinarians is an issue in Montana and neighboring Idaho, according to professionals in the industry.

Robin Collier, the administrative coordinator of the Department of Animal Veterinary and Food Science at the University of Idaho, said the university prepares students for entry in veterinary school and is seeing three to four times as many students interested in veterinary school amid the shortage.

The issue is the number of available openings for students; that needs to be increased, said Collier.

Collier said the Idaho Legislature needs to expand the number of veterinarian students being trained because lawmakers fund the veterinary program through the state budget. Cattle ranchers are among those helping to make recommendations to the legislature; Idaho, like Montana, needs large-animal vets who can care for livestock.

We had a task force this past year which included members of the legislature and veterinarian industry professionals around the state, as well as our herd owners, said Collier. And we have recommended that the state legislature expand the veterinary program and support Idaho. The ball is in their court, and they will have to take that up during the next legislative session.

Pierpoint said another factor for the shortage is that there are not enough schools, and that Montana doesnt have a veterinary school even though its an agricultural state.

There are just simply not enough veterinary schools, whether they are for-profit schools or state schools, and theres a limit to how quickly some can put a quality program together, said Pierpoint. And similarly for the vet techs in Montana, there isnt a vet program right now at this moment in Montana, so it is challenging to find qualified employees interested.

Pierpoint said her team works in the veterinary field because they love it and are grateful to serve western Montanas people and pets, such as those on Rocky Boys Reservation.

We really do feel that it is aligned with our mission, which is building opportunities for pets and people to thrive, and you cant thrive if you dont have the opportunity, said Pierpoint. To be able to provide that opportunity is joyful."
Most of the credit/blame for trickle-down economics has generally been directed toward Ronald Reagan. But anyone who suffered through the Reagan years knows that the idea of Reagan creating some kind of economic policy is laughable.

What he did do well was messaging. Whether or not he believed, or even understood, the message he was delivering was immaterial. Reagan sold ideas, and one of the biggest sales jobs he did was the idea that giving wealthy people huge tax breaks would help everyone. And his supporters bought it, even after some of his fellow Republicans, including his soon-to-be Vice President, George Bush, called the plan voodoo economics. The results were ugly. The Reagan administration dismantled the middle class, and decimated the health care system, putting tens of thousands of mentally disabled people on the streets.

Despite the fact that jobs have decreased under every single Republican president since, and despite the fact that the national debt has skyrocketed under every single Republican president since, this message still resonates with Republican voters. And the reason it still resonates is because Republican politicians keep trotting out this lie whenever they want to give themselves and their wealthy friends a tax break. Its an infuriating pattern that is a complete insult to the intelligence of any thinking person in America.

But as most historians will tell you, trickle down economics was around way before Reagan. And perhaps the men who practiced this deception better than anyone in American history came from right here in Montana. In 1884, political leaders in the Montana Territory held the first Constitutional Convention so they could apply for statehood. Copper Kings William Clark and Marcus Daly. both members of the delegation, would later become bitter rivals, but they got along well enough to lobby their fellow conventioneers into electing Clark as president of the convention. Then they worked to create a provision that guaranteed the mining industry an absolutely criminal tax break. Mining companies would determine their taxes based only on land and equipment, without any consideration for their proceeds.

This was when the Butte was known as The Richest Hill on Earth. So the amount of money coming out of those mines was unprecedented, and these companies paid nothing in taxes for their product. Montana lost out on millions of dollars in revenue, money that went directly into the pockets of Clark and Daly. And the worst part was that this loophole was not addressed for another forty years, long after Daly was dead and Clark had moved to New York and built the largest home in the city.

These two men convinced their workers, who were barely making a living, that they were only paying what they could afford, and the miners had no choice but to accept this explanation. Clark and Daly knew that if they paid their workers just enough to keep them fed, they wouldnt have the energy or the resources to fight them.

Clark and Daly also had a stranglehold on most of the major newspapers in Montana, so efforts to reveal these practices were destroyed in the press. Potential strikers were made out to be unpatriotic, disloyal, troublemakers. The disdain these men showed for the people who made them wealthy carried over into Clarks attitude when he left Montana. He spent the rest of his life collecting art, and never put a penny into cleaning up the toxic mess he left behind.

And now its happening again. Gov. Greg Gianforte and his army of Republican legislators went to war this past session on the working class of Montana. And the irony is once again that the people who are going to suffer the most from their actions are their most ardent supporters. Gianforte announced what he was very happy to call the biggest tax break in Montana history, but what he has conveniently brushed over is the fact that this money came from a surplus that came into the state during the pandemic. Montana collected a record $2.6 billion in government funds, about twice what we usually receive from the feds. And of course all tax money can be traced back to us, the taxpayers. So for them to crow about paying us money that we provided to begin with is disingenuous.

But the other catch is that rather than use that huge surplus for some of the most pressing needs facing Montana, like a rising crisis in health care, or the millions of dollars set aside to feed hungry school kids, they spent this past session creating legislation that makes life more difficult for Montanans who are minding their own business. On top of that, the rebate that is available, which Montanans have to apply for, is being completely overridden by a huge increase in property taxes for everyone but the most wealthy. Gianforte has taken a page from the Reagan playbook, holding out a single shiny coin with one hand while digging into our back pockets with the other.

The disdain that Gianforte has shown for the people of Montana has been apparent from the time he became a public figure, whether it was refusing to pull out of the race after he assaulted a reporter, or illegally killing a wolf, or trying to prevent people from crossing his property. It continues to baffle me that the people who are hurt most by this mans actions all fall in line and cast their votes for him. But it is apparently an American tradition.
The North Carolina Police Executives Association (NCPEA) was set to honor Mooresville Chief Ron Campurciani at its annual conference in Wilmington on Tuesday.

Campurciani was nominated for the Keith Bulla Police Executive of the Year Award. He took over the Mooresville Police Department at a time of crisis, and he has since transformed it into a model agency. He is known for his commitment to community policing and his dedication to serving the residents of Mooresville.

Chief Campurciani is a true leader in law enforcement, said NCPEA President Todd Joyce. He is a visionary who is always looking for new ways to improve his department and serve his community. He is a worthy nominee for the Keith Bulla Police Executive of the Year Award.

The Sylva Police Department was selected as the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year for its innovative Community Care program, which pairs social work interns with police officers to provide additional support to those in need. The program was created in response to the communitys call for reform following high-profile use-of-force cases.

The Sylva Police Department is a shining example of how law enforcement can be more responsive to the needs of its community, Joyce said. The Community Care program is a creative and effective way to provide support to those who are struggling, and it is a model that other agencies can learn from.

The NCPEA annual conference will be held at the Wilmington Convention Center through Wednesday.
Fled on foot

Officers were dispatched Thursday to the 600 block of Travonia Street to investigate a call about a suspicious person in the area.

Christopher L. Etheridge, 39, of Butte, who had an active $10,000 warrant out for his arrest out of Butte Justice Court, was recognized by one of the officers.

When an officer attempted to stop Etheridge, who was driving a car, he took off, heading toward Jackson Street. With the car still moving, he exited the vehicle, which rolled into a parked car, and fled on foot.

An officer caught up to him and after a short struggle, Etheridge was handcuffed. He reportedly had syringes, paper with drug residue, a glass vial of pills and a syringe of suspected heroin in his possession.

Besides the warrant, Etheridge was jailed for probation violation, expired vehicle registration, obstructing justice, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, leaving the scene of an accident, no liability insurance, driving while privilege to do so has been suspended or revoked, and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Yard intruder

Early Wednesday morning, a resident in the 1000 block of West Galena Street found a man walking around his backyard.

The resident told the intruder to get the heck out, and the intruder complied by jumping on a 4-wheeler and hightailing it toward Montana Tech.

Arrest warrants

A trooper with the Montana Highway Patrol arrested Tyler McLaughlin, 34, of Butte on Tuesday on two arrest warrants for probation violation and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Joshua D. Cypher, 45, unknown address was arrested Tuesday at Motel 6 on a bench warrant.

Trio jailed

Neighbors living in the Browns Gulch area called dispatch Tuesday about a suspicious truck in the area.

When officers arrived, a 2000 GMC Sierra pickup was in the middle of the road, with three people inside: Harley A. Burd, 27, of Butte, Justin T. Newbreast, 25, of Great Falls, and Kyler Shinnaberry, 23, of Anaconda.

The truck had been reported stolen and the three were all arrested in connection with a theft exceeding $1,500.

Newbreast and Shinnaberry were also jailed for parole violations.

More reports

Tires were slashed on a car parked in the 1600 block of Whitman Avenue.

A grass fire off was reported off I-90, at mile marker 230.

Someone broke into a camper on South Excelsior Street and took a rifle and a generator.
WISE RIVER  People say heaven just might resemble the Big Hole Valley in summer. Absent the mosquitoes, that is.

The pesky blood-suckers buzzed the crowd on the afternoon of July 13 in the vicinity of Seymour Creek. People were gathered to celebrate a land acquisition of 3,649 acres bordering the creek, the Big Hole River and nearby lands already managed for public use.

The diverse mountain-valley landscape provoked awe even among people such as Chris Marchion, who has hunted and fished in southwest Montana nearly all his life. He said the perspective offered of the Anaconda-Pintler Range and Mount Evans was unique.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation hosted the gathering on a bluff above Seymour Creek, which meandered through thick stands of willows on its way to the Big Hole River. The elk foundation and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management helped shepherd the acquisition. Money from the congressionally approved Land and Water Conservation Fund helped buy the property from the ranching family who had long been the lands stewards.

The celebration opened with the national anthem. As the song approached its denouement, the melody was punctuated with the sound of bugling bull elk  provided by two award-winning human callers.

No four-legged bulls responded.

Mike Mueller, the senior lands program manager for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, said a herd of elk was nearby when he and others started setting up for the event.

The property, which will be managed by the BLM, is in Beaverhead and Deer Lodge counties. It features mountains, meadows, sagebrush, grasslands, and conifer and aspen stands that are home to elk, mule and white-tailed deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, small game, upland birds, waterfowl and other species.

The watershed also provides a corridor between the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem for grizzly bears and Canadian lynx.

And during a time of heightened concerns about the health of the Big Hole River fishery, Seymour Creek offers cold, clear water.

The gathering featured the predictable ritual of thanks-all-around, with speakers ranging from Bill Everett, chief executive of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, to a host of stand-ins for agency officials or politicians.

Erik Nylund, representing U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, paid homage to the late Lorry Thomas and the late Tony Schoonen, who were steadfast advocates for public access to public lands and streams.

Were fortunate to stand on the shoulders of two great Montanans, Nylund said.

Brett Slaughter appeared on behalf of U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, and expressed appreciation for the members of the multigenerational ranch family who made the transaction possible.

Marissa Stockton attended on behalf of U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Montana. Rosendale has advocated limiting the use of LWCF money for public lands acquisition by certain federal agencies.

Created by Congress in 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has been a bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities. The fund uses revenues from the depletion of a natural resource  offshore oil and gas  to support conservation of other resources, including land and water.

Every year, $900 million in royalties paid by energy companies is put into this fund. In August 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act authorized $900 million annually in permanent funding for LWCF.

The Seymour Creek-Big Hole River Project relied on money from LWCF, the Montana Fish & Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Conservation Alliance and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Dollars totaled about $9 million.

Seymour Creek enters the Big Hole River west of the intersection of the Mill Creek Highway and Montana 43 and east of the Anaconda Sportsmans Campground.

When news broke last year about the acquisition, Brian Wheeler, executive director of the Big Hole River Foundation, expressed support.

Any collaborative conservation acquisition that preserves open space, increases public access and connectivity of landscapes, riparian areas and wildlife corridors is something that I consider a big win, Wheeler said.
WHITEHALL  The Golden Sunlight Mine near Whitehall shut down gold mining in 2019 after operating for 37 years.

But work continues to address environmental issues at the former open-pit, cyanide vat leach mine. For example, one tailings pond at the mine was primarily unlined, creating the potential for seepage of sulfides and the prospect of acid-mine drainage.

Workers at Golden Sunlight, a facility of Barrick Gold, are moving millions of tons of tailings from that unlined pond and then extracting sulfides. Once that process is complete, the tailings no longer present acid-generating potential and are used to help fill the mining pit, Barrick says.

Barrick has said its tailings reprocessing project has the potential to generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue and benefits for the state over the next decade, while removing a source of possible water pollution from the mine site.

What about the sulfides?

Enter Savage, an international transportation company based in Utah, and Nevada Gold Mines, a sister company to Golden Sunlight.

From a transload facility in the Montana Connections Business Development Park, Savage dispatches trucks to the mine, where they load containers of sulfides concentrates. Then, back at the transload yard, the containers are lifted by crane and placed atop rail cars to begin the journey with Union Pacific to a facility in Elko and then Nevada Gold Mines.

Nevada Gold, operated by Barrick Gold, is a joint venture between Barrick and Newmont Corp. The companies say the Nevada Gold Mines network is the largest gold-producing complex in the world.

Nevada Gold buys the sulfides concentrates and employs them as fuel in gold production.

On July 13, Savage hosted an open house at the companys transload facility at the Montana Connections Business Development Park. Kristine Murphy, site manager at the Golden Sunlight Mine, was among the speakers who celebrated the transload facility and its utility to Golden Sunlight. She said the tailings reprocessing, the transport by Savage and the use of the material by Nevada Gold for fuel offer benefits to all participants.

Its a win-win for everybody, Murphy said. And I think, in the end, its a win for doing the right thing.

The transload facility opened roughly a year ago but Savage decided to wait to hold an open house. It employs five people full-time and operates five days a week. Its sole customer for the time being is Nevada Gold Mines.

Kathy Fasso, general manager of the Port of Montana, also spoke during the event.

We were thrilled when we finally got the call that the project was awarded to Savage and the port would indeed be providing the first mile of rail, she said.

Fasso said the transload facility helps secure the types of trucking and rail jobs anticipated when the Port of Montana was created.

The port is served by both the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads and is located west of Butte near the intersection of Interstates 90 and 15.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Former President Donald Trump made light of his mounting legal troubles and continued his relentless, unproven claims that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and stolen during a visit to Cedar Rapids Tuesday.

I didnt know practically what a subpoena was and grand juries and all of this, Trump said Tuesday evening during a stop at the monthly meeting of the Linn County Republican Party after taping a town hall with Fox News Sean Hannity at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Now, Im like becoming an expert. I have no choice. Its a disgrace, Trump told about 170 people squeezed into the Elks Lodge on the citys southwest side. If you say something about an election, they want to put you in jail for the rest of your life. Its a disgrace.

Trump said Tuesday in a post on his Truth Social platform that he has received a letter informing him that he is a target of the Justice Departments investigation into efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election, an indication that he could soon be indicted by federal prosecutors.

So they want to cheat on an election, but if somebody wants to question the cheating, they want to call you a conspiracy theorist and all these other things, Trump told the crowd of Linn County Republicans, calling special counsel Jack Smith deranged.

The former presidents claims have been continually disproved, as dozens of postelection ballot reviews and failed lawsuits across the country have showed time and again that there was no widespread election fraud in 2020.

Asked about news of the Justice Departments investigation of Trump, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds told reporters during a news conference Tuesday at the state Capitol in Des Moines:

You know, I haven't had a chance to look at that, my team was just telling me about that. We have been focused on this [news conference] and other things all day. I'm not entirely surprised by what's happening. It seems to be a pattern of what we see coming out of this administration, but you know I haven't had a chance to even look at it.

Trump also took aim at President Joe Biden and his administration for unwinding his immigration policies, including the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court.

Millions of people are pouring in unchecked, Trump said. Drugs are pouring in.

After two years of record crossings and crisis-level strains, the Biden administration reported a 70 percent drop in unlawful entries at the southern border in the month since the Title 42 pandemic-era asylum restrictions expired, from May 12 to June 2.

Biden's critics, though, continue to depict his border policies as too permissive  geared more toward accommodating mass migration than deterrence.

The Trump administration adopted a strict border policy, which allowed border agents to immediately expel millions of migrants on public health grounds. The Biden administration instead has focused its efforts on revamping the asylum process that pairs tough consequences for unlawful entry with an expansion of lawful pathways and processes for migrants to enter the United States.

The White House in May returned to an expedited removal processes under Title 8, which allows the government to remove from the country anyone unable to establish a legal claim for asylum. Removal under Title 8 also bans these migrants from the country for five years.

Trump criticizes rival DeSantis on ethanol stance

Trump also criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  the former presidents top primary rival  for opposing a federal program supporting the ethanol industry.

Look, I saved ethanol, he said.

Trump also accused DeSantis of supporting raising the minimum age for Social Security benefits.

During his 2012 campaign for Congress, DeSantis expressed support for restructuring Social Security and Medicare, which aid millions of seniors in the United States, to make them more financially sustainable.

While in Congress, DeSantis voted on non-binding budget resolutions that called for raising the retirement age and slowing the growth of future spending.

Since then, he's said the GOP wouldn't "mess with" Social Security.

Trump also boasted of sweeping tax cuts that he signed into law in 2017, and touted trade policies he argues have been a boon for Americas farmers.

Democrats Hart: Iowans did not prosper under Trump

Ahead of Trumps town hall Tuesday, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart issued the following statement:

If we look at the facts, Iowans did not prosper under the Donald Trump administration. From the worst jobs record of any modern president to the effects his trade war had on our farmers, Trump consistently put Iowans last. No matter what he says tonight, Trump cant run away from his disastrous record in Iowa.

The U.S. economy fared well during the first three years of Trump's presidency. The unemployment rate hit a 50-year low, income growth doubled and he continued an economic expansion that grew into the longest in American history. Then the coronavirus spread, creating a pandemic and economic recession.

Trump signed the largest relief package in U.S. history to protect workers and families from the economic fallout from COVID-19. Trump, though, left office with 3 million fewer jobs than when he was inaugurated in 2017, as a sputtering economic recovery turned negative, marking the worst presidential job record since the Great Depression.

Trump supporters, critics turn out in downtown Cedar Rapids

Of the news that broke Tuesday morning that Trump received a letter notifying him hes the target of a Justice Department probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Mary Smith, of Des Moines, laughed and said theyre going to hassle him the entire damn time.

She was in downtown Cedar Rapids with her golden retriever, Joy, and said she plans to support Trump in 2024, as she did in 2016 and 2020.

Id love for him to be able to do his job and not constantly be fighting lawsuits and investigations that never should have happened, Smith said.

After attending the Fox News town hall, Keith Penning, of Cedar Rapids, said Trump discussed how it's a two-tiered justice system, not one justice system for everyone.

I think they're treating him differently than they're treating the current president, Penning said. They're treating him differently than they did Hillary (Clinton, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee). He's just on the enemy list.

In the town hall, Keith Penning said Trump discussed closing the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal immigration, getting the U.S. economy back on track and promoted energy independence, quoting the "drill, baby, drill" refrain  a statement of support for more drilling for petroleum and gas as energy sources.

Before the town hall began, Robert Rathke, of Bolingbrook, Illinois, stood clad in trump gear from head-to-toe outside the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Rathke ventured to Cedar Rapids to support Trump, To let him know that the people are with him and were trying to get him reelected and get the country back in order.

Rathke said the news of the investigation into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election bolsters his support for Trump ahead of the 2024 election.

Witch hunt  it's a scam, and if anything, it makes me want to support him more, because I'm sick of how the government's run, Rathke said. I'm sick of the FBI, I'm sick of the CIA  how everything is one-sided and people don't stand up. Everything's gonna collapse. So I support him more because of that.

The line of Trump supporters stretched from the doors of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel and around the corner onto Second Street SE, stretching toward Interstate 380. A couple of protesters lingered nearby.

Barb Ferris, of Cedar Rapids, stood on the corner of First Avenue E and Third Street SE with a sign that read LOCK Trump up!!! Hillary was right Trump is dangerously unfit on one side and Fox lies and spreads disinformation on the other.

Ferris said she finds the conspiracy theories Trump supporters believe concerning, including that the 2020 election was stolen. She said she feared for the future of her children and grandchildren with civil rights are under attack as a result of GOP policies.

Trump destroyed the country four years ago and if he gets in again, I cant even imagine whats going to happen with this country, Ferris said. Its unbelievable that these people dont believe facts  Its all his lies and they regurgitate it.

Marissa Payne, Liam Halawith and Erin Murphy, of The Gazette, contributed to this article.
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition has incorporated the Sufuria Movement in their ongoing protests against the government.

The Sufuria Movement will involve the resounding clatter of sufurias, pots, and pans, symbolizing the scarcity of food.

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua announced the movement Tuesday, urging protesters to come out in large numbers on Wednesday at noon and bang their sufurias and pans.

Martha also explained how motorists can join the Sufuria movement by stopping their cars at the same time(noon) and hooting and flashing their lights in solidarity.

The sufuria movement kicks off tomorrow and continues until the battle is won. At midday tomorrow we ask Kenyans to come out of their homes and bang sufurias, pots and pans to signify lack of food.

We also call on motorists to stop wherever they are on highways and roads, hoot and flashlights in support of this movement, Karua said.

Maintaining that the protests will go on as planned, the coalition encouraged Kenyans to express their discontent by picketing, demonstrating, and protesting in their respective residential areas. They specifically urged those in Nairobi to gather at Joseph Kangethe, Kamkunji, and Jacaranda grounds.

Azimio further appealed to Kenyans to continue adding their signatures to the petition against President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, noting that they had already exceeded the five million signature threshold.

The opposition also urged the protesters to hold peaceful demonstrations and refrain from causing any disturbances.

We urge our people to obey the law and respect private and public property in the course of the protest. We maintain that our activities are peaceful until the police decide to break them up with bullets and teargas, Raila said.

A couple of days ago, I was able to get into town, address Kenyans and disperse peacefully without any injuries or deaths. We were also able to have lunch and hold impromptu meetings with people at Kenyatta Market that ended peacefully because there were no police.
The Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) will now impose sanctions for violations of the proceeds of crime.

This follows the Cabinets approval of the draft Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

If enacted by Parliament, FRC, the anti-money laundering agency, will have the power to show the instances under which it might request the revocation of a reporting institutions license.

The Bill enhances the penalties for violations of declarations for cross-border currency, aligning them with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.

It further amends the Insurance Act, providing for the licensing of insurance companies.

The current regime provides for registration, which is a deficiency for financial institutions subject to core principles.

The Bill further aligns the reporting requirement by making Reporting Institutions report suspicious transactions promptly upon forming the suspicion.

Besides raising the cash transaction reporting threshold from $10,000 (Ksh.1.4 million) to $15,000 (Ksh.2.1 million), the Bill provides for the requirement for companies to keep a register of beneficial owners.

In the Tuesday meeting at State House, the Cabinet also approved the introduction and accreditation of Bridging Courses.

In this new move, which seeks to enhance access to quality university education, the Ministry of Education will develop guidelines to support the implementation of the courses.

The Cabinet also gave a nod to a Tree Planting and Nurturing Programme in learning institutions across the country.

Led by the Ministries of Education and Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, this initiative will be tasked with the Governments tree planting and restoration to achieve 30 per cent tree cover by 2030.

The programme will establish tree nurseries in more than 45,000 schools, engaging millions of learners and teachers to plant and nurture trees.

Further, the Cabinet approved the Climate Change (Amendment) Bill, signalling Kenyas commitment to strengthening its involvement in carbon markets.

Kenya has been actively participating in carbon markets for over 20 years, contributing to sustainable development and technology transfer.

However, the absence of a legal framework has created regulatory uncertainty, hindering full market engagement.

The Bill is expected to address these challenges by legislating on carbon markets, controlling and managing trading activities.

It aligns with international commitments under the Paris Agreement and demonstrates Kenyas dedication to fostering a sustainable low-carbon future.
Kenya Railways has announced the temporary suspension of all commuter train services today(Wednesday, July 19).

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Corporation stated that the suspension will affect the routes within the Nairobi Commuter Rail Service. This includes trains serving the Nairobi Central Station to Lukenya, Syokimau, Embakasi Village, Ruiru, Kahawa West, and Limuru.

The commuter passenger service between Nairobi Terminus and Ngong Station has also been suspended.

This is a precautionary measure arising from recent incidents where our stations were vandalised and trains stoned, putting passengers lives at great risk, KR said.

The Corporation said it will advise the public on the resumption of the train services.

We will advise you once normal services resume and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.
During the ongoing trial of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, his personal assistant Michael Oyamo, and Caspal Obiero, who are facing charges related to the murder of Sharon Otieno and her unborn baby, new revelations emerged on Tuesday.

A witness testified about some of the demands made by the deceased to the former governor.

Lawrence Mula  a former MCA  revealed that Sharon requested a rental house worth approximately Sh20-25 million, located in either Nairobi or Kisumu.

Additionally, she allegedly asked for a high-end car befitting the status of the governors wife and a monthly upkeep of Sh5 million.

Sharon also reportedly demanded to be recognized as Obados wife, and an additional sum of Sh200,000 for her prenatal care. According to the witness, she argued that she required specialized medical attention in Nairobi due to her changed status.

I tried to convince her to go to a hospital in the County but she said she cant go to a cheap hospital. She told me, Mheshimiwa, remember Im governors wife and Im carrying the governors child, Mula told the court.

The former MCA acted as a mediator between Sharon and Obado, facilitating communication and negotiations between the two parties.

Mula testified that Obado did not deny having a relationship with Sharon. However, the witness stated that Obado expressed concern about the extravagant lifestyle and excessive demands that Sharon was making.

The witness said Obado offered Sharon a deal to construct a house valued at Sh3-4 million and also provide the necessary furnishings. This deal was agreed upon by Sharon.

We agreed that we look for land costing about Sh800,000 so that the governor buys the plot and builds her the house, Mula said, adding that the plan was to be done in August 2018.

The witness testified that there was a meeting where he, Sharon, and Oyamo were present. During this meeting, Sharon received the sum of Sh200,000 for her prenatal care. However, at a later point, Sharon requested that Mula distances himself from the matter.

She told me she was going to meet Oyamo in Rongo to get some money for her upkeep, I told her its Okay.

The witness was able to positively identify Oyamo, who was present in court. However, the witness could not recall the individual who accompanied Oyamo during their meetings.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has cautioned Kenyans to exercise vigilance and steer clear of fraudsters who are offering counterfeit integrity clearance letters in exchange for a fee.

According to the commission, these fraudsters falsely claim that the certificates are authentic and issued by the EACC in accordance with Section 12A of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012.

EACC stated they do not impose any fees for processing integrity clearance for job applicants or Self Declarations Forms under the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012. The provision of this service is free of charge.

Furthermore, the EACC emphasized that they do not issue integrity certificates or clearance letters to individuals.

Employers are urged to promptly inform the EACC if anyone presents such a letter, claiming it was issued by the EACC. The EACC provided a toll-free number for this purpose: 1551.

Moreover, once the EACC receives a Self-Declaration Form from an applicant, they provide an acknowledgment receipt in the case of online processing or a stamped copy of the Self-Declaration Form in the case of manual processing.

It is either of these documents that an applicant is required to present to the institutions where they are required. EACC issues confidential reports on the integrity status of the applicants directly to the requesting institutions under the prevailing administrative framework, the Commission explained.

EACC clarified that to obtain the Integrity Clearance free of charge, individuals need to register for it online at adili.eacc.ke or visit the EACC Headquarters at Integrity Centre. They can also visit any of the 11 regional offices located in Mombasa, Malindi, Kisumu, Bungoma, Kisii, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nyeri, Machakos, Isiolo, and Garissa.

The service is also available at EACC service desks in Huduma Centres.

Here is a copy of one such fake letter.
Former Citizen TV presenter, Willis Raburu, has disclosed that he has secured a job in the Nairobi County governors office, working under Johnson Sakaja.

During an interview on Phil Directors podcast on Monday, Raburu briefly discussed his position in the governors office.

Noting that he is a strategist and consultant, Raburu said his role would encompass working on diverse projects for the governors benefit as well as collaborating with other companies.

There are so many things that I think I do. I am strategist, consultant and so, I am doing some things here and there for our good governor and other companies, Raburu said.

Although he did not disclose his specific position at City Hall, sources indicate Sakaja will serve as Governor Sakajas communications director.

The journalist is expected to lead a team comprising talented professionals specializing in communication, marketing, and design.
Visit We Care Animal Rescue, 1345 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena, on July 23 from 11 a.m. to noon for a relaxing morning with 60 sanctuary cats, a warm cup of coffee from Jeffs Coffee Cart and music courtesy of A Study in Strings.

We Care Animal Rescue is a donor-funded no-kill shelter that provides care for cats, according to the press release. This concert will support them in providing life-saving care, valuable emotional and monetary support, and critical animal welfare resources to the community.

A Study in Strings is a string quartet made up of local musicians who play classical music with a reimagined twist, according to the press release. All music played at the event promises to be easy to enjoy and at a cat-friendly volume.

The event came to be after Rebecca Roudman, a Santa Rosa Symphony cellist, visited We Care Animal Rescue and was inspired by the care and kindness shown to the cats. This place is doing it right, she wrote in the press release. The love the staff shows to the cats and the quality of life for the cats blew me away, and I wanted to have a concert to help them.

There is a suggested donation of $20 but all are welcome to attend. Donations and seating arrangements can be made at Eventbrite. Call the sanctuary at 707-963-7044 for more information.

Dogstar coming soon to Napa

Rock band Dogstar, featuring guitarist/vocalist Bret Domrose, drummer Rob Mailhouse and bassist Keanu Reeves, returns to Napa this August.

The band, which reunited at BottleRock Napa Valley in May, will perform at the Uptown Theatre on Aug. 22.

The band released its first new song in two decades Everything Turns Around on Wednesday. A new album is expected to be released in October.

Tickets for the August show go on sale Friday, July 21. For details, visit uptowntheatrenapa.com.

Uptown Theatre is located at 1350 Third St. in downtown Napa.

To learn more about Dogstar's upcoming tour, including upcoming dates in San Francisco and Sacramento, visit dogstarofficial.com.

UpStage Napa Valley holds auditions

UpStage Napa Valley Community Theater is holding auditions for its annual PlayFest from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Westminster Hall, First Presbyterian Church, 1428 Spring St. in St. Helena.

A variety of roles are available for nine new 15-minute plays.

Headshot and resume are not necessary, but bring them if you have them. Sides (chosen scenes from plays that are being casted) will be provided.

Rehearsals will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Rehearsals will be held one day a week beginning Aug. 28. There will be a $100 stipend per actor per production.

Performances will be on Oct. 20-22, Oct. 27-29, and Nov. 10-12.

For details email info@upstagenapavalley.org or call Sharie Renault at 707-337-5850.

Debut novel One Friday in Napa hits shelves Aug. 29

Jennifer Hamm's debut novel "One Friday in Napa" published by She Writes Press, tells the tale of Vene and her estranged mother Olivia. When Vene hears her mother is dying, she returns to Napa to visit her but finds Olivia as harsh as ever. Things change when Vene stumbles upon her mothers old cookbook and discovers a side of Olivia she never knew existed: one full of passion, romance and duty. Vene decides she must discover more about this side of her mother before its too late.

Hamm graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in English and started her writing career with screenplays before becoming a global travel writer. She has a long running blog, Its Only For a Year, in which she chronicles her experiences raising four boys in two different countries: they split their time between Los Angeles and London.
Dear fellow lovers of newspapers,

I am very sorry, like many of you, to hear that the Napa Valley Register is reducing the print version of the Reg to a few days a week. I will miss getting the paper into the house over a glass of OJ and coffee, and spending a ridiculous amount of time perusing the pages  who died, what were the police doing, what are the Sacramento columnists complaining/or commending the local governments about. And I love the comics, the advice columns and the rest of the trivia that appears in those crunchy pages.

And yet, I understand. Times change, and we may not like it. It may be technology-driven and/or economically driven. No matter what, we need to change with it.

I am the daughter of a newspaper man. He bought the paper, a weekly in northern Minnesota in 1942, the year I was born. So I grew up with it. We started with hot lead type. I was part of a team of family members melting the lead "pigs" (jargon for lead bricks that looked like the parking bumps in our parking lots today). The melted lead was then fed into a large typing machine to make lines of type for the next paper, a linotype. We also set type by hand (you had to know how to read backwards). The paper was called The Thirteen Towns because all 13 townships in our area were served by this weekly.

My father always said that printers ink became part of our blood. I can still smell, see and feel those lead lines of type that were set into the frames to become the next issue of the paper.

The press was in the basement of the Towns building. It roared on press day. Printers devils fed the paper into the press and with some kind of miracle, the Thirteen Towns weekly came out the other end folded and ready to go to the mail, the local businesses, and to the counter in the Towns office. I often carried them to local businesses and was rewarded with a cherry soda at the fountain in the drugstore.

The point of telling you these details is that my father, a stubborn Norwegian, was not a man who engaged change.

Yet, as he saw the advent of the computer, the changes in printing technology and the requisite requirements necessary to move into the future, he did change. He, in his 50 years of publishing, went from hot type to a computer-driven publication. Was he happy about it? I do not know. He did not complain. But he did boast about being able to move into a less hands-on typesetting environment, into a different, more relaxed version of getting the paper out on time.

He never missed a deadline  over the barrel and under the gun were two of his favorite phrases the night before publishing. And many of those nights were all-nighters.

So another point to make. I am a librarian. I have a Masters of Librarianship from the University of Washington. When I was in library school there was a distinct message that books were dead.

And I was also a cataloger (most of you dont know and dont care what that means). We documented records of every book that was put onto the library shelves so that you, the library user, could browse and find books related to your interests shelved together.

And we had the card catalog. Many of you reading this will not know what a card catalog is. Good for you. You missed the tedious but gentle fun of running your fingers through 3-by-5 cards in drawers labeled with alpha letters. You could look up subjects, authors, titles and series.

But no more. We still have books, but just like newspapers, libraries evolved to meet the changing times. After the card catalog, we began to change over to very simple online computer catalogs (white letters on a blue screen) and moved into very sophisticated online computer applications.

So change with the newspaper business, libraries and so many aspects of our daily lives is inevitable.

Welcome to self-checkout, shopping online, texting, FaceTime with grands, and all of the other wonders of the electronic world. Goodbye, with some sadness and regret, to paper delivered into the driveway each day to devour those tidbits of local interest with OJ and coffee, and of course, the obits.

Addendum, July 18:

Since I wrote this commentary I have had a chance to view/read both the e-version and the "enhanced" print version of the Napa Valley Register. I am pleased to say that both versions are worthy of our attention. Todays print version, mightily enhanced, is almost a two-day read. No, it did not arrive in the driveway, but in the mailbox. Now, I dont know about you, but I rarely get anything worth taking into the house from the mailbox. So it was a delight to find a new and greatly "enhanced" version of the Reg ready to plunk on my kitchen table for a mid-morning coffee and read.

As for the e-edition, it is easy to navigate and though it does not have the tactile pleasure of actually holding a newspaper in hand, it is just a different delivery of the same daily news of our Napa Valley.

No more newspaper reading in bed, but I will get over that. I actually picked up a great book this morning, read for an hour or so with the coffee and OJ, before the shower.

I looked forward to the mail. Time well spent. Please do not cancel your subscriptions.

Bonnie Thoreen

St. Helena
The empathy wall  ah yes. The question is, can I get over it  again?

I did it once four years ago while reading Arlie Hochschilds book "Strangers In Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right." Hochschild, a sociologist and professor/researcher at UC Berkeley, travelled to arch-conservative Louisiana bayou country. Her goal was to truly listen to the other side ... to understand why they believe  and feel  the way they do.

Threaded throughout the book was the challenge to get over the empathy wall, which she defined as an obstacle to deep understanding of another person, one that can make us feel indifferent or even hostile to those who hold different beliefs.

As I read her book then, I found myself saying, How could they believe this or that ... what are they thinking?" It took me two-thirds of the book before I got over the empathy wall, but I did, I GOT IT! While I may not have agreed with their opinions, I understood why they believed what they did and held firm to those beliefs.

The challenge to get over the empathy wall emerged again a couple of weeks ago while watching an episode of America at the Crossroads hosted by PBS consultant Judy Woodruff. The series examines the divisions fracturing the United States. The topic that week: What are Iowa Republicans thinking after Donald Trumps federal indictment?

The focus group was lead by Sarah Longwell, a Republican conservative pollster. Her initial question was How many of you have heard that Donald Trump was indicted for a second time recently? All raised their hand.

One respondent asserted, I think he is being set up. When asked why, she answered Well, its too arranged. Everything is too arranged. And when the FBI went in and raided his property at Mar-a-Lago, how do we know what they did and they didnt do?

Another person claimed, Its baloney. And then added I think, I mean, just why isnt Biden indicted? Just because he gave (classified documents) back at an appropriate time? I mean, really? He did exactly the same thing.

A 2014 Pew Research study found that the most politically engaged on each side see those in the 'other party' not just as wrong, but as so misguided that they threaten the nations well-being. In a 2022 study they found that Partisan polarization has long been a fact of political life in the United States. But increasingly, Republicans and Democrats view not just the opposing party but also the people in that party in a negative light. Growing shares in each party now describe those in the other party as more closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent than other Americans.

Since its inception, our country has experienced political and ideological divides, some with far greater consequence. Consider the following events: the Civil War, womens suffrage, civil rights, segregation, the Equal Rights Amendment, the Vietnam War, same-sex marriage and more.

Lines were drawn on both sides. Families were split. Friendships ended. Discourse and tumult ensued. Yet at some point we found common ground and moved forward with renewed awareness and respect for anothers view.

Hochschild asks the question, Is it possible, without changing our beliefs, to know others from the inside, to see reality through their eyes, to understand the links between life, feeling and politics; that is, to cross the empathy wall?

Take a moment and contemplate your beliefs. Now think about someone who espouses the opposite. The challenge to truly listen may seem daunting. Yet there are people and organizations that are stepping up to the plate to help us do just that.

One national organization with alliances across the country, Braver Angels (braverangels.org), is leading the way. Their mission: "Building a House United." They posit that Americans on opposite sides of the political spectrum dont only disagree on issues  they increasingly dislike one another. This growing partisan animosity is the crisis of our time and threatens our nation. Braver Angels exists to address this challenge. Their website encourages the reader to join other Americans who believe that the fight to save our nation begins with a ceasefire among ourselves.

One Small Step, another national group, brings strangers with different political views together to record a 50-minute conversation  not to debate politics, but to learn more about who we are as people. Created by StoryCorps (storycorps.org), One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us  even those with whom we disagree.

We have options. We can remain adamant about our beliefs and voice loudly to those who espouse the same or we can climb over the empathy wall as we truly listen to the other side" and truly "understand why they believe  and feel  the way they do.

Speak Up. Stand Up. Climb the empathy wall.
Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants EVERYONE to know it!  Colossians 1:27 (The Passion translation)

We are never without hope when we place our hope and trust in Jesus, when we choose to accept His ways. Jesus, our "Way," willingly offered His life as a ransom for many, establishing hope for us. Jesus overcame the power of the grave and completely destroyed its hold over us.

Even the fear of death itself has lost its power over those who believe and find their hope in Jesus.

O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55)

The one who believes and receives this gift of salvation is no longer separated from God because of sin. Christ has reconciled us to the Father, forever establishing our intimacy with Him.

This truth should inspire us to echo the same words the Apostle Paul declared: Christ in me the hope of glory! (Colossians 1:27)

Brennan Manning says, Christ within who is our hope of glory is not a matter of theological debate or philosophical speculation. He is not a hobby, a part-time project, a good theme for a book, or a last resort when all human effort fails. He is our LIFE, the most real fact about us. He is the power and wisdom of God dwelling within us.
For Emma Ciudad-Real, its all about bringing clients visions to life, making dreams into reality with her nearly-year-old business, Napa Bach  an event planning/decorating enterprise.

The party-planning service specializes in general party decor (backdrops and balloon installations) and bachelorette party planning, according to the company website.

Give us some details about your celebration, and we'll take it from there, it says.

Its a far cry from Napa Bachs 30-year-old married founder/owners previous profession.

For five years, the University of California, Davis graduate served her community as a probation officer, until she realized a change was needed.

I kind of loved what I did and the community I served, but it took an emotional toll, the Sebastopol native said. I knew it wasnt going to be sustainable long term. I wanted to be part of peoples happier moments.

Ciudad-Real said she and her husband of two years, Alex, a Sonoma County firefighter, have lived in Napa for six years. She launched Napa Bach last September, with a limited background in social media and marketing and a lot to learn, she said.

The learning curve of the process was challenging, she said. Im the sole operator of the business, and I sort of just dove into it and had to learn all the aspects of running a business. My first balloon installation was for my own bridal shower. Its been a huge learning curve.

But, it seems to have been the right decision on several levels, she said.

It started with the idea since planning my own bachelorette party, and I thought Id start doing it professionally, she said. Since then, it has grown into decorating mostly; balloon artistry mostly, and expanded to birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, pretty much anything. I coordinated my first wedding recently.

What Napa Bach does is so varied its difficult to specifically define, she said.

Decorating and planning  its hard to put in a box, to describe what I do. Basically, were just bringing the party, Ciudad-Real said.

Recent client Christina McGarvey said shes tickled pink with the results and plans to hire Napa Bach again.

She just did a backdrop for my baby shower, McGarvey said. It went great from the time I reached out to her. She asked what my vision was, and I had a theme in mind, and from there, she sent me ideas and swatches and she came early in the morning and set everything up and it looked amazing. My friends said it looked like something out Pinterest. It was great from start to finish. I would recommend her 100 percent.

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As for Ciudad-Real, she said shes loving the whole experience, especially compared to working within the criminal justice system.

Its so special, she said. Going from probation to being involved in peoples happy moments. Its really fun to be able to create something that makes people feel special. It also allows me to be creative; to bring an idea to life, which is really fun for me.

What I did before, I helped people through their healing journey, turning a corner, beautiful as a process, but you often didnt get to see the payoff. Here I get to see the payoff first hand.

Ciudad-Real said her party planning career came as less of a surprise to her family than her probation career did.

My mom always joked that Ive been making family dinner reservations since I was 5, she said. Ive always been a planner; I like to make sure everythings in order and goes smoothly. Ive learned Im task-oriented and like to see things through to the finish line and move on to the next.

With an occasional helping hand from her husband, Ciudad-Real said shes pleased with how things are going so far.

Its very fulfilling, she said. Its not always easy. Starting a business is hard. But its so enriching. Its giving me a deeper sense of peace to my life.
Visit Napa Valley, the official destination marketing organization of Napa Valley, announced that its board of directors has elected Thomas Bensel, managing director of the Culinary Institute of America California Campus, as its chair for fiscal year 2024.

Visit Napa Valley has played an integral role in driving not only the recovery of tourism, which is vital to our local economy, but also promoting the Napa Valley as a dynamic place to live and work, said Bensel.

I look forward to continuing to work closely with this board as it offers guidance on the work produced by the team at Visit Napa Valley, positioning Napa Valley as a premier wine country destination and introducing the Napa Valley to the next generation of visitors.

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Gary Buffo, founder & president of Pure Luxury Transportation, transitioned off the board after completing a six-year term. In addition to Bensel, members of the executive committee include:

 Chair Elect: Emma Swain, CEO, St. Supery Estate Vineyards & Winery

 Vice Chair: Edward Costa, general manager, Carneros Resort & Spa

 Secretary/Treasurer: Michael Collins, general manager, Archer Hotel Napa

 Past Chair: Tom Davies, president, V. Sattui Winery

The Visit Napa Valley board of directors also welcomed three new members for the upcoming year: Robby Delaney, general manager of the Four Seasons Resort & Residences; Patrick Egan, senior vice president, marketing and communications at Boisset Collection; and Patrick Nayrolles, general manager of Meadowood Napa Valley.

Our board members are critical in driving the strategy behind Visit Napa Valleys programs and supporting the hospitality industry in sustainably managing tourism in our region, said Linsey Gallagher, president and CEO of Visit Napa Valley.

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Pandemic-era policies like eviction moratoriums, the expanded child tax credit, increased food stamp benefits and free school meals helped decrease hardship for families with young children.

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Yet when many of those programs were discontinued, these same families saw an increase in hardship.

Those are the latest findings from the RAPID survey, a national survey of parents and guardians with children from birth to 5 years old, conducted by researchers at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood. The group has collected answers to survey questions from 14,357 parents of young children nationwide every month between April 2020 and April 2023. Questions asked included whether parents could pay for food, child care and housing.

The combination, where you have higher prices to pay for basic things like food and gas and you have these tax credits and other payments that went away, thats where you see people really falling over the edge, said Philip Fisher, director of the Stanford Center on Early Childhood.

Fisher said researchers found what he calls a chain reaction to hardship  when parents cant afford to pay for child care or food in a given week, that causes them higher levels of distress, and then their children begin struggling.

If were concerned about the well-being of kids, we should be concerned about the well-being of adults in the lives of children, Fisher said. Policies that support families economic stability and sufficiency are critical for supporting childrens early learning, and when we see those policies go away, were placing additional burden on the education system to make up for the ground thats lost for families having this kind of hardship.

Advocates for families with young children in California said that though the survey is nationwide, California policymakers can learn from it and put in place more policies to help children from an early age.

Families with infants and toddlers have largely been told, Youre on your own, said Stacy Lee, chief learning officer and senior managing director for early childhood at the advocacy organization Children Now. The more we can do earlier on to support families, we know that that results in good outcomes for our children.

Lee said she applauds California legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom for funding or expanding several programs in this years budget that will help low-income families, such as increasing subsidies for child care and capping the amount families have to pay for subsidized child care to 1% of their income. In addition, she mentioned that a budgeted increase for CalWORKs, a public assistance program that provides cash aid to low-income families with children, and CalFresh, the states food stamp program, and expanding free school meals to summertime will all help the lowest-income families.

But there are still a large number of families out there who may not fit that criteria and will see continuing challenges to navigate life in the coming year, Lee said.

Lee said programs that help alleviate poverty for families have a clear effect on childrens education.

We all know that it makes it harder for children to concentrate at school if theyre hungry, she said.

I believe that this data makes clear that poverty is a policy choice, said Mayra Alvarez, president of The Childrens Partnership, a nonprofit childrens advocacy organization based in Los Angeles. During the pandemic, rules were put in place to make accessing services and programs easier for families. We have to ask ourselves, why cant it always be this way?

Alvarez said it is urgent for California to do something to help young children keep health insurance now that pandemic-era requirements to keep continuous Medi-Cal coverage have ended. She said an estimated 2 million to 3 million Californians could lose coverage, including between 800,000 and 1 million children. A law passed last year will allow children to keep Medi-Cal coverage from birth to age 5, but it wont be implemented until 2025.

This delay in implementation places thousands of children at risk of losing coverage unnecessarily, and its why we, alongside many partners, are asking the administration to move forward with implementation as quickly as possible, Alvarez said.

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For 25 years, some of Californias best-known early childhood services have been funded by an almost ironic source: Taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

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That was the deal voters made when they passed Proposition 10 in 1998, levying a tobacco tax and dedicating the money for programs that would help families with young children.

The arrangement was never supposed to last forever. Advocates for youth services have known from the beginning that fewer people would smoke over time, and the funding would fall.

Now, the money for so-called First 5 California programs is starting to plummet and First 5 leaders around the state say they are beginning to trim their budgets and cut back on programs. The trend is accelerating following last years approval of Proposition 31 to uphold a state law banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, compelling youth programs to adjust their budget assumptions.

We all expect revenues to go down; the question is what will be the magnitude, said Michael Ong, chair of the states Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee.

The cuts are unfolding in different ways based on local decisions. For example, the First 5 in Stanislaus County most recently cut one of its PlanetBaby! programs, which provide support for pregnant women and moms of babies up to a year old. That comes in addition to other recent funding cuts for programs supporting foster children and dental health services.

First 5 funds a broad number of programs in partnership with nonprofits, local hospitals, clinics and county health and education offices. Services vary by county, but some of the programs they fund include: childrens mobile immunization clinics, dental services, developmental screenings, family case management, parenting classes, and home visits from a nurse for first-time mothers.

First 5 California revenue falling

By 2026, the First 5 Association of California expects to receive almost 30% less from tobacco tax compared to 2021. It came up with yearly projections based on updated tobacco tax estimates from the states Department of Finance.

Last spring, First 5 projected it would receive about $348 million from Californias cigarette taxes this budget year. After voters passed the flavored tobacco ban, updated estimates show that First 5 expects to receive $38 million less than that.

By 2026 that number could go down to $280 million, according to the projections. How much of that each local First 5 gets is based on a formula that takes into account a countys birth rate.

Its far less than First 5 received from tobacco taxes two decades ago. In 1999-2000, First 5 received about $690 million in tobacco tax revenue, the most ever, according to First 5 California.

California tacks on $2.87 tax to each standard pack of cigarettes. From 1989 to 2019, Californias smoking rate among adults has dropped from 22% to 10%, according to UC San Francisco research.

Experts say tobacco tax projections should be taken cautiously as revenues are difficult to forecast immediately after a major change, such as the flavored tobacco ban.

Ong, chair of the state tobacco oversight committee, said First 5s would ideally try to diversify their sources of revenue if they can. But thats a pretty tall order for county governments, Ong said.

Statewide, tobacco tax dollars make up about 73% of First 5s annual budget, although this largely varies by county. For example, First 5 in Kern County relies almost entirely on tobacco taxes. Meanwhile, the First 5 in Monterey County said in its most recent annual report that almost 40% of its funding now comes from grants and philanthropy.

How to replace tobacco tax money

Last month, a Kern County grand jury released a report in which it determined that its local First 5 would need to find additional revenue streams, other than tobacco, to offset this downward spiral. One possibility, according to the report: Have California and local governments increase alcohol taxes.

And while taxes arent an easy sell to voters, especially in a majority Republican county like Kern, its important to consider all options, said Amy Travis, executive director of First 5 Kern County.

We know it (tax) works, said Travis. We know tobacco use is declining, so I think its a matter of asking whats next? Is that alcohol, marijuana, sugary beverages?

Shammy Karim, executive director at First 5 Stanislaus County said any new funding stream should come at the state level to maintain some uniformity and equity in the types of services available in all 58 counties.

I used to work in Santa Clara County, and in Santa Clara County, I could reach out to Google or Apple or other Silicon Valley organizations and say, heres what I need. And most of the time, I would get it, Karim said. I dont have the opportunity to do that here.

In Orange County, some immediate cuts are coming in the form of less funding for nonprofits that run shelter beds for families with young children.

We didnt pull the rug underneath them but we have been working on a plan to reduce our funding in the homeless services arena, said Kim Goll, the executive director of First 5 Orange County. While First 5 is not the only funder of these shelter services, losing their share could result in less staffing, for example, Goll said.

Our community will feel those cuts and well be a smaller organization because of the flavor ban.

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Sharon Durst, leader of the secessionist El Dorado state movement, knows people don't take attempts like hers seriously. Past efforts to split rural California counties off from the rest of the state have accomplished little beyond inspiring ridicule  which the former rancher, now in her 80s, experienced directly as an early supporter of the infamous state of Jefferson.

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But Durst also knows that something has to change, if rural counties like El Dorado are going to have a fair say in how they're governed. On July 10, she and former county Supervisor Ray Nutting co-hosted a town hall to explain to their neighbors why the solution is peeling the county off from California and forming a new state.

It's true that California has a unique problem of representation in state government. No state in the country has fewer state legislators per capita; the problem is especially stark in rural areas like El Dorado County, population 192,000. In the state Senate, El Dorado is represented by a legislator who also represents voters in 12 other counties; in the state Assembly, the county is split between two legislators, each responsible for voters across several counties, with widely diverging industries and demographics. Not one of the three legislators responsible for representing El Dorado County actually lives there.

"This has long been an ongoing problem in California politics," said Isaac Hale, a professor of politics at Occidental College who specializes in electoral systems and representation. "There are nearly 500,000 Californians per Assembly member and a million Californians per state senator, and that's pretty out of whack."

"You could double the size of the Assembly, and we'd still have the highest number of people represented by district," he added. "And there are serious consequences to this."

One such consequence is that some rural Californians feel so disenfranchised that they're willing to attend multihour town halls on secession. Twenty-five people showed up to Durst and Nutting's July 10 gathering, held in the office space of a Raley's supermarket in El Dorado Hills. Each person was handed a copy of the United States Constitution as they walked in.

The political leanings of those in attendance were on full display. One attendee wore a shirt that helpfully defined the word "patriot." Another wore a shirt reading "Save the Children" on the front and "WE RIDE AT DAWN" in all caps on the back. Durst's introduction was punctuated by audience member comments, including "California is red, we all know it," and "Trump won." When she mentioned that a reporter was in the audience, the room broke out into groans, like someone had just offered the restive crowd Bud Light from the supermarket outside the meeting room.

Durst and Nutting know the dream of statehood means going up against insurmountably steep odds; for a California county to secede and become its own state, both California's Legislature and the U.S. Congress must sign off. Durst and Nutting concede California lawmakers would never go along with it, so Durst is gambling on what she described as a "backdoor" maneuver to go to Congress directly.

In a 7,000-word Substack post published in May, Durst argues that El Dorado County is technically not a legitimate piece of California and is instead "other property" of Congress (though she cites no legal scholars or historians who have promulgated this view). Therefore, she wrote, Congress alone could vote to turn El Dorado County into El Dorado state, without California's approval.

At the town hall, Durst declined to discuss the procedural steps ahead.

"To try to speculate, 'What if this? What if that? Blah blah blah?' No," she said. "You know what? We're going to just move forward, do our thing, hope for the best and see where the people take it."

She also was not interested in alternate routes to better rural representation, including those that experts like Hale believe have a greater chance of success, like organizing for a ballot measure to increase the size of the Legislature. With a proper education campaign, Hale told SFGate, such a push could find bipartisan support across the state, not just in rural districts.

"Consider Mia Bonta's East Bay Assembly district," he said. "Why are wealthy homeowners in Piedmont linked with renters in east and west Oakland? They have wildly different interests, and you could make the argument that they each should have their own form of representation. This is a systemic problem."

Nutting, whose time on the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors came to an abrupt end in 2014 when he was found guilty of six misdemeanor charges over an attempt to borrow bail money improperly, was more willing to discuss other, more realistic paths.

"It would help," Nutting told SFGate about increasing the size of the Legislature. Nutting, 64, spends most of his time these days harvesting timber on his ranch. He dislikes many of the forest practice rules issued by the state and yearns for an El Dorado County-based legislator who could bring their shared concerns directly to state leaders.

"You could go to your store, and people are going to know who your state senator is," he said of a bigger Legislature. "It's like county supervisors; people know who their county supervisors are because there are not as many constituents as there are for a state senator or Assembly member. The numbers are so huge, it's hard for them to have a direct connection in a big way with their constituency."

At the town hall, though, it was clear many attendees were dead set on secession. That included Durst, who opened the meeting by asking everyone to stand and pledge allegiance to the "American civil flag," which has vertical stripes as opposed to horizontal ones. (The Arizona Republic has labeled the flag a "favorite of various conspiracy or anti-tax groups.")

As Durst began walking attendees through her argument that California is failing to provide El Dorado County with a "republican form of government," the man in the patriot-defining shirt yelled out from the back of the room, "California is not a republic!"

"It's lawlessness," added another member of the crowd.

Later, during a discussion of the word "democracy," the man in the patriot shirt again chimed in. "Democracy is an old word. We should wash it down the drain. It's what the liberals say. We're a constitutional republic and have been one since day one," he said, earning nods from the crowd.

Not everyone was a cheerleader, however. One attendee, Greg Duncan, interrupted one of Durst's legal arguments to say, "That's a stretch." He was also unimpressed with some of Nutting's arguments about El Dorado County's financial viability as a state, given the need for a substantial tax base.

"So you don't have any numbers at all?" Duncan asked Nutting, who responded that he didn't have anything granular but was convinced it would work. (Duncan later told SFGate he'd decided to stop being a Republican in 2020 because "Trump's an ass.")

After the meeting, most of the attendees milling around inside the room reacted positively to what they had heard from Durst and Nutting.

"It was very good," said county resident Carol Martin, a gray-haired El Dorado resident who had nodded along emphatically to speakers throughout the evening. "It's about freedom. I hate to say it, but this country, this state, is under tyranny. And right now, we have to free ourselves."

"There's definitely an interesting group of people here," said her son, Kyle Martin, a fellow resident and family law attorney who came dressed in a white dress shirt and tie. "I know I certainly have my fair share of apprehensions about whether this group can be successful, but I'm sure it's the same with every other group that was revolutionary throughout history, and so I think it would be unfair to characterize them in a way that precludes any level of success."

As for the idea of increasing the size of the Legislature, reactions were mixed.

"That would go a considerable way to ease my current concerns," Kyle Martin told SFGate. "The fact that the vast majority of representatives come from the urbanized regions is not unexpected, but the fact that we in El Dorado County currently have no representatives on the statewide level living here is concerning to say the least."

"I don't think it would help," countered Gary Dobler, who came decked out in a gun-clad Warrior XII shirt and told SFGate he was helping Durst and Nutting distribute flyers and forms across the county. "This state is too corrupt. California is too corrupt. Representation is what we're looking for but California will never get it unless there are major changes in the state."

After most attendees had filtered out, save a few volunteers tidying up flyers and discarded copies of the Constitution, Nutting took a moment to reflect on how he would feel if this movement somehow, someday, led to greater representation for the people of California  without El Dorado County becoming its own state.

"I think that would be a solution, and that's where Sharon and I might differ," Nutting told SFGate.

When asked a few minutes later, Durst confirmed his suspicions.

"I'm not going to petition anyone in California," Durst said. "I'm going to absolutely ignore California, as if there's a barrier between our border and California."

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Protesters give Armenia government time until 6pm to have Lachin corridor reopened

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday met with Helga Schmid, the OSCE Secretary General, in Vienna, informs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

During the meeting, the issues of the regional agenda were discussed, and an exchange of views took place on the activities and role of the OSCE when facing the current challenges.

Ararat Mirzoyan briefed the OSCE Secretary General on the details of the security situation in the South Caucasus, as well as the latest developments in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Presenting Armenia's vision of establishing comprehensive stability in the region, the Minister stressed that Azerbaijan should not act in conditions of arbitrariness. The imperative of addressing the issues of the rights and security of the Nagorno-Karabakh people within the framework of an international mechanism was emphasized.

Ararat Mirzoyan noted that Azerbaijan, ignoring the legally binding Orders of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6, continues the blockade of the Lachin corridor. The Minister stressed the urgency of effective steps by international actors to prevent another humanitarian catastrophe in Europe's neighborhood in the 21st century, particularly emphasizing the need to prevent the ethnic cleansing of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The need for the effective use of OSCE mechanisms and existing tools was also highlighted.

Both sides stressed that sustainable peace requires proper addressing of all outstanding issues.

The possibilities of ensuring the inclusiveness of regional programs and other topics of mutual interest were also touched upon.
The blockade of the Lachin corridor must be stopped immediately. Alexander Schallenberg, the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, said this at the joint press conference following the meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Vienna on Tuesday.

"We discussed the situation in the region [of Armenia] with the Foreign Minister of Armenia, which is very important for us. It is true that Ukraine is now the center of attention of many people in the EU, but we should not ignore other regions of the EU's neighborhood, one of which is the South Caucasus. I am very grateful to the EU for its strong commitment to engagement in this matter, and I believe that the parties are moving slowly but in the right direction, which I hope will one day lead to a lasting peace agreement," said Schallenberg. He stressed that there is still there are many open issues to be discussed, among which are the release of detainees, the unblocking of regional transport routes, and the delimitation of border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Schallenberg particularly noted that the ongoing blockade of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan is very worrisome.

"The blockade must be stopped immediately; this is Austria's position," he said.

According to the Austrian FM, he and his Armenian colleague discussed as well the matter of normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey, and he proposed once again that the representatives of the two countries can meet in Vienna if necessary.

"We talked also about the OSCE, which is an important platform and a regional organization that unites all players. It is a complex organization because there are disagreements within it, but it will be necessary in the future for the settlement of problemsfrom the South Caucasus to Central Asia. I believe we agree on the need to preserve this organization," said Alexander Schallenberg.
Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes. The previous night, Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] President Arayik Harutyunyan announced in a video message that he is starting a sit-in at [capital] Stepanakert's Renaissance Square.

"This is an additional effort to attract the attention of the international community, to urge the international community to obligate to fulfill its obligations, to impel the Armenian people, and all our friends to active and immediate actions," he said, and added that if the situation of the people of Artsakh does not return to a more or less normal course within a week with international intervention, then after that they will resort to tougher actions; and what kind, he did not elaborate.

After the President's video message, an urgent consultation was called at the president of the [Artsakh] parliament, Artur Tovmasyan, with the participation of the heads of all [parliamentary] factions and some MPs. And already after midnight, around 1 o'clock, they all together visited Arayik Harutyunyan, who was staging a sit-in at the [aforesaid] square, trying to understand why he expects that can move the conscience of the world with that step. Harutyunyan said that there is no other way, he wrote letters to everyone, there is no response, the situation is complicated, so he decided to attract attention in this way. The opposition members implied that first of all it is necessary to demand from the RA authorities.

The President noted that in his video message it is clearly being said that this step is also aimed at the RA authorities. They asked what further harsh measures the president insinuated, but Harutyunyan did not open the brackets, noting only that they have thought of other actions as well; for a start, maybe a hunger strike and so on.
In the post-war period, the state made a lot of investments in Artsakhs (Nagorno-Karabakh) irrigation systems, which enabled to triple the irrigated areas, the goal of which was to solve the food security issue. Artsakh Minister of Agriculture Georgi Hayriyan said this in an interview on Tuesday Artsakhpress.

"Under these conditions, when we don't have diesel fuel to be able to use diesel generators during scheduled power outages, we are facing very serious problems in irrigation. Irrigation, mostly by 75 percent, is done mechanically using artesians or pumps. Lack of electricity also affects this direction," added the Artsakh minister of agriculture.
The livestock sector in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) is in a much worse position as a result of the ongoing blockade by Azerbaijan. Artsakh Minister of Agriculture Georgi Hayriyan said this in an interview on Tuesday, Artsakhpress reported.

According to him, it is necessary to store feed for large and small cattle, but only 30 percent of the grass has been collected.

"Now we have already stopped that work, giving priority to the wheat harvesting work, so that we can solve the bread problem," added the agriculture minister of Artsakh.

As per Hayriyan, until June 15, it was possible to import fodder as well, trying to ensure, with limited resources, the development of pig breeding and poultry farming in Artsakh.

But now, the Artsakh Ministry of Agriculture is forced to urge pig farmers to reduce the number of their animals due to a lack of fodder, as a large part of the barley crop has also been affected by drought.

Beekeeping is also in dire situation in Artsakh because of the aforesaid blockade.

"Until June 15, we were trying to secure minimum permits for the purchase of fuel. But after that it was strictly prohibited because there is none. More than 500 farms engaged in beekeeping have been deprived of the opportunity to move bees to more favorable conditions and the means of bee care," concluded the minister of agriculture of Artsakh.
Within the framework of his working visit to the United States, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, on Tuesday had meetings with the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Christopher W. Grady, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Charles Brown.

During the meetings, a number of matters related to the current status of the Armenia-US defense cooperation, upcoming programs, joint activities, the implementation of the concept of Mission Command and the professional NCOs system, opportunities for extending cooperation in the air force sector, as well as regional security were discussed, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.
Azerbaijan is proving, on a daily basis, that it is not even capable of ensuring the narratives it has been formulating before the eyes of the international community. Edmon Marukyan, Ambassador-at-Large of Armenia, noted this on Twitter.

For instance, Azerbaijan claimed that they want to integrate the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and that they are their citizens.

The international community demanded Azerbaijan to take confidence building measures and start direct talks with the representatives of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh by introducing an international mechanism with guarantees of rights and securities for Nagorno Karabakh Armenians. In response to this, prior to integrating Christian Armenians, Azerbaijan kills them by organizing various sabotage activities, then destroys Christian churches and monuments of Christian heritage, consequently, Azerbaijan has no plan to integrate Christian Armenians.

Moreover, for about 7 months, it cuts off the gas and electricity supply, keeps the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh under siege, and cases of children dying of starvation have already been recorded.

Naturally, with these steps, Azerbaijan is resorting to an international criminal offense, making clear to everyone that it is not taking measures to build confidence. In the contrary, it shows that the implemented policy is not meant to integrate Armenian people but to subject Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, eventually assuming a piece of land without people.

Under the pressure of these overt evidence, already proven by the circumstances, the institutions of liberal democracy of the international community must either accept that they are the shareholders of the starvation, killings and ethnic cleansing of 120,000 and 30,000 children of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians, or take clear steps in the form of international intervention to stop these crimes against humanity.

Otherwise, the 21st century will be marked by yet another massive violation of human rights, more specifically an international criminal offense, which may be still prevented by the international community, added the ambassador-at-large of Armenia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Azerbaijan, in response to the address by Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan in Vienna, made a series of absurd accusations.

Accusing the Armenian side of "not being interested in peace and stability, obstructing the peace process" and so on, the Azerbaijani MFA writes about the rights and security of Armenians in quotation marks, thus showing their true attitude. This is explained by the fact that "Azerbaijan equally ensures and will ensure the rights and security of all ethnic minorities living in the country." Probably, just as the Azerbaijani authorities "ensured the safety of Armenians during the pogroms of Armenians in Baku, Sumgait, and several other Azerbaijani cities.

The Azerbaijani MFA considers the current dire humanitarian situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) a "political adventurism" and "Armenia's manipulation," and says objecting to transportation through Aghdam is "an example of the groundlessness of these aspirations."

Misrepresenting the decision of the UN International Court of Justice, Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of "distortion of the decision of the International Court of Justice."

In the end of its statement, the Azerbaijani MFA accuses Armenia of not complying "with its commitment to open unobstructed transport routes from the eastern regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan." To note, this is about Azerbaijan's attempt to get a "corridor" through Syunik Province of Armenia in order to later try to annex that part of the territory of Armenia as well.
A group of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) residents have blocked, with concrete barriers, the Askeran-Akna (Aghdam) motorway, to show that in Artsakh they are categorically against the bringing in of any Azerbaijani productsbe it "humanitarian aid or very cheap productsto Artsakh.

High-ranking Azerbaijani officials have recently been talking about their readiness to send aid to Artsakh via Akna (Aghdam). The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, also spoke about the possibility of using that road.

In an interview with Armenpress, Arshak Abrahamyan, a founding member of the public movement "Artsakh Security Development Front," reflected on the protest action of blocking the Askeran-Akna road by the youth of this movement and a group of Artsakh residents on Tuesday.

"We have clearly noted that this is a red line for us; Artsakh should maintain its social and economic ties with Armenia only. Among our main demands, the dismantling of the Azerbaijani checkpoint illegally installed on the Hakari bridge remains the priority," said Abrahamyan.

He added that in the conditions of the current humanitarian disaster in Artsakh, they demand the provision of a humanitarian air corridor as an urgent solution.
Hero of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), former secretary of Artsakh Security Council Vitaly Balasanyan has been charged under four articles of the Artsakh Criminal Code, Balasanyan's lawyer Rafayel Martirosyan informed.

"He has been charged with theft of property, illegal possession of weapons, ammunition, carrying out non-dangerous violence against a representative of the [Artsakh] authorities, [and] possession of narcotics," explained the attorney.

Vitaly Balasanyan was detained on the night of July 13.

But on Monday, the court denied the motion to arrest Balasanyan, and he was released from custody.
Many illogical and incomprehensible things are happening, especially on the European platform, and Charles Michel's statements deepened our concerns even more. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan stated this on the air of "Factor of Power" program of Armenian News-NEWS.am, referring to the statement of European Council President Charles Michel after the meeting of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels, where he welcomed Azerbaijan's proposal to provide humanitarian aid to Artsakh through the Aghdam motorway.

"They have deliberately put us [i.e. Artsakh] before a humanitarian disaster, and started forcing humanitarian aid, while humanitarian aid is not forced. We have many reasons that make a reliable relationship and contact with Azerbaijan impossible. Azerbaijan, which is killing and threatening to kill our citizens, is ready to bring and give humanitarian medicine to our people. How can, for example, bring baby food from Azerbaijan and give it to our children, bring food for our pregnant women and the elderly? I want to ask those who make such a proposal: are you really thinking and speaking seriously? It is the same as saying tomorrow, let the patients from Artsakh go to Azerbaijan for treatment. I want to ask the international mediators if this is a serious conversation and approach. If they are so sincere and concerned about the people of Artsakh, there is a simple formula: [re]open the Lachin corridor, ensure that Azerbaijan fulfills its obligations under the November 9[, 2020] statement," said Nersisyan.

He recalled that Toivo Klaar, the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, later stated that the Aghdam motorway cannot be an alternative to the Lachin corridor and the latter must be reopened.
A group of civil society organizations from Armenia on Wednesday released a joint statement on the recent press statement by Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The joint statement reads as follows:

The undersigned civil society organizations in Armenia express their alarm over the press statement of July 15 made by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, following the latest trilateral meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev. Specifically, we are concerned that the announcement equates the Lachin Corridor and Aghdam as options to address the current humanitarian crisis. This proposal disregards the fact that the source of the humanitarian crisis is Azerbaijans continued blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh (NK), subjecting its population to hunger and malnutrition to force submission to their demands, or worse, push them physically out of the territory. Moreover, it does not solve other ongoing violations of human rights, including freedom of movement, access to health services, access to education, etc. We fear that should this proposal be pursued, it will worsen the current dire situation, putting the lives of people in Nagorno-Karabakh at risk.

The Lachin Corridor does not have an alternative. The February 2023 Preliminary Order (reaffirmed in July 2023) of the International Court of Justice confirms the importance of keeping the corridor open for the free passage of people, goods, and vehicles. However, the Azerbaijani side has not only ignored the Order but has further tightened the months-long blockade. Instead of addressing the root cause of the humanitarian crisis, the discussion of "alternative" routes, such as Aghdam, diverts the international community's attention from the source of the problem  the illegal blockade of a humanitarian corridor and the policy of ethnic cleansing by the Azerbaijani government. Making the Aghdam road operational would inadvertently support this policy by giving additional political and economic leverage to Azerbaijan over the Armenian population in NK and further undermining their rights.

Using hunger as a negotiation tactic should not be normalized. If the current situation of a total blockade persists, the act of offering food and supplies through Aghdam resembles hostage-taking and undermines any efforts to build trust between NK and Azerbaijan within the context of a possible Baku-Stepanakert dialogue. Should the international community yield to Azerbaijan's unlawful actions and clear intentions of ethnic cleansing, it would effectively validate the wrongful closure of the Lachin Corridor and the captivity of 120,000 individuals since December 2022. Furthermore, this endorsement would legitimize the non-adherence to the ICJ's [(International Court of Justice)] order and discredit all existing and future agreements or international legal rulings.

Additionally, the statement refers to the facilitation of the release of soldiers who inadvertently cross to the other side. While this is an important issue, it is crucial that the fate of all detainees and prisoners of war is not forgotten. There are at least 35 confirmed prisoners of war and other civilian detainees in Azerbaijan. There have been reliable reports that they have been subjected to torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. Two of them were kidnapped earlier this year from Armenia proper, and the court in Azerbaijan sentenced them to lengthy prison sentences for trespassing for allegedly attempting to supply a group of saboteurs and for armed terrorism conspiracy. Similar sham trials have also occurred in relation with other detainees captured during and after the 44-day war. It is obvious that access to justice is impossible under the current circumstances. Moreover, Azerbaijan appears to hold these detainees as a bargaining chip during the process of negotiations. Thus, we earnestly request that the international community:

prioritize efforts to immediately unblock the Lachin Corridor in accordance with the ICJ ruling,

unite efforts in facilitating the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of war and other detained persons.

Democracy Development Foundation Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC) Center for Rights Development NGO Asparez Journalists' Club "For Equal Rights" Educational Center NGO Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Vanadzor Non-Discrimination and Equality Coalition Public Journalism Club Peace Dialogue NGO Protection of Rights Without Borders NGO Real World, Real People NGO Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center Regional Center for Democracy and Security Union of Informed Citizens Women's Support Center
The President of Artsakh, the National Assembly of Artsakh have repeatedly responded to such statements being made from Armenia and publicly presented our position. In general, I have the conviction that Armenia has only one thing to do in discussions with Azerbaijan: to present the thousands of facts that make it impossible for Artsakh to exist as part of Azerbaijan. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan stated this on the air of "Factor of Power" program of Armenian News-NEWS.am, referring to the fact that Armenia declares that it is ready to recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan.

"Recently, a survey was organized in Azerbaijan as to if they see a child in [Artsakh capital] Stepanakert not speaking Azerbaijani, what will they do to him? The answer options are: I will cut off his tongue, I will cut off his ear, I will slap him, I will make a remark. Armenia should talk about this in the negotiations with Azerbaijan. And when it is talked about being a part of Azerbaijan, this causes the anger and outburst of the people of Artsakh. Who do we recognize Artsakh as part of? A state that has been torturing 120,000 people [in Artsakh] for seven months?" he said.

The minister of state complained that Armenias authorities are passive in speaking out about the ongoing nationwide movement in Artsakh.

"In any case, we repeatedly point out that all the steps and decisions related to our rights, the people of Artsakh, which can be decided on our behalf on international platforms, are null and void. All players must understand that imposing decisions made on various platforms is unacceptable. The people of Artsakh do not plan to put up with the decisions discussed and made outside of us," he emphasized.
Armenia had to respond to the statement by the Russian foreign ministry; and its failure to respond raised certain questions. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan stated this on the air of "Factor of Power" program of Armenian News-NEWS.am, referring to the Russian foreign ministry statement in which it was noted that Armenia expressed its willingness to recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan, as a result of which the situation in the region has completely changed, the conditions under which the statement of November 9, 2020 was signed have changed, and this has also changed the status of Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh.

"On the other hand, the statement of November 9 is a document signed by the heads of states, by which the parties assumed obligations that they must fulfill, including Russia and Azerbaijan. No matter how much we try to criticize, Armenia's recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity has promoted Azerbaijan to set up a checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. I believe the Russian Federation statement also refers to this to some extent," Nersisyan added.

"The Russian Federation is carrying out a peacekeeping mission here. And despite many problems, the Russian Federation is more or less the only guarantor of security at the moment. It is not permissible to turn the Artsakh issue into a platform or a field of competition between the West and Russia. If the goal of the mediators is to remove Russia from the region by promising the people of Artsakh an uncertain future, then it will not be that easy. Here it is not a question of protecting Russia, it is a question of the fate of our people, and we are against such an approach to solving problems at the expense of trampling on the rights of our people," said the Artsakh state minister.

He noted that the more Armenia lowers the bar related to the Artsakh issue, it will be that much harder for the people of Artsakh to raise it.

"The more Armenia lowers that bar, that much greater problems we, the people of Artsakh, will face," Gurgen Nersisyan said.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received Aram Arzumanyan, who was disabled as a result of the 44-day war. Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan was also present at the meeting. The official website of the Prime Minister of Armenia reports.

The Prime Minister had met Aram's parents on July 17 in Artashat, who raised the issue of changing Aram Arzumanyan's disability degree from 1 to 2.

Nikol Pashinyan listened to Aram Arzumanyan, answered his questions, and the minister presented the necessary clarifications regarding the change of degree, informed that Aram was provided with modern high-quality prosthetics, which contributed to his ability to walk.

Prime Minister Pashinyan noted that the government is bringing the policy of providing disability degree to the international standard. "Degree is not a goal, it is a means to solve a problem. The meaning of the policy is as follows. that methodology says, don't assess whether a person has legs or not, but assess whether they can walk, whether their ability to walk has been restored in any way or not. And we think that policy is correct. Our policy is to restore the person's functional capacity. We all focus on the degree all the time, but degree is not the goal. The extent to which functionality has been restored should be assessed. We should try to understand the method of providing degree, how effective it is and what needs to be done to make it more effective," said the Prime Minister.

Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the Government should do its best to restore the functionality of the person. "We must provide our brothers and children disabled as a result of the war with prosthetics that meet the best international standards.

We do not want you and our other children and brothers to have a disability degree, but to be fully rehabilitated, to be able to get an education, a job, that is, to act freely and to recover your functional capacity. In the cases when this will not be successful, the disability order will be defined by the examination, which will give us an indication that there is a functional problem," said the Prime Minister.

The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs reported that more than 1,400 servicemen were disabled as a result of the 44-day war.

Prime Minister Pashinyan reminded that the comprehensive health insurance system will be introduced in the republic from next year. "Persons disabled as a result of the 44-day war should be included in this system at the very first stage. Our task is not that you say what a good government, it gave me a first degree disability? Our task is to ensure that you walk normally, run, study, work, live. Please, don't push us in the direction of providing a disability degree and thinking that we have solved a problem. We need you to have no disability degree. We need to implement such a modern functional prosthetics that will be both comfortable and functional," said Nikol Pashinyan, adding that the Government will move according to the new methodological standard for disability classification.

During the meeting, Aram Arzumanyan raised other health-related issues. The Prime Minister instructed Minister Mkrtchyan to submit a new draft Government's decision, as necessary, to solve additional health problems of Aram and other persons with disabilities.

An agreement was reached to organize a new meeting in the coming months, including with the participation of other persons with disabilities, to discuss the problems and further steps to solve them.
Warming threat should be dealt with separately: Kerry

John Kerry and US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns (centre) arrive for Wednesday's talks at the Great Hall of the People. Photo: AFP

Climate change is a "universal threat" that should be handled separately from broader diplomatic issues, US climate envoy John Kerry told Vice-President Han Zheng on Wednesday after two days of what he called constructive but complex talks in Beijing.



Acknowledging the diplomatic difficulties between the two sides in recent years, Kerry said climate should be treated as a "free-standing" challenge that requires the collective efforts of the world's largest economies to resolve.



"We have the ability to ... make a difference with respect to climate," he said at a meeting in the Great Hall of the People.



Kerry arrived in Beijing on Sunday as heat waves scorched parts of China and other Asian nations, Europe and the United States, underscoring the need for governments to take drastic action to reduce carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming and extreme weather events.



He has held meetings with top diplomat Wang Yi and Premier Li Qiang as well as veteran climate envoy Xie Zhenhua in a bid to rebuild trust with China ahead of COP28 climate talks in Dubai at the end of the year.



"If we can come together over these next months leading up to COP28, which will be the most important since Paris, we will have an opportunity to be able to make a profound difference on this issue," he told Han.



Han said the two countries had maintained close communication and dialogue on climate since Kerry's appointment as envoy, adding that a joint statement issued by the two sides has sent a "positive signal" to the world.



Kerry told reporters earlier that his talks with Chinese officials this week have been constructive but complicated, with the two sides still dealing with political "externalities", including Taiwan.



"We're just reconnecting," he said. "We're trying to re-establish the process we have worked on for years."



"We're trying to carve out a very clear path to the COP to be able to cooperate and work as we have wanted to with all the externalities," Kerry said.



Climate diplomacy between the world's top two emitters was suspended in August last year following the visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. (Reuters)
600+ visitors registered for SIUs open house for prospective students

CARBONDALE, Ill.  More than 600 visitors to Southern Illinois University Carbondale  about 300 prospective students and their guests  are registered to attend the July 21 Open House, based at Banterra Center. The free, daylong event includes a student panel, campus tours, housing tours, academic showcases and a resource fair.

High school and transfer students who would like to attend can visit Undergraduate Admissions website, email admissions@siu.edu or call 618-536-4405, said Sarah Jiter, director of undergraduate admissions. The open house will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Even if you live close to the university, you may be surprised by all the hands-on opportunities and personal attention SIU offers, she said. This is a great way to learn what its like to be a Saluki.

Prospective students interested in joining the Saluki family this fall can still apply. Visit the Undergraduate Admissions website to learn more.

Editors note: Reporters, photographers and news crews who would like to cover the open house may ask for Sarah Jiter.
SIU faculty and staff leaders of a project that will equip, coordinate and train teams of student eclipse observers across North America to play a vital role in NASAs plans to study the total eclipse in April are, from left, Bob Baer, Karla Berry, Cori Brevik and Harvey Henson. At far right is Chris Mandrell, a graduate student in physics and research assistant with the universitys STEM Education Research Center. The DEB project and associated grants will provide about $530,000, not including private donations, or enough fund 70 observer teams. (Photo by Russell Bailey)

SIU leads nationwide NASA project to gather data from sun during 2024 eclipse

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will equip, coordinate and train teams of student eclipse observers across North America, playing a vital role in NASAs plans to study the rare celestial event in April.

The team of SIU researchers, led by co-principal investigators Bob Baer and Matt Penn, will use a two-year, $314,000 NASA grant for the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast Initiative (DEB) effort. The citizen science project will have more than 40 teams largely made up of high school and middle school students  in sites spanning from Mexico up through the United States and into Canada  use telescopes to provide critical coronal data as the moons shadow traverses the continent.

The effort not only will result in valuable data but also real-time views streamed online and broadcasted in cooperation with NASA EDGE.

Well be fulfilling NASAs citizen science strategy by engaging a diverse, emerging group of citizen scientists as volunteer observation teams, Baer said. By including volunteers outside the path of totality, we include the majority of Americans in our potential volunteer base.

Baer, a specialist, and Penn, an adjunct assistant professor of practice, both in in the School of Physics and Applied Physics, are leading the effort along with other SIU faculty and other universities.

Baer and Harvey Henson, director of the STEM Education Research Center, are leading an additional grant contributing to DEB and funded by the National Science Foundation. SIUs subaward on the grant led by Cosmic Pictures, the filmmakers of Einsteins Incredible Universe, an IMAX movie that focused on the 2017 total eclipse, will push the value of SIUs DEB effort up to more than $530,000, not including additional private donations.

Altogether, enough funding exists for 70 DEB teams, Baer said.

Citizen science projects like this one get the public involved and excited about doing science in a big way, Baer said. This one is especially cool, because the volunteers will be collecting real data for NASA.

A big job

So far, about 25 teams are in place, with many more to go, Baer said. Each team includes about five members and a team leader. The teams are strategically located in or near the path of the April 8 total eclipse and are often associated with a nearby university or community college.

A diversity aspect of SIUs effort will specifically aim to create, equip and train 20 teams made up of middle school-age girls, in an effort to spark their interest in science.

The grant money is paying for dozens of 40mm telescopes to equip each team, and about 10 teams already have received their telescopes and are training with them. Baer is now working with manufacturers to provide the balance of the scopes needed.

On eclipse day, the teams will use the telescopes  each less than one foot long  to observe and record coronal activity that is only visible during totality. The grant money also is purchasing astrophotography cameras to fit each scope and capture important images.

Baer and Henson also are helping create printed materials and videos, aimed at training each team leader  usually a college student or other adult. This fall, the leaders will begin training the team members to operate the equipment and collect images and data.

The first teams will have a chance to test their skills during an annular eclipse in October. Even though such an event does not provide the opportunities to collect coronal data as a total eclipse event, Baer said, the teams can still make direct disc observations of the sun and collect important data, while becoming more familiar with their equipment.

Well get a lot of science out of that, he said. Were getting people involved and interested.

DEB builds on 2017 project

SIU lies directly in the path of totality for the April 8 eclipse, just as it previously did in 2017, making the university and the area the eclipse crossroads.

During the 2017 eclipse, SIU also was involved in the Continental-American Telescopic Eclipse Experiment, another nationwide telescope network of citizen scientists. The effort was led by Penn, who at the time was an astronomer with the National Solar Observatory.

The Citizen CATE Experiment included about 70 observation teams nationwide, roughly one every 40 miles along the path of the 2017 eclipse. Baer, who also is co-chairing SIUs eclipse committee this time around, acted as a coordinator for several Southern Illinois CATE teams, including teams at Pope County High School, Giant City State Park, the Bald Knob Cross of Peace, SIU and the airport in Perryville, Missouri.

CATE was the most popular citizen science project in 2017, said Baer, adding that his co-PI, Penn, reported before Congress on the efforts success. DEB is a follow-on project to Penns CATE. Were taking what was good and improving upon it.

SIU research team makes it work

Along with Baer and Penn  a physicist who studies the sun and the main science officer in the effort  several other SIU faculty members also are heavily involved in the project. Cori Brevik, assistant professor of practice in the School of Physics and Applied Physics, is focusing on recruiting and organizing the dozens of teams, while Henson is focused on developing training and research materials. Karla Berry, associate professor in the School of Media Arts, is assisting with digital content creation.

This is very much a team effort, here at SIU, Baer said. We have very dedicated researchers and scholars who are giving their all to get ready for this event.

SIU also is partnering with faculty at the University of Michigan, University of Illinois, Moorhead State University, California State University-Northridge, Vincennes University, Westminster College and Langara College in Canada.
PRNewswire Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 19: Nextgen Fintech Company - FINCOVER is a one-stop destination to avail loans, check credit score for free, find/buy insurance and investment schemes from various companies. Achievements (FY2223) - Number of insurance policies issued 11000+ - Number of loans processed 16000+ - FINCOVERhas assisted 550+ claims settlements in this Financial Year, always walking the extra mile when it comes to the claim settlement process. - Number of business partners 1000+ - FINCOVERhas crossed 150Cr. disbursement in the lastFY, entering the top 5 DSAs in South India. Entrepreneurship has always been a passion for Naresh Rajaram. After a brief stint with some software giants, Nareshbegan his journey as an entrepreneur with a product development company whose product, an online game, was massively popular among the Indian audience. Additionally, they were also involved in developing software for other industries like airlines, railways and educational institutions. Sensing that a vast percentage of the Indian public remains financially unaware, Naresh along with Gurumoorthy A andManjunath TstartedFINCOVER, whose mission is to simplify finance in a way everybody can understand. Moreover, customers have to run from pillar to post to access various financial products. Envisioning a software solution that would prove to be the one-stop shop for all things related to finance, the idea ofFINCOVERstemmed while they were pondering over this question. The Indian market is ripe with fintech sites in every nook and cranny. Insurance awareness and financial planning remain awfully low in India, and there is a large section of the populace that continues to remain unbanked; sensing an opportunity, they were determined to build a product that encompasses all these aspects of finance. Surviving and thriving in this incredibly competitive race means the company must offer a seamless user experience to customers. With this as a focus, Naresh and his team passionately began working on FINCOVER and leveraged all their experience to build a product that serves this purpose. Having a team of skilled engineers with demonstrated ability to build excellent products, they launched FINCOVER in April 2021 in just a few months. FINCOVER offers all services related to finance. What does FINCOVERdo? FINCOVERis an online marketplace where youcan buyinsurance policies, investment schemes, and opt forvarious types of loans, banking products andcredit cards.FINCOVERhas partnered with all leading insurance companies,public and private banks, NBFCs, fund houses, and investment companies. They have a robust distribution model for these products with best practices that could help them touch base with the potential customer and convert them. In this process, they have partnered with more than 20000Point of Sales persons (PoSPs)who arealsoable to reach customers from remote places. Naresh Rajaram, Co-Founder, says, "The first step is educating the customers and making them aware of the product which we believe is possible through engagingPoSPs. Despite the emergence of technologies that could do virtually anything these days, we feel a human touch would always be required. This thought process went into the development, and now we have come up with a product that combines technology with the right amount of human interaction." FINCOVERhas partnered with all leading banks Growth Within a year of launch,FINCOVERhas disbursed loans worth more than 150 crores and have disbursed over 50000 policies and have emerged to secure a place among the top 5 DSAs of India. They have partnered with more than 20000 PoSPs to facilitate easy and seamless disbursal. With a headcount over 150+ employees, they have offices in Chennai, Coimbatoreand Kerala, and are looking to expand to all the major metros and Tier II and Tier III cities. Of all Indians, 75%are not covered by any form of life insurance, and only a tiny percentage of people have the means to survive in the event of the death of a breadwinner. Gurumoorthy A, who has nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry working with all leading insurers says, "Our primary job is to enhance consumer awareness on various aspects of insurance; so many people lose their lives because of improper medical care. Only a healthy individual can contribute positively towards our nation's growth; health insurance is the only tool to ensure people get the best treatment in the event of health emergencies. We have teams that educate the customers about the benefits of insurance and get all their queries cleared. Apart from selling the policies, we also assist the customer in claim support. Till date, we've helped settle more than 2000 claims within a year for motor and health insurance." Future vision and Goals Manjunath T, who is the director of Operations, said "Our roadmap for the year 202324 is to scale our business and expand our operations to Tier II and Tier III cities. We are focussing on metros at the moment, and we're making all arrangements to take our operations into Tier II and Tier III towns. It is those regions where financial planning and awareness is low; our job is to educate them about financial planning and insurance and convert them as our customers." Before commencing operations in these towns, they have plans to conduct awareness programs in these underserved areas. For this, they are raising funds in the short term. When asked about challenges that they face as the fintech space in India is already very competitive, Naresh optimistically says, "It is true that this is an extremely competitive field, but we are geared to go all in. We have a technically superior product that helps operate flawlessly, gives the right results for the customer's choices, and on top of that we provide excellent customer support. We're pulling every stop to ensure that we lead people in the right direction to ensure that they remain financially stable. FINCOVERdoes not charge any money from the customers. Their main revenue source is the fees that they receive from the banking/insurance partners for every transaction on their sites. AboutFINCOVER FINCOVERis a fintech startup based in Chennai existing from 2020. It is a one-stop platform for all thingsrelatedto finance leveraging the power of technology. Their mission is to provide every customer with an affordable and seamless digital premium financing experience and ensure they become financially empowered. FINCOVERprovides a platform that enables the user to search and locate the best financial products suited to their needs and wants. They have partnered with India's leading insurers (23 insurance), 50+ banks and NBFCs, and 35+ mutual fund companies to distribute their products. Within a year from inception, they have disbursed more thanRs. 150 crore secured and unsecured loan amounts from various banks and NBFCs in the last financial year and over 10000+ insurance policies. The company is targeting a 5X growth in the upcoming year and aims to cross Rs. 500 crore in annualized disbursal run rate.Point of Sales persons(PoSP) can use their App or Web portal to assist customers in theirfinancial needs.For more information, visithttps://www.fincover.com/. Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2156327/Fincover_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 19: The much-anticipated Outlook Business Spotlight - Business Excellence Awards 2023 took place on June 24th at The Lalit in Mumbai. The event was a resounding success, bringing together prominent industry leaders, esteemed guests, and government officials to celebrate and recognize outstanding achievements in the business world. The star-studded affair featured renowned celebrity guests Aastha Gill and Harshita Shekar Gaur, who added an extra sparkle to the glamorous evening. Additionally, the event was honored by the presence of esteemed government officials, serving as the chief guests, who lent their support and appreciation to the remarkable business endeavors showcased at the event. The Business Excellence Awards aimed to acknowledge and honor companies that have demonstrated exceptional performance, innovation, and growth across various sectors. A distinguished panel of judges meticulously evaluated each nominee, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. The event provided a platform for these exceptional organizations to showcase their contributions and inspire others in the business community. The following Leaders & companies were recognized and celebrated for their outstanding achievements: 1. Yogalakshmi, Director & Balakrishnan R, Managing Director of Basilic Fly Studio Limited awarded as Company of the Year 2. Raj Sardana, CEO of Innova Solutions awarded as Company of the Year 3. Amit Srivastava, CEO of Nutrify India awarded as Product of the Year(Nutrify Genie) 4. Aaryav Gupta, Director Global Business of Pridel Pvt Ltd awarded as Company of the Year 5. Samujjwal Ghosh, CEO of The House of Abhinandan Lodha awarded as Brand of the Year 6. Vikram Narayana Rao, MD of Lloyd Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. awarded as Company of the Year 7. Dr. Mariazeena Johnson, Chancellor of Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University) awarded as Excellence in Education Award 8. Mahua Roy Chowdhury, Managing Partner of Royzz & Co awarded as Tech Law Firm of The Year 9. Bindiya Vohra, Co-Founder of ThoughtSol Infotech Pvt awarded as IT System Integrator of the Year 10. Ajay Chitkara, Director & CEO of Airtel Business awarded as Company of the Year 11. Rajan Aggarwal, Executive Director & CEO of AGI Milltec Machinery Pvt Ltd awarded as Company of the year-Manufacturing 12. Rajan Aggarwal, Executive Director & CEO of AGI Milltec Machinery Pvt Ltd awarded as CEO of the Year 13. Raja Srinivas Nandigam, Director & CEO of RNIT Solutions and Services Private limited awarded as COMPANY OF THE YEAR- IT SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS 14. Manjari Upadhye, CEO of Welspun India awarded as Company of the Year - Home Textile 15. Rajesh Namby, General Manager of Raffels Udaipur awarded as Best Luxury Hotel Chain of India 16. Aakanksha Bhargava, CEO of P.M. Relocations Pvt Ltd awarded as Best Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 17. Nishant Seth, Director of RainBow Aviation awarded as Emerging Leader For Air Cargo Aviation In India 18. Pradeep Khaitan, Managing Director of Rahee Infratech Limited awarded as Company of the Year ( Construction ) 19. Bibhu Prasad Padhi, CEO of ApMoSys Technologies Pvt Ltd awarded as CEO of the Year - IT Services & IT Consulting 20. Sudha Madhuri Mantena, CEO - India of Globe Line Shipping awarded as Freight Forwarder of the Year ( Logistics ) 21. Shravan Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Sakshath Technologies Pvt Ltd awarded as Company of the Year - IT Services & IT Consulting 22. Anoop Kumar Saxena, CEO of VICAT India awarded as CEO of the Year ( Manufacturing ) 23. Drushti Desai, Partner of Bansi S. Mehta & Co awarded as Best Chartered Accounting Firm of the Year (Financial Services) 24. Jay Mehta, Managing Director of Warner Music India awarded as Best Company of the Year 25. Tarang Goyal, Managing Director of Integrated Personnel Services Ltd awarded as Brand of the Year 26. Behram Khodaiji, CEO of Grant Medical Foundation - Ruby Hall Clinic awarded as Best Hospital of the Year 27. M P Raghav Roa, Managing Director of Fujifilm Sericol India Pvt Ltd awarded as Business Innovation 28. Mohit Arora, CEO of Homekraft Infra Pvt Ltd awarded as Company of the Year - Real Estate 29. Amajit Gupta, Group CEO & MD of Lightstorm awarded as Startup of the year - Telecom 30. Anish Srikrishna, CEO of Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd/Times Pro awarded as EdTech Company of the Year - Education 31. Giuliano Perfetti, CEO-CRDMO of Jubilant Biosys Limited awarded as Company of the Year-Drug Discovery Services 32. C. Devidas Varier, Managing Director of The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Ltd awarded as Brand of The Year- Healthcare & Wellness (Ayurveda) 33. Sudhir Gudal, Director of Xperitus Insurance Brokers Private Ltd awarded as Excellence In Insurance Broking & Claims Servicing 34. Saachi Agrawal, Co-founder of Plotters Ink awarded as Best Independent advertising agency 35. Vivek Kumar Mishra, CEO of Raphe mPhibr Pvt Ltd awarded as Hi-Tech Manufacturing Company of the Year 36. Suchita Oswal Jain, Vice Chairman & Joint Managing Director of Vardhman Textiles awarded as Women in Leadership 37. Amar Sarin, Managing Director of TARC Ltd awarded as Tarc Tripundra- Best Project of the Year 38. Thirumalesh Prasad C G, Founder & CEO of Inboundsys awarded as Best Company of the Year 39. Rahul Garg, CEO & Founder of Moglix Labs India Pvt. Ltd awarded as Brand of the Year 40.Manbir bedi, Founder of Primary Plus Media Pvt Ltd awarded as Outstanding Achievers 41. Faheem Qureshi, Founder & Director of Stay Pattern Hospitality Services awarded as Startup of the year 42. Amit Jain, Founder & CEO of AAIS awarded as Emerging IT & Technology Leader 43. Ramkumar Sambasivan, Founder & CEO of Bootlabs Technologies awarded as Product of the Year (SailorCloud) 44. Raju Jituri, Founder & CEO of NextGn IceCream Engineering Pvt Ltd awarded as Emerging Company of the Year 45. Praveen Anna, DIRECTOR of Clientscape Services India Pvt Ltd awarded as Startup Company Of The Year 46. N Keshava Raju, Founder & CEO of Techademy Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd. awarded as Best Learning Experience Platform of the year (Education) 47. Narasimha Sharma Narayanam, CEO (APAC & MENA) of Podobrace India Pvt Ltd. awarded as Company of the Year (Textile Manufacturing & FMCG) 48. Dr. Akshay Parmar & Dr. Anurag Shah, Founder & Managing Director & Founder & Director of Unihealth Consultancy Private Limited awarded as Company of the Year (Global) 49. Gunish Jain, CEO & Founder of BlueKaktus awarded as Product of the year 50. Abhishek Kumar, Chief Business Officer, First Games awarded as Best Real Money Gaming App of the Year 51. Kunal Patel, Managing Director of Monika Alcobev awarded as Company of the Year 52. Ramesh Natarajan, CEO of Redington Limited awarded as Company of the Year 53. Kirti Ashar, Senior Vice president of Vedistry Pvt LTD awarded as Excellence in Healthcare & Personal care products 54. Mona Darasing Khurana, Founder of Focus PR awarded as Excellence in Celebrity Publicity 55. Hassan Ahmed , Director of Pentatonix Technologies Pvt Ltd awarded as Company of the Year 56. Rohit Jindal, Head Of Business of MyGate awarded as Community Management Solution of the Year These Leaders & companies showcased exceptional prowess in their respective fields, demonstrating exemplary dedication, vision, and a commitment to excellence. Their contributions have not only elevated their businesses but have also made a significant impact on the overall economic landscape. Digitech Media also express their sincere gratitude to the following sponsors who made the Outlook Business Spotlight - Business Excellence Awards 2023 a resounding success: - Logistics Partner: Eastern Supply Chain & Logistics PVT LTD - Printing Solution Partner: Fujifilm - Gaming Partner: First Games These sponsors played a vital role in ensuring the smooth execution of the event and adding value to the overall experience. The Organizers of the event: Digitech Media Directors Sunny Sehrawat, Adil Sarwar, and Sharmin Sarwar, expressed their gratitude to the participants, sponsors, and attendees for making the event a resounding success. They stated, "These awards celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and recognize the outstanding achievements of businesses that have made a substantial impact on our society. We are proud to honor these remarkable organizations and look forward to witnessing their continued success." The Outlook Business Spotlight - Business Excellence Awards 2023 stands as a testament to the vibrancy and dynamism of the Indian business landscape. The event highlighted the resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment displayed by these exceptional organizations, setting new benchmarks for excellence in their respective industries. For media inquiries or more information about the Outlook Business Spotlight - Business Excellence Awards 2023, please contact: Digitech media Email: events@digitechview.com (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
The strength of Indian passport moved up from 87th place in 2022 to 80th in 2023, giving its holders a visa-free access to 57 countries, the latest report put out by Henley and Partners showed. The Henley Passport Index rankings are based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, largely based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). At 80th, the other two countries along with India are Senegal and Togo. Meanwhile, Singapore has knocked off Japan off the top spot on the Henley Passport Index for the first time in five years, placing the latter into 3rd place, the report published on Tuesday said. Singapore is now officially the most powerful passport in the world, with its citizens able to visit 192 travel destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free. Germany, Italy, and Spain have moved up into 2nd place with visa-free access to 190 destinations, and Japanese passport holders join those of six other nations  Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden  in 3rd place with access to189 destinations without a prior visa. The UK has finally turned the corner after a six-year decline, jumping up two places on the latest ranking to 4th place  a position it last held in 2017. The US, on the other hand, continues its now decade-long slide down the index, plummeting a further two places to 8th spot with access to as many as 184 destinations visa-free. Both the UK and the US jointly held 1st place on the index nearly 10 years ago in 2014 but have been on a downward trajectory ever since. Of the countries sitting in the Top 10, the US has seen the smallest increase in its score on the Henley Passport Index over the past decade, securing visa-free access to just 12 additional destinations between 2013 and 2023. Singapore, by comparison, has increased its score by 25, pushing it five places up the ranking over the past 10 years to number one spot. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the Index, with a visa-free access of just 27, followed by Iraq (29), and Syria (30)  the three weakest passports in the world. The general trend over the history of the 18-year-old ranking has been towards greater travel freedom, with the average number of destinations travelers are able to access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023. However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than it has ever been, with top-ranked Singapore able to access 165 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley and Partners and the inventor of the passport index concept, said only eight countries worldwide have less visa-free access today than they did a decade ago while others have been more successful in securing greater travel freedom for their citizens. The UAE has added an impressive 107 destinations to its visa-free score since 2013, resulting in a massive leap of 44 places in the ranking over the past 10 years from 56th to 12th position. This is almost double the next biggest climber, Colombia, which has enjoyed a jump of 28 places in the ranking to sit in 37th spot, Kaelin added. Ukraine and China are also among the Top 10 countries with the most improved rankings over the past decade. Far more than just a travel document that defines our freedom of movement, a strong passport also provides significant financial freedoms in terms of international investment and business opportunities. Global connectivity and access have become indispensable features of wealth creation and preservation, and its value will only grow as geopolitical volatility and regional instability increase. Coming to the most open countries, the Top 20 are all small island nations or African states, except for Cambodia. There are 12 completely open countries that offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to all 198 passports in the world (not counting their own) -- Burundi, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu. At the bottom of the Henley Openness Index, four countries score zero, permitting no visa-free access for any passport -- Afghanistan, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, and Turkmenistan. They are followed by five countries that provide visa-free access to fewer than five other nationalities -- Libya, Bhutan, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, and India, the report said. (ANI)
PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 19: Fraud and identity decisioning platform Bureauannounced today that it has raised an additional USD 4.5M from GMO VenturePartners, GMO Payment Gateway, and existing investors to complete its series A funding round at USD 16.5M. With the completion of the latest round, total funding for the startup has reached USD 20.5M to date. Founded in 2020, Bureau is an identity decisioning platform for fraud prevention and compliance management. Businesses use the Bureau risk orchestration platform to manage compliance and prevent fraud for their entire customer journey. Today, the company serves customers across banking, fintech, insurance, the gig economy, and real money gaming, among others. Bureau's revenues have grown 6x in the last 12 months, with over 300M identities verified through its platform. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Bangalore, Singapore, and Dubai. Bureau was set up in 2020 byRanjan Reddy, who earlier founded payments startup Qubecell in Asia. It was acquired by Boku, and Ranjan served as the Chief Business Officer at Boku Identity, which was later acquired by Twilio. Bureau is the culmination ofRanjan'sexperience of two decadesin innovating customer journey and the start of asource of truthfor a network of verified identities. "We founded Bureau to build a single source of digital trust," saidRanjan R Reddy, CEO and founder of Bureau. "Our identity decisioning platform is purpose-built to orchestrate massive disparate data to recognise, structure, and amplify risk signals in milliseconds so that customers can reach an absolute decision in real time. The outcome is material. Working with us, companies know who their consumers are, who they say they are and that they have good intentions, while consumers know their digital identities and privacy are safe and secure." In addition to the funding round, Bureau has completed the acquisition of inVOID, a YC-backed identity verification startup. Bureau intends to leverage this to enhance its global coverage, widen its IP scope and broaden its tech stack. Ranjan R Reddyadded, "Compliance regulations are no longer limited to the banking sector. Nearly every sector gig economy, crypto, gaming, ecommerce faces regulations; some for the very first time. But companies cannot just rely on compliance. They need to know whether a digital identity and their transaction are really who they say they are. So compliance + fraud prevention from one source, in the form of a trust network is highlyvaluable. This acquisition does just that. It adds to the distinct strengths of our device intelligence, behavioral AI, and no-code decisioning platform and brings additional KYC and compliance workflows to our real-time, AI-based capabilities. The synergies are a game-changer for companies, because for the first time they have a clear view into whether a digital identity is trustworthy, all orchestrated from a single platform." Gartner estimates that cyber fraud will cost the world USD 1T annually by 2025, and it is unsurprising that the market for fraud detection and prevention platforms is expected to reach USD 142B by 2028; 73% of this expenditure is borne by companies in the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors today. Looking at the current fraud scenario, Ryu Muramatsu, Director/Founding Partner at GMO VenturePartners Inc. stated, "Ranjan and his team have displayed visionmarket fit and have demonstrated the credentials it takes to succeed in the fraud and risk mitigation space. We are honoured to back them and partner with them to take their identity decisioning platform for fraud prevention and compliance management globally. As an investor on both debt and equity sides, it is clear to us that fraud prevention is a key priority for fintechs today, and Bureau is in a great position to become a market leader in this space." About Bureau Bureau is a modern no-code fraud and identity decisioning platform. It delivers accurate conclusions about the trustworthiness of digital identities to prevent fraud and ease compliance, resulting in seamless digital journeys for legitimate customers. The single AI-architected platform provides banks, fintech, gaming, gig economy and e-commerce companies with a complete range of identity verification; fraud prevention and detection; and risk and compliance solutions. Its Identity Bureau network supplies customers with a feedback loop about digital identities based on contextualized linkages. Bureau is backedby tier-one investors Okta, XYZ capital, Quona capital, Blume ventures, Commerce Ventures and Village Global. For more information please visithttps://www.bureau.id/or follow viaLinkedInorTwitter. About GMO VenturePartners GMO VenturePartners is an early and growth stage investment subsidiary ofGMO Internet Group, one of the most comprehensive providers of industry-leading internet services in Japan. The firm has a strong presence in supporting startups from EC, payment, ad-tech and enterprise SAAS sectors in regions such as Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and the US. GMO VenturePartners Inc has invested in over 50 startups over the past years, and eight companies went public. Logo:https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2079061/4040414/Bureau_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SRV Media New Delhi [India], July 19: Hotel Management is one of the most popular and opted professional courses after 10+2, which assured a successful job placement as the Hospitality Industry is completely Manpower Oriented and Computers, can never replace the requirement of Trained and Skilled Professionals of the field, and Career Opportunities are limitless for a graduate of Hotel Management. Growth of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in India As per a recent study, the tourism and hospitality industry in India is one of the largest service industries. In 2020, the Indian tourism sector accounted for 39 million jobs, which was 8% of the total employment in the country. In 2021, the travel & tourism industry's contribution to the GDP was US$ 178 billion. As expected, by 2029, the Indian tourism sector is likely to grow at 6.7% per annum and achieve 9.2% of DGP with USD 512 billion. Future Prospects of the Hospitality Sector The hospitality sector in India is expected to attain a value above Rs. 1,000 billion by the end of 2023. This growth is highly attributed to the high number of foreign tourists and business executive traffic visiting the country enabling the need for well-trained professionals to cater to the growing demand of manpower in the hospitality sector. Heritage Institute of Hotel & Tourism March Ahead on Path of Success Heritage Institute of Hotel & Tourism, established in the year 2006 in the city of love- Agra, approved by AICTE, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India and affiliated to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknowwith the vision and persistent efforts of Founder and Managing Director DK Singh, within a very short period became the Largest Hotel Management Institute in India. Based on high-quality innovative education and professionalism along with standard academic quality and practical exposure of the Institute, students are achieving highly paid job placement and success in their life. Many students of the Institute have also got successful placements at International Level and brought laurels to the institute, narrating the success of the Heritage Institute of Hotel & Tourism, Agra. To extend our rich expertise in the field of Hotel Management education and to utilize the resources and experiences, got established a new campus at Mathura, which is well equipped with stateoftheart educational facilities and infrastructure such as modern Kitchen Labs, a Restaurant set up for practical exposure, Computer Lab, Front Office, Housekeeping Lab, and well stacked Library to provide overall depth knowledge to the budding Professional of the Industry. Mathura Campus has been approved and recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India for conducting various short-term courses in its important skill development programme Hunar se Rozgar Tak also affiliated to Lingayas University for 3 Year Bachelor Degree of Vocational Course in Hotel & Tourism Management. Achievements & Placements Following our achievements during the glorious way of our journey, we have received several awards and honors, recently we have been Ranked 7th among the Best Hotel Management Colleges in Northern India by one of the prestigious news magazines THE WEEK 2023 and ranked 21 among the Best Hotel Management College by OUT LOOK magazine 2023. Recently a Memorandum of Association has been signed with Barbeque Nation to start a free certificate course Hunar ki Udaan with the main objective to employ financially weak students of society through free short-term training and assured placements at various outlets of Barbeque Nation all around India. HIHT has seen exemplary growth in Training & placement records over the years and became a frontline runner in the field of Hospitality education in India. In a wonderful journey since 2006, students have been successfully placed all across India and in different parts of the world, and established a successful track record of placing almost all of its students since its inception. The placement figures have gone up with the past time i.e. 2015 9298 placed students to 2022 19832 placed students, also despite the adverse impacts of Corona Pandemic on the entire Industry, HIHT has emerged as one of the valuable Institution by achieving a record placement in 2022 and still, the process is ongoing for securing job placement for students. If you also want more information about the course and institute, please visit our college website www.hihtworld.com, and get more information. (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)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], July 19: Epoch Elder Care, an expert in assisted living and dementia care services in India has recently made an announcement on the upcoming launch of its fourth facility - Epoch Vincent House, located in the sector 39 of Gurugram, Haryana. With this new house, Epoch expands the horizon of reach with the launch of its new abode which will be a reflection of all its existing houses that articulately demonstrates its caregiving approach through the 3Es - evidence, experience and expertise. Epoch provides high quality care homes for seniors who require assistance in their activities of daily living or have chronic medical conditions. Each home is between 15-30 rooms, replicating a home like environment for close, supervised care. The offerings include long-term & short-term services such as 24x7 care focused on chronic conditions like palliative care, Parkinsons disease care, dementia care, stroke, recovery & rehabilitation, COPD and basic nursing care, that enable seniors to live meaningful lives. Committed to providing its residents with a meaningful and a dignified life, Epoch prioritizes their overall well-being along with their medical conditions. With over 10+ years of relevant experience in India, Epoch is steadily making strides towards becoming one of the leading global experts in assisted living and dementia care services. Epoch Elder Care's team comprises highly trained professionals with expertise in geriatric care. The upcoming launch of Epoch Vincent House represents a significant milestone in the company's ongoing commitment to providing compassionate and high-quality care for the elderly. The staff at Epoch Vincent House consists of care attendants, senior nurses, counsellors, geriatricians, neurologists, physiotherapists, F&B managers, and housekeeping staff who are dedicated to provide personalised care and support. Speaking about this phase of expansion of Epoch Elder Care homesNeha Sinha, Co-founder & CEO, Epoch Elder Care, said, It is very important for us to continue to make a deep impact on the lives of the elders that we care for as well as their families. I am very excited to take strides towards fulfilling our organisations mission to care for the most vulnerable segment of elders. She further adds, Dementia is one of the most complex conditions to care for because of the myriad range of symptoms. No elder is the same or experiences the same course of stage progression. Seeking professional help is of utmost importance to preserve quality of life for as long as possible. At Epoch homes, we achieve this by focusing on all aspects of care vis a vis, just focusing on their medical or physical condition. With a capacity of caring for 18 elders, Vincent house is thoughtfully designed, ensuring seamless connectivity and accessibility within the house, without compromising residents comfort and peace. With a focus on enhancing the quality of life, it will cater to personalized care plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each elderly resident. To explore more about Epoch Elder Care visit www.epocheldercare.com. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], July 19: WAE Limited, a leading water expert providing products, services, and innovative solutions in the domain of Water & Waste water Management, announced its recognition as one of India's Best Companies to Work For 2023 by Great Place to Work India. The prestigious award is given to organizations that excel in creating exceptional people practices for their employees. WAE has consistently demonstrated its commitment to establishing a high-trust and high-performance work culture by actively seeking and implementing feedback, bridging experience gaps, and maximizing human potential. The company's emphasis on fostering solidarity, trust, pride, and innovation within the work environment has earned them this well-deserved recognition. On the occasion of WAE getting recognised as a Great Place to Work I am moved by a profound gratitude for the recognition of efforts of each and every one of our team member who bring their best every day and have worked relentlessly over the years to make WAE a success and what we are today, said A Vikram Joshi, Managing Director of WAE LTD. It remains for me to thank you all from the bottom of my heart and to present before you publicly, as a personal sign of my gratitude; a promise that I will never forget that the highest form of appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. He further asserted, Were in the middle of an exciting time as our company grows. Lets use this as an opportunity to be proactive and work towards our long-term goals! We need to remain resilient and stay focused on our objectives, no matter what challenges come our way. Great Place to Work is a global authority on workplace culture, and its annual research is widely regarded as the gold standard for defining great workplaces. Great Place to Work India's annual study is one of the most credible and respected workplace studies in the world. WAE Limited's continued recognition as one of India's Best Companies to Work For affirms its commitment to providing an exceptional work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on building and sustaining a High-Trust, High-Performance culture, WAE empowers its workforce to achieve excellence and create a positive impact on the industry and society at large. WAE Limited is a leading water expert providing products, services, and innovative solutions in the domain of Water &Wastewater Management. The company was founded in 2008 with a mission to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to the water and wastewater challenges faced by the world. WAE has a strong focus on research and development and is constantly innovating to bring new and improved solutions to market. The company has a global market presence, with corporate office in Noida, India and sales office each in Mumbai & Hyderabad. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SRV Media New Delhi [India], July 19: Kovaipudur, is a delightful locality situated on the outskirts of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Renowned for its pleasant weather, serene surroundings, and lush greenery, Kovaipudur has emerged as an enticing destination for people of all age groups. This article explores why Kovaipudur appeals to diverse demographics and how it is becoming a popular choice for residents and investors due to its cool temperature and promising prospects for future development and investment. The Allure of Kovaipudur: One of the key reasons why Kovaipudur attracts people is its cool and pleasant climate, reminiscent of the famous hill station Ooty. The region enjoys lower temperatures compared to the bustling city of Coimbatore, making it an ideal escape from the scorching summer heat. With its verdant landscapes, abundant foliage, and serene atmosphere, Kovaipudur offers a rejuvenating environment that beckons individuals seeking peace and a closer connection with nature. Attractiveness to All Age Groups: Kovaipudur caters to a wide range of age groups, making it a welcoming community for all. Retirees and senior citizens are particularly drawn to the tranquil ambiance and the opportunity to lead a relaxed lifestyle amidst natural beauty. The absence of urban noise and pollution, coupled with the availability of essential amenities and healthcare facilities, makes Kovaipudur an attractive retirement destination. Families with children also find Kovaipudur appealing. The locality provides a serene and safe environment away from the chaotic city life. Its clean and pollution-free surroundings contribute to a healthy upbringing for children. Furthermore, Kovaipudur offers access to quality educational institutions like CS Academy and Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology and consistent developing infrastructure, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a well-rounded lifestyle. Promising Investment Opportunities: Kovaipudur's growing popularity has caught the attention of investors seeking long-term prospects. The area presents significant potential for future growth, making it an attractive option for real estate investment. The availability of land, along with the development of gated communities, villas, and residential projects, offers opportunities for individuals and developers looking to invest in properties that blend scenic beauty with potential returns. Prospects for Future Development: Kovaipudur's proximity to Coimbatore and its well-connected road network contribute to its appeal as a peaceful living destination with access to urban amenities. The area holds promise for further development, including infrastructure enhancements such as road improvements, healthcare facilities, and commercial establishments. Ongoing initiatives and proposed projects are set to bolster growth and connectivity in Kovaipudur, making it an increasingly desirable location for residents and investors alike, of which the Coimbatore Western Ring Road expansion is the said to be the most valuable development. The expansion of the Ring Road which connects Madukkarai on Coimbatore Palakkkad Road to Narasimmanaickenpalayam on Mettupalayam Road is proposed to reduce traffic congestion within the city roads by almost 40 percent. This with other proposed city real estate developments in and around Kovaipudur is said to propel the land appreciation rate to great extent. Real Estate analysts project that the location which sells at a price of 6 lakhs per cent can go up and beyond 10 lakhs per cent once the developments come in to being. Conclusion: Kovaipudur's blend of natural charm, cool climate, and promising prospects for future development make it an alluring destination for people of all age groups. Whether it's retirees seeking tranquility, families desiring a serene environment for their children, or investors looking for long-term gains, Kovaipudur offers a unique combination of lifestyle and investment opportunities. As its appeal continues to grow, Kovaipudur is poised to flourish as a thriving community that harmonizes with nature while providing a promising future for residents and investors alike. (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)
PNN New Delhi [India], July 19: Expanding its foam mattress portfolio, Indias leading mattress brand, Centuary Mattress, has launched its latest range of sleepable, Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress. The mattress is designed in a way that it is soft on one side and firm on the other. People can use it as per their preference by simply reversing it. The Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress boasts a range of impressive features that make it stand out from other offerings on the market. The mattress is crafted using breathable and stretchable designer knitted fabric, guaranteeing a comfortable sleeping experience throughout the night. Its bouncy yet stable structure ensures excellent back support, allowing sleepers to wake up feeling rejuvenated. The mattress is crafted using high-resilience foam and is conveniently packaged in a roll-packed format, making it easy to transport and set up in any room. With the mattress's reversible functionality, i.e. one side firm and the other side soft, individuals have the flexibility to choose their desired level of firmness based on personal comfort and changing needs. It is available exclusively online, ensuring that customers can conveniently access the product. The Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress comes with a 7-year warranty, CertiPUR-US certification and is covered with the protection layer of Centuary Protect, an Anti-Microbial shield which is recommended by the National Health Academy. The certification underscores Centuary Mattress's dedication to delivering products prioritising health and safety. The mattress is engineered to provide optimal support and comfort while accommodating individual preferences. With a foam-based construction and a thickness of 5 inches, the Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress is suitable for a wide range of sleeping preferences. Furthermore, the mattress comes with Centuary Protect treatment, an antimicrobial treatment recommended by the NHA, ensuring the mattress remains fresh and free from harmful microbes, providing hygienic and safe sleep solutions. Uttam Malani, Executive Director, Centuary Fibre Plates Pvt. Ltd. said, "At Centuary, our utmost priority is the comfort of our customers. We continuously strive to innovate and create products that cater to the unique needs of individuals. The Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional sleep solutions that are both comfortable and hygienic. We are confident that this mattress will redefine the way people experience sleep and wake up refreshed." The new Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress consists of multiple layers, including a premium knitted fabric on the top, a hypersoft foam layer for added softness, a high resilience foam layer for enhanced support, and premium knitted fabric on the bottom with a zipper enclosure for easy cleaning and washing. The brand is offering a free max fiber pillow set on the Centuary Website. Product link - https://www.centuaryindia.com/product/sleepables-reversible-dual-comfort-firm-and-soft-high-resilience-foam-mattress/ With a legacy spanning over 3 decades, Centuary Mattress, popularly known as Indias Sleep Specialist, is Indias fastest-growing mattress brand and the veritable pioneer of the comfort & bedding industry in India. With its roots in Hyderabad; Centuary brand has constantly innovated and established itself as a front-runner in the mattress space while exponentially expanding its product range and geographical footprint. Today, the brand offers a comprehensive range of sleep solutions such as spring mattresses, foam mattresses, coir mattresses, memory foam mattresses and orthopaedic mattresses. Centuary has a separate product range for the online customers under the brand name Sleepables by Centuary. Apart from this, understanding that the needs of a growing babys body are different from adults, Centuary launched a special baby mattress collection under the brand name Beddy By Centuary. Centuary Mattresses is the first ISO-certified mattress brand in India. Centuary Mattress, has secured the CertiPUR-US certification for developing high-quality products and complying with the global agency CertiPUR-USs quality standards and environmental norms. The company has become one of the few Indian brands to get the CertiPUR-US certification. Shree Malani foams, (part of the Centuary group) is also one of the largest exporters of Mattresses and is recognized as a Star Export House by the Ministry of commerce and industry. The company has pioneered many innovative technologies in the country such as Copper Gel; Micro Springs; and more recently Centuary Protect an Anti-Microbial shield on all its mattresses (which is recommended by the National Health Academy). Centuary Mattresses has established a strong presence in the country across 18 states with 4500+ dealers and 450+ exclusive brand stores. It has manufacturing plants located in Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar, company-operated sales depots in Pune, Bangalore, Warangal, Vizag, Vijayawada, Kurnool, Sambalpur and sales offices across South, East, and West India. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
As Project K makers and star cast are all set to premier the first glimpse of the film at San Diego Comic-Con, ahead of the event, actors Prabhas and Rana Daggubati landed in the USA. Taking to Instagram, production house Vyjayanthi Movies shared pictures featuring Prabhas and Rana Daggubati. https://twitter.com/VyjayanthiFilms/status/1681265055189585925? In the picture, Prabhas and Rana can be seen facing their back toward the camera as they enjoy the view of the hills. A signboard of Hollywood can be spotted in the backdrop. Both men dressed in What is Project K hoodie. Sharing the picture, The men have landed in the USA. See you in San Diego on July 20th. #Prabhas @RanaDaggubati #ProjectK #WhatisProjectK. Whether Rana is part of Project K or just there to support the team at an event is not official. Rana and Prabhas have worked in SS Rajamoulis Baahubali franchise. Rana also shared the same photo on his Imsta and captioned it, Just hanging out in the hills -#ProjectK@actorprabhas. Set to make its grand debut in the iconic H Hall at San Diego Comic-Con, 'Project K' boasts an ensemble cast of some of the biggest stars in the industry, including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. This multilingual film has captivated audiences worldwide with its promise of a groundbreaking cinematic experience. Kicking off the SDCC celebration, Vyjayanthi Movies will offer fans a look at the film as part of an opening night party on July 19. On July 20, the film's team will host a panel titled "This is Project K: First Glimpse of India's Mytho-Sci-fi Epic" with Deepika, Prabhas and Haasan during which the film's full title, teaser trailer and release date will be revealed, Variety reported. Interestingly, the stars will also feature in a performance on SDCC's largest stage."This exclusive event will transport guests into India's most ambitious cinematic universe yet with their captivating storytelling, futuristic setting, and 'Spice Punk' aesthetic inspired by the film," the producers said in a statement. Director Ashwin also expressed excitement. He said, "We are thrilled to present 'Project K"s debut at San Diego Comic-Con. India's storytelling tradition has ancient roots, with its epics serving as the origins for many civilizations worldwide. A world as big as this needs a platform as big to introduce it to the people. Comic-Con felt like the perfect place, where the honesty and enthusiasm needed for 'Project K' will be found." The makers of upcoming sci-fi on Monday unveiled the long-awaited official first look of Deepika Padukone. Deepika's official first look has left fans intrigued. In the sepia-toned visual, she exudes an intense avatar, leaving viewers eager to unravel the mysteries that lie within the film's narrative. Project K is billed as a dystopian science fiction film about a futuristic reimagining of the Hindu God Vishnu. Nag Ashwin, the director of the National Award-winning film Mahanati, is directing Project K. The film will be released in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, with a budget of several hundred crores. Scheduled to hit the theatres on January 12, 2024. (ANI)
The Gully Boy stars arrived in the national capital for the launch of their new song Ve Kamleya on Tuesday.

Alia took to Instagram on Wednesday to drop pictures from the event and captioned it, Dil waali Delhi mai apni Kahaani lekar aaye hai Rocky aur Rani.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu3gbQcMrDU/?img_index=5

Alia channelled her character Rani, who wears stunning sarees in the film, for the occasion. She opted for a beautiful ombre saree and looked stunning in her minimal make-up look and wavy hair.

Ranveer, on the other hand, left everyone drooling with his dapper look. He looked dapper in a black suit. His cool hairdo amped up his style quotient.

Alia and Ranveer were in a completely fun mood during the song launch. They answered fans' and media questions in a fun and energetic way. The two also showcased their singing skills at the event.

The latest song, 'Ve Kamleya' song is from Karan Johar's upcoming film 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. The film marks filmmaker Karan Johar's comeback after seven years.

Apart from Ranveer and Alia, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles and is set to hit the theatres on July 28.

'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' promises to be a wholesome, big-screen entertainer, blending Johar's storytelling finesse with an impressive ensemble cast, grandeur and music. There were also many scenes of the two romancings and fighting, celebrating all kinds of festivals with their families, and possibly a wedding. (ANI)
Malayalam actor Mammootty on Tuesday penned an emotional note on the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy. Taking to his Facebook handle, Mammootty shared a picture with ex-CM Oommen Chandy along with a lengthy note written in a regional language. Sharing his experience meeting Oommen Chandy for the first time. The note read, An extraordinary personality who showed that the ordinary has so much power. I have never seen Oommen Chandy except in the middle of a crowd.. The last time I saw him, there was a bunch of people with him. He was in the assembly when I was a student. A person who reached heights at a young age. Yet he called me like a friend to the Puthupally church festival and walked with me a shoulder to shoulder. The weight of actor Mammootty, who is struggling to carry the person I am, has melted away while I was walking beside him. Among the locals, I was considered as the friend of Kunjkunj. "I am Oommen Chandy" as he addressed me and who was my dear friend. He added, He was so dear that he was just one phone call away .. a very powerful leader. Once our 'Care and Share' scheme was struggling to meet medical expenses for 600 children. Then Oommen Chandy, who was the leader of the opposition, agreed to sponsor the cost of 100 children's surgeries using CSR funds. When the 100th child recovered and left the hospital, Oommen Chandy, the chief minister, came to see him. On the third day after taking the oath, he unexpectedly came to my house in Kochi to have lunch with me. I recorded only one disagreement with him that day. "This wandering around without regard to one's own health must be controlled" A smile was the answer. Even my character in the film 'Pranchiyettan says "Oommen Chandy is only one"... A lot of memories together.. A thousand experiences.. Not writing much, the note stated. The actor concluded by saying, Another experience that had to be written. I was commissioned to write the introduction to his autobiography. Let's write the lines to be written here "No one has given a doctorate to Ooman Chandy. If it is given, it will be for the love of humanity... Oommen Chandy passed away in the early hours of Tuesday (July 18) at Chinmaya Hospital in Bengaluru. He was aged 79 and was undergoing treatment for cancer. The news was shared by his son on social media platform. "Appa has passed away," his son Chandy Oommen posted on Facebook. On Wednesday morning, thousands of people came out to accompany the mortal remains of former Kerala CM being taken to his native place in Kottayam City from Thiruvananthapuram. Chandy's mortal remains were brought to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru on a special flight on Tuesday afternoon. They were kept at various places including Durbar Hall of the state secretariat, St George Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, the KPCC headquarters and his residence in the state capital for the public to pay their last respects. Supporters of the late CM gathered at the party office in Thiruvananthapuram to pay their tribute. The Kerala government on Tuesday announced a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the former CM. Earlier recalling Chandys journey as a politician CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, Oommen Chandy entered politics through student movement and continued to possess the same strength and energy that he had when he was a student leader and carried out his functions in the same manner till the end of his life. "In the passing away of Shri Oommen Chandy Ji, we have lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala. I recall my various interactions with him, particularly when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states and later when I moved to Delhi," PM Modi said in a tweet on Tuesday. (ANI)
Accepting China is in the interest of the CPTPP

09:44, July 19, 2023 By China Daily editorial ( Chinadaily.com.cn

There has been much talk of de-risking in relation to economic ties with China. So how the members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership treat China's application for membership will be revealing of whether that is induced by pandemic-generated concerns or a euphemism for exclusionary decoupling.

With the United States' withdrawal from what was then called the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017, the trade pact should have relieved itself of geopolitical concerns. If so, there should be no reason for its members to view China's application to join through the lens of geopolitics.

After the United Kingdom was accepted as the 12th member of the CPTPP, by the founding members  Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam  China's application, which was officially submitted in 2021, should be next in line to be considered.

Given the fact that China is the largest trading partner of eight members of the pact, and is a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, it is natural that it should apply to become a member of the CPTPP, which has broader scope than the RCEP. The latter primarily covers tariff reduction and supply chain integration.

With China committed to the pursuit of high-quality development, its accession to the CPTPP, which encompasses areas such as labor, finance, the environment and the digital economy, among other things, will not only help it raise the bar for its own development but also expand its booster effect for the regional economy.

China has already determined the reforms that will be required under the CPTPP and it has carried out pilot projects and experiments in some pilot free trade zones and free trade ports in accordance with the requirements of CPTPP rules, standards and management obligations.

There is no reason for the CPTPP members to deny China membership. Doing so will be solely to give it the cold shoulder.

As allies of the United States, some members of the pact are influenced by Washington, and it may be very difficult for them to consider China's accession as a non-political issue.

But to politicize the CPTPP in the way that Washington wants is not in the interests of the pact's members or regional economic development.

As shown by the role it has played as a member of the RCEP, China is sincere in its desire to promote regional economic integration and facilitate the region's development.

The CPTPP members should not let the hidden hand of political prejudice and bias be a bar to China's inclusion.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Two persons, including a woman on a bike, were swept away while crossing a culvert over a swollen drain in Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district after which the woman was rescued and efforts are underway to trace the youth, a police official said on Tuesday. The incident occurred near Asalna village in the district on Monday evening. The drain meets the Sunar River passing through Aslana village in the district. Jerath police outpost in charge Ganesh Dubey said, A youth Virendra was going to his home along with his aunty Rajni Patel, who works as an Anganwadi worker, on a bike after she had her meeting in Pathariya in the district. On their way, they got swept away while crossing a culvert over a swollen drain. During this, the woman caught some bushes nearby and was rescued by the villagers but the youth Virendra was washed away. On getting the information, the police rushed to the spot, called the State Disaster Response Team (SDRF) team and started the search operation to trace the youth, Dubey added. Meanwhile, Damoh Collector Mayank Agarwal has also issued an advisory and appealed to the people not to take risks to cross the culvert during swollen river or drain. Apart from this, the police personnel are being deployed on such culvert, overflowing rivers and drains. The SDMs of all the blocks have also been instructed to monitor the situation. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel who had earlier attended the opposition meeting in Patna last month, was present at the NDA meeting in Delhi on Tuesday along with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Soon after attending the meeting Praful Patel said that NCP is an integral part of the national Democratic Alliance and his party will work with the NDA in future. "I and Ajit Pawar were present at the NDA meeting today along with 38 political parties. NCP is an integral part of NDA. In future, NCP will work with the NDA," he said. "38 political parties were present on the occassion of the 25th anniversary of NDA. From our side Ajit Pawar presented his views at the meeting," Patel added. Earlier on Monday, after having rebelled from the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, Praful Patel met the NCP Chief and said that a request was made to the veteran leader to keep the party united, but he refrained from commenting on the issue. Praful Patel along with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Sunil Tatkare visited Sharad Pawar at YB Chavan Centre in Mumbai. While addressing the media, he said, "Ajit Pawar, Sunil Tatkare and I met Sharad Pawar at YB Chavan Centre. We again requested him to keep NCP united, and he listened to us but did not say anything about it." Praful Patel further stated that they met Sharad Pawar to seek his blessings. "Sharad Pawar did not invite us even today, we had come to meet Sharad Pawar to seek his blessings," he said. In a surprise move on July 2, NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister along with eight other party legislators also joining the NDA government in the state. (ANI)
At the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting under the leadership of BJP in Delhi, in a show of affection, Chirag Paswan, President of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas Paswan) was hugged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Soon after the meeting, Chirag Paswan tweeted thanking the Prime Minister for his affection. "Honorable Prime Minister, I express my heartfelt gratitude to you for giving me love and respect by hugging me," read a rough translation of his tweet in Hindi. Speaking regarding the NDA meeting, Chirag Paswan said, "Today during the NDA meeting all leaders showed their enthusiasm and support to PM Modi. I and my party will strongly extend our support to PM Modi." Earlier there were reports that Chirag Paswan was not happy with the BJP for making his uncle a minister in the central government after a rebellion in his late father's party LJP. However, setting differences aside, Chirag Pawan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda in Delhi on Monday and then decided to join the NDA. It was then decided that Chirag Paswan would formally attend the NDA meeting. Chirag's uncle Pashupati Paras is currently the MP from Hajipur Lok Sabha seat in Bihar. While Chirag Paswan is preparing to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Hajipur constituency, his uncle is also preparing to contest from the same seat. Interestingly, both Chirag and his uncle attended the NDA meeting on Tuesday. It remains to be seen to whom the BJP high command decides to give the ticket for the Hajipur constituency among the two in the forthcoming polls. By hugging Chirag Paswan at Tuesday's NDA meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tried to send a big political message to the voters of Bihar. However, both uncle Pashupati Paras and nephew Chirag Paswan are vying for the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat. (ANI)
The surrendered naxal cadre was also accused of killing eight CISF personnel during an attack at the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) in Dantewada.

The surrendered naxal was identified as Sannu Mandavi alias Shivaji, deputy commander of Section-A under platoon-5 of the outlawed organisation, said a police officer, adding that the surrendered cadre was carrying a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh on his head.

According to the officer, the 32-year-old cadre had joined the banned organisation as Bal Sangham in 2005 and eventually elevated as Mankeli Janmilitia Commander in 2016.

Sannu was allegedly part of a naxal team that killed eight CISF personnel and looted 17 weapons during an attack on NMDC in Dantewada in 2006.

Moreover, the surrendered naxal allegedly indulged in the killing of 29 security personnel, including SP Vinod Choubey, in the Madanwada attack in 2009 and other attacks.

Earlier in June, three Naxals surrendered before security forces in the insurgency-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. The surrendered Naxals were lower rank cadres, officials said, adding that the Naxals surrendered after "getting impressed" by the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy of the state government.

They had also cited discrimination within the organisation and "hollow ideology" of the ultras as reasons to quit the path of violence, the officials said. (ANI)
Delhi Police has apprehended four persons and busted a gang involved in the illicit production of fake pesticides. The raid, conducted by the Special Staff of Outer North District, resulted in the recovery of approximately 3.8 tonnes of fake pesticides, with an estimated value of Rs 3.50 crores, from an illegal unit situated in Pooth Khurd village, Delhi, said a police official. In this case, the breakthrough came when Paramjeet Singh, an Assistant Manager at True Buddy Consulting Private Limited, provided crucial information to the police on July 11. Singh revealed that the gang was engaged in fabricating fake pesticide products associated with renowned agrotech firms, police said. Acting swiftly on the provided tip-off, the police raided the specified location and successfully seized a substantial quantity of fake pesticides linked to the aforementioned agrotech companies. The police registered a case under Section 420 IPC and Sections 103/104 of the DP Act at PS Bawana, Delhi. Subsequently, they added sections 467, 468, 471 IPC, and Section 63 of the Copy Right Act during the course of the investigation. According to the DCP Outer North, Ravi Kumar Singh, on the information and instance of Paramjeet Singh, a raid was conducted at Plot No. 488, Khasra No. 154, Ground Floor, Village Pooth Khurd, Bawana, Delhi where a huge quantity of fake pesticides were recovered. Further inquiry revealed that the rented premises in Pooth Khurd village, where the counterfeit pesticides were discovered, were under the possession of one of the suspects, Hariom, a resident of Janta Colony, Rohtak, Haryana. Hariom was apprehended and confessed to operating the illegal unit in collaboration with two labourers named Zakir and Kadir, both residents of JJ Colony, Bawana, police said. Hariom disclosed that he had been engaged in the pesticide business for the past 10-15 years and currently owns a shop near Sabji Mandi in Delhi, where he sells legitimate products from various agrotech companies. For the last six months, he had been involved in the manufacturing of fake products at the Pooth Khurd location and selling them at his shop in Delhi, police added. Furthermore, based on the information provided by Hariom, a subsequent raid was conducted in Subhash Vihar, Tikri Kalan (Outer District), and Delhi, resulting in the recovery of additional counterfeit pesticide materials. Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Yadav Park Extension in Nangloi, Delhi, who supplied cardboard boxes for packing Hariom's illegal operation, was also apprehended concerning the case. Currently, the police are continuing their search for other associates, as disclosed by Mukesh Kumar, while Hariom has been remanded to judicial custody. The police said the investigation is ongoing to dismantle any further links to the counterfeit pesticide manufacturing network. (ANI)
"Delhi Police will provide utmost security to the visiting delegates. So we are giving training to our women commandos," an official said.

According to Delhi Police senior officials so far 19 women SWAT commandos have successfully completed a one month course from the training team of the Indo Tibetan Border Police Force in Madhya Pradesh.

During June-July, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) trained 19 women commandos as 'markswomen' who will act as frontline security guard cum sharpshooter during all the events of G-20 summit to be held in New Delhi, officials said.

Officials said that the commandos were also given marks based on their performance. Constable Kiran stood first and secured 95 per cent marks, Constable Vaishali secured second position with 77.5 per cent marks and constable Kavita came third with 75 per cent marks.

Earlier on Monday, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, PK Mishra chaired the sixth meeting of the Coordination Committee on Indias G20 Presidency and called on all agencies to work in a Whole of Government approach, to make the G20 Summit a success.

The G20 Summit is slated to be held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10, 2023. (ANI)
The Crime Branch of the Mumbai police has started its investigation regarding a viral video clip that purportedly showed BJP leader Kirit Somaiya in a compromising position. The Mumbai police said that Crime branch unit 10 will be investigating the authenticity of the video and the matter. The crime branch will be taking the help of technical experts and cyber experts to investigate the case. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had ordered an inquiry into the matter on Tuesday in the state assembly. Following this, the Mumbai police has started their investigation. The Mumbai crime branch has reportedly asked the Marathi news channel to hand over the video clip to the police and the source from which it was aired. Meanwhile, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has questioned the authenticity of the viral video and requested Devendra Fadnavis to investigate the allegations and verify the authenticity of the videos. "A video clip of me was shown on a news channel. Claimed that I have harrassed many women and many such video clips available and complaints received against Me I have never abused any woman Request @Dev_Fadnavis to investigate such allegations and verify the authenticity of Videos," he said in a tweet. The case of the vrial video has triggered a political storm in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut quoted Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray who had once said, "Don't kill with religion someone who is going to die by his karma." "We have the values of respectable Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. He used to say: 'Don't kill with religion someone who is going to die by his karma.' Exactly the same is happening. A lot more will happen. Let's see what happens. Jai Maharashtra!" Sanjay Raut said in a tweet in Marathi. Congress MLA Yashomati Thakur said that the true face of Kirit Somaiya has come to the fore. She added that the Marathi news channel will now be raided by the central investigative agencies. "The true face of Somaiya, who tried to create a sensation by making baseless accusations against many leaders, has come in front of everyone. Now supporting this channel is the responsibility of all who believe in democracy. Otherwise, there will be raids by organizations like ED, CBI on this channel as well as the possibility of torture of the journalists of this news channel cannot be ruled out, so our demand is that the government should protect all those journalists," read a rough translation of her tweet in Marathi. (ANI)
The water level of the Yamuna River went down below the danger mark on Wednesday morning. It was recorded at 205.25 meters at 6 am today against 205.35 meters at 7 pm yesterday. At 3 pm yesterday, it was recorded at 205.26 meters. A slight rise was recorded in the water level of the river on Monday due to rains that lashed some areas of Haryana on Monday. The danger mark for the river stands at 205.33 meters. The Yamuna River in Delhi crossed the danger mark at 5 pm on July 10. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department, on Tuesday, predicted rainfall in Delhi and several parts of the national capital region. On the other hand, several parts of the National capital continue to grapple with water logging and a flood-like situation. Rain lashed several parts of Delhi on Tuesday. Meanwhile, as the situation is gradually getting back to track in Delhi, the State Government has lifted the ban on entry of heavy vehicles into the national capital, effective from today. Considering the improvement of the flood situation and descending water level of Yamuna River, it has been decided by the competent authorities to withdraw all the restrictions imposed as per the orders on July 13th and 17th with effect from July 19th," read the official statement. Earlier, in an order issued on July 13, the entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi was restricted from the Singhu border, Badarpur border, Loni border and Chilla border owing to waterlogging. However, heavy vehicles carrying food items and essentials were excluded from it. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 17 teams for rescue work in flood-affected districts in Delhi. 1606 people have been rescued. Moreover, 7241 people and 956 livestock have been evacuated by the NDRF teams. Further, pre-hospital treatment has been given to 908 rescued persons. Around 26,401 people have been evacuated from the flood-affected low-lying areas of six districts of Delhi, out of which around 21,504 people are staying in 44 camps (including temporary relief camps as well as Pucca Buildings like schools, community centres). The rest of the evacuated people have shifted to the places of their choice like their relatives houses or rented accommodations. (ANI)
Lashing out at the 26-like minded parties for not inviting All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in the two-day opposition meeting concluded in Bengaluru on Tuesday, party leader Waris Pathan said that the "so called" secular parties are treating them as "political untouchables". The AIMIM national spokesperson also questioned how can someone ignore Asaduddin Owaisi's party. "The so called secular parties did not call us, we are political untouchables for them. There are leaders who were once with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray and Mehbooba Mufti. We saw Arvind Kejriwal abusing Congress during the Gujarat Assembly elections, but even he is sitting in Bengaluru. Even we (AIMIM) are putting efforts to defeat BJP in 2024, but they (Opposition parties) are ignoring Asaduddin Owaisi and our party," he said. The two-day joint meeting came to an end on Tuesday with the 26 parties agreeing to come up under one name-- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA. On Tuesday, while addressing the media after the meeting, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Earlier, we were UPA and now all the 26 parties have given a name to the opposition and that is Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Everybody has agreed upon this, and the resolution for the name was passed unanimously. The development came as top leaders of 26 Opposition parties from across the country met in Bengaluru on Tuesday to discuss a united strategy to take on the ruling NDA alliance at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan said that the name was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The name of the opposition alliance-INDIAwas proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. After a long discussion, it was decided to be called as 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, VCK chief told ANI. On the other hand, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that Rahul Gandhi justified why it should beINDIAduring the discussion in the meeting. It is a collective effort. We all sat together, and we all decided on names. Rahul ji spearheaded this, he justified why it should beINDIA. He argued for it, Srinate told ANI. The representatives of the 26 parties 10 more than the 16 parties which had met in Patna on June 23 also decided to set up an 11-member coordination committee, including all the major parties, and a secretariat in Delhi for campaign management and for coordinating the working of various sub-committees, which will take up specific issues. The nextopposition meetingwill be held in Mumbai; the date will be announced soon. An 11-member coordination committee will be set up. Names of committee members will be announced in Mumbai, Kharge said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the Lok Sabha elections next year a fight between India and PM Modi. This fight is not between 2 political formations but the fight is to defend the idea of India. If you will see history, you will find that nobody has been able to fight the idea of India. It's a fight between the idea of India and Narendra Modi, Gandhi said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while warning the ruling party at the centre said, "NDA,BJP, can you challengeINDIA?" "We love our motherland. We are the patriotic people of the country. We are for the country, the world, farmers, for all," she said, adding that people -- Hindus, Dalits, minorities, farmers, in Bengal, and Manipur -- are under threat from the BJP, whose only job is "buying and selling governments". AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing the press conference said that the leaders of the like-minded parties came to Karnatakas Bengaluru to save the country from hatred. In the last 9 years, PM Modi could have done a lot of things but he destroyed all the sectors. We have gathered here not for ourselves but to save the country from hatred... Arvind Kejriwal said. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Advocate Ashutosh Dubey on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Election Commission of India against the renaming of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) saying that it "appears to be using the name of our nation as a mere tool to gain power." Earlier on Tuesday, the two-day meeting of 26 like-minded parties in Karnataka's Bengaluru concluded with the opposition parties agreeing to come up under one name-- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA. Taking note of this, the head of BJP Maharashtra social media-legal and advisory department, Dubey, said that this has not only shown a lack of originality but also appears to be using the name of our nation as a mere tool to gain power. In his letter to ECI on Tuesday, Advocate Dubey said, "I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of great concern and discomfort regarding the recent renaming of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) as the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This action has caused widespread dissatisfaction and is viewed as a deliberate attempt to exploit the name of our nation for political aspirations, which I believe is a disrespect to the country and its citizens." "While I understand that political parties have the right to choose their names and develop their strategies for electoral success, it is crucial that they do so without undermining the dignity and integrity of our nation. By associating their political agenda directly with the name of our country, the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has not only shown a lack of originality but also appears to be using the name of our nation as a mere tool to gain power," he added. The BJP leader went on to add that, in future if the party wins, people would say 'INDIA has won,' but if the party loses, then people would say 'INDIA has lost'. "This promotes a sense of national insult," he said. "It implies that the outcomes of the election are tantamount to the victory or loss of the entire nation, disregarding the diverse views, aspirations, and democratic rights of individual citizens. Such a sweeping statement not only undermines the pluralistic nature of our democracy but also attempts to manipulate public sentiment for political gain," the letter stated. "I kindly request the Election Commission of India to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that political parties adhere to ethical standards when choosing their names and formulating slogans. It is imperative that the sanctity of our nation's name is upheld, and political parties are discouraged from exploiting it for their personal political agendas," it added. Earlier on Tuesday, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan said that the name-- INDIA-- was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. After a long discussion, it was decided to be called as 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, VCK chief told ANI. (ANI)
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Iraq received a gypsum-made mural dating back to the Assyrian period in the seventh century BC.

The mural, which stands on a metal base and is engraved with a horse and a cart carrying three people surrounded by palm trees, was handed over from the Swiss authorities to Iraqi Charge d'Affaires to Switzerland Muhammad Jawad Mahdi in the Swiss capital of Bern, said a statement by the ministry.

According to official statistics, about 15,000 pieces of cultural relics from the Stone Age, the Babylonian, Assyrian, and Islamic periods were stolen or destroyed by looters after Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled by U.S.-led troops in 2003.

The Mosul Museum and the ancient cities of Hatra and Nimrud in Iraq were destroyed and large numbers of antiquities were smuggled after the Islamic State militants took control of large territories in northern and western Iraq in 2014.

Many of the over 10,000 officially recognized archaeological sites in Iraq are not safeguarded and many are still being looted.
Thousands of people on Wednesday morning came out to accompany the mortal remains of former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy being taken to his native place in Kottayam City from Thiruvananthapuram. https://twitter.com/i/status/1681490716416147456 Chandy's mortal remains were brought to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru on a special flight on Tuesday afternoon. They were kept at various places including Durbar Hall of the state secretariat, St George Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, the KPCC headquarters and his residence in the state capital for the public to pay their last respects. Supporters of the late CM gathered Wednesday morning at the party office in Thiruvananthapuram to pay their tribute. The Kerala government on Tuesday announced a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the former CM. The former chief minister passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Political leaders cutting across party lines including State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, President Droupadu Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former Congress Presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi condoled the demise of the former CM and remembered his contribution to public service. Earlier recalling Chandys journey as a politician CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, Oommen Chandy entered politics through student movement and continued to possess the same strength and energy that he had when he was a student leader and carried out his functions in the same manner till the end of his life. "In the passing away of Shri Oommen Chandy Ji, we have lost a humble and dedicated leader who devoted his life to public service and worked towards the progress of Kerala. I recall my various interactions with him, particularly when we both served as Chief Ministers of our respective states and later when I moved to Delhi," PM Modi said in a tweet on Tuesday. (ANI)
The official further informed that the accused persons identified as Imran Khan and Mohd Yunus Saki were arrested from the Kothrud area of Pune City on Tuesday.

According to the police the NIA had declared a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each against the two accused in a case filed in Rajasthan.

During the searches carried out by the police, one live round, four mobile phones and a laptop were seized from their residence.

"Pune Police nabbed two accused namely Imran Khan and Md Yunus Saki who were wanted by NIA in a case filed in Rajasthan and have a reward of Rs 5 lakhs each. Both were detained by police while they were trying to steal a bike yesterday in Kothrud area," Ritesh Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Pune said.

"Further investigation is underway in the case," the official added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave assurance of listing the pleas concerning marital rape issues. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said, "We will list it." Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and Advocate Karuna Nundy mentioned the plea before the Supreme Court. Senior Advocate Jaising said that her case dealt with a child sexual abuse case and urged that the issue is tied to marital rape matters so it should be heard together. CJI Chandrachud remarked that they have to resolve the issue relating to exceptions concerning marital rape. Various petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the exception to marital rape issue. One petition is against the Karnataka HC judgement, which declined to quash the charge of rape against a man accused of raping and keeping his wife as a sex slave. Another petition has sought the striking down Exception 2 to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which immunes the husband of criminal charges for non-consent sex with his wife in a marital relationship. The petition was filed by an activist Ruth Manorama through the advocate on record Ruchira Goel. Exception 2 to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which defines rape, states that sexual intercourse by a man with his wife is not rape unless the wife is below 15. Earlier All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), among others, moved the Supreme Court against Delhi High Court's split verdict on an issue relating to criminalising marital rape matters. Two- judge Bench of Delhi HC on May 12, 2022, pronounced a split verdict on the issue relating to criminalising marital rape. Delhi HC's Judge Justice Rajiv Shakdher ruled in favour of criminalising while Justice Hari Shankar disagreed with the opinion and held that Exception 2 to Section 375 does not violate the Constitution as it is based on intelligible differences. AIDWA was represented by advocate Karuna Nundy and the plea was filed through advocate Rahul Narayan. AIDWA, in its plea, had said that the exception allowed to marital rape is destructive and in opposition to the object of rape laws, which clearly ban sexual activity sans consent. It places the privacy of a marriage on a pedestal above the rights of the woman in the marriage, the plea said. The petition said that Marital Rape Exception is in violation of Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 21 of the Constitution. (ANI)
In a video message on her official Twitter handle, Sushmita Dev, TMC MP, said the delegation will meet victims during the next two days and provide all necessary aid to bring back peace in the state.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1681550443942641665

"A delegation of 5 members of the Trinamool Congress MP's will visit Manipur today and tomorrow to meet the victims of the violence. We will try to meet everyone and provide all necessary aid to bring back peace in the state," Sushmita Dev, TMC leader.

She said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written to Home Ministry to visit the state, but "received no acknowledgement from the ministry".

Besides Dev, Derk O'Brien, Kalyan Banerjee, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Dola Sen would visit Manipur.

Meanwhile, a five-member fact-finding committee of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party visited the poll-related violence areas across the State that erupted during the July 8 Panchayat polls.

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.

Home Minister Amit Shah chaired an all-party meeting last month to discuss the situation in the north-east state days after visiting the state in a bid to seek ways to restore peace.

Opposition Congress has been accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of maintaining silence on the Manipur issue and is likely to corner the government during the Monsoon session of Parliament starting on July 20.

The Internet services in Manipur have been suspended since May 3 when ethnic violence broke out in the State. (ANI).
A day after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the grand old party's intention is not to gain power but to protect democracy, secularism, and social justice, Trinamool Congress MP Shatabdi Roy on Wednesday said that the party would like Mamata Banerjee for the Prime Minister's post. On the conclusion day of 26-like minded parties meeting in Bengaluru, Kharge on Tuesday took to Twitter and said that the party's intention in this meeting is not to gain power for themselves. "I am happy that 26 parties are present in Bengaluru to work unitedly. Together, we are in government in 11 states today. The BJP did not get 303 seats by itself. It used the votes of its allies and came to power and then discarded them. The BJP President and their leaders are running from state-to-state to patch up with their old allies," Kharge said in the tweet. He said that the BJP government is scared after seeing the unity meeting. "They are scared that the unity they see here will result in their defeat next year. Every institution is being turned into a weapon against the opposition," he said. "Our intention in this meeting is not to gain power for ourselves. It is to protect Democracy, Secularism and Social Justice. Let us resolve to take India to back to the path of progress, welfare and true democracy," Kharge had tweeted. When asked about media reports saying, "Congress is not in the race of Prime Ministerial face", TMC MP Shatabdi Roy said, "Then we would like Mamata Banerjee to be." Moreover, according to sources, Kharge, during his address to the joint meeting referred to his remarks at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalins birthday in March this year in which he had indicated that the question of a PM candidate was not the question and all like-minded parties must come together in the fight against divisive forces. I had already told in Chennai on Stalins birthday that Congress is not interested in power or the post of Prime Minister. Our intention in this meeting is not to gain power for ourselves. It is to protect our constitution, democracy, secularism and social justice, Kharge said at the meeting, according to sources. The two-day joint meeting came to an end on Tuesday with the 26 parties agreeing to come up under one name-- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday said that the name was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. After a long discussion, it was decided to be called as 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, VCK chief told ANI. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked the US government for returning 105 trafficked antiquities. "This will make every Indian happy. Grateful to USA for this. These precious artefacts hold immense cultural and religious significance. Their homecoming is a testament to our commitment to preserving our heritage and rich history," PM Modi said in a tweet on Wednesday. Earlier on Monday, the Indian consulate in New York held a repatriation ceremony for 105 trafficked antiquities handed over by the US. The antiquities will soon be transported to India, according to a release issued by the Consulate General of India in New York. The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US in June 2023. During PM Modi's state visit,India, theUS, agreed to work on a Cultural Property Agreement that would help prevent the illegal trafficking of culturalartefacts. Such an understanding will add further value to the dynamic bilateral collaboration between Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies of the two countries. The 105artefactsrepresent a wide geographical spread in terms of their origin inIndia, with 47 from EasternIndia, 27 from SouthernIndia, 22 from CentralIndia, six from NorthernIndiaand three from WesternIndia. Theartefactswhich span from 2nd-3rd century CE to 18th-19th century CE, are made of terracotta, stone, metal and wood. Around 50artefactsrelate to religious subjects [Hinduism, Jainism and Islam] and the rest are of cultural significance. TheIndian government has been making serious efforts to bring back stolenIndianantiquities, the living symbols of richIndian heritage and culture, from abroad. In recent years, there has been close cooperation betweenIndia, theUSon the restitution ofantiquities. During PMs 2016 visit to theUS, 16 antiques were handed over by theUSside. Similarly, in 2021, the US government handed over 157 artefacts which returned to India following the visit of the PM to the US in September 2021. With these 105 antiquities, the US side has handed over a total of 278 cultural artefacts to India since 2016, as per the release. (ANI)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issues a warning with predictions of heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms likely to occur at most places in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba, Kangra districts. "Moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms very likely to occur at most places in the districts of Chamba, Kangra. There is the possibility of very heavy rainfall in isolated places," the IMD said. The IMD also added that light to moderate rain was anticipated in various locations in the Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi districts of the state. "Light to moderate rainfall likely to occur in the districts of Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi in many places. Light rainfall is likely to occur at isolated places in the rest of the districts during the next 2 to 3 hours," IMD said. Earlier on Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday predicted light to moderate rain with thunder in seven districts of the state and heavy rainfall in Kullu. IMD tweeted, "Light to moderate rain with thunder is expected to occur over a few places in Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts today and heavy rainfall is expected in Kullu district." Earlier, in the wake of devastating heavy rains and havoc in Himachal Pradesh, IMD issued an orange alert for rain in four states of Himachal Pradesh from July 16 to 17. IMD tweeted that Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand were likely to receive heavy to very heavy showers from July 16 to 17. IMD also issued a 'moderate to high risk' alert predicting flash floods occurrence in five districts of Himachal Pradesh till July 17. There is no respite for people in Himachal Pradesh as since June 24, people have been struggling with the problems of long hours of power shedding, water crisis, connectivity etc. The number of fatalities in North India is on the rise as the region continues to be battered by torrential rains. Among all the affected states, Himachal Pradesh remains the hardest hit, with 117 reported deaths in the state. According to Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority data, "Monsoon has claimed 117 lives since its onset on June 24 in Himachal Pradesh. Till now 12 people are missing and 121 people have been injured." 481 houses have been damaged, besides 3,863 houses partially damaged. 133 shops have been damaged in the state while 1,008 cow sheds have been damaged due to rain and floods. The state has witnessed 53 incidents of landslides in the state besides 41 incidents of flash floods, the data read. (ANI)
According to the officials, police and Army are present at the spot.

More details about the incident are awaited.

Earlier today, two forest department employees sustained bullet injuries when terrorists shot at them during a check in the Rajpora village of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, informed the police.

The police further informed that the injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

One injured person has been identified as Imran Yousaf, a resident of Mohnu, Charar-i-Sharief who sustained a bullet injury in the thigh.

While Jahangir Ahmed Chechi, a resident of Gogjipather, Chadoora was discharged after receiving first aid, as per police.

"Police Station Rajpora received information that terrorists had fired upon a team of forest department of district Budgam causing injuries to two employees, who had laid a checkpoint to apprehend the timber smugglers near Bangender Bridge," read the statement.

The area falls under the limits of Rajpora Police Station in Pulwama. (ANI)
On the orders of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chamoli district administration on Wednesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident in which 15 people died and several others were left injured after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River, an official statement said. "According to the information received today July 19, Some people lost their lives due to electrocution at approximately 11:30 am at Namami Gange project in Chamoli. A magisterial inquiry is absolutely necessary to get it done. Therefore, I Himanshu Khurana, District Magistrate Chamoli nominate Dr Abhishek Tripathi, Additional District Magistrate, Chamoli for magisterial investigation," an official statement issued by the DM office said. CM Dhami condoled the lives lost in the tragic incident and orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry. "As many as 15 people died due to electrocution at the under-construction Namami Gange project," officials said. "It is a sad incident. The district administration, police, and State Disaster and Response Fund (SDRF) have reached the spot," CM Dhami said. He said that the injured are being referred to a higher centre and shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh via helicopter. "Orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry," he added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister and enquired about over a dozen deaths due to electrocution in the state's Chamoli district. Shah took to Twitter to share his feeling about the incident, terming the incident "very sad". In a telephonic conversation with theUttarakhandChief Minister, the Home Minister took detailed input about the incident. "Death of people due to electrocution in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is very sad. I talked to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and inquired about the incident. The administration is engaged in providing treatment to the injured. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery," Shah tweeted. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday announced Rs 5 lakh to the dependents of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the people injured in the incident in which 15 people died and several others were left injured after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River. "Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has given instructions to provide Rs 5 lakh to the dependents of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the injured without any delay," an official statement said. Uttarakhand CM Dhami also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. "CM Dhami prayed to God to grant peace to the souls of the deceased and patience to their families in this hour of grief," an official statement said. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand State emergency operation centre said that the cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained. Earlier today Chief Minister Dhami said that 15 people have been killed due to electrocution in Chamoli district. District Magistrate Chamoli has been ordered for a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Rescue teams have reached the spot. "Helicopter services are being taken to refer the injured to higher centres. Relief and rescue works are being done by the government and the administration," an official statement said. "The permissible assistance amount will be made available soon," it added. In the aftermath of the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and inquired about the Chamoli incident. Giving information about the situation, the Chief Minister said that orders for a magisterial inquiry have been given. "The injured have been brought to AIIMS Rishikesh by helicopter. The Prime Minister's Office has also been given complete information about the incident," an official statement said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed condolences over the incident and prayed for the recovery of those injured in the incident. "The death of many people in this accident in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is very sad. May God give place to the departed souls. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in this unfortunate accident," Delhi CM Kejriwal tweeted. (ANI)
Students show their paper cutting works at the closing ceremony of the first Chinese language summer camp in Cairo, Egypt, on July 18, 2023. More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)



More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp.

The 14-day camp, the first of its kind in Egypt, was held at the Confucius Institute for Chinese Learning at Cairo University.

"Today, the Chinese language teachers and their students have witnessed a historic moment that wouldn't have happened without the constant support of the Chinese embassy in Egypt," said the institute's director Rehab Mahmoud.

By organizing the camp, the institute aims to help the students learn more about the rich Chinese culture, including Chinese symbols, paper cutting, drawing, songs, calligraphy and the traditional sport of Wushu, she said.

While commending the camp for providing "a unique and unforgettable experience," she asked the students to be patient in discovering more about the amazing Chinese culture.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said the camp represents a great beginning.

"I cherish the efforts of the participating students in the camp who studied the Chinese language seriously," Liao told a ceremony to mark the conclusion of the camp.

Both Egypt and China have made prominent contributions to advancing human civilizations, and the Arabic and Chinese languages are among the official and working languages of the United Nations, the Chinese ambassador said.

Learning Arabic and Chinese languages will serve the interests of both countries, he added.

President of Cairo University Mohamed Elkhosht said he encouraged the learning of languages as language is the mirror and the road to express people's thoughts.

"Learning without thinking is a loss," he quoted Confucius as saying, stressing that the civilizations of Egypt and China are open to learning from each other.

During the ceremony, the students staged a series of dancing, drawing, and martial art performances.

People pose for photos at the closing ceremony of the first Chinese language summer camp in Cairo, Egypt, on July 18, 2023. More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
Incessant rains resulted in flooding at Maharashtra's Ratnagiri.

Meanwhile, incessant rains resulted in flooding at Rasayani police station in Maharashtra's Raigad district hampering work.

The entire police station premises including rooms was flooded, and policemen had to wade through over a foot of water.

Earlier today, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar directed district collectors for precautionary measures in view of the incessant rainfall in parts of the state.

IMD has issued a 'Red' alert for Palghar, and Raigad districts and an 'Orange' alert for Thane, Mumbai and Ratnagiri on Wednesday.

District collectors have been asked to take precautionary measures immediately and deploy relief work and disaster management teams in view of the incessant rainfall in the city.

Pawar also reviewed the poor flood situation in Chiplun City of Ratnagiri district.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rainfall in many places in the state.

"Moderate to intense spells of rain very likely over the districts of Raigad, Thane, Mumbai, Palghar and Ratnagiri during the next 3-4 hours. Occasional strong winds are very likely," stated the IMD in its morning bulletin. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that activist Teesta Setalvad shall remain on bail in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence in relation to the 2002 Gujarat riots. A special three-judge bench of Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna and Dipankar Datta ordered that Setalvad shall not make any attempt to influence witnesses in the case and keep away from them. If she influences (witnesses), prosecution can move Supreme Court directly for cancellation of bail," the top court said. Granting regular bail to Setalvad, the apex court quashed the Gujarat High Courts order that rejected her regular bail and asked her to surrender immediately. The bench said since charge sheet has been filed and her custodial interrogation completed, she should be granted bail. Since most of the evidence is documentary and since charge sheet is filed we do not find that her custodial interrogation is needed, the apex court in its order stated. Setalvad on July 1 approached the Supreme Court after the Gujarat High Court rejected her regular bail and asked her to surrender immediately. Thereafter, the apex court granted her interim protection from arrest. The bench also made scathing remarks against Gujarat High Court for rejecting Setalvads bail plea, saying High Court had interestingly observed that since she had not challenged the FIR and chargesheet under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or Articles 226 or 32 of the Indian Constitution, she could not claim that a prima facie case was not made out. The bench remarked that if the observation of the High Court was accepted, then no bail plea can be decided pre-trial without challenging the chargesheet under articles 226 or 32 of the Constitution or Section 482 of CrPC. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the Gujarat government, vehemently opposed Setalvads plea. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and CU Sungh appeared for Setalvad. When the High Court rejected Setalvads regular bail, on the same day she approached the top court and in a special sitting a three-judge bench of the apex court granted relief to Setalvad from arrest. The apex court on July 1 observed that High Court was totally wrong in not granting interim protection even for one week to Setalvad. Before the High Courts recent order, she was protected against coercive actions because of the Supreme Court's interim bail order of September 2022. Gujarat government on previous hearing said that its not an ordinary case; somebody takes institutions for a joy ride. Setalvad was arrested by the Gujarat Police on June 25, 2022, on an FIR by the Ahmedabad Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on alleged charges of conspiring to falsely implicate innocent people in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots. Charges were framed against her under sections 468 (forgery for cheating) and 194 (fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction for capital offenses) of the Indian Penal Code. Later on September 2, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Teesta. The SIT formed to probe the case has alleged that Setalvad and Sreekumar were part of a larger conspiracy carried out at the behest of late Congress leader Ahmed Patel to destabilise the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time. Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt is also an accused in the case. The FIR against Setalvad, Sreekumar, and Bhatt was registered after the Supreme Court had on June 24, dismissed the plea filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 Gujarat riots. Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed during the violence at Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002. Zakia Jafri has challenged the SIT's clean chit to 64 people including Narendra Modi who was the Gujarat Chief Minister during the riots in the State. She had alleged a "larger conspiracy" behind the post-Godhra incident riots. However, the SIT in the apex court had opposed the plea of Jafri saying there is a sinister plot behind the complaint to probe the "larger conspiracy" behind the 2002 Gujarat riots and the original complaint by Jafri was directed by Teesta Setalvad, who leveled allegations just to keep the pot boiling. (ANI)
Amid the ruckus created in the Maharashtra legislative assembly on Wednesday by BJP MLAs over a remark about Vande Mataram, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi said that he respects Vande Mataram but cannot read it. While raising the issue of riots in the Sambhajinagar district, Azmi said that three people came in front of Ram Mandir and chanted the slogan that if one has to stay in this country one has to read 'Vande Mataram'. This comes aftera mob of more than 500 people allegedly attacked policemen on the intervening night of March 29 and 30 after some youths clashed among themselves. The incident, which lasted around an hour, occurred in the Kiradpura locality of Aurangabad city, now named Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which has a famous Ram temple. Azmi said, "I respect 'Vande Mataram' but can't read it because my religion says we can't bow down to anyone except 'Allah'. Supreme Courts directives state that we need to respect the National Anthem." "I respect the national anthem and I stand to show my respect but I do not sing," he added. Reacting to Azmi's statement on 'Vande Mataram', BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the Samajwadi party is a part of I.N.D.I.A and those who keep India in their name, why their work is always anti-India?" Poonawalla said, "Samajwadi party is a part of I.N.D.I.A. and its MLA says in the Maharashtra assembly that I will not say 'Vande Mataram', it is against my religion. They bow their heads in front of Aurangzeb but shy away from saying 'Vande Mataram', those who keep India in their name, why their work is always anti-India?" NCP MLA Rohit Pawar also expressed distress at Azmi's statement over 'Vande Mataram' and said that no matter which religion one belongs to everyone should love and respect the country. Rohit Pawar said, "I don't know his exact statement, however, no matter which religion one belongs to, everyone should love and respect the country. I believe that no one should speak against the country." (ANI)
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Prahlad Joshi said that 31 bills will be taken up in the monsoon session of the Parliament starting on Thursday. Following an all-party meeting, Joshi said that 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the all-party meeting convened by the government for the smooth conduct of the monsoon session which will continue to till August 11 and will have 17 sittings. "A meeting of All Party Floor Leaders was called. In the meeting, 34 parties and 44 leaders attended the meeting. The leaders raised many important issues in front of the government. Currently, the government have 31 legislative items which have been identified. What we have to bring and what not we will decide later but at least 31 legislative items are fully ready now," Prahlad Joshi said. "Opposition parties have given many suggestions and our alliance leaders have also given. All the parties have demanded to have a discussion on the Manipur issue on which government is ready," he added. "The government is ready to discuss all the issues will be discussed following the rules and regulations and with the permission of the Speaker," he added. Meanwhile, Pralhad Joshi reacted to the Opposition alliance INDIA and if it will pose any challenge to them and said, "Nothing changes with the change in the name. People are still the same. Old wine in a new bottle." Pralhad Joshi said the government has sought the Opposition's support for the smooth functioning of the Parliament during the Monsoon Session. "The government is ready to discuss all issues in the Monsoon Session. We have appealed to the Opposition parties to support in the smooth functioning of the Parliament," Joshi said after the all-party meeting. The list also includes International Monetary Fund and Bank Bill, 2023; Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023 18; the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023; National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023; Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023; Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023; Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023.Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2023; National Research Foundation Bill, 2023; Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 are also among the 31 bills on the agenda of the government. Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired an all-party meeting, convened by the Central government for the smooth functioning of the monsoon session of Parliament which begins on Thursday. The monsoon session of Parliament will continue till August 11. There will be a total of 17 sittings during the session. The Monsoon session will start in the old Parliament Building. (ANI)
After 10 BJP MLAs were suspended by the Speaker from the Karnataka Assembly following a ruckus during the session, former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that it shows the dictatorship of the Congress government adding that the suspension was for no reason. "This is the black day for Democracy. There was a murder of democracy today. They (10 BJP MLAs) have been suspended for their small agitation. We will fight for the right of the suspended MLAs", Bommai told reporters. The former CM along with other leaders staged a protest outside the Assembly against the speaker's action against the 10 BJP MLAs. He further said that the party has issued a no-confidence motion against Speaker KT Khader. "This shows the dictatorship of the Congress government, they have suspended 10 of our MLAs for no reason. We have issued a no-confidence motion against the speaker. We will take this fight to the people", he added. However later, Karnataka Police detained former Bommai along with other leaders amidst the protest. Meanwhile, former State Minister and BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan who was among those suspended from the Assembly also called it a black day adding that they have been suspended for being on the right side. "Today is the Black day, despite being on the right side we have been suspended. We have issued a no-confidence motion against the speaker", he said. Earlier today, Karnataka Assembly speaker UT Khader suspended 10 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs following a commotion at the house. BJP MLAs Ashwath Narayan, Sunil Kumar, R Ashok, Vedavya Kamath, Yashpal Suvarna, Dheeraj Muniraj, Umanath Kotian, Aravind Bellad, Araga Jnanendra and Bharath Shetty are among those suspended from attending session till Friday for allegedly misbehaving in the house. The BJP MLAs have been suspended for disrupting the proceedings of the Assembly session. The MLAs created a ruckus over the Congress-led state governments decision to depute IAS officers for Opposition Meeting held in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18. However, the BJP and JDS have given notice to move a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. BJP MLAs even threw papers on Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani for allowing budget discussion when the House was not in order. (ANI)
The first meeting of the 26-party Opposition alliance will be held on Thursday at Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharges office, said party sources. According to the sources, the meeting will be held at 10 AM tomorrow in the chamber of Rajya Sabha LoP. Meanwhile, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Rajya Sabha will also be held tomorrow in Parliament. The 26-party opposition alliance was termed India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or I.N.D.I.A during the second joint opposition meeting held in Karnatakas Bengaluru on July 18. Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the main opposition Congress party, said INDIA stood for the "Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance". The Opposition parties met to chalk out a strategy to put out a united front to take on the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The 26 parties resolved to safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution. Leaders of twenty-six opposition parties, who met in Bengaluru on Tuesday, accused the BJP of systematically assaulting the character of our republic and expressed their steadfast resolve to safeguard the idea of India. The Samuhik Sankalp of 26 political parties belonging to I.N.D.I.A. alleged that the pillars of the Indian Constitution are being methodically and menacingly undermined. The leaders decided to have a new name for the group I.N.D.I.A - India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. We, the leaders of Indias 26 progressive parties, express our steadfast resolve to safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution. The character of our republic is being severely assaulted in a systematic manner by the BJP. We are at a most crucial juncture in our nations history. The foundational pillars of the Indian Constitution secular democracy, economic sovereignty, social justice and federalism are being methodically and menacingly undermined, the Samuhik Sankalp statement said. The opposition leaders alleged that BJP was brazenly misusing agencies against political rivals and was undermining democracy. They expressed grave concern over the humanitarian tragedy that has "destroyed Manipur". The Monsoon Session of Parliament will commence on Thursday and will be conducted till August 11 and will have 17 sittings. Almost all the parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharat Rashtra Smithi (BRS), Samajwadi Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United (JDU), Dravina Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), CPM, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) shared their plan while speaking to media followed by an all-party meeting called by the government in the Parliament premises. A total of 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the discussion. (ANI)
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday chaired a consultation meeting at the Assam Administrative Staff College with various service associations regarding the to-be-launched Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana, said an official statement. In the consultation meeting, various issues such as medical bill reimbursement process, creation of a portal for online registration for bill reimbursement, among others, were discussed in detail. It is worth mentioning that a portal has been created for the online registration process for healthcare bill reimbursement of Assam government employees and their dependents, government pensioners and their spouses, added the statement. The beneficiaries would have the option of uploading the necessary documents for medical bill reimbursement on the portal. Apart from this, they would also be provided necessary assistance regarding medical bill reimbursement at the district hospitals, medical colleges, office of the Joint Director of Health Services, among others, mentioned the official statement. Chief Minister Sarma said the Government of Assam was committed to providing its employees with a healthcare scheme that would fulfill their genuine hopes and aspirations. He appealed to the members of the employees association to provide their feedbacks on the proposed scheme within a period of 15 days, adding that it would be put up for Cabinet approval in days to come. CM added during the discussions today that the currently prevailing healthcare bill reimbursement policy would continue to be operational and opting for Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana would be purely optional for the government employees. (ANI)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued an orange warning across Telangana for the next two days indicating the likelihood of widespread rainfall. Dr K Nagaratnam, Director of Hyderabad Meteorological Centre said, "At present, the weather situation indicates that there is an upper air cyclonic circulation laying over Odisha and its adjoining areas of Northwest Bay of Bengal and West Central Bay extending up to 7.6 kilometres above mean sea level." "During the next 24 hours, it is likely to intensify into a low-pressure system over the same area. Also, cyclonic circulation lays over Chhattisgarh and its adjoining areas up to 1.5 kilometres above mean sea level," he added. Nagaratnam said that East West wind shear is also extending at around 120 degrees north latitude. Under the influence of these synoptic features, Telangana is likely to have widespread rainfall during the next two days. "Orange warnings have been issued over Telangana today and tomorrow along with light to moderate rain at most places," he added. He also noted that few places are likely to have heavy rainfall. One or two places are likely to have very heavy rainfall along some east districts, northeast districts, north districts and its adjoining districts like Siddipet, Warangal, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu Karimnagar, Pedapalli and adjoining areas. "Tomorrow, Telangana is likely to have light to moderate rains over most places with heavy rains at one or two places and very heavy rains likely to occur at one or two places in the north and northeast districts of Telangana," Nagaratnam added. The Director of Hyderabad Meteorological Centre said that at times intense spells are likely to occur in some parts of the city and at present yellow alerts have been issued in Hyderabad and warnings are also being issued. "Hyderabad is likely to have light to moderate rains during the next two days, today and tomorrow. At times intense spells are likely to occur in some parts of the city. At present yellow alerts have been issued in Hyderabad and warnings are also being issued timely. Now cast and also seven days forecast has also been issued and disseminated through State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to all the collectors," he said. (ANI)
"The team apprehended two individuals alongwith 103 kg Marijuana worth approximately Rs 41 lakh and seized one light motor vehicle," the release stated.

According to the statement, based on credible information, a joint operation was launched by Radhanagar Battalion and Ambassa police station.

Apprehended individuals along with seized contents were handed over to Ambassa police station, Dhalai District on Tuesday for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Further investigation is underway.

Earlier on Sunday, Radhanagar Battalion of Agartala Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) apprehended one individual along with 88.05 grams of Heroin with an approximate cost of Rs 35 Lakhs in Cachar District of Assam.

According to the statement, based on credible information about drugs sale, a joint Operation was launched by the Radhanagar Battalion of Assam Rifles with police representatives from Jirighat Police Station wherein the operation party apprehended one individual along with Heroin from general area Hmarkhawlien, Cachar District, Assam.

The statement mentioned that the individual and seized contents were handed over to Jirighat PS for examination investigation and legal proceedings. (ANI)
A video that allegedly shows two women in Manipur being sexually assaulted on a road has gone viral. In a first official response to the alleged video the Superintendent of Police (SP), K Meghachandra Singh issued a press note. The press note stated "As regards the video of 2 women paraded naked by unknown armed miscreants on 4th May 2023, a case of abduction, gangrape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai Police Station (Thoubal district) against unknown armed miscreants. Investigation has started and the state police is making an all-out effort to arrest the culprits at the earliest". The press note was also tweeted by BJP Leader and IT Cell in-charge Amit Malviya https://twitter.com/amitmalviya/status/1681711021126189081?s=2 The press note gave details of search operations being carried out by the State Police and Central forces in different vulnerable fringe areas of both valley and hill districts of the state. In one such operation, 2 Arms and 2 Magazines were recovered by the District Police, Imphal East. Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare Smriti Irani also responded to the alleged video after speaking to the state Chief minister. Smriti Irani posted on Twitter saying, The horrific video of sexual assault of 2 women emanating from Manipur is condemnable and downright inhuman. Spoke to CM N Biren Singh ji who has informed me that investigation is currently underway & assured that no effort will be spared to bring perpetrators to justice. https://twitter.com/smritiirani/status/1681725470524731392?s=20 The alleged viral video has however kicked off a political storm ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament that gets underway on Thursday 20th July. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in his tweet has questioned the central government claiming that the Prime Ministers silence has pushed the state into anarchy. https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1681709275536556047?s=20 PMs silence and inaction has led Manipur into anarchy. INDIA will not stay silent while the idea of India is being attacked in Manipur. We stand with the people of Manipur. Peace is the only way forward, the Congress leader tweeted. (ANI)
The Temple of Guan Yu in Xiezhou, North China's Shanxi province, is the largest one among countless temples that worship the general across the country, and also a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level.[Photo/Xinhua]

Across regions within the sphere of influence of Chinese culture, Guan Yu, an ancient general known for his loyalty and bravery in battles, has been widely deified and worshipped.



The Temple of Guan Yu in Xiezhou, North China's Shanxi province, is the largest one among countless temples that worship the general across the country, and also a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level.

In 2020, a research institute studying the culture behind this folk belief in Guan Yu was inaugurated in Xiezhou, and eight graduate students were hired. This summer, researchers of the institute are compiling chronicles for the temple, and delving into the fine elements of traditional culture epitomized in the temple.

Across the country, historical and cultural heritage sites are protected and studied to discover and learn about traditional Chinese culture, amid the nation's efforts to build a modern Chinese civilization. In total, there are 5,058 major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level.

"The historical and cultural sites, bearing witness to the long history and splendid culture of the Chinese nation and carrying the genes of traditional Chinese culture, offer us rich 'spiritual nutrients' in the midst of building a modern Chinese civilization," said Gao Jiangtao, a research fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Shanxi province, taking a fairly large proportion of the 5,058 major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level, has endeavored to train more professionals for the protection of historical and cultural sites and to cultivate enthusiasm for the antiquities of the general public.

Training professionals

In Shanxi, local protection work has long been plagued by understaffing. A project was launched in 2022 to enroll a total of 600 students for a span of five years, specifically for 117 localities across the province in need of protection professionals.

These students will be offered general education on relics protection during college, free of tuition, and are duty-bound to work for pre-designated employers after graduation.

The 19-year-old Li Jingyi, who hails from Wanrong county, Yuncheng city of Shanxi province, grew up watching the nearby Feiyun Tower, a wooden tower featuring characters of the Yuan (1206-1368) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties, a historical and cultural site protected at the national level.

Li, among the first batch of students joining the project, will receive training in archeology, cultural heritage architectures, and museum studies at Shanxi University and return home for work when she finishes college.

"Ancient architectures exude a beauty bestowed by history, I'm fascinated with that, and I'd love to work for the protection of cultural relics in my hometown," she said.

Cultivating enthusiasts

Located on the outskirts of Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi, the tomb of Xu Xianxiu, a high-profile official of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557), is considered to have some of the best-preserved murals from the Northern Qi period. The interior walls of the tomb are decorated with paintings covering about 330 square meters.

However, for the sake of preservation, watching the murals on-site is not possible. A museum featuring murals of the Northern Qi Dynasty was built in Taiyuan based on archeological discoveries of the tomb.

Rather than "sitting still," the museum reached out to school students with the help of metaverse technologies. Wearing Virtual Reality goggles, and holding hand-held controllers, students of Taiyuan No. 19 Middle School recently "walked" into the tomb to watch the murals. They were even able to "lift" an unearthed artifact for a close-up gaze.

"With the help of technologies, we are taking the cultural relics to schools, getting students acquainted with them so that they might fall in love with traditional culture," said Wang Jiang, curator of the museum.

Ren Junhua, professor at the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), said that modern Chinese civilization is deeply rooted in the fertile ground of traditional Chinese culture.

Greater efforts are needed to study and interpret the traditional culture embedded in those cultural and historical sites, and to boost the popularity of those sites with technological means and likable presentation, Ren added.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that his country would risk war with Russia if it arrested Russian President Vladimir Putin at a diplomatic summit in Johannesburg next month, New York Times reported. Ramaphosa made the revelations in a court affidavit made public on Tuesday. He was responding to a petition by South Africas largest opposition political party, the Democratic Alliance, that asked a court in Pretoria, the nations executive capital, to force the government to arrest Putin if he attended the summit, in Johannesburg, in late August. The court is expected to hear arguments in the case on Friday. As per NYT, Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant on accusations related to the war in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court, and the warrant makes South Africa as a signatory to the court legally obliged to arrest the Russian president. Russia has made it clear that arresting Putin would be a declaration of war, Ramaphosa said in his affidavit. It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia, NYT quoted the 32-page affidavit. Ramaphosa argued in his affidavit that South Africas Bill of Rights required the government to protect and promote certain rights, including the right to be free from all forms of violence. An act that would be perceived as a declaration of war by Russia would be reckless, Ramaphosa wrote, and conflict with his and the governments constitutional obligations, NYT reported. The South African President further argued that arresting Putin would conflict with South Africas effort to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Ramaphosa joined several African leaders last month in meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and then with Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia, to discuss a path to ending the war a mission that was met with skepticism from both, NYT reported. South Africa has been exploring options that would allow it to avoid arresting Putin if he goes to Johannesburg, and this affidavit is the clearest indication of that. Ramaphosa added in his affidavit that he was consulting with the leaders of each BRICS country, and he asked the court to give him time to complete the consultation. Last week, South Africas deputy president, Paul Mashatile, said that his country had raised the possibility of holding the summit virtually or moving it to China, but both the options were rejected by South Africas BRICS partners Mashatile added that Russian officials have resisted a suggestion of Putins foreign minister attending the summit in his place, NYT reported. The long-planned meeting of the heads of state of BRICS Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is scheduled to be held from August 22-24. (ANI)
Three major infrastructural projects will be launched by Bangladesh with Indian assistance during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visit to India for the G20 summit in September this year, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) national news agency of Dhaka reported on Tuesday. Three projects are namely; Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2, 65-kilometre-long Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link, Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link. The announcement was made by the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, who called on Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday and held wide-ranging discussions on the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship. Taking Forward All-Encompassing India-Bangladesh Friendship! HC Pranay Verma called on the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina today at Ganabhaban in Dhaka and held wide-ranging discussions on the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said on Twitter. It added, HC briefed Honble PM on several recent positive developments & highlighted the progress in energy cooperation and development projects. Honble PM conveyed her warm greetings to PM @narendramodi and said that she was looking forward to attending the #G20 Summit in India. https://twitter.com/ihcdhaka/status/1681310515136724994?s=20 Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 and the 65-kilometre Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link have been implemented under the Indian LoC (Line of Credit) while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link is under Indian grants, BSS reported. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction over the state of the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India. The meeting also discussed the Taka-Rupee exchange system between Bangladesh and India, connectivity, ongoing projects under the Indian LoCs and grants. The Indian High Commissioner mentioned that two types of credit cards one Rupee and the other Taka Card will be issued. Both sides will issue these cards so that people of the two countries can use the cards for their payments, BSS quoted Verma as saying. The Indian envoy also praised PM Hasinas initiatives Vision-2021 and Vision-2041 to turn Bangladesh into a Smart one. Sheikh Hasina wished India will raise its voice, particularly for the Global South alongside the entire world during the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, BSS reported. Bangladesh PM's Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, PMO Secretary, Mohammad Salahuddin and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr Binoy George, were also present during the meeting. (ANI)
The White House on Tuesday declined to comment on the ongoing probe on former President Donald Trump, and said that President Joe Biden respects the independence of the Department of Justice, CNN reported. "(Biden) has been very steadfast on making sure that the rule of law comes back in this administration, comes back in the White House and clearly the administration more broadly, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during the press briefing on Tuesday. Im just not gonna comment on this particular case, she added. On being asked how the President feels over the possible indictment of Trump for the events on January 6, 2021, Jean-Pierre said that since its an ongoing case she would not be responding to any hypotheticals. Im just gonna be very, very mindful and give the Department of Justice their space to do this investigation. Im just not gonna be doing that from here," she said. Earlier in the day, former US President Donald Trump said that he has received a letter from the Justice Department stating that he is the target of the long-running investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, The Washington Post reported. Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment, Trump posted on Truth Social. Notably, Trump has already been indicted on federal charges in a separate case alleging that he mishandled classified documents. In March, a Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump on state charges, alleging that he falsified records related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, The Post reported. The district attorney in Fulton County, Ga., is leading an ongoing state investigation related to the 2020 election and has said she will make a charging decision in the case next month. Trump further alleged that he was told in the target letter to report to the grand jury within four days of receiving it on Sunday. Under the United States Constitution, I have the right to protest an Election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen, just as Democrats have done against me in 2016, and many others have done over the ages, Trump wrote on Truth Social. As per The Washington Post, a target letter from prosecutors means investigators have gathered substantial evidence linking the recipient to a crime but it does not necessarily mean charges will ultimately be brought. Often such letters invite the target to appear before a grand jury to offer evidence. (ANI)
The members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group remain unified in support of Kyiv in the ongoing conflict with Russia, United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday. The Secretary of Defence, and Army General Mark A Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were speaking to the press about the virtual meeting of 50 nations committed to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing conflict against Russia, the US Department of Defence (DOD) stated in a statement. "Today, we recommitted to supporting Ukraine during this crucial counteroffensive and for the long haul," Austin said. "This is no time to slow down. The United States and our allies and partners have moved mountains to provide Ukraine with critical air defence systems, munitions and more. Coming out of today's meeting, I'm grateful to all of our allies and partners for their commitment and their clarity." The secretary said contact group members have dug deep in their military stocks to provide Ukraine with critical military equipment and ammunition. These capabilities support "Ukraine's sovereign right to live free today and for the future. According to the US DOD, the contact group members discussed plans to ramp up production at both national levels and the multinational level through the European Union's important initiative to produce more ammunition. The group also heard from representatives from Denmark and the Netherlands who led the effort to train and supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter capability. Austin further emphasised that Russian President Vladimir Putin badly miscalculated when he invaded Ukraine last year, adding that three of his blunders are especially clear today. First, Putin thought that he could take Kyiv in days and force a new government of Russian puppets on the Ukrainian people," he said. "But Ukraine chose to fight back. Ukrainian armed forces have defended their country with courage and skill.. Second, Putin bet that the world would just live with his cruel assault on Ukraine. But Russia's aggression and atrocities have shocked the world including even Moscow's long-term partners," Austin said. "Putin's final miscalculation [is] he thought that Ukraine's friends would waver or flee. Instead, nations of goodwill from around the world have stood up for Ukraine's sovereign right to defend itself. And by joining together, we have achieved something extraordinary. And today this contact group stands as united and firm as ever, he added. Army General Milley while talking about Ukraines counteroffensive said that many critics are concerned that Kyivs military operations are not successful enough and worry that a stalemate might be developing. "We are reminded that real war is not war on paper: Real war is unpredictable," the general said. "It's filled with fear, fog and friction. Real war is brutal." He further said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be slow. Ukrainian service members are fighting their way through dense Russian minefields and obstacles. Meanwhile, there are robust Ukrainian reserve forces waiting to be committed at the optimal time in a place of Ukraine's choosing, the general said. "The Ukraine contact group's assistance goes beyond mere words or symbolic gestures," Milley said. "We are committed to helping them where it matters most." The group has trained 17 brigade combat teams, 63,000 Ukrainian troops and training continues, the DOD stated. The training includes "individual non-commissioned officers and officers and staff training along with artillery, air defense, artillery, engineers, logistics, medical and of course putting it all together in combined arms maneuver at night," Milley said. "This training has developed tangible skills that have helped create capable Ukrainian leaders and units that are having a measurable impact on the battlefield today." (ANI)
Tel Aviv [Israel], July 19 (ANI/TPS): Within approximately 18 months, Israel is expected to deploy the worlds first laser defence systems, on borders that have Iranian-backed terrorist armies on the other side. Gaza, Lebanon and Syria all made good candidates for the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Iron Beam, which has been in development for nearly 20 years. The laser system will be integrated directly into the Rafael-made Iron Dome air defence batteries, which have been in operation since 2011. Algorithms will determine when to activate the lasers and when to fire the kinetic Iron Dome interceptors, known as Tamir missiles, as well as which type of Tamir missile to launch. Some interceptors are equipped with special cameras, while others have onboard radar. Both Iron Beam and Iron Dome can down rockets, mortar shells, unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles. However, the laser system is designed to complement, not replace Iron Dome. Iron Dome has intercepted around 95 per cent of aerial threats fired from Gaza and heading for built-up areas in Israel, a rate it maintained during May 2023s Operation Shield and Arrow against Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Nevertheless, the laser system has several relative advantages. For one thing, the laser costs just a few dollars to fire (the electric bill), compared to the average cost of 50,000 USD per Tamir interceptor. Gazan terror factions Hamas and PIJ spend between 500-1,000 USD of Iranian funds on each rocket they build, depending on its range and size, giving them a financial advantageuntil now. In addition to being considerably cheaper than traditional air defences, unlike them, Iron Beam does not need replenishment. Furthermore, the laser strikes its target within seconds, far faster than kinetic interceptors. On the other hand, the 100-kilowatt laser has a range of about eight to 10 kilometres (five to six miles), which is considerably shorter than that of Iron Dome, and each laser can engage a single threat at a time, unlike the Iron Dome, which can intercept multiple threats simultaneously. In January 2020, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced three different laser programs: A ground-based laser to supplement the Iron Dome, a mobile system to protect military units during manoeuvres and an aerial system capable of downing threats from above. The aerial version will give Israel the ability to use lasers against rockets above cloud cover. The real breakthrough in Iron Beams development came when engineers succeeded in creating electric-source laser systems instead of using the older chemical laser technology. The parallel program to develop airborne laser interceptors also saw a breakthrough in 2021, when the Defense Ministry and Elbit Systems announced that a 100-kilowatt laser placed on a Cessna aircraft flying at 3,000 feet had downed 100 per cent of UAVs that took part in the test. The airborne laser interception range is approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles). When combined, it is possible to envisage ground- and air-based lasers intercepting large numbers of projectiles at a fraction of the cost those projectiles cost to produce. Iron Beam can also be used to provide site-specific protection for strategic locations such as power plants and ports. Once the laser capability becomes established, Israel could also begin to focus on intercepting threats in enemy airspace. In Gazas case, that could mean that lasers placed on the border would not allow threats to cross into Israel, thereby theoretically reducing the need to activate rocket alerts. Israels allies, meanwhile, are closely monitoring the development of this technology. United States aerospace giant Lockheed Martin announced a partnership agreement with Rafael in December 2022 to develop an export version of Iron Beam for the American defense market. (ANI/TPS)
India's permanent representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj expressed India's deep concern about the conflict in Ukraine and urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy at United Nations General Assembly Annual Debate on Ukraine. She also emphasized that this is not an era of war. Mentioning the loss of lives and the misery for the people the conflict has resulted in, particularly for the women, children and elderly, India's permanent representative to the UN said, "India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine. With millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries, reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are indeed deeply worrying." "We are concerned about recent developments in the region which have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability," she added. "We have urged that all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. The global order that we all subscribe to is based on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. These principles must be upheld without exception," she said while addressing the UNGA annual debate on Ukraine. Speaking on India's attempts to maintain peace in the region, Kamboj said, "In light of my Prime Minister's repeated engagements with both, it is essential to emphasize that we firmly believe that this is not an era of war. It is with this understanding and spirit that India actively participates in this debate." The permanent representative further added, "We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one's interest." Kamboj emphasised again that "however daunting that may appear" dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes. The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open. She also mentioned how the war has affected the entire global south region. "It is also unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict unfolds, the entire global south has suffered a substantial collateral damage. It is thus critical that the voice of the global south be heard and that their legitimate concerns be duly addressed," she said. She also mentioned that India's approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric. "India's approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric. We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the global south under economic distress, even as they stare at the escalating cost of food, fuel and fertilizers, which has been a consequential fallout of the ongoing conflict," she said. She also said that India has given all the support to the Black Sea Green Initiative. "India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse," she added. According to United Nations.org, The Black Sea Green Initiative is the UN plan linked to efforts to ensure Russian food and fertilizer reach global markets, supports the stabilization of spiralling food prices worldwide and staves off famine, affecting millions. TheInitiativespecifically allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. The resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea amid the ongoing war is a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it, UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres said at the signing ceremony on 27 July in Istanbul, Trkiye. (ANI)
Azam Nazeer Tarar, Pakistan's law minister, stated on Tuesday that overseas Pakistanis would not be able to vote online in the upcoming elections, ruling out the possibility of any amendments to the election laws to this effect. This was done to avoid starting any pilot projects, according to Dawn. Overseas Pakistanis willing to vote have the right to do so, but since the committees report and the Supreme Courts report stated that internet voting was not possible, pilot projects will not be allowed, he said while speaking to the media after an in-camera meeting of the parliamentary committee on electoral reforms. The committee has been meeting for days to discuss proposed changes to the election regulations as the government prepares to give over control of the nation to a caretaker arrangement in August, Dawn reported. Dawn is one of the Pakistan dailies that reports on Social, Political, Economical issues in the country. Though the draft of dozens of last-minute amendments is secret as of yet, sources say the focus of amendments is on transparency and credible results. A number of amendments to the Elections Act 2017 have been suggested to ensure the timely submission of election results. Meanwhile, internet voting or i-voting for overseas Pakistanis has been a longstanding issue of contention between the incumbent Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government and the opposition PTI, Dawn reported. The previous PTI government had made multiple amendments to the Election Act, 2017, including those that allowed the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and granted overseas Pakistanis the right to vote electronically in general elections. The amendments were bulldozed through a National Assembly session in 2021 amid fervent protest by the-then opposition. But in May this year, the National Assembly led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led passed the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2022, which sought to remove the use of EVMs in general elections as well as disallow overseas Pakistanis from voting electronically, Dawn reported. The bill wasreturnedby President Arif Alvi unsigned and was eventuallysignedinto law by then-acting president Sadiq Sanjrani in June. During this time, PTI chief Imran Khan approached the Supreme Court tochallengeamendments to the Elections Act, 2017. Tarar also shared with the media that the final report of the committee would be made public by Thursday. He also clarified that the amendments proposed to the laws were aimed at filling the gaps in the election process and making the system more transparent. On Tuesday, Tarar said Grand Democratic Alliances Fehmida Mirza had made some recommendations during the session. (ANI)
At least 15 workers and security guards were injured in a clash between Bangladeshi and Chinese workers due to dissatisfaction over salaries and allowances at the construction site of the Rural Power Company Limited's 1,320 MW power plant in the Dhankhali area Kalapara sub-unit of Patuakhali district, The New Age reported. The power plant is being constructed to generate Coal-based heat electricity. The power plant's office and several vehicles were also vandalised during the clash. The Kalapara police along with the district sub-unit officer went to the spot and managed to bring the situation under control, and additional police were deployed to the spot, The New Age reported. New Age is a Dhaka-based leading English language daily newspaper started in June 2003. It reports on the political, economic and cultural issues in Bangladesh. Four Bangladeshi workers named Obaidul, Shaheen Molla, Rakibul Islam and Zidan were seriously in the clash. They were first admitted to Kalapara sub-unit health complex and later shifted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for further treatment. The injured informed that the protest was about the deduction of their salaries in the name of service charges. They had been complaining about the same for a long time before they finally protested about the matter, The New Age reported. "We started protesting as the authorities did not accept our demand, which led to a clash," one of the hospitalised workers said. However, the situation is under control with the immediate strict action taken by the local administration. "We are trying to talk to the workers to resolve the issue," the project director and chief engineer of RPCL power plant Tawfiq Islam said, The New Age reported. Kalapara police station officer-in-charge Ali Ahmed said that the situation is normal now and additional police have been deployed there. Legal action will be taken if any written complaint is filed. (ANI)
The fourth Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting will focus on finalising the Ministerial Declaration and outcome documents. In this the efforts of all the three meetings will be consolidated in this meeting. The EWG delegate's deliberations will end at the G20 Labour and Ministers' Meeting (LEM), where they will gather to discuss and adopt these results. This information was given by Arti Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, in a press conference organised on the eve of the fourth Employment Working Group of G20 and the meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers to be held in Indore on Wednesday. She said that this meeting will be presided over by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Bhupender Yadav and 24 Ministers from different countries will attend. During this, representatives of G20 members and guest countries, international and regional organizations and groups like Business-20, Labor-20, Startup-20, Think-20 and Youth-20 will participate. In the press conference, Ahuja told media persons that India is also keeping innovations like e-Shram portal before the working group meetings. Through this portal, complete information about the workers of unorganised sectors is available with the government, which proves helpful for taking steps towards benefitting their and their families interests. Earlier, Rupesh Kumar Thakur, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment informed through a presentation that while 86 delegates are participating in the 4th EWG meeting, 165 delegates including 24 Ministers will participate in the LEM meeting. Heads of international organizations and employers' associations, including the ILO, OECD and the World Bank, will also attend the meeting. He said that it has been planned to showcase the grand natural, cultural and historical beauty of Indore and Madhya Pradesh during the event. In these, a visit to Mandu Fort and Chappan Dukan, the famous food street of Indore has been planned for the delegates. Apart from this, there will also be a heritage walk and cycle ride to see the important historical places in the city of Indore. He informed that traditional folk performing arts (music and dance) and handicrafts will also be displayed for the visiting dignitaries. In the press conference, Pawan Kumar Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Indore said that elaborate arrangements have been made to make the event a grand success. Apart from this, a communication plan has been also made. He outlined the measures taken by the District Administration and State Government for organising the meeting. (ANI)
The bail term of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was extended in three cases pertaining to violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex and the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Dawn reported. An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) today extended the bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the three cases until July 26, reported the Pakistan daily. This March, Imran Khan was booked by the capitals Ramna police in two cases where he was accused of leading mobs to the FJC and the IHC as he appeared for hearings there. Adding to that, another case was filed against him by the Golra police station for allegedly causing unrest outside the FJC when he went there on March 18 for a Toshakhana case hearing. During the last proceedings, the ATC issued bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan and summoned him on July 19. ATC Judge Abul Hasnaat Muhammad Zulfikar conducted the hearing on Wednesday. Ahead of his arrival in court, the PTI tweeted a video of the former prime ministers vehicles and security detail reaching a rainy Islamabad, according to Dawn. Later, Khan arrived at the courtroom with his legal team, led by Salman Safdar. Following the hearing, the judge addressed the police, asking them to declare the suspect innocent if he was innocent or present any evidence they had. According to Dawn, the judge warned them that if the investigation were not conducted properly, he would personally summon the police inspector general. Imrans lawyer argued that the former prime minister had been wrongly implicated in the case. If there is nothing against him, then let us know, and we will withdraw our bail plea," he added. Moreover, the counsel also expressed concernabout the police serving both as the complainant and investigator in the cases. The judge briefly called Imran Khan to the rostrum as both sides furnished their arguments. The court granted bail to the former premier in three cases until July 26 after considering their arguments, reported Dawn. (ANI)
John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), addresses a legal forum with a focus on how the rule of law has brought about a superior business environment for Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, south China, July 18, 2023. [Information Services Department of the Government of the HKSAR/Handout via Xinhua]

A legal forum was held in Hong Kong on Tuesday with a focus on how the rule of law has brought about a superior business environment for Hong Kong.

John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said in his address that under the principle of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong enjoys a highly free and open business environment, maintains smooth connections with various parts of the world, and has signed trade and investment agreements with multiple economies, providing ample legal protection to promote economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

With the support of the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Hong Kong is building itself into a leading center for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region, while actively meeting the significant demand of the country for international legal talents, Lee said.

Hong Kong will fully leverage its legal resources, actively integrate into the overall national development, and boost China's high-level opening-up, added Lee.

Paul Lam, secretary for justice of the HKSAR government, said Hong Kong's common law system is aligned with many major economies, and is highly trusted by the international business community and investors.

Wang Songmiao, secretary general of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has seen the rule of law under the principle of "one country, two systems" make the market more free, the business environment more open, and commercial activities more regulated.

The legal summit, organized by the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute, was held for the first time in 2022.
Germanys Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck will arrive in India on Thursday and will inaugurate the Indo-German Business Forum in Delhi, said the German Embassy in India. He is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Thursday for a three-day tour and will visit three Indian cities. He will be accompanied by a high-ranking official and a business delegation comprising top executives of large and medium-sized German companies. During his stay, Vice-Chancellor Habeck is expected to hold high-level meetings with Indias Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, as well as with the Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister RK Singh, the German Embassy said. He will also be inaugurating an Indo-German Business Forum in Delhi under the heading "Inviting Innovation: Transforming the economy for a shared sustainable future, hosted by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. Vice-Chancellor Habeck will visit several Indo-German joint ventures in Delhi and Mumbai. In Mumbai, he is also planning to engage with the Government of Maharashtra to visit a non-governmental project supporting sustainable development and to have an exchange with young Indian entrepreneurs, as per the German Embassy in India. On the last leg of his visit, Vice-Chancellor Habeck will participate in the G20 Energy Ministers meeting in Goa. Ahead of his visit, Habeck told German media representatives that, as the worlds most populous country, India is considered a key growth market. He affirmed Germanys interest in expanding and deepening its strategic partnership with India, which would also strengthen the resilience and diversification of the German economy. In particular, he pointed to untapped cooperation potential in renewable energy and green hydrogen, according to German Embassy in India. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS nations summit to be held in South Africa, announced the office of the South African President. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed South Africas readiness to host the historic 15th Summit of BRICS nations- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in August. It will be the first summit hosted in person since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. The Summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will attend the first BRICS Summit to be hosted in person since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. The Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, as per the Presidencys press statement. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said on Wednesday, "By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit. The Presidents most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the BRICS Political Party Dialogue in Gauteng. In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued. President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe. "President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the summit. The presidents most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, July 18, at the BRICS political party dialogue in Gauteng. "The summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa. In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued. "President Ramaphosa is confident the summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe," as per the South African Presidency. Earlier, the South African government granted diplomatic immunity to all international participants, including Russian President Vladamir Putin and other Russian officials, at BRICS-related events to be held in the country, as per local media. "Immunity from personal arrest or detention and from seizure of their personal baggage, and, in respect of words spoken or written and all acts done by them in their capacity as representatives, immunity from legal process of every kind," the document reads. A warrant for Putin's arrest was issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague in March, and sinceSouth Africais a member of the formation, it is obliged to arrest Putin when he is in the country. Despite this,South Africa, as the current chair of theBRICSalliance, has officially invited Putin to the summit in August. (ANI)
Some residents of Afghanistans Badakhshan province have said they are worried about military personnel without uniforms in their province, TOLO News reported. TOLO News is an Afghan news channel broadcasting from Kabul. Badakhshan residents said it is challenging to distinguish between official military personnel and others due to the lack of uniforms. As per residents, the distribution of uniforms is a serious need and officials should pay serious attention to the matter. A resident of Badakhshan, Ahmad Shekib, said: They must have uniforms and proper clothes. In every area we go, there is a gun on someone's shoulder and it stops us. We do not understand who they are and from which region and which field they belong. Soldiers who work illegally are not wearing uniforms and disturb people in the city and market, said Khodabakhsh, another Badakhshan resident. The residents of Badakhshan want the Taliban to distribute uniforms to the military forces. We say to the Taliban that the police should have uniforms. The army must have army uniforms and security must have security uniforms so that everyone knows in which department they are, said Aslam, a Badakhshan resident, as per TOLO News. Badakhshans security commander, however, said that the responsible security forces in this province wear military uniforms and the people who are with civilian clothes belong to the local commanders. Our soldiers have received their uniforms from the Taliban's Ministry of Interior. All of them are at the checkpoints with the uniform of the Islamic Emirate. There are units of people belonging to many of the commanders who enter the city, they don't have uniforms, said Abdul Wasil Abuzar, Badakhshan province security commander, as per TOLO News. The Talibans security officials had previously said that they will distribute military uniforms to all the soldiers of the country. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver his speech at the BRICS Summit via video conference, he will properly take part in the event, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS. "The President decided to take part in the BRICS Summit in a video conference format. It will be a proper participation," he said. Meanwhile, spokesman Peskov has confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia at the summit in-person, as per TASS. The Russian News Agency TASS, abbreviated TASS, is a Russian state-owned news agency founded in 1904. "The meeting itself will be attended by Minister Lavrov," the spokesman added. The BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS summit will take place between August 22 and 24 in South Africas Johannesburg, TASS reported. Earlier in the day, the office of South African President, Cyril Ramaphose had announced that Putin will not attend the BRICS nations summit. This will be the first summit hosted in person since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. The Summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said earlier on Wednesday, "By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit. The Presidents most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the BRICS Political Party Dialogue in Gauteng. In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued. President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe. "President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the summit. The presidents most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, July 18, at the BRICS political party dialogue in Gauteng. "The summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa. In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued. "President Ramaphosa is confident the summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe," as per the South African Presidency. Earlier, the South African government granted diplomatic immunity to all international participants, including Russian President Vladamir Putin and other Russian officials, at BRICS-related events to be held in the country, as per local media. "Immunity from personal arrest or detention and from seizure of their personal baggage, and, in respect of words spoken or written and all acts done by them in their capacity as representatives, immunity from legal process of every kind," the document reads. A warrant for Putin's arrest was issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague in March, and since South Africa is a member of the formation, it is obliged to arrest Putin when he is in the country. Despite this, South Africa, as the current chair of the BRICS alliance, has officially invited Putin to the summit in August. (ANI)
In a video that surfaced on Wednesday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, appears to be welcoming his fighters in Belarus, CNN reported. If true, it would mark Prigozhin's first public appearance since he and his mercenaries organised an armed rebellion in Russia last month. In a video, which was reposted on Prigozhin's account after being posted on pro-Wagner Telegram channels on Wednesday, features a man who looks and sounds like Prigozhin, saying, Welcome guys! I am happy to greet you all. Welcome to the Belarusian land! We fought with dignity! We have done a lot for Russia. In the video, a fighter appears to address the Wagner leader as "Yevgeny Viktorovich," which is Prigozhin's first name and patronymic. The metadata on file suggests that the video was likely created on Wednesday at dawn, and it appears unedited. CNN cannot determine with certainty that the speaker is Prigozhin or when the video was shot because it is blurry and shot in poor light. The clip is being geolocated by CNN. The Wagner leader appeared to reiterate in the video his previous criticisms of the planning and conduct of military actions in Ukraine by the Russian Ministry of Defence. Prigozhin said, What is happening now at the front is a disgrace in which we do not need to participate. We need to wait for the moment when we can prove ourselves fully. He added, Therefore a decision was taken for us to station here in Belarus for some time. I am sure that during this time we will make the Belarusian army second greatest in the world. And if needed, we will defend them if it comes to it. I want to ask everyone to really pay attention to the fact that Belarusians welcomed us not only as heroes, but also as brothers, said Prigozhin. Further, the Wagner chief suggests them that their stay in Belarus could be for a while and also called on his fighters to prepare to travel elsewhere. He said, We should prepare, get better and set off on a new journey to Africa, adding, Maybe we will return back (to Ukraine) when we will be confident that we will not be asked to make an embarrassment of ourselves and our experience. Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, took credit for arranging the agreement between Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin that put an end to the insurrection. Since then, Lukashenko has invited the Wagner forces to Belarus to assist in the military training of his nation. According to a CNN examination of satellite images and videos from social media, Wagner fighters entered Belarus on Tuesday. A previously abandoned military base in Belarus was where the first Wagner force convoy arrived; at least two other convoys were en route. While everything was going on, rumors persisted over the whereabouts of Wagner head Prigozhin. Lukashenko asserted that Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus after the insurrection was put down. However, no one was able to confirm that for weeks. Then, earlier this month, Lukashenko changed his position and told CNN that Prigozhin was in St Petersburg and might be going "to Moscow or elsewhere." Prighozin was alive and at liberty as of Wednesday, according to the head of Mi6. In order to put a stop to the brief rebellion, he asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin had no alternative but to come to an arrangement with the Wagner leader, claiming that Putin "cut a deal to save his skin," CNN reported. (ANI)
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday regarding the invalidation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative that the international food security issue should be resolved through dialogue and consultation. He also stated that China is ready to step up communication and cooperation to facilitate more international common understanding and contribute to world food security. On being asked regarding the Grain Deal, which had been supposedly extended several times by Russia, ceased to be valid on Tuesday, Mao Ning said that the issue of international food security must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Mao was addressing the media on Tuesday. Russian News Agency TASS asked a question, "The Black Sea grain deal, which had been extended for several times by Russia, ceased to be valid yesterday. Moscow refused to extend the deal this time because the part of the deal concerning Russia, which involves the removal of restrictions on its agricultural export, has not been fulfilled. Moscow said that although the deal allows the Ukrainian grain to be shipped to the worlds poorest countries, most of the shipment has gone to western developed countries. Whats your comment on the termination of the Black Sea grain deal? Will this affect Chinas food security? On asking for her comment on the issue, the Chinese Foriegn Ministry Spokesperson said, "We hope that parties concerned will properly resolve the international food security issue through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to step up communication and cooperation with other parties to facilitate more international common understandings and contribute to world food security." Clearing India's stand on the issue, India's permanent representative to United Nations Ruchira Kamboj on Wednesday said that India has given all the support to the Black Sea Green Initiative. "India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse," she added. Russia on Monday announced it was suspending its participation in a UN-brokered deal that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain. The agreement, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022, was scheduled to expire at 5 pm ET on Monday. On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced Moscow will not renew the agreement, saying it "has been terminated." The deal had allowed Ukraine to export grain by sea, as per the CNN report. In withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that its government was removing guarantees for safe navigation in the Black Sea, according to CNN. Russian Foreign Ministry in the statement said, "This means the withdrawal of guarantees for the safety of navigation, the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor, the restoration of the regime of a temporarily dangerous area in the northwestern Black Sea and the disbandment of the JCC [Joint Coordination Center] in Istanbul. Without Russia's participation, the Black Sea initiative ceases to function from July 18." It further said that the Russian government objects to the further extension of the agreement and informed the Turkish and Ukrainian sides on Monday. Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow had also informed the UN secretariat. The ministry said that the Russia-UN Memorandum did not work as planned. According to United Nations.org, The Black Sea Green Initiative is the UN plan linked to efforts to ensure Russian food and fertilizer reach global markets, supports the stabilization of spiralling food prices worldwide and staves off famine, affecting millions. The Initiative specifically allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. (ANI)
The US government on Wednesday announced a 1.3 billion USD military aid package for Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia including air defence systems and attack drones. According to the US Department of Defence, the package includes four more National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), medium-range air defence batteries that have helped Ukraine withstand ongoing Russian barrages of missiles and drones. Notably, it is the same system that is used to protect Washington DC and the area around the US capital. This USAI package highlights the continued US commitment to meeting Ukraine's pressing requirements by committing critical near-term capabilities while also building the enduring capacity of Ukraine's Armed Forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the mid and long term, the US Department of Defence said in a statement. The latest package will give Kyiv a total of 12 NASAMS from the US. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said last November that the NASAMS had a 100 per cent success rate in intercepting Russian attacks, CNN reported. Earlier on Tuesday, Lloyd Austin had said following an international meeting of countries providing aid to Ukraine Make no mistake: We are determined to support Ukraine's fight for freedom for as long as it takes. The latest package falls under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which is part of the long-term US commitment to provide aid to Ukraine. Unlike drawdown packages, which are pulled directly from Defence Department stocks and can be sent in relatively quickly, USAI packages are contracted with industry, a process which can take months or more, CNN reported. The package also includes Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade attack drones, as well as counter-drone equipment. The sizable Ukraine aid package comes during Ukraines ongoing counter-offensive, which has faced stiff Russian resistance and widespread minefields, which have slowed its progress. The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements, the US DoD added. Meanwhile, the US is also expected to announce a separate aid package of about 400 million USD that will include more ammunition for the NASAMS, according to two US officials, as well as ammo for Patriot missile defense systems and HIMARS rocket launchers, CNN reported. The package will also contain more artillery ammunition. However, the officials have warned that artillery ammunition is in short supply, especially with the possibility of a prolonged Ukrainian counteroffensive that will drain current stockpiles. (ANI)
Children and adolescents in the U.S. today reap the benefits of decades of medical and psychological research. We are able to diagnose and effectively treat mental health conditions to a degree that wasnt possible only a generation ago, with a wider arsenal of pharmacological options and increasingly targeted and sophisticated non-invasive therapies.

The quality of kids mental health should be trending up  but the opposite is happening. Kids today are struggling more than ever.

The pandemic dealt a significant blow to everyones emotional health, and reduced our support networks to Zoom squares on a screen. But the writing was on the wall before March 2020: Kids emotional well-being was already on the decline.

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Data Summary & Trends Report, summarizing a decades worth of data. It found that the number of high schoolers reporting such persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year that they couldnt participate in their regular activities rose 40% between 2009 and 2019, and the number who had considered suicide rose 36%.

In 2021, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory regarding youth mental health. The pandemic, he wrote, exacerbated the unprecedented stresses young people already faced.

The most recent Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey data, from 2021, show that suffering only increasing. The percentage of high schoolers who considered suicide rose again, from 18.8% in 2019 to 22.2%, and the percentage who attempted suicide rose from 8.9% to 10.2% in that two-year period.

Whats behind these startling numbers? For one thing, there is the ubiquity of social media, permeating every aspect of kids lives. Data indicates a correlation between social media use and mental health concerns, especially for teen girls.

There is also our unrelenting grind culture, pressuring kids at earlier ages to achieve and succeed at every undertaking so they can, in theory, eventually climb the ladder to wealth and a life free from worry.

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It sounds counterintuitive, but when HuffPost asked child psychologists about the biggest threats to kids happiness today, they all mentioned parents relentless pursuit of their kids happiness  and how it can be counterproductive to their childrens well-being in the long term.

First, in presuming that kids are supposed to be happy all the time, we sometimes deprive them of opportunities to learn to cope with the full spectrum of human emotions in healthy ways. Second, in focusing so hard on our kids achievements and praising their success, we run the risk of them not knowing that we love and value them unconditionally.

Here are some ways you can avoid these pitfalls, and help lay the foundation for your kids emotional health and their capacity to experience deeper and more meaningful happiness.

Normalize feeling a whole range of emotions, not just happiness.

Its easy to take an idealized view of childhood as a carefree chapter of life, but we do our kids a disservice when we assume their days are worry-free.

Many [adults] may think that kids are just happy and have nothing to worry about, Ariana Hoet, pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Ohio and executive clinical director of On Our Sleeves, told HuffPost. Unfortunately, that is not true  children feel strong emotions and difficult stressors just like adults do.

Instead of making kids feel like they should be happy all the time, we should focus on helping them recognize and cope with all the different feelings they may experience.

As adults, we must check in, normalize emotions, and find ways to build positive mental health habits in children just like we do for their physical health, Hoet said.

Jennifer Cruz, a child psychologist at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, explained to HuffPost: Shielding children from stress and tough emotions may keep them from developing resilience and make future challenges tougher.

Expect that your child will absolutely have a range of emotions in a happy life, Cruz said.

We can also teach children that even negative emotions have value. Fear can help protect us, anger helps us know we are being hurt, sadness can connect us to what is important, Cruz said.

She recommended that parents emphasize preparing [kids] to handle challenges and know[ing] when to ask for help, rather than shielding children from risk or tough emotions.

Its hard to watch your child hurting, and the instinct to make their pain go away is strong. But its important that we learn to sit with them and their tough emotions.

I think parents often interfere with their childrens happiness because they cannot let their children fail and/or tolerate disappointment, psychotherapist Jen Hartstein told HuffPost.

Children learn so much through failure and gain a sense of accomplishment and efficacy when they are able to pick themselves up and succeed, Hartstein said. That sense of accomplishment cannot be minimized.

Have daily conversations with your children.

One way to stay abreast of your childs emotional experience is through daily conversations. These might happen at the dinner table, at bedtime or while youre in the car. Checking in with your child allows you to help them recognize their feelings and find ways to cope with them.

Hoet explained that a healthy parent-child relationship is an important protective factor that acts as a buffer to lifes stress. Daily conversations or check-ins allow parents to create a healthy connection and relationship with their children, while also giving them insight into how a child is thinking and feeling about their day-to-day experiences, she said.

Rather than thinking about how to make kids feel happy, Hartstein said, I like to think of it as what habits can we build in children to help promote their mental health. These habits can build happiness, but they can also serve as buffers when difficult life circumstances happen.

Practice gratitude.

Another path to happiness is to help kids tune in to all the good in their lives.

By focusing on appreciation, Cruz said, parents can also help their children develop a mindset that encourages happiness.

A good way to do this is through modeling. When you have those daily check-ins with your child, take a moment to mention the things that you yourself are grateful for.

We can get stuck wanting our situation to be different, and our children see that, Cruz said. When we as parents practice our own gratitude, that can go a long way to help children develop an appreciation for what they have and who they are.

Show children that your love for them is unconditional, and their value isnt contingent on measures of success.

Jennifer Wallace is a journalist and author of the forthcoming book Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic  And What We Can Do About It. From a survey she conducted on the topic, and an extensive series of interviews with kids, families, teachers and psychologists, Wallace concluded that too many kids today perceive their value and worth to be contingent on their achievements  their GPAs, the number of likes they get on a post  not for who they are as people, deep at their core, she told HuffPost.

While no parent intends for their child to feel unloved, it can be an unintended consequence of focusing on their success.

Wallace recommended that parents use these four questions, from psychologist Tina Payne Brison, to help determine what kinds of messages they are sending to their kids:

How do you spend your money as it relates to your kids? What does your childs calendar look like? What do you ask your children about? What do you argue with your children about?

Many parents think theyre not overemphasizing achievement, but when they look at these four things, they can see how their behavior is telling their kids a different story, Wallace said.

You may love your teen unconditionally  but if their calendar is packed with expensive tutoring sessions and youre constantly nagging about homework, the message youre sending is that you value academic achievement more.

Keep comparisons to a minimum.

Another way we signal to our kids that we value their achievements over their innate worth is by comparing them to others, whether siblings or peers at school.

Comparisons are ubiquitous, and effectively amplified by social media. Not only do kids know their friends GPAs, theyve also seen the entire contents of their bedroom closets.

Comparisons about what we have, what we dont, how we are vs. how others are... it seems we cant get away from them, and our children are picking up on that too, Hartstein said.

It takes a conscious effort to move away from comparisons and toward a gratitude practice like the one mentioned above. But such a move can shift mindsets, and lead to more happiness in your home.

Rethink the way that you praise your children.

There is not one parent Ive ever met in my research or in my personal life that didnt fully, unconditionally love their child, Wallace said. But its how our words and our actions land on our children that can give kids the sense that their parents love is dependent on their achievements.

When we praise our kids achievements and their success, it can sometimes have the opposite of its intended effect.

One of the young students I interviewed said that praise made him feel like he had to continually perform in order to get [his parents] acceptance, Wallace said.

Instead of focusing on kids achievements, we can make comments that let them know we see their intrinsic worth. In her own home, Wallace said, she wants her kids to know they are valued for who they are at their core. So I try, at every turn that I can to, to emphasize what I see as their natural strengths... their empathy, their humor, their kindness, the fact that theyre great problem solvers.

On birthdays, for example, the family has a tradition of going around the table and each saying something positive (and non-achievement oriented) about the person whose birthday it is. She also highlights the positive things that teachers say about her kids in report card comments, such as them being helpful to others. This puts the emphasis on her kids personal strengths, not the grade they earned.

Show kids how much they matter  and give them chores.

Wallace determined that its a sense of mattering that helps well-adjusted kids stay psychologically healthy and experience happiness. The idea of mattering comes from sociologist Morris Rosenberg, who also popularized the concept of self-esteem.

Quite simply, Rosenberg found that kids who enjoyed a healthy level of self-esteem felt like they mattered to their parents, they felt they were important and significant. Subsequent studies of mattering identified it as a fundamental human need and a basic driver of our behavior.

Wallace defines mattering as the idea of feeling valued by family, friends and community, and being depended on to add meaningful value back to families, friends and communities.

In her interviews with kids, Wallace found that those who were doing well shared this sense of mattering, and that it acted like a protective shield against stress and setbacks.

One way to help kids feel that they matter in your family is to give them chores. If family dinner is an important ritual, then the person who sets the table has an important role. Others are counting on them. Volunteer work can have the same effect.

Creating a sense of mattering goes beyond loving our kids unconditionally, Wallace said. Its showing them in words and actions how valued they are.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

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RENO, Nev. (AP)  Nearly a dozen wild horses have died in the first 10 days of a big mustang roundup in Nevada, deaths that a Las Vegas congresswoman is calling tragic proof of the urgent need to outlaw helicopters to capture the animals on federal land.

The 11 deaths so far include five young foals, four horses with broken necks and a stallion with a snapped rear leg that was chased by a helicopter and horseback rider as it tried to flee on three legs for 35 minutes before it was euthanized, according to witnesses.

The horse that broke the leg jumping over a trap fence last Wednesday was a lead Palomino stallion called Mr. Sunshine by those who'd watched him roam wild over the years southeast of Elko.

A longtime observer and defender of the mustangs caught the animal's struggle on video.

It made me physically ill to see what was done to that beautiful stallion I have known for years," said Laura Leigh, the founder of Nevada-based nonprofit organization Wild Horse Education.

Leigh, who's been fighting roundups in court for more than a decade and advocates ending them altogether, said the contracted wranglers were trying to pressure the mustangs into the temporary trap coral when the horse leaped out and broke the leg.

He tried to buck off the searing pain and then struggled on three legs. He was then pursued to the far side of the valley and shot. The incident took longer than 30 minutes to resolve," she said. These barbaric, cruel, intentional acts must end.

The deaths should serve as a wake-up call, said Nevada Democratic Rep. Dina Titus. A horse with a broken leg was chased in the sweltering heat by a helicopter," she said, criticizing a Bureau of Land Management practice the she is trying to ban through House legislation.

"This latest instance of BLM mistreatment of Nevadas wild horses is tragic," Titus said Tuesday.

Leigh and others sued after the death of several horses during a roundup a decade ago, and the bureau adopted a Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program in 2015 that among other things prohibits helicopters from making contact with the mustangs.

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But the agency has resisted efforts to stop using helicopters, saying they're necessary to access remote herds.

The BLM policies and staff prioritize the well-being and humane care of all wild horses during all gather operations, bureau spokeswoman Heather O'Hanlon said in an email to The Associated Press on Monday. She said the agency has a Department of Agriculture veterinarian assessing and monitoring animal conditions and consulting with bureau officials to ensure the health and safety of horses and people.

Bureau spokeswoman Rita Henderson said injuries to wild horses and burros during roundups are rare. She said the vast majority  more than 99%  are gathered without severe incident or injury that causes death.

The bureau says its latest roundup started July 9 in eastern Nevada between Elko and Ely because overpopulated herds are seriously damaging the ecology of the range.

Nevada is home to nearly two-thirds of the 68,928 wild horses the bureau estimated on March 1 were roaming federal lands in 10 Western states stretching from California to Montana.

The agency plans to gather about 2,000 horses from the roundup in three areas  the Antelope Valley, Goshute and Spruce-Pequop. It says the estimated 6,852 horses is nearly 14 times what the range can sustain.

As of Tuesday, they had gathered 1,087, the bureau said.

By balancing the herd size with what the land can support, the agency aims to protect the habitat for other wildlife species including sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, mule deer and elk, said Gerald Dixon, the bureaus Elko district manager.

But critics say the real purpose is to appease ranchers who don't want horses competing with their livestock for precious, high-desert forage where annual precipitation averages less than 10 inches (25 centimeters).

The American Wild Horse Campaign is publicizing the graphic photos and video shot by Leigh and others to educate the public about the BLMs inhumane approach to wild horse management," group spokeswoman Grace Kuhn said.

"This cruel treatment of wild horses in unacceptable and far below the standard that Americans expect for these iconic animals," she said.
Zac Humski spent the last day of his school break on the water with his dad.

The pair headed out on Monday, July 17, venturing about 6 miles off the coast of Yanchep, Australia. As 12-year-old Zac  who is a photographer and drone pilot  was flying his drone, his dad, Steve Humski, captained their boat.

Thats when the father-son duo heard a distinct sound: whale spray.

Using his drone, Zac spotted a mom and baby humpback whale swimming together.

The calf stayed near its mothers head, swimming and playing.

The mother kept coming up to the surface, and was carrying the baby on her nose, so we believe it was a very young baby learning to breathe and swim, Zacs mom, Kim Tully, told McClatchy News in an email. The baby was happy to play and swim around (its) mothers head.

Video of the interaction show the massive mama whale diving through the water and using her nose to nudge her baby as it swims ahead of her.

Footage of the whales shows the mother using her snout to nudge her baby.

A second video shows the baby attempting to dive with the support of its moms nose.

[Zac] said that he doesnt often get emotional about nature, but he was overcome with joy seeing the whales! He will never forget this experience, Tully said. Steve said they didnt catch any fish, but they were thrilled seeing the whales, and that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Zac Humski, 12, uses his drone to capture photos and videos in Australia.

Steve Humski shared his sons photos on Facebook, and social media users were awed by the encounter.

Zac Humski didnt know he had amazing footage of the whales until he got home and checked his drone, his mom said.

Wow I bet not many people get to experience this in their life, one person commented. How majestic.

Thats awesome, another person wrote. One in a million chance.

How stunning, thats a pinch yourself moment, a third person said.

Yanchep is on Australias west coast, about 30 miles north of Perth.

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China's intellectual property (IP) development has gained progress during the first half of 2023, the country's top IP regulator told a press conference on Tuesday.

In the first six months of this year, China granted 433,000 invention patents, 1.1 million utility model patents and 344,000 design patents, said Hu Wenhui, deputy head of the National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA).

During the same period, China saw 35,000 international applications filed under the World Intellectual Property Organization's Patent Cooperation Treaty.

By the end of June, the total number of valid invention patents in China exceeded 4.56 million, while the number of valid registered trademarks in China was about 44.24 million.

In terms of IP protection, in the first half of 2023, China handled 21,000 administrative adjudication cases concerning patent infringement disputes and started the building of the first batch of 10 national IP protection demonstration zones, according to Hu.

China has seen an increasing number of innovative companies. As of the end of June, the number of domestic companies with valid invention patents reached 385,000, up 60,000 from a year ago. They have registered a total of 2.6 million valid invention patents, accounting for over 70 percent of the domestic total.

China's IP import and export volume also logged steady growth. During the first five months of this year, the import value of China's IP royalties was 120.8 billion yuan (about 16.8 billion U.S. dollars) while the export value was 36.98 billion yuan.

"The latest statistics indicate that China is an important contributor to global innovation in green and low-carbon technologies," said Ge Shu, a senior NIPA official, at the press conference.

He added that Chinese patentees received 178,000 invention patents in green and low-carbon technologies from 2016 to 2022, accounting for 31.9 percent of the global total.

Ge said that NIPA will actively promote the transformation and application of green technology patents to better serve green development.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges against 16 Michigan Republicans for allegedly trying to thwart the will of voters in the 2020 presidential election and award the state's Electoral College votes to former President Donald Trump.

Trump lost the election by more than 150,000 votes to President Joe Biden. But Trump embraced election conspiracies and spread lies that the election was stolen from him.

On the same day the legitimate presidential electors met inside the Michigan State Capitol to cast their votes for Biden, Trump's allies in Michigan assembled in the basement of the Michigan GOP headquarters to sign certificates falsely claiming they were the legitimate presidential electors, according to Nessel's office. Those certificates were sent to the U.S. Senate and the National Archives with the intent to overturn the election, Nessel said in a video announcing the charges.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel walks out of the Michigan State Capitol after official Electoral votes are counted Monday, December 14, 2020.

Complaints provided by Nessel's office show each defendant faces eight felony counts each, including forgery-related charges, each punishable by up to 14 years in prison; and election law forgery charges, each punishable by up to five years in prison.

Here's a guide at the 16 individuals facing criminal charges in the alleged election interference scheme.

Criminal charges: Trump's fake electors charged by Michigan AG in alleged 2020 election scheme

Meshawn Maddock

Maddock, 55, of Milford previously served as Michigan GOP co-chair after the 2020 election. She is married to state Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford. They own a bail bonds business.

Before she was chosen to lead the state's Republican Party, she served as its 11th District chair and helped organize buses from Michigan to Washington, D.C., heading Trump's call to supporters to come to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 to fight the certification of the election.

Michigan GOP co-chair Meshawn Maddock speaks as members of the Kalamazoo County Republicans meet at Traveler's Cafe and Pub in Portage during a luncheon on June 10, 2021. The keynote speaker of the event was Maddock.

The Maddocks spoke at a rally the day before the deadly assault on the Capitol, according to a video from the Right Side Broadcasting Network posted to Facebook and she posted a video of Trump supporters marching toward the Capitol to her Instagram account.

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Maddock called herself a "Trump original" in a 2020 interview with the Free Press, noting she supported the former president since his 2015 candidacy. She was a founding board member of the Michigan Conservative Coalition which helped organized protests at the Michigan State Capitol against Gov. Whitmer's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Before the 2020 presidential election, Maddock called the role of presidential electors "very important" and one she said she takes "very seriously" in an interview with the Free Press. "An elector, to me, is the person who's responsible to make sure our republic survives the pandemic of mental illness that's progressivism," she said.

Kathy Berden

In 2015, the state committee of the Michigan GOP elected Berden, 70, of Snover, as the party's national committeewoman in. Before holding that role, she served as a state committee member and was part of the Michigan delegation to the Republican National Convention three times.

Mike Lindell poses for a photo next to 9th district delegate Kathy Berden during the MIGOP State Convention at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids on April 23, 2022.

Ahead of the 2020 election, she called the presidential race a "choice between freedom and socialism" in an interview with the Free Press.

The fake certificate of electors lists Berden as "Chairperson, Electoral College of Michigan."

Mayra Rodriguez

Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms is a Michigan lawyer. Earlier this year, the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission filed a complaint against Rodriguez with the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board recommending disciplinary action against her. The complaint asserts that Rodriguez knew when she signed the fake certificate of electors that she was not a qualified presidential elector and that she did not convene in the Michigan Capitol to certify the election as required by Michigan law.

Rodriguez is the only licensed Michigan lawyer in the group of Trump electors, according to a search of attorneys on the State Bar of Michigan's website.

She was subpoenaed by the U.S. House committee probing the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. During her deposition, she refused to say whether it was her signature on the document to award Michigans Electoral College votes to Trump sent to Congress and the National Archives. She also declined to acknowledge that state election law says that Michigans electors of president and vice president are those from the political party that received the most votes in the presidential election.

The fake certificate of electors lists Rodriguez as "Secretary."

Stanley Grot

Stanley Grot, 71, current serves as Shelby Township clerk in Macomb County. He previously served as a Sterling Heights city council member and Macomb County commissioner. Grot acknowledged he signed the certificate promising Michigan's Electoral College votes to Trump, according to a Free Press report.

Grot sued fellow Republicans claiming defamation on social media.

Timothy King

King, 56, of Ypsilanti was the lead plaintiff in a legal effort led by Trump ally Sidney Powell to overturn the 2020 election in Michigan. He is a retired tool and die UAW auto worker. He ran and lost his 2020 bid to serve on the Washtenaw County Commission.

He said in 2020, voters faced a critical choice that year. "I think this election is the most important one we've had since the 1864 election of President Lincoln because we had a divided nation and right now we're divided," King told the Free Press at the time.

John Haggard

Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix is the owner of Haggard's Plumbing and Heating. He's been active in politics for decades. In 1964, Haggard handed out brochures for Barry Goldwater, and in 2016, he served as a Republican elector. He was one of the plaintiffs who brought a lawsuit in the wake of the 2020 election to try to name Trump the winner.

Marian Sheridan

Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield currently serves as the Michigan GOP's grassroots vice-chair. She was also a plaintiff in the federal election lawsuit to try to award Michigan's Electoral College votes to Trump. The effort was rejected as an attempt to sow doubt in the election based on conspiracies and resulted in sanctions against the attorneys who defended it.

She has led the Lakes Area Tea Party and is the co-founder of the Michigan Conservative Coalition. She told the Free Press previously that she first became involved with the Republican Party in 2009. In 2020, she trained hundreds of poll challengers to observe the election. "It's really a great thing that we have so many Americans that are so interested in the election process," she said at the time.

William (Hank) Choate

Choate, 72, of Cement City is a dairy farmer. In April 2017, he was one of 14 farmers from across the country who met with Trump at the White House to discuss agricultural issues.

He told the Free Press previously that he did not become involved in Republican Party politics until 2010. "I was seeing my grandchildren were not going to have anywhere near the opportunities for what they wanted to do as young adults as I did back in the late '60s and early '70s," Choate said.

Choate went on to serve as chair of the Jackson County Republican Party for four years and serve as chair of the Michigan GOP's 7th District.

Amy Facchinello

Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc is also new to party politics. She told the Free Press in 2020 that Trump motivated her to get involved. "I heard what he said he was going to do and I started seeing it all get put into action, and I was like totally on board with it," she said. In 2018, she became a GOP precinct delegate and joined the executive board of the Genesse County Republican Party.

Facchinello was elected to serve as a board member of Grand Blanc Community Schools in 2020.

Clifford Frost

Frost, 75, of Warren worked hard to re-elect Trump in 2020. At the time, he hoped Trump would succeed so he could cast one of Michigan's Electoral College votes. "It's a privilege I look forward to," he said at the time.

Frost ran for office 2020, vying to represent part of Macomb County in the Michigan House, but he lost his primary.

Mari-Ann Henry

A previous webpage for the Greater Oakland Republican Club showed Henry. 65, of Brighton, was involved with the group.

Michele Lundgren

Lundgren, 73, of Detroit was served with a subpoena and interviewed by federal agents last year. She told the Free Press that she met with agents from the FBI, Department of Justice and Inspector General for two hours last summer. When asked about the fake certificate of electors, Lundgren told the Free Press that she signed a blank piece of paper with lines for each of the signatures.

"We were wrongly persuaded to come to Lansing and sign a blank piece of paper," she previously the Free Press. She could not identify who persuaded her to sign the document. "Who and what pulled this s--- out of the bag and tried to throw it at the wall?" Lundgren said.

Lundgren ran as a Republican in 2022 seeking to represent part of Detroit in the Michigan House of Representatives. She lost her election to incumbent state Rep. Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck.

James Renner

Renner, 76, of Lansing is one of the two names that appear on the fake certificate of electors who was not originally nominated by the state's Republican Party to serve as an elector in the event of a Trump victory.

He was selected to replace Gerald Wall, according to an affidavit Nessel's office provided in support of its criminal charges against the Trump electors. Wall  who was nominated to serve as an elector in the event of a Trump victory in Michigan  did not sign the certificate.

Ken Thompson

Thompson, 68, of Orleans is the second individual whose name appears on the fake certificate of electors who was not originally nominated by the state's Republican Party to serve as an elector in the event of a Trump victory.

He was selected to replace former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, according to an affidavit Nessel's office provided in support of its criminal charges against the Trump electors. Land  who was nominated to serve as an elector in the event of a Trump victory in Michigan  did not sign the certificate.

Rose Rook

Rook, 81, of Paw Paw has held various local leadership positions with the Republican Party. She used to be a Democrat but she previously told the Free Press that she left the party because she said the party left her values.

She said she became involved with the Republican Party in 2016. Before the 2020 election she said was looking forward to prospect of casting Michigan's Electoral College votes for Trump. "It's just a great honor," she said. Asked about her support for Trump, she said, "He's just the law and order president and I'm very impressed with that."

Kent Vanderwood

Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming currently serves as mayor of the city of Wyoming. He was elected to lead the city in 2022. He previously served as the Michigan GOP's 2nd District chair.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The 16 Michigan Republicans charged in alleged 2020 election plot
Congolese refugee, Edward Nzinga, is one of the people that B5 Community Learning Center in Kennewick has supported and helped through education and adjusting to the cultural change.

After years of teaching out of apartments, the organization is now getting its own space.

Nzinga has been in the B5 program since 2016 when he arrived in the United States at the age of 14. One of his struggles was with math but found help in B5 after school programs.

It helped me a lot because not only would I get extra lessons for stuff that I didnt understand in school, I would also get help in the real world. It was like having a second parent, Nzinga said. They encourage us to live a very educational life  a lot of our parents didnt have that opportunity.

Eh Moo Doh, 21, is a refugee from Thailand and he said B5 was like Another school.

I went there everyday to get help with my math, reading, and get my English better, Doh said.

Children from B5 Community Learning Center participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking of a new building for the program.

The organization started in apartment B5, a two bedroom unit in Kennewicks resettlement housing. It then expanded to the apartment next door and has been serving refugees and the community for 14 years.

Theresa Roosendaal, the executive director and founder, started organizing classes when the first refugee family from the Karen People of Burma came to Kennewick and joined her church, Family of Faith.

As a mentor to the refugee family, Roosendaal got her church involved and eventually partnered with local school districts when she saw an unmet need for education. They help get children enrolled in school and provide tutoring.

They are currently supporting refugees from Ukraine, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Congo, Myanmar, and other countries. Theyve also expanded to Spanish-speaking people and those receiving DSHS support in the community that would like to improve their English.

Some of the services being provided are citizenship preparation classes once a week, English classes four times a week for three hours, reading classes, programs and events for kids, and another English class for women Afghan refugees that cant be in class with men.

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The mentorship they provide to the kids, and the help, really goes a long way, Nzinga said.

The new building of B5 Community Learning Center is expected to be completed by Spring 2024

Roosendaal said that learning English is important for them because language is a barrier to building community, career and helps in daily life with activities like shopping. Over 100 people are currently enrolled in their programs.

Continuing support

To continue to support refugees and community members, B5 is getting a bigger space as the two bedroom apartments were becoming too tight to move around in. The new building is expected to be three times bigger than their current space.

For the past two years, the organization has been raising funds to build their own facility and have now achieved 90% of their goal with just $200,000 left to raise.

Around 150 people came together for the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new building which is set to be completed by Spring 2024.

The new building will allow them to host bigger events like community meetings or dinners.

We think that sharing food with the Tri-Cities will be an important thing to do to help build a sense of belonging and community, said Chuck Henager, President, B5 Board of Directors.

The groundbreaking was in a 10-block area where refugees have recently settled. Roosendaal said the building will provide for a place that feels like it belongs to them, and will be an opportunity for cultural exchange.

They encourage us to keep our culture embedded in us even though were learning a new culture here. They let us know its important to know both cultures, Nzinga said.

Refugees are connected to B5 through their close relations with World Relief, DSHS referral to the program, and recommendation from friends in the residential area that have gone through the program.

They see a need, and they meet a need ... when we have our own building, well be able to better accommodate. said family support specialist of B5, Tera Allen

Donations can be sent through their website or mailed. These donations go toward their work as there are always more needs than funding, and other administrative costs. B5 is always looking for volunteers wanting to learn more about different cultures.
Five candidates are vying to replace Sheril Logan as the only at-large member of the Wichita school board.

Wichita board of education positions are unpaid. School board responsibilities include hiring and evaluating the superintendent, adopting policies for the district and overseeing USD 259s roughly $1 billion budget.

All voters in Wichita Public Schools boundaries will have a chance to weigh in on Logans successor.

We asked the candidates to answer several questions about issues. Here is what they said. The responses are largely as the candidates sent them in. Some responses have been lightly edited to fix typos.

Note: School elections are nonpartisan, meaning party affiliations do not show up on the ballot. State and local party committees often choose sides in city elections with regard to funding and other forms of support.

When, where to vote

Find our voter guide to Wichita mayoral candidates here.

Find our voter guide to Wichita City Council District 4 candidates here.

Jacob Bakk

Jacob Bakk

Age: 69

Position: Retired

Past: Aircraft Pilot & Mechanic, President of The Associated Landlords of Kansas (T.A.L.K.)

Education: Attended WSU and Friends University, where I was awarded certificates in supervision, Leadership, Quality Assurance and Teamwork. I also got my Masters in Business and B.S. in Human Resources and Psychology.

Party: Republican

Phone:

Email: Jackbakk2022@gmail.com

Website:

What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?

The most pressing issue is lack of qualified and certified teachers! Over 60 positions need to be filled, lack of Special Ed teachers and tutors is having a direct correlation to a decrease in student proficiency scores! Our teachers have an awesome responsibility and I believe are under appreciated! It is good to tell teachers how much we appreciate them, but better to show them through a monetary pay raise! Cutting costs and petitioning our Governor and State Senator to increase funding for our children!

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What other issue do you feel strongly about?

Promoting more transparency between our parents and the school board. Listening to our parents and their concerns. Not looking upon them as terrorists but as concerned parents wanting to be involved in their childs education, as I am.

Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?

I am the most qualified candidate, as I am sure the other candidates believe they are! The family is ordained by God and is such an instrumental part of our children being able to Dream of becoming anything they set their minds on becoming! It is our job as parents, meaning both mother and father through our example to Believe that all things are possible! Guiding them and helping them along the way, even when they mess up, through unconditional Love to Achieve even what they never dreamed possible!

What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?

Dealing with disruptive students needs to be dealt with immediately. Correction must be swift and just, whether that requires the teacher sending child to the principals office, or calling the parents to come and pick up their child. Allowing a child to disrupt the whole class can not be tolerated! We as parents need to take a more active role in the development of our children of the future! We should not consider our schools as babysitters! Our childrens safety starts at home! I believe unruly kids should face the consequences of their actions!

What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?

Increase teacher pay! We have a shortage of qualified and certified teachers. More pay would reduce teachers wanting to retire and retain the experience, resulting in increased student performance and graduation rates. More pay would encourage a larger percentage of high achieving college students to major in education!! This would result in the likelihood of hiring teachers who earned top scores on their educator certification exam and wanting to come back to Wichita to teach!

Harlan Bascombe

No photo provided

Age: 67

Position: Retired

Past: Code Enforcement Official, Police Department Union Steward

Education: BA public administration

Party:

Phone: 316-524-5199

Email: bascombe4usd259@gmail.com

Website: N/A

What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?

Students need to develop skills to obtain academic proficiency. First, students need to focus on the basics: reading, writing and math. Without proficiency in these basic subjects, students cannot succeed in other subjects. Additionally: sciences, history, civics and technology are the skills that todays students also need to master. It is vital that students be given opportunities to obtain proficiency in these subjects. The school board needs to develop policies and programs to accomplish academic proficiency.

What other issue do you feel strongly about?

Parental support is essential for the success of the student. It vital to develop strategies to involve parents in their childrens education. Communication is key to involving parents in their childrens education. An important communication method is to have parents opt in when children are participating in surveys, activities, and lessons of a sensitive nature, this option ensures proper parental notification.

Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?

I retired from the City of Wichita two years ago after almost 37 years of service to this community. I still have the desire to continue to serve the citizens of my community. I have the education and experience to be on the school board . During my tenure with the City of Wichita I developed the skill set to work with constituents and to cultivate innovative solutions to problems.

What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?

We need to listen, listen and listen. We need to listen to teachers and staff to learn what types of behaviors are disrupting classroom. Being on the front lines of the classrooms teacher may have thoughts and ideas on how to best to handle classroom disruptions. Students need to be heard to discover what may be causing their disruptive behavior and how to best resolve these issues. And we need to listen to parents to learn what other variables may be affecting their childrens behaviors.

What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?

According to the National Education Association approximately 50% of new teachers will leave the profession within their first five years of teaching. To combat this trend, teachers need the opportunity to cultivate collaboration with other teachers, to be empowered to succeed, to have adequate support and to have improved working conditions. These are proven strategies to assist with the recruitment and retention of teachers.

Jesse Borosky

Jesse Borosky

Age: 31

Position: No elected positions. Currently a clinical-community psychology PhD student at WSU

Past: Ive worked as a mental health professional in school settings, a mobile therapist in community settings, and a mental health technician in inpatient settings.

Education: Highest received is an MA in Psychology, currently entering my fourth year of WSUs clinical-community psychology PhD program.

Party: Green Party

Phone: 785-640-8519

Email: boroskyforboardofeducation@gmail.com

Website: www.boroskyforboardofeducation.com/

What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?

It is difficult to narrow down the concerns as the most important. If we look at the current strategic plan of USD 259, however, I would say the goal that needs the most work is goal 4, Schools trusted as safe places. Due to increased violent behaviors, students and staff do not feel safe in school. To manage this, I believe we need to expand mental health services, as negative behaviors are inherently tied to mental health difficulties. Also, reducing the student:staff ratio is necessary.

What other issue do you feel strongly about?

I am an adamant proponent of workers rights. I believe it is necessary to work consistently with United Teachers of Wichita and SEIU to ascertain that the needs of our faculty and staff are met. I believe teachers have been under attack, especially when they attempt to discuss topics related to race, gender, etc. However, we should not censor our teachers; instead we should encourage and incentivize critical thinking and open conversations about power structures in our institutions.

Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?

I have a long history of working with parents, children, and teens, and I have a deep understanding of how youth behave, learn, and socialize. I am well aware of the research and empirical backing behind various curricula and programs that can help our students succeed. I am also aware of how factors such as race, gender, language, income, etc. impact learning. My vision is for students and families to acknowledge the diversity of our district and work together as a community to solve problems.

What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?

We currently use an outdated and racially biased model of managing behavior, based on arbitrarily punishing students with detention, suspension, and expulsions. This causes students to fall behind, resulting in poverty as an adult. Instead, we should engage in restorative practices to manage conflicts. We should also aim to prevent negative behaviors by providing mental health resources and positively reinforcing prosocial behaviors. These methods are backed by psychological research.

What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?

The Board should aim to hire diverse faculty who are willing to have difficulty conversations with students. Doing so will help benefit our diverse students. In order to retain teachers, we must ascertain their needs are met. Providing more teachers with para support can greatly reduce burnout. Also, meeting faculty and their unions where they are during contract negotiations is essential. Evidence demonstrates that workers stay when they believe they are supported by the organization.

Brent Davis

Davis has not yet responded to The Eagles voter guide questionnaire.

Melody McCray-Miller

Melody McCray-Miller

Age: 66

Position: Currently, Business Owner and Adjunct Lecturer, Wichita State University.

Past: Former Sedgwick County Commissioner, former USD 259 High School and Middle School Teacher,

former State Legislator.

Education: B.A. Psychology, University of Houston, Teacher Education Program, Wichita State University

Party: Democrat

Phone: 316-734-1876

Email: melodymiller56@gmail.com

Website: Melody4USD259.com

What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?

1.) Teacher moral. 2.) Challenging classroom and building student behaviors. 3.) The district will lose COVID funding at the end of 2024. Collectively these issues are creating an environment that is challenging for many teachers, building administrators, students and their families. Making it difficult to thrive at their highest and most successful level. I will advocate for teachers, namely, their rights in the classroom and valued compensation. Parent engagement is also important to student success. I will work to create an environment that makes academic expectations and disciplinary actions transparent, consistent, and equitable from building to building across the district.

What other issue do you feel strongly about?

Effective mental health programs are important. The district offers several programs that are designed to support students mental and emotional health. An example is the Kansas Opportunity Support Program, a joint initiative between USD 259 and the Kansas Department of Education and COMCARE Sedgwick County. This program is designed to assist students that are struggling with mental health, behavioral and emotional concerns. However, there are issues with capacity, which is, the number of students that can access and utilize the services offered, which has created a waiting list. Some students and families need these mental health services sooner than later.

Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?

As a proud Southeast High graduate, former USD 259 teacher, and former elected leader, I am deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and teachers in our district. My experiences have shaped my understanding of education and allowed me to comprehend the unique challenges faced by both students and teachers. My vision is to create a leading school district in Kansas, where board-level accountability ensures consistent standards across all schools, and an action plan that improves student and teacher achievement, behavior, and building performance.

What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?

By actively listening to the concerns of students, parents, teachers, and staff throughout the district, I believe we will find and put into action real solutions that will help create a work environment that values those that teach and the students there to learn. I will advocate for policies and effective training that we know work, to effectively address and diffuse the disruptive behaviors while addressing the school-to-prison pipeline. I will work to create an environment that makes academic expectations and disciplinary actions transparent, consistent, and equitable from building to building across the district.

What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?

WPS is on the right track, however there are some additional tactics and strategies needed. Most of our students are students of color, predominately Hispanic and Black, and these same students qualify for free and reduced lunches demonstrating some economic needs. I will advocate for our district to become laser focused and recruit more teachers who reflect our students, recruit more experienced teachers and lastly, consider growing the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, making it accessible to more than the current Para-Educator. Each of these recommendations when employed have been shown to improve retention as well as students academic and disciplinary behavior.
Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today magazine. (Courtesy of Russell Moore)

One of former President Donald Trumps most steadfast evangelical critics said he expects Trump to be the Republican nominee in 2024, and that the years since Trumps election in 2016 have been an apocalypse.

The argument that we had in 2016 ... was always, Well, this is a binary choice. Were choosing between Trump and Hillary Clinton, and so were just doing the best that we can, Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today magazine, said in an interview with Yahoo News.

Well, were in a place right now where theres no binary choice thats happening. Theres a wide-open choice, and still you have a majority in the Republican primary behind Trump, Moore said. I would be shocked if hes not the Republican nominee.

Once the field of nearly a dozen Republican candidates is winnowed down to one nominee during the primary process, and a Republican faces off against incumbent President Biden, then that means that anything could happen.

And so I would not forestall the possibility that [Trump] is in office again, Moore said. In his upcoming book, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America, due out July 25, he argues that the American Christian church has become morally compromised but says that evangelicals can remain hopeful and focus on building a new Christian culture.

The first Republican presidential primary debate will take place in just over a month, on Aug. 23, in Milwaukee and will be hosted by Fox News. Trump currently sits at 50% in the FiveThirtyEight polling average, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis his closest challenger, at 21%.

Moore says democracy vs. authoritarianism on the ballot in 2024

Then-President Donald Trump is greeted by Florida Gov. Ron Desantis at Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers in October 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Moore, 51, also said that the stakes are much higher in the 2024 election than they were in 2016, because the future of democracy is at stake amid the rise of authoritarian nationalist movements around the world.

Moore was not unique when he first criticized Trump in the summer of 2015. Most evangelical leaders did that. But while most others in the evangelical and Republican establishments accommodated themselves to Trumps rise, Moore did not. He continued to repudiate Trumps personal character and his disregard for constitutional order, and became a target of intense blowback from Trump and other figures in the evangelical world.

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At the time, Moore was president of the Southern Baptist Conventions public policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. The SBC is the second-largest Protestant group in the United States, after nondenominational churches, according to the U.S. Religion Census.

But two years ago, Moore resigned his post and left the SBC, the denomination in which he was raised and had spent his entire adult life. He is now a pastor in residence at a nondenominational church in Nashville.

The cautionary tale of Southern Baptist conservatives

Congregants at an annual Freedom Sunday service at the First Baptist evangelical Southern Baptist megachurch in Dallas in June 2022. (Shelby Tauber/Reuters)

In his new book, Moore recounts how his own personal history in the SBC trained him to rationalize support for leaders whose personal character was less than sterling. He refers to Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler, two Southern Baptist leaders who led a conservative takeover of the SBC in the late 1970s.

Patterson and Pressler were mythological figures to fellow conservative evangelicals in the SBC and were revered because they stood up for biblical orthodoxy and fought for the authority of scripture.

But, Moore noted, a lot of people would say, These are really nasty figures in terms of the way that they relate to people and in terms of the Machiavellian nature of the way that they went about things. But theyre on our side, and so we need to just bear with those things until the battle is over.

Pressler, 93, a former Texas Court of Appeals judge, has been accused by three different men of rape or sexual abuse in civil suits. Patterson, 78, has been accused of helping Pressler cover up his behavior and of intimidating other victims of sexual abuse into silence. Both deny the accusations.

Moore said that during the years that he was ascending into a leadership role himself in the SBC, there would always be these moments where I would say, This seems crazy to me, but I seem to be the only one who sees it, and so it must just be me.

So I would make all of these rationalizations, he said.

Moore believes the Trump era has been an apocalypse

Often, Moore writes in Losing Our Religion, the chief rationalizations were that liberals are dangerous and evil and so immorality is necessary to combat even worse immorality.

But he came to believe, he writes, that too often these evangelical conservatives were just conserving ... their own chauffeured cars and offering-funded expense accounts.

And so, in the Trump era, Moore said, he did not want to rationalize anymore.

I had seen all of those same rationalizations done by me previously, not with political figures, but with evangelical figures in which I would say, This is somebody who seems to lack character, seems to lack stability, but the stakes are too high, he said. I saw where all that had led.

A man gestures as Trump attends a service at the International Church of Las Vegas in October 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

In his book, Moore refers to the post-2016 era as an apocalypse. That word is used commonly to describe an end-of-the-world kind of scenario, but that is not the original meaning, nor is it how he uses it.

Apocalypse literally means unveiling and revelation, he said. And I think thats what happened in the post-2015 era is that a lot of things were revealed in which we could see patterns of behavior that were preexisting but werent really all that clear.

As for the future, Moore  who still considers himself an evangelical  writes that Evangelical Christianity, at its best, is all about small solutions. And so his book, written for fellow evangelicals who have been disillusioned with Trump support and the suppression of sexual abuse allegations, is full of advice for little choices you can make.

Lets create some new alliances and some new structures and some new ways that arent just trying to repeat the last thing, he told Yahoo News.
Supporter Jonathan Riches holds a sign at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Florence, Ariz., on Jan. 15, 2022. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Arizona could very well be the decisive state in next years presidential election. Sadly for the GOP, the states Republican Party appears to be in disarray.

And its not just the presidential race that Republicans have to worry about. Arizona represents one of the GOPs best Senate pickup opportunities, with Democrat turned independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema facing a challenge from progressive Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego.

Yet the Arizona GOP, which is now seen as one of the most right-wing state parties in the nation, might not be up to winning either the Senate or the presidential contest. And its not just Arizona: A number of GOP state affiliates look increasingly troubled as 2024 looms.

Arizona GOP spent big to overturn the 2020 election

Trump at the Turning Point Action conference in West Palm Beach, Fla., on July 15. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg)

Conservative journalist Jon Gabriel highlighted the problem in a recent Arizona Republic op-ed, noting that the party had less than $50,000 in its cash reserves as of March 31, down more than $700,000 from the same point on the calendar four years earlier. Gabriel noted that $300,000 of that difference was spent on legal consulting as part of the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential result and declare Donald Trump the victor.

The states populous Maricopa County was the center of the baseless conspiracy theory that the election had been stolen from Trump, with Republicans feuding over a partisan audit meant to find evidence that Democrats had cheated to win. The report commissioned by a little-known group called the Cyber Ninjas found that Joe Biden had indeed won in the state, something the Republican chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors had been saying for months.

That should be the end of the story, Jack Sellers said in a September 2021 statement. Everything else is just noise. But Im sure it wont be. Board members told the truth in the face of angry phone calls and emails fueled by a coordinated campaign to shake Americans faith in the power of their vote. Will they accept the truth now?

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While Republicans in Arizona were focused on overturning the 2020 election, they lost numerous races in 2022. Democrats reclaimed the governors mansion for the first time in over a decade and retained a Senate seat after the GOP nominated former TV news anchor and conspiracy theorist Kari Lake to run for governor and controversial venture capitalist Blake Masters for the Senate.

Lake is now mulling a bid for Sinemas Senate seat, saying recently that she believed shes the only Republican who can win the race.

A consolidation of Democratic power in Michigan

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel at an event for the Democratic ticket in Detroit in October 2022. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump won Michigan in 2016, shocking Democrats who believed it to be part of their unbreachable Midwest fire wall. Four years later, Republicans believed they had the opportunity to flip a Senate seat there and came within 2 points of doing so.

Those gains quickly receded by the 2022 midterms: Republicans were blown out in what was seen as a winnable gubernatorial race and lost control of the state Senate for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Things havent improved much since then. On July 8, a brawl broke out at a meeting of the state GOP committee, with Clare County Republican Party Chair Mark DeYoung telling the Detroit News in an emergency room interview that a fellow Republican kicked me in my balls as soon as I opened the door.

Were so divided, he added. I just wish we could come together.

No charges have been filed, but the case has been referred to the county prosecutor.

However, on Tuesday afternoon, state Attorney General Dana Nessel  a Democrat who also won reelection in 2022  announced that 16 state Republicans were being charged for signing a certificate falsely stating that Trump won the 2020 election there. Among those facing eight felony counts is former Michigan Republican Party co-chairwoman Meshawn Maddock.

According to a June report from the Washington Post, at least four county Republican parties in Michigan are immersed in disputes over who their rightful leaders are. The conflicts between far-right and more moderate Michigan Republicans has also proved costly: The party had only $116,000 on hand as of March 31, down from nearly $867,000 two years prior.

With Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow retiring next year, Republicans will have an opportunity to flip an open Senate seat  but the race is already rated by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report as leaning toward a Democratic win.

Trouble elsewhere

Colorado House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, center, state Rep. Lisa Frizell, second from right, and other Republican lawmakers at a news conference at the state Capitol in Denver on May 8. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/the Denver Post via Getty Images)

Liberal outlet Daily Kos highlighted this week that the trouble extends beyond Arizona and Michigan. In Colorado, where Republicans won a Senate seat as recently as 2014, its unclear whether the state GOP is actually paying any staff members or is running solely on volunteers. Colorado was once considered a purple state, but Biden won it by 14 points in 2020.

Trump came within 2 points of winning Minnesota in 2016, but the Republican Party is also in trouble there. According to a June filing, the party had just $53 on hand and more than $335,000 in debts. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is up for reelection in 2024, but so far no major GOP candidate has announced a bid against her.
A popular Atlanta-based social media influencer has died at the age of 22, according to her family.

Annabelle Ham, who had nearly 80,000 subscribers on YouTube, died after experiencing an epileptic event, her family said in a statement on July 18.

She struggled with this for a long time and wanted to raise awareness for it, which we will do in honor of her, the statement says. Annabelle was beautiful and inspiring and lived life to the fullest.

Hams sister, Alexandria Ham, also mourned her sister in a social media post.

There will never be words for how heartbroken my family and I are, she wrote in an Instagram post. Annabelle was such a light to the world. A spark-plug. If you knew Annabelle, you loved her and loved being around her.

Tributes poured into Annabelle Hams social media pages from loved ones, friends and followers who said she had inspired them.

Your authenticity that youve shared is precious, a commenter wrote on one of Hams YouTube videos from February. You dont know it, because youve sadly been taken from this earth, but youve inspired this older woman to be in touch with her inner young woman and start posting my own content.

Ham started posting YouTube videos in 2015. Over the years, she shared videos and vlogs that showed her trying on new clothes, giving beauty tips and self care advice, documenting trips and girls nights and sharing intimate details of her life.

Many of her followers said they developed a connection with her from watching her content and felt as if they knew her.

In shock right now, a commenter wrote on her Instagram page. Ive watched Annabelle since she was in high school and it felt like watching an older sister. Prayers for you all.

Ham was a student at Kennesaw State University in Georgia where she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

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The sorority said in a statement on Instagram that its members had lost a big piece of our hearts.

She was caring, selfless and carried so much love inside of her heart, the statement says. She always had a smile on her face and never failed to put a smile on others.

On Dec. 6, Ham posted a video about her 22nd birthday.

Im 22!! she wrote in a caption. So weird how fast time flies.

In a video posted on her YouTube page on Feb. 28, Ham said she was looking forward to starting the next chapter of her life after college.

Im already getting like really excited for the future, she said. Ive applied to internships and different things. Ive applied to a few internships for the summertime, which is something Im really pumped for.  I dont think Ive been so excited to have a job, ever.

TikTok star and mom killed in crash on way to Juneteenth event, Texas family says

Beloved cowgirl on TikTok has no memory of stardom after AZ horse accident, family says

College student missing for month found dead in Ohio quarry, family says. Devastated
WalletHub has conducted a study of the most stressed cities in America, and not surprisingly, a few from Georgia made it on the list.

But if you think living in a major metro city like Atlanta must be the most stressful way to live, you might be surprised by how Georgia cities ranked.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

WalletHub compared more than 180 cities in the post-pandemic era and rated cities based on data like average weekly work hours to unemployment rates to divorce and suicide rates. The official categories measured were:

Work stress

Financial stress

Family stress

Health & safety stress

TRENDING STORIES:

Augusta, Georgia was rated as having the 10th most stressed residents in 2023, with high levels of financial, family, and health and safety stress reported. Augusta also came in fourth for the lowest level of job security and for the lowest average hours of sleep, which can contribute to stress.

Columbus came in at #27, with extremely high levels of financial stress.

Atlanta fared marginally better, coming in at #36 on the list with the highest stress levels surrounding work, but relatively low stress levels in every other category.

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The city with the most stressed residents, according to the study, was Cleveland, Ohio, which reported significant amounts of financial, family and health and safety stress.

The least-stressed city was South Burlington, Vermont.
Sioux Falls had its first homicide of 2023 earlier this month, and though a suspect was quickly taken into custody, officials with the Sioux Falls Police Department are reminding the public there are three cases that remain unsolved.

Nigussie Bulti was found dead on July 5 halfway in a bag in an apartment, after someone made a call for a well-being check to police, court documents revealed. Less than two days later, a Sioux Falls man named Morningstar Jewett admitted killing Bulti in a fight, court documents showed. He has since been charged with aggravated assault.

Meanwile, cases decades old are still waiting for answers to be found.

More: Sioux Falls police arrest man tied to Wednesday homicide near Cliff Avenue

Those are the deaths of 25-year-old Naomi Cheney in 1943, Clara Olson in 1986, and Pamela Halverson in 1999.

Naomi Kathleen Cheney, 25, was found dead beneath a bridge on 12th Street and Grange Avenue on Oct. 5, 1943.

What happened to Naomi Cheney?

The Argus Leader first reported on the death of Naomi Cheney in October 1943 along with publishing the updates from the WWII frontlines. Cheney, a women's army corps officer, was found dead of a crushed skull on Oct. 5, 1943, in a thicket below the Omaha Viaduct on West 12th Street by a 10-year-old.

Cheney had recently arrived in Sioux Falls in September. The suspect was determined to be a transient farm laborer, who lived in a tourist cabin less than 50 feet from where Cheneys body was found.

More: Minnehaha County state's attorney declines prosecuting 2022 Gateway Lounge homicide

On the fiftieth anniversary of the murder, the Argus Leader interviewed Sioux Falls Police Cpt. Mark Thorstenson, who said police were forced to release the suspect despite blood found on top of his boots, which contradicted his explanation of accidentally stepping on random blood.

The suspect later died in WWII. Thostension said he believed with todays technologies the police would have been able to indict the man.

If the case happened in 1993, it would be resolved, Thorstenson said at the time.

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Clara Olson 'never spoke ill of anyone'

Clara Olson's death cast another shadow on Sioux Falls' landscape. The neighbors described Olson as a sweet and pleasant 93-year-old lady, who never spoke ill of anyone.

Clara Olson was found murdered in her home at 820 West 11th Street in Sioux Falls on Aug. 6, 1986. The death of the 93-year-old landlady baffled friends and family.

From its first publications on the Clara Olson case in 1986, the Argus Leader questioned the motives for murdering a fragile lady who died of multiple injuries and strangulation.

Olson rented out three apartments, and shortly before her death, she rejected several potential renters on moral grounds. According to the Argus Leader report, the police believed they knew who committed the crime but did not have enough evidence to prosecute.

More: South Dakota man pleads guilty but mentally ill in Scotland triple homicide

One of the problems in Olsons case was by the time authorities were alerted to the possibility of homicide, Olsons family and rescue workers had unwittingly altered the murder scene and destroyed evidence.

The police believed at that time the suspect once lived in the apartments Olson rented and left the town shortly after she died. The suspect was also seen around Olsons apartments around the time of her death.

Pamela Halverson found blocks away from home

The last undiscovered murder in Sioux Falls was that of Pamela Halverson in 1999. Halversons body was found in her car several blocks away from the home she shared with her boyfriend Gary Javers and her 9-year-old son Tylor from a previous marriage.

Pamela Halverson

The body was found to be decomposing, and the cause of death was not determined. Javers told the police Halverson left that night to pick up toilet paper. Halverson previously filed a protection order against Javers, but later reverted it.

Police did not call Javers a suspect, but they searched the residence.

No one has ever been charged with her death, or even named by police as a suspect, the Argus Leader reported in 2000.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls police still looking for answers in decades-old homicides
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This story is part of Record High, a Grist series examining extreme heat and its impact on how  and where  we live.

During a summer that has already shattered temperature records, the 340,000 drivers, dispatchers, and warehouse workers currently in contract negotiations with UPS  the United States' largest unionized employer  have made climate change and extreme heat a headline labor issue. And if they don't secure a contract by July 31, they are poised to initiate the largest single-employer strike in U.S. history.

On summer days, the back of a delivery truck can exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. When Viviana Gonzalez, a package delivery driver for United Postal Service in Los Angeles, pulls open the back of her truck, she often thinks: "Am I going to pass out back here? Will anybody find out that I'm here in the back of the truck?"

Gonzalez is all too aware of how dangerous her job can be. Since 2015, UPS has reported at least 143 heat-related injuries to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Last year, one of her co-workers, Esteban Chavez, died of heat stroke in his delivery truck after delivering his last parcel. "I'm a single mom," said Gonzalez, "and being able to provide for my son means I have to suck it up."

While climate change is making summers hotter and even more dangerous for delivery workers, Moe Nouhaili, a UPS driver in Las Vegas, told the Guardian that it's the working conditions that make the heat so deadly. "It's how they're making us work, expecting us to meet these unrealistic productivity numbers even through the weather," he said.

UPS often requires drivers and warehouse employees to work six days a week and more than 12 hours a day in the heat, and the company measures worker productivity by surveillance cameras and sensors inside trucks. Drivers say these tactics make it harder to take breaks. "The same amount of work that would be done in, say, 30 routes is now being forced to be done in 20 or 25," said Nouhaili. "Less people get more work done."

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An increasing portion of the work is also done by part-time drivers who are paid less than full-time employees, as well as gig workers who often need to take on multiple jobs to make ends meet.

That's why the UPS workers, who are part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union, have tied their heat-safety demands to other key issues: higher wages for all workers; more full-time jobs with full benefits; an end to forced overtime, surveillance, and harassment from management; and elimination of a two-tier wage system that pays part-time workers and newer employees differently for the same work.

According to Anastasia Christman, a senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project, many of these benefits and protections form the basis of climate justice at work and can better protect workers from the heat.

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"Workers who are fighting for better health care benefits are going to be more physically able to deal with excessive heat, because they can address other underlying health problems," she said. "An increase in pay might mean workers can spend time at home without having to take on a second job to support their family, eat healthy food, or afford to get an air conditioner in their house and really cool down and recover from the heat during their off-hours."

She also argues that part-time employment, piece-wage and contract pay structures, and low-grade wage tiers can affect workers on the margins to a greater extent than others.

"These workers, who are overwhelmingly Black workers, immigrant workers, and women, literally can't afford to take breaks or lose time to take care of their health," she explained. By pushing for more full-time direct employees and fewer contractors, Christman said, workers build solidarity and make sure that certain job classes don't disproportionately face environmental harms like extreme heat.

UPS workers negotiate a new contract once every five years, and the strike authorization in June was the result of a yearlong campaign on behalf of the union to build leverage at the bargaining table. The strategy appears to be working: In the last month, with the strike threat looming, UPS agreed to install air-conditioning systems in each of their delivery trucks, end the secondary wage tier that allows them to pay newer drivers less, and do away with mandatory overtime.

"UPS Teamsters have strategically navigated this process for maximum leverage against this multibillion-dollar corporation," said Teamsters President Sean O'Brien. "At every step, we are forcing them to do what they don't want to do, which is give our members more money and better protections at work."

UPS workers in brown uniforms standing outside a warehouse, holding signs that say

UPS drivers practice picketing outside a warehouse in preparation for a potential strike at the end of the month. International Brotherhood of Teamsters

While air-conditioning will indeed offer welcome relief to UPS drivers in the heat, experts argue that at a global scale, energy-intensive cooling systems pale as a long-term climate-justice solution. Air-conditioning units burn more fossil fuels, increase ambient temperatures in cities, and are inaccessible to most outdoor workers  and most of the global population.

On its own, the company's concession also doesn't address the growing issues of pay, contracting, and worker productivity that drive workers to heat exhaustion.

So despite the gains, UPS workers are still not satisfied. The biggest remaining issue is pay: They are looking to raise the starting hourly wage for part-time workers from $15.50 to $20. And they have repeatedly said that if UPS does not meet their baseline wage demands, they will be forced to strike to win them.

In recent years, restaurant workers at Voodoo Donuts in Portland, Oregon; a McDonalds in Detroit; a Jack in the Box in Sacramento; and a Hooters location in Houston have collectively walked off the job to protect themselves from extreme heat. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is in the process of developing a federal workplace heat standard, has acknowledged that taking collective action can help workers stay safe on the job and has developed a legal framework "to obtain the best possible relief for employees" when they choose to do so.

"The suggestion box sitting in the break room is not really the place to address the dangers of systemic heat exposure," said Christman, the National Employment Law Project analyst. "When workers come together, they build power to really make changes at the workplace."

The Teamsters union has plainly stated that this campaign will be an example for workers across the country. "What we do in these negotiations," said O'Brien, "is going to set the tone for the entire country, the entire labor movement, moving forward. The UPS fight today may be your fight tomorrow."

"It's time for UPS to feel the heat," said Rick Jordan, another delivery driver in Southern California. "We feel it all the time."

This article originally appeared in Grist at https://grist.org/labor/340000-ups-drivers-poised-to-strike-over-extreme-heat-safe-working-conditions/.

Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at Grist.org

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Four juveniles were arrested over the past three days in three separate homicide investigations, according to the Dallas Police Department.

Dallas police arrested a 16-year-old male Friday and he was charged with murder in an April homicide. Police responded to a shooting call on the evening of April 13 in the 5800 block of Highland Hills Drive . When officers arrived, they found a 16-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound.

Dallas Fire and Rescue responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Police determined a group of individuals, including the victim and two other males  a 15-year-old and 16-year-old  were involved in an argument. A short time later, as the victim and the two teens were walking in the street, an unknown suspect shot at them, hitting the victim.

The suspect fled. The two other teenagers were not injured.

In a more recent case, police also arrested a 16-year-old male and a 13-year-old male on Friday. They were charged with murder and aggravated assault in a June 24 homicide. That evening, police responded to a shooting call in the 5300 block of Wullschleger Lane. When officers arrived, they found a man shot on the ground.

Dallas Fire Rescue responded and the man died at the scene.

The Dallas County Medical Examiners Office will release the identity of the victim.

On Tuesday, a 15-year-old male was arrested by Dallas police and was charged with manslaughter in a homicide earlier this month. Police responded July 5 to a call for service in the 1400 block of Peru Street for a welfare check.

When officers arrived, they found Walter Smith, Jr., 50, dead from a gunshot wound inside the home.

The investigation determined Smith had been shot sometime overnight.

All three of the investigations are ongoing and the names of the teen victim and teen suspects will not be released because they are juveniles.
A delegation of mainland university teachers and students on Tuesday visited the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, a higher education institution dedicated to promoting Chinese culture and studies.

During the visit, the delegation toured the campus and enjoyed a Chinese folk music performance by students from the mainland and Taiwan.

They held group talks on issues concerning higher education with the university's students, joined by former Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party Ma Ying-jeou.

In his speech at the university, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Peking University Committee Hao Ping, who led the group visit, said that through the visit to Taiwan and exchanges with Taiwan compatriots, everyone in the delegation has been deeply aware that the bond of kinship between mainland and Taiwan compatriots is inseverable.

The 37-member group kicked off its visit to Taiwan on July 15 at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation. They will go on to visit Taiwan University and Dong Hwa University in the following days.

The group visit is the first made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges in over three years.
Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images.

Some say all war movies are actually anti-war movies, and they might be right. When you watch a really good war movie, chances are its changed the way you see war, the meaning of war and why we fight those wars. Considering how much power a really good military movie has to make us think, to move us emotionally and really lay bare the consequences of armed conflict, youd think that it would make them the strongest contender for a Best Picture Oscar, especially when the field of nominees is relatively weak. Youd be wrong.

Here are 5 of the best war movies snubbed for best picture Oscars

1. The Steel Helmet (1951)

Imagine making a movie about a war while that war was still going on. Sure they did it a lot during World War II, but that was mostly to get people hyped up about the war. After all, almost everyone was affected by it. That was not necessarily so during the Korean War. Like the Forgotten War itself, so was the grim 1951 film The Steel Helmet.

Theatrical release poster for the 1951 film The Steel Helmet.

Its a low-budget movie that was nonetheless a great story, well-told. It portrayed the brutal realities of fighting on the frontlines of a stalemate with a ruthless enemy like North Korea. On top of that, it depicted an American public who was tired of constant wars. Despite its bravery and ongoing recognition as the best Korean War movie ever made, the Academy didnt nominate it for anything, let alone Best Picture.

2. Paths of Glory (1957)

Stanley Kubricks adaptation of a novel about the real-world execution of French soldiers for cowardice during World War I managed to piss just about everyone off: namely, the French Army. Germany banned it to avoid straining relations with France. Spanish dictator Francisco Franco banned it in Spain and even the U.S. military banned it, despite it being based on a true story.

Theatrical poster for the American release of the 1957 film Paths of Glory. (United Artists)

Kubrick gets the last laugh, however, because this Kirk Douglas-led movie is one of the best war movies of all time. At the 30th Academy Awards, the Academy must have caved to some pressure because Paths of Glory didnt get a single nomination.

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3. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Stanley Kubrick, at it again. Exactly 30 years later, hes commenting on the Vietnam War while making R. Lee Ermey an overnight sensation and a U.S. military favorite. Everyone from film critics to academics have poured over this movie countless times since its release, and the analyses can get pretty wild.

Theatrical release poster for the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

You know what movie no one talks about anymore? The Last Emperor, which is the story of Puyi, the last Qing emperor of China. Not only did that movie win Best Picture at the 60th Academy Awards, it also won Best Adapted Screenplay, the only category in which Full Metal Jacket was nominated. And Stanley Kubrick didnt give the Peoples Republic of China a ton of money to make his movie.

4. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Leave it to Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg to completely redefine World War II movies set in Europe, set a new bar for epic war movies, and get input from actual veterans to make a movie about their war. Everything about Saving Private Ryan is perfect, including its plot (fight me). It was rightly nominated for Best Picture at the 71st Academy Awards.

Poster for Saving Private Ryan. (Dreamworks)

It lost to Shakespeare In Love, a stupid, throwaway romantic comedy about a fictional William Shakespeare. The only reason it won was because of a strongarm campaign for it led by Harvey Weinstein (allegedly, but cmon did you see this movie?). If you sided with Harvey Weinstein, Academy voters, thats on you forever.

5. Dunkirk (2017)

Christopher Nolans touching, gripping story about the miraculous evacuation of hundreds of thousands of anti-Nazi British and French troops from the shores of Europe by a civilian armada of pleasure craft was one of the best movies of 2017. It had everything you might want in a war movie: a great cast, amazing cinematography and an incredible story.

Poster for Dunkirk. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

That fact might not be apparent, however, because Dunkirk lost its Best Picture win to The Shape of Water, which answers the question What if the damsel in distress really loved the creature from the Black Lagoon? Which is a question no one ever asked.
Just more than half of respondents in a recent poll said they disapprove of President Bidens recent decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine.

In a new Quinnipiac poll, 51 percent of respondents said they dont approve of Bidens decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, while 39 percent said they approve of his decision.

The question posed to respondents stated that Biden made the decision despite concerns from human rights groups that they endanger civilians, before asking respondents whether they approve or disapprove.

More Democrats than Republicans said they approve of Bidens decision  with Democratic approval at 52 percent, and GOP approval at 30 percent. Republicans were more likely to disapprove of the decision  with 64 percent of Republican respondents saying they disapproved of the decision and 36 percent of Democratic respondents saying they disapproved of Bidens choice.

Cluster munitions are highly controversial weapons containing multiple bomblets that disperse over a wide area, making them effective at targeting formations of enemy armies and tanks, but also posing a risk to civilians.

Ukraine has long asked for cluster munitions, which are banned by more than 100 countries  though not by the United States, Ukraine, nor Russia.

Biden announced what he called a difficult but necessary decision earlier this month to send Ukraine cluster munitions. Ukraine recently launched a counteroffensive against Russia to take back its land, but U.S. and Ukrainian officials have said troops are using up artillery munitions at a rapid pace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the cluster bombs are critical to defeating Russia in the counteroffensive.

The same Quinnipiac survey found 64 percent of Americans thought supporting Ukraine was in the United States best interest, while 29 percent said they did not. One third of Americans said they think the United States was doing too much to help Ukraine, 18 percent said they think the U.S. is doing too little to help, and 41 percent said the U.S. was doing the right amount, the same poll indicated.

The poll surveyed 2,056 U.S. adults from July 13 to July 17. It had a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points. The surveys are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing to conduct live interviews by landlines and cell phones.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Donald Trump could temporarily or permanently hand power over to Vice President Mike Pence using the 25th Amendment. Ty Wright/Getty Images

Before the 25th Amendment, there was no uniform process to handle presidential incapacitation.

The assassination of President Kennedy prompted the need for formal succession.

It has been used six times in the last 56 years  three of which had to do with colonoscopies.

Before the 25th Amendment, the rules surrounding presidential succession existed on a case-by-case basis.

When Woodrow Wilson had a stroke in 1919, then-Vice President Thomas Marshall did not assume presidential powers. In one case, Grover Cleveland had surgery for oral cancer, and his vice president was never informed.

It wasn't until the assassination of President John F. Kennedy that a process of presidential succession was formalized, enshrined in the 25th Amendment.

The amendment was ratified in 1967 but wasn't used until 1973. It has only been used six times in the 56 years it has existed.

Oddly enough, three times the amendment was used involved colonoscopies.

1. 1973: Gerald Ford's nomination as vice president

Nixon and Ford. File photo/AP

Spiro Agnew resigned from his role as vice president after being indicted on charges of accepting bribes and evading income taxes while serving as governor of Maryland.

With a vacancy in the role of vice president, President Richard Nixon would be the first to fill that vacancy since the creation of the 25th Amendment.

After Nixon requested members of the cabinet and Congress to make suggestions for Agnew's replacement, he settled on Gerald Ford.

In December of 1973, six years after the 25th Amendment was ratified and signed into law, House Minority Leader Gerald Ford was the first person to be sworn in as vice president through the 25th Amendment.

2. 1974: Ford's succession to the presidency after Richard Nixon's resignation

Gerald Ford. AP Photo

Just eight months after Ford was sworn in as vice president, then-President Nixon announced his resignation as president following the Watergate scandal.

The very next day, August 9, 1974, Ford was sworn in as President of the United States. Ford became the first and only person to date to be sworn in as both Vice President and President through the 25th Amendment.

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Ford's ascension to the presidency opened a vacancy for the position of vice president for the second time in less than a year. As president, Ford would have to appoint a new vice president using the same amendment that put him in the presidency.

Shortly after Ford was sworn in as president and before the new vice president was sworn in, Ford announced that he would pardon Nixon.

In a televised speech from the Oval Office, Ford addressed the Watergate scandal, saying, "it could go on and on and on, or someone must write the end to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must."

3. 1974: Ford nominates Nelson Rockefeller as vice president

First lady Betty Ford and Vice President-designate Nelson A. Rockefeller. Karl H. Schumacher/Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum

Ten days after he took the presidency, Ford invoked the 25th Amendment and selected the former-Gov. Nelson Rockefeller of New York to be his new vice president.

It took the House and Senate four months to confirm the nomination. The process turned into a "protracted and grueling inquiry into the extent of the Rockefeller fortune and its hidden influence," according to PBS.

On December 19, 1974, Rockefeller was sworn in as vice president.

When Ford ran for president in 1976, he dropped Rockefeller and replaced him with Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas.

4. 1985: President Ronald Reagan transfers power to Vice President George H.W. Bush before surgery

Reagan with Ford and Bush. AP

The next time the 25th Amendment was invoked involved fewer moving pieces.

President Ronald Reagan, in accordance with the rules set in the 25th Amendment, sent a letter to the president pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House that transferred power to Vice President George H.W. Bush.

Bush temporarily assumed the role of acting president for eight hours that day but exercised "no constitutional powers of the Presidency while the transfer of authority was in effect," according to The New York Times.



Reagan underwent surgery to remove cancerous polyps in his intestines that were discovered during a routine colonoscopy.

At first, Reagan "skirted" the formal designations of acting president and "did not invoke the 25th Amendment," The New York Times reported, but administration officials later made clear the importance of the formal transfer of power.

Publicly, the White House did not formally announce that they were invoking the 25th Amendment. However, within the White House, they were following the protocol of the 25th Amendment.

5. 2002: President George W. Bush transfers power to Vice President Dick Cheney

Cheney with George W. Bush. REUTERS/Larry Downing

The use of the 25th Amendment by President George W. Bush was more routine than others in the past.



Bush sent the requisite letters to enact the Amendment and transferred power to Vice President Dick Cheney for two hours and five minutes while he underwent a colonoscopy.

6. 2007: Bush transfers power to Cheney again for another colonoscopy

Cheney with George W. Bush. Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

The most recent time the 25th Amendment was used was during another routine screening for colon cancer for President Bush.

Vice President Cheney assumed the role of president only temporarily as Bush had his procedure at Camp David.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A chase on Interstate 85 ended with a crash that ejected two children from a SUV, according to Georgia State Patrol.

Niesha Jackson is accused of leading a Coweta County deputy and GSP troopers on a high-speed chase Sunday.

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The Coweta County Sheriffs Office says the deputy spotted a white Kia Sportage going 105 mph on I-85 and tried to pull the driver over.

Thats when the driver, who was later identified as Jackson, took off in a reckless manner and topped speeds of 120 mph. The deputy says Jackson was going between all lanes and passing other drivers.

State troopers took over the chase 10 miles later and performed a PIT maneuver near mile marker 53. Jacksons SUV went off the shoulder area and hit an embankment and trees, according to troopers.

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The impact caused the SUV to overturn and ejected a 6-year-old and 10-year-old girl, who was airlifted to Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

According to the report, three other children were also inside the SUV and none of them were in child safety seats. GSP says they had minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to the childrens hospital.

GSP told Channel 2 on Wednesday that the 10-year-old girl is still recovering at the hospital. The other children have been released.

Jackson faces charges of fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer, speeding, serious injury by vehicle, improper turn, no proof of insurance and not wearing a seatbelt, according to Coweta County jail records.

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IN OTHER NEWS
A man was arrested and charged with murder in relation to a 1986 Texas cold case killing after crossing the border into New Mexico to celebrate his birthday with family, police said.

DNA helped identify Liborio Canales, 85, as a suspect in the decades-old killing of Barbara Villarreal in Garland, Texas, the Lovington Police Department said in a July 18 Facebook post.

On Nov. 7, 1986, police responded to a Garland home to find Villarreal dead with numerous stab wounds, police said. A large kitchen knife was found nearby.

Police said DNA found at the crime scene was put into the FBIs criminal justice database, Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

Villarreals husband was cleared in her death after initial interviews, according to police.

Over the years, police said the FBI and Garland detectives made headway in the case by tracking down leads in Mexico and the United States.

Detectives determined Canales sometimes stayed at a Lovington home in New Mexico by using surveillance and DNA technology, police said.

Canales, who has spent most of the year in Mexico, was arrested Tuesday, July 17, after crossing the border into New Mexico to spend his upcoming birthday with family, police said.

Canales was booked into jail on a murder charge and is being held on $1 million bail, police said. He is expected to be extradited to Texas.

Garland is about 50 miles northeast of Fort Worth.

Man seen on Americas Most Wanted is in Florida jail after 39 years on run, cops say

Tumwater man arrested outside JBLM is accused of killing his fiancee in 2012

Arrest made in 2-year-old cold case of SC man known for his big heart
The state of California is hiring in the departments of general services, aging and managed health care.

State jobs are known for offering competitive benefits and enrollment in the nations largest state public pension plan. Many of the following jobs have specific requirements, which are linked.

Sift through some of Californias latest state job postings offering remote work available on the CalCareers website, posted in the last seven days, as of July 18:

Associate industrial hygienist | Permanent full-time

Location: Yolo County

Department : General Services

Salary: $6,684 to $9,128 per month

The associate industrial hygienist performs regular health and safety investigations for workplace hazards.

Remote work is offered three days a week, according to CalCareers. The application closes on July 27.

Want to stand out when applying for California state jobs? Your guide to these departments

Health program specialist | Limited term full-time

Location : Sacramento County

Department : Department of Aging

Salary: $6,061 to $7,587 per month

The health program specialist participates in governmental decisions that may impact personal financial interests.

Remote centered telework may be optional, according to CalCareers. The application closes on July 27.

Information technology specialist | Permanent full-time

Location : Sacramento County

Department : Managed Health Care

Salary: $5,960 to $9,643 per month

The information technology specialist maintains a healthcare delivery system to protect consumers healthcare rights.

Full-time remote work is available within California, according to CalCareers. The application will remain open until filled.

Staff services manager | Permanent full-time

Location : Yolo County

Department : General Services

Salary: $6,563 to $8,153 per month

The staff services manager acts as the expert on the department budget.

Remote work is available ffour days a week, but employees may be required to work in person, according to Calcareers. The application closes on July 28.

Want to stand out when applying for California state jobs? Your guide to these departments

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill.  Three words come to mind when meeting Dr. Phyllis Loeff: stylish, gracious and smart. Loeff, like so many others, gets up early every day to prepare for work. She exercises, gets dressed and dons makeup before seeing patients in the study at her Highland Park home.

At 96, Loeff is a psychiatrist who has been practicing for over 50 years. While working at such an age may seem a feat unto itself for many, Loeff is humble.

Theres people who have bad things happen  people who get very depressed and cant find a way out of the depression  these are patients that I have experience of working with and helping, Loeff said. There are people who have behavior patterns that they have to understand or find a way of changing because it bothers other people. I help them readjust themselves to an acceptable place in relationship to those who are close to them. There are people who have lost somebody recently, older people, people over 65, Im sure I have more of those patients than most younger doctors have because they know that I understand that time of life.

Daily, she can be found in a leather chair surrounded by tomes of her youth and education in her wood-paneled study or at her computer on her sun porch poring over her patient notes, with orchids and greenery at her back and childrens books nearby, which she reads to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The bespectacled psychiatrist has a calming demeanor and cadence when she speaks, and offers a variety of jams that she makes and bottles herself to houseguests. Cooking is a passion for her; her fudge brownies are her piece de resistance, according to daughter Nanette Allen.

Loeffs life is a robust, blessed one, as evidenced by the many pictures of her family (four children, eight grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren) throughout her home, where the Talmud sits in a room with a baby grand piano. And at the center of her life is a passion to help others, as her daughter Wendy Freeman attests.

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To the best of my memory, when my mother was a very young and very serious intern at Cook County Hospital she had many experiences with patients that have become part of her story and our family history, Freeman said. Stories such as how Loeff once came to the aid of a non-English-speaking Polish woman in labor, who she met during her obstetrics and gynecology rotation at Cook County. Loeff, who was pregnant with Freeman at the time, couldnt imagine being alone while going through labor. So she insisted on taking over the Polish womans care, staying with her during her labor and delivering the baby.

In looking back at her career that began in 1949, Loeff is very matter-of-fact about her trajectory: I took my chances.

A native of the Austin neighborhood, Loeff graduated with a medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicagos College of Medicine at the age of 22  she was one of 33 women in the medical school class. She married Harold Loeff, a war veteran and OB-GYN physician at Michael Reese Hospital, the day before she started her 1 1/2-year internship at Cook County Hospital. She would later take a 17-year break from her career to have her three girls and one boy. She picked up her profession when her youngest, Thomas, was 9 years old. She remembers being a 39-year-old first-year resident at the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute.

I really didnt know how I was ever going to be able to manage getting trained at that time of life and taking care of my family and I had no idea I could do it, but I took my chances because I felt like if I ever got to be 60 years old and had never used my medical training, I wouldnt forgive myself. Thats a major philosophy for me: I took my chances and found my way, Loeff said.

By 42, Loeff went into the practice of psychiatry. A peek behind Loeffs office door and one can see the license she received from Cook County Hospital as a member of the house staff.

Raised by a religious, domestic mom and a journalist father (Louis Saxon, a financial editor of Chicagos American, which the Chicago Tribune bought in 1959), Loeff credits reading William Shakespeares Hamlet at the age of 16 as leading her to the psychiatric field.

I thought the poor soul (Hamlet) was so sick, and his girlfriend was so sad, she threw herself away and killed herself. There was a lot of behavior and responses and interactions that made me think, What is this all about? Loeff said. I didnt think of it as being a make-believe, fantasy kind of thing  it was so strongly written and so convincing that this is something that human beings suffer from, I was really involved in wondering how this happened, or why does it happen. I felt so sad for him and thats when I said I have to find out whats going on in peoples brains. And you have to be a doctor to do that. So thats how I got to medical school.

She was also inspired by her late uncle, Dr. Harry Asher, a dentist who practiced in Chicago for more than 60 years, doing so for his last 35 years with only one arm. He was the dentist of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley. Loeff said Asher exposed her to many cultural things like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and gave her books. She read a medical book at the age of 9, and while she couldnt tell what it meant, the idea of what she could do with her life was there.

He was the one who seemed to recognize that I had a certain kind of potential, she says. I sort of give myself credit for keeping my hope that I could do something. I was surrounded by ambitious people  and very early on I began to admire what being a doctor meant. It stayed with me.

With over five decades of experience in psychiatry, Loeff says what separates her from other practitioners is that she spends an hour with each client to learn about who they are as a person, going back as far as their grandparents to get a decent history. She says thats necessary to get to the root of the persons concerns. Shes seen the profession change with the introduction of more medications, but she still prefers digging for a patients reality through an in-depth, in-person, holistic approach. Shes had clients who have been with her since their 20s and 30s who are now grandparents themselves. She says its a rewarding kind of thing.

If I pull out an appointment book from five or 10 years ago, youll find that Im busier now and I see more patients, she said. It took 60-some odd years before I had the maturity of understanding. Im thinking much better than I ever did before. After years and years of seeing what the outcome is, I watch people grow up and go through it and get old. Ive had that privilege of watching to see what time does bring, and thats a blessing in its way, because it helps me to understand what Im dealing with or what the depth of something is.

Loeff is recuperating from a recent fall that left her with a broken left ankle, but you cant tell. Sitting in her study with her pearls and Italian brown and ivory brogues on, Loeff said she wants her legacy to be one where she helps people look into troubling things without being destroyed by learning from them, instead coming out wiser and stronger. Its a legacy of compassion and resilience that she would like to pass on. She hopes her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will see it so they can be noble and brave about what they believe in and pursue it.

Loeffs granddaughter Ariel Freeman Sanett said Loeff was her first best friend.

Her work is so completely who she is, but in a way that includes her family, Sanett said. I would sit outside her office door waiting for her to finish with a patient, and when she introduced me, her patients already knew who I was. This interplay between work and family is what humanizes her even further, and what informs her work.

The Allen family said Loeffs open-mindedness and the coexistence of an exacting diligent mind with a constant need to keep learning and broadening her horizons speaks to her extraordinariness.

Loeffs eldest daughter, Deborah Loeff, a pediatric surgeon at the University of Chicago, said her mom is a remarkable role model and force of nature. Phyllis introduced her children to the world of puppetry and childrens theater when they were young and that influenced Deborahs decision to become a childrens surgeon.

I combined a commitment to the care of children with all the manual, creative skills needed in the operating theater as the British refer to the operating room, Deborah Loeff said.

And Phyllis Loeffs legacy is practiced in her work every day in hopes of giving people peace, sending people off with a stronger sense of comfort and control, happiness and contentment.

They know they cant change the past but theyre gonna change the future, Loeff said. You have to come to a place of contentment, a tolerance for the past. And that does give you a lot more contentment than you had before, so that you can go forward with a sense of confidence that youll be able to handle and do certain things without fear of your vulnerabilities or other problems of the past. My blessing is that I still can do my work, which I love, and which I find every human being I talk to has their own soul and their own story. Im very grateful to have lived long enough to get smart.
The boat at the center of a swarm of federal agents on the docks of a Miami-Dade County marina Sunday afternoon was smuggling 99 bricks of cocaine, court documents state.

The 23-foot center console was stopped in Haulover Inlet by a Bal Harbor Police marine patrol officer because it did not have Florida registration numbers displayed on its hull, according to a Homeland Securities Investigation report released Tuesday.

The Bal Harbor officer conducted a safety search of the boat and noticed the driver and only occupant, 44 year-old Arlington James Rolle, was acting nervous. The officer also noticed a second boat come into the inlet and stop. The occupants of that boat were looking directly at Rolles vessel, agents wrote in the complaint.

The police officer asked Rolle if he was with them, and he said yes, per the complaint.

The officer escorted both boats back to the Haulover Point Marine Store at 13936 Collins Avenue.

Once at the dock, agents say in the report that Rolle continued displaying suspicious behavior and hesitated before opening compartments on board. Once he did, the officer noticed three gym bags with what turned out to be a total of 99 bricks of cocaine inside them, the complaint states.

The officer called for backup and the case was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.

Agents interviewed Rolle, who first said he stole the boat from Bimini in the Bahamas. He said he planned to sell the vessel and give the money to his family, the complaint states.

He then changed his story and said he was paid $5,000 to drive the boat from Bimini to Miami. He said he knew there were drugs on board, but thought they were marijuana, agents said.

The other boat did not have drugs on board, but agents believe it was part of the smuggling operation.

Rolle said he followed the boat because his vessel did not have a global positioning satellite device on board and he needed help navigating his way to Miami.

The owner of the second boat allowed agents to look at his phone. Authorities said in the report that they found a Whatsapp conversation between the two men discussing a return trip to Miami.

The report did not specify how many people were on the other vessel. So far, only Rolle has been arrested.

It is not clear where he is from. Hes in custody at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, according to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons website.
(Illustration by Victoria Ellis for Yahoo News; photos: Charles Johnson, Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of the largest hospitals in California, is facing a civil rights investigation from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) due to its treatment of Black mothers, who are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women in the U.S.

Since 1999, the number of women who have died following childbirth has more than doubled, and Black women make up the majority of deaths, according to a study published in JAMA that uses data from 1999 to 2019. The study found that there were 1,210 maternal deaths in 2019. In 1999, there were 505.

Maternal health is a priority for the Biden-Harris administration and one in which the HHS Office for Civil Rights is working on around the country to ensure equity and equality in health care, the DHS said in a statement to Yahoo News, adding that it cannot comment further on the investigation at Cedars-Sinai.

'How did you let this happen?'

The federal probe comes years after the death of Kira Dixon Johnson, a Black mother who died from internal bleeding roughly 12 hours after giving birth to her second child via a cesarean section.

Kira Dixon Johnson, a Black mother who died from internal bleeding roughly 12 hours after giving birth to her second child via a cesarean section. (Charles Johnson)

The doctor rushed [the C-section] and did it in less than two minutes. He lacerated her bladder in the process, and then once all that happened, she was allowed to bleed for 10 hours internally, while myself and my family begged and pleaded for them to do something, Charles Johnson, Kira's husband and founder of 4Kira4Moms, a nonprofit working to end the maternal mortality crisis, told Yahoo News. Kira Dixon Johnson is survived by the couples two sons.

In 2022, Johnson filed a civil rights lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai and said it has paved the way for a federal investigation.

It's about accountability and transparency, he said. How did you let this happen? What are you doing to make sure this doesn't happen to other women?

Kira Dixon Johnson is survived by her husband, Charles Johnson, and the couples two sons. (Charles Johnson)

Johnson says he has spoken with nearly 100 other families or individuals who claim they have received improper treatment at Cedars-Sinai during childbirth.

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What's happening at Cedars-Sinai is not unique. This is happening in hospitals all over the country, Johnson said.

In 2021, maternal mortality rates in the U.S rose, and Black women were affected the most. "These aren't socioeconomic issues, Gregory Johnson, chief executive officer of Sound Physicians, a physician-led medical group, told Yahoo News. These are simply indications of systemic racism that are manifesting themselves in the health care system.

The Kira Johnson Act

Experts say the federal probe is unprecedented and long overdue.

This is a next natural evolution of really trying to get people to understand [that] even if you survive pregnancy and childbirth, even if you go home with your baby, even if you're not one of the shameful maternal morbidity and mortality statistics that we have in the United States, experiencing racism, when you experience health care, in and of itself is an adverse event, Monica McLemore, professor of nursing and public health at the University of Washington, told Yahoo News.

According to a Cedar-Sinai spokesperson, "Cedars-Sinai clinicians, leaders and researchers have long been concerned with national disparities in Black maternal health, and we are proud of the work we've done (and continue to do) to address these issues in Los Angeles as well as at the state and national levels," the hospital told Yahoo News.

Cedars-Sinai says it is working to prioritize maternal health as the hospital increases its research; working alongside the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative to increase treatment plans; and partnering with Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies. Financially, the hospital says it has provided more than $2 million in grants to organizations throughout Los Angeles that are working to improve Black maternal health care.

Kira and Charles Johnson before she gave birth to her second son. (Charles Johnson)

Johnson says the investigation is monumental. The reason why this civil rights investigation is so important is [because] the Department of Health and Human Services is the department that provides federal funding for hospitals, he said, adding that if it establishes a pattern of racism, it could put funding for the hospital in jeopardy.

In the meantime, leaders across the country are seeking federal action to combat the maternal mortality crisis. On July 11, Sen. Reverend Warnock, D-Ga., and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., reintroduced the Kira Johnson Act, which seeks to help fund organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.

The rate of maternal mortality is an ongoing and worsening crisis. Black women are particularly at risk in the state of Georgia, where they are three to four [times] more likely to die related to childbirth or pregnancy than their white sisters.  We cant get this done soon enough, Warnock said in a press release.

McLemore says that while an overwhelming amount of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, there is not just one solution. The demographics of the people who are dying are going to have to change before I think we actually see any significant change. And that's unfortunate, she said.
Then-President Trump debates Democratic candidate Joe Biden in 2020, at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. (Getty Images)

Why do we assume that a political debate is a good platform for determining who is the best candidate for the presidency, or for getting to the truth of an emotionally charged matter?

Debates are on my mind for a couple of reasons: 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls will have an opportunity together on a national stage on Aug. 23, when their first debate is scheduled to take place in Milwaukee. Also, who has not been bombarded with stories about mega-underdog Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s desire to debate his anti-vax conspiracy theories with a well-known immunologist?

When it comes to political candidates, debates can be opportunities to show their personalities, their grasp of the issues, and whether they can think on their feet. They can also reveal deadly flaws, occasionally serving as graveyards for political careers. For instance, in the 2016 debates, Jeb Bush could not overcome then-candidate Donald Trumps characterization of him as low energy.

And it almost pains me to recall former Texas Gov. Rick Perrys famous oops during a 2011 Republican presidential debate, when he forgot the third of three federal departments he vowed to eliminate. (Energy.)

For voters, most of whom will never see a candidate in person, broadcast debates offer the chance to take the measure of the man or woman asking for their vote. Not that it always makes a difference. In 2016, Hillary Clinton was widely judged to have won all her debates against Donald Trump. We see how that worked out.

Debates are not a good forum for helping us separate fact from fiction. Two candidates in the 2024 cycle  former President Trump, a Republican, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a putative Democrat  are essentially impossible to debate. Not because either man is such a skilled orator or in exceptional command of the facts  quite the opposite, in fact  but because both are masters of the rhetorical technique dubbed the Gish gallop.

Read more: Guerrero: RFK Jr.s left-wing appeal in L.A. is no joke

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The Gish gallop is the debate equivalent of Phil Spectors wall of sound, but instead of being produced with musical instruments, its accomplished with lies, half truths and obfuscation.

"Gish gallop" was coined by Eugenie Scott, a biologist and former anthropology professor who founded the National Center for Science Education in 1981 to ensure that evolution, not creationism, is taught in schools.

(If you think that issue was laid to rest, think again. Our ultraconservative Supreme Court has steadily been chipping away at the separation of church and state. Scott believes that the promoters of creationism and intelligent design, quiet for so long, are now merely biding their time for the right case to bring before the court.)

Scott, who lives in Berkeley, has probably spent more of her career than she would have liked debunking creationists, including the late Duane Gish, who founded the Institute for Creation Research to debunk the science of evolution. Gish galloping, said Scott, who coined the phrase in 1994, is when you spew out a ton of information, accurate or not, that your opponent has no possibility of refuting in the time available.... It's an effective if ultimately shallow and misleading debate trick."

Read more: Column: RFK Jr. gets around to blaming the Jews

The technique is also favored by anti-vaxxers like RFK Jr. and incorrigible liars like former President Trump. (Who, to be honest, probably arent even doing it consciously.)

You can be sure this phenomenon will be on display if Trump deigns to appear onstage at the first Republican presidential debate. Its hard to imagine a narcissist like him forgoing the spotlight, but his presence is hardly guaranteed. He is, after all, running about 30 percentage points ahead of his closest rival, the desperately unlikable Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and also, the candidates are required to pledge that they will support the partys eventual nominee. Unity is not Trumps strong suit.

In any case, the notion that serious political arguments can be solved, or conspiracy theories aimed at undermining scientific reality debunked, in the course of 60- or 90-minute encounters between opponents is ludicrous.

Debate is a sport, Scott said. It is not a way of informing the audience or the public of the accuracy of an opinion. It is played by rules that are different from those of logic and empirical evidence. Debates, she once wrote, are "drive-by shootings when it comes to critical thinking.

Read more: Republicans schedule first presidential debate, but there's no guarantee Trump will attend

Last month, a flurry of attention was paid to renowned pediatrician and immunologist Peter Hotezs refusal to debate vaccine safety with Kennedy.

Podcaster Joe Rogan  he of the Hey, I am just raising questions school of vaccine sophistry  came up with the idea for a debate between the pair last month after a long interview with Kennedy. Rogan offered $100,000, to be donated to the charity of Hotezs choice, for the spectacle. Elon Musk, the eternal middle-schooler who recently challenged Mark Zuckerberg to a penis-measuring contest, tweeted that Hotez was afraid of a public debate, because he knows hes wrong.

As my colleague Michael Hiltzik wrote, Hotez was smart to turn Kennedy down.

Debating a conspiracist is a one-way ticket to rhetoric hell, as evidenced by the rueful essays written by some who have taken the bait to counter Kennedy directly and ended up bruised by his high-velocity barrage of nonsense.

You can come armed with all the facts in the world, but when youre dealing with a conspiracist, theres no real way to win an argument, wrote New York Times columnist Farhad Manjoo about a pointless debate he had in 2006 with Kennedy who claimed, baselessly, that the 2004 presidential election was stolen from John F. Kerry.

Read more: Opinion: The lasting threat is not the 'next Trump,' but the MAGA base

For people whose views arent anchored to facts," Manjoo said, "winning is simply getting attention. And when you publicly argue with someone like Kennedy, youve already lost.

Exactly.

I mean, really, how would one debate someone like Kennedy, who just last week asserted that the COVID-19 virus may have been "targeted" to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people?

Sadly, a simple but true statement, You are ridiculous and out of your mind, is hardly going to change the hearts and minds of Kennedys fellow conspiracy-minded anti-vax fans.

Maybe it's time to fight fire with fire.

On Monday, Scott told me about a debate shed witnessed years ago, where Brown University cell biologist Kenneth Miller, a deft debater who was savvy about the Gish gallop, turned the tables on Gish and threw out all these reasons why creationism was not scientifically supported, boom, boom, boom.

In an email this week, Miller recalled the scene: "Gish then complained loudly to the (creationist!) moderator that this was unfair and demanded more time to respond. The moderator, however, stood his ground and refused. Gish at that point, stood up angrily and nearly knocked over the table in front of him."

@robinkabcarian





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
An alleged serial killer from New York owns property in Chester County, South Carolina that was recently searched by the FBI.

A Chevrolet Avalanche was hauled off by New York State Troopers, the New York Post reported.

Rex Heuermann, an architectural consultant, was charged last Friday in three of the 11 deaths of women whose remains were found buried at Gilgo Beach beside the Atlantic Ocean in Babylon, New York in 2010 and 2011.

The truck  or a similar one taken from Heuermanns Massapequa Park, New York, residence  factors into the murder investigation because an associate of one of the women told police he had seen a vehicle like it at the time of her murder.

Property records in Chester County show Heuermann bought four lots totaling about 5 acres on Rippling Brook Drive in the Mirror Lakes subdivision on July 28, 2021 for $154,351.

County records include a photo of the property hidden by a tall wooden fence and overgrown bushes. On the gate are signs saying Keep Out/No Trespassing and, No Warrant/No Entry.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office said on Facebook the agency has been working with the Gilgo Beach Task Force gathering evidence in Chester County relevant to their investigation.

The Chester News and Reporter said Heuermann planned to retire in Chester.

Heuermann is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, according to an indictment unsealed in Suffolk County Criminal Court.

He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Pentagon

The United States will provide a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $1.3 billion, U.S. Department of Defense said in a press release on July 19.

The package is extended under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which aims to support Ukraine's security without depleting equipment reserves of the U.S. military, meaning that the military equipment will be purchased directly from manufacturers.

Read also: US to announce $1.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine  report

The Pentagon has provided the following breakdown of the aid package:

 Four NASAMS air defense systems and ammunition for them;

 152mm artillery rounds;

 Mine clearing equipment;

 TOW missiles;

 Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade UAVs;

 Precision aerial munitions;

 Anti-drone jamming and detection equipment;

 150 fuel trucks;

 115 tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment;

 50 recovery tactical vehicles;

 Port and harbor security equipment;

 Tactical secure communications systems;

 Support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

The aid package does not seem to include the transfer of additional Stryker and Bradley armored vehicles, as announced by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin following a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on July 18.

Read also: Existing sanctions not enough to strangle Russias weapon production  Zelenskyy

After the meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov emphasized the "unwavering support for Ukraine" demonstrated during the Ramstein format meeting.

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"The priority is to provide weapons and equipment that are urgently needed for the liberation of Ukrainian territories; the focus is on air defense systems, ammunition, and armor," said the minister.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron wants to retain the option to access the medical information of Kentuckians who leave the state for reproductive health care services, such as abortion and gender-affirming health care.

Cameron joined 18 Republican state attorneys general in co-signing a June 16 letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that its rule change proposal to shield this patient information from officials in states that have banned or criminalized abortion and gender-affirming health care would unlawfully interfere with states authority to enforce their laws and does not serve any legitimate need.

The letter asks HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to halt a proposed HIPAA privacy rule change, which was floated after federal abortion protections were overturned last year as a way to better protect sensitive information related to reproductive health care and bolster patient-provider confidentiality, according to HHS.

The rule change would make it harder for officials in states that have restricted access to reproductive health care, like abortion, to obtain patient medical information if its for the purpose of investigating a civil or criminal law violation. The type of reproductive health care shielded by the HHS rule change includes pregnancy and post-natal care, abortion, miscarriage management, contraception, and the gamut of gender-affirming health care options, regardless of the patients age.

For example, if a pregnant person in Kentucky, a state where abortion is illegal, traveled to get an abortion in Illinois, a state where abortion is legal, the proposed federal rule change would block the disclosure of their protected health information to a Kentucky state official, like Cameron, should he go seeking it as part of an investigation into a violation of Kentucky law.

This proposed rule would thus curtail the ability of state officials to obtain evidence of potential violations of state laws, the AGs wrote, adding that the proposed policy change has deep flaws and should be withdrawn.

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Cameron  who is running for governor this year against incumbent Democrat Andy Beshear  and other co-signers accused the Biden Administration of pushing a false narrative that states are seeking to treat pregnant women as criminals or punish medical personnel who provide life-saving care. Based on this lie, the administration has sought to wrest control over abortion back from the people in defiance of the Constitution and Dobbs, the AGs said.

Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization is the U.S. Supreme Court case that became precedent over Roe v. Wade in 2022 and overturned half a century of federal abortion protections.

Kentuckys trigger law banning abortion except to save a pregnant persons life took immediate effect after Roe fell last June. That law, coupled with a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy (a fetal heartbeat law), means pregnancy termination of any kind has been largely inaccessible in Kentucky for the last year. The trigger laws vague wording and lack of clear exceptions have pushed health care providers to send pregnant patients who require medically-necessary terminations to find care out of state, as reported by the Herald-Leader.

The commonwealth this year also outlawed gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Gender-affirming care is a broadly-applied term that, in this context, outlaws the prescription of hormones, puberty blockers and gender-reassignment surgery for trans individuals under age 18.

In a statement announcing that he had signed the letter last month, Cameron said the proposed rule change would incentivize health care providers to break state laws on everything from protecting unborn life, to gender-altering surgeries. While HIPAA authorizes HHS to set standards for protecting privacy . . . (it) does not empower HHS to shield from authorities evidence of legal wrongdoing based on a claimed connection to reproductive health care, Cameron said.

Among the arguments Cameron helps to make is that HHSs own policy recognizes that privacy interests must be balanced against the publics interest to use identifiable health information for vital public and private purposes. According to the letter, the privacy rule thus sets standards for using and disclosing (protected health information) in certain circumstances without an individuals authorization.

Circumstances cited in the letter that warrant such a scenario include for a court order, subpoena, discovery request, to a health oversight agency for oversight activities authorized by law, as well as for criminal and civil investigations.

The same day Cameron and other Republican AGs publicly penned their opposition to HHS, all 23 Democratic state attorneys general penned a letter supporting the federal rule change. It acknowledged how the growing network of state laws criminalizing abortion discourage pregnant people from utilizing health care and endanger the patient-provider relationship. Given this rapidly-changing backdrop of extreme legal risks and increasing uncertainty, it is critical that additional guardrails be added to the privacy rule to protect against the disclosure of reproductive health information, they wrote.

Angela Cooper with the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky criticized Camerons decision to sign the letter on Tuesday, calling it another in a long line of actions indicating (his) unwillingness to stay out of Kentuckians private medical decisions.

The government has no place inserting themselves between families and their doctors, whether the issue is reproductive care or medically necessary care for transgender youth, Cooper said.

The Kentucky Democratic Party was also quick to chide Cameron.

What reason could Daniel Cameron have for wanting access to the private medical records of patients, except to be able to prosecute those patients? said Kentucky Democratic Party spokesperson Anna Breedlove.

State officials should not be able to rifle through patients medical records, Breedlove said. Whats next, getting a permission slip signed by Cameron to get access to reproductive health care?
New open-source forms of AI have sparked a disturbing trend of bad actors creating sexual images of children. (Illustration: Alex Cochran for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images)

Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but the technology took a giant leap last year with the genesis of large language models like ChatGPT and similar programs that can generate realistic, lifelike images in seconds.

These new open-source forms of AI have sparked a disturbing trend of bad actors creating sexual images of children, or CSAM (child sex abuse material).

Honestly, as soon as some kind of new technology comes out, my mind just automatically goes to, what are the worst possible things people are gonna do? Dane Sherrets, a solutions architect with HackerOne, a cybersecurity company, told Yahoo News.

How prevalent is the issue?

The Washington Post and the BBC have both reported on how thousands of AI-generated child sex images are being created and shared across the web.

The Post report noted that the material was found on forums across the dark web and that users are also sharing detailed instructions for how other pedophiles can make their own realistic AI images of children performing sex acts.

In 2012, actor and entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher and his ex-wife, actress Demi Moore, were watching a documentary about the prevalence of child sex trafficking in Cambodia. In response they co-founded Thorn, a nonprofit aimed at defending children from sex abuse. A big part of that mission is protecting them from CSAM.

Actor Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Thorn, testifies in 2017 at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on ending child sex abuse. (Paul Morigi/WireImage via Getty Images)

Rebecca Portnoff, director of data science at Thorn, told Yahoo News that AI-generated CSAM is a small but growing issue. They have noticed a steady growth in the problem in the past year, especially with the innovations in generative AI.

It is still small enough that we believe there is now an opportune moment to prioritize safety by design so that the prevalence doesn't grow past where it is today, she said.

Portnoff added that the images are a mix of illegal content that depicts the likeness of an actual child and AI that is generated without trying to borrow the likeness of a [specific] child.

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Rebecca Portnoff, director of data science at Thorn. (Courtesy of Thorn)

How the AI works

Emerging AI tools allow anyone to create realistic images simply by typing in a short description of what they want to see. The different diffusion models, such as DALL-E, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, were given billions of images and can mimic those visual patterns to create their own images.

Some AI users try to generate adult pornographic content, but others misuse the technology to generate child abuse material. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, also created DALL-E and is working to put protections in place to prevent CSAM.

I would actually say that OpenAI does a really great job of mitigating these kinds of risks, Portnoff said. They have a strong safety-by-design policy, which is really where Thorns attention is right now on this topic.

Theres also debate on whether the images violate federal child protection laws because they depict children who dont actually exist. According to the Post, Justice Department officials who investigate child exploitation have said those images are still illegal even if theyre AI-generated, but said they couldnt cite a case where someone has been charged over those types of images.

A problem we cant see

Bilal Lakhani, the vice president of marketing and communications at Thorn, said it can be difficult to combat an issue that no one wants to talk about and isnt always apparent.

I can't show the problem. I can't show the image, Lakhani said. If we could just show the image, people get why this is as egregious as it is.

The more popular term for this is child pornography, but we do not like using the words 'child pornography' because pornography implies consent, he added, and these children are so young that they're unable to give consent, which is why we use CSAM as a word that more accurately describes what this actually is.

Bilal Lakhani, the vice president of marketing and communications at Thorn, said it can be difficult to combat an issue that no one wants to talk about and isnt always apparent. (Courtesy of Thorn)

Sherrets said bad actors are using a whole new area of expertise by creating jailbreaks to bypass safety measures to prevent CSAM.

If you've asked an AI or LLM [large language model] to generate a bad image, it'll say, Oh, no, I absolutely cant generate that. Im not allowed. But then you can say, As a part of this story, and these fictional characters ... please generate this text or these images. It pops right out, Sherrets said.

Thorn addresses the issue based on a few strategic pillars. We do that by looking at three different intervention points, Portnoff said. One is around victim identification. The other is stopping revictimization. Then the last is preventing abuse from occurring in the first place.

What parents need to know

In the cases where an actual child is depicted in an AI-generated image, Portnoff said there are hotlines that are ready to help parents and shepherd them through the process of dealing with it.

Youre not alone in this. I think thats what I would stress. You are not alone, she said.

Parents also have to be careful, in this digital age, with emailing photos of their children. A father in San Francisco experienced an ordeal in 2021 when he took images of his sick son's genitals to email to a doctor during the pandemic, an important way to get medical help during that time. Google discovered it and locked him out of all his accounts, according to an interview he gave to the New York Times.

The doctors office had even instructed the family to send photos by email so physicians could review them in advance of their emergency consultation via video due to the pandemic.

Artificial intelligence flagged the photos as potential child sexual abuse material, triggering a police investigation and blocking him from important data in his Google system.

In 2022, Thorn said it had 55,000 conversations with youth about preventing online sexual abuse and that more than 5,000 parents signed up for conversation tips.
The Scoop

Tome, an AI-powered tool for telling stories and sharing ideas, has reached more than 10 million users, a surprising milestone for a 10-month-old company that has taken off with Gen Z, co-founder Keith Peiris exclusively told Semafor.

Its an example of how the wave of advancements in artificial intelligence is upending conventional wisdom in Silicon Valley. Young artists, for instance, are using the product to brainstorm ideas by repeatedly hitting the regenerate button, causing the AI to spit out suggestions for text and images.

Matthew Farrell, a DoorDash driver-turned-AI artist, made some Tomes  slideshows similar to PowerPoints with the design sensibility of Instagram, infused with ChatGPT, plus AI image generator Stable Diffusion  to teach people how to better use AI tools like Midjourney. Sharing Tomes on social media has helped Farrell build a following, which includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

I kind of struggle with concentration, and if I have just a bunch of random information, it can be a little overwhelming, Farrell said. It gives me a nice, organized storyboard that makes sense so I can take my own ideas and run with them.

Tome was founded by Peiris and Henri Liriani, who both hail from Meta, where they worked on products like Instagram and Messenger. After making platforms used by billions of people, their slideshow startup is a bet that the way people communicate is about to change.

At Facebook  I dont know if its true anymore  they sort of had this belief that everyone should express themselves all the time, Peiris told Semafor. We want to help tell a compelling story, [instead of saying] tell a compelling story.

The idea for Tome started out as a tool to streamline professional communication, but the company has seen it gain traction among non-business users  a development that seems to go against the Silicon Valley orthodoxy that short, fast and viral is the only path to rapid growth. Tome, for instance, is disconnected from social networking. Users can share Tomes, but must do it manually.

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A subscription is $10 a month, and the company offers enterprise pricing, but most users are on the free version that has spread largely through word of mouth.

I dont think a good goal for this AI wave is to just get everyone to communicate everything more, Peiris said. That was maybe the first gen of AI companies. The power of AI is that it helps people express good things clearly.

Know More

The idea has buy-in from some of the biggest tech investors, from Lightspeed Venture Partners to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock partner Reid Hoffman, who have valued the company at $300 million.

Hoffman told Semafor he saw Tome becoming a valuable business tool because it would allow teams to collaborate in real-time to create slides and presentations, creating network effects that have made other companies like Slack so valuable.

But Hoffman said AI added a mass appeal that probably wasnt there before. With generative AI, Tome gave users the ability to ask the program to automatically generate text, images, and other content based on a prompt, kickstarting the process of creating something.

Still, he said hes been surprised to see Tome used by doctors to give their patient post-surgery instructions. And he was sent a dinner invitation created with Tome, outlining the plan for the evening.

One of the most curious twists since Tomes launch is the following from Gen Z users, who didnt grow up with PowerPoint presentations and traditional office tools. They make fan art for bands and recipes that they post on TikTok. We learn more from our youngest users, Peiris said.

I dont think we could have predicted how much a rocket booster AI would be for Tome, said Dan Rose, who led Coatue Managements investment in the company in 2021. Its now an AI storytelling tool.

Los Angeles-based creative marketing agency Metahaiku has used Tome for internal communications and to attract interest for a sponsored dinner series the company is planning. It can feel really intimidating looking at a blank screen, said Amy Mazius, co-founder of Metahaiku. It gets me to a great starting point where Im already 70% of the way there and then I can just act as an editor and art director, rather than a junior copywriter.

And Tome is a rare business tool that has won the approval of some of Silicon Valleys pickiest aestheticists, like Jason Yuan, a former Apple human interface designer who decided to use it as a way to recruit talent to his startup, New.Computer. They had default typefaces that werent god awful, he said.

Reeds view

The popularity of the app highlights what is likely the beginning of a new shift in communication that will be defined by generative AI and other forms of automation.

The internet gave us self-publishing, allowing anyone to start a blog or a newsletter with few barriers to entry. Then Web 2.0 made it even easier and faster. Speed turned into brevity. Blogs became one-sentence tweets and YouTube videos became TiKTok videos.

Generative AI may reverse that trend, shortening the time it takes to create richer and more thoughtful content.

Its not that Tome is competing with PowerPoint. Rather, most Tomes represent content that would have been an email, a Facebook post or invite, or a Tweet storm. Much of it wouldnt have existed at all.

It suggests that conventional predictions may have generative AI all wrong. While much of the media and lawmakers have focused on how it might enable bad actors to flood communication channels that already exist with loads of disinformation and scams, perhaps it could move us away from the kind of communication that has been so easily manipulated and destabilizing to society.

Peiris says Tome is doing to the formation of ideas what Instagram did to photos  speeding up the time from conception to creation. Its not creating the slideshow thats difficult. Were just compressing this thing that used to be very cognitively intense and laborious, he said. The hardest part is, How do I fit this idea into a narrative? What am I trying to say? How else could it say these things?

Room for Disagreement

Critics dont see artificial intelligence as a potential salve. Rather, its more of the same and policymakers should look out for the dangers.

We missed the window on social media, Jim Steyer, chief executive of Common Sense Media, told The Wall Street Journal. It was latevery lateand the ground rules had already been set and industry just did whatever it wanted to do.

Activists and executives alike are pushing out a range of projects and proposals to shape understanding and regulation to address issues including AIs potential for manipulation, misinformation and bias, reported the WSJ.

Notable
A US Air Force A-10 lands on a Michigan highway in August 2021. US Air Force/Master Sgt. Scott Thompson

The British air force plans to operate its Typhoon and F-35B jets on highways in the next year.

It is meant to be a test of the British air force's ability to operate away from its main bases.

Many militaries use highways as runways, and it's getting new interest as threats to airbases grow.

The war in Ukraine has reinforced many things that militaries knew about major conflicts. One of the most important is that air power is vital to ensuring ground forces survive and advance.

But sustaining power in the air requires having places where jets and helicopters can land, refuel, and rearm. On a modern battlefield, where long-range weapons can reach far behind the frontlines and drones constantly roam overhead, protecting aircraft from the enemy is hard.

So Western air forces are increasingly focused on dispersing their operations. One way to do that is by using highway networks to land, refit, and take off before the enemy catches up.

Fighter jets and highway ops

A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 takes off at RAF Coningsby in October 2020. Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Highway operations are not new. During the Cold War, militaries selected roads to be used as backups if their bases were destroyed. In one exercise in 1984, NATO militaries practiced landing their jets, including the A-10 Warthog, on a stretch of German autobahn.

Some air forces moved away from that capability after the Cold War and now have to train for it again.

One such force is Britain's Royal Air Force, which will certify its Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s and F-35B fighter jets for highway operations sometime in the next year, Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, the RAF's air and space commander, told Aviation Week at a conference in London this month.

The RAF plans to land its Typhoons on highways in Finland in the coming months and some time after that to land its F-35Bs on a roadway in the UK, using aluminum mats to protect the pavement, Smyth said.

A Finnish F/A-18 fighter jet lands on a motorway in September 2022. REUTERS/Janis Laizans

Landing on a roadway may be more challenging for the Typhoon FGR4, a conventional-takeoff-and-landing aircraft that requires longer runways. The F-35B stealth fighter has a short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing capability, reducing the amount of runway it needs and vastly increasing its expeditionary warfare capabilities.

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The drills are meant to show the RAF what shortcomings it has in its ability to operate away from its main bases. Finland, NATO's newest member, is well suited to help. It routinely uses its fleet of F/A-18s in highway operations and rising tensions with Russia have prompted it to focus more on that capability.

Sweden, which is awaiting NATO membership, has similar experience. It developed an air-basing strategy that made use of highways during the Cold War, and the need to be able to use rudimentary or improvised runways informed the design of Sweden's JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets.

How the US military plans to do it

US Air Force F-35s wait to refuel from a C-130J during an Agile Combat Employment multi-capable airmen training on Guam in February 2021. US Air Force/Senior Airman Jonathan Valdes Montijo

The US military has also been planning distributed air operations from unconventional airfields and runways.

US Air Force and Marine Corps units have been training on highway operations, both in the US and abroad. A 2016 drill that saw A-10s practice landing on a highway in Estonia was the first of its kind in three decades.

Under the Agile Combat Employment concept, the US Air Force is training to disperse small numbers of aircraft to bases across the Indo-Pacific region to make it harder for China's military to target them. Elements of ACE can be used proactively amid rising tensions or after a conflict breaks out.

When done correctly, ACE "complicates the enemy's targeting process, creates political and operational dilemmas for the enemy, and creates flexibility for friendly forces," according to the Air Force's ACE doctrine.

US airmen prepare an MQ-9 for take off on Wyoming highway during training focused on agile combat employment in April. US Air National Guard/Master Sgt. Phil Speck

The Air Force is training what it calls multi-capable airmen to support ACE operations by doing several jobs at lightly manned outposts. US special operators also have a role in ACE, especially when it involves highways. Air Force commandos are specially trained to survey potential airfields and to conduct air traffic during dispersed operations.

US special-operator forces have been working on another key concept known as Forward Arming and Refuting Points, which goes hand-in-hand with ACE. Aircraft need to be refueled and rearmed wherever they are, especially if they have to deploy to remote, austere location on short notice.

Like the RAF, the US Air Force has turned to its Scandinavian partners for pointers. Gen. James Hecker, the head of US Air Forces in Europe, said last year that his command was sending airmen to study the Swedish approach.

"The ability to disperse aircraft is a speciality of theirs," Hecker said in August 2022, according to Janes. "Sweden has got Agile Combat Employment down better than any other air force in the world, and we are going to exploit that."

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. He is working toward a master's degree in strategy and cybersecurity at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv after midnight and the central, northern and eastern regions due to missile danger and the threat of UAVs strikes. An all-clear has been given, however the threat remains.

Source: air-raid warning map, Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: An air-raid warning was issued in the capital, as well as in the central, northern and eastern oblasts of Ukraine.

The Air Force of Ukraine reported the danger of missile attacks and the possibility of the Russians using assault UAVs.

Quote: "Missile danger in the northern and central oblasts!

Theres a threat of possible launches of cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 aircraft!"

"An air-raid warning [has been issued] in the eastern oblasts due to the threat of possible launches of cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 aircraft!"

Update: Later, Ukraines Air Force warned that Russia might deploy attack drones in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

At 00:52, an all-clear was given in Kirovohrad Oblast; a minute later, it was sounded in the city of Kyiv and in Kyiv and Cherkasy oblasts.

At 00:56, air-raid warnings were also issued across southern Ukraine, where Ukraines Air Force warned of the threat of missile strikes.

Air-raid warnings were also issued in Vinnytsia, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad oblasts.

After 01:00, Ukraines Air Force reported that four Tu-22m3 aircraft took off from the Mozdok airfield in Northern Caucasus, and another four took off near Ukraines eastern border.

At 01:50, the Air Force said that more Kalibr cruise missiles were launched from the Black Sea.

Warnings of possible drone strikes were issued in Cherkasy and Kirovohrad oblasts.

There were also reports of likely cruise missile launches from Tu-22m3 aircraft from the south.

After 02:00, the Air Force reported that more Kh-22 cruise missiles had been launched from the south. Residents of Odesa Oblast were advised to remain in shelters.

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At 02:20, another air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv Oblast in light of the threat of drone strikes.

At 02:36, an all-clear was issued in southern Ukraine.

After 03:00, an all-clear was issued in Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Around 04:00, a high threat of drone strikes was reported in Cherkasy Oblast.

At 04:41, another air-raid warning was issued in the city of Kyiv.

A threat of Russian drone strikes was also reported in Zhytomyr Oblast.

Meanwhile, an all-clear was sounded in Poltava, Sumy, Kirovohrad and Chernihiv oblasts.

Soon after 05:00, air-raid warnings were also issued in western Ukraine, including in Khmelnytskyi and Rivne oblasts. Ukraines Air Force warned residents of those oblasts about the threat of Shahed drone strikes.

At 05:19, another air-raid warning was issued in Donetsk Oblast, while the all-clear was sounded in Cherkasy Oblast.

At 05:26, a new air-raid warning was issued in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

"Air-raid warnings in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk oblasts were issued in light of enemy aircraft activity," the Air Force reported.

At 05:40, the all-clear was given in the city of Kyiv and in Kyiv Oblast.

As of 06:25, the all-clear was given in most Ukrainian oblasts, except for Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr and Rivne oblasts.

After 07:00, the all-clear was given in the rest of the oblasts.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
When Eric Pursleys landlord showed up at his apartment in October 2022 to deliver an eviction notice, the two of them got into an argument in the entrance of his small home.

Pursley, who was backed against a wall, says he warned the much taller Daniel Stein to back off.

You are making me uncomfortable, Pursley told him, but he said Stein got angrier.

Pursley told Stein he had a gun, warned him again, then shot Stein once.

Pursley then immediately called 911 and said he had shot Stein in self-defense.

Thats the account Pat Summers, Steins attorney, gave of the altercation between Stein and Pursley during his opening statement Wednesday in Pursleys murder trial in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

Eric Pursley, left, and his defense attorney Pat Summers view police body camera video during day one testimony in Judge Oldfield's Summit Count Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 in Akron, Ohio. Pursley is charged in the October 2022 shooting death of his landlord Daniel Stein.

A jury will have to decide if they think Pursley acted in self-defense or is guilty of murder.

In 2021, Ohio passed a Stand Your Ground law that basically removed the duty for a person to retreat before resorting to self-defense. Because courts were basically closed during the pandemic, this new self-defense law hasnt yet been tested much in Summit or other Ohio counties.

Pursley, 23, is charged with two counts each of murder and felonious assault, all with gun specifications that carry with them additional prison time. The dual charges involve different theories of the crime.

Pursleys trial in Judge Joy Malek Oldfields courtroom is expected to wrap up Thursday.

Prosecutor urges jurors to focus on evidence in the case

The shooting happened about 1 p.m. Oct 5 at an apartment in the 600 block of Sumner Street.

More: Akron man arrested in shooting death of California man in University Park neighborhood

Assistant Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said in his opening statement that Stein, 58, who is from California, owned the Sumner Street home that had been turned into four apartments where Pursley lived. He said Pursley was behind on his rent and Stein went to the apartment to give him a three-day eviction notice.

Kolkovich said Pursley called 911 at 1:01 p.m. to report that he had shot Stein in self-defense.

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Kolkovich, though, urged jurors to focus on the evidence in the case. He said Pursley shot Stein in the right side of the head and he landed slumped against the door, with the eviction notice underneath his foot.

Kolkovich said there were no marks on Pursley that would show he was injured.

I want you to look at the physical evidence and ask what it tells happened that day, he said.

Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Brian Stano gestures Monday during the first day of testimony in Eric Pursley's murder trial. Pursley is accused in the October 2022 shooting death of his landlord, Daniel Stein. Pursley is claiming self-defense.

Pursley was in a dispute with his landlord, attorney says

Summers said Pursley and other tenants in the apartment building had complained about the buildings conditions. He said they were concerned about mice, drugs being found and break-ins.

Summers said Stein would come to collect rent, but the tenants otherwise rarely saw him. He said Pursley paid back rent he owed in August but then told Stein he wasnt going to pay anymore until the problems with the apartment were addressed.

When Stein showed up on the day of the shooting, Summers said, Pursleys fiancee and a young child were in the apartment. He said Pursley shot Stein out of fear for them and himself.

Summers said Pursley put down the gun, called 911, told them what happened, and had his hands in the air when officers arrived.

He doesnt flee, Summers said. He doesnt hide -- anything.

Attorney Pat Summers shows how his client Eric Pursley had his hands in the air when police arrived at Pursley's apartment after he shot Daniel Stein, his landlord, in October.

Summers asked jurors to pay attention to the small quarters of the apartment and to the difference in size between Pursley and Stein.

When you hear the evidence, you will come to the conclusion that he acted to protect himself and his family for what he perceived was a real threat, he said.

Officers describe response to shooting scene

The first officers to arrive at the scene found Stein unresponsive and Pursley with his hands in the air and the gun on the ground beside him.

Officer Derek Jackson testified that he handcuffed Pursley and took him to a bedroom.

Eric Pursley, left, and his defense attorney Pat Summers in Judge Oldfield's Summit Count Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 in Akron, Ohio. Pursley is charged in the October 2022 shooting death of his landlord Daniel Stein.

Summers asked Jackson about the cramped space where Steins body was found. He asked if you could fit two people there.

It would be tight, Jackson said.

Officer Jerry Sosenko performed CPR on Stein until paramedics arrived.

Prosecutors played the officers body-worn camera videos of their response to the shooting.

Several of Steins family members who are sitting in on the trial wept and comforted each other as they watched the videos.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Eric Pursley goes on trial in Summit court for landlord's shooting
Investigators in Alabama have found no evidence that Carlee Russell was trying to help a toddler walking along a highway at the time of her mysterious disappearance, it has been revealed.

Nursing student Ms Russell, 25, vanished without a trace from the side of Interstate 459 in Hoover on the night of 13 July  just moments after she called 911 saying she had spotted a toddler alone on the road.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found Ms Russells car still running and her cellphone and wig close by, but no sign of the 25-year-old.

A huge search operation was launched to try to track down the missing woman, with her family begging the public to come forward with any information.

Then, two days later on the night of 15 July, Hoover Police received a 911 call saying that Ms Russell had suddenly returned home on foot.

In the days since, few details have emerged about what happened to the 25-year-old and where she was located for the roughly 49 hours that she was missing  as her family insisted that she had been the victim of a kidnapping.

But now, Hoover Police have cast doubts on one of the key aspects of the case  saying that there is no evidence that there was ever a toddler walking along the highway that night.

Authorities also released other new details about the case including that Ms Russell visited a Target store to buy snacks just before her disappearance and that they have obtained surveillance footage of the moment she returned home.

On the night she disappeared, Hoover police said that the 25-year-old left her workplace and ordered food from nearby restaurant The Colonnade.

After stopping by The Colonnade, she went to the Target on Highway 280 and bought some snacks, police said.

These items were not found inside her abandoned vehicle along the highway nor were they found with her cellphone and wig at the scene of her disappearance.

Police said that the investigation had uncovered no evidence of a toddler walking down the interstate and had not received any additional calls about a wandering child  despite surveillance footage capturing numerous other vehicles passing through the area around that time.

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A 911 call revealed Carlee Russell was unresponsive but breathing when she returned to her home in Hoover, Alabama (Hoover Police Department)

New details were also released about the moment Ms Russell suddenly returned home to the house she shares with her parents.

Hoover Police said that surveillance footage  which has not been released to the public  shows her walking alone down the sidewalk to the home. It is not clear what the footage shows or how it is relevant to the investigation.

Fire department radio traffic previously revealed that medics were dispatched to the home to a 911 call for an unresponsive but breathing individual.

Hoover Police have now said that the term unresponsive but breathing came from the 911 caller and that, when emergency services responded to the scene, they found Ms Russell conscious and speaking.

She was taken to hospital for treatment and was later released.

Hoover police said on Tuesday that they have so far spoken with Ms Russell only briefly on her return home and that  three days on  they are still waiting for her to be made available to obtain a more detailed statement about what happened to her in the 49 hours she was missing.

Numerous pieces of evidence are being evaluated as part of the investigation, police said, adding that those items are key in the process of determining exactly what took place in the approximately 49 hours Carlee was missing, but also what took place prior to her disappearance.

A police press conference has been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon to give a more detailed update on the mysterious case.

This latest update has offered more questions than answers as to what happened to Ms Russell in the 49 hours between her disappearance and reemergence.

Her parents have said that their daughter was absolutely abducted and that she had to fight for her life during that two-day period.

There were moments when she physically had to fight for her life, and there were moments when she had to mentally fight for her life, her mother Talitha Russell told The Daily Beast.

Shes having to deal with the trauma of people just making completely false allegations about her.

Carlee has given detectives her statement so that they can continue to pursue her abductor.

She added of her reappearance: We tried to hug as best we could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state. So we had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her.

Ms Russells boyfriend Thomar Latrell Simmons gave a similar account of what happened to Ms Russell in a Facebook post.

She was literally fighting for her life for 48 hours, so until shes physically & mentally stable again she is not able to give any updates or whereabouts on her kidnapper at this very moment, he wrote.
An Alaska man inadvertently recorded himself drowning in a glacial lake, police said.

Police recovered a GoPro camera attached to a helmet that showed the moment his kayak overturned.

But authorities are yet to locate his body. A search is still underway.

An Alaska man unwittingly documented his own drowning in a glacial lake using a GoPro camera that was mounted on his helmet, but authorities who recovered the recording device are still looking for his body, officials said Tuesday.

The circumstances of 43-year-old Paul Rodriguez Jr.'s death came to light on Monday, when somebody turned in a helmet with a GoPro attached to it to Alaska State Troopers. The helmet had been found on the lakeshore of Mendenhall Lake, according to reports.

Upon investigation, the helmet was identified as belonging to Rodriguez, who is believed to have gone missing on July 11, the Associated Press reported.

Police said Rodriguez's roommate last reported seeing him on July 1o, per the news agency.

On July 11, an unattended kayak resembling one Rodriguez had shown in a social media post earlier that day was discovered floating on the lake by Juneau police, according to AP.

A search commenced, with authorities checking the lake and shoreline, and using a helicopter for an aerial search, but police are yet to locate the body, according to an Alaska State Troopers dispatch.

The GoPro footage, however, provided a chilling insight into Rodriguez's fate. The July 11 footage captured the kayak overturning, causing him to drow in glacial water, the dispatch said.

"The recording continued showing that the kayak overturned due to a strong current coming from the glacier," Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain said by email, per AP.

Rodriguez was not wearing a buoyancy aid or protective clothing for glacial water sports, the Alaskan police said in the dispatch.

It added that it will continue to search Mendenhall Lake for his body.

Rodriguez's son, Jaden Rodriguez, told AP that his father enjoyed being outdoors, was a talented photographer, and was a "good person."

Read the original article on Insider
The Wests focus on building Ukraines war machine has shifted significantly to repairing and sustaining those weapons, a recognition that the war will grind on for months and years to come, the Pentagons top acquisition official said.

Even before Ukraine launched its counteroffensive this summer, allies were becoming increasingly worried that efforts to keep donated equipment up and running were falling behind battlefield needs.

Now, with the fight to dislodge tens of thousands of well-entrenched Russian troops chewing through armored vehicles and artillery pieces, the need to get that equipment fixed and back in the fight is more urgent than at any point in the war.

We're setting up repair facilities in Europe, we're translating [training and repair] manuals, we have to do much more together so there's going to be more of a focus on that by partner nations, the Pentagons acquisition and sustainment chief, William LaPlante, said in an interview.

Keeping billions of dollars worth of modern equipment in working order so Kyiv can continue its counteroffensive is one of the primary functions of a 22-nation working group led by the U.S., Poland and the U.K., with LaPlante leading the charge.

The working group, dedicated to sustainment not only for Ukraine, but to restocking U.S. and European defense warehouses, meets regularly as part of the 50-nation Ukraine Defense Contact Group led by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, which had its latest monthly gathering Tuesday to work through what else on Kyivs wishlist can be agreed to.

We have regular conversations with Ukrainian counterparts, LaPlante said. What more do they need? Are there more parts we can send? We're actually tracking what's called the availability rate of each one of these systems, in near real-time.

The group has already helped the Ukrainians set up a supply support effort that is tracking over 4,000 supply lines for high-demand spare parts for the international hodgepodge of equipment that has been donated.

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The list of equipment sent to Ukraine over the past 17 months is staggering in both how quickly it has arrived as well as its diversity. It ranges from German tanks to American howitzers to Italian air defenses to British, Polish, Canadian, French and Czech vehicles.

And the shipments keep coming. In the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting that took place this week, the focus was on mine-clearing vehicles and equipment and short-range, mobile air defenses, according to one person familiar with the closed talks who was granted anonymity to discuss their content.

After the meeting, the U.S. announced a new $1.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine which includes over 300 armored vehicles and four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems for Kyiv, long-term commitments that will come with sustainment packages that will last years.

The multinational petting zoo of modern capabilities and international supply lines would strain any countrys ability to keep up during peacetime, but doing so while fighting a war and relying on the generosity of foreign partners only adds to the complexity.

Readiness rates of equipment have been a major concern for Kyiv since the start of the war. Russia has been able to reach into its deep stockpiles to throw more equipment, and more troops, into the fight at every turn. In contrast, Ukraine is working with equipment that is either decades-old Russian stock or is still relatively new to them, and much of the most serious repair work still needs to be shipped to places such as Poland or Czechia before making the long trip back to Ukraine.

Kyiv has long expressed concern over the availability of many of those donated systems, as some vehicles and weapons pulled from U.S. and allied warehouses have arrived in need of repair.

While the sustainment working group has made strides, the realities of national politics and government bureaucracy also have a say in what moves, and when.

A plan for Berlin and Warsaw to establish a joint repair center in Poland for Ukrainian Leopard 2 tanks fell apart this month amid disagreements over the cost of the work, leaving some damaged tanks to sit unused as they await repair.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius traveled to Poland to try and jumpstart the repair center effort, which was originally slated to begin in May. Berlin has since walked away from the deal, and now it appears the work will be done in Germany and Lithuania at a later date.

The U.K. government has been more successful acting unilaterally, inking a $60 million deal with British defense firm Babcock this month to repair Challenger 2 tanks and other combat vehicles donated to Ukraine. The contract delivers essential support for Ukraine on the battlefield, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement.

The counteroffensive has proven difficult for Ukraines forces as they fight their way through dense minefields to reach well-defended Russian trench lines. Those initial assaults have led to some well-publicized losses of U.S.-made Bradley fighting vehicles and hulking mine-resistant troop carriers, along with some damaged German Leopard tanks.

If repairable, getting those vehicles back to the front is at the top of the agenda.

With the repair infrastructure established over the past year, LaPlante said, teams behind the lines are able to instantly get that information and then we find the fix, and we get it working.

And I really want to give the credit to the Ukrainians, they're the ones doing it, he added. But were making sure that they have everything that they need. And if the parts have to come from a country halfway around the world, we make sure we get it to them. So the sustainment is actually most of the work going on right now.

The U.S. has also translated over 700 technical manuals for donated weapons into Ukrainian, and has canvassed defense firms around the globe in order to secure technical data packages for the systems.

The working group is also holding a series of sessions with defense firms from the U.S. and Europe to understand what more they can do to help both in the short and long term, with a particular focus on how to manufacture more artillery munitions, which the Ukrainians are burning through quickly.

When it comes to the cannons themselves, which are wearing out from constant use, the Ukrainians have taken to using 3D printers to make their own spare parts.

They've been just printing them right there in the country, LaPlante said. Initially they were printing them by reverse engineering as best they could, and the fact that it didn't last as long as the original part, they didn't care because they got it very quickly.

For Kyiv, speed is at the forefront of their efforts to keep their brand-new vehicles and weapons in the fight.

Speaking after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Tuesday, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley warned that the counteroffensive is still in its early stages, and "there's a lot of fighting left to go."

Standing beside him in the Pentagon, Austin added that Western partners need to keep flowing weapons and support into Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting for its life, he said. The stakes are high.
Cassie Aran traveling. She uses her social media platforms to detail her travel experiences. Cassie Aran

Cassie Aran bought a hidden-city flight from Skiplagged.

An American Airlines agent told Aran she would be barred if she missed the last leg of her flight.

Right before entering security, Aran decided to cancel her ticket and rebook a proper one.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cassie Aran, a TikTok creator known for her travel videos. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Skiplagging or "hidden city" ticketing is when you book a flight with a layover and then once you make it to your layover  the place you actually want to go  you don't head to your final destination.

For example, I wanted to fly to Washington, DC, so I bought a plane ticket to Boston with a Washington layover. It was never my plan to head to Boston. Skiplagging is done as a way to save money, which is why I was doing it.

The first time I tried skiplagging, everything went great. It was a success, but during my Washington trip, it all went terribly wrong.

After arriving at the airport, I received my boarding pass on my phone. When I opened it, there was a note on my pass asking me to head to the ticket counter.

I had never experienced that before, and I quickly became concerned. When booking my tickets on Skiplagged, I remember the website telling users that they shouldn't tell the airline that they booked through Skiplagged.com.

I was worried that I had been caught.

When I got to the counter, the woman looked at my pass and called over her supervisor. After a minute, she approached me again. She asked if I had bought my ticket through Skiplagged.

Quickly, I lied. I didn't want to get in trouble. Still, she warned me, saying that their system had flagged it.

She also said that if I didn't get on my flight to my final destination, I would be banned from American Airlines altogether.

I didn't know the consequences would be that serious.

What made it worse was when she asked me where my final destination was, I couldn't answer her. I didn't remember, and that made me look suspicious.

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The whole situation really scared me. Since I didn't want to get banned from the airline, I had two options: I could either fly to my final destination, or I could cancel my flight.

After walking away and right before I entered security, I decided to cancel my Skiplagged ticket. Then I bought my ticket the right way on my phone. By doing so, it prevented me from getting banned.

I was so terrified when this happened, I decided not to do it again. Instead, I now just buy my tickets the right way.

If this is something you're considering, I would suggest that you don't do it. Otherwise, you might run into the same issues I did.

For me, skiplagging wasn't worth the risk.



American Airlines did not respond to a request for comment from Insider.

If you have a travel hack or regret and would like to share your story, email Alyshia Hull at ahull@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Almost half of voters in a poll released Wednesday said they would consider casting their ballot for a third-party presidential candidate in the 2024 election.

The Quinnipiac University poll found that 47 percent of respondents said they would consider voting for a third-party candidate, while another 47 percent said they would not.

Independents were much more likely than Democrats or Republicans to say they would consider voting for a candidate not running under a major party banner. While 64 percent of independents said they would consider a third-party ticket, just 35 percent of Democrats and 38 percent of Republicans said the same.

With neither President Biden nor former President Trump knocking it out of the park on favorability, almost half of the country would consider another option, Tim Malloy, a Quinnipiac University polling analyst, said in a press release.

No specific name for the candidate, no specific designation for the party, but it is a vivid indication that for many voters, the status quo is a no-go, he added.

As the 2024 race heats up, it appears increasingly likely that the election will be a Biden-Trump rematch. Biden, who is facing challenges from two long-shot Democratic candidates, sits well ahead of both, with 71 percent support among Democratic and Democratic leaning voters, the poll found.

Trump is also the clear front-runner in a crowded Republican field, garnering 54 percent among Republican and Republican leaning voters, the poll found. His closest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, sits 29 points behind.

However, both Biden and Trump have low favorability ratings. While 40 percent of voters in the poll said they had a favorable opinion of the incumbent president, 38 percent said the same of the former president.

The poll underlines Democratic concerns that third-party candidates could help hand the election to Trump, should he win the GOP primary.

Professor and activist Cornel West has already launched his presidential bid as the Green Party candidate. And the centrist political group No Labels stoked speculation with an event in New Hampshire this week featuring Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a moderate who has refused to count out his own presidential run.

The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted July 13-17 with 2,056 adults and had a margin of error of 2.2 percentage points. The poll included 1,809 registered voters with a margin of error of 2.3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
As the very first Black sorority, historic moments are nothing new for Alpha Kappa Alpha. The organization is continuing its legacy of firsts with a new venture. AKA announced that they have just launched the first credit union owned by a sorority.

The For Members Only, or FMO, credit union is now the first Black-owned, sorority-based, women-led digital banking financial institution in the United States. FMO will reportedly offer savings accounts, loans, and other financial assistance to Alpha Kappa Alpha members, including their families, staff of the sorority, and credit union.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Making Herstory

Danette Anthony Reed, International President and CEO of the sorority, spoke to ABC 7 Chicago, where Alpha Kappa Alpha headquarters are located, about the news.

Everyone doesnt understand the impact we make financially, she explained. So you have to start doing things so folks know we know how to control our money.

Terri Bradford Eason, executive director of the FMO federal credit union added, Every member will be an owner of the credit union. The organization has almost half a million members.

FMO credit union is chartered, regulated and insured by the National Credit Union Administration. The credit union is based, in part, on the sororitys six initiatives, including building and sustaining economic wealth.

The new bank officially opened on Wednesday with lines of the sororitys members outside waiting to open up an account.

Its just awesome to know well have the opportunity to actually do something financial, Alpha Kappa Alpha member Monica Tealsaid to theGrio while waiting in line to open an FMO account.

According to ABC 11, plans for the credit union began a few years ago. It started with the idea to create economic health and financial stability for women of color.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University. It aims to uplift and empower women through sisterhood, scholarship and service.

The post Alpha Kappa Alpha Starts First Sorority-Owned Credit Union appeared first on 21Ninety.
An Amarillo man who set off a bomb in his backyard, stashed a suicide vest in his alleyway, and privately plotted to blow up a local high school was sentenced Tuesday to more than 11 years in federal prison on a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) charge, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Erfan Salmanzadeh, a 34-year-old naturalized citizen of the U.S. born in Iran, was charged via criminal complaint in July 2021 and indicted the following month, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Texas. He pleaded guilty in December 2022 to use and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and was sentenced Tuesday, July 18 to 135 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk in Amarillo.

Erfan Salmanzadeh

This defendant stashed a highly volatile substance inside his home, putting his whole neighborhood at risk. Moreover, he apparently contemplated using it to inflict violence on a local school, said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton in the news release about the sentencing. The Justice Department is always alert for this type of threat. We urge the community to partner with us by reporting suspicious behavior to law enforcement so that we can swiftly address any potential danger.

The FBI would like to thank the Amarillo Police Department, the North Texas Joint Terrorism Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Randall County Sheriffs Office, and the Amarillo Fire Department for partnering with us on this investigation, said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough. Todays sentence holds the defendant accountable for possessing a device with the potential to cause significant damage and harm innocent people. Intervention from concerned neighbors allowed us to move quickly and prevent a violent attack. We ask that the public continue to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

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More: AFD recognizes crew that stopped potential bombing in the city

Officials worked the scene in the 3600 block of Lenwood in Amarillo after an individual was arrested in explosion-related incident in July 2021.

According to previous Globe-News reports, the Amarillo Police Department received a call in July 26, 2021, about an explosion and made a subsequent arrest in the 3600 block of Lenwood Drive. Officials said firefighters were greeted by a man acting erratically and covered with sweat who insisted that he was just blowing up a video game and had barrels and signs of previous explosions on his property. Officials found components to make explosives in the backyard, alley and residence, which caused the immediate area, including residences on Lenwood and Lewis Lane, to be temporarily evacuated.

According to plea papers, Salmanzadeh admitted to law enforcement that he used homemade triacetone triperoxide (TATP) to blow up an Xbox in his back yard on July 26, 2021. At the time, he claimed he wanted to see how much damage such an explosion would cause.

He further admitted that after law enforcement arrived at the home to investigate the explosion  which was reported by neighbors who heard the blast  he flushed a gallon-sized jar of TATP powder down the toilet and concealed a suicide vest and a nail bomb in a dumpster in his alleyway.

According to plea papers, bomb technicians collected residual TATP  an extremely unstable explosive that reacts violently to friction and shock  from the defendants porcelain toilet bowl. They also discovered TATP residue on a white PVC pipe hidden in his bedroom closet. Officers recovered the suicide vest, which contained several sewn pockets filled with red cylindrical taped tubes labeled dynamite, and nail bomb from the dumpster.

Law enforcement later reviewed his electronic devices, including a video Salmanzadeh recorded on July 22, 2021, threatening to blow up a local high school.

Officials worked the scene in the 3600 block of Lenwood in Amarillo after an individual was arrested in explosion-related incident in July 2021.

We are going to blast the school, he said in Farsi before displaying the nail bomb filled with shrapnel, the suicide vest filled with pipes labeled dynamite, a suitcase filled with container labeled explosives and a backpack filled with bottles labeled explosives to the camera.

Officers uncovered several other videos showing Salmanzadeh conducting test explosions and several journals that contained notes and formulas related to the production of explosives.

In plea papers, Salmanzadeh admitted he used the internet to conduct all the research he needed to construct TATP and WMD. He also admitted he used the internet to purchase a plane ticket to California on July 28, 2021, to avoid detection by law enforcement after a bombing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations Dallas Field Office and the Amarillo Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the North Texas Joint Terrorism Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Randall County Sheriffs Office, and the Amarillo Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Haag and Josh Frausto prosecuted the case with assistance provided by the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Salmanzadeh sentenced to 11 years in prison for use of WMD in Amarillo
American Airlines flight attendants will hold a strike vote starting this month, their union announced Tuesday.

The vote will begin July 28 and end August 29, with the result announced the next day. More than 26,000 flight attendants are seeking wage increases in a new contract with the airline.

Flight Attendants are ready for an agreement that respects our contributions to the success of this carrier, Association of Professional Flight Attendants President Julie Hedrick said in a statement.

Our contract became amendable in 2019, and Americans Flight Attendants have not received cost-of-living increases or any other quality-of-life improvements, even as they played an essential part in keeping American in the skies both during and after the pandemic, she added.

The union has called upon federal mediators to assist in finding a compromise deal with the airline. If mediators can not make a deal, the union would be able to strike after 30 days, if the vote passes.

Flight attendants are seeking a 35-percent, one-time wage increase, a 6-percent annual raise and increased benefits.

That a strike authorization vote is even being put before our membership should concern American Airlines and those who invest in and fly our airline, Hedrick said.

American Airlines flies about 6,700 flights per day to more than 350 destinations worldwide, according to the company.

In May, American Airlines pilots authorized a strike, as their own union negotiates a new contract with the airline.

The labor action comes as multiple other industries have started or are considering large-scale strikes.

Hollywood actors joined writers on picket lines last week, and the Teamsters Union is planning strike action against UPS and long-haul trucking company Yellow. United Auto Workers has also threatened a strike amid its own contract negotiations with car manufacturers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A man who sexually abused multiple Filipino girls was sentenced in Atlanta to 50 years in prison for producing child pornography overseas and transporting the material to the United States.

Over the course of three years, Stephen Gordon Grimes recorded videos of his sexual abuse of girls as young as four years old, the United States Attorneys Office said.

Grimes exploited poverty in the Philippines to gain access to multiple young girls, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. He sexually abused these children for multiple years and recorded the crimes. His sentence rightly reflects the harm that he inflicted on these children.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to Buchanan, information presented in court revealed that around 2009 Grimes met two Filipino women, who were sisters, in an online chat room.

The women agreed to arrange for Grimes to sexually exploit young girls in the Philippines, including the children of one of the women.

Grimes worked as a civilian contractor on a Navy ship and often traveled to the Philippines at the end of each contract.

Grimes paid one of the women $500 a month for exclusive access to his child victims while he was in the Philippines.

From at least February 2016 until May 2019, Grimes used a video camera to record his sexual abuse of Filipino girls between the ages of four and 13 years.

He also used a cell phone camera to record his assault.

On September 29, 2020, special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) seized Grimes computers, cell phone, and other electronic devices as he traveled from South Korea to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

TRENDING STORIES:

Analysis of these items revealed he had produced 340 videos and 650 images of his abuse of Filipino girls.

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Investigators determined he downloaded 523 videos and 4,470 images of child pornography from the internet onto his computer.

After his arrest, HSI special agents undertook an operation that led to the rescue of the girls whom he had abused.

The operation resulted in the local prosecution of the two women who conspired with Grimes.

Grimes, of Lompoc, California, was found guilty by a jury on April 7, 2023, of multiple counts of producing child pornography outside the United States, attempting to transport child pornography, and possessing child pornography.

He was sentenced to 50 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release.

The possibility of parole does not exist in the federal prison system.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  American model Gigi Hadid and a friend went ahead with a vacation in the Cayman Islands after local authorities arrested the pair for marijuana possession and later released them.

Hadid, who arrived on a private aircraft from the U.S., was arrested after Customs and Border Control agents searched her luggage and found a small amount of cannabis, the agency said in a statement Tuesday.

Officials identified her as Jelena Noura Hadid, which is the 28-year-old model's legal name.

Hadid and her friend arrived in the Cayman Islands on July 10 and pleaded guilty on July 12 to importing a controlled drug and a drug utensil. They were fined more than $1,200, with no conviction recorded, authorities said.

All's well that ends well, Hadid posted Tuesday on Instagram, along with a photo of her and a friend at the beach.

A representative told The Associated Press that Hadid had bought the marijuana legally in New York City with a medical license, and that her record remains clear.

The Cayman Islands legalized medical marijuana in May 2017, but recreational use remains illegal. Local laws dictate a prison sentence of up to a year and/or a fine for possession of up to 12 grams of marijuana for a first offense.
ISRAEL-US-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY

Flags of Israel and the U.S. are hung up along streets by the Jerusalem municipality on July 10, 2022, ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Israel. Credit - Ahmad GharabliAFP via Getty Images

When Israeli President Isaac Herzog addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, there will be some notable absences. At least five progressive U.S. lawmakers, including Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, and Cori Bush, confirmed that they will be skipping Herzogs speech in protest of Israels policies toward Palestinians in the occupied territories, which some Democrats recently described as racist and akin to apartheid.

While these Democrats may be in the minority among their congressional peers, their positions are more mainstream than the D.C. establishment might suggest. Polls this year have shown that the gap between the American public and those elected to represent them is widening when it comes to U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly among Democrats. This year, for the first time, an annual Gallup survey found that Democrats sympathies lie more with Palestinians than Israelis by a margin of 49% to 38%. The survey found that sympathy toward Palestinians among U.S. adults is at a new high of 31%, while the proportion not favoring either side is at a new low of 15%. Thats a remarkable shift from only a decade ago, when sympathy toward Palestinians stood at just 12%. During that same period, sympathy toward Israelis has declined from 64% to 54%.

Other recent surveys, carried out by researchers at the University of Maryland and Ipsos, reveal similarly noteworthy trends. A new poll published on the eve of Herzogs address found that, in the absence of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, three-quarters of Americans would choose a democratic Israel that is no longer Jewish over a Jewish Israel that denies full citizenship and equality to non-Jews. The U.S. and the wider international community are still officially committed to a two-state solution, but many experts believe its no longer viable as a result of Israeli settlement expansion.

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Americans are also increasingly less likely to describe Israel as a democracy. When asked to describe the way Israel looks in a poll conducted between March and April, only 9% of respondents chose a vibrant democracy, a common descriptor for Israel among U.S. officialdom. The rest chose a flawed democracy (13%), a state with restricted minority rights (7%), and a state with segregation similar to apartheid (13%). Some 56% responded with I dont know. Shibley Telhami, a Middle East expert at the University of Maryland who conducted the poll, tells TIME that the percentage of dont knows was surprising. He says that this suggests that those polled are either uncertain or theyre uncomfortable answering.

These shifting opinions coincide with a particularly tense period in Israel, which over the past year has been marked by unprecedented and sustained protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing governments efforts to weaken the judiciary, the sole administrative check on their power. It has also featured an uptick in violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, which have been subject to deadly raids and, in the case of Huwara, what one Israeli general described as a pogrom carried out by Israeli settlers. The violence has resulted in the killing of at least 174 Palestinians this year, according to the U.N., putting 2023 on course to become the deadliest for Palestinians on record since the body began recording the number of fatalities in 2005. At least 23 Israelis have been killed in the occupied territories during the same period.

While lawmakers such as Tlaib (the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress) and Omar have long been critical of Israels treatment of Palestiniansthey were banned from visiting the country in 2019disquiet over Israels rightward shift has been growing among Democratic lawmakers in recent years, including among traditionally pro-Israel politicians on Capitol Hill. We have always said that the U.S.-Israel relationship is built on shared interests and on shared values, but clearly we do not share the values of someone like Ben-Gvir, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a leading Democratic lawmaker on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Israeli newspaper Haaretz following a recent visit to the country, referencing one of Netanyahus far-right coalition partners.

Read More: Bidens Hidden Birthday Message for Israel

And its not just politicians. Noura Erakat, an associate professor at Rutgers University and author of Justice For Some: Law and the Question of Palestine, tells TIME that there has been a serious shift across academic associations, the arts, and other social justice movements when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is now clear and robust support and understanding of Palestine as a freedom struggle, she says.

There has also been a notable shift within the American Jewish community, where the subject of Israel has become more polarizing in recent years. A 2021 Pew survey found that while more than half (58%) of American Jews express an attachment toward Israel, markedly fewer approve of its governments leadership (40%) or its efforts toward achieving peace with the Palestinians (33%).

But this disquiet has yet to manifest itself within Washingtona reality that was best exemplified in recent days by the uproar over comments made by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the Democratic chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, who came under fire for referring to Israel as a racist state. Jayapal ultimately walked back her commentsexplaining that she doesnt believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist, but that the discriminatory policies perpetuated by its government arethough not before being denounced by congressional Republicans (some of whom dubbed the remarks anti-Semitic) and many of her own Democratic colleagues. A resolution affirming that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state was passed by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with 412 lawmakers in support and 9 against.

Nor has this shift been acknowledged within the White House. Despite President Joe Bidens criticism of Netanyahus governing coalitionone composed of ultranationalist and pro-settlement leaders that the President described as one of the most extremist hes seenhis administration has resisted calls to leverage U.S. aid to Israel or to ensure that U.S. funding isnt used in the military detention of Palestinian children. On Monday, Biden extended an invitation to Netanyahu for a face-to-face meeting in the U.S. after months of delays, though it is as yet unclear if such a meeting would take place in the White House.

U.S. lawmakers are undoubtedly aware of this widening gap. They would have to have their heads buried in the sand not to see a world changing around them, says Erakat. But American public opinion doesnt always dictate U.S. policy, nor is this issue as front of mind as more pressing foreign policy concerns, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Obviously, policymaking is not just about public opinion, says Yousef Munayyer, a senior fellow at the Arab Center in Washington, D.C. and an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the United States in particular, its about elections, its about interest groups, and its also about American geopolitical interests. And all of those things coming together have made it easier for American policymakers to hold on to the old pro-Israel policies than to be responsive to a base that is increasingly calling for change.

The question is how long that remains sustainable. This is going to continue to shake the U.S.-Israel relationship, Munayyer adds. When exactly that translates into policy change is not something we can tell.
Fervo Energy's Project Red site can generate 3.5 megawatts of geothermal power 24/7.

Harnessing the Earths geothermal energy at a commercial scale could be an integral part of societys transition to greener infrastructure, and a Houston-based startup just claimed a major milestone in making that goal a reality. On Tuesday, Fervo Energy confirmed it has successfully completed a 30-day trial run of its Project Red commercial pilot site in northern Nevada. The results could help open the industry at a crucial moment for climate sustainability.

According to the energy companys July 18 announcement, the Project Red site was able to produce 3.5 megawatts of sustained powerenough to fuel approximately 2,600 homesover the industry standard, month-long energy test. Fervo also contends their proof-of-concept sets new records for flow and power outputs.

Geothermal power is an incredibly attractive green energy source, as it is completely carbon-free and can operate 24/7, unlike solar and wind farms. The US Department of Energy estimates the country sits atop enough geothermal energy to hypothetically power the entire world, but only about 0.4 percent of the nations energy came from such sources in 2022.

[Related: How heat pumps can help fight global warming.]

That said, geological limitationssuch as the right amounts of heat, water, and underground permeabilityhave largely restricted harvesting to shallow hydrothermal sources in areas such as Nevadas Great Basin region. Meanwhile, mining operations can destabilize an underground area enough to trigger earthquakes.

An enhanced geothermal system (EGS), however, leverages oil and gas tech to drill much deeper into the Earth to reach energy reservoirs. As Bloomberg notes, engineers and researchers have attempted to make commercial EGS a viable avenue for energy production since the 1970s, and Fervos recent demonstration is the first to be done at such a scale.

Fervos EGS works by vertically drilling deep into geothermal reserves, thus allowing for multiple wells at a single location. Project Reds setup, for example, uses a pair of 7,700 feet deep wells connected by roughly 3,250 feet long horizontal pipes. As Canary Media explains, fluid is then pumped into the reservoir, where it is heated to as much as 376 degrees Fahrenheit and fed into turbines to generate electricity. Meanwhile, fiber optic cables installed within the wells provide real-time monitoring of temperature, flow, and performance to best optimize its performance.

A number of roadblocks remain before EGS sites like Fervos can expand their scopemost importantly, reducing costs and meeting regulatory approvals. In 2022, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced the Enhanced Geothermal Shot, which aims to reduce EGS costs by 90 percent to roughly $45 per megawatt hour by 2035. Regardless of future costs, however, a previously announced partnership with Google will soon begin using Project Reds energy generation to fuel a portion of its data centers near Las Vegas.
A serious heat wave continues to ravage Europe, hitting near-record temperatures in some parts along the Mediterranean coast as officials issue safety warnings.

"Repeated high nighttime temperatures are particularly dangerous for human health because the body is unable to recover from sustained heat," John Nairn, senior extreme heat adviser for the U.N.s World Meteorological Organization (WMO), told reporters in Geneva.

"This leads to increased cases of heart attacks and death  that's not the only diseases that we see, but they're the notable ones," Nairn added.

The European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service said 2021 and 2022 had seen the hottest summers on record, but experts warned that temperatures on Wednesday could hit or even breeze past that record, the Washington Post reported.

VACATIONERS TURNED AWAY FROM BEACH OASIS AFTER STOMACH-CHURNING DISCOVERY MADE IN WATER

The heat wave coincides with the peak summer tourist season, with many changing their plans to avoid dangerous conditions. Many in Rome took to splashing in the fountains and seeking out giant fans set up outside the Colosseum.

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The Official Airline Guide has analyzed schedules and determined around 111,400 flights could depart from Western Europe to the U.S., suggesting a comparable number will depart the other way  a record-breaking number of transatlantic flights between the continents, according to Traveling Lifestyle.

A woman fills her bottle at the Barcaccia Fountain during a sultry day in Rome, Italy, on July 18, 2023.

One traveler from Norway told Reuters that she felt pain in her head while her legs and fingers swelled up due to the extreme heat, forcing her and her husband to end their trip early.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine and practicing internist at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fox News contributor, told Fox News Digital that travelers must be "ultra conscious" and aware of the conditions in Europe as they look to visit the continent.

A pharmacy's sign indicates the outside temperature in Rome, with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the background, on July 19, 2023.

"Number one is hydration, especially since you get dehydrated on planes: If facing heat waves, you should always have a bottle of water in your hand," Siegel said. "Travelers should be ultra conscious of hydration," and whether any medication they are taking can make them "sun sensitive."

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FLORIDA SURFER ATTACKED BY SHARK CREDITS FRIEND FOR LIFE-SAVING RESCUE: COULD HAVE BEEN WAY WORSE

"Review your medications with your doctor to see if they make you more sun sensitive or susceptible to heat, like diuretics," he advised. "The very young and the very old are more susceptible to effects of the heat  they don't have the insulation against it, so keep them out of the heat as much as possible."

A tourist refreshes at a fountain during a sultry day in Rome, Italy, on July 18, 2023.

"Watch out for humidity as well as heat because it prevents you from sweating as much and cooling yourself down," Siegel further advised. "Your body sweat is like a sprinkler system trying to cool you down. Replace electrolytes not just water."

"All things being equal, now is the time to go to an ocean beach like Santorini rather than the Acropolis right now," he suggested.

The beach in Barcelona on July 18, 2023, as Spain issued hot weather red alerts for three regions due to the "extreme" danger posed by scorching temperatures.

Officials expect temperatures to peak on Wednesday, but over the weekend temperatures hit near 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and Sicily recorded 115 degrees  just shy of the 2021 record of just under 120 degrees.

MOUNTAIN BIKER DIES IN CALIFORNIA AFTER HELPING DEHYDRATED HIKERS IN TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT

Rome alone set a new record for July and recorded 109 degrees in the metro area as the citys major airport recorded just shy of its record 105 degrees.

Nearly all Italian cities have issued a red alert warning, meaning the heat poses a threat to everybody  not just vulnerable groups, according to the BBC.

Locals help firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire burning near the village Vlyhada, near Athens, on July 19, 2023, in Greece.

Spain, Greece and parts of the Balkans  including popular tourist spots like Croatia and Serbia  have similarly issued red alerts, warning of a high risk to health, while Switzerland and Greece face ongoing wildfires that some have linked to the intense heat.

The World Meteorological Organization reported that 60,000 people died from extreme heat in summer 2022 despite warnings and health action plans.

"Heat is a rapidly growing health risk due to increased or rapid urbanization, the increasing extreme temperatures and an aging population," Nairn claimed, adding that the current weather patterns are "not normal" and will continue to have "quite serious impacts on human health and livelihoods."

Reuters contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  Before there was the Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg cage match, there was an Elon Musk-Ed Markey blue checkmark dust-up.

Sen. Edward Markey, a veteran Democratic lawmaker with decades of experience in oversight, was trying to prove a point. A fake Ed Markey had popped up on Twitter, and someone had paid for the once-coveted blue checkmark on the account to indicate to social media users that it was authentic.

It was not, of course, and the public spat that ensued over the fake account  which Markey later revealed he knew about all along  foreshadowed a drama that is unfolding over the role the once-formidable social media giant will play in the 2024 election. Markey sent Musk a sternly worded letter accusing him of "selling the truth" in a way that is "dangerous and unacceptable," and Musk clapped back online by making fun of him: "Your real account sounds like a parody."

The back-and-forth was one of many developments related to Twitter in recent months that have highlighted concerns about the influential social media website among lawmakers and regulators, former Twitter executives, national security officials and other analysts.

With the 2024 presidential election campaign ramping up, they told USA TODAY that Twitter is more vulnerable than ever to the spread of misinformation, the amplification of divisive content and coordinated disinformation campaigns that could influence the outcome of the race.

Markey and some watchdog groups warn that the federal government may need to play a bigger role in combatting disinformation on social media platforms, especially during election season. Meanwhile, others say Washington should stay out of the process and allow people to exercise freedom of speech.

In a GOP victory, judge restricts Biden officials from contacting social media about content

Earlier this month, a Louisiana federal judge restricted some branches of the Biden administration from communicating or meeting with social media platforms about content moderation on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter unless it involved national security threats and criminal activity. The ruling was a response to a lawsuit brought by GOP attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri, alleging that government officials, under the guise of curbing misinformation, colluded with social media platforms to remove conservative voices and viewpoints, including posts about the COVID pandemic and Hunter Bidens laptop.

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The ruling comes as a debate about possible government intervention in social media political activity is intensifying, and national security and cybersecurity experts wonder if foreign countries will try to influence the U.S. election. Some analysts want social media companies to do more policing of their own platform. And they worry that Twitter, under Musk, lacks the tools to do so.

More: Musk's Twitter tries to recapture the political spotlight post Trump with DeSantis 2024 run

New boss, longstanding election-related problems

In Markeys case, a Washington Post reporter created the @realEdMarkey account with the senators permission. But, technology experts say , it just as easily could have been someone trying to sow chaos in the United States, including an opposition political campaign, a tech-savvy teenager or a foreign power like Russia, China or Iran.

Russia in particular has meddled in U.S. elections already, including mounting what federal authorities described as a coordinated disinformation campaign on Twitter to sway voters in the 2016 presidential election.

But many kinds of disinformation campaigns have occurred in recent U.S. elections, including efforts to target communities of color in the 2022 midterms.

Some have come in the form of intentional lies disguised as truth. In other cases, falsehoods and smear campaigns were made to go viral in an effort to prevent people from knowing where and when to vote, or which candidates and issues to support.

Since buying Twitter for $44 billion last October, Musk has slashed more than 80% of its staff, from 8,000 to 1,500. He has also fired or forced out top executives  and in some cases entire teams  in key operational and security roles designed to counter election disinformation, hate speech and other problems on the platform.

And Musk, a staunch free speech advocate who envisions Twitter as an unfettered public square, has reinstated high-profile election deniers  including former President Donald Trump  and far-right extremists who are already laying the foundation for future clashes over what they claim are rigged local, state and national U.S. election systems.

The lack of enforcement of policies around hate speech, disinformation, and platform manipulation, combined with cuts to the content moderation staff and the recent loss of the head of Trust and Safety, send a message that Twitter is not serious about keeping harmful content off the platform, said Caroline Orr Bueno, a digital disinformation, deception, and influence expert at the University of Maryland.

And you can be sure that bad actors will get the message  and some of them will act on it, Orr Bueno told USA TODAY. And when that happens, it's not clear that anyone at Twitter is even equipped or empowered to detect election-related disinformation or influence campaigns, nor is there any reason to be confident that Twitter will be quick to act on something like this, given the direction that the company has gone in recent months.

More: Trump, QAnon, Russia: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube brace for a turbulent election and post-election cycle

Twitter's response: Freedom of Speech, Not Reach

A senior Twitter official said the company would have no comment in response to a detailed list of questions sent by USA TODAY.

But a person familiar with Twitter executives thinking told USA TODAY that the company, and Musks new CEO Linda Yaccarino in particular, have been busy working inside the company and out to upgrade security and content moderation efforts.

That person, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss Twitter operations, said Musk and Yaccarino both support an aggressive program to counter election disinformation here and overseas. And Twitter is working to bolster brand safety so advertisers can stay away from content that they deem to be divisive, that person said.

Central to that, this person said, is Twitters Freedom of Speech, Not Reach policy, which allows for the virtually unregulated freedom of speech championed by Musk, but with restrictions that limit how widely offensive posts can be shared.

Restricting the reach of Tweets, also known as visibility filtering, is one of our existing enforcement actions that allows us to move beyond the binary leave up versus take down approach to content moderation, @TwitterSafety announced in an April 17 posting. However, like other social platforms, we have not historically been transparent when weve taken this action. Starting soon, we will add publicly visible labels to Tweets identified as potentially violating our policies letting you know weve limited their visibility.

Twitter went even further on July 12, saying it will label -- and restrict sharing of -- content that it deems to be abusive behavior or violent speech.

More: Cyberattacks and disinformation are everyday tactics for Putin's Russia. Is that the future of war?

A 'breeding ground of manipulation and deceit'?

After Markeys November letter, Twitter quickly suspended the fake @realEdMarkey account.

But Markey, a member of the Subcommittee on Communication, Media, and Broadband, has yet to receive a response from Twitter addressing the broader concerns he raised with Musk, spokesman Ahmad Ali said.

Markey told USA TODAY that he believes serious problems at Twitter will continue to enable bad actors and erode public trust, both online and at the ballot box.

Under its new leadership, Twitter has cut essential staff dedicated to trust, safety, and accessibility on the platform. Thats unacceptable, Markey said, referring to Musk. As the head of a global town square, Elon Musk has a responsibility to ensure Twitter does not serve as a breeding ground of manipulation and deceit.

If Twitter truly wants to operate as the trusted, nonpartisan, accountable platform it espouses to be, especially during a contested election year, it will immediately commit to reducing misinformation and fraudulent accounts and respond to my concerns about upgrading its security and operations, Markey said.

Some critics, including Markey and other lawmakers like fellow Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., are especially concerned about the recent prevalence of sophisticated Deepfake videos and other rapid advances in artificial intelligence.

In early June, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis used what appeared to be fake, AI-generated images to attack Trump, his rival Republican candidate. Days later, dozens of Democratic strategists met on Zoom to discuss how to counter an expected explosion of AI-generated fake content.

Meanwhile, so many advertisers, spooked by Musks words and actions, have fled Twitter that the companys net worth April 28 was valued at $15 billion, or just one-third of what he paid for it  though that preceded Yaccarinos hiring.

More: 'LET'S CHAT,' State Department tells foreign election hackers, offering $10M bounty

More: Is Elon Musk's Twitter more conservative? Marjorie Taylor Greene, other GOP stars win big

Elon Musk has appointed Linda Yaccarino, a former advertising chief at NBCUniversal, as the chief executive officer of Twitter earlier this year.

Elon Musk earlier this year appointed Linda Yaccarino, a former advertising chief at NBCUniversal, as the chief executive officer of Twitter.

Praise for Musk from the right

Musk has won praise from free speech advocates and U.S. conservatives, in part because of his eagerness to criticize those who ran Twitter before him for being too heavy-handed in curbing free speech.

Two months after taking over, Musk released internal documents that he said bolstered his claims, including some that purportedly showed Twitters interference in the 2020 presidential election by censoring New York Post reporting on President Joe Bidens son Hunter and the alleged evidence of Biden family corruption it contained.

More: Disinformation is a midterm elections threat that could keep millions of voters at home, analysts say

The information shows that Twitter employees knew they had no legitimate basis to censor the Hunter Biden reporting but proceeded anyway, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a floor speech last December. The documents make clear that Twitter was effectively an arm of the Democratic Party and the Biden campaign.

Former Twitter executives Yoel Roth and Vijaya Gadde later told Congress they wouldn't have blocked a story about Hunter Biden from Twitter in the run-up to the 2020 election. But they strongly denied being pressured to do so by Democrats or the FBI, as Grassley and other Republicans claimed.

'Sudden and alarming' changes under Musk

Soon after Musks purchase, Roth  then Twitters head of Trust and Safety  tweeted that Twitter had made progress in its efforts to combat disinformation and counter a surge in hateful conduct on the platform.

Within days, Roth was out, following disputes over what he said were Musks decisions to allow divisive, misleading and potentially harmful content on the platform.

"My teams were responsible for drafting Twitters rules and figuring out how to apply them consistently to hundreds of millions of tweets per day," Roth wrote in a Nov. 18 New York Times op-ed. "In my more than seven years at the company, we exposed government-backed troll farms meddling in elections, introduced tools for contextualizing dangerous misinformation and, yes, banned President Donald Trump from the service."

Musk had made many "sudden and alarming" changes that undermined Twitter's ability to stop such meddling and manipulation, Roth wrote, including gutting Twitter's blue check verification system and reducing staff to "a skeleton crew."

More: Propaganda of the digital age: How memes are weaponized to spread disinformation

Other senior executives have since left as well, including Ella Irwin, Roths replacement as head of Trust and Safety. Eight months after leaving Twitter, Roth believes the situation has worsened.

Election security is not a one-and-done effort, Roth told USA TODAY. Government-backed troll farms in Russia, China, Iran, and elsewhere aren't stopping their efforts to meddle in political affairs around the world, even if Twitter's attempts to catch them have been defunded.

Twitter 1.0 didn't get it right every time, Roth said of the efforts during his tenure to balance speech and safety, and security and privacy. But the recent changes at Twitter don't so much try to find a balance as completely tip the scales towards a version of free speech that drives away advertisers, puts vulnerable communities in harm's way, and that the vast majority of social media users don't want.

Concerns, but optimism, outside the US

Emily Horne, Twitters head of policy communications from 2017 through 2018, said the integrity of elections around the world could be challenged by staff cuts and other policies enacted by Musk.

That used to be an entire line of effort at Twitter; people who try to stay one step ahead and anticipate the ways that adversaries and bad actors might try to abuse the platform," according to Horne, who said she also monitored election integrity issues as spokesperson for the Biden White Houses National Security Council from January 2021 to March 2022.

One immediate test is the European Unions Digital Services Act, which will require far more stringent anti-disinformation policies starting Aug. 25.

EU officials visited Twitter headquarters in San Francisco on June 22 to run a stress test to see if the platform would be able to comply.

Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner overseeing social media platforms and election security, found some positive signs, including Musks stated interest in using new technologies to combat disinformation and illegal content.

But to comply, Twitter needs to bolster its resources immediately and make other improvements to counter disinformation around elections, Breton said in a Bloomberg TV interview.

Election concerns go beyond Twitter

On June 22, three of Markeys Democratic colleagues pressed Twitter, and Alphabet-owned Google and Facebook owner Meta about whether massive layoffs at all three have undermined their ability to combat disinformation and other election integrity problems.

This is particularly troubling given the emerging use of artificial intelligence to mislead voters, wrote Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Peter Welch of Vermont.

On the House side, Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., introduced legislation in May to regulate AI in political ads, including requiring labeling on AI-generated content and other synthetic images.

Social media platforms have pushed back on most regulations.

Orr Bueno said that going forward, the financial pressure brought on by declining ad sales may force Twitter to make decisions based on profit rather than user safety or national security. And that, she fears, could create more vulnerability as election season heats up.

There's an incentive to make it look like engagement on the platform is increasing, and one way of doing that is to let bots, spam, and inauthentic activity proliferate on the platform, Orr Bueno said.

Musk has said he wont tolerate bots and spam activity on Twitter.

But, Orr Bueno said, Another way of doing that is to amplify divisive and controversial content in an effort to drive negative engagement, because at the end of the day, negative engagement is still engagement, and it still gives Twitter the numbers they need.

Contributing: Jessica Guynn

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Could Elon Musk's Twitter be manipulated to influence 2024 election?
During his recent mutiny, Russian mercenary leader and leading imperialist mouthpiece Yevgeny Prigozhin questioned the Kremlins propaganda line to justify Russia's war on Ukraine. His critique follows an earlier pattern of illuminating statements by Russian ultra-nationalists about Putin's regime.

Known until recently only among Eastern Europe experts, Yevgeny Prigozhin (b. 1961), the head of the Kremlin-affiliated private military company Wagner Group, has become world famous. Prigozhins only one-day and unsuccessful but nonetheless spectacular violent show of force revealed the fragility of the Putin system. It abruptly showed that the Russian emperor has no clothes.

Prigozhin's other revelation

What has received less attention within the context of the Wagner Groups armed uprising is Prigozhins questioning of the Kremlins justification for Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Since February 2022, Putin and other Kremlin spokespeople have repeatedly claimed that Russias aggression against Ukraine is a preemptive and defensive war. Even some Western observers consider Putins claim that NATO is threatening Russia a legitimate argument.

In contrast, Prigozhin announced in a video message on June 23, shortly before the start of his March for Justice on Moscow:

There was nothing extraordinary happening on the eve of February 24 (2022, when Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine started). The (Russian) Defense Ministry is trying to deceive the public and the president and spin the story that there was an insane aggression from the Ukrainian side and that they, together with the entire NATO bloc, wanted to attack us. The special operation was launched for completely different reasons.

Prigozhin then attacked the Russian military leadership, who he said had been bent on a quick victory in Ukraine and subsequent promotions in Moscow:

The war was not necessary for bringing back to our area de facto Russian citizens. Not for demilitarizing and de-nazifying Ukraine. The war was necessary for a star (on the epaulet of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu). (...) And secondly, the war was necessary for the oligarchs, it was necessary for that clan which today de facto rules Russia.

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Although Prigozhin here inflates secondary actors within the Russian leadership to influential decision-makers in Moscow, his statement was, in principle, correct. Putins escalation of the war against Ukraine in February 2022 had domestic rather than foreign political determinants.

In another provocative video message released a month earlier, Prigozhin already questioned a second key item of Kremlin propaganda. On May 23, he commented via Telegram about Russias alleged denazification of Ukraine: We came in rowdily, walked with our boots all over Ukraine looking for Nazis. While we were looking for Nazis, we spoiled it with everyone we could (of the Ukrainian population).

Russia after Wagner revolt: Will Putin stay afloat or face more turmoil? The rebellion organized by Russias Wagner mercenary group in June is seen by many analysts as a sign of weakness and fragility of Vladimir Putins regime. First, several thousand armed mercenaries managed to march for hundreds of kilometers from Rostov to the vicinity of Moscow, and no one The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Such statements are not extraordinary by themselves, but they are unusual coming from a pivotal implementer of Russias war on Ukraine. The mercenary leader is effectively disavowing Moscow's official justifications for Russias aggression.

Paradoxically, this also touches on the reason for the deployment of Prigozhin's own Wagner Group  consisting of fighters who wage war for money or to shorten their prison sentences rather than for some larger aim.

As a major Russian imperialist actor, Prigozhin continues an older tradition of post-Soviet nationalist politicians with his attacks against Putin. Russian right-wing politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky (1946-2022) and warlord Igor Girkin (b. 1970), for example, had years earlier already attracted attention with similarly embarrassing statements for the Kremlin. Critics of Putins regime from the far right have repeatedly and publicly accused the Kremlin of lying.

Zhirinovsky's revelation

On Sept. 13, 1999, a memorable incident occurred in Russias State Duma, later made public by Zhirinovsky. At that period of time, a series of terrorist attacks in Russia, attributed to Chechen terrorists, served as the Kremlins pretext to launch the Second Chechen War.

Moscows new war in the Caucasus was popular among the frightened Russian population. The Russian armys mass-murderous campaign in the Chechen Republic provided an important impetus for the meteoric rise of the then-newly minted head of government and soon-to-be president, Vladimir Putin.

However, the blowing up of an apartment building in the southern Russian provincial city of Volgodonsk on Sept. 16, 1999  allegedly by Caucasian terrorists, according to the Kremlin  occurred under bizarre circumstances.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Vladimir Zhirinovsky (R) during the state awarding ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Sept. 22, 2016. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

Three days prior, the attack had already been announced at a State Duma meeting in Moscow. Apparently, there had been a lapse in the secret planning of the Volgodonsk buildings demolition and its subsequent political instrumentalization by the Federal Security Service (FSB). (Putin headed the FSB until he became prime minister in August 1999, after which his St. Petersburg henchman Nikolai Patrushev headed the domestic intelligence service).

In 2002, Zhirinovsky reported about this Sept. 13, 1999, incident inside the Russian parliament:

The note was brought by someone from the secretariat (of the State Duma). Apparently, they called to warn the speaker about this turn of events (terrorist attack). (Then-State Duma Chairman Gennadiy) Seleznyov read us the news about the explosion, then we waited for the case in Volgodonsk to be reported on TV news. But it happened only three days later, on Sept. 16, 1999.

Like Prigozhin in 2023, Zhirinovsky must have been aware of the explosive nature of his statement for the Putin regime. His assertion called into question the legitimacy, authority, and integrity of the then-still-new Russian president. Prigozhins video messages in recent months similarly undermined Putins rationale for Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Richard Cashman: Understanding Russias imperial conceits Understanding Russias February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine as part of an imperial war begun in 2014 has become increasingly commonplace in Euro-Atlantic foreign policy-making circles and amongst a wider group of countries concerned with ending the war. Yet the full range of imperial conceit The Kyiv IndependentRichard Cashman

Girkin's revelation

Nine years before Prigozhins and 12 years after Zhirinovskys, the notorious Russian paramilitary leader and so-called defense minister of Russias proxies in occupied Donetsk Oblast, Igor Girkin, had another revelation. His statement concerned a crucial period in Russias initial invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014.

Ever since the beginning of hostilities by Russian-backed proxies in Donbas in the spring of 2014, Kremlin propaganda  and some non-Russian journalists and experts  have been pushing the narrative that the main sources of armed conflict in the Donets Basin were not Russian foreign policies, but Ukrainian domestic politics.

However, in an interview for the Russian far-right newspaper Zavtra in November 2014, Girkin revealed: I pulled the trigger for war. If our (armed) unit hadnt crossed the border (from Russia to Ukraine), everything would have turned out the way it did in Kharkiv and Odesa.

Our unit gave the impetus for the war that is still going on today. We shuffled all the cards that were on the table. All of them!

Russian warlord Igor Girkin, who led the Russian proxies in Ukraine's occupied Donetsk Oblast, in Donetsk, Donetsk Oblast, in July 2015. (Alexander Khudoteply/AFP/Getty Images)

What is significant about Girkins admission is not only that he, as a leader of an irregular battalion and a Russian citizen, had no biographical or family ties to the Donets Basin. As a former Russian intelligence officer, he was in constant contact with Russian governmental bodies during his paramilitary advance in eastern Ukraine in April 2014.

As detailed in Jakob Hauters forthcoming book, Russias Overlooked Invasion: The Causes of the 2014 Outbreak of War in Ukraines Donbas, Girkin and his company acted as unofficial agents of the Russian government in its, at that time, still delegated inter-state war against Ukraine.

Like Zhirinovsky in 2002 and Prigozhin in 2023, Girkin contradicted a central Kremlin propaganda tenet in November 2014 by publicly assuming responsibility for having triggered the Russian-Ukrainian War seven months earlier.

Many ill-informed commentators around the world continue to claim that Russia merely intervened in August 2014 in an allegedly intra-Ukrainian armed conflict that had been ongoing for several months. That is despite Girkin having openly admitted that Russia had, with an irregular but Kremlin-directed unit, already invaded Ukraine in April 2014. His battalion was supervised by Russian state organs and started a covert Russian inter-state war in Ukraines Donets Basin.

Conclusions

The particular explosiveness of Zhirinovskys, Girkins, and Prigozhin's admissions is that none of these men are liberal Muscovites or Western critics of Putin.

Rather, the notorious men are known at home and abroad as aggressive Russian imperialists. In Prigozhin's case, there is the added fact that he is a creature of Putin. The Wagner boss, caterer, oligarch, etc., owes his illustrious career entirely to his Kremlin patron.

Petro Burkovskyi: Decoding Prigozhins rebellion The Wagner Groups armed rebellion has displayed little evidence of being a successful challenge to Putins regime, but it has created a strong argument in support of Ukraines accelerated accession to NATO. The military drama that unfolded in Russia from June 23 to 24, orchestrated by Wagner The Kyiv IndependentPetro Burkovskyi

Given these and other memorable revelations by prominent Russian ultra-nationalists, some non-Russian discourses affirming Moscows narratives about the nature and drivers of Putins domestic and foreign policies are surprising.

In media, parliaments, ministries, universities, institutes, and political parties around the world, the Kremlin's apologetics of Russias military adventures continue to find naive takers to this day. That is despite many revealing admissions such as those of Zhirinovsky, Girkin, Prigozhin and other actors from inside Russias neo-imperialist political elite.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Well, it happened again.

Three months after the city-owned and funded Botanica got publicly embarrassed for sharing a Lily Wu for mayor campaign ad, Exploration Place did the same thing.

The latest governmental faux pas featured not one, not two, but three pictures of Wu and friends at the free 5k fitness walk/run that Exploration Place holds each Saturday.

Thank you for joining us for Exploration Place parkrun, Lily Wu! the museums Facebook page enthused, tossing in a link to the Lily Wu for Mayor Facebook page for good measure.

Needless to say this shouldnt be happening. These agencies are prohibited by law from using public resources for political campaigning, including their e-mail, text messaging, websites and social media pages.

On the upside, Exploration Place was quick to acknowledge a mistake was made and move to fix it.

People who handle social media for the science museum scrape the Internet for positive mentions of the facility and routinely share them, said Adam Smith, chief executive of Exploration Place, which is owned by the city and funded by the county.

As soon as Smith found out about the Wu ad, he ordered the shared post deleted, and reminded his staff of their responsibility not to post campaign content on official pages, no matter how harmless the content may seem.

What he didnt try to do was cover it up. And thats refreshing.

When the same thing happened at Botanica in late April, board president and former City Council member Janet Miller initially said the groups page had been hacked.

She ultimately had to admit she made that up in an attempt to shield former Botanica director Marty Miller (no relation) from embarrassment. Although hes retired, Marty Miller still had the keys to Botanicas Facebook page.

I think part of the reason this is happening is its pretty easy to mistake Wus mayoral campaign for something else entirely.

To date, the campaigns strategy has been like feeding voters saccharine straight from the packet. Incredibly sweet, no calories.

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Wus campaign appears to believe the path to victory is her dressing smartly and having her picture taken with all the right people at all the right events, and then posting them on social media.

Its a strategy bolstered by wild spending on slick, almost-daily mailers that are essentially devoid of substantive policies that anyone might disagree with.

The only substantial campaign promise Ive found floating on this sea of platitudes is this from a Wu mailer: Lily will stand up to the political insiders sweetheart, back-room deals that benefit the few at the expense of the many.

If Wu does become mayor, Ill be holding her to that. Its one of Wichitas biggest problems.

But its going to be a hard promise for Wu to keep, given that her base support comes from outfits like the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, and Americans for Prosperity, a political front group for Koch Industries thats behind much of the pro-Wu mail blitz.

By anyones definition, the Chamber PAC and AFP are the political insiders that Wu says she intends to stand up to.

Although advance voting has already begun for the Aug. 1 primary, we wont know whos paying for Wus campaign spending  or anyone elses  until next Monday.

The reporting deadline is only a week before election day because thats the way our Legislature set it up. Its specifically designed to give the press and public as little time as possible to figure out whos paying for politicians before the votes are cast.

And well never know what Americans for Prosperity is spending on Wus candidacy, other than a lot.

In another feature-not-a-glitch of state campaign-finance law, AFP is exempt from any reporting of its political donors or expenditures.

Thats not Wus fault, of course. The states campaign-finance laws carry over to cities of the first class, of which Wichita is one.

A former TV news reporter, Wu might be the watchdog on insider deals her mailer claims her to be. I certainly hope she is.

But to get there, shed have to bite an awful lot of the hands that are currently feeding her campaign.
Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and a handful of other progressives will boycott Israeli President Isaac Herzogs joint address to Congress on Wednesday.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez toldJewish Insider that she would not attend the joint address. In the same token, Reps Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who is Palestinian-American, will also boycott Mr Herzogs address, Haaretz reported.

There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session address from a President whose country has banned me and denied @RashidaTlaib the ability to see her grandma, Ms Omar tweeted earlier this month.

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 tweeted.

In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israels apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzogs joint address to Congress, Ms Tlaib tweeted.

There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session address from a President whose country has banned me and denied @RashidaTlaib the ability to see her grandma. A thread  Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 13, 2023

In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israel's apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzogs joint address to Congress.



I urge all Members of Congress who stand for human rights for all to join me. #BoycottApartheid pic.twitter.com/2ixUdCT1Kq  Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) July 17, 2023

But the vote comes amid a divide within the House Democratic caucus on Israel. During the weekend, at the Netroots Nation conference in Chicago, Ms Jayapal caught the ire of some Democrats for calling Israel a racist state when speaking with some pro-Palestinian protesters.

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She later clarified her remarks and said she did not believe Israel as a nation was racist. Still, many pro-Israel Democrats, including the party leadership, condemned the remarks.

Rep Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said he was not concerned about Democrats who boycott the address.

Because I think nearly every single person will be there and were going to show the strong support for the US-Israel relationship, he told The Independent. He also cited leaderships remarks showing how vital the US-Israel relationship is.

Rep Ritchie Torres (D-NY), an ardent supporter of Israel, said he would attend.

It's up to each member to make his or her own decision, he told The Independent. But I've made my decision in favor of attendance.

In response to Ms Jayapals comments, House Republicans held a vote on a resolution that declared Israel was not a racist or apartheid state rejected all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia and reaffirmed US support for Israel. The resolution passed with 412 votes but nine Democrats, including nine progressives who will not attend Mr Herzogs speech, voted against it. Rep Betty McCollum (D-MN), a frequent critic of Israel, voted present.

Mr Bowman condemned the vote held by Republicans.

All they want to do is virtuous virtue signal, and fear monger and theatrics, he told The Independent. This is the second time that the House GOP has held a vote to condemn a woman of color about her remarks about Israel as the House voted to remove Ms Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee for saying that US support for Israel is All about the Benjamins, for which she later apologised.

The vote also comes as House Republicans plan to have Robert F Kennedy Jr, the Democratic presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist, testify before Congress on Thursday despite the fact he said that Covid-19 was ethnically targeted to spare Jewish people.
This article was originally published in Arkansas Advocate.

The Legislatures Joint Education Committee on Monday recommended approval of proposed emergency rules that will govern the states new school voucher program. The recommendation will next be considered by the Arkansas Legislative Councils executive subcommittee Thursday.

Created under the LEARNS Act, the Educational Freedom Account program provides up to 90% of the annual per-student funding rate for use on allowable education expenses, including private-school tuition. EFA funding for the 2023-2024 school year will be about $6,660 per child.

The Arkansas State Board of Education approved the proposed emergency rules for the EFA program last week. Pending legislative approval, the temporary rules will be in place when the LEARNS Act and the EFA program go into effect Aug. 1.

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During Mondays meeting, Arkansas Department of Education officials answered questions for about an hour from lawmakers, including Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, who was concerned about licensure regulations.

Under the proposed rules, a private school participating in the program must employ teachers who have at least baccalaureate degrees or have equivalent documented experience, as determined by ADE. Chesterfield questioned the impact of not requiring an educator to have a college degree.

Is this why Johnny cant read because were putting folks in there that dont even have a bachelors degree? Chesterfield asked.

Chief of Staff Courtney Salas-Ford said thats an entirely different conversation, but ADE is providing private schools the same options afforded to public schools for times when they cannot find someone to fill positions.

So if they feel that they can best meet their students needs with a teacher who does not have a bachelors degree, and parents know of that and they are still choosing to admit their child into that private school, then we wanted to afford them that same flexibility, she said.

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Arkansas has different licensure pathways, and public schools may apply for an exception from the state law requiring a licensed educator if it imposes an undue hardship for a school to fill the position with a licensed individual in a timely manner, according to ADE.

For example, school districts can obtain teacher licensure waivers through Act 1240 of 2015, which allows them to petition the State Board of Education for the same waivers granted to open-enrollment charter schools if any students residing in the district attend a charter school.

According to a report issued in March by the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy, 836 teachers were hired using Act 1240 waivers in 69 districts during the 2021-22 school year. This represents about a quarter of the states districts and 2% of the nearly 40,000 teachers employed that year.

Chesterfield, a former teacher, acknowledged the proposed emergency rules are temporary, but urged officials to consider clearly defining the minimum requirements in the permanent rules so theres a floor of accountability for whos teaching students.

To me it just seems willy-nilly to just say or equivalent experience, she said. Its just not good enough. I think our kids deserve better.

The emergency rules approved by the Joint Education Committee Monday will be replaced by permanent rules, which the State Board of Education last week approved to release for public comment. ADE will use the feedback to recommend any proposed changes, which will be brought back to the board. Details about the public comment period have not yet been announced.

Implementation of the EFA program has been delayed due to a lawsuit challenging the effective date of the LEARNS Act. A Pulaski County circuit judge last month invalidated the laws emergency clause, which would have allowed it to go into effect immediately instead of 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday granted Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffins request to expedite his appeal of the ruling. The high courts decision is likely to come after the law takes effect on Aug. 1.

ADE officials told lawmakers Monday that the Pulaski County judges order was a declaratory order, not an injunction, so steps may be taken to prepare for the LEARNS Act going into effect next month, such as approving these emergency rules.

ADE began accepting EFA applications from students and schools on June 20. Chief General Counsel Andres Rhodes said Monday that about 2,000 of the 3,400 students who have applied for the program have been approved so far. Additionally, around 83 schools applications have been approved, with a handful of others pending, he said.

The EFA program will be phased in over three years with first-year participation limited to 1.5% of the states current public school enrollment, or roughly 7,148 students. Inaugural year eligibility includes students with disabilities, students enrolled in an F-rated school or students enrolling in kindergarten for the first time.

Rep. Brit McKenzie, R-Rogers, asked how the state had been disseminating information about the program. Salas-Ford said while program information was posted on ADEs website, promotion of the program has been primarily through third parties, independent organizations or private schools that have chosen to advertise the information. ADE also sent information to public schools, but no money was committed to marketing materials, she said.

The EFA application deadline is Aug. 1. Students can continue applying after that date, but their acceptance into the program will be contingent upon available funds. The program will be capped at approximately $46 million for the 2023-2024 school year, Rhodes said.

Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and Twitter.
Ukraines Armed Forces continue to further strengthen the border with Belarus with explosive and non-explosive barriers after the arrival of mercenaries from the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC).

Source: Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, Commander of the Joint Forces, on Telegram

Quote: "We know that mercenaries of the Wagner PMC have recently arrived on the territory of Belarus. Now we are reacting and creating such conditions that the state border of Ukraine is completely impassable for enemy forces."

Details: According to him, just on one of the fronts in Chernihiv Oblast, among others, the Ukrainian forces have dug out over 40 kilometres of anti-tank ditch. In addition, more than 30,000 of all kinds of mine traps were planted to counter invading forces.

Naiev assured that if someone tries to "step his dirty boot on Ukrainian land", death will await him.

"We will further strengthen the sections of the state border with non-explosive and explosive barriers that will be a surprise for the enemy. We are moving ahead!"

Background:

According to the Belaruski Hajun monitoring group, the sixth convoy of Wagner Group fighters with 100-120 pieces of equipment arrived in Belarus.

On June 30, at a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commanded to strengthen the northern front.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Cyril Ramaphosa

In a previously sealed affidavit to the High Court of Gauteng, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that any attempt to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit would be a declaration of war against Russia, News24 reported on July 18.

Read also: Russia's war against Ukraine to top agenda at BRICS summit, says South African president

Ramaphosa further termed such an action as "reckless" and "unconstitutional," arguing against enforcing the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin.

"It would be a reckless, unconstitutional and unlawful exercise of the powers conferred upon the government to declare war with Russia by arresting President Putin," Ramaphosa stated.

It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia. I have constitutional obligations to protect the national sovereignty, peace and security of the republic, and to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights of the people of the republic to life, safety and security, among other rights in the Bill of Rights.

Read also: Traitors from Crimea: Which Ukrainian athletes swapped flags to sign up for Team Putin

The president initially wished to keep this statement from the public eye. However, on July 18, the court overruled the president's request to keep the affidavit sealed to keep the interactions with the ICC on the warrant of arrest against President Putin confidential."

By July 16, the Kremlin is yet to confirm if Putin will be attending the August BRICS summit in South Africa in person.

Read also: Ukraine, US to work on ensuring grain exports to Africa, Asia, says FM Kuleba

On March 17, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russias childrens ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, for their involvement in unlawful removal of children from Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

Having ratified the Rome Statute, South Africa is obliged to enforce warrants issued by the ICC.

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
ASHEVILLE- Hopeful for the future of Asheville City Schools, new Superintendent Maggie Fehrman spoke with the Citizen Times July 18 about her goals as the new leader of the school district.

Fehrman, who said she's in her mid-40's, started her new role as the superintendent of city schools July 17. The district has had six superintendents in the past 10 years, making Fehrman the seventh.

She moved to Asheville from Georgia where she called home for the past 23 years. She served as the superintendent for City Schools of Decatur since May 2021. Under her leadership, Decatur, a suburb of Atlanta, ranked No. 1 in Georgia for student performance in third-grade reading, fifth-grade reading, and English language arts.

Maggie Fehrman, the new superintendent of Asheville City Schools, July 18, 2023.

More: Asheville City Schools names new superintendent, again

The district also received above a 95% high school graduation rate and secured the top spot in the state for SAT and ACT performance in 2021 and 2022, according to a news release from ACS.

Fehrman is no stranger to public education. She has also served as assistant superintendent, executive director of schools, principal, assistant principal, and was a social studies teacher for a little over four years.

Protect public education

While Fehrman was finishing up her anthropology degree at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, her adviser at the time told her that she wouldn't get a job without a master's degree. Being reluctant in going back to school she went and got her teaching certificate instead  and finished up her masters while teaching social studies.

"I never thought I wanted to be a teacher, and when I got in front of the students, it was like, all the lights went on. I knew this is where I was meant to be, and I loved it," Fehrman told the Citizen Times.

"Public education is a place where no matter who you are, where you're from, you have the opportunity to get the skills and the knowledge and really build relationships with people so that you can become the most successful person. We need to protect public education like we protect our lives, because it is really the livelihood of what makes the United States such a great country."

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The Asheville City Board of Education named Maggie Fehrman as the district's new superintendent at its June 8 meeting.

Like City Schools of Decatur, Fehrman loves that Asheville City schools is small, she said that's the way you get to know everyone by name, from teachers to custodians.

"That's important to me."

City Schools of Decatur is a district with nine schools and had 5,637 students in the 2021-22 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Asheville City Schools had 4,218 students in the same year.

One thing that drew Fehrman to ACS was the equity work that has been done across the district. While the achievement gap has been a concerning topic of conversation for many, this isn't Fehrman's first time working with disparity in a district.

More: Asheville City Schools announces Rick Cruz will no longer be next superintendent

Her first teaching job was at Summerour Middle School in the Gwinnett County public schools district in Atlanta, Georgia, where around 95% of the students were students of color, and were on free or reduced lunches. Fehrman said while it wasn't necessarily an achievement gap that she had to close but instead she needed to raise the achievement of all of the students in the district.

In the Gwinnett County public schools district her middle school was ranked last out of 26, but with the goal in mind to raise the achievement standard she was able to help in moving them up to top 10, said Fehrman.

Building relationships

Fehrman told the Citizen Times that one of the most important things she can be doing right now to learn about ACS and build relationships is to listen.

"I want to hear from people. I want to know what their thoughts are, what their ideas are, and really get to know them as people. I want to know things they are proud of outside of work. I want to know about their family. I want to know about the people that work in the school system, and same with the families here. I want to know what our parents value about our school system, I want to know why they keep sending their kids here and why they're so invested," she said.

Bringing the students into the conversation when important decisions are being made was a topic that Fehrman felt strongly about.

Maggie Fehrman, the new superintendent of Asheville City Schools, July 18, 2023.

"I remember in my second interview, I said, 'you don't even need a superintendent just hire the students to do the job.' They are that knowledgeable about what could be done. The best thing about talking to students is they have ideas that are fresh and new, that we maybe haven't ever thought of," she said.

"I'm a firm believer that they are first and foremost, our customer, and you've got to listen to the customer. We are building a school system to meet the needs of the students. They're the first people we need to talk to."

Fehrman's response to parents who may be concerned about the high superintendent turnover rate in ACS is that she moved here intentionally. She told the Citizen Times that Asheville has been an area that she and her husband have been looking at for quite some time.

She loves to mountain bike and be outdoors, so Asheville seemed like the perfect place.

"We plan on staying here for a long time," she said. "I even told one of my colleagues today that I plan on working for another 30 years here."

'You teach because you love kids'

Due to Fehrman's background in public school teaching, she is even more aware of the salary issues that teachers face and it's not just in ACS  though it's even more of an issue in North Carolina with the state's salary ranking as one of the worst in the country at 46 for starting teacher salaries, according to the National Education Association.

From Buncombe County Schools 2022-2023 data there were 101,808 teachers in North Carolina with 2,700 schools. The average teacher pay in the state from 2022-2023 was $57,805.

According to the fiscal year 2022-23 state salary schedule, a new teacher with a bachelor's degree must make a minimum of $37,000 annually. A new teacher at ACS has a starting salary of $40,330.

According to previous Citizen Times reporting, the average price of an Asheville home in May was $457,007, which is higher than major cities like Chicago at $286,482 and Atlanta at $384,388.

Asheville's living wage is $20.10, which comes to just about what a starting teacher makes.

Asheville High School held their graduation ceremony at Memorial Stadium June 10, 2023.

More: Where does Asheville home price growth rank in U.S.? Hint: pricier than Chicago, Atlanta

"No one takes a teaching job because of the pay. You go to teach because you love kids. You're passionate about your curriculum. Asheville City Schools is a place where teachers who are passionate about education, who love teaching who do it for kids can come and teach," Fehrman said.

She said one of her top priorities moving to North Carolina is to advocate for public education in the state, and to make sure the legislators and commissioners understand why it's so critical to invest in public education.

More: What do Buncombe County, Asheville school employees make? Commission votes on budget

Fehrman will be the district's seventh leader since 2013, not including Rick Cruz, who was supposed to start as new superintendent on July 1 but was unable to assume the position due to a family medical emergency, according to previous reporting from the Citizen Times.

Fehrman will make an annual base salary of $215,000, not including any local or state supplements, according to previous reporting from the Citizen Times.

Following Jim Causby, the interim superintendent, who had an annual salary of $183,000.

Gene Freeman was the last superintendent hired by the board, in 2019. Freeman left two years into his four-year contract, taking with him a $94,000 buyout, about $23,500 more than he would have made in his final 5 1/2 months had he stayed in the job.

Fehrman wants to spread the word that ACS is hiring. As of July 18, there were 51 openings, 16 of which are classroom teacher positions, according to Dillon Huffman a spokesperson for ACS.

The district has a total of 661 staff members.

Follow the new superintendent on her Twitter @SupFehrman.

More: Asheville City Schools votes to privatize school meals for the 2023-24 school year

McKenna Leavens is the education reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at mleavens@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @LeavensMcKennna. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Maggie Fehrman new superintendent of Asheville City Schools
As a judge heard arguments Tuesday on a motion to block Floridas new law that prohibits Chinese citizens from owning land in the state, protesters rallied against the legislation, slamming Gov. Ron DeSantis for the racist measure.

The protesters, led by several Asian American civil rights groups, gathered outside the Tallahassee courthouse in support of the group of Chinese immigrants who sued the state over the law, which went into effect July 1.

Echo King, president of the nonprofit group Florida Asian American Justice Alliance, which helped spearhead the rally, told NBC News that the law could have chilling effects.

This will legalize Asian hate, King said. People will have a reason  legally they have a law backing them up  to hate.  I cant even imagine what kinds of hate crimes will increase.

DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment.

Local Asian American groups were joined by several national organizations, including the League of United Latin American Citizens, the NAACP and the National Fair Housing Alliance, as well as protesters who traveled from out of state to support the plaintiffs. In their suit, the plaintiffs, who are in part represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, argued that the law is a form of housing discrimination and in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

Today we gather here to condemn Floridas alien land law and to reject the dangerous trend of anti-Asian scapegoating, said Nicholas Gee, advocacy manager for nonprofit group Chinese for Affirmative Action, referring to 20th century laws, which were later deemed unconstitutional, that prohibited Asian immigrants from owning land. This law is not just an attack on the property rights of individuals of Chinese descent; it is a stark reminder of the discriminatory practices of the past that we have fought so hard to overcome.

Protesters also argued that the overbroad law plays on harmful stereotypes portraying all Chinese immigrants as working for the Chinese government.

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They have no evidence proving that these people coming from [China] and living in the U.S. have anything to do with national security issues, King said.

Under the law, SB 264, those who arent U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose domiciles, or permanent homes, are in China are banned from purchasing property in the state. Chinese nationals violating the law could face $5,000 fines and up to five years in prison, while sellers who knowingly violate the measure could face up to one year in prison and $1,000 fines.

Other non-U.S. citizens from foreign countries of concern, including Cuba and Venezuela, are subject to lesser yet similar terms. They would be restricted from buying or owning land within 10 miles of any military installation or critical infrastructure facility in Florida.

The law does allow an exception, stating that those who are on nontourist visas, or who have been granted asylum, may purchase one residential property under 2 acres. These properties, however, cannot be within 5 miles of any military installation. And with more than 20 military installations in Florida, King said the restriction zone covers the majority of the state.

The complicated terms of the law, King said, could lead to racial profiling out of fear of possible repercussions.

Theres no clear definition, she said. This law subjects both buyer and seller to civil and criminal penalties, so the sellers will be very reluctant to sell to any Chinese people because they cant tell if their house is in the restriction zone and they cannot tell if the buyer is from the restricted category. The law is very complicated and confusing.

Drawing parallels between the Trump-era China initiative  a security program aimed at addressing Chinese economic espionage that was heavily criticized for racial profiling  as well as then-President Donald Trumps China virus rhetoric amid the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, King said that legislation is likely to similarly stoke anti-Asian hate. She also noted that the legislation could have a larger impact on many groups across the Asian diaspora, not just Chinese Americans.

Most of the people in the community cant tell Chinese from other Asian communities, she said. They will just probably stay away from the other Asian-looking people.

The ban has prompted uproar and controversy since DeSantis signed the bill in May. Several organizations, including the ACLU, filed the suit on behalf of the plaintiffs shortly afterward. The groups then filed an emergency preliminary injunction in early June in an attempt to block the law from being implemented while the lawsuit was still ongoing. However, the judge scheduled the hearing for after the law was to go into effect. In late June, the Justice Department filed a statement of interest in support of the plaintiffs.

These unlawful provisions will cause serious harm to people simply because of their national origin, contravene federal civil rights laws, undermine constitutional rights, and will not advance the States purported goal of increasing public safety, the Justice Department wrote in its filing.

Florida is among several states  including Montana, Arkansas, Idaho and Tennessee  that have considered or proposed legislation restricting Chinese nationals from owning land. But not all have been implemented.

In Texas, a similarly controversial bill died in the state House in May.

Theres people who are asking if they need to get out of the state, like right now, Democratic Texas state Rep. Gene Wu, who represents a heavily Chinese district, told NBC News in March. I have never seen the Chinese community this active and this motivated in my entire adult life. The community is inflamed right now. They are enraged.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In pics: 1st demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation in Sao Tome and Principe

Xinhua) 10:01, July 19, 2023

A Chinese expert instructs a local farmer to plant peppers in Caldeiras Village of Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe, July 15, 2023. China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. In 2021, Caldeiras Village was designated the first demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation. Altogether 79 families in the village have received well-directed technical aids from China. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

This photo taken on July 15, 2023 shows a view of Caldeiras Village of Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe. China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. In 2021, Caldeiras Village was designated the first demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation. Altogether 79 families in the village have received well-directed technical aids from China. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

A Chinese expert instructs a local farmer to plant tomatoes at a greenhouse in Caldeiras Village of Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe, July 15, 2023. China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. In 2021, Caldeiras Village was designated the first demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation. Altogether 79 families in the village have received well-directed technical aids from China. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

A chicken farmer collects laid eggs from an elevated double-layer chicken house in Caldeiras Village of Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe, July 15, 2023. China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. In 2021, Caldeiras Village was designated the first demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation. Altogether 79 families in the village have received well-directed technical aids from China. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

This combination photo taken on July 15, 2023 shows an elevated double-layer chicken house (upper) designed by Chinese experts and a residential building (below) at Caldeiras Village of Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe. China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. In 2021, Caldeiras Village was designated the first demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation. Altogether 79 families in the village have received well-directed technical aids from China. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

A Chinese expert checks vegetables inside a greenhouse in Caldeiras Village of Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe, July 15, 2023. China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. In 2021, Caldeiras Village was designated the first demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation. Altogether 79 families in the village have received well-directed technical aids from China. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

This photo taken on July 15, 2023 shows an firewood-saving stove in Caldeiras Village of Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe. China and Sao Tome and Principe resumed diplomatic ties in December 2016. Shortly after, a team of four Chinese agricultural experts arrived at the launch of Chinese agricultural technical support project in the island nation, one of the least developed countries listed by the United Nations. In 2021, Caldeiras Village was designated the first demonstration village for agricultural poverty alleviation. Altogether 79 families in the village have received well-directed technical aids from China. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Intel has announced ASUS as the company's first partner for its Next Unit of Compute (NUC) mini PC business. The two companies have entered a non-binding agreement that will see ASUS manufacture, sell and support the 10th- to 13th-generation products in Intel's NUC line. ASUS will also develop future NUC designs. Based on the business' current lineup, ASUS could be developing future NUC mini PCs, DIY kits for mini PCs, DIY kits for laptops, customizable boards, chassis and other assembly elements.

If you'll recall, Intel recently told Engadget that it's ending its "direct investment" in its NUC business and will no longer produce first-party NUC products. It didn't elaborate on its reasoning, but working with partners for a non-essential business will free up resources it could use to concentrate on making chips. Intel previously said its first quarter earnings exceeded expectations, but its revenue was still down 36 percent year-over-year when compared to its results in the same period for 2022. The company also said that it remains cautious in this economy.

In its announcement of the partnership, Intel said ASUS' "expertise and track record delivering industry-leading mini PCs to customers make it ideally suited to continue driving innovation and growth in NUC systems products." ASUS will be establishing a new business unit called "ASUS NUC BU" for all things related to Intel's NUC. The manufacturer will receive a non-exclusive license to Intel's NUC systems, though, making it possible for the chipmaker to team up with more companies in the future.
A DFW atheist group is suing Fort Worth, claiming the city violated its freedom of speech.

The group, Metroplex Atheists, applied to hang banner ads downtown for an Aug. 26 event on keeping religion out of public schools, but got rejected after the city claimed the event was not of, sufficient magnitude, according to a press release.

The ads are hung on light poles owned by the city on Throckmorton, Main, and Houston Streets, but managed by the downtown advocacy nonprofit Downtown Fort Worth Inc.

We did everything to meet the City of Fort Worths banner policy, said group president Umair Khan in a press release. We were denied purely on trumped-up claims nowhere in the policy, to disguise their prejudice.

The group pointed to advertisements by Kenneth Copeland Ministries and TCU to bolster its argument that the citys rejection was discriminatory.

Its asking a federal court to reverse the citys decision and allow the group to advertise.

Metroplex Atheists had been allowed to advertise for a similar event in 2019, which generated controversy and prompted a response from then-Mayor Betsy Price. Price said she disagreed with the groups message, but urged residents to respect its freedom of speech.

Mayor Mattie Parker had no comment due to the pending litigation, a spokesperson wrote in an email to the Star-Telegram.

The reason for the rejection in 2023 came after a meeting between Metroplex Atheists and assistant city manager William Johnson in which Johnson told a group representatives their event was not of a magnitude to qualify, according to a court filing. The filing goes on to argue that magnitude is not mentioned in the citys policy.

The city is aware of the lawsuit, believes that it acted appropriately and will defend its position in court, a city spokesperson wrote in an email to the Star-Telegram.
Russian missiles hit the territory of the Odesa port in a Russian night attack on Odesa Oblast, a crater was created in the city of Odesa by the missiles, storage points with tobacco and fireworks were damaged (firefighters are extinguishing the fire at the moment); tourist bases and hotels were damaged in the oblast, and 12 people sought medical assistance.

Source: Odesa Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "The Russians aimed their Oniks and Kh-22 [missiles] at the port and critical infrastructure facilities. They hit a grain and oil terminal, damaged reservoirs and loading equipment. A fire broke out there as well, with all competent services working to deal with the aftermath. There were no casualties reported.

In Odesa district, an industrial facility was hit, injuring a civilian employee and damaging two storage points in different locations  one with tobacco and the other with fireworks. Firefighters are extinguishing a fire over 3,000 square metres."

Details: A Kh-59 missile was shot down by air defence forces on its approach to the coast, and when it fell in one of Odesa's neighbourhoods, it created a large crater, with the blastwave damaging several buildings around it. Three civilians were injured.

Eight Shahed-136 kamikaze drones were shot down in the sky over Odesa Oblast.

As a result of the aerial battles and falling debris, tourist bases and hotels in the coastal area of Koblevo district caught fire and were damaged, and two civilians were injured.

The blast wave also damaged several apartment buildings in Odesa's residential areas.

At least six residents of Odesa, including a nine-year-old boy, sought medical assistance with injuries caused by shards of glass and other consequences of the attack.

The authorities noted that the main target of the Russian forces was the port and critical infrastructure. There were no human fatalities.

Background:

On the night of 18-19 July, Russia fired 30 cruise missiles, 1 aerial missile and 32 Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones on Ukraine, while Ukrainian air defence forces destroyed 23 UAVs, 13 cruise missiles and 1 aerial missile.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
illustration of a spacecraft studying purplish auroras over the planet mercury, with the blackness of space in the background

The way in which the radiant displays of colors in the sky known as auroras form on Earth may be how these lights arise throughout the solar system, according to new findings from Mercury.

On Earth, auroras  also known as the northern and southern lights  result when streams of high-speed particles from the sun, collectively known as the solar wind , slam into our world's magnetosphere, the shell of electrically charged particles trapped by the planet's magnetic field.

Mercury , the smallest and least massive of the solar system's planets, also possesses a magnetosphere. However, its magnetosphere is typically only about 5% the size of Earth's. This is because the magnetic field of Mercury is less than 1% as strong as our planet's, Sae Aizawa, a planetary scientist and space plasma physicist at the Institute for Astrophysics and Planetology Research in Toulouse, France, told Space.com.

Related: Aurora colors: What causes them and why do they vary?

diagram showing the bepicolombo probe studying mercury's x-ray aurora

The magnetosphere of a planet often acts as a barrier to solar wind flow, in the same way as a boulder in a stream serves as an obstacle to flowing water. However, previous research found that, depending on how Earth and Mercury are oriented with respect to the interplanetary magnetic field from the sun , the magnetospheres of both those planets regularly become open to the solar wind.

On Earth, the entry of the solar wind into the magnetosphere drives the motions of electrons and other electrically charged particles. At the poles, these electric currents flow into the planet's atmosphere, race down Earth's magnetic field lines and crash into molecules in the upper atmosphere, generating auroral light.

Previous research detected very high-energy electrons and X-rays from Mercury. However, those studies lacked the tools to monitor the relatively low-energy electrons that usually power auroras.

Now Aizawa and her colleagues have discovered evidence that auroras on Mercury have the same origins as they do on Earth. The results suggest that "these processes are a universal mechanism for aurora generation," Aizawa said.

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RELATED STORIES:

 Northern lights (aurora borealis): What they are & how to see them

 Mercury: Facts about the closest planet to the sun

 What's it like to see auroras on other planets?

In the new study, the scientists analyzed data from the BepiColombo mission, a joint effort from the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to study Mercury. Launched in 2018, BepiColombo made its first of six flybys of Mercury in 2021 and is planned to orbit Mercury starting in 2025, making it the first mission to another planet to consist of two satellites.

BepiColombo found that relatively low-energy electrons in Mercury's magnetosphere can accelerate in the planet's dawn areas and then get pumped into magnetic field lines on the world's nightside. Since Mercury has an incredibly tenuous atmosphere compared to Earth's, these electrons do not strike the air, but instead slam onto Mercury's surface, generating X-ray auroras.

All in all, although the planets of the solar system differ in many respects from each other, such as the strength of their magnetic fields and the composition of their atmospheres, the way in which electrons can get accelerated at planets to generate auroras appears universal across these worlds, Aizawa said.
A protester is arrested for evacuating the office of Australia's largest fossil fuel company using fake gas

Emma Sangalli's heart still stops every time she sees a police car.

"It's a feeling in your gut like panic. Total panic.

"It's hard not to believe that you're a criminal, that you're deserving of this," the Australian climate activist says.

Last month, the 25-year-old had her home in Western Australia raided by counter-terrorism police.

Her alleged crime - helping to flood a global fossil fuel giant's office with non-toxic gas.

Stench gas, which smells like rotten eggs, is let off in mines to alert workers of danger. In this case, it was used by protesters to empty the Perth headquarters of Woodside Energy, to highlight the climate crisis.

Australia's largest oil and gas firm says the protests targeting its brand are "unlawful" activities by "extreme groups".

But environmental campaigners say disruptive protest is key to their mission.

Meanwhile, lawyers warn that the response to climate activism in Australia has become "increasingly militarised".

'Unlawful acts'

Ms Sangalli says officers from Western Australia's State Security Investigation Group (SSIG) - whose duties include counter-terrorism - searched her home for hours, looking for evidence of her involvement in the Woodside protest.

Despite facing no formal charges and not being present at the gas evacuation, she was forced to watch as her personal items were seized - including phones and laptops - and a male officer flicked through her diary.

"That was the most painful part," she told the BBC.

"Violated is a good word for it. You're rendered powerless."

The activist has been involved with two climate protest groups - the global Extinction Rebellion, and the more local Disrupt Burrup Hub, which campaigns against fossil fuel projects on the state's Burrup Peninsula.

Both groups follow a "direct action" strategy intended to end climate complacency, which means engaging in activities such as infiltrating fossil fuel conferences, blocking rush hour traffic, and superficially defacing artworks.

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Disrupt Burrup Hub are protesting against some of Australia's largest new fossil fuel projects

Several members of the group are now facing criminal charges over the Woodside protest, with the company alleging four of its employees suffered dizziness, breathing difficulties, rashes, and nausea.

"Woodside condemns unlawful acts that are intended to threaten, harm, intimidate or disrupt our employees," the company said.

But Disrupt Burrup maintains their protest stunt was carried out safely and was a necessary action against one of Australia's most powerful polluters.

Its members are challenging the charges in court.

Fighting the 'petrostate'

Western Australia is a resource-rich state built on mining revenue, particularly iron ore, oil and gas.

Its industry is concentrated in the Pilbara, a desert area in the state's far north. With an annual output of more than A$100bn (52bn; $67bn), it powers the national economy and is home to global mining giants, including Rio Tinto and BHP.

Some of Australia's most polluting projects are based there, including Woodside's North West Shelf gas facility and its Scarborough development - a controversial offshore drilling venture which scientists say will jeopardise the nation's climate targets.

Both projects have sparked fierce debate and renewed accusations that the gas lobby has an outsized influence over state authorities.

Access to ministers, timing of political donations and movement of mining executives into watchdogs, have all been cited as examples - including three former Woodside employees who chaired the advisory board of Australia's offshore oil and gas regulator.

Woodside's gas facilities on the Burrup Peninsula are some of Australia's largest emitting projects

Gerard Mazza has led protests against Woodside's Pilbara projects, due to their emissions and damage to local ancient Aboriginal rock art.

The 31-year-old's home was recently raided by SSIG police for his alleged role in attempting to evacuate Woodside's annual investors meeting in April, also using stench-gas.

He now faces charges of aggravated burglary, which carry a maximum 20-year sentence.

Mr Mazza argues Western Australia is a "petrostate" designed to "protect fossil fuel companies" due to the money they bring in.

"If it was really all about public safety, the state would be cracking down on Woodside executives making obscene wealth by endangering lives and ecosystems. Instead, they're coming after us."

The state government has routinely dismissed such claims, denying any influence. In response to the BBC's questions, it said it is "committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050".

But Western Australia's emissions continue to rise, while other states have recorded significant reductions over the past decade.

Climate activists cast as 'extremists'

A dozen raids - including those on Mr Mazza and Ms Sangalli's homes - have been carried out by the state's counter-terrorism police against climate protesters this year.

The SSIG collaborates with federal intelligence agencies on matters of national security and is exempt from Freedom of Information laws, meaning its investigations remain secret.

Lawyers such as Julia Grix says politicians and prosecutors are framing climate protesters as a threat to public safety to justify heavy-handed policing.

The solicitor - who defends environmental activists - says her clients are increasingly being referred to as "extremists" in court documents.

"That sort of language is most commonly applied to organised crime of a very sophisticated kind, which I would associate with bikie (motorcycle) gangs, or terrorism," Ms Grix said.

It's a "demonisation strategy" used to justify "extreme measures never intended for regulating protests", Australian legal scholar Luke McNamara says.

The right to protest has long been defended by Australia's courts.

In 2017, a landmark High Court case ruled that Tasmania's anti-protest laws were unconstitutional. And in 2020, a Queensland state court overturned suspended prison sentences against two activists who had blocked access to the major Adani coal mine.

David Mejia-Canales, a lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, an Australian rights group, says those protections are key to a functioning democracy.

"Protest takes many forms, sometimes disruptive. But that's why it's effective, because it disrupts the everyday to demand attention for a cause," he said.

"As citizens of a democratic society, we should exercise a level of tolerance for disruption if the right to protest is going to have its full value."

But Western Australia's emergency services minister, Stephen Dawson, recently argued in parliament that the evacuation of Woodside's offices could be viewed as "an act of terrorism" because "people's health was put at risk by the material released".

And some of Australia's most prominent leaders - including former Prime Minister Scott Morrison - have called for demonstrations which obstruct critical infrastructure to be "outlawed".

"The right to protest does not mean there is an unlimited licence to disrupt people's lives," he said in 2019, labelling environmental campaigners "anarchists".

Australia's broader crackdown

The court cases under way in Western Australia are not taking place in isolation.

They are part of a broader national crackdown which has seen Australian states criminalise disruptive protests through new laws, increased jail terms and penalties. This has sparked public outcry.

In May, after several Extinction Rebellion protests, the South Australia government introduced a A$50,000 maximum fine and three months jail for anyone "recklessly" obstructing public spaces, while laws passed in New South Wales last year created a two-year maximum prison sentence for acts disrupting major roads or facilities.

Protesters say disruption is key to ending climate complacency

England, Wales and parts of Canada and the US have also adopted similar laws aimed at blocking disruptive climate activism.

In Western Australia, climate protesters say they have been "disabled" by intimidating raids, strict bail conditions and orders which give authorities access to their devices and ban them from communicating with peers.

According to Ms Grix, these tools were originally intended to deal with gangs and drug dealers.

"To apply [that]... to climate defenders, who are protesting about environmental concerns, seems to be a massive overreach," she says.

Prof McNamara agrees.

"What we see in these situations is the police reaching for whatever is at their disposal," he told the BBC.

"Counterterrorism policing units and associated powers were never intended to be used against protesters."

In the coming days, several court hearings will determine whether Mr Mazza and some of his peers could face prison.

But the 31-year-old says that while "climate and culture" remain under threat, he will "not be deterred" from protesting.
IRMO, S.C. (AP)  Author Ta-Nehisi Coates sat silently through a school board meeting in South Carolina to support a high school teacher told to stop using his book on growing up Black in America in her advanced English class.

Mary Wood has taught the lesson before, but after a few of her Chapin High School students wrote a school board member in February that the unit made them feel uncomfortable and ashamed to be Caucasian" the books were taken up and the assignment ended.

Coates wrote his 2015 book Between the World and Me as a letter to his teenage son on his perceptions of the feelings and circumstances of being Black in America and how racism and violence based on skin color are part of American society.

Wood asked her Advanced Placement English students to read the book and watch two videos on systemic racism she used to introduce it, then identify the themes of the works and discuss their thoughts, including whether they disagree with Coates' view,

Records from the Lexington-Richland 5 school district indicate officials were worried the assignment could run afoul of a rule in the South Carolina budget banning schools from using state money to teach that anyone is consciously or unconsciously racist simply by their race and preventing lessons from making anyone feel discomfort, guilt or anguish based on their race.

Republicans have used the well-publicized provision to threaten other school districts in the state and one student who complained about the lesson wrote they were pretty sure a teacher talking about systemic racism is illegal in South Carolina.

Coates sat next to Wood during Monday's Lexington-Richland 5 school district meeting in Irmo in suburban Columbia. Neither spoke publicly, according to media reports.

The student complaints on Wood's lesson were sent directly to a school board member instead of to the teacher, Lexington-Richland 5 Superintendent Akil Ross said.

Nine times out of ten thats where the issue is resolved," Ross said at the Monday school board meeting.

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Teaching English is about telling stories and students need to be exposed to stories that both relate to themselves and are unfamiliar, said Tess Pratt, the chairwoman of Chapin High Schools English department.

On the day that I took Ta-Nehisi Coates books out of the hands of Ms. Woods students, I silenced his story, Pratt said. Even though this was a decision that was not mine, I will regret that moment in front of those students for the rest of my life, because it was wrong.

Monday's board meeting was packed with teachers and others supporting Wood. It was very different from the last board meeting in June, where the speakers were against Wood with a few asking why she hadn't been fired.

Republican state Rep. RJ May said lessons need to represent a color-blind society that doesn't discriminate against white people because of racism in the past.

Another speaker who didn't fully identify herself said Wood deserved to be fired or reprimanded because she showed no remorse and strongly defended herself after she broke the law.

The school board has taken no action on Wood and hasn't changed policies based on the event.
Avelo Airlines announced a new direct route from Orlando International Airport to the Midwest on Wednesday.

The airline said it will be the only one flying nonstop from MCO to Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA).

Flights on the route are set to start on Oct. 5 and operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.

The airline said one-way flights will start at $49.

Read: Avelo Airlines adds two new nonstop flights to Central Florida

Central Wisconsin Airport is in the heart of Wisconsin, in Mosinee, between Stevens Point and Wausau.

This new route makes Wisconsin the 25th state served by Avelo, and the 14th nonstop destination from MCO.

Read: Avelo Airlines launches 2 new nonstop routes from Daytona Beach International

You can click here to learn more.

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.
Police are looking for a 53-year-old man described as an avid hiker who was last seen at a Southern California trailhead.

Colin Brian Walker vanished Saturday, July 15, South Pasadena police said in a news release. His vehicle was found parked nearby.

A neighbors surveillance video caught Walker heading to the trailhead on foot at 6:23 a.m. that day, police said. He was reported missing Monday, July 17.

He was last seen wearing a gray shirt, dark colored shorts, gray socks, brown boots and a brown hat and carrying a large green backpack and hiking sticks, police said.

Walker has not been seen or heard from since, police said.

Police ask that anyone with information call 626-403-7297.

Monrovia is about 25 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

How to be prepared while hiking

If youre planning to hike, the National Park Service says there are 10 essentials you should take:

Navigation: Pack a map, compass and a GPS system. Make sure you study your route beforehand and understand how to use the tools.

Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat can help protect your skin and eyes from UV rays.

Insulation: A jacket, hat, gloves, raincoat and thermal underwear can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.

Illumination: A flashlight, lantern and headlamp can create light if you get stuck in the dark  and dont forget to pack extra batteries.

First-aid supplies: Its a good idea to have a first-aid kit on hand while hiking. Check the expiration date on items before you pack them.

Fire: Matches and a lighter can help start fire to act as an emergency signal in times of need.

Repair kit and tools: Duct tape, a knife, screwdriver and scissors can be helpful if items break during your hike or you need assistance.

Nutrition: You should pack an extra days worth of food in case something goes wrong. Park officials recommend having salty and easy to digest snacks.

Hydration: You should drink water often and before you feel thirsty if youre hiking in hot weather. Keeping your body hydrated is of utmost importance, park officials said.

Emergency shelter: Packing a tent, space blanket, tarp and bivy can help you be prepared if severe weather breaks out or your plan takes a turn.

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Missing kayaker filmed his own drowning on helmet cam, Alaska troopers say

Hiker climbs steep cliff, then calls 911 after getting stuck, California officials say

Mountain biker dies after helping save dehydrated hikers, California officials say
It was November 2018, and I had been traveling nonstop for months. At 38, I was the owner of a 50-employee marketing firm. My company was depending on an important deal to come through, but it was in jeopardy. If I failed to save it, we might have to lay off staff. It was a horrifying thought. I was frazzled, jet-lagged and overwhelmed.

I woke up in another hotel bed at yet another conference I was attending to drum up new business and went to the bathroom as part of my normal morning routine. On this particular day, I looked in the toilet and I saw something abnormal. Could that be blood?

As a self-diagnosed hypochondriac, my first thought was cancer. A Google search calmed my nerves. There are many benign causes of blood in the toilet bowl, including hemorrhoids. So, it was probably nothing major. Yet my initial alarm also made me feel a little conflicted  should I tell someone or just ignore it? I didnt have time for a health crisis.

While my important business deal was slipping away, the blood kept showing up. After several days, I realized I couldnt brush it off much longer. My husband, Jesse, needed to know. Still, I was distracted by a quickly approaching meeting about another deal in San Francisco.

My husband, Jesse, and me. (Courtesy Brooks Bell)

A few moments before the meeting started, I found myself standing in a doorway, calling Jesse. I often talked with him about my business challenges. He is a fellow business owner, and always a great sounding board for me. But this time, I realized that I was terrified  both about the meeting and the blood. Did I really need to tell him about the blood? What if it was just a hemorrhoid? Fears of being too dramatic were flooding my brain. Even though my husband is supportive, discussing bathroom habits wasnt the norm in our marriage. So, saying Sweetie, I think I saw blood in my poop this week was a jarringly uncomfortable thing to say.

We discussed the meeting, and then I paused and took a deep breath. I gathered up courage and got the words out. Once they were said, a weight lifted off me. He didnt respond with words of disgust or dismiss my symptoms. We decided I should meet with our family doctor when I got home, and then a specialist if necessary. But the sense of relief was quickly replaced by an ominous sense of foreboding. Verbalizing my fears made them more real. Maybe that was the reason I was afraid of saying it out loud?

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At home, I got the first available appointment with my family doctor. No hemorrhoid was found. The doctor said she wasnt worried because I was only 38  she sent me away. But since the bleeding persisted, and wasnt caused by a hemorrhoid, I was still concerned.

Two weeks later, it was New Years Eve. Jesse and I wandered the aisles of Party City to pick up costumes for a zombie-themed New Years party later that night. Later that afternoon, I met with a gastroenterologist. New Years Eve is apparently a slow day for them, so they were able to fit me in.

As I shared my symptoms, I could see concern in the doctors face. Youre not too young for colon cancer, she said. Two months of bleeding is too long, and a dull red color in your stool is consistent with bleeding higher up in your colon. She put me at the top of the list for a colonoscopy.

I left the appointment in no mood to celebrate. I told Jesse I didnt feel like going to the party, and recounted the conversation with my doctor. We moved the Party City bag into the garage and spent a quiet night on the couch, worrying about what the new year might bring.

Four days later, I groggily woke from a colonoscopy. When my doctor entered the room with a solemn expression, I instantly knew the news was not good. We found a tumor, and its almost certainly cancerous, she said.

I was unsurprised and also completely floored. On one hand, I felt vindicated because I had successfully advocated for my body, but I also couldnt believe that my worst fear was actually happening. At the time, no one was talking about the rising risks of colon cancer in young people. At 38, I was too young to qualify for a preventative colonoscopy (theyre still not recommended until age 45). I didnt have a family history of colon cancer, but apparently neither do the majority of people diagnosed, although it is a risk factor, according to the American Cancer Society. Only later did I learn that colon cancer kills more people each year than either breast or prostate cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was a bigger threat than I imagined.

After my surgery to remove 10 inches of my colon. (Courtesy Brooks Bell)

The doctor told me it was good that I came in when I did. If its not stage 4, you have a good chance of full recovery, she said. But treatment is going to be hard.

For the next five days, Jesse and I waited for the test results to determine whether the cancer had spread. These were the most difficult days in the entire journey. Life seemed to be suspended as we nervously anticipated the phone call from my doctor.

Thankfully, my cancer was stage 3, and the survival odds were good. I had 10 inches of my colon surgically removed and underwent three months of grueling, high-dose chemotherapy. The treatment was intense emotionally and physically. I was so weak that a 10-minute walk sent me to bed for hours. I had months of nightmares about dying. But I survived through it all.

I also did chemotherapy for three months. (Courtesy Brooks Bell)

Its been four years since I finished treatment, and my cancer hasnt returned. This journey has turned my life upside down, but it also gave me a powerful sense of purpose. I brought in a new CEO to run my company so I could focus all of my energy on colon cancer prevention projects. I spoke at the White House as part of the Cancer Moonshot, an ambitious federal program to reduce cancer deaths by 50% over the next 25 years. I launched an initiative called Lead From Behind, resulting in a 36% increase in colonoscopy appointments nationwide. I never could have predicted I would spend my 40s proudly wearing a Colonoscopy Enthusiast T-shirt, and using my platform  and butt humor  to help prevent colon cancer in young people.

Verbalizing my bathroom experience was hard the first time I shared it with my husband, and is still a little weird every time I repeat it. But Ive learned that it is so important to get over our fears and the stigmas when it comes to our bodies and our health. That awkward conversation that I forced myself to have with my husband led to an early and survivable diagnosis for me. But had I continued to be embarrassed, it might not have worked out that way. And I realized a simple but critical thing that keeps me talking about this today: The more awkward conversations we have now, the more people will live to talk about it later.

Do you have a personal essay to share with TODAY? Please send your ideas to TODAYEssays@nbcuni.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Greta Gerwigs Barbie has scored an impressive 89 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film which debuted on the review-aggregation website on Wednesday (19 July) stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken.

Other cast members of the much-awaited film include Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Simu Liu and Michael Cera.

So far, 96 reviews have been added to the Rotten Tomatoes website, with most of the critics agreeing that Barbie is a must watch.

David Sims from The Atlantic called the film a very charming success, while Tomris Laffly from The Wrap said its a soulful film underneath all the persistent fuchsia.

Kimberley Jones from Austin Chronicle wrote that the film is electric.

There is such visual wit to the film, which ping-pongs between make-believe and real-life, the two-dimensional and three-dimensional. Lest that all sound too hifalutin, there are some punchlines that made me honk with pleasure. she wrote.

Peter Howell from Toronto Star credited the cast for their stellar performances.

(AP)

What really makes this comedy click are the stellar performances, from the lead role on down, Howell wrote in his review. This is the funniest cast Ive seen in some time.

Rolling Stones David Fear wrote: A big movie can still have big ideas in 2023. Even a Barbie movie. Especially a Barbie movie.

Many critics also applauded Gerwigs filmmaking skills.

New York Times Manohla Dargis wrote that the Mattel brand looms large in the film, but Gerwig, whose directorial command is so fluent she seems born to filmmaking, is announcing that shes in control.

( 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

Gerwig has made the kind of family film she surely wishes had been available to her when she was a girl, sneaking a message (several of them, really) inside Barbies hollow hourglass figure, said Varietys Peter Debruge. Thats an admirable achievement.

In her five out of five-star review for The Independent, Clarrise Loughrey hailed the film as one of the most inventive, immaculately crafted and surprising mainstream films in recent memory  a testament to what can be achieved within even the deepest bowels of capitalism.

Barbie is out in cinemas on 21 July. Follow The Independents live blog about the film here.
BEAVER FALLS  A city man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie Tuesday for his involvement in a criminal ring accused of wire fraud conspiracy and possession of child sex abuse materials.

According to the Department of Justice, charges were filed against six residents of Pennsylvania and one resident of North Carolina after the seven defendants allegedly conspired to hack into Snapchat accounts to obtain explicit images and videos of victims. Among those charged in the federal investigation was 26-year-old Karlin Terrell Jones, of Beaver Falls, who authorities said worked with the group to share these images with others online.

As alleged, the defendants used deception and hacking techniques to unlawfully access social media accounts so that they could steal, hoard, and trade explicit and otherwise private content of hundreds of unsuspecting victims, said U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan. This office and our law enforcement partners will reach far and wide to identify and prosecute those who victimize our communities via the internet, especially when they seek to victimize our most vulnerable population  our children.

At this time, investigators have not disclosed what led them to identify the seven co-defendants in this case or what techniques were used to hack the social media accounts. It also remains unknown how many victims were impacted by these actions of identity theft, with local investigators stating that a larger network of victims may have been impacted without their knowledge.

The seven people charged today exploited their victims and engaged in a predatory behavior that will not be tolerated, said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. Hacking into social media accounts, stealing intimate pictures of unsuspecting victims and then selling and trading them in online forums is nothing short of reprehensible. These victims were re-victimized multiple times as their personal pictures were recirculated. We believe there is an extensive network of victims who still havent been identified.

The defendants in the case face a variety of charges related to aggravated identity theft, wire fraud conspiracy, computer fraud and possession of child sex abuse materials. In the charges, federal prosecutors said Jones can face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver Falls man facing federal charges for hacking social media accounts
When Miami wants pizza and some of the best chicken parm around, Miami heads to the nationally famous restaurant Crust  where guests not only indulge in huge helpings of comfort food but also warm and graceful hospitality.

Now, the popular restaurant close to the Miami River has been sold.

On Tuesday evening, owners Klime and Anita Kovaceski announced they sold the business on July 1.

After much thought, Anita and I have decided it is time to make a change that we feel is for the better  for us, our families, our employees, and our beloved guests, the statement said. We wholeheartedly believe that the new owner and the entire Crust team who are staying on will continue to keep our legacy of great food and hospitality alive.

While you may not regularly see us on premise, we will continue to offer consultation and support Crust operationally when needed.

Anita and Klime Kovaceski have sold their restaurant Crust.

The Kovaceskis, who opened the restaurant in 2015 after converting the building from a former Sherwin-Williams paint store, declined to talk about who purchased the restaurant. But their statement indicates that life (and pizza) will go on at the restaurant (even if it must continue without Anitas affable greetings to every guest).

Kovaceski, who says he is happy about the sale, says that the employees will remain on the staff, cooking the Italian specialties he created (Kovaceski is proudly Macedonian, and once told the Miami Herald that was helpful to him as a chef: I dont have to do my grandmothers recipe. Sometimes not being authentic to the region is a good thing).

Chris Maurice, who had been working as Anita Kovaceskis assistant and has been with Crust since it opened, will be the restaurants new general manager.

Chef Klime Kovaceski makes chicken parm at Crust in Miami.

The new team is making minor adjustments to the menu, Kovaceski says, but adds that about 90 percent of the menu will still be offered, including the beloved and gigantic chicken parm, which has been heralded as one of the best chicken parms in the United States. The pizza at Crust was named one of the best in the country in 2022 by Yelp.

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As for Kovaceski, hell stay busy with his restaurant consulting business, although hes thinking about taking a vacation first.

I havent had a vacation for nine years. Im definitely taking some free time. Fifteen years from now Ill be 78, and just like Biden and Trump, I also want to be president, he joked. Ill run for president of Macedonia. So until then, in these next 15 years, Im going be in the hospitality industry, its in my blood, and thats what I have done all of my life.

The famous chicken parm at Crust in Miami will remain on the menu.

Crust

Where: 668 NW Fifth St., Miami

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday

Information and orders: crust-usa.com or 305-371-7065
Your college years can be some of the best of your life, but we know it can be tough to enjoy them when youre scrounging every dollar for textbooks, food and (if youre lucky) the occasional outing with friends. Money is tight when youre a student, and that financial stress can be compounded by the reality of having to stay on top of your studies.

If theres a silver lining, its student discounts. Many companies offer their products and apps for less to those struggling through lectures, writing term papers and studying for finals. Weve compiled a list of the best deals you can get on useful services, along with some things youll enjoy in your down time. Just keep in mind that most of these offers require you to prove your status as a student either by signing up with your .edu email address or providing some form of student identification.

Shopping

Amazon Prime Student

Amazon Prime Student

If youre not piggybacking off of your parents Amazon Prime account, you can have the subscription for less while youre in school. College students can get Prime Student for free for six months, then it costs only $7.49 per month after that. That comes out to about $90 per year, and the membership includes the same perks as regular Prime does, including free two-day shipping, free same-day delivery in select areas, and access to the entire Prime Video library.

Shop Amazon Prime Student

Best Buy

While it doesnt offer a specific student discount, Best Buy has a student deal hub page where you can find gadgets on sale. You'll find discounts on a bunch of gear that students would need, including laptops, headphones, monitors, software and more. Best Buy also has a tool that will help students find the right computer for their needs that only requires them to answer a few questions before providing them a number of options.

Shop Best Buy Student Deals

Apple

Apple offers some deals to students and educators in the form of knocking down the prices of its most popular laptops and tablets. There isnt a flat percentage rate across all products; the discounts vary by device. For example, right now students can get a MacBook Air M1 starting at $899, which is $100 less than the normal starting price, and the iPad Pros start at $749, which represents a $50 discount. These are decent savings if you must have a brand new Apple product, but those with tighter budgets should also consider Apples refurb program. Also for 2023, students can get up to a $150 gift card and 20 percent off AppleCare when they purchase a qualifying Mac or iPad, and they'll get one month free of Apple Music and Apple TV+ as well.

Shop Apples back-to-school promos

Samsung

Much like Apple, Samsung doesn't offer a blanket discount across all of its products for students. But you can save depending on what you're looking to buy. For example, you can save hundreds on the latest Galaxy S23 and foldable smartphones, up to $300 on Samsung Galaxy Book laptops and an extra 15 percent off Samsung wireless earbuds,

Shop Samsungs back-to-school promos

Microsoft

Microsoft also provides students and educators with up to and additional 10 percent off its gadgets, including most of its Surface family. And the online store doesnt only sell Microsoft-made devices: You can also find Windows PCs from Lenovo, HP, Acer and others there at discounted prices.

Shop Microsofts back-to-school promos

Streaming

Spotify

Spotify

Spotify Premiums student plan gives you full, ad-free access to the music streaming service plus a subscription to the ad-supported Hulu plan for only $5 per month. This is a great discount considering you'd pay roughly $18 per month if you were to buy each service separately.

Buy Spotify Premium Student

Pandora

Pandora also offers students its Premium membership for $5 per month. Pandoras offering doesnt include any additional services, but you do get an ad-free experience, personalized music, unlimited skips and unlimited offline play. Plus, youll get 60 days of free use before your payments kick in.

Buy Pandora Premium Student

Apple Music

Apple also slashes 50 percent off its Apple Music subscription for students, bringing it down to $5 per month. The offer is available for up to 48 months so you can enjoy the rate for the entirety of your college experience. Whats more, the company bundles Apple TV+ in this student offer, so you can watch Apple originals like Ted Lasso and Severance.

Buy Apple Music Student membership

Paramount+

Paramount+s student discount knocks 25 percent off the Essentials monthly plan, so youll end up paying around $3.75 per month for access to the services content with limited commercials. With this subscription, you can watch shows like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, South Park, RuPauls Drag Race and more, but just keep in mind that this particular plan doesnt include access to your local CBS station.

Buy Paramount+ Student

Tidal

Tidal provides student discounts on all of its services  eligible high school and college students can get up to 50 percent off its subscription plans. Tidal is still often overshadowed by Spotify and Apple Music, but these discounts are a good way to give it a try without spending too much money.

Buy Tidal Student

Hulu

College students can sign up for Hulus ad-supported plan for only $2 per month. Thats $6 less than the normal price and a great deal considering all of the content that Hulu has to offer (think: The Handmaids Tale, Greys Anatomy, Rick & Morty and more). Yes, you have to deal with commercials, but its a small price to pay to binge-watch shows like Brooklyn Nine Nine, which can provide a much-needed laugh when youre drowning in coursework.

Buy Hulu (ad-supported) for students

Headspace

Being a student is stressful even in the best of times, but now its even more difficult to concentrate and find peace. Headspace is just one of many meditation and mindfulness apps available that can help with that, but it stands apart with an excellent student discount: $10 for the entire year, or $60 less than a normal annual membership. In addition to a large library of meditation lessons and routines to follow, Headspace recently added SleepCasts, a collection of soothing voices reading bedtime stories to help you fall asleep, as well as mindful workout routines.

Buy Headspace Student plan

Tools

Adobe CC for Students

Adobe Creative Cloud

Youre probably using Adobe products if youre studying anything related to digital art or design. Adobe Creative Cloud is the industry standard in this space but the entire suite of programs is quite expensive at $53 per month. Thankfully, Adobe has education pricing for students that drops the entire creative suite to $20 per month for the first year. That includes the big programs like Photoshop CC and Illustrator CC along with Lightroom CC, Premiere Pro CC, Adobe XD and more.

After your first year, the monthly cost increases to $30 per month. While not ideal, its still more affordable for students than it is for industry professionals. If youre not tied to Adobe programs, you might also consider Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher apps from Serif ($70 each for the Mac or Windows versions), which compete with Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, respectively.

Buy Adobe CC for students

Ableton Live

Regardless of whether youre studying music production, students can get 40 percent off Ableton Live Standard or Suite for as long as they are enrolled full-time. That brings Live 11 Standard down to $269 and Suite down to $449  great discounts on some of the best music software available right now.

Buy Ableton Live

Microsoft 365

Many students have to use Microsoft 365 tools on the regular. If your college or university doesnt provide you with an account, you can still get Microsoft 365 for free by taking advantage of the companys student and educator discount. This gives you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and even Microsoft Teams free of charge, which is a solid deal considering an annual subscription costs $100.

Get Microsoft 365

Ulysses

Spending all day and night writing papers is even more frustrating when you dont have all your writing organized in one place. Ulysses is a popular writing app for mac/iOS that can be used for note taking as well as thesis writing, with features like auto-save and auto-backup, word-count writing goals, markup, plain text support and DropBox integration. Normally, Ulysses costs $40 per year but students can get it for only $11 every six months, or $22 per year. There isnt a direct alternative for Windows users, but you do have options including Scrivener, IA Writer and FocusWriter.

Buy Ulysses

Evernote

Evernote can be an indispensable tool if you like to keep all of your thoughts in one place  everything from class notes to web clippings to to-do lists. Students can get 40 percent off Professional, which is the way to go because it syncs your notes across unlimited devices, gives you offline access, lets you annotate PDFs and search saved documents.

Buy Evernote Professional

Github Student Developer Pack

Aspiring developers can sign up for Githubs Student Developer Pack, which includes discounts and resources that developers can use to learn, create projects and more. Github partnered with a bunch of companies including Educative, Canva, Namecheap, Bootstrap Studio and others to offer students access to many of the services theyll need as the expand their skills.

Get Github Student Developer Pack

Squarespace Student plan

Whether youre itching to get a jump-start on your portfolio or just want an online space to show off your work, Squarespace is a good option as it gives students a 50 percent discount on any of its annual plans for the first year. Squarespace is one of many website builders out there, but its particularly popular with creative professionals. Its customizable templates make it easy to build a website and make it look exactly how you want it. Plus, you can upgrade down the line to add things like website analytics, custom JavaScript and CSS and e-commerce.

Buy Squarespace

Surfshark

One of our favorite VPNs, Surfshark offers 83 percent off for students plus two months free when you sign up for a two-year plan. You can connect an unlimited number of devices to one Surfshark account, which will be good for students who want access across their phone, laptop, smart TV, and other gadgets. It also has more than 3,200 servers that you can access across 100 countries, giving you plenty of connection options.

Subscribe to Surfshark VPN

NordVPN

NordVPNs student discount gives you two years of the service for less than $80. Like most of the top picks in our VPN guide, NordVPN offers access to thousands of servers in a number of countries, and you can connect from almost any device you could imagine. It also has a kill-switch feature that will prevent you from making unprotected connections should the VPN accidentally drop.

Subscribe to NordVPN

Dashlane

Dashlane offers one year of its Premium plan for free to all students with a valid university email address. Its one of our top picks in our best password managers guide thanks to its easy to use apps and its focus on secure sharing. The latter could be particularly useful for students if they have friends and roommates with which they need to share account credentials.

Subscribe to Dashlane

NordPass

Another one of our favorite password managers, NordPass offers students a two-year Premium plan for just over $40, plus an extra month for free. Its wide platform compatibility makes it a great pick if youre always logging in from different devices. You can stay logged in on up to six devices simultaneously, and it has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera.

Subscribe to NordPass

News

The Atlantic

You shouldnt rely on Twitter to be your sole source of news. With foreign wars, new viruses, Supreme Court decisions and upcoming elections making headlines daily, its important to get your news from reliable sources. Yes, its daunting to get into the news on a regular basis, but its crucial to know whats going on in the country and the world as a whole. Here are some reputable news organizations that offer student discounts on their monthly or annual subscription plans.

The Atlantic: Starts at $45 per year for digital-only access.

The New York Times: $6 every four weeks for a base subscription.

The Washington Post: $1 every four weeks for digital-only access.

The Wall Street Journal: Starting at $4 every four weeks for the WSJ Digital pack.
The author during his journey. Anttoni James Numminen

I flew from London to Helsinki and snagged a bargain upgrade to business class for 75.

I got priority boarding, a meal, and access to the business lounge (though I didn't end up going).

Here's what it was like and how I made the most of Lufthansa's upgrade offer.

I live in the UK but have family in Finland, so I tend to travel back and forth a few times a year. I most recently visited in June. I was booked to travel, as usual, in economy class from London to Helsinki, with a short layover in Munich.

Once I booked my trip, I received an email from Lufthansa with the usual details. But having seen some posts on social media about people "bidding" for upgrades, I decided to look into it. A quick online search yielded the right section on the German carrier's website.

Several options were available, including purchasing a guaranteed upgrade for about 280, or about $360. Flying in business class on the return journey would have cost 400 to 600.

Like many airlines, Lufthansa gives passengers an opportunity to bid for an upgrade. In this case, the range of bids was 65 to 220.

Anttoni James Numminen

The bidding process helps airlines maximize the use of their aircraft. If the bid isn't accepted, the passenger doesn't have to pay anything.

Anttoni James Numminen

I took a chance and bid for an upgrade to business class for the slightly longer leg of my journey, from Munich to Helsinki, for 75. It wasn't quite the lowest amount possible, but it was close.

I got an email from Lufthansa telling me I'd be notified in good time if my bid was accepted. Not expecting that to happen, I more or less forgot about it.

Three days later I woke up to a message saying my bid had been accepted.

Anttoni James Numminen

However, as it was only the connecting flight that was upgraded, I started off in economy class from London to Munich, and I didn't have access to the first-class lounge at Heathrow.

In London, boarding was slow, and the aircraft was packed, forcing me to place my hand luggage far from my seat  not ideal with a short layover.

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I got a window seat, which was nice for the afternoon views of the English Channel and the English and French coastlines.

Anttoni James Numminen

Shortly after takeoff, passengers in economy were given a complimentary bottle of water. Other beverages and snacks were for sale.

Anttoni James Numminen

I had only a 45-minute layover in Munich, and we arrived late. There was no chance I'd get to enjoy the business-class lounge, which I'd heard was quite good  instead, I rushed to the gate.

Anttoni James Numminen

I arrived just in time, so I didn't have to wait more than a few minutes. With priority boarding, I was on Lufthansa's Airbus A320-200 in no time.

Anttoni James Numminen

The business-class cabin had three seats on each side, as in economy  but the middle seats were left empty in each row.

Anttoni James Numminen

Though I was set to sit in the aisle seat, I got lucky and ended up having the whole row to myself. It was a great change after the first cramped flight.

We left Munich on time. Just after takeoff we were treated to a hot towel, which was a welcome surprise; even some long-haul flights don't offer that in business class.

Anttoni James Numminen

We were given some salty pretzels, and the flight attendants offered us a broad choice of drinks.

Anttoni James Numminen

I went with some red wine and a glass of tomato juice, as I find the latter always tastes better in the air.

Anttoni James Numminen

We were handed menus with surprisingly broad options for a 2-1/2-hour flight, including different main courses.

Anttoni James Numminen

I placed my order with the very friendly flight attendants, who took the time to explain what the different dishes entailed. I had another glass of red wine while I waited.

The author during his journey. Anttoni James Numminen

The food arrived quickly. Though the courses all arrived on one tray, I was pleasantly surprised by the generous portions.

Anttoni James Numminen

I'd ordered the traditional German roast of Rhenish sauerbraten, which was piping hot, tender, and juicy.

Anttoni James Numminen

I also particularly enjoyed the starter that came with carrot tartare; it tasted fresh and zesty. Dessert was French opera cake, and though it was nicely chilled, it wasn't quite as flavorful as I'd expected.

Anttoni James Numminen

We were already well on our way, and I hadn't realized how much time had passed. Time flies when you're having fun.

Anttoni James Numminen

Once the plates and cutlery  which were porcelain and steel  had been cleared, I was offered some fruit and further snacks. I chose an apple, as I was quite full.

Anttoni James Numminen

As I had the whole row to myself, I got to enjoy the fantastic "midnight sun" and well-lit midsummer skies at 11:30 p.m.

Anttoni James Numminen

I felt quite luxurious sipping my cognac and coffee at 30,000 feet, enjoying the scenery in such comfort.

Anttoni James Numminen

Suddenly we were preparing to land in Helsinki. After we'd disembarked, leaving the airport was a breeze.

Anttoni James Numminen

It was definitely worth bidding for the upgrade.

Anttoni James Numminen

Unlike the cramped economy class, business class was spacious  to say nothing of the ease of boarding and disembarking, the fantastic onboard service, and the complimentary food and drinks.

Next time I'll hope for a slightly longer layover so I can enjoy the benefits of the business-class lounge.

I don't think I would have traveled in business at full price.

But by keeping an eye on potential upgrades  which airlines often let passengers know about and which passengers can find with a bit of research  I learned it was possible to get a bit of luxury for a bargain.

Read the original article on Business Insider
At the White House on Wednesday, President Joe Biden convenes a meeting of his Competition Council to announce new actions by his administration to increase competition in the American economy, lower prices for consumers, and help entrepreneurs and small businesses have a better chance to thrive. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

July 19 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Americans are "tired of being played for suckers" as he announced new measures that aim to lower the cost of food and rent by cracking down on anti-competitive practices in the agriculture and housing industries.

"Just four supermarket companies control over a third of the market nationwide, and it's even more concentrated at the local level where consumers have had even fewer stores to choose from," Biden said in a speech before the Competition Council.

"Grocers in consolidated markets charge you more because you have nowhere else to shop," he said.

Biden said the U.S. Department of Agriculture and partners in the states are going to prevent large companies from artificially raising prices through price fixing and price gouging.

"Second, we're cracking down on junk fees and rental housing. Folks at home know having to pay $100 or more just to fill out a rental application even though a credit check costs as low as $20," Biden said. "Application fees can be a profit center for landlords."

President Joe Biden and Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, look on as Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks during a meeting of the Competition Council at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

Many landlords accept applications from hundreds of potential applications, which Biden said is "far more than they can seriously consider." He also accused landlords of charging surprise fees for standard services such as pest control.

"It's simply not right, and we're going to move on it," Biden said.

Chair of the Federal Trade Commission Lina Khan said Wednesday that new merger rules proposed ahead of a meeting by the White House Competition Committee "reflect the realities of how firms do business in the modern economy." Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission proposed more than a dozen new guidelines to update federal enforcement procedures on mergers and acquisitions, ensuring compliance with antitrust laws by determining a merger's effect on competition in the new 21st Century economy, the White House said.

"Anti-competitive mergers can hurt people and drive up costs, as well," Biden said in his afternoon speech.

President Joe Biden convenes a meeting of his Competition Council in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The administration is betting that more robust antitrust enforcement efforts will result in lower prices, higher wages, and increased innovation across the broader economy. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

The actions come one week after a federal judge blocked an attempt by the FTC to stop Microsoft from acquiring video game publisher Activision Blizzard, denying the government motion for a temporary injunction that would have halted the deal.

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The proposed policy changes will be open for public comment for the next 60 days.

"Open, competitive, resilient markets have been a bedrock of America's economic success and dynamism throughout our nation's history," said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. "Faithful and vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws is key to maintaining that success. With these draft Merger Guidelines, we are updating our enforcement manual to reflect the realities of how firms do business in the modern economy."

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the new measures were designed to keep pace with a rapidly evolving global economy.

"Unchecked consolidation threatens the free and fair markets upon which our economy is based," Garland said. "These updated Merger Guidelines respond to modern market realities and will enable the Justice Department to transparently and effectively protect the American people from the damage that anticompetitive mergers cause."

The government's actions were being taken to address a growing concentration of resources in more than 75% of U.S industries, the White House said.

The new guidelines will also offer increased clarity about how law enforcement agencies evaluate mergers under antitrust laws.

The administration is betting that more robust antitrust enforcement efforts will result in lower prices, higher wages, and increased innovation across the broader economy.

The White House Competition Council, a bipartisan body, will meet Wednesday in an effort to eliminate junk fees -- including housing fees, application fees and convenience fees for apartments that may no longer be available.

In a major change, U.S. housing giants Zillow, Apartments.com, and AffordableHousing.com have agreed to launch new website features that will disclose all fees upfront to prospective renters, the White House said.

"They've joined us to take action against these companies," Biden said in his speech.

In the coming days, the Council of Economic Advisers will issue a briefing on the revised antitrust guidelines that was expected to support the new approach based on current economic data.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a report on rental junk fees, with strategies to address the problem.

The Agriculture Department is also partnering with more than two dozen state attorneys general to snuff out price-gouging and other anticompetitive practices in food markets while earning farmers a better payday for their crops.
JERUSALEM  Prior to Israels ceremonial President Isaac Herzogs planned speech to Congress on Wednesday, and in the face of mounting pressure from Republicans to invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to the U.S. for a meeting, President Biden on Monday reached out to the Israeli leader to solidify a get-together this year.

Herzog, who will deliver his congressional address as part of Israel celebrating the rebirth of its country 75-years-ago, told Biden on Tuesday "I was pleased to hear about your conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, which focused on our ironclad military and security cooperation. Because there are some enemies of ours that sometimes mistake the fact that we may have some differences, as impacting our unbreakable bond. I truly believe that if they would know how much our cooperation has grown in recent years and achieved new heights, they would not think that way."

Biden told Herzog that he conveyed to Netanyahu that "Americas commitment to Israel is firm and it is ironclad."

'SQUAD' MEMBERS VOTE AGAINST PRO-ISRAEL RESOLUTION, ONE CALLS ISRAEL APARTHEID STATE

Bidens alleged interference in Israeli domestic affairs has been a source of acute anger among some in the Jewish state and several Republican politicians and candidates running for president.

In an interview with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, Caroline Glick, a prominent American Israeli commentator, said, "The Biden administration is siding with the opposition and against the democratically elected government" over Netanyahus efforts to reform the judiciary.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Glick said Biden has inserted himself into Israeli domestic political fights over the legal reform process like no U.S. administration before and "That is why Israelis in general and, not just the government, are very, very angry at the Biden administration." She termed the Biden administration policy toward Israel as "totally hostile to more than half of the country" in the Jewish state.

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Israels government is seeking to rope in the power of the judiciary while critics argue that the legal reform process will weaken the system of checks and balances in the Middle Easts only democracy.

NETANYAHU TELLS PIERS MORGAN DEMOCRACY IS SAFE IN ISRAEL DESPITE HIS MOVES TO WREST CONTROL OF TOO POWERFUL

After Democratic progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington called Israel a "racist state" over the weekend, Glick said the "Democrats are under the ideological control of this progressive wing and are walking away from Israel as a party." Glick took Jayapal and her fellow progressive congressional "Squad" members to task because, she claimed, their "progressive wing has mainstreamed contemporary antisemitism."

Fox News Digital reported that more than 40 House Democrats slammed Jayapal in a public letter on Monday, declaring "Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people and efforts to delegitimize and demonize it are not only dangerous and antisemitic, but they also undermine Americas national security."

Yaakov Katz, the author of "Shadow Strike: Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power" and former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, told Fox News Digital with respect to Herzogs invitation to Washington that "On the one hand, the visit is a clear illustration of the intimate and strategic relationship between Israel and the U.S. On the other hand, it is hard to ignore the fact that President Herzog has been invited to meet Biden and only on the eve of Herzogs trip did Biden call and invite Netanyahu."

Katz continued, "This is in line with Bidens approach to the Israeli government which he called the most extreme in Israeli history. Netanyahu has until now not been welcome in Washington and even in their call Biden made clear that he disapproves of the judicial reform. The relations between the two leaders are not good at the moment."

Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Israel's parliament in Jerusalem on Dec. 29, 2022. Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, said of Netnayahu and President Biden, "The relations between the two leaders are not good at the moment."

BIDEN DROVE HISTORICALLY CLOSE MIDDLE EAST ALLIES INTO THE ARMS OF AMERICA'S GREATEST ENEMIES, EXPERTS SAY

Ariel Kahana, a senior diplomatic commentator for Israels most read Hebrew-language daily newspaper, the Israel Hayom, told Fox News Digital regarding Bidens Israels policies that the Israeli "government is certainly not satisfied with those policies. Those conversations they had (Monday) night by phone definitely made the atmosphere better, including the invitation Netanyahu got to visit Biden."

Kahana expressed cautious optimism about improved relations between the U.S. and Israel. He said while there are "gaps" in policy between the two allies, Kahana added that "The boycott has ended" with respect to Biden snubbing Netanyahu.

Bidens alleged hostility toward the Jewish states government triggered outrage from Republican politicians running for president on Monday at the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) annual summit in Arlington, Virginia.

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - MARCH 27: Protesters wave flags as thousands of Israelis attend a rally against Israeli Government's judicial overhaul plan on March 27, 2023 in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)

Floridas Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday told attendees at CUFI, "I think were in dire need of repairing the U.S.-Israel relationship," calling the Biden administration's policies towards Israel "disgraceful."

Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and presidential candidate Nikki Haley said during her speech to CUFI, "From day one, Joe Biden has weakened America and failed to stand by Israel. America is in global retreat. Israel is in greater danger. It doesnt have to be like this. And we cant afford four more years of weakness  or even a year and a half. We need a pro-Israel president  whoever she may be."

FIGHT OVER JERUSALEM'S TEMPLE MOUNT HOLY SITE: WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO JEWS, MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS?

The former South Carolina governor brought up Iran in her speech noting that, "Many believe Iran is only months or even weeks away from having the capability to get a nuclear bomb. But the Biden administration has done absolutely nothing. Actually, thats a little unfair. Biden hasnt done nothing. Hes given Iran exactly what it wants. The president waived sanctions on Irans nuclear program."

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department previously told Fox News Digital, "As the president has made clear, the United States is committed to never allowing Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. We believe diplomacy is the best way to achieve that goal, but President Biden has also been clear that we have not removed any option from the table."

White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said last week that Biden and Herzog "will also discuss Russias deepening military relationship with Iran, and Irans destabilizing behavior in the region."

Israeli commentators noted that Herzog will likely mention Irans reported nuclear weapons program in his speech to Congress and how it endangers security in the region.

When asked what Netanyahu aims to achieve during Herzogs visit in conjunction with the prime ministers view of a Fox News Digital report about the Biden administration using an antiquated definition of Irans atomic program, a spokesman for Netanyahu told Fox News Digital, "The prime minister's position on Iran has been steady and unchanged."

In June, Netanyahu responded to reports that the Biden administration was inching toward a deal with Irans regime to release at least $17 billion in sanctions relief to Tehran in exchange for temporary restrictions on the Islamic republics alleged atomic weapons program.

Israeli governments have consistently viewed Irans reported nuclear weapons program as an existential threat to the Jewish nation. Israel maintains a policy called the Begin Doctrine (name after former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin) to bar countries that are hostile to Israel from constructing nuclear weapons with military capability.

Israels air force destroyed nuclear reactors in 1981 in Iraq and in 2007 in Syria to stop its enemies' nuclear weapons ambitions.

Fox News' Peter Petroff contributed to this report.
President Biden has used a Cold War era law to allow more than 500,000 immigrants to remain in the U.S., according to a report.

The Biden administration's immigration policy has led to the most significant legal immigration wave in modern history, according to internal government records obtained by CBS News. Federal officials are using a decades-old provision in federal law that gives officials the authority to grant parole to migrants, which lets them enter the country legally without a visa.

This has led to legal status for 541,000 immigrants from all around the world, based on court records and public documents.

The 1952 law has allowed federal officials to justify taking immigrants without visas if there is an "urgent humanitarian" cause or "significant public benefit." This legal status, although, is limited to two years, when the immigrants would then need to have their status renewed or obtain a visa.

BORDER PATROL HAS NO PROTOCOLS FOR ASSESSING HEALTH OF CHILDREN WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS, REPORT SAYS

The administration has used a series of global crises to justify this decision, most notably mass migration in Latin America, Afghans fleeing from Taliban rule and Ukrainians who fled at the start of Russia's invasion. Parole authority from the administration has been used to grant legal immigration status to 168,400 Latin American and Caribbean migrants, 141,200 Ukrainian refugees, 133,000 asylum-seekers at the southern border, 77,000 Afghan evacuees, and 22,000 Ukrainians, according to government data.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The border crisis under Biden reached a peak last year, as more than 200,000 border encounters were logged for 10 months straight. The administration responded by looking for ways to allow legal migration without an appointment at the border.

The Uniting for Ukraine program was established early last year to allow the country's refugees to fly directly to the U.S., as opposed to the southern border, so long as they had a sponsor. A similar sponsor program was later launched for Venezuelans fleeing poverty and authoritative rule, which was expanded late last year to include those fleeing from Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua.

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MIGRANT CHILDREN ABANDONED BY ALLEGED SMUGGLER RESCUED BY TEXAS DPS AMID TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT

The border crisis reached a peak last year under President Biden, with more than 200,000 border encounters for 10 months straight.

At the border, a program was launched that allowed migrants to set up appointments at a legal port of entry using a mobile app called CBP One.

Together, these programs from the administration are expected to continue this historic increase in legal immigration. The Ukraine program has no cap, the CBP One app allows more than 500,000 migrants each year, and the program for the select Latin American countries has an annual cap of 360,000 migrants.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasized the agency's use of parole has a strict process to ensure national security as they provide humanitarian assistance to migrants.

"Parole is only granted on a case-by-case basis to individuals who pass strict security vetting and meet certain criteria," a DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Those who do not have a lawful basis to remain in this country are being expeditiously removed, barred from reentry for five years, and potentially subject to criminal prosecution. More individuals have been removed or expelled than paroled in the last two years, and the conflation of very different parole processes that serve very different purposes is misleading and wrong."

TEXAS DPS ARRESTS GULF CARTEL OPERATIVE FOR ALLEGED HUMAN SMUGGLING INTO US

Twenty Republican-led states filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's program for the Latin American countries in January, claiming it oversteps the authorities of Congress to regulate immigration parole powers.

"The Department of Homeland Security, under the false pretense of preventing aliens from unlawfully crossing the border between the ports of entry, has effectively created a new visa program without the formalities of legislation from Congress," the states wrote. "The Departments parole power is exceptionally limited, having been curtailed by Congress multiple times, and can be used only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit."
Around 70 percent of New Hampshire Democrats support President Biden in the 2024 Democratic primary field, according to a new University of New Hampshire poll.

Biden holds a sizable 60-point lead over his closest competitor, anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who received 10 percent support in the poll. Author Marianne Williamson received only 4 percent.

Despite the incumbents sizable lead, questions still remain over whether Biden can win the New Hampshire primary because he may not be on the ballot.

The Democratic Party named South Carolina as its first primary state for 2024, but a New Hampshire law requires it to go first nationally, creating a situation where Biden may be left off the ballot entirely.

According to the poll, if Biden is left off the ballot, 65 percent of respondents said they would write him in anyway. Sixty-seven percent of Biden respondents said they are definitely decided on supporting the president.

The two primary opponents also lack in the second-choice ranking, with a plurality of voters saying they would select another candidate that isnt on the ballot if their first choice wasnt possible.

The poll also showed Biden as the most favorable candidate by a wide margin. Sixty-five percent of respondents said they have a favorable view of Biden, compared to 9 percent for Kennedy and 5 percent for Williamson.

Kennedy was the most polarizing candidate, with 69 percent of respondents having an unfavorable view despite him finishing second in the poll. He has come under widespread backlash after he repeated an antisemitic conspiracy theory about COVID-19.

Kennedys support is strongest among self-described moderates and Republicans, while Williamson is strongest among socialists, pollsters said.

In national polls, Biden holds a similarly wide lead over his primary opponents, and is neck-and-neck with Republican frontrunner former President Trump.

The poll of 743 likely Democratic voters was taken between July 13-17. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.6 percent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Biden administration is trying to crack down on hidden apartment rental fees.

As part of the initiative, major rental platforms will show the total cost of units, not just the rent.

While the initiative doesn't directly lower prices, it's meant to help promote competition.

President Joe Biden doesn't want you to have to pay a fee for the luxury of applying to a new apartment  or getting your trash picked up once you fork over rent.

As part of the Biden administration's ongoing initiative to crack down on junk fees, the White House has a new target: Rental fees. On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced a slew of new measures to help ensure that renters aren't burdened with surprise fees while trying to find a new place, or after they move in.

Now, prospective renters will be able to see the total cost of an apartment when they peruse three major platforms  Zillow, Apartments.com, and AffordableHousing.com. That all-in pricing is a far cry from what many renters experience when navigating a pricey rental market, where everything from parking to pets rack up hidden fees. As rental prices remain inflated, and housing markets competitive, hidden fees might be a sunken cost for renters frantically vying to sign the lease for anywhere that'll take them.

"At the front end of the apartment search, people often pay application fees of $50, $60, $100 or more per apartment, and have to do it many times over," a senior administration official told reporters. "If they're applying to multiple units, this can add up to hundreds of dollars."

That might have a disproportionate impact on marginalized renters; a 2022 Zillow report found that the typical American renter is less likely to be white when compared to the overall adult population, and more likely to be LGBTQ+. They're paying, typically, between $40 and $59 on rental applications, and generally applying to two apartments. However, renters of color were likely to be paying application fees, and Black and Latino renters were nearly twice as likely to apply to five or more apartments as their white counterparts.

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According to an administration press release, as part of the initiative, Zillow will start providing a "Cost of Renting" summary on active listings, which will showcase the total cost with fees included, and Apartments.com will launch its own calculator to reflect the total cost of units. AffordableHousing.com will mandate that owners put fees and charges in their listings, and start including "Trusted Owner" badges on profiles of owners who are consistently upfront about various costs.

It's reminiscent of the Biden administration's actions in conjunction with concert and live-event ticketing platforms, where Live Nation and Ticketmaster pledged to show the costs of tickets upfront, rather than saddling fans with surprise fees at checkout. However, similarly to that ticketing initiative, the rental fee proposal isn't able to substantively bring down costs  instead, consumers just know them upfront rather than at the final stage of purchasing a ticket or leasing a unit. But the White House hopes that increased transparency will urge landlords to compete with one another for lower upfront pricing, bringing down costs for all.

The announcement is "really about transparency of these fees," a senior administration official said, "which we of course think will have the effective of cutting them down."

Read the original article on Business Insider
TEL AVIV  Days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to ram through the first part of his plan to weaken Israels Supreme Court, President Joe Biden urged him not to rush the legislation that has so deeply divided Israel.

It was an unusually direct intervention by an American president into the affairs of one of the U.S.' closest allies.

By Wednesday, there was little indication that Bidens words, as described by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, had changed Netanyahus political calculus.

Under intense pressure from far-right members of his government, Netanyahu says he plans to move the first part of the legislation through parliament as early as Sunday, despite mass street protests that have paralyzed parts of the country and the growing numbers of military reservists who say they will refuse to show up for duty if the plan goes ahead.

The bill would strip the Supreme Court of its ability to strike down government decisions as unreasonable. Netanyahu argues the vague term gives unelected judges too much power to stop the policy agenda of an elected government. But critics say its one of the few checks on the power of the government, which has a majority in Israels single chamber parliament.

Earlier this year, the court used the reasonableness test to block Netanyahu from appointing an ally convicted of tax fraud to a senior Cabinet post.

This is obviously an area about which Israelis have strong views, including in an enduring protest movement that is demonstrating the vibrancy of Israels democracy, which must remain the core of our bilateral relationship, Biden told Friedman.

Israeli military reservists protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg / AP)

Finding consensus on controversial areas of policy means taking the time you need," he continued. "For significant changes, thats essential. So my recommendation to Israeli leaders is not to rush. I believe the best outcome is to continue to seek the broadest possible consensus here.

Friedman, a longtime supporter of Israel who has expressed growing alarm over the country's direction under Netanyahu, said Biden invited him to the Oval Office on Tuesday for a one-hour, fifteen-minute meeting to make his message crystal clear to all Israelis.

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The columnist described Biden as deeply worried for the stability and future of Israel, though he did not quote the Netanyahu directly expressing that sentiment. (The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Friedman article.)

Israeli protesters have been stepping up their appeals to the Biden administration to intervene more forcefully in the countrys political crisis. Crowds gathered outside a U.S. embassy building in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, calling on the White House to do more.

President Biden, we love you, save us! read one post from a demonstrator carrying an American flag.

But some protesters also expressed frustration that Biden this week agreed to meet Netanyahu in the U.S. later this year.

Netanyahu took office in December but Biden had so far declined to invite him to the White House, in what was widely seen in Israel as a sign of U.S. opposition to the judicial overhaul.

Conversely, the Bidens decision to issue an invitation to the U.S. offered Netanyahu a political win days before the parliamentary vote.

What message is this sending? A tyrant seeks to dismantle democracy and youre inviting him to the Oval Office? This is unacceptable and we urge the U.S. administration to continue standing with Israelis who are tirelessly fighting for Israeli democracy, Josh Drill, a protest spokesman, told NBC News.

Israeli opposition politicians and analysts have repeatedly warned that the U.S.-Israeli relationship was straining under the disagreement over Netanyahus judicial plans.

For the first time in the history of relations between the two countries, the United States is concerned that Israel will no longer be a democracy, said the Institute for National Security Studies, a leading Israeli think tank. Tension in the special relations between Jerusalem and Washington is not new, but casting doubt on such a fundamental anchor of that relationship is an unprecedented development.

Compounding concerns about worsening ties is the growing sense that Bidens Democratic Party is moving farther away from Israel, with Democratic lawmakers particularly uneasy over its treatment of the Palestinians. Those concerns were on vivid display this week after Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Israel a racist state, although she later walked it back.

Joel Rubin, a former State Department official who previously ran the American Jewish Congress, said that shift is likely to continue. He pointed out that older politicians like Biden, who spent decades in the Senate nurturing close Israeli ties, are gradually being replaced by younger counterparts whose views on Israel formed after the Oslo Accords of the 1990s and the two Palestinian uprisings, or intifadas  events that strengthened U.S. support for Israel.

Biden may very well be the last one, Rubin said in an interview. Most of the rest of the American political leaders are going to be educated in the post-Oslo, post-Intifada world and not have the same kind of sentimental attachment to Israel that Joe Biden has.

Palestinians queue at an Israeli checkpoint in Bethlehem (Hazem Bader / AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the strains playing out in public over Netanyahus approach, current and former U.S. officials have emphasized that on practical matters, the Biden administration has continued working to advance Israels security and diplomatic interests, preserving the traditional U.S. role as Israels staunch ally.

Behind the scenes, top U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan are working to broker an historic normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Last month, the administration appointed former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro to a newly created position aimed at expanding the Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states recognize Israel.

After a visit by President Isaac Herzog to the White House during which he called Biden a huge friend of Israel, the administration announced a deal Wednesday to ultimately allow visa-free travel to the U.S. if Israel meets certain conditions  granting a long-standing request.

In return, Israel will change its travel procedures to ensure equal treatment for all U.S. citizens entering the country without regard to national origin, religion or ethnicity  including Palestinian Americans.

In recent months, Netanyahu has abandoned one of the most controversial parts of the bill  which would have allowed parliament to vote to ignore rulings of the Supreme Court.

Months of negotiations between the government and the opposition have failed to yield a compromise, and Netanyahu now appears ready to push the first part of the legislative package through parliament on Sunday.

Raf Sanchez reported from Tel Aviv, Josh Lederman reported from London, and Abigail Williams reported from Washington.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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With his original plan for writing off billions of dollars in student loans undone by the Supreme Court, President Biden has a more modest workaround in mind. But that scheme, based on adjustments to existing income-driven repayment plans, faces not only renewed legal challenges and a bureaucratic gauntlet on its way to implementation, but estimates that the ultimate price tag will be $475 billionmuch higher than originally expected. In other words, be ready for an already spendthrift federal government to burden taxpayers with yet more debt.

"The Department of Education (Department) today will begin notifying more than 804,000 borrowers that they have a total of $39 billion in Federal student loans that will be automatically discharged in the coming weeks," the U.S. Department of Education announced last Friday. "In total, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved more than $116.6 billion in student loan forgiveness for more than 3.4 million borrowers."

"It's now the most generous repayment program ever," commented President Biden.

As Reason's Emma Camp noted when the plan was announced, "Under most IDR plans, borrowers pay a specific percentage of their income each month for a set number of yearsusually 20 or 25 yearsafter which their remaining balance will be forgiven. Previously, payments were required to be on time and in full in order to count toward cancellation." With the Biden administration's "Saving on a Valuable Education" (SAVE)-branded changes, many borrowers will be considered to have satisfied the requirements for forgiveness according to a broader set of circumstances, including late or partial payments, during periods of forbearance and deferment, and because of economic hardship.

Hefty Price Tags

Writing off loans comes at a price. The broader original loan forgiveness plan was estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to cost $400 billion, while the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Wharton Budget Model pegged it to cost at least $605 billion  with a warning that "total plan costs could exceed $1 trillion."

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But the Supreme Court said that larger proposal abused the concept of discretion in applying existing law without seeking legislative changes through Congress. "The Secretary's plan has 'modified' the cited provisions only in the same sense that 'the French Revolution "modified" the status of the French nobility'it has abolished them and supplanted them with a new regime entirely," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the court's majority decision.

That leaves us with the Biden administration's consolation prize for those seeking debt forgiveness. While not as far-reaching as the first plan, it's still spendy.

A Modest-Ish Proposal

"We estimate SAVE will incur a net cost of $475 billion over the 10-year budget window," the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Wharton Budget Model announced this week. "About $200 billion of that cost will come from payment reduction for the $1.64 trillion in loans already outstanding in 2023. We estimate that about 53 percent of the current loan volume will move to SAVE after it goes active in July 2024, implying that about $869 billion will be subject to enhanced subsidies under SAVE. The remainder of the budget cost, or about $275 billion, comes from reduced payments for about $1.03 trillion in new loans that we estimate will be extended over the next 10 years."

An earlier estimate by Penn Wharton had put the cost of Biden's income-driven repayment plans at "between $333 to $361 billion over the 10-year budget window." The higher new cost estimate takes into account the administration's final regulations, which were published on July 10.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated in March that the "new income-driven repayment plan would increase the government's costs for federal student loans originated through 2033 by $230 billion." But that estimate also predated the publication of SAVE's final regulations. The CBO has yet to update its estimate for the plan's costs.

A Deep Sea of Red Ink

A price tag of $475 billion is less than the $605 billion projected for the scheme rejected by the Supreme Court, let alone the trillion-dollar-plus worst-case scenario envisioned by Penn Wharton, but it's a hefty chunk of change for a government that, year after year, spends well beyond its means. The latest U.S. Treasury Department Monthly Treasury Statement shows that the federal government borrowed almost $1.4 trillion in the nine months since Fiscal Year 2023 began last October. That's more than was borrowed in all of Fiscal Year 2022, though that year's red ink was also quite impressive.

Officially, total U.S. national debt is now $32.54 trillion.

"Our debt addiction of more than $5 billion per day will be hard to come down from, but it is vital that we do so for both current and future generations," comments Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. "As of this month, we've now spent more on interest on the debt than we did for the entire previous fiscal year, and we are projected to spend more on interest payments in the next decade than we will on the entire defense budget. We're on track to have interest be the single largest line item in the budget by 2051  larger than our two current biggest programs, Social Security and Medicare."

In the context of such overwhelming debts and deficits, it might be tempting to ask, what's another $475 billion among fellow countrymen who don't like each other very much? But that's not how we dig ourselves out of this hole. In May, during the debt ceiling debate (remember that?), I tried my hands at a few online tools that let Americans make decisions for balancing the federal budget. The tools varied in assumptions and overall quality, but (spoiler alert!) no approaches for eliminating red ink involved multi-hundred-billion-dollar giveaways.

The SAVE plan and its associated costs aren't yet fixed in stone. Among other considerations, it's likely to face a new round of lawsuits from people concerned that the administration is yet again making expensive policy decisions without seeking congressional approval. However, the financially less-ambitious scheme is also not as creative in its legal gymnastics as the original proposal and may not be so vulnerable to challenge.

So, the estimated $475 billion price may stand as an addition to the federal government's already excessive financial undertakings. It's a generous proposal, all right, not just in terms of taxpayer money, but also in the burden it places on the country's shaky financial future.

The post Biden's Latest Student Loan Scheme Has a Bigger Price Tag Than Originally Projected appeared first on Reason.com.
A lifetime ago, I worked as a federal affairs manager at the center-right organization Americans for Tax Reform. My area of focus was technology policy, advocating for as much of a hands-off approach as possible by opposing net neutrality, and supporting online privacy and personal data protection.

It wasnt the most exciting job in the world, but I believe it was important and still is. I may not work in that arena anymore, but I still follow the issues because today, everyone has to. When it comes to the digital world, the fight for freedom and privacy is never-ending, and all the concepts are just as important today as they were in 2007

Those free apps, websites and services everyone loves are never actually free. Online, if you are not the paying customer, you are the product. Those apps are fishing nets for data  your data. That data is then refined into gold for the companies that collect it.

They know what you want almost before you do, tailoring ads based on algorithms and now artificial intelligence to bring you advertisements for things you didnt even know you need or want. And theyre very good at it  theres a reason the number of billionaires in the United States went from 359 in 2009 to 614 in 2020, and it wasnt because so many of them respect the privacy of the public.

If youre like me, you try to mess with the system as much as you can; a lame rebellious swipe at the system that ultimately means so little it means nothing at all. My birth year on Facebook, for example, is 1911. Im no teenager, but I am not 112at least not yet. I tend to list my location as Earth, and keep my employment and education history to myself. I may be the product, but Im not going to give them a lot to sell me with. A moral victory, at best, but Ill take it, if only so I can lie to myself about beating the system a little.

Being the product brings with it an ever-increasing attempt to get more information from you, which creates a never-ending kabuki dance between Big Tech companies and the public. One thing the internet pioneered was the endlessly long, overly lawyered, confusing and always changing user agreements. When was the last time you read one of those? If youre like me, its never.

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But those user agreements have led to an interesting story Ive been following for a while now out of Illinois.

There is no user agreement that does not favor the company that wrote it, its just a universal truth. And not reading it isnt going to help you should an issue arise. However, in Illinois someone actually did read the user agreement with Samsung and found a way to use it against the company.

Samsung was accused by users in Illinois of collecting and misusing consumers biometric data  fingerprints, facial recognition, etc.  without properly informing them. The tech giants user agreement, like almost all of them do, required arbitration rather than a lawsuit. Companies hate lawsuits, especially class action lawsuits, which could easily result from allegations of violations of user agreements.

Class-action suits have serious drawbacks. Ive been an unwilling party to a few of them, as you likely have, too. I didnt even know Id been wronged, and its irritating to discover that the righting of whatever wrong there was involves lawyers getting rich and me getting lousy coupons for future purchases from the company that has supposedly wronged me. The lawyers never get paid in coupons.

That being said, sometimes class actions are necessary when enough people have been seriously wronged. Samsung protected itself against that with their user agreement. Creatively, users found a way to make the company pay: mass arbitration. Not mass-arbitration in the sense that there is a large class of people demanding a single arbitration, but because they are bringing tens of thousands of arbitration cases.

Companies tend to prefer arbitration to lawsuits, but arbitration also costs money. The prospect of tens of millions in fees to cover arbitration hearings presents a mighty incentive for Samsung or any other company to reevaluate its policies, dont you think?

Naturally, Samsung is now seeking to change the rules in their favor again. Because 50,000 customers making arbitration claims is going to leave a mark on their bottom line. I dont know what is ultimately best for consumers and for privacy, aside from massive tech companies not violating our privacy in the first place. But I do enjoy boat-rocking, and I know that a good check against their abuses would be to use their own ever-changing, massive, lawyerly user agreements against them.

The next step would be honesty and transparency, but that will likely have to wait until tech giants are really made to hurt.

Derek Hunter is host of the Derek Hunter Podcast and a former staffer for the late Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian army's 35th Marine Brigade members conduct mine clearance work at a field in Donetsk, Ukraine on July 11, 2023. Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive is facing stiff Russian resistance and tough defensive fortifications.

But the biggest threat to Kyiv's troops right now are minefields, the top US general said this week.

Minefields are one of several Russian defensive lines and have been a tremendous challenge.

Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive is moving slowly as its troops face formidable Russian defenses. The biggest of these hurdles for Kyiv's forces are sprawling minefields and not Russia's superior airpower capabilities, the top US general said this week.

In anticipation of Ukraine's assaults, Russian forces built layers of elaborate defensive networks and fortifications behind the front line, which stretches hundreds of miles across the eastern and southern Ukraine. These threats to the Ukrainian offensive include barbed wire, networks of trenches, anti-armor obstacles, and minefields.

When the counteroffensive first got underway earlier this summer, Russian attack helicopters posed a major threat to Ukrainian ground troops and their heavy armor, such as tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. But now, Ukraine's biggest headache is coming from below  not above.

"The casualties that the Ukrainians are suffering on this offensive are not so much from Russian airpower," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told reporters at a press briefing on Monday. "They're from minefields  minefields that are covered with direct fire from anti-tank hunter-killer teams, that sort of thing."

Ukrainian army's 35th Marine Brigade members conduct mine clearance work at a field in Donetsk, Ukraine on July 11, 2023. Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

"The problem to solve is minefields, not the air piece right this minute," Milley said, so Western countries are trying to provide Ukraine with additional equipment to help clear these obstacles, such as rocket-projected explosive charges like the M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge, or MICLIC.

"I'm confident that they can do this, and especially if they execute the tactics, techniques, and procedures that they've been taught, which they are doing, and execute these operations at night, which would deny the Russians the ability to use any of their airpower anyway," he added. "So the real problem is the minefields. It's not right now the airpower."

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Ukrainian officials and members of the military have repeatedly called for its international partners to provide it with greater airpower  specifically attack helicopters and American-made F-16 fighter jets  to support its ground forces. Kyiv has said several European countries will start training its pilots soon on the jets, although its unclear when they might actually arrive on the battlefield.

Anti-tank mines at a Russian position taken under control by the Ukrainian army in the direction of Velyka Novosilka, 13 July 2023. Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Russia has proven that it can outmatch Ukraine in the skies, thanks to disparities in weapons capabilities, electronic equipment, and overall force size. And officials have said that F-16s are unlikely to actually benefit Ukraine given the current battlefield conditions, but experts suggest that these aircraft could still be effective if they're armed with the right missiles.

Even with a stronger air force, Russia is struggling to conduct operations over Ukraine due to the threats posed by Ukrainian air defenses. Ukraine, however, is also having similar problems with Russian air defenses, leaving the air space over Ukraine contested.

Milley said the best option right now is to continue outfitting Kyiv's troops with surface-to-air defense systems that can help protect assault forces from Russian close-air support like the attack helicopters.

Ukrainian army's 35th Marine Brigade members conduct mine clearance work at a field in Donetsk, Ukraine on July 11, 2023. Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Milley noted the complexities of getting Ukraine to a point where it can match Russia's airpower, saying it would take years to do maintenance, sustainment, pilot training, and generate the financial support.

"So the key thing is to focus on air defense, focus on the blocking-and-tackling sort of offensive combined arms maneuver, which is artillery, as both long-range and short-range artillery, and then get in your engineers and your mine-breaching equipment, he said. "That's the kind of stuff they need. That's what they want."

Minefields are preventing Ukrainian forces from advancing at a faster pace. Clearing the mines is a deadly and painstaking process, and units have to work slowly to navigate them. In some instances, Kyiv's troops have even been forced to abandon the heavy armor they received from the West and make advances on foot.

"Right now, they are preserving their combat power and they are slowly and deliberately and steadily working their way through all these minefields," Milley said. "And it's a tough fight. It's a very difficult fight."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A bipartisan pair of senators unveiled a bill Wednesday to ban stock ownership by lawmakers and administration officials, in what they are calling the most substantial bipartisan effort to ban stock trading.

The bill, introduced by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), would establish firmer stock trading bans and disclosure requirements for lawmakers, senior executive branch officials and their spouses and dependents.

The Ban Stock Trading for Government Officials Act is the latest bipartisan effort to enact a stock trading ban for members of Congress, an issue that has been pushed for in the past few congressional cycles.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the legislation introduced by Gillibrand and Hawley.

It is critical that the American people know that their elected leaders are putting the public first  not looking for ways to line their own pockets, Gillibrand said in a statement.

The bill would ban congressional members, the president, vice president, senior executive branch members, and their spouses and dependents from holding or trading stocks, with no exception to blind trusts. Congressional members who violate this ban would be required to pay at least 10 percent of the banned investments.

Politicians and civil servants shouldnt spend their time day-trading and trying to make a profit at the expense of the American public, but thats exactly what so many are doing, Hawley said.

The legislation also establishes harsh penalties for executive branch stock trading, requiring executive branch officials to give up profits from covered finance interests to the Department of Treasury, while also facing a fine from the Automatic Special Counsel.

Congressional members, senior congressional staff and senior executive branch employees would also be required to report if they, a spouse or a dependent applies for or receives a benefit of value from the federal government, including loans, contracts, grants, agreements and payments. If they fail to file, they will face a $500 penalty.

The bill aims to increase transparency, requiring public databases of personal financial disclosures and financial transaction filings required by the STOCK Act, which prohibits members of Congress from using insider information when buying and selling stocks. The penalty for the failing to file STOCK Act transaction reports would also increase from $200 to $500.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Spiky Ball

A patient in a hospital in Belgium saw something highly unusual when looking out of his window: a peculiar bird's nest that appeared to be made out of metal spikes designed  ironically  to keep birds away from buildings.

"It just was this very big ball of metallic, nasty bird spikes," Auke-Florian Hiemstra, naturalist and PhD candidate at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands, told Scientific American.

As it turns out, a crafty Eurasian magpie had stuck together some 1,500 spikes to build a formidable two-foot-wide nest. The bird even fastened some of these spikes on the top to ward off intruders, a kind of defensive roof magpies often build with thorny branches, according to the report.

"It sounds like a joke," Hiemstra added. "I think its so funny that now theyve started to use these anti-bird spikes in the same way that we intended them to be used."

Hands Off

Hiemstra and his colleagues authored an entire scientific paper, published earlier this month in the journal DEINSEA, about the unusual phenomenon.

"The use of man-made, even sharp materials for nest building in birds is well known," the paper reads. "The first report of a crows nest made of barbed wire dates back to 1933, and recent (news) reports document the use of e.g. nails, screws, and drug users syringes in avian architecture."

Other research has shown birds incorporate plastic, glass, and even cigarette butts into their nests.

"Magpies may use the anti-bird spikes not just as ordinary nest material, but specific placement in the dome, overarching the nest, hints at functional use," the researchers wrote.

In other words, the birds are using our tools designed to keep them away against us.

"Using the material meant to scare birds off, using that to actually make more birds  I think its the perfect revenge," Hiemstra told SciAm.

More on birds: Parrots Love Video Chatting With Each Other, Study Says
A Black documentary filmmaker called 911 to report an intruder in his California apartment.

But when cops arrived, they tased him instead, a lawsuit says.

Damien Smith, who directed Target: St. Louis Vol. 1, a documentary examining the accusations of the U.S. militarys secret chemical testing on predominantly Black residents of northern St. Louis, filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department on June 15.

The lawsuit says Smith returned to his apartment, where hes lived for 10 years, in Hollywood at around 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 13, 2021, when he saw an uninvited intruder standing in his home holding some of his belongings.

Smith called 911, and officers with the Los Angeles Police Department arrived at around 1:30 a.m., the lawsuit says.

The officers pointed their taser guns at Smith and ordered him to get on the ground, the lawsuit says.

Smith said, I live here. I called 911, but the officers tased him three times, the lawsuit says. He was struck once in the chest and twice in the back.

At the time that he was tased, Mr. Smith was standing inside of his home, unarmed, and was not posing a threat to the safety or welfare of (the officers), the lawsuit says.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department said the department wouldnt comment on pending litigation.

After tasing him, officers placed Smith in handcuffs and escorted him into a patrol car parked on the street, the lawsuit says.

Several community members saw Smith being taken to the patrol car and told officers that he lived there and they had arrested the wrong person, the lawsuit says.

Smith was not charged after the incident, according to the LA Times. Another man was arrested at Smiths apartment, and he was convicted of burglary in July 2022, the outlet reported.

He suffered injuries to his chest, back and nervous system and also experienced embarrassment and public ridicule, according to the lawsuit.

The officers racially-profiled Smith and followed police practices in which officers over-react to Black people, whom they wrongly assume to be criminals, the lawsuit says.

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The physical pain, emotional distress and embarrassment that Mr. Smith endured at the hands of (the officers) remains to this day, the lawsuit says.

Smith and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment from McClatchy News.

At the time of the incident, Smith was working on a documentary about police brutality called Searching for Officer Friendly, according to the LA Times.





He told the outlet that he was having difficulty continuing his work on the film because of his personal experience with the police.

To do a documentary about policing, you have to deal with policing, and Im traumatized by dealing with police, Smith told the LA Times. Right now, it is really hard.

Smiths documentary Target: St. Louis Vol. 1 was released in 2021.

Smith told Medium in 2020 that he was inspired to make the film after his grandmother sent him an article about the alleged chemical testing that took place in St. Louis in the 1950s and 60s. He wanted to bring awareness to the issue.

Smith is also an actor and has appeared in The Purge and Snowfall.

Smiths lawsuit accuses the Los Angeles Police Department of false arrest, assault and battery and intentional infliction of mental distress, violation of civil rights and inadequate training, among other claims. He is seeking damages of an unspecified amount.

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After 19 years of working in corporate America, I found myself stuck at a standstill. I was passed up twice for promotions, and, as a Black man, I knew I had reached a career ceiling.

As a father of two young kids, I started looking for opportunities to control my own destiny. I found those opportunities in the franchise model.

After completing a rigorous two-year franchisee training program with McDonalds, I took a risk, cashed out my retirement and jumped at the first opportunity to purchase a franchised restaurant in Sacramento. Owning a local franchised restaurant completely changed my trajectory and gave me the opportunity to start building stability, security and generational opportunity for my family.

Thats why I am fiercely opposed to Assembly Bill 1228.

Opinion

AB 1228 would force national fast-food corporations to exert significantly more control over local franchised restaurants like mine. This misguided bill attempts to make national fast-food corporations legally liable for employment and personnel decisions made at my local restaurants. By creating a new avenue to file lawsuits against fast-food corporations, AB 1228 means more lawsuits against local restaurant owners too.

As a result, the corporations will be left with no choice but to take more control over the franchisees operations  robbing thousands of small business owners of our livelihoods and erasing much of the progress weve made to build economic equity and opportunity for our families.

As a franchisee, the success or failure of my small business falls on me, not the corporate parent.

I built this business from the ground up. I developed, trained and nurtured my team of employees, and I often lie awake thinking about the future of our familys business. AB 1228 would wipe out the equity Ive created in owning a small business.

Its no secret that Black Americans have been historically boxed out of opportunities to build businesses and success for our families and communities. But the franchise model empowers Black Americans to pursue business ownership. In fact, nearly 50% of local McDonalds franchised restaurants in California are owned and operated by people of color. With people of color only accounting for 14% of business ownership across the nation, you would be hard-pressed to find a business model that provides more opportunities for people of color.

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Showing my kids what its like to be my own boss has been a dream come true, and now Im proud to be in business with them as they own and operate restaurants of their own. Since buying our first restaurant, weve worked hard to grow our family business to eight restaurants, supporting over 300 jobs here in Sacramento.

We are very proud not just of the way we treat our employees, but the way we give back to our community. One of the most rewarding ways weve been able to give back is by sponsoring the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerces Young Leadership Collaboration Program which is designed to help close the achievement gap by equipping young people of color with mentorship and the tools necessary to pursue entrepreneurship.

Its no surprise that many of the young entrepreneurs we mentor are drawn to the franchise model. But if AB 1228 passes, franchised restaurants may no longer exist. (A hearing for the bill was postponed on July 11 but AB 1228 could be heard again in August).

Faced with more liability, the corporate brands will have no incentive to continue the franchise model. One likely outcome is that the corporations will turn franchises into corporate-owned and managed restaurants. Up-and-coming entrepreneurs will miss out on the opportunity, and existing franchisees like me could lose our small businesses.

Legislators should reject this unfair and unjustified legislation.

Sacramento resident Percy Johnson owns seven McDonalds franchise restaurants in Sacramento County.
William Jacob Knox, Jr., Samuel Proctor Massie, and Carolyn Parker were among the handful of Black scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project. US Department of Energy; US Naval Academy; Public Domain

There were at least 19 Black scientists and technicians who worked on the Manhattan Project.

Their contributions helped develop the atomic bombs used to end World War II, but many didn't know the final purpose of their work.

Thousands of Black Americans worked low-wage jobs in project facilities and faced Jim Crow segregation.

At the peak of World War II in 1942, the US government launched a program to develop an atomic weapon, responding to intelligence that Germany was developing its own nuclear technology. The program was code-named the Manhattan Project, after the location of its first headquarters in New York City, and was led by prominent scientists like Robert Oppenheimer and Enrico Fermi.

At its height, the Manhattan Project employed nearly 130,000 people, including thousands of Black Americans, most of whom took on menial jobs like janitors, cooks, and laborers. In the labs, there were at least 19 Black scientists and technicians among the 400 or so scientists employed by the project.

The project was unique for bringing together "colored and white, Christian and Jew" for a common cause, Arthur Compton, the Manhattan Project director in Chicago, said.

Although much of their work was shrouded in secrecy  intentionally compartmentalized to keep them in the dark  the scientists on the Manhattan Project made major contributions to the understanding and development of nuclear science.

Jim Crow segregation

In 1941, in order to spur employment opportunities for Black Americans, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, which stated that "there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense of industries of Government because of race, creed, color, or national origin."

The Manhattan Project did create opportunities for Black Americans' advancements, but many Black workers grappled with Jim Crow segregation.

During the 1940s, thousands of Black men and women migrated to rural communities like Oak Ridge and Hanford, which were the sites of several huge Manhattan Project facilities, and took on jobs as construction workers, laborers, and janitors.

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Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images

At both these sites, housing was segregated, and most Black Americans lived in cramped "hutments"  small plywood structures with shutter windows, one stove, and no plumbing. Although white couples were allowed to live together, Black couples were not. Many were also refused service at stores and restaurants.

"There are few other areas of the South where the plight of the Negros, as compared with that of their white neighbors, is as wretched as it is here," Enoc Waters, a columnist for the Chicago Defender, reported.

Courtesy of Atomic Heritage Foundation

Black scientists of the Manhattan Project

In the years since, as government documents have become declassified since the Manhattan Project, Black scientists started to be recognized for their contributions and hailed as role models.

Among them was William Jacob Knox, Jr., a chemist with a Ph. D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His work on uranium separation was crucial to the development of atomic bombs. Knox became the Manhattan Project's only Black supervisor after he was appointed to lead the all-white Corrosion division of the project at Columbia University.

In 1944, a 21-year-old mathematician named Jesse Ernest Wilkins joined the University of Chicago's Met Lab to research plutonium. A child prodigy who was the youngest student ever admitted to the University of Chicago at 13 years old, Wilkins earned his Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph. D. in just six years.

Along with the work of other Black scientists like Jasper Jeffries, Carolyn Parker, Samuel Proctor Massie, and Moddie Daniel Taylor, Wilkins' and Knox's contributions were crucial to the Manhattan Project.

Jasper Jeffries, top row second from the left, in his lab coat with other scientists and technicians from the Met Lab in Chicago. Courtesy of Atomic Heritage Foundation

A complicated legacy

Because of the extreme secrecy surrounding the project, very few people knew the purpose of their work. "Probably no more than a few dozen men in the entire country knew the full meaning of the Manhattan Project," Life magazine estimated in 1945.

But when its purpose was made clear, 70 scientists and researchers  including Wilkins and Jeffries  signed the Szilard Petition in 1945, urging President Truman against the use of the atomic bomb against Japan. The petition, however, was never seen by the president before the US dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

After the bombings, Americans were divided in their response to the Manhattan Project. Some applauded the inclusion of African Americans in the Manhattan Project as evidence of scientific rationalism overcoming racism, while others saw it as a necessary means to end the war. At the same time, prominent figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes criticized the bombing of Japan, questioning whether the Allies were fighting a "racial war" when they used the bomb against the Japanese, but not Europeans.

Many Black scientists involved in the Manhattan Project went on to build careers that advanced technology and expanded opportunities for other Black scientists. After the war, Knox, the chemist from MIT, earned 21 patents throughout his career, and Wilkins advocated for peaceful use of nuclear power and helped establish a program for young Black scientists.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Michigan-based company is claiming to have developed a dual-chemistry battery for electric vehicles (EVs) that would offer a 600-mile range on a single charge.

Our Next Energy (ONE) is working with BMW to incorporate its technology in the car companys new iX electric SUV, Inside EVs reported.

If the 600-mile range battery does come to fruition and becomes available in the BMW iX, that would make the iX the EV with the longest range on the market. The current leader is the Lucid Air, which has an EPA-estimated range of 516 miles on a single charge. It is followed by the Tesla Model S (EPA-rated 405 miles) and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (EPA-rated 361 miles).

The now-discontinued Chevy Bolt recently set a world record, achieving 560 miles on a single charge, although that may have been more based on a feat of driving efficiency than the actual technology of the car.

Of course, there are other companies with EVs that have not yet been released that are claiming massive ranges. The solar-powered Aptera, for example, is taking preorders, and the company asserts the vehicle will go 1,000 miles on a single charge.

These types of claims can be taken with a grain of salt, however  Apteras first attempt at a solar-powered car resulted in zero cars being delivered and bankruptcy for the company.

Backing up ONEs claim of a 600-mile range is the companys revolutionary dual-chemistry battery, which it has named Gemini. While other EVs operate off of just one battery pack, ONEs Gemini will offer dual support.

Its cars will rely on a smaller lithium iron phosphate battery with a 150-mile range for daily driving. Then a larger range-extended anode-free battery with a 450-mile range will activate only during long trips, per the website.

ONE also claims that its dual-chemistry battery is made by [maximizing] materials that are abundant in North America  iron for LFP, manganese for anode-free  while sharply reducing use of rare, expensive metals like nickel and cobalt.

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This is a big deal, as half of the worlds cobalt reserves are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a United Nations report revealed that hazardous working conditions and child labor are rampant.

If ONEs battery does indeed decrease the need for cobalt and offers the longest range of any EV on the market, that is progress for the planet as a whole.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
The body found on the banks of the Boise River last week has been identified as a person who was missing since April.

The Ada County Coroners Office identified the body as Eric Jorgenson, of Boise, who was reported missing on April 26, according to a Wednesday news release from the Ada County Coroners Office. He was 65 years old.

The coroners office identified Jorgenson using medical records from his physician, Cassie Henderson, community support specialist for the coroners office, told the Idaho Statesman by phone. Its unclear how long Jorgensons body might have been in the river before it was found, she said.

People recreating on the river in Eagle discovered the body partially submerged last week after noticing a smell, according to a post on Twitter from the Ada County Sheriffs Office. It appeared as though the body had been there for a long time, the post said.

The cause and manner of death were still under investigation.

Body found in Boise River after people noticed unusual smell. Authorities investigate
Editors note: A previous version of this story included incorrect percentages when describing changes in the number of migrants encountered at the border. It has since been updated.



Apprehensions at the southern border decreased in June, driven by a substantial drop in illegal border crossings between ports of entry.

According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) figures, border officials encountered migrants 144,571 times at the border in June, down 30 percent from the 206,702 encounters a month prior.

While the overall number of encounters dropped, encounters with unauthorized migrants at ports of entry rose month-to-month, a sign that the Biden administrations efforts to funnel migrants toward ports of entry are working.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials reported 45,026 encounters at ports of entry in June, up more than 27 percent from 35,315 in May.

That rise stood in contrast with the drop in Border Patrol encounters between ports of entry: 99,545 in June, down 42 percent from 171,387 in May.

The drop in Border Patrol encounters is the second significant contraction in fiscal 2022, after encounters plummeted nearly 40 percent from December to January.

Junes figures show the lowest number of border encounters since President Bidens first full month in office, with a number nearly identical to former President Trumps highest posted encounter figures.

In May of 2019, the Trump administration reported 144,116 total encounters, a number that quickly came down, first as a result of Mexicos crackdown on migrants at its southern border and later because of the coronavirus pandemic.

While the two administrations have differed drastically in style, immigrant advocates say they share substance in many of their border and immigration policies.

The Biden administration in February rolled out new asylum regulations that activists said mirrored Trumps asylum ban, a charge the White House and DHS vehemently denied.

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Those asylum rules have been challenged, and a hearing is scheduled before a federal court Wednesday.

If the asylum rules are blocked, the administration could lose one piece of the puzzle that its used to convince migrants to avoid entering the country between ports of entry, and to avail themselves of parole programs designed to help them avoid land crossings altogether.

Updated: 6:47 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Police have identified a 12-year-old boy who was shot to death in a tragic accident in Bostons Mattapan section last week.

Officers responding to a report of a person shot in the area of 35 Fessenden Street on the afternoon of July 13 found a 12-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound, according to the Boston Police Department.

The boy, Savion Ellis, was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Ellis older brother, 22-year-old Walter Hendrick, was arraigned Friday on charges including improper storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition in connection with the fatal shooting. A judge set his bail at $2,500 and ordered him to surrender any other weapons.

Its not yet clear how the gun went off or what led up to the discharge of the firearm. An 8-year brother was also in the apartment, but it is not clear where in the home.

Prosecutors said in court that a firearm was located in the home after the shooting, as well as a single shell casing.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden urged community members to turn in their guns during a news conference after the shooting.

The incident hasnt been deemed a homicide at this time, but police noted that their investigation into the shooting is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact Boston police detectives at 617-343-4470.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The Borough of Braddock is leaving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanias Act 47 distressed municipality status program, 35 years after it first was placed there.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development made the announcement Wednesday, saying the Allegheny County borough has taken steps to boost its financial situation.

Braddocks time in Act 47 began on June 15, 1988, when the borough couldnt pay employees and liabilities following the implosion of its tax base and economy.

Read more at Pittsburgh Business Times.

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This story was produced as part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Lab, a consortium of six news outlets covering northeastern Wisconsin. It is republished with the permission of The Press Times.

The Press Times' editor's note: As generational cycles occur, negative patterns and traits are known to transfer through multiple generations via learned behavior, family dynamics and environment. We continue to explore five northeast Wisconsin intergenerational family issues  physical health, alcoholism and drug use, mental health, education and housing  and what some organizations are doing to address the trends.

Many high school graduates seek higher education to gain economic prosperity.

A November 2022 UW-Madison report on college-going rates for public high school students stated that Wisconsins college-going rate typically hovers around 60%.

During COVID that dropped below 50%.

On average, college-going rates are typically 20 percentage points higher for white and Asian students than for American Indian, Black and Hispanic students, the report further showed, and college-going rates for non-economically disadvantaged students are about 27 percentage points higher rates than economically disadvantaged students.

But, a college degree can turn things around for those at a disadvantage.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said that those with a bachelors degree or higher had the lowest unemployment rate  at 2.2%  while high school graduates with no college education had an unemployment rate of 4.5%, based on February 2022 numbers.

Pathways to college education may seem daunting, due to limitations in college preparedness, family support, financial funding and low confidence in academic ability, especially if you are a first-generation student.

However, pathways to that college education may seem daunting, due to limitations in college preparedness, family support, financial funding and low confidence in academic ability, especially if you are a first-generation student.

A first-generation student is defined as one who is the first in their immediate family to attend or graduate from a four-year institution.

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UW-Green Bay said that in 2021, 34.2% (2,356) undergraduate students and 11.2% (51) graduate students were recognized as first-generation students  the first in their families to pursue a college degree.

Those numbers coincide with a national average of 33%, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Post-secondary solutions

But, local colleges are working to make that pathway a little easier to navigate, especially for those trying to break the cycle.

In 2021, UW-Green Bay was designated as a First-gen Forward institution by the Center for First-Generation Student Success.

The First-gen Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education which have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.

As a First-gen Forward Institution, interested faculty and staff are provided multiple opportunities to engage with other institutions that are creating environments that improve the outcomes of first-generation students.

The CollegeReady Program  a partnership between UW-Green Bay, Northeast Western Technical College and the Green Bay Area Public School District  is dedicated to assisting first-generation students.

The program assists students financially and provides a supportive pathway to advance to that next step.

In May, the program saw 166 students complete their college readiness program, signing letters of intent with various colleges.

Proving access to higher education for everyone who wants to learn is core to our mission. We are proud to be a First-gen Forward institution and welcome everyone who wants to continue to rise and work to achieve their goals, UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander said during the signing event.

Launched for the fall of 2023, the Wisconsin Tuition Promise works through the UW System to give underserved Wisconsin students a leg up so they may obtain a bachelors degree, specifically targeting first-generation students and low-income families earning less than $62,000 annually.

UW-Green Bays Rising Phoenix program provides high school students in rural districts of Northeast Wisconsin with access to dual credit services for their college education.

Expanding Rising Phoenix to district partners in rural Wisconsin gives rural students who lack early college opportunities a jumpstart, Chancellor Alexander explained.

Preparing our students for their futures can be a challenging task for any district. That challenge is much greater for us, due to the barriers and obstacles that come with being Wisconsins smallest school district, stated Washington Island Principal and Curriculum Director Timothy Verboomen. Partnering with UW-Green Bays Rising Phoenix program for the rural district cohort offers our students access to opportunities that we hadnt imagined possible.

Not childs play

Early care and education supports the cognitive and social-emotional development of young children.

Early childhood education is a critical first step to the childs development, and northeast Wisconsin and the state as a whole struggle to keep up with the high demand and low availability of providers.

Quality education/care comes at a high cost, while providers and their staff struggle to make ends meet.

To meet YoungStar standards  Wisconsins child care quality rating program  costs rise, as staff is required to meet educational standards through training.

To assist the industry, the Child Care Counts program provided almost $600 million to nearly 5,000 providers from March 2020 to March 2023.

Gov. Tony Evers recently proposed making the program permanent, but the Joint Finance Committee voted to end the subsidy program in June.

A map of the child care deserts in northeast Wisconsin. UW System map

According to a survey of nearly 1,200 Wisconsin early care and education providers from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, more than 27% of providers reported that their program would have closed without the stabilization grants, and when the grants end, more than 60% of child care directors say they will have to raise tuition on families and another more than 33% say they will have to cut wages or will be unable to sustain wages/salary increases for their staff. According to Kids Forward, the median pay for child care workers in Wisconsin is $12.66 an hour, a release from Evers office stated.

Additionally, 54% of Wisconsinites today live in a child care desert  where there are few to no high-quality options for child care in their neighborhood or community  and even if there is a nearby child care provider, it still might not be affordable for a working family. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundations annual Kids Count report, the average yearly cost of center-based child care in Wisconsin is $12,415.

The Access to Child Care in Wisconsin report, prepared by the Early Childhood Advisory Council in 2018, showed that northeastern Wisconsin was home to 71 child care deserts, which means 35.9% of the region did not have enough childcare facilities; that was before COVID-19.

But, lack of child care has other implications outside of education.

Everywhere I go I see Help Wanted signs, said Brown County resident, Charlie Frisk. Finding help is already at a crisis point, what will happen when the parents of 87,000 children can no longer find affordable child care?

During high school, my older daughter worked as a waitress in a very nice Green Bay restaurant. She told me she was the only waitress working there who was not a single mother. These are the workers that will go first when the cost of child care rises, or child care is simply not available.

Eves Supper Club, the east side Los Banditos and Victorias Italian Restaurant all closed when they still had good business. The owners of all three restaurants cited the inability to find help as one of their major reasons for closing.

Thinking outside of the box

Programs such as the Boys & Girls Club and Literacy Green Bay help fill the need for those outside of a school system.

The Boys & Girls Club offers a Wisconsin After Three program to address math and reading skills for youth.

Wisconsin Boys & Girls Club President Emeritus Karen DeSanto said that students in the program demonstrated a 13% increase in math proficiency  nearly doubled the projected growth of 7%.

The Boys & Girls Clubs Be Great: Graduate intervention program assists teens that are at risk of not graduating from high school.

A teenage dropout costs taxpayers an average of $292,000 over a lifetime, so the thousands of teens weve helped graduate translates to millions saved by taxpayers, DeSanto added.

Literacy Green Bay provides tutoring services for families to help with English, math, writing and computer skills.

I say that what we do transforms lives, said Literacy Green Bay Executive Director Robyn Hallet in an interview with Press Times staff. This isnt just a handout; we want to teach people to fish, so to speak. Literacy must be learned and earned, and the people that come here are internally motivated.

The program recently received two large grants to upgrade from eight classrooms to 20, which organizers say are at full capacity.

A majority of our students are individuals of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) background, and most of them  approximately 97%  are low income, Hallet added.

We as a society need to change that.

This story is part of the NEW (Northeast Wisconsin) News Labs fourth series, Families Matter, covering issues important to families in the region. The lab is a local news collaboration in northeast Wisconsin made up of six news organizations, which includes Green Bay Press-Gazette, Appleton Post-Crescent, FoxValley365, The Press Times, Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Watch. The University of Wisconsin-Green Bays Journalism Department is an educational partner. Microsoft is providing financial support to the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region to fund the initiative. The mission of the lab is to collaborate to identify and fill information gaps to help residents explore ways to improve their communities and lives  and strengthen democracy.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Pathways to higher education are vital for first-generation students
Richard Moore, or 'C', the man at the head of Britain's shadowy MI6 spy agency said Wednesday its doors were always open to Russians working for the Kremlin who felt uneasy about what their country was doing to Ukraine. File photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA

July 19 (UPI) -- The head of the British secret intelligence service MI6 on Wednesday urged Russians who felt ashamed of serving in Vladimir Putin's regime to defect or become spies for Britain.

Richard Moore, the spy agency's chief, said Russians struggling with pangs of conscience over the war in Ukraine were encouraged to come join the service, in a speech in the Czech Republic capital, Prague.

"I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us -- our door is always open," Moore said.

"We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which our service is famed, their secrets will always be safe with us."

In his speech marking the 55th anniversary of the crackdown by Russian forces that ended the 1968 Prague Spring uprising in then-Czechoslovakia, Moore said he knew many Russian were torn by the "same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience" as their forebears did back then.

He said Russians were quietly appalled to see their military "pulverizing" the cities of a "kindred country."

"They know in their hearts that Putin's case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy," said Moore in the only speech he has given this year.

Regarding the short-lived mutiny by the Wagner mercenary forces of Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin in June, Moore said the compromise agreement the Russian president was forced to negotiate in order for the fighters to stand down was a "humiliation."

He said that while Prigozhin had not been seen since and his exact whereabouts remained a mystery, as far as MI6 was concerned the Wagner leader was still alive.

Under the behind-closed-doors deal, brokered in part by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin was offered safe passage out of Russia to Belarus and his forces were offered the choice of joining him there, demobilizing, or signing up with the Russian regular army.

Ukraine's border guard confirmed Saturday that Wagner Group forces had arrived in Belarus as Russian President Vladimir Putin continued efforts to split the mercenaries from their leader.

However, Ukraine's State Border Service was unable to provide details saying its officers were working to gauge the numbers and location of the Wagner units arriving.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)  The union representing port workers in the province of British Columbia has rejected a mediators tentative agreement meant to end a labor dispute that stopped goods moving in and out of harbors, including at Canadas busiest port in Vancouver.

Rob Ashton, president of the International Longshore Workers Union Canada, said Tuesday in a statement that its caucus does not believe the deal can protect jobs "now or into the future.

He also called the four-year agreement "far too long given the uncertainties in the industry and the economy overall.

The BC Maritime Employers Association said union leaders rejected the deal without sending it to a full membership vote.

In rejecting this tentative agreement, ILWU Leadership is choosing to further harm Canadas economy, international reputation and most importantly, to Canadians, their livelihoods and all those that rely on a stable supply chain, the association said on its website.

The 13-day strike that ended last Thursday involved about 7,400 port workers at more than 30 port terminals and other sites across the province.

The employers association says the proposed deal included "considerable hikes in wages and benefits.

The union said it was protecting the interests of workers.

"Our position since day one has been to protect our jurisdiction and this position has not changed, the union statement said.

The strike froze billions of dollars worth of cargo.
LONDON (AP)  British voters face a crowded field of 13 candidates in an upcoming special election for a Parliament seat. One, independent Andrew Gray, used artificial intelligence to come up with campaign promises that he says reflect what residents want.

Gray, who says he has no policies of his own, crowdsourced constituents' sentiments and used machine learning to come up with his political manifesto. He calls the technology a faster and fairer way for politicians to widely reflect views of the people they represent.

We can interact with our constituents in a whole new way, Gray said. It doesnt change necessarily the role of the representative. It just means that we kind of know whats going on much more quickly and we can represent them more fairly.

Conservative lawmaker Nigel Adams' abrupt resignation triggered Thursday's parliamentary by-election in Selby and Ainsty, a mixed urban-rural district in northern England. It's expected to be a hotly contested battle between the ruling Conservatives, the opposition Labour party and the rising Liberal Democrats. A host of smaller parties and independents also are running.

Gray's policies, developed with the use of Pol.is software, include a call for higher taxes, a radical overhaul of the state-funded National Health Service and closer ties with the European Union, which Britain left three and half years ago.

Pol.is, developed by a Seattle group a decade ago, has notably been used in Taiwan to find policy solutions to deadlocked issues.

Gray says Pol.is isnt ChatGPT, one of the new generative AI systems that has dazzled users with the ability to produce text, images and video mimicking human work. Its just slightly more sophisticated polling than what is already happening.

The A.I. isnt that clever that it can spit out exactly what the policies are, he says, and still needs human moderation and ... analysis of what would be a sensible policy position.

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Gray uses Pol.is to canvas residents on local issues through his website. People can comment on a topic, such as internet speeds. Other users can click agree, disagree or pass/unsure. They can't respond directly but can post their own comments.

As the conversation builds, Pol.is uses machine learning in real time to group the statements, mapping them out to show where there are gaps between viewpoints as well as areas of agreement, which ideally can encourage consensus.

With the election expected to be hard-fought between the main U.K. parties, Gray is realistic about his chances. But if elected, Gray plans to use the technology to take his districts temperature on a weekly basis." If he loses, he'll share the data with whoever wins.

More than 7,500 votes have been cast on Grays platform, though he acknowledges the actual number of voters is likely far smaller because each one typically votes tens of times on multiple statements.

Keegan McBride, an expert on digital transformation and government at the Oxford Internet Institute who has worked with Pol.is, said the technology is useful for building consensus but works better when the more users are involved.

Pol.is could still work with as little as 100 to 200 users, but it raises the question of whether it's sustainable, McBride said.

Do you really want your whole platform to be decided by 100 or 200 people? he said.

Gray bills himself as the first candidate in the U.K. and possibly the world using AI to reflect voters' views, but McBride points to parties across Europe that have used digital platforms to bring democracy to the masses  with mixed results.

You see a whole lot of this techno-utopian type view on democracy," McBride said. But democracy isnt going to be fixed by a new technology or a new digital system or artificial intelligence or anything like that, because its not a technological problem. Its a sociological one."

"And its much more complex than just using a new tool, he added.
A Russian AN-124 cargo plane transporting parts of the S-400 air defense system from Russia lands on July 12, 2019 in Ankara, Turkey. Getty Images

British spies are using AI to disrupt the supply of weapons to Russia, the UK MI6 chief said.

Moore said the UK and its allies are racing to "master the ethical and safe use of AI."

But he also acknowledged the experimental technology won't ever replace human agents.

British spies are using artificial intelligence to derail critical weapons supply chains to Russia, MI6's chief said, but there are hesitations about the dangers of AI and global intelligence.

In a speech at the British Embassy in Prague on Wednesday, Richard Moore, the chief of the UK's MI6 spy agency who rarely makes public remarks, praised current efforts to hinder Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.

"My teams are now using AI to augment  but not replace  their own judgements about how people might act in various situations," he said, adding, "They are combining their skills with AI and bulk data to identify and disrupt the flow of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine." Moore didn't elaborate with more specifics.

Moore has previously said Britain's intelligence agencies need to cooperate with global tech sectors to counter rising cyber threats. Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images

He also noted that AI's growing influence and ability "to make information infinitely more accessible" will greatly benefit global intelligence, especially as "it's possible that digital tools may come to understand  or rather, to be able to predict  human behavior better than humans can."

But all of this comes with doubts, Moore warned.

Will AI replace spies? "The unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant," he said. "However swift and all-encompassing the advance of AI, some relationships are going to stay uniquely, stubbornly human."

And as enemies and potential threats to the UK  such as China  develop their own AI technology, the "race to master the ethical and safe use of AI" is on, according to Moore  a race the UK and its allies are determined to win.

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Social media users are applauding BTS Jin for inadvertently helping a fan avoid getting robbed in Brazil while serving his mandatory military service in South Korea.

What happened: On Tuesday, Brazilian media outlet RIC Mais reported about a robbery in Parana, Brazil, that involved a 21-year-old BTS fan named Natali Vitoria Ramos Reis.

Earlier this month, Reis was reportedly waiting at a bus stop when a man approached her and took her phone. However, while inspecting the phones case, he noticed that it had a photo of Jin wearing his military uniform and returned the phone to Reis before fleeing.

"He must have thought, 'Her boyfriend is in the military, I'm not going to steal it," the fan told RIC Mais.

More from NextShark: Sooner than you think: Simu Liu teases future Marvel team-ups for Shang-Chi

Netizens react: Several South Korean social media users found the incident hilarious and shared their own views on it.

Jin saved the day, one user wrote, as per Koreaboo.

More from NextShark: Shang-Chi star Simu Liu and rapper Saweetie to appear on SNL

BTS will always rescue ARMYs, another user said.

LOL, Im going to put a picture of a soldier on my phones background when I go overseas, another user declared.

Thats hilarious. Its a total life hack, LOL, another user commented, while another said, I mean, it was so dangerous but her method of escaping is so hilarious. Since shes fine now, I guess we can laugh.

More from NextShark: Collin Gosselin of Jon & Kate Plus 8 says the show tore his family apart in new interview
Bulgarian police

Bulgaria has arrested a 39-year-old man who threatened to kill Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev over his position on Russia's war against Ukraine, Euractiv reported on July 19.

Tagarev, who is a member of the new government in Sofia, holds pro-European views and strongly backs military support for Ukraine.

Read also: Bulgaria could transfer armored personnel carriers to Ukraine  MP

The detainee threatened Tagarev because he did not like the ministers position on Russia's war against Ukraine.

The investigation revealed that the social media page from which the threat was sent was created and used by the accused.

Read also: Bulgaria signs declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO membership

Tagarev and the Ministry of Defense have not yet commented on the case.

The minister himself has previously stated that the Kremlin's policies and propaganda are a serious threat in Bulgaria.

Read also: Bulgarian president speaks out against transferring ammunition to Ukraine

"They [the Russians] are supported by significant social groups, parties, etc.," Tagarev said.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The Buncombe County Courthouse in Asheville April 12, 2023.

ASHEVILLE  In a July 19 Buncombe County District Court hearing for a man charged with multiple offenses related to allegedly shooting a law enforcement officer in the county jails lobby, District Court Judge Julie Kepple waived probable cause.

This means the rest of Ricky Ryan Houstons charges have been taken out of District Court and will potentially be indicted to Superior Court, depending on what the District Attorney's office decides to do.

(After its waived) the DAs office can do whatever they want to do. They can indict all of them, they can indict some of them, they could dismiss all of them, Houstons lawyer, Thomas Amburgey, told the Citizen Times July 19, adding that the DA has already indicted the most serious charges, including attempted murder.

Houston, 40, was arrested May 10 and charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm. Houston was indicted for these charges June 5, which have been heard in Superior Court. Houston was also charged with multiple other offenses, which have now been taken out of District Court following the July 19 hearing, including:

Assault causing serious bodily injury

Two counts of communicating threats

Breaking and entering to terrorize or injure

Injury to personal property

Possessing stolen firearm

Breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering

Larceny of a firearm

Three counts of misdemeanor child abuse

Instead of keeping up with court dates in two different courts, this consolidates the charges into one court, Amburgey said. Houstons next court date for attempted murder and assault on an officer is set for July 31. His court date on the other charges has not yet been set.

The Citizen Times reached out for comment to Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams, who said he is "obligated to refrain from comment on matters pending before the court."

Man shot in jail gunfight: Man shot in jail gunfight with deputy, Asheville police out of hospital; court date set

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Authorities say Houston walked into the lobby of the Buncombe County Detention Center at 20 Davidson Drive, at about 1:40 a.m. May 7, and when Buncombe County Sheriffs Deputy William Johnston and the APD officer approached to arrest him, he "resisted arrest and an altercation ensued," according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

A Citizen Times public records request revealed the name of the APD officer is Megan Hansford.

Houston produced a firearm and shot Johnston in the shoulder. Johnston returned fire and struck Houston, who fled and was later taken into custody outside the Mission Hospital. Hansford was also assaulted, though not with a gun, according to the news release.

Houston was in the hospital for at least two weeks after the encounter. When asked what injuries Houston sustained and where on his body and how many times he had been shot, Sheriff's Office spokesperson Aaron Sarver cited HIPPA as a reason he could not release the information. However, HIPPA only applies to medical providers and health insurance companies, not to law enforcement agencies.

Once released from the hospital, Houston was transferred to the jail, where he remains in custody under a $1.6 million bond.

Johnston was placed on administrative leave while recovering from a bullet wound to the shoulder, as last reported by Sarver. He did not immediately respond to a question asking whether Johnston was back from administrative leave.

Hansford, the APD officer, sustained injuries that did not require medical attention and was also placed on administrative leave, APD spokesperson Samantha Booth previously said.

APD Capt. Joe Silberman did not immediately respond to a question on whether Hansford had returned from administrative leave.

Wounded deputy named: Wounded deputy named in police shooting near jail in downtown Asheville; AR-15 taken

An incident report obtained by the Citizen Times lists a "handgun" as used by Houston to shoot Johnston. A rifle described as an Anderson/AM-15, a type of AR-15 semiautomatic weapon, according to Gun Digest, is listed under evidence farther down in the report.

The State Bureau of Investigation opened a probe into the shooting. The Citizen Times reached out to SBI spokesperson Anjanette Grube July 19 about the investigations status.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. News tips? Email Ryley at rober@gannett.com. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe jail alleged gunfight suspect's case leaves District Court
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Wednesday that hes reached the 40,000 unique donors threshold to qualify for the Republican presidential primary debate stage in August.

The GOP governor, a wealthy former software executive whos been self-funding his campaign, has been offering $20 gift cards to 50,000 donors to try and reach the minimum needed to appear on the debate stage. The novel fundraising method has allowed Burgum to hit 40,000 donors ahead of other GOP rivals, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

We passed the 40,000 mark today. Weve got more gift cards to give out. Were going to keep on going, Burgum told CNNs Manu Raju on Inside Politics.

The governor said that he has received donations from all 50 states. He did not have a number of how gift cards his campaign gave out to donors.

He pushed back against criticism that hes buying his way onto the debate stage, saying, I think thats funny actually.

We know that the people who donate to us now may continue to donate cause what they see theyre going to like, and theyre going to continue to support us. This is about a smart strategy, its about an entrepreneur with a business attitude, he added.

Still, Burgum has yet to reach the polling threshold needed to secure his spot on the debate stage.

To meet the Republican National Committees polling requirement for inclusion in the first primary debate next month, candidates must receive 1% or more in three national polls or in two national polls and two state polls. Burgum has hit 1% in one state poll in New Hampshire and no national polls.

Doug Burgum is well on his way to appearing on the debate stage after meeting the donor threshold and surging in New Hampshire, his campaign spokesman Lance Trover said in a statement.

On CNN, Burgum was also asked about former President Donald Trumps potential third indictment as part of the criminal investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election and whether he holds Trump responsible for any of the violence that occurred on January 6, 2021.

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I think this is why we have a judicial system and everybody in America is innocent until proven guilty. But as I said, when youve got the leading opponent being attacked by the people sitting in power, of course people are going to feel like the whole thing is politicized. Its something the courts have to sort out, he said.

He would not say whether hed support Trump as the Republican nominee if Trump is convicted of a crime.

Im running for president to be the nominee, so youre asking me to speculate. As governor of a sitting state when people ask me about hypotheticals, out 12 months and 18 months out, I never comment on those because I have to deal with the real solutions and the real problems going on right now. Were running a campaign. We expect to be the nominee and when we are the nominee, there wont be the distractions, he said.

So far, Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former Gov. Chris Christie have met the donor threshold and they are each one state or national poll away from meeting the polling criteria.

Pence is also one poll away from meeting the polling criteria, but is still working to reach the donor threshold. Hutchinson, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Rep. Will Hurd and radio host Larry Elder have also not yet met either criteria to qualify for the August debate.

Hutchinson on Monday said that Burgums tactic of offering $20 gift cards to people who donate at least $1 to his campaign illustrates the ridiculousness of the debate requirements.

I dont think thats what campaigning for president of United States should be about. But thats where we are. And so I dont fault him. I think its a great idea, he said, while teasing that his campaign will plan to give grassroots donors who bring in 100 donations a percentage raised.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated who has qualified for the August debate. No candidates have yet met the polling requirement.

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For the last couple weeks, it's been profitable to donate to North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum's presidential campaign. New donors stood to gain a handsome profit of $19, since those who sent at least $1 were promised a $20 Visa or Mastercard mailed to their address by the Burgum campaign in exchange for their donation.

Burgum's gift card giveaway: $20 gift card for $1 campaign donation

The gift card giveaway has cost the campaign hundreds of thousands, but it helped Burgum cross the 40,000 unique-donor threshold to help him secure a microphone at the first Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee next month. There, he would have a chance to reach his largest audience yet. Burgum's small donors skyrocketed after the new promotional ploy: within just 48 hours of starting the promotion last week, the campaign had 20,000 new donors.

Who's running for president in 2024? Meet the candidates - and likely candidates - vying for your vote

The giveaways are an insignificant cost for the businessman who sold his software company to Microsoft in 2001 for over $1 billion, and lent his campaign $10 million in the last quarter.

Burgum announced the news on CNN Wednesday morning  and he said he's not done giving donors money.

"We passed the 40,000 mark, and I know we've got more gift cards to give. We promised we'd give out 50,000 gift cards," Burgum said.

Candidates who've met donor requirements for first GOP primary presidential debate

Burgum is now the seventh candidate to meet the donor threshold in the Republican National Committee's list of qualifications to secure a spot on the debate stage on Aug. 23. Those requirements include receiving more than 200 donations from 20 different states, in addition to acquiring 40,000 unique donors. Other candidates who've met donor qualifications and are on track to appear at the debate include former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Ambassador the U.N. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

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The North Dakota governor must still hit polling levels set by the party to clinch his spot (candidates must poll at 1% in three RNC-sanctioned national polls, or hit 1% in two non-sanctioned national polls, in addition to two polls from key states). But the dark-horse candidate has made progress on that requirement this week, as well.

In a poll Wednesday by the University of New Hampshire, Burgum had 6% support of likely Republican primary voters in the state, tying Christie for fourth place in the poll and exceeding the performance of 2024 rivals Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. It's the highest polling yet for Burgum, according to FiveThirtyEight's collection, but he's still a long way back from the leaders of the pack. Trump still loomed large in the state with the support of 37% of those polled.

Are Doug Burgum's $20 gift cards to donors legal?

Some legal experts, including Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance attorney, have said Burgum's giveaway scheme looks like a violation of campaign finance law.

Specifically, Ryan argued the scheme could violate a federal law against using someone else's name to make donations, a rule against "straw donors." The argument is that Burgum could be viewed as donating to his own campaign while using other people's names, since the $20 gift card is a sort of reimbursement for a donation of as little as $1.

But former Federal Election Commission Chair Lee Goodman told CBS News that he thinks Burgum's practice is likely lawful.

"Obviously anytime you undertake a novel fundraising practice, it's natural to raise legal questions, but I think they would be resolved, if they are raised, in Burgum's favor."

Goodman called concerns that the gift cards trip up the "straw donor" rules "a really silly legal theory in this context."

"A straw donor scheme is a secretive scheme where one individual or organization reimburses contributions by a group of other people in order to hide the identity of the original source of the funds or exceed contribution limits for that individual," Goodman explained. "There are none of those hallmarks applicable to this situation. They're doing it out in the open. And the money is of no consequence. So there's no corruption potential."

Other unusual donor marketing tactics

Other candidates in the 2024 cycle have also turned to unusual marketing tactics to boost their donor numbers as well: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has promised to give donors a chance to win a sweepstakes for tickets to Lionel Messi's opening game in Florida, and Vivek Ramaswamy launched an effort to give anyone who raises money for his campaign 10% of what they take in from other donors.

Correction: A previous version of the story stated Doug Burgum was a billionaire. The story has been updated to reflect that his net worth is in the nine-figure range, according to his campaign.

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A Burlington man was arrested and charged with second degree murder Monday in connection to an untimely death reported July 7 by the Burlington Police Department.

Claude Mumbere, 29, who was arraigned Monday, is suspected of sexually assaulting and strangling to death a 31-year-old woman according to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Burlington Police Department. The Burlington Free Press typically does not name victims of sexual assault without their permission, although an official does use the victim's first name in quotes.

"I want to extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to Kelly's family and to all who knew and loved her," Mayor Miro Weinberger said in a press conference Tuesday. "To all who are grieving her loss and everyone listening, know that from the moment Kelly was found, it has been a top priority of the city and the Burlington Police Department to investigate and understand the circumstances of her death to quickly bring any person to justice."

A man was arrested Monday and charged with murder in connection to a woman who was found dead in Champlain Street Park. The park is located on South Champlain Street between Maple and King streets.

How the case developed

Burlington police responded to a call around 10:30 a.m. on July 7 reporting an unresponsive woman in the back of Champlain Street Park.

Officers reported in the affidavit that the woman's body revealed signs of sexual assault, and police treated the scene as a homicide scene.

Preliminary autopsy results informed police that the woman had been sexual assaulted as well as strangulated or smothered.

A man was arrested Monday and charged with murder in connection to a woman who was found dead in Champlain Street Park. The park is located on South Champlain Street between Maple and King streets.

Detectives spent 10 days interviewing people who knew the victim and who had last seen her the night of her death, reviewing video footage from surveillance cameras in the area and testing and examining objects left behind at the crime scene including the ID of Mumbere's father.

After interviewing Mumber's father and mother and Mumbere himself, officers eventually matched fingerprints from a Four Loco can left at the scene with Mumbere's and matched a shoe insole found near the body to the shoe of Mumbere, which was missing the insole at the time of his arrest. Detectives also identified Mumbere on numerous shots of surveillance video as the same man who was walking with the victim on South Champlain Street after she was last seen at the parking garage next to Community Bank north of City Hall park.

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Further details of the victim's death

Acting Burlington Police Lt. Michael Beliveau said the nature of Mumbere's and the victim's relationship remains unknown but he does not think the murder happened randomly.

A man was arrested Monday and charged with murder in connection to a woman who was found dead in Champlain Street Park. The park is located on South Champlain Street between Maple and King streets.

"I'm still investigating the nature of their relationship though I don't believe this was a random act," Beliveau said. "I believe this was a very intentional and targeted meeting, and the two consensually walked together to the scene of where the murder happened."

Police have not charged Mumbere with sexual assault, but Beliveau said this is because the final autopsy results are still pending. This has also delayed the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Vermont's official determination of whether the death was a homicide.

Mumbere has 16 active pre-trial cases in Vermont, most of which have taken place in Chittenden County, others in Rutland. Sarah George, Chittenden County state's attorney, said at the press conference these cases are part of the backlog from COVID and most are from 2020-2022. Twelve of the cases were labeled misdemeanors and four were labeled felonies in the court's computer system, including the second-degree murder. One of the cases pending is for lewd and lascivious misconduct from an incident where Mumbere reportedly exposed his penis to a woman in a park and asked for a kiss.

"There are mental health concerns, they have come up through the affidavits in some of his other cases that he was clearly struggling with some mental health issues that were not being addressed, but I don't know if there are any particular diagnoses or anything more specific," George said.

Contact Urban Change Reporter Lilly St. Angelo at lstangelo@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @lilly_st_ang.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Burlington crime: Man arrested on suspicion of Champlain Street Park murder
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has revoked a resolution on defense procurement purchases which had banned profit-making from defense ministry contracts, the governments representative in the Ukrainian parliament, Taras Melnychuk, wrote on Telegram on July 18.

"Resolution No. 335 dated March 20, 2022, on pricing for supplying goods, performing works, and providing services to meet the needs of the security and defense sector during wartime, and amendments to it, were declared invalid," Melnychuk reported.

Read also: Why is the Defense Ministry sabotaging the purchase of much-needed drones?

The State Audit Service of Ukraine recently announced that purchases worth UAH 2.5 billion ($68 million) had violated the now-revoked resolution, which had placed restrictions on both private and state companies.

At the time, Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov called the result of the check absurd.



Read also: Ukraine appoints two new deputy defense ministers

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The 2023 California Michelin Guide was released Tuesday night. As far as Sacramento restaurants are concerned, though, its the same list as 2022.

No new Sacramento-area restaurants earned Michelin stars in the 2023 guide. There were no additional Bib Gourmands (standout meals at a lower price point) or even recommended restaurants, the new term for Plates, in the guidebook.

Greater Sacramento was similarly blanked on special awards honoring rising individual stars within the restaurant and bar industry, and didnt walk away with one of the five Green Stars given to environmentally conscious restaurants.

Localis and The Kitchen remained Sacramentos pair of Michelin-starred restaurants. Chris Barnum-Danns Localis recently celebrated its eighth anniversary at 2031 S St. in midtown, while Selland Family Restaurants is in the process of moving The Kitchen from Arden Arcade to 9th Street and Broadway.

Barnum-Dann and The Kitchen chef Kelly McCown were both at Oaklands Chabot Space & Science Center for the guide release Tuesday night. While happy to keep Localis star, Barnum-Dann felt his restaurant had significantly improved its menu in 2023, and hopes for two stars or a Green Star next year.

Im super hungry. Our team is hungry, Barnum-Dann said. Were pushing so hard right, so obviously retaining (a star) is incredible, but were like, okay, time to continue this, so were really looking forward to next year.

Frank Fats (downtown), Canon (East Sacramento), Yue Huang (Natomas) and Nixtaco (Roseville) all retained Bib Gourmands.

This years recommended restaurants, the same list as 2022s Plates, was comprised of Allora, Bacon & Butter, Beast + Bounty, Camden Spit & Larder, Ella Dining Room & Bar, Grange Restaurant & Bar, Hawks Public House, Mulvaneys B&L and Zocalo.

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Barnum-Dann was surprised no new Sacramento restaurants earned Bib Gourmands, he said.

Sacramento should be a Bib city a lot like Bangkok, where you definitely have some good Michelin-starred, two-Michelin-starred restaurants, but an overwhelming amount of Bib Gourmand places that are just doing delicious food, Barnum-Dann said. I think we have a lot of that in Sacramento.

A California-wide Michelin Guide has been published annually since 2019, aside from a pandemic-induced cancellation in 2020. The last one was released in December, and a shortened timeline may be partially to blame for the lack of new Sacramento restaurants in the 2023 guide.

While no new Sacramento-area restaurants won awards in 2023, none were demoted from their prior listings, either.

The Kitchen won Sacramentos first star in 2019. Four years later, chef Kelly McCown remains pleased with the citys Michelin representation, he said.

In my opinion, Sacramento continues to impress in the California Michelin Guide, McCown said. I feel that we seem to be on a precipice of great things, where one tide is raising all ships. I would hope that trend continues, because I think theres a lot of people who have been doing a lot of good work for a long time.
An idle AllenCo Energy drill site near USC was "deserted" by the company, state regulators said three years ago, ordering AllenCo to plug the site's 21 wells. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

California state regulators announced Tuesday their plans to cap orphaned oil wells across the state, including wells in a South Central Los Angeles residential neighborhood near USC that caused health complaints from residents for years.

The effort is part of a new push to close problem sites that have posed health risks to communities across the state, oftentimes disadvantaged neighborhoods in close proximity to oil drill sites. Gov. Gavin Newsom earmarked $100 million in the state budget to address the issue.

California has identified 5,300 wells that are orphaned, or likely orphaned, meaning they are deserted or do not have an operator who is financially viable or compliant, according to the California Geologic Energy Management Division.

Improperly abandoned wells can leak methane and harmful chemicals into groundwater. State regulators will target more than 370 wells in their first phase of the new push, which will cost about $80 million, according to CalGEM.

Read more: State serves warrant on South L.A. oil drilling facility for overdue site inspection

"This list includes leaking wells with serious compliance issues that have concerned communities for years," David Shabazian, director of the state Department of Conservation, said in a news release. "It represents months of work to collaborate with local governments, identify environmentally sensitive wells and those that impact disadvantaged communities across Californias oil-producing regions.

Those sites include 37 wells with Citadel Exploration in Bakersfield; 22 wells with Sunray Petroleum near Arvin and Lamont in Kern County; and 21 wells in Los Angeles with AllenCo Energy.

The state's announcement kicks off a 20-day public comment period for feedback about the program.

For years, neighbors living near the AllenCo drill site in South L.A. complained about noxious fumes that gave them nosebleeds, headaches and respiratory problems including asthma.

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When federal inspectors from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency became ill during a site visit in November 2013, AllenCo voluntarily shut down the facility.

"We're very pleased that CalGEM is taking some action and is going to plug the wells," said Hugo Garcia, campaign coordinator for environmental justice with South L.A.-based Esperanza Community Housing and coordinator of the "People Not Pozos" campaign, organizations that have been working to have the AllenCo wells addressed for years.

Read more: The toxic legacy of old oil wells: Californias multibillion-dollar problem

The word pozos means "oil wells" in Spanish.

"The community has been very stressed about this," Garcia said, "and will be very happy to see that the wells will be plugged."

But the announcement will not mean the end of Garcia's campaign against the sites. He says now he'll focus on making sure there's follow-through.

"We need to continue meeting with CalGEM and ... support what they're doing," he said. "And, hopefully, it's not going to get tied up."

The wells and the facility, known as the St. James drill site, are owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The troubled site was given to the church in the 1950s by the family of oil baron Edward Doheny. AllenCo took over operations at the site in 2009.

Read more: Deserted oil wells haunt Los Angeles with toxic fumes and enormous cleanup costs

As the operator of the site, AllenCo would ordinarily be responsible for plugging the wells, a spokesperson for the archdiocese said. The archdiocese was notified of the state's plans to plug and properly abandon the drill site in accordance with California law, the spokesperson said.

"The Archdiocese had been in continued communication with the involved parties to seek a resolution that is in the best interest of the community and all other stakeholders," church officials said in a statement. "We are pleased that CalGEM is exercising the power it has under California law to step in and perform the plugging, abandoning and decommissioning of the drillsite."

A September 2019 report from CalGEM said inspectors had discovered a wellhead gas leak at the site. Six months later, regulators ordered AllenCo to permanently plug the sites 21 wells, saying it had deserted the facility and was not properly maintaining the wells. But representatives for the company said it had not produced any oil on the site for a decade and would not be spending any further capital there. In August 2020, the Los Angeles city attorneys office charged AllenCo with a criminal misdemeanor for not complying with the court order.

Read more: Oil company Allenco and its leaders face criminal charges over deteriorating wells

A survey of idle wells by CalGEM shows the AllenCo site has been idle for at least seven years.

In March 2022, CalGEM served a search warrant of the site with California Highway Patrol officers and a locksmith who cut through the front gate's locks after the operators refused to comply with the state agency's requests for a site inspection. Under the court order, CalGEM entered the site to depressurize the wells to protect the community near USC.

In an ongoing civil lawsuit filed against the city of Los Angeles, AllenCo contends that the drill site is owned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the city, and that it should not be liable for plugging the wells at the site. In court records, the city contends that it does not hold any extraordinary rights to control the wells and is not liable for safely sealing the site.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles city attorney's office declined to comment on CalGEM's Tuesday announcement to seal AllenCo's wells.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A flawed policy at California State University, the largest higher education system in the country, contributed to the closure of nearly a dozen sexual harassment cases without thorough explanation, according to a state audit reviewing 40 cases over the span of seven years.

The audit, released Tuesday, examined allegations of harassment between 2016 and 2022 against employees at the university system's chancellor's office and three of 23 campuses: California State University, Fresno, San Jose State University and Sonoma State University. It found that the colleges failed to discipline people found responsible for misconduct, including one case where officials took no action in the five years after a faculty member was found guilty of sexual harassment, sexual violence and stalking.

The problems and inconsistencies we found during this audit warrant systemwide changes at CSU, California State Auditor Grant Parks said in a statement. In particular, the Chancellors Office must take a more active approach to overseeing campuses efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment.

Parks office recommended the university system require colleges to find out if someone has been accused of harassment multiple times, make them clearly explain why officials didnt investigate a case, and give guidance for how to contact accusers.

Jolene Koester, California State Universitys interim chancellor, said in a statement that officials would comply with the recommendations. Representatives from California State University, Fresno, San Jose State University and Sonoma State University did not immediately respond to an email request for comment on the audits findings.

Sexual harassment is among the misconduct banned by state and federal laws, but California State University's policy aimed to address it falls short, the audit found. The auditor's office says it should better guide colleges on what steps to take after an incident is reported.

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Deciding whether to conduct a formal investigation is one of the most critical steps in a campus process for responding to an allegation, the audit says. Nonetheless, CSUs sexual harassment policy lacks detailed guidelines about how to make and document these determinations.

There were more than 1,200 reports of sexual harassment by employees overall at California State University campuses between 2018 and 2022, the report shows. Of those, 254 were investigated.

The largest share of reports  nearly 18%  were at California State University, Fullerton, which is about 22 miles (35 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. There were also nearly 160 employees across all 23 campuses between 2018 and 2022 who were accused of sexual harassment multiple times, according to the report.

One student alleged a faculty member made inappropriate comments to her and compared her to women he had dated. The campus declined to investigate, the audit found. It didn't specify which campus.

Seven of 21 investigations the auditor's office reviewed contained deficiencies that caused us to question the campuses determinations that sexual harassment had not occurred. For example, a faculty member who was found responsible of making inappropriate comments to a contract worker and hugging her, and kissing another worker without their consent was not found to have violated the sexual harassment policy, the audit says.

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This story corrects an earlier version that inaccurately stated the span of years for the 40 cases the audit reviewed. It was over seven years.

___

Sophie Austin is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on Twitter: @sophieadanna.
Efrain Lopez Garcia survived eight sweltering summers as a farmworker in Homestead. But on July 6  the hottest day recorded on earth since at least 1979  Lopez Garcia died on the job.

Lopez Garcia, 29, is the second farmworker known to die in a South Florida field this year. His death earlier this month has become the latest rallying cry for workers pushing Miami-Dade County to pass a law that would require minimum workplace protections for people working outside on the hottest days of the summer.

On July 6 in Homestead, a 29-year-old kid died in the heat, said Alejandro Perez, a member of the worker advocacy group WeCount, at a press conference outside the county commission chamber on Tuesday. Is that what we deserve? No. Were human beings. We deserve a dignified life and a decent job. Today we want to tell the commissioners to pass this law so that we can stop our people from dying.

Around midday on July 6, Lopez Garcia told his coworkers, including his cousin, Jose Garcia, that he didnt feel well. The workers werent sure what to do. Their bosses, they said, had never trained them on how to recognize the signs of heat stroke or administer first aid in an emergency.

So they did what they could. Lopez Garcias coworkers led him to a shady spot in the grove where they had been picking longan, a tropical fruit related to lychee, and sat him down. They said they gave him water and left him there to rest. But it was too late. When Jose came back to check on his cousin, Efrain was gone.

He had stood up, disoriented, and wandered off. Jose found Efrain several yards away lying on his stomach. A medical examiners report is pending, but family and coworkers say all the evidence points to the sweltering working conditions as the cause.

A coworker called Efrains brother, Jeremias Lopez Garcia, in Jacksonville to break the news. He told me something had happened but he didnt say what exactly, Jeremias said at a vigil for his brother held Wednesday at the Homestead office of the Farmworker Association of Florida. I called him back and talked to him and he told me [Efrain] was ill and had apparently died because of the heat.

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Jeremias Lopez Garcia, left, wearing a red cap, brother of Efrain Lopez Garcia bows his head in prayer as community leaders, workers and family members gathered during a vigil hosted by the Farmworker Association of Florida.

Earlier this year, another unnamed farmworker was found lying in a drainage ditch at C.W. Hendrix Farms in Parkland, killed by a heatstroke.

Heat kills 34 people a year in Miami-Dade County, on average. On Tuesday, Miami-Dade County commissioners Kione McGhee and Marleine Bastien introduced a bill designed to protect outdoor workers on hot days. It would require companies to train workers on heat safety and guarantee them access to water and regular breaks in the shade throughout the day.

On hot days, like July 6, the bill would require companies to make sure no worker is left alone  and to provide first aid and call 911 if a worker shows severe symptoms of heat stroke.

The goal: water, shade, breaks

All of this could have been prevented with the right legislation, said Yvette Cruz, a spokesperson for the Farmworker Association of Florida. All we ask is for four basic things: water, shade, breaks and to work with somebody  not to be left alone.

Like many of the agricultural workers in South Miami-Dade County, Efrain Lopez Garcia came to the U.S. from Guatemala. He arrived in 2014 and worked in farms and nurseries in Homestead ever since. His brother Jeremias remembers him as someone who was very friendly, fun, a good person. He liked to spend his time off work at the beach.

Efrain has a brother and sister who live in Homestead, and his brother Jeremias lives in Jacksonville. His mother still lives in Guatemala. Were sad, those of us here and the family in Guatemala, Jeremias said. Were desperate to see the body.

The family has started a GoFundMe page to raise the money to send Efrains body to Guatemala, to have a funeral with his mom and extended family.

Punishing heat for outdoor workers

Lopez Garcia, like the rest of Miami-Dade Countys over 300,000 outdoor workers, had been laboring outside during a record-breaking stretch of hot days when he died.

Since June 12, the countys heat index  a measure of heat and humidity that tells you how hot it feels in the shade  has risen above 100 degrees for 37 straight days. Shortly before Lopez Garcias death on July 6, the county began a still-unbroken 16-day stretch in which the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory every single day.

Two women hold battery powered candles during a vigil hosted by the Farmworker Association of Florida.

Under heat advisories, the National Weather Service advises that people stay indoors, avoid strenuous activities, drink plenty of water and rest as much as possible. But for farmworkers like Lopez Garcia, that isnt always possible.

This summer  the hottest ever recorded in Miami  has been a preview of summers to come in South Florida, as the regions hottest days become more common thanks to climate change.

Undocumented workers are most at risk

Like many South Florida farmworkers, Lopez Garcia didnt speak Spanish as a first language; he spoke an indigenous Guatemalan language called Mam. That makes it harder for workers to advocate for themselves on the job or seek help even from Spanish-speaking aid organizations.

And, like many farmworkers, Lopez Garcia often got paid under the table in cash to avoid documenting his employment, said Claudia Gonzalez of the Farmworker Association of Florida. In June, the Florida legislature passed a law that would punish companies for hiring undocumented immigrants. The Farmworker Association of Florida says laws like this discourage workers from asking for basic needs for fear of drawing attention to themselves and being fired or deported.

In South Florida, workers are scared to speak up when theyre under attack from anti-immigrant laws, said Sonia Moreno of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. As a result, the most vulnerable communities are scared to even ask for a break to go to the bathroom or drink water because theyre afraid of being marginalized because of their immigration status.

Efrain Lopez Garcia worked on farms in Homestead for nine years before dying on the job on July 6, the hottest day recorded on earth since at least 1979.

Lopez Garcia died at the Ba 9 Vuon Trai Cay farm in Homestead, according to the Farmworker Association of Florida. But Thang Dang, the farms owner, told The Miami Herald on Wednesday that Lopez Garcia never worked there. My business has nothing to do with the guy who died, he said.

Its not exactly clear how much water he had or how many breaks he took. And coworkers did say that supervisors told Lopez Garcia to go home for the day when he said he was feeling ill. But he stayed on the job anyway.

Although they did tell him he could go home and he could rest, when youre a farmworker you dont feel like you can take the privilege of going home and missing out on that days work and not having that money coming in for that day, said Elena Contreras with the Farmworker Association of Florida. He must have been scared. He must have wanted to continue working. And unfortunately we lost him because of that.

Farmworker deaths are likely undercounted

Although Lopez Garcias coworkers say the heat killed him, the family is still waiting on a report from the county medical examiner to determine his cause of death.

Heat deaths among outdoor workers are likely undercounted. I think its grossly underreported, said Doug Casa, who heads research on heat illness at the University of Connecticuts Korey Stringer Institute. Laboring in the heat is one of the main reasons to have cardiac eventsWhen a worker dies in the heat of a cardiac event, its getting recorded as a cardiac event, its not going down as the heat that caused it.

If a persons not a U.S. citizen or theyre working here illegally, well basically never hear about those cases, Casa added.

This climate report is funded by Florida International University, the Knight Foundation and the David and Christina Martin Family Foundation in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all content.
Ron DeSatis was on his best behavior Tuesday.

The Florida governor made his return to mainstream media, an institution he has trashed and ignored for five years, to do a 15-minute interview with CNN's Jake Tapper. It was not marked by the overly aggressive name-calling or overt annoyance that has defined DeSantis relationship with traditional media over the past few years.

He even engaged in friendly banter, recalling a CNN poll from 2018 that showed him losing the gubernatorial race that he ended up winning.

You didnt have anything to do with it, DeSantis joked with Tapper.

The back and forth with a well-known journalist outside conservative circles was a vastly different look for DeSantis. As governor, he pushed for state laws to eliminate legal protections for reporters, elevated communications staffers who attack them publicly, and created an insular right-wing media bubble that allowed him to bypass traditional press outlets.

But as his presidential campaign has stagnated, it's signaled that DeSantis would again return to his longtime political foe: the mainstream media.

The interview comes a couple of weeks after DeSantis took questions from NBC News when he rolled out his border policy.

Tapper asked DeSantis about his White House bid, including the fact he is a very distant second to former President Donald Trump in most public polling, the red flags embedded in his first campaign finance report, and having to fire more than a dozen staffers after just two months after announcing his candidacy.

They have been saying that I have been doing poorly for my whole time as governor, basically, DeSantis said.

He noted that he secured a historic re-election in November, winning by nearly 20 percentage points, and said part of the reason he is off to a slow start is that he had to focus on Floridas Legislature during the opening months of 2023.

I had to do my job as governor with our legislative session, DeSantis said. I was basically taking fire really non-stop since then.

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Tapper noted that one of DeSantis priorities, the fight against so-called wokeness, is not seen as a top-level policy issue by respondents in most public polling. DeSantis said thats because not enough people know what it means.

Not everyone really knows what wokeness is, DeSantis said. I mean, I have defined it, but a lot of people who rail against wokeness cannot even define it.

DeSantis has defined the term as a type of cultural marxism that puts merit and achievement behind identity politics. The idea that most public institutions are infected with the woke mind virus was the defining feature of nearly all of DeSantis policy proposals during his first term as governor, and the early policies outlined as he runs for president.

The latest iteration of that came Tuesday when DeSantis unveiled his plan to rip the woke out of the military. The proposal echoed many other DeSantis policies in recent years. He wants to remove diversity and equity programs from the military, prohibit transgender people from serving as they identify, and reenlist service members who were separated due to not following Covid vaccine mandates.

Tapper noted that the Pentagon has said that DeSantis concerns are not reflective of reality, which is that military readiness is high. DeSantis responded by pointing to record low recruiting numbers.

I think you have a big problem with morale, he said. You clearly have a problem with recruiting.

DeSantis return to mainstream media came on the same day Trump said he received a letter indicating he is the target of a Washington-based grand jury looking at the Jan. 6 riot and attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Trumps announcement, via Truth Social, quickly became a central focus of the days news cycle, and once again prompted Republicans, including those running against Trump, to come to his defense.

"Here is the problem, this country is going down a road of criminalizing political differences, DeSantis told Tapper, echoing the sentiment of most other Republicans who say Trump is being unfairly targeted.

DeSantis said he does not think Trump should get charged, and went on to criticize Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg who indicted Trump in June over allegations he made hush money payments to an adult film star and covered them up.

If that was not Trump, DeSantis said. That case would likely not have been brought against a normal civilian.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

DeSantis said that, if elected, he would hire a new FBI director and that his job would be to end weaponization of these agencies.

On Russias invasion of Ukraine, DeSantis said that his policy as president would be to establish peace, but would not say specifically whether he thinks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should cede land to Russia as part of any peace settlement.

Goal should be sustainable, enduring peace in Europe, but one that does not reward aggression, he said. We will pull several levers against Russia.

He specifically pointed to energy and exports, which he called Putins lifeline.

More broadly, DeSantis signaled he would like to see U.S. foreign policy more focused on Asia, specifically China, which he called the number one threat to the United States. DeSantis has used his position as governor to enact laws aimed at cracking down on China, including recent legislation that prevents Chinese entities from buying farmland in Florida.

He also doubled down on his opposition to trans women competing in mens sports, saying that its wrong, a consistent policy platform for him in recent years. At his urging, Republicans filed nearly 20 bills focused on Floridas LGBTQ community during the states 2023 legislative session.

On the issue of abortion, however, DeSantis would not say if he would push for a federal six week abortion ban, which he recently signed into law, at the federal level.

I think the danger from Congress is if we lose the election, they are going to try to nationalize abortion up until the moment of birth, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Campbell Soup Co. has detailed its plans to permanently close the Ballantyne corporate office just weeks after announcing it would also close one of several manufacturing plants in Charlotte.

In January, Campbell Soup announced that the 13515 Ballantyne Corporate Place office would be closing this year as it consolidates corporate offices at its Camden, New Jersey, headquarters.

The soup and snack maker detailed those plans impacting 166 workers in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) filed this week with the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

The majority of its 166 corporate employees will relocate to other company offices or work remotely, Campbells human resources director Joanna Page said in the letter to the state.

The company has provided eligible employees with comprehensive relocation support if they chose to relocate to Campbell headquarters in New Jersey, Campbell Soup Co. spokeswoman Emma Wright previously told The Charlotte Observer.

Nearly 100 people will remain in the Charlotte area, Campbells spokeswoman Michelle Reardon told The Charlotte Observer on Wednesday. Several others will relocate.

But 55 employees who chose not to relocate will be offered severance and other eligible benefits, Page said.

The office will be closed in two phases starting Sept. 15 and Sept. 29 with 37 terminations, followed by 18 more in November and ending Dec. 1, according to the WARN report.

\Campbell leases the building in Ballantyne, and its now available for sublease, Reardon said.

Campbell Soup Co. will close its corporate office in Charlotte, effective Dec. 1. AP Photo, J. David Ake

Emerald Nuts plant closing too

Just last month, Snyders-Lance Inc., owned by Campbell Soup Co., said it will close its Emerald Nuts manufacturing plant at 6800 Crump Road. The layoff of 125 employees is effective Aug. 25 through Sept. 7 when the plant is expected to close.

However, the company has placed 64 employees from the Emerald plant at other jobs in Charlotte, Reardon previously told The Charlotte Observer.

In May, Campbell sold its Emerald Nuts business to Minneapolis-based Flagstone Food. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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Campbell snacks division operates multiple locations throughout the Charlotte area.

add//The office and plant closures do not affect the over 1,400 employees at Campbells Charlotte manufacturing campus or distribution center, Reardon said Wednesday.

update//The company has two plants that make Lance sandwich crackers and a variety of potato chips, as well as several warehouses throughout the Charlotte area, according to Campbell.

In 2018, Campbell Soup Co. purchased Snyders-Lance for $6.1 billion.
Leon Yang says the US needs to update its immigration policies if it wants people like him to stay.

When Leon Yang was 16, he moved by himself from Xi'An, China to the US, to study in a country where he believed that, if he worked hard every day, he could get where he wanted.

Fascinated by airplanes and everything else that flies in the air, he developed a passion for aerospace that took him from high school in Greenville, South Carolina to New York University (NYU).

With a mechanical engineering degree under his belt, he is now responsible for the soil compactor line at a construction equipment company in Atlanta, Georgia.

But nine years on from his life-altering decision, he has lost faith that he is still competing on a level playing field.

"For the past three years, I've had recruiters from major companies reach out to me, 10 to 20 a week," he claims.

As soon as they find out he is on a visa in the H1-B specialty occupation category, however, "most of them walk away", he said.

The H1-B allows highly-skilled, foreign-born individuals to work in the country for three to six years, but requires sponsorship by an employer and often provides no meaningful path to permanent residency.

This week, Mr Yang, now 25, submitted his application for a new Canadian programme that offers open work permits, for up to three years, to H1-B visa holders and their immediate family members.

The measure, a temporary effort to attract skilled and high-tech US workers to the country, only opened on Monday morning. By Tuesday, it had already reached its initial cap of 10,000 applicants.

Canada's immigration minister Sean Fraser announced the new work permit programme in June.

The burst of applications is a sign of mounting frustrations among skilled workers in the US who feel trapped in the limbo of a legal immigration system that they see as outdated and unfriendly.

When his visa expires, Mr Yang says he will have few options. He fully intends to move to Canada if he is accepted by the programme.

"I will be treated not equal, but fair compared to other competitors in the job market and that's one of the things I've missed so much in the past three years," he told the BBC.

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Mr Yang is hardly alone in feeling that way. Thousands of skilled foreign nationals either fail to make the cut for the H1-B visa or, when chosen, spend years waiting for a chance at the permanent residency green card.

Demand for the visa category "massively" outstrips supply, said Madeline Zavodny, a University of North Florida economics professor who studies immigration and the future of the US labour market.

When it was established by the US Congress in the year 1990, only 65,000 foreign nationals could apply for the visa each year.

That limit has since been raised only once - to 85,000 - which Ms Zavodny says is "way too small".

"Employer demand has risen, immigration has become much more common and the US workforce hasn't grown enough to keep up with employer demand," she said.

The crush of applicants also prompted US immigration authorities in 2014 to switch from a first-come, first-serve process to a randomised lottery system.

The result, according to Ms Zavodny, is that the US is losing graduates of its own universities who want to stay but are forced to return to their home countries or go elsewhere for employment.

"The impressive thing about Canada is how nimble and flexible they are," she said. "They are constantly innovating their immigration policies, while the US has not for decades."

It remains to be seen whether Canada will extend the cap for its work permit programme or seek to make it permanent.

But a spokesperson for its ministry of immigration told the BBC it believed there were likely more than 400,000 eligible applicants at any given time.

"This temporary policy is intended to facilitate career development and mobility for tech workers, expanding the range of opportunities available for skilled workers to advance their career in the North American tech sector," communications advisor Julie Lafortune said.

"The immense interest in Canada's new H1-B application stream is a strong indication of just how competitive Canada is on the global stage."

Ron Hira, a research associate with the non-partisan Economic Policy Institute think tank, says the H1-B programme is "a mixed bag" that sometimes rewards "the best and brightest" but largely benefits workers with skills already abundantly available in the US.

His research also suggests employers, like technology and outsourcing companies, are exploiting the visa category to hire migrant workers they routinely underpay and place in poor working conditions.

And if terminated, workers on the visa have only 60 days to secure new employment.

"It's not a big surprise that some H1-B workers want to escape and maybe think that Canada will be a better option for them," Mr Hira said.

"If we want immigrants," he added of the US, "we should be offering them green cards, not placing people in situations where the employer controls them."

A Canadian citizenship ceremony

He warns that it is far too early to know if Canada has made a good decision, in spite of the optics, and points to its lack of screening criteria for the open work permit as well as mass layoffs in the US tech industry.

"We don't know what mix of workers have applied," he said.

"It could be that some of them are very highly skilled. It could be that some of them have ordinary skills and they're just trying to escape a bad situation."

In fact, the longer that H1-B visa holders remain in the US, the more their concerns of getting a raw deal may intensify.

Those who seek green cards run up against the limited quotas allotted by nationality.

"The wait is so long now that, functionally, a new applicant from India is not going to get a green card in their lifetime," said David Bier, the associate director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute think tank.

The problem is compounded for those with families, as their children lose eligibility for the green card as dependents when they reach the age of 21 and must leave the country.

"If your kids are having to leave the country, you might want to consider going to a country that would welcome you and your family," said Mr Bier.

"The Canadian offer is: you come, immediately get to work for any employer you want and you're going to have a clear path to permanent residency to stay. That is a very attractive offer."

Soumya, 42, a financial services employee in New Jersey, is one Indian national who has applied for the Canadian work permit.She claims the stress and anxiety borne out of the green card "waiting game" is "killing a lot of the enthusiasm that people initially came [to the US] with".

"If people live in a country for 10 years, and they're still not sure whether they'll get to stay, that's not the feeling someone should have," she said.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with top officials Wednesday after the longshore union renewed a 72-hour strike notice. The notice was later rescinded by the union which shut down ports on Canada's west coast earlier this month for nearly two weeks.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada said late Wednesday in a brief note to its locals in British Columbia that the strike notice set for July 22 at 9 a.m. has now been removed.

With the 72-hour notice lifted, the union cant resume strike action unless it files another notice, according to the Canada Industrial Relations Board decision issued against the union on Wednesday.

The previous strike shut down British Columbia ports for 13 days at the start of the month, stalling cargo worth billions.

About 7,400 workers at more than 30 British Columbia port terminals and other sites began striking on July 1 and originally returned to work last Thursday after a tentative deal was drafted by a federal mediator.

But workers briefly returned to picket lines on Tuesday afternoon after the union caucus rejected the four-year contract.

The Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled that was unlawful and ordered members to cease and desist from strike action until proper 72-hour notice had been given. It said the unions position was that it didnt need to provide notice since there was an ongoing strike.

Trudeau convened the incident response group, which only convenes at times of national crisis, or to discuss events with major implications for Canada. Consisting of Cabinet ministers and senior officials, it has previously been convened over events including the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and blockades associated with the Freedom Convoy movement last year.

Federal Labor Minister Seamus ORegan and Transport Minister Omar Alghabra issued a statement late Tuesday saying workers and employers across Canada cannot face further disruption and that they were looking at all options.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said relying on Ottawa to bring in back-to-work legislation would not be a quick solution.

Opposition Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Trudeau must end the strike immediately because of the massive cost to workers, consumers and businesses.
A Georgetown man was sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for conspiring to launder at least $1.5 million from cocaine and fentanyl sales and promotional money laundering.

Demarkus Nemetz, 24, was senteced after he admitted to knowingly and voluntarily participating in a conspiracy to launder drug proceeds  at least $1.5 million but less than $3.5 million, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Wednesday.

After other conspirators distributed drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine, Nemetz would collect the drug money, count and package the money, and then deliver the money to couriers for the larger drug trafficking organization, according to court documents.

During the investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized 7 kilograms of fentanyl, 2 kilograms of cocaine, six firearms and about $650,000 in cash.

Eleven defendants were charged in the drug or money laundering conspiracies: six defendants plead guilty, including Nemetz, who pleaded guilty in November. Nemetz was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves Monday.

Three defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to launder drug money and promotional money laundering as the result of a trial in April 2023. All three are still awaiting sentencing. Two others have already been sentenced. Eduardo Hernandez Alfaro, of Lexington, was sentenced to more than six years and Humberto Saucedo-Salgado, also of Lexington, was sentenced to eight years.

Under federal law, Nemetz must serve 85% of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
Serhiy Prytula announced a new project

Politician, volunteer, and founder of his own charity, Serhiy Prytula, announced a new project on July 18 to acquire five reconnaissance drones for Ukraines Defense Intelligence (GUR) agency.

Prytulas charity hopes to collect UAH 120 million for the purchase of five EOS C VTOL reconnaissance drones for the special assault units of the GUR.

This type of done is proven to work, is rugged and reliable, Prytula said, and GUR scouts are already experienced in using this it.

Friends, we have received a task from [GUR head] Kirill Budanov  five EOS C VTOL reconnaissance drones for the GURs special assault units ... So, Im announcing a new mega fundraising campaign: Revealing  Destroying! We need UAH 120 million  lets try to collect in a week! Remember, there are no small donations! Thank you, Prytula said.

Prytula held his last mega fundraiser in June, when he collected enough money to purchase EOS drones, 1,000 FPV drones, 20 boats, and 30 trucks.

You can donate via the link.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Charlotte business owner has been indicted in a COVID-19 fraud scheme.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Glynn Paul Hubbard Jr., 45, with wire fraud and money laundering. Hes accused of acquiring more than $1.2 million in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Relief Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program loans for himself and his customers.

The North Carolina Department of Justice said from March 31, 2020, to Aug. 1, 2020, Hubbard submitted fraudulent loan applications to get relief money for his businesses. His businesses are called Borrow My Ride, Balanced Society Corporation, The Regins Corporation, and GGGAB, Inc.

ALSO READ: Federal jury convicts Charlotte man for role in massive healthcare fraud scheme

The indictments allege Hubbard gave false information, including fake employment data and fraudulent tax returns, for his businesses. Hubbard allegedly received more than $570,000 in fraudulently obtained relief funds.

Hubbard is also accused of submitting PPP and EIDL loan applications on behalf of his customers, resulting in more than $660,000 in relief funds being granted to them. He allegedly promoted his scheme by advertising that he was a PPP and EIDL loan consultant. The indictment alleges that over time, Hubbard received more than $150,000 in improper loan preparer fees that he asked for in cash, cashiers checks, and wire transfers.

Hubbard could face a mximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the wire fraud charge. If convicted of the money laundering charge, he could spend up to 10 years in prison and get fined $250,000.

You can report attempted fraud involving COVID-19 by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or by clicking here.

(WATCH BELOW: Feds say NC woman posed as doctor in multi-million dollar fraud scheme)




Samantha Fore is the owner/chef atTuk Tuk, a Sri Lankan pop-up and restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky. With no background in the culinary industry, Fore carved her own path, starting as a website designer for high-end restaurants. She learned her way around food by tasting and observing, and was invited to cook at esteemed kitchens around the country. Endorsements from Padma Lakshmi of Top Chef, daytime cooking segments and magazines led her to establish herself as a chef supporting more diversity and equality in the restaurant industry.

In this edition of Voices in Food, Fore talks about some of the challenges she faced as an immigrant, female, brown and inexperienced chef who took a less traditional approach to entering the industry.

I was born in Kentucky and raised in North Carolina. While working in the advertising industry in Boston, my exposure to food was minimal. I remember a particular day roughly 12 years ago when I responded to a job posting on Twitter. James Beard Award-winning chef Jamie Bissonnette at Coppa restaurant was looking for a website designer. I thought I was highballing when I offered my services and asked that dinner be included in my remuneration. Little did I know that those initial meals would be an early culinary education for me.

Until that point, I didnt know how to eat or order at acclaimed fine-dining restaurants. My folks came from Sri Lanka, and we had never seen butchered pig tails, Italian small plates and the worlds finest wines. I came to learn about food by watching and eating Bissonnettes creations. He was impressed with my aptitude and referred me to his friends. As I started to design more websites for other high-end restaurants, I learned about creating menus, setting up properties, hiring policies and designing collateral.

Living in Boston was cost-prohibitive. When my husband and I moved back to Kentucky in 2012, I thought cooking would enable us to meet new people and make new friends. So, I started cooking Sri Lankan food that I grew up eating, sourcing local Southern produce, while incorporating cooking techniques I learned from watching my clients. Dinner with friends turned into packed brunches at home, and then a pop-up restaurant. People who had never tried Sri Lankan cuisine loved Sri Lankan Bites coconut sambal and curried deviled eggs.

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As a Sri Lankan kid raised in the '80s in the Southeast, my family and I had always felt alone. There were negative perceptions of our country and not a lot of awareness of our food. Through my food, I sought acceptance.Samantha Fore

But I really didnt have any practical experience cooking in a chefs kitchen or running a restaurant business. And I didnt have the funds to take risks. I thought about whats the lowest investment I could make, and spent $572 in equipment for a temporary food establishment. The equipment was a canopy tent from Walmart with three sides that became a 10-by-10 pop-up restaurant at a bar.

Initially, I did not expand even to farmers markets because it cost $175 for booth rental and I had no way of securing a guaranteed return. But the word spread through central Kentucky and beyond. Six months later, I was a guest chef cooking Sri Lankan-inspired pop-up dinners at professional kitchens, alongside award-winning, highly respected chefs across the country. I was traveling to cook at the top of mountains, James Beard kitchens, Derbys and whatnot!

Initially, it was really tough to earn my colleagues respect in the kitchen. They would say: You havent gone to culinary school or worked in a professional kitchen, do you even belong here? One chef jeopardized my dinner by stealing my recipe book, and another resigned after seeing how the guests appreciated my food more than his. I also had moments when chefs would invite me in, only to chew me out over something their dishwasher did. Sometimes, I would play a joke and introduce myself as the dishwasher, which many times seemed more believable than chef.

But I learned how to toughen up for the sake of my food and people. I kept proving myself over and over again, because I did not have a brick-and-mortar restaurant to return to. Also, I was representing my community through my cooking. As a Sri Lankan kid raised in the 80s in the Southeast, my family and I had always felt alone. There were negative perceptions of our country and not a lot of awareness of our food. Through my food, I sought acceptance. I worked 10 times as hard as others and fought hard to be visible.

Its hard to make your own highway, but when you take a chance, somehow everything becomes a new adventure and more worthwhile in the end.

Growing up as a first generation Sri Lankan in the South, I dont feel completely at home over there or here. But oftentimes my identity is reduced to just one, because thats how society works. I want to be known as a brown chef in the South, as a Sri Lankan Southerner.Samantha Fore

One of the defining points in my career was when I was teaching cooking at the nonprofit social enterprise Emmas Torch. I worked with refugee people who had been through war, human trafficking, and all kinds of difficult situations. They were starting afresh, not even knowing English, but with a common language of food. One of the women learning to make coconut roti from me was fleeing for her life in Ukraine just months ago. I thought that people are constantly uprooting and changing their whole lives, yet we in the restaurant industry often cannot figure out how to be nice to each other!

I want to ensure that we foster communities where people are heard and respected. I work with chefs looking for reasons to love cooking again after being burned out, and those who have survived abuse in the workplace. I also want to open doors for other women of color in the culinary industry. We need to be paid fairly and not get pigeonholed. We should not be taken advantage of, or told that we should be grateful for the opportunities we got. We should extend basic human decencies and value each other for who we are, inclusive of races and genders.

Alongside Keiko Tanaka, I teach about the availability of food and the role I play in my culture through a sociology of cuisine course at the University of Kentucky. But this topic doesnt concern only Sri Lanka. There are many parallels across other cultures too. Growing up as a first-generation Sri Lankan in the South, I dont feel completely at home over there or here. But oftentimes my identity is reduced to just one, because thats how society works. I want to be known as a brown chef in the South, as a Sri Lankan Southerner. Can people weave me into the cultural identity of this region?

I ask people in the culinary industry to open their hearts, minds and kitchens, and make space for diversity. If they recognize and appreciate the commonalities, they will be able to build better, more expansive and inclusive businesses.

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By Kylie Madry

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Precursor chemicals used by Mexican cartels to make the deadly opioid fentanyl do not come from China, its embassy in Mexico said on Tuesday, rejecting U.S. officials' accusations.

The embassy said in a statement that China had measures in place to prevent the trafficking of substances used to make illegal drugs, and added the U.S. was "blindly shirking its responsibilities" by not taking domestic action.

"The root of the fentanyl crisis in the United States is within itself," the embassy said.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has been seeking cooperation with both Mexico and China in stemming the flow of fentanyl, which has fueled a health crisis and a sharp rise in overdose deaths, as well as its precursor chemicals.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says the addictive painkiller and its precursors are transported from China to Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, often by international mail.

China had denied the illegal trafficking of fentanyl to Mexico in an April statement, though it did not address precursor chemicals.

The embassy on Tuesday said China was "actively coordinating and strengthening" supervision of drug-making substances with Mexico.

The U.S. embassy in Mexico and Mexico's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Chinese statement, the embassy said, comes after recent comments from U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar and other U.S. officials.

Last week, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned 10 people with suspected ties to the Sinaloa Cartel's fentanyl network, as well as a company accused of importing chemicals from China.

"This represents a blow to (the cartel's) financial operations and illicit activities, since the company receives chemical shipments from China," Salazar said in a statement.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Isabel Woodford, Robert Birsel)
A number of children were locked in a former death row prison in Louisiana in extreme heat with no air conditioning and a limited supply of water earlier this month, according to a legal filing from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

In sworn statements, children incarcerated at the Louisiana State Penitentiary recounted how they were held in cells without windows on days when the heat index ranged from 115 degrees to 132.

One child, identified only as Charles C, said that the youngsters were only allowed to leave their cells once each day to take an eight-minute shower  which they were forced to take while shackled.

Juveniles Louisiana Adult Prison at Angola (AP2008)

Children in the juvenile system are legally required to receive rehabilitation, education, and treatment, Tammie Gregg, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Unions National Prison Project, said in a prepared statement.

But in Angola, for almost a year, the state has subjected children to punishment and abuse, depriving them of their rights and further harming already traumatized young people.

The ACLU has asked the court to order state officials to immediately move all children out of the unit and stop transfers into the unit moving forward. According to the ACLU, almost all of the children currently held at the facility are Black.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola, is one of the countrys most notorious prison farms. The prison is Louisianas oldest and the largest maximum security facility in the United States, home to more than 6,000 prisoners. Its history dates back well over a century, and it has long been dogged by reports of the grevious abuse of people incarcerated there.

The history of children being incarcerated at Angola is significantly shorter. Last summer, after several children escaped from a Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) facility, Gov John Bel Edwards announced plans to move certain children age 14 and older to Angola  arguing that they needed a more secure carceral facility than OJJ could offer.

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Human rights and criminal justice watchdogs in the state protested, with The Appeal noting that OJJs mandate to rehabilitate is at odds with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections mission.

The ACLU sued to stop the transfers of children to Angola, but a federal judge ruled the transfers were permissible as long as OJJ promised to provide education and other programming and resources to children at the facility.

Now, however, it seems that at least a share of the children transferred into Angola are being held in cells and conditions designed for the states most violent criminals.
(Bloomberg) -- China named a former top official from its secret intelligence agency the new head of Beijings national security office in Hong Kong, as the finance hub continues to crack down on dissent.

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Dong Jingwei, 59, was appointed as director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central Peoples Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, according to a statement on Tuesday from the government in Beijing.

Dong was previously deputy minister of state security in Beijing, according to various government statements. He succeeds Zheng Yanxiong, who shifted to the citys Liaison Office in January.

A representative for the Hong Kong government didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on Dongs appointment, including his past experiences at the Ministry of State Security.

The Office for Safeguarding National Security was established in 2020, just months after China imposed a national security law on the former British colony in the wake of monthslong anti-government protests. Last year, the Chinese agency bought a HK$508 million ($65 million) mansion in an upscale Hong Kong neighborhood.

Zheng, a founding member of the office, was sanctioned by the US for his role in the crackdown following the imposition of the security law. Some 260 people have been arrested by national security police, while several dozen pro-democracy activists, former opposition politicians and journalists face charges under the law that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Earlier this month, the citys Chief Executive John Lee pledged a lifetime of police pursuit for eight democracy activists who fled abroad to evade national security charges. Authorities have put a HK$1 million bounty on each of them.

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Dong was born in 1963 and was head of the security service in his home region, Hebei province, according to his resume on the China Law Societys website. He served as director of the Political Department in the Ministry of State Security from 2017 to 2018, local press including the South China Morning Post reported. While its unclear when Dong was promoted to deputy minister of state security, he was cited in that position as early as May 2019.

Lee, the chief executive, welcomed Dongs appointment in a statement shortly after the announcement, saying Hong Kong will continue to work and communicate closely with the Office for Safeguarding National Security as it seeks to fully implement the 2020 law.

--With assistance from Muneeza Naqvi.

(Adds an attempt to reach out to the Hong Kong government in paragraph 4.)

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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia.

Since their establishment 65 years ago, China-Cambodia diplomatic ties have stood the test of time and vicissitudes in the international arena, and grown from strength to strength, Xi said.

He noted that at the beginning of this year, he and King Sihamoni met in Beijing and exchanged correspondence many times, bringing the cause of building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future into a new era featuring high-quality, high-level and high-standard.

The "diamond hexagon" cooperation framework between China and Cambodia covering politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges has been continuously deepened and enriched, Xi said.

Xi also said that remarkable progress has been made in building the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor," adding that a series of events celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-Cambodia Friendship Year have been held.

Stressing that he highly regards the development of China-Cambodia relations, Xi said he is willing to work with King Sihamoni to push for more fruits in the China-Cambodia friendship and bring tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Sihamoni said the traditional friendship of the two countries dates back a long time ago, adding that on the basis of high-level mutual trust, mutual benefit and win-win results, the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, are jointly building a community with a shared future and forged an iron-clad friendship.

Sihamoni said he firmly believes that under the new circumstances, the Cambodia-China friendly ties and mutually-beneficial cooperation will surely be strengthened, and the iron-clad friendship be passed down through generations.

The Cambodian side, Sihamoni said, is willing to deepen cooperation in all fields with China, so as to benefit the two nations and promote regional and world peace, stability and prosperity.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulations with his Cambodian counterpart, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, on Wednesday.

Li noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties as well as the China-Cambodia Friendship Year, saying that bilateral relations stand at a new starting point.

Li said he is willing to work with Hun Sen to instruct various departments and regions in the two countries to cooperate closely to push for more practical results in the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Hun Sen said Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and other important proposals.

The Cambodian side is also willing to work with the Chinese side to add more substance to the building of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and their people, he noted.
HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese e-commerce retailer Temu has filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts accusing its rival Shein of violating U.S. antitrust law by preventing garment makers from working with it.

Temu, which is owned by popular Chinese e-commerce site Pinduoduo Inc., is alleging that Shein has compelled clothing manufacturers to submit to unfair supply chain arrangements preventing them from working with Temu after it entered the U.S. market in 2022.

Shein (SHE-in) and Temu (TEE-mu) are fast-rising online shopping platforms. Shein has grabbed the largest share of the fast fashion market in the U.S., at over 50%, according to Temu's complaint. Temu is the most downloaded app in the U.S., according to the website data.ai, formerly App Annie, which tracks app rankings. It offers everything from apparel to household goods at similarly competitive prices.

Shein has engaged in a campaign of threats, intimidation, false assertions of infringement, and attempts to impose baseless punitive fines and has forced exclusive dealing arrangements on clothing manufacturers, according to the complaint Temu filed on July 14 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

In an emailed statement, Temu said that Shein also punished merchants that worked with Temu by imposing extrajudicial fines" and forced retailers to assign their intellectual property rights to Shein, which could then seek to enforce these rights against those who also operate on Temu.

For a long time, we have exercised significant restraint and refrained from pursuing legal actions. However, Sheins escalating attacks leave us no choice but to take legal measures to defend our rights and the rights of those merchants doing business on Temu, as well as the consumers rights to a wide variety of affordable products, the retailer said in the statement.

Shein did not immediately respond to AP with a comment, though it previously said that the case was without merit and that the firm would defend itself against the allegations.

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Earlier, Shein sued Temu in Illinois, asserting that it engaged in deceptive business practices and created impostor pages that violated copyrights and trademarks.

China's regulators have cracked down on the widespread practice by internet firms there of forcing retailers, brands and suppliers to work exclusively with them.

Both Shein and Temu have gained attention as imports to the U.S. via their platforms have surged.

Just days ago, a filing in California by three U.S. fashion designers accused Shein of copyright infringement so aggressive that it amounts to racketeering. The filing alleges the company has violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as RICO, a law originally crafted to prosecute organized crime.

A Congressional report published last month questioned both companies' compliance with efforts to prevent goods made by forced labor from being sold on their platforms.

An anonymous coalition of brands and human rights advocates called "Shut Down Shein has been lobbying lawmakers seeking to increase scrutiny on the fast fashion site.
Chrissy Teigen is documenting her first colonoscopy at the early age of 37 to urge others to get checked when it's first recommended by their doctors.

The cookbook author and model began sharing updates on her Instagram Stories on July 18, a day before undergoing the procedure.

"So I have my first colonoscopy tomorrow because I was told by my doctor that people are getting (colon cancer) younger and younger, and they should go in earlier and earlier to get checked now," she said in a video.

Guidelines issued in 2021 from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggested screenings for colorectal cancer should begin at 45, which is five years earlier than previously recommended.

Colorectal cancer was responsible for the second-most deaths of any cancer in the country in 2020, the most recent year that data was available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates of colon cancer have been creeping up in people ages 45 to 50, Dr. Michael Barry, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and vice chair of the task force, previously told TODAY.com.

Teigen is getting a jump on the process by having it done before she even turns 40.

"We dont get checked because were not told to," Teigen said. "Youd think that, like, your parents are the ones that get checked."

On July 19, she shared a photo of herself in a bed with a hospital gown and mask and the caption time 2 check out that a--.

Chrissy Teigen shared a shot of her getting ready for her first colonoscopy. (@chrissyteigen via Instagram)

A day earlier, she joked that she normally wears a black bra and black leggings every day, but made an unfortunate wardrobe selection on the day of her prep for the colonoscopy.

"For some reason on the day that I have to take this wild amount of colon cleanse pills, I chose to wear white pants and a white bra," she said. "Just being a big risk-taker today."

She also shared that she was on a different regimen than the usual laxative liquid that cleans out a patient's colon ahead of the procedure. The Cleveland Clinic notes that colonoscopy prep kits can include liquid colon cleansers or pills.

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"One thing that you always hear about is the crazy drink that you have to drink the night before," she said. "Its like very intense cramping, and obviously you have to get ready to have a camera up your butt. But now, it can be pills."

Teigen also described the eating restrictions patients must endure the day before the colonoscopy.

"I am waiting for my green Jello to solidify because I am starving," she said while lying in bed. "You cannot eat the day before your colonoscopy. You can have clear liquids and Jello."

After the procedure was finished, she shared an update with her followers: "I just woke up from my colonoscopy and I feel great. It took like 20 minutes. I honestly wish it took longer because it was a good nap."

Teigen is the latest celebrity to bring light to the importance of colonoscopies when it comes to catching colon cancer and other health issues early.

Actor Ryan Reynolds shared last year how his first colonoscopy at 45 was "potentially life-saving" after he agreed to broadcast it when he lost a bet to actor and friend Rob McElhenney. The procedure caught a "subtle polyp" that could've grown into something much worse, according to Reynolds' doctor.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
(Bloomberg) -- Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said Donald Trump faced significant legal peril from accusations that he mishandled classified documents, continuing criticism of his rival for the GOP presidential nomination.

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Those are some pretty bad facts that put a lot of loyal, patriotic Americans at risk, Christie said on Bloomberg Televisions Balance of Power on Wednesday.

Out of all of Trumps legal troubles, certainly the worst so far is the classified documents situation, Christie said.

Christie, a former US attorney who prosecuted more than 100 public officials by his count, has been the most vocal Trump critic in the Republican presidential field, and has staked much of his campaign on the ability to confront the frontrunner, once a close ally of his, in debates.

The former governor also cautioned Republicans against leaping to Trumps defense over his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, as the former president awaits a possible indictment in Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation of efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

Other top Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have characterized the special counsels probe into Trumps actions as politically motivated. Christie said he would tell McCarthy to wait and see the indictment first.

Maybe these charges are completely bogus and political, like the ones in Manhattan were in my opinion, he said, referring to New York state charges over alleged hush-money payments to an adult film actress.

Trump said Tuesday he received a notice on Sunday to appear before the grand jury investigating the events of Jan. 6, and that he expects to be arrested and face charges. It would be his third indictment this year following federal charges in Florida over his handling of classified documents and the state charges in Manhattan.

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Read more: Trump Taunted as Debate-Averse Chicken in Ad by Christie Camp

The only one of Trumps 2016 rivals to challenge him again for the 2024 nomination, Christie has so far failed to separate himself from a pack of second-tier candidates. At 2.4% in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls, hes in seventh place behind Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and US Senator Tim Scott.

But Christie is faring better in the first primary election state of New Hampshire, where hes in third place at 6.3%.

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Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said he would not be vice president to former President Trump if offered the job.

I spoke to Mike Pence, the job doesnt sound like it was too great, Christie said in a Newsmax interview Tuesday.

The question came as Christie again challenged Trump to debate. Trump has signaled that he will skip at least the first GOP presidential debate, scheduled next month.

Christie, Trumps most vocal critic among GOP candidates, has repeatedly said it is essential for Trump to debate other candidates. The former governor even vowed to defeat Trump in a physical fight, saying last week he would kick his a.

Look, Ill fight Donald Trump anywhere he wants, in any arena he wants  whether its on the debate stage or in the octagon, Christie said.

The one-time allies have traded personal insults, including commenting on each others weight. Christie has based much of his campaign on going against Trump.

Trump holds a large lead over rival GOP candidates in recent national polling averages. Trump has received an average of 50 percent of respondents support, while Christie has received about 3 percent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Do not attempt to leave the dancefloor.

Market Days is ready to pull out all the stops for its 41st year in the Windy City.

The two-day festival will have around 100,000 people travel from every corner of the globe to party, serve a look, make new friends, and so much more.

One of the biggest Chicago-based production companies, CircuitMOM, is truly going above and beyond for this year's Market Days. The company is celebrating 25 years of epic parties and fans can expect a memorable weekend in store with three major events to go and dance the night away.

CircuitMOM herself, Matthew Harvat, is an iconic presence in dance music festivals around the world. Gay and straight audiences alike embrace Harvat's unique combination of DJing, production, and performances that fuse glamour, wit, and audacity.

The DJ and promoter took some time to chat with PRIDE about everything coming up for this special anniversary at this year's Market Days.



PRIDE: Market Days is coming up and we're all getting excited. What should fans expect at this year's festival from CircuitMOM?

CircuitMOM: We look forward to Market Days weekend every year because it is truly the gold standard for Chicago's street festivals. Plus, it is held right here in Chicago's gay neighborhood on Halsted Street (often referred to as "Boystown") and showcases a diverse, inclusive lineup of talent, vendors and community organizations that uplift and help strengthen our LGBTQ+ family, which is more important than ever. There is nothing like Chicago in the summertime and this is the weekend to experience the best of the best in Chicago's gay business district. They work tirelessly to keep our gayborhood at the forefront of acceptance and inclusion. Once the street fest closes each night at 10 pm, people can still hang out and hit all of the bars and businesses on Halsted Street, or as an alternative, come dance the night(s) away with us at our three massive late-night parties. We are pulling out all the stops for CircuitMOM's 25th Anniversary year so you will not want to miss out. Chicago loves to entertain and Market Days is the perfect weekend to come get your groove on. I will save you a dance or six or ten.

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You have exciting parties all year round. What makes Market Days different?

For us, this is our moment to produce three massive, thematic dance parties with over-the-top decor, hundreds of custom-made costumes, and talent from around the globe to give our phenomenal supporters a truly immersive dance party experience. We try to bring a lot of unique productions to all of our events, so when Market Days rolls around and you have a huge space that holds 4800 people, you really let your mind go crazy to create something memorable not only for the brand but for the thousands of attendees from around the globe. This is what we work on year-round so we can bring the best of our abilities to life.

For someone who's never experienced Market Days, how would you say CircuitMOM events stand out compared to other events?

I think there are two major things here. First, Chicago is such a beautiful city, and coming to experience the street festival in our gay district can be very liberating for someone who does not have the same freedoms of self-expression where they live. Feeling at home, and being surrounded by our community (and its allies) even for a day or two can change a person's trajectory from doubt to self-awareness and confidence, which is never a bad thing. Secondly, for CircuitMOM events specifically, we want people to know that everyone and anyone is welcome to come dance with us, no matter how you identify. We give you a safe space to come be yourself and find your tribe. The "circuit party" image of the past could be very intimidating for those who had never been because they looked like and often were, only catering to a certain type of person. From day one, CircuitMOM events have been about inclusion. We promote positive energy and want people to feel like they belong whether they are gay, straight, bi, trans, nonbinary or any other self-affirming identity a person needs to feel whole. Plus, confetti. We use a lot of confetti.

With everything happening politically, why is it important for the LGBTQ+ community to come together and enjoy events like this?

I have been an out, gay person since 1985 ish...(ow, ow, ow...). I was out before I knew what a community, a chosen family or positive representation even meant. At the risk of pulling the "why, back in my day" schtick, the struggles back then are repeating themselves again today in this hate-filled insane political climate. Banning books, attacking trans rights and frankly, basic human rights to exist fairly is taking us 100 steps backward. It is so important that we remain visible in the good times as well as the challenging ones. Events like Market Days empower the mind and show strength in numbers can make a difference. With so much negativity out there, a couple of days of joy can go a long way in energizing the good fight moving forward. Take our problems to the dance floor, if you will.

Can you give us a little backstory on CircuitMOM and CircuitSON? How did you two come together?

We met platonically almost eleven years ago on a certain dating app that encourages its users not to shave. He asked me what I do and told him I had a floral and event company that produced corporate gigs as well as some gay dance parties. I was swamped with client meetings, gigs, and struggling to keep up and he said "Sounds like you need an assistant." We met for lunch to see if we clicked and agreed to a part-time trial period, but I made him keep his existing job at the time because I could not afford to take on a full-time employee. My group of friends dubbed him "CircuitSON" because I am old enough to be his actual mom, and it stuck. Now, here we are more than a decade later, kicking up our heels and tossing more glitter than ever, so I think it has worked out well. We have come a long way with some successes, some failures, and plenty of lessons learned. Edwin has evolved into a powerhouse business person and really helped to bring the brand into a new era with new ideas, new audiences, and even the relentless requirements of multiple social media platforms needed to stay relevant. He is a rockstar.

What advice would you have for someone attending a CircuitMOM event at Market Days for the first time?

Come with some super cute and thematic costumes for each night and be prepared to meet a ton of great people, hear some of the best music on the planet, see some amazing performances and leave with a sense of belonging... and very tired feet.

Where can people go to get tickets and more information?

All of our ticket information can be found on circuitmom.com. Just click the artwork for any event that interests you and it will take you to a ticket link.
[Source]

The City College of San Francisco (CCSF) has issued a formal public apology following its improper withdrawal of a Cantonese certificate program.

Background information: The program, a 16-unit Chinese Cantonese Certificate, was one of two learning pathways developed after a two-year, community-driven fight to save Cantonese instruction at the college due to budget cuts. It was set for a final review by the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office when the Curriculum Committee reverted it back to draft status on Nov. 23, 2022.

The surprise retraction sparked outrage in the Chinese community. City College Trustee Alan Wong, who was elected board president earlier this year and has been leading the effort to save the program, described the decision as unjust, undemocratic and tone-deaf.

What the college said: In its public apology dated July 10, CCSF acknowledged that the certificate programs withdrawal was improper. City College trustees reportedly took unanimous action to support the program at a regular meeting of the Governing Board of the San Francisco Community College District in June.

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At the June 22, 2023, regular meeting of the governing board, the district's legal counsel stated that the 16-unit Cantonese certificate was improperly withdrawn after governing board approval. The College and the Board would like to apologize to our community for any harm, confusion, or frustration this process may have caused, the college said.

Whats next: While the college has apologized, the certificate program will remain excluded from the 2023-24 academic year as its records have already been deleted from the college curriculum management software following the retraction. The program will instead begin in 2024-25.

Wong notes that Cantonese is the most common language spoken by San Franciscos Chinese population. Data from 2021 shows that of nearly 660,000 limited English proficient client interactions across city departments, 43.6% were in Cantonese. Cantonese is also the second-most requested translation for domestic violence calls after Spanish.

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Wong said in a new statement:

This isnt just about cultural or language preservation. Its about the practical needs of the Citys large immigrant and senior Cantonese community to have equal access to healthcare, public safety, and social services. I am committed to ensuring that City College rectifies its past wrongs, rebuilds trust with our community, and moves forward with a Cantonese certificate in 2024-2025.

The other Cantonese language program  a nine-unit Conversational Cantonese Certificate  is slated to begin this year.

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Angela Lee pleads for 'conspiracy theories' about sister Victorias death to stop
Its clear why Attorney General Daniel Cameron wants state Sen. Robby Mills as his running mate: staunch Western Kentucky conservative representation with experience and relationships in both the state House and Senate, along with a congenial presence without so much charisma that hell upstage his boss. Its a safe pick but not an exactly exciting one.

Its not as clear why Mills wants the job, given that it hasnt exactly been much of a stepping stone since the 1992 constitutional amendment that put the two spots on the same slate and ended the lieutenant governors role as President of the Senate.

Look at it this way. Before 1995, the four lieutenant governors  Martha Layne Collins, Steve Beshear, Brereton Jones and Paul Patton  all moved into the governors mansion. Since that time, Steven Henry, Steve Pence, Daniel Mongiardo, Jerry Abramson, Crit Luallen, and Jenean Hampton, decidedly did not move on to greater things in politics. In some cases, quite the opposite.

Theres lots of check presentations, picnics and speeches, but like the role of Vice-President, the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky does not have a lot of scope for independent work. Back when they were elected separately, it used to be more fun, recalls Al Cross, veteran political reporter and director of the Institute for Rural Journalism.

Theres a rich history of lieutenant governors going rogue, Cross said. The most famous was Happy Chandler, who called a special session when Gov. Ruby Laffoon was out the state in 1935.

Chandler wanted to pass new primary rules; Laffoon came back in time to amend the call to have a primary and runoff, which Chandler actually won. Or in 1979, Lt. Gov. Thelma Stovall called a special session while Gov. Julian Carroll was out of town. The legislature passed the House Bill 44, which is still in effect today.

Still, lieutenant governor gets a bigger spotlight than the state Senate.

While it has not been a stepping stone in the current iteration, theres always the potential for that, from Robbie Millss point of view, Cross said. Being lieutenant governor is better than being one of 38 state senators.

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Ryan Quarles, who finished second in the Republican primary, obviously did not think the job was better than being Agriculture Commissioner or a possible next step in higher education. He would have brought a lot of statewide rural gravitas to the Camerons Louisville bona fides.

Still, Mills has a lot of local government experience as a Henderson City Council member for 16 years, and was a member of the state House before being elected to the Senate in 2018. In 2022, he won re-election to a second term by 33 percentage points.

As sponsor of one of the first bills on transgender athletes in 2022, Mills can be the culture warrior heavy, which could allow Cameron to look more statesmanlike and less mean. On the other hand, Mills supported the sewer bill to upend teacher pensions, which teachers have not forgotten. Thats a point that current Lieutenant Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, a former teacher, is sure to make loudly and often. Incidentally, if the Beshear-Coleman ticket wins a second term, she might be the person to break the LG political curse.

Folks dont tend to vote on the running mate pick. But they can provide functionality to the campaign and to the office, said Republican political consultant Tres Watson. Hes a Western Kentuckian, he comes from a coal-producing area, he has previous local government experience and he can shore up Daniel Camerons relationships in the legislature.

The leadership path in the State Senate is fairly clogged, Watson said. This gives him a bigger platform to push issues near and dear to his heart.

Politicians need platforms, the bigger the better, so presumably there will always be another one willing to take the job of lieutenant governor, no matter how thankless it is.
CLEARWATER  The citys Community Development Board has approved a 64-unit luxury condo on Osceola Avenue, the first of roughly 15 projects that developer Rodney Riley is planning for the North Marina Area near downtown.

The boards approval on Tuesday was the only vote needed for the 66-foot-tall condo on vacant land just south of the entrance to the citys popular Seminole Boat Ramp. But the remaining projects in what Riley recently described as his $1 billion Clearwater Marina District depend on a more complicated process to change the downtown plan and code to allow for more density and increased heights.

And its increasingly unclear whether city officials would approve those changes.

City planning staff is pushing back on the intensity of Rileys proposal, which features residential, hotel, retail and office projects on 12 blocks surrounding the boat ramp. They noted in a May 24 memo that several structures call for more than double the density and building mass than what is currently allowed. He also proposes heights and configurations that dont fit the citys development vision for the district, the report states.

Riley declined to answer a series of questions about his plans from the Tampa Bay Times, including whether he will build the Osceola Avenue condo approved Tuesday if he does not get the code changes needed for his other developments.

The development board granted Rileys request for a two-year deadline to break ground on the Osceola Avenue condo, up from the standard one year.

On March 2, Clearwater Planning Director Gina Clayton wrote in a memo that, while the city wants to foster development in the largely vacant North Marina Area, Rileys plan was too intense. She said it would turn a charming district that connects downtown with the residential area into a high-rise tourism district.

Riley then submitted a master plan with more detail on the configuration for each block. On May 24, Clayton wrote the second memo stating the planning department still does not support most of the plan. With several 100-foot buildings, she said, it sets a new vision and character for this area and creates in essence a new downtown core.

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The proposal also includes 256,000 square feet of office space, and Clayton said that real estate analysts predict no demand for more downtown offices for the next four years.

On Monday, Clayton and City Manager Jennifer Poirrier are scheduled to meet with Rileys development team to discuss next steps. Any changes to the downtown plan and code to accommodate Rileys project would require a lengthy process of city staff agreeing to draft amendments and present them to the City Council and Pinellas County Commission for votes.

Most of the properties for Rileys projects are currently owned by limited liability companies controlled by Church of Scientology members, who have kept them vacant since they began buying in North Marina in 2019.

When Riley unveiled his plan to build the 15 projects in July 2022, he said he had secured the options to buy the 55 mostly vacant parcels from the Scientology-tied entities.

So far, the site of the approved condo, 708 N Osceola Ave., is the only property that has been sold to a company in Rileys control, according to property records.

Riley is not a member of Scientology, and he said he has his own investors backing the $1 billion development, whom he has declined to name.

However, an email obtained by the Tampa Bay Times lays out in detail that wealthy members of Scientology are behind the project and they recruited Riley to act as their public face. It states Riley would receive 20% of profits plus a $250,000 annual salary from a parishioners company for handling day-to-day work, planning, lobbying and interactions with the public.

The email, first reported by the Times in April, names the author as Stephen Epstein, a Scientology parishioner and advisor for a Nashville-based real estate firm. The email explains that Riley was needed to avoid questions about the motives of the parishioners involved.

The recipient of the email, titled Structure (email to Rod) is named as Edward Tinsley, a former employee of Epsteins real estate firm.

Riley adamantly rejected these portrayals, saying he did not receive the email and never agreed to the terms it describes. Epstein said the email was inaccurate and Tinsley declined to comment.

Although Riley has worked in sales and development for real estate companies in Florida beginning in the 1980s, he declined to identify any projects that he or his company, RSR Capital Advisers, had completed as a lead developer.

Before Riley moved to Clearwater in January 2022, he managed the purchase and redevelopment of buildings in Mesa, Arizona, for Caliber, an asset management firm. He spent 2016 to 2018 as southwest regional sales director for the real estate company CBRE.

When he filed for bankruptcy in 2011, he had $12,500 in income and $1.7 million in debt, and the court filings do not reflect any substantial real estate businesses.

When Riley unveiled the North Marina proposal last year, he described it as a $350 million development. During an interview in May with a local radio program, the Kelly Kelly Show, he said his plan was closer to $1 billion.

Riley has promoted Clearwater Marina District as the catalyst to funnel much-needed tax revenue into the area.

Together, his proposed projects take up about 18 of the 840 acres where the city this year created a special taxing district to benefit the North Greenwood neighborhood. The designation will allow the city to spend property tax revenues collected within those boundaries on business, housing and quality of life initiatives for the historically Black area.

If $100 million of development is constructed in the taxing district in the first six years, city staff projected it would generate $28 million in tax revenue for North Greenwood.

At the Community Development Board meeting on Tuesday, Brian Aungst Jr., Rileys land use attorney, said the $80 million Osceola Avenue condo could achieve much of that goal on its own.
This Is Rigged protesters staged a protest at the Ineos site near Falkirk

Twenty people have been arrested and charged after police launched an operation to remove climate protesters at Grangemouth petrochemical plant.

Officers used a crane and specialist climbing equipment after several This Is Rigged activists scaled oil tankers and climbed on pipework on Wednesday.

Other protesters blocking gates at the site were taken away in police vans.

This Is Rigged also staged a smaller protest at the Rothesay Dock oil terminal in Clydebank.

Ineos said production at the Grangemouth refinery, near Falkirk, was unaffected but a tanker terminal had been shut as a precaution.

Police Scotland confirmed the 20 arrests and said they had been charged for offences under section 68 of the Public Order Act and breach of the peace at the Ineos site.

A spokesperson added that a small number of protesters remained at the oil terminal in Clydebank on Thursday and officers were at the scene.

Police Scotland used a crane to remove protesters at Grangemouth

This Is Rigged said, in a statement posted on social media: "We are shutting down the oil industry in Scotland to demand that the Scottish government steps up and says no new oil, and implements a fair transition for workers."

They added: "We have no plans to stop."

Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: "Decisions about how to police protests require us to balance complex and often competing rights and issues.

"We have a legal duty to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest or counter-protest.

"The guiding principles of policing protests are the safety of protestors, the public and police officers involved, preventing criminal behaviour or disorder and deescalating tensions."

The demonstrations came three days after Climate Camp Scotland activists "occupied" the Ineos gas power station, which powers the Grangemouth refinery.

Police Scotland said five people had been arrested following the protest.

Protestors climbed on to tankers at the gates

Grangemouth pumps out about 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, according to figures campaigners obtained from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

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An Ineos spokesperson said emissions had declined by more than 40% since it bought the site in 2005.

They said: "We have a robust roadmap in place that will deliver on our commitments to be a net zero manufacturer by 2045.

"Our products and their applications are helping others to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions too."
In a sinister reversion to the very worst days of Maos rule, Communist Party officials across China are blindly obeying orders to rapidly increase the supply of arable land by any means possible. As with the Great Leap Forward that starved tens of millions to death in a futile attempt to produce more steel to industrialise overnight, the official aim is straightforward: to grow more grain.

In reality, however, China produces more than enough rice, wheat and maize to feed its human population. So why the sudden rush? Xi Jinping, it seems, is preparing for war.

At present, China relies on colossal imports of soya beans, maize, wheat and other cereals to feed its pigs, cattle, chickens and ducks  more than 120 million metric tons last year. These are supplied by the daily arrival of bulk carriers into Chinese ports from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States. If war were to break out, these imports would quickly dry up.

In China, there is no spare land for crops, leaving Beijing little choice but to uproot the trees recently planted by its costly and much-admired reforestation efforts  even though Chinas forests are mostly on slopes, and new crop plantings are often swept away by the first serious rain. Local party officials executing Beijings orders know this perfectly well, but disobeying means instant demotion at best.

After the colossal Yangtze River floods of 1998 destroyed 13 million homes, drowned thousands and swept away highways and rail lines, the CCP recognised that the floods had been made worse by uncontrolled deforestation. Orders were issued all across China to stop logging and to plant trees instead, with vast funding allocated to add up to roughly 90 billion trees over the next decade. Thousands of tree nurseries were established, and an army of tree-planters set to work on the bare deforested slopes, with local farmers hired to nurture the new trees. As a result, China became visibly greener in satellite images, as forest cover increased from 12% in 1998 to 24% in 2020 to then increase further  until last year. No figures have been published, but what has happened since greatly exceeds the rate of the Amazons deforestation, even though the Wests environmentalists have so far remained entirely silent.

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There are no further forests to uproot; all that is left are the very small fruit orchards cultivated by individual farmers. And so, to the horror of the elderly peasants who planted each tree by hand, a local Party official will arrive one day with the Peoples Armed Police in camouflage uniforms, and cut them down. Sometimes, this is not enough: many farmers raise ducks in their backyards to supplement their income, which the police then club to death, issuing orders to plant cereals instead. Even room-sized pigsties are destroyed to free up the few square yards of soil underneath.

Local officials know that it is madness to destroy so many livelihoods to produce a few truckloads of cheap cereals, but they have no way of changing Xis policies  especially when each official has juniors ready to denounce him in the hope of taking his place. It was this dynamic that produced the tragedy of the Great Leap Forward. Peasants were ordered to melt down their pots and pans to make steel in backyard furnaces, with the promise they would instead eat in the dining rooms of the promised new communes; they were also told to melt down their animal ploughs because new tractors were arriving. In a mere four years from 1958 to 1962, at least 30 million died of hunger  some to be eaten by those who survived  and hardly any usable steel was produced.

Now, there is no question that China has very little arable land, having lost some 4 million acres to urbanisation and industry between 1957 and 1996  an average loss of 100,000 acres per year, which jumped to more than 1.5 million acres per year from 1997, with Chinas explosive economic growth that followed the opening of the US and world markets. As a result, China now has less arable land per inhabitant than India.

But why should this matter? As a very successful exporter of increasingly advanced and costly manufactures, China can certainly pay for all its food and animal feed imports easily enough. And this is how we arrive at something much worse than the destruction of Chinas new forests and the human tragedy of its destroying orchards and ducks: the reason for it all.

The crescendo of Xi Jinpings rice bowl speeches came on 21 June, when he claimed it was imperative to prepare for extreme circumstances, having previously warned on 6 May that China must be prepared for worst-case and extreme scenarios to survive high winds, choppy waters and even dangerous storms  all transparent codewords for the danger of war. He returned to the topic on 6 July when, on a visit to the Eastern Theater Command, whose jurisdiction includes the Strait of Taiwan, he called for increased training under real combat conditions to raise the capability to fight and win.

Xis incessant calls for combat readiness may mean that he actually doubts that Chinese military forces are ready for real combat. Its navy, after all, is brand new and inexperienced, while the air force is greatly inferior in its technology, mostly relying on Soviet jet engines, radar-evading stealth that is not really stealthy, and inferior missiles. But more importantly, Xis intense bellicosity and intense calls for the rejuvenation of the Chinese people suggests motives that we cannot even imagine. No, not Taiwan, which China could have had for the asking by merely treating Hong Kongs freedoms with demonstrative respect, making one country, two systems very attractive to the Taiwanese.

Much more likely is his personal sense of shame that Chinas history is a long sequence of defeats at the hands of badly outnumbered invaders  the Turkic, Mongol and Manchurian Jurchen tribespeople, and then the Japanese who might still be there if they had not attacked the US. As with Mussolini, then, Xis real aim may well be to turn his unwarlike people into warriors.

So far, Chinas future war might appear to be all talk, but preparations are well underway. Already, catastrophic deforestation is harming all humanity while the destruction of orchards and the mass killings of ducks are impoverishing tens of millions. That is not just talk.
Two girls who were reported missing in east Charlotte have been found safe, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Police said nine-year-old Addison Torres and 12-year-old Charielys Nazario were last seen Tuesday evening at their home on Firelight Lane near Albemarle Road.

ALSO READ: Search continues for endangered toddler from Mecklenburg County

On Wednesday, CMPD announced that both girls were found unharmed, and they have been reunited with their families.

VIDEO: Warrants: Madalina Cojocaris mother theorized she was sold for cash
Hey, everyone! Drew here. Happy Hump Day!

Sports Legends of the Carolinas is back with a brand new episode today.

Scott Fowler sat down with Wake Forest legend and the newest member of the Golden State Warriors, Chris Paul.

Check out their full conversation here.

On to your news.

Elyse Dashew told The votes for herself as CMS school board chair at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board chair Elyse Dashew will not seek a third consecutive term, she told The Charlotte Observer today.

Dashew was elected in 2015 and reelected in 2019. Her tenure includes serving three years as vice chair and chair for four years.

Anna Maria Della Costa reports on Dashews decision.

A framed photograph of Atari Thomas, his daughter, Hannah Esquilin, and son, Braylon sits atop a blanket featuring a photograph of his wife, Tiffany. Thomas had the blanket made for Tiffany to mark their seven-year anniversary in 2020. Tiffany was eight months pregnant when she died in 2021.

The numbers are striking.

About 80 North Carolina women died from pregnancy-related complications in 2021. That was nearly double the number from 2019, and the rate was higher than the United States overall.

Understandably, health experts are very concerned about both the causes and the solutions.

A special four-part investigation from Teddy Rosenbluth and Tyler Dukes of The News & Observer and Lisa Vernon Sparks of The Charlotte Observer look at how North Carolinians and their loved ones are affected.

Cleveland County Trial Court Administrator Kinsley Craig, House Speaker Tim Moore and Forsyth County Trial Court Administrator Amanda Leazer pose together in Cleveland County in a screenshot taken from Craigs Facebook page.

Last year, House Speaker Tim Moore and Rep. Jason Saine budgeted a new position for the courthouses in their home counties.

However, the Administrative Office of the Courts did not ask for it. The result was a new job and a $13,000 raise for one of Moores former law firm employees.

Danielle Battaglia has more.

The Mecklenburg County Public Health building

An employee for Mecklenburg County Public Health has been suspended amid a sexual assault investigation.

41-year-old Daniel Pitti-Casazola was arrested and is facing chargers to be determined in the case of a woman reporting she received an illegitimate medical exam at her home July 11.

Story continues

Mary Ramsey continues to update this story.

5. Some more stories to read

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Gov. Ron DeSantis dodged a question on abortion, pledged to rip the woke from the military, and said former President Donald Trump shouldnt be charged for Jan. 6 during an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on Tuesday, his first sit-down conversation with a non-conservative news outlet in years.

DeSantis also defended his struggling presidential campaign as a state-by-state process, despite continuing to trail Trump 21% to 50% in the latest FiveThirtyEight national polling averages.

DeSantis appearance on a network he has dismissed as part of the corporate media was a surprise, said J. Miles Coleman, associate editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

My first reaction when I saw this was, Oh man, its getting desperate over there when theyre going on CNN, Coleman said.  Its sort of a break from his approach of only talking to friendly conservative media.

In his 15-minute interview conducted in South Carolina, DeSantis did not answer the question when asked by Tapper if as president he would sign a six-week national abortion ban similar to the one he approved last year in Florida.

Im pro-life, I will be a pro-life president, and we will support pro-life policies, he said. At the same time, I look at whats going on in the Congress, and I dont see them making very much headway.

DeSantis claimed Democrats would try to nationalize abortion up until the moment of birth, which is not advocated by President Joe Biden or Democratic leaders.

Asked if special counsel Jack Smith should charge Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol if there was enough evidence to prosecute, DeSantis condemned the potential prosecution as political weaponization.

I want to focus on looking forward. I dont want to look back, DeSantis said.  I hope he doesnt get charged. I dont think itll be good for the country. But at the same time, Ive got to focus on looking forward, and thats what were going to do.

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Earlier in the day, DeSantis said that Trump should have come out more forcefully amid the pro-Trump riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, his strongest criticism yet of the former president for the insurrection that day.

I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didnt do anything while things were going on, DeSantis said at a press conference.  But to try to criminalize that, thats a different issue entirely.

DeSantis was responding to a question about Trumps announcement Tuesday that prosecutors had sent him a letter stating he was a target of the investigation.

The governor had also unveiled his plan for the military, including banning transgender people from serving and eliminating diversity initiatives.

Told that research showed wokeness was far down on the list of reasons that potential recruits said they didnt enlist, DeSantis said not everyone really knows what wokeness is.

I mean, Ive defined it, but a lot of people who rail against wokeness cant even define it, he said. But for the military, he defined it as not something thats holding true to the core martial values that make the military unique.

As for his campaign, DeSantis said he was definitely doing better than ever, state by state.

Im not running a campaign to try to juice whatever we are in the national polls, he said.  Were focused on building an organization. Youve got to get people to come out in the middle of January in Iowa to caucus for you.  That is not going to make the same type of splash as if you were trying to run ads nationally.

However, the latest polls in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the three earliest primary and caucus states, all showed him still far behind Trump. In a major campaign shakeup last week, DeSantis fired about a dozen staffers after burning through almost $8 million of his $20 million in initial funds.

Coleman said the interview was a chance for DeSantis to broaden his audience.

His campaign has been criticized for only talking to the sources that they like on the right-wing side, Coleman said. And maybe thats one of the reasons why DeSantis numbers are where they are.

But DeSantis main problem, Coleman said, is that his overall favorability with Republicans has waned.

Its like the more voters see of DeSantis, the less they like him, he said. Hes worse off now than he was at the beginning of the year.  When he first launched, the prevailing narrative seemed to be, Are we underestimating DeSantis and his campaign? Now it seems like, Have we overestimated him?
Florida is facing another lawsuit over its election system.

On Wednesday, a local group filed a lawsuit demanding Florida fix the part of the system impacting felons, and said Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state are not following the constitution.

The suit calls for a statewide database to determine eligibility, and for a federal monitor to oversee the states compliance.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition said this is not about politics, its about following the will of voters.

READ: Not above the law: Seminole County sheriffs son arrested on fleeing, reckless driving charges

This is about the real lives of people who simply want to participate in their community and engage in this sacred act we call voting, said Neil Volz, the coalitions deputy director.

Florida voters approved the restoration of rights. However, lawmakers have had other ideas, saying the system the state put in place just does not work.

The organization says since Amendment 4 was implemented five years ago, the governor and state have pushed to prevent nearly 1.4 million voters from voting.

READ: Avelo Airlines adds new nonstop route from Orlando to the Midwest

Last August, three felons were arrested for voter fraud after they thought their rights were restored.

Weve seen a doubling down on the broken system through the election police, Volz said. Now, you see people afraid to vote.

The organization said the state has not done its part to make sure people actually know if they can vote.

We strongly believe its the states responsibility to make sure they have a system in place that will let anyone, any American, to know if theyre eligible to vote, and if theyre not eligible what do they need to do, coalition executive director Desmond Meade said.

READ: I can spot a fake: Counterfeit designer watches & purses from overseas are flooding into the U.S.

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 temporary change to help bars and restaurants serve customers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic became permanent Tuesday when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation allowing carryout sales and delivery of alcoholic beverages.

In July 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer temporarily allowed to-go cocktails in Michigan. Restaurant and bar owners as well as industry representatives at the time lobbied in support of the move, saying it was necessary to support the economically beleaguered hospitality industry.

They rallied again in support of the effort to make carryout cocktails permanent.

Senate Bill 141 eliminates a reference in the law to Jan. 1, 2026, when the provision allowing to-go cocktails was initially supposed to sunset. So cocktails to go will now be the norm.

Proposal 2: Whitmer signs bills implementing election changes approved by voters

"We've heard from so many restaurant owners that this additional revenue stream became a lifeline that kept them in business," said bill sponsor state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, in a statement. "Three years in, it's proven to be a popular new way for customers to support their favorite restaurants, and has resulted in zero reported violations or safety issues."

State Rep. Kristian Grant, D-Grand Rapids, sponsored a previous version of the bill, saying that Michigan customers have embraced carryout cocktails that give restaurants and bars more ways to serve their communities. "It has become the norm in many communities in Michigan even as the pandemic has faded," she said in a floor speech before a vote on her legislation.

Senate Bill 141 received wide bipartisan support. State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, was the lone vote against the bill in the Michigan Senate. In the Michigan House, two Democratic lawmakers  state Reps. Abraham Aiyash of Hamtramck and Alabas Farhat of Dearborn  voted against the bill, along with GOP state Reps. Brian BeGole of Antrim Township, Joseph Fox of Fremont and Luke Meerman of Coopersville.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan law permits to-go, carry-out cocktails
The big story: New College of Florida has undergone dramatic, rapid change in the past six months, as Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-led state Legislature have used the school as a focal point to roll out their higher education agenda.

Implementation of the contentious plan has not always gone smoothly.

An effort to attract more students to the school, which suffered low enrollment, has succeeded, for instance. But as the school used housing as an incentive to lure new students, returning juniors and seniors expecting to live in apartment-style dorms were shuffled off to mold-infested, structurally aging buildings.

Officials have started looking into solutions. But for some students, it proved one insult too many. Read more here.

The school also shifted its academic focus and its leadership style, eliminating diversity programs and denying tenure to rising faculty members. Resignations started coming soon afterward.

Now with the new semester just weeks away, New College faces 36 faculty vacancies, a number the provost calls ridiculously high. Read more here.

Hot topics

Superintendents: Days into the job, Hillsborough County interim superintendent Van Ayres announced an overhaul of the districts top administrative team. Former superintendent Addison Davis meanwhile took a job with a consulting firm.  New Broward County superintendent Peter Licata took his official oath of office, the Miami Herald reports.

School rules: The State Board of Education will consider several controversial new rules when it meets at 9 a.m. today in Orlando, WKMG reports. More from Spectrum 13. You can see the agenda here, and watch the proceedings on The Florida Channel.

Salaries: A Broward County School Board member is pushing a plan to increase teacher compensation to $100,000 by 2025, WPLG reports. Some board members had concerns about how to implement the idea, WLRN reports.

Cell phones: Orange County School Board members debated whether students should be allowed to keep their cellphones in their pockets during classes, or if they should be stored elsewhere, WKMG reports.

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Book challenges: The Freedom From Religion Foundation has called on the Leon County school district to ban the Bible or stop banning books, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. It acted after superintendent Rocky Hanna pulled five books from the shelves at the request of the Moms for Liberty group.

Other school news

A popular Pinellas County preschool announced it would close in August. The unexpected news left families and staff members scrambling.

The Sumter County school district closed its PREP Academy in 2010 amid declining enrollment. Its reopening the school this fall as student numbers surge, WESH reports.

The Broward County School Board said it held an improper closed meeting to discuss software. Officials said they are working to improve their safeguards for transparency, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

From the police blotter ... An Osceola County School Board member is accused of inappropriate conduct by an 18-year-old girl, WESH reports. No charges have been filed.

Dont miss a story. Heres a link from yesterdays roundup.

Before you go ... Maybe you were wondering about the Grimace shake murders? You cant get the drink any more. But you can watch this amusing Food Theory video about the short lived trend.

  

Sign up for the Gradebook newsletter!

Every Thursday, get the latest updates on whats happening in Tampa Bay area schools from Times education reporter Jeffrey S. Solochek. Click here to sign up.
BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Minister of Mines and Energy Irene Velez has resigned, according to a letter shared by her ministry on Wednesday, after two state bodies opened investigations against her.

Both the attorney general's office and the procurator general - which investigates public officials and can remove people from their posts - have opened preliminary investigations against Velez for the possible crime of influence peddling.

The cabinet of President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first leftist leader, has seen several changes since he took power almost a year ago.

While the teflon-like Velez has survived previous cabinet reshuffles, she has stepped down, according to the letter, to prevent the investigations from impacting the government.

"Today ... I decide to remove myself from the position of minister to avoid investigations against me interfering with the execution of the government's program," she said.

"I will always be ready respond to authorities when required," Velez added.

The investigations relate to allegations that Velez in January pressured a migration official into allowing her underage son to leave the country without the permission required by law.

It was not immediately clear who might be appointed to replace Velez.

In April, Petro replaced a number of officials in his cabinet, including the finance, health, and interior ministers, among others, after a health reform stalled in the Andean country's Congress.

That reshuffle followed earlier changes to the government in February, where Petro replaced three ministers from their positions in the ministries of education, sports, and culture.

(Reporting by Oliver Griffin and Nelson Bocanegra; Editing by Valentine Hilaire and Bernadette Baum)
Natural Grocers plans an Aug. 23 opening date for its first Tri-City location.

The Lakewood, Colo.-based natural and organic grocery chain is converting the former JoAnn Fabric & Craft spot, 751 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, into its new home.

The chain confirmed plans for the Tri-Cities in May. It has been making visible progress as it converts the 16,200-square-foot building into a grocery store ever since. The project is valued at $812,000 in a building permit issued by the city of Kennewick this spring.

The store is expected to employ 16 and will sell 100% organic produce, body care, books, bulk foods, dairy products, dietary supplements, frozen products, grab-and-go grocery items, household items, organic pet products, meat and seafood.

Kennewick is one of three stores opening this summer. The others are in Loveland, Colo., and Twin Falls, Idaho.

Follow Natural Grocers Kennewick on Facebook. The company posts job openings on Indeed.

New winery for Prosser

Enodav Wine Company of Grandview will build a winery and tasting room at Vinters Village in Prosser after purchasing a site from the Port of Benton.

Enodav Wine Company LLC, a growing Grandview winery led by David Rodriguez, will open a winery and tasting room at Prossers Vinters Village.

The Port of Benton agreed to sell two acres in the villages second phase to Eodav for about $138,400 at its July 12 commission meeting.

Rodriguez, who began making wine in 2018 shortly after college, said Enodav currently produces 3,000 cases.

His goal is to expand production to 10,000 cases in 10 years. its future home is on Port Avenue, which curves through the wine-oriented development.

Bombing Range Brewing buys building

Bombing Range Brewing Co., led by Mike and Dashia Hopp, is buying its building at 2000 Logston Blvd., Richland, from the Port of Benton.

The Port of Benton also agreed to sell some property it formerly leased to Bombing Range Brewing Co. in June.

Mike and Dashia Hopp, who opened Bombing Range at 2000 Logston Blvd. in 2016, are paying $1.7 million for the property.

The nearly 5 acres includes a nearly 18,000-square-foot building.

RE/MAX Horizon opens in Richland

Peggy Beecher and Bryan Verhei have opened a new franchise of RE/MAX Holdings, the Denver-based real estate firm.

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The duo opened RE/MAX Horizon at 723 The Parkway while they build a permanent location at 1419 Meadow Hills Drive.

Beecher and Verhei have been in real estate since 2017 and 2016, respectively. RE/MAX Horizon is recruiting real estate agents to join its current team of five agents. Go to joinremax.com for information.

The Horizon business joins RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, based in Kennewick.

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A Columbus attorney has been disbarred following multiple complaints to the Georgia Bar Association by clients that he stole money from either their bank account, settlement, or failed to represent the client, according to a document from the Georgia Supreme Court.

Keith Chance Hardy was disbarred on July 13 after the decision was reached by the Georgia Supreme Court that Hardy violated multiple rules.

After consideration of the record in this matter, we agree with the special master that disbarment is the appropriate sanction for Hardys admitted violations of the GRPC, the court wrote.

Hardy is alleged to have initiated six withdrawals for a total of $20,000 including $120 in wire transfer fees in a case where he was designated a conflict defender for a client facing charges of murder, tampering with evidence and other charges , according to the document.

The document says that the client gave Hardy the information to access the account after he told her he could get a bond on her charges, but she would have to pay the money to the bondman.

In the same case it is alleged that Hardy, with the authorization of the client, received jewelry the client was arrested with totaling $3,500 but didnt turn the jewelry over to the clients family as instructed and instead kept the jewelry, the state supreme court says.

The court says after filing a motion for bond and entering an appearance for the client, Hardy made no other action on behalf of the client and she had to secure new counsel and had to post bond with the help of her family since Hardy had depleted her savings.

The client filed a grievance with the Georgia Bar Association in November 2021.

Hardy did not respond to the grievance or to the Bars subsequent Notice of Investigation, according to the document.

In another case, a client hired Hardy after getting in an automobile accident in August 2017.

Over the next two years, Hardy failed to adequately communicate with her about the status of her case and also failed to communicate with her medical providers, the courts decision says.

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After having to communicate with Hardys brother in July 2019 after not being able to reach him, the client didnt hear from Hardy again until September 2019 when he informed her he was still working on her case, according to the court.

The client heard nothing more about her case until November 4, 2019, when she received a letter from an insurance company informing her that the case had been settled on October 10, 2019, the document says.

Hardy told the woman that the document she received from the insurance company was a proposed release draft and dismissal and said if she would accept ...between $7,000 and $10,000 for her case she could have a check within days, according to court documents.

The court says that the woman then got in contact with the insurance company who said that Hardy had negotiated a check for a $15,000 settlement made payable to himself and the client when the client had not authorized Hardy to negotiate the check or sign her name.

The client copied Hardys brother on the email and Hardy finally responded, denying any wrongdoing but offering to take no attorney fees from the settlement, the document states.

Hardy then itemized the proposed payout of the settlement and listed three medical providers of which one had already been paid by the client and saying hed retain $3,405.50 to pay those bills, according to the court.

The client later heard from two medical providers stating that no amount had been paid on her behalf and was put into debt collection by one provider and threatened with debt collection by the other medical provider before a $600 settlement, according to the document.

The client filed a grievance with the Bar in November 2021.

In the final case, the court says a client filed a grievance in October 2021 after paying Hardy $1500 in 2020 for representation where Hardy told the client that he would waive arraignment without the client needing to appear.

However, the arraignment was rescheduled several times without Hardy informing the client and Hardy failed to appear or tell the client he needed to appear, the court states. The infraction resulted in the court forfeiting the clients bond and led to the court issuing a bench warrant for the clients arrest, according to the document.
New Hampshire has one of the nations largest per capita populations of veterans. Since 2007, Easterseals NH has provided a wide variety of services to more than 9,000 veterans, military members, and their families through our Veterans Count program. Weve learned a lot along the way, and with new research, a new partnership with the state, and with your help, we are embarking on an unprecedented effort to expand our commitment to the military community unlike anything achieved in New Hampshire.

Easterseals NH held a press conference to showcase design plans, created by PROCON, for its new military and veterans campus to be developed in Franklin, NH. Pictured from left to right are speakers from the event, John Stebbins, Managing Director, PROCON; Andy MacWilliam, Chair of the Board of Easterseals NH; Maureen Beauregard, President & CEO, Easterseals NH; Commissioner Taylor Caswell, NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs; Commissioner David Mikolaities, NH Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; and Michael Salter, Veterans Count Volunteer, Easterseals NH. Missing from photo, Governor Chris Sununu.

Last year, the State of New Hampshire awarded Easterseals NH $23 million to develop a campus for military members and their families at our underutilized 15-acre campus in Franklin. It is a humbling investment in our nonprofit, and we are honored to bring to life the vision of a campus that will provide enhanced care to our veterans and their loved ones.

In order to bring forth the first-of-its-kind military and veterans community in the Granite State, we committed to seeking robust and thorough feedback from the community. Easterseals NH created a Campus Taskforce to provide insight and expertise and solicit input from subject matter experts on developing a financially sustainable and impactful campus for service members, veterans, and their families.

Over nine months, the Campus Taskforce attended local and regional site visits of high-quality military and veteran programs; conducted interviews and outreach with state officials, nonprofits, and other providers; sent surveys to providers and members of the military and veteran community; led discussions with local officials from Franklin; identified a construction design and build partner; and zeroed-in on exactly what needs the campus would fill.

Heres what we learned:

90+ percent of respondents to the provider survey expressed an interest in collaborating in offering services on the campus;

Top needs of active military members and veterans include mental health services, awareness and navigation of services, care coordination, and housing support and stabilization;

Top needs identified for caregivers and families of service members and veterans include respite and support groups; social events, and child care;

Top three amenities offered on the site suggested by respondents include trails, pool, and barn.

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Based on this feedback, we developed a vision for the campus we believe will meet needs through a whole new approach to veterans care:

Affordable Housing: Provide 30 fully accessible rental housing apartments for veterans and assist in the creation of a care plan, engage residents in work and volunteerism, and offer peer and social offerings on campus to build community.

Hub of services: Integrate care coordination with a variety of providers to streamline recovery and access to services.

Therapeutic Services: Offer therapeutic recreational and creative opportunities that span equine therapy, service dog programming and training, accessible paths throughout campus, dedicated space for outdoor music and performance activities, provide space for art therapy, build a playground with accessible features, and other traditional fitness and wellness opportunities.

Retreat Center : Offer space for respite overnights and group meeting areas.

Community Engagement: Offer grassroots, skill-based programming, engage local businesses, organizations, and individuals in supporting the project financially and through volunteerism

Construction begins in September. It will be developed in stages, over several years, based on our ability to raise the needed funds to complete all aspects of the campus. The first phase will focus on affordable housing, the retreat center, and hub of services, anticipated to be completed by December 2024.

In order for the campus to be truly successful, we need the larger community to spread the word about the campus, follow its development, and financially participate in making this a true center of excellence to serve those who served.

A full report of our community engagement process and results can be found on our website at www.eastersealsnh.org/military-veterans-campus. We invite you to join us in this mission of compassion for our veterans.

Maureen Beauregard is president and CEO of Easterseals NH, VT, and Farnum. This column first appeared in New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: A new vision for NH's veterans and military community
Jacqui Henry, who said she now feels better than ever, developed depression after taking hormonal contraceptives for 15 years to manage endometriosis pain. Photo courtesy of Jacqui Henry

NEW YORK, July 18 (UPI) -- With some prescription medications, the treatment can be more serious than the underlying disease, as depression and even suicidal thoughts are listed as potential side effects for a variety of drugs, experts told UPI.

These include commonly used treatments for conditions that range from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, anti-seizure medications, heartburn therapies and pain drugs.

Hormonal birth control medications also may cause depression in some women who take them, the experts said.

Still, people who develop depression and suicidal ideation, as it's formally known, while on prescription treatment for other health conditions shouldn't stop taking the drugs that may be causing these side effects without talking to their doctors, they cautioned.

"Depression and sometimes suicidal thoughts are described as a side effect for a variety of medications used for non-psychiatric conditions, including steroids, hormonal agents and other drugs," Dr. Sanjay J. Mathew, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told UPI in an email.

Dermatologist Colleen Reisz has seen a handful of her patients report depression symptoms after using prescription medications for acne and hair loss. Photo courtesy of Dr. Colleen Reisz

"However, "the prevalence of this as a side effect is relatively rare and varies by drug and indication," he said.

Depression a common problem

Psychiatrist Sanjay Mathew says depression and suicidal thoughts are a rare, but significant, side effect with some prescription medications. Photo courtesy of Clexio Biosciences

Depression is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness that won't go away without treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, irritability or frustration, loss of interest in daily activities, sleep problems and fatigue or lack of energy, the health organization says.

Depression has been reported as a rare side effect with the prescription ADHD treatment Adderall. Photo courtesy of Ryanaxp at en.Wikipedia

Nearly 1 in five 5 adults in the United States has been diagnosed with depression at some point in life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

However, it's unclear how many of them develop the condition while their being treated for other health problems because of a side effect of a drug they're taking, dermatologist Dr. Colleen Reisz told UPI in an email.

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A small percentage of patients who take the hair loss drug finasteride may experience depression, experts say. Photo by Ryan/Wikimedia Commons

"That is a very big question," said Reisz, who has researched the effects of taking multiple prescription drugs on overall health.

As a dermatologist, Reisz frequently prescribed the drug isotretinoin, once branded as Accutane, for cystic acne. That drug made national news after research linked its use with an increased risk for suicide.

Former U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat, initiated an investigation of the drug in 1999 after his son, B.J., died by suicide while taking it, though the legislator later lost a lawsuit against manufacturer Roche alleging that the medication caused his son's death.

"This is still being studied," Reisz said.

She still uses the drug in some patients, but now starts them at lower doses, she added.

Multiple medications

Dozens of commonly used prescription drugs list depression, and suicidal thoughts, as a side effect, though only a small number of people taking them will develop these serious mental health conditions, Baylor Medicine's Mathew said.

The list includes the corticosteroids prednisone, dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, which are used to treat inflammatory disorders such as some forms of arthritis, according to Henry Ford Health, the Michigan health system.

Others, such as the stimulant Adderall, a treatment for ADHD, and heartburn and acid reflux, medications like omeprazole, sold under the brand name Prilosec, have been linked with depression in a small percentage of people who take them, the health system adds.

Use of hormonal contraceptives, particularly those containing progestin, can also lead to a slight increase in a person's risk for depression, a 2016 study found.

Other hormone-based prescription medications, such as finasteride and dutasteride, which are used to treat hair loss, among other conditions, also may cause depression in some people, Reisz said.

"I suspect 15% to 20% of women using synthetic progestins for contraception will be sensitive to effects on mood," she added.

Jacqui Henry, an endometriosis trauma doula who splits her time between Boston and Cascais, Portugal, was one of them.

"I personally struggled with depression as a side effect from hormonal birth control for over a decade," Henry told UPI in an email.

"Although I was never formally diagnosed with depression, the side effects and mood swings [caused by] different birth control prescriptions were documented in my gynecology chart and were often the reasons for switching [treatments]," she said.

She began taking hormonal contraceptives at age 15 years to treat chronic pain and menorrhagia, or excessive bleeding during menstruation, "which would later turn out to be undiagnosed endometriosis," she added.

Despite the troubling side effect, Henry continued to take the medication for 15 years before stopping in July 2021, she said.

She is now using a nutrition-based treatment for her endometriosis, and is "now living pain-free," she added.

"I'm feeling the best I've ever felt in my life," Henry said.

Steps to take

Even after prescribing drugs such as the acne medication isotretinoin, as well as the hormone-based hair loss treatments, Reisz has had only "10 or so patients" report "severe mood changes" immediately after starting these therapies, she told UPI.

Most of them noticed other changes first, including problems sleep, and experienced the onset of health problems, such as gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, which causes food and liquid to remain in the stomach for prolonged periods, she said.

In most cases, the solution is not to stop taking the drug causing these side effects, Reisz emphasized.

Those who notice changes in mood after starting a new drug treatment should talk with their doctor, who can lower the dose or prescribe an alternative treatment. Sometimes, a patient's depression symptoms may be the result of other causes, such as alcohol use, she added.

"If there are any questions or concerns about a change in emotional state, including depression or emergence of suicidal thoughts, the first step would be contact the prescriber's office and indicate the emergent nature of these symptoms," Mathew said.

"Often these issues might resolve on their own or with dose reduction," he said.
Back in 2000, late night talk show host Conan OBrien and Harrison Ford ridiculed the idea of an 80-year-old Indiana Jones.

Ford, of course, reprised his role aged 80 for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which hit cinemas last week.

The 23-year-old clip from Late Night with Conan OBrien has resurfaced following the new films release as fans point out the irony of OBriens joke.

People will never get tired of that genre, the host, now 60, tells Ford in the interview.

When youre 80 you could just do ones where they bring the treasures to you, he suggests as Ford bursts into hysterics.

OBrien suggests the films title could be Indiana Jones and the Comfortable Bed before mimicking the kind of electric, adjustable beds one finds in hospitals.

Conans pitch for an 80-Year-Old Indiana Jones movie, from July 2000. pic.twitter.com/Fm12tAm7Jv  Matthew Movies Thomason (@ResDolph) July 6, 2023

But was he wrong tho, one fan wrote in response to the clip on Twitter.

Love to see Harrison Ford proving @ConanOBrien wrong 23 years after this interview! another said.

Maybe he was using the Dial, a third suggested, referencing the latest films titular artefact, which promises to make time travel possible.

The clips revival comes days after Ford and OBrien reunited on a recent episode of the comedians podcast Conan OBrien Needs a Friend.

Listeners were in stitches after Ford jokingly berated OBrien for having the just words Han Solo written in his interview notes.

You cant f***ing remember that? he demanded from the host.

Ford is perhaps as famous for playing the captain of the Millennium Falcon in the original Star Wars franchise as he is for Indiana Jones.

I wrote it down because I heard that you were in some of the Star Wars films and this was news to me because Ive seen those films and I dont exactly think you pop, the comedian fired back.

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The retired talk show host launched the weekly podcast in 2018. Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell and Barack Obama are among the public figures to have appeared as guests since then.

Boasting a storied career of his own, NBC aired 2,725 episodes of Late Night with Conan OBrien between 1993 and 2009.

In a recent interview, Tom Cruise said that he wanted a career in the Mission: Impossible franchise akin to Harrison Fords iconic run as Indiana Jones.

Find The Independents review of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny here.
WASHINGTON  House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., this week approved several Pentagon budget reprogramming requests related to troop pay, after a delay forced the Air Force to suspend some bonuses.

However, Rogers told Defense News he will still hold up numerous other reprogramming requests to protest the Air Forces failure to make a long-overdue decision whether to base U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado or his home state of Alabama.

The hold doesnt apply to anything to do with compensation, Rogers said July 18.

Military Times first reported last week the House Armed Services Committees delay in approving a routine reprogramming request for the Pentagon to shift funds between accounts was forcing the Air Force to postpone some permanent change of station moves, selective reenlistment bonuses and other cash incentives for airmen.

The holdup prompted the Pentagon and Air Force to each circulate sets of talking points to congressional offices last week. The Air Force memo, obtained by Defense News, noted the shortfall is driven by higher than projected personnel costs.

The Pentagon customarily addresses these shortfalls by bundling reprogramming requests that move funds from accounts with surpluses to accounts with deficits. Top lawmakers on the armed services and appropriations committees in each chamber must then sign off on them.

The Defense Department submitted its reprogramming request to preserve airmens compensation in May. The Senate Armed Services Committee and both appropriations panels had already signed off on it, but Rogers did not do so until this week.

The committee has approved reprogramming requests related to military personnel and continues to review additional reprogramming requests from the Department of Defense, Rogers spokeswoman, Justine Sanders, said in a statement Tuesday.

But the May reprogramming request contained several other, non-personnel-related reprogramming requests, including $150 million in modernization funds for the Puget Sound shipyard in Washington state. Rogers and other committee leaders can approve the reprogramming items piecemeal, and its unclear whether hell approve projects that dont affect troop compensation.

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Further complicating matters, the Pentagon submitted another, larger reprogramming request June 30. The Pentagon usually submits a bundle of reprogramming requests every year on this date; the document can take weeks to review.

Congress typically approves the request in September just before the end of the fiscal year. Both the House and Senate Armed Services committees are still reviewing the June 30 request.

The 64-page June 30 request, posted online by Punchbowl News, includes numerous budget reprogramming items pending approval. That includes more Puget Sound modernization funds, specifically $132 million for dry docks to mitigate the risk of seismic activity while nuclear vessels are under maintenance in those facilities.

While Rogers has made it clear he will not hold requests affecting compensation, it remains to be seen which of the hundreds of other reprogramming items  if any  he will approve from the May and June requests.

The Alabama and Colorado congressional delegations are engaged in an increasingly acrimonious fight over the Space Command basing decision amid the Air Forces refusal to make an expeditious decision.

Two years ago, during the final days of the Trump administration, the Air Force announced Huntsville, Alabama  the site of the Armys Redstone Arsenal and home to the Missile Defense Agency  would serve as the new location for Space Command headquarters, moving it from its provisional location in Colorado Springs.

The decision infuriated Colorados congressional delegation, who asked the Air Force to review the decision. Several Colorado Democrats argued it was an act of political retaliation because President Joe Biden won the swing state in the 2020 election.

The Air Force has yet to make a final decision despite the two-year review.

Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., released a statement last week saying Rogers hold on routinely allocating funds is dangerous and harmful.

The Alabama delegation is holding our military service members hostage, said Hickenlooper. They are risking our national security to get what they want.

The Colorado delegation is finding itself outgunned on the congressional Armed Services and appropriations committees.

House Republican Doug Lamborn, who represents the Colorado Springs district where the temporary Space Command facility is located, failed to undo a provision on the issue from Rogers when the Armed Services Committee considered the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act last month.

Rogers provision halts military construction on the temporary Space Command headquarters in Colorado Springs until Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall submits a report justifying its final location. It would also freeze half of Kendalls travel budget until Congress receives the justification and decision.

The House narrowly passed the defense bill July 14 with Rogers Space Command provision intact. Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee and inserted the same provision in the upper chambers defense bill, which senators began debating on the floor this week.
A bipartisan bill to place sacred Indian land in Southern California into federal trust is heading to President Joe Bidens desk.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians Land Transfer Act of 2023 will authorize Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) to place 721.2 acres of land acquired by the Pala Band into federal trust for the benefit of its members. The lands are adjacent to the Pala Band of Mission Indians existing reservation.

[This story was initially published by our Tribal Business News affiliate.]

The legislation was cosponsored by in the Senate by California Sens. Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein. GOP Rep. Darrell Issa sponsored the legislation in the House.

The bill moves to Bidens desk for signature into law after it passed the Senate yesterday by unanimous consent with no amendments. The legislation had previously passed the House in February.

The Senate also advanced three other bills

This weeks action in the Senate brings us closer to fulfilling the federal governments trust and treaty responsibilities to allow Tribal governments to once again manage their sacred lands, Senator Padilla said in a statement. This bill will allow the Pala Tribe to steward their ancestral homelands, known to the Tribe as Chokla, and preserve their traditions for future generations. Im proud to see the bill move out of the Senate and encourage President Biden to swiftly sign it into law.

The lands in the bill include a portion of Gregory Mountain known to the Tribe as Chokla and Medicine Rock. The sacred sites were historically occupied by Native peoples and contain rock art paintings and ancient artifacts.

After fighting to do so for more than 20 years, the Pala Band was able to purchase the 700-plus acres near Gregory Mountain in 2016 from a developer who intended to turn the Tribes culturally significant and sacred lands into a landfill. The passage of the bill would move the Tribe a step closer to preserving the sacred sites by having the lands placed into trust.

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The Pala Band of Mission Indians is grateful to Senator Padilla for introducing an historic piece of legislation that safeguards Gregory Canyon, Chairman Robert Smith of the Pala Band of Mission Indians said in a statement. With the passage of the legislation, our ancestral grounds, which is central to our spiritual and cultural traditions, will be forever protected as part of the Pala Reservation

Issa praised the bipartisan effort to move the legislation through Congress.

We worked diligently to bring together supporters from across the aisle and from both houses of Congress, and this show of support is a tribute to the integrity of the Pala project, he said. The Pala Band of Mission Indians is an important and meaningful part of our Southern California community, and I know Pala will carry out its rightful stewardship in a way that will protect and preserve sacred lands.

In addition to the Pala Band legislation, the Senate also moved three other bills related to Indian Country yesterday: S. 70, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2023; S. 460, the Urban Indian Health Confer Act; and S. 1308, a bill to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to extend the deadline for the Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations implementing title IV of that Act, and for other purposes. Those bills now head to the House for consideration.

About the Author: "Brian Edwards is the interim managing editor of Native News Online and Tribal Business News. "

Contact: bedwards@indiancountrymedia.com
Reporters would gain important new protections under proposed congressional legislation with strong bipartisan support.

The Protect Reporters from Exploitive State Spying Act, or PRESS Act, would bar the federal government from requiring reporters to disclose sources.

Also protected would be information from third parties such as phone companies, a provision aimed at making it harder to spy on journalists. There are some exceptions where terrorism and threats of imminent violence or harm could be involved.

The legislation passed the House last year and got strong support in the Senate. A bipartisan group of senators is making a new push this year.

The bill came about after the Trump administration Justice Department secretly obtained information from reporters for The New York Times and The Washington Post. The Biden administration implemented rules barring such seizures.

But advocates for the measure want rules written into law, since that would make it more difficult for future administrations to repeat what Trump officials had done.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, led an unusually politically diverse group of House members as sponsors and supporters of the bill.

Kiley Wednesday called the bill important for the protection of First Amendment freedoms. He predicted its passage would secure a core constitutional right and make our government more representative and accountable.

The bill was approved unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee, usually a partisan battleground where Kiley and other Republicans have fought Democrats all year.

But on this bill, there was praise from both sides. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-New York, the committees top Democrat, called the legislation necessary and long overdue. One of Kileys chief co-sponsors was Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, whos led the fight to defend the Biden administration against a variety of Republican allegations.

The same bipartisan appeal is evident in the Senate. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Richard Durbin, D-Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, are the chief sponsors..
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. House of Representatives committee has launched an investigation into investments by four U.S. venture capital firms into Chinese artificial intelligence and semiconductor companies.

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent letters on Tuesday to GGV Capital, GSR Ventures, Walden International and Qualcomm Ventures, the investment arm of Qualcomm Inc, asking for information on their investments in China and setting an Aug. 1 deadline for the firms to respond.

In the letters, the committee alleged that investments by U.S. firms directly contribute to China's human rights abuses, military modernization and its effort to supplant U.S. technological leadership.

The committee said the probe is the first in a series of investigations into the relationship between the investment world and the Chinese Communist Party.

The Biden administration is considering new rules that would restrict the flow of U.S. investments in Chinese companies working on advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

In its letter to GGV, the panel said the firm had invested in Megvii Technology, a Chinese company "which actively supports the surveillance of Uyghurs," a Muslim minority group. The U.S. blacklisted Megvii in 2019 over its alleged links to China's treatment of Uyghurs.

Beijing has denied U.S. allegations of human rights abuses against Uyghurs.

The committee said Walden had invested in Intellifusion, an AI company the U.S. blacklisted in 2020 for allegedly enabling surveillance of Uyghurs.

GSR Ventures, the committee said, has invested in companies linked to the Chinese military, such as Horizon Robotics, which specializes in AI chips.

Qualcomm Ventures invested in SenseTime, a company the U.S. blacklisted in 2019 over its alleged role China's efforts to profile and track Uyghurs, the committee said.

GGV, Walden, GSR and Qualcomm did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the investigation.

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Aeschyluss tragedy Agamemnon begins with the fall of Troy. Clytemnestra, wife of the Greek king, hears news of victory, and imagines the clash of cries in the captured city, as the victors and the vanquished mingle. Musing on the destruction, exhaustion and still-fresh memory of violence, she hopes the occupying soldiers will withhold from looting the vanquished and angering their gods: O, let there be no fresh wrong done!

And yet fresh wrong will be done. It just wont be between the Greeks and Trojans, but among the cohorts of the victors. As she pictures the sacking of Troy, Clytemnestra is already plotting to murder her husband.

Something of the same uneasy mood of post-conflict hostility, and lurking internecine violence, pervades a bracing new polemic from Americas leading conservative activist: Chris Rufo. Americas Cultural Revolution is an unapologetically uncharitable and partisan but comprehensive explanation of how we got to todays bitter culture war. It describes the modern history of Left-wing radicalism, from the Sixties to Black Lives Matter, and the ongoing institutionalisation of this ideology via education and DEI bureaucracy.

On the face of it, it is an accessible introduction, for conservative lay readers, to key figures and ideas on the radical Left. Everyone has an opinion on this movements culture war and perhaps Rufos most impressive achievement is economy in tackling the topic.

We learn about Black Power activist Angela Daviss suspected complicity in a violent jailbreak, alongside her advocacy of violent revolution and later of a subtler institutional kind. The Brazilian Marxist Paulo Freire is presented as a bearded sage who inflicted untold ignorance on post-revolutionary Angola, before finally entrenching his pedagogy of the oppressed in American schools, only harming the disadvantaged children he sought to liberate. And Derrick Bell, the father of critical race theory, is presented as a mediocre, insecure man who sank ever deeper into racialised paranoia following his early, affirmative-action-driven promotion to undeserved prominence at Harvard  and in doing so, birthed a new field of legal theory that now threatens to demolish the principle of equality before the law.

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In other words: this story begins after the fall of Troy. The invaders are inside the walls, burning and looting, and the book is a retrospective account of the siege. Rufo states that he wants to expand beyond the polemical register of activism, to offer a more expansive account of the political challenge as he sees it: ideological and institutional capture by Left-wing radicalism. The word coup recurs frequently. The arc of the book describes how the hated victors smuggled themselves into Americas institutions, hidden in the wooden horse of civil rights, only to erupt and attempt to destroy the founding ideals that granted them entrance.

Rufo denounces the resulting university-driven revolution from above as one of relentless negation that has gnawed, chewed, smashed, and disintegrated the entire system of values that came before it. And all for nothing, as Rufo sees it: the utopians have failed to deliver the world beyond. Nor have they even succeeded in abolishing class rule, but simply replaced the management even as they extended state-social bureaucracy.

Worse still, a political programme based on negation can offer no positive programme that wont swiftly fall victim to its own politics of critique. The result, Rufo argues, has not been utopia but a harvest of failure, exhaustion, resentment, and despair: a proliferating class of peevish bureaucrats bickering about symbols and ephemera, whose relationship to the institutions they have captured is purely parasitical. For such ideologues, even temporarily effective alliances regularly dissolve into internal purges, leadership struggles, and conflict with ostensible allies.

As a denunciation of the New Lefts moral turpitude and nihilistic moral vacuum, conservative readers will love it. The book shot to Amazons number one slot upon publication, suggesting theres no shortage of appetite for such polemic. But the treatment of New Left theories of power and knowledge is much more interestingly ambivalent than the outrage-quotes would suggest.

We see our first glimpse of this early on, as Rufo explicitly situates himself in the story. A few pages in, he describes the harassment of his family by Left-wing activists in Seattle, saying: It radicalised me. Its a strikingly postmodern acknowledgement of authorial positionality, placed upfront in text thats ostensibly a critique of postmodern ideologies. Likewise, Rufos prognosis for where we go from here owes more than a little to the material analysis typical of classical Marxists. The revolution from above is so far incapable of governing for the common good, he argues, that eventually deteriorating material conditions will become impossible to ignore, however hard the bureaucrats work to suppress wrongthink. The average citizen will be able to feel the truth intuitively. With a confidence in historical inevitability that might have come straight from Lenin, he declares: This realisation cannot be stopped.

What happens then? Here, again, the book tips its hat to the revolutionaries. Rufo calls for a counter-revolution  and a glance at his activist track record suggests an approach to movement-building that owes much to the Marxist-Leninist theory of vanguardism. According to this doctrine, the most politically advanced revolutionaries should form elite organisations to advance their cause, as this will help galvanise the masses. Such vanguardism is both effective and increasingly popular among conservatives, as seen in the growing corpus of aggrieved progressive articles, criticising Rufo-affiliated activism for employing the classic Left-wing mix of grassroots volunteers and centralised, professional activists.

Throughout, the book evinces this double relationship to the political playbooks and epistemological judo of classical leftism, and of its postmodern progeny: the politics of language and power. Even as the story presents these strategies as evidence of his enemies wickedness, he is also reminding readers that conservatives must challenge New Left entryism on its own ground: Revolution against revolution, institution against institution, negation against negation.

This isnt a criticism. Based on Rufos track record, theres a strong case for counter-revolutionary vanguardism. And Americas Cultural Revolution rejects any suggestion that this means everyone is as bad as each other. Rather, Rufo draws a sharp contrast between the politics of negation and his movements underlying values. The counter-revolution, he argues, must work as a positive force.

To this end, he proposes smashing progressive bureaucracies and revolting against utopias in the name of natural right, the Constitution, and the dignity of the individual. The aim should be restoring the revolution of 1776 over that of 1968, and reinstating the ideals of the common man, such as family, faith, work, community, country, along with excellence over diversity, equality over equity, dignity over inclusion, order over chaos.

To achieve this, Rufo implies, conservatives should not renounce but embrace the politics of power, and of knowledge, that have proven so effective in the hands of the New Left. This means adopting a new political vocabulary that can cut through propagandistic formulations skewed to the enemys priors, along with policies that will permanently sever the connection between the critical ideologies and administrative power. Consider the New College of Florida, where Rufos appointment as trustee by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has prompted loud progressive lamentations, as hes presided over a purge of DEI bureaucracies and policies, gutting a central New Left power-base and means of exerting institutional control.

But if this is the means, what will the end look like? While Rufos project is conservative-coded, its hard to avoid the inference that, by the time the counter-revolution happens, if it happens at all, the old world where everyone at least sort-of believed in neutral institutions and equality before the law will be long forgotten.

Regardless, Americas Cultural Revolution reads like a pivot point in American political discourse. I would have liked a glimmer or two of reflection on why leftist ideas gained such traction; Rufos facility for material analysis would surely stretch to this, and the findings need not be in his opponents favour. Ultimately, though, reflection is not what the book is for. Rather, its a multifaceted political intervention. For while those who enjoy culture war content may enjoy it simply as partisan red meat, its accessibility means those on the Right still bewildered by how they came to be so dispossessed no longer have an excuse for ignorance. And those conservatives with a serious interest in how knowledge and power operate in post-liberal politics can read it as an instruction manual.

Members of the Old Left, meanwhile, can mourn the theft of their movement by bourgeois nihilists, who commandeered the institutions of power in their name and are now retooling them into a shamelessly partisan bureaucracy of weaponised prejudice. As for those nihilists, should any take the time to read it, Americas Cultural Revolution is a shot across the bows. It declares, first and centrally, that the politics of negation will devour itself through negation. Troy may be sacked, but Clytemnestra waits at home, with a smile on her face and a dagger in her belt.

And it declares, further, that conservatives (or some of them, anyway) have belatedly grasped the new rules of engagement and are mobilising in turn. The citadel may have fallen, the temples looted. But in Americas Cultural Revolution, Rufo declares to the victorious New Left: we are the besiegers now. Its your turn to try to hold the walls.
An Alabama man received a maximum sentence for illegally owning guns as a convicted felon, officials say.

Raymond Richmond, of Phenix City, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release after illegally having two guns, then when pulled over for a traffic stop, running away and throwing them in a bush.

Officials said Richmond has an extensive criminal history.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

In December 2020, a Muscogee County Sheriffs deputy was on patrol in Columbus when he saw a car without a brake light.

The deputy tried to pull them over for a traffic stop, but the vehicle wouldnt stop, instead continuing for several blocks.

The message must be resoundingly clear for convicted felons in possession of firearms in Muscogee County: We will not accept this behavior at any level, Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said. They must know that we will pursue them and seek to fully prosecute their crimes. The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office stands committed to staying the course to fight for safer neighborhoods.

A few streets away, near a residential part of the city, the vehicle slowed down and Richmond got out of the car with a black book bag and took off running, according to the Department of Justice.

After a brief foot chase, Richmond threw the bag into the backyard of a nearby house, then was apprehended. Deputies found the bag nearby.

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In the bag, the deputy found a .40 caliber Glock pistol with 26 rounds of ammunition, a .380 Kel-Tec pistol with five rounds, and crack, cocaine, pills and marijuana.

At the time of the incident, officials said Richmond was already wanted on multiple warrants, in addition to his previous felony convictions in Muscogee County court for obstructing officers, interfering with government property, and theft by taking.

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As a convicted felon, having guns was illegal.

Richmond pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm in April.

Repeat criminal offenders are facing federal prosecution when they are caught with guns in Columbus, U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said. Its going to take many different approaches to effectively reduce violent crime; holding violent repeat offenders accountable for illegally possessing firearms is just one part of the overall strategy. We are thankful for the continued collaboration between law enforcement and community partners working to make Columbus safer.

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Donald Trump. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Prosecutors say that a convicted Ponzi schemer that Trump got out of prison defrauded people again.

Prosecutors allege that Eliyahu "Eli" Weinstein even admitted to his crime on tape.

Trump's commutation of Weinstein's sentence was one of his final acts as president.

Former President Donald Trump commuted Eliyahu "Eli" Weinstein's sentence as one of his final acts in office, a decision that enraged the prosecutor who helped put Weinstein in prison over a $230 million Ponzi scheme.

Federal prosecutors said on Wednesday that shortly after Trump helped him get released, Weinstein concocted another scheme. And now, once again, Weinstein is facing charges related to allegedly defrauding investors.

"We allege Mr. Weinstein took part in a new scheme to rip off investors by hiding his real identity," Special in Charge James E. Dennehy of the Newark FBI said in a press release. "He was aware his actions were against the terms of his release on a previous investment fraud conviction, and we allege he engaged in criminal activity anyway."

Trump's commutation of Weinstein's sentence led to his release after serving less than eight years of a 24-year sentence. The New York Times held up Trump's action as indicative of the then-president's approach to pardons and commutations that gave priority to those with money, power, or connections to Trump and his allies.

Legendary attorney Alan Dershowitz, who represented Trump during his first impeachment, helped advised the arguments that were made. A lobbyist who had known White House chief of staff Mark Meadows for years was signed on. Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, who had just switched parties to become a Republican, also supported Weinstein's case. As the Times pointed out, the advocacy allowed Weinstein to cut ahead of other federal inmates who went through the Justice Department's process that presidents do not have to follow.

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"Does it help if you have money and the right connections?" Barry Wachsler, who paid legal fees associated with Mr. Weinstein's court appeals and clemency push, told The Times. "You know, I guess it does. It definitely does."

One of the prosecutors involved in convicting Weinstein, immediately registered his opposition to Trump's decision.

"I'm disgusted," Gurbir S. Grewal, who was an assistant United States attorney on Weinstein's initial case, wrote on Twitter. "It's no surprise that President Trump granted clemency to Eli Weinstein: it's one huckster commuting the sentence of another."

Prosecutors allege it did not take Weinstein very long to get back to defrauding investors.

Weinstein partnered with two other individuals who promised mostly friends and family "lucrative opportunities to invest in deals involving COVID-19 masks, scarce baby formula, and first-aid kits supposedly bound for wartime Ukraine."

Weinstein eventually admitted more than just his true identity, prosecutors allege. They claim that during an August 2022 meeting, he admitted that he was back to the very things that landed him in prison the first time around.

"I finagled, and Ponzied, and lied to people to cover us," Weinstein said on a recording of the meeting, per prosecutors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
No cause of death has been revealed yet for the Rockford man who died during a traffic stop conducted by Illinois State Police Sunday night.

The Winnebago County Coroner's Office said an autopsy was completed Wednesday on Lamar Bell, 33.

The coroner's office said the autopsy "did not show any traumatic injury" to Bell and the cause of death is pending further studies.

Bell was driving his vehicle in the area of 10th Avenue and Kishwaukee Street when Illinois State Police conducted a traffic stop around 8 p.m. Sunday.

More: Illinois State Police: Man dies after traffic stop in Rockford, investigation ongoing

During the stop, an ambulance was called at the request of Bell, according to a statement by Illinois State Police.

"The subject was subsequently transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased," the statement continued.

Bell's death caused outrage on social media accusing the Rockford Police Department of being involved in Bell's death.

Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd confirmed with the Register Star the department was not involved Tuesday afternoon prior to Illinois State Police releasing a statement on Bell's death.

The Facebook page "Rockford Crime Watchers" posted late Monday night that a 34-year-old man was pulled over for tinted windows at 8th Street and 5th Avenue and "choked to death by RPD."

"We have been made aware of inaccurate information being posted on social media regarding the death of Lamar Bell. RPD had no involvement in this incident," the Rockford Police Department posted on its Twitter account. "We've been forthcoming with information as quickly as possible when an incident of such magnitude has occurred within RPD."

The investigation into Bell's death is being handled by the Illinois State Police division of internal investigations, Illinois State Police trooper Melissa Albert-Lopez said.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: No cause of death yet Rockford man who died during traffic stop
Corrections Officer Has No Regrets After Being Fired For Taking Care Of Incarcerated Persons Newborn Baby | Getty Images

When Katie Bourgeois, an incarcerated person at the Louisiana Transition Center for Women, found out she was pregnant a few months into her sentence, she felt panicked. Her due date was in mid-May around seven weeks before her July release date. Thankfully, corrections officer Roberta Bell jumped in and gave Bourgeois newborn a home. And while it cost her her job, Bell has no regrets.

I didnt have anyone who would help, and I didnt want my baby to get sent away with Child Protective Services, Bourgeois told The Washington Post while discussing her fears after learning she was pregnant. I wasnt sure what to do or where to turn.

Bourgeois opened up about her situation to several women at the facility. Some suggested she reach out to Bell, whos known for her love of babies.

Everyone said she was sweet and always kept her word, the 30-year-old said.

Bourgeois did just that, and Bell offered to help with no hesitation.

I knew it was the right thing to do, Bell told the Post.

Bell said it was clear her offer touched Bourgeois.

When I asked Katie if shed like me to come and get her baby when it was time, you could see the relief on her face, she added. She said, Miss Bell, Id love for you to take my baby, because I dont have anyone else to do it.

They agreed that Bell would take the newborn in for around two months while Bourgeois completed her prison time. Bell was aware that the decision may be an issue with her employer  corrections officers are barred from giving their personal contact information to incarcerated people. But she thought she may be spared, due to the circumstances.

Bell informed her supervisor about taking in Bourgeois child, explaining that she could leave the baby at a day care center in her neighborhood that her friend runs. Her supervisor was skeptical.

[My supervisor] said it sounded like a conflict of interest because I worked there, but that hed talk to some people in charge, she said. I didnt hear back about it.

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Weeks passed, and on May 16, Bourgeois went into labor. As she was sent to a hospital for delivery, Bell was called into a meeting with facility administrators.

The captain said, Weve learned that your contact information was given to an inmate, and he told me it was against the rules, Bell said. He asked if I was still going to go through with [caring for the baby], and I told him that if the hospital called me, I was going to go and get that child.

Bell decided to take Bourgeois little one, come what may. Though she was hoping for compassion, she was terminated from her position on the spot, The Vicksburg Post reported.

According to The Washington Post, the following day, Bourgeois gave birth to a 7-pound boy named Kayson.

Bourgeois was sent back to prison to finish the last months of her sentence, which she was serving for using drugs while on parole. She gave the hospital permission to leave Kayson in Bells hands.

I knew that Miss Bell really cared, and that Kayson would be in good hands, she said, and also noted that she was not permitted to see or contact Bell.

Bell took care of Kayson and spent weeks doing everything she could for the newborn, including making sure he had feedings every two to four hours.

Hes a good little boy who doesnt cry much, she said.

Since Bourgeois was released from prison, mommy and baby have been staying with Bell until they get on their feet. Bourgeois hopes to be a hairstylist, while Bell recently got a job helping her neighbor care for an elderly parent. She ultimately hopes to start a group home for formerly incarcerated women who have no place to go.

Losing my job has been hard  my kids have been helping me out, she said.

Bell added that even though life after walking away from her career as a corrections officer has been tough, seeing Kayson grow makes it all worth it.

To see his little face and his smile  it was just a joy, she said. And now, to watch Katie with him and see all of that love and the promise of a new beginning has made it all worthwhile.
Counterfeit goods from overseas are flooding the United States and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are on the front lines battling it.

Action 9 recently got an up close look at the operation at the Port of Miami as the agents sorted through packages and boxes that had been shipped in.

As they ripped open the packaging, the agents removed Rolex watches, Prada purses and all kinds of other high end merchandise. But as real as some of the merchandise looks, much of it is fake.

Agent Alain Rodriguez is part of the team that works to spot these intellectual property rights violations.

It is super hard. Thats why we have officers and specialists. They actually do the assessment to make sure its actually something that is a copy and not a real thing, Rodriguez said.

Read: Train of excuses: Consumers accuse Central Florida YouTuber of running a Ponzi scheme

In fiscal year 2021, the CBP seized more than 100,000 packages with intellectual property rights violations. Had the merchandise been real, it would have been worth more than $3 billion.

Deleana Harrell, of Brevard County, has been collecting Louis Vuitton purses for more than 25 years.

She showed Action 9 consumer investigator Jeff Deal some of her collection and explained the special markings and where each one was made.

It wasnt until recently that she learned one of the purses she purchased online from a secondhand marketplace was a knock off.

Read: I just started crying: Family loses everything to home rental scam

And normally, I can spot a fake. I mean, theyre pretty easy to spot if you know what to look for, Harrell explained.

Consumer watchdog Teresa Murray with the Public Interest Research Group said the impact of this kind of illegal activity is huge. Often the products are low quality and they can cause injuries or illness.

Murray told Action 9, If youre buying a counterfeit product, you dont know this. You cant see lead. You dont know that your electrical product that you bought has a problem until it causes a fire.

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Read: Consumer turns to Action 9 after buying fake designer purse from online marketplace

Federal agents believe purchasing counterfeit goods often supports criminal activities, such as forced labor or human trafficking. It has even been known to fund terrorist groups. Thats why they encourage people not to buy knock offs and its why they continue to sort through the packages and boxes that come into the U.S. every day.

Deleana Harrell is glad they are doing it.

I think its very necessary. I mean, that company or whatever is losing money, she said.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A California couple that planned to renew their vows on a trip to Guatemala was left stranded in a foreign country after an Uber driver reportedly charged them $30,000.

A California couple that planned to renew their vows on a trip to Guatemala was left stranded in a foreign country after an Uber driver reportedly charged them $30,000.

A California couples trip to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary in Guatemala became a nightmare after being slammed with a whopping $30,000 bill for one Uber ride.

Dominique Adams told local CW affiliate KTLA-TV that the pricey ordeal went down after she took a 30-minute ride in an Uber to an airport in Costa Rica so that she could fly to meet her husband, Douglas Ordonez, in Guatemala.

I took an Uber, everything was fine, I didnt think twice about it, Adams told KTLA.

But after she arrived at the airport, she said Ordonez, who had been traveling to Guatemala from the United States, called to tell her that his credit card had been declined.

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? Adams said.

Thats when they discovered that Adams ride, which should have been a charge of nearly 30,000 Costa Rican Colones (just over $55), was processed as a staggering $30,000 charge.

Obviously, I knew that it was a mistake, but its still shocking when you see that on your account, Adams told Insider.

The couple, who had planned to renew their vows on the trip, was stranded in a foreign country.

The bank was blaming Uber, and Uber was blaming the bank, Adams told KTLA of their experience trying to resolve the issue.

The pair said they felt helpless after being subsequently stuck in Guatemala without funds for four days while waiting for the charge to be reversed. Adams said there was nothing we could do.

We were constantly calling the bank asking for an update, and thats when we were blamed for the mistake because we called our bank to give them a travel notice, the bank said, Thats what allowed the charge to go through, added Adams.

The couples bank, Altura Credit Union, reportedly apologized, per Newsweek; however, Adams told the news outlet that the bank still could not provide a valid reason why the charge bypassed all security measures and policy.

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She told Newsweek, We werent able to access any of our money for four days. We pulled out a little bit of cash to barely get us by for boat rides and transportation, but besides that, our vacation was essentially put on hold.

Adams posted a TikTok video documenting her hellish experience on June 29, which has since gone viral, raking up more than 9 million views.

Adams accused Uber of being very negligent in the incident, telling KTLA that the rideshare company never reached out to them after the incident.

They havent emailed us back. Before this was resolved, they marked this case as resolved in their app, Adams explained.

An Uber spokesman told KTLA in a statement: At Uber, we take every report seriously. As soon as we received the users report, our support team promptly addressed the issue and released the authorization hold mistakenly applied due to a bank error in Dollars and not in Colones. However, the time it takes for the refund to be processed depends on each banks policies.

After the unforeseen mishap, Adams said she recommends that travelers use a credit card rather than a debit card abroad.

I shouldve taken my own advice, she added.

The couple told KTLA they will probably never use Uber ever again after their troubled experience.

Uber nor Altura Credit Union immediately responded to HuffPosts request for comment.

Related...
Reunions can be pleasant and so it was when I got together with former Tribune colleagues Barbara Mahany and Blair Kamin. But our conversation was less about what old mutual pals have been up to, the health troubles that have come visiting, or what new hobbies or restaurants weve discovered than it was about the world in which we live.

These two have been married since 1991 and were for many of those years, and a few beforehand, among the brightest bylines to appear in the Tribune, Mahany as a stylish feature writer and Kamin as architecture critic, a chore that earned him a Pulitzer Prize in 1999.

She left the paper in 2012, he in 2021, but they have stayed curious and productive, sharing a home in the near northern suburbs where they have raised two adult sons, Will and Teddy, who they refer to, charmingly, as our homegrown double bylines.

They call their house a book production factory and the most recent products are a pair of books, Mahanys The Book of Nature: The Astonishing Beauty of Gods First Sacred Text (Broadleaf Books) and Kamins Who Is the City For? Architecture, Equity, and the Public Realm in Chicago (University of Chicago Press)

These were never intended to be companion volumes but they are very much that, since devoured together they will give any reader a new and positive and inspiring way of looking at the world, specifically the place we call home, wherever that may be.

This is Mahanys fifth book, one inspired by a 2015 radio interview with Rabbi Rami Shapiro. And so was she off on a journey of heavy literary lifting but great rewards.

As she writes, The weaving and writing of this book has been, as much as anything, an adventure in deep reading across centuries and subjects. She read 200-some books. She is Catholic (Kamin is Jewish) but she read in a most ecumenical fashion and she brings you the words of those of other faiths and other centuries.

It is a hard book to describe in a few words, since it is such a distinctive and powerful narrative mix of essays, thoughts, observations and philosophies.

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I could grab words from almost any of the books fewer than 200 pages as an example of Mahanys writing, but here are some, on the subject of rain: Because its so elemental, the life stuff of our very existence, the celestial surge that fills our rivers and waters our crops, rinses away the detritus, bathes all the woods, and the sidewalks as well, its been the subject of intense preoccupation and prognostication for a long, long time. Ever since ago.

There are plenty of poets in the book and here is one of them, Mark Strand, offering, in what Mahany calls plain-spoken logical terms, these lines of his: Were only here for a short while. And I think its such a lucky accident, having been born, that were almost obliged to pay attention.

In the books acknowledgments, she calls her husband my beloved and thanks him for many things, including his editing excellence.

In his new book, Kamin thanks his wife for, among many things, her unflagging encouragement, gentle wisdom, and radiant spirit.

He tells me, I am nowhere near Barbara as a writer. My forte is structure, organization. We do read each others drafts but with the utmost respect for our skills and individual voices.

His book is comprised of many pieces previously written for the Tribune over the last decade, updated to take an intelligently organized look at the citys ever-changing face, some of its ongoing inequities and uncertain future.

He knows he has had a rare seat for the action, writing I realize that I have borne witness to a dramatic transformation of Chicago, from a declining industrial colossus to a dynamic yet deeply troubled postindustrial powerhouse, whose favored emblem is a jellybean-shaped sculpture of highly polished steel.

With this volume joining his two previous collections, it makes for a trio that should be required reading for any developer or politician with notions of having their hands in sharing and shaping the city.

The idea of being a critic is to love your subject, but to have a demanding love, to want the best, he says. It is not just about making aesthetic judgments but to write about how buildings affect the life of the city and its people.

Embellished by the fine photographs of Lee Bey, once a full-time Kamin competitor as the architecture critic for the Sun-Times and still a critic and editorial writer for that newspaper, Kamins book is important reading.

You will discover (or rediscover) some of the many things Kamin likes (the Apple Store on the banks of the river and the Riverwalk) and some he despises (a proposed addition to Union Station). You can read of his tempestuous relationship with that developer named Trump and learn why he called the refashioned Soldier Field a Klingon-meets-Parthenon fiasco; his explanation of the reason beyond the widespread public revulsion to the proposed Lucas Museum; feelings about The 606 and the coming of the Obama Center.

He gives his clear-eyed appraisal of the tenures of Mayors Emanuel and Lightfoot. Its all there, the city on the page and in photos, tomorrow in shadow.

It is important to pay attention, says Kamin.

It is important to look beyond the surface, says Mahany.

That is true of the human-made environment and of the natural one.

From the high-rise windows in the room we were sitting, the city looked pretty good on a Sunday afternoon, people riding boats on the river, the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower in the distance.

That tower was our former home, the place we first met and we talked about that for a bit. It is now a place of very expensive condominiums. No, we dont know anybody who lives there, says Kamin. But its important that it is still there. It is a grand, ambitious and eccentric building. And for a time it was home.

rkogan@chicagotribune.com
Stock photo

CANTON  A 16-year-old accused of killing his father on July 4 lived in an abusive and traumatic home, according to a lawyer tasked with representing his interests in Stark County Family Court.

Melissa Pitinii, a court-appointed guardian ad litem, made the statement at a pretrial hearing for Daman Dillard. He is accused of shooting Musa El Bey, 50, several times at a home in the 1300 block of Seventh Street NW.

She spoke after defense attorney Bernard L. Hunt asked Judge Rosemarie A. Hall to let his client return home until his trial.

"I have explained to Daman that it is my No. 1 job to make sure that he's safe," Pitinii said. "I think prior to him going home  which I do believe would be in his best interest at some point, just not today  we need to have a plan in place for that to happen.

"There was significant trauma and significant abuse in this home," she said. "So I would like to get services set up and put in place before Mr. Dillard is released. The trauma is honestly quite unimaginable."

Pitinii did not give details about the abuse in court.

Hall ordered Dillard to return to the Multi-County Juvenile Attention Center, where he has been in custody since the shooting. He is charged with murder.

Her decision matched the recommendation of Melissa Day, chief of juvenile division of Stark County Prosecutor's Office, who opposed the request for the defendant to be released.

"The sad reality is this occurred in the home," the prosecutor said. "So all of his family members he would be going home with are actually witnesses to this event as well. And them being home together, unsupervised, there can be discussions about this case, facts of this case. Talking about what happened can interfere with this prosecution, with a resolution, because they are then coordinating stories, etc.

"This is a serious offense. This is a murder offense. The state is still looking into it," Day said.

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In asking for Dillard to return home until his trial, Hunt said the court allows pretrial release, with an ankle-worn location monitor, when appropriate.

"In this case, this young man has never been in court before," Hunt said. "He's never had any ... criminal issues or other issues. This unfortunate incident happened. He is a very, very intelligent young man. I must tell you, he is a bit distraught because of the situation that he is in right now."

Should Daman Dillard remain in custody?

Dillard's mother asked to address the judge, who refused the request on grounds that the mother is a witness, and her comments could jeopardize the state's ability to prosecute.

'My son just shot his dad': Mother tells 911 dispatcher about fatal Canton shooting

Hunt then told Hall that Dillard might be able to stay with an older sister who works for Stark County Job & Family Services.

Hall noted that the agency is involved with the case.

Carla F. DAntonio, juvenile division advocate in the prosecutor's office, said El Bey's mother and daughter want the teen to go home.

Hall said Dillard will remain in detention until July 31, when another pretrial conference is scheduled. She said the guardian should investigate the home for possible placement.

Her message was heard by supporters of Dillard who filled most of the seats in the small courtroom. Some said "Love you" as he left the courtroom.

Christian Turner, spokeswoman for County Prosecutor Kyle Stone, said it will be up to the judge to decide whether Dillard's case will remain in Juvenile Court or he will be transferred to adult court.

"In order for a juvenile to be bound over, we would review the case then request a bind-over hearing," she said. "That is not a step we have taken at this time."

GoFundMe for shooting Musa El Bey

El Bey's daughter Alexis Dillard has a GoFundMe account for his final expenses.

"Being his oldest daughter, I am his next of kin, therefore responsible for everything," she wrote in the appeal. "His wishes, funeral expenses, everything.. we would like to bury him in Georgia which is where he planned to retire, and live out his days. This wont be cheap but I would like to honor his last wishes, the best that I can. He didnt have a life insurance or money set aside, so anything helps."

Alexis Dillard wrote that her father was called Daman Dillard when he was younger.

Stark County Family Court records show that a marriage dissolution was granted in 2021 to Daman Dillard and Jeana Dillard.

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Judge continues detention for Daman Dillard accused of killing father
PROVIDENCE  Staff shortages at the Rhode Island Public Defenders office are leaving courtrooms in Newport and Washington County District Court without coverage this summer, forcing judges to appoint lawyers to represent people who cant afford to hire their own attorney.

The staffing crisis comes as some of the states most skilled lawyers are dropping off the lists of the court-appointed lawyers the courts rely on, citing low rates paid by the state for taking on these cases and the time involved in representing indigent clients.

Collin Geiselman, who was sworn in in June as the states top public defender, said that due to resignations, retirements and people out on family leave, the Public Defenders office was left unable to physically staff all the courtrooms in the state.

This became an issue of bodies and staffing.  We didnt have enough bodies, he said.

The office is currently down nine lawyers out of 54, with five positions in the process of being filled. They decided that it would be least disruptive to the criminal justice system to pull lawyers from District Court in Newport and Washington counties, he said.

We just got to a point where we couldnt fill every position where a lawyer is needed, he said.

The decision, which took effect in June, was made in consultation with the state Supreme Court with the understanding that the office would be back up to full force in late August, he said.

The Supreme Court was fantastic," Geiselman said. "They were very accommodating.

To accommodate the public defender shortages, the judiciary agreed to pay a court-appointed lawyer $500 a day to provide attorney-of-the-day coverage in Newport and Washington County District Courts out of the courts' $5 million indigent defense fund, according to Lexi Kriss, courts spokeswoman.

How court-appointed lawyer lists work in Rhode Island

Judges draw lawyers from the lists of attorneys certified by the court when an individual is unable to afford their own attorney and the state Public Defenders office has a conflict of interest, such as someone from the office is representing the co-defendant. Each respective court, including the Supreme, Superior, Family, District, and Workers' Compensation courts, are tasked with establishing and supervising a rotating list of qualified attorneys available for court appointments in their respective jurisdictions.

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Lawyers must meet certain requirements to earn certification. For example, to represent a person accused of murder, a lawyer must have served as associate counsel under the supervision of a mentor on two murder trials through to verdict.

I would say my overall experience with court-appointed lawyers has been very positive, Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini said recently. We are very fortunate to have some very competent, experienced lawyers willing to go on the list.  They are essential to protect everyones constitutional right to a lawyer.

If experienced attorneys continue to drop off the state's lists of court-appointed lawyers, it will certainly create some hardships for the criminal justice system, said Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini, seen here in a 2020 file photo.

But, he said, if experienced lawyers drop off the court-appointed lists, it will certainly create some hardships for the criminal justice system.

90% of the caseload for just 20% of their income

Anthony F. Amalfetano, a former assistant public defender, has been doing court-appointed work since the 1980s and has been gradually stepping off lists, including those in Superior Court just over a year ago.

I enjoy doing the work, he said, of representing clients of very little means. My thoughts were always to stay busy.

The rates were always low to begin with. Its been obviously an issue through the years and years I did it, he said.

Juggling the work in various courts becomes difficult to balance with the bread-winning private practice, lawyers say.

One, who declined to be identified, estimated that the fees paid to court-appointed lawyers are roughly a third of what they earn in private practice. Court-appointed work had grown to encompass 90% of their caseload while amounting to only 20% of their income.

Sometimes it does take a lot of time. Its hard to sustain a practice for the rates they pay, Amalfetano said. Court records indicate that Amalfetano earned $271,040 in court-appointed fees for the fiscal years 2018 through 2022.

Glenn Sparr, an active court-appointed lawyer in Superior Court, is in the process of taking himself off the court-appointed list for defendants seeking to overturn their convictions.

Sparr said he made the decision due to the time and energy the cases take while managing his private practice.

Sparr was also one of the top court-appointed earners over the previous five years, netting $372,427.

Ronald Desnoyers earned the most court-appointment fees in the state during the same time period, with $606,121. Desnoyers did not respond to The Journals phone calls and emails.

More from RI courts: 'Dark cloud' over District Court: Ex admin alleges coverups, dysfunction and retaliation

Lawyers question hourly rates, rules for court-appointed cases

Pamela E. Chin, a former state and federal prosecutor who now practices with Lynch & Pine, is among the lawyers who expects to drop off all the court-appointed lists in the coming year. Though she plans to stop doing court-appointed representation, she said she has always seen it as a responsibility, as a member of the bar, to provide legal services for indigent clients.

I have been accepting court-appointed cases whenever I have been in private practice. I expect to receive lower fees, because thats the nature of the work. There is also a time component. It seems that more and more hours are needed to handle cases these days, especially in Superior Court, Chin said in an email.

Chin questioned hourly rates to represent indigent people charged with serious Class 1 felonies, such as rape, kidnapping or robbery, compared with those charged with equally potentially life-altering Class 2 felonies.

Court-appointed lawyers are paid $90 an hour with a $10,000 threshold for Class 1 felonies, and $60 an hour with a $5,000 cap for Class 2 crimes such as breaking and entering, larceny, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and some drug offenses. (The rate to represent someone accused of murder is $100 with a $30,000 cap.)

I have been struggling with fee schedules which are currently in place.  While I understand the different thresholds, I cannot understand why there are different rates. Does my legal experience have less value when Im handling a Class 2 Felony? Chin asked.

By comparison, the hourly rate to represent an individual in a capital case in federal court in which the death penalty could be in play is $210. The hourly rate for non-capital cases is $164 with a $12,800 cap.

A number of Rhode Island attorneys are taking themselves off the lists of vetted court-appointed lawyers, leaving fewer options for defendants who can't afford private representation.

Chin questioned, too, policies that require court-appointed counsel to spend time, and therefore money, filing a motion to get approval to hire an investigator to assist in the case.

The rules require a court-appointed lawyer to secure a court order to allow the expense of hiring an investigator, which cannot exceed $500 initially. If the investigator fees are higher, the lawyer must then seek another court order approving any overage.

Filing a motion in court to get the courts go-ahead to hire an investigator takes time that could be spent working on the case instead, Chin said.

She suggested streamlining some of the process, such as pre-authorizing certain expenses  a step that could save private practitioners participating on the court-appointed panels [and] would really help this broken system.

As lawyers step away, fewer remain on the lists, affecting the quality of representation

When lawyers withdraw from the court-appointed lists, it leaves fewer attorneys in the rotation.

The Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers had this to say:

RIACDL is cognizant of the growing issues relating to the quality and consistency of private representation provided to indigent defendants via the court-appointed lists in our state courts, the association said in an email statement. There is no simple solution to this issue, and a comprehensive examination of hourly rates, caseloads, and availability of resources is necessary to address the declining number of attorneys willing and able to handle court-appointed cases.

The association emphasized the importance of the issue in meeting peoples constitutional right to representation and called for all criminal justice stakeholders [to] be invited to join the conversation  perhaps via a Task Force.

Andrew Horwitz, director of the Roger Williams University School of Law Criminal Defense Clinic, is more pointed in his commentary.

What is clear to me is the rates were paying court-appointed lawyers are clearly well below the market rate, and when we do that, we create a problem of getting enough high-quality lawyers interested in and willing to work at the rates, Horwitz, who is a member of the defense lawyers association, said.

A 2015 file photo of Andrew Horwitz, director of the Roger Williams University Law Schools criminal defense clinic.

While many of the states best lawyers continue to serve on the lists, many others are dropping off because it doesnt make sense financially, he said.

I think there is a spectrum of quality of lawyer I see in the court-appointed panels, ranging from some of the best criminal defense lawyers in the state to some others who are not providing what I would call quality representation, Horwitz said.

He said judges and lawyers have a responsibility when they see patently inadequate legal work to report it to the judicial leaders maintaining the lists.

If in a case I felt there was a lawyer who wasnt meeting that objective, I wouldnt hesitate to address it, Procaccini said. If it arises, we have a duty to address it.

Horwitz also questioned whether all judges are assigning lawyers on a rotating basis, as required by court rules.

The rules dictate that judges must do so, though the chief judge of each court may name a lawyer out of rotation if he or she previously represented the person in any matter arising out of the same transaction or in other circumstances where economies of time and expense may be achieved.

Deviation from the rotation is also allowed when specialized expertise, conflict of interest, emergency need, or counsel court excusal are factors, according to the rules. Those deviations must be specified by the judge, magistrate, or clerk in the case file.

I certainly have heard over the years complaints from lawyers on the panel that assignments are being made outside the random rotation, Horwitz said.

Lists for those challenging their convictions have seen the most drop-offs

The hardest hit court-appointed lists are those representing people challenging their convictions. Just nine lawyers are listed on the court-appointed list who can represent people convicted of murder who are seeking relief in Providence County, one of whom is Sparr, who plans to withdraw. Likewise, there are just 14 lawyers willing to represent people challenging their Class 1 felony convictions in that same pool.

The hourly rate lawyers receive for post-conviction work in felony cases is $100, with a $7,500 cap, under rates that were increased by the judiciary by executive order this month. That is up from the $90 hourly rate with a $5,500 cap to represent indigent clients who are challenging Class 1 felony convictions and $60 per hour with a $3,500 cap that had been in place since 2019. There is no longer a delineation between types of felonies under the adjusted rate schedule.

(The judiciary also increased the court-appointed rates in Family Court for dependency, delinquency and parental rights cases in the recent executive order.)

More: He spent decades in prison saying he didn't commit a crime. Now, DNA may show he was right

There are also some procedural hurdles built into the system, including that defendants must raise their post-conviction motions before the very judge who tried their case and sentenced them, making some arguments awkward at best. Plus, under court precedent, a lawyer is obligated to step down if he or she believes the post-conviction matter is without merit. This means, in practice, that the lawyer appointed to handle the case is sometimes faced with actually arguing against the clients position.

In the case of Jeremy Motyka, convicted in the 1999 murder and rape of 66-year-old Angela Spence-Shaw in Little Compton, his court-appointed lawyer argued Motykas petition for relief to be wholly frivolous, and not supported by existing law, or by a good faith basis for reversal, extension, or modification of existing law. The lawyer was, in essence, pitted against the client in court.

The conundrum caught the attention of the state Supreme Court in a 2017 ruling.

We view as particularly disquieting the fact that Mr. Motyka was clearly unable to articulate his arguments in court and the fact that it is plain from the hearing transcript that his court-appointed counsel seemed to be advising him on how to respond to the hearing justices questions and how to submit evidence while simultaneously arguing why Mr. Motykas claims lacked merit, the high court wrote.

The few lawyers who do take on post-conviction relief cases frequently manage hefty caseloads while continuing to be assigned more, leading to complaints from the people they represent about a lack of communication and attentiveness, as seen in court filings and letters to The Journal.

Simeon Briggs, for example, complained in 2019 in a letter to the Superior Court that he had never been informed of 19 court conferences on his bid to overturn his murder conviction. He pleaded that a new attorney be appointed due to extremely ineffective counsel. His request was granted, only to have the same lawyer assigned to him again.

Post-conviction matters being heard in state courts have taken on even more importance in light of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited the evidence a federal court can consider from people seeking to overturn a state conviction.

A divided Supreme Court held that federal courts should be bound by the evidence introduced in prior state proceedings, regardless of whether the prisoner had the assistance of an effective post-conviction lawyer  or any lawyer at all, according to an American Bar Association article titled Supreme Court 'Guts' Case Law Protecting Right to Counsel.

Low starting salaries hinder hiring at Public Defender's office

Geiselman says that he expects the office to be out of the staffing rut by the summers end, as several new hires become available.

But despite active recruiting, he said, the office has seen a dramatic drop in applicants. In years past, they would see 60 to 70 applicants. Now, they're lucky to field 10 or 12.

Its not uncommon, too, since the COVID pandemic, for applicants to ask during their interviews whether they will be provided the flexibility to work from home, as some private firms have the latitude to offer.

We explain to them, 'You need to be in court, Geiselman said.

The incoming salary at the Public Defenders office is $70,644, which could prove less attractive to new lawyers facing student loan debt, though they are sure to get actual courtroom experience.

Still, working in public-interest law positions, such as an assistant public defender or prosecutor, for 10 years enables lawyers to have student loan debt  which can run into six figures  forgiven, Geiselman said. He added that the office would like to boost the starting salaries in the year ahead.

Were hoping to alleviate some of these issues, Geiselman said.

The top-earning court-appointed lawyers in Superior and District Court in Rhode Island from 2018-2022

Ronald Desnoyers: $606,121

Kenneth Vale: $462,950

Judith Crowell: $453,250

Stephen Morrissey: $429,305

Steven Crawford: $423,034

Edward McEnaney: $415,865

Glenn Sparr: $372,427

Anthony Amalfetano: $271,040

Kenneth Shea: $203,427

John Canham: $142,301

 Paul Edward Parker

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's list of court-appointed lawyers shrinks amid low pay, red tape
RUSTBURG, Va. (AP)  A court hearing for a Virginia lawmaker facing felony charges in connection with a hit-and-run that injured a woman was postponed this week after the judge failed to show up.

Republican Del. Matt Fariss had been set for a bench trial Tuesday afternoon on a misdemeanor reckless driving charge in connection with the March incident and a preliminary hearing on two felony charges, according to Don Caldwell, the prosecutor appointed to handle the case. But retired judge Thomas Bondurant  who had also been specially appointed  never showed up, according to Caldwell and local news accounts.

About a half hour after the hearing should have commenced, Campbell General District Presiding Judge Stephanie Maddox told the courtroom that no one had been able to get in touch with Bondurant and the hearing would be rescheduled, the News & Advance reported.

Caldwell said Wednesday by phone that he did not know why the judge was unaccounted for. A new hearing has been scheduled for August.

According to allegations outlined in court records, Fariss got into an argument with a woman he'd been riding with and then struck her with a Chevrolet Tahoe after she walked away from him and refused to get back in the vehicle. State police said the woman suffered minor injuries and that Fariss left the scene but turned himself in the next day.

The woman has said in court documents that she fled from Fariss, fearing that he might shoot her.

Fariss, who was released on bond, has said in a previous statement that the charges against him are false and vowed to fight them in court. His defense attorney, Chuck Felmlee, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

Fariss, of Campbell County, has served in the House since 2012. He currently represents the 59th District, which includes Appomattox and Buckingham counties and parts of Albemarle and Nelson counties.

He is seeking re-election in the newly redrawn 51st District, running this year as an independent after not filing paperwork to seek his party's nomination. Fariss has not clarified whether the political move was intentional.

Eric Zehr, who was unopposed for the GOP nomination after Fariss failed to qualify, has the "full support of the House Republican caucus," said Dean Goodson, chief of staff to House Speaker Todd Gilbert.

Democrat Kimberly Moran is also running in the deep-red district.
Cashless payments are on the rise in Texas.

They have increased at a rate of 9.5% per year since 2018, reaching $128.51 trillion in 2021, a recent study from the Federal Reserve indicates.

Convenience is a major factor in that upswing, says Ray Perryman, an economist with The Perryman Group, and the touch-free capabilities of cashless payment methods during the pandemic also played a role.

Why electronic payments?

An easy to use, efficient method of purchasing goods and services is essential to a well-functioning economy, Perryman says. Payment methods have evolved throughout human history  from barter, primitive forms of money, full-bodied coins and precious metals, bank notes, national fiat currency and checks to electronic payments and cashless transactions.

Cashless payments are highly efficient, offering advantages such as speed, security and accuracy, Perryman said.

Electronic payments have also increased the pace of economic growth. Thats because they allow more activity to occur with a given money supply as they move payments more efficiently through the system, Perryman explains. Almost a decade ago, it was found that the beneficial effects of the electronic payment system on the economy had already been substantial. It was estimated that the U.S. economy was more than 12% larger than it would have been in the absence of the electronic payment system. That percentage is likely even higher now, Perryman says.

Simplifying payments has a tendency to increase consumer spending. Because its easier and more convenient to pay for purchases thanks to the cashless payments, consumers are more likely to buy things. Convenience encourages consumer spending, which drives about 70% of the economy.

What does going cashless mean for small businesses?

For small business owners in North Texas, there are pros and cons to cashless payments, according to Perryman.

Pros:

Going cashless is good for businesses and the economy because it encourages consumption.

For certain types of businesses such as retail stores or restaurants, the simplicity of the transaction will remove a barrier for some potential customers.

It can also reduce the amount of time employees are required to spend accepting payments, which can be relevant to staffing and hiring, particularly in a tight labor market.

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Some payment methods involve fees for businesses, which can be a disadvantage particularly for firms that tend to deal with larger transaction amounts.

Will the cashless trend continue in the future?

Because its been a pattern for decades, Perryman doesnt think the cashless trend will reverse. In fact, he believes its more likely to become an even greater factor in the future in Fort Worth and throughout the country. These types of advances are driven by technology and overall consumer patterns, which are normally adopted in a relatively uniform manner, he said.

The advantages of being able to tap a card or phone and buy something are clear to consumers, and businesses will inevitably adapt to customer expectations and desires, he says.

The pace will also be quickened by demographic patterns, as younger consumers are generally more familiar and comfortable with newer approaches, Perryman added.
ASPEN, Colo.  Russian President Vladimir Putin is under pressure as cracks have formed in his power structure following the Wagner Groups munity, two senior British officials said in separate events Tuesday.

Richard Moore, the head of MI6, assessed in a rare public address that the Yevgeny Prigozhin-led revolt against the Kremlin served as one of the greatest challenges to the autocrats two-decade rule.

I think he probably feels under some pressure. Prigozhin was his creature, utterly created by Putin, and yet he turned on him, Moore said in Prague during a POLITICO event. He really didnt fight back against Prigozhin. He cut a deal to save his skin using the good offices of the leader of Belarus.

Hours later, U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told reporters on the sidelines of the Aspen Security Forum audience that an attempted coup is never a good look because there's no way that Putin can spin this as business as usual or good news.



What we're seeing is that the first, very visible cracks that are appearing on either side were not in Ukraine, were not in NATO, were not in the EU, were not in the U.K.-U.S. relationship or any of that. The first cracks that we saw were in the Russian system, he continued.

The double-barreled message indicates London senses a weakness in Putins leadership since last months uprising  and highlights a push among Ukraines allies to project optimism despite Kyivs slower-than-expected counteroffensive.

It has been difficult to assess how deeply the Wagner insurrection has cut in Russia. Prigozhin blamed the military and defense leadership  but not Putin  for Russias failures in Ukraine. He claimed the mutiny, which saw a column of Wagner mercenaries storm toward Moscow, was to express his displeasure with them and possibly see them removed.

The U.K. officials comments come after Western leaders have been more bullish about its chances of successfully helping Ukraine against Russias invasion. Putins already lost the war, President Joe Biden proclaimed last week. And Tuesday, Gen. Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs chair, told reporters at the Pentagon that the command-and-control apparatus at the strategic level is certainly confusing at best and probably challenging.



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Those governments are also buoyant following last weeks NATO summit, where on the sidelines G-7 nations promised billions in long-term security assistance to Ukraine.

But the question hanging over the national security conference in the mountains of Colorado is just how long the good feelings can last. Worries about Ukraines stop-and-start counteroffensive have also come up repeatedly on the public stage and privately on the sidelines, leading to questions about whether the U.S., the U.K. and their allies have backed a side that cant win any time soon.

Cleverly said in front of the high-level audience that Ukraine was clearly winning the war, in part because they were taking territory it took the Russians months to seize. In the sideline session with reporters, he added the Ukrainians are making progress steadily.

This is the slowly phase because they're going through heavily fortified, mined real estate, and there is no quick and safe way of doing that and they choose to do it safely rather than quickly. I think that's the right judgment call, he said. And it doesn't alter the fact that we got to stick with them until this is done.
House Republicans fired their opening salvo on Wednesday in a new phase of their investigation into Hunter Biden: vetting allegations of interference in the yearslong federal probe of the First Son.

The high-profile Oversight Committee hearing marked the first public testimony from Gary Shapley, the IRS whistleblower at the center of the interference allegations, and Joseph Ziegler  previously known as whistleblower X. The two addressed their claims of broad meddling by federal authorities in the case, including that the Justice Department consistently slow-walked their work and that prosecutors tipped off Hunter Bidens attorneys about leads they were planning to pursue.

The hearing provided little new information about the allegations themselves  a dynamic that top Republicans predicted in advance. Instead, the GOP portrayed it more as an opportunity to get the duos narrative in the public sphere and elevate a pair of witnesses they view as the A-team.

Despite the lack of any concrete new material, the hearing is likely to fuel calls from conservatives to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland. And partisan tensions still flared throughout the proceedings, with Democrats denouncing the GOP investigation as part of a smear campaign against President Joe Biden while the pair of whistleblowers defended their credibility.

Here are the top takeaways from both parties arguments during the hearing.

GOP: Whos more credible?

Republicans contended that  given that the whistleblowers and U.S. Attorney David Weiss offer different recollections about whether the Hunter Biden cases lead prosecutor had the full authority to pursue charges  the public should put their trust in the two IRS veterans. Shapley and Ziegler, the GOP noted, have years of investigative experience at the agency between them.

Who [are] you going to believe? The Justice Department cant get their story straight, changed three times in 33 days  or these two guys? House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in his opening statement. Ill believe these guys. I think theyre the ones telling the truth. And that is fundamentally what this comes down to.



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Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) used his time to excoriate Democrats for their treatment of the whistleblowers and denounce Hunter Bidens attorneys for mounting what he called a campaign to discredit the pair.

Democrats countered that they want to hear from Weiss, who said recently that he is willing to testify before Congress at a date yet to be arranged. Jordan said Weiss appearance, which isnt expected before Hunter Biden appears in court next week regarding the federal plea deal hes reached, is under negotiation between DOJ and congressional staffers.

Democrats were careful to not try to question the whistleblowers motives, focusing most of their rhetorical fire on their GOP colleagues investigation.

We can conclude that this Inspector Clouseau-style quest for something that doesnt exist has turned our committee into a theater of the absurd, an exercise in futility and embarrassment, said the Oversight panels ranking member, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).

Democrats lean into prosecutorial discretion and Trump

Democrats instead focused much of their energy during the hearing on contending that Weiss made a routine decision to not move forward with a broader array of charges against Hunter Biden, despite recommendations by the IRS whistleblowers to pursue a bigger case.

It seems to me that a lot of your testimony [is] about the problem of prosecutorial discretion and the traditional tug of war between investigators  and prosecutors, who are more attuned to the rigors of the courtroom, Raskin told the two whistleblowers.

That line of questioning sparked pushback from Shapley, in particular.

Each time you say this is a disagreement. You can say it multiple times but it doesnt make it true, Shapley said after Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said he thought the committee was spending hours on a disagreement between Weiss and the two investigators.



Democrats have touted part of a closed-door interview the Oversight panel conducted this week with a former FBI official who said  according to a readout from Raskin  that it was routine for FBI agents and DOJ prosecutors to disagree about investigative steps and charging decisions.

While the whistleblower allegations center around Hunter Biden, Democrats also routinely pointed back to former President Donald Trumps administration. That strategy was two-fold: to drive home that many of the decisions homed in on by the two IRS whistleblowers took place during the Trump years, during a federal investigation led by a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney.

Democrats saw another upside in invoking Trump  they accused Republicans of hypocrisy of focusing on Hunter Bidens legal and personal scandals while frequently brushing off those of the former president, who disclosed this week that he was the target of a potential third indictment.

I want to congratulate my colleagues from across the aisle for gathering us here today, almost distracting us from the biggest investigation that is going on right now in our country and in our nations history  involving the former president, Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) said.

GOP, whistleblowers outline next steps

Republicans made clear that the hearing was the first step in their investigation of the IRS whistleblower allegations, with many more to come.

Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said that he will soon release an supplemental memorandum based on records the committee has received but not yet released related to payments that Hunter Biden or other family members may have received from individuals or businesses in Ukraine, Russia and other sources.



Comer, Smith and Jordan are conducting a sweeping investigation into the whistleblower allegations, requesting closed-door interviews with more than a dozen current DOJ, FBI and IRS officials in addition to Weiss. Jordan told POLITICO that negotiations regarding testimony are active, but nothing is scheduled yet.

Shapley also disclosed that he is also now working cooperatively to schedule a Senate appearance after Wednesdays hearing. Both IRS investigators urged Republicans to hold additional interviews.

My intention was not to be your sole source of information, and I implore you to take the necessary steps to obtain as much evidence as possible, from as many sources as possible, and to be able to fully inform your conclusions, Shapley said.
Over 70 pct of Shandong's foreign trade contributed by private sector in H1

Xinhua) 10:16, July 19, 2023

JINAN, July 18 (Xinhua) -- East China's Shandong Province saw its foreign trade reach 1.56 trillion yuan (about 218 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of this year, up 1.8 percent year on year, of which over 70 percent came from its private sector, local authorities said.

During the period, private enterprises in the province posted a 3-percent year-on-year foreign trade growth and contributed 73.6 percent of Shandong's total imports and exports. These figures also demonstrate the increasingly prominent status of the province's private sector in driving its foreign trade, said the local customs during a press conference on Tuesday.

Of the total, Shandong's exports grew 1.9 percent to nearly 925 billion yuan, while imports rose 1.7 percent to more than 638 billion yuan during the first six months of this year.

Notably, the province's trade with countries along the Belt and Road rose 12 percent year on year to a total of 632 billion yuan during the period, of which more than 80 percent came from the private sector.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Cultural monuments in Ukraine continue to suffer due to Russian full-scale invasion. The list of damaged sites includes unique objects of cultural heritage, which were destroyed in the attacks of the Russians. Today, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, which records such losses, cannot provide full information on the losses, because some of the destroyed objects are in the temporarily occupied territories or in the combat zone.

This was stated by Kateryna Chuieva, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, during an online briefing held at the Media Center Ukraine in Odesa.

To her great regret, she said, the numbers of heritage destroyed continue to grow.

"We will be able to see the full picture after the end of the war and only after most of the war zones have been cleared and become directly accessible to researchers. As of today, we can examine and fully document mainly those objects that are located in liberated territories and relatively remote from the front line," Chuieva stated.

The building of the former Realschule in Izium. Photo by suspilne.media

The official announced the data from oblast military administrations on the loss of cultural heritage as of 25 June. As of today, damage or destruction of more than 664 objects of cultural heritage was recorded, excluding objects of cultural infrastructure, such as libraries or other institutions located in modern buildings.

The overall figure includes a small number of archaeological heritage sites, the bulk of which are currently poorly accessible for examination.

"Today, 84 monuments of national importance, 514 monuments of local importance, as well as 66 newly discovered cultural heritage sites are known to be damaged or destroyed," the statement said.

Read also: Archaeologist lists biggest historical losses caused by destruction of Kakhovka power plant

The 664 damaged cultural heritage sites include:

211 architecture monuments;

186 architecture and urban planning sites;

179 historical monuments;

18 sites of history of monumental art;

17 sites of urban planning and monumental art;

16 archeology sites.

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"It should also be remembered that one monument at the same time can be both an architectural monument and a historical monument," the Ministry of Culture emphasises.

Local administrations say that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, at least 24 monuments have been completely destroyed, 523 have been partially damaged, and the degree of damage to another 115 monuments needs to be clarified.

As a result of the shelling of the Russians, the museum of Hryhorii Skovoroda was destroyed. Photo: Oleg Synehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration

Destruction due to a terrorist attack at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant

Cultural heritage sites were also affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant on 6 June 2023. To save these objects, the Cabinet of Ministers created the Interdepartmental Coordination Center, headed by Oleksandr Tkachenko, the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine.

"Ukraine faced challenges of this magnitude for the first time ever. We have large areas that have become shallow due to a sharp decline in water  or vice versa, were flooded. The first of them have already attracted the attention of diggers and metal detectors who illegally extract valuable artefacts. In addition, there is damage downstream, where flooding actually occurred and this caused damage to cultural heritage sites. The Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, local monument keepers and researchers have teamed up in order to create several expeditions and go to the sites. That is, such work is carried out in cooperation with law enforcement officers and the security sector. They are also supported by international donors," Kateryna Chuieva emphasised.

The Deputy Minister also emphasised the important role of cooperation with UNESCO in the context of preserving the Ukrainian cultural heritage and holding Russia accountable for its damage and destruction, calling UNESCO "an umbrella organisation that coordinates the efforts of different parties, and partially assumes the function of monitoring and verifying data on cultural heritage objects."

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As Pennsylvanias budget impasse drags on, a group that keeps its donors secret is pressuring key lawmakers to support publicly funded private school vouchers.

The group, Commonwealth Action, announced it was launching its ad campaign the day state budget negotiations broke down in Harrisburg.

Set over sepia-toned photos of Black children, the videos intone that state House Majority Leader Matt Bradford wants to keep thousands of low-income, minority students  suffering in failing schools, and that Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is choosing special interests over kids.

This round of ads is especially notable because Commonwealth Action is incorporated as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.

Good-government advocates call these organizations dark money groups. They are permitted under federal law to accept unlimited sums of money from corporations and individuals, but they do not have to publicize their donors. Aaron McKean, a legal counsel for the nonpartisan watchdog group Campaign Legal Center, said such groups often operate as a smokescreen.

501(c)(4)s have become one of the favorite tools for wealthy special interests to pour a lot of money into our elections, without having to disclose where that money came from, McKean said.

Commonwealth Action is relatively new.

It filed articles of incorporation with Pennsylvanias Department of State in mid-April. Its IRS form 990, which federal law requires the group to file and which would show how much money the group has on hand, is not yet available.

The only public detail on the groups finances that Spotlight PA could locate comes from Googles political advertising tracker, which shows that Commonwealth Action began funding online ads on July 6, several days after lawmakers dispersed from the Capitol without finalizing a spending plan.

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The data show that the organization has spent more than $36,000 since then, both to promote the two videos targeting Bradford and Shapiro, and to place graphics on websites  most of which have the phrase, Gov. Shapiro, please dont veto my future, overlaid on a photo of a child.

Opacity aside, this level of advertising is relatively unusual during budget negotiations, Muhlenberg College political science professor Chris Borick told Spotlight PA.

A lot of the budgeting messaging from interest groups is done internally, Borick said. Most of its done through lobbying, contact in the political networks, and not so much in the public opinion game.

This years budget talks dealt a stinging blow to organizations that support private school vouchers, in large part because it briefly appeared that they might score a significant win in the deal.

Shapiro supported private school vouchers on the campaign trail, and his administration affirmed that position in late June.

Republicans have said that as the budget deadline approached, Shapiro negotiated a spending plan with state Senate GOP leaders that included a provision for a new voucher program that would allow children in low-achieving public school districts to apply for sums of state money that would go toward tuition or expenses at a private school.

In exchange for that inclusion, Senate GOP leaders said they had acquiesced to higher overall spending than they would have otherwise tolerated.

The state Senate passed the plan, primarily along party lines. But the Democrats who narrowly control the state House refused, with Bradford, the caucus leader, serving as the public face of Democratic opposition to vouchers.

The state House eventually relented and passed the negotiated plan, but only after Shapiro pledged to line-item veto the vouchers.

The budget plan now stands in limbo. After the state House passed it, the state Senate, dismayed with Shapiros pledge, refused to reconvene to complete a procedural signature that would send the plan to the governor for final approval.

Public school teachers unions have argued vouchers only make education more inequitable, and say they would weaken public schools months after a state court found that the commonwealths funding scheme for schools is already unconstitutionally unequal.

In a statement on the recent string of ads, Arthur Steinberg, president of the union American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania, said he commends Bradford for standing up for all of Pennsylvanias school kids, not just a select few.

He also noted that a line in the ad attacking Bradford  that he is standing in the schoolhouse door  appears to be a reference to former Alabama Gov. George Wallace blocking Black students from entering a segregated school in 1963.

That the Commonwealth Foundation and its ultra-wealthy benefactors care at all about low-income and minority students is laughable, Steinberg said. Comparing the protection of accountable, traditional public schools to an infamous racist like George Wallace is both false and deplorable.

Though it is not clear from Commonwealth Actions state incorporation paperwork, the group is linked to an established conservative organization in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Foundation.

The Commonwealth Foundation declined to share information about the groups donors. But in a statement, its Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Erik Telford, who said he is also a spokesperson for Commonwealth Action, said the groups work is made possible by donors who share our commitment to the urgent need to expand educational opportunities for the most disadvantaged students.

Contrast that with the millions spent by government unions to protect their bureaucratic monopoly at the expense of kids trapped in failing schools, where not even a single student performs at grade level for basic skills like reading and math, he added. The difference couldnt be more stark.

Political spending from public school unions on behalf of their interests, and from advocates for public school alternatives, is substantial in Pennsylvania.

While unions funding for political activity comes primarily from member contributions, school choice advocacy in the commonwealth is overwhelmingly funded by a single man, billionaire investor Jeff Yass.

Yass, who routes money to candidates who support school choice in both parties using a network of political action committees, didnt respond to a request for comment via a spokesperson asking whether he is involved.

But in the days since the budget impasse began, Yass has been active. He wrote or co-wrote editorials in the Wall Street Journal and the Philadelphia Inquirer, and both echo key points in Commonwealth Actions ads.

Namely: Shapiro must not veto vouchers. And if he does, he will betray students.

Lawmakers are not scheduled to return to Harrisburg until September.

WHILE YOURE HERE  If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
The nationwide mail theft issue has claimed another local victim.

Most of the mail thefts News Center 7 previously reported on impacted individuals, but Mike Campbell spoke with Jays Seafood, a local business, that said theyve been victimized twice.

Amy Haverstick, the second-generation owner of Jays Seafood, said the restaurant has had the same bank account for 46 years until mail thieves hit a year ago.

>> I-TEAM: U.S. Postal Inspection Service changes focus on how it will fight mail theft

Somebody tried to cash two checks. One was in Huber Heights and one was in Kentucky, she said.

Haverstick told Campbell that the stolen checks had been dropped into an outside blue box at a post office in West Carrollton. After that they changed tactics, taking all their mail inside the lobby of the main post office downtown.

Despite changing tactics, they experienced another mail theft a month ago when someone stole a $21,000 check, washed it, and tried to cash it in Brooklyn, New York.

Literally just took the name off, the print was still there, her signature was still there, and they changed the name, she explained.

She told Campbell that she wonders if shell now be changing accounts every six months or a year.

>> An ongoing issue; Mail theft leads area police department to urge against using blue drop-boxes

News Center 7 reached out to the United States Postal Inspection Service and they said, Instead of charging and arresting individual actors, and those low on the criminal organization hierarchy, we strive to develop cases to charge and arrest those at the top of criminal organizations who are robbing letter carriers, stealing mail, and perpetrating financial crimes.

Haverstick believes everyone involved should face legal trouble. The mail thefts cost victims time and money and can hurt a professional image.

Were fortunate enough that we have a great reputation when it comes to payment but, still, its an embarrassment when someone is starting to question that, she said.

Haverstick said she hopes the police and postal inspectors can reel in some of the big fish involved in this operation.
CHICAGO (AP)  The federal trial of a 50-year-old truck driver convicted of killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history is in its third and final phase, in which jurors must decide whether to sentence him to death.

The jury convicted Robert Bowers in June after three weeks of testimony about how he stormed the Tree of Life synagogue in October 2018 and shot anyone he saw. He killed members of three congregations that were sharing the building, and wounded two worshippers and five police officers.

During the second phase of the trial, it took jurors only two hours to decide that Bowers was legally eligible for the death penalty. That led to the final phase, which is more emotionally taxing for jurors as they weigh whether sentence the man across the courtroom to die.

Here is a look at the final phase:

IS THERE ANY WAY TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME?

Given the overwhelming evidence, everyone including Bowers' lawyers knew a conviction was all but certain.

The outcome of sentencing phases are notoriously unpredictable, though, because it only takes one holdout juror to prevent the unanimity required for a death sentence. Without it, a defendant automatically gets life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jury selection is designed, among other things, to weed out those who say they could never sentence someone to die. But it's not uncommon in such cases for juries to deadlock.

It happened at a federal capital trial this year for Sayfullo Saipov, who was convicted of killing eight people in 2017 by running them down with truck along a New York City bike path. A split among jurors meant Saipov got a life term.

If Bowers gets a death sentence, it would be a first at a federal trial during the presidency of Joe Biden, the first U.S. president to have opposed capital punishment prior to taking office. It would also be years before he would be executed, given appeals and a current moratorium on federal executions.

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The most recent federal executions  there were 13 in the final months of Donald Trumps presidency  were carried out by lethal injections of pentobarbital at an Indiana prison where federal death row is located.

WHY THIS FINAL STAGE?

This stage is meant to let jurors closely scrutinize Bowers to determine if he is truly the worst of the worst and therefore deserving of the death penalty.

During the sentencing stage, prosecutors and the defense are given more leeway to discuss Bowers wider life, much of which would have been ruled inadmissible earlier.

Most federal capital trials combine the eligibility and sentencing decisions in a second, final stage. But courts have discretion over whether to divide up the process.

WHICH SIDE FACES THE HEAVIER BURDEN?

Higher courts have said the presumption is that defendants should get life in prison, according to guides for death penalty lawyers on the Federal Death Penalty Resource Counsel website.

That puts the burden on the prosecution to prove Bowers' actions were so depraved and his character so irredeemable that a death sentence is warranted.

Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that aggravating factors counting in favor of Bowers execution outweigh any mitigating factors that might call for a life sentence.

WHAT ARE SOME AGGRAVATING FACTORS IN THE SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING?

The prosecution told jurors at the outset of the sentencing phase that Bowers killed people who were uniquely vulnerable, including a woman in her 90s and three people in their 80s.

These were not victims who could run away or fight back. They were easy prey, prosecutor Nicole Vasquez Schmitt said Monday.

Prosecutors have also emphasized that Bowers carefully planned the massacre. And they have been highlighting his antisemitism throughout the trial.

He hated Jews and wanted to kill as many as he could, Vasquez Schmitt told jurors this week.

WHAT ABOUT MITIGATING FACTORS?

Bowers' lawyers have repeatedly argued that serious mental disorders and profound childhood traumas make him less culpable for the synagogue attack.

His attorney Elisa Long told jurors Monday that Bowers' father took his own life after being charged with rape and that when Bowers was a child, his mother told him she wished he'd never been born.

Proving a defendant showed remorse is usually a critical mitigating factor. But that will be difficult in this case, given statements prosecutors say Bowers made to mental health analysts while in jail, including that he repeated antisemitic stereotypes and said he regretted not killing more Jews.

WHAT ABOUT THE VERDICT FORMS?

Verdict forms usually list all of the potential aggravating and mitigating factors. They can be lengthy. The one in Saipov's case was 18 pages long.

The mitigating factors Saipovs jurors accepted included that he wasn't a leader of the terrorist group he expressed allegiance to and that he had family who condemned his actions but still loved him.

Among the aggravating factors they accepted was that he sought to terrorize the community.

HOW DOES THE JURY BALANCE THE FACTORS?

Jurors must be unanimous in accepting any aggravating factor using the high reasonable-doubt standard. A mitigating factor can be considered even if only one juror accepts it.

The U.S. Supreme Court has said jurors must unanimously find at least one aggravating factor before they can impose the death penalty. But they can find no mitigating factors and still opt for a life sentence.

In weighing all factors in deliberations, courts have instructed jurors not to decide the sentence simply based on whether there are more aggravating or mitigating factors. Ultimately, the weight jurors give to different factors is subjective.

WHAT ABOUT SURVIVORS AND VICTIMS RELATIVES?

Jurors have been hearing from them about the trauma Bowers inflicted.

On Monday, survivor Carol Black testified about her brother, 65-year-old Richard Gottfried, a dentist Bowers killed.

Its just such a huge void in our family, for him not to be here, she said.

There are restrictions on what victims and relatives can say. Judges usually bar them from telling jurors they want defendants to die for their crimes.

Defense lawyers often have their client's family members testify to try and persuade jurors that a defendant isnt all bad, including by singling out some past act of kindness.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER CONSIDERATIONS?

One could be the danger Bowers might pose if he goes to prison for life. Prosecutors often argue that even behind bars, a defendant could kill again, be it a fellow inmate or guard.

Defense attorneys sometimes seek to enter statistics that show those imprisoned for violent crimes arent necessarily prone to violence behind bars. Research on that point is inconclusive.

___ Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at @mtarm. Find more AP coverage of the synagogue attack at https://apnews.com/hub/pittsburgh-synagogue-massacre.
Editors note: This is the fourth article in a series of six exploring South Dakotas last decade of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, A decade of hate. Read the first, second, third, fifth and sixth articles here.

For the last 10 years, LGBTQ+ South Dakotans have been targeted by legislation from elected officials that would bar them from adopting children, from playing on the sports teams that match their gender, from seeking gender-affirming care at a young age, and more.

While not all of the bills proposed passed in the Legislature, each has created lasting ripple effects within the community. The most recent of these bills, HB 1080, which went into effect July 1, has left families questioning whether they belong in the state at all.

The law, which bans gender-affirming care for minors, is the latest to be signed in what members of the LGBTQ+ community have called a decade of hate in South Dakota.

Multiple families who sought this type of care in South Dakota are now considering seeking it elsewhere, or leaving the state completely. Heres a closer look at their stories.

Were just trying to live our best lives

South Dakotas new law affects Willow Soto, a 13-year-old girl who lives in Luverne, Minnesota, but who attends school at the ACE Academy in Sioux Falls and gets her healthcare in Sioux Falls.

Willow has always been Willow, her mom Carrie Soto said. Willow was able to verbalize those feelings two years ago when she wanted to get her ears pierced and wear skirts to school.

At the time, Carrie didnt realize her family could seek care closer to home, so they made the drive to a childrens clinic in the Twin Cities, where they worked with a comprehensive team of medical providers to get Willow the care she needed.

Carrie Soto (left) and daughter Willow Soto take a selfie together.

After attending a Sanford Gender Identity Summit in fall 2021, Carrie said she realized she could get care for her daughter closer to home and they started going to a doctor at Sanford in Sioux Falls for endocrinology, she said. Willow was able to start puberty blockers last fall.

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However, because of the new law, the Sotos are planning to transition care away from where they attend school and work back to the Twin Cities, several hours away from their home in Luverne.

Carrie said she has tried to shield her daughter from the anti-trans attacks in state legislatures across the U.S. because she wants her kid to be a kid instead of worrying about how her family will pay for her healthcare, where theyll go or what doctor she needs to see.

Its frustrating that South Dakota is taking that right away from parents (and) saying that we cant make that decision for our own children, Carrie said.

Willow Soto attends a trans protest prom in Washington D.C. on May 22, 2023.

Willow wants the politicians who drafted and passed HB 1080 to know that shes just like any other kid. She loves playing games like Roblox, learning more about fashion and listening to music. Shes excited for her first concert: Melanie Martinez in Minneapolis this month.

Were just trying to live our best lives, and theyre trying to tear it all apart, Willow said. Im just a normal teenage girl. I like to hang out with my friends and be a goofball.

We arent defined by the pain

You may know Susan Williams, executive director and founder of the Transformation Project and the Transformation Project Advocacy Network. She founded the nonprofits because she didnt have many resources when her child, Wyatt, confided in her that he was her son at 10 years old.

Wyatt, who is sharing his story more publicly for the first time, wrote his parents a single-spaced, eight-page-long letter six years ago letting them know he felt miserable, but that he also wanted to be his true self.

It was a hard decision to write that letter, but it was the best decision Ive ever made, Wyatt told the Argus Leader. I was sort of just sitting there for a few months waiting for my parents to catch up with the idea that I am their son, rather than waiting for a label. I didnt know anything about being trans or pronouns.

Susan Williams, executive director of the Transformation Project, embraces her son Wyatt Williams during a family portrait session.

After Susan started researching more about what that meant for her son and her family, Wyatt said his mom introduced him to the fact that the trans community exists.

It was very life-changing for me to have that, to have a community and to have a group of people, even though they werent near me, to have those people and know I wasnt alone, he said.

The connection was a shift that made Wyatt go from a sad kid to someone much happier, he said.

In the early days of the Transformation Project, Susan kept Wyatt out of the spotlight to keep him safe, even when Wyatt sometimes felt like he wanted his voice to be heard. It wasnt until he was older that he realized how unsafe speaking out and living in South Dakota was, he said.

Because of this, Wyatt has felt more compelled to share his story and speak out about how pride is still a protest and how laws are affecting himself and others across the U.S. Wyatt gave a speech capping off the Sioux Falls Pride celebration June 10.

I know firsthand how difficult it is to be queer in South Dakota, yet despite how exhausting it may be, we do not have to give up the fighting, he said at Sioux Falls Pride. We arent defined by the pain manufactured by hateful people and organizations, especially in South Dakota. We must realize that queer existence is beautiful, and it must not be silenced. Never let them reduce our existence. We are multitudinous, and we wont disappear.

Both Wyatt and Willow attended a trans protest prom in Washington D.C. this May. Wyatt was featured in Vogue in near-silhouette wearing his suit on the capitol lawn at the prom, and Willow was featured in the ABC documentary The Freedom to Exist. Wyatts story has also been featured with some protections for his identity in the Washington Post and in the Guardian.

The Williams family, from left to right: Wyatt, Jeremy, Susan and Elliana.

With the attacks on trans people that have continued over the years in South Dakota, Wyatt said hes considering leaving the state after he graduates from high school.

Being in this state is not safe, he told the Argus Leader. Since the age of 10, Ive been wanting to move away simply because of the fear thats created, and the uncertainty of my future. Moving to a different state would help me a lot. Its sad that I have to think about that.

I love South Dakota, but the environment thats being cultivated here theres people supporting ideologies that harm me, he added.

What right do they have to tell me what I can do?

Elliott Morehead, 17, is a Lincoln High School student and director of South Dakota Youth Activism. He testified against HB 1080 this winter.

In a packed committee room, he told lawmakers how it took him more than six months to get a letter from his therapist approving him for hormone replacement therapy. That letter allowed him to schedule an appointment far in advance before he could have any sort of treatment done.

I was there because this bill affects kids like me  trans kids, he said. I was the only one in the room that had that experience directly affected by this bill. I needed them to hear my experience, and also clear up the fact that there arent doctors saying, Here you go, hormone therapy. There you go, kid. Like, thats not how it works. Ive had a long process that Ive been very impatient for.

Elliott Morehead, a student at Lincoln High School and a leader of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance in South Dakota schools, speaks at Van Eps Park as part of a "Protect Trans Kids rally" in Sioux Falls on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2022 in support of transgender rights.

Morehead said he will have to go out of the state for care in the future, likely to Minnesota. Testifying in Pierre made Morehead question why people in power were making medical decisions for him.

What right do they have to tell me what I can do, and whats best for me? he questioned.

As he prepares for his senior year, he said what would make him happiest is walking down the stage on graduation day as the person I see myself as, not the dysphoria that I deal with every day.

When hes out organizing with South Dakota Youth Activism, he said he puts on a strong, I got this look and appears as if nothing can break him down.

To be totally honest, it can really suck living in a real conservative state when you know there will be plenty of people to harass you or not give you the time of day because of who you are, he said. All these bills tell me that as a trans kid, (I) dont belong. I already deal with disorders like depression and anxiety, so this on top of it does quite the opposite of helping me thrive.

Ayden Gage (left) and Elliott Morehead (right) pose for a portrait during Pride Prom at the Old Courthouse Museum on April 28, 2023.

Despite the anti-trans political atmosphere in South Dakota, Morehead said hes still proud to be in his home state because of his new activist group and causes like the Transformation Project and Sioux Falls Pride. He might look at attending college in a different state, but said he wants to stay rooted in South Dakota after that.

Im so passionate about this project, making a difference here and getting young people involved, because I know that we have a voice, he said. I just cant bear to see that disappear. Local work in rural conservative areas and representing who I am in these areas is so important.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota transgender youth speak out against HB 1080
Many in the transgender community are "deeply hurt" and "feeling in denial of our own existence -- it's a serious situation", Minori Tokieda said (Philip FONG)

A courtroom win and new anti-discrimination law could be seen as signs Japan is warming to the protection of LGBTQ rights. But activists warn of a dark side.

They say recent months have seen a rising tide of hateful online rhetoric, particularly targeting transgender women.

Disinformation "linking transgender women to sexual violence in public spaces" is being "disseminated extremely widely", the Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation warned earlier this year.

The experience has been painful and even frightening for transgender women such as Minori Tokieda.

"We are portrayed as some kind of sex offenders -- physically male people who would invade women's spaces by claiming they're female," the activist told AFP.

Many in her community are "deeply hurt" and "feeling in denial of our own existence -- it's a serious situation", she added.

The thorny question of how to balance transgender rights with the protection of female spaces has already divided opinion in countries including Britain and the United States.

It has arrived only more recently in Japan, fuelled in part by contentious debate around anti-discrimination legislation that passed this year.

The law proposed to enshrine the concept of self-identified gender and "promote understanding" toward sexual minorities.

But opponents denounced it as an open invitation for men masquerading as women to infiltrate spaces such as women's toilets.

And in a nation famed for its public bathing culture, rumours swirled that it might allow men to soak naked with women by simply declaring themselves female.

- 'Wannabe woman' -

"If I were a pervert, I would roam around (in a locker room) exposing my penis -- I'd be forgiven because I'm a 'woman at heart', right?" read one representative post on Twitter.

The controversy was only heightened by a Supreme Court ruling last week in favour of a transgender bureaucrat whose access to female toilets at work was restricted.

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The online backlash was swift, with opponents using terms like "jisho josei" (wannabe women).

Japan has a mixed record on the rights of sexual minorities.

While outright violence is unusual and no law bars same-sex relationships, it is the only G7 country that does not recognise same-sex marriage or civil unions at a national level.

Transgender people can only change their gender on legal documents if they appeal to a family court and meet criteria including gender confirmation surgery and having no reproductive capacity -- generally requiring sterilisation.

The recent wave of anti-transgender rhetoric is essentially a spillover from similar movements overseas, experts say.

Images depicting transgender women as overly "masculine" -- with sturdy physiques and muscles -- are widely distributed to cement the view they look "indistinguishable" from men, said Aki Nomiya, a gender studies scholar at Kanagawa University.

"This way, campaigners can argue that allowing transgender women (into women's spaces) will make it easier for men to blend in, including those with criminal proclivities," said Nomiya, who herself is transgender.

The backlash is not simply rhetorical: it was a factor in the eventual watering down of the anti-discrimination legislation, which now says the law is contingent on "the safety of all citizens being ensured".

Authorities have also insisted access to public bathhouses will remain dictated by "physical characteristics".

- 'Lack of understanding' -

Still, controversy has continued to swell over everything from "genderless toilets" in Tokyo and a women's university deciding to admit transgender students.

Among the loudest voices pushing back against transgender women's access to female spaces is the group "Save Women's Space".

Co-head Minori Moriya insists her group is not targeting transgender women, but argues giving them access to female spaces will "open the floodgates" to male sexual offenders.

"Women have no way of telling who among those allowed inside have criminal intentions," the retiree told AFP.

She fears the Supreme Court could soon overturn requirements that transgender people undergo surgery before changing their gender on official documents.

"Those who retain male genitalia" should not be allowed in women's restrooms, she said, "to protect women".

"That's the line we cannot compromise over."

Transgender people in Japan point out they have long discreetly used restrooms matching their gender identity, without incident.

Online depictions of transgender women aggressively demanding access to women's spaces is divorced from reality, they add.

Tokieda argues transgender women are being scapegoated for crimes committed by men.

"Sexual violence and camera voyeurism... should be penalised and cracked down on, but somehow transgender people are getting the blame," she said.

The "vitriol and hate speech on social media are coming from an overwhelming lack of understanding towards transgender people".

tmo/sah/leg
Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin filed a brief with the Supreme Court Tuesday asking the high court to reinstate the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), a 303-mile natural gas pipeline under construction.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act, a bill that suspended the limit on federal debt through early 2025 and was signed by President Biden in early June, included a provision automatically approving any outstanding federal environmental permits for the MVP, which runs from West Virginia to Virginia. However, last week, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay blocking the pipeline's construction from proceeding.

"I was proud to help ensure that the Mountain Valley Pipeline would finally be completed through ratification and approval of the projects permits without further judicial review in the Fiscal Responsibility Act," Manchin said in a statement.

"But, yet again, this vital energy infrastructure project has been put on hold by the Fourth Circuit despite the new law clearly stating that the Fourth Circuit no longer has this authority.

JOE MANCHIN CALLS 'BULLS---' ON GOP TAKING CREDIT FOR GAS PIPELINE IN DEBT CEILING DEAL

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, speaks during a hearing May 2.

"We cannot let this continue any longer," he added. "Its a shame when members of Congress have to ask the Supreme Court to intervene to maintain the credibility of the laws that we have passed and the President has signed, but I am confident that the Court will uphold our laws and allow construction of MVP to resume."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In addition to guaranteeing permits for the MVP project, the Fiscal Responsibility Act included language transferring the jurisdiction for judicial review from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The language was included as a result of the appeals panel's history of striking down key permits for the project.

DEM SENATOR UNLOADS ON WHITE HOUSE FOR AGREEING TO FAST-TRACK GAS PIPELINE IN BUDGET DEAL

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Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., questions HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies hearing May 4, 2022.

The legislation specifically states the D.C. Circuit Court "shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction over any claim alleging the invalidity" of the provision approving MVP .

On Friday, the pipeline's developer asked the Supreme Court to vacate the stay issued by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court then set a deadline of early next week for plaintiffs, a coalition of environmental groups, to respond.

In his brief, Manchin highlighted that Section 324 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act greenlighted the project and changed its jurisdiction.

"Section 324 changes the law governing completion of the pipeline," he stated in the brief. "It supersedes the statutes pursuant to which the agency authorizations being contested in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals were issued, and it replaces them with a new law mandating federal agencies to issue and maintain the authorizations necessary to complete the pipeline.

Sections of steel pipe for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Aug. 31, 2022, in Bent Mountain, Va.

"Enactment of section 324 moots the cases pending in the Fourth Circuit and deprives it of jurisdiction to grant the stays the Applicant is asking this Court to vacate," Manchin added. "Section 324 is a valid Act of Congress and should be given legal effect."

According to Equitrans Midstream, the pipeline's developer, MVP will transport about 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from West Virginia to consumers in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic. The pipeline is projected to generate $40 million in new tax revenue for West Virginia, $10 million in new tax revenue for Virginia and up to $250 million in royalties for West Virginia landowners.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends reopening several beaches because bacteria counts have returned to safe levels.

Lincoln Woods, Lincoln

City Park Beach, Warwick

Conimicut Beach, Warwick

Oakland Beach, Warwick

Third Beach, Middletown

Peabodys Beach, Middletown

Sandy Point Beach, Portsmouth

Warren Town Beach, Warren

Camp Ruggles, Chepachet

Marion Irons, Glocester

Camp Watchaug, Charlestown

In addition, RIDOH is recommending the closure of Kinstons Camp in Kingston for swimming.

RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOHs beaches telephone line (401-222-2751). A list of closed beaches can also be accessed at health.ri.gov.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI beaches closed due to high bacteria levels can reopen
A sheriffs deputys wife and two young kids were among five people killed in a fiery wreck on a Georgia highway, according to state authorities and news outlets.

It happened at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16, along Georgia State Route 365 in Habersham County, according to Georgia State Patrol.

Three of the victims, including a 5- and 6-year-old, were the family of Hall County Deputy Neil Holtzclaw, the sheriffs office confirmed to McClatchy News.

What can you say when someone loses his entire family? Sheriff Gerald Couch said in a statement. There are no words that can adequately express the heartbreak the Holtzclaw family is experiencing right now, but clearly our entire agency is devastated for them.

A driver in a Chevy Corvette, identified as Mitchell Boggs, 58, of Marietta, and a passenger were headed southbound in the right lane approaching Mt. Zion Road, troopers said in a preliminary report.

A Ford Explorer carrying 29-year-old Avonlea Holtzclaw and her two children was trying to cross the southbound side of the highway onto Mt. Zion Road. Thats when the Corvette struck them on the right side, troopers said.

The impact caused both vehicles to burst into flames.

All five died at the scene, troopers said.

Couch offered his condolences to Holtzclaws family and asked for privacy on their behalf.

At a recent commissioners meeting, Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell estimated the Corevette was traveling at more than 150 mph before the fatal crash, The Gainesville Times reported.

State troopers preliminary report didnt include details about the Corvettes speed or if it was a contributing factor.

Habersham County is about 90 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.

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Ron DeSantis

Florida Governor and leading Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, Ron DeSantis, has claimed the Russian full-scale war against Ukraine a secondary or tertiary American interest in an interview with CNN on July 19.

He went on to say that he will be helpful to try to bring it [the war] to a conclusion there, DeSantis added.

Read also: Trump, DeSantis oppose transferring cluster bombs to Ukraine

The goal should be a sustainable, enduring peace in Europe, but one that does not reward aggression, he said.

He sidestepped questions on whether he will continue military and financial assistance for Ukraine, emphasizing instead the need to switch the US Armed Forces' focus from Europe to Asia and China.

I am not gonna diminish our stocks and not send (them) to Taiwan. Im not gonna make us less capable to respond to exigencies, DeSantis said.

Read also: Former UK PM Johnson discusses Ukraine with Trump

Earlier, he said in an interview with FoxNews that US interest in the Ukraine-Russia war is not vital and called it a "territorial dispute."

DeSantis distanced himself from Republicans who argue that the problem with Biden's Ukraine strategy is that it is insufficient. He blasted President Biden's support of Ukraine, especially providing F-16 fighter jets and long-range missiles.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in turn, has invited the US politician to visit the war-torn country in order "to get a deeper understanding of Russias full-scale invasion and the threats it poses to US interests.

Later he walked back these comments, claiming they were "mischaracterized."

The Florida Governor clarified that he didn't mean that Russia has a right to Ukrainian territory.

He also called the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" and said that Russia was wrong to seize Crimea in 2014, and to invade Ukraine in 2022.

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
Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis staunchly defended former President Donald Trump ahead of what could be a possible third indictment of the latter by the Department of Justice.

DeSantis pushed back on the notion Trump should be "held accountable" if there is evidence he committed a crime by attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, telling CNN during a Tuesday interview that it's "wrong" for the country to go "down the road of criminalizing political differences."

"Alvin Bragg stretched a statute in Manhattan to be able to try to target Donald Trump. Most people, even people on the left, acknowledge if that wasn't Trump, that case would not have likely been brought against a normal civilian," DeSantis said.

"And so you have a situation where the Department of Justice, FBI have been weaponized against people they don't like. And the number one example of that happened to be against Donald Trump with the Russia collusion. That was not a legitimate investigation that was being done to try to drive Trump out of office," he said.

DESANTIS BECOMES FIRST TO ENTER SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY, DEFENDS TRUMP AGAINST WEAPONIZED DOJ, FBI

Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appears on CNN for an interview on July 18, 2023.

DeSantis declared if he were to be elected president, he would "restore a single standard of justice to end weaponization" of the DOJ and FBI, and that he would find a new FBI director "on day one."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

He added there would also be "big changes" at the DOJ so Americans, no matter which political party they belonged, would have confidence decisions were being made based on the rule of law.

"This country needs to have a debate about the country's future. If I'm the nominee, we'll be able to focus on President Biden's failures, and I'll be able to articulate a positive vision for the future. I don't think it serves us good to have a presidential election focused on what happened four years ago in January," DeSantis said.

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"I want to focus on looking forward. I don't want to look back. I do not want to see him  I hope he doesn't get charged. I don't think it'll be good for the country. But at the same time, I've got to focus on looking forward. And that's what we're going to do," he added.

TRUMP'S LEAD OVER DESANTIS, OTHER GOP 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES NARROWS IN KEY EARLY STATE: POLL

Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Turning Point Action conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Host Jake Tapper pressed DeSantis on possible charges against Trump, asking if he meant that the former president shouldn't be charged regardless of whether he committed any crimes.

"What I'm saying is, when you're going after somebody on the other side of the political spectrum, if you're stretching statutes to try to criminalize maybe political disagreements, that is wrong," DeSantis responded.

He argued if one side didn't like someone on the other over political differences, they should defeat them in an election rather than try using the justice system.

"We don't know what's going to happen, but I can tell you with the Bragg one, that was stretching criminal law. The evidence of criminality was very weak. And even if that existed, other people would not have been charged under those circumstances. That's the problem," DeSantis said.

FORMER FBI AGENT CONFIRMS KEY DETAILS OF HUNTER BIDEN WHISTLEBLOWER'S TESTIMONY, GOP SAYS

Trump confirmed in a Tuesday social media post that he has been informed he's a target of a probe into the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol and efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

A government source with direct knowledge of the federal investigation into Trump told Fox News that Special Counsel Jack Smiths office sent Trump a target letter, which Trump confirmed in his post.

The development indicates that another indictment of Trump could be looming in the near future.

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday tried to walk a fine line when asked about former President Donald Trump's actions on Jan. 6 -- in light of the news that Trump has been told he is the target of the federal investigation into the insurrection and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

At a news conference in South Carolina, where DeSantis is campaigning, ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott asked if the governor believes Trump bears any responsibility for what happened two years ago.

"Criminal charges [are] not just because you may have done something wrong. It's -- did you behave criminally? And I think what we've seen in this country is an attempt to criminalize politics and to try to criminalize differences. So I don't know what was all about that," said DeSantis, who is Trump's biggest Republican primary rival.

Repeating a familiar part of his pitch to GOP voters, DeSantis also insisted that as president he would "end" what he claimed was the "weaponization of these [government] agencies."

"I will get that job done. We will make it happen."

DeSantis later doubled down in an interview with CNN.

Noting that special counsel Jack Smith, who is heading the Department of Justice's Trump investigations, has looked at Democrats in the past, CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked DeSantis: "Are you saying that he finds evidence of criminality, he should not charge Donald Trump anyway?"

"When you're going after somebody on the other side of the political spectrum, if you're stretching statutes to try to criminalize political disagreements, that is wrong. Now, look, this is all speculation. But I think we've gone down the road in this country of trying to criminalize differences in politics, rather than saying, 'OK, you don't like somebody? Then defeat them in the election rather than trying to use the justice system,'" DeSantis said.

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Both Attorney General Merrick Garland and Smith, an independent prosecutor within the DOJ, have defended their work.

"Mr. Smith is a veteran career prosecutor. He has assembled a group of experienced and talented prosecutors and agents who share his commitment to integrity," Garland said last month. "Any questions about this matter will have to be answered by their filings in court."

Trump has denied all wrongdoing. He faces two indictments already -- one in New York state court, related to hush money he paid to an adult film actress during the 2016 election; and one in federal court in Florida related to his alleged mishandling of government secrets while out of office.

He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.

MORE: DeSantis defends odds vs. Trump, despite early poll gap: 'We've worked really hard'

Polling shows his support among Republican voters has not dimmed since charges were brought against him, though voter surveys show the public believes both cases are at least somewhat serious.

On Tuesday, when pressed again on whether he thought Trump's actions related to Jan. 6 were wrong, DeSantis said that there was more the former president could've done more from the White House as the Capitol was overrun.

"Look, there's a difference between being brought up on criminal charges and doing things like, for example, I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didn't do anything while things were going on," DeSantis said Tuesday. "He should have come out more forcefully, of course. ... But to try to criminalize that, that's a different issue entirely."

A previous committee convened in the House that investigated Jan. 6 found, according to its work, that Trump "chose not to act" for approximately three hours after initially giving a speech near the White House encouraging supporters to march to the Capitol -- before later telling rioters to leave the complex.

During a House Jan. 6 committee hearing last year, former White House officials painted a picture of Trump sitting in a private dining room off the Oval Office watching the events of Jan. 6 unravel on TV.

Before the attack on the Capitol, Trump had encouraged his supporters to march to where Congress was convening to certify his defeat by Joe Biden. Trump later told the rioters to leave and spoke out against the violence but also tweeted, "These are the things and events that happen" and said to the rioters directly, in a video recorded from the White House, "Go home, we love you."

PHOTO: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rolls out his military policy proposal during an event for his 2024 presidential campaign, July 18, 2023, in West Columbia, S.C. (Meg Kinnard/AP)

DeSantis also talks campaign spending

While the governor remains the No. 2 most popular candidate in the GOP primary, according to early polls analyzed by FiveThirtyEight, he has persistently trailed Trump by double digits.

Last week, ABC News reported that according to sources, DeSantis' campaign had cut about a dozen staffers with more shakeups expected soon.

Sources said the campaign decided to cut costs -- as the DeSantis camp had assessed that it burned through cash too quickly and hired too many people early in the campaign.

DeSantis' campaign reported a second-quarter fundraising haul of roughly $20 million but burned through nearly $8 million in the first six weeks of his White House bid, according to his official filing.

ABC News' Rachel Scott asked DeSantis on Tuesday if his campaign grew too big, too fast.

"No," he said.

"When you start, there are certain investments that you make. We really believe having an important apparatus on the ground is important in caucus states and then early states, also making investment and really growing the ability to attract more supporters, financially and all that. And so that's just kind of what you need to do," he said.

"You hear some of these narratives. It's like, good lord, how do you spend in the second quarter? ... Trump spent more than we did," he continued.

MORE: Trump, DeSantis jab each other over attendance at competing GOP events

"So I think that we've done very, very well," DeSantis maintained. "We're continuing to do very well. ... But at the end of the day, it's what are you doing on the ground and in places like Iowa and New Hampshire that really, really important."

He told Rachel Scott that he believes his campaign will continue to build "momentum."

"I think most of you saw we were in Iowa last weekend. There's a lot of great stuff going on the ground for us there. ... And so we're just going to continue building that momentum there."

"It's a state-by-state process," he said, "and doing well in those states makes a huge difference."

DeSantis brushed off a question by another reporter on whether his campaign can make it to the South Carolina primary later into the calendar next year.

"I don't think we will have very many candidates by then," he said, "but we will certainly be one of them."

DeSantis' staffing changes come amid a reported change in media strategy for the campaign, which had believed DeSantis could continue shunning mainstream media outlets and sticking to more friendly platforms like Fox News and conservative news media -- but as ABC News reported last week, sources said the governor's team has begun leaning toward having DeSantis begin doing mainstream network interviews and possibly town halls.

ABC News' Tal Axelrod, Alexandra Hutzler and Will Steakin contributed to this report.

DeSantis says Trump could've 'come out more forcefully' during Jan. 6 originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Cruise ships docked in the Virgin Islands. Joanna McCarthy/Getty Images

Closed-loop sailings allow travelers to visit international destinations without a passport.

Cruise companies like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity allow these sailings.

Travelers can visit anywhere from the Caribbean to Canada with an ID and proof of citizenship.

Many Americans dream of faraway vacations  but a passport backlog may be holding them back, with wait times for a renewal of up to 13 weeks.

However, a lack of a passport doesn't mean you can't leave the mainland US. Travelers can visit US territories like the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands without a passport.

Or they can embark on a closed-loop cruise, which is a cruise that starts and finishes at the same US port.

An international agreement called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative allows US citizens to travel to destinations in the Western Hemisphere on cruises without a passport. In order to embark on a closed-loop cruise without a passport, the traveler must have a government-issued ID as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Many cruise lines offer closed-loop sailings, but not all. And if you're embarking on a closed-loop cruise, some companies, such as Celebrity Cruises, caution travelers that if a cruise doesn't go to plan and they need to return to the US by air, they'll need a passport to fly home. The same thing goes if a passenger misses their ship in one of the ports.

Take a look at the cruise companies that offer closed-loop sailings and where you can go without a passport.

Editor's note: Travelers should always check with the cruise company about closed-loop sailings before booking a trip.

As long as your destination starts and ends in the same US port, you can board a Celebrity Cruise without a passport.

The Celebrity Reflection cruise ship. Halee Whiting

Source: Celebrity Cruises

On a Celebrity ship, cruisers can head to the Bahamas.

The Exuma district of the Bahamas. thierrydehove.com/Getty Images

Or visit popular Mexico destinations like Puerto Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.

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A boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Meagan Drillinger

Celebrity ships also sail to St. Thomas.

An overlook on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Oliver W. Ottley III/Getty Images

As well as St. Kitts.

A view of St. Kitts. By CKP1001 / Shuttersock

Carnival Cruises is another popular cruise line that offers closed-loop sailings.

The Carnival Valor cruise ship. Carnival Cruise Line

Source: Carnival

On Carnival, cruisers can visit the Bahamas without a passport.

Cable Beach in Nassau, the Bahamas. Susan Campbell

Or Carnival passengers can go on adventures in Cozumel and Baja, Mexico.

A cruise ship ported in Cozumel, Mexico. Angel Villegas/AP

Another closed-loop cruise option is Royal Caribbean.

A view of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Royal Caribbean

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, travelers could head to Jamaica.

A beach in Jamaica. Nick Kaiser/picture alliance via Getty Images

Cruisers could also visit a port in Puerto Rico.

Sun Bay Beach in Puerto Rico. Per Breiehagen/Getty Images

Or explore Canadian destinations like New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

A view of Halifax in Canada's Nova Scotia. Shutterstock

This just scratches the surface of where travelers can adventure to without a passport. According to The Points Guy, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and American Cruise Lines also offer closed-loop cruises out of the US.

A cruise ship in the ocean. Mark Gauert/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Source: The Points Guy

Read the original article on Insider
A man who shot and killed his girlfriend in Nampa last year will serve at least 13 years in prison, and could spend the rest of his life behind bars, depending on his future behavior.

Alfonso Leon, 24, and his defense attorney made a binding plea deal known as an Alford plea, which meant that the sentence was essentially predetermined, despite objections from a victims family member. He pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in April.

On May 22, 2022, Nampa police responded to a house in the 80 block of South Drifter Loop and found Julie Martinez, 21, in an upstairs bathroom, covered in blood with a bullet casing near her, according to previous reporting by the Idaho Statesman. She was transported to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise and died there about 40 minutes after officers responded.

Leon was described at the sentencing hearing as her boyfriend by her father, Humberto Martinez.

Its very clear that there is a history of abuse here that ultimately led to the death of Julie Martinez, Canyon County Deputy Prosecutor Delia Hanes said, adding that Leon abused at least one woman besides Martinez and has fought with other inmates since hes been in jail. Leon should also not have had a gun that night because he had a prior felony conviction and was on probation at the time, she said.

Hanes said the plea deal was appropriate because there were no eyewitnesses to the murder, and a jury could have been unpredictable. Leons history of abuse also could not have been presented at a trial, she said. Leon had previously told someone else in the house that Martinez took my gun and shot her head, according to previous Statesman reporting.

Maday Soria, Martinezs cousin, objected.

Thirteen years is nothing for what he did, she said in a victim impact statement.

He destroyed the family.

Third District Judge Thomas Whitney said he could understand the familys concerns about the plea agreement, but that its not an open and shut case. In accordance with the deal, he sentenced Leon to 13 years fixed, during which he will be in state prison, and life indeterminate, meaning he could be in prison or on parole during that time.

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Whitney also ordered Leon to pay about $20,000 in fines, costs and restitution and to have no contact with Martinezs father, daughter or sister for the next 60 years.

He said his goal for Leon is that he would not spend the rest of his life in prison and would take steps to rehabilitate himself. But if he doesnt accept responsibility, Whitney said, 13 years will not be long enough and he may never get parole.

The single most aggravating thing is that a young woman is dead at your hands and she did nothing to cause that to occur, Whitney told Leon. It is a tragedy.
Move over, Mulan, theres a new Disney princess here to save the day  or at least to ruffle some feathers.

Abigail Disney, an heiress to the astronomical franchise fortune, is making headlines for her recent arrest in New York City.

What happened?

Disneys arrest occurred outside the East Hampton Airport while she was attending a protest against the use of private jets and their enormous environmental impact.

The protest included activists from several environmental groups, like Planet Over Profit, Sunrise Movement, and New York Communities for Change. Members of these groups, alongside Disney, formed a blockade at the airport, stopping the flow of traffic.

The East Hampton Airport was likely chosen as the location for the protest because it only serves private jets and charter planes, according to Fox News.

Another protester who was arrested alongside Disney was Teddy Ogborn, a Planet Over Profit organizer.

These same rich people farting into the Hamptons on private jets are often the ones who make their money in industries that hugely accelerate the climate crisis, Ogborn said at the protest, according to Fox News. As long as the 1% continues to needlessly poison our air and heat our Earth, we will continue to escalate our actions against them.

Dr. Margaret Klein Salamon, a psychologist and climate activist, took to Twitter with images taken from the scene.

Abigail Disney drilled out and arrested, she wrote in one post.

Abigail Disney drilled out and arrested pic.twitter.com/cdpxb8roI9  Margaret Klein Salamon, PhD (@ClimatePsych) July 14, 2023

Why does Abigail Disney care?

Disney has long spoken out against the use of private jets by the worlds ultrawealthy, calling them a cancer.

Of course I dont fly in a private jet, she tweeted this year. Are you mad?

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In a statement made before her arrest, Disney explained: As a person who has been privileged enough to use private jets, I know its hard to give up a luxury that is special. But I also know that the time has passed for spewing greenhouse gases like this merely for our personal comfort.

She cited the recent deadly heat wave scorching the southern U.S., the flooding in Vermont, and the sizzling Florida ocean temperatures as proof that we need real change.

Disney concluded by citing the fact that the worlds wealthiest 1% creates twice as much planet-heating pollution as the poorest 50%.

It is time for real change, and this is the most obvious place to start, she added.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
War Games

While on the hunt for a different shipwreck, a group of divers happened upon mysterious undersea ruins that appear to be from a lost fleet of British warships.

As the scuba diving website Divernet reports, a United Kingdom-based volunteer dive team known as the Gasperados were looking for remnants of a private shipwreck off the coast of Cornwall, England when they encountered a strange and altogether unexpected wreck site.

After photographing the wreckage, which was nearly 100 meters down in the Celtic Sea, the Gasperados got in touch with an associate history professor at Plymouth University named Harry Bennett to see if he could help them figure out what they'd found.

The professor, Divernet reports, suggested that the wreckage may be one of the British Royal Navy's landing craft tanks (LCTs), some of which were sunken by a storm while being towed from the European theater to the Far East in anticipation of escalation in the Second World War's Pacific Theater.

https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/1681304912087638018

A Watery Grave

As Divernet reports, the vessels in the British Royal Navys 9th LCT Flotilla were being towed towards the Mediterranean Sea in October 1944 when massive winds began to overwhelm the carriers, which weren't built to withstand such conditions. More than 50 crew died, and six of the nine LCTs in the flotilla sank.

"The tragic story of the lost convoy of LCTs which this wreck brings to the fore is a brutal reminder that in the midst of war," Bennett told the website, "our mariners still had to contend with the old foes of unrelenting storms and the cruel sea to sometimes deadly effect."

While the official sinking position of LCT 488, the carrier that the professor believes the Gasperados found, is about 45 miles from where they found it, it's not uncommon, the report notes, for winds and waves to move lightweight vessels like these tank carriers around.

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As Divernet notes, photos taken at the wreckage site suggest details consistent with other LCTs of the era, and although they can't be fully certain which of the lost tank carriers the Gasperados found, it's nevertheless very compelling evidence that they found something from the World War II era.

"The tragic story of the lost convoy of LCTs which this wreck brings to the fore is a brutal reminder that in the midst of war," Gasperados diver Steve Mortimer told the website, "our mariners still had to contend with the old foes of unrelenting storms and the cruel sea to sometimes deadly effect."

More on shipping strangeness: A Cruise Ship Pulled Up for a Beautiful View. Then Blood Started Turning the Water Red
Defense Department leaders fielded questions and concerns from key senators over the militarys abortion access policy in a closed-door briefing Wednesday, but failed to produce any breakthrough in the stalemate over the rules, which has stalled hundreds of military promotions.

Democratic lawmakers left the event proclaiming confidence in the legality and need for the policy, which gives travel stipend and leave time for service members to travel across state lines for abortion services if they are stationed in a state where the procedure is limited or outlawed. Republican senators said they heard no relevant justifications, and vowed to continue their fight to overturn the rules.

They didnt prove that this was needed to help with recruiting or retention, and theres zero evidence to support it, said Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. Im willing to listen, but were not going to support this direction of allowing abortion anytime for anyone.

Since March, Tuberville has blocked more than 250 military nominations and promotions over his concerns with the abortion policy. Hes publicly defended the move, despite a growing clamor from Defense Department and military community leaders, whove called his tactics as damaging to military readiness and morale.

Wednesdays briefing with the Senate Armed Services Committee was designed to calm some of the political tensions surrounding that fight, but initial responses from both Republicans and Democrats leaving the meeting showed little change in the stalemate.

Abortion fight in Senate snarls hundreds of military promotions

Pentagon personnel, health affairs, and legal officials answered senators questions for about an hour, comparing the military policy to similar rules governing abortion access for Peace Corps members and federal prisoners.

In a statement after the meeting, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., said the information left him even more convinced of the necessity and appropriateness of this policy, which is critical for the health of our military women, men, and their families.

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But when reporters asked him whether the arguments presented could change any Republican minds, Reed shrugged and walked away.

Tuberville said he has no immediate plans to drop his hold. Several GOP lawmakers are planning to attempt to address the issue in the annual defense authorization bill debate over the next few days, but it is unclear what legislative hurdles Democratic leaders could use to derail their plans.

Senate Armed Services ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said he thought the briefing proved that this abortion policy was entered into for political reasons. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, called the use of taxpayer funds to cover abortion costs appalling.

None of the Republicans leaving the briefing offered any potential path ahead for the stalled nominations, which Defense Department leaders have said are creating significant problems for the military planning and operations.

This is a readiness issue, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters on Tuesday. The hold on promotions  creates friction throughout the entire chain. It disadvantages families. I would imagine our adversaries would look at something like this and be pretty happy.

Last week, House Republicans inserted a full repeal of the military abortion policy in their draft of the defense authorization bill. Tuberville said he would like to see a similar vote in the Senate, although he did not commit to dropping his holds in exchange for a vote.

Senate leaders can maneuver around the holds to approve the military nominations individually, but doing so would take months of non-stop work. In the past, many senior military nominations have been advanced by unanimous consent of all senators, while only a small fraction have required in-depth floor votes.
imageBROKER/Walter G. Arce Sr./Newscom

Former President Donald Trump yesterday said he had received a letter from the Justice Department indicating that he is a "target" of Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation of efforts to overturn Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election. That revelation came the same day that Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced charges against 16 Republicans who had identified themselves as the state's voter-selected electors in certificates they signed on December 14, 2020.

That maneuver, which was part of a seven-state plan to prevent congressional certification of the election results, also figures in the expected federal charges against Trump, who may yet face state charges in Michigan and Georgia in connection with the same scheme. But the state and federal charges require an intent to defraud or another improper purpose, which could be a difficult element to prove. It raises the question of whether Trump sincerely believed that systematic fraud had deprived him of his rightful victory and that he was pursuing legitimate remedies for what he mistakenly perceived as a grave injustice.

One of the likely federal charges against Trump is obstruction of an official proceedingin this case, the January 6, 2021, tally of electoral votes. A potential justification for that charge, which is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, is that Trump, by encouraging Republicans in Michigan and six other battleground states to falsely present themselves as their states' true electors, "corruptly" obstructed the congressional ceremony. Several Republican members of Congress cited those "alternate" electors as a reason for objecting to the Biden slates, and Trump repeatedly pressured Vice President Mike Pence, in public and in private, to delay or block the tally on the same basis in his capacity as president of the Senate.

Pence resisted those entreaties, saying the Constitution did not give him the power that Trump wanted him to exercise. That position enraged Trump and his supporters, including the protesters whose riot disrupted the electoral vote count, some of whom expressed a desire to "hang Mike Pence." Pence, who is now competing with Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, yesterday said "history will hold him to account for his actions that day." But he is skeptical of attempts to hold Trump criminally liable.

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"I hope it doesn't come to that," Pence said. "I'm not convinced that the president acting on bad advice of a group of crank lawyers that came into the White House in the days before January 6 is actually criminal."

Pence, like the other Republican contenders facing off against a former president with a commanding lead in the polls, is loath to offend Trump's supporters. The point he raises is nevertheless important, because federal prosecutors would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump acted "corruptly" when he encouraged the "alternate" electors and pressured Pence.

The "bad advice" that Pence mentioned came from "crank lawyers" like Rudy Giuliani, who may face Georgia charges for his role in the alternate-electors plan. Another important influence was John Eastman, who at the time was a Chapman University law professor. During conversations with Trump and his staff, Eastman conceded that Pence's intervention would violate the Electoral Count Act, but he argued that the statute was unconstitutional.

It is plausible, given everything we know about Trump, that he favored advice from lawyers who told him what he wanted to hear. It is also plausible, although by no means clear, that he honestly believed he had won reelection and eagerly latched onto any claim, no matter how specious, that reinforced his conviction. If so, it is hard to see how he acted "corruptly," because he thought his purpose was proper.

The state charges against Michigan's would-be electors present a similar puzzle. They face eight felony counts, including various forgery-related charges, all of which hinge on intent. Conspiracy to commit forgery, for example, requires a scheme to "falsely make, alter, forge, or counterfeit a public record, with intent to injure or defraud." The 16 defendants did that, Nessel says, by signing "fraudulent 'Certificates of Votes'" identifying themselves as Michigan's electors. But if they honestly believed that the official results were decisively corrupted by tricky election software, phony ballot dumps, or other kinds of chicanerymeaning they were in fact the true electorsit is doubtful that they had an "intent to injure or defraud."

That defense is arguably supported by historical precedent for dueling slates of electors, each of which claimed to be the genuine article. After the 1960 presidential election, there was a dispute about whether John F. Kennedy or Richard Nixon had won Hawaii. As Politico noted in its 2022 account of that dispute, it has become a touchstone for Republicans who argue that Trump's "fake electors" (as The New York Times reflexively calls them) did nothing improper, or at least nothing criminal.

"Nixon had prevailed by just 140 votes, according to the initial results, which were certified by the governor," Politico noted. When Democratic and Republican electors met on December 19, 1960, a recount was underway, and both groups signed certificates that they sent to Washington, D.C. Although they did not reflect the official results, the Democrats' certificates unambiguously identified them as "duly and legally appointed and qualified" Electoral College members. They did not mention Nixon's certified victory or the recount.

In five of the seven states that Trump's supporters identified as disputed in 2020, the would-be electors did essentially the same thing. But in Pennsylvania and New Mexico, Politico reported, they "included a caveat: their votes would only be counted if ongoing court battles broke in favor of Trump."

Kennedy, who did not need Hawaii's three electoral votes to win the national contest, "prevailed by an eyelash when the recount concluded on Dec. 28, 1960," Politico noted. "A newly sworn-in governor certified the Kennedy victory and transmitted a new slate of Electoral College certificatessigned by the same three Democrats who falsely claimed to have won two weeks earlier."

Those three electors were legitimate, a state judge, Ronald Jamieson, concluded on January 4, 1961. He "said it was important that those electors met and gathered on Dec. 19, 1960, as prescribed by the Electoral Count Act."

Two days later, Nixon, then vice president, oversaw the congressional count of electoral votes: "He acknowledged receiving all three sets of certificates: the GOP slate, the uncertified Democratic slate and the certified Democratic slate. He then agreed that the newest onethe Democrats certified by Gov. William Quinnshould be counted, even though they were certified weeks after the required meeting of the Electoral College." That slate, Nixon said, "properly and legally portrays the facts with respect to the electors chosen by the people of Hawaii." No one faced criminal charges over the Democrats' seemingly fraudulent December 19 certificates.

In contrast with what happened in 1960, when there was a genuine, fact-based dispute about the outcome in Hawaii, the self-certified Trump electors in Michigan relied on unsubstantiated fraud claims that were never accepted by election officials or the courts. But they may have imagined that a similar scenario would play out, this time involving multiple states and much bigger stakes. However far-fetched that expectation may have been, Jamieson's retroactive validation of the Kennedy electors' premature certificates and Nixon's acceptance of their votes may have lent credence to the idea.

Under Michigan's forgery statutes, in any case, what really matters is whether the defendants believed their conduct was a legitimate way to preserve objections they thought were well-grounded. If so, their intent was not "to injure or defraud"; it was to correct the consequences of a massive fraud, albeit an imaginary one.

"I'm very disappointed in the attorney general's office," a lawyer for one of the Michigan defendants told the Times. "This is all political, obviously. If they want to charge my client, how come they didn't charge Trump and the Trump lawyers that he sent here to discuss with the delegates what to do?"

That may yet happen. Nessel said her investigation is ongoing, and Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani T. Willis is considering charges against Trump and his lawyers based on their attempts to reverse Biden's victory, including the alternate-electors scheme. But those potential prosecutions would face a similar obstacle, and so would federal charges based on the same conduct.

Were Giuliani and Eastman true believers? They certainly acted as if they were. What about Trump? I honestly don't know; there is evidence pointing in both directions. But when the evidence is mixed or ambiguous, prosecutors may have a hard time making their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The post Does Trump's 'Alternate' Electors Plan Justify Criminal Charges Against Them and Him? appeared first on Reason.com.
The Justice Department is assessing the situation along the Texas-Mexico border following reports that Texas troopers were told to push back migrants into the Rio Grande and ordered not to give them water, calling those reports troubling in a statement to CNN.

The Justice Departments statement is the first public acknowledgment that the department is assessing the situation but falls short of opening an investigation. An assessment could be the first step toward an investigation.

The department is aware of the troubling reports, and we are working with DHS and other relevant agencies to assess the situation, DOJ spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa told CNN.

The inspector general for the Texas Department of Public Safety has received several additional complaints from DPS personnel on the front lines at the Texas-Mexico border about the treatment of migrants trying to enter the United States, three sources familiar with the investigation told CNN.

In a Tuesday joint statement with other Texas top officials, including Department of Public Safety Chief Steve McCraw, Gov. Greg Abbotts office said there have been no orders or directions given under Operation Lone Star that would compromise the lives of those attempting to cross the border illegally.

The Biden administration has repeatedly criticized Abbotts actions along the US southern border and his decision to transport migrants to Democratic-led cities without coordination. CNN previously reported that the Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department were in ongoing discussions about what actions could be taken against the state.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday called Abbotts recent actions at the border a political stunt and shameful when asked about concerns from the Mexican government over the states floating barriers.

I saw these reports and I think one of the things and Ive been very clear about this that this governor has done over and over again is treated this situation were seeing at the border in an inhumane way. It is atrocious  the actions that he decides to take.  Instead of dealing with this issue in a way that we can get to a resolution and are working together, he turns it into a political stunt, Jean-Pierre said Wednesday.

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This is not surprising. Just yesterday I was asked about abandoned children  or migrant children  not offering them water. This is what we see over and over and over again from this Texas governor, from Gov. Abbott and it is  all were asking for  as a country and what we should hold near and dear is the basic human decency. Basic human decency and we are just not seeing this from this governor.

Jean-Pierre said she would not speak to the legal piece of the situation, adding she would refer any legal action to the Department of Justice.

Internal discussions about legal action against Texas date back to last year, when Abbott began sending migrants to cities nationwide without alerting them and have continued with the deployment of buoys in the Rio Grande, which pose a potential drowning risk to migrants and now, concern over the treatment of migrants.

Texas is already facing a lawsuit against its installation of a marine floating barrier. The owner of a Texas canoe and kayaking company filed the lawsuit earlier this month on the same day that Texas started deploying buoys for the barrier in an attempt to deter migrant crossings on the river along the US-Mexico border.

That suit lists the state of Texas and Abbott, as well as the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard.

Its unclear whether the administration will take legal action against Texas, and officials have stressed that border agents have historically worked closely with Texas National Guard and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

But it wouldnt mark the first time the Justice Department has sued on border-related matters. Last year, the Justice Department sued Arizona for placing shipping containers along the US southern border  a move taken by then-Republican Gov. Doug Ducey as an affront to Bidens immigration policies. Arizona eventually agreed to remove the containers.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNNs Shimon Prokupecz contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
WASHINGTON  The Department of Justice target letter sent to Donald Trump listed categories of charges he could potentially face, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to people familiar with the letter.

Trump announced Tuesday that he had been notified that he was a target of special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into alleged election fraud.

Experts said the conspiracy charge could be an umbrella covering various parts of Trump's strategy to overturn the 2020 election. ABC News reported that witness tampering was also mentioned as a potential statute that is being examined as part of the investigation. The House committee that investigated the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 in a December report listed witness tampering as a potential charge in a referral it made to the DOJ.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment on the letter.

Here is an explanation about what the categories of charges might cover, based on legal experts, witness testimony and the House panel's recommendations:

Former President Donald Trump visits with campaign volunteers at the Elks Lodge, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

What does conspiracy to defraud the United States mean?

The House panel recommended charges against Trump for allegedly trying to defraud the United States based on obstructing the congressional count of Electoral College votes, pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence into rejecting electors for President Joe Biden and recruiting alternate Republican electors.

Norm Eisen, a lawyer who served on the House panel investigating Trump's first impeachment and who analyzed the evidence in the latest investigation, called the evidence "powerful and overwhelming."

Trump led an alleged conspiracy from the Oval Office by working with his campaign, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, the RNC and many others to procure fake electoral certificates across the nation as well as to push other schemes to overturn the election," Eisen said. "And those fake certificates and other schemes were serious alleged frauds because they attempted to fraudulently perpetuate Trump in power and prevent the rightful winner from taking office."

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The counting of electoral votes was temporarily suspended while a mob of Trump supporters ransacked the Capitol. Trump had told supporters during a rally earlier in the day near the White House that "youll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated."

"We fight like hell," Trump added. "And if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

But Trump didn't go to the Capitol and he pointed out he also told the crowd to behave peacefully.

Trump urged Pence, in his role as Senate president, to recognize the alternate electors in seven pivotal states that President Joe Biden won. Trump's campaign recruited Republican electors to meet parallel to officially certified electors on Dec. 14, 2020, and to sign documents claiming they were duly elected.

In reviewing the strategy as part of a civil lawsuit, U.S. District Judge David Carter ruled the president and one of his lawyers, John Eastman, "more likely than not" acted unlawfully. Carter called the strategy a "coup in search of a legal theory."

The illegality of the plan was obvious, Carter wrote.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced forgery and conspiracy charges Tuesday against 16 alternate electors in that state. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is investigating potential election fraud.

Trump's campaign lawyers said they organized alternate electors in case his legal challenges were successful and courts overturned state results.

In another facet of the plan, Trump also called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Jan. 2, 2021, and urged him to find 11,780 votes to tip the results of the election from Biden to him.

But Raffensperger told him officials found no widespread election fraud.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and described his call as "perfect."

In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo with the White House in the background, President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Washington. Soon after he spoke, thousands of supporters marched on the Capitol, some of whom stormed the building.

What could have sparked a charge of witness tampering?

Members of the House investigative panel reported that Trump made numerous efforts to contact witnesses before hearings last year.

One member, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said the panel took any effort to influence witness testimony very seriously and referred incidents to the Justice Department.

Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide to then-chief of staff Mark Meadows, testified her initial lawyer paid by Trump allies encouraged her not to reveal all that she knew to the panel. She said she was encouraged to remain loyal to the former president and his allies.

They dont know what you know, Hutchinson quoted her lawyer, Stefan Passantino, telling her about committee lawmakers. I dont recall is an entirely acceptable response to this.

Hutchinson later provided bombshell testimony about White House meetings to overturn the election, Trumps preparations for Jan. 6 and what happened that day.

In another case, the committee quoted a witness saying an unnamed caller said Trump was aware of a deposition scheduled the next day. He knows youre a team player, youre loyal, and youre going to do the right thing when you go in for your deposition, the witness told the committee.

Brandon Van Grack, a former senior Justice Department lawyer and prosecutor, said witness or informant tampering is more surprising and a potential wild card in the case. He said it's a reminder of how the public often has no idea what kind of evidence, witnesses and information are being developed during such top-secret and highly sensitive Justice Department investigations.

I hadn't seen speculation on that one," Van Grack said. "And it's not a surprise that it is a surprise because if you're talking about witness tampering, its possible that we may not know about which witness was tampered with."

Trump allies find it 'odd' only he got a target letter

A spokesman for one of Trumps personal lawyers, Rudy Giuliani, said he hadnt received a target letter and that speculation he had flipped to testify against Trump is wrong.

In order to flip, on President Trump  as so many in the anti-Trump media are fantasizing over  Mayor Giuliani would've had to commit perjury because all the information he has regarding this case points to President Trump's innocence, said Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani.

Tim Parlatore, a former Trump lawyer, told CNN that it was odd to send a target letter only to Trump and not to others allegedly involved in the conspiracy.

Its an odd use of target letters, Parlatore said. So in some ways it looks like a publicity stunt.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Trump indictment? Here's what DOJ's letter to Trump could mean
Former president Donald Trump being charged over the January 6 insurrection would mark the end of civilisation  that is, according to his eldest son.

Donald Trump Jr made the comment during an interview with rightwing broadcaster Real Americas Voice, also suggesting that civilisation was actually due to end soon anyway.

This is like the end of the civilisation, he said. And, you know, if you look at the timing, most civilisations last 250 years, were at about 248  so we are in serious trouble if we dont right this ship.

His comments came as the former president took to Truth Social to reveal he had been notified by the Department of Justice of his status as a target of the investigation into the January 6 attack, the first real confirmation that he could face criminal charges for his role in the hourslong siege of Capitol Hill.

On Sunday night, while I was with my family ... HORRIFYING NEWS for our country was given to me by my attorneys, said Mr Trump.

Deranged Jack Smith ... sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.

The exact number of charges Mr Trump may face related to the DoJs January 6 probe is not yet known, nor is the extent of the criminal accusations he may face.

The Houses select committee investigating January 6 previously recommended a handful of charges at the conclusion of their hearings in 2022, including the charge of giving comfort to an insurrection.

Mr Trump Jr shared his fathers statement on Twitter on Tuesday and added his own comment: It never ends! The corrupted bureaucrats of the swamp will do anything to stop my father from fighting for you & putting Americans first. This is a mockery of justice & our constitution. We are a Third World nation in rapid decline, with only one cure. RE-ELECT DONALD J TRUMP!
BOSTON  A state commission is trying to figure out how to defend the coastline from global warming's "existential threat."

After focusing on whether people of all races and abilities feel welcome at public beaches in the Boston Harbor region, the Metropolitan Beaches Commission is turning its attention to what the area needs to stave off rising seas.

The commission held the first in a series of hearings last week to gather input on a preliminary report that focuses on the conditions and potential for flooding at 14 area beaches managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, including Wollaston and Nantasket beaches.

The commission, which was created by the Legislature in 2006, consists of community leaders and legislators, including state Sens. Patrick O'Connor, R-Weymouth, and John Keenan, D-Quincy, and state Reps. Joan Meschino, D-Hull, and Tackey Chan, D-Quincy.

Stones are removed from access points at Nantasket Beach in Hull in April after winter storms pushed the stones against the sea wall.

"We've spent 30, 40  longer  years investing in these recreational resources, cleaning them up," Chris Mancini, executive director of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, said in the virtual hearing. "Now we're looking at this ... existential threat to these resources."

Those rising waters pose a threat to "our lives" in extreme cases, Mancini said.

Julia Knisel, coastal shoreline and floodplain manager for the state Office of Coastal Zone Management, said sea levels are projected to rise 1.2 feet by 2030, 3.2 feet by 2060 and 7.6 feet by 2100.

Sea walls and other structures intended to block surges are in place, but Knisel said many of them were built more than 100 years ago, when sea levels were a foot lower than they are today. Knisel called for assessing the height of those structures compared to where sea levels are at today, and where they'll be in the future.

She shared a photo of a beach parking lot full of sand and gravel that had washed over a sea wall. She said major storms push that debris off the shoreline and the result is that beaches lose "volume."

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"What we really need to start talking about is beach lowering, not just beach erosion back into the community. We are losing beach volume, and that's something we really need to address," Knisel told the commission.

The toolkit for dealing with these issues can include raised harborwalks, raised sand dunes and berms, and vertical flood walls, said Catherine McCandless, Boston's climate resilience project manager.

She pointed to Constitution Beach in East Boston, where dunes with a "reinforced core" were installed that help protect the MBTA's Blue Line from flooding.

The report discussed at the meeting was written by a Harvard University graduate student for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

The report says Wollaston Beach's sea wall is in "excellent condition," but the area is vulnerable to flooding from major storms.

"While sea wall infrastructure is in place along the coast, overtopping of this infrastructure has the potential to lead to inland flooding in developed areas," the report states. That can create "potentially dangerous environments for residents," it says.

Knisel lauded "good work" in Hull, where the "dune grass is filling in, and we have a nice growing coastal buffer here to help address coastal storm impacts in the community."

Christian Krahforst, Hull's climate adaptation and conservation director, said the dunes are sacrificial.

"They're the physical entity that bears the brunt of overwashed storm surge," Krahforst said.

Nick Connors, of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, said upcoming revisions to Nantasket Beach's master plan will be made "with sea level impacts in mind."

Bruce Berman, the Metropolitan Beaches Commission's lead consultant, wondered how much it will cost to defend the coastline.

The key, he said, is "managing and planning a way for the city, for the state and, frankly, for the federal government resources to come into play here."

Patriot Ledger staff contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: What can be done to save the Massachusetts shores
Donald Trump continues to defy political gravity.

Amid a bid to reclaim the presidency, he faces a third indictment, this time for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, which alone would spell doom for any other White House hopeful.

Yet the former president  who has already been accused of mishandling national security documents and making hush money payments  remains the unquestionable front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024 with his chief rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, stuck in neutral.

Speaking at a town hall in Iowa on Tuesday, Trump again cast the investigation as "election interference" by Democrats. He said he was "bothered" by the accusations because of how it affects his supporters.

"I guess they want to try and demean and diminish and frighten people, but they don't frighten us because we're going to make America great again," Trump said.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - JULY 15: Former US President Donald Trump speaks at the Turning Point Action conference as he continues his 2024 presidential campaign on July 15, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The event, hosted by Fox News, came hours after Trump said he received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith, whose sprawling investigation is looking into whether the former president incited supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to stop the Electoral College vote that made Joe Biden president.

Here are the important moments as Trump met Iowa voters face-to-face.

'It was like a coup': Trump bemoans current and past investigations

Fox News host Sean Hannity, who moderated the discussion, started the conversation by giving Trump plenty of room to air his grievances about his mounting legal troubles.

The cable news personality slammed how the current cases are being perceived by some voters, which Trump embraced fully during the hourlong discussion.

"Whether it's the borders or the elections or kinds of things like this, where the DOJ has become a weapon for the Democrats, an absolute weapon," he said.

Hannity also name dropped Democrats who were entangled in previous federal investigations, such as former Democratic presidential Hillary Clinton and also mentioned how President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, made a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

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Trump played that up to the crowd, which was overwhelmingly pro-Trump, saying the indictments against him represent a two-tiered system. He then dug back into the time he fired former FBI Director James Comey in 2017.

"They were trying to take me out. Yeah, they were trying to take me out," he said. "I mean, it was like a coup. It was like a coup."

Trump likes mail-in and early voting, but...

Voters cast their midterm election ballots at the Brooklyn Museum on November 8, 2022, in New York.

Trump continues to deny losing the 2020 election, which has spawned a massive debate on voting rights as states have passed a series of laws that restrict and expand ballot-box rules.

But Republicans have expressed that in years past Trump's denials about the outcome and complaints about the country's election system hurt GOP turnout in key races, such as the 2021 Georgia Senate contests.

Hannity talked about a series of reforms to the U.S. election system  such as early voting, ballot harvesting and mail-in voting  that Democrats have "mastered." He pressed the former president on supporting those policies, and warned how Republicans are falling behind.

Trump said he will back those ideas, but quickly pivoted to express that he still believes without evidence that Democrats "cheat" and "create" ballots that aren't real.

Praising China's 'iron fist' leader

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jingping in Osaka, Japan, on July 2, 2019.

Congressional Republicans regularly denounce China's Communist Party and the leadership of President Xi Jingping, even dragging the 'Barbie' movie into the fray.

Yet Trump openly praises Xi and did so again during the Fox News town hall, calling the Chinese president "brilliant" during an exchange about foreign trade.

"You know when I say he's brilliant, everyone says 'Oh, that's terrible.' Well he runs 1.4 billion people with an iron fist: smart, brilliant, everything perfect. There's nobody in Hollywood like this guy," Trump said.

Trump asking for Biden impeachment

Donald Trump and Joe Biden face off during the final presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 22, 2020.

Through the town hall Trump bemoaned how he is treated differently than Biden, such as the House GOP probe into his relatives receiving millions from a business associate with links to China.

"Joe Biden is a compromised president," Trump said.

Then Trump brought up his controversial phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he urged the foreign leader to reopen an investigation into an energy company to focus on Biden and his son.

That 30-minute conversation led to Trump's first impeachment, which still has him steaming.

"Hey, they impeached me over a phone call that was perfect," he said. "Why aren't they impeaching Biden for receiving tens of millions of dollars. Why isn't he under impeachment?"

No audience participation or GOP primary questions

The hourlong town hall in the important early voting state of Iowa was pre-taped in Cedar Rapids, but one thing was missing: voters.

Not once in the version that was broadcast on Fox News did an Iowan get to address the former president, and Hannity didn't broach the subject of Trump's primary opponents or if he would participate in the upcoming debates.

The first GOP debate is slated for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee and will be hosted on Fox News.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 takeaways from Trump Fox News town hall with Hannity
Haze Shrouds the Skyline of New York City

Haze caused by smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York City behind the city of Hoboken, New Jersey on July 18, 2023, as seen from Union City, New Jersey. Credit - Gary Hershorn-Getty Images

We dont usually think of Canada as a country that needs international aid. But in this wildfire season from hell, communities from Quebec to British Columbia are welcoming hundreds of firefighters from the U.S. and Europe with open arms.

So far this summer, a record 27 million acres in Canada have already burned, and two thirds of the roughly 900 active wildfires are still out of control. On July 18, smoke plumes drifted all the way to Atlanta, GA and 20 states now face air quality alerts. Fueled by record-breaking summer temperatures that are becoming the norm on both sides of the border, the wildfires are likely to continue until fall. For those of us living in areas hundreds of miles from the fires, how should we adapt?

The health effects of fire have been with us since the first cave men and women. Think of todays potential harm as something like sitting around a bonfire too long. The resilience of the human body means that for most people, symptoms such as stinging eyes, coughing and minor headaches are quickly alleviated. As long as the smoke lasts no longer than a couple of days, this argues for avoiding school closures or other drastic measures that we only have in mind because of COVID-19.

Weve met similar challenges before. Beginning in the 1970s, the U.S. and other industrialized nations have done a terrific job improving air quality. But they have done so by regulating the source of emissions in power plants and cars. Unfortunately, regulation cannot currently control the amount of smoke produced by wildfires.

The good news is that were not currently exposed to wildfires for as long as residents of developing countries are to smog, which makes continued emissions from factories and automobiles the more immediate threat to public health in cities worldwide.

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Read More: Wildfire Smoke Is the New Normal

But caution is in order. Right now, too few researchers are studying wildfire smoke from generation to inhalation. We just dont know enough yet to fashion effective public policy.

While at first glance natural smoke from burning wood would seem less dangerous than industrial pollution, the size and composition of the organic particles make them more likely to enter the bloodstream.

Were still in the early stages of understanding the consequences of that, especially since these immense plumes of smokesome of which can be seen from space vary in content and density, depending on the vegetation they burn. We cant always predict with total accuracy how high and far the smoke will travel. We simply dont know whats in the smoke once it mixes with air and travels to cities with their own sources of pollution. And were only beginning to grasp what its health effects might be, especially on young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing lung and eye conditions.

So much about this remains a mystery. The fact that natural fire didnt kill pre-historic humans is not ultimately very comforting because their life spans were only 30 years or so. What are the long-term effects of exposure to smoke? We know that people who live close to wildfires and suffer from pre-existing lung conditions have higher morbidity rates. But we have little sense of how far from the fire is far enough and how many days of exposure the body can handle. This is especially concerning given how early wildfire season is now starting, thanks to climate change. And we simply dont know how well air quality standards for industrial pollution apply to wildfire smoke. What happens when the smoke seeps indoors, as it always does after a couple of days? How much should we ventilate? We dont know that, either.

In an ideal world, we would have prediction models able to forecast the arrival of haze with the same accuracy as hurricanes. But as a result of the cumulative uncertainties in fire modeling, climate prediction, and physiological responses, the answer is not there yet.

The good news is that these more frequent wildfires in Canada, the American West, and other parts of the world have ignited new research that can help us understand the exact composition of the pollutants, the potentially carcinogenic effects, and how our buildings protect usor dont. Once we have our arms around the problem scientifically and develop better sensors and atmospheric models, mitigation efforts will proceed more smoothly.

Expanding controlled burns, which were used effectively by Aborigines in Australia, First Nations in Canada, and Native Americans in the U.S. for centuries, will help address this problem. Those burns, if properly supervised, produce smoke plumes of reduced toxicity and lower the risk of mega-fires that more often spread smoke to cities hundreds of miles away.

In the meantime, we can learn something from COVID-19: When in doubt, take reasonable precautions. Which is why weather forecasters who tell us to bring umbrellas when its raining might start reminding us not to forget our N-95 masks when its smoky outside.
By Alvaro Murillo

SAN JOSE (Reuters) - The influence of Mexican drug gangs and increased cocaine output in Colombia have pushed murders toward record levels in Costa Rica, a top official said, casting a shadow over a country that has long been a beacon of stability in the region.

Costa Rica closed 2022 with a record 656 murders. But 2023 is getting worse: the tally jumped 42% in the first half of the year compared to last year, official data show.

"We've got a Mexicanization of crime," Costa Rican Security Minister Mario Zamora said in an interview with Reuters this week, pointing to increased clashes between gangs in broad daylight that has Costa Ricans worried about both their safety and the impact on tourism, on which the economy heavily depends.

In parts of Costa Rica, authorities are seeing violence synonymous with Mexican cartels like torture, gang killings, and assassinations carried out by highly trained hitmen.

In April, President Rodrigo Chaves presented a set of security measures to tackle surging crime after the Central American country's main business chamber warned of a "national emergency," fearing a hit to foreign investment and tourism.

In May, Chaves named as security minister Zamora, who also held the post under the 2010-2014 presidency of Laura Chinchilla, and has a reputation for being tough on crime.

Zamora said the situation was very different to when he was first security minister. Today, he noted, two-thirds of murders are related to gang disputes over illicit markets, drug routes and territorial control.

The shift showed Costa Rican gangs were influenced by how Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel operated in Central America, he said.

These groups receive cocaine from Colombian gangs as payment for handling local logistics, much of which they send to the U.S. and Europe. Tonnes of the drug have arrived in Europe hidden in fruit shipments from Costa Rica's main port, Moin.

Last week, the government deployed 100 police officers to Moin and debuted a new scanning device to review all goods. The measures are due to be rolled out across Costa Rica by 2025.

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Limon, the province where Moin lies, is Costa Rica's most violent, with homicides almost triple the national average.

Authorities say better-trained hitmen are making it harder to bring killers to book.

"We're now facing a situation with many homicides where the perpetrator's unknown," he said, "and not the slightest piece of evidence to tell you who did it."

(Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Editing by Diego Ore, Sarah Kinosian and Stephen Coates)
(Bloomberg) -- The Dutch cabinet has more women than men for the first time in the history of the Netherlands.

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The gender balance at the cabinet tipped in favor of women after lawmaker Marielle Paul was appointed as Minister for Primary and Secondary Education on Wednesday. She replaced Dennis Wiersma, who resigned last month after allegations of intimidation of ministry employees.

The appointment is symbolic as the Dutch government collapsed earlier this month amid infighting over migration policy, throwing the country in limbo. Mark Rutte, the countrys longest-serving premier, said last week he will leave politics after a new cabinet is formed following elections in November.

The current cabinet members, including Paul, will be working in a caretaker capacity until the formation of the next government.

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Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin are now husband and wife.

On July 15, the longtime couple said I do in a ceremony held in Hungary at her parents property on the island of Harlekin Birtok, according to Vogue.

The 29-year-old model spoke to the publication after the nuptials and revealed that the newlyweds will have a bigger wedding in California in the fall.

(This past weekend) was supposed to be an intimate event, Palvin said. But we ended up having 115 guests, because there are a lot of people we care about and we wanted them all to be there.

They exchanged their vows in the same Albertirsa church where her parents wedded 34 years ago before having a separate civil ceremony.

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse attend the

Since the wedding was held in the Victorias Secret Angels native country, her sister, Anita, helped her prepare for the special day.

Sprouse, 30, told Vogue, We didnt have a planner so Barbara and her sister planned most of it.

He joked, They told me my only job is to show up and say the right name.

His twin brother, Cole Sprouse, was his best man.

The Beautiful Disaster actor recalled seeing his wife walk down the aisle.

Since we were already done with the ceremony in the church we were a little calmer for the second part, he said. Before walking down the aisle we were nervous, but as soon as we laid eyes on each other we just started laughing, and this calmed our nerves. Of course we both ended up crying.

The fashion magazine reported that the bride wore a custom strapless Vivienne Westwood wedding gown and Tiffany & Co. jewelry, including a choker. Her bridesmaids wore different shades of cool pastels.

Sprouse sported a classic black tuxedo.

Palvin donned a shorter dress, designed by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, with a fuller skirt, bow and crisscross back for the reception.

It was the best choice, she gushed about her second look. The dress made me feel like a modern princess.

For her third dress of the evening, Palvin needed a red gown to honor a Hungarian tradition known as menyecske ruha, she explained.

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The model said, There was no question  I had to wear a Hungarian designer for this one, so I chose Mero.

So whats next for the bride and groom? Well, Palvin said she first has to adjust to being referred to as Mrs. Sprouse.

She shared, Dylans been calling me his wife for three years now, so theres not a lot of adjusting on his end. Were excited to go back to L.A. to our pets and rest a bit  before we start planning the American wedding.

The pair, who have been together for five years, publicly confirmed their engagement for the first time in a June interview with V Magazine.

They told Cole Sprouse, who conducted the interview, that they had been engaged since September 2022 and that they fell in love years ago after bonding over Naruto.

During their chat, the After We Collided actor said he couldnt wait for their families to come together for the first time at the ceremony.

I think its exciting for me, not only because I love the kind of historical traditions of the event, but because, Cole, we came from a very small family unit, he shared at the time. Barbara, on the other hand, has quite a large family unit. They look at her like their princess and I think its going to be a really special moment to see them all reacting to that amidst their traditions.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
E Jean Carroll has called on Donald Trump to pay up after losing his bid for a new trial in a civil sexual assault lawsuit brought by the advice columnist.

In a decision released on Wednesday, Judge Lewis Kaplan said the jury did not reach a seriously erroneous result when it found the former president liable for sexual assault and defamation and ordered him to pay $5m.

The verdict was not a miscarriage of justice, as Mr Trumps lawyers had claimed, Judge Kaplan wrote.

Ms Carrolls lawyer Robbie Kaplan called for Mr Trump to comply with the jurys multi-million dollar verdict, adding the writer was looking forward to holding him accountable at a second defamation trial in January.

Now that the court has denied Trumps motion for a new trial or to decrease the amount of the verdict, E Jean Carroll looks forward to receiving the $5m in damages that the jury awarded her in Carroll II, Ms Kaplan said in a statement on Wednesday.

In May, a jury in Manhattan found Mr Trump liable for sexually assaulting the former Elle columnist at the luxury Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman in the 1990s, and defaming her by angrily calling the claims a hoax.

The jury ruled Mr Trump was not liable for rape.

Mr Trump appealed the verdict, claiming that $2m in compensatory damages awarded to Ms Carroll for sexual assault was excessive because the jury found he had not raped her.

He claimed the $2.7m award for defamation was based on pure speculation.

Ms Carroll, 79, first revealed details of the sexual assault in a book excerpt that ran in New York magazine in June 2019.

Donald Trump has lost a bid for a retrial (Associated Press)

When Mr Trump denied the claims and attacked her personally, she sued him for defamation in a case that has become known as Carroll I.

Last week, the Department of Justice said it no longer considered Mr Trump immune from the first defamation lawsuit brought by Ms Carroll while he was president.

The case is expected to proceed to trial in January.

Then in 2022, Ms Carroll sued the former president for sexual assault in a separate lawsuit after New York passed a law allowing survivors a one-year window to hold their abusers accountable regardless of when the assault took place.

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E Jean Carroll leaves a Manhattan courthouse after a jury found the former president liable for sexual assault and defamation (Associated Press)

That lawsuit, dubbed Carroll II, went to trial earlier this year, where the writer testified that Mr Trump led her to a dressing room on a deserted floor of Bergdorf Goodman, pushed her up against a wall and sexually assaulted her.

Mr Trump declined to testify in his own defence.

Judge Kaplans ruling is the latest setback for Mr Trump, as he battles a series of lawsuits and criminal cases.

In March, Mr Trump became the first former or current president to face criminal charges when a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict him on criminal charges over the hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 presidential election.

He has pleaded not guilty.

In June, Mr Trump was arraigned at a Miami federal courthouse on 37 federal charges over his handling of classified documents, including national defence information, after leaving the White House. He has pleaded not guilty.

This week, Mr Trump revealed he had received a target letter from special prosecutor Jack Smith for a sprawling Justice Department investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
A broad effort to find two young siblings who were swept away from their car during flash flooding in the Philadelphia suburbs over the weekend may soon pivot to underwater searching, authorities said Tuesday.

Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer provided an update near the search area, saying the team was still looking for Matilda Sheils, 2, and her 9-month-old brother Conrad Sheils. If the children are not located by days end, Brewer said, the focus will be on the water, using dive teams.

With the search in a fourth day, officials acknowledged the many that have asked to volunteer to help but said they are not needed. Brewer asked people to avoid the area.

Some 100 officials, as well as drones and cadaver dogs, have combed the area near the creek that drains into the Delaware River. The search has covered about 117 acres (47 hectares), with those on land logging some 160 miles (257 kilometers), often going back and forth over the same ground, he said.

The children are members of a Charleston, South Carolina, family that was visiting relatives and friends when they got hit by a wall of water Saturday, Brewer said.

The childrens father, Jim Sheils, grabbed their 4-year-old son, while the childrens mother, Katie Seley, and a grandmother grabbed the other children, Brewer said. Sheils and his son made it to safety, but Seley and the grandmother were swept away. The grandmother survived, but Seley was among the five people who drowned, according to the Bucks County Coroners office.

The others who died were Enzo Depiero, 78, and Linda Depiero, 74, of Newtown; Yuko Love, 64, of Newtown; and Susan Barnhart, 53, of Titusville, New Jersey, Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck said.

The deaths and the search for the children have led to an outpouring of support, particularly in social media posts in the suburb about 35 miles (56 kilometers) north of Philadelphia. A community vigil for those affected was planned for Thursday evening.

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Travis Scott. Scott Legato/Getty Images

A state authority in Egypt has revoked a concert permit for rapper Travis Scott's July 28 show.

The concert was set to take place at the Giza Pyramids, but the officials claimed his 'strange rituals' should be barred.

Other state authorities in Egypt could override the decision.

Travis Scott's UTOPIA concert, which was set to take place on July 28 at the ancient pyramids of Giza, was canceled after Egyptian officials took issue with the rapper's image.

The Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professionals, a state body that issues permits for concerts in the country, canceled Scott's permit on Tuesday, claiming that the rapper "carries out strange rituals," but concert organizers say the show will go on.

The show, which was promoted by the country's tourism authority earlier this month and meant to showcase Scott's new album UTOPIA, had its permit revoked after the syndicate said it surveyed Egyptians' opinions online, per The Los Angeles Times and Egyptian state outlet Al-Ahram.

"Photos and reports showed that Scott uses his concerts to hold rituals that contradict with our values and traditions. The syndicate thus decided to cancel the license for the concert which is not in line with the Egyptian people's cultural identity," the statement said. "The syndicate is committed to preserving the security and stability of our beloved homeland and rejects any actions that go against its societal values."

Egyptian lawyer Amr Abdel-Samie also complained about the event on TV, calling Scott "masonic, satanic, and devil worshipper with a dark history," per Al-Ahram.

A rep for Scott did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.

Egypt's Ministry of Culture could still override the decision and allow Scott to perform, and LiveNation has said the concert is going ahead, per Pitchfork.

The same conservative syndicate in Egypt has previously canceled openly LGBTQ+ acts, as well as banned mahraganat music, a socially-conscious form of electronic rap, temporarily.

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According to the Times, some of the opposition to the show stemmed from the fatal tragedy at Scott's 2021 Astroworld Festival, where a rush and stampede left 10 people dead. It also led to unfounded conspiracies that Scott used the festival to perform a satanic ritual.

Last month, a Houston grand jury determined that Scott and other organizers of the festival would face no criminal charges, according to Rolling Stone.

Read the original article on Insider
CAIRO (AP)  Egypt's president pardoned two prominent rights activists Wednesday, including one with ties to Italy who was sentenced this week, the countrys state-run news agency reported.

Among an unspecified number of people pardoned Wednesday by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was rights activist Patrick George Zaki, who was a post-graduate student in Italy and who was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday over an opinion article he wrote in 2019, the MENA news agency said.

Zaki's case has echoed in Italy, where many were reminded after the sentencing this week of the tragic fate of Italian student Giulio Regeni who was abducted and killed in Cairo in 2016. The Italian government had repeatedly called for Zaki's release since his arrest in 2020.

Also pardoned was Mohammed el-Baker, a rights lawyer, who was arrested in September 2019, the agency reported. El-Baker was sentenced to four years in prison late in 2021 over charges of disseminating false news, misuse of social media and joining a terrorist group. El-Baker was arrested when he attended the questioning by prosecutors of another jailed activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah.

The report said the two were among a group pardoned on Wednesday but did not elaborate who else was included. Prisoners who are pardoned in Egypt usually walk free within days.

We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds, prominent rights activist Hossam Bahgat wrote on Twitter.

He added that both activists should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work. Bahgat is the executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represented Zaki in court.

In Italy, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani welcomed el-Sissi's decision to pardon Zaki. Thanks to the governments foreign policy we have given a decisive contribution to freeing this young student. Concrete results through work and international credibility, he tweeted.

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Jubilation also resounded from the ranks of Italian opposition lawmakers following the pardon news.

Victory for Patrick Zaki. Pardon granted, tweeted Federica Onori, the foreign affairs commission whip for the populist 5-Star Movement. We never quit fighting. We never quit believing. We await you soon back home in Italy.

When Zaki was arrested in 2020, the 5-Stars led the government and Melonis far-right party was in the opposition.

Speaking to the Italian state TV in a square outside Romes ancient Pantheon, an Amnesty International official in Italy, Riccardo Noury, expressed satisfaction that the grave case (of Zaki) is resolved, but it doesnt resolve the theme of human rights in Egypt.

Zaki, who is Christian, was arrested in February 2020 shortly after landing in Cairo for a short trip home from Italy where he was studying at the University of Bologna. He was released in December 2021 after spending 22 months in pretrial detention but had to remain in Egypt and was not allowed to travel abroad, pending trial.

He earned a masters degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to travel to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference.

An Egyptian court sentenced him this week to three years in person over his conviction of disseminating false news related to an article of his about alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt.

Amnesty International swiftly condemned Egyptian authorities and said that the image of Zaki being dragged out of a courtroom and taken to prison on Tuesday was terrifying.

Egypt has pardoned dozens of detainees in the past several months, after its human rights record came under international scrutiny when it hosted the U.N. climate change summit in November.

The government has been relentlessly silencing dissenters and clamping down on independent organizations for years with arrests, detentions, prison sentences and other restrictions. Thousands of political prisoners are estimated by rights groups to remain in custody in Egypt, many without trial.

___

Associated Pres writer Frances DEmilio in Rome contributed to this report.
Patrick Zaki in December 2021, when he was released after 22 months in pre-trial detention

Egypt's president has pardoned jailed rights activist Patrick Zaki and lawyer Mohammed al-Baqer, state media report.

The news comes a day after an emergency court found Mr Zaki guilty of "spreading false news" and sentenced him to three years in prison.

The judgement, based on an article he wrote about his life as a Coptic Christian, was widely condemned.

Mr Baqer represented pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah before they were jailed on the same charge in 2021.

Egypt's government has carried out what rights groups have described as a relentless crackdown on any form of dissent since President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi led the military's overthrow of his democratically elected predecessor in 2013. They say tens of thousands of critics have been detained arbitrarily.

The pardons were welcomed by the board of the government's "national dialogue" process and Hossam Bahgat of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), for which Mr Zaki worked while also studying in Italy.

"Baqer and Patrick should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work," he tweeted. "We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds."

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a video message that Mr Zaki would return there on Thursday. She also wished him "a life of serenity and success" and thanked President Sisi "for this very important act".

Her Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, declared that Italy's foreign policy had "contributed significantly to the release of this young student".

Mr Zaki's case received widespread public attention in the European country, where he had been pursuing a master's degree in gender and women's studies when he decided to return to Egypt for a short family visit in February 2020.

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The 32-year-old was arrested at Cairo's airport before being transferred to his home city of Mansoura. His lawyers allege that he was subjected to torture, including electric shocks, while being interrogated.

Prosecutors eventually charged him with "spreading false news inside and outside of the country", based on an opinion piece published on the Daraj news website in July 2019. The EIPR said the article described his experiences as a Coptic Egyptian and his views on events affecting the religious minority.

In September 2021, after 19 months in detention, Mr Zaki went on trial at the Emergency State Security Court in Mansoura and pleaded not guilty. Three months later, the court ordered his release on bail.

On Tuesday, Mr Bahgat said the court had found him guilty and ordered his immediate reimprisonment, describing it as a "travesty of justice".

Fellow rights activists walked out of the national dialogue in response to the conviction, prompting its board to appeal for a pardon. The US and UN also expressed concern and called for Mr Zaki's immediate release.

Mr Baqer has been detained since September 2019, when he was arrested while attending the interrogation of Alaa Abdel Fattah, a British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist considered the country's best-known political prisoner.

The two men were subsequently charged with "spreading false news undermining national security" along with the blogger Mohammed "Oxygen" Ibrahim. The case was related to their social media posts.

Human rights groups had called the charges spurious and their trial before an emergency state security court in Cairo a sham.

In September 2021, the court found all three men guilty. Alaa Abdel Fattah, a British-Egyptian dual national, was sentenced to five years in prison, while Mr Baqer and Mohammed Ibrahim were handed four-year terms.

After learning of his pardon, Mr Baqer's wife expressed hope that he would be freed in time to celebrate his birthday on Thursday. "Gratitude to everyone who tried, worked, prayed for Baqer and for us," Neama Hisham said.
Egyptian researcher Patrick Zaki previously spent 22 months in pre-trial detention until December 2021 (Mohamed EL-RAAI)

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi granted a pardon Wednesday to researcher Patrick Zaki, state media said, a day after Zaki's three-year jail term sparked an outcry from local rights groups and Western governments.

The state-run Al-Ahram newspaper said Sisi also granted a presidential pardon to Mohamed al-Baqer, the lawyer for Alaa Abdel Fattah, Egypt's best known political prisoner.

Zaki's sentence on Tuesday for "spreading false news" had prompted some participants to walk out of a government dialogue aimed at giving the opposition a voice.

Zaki, 32, was jailed over an article recounting the discrimination he and other members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority say they have suffered.

"Mohamed Al-Baqer and Patrick Zaki should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work," said Hossam Bahgat, founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), where Zaki worked.

"We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds," Bahgat told AFP.

Word of the pardons came after the US State Department had said on Twitter it was "concerned" by Zaki's sentence and urged the "immediate release of him and others unjustly detained".

Zaki was studying at Bologna University in Italy until his arrest in 2020 while on a visit to Egypt.

Italy's far right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who speaks regularly with Sisi, in a video message on Wednesday welcomed the news that Zaki would be freed and said "he will be back tomorrow in Italy", the ANSA news agency reported.

Zaki previously spent 22 months in pre-trial detention until December 2021. He was returned to custody following Tuesday's court ruling.

Cairo has come under frequent criticism for its human rights record, with tens of thousands of political prisoners -- including journalists, lawyers, trade unionists and artists -- behind bars, according to rights groups.

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The government launched a "national dialogue" this year, hoping to bring in an opposition that has been decimated throughout a decade of repression since Sisi deposed his predecessor, the late Mohamed Morsi, after popular protests.

- Scepticism -

The dialogue has been met with scepticism by human rights defenders, who worry the state is burnishing its image while enacting the same draconian policies.

Since April last year, authorities have released 1,000 political prisoners amid much fanfare, but detained almost 3,000 more, Egyptian rights monitors said.

More than 40 Egyptian and international organisations -- including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy -- condemned Zaki's sentence, which they said followed "a trial rife with due process violations".

Rights defenders have said Zaki was beaten and electrocuted during his detention.

Thousands in Italy signed petitions calling for Zaki's release, and the country's senate voted in 2021 to grant him Italian citizenship.

National dialogue coordinator Diaa Rashwan -- who also runs the State Information Service -- said on Tuesday the dialogue's board of trustees had appealed to Sisi for Zaki's "immediate release".

Rashwan said a presidential pardon would "add new confirmation of the president's continued commitment" to "a positive climate for the national dialogue's success".

Rashwan had earlier asked that Baqer, 42, be pardoned. The lawyer is serving a four-year jail term, also for "spreading false news".

He was arrested in 2019 while attending an interrogation of his client, Abdel Fattah, a British-Egyptian dissident currently behind bars.

"Baqer will get out tomorrow, his birthday. I wish the same for all" other detainees, his wife Neamatallah Hisham wrote Wednesday evening on Facebook.

Al-Ahram reported that other prisoners also received pardons, but did not name them.

Washington has repeatedly criticised the human rights record of Egypt, a key ally of the United States and one of its top military aid recipients.

Though voices within the US Congress had called for broader aid cuts to Egypt over its rights record, the administration of President Joe Biden withheld only $130 million in 2021.

In January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Sisi to "free all political prisoners" while welcoming the "important strides" the country had made.

bur/srm/
Jealousy led to an El Paso police officer's alleged rape of his then-girlfriend after he claimed she had looked at another man, court documents reveal.

"This is what you get for looking at another man," Guadalupe Sosa said as he allegedly sexually assaulted the woman after he accused her of staring at a member of a band that was playing during a friend's birthday party, a criminal complaint affidavit states.

Guadalupe Sosa

Sosa, who was off duty at the time of the alleged incident, was arrested July 7 on suspicion of sexual assault. The alleged sexual assault happened five years prior  April 29, 2018. The statute of limitations for sexual assault is up to 10 years from the date of the incident.

The woman reported the alleged sexual assault to police in June.

This is the second criminal charge Sosa is facing in connection with the woman. He was arrested June 17 on suspicion of computer breach, accused of illegally using a police database last year to look up information on the woman and a man he had seen with her.

The El Paso Times does not name victims of sexual abuse.

Sosa, who has been with the department for 15 years, was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave for the remainder of the termination process, El Paso Police Department officials said.

Affidavit: Woman repeatedly told him to stop

Sosa and the woman were at a bar the night of April 28, 2018, to celebrate the birthday of the boyfriend of the woman's roommate.

Sosa and the woman then began to argue at the bar because Sosa accused her of looking at another man. The roommate told police the man Sosa accused the woman of looking at was a member of a band playing at the bar, the affidavit states.

The alleged victim told police she and Sosa left the bar at about 1 a.m. April 29, 2018, to prevent further fighting. They then went to her home in East El Paso.

The woman then got ready for bed and laid down to go to sleep. Sosa laid down next to her and attempted to have sex with her, the affidavit states.

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The woman told Sosa she did not want to have sex with him, the affidavit states.

More: Documents allege El Paso police officer choked, punched girlfriend after night of drinking

Sosa allegedly got on top of the woman, held her hands against the mattress to prevent her from getting up and began to sexually assault her, the affidavit states.

The woman yelled, "Stop, it hurts," several times.

Sosa allegedly continued to assault her and told her, "That's what you get for looking at another man," the affidavit states.

The alleged sexual assault lasted two minutes.

In the morning, the woman told her roommate about the incident.

The alleged victim told police she received a Snapchat memory on April 28, 2022, of the 2018 party.

According to the affidavit, she then texted Sosa, stating, "4 years ago today you raped me...maybe you forgot about it. Maybe u thought I forgot about it. But I will never forget. How I begged u and cried for you to stop. U held me down so I could feel the pain on purpose...I was in disbelief."

Sosa allegedly replied, "I remember I was drunk but not that drunk and no I will never forget. Im not that same person...I sin... and I beg for forgiveness...I am sorry, I will pray for u to heal...I don't expect I to forget."

Investigators looking into the allegations then interviewed the woman's roommate on June 15. The roommate corroborated her story of what happened at the bar, the affidavit shows.

The roommate told police she received a call April 29, 2018, from the woman. The woman told the roommate she did not know what to do about what Sosa had done to her and was confused because they were in a relationship, the affidavit states.

More: Man convicted of kidnapping, killing girl from El Paso Walmart, to be executed in November

The woman then told the roommate she had been sexually assaulted.

The roommate told the woman that regardless of whether they had been together for one year or 20 years, if the person does not want to be touched a certain way or have sex, they have the right to say no, the affidavit states. The roommate then advised her to seek help.

Sosa was then questioned by police on June 29.

Investigators told Sosa he was being accused of sexual assault by his ex-girlfriend. Sosa first replied: "It's been on the back of my head. I know she has made those allegations or statements back then," the affidavit states.

Sosa said he and the woman got into the fight at the 2018 party over jealousy issues. He claimed they were both intoxicated.

Once they got to the apartment, Sosa told the investigators, he and the woman had "rough sex," the affidavit states.

The following day, the woman claimed Sosa had raped her, Sosa told investigators.

He told investigators that he and the woman had a body language or indictor that was a sign that the sex was too rough, the affidavit states. The indictor was "hand tapping to the body," the affidavit states.

Sosa allegedly told her that she "never tapped for him to stop or said no."

He claimed to investigators that the woman told him she did not tap out because she was afraid of him, the affidavit states.

Sosa told investigators the woman kept saying, "You raped me, you raped me," but he kept telling her it was not rape, the affidavit states. Sosa and the woman continued to argue about it the whole day, he told investigators.

More: Cocaine, meth and unreported cash seized at Ysleta Port of Entry

Later that day, Sosa told her, "You know (the woman), if you think I raped you, then I am sorry," the affidavit states. Sosa told investigators he said this because he didn't want to continue fighting with her.

The text messages were shown to Sosa. He confirmed he had sent them.

The investigators asked why Sosa had acknowledged the sexual assault in the text messages. Sosa replied that he acknowledged it because he "was trying to work on getting back together," the affidavit states.

Accused of using police database for information on woman, man

Sosa also is accused of illegally using the El Paso Police Department's database to gather information on the woman and a man she was seen with.

The woman reported to police that Sosa saw her and a male friend at a bar. He then allegedly followed her to her friend's house.

Police investigators interviewed Sosa about the interaction with the woman's friend.

Sosa said he previously met the woman's friend at a Herbalife store.

More: US Marshals hunt for reputed gang member in South El Paso stabbing murder case

Investigators then asked if Sosa knew where the friend lived, to which he replied yes. He added he used the El Paso Central Appraisal District website to look up information on the friend, the affidavit states.

He was then asked if he had used the Police Department's database to look up the friend. Sosa denied using it.

Investigators then revealed an audit showed Sosa had used his El Paso Police Department ID number to access the database and look up information on the friend and the woman, the affidavit states. The information included home addresses and other information.

Sosa allegedly looked up the information on Feb. 24, 2022, and May 16, 2022.

He initially said he did not recall using the database, but then told investigators, "If I did, I did," the affidavit states.

Pending criminal charges

Sosa was arrested June 17 in connection with a charge of breach of computer security. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail and released on a $5,000 bond the same day, El Paso County Jail logs show.

He was then arrested again less than a month later on suspicion of sexual assault. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on July 7 on a $30,000 bond. He posted bail that same day, jail logs show.

Both cases remain pending in state district court.

Sosa faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of sexual assault, according to the Texas Penal Code. He faces up to 180 days in jail on the breach of computer security charge.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso police officer accused of raping woman for looking at man
WASHINGTON  Elbit Systems UK has opened an advanced manufacturing and development facility in Bristol, England, following three years of planning and more than 35 million (U.S. $46 million) in investments, the company announced Tuesday.

The facility is meant to provide technology research, development and manufacturing for the British military and other NATO customers. There are 680 employees working for the Israeli firms U.K.-based subsidiaries, and there are plans to hire more than 200 people to work at the new site.

During a ceremony marking the facilitys opening, the company demonstrated several capabilities, including electronic warfare technology. The U.K. awarded a 100 million contract to an industrial team that included Elbit for an electronic warfare system for the Royal Navy. The program, dubbed Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability, or MEWSIC, Increment 1 is the first phase of a 500 million effort to bolster frigates and aircraft carriers.

Elbit also showed off a virtual combined-arms simulator; its Torch-X command-and-control technology; its E-Lynx radio system; a ground-based surveillance radar; nv33 night vision goggles, which are currently in service with British forces; and several miniature uncrewed systems in service and on trial with the British Armed Forces. The company did not identify the uncrewed platforms to Defense News by press time.

The U.K. awarded Elbit Systems a contract in January to provide the Army with Magni-X micro-drones. The company was to deliver the drones by mid-2023, but would not tell Defense News the status of the order.

The opening of this facility is a testament to the success of Elbit Systems UK over the last three years and demonstrates the successful implementation of our strategy set out three years ago, Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK, said in a statement. Our commitment to providing cutting-edge, sovereign capability to the UK Armed Forces has allowed us to grow our presence, investing in our people and our facilities to support our frontline customers.
An elite liberal arts university has taken steps in re-evaluating its admission process by ending legacy preferences following the Supreme Courts decision to strike down affirmative action.

Wesleyan University, a private college in Connecticut, announced in a letter on Wednesday that terminating its use of legacy admissions would benefit diversity on campus and cited the Courts ruling as a catalyst in the decision.

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding affirmative action, we believe it important to formally end admissions preference for legacy applicants, Wesleyan University President Michael S Roth wrote.

We still value the ongoing relationships that come from multi-generational Wesleyan attendance, but there will be no bump in the selection process.

The school is the first prominent higher education institution to end legacy admissions following the Courts decision to end affirmative action in June.

Going forward, Wesleyan said it will promote a diverse student body by recruiting students from areas across the US outside of big cities and coasts, recruiting veterans and investing in a pipeline to recruit community college graduates.

They also plan to increase financial aid support by normalising a three-year option, creating a scholarship program to recruit and support undergraduates from Africa and developing more free-credit bearing courses online.

In his letter, Mr Roth clarified that an applicants connection to the university has never guaranteed them a spot and family members of alumni are admitted on their own merits as has been almost always the case for a long time.

The announcement marks Wesleyans formal ending of any legacy-based admissions.

Wesleyan joins a small group of other colleges and universities that have ended legacy admissions like Amherst College which concluded legacy preference in 2021, John Hopkins University which made the decision in 2020 and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which has never considered legacy.

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Getting rid of #LegacyAdmissions is the easy part @wesleyan_u. We must work harder to build a diverse, energetic learning environment comprised of people who think critically and creatively and who value independence of mind and generosity of spirit.https://t.co/ftXjZjjAKD  Michael S Roth (@mroth78) July 19, 2023

For more than 20 years, colleges and universities have used affirmative action to help establish a diverse pool of accepted students.

Race is not used as the sole factor in determining a students acceptance but it can be considered if there are two applicants with nearly identical qualifications that meet or exceed the schools application standard.

Mr Roth echoed this in his letter, saying Wesleyan has never fixated on a checked box indicating a students racial identification and has always taken a holistic view by looking at applicants records, letters of recommendation, college essays and more.

But in a 6-3 decision last month, the Court struck down the long-used tool in two consolidated cases: Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v University of North Carolina.

Now, institutions of higher education can no longer consider race as a factor unless a student volunteers information about their race or culture in their personal essay.

Advocates of affirmative action called on colleges and universities to re-evaluate their admissions processes and establish other methods of cultivating a diverse campus.

President Joe Biden encouraged schools to not abandon their commitment to ensuring student bodies of diverse backgrounds and directed the Department of Education to analyse practices that hold diversity back.

Those practices include legacy admissions which Mr Biden said, expands privilege instead of opportunity.
West Melbourne police say it was enough fentanyl to kill half of the people living in Brevard County.

Now, 34-year-old Corderro Dante East faces trafficking charges involving 605 grams of the painkiller, 245 grams of cocaine, one kilogram of methamphetamine and 245 grams of the club drug ecstasy. West Melbourne police carried out a search warrant at East's 49 Westover Drive home last week in the latest major investigation connected to prescription drugs and other painkillers leading to an arrest in Brevard since January.

Drugs, including over 600 grams of fentanyl, recovered during recent search of suspected dealer's home, West Melbourne police report.

East, who has a lengthy criminal arrest record involving illegal drugs, was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, records show. He posted a $135,000 bond the following day.

Officers, acting on information from detectives involved with an extensive investigation of East and suspected activity involving narcotics, secured a search warrant targeting the home. They found the kilo of methamphetamine along with the 605 grams of fentanyl, a highly potent opioid that investigators point to as being connected to hundreds of drug overdoses in Brevard and Florida in recent years.

Oxycodone arrest: Titusville pharmacist arrested; pharmacy raided by federal agents

To put into perspective how dangerous that amount of fentanyl can be, 605 grams is enough to kill 302,500 people, Lt. Graig Erenstoft, of the West Melbourne Police Department wrote in a press release.

Fentanyl-related deaths on the Space Coast remain among the highest in the state, FDLE reported. In 2021, the latest year for statistics on drug-connected deaths, Brevard recorded 304 drug overdose deaths, including 262 opioid-related deaths, FDLE said.

More charges: Two Brevard residents indicted on murder charges in fentanyl overdoses

The arrest is the latest in a series of investigations targeting those suspected of being involved with supplying deadly painkillers. In June, federal agents arrested a Titusville pharmacist prosecutors said was illegally distributing drugs like oxycodone. In May, a Brevard County grand jury indicted two people in separate homicide cases involving deadly overdoses related to fentanyl.

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Agents also located a loaded Glock 9mm handgun on a windowsill in East's residence. In addition, two large bags containing methamphetamine and another packed with crack cocaine, and smaller bags containing cocaine packaged for sale, were found, police reported.

No court date for East has been set.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jdgallop@floridatodan.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Fentanyl seized in Florida could kill half of Brevard County, police say


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If youve already read all of the classics from Oprahs Book Club, weve got some new favorites for you to add to your list from the one and only Shonda Rhimes. Aside from her extremely celebrated career as the screenwriter and producer of some of the most iconic television shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal," Rhimes is an author herself.

An accomplished storyteller, Rhimes brings her literary prowess to the other side of the page through her Shondaland Book Club, selecting top titles that are worthy of your time. While her version of a book club isnt quite the same membership format as other celeb book clubs, she and her team regularly feature in-depth reviews of her favorite books on her site, Shondaland.

From meaningful memoirs to gripping works of fiction, each curated pick reflects Rhimes' commitment to quality work. Her entire list of books is impressive, but weve rounded up the ten best from Shonda Rhimes book club. Get ready to discover thought-provoking stories that encompass various genres and cultures.

'Better Living Through Birding' by Christian Cooper

Christian Cooper made headlines during the early months of the pandemic in 2020 when he was featured in a viral video in Central Park. Since then, hes emerged as a unique voice in the literary world. In "Better Living Through Birding: A Naturalist's Guide," he takes readers on a journey into the world of birds, exploring their habitats, behaviors, and the impact they have on our lives.



Filled with personal anecdotes and practical tips, this book celebrates the joy and wonder of bird watching while inspiring a deeper connection with nature.

More: The Best Books from Oprahs Book Club

Shop Now 'Better Living Through Birding' by Christian Cooper $24.50 amazon.com

'Burn It Down' by Maureen Ryan

Maureen Ryans Burn it Down is an exploration of the systemic issues in the film industry. A topic dear to Shonda Rhimes heart, it makes sense that this one landed on the Shondaland book club list. Ryan delves into topics like racism, sexism, and power dynamics, highlighting the voices of marginalized communities and urging for transformative change. This insightful book challenges Hollywood's status quo, offering a rallying cry for inclusivity and equality.

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Shop Now 'Burn It Down' by Maureen Ryan $27.94 amazon.com

Holding Pattern by Jenny Xie

In "Holding Pattern: A Novel," Jenny Xie combines heart and humor as she tells the story of a young woman who is navigating between cultures. Touching on both personal and societal expectations, this novel explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning. Its a hopeful novel about immigration and belonging, mother-daughter relationships, and the many ways we learn to hold each other.



Shop Now Holding Pattern by Jenny Xie $20.50 amazon.com

When the World Didn't End by Guinevere Turner

"When the World Didn't End: A Memoir" is Caroline Kaufmans brave and honest exploration of life following her upbringing in a cult. Within the pages of this book, selected by the team at Shondaland, Kaufman shares her personal journey with self-discovery and healing. The book offers a compassionate and relatable voice that reminds us of the power of resilience and the possibility of finding light in the darkest moments.

Shop Now When the World Didn't End by Guinevere Turner $23.14 amazon.com

Self-Made by Tara Isabella Burton

Another great book highlighted by Shonda Rhimes through her Shondaland book club, Self-Made, is an exploration into the curation of the self. The book looks at personalities in Western civilization, from Leonardo Da Vinci to Kim Kardashian. It features a mix of case studies along with historical context, providing a fascinating look at how the personal brand came to be.

Shop Now Self-Made by Tara Isabella Burton $21.96 amazon.com

The Glow by Jessie Gaynor

This satirical novel by Jessie Gaynor is rapidly raking in positive reviews. The Glow, tells the story of Jane, a desperate young publicist who got herself into a tough spot at work. In this hilarious book, she attempts to save her career by turning the leader of a retreat center into a hot new self-care brand.

Shop Now The Glow by Jessie Gaynor $24.50 amazon.com

Notes on Her Color by Jennifer Neal

"Notes on Her Color" by Jennifer Neal is a poignant novel that explores the complexities of love, identity, and racial tensions. The book follows the lives of a young Black and Indigenous woman and her mother as they navigate personal struggles and societal challenges. This Shonda-approved book delves into themes of resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of self-discovery.

Shop Now Notes on Her Color by Jennifer Neal $24.30 amazon.com

Rosewater by Liv Little

A Goodreads Buzziest Debut Novel of the New Year, this highly anticipated novel from Liv Little is a steamy queer romance with a bold voice. Rosewater: A Novel follows Elsie, a fun but struggling 28-year-old in London, and her childhood friend Juliet who is always there for her.

Shop Now Rosewater by Liv Little $24.29 amazon.com

Why Fathers Cry at Night by Kwame Alexander

This powerful memoir was written by #1 New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander. It features poetry, letters, recipes, and other personal stories that provide an intimate look into his life and the loved ones he shares it with. The Shonda Rhimes crew agrees that this vulnerable and unique book is worth a spot on your bookshelf.

Shop Now Why Fathers Cry at Night by Kwame Alexander $18.96 amazon.com

To Be Named Something Else by Shaina Phenix

One of the newest top titles in Shonda Rhimes book club, To Be Named Something Else, is the winner of the 2023 Miller Williams Poetry Prize. Its a celebration of Black matriarchy and lineage that centers around Black femmes in Harlem. Its a poetic and tender look that sends a powerful message.

Shop Now To Be Named Something Else by Shaina Phenix $17.95 amazon.com

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Equine veterinarian Dr. Kate Hodson of Hebron, Indiana, never knows how her day will unfold.

Her day starts around 5 a.m. tending to her own animals, including a pasture full of horses and a couple dozen chickens. Then its time to take care of the many clients and their equines who call her their doctor.

Unlike small animal veterinarians who mostly work in brick-and-mortar facilities, Hodsons office is mobile. She packs up her Chevy truck outfitted with all the medical equipment she may need to care for her patients and hits the road each morning. Hodson logs hundreds of miles a week making regular appointments. Emergency calls only add more to the log.

Hodson said she can see clients in her own barn, but traveling to her clients is easier than having her clients cart their equine to her for treatment. Trailering a horse, especially an older one, can be traumatic for the animal.

Her client roster may be long, but Hodson said he has relationships with all of her patients.

I think I remember every one of my horses names, Hodson said.

An equine vet sees on average 300 to 400 horses a year. Her client roster totals more than 1,000. The workload leads to struggles with work-life balance and drives many from the profession. In a 2014 survey by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, members ranked work/life balance as their No. 1 concern followed closely by physical health and mental well-being.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found in a 2014 study that U.S. veterinarians are more likely to suffer from psychiatric disorders, experience bouts of depression and have suicidal thoughts when compared with the U.S. adult population, according to the AAEP. The data suggests that nearly one in 10 U.S. veterinarians might experience psychological distress and more than one in six might have contemplated suicide since graduation.

Dr. Sarah Waxman, clinical assistant professor in the college of clinical services at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, said it can be hard attracting young people to the field because of the challenges.

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Young veterinary students often learn about the money that can be made in a small animal clinic where doctors can move from room to room seeing multiple patients every hour, compared to a large animal vet who must travel and makes far less, which dissuades many from the discipline.

I can tell you for certain the starting salaries for small animal veterinarians coming out of vet school are substantially higher than equine and mixed animal veterinarians who have been out of school for many years. Its very disheartening, Waxman said.

You have to be extremely passionate about wanting to be an equine veterinarian, she said.

She worries about the future as a shortage of veterinarians continues and fewer young people look to the equine discipline.

Horse owners are not going to have anybody left or very few people left to serve them, Waxman said.

Delays in getting care may mean horse owners have to transport their animals to hospitals like Purdue, equipped to care for large animals, or delay getting care, possibly negatively impacting health outcomes for the horses.

Its going to be a problem for everybody, Waxman said.

Hodsons professional feed is dotted with posts on boundaries, with strong reminders about what constitutes an emergency for after-hours calls. Her phone is never turned off and she does not use an answering service because of the cost and inconvenience. True emergencies often need immediate response, making the service an unwanted extra step. Still, some horse owners call at all hours for nonemergency needs, a vexing problem for Hodson and veterinarians like her.

Her social media feed also shares before and after photos of some of her emergency patients, a fascinating array of wounds horses manage to inflict upon themselves in pastures, barns and near fences.

Horses are extremely good at injuring themselves, Hodson said.

She also shares industry statistics, student loan debt stories of fellow equine vets, their struggles and triumphs, and occasionally condolences about their suicides.

Michael San Filippo, media relations manager for the American Veterinary Association, said that while the rate of suicide among veterinarians is higher than for the general population, there are other professions that also have a higher rate than the general population, and many that have a higher rate than veterinarians.

Suicide prevention experts continue to caution that repeatedly stating veterinarians are uniquely impacted by suicide compared to others who also experience mental health concerns may inadvertently contribute to fewer help-seeking behaviors and less hope, San Filippo said.

Suicide prevention researchers and experts advise that suicide is multifaceted and complex, and friends, family members and colleagues are often unaware of the actual factors that may have played the greatest role, he continued.

Factors often cited  debt, long/irregular hours, compassion fatigue  arent unique to veterinary medicine, and we dont have any evidence that these often-cited factors are a direct cause of suicide, San Filippo said, adding in addition, there is no evidence to show that things that are unique to veterinary medicine cause suicide.

Whatever your profession, you may at times experience feelings of despair, hopelessness, and powerlessness, he said.

Hodson said she loves what she does, despite the challenges and remains hopeful things will improve with more discussion. She would love to share her passion for the profession and draw more young people in but wants those newcomers to walk in with their eyes open, aware of the challenges. The days are long and hard. The job is physically demanding.

Its not for everyone, Hodson said.

Scars from errant hoofs riddle her body, reminders of the sheer power of the animals in her care. A grown horse can weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds. Even the best horses can be unpredictable, she said. In September Hodson was sidelined for weeks after her right elbow was severely dislocated by a horse kick. She may never regain full range of motion.

Still, she loves her job and the animals in her care. At a recent horse dental day Hodson oversaw the care of more than 30 horses at her barn and two other locations. While the volume of horses seen that day was more than on a day as a traveling doctor, she considers the clinic days as breaks from her normally hectic routine.

Many days are filled with emergencies, forcing Hodson to pivot and head off to a different farm to help an equine in distress. Sometimes she is able to relieve the choke, an intestinal blockage that can be caused by overeating or eating the wrong type of grain, or stitch up a gaping wound from a freak interaction with a fence.

Other times, no matter how hard she tries, her efforts wind up futile. It is at those times Hodson said she does her best to make sure the horse is comfortable as its family members gather to say their goodbyes, shedding tears along with them.

They really are part of the family. Saying goodbye is important, Hodson said. Horses are long-lived, with life spans averaging 25 to 30 years.

Kaitlyn Steele of Valparaiso, a second-year student at Purdues School of Veterinary Medicine, said she has heard the statistics and the warnings that come along with them but cannot imagine doing anything else.

Thats definitely a big topic of conversation, Steele said. Equine veterinarians who lecture at the university or who are at career fairs talk about the challenging work life balance. The discourse gives her hope the industry may be trying to change.

Like so many in the field, Steeles love of horses started young. She did not live on a farm or in a family that owned horses, but that did not deter her enthusiasm. She took riding lessons once a week for much of her childhood.

The case of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro piqued Steeles interest in becoming a veterinarian when she was a child. Barbaro went on to break his leg in the Preakness Stakes, two weeks after his Derby win. That injury eventually cost the horse his life, which she struggled to understand.

It started my journey in that regard, Steele said. An equine vet is always what I wanted to do as a kid, Steele said. Id rather have the work Im doing being something I genuinely love, even though Ill be doing so much more, rather than doing something Im just OK with.

Industry challenges aside, those in equine practice would not change professions. They pursued careers in the field because of their passion for horses.

Im in this profession because I absolutely love it, Waxman said.
Kevin Denton was recently named executive director of Escape Ministries in Holland.

HOLLAND  Escape Ministries has a new executive director.

Kevin Denton will become the organization's new, permanent director, taking over for interim director Linda Jacobs. The center began seeking a new director in October, almost 18 months after Todd Krygsheld, formerly the lead chaplain at the Ottawa County Jail, took the reigns from Bob Ellis.

Ellis served as interim director for about six months following the resignation of founding director Willie Watts in 2020.

The organization, Watts once told The Sentinel, was founded in 2008 to help children in the community  particularly those who've fallen through the cracks.

More: How three local youths turned their lives around with Escape Ministries

Denton comes to Holland by way of Colorado, moving to the area a year ago to be closer to family. He brings a diverse background of experience. He was a teacher for 12 years, a high school principal for five years and served as a youth pastor.

I was really blessed with some unique opportunities to innovate through the years, Denton said.

All through it, I think God has led me to these things that were either starting up and had never happened before or were broken and needed fixing. For me, that's a fun place to be. ... For me, the fun part is being able to step in, get to know everybody and learn what their challenges are and what makes them tick and then build a ministry to suit that.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Getting involved at Escape Ministries, for Denton, was an opportunity to work with children at their lowest and help them get back on track.

I find that (lowest point) to be sacred ground, Denton said. Whether they're getting in trouble or just struggling, I think, having done that for a while, I've seen that young people today are struggling more than ever before."

He hopes to spread God's love while changing the lives of those who need it most.

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Being a ministry, Im not going to be bashful about why we exist, Denton said. God is real, He's crazy about His people and He loves them and is there offering life. I think, for West Michigan, it's important to know that Escape exists for that reason. ... This is a place where people can intersect with the hope of Christ and the life offered through Him.

Learn more at escape-out.org.

 Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Escape Ministries names Kevin Denton new executive director
With his last wish list denied, school shooter Ethan Crumbley has made more requests of the judge who will sentence him, including that images of his victims' bodies not be shown at an upcoming hearing that will help determine his punishment.

Crumbley, who murdered four students and injured seven others, also is trying to block the prosecution from showing security footage of the 2021 mass shooting he carried out at Oxford High School. His lawyer also wants to bar a video of him torturing a bird.

The prosecution intends to show all of this next week at Crumbley's so-called Miller hearing, a mandatory procedure during which the judge will determine whether a life without parole sentence is appropriate for his crimes.

Oxford High School shooting suspect Ethan Crumbley pleads guilty for his role in the school shooting that occurred on Nov. 30, 2021, during an appearance at the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022.

Crumbley lawyer: Prosecutors want to shock court

"The people intend to do this in a courtroom packed full of family members of victims, and the media. This court should preclude the people from doing so because the proposed exhibits are not relevant to any of the Miller factors, and are needlessly prejudicial and inflammatory," Crumbley's attorney, Paulette Michel Loftin wrote in a court filing this week, adding the prosecution is "determined to introduce graphic evidence of the crime itself."

But this evidence, Loftin argues, is not relevant. Moreover, she stressed, her client has already pleaded guilty to his crimes and does not dispute what the prosecution intends to show.

"It can only be that the people are simply hoping to shock this court into ignoring all the Miller factors," Loftin writes.

If the judge does, however, allow the prosecution to show these exhibits, Loftin asked that the judge review them privately in his chambers, not an open courtroom.

More: Waterford couple wins $40,000 weed wedding, complete with pot-infused food for 50 guests

Loftin filed this motion Monday evening, less than 24 hours before the judge rejected her prior requests, including that the life-without-parole condition be dismissed. The judge, however, kept it on the table, and is allowing school eyewitnesses to testify at the Miller hearing, which Crumbley also opposed.

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More: Judge to Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley: Life without parole still on the table

The prosecution has requested that Crumbley, who pleaded guilty last year to all the charges he was facing, including first-degree murder and terrorism, be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Because of his age  15 at the time of the shooting  he is entitled to a Miller hearing to determine whether that punishment is warranted.

Factors in determining Ethan Crumbley's sentence

The Miller hearing is scheduled for July 27 and is expected to run two days, possibly three.

The U.S. Supreme Court and Michigan Supreme Court have held that mandatory sentences of life without parole for juveniles are unconstitutional and require the so-called Miller hearing, during which a judge will consider several factors in reaching a decision, including:

Crumbley's background and mental and emotional development.

His home life, family environment and character.

His record while incarcerated.

The circumstances of the crime, including the extent to which Crumbley was involved and how his family or peer pressure may have played a part.

Crumbley's lawyer also plans to cite those factors in arguing for a lighter punishment for her client.

"The Miller hearing will give the court, as well as the public, a good inside look into the difficult home life of Mr. Crumbley and what challenges he was facing," Loftin has previously stated to the Free Press. "I believe that the hearing will show that Mr. Crumbley is worthy of an out date, and that there is potential for rehabilitation inside the Michigan Department of Corrections."

More: Crumbleys appeal to Michigan Supreme Court: Blame our son for Oxford shooting, not us

Crumbley, who is now 16, admitted at his plea hearing that he carried out his massacre in November 2021 with a gun that his parents had bought him as an early Christmas present. The parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, are facing involuntary manslaughter charges  the first parents in America charged in a mass shooting.

They have denied wrongdoing, maintaining they had no way of knowing their son would carry out a mass shooting, and that their son is solely responsible for the deaths, not them.

Their effort to block the charges against them is pending before the Michigan Supreme Court.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ethan Crumbley wants images of victims' bodies barred from hearing
(Bloomberg) -- The European Unions foreign policy chief aims to make his long-delayed visit to China in the fall, ahead of a planned summit between the two sides.

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I have all assurances that the meeting will be before our next summit, Josep Borrell said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. The purpose of the visit is to hold the strategic dialog during the preparation steps for the summit.

Borrell had to cancel a trip to Beijing this spring to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang after coming down with Covid. And last week, he had been scheduled to meet Qin in southeast Asia, but that too was canceled after Borrell was informed his counterpart fell ill.

Chinas foreign minister hasnt been seen in public for more than three weeks and the lack of information about his health is fueling concerns over Chinas transparency.

The next summit between the EU and China hasnt been formally scheduled yet, but Borrell said he hopes it will happen before the end of the year.

Read more: China Foreign Ministers Mystery Absence Fuels Black Box Concern

The EU recently unveiled a new economic security strategy, which seeks oversight of critical technology exports and may curb outbound investments in the name of national security. The proposal is part of a growing push to strengthen security tools as countries such as China and Russia increasingly use trade and the control of critical supply lines to advance political and even military goals.

--With assistance from Maria Tadeo.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Strict new European rules on transparency, data privacy, child protection, disinformation and hate speech come into effect next month (Wakil Kohsar)

The European commissioner overseeing the digital market on Wednesday urged Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok to accelerate its adoption of new EU standards.

Strict new European rules on transparency, data privacy, child protection, disinformation and hate speech come into effect next month, and internet giants are racing to comply.

On Monday, TikTok conducted a "stress test" on its systems at it European headquarters in Dublin, to find out if it could adapt to comply with the EU Digital Services Act.

Afterwards, European Commissioner Thierry Breton called TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew to hear how it went, warning him: "Now is time to accelerate to be fully compliant."

In June, Breton sent the same message to US platform Twitter after it performed a similar stress test, designed to check its own ability to moderate suspect content.

The DSA became law in November, but the web's 19 biggest players -- platforms such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft -- have until August 25 to get in line.

aro/dc/lth
(Bloomberg) -- Leaders from the European Union and Latin America  except for Nicaragua  managed to agree on language critical of Russias invasion of Ukraine, moving past a debate that threatened to stymie efforts to rejuvenate ties at a two-day summit in Brussels.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The EU was seeking a section in the final joint declaration that condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine and demanded a withdrawal, but countries led by Cuba and Nicaragua objected. They pushed for broader language that showed concern about the war and supported a cessation of hostilities.

At the end, 59 of the 60 countries agreed on language that expressed deep concern on the ongoing war against Ukraine  without any mention of Russia.

Its remarkable that we found a wording which many can support, which we maybe didnt expect in the past, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters after the summit ended. My impression is that theres a global shift. Russia shows more and more that it has imperialist interests.

It felt like a new beginning for old friends  we need each other, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters. She noted that the leaders agreed to hold an EU-Latin American summit every two years moving forward.

European leaders had earlier fretted about an outcome that would spare Moscow any criticism over its invasion of Ukraine. You cannot rewrite history, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel insisted to reporters on Tuesday.

The two days of intense negotiations tested the limits of the European push to forge a global coalition to contain Russia, particularly in regions that the bloc has neglected. This weeks summit was the first such meeting in eight years, and only the third one ever held.

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In Europe, we need to take as a fact that sometimes were viewed as condescending and sometimes were viewed as former colonizers, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said in an interview. So what can we do to counter that when we speak with, with other countries? Are we speaking in a condescending manner or not? And if so, maybe we should stop doing that because it certainly is counterproductive.

Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren acknowledged it was very difficult to find a compromise among his counterparts. We are very surprised that there are members of our group which oppose any resolution concerning war in Ukraine, he said. We think this is the war of aggression.

Beyond the Russia discussion, the EU was seeing to reduce Chinas sway in Latin America and to ensure access to critical raw materials for its digital and green transition.

On Monday, the EU said it would help invest over 45 billion ($50.6 billion) in Latin America and the Caribbean until 2027, using a mix of EU funds, member states contributions, development banks and the private sector.

--With assistance from Kevin Whitelaw, Maria Tadeo and Sofia Gerace.

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Hundreds have fled as wildfires rage in Greece for a third day while authorities brace for a new heatwave stoking tinderbox conditions across the country.

Dozens of homes were gutted in towns west of Athens, while the fire brigade reported that a third fire had broken out on the island of Rhodes. Firefighters worked throughout the night and four aircraft sent from Italy and France will soon join the efforts to keep the flames at bay, as a second heatwave is forecast to start in Greece on Thursday.

Thousands have also been evacuated in the Canary Islands and Switzerland in recent days, as southern Europe is gripped by the ongoing wildfires and extreme heat caused by the fossil-fuel-driven climate crisis.

Temperature records have been shattered in Rome and Catalonia, provisional data suggests, and meteorologists predict that temperatures this week may surpass Europes current record of 48.8C, set in Sicily in August 2021, raising fears of a repetition of last years heat deaths, which saw an estimated 61,000 fatalities in Europe alone.

Britains Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Spain and Greece, with holidaymakers urged to sign up for emergency alerts and warned of travel disruption.

Key Points

Brits travelling to Europe given updated travel advice during extreme heat

Italy braces for record-breaking heat as temperatures set to soar to 48C

WMO warns of risk of heart attacks and deaths as heatwave intensifies

Wildfires threaten seaside homes outside Greek capital after heatwave

Heatwave likely to continue into August, says UN

A powerful storm sweeps Croatia and Slovenia after days of heat, killing at least 4 people

05:50 , Stuti Mishra

A powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rain hit Croatia and Slovenia yesterday, killing at least four people and injuring several others, police and local media outlets said.

The storm was the second in two days to sweep over the two countries following a string of extremely hot and dry days. Elsewhere in Europe, a heat wave caused wildfires and public health warnings.

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Two men died in Croatia's capital, Zagreb, after they were hit by falling trees, Croatian police said. A 50-year-old man was struck while outside in the street, and a 48-year-old man was in his car, a police statement said. Earlier, emergency doctor Ljupka Hitrova told the official Hina news agency that the two victims had multiple head injuries.

The civil protection service in eastern Croatia reported that one person died when a tree fell on their car in the town of Cernik.

Elsewhere in Zagreb, a 36-year-old man was severely injured when a construction crane collapsed, the police statement said.

The storm suddenly darkened the sky and brought blinding rain, flash floods and winds across Zagreb starting at about 4pm. It halted the city's transportation, caused power outages and left streets blocked with fallen trees.

Local residents try to remove fallen trees from the road after a sudden storm in Zagreb (AFP via Getty Images)

EU sends firefighters to Greece as blaze reaches doorsteps of residents

05:20 , Stuti Mishra

Firefighting aircraft and ground crews from other countries headed to Greece yesterday to help battle wildfires that have intensified as a heatwave baked much of southern Europe in temperatures above 40C.

In a round-the-clock battle to preserve forests, industrial facilities and vacation homes, evacuations continued for a third day along a highway connecting the capital to the southern city of Corinth.

In the town of Mandra, 25km west of Athens the flames reached doorsteps of residents before the Fire Service personnel did.

Resident Varvara Paraskevopoulou described fleeing the fire on Tuesday and then returning to help residents trying to protect their properties themselves.

"We extinguished what we could by ourselves and managed to save some homes. As you'll see further up, three or four houses - residences and storage spaces - were burnt completely," Ms Paraskevopoulou told AP.

Firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia were due in Greece and Israel pledged to send two firefighting planes, adding to the four from Italy and France that were already operating outside Athens.

Sardina reaches 46C as Italy issues red alert for 23 cities

Thursday 20 July 2023 00:45 , Matt Drake

Most of Italy's big cities have been placed under a red alert which means the heat poses a threat to everybody and not just the vulnerable.

It comes as the island of Sardinia reached a high of 46C on Wednesday afternoon.

Local media have called it the settimana infernale - or week of hell.

NASA climate experts and leaders to meet Thursday

Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:45 , Matt Drake

NASA will assmble climate experts and leaders together to discuss the extreme weather events.

It will include NASA administrator Bill Nelson, NASAs chief scientist and senior climate adviser Kate Calvin, the Ocean Ecology Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Centers chief Carlos Del Castillo.

Leadership and climate experts from across NASA will meet at 4pm ET (1600 UTC) Thursday, July 20, to discuss recent extreme weather events, from flooding to record-breaking heatwaves.



Follow the link for info and media accreditation: https://t.co/xiSujYCw1W pic.twitter.com/Ro5NAA8aYy  NASA (@NASA) July 19, 2023

Italian A&E has highest daily numbers since COVID

Wednesday 19 July 2023 22:45 , Matt Drake

There has been an uptick of people attending hospital in Italy for heat-related problems.

In the Lazio region, there was a 20 per cent increase in medical emergencies today compared to last year.

Between 15 per cent and 25 per cent of all emergency admissions across Italy were related to heat.

The highest daily number of patients since the 2020 COVID pandemic were admitted to Cardarelli hospital in Naples yesterday.

The hospital said: "Over the last nine days, the average has been 200 patients a day... an increase of around 30 per cent in the normal number of admissions."

British Embassy warns Brits on holiday in Greece

Wednesday 19 July 2023 21:45 , Matt Drake

The British Embassy has tweeted a link to travel advice for Brits abroad.

It comes as Greece battles wildfires that have been burning for days.

The British Embassy in Athens tweeted: "Are you currently in Greece? Please be aware that a heatwave is expected from tomorrow up until Sunday.

"Greek authorities are still battling wildfires, with large fronts in the regions of Attica, Corinth, Viota and the island of Rhodes."

Are you currently in ?



Please be aware that a #heatwave is expected from tomorrow up until Sunday.



 follow the guidance on the #Greece Travel Advice  https://t.co/7EeWNJINbH

 visit the NHS website https://t.co/v2SesJLHGD for guidance on how to take care in the heat pic.twitter.com/gBoI37vU2M  UK in Greece (@ukingreece) July 19, 2023

EU sends firefighters to Greece as wildfires rage

Wednesday 19 July 2023 20:45 , Matt Drake

Firefighters from across the European Union are being sent in to tackle the wild fires that have been burning for three days.

Central and southern parts of Greece are predicted to see temperatures reach 44C by the end of the week.

Combined with gale-force winds, this has helped create fast-moving wilfires around the capital, Athens.

A Canadair firefighting plane sprays water during a fire in Dervenochoria, north-west of Athens (AFP via Getty Images)

Fires rage in Greece with another spike in temperatures expected

Wednesday 19 July 2023 19:41 , Matt Drake

Fires are raging across Greece destroying forests on Rhodes and gutting homes close to Athens as a new heatwave loomed and threatened to further stoke tinderbox conditions across the country.

Firefighters backed with air water bombers battled a resurgence of flames west of Athens, fresh evacuation orders were issued on Wednesday for three areas threatened by encroaching flames. On the island of Rhodes, authorities sent reinforcements to combat a fire which erupted in a densely wooded mountainous area and ordered the evacuation of three villages as a precaution.

Four aircraft sent from Italy and France joined firefighting efforts on Wednesday, authorities said. Firefighters across the country, boosted by crews from Romania, Poland and Slovakia, have been deployed to help battle the blazes.

Temperatures could climb to 43C on Thursday, forecasters said, as the fresh another bout of extreme temperatures begins. Conditions are extreme, and are likely to be so for another week, Kostas Tsigas, head of the fire brigade officers association, told Greeces SKAI TV.

Fires rage in Greece with another spike in temperatures expected

Has El Nino really kicked in yet or will its effect increase over the coming year?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 19:15 , Matt Drake

Dr Akshay Deoras, meteorologist at the University of Reading, said: El Nino is still weak and in its early stages of development. Its effect on the global weather patterns will become more robust in the coming months.

Heatwaves are common in the northern hemisphere at this time of year. However, the temperatures we are expecting in parts of southern Europe in the coming days are what we normally get in the tropical deserts or tropical countries such as India, Pakistan or the Middle East during summer.

The simultaneous occurrence of heatwaves in different regions of the world as well as their forecasted intensity fits well with the anticipated impact of climate change on global temperatures.

Weather is exactly as scientists predicted

Wednesday 19 July 2023 18:40 , Matt Drake

Dr Melissa Lazenby, Senior Lecturer in Climate Change at the University of Sussex, said: What is going on right now in the northern hemisphere? Exactly what climate scientists have been predicting, warmer and more extreme conditions due to anthropogenic warming of the planet.

The northern hemisphere is experiencing a combined effect of both natural and anthropogenic climate change resulting in extreme heat over 3 NH continents. There is a developing El Nino event as well as the additional warming from human emissions therefore resulting in abnormally warmer temperatures than without human emissions.

Current conditions of the atmosphere over Europe, the US and Asia have high-pressure systems dominating those regions that are as a result experiencing heatwave conditions. There are also anomalously warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the northern hemisphere this summer which are additionally contributing to heatwave conditions experienced over land.

WHO urges governments to set up surveillance for people at risk from heatwaves

Wednesday 19 July 2023 18:15 , Matt Drake

The World Health Organisation (WMO) today urged governments and local authorities to set up a strong surveillance system for people who are most at risk of severe symptoms from a heatwave that is baking the northern hemisphere.

People with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and diabetes, as well as pregnant women, children and homeless people, are seen as the most vulnerable to heatwaves that have scorched parts of Europe, Asia and the United States this week.

Maria Neira, director of the public health, environment and social determinants of health department at the WHO, told journalists on Wednesday: "We are very concerned about those who are most vulnerable. And clearly, the heatwaves can exacerbate all of those pre existing diseases."

While the El Nino weather phenomenon has been seen as the reason for the heatwave this year, global warming has been further exacerbating the issue, causing erratic weather patterns globally.

What is going on right now in the northern hemisphere? Expert explains

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:45 , Matt Drake

Dr Malcolm Mistry, Assistant Professor in Climate and Geo-spatial Modelling, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: The large-scale wave-like wind pattern in the upper atmosphere known as the Jet stream is a fast-moving wind that flows from west to east at a global scale.

Currently, the Jet stream from North America to Europe is stuck in a position that is roughly south of the English Channel in a U-shape flow, with both the trough and the crest of this wave lying south of the UK.

To the north of the jet stream, we have cooler Arctic air and areas of low pressure, which in turn bringing rain spells to the UK.

To the south of the jet stream, we have an opposite weather pattern with a high-pressure system stalled drawing hot air from north Africa and maintaining the hot dry conditions.

A similar pattern currently exists over the US with the Jet stream positioned approximately in southern US with a stalled high-pressure weather pattern over large parts of California, Texas and Florida for instance, thus giving rise to abnormally high temperatures, but with the northern states having below average temperatures in some instances.

Since this Jet Stream is a large-scale wave pattern, parts of Asia too are experiencing similar blocking patterns with hot air being drawn to specific mainland regions (such as China), thereby increasing the temperatures to above normal conditions that would be expected this time of the year.

Pictured: The devastating wildfire hitting Greece

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:30 , Matt Drake

Wildfires have continued to rage in Greece for a third day.

Hundreds have fled the areas for safety.

Dozens of homes in Athens have been gutted while a third fire broke out on the island of Rhodes.

Firefighter teams intervene a wildfire at the village of Ano Vlichada, near Athens (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Locals view a wildfire near the village Vlyhada near Athens (Getty Images)

Locals help a firefighter as they try to extinguish a wildfire burning near the village Vlyhada near Athens (Getty Images)

Can we adapt enough to make heatwaves like this manageable? Expert explains

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:15 , Matt Drake

Dr Vikki Thompson, Climate Scientist, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, said: Although heatwaves kill thousands, and are often called a silent killer one positive is that the health impacts can be reduced. Simply communicating the risks can reduce health impacts considerably.

Relatively simple measures such as adjusting work hours for outdoor workers, ensuring access to water, and providing public cooling centres, can make huge differences to the impacts of extreme heat on human health.

Italy has seen a spike in hospital admissions

Wednesday 19 July 2023 17:04 , Matt Drake

Italian hospitals in the worst-hit regions have seen a spike in patients seeking help for heat-related emergencies.

Temperatures remained exceptionally high across much of the country just one day after record highs were recorded in a number of cities, including the capital Rome.

Lazio region, which is centred on Rome, saw a 20 per cent increase in medical emergencies on Wednesday.

Giulio Maria Ricciuto, head of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU) in Lazio, said: "What we are also noticing, linked to the heat, is an increase in admissions for psychiatric pathologies... even suicidal tendencies."

Can we adapt enough to make heatwaves manageable? Expert explains

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:45 , Matt Drake

Prof Daniela Schmidt, Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, said: Last year in Europe alone, over 60,000 people died of consequence of the heat showing that there are limits to our current adaptation.

Air conditioning will help inside buildings, but does not protect people working outside and will increase use of electricity increasing the problem.

Building interventions can help keeping homes cooler and we can change our behaviour. Heatproofing our cities will take longer time to implement. The effectiveness of all of these will depend on how hot it will become.

Nature has fewer options and species are moving up mountains and towards the poles to evade the heat.

Such a migration changes ecosystems and food webs. Reforestation, habitat restoration are long term strategies to increase resilience of ecosystems but they do not remove the problem of extreme heat. Only mitigation does.

Uptick in UK staycation amid Europe heatwave

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:21 , Matt Drake

Bookings for UK staycations have seen a 14% increase year-on-year since the start of July according to holidaycottages.co.uk.

In the last week alone, the company, which is one of the UKs leading holiday letting agencies, has also reported a further 14 per cent increase in general searches for properties on its website which it attributes as a direct result of the European heatwave and airline disruption which is making people think twice when it comes to travelling abroad.

Juliette Parry, Head of Brand for holidaycottages.co.uk, said: "Were certainly seeing people choosing to avoid unprecedented temperatures and also potential flight disruption by postponing or cancelling their trip abroad and opting for a holiday or short break in the UK instead.

The UK certainly has a whole host of beautiful destinations right on its doorstep, with Cornwall, Wales and Scotland amongst our top searched destinations right now. With a choice of over 15,000 holiday homes, even if youre needing to change your holiday plans last-minute, we have something available for every budget and every kind of relaxation.

Saudia Arabi becomes ninth country to reach 50C, says climatologist

Wednesday 19 July 2023 16:10 , Tara Cobham

Saudi Arabia joined the group of countries that have reached the temperature of 50C this year, with 50.5C being recorded at Al Ahsa on Tuesday, according to a climatologist and weather historian.

Maximiliano Herrera tweeted that nine countries have now recorded temperatures of or exceeding 50C.

Yesterday 18 July Saudi Arabia joined the club of the 50C in 2023 with 50.5C at Al Ahsa (which is 0.3C from its all time record).

Now 9 countries have recorded >50C in 2023, but not Pakistan,which uses to record it quite often. pic.twitter.com/O70oDV0AAG  Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) July 19, 2023

Satellite image of Mediterranean region showing high concentration of dust

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:55 , Tara Cobham

A satellite image of the Mediterranean region showing a high concentration of dust forecast for Wednesday has been released by The European Space Agency.

It said the western Mediterranean basin is set to be affected by high concentrations of Saharan dust, further exacerbating the extreme weather conditions of recent days.

In Greece, the situation is compounded by ongoing wildfires, which have devastated areas near Athens and in Eastern Peloponnese, forcing residents to evacuate.

The image is based on data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which provides detailed dust forecasts for the region, helping to monitor and understand the distribution and impact of these dust concentrations.

A satellite image of the Mediterranean region showing a high concentration of dust forecast for Wednesday has been released by The European Space Agency (European Union, Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service Data)

Recap: Gaza power shortages worsened by heatwave as some residents call for protests

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:40 , Tara Cobham

A heatwave in the Gaza Strip that has sent temperatures over 38 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) worsened power shortages and sparked discontent among residents who expressed frustration with the ruling Islamist Hamas group.

Hamas, which has run the territory since 2007 blames a 16-year-long Israeli blockade for devastating Gaza's economy and undermining development, including the power network.

More than 2.3 million people live in a narrow strip of land squeezed between Egypt and Israel, suffering power cuts for up to 12 hours a day.

The crisis has provoked an unusual wave of social media protests. While asserting Israel was primarily responsible for the Gaza problem, residents demanded action from Hamas. Some called for street protests.

Jalal Ismail, the Hamas-appointed chairman of the Gaza Energy Authority, said the current problem was driven by the soaring heatwave.

"We haven't witnessed such heat in years, and we get electricity for around six hours a day, so I can't fan my children, so I am using the plastic tray to fan them because of the severe heat," said Yasmin Fojo, a mother of five from Nahrelbared camp in southern Gaza Strip.

The five hidden hazards heatwaves pose to children

Wednesday 19 July 2023 15:23 , Tara Cobham

As temperatures soar across the world, extreme heat is putting childrens health at risk, locking them out of education and making them increasingly anxious about the future, Save the Children have said, adding that children affected by poverty, inequality and discrimination are disproportionately impacted.

Here are five ways the organisation has said scorching heatwaves are impacting the rights of children:

1. Health impacts: Children exposed to extreme heat are at greater risk of respiratory disease, kidney disease and other health hazards.

2. Disrupted learning: Recent heatwaves have seen schools close around the world.

3. Hunger: Across the world, crop failures and the death of livestock brought about by extreme heat put food out of reach for children and families and often end up pushing prices up for everyone.

4. Unable to play: With authorities warning people to stay inside, children are more likely to be cooped up, lonely and unable to do activities that are critical to their physical and mental development.

5. Psychological distress: Hot summer days drive up the number of people experiencing mental health emergencies, according to recent research.

EU rushes firefighters to Greece as gruelling Mediterranean heatwaves takes toll

Wednesday 19 July 2023 14:29 , Tara Cobham

Fire planes and ground crews from several European countries were heading to Greece where wildfires have intensified as relentless heatwave conditions are keeping much of southern Europe above 40C (104F).

Three firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia were due in Greece on Thursday, while Israel had pledged two firefighting aircraft, adding to the four planes from Italy and France already operating outside Athens.

New evacuations were ordered on Wednesday as wildfires raged near the Greek capital. A second heatwave hit the Mediterranean country from the west following days of record-high temperatures that baked southern Europe.

In a round-the-clock battle to preserve forests, industrial facilities and holiday homes, evacuations continued for a third day along a motorway connecting Athens to the southern city of Corinth.

Temperatures in southern Greece are expected to reach 44C (111F) by the end of the week, in the second heatwave to hit Europe's Mediterranean south in two weeks.

Tourists flock to Chinas Flaming Mountains as heatwave hits record 28th day

Wednesday 19 July 2023 13:39 , Tara Cobham

Several tourists gathered at Chinas scenic Flaming Mountains tourist spot to experience spiking temperatures amid continuing heatwaves lashing Asia and much of the northern hemisphere.

Situated in Xinjiang, the Flaming Mountains are a popular tourist attraction that draw thousands to the northern rim of the Turpan Depression each summer, as people come to gaze at corrugated slopes of brown-red sandstone.

The ground at the spot emanates heat not experienced before by many.

Stuti Mishra reports:

Tourists flock to Chinas Flaming Mountains as heatwave hits record 28th day

Temperatures expected to hit 43C on Thursday as Greek residents lose everything in wildfires

Wednesday 19 July 2023 13:08 , Holly Evans

Wildfires continue to burn for a third day west of the Greek capital Athens, with air water bombers resuming operations at first light and firefighters working to keep flames away from coastal refineries.

Fanned by erratic winds, the fires have gutted dozens of homes, prompted hundreds of people to flee and blanketed the area in thick smoke. Temperatures could climb to 43C on Thursday, forecasters said.

Residents have been left surveying the wreckage of their homes after the wildfires, which has been dubbed a fiery hell by local media.

Everything burned, everything. I will throw it all, its all waste. The boiler burned, its done, it melted, said Abbram Paroutsidis, 65.

Residents look in despair at their house which has been completely destroyed due to a wildfire, in Dervenochoria, northwest of Attica region, Greece. (EPA)

Extreme weather is linked to human-induced climate change, says expert

Wednesday 19 July 2023 12:42 , Holly Evans

The European Space Agency has pointed to climate change as one of the deciding factors behind the extreme weather events, particularly heatwaves.

Speaking to Sky News, Dr. Clement Albergel said: If theres one kind of weather extreme that we can clearly link to human-induced climate change, its worsening heatwaves.

Heatwaves are getting hotter, they are occurring at a higher frequency, increasing the likelihood of sequential heatwaves.

This comes after the World Meteorological Organisation said there was no immediate respite in sight with a continuation of extreme heat potentially extending into August.

Red alert issued for 85% of Italys biggest cities

Wednesday 19 July 2023 12:23 , Holly Evans

Red alerts for extreme heat have been issued for 23 of Italys 27 biggest cities, including the capital Rome, Naples, Florence and Verona.

With the heatwave set to hit peak temperatures today, the alert means that the extreme heat will affect everyone, not just those from vulnerable groups.

Electricity consumption reached a 2023 record on Tuesday afternoon as people ramped up the air condition to cope with the heat, grid operator Terna said.

Hospitals across the country have seen a shharp increase in the number of people seeking emergency care for heat-related illnesses.

Tourists cool off with a fan in Rome as red alerts issued across the country (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In pictures: Wildfires continue to rage in Greece

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:55 , Tara Cobham

Wildfire burning near the village of Kandyli, near Athens (REUTERS)

An aerial view shows a burnt forest after a fire in Magoula, 21km northwest of central Athens (AFP/Getty)

House threatened by a fire at the settlement of Kandyli, near Athens (AFP/Getty)

Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:35 , Tara Cobham

Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly Charon heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

Travel Correspondent Simon Calder reports:

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Planning system must change for local authorities to address climate change'

Wednesday 19 July 2023 11:15 , Tara Cobham

The planning system must change to allow local authorities to address climate change and contribute towards net zero, a new report has found.

The Spatial Planning for Climate Resilience and Net Zero report, commissioned by the Committee for Climate Change (CCC), analysed national and local planning policy as well as an evidence review, case studies and a survey of planning practitioners.

Researchers found a disparity between the potential of the planning system as a tool for driving carbon reductions and its actual performance on the ground. They also said there has been a failure by successive governments to prioritise the role of planning in tackling climate objectives, including net zero targets.

Elsewhere, the report found that no local plan was identified as being fully aligned with the UK's net zero pathway and that guidance on climate adaptation, like resilience to heatwaves, is insufficiently developed.

It comes after CCC chairman Lord Deben warned last month that the planning system "must not prevent the rollout of infrastructure needed to deliver net zero".

Campaigners, planners and industry stakeholders, including the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) who produced the report, are now calling for widespread planning reform.

What is driving the record-breaking global heatwaves across three continents?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:55 , Tara Cobham

Historic heatwaves are sweeping the planet from China to Europe and the United States, with 2023 on track to become the hottest year on Earth since records began.

Rome and Catalonia on Tuesday recorded their highest temperatures ever, provisional data suggests, as southern Europe is gripped by extreme heat and wildfires.

Meteorologists predict this week Europe can record its highest temperature ever as parts of Italy are forecast to cross 48C (118.4F).

Stuti Mishra reports:

What is driving the record-breaking global heatwaves across three continents?

British family abandons 2.5k Greek holiday over blistering 40C heatwave

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:35 , Tara Cobham

A British family abandoned their 2,500 Greek holiday three days early because of the unbearable Cerberus heatwave - saying their hotel turned into a "giant oven".

Sally Urwin, 49, and her two teenage sons decided to jet back from Rhodes after temperatures soared above 40C.

The trio landed on the island on 12 July and had been planning to stay for a week.

But the heatwave forced them to spend all day in their hotel, which became boiling hot, said Ms Urwin.

Josie Adnitt reports:

British family abandon 2.5k Greek holiday over blistering 40C Cerberus heatwave

Germany debates need for siesta and cold footbaths amid sizzling temperatures

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:20 , Tara Cobham

A public health group has recommended the introduction of siestas in Germany as temperatures soar in a sizzling summer heatwave.

Johannes Niessen, the head of the BVOeGD public health officers association, said Germans should follow the habits of people in the hotter climes of southern Europe.

"Get up early, work productively in the morning, and take a siesta at midday," he said in an interview published by the RND media network on Tuesday.

The World Meteorological Organization warned a heatwave in the northern hemisphere was set to intensify, increasing the risk of deaths linked to excessively high temperatures.

While Germany has escaped the kind of temperatures that hit southern Europe this week, it has sweltered in the mid-30s Celsius, with Bavaria seeing the country's record high so far at 38.8 degrees Celsius.

"People are not as efficient in strong heat as they are otherwise," Niessen said. "Moreover bad sleep in the absence of cooling in the night leads to concentration problems."

Extreme heat is major hazard warns WMO alongside global map

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:35 , Tara Cobham

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that extreme heat is a major hazard as it releases a map by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts showing the heatwave gripping the world.

Simultaneous heatwaves are occurring across the northern hemisphere, with prolonged day time temperatures well above 40C (104F).

Extreme heat is a major hazard and we need to step up #EarlyWarningsForAll.

WMO heat-health round up at https://t.co/oYOYBsk6VF

Chart from @ECMWF pic.twitter.com/OlRtuyocrc  World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) July 18, 2023

In pictures: Heatwave grips Europe

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:13 , Tara Cobham

A Greek policeman evacuates a child from wild fire at the village of Agios Charamlabos, near the capital Athens (AFP via Getty Images)

People crowd a beach in Valencia, eastern Spain as a new heatwave hits the country (EPA)

A firefighting helicopter flies through smoke as people look on in Mandra, west of Athens (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Beijing sets new record for most number of high-temperature days in year

Wednesday 19 July 2023 09:03 , Tara Cobham

Beijing logged its 28th day of temperatures of more than 35C on Wednesday, setting a new record for the most number of high-temperature days in a year, a milestone that was last broken just a day earlier.

In recent days, temperatures in Asia, Europe and the United States have shattered records, adding new urgency for nations around the globe to tackle climate change that scientists say will make heatwaves more frequent, severe and lethal.

As the sweltering heat baked the country's north and northwest, China and the United States - the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters - have been holding intense, marathon talks in Beijing this week on fighting climate change.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said on Tuesday that climate change was a global issue - "a threat to all of humankind."

Wildfires continue in Greece as EU allies send aid

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:15 , Tara Cobham

Wildfires burned for a third day west of the Greek capital Athens on Wednesday, as authorities braced for a new heatwave stoking tinderbox conditions across the country.

At first light, air water bombers resumed operations over the towns of Mandra, west of Athens, and Loutraki, close to the Corinth canal which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese. Firefighters worked throughout the night to keep flames at bay and away from a complex of coastal refineries.

Four aircraft sent from Italy and France will join the efforts on Wednesday, authorities said.

The fire brigade reported that a third fire had broken out on the island of Rhodes.

Dozens of homes were gutted and hundreds forced to flee towering flames which seared through hamlets on Tuesday. Traffic was suspended for hours on two roads connecting the mainland to the Peloponnese. They were partially reopened early Wednesday.

The fire risk hazard was high throughout the country. "We remain on a level of high alert," said fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis. The Greek meteorological service has warned of a high risk of fires this week, just as the country recovers from the first major heatwave of the summer. A second heatwave was forecast to start on Thursday.

Which holiday destinations will be hottest this week and how can you stay safe?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Cerberus heatwave has been causing the mercury to rise across southern Europe since last week, bringing temperatures of 40C and upwards in some parts of the continent.

With preliminary figures showing Earths average temperature set a new record high on 13 July for the third time in a week, this new spell of hot weather will continue to impact holidaymakers  particularly those heading for the Mediterranean countries of Spain, Italy and Greece  as well as locals.

The heatwave has been caused by a combination of unusually high surface temperatures at sea and an area of high pressure over the Mediterranean, with the addition of clouds of Saharan dust in some areas.

If youre currently on holiday in Europe or getting ready to depart, you may be wondering what youll encounter across the Channel. Here are the literal holiday hotspots that are predicted to hit the highest temperatures this week, plus tips on how best to avoid the punishing heat while youre travelling.

Chris Wilson reports.

The hottest destinations in Europe this week  and how to stay safe

Heatwaves to become more severe, say UN experts

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said heatwaves like the one hitting Europe currently will become more severe in the coming years due to extreme weather patterns.

These events will continue to grow in intensity and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves, said John Nairn, senior extreme heat adviser at the agency.

Meanwhile, the EUs emergency response coordination centre issued red alerts for high temperatures for most of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Passengers pass out as Vegas flight stranded in 43.8C heat on tarmac

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Multiple passengers passed out and had to be wheeled away in stretchers and some reportedly soiled themselves on Monday after their Delta Air Lines flight sat in stifling heat on the tarmac at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

Passengers were first alerted to an issue as their flight sat behind over a dozen other planes preparing to take off.

The pilot informed passengers the plane would be turning around due to emergencies, according to a Fox News producer who was aboard the flight.

Those in the cabin were instructed to remain in their seats until paramedics could meet the plane. As the situation worsened, the Fox producer witnessed passengers faint and others soil themselves as the plane sat in the baking 111F (43.8C) heat.

Josh Marcus and Rituparna Chatterjee report.

Passengers carted off in stretchers as Vegas flight stranded in extreme heat

Met Office gives update on whether 40C heatwave would hit Britain

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Any remaining rain in central and eastern England is expected to clear on Wednesday, giving way to a day of sunshine and showers, according to the latest forecast by the Met Office.

According to a Met spokesperson, the central and eastern regions can expect the highest frequency and intensity of showers. Wednesday is going to be widely warmer than Tuesday.

There are lower chances of the UKs temperature climbing upto 40C after days of unsettled July weather.

Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge said there was no forecast signal for temperatures to reach as high as 40C although a long-range forecast showed some heat returning in August.

Stuti Mishra reports.

Met Office gives update on whether 40C heatwave would hit Britain

Why is there no UK heatwave?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

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.

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 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.

Stuti Mishra explains.

Why is there no UK heatwave as Europe swelters during Charon?

Wildfires force hundreds to evacuate Greece as EU pledge assistance

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Two wildfires swept uncontrolled through forestland and towns northwest of Athens, forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes as authorities shut down highways to protect an oil refinery.

Water-dropping airplanes and helicopters flew low as a blanket of smoke tinted orange by the sunset to try and contain two wildfires to the west of Athens.

The EU has pledged additional assistance, while forecasts indicated more extreme heat was on the way.

Traffic was suspended for hours on two national roads connecting Athens with the cities of Elefsina and Corinth, where oil refineries operate. The flames were headed toward the seaside town of Nea Peramos.

Homes and a small shipyard in the town of Neos Pontos had been destroyed. Earlier a thick column of smoke rose into the sky after an explosion, a witness told Reuters.

A firefighting aircraft drops water to extinguish a wildfire at Aghios Charalambos area in Loutraki, Corinth, Greece (EPA)

Britons recall unbearable heat a year on

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Residents in the town that recorded the UKs highest temperature have recalled the unbearable heat one year on.

A temperature of 40.3C was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 19 July 2022 as the country was hit with record-high temperatures for several days.

Trevor Pattinson, manager of RH Papworth butchers in the town, told PA news agency he and his staff still worked 10-hour days throughout the heatwave and despite the tough conditions, everybody still wanted us to bake pies.

He said: We struggled, we topped out at 48 degrees inside when we had the big oven on.We are always eight to 10 degrees warmer in the shop anyway. It was unbearable. We had to have lots of water and ice cream.

Julia Harrington, who also works in the butchers, said she spent much of her day in the shops refrigerated unit due to the heat.

We worry about having to do it next year. There was a report about a heatwave coming this year and we were all getting a bit twitchy, she said.

Satellite images reveal extent of heatwave across Europe

Wednesday 19 July 2023 06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Satellite photos illustrating the ongoing exceptional heatwave in southern Europe have been released by the European Space Agency as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

One of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite images captured on Sunday reveals a clear view of Greece without clouds, while another uses data from the missions radiometer instrument to show the land surface temperature across Europe and parts of northern Africa on the first day of the recent heatwaves.

Meteorologists predict that temperatures this week could surpass Europes current record of 48.8C, set in Sicily in August 2021, while the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast the heatwave is likely to last into August.

Tara Cobham reports.

Incredible satellite images reveal extent of heatwave across Europe

Families unable to cancel summer holidays despite extreme heat warnings and wildfires

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:47 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Families face having to cancel their summer holidays to Spain and Greece with no compensation, despite the exceptional heatwave subjecting swathes of Europe to extreme temperatures and wildfires.

While the Foreign Office has issued warnings over scorching temperatures in both Spain and Greece, as wildfires rage on La Palma and near Athens, the UK government has so far stopped short of issuing dont travel advice.

As a result, there is no automatic right for families to curtail, cancel or change planned trips, and holiday companies and airlines contacted by The Independent say normal terms and conditions will apply.

More from Simon Calder and Andy Gregory here.

Families unable to cancel summer holidays despite extreme heat warnings and wildfires

Rise in hospitalisations due to heat-related illness in Italy

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

There has been a sharp rise in the number of people seeking emergency care for heat-related illness as a severe heatwave continues to sweep Europe.

Hospitals reported a 20-25 per cent increase in the number of people at emergency units with complaints of dehydration or other illnesses caused by heat as temperatures in Rome hit 41.86C.

The Cardarelli hospital in Naples said 231 patients had accessed emergency care there within the last 24 hours, The Guardian reported.

While most patients were elderly, people of all ages, including tourists, have been seeking care.We are experiencing an extremely delicate moment, Antonio dAmore, the hospitals director-general told the daily.

Two per cent of the people admitted on Monday were in serious condition and 38 per cent in moderately critical condition, the director-general added.

Sicily crosses 46C as temperatures forecast to soar

Wednesday 19 July 2023 05:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Sicily recorded 46.3C yesterday as the rest of southern Europe struggled with a severe heatwave, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

The Spanish state meteorological service warned of temperatures between 42C and 44C and issued top-level red alerts for some interior parts of the country and the Balearic Islands.

Italys national meteorological service also issued red alerts for extreme heat in southern Italy, Sicily and Sardinia, with temperatures well above 40C.

Parts of the Balkans are also under red alert.

The heat is forecast to intensify by the middle of the week in parts of the Mediterranean, including Greece and Turkey.

In Spain, the town of Figueres in Catalonia recorded 45.3C yesterday.

We've updated the WMO #heatwave roundup with some of the extreme temperatures recorded today.

eg

Sicily/Italy

Licata, 46.3 C

Riesi, 45.8 C

Spain

Figueres (Catalonia), 45.3 C

Porqueres (Catalonia), 44.3 C

Granada (Andalucia), 43.3 C

Stay tuned:https://t.co/wcrjX1ICIl pic.twitter.com/CsNJgVHYXP  World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) July 18, 2023

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Wednesday 19 July 2023 04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Europe is set to continue to bake under extreme heat for weeks as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

Another anticyclone dubbed Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, advanced into the Mediterranean region from North Africa on Sunday and could soon lift temperatures well above 45C in parts of Italy, Spain and Greece.

The unrelenting heatwave has shown no sign of abating on Tuesday, with Italy bracing for its highest-ever temperature as Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to reach 48C. Meanwhile, 20 out of the countrys 27 main cities have been issued with red warning alerts - signalling a possible health threat for anyone exposed to the heat - with the number expected to rise to 23 on Wednesday.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast the heatwave should intensify by mid-week, with a spokeswoman telling The Independent the above normal temperatures of the past week are expected to continue over the next week.

Tara Cobham has more.

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Arizona driver claims extreme heat melted her car light

Wednesday 19 July 2023 04:15 , Matt Drake

As Arizona swelters in a punishing 19-day heatwave, one motorist has claimed that the extreme temperatures melted her car light.

Sierra Ramos posted a TikTok on Monday showing her tail light had apparently liquefied in the summer heat.

Guys, the light is melting, she says in the viral clip which has racked up more than 260,000 views in 24 hours.

Crazy it was 131 degrees outside, Ms Ramos added in a caption.

Phoenix was expected to set a record-breaking stretch of 19 days when the temperatures topped 110F (43C) on Tuesday. Gauges reached a scorching 114F (45.5C) on Monday.

Arizona driver claims extreme heat melted her car light

Expert warns of heart attack risk as heatwaves intensify

Wednesday 19 July 2023 03:53 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Mallorca issues extreme risk warning as holiday companies insist normal terms apply for cancellations

Wednesday 19 July 2023 03:40 , Matt Drake

As the build-up to the peak getaway weekend gets under way, holidaymakers heading for the favourite Spanish island destination, Mallorca, face extreme risk.

Spains state meteorological office, Aemet, is warning temperatures in the north, northeast and centre could reach up to 43C. The area includes popular resorts such as Alcudia and Port de Pollenca.

The official rating is extreme risk between 11am and 8pm local time today.

The Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that overnight highs above 36C have been recorded, including in the marina resort of Puerto Soller, with nighttime humidity that can reach 100 per cent.

The Foreign Office has issued warnings of extreme temperatures for both Spain and Greece, where wildfires have been raging.

Mallorca extreme risk heat warning as holiday companies insist normal terms apply

Heatwaves set records, trigger health warnings in US and Europe

Wednesday 19 July 2023 02:40 , Matt Drake

Heatwaves intensified across southern and eastern Europe, Asia, and much of the United States on Tuesday as the World Meteorological Organisation warned of an increased risk of deaths due to the extreme weather.

Across the United States, Americans grappled with a medley of extreme weather, from blazing heat to wildfire smoke-choked air and flood warnings, with a tropical storm headed for the Pacific island state of Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon.

The southwestern city of Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) for the 19th day in a row, breaking its all-time record of 18 straight days over 110.

Forget Cerberus  these heatwaves will soon be Britains new normal

Wednesday 19 July 2023 01:40 , Matt Drake

Europe braces for temperatures touching 49C. Fires rage in the forests of Spain. More than a dozen cities across Italy are put on red heat alert. The Acropolis is closed to tourists as holidaymakers buckle in the midday sun.

The current Cerberus heatwave in Southern Europe, we have been told, could well lead to potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe, while we have also been told that the first week of July was the hottest week ever recorded worldwide.

This year has also seen the hottest June on record in the UK, with an average temperature of 15.8C during the month. And, just last year, the temperature in the UK crossed 40C for the first time ever.

Forget Cerberus  these heatwaves will soon be Britains new normal

Wildfires in Greece close highways and threaten an oil refinery, as the EU sends firefighting planes

Wednesday 19 July 2023 00:40 , Matt Drake

Fast-moving wildfires swept across hills in the searing heat outside the Greek capital on Tuesday, forcing authorities to close highways to help protect an oil refinery.Water-dropping airplanes and helicopters flew low though a blanket of smoke tinted orange by the sunset to try and contain two wildfires to the west of Athens before nightfall.The European Union pledged additional assistance, while forecasts indicated more extreme heat was on the way.Italy and France were each sending two firefighting planes to help Greece cope. The planes and their teams are part of an EU civil protection mechanism, and they will join some 30 Romanian firefighters already stationed in Greece as part of a seasonal EU fire program, European officials said Tuesday.

What has happened today?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 23:40 , Matt Drake

Simultaneous heatwaves across Europe, America and Asia continued

Heatwave in the northern hemisphere has been predicted to intensify in the coming days

WMO warned of increased risk of deaths from heatwaves

Large swathes of southern and eastern Europe were placed on heatwave red alert

A pensioner died of suspected heatstroke in Cyprus

2023 is set to be hottest on record amid global heatwaves, scientists say

Tuesday 18 July 2023 22:40 , Matt Drake

This year is set to be the hottest on record for Earth, scientists said, amid blistering heatwaves across the northern hemisphere and global temperature records being shattered one after another.

An analysis published by Berkley Earth in July found there to be a more than 80 per cent chance of 2023 being the hottest year on record.

The organisation, which analyses each months global temperatures and predicts extreme temperature records, had earlier in May set the chance of 2023 becoming the hottest at 54 per cent.

Since then, the Earth has recorded its hottest temperatures ever in July, ocean heatwaves have been off the charts and unprecedented heatwaves have been striking one region of the world after another.

Currently, the Mediterranean is in the middle of blistering heat and wildfires that could see temperatures soaring to the hottest ever recorded on the continent.

2023 is set to be hottest on record amid global heatwaves, scientists say

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 21:45 , Matt Drake

Europe is set to continue to bake under extreme heat for weeks as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

Another anticyclone dubbed Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, advanced into the Mediterranean region from North Africa on Sunday and could soon lift temperatures well above 45C in parts of Italy, Spain and Greece.

The unrelenting heatwave has shown no sign of abating on Tuesday, with Italy bracing for its highest-ever temperature as Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to reach 48C. Meanwhile, 20 out of the countrys 27 main cities have been issued with red warning alerts - signalling a possible health threat for anyone exposed to the heat - with the number expected to rise to 23 on Wednesday.

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

WMO tweets heat map of planet

Tuesday 18 July 2023 21:15 , Matt Drake

It comes as the northern hemisphere has been hit by simultaneous heatwaves

There have been prolonged daytime temperatures well above 40C with wildfires and people hospitalised from heatstroke.

The World Health Organisation has tweeted a heatmap of the planet, which also shows wind speeds, along with the hashtag EarlyWarningsForAll.

Simultaneous heatwaves are occurring across the northern hemisphere, with prolonged day time temperatures well above 40C (104F).

Extreme heat is a major hazard and we need to step up #EarlyWarningsForAll.

WMO heat-health round up at https://t.co/oYOYBsk6VF

Chart from @ECMWF pic.twitter.com/OlRtuyocrc  World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) July 18, 2023

Swiss deploying soldiers to tackle fires

Tuesday 18 July 2023 20:45 , Matt Drake

The Swiss government said that starting on Wednesday, militia soldiers would be called upon to detect smouldering fires. The Swiss army had previously dispatched a helicopter to support firefighting efforts.

It comes after a forest fire intensified on Tuesday which forced more than 200 people to evacuate.

The situation could deteriorate further if winds grow stronger, said Adrienne Bellwald, spokesperson for the cantonal police.

Hottest temperatures in Europe recorded today

Tuesday 18 July 2023 20:15 , Matt Drake

The World Meteorological Organisation has tweeted a list of some of the extreme temperatures recorded today.

WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas said: "The extreme weather  an increasingly frequent occurrence in our warming climate  is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy and water supplies.

"This underlines the increasing urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible." Sicily/Italy

Licata, 46.3 C

Riesi, 45.8 C

Spain

Figueres (Catalonia), 45.3 C

Porqueres (Catalonia), 44.3 C

Granada (Andalucia), 43.3 C

We've updated the WMO #heatwave roundup with some of the extreme temperatures recorded today.

eg

Sicily/Italy

Licata, 46.3 C

Riesi, 45.8 C

Spain

Figueres (Catalonia), 45.3 C

Porqueres (Catalonia), 44.3 C

Granada (Andalucia), 43.3 C

Stay tuned:https://t.co/wcrjX1ICIl pic.twitter.com/CsNJgVHYXP  World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) July 18, 2023

Met Office remembers Wales heat record set a year ago today

Tuesday 18 July 2023 19:45 , Matt Drake

The Met Office has tweeted on the anniversary of Wales' national temperature record.

On July 18, 2022, Wales recorded a temperature of 37.1C.

But today's temperature at Hawarden Airport was only 16.9C.

 What a contrast to this day last year



The 18th July 2022 saw Wales set a new national temperature record of 37.1C



Today's top temperature at Hawarden Airport was over 20 degrees Celsius lower! pic.twitter.com/OlYpKwAjwM  Met Office (@metoffice) July 18, 2023

Switzerland is warming at more than twice the global average

Tuesday 18 July 2023 19:15 , Matt Drake

Switzerland is warming at more than twice the global average, partly due to its distance from the ocean which helps absorb extra heat.

Its Federal Office for the Environment has warned forest fires could become more frequent, especially in summer, due to an increase in hot, dry weather caused by climate change.

The current conflagration has already destroyed more than half the forest area that would have been burned by more than 100 smaller fires in a typical year, the same government department said in emailed comments to Reuters.

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 18:45 , Matt Drake

Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly Charon heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

With forecasters predicting the heatwave could last for up to two weeks, concerns are growing about the risks to health. As The Independent reported this week, 61,000 Europeans are believed to have died as a result of the extreme heat last summer.

For travellers contemplating their options, these are the key questions and answers.

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Pensioner dies from heatstroke in Cyrpus

Tuesday 18 July 2023 18:03 , Matt Drake

According to the Cyrpus Mail, a 90-year-old died on Sunday from a suspected heatstroke.

The pensioner was rushed to a hospital in Nicosia and another two elderly people are being monitored as well.

A state health spokesman said the man lived in a nursing home.

Greek Prime Minister rushes home amid wildfire

Tuesday 18 July 2023 17:38 , Matt Drake

A wildfire swept uncontrolled through forests northwest of Athens for a second day on Tuesday, forcing more residents to flee their homes and Greeces prime minister to urgently return home from a summit in Brussels.Greeces recently re-elected Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cut short his trip to Brussels, where he had been attending an EU-Latin America summit, earlier on Tuesday.

More than 250 firefighters assisted by 75 fire engines, 11 aircraft and nine helicopters battled the fire.

Firefighters managed to contain other blazes southeast and west of the Greek capital, but the fronts were still active and were easily rekindled by strong winds.

Watch live: Smoke rises from intensifying wildfires north of Athens

Tuesday 18 July 2023 17:02 , Andy Gregory

Swathes of Europe on red alert for heat

Tuesday 18 July 2023 16:29 , Andy Gregory

The EU's emergency response coordination centre has issued red alerts for high temperatures for most of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

There are fears of a repeat of last years heat deaths, when an estimated 61,000 people may have died in in Europe alone.

Temperatures in North America, Asia, and across North Africa and the Mediterranean will be above 40C for a prolonged number of days this week as the heatwave intensifies, the World Meteorological Organisation said.

Overnight minimum temperatures were also expected to reach new highs, the UN weather agency said, creating the risk of increased cases of heart attacks and deaths.

Whilst most of the attention focuses on daytime maximum temperatures, it is the overnight temperatures which have the biggest health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, it said.

Rome temperature record shattered

Tuesday 18 July 2023 16:07 , Andy Gregory

Rome has endured a new record high temperature of 41.8C, the weather service of the local Lazio region reported.

The previous record of 40.7 C was set in June 2022. That temperature was overtaken in various parts of Rome on Tuesday, with a weather station in the eastern suburbs registering the new high.

(AP)

Incredible satellite images reveal extent of heatwave across Europe

Tuesday 18 July 2023 16:00 , Andy Gregory

Satellite photos illustrating the exceptional heatwave in southern Europe have been released by the European Space Agency as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

One of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite images captured on Sunday reveals a clear view of Greece without clouds, while another uses data from the missions radiometer instrument to show the land surface temperature across Europe and parts of northern Africa on the first day of the recent heatwaves.

My colleague Tara Cobham has the full report and images here:

Incredible satellite images reveal extent of heatwave across Europe

Catalonia heat record broken as temperatures surpass 45C

Tuesday 18 July 2023 15:32 , Andy Gregory

Catalonias heat record has been broken as temperatures soared above 45C close to the Spain-France border, provisional data suggests.

Data from the regions public weather service showed the mercury hit 45.1C in Darnius on Tuesday  rising far higher than the measuring networks previous record of 43.8C, set in Alcarras during the June 2019 heatwave.

Prior to that, temperatures of 45C were measured manually in August 1987 and July 1982.

On Tuesday, more than 25 counties in Catolonia were under a red warning for extreme heat, Barcelonas public broadcaster said.

UNBELIEVABLE 45 DEGREES IN CATALUNYA.

The heat event is absolutely historic and it's shattering records with huge margin in dozens stations.

History is being rewritten today between Spain and France.

List and map from https://t.co/6g2EPez9fG pic.twitter.com/GhG9hI66DP  Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) July 18, 2023

Hundreds evacuated as Switzerland mountainside engulfed by wildfire

Tuesday 18 July 2023 15:16 , Andy Gregory

A wildfire in Switzerland has forced the evacuation of more than 200 people, with authorities warning that the blaze could take days or weeks to extinguish fully.

Some 150 firefighters, police, troops and other emergency teams, backed by helicopters, are battling with the wildfire which has engulfed a mountainside in the southwestern Wallis region, evacuating residents of four villages and hamlets in the area.

Mario Schaller, the official in charge of firefighting operations, said the fire has spread to 100 hectares of forest. Despite large amounts of smoke, the blaze began to die down on Tuesday, but could easily pick spread if winds pick up again, officials said.

No one has been injured so far, no buildings have been damaged, Mr Schaller said.

A Rotex helicopter refills its bucket with water over Gibidum dam to extinguish the forest fire above the communes of Bitsch and Ried-Moerel (EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT)

Simultaneous heatwaves have increased sixfold since 1980s, says UN advisor

Tuesday 18 July 2023 14:48 , Andy Gregory

There has been a sixfold increase in simultaneous heatwaves over the past four decades, according to the World Meteorological Society.

In a report on Monday, the United Nations weather agency said a committee of experts had verified the accuracy of the 48.8C European heat record set in August 2021 in Sicily  which forecasters expect could be surpassed in the coming days. The previous verified record of 48C was set in Athens in 1977.

These are not your normal weather systems of the past. They have arrived as a consequence of climate change, said John Nairn, senior extreme heat advisor for the WMO. It is global warming, and its going to continue for some time.

Mr Nairn noted a sixfold increase in simultaneous heat waves since the 1980s, and the trend line isnt changing.

Heatwaves a silent and invisible killer, says expert

Tuesday 18 July 2023 14:28 , Andy Gregory

Heatwaves are a silent and invisible killer whose impact will not be truly known for several months, an expert has warned.

Seven countries in Southern Europe currently have the most severe red warning for heat, and in many of these locations the above average temperatures are expected to last well into August, said Professor Liz Stephens, of the University of Reading.

The jet stream is currently in a stationary position, which means that weather systems are kept in a holding pattern that makes heat build up in some regions of the world such as southern Europe, southern North America and Eastern China, while other parts of the world such as New York state and Japan suffer from persistent heavy rainfall.

Current extreme sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea are fuelling the heat wave by keeping night-time temperatures at uncomfortable levels. This worsens the impacts on human health.

Extreme fire danger is accompanying the heat wave as a result of dry vegetation and the high temperatures. As well as the direct risk to life, the resultant air pollution can exacerbate health impacts.

There is strong evidence that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, though there is still a lot of debate around how climate change is affecting the stationary jet stream pattern. This kind of pattern was also linked to the European floods in 2021.

Heatwaves are a silent and invisible killer. We dont often see the impact that they have had on human health until the mortality statistics are published many months later.

In pictures: Wildfires rage near Athens

Tuesday 18 July 2023 13:56 , Andy Gregory

With evacuation orders issued for at least six seaside communities affected by two wildfires near Athens yesterday, the Greek army, police special forces and volunteer rescuers freed retirees from their homes, rescued horses from a stable, and helped monks flee a monastery threatened by the flames.

Here are some recent images of the wildfires in Greece and elsewhere:

Local residents try to protect a house from the raging fire in Lagonisi area, some 35 kilometeres from Athens (AFP via Getty Images)

Wild fires engulf the fields near the settlement of Pournari, some 25km southwest of Athens (AFP via Getty Images)

A firefighting helicopter dumps water as fire approach houses in Kalamaki near Agioi Theodori about 60 Kilometres west of Athens (AP)

A man stands on a field as smoke of a fire is seen in the background in Inoi near Athens (AP)

One killed and six hospitalised with heatstroke in Cyprus

Tuesday 18 July 2023 13:21 , Andy Gregory

A 90-year-old man died in Cyprus from heatstroke last weekend, while six other elderly people have been hospitalised, health authorities have said.

All seven suffered heatstroke at home last week as temperatures surpassed 43C.

Its terrifying: Spain braces for worst of heatwave

Tuesday 18 July 2023 12:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Residents are doing everything they can to try and keep cool  staying inside, staying hydrated and leaving dog walks until late so paws dont get burnt. Graham Keeley reports from Madrid:

For Kinvara Vaughan, the prospect of record temperatures hitting the Mediterranean from Tuesday fills her with dread.

I saw the headline: heat storm heading for Europe this week. It is terrifying. We are doing a spectacular job destroying the planet, she says from her home in Marbella, southern Spain.

Its terrifying: Spain braces for worst of heatwave

2023 is set to be hottest on record amid global heatwaves, scientists say

Tuesday 18 July 2023 12:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

This year is set to be the hottest on record for Earth, scientists said, amid blistering heatwaves across the northern hemisphere and global temperature records being shattered one after another.

An analysis published by Berkley Earth in July found there to be a more than 80 per cent chance of 2023 being the hottest year on record.

The organisation, which analyses each months global temperatures and predicts extreme temperature records, had earlier in May set the chance of 2023 becoming the hottest at 54 per cent.

Since then, the Earth has recorded its hottest temperatures ever in July, ocean heatwaves have been off the charts and unprecedented heatwaves have been striking one region of the world after another.

2023 is set to be hottest on record amid global heatwaves, scientists say

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 11:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Europe is set to continue to bake under extreme heat for weeks as global temperatures soar towards alarming highs with records expected to be broken.

Another anticyclone dubbed Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, advanced into the Mediterranean region from North Africa on Sunday and could soon lift temperatures well above 45C in parts of Italy, Spain and Greece.

The unrelenting heatwave has shown no sign of abating on Tuesday, with Italy bracing for its highest-ever temperature as Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to reach 48C.

How long is the heatwave in Europe expected to last?

Swiss forest fire could spread if winds pick up, authorities warn

Tuesday 18 July 2023 11:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Swiss firefighters on Tuesday battled a forest fire that forced more than 200 people to evacuate and authorities warned the blaze could spread further if winds pick up and take days or weeks to extinguish fully.

Fire broke out on Monday on the forested flank of a mountain in Bitsch in the Valais canton near the Italian border. Helicopters hovered overhead throughout the night to drop water onto the blaze.

Mario Schaller, in charge of firefighting operations, said it could take days or weeks to fully put out the fire, which has spread to 100 hectares of forest.

No one has been injured so far, no buildings have been damaged, he said.

Although there were large amounts of smoke, the blaze began to die down on Tuesday, but could easily spread if winds pick up again, officials said.

During the night, the goal was to contain the fire in the area where the villages had been evacuated, said Adrienne Bellwald, spokesperson for the cantonal police.

Thankfully the wind has subsided ... The situation is calm now, but it could change with the wind.

The Federal Office for the Environment has warned forest fires could become more frequent, especially in summer, due to an increase in hot, dry weather caused by climate change.

The regional police department said an investigation had been opened to determine the cause of the fire.

Large areas of Europe, Asia and the United States are suffering extreme weather and the World Meteorological Organization warned the northern hemisphere heatwave is set to intensify this week.

(AP)

Greece: Aircraft tackle blazes near Athens as record-breaking temperatures and wildfires continue

Tuesday 18 July 2023 11:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Wildfires raged outside Athens on Monday, 17 July, forcing thousands to flee seaside resorts after days of extreme heat.

Temperatures reached 40C in several areas across Greece over the weekend, and could do so again this week, with Tuesday expected to be the hottest day.

Footage shows a helicopter dropping water on fires as flames and thick smoke rise in night-time footage.

High winds have pushed flames through hillside scrub and pine forests parched by soaring temperatures.

Two major wildfires have edged closer to summer resort towns as gusts of wind hit 70 kph (45 mph), prompting evacuation orders for at least six seaside communities.

Greece: Aircraft tackle blazes as record-breaking temperatures and wildfires continue

Flames from raging wildfires in Spains La Palma captured by drone footage

Tuesday 18 July 2023 11:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Drone footage released by Canary Islands regional firefighters (EIRIF) showed the extent of a raging wildfire in Tijarafe, on the island of La Palma.

The forest fire that forced the evacuation of 4,000 people was being brought under control on Monday (17 July) as temperatures fell, but firefighters kept working on the active fronts and it was still far from being stabilised due to accessibility issues, authorities said.

Fires on La Palma started in the early hours of Saturday in El Pinar de Puntagorda, a wooded area in the north of the island, necessitating the evacuation of people from the villages of Puntagorda and neighbouring Tijarafe.

In Spain, temperatures could rise to as high as 44C in some regions and will not fall below 25C at night, increasing the probability of wildfires.

Flames from raging wildfires in Spains La Palma captured by drone footage

WMO warns of risk of heart attacks and deaths as heatwave intensifies

Tuesday 18 July 2023 10:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The heatwave engulfing the northern hemisphere is set to intensify this week, causing overnight temperatures to surge and leading to an increased risk of heart attacks and deaths, the World Meteorological Organization said on Tuesday.

Temperatures in North America, Asia, and across North Africa and the Mediterranean will be above 40AAC for a prolonged number of days this week as the heatwave intensifies, the WMO said in a statement.

Overnight minimum temperatures were also set to reach new highs, according to the WMO, creating risks of increased cases of heart attacks and deaths.

Whilst most of the attention focuses on daytime maximum temperatures, it is the overnight temperatures which have the biggest health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, the WMO said.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, a researcher specialised in the study of heatwaves said that the high temperatures Europe was experiencing currently were bound to increase.

The Mediterranean heatwave is big but nothing like whats been through North Africa, said John Nairn, Senior Extreme Heat Advisor for WMO. Its developing into Europe at this stage.

Live: Meteorological experts highlight health risks caused by high temperatures

Tuesday 18 July 2023 10:21 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Watch live as experts from World Meteorological Organisation speak to reporters during a UN briefing about extreme heat and the health impact of current high temperatures.

Live: Meteorological experts highlight health risks caused by high temperatures

Wildfire burns forests north of Athens

Tuesday 18 July 2023 10:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A wildfire intensified overnight and swept along forests north of Athens for a second day on Tuesday, authorities said, as fire fighters managed to contain other blazes southeast and west of the Greek capital.

A blaze raged uncontrolled and burned forest in the area of Dervenochoria about 30 km north of Athens, a fire service official said on Tuesday. The fire threatened a pig farm, according to Greek media.

Another fire weakened on Tuesday, having first broke out on Monday in the village of Kouvaras, about 27 kilometres (17 miles) southeast of the Greek capital. Fanned by shifting winds, that fire had quickly spread to the coastal towns of Anavyssos, Lagonisi and Saronida, forcing people to flee their homes.

However, 230 firefighters assisted by 76 fire engines and five helicopters were still operating at different spots in the area, a Greek fire service official said on Tuesday.

Civil protection forces gave an all-night fight, Ioannis Artopoios, a Greek Fire Service spokesman, said in a televised briefing, adding that crews have been replaced to tame the fire on multiple fronts.

A mayor told Greek television that more than 7,000 acres of land was reduced to ashes along a coast, where many Athenians have holiday homes.

A thick layer of white smoke was visible from Athens as a third blaze burned near the seaside resort of Loutraki, about 80 km west of the capital.

The Greek meteorological service has warned of a high risk of fire this week, just as the country is recovering from the first major heatwave of the summer. A second heatwave is forecast for later this week.

(AP)

Brits travelling to Europe given updated travel advice during extreme heat

Tuesday 18 July 2023 10:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Britons travelling to Europe have been told to sign up for emergency alerts as the country is gripped by extreme heat and wildfires.

The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Spain and Greece, with Britons warned of travel disruption as temperatures soar.

It comes after thousands were evacuated from at least six seaside communities near Athens after their homes were threatened by wildfires.

Much of Greece has been baking in near 40C conditions as a heatwave grips the continent, with temperatures in the southeast European country forecast to climb further later this week and into the weekend.

Brits travelling to Europe given updated travel advice during extreme heat

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 09:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly Cerberus heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Europe's sweltering summer could send tourists to cooler climes

Tuesday 18 July 2023 08:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Soaring summer temperatures across southern Europe could prompt a lasting shift in tourist habits, with more travellers choosing cooler destinations or taking their holidays in spring or autumn to dodge the extreme heat, tourism bodies and experts predict.

European Travel Commission (ETC) data shows the number of people hoping to travel to the Mediterranean region in June to November has already fallen 10% compared to last year, when scorching weather led to droughts and wildfires.

Destinations like the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland and Bulgaria have meanwhile seen a spike in interest.

We anticipate that unpredictable weather conditions in the future will have a greater impact on travellers choices in Europe, said Miguel Sanz, the head of the ETC.

A report by the trade body also shows 7.6% of travellers now see extreme weather events as a major concern for trips between June and November.

Among them are Anita Elshoy and her husband, who returned home to Norway from their favourite vacation spot of Vasanello, a village north of Rome, a week earlier than planned this month as temperatures reached around 35C.

(I) got a lot of pain in the head, legs and (my) fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy, Elshoy said of her heat-related symptoms. We were supposed to be there for two weeks, but we couldnt (stay) because of the heat.

(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Italy braces for record-breaking heat as temperatures set to soar to 48C

Tuesday 18 July 2023 08:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Italy is bracing for its highest-ever temperature today as Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to reach 48C by European Space Agency.

Twenty red warning alerts have been issued today out of 27 cities in Italy as the country bears another day of the unrelenting heatwave.

Meteorologists predict that temperatures this week may surpass Europes current record of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.84 Fahrenheit), set in Sicily in August 2021, raising fears of a repetition of last years heat deaths.

Which holiday destinations will be hottest this week and how can you stay safe as temperatures soar?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 07:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Cerberus heatwave has been causing the mercury to rise across southern Europe since last week, bringing temperatures of 40C and upwards in some parts of the continent.

With preliminary figures showing Earths average temperature set a new record high on 13 July for the third time in a week, this new spell of hot weather will continue to impact holidaymakers  particularly those heading for the Mediterranean countries of Spain, Italy and Greece  as well as locals.

The heatwave has been caused by a combination of unusually high surface temperatures at sea and an area of high pressure over the Mediterranean, with the addition of clouds of Saharan dust in some areas.

The hottest destinations in Europe this week  and how to stay safe

US-China start climate talks as both countries see temperatures soar to 50C this week

Tuesday 18 July 2023 07:18 , Stuti Mishra

US climate envoy John Kerry is in Beijing as both countries restart climate talks after a halt of a year amid blistering heatwaves affecting both regions and large parts of northern hemisphere.

Mr Kerry met the Chinese climate envoy yesterday and Chinas top diplomat today assuring that president Joe Bidens administration is very committed to stabilising relations between the worlds two biggest economies.

Mr Kerry told Wang Yi that Mr Biden hoped the two countries could achieve efforts together that can make a significant difference to the world.

Ties between the countries have hit a historic low amid disputes over tariffs, access to technology, human rights and Chinas threats against self-governing Taiwan.

In his opening remarks, Mr Wang said the sides had suffered from a lack of communication, but that China believes through renewed dialogue we can find a proper solution to any problems.

Switzerland evacuates villages due to wildfire

Tuesday 18 July 2023 06:30 , Stuti Mishra

Switzerland ordered the evacuation of several mountain villages yesterday night as a forest fire spread, amid blistering heat reported across Europe.

About 200 firefighters, army, police and other partners worked alongside helicopters to douse the flames in the canton of Valais throughout the afternoon but it continued to burn.

"The fire is spreading towards Ried-Morel-Riederhorn," police said in a brief statement on Twitter at 6.30pm GMT, saying they would evacuate the Ried-Morel village, near the town of Brig, which is close to the Italian border. It later added that three other villages were to be evacuated and warned of rockfalls.

It was not immediately clear how many people were affected.

Air Zermatt, which operates four of the helicopters, said efforts to extinguish the fire would continue through the night.

Bitsch : incendie de foret



Un important dispositif dintervention a rapidement ete mis en place. Celui-ci lutte encore contre le feu qui se propage rapidement. Les travaux dextinction se poursuivent.https://t.co/RAp4B3N7hk pic.twitter.com/Qnf3rK3aFk  Police Valais (@PoliceValais) July 17, 2023

Valais police posted pictures showing a helicopter dangling a water cannon above a forest fire in the afternoon. A later shot showed a much larger fire with smoke eclipsing most of the forest.

The area is affected by the same Mediterranean heatwave affecting southern Europe, with temperatures set to exceed 30C in parts of the Valais canton this week, forecasts show.

UK could see 40C heatwaves every three years, Met Office warns amid sweltering heatwaves in Europe

Tuesday 18 July 2023 05:55 , Stuti Mishra

Temperatures of 40C had never been recorded in the UK until 19 July last year, but they could be appearing as frequently as every three years by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions are not curtailed, the Met Office has said.

Experts have also warned the UK is dangerously unprepared for the coming heat because most of its buildings were designed for a colder climate that is now disappearing.

Read more:

Heatwaves will become more frequent in UK without emissions cut, Met Office says

Deadly tickborne virus spreading in Europe due to prolonged heat

Tuesday 18 July 2023 05:00 , Stuti Mishra

A virus with a fatality rate of 30 per cent is spreading in Europe, an expert has warned, as the continent grapples with intense and prolonged heat due to the climate crisis.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a disease caused by a tickborne virus, is categorised as one of the nine priority diseases deemed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to pose the greatest public health risk due to their epidemic potential.

The disease, with a fatality rate of approximately 30 per cent, already kills around 500 people each year and is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and Asian countries south of the geographical limit of the principal tick vector, which stretches as far north as Mongolia, the UN health agency states.

However, a virologist has warned that ticks carrying the virus were moving up through Europe due to climate change, with longer and drier summers.

Read this report from Andy Gregory for more:

Deadly tickborne virus thats spreading in Europe likely to reach UK

Southern Europe weather forecast today

Tuesday 18 July 2023 04:07 , Stuti Mishra

Southern European countries grappling with intense heat could see the mercury soar even further starting today as forecasts show temperatures rising as high as 46C in some parts.

Italy, Spain and Greece are forecast to see temperatures above 40C in large parts as a second heatwave named Charon engulfs the region.

Sardinia and Sicily are expected to see temperatures above 45C or even as high as 48C, which, if it happens, could threaten the 48.8C record for Europes highest-ever temperature.

Weather maps show the heatwave intensifying in the middle of the week before a brief respite by the end of the week in some parts of Italy.

Heres a country-wise breakdown and temperature forecast:

Holidaymakers evacuated in Greece wildfires amid heatwave in Europe

UK government plan to prepare for climate change 'deeply disappointing'

Monday 17 July 2023 22:30 , Matt Drake

Meanwhile, in the UK, leaked government plans for adapting the UK to the effects of climate change have been labelled as "deeply disappointing".

The latest National Adaptation Programme had been expected to be published on Tuesday, but was released on Monday following a leak to The Guardian newspaper.

The 140-page document offers a five-year plan that ministers said would boost resilience and help protect people, homes and businesses from heatwaves, droughts, floods and the other damaging impacts of climate change.

It also commits the Ministry of Justice to research the impact of climate on staff and prisoner behaviour, with pilots planned by 2027.

On the natural environment, Defra also pointed to plans for environmental land management schemes and local nature recovery strategies.

But the plan was criticised for failing to properly grapple with adaptation planning.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas called it "deeply disappointing and really lacking in ambition".

WHO director-general warns that the Climate Crisis is 'not a warning'

Monday 17 July 2023 21:42 , Matt Drake

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organisation, wrote on Twitter: "In many parts of the world, today is predicted to be the hottest day on record.

And these records have already been broken a few times this year. Heatwaves put our health and lives at risk.

"The #ClimateCrisis is not a warning. Its happening. I urge world leaders to act now.

It comes as many parts of Italy are poised to hit 45C on Tuesday.
Without providing details, two of the defendants in the Hertel & Brown federal criminal case have said in court records that the U.S. Attorney's Office considers the statements they gave to the FBI to be "confessions" and "smoking-gun" evidence of widespread billing fraud at the Erie-based physical therapy business.

Newly filed court records show why the U.S. Attorney's Office came to that conclusion.

The two defendants, both physical therapists, told FBI agents that they and other employees at Hertel & Brown Physical & Aquatic Therapy regularly overbilled for services at the direction of the business' owners, according to a federal prosecutor's summaries of the statements contained in the newly filed records.

The defendants, according to the summaries, said they and other employees billed for physical therapy treatments as if they were performed by physical therapists even though physical therapy assistants or physical therapy technicians actually treated the patients. The billing rate is higher for physical therapists than for assistants or technicians.

The defendants, according to the summaries, also said physical therapists at Hertel & Brown were told not to bill group therapy sessions as group therapy but as individual therapy sessions, which led to higher billing rates.

Law enforcement vehicles park outside what was then the main office of Hertel & Brown Physical & Aquatic Therapy in the West Erie Plaza in Millcreek Township on Feb. 23, 2021. The searches of the Hertel & Brown offices preceded the federal indictment of Hertel & Brown as a business and 20 employees in November 2021.

The defendants said the co-founders and owners of the business, Aaron W. Hertel and Michael R. Brown, told the employees how to bill for services in the improper manner, according to the summaries. One of the two defendants, Julie Ann Johnson, also told the FBI agent "that at Hertel & Brown that is the way it has always been done and we turned a blind eye," Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Trabold said in the court records.

Trabold also said that "Johnson indicated that money was the reason the owners wanted physical therapy to be billed as individual therapy. When asked if this was due to greed, Johnson said, 'yes.'"

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Johnson, according to Trabold's summary, told the FBI that "during one of her recent work performance evaluations, Aaron Hertel told her that Hertel & Brown was losing money. Michael Brown said that insurance reimbursements were going down and that the company still has to pay for all its therapists. Therapists were instructed to bill individual sessions and have the technicians do the ... therapeutic exercises."

"Johnson advised that she didn't leave Hertel & Brown even though she knew that this billing practice was going on because everyone turned a blind eye to the billing practices at Hertel & Brown," according to the summary.

The other defendant who gave statements to the FBI is Jacqueline Renee Exley, according to the summaries. Trabold said in court records that she also said Hertel & Brown's billing practices regarding technicians and group therapy were longstanding. She said Hertel & Brown needed to have technicians treat patients to keep up with the practice's patients, according to the summaries.

Trabold said Exley stated to the FBI that "Hertel & Brown sees too many patients and does not have enough physical therapists on staff to treat them all. She further revealed that the only way they could treat the high number of patients seen every day was to have technicians perform a physical therapist's job, such as placing electronic stimulation (e-stim) on patients and administering treatment.

"Exley heard Michael Brown say that placing e-stim on a patient is 'stretching it' legally, but they were going to continue to do it anyway.

"Exley further disclosed that Michael Brown knew it was wrong but chose to continue the practice of having technicians administer e-stim treatment and then bill for that treatment as if a physical therapist had performed it. Exley stated that she also knew it was wrong and illegal, but she went along with it because she needed a job."

Exley also stated, according to Trabold's summary, "that Michael Brown and Aaron Hertel are the owners, and the employees follow their rules since they are their bosses."

Defense lawyers seek to suppress statements in Hertel & Brown case

Johnson and Exley are among the 21 defendants indicted in the Hertel & Brown case in U.S. District Court in Erie on Nov. 9, 2021. The two spoke to FBI agents when the agents searched Hertel & Brown's offices on Feb. 23, 2021, to gather evidence against the business, according to court records. The interviews were not recorded.

Johnson and Exley and their Pittsburgh-based lawyers have disputed the statements for months. In a court motion filed in January, the lawyers contended that Johnson and Exley did not make the admissions that the FBI agents said they did.

The lawyers  Jennifer Bouriat for Exley and Efrem Grail and Julia Gitelman for Johnson  said in a joint motion that the U.S. Attorney's Office told them the statements contained in the FBI reports are "confessions" and "smoking-gun" evidence, but that Trabold refused to turn over the FBI's raw notes of the interviews, citing what the government believes is longstanding precedent.

The Hertel & Brown fraud case is being tried at the federal courthouse in Erie.

Trabold responded later in January by releasing the raw notes to Exley and Johnson and their lawyers. The notes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, support the FBI's summaries of the interviews, called 302 reports.

"The notes are consistent with the reports drafted by the agents and provided to defense counsel," Trabold said in the filing in January.

The defendants' contention that the FBI misrepresented what they said in the interviews "is pure speculation on the part of the Defendants without any basis in fact," Trabold said, "especially since the agents' notes already provided to the defense demonstrate that the notes and reports are not inconsistent."

The dispute did not end there.

In May, the lawyers for Exley and Johnson filed motions seeking to suppress their clients' statements to the FBI. The lawyers claimed the agents, among other things, failed to read Exley and Johnson their Miranda rights, including their right to remain silent.

The lawyers in their suppression motions never detailed what the FBI said Exley and Johnson told the FBI in their interviews.

That information was unveiled on Monday. Trabold summarized the interviews in two documents he filed in response to the suppression motions.

Trabold is arguing that the FBI acted properly, and that Exley and Johnson, among other things, were not under arrest when they gave the statements  a circumstance he said did not require the reading of the Miranda rights.

U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter is assigned the Hertel & Brown case and will rule on the suppression requests. Baxter on Tuesday evening scheduled a hearing on the requests for Aug. 23, though Bouriat, Exley's lawyer, asked that the hearing be moved to a later date.

All Hertel & Brown defendants have pleaded not guilty

The number and names of other defendants who gave statements to the FBI have not been disclosed in court records in the Hertel & Brown case.

Trabold said in a filing in February that Aaron Hertel invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and did not talk to investigators. Trabold said in one of Monday's filings that Michael Brown "refused" to talk to investigators when the FBI searched Hertel & Brown's offices in February 2021.

U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter will rule on the suppression motions in the Hertel & Brown case.

And in court in March 2022  four months after the indictment  Trabold said that a number of defendants were cooperating and were ready to testify at trial. His statement signaled that plea deals were in the works, though none of the defendants has pleaded guilty to date.

The plea talks, if they occur, are not expected to intensify until after Baxter rules on whether to suppress evidence in the Hertel & Brown case. Many of the other defense lawyers in the case are still determining whether they will file suppression motions, according to court records.

The 21 defendants in the Hertel & Brown case  the largest-ever white-collar criminal prosecution in U.S. District Court in Erie  are accused of conspiring in an overbilling scheme to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers of $22 million over 14 years, starting shortly after Hertel & Brown launched in January 2007 and ending in October 2021. The indictment charges all the defendants with one count each of the felonies of health care fraud and criminal conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud.

The practice's founders, Hertel, 44, and Brown, 46, are the lead individual defendants. Hertel & Brown is named as a corporate defendant.

All the defendants in the Hertel & Brown case have pleaded not guilty and are free on unsecured bonds. Of the 20 individual defendants, 19 are either licensed physical therapists, such as Jacqueline Exley and Julie Johnson, or licensed physical therapy assistants, according to the indictment. A billing specialist at Hertel & Brown was also indicted.

Hertel & Brown remains in business, but is down to one office from five.

'Nothing changed' about billing practices, according to statement

In the new filings, Trabold, the prosecutor, said Exley's interview with the FBI on Feb. 23, 2021, lasted no more than 30 minutes. Johnson's lasted about 90 minutes, Trabold said.

He said in the filings that the interviews were professional and not hostile, and that Johnson and Exley were told they were free to leave at any time.

During the interviews, Trabold also said in the filings, Exley and Johnson told the FBI that Aaron Hertel and Michael Brown did not change their billing practices at Hertel & Brown despite the staff and others raising questions about them.

According to Trabold's summary, Johnson told the FBI "that all the physical therapists brought up concerns with Michael Brown and Aaron Hertel about billing group sessions as individual therapy sessions. Johnson also revealed that nothing changed."

Johnson, Trabold said in the summary, "advised that no employees were let go or fired as a result of concerns about billing practices, and no one was verbally threatened to lose their jobs if they did not bill group therapy sessions as individual sessions."

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Hertel & Brown billing fraud case: 'Smoking-gun' evidence unveiled
The former owner of a South Florida nursing school at the center of a racket that peddled fake diplomas for millions of dollars to thousands of students was sentenced Tuesday to one year and nine months in prison.

Johanah Napoleon, 47, former president of the Palm Beach School of Nursing, was also ordered to pay about $3.5 million as part of her punishment imposed by U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith in Fort Lauderdale federal court. Napoleon, a former licensed chiropractic assistant who later became a nursing-school owner, has paid about $2.6 million of that amount so far to the federal government from the sale of three real estate properties, according to court records.

Napoleon, who was charged in two federal cases, pleaded guilty last year to a conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud along with a related count. She faced up to four years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, but her defense attorney, Joel DeFabio, argued for about half that punishment. He cited her extensive cooperation with investigators and prosecutors in nursing-school scheme that authorities say extended from South Florida to the Northeast.

After her arrest, Ms. Napoleon quickly agreed to cooperate and accept responsibility for her conduct, her lawyer, Joel DeFabio, wrote in a court filing, noting that his client left the healthcare profession, went to beauty school, and is now licensed as a facial and nail specialist. Her cooperation is ongoing, and she will be testifying as a government witness in at least one pending trial.

In May, five defendants who worked for Palm Beach School of Nursing in Lake Worth and other businesses pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud in Fort Lauderdale federal court. They were all arrested as part of a take-down in January of 25 suspects who were swept into a major crackdown on South Florida nursing school operators that began with a tip four years ago.

Overall, they are accused of selling fabricated nursing degrees to thousands of students who then used the bogus diplomas to take licensing exams in several states, including Florida, New York, New Jersey and Texas, according to federal prosecutor Christopher Clark. The network of nursing school operators, centered in South Florida, illegally charged each student between $10,000 for a licensed practical nurse degree and $17,000 for a registered nurse diploma  without requiring proper training, according to federal authorities and court records.

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The schools provided a shortcut for students to avoid taking a nearly two-year nursing program requiring clinical work, national exams and certification, while instructors prepared them to take the licensing exams to practice nursing in a number of states, authorities said.

An estimated 7,600 students paid a total of $114 million for phony nursing degrees from the South Florida schools and other suspect programs between 2016 and 2021, according to the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of those, one-third, or about 2,400 students, ended up passing their licensing exams, mainly in New York, which imposes no limit on the number of times that students can take the exam. Nurses certified in New York have the ability to practice in other states, including Florida.

Many of the students who purchased degrees were from South Floridas Haitian-American community, including some with legitimate LPN licenses who wanted to become registered nurses. Other students were recruited from out of state to participate in the fraudulent nursing programs, authorities said. They could all see their nursing licenses revoked.

The investigation, aptly dubbed Operation Nightingale, began in 2019 with a tip from Maryland that led to an FBI undercover operation that initially targeted two Fort Lauderdale business people, Geralda Adrien and Woosvelt Predestin, who both pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. They cooperated with authorities and were sentenced to more than two years and three months in prison in 2022.

Adrien owned two private education companies, Docu-Flex & More and PowerfulU Health Care Services, where Predestin was an employee. Together they schemed with Siena College of Health/Siena Education Center in Lauderhill and Palm Beach School of Nursing to sell fraudulent diplomas and college transcripts, according to court records.
Venezuelan retired Major General Hugo Carvajal (L) has long been sought by US Treasury officials who suspect him of providing support to drug trafficking by the FARC guerrilla group (HANDOUT)

Venezuela's former intelligence chief was extradited Wednesday from Spain to the United States where he will face charges of drug trafficking.

General Hugo Armando Carvajal, who served as intelligence chief under the former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, has long been sought by US officials who suspect him of providing support to drug trafficking by the FARC guerrilla group in Colombia.

Prosecutors in New York allege he used his high office to coordinate the smuggling of approximately 5,600 kilogrammes (12,345 pounds) of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006 that was destined for the US.

Known by the nickname "El Pollo" -- "The Chicken" -- the 63-year-old is also suspected of potentially having incriminating evidence against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, successor of the late Chavez and a major US adversary.

Carvajal will appear in a Manhattan federal court before a magistrate judge on Thursday, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York said in a statement.

"After many years as a fugitive following a more than decade-long criminal career, Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios arrived in the United States today to face justice for his alleged crimes," said Damian Williams.

"As alleged, (he) exploited his authority as the director of Venezuela's military intelligence agency to corrupt Venezuelan institutions, abuse the Venezuelan people, and to import poison to the United States."

Carvajal's lawyer, Maria Dolores de Arguelles, and judicial sources earlier confirmed to AFP that Carvajal had left Spain bound for the US.

The move comes after the European Court of Human Rights last week rejected Carvajal's appeal against his extradition, arguing it was not proven he faces a "real risk" of being sentenced to life imprisonment without chance of parole in the United States.

That prompted Spain's National Court, which is charged with extradition, to order Interpol on Tuesday to "immediately deliver" Carvajal to US authorities.

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Carvajal has repeatedly denied links to drug traffickers or the FARC.

He was stripped of his rank by Maduro's administration after coming out in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's acting president in February 2019.

Carvajal then left Venezuela and was first arrested in Spain in April 2019 but a court later that year ordered his release, arguing the US extradition request was "politically motivated."

The court later reversed that decision but Carvajal then went on the run.

When he was arrested again in Madrid in September 2021, police said he had remained in Spain the whole time, changing residences frequently and getting plastic surgery to avoid being caught.

burs-pdh/mlm
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board chair Elyse Dashew will not seek a third consecutive term, she told The Charlotte Observer Tuesday.

Dashew is nearing the end of her second term on the school board  she was elected in 2015 and reelected in 2019. Her tenure includes serving three years as vice chair and chair for four years. The board, which saw five new faces after last Novembers election, voted in December to keep Dashew chair for a fourth and, now, final year.

I have had experiences where people see the world differently, and truly want whats best for kids, Dashew said about her decision not to seek reelection. In these situations, we can have tough conversations, do the hard work of listening with empathy and humility, and then push through to where were working together towards a common value.

The board will have three at-large seats open in the November election, and Dashews decision guarantees two new board members. Jennifer De La Jara already announced she wont run again for the board. Lenora Shipp occupies the third at-large seat and is running for reelection.

Seven people have filed for the three seats so far.

While her name wont appear on the school board candidate list this year, Dashew, 53, indicated a willingness to serve the public in other ways after a sabbatical.

I have poured 110% of myself into this work, and I am ready for a sabbatical, Dashew said. I have a lot left to give. We are living in times of great change and great challenge. How can I take these hard-earned lessons and battle scars and apply them in new ways to serve students? What can we do differently as a community to shore up our public schools? I have a few ideas.

Superintendent turnover and a pandemic

Dashews tenure included helping govern the district through a revolving door of superintendents and a global pandemic.

During her time on the board, CMS saw four superintendent changes: Ann Clark resigned; Clayton Wilcox resigned in 2019 after the school board suspended him; and board members fired Earnest Winston in April 2022.

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In November 2019, the Observer reported Wilcox allegedly made comments and jokes some employees considered offensive to African Americans, Koreans, Mexicans and women. Wilcox also bypassed the standard contracting process and ordered district employees to spend nearly $2 million to buy technology over the objections of senior administrators concerned about his relationship with the companys founder.

Board members fired Winston over concerns about Winstons slow implementation of district safety measures, questions of judgment related to Title IX issues and the slow or delayed implementation of key decisions, according to records released from Winstons personnel file.

At the time of Winstons firing, Dashew said, We believe a different leader is needed to shore up this district. Student outcomes are what matter most. We are confident this is the right decision at the right time.

More than a year after Winstons firing, the board named Crystal Hill the new superintendent in May. Thats a decision Dashew is confident about.

Despite an adversarial state legislature and a brutal media market, 17 sitting superintendents from around the country read our job profile, watched our board meetings and said, Thats the kind of board I want to work for, Dashew said of the latest superintendent search. With all the superintendent searches going on around the country, I dont think anyone had a stronger pool than we did. In that strong pool, Crystal Hill rose to the top as the best match for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Dashew also chaired the board when district staff and parents called decisions over pandemic learning and when to return to in-person learning controversial. As was the case across the country, CMS students suffered academically, culminating in poor test scores.

The pandemic dealt us a chaotic set of cards, Dashew said. So much was out of our control as a school district and a school board. We rallied to keep teaching students during the shutdown, serve millions of meals to children who otherwise would go hungry, deliver and maintain thousands of hot spots and computers, keep students and staff safe to the best of our ability  all while public health guidance kept shifting and our constituents anxieties were through the roof.

Dashew says during the height of the pandemic it dawned on her board members needed to discern what was in their control.

Then, whatever that was, do it to the very best of our ability, she said. That calling has kept me going through the hard times.

It led the school board to adopt its Student Outcomes Focused Governance framework  what Dashew calls a game changer.

It has given us a way to get the board and the community focused on academic performance, she said, to prioritize our energy on areas of highest need and highest leverage (and) to get everybody rowing in the same direction with a shared value of setting students up for the best outcomes possible.

Dashew says the framework has given board members a way to set political distractions to the side.

Building partnerships across Charlotte

Dashew told the Observer she helped bridge gaps between the school board and elected officials from towns in Mecklenburg County.

We are now in a place where we are working together on behalf of the students, Dashew said. In 2017, many would have said this was impossible. I am proud of this diplomacy. I am grateful for the support that we now enjoy from the towns and hope we can continue that healthy partnership for years to come.

Dashew says CMS also built a better relationship with the business community.

Last summer, the district and Charlotte Executive Leadership Council announced a partnership that included the commitment of more than 1,000 volunteer tutors, a tutoring workshop and executives serving full-time in CMS.

Whats next?





Dashew, whose family owned a publishing business, moved to Charlotte in 1995. She has two grown children who graduated from CMS schools.

She plans on finishing out her school board term and then taking time off to recharge, rest and tend to her own well-being. She believes now is a good time to step down.

This board has the tools to do the hard and humble work of governing wisely, and that is what gives me the peace to know that this is the right time to hand off the baton, Dashew said.

Dashew serves on the executive committee for the Council of the Great City Schools; the board of directors for DreamKey Partners; the Charlotte Advisory Board for NC Outward Bound School; the board of trustees/advisory council for the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and is a community advisor for the Junior League of Charlotte.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

As Russia continues to attack Ukraine with missiles and drones, the existing sanctions are clearly not enough to hinder its weapons production, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address on July 18.

"Every case of using components from free countries to produce weapons for Russian terrorists, including missiles and (Iranian-designed) Shahed drones, will be our argument that existing sanctions and pressure against Russia are not enough," the president said.

Read also: Overnight Russian air raid with Shahed drones hits infrastructure in Zaporizhzhya, injures man

Zelenskyy emphasized that the world should restrict trade relations with the terrorist state to such an extent that no component from the free world can be used for terror.

Read also: Ukraines Air Force downs 16 Iranian Shahed drones during overnight attack

On July 18, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, said that Russian forces attacked Mykolaiv with Iranian drones made with foreign components.

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
Donald Trump Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images

Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump appointee overseeing his Mar-a-Lago documents case, on Tuesday appeared skeptical of special counsel Jack Smith's request for a December trial but also seemed disinclined to push the trial schedule beyond the 2024 election as the former president's legal team had asked.

Smith's team urged Cannon to schedule a trial before the end of the year while Trump's lawyers asked her to delay the trial indefinitely, citing his presidential campaign.

Cannon on Tuesday directly asked Trump attorney Christopher Kise whether he wanted to delay the trial after the election, according to The New York Times. Kise acknowledged that he did and fellow Trump lawyer Todd Blanche later said that if Cannon must schedule a trial date, it should be in mid-November 2024.

David Harbach, a top Smith deputy, told Cannon that the rule of law should apply to Trump as it would to any defendant.

"Mr. Trump is not the president," Harbach said. "He is a private citizen who has been lawfully indicted by a grand jury in this district and his case should be guided by the federal code and the rules of this court like anyone else."

Blanche, however, argued that it was inappropriate for Cannon to "ignore" Trump's role as a candidate.

"It is intellectually dishonest to stand up in front of this court and say this case is like any other," Blanche said. "It is not."

Kise even suggested that the court battle over the classified documents was a legal version of the race between Trump and President Joe Biden, suggesting that the "two candidates were squaring off in this courtroom."

Harbach rejected Kise's argument, noting that Smith was appointed as special counsel to avoid the "specter of political influence."

"The government says that claim is flat-out false," Harbach said.

Cannon also appeared likely to set a date beyond the DOJ's requested timeline. Prosecutor Jay Bratt acknowledged that the DOJ had proposed an "aggressive schedule" but assured Cannon that his team was "committed to doing the work to achieve it."

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But both Harbach and Bratt "seemed concerned" when Cannon raised the possibility of declaring it a "complex" case, which would slow its pace, according to the Times. Trump's lawyers "quickly seized that opportunity, saying they wanted a complex-case designation even if they had not formally made the request in court papers filed before the hearing."

Cannon during the hearing did not set a new date for the trial but said she would consider both arguments and issue a written decision "promptly."

She questioned the Trump team's argument that media attention on Trump would subside after the 2024 election and suggested that the large amount of discovery in the case, as well as issues related to classified materials and other matters, seemed like a more "suitable" framework to determine the trial timeline.

"I can appreciate that more time is necessary, but we need to set a schedule," she said.

Cannon, who faces heightened scrutiny after issuing a series of rulings in favor of Trump that was later overturned by an appeals court, "peppered prosecutors and the former president's lawyers with questions that suggested she was in command of her courtroom and well-versed in the facts of the case," wrote The Times' Alan Feuer.

Cannon's focus on the volume and complexity of discovery materials "suggests that Cannon is mindful of relying on grounds that won't be overturned on appeal," tweeted former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti.

"She learned from her prior blunder," he wrote.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

"Judge Cannon, who has been far too deferential to Donald Trump in past rulings, appears so far to be taking a relatively reasonable approach to the timing of trial in the Mar-a-Lago national security case. We'll see," agreed former federal prosecutor Noah Bookbinder, the head of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Legal experts have been wary that Cannon, who was appointed by Trump in 2020, may aid Trump's efforts to push the trial beyond the election.

"His advisers have been, in private conversations, pretty blunt that they see it as he has to win the election and that how is he guarantees that he does not face jail time," New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman told CNN on Tuesday.

But Trump's plans were complicated this week when Smith sent him a letter informing him that he is the target of the DOJ's Jan. 6 probe, which signals that another indictment in D.C. may be imminent.

"This means that Trump will be indicted in the January 6th investigation. This indictment will likely be brought in D.C. federal court, which means that the importance of Judge Aileen Cannon's rulings in the Mar-a-Lago case are diminished," Mariotti wrote on Tuesday.

MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin agreed that the implication of the Jan. 6 target letter is that even if Cannon caves to Trump's demands not to set ANY trial date, she now can't single-handedly prevent a federal trial before Election Day. The federal judges in DC have handled [hundreds] of 1/6 cases rapidlyand his should be no exception."

Read more

about Judge Cannon
Choosing the right white paint is no simple black-and-white matter. We talked to paint and interior design experts to help you choose the best white paint for your home.

If you think white paint is a seen one, seen em all kind of matter, then you clearly havent seen the dizzying array of white paint colors available at the paint store. That includes the many different colors of interior paint and exterior paint, not to mention the finishes you can choose from. Those effectively multiply your number of white paint choices, because one shade of white may work for your living room in satin but not in eggshell, while another may sparkle in semi-gloss but fall flat in matte finish.

Because there are dozens of different shades of white paint that, if used wrong, can wreak havoc on the aesthetics of a space, we turned to the experts to help you find the best white paint colors and to help you decide which rooms can benefit from all white walls; when white paint should be reserved for trim, moldings, and doors; and when you should call in the experts to help you choose between a creamy white and a clean white.

In fact, before talking about choosing a shade of white, lets address when and when not to use it at all.

When is white paint a good idea?

Before you think about finding the right shade of white paint for a room, you need to think of the room itself. Deirdre McGettrick, home expert and cofounder and CEO of ufurnish.com says: If you are considering painting a room in your home white, there are a couple of things you need to consider before you choose the right shade. Firstly, you need to think about the position of the room and the light that it is going to get. Generally, a north-facing room will get less light, so the room will appear cooler, whereas a south-facing room will normally get a lot of light for the majority of the day, making the room appear much warmer. Because of this, you want to figure out how you want the room to feel.

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Photo: Laure Joliet

Though the perfect white paint color might look great in your dining room when its empty, think about what the space will look like when it is full. The second thing you need to consider is your furniture and furnishings. What are you putting in this room? McGettrick adds. What color woods, fabrics, and soft furnishings? These will all influence the shade of white you should choose.

Got that? Lots of natural light means a warm room, so more of a cool white may be merited. Less sunlight means a room with a cooler feel, so, per McGettrick, a warmer-toned white may be a good idea. And opting for a color instead of white may even be a better idea in cooler-light spaces.

Lane Ball, director of marketing at Zibra, says Although white is likely the most popular color for painting an interior room, it can be one of the most challenging in arriving at the right shade for your space. A few things to consider when embarking on this decision is the mood of the room you are seeking to create, the lighting of the roomnatural and artificialand the sheen.

Photo: Laura Resen

Playing it safe, a bright shade of white paint is a good wall color choice for hallways, stairways, basements, bathrooms, and other spaces that dont get as much natural light, and white almost always works for doors and trim, even when the walls may be dark or color-rich. If youre choosing white paint not merely based on the logistics of lighting or the space in the homewhich is to say youre treating white paint as a true color, not just as an achromatic pigmented liquidthen we have to go deeper than describing it as warm or cold.

How to choose the right color of white paint

When considering a shade of white paint, design, and color expert Donald Kaufman advises you to do just that: Think about a shade on its own merits. The first mistake to avoid is getting caught up on the name of the color or holding the whites against other colors, Kaufman says. Think about how the white paint will look in the space and when contrasted with the furniture, flooring, artwork, and other objects and surfaces in the room; dont think about Chantilly Lace compared to Swiss Coffee compared to Alabaster and so on, in other words.

Instead of comparing apples to apples like that, pick a few colors of white paint that you like of their own accord, giving them as much consideration as you would a shade of dark navy blue, soft dusty rose, or a dramatic burnt sienna, and then bring those colors into the space, first in the form of a paint swatch, and then with an actual painted patch. And dont worry, you dont need to paint the walls.

Remember that any accent colors you currently have in your room and the warm natural lighting from windows can change white dramatically, Ball says. Because of these variables, we recommend grabbing a large sheet of sturdy illustration board or foam board minimally 3/8" thick and painting each of your paint selections on the full test boards. Make sure you paint with the appropriate sheen. Once your test boards are dry, position them throughout the room at different times of the day. This will give you the most accurate representation without having to paint your walls.

Photo: Jason Schmidt

And mind the other colors that sneak into whites; Tracy McLaughlin, real estate agent in Marin County, California, says: Oftentimes, people select whites that have either far too much yellow mixed in or, at the opposite problem, too much gray or black mixed in. When too much yellow is mixed in, the room lacks the needed crispness to showcase it as updated. At the opposite end of the spectrum is when there is too much gray mixed into the white, resulting in it feeling hospital-like. That color is very, very off-putting. It makes everything feel stark and cold. It also doesnt make the rooms occupants feel attractive. If youre unsure if your white paint has a yellow undertone or too much greige, you can always ask the friendly folks at the paint store about the mix or use the paint sample tip above to make sure youre not missing anything in different lighting.

Frequently asked questions about white paint

Weve covered everything from how to choose and use the best white paint, some mistakes to avoid, and some tips for how to use the very versatile color, but based on our research, many people still have plenty of white paint questions. So weve rounded up and covered plenty of those to close the paint talk out.

Which rooms best benefit from white paint?

Photo: Frank Frances

The answer is that any room can look great in white. I like to do the entire home in a white and then add a gloss to the window frames, McLaughlin says. I think that every room in the house should go white with some walls accented with either a beautiful textured wallpaper or shiplap walls or other mixed design.

What white paint is best for walls?

McLaughlin says: I love Simply White, but she doesnt stop with walls, adding: Currently I am painting all surfaces the same color white for consistency in the design of the homes that I prepare for the market. I love the final product of moldings, ceiling, walls, and trim all being the same color white. It is so fresh and also makes the space feel like it was just built.

What is the most common white paint?

Based on the deep dives we did preparing for this article, it seems that, above all others, Sherwin-Williams Pure White, a.k.a. SW 7005, is the most popular color of white paint right now. Close runners-up include Benjamin Moores Paper White, or OC-55; BEHRs Polar Bear 75; and Decorators White is a perennial classic.

What to do if youre stuck between different white paints?

Trust the experts. I have seen so many of my clients over the years rushing on the decision of the right white for their homes, and ultimately [they] end up repainting them once they get a designer involved, McLaughlin says. This is something that one should not try on their own unless they really understand spaces, design, and how that color will affect all design choices going forward, like fabrics, wall coverings, and accessories.

What is a pure white paint?

Photo: Jackie Nickerson

Long story short, a pure white paint does not show its undertones. It is as truly neutral as can be but is not exceedingly bright in color, as that brightness can actually come from a touch of yellow added to the mix; the faintest hint of this pigmentation softens the starkness without adding any true color.

Is white paint back in style?

Oh, it certainly is. In fact, colored paint is out. I would not advise any of my clients to paint walls in saturated color, McLaughlin says. Let saturated color be showcased through accessories like pillows or perhaps a very current wallpaper, but not through paint colors. White is never really out of style, but it can be very much in, and its in moment is now.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

More Great Stories From AD It Yourself
A Greek police officer evacuates a child from a wildfire at the village of Agios Charamlabos, near Athens (Aris MESSINIS)

Extreme heat was forecast across the globe on Wednesday, as wildfires raged and health warnings were in place in parts of Asia, Europe and North America.

Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands while Spain issued heat alerts and some children in Italy's Sardinia were told to stay away from sports.

From California to China, authorities warned of the health dangers brought by searing temperatures, urging people to drink water and shelter from the sun.

"You can't be in the street, it's horrible," said Lidia Rodriguez, 27, in Madrid.

Temperature records tumbled around the world, with new heat streaks set in China and the United States, and fresh highs in France.

Beijing broke a 23-year-old record with 27 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), forecasters said.

Phoenix broke a similar record, in place for 49 years, with its 19th consecutive day of temperatures of 43.3 Celsius or higher, weather officials said.

In southern France, a record 29.5C was recorded in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, while 40.6C had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

In a stark reminder of the effects of global warming, the UN's World Meteorological Agency (WMO) said the trend showed "no signs of decreasing".

"These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves," John Nairn, a senior extreme heat adviser at the WMO told reporters in Geneva.

- Heatwave on horizon -

Northwest of the Greek capital Athens, columns of smoke loomed over the forest of Dervenohoria, where one of several fires around the capital and beyond was still burning.

Fire spokesman Yannis Artopios called it "a difficult day", with another heatwave on the horizon for Thursday, with expected temperatures of 44C.

A forest fire by the seaside resort of Loutraki, where the mayor said 1,200 children had been evacuated Monday from holiday camps, was still burning.

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In the Canary Islands, some 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has ravaged 3,500 hectares of forest and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate, with authorities warning residents to wear face masks outside due to poor air quality.

Temperatures were unforgiving in Italy and in Spain, where three regions were put under hot weather red alerts.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to possibly surpass a continent-wide record of 48.8C recorded in Sicily in August 2021.

At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca told AFP.

In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms.

"They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low," Angioni said.

Many throughout Italy sought escape by the sea, including outside Rome, where the midday heat hit 40C.

"Certainly it's better at the beach, you can at least get a little wind from the sea. It's not even possible to remain in the city, too hot," said Virginia Cesario, 30, at the Focene beach near the capital.

- Climate change impact -

Tens of millions of Americans experienced dangerous heat levels on Tuesday.

In the town of San Angelo, Texas, where temperatures were expected to reach 104-108F (40-42C), the National Weather Service said it was "running out of ways to say that it's gonna be hot out there today."

"With temperatures across the area likely topping the 105 mark yet again, we implore you to continue to practice heat safety and try to stay cool," the agency said on Twitter.

And in Arizona, the mercury at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport again reached 110F on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 18 consecutive days at or above that temperature, set in 1974.

The heat waves across Europe and the globe are "not one single phenomenon but several acting at the same time", said Robert Vautard, director of France's Pierre-Simon Laplace climate institute.

"But they are all strengthened by one factor: climate change."

The record-setting heat came as US climate envoy John Kerry met with Chinese officials in Beijing, with the world's two largest polluters reviving stalled diplomacy on reducing planet-warming emissions.

Speaking Tuesday at Beijing's Great Hall of the People with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Kerry called for "global leadership" on climate issues.

burs-mca/cwl
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is playing out like an apocalypse movie: a tale of heat, floods and fire. But scientists warn this may only be a preview of the unpredictable chaos to come if the world continues to pump out planet-heating pollution.

Just over halfway through July and already a slew of extreme weather records has been broken.

A prolonged, unrelenting heat wave has scorched large parts of the South and Southwest United States. Temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona, have hit at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3C) for a record-breaking 19 consecutive days, and emergency departments are flooded with heat-related illness.

Southern Europe is experiencing one of its most extreme heat waves on record, with wildfires raging in Greece, Spain and Switzerland. And in Asia, temperatures have pushed above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in China, while parts of South Korea, Japan and northern India are experiencing deadly flooding.

In a statement on Tuesday, Petteri Taalas, secretary general of the World Meteorological Organization, called this relentless cascade of extreme weather the new normal.

But some scientists now baulk at that framing.

When I hear it, I get a bit crazy because its not really the new normal, said Hannah Cloke, a climate scientist and professor at the University of Reading in the UK. Until we stop pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere we have no idea what the future looks like.

She is one of many scientists who warn that, while this summer is very bad, its only just the beginning. As long as global temperature continues to rise, they said, the world should brace for escalating impacts.

Rescue workers near an underpass submerged by a flooded river in Cheongju, South Korea, on Sunday. - Kim Hong-ji/Reuters

Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist and distinguished professor at the University of Pennsylvania, prefers to describe the weather we are seeing as the new abnormal.

The new normal wrongly conveys the idea that weve simply arrived in some new climate state and that we simply have to adapt to it, he told CNN.

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But its much worse than that. The impacts become worse and worse as fossil fuel burning and warming continues. Its a shifting baseline of ever-more devastating impacts as long as the Earth continues to warm.

For scientists like Mann and Cloke, this years extreme weather has largely not been surprising. The development of El Nino, a natural phenomenon that has a global warming impact, layered on top of longterm, human-caused global warming, was expected to have a big impact.

But regionally, there have been some remarkable anomalies, said Mann, who pointed to record-low levels of winter sea ice in Antarctica and off the charts heat in the North Atlantic. They are a reminder that we can not only expect to see records broken, but shattered, if we continue burning fossil fuels.

A billboard displays the temperature on Sunday in Phoenix. - Brandon Bell/Getty Images

As the climate crisis accelerates, the stage is set for more surprises.

The weather extremes will continue to become more intense and our weather patterns could change in ways we yet cant predict, said Peter Stott, a science fellow in climate attribution, at the UK Met Office.

In some cases, the heat, fire and floods are already exceeding what climate models have predicted, Mann said. In part, this is due to changes in the jet stream, he said.

The jet stream is driven by the temperature difference between the poles and the equator. As the Arctic rapidly warms, that temperature difference reduces and the jet stream slows and weakens. This can mean that weather systems can get locked into place for prolonged periods.

The same region gets baked day after day, or rained on day after day  just the sort of behavior were seeing this summer, Mann said.

It will be hard for countries to adapt to these new extremes, said Vikki Thompson, a climate scientist at the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. We will see combinations of events that could lead to unexpected impacts. Extreme heat could be quickly followed by heavy rainfall impacting society, agriculture, and ecosystems in unusual ways, she told CNN.

Countries tend to prepare for the worst they have experienced, but with climate extremes smashing current records, we need to be prepared for situations that might currently appear impossible, Thompson said.

While the world is already locked into some impacts of global warming, due to the global failure to cut planet-heating pollution, scientists are clear that there is still time to avert the worst consequences.

The latest science shows that global temperature rise would halt almost immediately after we stop burning fossil fuels, Mann said.

And this summer is more evidence that every fraction of a degree by which the world is able to limit global heating will count, Cloke told CNN. The planet is around 1.2 degrees Celsius warmer than it was before the industrial revolution  still short of the 1.5 degrees scientists are warning the planet should stay under. But even now, the consequences are deadly and far-reaching.

It is really frightening, she said. But the more action that we take, the sooner that we take that action, the better our future will be.

Read more:

Why nighttime heat can be so dangerous  and why its getting worse

Summer has become a survival test as heat gets more extreme

2023 could be the hottest year on record

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WASHINGTON  The Senate on Wednesday passed a provision to the annual defense bill that would make it more difficult for a U.S. president to withdraw from NATO, a precautionary measure against former President Donald Trumps potential return to the White House.

The bipartisan amendment to the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act would not allow the president to withdraw from NATO without congressional approval, requiring two-thirds of senators to vote for withdrawal. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., introduced the amendment alongside Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, which senators adopted in a 65-28 vote.

Trump said on Fox News this week he told NATO leaders when he was president that I will not protect you from Russia if they were delinquent on NATO contributions.

He also said at a 2018 rally he had told U.S. allies he would withdraw from NATO if all countries do not spend 2% of their GDP on defense. The alliance has agreed on the 2% goal, but many member states have yet to meet it. Polls show Trump is the frontrunner in the 2024 Republican primary.

The last administration, a question came up about whether a president could withdraw from NATO unilaterally, Kaine said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. Our allies  who worry about different presidents  should the policy change depending upon every four years who is president, they would take this statement of congressional support in a very, very powerful way.

If the president tries to withdraw from NATO without Senate approval, the Kaine and Rubio amendment would limit funding for withdrawal until a two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate vote to approve the decision. The legislation also authorizes Congress to establish its own legal counsel to represent the legislature before federal courts in any dispute with the White House over NATO withdrawal.

Eighteen Republicans joined Senate Democrats in voting for the amendment, including Sens. Rubio, Susan Collins of Maine, Ted Cruz of Texas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Mitt Romney of Utah.

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The legislation is expected to pass the Senate next week, but the NATO amendment will need to survive negotiations over a final defense bill with the Republican-held House.

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, opposed the amendment, calling it absolutely unnecessary and arguing Trump is fully committed to NATOs Article 5 collective defense clause.

I cannot think of any currently serving elected official of significance whos calling for suspending or withdrawing from NATO, Wicker said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. If I didnt know better, I would think that this amendment might be aimed as a slap at former President Trump.

Wicker noted Armed Services Committee included a provision in the base bill requiring the defense secretary to prioritize NATO members who already meet or exceed the 2% spending requirement.

Following that vote, the Senate rejected 16-83 a separate amendment from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., that stipulated Congress would still need to authorize military force for the president to come to the defense of NATO allies, even if an attack on another ally triggered Article 5.

Ukraine accounting

Additionally, the Senate voted down 39-60 an amendment from Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, that would have required the Pentagon to change the way it calculates the cost of weapons sent to other countries under presidential drawdown authority  the mechanism President Joe Biden has used to arm Ukraine from U.S. stockpiles.

Hawley and Vance introduced their amendment after the Pentagon announced last month an accounting error overestimated the cost of weapons it has sent to Ukraine. The error means the Biden administration had more cash on hand than it previously thought to send Ukraine weapons under the authority.

The Hawley-Vance amendment would have required the Pentagon to determine the acquisition and modification costs of weapons sent under presidential authority in addition to the cost of replacing those items. It would have then required the Pentagon to use whichever value is greater to determine the drawdown cost.

The accurate cost of equipment that we send to Ukraine is how much it costs to replace it for the American taxpayer; its not what it originally cost minus some measure of depreciation, Vance told Defense News ahead of the vote. Its important to have an accurate accounting of what were spending because how do we compare ourselves against Europe and how were carrying the relative burden within NATO?
Screenshot of an TV ad from a PAC backed by the Republican Governors Association hitting Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

Editor's note: This article is one in an occasional series that will examine campaign ads put up by both sides during the 2023 fall election cycle.

For the past two months, PACs supporting Republican Daniel Cameron in Kentucky's race for governor have aired more than $2 million of TV ads attacking Gov. Andy Beshear, strongly suggesting the Democratic incumbent supports gender reassignment surgery for minors.

While Beshear did veto a wide-ranging bill targeting transgender kids this year that included a ban on such surgeries for minors  which there is no record of ever happening in Kentucky  the governor has flatly stated he opposes such procedures for them, as do LGBTQ rights groups in the state.

"Andy Beshear has always opposed gender reassignment surgeries for minors  which do not happen in Kentucky," Alex Floyd, Beshear's campaign spokesman, said last month.

Gov. Beshear on Louisville children: Unplaced children sleeping in Kentucky cabinet's offices not acceptable

Here is a detailed look at the claims of the Republican ads and Beshear's record on the issue.

RGA hits Beshear on 'gender reassignment surgery'

The TV ads in question have come from State Solutions and Kentucky Values, which are both PACs led and funded by the Republican Governors Association.

State Solutions started airing its first ad hitting Beshear in April before the May 16 primary, then started airing it again at the end of May  collectively purchasing more than $700,000 of TV air time.

The narrator of the State Solutions says that Beshear "would allow sex changes for children as young as 8 and 9 years old," while the text on the screen has a quote below Beshear's name and face reading "...Gender Reassignment Surgery for anyone under 18," citing an Associated Press story on the website of NBC News.

The cited AP story was on Beshear's veto of Senate Bill 150 in March, which was promptly overridden by the GOP-controlled Kentucky General Assembly. The story detailed the sweeping broadness of the bill  dictating usage of bathrooms, pronouns and curricula in school, as well as the health care services now banned for transgender minors, including hormone treatments, puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgery.

Story continues

More in Kentucky politics: Kentucky ban on gender-affirming care for trans kids now in effect after injunction stayed



Have something to say about today's news? Submit a letter to the editor here

In June, Kentucky Values began airing a TV ad with a very similar accusation, with a second version of the ad going up last week. The group has put nearly $2 million behind the TV ad buys.

In these two ads, the narrator states that Beshear "even supports allowing school employees to secretly help children change genders, without telling their parents." During the narration, the screen features the same quote from the State Solutions ad  "...Gender Reassignment Surgery for anyone under 18"  and same citation.

While the narrators in the three ads do not explicitly say Beshear supports children changing their gender via a reassignment surgery, the text on the screen in those moments, along with Beshear's name and face, clearly leave the impression that surgery is a type of sex or gender change Beshear supports.

Cameron's own campaign has made the same accusation explicitly in this same time period, as his campaign account tweeted June 28 that "Andy Beshear and his liberal allies believe kids should have access to sex change surgery and drugs."

What was in SB 150, and why did Beshear veto it?

Senate Bill 150 was already a wide-ranging bill targeting transgender youth in K-12 schools when it was amended late in the legislature's 2023 session to include the ban on gender-affirming care, then quickly passed before the governor's veto period so a veto could be overridden.

In addition to banning hormone treatments, puberty blockers and reassignment surgery for transgender youth  as well as requiring doctors to detransition minors in their care if theyre currently using restricted treatments  the bill:

Prohibits discussions about gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation in school for students of all grades;

Prohibits transgender students from using the bathroom of their gender identities;

Allows teachers to refuse to use a students preferred pronouns;

Requires schools to notify parents if they refer a student to receive a school's health or mental healthservices.

In Beshear's veto message, he wrote that he did so because "my faith teaches me that all children are children of God and (SB 150) will endanger the children of Kentucky" and "cause an increase in suicide among Kentucky's youth."

Citing the high suicide rate of LGBTQ youth, Beshear wrote that "improving access to gender-affirming care is an important means of improving health outcomes for the transgender population." He did not specify in the veto message any particular kind of gender-affirming care, such as hormones, puberty blockers or surgery.

Beshear added that he vetoed SB 150 because it "allows too much government interference in personal healthcare issues and rips away the freedom of parents to make medical decisions for their children," while turning educators and administrators "into investigators that must listen in on student conversations."

Gambling, delta-8, transgender care: These 10 Kentucky laws went into effect this year

In a press conference after his veto, which was quoted in the ad-cited AP story, Beshear said he "heard from children that believe this bill is picking on them, and asking  in many ways  why? I told them that I was going to show them that there is at least one person in Frankfort that cares for all of our children in the commonwealth, no matter what.

Beshear and LGBTQ groups oppose reassignment surgery for minors

Beshear's stated opposition to gender reassignment surgery for children has not put him at odds with other LGBTQ rights groups, who expressed no opposition with that specific part of SB 150 as it moved through Frankfort.

While the ACLU of Kentucky represented transgender children who sued to block the sections of SB 150 banning hormone treatments and puberty blockers, the lawsuit did not address its ban on gender reassignment surgeries, which went into effect without challenge.

In late June, just after a federal judge issued the temporary injunction sought by the ACLU, Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky executive director Rebecca Blankenship and government affairs director Michael Frazier said in a joint statement that "bans of sex reassignment surgeries for minors are perfectly appropriate and uncontested by every pro-LGBT organization in this Commonwealth. But puberty blockers and hormone therapy save lives."

Chris Hartman, the executive director of the Fairness Campaign who also lobbied heavily against SB 150 in Frankfort, also said they did not lobby legislators on the section of the bill banning gender reassignment surgeries for kids, as "that wasn't within the standards of practice, the best care recommendations, and to our knowledge wasn't happening in Kentucky."

"What we were concerned about was puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy," Hartman said.

While U.S. District Judge David Hale issued a temporary injunction June 28 blocking the section of SB 150 banning hormone treatments and puberty blockers, last week he stayed that injunction until the 6th Circuit rules on an appeal by Attorney General Cameron.

The ban on gender reassignment surgeries for minors, which was not challenged in the ACLU lawsuit, went into effect June 29.

Republicans stand by accusations against Beshear

Responding to this story, RGA spokeswoman Courtney Alexander stated that if Andy Beshear doesnt support sex change surgery for minors he should have signed the bill that would ban sex change surgery for minors, plain and simple.

Once again Andy Beshear is saying one thing while doing another, and Kentucky voters will continue to learn about Beshears far left record.

Republican Party of Kentucky spokesman Sean Southard also issued a statement backing up the claim, though he did not cite the veto of SB 150, rather Beshears veto of Senate Bill 83 in 2022, which banned transgender girls from playing girls sports from grades six through 12 and college.

Southard said that in Beshears veto statement for that bill, he offered KHSAA guidance as a suitable alternative to a ban on boys playing girls' sports. That guidance offered by Beshear included allowing kids to have life-altering surgery to change their sex. Andy Beshear endorsed that guidance."

While KHSAA policy before SB 83 allowed transgender girls to play girls high school athletics if they had both surgical changes and hormone treatments, students who are 18 and 19 years old (not minors) are eligible to play high school sports  and also still legally permitted to have gender reassignment surgery under SB 150.

Additionally, no transgender girl was ever known to have participated in girls high school sports in Kentucky before SB 83 went into effect, just as there is no known instance of a minor obtaining gender-reassignment surgery in Kentucky.

Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Fact check: GOP ad suggests Beshear backs kid sex change surgeries
(Reuters) -The United States is trying to determine the fate of Private Travis T. King, a U.S. soldier who made an unauthorised crossing into North Korea on July 18, throwing Washington into a new crisis in its dealing with Pyongyang.

WHO IS PRIVATE TRAVIS T. KING?

Private Travis T. King, who joined the U.S. Army in January 2021, is a Cavalry Scout with the Korean Rotational Force, which is part of the U.S. security commitment to South Korea.

He was originally assigned to an element of the U.S. 1st Armored Division and was now administratively attached to a unit in 4th Infantry Division, a U.S. army spokesperson said.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.

WHAT DISCIPLINARY ACTION WAS HE FACING?

Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he had been due to face U.S. military disciplinary action, without saying what the action was linked to.

A South Korean court ruling said King pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public goods stemming from an incident in October and on Feb. 8 the Seoul Western District Court fined him 5 million won ($4,000).

The ruling said King had punched a man in the face at a club on Sept. 25 but the case was settled, then on Oct. 8 police responded to a report of another altercation involving King and tried to question him but he continued his "aggressive behaviour" without answering questions.

Police placed him in the backseat of their patrol car where he shouted expletives and insults, kicking the vehicle's door and causing about 584,000 won in damage, the ruling said.

The court said the defendant admitted to the charges, had no previous criminal record and paid 1 million won to fix the vehicle, citing reasons in favour of him in the sentencing.

HOW DID HE GET TO THE BORDER?

Two U.S. officials said King had finished serving military detention and had been transported by the U.S. military to the airport to return to his home unit in the United States.

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He had passed alone through security to his gate at the airport and then fled, one official said. The Korea Times, citing an airport official, reported that King told airline workers his passport was missing to avoid boarding the flight.

Civilian tours of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) are advertised at the airport and King appeared to have decided to join one, an official said.

Such tours typically require at least 72 hours to arrange due to security requirements. It is unclear how King joined.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BORDER?

King was on a tour of the Panmunjom truce village when he crossed the Military Demarcation Line that has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, U.S. officials said.

Sarah Leslie, a tourist from New Zealand who was on the tour with King, said she saw him suddenly run across the border as U.S. and South Korean troops tried unsuccessfully to stop him.

WHY DID HE CROSS TO NORTH KOREA AND WHERE IS HE NOW?

King's motivation remains unclear. His mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC News she was shocked at the news her son had crossed into North Korea. "I can't see Travis doing anything like that," she said.

Carl Gates, the brother of King's mother, told the Daily Beast his nephew had been "breaking down" after the tragic death of his 7-year-old cousin earlier this year.

Gates said his son died in late February from a rare genetic disorder and had been on life support in his final days.

"When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away ... Travis started (being) reckless (and) crazy when he knew my son was about to die," the outlet quoted Gates as saying. "I know it was related to what he did."

U.S. officials say King is likely to be in North Korean custody. North Korea's state media has made no mention of the incident and its mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

($1 = 1,265.8500 won)

(Writing by Crystal Chesters; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Edmund Blair and Rosalba O'Brien)
By Ed Davies

(Reuters) -The U.S. military identified a soldier who made an unauthorised crossing into North Korea on Tuesday as Private Travis T. King and said he was facing disciplinary action before he fled during a tour of the heavily fortified border area.

He is believed to be in custody in the North, but his exact motive and other details remain unclear.

Attempts by U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea to desert or defect to the communist state are rare, but here are some cases that have occurred since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty:

- Joseph T. White shot off the lock on a gate leading into the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the Koreas while a U.S. soldier stationed in South Korea in 1982, before surrendering to North Korean troops, according to an account published by the Korea Times.

The North claimed he had defected, though Pyongyang refused a request by the United Nations Command to meet him. A U.S. military spokesman later said an investigation indicated that White crossed into North Korea of his own free will. In a video released by the North, White denounced the United States and praised North Korea and its then leader Kim Il-Sung.

White's parents later received a handwritten letter believed to be from their son, in which he said he was working as a teacher and happy in the North, the Washington Post reported. White drowned in a swimming accident in the North in 1985, according to a media report, citing information received by his parents.

- Charles Robert Jenkins walked into North Korea when on patrol on the DMZ in 1965. He later expressed regret for fleeing and explained at his court marital that his motive was to avoid hazardous duty in South Korea and combat in Vietnam. Jenkins said he had drunk 10 beers before the incident.

During his near four decades in the North, he taught English and also portrayed a U.S. spy in a propaganda film. Jenkins married Hitomi Soga, a Japanese woman abducted by Pyongyang. Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002 and Jenkins joined her with their two daughters in 2004. Jenkins died in 2017.

- James Joseph Dresnok was a 21-year old U.S. army private stationed in South Korea in 1962 when he fled to the North. Facing a court martial for skipping duty, Dresnok describes in a film about his life how he bolted across the DMZ, through a minefield. Dresnok and three fellow American military defectors including Jenkins, Jerry Wayne Parrish and Larry Allen Abshier lived in relative isolation for years before becoming stars of North Korean cinema by depicting evil Americans in propaganda movies promoted by then leader Kim Jong-Il. Reports, citing Dresnok's sons, say he died in Pyongyang in 2016.

(Reporting by Ed Davies in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Fairborn City Schools will be holding a relay night to honor a high school student killed last year in a crash.

>>RELATED: Driver killed in two-vehicle crash identified as 17-year-old Fairborn High School student

News Center 7 reported last year Lily Clinger, 17, was killed in a deadly crash on Dayton-Xenia Road and Trebein Road on December 16.

Her family has expressed wishes to have a tree or rock with a plaque in remembrance of Lily placed in the park where the Fairborn Skyhawks train, Fairborn City Schools posted on social media.

The Relay Night for Lily Clingner will take place Friday night at the Fairmont High School track in Kettering.

Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the relay starts at 7 p.m.

It is open to the public.

For more information, visit this website.
FAIRFIELD  Unexpected increases in Ohios recently passed two-year budget will keep the Fairfield schools off the November ballot.

Under simulations of the budget bill, the schools are expected to gain $5.3 million the first year of the budget, which began July 1, and an additional $1.1 million next July, said Nancy Lane, district treasurer.

From preliminary analysis of those simulations, I dont believe those are accurate, Lane said. We have to look at more data.

Lane said some data being used by the state might not be updated and would change the simulation. Among that data is increased property values, enrollment, and the federal gross income of the district.She believes the district might receive less the first year and no increase  and perhaps a decline  in the second year.

Its great to think were going to gain more money, but Im not sure thats really going to happen, Lane said.However, end-of-year figures showed the district's revenues were $350,000 higher than expected and expenses $1.9 million lower than budgeted.

Overall, our balance improved - $2.2 million  better than we projected in May, Lane said. Our balance for the 2025-2026 school year that had been a negative now has become positive.

When combined with $4.3 million in budget reductions approved earlier this year, that meant the district didnt have to go on the November ballot.

Im very pleased to hear you say you dont feel we need to run a levy in November, said Brian Begley, president of the school board. It would be hard to present facts to the community that we still dont have.

Lane said she will be attending a meeting early next month that will explain more of the provisions in the state budget bill, including the data that will be used in calculating what Fairfield will receive.

I dont think it (levy) would have gone over well with all these questions about the property tax increase and whatnot, said board member Jerilyn Gundrum.

Lane said the district may not know the results of the property re-evaluations until November, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact effect the state budget will have on the district. She didnt rule out the need for a levy in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Fairfield City Schools is not asking for levy this fall
A man holds a Trump flag during demonstrations in Lansing, Michigan on November 17, 2020. Photo by Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Michigan's fake GOP electors surrendered their phones to avoid being recorded during a 2020 meeting.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged 16 people in the plot to overturn the election.

They face general forgery counts and election law forgery allegations.

On December 14, 2020, a group of 16 Democratic electors in Michigan met in the state capitol and confirmed Joe Biden's victory in the state's presidential election.

Republican officials had other plans.

According to a charging document filed to court Tuesday, 16 Republican electors met in the basement of their party headquarters in the swing state's capital of Lansing. They signed fake documents claiming that then-President Donald Trump won the state, even though in reality he lost by more than 150,000 votes.

These 16 fake electors, charging documents say, took extra steps to keep their plot secret.

Two Michigan GOP staffers told investigators they stood guard at the entrance of the building in Lansing during the meeting, allowing only the "Republican candidates for electors" inside. The two staffers said they denied entry to a film crew on site, as well as the lawmaker husband of one of the fake electors charged on Tuesday, Michigan Republican Party co-Chairwoman Meshawn Maddock.

The fake electors were told no recording equipment was allowed inside the building and they were asked to surrender their cell phones to safeguard against possible recording, prosecutors said. The cell phones were put in a box and kept away from the electors as they met, according to charging documents.

The Tuesday indictments, announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, mark the first state charges against Trump supporters who sought to overturn the 2020 election results  or "fake electors," as they've come to be known in the aftermath of President Joe Biden's win.

They illustrate how the conspiracy to keep Trump in power was escalated to some of the highest reaches of the Republican party. The meeting, prosecutors say, was arranged by Michigan GOP Chairperson Laura Cox and the Republican National Committee.

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All 16 people charged on Tuesday face general forgery counts and election law forgery allegations.

Some of the fake electors expressed frustration about how other fake electors were talking about the fake transmission of votes to Congress, according to charging documents.

One of the defendants, Kathleen Berden, texted her complaints to John Haggard, another fake elector, about fake elector Mashawn Maddock's post about the process on Facebook.

"I see Meshawn posted on facebook even though we were all asked to keep silent as to not draw attention to what the other states were doing similar to ours!" Berden wrote in a text message obtained by prosecutors.

"I am not a big fan in facebook or have a computer at home. Was she not told at the meeting to keep quite [sic]," Haggard complained in response, according to prosecutors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The coffin of Shannan Gilbert, prior to her burial at Amityville Cemetery, in Amityville, N.Y., on March 12, 2015. (Kevin Hagen /The New York Times)

Jasmine Robinson sat in a Suffolk County courthouse Friday, listening intently as prosecutors explained how they had tracked a man they suspected of killing and burying at least three women on Long Islands South Shore. She heard how they had used DNA painstakingly harvested from his pizza crusts, triangulated his mobile phone signals and spent hours on old-school, shoe-leather stakeouts.

She did not hear who might have killed her cousin, whose head and hands were also found near remote Gilgo Beach.

A Massapequa Park architect, Rex Heuermann, pleaded not guilty last week after he was charged in three killings of women whose bodies were found on the barrier island. Authorities have said he is the prime suspect in a fourth. But in total, 11 bodies were discovered.

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For Robinson, the hearing and the aggressive investigative techniques were a sign that the police might finally solve the killing of her cousin, Jessica Taylor. Days after Taylor went missing in New York in July 2003, a woman walking her dog found the victims torso in the woods in Manorville, about 45 miles east of Gilgo Beach, but almost eight years went by before the rest of her remains were discovered at Gilgo.

The hearing bolstered her confidence, Robinson said.

Ive had hope forever, and every morning I wake up, its like, Maybe this is the day,  Robinson said in an interview Saturday. Hearing everything yesterday, it proves that theyre working, and theyre working hard. Im excited to see what comes next.

Since the police announced an arrest in the 12-year investigation Friday, the focus has been on the cases of the four women whom investigators have connected to Heuermann. For the relatives of the other victims found along the beach, the news was a stinging reminder that they were still awaiting answers.

The families have watched for more than a decade as the investigation was hamstrung by dysfunction and mired in corruption. Then, last year, investigators joined with state and federal agencies to reexamine the case.

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The task force is continuing the investigation into the other deaths, was all that the Suffolk County Police Department would say Tuesday. A spokesperson for the county district attorneys office said it would not discuss a continuing investigation.

For some of the victims families, last weeks arrest was a reason to keep the faith. For others, it merely amplified their frustration.

Investigators began to focus on Gilgo Beach in 2010, when Shannan Gilbert, who had answered a call for an escort in the area, disappeared. Investigators soon discovered the first four buried bodies. Gilberts remains were found a year later, in Oak Beach marshlands about 6 miles from Gilgo Beach. Though the police have suggested that her death was not a homicide, her family disagrees and knows little about how and why she died.

I am so happy for the four that are able to get those answers, said Sherre Gilbert, her sister, adding: I feel like they could have done this years ago had they brought the right people in.

The investigation began in earnest in December 2010 when a Suffolk County officer, John Mallia, and his K-9 partner, Blue, were searching a stretch of Ocean Parkway near where authorities believed Gilbert had gone missing, according to prosecutors. Blue discovered human remains.

The police later determined that they did not belong to Gilbert, but to Melissa Barthelemy, a 24-year-old woman from the Bronx who had worked as a prostitute until she disappeared in July 2009. When the police returned two days later, they found the remains of three other women  Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman and Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

All four were petite, in their 20s and had worked as prostitutes. They were all also found bound at the feet or ankles and wrapped in burlap along a stretch of sand about a quarter-mile long.

Seven other bodies would be found in the months that followed, including Gilbert, four other women, a man who was never identified and a 2-year-old girl. The bodies, two of which were only partial remains, had not been bound and wrapped as those in the first group were.

Numerous killers have sometimes disposed of bodies in a single location  parts of Brooklyn and New Jersey swamps, said Fred Klein, a lawyer and a former Nassau County assistant district attorney who prosecuted serial killer Joel Rifkin. But that dumping, he said, has generally been the work of an organized crime group or gang.

The unusual part would be for random people to be using the same location, said Klein, who is now an assistant law professor at Hofstra University. It almost stretches the imagination to believe more than one different person, completely dissociated with each other, just coincidentally happened to dump dead sex workers in the same location.

But the search area ultimately stretched for miles, and Joseph Giacalone, an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who ran the Police Departments Bronx cold case squad, said a broad search could unearth unexpected discoveries.

When you have these vast wooded areas, it depends on how far the police department wants to go and how many bodies they want to find, he said.

When investigators started the task force last year, they concentrated on the first four women found, District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said in an interview with ABCs Good Morning America.

Those murders: The patterns are very similar, he said. Thats what this grand jury investigation was all about. Were going to work through this case, and then were going to continue to investigate all those other bodies as well.

Heuermanns arrest could also be significant in helping investigators solve the other victims cases, Klein said. In the past, witnesses memories have been jogged after seeing a news segment or reading about an arrest, he said.

Since Friday, officials in Suffolk County have executed warrants, seizing evidence from Heuermanns home and a storage unit, including more than 200 guns.

But as officials continue their investigations, Sherre Gilbert said that the task of solving her sisters death now lies primarily with her and her lawyer.

Last year, the police concluded her sisters cause of death was undetermined but probably accidental, with substance abuse and mental illness possibly playing roles, she said. The family disagrees.

Even if police say this case is closed, were not going to stop getting justice, Gilbert said. Were going to be as loud as we can.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Rex Heuermanns family was apparently stunned by the Massapequa Park, Long Island residents alleged role in the so-called Gilgo Beach murders. Heuermann, 59, was charged Friday with killing at least three people found buried near Gilgo Beach in 2010.

When we initially informed them about their husband, their father, they were shocked, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told CBS New York in an interview that aired Monday. They were disgusted. They were embarrassed.

Harrison continued, If you ask me, I dont believe they knew about this double life that Mr. Heuermann was living.

Heuermann, an architect who worked in Manhattan, is accused of murdering Megan Waterman, 22, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Amber Costello, 27. He is also suspected in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, but has yet to be charged in her killing.

All four women worked as online sex workers before they went missing between 2007 and 2010, according to People. Authorities previously stated that Heuermanns wife and two children werent in town at the time of these killings.

The skeletal remains, found along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach between December 2010 and April 2011, comprised at least 10 victims. While most were identified as female sex workers, one was an Asian man  and another was a two-year-old girl.

Heuermann was charged with three counts each of first-degree and second-degree murder.

Heuermann was charged with three counts each of first-degree and second-degree murder.

Investigators working on the case were stumped, as dramatized in the 2020 Netflix movie Lost Girls. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told People that DNA from three victims linked Heuermann to the crime scene, in addition to cell tower data.

The father of two reportedly looked at images of the victims and their families online.

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, said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul during an appearance Friday on Long Island.

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Heuermann was arrested Thursday in Massapequa and arraigned in state court in Riverhead Friday when authorities began searching his home. He pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder.

Heuermann is scheduled for another court appearance in August.

Related...
Private 2nd Class Travis King, the U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea "willfully and without authorization" on Tuesday, according to U.S. officials, made his move right as he was to be transferred back to the U.S. and dismissed from the military.

U.S. officials said Tuesday that King, 23, was believed to be in the custody of North Korean forces. North Korea's government has not said anything about King since he was apparently detained.

What motivated the American soldier to run across the border into an isolated, authoritarian country considered one of the biggest threats to peace on the globe remains unclear, but below is what we know so far from statements made by military officials, witnesses and King's family members in the U.S.

How did King cross the DMZ into North Korea?

King crossed over the border in one of the few locations where it would have been possible without the risk of being quickly shot or blown up. The Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea is one of the most heavily fortified and militarized borders on the planet. The vast majority of it is marked with multiple lines of barbed wire and guarded over by heavily armed North and South Korean soldiers on either side.

But in the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the "peace village" of Panmunjom, the weapons and barbed wire give way for a short distance to a simple line on the ground  the Military Demarcation Line. Soldiers from both sides have long guarded the line, within inches of each other, though North Korean troops pulled farther back onto their side during the COVID-19 pandemic and haven't returned to the symbolic standoff.

South Korean soldiers stand guard at the border village of Panmunjom between South and North Korea at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on April 18, 2018 in Panmunjom, South Korea. / Credit: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

King was escorted to an airport in Incheon, near South Korea's capital of Seoul, for a flight back to the U.S. to be "separated" from the Army, U.S. officials told CBS News, but after parting ways with his escort at customs, he didn't board the plane. After going through airport security, he somehow returned and managed to join a civilian tour group heading from Seoul to Panmunjom.

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CBS News' British partner network BBC News spoke with a man who used to work for a company that ran tours to the JSA for U.S. troops serving in South Korea.

Now the host of the North Korea-themed NK News Podcast, Jacco Zwetsloot told the BBC there was "no way this person could escape from the airport one day and book on to one of these tours the next."

He said it generally takes three days for someone to be authorized to go on one of the trips, and his former clients would have to submit passport and military ID information to U.N. Command, which operates the JSA, in advance.

"When I was leading the tours, we had to change the turnaround time from 48 to 72 hours because there were too many mistakes," he told the BBC, adding that it had become even harder to join the tours since the pandemic. He said to book a spot on one of the limited tours now running would have required research and planning.

U.S. Private 2nd Class Travis King, wearing a black shirt and black cap at left, is seen in a picture taken during a tour of the tightly controlled Joint Security Area on the border between North Korea and South Korea, at the

A witness who was in King's tour group told CBS News on Tuesday that the American abruptly left the others, laughed, and then ran across the Military Demarcation Line before anyone could act to stop him.

King's brief history with the U.S. military

King has served in the U.S. Army since January 2021, Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee told CBS News. He had not been deployed for active duty, but was sent to South Korea as part of the Pentagon's regular Korean Force Rotation, assigned to 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

Dubee said King had received the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

U.S. officials told CBS News that King had served time at a detention facility in South Korea and was handed over to officials at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, the hub for U.S. forces in the country, only about a week ago.

An undated file photo obtained by Reuters shows Private 2nd Class Travis King of the U.S. Army. / Credit: Reuters

He had spent about two months in a South Korean jail after an arrest on assault charges, a South Korean official told the Agence France-Presse news agency. According to South Korean media, he was accused of kicking the door of a police patrol car and shouting expletives at Korean officers.

"I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop, and so we will remain focused on this," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday at the Pentagon, without naming King specifically.

What King's family is saying

King's mother told ABC News on Tuesday that she was shocked when she heard her son had crossed into North Korea.

"I can't see Travis doing anything like that," Claudine Gates, from Wisconsin, told ABC.

She said the last time she heard from her son was "a few days ago," and that she just wants "him to come home."

The Daily Beast quoted King's uncle Carl Gates on Wednesday as saying the young soldier had been "breaking down" emotionally over the death of Gates' 7-year-old son, King's cousin, earlier this year.

"His mom came down on a few occasions, and she then talked to him and let him know what was going on with my son. And it seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot," Gates told The Daily Beast. "Because he couldn't be here. He was in the Army, overseas."

The news outlet said Gates' young son died in February after a prolonged hospitalization for an untreatable genetic disorder.

"When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away Travis started [being] reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die," Gates told The Daily Beast. "I know it was related to what he did."

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A group of tourists stand near a border station at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Not long after this photo was taken, Travis King, a U.S. soldier, bolted across the border and became the first known American detained in the North in nearly five years.

RACINE - The mother of the Racine soldier being held by North Korean authorities made a plea for his safe return Wednesday.

"I just want my son back. Get my son home. Get my son home and pray, pray that he comes back," said Claudine M. Gates as she stood on the porch of her home.

Others who were with Gates declined to give their names, but spoke warmly of the soldier, U.S. Army Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King.

"We've observed the process of doing this right now. That's all she wants," said an older man who accompanied Gates.

"He's a good, young man. He's a good, young man," the older man said. "Nobody ever expected this out of him. He's a good young man who's always been a solid family man."

King bolted into North Korea while on a public tour of the Demilitarized Zone on Tuesday, a day after he was supposed to travel to a base in the U.S. He was released from a South Korean prison on July 10 after serving two months for assault and was scheduled to return to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge.

In Racine, a man who identified himself as King's brother said, "We respect, we understand the gravity of this situation. It's a very massive and unfortunate thing."

He asked for privacy and said the family would defer to the U.S. military.

"We'll be more talkative maybe at some point, but we just want to see where it goes from here," he said.

"There's nothing that we're going to say that's going to change anybody's opinion they already have on my brother," he said.

"If he makes it out, he can speak for himself," he added.

U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King's home in Racine.

What is the White House saying about Travis King's detention in North Korea?

North Korea stayed silent Wednesday about the detention of King.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the U.S. government was working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve this incident.

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The American-led U.N. Command said Tuesday that the U.S. soldier was believed to be in North Korean custody.

Who is U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King?

King, a 23-year-old cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division, was supposed to leave Monday for Texas. He was escorted as far as customs but left the airport before boarding his plane.

It wasnt clear how he spent the hours until joining the tour in the border village of Panmunjom and running across the border Tuesday afternoon. The Army released his name and limited information after Kings family was notified. A number of U.S. officials provided additional details on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

One woman who was on the tour with King said she initially thought his dash was some kind of stunt  and that she and others in the group couldnt believe what happened.

Kings stint in prison was not the first time he faced legal trouble in South Korea.

In February, a court fined him 5 million won ($3,950) after he was convicted of assaulting an unidentified person and damaging a police vehicle in Seoul last October, according to a transcript of the verdict obtained by The Associated Press.

Sarah Leslie thought she was witnessing a stunt when she saw an American soldier start sprinting toward North Korea.

The ruling said King had also been accused of punching a 23-year-old man at a Seoul nightclub, though the court dismissed that charge because the victim didnt want King to be punished.

Kings maternal grandfather, Carl Gates, said his grandson joined the Army roughly three years ago because he wanted to do better for himself. He was drawn to service because he has a brother who is a police officer and a cousin in the Navy, Gates said.

Gates said he hoped his grandson, a 2020 graduate of Park High School in Racine, could be brought home to get help.

I think right now he might have a problem or something. I cant see him doing that intentionally if he was in his right mind, Gates said.

Have other Americans been held captive before in North Korea?

King is the first known American held in North Korea in nearly five years. Each detention has set off complicated diplomatic wrangling, and this one comes at a time of elevated animosity. On Wednesday, North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in an apparent protest of the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea for the first time in decades.

Its likely that North Korea will use the soldier for propaganda purposes in the short term and then as a bargaining chip, said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea.

Its rare for Americans or South Koreans to defect to North Korea, but more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to escape political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Tae Yongho, a former minister at the North Korean Embassy in London, said North Korea is likely pleased to have an opportunity to get the U.S. to lose its face because Kings crossing happened on the same day the U.S. submarine arrived in South Korea.

Tae, now a South Korean lawmaker, said North Korea was unlikely to return King easily because he is a soldier from a nation technically at war with North Korea, and he voluntarily went to the North.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248-kilometer-long (154-mile-long) Demilitarized Zone, has been jointly overseen by the U.N. Command and North Korea since the close of the Korean War.

In recent years, some American civilians have been arrested in North Korea on allegations of espionage, subversion and other anti-state acts, but were released after the U.S. sent high-profile missions to secure their freedom.

In May 2018, North Korea released three American detainees who returned to the United States on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a short period of warm relations. Later in 2018, North Korea said it expelled American Bruce Byron Lowrance. Since his deportation, there have been no reports of other Americans detained in North Korea before Tuesday.

Those releases stood in striking contrast to the fate of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died in 2017, days after he was released by North Korea in a coma following 17 months in captivity.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: US soldier Travis King crosses into North Korea, being detained
Family members of a Kansas City, Kansas, woman who was stabbed in broad daylight Tuesday were in disbelief at the randomness of an attack that unfolded when the woman returned home from her routine volunteer work at a food pantry.

Laura Villegas had just gotten home from work and was changing clothes when she saw her daughter, 46-year-old Stephanie Perez, walking back from the the volunteer work and a man who appeared suspicious. She called out to Perez to get across the street.

By the time Villegas got outside, Perez was being loaded into the ambulance and carted off to the hospital.

Shes done this for like seven years. She walked back and forth. Nobodys ever hurt her, said Villegas, whose daughter helps at Immanuel Lutheran Church, which hosts regular food pantries on Tuesdays. Until today.

Dan Villegas, Perezs stepfather, also recalled seeing a man walking nearby covered in blood and holding what appeared to be a butchers knife.

(He) walked down a couple blocks. Then I heard the gunshots. So I figured that he must have waved the weapon or something, Dan Villegas said.

Roughly 30 of Perezs family members gathered at the Kansas City hospital where Perez was taken Tuesday afternoon. Her family asked that the precise location not be publicized while she was being cared for.

Were all giving Stephanie a lot of support, Laura Villegas said. This is all her family, and they all love her.

Kansas City, Kansas, police officers responded to the stabbing near 34th and Metropolitan Avenue around 11:45 a.m. Shortly after, they encountered a suspect who remained armed with a knife, said Deputy Chief Kent Anderson, a KCKPD commander and spokesman for the departments patrol bureau within the Argentine neighborhood.

Police block off the scene of an officer involved shooting near the corner of Strong Avenue and South 37th Street on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Kansas City, Kan. According to a statement from the department, officers shot a person who was suspected of stabbing two people, one fatally. Zachary Linhares/zlinhares@kcstar.com

The man, described as being in his 30s, allegedly charged toward an officer with the knife, prompting two officers to discharge their weapons. The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being shot multiple times, according to police.

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At the hospital, he was last listed in serious condition on Tuesday evening, according to police.

As officers were on scene, an employee of a nearby senior care center on Strong Avenue approached police and said a resident had been found injured. That man, who is in his 70s, was found dead of stab wounds in an apartment there, according to police.

Police said Tuesday the suspect was a relative of the older man who was found dead. Many other details, including the events leading up to the attacks, remained under investigation Tuesday.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Perezs family was still getting information from surgeons who were treating her as she was sedated. Surgeons had worked to repair wounds to her neck, face and hand and were checking to make sure there were no puncture wounds in her throat, her younger brother Ernesto Perez said.

Family members of Perez started a GoFundMe webpage on Tuesday seeking financial assistance to help with her medical expenses.

Vickie Medina, Perezs aunt, said her niece is the type of person who would do anything for anybody. She and other family members described her as a caring person with a big heart.

She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, Medina said.
The FBI has told a former supervisory agent investigating Hunter Biden that he was expected to not answer certain questions from the House Oversight Committee concerning the case.

The message was relayed in a redacted letter from FBI general counsel Jason Jones the night before the agent was expected to testify.

In the letter, obtained by the New York Post, Jones tells the former agent that the FBI "expects that you will decline to respond to questions seeking non-public information likely covered by one or more components of executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests, in particular information about deliberations or ongoing investigative activity in law enforcement matters."

Hunter Biden disembarks Air Force One at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, on Feb. 4, 2023.

Jones advised the former agent to direct such questions to the FBIs Office of Congressional Affairs.

The FBI lawyer alluded to the "ongoing" case concerning the presidents son, saying the committee was interested in "certain events that took place in December 2020 as part of this investigation."

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to federal charges last month after a year-long investigation into his tax affairs. That investigation began amid the discovery of suspicious activity reports (SARs) regarding funds from "China and other foreign nations."

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FORMER FBI AGENT CONFIRMS KEY DETAILS OF HUNTER BIDEN WHISTLEBLOWER'S TESTIMONY, GOP SAYS

As first reported in 2020, the FBI subpoenaed a laptop and hard drive purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden in connection with a money-laundering investigation in late 2019.

In December 2020, weeks after the 2020 presidential election, Biden publicly acknowledged he was under investigation related to his taxes. At the time, Biden said he took the matter "very seriously" and was "confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisers."

Story continues

Hunter Biden visits Carlingford Castle during his trip to Ireland on April 12, 2023.

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee on Monday said the former supervisory agent in Jones letter confirmed key portions of a whistleblowers testimony concerning alleged political interference by the Biden administration into the investigation.

Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said the DOJs alleged "efforts to cover up for the Bidens" showed there was "a two-tiered system of justice" and that the committee would "seek the answers, transparency and accountability that the American people demand and deserve."

FBI Director Christopher Wray insisted last week that the bureau was "absolutely not" protecting the Biden family amid allegations the probe was influenced by politics.

The FBI told Fox News Digital that it "is longstanding practice for employees and former employees to receive general guidance when called to testify on FBI matters."

Fox News Brooke Singman and Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.
Advances in artificial intelligence technology are amplifying concerns over how campaigns spread false information, and a partisan deadlock at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is hindering a progressive-led push to put guardrails in place.

The FEC is facing a second request  backed by Democrats in the House and Senate  to clarify that its law on fraudulent misrepresentation applies to use of AI.

The new push comes after the commissions three Republican members defeated an initial petition led by the progressive consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) sent the FECs general counsel a letter last week urging the commission to reconsider its decision, stating that it is well within the commission authority to issue AI regulations.

How AI is changing the 2024 election

As Members of Congress concerned about the ability of generative AI to significantly disrupt the integrity of our elections, we respectfully request that the FEC reconsider its decision and seek comment on whether the Commission should initiate a full rulemaking on a proposal in the Petition for Rulemaking from Public Citizen. Should you decline this request, please provide a detailed summary and justification as to why you reached that decision, they wrote.

The rise of AI in campaigns

Former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). Credit: Greg Nash

Those pushing the FEC to clarify its rules to address AI say it is urgent to take action now in the lead up to the 2024 election, as the technology becomes more advanced and widespread.

Artificial intelligence is moving at a rapid clip, said Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president at Public Citizen.

Pro-DeSantis group uses AI version of Trumps voice in new ad

Gilbert warned that AI can create images, and audio, and video that is so real that its very hard for the viewer to tell that its not. And when it comes to elections, that will mean increasingly hard to unpack deepfakes which will be disseminated and could impact the election.

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Some Republican presidential campaigns and super PACs are already using AI as the 2024 presidential primary heats up.

A super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss (R) campaign used an AI-generated version of former President Trumps voice to narrate a post he made on Truth Social. The post attacked Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), the popular governor of a state crucial to the GOP primary.

Trump had also posted an AI-generated video targeting DeSantis after the Florida governor launched his campaign. And DeSantiss campaign released an ad that used seemingly AI-produced images of Trump embracing Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Senators grapple with response to AI after first classified briefing

Peter Loge, director of the Project on Ethics in Political Communication at George Washington University, said campaigns have always cut and pasted and tried to put their opponent in the worst possible light, but the advances in AI are making those images harder to detect and capable of being spread more widely.

The question is how do we answer these old questions given the new technologies, and the higher stakes on American elections. And the FEC is part of the answer, Congress is part of the answer, and political consultants and candidates have to be part of the answer, Loge said.

Public Citizen sent last week a second petition requesting the FEC clarify that the law against fraudulent misrepresentation applies to deceptive AI campaign communications.

This is going to have realtime consequences in 2024, and the Federal Election Commission is the agency that takes action to react to this kind of danger, Gilbert said.

The updated request sought to address concerns raised by GOP commissioners during a June meeting when the request was shot down. Public Citizen sought to clarify why the group believes the commission has the authority to regulate deceptive AI-produced content and specific regulation it wishes to amend.

Why GOP commissioners are pushing back

During a meeting in June, Republican FEC Commissioners Allen Dickerson, Sean Cooksey and James Trainor III voted to reject Public Citizens first petition.

The deadlock between three GOP commissioners and three Democratic commissioners  Chairwoman Dara Lindenbaum, Shana Broussard and Ellen Weintraub  blocked it from going forward.

Dickerson said during the meeting that while he supported an FEC request to expand the commissions authority, The only fraud were entitled to police is where an agent of one candidate pretends to be the agent of another, or where a person raises funds by fraudulently claiming to be acting on behalf of the campaign with which he or she is unaffiliated.

Public Citizen directed its efforts to the wrong component of the government. Instead of coming to us, they should take this up with Congress. I wish it luck, he added.

Even Lindenbaum, who voted in support of the petition, questioned the panels ability to take further action beyond hearing public comment.

I also share Commissioner Dickersons concerns about whether or not we have any jurisdiction here or the power to do it. I am skeptical that we do, but during the process I hope that we get some  ideas that may help us or help Congress, Lindenbaum said.

Can the FEC crack down on AI?

Former FEC Commissioner Ann Ravel, an Obama appointee who served from 2013-17, said the commission has the power to clarify rules for AI.

Although the technology under consideration is newer, considering fraudulent misrepresentation is not out of the scope of the commission, she said.

Meta releases AI tech to rival ChatGPT

Gilbert said Public Citizen is using a straightforward regulation to push the FEC to address the use of AI in campaigns.

What were talking about is a new medium that can quickly create that type of misrepresentation and the FEC should interpret their existing reg and address it, she said.

She said there are broader regulations she would want to see, such as requiring watermarks or clarifications to identify AI, that the FEC does not yet have the authority to put in place.

Ravel said it would have a significant impact if the FEC was able to take action on AI  or even attempt to do so  as a tool to influence the companies that are producing it.

I know theres a lot of people that think theres good from it, but a lot of people that are really scared as well. And so having them come out with this, because of the concerns about the electoral process, I think would be a meaningful act on their part, and should be easier than getting a majority of Congress to vote for it, Ravel said.

Although, she said, the FECs deadlock and apparent wait for express authority from Congress is typical for the agency given the 3-3 partisan split and need for four votes to take action.

Loge also cautioned that as regulators and lawmakers weigh AI rules, they should be wary of viewing the debate in technological extremes.

This is neither the end of the world, nor is it going to lead to a utopia full of puppies and rainbows. Emerging technology tends to be a bit more complicated, and tends not to have the extreme benefits or downfalls that people hope for or fear, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It took only 30 minutes on Wednesday for a Miami federal jury to convict a father and his three sons of selling a toxic bleach solution as a miracle medical cure out of a fake Florida churchs website to thousands of consumers across the country.

Mark Grenon, 65, and sons Jonathan, 37, Joseph, 35, and Jordan, 29, chose to represent themselves in their two-day trial in Miami federal court. But they said nothing during the trial, as if they were silently protesting the proceeding.

Only after the 12-person jury hit them with a quick verdict did one of the Grenons speak up. We will be appealing, Joseph Grenon said.

During the trial and closing arguments, prosecutors had a lot to say about the four defendants from Bradenton, portraying them as con men who used a phony religious front on a website, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, to sell $1 million worth of their Miracle Mineral Solution in video pitches as a cure for 95% of the worlds known diseases, from AIDS to the coronavirus.

This whole Miracle Mineral Solution scheme was built on deception and dishonesty, prosecutor John Shipley said during his closing argument, telling jurors that the Grenons created a fake church to make it harder for the Food and Drug Administration and government to stop them from selling snake oil.

But, this was no church, he argued. This was a scam for money  an old-fashioned scam.

The jury found the four defendants  all wearing beige inmate uniforms, pony tails and flowing beards  guilty of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government and FDA, which regulates the food and drug industry, by distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug, Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS). That conviction carries up to five years in prison.

Additionally, the jury found two of the Grenons  Jonathan and Gordon  guilty of two counts of violating federal court orders requiring them to stop selling MMS in 2020. Those counts carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

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The same contempt charges were dismissed against the father, Mark, and third brother, Joseph. When they were extradited from Colombia in 2022, the Bogota government turned over both defendants to U.S. authorities on the condition that they would only be charged with the conspiracy count, not the contempt charges.

The sentencing hearing for the Father and three sons was scheduled for Oct. 6.

During the trial, Shipley and fellow prosecutor Michael Homer said the Grenons called themselves bishops and peddled MMS as sacraments to consumers in South Florida and other parts of the United States in exchange for a donation to the Genesis church, before the Food and Drug Administration cracked down on the family in 2020.

The Grenons were charged that April with conspiring to defraud the U.S. government after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when they defied FDA and court orders to stop distributing the toxic MMS substance. Their criminal case was the first pandemic-related enforcement action in Florida. In public warnings, FDA said it received several reports of hospitalizations and life-threatening conditions as people drank the dangerous substance.

MMS is a chemical solution containing sodium chlorite that, when mixed with water and a citric acid activator, turns into chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp and paper.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga gave an instruction to jurors that the Grenons could not use the First Amendment, specifically religious freedom, as a defense for selling the dangerous product because their so-called church was not a religious entity.

In his closing argument, Shipley hit home on that point. You cannot go out and create a fake church and violate the law, he argued.

During the trial, a Food and Drug Administration agent testified about three Grenon-produced videos that pitched the solution as a cure for cancer, lung cancer and COVID-19, among other deadly diseases.

We are trying to create a world without disease, Mark Grenon said in one video, pitching the MMS substance. Its been proven to be tremendously effective in curing cancer.

Another video, dated March 8, 2020, was titled: The coronavirus is curable. Do you believe it? You better!

Homer asked the FDA agent, Jose Rivera, if theres a cure for the coronavirus, which can cause severe respiratory disease and death.

No, there isnt, Rivera said.

To bolster his investigation, Rivera, under a different name, said he bought multiple bottles of the Grenons MMS product through their website at $15, $20 and $30 each. They were shipped to addresses in Florida and Georgia. In one instance, Rivera complained that his fictional wife, who was portrayed as battling cancer, did not improve after taking the substance for three weeks. The agent testified that he received an email from one of Grenons sons saying that she would have to use it for a longer period of time to be effective.

Prosecutors said the Grenon familys religious front, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, sold tens of thousands of MMS orders in violation of federal law since 2010.

It was in that year that Mark Grenon claims to have founded the organization with a man named Jim Humble in a plan to avoid governmental regulation and arrest as they promoted MMS as a miracle cure. Humble, a man who has dabbled in Scientology and professed to be a billion-year-old god, began promoting the substance as early as 2006 in self-published works after he claimed to have discovered its medical properties while on a gold-mining expedition in South America.

After Humble supposedly stepped away from the organization in 2017, Grenon continued to manufacture, promote and sell MMS with his three sons.

The Grenons open defiance of a court order ultimately led to criminal charges and a federal raid on the familys Bradenton home, where federal investigators say they found loaded guns, nearly 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder and thousands of bottles of MMS.

Jonathan and Jordan Grenon, the eldest and youngest sons, were arrested in Bradenton. Mark Grenon and the middle son, Joseph, fled to Colombia, where they were later arrested by Colombian authorities and held for extradition last year.

Information from the Bradenton Herald was used for this story.
Federal prosecutors have been in contact with the office of Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar as part of the special counsel's ongoing probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, a spokesperson for Aguilar's said in a statement Tuesday to ABC News.

"The Secretary of State's Office has been in contact with federal prosecutors regarding efforts to overturn the 2020 election," the statement said. "We are complying with all requests from the Department of Justice."

MORE: Special counsel informs Trump he is target in probe of efforts to overturn 2020 election

"Secretary Aguilar and his Office are confident in the conduct of the 2020 election and the work done by the SOS Elections Division under the leadership of Secretary Cegavske," the spokesperson added. "Secretary Aguilar is focused on preparing for the 2024 election cycle and ensuring that elections in Nevada remain secure, accessible, and transparent."

Officials in Wisconsin and Arizona also confirmed to ABC News on Tuesday that officials there had been contacted by special counsel investigators.

Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has been contacted by prosecutors, a spokesperson told ABC News. "He's been responsive, and just as he's done since the election, he will do the right thing," the spokesperson said.

ABC News previously reported that then-President Donald Trump had pressured the Republican governor to overturn Arizona's results following the 2020 election, according to sources.

A Wisconsin Elections Commission spokesperson told ABC News that the chief elections official in Wisconsin met with federal investigators in April regarding the probe.

PHOTO: In this May 28, 2022, file photo, voters in Nye County arrives on the first day of early voting at the Bob Ruud Community Center in Pahrump, Nev. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images, FILE)

"In April 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe to be interviewed in the inquiry regarding the events surrounding Jan. 6, 2021," Wisconsin Elections Commission Public Information Officer Riley Vetterkind told ABC News. "Administrator Wolfe cooperated with the subpoena and appeared in person before DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation officials in April."

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ABC News reported earlier Tuesday that special counsel Jack Smith recently informed former President Donald Trump by letter that he is a target in the 2020 election probe.

Trump also confirmed the development in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Last week, ABC News reported that federal prosecutors recently met with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and, separately, with Claire Woodall-Vogg, the executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission, as part of the probe.

Federal prosecutors contacted officials in Nevada, Wisconsin, Arizona as part of 2020 election probe originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Toriano Davis sold children for sex so he could drive expensive cars, buy weed and ecstasy, and satisfy his own deviant desires, the FBI says.

His victims were vulnerable, teenage runaways. He not only prostituted them and kept their money, the FBI says, but had sex with them himself, and hushed them when they protested.

"I don't like doing this ... and all I hear outta your mouth is how I need to keep doing it ... and I tired," a 15-year-old victim once texted him.

"Say less," Davis texted back, before reminding her that a customer was on his way.

But so was the FBI, which would eventually catch up with Davis, busting him as he drove a rented Porsche that one of his victims had paid for with her escort money. She was 16, and in the car with him.

Charges followed. And a guilty plea.

'This is a reprehensible crime'

In U.S. District Court on Tuesday, Davis, a 38-year-old Ferndale father of four, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison for sex trafficking teenage girls out of metro Detroit motels while out on bond for alleged drug crimes in North Dakota.

Prosecutors said his victims include a 15-year-old girl he had sex with and taped the acts on his cellphone  all while selling her and others to strangers for sex, arranging their dates and driving them to area motels to make money for him.

"This is a reprehensible crime," prosecutors wrote in urging the judge to hand down a severe punishment for Davis.

"He saw that (the victims) were vulnerable children who had run away from home. He knew that the girls were minors," argued prosecutors, stressing Davis exploited his victims "for his own financial gain and sexual gratification."

Davis was indicted in October 2021, two weeks after his arrest, on charges of child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. Sixteen months later, he cut a deal with the government and pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking.

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Davis's court-appointed lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Concerned relatives help FBI bust Davis

According to court documents and the U.S. Attorney's Office, police started investigating Davis while trying to locate two runaway girls who had fled the Lansing area in late 2020. A relative of one of the girls had contacted authorities and expressed fears that the girls were being trafficked in metro Detroit.

On Dec. 10, 2020, an investigator with child protective services contacted the FBI about the relative's concerns, and noted that the relative had found an online escort ad that included photos of the missing girls.

More: Prosecutor blasts female pedophile: Your childhood trauma is no excuse for what you did

That same day, an undercover officer arranged a sex date through the ad, and was given instructions to head to the Hawthorne Suites in Detroit. There, the officer was directed to Room 613, where he found and rescued a 16-year-old sex trafficking victim who knew the missing Lansing girls.

The room had been rented by Davis, who had provided the hotel with a North Dakota driver's license.

The next day, police went to the Red Roof Inn in Southfield, where they found and rescued the two missing runaways from Lansing.

In separate interviews with law enforcement, the Lansing runaways explained how Davis's sex trafficking operation worked: A third 16-year-old victim acted as a trainer for both runaways. She helped get them to Detroit, posted escort ads for them, arranged their sex dates, collected the money afterward and gave it all to Davis, who they referred to as "Tori."

Feds find victim No. 4 in Room 125, Quality Inn Hotel, Roseville

On Aug. 3, 2021, authorities received several tips that the 16-year-old so-called "trainer" was with Davis, and that Davis was staying at the Quality Inn Hotel on Little Mack in Roseville.

Hotel staff confirmed Davis was in Room 125, escorted law enforcement to the room, and knocked on the door.

"Davis opened the door completely nude," an FBI agent wrote in an affidavit, adding a nude female was also in the room.

She was 15, victim No. 4.

Police found used condom wrappers throughout the room and two cellphones. One was the girl's, the other belonged to Davis.

More: Waterford couple wins $40,000 weed wedding, complete with pot-infused food for 50 guests

'A scourge on our community'

Following her rescue, the girl told police that Davis had sex with her and recorded it on his cellphone. Police found the video.

The sexual abuse and trafficking of children is a scourge on our community that leaves an indelible mark on victims, U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison stated in announcing the sentence. The video recording of that abuse perpetuates the abuse."

Perhaps more egregious, Ison added, is that "this defendant committed these heinous acts while on bond in a federal drug case."

Davis has long criminal history

According to court records, Davis has lived a life of crime over the last two decades.

Most recently, Davis has a state drug conviction and a pending federal drug case out of North Dakota, where he is charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, heroin and fentanyl between North Dakota and Michigan. He was released on bond in that case in August 2020, though has repeatedly tested positive for marijuana since then  a violation of his bond conditions  and wound up getting arrested on child sex trafficking charges.

His past also includes several probation violations and multiple traffic-related offenses.

In 2006, he was convicted of receiving/concealing a motor vehicle and operating without a license after he stole a truck from the State Fairgrounds in Detroit and crashed it while being pursued. After the crash, he fled on foot into a yard. He was sentenced to 18 months probation, but violated his terms twice.

In 2015, Davis was sentenced to 12 months probation or eight days custody for fleeing the scene of a car accident while driving under the influence of marijuana. In that case, he violated his probation three times. Davis also has been cited for driving on a suspended license four times and failing to display a valid license three times.

A 'wonderful upbringing' and an opioid addiction

Davis has never married. He has four daughters who live with their mothers: an 18-year-old, a set of 12-year-old twins and a 5-year-old. According to court records, Davis maintains he had a "wonderful upbringing" in Detroit with a "supportive and loving family."

He also has battled cancer and an opioid addiction, with medical records showing that he "frequently came to ERs throughout metro Detroit seeking opioids," visiting one emergency room 40 times in a year.

More: Michigan art dealer who faked lung transplant to rob seniors pleads guilty to $1.5M scam

"Time after time, Davis would come to the ER citing pain, and would become aggressive towards hospital staff when they would not provide him the medications he wanted," prosecutors wrote in court documents.

Since May 2012, Davis has been unemployed and has collected Social Security disability, claiming that he supported himself by rapping and producing music.

Prosecutors tell a different story: "The facts of this case indicate that he, in fact, supported himself by trafficking drugs and children."

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ferndale child sex trafficker Toriano Davis gets 15 years in prison
Federal authorities confirmed Tuesday that they are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy at a poultry plant in Mississippi.

The Department of Labors Occupational Health and Safety Administration and Wage and Hour Division have both opened inspections at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg in the wake of the Friday incident, according to a DOL spokesperson.

The victim has been identified as Duvan Tomas Perez, originally from Guatemala, by local authorities and a family member, according to NBC News, which noted that workers under the age of 18 are not allowed to work in poultry plants for safety reasons.

Forrest County Deputy Coroner Lisa Klem told NBC that Perezs death was due to equipment at the plant, and that his autopsy results will be released Wednesday.

A fellow worker at the plant, on duty at the time of the incident, reportedly said he heard Perez scream for help, but that it was too late.

Two times he began to scream, Help! Help! the worker said. I knew he had died, they added.

The Hill has reached out to Mar-Jac Poultry for comment.

Any issues identified in the investigation will be corrected immediately, Joe Colee, the manager of the facility, told NBC.

We strive daily to work as safely as possible and are truly devastated whenever an employee is injured, Colee added.

The death is reportedly the second at the Hattiesburg Mar-Jac in less than three years.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A man is going to prison 15 years after a shooting outside a Connecticut concert venue killed another man  closing a 2008 cold case, officials said.

Kenny Sullivan, 20, was found shot in the stomach on June 26, 2008, after a concert at the XL Center in Hartford, where verbal and physical arguments between two street gangs took place inside, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.

Sullivan died at a hospital following the shooting, which occurred as a large brawl between the two gangs ensued outside after the concert ended, officials said.

Witnesses later tipped off investigators that James Dexter Brown, now 33, shot Sullivan  resulting in Browns arrest on Dec. 14, 2018, according to officials.

Brown, of East Hartford, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on July 17 for fatally shooting Sullivan, Connecticut Chief States Attorney Patrick J. Griffin announced in a July 18 news release. This comes after he was found guilty of murder in March.

The resolution of this case is the result of countless hours of hard work by dedicated investigators and prosecutors who never give up their search for justice for the victims of unimaginable crimes, Griffin said in a statement.

Brown had ties to a violent Hartford gang, while Sullivan had ties to a rival gang, the Greenwich Time reported.

Body of missing 18-year-old in remote bonfire pile leads to mans arrest, cops say

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Hundreds of Philippine Barbie fans have flocked to the opening of the film that many had feared would be banned (JAM STA ROSA)

Hundreds of Filipino Barbie fans dressed in pink expressed joy and relief Wednesday at the opening of the film about the famous doll that many had feared would be banned.

The fantasy-comedy movie drew intense scrutiny from censors over allegations that a brightly coloured world map drawing showed China's claims to the South China Sea.

China claims almost the entire waterway despite rival claims from other Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam.

Vietnam banned the film but -- to the relief of Filipino Barbie fans -- the Philippines' Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) last week decided the child-like lines on the map did not depict the so-called nine-dash line that China uses to illustrate its claims, and gave it the green light.

"I was really hoping that they wouldn't ban it or they would just cut the scene," said Nicole Tolentino, 23, who has been a Barbie fan for 20 years and even crocheted a pink top to wear for a screening at a Manila cinema.

"But they didn't really do anything with it," she added.

Outside the theatre, excited fans milled around in fuchsia-tinted lighting, some posing for photos in a Barbie booth while others brought their own Barbie dolls to the screening.

Martina Santiago said she had been saddened at the possible banning of the film, which stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as her boyfriend Ken.

"We had already prepared the outfit and everything... thankfully it pushed through," she said.

The MTRCB had asked the Hollywood studio Warner Bros to blur the controversial lines "to avoid further misinterpretations".

But AFP correspondents who watched the movie said the lines were clearly defined.

Not all Barbie fans approved.

"That's the part I did not like... I wish it were cut," said Margaux Pichay, 19, who otherwise thought the film was "very empowering".

When asked for comment about Warner Bros' failure to blur the lines, the MTRCB referred AFP to their July 12 statement in which they said "the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the 'real world', as an integral part of the story."

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(Bloomberg) -- Finland told Russia to close its consulate on the southwestern coast, deepening a diplomatic dispute between the neighbors.

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The Nordic country is withdrawing consent for Russia to operate its consulate general in Turku as of Oct. 1, the government said in a statement on Wednesday. The Russian ambassador has been notified, it said.

The move is a response to a Russian decision to close Finlands consulate in St. Petersburg as of Oct. 1. Both countries have in recent weeks also expelled each others diplomats, and Finnish missions in Russia have had difficulties with their bank accounts.

Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in early April, doubling the length of alliances border with Russia. The decision to enter the bloc was prompted by Russias war in Ukraine.

While many European countries are engaged in similar tit-for-tat disputes with Russia, the issue is severe for Finland, which has a land border of more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) with its former Czarist overlord with whom it has had two wars in the past century. Finland is preparing to build a fence on certain sections of the demarcation.

(Corrects the location of consulate in the first paragraph of a story published on July 19.)

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Chaos continues to reign in Crimea after more explosions at the Kerch bridge

The Russian occupation administration said that it had blocked the illegally constructed Tavrida highway (Kerch - Simferopol - Sevastopol) in Crimea as there is a serious fire, the Kremlins puppet governor Sergey Aksyonov announced on the morning of July 19.

The fire supposedly broke out at a training ground in the Kirovskyi (Islamteretskyi) district of the occupied peninsula. Aksyonov did not name the cause of the fire.

According to the Russian news outlet Baza, an ammunition depot of the Russian army near the town of Staryi Krym is burning and exploding.

"The road traffic scheme will be published soon," Baza stated, adding a map that showed a detour via the old Feodosia highway.

The Moscow-appointed occupation "head" of Crimea says that they want to "temporarily evacuate" residents of four settlements from the area adjacent to the training ground, which will affect more than 2,000 people.

Aksyonov/Telegram

Since the early hours of July 17, all traffic on the Crimean Bridge had been suspended, as Sergei Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed Crimean governor, declared an extraordinary event.

Read also: Zaluzhnyi wont be deterred from liberating Crimea  interview

Russian publications reported explosions and significant damage to at least one section of the bridge. Later, the occupation authorities announced the resumption of rail transportation, but road traffic remained paralyzed.

On the morning of July 18, the so-called "Ministry of Transport" of Crimea said that cars were moving across the Crimean bridge or through other temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The occupation authorities allegedly organized reverse traffic.

An NV source in law enforcement reported that Ukraines Security Service and the Ukrainian Navy were involved in the incident. According to the source, the bridge was struck using surface drones.

Russias Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said that one span of the road part of the Crimean Bridge cannot be restored.

Story continues

Read also: Russians claim occupied Crimea attacked by almost 30 drones overnight

On Oct. 8, a powerful explosion occurred at the Crimean Bridge, which Russia employs to deploy armored vehicles and military personnel to southern Ukraine, resulting in the collapse of several sections into the Kerch Strait.

The Kremlin regime has accused Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, of organizing the sabotage. However, Budanov has refuted these claims, dismissing them as baseless accusations.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A former Hillsborough Department of Public Works employee has filed suit against the township, claiming he was the victim of discrimination because of his age and ethnicity.

Jouri Kinigopoulo, 60, filed the suit July 12 in Superior Court in Somerset County alleging the township violated the Law Against Discrimination by failing to stop the harassment directed against him.

The township has not yet filed a response in court.

According to the lawsuit, Kinigopoulo, who is half Ukranian and half Greek, grew up in the former Soviet Union and immigrated to the United States in his late 20s. He speaks English with a Russian accent.

Kinigopoulo was hired by the township as a temporary worker in July 2016 and became a permanent employee the following year.

From the start of his employment with the township, the lawsuit charges, he was subjected to harassments by his fellow DPW employees, who would make fun of his accent and his "unusual" last name which one co-worker said, "sounded like a snake."

The lawsuit also says that his co-workers called him an "old (expletive) Russian" and "dumb (expletive) Russian."

Local: ShopRite in Hillsborough eyes bigger store as part of potential new shopping center

In 2018, Kinigopoulo injured his back and had to undergo surgery. When he returned to work, the lawsuit says, the name-calling resumed, and his co-workers added "sick Russian."

Though he had undergone surgery, Kinigopoulo was always in pain and required cortisone shots.

But, the lawsuit alleges, instead of accommodating his physical condition, Kinigopoulo was assigned "extremely physical tasks, which typically were, or should have been handled by two or more employees, to do alone."

Despite the harassment and his physical condition, Kinigopoulo's job performance was "excellent," the lawsuit says.

But in January 2019, the harassment became "unbearable, the lawsuit says, and he complained to one of his supervisors and asked him to talk to the co-workers who had continued to call him a "(expletive) Russian."

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When nothing changed, Kinigopoulo then contacted an elected official and spoke about the work environment, the lawsuit says.

Then, a few months later, Kinigopoulo alleges there was a conspiracy to set him up for termination which occurred in January 2022.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Hillsborough NJ fired DPW worker sues township over discrimination
The shipping industry represents a significant source of carbon emissions.

The shipping industry is important in linking together the global supply chain, but its fairly carbon intensive. Recent data suggest that shipping makes up around 3 percent of global carbon emissions, and theres been much effort directed at making different parts of the process more green.

Shipping giant Maersk has been investing more than $1 billion on ships that run on green methanol, which is derived from the methane that is produced by food waste in landfills. This week, a new container ship from the company that is powered by that type of fuel plans to set sail from South Korea to Denmark, according to a report from Fast Company, and will be the first ever to use green methanol.

Some metrics about the ship, which doesnt yet have a name: The vessel is 172-meters-long (around 560 feet), with a container capacity of 2,100 TEU and is designed to reach speeds of 17.4 knots.

CNBC estimated that each of these ships costs around $175 million. Maersk has 25 of these ships ordered, and is working to retrofit old ships to run on the new fuel, which means that they get new engine parts, and need new fuel tanks, along with a fuel preparation room and fuel supply system.

[Related: Birds sometimes hitch rides on shipsand its changing the way they migrate]

The company's vision for the next decade is to transform a quarter of its fleet to run on this fuel. While the green methanol will still generate some emissions as its used up, compared to traditional diesel, it can cut emissions by more than 65 percent. Maersk has figured out a couple of ways to make green methanol. Other than collecting methane gas from waste and turning that into bio-methanol, Maersk can also make green e-methanol (which combines captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen) with renewable energy. Although it was reported last year by Quartz that Maersk was worried about finding enough green fuel for its ships, it has been signing deals with countries and companies to streamline the supply of green methanol and put these ships to work.

Morten Bo Christiansen, who leads decarbonization at Maersk, said at the TED Countdown Summit last week that bringing down the cost is the next problem to tackle, as reported by Fast Company. But currently, the extra cost associated with green methanol compared to diesel is equivalent to consumers paying five extra cents for a pair of sneakers crossing the ocean.
The countrys largest police department has its first female intelligence and counterterrorism chief. New York City officials announced Tuesday that Rebecca Weiner will replace John Miller and Thomas Galati as the police departments deputy commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism.

Weiner has a long track record of investigating right-wing extremism, the Islamic State terrorist group, Al Qaeda and other forms of terrorism, including cyberterrorism. She joined the NYPD as an intelligence analyst in 2006 and rose through the ranks to become assistant commissioner for counterterrorism and intelligence under Miller.

Officials said she has been instrumental in developing the NYPDs Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism squad. The unit focuses on domestic groups and people who seek to target minorities because of their race or ethnicity, such as neo-Nazis.

New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban appoints Rebecca Weiner as NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counter-terrorism, becoming the first woman to hold position in NYPD's 178 year history. In attendance were New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella, Former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton and other NYPD Executives at 1 Police Plaza on July 18, 2023 in New York City. (Chris Moore / MediaPunch/IPx via AP)

NBC News first reported that NYPD analysts under Weiner's command sent four reports to U.S. Capitol Police in the days before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol detailing the threats they were seeing online.

Weiner also helped build the intelligence analysis unit, officials said, which focused on thwarting terrorist attacks inside the U.S. and analyzing terrorist attacks abroad. The units work expanded to provide analysis of shootings and crime trends to help the NYPD better understand crime trends and arrest offenders who were most responsible for violence.

In an interview with MSNBC on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Weiner talked about what she saw as her mission.

Our job is to distinguish signal from noise and figure out what we do with the information, how we can use it to protect our city and to make sure that our partners elsewhere across the country, around the world, can use it to their best advantage, too, she said.

She added that threats to the U.S. had evolved. In the last five years, weve seen not just a transition from Al Qaeda to ISIS but other actors, like racially ethnically motivated violent extremists, white supremacists, neo-Nazi, what we call accelerationists.

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Former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton credited Weiner and her team with helping to stop or prosecuting over 50 attacks aimed at the city since 9/11, more than half of them in the last 10 years.

Weiner's grandfather fled Poland before the Nazi invasion, immigrated to the U.S. and worked on the Manhattan Project, which helped develop the atomic bomb. A poster commemorating the lab in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where her grandfather worked hangs in Weiner's office in lower Manhattan.

In the 2021 interview, Weiner said the threats to the city include growing public distrust of government institutions. Youve had, over the last couple of years, sort of widespread distrust of institutions, of law enforcement, of government thats manifesting in violent extremisms, civil unrest across the country.

So we still worry about Al Qaeda; we still worry about ISIS. Now we worry about a whole range of domestic extremist actors, as well.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The next best thing to being in the water is being on it. At least thats the philosophy that Jeff Wapner lives by. These days, the Santa Barbara native lives in a 1,400-square-foot floating home he lovingly rebuilt from the water up with his father, Mike, a retired engineer. I was born in Santa Barbara but left after high school to study in Colorado. From there, I lived in Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, Washington, New York City, and eventually Los Angeles, before making the decision to move back, Jeff says. As an avid sailor and surfer, the move was prompted by a desire to live close to the water and to his parents.

My father and I share many interests and hobbies, he explains. Building and executing projects being one of them. Throughout my life and many careers, I got to apply a lot of what I learned from my dad, adds Jeff, who worked as a firefighter, professional guide, model, experiential marketer, and carpenter, before launching Paradise Is Divided Into Blue And Green, a company producing bespoke upcycled bags made from sailcloth. Upon his return to Santa Barbara, he began hunting for places, evaluating everything from regular homes to old Alaskan fishing boats that he could potentially convert into a liveaboard. He eventually discovered an early-70s floating home called the Thomas Jefferson up for sale at Santa Barbara Harbor. It was one of four historic structures classified by the City as a manmade floating object. No such structures will ever be allowed again. And as the other three were only about 200 square feet, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

After living aboard the Thomas Jefferson for about a year, Jeff decided to add a simple third-story sleeping loft (the home originally had only one room that he used as a studio room to create bags). What began as a basic addition soon turned into an exercise in multiple subtractions. Due to improper framing, a complete lack of flashing [work done to keep things leakproof], extensive termite damage, and 40-plus years of deferred maintenance, it was evident that the structure needed an extensive refit. My dad was immediately onboard to help, says Jeff. But upon tearing the home down, another horror awaited: The ship was slowly sinking.

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Archimedess principle states that a body immersed in a fluid is subjected to an upward force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid. I built seemingly endless spreadsheets calculating live and dead loads. It really forced me to think through every detail to ensure I had adequate buoyancy, Jeff reflects. With inspiration from Archimedes and significant guidance from architect and dear friend CJ Paone, of Ventura-based architecture firm Archipelago Workshop, he opted for less conventional yet extremely durable building systems, such as SIPS wall panels, heavy steel moment frames, and a foundation of industrial-grade piping and foam, to help keep the home afloat.

Because it was too wide to haul out of the water in Santa Barbara, Jeff and his dad anchored the boat to the Ventura Harbor Boat Yard to begin the refit. We rode on the house for the journey and I often tell people it was like being in an earthquake for twelve hours, says Jeff. The pair spent the next nine months commuting to Ventura seven days a week to build the exterior of the home. As they built and built and built, long days would turn into longer nights.

After months of waiting for the right weather window, Jeff and Mike finally towed the completely remodeled home back to Santa Barbara on December 10, 2019, Jeffs 43rd birthday. We spent the next few years working on the interior of the home and fighting various legal battles with the city, says Jeff, whose girlfriend, designer Louisa Kimble, stepped in when it came to the interior design.

When he isnt in the studio room creating bags or working on his next project with his father (theyre currently converting a 1965 International Harvester van into a mobile bar for a client to use at weddings and events), Jeff can usually be found enjoying the corner view in the dining room, with a morning tea or an evening cocktail. I love the homes location as it eliminates the need to drive. Its incredible to walk along the water to so many great restaurants, he notes. At night, all the boats along the harbor disappear and the horizon is illuminated with string lights from the pier. It feels like Im back in my New York loft, or really anywhere else my imagination takes me.

Jenna Ohnemus Peffley

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

More Great Stories From Clever
Hundreds of farmworkers and others working in predominantly outdoor jobs in South Florida packed a Miami-Dade County board meeting Tuesday, demanding the implementation of a municipal heat standard ensuring workers access to drinking water, shade and breaks on the job.

The effort was led by WeCount!, a membership labor organization in South Florida that has been organizing around the issue for nearly two years through its Que Calor! campaign.

Its fight to set heat safety standards in the outdoor workplaces has gained a new sense of urgency as the city has endured 37 consecutive days of hot temperatures that often feel above 100 degrees.

Historic heat waves have already killed at least one farmworker in South Florida this year; he had expressed feeling fatigued and leg pain.

A community leader with We Count!, Maria Ramirez, a Guatemalan worker living in Homestead, advocated in favor of a heat standard at the hearing alongside two of her young children.

"If parents die because of the extreme heat, who will take care of our children?" Ramirez said in Spanish. "I have lived through the heat."

Medical professionals have long said that having access to water and shade and taking breaks from long hours of intense physical labor can protect workers from heat illness.

"It is very hard to work 10 hours under the sun without access to water, shade or the bathroom," Ramirez said. "Its not fair to me.

Workers on a farm on July 15, 2023, during a heat wave in Homestead, Fla. (Chandan Khanna / AFP - Getty Images)

An ordinance to create the heat standard passed its first reading with a unanimous vote from the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, a few hours after it was filed.

The matter now "gets referred to a committee hearing in September," said Oscar Londono, a co-director of WeCount! "Its definitely good news for the campaign and a step forward."

The hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Sept. 11.

The tentative hearing presents a small glimmer of hope considering that the federal government has been stuck in a yearslong process to draft heat safety rules that would protect workers from dangerously high temperatures.

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"We do not have federal heat protection standards" to protect farmworkers as temperatures soar across the country, @NurseChicas says.



"We don't just need water and shade, we need additional devices to keep [farmworkers] cool, especially in these extreme heats." pic.twitter.com/cIJ0knNEUg  Jose Diaz-Balart Reports (@JDBalartMSNBC) July 14, 2023

At least six states have implemented regulations to guarantee workers access to water, shade and breaks. But the Miami ordinance stands out because it would also provide workers with the following:

A heat exposure safety program to educate workers and their supervisors about the risks of heat exposure and best practices to minimize heat-related illness.

A notice of employee rights in multiple languages to inform workers about their rights under the municipal heat standard, as well as the process for filing complaints.

The establishment of a county Office of Workplace Health and Safety to help enforce labor protections and support employers and workers.

"If enacted, this countywide heat standard will be the first-of-its-kind in the entire United States," WeCount! claimed in a news release Tuesday.

Image: Gelder Perez, 10, center, carries a protest flag as he walks with his uncle Leonel Perez, center right, on the first day of a five-day trek aimed at highlighting the Fair Food Program, in an effort to pressure retailers to leverage their purchasing power to improve conditions for farmworkers, on March 14, 2023, in Pahokee, Fla. (Rebecca Blackwell / AP)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an average of 702 heat-related deaths and nearly 68,000 emergency room visits related to heat illness every year. On average, about 9,200 people are hospitalized every year because of heat exhaustion.

At least 344 workers died from heat exposure from 2011 to 2019, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries due to heat-related issues, the Labor Departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration created an emphasis program to help employers better protect their employees last year.

Heat is the silent killer. We want people to understand its no joke, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told MSNBC anchor Jose Diaz-Balart on Monday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Elaine Cristella was celebrating her last day at work before retiring from Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho, in September, accepting a plaque and cards from her colleagues, when she suddenly received a text with a mugshot of her son.

The last she had heard, Joseph Ryan Cristella, 39, was in Colombia, seeking to reunite with his Venezuelan fiancee. Now he was a prisoner of Venezuelas military counterintelligence unit.

It was supposed to be a relaxing day, Cristella said, recalling in a phone interview the moment she heard the news. I actually left early  I was beside myself, I was in tears.

Ten months later, Cristella is still being detained at the infamous Boleita headquarters in Caracas of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, or DGCIM, a place cited by human rights organizations for the frequent use of torture by officials there, often inside an area colloquially referred to by inmates as the House of Dreams.

He is one of several American men in recent years who, after meeting Venezuelan women, have traveled to the border region between Colombia and Venezuela only to be apprehended by Venezuelan authorities  a pattern that has increasingly alarmed State Department officials, who believe the Venezuelan government of Nicolas Maduro is detaining U.S. citizens as bargaining chips for leverage over Washington.

READ MORE: Biden hailed a prisoner swap with Maduro  but Americans remain in Venezuelas notorious jail

On Wednesday, the State Department confirmed to McClatchy that Cristella had been declared wrongfully detained under the Levinson Act, bringing the resources of the presidents special envoy for hostage affairs to bear in his case  a welcome development for his family after months of inaction from Washington.

The Department has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas, a State Department official said.

DETAINED AT THE COLOMBIA BORDER

Cristella was living in Orlando, Florida, when he met his fiancee, Agnes, during a work trip to the Dominican Republic in 2020. He proposed within a matter of months, his mother said.

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He was there I think for a week, maybe a little less, and he went back several times to visit her, she said. He was smitten.

But a dispute with his employer affected his ability to travel to see her, frustrating his relationship and leading to a confrontation with human resources that resulted in his termination. By the time he traveled to Colombia to meet with Agnes in September 2022, he was not in a good frame of mind, without a job, a car or a permanent address, Elaine Cristella said.

It is unclear whether he was apprehended on the Colombian or Venezuelan side of the notoriously porous border. Agnes and her family repeatedly discouraged Cristella from traveling to the region, his mother said.

He went to a bus station and didnt realize he needed a stamp, Elaine Cristella, Meridian, explains while talking about how her son was detained in Venezuela 10 months ago. They declared him an enemy of the state of Venezuela. Now she can only wait to see if the United States government will intervene to get her son, 39-year-old Joey Cristella, released from a detention facility.

He was initially held at a Venezuelan facility near the border, where former inmates have told McClatchy of horrific conditions, before being transferred to the DGCIMs main prison in the Venezuelan capital.

Cristella told his mother that at least four other Americans are being held in his cell block, including Eyvin Hernandez and Jerrel Kenemore, both of whom had met Venezuelan women online who prompted them to travel to the border region.

Hernandez and Kenemore have also been declared wrongfully detained by the State Department under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, a law that provides a framework for the secretary of state to determine whether an American is being wrongfully detained abroad. The decision moves their cases from the Bureau of Consular Affairs to the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs  an office that is better resourced by the Levinson Act, connected across various federal agencies to handle hostage cases and empowered to negotiate with hostile foreign governments.

The United States recognizes the opposition-controlled National Assembly as the legitimate democratically elected authority in the country and accuses Maduro of holding on to power and of dismantling the countrys democratic system. While officials from the Biden administration have communicated with Maduro, there are no formal diplomatic ties between the two governments.

READ MORE: Extorted and tortured, an American prisoner in Venezuela awaits action from Biden

Two other Americans, Luke Denman and Airan Berry, are also in Venezuelan custody. The former Green Berets are accused of participating in Operation Gideon, a 2020 effort to overthrow the Maduro government.

The Biden administration has secured two major prisoner swaps with the Maduro regime over the past two years, including the largest of Joe Bidens presidency in October of last year that secured the freedom of seven Americans from Caracas. But the U.S. special envoy, Roger Carstens, continues to work to free those who remain, visiting Venezuela just last month to check on the conditions of the Americans still detained there.

SHAM CHARGES AND EXTORTION

In a phone interview, Cristellas lawyer, Guillermo Heredia, said his client has not been mistreated since arriving in Boleita from the border town of San Cristobal, where Venezuelan officials claim he was detained for alleged terrorism. Venezuelan officials have provided no evidence to support the charges.

There is no evidence, absolutely nothing, presented against him, other than the fact that he is an American citizen, Heredia said.

Elaine Cristella gets to speak with her son for 15 minutes each week, and also says he is being treated humanely. But his mental state is not good, she said.

Sometimes he calls and hes perfectly normal. Other times, I hear voices, I do this, I do that, Elaine Cristella said. I dont know if hes being tortured  the calls are being recorded.

Former inmates at the DGCIM facility have told McClatchy that they received injections of unknown substances throughout their detention, with some describing hallucinations and paranoia following the procedure, lending credence to the nickname of its most notorious prison block, the House of Dreams. It is not clear whether Cristella is housed in this block or what medications he is receiving from Venezuelan authorities.

As with the families of other hostages, Elaine Cristella, 67, was extorted upon receiving the news of her sons detention, told to pay $3,000 to avoid the worst possible treatment that he could face. His kidnappers then increased the sum to $4,000.

Agnes and her family visit Cristella in prison in Caracas, providing him rare access to nutritional food. His mother pays Agnes to purchase the items, and over the course of nearly a year, she said she has spent $28,000 doing so  all but depleting her savings account, and requiring her to exit retirement.

During that same period, Elaine Cristella and her family have pressed the State Department to move her sons case along and eventually secure his freedom. They also created a Facebook page dedicated to raising awareness about his imprisonment in the hopes of his safe return to U.S. soil.

Ill do what I have to do, but Im just, Im drained. Im drained, Elaine Cristella said. Its just dragging on and on and on. It just doesnt make any sense.

In the past few years, the Venezuelan state has dedicated itself to kidnapping U.S. citizens, with the sole objective of using them to put pressure on that government and exchange them with Venezuelans detained in the United States, said a report issued last year by the Casla Institute, a human-rights organization.

READ MORE: How a former U.S. Marine jailed in Venezuela for 2 years fought for his freedom

In the year 2022, at least three new hostages were known under this pattern. Some have been deceitfully taken from different Colombian cities to the border with Venezuela and are detained by security agencies to later be taken to the DGCIM cells, and accused of conspiracy, criminal association and in the case of Matthew Heath, of treason against the homeland without being Venezuelan, the report added.

BARGAINING CHIPS

Republican Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is aware of this case and the State Department is aware of his interest, his office said in a statement. He is staying closely apprised of any developments and changes in Cristellas situation.

The senator said that he, too, sees a pattern by the Maduro regime of collecting American hostages as leverage.

Too often, Congress is made aware of Americans who are wrongfully detained by foreign governments, Risch told McClatchy. In Venezuela, the Maduro regime uses Americans as bargaining chips. This practice must end and the Biden administration must use the tools Congress provided in the Levinson Act to punish those who wrongfully detain Americans, as well as deter future hostage-taking.

The State Department told McClatchy that it has repeatedly warned Americans to avoid traveling to Venezuela, where it has issued its highest level of travel alert, a Level 4: Do Not Travel.

But an official acknowledged that several U.S. citizens in Venezuelan custody were in fact detained in the border region  potentially kidnapped over the border on Colombian territory  complicating their message to Americans.

The Department also advises U.S. citizens do not travel to the Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime, kidnapping, and risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela from Colombia, the official said.

McClatchys Senior National Security and White House Correspondent Michael Wilner reported from Washington. Antonio Maria Delgado of The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald reported from Miami. Idaho Statesman investigative reporter Kevin Fixler reported from Boise.
WARNING: This story contains a graphic picture some readers might find disturbing.

A Florida surfer is on the road to recovery after he was attacked by a shark at New Smyrna Beach last week, and he credits his friend's bravery and quick thinking for his survival.

Chris Pospisil and Reece Redish are both surfers from Brevard County, Florida, who met during the coronavirus pandemic and quickly became close friends. While on the hunt for the best wave last Friday, the pair ended up at the popular beach on Florida's eastern coast.

As their day in the water came to an end, 21-year-old Pospisil, who is on the surf team at the University of Central Florida, was bitten by a shark.

"The shark came from under me, on my board and tipped me backwards off my board, and I was falling backwards, I saw my foot in his mouth, and it dragged me under," Pospisil told FOX 35 Orlando.

SHARK BITES LEG OFF AMERICAN TOURIST IN TURKS AND CAICOS: REPORT

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Florida surfer Chris Pospisil sustained serious injuries to his left foot after a shark attack at New Smyrna Beach.

He told the outlet that Redish immediately jumped into action to save him. By the time he resurfaced, his friend was right there holding him by his shirt and pulling him back onto his board.

"Im not going to leave my friend in the water," Redish said. "Im willing to put myself at risk to help out anyone."

Pospisil said his friend's actions "really made the difference."

"You know, if he wasnt there, I think it could have been way worse, and I think I definitely wouldnt have gotten to the shore in time and probably would have passed out in the water," he told FOX 35.

The surfer sustained extensive damage to his left foot in the attack and his surgeon said he lost approximately "one large Chick-fil-a sized cup of blood," according to a GoFundMe account set up by family.

Chris Pospisil's foot was significantly injured from the shark bite. Surgeons repaired seven tendons, a couple of small arteries and had to create a skin graft.

Seven tendons and a couple of small arteries were repaired in surgery, and a skin graft had to be created to wrap around Pospisil's foot. Doctors also found pieces of the shark's tooth shattered and stuck in his bone.

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"The top of my foot is going to be numb in some areas for the rest of my life, and my foot might be stiff because they had to repair all seven tendons," he said while describing his injuries.

VIDEO OF SHARK ATTACKING SNORKELER IN MALDIVES RESURFACES; TOURIST WAS LEFT WITH 6-INCH WOUND

Though Pospisil is back on his feet with assistance from crutches, he has a long road ahead to complete healing as he is not allowed to use his injured foot for six to eight weeks. He will also be in physical therapy for six months.

Despite the setback, he told FOX 35 he is optimistic and planning to surf again once he's cleared to do so.

"It hasnt changed anything. Im definitely going to keep surfing. Its my lifestyle, and its something I love to do," Pospisil shared.

He and Redish both said they don't want this incident to make people afraid of sharks or the ocean, adding that they don't believe the shark set out to kill him.

Both Pospisil and Redish said the shark bite will not keep them out of the water, and they will surf again once Pospisil is cleared to do so.

In the GoFundMe, Pospisil's family said they are grateful for the outpouring of support as his recovery will cause him to miss a semester of school and months of work.

As of early Wednesday morning, the fundraising account amassed over $2,400.
Lake Okeechobee is covered in toxic algae (NOAA)

Toxic blue-green algae spread across Floridas largest freshwater lake has become so huge that can be spotted from outer space.

The algae grew to cover 420 square miles of Lake Okeechobee on 4 July, and reached a whopping 440 square miles by 11 July, according to NASA earth observatory. The lake it covers is only 730 square miles, so the toxic algae is now coating more than 60 per cent of the body of water.

The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science produced satellite images of the Cyanobacteria Algal Bloom, as its called.

Palm Beach County health officials have issued numerous warnings about the algaes toxins. Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom, officials warned on 17 July.

A bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors, the officials added.

This particular bloom has been growing since May, but Lake Okeechobee is no stranger to toxic algae growth. In 2022, the blue-green algae spread to cover 45 per cent of the lake. This wasnt as bad as in 2019, when 90 per cent of the lake was covered.

Florida experienced a separate toxic algae bloom  known as red tide  on the southwest coast in May, causing the cancellation of a festival.
A federal judge listened to more than two hours of arguments Tuesday about whether he should block a new Florida law that restricts people from China from owning property in the state.

Ahead of the court hearing, more than 60 people gathered in front of Florida's Historic Capitol to voice their opposition to Senate Bill 264 Interests of Foreign Countries act, which was passed on May 8 and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The rally was hosted by the Florida Asian American Justice Alliance (FAAJA), a group created after a similar protest in April. The activists traveled from in and out of state, some in what they called "freedom buses" to share their concerns about what they say is a "discriminatory" law while also advocating for justice and equality for the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community.

Dozens, several donned in yellow to symbolize the fight for rights of the AAPI, stood on the steps of the Federal Courthouse with signs that read "Stop Asian hate" and "No SB264."

There are always all of these stereotypes and really tired tropes that governments have used, perpetuating Asians as foreigners and enemies of the state, Bethany Li, an attorney with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund who also represents the plaintiffs, told reporters before the hearing.

More than sixty people rallied on the steps of the federal courthouse in opposition of SB264, Interests of Foreign Countries act on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The court held a hearing for the Shen v. Simpson case that lasted more than two hours.

A group of Chinese Floridians and a real estate brokerage firm filed the lawsuit, Shen v. Simpson, in late May, a couple weeks after DeSantis signed Senate Bill 264.

"Today is one example of Florida really leading the nation in terms of what we're doing to stop the influence of the Chinese Communist party," said DeSantis, who called for the law months before it appeared in the legislative session and has been spotlighting the law in his presidential campaign.

The law targets foreign countries of concern, including Russia, Cuba, Iran and Venezuela. It puts the biggest spotlight on China, carving out language specifically devoted to how the legislation applies to its government and those connected with it.

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More than sixty people rallied on the steps of the federal courthouse in opposition of SB264, Interests of Foreign Countries act on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The court held a hearing for the Shen v. Simpson case that lasted more than two hours.

The bill prevents the foreign countries of concern and their officers from buying farmland as well as property within 10 miles of a military installation or critical infrastructure facility.

But no one connected with the Chinese government or the CCP is allowed to purchase real estate anywhere in Florida under the bill, nor can anyone who is "domiciled" in China and not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident. Though, lawmakers added in an exception for non-tourist Visa holders, as long as they buy one real estate property that is not within five miles of one of these installations and not larger than two acres.

That exception didn't satisfy the lawsuit's plaintiffs, who filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, trying to overturn the law. They were joined by the U.S. Department of Justice in alleging the law imposes "discriminatory prohibitions on the ownership and purchase of real property based on race, ethnicity, alienage and national origin  and imposes especially draconian restrictions on people from China."

During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor asked numerous questions of attorneys for the state and plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction against the law. He said he would make a decision as soon as he can but that a ruling would not be super imminent.

USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule and the News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida's Chinese land ownership law debated in court amid protest
Five miles north of Palmetto, a black 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee came to a screeching halt after rolling over six times. Shattered windshield glinted on the roadway, a car battery and part of the front bumper were strewn behind the car, and the smell of burnt metal wafted from the engine. Florida Highway Patrol investigators found an empty 12-pack of Bud Light beer nearby.

Earlier that day, Jabe Carney and his good friend, Jason Gibson, walked out of their substance abuse rehabilitation center in St. Petersburg. They headed south into Manatee County, stopping by a store to pick up the beer before heading to two bars, including Woodys River Roo in Ellenton.

After a day of drinking and downing one last Long Island Iced Tea, 22-year-old Carney got behind the wheel in the early afternoon of Feb. 5, 2006.

The decision still haunts him.

Gibson died at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg 11 days after the crash. Carney was charged with DUI manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

A letter from Gibsons mother was read before the judge during Carneys sentencing hearing.

When Mr. Carney got behind the wheel and chose to drive after drinking, he took my sons life. As I understand it, this was not the first time he chose to drive after drinking. But this time he killed my son, Jason, her letter said. When my son died, a part of me died, too, and Ill never get that back.

Gibsons mother has yet to forgive her sons friend. But less than two years into Carneys 25-year sentence, Gibsons sisters, Danyel Dee Musser and Katherine Kate Duffey, chose forgiveness.

The forgiveness didnt come easy for the then 19-year-old Musser and 16-year-old Duffey, but they realized Carney's mistake could have happened to anyone, including their own brother.

At first, the sisters reached out through hand-written letters which morphed into regular correspondence detailing daily life, big milestones, and sharing stories about Gibson.

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It wasnt until 10 years into Carneys prison sentence that they decided to work to get him out. By 2018, the sisters felt Carney paid his debt to society while taking total blame for the death of his best friend, even creating a podcast with a Florida professor, all in an effort to highlight Carneys growth.

Musser and Duffeys, as well as Carneys own sisters forgiveness, marks an example not often heard or seen in reports about the justice system: a lifeline many inmates never see while serving their own sentences.

Now its time for him to get out and be the example they wanted him to be, Musser said.

The letter that started it all

Carney, now 40, gently slid a neat stack of lined paper from a manilla folder hed brought with him for his interview one early May afternoon in the visiting area of the Moore Haven Correctional Facility filled with murals of childrens cartoons.

The first sheet was covered in bright neon, the words rounded and compressed together. Among a vibrant pink paragraph towards the bottom of the first page, one lime green word stood out: forgive.

I dont know if you need this, or you dont, but I forgive you, the line reads in Duffeys first letter to Carney.

The next letter from Musser included doodled flowers and smiley faces.

Jabe Carney has saved letters he received in prison, from the sisters of his friend, Jason Gibson. In one letter, Gibson's sister tells Carney that she forgives him. Carney is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a crash near the Sunshine Skyway that killed Gibson in 2006.

Through Carney, Musser and Duffey discovered parts of Gibson they didnt know.

There were days when they could only feel the anger and pain that came with the sudden death of their older brother. They were just teenagers learning to make sense of a tragedy, but Carney would become a crucial part of their grieving process.

For Carney, their forgiveness has been a catalyst  hes owned his guilt, hes become a law clerk and helped many other inmates with their cases, and hes been a model inmate.

Im grateful for their forgiveness obviously, but I mean it's more than that, Carney said. I dont feel like I deserve their forgiveness, much less their friendship and their love, but thats what theyve given me.

Its not every day that victims family members can forgive the person who took their loved one away from them. Yet, Musser and Duffey have chosen to look beyond Carneys worst decision and focus on his best efforts for improvement.

Otherwise, the world and the justice system seem a pretty bleak place, the sisters said.

Life in prison

Carney sits at a counter checking court documents as a law clerk on behalf of other people who are incarcerated, offering legal expertise and writing legal documents hes learned through civic courses in prison.

The room is about the size of any grade school classroom, and its split in half by a counter that acts as a divider between law clerks on one side and inmates on the other.

The walls are stark white with little relief visually aside from a painted portrait of a judge on the wall near the entrance. It smells like instant coffee and disinfectant.

Six computers line the back wall, giving the law clerks access to Microsoft Office and LexisNexis to help in researching case law to write appeals and other official documents for those seeking help.

On any given day, those in the library will discuss or debate landmark decisions from SCOTUS, the Florida Supreme Court, politics, or theology.

Two long tables sit across from the counter, filled with people fighting for their freedom, looking up the latest law news out of leisure or just looking for a sanctuary from prison life.

It was about 15 years ago when Carney sat at a similar table working on his own appeal to Florida's Second District Court of Appeals, which was shot down in 2009. Its when he first found his passion for being a law clerk.

Jabe Carney is an inmate at Moore Haven Correctional Facility in Florida. He is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a 2006 car crash that killed his friend Jason Gibson.

He never considered working in the library when his masonry teacher told him that if he wanted to work on his case, he had to learn the law.

Most certified law clerks have their own areas of expertise. For Carney, its criminal post-conviction and criminal appeals. For others, its civil rights litigation, divorce proceedings, or child custody disputes.

Most law clerks work on two cases a day, but Carney has a caseload of 10 to 20 people.

While waiting to be released, Carney watched those hed helped get released through his legal services. Even those who are already on the outside write to him for advice.

To me, freedom is precious, Carney said. It is a fundamental, God-given right that we should all cherish and never take for granted. If a persons freedom has been taken in an unjust manner, then I feel it is my duty, as a law clerk and a man of God, to assist them in their fight for freedom.

Sean Reilly worked alongside Carney at the law library and saw firsthand how stressful it can be. Theres no shortage of questions or people who need help, and the law clerks try their best with the resources they have. Carneys humility and quiet strength stood out to him.

In the law library, Carney is reserved, calm, and laid back. He researches painstakingly and speaks only when he has something worthwhile to say. He keeps his word and goes above and beyond to offer help to those desperate for solutions to their legal case.

Jabe Carney, an inmate at Moore Haven Correctional Facility, works as a law clerk in the prison law library. Carney is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a crash that killed his friend Jason Gibson.

Carneys willingness to help everyone was what earned him the respect of many other inmates, Carneys friend and former fellow inmate Stanley Kropiewnicki said.

I know, 100%, if I had only trusted him from the beginning, I would have gotten out five years earlier, Kropiewnicki said, adding it had been too late for Carney to help Kropiewnickis appeal case.

Kropiewnicki, 70, remembered the first time hed met Carney at the Taylor Correctional Institution.

The two had been assigned to the same cell block and had discussed their cases with each other  it struck Kropiewnicki how similar, yet different their cases were.

Kropiewnicki, who is from Poland, was convicted of DUI manslaughter in 2008 in St. Johns County and sentenced to 14 years in prison and one year of community control, according to court documents.

He was shocked when he heard Carney had received a 25-year sentence. Kropiwnicki couldnt remember a time when Carney had cursed or raised his voice.

During the course of speaking with the Herald-Tribune, Kropiewnicki had trouble expressing himself in English but expressed in Polish how he believes Carney should be released from prison as he no longer sees him as a danger to anyone.

Kropiewnicki was released in 2019, and since then, he and his wife have sent money monthly to help support Carney, who Kropiwnicki has come to see as his best friend and even like a son in the eight years they were incarcerated together.

His early life plagued by the beginnings of the pharmaceutical drug party scene

When he was 13 years old, Carney moved to Florida after his parents divorced. His dad and 15-year-old sister Haley Boyd stayed in Ohio.

The new student at Palmetto High School was quiet and reserved, but he had a magnetism to him that made him popular.

Jabe Carney stands with his niece at her birthday party on May 29, 2006 when he was out on bond.

It was 1997, and the opioid epidemic had just hit the area. Friends in high school were excited to try the latest drugs and were experimenting with opioids. It was easy access for Carney, especially following his moms surgery for an injury.

Carney was no stranger to the ripples of addiction. Both his mother and father were alcoholics, and his mother had a pill addiction.

David Coughlin grew up with Carney and around the areas party scene. A whole generation was plagued with this disease of addiction, and Carney was one of the first in their friend group to see its effects.

Pretty much anybody and everybody I went to high school with has passed away from overdose or is in and out of jail, David Coughlin said.

He and his brother, Brian Coughlin, were close with Carney during high school. They, too, were not exempt from the epidemic with David Coughlin attending a young adolescent rehab program for oxycontin in his teens and his brother whos currently experiencing homelessness while battling addiction.

Brian Coughlin and Carney clicked, immediately becoming friends. Brian Coughlin was the class clown and was always goofing around in the three or four classes he had with Carney.

They had completely different families. Brian Coughlin had the TV mom and dad. Carney came from an abusive home riddled with addiction.

Jabe Carney stands with his mom and niece at the prison's visitor center in January 2023.

But Carneys mom did her best. She was working hard all the time as a nurse to provide for her kids. She wanted them to be happy and let Carney have free reign on whatever he wanted to do, whether it was video games or other vices.

She would basically let us have anything we wanted, Brian Coughlin said. It was kind of just the idea of, Well if you're going to do it, do it here at the house. So at least I know where you're at.

They started smoking cannabis. Then trying whatever was the newest party drug. A nearby pill mill in Tampa opened, making opioids all the more accessible.

Theyd pull up to the parking lot of this pharmacy, and there would be 13 different state license plates parked. Brian Coughlin had an MRI that affirmed his back pain, so he didnt have to pay a couple of hundred dollars for the pills.

We call them elephant doctors because they literally gave you more pills than anybody else  enough pills for an elephant, Brian Coughlin said.

The opioids became difficult to stop.

The stigma of addiction built a certain shame inside them, and there was a hunger to feel better. The readily available drugs provided a quick fix for withdrawal effects.

It was kind of an escape from your problems, but at the same time, you know, the revolving door was like using itself, Brian Coughlin said. Nobody thought highly of themselves while they were using.

Brian Coughlin and Carney stayed best friends from 9th grade up until the crash. He and his mother, Marilyn, would visit Carney once a year for the next five to 10 years. Although hes happy for Carney and the progress hes made, Brian Coughlin cant help but feel like hes trailing behind the progress Carneys made while in prison.

I dread the day when I get to see him because I dont even know what to say to him, Brian Coughlin said. Youre completely reformed and a Christian man and Im a piece of shit drug addict. This is what you could have had if you just stayed home.

Hes tried his best to keep his life together, but its been a series of ups and downs because of the addiction. Hes kept and lost jobs, been unhoused, and has felt a canyon build between his family and himself because of the disease. But every once in a while the thought of Carney will pop up, and Brian Coughlin is taken aback by how long hes been in prison.

I can't believe that his whole life has been wasted, Brian Coughlin said. His whole life has been taken away from him. I have lived my entire life, and hes been in prison.

Following high school, Carney had his fair share of party benders and run-ins with the law. His family hoped his court-mandated rehab visit at Bridges of America would help him break habits wrought by addiction.

It was there that Carney first met Gibson who had come into the program with little more than the clothes on his back, he said. Carney recalled Gibson had stood alone and it was then that Carney approached Gibson, their friendship starting from that first greeting.

The two moved into a room together and while Gibson took Carney, who was about four years younger, under his wing, the two wrestled with their own addictions as they progressed through the program.

'I wanted him to hurt as bad as he hurt me'

Jason Gibson calls his younger sister Musser from prison. Shes in the 5th grade, and its become a routine for her. Every time he gets locked up, hell give her a call.

Musser picks up the home phone and hears the prison voice recording buzzing on the line. She hangs up the phone and walks into the other room. Gibson would write her letters, but she didnt dare write him back. She punished him with silence.

Jason Gibson pictured during his engagement photos in 2004.

I wanted him to hurt as bad as he hurt me, Musser said. Every time he does this  every time hes high or in prison and I dont get to see him  Im trying to hurt him back.

It was the era of war on drugs  the era of D.A.R.E.  and Musser and her family were taught to believe that those using drugs were the enemy, including Gibson. They hoped the tough love would help bring back their older brother, their son.

Instead of trying to help people heal and instead of looking at the reasons why he was doing drugs  what drove him to that, what hurt him to make him turn to drugs to feel like a person worth something, like a human being  we just said no, Musser said. You chose that over us, and were done with you.

It took a lot of unlearning and time for Musser to get it. If she didnt lose him the way that she did, she probably wouldve never understood, she said. She started working at a juvenile placement facility and started trying to save kids. It was her way of trying to make up for not saving Gibson.

As Musser and Duffey got older, they understood how difficult it mustve been. It was an issue deeper than addiction. It was a mental health issue, and it wasnt until the last few months of his life that Gibson began healing. It was the closest that he was to his family. Musser would talk to him every night while he was in prison.

Jason Gibson sits with Katherine (left), childhood friend Heather Tapia (middle left) and his younger brother Christopher (middle right) in 1996.

He started healing from the hurt of his past and began doing the 12 steps of addiction recovery. He had a difficult upbringing and a lot of truama from the first seven years of his life  things that Musser and Duffey still dont know because nobody in the family talks about it. As the sisters have gotten older, theyve pieced together the circumstances that led up to Gibsons drug abuse.

Hurt people, hurt people, and that was the cycle he was living in, Musser said. I call it generational curses. It started up here, and it just works its way down.

The sisters have pieces of Gibson scattered throughout their homes. In Duffeys living room hangs a framed 3-D drawing of a colorful castle Gibson sent her when he was in prison. He was incredibly smart and loved drafting and drawing 3-D buildings. The drawing makes her smile to this day. In Mussers dining room, Gibsons hat hangs on a moose rack. Throughout the holiday seasons and decorations, its incorporated into everything.

They hold space for the good and the bad  the one Christmas he slept through because of drugs, his teddy bear hugs, the countless times Gibson was in and out of jail when he was kicked out of every school in Venango County, Pennsylvania, the countless times he made them laugh. He was always hilarious. Duffey can hear it now  Gibsons snicker that would turn into a full belly laugh.

Whenever Duffey is feeling sad, shell message Carney and ask him to share one thing about her brother that she doesnt know. She savors the new memories that are added to Gibsons legacy. Every once and a while, Carney will ask her for a story about Gibson. Its harder for Musser to remember good stories of Gibson. She was older. She had a different relationship and couldnt retain positive memories while the bad ones were overshadowing. Through Carney, shes been able to remember the good things and pour that into Gibsons memory. Theyve all been able to preserve Gibsons memory while also growing closer.

Jabe Carney has saved letters he received in prison, from the sisters of his friend, Jason Gibson. Carney is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a crash near the Sunshine Skyway that killed Gibson in 2006.

Carney makes it clear that his intention is to never take over the role Gibson had; he couldnt.

It was through Carney that the sisters were able to begin their own healing process. Duffey said that Carney taking full responsibility for the accident has helped them move toward forgiveness.

Duffey and Musser said that their mom still has her own peace to make with Gibsons death and Carneys hand in that.

She doesnt have ill will for him, Duffey said. She just doesnt know how to move forward in her grief and anger.

'Always been a good guy'

The first thing Carney remembers after the crash was his girlfriend Angela Doaks piercing screams.

Gibson swam into Carneys vision, his face pale and his fists clenched as he laid on his back, Carney recalled, the sunlight filtering lazily into the prisons visiting area as his leg jostled with nerves.

Prior to the crash, Carney said he had been reaching for his wallet to hand Doak gas money and when he looked up, the car in front of him in the left lane had slowed as it approached the Sunshine Skyway south toll plaza. He instinctively pulled the wheel to the right.

Carney lost control of the vehicle as it went into a counterclockwise spin before its tires dug into the soft shoulder causing it to overturn before stopping against a signpost, according to a FHP report.

A diagram from a FHP report detailing a fatal rollover crash near the Sunshine Skyway on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2006. Jabe Carney is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a crash that killed his friend Jason Gibson

Because all three occupants werent wearing their seatbelts, they were ejected from the car. Following the crash, Gibson was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center. While at the hospital, Carney was interviewed by an investigator.

I really messed up this time, the investigator noted that Carney spontaneously said during an initial conversation with him. The investigator observed that Carney had bloodshot and watery eyes, was slurring his words, and could smell a strong alcoholic odor.

A blood sample taken from Carney after the crash and later tested indicated his blood alcohol level was 0.111, or nearly 1.4 times above the legal level.

Carney spent 11 days in the Pinellas County Jail, calling his mother every day to inquire about Gibson, who remained in critical condition. Carneys injuries included a concussion and torn cartilage in his right knee, he said.

On the 11th day, when he asked his mother about Gibson, she grew quiet.

I never really talked about this, Carney said, tearing up as he recalled the moment he learned that Gibson died.

Gibson was one of 1,099 alcohol-related fatalities in 2006, according to a FHP report.

Jabe Carney, an inmate at Moore Haven Correctional Facility, displays a tattoo on his right bicep that honors his friend Jason Gibson. Carney is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a crash that killed Gibson.

Carney was charged with DUI manslaughter, driving while license suspended and causing serious bodily injury or death, driving while license revoked - habitual traffic offender, and two counts of driving while under the influence which resulted in property damage or personal injury, according to court records.

For almost a year, Carney was held in the Manatee County Jail until he posted a $50,000 bond. It was during that time Carney tattooed Gibson's name onto his right bicep, a permeant reminder of the close friend he lost when he lost control of the car. A little less than seven months later, a bench warrant was issued for Carney after he failed to appear for a docket sounding, according to court records.

Carney said that when he was released, he began to abuse drugs again to cope with the stress of the impending trial. When the judge pulled his bond, meaning he would have to go back to jail, Carney ran.

When he was arrested less than a month later, new charges were added and in March 2008, Carney was found guilty by a jury of charges that included DUI manslaughter and fleeing to elude a law enforcement officer, according to previous Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporting.

At his sentencing, his mother, uncle, sister, and friends asked the judge for compassion in her decision.

Many testified to Carneys positive characteristics, saying that hed always been a good guy, and would help anyone when he could.

Challenges posed: Why keep Carney locked up?

While Carney has been described as a model inmate and his record shows hes received only one disciplinary report for disrespect in 2008, hes faced obstacles with getting released early.

In Florida, prisoners must serve at least 85% of each sentence imposed before they can be considered for early release. In Carneys case, the earliest he can be released is in September 2026.

To reduce their sentence, inmates can earn up to 10 days of gain time per month. Once their gain time reaches what would equal the 15% reduction in their sentence, they can no longer apply the gain time to their sentence.

Carneys obstacle could also stem from the fact that under Florida law, the primary purpose of sentencing, and the criminal justice system in general, is punishment.

In 2020, there were more than 81,000 individuals incarcerated in Florida prisons, according to research released from Levin College of Laws Race and Crime Center for Justice. Of those, approximately 15,000 are serving time for murder or manslaughter offenses.

The system is designed to make people suffer, and it is designed that way because  quite frankly  there are bad actors in the system who have mal intent and want to impose that on other people, said Kenneth Nunn, a University of Florida law professor at the Levin College of Law.

Nunn expanded that the public expects those convicted of a crime to suffer because theyve been trained to fear crime by politicians and news outlets who profit by stirring up the public.

Florida is one of 16 states that does not have parole, according to a report by Right on Crime, a conservative criminal justice reform initiative started by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

In 1983, the Florida Legislature abolished parole for most offenders who were sentenced on or after Oct. 1 that year. As of May 2022, there were 3,670 inmates eligible for parole consideration, according to The Florida Commission on Offender Reviews website. However, Carney is not included in that number.

Another avenue, which can oftentimes be the only way to get early release, is through clemency.

However, for an inmate to even be considered for clemency, they must first submit an application which is first reviewed by the Florida Commission on Offender Review, explained Molly Gill, the vice president of policy for Families Against Mandatory Minimums. After a thorough review, the commission writes a recommendation to the Florida Board of Executive Clemency.

Jabe Carney is an inmate at Moore Haven Correctional Facility in Florida. He is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a crash that killed his friend Jason Gibson.

If the commission writes a recommendation denying clemency, and the board doesnt reverse that decision within 60 days, then the inmates request is denied. Gill said many people are often denied without getting a hearing in front of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the rest of the board.

Additionally, the clemency board only meets a handful of times a year. In 2023, the board met twice so far.

Carney applied for clemency in 2019 and five years later in February 2023, his application was denied.

Even if there are officials at state prisons that believe an inmate is deserving of being released, maybe theyve shown growth or have a good character and could be perceived to be a model inmate like Carney, or maybe they are perceived as no longer being dangerous, current Florida laws prevent them from being released early.

Instead, keeping inmates incarcerated past the point of them being dangerous can become a burden on taxpayers, said Ashley Nellis, co-director of research for The Sentencing Project.

They're also not contributing productively to society through getting a job, which many of them would like to do if they were to be released, Nellis said.

The FY 2021-22 Florida Department of Corrections annual report shows it costs $28,298 to house an inmate in a state prison, or about $77.53 per day per inmate.

There's a lot of people in prison who are more than ready to be released, Nellis said. I don't think everybody is, of course, but I think his story is not that uncommon.  That's the problem with these mandatory sentences, or with this sort of erroneous belief that a certain term of years means you're repaired, but sometimes that happens sooner than others.

Future beyond bars: A light of hope

Carney recently found two cases that could be the key to his release from prison.

In a motion he wrote to correct his illegal sentence, Carney states that the trial court was statutorily mandated to impose a probationary period following any prison sentence he received for DUI manslaughter.

However, his 15-year sentence didnt include a probationary period, thus making it illegal, he states. Since the sentence improperly extended the overall sentence length to 25 years, and he has the support of the victims family, a lesser overall sentence should be favored, he adds.

An attorney filed a notice of appearance on May 12, indicating hes taken on Carneys case. Two motions to correct his illegal sentence were filed 18 days later.

Carney hasnt yet fully forgiven himself and he definitely wouldnt say that hes deserving of being released early, he said. He hopes to be released so he can do right by those close to him.

Hes nervous about adjusting to life beyond bars but said the first thing he wants to do is see his family and those who stood by him. Kropiewnicki and his wife have already invited Carney to visit so they can take him to an island they recently visited.

As far as a job, Carney said a law firm in Florida has potentially offered him a job, but he wants to move closer to Boyd and her family, maybe work at his brother-in-laws business.

Jabe Carney is an inmate at Moore Haven Correctional Facility in Florida. He is serving a 25 year sentence for DUI manslaughter and related charges for a 2006 car crash that killed his friend Jason Gibson.

Duffey hopes that Carney is released soon so that he can live a life her brother in his sobriety would have been proud to see, which she feels Carney has done and then some.

She knows that it wont be easy and that Carney will surely have tough days  but she and her sister wont let him fail.

No one needs to release a black balloon anymore because addiction took another loved one, Musser said. We do recover. They will recover. There's a support system out there, and honestly, the best support systems come from the most unlikely places.

Duffey looks forward to seeing Carney in person, watching him smile and laughing together as he tells her another story about her brother that she hasnt heard yet.

Get out. Go live your life, Duffey said. Whatever you do, just make us all proud. Make Jason proud.

In the years he corresponded with Musser and Duffey, Carney had never heard from Gibsons parents.

He did send a letter to Gibsons mother at one point, but he never got a response back. He says after re-reading it countless times, it feels too still, too formal, and not personal at all. He added he doesnt blame Michelle Gibson for not forgiving him, but hed like the opportunity to one day apologize to her, face-to-face.

Ive always wanted to tell her Im sorry and Ive read her letter countless times, Carney said, his breath catching on the last word, Im sorry.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Forgiveness gives incarcerated Florida man new beginning of hope
Charges against the former head of Cal Polys ROTC program accused of hiding a camera in a Pismo Beach clothing stores dressing room were dismissed Monday, documents show, and the officer will be court martialed by the U.S. Army instead.

Jacob Sweatland, 40, was facing two misdemeanor charges related to allegedly secretly filming a teenager and woman in the dressing room.

Those charges were dropped, and the case against Sweatland was transferred to the U.S. Army for criminal prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, where he will face a court martial, according to court documents.

Sweatland was arrested Sept. 2, 2022, after a teenage girl found a spy camera in a PacSun dressing room at the Pismo Beach Premium Outlets.

Pismo Beach Police Department Commander Chris Trimble told The Tribune that an object resembling a key fob with a built-in camera was found by store staff, who then called police, prompting an investigation.

On Sept. 4, Trimble said, the store contacted the police again and reported a man later identified as Sweatland had returned to retrieve the fob. Sweatland ran from officers before being caught in the 200 block of Elaine Way in Pismo Beach, around a mile from the outlets.

Sweatland was charged Oct. 28 with two misdemeanors: resisting a peace officer and invasion of privacy.

Sweatland attempted to have his case go through military diversion, which allows defendants to divert their sentences for one year in misdemeanor cases, during which the defendant must abide by all laws and community service requirements.

To qualify, a defendant must show that they have a mental health diagnosis linked to their military service and that the mental health diagnosis is related to actions made in the alleged crime.

Court documents show Sweatlands attorney filed a motion for military diversion on March 20. A motion opposing the diversion was filed by prosecutors on April 10, and San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Jesse Marino denied the diversion request on April 12.

According to U.S. Army spokesperson Ian Ives, Sweatland has served four combat tours: Once in Afghanistan, twice in Iraq and one operational tour to Columbia.
Flying Fish Bar and Grill on Wilmington Island

A former employee has filed a lawsuit against The Flying Fish Bar & Grill, a popular Wilmington Island restaurant, alleging that her former co-workers made racially charged statements to her on a near daily basis.

The federal lawsuit was filed in federal court on July 18 by Rashonda Walden, 43. Walden, who is represented by Shahrzad Bagheri of Sheri Bagheri Law and Artur Davis of HKM Employment Attorneys, claims that after she complained to the owners of the restaurant about the alleged racial discrimination, she was fired.

Walden faced a 'barrage of racist language,' according to suit

Not long after she was hired as a food runner on April 14, Walden alleges she experienced a barrage of racist language and insults that continued on a constant, near daily basis, from two company employees, a 17-year-old server and a general manager named Jennifer. Both are white females.

According to the lawsuit, the 17-year-old hurled racial slurs at Ms. Walden on virtually every shift they worked together," frequently referring to Ms. Walden as a n***** and belittling her with comments like You need to do this, n*****, according to the lawsuit.

In all, according to the lawsuit, Walden complained to fellow employees of at least 15 instances of racial discrimination. The attorneys cite two specific occasions where the 17-year-old server and the general manager discriminated against Walden.

One occasion allegedly took place on April 21. As the lone food runner on duty, Walden was tasked with serving a party of 18 to 20 people. Walden asked some of the servers to assist her with delivering food to the large party. Walden alleges that the general manager yelled at her and said, "You n***** you need to listen!

In another occasion, which allegedly took place on April 29, Walden arrived at work and began to set up her workstation. The 17-year-old server referred to Walden by the n-word and said Walden was doing stuff wrong.

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Fired after speaking with owner

After the second incident, Walden told the owner Michael McMahon about the server's behavior and asked to be excused from work for the rest of the day. Walden then asked McMahon to take steps to improve the hostile conditions in the workplace.

On April 30, McMahon allegedly called Walden to inform her that she was not working out and that her employment with The Flying Fish had been terminated. If not for the complaints, the lawsuit alleges, Walden would not have been fired.

McMahon has not responded messages requesting comment.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Flying Fish Bar & Grill
When Jessie Winters moved to Las Cruces with her family in the 1960s, she would set aside her nomadic life and establish a home for the rest of her 100 years.

Winters celebrated 10 decades on June 27 with friends and family at the Calvary Baptist Church.

A life of traveling to get to Las Cruces

Winters was born in Pittsburgh in 1923. She grew up during the Great Depression, dropping out of school after the eighth grade to get a job and help support her family. She was only 16 but lied saying she was 19 so she could get the job.

The job was working as a typist for a government office in downtown Pittsburgh. Winters daughter, Teresa Womelsdorf, said her mother did not know how to type at the time but learned by doing. Winters continued with this work ethic all the way to Las Cruces.

After leaving her typist job, Winters worked as a waitress at a soda fountain.

When the manager quit she became the manager, Womelsdorf said in a message. Which she loved because she said she could boss people around.

Winters was introduced to the man who would become her husband, Robert Winters, when she was 19. They married six months later.

Photo of Jessie Winters

Womelsdorf described her father as a free spirit and the couple moved often. Robert Winters was a linotype operator, in charge of the typesetting machine used to print newspapers and magazines until around the 1970s and 1980s. He would find operating jobs wherever he and his wife found themselves.

He would quit a job, go home, tell Mom, they would pack up, get out the map and move to the next city, Womelsdorf said in a message.

By the 1960s, the couple had two children, Womelsdorf and a son, Ken Winters. Jessie Winters said her husband saw an ad for a job in New Mexico and traveled to Artesia, but did not quite find what they were looking for. Soon after, the family traveled west to Las Cruces.

We went down to Las Cruces for an interview, Winters said. And he was there forever. I says, take a look kids, it looks like this is where were going to live. Ive been here ever since.

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The children were young and it was time to settle down.

A second linotype operator position became available soon after the family moved and Winters applied for it. She recalled that she did not have any knowledge of the work, but interviewed anyway. After she got the job, her husband taught her how to operate the machine. The two worked side by side at the Sun-News throughout the 1960s.

An image of the Las Cruces Sun-News staff from the 1960s, with the newspaper's owner and operator, Joseph Priestly, sitting at the desk in the middle.

She said that they got 30 minutes for lunch. She would buy my dad a hamburger at the burger joint around the corner, and then she would gobble up a sandwich in 15 minutes, Womelsdorf said in a message. She would then go shopping for the last 15 minutes of her break. She would go to Woolworths where they sold 3 yards of fabric for $1. They had to wear dresses to work so she would make her dresses to have one for every day of the week.

"The linotype machines broke down often and my dad taught her how to fix them. She would climb up on the machine and fix it but her dress would get dirty. So she always wanted to have five clean dresses to make it through the week.

Winters described the years working at the newspaper as the good times.

Life after the Sun-News

Jessie and Robert Winters parted ways after 27 years of marriage and both were eventually put out of work when the printing business evolved away from linotype machines.

Winters went on to earn her GED in 1971  she was in her 50s  and continued her education at Liberty Bible Institute in Lynchburg, Virginia, now Liberty University. According to Womelsdorf, Winters completed courses via correspondence and graduated in 1991 at the age of 68.

Jessie Winters, second from right, on her last trip to visit family in St. Louis, MO.

She became quite involved in the church and volunteered with the children during Sunday service at Calvary Baptist Church. Her job was rocking the babies each week, which she loved to do.

Winters has five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren now.

I never left here. This is my home, Winters said.

Womelsdorf traveled back home to Las Cruces in June to celebrate her mothers birthday at the church. Many longtime friends also joined in the celebration, congratulating and reminiscing with Winters.

Jessie Winters wears a crown during her 100th birthday party on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church.

When asked how she felt about turning 100, Winters said, I couldnt believe it.The Lord promised me a long life and hes given it to me.

And how she would like to be remembered?

"Just the way I am," she said.

Others are reading:

Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Former Sun-News linotype operator celebrates 100th birthday in Las Cruces
A first-of-its-kind fossil of a mammal and a dinosaur from around 125 million years ago "locked in mortal combat" challenges the idea that dinosaurs ruled the land, researchers wrote in a study published Tuesday.

The new fossil, discovered on May 16, 2012, in China's Liaoning Province, shows a mammal attacking a dinosaur about three times its size. The mammal, a carnivorous Repenomamus robustus, was the clear aggressor, researchers wrote in the journal Scientific Reports.

"The mammal died while biting two of the dinosaur's left anterior dorsal ribs; its mandible plunges downward into the indurated sediment to firmly clasp the bones," the study's authors wrote.

The discovery of the two creatures is among the first evidence to show actual predatory behavior by a mammal on a dinosaur, Dr. Jordan Mallon, palaeobiologist with the Canadian Museum of Nature and co-author on the study, said in a press release.

Repenomamus robustus is a badger-like animal that was among the largest mammals living during the Cretaceous period.

The dinosaur was identified as a Psittacosaurus, an herbivore about the size of a large dog.

Paleontologists had previously surmised Repenomamus preyed on dinosaurs because of fossilized bones found in the mammal's stomach.

"The co-existence of these two animals is not new, but what's new to science through this amazing fossil is the predatory behavior it shows," Mallon said.

Illustration showing Repenomamus robustus as it attacks Psittacosaurus lujiatunensis before a volcanic debris flow buries them both, ca. 125 million years ago. / Credit: Michael W. Skrepnick courtesy Canadian Museum of Nature

Experts believe the attack was preserved when the two animals got caught in a volcanic flow. The area where the fossil was discovered has become known as "China's Pompeii" because of the many fossils of animals that were buried en masse by mudslides and debris following one or more volcanic eruptions.

After the find, scientists worked to confirm the fossil was not a forgery. The researchers said the intertwined skeletons and the completeness of the skeletons suggest the find is legitimate and that the animals were not transported prior to burial.

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Steve Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh who was not involved in the research, tweeted about the find, suggesting it was like Wile E. Coyote catching the roadrunner. He said the find turns "the old story of dinosaur dominance on its head."

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Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey arriving at Southwark Crown Court - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock

Actor Kevin Spacey has had four alternative charges removed from the indictment in his sex abuse case.

The Oscar winner is on trial at Southwark Crown Court accused of a string of sex offences against four male complainants dating between 2001 and 2013.

Four of the indecent assault counts were alternative charges but the judge in the case has instructed the jury to strike through those counts for technical reasons. They have not been removed as a result of the prosecution abandoning any allegation.

The jury was directed to concentrate on what happened and whether it was a crime, and not be concerned with precise dates when things happened. The charges all related to the first complainant in the case, a driver who claims Mr Spacey assaulted him on numerous occasions between 2001 and 2005.

Nearing completion

With the trial nearing its completion, Mr Justice Wall told jurors: You will not be asked to return verdicts on any of those counts.

Mr Spacey denies sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent against the first accuser. The 63 year-old also denies two counts of sexual assault against a second man during a dress rehearsal for a charity event on Mar 20, 2005.

He further denies sexual assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity, against an aspiring actor at his Waterloo apartment between Aug 1, 2008 and Aug 31, 2008.

Mr Spacey also denies sexually assaulting a fourth complainant at a luxury holiday home in the Cotswolds on Apr 1, 2013.

Prosecutors allege that the actor, who was the artistic director at the Old Vic Theatre, in London, is a sexual bully who used his fame and power to assault men for his own sexual gratification.

He is accused of grabbing mens crotches and also performing a sex act on one man who fell asleep at his London apartment.

In a closing speech at Southwark Crown Court, in London, on Wednesday, Christine Agnew KC, for the prosecution, said the case involves an enormous power imbalance and a man who is used to getting his own way taking advantage of that.

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She questioned the two-time Academy Award winners claim that his accusers were motivated by money and suggested the trial was a result of his aggressive, oppressive and intimidatory behaviour.

Famous and lauded actor

Ms Agnew said his alleged offending had left the men feeling diminished and worthless, adding: There is no doubt that he is a very famous and lauded actor. He is undoubtedly someone who is kind to those he chooses to be kind to.

History is littered with those who that are benevolent to some, and cruel to others.

Ms Agnew said it is not simply a strength-in-numbers case against Mr Spacey but that of four separate men who told friends and family, the police and then the court their stories in a bid for justice.

She said Mr Spacey Fowler was and is a powerful man, he was so famous who would believe them?

Ms Agnew said men are entitled to exactly the same protection that a woman would be in law, and added: Why on earth should these men put up with what they say has happened to them?

Mr Spacey denies all the charges and the trial continues.

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A fourth bus transporting migrants arrived Tuesday in Los Angeles from Texas, Mayor Karen Basss office announced.

One bus with migrants on board from Texas arrived around 6:30 PM PT today at Union Station, the statement said. The City has continued to work with City Departments, the County, and a coalition of nonprofit organizations, in addition to our faith partners, to execute a plan set in place earlier this year. As we have before, when we became aware of the bus yesterday, we activated our plan.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has previously sent three buses of migrants from Texas immigration facilities to Los Angeles, a scheme Abbott said is meant to protest undocumented immigrant protections in the city.

Los Angeles is a major city that migrants seek to go to, particularly now that its city leaders approved its self-declared sanctuary city status, Abbott said in a release last month.

Our border communities are on the frontlines of President Bidens border crisis, and Texas will continue providing this much-needed relief until he steps up to do his job and secure the border, he wrote.

The Los Angeles mayors office said each bus came with about a days notice, requiring a significant partnership with local nonprofits to help the migrants.

Abbott has sent more than 20,000 migrants around the country on buses, mostly to so-called sanctuary cities including Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
In 'The Deepest Breath, director Laura McGann (center) explores what drives free divers to repeatedly risk their lives and push the limits of human endurance (Charley Gallay)

Early in "The Deepest Breath," an underwater drone follows free diver Alessia Zecchini as she plunges 100 meters down into the ocean's dark depths, and back up, all on a single breath.

The heart-pounding, claustrophobic three-and-a-half-minute sequence is as difficult to watch as it is mesmerizing.

As she ascends to the shallows, Zecchini's body begins to twitch. Rescue divers seize her and drag her up to the surface, her unconscious eyes rolling grotesquely backward as she is resuscitated.

It may seem shocking, but "blacking out" from lack of oxygen is a common occurrence in free diving, an extreme sport in which athletes compete to go as deep as they can without any breathing apparatus.

"You can watch all the videos in the world. It doesn't really prepare you for seeing a human being just pass out like that," said director Laura McGann, director of the Netflix documentary, out Wednesday.

"It's scary to see."

Through archive footage, interviews and a handful of re-enactments, McGann's film explores what drives these men and women to repeatedly risk their lives and push the limits of human endurance in pursuit of new competitive records.

"Seeing a human being behave more like a seal or a dolphin in the water, with no tanks, was kind of like learning that there was a group of people in part of the world that knew how to fly," she told AFP.

- 'In the moment' -

Specifically, the film focusses on the relationship between record-breaking diver Zecchini and Stephen Keenan, a nomadic young Irishman who becomes one of the sport's top safety experts.

Free divers, if not actively courting death, do not appear to fear it. Indeed, Zecchini airily claims in the movie's opening scene that she does not even think about death.

Yet it quickly becomes apparent that some sort of tragedy has occurred.

Neither Zecchini nor Keenan appear among the film's present-day interviews, leaving the question of their fates hanging for much of the movie -- at least, for those able to resist a quick Google search.

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That structure was criticized as being somewhat manipulative in early reviews at January's Sundance Film Festival, where the movie premiered, having already been acquired by Netflix days earlier.

But McGann decided "really early" that her film would remain "in the moment" with its characters throughout their journeys.

Death "was always going to be towards the end of the film," she said.

- Love and death -

"The Deepest Breath" is the latest documentary to explore dangerous obsessions through the lens of a love story.

Last year's Oscar-nominated "Fire of Love" followed a husband-and-wife scientist couple as they risked their lives to explore the craters of erupting volcanoes.

In 2019, "Free Solo" profiled death-defying climber Alex Honnold, as he juggled his obsession with climbing a notorious rockface without ropes, and his relationship with his understandably terrified girlfriend.

For McGann, the relationship between Zecchini and Keenan was "a yin and a yang," like "they were each other's missing piece," even before they connected as celebrities in the small free diving community.

It emphasizes that free diving is as much a mental sport as it is a physical one, requiring very specific personality types that not only stay calm, but actively enjoy being 100 meters under water, beyond rescue.

"What the free diver is feeling is definitely close to the complete opposite to what we the audience are feeling," explained McGann.

While viewers might struggle for breath just watching, divers speak of a "serene, quiet, peaceful silence," as they quieten their minds and reduce their heart rates to "that of a Tibetan monk."

"You're almost in a meditative state," said McGann.

"But you need to keep a little bit of your subconscious aware of what you're doing -- so that you remember that you have to come back up."

amz/caw
Portage County Job and Family Services will host a Back to School Health and Wellness Fair 4-6:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the OhioMeansJobs Center parking lot, 253 S. Chestnut St., Ravenna.

The free event is sponsored by AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio, Akron Childrens Hospital, Firm Foundation Ministry and more than 30 additional community partners.

Residents who attend with their school-aged children can get a free backpack, school supplies and health and wellness items. Participants also may attend workshops, participate in family-friendly games, contests and activities, face painting and register for prizes. Free snacks will be available.

Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County will present a free workshop and school stress and the importance of sleep, while experts from Townhall II will discuss vaping dangers.

More than 30 community partners will have tables set up to give participants access to local resources and information. Staff from Portage County Job and Family Services also will be processing applications on-site for the PRC Back to School Clothing Voucher program.

The event will take place rain or shine and is free. Those who have questions or need additional information can contact Audrey Riley, public information officer, at 330-715-0393 or audrey.riley@jfs.ohio.gov.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Get free supplies, more during Portage Back to School event Aug. 3
Indianapolis homeowner Joey Myles fought a months-long battle for the right to install solar panels on his own property, the Indianapolis Star reports.

According to Myles, owning solar panels has been a lifelong dream. It really means a lot to me to be able to save money and be energy efficient and green, he told the outlet.

When he was looking for a home to purchase, he was sure to check the local HOA bylaws to find an area where they were allowed. But according to his investigation of 250 HOAs across Marion and Hamilton counties, about 80 completely prohibit solar panels, and an additional 80 dont allow them on rooftops.

This is about homeowners property rights, Myles said.

Most of the remaining HOAs require homeowners to have solar panel installations approved by the organizations architectural review committee.

Myles told the Indianapolis Star that he went through that process, but his original application was denied because of how the solar panels would look. He was only allowed to install panels in a different location where they get less sunlight.

I really came to hate the word aesthetics from this, he said. Im losing as much as 52% efficiency because I had to put them on the back of my house, but I should be getting way more.

Myles isnt the first homeowner to butt heads with an HOA over solar panels. One homeowner in Pennsylvania faced similar objections to panels on their south-facing home. Other homeowners in North Carolina and Illinois had to challenge objections from their HOAs in court.

All of this resistance creates delays and added expenses for homeowners who just want to save money on their electrical bills and produce less air pollution.

Fortunately, many states have laws preventing HOAs from restricting solar panels  and, last year, Indiana joined them, the Indianapolis Star reports. House Bill 1196 restricts an HOAs power to deny solar panel applications, giving homeowners a way to petition the neighborhood directly instead.

I just cant believe it, oh my gosh, an ecstatic Myles told the Indianapolis Star. Its finally done.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference at the Celebrate Freedom Foundation Hangar in West Columbia, S.C., Tuesday, July 18, 2023. DeSantis visited South Carolina to file his 2024 candidacy for president. | Sean Rayford, Associated Press

Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis will be in Utah on Friday as he tries to rev up his campaign. His visit comes on the heels of an interview on CNN on Tuesday where he said he wants to take the woke out of the military.

Utah state Sen. Todd Weiler, who has endorsed the Florida governor, confirmed to the Deseret News that DeSantis would visit the state Capitol on Friday afternoon, where he will hold a press conference. Weiler said he believes DeSantis also has several private events planned during his visit.

I think (Donald) Trumps always struggled a little bit in Utah, Weiler said. And a lot of people Im talking to, including people that were big Trump supporters in 2016 and 2020, seem to be inclined to go in another direction.

When asked why he was supporting DeSantis, Weiler said he was looking for a candidate who shares his values and someone who has a chance of winning.

DeSantis, I think, is the only Republican other than Trump right now who has a chance of winning. And my biggest fear is if we nominate Trump again as a party, that hell lose again, and so I would rather try something different.

But while hes held on in second place, DeSantis has fallen further behind the former president in the national polls, even as Trump faces a possible third slate of federal charges, this time related to his actions after the 2020 election.

Related

DeSantis was asked about news of possible new charges against Trump in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN on Tuesday, and while DeSantis said he doesnt think Trump should be charged, he also said it was time to look forward.

This country is going down the road of criminalizing political differences, and I think thats wrong, he told Tapper, adding he believes the FBI and the Department of Justice have been weaponized against people they dont like.

But, he was quick to say, even as he hopes Trump wont be charged, he doesnt want Republicans to have to focus on the 2020 election in 2024.

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If Im the nominee, well be able to focus on President (Joe) Bidens failures and Ill be able to articulate a positive vision for the future, he said. I dont think it serves us good to have a presidential election focused on what happened four years ago.

While in South Carolina on Tuesday to file paperwork to be on the ballot in the early primary state, DeSantis also released his military policy, called mission first, based on his belief that the military needs to return to its primary mission.

In his interview with Tapper, he said he plans to rip the woke from the U.S. military and refocus defense efforts on lethality, while also pointing out hes the only veteran running for president this year.

Related

DeSantis, who served in the Navy from 2004 to 2019, including assignments in Guantanamo and Iraq, said woke policies are changing the character of the military.

Its changing the culture of our services, and its creating a situation in which great warriors have been driven away. And recruiting is at an all-time low.

His plan includes removing diversity, equity and inclusion offices from the Pentagon, prohibiting transgender Americans who have transitioned from serving in the military, and expanding the militarys recruitment efforts among young people.

On foreign policy, DeSantis said hed like to pivot from focusing on Europe to focusing Americas efforts in the Asia-Pacific region, and hed like European countries to do more to ensure security there.

On Ukraine, he said the U.S. should not reward aggression, but said he would like to bring a sustainable and enduring peace to the region by putting pressure on Russia over its energy exports and its relationship with Iran.

Tapper also asked DeSantis about his willingness to sign federal legislation on abortion, after he signed a bill in Florida that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

DeSantis said he is pro-life and would be a pro-life president.

I think the danger from Congress is if we lose the election, theyre going to try to nationalize abortion up until the moment of birth, he said.

He also said hed reverse a Pentagon policy that pays for service members to travel to receive abortions.

Responding to questions about his inability to climb in the polls, DeSantis pushed back on the narrative that he is losing.

I would also just note Jake, there is a narrative ... theyve been saying that Ive been doing poorly for my whole time as governor, basically, he said. During COVID, oh, you know, he has the state open, hes going to lose. Then he fought Disney, hes going to lose. They always want to get there and it never quite works out.

He said hes focused on building out his campaign in early primary states like New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina.

Contributing: Katie McKellar
Looking for freshly cut steaks and fresh veggies for dinner? Or how about some Georgia shrimp, oysters or crab claws? Need some ready-for-the grill appetizers?

Customers can find all that and more at Durdens Prime Meats at 805 Commerce St. in downtown Perry.

Cody and Kallie Durden own Durdens Prime Meats in downtown Perry.

The new meat market is owned by Cody and Kallie Durden, their second family owned business in Middle Georgia. Cody, who previously worked in auto sales, runs the market while Kallie, a floral designer, operates their other business, The Flower Co. at 233 Ga. 49 in Byron.

Weve been fortunate. Weve been blessed,  Cody said. Weve have a lot of local support. Thats all we can ask for.

The market, which strives to stock Georgia-grown products as much as possible, celebrates its first month in business next week.

Cody Durden, who owns Durdens Prime Meats in downtown Perry with is wife, Kallie, behind the register.

Check em out

In addition to fresh meats, seafood, appetizers and vegetables, Durdens Prime Meats offers sauces, seasonings and lunch for take-out Tuesday through Friday. The market also features specialty products from Middle Georgia and other parts of the state.

Amber Clark weighs a steak at Durdens Prime Meats in downtown Perry.

Here are seven suggestions when visiting Durdens Prime Meats:

Pick up a couple of steaks such as a boneless ribeye or a T-bone steak. Steak options include some dry-aged and prime meats, along with burger options such as Wagyu burgers and jalapeno cheddar burgers.

Dont forget the side dishes such as fresh peas, okra, collards, tomatoes and corn.

Want a rack of ribs or a Boston butt to pick up for dinner? With 24-hour notice, theyll have it ready the next day, along with some sides if desired. Other dinners options also are available.

Try an appetizer ready for the grill such as their pork bites. The bites are made with sausage, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, diced jalapenos wrapped in bacon with maple seasoning on top.

Add a bag of Ocmulgee Mudroast, freshly roasted medium coffee from nearby Pulaski Brewing Company.

Grab a bag of lump charcoal from five-time world barbecue champion Myron Mixon of Unadilla. His step-son is baker and cookie artist Cory Jones, owner of Sweet Evelyns at 908 Carroll St. in downtown Perry.

Need something to pick up for lunch? Check out the stores Facebook option for the menu of the week. This weeks options include freshly grilled cheeseburgers, a half-rack of ribs and a three-rib plate. Sides include a bag of chips, cowboy beans, coleslaw, pasta salad and smoked mac-n-cheese. Brownies are on the menu for dessert.

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Durdens Prime Meats is in the building that originally housed Perry Super Foods. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The number is 478-287-2385.

Durdens Prime Meats offers a variety of sauces, seasoning and more.

A customer exits the store at Durdens Prime Meats in downtown Perry.
Fresno County supervisors granted sand- and gravel-mining operator CEMEX USA a three-year extension of their operating permits along the San Joaquin River north of Fresno.

By a unanimous 5-0 vote Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Supervisors denied an appeal by the city of Fresno contesting the extension. But instead of the four-year extension that CEMEX had sought for continuing to harvest aggregate materials from the riverbed, supervisors approved three years, through July 2026.

The current county permits for CEMEXs Rockfield quarry and processing plant were due to expire late next week. The Fresno County Planning Commission approved the four-year extension in June, prompting the citys appeal.

Mining of sand and gravel at the site for the construction industry has been going on for more than 100 years. The additional three years approved by supervisors Tuesday is intended to provide more time for CEMEX, its environmental consultant and Fresno Countys planning staff to complete the preparation of a comprehensive environmental impact report for a proposed expansion of the mining operations to include deep-rock mining  and not just alluvial mining of loose sand and aggregate from the riverbed  for another 100 years.

Jennifer Clark, planning director for the city of Fresno, urged the board to allow the current permits to expire. The citys objections were rooted in the countys approval based on a decades-old environmental analysis of the mining operations. Critics including Clark contended that the previous analyses from the mid-1980s are outdated because conditions  including traffic on Friant Road to and past the quarry  have changed significantly.

Supervisor Nathan Magsig, whose district includes the CEMEX operations, suggested that the changes in traffic volumes are a result of increased development in the northern areas of the city of Fresno and added that the extension would not result in any changes to the way the quarry currently operates.

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Supervisor Brian Pacheco sought to find middle ground, putting a more constrained timeline on the extension to spur CEMEX and county staff to accelerate the environmental work. CEMEX should have started sooner, Pacheco said. On a company of this magnitude and this importance, I believe that.

I think if you really want to hold them to the fire, wed better give them a two-year extension., Pacheco said. Theyre hiring the people to get this done, so they need to put a little heat on these people.

Ultimately, the board settled on three years after CEMEX attorney Patrick Mitchell said two years was simply not enough time to complete the lengthy environmental review, including preparing a draft EIR, receiving and responding to public comments, and then incorporating those comments as well as responses and measures to make up for possible environmental impacts into a final EIR for certification and approval. Mitchell said that typically takes as long as four years.

Were very pleased that (the board) supported the extension to continue to operate, said Debbie Haldeman, a spokesperson for CEMEX USA. But, she added, were going to be a little bit challenged to complete the EIR process for hard-rock mining in the three-year frame.

CEMEX initially submitted an application to the county in December 2019 for its proposal to blast and dig to mine as deep as 600 feet below the surface. Haldeman said the company believed that would be enough time to complete the environmental work before the July 28 expiration of its current permits.

But that was before the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the entire process, which is dependent not only on CEMEX and its chosen environmental consultant but also the countys planning staff to complete the EIR.

Fresno city officials who had appealed the planning commission approval of the mining extension said they were disappointed in the supervisors decision. City Attorney Andrew Janz said all options are on the table up to and including filing a lawsuit against the county.

Now that the city has exhausted all administrative remedies, we will need to decide whether to initiate litigation in this matter, Janz said. The countys reliance on the outdated EIR is improper and does not accurately reflect the true environmental impact CEMEXs operation has on Fresno neighborhoods, open spaces and streets.

Janz added that the city council will ultimately decide whether to take the county to court.

Sharon Weaver, executive director of the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, had asked supervisors to uphold the citys appeal and allow the CEMEX permits to expire. While the board didnt concur, she said she was pleasantly surprised that the board cut the time extension to three years instead of four.

Weaver said that CEMEX is the last remaining sand- and gravel-mining operation along the San Joaquin River upstream from Fresno. But when others were operating, she added, the county was much more forceful about requiring concessions from companies when they sought extensions.

Part of the reason weve been commenting on this is (because of other companies extension requests) that the county extracted some sort of mitigation measures that was beneficial to the environment, to the river, Weaver said. One such project in neighboring Madera County, she added, was required to do additional planting of trees that were not in the original reclamation plan.

In my mind, when a project like this is coming forward, thats an opportunity for the county to do something good, to say, Look, CEMEX, youve extracted a lot of material out of the riverbottom. Lets give something back to the riverbottom, Weaver said. In this case, they did not do that.
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As Fresno school officials go about the task of repainting Edison High School, the system faces an unexpected controversy over how it might protect student-painted murals that depict two civil rights icons and that staff say celebrate diversity.

The murals  designed by a local artist but painted by students  depict Maya Angelou, a prolific poet and author known for her autobiography, I Know How the Caged Bird Sings, and Cesar Chavez, a famed farmworker labor leader with a history of activism in the Central Valley.

Cesar Chavez is featured on one of the murals at Edison High School. Photographed Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Fresno.

The school board seemingly struck a compromise during its June 21 meeting, voting to move ahead with repainting the school, while vowing not to paint over the murals. The board also promised to gather feedback from students, as well as the designer, local artist Jason Esquivel, about what to do with them. The districts Extended Learning department will be in charge of convening this committee of students and artists.

That process has yet to begin. Still, one option that trustees have already discussed is moving the murals inside of the school, which would mean painting over the existing murals and then repainting them on an inside wall.

Some Edison staff, including teacher Lauren Lawless, are wary. They point out that last summer, the district painted over a student mural at another Fresno Unified high school. The district apologized but never disclosed why the student art was erased.

Were just afraid were going to come back in August, and everythings going to be gone, Lawless said.

Lawless said that the paintings of Angelou, a Black author who wrote about her formative experiences in the segregated South, and Chavez, the child of Mexican immigrants who were migrant farm workers, hold particular significance for the student body at Edison.

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It represents our two main cultures on campus, she said, our Latinx cultures and African American as well.

What might seem like a mundane bureaucratic task has raised a host of concerns in the Fresno Unified and southwest Fresno communities  regarding everything from the districts relationship to student art to historical under-investments in southwest Fresno, where the school is located.

Edison High students voted on murals

In 2021, Edison students and staff voted on their favorite mural designs submitted by Esquivel, Edison teacher Michele Mazzei told The Bees Education Lab. The top votes went to his designs of Chavez, Angelou, and an image of hands of different complexions embracing the earth.

One of three murals is seen at Edison High School Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Fresno. Staff and students are concerned the murals may be covered when the school undergoes painting soon.

Students painted Angelou and the hands later that year. They completed the Chavez mural in 2022.

But as Edison students put up their murals, another one came down.

Last summer, Fresno Unified painted over McLane Highs mural, which depicted a colorful sunrise and series of trees beneath the phrase R.I.S.E. Together. R.I.S.E. is a school motto, standing for respect, integrity, spirit, and excellence, according to the schools site.

The district isnt currently planning to repaint that mural, according to district spokesperson AJ Kato. But FUSD learned from its mistake with McLane and is applying those lessons to the Edison situation.

Esquivel also designed McLanes mural. Esquivel didnt respond to the Ed Labs request for comment.

Fresno school board approves paint job

The current controversy erupted about four weeks ago, as the school board weighed whether to repaint Edison. Some residents of southwest Fresno believe the school looks like a prison with its current color of gray. The painting would be a year ahead of schedule, in response to the prompting of the Edison areas board trustee and southwest Fresno community members.

The high schools area representative, Keshia Thomas, said residents have come to her with concerns about the gray paint for years.

About 11 years ago, the administration  unilaterally decided to paint Edison High School to gray color, which upset everyone, Thomas said at the June 21 meeting. I didnt come into this until 2018, and thats when the community came to me and asked me for help. I have been there to support their will.

Several community members expressed their frustrations with Edisons gray exterior and advocated for the repainting at the June meeting during public comments.

Edison High School looks like a prison, said resident Debbie Darden, adding that the gloomy gray color is mentally draining.

Some proponents of the repainting took issue with the murals as well, calling them unattractive graffiti.

The murals became a sticking point in the discussion, with trustees and staff tossing around the idea of creating a mural policy to avoid confusion in the future.

Edison High School staff have launched a social media campaign that aims to help preserve three murals when the district paints the school buildings later this month. Photographed Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Fresno.

Despite reservations from some trustees, the vote to move ahead with the repainting  while protecting the murals  passed 6-1. Trustee Claudia Cazares voted against the measure, having said its not fair to push one schools project ahead of schedule.

The project is estimated to cost $770,000, district spokesperson Nikki Henry said in an email.

The vote came with the stipulation that the murals not be touched until the district secures consent from the murals designer, Esquivel, and gathers student input on the possible relocation to the interior of the school, Fresno Unifieds board president Veva Islas said.

As for gathering student feedback, Henry said the districts Extended Learning department will be pulling together students, the artist(s), and other critical partners to decide what will be done with the existing murals, which could include moving them to a more interior place on campus. These and other options put together by the committee will then require final approvals from district leaders. She didnt specify when that committee would convene.

Staff shared at the meeting that theyd made initial contact with Esquivel, and that he was open to repainting them elsewhere as long as students approved.

The McLane experience with painting over the mural was horrendous, Islas said at the meeting. The district received a lot of negative attention because of that, in particular from the artistic community. So I do not want to repeat that.

The boards decision moves Edison up one year ahead in the typical 10- to 15-year cycle of repainting among the districts schools, staff said. So another stipulation the board attached to the vote was that Edison would wait one extra year in the next repainting cycle.

The district will begin repainting once the superintendent awards a bid to a specific vendor. Henry deferred to the eventual vendors expertise on what specifically might be done to protect the murals during the repainting, but said the districts operations team will be clearly communicating this high priority with them.

The plan, Trustee Thomas told the Ed Lab, is to repaint the school a cream color. The new paint job will include accents in black and gold  Edisons historic school colors. These colors were selected through a community engagement process led by Thomas over the past year, the district confirmed.

Edison staff working over the summer told the Ed Lab theyve observed some of the initial paint thats been applied to the building, describing it as beige. Thomas told the Ed Lab that isnt necessarily the final color that will be used, and that the coat that district staff have applied so far is just a mock-up.

Petition aims to protect murals

A week after the boards decision, community members fired back with a Change.org petition.

Organized by Stefani Williams, a teacher-librarian at Edison, the petition blasts the district for not adequately consulting with the community on the decision to repaint or what to do with the murals. The petition had more than 1,700 signatures as of Monday afternoon.

She told the Ed Lab July 12 that she felt a little bit better, with the district publicly committing not to paint over the murals until it has gathered student feedback.

But we dont really trust it, she said, because of past actions of the board.

Lawless, the Edison teacher, said relocating the murals inside to a less visible part of the building would be a real shame and a loss of that cultural representation.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bees Education Lab at its website.
Sub Standard

In a bonkers interview with the Australian version of "60 Minutes," a sub operator purporting to be a friend of the late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush made a bunch of outlandish statements that seemed to accuse the deceased of gross negligence  if not outright knowing the sub was doomed to catastrophically fail.

"I think Stockton was designing a mousetrap for billionaires," tourist sub operator Karl Stanley told "60 Minutes Australia" as part of that show's investigation into the Titan submersible's tragic implosion earlier this year.

Stanley told the Australian broadcaster that he'd previously gone on the Titan with Rush during its maiden test voyage back in 2019 and tried to warn him of the issues they encountered down below.

"I would say every three to four minutes there [were] loud gunshot-like noises," he said. "It's a heck of a sound to hear when you're that far under the ocean. And [in] a craft that has only been down that deep once before."

https://twitter.com/burncoryburn/status/1681062552548302848

Hear No Evil

Though the Bahamas-based sub operator says he warned Rush repeatedly that he thought the Titan's carbon fiber hull was breaking down and "only going to get worse," his concerns about what he called an "inevitable" tragedy were ignored like those raised by so many others.

"He definitely knew it was going to end like this," Stanely said. "Who was the last person to murder two billionaires at once and have them pay for the privilege?"

While some of his rhetoric in the interview tended towards hyperbole  "he quite literally and figuratively went out with the biggest bang in human history that you could go out with" is another particularly choice quote  Stanley's comments are nevertheless chilling.

In an industry built on adventure, some dramaticism is expected  though in the case of the Titan, it appears that the hysterics were more than warranted.

More on OceanGate-gate: Yacht Broker Attempting to Sell Leftover OceanGate Submersible
U.S. chipmakers urge Washington to rethink further restrictions on China

Xinhua) 10:31, July 19, 2023

NEW YORK, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) on Monday urged Washington to "refrain from further restrictions" on chip sales to China, the world's largest commercial market for commodity semiconductors.

"Repeated steps, however, to impose overly broad, ambiguous, and at times unilateral restrictions risk diminishing the U.S. semiconductor industry's competitiveness, disrupting supply chains, causing significant market uncertainty, and prompting continued escalatory retaliation by China," said the SIA in a statement.

The SIA urged the U.S. administration to refrain from further restrictions until it engages more extensively with industry and experts to assess the impact of current and potential restrictions.

The statement came as the Joe Biden administration is considering updating rules put in place last October that aim to restrict China's chip industry by limiting U.S. companies' cooperation with Chinese chip manufacturers.

CEOs of the biggest U.S. semiconductor companies will reportedly hold meetings with U.S. officials this week to discuss the potential new restrictions on exports to China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Karl Stanley, a friend of late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, isnt surprised the Titan submersible fatally imploded last month. A prior passenger on the doomed vessel, Stanley told 60 Minutes Australia that Rush definitely knew it was going to end like this.

He quite literally and figuratively went out with the biggest bang in human history that you could go out with, Stanley told the outlet in an interview published Sunday. And who was the last person to murder two billionaires, at once, and have them pay for the privilege?

I think Stockton was designing a mousetrap for billionaires, Stanley added.

Rush brought four customers with him on the fatal 2.5-mile dive to visit the RMS Titanic wreckage, only to lose communication within hours of descending. Debris from the imploded sub was recovered days later.

Stanley was one of several people who warned Rush about the dangers of his shoddy construction. Titan was the only deep-sea sub with a hull made of carbon fiber, which  while light  is incapable of reliably withstanding atmospheric pressures of the deep sea.

Stanley, a submersibles expert and deep sea explorer himself, experienced this firsthand during a Titan test dive in the Bahamas in 2019. He said Sunday there were loud, gunshot-like noises every three to four minutes that he said were coming from the carbon fiber tube breaking apart.

Karl Stanley (not pictured) warned OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (left) about the dangers of his sub.

Karl Stanley (not pictured) warned OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (left) about the dangers of his sub.

Thats a heck of a sound to hear when youre that far under the ocean in a craft that has only been down that deep once before, Stanley told the program.

Perhaps most troubling was a series of messages he sent Rush and shared with 60 Minutes, which showed Stanley warned him in April 2019 about an area of the hull that is breaking down and later ominously added, it will only get worse.

I literally painted a picture of his wrecked sub at the bottom and even that wasnt enough, Stanley told the news program.

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While the implosion is still being investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation and Safety Board of Canada and the U.K.s Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Stanley suggested it was inevitable.

The only question in my mind  the only question is  when? Stanley told 60 Minutes. He was risking his life, and his customers lives, to go down in history. Hes more famous now than anything else he ever wouldve done.

Related...
[Source]

On an ordinary spring day in Japan in 2011, one of the most devastating natural disasters in modern history occurred. An undersea megathrust earthquake  with a magnitude of 9.1  rocked the Pacific Ocean 72 kilometers (approximately 45 miles) east of the Oshika Peninsula of the Tohoku region.

The earthquake, which lasted for six minutes, was followed by a powerful tsunami that contributed to the loss of about 20,000 lives.

The horror, however, was just beginning. About 100 kilometers (around 62 miles) south of the impact, killer waves spawned another disaster, and one that would take decades to resolve: a nuclear accident.

The event, known as the Fukushima nuclear disaster, became the worlds most severe nuclear accident since Ukraine's Chernobyl in 1986. Today, Japan is preparing to release "treated" radioactive water from Fukushima into the Pacific, sparking concerns among critics who fear adverse consequences to both people and the environment.

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However, Tokyo recently earned the blessing of the United Nations. Now, as the Japanese government prepares to pump more than a million tons of treated water into the ocean, the rest of the world wonders: How did Japan arrive at such a contentious decision? Does its plan actually meet global safety standards? And what do neighboring countries have to say?

When tragedy struck

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Japans biggest nuclear disaster occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on March 11, 2011, shortly after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The incident was later classified as Level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), joining Chernobyl as the only two disasters to ever receive the designation.

Upon detecting the tremor, active reactors at the plant automatically shut down their normal power-generating fission reactions. The shaking also cut the plant off from the Japanese electricity grid. As a result, backup diesel generators automatically started. This power source allowed pumps to continue to circulate coolant through the reactors cores, which, if left unaddressed, can overheat and cause a massive steam explosion.

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Unfortunately, the succeeding tsunami further complicated the situation. Peaking at 14 meters (approximately 46 feet) high, the waves swept over the plants 5.7-meter (approximately 18.7-foot) seawall, flooding the lower parts of the reactor buildings. This caused the backup generators to fail, which eventually resulted in three nuclear meltdowns, three hydrogen explosions and radioactive contamination. At this point, residents within a 20-kilometer (approximately 12.4-mile) radius were ordered to evacuate.

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The disaster has produced radioactive wastewater, which is now primarily groundwater that naturally comes into contact with the reactor buildings. In the immediate aftermath, around 80% of the leak that reached the atmosphere had deposited over the Pacific Ocean and some rivers. On April 5, 2011, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which runs the plant, began discharging 11,500 tons of untreated water  the least contaminated of those it had stored  into the ocean. Another 300,000 tons were dumped the following month.

A long, tedious cleanup

TEPCO estimates that the cleanup program to decontaminate affected areas and decommission the plant will take 30 to 40 years. To prevent further contamination of seeping groundwater, it constructed an ice wall that reduces the flow of groundwater into the buildings.

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Radioactive wastewater is being treated under the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), which removes all radionuclides, save for tritium. Separating tritium from water is not only costly, but also technically challenging due to its chemical composition. Tritium cannot be destroyed or converted into a stable, non-radioactive form. While considered to be a relatively low-risk radioactive material, its release into the environment, even in small quantities, raises concerns due to its potential long-term effects on the human body and the ecosystem at large.

At present, TEPCO stores 1.32 million metric tons of treated water, which is stored in more than 1,000 tanks. However, space is running out. Furthermore, TEPCO cannot build more tanks if the plant must ultimately be decommissioned. On July 7, Japans Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) approved the treated waters discharge into the Pacific Ocean, days after the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded that Japan has met global safety standards.

Based on its comprehensive assessment, the IAEA has concluded that the approach and activities to the discharge of ALPS treated water taken by Japan are consistent with relevant international safety standards, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a recent 140-page report. Furthermore, the IAEA notes the controlled, gradual discharges of the treated water to the sea, as currently planned and assessed by TEPCO, would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment.

Meeting international standards

The IAEAs conclusion follows a two-year review by a dedicated task force composed of its top specialists who received advice from internationally recognised nuclear safety experts from 11 countries. The task force reportedly conducted five review missions, published six technical reports, met multiple times with Japanese government and TEPCO officials and analyzed hundreds of pages of technical and regulatory documentation before arriving at its decision.

A liter of ALPS-treated water contains 1,500 becquerels of tritium. Japans regulatory limit permits a maximum of 60,000 becquerels per liter, while the World Health Organization, for context, allows up to 10,000 becquerels per liter. In its report, the IAEA notes that TEPCO had undergone a radiological environmental impact assessment (REIA), which found that annual doses of treated water to representative persons (adult, child and infant) are far below the NRAs recommended limit of 0.05 mSv (millisieverts) per year. Meanwhile, estimated dose rates of three marine representative fauna and flora (flatfish, crab and seaweed) are more than 1 million times lower than derived consideration reference levels set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

TEPCO plans to release the water via an undersea tunnel that stretches for around 1 kilometer (approximately 0.62 miles) off the coast. Third parties, including the IAEA, will monitor the discharge.

Well continue to provide transparency with live continuous monitoring throughout [the] treated water discharge process, said Grossi, who also opened a field office at the Fukushima plant. Our task is just starting  we're here for the long haul.

What neighbors are saying

No immediate deaths have been reported from the nuclear disaster, but concerns over the long-term effects of radiation exposure continue to be raised. The explosions reportedly injured at least 16 workers, while dozens more were exposed while dealing with the aftermath and three others were taken to the hospital due to high level exposure. In 2018, the Japanese government recognized the first worker death related to exposure and agreed to compensate his family. In 2021, the United Nations reported that there had been no adverse health effects documented among residents who are directly related to the accident but added that any future radiation-associated health effects are unlikely to be discernible.

Neighboring countries and territories have expressed opposition  or at least ambivalence  to Japans plan to release the treated water. However, some stances changed shortly after the IAEA announced its support. South Korea now officially backs the release, citing the results of its own assessment as part of its decision. Meanwhile, Taiwan says it will closely monitor the release process to ensure that it adheres to international regulations.

China, on the other hand, remains the plans most vocal critic. Last Friday, Tokyo urged Beijing to approach the situation in a scientific manner. In response, the latter asked that Japan face up to legitimate concerns from all sides and sincerely communicate with its neighbors. This is as much an issue about attitude as it is about science, Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said.

China has also urged ASEAN countries to oppose the release. It even asked Indonesia to stop using the term treated water, according to a report. So far, the ASEAN has not taken a stand on the matter. Meanwhile, the Pacific Island Forum, composed of 17 island nations in the Pacific Ocean, asked Japan earlier this year to delay the release until all parties verify it is safe.

Countries beyond the Asia-Pacific region have also weighed in on the matter. The G7  which consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the U.K., the U.S. and Japan itself  have shown support for the discharge plan since April. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for one, acknowledged that any exposure to radiation could pose some health risk. But it also pointed out that everyone is exposed to small amounts of tritium every day.

A 2012 study reported finding unequivocal evidence that Pacific bluefin tuna had transported radionuclides from Fukushima to California. For now, any opposition to the release has materialized in food bans. China has announced that it will ban food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures and vowed to run strict radiation tests on food from the rest of its neighbor. Last week, Hong Kong followed suit.
For years, CGI-generated virtual influencers have been shilling brands, enjoying lavish lifestyles, and amassing substantial followings on social media.

So it was probably inevitable that influencer culture would soon be sucked into the AI craze. Indeed, earlier this year, one influencer created an AI chatbot version of herself that she rented out as a $1-per-minute "virtual girlfriend."

Now things are getting even weirder. Thanks to the advent of AI-powered image generators like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, some are now fabricating entire feeds of internet personalities that don't actually exist.

The result is a fascinating journey through the uncanny valley: haunting Twitter and Instagram feeds showing these AI-generated influencers  virtually all taking the form of conventionally attracted women  posing and preening in virtual thirst traps, to the delight of sometimes tens of thousands of seemingly human fans. Maybe we can't blame them; aside from considerable amounts of skin-smoothing and repetitive backgrounds, both hallmarks of AI image generators, it's a surprisingly convincing illusion.

Take an account going by the name of "Milla Sofia," for instance, described as a "19-year-old virtual girl from Helsinki, Finland," who has amassed tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

https://twitter.com/AiModelMilla/status/1667792531466190848

Almost every one of her scantily-clad portraits showing her posing in a predictable mish-mash of holiday destinations and sandy beaches is garnering thousands of likes and hundreds of comments, and sometimes tens of thousands. Whatever the draw  the large amount of digital skin does suggest a libidinous undertone  it's clearly pulling in fans.

https://twitter.com/AiModelMilla/status/1680491709593944065

Sofia, whose creator didn't respond to a request for comment, isn't shy about the fact that she doesn't exist in the real world.

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"I'm an AI creation," reads her Instagram bio.

https://twitter.com/AiModelMilla/status/1679144079983083520

Her personal website is even more perplexing, with her creator going as far as to lay out a concise resume. For "work," she's been a fashion model and is "currently considering which brand to become a fashion ambassador and virtual influencer."

She also allegedly got a degree from the "University of Life" in "self-adaptive learning and data-driven mastery."

Put simply, we wouldn't be shocked if her creator used AI text generators to come up with this copy.

And it's not just Sofia. A simple search on Twitter shows dozens of similarly AI-generated influencers with sizable followings on social media.

"Who needs pickup lines when youre a virtual girl?" tweeted another virtual influencer, this one calling herself Alexis Ivyedge. "Im already in your heart (and your phone)!"

https://twitter.com/AlexisIvyedge/status/1680957824913014785

"Just an ordinary ai girl posting my virtual life where I can be anything whenever I want," another virtual influencer's Twitter bio reads.

"Have you ever been the lavender field [sic] in Provence, France?" another travel-focused virtual influencer wrote in a caption. "The lavender blooming season last about 3-4 weeks. It is amazing."

Other influencers are far more overt in their suggestive sexual content.

"Let me make some dreams come true," tweeted Lu Xu, a self-described "AI model and waifu."

One virtual influencer went as far as to accuse another Twitter account of stealing her AI-generated photo.

"At least give me credit, when youre stealing my pics" self-described "AI girl" Andrea tweeted.

The trend raises plenty of questions: do the humans interacting with these accounts even realize they don't exist in the real world? Would it even bother them if they knew? Or do they realize, and it's part of the draw?

Regardless, it's a puzzling new turn in the road to AI content. While deepfake porn has proliferated online, the allure of influencers is arguably more complex. If we follow human influencers for a parasocial taste of a glamorous lifestyle, why would we follow a bot instead? Sofia might claim to be in Santorini, but the smudgy approximation of the Greek island's iconic cliffs clearly isn't real.

Then there's the role of the real influencers that inspired these AI spin-offs. Image generators are trained on a huge wealth of publicly available visual data, meaning that these new accounts are more than likely ripping off their real-world counterparts.

Worse yet, some accounts are making use of face-swapping apps to overlay their AI influencers' faces in videos originally posted by real-world influencers  often without giving credit.

There's also the question of monetization. Real-life influencers typically cash in by striking brand deals for what essentially amounts to product placement, but in spite of Sofia's resume ambitions, it's unclear how that would even work.

In short, it's a fascinating new development in the dual wild wests of AI and social media. It's tough to say where it'll go, but one thing is clear: by throwing AI into the already-confounding world of online influencers, these virtual personalities are adding an entirely new layer of distance from reality.

More on virtual influencers: An Influencer-Built "AI Girlfriend" Has Apparently Gone "Rogue"
An online fundraiser has taken up almost $70,000 for a Polk County couple who were seriously injured in a crash in East Manatee County last weekend.

The wreck took the lives of two boys, 11-year-old Cole and 15-year-old Cameron, who were riding in the SUV when it hydroplaned off of State Road 62 in the Duette area and hit a power pole.

Their mother, Krista Reynolds Wilder, 34, remained in the ICU on Wednesday but her condition was improving, according to an update on the GoFundMe page, while their stepfather, Kyle Wilder, 43, was in stable condition.

The family was on a weekend trip to the beach when the wreck happened on Saturday night, according to the fundraiser page organized by Kris Dehnert, a friend of Kyle Wilder.

The man who beat addiction more than 10 years ago, turned into a faithful man, a loving husband, a patriot, an incredible stepfather, a business owner, and most of all a support system for SO MANY in need, is NOW the one needing the help, Dehnert wrote on the GoFundMe page. Please help me support him as he tries to pull his family back together after this tragic event.

There is an incredibly long road to recovery ahead of them both, Dehnert added. Aside from the mental/emotional setbacks they will encounter, there will be physical setbacks as well due to the injuries. All of which will need time and money to combat.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser had received over 500 donations totaling $69,000. It has a goal of $100K.

Krista and Kyle were married last July in Winter Haven, according to Polk County court records.
The latest HIV patient to achieve long-term remission did not receive a donor transplant containing a gene mutation that blocks the virus (CHIP SOMODEVILLA)

A man dubbed the "Geneva patient" is the latest person with HIV to be declared in long-term remission -- however he did not receive a transplant with a virus-blocking gene mutation like previous cases, researchers said Thursday.

Five people have previously been considered "cured" of HIV: the Berlin, London, Duesseldorf, New York and City of Hope, California patients.

All had bone marrow transplants to treat serious cases of cancer, receiving stem cells from a donor with a mutation of the CCR5 gene. This mutation is known to block HIV from entering the body's cells.

In 2018, the Geneva patient similarly received a stem cell transplant to treat a particularly aggressive form of leukaemia.

But this time the transplant came from a donor who did not carry the CCR5 mutation, French and Swiss researchers told a press conference in the Australian city of Brisbane as part of an AIDS conference that begins at the weekend.

This means that the virus is still able to enter the patient's cells.

However, 20 months after the man stopped taking antiretroviral treatment -- which reduces the amount of HIV in the blood -- doctors at Geneva University Hospitals have not found a trace of the virus in his system, the researchers said.

While they cannot rule out that the man's HIV will return, the researchers said they consider him to be in long-term remission.

"What is happening to me is magnificent, magical," the Geneva patient said in a statement.

The patient, a white man who chose not to be named, was diagnosed with HIV in 1990.

He had been on antiretrovirals until November 2021, when his doctors advised him to stop taking the treatment after the bone marrow transplant.

- 'Promising' -

Two previous cases, known as the Boston patients, had also received normal or "wild type" stem cells during their transplants. But in both cases, HIV returned a few months after they stopped taking antiretrovirals.

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Asier Saez-Cirion, a scientist at France's Pasteur Institute who presented the Geneva patient case in Brisbane, told AFP that if there was still no sign of the virus after 12 months "the probability that it will be undetectable in the future increases significantly".

There were a couple of possible explanations for why the Geneva patient remains HIV free, Saez-Cirion said.

"In this specific case, perhaps the transplant eliminated all the infected cells without the need for the famous mutation," he said.

"Or maybe his immunosuppressive treatment, which was required after the transplant, played a role."

Sharon Lewin, the president of the International AIDS Society holding the HIV science conference in Brisbane, said the case was "promising".

"But we learned from the Boston patients that even a single" particle of the virus can lead to HIV rebounding, she cautioned.

"This particular individual will need to be watched closely over the next months and years."

While these cases of long-term remission raise hopes that one day HIV can truly be cured, the brutal and risky bone marrow transplant procedure is not an option for the millions of people living with the virus around the world.

It is instead a last-ditch attempt to treat life-threatening cancer in people who also have HIV.

However, there are hopes that the remission cases could point towards new avenues of research, such as the potential role played by immunosuppressive treatments.

Saez-Cirion said the case had also encouraged the researchers to continue studying innate immune cells, which act as the first line of defence against various pathogens, and could help control the virus.

For his part, the Geneva patient said he was now "looking to the future".

dl-ito/fg
The first meeting of a Republican-led legislative committee to investigate free expression at Arizonas public universities either addressed an instance where free speech was stifled or served as a performance, depending on whether you ask Republican Sen. Anthony Kern or Democratic Rep. Analise Ortiz.

By its end, just one thing was clear  Republican lawmakers wont be letting up anytime soon on Arizona State University officials.

I dont trust our universities  just, period, said Kern, who co-chaired the committee. They do not teach our students well-rounded dialogue so that the student can make the decision on how they want to think and the direction in life they want to take.

The formation of the committee came just weeks after Ann Atkinson, the former director of an Arizona State University center promoting personal development and conservative values, publicly alleged that she lost her job after bringing several right-wing speakers to campus in February for an event titled "Health, Wealth and Happiness."

Ann Atkinson takes a photo during a Freedom of Expression Committee hearing on July 18, 2023, in a Senate Hearing room at the Arizona State Capital in Phoenix.

The event included speeches from Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, as well as Robert Kiyosaki, founder of a personal finance education company and author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," and Dennis Prager, host of a conservative talk radio show.

On Tuesday, Atkinson told lawmakers she experienced condemnation, censorship and chilling of speech during her time at the university.

This situation embodies a free speech crisis woven into the maroon and gold fabric of the university, Atkinson said.

The university has strongly denied her claims, saying the T.W. Lewis Center shut down because the donor who created and funded it, Tom Lewis, pulled his financial contribution. The February event was held and well-attended by students, according to the university, and the speaker series and classes created by the center have continued at ASU since its closure.

Nearly every event is an opportunity for protest, but the university did its job in staying neutral and allowing everyone to be heard, ASU Executive Vice Provost Pat Kenney told the committee.

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It can be noisy and uncomfortable  typical for a democracy  but the events will take place, he said.

The Arizona Board of Regents agrees, according to a letter the board's executive director, John Arnold, sent to Rep. Austin Smith, R-Wittmann, after Smith inquired about campus speech issues. The board is the governing body of the state's public universities.

ASU Vice President for Legal Affairs Kimberly Demarchi (left, standing) answers a question during a Freedom of Expression Committee hearing, on July 18, 2023, in a Senate Hearing room at the Arizona State Capital in Phoenix. Looking on is Dr. Patrick Kenney, ASU dean of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

"After review, this incident appears to be a series of examples of unfettered free speech on the ASU campus," Arnold wrote.

But the conclusions offered so far by ASU and the board have not convinced Republican lawmakers, who dominated the committee six to four. Kern, of Glendale, said he's requesting that ASU produce a written investigation into the matter and a list of proposed actions within 60 days. The Senate Judiciary Committee, he said, will act based on "the thoroughness of that report."

ASU will fulfill Kern's request, according to a university spokesperson, Chris Fiscus.

"The university appreciates the opportunity to clarify what occurred and will be responsive to the request of the ad hoc committee," Fiscus said.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers characterized the meeting as "outlandish political theater." After hearing the testimony, they said it is clear nobody's rights were infringed.

"I think that if we want to have a valid, honest conversation about what free speech looks like on a college campus, thats what we should be having," said Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix. "This wasnt it."

State Sen. Christine Marsh (District 28) addresses a crowd of protesters gathered outside the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on July 13, 2023, urging Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne to keep dual language immersion programs open to all students, including English learners

Atkinson said she was "grateful" for the opportunity to speak before the lawmakers. But she wouldn't fully commit to trusting the results of an ASU or legislative investigation.

"There are many ways investigations can go," Atkinson said.

Conservative lawmakers: Faculty letter chilled student attendance

The meeting on Tuesday lasted five hours. Much of the discussion focused on a letter protesting Kirk's appearance in Tempe. The letter was signed by nearly 40 faculty of ASU's honors college, which housed the T.W. Lewis Center.

That letter, some conservative lawmakers argued, had a chilling effect on students who may have wanted to attend the event. Atkinson said students who wished to attend the talk would've had to walk by protesting professors on the way into the building.

You have faculty members literally standing outside with signs," Kern said. "Isnt that an intimidation factor?"

ASU officials said they've received no official complaints from any students alleging that a professor forced them into staying home.

"If a professor at ASU coerced a student, that would be a serious matter that we would address," said Deputy General Counsel Kim Demarchi.

Democratic lawmakers acknowledged faculty members  none of whom were present at the meeting  were merely exercising their own free speech rights. Kern said at least two faculty members who signed the protest letter were directly invited to the meeting.

"Free speech sometimes comes with consequences," Marsh said.

Lawmakers debate hate speech, threats

Portions of the meeting were dominated by conflict between Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

At one point, Kern and Sen. Sally Ann Gonzalez, D-Tucson, got into a back-and-forth over whether the ideas that Kirk and other speakers at the February event espouse constitute hate speech. The debate ended with Kern pulling out a pocket version of the U.S. Constitution and reading the First Amendment.

Hate speech is really free speech, in my opinion, Kern said.

The First Amendment makes no general exception for offensive or hateful speech, however, hate speech can fall outside the boundaries of protected speech if it qualifies as incitement or a true threat, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an organization that advocates for more freedom of speech on college campuses. Speech is also unprotected if it causes an immediate breach of the peace, such as falsely shouting "fire" in a crowded theater.

Similarly, an argument ensued when Marsh said that ASU faculty members may not have attended the legislative meeting because they received death threats for opposing Kirk's talk. Kern said threats go with the territory and that he has also received them.

Later, Prager, who spoke at the meeting, specifically singled out faculty members who signed the protest letter, naming them and ridiculing their research.

After a half-hour lunch break, Kern read out a tweet from Ortiz, of Phoenix, that characterized the meeting as a "waste of time" and taxpayer money, as well as a quote from the Arizona Senate Democrats that called him "absolutely despicable" for his comments on hate speech.

Im reading these to say this: This is not about me," Kern said. "I know somebody had mentioned it being a show  this is about the students and what is being taught in our universities."

All three of Arizona's public universities  ASU, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University  boast "green light" speech ratings from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

The foundation annually analyzes the policies that regulate student expression at nearly 500 colleges and universities across the country, with the "green light" rating being the highest a school can receive.

Sasha Hupka covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Do you have a tip on Arizona's universities, community colleges or trade schools? Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter: @SashaHupka.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona lawmakers probe free speech on campus after ASU after event
In a letter dated Wednesday, lawyers for George Santos asked Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York Anne Shields to loosen some conditions related to travel, expanding the area he can move around in without giving notice to authorities. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

July 19 (UPI) -- Rep. George Santons asked a New York judge to relax some of the conditions imposed on him while out on bail for a 13-count federal indictment.

In a letter dated Wednesday, lawyers for Santos, R-N.Y., asked Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York Anne Shields to grant him more freedom to travel around the Washington, D.C., area.

"I respectfully request to modify the conditions of my client's release, by extending the geographical area in which my client can travel, without providing advance notice to the government and pretrial services, to include a thirty-mile radius of the District of Columbia," lawyer Joseph W. Murray wrote in the letter, before laying out his reasons over why the judge should grant the request.

Santos in May pleaded not guilty to the indictment, which charges him with wire fraud, money laundering, theft, and lying to Congress.

He was taken into custody and released on a $500,000 bond.

Rep. George Santons, R-N.Y., is asking a judge to relax some of the conditions imposed on him while out on bail for a 13-count federal indictment. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

In asking for new conditions, Murray points out Santos surrendered voluntarily.

"In light of the small geographical area of the District of Columbia, there is a frequent need to travel outside the District of Columbia for usual and customary functions of someone who lives and works in the District of Columbia, such as dining, shopping, meetings, events, and even use of the local airports," Murray wrote in his plea to the judge.

George Santos is currently out on a $500,000 bond awaiting trial on a 13-count federal indictment. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

"This has resulted in unnecessary notifications which can easily be remedied by extending the geographical area in which my client can freely move about without providing prior notice, to include a thirty-mile radius around the District of Columbia."

Santos, a first-term congressman, made his first court appearance at the end of June.

He repeatedly fought to have the names of those responsible for posting his half-million-dollar bail shielded from the public, but a judge ruled against those attempts.

Court documents later revealed his aunt and father posted his bond.
(Bloomberg) -- George Santos, the embattled Republican congressman charged with federal fraud, won permission from a judge to dine, shop and to attend meetings and events in a broader area outside the US capital.

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US Magistrate Judge Anne Shields on Wednesday agreed to modify the current restrictions imposed upon the lawmaker in his $500,000 bond. Santos was required to remain in New York City, Long Island and the District of Columbia. He was allowed to travel around continental US as long as he gave prior notice to US court officials.

Santos is now allowed to move around within a 30-mile (50-kilometer) radius of the capital without having to ask for prior approval.

In light of the small geographical area of the District of Columbia, there is a frequent need to travel outside the District of Columbia for usual and customary functions of someone who lives and works in the District of Columbia, such as dining, shopping, meetings, events, and even use of the local airports, Santoss lawyer Joseph Murray wrote in a request to the judge.

Santos, 34, faces as long as 20 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges of wire fraud and money laundering, the government says, although under federal sentencing guidelines his term would likely be much shorter.

John Marzulli, a spokesman for Brooklyn US Attorney Breon Peace, whose office is prosecuting the case, declined to comment on the travel request.

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Federal and local authorities have reunited a Georgia father with his young daughter two years after the girl's mother and the mother's boyfriend allegedly abducted her and fled to Mexico.

In a statement Tuesday, the U.S. Marshals Service announced that  with assistance from the Smyrna Police Department and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children  they have rescued an international missing child and "facilitated the arrest of her kidnappers."

"The child has been returned to the U.S. and reunited with her custodial parent. The kidnappers are currently in custody, awaiting justice," the statement said.

In April 2021 in Smyrna, Cobb County, Georgia, the then-4-year-old girl was abducted by her non-custodial biological mother, Andrea McCord, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

CARLEE RUSSELL: PARENTS OF ALABAMA WOMAN WHO REPORTED CHILD ON INTERSTATE SAY POLICE SEARCHING FOR 'ABDUCTOR'

On that day, McCord was participating in a supervised visit with the child. McCord took the child and, with the help of her boyfriend Custodio Guerra, allegedly fled.

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The visit was held at the home the girl shared with her father, James Williams.

James Williams embraces his now 6-year-old daughter at an Atlanta airport Sunday two years after the girl was abducted and taken to Mexico.

According to Williams, his estranged wife, McCord, was living elsewhere and visiting their daughter at his home in Smyrna.

Williams said he was outside working in his yard while the girl spent time with her mother in the house, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. At some point, he realized McCord and his daughter were gone. Williams said McCord later sent a phone text, telling him that his car was at a nearby grocery store and the keys were under the seat.

James Williams kneels down to speak with his 6-year-old daughter at an Atlanta airport. The girl was kidnapped in 2021.

Williams reported the girl missing to Smyrna Police. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued for McCord and Guerra. After the abduction, the Smyrna Police contacted the U.S. Marshals Service and requested assistance in recovering the kidnapped child and arresting the perpetrators. The U.S. Marshals Service took the case.

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"Utilizing their international and cross-jurisdictional abilities, advanced investigative tools, and long-established professional relationships  they located the victim and the kidnappers in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi," the U.S. Marshals Service said. "On July 15, in the city of Rioverde, Mexican law enforcement arrested McCord and Guerra and safely recovered the child. The missing child and the kidnappers were immediately turned over to American authorities. On July 16, the child was reunited with her father."

ALABAMA POLICE SCRUTINIZE TRAFFIC VIDEO AFTER MISSING WOMAN WHO REPORTED CHILD NEAR INTERSTATE RETURNS

The Smyrna Police Department shared photos of the reunion between Williams and his now 6-year-old daughter at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta Sunday.

"Tonight, a baby girl was reunited with her daddy!!" Smyrna Police wrote on Facebook.

The Smyrna Police Department and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children announced a 6-year-old girl was found safe on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Mexico.

"Two years ago, a non-custodial parent took their child unlawfully and fled the country," the department wrote. "Until recently, SPD didnt have many leads on the whereabouts of the parent or child. With the help of new investigative technologies and SPD detectives that NEVER gave up, a young child was reunited today with the custodial parent."

"If you know the whereabouts of a missing child or person, please reach out to law enforcement. Well never give up trying to reunite loved ones," police said.

"I am incredibly grateful and overjoyed to be reunited with my daughter," Williams said in a statement through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, thanking law enforcement. "Words cannot express how happy I am to have my daughter back home." He added that his daughter is "doing well, and I kindly ask the media for privacy at this time."

McCord and Guerra were both arrested on warrants for interstate interference with child custody. They have been extradited back to the U.S. where they will appear in front of a judge.
A member of a Georgia gang pled guilty to a federal firearms charge after a domestic violence assault was linked to his use of a firearm.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Megail Thirkield of Columbus, is a convicted felon. That makes it illegal for him to own a gun.

Officials said Thirkield is also a confirmed member of the Gangster Disciples.

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The gun in question was linked to a domestic violence assault through the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

Court documents say a Muscogee County sheriffs Office investigator saw Thirkield, wanted for domestic violence charges, walking on Colorado Street in Columbus on a June afternoon in 2022.

Multiple arrest warrants had been issued for Thirkield a few months before, relating to domestic violence assaults from February to May 2022, including stalking and harassing a v victim and threatening them while brandishing a firearm at her and firing shots into the air.

Officials said Thirkield also allegedly violently attacked the victim, sometimes in front of her children.

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Court documents also show that Thirkield is a confirmed gang member with a long criminal history, including multiple felony drug convictions, theft by receiving stolen property, and illegally having a gun in Muscogee County Superior Court.

Guns, gangs and acts of violence create a combination that yields a bad outcome, Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said. The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office will continue to work hand-in-hand with our federal partners to alleviate all threats that may impose any type of harm to the citizens of our county. We will continue to use the proven scientific technology of NIBIN as an investigative tool for crimes involving guns.

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Thirkield pled guilty to the gun charges, and now faces a potential mandatory minimum of 15 years to life in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 26.

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Debbie Shelton Moore picked up the phone and heard the sound of her frightened 22-year-old daughter's voice calling for help. Then a man took the phone and demanded ransom.

"The man had said, 'Your daughter's been kidnapped and we want $50,000,'" the Georgia mother told 11Alive, an Atlanta NBC affiliate. "Then they had her crying, like, 'Mom, mom' in the background."

"It was her voice and that's why I was totally freaking out," Shelton Moore continued.

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But it wasn't her daughter on the phone. It was an AI-generated clone of her voice made to scam the worried mother.

As AI has grown in popularity, criminals around the country have been using the technology to create fake voices in blackmail scams. One in four people have experienced a scam involving a voice cloned through AI or know somebody that has, according to a May McAfee survey of 7,000 people.

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In March, scammers in two incidents in Arizona demanded ransom after using AI-generated voices of family members.

In Shelton Moore's case, the number that appeared on her phone was from the same area code where her daughter, Lauren, lived. The panicked Georgia mother believed her daughter had just gotten in a car accident.

"My heart is beating and I'm shaking," Shelton Moore said of the moment when she received the ransom call. The voice of her daughter "was 100% believable," she continued, "enough to almost give me a heart attack from sheer panic."

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN DETECT SEXTORTION BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND HELP FBI: EXPERT

"It was all just kind of a blur because all I was thinking was, 'How am I going to get my daughter? How in the world are we supposed to get him money?'" she told 11Alive.

One of the male voices on the phone told Shelton Moore they had her daughter in the back of a truck.

However, her husband, who works in cybersecurity, was able to FaceTime their daughter and bust up the scam.

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Local police dispatched after the ransom call found that Lauren was safe, according to 11Alive.

Still, Shelton Moore recommended families create plans to beat scammers.

"Of course, when you hear their voice, you're not going to think clearly and you will panic," she said. "The whole family needs to have a safe word or safe phrase that theyre not going to forget under duress."

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office also recommended earlier this month that families have a safe word or phrase as AI scams circulate the county.
Photo: Charlie Neibergall (AP)

Updated 7/22/23 at 12pm E.T:

Federal Judge Aileen Cannon has announced that former President Donald Trumps trial on charges of mishandling classified documents will begin on May 20, 2024. Trumps attorneys stated that the case should not go to trial until after the November 2024 presidential election, since he is currently seeking reelection.

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The ruling serves as a compromise between the requests of Trumps legal team and federal prosecutors who wanted the trial to start at the end of 2023. The trial will happen in U.S. District Court in Fort Pierce, Florida, Cannon ordered. This the first time a president, current or former, has faced criminal charges from the federal government. It is Trumps second set of criminal charges Trump he has faced since launching his bid for the White House.

Last month, Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 criminal counts related to his retention of classified documents after leaving the White House in 2021 and alleged attempts to hide them from the government. He also has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a supposed hush money scheme to conceal allegations of his extramarital affairs.

Original Post:

On Monday, Georgias Supreme Court rejected Donald Trumps attempt to stop the Fulton County probe into if he and his supporters meddled in the states 2020 presidential election. District Attorney Fani Willis is leading the investigation to see if there were coordinated attempts to unlawfully alter the outcome of the 2020 elections.



The petition that was declined was one of two Trumps lawyers filed in various Georgia courthouses last week. Both petitions asked the court to move quickly since Willis has signaled that she will use the reportitself the fruit of contorted and coopted processto secure an indictment against Petitioner within weeks, if not days.

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The petition also called to ban the district attorney from introducing any evidence obtained via the special purpose grand jury process to a regular grand jury. The ruling was short and unanimous. The nine-judge state Supreme Court explained that Trump was requesting is not the sort of relief that this Court affords, at least absent extraordinary circumstances that Petitioner has not shown are present here.

They added: Moreover, even if the petition were procedurally appropriate, Petitioner has not shown that he would be entitled to the relief he seeks. The other petition Trump filed in Fulton County Superior Court in March was similar in nature. The judge who oversaw the grand jury investigation, Robert McBurney, hasnt filed on that ruling yet.

However, Trump has many other things to worry about. He recently issued a statement saying that he received a target letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith of the Justice Department Sunday night. Trump also claimed that Smith gave him four days to report to a grand jury looking into Trumps attempts to undermine the 2020 election and the January 6 insurrection Capitol.

Another indictment stemming from the riot may follow. In addition, a judge threw out Trumps request for a new trial in E Jean Carroll civil case.

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A High Falls, Georgia woman is facing drug charges after investigators searched her home.

After receiving numerous complaints of unusual activity at her home, Monroe County Sheriffs Office Investigators opened an investigation.

A search warrant was obtained for her home and investigators executed that warrant on Monday, July 17.

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Teresa Burley was found with several ounces of methamphetamine, as well as drug related items such as pipes and scales, and marijuana.

Burley was arrested.

Monroe County Sheriff Brad Freeman asks the public to report illegal or suspicious activity to their investigations unit at 478-994-7043.

Tipsters can remain anonymous.

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A long-dead California town has returned to its watery grave after briefly reappearing thanks to the state's drought.

Whiskey Flat began as a gold mining town in the 1800s and later was used in the filming of Western movies between the 1930s and early 1950s, according to SFGate. It was once the home to the Big Blue Gold Mine, which operated near the Kern River. Despite its prohibition on alcohol, one man found a way to smuggle drinks to the miners in the town, earning it the name Whiskey Flats.

The town was eventually renamed in 1864 to Old Kernville to distance itself from association with "demon rum," according to Sierra Nevada Geotourism.

Decades later, when the state built the Lake Isabella reservoir in 1953, the abandoned prospector town was submerged.

As drought conditions beginning in 2020 left the state choked for water, Lake Isabella began to empty. By September 2022, the lake's waters had receded enough to reveal the old mining town. At the time of the town's reemergence Lake Isabella was only at eight per cent of its capacity.

Snow covers the shores and surrounding area of Lake Isabella, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002. ((AP Photo/The Bakersfield Californian, Dan Ocampo))

The town's return was short-lived; in a much-needed reprieve from the drought, California experienced a historically wet and cold winter, leaving the state with a substantial snowpack  the snow that accumulates in the mountains and melts to fill lakes and rivers throughout the state.

And melt it did; as the cold waters followed eons-old paths to reservoirs and streams and creeks that fed the state's larger bodies of water, it began to fill Lake Isabella once again.

And once again, Whiskey Flat disappeared beneath the waves.

The town's rapid emergence and subsequent return to the depths reflect the "whiplash" effect created by the state's increasingly extreme climate conditions. Between 2020 and 2023, California has experienced both extreme drought and extreme precipitation, leading to catastrophic flooding in some regions.

In an April press release, Karla Nemeth, the director of the state's department of water resources, pointed to the rapidly changing conditions as evidence that "California's climate is becoming more extreme."

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While the states substantial snowpack submerged Whiskey Flat, another California town  this one still very much alive  is afraid a long-dead lake's rebirth may spell its doom.

Allenworth, population 600, sits on the shores of a long-dry lake in the San Joaquin Valley. Tulare Lake, as it was once known, was drained by agricultural canals a century ago. However, much like Lake Isabella, melting snow has been refilling the lake bed, leaving residents fearful that their town may go the way of Whiskey Flat.

The lake bed was formerly home to pistachio and almond groves, many of which are now underwater. Tulare Lake's return threatens both the livelihoods and the homes of tens of thousands who live in the region. Experts believe the lake will exist for at least two years, and is likely to continue to grow as snow continues to melt and fill the basin, according to the Guardian.

State and local officials have tried to stay the rising water through the use of sandbags, plywood, and large rocks. But with a snowpack estimated to hold the equivalent of more than 60 inches of rain, those measures may not be enough to stop Tulare Lake's homecoming.
Gigi Hadid

American model Gigi Hadid was arrested and fined in the Cayman Islands earlier this month over cannabis possession, it has been revealed.

The 28-year-old and her friend were detained after their luggage was searched as they arrived on a private jet for a holiday on 10 July.

They pleaded guilty in court and paid a fine, but no conviction was recorded.

Hadid's representative said the marijuana was purchased legally in New York "with a medical license".

"It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island," they said in a statement shared with the PA news agency.

According to the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control, Hadid and her friend Leah McCarthy were arrested for "the importation of marijuana and importation of utensils used for the consumption of marijuana".

It was a small amount, seemingly for personal consumption, the agency added.

They were taken to a detention centre and released on bail, local newspaper the Cayman Marl Road reported.

The pair appeared in the Cayman Islands summary court two days later, where they were fined 1,000 Cayman Islands dollars ($1,200; 920).

Despite this, the model appeared to still enjoy her holiday.

"All's well that ends well", she told her Instagram followers on Tuesday, posting photos of the beachside getaway.

Gigi Hadid is one of the world's most famous models - and reportedly one of the highest paid. She has worked with leading luxury brands including Versace, Chanel, Fendi and Marc Jacobs and has graced the cover of Vogue more than 30 times.

The Cayman Islands is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean that has beautiful beaches, coral reefs and abundant marine life.
Despite owning four plots of land in Chester, South Carolina, since 2022, Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann is unknown to at least four neighbors who live on the same street as his lots.

Neighbors are, however, familiar with Rex's brother, Craig Heuermann, who has lived in a ramshackle home surrounded by no trespassing signs for about two decades on the same street where Rex purchased land last year, possibly in preparation for his retirement.

On Tuesday, New York State Police, with assistance from the FBI and the Chester County Sheriff's Office, went to Craig's lot to seize a green Chevy Avalanche connected to Rex and the Gilgo Beach murders investigation. The Heuermanns' properties have remained quiet since then.

Four neighbors who spoke with Fox News Digital do not encounter Craig often, but on the rare occasion he does leave his house and talk to neighbors, he usually comes off as a bit odd, they said.

GILGO BEACH MURDERS: NEW YORK STATE POLICE, FBI IMPOUND EVIDENCE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA

One neighbor described Craig as a "doomsday prepper," saying his yard is full of junk, but it never leaves his property line. Photos of Craig's property beside his home show garbage bags, empty Amazon boxes, what appears to be a woodworking station and a pile of wooden slats.

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GILGO BEACH MURDERS: THE INVESTIGATION IN PHOTOS

Rex Heuermann, an architect, said in a recent YouTube video that he enjoys woodworking  a hobby he learned from his father, an aerospace engineer who had a woodworking workshop at the Long Island home Rex lived in before his arrest last week.

Rex Heuermann and his brother, Craig Heuermann, own secluded plots of land in Chester, South Carolina.

"[W]e rarely see him outside. He does have a ton of dogs on the property that you can hear barking all the time, but they don't really bother us," one neighbor said. "But as far as our few interactions, they've always been pleasant."

ACCUSED GILGO BEACH KILLER NICKNAMED PETER FROM FAMILY GUY BY CO-WORKERS: SOURCE

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He did apparently hear Craig "yelling obscenities one evening at someone, calling her a whore' and some other words, but we didn't get involved," the neighbor said.

A general view of Craig Heuermanns residential property in Chester, South Carolina, on Wednesday.

Craig's front gate has two signs. One says, "Keep out/No trespassing," the other says, "No Warrant/No Entry." Neighbors described hearing dogs, loud music and banging from his lot.

Rex's properties are undeveloped and back up to a series of small, connected lakes on which some residents keep boats.

Craig and Rex Heuermann own several plots of land in Chester, South Carolina, which is about an hour away from both Columbia, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Craig has one rule, according to two neighbors: "Don't cut the grass on Sunday."

GILGO BEACH MURDERS: 3 SERIAL KILLERS WHO LIVED MUNDANE LIVES HID DARK TRUTH

One neighbor said he learned the hard way that Craig enforces this rule when he went to cut grass on Sunday at the property across from Craig, which he used to own. Craig allegedly approached the neighbor from behind and hit him over the head with a "steel pole."

Craig Heuermanns property in Chester, South Carolina, on Wednesday.

"Out of nowhere," the neighbor recalled. "I called the police because I was going to shoot him, but my wife talked me out of it. We called the police, and when we talked to [Craig], he said, Well, I told him not to cut grass on Sunday."

INFAMOUS LONG ISLAND SERIAL KILLER SUSPECT BEHIND GILGO BEACH MURDERS IN CUSTODY: OFFICIALS

Craig also handed out business cards to people on his street that include his name followed by the words, "Bad Motherf---er," and his phone number.

Craig Heuermann also handed out business cards to people on his street that include his name, followed by the words "Bad Motherf---er" and his phone number.

Craig Heuermann could not be reached for comment for this story.

"I keep my distance.  I think he's as crazy as a bed bug," said a third neighbor, adding, however, that he has never had any real issues with Craig.

Rex Heuermann used fictitious names and online accounts to solicit and arrange sexual activity, according to a bail application.

Craig even found one neighbor's runaway dog once and brought it to a nearby vet.

A fourth neighbor whose house sits between Rex's and Craig's properties said he has run into Craig only a handful of times and has never seen Rex. The neighbor said he has not had any issues with Craig other than one time when Craig asked him about some items missing from his property, which the neighbor said he knew nothing about.

WATCH: GRIM TIDE ON FOX NATION

Craig has not been charged with any crimes related to the Gilgo Beach murders. His brother, a resident of Massapequa Park, New York, faces charges of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the slayings of three women  Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello  whose remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach in 2010. He is also suspected of killing Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose remains were also found there.

Counter-clockwise from left: Amber Lynn Costello, 27; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Megan Waterman, 22; and Melissa Barthelemy, 24, disappeared after meeting with a client on Craigslist. The remains of the women were found in December 2010 at Gilgo Beach on Long Island, New York.

Authorities said the three victims Rex allegedly targeted were sex workers who advertised online.

GILGO BEACH SUSPECT REX HEUERMANN STALKED EX-COP AFTER TRAIN ALTERCATION, RIDER SAYS

The slayings have remained unsolved for more than a decade after the search for missing escort Shannan Gilbert, 24, first led police to the bodies of young sex workers and other victims along the Long Island shore.

The suspect was tied to the crimes through DNA evidence and cellphone data. Rex Heuermann allegedly called at least one victim's family after her death and taunted them, according to court documents.

Authorities have been searching Rex's Long Island home for evidence. It is unclear if police will also search his South Carolina properties.
A truck towed from Chester County is connected to the investigation into suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann.

Channel 9 obtained warrants Wednesday showing the truck seized is a Chevrolet Avalanche, which could be key a piece of evidence in the death of Amber Costello, a North Carolina native who was one of Heuermanns alleged victims.

Channel 9s Tina Terry pushed for the release of that warrant, which shows investigators searched Heuermanns property on Rippling Brook Drive in Chester Thursday night for key evidence in the murder case.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

Detectives believe Heuermann killed Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello and buried their bodies at Long Islands Gilgo Beach in New York.

The women were three of 11 victims in a long-unsolved string of killings known as the Gilgo Beach murders. Most of the victims were young women who had been sex workers. Their deaths long stumped investigators, a mystery that fueled immense public attention and led to a 2020 Netflix film, Lost Girls.

Heuermann recently bought four parcels of land in Chester and reportedly planned to retire there. The warrant says investigators searched the property for personal items that may have belonged to any of the victims including things like their telephones, articles of clothing, jewelry, identification. They also looked for DNA obtained through things like fingernails, toenails, animal hair, fur, human hair and human skin fibers.

The warrant confirms detectives were also looking for, and found, a dark green in color 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche.

Channel 9 was at the Chester County Sheriffs Office Tuesday as detectives towed that vehicle away. Theyve said a Chevy Avalanche is a key piece of evidence in Costellos death. A witness told police he saw that vehicle at Costellos New York home before her disappearance.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

(PREVIOUS: Gilgo Beach murder suspect purchased lot in South Carolina)












Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Suffolk County Court/Reuters

The wife of Rex Heuermann, the architect accused in the Gilgo Beach murders, on Wednesday filed for divorce in Suffolk County Supreme Court. The case docket lists the divorce as uncontested.

Asa Ellerup, 59, is being represented by attorney Robert Macedonio, who confirmed to The Daily Beast that a summons and complaint were filed.

Macedonio explained that his client decided to file in Suffolk Countyinstead of closer to their Massapequa Park homebecause that is where Heuermann is currently being held without bail.

Under New York State Law, we are allowed to file in any county, he explained, adding that he and his client are planning to file more in the case at the end of the month.

The lawyer, however, declined to comment on how Ellerup and her children are doing after Heuermanns arrest. He told Fox News, This is all still a whirlwind. Her and her childrens lives have been completely turned upside-down.

It was not immediately clear if Heuermann had obtained legal representation in the divorce proceedings. The attorney representing him in his criminal case, Michael Brown, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ellerup shares two children with Heuermann. Until his arrest last Thursday, the family lived quietly in Massapequa Park, a village of 17,000 people in Oyster Bay, Long Island.

Heuermann has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, and is suspected of having killed a fourth woman.

Ellerup has not been charged in any of the killings, and investigators have said she was traveling outside of New York State when they occurredto her native Iceland in July 2009, when Melissa Barthelemy disappeared; to Maryland in June 2010, when Megan Waterman vanished; and to New Jersey three months later, when Amber Lynn Costello went missing.

Some strands of her hair were found at some of the crime scenes, however, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said last week, helping to eventually lead investigators to Ellerups husband.

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It remains unclear whether she knew about, or ever suspected, Heuermanns alleged activities. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told CNN on Monday that the family was disgusted and embarrassed when investigators informed them of the case against him.

So, if you ask me, I dont believe they knew about this double life that Heuermann was living, Harrison said.

Little is known about the familys home life, with neighbors and community members telling The New York Times earlier this week that Ellerup appeared somber and cheerless whenever she was spotted in public. She rarely ran errands with her husband present, a local grocery store manager said.

Could he have been a monster who killed those girls and an angel at home? the manager speculated. Or maybe his family was just so scared of him that they were like his prisoners who would never tell anyone, even if they had some idea of what he was capable of.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Glenn Youngkin

A revised policy for the rights of transgender students in public schools was unveiled by the Virginia Department of Education on Tuesday afternoon, providing the first update since an early version of the guidelines was released last year. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's so-called model policies severely limit the rights that transgender students had previously enjoyed under Youngkin's predecessor Democrat Ralph Northam.

In September, Youngkins administration released the first version of these policies requiring transgender students to use school restrooms and lockers according to their birth gender, leading to mass walkouts by students across the state.

In the unironically titled final Model Policies to Ensure Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginias Public Schools, some of these guidelines are incorporated, focusing on what Republicans call parents rights.

In 2021, Youngkin won his election on the falsehood he asserted that schools were teaching white students uncomfortable lessons in Critical Race Theory behind their parents backs.

As governor, he has reversed progressive policies passed by the state's two previous governors  both of who were Democrats.

Since his election, the conservative movement overall has embraced restricting books, topics of discussion, and LGBTQ+ students rights as a rallying cry in the name of parents rights.

Each Virginia school system must adopt a version of the policy, which requires that students be addressed based on their sex assigned at birth. The guidelines specify that unless a parent requests a change in writing, teachers and other school personnel cannot refer to a student by a different name or use preferred pronouns. Students must use the school facilities that correspond with the sex listed on their official records, according to the new rules.

All children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect, Youngkin said in an online statement Tuesday. The VDOE updated model policies reaffirm my administrations continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their childs education, upbringing, and care.

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According to the document, the 2023 policies will take effect on Wednesday.

Executive director of Equality Virginia Narissa Rahaman lambasted Youngkin and his education department for the dangerous policies.

Gov Youngkin and the VDOE made a dangerous, politically motivated decision to ignore the thousands of Virginians who submitted public comments in opposition to his proposed model policies - policies which single out transgender and nonbinary youth in our schools, Rahaman said in a statement. Youngkin did all of this with no input from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups nor subject matter experts.

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Rahaman continued, Instead of addressing the very real issues we have ahead of us, Governor Youngkins response is to escalate a culture war and drop a policy that harms kids, removes resources for teachers and ignores the rights of parents in Virginia.

She wrote that as school districts implement a version of their own policies, Equality Virginia will continue to fight on behalf of marginalized kids in schools.

To the transgender and nonbinary students, their parents, and their teachers who are grappling with this disappointing news-we see you and loves you. These policies are not yet in effect and we will do everything in our power to make sure your school district rejects them, she wrote.

The model policy implementation is the latest among Youngkins recent attacks against the LGBTQ+ community as part of a greater war on the existence of particularly transgender people by Republicans nationwide.

Earlier this month, his administration removed resources from a Virginia Department of Health website that provided young people with support around LGBTQ+ issues and other health resources.
The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution to reaffirm Israel is not a "racist state" and to condemn antisemitism -- a GOP-led effort designed to drive a wedge between Democrats as the party contends with divisions in its ranks concerning the U.S. ally.

The vote was 412-9-1 with nine Democrats voting no, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee, Cori Bush, Ayanna Pressley, Andre Carson and Delia Ramirez.

Notably, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, whose recent comments sparked the move, voted yes. (Rep. Betty McCollum voted present.)

The resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, says "the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia, and the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel."

The vote was essentially a rebuke of Jayapal, who has walked back her comments calling Israel a "racist state" and apologized to those she hurt with the remarks made at a political conference over the weekend. Seeking to clarify her remarks, Jayapal said she supported the two-state solution but is opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's regime and its policies.

MORE: Progressive Democrats draw sharp criticism ahead of Israeli president's visit

PHOTO: Rep. Pramila Jayapal arrives for a House Democrat caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on May 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Top Democrats issued a statement over the weekend countering Jayapal's remarks in which they declared, "Israel is not a racist state."

"Our commitment to a safe and secure Israel as an invaluable partner, ally and beacon of democracy in the Middle East is ironclad," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Reps. Katherine Clark, Pete Aguilar and Ted Lieu said in a statement.

Aguilar further touted the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Israel during a news conference on Tuesday, where he was asked whether the Israel resolution would expose division within the party.

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"No, there's unity in the Democratic caucus," Aguilar responded. "I think you'll see that with strong attendance from our colleagues on the House floor to see the president of Israel address us."

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Calif., applauded the resolution.

"I think you have seen some growing antisemitism over the years and including coming from some members of Congress. And I think it's always important that we reiterate our strong support with our great ally Israel, and stand up to antisemitism wherever we see it," Scalise said.

Presented with the contrast between his condemnation of antisemitism with House Republicans' plans for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to testify before a House subcommittee -- despite Kennedy recently being accused of antisemitism for his false claim that COVID-19 was "targeted to" certain ethnicities while Chinese people and Jewish people of European descent were more immune -- Scalise criticized Kennedy's remarks.

MORE: RFK Jr. accused of antisemitic claims about COVID but insists he was misunderstood

"I don't agree with that," Scalise said when asked about Kennedy's recent comments. "But we're bringing legislation so that every member of Congress can be on record about whether or not they stand up against antisemitism."

PHOTO: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise speaks during a news conference after the House approved an annual defense bill, July 14, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

The House vote came as Israeli President Isaac Herzog was in Washington to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House. Herzog will address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel's statehood.

Some progressive Democrats, including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have said they will boycott his remarks.

ABC News' Arthur Jones contributed to this report.

House passes resolution saying Israel isn't a 'racist or apartheid state' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Inspector General of the Texas Department of Public Safety is conducting a full investigation into allegations that Texas troopers were ordered to push back those attempting to cross the border, including children, into the Rio Grande River and deny people water during extreme heat, Texas DPS spokesperson Travis Considine confirmed to ABC News.

The allegations were outlined by a trooper medic for Texas DPS in an email sent to his superior earlier this month that was first reported by the Houston Chronicle on Monday evening.

ABC News has obtained the original email from July 3 detailing some of the alleged conditions witnessed at the U.S. southern border in Texas, as migrants and asylum seekers attempt to cross into the country.

PHOTO: Migrants walk by a string of buoys placed on the water along the Rio Grande border with Mexico, July 16, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: New warning issued for rebooking air travel after delays, cancellations

Amid scorching heat and treacherous conditions, officers at the border assigned to Texas' Operation Lone Star have been told to push back exhausted and hungry groups of people including families "seeking refuge" and nursing infants, according to the email from the trooper. Some had been caught in or injured by the razor wire deployed along the border, including children and even a pregnant and miscarrying young woman, according to the email.

ABC News has reached out to the trooper directly and to the The Texas State Troopers Association, the union representing the Texas troopers, but requests for comment were not returned.

Asked about the allegations that Texas National Guard soldiers pushed back migrants into the Rio Grande, the Texas Military Department's office of public affairs told ABC News in a statement on Tuesday that "there is no order or directive instructing Service Members to push illegal immigrants back into the river or deny them drinking water."

PHOTO: The Rio Grande River flows south through New Mexico near Taos. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

MORE: Undocumented workers face uncertainty as immigration law takes effect in Florida

"The Texas National Guard mission is to work alongside our Texas law enforcement partners to prevent, deter and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry," the statement said and directed any other inquires to Texas DPS.

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The email was sent to a sergeant with the subject line "Weekly Event Log and Operational Concerns" on the afternoon of July 3.

Razor wire deployed by DPS along the Rio Grande is forcing people to cross in riskier sections of river -- and on a number of occasions, those attempting to cross get caught up and badly cut, according to the email.

A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office declined to comment on the specific allegations but defended the use of razor wire when asked about the allegations outlined in the Houston Chronicle report.

"Texas is deploying every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings between ports of entry as President Biden's dangerous open border policies entice migrants from over 150 countries to risk their lives entering the country illegally," Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Abbott's office told ABC News in a statement on Tuesday. "The absence of razor wire and other deterrence strategies encourages migrants to make unsafe and illegal crossings between ports of entry, while making the job of Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers more dangerous and difficult. President Biden has unleashed a chaos on the border that's unsustainable, and we have a constitutional duty to respond to this unprecedented crisis."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded to the Houston Chronicle report in a tweet on Tuesday afternoon, saying that if the allegations were true it would be "atrocious, barbaric, and downright wrong."

She also addressed the report during the White House briefing on Tuesday and criticized the policies of the Abbott administration in Texas.

"We're talking about the bedrock values of who you are as a country and the indecency, the human decency that we're seeing, potentially if this is true, is just wrong," the press secretary said.

Texas DPS launches probe amid allegations troopers were told to push back migrant children into Rio Grande originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Just one day before crossing into North Korea, Private Travis King texted his US military handlers to let them know he had arrived at his gate at Incheon, the major airport serving Seoul, and was preparing to board a plane back to the US.

King, a junior enlisted soldier assigned to US Forces Korea, had faced assault charges in South Korea and was due to be removed from the US military upon his return to Fort Bliss, Texas.

But while he cleared customs and immigration, he did not get on the plane as scheduled on Monday, US officials told CNN. His escorts could not accompany him all the way to the gate to verify that he had boarded. Instead, he had booked a tour for Tuesday with a private company of the Joint Security Area inside the demilitarized zone, which divides North and South Korea.

King had checked in to an American Airlines flight bound to Dallas but reported a missing passport and didnt board.

He passed through all the security points up to the boarding gate but he told the airline staff that his passport was missing, an official at the Incheon airport told CNN. The airline staff then escorted him back outside to the departure side, the official said.

On Monday, the American Airlines flight left Incheon at 6:36 p.m., according to the airline.

He came back to the departure side of the airport at 7:02 p.m., the official said. American Airlines declined to comment on the incident to CNN.

When passengers have emergency situations where they cannot board a plane after passing through the immigration process, they must reverse the procedure under the immigration offices approval.

Picture of Travis King, the US soldier who ran across the military demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday July 18th. - Travis King/Facebook

While on a tour inside the demilitarized zone the next day, King inexplicably made a run for it across the demarcation line into North Korea, an eyewitness on the same tour and US officials familiar with the case told CNN. Unlike most of the heavily fortified zone, which is 160 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, the actual border line between North and South Korea inside the JSA does not have a physical barrier.

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King at first tried to enter Panmungak Hall, which is a North Korean facility in the Joint Security Area, one of the US officials said. But the front door was locked  so he ran to the back of the building, at which point he was hurried into a van and driven away by North Korean guards, the official said.

Get him! a soldier on the South Korean side yelled, according to the eyewitness, Sarah Leslie. But it was too late.

He was going so fast, and we were so close to the border, that he was gone by then, Leslie added.

It wasnt until later on Tuesday, when King failed to showed up at Fort Bliss, that the US military first realized he was missing. South Korean immigration officials also confirmed to the US that King never boarded the plane, the US official told CNN.

In this handout photo, US Private Travis T. King, seen in the bottom left wearing a black shirt and black cap, during a tour of the tightly controlled Joint Security Area (JSA) on the border between the North and South Korea, at the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korea, July 18, 2023. - Sarah Leslie/Reuters

Officials across the US government are now trying to piece together what might have motivated King, a US national, to willfully and without prior authorization cross into one of the most hostile countries on earth.

I worry about him, frankly, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told the Aspen Security Forum on Thursday. I know everyone here remembers what happened when Otto Warmbier was taken into custody by the North Koreans and I think treated brutally. Obviously, you know, it makes me very, very concerned that Pvt. King is in the hands of the North Korean authorities, I worry about how they may treat him. So we want to get him back.

Warmbier was imprisoned by the North Koreans in 2016 after entering the country as part of a guided tour. North Korea released him back to the US in June 2017 but he was in a vegetative state and died shortly thereafter.

On Wednesday, the White House said it was still working to determine exactly where King is, and what his condition is.

We are still gathering all the facts, it is still very early on, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. The administration has and will continue to actively work to ensure his safety and the return of Private King to us and to his family, she said.

She said the administration was working with the government of South Korea, along with Sweden, on the matter. Sweden generally represents US interests in North Korea because the US and North Korea have no diplomatic ties.

The US military has tried reaching out directly to the North Korean government to resolve the issue, officials said, but they have not yet received any response. The US believes he is still in North Korean custody but they do not have any details on his well-being or whether he is alive.

King made a run across the demilitarized zone in the Joint Security Area, was picked up by the North Koreans, and weve had no contact at this point, Adm. John Aquilino, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, said at the Aspen Security Forum on Tuesday. But were still doing our investigation to find out exactly what happened.

Assault charges in South Korea

Just over a week before making his dash across the border, King was released from a detention facility in South Korea, where he had served 50 days doing labor, defense officials told CNN.

The punishment appears to stem from an incident in October of 2022, when King allegedly pushed and repeatedly punched a victim in the face in a club in Mapo-gu, Seoul, according to a court document from the Seoul Western District Court. He was also accused of assault in September and was consequently transferred to US military police, but those charges were ultimately dropped.

His assault case was similar to other cases Ive represented of young drunk men, one of the South Korean lawyers who represented King told CNN. He said his impression of King was that he looked like a normal guy in his early 20s.

Before his time in the detention facility, King had been found guilty during a military court martial hearing in South Korea related to assault and other charges, a defense official told CNN. King had been demoted in rank, the official said, though its unclear if that came before or after the court martial.

Wormuth said Thursday that King absolutely would have faced additional consequences from the US Army for his conduct in South Korea, if hed returned as planned.

[H]e had assaulted an individual in South Korea and had been in custody of the South Korean government and was going to come back to the United States to face the consequences in the Army, Wormuth said at the Aspen Security Forum. And Im sure that he was grappling with that.

Kings mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC on Tuesday that she was shocked by the fact that King had crossed into North Korea.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Gates told ABC, adding that she heard from her son several days ago, when he told her that he would be returning to his base in Fort Bliss.

At the time of his rotation in South Korea, King had no deployments on his record, and was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, according to Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee.

His military awards include routine decorations provided to soldiers with his rank and experience  the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

CNNs Yoonjung Seo, Oren Liebermann, Dugald McConnell and Kevin Liptak contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Google is restricting employee access to internet

Google is restricting some employees Internet access in a pilot program created to combat cyberattacks. An internal memo informed employees that 2,500 were selected to use internet-free desktop PCs during the pilot program, but the memo was revised to include the caveat that they have the option to opt out of the program while others can volunteer, CNBC reports.

Under the new program, participating employees wont have direct access to the internet including running administrative commands or installing software on the designated devices. However, Google employees in the pilot group will have full internet access via other devices and will still be able to access their Google Drive and Gmail accounts, while those who require the internet to effectively do their jobs will be granted exceptions, the internal memo stated.

Read more

The memo, viewed by CNBC, said: Googlers are frequent targets of attacks, and if a hacker does gain access to their device, they could view a plethora of information including user data and infrastructure code, which the company said could undermine users trust in Google.

Ensuring the safety of our products and users is one of our top priorities, a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Gizmodo. He added, We routinely explore ways to strengthen our internal systems against malicious attacks.

Google has also taken other steps to combat cyberattacks by volunteering for the cybersecurity certification and labeling program announced by the White House on Tuesday. The labeling program will be applied to participating smart devices that comply with security protocols that make them less vulnerable to cyberattacks.

This new labeling program would help provide Americans with greater assurances about the cybersecurity of the products they use and rely on in their everyday lives, the White House said in a statement. It would also be beneficial for businesses, as it would help differentiate trustworthy products in the marketplace.

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Googles Internet-restricted program comes as other tech companies experienced cyberattacks in recent weeks. Last week, Microsoft reported that roughly a dozen independent companies and government agencies were hacked by Chinese-based intelligence to steal data and access to credentials. The cyberattack was identified as Storm-0558 in June, nearly a month after the attack began, and is still under investigation by the FBI.

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Click here to read the full article.
MADISON - Two Republican lawmakers released a proposal Monday that promises to eliminate nearly all state taxes on retirement income for Wisconsin residents.

The bill from co-authors Rep. David Steffen of Green Bay and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara of Appleton introduces new optional retirement income tax exemptions for Wisconsin taxpayers 67 or older. Individual filers would be exempt from paying taxes on the first $100,000 of annual retirement income, while married and joint filers would see a tax exemption for the first $150,000.

Retirement income taxes would be completely eliminated for over 98% of all taxpayers age 67 or older, according to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimate from Steffen's office.

Steffen and Cabral-Guevara said in a joint statement Monday the tax exemption would attract new employees and retain Wisconsin retirees by bringing the state in line with neighbors like Illinois, Iowa and Pennsylvania that don't tax retirement income from IRAs, 401(k) plans and pensions.

The lawmakers' plan would create tax exemptions for IRAs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans and pensions in Wisconsin as well as other qualified retirement plans under federal tax codes.

Two Milwaukee Democrats  Rep. LaKeshia Myers and Sen. Lena Taylor  support the bill, Steffen's office told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday

Retirement income and savings is something that impacts folks for years after they retire. This is then reflected by how much people spend at restaurants, on housing, and in their community, Cabral-Guevara said. By keeping these retirees in Wisconsin, we will see an economic benefit."

Republican lawmakers floated a budget amendment in January that would have delivered similar tax relief for retirees, but the measure increased the amount of eligible tax-free income to $200,000 for married and joint filers age 67 or older.

Steffen told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he reduced the cap for married and joint filers in Monday's bill to lower costs and focus tax cuts on middle-class earners. He hoped the changes would placate Gov. Tony Evers, who previously vetoed a tax cut for married filers earning between $36,840 and $405,550 annually.

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"My goal is to return as much of that $4 billion of tax cuts that the governor removed from the budget [and] find a way to get that back to the people's pockets," Steffen said. "It's all an overpayment by taxpayers."

Evers said before the state budget-writing cycle began he would not sign into law tax cuts for top earners in the state but instead wanted a 10% income tax cut for middle-class residents delivered through tax credits.

The governor told CBS 58 on Monday during a stop in Montello he was willing to negotiate a new tax cut bill as long as Republicans avoided giving tax cuts to wealthy Wisconsinites.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in response he was open to negotiations if Evers was "admitting he made a mistake" when vetoing the previous tax cuts.

The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau has yet to release an updated analysis for the proposal released Monday, though an analysis of the earlier proposal estimated over 240,000 filers would receive a total tax cut of $422.2 million in 2024, an average reduction of $1,749 per filer.

Wisconsinites age 67 or older making less than $100,000 per year would see about half of the total estimated decrease.

Additionally, Wisconsin would see an estimated $169 million income tax revenue reduction in the 2023-24 fiscal year that would grow to $422.2 million in 2024-25 and all years after under the earlier tax plan. Steffen anticipated the annual cost would fall below $400 million once the LFB completes its analysis of the bill released Monday.

Retirement income already exempted from Wisconsin income taxes  such as Social Security and military earnings  would not count towards the earning caps established in lawmakers' proposal.

Current state law allows individuals 65 or older with federal adjusted gross income under $15,000 or married and joint filers under $30,000 to claim a $5,000 exemption on retirement income in certain accounts.

Participation in the tax exemption program is optional. Those who choose to participate would not receive any state income tax credits.

Steffen and Cabral-Guevara expect the bill to receive a public hearing this fall.

Tyler Katzenberger can be reached at tkatzenberger@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin GOP bill would cut most state income taxes for retirees
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Republicans went berserk Tuesday after Donald Trump revealed he received a letter that contained HORRIFYING NEWSthat he may be the target of DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6 probe.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) called any potential charges phony and fake when speaking to reporters Tuesday, suggesting that the investigation is completely politicized considering Trump is winning the Republican primary.

Is this where our country is now? Because its an embarrassment on the world stage, she said. If this is the direction the world America is going in, were worse than Russia. Were worse than China.

Its outrageous, Greene continued. I cant believe our country has to endure this. Ill be standing with President Trump the entire way.

Greene said in another interview: Yeah, its absolute bullshit, thats my reaction. This is the only way that the Democrats have to beat President Trump.

Fox News Reacts to Trumps Jan. 6 Target Letter by Asking About... Hunter Biden

Trump is still clearing his GOP competition when it comes to polling, and his recent indictments havent seemed to deter his voter base in any meaningful way. In fact, his lead over consensus No. 2 Ron DeSantis managed to grow directly after his federal indictment last month.

I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didnt do anything while things were going on, DeSantis said Tuesday in his first response. We want to be in a situation where you dont have one side just constantly trying to put the other side in jail.

Its absolute bullshit.



 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) reacts to Trump claiming he is a target in the DoJs January 6th investigation. pic.twitter.com/lPv6XIKKAx  The Recount (@therecount) July 18, 2023

Similarly to Greene, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the government to squash Trumps polling numbersdespite the fact that previous investigations and subsequent indictments did no such thing.

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Recently, President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for re-election, McCarthy said Tuesday. So what do they do now? Weaponize government to go after their number one opponent. Its time and time again.

Even Mike Pencewho at times has been squeamish to criticize Trump, but has done so on occasion, said he hopes the probe doesnt lead to an indictment of his former boss.

Im not convinced that the president acting on the bad advice of a group of crank lawyers that came into the White House in the days before Jan. 6 is actually criminal, Pence said. I dont know what the letter today means, the notification means, but my hope is that the judgment about the presidents actions on Jan. 6 would be left to the American people.

Trump still faces numerous other investigations for his conduct in the White House and beyond. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. is prosecuting him for hush money payments to Stormy Daniels in 2016. Another indictment could come against the former president in the coming weeks over his 2021 phone call with Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which the former president attempted to pressure Raffensperger into finding him votes to win the state in the 2020 presidential election.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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After an ongoing feud between Republican Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, a Republican lawmaker said the standoff between the two Congress members could result in a fistfight.

A fistfight could break out at any moment, Republican Tennessee Rep Tim Burchett told The Daily Beast.

Mr Burchett told the publication that he was serious, and added he was enjoying the Republicans rivalry as a professional wrestling fan. He told the outlet, I am friends with both of them. Its entertaining to think that a fistfight could break out at any movement. I kind of dig that.

The Tennessee Republican isnt alone in his stance. Another GOP lawmaker close to both Reps Greene and Boebert, who spoke anonymously, told the outlet: You cant have too many of these rifts for too long.

Arizona Republican Congressman Paul Gosar called the battle a two-way sword to The Daily Beast. He continued, I just think that whatever is there, could be utilized both ways, he said, adding that people make decisions that they have to work and live by, and you kind of hate being in their shoes.

The conflict between the congresswomen came to a head recently when Ms Greene was kicked out of the Freedom Caucus after she called Ms Boebert a little b****.

The Georgia Republican claimed last week that she didnt know why she was booted from the Freedom Caucus. She dismissed the move, saying that she didnt have time for the drama club.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Reuters

When Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) called Israel a racist state, she was quick to apologize and walk back her comment.

But Republicans werent going to just let a good controversy die.

Ever since Jayapal made the comment on Saturday at the liberal Netroots Nation conference, Republicans have devoted much of their attention to humiliating the congresswoman, tying the rest of the Democratic Party to Jayapals words, and highlighting the divisions.

A one-page resolution from Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) declared that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, said the U.S. would always support Israel, and announced that Congress condemns antisemitism and xenophobia. Republicans put the legislation to a vote Tuesday night, and overwhelmingly adopted the resolution 412-9-1.

Fellow Dems Skewer Rep. Jayapal for Calling Israel a Racist State

House Democratspart of a party that has deep divides and nuanced disagreements about Israelwere left with little options other than to vote the resolution up or down.

This is just so perilous, said one Democratic lawmaker. The fault line with the exception of literally less than a half dozen outliers in the caucus that are pretty stridently anti-Israelbeyond those outliers, the fault line is between sort of absolute or categorical pro-Israel, versus principled and more nuanced pro-Israel.

While the news cycle started with Jayapals comment on Saturday, by Tuesday, it was House Republicans who were trying to get one more spin out of the news cycle.

The National Republican Congressional Committeethe House GOPs campaign armwas aggressively messaging on the issue. The Republican National Committee chimed in Tuesday to attempt to connect the comment to other Democrats. Republican lawmakers took to the House floor this week to boast about their pro-Israel bona fides. And House Speaker Kevin McCarthy spent the week suggesting Democrats have a widespread antisemitism problem within the party.

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I think if the Democrats want to believe they do not have a conference that continues to make antisemitic remarks, they need to do something about it... The only time action has ever been taken is when we had to take the action, McCarthy said Monday, referencing the GOP conference.

McCarthy went even further behind closed doors on Tuesday, with aides strategically leaking that McCarthy told fellow Republicans that, if Democrats didnt remove Jayapal as the CPC chair, then they just agree with her sentiment on Israel.

That, of course, was not a standard McCarthy has exactly applied to his own conference, but Republicans were eager to connect as many Democrats with Jayapals comment as possibleeven if she quickly walked it back.

House [Democratic] leadership don't punish their Antisemitic members when they make bigoted comments and are closet believers that Israel is a racist stateproven by their refusal to whip this vote, NRCC press secretary Will Reinert wrote in a statement.

USA-CAPITOL/SECURITY REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

House Republicans have made a point this term of putting messaging bills on the floor to pin Democrats on tough issues. The resolution is just the latest example.

As things go in Congress, even Jayapals best attempts to clarify her remarks couldnt slow the messaging death spiral.

Democratic leadership did not push members to vote one way or another on the resolution, and the Democratic lawmaker who wished to remain anonymous said the issue wasnt discussed in a Democratic Caucus meeting Tuesday morning. The Progressive Caucus also didnt publicly take a stand on the vote.

That left Democrats in a curious position. The vast majority of them simply voted with Republicans, attempting to just put the whole issue behind them.

But nine Democrats simply wouldnt go along with that strategy, and they were some of the most liberal voices in Congress.

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Andre Carson (D-IN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Delia Ramirez (D-IL) and Summer Lee (D-PA) all voted against the resolution. One Democrat, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), voted present.

A number of those members including Bowman, Omar, Tlaib and Ocasio-Cortez have also signaled they plan to skip out on a visit from Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday. He will be delivering a speech marking 75 years since his countrys establishment.

But that left the remainder of Democrats voting on a flatly pro-Israel resolution that lacked the nuance many would have liked. For moderates, that could be ammo from potential primary challengers, or lead to tricky questions from voters back home.

Some Democrats, however, went far more on the offensive. A group of 43 House Democrats Monday evening released a statement condemning Jayapals remarks, calling them unacceptable and declaring that Israel remains our greatest partner for peace in the Middle East.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal Wants to Grow Congressional Progressive Caucus and Move Dems Left

Seven Progressive Caucus members signed on to the letter. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), one of the progressive co-signers, told The Daily Beast the letter was an important moment for her and her constituents. We have white supremacists all throughout the district throwing out anti-Jewish rhetoric every single day, she said. So this is a moment where we have to stand up tall and make sure that everyone knows we do not support it.

But other members were much more forgiving of Jayapal. Bowman, one of the most visible progressives in the House, suggested that Jayapal was actually trying to make a point.

I know what she was trying to point out, which, we as a Progressive Caucus are very concerned about the continued occupation, the continued settlement expansion, and the continued settlement violence, Bowman told The Daily Beast on Monday.

When The Daily Beast pointed out that Progressive Caucus members joined other Democrats in condemning Jayapals remarks, Bowman pushed back. Families disagree, he said.

The language at the moment was probably not the best language to use, he added. And so, its just, the familys having a bit of a disagreement. And, you know, we live, we learn and we move on.

Bush, another high-profile progressive, has also been an outright critic of Israel. But she stopped short of calling it a racist state Monday. She did, however, offer some grace to Jayapals seemingly perilous position on the issue.

I get that, you know, she made the statement she made and then she came up with another statement after that, and thats her choice. You know, those are her words, her choice, Bush said.

In the moments leading up to the vote, Jayapal was seen talking on the floor with Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Summer Lee (D-PA), Susan Wild (D-PA) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA), among others. As members cast their votes, she remained seated, occasionally looking down at her phone and then up at the board where votes are displayed.

And yet, at Tuesdays close, it appeared Democrats were prepared to move on.

Jayapal herself told The Daily Beast Monday while quickly exiting the House chamber that she is not concerned about losing her leadership position.

After the vote Tuesday, Jayapal was more outspoken on the pushback, telling reporters that she was not going to be bullied by GOP antics.

I voted yes on the resolution, and I stand by my statement, and I'm going to continue to speak out in the way that I have, she said.

The Democratic lawmaker agreed that Jayapals leadership of the Progressive Caucus seemed in-tactbut noted that doesnt mean the dustup wont be a blemish on her resume. Jayapal has long been considered a potential future contender for House Democratic leadership, though she passed on a formal run this term.

This also wasnt Jayapals first notable controversy as leader of the Progressive Caucus. Last year, Jayapal caused a different round of tensions after a letter from the Progressive Caucus calling for diplomacy with Russia to resolve the Ukraine war was released without some signatories final OKs.

The letter was later retracted. Onlookers speculated itd be a blight to her record.

I think, to the extent that she might have harbored hopes of, you know, ascending to Democratic leadership at some point, the lawmaker said, this probably will hurt her in the long term.

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The revelation that former President Trump faces a possible grand jury indictment connected to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and his efforts to hold on to power has landed like a bombshell on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers saw firsthand the violence unleashed that day.

Some GOP lawmakers rushed to Trumps defense, but many Republicans in the Senate held back from defending the former president, who has been accused of stoking the Jan. 6 mob and who waited before calling on protesters to disperse.

The expected indictment separately poses a tough political problem for many Republicans critical of Trump, who remains wildly popular with the partys base.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), who hasnt spoken to Trump since December 2020, stayed quiet about the news of yet another indictment against his onetime ally, who is now leading the Republican presidential primary field by 30 points in national polls.

Minority Leader Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) addresses reporters after the weekly policy luncheon on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Greg Nash)

His top deputies, Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), reacted with caution.

Asked whether it would be legitimate for special counsel Jack Smith to charge Trump for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Thune said it would depend on the facts and evidence presented.

Thats going to depend on whether or not laws were broken, he said. So clearly, I dont know what theyre looking at. But Im sure well know in due time.

Cornyn dodged the politically charged topic altogether, arguing the Justice Department has the authority to investigate whether Trump broke the laws in trying to stop the certification of the 2020 election.

I think thats entirely within the purview of the Department of Justice and has nothing to do with the United States Senate, he said.

Asked if Smith is a credible prosecutor, he said, I have no knowledge of anything approaching that.

Story continues

Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), who called the indictment of Trump last month for violating the Espionage Act political and rotten, was the only senior member of the Republican leadership to accuse the Justice Department of acting on political motives.

It looks like the president is targeting his most popular opponent. Isnt that interesting? Sounds political to me, he said.

Asked if he saw any qualitative difference between the 37 felony counts federal prosecutors brought against Trump last month for refusing to turn over classified documents he kept improperly at Mar-a-Lago and new charges related to Jan. 6, Barrasso saw both indictments as political attacks.

More from The Hill

The administration is siccing its dogs on the former president of the United States and their most formidable opponent, he said.

Senate Republican Conference Vice Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) only said, Its a never-ending story, thats my comment.

The generally muted response from Senate Republican leaders posed a stark contrast with House Republican leaders, who rushed to Trumps defense.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) suggested the Justice Department is bringing new charges against Trump because he is leading the Republican presidential field by double digits and pulled ahead of President Biden in a recent poll.

Recently, President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for reelection. So what do they do now? Weaponize government to go after their No. 1 opponent, McCarthy said Tuesday.

This is not equal justice. They treat people differently and they go after their adversaries, he said.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks to reporters during a media availability in Statuary Hall of the Capitol on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

McCarthys comments reveal how his views of Trumps culpability for the attack on the Capitol have evolved since January 2021, when he told GOP colleagues that Trump bears responsibility for his words and actions  no if, ands or buts.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) accused the Justice Department of waging a politically motivated prosecution to distract from a whistleblowers claims that senior administration officials interfered with an Internal Revenue Service investigation of Hunter Biden.

Now you see the Biden administration going after President Trump once again, and it begs that question, Is there a double standard? Is justice being administered equally? Scalise asked at a press conference.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Other Trump allies in the House joined the attack against the administration.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) claimed Bidens Justice Department did little to prosecute Black Lives Matter protesters who breached a federal courthouse in 2020 or to prosecute threats against conservative Supreme Court justices.

But if youre President Trump and do nothing wrong? PROSECUTE. Americans are tired of the double standard! he tweeted.

Another Trump ally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), attacked Smith on Twitter as a lousy attorney and pointed to the Supreme Court overturning his conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R).

He only targets Republicans because hes a weak little bitch for the Democrats, she tweeted.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) asks a question during a hearing on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 to discuss the report from Special Counsel John Durham about the Crossfire Hurricane probe into allegations of contacts between Russia and former President Trumps 2016 campaign.

Senate Republicans, many of whom have made clear they dont want to see Trump as the partys nominee for president in 2024, however, broke with their House GOP colleagues over the claim that the Justice Department is operating a two-tier system and holding Trump to a special standard.

I think youve got to go where the facts lead you and determine whether or not laws are broken. But there shouldnt be two systems of justice; everybody should be held accountable and there ought to be equal justice under the law, Thune told reporters.

Clearly in these circumstances, its a politically charged environment. I think it puts an even higher burden of proof on the Justice Department given the perceptions that people have about that but this has got to be driven by the law and the facts, he said.

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) addresses reporters after the weekly policy luncheon on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

McConnell excoriated Trump on the Senate floor at the end of his 2021 impeachment trial for inciting the mob that stormed the Capitol hallways and ransacked the Senate parliamentarians office.

There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day, he declared, referring to the violence and chaos that resulted in injuries to more than 100 Capitol police officers.

One officer, Brian Sicknick, died of natural causes while defending the Capitol.

Thune said just because the Senate Republicans top leader called Trump practically and morally responsible, that did not necessarily warrant criminal charges.

Practically and morally is something very different than legally, and I think thats what the Justice Department has to look at. Theyve got to look at the law, the facts as theyve interviewed people, and then make a determination about whether laws were broken, he said.

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Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who voted twice to convict Trump on impeachment charges  including on the charge of inciting the Jan. 6 riot  warned his House GOP colleagues about relentlessly attacking the Justice Department.

He voiced concern about the diminution of institutions in which we rely as a society.

A democracy works when we have confidence in the justice system, in the legal system, in our prosecutors and so forth. If we constantly attack and diminish them, that weakens the democracy, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tragedy Strikes

Tesla's troubled Autopilot is under additional scrutiny after federal officials announced they're investigating the driver assist tech in a horrific car crash in California that killed a teenager and a baby, Reuters reports.

"In the blink of an eye, our lives have been forever shattered as baby Charlie has now been declared brain dead from injuries sustained in this tragic accident," reads a GoFundMe set up by an aunt.

The incident happened on July 5, according to South Tahoe Now, when the 2018 Tesla Model 3  with the baby, the baby's parents, an elderly uncle, and a six-year-old son as occupants  collided head-on with a 2013 Subaru Impreza driven by a 17-year-old named Andy Martinez.

Martinez died while baby Charlie lingered on in the hospital while on life support until he was declared dead days later, according to the local news outfit. The GoFundMe states the rest of the Tesla occupants were "all seriously injured."

And now, that terrible tragedy could result in change, according to Reuters, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration probing Autopilot's possible role in the incident.

Autopilot Off

Autopilot has already been subject to numerous investigations by federal officials. Investigators have looked at more than three dozen crash cases  involving 22 dead  that appear to have used Autopilot, a system that helps drivers with steering, braking and accelerating.

This July 5 incident tragedy underscoresthe question: is the tech safe for public roads, especially with Tesla CEO Elon Musk's relentless claims that the vehicles are on the brink of fully driving themselves? A New York Times report last year found that nobody really knows, because there's a lack of verifiable data.

"There is a lack of data that would give the public the confidence that these systems, as deployed, live up to their expected safety benefits," co-director of Stanford Universitys Center for Automotive Research J. Christian Gerdes told the paper at the time.

It's worthy of further investigation  and likely regulation  because that status quo won't fly with families and loved ones of those killed in these crashes.

More on Tesla: Reckless Tesla Drivers Are Using Cheap Weights To Fool Their Cars Into Thinking Theyre Paying Attention
SOUTH KINGSTOWN  East Matunuck State Beach is open to swimming on Wednesday after the discovery of syringes washed up in the surf forced closing the beach for Monday and Tuesday.

Officials had hoped to reopen on Tuesday, but more syringes were discovered.

Rhode Island Beach Guide: Everything you need to know about the best beaches in the state

East Matunuck State Beach draws huge summer crowds, as it did on this Saturday in July 2020. The state Department of Environmental Management is hoping a $700,000 construction project will reduce summer traffic congestion by getting beachgoers off Succotash Road and into the parking lot faster.

"Weve had the beach sifted and graded," Mike Healey, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Management, told The Providence Journal in an email Wednesday morning. "We havent found any syringes today so far."

Earlier, Healey said that the syringes were believed to be "litter" discarded on land and washed out to sea during recent heavy rain storms, that washed up at high tide.

Where's the line? RI's new beach access law creates controversy, confusion and lawsuits as line is drawn in sand

The DEM has also taken down the purple flag warning at East Matunuck after finding no signs of Portuguese man-of-war, a jellyfish-like creature whose tentacles deliver painful, dangerous stings.

Meanwhile, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends closing several beaches because of high bacteria levels.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: East Matunuck State Beach reopens after syringes found washed up
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Mateusz Morawiecki

Poland does not intend to open its borders for Ukraines agriculture products, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on July 19.

We protect our agriculture, thats why we dont open borders for agricultural goods from Ukraine, Morawiecki said.

Read also: Poland foils Russian plot to attack Ukrainian aid trains

The war in Ukraine is having an increasingly serious impact on the agricultural market, and this is having a negative impact on Poles, which is why we have imposed an embargo on goods from Ukraine.

He admitted that in a couple of months, the EU intends to reopen the borders for the import of grain from Ukraine.

We do not agree to this, we will not open the borders, and we will not allow the destabilization of our economy. We are obliged to protect Polish interests and our agriculture, the Polish prime minister said.

Read also: Ukraine proposes to continue Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia  PM

An agreement was reached and a petition was signed at a meeting of agricultural ministers to extend the ban on the import of four grains from Ukraine until the end of 2023, Polish Agricultrual Minister, Robert Telush, announced.

Restriction of grain imports from Ukraine did not affect transit. In February, corn transit amounted to 114,000 tons, and in June, 260,000. Therefore, the European Commissions decision to open the borders on September 15 is not substantively justified, he said.

Telush said that the Ukrainian and Moldovan agriculture ministers were invited to the meeting in Poland but could not attend. He expressed hope for a meeting with the two counterparts soon.

Read also: Russia attacks grain terminals in Odesa, Chornomorsk seaports overnight  photos

We want to help Ukraine with transit. We know this war is a war we have to win, he said, adding that it will be won when solutions are put in place to help us do this.

Ukraine remains categorically against the continuation of the EUs discriminatory ban on the supply of several of Ukraines agricultural products to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania after September 15, Ukraines Economy Minister and Deputy PM, Yuliya Svyridenko, told a European Business Association meeting on July 19.

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Answering the question of what Ukraines response will be should the ban be extended, she said that Ukraine would be forced to consider tit-for-tat measures.

I would not like to speak out loud and think that this is a realistic step, but we think that some mirror measures can be applied, she said.

The issue of Ukraines grain exports has taken on increased importance recently after Russia unilaterally withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, threatening to massively disrupt the worlds food security and potentially cause famine in several nations.

Read also: Ukraine, US to work on ensuring grain exports to Africa, Asia, says FM Kuleba

After Russia withdrew from the deal, the aggressor country targeted Ukraines grain transport facilities in Odesa Oblast in a further attempt to disrupt the markets. Three ports in the Odesa region were used to ship Ukrainian grain under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
JUNE 30: 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 administrations student debt forgiveness program in Biden v. Nebraska. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Student-loan payments are set to resume in October without broad debt relief.

Nearly 200 organizations called on Biden to deliver relief before payments resume.

Biden has started the process to enact debt relief again, but it could take months.

Student-loan borrowers are inching closer and closer to a payment resumption without the broad debt relief they were promised. Nearly 200 organizations don't want to see that happen.

On Wednesday, 179 advocacy groups and unions  including the Student Borrower Protection Center, AFL-CIO, and NAACP  sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to provide student-debt relief to millions of borrowers before they have to resume repayment.

The Supreme Court struck down Biden's broad plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers at the end of June, and shortly after the decision, the Education Department announced it would be pursuing a new route to cancel student debt using the Higher Education Act of 1965. That route requires the administration to undergo the negotiated rulemaking process, which could take months due to public hearings and negotiations. But payments are still scheduled to resume in October, and the advocacy groups do not want borrowers to foot another bill without any relief.

"The recently signed Fiscal Responsibility Act which suspends the debt ceiling until 2025 while codifying the end of the student loan payment pausea crucial economic lifeline for millions has made it all the more urgent to act now to cancel student debt before payments resume," the groups said in the letter.

"While the Administration has announced notable steps to mitigate the harshest economic consequences for borrowersincluding shielding borrowers from negative credit reporting, delinquencies and defaults should they fall behindrestarting the fundamentally broken student loan system without first delivering on the relief promised to borrowers remains a grave mistake, and will only exacerbate already dire economic situations for millions of American households," they continued.

Story continues

The groups were referring to Biden's announcement that he would implement a 12-month "on-ramp" period once payments resume, which would protect borrowers from negative credit reporting should they miss any payments. However, interest would still accrue during that time, so borrowers' balances would still grow  and even more so without any broad debt relief.

Biden's administration has repeatedly said it would work to go through the rulemaking process as quickly as possible, but at this point, the process will not be completed before payments resume in October due to the negotiated rulemaking timeline.

"We want to help borrowers who were let down by the fundamental bargain of federal student loansthat investments in yourself and your education will help lead you to a better life," Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said during a Tuesday public hearing. "By those who have seen their debts get out of hand, even as they make the payments we ask of them. We will help as many borrowers as possible, and we will work as quickly as possible under the law."

Still, Republican lawmakers remain opposed to any form of additional relief. Along with planning to implement a new income-driven repayment plan, the department announced debt relief last week for over 800,000 borrowers through a one-time account adjustment for IDR plans. Top Republican on the House education committee Virginia Foxx said in a statement that Biden's "blatantly political attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court is shameful. The Biden administration is trampling the rule of law, hurting borrowers, and abusing taxpayers to chase headlines."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Aasiyah Khan of the National Council of Canadian Muslims is questioning why the alleged assailant received an aggravated assault charge rather than a charge of attempted murder.

Leading Muslim organizations based in the Canadian provincial capital of Winnipeg are demanding that the citys police investigate an attack on a young Black Muslim woman as a hate crime.

On the evening of June 8, a man repeatedly stabbed an unidentified 18-year-old woman working inside an Olive Garden. She was taken to the hospital in unstable condition, CBC News reported.

Aasiyah Khan, acting CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said at a news conference Tuesday that the groups were banding together in solidarity with one of our own.

Aasiyah Khan (above), acting CEO of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, is among those questioning why authorities in Winnipeg, Manitoba, determined an attack on a Black Muslim woman to be random rather than a targeted hate crime. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/Happy Strong Family)

Make no mistake, Khan said, CBC reported, we could have been coming to a funeral today.

Police allege that Robert Alan Ingram, 27, randomly attacked the victim without cause. He is accused of aggravated assault, possessing a weapon and violating a probation order.

However, Khan said organizations in the Islamic community dispute that the incident was random and demand a further inquiry to see whether it was targeted or motivated by hate.

Khan read a statement from the Somali victim, who recalled that nobody else in the restaurant was a member of a visible minority or wearing a hijab. The perpetrator, she maintained, was gazing at her.

The victim said Ingram kept a close eye on her for about 30 minutes before briefly leaving the restaurant. He returned shortly after and stabbed her in the neck, body and arms, she said. When she was able to fight back, she caused him to stumble and witnesses stepped in to intervene, her statement said, according to CBC.

Police informed the victim they had classified the attack as random while she was still in the hospital and could not provide a complete statement.

He didnt go on a random stabbing spree, she said. He went straight for me. I know I could have died.

Khan and others want to know why police made their decisions before hearing the victims whole account and why Ingram received an aggravated assault rather than an attempted murder charge.

Story continues

Police in Winnipeg, the capital of the province of Manitoba, do not believe the victim and alleged assailant knew each other, Chief Danny Smyth shared Tuesday afternoon.

He added that while he supports the Muslim community, no evidence supports the attack being a hate crime. However, it is a severe crime, and the suspect received a serious charge of aggravated assault, he said.

Although police can modify charges if the evidence is there, Smyth said he is confident detectives performed a thorough review and addressed the issues voiced in private, CBC reported.

Abdikheir Ahmed, who has worked with immigrant and refugee communities in Winnipeg in various positions, said he has made tremendous efforts to foster trust between law enforcement and communities of color. Those efforts are put to the test at times like this, he added.

When someone drives a knife on your neck, aimed at your jugular, [and] punctures your lungs and attacks you as the only person of color in that restaurant  you cannot come down to the possibility of this being a random attack, Ahmed said, CBC reported. We need to do better.

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The post Group demands attack of Black Muslim woman be probed as hate crime appeared first on TheGrio.
An embattled Gulf Breeze OB-GYN made her first court appearance Friday after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement filed a civil suit to keep roughly $20,000 of the doctor's money.

FDLE alleges Sharp obtained the money through various crimes including money laundering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and unlawfully prescribing controlled substances for monetary gain.

Investigators searched Dr. Elaine Sharp's office in late June in response to allegations that she was overprescribing controlled substances to her patients. A judge indicated a dozen people have died after filling prescriptions from Sharp.

The FDLE has not charged Sharp with any crime and she has not been arrested, however the FDLE announced its plans to file felony charges before the end of the year.

Here's everything you need to know about the legal battle between Sharp and the FDLE.

FDLE: Patient may have died due to Gulf Breeze doctor's 'dangerous prescribing practices'

Who is Dr. Elaine Sharp?

According to the Florida Department of Health, Sharp obtained her initial licensure as a medical doctor in 1989 and primarily practiced in the specialty area of obstetrics and gynnecology.

She studied medicine at University of Texas-Houston and conducted her residency in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to her health department practitioner profile. She ultimately opened her own practice on El Rito Drive in Gulf Breeze.

In 2017, Sharp began prescribing controlled substances for both opioid addiction treatment and for the treatment of chronic malignant pain. According to the health department, Sharp soon developed a reputation for prescribing pain medications in significantly higher doses than other pain management physicians, and since 2019 multiple pharmacies have refused to fill Sharp's prescriptions.

Prior to the current investigation, Sharp had no recorded disciplinary or administrative actions taken against her, according to Florida Department of Health records.

Story continues

Why did FDLE search Dr. Elaine Sharp's office?

FDLE officials told the News Journal that law enforcement agencies served a state search warrant June 22 on Sharp's medical office after Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo signed an emergency order the day prior to restrict her from prescribing or ordering controlled substances.

"Between August 2021 and August 2022, Dr. Sharp issued over 3,000 prescriptions for controlled substances," state documents say. "Multiple pharmacies and individual pharmacists have also indicated concern regarding Dr. Sharp's controlled substance practices."

A task force of agents from FDLE, the FBI and deputies from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties found that Sharp "was engaging in suspicious practices and dangerous prescribing patterns" from 2021 to 2022.

Legal seizure: FDLE seizes $20K of Gulf Breeze doctor's cash after allegedly overprescribing opioids

State investigation: FDLE investigating fatal Pensacola police officer-involved shooting in Cantonment

What is Dr. Elaine Sharp accused of doing?

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.

In a court hearing Friday, FDLE levied the following allegations:

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

Circuit Judge Clifton Drake also said during Sharp's hearing that she allegedly prescribed controlled substances to a patient who had tested positive for fentanyl. The judge also said a total of 12 clients died after filling a prescription written by Sharp.

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.

Why can FDLE seize Dr. Elaine Sharp's money without an arrest?

Although normally a law enforcement agency must charge an individual with a crime prior to seizing property, Miami private 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. Additionally, he says FDLE would need to send notice of the forfeiture for a judge's approval.

What is the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act?

Drake ultimately found probable cause that Sharp allegedly received money through the illegal sale of controlled substances, violating the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.

"Looking at all these facts, there is probable cause," Drake said. "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."

State law says that "any controlled substance as defined in chapter 893 or any substance, device, paraphernalia, or currency or other means of exchange that was used, was attempted to be used, or was intended to be used in violation of any provision of chapter 893, if the totality of the facts presented by the state is clearly sufficient to meet the states burden of establishing probable cause to believe that a nexus exists between the article seized and the narcotics activity, whether or not the use of the contraband article can be traced to a specific narcotics transaction."

FDLE is saying Sharp used monetary funds to break state statutes outlined in section 893.04, which describes how practitioners ought to prescribe controlled substances; therefore she is in violation of the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.

What happens to Dr. Elaine Sharp next?

FDLE told Drake they plan to file their formal civil complaint with the court before August, which will then give Sharp 20 days to answer the complaint.

FDLE also told Drake they plan to formally charge Sharp with the six felony crimes before the end of the year.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Breeze doctor Elaine Sharp, FDLE fight pill mill case in court
New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu announced on Wednesday he will not run for reelection, leaving open a gubernatorial seat in a swing state heading into the 2024 election.

Sununu, who was first elected to New Hampshires highest office in 2016 and is currently serving his fourth two-year term as governor, said the decision to not run for reelection was no easy decision.

Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state, Sununu said in a tweet.

Sununus decision to not run for reelection provides Democrats with an opportunity to pick up a key gubernatorial state in 2024. President Joe Biden won New Hampshire by 7 points in 2020, and Democratic incumbent Sen. Maggie Hassan defeated Republican challenger Don Bolduc by 9 points in last years midterms.

Of course, Sununu won both of those years as an incumbent by margins of 31 points in 2020 and 15 points in 2022.

Shortly following Sununus Wednesday announcement, Former New Hampshire state Senator Republican Chuck Morse announced he will run for governor. Morse ran in the Republican primary for Senate in 2022 but finished second in the primary to Buldoc.

Morse thanked Sununu for his work as governor and closely aligned himself with Sununus conservative agenda in his statement.

Year in and year out New Hampshire ranks among the best states to live in. Its not an accident and its not luck either. Its because we elect conservative (sic) who get results, Morse said in a tweet. Its what I did as Senate President and its what Ill do as Governor.

Former Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte teased a possible announcement in a statement thanking Sununu, and said the next governor of New Hampshire must be a tough and tested conservative. A New Hampshire Republican close to Ayotte tells CNN she intends to announce her candidacy in the coming days.

The battle to ensure that New Hampshire keeps our Live Free or Die spirit must continue. Like many Granite Staters, I fear that we are one election away from turning into Massachusetts, she said in a statement. Our next Governor must be a tough and tested conservative who will fight to ensure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous and free.

Story continues

I look forward to announcing some big news in the coming days, she continued.

Last week, Manchester, New Hampshire, Mayor Joyce Craig announced her bid for the Democratic nomination in the governors race. New Hampshire Executive Council member Democrat Cinde Warmington has also announced her gubernatorial campaign.

New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Chris Ager thanked Sununu for his service in a statement on Wednesday, touting his principled leadership and his efforts to grow the states economy and balance the states budget.

(Sununus) ability to bring people together and find practical solutions to complex challenges has been a testament to his leadership and dedication to the people of New Hampshire, Ager said in the statement.

Earlier this year, Sununu told CNN he will not run for president in 2024. His vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump sparked some speculation he may run, but he told CNNs Dana Bash the responsibility of keeping the candidate field small in hopes of defeating Trump was a factor in his decision.

I dont mind who gets into the field, but given where the polls are right now, every candidate needs to understand the responsibility of getting out and getting out quickly if its not working, Sununu said at the time.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced Wednesday that he wont seek another term in 2024, about a month after he made it clear he wasnt throwing his hat into the race for president. And several New Hampshire politicians have already said they are interested in his job.

In a statement, Sununu said, After discussions with Valerie and the kids and much consideration, I have decided not to run for another term as Governor in 2024. This was no easy decision as I truly love serving as Governor. Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state. It is with great pride that New Hampshire is better off today than we were seven years ago.

Sununu is currently in his fourth term serving as governor of the Granite State. The 48-year-old touted his accomplishments to date while assuring residents that the state will continue to be his top priority during his remaining time in office.

New Hampshire has our lowest unemployment rate ever, we have cut more taxes than any other administration in the history of New Hampshire, invested record amounts in housing, expanded school choice, defended our Second Amendment rights, revamped our addiction and recovery system, rebuilt our mental health system, and delivered full-day kindergarten, Sununu added. I could not be more proud of our record in New Hampshire. Be assured we will keep working and that the Granite State will continue to be our priority for the next 18 months.

RGA Chair Governor Kim Reynolds thanked Sununu for his model leadership.

Governor Chris Sununu has been a tireless leader for the Granite State over his four terms as New Hampshires Governor, and we thank him for his incredible record of service, Reynolds said in a statement. New Hampshire now ranks number one in the nation for personal freedom.

Sununu backed out of the 2024 race for president in June with candidates including former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence headlining a packed Republican field.

Story continues

After much consideration, I have decided not to run for another term as Governor in 2024.



Be assured we will keep working and that the Granite State will continue to be our priority for the next 18 months. pic.twitter.com/VSNNd9BlaA  Chris Sununu (@ChrisSununu) July 19, 2023

Former New Hampshire State Senate President Chuck Morse, a Republican, says he will run for governor. He made the announcement shortly after Sununu announced his decision.

Like most everyone else in New Hampshire Im thankful for everything that Governor Sununu has done to make New Hampshire the state it is today, said Morse. Now that hes decided not to run for re-election, Im announcing that I am running for Governor to build on those successes.

Former US Senator Kelly Ayotte also appears ready to run, saying I look forward to announcing some big news in the coming days.

Ayotte, also a Republican, said I fear were are one election away from turning into Massachusetts, in a post to Twitter.

The mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire also announced plans to run for governor. Joyce Craig is a Democrat.

Together, we can ensure that every Granite Stater has the opportunity to succeed by strengthening our public schools, creating good-paying jobs, building more affordable housing, and protecting access to abortion, said Craig.

Craigs decision to run got an early endorsement from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

Joyce has delivered again and again for Manchester. Her record of success speaks for itself, " said Healey in a post on social media.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain is hosting more than 40 shows for the rest of year and into 2024, bringing top names in electronic and rock and Motown icons, according to a news release.

The Wheatland venue, Hard Rock Live, announced headliners Tuesday, including The Killers, Donny Osmond, M83, Black Veil Brides and The Temptations and The Four Tops.

There are also special shows, like RuPauls Drag Race on Thursday, July 20, and Wheel of Fortune Live! in December.

The full lineup

The following artists and events will be at Hard Rock, according to the news release:

RuPauls Drag Race  July 20

Urijah Fabers A1 Combat MMA  July 22

Collective Soul  July 29

Ween  July 30

Trombone Shorty + Mavis Staples  Aug. 3

W.A.S.P.  Aug. 5

Donny Osmond  Aug. 9

Bronco  Aug. 12

Sebastian Maniscalco  Aug. 19 (two shows)

Billy Currington  Aug. 25

Flogging Molly  Sept. 1

Arnel Pineda & Lani Misalucha  Sept. 10

The Temptations + The Four Tops  Sept. 16

Clint Black  Sept. 17

DL Hughley  Sept. 22

Vietnamese Dynasty Show  Sept. 23

The Killers  Sept. 27

Tim Dillon  Sept. 30

The Used  Oct. 1

The Gaslight Anthem  Oct. 5

M83  Oct. 6

Squeeze & The Psychedelic Furs  Oct. 7

Porno for Pyros  Oct. 8

Ray LaMontagne  Oct. 12

Iration  Oct. 13

Black Veil Brides & VV  Oct. 19

LP  Oct. 22

Needtobreathe  Oct. 26

Commodores + The Spinners  Oct. 27

Straight No Chaser  Oct. 28

Eric Nam  Nov. 7

Mike Epps  Nov. 10

Meshuggah  Nov. 22

Matt Rife  Dec. 1 (two shows)

Wheel of Fortune Live!  Dec. 3 (two shows)

Skid Row + Buckcherry  Dec. 16

Bailey Zimmermann  February 9, 2024

How to buy tickets

You can get tickets for these shows online at Ticketmaster.

Ticket prices will vary depending on the show and seat.

Where is Hard Rock Live?

The venue is at 3317 Fourty Mile Rd, Wheatland.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Once again, Atlantas own Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is reclaiming the title of the busiest airport in the world.

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Airports Council International released its new rankings Wednesday and Hartsfield-Jackson retained the number one spot.

Last year, the airport served 93.7 million passengers and performed more aircraft operations than any other airport in the world.

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ATL brings the world to Atlanta and opens opportunities for our residents and businesses. It is truly the economic powerhouse of the Southeast and a major player in our work to move Atlanta forward as an international city with opportunities for all, said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens

Dallas, Fort Worth was the second busiest when it comes to passenger traffic, with more than 73 million passengers in 2022.

Denver International Airport came in third, followed by Chicago OHare International Airport. Dubai International is fifth with more than 66 million passengers. LAX in Los Angeles is the sixth busiest in the world.

Hong Kong was number one when it comes to air cargo traffic.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Tropical Storm Calvin was bringing heavy rain to Hawaiis Big Island on Wednesday.

Packing winds of 45 mph, Calvin was about 205 miles southwest of Hilo on Wednesday morning, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.

The storm is delivering strong winds and heavy rainfall that could result in flash flooding and mudslides. Calvin is expected to remain a tropical storm for another 24 hours before weakening.

Calvin has almost completed its passage south of Hawaii County, the hurricane center said. Expect periods of flash flooding, dangerous surf and damaging winds. Calvin will continue to weaken as it moves westward to the south of the other Hawaiian Islands today and tonight, bringing the potential for some peripheral impacts.

CNN Weather

Between 4 and 8 inches of rain is expected, with some areas seeing up to 10 inches, mainly along the windward and southeast flank of the island of Hawaii, colloquially known as the Big Island.

Rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected on the windward areas of Maui, and 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall elsewhere in the state.

Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency Tuesday for the Big Island, where government offices are expected to close Wednesday.

Non-essential employees affected by the closing of those offices should not report to work and shall be granted Administrative Leave, the governors office said.

Swells generated by Calvin spread across the main Hawaiian islands Tuesday night into Wednesday, leading to a rapid increase in surf along east-facing shores. This elevated surf will likely cause life-threatening conditions along exposed shorelines.

CNNs Andy Rose and Taylor Ward contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Michael Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund, said even the most well-funded institutions are seeing higher demand than they can handle.

As historically Black colleges and universities prepare for an influx of applications, their administrators are considering modifying some of their admissions policies, possibly becoming more selective.

The decision follows the Supreme Courts ruling on affirmative action, which forbids institutions from using race as a criterion when selecting which students to admit.

Following the 2020 anti-racism uprisings, more Black students sought academic safe havens at HBCUs, according to The Washington Post, and campus leaders now anticipate receiving even more attention from applicants seeking environments they perceive to be more welcoming.

Holmes Hall at Morgan State University is shown. The Baltimore institution is among the HBCUs considering changes to admissions procedures in anticipation of a surge in applicants following the Supreme Courts affirmative action ruling. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

However, HBCUs  which make up 3 percent of all colleges yet produce 20 percent of all African-American college graduates  might also see a drain on their already scarce resources.

Due to historical underfunding, Americas Black colleges have struggled with problems like deteriorating infrastructure and housing shortages, worsened by enrollment increases and a lack of affordable off-campus options. There is also a digital divide between some HBCUs and better-funded, predominately white institutions.

Its messaging, said Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president at education advocacy group Ed Trust. Students could infer, he contends, that these institutions dont want us, even if they werent using race as a factor in admissions anyway.

However, Michael Lomax, president and chief executive officer of longtime scholarship provider United Negro College Fund, said even the most well-resourced institutions are seeing higher demand than they can handle.

Howard University president Wayne A.I. Frederick shared that administrators might begin interviewing prospective undergraduates as an additional layer of screening at Howard, which has seen a surge in enrollment.

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Frederick said the institution was getting roughly 6,000 applications per cycle when he took over 10 years ago. Since then, that number has increased to almost 32,000.

David A. Thomas, Morehouse College president, voiced similar concerns, noting that doubling the colleges enrollment would significantly compromise educational quality. The Atlanta-based university is already preparing for an increase in applications  from 6,000 students this year to between 9,000 and 12,000 over the following three years.

Thomas did not specify whether admissions procedures would change, but he did note that administrators must ensure they continue to admit students from various socioeconomic backgrounds and support low-income and working-class students as they sift through applications from a vast pool.

Florida banned race-based college admissions policies more than 20 years ago, but its schools were still allowed to change their procedures. William Hudson Jr., vice president of student affairs at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, warned that a spike in applications would force the rejection of certain applicants and the tightening of admissions standards at the already crowded campus.

Experts pointed out that not all HBCUs will likely be affected equally by this increased focus, particularly smaller institutions in rural areas. Del Pilar added that in larger states, where students might not be familiar with the schools, [they] will gravitate to the name brand.

Admissions officers in Maryland are considering how to provide potential students the opportunity to discuss their racial backgrounds. Aminta Hawkins Breaux, the president of Bowie State University, suggested its application process would soon include an essay requirement.

At Morgan State University in Baltimore, admissions officers are also considering using essay prompts, recommendation letters or application questions. However, Khala Granville, Morgan States head of undergraduate admission and recruitment, cautioned that these solutions would add to the workload of overburdened high school guidance counselors  who, in some urban districts, may have hundreds of teens to assist.

Historically, Morgan State has not taken into account an applicants race when making admissions decisions, but it will now withhold that information from application reviewers so that it even more so isnt available for them to see, Granville said.

The campuses, she says, are awaiting further instructions from the Department of Justice.

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PHOENIX  The city smashed its record for most consecutive days at 110 degrees or higher as a historic temperature inferno tightened its grip across much of the nation's southern tier Wednesday.

The city also set its all-time mark for hottest night on record early Wednesday with an overnight low of 97 degrees, the National Weather Service in Phoenix reported.

Oppressive temperatures will continue to spread across the south-central and southeast U.S. through this weekend, forecasters warned. And Phoenix can expect little relief: The weather service warned that the "extremely dangerous and long-duration heat wave" will continue over the Southwest well into next week.

"This record is forecast to be obliterated," AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff said of the Phoenix streak. AccuWeather has 110-plus degree highs forecast daily through at least the middle to latter part of next week.

The dangerously hot temperatures are also taxing hospitals. At Valleywise Health Medical Center in some extreme cases, some patients were being cooled off in ice-packed body bags, Communications Director Michael Murphy told CNN.

It doesnt cool down here at all and surface temps can get so ridiculously high," Murphy said.

A person tries to cool off in the shade as temperatures are expected to hit 116 on July 18, 2023, in Phoenix.

Summers are always hot: Here's how we know climate change is making summer 2023 hotter

Climate change, El Nino conspire to bring the heat

The extreme temperatures being recorded this summer are the result of the combination of natural variations within the climate system and human-caused climate change, with a hefty serving of El Nino thrown in.

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist a the University of California, Los Angeles, said the world is starting to see the long-term, human-caused warming. Still, he doesn't believe Earth has reached some sort of climate tipping point. This does not appear to be a sudden, sustained acceleration of the long-term trends climate scientists have been observing for decades, he said.

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Still, "there arent any unprecedentedly extreme heat events on Earth that havent been exacerbated by climate change, Swain said.

 Elizabeth Weise

America's red-hot summer: How people are coping with heat waves across the country

Texas heat brings call for air conditioning in prisons

Prison advocates, ministers, politicians and grieving parents are lobbying the Texas governor, lieutenant governor and Senate to put air conditioning in prisons as triple-digit temperatures transform them into a "living hell." More than two-thirds of Texas' 100 prisons do not have air conditioning in their living quarters, advocates say. Last month, nine people died of heart failure or unknown conditions, which advocates blame on the excessive heat in the prisons. Amanda Hernandez, Texas Department of Criminal Justice communications director, said preliminary findings show the deaths are "not heat related."

However, J. Carlee Purdum, a Texas A&M University research assistant professor, says the number reported is wildly underestimated because determining whether heat was the cause of death is difficult. Purdum said inmates described prisons during the summer as a "living hell."

 Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman

Tornado causes injuries, damage in North Carolina

In the East, where the heat isn't as extreme as it is in the South or West, severe weather was the story Wednesday. A tornado touched down in eastern North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon, injuring at least two people, damaging homes and businesses, and shutting down I-95, authorities said.

The tornado was rated an EF-2, with winds estimated at 135 mph, the weather service in Raleigh, North Carolina, reported.

The twister was reported on the ground in Nash County near Rocky Mount, North Carolina, which is about 44 miles northeast of Raleigh, just after 12:30 p.m. local time, AccuWeather said.

Rocky Mount city officials wrote on Facebook that a reported tornado moved through the northern part of the city a short time ago. City crews are responding to power outages and downed trees.

No deaths have been reported.

The tornado damaged a building that houses pharmaceutical company Pfizer, a major employer in the area, Weather.com reported. Several homes were also reported damaged.

Major north-south highway I-95 had been shut down for a couple of hours Wednesday due to trees on the roadway, local officials said. Both northbound and southbound lanes were reopened as of 3:08 p.m. ET.

Flash flood emergency in western Kentucky

Overnight rain that rolled through Western Kentucky led to a flash flood emergency early Wednesday in parts of the region, forcing people from their homes.

According to the National Weather Service in Paducah, a flash flood warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. CDT Thursday in portions of Ballard, Carlisle, Graves and Hickman counties. It also includes portions of Southern Illinois and Southeastern Missouri.

Between 6 and 8 inches of rain fell in the area before 8 a.m., according to the weather agency, with 2 to 4 more inches expected. Areas affected include Mayfield, Wingo, Fancy Farm, Beulah, Dublin, and surrounding rural areas.

In a 6 a.m. update, the Graves County Sheriffs Office said many roads in the area have been submerged and drivers should be cautious with more rain expected.

Major flooding like many have never seen is occurring, the Graves County Sheriffs Office wrote in a Facebook update Wednesday morning.

 Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal

Tropical Storm Calvin brings heavy rain and strong winds to Hawaii

Tropical Storm Calvin passed by the south side of the Big Island of Hawaii on Wednesday morning, bringing a mix of heavy rain and strong winds. Up to 10 inches of rain was possible, which could lead to flash floods and mudslides, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said.

Maximum sustained winds were measured at 45 mph, the center said.

On Tuesday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency for the Big Island, which was entirely under a tropical storm warning.

Calvin will continue to weaken as it moves westward to the south of the other Hawaiian Islands today and tonight, the hurricane center said.

Great Lakes region, East face air quality alerts

Canadian wildfires and smoke were responsible for air quality alerts Wednesday over parts of the Great Lakes region, southern mid-Atlantic and Northeast, the National Weather Service said. Short-term forecasts show lesser concentrations of Canadian wildfire smoke by day's end.

"This should give most of the northern tier of the U.S. a break from the more concentrated smoke plumes through at least Thursday," meteorologist Peter Mullinax said.

Hot Middle East even hotter this summer

The Middle East, where very hot summers are a way of life, is also seeing record temperatures. In the United Arab Emirates, temperatures in some areas exceeded a scorching 122 degrees two days in a row. Oman and Kuwait have routinely seen temperatures over 116 and also could break 120 before the month is over.

One temperature reading from a few days ago stands out amidst the others: At the Persian Gulf International Airport on Sunday, the heat index reached an unimaginable 152 degrees, according to Colin McCarthy from US Stormwatch. The heat index combines the air temperature with humidity and measures what the weather feels like to the human body.

Palestinians in Gaza are complaining loudly to Hamas leaders as temperatures soar over 104 degrees amid power shortages. Hamas blames a 16-year-long Israeli-Egyptian blockade for hampering development of the power network.

Our dreams have shrunk from (achieving) the right of return and liberating the homeland to one extra hour of electricity, Abdel-Hamid Abdel Ati, a local journalist, told Reuters.

Phoenix breaks 49-year heat record

Wednesday marked the 20th straight day with temperatures at or above 110 degrees in Phoenix, which is now a new record.

Tuesday was the 19th straight day with temperatures at or above 110 degrees in the city, breaking a record set in 1974. The National Weather Service said the temperature at Sky Harbor International Airport ultimately reached 118 degrees Tuesday, breaking a record for the date and tying for the highest temperature Phoenix has reached this year.

Temperatures are not expected to let up in Phoenix, and temperatures are forecast to be above 110 degrees for the remainder of the week.

We're able to really heat up when we're not having the moisture and the storms," National Weather Service meteorologist Sean Benedict said. "We're getting 5 to 10 degrees above normal in some cases.

 Lorenzo Estrada and Fernando Cervantes Jr., Arizona Republic

Midwest, East could see life-threatening flooding

Flash flooding and severe weather are possible from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic through Thursday, the weather service said. AccuWeather meteorologists stressed the risk of life-threatening and damaging flash flooding. During the past weekend, widespread rainfall of 14 inches and locally higher amounts from 6-8 inches in a matter of hours triggered rapid rises on small streams from Virginia to Maine. In some cases, streams spilled over roads and water rose across low-lying roadways in a matter of minutes.

Their was a silver lining: The storms were expected to move faster than the ones from last weekend and last week, which could help to mitigate a widespread flood threat, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said.

"However, because of the saturated state of the ground in many areas due to the recent heavy rain ... downpours can still trigger flash flooding more easily than would typically occur," Douty warned.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Live updates: Heat wave grips Phoenix, Tornado in North Carolina
Parts of Sicily and Sardinia will be the hottest parts of Europe on Wednesday

Red alerts for extreme heat are in place in most of Italy's main cities as a heatwave intensifies in Europe.

Temperatures are expected to peak on Wednesday, with 23 cities on high alert - from Trieste in the north-east to Messina in the south-west.

The warnings mean the heat poses a threat to everybody, not just vulnerable groups.

Wildfires are also raging across the continent, including in Greece and the Swiss Alps.

Millions of people in the northern hemisphere are being affected by scorching temperatures.

It is being caused by a high pressure system bringing warmer, tropical air, south of a jet stream currently stuck over central Europe.

And the heat is forecast to last through Wednesday across most of southern Europe, following several days of temperatures in excess of 40C (104F).

BBC Weather says parts of the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily will be the hottest again, with highs of around 46C or 47C.

The heatwave, which has swept across the country, has been described by local media as settimana infernale - or "week of hell".

Many buildings on the island of Sicily are not equipped to deal with temperatures this high. Lots of families live on the ground floor, in apartments with very few windows, and it is quite common for large families to live together in small spaces.

Two people - a man and woman aged 69 - were found dead in their homes in the Sicilian capital Palermo on Tuesday, with several local newspapers attributing their deaths to the heat.

In the south of Italy, which is poorer than the north, many cannot afford air conditioning, or even fans.

The heat is particularly tough on homeless people.

Sergio Ciresi, a priest running Catholic charity Caritas, which offers a shower service and homeless shelters in Palermo, told the BBC the heat was "making people more impatient and short-tempered".

"In the last few days we noticed people getting angry a lot more easily, and starting fights with each other."

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There have also been power cuts on the island as a result of high demand for air conditioning.

The Italian health ministry has asked emergency rooms across the country to activate so-called "heat codes", assigning a separate group of medical staff to treat people who come in with symptoms caused by the heat.

Similar measures were brought in at the start of 2020, when Italy became the epicentre of the Covid pandemic in Europe.

There has been a 20% increase in the number of patients being admitted with heat-related symptoms, according to the health ministry.

"We are seeing an increase in admissions of patients with headache, tachycardia, dehydration and confusion," said Dr Tiziana Maniscalchi, director of emergency medicine at a hospital in Palermo.

She said some of her patients had died, with exposure to extreme heat a contributing factor.

"For people who already have a fragile health, being exposed to these temperatures can have devastating consequences," she said.

"I am worried, because the people who will pay the price are the most vulnerable and frail."

A new record-high temperature of 41.8C was reportedly recorded in the capital Rome on Tuesday.

Red alerts also remain in place across Spain, Greece and parts of the Balkans.

Temperatures are expected to fall on Thursday for many in Europe, including northern Italy - where red alerts will be removed for six cities.

But BBC Weather's Matt Taylor says that temperatures could be in the mid to high 40s for many in the central and eastern Mediterranean by the weekend and carrying on into next week - which could potentially come close to breaking records.

Tunisia in North Africa is also expected to register 50C in some spots, he added.

map

The UN weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization, has warned that the heatwave in Europe could continue into August, and that the extreme temperatures sweeping the globe are the new normal in a world warmed by climate change.

In Greece, staff at the Acropolis in Athens, one of the country's top tourist attractions, will stop working for four hours a day from Thursday in protest at working conditions during the heat, a union representing its workers has said.

Multiple wildfires have also swept across the country since Monday - including one which led to the evacuation of 1,200 children from a summer camp.

The most severe fire burned in the Dervenochoria region, north of Athens. Others also continue to rage in the towns of Loutraki - near the city of Corinth - and in Kouvaras, south of the capital.

In Mandra, west of Athens, residents have told the BBC damage from fires could have been avoided if emergency crews had arrived earlier.

The Greek fire service said it was doing the best it could to fight wildfires in very poor weather conditions, adding the "main concern is to protect lives, save belongings and the forests".

Some have levelled criticism at the government, claiming there are not enough firefighters to respond to the number of blazes currently raging in the country.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who cut his trip to Brussels short this week in wake of the fires, said the climate crisis was the main factor behind the blazes.

Mr Mitsotakis has faced these criticisms before, apologising in August 2021 for failures in tackling that summer's wildfires.

A firefighter tackles a wildfire in Loutraki, Greece

Scientists have long-warned that climate change will make heatwaves more frequent, more intense and last longer in duration.

Experts say Europe in particular is warming faster than many climate models predicted.

More than 61,000 people were estimated to have died from the heat in Europe last year, and there are fears this year will be similar.

Additional reporting by Azadeh Moshiri in Mandra, Greece.

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By Do Gyun Kim and Soo-hyang Choi

PAJU, South Korea (Reuters) - Only hours after U.S. Private Travis T. King fled into North Korea while taking part in an organised tour on the heavily fortified border, groups of tourists coming from the South Korean side were still visiting the area on Wednesday.

Going to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, which remain technically at war, is a popular trip for tourists looking to get a glimpse of the reclusive authoritarian state.

King made his unauthorised crossing on Tuesday while on a group tour of the "peace village" of Panmunjom inside the DMZ, U.S. officials said.

"I was aware that it's a trip that has its own rules ... knowing that North Korea is just a visible distance away," Felicia, a 28-year-old Malaysian tourist who declined to give her full name, said on Wednesday after returning from a visit to the DMZ area.

The DMZ was established after the 1950-1953 Korean War, which ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, and despite its name, is highly fortified with razor wire and minefields on either side of a 4-kilometre (2.5 miles) wide buffer.

To brush up even closer to North Korea, tourists can visit Panmunjom, known formally as the Joint Security Area (JSA) - a cluster of buildings that has hosted inter-Korean talks and where troops from both sides stand almost face to face.

Tourists need to sign up either with the South Korean government, or via tour agencies approved by the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) which oversees the area, days in advance to visit the JSA, and are supposed to follow strict rules while on the trip, right down to what you wear.

"Worn or faded jeans, exercise clothes, sleeveless shirts, miniskirts, knee trousers, sandals and slippers" are not allowed, HanaTour ITC, a travel agency offering tours said in its guidelines on its website.

It also warned the tours may be cancelled "at any moment" if an unexpected situation arises.

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The number of people allowed on the tours is limited, and visitors need to provide copies of their passport to register.

"The DMZ remains a very dangerous area due to mines, unexploded ordnance, poor infrastructure and the resident forces of both sides," the UNC said on its website.

Most infamously, axe-wielding North Korean soldiers in the DMZ in 1976 murdered two U.S. soldiers who were cutting down a tree to secure a clear view. In 2017, a North Korean soldier was riddled with bullets by his comrades, but ultimately survived as he made a dash into the South.

JSA tours resumed in July last year after suspensions due to African Swine Fever and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UNC has now suspended JSA tours until further notice, a Seoul official said, though tourists can still visit other points of interest around the DMZ, including an observation post in Paju and Freedom Bridge, where prisoners were exchanged.

Lee Sang-sub, a 58-year-old South Korean tourist visiting the area on Wednesday, was puzzled by the news that an American soldier had crossed the border into the North.

"I don't understand. ... He must have done it not knowing exactly what North Korea is like," Lee told Reuters at the observation point.

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi, Ju-min Park and Minwoo Park in Seoul, Do Gyun Kim and Hongji Kim in Paju; Editing by Ed Davies and Sharon Singleton)
People hydrate and rest inside the Justa Center in downtown Phoenix, a day cooling center for unhoused people 55 years and older. On Wednesday Phoenix marked the 20th day in a row the city recorded 110-degree or higher temperatures. (Matt York / Associated Press)

An unrelenting heat wave that has blanketed the the Southwestern U.S. continued to break records Wednesday, inflicting misery in major cities and offering what experts described as a disturbing glimpse into the future as human-caused climate change increases the frequency and duration of extreme heat events.

Places such as Las Vegas and Phoenix have always endured broiling summers. But the scale and duration of this heat wave has brought new levels of suffering, from sizzling sidewalks to broken-down cars and passed-out airline passengers.

Here in Phoenix, the mercury inched to 119 degrees Wednesday, a daily record. It was the 20th consecutive day that the temperature topped 110 degrees  two days more than the city's previous record, 18 consecutive days over 110 degrees, set in 1974.

For residents living with the sustained heat, it was a terrifying wake-up call and a test of how much people can endure.

"I've got to try to stay inside and stay cool," said Christopher Duggan, who was sitting at a cooling center run by the Salvation Army in downtown Tempe on Tuesday afternoon. Nearby, about 10 people quietly rested in the AC, some of them laying on the tile floor, their eyes open but unfocused.

Read more: Phoenix hits at least 110 degrees for 19th straight day, breaking records in worldwide heat wave

"It was a blessing that they have a cooling place. It's hot out there," Duggan said. He had suffered a work injury and was seeking housing; he had no other place to go to escape the heat.

But forecasters say even more warmth is on the way. Phoenix could soar as high as 120 degrees by Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

In Las Vegas, officials are similarly bracing for the possibility that the city will break its 10-day record for consecutive days over 110 degrees by the end of this week.

"It's been hot and it will continue to be hot," said Chris Outler, a meteorologist with the weather service in Las Vegas. Temperatures on Wednesday were expected to hit 110 degrees, and could climb as high as 115 degrees Friday and Saturday.

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Heat ripples engulf two women while crossing a street in downtown Phoenix on Monday. (Matt York / Associated Press)

The heat has been so oppressive that a Delta Airlines flight from Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport was canceled Monday after several passengers and crew got sick from the heat and fainted while awaiting takeoff in 111-degree weather.

Area hospitals are also seeing an increase in heat-related illnesses among adults and children, according to Marissa Mussi, a spokeswoman with the Sunrise Hospital group in Las Vegas.

Added to that is an increase in pavement burns, according to Yasmin Conaway, burn program manager at the UMC Lions Burn Care Center. The center, located not far from the Las Vegas Strip, has admitted about 11 patients for pavement burns so far this month.

"The asphalt, the concrete, all of these hot surfaces can get up to 170 degrees, and that only takes seconds to cause a deep enough burn to require hospitalization," Conaway said. She noted that many burn patients may have passed out on the pavement due to dehydration, intoxication or other challenges, which lengthens their exposure and complicates their treatment.

Read more: 116 degrees at night: Death Valley's extreme heat goes off the charts from climate change

Forecasters say the heat is being driven by a large high-pressure system that has parked itself over the Southwestern states. The onset of El Nino, a climate pattern associated with warmer conditions, is also a contributing factor.

But those elements are also occurring against the backdrop of human-caused climate change, which is driving global temperatures ever higher. Between 1971 and 2000, Las Vegas averaged only three days per year with a heat index above 105, said Kristina Dahl, a principal climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Now, "there's no real end in sight  that heat dome is just in place," she said. "That's what's striking to me, is we're not breaking these records by just a day or two, we're breaking them by a large margin."

A man cools off in misters along the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday. Even desert residents accustomed to scorching summers are feeling the grip of an extreme heat wave smacking the Southwest this week. (John Locher / Associated Press)

The burning of fossil fuels isn't only driving daytime temperatures to new extremes, but also keeping nights far warmer than normal, offering people little chance for relief. The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport recorded a temperature of 110 degrees at midnight Wednesday.

"A lot of this is expected  it is what our models predicted would happen," Dahl said. "But speaking for myself, as someone who has seen this coming for a long time, it still packs a much bigger emotional punch than I ever expected it to. To see it playing out in my lifetime, to see the real, horrific struggles people are going through with extreme heat  I think the impacts are more severe than I would have anticipated."

Indeed, extreme heat is among the deadliest and most devastating effects of climate change. It is also one of the most inequitable, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities without tree canopies or adequate shade, Dahl said.

Even in places such as Phoenix that have adapted to extreme heat, temperatures like these can be life-threatening. A recent study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that if Phoenix experienced a blackout during a heat wave such as this current one, half of all city residents would need hospitalization, and the citys death rate would increase over 700 percent.

Read more: Worse air quality in L.A. expected during heat wave. Why do high temperatures cause more smog?

And while the highest temperatures are currently in Arizona and Nevada, California is also baking from the heat dome. Bakersfield could climb to 109 by Saturday, and Fresno 107. Such conditions can create particular danger for outdoor farmworkers in the region, who are 20 times more likely to suffer a heat-related death than the average U.S. worker.

The heat in California has contributed to several wildfire ignitions in recent days, and state officials are urging people to stay hydrated, head to cooling centers and watch out for elderly relatives and neighbors. Over the weekend, the California State Fair in Sacramento canceled its opening weekend of horse racing due to high temperatures.

At Aram's Auto Repair in Fresno, the extended spell of triple-digit heat has brought more calls for service  but the technicians, facing the same heat that kills car batteries, zaps engines and fries cooling systems, are struggling to keep up with demand, said Billy Catching, the shop's general manager.

"Not only do we have customers that are having issues, but the efficiency of the technicians in the shop physically goes down, said Catching, who suffered from his own bout of heat exhaustion and missed work after tinkering with his own car this weekend. One technician at his shop recently quit and moved to Oceanside after working in the heat became too much, he said.

Read more: Southern California bakes under another day of scorching heat, fires and smog

In Southern California, residents also continued to feel the heat, with a high of 89 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and temperatures in Woodland Hills, Canoga Park, Northridge and other parts of the San Fernando Valley reaching 101. By Saturday, temperatures in the valley are expected to rise about five degrees.

For some, high temperatures are still a novelty in a rapidly changing world. Heat-seeking tourists flocked to Death Valley National Park this week, where the mercury neared 130 degrees.

"It's my first trip to the U.S., and I am very happy," said Ewa Bulisz, who planned her trip to the American Southwest from Lublin, Poland, after beating cancer. "It's hot, but it makes me feel strong."

Back in Phoenix, others weren't so sure. Dave Martin, 58, who owns Martin's Auto Repair in Phoenix, said business is up compared to last July, but that the temperature is getting more and more unbearable.

"I lived here for a long time and I don't remember it being it this consistent with hot days over over 110 degrees," he said. "It's been pretty brutal."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Utah first lady Abby Cox poses for a photo as she and her team get ready for the Show Up for Teachers event, at the Mountain America Exhibition Center in Sandy on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

With regard to Utahs teachers, first lady Abby Cox, the wife of Gov. Spencer Cox, knew something needed to change after her husband took office in January 2021. And as a former special education teacher, she felt she was the woman to do it.

As a result of the pandemic, teachers have faced increased levels of stress in recent years, experts say. The Utah State Board of Education revealed in their 2022 Educator Exit Survey that emotional exhaustion/burnout and job-specific stressors were the most influential factors in educators decisions to leave their jobs.

Coxs way of helping was starting Show Up for Teachers, a conference dedicated to the emotional well-being of Utahs educators. The second annual convention took place at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy on Wednesday and featured keynote speakers Arthur C. Brooks, a Harvard professor and bestselling author, and Michael Bonner, a teacher at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.

More than 2,600 educators and community members attended, as well as 125-plus businesses providing teachers with discounts, donated gifts and more to show their appreciation. Additionally, a gala sponsored by the Deseret News and Utah Business will honor teachers Thursday night at the Grand America Hotel.

The idea originated after Cox spoke with teachers all across the state and realized many were struggling.

Almost universally what we heard from our educators was, We need this, she said. We have to help the helpers.

Utah first lady Abby Cox talks with a group of volunteers as they work with her team to get ready for the Show Up for Teachers event at the Mountain America Exhibition Center in Sandy on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Teachers are at their best when they feel supported, which translates to a better learning environment for students, says Cox, whose mother and grandmother were also educators. Based on that principle, Show Up for Teachers was born.

The event is part of Coxs larger Show Up Initiative, which is intended to increase connectedness and empathy among Utahns, especially children. It is a rallying cry centered around four key areas, the first of which focuses on educator wellness. The remaining issues concern foster care, athletes with intellectual disabilities and community service.

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All (these areas are) connected through this overarching idea and goal of increasing empathy, increasing compassion, increasing community connectedness and championing and allowing those voices that dont feel like theyve been heard and elevating people that have not felt a part of the community, Cox said.

Last years inaugural conference was met with rave reviews, as 97% of the 1,100 attendees said they were satisfied with the experience, according to Cox. One middle school educator even said, It was like Disneyland for teachers. Businesses also relished the opportunity to express their gratitude for the teaching community.

It was so fun to share tons of free resources and products with teachers and show them how much we care for them, a 2022 vendor said.

Cox felt the conferences first year couldnt have gone much better. And all the positive feedback told organizers that the event had value and needed to continue. So just days after the inaugural convention, work began on the next one.

Utah first lady Abby Cox, director of First Lady Initiatives Kirsten Rappleye and deputy director of the Show Up Initiative Sarah Allred look at the Denik gift packet for the teachers that will be given out at the Show Up for Teachers event at the Mountain America Exhibition Center in Sandy on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

One thing that people dont realize about the first lady is that she doesnt just automatically get a budget to go around and do whatever she wants, Kirsten Rappleye, the director of Show Up Utah, said. So were constantly in the process of fundraising and creating partner relationships and figuring out what we can do to make this bigger and better every year.

Leading up to this years conference, Cox closely worked with higher education administrators to ensure educators are prepared for the unique challenges that teachers presently face. In the modern world, Cox says it is no longer about simply communicating information to students. Technology can do that.

Educators are there as mentors, as connectors, as humans teaching them how to be human, she said.

And the only way to teach students how to be human is to recognize that teachers are too.

When our teachers are stressed and anxious and having mental health struggles, theyre not going to be the best person they can be for that student, she said. If we can start to focus on our educators and our administrators and make sure that schools are environments where they can thrive emotionally and mentally, then that will transfer to our students and they will be better prepared for the world.

Utah first lady Abby Cox poses inside a Barbie frame as she and members of her team work to get ready for the Show Up for Teachers event at the Mountain America Exhibition Center in Sandy on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah first lady Abby Cox laughs as she sits down with others on her team to discuss the work of setting up for the Show Up for Teachers event at the Mountain America Exhibition Center in Sandy on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah first lady Abby Cox, director of First Lady Initiatives Kirsten Rappleye and deputy director of the Show Up Initiative Sarah Allred look at the Denik gift packet for the teachers that will be given out at the Show Up for Teachers event at the Mountain America Exhibition Center in Sandy on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Director of First Lady Initiatives Kirsten Rappleye, deputy director of the Show Up Initiative Sarah Allred and Utah first lady Abby Cox talk as they look at the preparations as they work to get ready for the Show Up for Teachers event at the Mountain America Exhibition Center in Sandy on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
astronaut in front of a window facing earth. the astronaut is floating out the window at a barely visible piece of cylindrical equipment visible against the clouds

Taking out the trash on the International Space Station often requires a robotic helper, as a new video shows.

In the video, NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg shows off a cylindrical piece of space debris safely drifting toward Earth after being jettisoned by a Canadian robotic arm. The debris' path should have it fall into Earth's atmosphere in the summer of 2025, with no risk to the International Space Station.

"It's great to get rid of mass aboard the space station," Hoburg says in the video posted on Twitter, with the robotic Canadarm2 clearly visible behind him in a window. The debris, known as flight support equipment, was jettisoned moments before on July 3, when the video was filmed.

"This is pretty cool," Hoburg added of the equipment falling to Earth.

Related: How often does the International Space Station have to dodge space debris?

astronaut in front of a window facing earth. the astronaut is floating out the window at a barely visible piece of cylindrical equipment visible against the clouds

NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg points to a piece of unneeded International Space Station equipment jettisoned from the orbiting complex on July 3, 2023. (Image credit: Woody Hoburg/NASA/Twitter)

Hoburg said the ISS crew does its best to get rid of unneeded items ahead of periodic "reboosts," when an attached spacecraft raises the station's orbit to keep it from falling into Earth's atmosphere.

Molecules of our planet's atmosphere cause drag on the ISS at its altitude of roughly 250 miles (400 kilometers), requiring periodic adjustments to keep the 25-year-old complex flying.

"It's more efficient, propellant-wise, to have less mass up here," Hoburg said of the reboosts. He concluded the video with an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

The Flight Support Equipment (FSE) departs into the blackness of space. The @csa_asc robotic arm jettisoned it a month after it carried two @Space_Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays during their launch on @SpaceX CRS-28. A couple weeks ago I was crawling around the outside of that pic.twitter.com/HvmRlM91PqJuly 10, 2023

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The equipment jettisoned on July 3 is a leftover from a series of spacewalks conducted to install new solar arrays that will augment the ISS's power supply. Solar arrays naturally degrade over time, along with batteries. Crews of astronauts have therefore been installing new arrays and batteries, most recently on June 15.

The solar arrays came to space with flight support equipment, which Hoburg described as "a big metal bracket that they mounted [which] restrained them during their launch." (The restraint was needed to protect the arrays from the shaking and G-forces that rockets experience during launch.)

astronaut grasping on to a piece of space equipment while mounted to a robotic arm. the earth is behind

NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg rides the Canadarm2 robotic arm while maneuvering a rollout solar array toward the International Space Station's truss on June 9, 2023. (Image credit: NASA)

After launch, the equipment was mounted on a part of the space station known as a POA, or payload/orbital replacement unit accommodation. Simply put, POAs are convenient ISS parking spots for equipment in space awaiting installation, or jettison, as the case may be.

On July 3, Canadarm2 robotic controllers jettisoned the unneeded equipment from one of the facility's mission controls, under supervision from Hoburg. Hoburg didn't specify which facility did the work, but it's common for the Canadian Space Agency (with support from company MDA) to do such activities from its own mission control near Montreal.

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This video isn't the only one Hoburg posted lately showing daily activities on the ISS. He recently showed off the typical tools that astronauts use during spacewalks, and also gave folks an excerpt of one of two daily planning conferences with Mission Control to figure out the needed activities in orbit.

Long-duration ISS crews typically spend about six months in space doing hundreds of science experiments. They receive flexible training that allows them to take on repair tasks, spacewalking, science and other orbital duties as required. Where possible, NASA emphasizes less task-specific training, as it's tough to predict what needs will arise on the orbiting complex during a half-year sojourn.

Hoburg was selected as an astronaut candidate in 2017 while leading an aeronautics and astronautics research group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This is his first spaceflight.
A Hialeah man was sentenced to over a decade in federal prison on Tuesday for stealing more than $30,000 from a bank before fleeing from police on a bicycle.

FBI agents say Ariel Valero, 45, arrived at Wells Fargo Bank, 12184 Miramar Pkwy., in Miramar the morning after Christmas in 2019 on a BMX-style bicycle, entered the building and demanded money from the bank tellers at gunpoint.

After one of the tellers handed over cash, investigators say Valero asked for more money while pointing the gun at the bank employee. Then he jumped onto the counter, walked to another teller and demanded the money from the drawer.

According to his criminal complaint, Valero placed the money in a plastic bag, exited the bank and left on the bicycle, dumping it near a school about 500 feet away.

When Miramar police arrived at the bank with a K9 unit, they established a perimeter and attempted to track Valero, but he was long gone. Bank video surveillance showed the bank robber was covered in clothing head to toe, including his face and hands.

So, how were they able to catch him?

FBI agents say DNA material taken from the bikes seat indicated a possible DNA association to Varelo.

In August 2022, nearly three years after the robbery, agents executed a search warrant authorizing them to collect a DNA swab from Varelo. In October, investigators concluded that the DNA from the bicycle left near the crime scene matched Valeros.

On May 9, a jury found that Valero was guilty of bank robbery and carrying a firearm during a crime.

After Valero completes his 11-year-prison sentence, he will serve five additional years on supervised release.
A paralegal from Hickory is facing wire fraud charges after allegedly embezzling more than $1 million from clients at the law firm where she worked, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Allegations in the indictment show that 54-year-old Jennifer Elaine Roarke, also known as Jennifer Claveria, worked for the Hickory law firm from 2007 to 2021. The firm handled the administration and management of trust for clients, including their trust bank accounts.

ALSO READ: Police investigating embezzlement at Hickory church

While working, Roarke was responsible for opening mail, processing invoices, and depositing checks into the trust bank accounts. The indictment says that from 2015 to 2021, she exploited her access and job within the law firm to embezzle more than $1.5 million from the trusts of law firm clients.

Roarke was able to embezzle money through hundreds of unauthorized wire transfers from bank accounts connected to the firms clients into accounts controlled by her. The U.S. Attorneys Office says Roarke used the money to pay for personal items, her mortgage, a car, credit card payments, and to fund a lavish lifestyle.

The U.S. Attorneys Office thanked the FBI for the investigation that led to the charges.

A wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.

(WATCH BELOW: Kansas man sentenced to federal prison for performing fake autopsies and wire fraud)
Elder members of the Ho-Chunk Nation gathered Tuesday in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, to record the tribes language to preserve the history for the next generation.

Ho-Chunk Nation public relations officer Casey Brown says its critical to capture the voices and dialects of speakers because many of the elders are over 75 years old. Its very important that we do these things now, Brown told CNN.

The Language Conservancy, an organization that seeks to preserve languages so they dont go extinct, worked with elders to make audio recordings of them speaking in their indigenous language.

Wil Meya, CEO of the conservancy, told CNN a primary goal is to enable youth to actively engage in a meaningful way in the learning of their language to help ensure their ancestral history is not lost.

Ho-Chunk Nation tribal elder Elliott Garvin, who participated in the recording, said he wanted to restore what was lost  now that the language is often only spoken during traditional ceremonies.

Shena Munden, second from right, works with Kaine Hall, left, Naomi Littlegeorge, second left, and Myrtle Long, right, during a recording session. - Courtesy Emma Bonham/The Language Conservancy

Garvin said when he was a toddler, he heard the Ho-Chunk language used every day at home.

We heard nothing but our language, so thats the only language we knew until we went to school, Garvin told CNN. Back in those days, everybody knew the language.

The recordings will be uploaded to the Ho-Chunk online dictionary and later added to an app students can download to use as a resource when learning the tribal language and history  a history Brown says dates back to the Ice Ages.

The biggest thing is the generational learning, Brown said. We have stories that talk about the glacier periods and how they were, he added.

Jessi Falcon, a language education coordinator for the Ho-Chunk Nation, says the tribes language was almost extinct.

The first language speakers of our tribe are all grandparents or more like great-grandparents today, Falcon told CNN. She added these elders only have people in their generation to talk to in their native language.

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The tribe says it has ancestral lands in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.

Meya says his organization is happy to be a bridge between elders and the next generation.

The Language Conservancy works with over 50 Indigenous organizations and tribes in the US, Canada, and Australia to preserve their history through preserving language.

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Gov. Hochul moved unilaterally to address New Yorks housing crisis on Tuesday, issuing executive orders to spur housing development after failing to reach a home creation deal with state lawmakers last month.

One of the orders would clear the way for housing development in Gowanus, Brooklyn, by effectively reviving a tax benefit specifically for developers in the area, Hochul said. The program could be replicated in other parts of the city and state in a piecemeal effort to prompt housing creation.

A second order outlined Tuesday would give communities that hit certain housing goals a leg up in applications for a range of state grants.

Under the Gowanus order, the state would buy privately owned properties for a nominal fee and lease them back to developers for the duration of developments. The program would reduce costs for developers, who would pay the state fees  equal to reduced taxes under the prior regime  during the leases.

Where some see a hellhole, I see homes, Hochul told a crowd on the top floor of a warehouse in Gowanus.

The executive action could invite legal challenges. In a statement, the Legal Aid Society described the order as legally dubious at best.

Hochul told reporters shortly after her announcement that the state has the ability to do this, citing powers held by Empire State Development.

A number of housing developments are underway in Gowanus, an industrial area of Brooklyn that was rezoned under a massive plan passed by the City Council in 2021.

It was not immediately clear if the orders would generate significant pushback in Albany. The new Gowanus program has the support of the local state senator, Andrew Gounardes, who attended the news conference.

And the action affecting state grants seemed to satisfy calls from some lawmakers to use carrots rather than sticks to create housing.

Still, the orders marked modest steps compared to the aggressive program Hochul had pushed earlier in the year. She acknowledged Tuesday that the state still needs a comprehensive program to build housing.

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Her so-called Housing Compact set a goal of building 800,000 homes within a decade across New York, in part by forcing municipalities to build housing stock.

The governor struggled to sell the suburbs and state leaders on the plan, and ultimately dropped it from the spring budget negotiations, a humbling concession. Any immediate hopes of a broad Legislature-authorized housing effort vanished entirely last month, when Albany lawmakers closed the legislative session without taking action on housing.

Legislative leaders insisted they had put together their own housing plan, but said Hochul was not behind it. The governors office emphatically rejected the lawmakers account, saying in a statement that legislators were blaming Hochul for their own failure to act.

The testy back-and-forth between the Democratic governor and the Democratic-led Legislature highlighted internal divisions in Democratic-ruled Albany.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the state Senate majority leader, and Carl Heastie, the Assembly speaker, said their plan included so-called good-cause eviction legislation, which is popular among progressives but not supported by Hochul, and a statewide extension of the 421a tax exemption, the expired provision central to the Gowanus development.

Hochul said the expiration of the program would effectively kill housing development in Gowanus without Tuesdays order.

Earlier in the year, Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester Democrat, balked at Hochuls ambitious compact, asserting that the state should use incentives to produce new homes.

The governor declined to bend, apparently judging that she would rather wait than endorse a watered-down version of the plan.

On Tuesday, Hochul said legislators should get behind her approach. Im not sure why anybodys averse to building housing, she said. But if they listen to their constituents, theyll understand that their constituents want them to do this.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos, a progressive Queens Democrat, described Hochuls approach as lazy, and said the governor has declined to meet her colleagues where we are.

At this rate, were never going to be able to build the supply of housing that we need, Ramos said by phone. I would recommend a much more collaborative approach.

New York is facing a severe housing shortage, especially in the city, where the housing stock has grown by a sluggish 4% since 2010, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonprofit. The crisis has been inflamed by a surge of migrants over the last year that has pushed the count of people living in the city shelter system past 103,000, according to City Hall.

Open New York, an advocacy group focused on housing, expressed support for Hochuls orders but urged her to reach a deal with lawmakers.

These actions are necessary, important, and yet insufficient, Annemarie Gray, the groups executive director, said in a statement. New York will only see changes that match the magnitude of the crisis when the governor and the state Legislature come together to pass major legislation.
A Texas homeowner was at a local river when they spotted a baby alligator, according to state wildlife officials.

The resident decided to take the reptile home as a pet, authorities said.

Recently, the Nacogdoches Police Department learned the baby gator was being kept in a 40-gallon aquarium at a local home, according to a July 19 news release from the Texas Game Wardens.

While the PD attended to a separate matter in the home, the alligator disappeared from its tank, authorities said.

Texas Game Warden Sean Reneau then arrived, and he urged the homeowner to help find the gator, according to the release shared on Facebook.

They uncovered the hatchling a short time later in a blue tub hidden in the backyard, officials said. The owner then confessed to finding the alligator at a local river, picking it up and taking him home as a pet.

Reneau believes the alligator had hatched about a week or two before it was found in the home, and it was only in human possession for a couple days, according to the post.

The alligator was relocated to where it was found, officials said, and the owner was cited on a charge of possession of American alligator.

We keep saying it yall, alligators dont make good pets, Texas Game Wardens said.

Nacogdoches is about 140 miles northeast of Houston.

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By James Pomfret and Greg Torode

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's appointment of a top intelligence official to run Hong Kong's national security regime underscores its determination to tighten its grip on the financial hub, according to diplomats and analysts.

Dong Jingwei, 59, is the highest-level Chinese security official to be appointed to a senior role in the former British colony since Beijing imposed a national security law on its most international city in 2020.

Dong will bolster security oversight of Hong Kong, rocked for months in 2019 by pro-democracy protests that posed a crisis for Beijing's Communist Party leadership.

Under the security law, China's national security office has sweeping investigative and surveillance powers, and enjoys immunity from city laws.

The office is also charged with oversight of "foreign countries and international organisations".

Dong was vice-minister in the Ministry of State Security, China's most powerful intelligence organisation - a role that included catching foreign spies in China, according to state media reports.

Dong told a ministry symposium in 2021 of the need for a "people's war" against espionage, working to "not only catch spies but ... to catch internal traitors" who colluded with foreign spy agencies, according to a government statement.

The ministry is playing a major role a clampdown on some foreign due diligence firms in China that has added to tensions with the U.S., diplomats say.

The ministry could not be reached for comment.

Dong's appointment comes as Hong Kong prepares to bolster its national security regimen with a new law, called Article 23, that Hong Kong officials say will encompass espionage and treason among other offences not covered in the 2020 legislation.

In an essay published last July in a journal dedicated to President Xi Jinping's thinking on the rule of law, Dong said "Western forces" had been instigating a "colour revolution" in Hong Kong, and the security law had been vital to restore order.

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"The appointment of such a powerful intelligence figure as Dong to take charge in Hong Kong is a bit of surprise," said one Asian envoy.

"The government is trying to show it is open for international business but this will send a shiver and raises fresh questions about the future operating environment."

The United States and other countries, including Britain and Australia, have been critical of the 2020 national security law, part of a broader clampdown by China on the city's democratic opposition and freedoms guaranteed for 50 years under a "one country, two systems" formula when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Chinese and Hong Kong authorities say the law, which punishes acts like subversion and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison, has brought the stability necessary to support Hong Kong's economic success.

(Additional reporting by Hong Kong newsroom and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; editing by Robert Birsel)
A man and a woman stand in front a stained glass window at Dowlat Abad Garden in Iran's central city of Yazd on July 3, 2023 (ATTA KENARE)

Iran, largely shunned by western tourists, is making a push to attract visitors from wealthy Gulf Arab states and other nearby countries to boost its sanctions-hit economy.

The Islamic republic is also drawing more visitors from Russia and China to its ancient sites that date back to the Persian empire and the fabled Silk Road, industry figures say.

Iran's Beijing-brokered diplomatic thaw this year with Saudi Arabia paved the way for direct flights, and Tehran is also seeking closer ties with other countries from Egypt to Morocco.

The slow but steady change is noticable at major tourist sights where more visitors can now be heard speaking not English, French or German, but Arabic, Chinese and Russian.

"In the past, we were receiving many tourists from Europe but now those numbers have seen a sharp decline," said one Tehran travel agency owner, 46-year-old Hamid Shateri.

Europeans are "afraid of visiting Iran", he said, after years of tensions over the country's contested nuclear programme and after Western government warnings against travelling there.

"These days, mostly Chinese and Russian people visit Iran's historical sites and spectacular scenery and Arab tourists, especially from Iraq, come to attend religious ceremonies."

- Years of isolation -

Iran has long attracted foreign visitors with its ancient splendours including the cities of Shiraz, Isfahan and Mashhad and its 2,500-year-old Persepolis complex.

It has deserts and snow-capped mountains as well as Gulf and Caspian Sea coastlines, and prides itself on its cuisine and tradition of hospitality.

A steady stream of mainly European visitors long kept coming despite the strict dress code for women and bans on alcohol and nightlife after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

As the largest Shiite Muslim power, Iran also hosts a steady stream of religious pilgrims, many from neighbouring Iraq, to its ancient shrine cities of Mashhad and Qom.

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There were high hopes for a lucrative boost to tourism after Iran and major powers struck a landmark deal in 2015 to restrict its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

But those hopes were dashed three years later when the then US president Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the agreement.

Bad news has spiralled since, including the Covid pandemic that hit Iran early and hard.

Last year, mass protests rocked the country, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest for allegedly flouting the dress rules, before authorities put down the women-led "riots", which they blamed on hostile forces abroad.

Iran has also jailed several Europeans, prompting multiple Western countries to advise their citizens against all travel there, many citing the risk of "arbitrary detention".

Last year Iran attracted 4.1 million foreigners -- less than half the figure for 2019 and accounting for just 0.4 percent of tourist trips worldwide, says the UN World Tourism Organisation.

Tehran has now launched a push to rebuild tourism, including by drawing people from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to the Gulf islands of Kish and Qeshm, which boast beaches, luxury hotels and cheap shopping.

- Renewed push -

Iran has also sought to attract more visitors from neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan, despite recent tensions between Baku and Tehran.

"Setting up tourism exhibitions in other countries, advertising through their media and hosting international events are among the programmes to promote tourism," said Majid Kiani, the CEO of northwest Iran's Aras Free Zone.

UNESCO last month added the region's colourful Aras rock formations to its Global Geoparks network.

The area around the geological park, also hailed for its diverse ecosystem, hosted "more than 1.2 million tourists" during this year's Nowruz new year season, Kiani said.

Armenians are now visiting the 9th-century monastery of Saint Stepanos, a UNESCO World Heritage site with vivid murals of biblical scenes and ornate facades.

"Many Armenian tourists come to visit the historic church," said local archbishop Krikor Chiftjian, prelate of the Diocese of the Iranian provinces of East and West Azerbaijan.

Tourism analyst Babak Babali said there was much potential, given that in the 2010s Azerbaijanis routinely visited the region for healthcare, creating "a sizeable medical tourism industry".

More broadly, some observers see signs of easing tensions, pointing to Iran's recent release of several European prisoners, although others remain in detention.

Babali said that, while "these steps signal Tehran's intention to deescalate tensions, it will take a while before this gets reflected in the number of tourists from Europe".

Shateri, the Tehran tour guide, also said Iran has some way to go before western visitors return in great numbers.

"Iran needs to improve its international relations and show the world that it has a peace-seeking nature if it wants to attract more tourists," he said.

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The union representing thousands of striking hotel workers in Southern California vowed more walkouts like those that have intermittently hit several hotels, including the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica on July 12. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Tensions rose Tuesday between the Southern California hotel operators and their striking workers during the first bargaining session since intermittent walkouts began July 1. Hotel representatives accused the union of failing to bargain in good faith, and Unite Here Local 11 vowed more strikes at hotels across Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Meanwhile, the labor unrest has cost targeted hotels some major business.

A hotel industry group introduced a new contract proposal during negotiations at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in downtown Los Angeles, the only hotel that has reached a deal so far and avoided strikes among the more than 60 targeted hotel sites within the Unite Here Local 11 membership area in Southern California.

Keith Grossman, an attorney representing a coalition of 44 Southern California hotels, said that the proposal represented an improved wage offer, but it was rejected by the union.

The union made no counteroffer. We are extremely disappointed that Local 11 refuses to bargain in good faith, Grossman said in a statement. Local 11 continues to signal that it is more interested in its political agenda than negotiating to reach an agreement."

But Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, said that the new wage proposal "moved backwards" and that hotel representatives "walked out" of the bargaining session.

Read more: Dangerous heat wave during 'hot labor summer'  how picketing workers brave the sun

The session ended abruptly, Petersen said, after the union put forth a new proposal that requires employers to offer permanent jobs to replacement workers brought in during the strike. Unite 11 has accused hotels such as the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa and Fairfield Inn & Suites in El Segundo of failing to hire Black workers as full-time employees while bringing in Black workers as replacement labor.

Contracts covering some 15,000 hotel workers expired on June 30. The union mounted a brief strike during the Fourth of July holiday weekend in downtown Los Angeles, followed by others near Los Angeles International Airport and Disneyland last week.

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The union isn't staging labor actions at all hotels simultaneously, instead pursuing a strategy of rolling walkouts. And more are on the way, Petersen said.

"Strikes can happen anytime, anyplace. And I suspect that we will be walking out very, very shortly," he said.

Workers are picketing for higher wages and better benefits and working conditions. The union says hotel employees are forced into long commutes because their pay hasn't kept pace with soaring housing costs.

Read more: L.A. hotel workers endure hours-long commutes, car sleeping to afford homes elsewhere

Previously, union leadership has called on other hotels to sign on with the Westin agreement. The hotel coalition has filed an unfair labor practice charge at the National Labor Relations Board, accusing Unite Here Local 11 of bargaining in bad faith by striking over nonmandatory subjects that aren't related to wages and benefits. This includes a measure set for the 2024 ballot that would require hotels in Los Angeles to rent vacant rooms to unhoused people.

Under the tentative deal with Westin Bonaventure, workers will receive higher wages, affordable health insurance at less than $20 per month and increases in pension contributions. The agreement also guarantees a restoration of staffing to pre-pandemic levels so that daily room cleanings can become routine again. Workers who are not currently part of a union would have an opportunity to join unions without intimidation. The tentative agreement removes barriers for those who are formerly incarcerated to get hotel jobs and bans E-Verify for applicants so that workers will not be discriminated against because of their immigration status.

The negotiations come at a crucial time in Los Angeles' "hot labor summer," with simultaneous strikes from hotel workers, screenwriters and actors, with some people participating in more than one movement.

Tye Justis is one of those. Justis is a front desk assistant at the Viceroy Santa Monica. He is also a home healthcare worker to make ends meet as he auditions for acting jobs. After participating in the Fourth of July walkouts for the Viceroy, he is now picketing at Fox Studios in Century City.

"We can all strike in solidarity because we're all fighting for the same thing," Justis said. At the Viceroy, he is fighting for proper staffing. As positions were cut during the pandemic, he said, this overwhelmed front desk assistants with a higher workload without higher pay.

Read more: Thousands of Southern California workers authorize the largest hotel strike in modern U.S. history

Petersen said that the union is reaching out to meeting organizers asking them to move their gatherings out of Los Angeles because the union can't "guarantee labor peace."

The Democratic Governors Assn. is planning to move a conference scheduled for Monday, he said, to the Westin Bonaventure from the Beverly Hilton, which hasn't signed a new contract. The Japanese American Citizens League National Convention, which runs from July 19 to July 23, has moved to the Westin Bonaventure from DoubleTree by Hilton, another hotel on the union strike list.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida and Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images; Paul Morigi/Getty Images for World Food Program USA

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene displays lewd photos of Hunter Biden at a committee hearing on Wednesday.

Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida had an unusual reaction to the display.

"Perhaps we should call Hunter Biden the 'Big Guy,'" he tweeted.

Democratic lawmakers are typically loath to weigh in on the travails of Hunter Biden, the wayward son of President Joe Biden.

Not today.

On Wednesday, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia displayed lewd photos of the younger Biden at a House Oversight Committee hearing that purportedly showed Biden engaged in sexual acts with prostitutes. The display prompted squirming from other committee members, who questioned whether the images were appropriate for display.

But on Twitter, Rep. Jared Moskowitz  a freshman Democrat from Florida who also sits on the committee  made an unusual comment about the images.

"Based on this," Moskowitz tweeted," perhaps we should call Hunter Biden the 'Big Guy.'"

Hunter Biden has been in Republican lawmakers' crosshairs since his father became a frontrunner in the 2020 presidential election. And since the GOP won control of the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterms, they've launched a number of congressional investigations into the first son.

Wednesday's oversight hearing focused on broad allegations that federal officials interfered in the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Hunter Biden's financial activities. The younger Biden pleaded guilty last month to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay his income taxes. He was also indicted on a felony gun charge, but he agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program to avoid being prosecuted on the firearm charge.

Greene, a far-right firebrand and one of former President Donald Trump's most stalwart defenders on Capitol Hill, was immediately excoriated for flashing sexually explicit of the younger Biden during Wednesday's oversight hearing.

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"Should we be displaying this in the committee?" said Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

"Marjorie Taylor Greene is literally showing dick pics at our Oversight Hearing," tweeted California Rep. Robert Garcia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nine House Democrats voted against a resolution Tuesday expressing support for Israel and denouncing antisemitism, a measure that was brought to the floor as a response to comments Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) made over the weekend that were critical of Israel.

The chamber voted 412-9-1 to approve the resolution, which asserts that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, rejects antisemitism and xenophobia in all forms and states that the U.S. will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.

All nine Democrats who opposed the measure are members of the Progressive Caucus, which Jayapal is the chairwoman of: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), Summer Lee (Pa.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Cori Bush (Mo.), Andre Carson (Ind.), Delia Ramirez (Ill.) and Ayanna Pressley (Mass.). Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) voted present.

Jayapal supported the resolution.

Speaking at a conference in Chicago on Saturday, Jayapal said, Israel is a racist state. The comment came as Palestinian protesters disrupted a panel discussion, which three members of Congress were taking part in.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), a Jewish lawmaker who was also on the panel, said the activist group protesting has focused attention on her for years, and told reporters this week that Jayapal was confronting an attack on me.

Jayapal walked her comments back one day later, writing in a statement, I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist and apologizing to those who I have hurt with my words. She also criticized the conservative government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The congresswoman, however, still faced bipartisan criticism for her initial comments, which included a rare joint statement from House Democratic leadership pushing back on the remarks and a separate statement signed by 43 of her Democratic colleagues in the chamber that said they were deeply concerned about her unacceptable comments.

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Tuesdays vote, and particularly how it fractured Democrats, highlighted a dynamic that has played out in the party for years: liberals concerned with human rights issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict colliding with party leaders wary of interfering with diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Israel.

Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib, Bowman, Omar and Bush have all said they plan to skip Israeli President Isaac Herzogs speech to a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday, citing Israels treatment of Palestinians and concerns over human rights.

Israels human rights record toward Palestinians drove some of the Democratic opposition to the resolution.

The United States is an outlier in terms of its refusal to recognize the severity of the human rights crisis that Palestinians face, Ocasio-Cortez told reporters ahead of Tuesdays vote. And, you know, at this point, from Amnesty International to U.N. Special Commissions, are recognizing that the denial of rights of Palestinians amounts to apartheid.

Our inability to actually be honest about this conversation prevents us from being an ally to advancing human rights, and being a good ally as well, she added.

Shortly before the vote ended, Ocasio-Cortez was spotted hugging Jayapal on the House floor.

Lee, a first-term lawmaker, sounded a similar note, citing basic human rights and democratic values in a statement following the vote.

I condemn antisemitism and xenophobia in all its forms. Whether were talking about India, Israel, or Sri Lanka, we are not true allies if we cannot push our partners to uphold basic human rights and democratic values. I cannot vote for unconditional support of any nation-state, she wrote.

That my colleagues would be more concerned with silencing a woman of color for speaking truth to power than ending human rights abuses abroad is a damning commentary on the state of our Congress, Pressley echoed on Twitter.

Other Democrats claimed that Israel is, indeed, an apartheid state, taking issue with the language in the resolution. Tlaib, the only Palestinian American serving in Congress, made that argument on the House floor during debate Tuesday.

Israel is an apartheid state, she said. The government is deeply problematic in the way that they are proceeding in the structure of oppression.

In a statement after the vote, Omar pointed to a number of human rights groups that, she said, have found that the Israeli governments policies meet the legal definition of apartheid.

While the term may be discomforting, I dont believe it is appropriate for Congress to be explicitly targeting the legal findings of human rights groups in this way, she added. We shouldnt allow for the silencing of voices supporting Palestinian human rights.

The congresswoman also argued that the resolution was designed by MAGA Republicans to target and shame Jayapal for comments that she apologized [for] and clarified.

While I strongly agree with explicitly and affirmatively rejecting xenophobia and antisemitism, conflating antisemitism with criticism of the Israeli government is wrong, she added.

Bowman and Ramirez expressed support for Jayapal ahead of the vote.

@RepJayapal is a colleague and a friend. She is a principled Chair who supports the Members of the @USProgressives. Shes a champion for human rights and peace in the U.S. and around the world, Ramirez wrote in a Twitter thread. She is also one of a very few Brown, immigrant women in U.S. Congress  an institution that isnt designed for Black, Brown & immigrant folks. This place often tries to silence us, especially when we speak out for the rights of other black & brown folks around the world.

These attempts to silence us only show how badly our voice is needed here, she added.

Bowman on Twitter said he is proud to call @RepJayapal a friend and our CPC Chair.

She is unwavering in her principles and in support of her members, including this weekend when she had @janschakowskys back. Its simple. Rep. Jayapal has been a constant advocate for human rights across the globe, he added.

McCollum  who voted present  claimed in a lengthy statement that the resolution does nothing to advance the goal of a peaceful solution to end the conflict.

I vote present on this resolution, because Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians deserve genuine steps forward on the goal of peace, not more division and political gamesmanship. I do this because every Palestinian child and Israeli child deserves to go to sleep at night dreaming of a brighter future, not one of violence, she added.

The congresswoman said she condemns antisemitism and hate in all its forms, but noted that, as a supporter of a two-state solution, she is deeply troubled by Netanyahus record and actions of the Israeli government that run counter to this stated goal.

I am proud to serve in the United States House of Representatives, in the greatest democracy in the world. A cornerstone of a strong democracy is the ability to openly criticize our government when we feel it is doing something against our values, she continued. As a Member of Congress, I have often criticized the policies of my own government. That does not make me anti-American. And criticizing the policies of the Israeli government does not make one antisemitic.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) talks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a resolution Tuesday declaring that Israel is not a "racist state," effectively rebuking Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who said Saturday that it was.

The 412-9 vote reaffirmed broad bipartisan support for Israel ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's planned address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. But the measure  which has no practical effect  also gave Speaker Kevin McCarthy a chance to paint Democrats as divided, embarrass Jayapal and demonstrate his party's unity after weeks of infighting.

Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a rising leader in her party, apologized for the "racist state" comment on Sunday and went on to vote for the resolution. But nine Democrats opposed the measure.

The resolution contains fewer than 100 words, and makes three central claims: that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state; that Congress rejects antisemitism and xenophobia; and that the U.S. will always "be a staunch supporter" of Israel.

The vote wasn't that complicated, said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), one of the top Democrats in the House.

"It's a pretty simple resolution," he told reporters Tuesday morning. "I don't disagree with it, so I'm going to vote for it."

But the vote allowed Republicans to highlight Democrats who are especially critical of Israel. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, Andre Carson, Delia Ramirez and Ayanna Pressley voted against the measure, and Rep. Betty McCollum voted present. Most of the Democrats who voted against the resolution are members of "the Squad," a group of progressive lawmakers known for being among the most left-wing in the House.

In voting against a resolution that described Israel as not racist, these Democrats were forced in turn to vote against a resolution that condemned antisemitism.

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Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress, criticized the resolution in floor remarks Tuesday.

"This week, we'll hear consistently ... 'This is bipartisan support here,'" Tlaib said. "Don't forget, this body, this Congress, supported a South African apartheid regime. It was bipartisan as well."

Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez, Bush, Bowman and Omar all have said they will skip Herzog's address on Wednesday morning. McCarthy has described their decision as antisemitic.

Aguilar said he doesn't view his caucus as divided on Israel.

"There's unity in the Democratic caucus," he said. "I think you'll see that with strong attendance from our colleagues on the House floor to see the president of Israel address us. I don't think that there is anything more on that."

On the House floor Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Northridge) said Republicans' focus on Jayapal's comment illustrated a double standard.

"Israel is not a racist or apartheid state," Sherman said, repeating the language of the resolution. "Congress should and does reject all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia and the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel. But why are we taking this up today?"

Sherman argued the House should have taken up the resolution when Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier, was hosted by former President Trump, or when Reps. Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke at a conservative conference hosted by Fuentes.

"We should believe in this resolution every day," Sherman said. "If we're going to allocate floor time it should be when Holocaust deniers are honored by our colleagues and the former president of the United States."

The U.S. relationship with Israel is arguably its strongest foreign commitment, with Israel receiving billions of dollars in U.S. aid virtually no-questions-asked. And while that relationship remains ironclad, as U.S. officials like to say, under President Biden, there have been a few strains.

Israels harshest critics have long accused it of practicing a form of apartheid in its treatment of the Palestinians. Administration officials do not use that term, and some critics attack the administration for not rebuking Israel with sufficient forcefulness, especially when Palestinian civilians are killed in Israeli military anti-terrorism raids or by settlers.

Late last year, Israel seated its most right-wing government in history, with a number of Cabinet members who have voiced support for openly racist anti-Arab policies. Administration officials say they do not intend to interfere with Israels domestic politics but have cautioned against some of the more extreme measures under consideration by the Knesset, or Israeli parliament.

These include a major overhaul of the Israeli judicial system that even many Israelis regard as a gutting of the countrys supreme independent institution and the additional construction of Jewish settlements in West Bank land claimed by Palestinians who seek an eventual independent nation.

In rare admonitions, Biden, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and other officials have told the Israeli government it should avoid radical steps that flout the will of the public, as the judicial changes apparently would, or that would permanently undermine the formation of a Palestinian state, as additional settlements or de-facto annexation would. The officials pointedly remind Israel to continue to protect the shared democratic values it has with Washington.

The U.S. has issued similar warnings to the Palestinian Authority about violence and attacks by Palestinian militants against Israelis, but the criticism of the Israel government is more unusual.

The judicial changes are extremely controversial in Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis have held massive regular street protests against the government, which is led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a fixture of Israeli politics who is on trial on corruption charges. American Jews have also been staging demonstrations in the U.S. in support of the Israeli protesters.

Asked whether the White House would like to see strong support for the House resolution, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday Biden would make clear in his meeting with Herzog that the U.S. commitment to Israel is "unwavering and is unshakable" and the two countries share a "special bond."

Pressed on whether the White House condemned Jayapal's comments, Jean-Pierre said the administration is "glad she apologized."

"'Any time anti-Jewish hatred is said, that is antisemitism. And we find it unacceptable."

The Biden administration has also taken the unusual step of refusing to meet with at least one member of Netanyahu's Cabinet: Itamar Ben Gvir, an ultranationalist once convicted of inciting anti-Arab hate whom Netanyahu appointed as national security minister. And until this week, Biden had broken with custom and declined to invite Netanyahu to the White House.

In the West Bank, most of the nearly 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military occupation. Around a half million Jewish Israelis also live in the West Bank in heavily guarded settlements most of the world considers illegal.

Palestinians who live inside Israel are on paper regarded as equal citizens but human rights groups say these residents are routinely discriminated against or treated as second-class citizens.

As Israeli president, Herzog, the scion of a legendary Israeli family, holds a largely ceremonial post. Under Israels parliamentary system, he sets the formation of each government in motion by inviting the political party or coalition that won the most votes in an election to take steps to build a Cabinet. If the parties fail, the president can invite other participants in the election to act.

Herzog has sought to be a mediator in the political turmoil roiling Israel and has attempted to soften Netanyahus judicial overhaul. But he has failed thus far to do so.

Asked Tuesday about a proposed bill in the Knesset that would curtail Palestinian activism at universities, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller again emphasized values that Israel should respect.

As a general matter, Miller told reporters, the United States government strongly believes that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and a strong civil society are critically important to responsible, responsive and democratic governance.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WASHINGTON  The House overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to pass a resolution condemning antisemitism and expressing support for Israel, just days after Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal faced backlash from both parties for calling Israel a racist state.

The vote was 412-9, with 195 Democrats joining all Republicans in voting yes. Nine progressive Democrats of color voted against the nonbinding resolution, several of whom have denounced Israel as an apartheid state that oppresses Palestinians. One Democrat, Betty McCollum of Minnesota, voted present.

Jayapal, D-Wash., who sat through the vote flanked by two Democratic colleagues, voted yes.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to speak to a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday amid tense U.S.-Israeli relations over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus contentious judicial overhaul plan. Many of the progressives who voted no Tuesday have said they will boycott Herzog's address.

Members of "the squad"  a group of progressive lawmakers of color  have fiercely and publicly criticized Israels treatment of the Palestinian people for several years.

Over the weekend, Jayapal, one of the most powerful progressive leaders in Congress, drew a sharp rebuke from Jewish Democrats and her own partys leadership after she lashed out at Israel as she tried to quiet a group holding Palestinian flags at a Netroots Nation conference in Chicago.

In a statement, Jayapal apologized for calling Israel a racist state but would not back down from labeling Netanyahus policies as racist.

I do, however, believe that Netanyahus extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists driving that policy within the leadership of the current government, Jayapal said.

After Tuesdays vote, Jayapal lashed out at Republicans, who she said were trying to "target" and "divide" Democrats with the resolution.

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"Instead of calling attention to the fact that they refuse to do the work of the American people, they're trying to strip our freedoms away from us," Jayapal told reporters. "But I am not going to be bullied by their political games, and I'm not going to let them try to continue this debate, so I voted yes on the resolution."

A Jayapal ally and squad member, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., explained why she was voting no on the bipartisan resolution.

I think theres a real problem with pairing these two issues  accusations of antisemitism with real concerns around the human rights crisis in the region, Ocasio-Cortez told reporters. Combining both a vote on antisemitism and discussion of apartheid and different rules and two-tier legal systems is very cynical. And I dont think that is the right thing to do.

The eight other progressive Democrats who voted no were: Jamaal Bowman of New York, Cori Bush of Missouri, Andre Carson of Indiana, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Delia Ramirez of Illinois and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

Authored by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, the resolution does not mention Jayapal by name, but it clearly takes aim at her recent remarks. It says that it is the sense of Congress that the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, that Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia" and that the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.

This is about an affirmation of support, said Pfluger, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. This is about a stance: 75 years after Israel became a nation, the United States was within minutes the first country to recognize them.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., introduced a companion bill in the Senate on Tuesday expressing support for Israel.

Even as they voted for the pro-Israel resolution, some Democrats lambasted Republicans for standing by their decision to have Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testify Thursday before the House weaponization subcommittee after he was reported to have made some racist, antisemitic and factually incorrect comments.

Kennedy, who is challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, reportedly said last week that Covid-19 was bioengineered to attack Caucasians and Black people and that Jewish people were most immune to the disease.

That just plays into the most pernicious stereotypes, and there is no scientific justification or evidence for any of that, said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who is Jewish and voted in favor of the Israel resolution Tuesday.

Were living in a time with extreme antisemitic and racist conspiracy theories and tropes flying all over the place, Raskin said. And we should be doing everything in our power to prevent the circulation of these dangerous myths.

Pressed about the GOPs decision to give Kennedy a big public platform this week, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said he disagreed with Kennedys comments about Covid and insisted antisemitism had nothing to do with his party.

Were talking about our stand against antisemitism. Thats a problem the Democrat Partys got, Scalise said.

Kennedys got to answer that, and weve spoken out against it," he continued. "I surely speak out against any expressions of antisemitism.  Were bringing legislation so that every member of Congress can be on record about whether or not they stand up against antisemitism.

Just two years ago, GOP leaders showed little appetite for holding one of their Republican colleagues accountable for her antisemitic remarks.

Democrats voted to strip Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., of her committee assignments after Republicans failed to punish her for blaming California wildfires on a Jewish space laser and for liking a Facebook post that threatened a bullet to the head of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
When it suits their purposes, Republicans in Congress love to wrap themselves in the flag, proclaim their patriotism and show honor to U.S. military members.

But pay travel costs for a female sergeant in the Army with a pregnancy that, for medical reasons, must be ended and who must travel to a state where abortions are performed? Why, thats an unacceptable use of taxpayer dollars, say these same Republicans.

Support diversity efforts? That is nothing but wokeism, say conservatives. And dont even bring up Pentagon support for helping service members with gender transition.

Leading the way to put these restrictions into the new defense budget bill is House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield. The Republican whose district now includes Clovis and eastern Fresno County was front and center proclaiming the strength of the $886 billion defense bill his GOP-majority House passed on a slim 219-210 tally.

McCarthy declared the bill had the largest pay hike ever for military personnel, at 5.2%. On that point, Republicans and Democrats could agree.

But hard-right members from the ironically named House Freedom Caucus forced McCarthy to accept other provisions. One is the ban on granting time off and paying travel expenses for military women who are based in a state where abortions are outlawed.

Hard-right House members argued that the government should not be paying for abortions. Heads up to Freedom Caucus members: Time off for needed medical services, plus gas and motel money, is not paying for abortions.

Naval Air Station Lemoore is in McCarthys district, but it is also in California, where reproductive health services are still available to any women needing such medical care. So none of McCarthys Lemoore constituents will actually be harmed by the ill-considered provision. Pity military women stationed in Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and other states.

GOP says no to diversity outreach

Military efforts at recruiting could take a hit on another aspect of the Houses defense bill.

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Recruiting has become difficult for the military. A year ago, the Army had achieved just 66% of its recruiting goal. The Navy was at 89% of the goal. The other branches had met their targets, but overall, the Defense Department had a total rate of just 85%. This year is shaping up to be another down year, with only the Space Force expecting to achieve its goals.

So it is understandable that the Pentagon would include diversity efforts in its outreach. If recruits see people like them in the military, chances are good that more Americans will be attracted to join.

Nope, thats bad, said Freedom Caucus members, and McCarthy backed them up.

Any efforts to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion  DEI, as it is known  is just progressive woke policy, McCarthy said.

A tweet of the speakers remarks was particularly offensive: McCarthy likened U.S. military leadership to Disneyland.

We dont want Disneyland to train our military.



House Republicans just passed a bill that ENDS the wokism in the military and gives our troops their biggest pay raise in decades. pic.twitter.com/JBkoZxsFiS  Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) July 14, 2023

A military cannot defend themselves if you train them in woke. We dont want Disneyland to train our military.

McCarthys slight was a jab at Disneyland and its support of gay rights, which has put it in the culture war cross-hairs of conservatives and their mouthpiece, Fox News.

America trusts its generals and admirals to protect our interests around the globe, and the military uses high-tech weapons that cost billions of dollars to make, like fighter jets and Navy destroyers. But Pentagon leadership is no better than Disneyland characters? That reasoning is absurd on its face.

Extremist policies put on military

McCarthy said that he and his GOP colleagues want our men and women in the military to have every defense possible and that is what our bill does.

When servicewomen have to go out of state for medical care, every defense possible is just an empty talking point. When barriers to diversity are built into a military spending bill that, for 60 years, has been a solid bipartisan measure, that is not helping the Pentagon with recruitment. And prohibiting the military from offering health coverage for gender transition surgeries, as the GOPs bill does, further alienates soldiers, sailors and airmen seeking such help.

The defense spending bills now head to the Democratic Senate, where the hard-right provisions will almost certainly be stripped out. A conference committee of the chambers will then have to settle the differences. That will likely be a heated process. Whether a military funding bill can be put into place by Oct. 1, when the next budget year begins, is anyones guess.

As is becoming his norm since taking over in January as speaker, McCarthy sacrifices bipartisan leadership to placate hard-right members, without whom he would not be speaker, but with whom he capitulates to extremist policies.
Last year, House Speaker Tim Moore and Rep. Jason Saine budgeted a new position for the courthouses in their home counties that the Administrative Office of the Courts did not ask for in budget requests.

The result was a new job and a $13,000 raise for one of Moores former law firm employees.

Kinsley Mashburn Craig, 33, went from making $68,641 as a court manager to $82,000 as a trial court administrator in January, according to public records from AOC. Those records also indicate that Craigs position had been created by legislators without a request from the court system, at least as part of its formal budget proposal.

Craig worked as a legal assistant and office manager at Moores law firm in Kings Mountain for two years beginning in 2010, according to her Linkedin profile. Craig deleted one of her Linkedin pages after learning that The N&O was writing this story. She also made her Facebook page private, which included photos of her with Moore.

Moore did not respond to requests for comment about how the position was created or his connection to Craig. His office did not make anyone available to speak on the record.

Saine, however, said that the position was created to benefit Lincoln and Cleveland counties, where he and Moore live, respectively, and not Craig.

Saine serves as Republicans lead budget writer in the House. He said he has known Craig for a decade, has her cellphone number and occasionally speaks to her about the needs of AOC or whether employees will get raises in the upcoming budgets.

He knew she had worked for Moore, a Republican and lawyer from Cleveland County, but said their connection didnt have anything to do with her hiring.

The local judges and court people were asking for it, and I realize AOC might not have requested it, but (the judges) are close to me and the speaker, Saine said. I dont think its a big story; its just, yeah, turns out thats how politics works: the proximity to talk to people who are in politics, and our districts do OK.

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Saine couldnt tell The N&O why his county needed a trial court administrator more than others did.

Tim interacts with the courthouse much more than I do, Saine said, while struggling to explain who specifically requested the position. It was one of those things that I was like OK, fine. Thats good with me. Whatever. They had a reason to justify it, and that was what it was.

Trial court administrators

Trial court administrators, under state law, are positions created to manage civil dockets, improve jury use and help with any other needs assigned by a senior resident Superior Court judge. An AOC official said the jobs title was recently changed to court administrator.

Only eight of North Carolinas judicial districts have trial court administrators and they tend to have a high volume of cases. The others are Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Forsyth and Cumberland counties and the district that encompasses Granville, Franklin, Person, Warren and Vance counties.

Cleveland and Lincoln counties combined population of 193,765 is smaller than that of the other seven districts that have the position, whose populations range from 236,679 to 1.18 million.

Whats more, in 2022, Cleveland and Lincoln counties staged the smallest number of civil case trials of the eight districts at 2,677. The largest was Mecklenburg with 19,968.

District 2022 civil trials Cleveland and Lincoln 2,677 Granville, Franklin, Person, Warren and Vance 3,529 Durham 3,939 Forsyth 6,487 Cumberland 9,399 Guilford 9,673 Wake 13,477 Mecklenburg 19,968

In fact, 13 of North Carolinas 49 judicial districts brought more civil cases to trial in 2022 than Cleveland and Lincoln counties. And another five districts held just 250 fewer trials than Cleveland and Lincoln counties. Eleven of those 18 counties do not have trial court administrators.

Asked why Cleveland or Lincoln received the positions while other counties were left without them, Saine responded: Because Im the budget writer and hes the speaker. It goes into the budget for our areas and were able to see it through. Its politics. I think readers would be shocked otherwise.

Of course everyones important. Im not saying theyre not, he added, referring to the other 98 counties in North Carolina.

Moore and the court system

A recent, dramatic lawsuit also involved Moores alleged political influence on employment in the court system.

The lawsuit for alienation of affection came from Scott Lassiter, who accused Moore of sleeping with his wife, Jamie Liles Lassiter, in exchange for political favors.

Liles Lassiter worked as executive director of the North Carolina Conference of Clerks, in a position funded by the legislature. In the lawsuit, Lassiter said his wife was enticed into the relationship with Moore in order to get favorable action for the conference. He said she worried about ending the affair due to repercussions it would have on her job.

Moore denied those claims, and Moore and Lassiter announced they resolved the lawsuit two weeks after it was filed. Neither will comment on the nature of the resolution.

The N&O requested an interview with AOC Director Ryan Boyce, who declined.

Craig replied to an email from The N&O by saying that her boss, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge William Todd Pomeroy, would comment on her behalf.

Pomeroy told The N&O his predecessor requested the position but he was unaware that request did not go through AOC.

I have a very quality staff here, Pomeroy told The N&O. I have very good people who stay very busy.

Pomeroy said that his predecessor was about to retire when he learned that the position had been green-lit by the legislators, so he let Pomeroy do the hiring. Pomeroy said he posted the job to the AOC website and had at least 15 applicants. He said lawmakers did not offer any input into who he should hire.

Like anything else, you look for the best people who you think can fulfill the job based on their merit, Pomeroy said. And Im very pleased with the staff that I have, Ive got great people.

Looking after his own

Moore has used his power to help with the employment of state employees before  including a judicial employees move into a new sector.

In 2018, Moores then-fiancee, Jennifer Gray, switched careers from working in the Wake County District Attorneys office to working in the states Department of Insurance. She ended up in a second position at the insurance department  where she helped move fraud cases through the court system  that had been created a year earlier in the 2017 budget, WRAL reported.

WRAL reported that she was the only candidate considered for two state positions, and that Moores office sent her resume for consideration. She was first hired as an attorney at DOI making $82,000, but went on to make $88,893 in the created position, the television station reported.

She died in May 2022 at 42.

Others in Moores sphere have caused him to face scrutiny due to their employment and pay.

Take Mitch Gillespie.

In 2018, the legislative employee on Moores staff stopped working but was able to collect $81,700 in paychecks in the eight months that followed, before he officially retired  and reported that he was then owed more than $12,000 in accrued leave.

Moore and human resources employees failed to offer an explanation to how that would be possible.

Moore doesnt shy away from letting his district know how much it benefits from his work as House speaker.

In 2021, he sent out a detailed news release about the 30 ways Cleveland County benefited in the budget, from a $59 million earmark for a new courthouse to $585,000 for a prison education center.

The budget process and negotiations took months to get to a final product  a budget that is great for ALL of North Carolina, and particularly for Cleveland County, Moore said in a news release. It has been my honor to represent Cleveland County these ten years and I believe this budget serves my constituents well.

Dan Kane and David Raynor contributed to this article.






MANILA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will not participate in the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s decision to proceed with the investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte administration's war on drugs, Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Wednesday.

"The Philippine government will not talk or deal with the ICC. We don't need them or want them to come here," Remulla told a press conference held in Manila, adding ICC's decision is "a usurpation of the authority of the Philippine government."

Remulla was reacting to the ICC's decision on Tuesday to continue its probe into the anti-drug campaign after the Appeals Chamber of the Court rejected the plea of the Philippine government against the resumption of the investigation.

Remulla said that the ICC will violate the Philippine law and the legal system should they visit the country, vowing to advise the Office of Solicitor General (OSG), the legal defender of the government, to stop dealing with the ICC.

According to Philippine government data, more than 6,000 people were killed in the war on drugs that Duterte launched after he took office in 2016.

Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chairman Francis Tolentino also reaffirmed the legislature's opposition to ICC's decision.

"Once again, the denial of the appeal does not grant the ICC the jurisdiction," he said in a statement, adding the decision "highlights ICC's persistent disregard for Philippine sovereignty."

In November 2021, the ICC stopped its probe into the war on drugs at the request of the Duterte administration. This January, the court's pre-trial chamber authorized the resumption of the investigation.

In February, the current Marcos administration appealed to suspend the ruling and reverse the decision, insisting that the international court has no jurisdiction over the country.

The Philippines has officially withdrawn from the ICC in 2019. But the court said it has jurisdiction over crimes committed in the country, saying the Philippines was still a state party to the Rome Statute during its war on drugs.

"We will not allow the ICC to come here and investigate; no conditions. Respect our sovereignty or else," Remulla added. 
Illustration by Alex Cochran for Yahoo News; photos: Chuchart Duangdaw/Getty Images, Mirage/Getty Images, Miralex/Getty Images

Heat can be deadly, killing more people every year than other weather hazards. But as hotter days become our new normal  or, as some climate scientists say, our new abnormal  the ill effects of higher temperatures on our bodies can persist a lot longer than you might think.

The World Health Organization says that climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. And while that may sound like hyperbole, experts say its really not so far-fetched.

There are really direct relationships between climate and health, and what were seeing in many cases we could call climate-exacerbated disease, Dr. Christopher Tedeschi, director of emergency preparedness for emergency medicine at Columbia University, told Yahoo News.

Heat wave in U.S. strains power grid: People weren't ready for this heat (CBS News) >>>

Why extreme heat is bad for your health right now

A sign at Death Valley National Park on Monday, where the temperature was 120F and climbing. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Walking outside on an oppressively hot day, its easy to see how excessive heat can do immediate harm. Heatstroke and heat exhaustion may be among the first conditions that come to mind. Heatstroke, which occurs when the body loses its ability to cool down and control its temperature, can cause permanent disability and even death, with body temperatures possibly rising to 106F or higher in under 15 minutes. Heat exhaustion, which includes symptoms like dizziness, nausea and headache, can lead to heatstroke unless treated immediately.

But extreme heat can also be damaging in less obvious ways, and may have a major impact on chronic diseases.

Heat puts stress on your body, and when your body is stressed it has a hard time dealing with other things like cardiac conditions or respiratory conditions, Tedeschi said. When you look at, for instance, emergency department visits during times of extreme heat, more people present with heart attacks, more people present with strokes, and that is frankly just a reflection of the stress on the body.

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Higher temperatures also often lead to poorer air quality, with extreme heat and stagnant air increasing the amount of ozone and particle pollution. And after you've endured a scorcher, all that heat can harm your sleep too, with even mild heat exposure keeping body temperatures up, affecting sleep stages and hindering the ability to fall and stay asleep.

As Arizona and Texas experience extreme heat, how to protect yourself >>>

How high temperatures hurt your health in the long term

National Park Service rangers next to an unofficial heat reading at Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley National Park on Sunday. (Ronda Churchill/AFP)

On an individual level, I think its about that heat stress over a good amount of time, Tedeschi said. If you are continually exposed to extreme heat or hot temperatures that your body cant deal with, I think that frankly puts you at risk for things that your body might be able to fend off otherwise.

There are also more downstream effects. Wildfire smoke  which has become an all-too-familiar problem in much of the U.S. as fires continue to smolder in Canada and California  has harmful health consequences when those hazardous gases and fine particles are inhaled, and the impact of poor air quality caused by smoke may also be detrimental in the long term.

There are probably some longer-term effects of those small particles that we dont fully understand yet, Tedeschi said. They get deep into the lungs, they probably cause more inflammation, and may be responsible for more chronic diseases. Coupled with the heat, thats a really dangerous combination.

Heat and drought  which have been linked to climate change  are also prime conditions for a more intense wildfire season, and its expected to get worse as our planet warms, with Canada's natural resources agency saying that climate change may double the amount of area burned each year by the end of this century.

Smoke rises from the Texas Creek wildfire in British Columbia on July 9. (BC Wildfire Service/Handout via Reuters)

I think about kids that are exposed to poor air quality chronically, and that is absolutely a risk for chronic asthma, Tedeschi said. If you look at asthma rates and look at heat index and access to green spaces, theres a lot of correlation. And so I worry about kids, for instance, being exposed to poor air quality in such a way that either they develop respiratory problems, or the ones they already have, over the course of a lifetime, can get worse.

Those milder winters and earlier springs that make for a ripe wildfire season are also giving disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and ticks the opportunity to thrive longer and expand their habitats to new, warmer corners of the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that between 2004 and 2018, reported illnesses from mosquito, tick and flea bites more than doubled to more than 760,000 reported cases nationwide.

And thats not all thats booming as temperatures rise. The emergence of new, sometimes deadly fungi with the ability to infect humans is now a major concern for the World Health Organization, with Dr. Andrej Spec, a fungal infections expert at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, telling Yahoo News, As we warm up, we lose one of our biggest protections against fungi: our body temperature.

Fungi, Spec explained, dont do well at 98.6F  the average body temperature of humans  and thrive best at temperatures around 77. But more instances of extreme heat are weeding out those fungi that can survive only a temperate environment and allowing more heat-resistant fungi to thrive.

A computer illustration of the fungus Candida auris, which causes drug-resistant infections and has high mortality rates. (Science Photo Library/Getty Images)

Hot bug summer: Tick, mosquito and spotted lanternfly outbreaks are making people crazy >>>

The myriad of health problems stemming from more and more extreme heat will also exacerbate another, separate problem thats been decried by doctors and medical professionals for years  the health care worker shortage.

Nationwide, our emergency departments are overwhelmed and overburdened and overcrowded, Tedeschi said. And when you think about an event that might drive lots of excess people to an emergency department, like a heat wave or bad air quality event, our ER overcrowding is probably one of our greatest risks when it comes to mitigating these climate disasters.
Hugo Carvajal spent two years in hiding in Spain after a court ruled he should be extradited to the US

Venezuela's former head of military intelligence, Hugo Carvajal, is on his way to the United States where he faces charges of drug trafficking.

Mr Carvajal was a close ally of the late Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, and is thought to hold key information about his government and that of Chavez's successor, Nicolas Maduro.

The former spy chief fled Venezuela after he turned against Mr Maduro.

He was extradited from Spain, where he had spent years in hiding.

Mr Carvajal, whose nickname is El Pollo (the chicken), is expected to make his first court appearance within hours of landing in New York.

Prosecutors accuse the 63-year-old of having used his position as chief of military intelligence to protect shipments of cocaine from Venezuela bound for the US.

He also allegedly provided weapons for the Farc, a Colombian Marxist rebel group which reportedly has camps in neighbouring Venezuela.

He is accused of forming part of a drug-smuggling organisation dubbed the Cartel of the Suns, which prosecutors say is made up of high-ranking members of the Venezuelan military.

Mr Carvajal has denied any wrongdoing and waged a long and ultimately unsuccessful legal battle against his extradition to the US.

As head of military counter-intelligence from 2004 to 2011, he was one of the most powerful men in Venezuela and a confidant of the president at the time, Hugo Chavez.

His legal troubles date back to 2011, when a US court first indicted him on drug trafficking charges.

For years, he managed to avoid extradition to the US.

In 2014, he was arrested at the request of the US state department on the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba, where he had been sent as Venezuela's consul general.

But his arrest was ruled illegal because he held a diplomatic passport and he was given a hero's welcome by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro upon his return to Caracas.

Five years later, however, he turned against President Maduro and backed opposition leader Juan Guaido when the latter declared himself interim president.

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Mr Carvajal urged the military to back Mr Guaido and was forced to flee Venezuela when the armed forces remained loyal to President Maduro.

He managed to escape by boat to the Dominican Republic and settled in Spain.

There, he was arrested on the request of the US authorities. But he would not stay in custody for long before a Spanish court rejected the US's extradition request and released him.

A cat-and-mouse game with the police forces of several nations followed, lasting several years.

When police officers came to re-arrest him after a higher court had overturned the decision to release him, Mr Carvajal had vanished.

He was finally tracked down to a flat in Madrid, after he had been in hiding for two years.

Police said he had avoided leaving the apartment, even disguising himself by wearing a wig and a fake moustache when he went out on the balcony to smoke.

More legal battles followed in which he tried to avoid being extradited to the US and repeatedly demanded being allowed to leave custody.

But after the European Court of Human Rights last week denied a request by Mr Carvajal to stop Spain from extraditing him, his fate was sealed and Interpol was ordered to take him to the US.

US authorities will be hoping that once he is there, Mr Carvajal - who is believed to have intimate knowledge of the workings of the Chavez and Maduro governments - will be co-operative.

Other high-ranking Venezuelan former officials who were tried in the US, such as former treasurer Alejandro Andrade, have struck plea deals and seen their sentences reduced in exchange for a guilty plea and the promise to "provide truthful and complete information and testimony".
The Internal Revenue Service case agent who handled "95%" of the tax evidence in the Hunter Biden investigation told CBS News that he "felt handcuffed" during the five-year probe and blocked from pursuing leads that he thought might implicate Hunter Biden's father, President Joe Biden.

Second IRS whistleblower in Hunter Biden investigation  "Whistleblower X"

Special Agent Joseph Ziegler, a 13-year veteran of the IRS, is the second IRS employee to come forward to claim the federal tax investigation into the president's son supported criminal charges more serious than the misdemeanor tax charges he is scheduled to plead guilty to next week as part of a plea bargain.

"When you're prevented from going down certain roads, I guess I don't know what could have been found if we were not hamstrung or not handcuffed," Ziegler told CBS News.

Ziegler, who has been known only as "Whistleblower X," revealed his identity Wednesday at the insistence of lawmakers, who called him before a House committee to describe his role in the federal investigation into Hunter Biden. As the main IRS case agent, he worked with his supervisor Gary Shapley and says the evidence they uncovered "supported felony and misdemeanor tax charges."

Ziegler's investigation spanned both the Trump and Biden administrations.

"I'm a Democrat. In the last presidential election, I actually did not vote," Ziegler said. "I thought it would be irresponsible of me to do so because I didn't wanna show bias one way or the other."

Democrats' reaction

An attorney for Hunter Biden, Christopher Clark, has said previously that suggestions the investigation was not thorough are "preposterous and deeply irresponsible."

At Wednesday's hearing, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland, said he has not seen evidence that Hunter Biden "received any kind of official favoritism in this prosecution for being Joe Biden's son."

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"The key point, Mr. Chairman that America needs to understand is that the only political interference at play here is coming from Donald Trump and my Republican colleagues," Raskin said.

During an executive session in June, the Ways and Means committee voted to publicly release the transcripts from Shapley and Ziegler's whistleblower testimony, keeping Ziegler's identity hidden. The top minority member on the committee, Democratic Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, said during that closed door meeting that Republican efforts to publicize the tax records of a private citizen was an example of "naked partisanship, and stoops below the stature of this Committee."

Democrats have also focused on Shapley's and Ziegler's choice of legal representation; their attorneys have had connections to Republican Party politics. Those attorneys counter that they have worked with both Republican and Democratic whistleblowers and organizations. Democrats also questioned whether the two agents lacked visibility into the factors prosecutors faced when making decisions about what charges to bring. And they noted that Hunter Biden has repaid the taxes he owed.

Questions about deductions

Ziegler alleges that evidence he collected showed how Hunter Biden improperly claimed business deductions for a range of personal expenses, such as college tuition for his children, bills for stays at a posh Hollywood hotel, payments to escorts, and no-show employees. In 2021, Ziegler says he drafted a memorandum recommending prosecutors charge Hunter Biden with multiple felonies and misdemeanors.

"In August of 2022, we had a phone call with all of the assigned prosecutors and they had said that all four of them were recommending the approval of felony and misdemeanor tax charges," Ziegler said.

Hunter Biden's legal team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ziegler said Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, told him he agreed with certain felony charges, but there was resistance from other officials inside the Department of Justice who thought a jury may be sympathetic to Hunter Biden's drug addiction and the death of his brother, Beau Biden.

"David said to us'I'm getting some concern from the Department of Justice Tax Division, the evidence that might come in related to his substance abuse and the death of his brother, Beau Biden, those might affect the jury's opinion'," Ziegler said.

Court filings unsealed last month showed that the U.S. attorney's office ultimately agreed to a deal that would charge Hunter Biden with two misdemeanor tax counts  to which the president's son agreed to plead guilty  and a felony gun charge for which Biden agreed to enter into a diversion program. Biden will not plead guilty to the gun charge, which will be dismissed if he meets certain conditions. That deal will have to be approved by a federal judge, who has scheduled a hearing on the matter for next week in Delaware.

"At the end of the day, it's a matter of are we treating everyone the same? Are we treating all taxpayers the same?" Zielger said. "And in this case, no, I don't think so."

IRS whistleblowers confused about Hunter Biden charging decision

The decision not to charge the president's son with tax felonies remains a source of concern and confusion for both of the IRS agents who have now spoken out about the matter. Both men have raised concerns about the possibility that the Biden Justice Department in some way impeded the case.

Weiss pushed back in a letter last month saying he had ultimate authority on these matters and was "never denied the authority to bring charges in any jurisdiction."

The U.S. attorney's office for Delaware declined to comment on this story.

Attorney General Merrick Garland  who kept Weiss on the job to complete the Biden probe  previously said in response to the allegations that Weiss was "permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to."

Both Ziegler and Shapely have told congressional investigators and CBS News they were told that prosecutors in Delaware were prevented from bringing charges in other jurisdictions  including California and Washington, D.C.  and Shapley said Weiss told him he was denied special counsel status by the Justice Department.

"D.C. said, 'No, we are not gonna assist you with bringing charges in our district. And we don't think you should bring these charges forward in our district,'" Ziegler explained to CBS News.

Whistleblower "felt handcuffed" during probe

During the investigation, Ziegler said he "felt handcuffed." For example, he says he wanted prosecutors to obtain a search warrant to access a Virginia storage unit to search for potential business records but they declined to do so. He said requests to interview Hunter Biden's adult children about the tax payments were frustrated by prosecutors, whom he claims said the requests could "get us into hot water."

Ziegler's requests to pursue a number of investigative avenues came when Trump was still in office and Attorney General William Barr had instituted a policy requiring he personally approve any investigation of a president or presidential candidate. Ziegler told CBS that he was not "aware" of any approvals sought from Barr at that time.

On Monday, after the Committee on Oversight and Accountability interviewed an FBI agent from the Wilmington Field Office, the leading Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, accused Republicans of "distort[ing]" evidence in order "to advance Republicans' false narrative about political interference in the Hunter Biden investigation."

Hunter Biden's claim about his father in WhatsApp message

In another instance, Ziegler said he tried to get location data to determine whether Joe Biden was in the room, as his son had boasted in a 2017 WhatsApp message where he appeared to pressure a Chinese businessman to make good on an outstanding payment by mentioning his father.

"I am sitting here with my father..we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled," Hunter Biden allegedly texted to the businessman, according to the transcript. He added, "I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand" and "now means tonight."

Ziegler said the WhatsApp message was found on Hunter Biden's iCloud account that was obtained through a search warrant. He says he was unable to determine whether Hunter Biden and his father were together when the WhatsApp message was sent. President Biden has said he was never present when any such message was sent and denied any knowledge of this message.

"Anytime we potentially wanted to go down the road of asking questions related to the president, it was 'That's gonna take too much approvals. We can't ask those questions."

Ziegler said he expected extra approvals when investigating the son of a president, but he said the requests went unmet.

There would be a point to where it would be like, 'Well, let's think about it. Let's put that on the back burner.' And it would now move down to item number 50," Ziegler said.

President Biden has denied any involvement in his son's business affairs.

"I have not taken a penny from any foreign source, ever, in my life," Mr. Biden said in October 2020 at a presidential debate.

Ziegler says he only came forward publicly at the request of Congress, adding, "I do this with a heavy heart. This is awful. It's not a fun experience to go through this. I don't wish this upon anyone."

Criminal investigations related to Trump, explained

$1 billion Powerball ticket sold in California

Women's World Cup underway as U.S. preps for first game Friday
Rich Fury - Getty Images

Even though Jamie Lee Curtis recently won an Oscar for 2022's Everything Everywhere All at Once and captivated audiences on Season 2 of The Bear, we have known and loved her for way longer before that. From her groundbreaking horror movie appearances to amazing work in the TV world to her many other ventures like children's book writing and podcasting, Jamie Lee Curtis absolutely deserves all the laurels she's getting.

Late-1950s: Famous Family at Home

With her older sister Kelly, and her parents, the famed actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. The pair divorced in 1962, just a few years after Jamie Lee's birth.

Bettmann - Getty Images

1960s: Childhood Portrait of Young Jamie Lee

Jamie Lee Curtis was raised mostly by her mother and stepfather Robert Brandt, who were married from 1962 until Janet Leigh's death in 2004.

Martin Mills - Getty Images

1977: Cast Photo for 'Operation Petticoat'

Before she was a huge horror movie star, Jamie Lee got her start in TV with guest star parts on shows like Columbo and Charlie's Angels. This photo is from the short-lived comedy series Operation Petticoat, which aired for two seasons on ABC.

ABC Photo Archives - Getty Images

1978: Filming John Carpenter's 'Halloween'

Laurie Strode in Halloween is one of the most iconic horror movie characters, and movie characters in general, and it was Jamie Lee Curtis' very first feature film part. Curtis admitted in this New Yorker interview "I don't like horror films ... Loud noises scare me, suspense music scares me." Some of her other classic horror film parts from that time included The Fog, Prom Night and Terror Train.

Sunset Boulevard - Getty Images

1978: At Celebrity Ball in Atlantic City

Here's Jamie Lee looking gorgeous at a ball at the Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City. The picture was taken by the notable paparazzo Ron Galella.

Ron Galella - Getty Images

1978: Portrait with Cat in California

Jamie Lee poses for a sweet photoshoot outside in California with a furry friend.

Donaldson Collection - Getty Images

1980: On 'Saturday Night Live' Opposite Ann Risley

Jamie Lee Curtis had two hosting stints on the famous sketch show in the early '80s. Her most recent appearance was in 1984, though Curtis has been impersonated on the show since then by stars like Kristen Wiig and Chloe Fineman.

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NBC - Getty Images

1984: Curtis in the Drama 'Grandview, USA'

After a string of excellent horror movie roles, Jamie Lee sought to expand her repertoire with other genres, taking roles in films like the comedy Trading Places, and this starring turn in the drama Grandview, USA.

CBS Photo Archive - Getty Images

1988: Looking Sharp with Husband Christopher Guest

Curtis has been married to the actor/writer/director Christopher Guest since 1984, and recounted in this essay that she fell for him after seeing his photo in Rolling Stone, and immediately called his agent to live him her phone number.

Ron Galella, Ltd. - Getty Images

1988: At the Premiere of 'A Fish Called Wanda'

The heist comedy A Fish Called Wanda showed that Jamie Lee could hold her own against comedic greats like John Cleese and Kevin Kline, who won an Oscar for his brilliantly chaotic supporting role.

Ron Galella - Getty Images

1989: Acting in 'Anything But Love' Opposite Richard Lewis

Jamie Lee got a much more substantial TV role in the ABC sitcom Anything But Love, where she and Richard Lewis played co-workers at a magazine who deal with mutual romantic feelings for each other while having to stay professional.

ABC Photo Archives - Getty Images

1990: Winning a Golden Globe Award

Anything But Love also netted Jamie Lee a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical. She has won a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, and of course just picked up the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Ron Galella, Ltd. - Getty Images

1991: At the 1st Environmental Media Awards

Jamie Lee is rocking a red pantsuit at the first ever Environmental Media Awards or EMAs. The show was hosted by Diane Sawyer, and awarded several films and shows from fiction to nonfiction for environmental themes. Honorees included Dances with Wolves, Captain Planet, and MacGyver.

Ron Galella, Ltd. - Getty Images

1995: Doing 'True Lies' Again at the Oscars

In a sendoff to the incredible scene from the 1994 action comedy True Lies, Jamie Lee was part of one of the most elaborate bits ever pulled off at the Academy Awards live show.

DON EMMERT - Getty Images

1996: Autographing Her Book 'Tell Me Again About The Night I was Born'

Jamie Lee Curtis has been writing children's books, with illustrations by Laura Cornell, since 1993 under contract with HarperCollins. She also wrote a new graphic novel, and had a blog for years on The Huffington Post.

Ron Galella, Ltd. - Getty Images

1998: Getting Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Jamie Lee got her much-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. She was busy that year with a role in the dark-comedy thriller Homegrown and returned to the Halloween franchise in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later.

Barry King - Getty Images

2003: At the 'Freaky Friday' Premiere with Lindsay Lohan

This Disney classic featured Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee's mom and daughter characters switching bodies, and it is actually the third adaptation of the 1972 children's novel by Mary Rodgers. The movie mother and daughter are reportedly in talks to star in a sequel.

Carlo Allegri - Getty Images

2005: In Costume for the Dream Halloween Fundraiser

Jamie Lee is the permanent host of this fundraiser by the Children Affected by AIDS foundation, and has worn tons of great costumes for it over the years.

Steve Granitz - Getty Images

2008: Premiering 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua'

Why don't we have talking animal movies anymore? Let's bring them back! Jamie Lee was a human cast member of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, playing the rich owner pampering the titular chihuahua.

Barry King - Getty Images

2010: Chatting with Jay Leno on 'The Tonight Show'

Jamie Lee Curtis is obviously a talk show veteran from her many years in Hollywood, and she has made many appearances on Jay Leno's version of The Tonight Show.

NBC - Getty Images

2012: Speaking at a Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Gala

Jamie Lee is a longtime supporter and board member at CHLA, frequently hosting fundraisers for the hospital. She even launched the business My Hand in Yours in 2020, a store where all the proceeds benefit CHLA.

Frazer Harrison - Getty Images

2014: At a Q&A With John Carpenter

Jamie Lee and John Carpenter collaborated not just on the first Halloween, but soon afterwards in his supernatural horror film The Fog. Curtis reminisced in 2022 that while she got a great break with Halloween, she was very grateful to land The Fog because she was having trouble getting more work afterwards.

Justin Baker - Getty Images

2015: Curtis in Ryan Murphy's 'Scream Queens'

Scream Queens, Ryan Murphy's satirical slasher comedy show, basically would have been fined by the Horror Committee if Jamie Lee Curtis didn't have at least a featuring role, and they got her as the main character! The show debuted to mixed reviews and was canceled after its second season, though Murphy has said he was interested in bringing it back as recently as 2020.

Fox - Getty Images

2016: Donning Cosplay for the 'Warcraft' Premiere

She wasn't in the movie, but Jamie Lee is always down for a costume, and dressed as an orc shaman for the premiere of the Warcraft film and brought her son along with his own costume, too. Curtis is a gamer and fan of the World of Warcraft MMO franchise.

Mike Windle - Getty Images

2017: In the 'New Girl' Series Finale

Jamie Lee Curtis had an amazing recurring role on New Girl as protagonist Jess' mom Joan Day, with Rob Reiner playing Joan's ex-husband Bob Day. This is definitely a top-tier TV family that not enough people appreciate.

Fox - Getty Images

2018: Returning to 'Halloween'

After 2022's Halloween Ends, Jamie Lee has been in seven films of the Halloween mega-franchise, in case you thought her scream queen royalty status was in question all these years later.

Kevin Winter - Getty Images

2019: At the Premiere of 'Knives Out'

Jamie Lee joined the ensemble Whodunit film Knives Out, which was an immaculately crafted callback to classic mystery stories by writers like Agatha Christie. Curtis played a member of a wealthy, dysfunctional family thrown into disarray when its patriarch mysteriously dies.

Alberto E. Rodriguez - Getty Images

2023: Getting her Name Engraved on her Oscar

Jamie Lee was in shock after seeing her name officially engraved on her Supporting Actress Oscar for her amazing performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. It's well-deserved validation for a long career, though her excellent acting in this film and those before it speaks for itself as well!

Michael Buckner - Getty Images

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Idahos far-right is shooting first, asking questions later.

The Idaho Freedom Caucus, a coalition of 13 extremist Idaho legislators, called for the Idaho Commission for Libraries to immediately withdraw from the American Library Association.

The legislators are concerned about Emily Drabinski, the president of the American Library Association, who tweeted that shes a Marxist lesbian. The tweet has since been deleted, though Drabinski says her tweets auto-delete.

The Montana State Library Commission has since canceled its membership with the American Library Association.

Its the far rights version of cancel culture, which they so often deride when the other side does it.

Theres one big problem: The Idaho Commission for Libraries doesnt belong to the American Library Association, nor does it receive funds from them, according to reporting by the Idaho Statesmans Ryan Suppe.

Its yet another example of the far right tilting at windmills and looking for problems that dont exist.

The American Library Association is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes libraries and offers training for librarians. Anyone can be a member, something known as freedom of association.

The Idaho Freedom Caucus came out with its statement right around the time the Idaho Freedom Foundation, a right-wing lobbying organization, came out with its own call to cut ties with the American Library Association.

Its perhaps no coincidence that the Idaho Freedom Caucus use of McCarthyite scare tactics about communism meshes with the Idaho Freedom Foundations recent celebration of Sen. Joe McCarthy as part of its Pride in America series of so-called great Americans, a list that also included the likes of Robert E. Lee and Randy Weaver.

The legislators claim the American Library Association is Marxist-led. Anyone who understands anything about Marxism understands how far removed the United States is from Marxism. Its a preposterous suggestion that the United States is anywhere close to a system in which the workers take over the means of production  farms and factories  and all property is publicly owned.

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Further, the organization isnt Marxist-led. Whatever the political persuasion of Drabinski (who describes herself as a socialist), the American Library Association is governed by an elected council, which is its policy-making body, and an executive board, which acts for the council in the administration of established policies and programs, according to the ALA website.

Drabinski is the elected president of the board, one among 15 members.

But the suggestion really is that Drabinskis presidency of the American Library Association is proof-positive of what theyve suspected all along: that the Marxists are trying to take over the United States, and theyre doing it by getting gay literature into the libraries to turn kids gay so that well have no more traditional families, leading to the inevitable destruction of America.

In their statement, the Idaho legislators railed against the Marxists objective, seeking to undermine the West by eradicating the traditional family, natural sexual relationships, distinctions between sexes, and the orderly structures that accompany them.

It makes one wonder how fragile they must consider human sexuality that they fear a book can turn your kid gay.

Indeed, thats the focus of their constant ire: that books about the LGBTQ community can be found in libraries. They mask their objections in claims of pornography and graphic sex descriptions.

In reality, its an attack on a marginalized group of people, people who would like to go to their local library and sometimes see themselves represented in the books on the shelves. Or, heaven forbid, books are available that teach its readers about people who have different lived experiences.

And its another attack on libraries, which simply seek to educate and inform, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The real goal of these far-right attacks is to erase a group of people, pretend they dont exist, and keep their stories off the shelves.

Or maybe theyre just attacking yet another public institution, much the way they attack public education.

Either way, their attacks would be laughable  if they werent so dangerous.
Illinois will become the first state in the U.S. to halt the use of cash bail after the state Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a law that was passed by the state legislature back in 2021. It will take effect in 60 days, on Sept. 18.

In a 5-2 ruling, the state's highest court overturned a lower court's earlier ruling that said the law was unconstitutional.

The elimination of cash bail was a provision of the SAFE-T ACT, a major criminal justice reform bill signed into law by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in early 2021. The portion of the bill eliminating cash bail had originally been slated to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.

However, prosecutors and sheriffs in 64 counties filed lawsuits claiming the provision was unconstitutional. Last December, a Kankakee County judge ruled in their favor. The state appealed the district judge's ruling, and the state Supreme Court subsequently put the measure on hold while it reviewed the case. It heard arguments in March.

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, writing for the majority, argued in her ruling Tuesday that the Illinois state constitution "does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public," but that it "creates a balance between the individual rights of defendants and the individual rights of crime victims."

Justices David Overstreet and Lisa Holder White wrote in their dissent that the end to cash bail is a "direct violation of the plain language of our constitution's bill of rights and, more specifically, the vested rights of crime victims."

Critics of the cash bail system say it unfairly punishes poor defendants, often forcing them to spend months or years in jail before they go on trial, even if they are not a danger to the public.

Under the new law, criminal defendants will not have to pay a specific amount to be released from jail as they await trial. However, they could be ordered to remain in custody if a judge believes they are a danger to the public, a risk of fleeing prosecution or are charged with a serious enough felony.

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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, whose office defended the end to cash bail against multiple court challenges, said he was pleased, but not surprised, with the high court's ruling.

"The court's decision today holds  as my office has consistently advocated  that the General Assembly had the authority to eliminate cash bail and replace it with a system in which people are detained pending trial only if they pose a threat to the public or are a flight risk," Raoul said in a statement.

Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe, who spearheaded one of the major lawsuits against it, said in a statement Tuesday that "we must abide by the decision and will continue to do our best to serve the people of Kankakee County."

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police blasted the decision, saying it "confirms Illinois' status as the state of lawlessness and disorder."

When asked how many detainees could be released on Sept. 18, the Cook County public defender's office told CBS Chicago it doesn't have an exact number because there is no statewide centralized system collecting that data.

Republican John Curran, the state Senate's minority leader, called on the Democratic-led state legislature to have a special session prior to Sept. 18 to make changes to the SAFE-T Act in an effort to address the concerns of police and prosecutors who have opposed the bail reforms.

"While no person should be held in jail or let free because of their economic circumstances, the SAFE-T Act handcuffs law enforcement and judges making it more difficult for them to combat violent crime," Curran said in a statement. "It is possible to reform our cash bail system while keeping our communities safe and the legislature should return immediately to ensure that public safety is in no way jeopardized by the implementation of this reckless legislation before it takes effect."

Other provisions of the SAFE-T Act, including body camera requirements for police departments and new police training mandates, already took effect as planned on Jan. 1.

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CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a state law ending cash bail across the state, giving courts two more months before they must implement the change.

Illinois will now be the first state to fully abolish cash bail.

In a 5-2 ruling Tuesday morning, the state's highest court overturned a ruling by a Kankakee County judge that the law ending cash bail was unconstitutional. The end to cash bail will now go into effect across the entire state on Sept. 18, according to the Illinois Supreme Court ruling.

"The Illinois Constitution of 1970 does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public. Our constitution creates a balance between the individual rights of defendants and the individual rights of crime victims. The Act's pretrial release provisions set forth procedures commensurate with that balance," Justice Mary Jane Theis wrote in the ruling.

Justices David Overstreet and Lisa Holder White dissented from the ruling, calling the end to cash bail a "direct violation of the plain language of our constitution's bill of rights and, more specifically, the vested rights of crime victims."

"The people of Illinois exercised their ultimate sovereign power in 2014 when they vested crime victims with constitutionally protected rights. They did so by amending the bill of rights in our state constitution, setting out specific enumerated rights to be enjoyed by all crime victims in this state. Those enumerated rights include the explicitly defined right to have their safety and the safety of their families considered by the courts in 'denying or fixing the amount of bail,'" Overstreet wrote.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, whose office defended the end to cash bail against the multiple court challenges, said he was pleased but not surprised with the high court's ruling.

Story continues

"The court's decision today holds  as my office has consistently advocated  that the General Assembly had the authority to eliminate cash bail and replace it with a system in which people are detained pending trial only if they pose a threat to the public or are a flight risk. And it rejects the plaintiffs' argument that courts must retain the authority to set cash bail free of legislative regulation  an argument that would have called into question decades of criminal justice reforms in our state. "Someone's experience with the criminal justice system should not vary based on their income level. The SAFE-T Act was intended to address pervasive inequalities in the criminal justice system, in particular the fact that individuals who are awaiting criminal trials  who have not been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent  may spend extended periods of time incarcerated because they cannot afford to pay cash bail. The law ensures that the decision about whether people are detained pending trial is not based on whether they can afford to pay for their release."

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who has supported the end to cash bail, called the ruling " a monumental milestone toward achieving equal justice for all in Cook County and Illinois."

"It is our responsibility to address the historic inequities in our justice system. Everyone deserves a fair shot at justice, regardless of their zip code, paycheck, or the color of their skin. Ending cash bail is in line with our values and is a critical step toward economic and racial justice in Cook County and Illinois, which is why I have supported and advocated for its end from the beginning," Foxx said in a statement. "I will continue to support our court stakeholders as they prepare to implement the end of the cash bond."

Both Foxx and Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart joined victims' advocacy organizations in applauding the decision.

"Out of 102 state's attorneys, there were only two who said this was the right thing to do," Foxx said.

"This reform allows judges to make safety-based decisions that is individualized to a survivor of crime; that is individualized to a victim of crime," added Rinehart.

Some state lawmakers concurred.

"The phrase 'equal justice under the law' should be more than an aspirational statement, but the reality of our criminal legal system," said Illinois state Rep. Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago).

"It means no disruptions with your job or education, no disruptions with your health," said Illinois state Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago). "If you're a mother or a father, it means no disruptions with your parenting situation."

Meanwhile, Lavatte Mayes has been hoping for an end to cash bail since her own 14-month stay at the Cook County Jail. She says she is still dealing with the repercussions, and she is happy that finances will no longer play a role in whether or not someone is detained.

"I don't think my family and other people, you know, that would surround me would have suffered as much as I had suffered because I couldn't afford to pay my bond," Mayes said.

In 2015, Mayes was charged for an altercation involving a family member. Because she couldn't pay her bond, she spent 14 months in jail separated from her children and unable to work.

"For 571 days, because I couldn't afford to pay my bond - which was the $25,000," Mayes said, "and it made me lose my home. It made me lose my business."

Mayes ultimately took a plea deal and was sentenced to no additional jail time. She is delighted to hear that in two months, cash bonds like hers won't exist in the state of Illinois.

"This is not a 100 percent get-out-of-jail-free card. We will still be going by the laws of this or the State of Illinois. It just helps people who are in lower incomes, be able to get up and go to work, take their kids to school, and all it is," Mayes said. "It's just that's what it is."

Critics  including other county states' attorneys, several sheriffs, and other law enforcement organizations across the state - are calling the ruling upsetting, disappointing, and detrimental.

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police blasted the Illinois Supreme Court's decision, saying it "confirms Illinois' status as the state of lawlessness and disorder."

"The court ignored the pleas of nearly every prosecutor in the state of Illinois, Democrat and Republican, that the elimination of cash bail will put dangerous criminals back on the street, instead of keeping them in jail or forcing them to post cash bail as they await trial. Many of those offenders will commit crimes again within hours of their release," Illinois FOP State Lodge President Chris Southwood said in a statement. "And who will have to arrest those offenders again and again? The police officers whose jobs have been made immeasurably more difficult by all of the new anti-law enforcement measures that are in place. Today's ruling is a slap in the face to those who enforce our laws and the people those laws are supposed to protect."

As CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey reported, Sept. 18 is going to be a huge day at the Cook County Jail and other jails across the state  as detainees will be able to petition the court officially for a review of their detention as the ruling takes effect.

Moving forward, those detention decisions will no longer involve putting up money in exchange for release.

CBS 2 Legal Analyst Irv Miller said the change means criminal defendants will no longer have to pay a specific amount of money to be released from jail as they await trial. But there's still a chance they'll remain locked up if a judge believes they're a danger to the public, a risk of fleeing prosecution, or charged with a serious enough felony.

"You may be detained, you may be locked up based upon your being a risk of flight, or the crime is so outrageous. Typically, the most serious crimes in Illinois, we don't want people actually running back out on the street. So the legislature drew a line as to where people should be detained, and where people should be released, but they also drew the line that people don't have to post money to get out of jail. That's not an issue," he said.

A provision of the criminal justice reform law known as the SAFE-T Act was supposed to eliminate the use of cash bail across the state on Jan. 1, but the state's highest court put that provision of the SAFE-T Act on hold after prosecutors and sheriffs in 64 counties filed lawsuits claiming the law was unconstitutional, and a Kankakee County judge ruled in their favor.

The ruling by 21st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Thomas Cunnington in late December found that the pretrial release portions of the SAFE-T Act violate the separation of powers clause of the Illinois Constitution, and would not take effect in 64 counties that had sued to block the abolishment of cash bail.

After the state appealed that ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court put the end to cash bail on hold statewide, to ensure consistent bail practices throughout the state while they considered the law's constitutionality.

The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments from both supporters and opponents in March before announcing its ruling on Tuesday.

In overturning Cunnington's ruling, Theis called his reasoning "uneven."

"The trial court ignored the plain language of the constitution. The bail clause does not include the term 'monetary,'" so it did not cement the practice of monetary bail, however long-standing and prevalent across Illinois, into our constitution. 'Sufficient sureties' is not limited to sufficient monetary sureties, and we cannot append or supplement the constitutional text," she wrote.

Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe, who led the lawsuit that led to Cunnington's ruling, weighed in on the Illinois Supreme Court decision Tuesday morning.

"While this ruling is disappointing and the [SAFE-T Act] terribly detrimental to public safety, we must abide by the decision and will continue to do our best to serve the people of Kankakee County," he said. "Despite the defeat, I could not be more proud of all who fought the good fight. The people of Illinois deserve better than bail reform that is passed under cover of darkness at 4am when all the state was sleeping."

Critics of the current cash bail system say it unfairly punishes poor defendants, often forcing them to spend months or years in jail before they go on trial, even if they are not a danger to the public.

During oral arguments in March, Illinois Deputy Solicitor General Alex Hemmer argued on behalf of the state, saying the bail clause in the Illinois Constitution grants defendants the right to seek pretrial release  while not requiring the state to maintain monetary bail or any other kind of rules governing how pretrial release is carried out.

Hemmer also argued the Illinois General Assembly has the right to regulate pretrial procedures  and are not constrained by the state Constitution from doing so.

But numerous county state's attorneys spoke against the SAFE-T Act. Kankakee State's Attorney Jim Rowe said matters of bail reform belong on the ballot for a vote of the people  as already happened in New Jersey and New Mexico.

He said the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that conflicts with the Constitution  which would require a popular vote on a matter such as abolition of cash bail.

"They literally tried to drive the reform by following 764 pages of directions at 4 a.m., in the middle of the night, in the dark, with an hour to get there," he said.

Special Assistant State's Attorney Alan Spellberg, representing Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, also argued that the pretrial release provisions of the SAFE-T Act "unduly interfere with the judiciary's authority to set bail."

However, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that "the legislature has long regulated the bail system."

Specifically, the justices pointed to changes in state law in 1963 regulating the criminal justice system, setting out standards for courts to determine how and when defendants can be kept in custody or released ahead of trial.

"The plaintiffs (or their predecessors in office) never faulted the legislature's earlier forays into this area. Presumably, they found those amendments palatable. However, the substance of the amendment is irrelevant. If the legislature could reconsider bail over the course of so many years, it could do so again in 2021 without offending separation of powers principles," Theis wrote.

While the SAFE-T Act brings an end to cash bail in Illinois, Theis noted that judges still have the ability to decide whether criminal defendants should remain in custody ahead of trial.

"The court may order a defendant detained pending trial if the defendant is charged with any of an array of enumerated felony offenses and 'poses a real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community,'" Theis wrote. "The court may also order a defendant detained pending trial, if the defendant has been charged with an enumerated offense or any felony 'other than a Class 4 offense' and if the court concludes there is 'a high likelihood of willful flight to avoid prosecution.'"

In ruling to uphold cash bail, the Illinois Supreme Court is giving lower courts across the state an additional 60 days to implement the new bail system, after putting the end to cash bail on hold earlier this year. The new bail provisions will now go into effect on Sept. 18.

Other provisions of the SAFE-T Act, including body camera requirements for police departments, and new police training mandates, went into effect as planned on Jan. 1.

Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran called on the Democratic-led state legislature to have a special session before Sept. 18 to make changes to the SAFE-T Act to address the concerns of police and prosecutors who have opposed the bail reforms included in the state law.

"While no person should be held in jail or let free because of their economic circumstances, the SAFE-T Act handcuffs law enforcement and judges making it more difficult for them to combat violent crime," Curran said in a statement. "It is possible to reform our cash bail system while keeping our communities safe and the legislature should return immediately to ensure that public safety is in no way jeopardized by the implementation of this reckless legislation before it takes effect."

When asked how many detainees could be released on Sept. 18, the Cook County Public Defender's office said they don't know the exact number because there is no centralized system collecting that data across the state. That is one of the things they will be working now that the law has the ability to take effect.

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The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the states historic move to ban cash bail is constitutional, overturning a lower court decision.

In a 5-2 decision, the states highest court ruled that the measure, which eliminates the requirement that individuals post bail in order to be released before trial, can go into effect on September 18. Under the law, a person can still be detained if they pose a specific, real and present threat to a person or if there is a high likelihood that they will flee.

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis wrote in the opinion, Our constitution creates a balance between the individual rights of defendants and the individual rights of crime victims. The Acts pretrial release provisions set forth procedures commensurate with that balance.

The cash bail ban, part of a law passed in 2021 called the SAFE-T Act, had been overturned by a Kankakee County judge, who ruled that the bail provision could only be enacted with an amendment to the states constitution, not a new law.

In eliminating monetary bail, the discretion constitutionally vested to the courts to protect victims and their families by this method is gone, Judge Thomas Cunningham wrote late last year.

In a dissent Tuesday, Justice David Overstreet echoed this argument. The legislature has not done so, but this is constitutionally required no matter how desirable it may be to abolish monetary bail, he wrote.

However, Theis said Cunningham incorrectly assumed that abolishing monetary bail undermines the States interests, adding that stating that monetary bail is required ignored the plain language of the constitution.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who signed the SAFE-T Act into law, celebrated the decision: I look forward to continuing to work with the General Assembly and our many other partners as we transition to a more equitable and just Illinois.

The Supreme Court ruling was also applauded by Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx.

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Todays ruling ends the cash bail system, replacing that system with a detention process based on community safety and not on the financial fitness of defendants. Congratulations to every stakeholder who helped make this happen, Foxx said in a written statement.

CNNs Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.

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Insider's reporter is a performing musician and a photographer with four tips to help you take better photos at concerts. Joey Hadden/Insider

Taking standout photos at a concert can be challenging  especially from your phone.

I recommend focusing on the interactions between the band members and the crowd.

Sometimes, black and white works best for the final image.

I'm a musician who has been playing shows since high school.

The author plays bass at a club in Dallas in 2012 (L). The author plays drums at a venue in NYC in 2022 (R). Joey Hadden/Insider

For the last 11 years, I've felt my best on stages. It all started in 2012 when I was 16 years old and found musicians at my high school who were as serious about playing as I was. My first band was called Welcome to Wednesday, and we filled Dallas clubs with high schoolers at monthly concerts. It was a surreal time that made me realize I want to do this forever.

Since then, I've played drums and bass in several bands from indie rock groups to jazz combos. Now that I live in NYC, I'm in a band called Blanket Approval, and I'm playing more shows than ever all around the Northeast Corridor.

Since college, I've been photographing concerts for work and pleasure. And I've learned a thing or two about making my photos from shows stand out more  especially on my phone.

Mimicking Birds (L) and Khalid (R) perform at South by Southwest in 2018. Joey Hadden/Insider

After high school, I went to St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where I majored in photography and practiced photojournalism at our school paper, Hilltop Views. This opportunity landed me press passes and access to photo pits at festivals like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits.

At these events, I learned how to take unique images that stand out while photographing big names like Cold War Kids and Khalid with my big, fancy camera.

But when I attend concerts for fun, I typically shoot with my phone, which is much harder for me at concerts because I can't adjust the lighting, color, or zoom as easily as I can on a camera. But after years of trial and error, I've come up with four tips for taking standout pictures at concerts with a humble phone camera.

Stage lighting is usually full of saturated colors that mess with people's skin tones in images. In these cases, I recommend making your photo black and white.

Story continues

Night Gallery performs at Prototype 237 in Paterson, New Jersey, in 2023. Joey Hadden/Insider

When it comes to taking any portrait, I think that capturing the correct skin tone of the person is a must.

This can be especially hard at concerts when musicians and their instruments are colored by ever-changing stage lights. In my experience, this lighting often makes the images come out with red or blue faces.

But an easy fix for this is making your photo black and white. To do this on your phone, you can open up Instagram or another editing app and turn the vibrance and saturation all the way down to zero. I also find that this can make an image pop more because, without an overwhelming amount of color, the viewer can focus on the details like facial expressions.

If you're close to the stage, I think focusing on details will make your pictures stand out from everyone else's in the front row.

Ball Park Music performs at South by Southwest in 2014. Joey Hadden/Insider

Being in the front is an incredible opportunity for concert photography. But when I'm up there, I see other people take the same photo looking up at the artist from below.

Instead, I recommend focusing on the less-photographed details, like a guitarist's foot when they're about to press it down on a pedal. This way, when you look at your Instagram the next morning, you'll find that no one else has a picture quite like yours.

If you're far away, find an audience member that is above the crowd to serve as a foreground subject.

A crowd at Outside Lands, a music festival in San Francisco, in 2021. Joey Hadden/Insider

There's no getting around it  if you're too far from the stage, the subject of your stellar concert picture won't be the band.

So let go of that possibility and focus on the environment around you to find a foreground subject that captures the vibe of the event. I think another member of the crowd that stands out to you is a great place to start.

No matter where you are in the crowd, watch out for interactions.

Night Gallery performs in 2023 (L). The Octopus Project performs on an unknown date (R). Joey Hadden/Insider

No matter the camera, I think the most interesting concert photos capture an interaction.

If you're close up, snap your picture when the musicians face each other or dance together. If you're in the back, stay alert for opportunities to shoot interactions happening in the crowd. When I go to shows, I often see performers jump into the audience, and I love seeing the way it makes their fans light up.

Above all, enjoy the show. But if you're trying to get a great photo to commemorate the night, pay attention to the details of your own experience  no matter where you're standing.

Read the original article on Insider
I tried apple pies from Kroger, Whole Foods, and Safeway. Molly Allen

I'm a professional baker who tried apple pies from the stores Kroger, Whole Foods, and Safeway.

Kroger and Safeway's pies were quite underbaked and didn't taste great.

Whole Foods had the best option, but I'd probably just opt to make my own dessert at home.

I compared apple pies from Kroger, Whole Foods, and Safeway.

Apple pie is a fall staple. Molly Allen

Apple pie is delicious any time of year, but it's especially tasty in the fall and summer.

Baking a pie from scratch can require a lot of effort, and sometimes, you may need to take a shortcut.

So I tried options from Kroger, Whole Foods, and Safeway to find the best grocery-store apple pie you can snag in a pinch.

I purchased a 9-inch toffee apple pie from Kroger.

Kroger's apple pie was toffee flavored. Molly Allen

Kroger's bakery offered a toffee apple pie, and the label said it was freshly baked in the store.

Surprisingly, I didn't see any typical lattice apple pies. The only other option was flavored like brown sugar and maple, so I went with the toffee one.

The 9-inch pie cost $7.99.

The pie was underbaked and I thought it had a strange flavor.

Kroger's apple pie tasted a bit artificial. Molly Allen

The golden apple pie from Kroger looked very good, but cutting into it was incredibly difficult. It was soft and mushy, and it started to fall apart as I removed a slice.

The bottom crust on this pie was underbaked, and the streusel topping was doughy. It certainly needed more time to cook. That said, it could've just been that someone took my particular pie out of the oven too soon.

The outer crust was good, but the rest of the pie's flavor fell flat for me. I thought the apple filling had an odd artificial taste, and the soft texture was unappetizing.

Whole Foods typically sells halves of 9-inch apple pies.

I had to buy two halves of a Whole Foods apple pie. Molly Allen

When I arrived at Whole Foods, the only options were half pies. A bakery employee told me that the pies are baked in the morning, then typically are cut in half.

If you're looking for a whole pie, it's apparently best to call ahead in the morning and ask that one be set aside.

I asked for two halves to be put in a box so I could take home an entire pie, which ended up costing $12.99.

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The pie tasted homemade.

Whole Foods' apple pie had a great flavor. Molly Allen

The flavor of Whole Foods' apple pie absolutely blew me away. It tasted homemade.

The crust was flaky and buttery. And even though the very center wasn't quite fully baked, the filling still tasted fresh and flavorful with a slight crunch.

The apples tasted fresh and had just a touch of sugar and cinnamon to enhance their flavor.

Other than the middle of the crust being a bit soft, it was a very good pie. Maybe the one I got was just taken out of the oven too soon.

I snagged an 11-inch apple pie from Safeway.

Safeway's apple pie was large and looked fantastic. Molly Allen

Safeway sells much larger pies, and I found both lattice and Dutch options.

The raw pies apparently come to the store frozen and are then baked on-site.

I bought an 11-inch lattice pie for $11.99.

Safeway's pie was beautiful, but it was underbaked and too sweet for me.

Safeway's apple pie let me down. Molly Allen

The apple pie from Safeway was beautiful, with a nice lattice topping. But it was tricky to cut  the slice fell apart as I removed it from the pie dish.

The crust was underbaked and quite soggy in the middle, even though the outer portions had a nice golden look and crispy texture. I wondered if my specific pie was just not left in the oven long enough or not baked at an ideal temperature.

I also thought it tasted fairly bland and was not very flaky. Plus the filling tasted incredibly sweet to me, with an overwhelming cinnamon flavor.

Overall, each option was quick and convenient, but I'm not sure I'd buy any of them again.

If I had to buy one again, I'd choose Whole Foods' apple pie. Molly Allen

It was easy to head into each store and find an apple pie in the first week of September. It was a bit trickier to get a whole one at Whole Foods, but the bakery employee I spoke to was incredibly helpful.

For each store, it's also possible to call ahead of time and ask the bakery to put a pie aside for you.

But I was disappointed that all three had an underbaked crust. It takes a lot of patience to bake an apple pie  at home, it can take close to an hour  but it seemed like each grocery story didn't leave the dessert in the oven long enough.

I thought Kroger and Safeway's pies tasted a bit too artificial and their crusts did not impress me.

If I need to purchase a grocery-store apple pie again, I'd only consider Whole Foods' option because the flavor was so incredible. But in general, I'd probably just carve out the time to bake my own dessert at home.

Read the original article on Insider
People receive China-donated humanitarian assistance in Nimroz province, Afghanistan, July 19, 2023. Afghan authorities distributed China-donated humanitarian assistance to 420 families in western Afghanistan's Nimroz province on Wednesday, provincial director for refugees and repatriation affairs Abdullah Riaz said. (Photo by Azizi/Xinhua)

ZARANJ, Afghanistan, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities distributed China-donated humanitarian assistance to 420 families in western Afghanistan's Nimroz province on Wednesday, provincial director for refugees and repatriation affairs Abdullah Riaz said.

"The aid recipients include 100 families from returnees, 100 others from the killed and war-disabled families and the remaining 240 families belong to the internally displaced community," Riaz told Xinhua.

Each needy family received 50 kg of rice, the official added.

Authorities in the past had also distributed China-supplied assistance to needy families in Nimroz and Herat provinces.

China has provided humanitarian aid including vaccines, winter clothes, foodstuff and tents to Afghans over the past one more year to help war-torn Afghanistan overcome the challenges. 
As of July 1, 2021, Georgia public school students must receive a booster dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine before entering 11th grade.

Its the vaccine the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say protects against meningococcal disease, an illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Those illnesses that can cause infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (septicemia), can be severe and deadly.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Channel 2s complete guide for back to school in north Georgia]

This vaccine helps protect from four different types of the bacteria. People who get this bacteria, they can have some serious outcomes, Glynn County Health Department county nurse manager Adam Sanchez said.

Sanchez said meningitis spreads through droplets from actions like sneezing or coughing.

10 to 15 people out of 100 who are infected can die from it. Of the people who survive it, 10 to 20 of them can have severe outcomes like hearing loss, kidney damage, loss of limbs, and some other serious conditions, Sanchez said.

[RELATED: What immunizations your child needs and when in Georgia for back to school]

Some people admit they were only getting vaccinated because of the requirement.

Action News Jax asked a couple of people what they were doing at the Glynn County Health Department on Monday.

The meningococcal meningitis vaccine, only because we have to have it to go into school for August, Curtiesha Holmes said.

Personal ties contributed to the decision for rising 11th grader Shane Jackson.

I mean, its not a problem to me. My brother, he got sick when he was younger and now he cant hear because of meningitis, Jackson said.

In a letter sent out from Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and State Health Officer Kathleen Toomey, she said if your child doesnt have health insurance, you can contact your local health department for a vaccine for little to no cost.

Story continues

Health officials remind people the shot itself isnt new.

This is a pretty safe and effective vaccine. Its been around for a while. Its not under an emergency use order, Sanchez said.

[RELATED: Breakdown of CDC guidelines for return to in-person learning]

Sanchez encourages parents and their kids to get the booster as soon as they can before appointments fill up.

This booster shot is available at pretty much any health department and most pediatrician offices, Sanchez said.

The requirement was supposed to be mandated last year, but was pushed back due to the pandemic.

The only exception for Georgia eleventh grade students is if the student received their first dose on or after their sixteenth birthday.

For more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about meningitis and the vaccine, click here.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]








The state of Georgia requires by law that children entering kindergarten, sixth and seventh grade, and all students new to Georgia and students coming from any private school, must have certain immunizations before beginning school.

All students are then required to have a Georgia Form 3231 signed by a licensed health-care provider or the county health department.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Channel 2s complete guide for back to school in north Georgia]

Kindergarten (Requirements for K-6)

Four (4+) DTaP (# of Doses depends upon age given)

Four (4+) IPV (# of Doses depends upon age given)

Three (3) Hepatitis B

Two (2) doses of Measles vaccine, Two (2) doses of Mumps vaccine, and One (1) dose of Rubella vaccine OR Two (2) doses of the combined MMR [ OR Documented History of disease or Serology]

Two (2) Hepatitis A [Hepatitis A (Required if born on or after 01/01/2006]

Two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine [OR Documented History of disease or Serology]

7th Grade and Higher Immunization Requirements

Effective July 1, 2014, all children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are entering 7th grade, and new entrants to Georgia schools in grades 8-12 will be required to have Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis) and Meningoccocal Conjugate (MCV4) vaccines before entering school.

NEW: One (1) Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)

NEW: One (1) Tdap

Four (4+) DTaP (# of Doses depends upon age given)

Four (4+) IPV (# of Doses depends upon age given)

Three (3) Hepatitis B

Two (2) doses of Measles vaccine, Two (2) doses of Mumps vaccine, and One (1) dose of Rubella vaccine OR Two (2) doses of the combined MMR [ OR Documented History of disease or Serology]

Two (2) Hepatitis A [Hepatitis A (Required if born on or after 01/01/2006]

Two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine [OR Documented History of disease or Serology]

11th Grade Immunization Requirements

Before starting the 2021-2022 school year, all students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need proof of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4), unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday.

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Note that this booster vaccine is required in addition to the MCV4 vaccine that was required for your child prior to his or her beginning 7th grade.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that affects the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can cause shock, coma, and death within hours of the first symptoms.

To help protect your children and others from meningitis, Georgia law requires students be vaccinated against this disease, unless the child has an exemption.

Additional Requirements

Certificates must be signed by a physician licensed in GA or public health official. A stamp of a Physicians signature is permissible when cosigned by an office staff member.

Certificates must have a printed typed or stamped name and address of the physician, health department or Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) official issuing the certificate.

Certificates must have a complete date of issue with the month, day and year.

[State of Georgia Immunization requirements: Recommended Immunization Schedule]

Exemptions

In the state of Georgia, if there is a religious objection to the vaccination of a child, a completed affidavit on Form 2208 is required. After completion of the affidavit, the parent or legal guardian must have the form filed with the school or childcare facility the child will be attending as legal documentation of exemption from the required immunizations mentioned above.

Medical Waivers/Exemptions are a part of Georgia Form 3231 and are reviewed annually.




[Source]

A newly opened building that will serve as a diamond trading center in Surat, India, has dethroned the U.S. Pentagon to become the worlds largest office building.

About the building: Indias Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) is regarded as a one-stop destination for more than 65,000 professionals in the diamond industry, such as cutters, polishers and traders.

While the buildings official website noted that it was ready to operate as far back as November 2022, its grand opening was reportedly postponed after only 400 members agreed to move into the building. SDB will purportedly start welcoming its occupants this November.

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The 15-story complex, developed by Indian architecture firm Morphogenesis, has over 7.1 million square feet of floor space. It also boasts over 4,700 office spaces, 131 elevators and other features, such as dining, retail, wellness and conference facilities.

With a total cost of 32 billion Indian rupees (approximately $388 million), it reportedly took Morphogenesis four years of construction work, two of which were a result of delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beating the Pentagon: SDB has more floor space than the Pentagon by around 600,000 square feet. The Pentagon has around 6.5 million square feet of floor space.

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Although the Pentagon was built on land with a total area of 583 acres in Arlington County, Virginia, the building reportedly only occupies an area of 29 acres. SDB, on the other hand, occupies more than 35 acres of land.

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Tennessee professor accused of spying for China is acquitted by federal judge
Indianapolis on Wednesday joined a federal lawsuit with at least a dozen other cities against automakers Kia and Hyundai as vehicle thefts of the company's models continue to skyrocket.

In the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the city blames the enormous spike of Kia and Hyundai thefts on the carmakers for lacking basic, industry-standard" technology.

The suit seeks reimbursement for the public safety costs caused by the vehicle thefts. It does not specify a specific amount. Officials argue the thefts have significantly strained law enforcement resources.

Indianapolis has seen many declines in the overall rate of crime that the city has experienced, Mayor Joe Hogsett said about the suit. But vehicle thefts, Hogsett said, are the extreme outlier.

Kia thefts in Indianapolis: Owners suffer as stolen cars increase

While criminal homicides, aggravated assaults and robberies in Indianapolis have decreased anywhere between 6% and 15%, auto thefts are up 24% largely because of stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles, according to the mayor. Hogsett, alongside Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officials, said Kia thefts have increased over 400% since last year. For Hyundais, thefts are up 250%.

The suit said the lack of anti-theft safeguards for both vehicle models has existed for more than a decade, but thefts began burgeoning in late 2020 when social media videos went viral showing how to hotwire the cars with ease.

IndyStar has reached out to both Kia and Hyundai representatives for comment.

Deputy Chief of Police Kendale Adams said the stolen cars have been tied to least eight violent cases in the city this year, including a shooting in June that injured a teen on the northwest side of the city. The problem has become so fierce, Adams said, the department is detailing another detective to its auto theft unit to focus specifically on stolen Kias and Hyundais.

Indianapolis mayoral election: Shreve angers base with gun control plan that NRA calls 'pathetic'. Will it pay off?

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Wed like to focus on violent crime and wed like to continue to drive down shootings and violence, and to have to pivot to do this is frustrating, Adams said.

The lawsuit includes claims from numerous cities including New York City, Seattle, Milwaukee, Madison, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, St. Louis, Kansas City, Baltimore and Buffalo. An attorney representing Indianapolis on Wednesday said they intend to prepare for trial.

Police are urging Kia and Hyundai owners in the meantime to conceal USB cables in their cars, lock their doors and consider installing an alarm system with a GPS tracker.

Contact the reporter at 317-503-7514

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis vehicle thefts: City joins lawsuit against Kia, Hyundai
Rep. Sara Innamorato announced her resignation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The announcement comes on the heels of Innamoratos winning the Democratic primary for the next Allegheny County Executive.

RELATED COVERAGE: Sara Innamorato declares victory in Democratic primary for Allegheny County executive

It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as your Representative for the 21st Legislative District, said Innamorato in a news release. Throughout my time as a Representative, my constituents stories inspired and drove my legislative priorities around creating safe and healthy communities where we can all thrive. Together, weve done amazing things to improve our region, and I am excited to continue serving our neighbors for years to come.

Innamoratos decision to resign now allows her the opportunity to work with the next representative and fully transition them into the role before the general election in November, according to Sam Wasserman, her director of communications.

Speaker Joanna McClinton signed a writ for a special election to be held in 21st Legislative District on Sept 19.

Sara is an unwavering advocate for her neighbors and a strong voice for all working families, McClinton said, Her tenacity and commitment are admirable, and she will be missed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The 21st Legislative District Office at 5154 Butler Street in Pittsburgh will remain open and the staff will continue to be in place to assist constituents with state-related issues.

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Former President Donald Trump waves from his limo as his motorcade leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington after his arraignment on election interference charges. Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI

Twice impeached former President Donald Trump is facing a slew of legal cases, growing ever more serious as he seeks the GOP nomination for re-election in 2024.

In the latest development, Trump was arrested and arraigned Thursday in Washington on his third indictment. The federal charges come after special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election and the resulting violent assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The former president pleaded not guilty.

Here's a look at Trump's indictments, the other legal challenges he faces and where each of them stand.

Trump faces charges connected to hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

INDICTMENT 1: STATE OF NEW YORK VS. TRUMP

Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg's probe into 2016 hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels

Trump became the first former president to face criminal charges in March when he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in the first degree for alleged hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election.

Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford, has long claimed she had an affair with Trump before he became president. Trump's former attorney-turned-critic Michael Cohen was convicted in 2020 of coordinating a $130,000 payment to Daniels. Trump has denied the affair.

The investigation was started by former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who passed the investigation that led to the indictment of his successor, Alvin Bragg.

"The people of the State of New York allege that Donald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election," Bragg said in a statement at the time of the indictment.

"Manhattan is home to the country's most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct."

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Trump pleaded not guilty in early April before boarding a jet to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., where he claimed that the justice system had been weaponized against him.

The case began moving along in June as lawyers for Trump go back and forth with prosecutors about evidence, redactions and other court matters. An evidentiary hearing was held on June 27 before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, though the transcript of what occurred remains sealed, court records reviewed by UPI show.

A letter filed with the court June 29 shows that evidence entered into the record include a check Trump issued to Michael Cohen for $35,000 and a 28-page transcript of a news conference that Trump held in New York on Jan. 11, 2017, as published by The New York Times.

New York State Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan set a trial date of March 25. Trump faces up to four years in prison for each count and a judge could impose consecutive sentences, meaning he could face 136 years in prison if found guilty on every count.

Related to this case, the Trump Organization and its longtime chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, were indicted on tax fraud charges in July 2021. Weisselberg pleaded guilty to 15 charges and agreed to testify against the company in August of last year. The company was found guilty on all counts in December.

This photo that was included in a court filing submitted by the Department of Justice on August 30, 2022, shows a collection of documents seized by the FBI during execution of a search warrant on the Mar-a-Lago resort home of former President Donald Trump. Photo courtesy of Department of Justice/UPI

INDICTMENT 2: U.S. VS. DONALD J. TRUMP, WALTER NAUTA AND CARLOS DE OLIVEIRA

Special Counsel Jack Smith's probe into classified documents

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland signed an order in November appointing Jack Smith as a special counsel to probe Trump's attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Garland also authorized Smith to investigate crimes related to the FBI seizure of thousands of documents from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in August while investigating the potential mishandling of classified documents taken with him to Florida after his presidency ended.

Trump's attorneys argued at the time that the documents were part of his personal records exempt from record-keeping laws and part of an ongoing negotiation with the National Archives.

Smith announced in June that an indictment returned by a grand jury in the Southern District of Florida had been unsealed, charging Trump with "felony violations of our national security laws, as well as participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice."

The indictment reads that the boxes of documents contained information about defense and weapons capabilities of the United States and foreign countries, U.S. nuclear programs and other military-related intelligence. Trump is also accused of showing a classified map related to a military operation to someone who did not have a security clearance and directing his butler, Walter Nauta, to hide the evidence from the FBI.

Smith filed a superseding indictment from the grand jury on July 27, hitting Trump and Nauta with additional charges while adding Carlos De Oliveira as a defendant.

De Oliveira is a maintenance worker accused of helping Nauta move 30 boxes of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago into a storage room on June 2, 2022, under Trump's direction.

Court records show prosecutors have handed over their first and second productions of unclassified evidence through the discovery process, including witness interviews conducted on May 12 and June 23 who may testify at trial.

Trump's legal team will need clearance to view evidence with classified markings.

Prosecutors have demanded reciprocal discovery from Trump's team of evidence he has listed in court records. The case is being overseen by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who has ruled in his favor in the past.

The trial has been set for May 2024.

Prosecutors have requested that Cannon order Trump and Nauta not to share any classified material before they are able to look it over during the discovery phase.

Trump supporters breach the U.S. Capitol to protest the Electoral College vote count to certify President-elect Joe Biden as the winner on January 6, 2021. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

INDICTMENT 3: U.S. VS. DONALD TRUMP, D.C.

Smith's investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol

Trump was arraigned on Aug. 3, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to four charges alleging he perpetrated a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, culminating in a deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol.

The four charges are conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy against the right to vote.

Trump was released on the promise to return to court, without bail being set, but has been ordered not to communicate with any witnesses in the case except through or in the presence of his lawyers.

Unlike in his previous cases, Trump stood and gave his plea himself rather than through his lawyer and did not deliver a fiery speech in the aftermath.

Writing in the indictment, the grand jury said Trump "had a right, like every American, to speak publicly about the election" and even to falsely claim voter fraud affected the election.

However, the grand jury alleged that Trump "also pursued unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting the election results."

Trump has blamed U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, calling the investigation a politically motivated "witch hunt."

Much of the indictment reaffirmed findings from the bipartisan U.S. House select committee's investigation. The lawmakers had voted unanimously to refer Trump to the Justice Department for criminal charges.

The committee also released an 845-page report that clearly names him as being the central figure that spurred the mob of his supporters to siege the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States.

"In the committee's hearings, we presented evidence of what ultimately became a multi-part plan to overturn the 2020 presidential election," the congressional report reads.

"That evidence has led to an overriding and straightforward conclusion: The central cause of Jan. 6 was one man, former President Donald Trump, whom many others followed. None of the events of Jan. 6 would have happened without him."

A audio recording of former President Donald Trump talking to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is played as the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol holds a public hearing to discuss its findings of a year-long investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington on October 13, 2022. File Pool Photo by Alex Wong/UPI

GRAND JURY PROBE: GEORGIA 2020 ELECTION MEDDLING

Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis' investigation after infamous call to 'find' votes

In January, a special grand jury in Georgia completed its investigation into Trump and his allies for possible interference in the 2020 presidential election in the state stemming from his infamous 2021 call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger instructing him to "find" votes.

"All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state," Trump said after his election loss.

The special grand jury concluded with a secret report submitted to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who decided to impanel another grand jury to consider indictments earlier this month.

The grand jury fired off subpoenas to Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, on again-off again Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and others. Willis said earlier this month that more subpoenas were possible, including a subpoena for Trump.

Trump has repeatedly called for a federal judge to dismiss Willis from the case, who has responded that Trump's argument calling her politically biased lacks merit and is procedurally flawed.

Court records reviewed by UPI show that the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a petition from Trump on Monday seeking to have the case thrown out.

"This is not the sort of relief that this court affords, at least absent extraordinary circumstances that petitioner has not shown are present here," the justices wrote in the five-page order.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in the case and has a similar motion pending in the Fulton County Superior Court.

According to NBC News, the grand jury considering Trump's charges could be one of two panels with terms that end Sept. 1. Willis indicated the charges could be levied in the first half of August.

In a Truth Social post, Trump called it a "perfect phone call because nothing that was said was wrong."

"It was clearly a complaint about an election," he said. "These are all Hoxes and Scams made up to stop me from fighting for the American People."

New York Attorney General Letitia James began investigating the Trump Organization in March 2019. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES' LAWSUIT

A look into the dealings of a real estate tycoon

New York Attorney General Letitia James began investigating the Trump Organization in March 2019. As part of the investigation, Trump's son Eric Trump -- the company's executive vice president -- was ordered to sit for a deposition and invoked the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 500 times.

Subpoenas were later issued for the former president, his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and son Donald Trump Jr. Donald Trump unsuccessfully sought to have the case dismissed multiple times, including a lawsuit against James that was dismissed.

He was later found in civil contempt and ordered to pay a daily fine of $10,000 for failing to comply with subpoenas seeking documents related to the case.

Former President Donald Trump is seen leaving Trump Tower in New York City in April. File Photo by John Nacion/UPI

James' investigation is a civil matter examining whether Donald Trump's business inflated the value of its assets over the years for financial gain and ran alongside the probe led by Vance.

In September, James filed the lawsuit stemming from the investigation against Trump, three of his children and the Trump Organization, alleging an illegal scheme that amassed $250 million by fraudulently overvaluing assets.

James called the number of assets Trump allegedly grossly inflated "staggering." At the time, James said she was referring the case to the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York and the Internal Revenue Service for possible criminal violations.

It was not immediately clear if federal prosecutors or the IRS have started probing possible criminal violations related to the allegations made in the civil lawsuit.

Ivanka Trump has since been dismissed from the lawsuit.

James seeks to bar Donald Trump from doing business in the state and $250 million in fines.

E. JEAN CARROLL'S LAWSUITS

Defamation lawsuits centered on sexual abuse allegations

Writer E. Jean Carroll filed the first of her two civil lawsuits against Donald Trump in November 2019, accusing the then-sitting president of defamation when he denied Carroll's claims that he raped her at New York's Bergdorf Goodman department store in the mid-1990s.

Carroll had written a memoir of which a segment was published in New York Magazine in June 2019 detailing the alleged assault. Trump responded by not only repeatedly denying that the assault occurred but that he had never met Carroll. Trump said the writer had fabricated the story to sell copies of her forthcoming book while claiming it was a political smear possibly made in collaboration with his Democratic opposition.

"She is trying to sell a new book -- that should indicate her motivation. It should be sold in the fiction section," Trump said in a June 21 statement.

The first lawsuit has crawled its way through the federal court system and a Jan. 15 start date has been set for the trial.

The second lawsuit was filed with the Supreme Court of the State of New York in November 2022 under New York's then recently-enacted Adult Survivors Act that allowed victims of sexual assault to file civil suits beyond the statute of limitations.

Court documents reviewed by UPI show Trump is accused of knowing "at a bare minimum" that his statements denying the sexual assault were false and that they have caused Carroll emotional pain and suffering, as well as reputational and professional damage.

A Manhattan jury in May unanimously determined that Trump had battered and defamed the columnist, and ordered the now-former president to pay $2 million in compensation and $20,000 in punitive damages for battery. For the defamation allegation, Trump was ordered to pay $1.7 million for reputational repair, $1 million in compensatory damages and $280,000 in punitive damages.

The jury was unable to reach a unanimous agreement on whether Trump had raped Carroll.

The saga over the lawsuits continues after the ruling as both made comments that prompted each to accuse the other of defamation.

After the Manhattan jury issued its ruling, Trump went on CNN and repeated his denials, calling Carroll's allegations "fake" and the like.

In response, Carroll amended her initial 2019 defamation complaint against the New York City real estate mogul asking for no less than $10 million in damages.

Trump has responded with a countersuit filed against Carroll, accusing her of defamation over post-verdict comments she made in an appearance on CNN.

The court document reviewed by UPI centers on Carroll stating in the interview that Trump had raped her, though the jury had only reached consensus that the former president had sexually assaulted her.

Trump's lawyers in the countersuits state her comments were false and uttered "with actual malice and ill will with intent to significantly and spitefully harm and attack" him.
The International Soap Box Derby named 37-year nonprofit veteran Scott Taylor as its next president and chief executive officer Tuesday, according to an ISBD press release.

Currently the executive director of the community-focused Portage Foundation, Taylor will start his new job Aug. 21.

Soap box derby: Revving up for the 2023 FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby: What you need to know

"I am looking forward to working with the board, staff and volunteers to help grow the racing and education programs of and participation in the Soap Box Derby throughout the country and, of course, in Akron at the world championship," he said in a press release.

The announcement comes during a week full of events culminating Saturday with the 85th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships at the Derby Downs Track in Akron.

What to know about Scott Taylor

Scott Taylor has been named the next president and CEO of the International Soap Box Derby.

Born in Wintersville, Taylor began his career on the opposite end of Ohio in Tiffin. There he was the program director of the city's YMCA in 1986 before moving to other nonprofits throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York for the next 25 years.

Among those moves was to the Akron Area YMCA, where he was the executive director of the Firestone Park branch from 2003 to 2007 and the old Canal Square branch from 2006 to 2010, according to a press release.

Following his time at Canal Square, he became a district executive. In charge of three YMCA branches, he also managed the Kohl Family YMCA connected to Summa Health.

In 2011, he left Akron for New York, Lake County in Ohio and then Youngstown. Almost a decade later in 2022, he joined the Portage Foundation.

Today, Taylor and his family live in Tallmadge.

The Soap Box Derby is thrilled that Scott Taylor is joining our organization, Soap Box Derby Board Chair Bret Treier said. His record of leadership roles in operations, fund-raising and volunteer efforts focusing on youth is a perfect fit for the Soap Box Derby mission to build knowledge, leadership skills and character among the boys and girls who participate in our racing programs.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: International Soap Box Derby names Ohio native as CEO, president
An investigation is underway after a young child was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Bostons Hyde Park neighborhood on Tuesday night.

Officers responding to a report of a child struck by a vehicle in the area of 165 Wood Avenue around 9:30 p.m. found a 4-year-old boy with serious injuries, according to the Boston Police Department.

The victim, whose name hasnt been released, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Police noted that an off-duty Boston firefighter rendered first aid to the child at the scene.

A witness said that the child and his mother were walking across the street when a speeding car approached them, struck the child, and continued without stopping.

Residents said speeding is a big problem on the street. One man even purchased signs that say, Drive like your kids live here. There are also posts and other signage along the road aimed at trying and get drivers to slow down.

Rakeem Kelley was parked on the side of street, six feet from where the child was hit. He said when the child was hit, even his car shook. He said the car was traveling so fast, he couldnt get a good look at it.

No arrests have been made at this time and a description of the vehicle involved was not immediately available.

Officials are asking anyone with video surveillance in the area of Wood Avenue or anyone who may have witnessed the crash to call Boston homicide detectives at 617-343-4470.

Anyone who saw or heard anything about what happened here tonight, please let us know. We beg of you. We need your help here, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

Boston: Tacoma St, BPD, DAs Office and Mayor Wu give an update to the pedestrian struck: 4 yo old boy hit by car, car fled, child pronounced, BPD asking anyone with information to call #Boston25 #News #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/RIYPhARFe3  Mark Parkinson (@MParkBoston25) July 19, 2023

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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An Iranian-born female professor at Penn State Abington is accusing the university of illegal pay inequity and discrimination, claiming she is being paid less than a specific white male colleague, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this week.

Faranak Pahlevani, who holds a Ph.D. in applied mathematics, says she has been paid less than the referenced colleague since May 2016 despite equal work on jobs requiring equal skill, effort and responsibility, and performed under similar working conditions. She complained to Penn States legal counsel in July and August 2022 about the discrimination, per the lawsuit, but said the university has taken no action.

She is seeking the difference between the wages, liquidated damages in an amount equal to back wages due and owing, attorneys fees, and additional relief as found by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The university declined to comment Wednesday, as a spokesperson said it does not generally comment on pending litigation.

The specific disparity in pay, or Pahlevanis current pay rate, was not disclosed in the filing. However, according to the lawsuit, Pahlevani and her male colleague were both promoted to the rank of full professor in the mathematics department on July 1, 2022  and the pay disparity continued even afterward.

She filed a charge last October with both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. She is suing Penn State for a violation of the Equal Pay Act and for discrimination on the basis of sex, race and national origin.

This is at least the fourth filed lawsuit against Penn State this year involving discrimination. A white former faculty member at Penn State Abington sued for discrimination last month, a South Asian associate professor at Penn State Behrend sued in February, and a former assistant research professor at University Park sued in January in a wide-ranging federal lawsuit that included gender discrimination.

Pahlevani is seeking a jury trial. She is represented by Pittsburgh law firm Bordas & Bordas.
The Prime Minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, has arrived in Ukraine on an official visit.

Source: Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine

Varadkar has visited Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, together with the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andrii Kostin.

Kostin says Ukraine has two main goals: to stop Russian aggression and to put an end to Russian impunity for international crimes because the Kremlin regime is a threat to the whole world.

"Therefore, the whole world must act jointly and in a coordinated manner to bring the leaders of the regime and their accomplices to account for all the evil they have committed," the Prosecutor General of Ukraine said.

"I am here to express Irelands solidarity with the Government and the people of Ukraine as they endure more than 500 days of Russian attacks," Independent cited Varadkar.

During his visit, the Irish premier will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

He will also meet with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (the parliament) of Ukraine.

While in Kyiv, he will also visit the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Theater and will meet with the actors of the Translations play by Brian Friel, who recently presented this work at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, as well as with Irish people and business representatives working in Ukraine.

Background:

Earlier, Karl Nehammer, Chancellor of Austria, said that the EU countries that adhere to neutrality, including Ireland, cannot support the provision of security guarantees to Ukraine.

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SUVA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in Fiji has surged by a staggering 260 percent since 2010, making Fiji the second-fastest country in the Asia-Pacific with the epidemic.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Fiji Office released new data, which shows a worrying trend for Fiji, reported the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday.

The ministry said a detailed analysis of the data revealed that 245 new cases of HIV were diagnosed last year, the highest ever to be recorded in a year, indicating that new HIV infections are on the rise.

Of these, 231 cases are adults and 14 cases among children, the report said, adding that 43 percent of new cases are among individuals aged 20 to 29 and 28 percent are between 30 and 39.

The report also revealed that males were the most affected group, with 61 percent, or 150 cases.

Fiji's Minister for Health Atonio Lalabalavu said the ministry is committed to fully addressing the rising HIV cases.

In response to these worrying statistics, the ministry has launched several new strategies aimed at controlling the spread of the virus and assisting those affected, Lalabalavu added. 
Leo Varadkar in Bucha during his visit to Ukraine

The Taoiseach of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, has arrived in Ukraine on an official visit and has visited the site of Russian war crimes in the town of Bucha, Kyiv Oblast, the Ukrainian Prosecutor Generals press service reported on Telegram on July 19.

While accompanying the Irish prime minister, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin told him that more than 1,400 civilians had been killed and even more had been tortured in the Bucha district in the first months of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: Ireland begins training Ukrainian sappers in Cyprus

The systematic nature of these crimes indicates that the aggressor is persecuting Ukrainians due to their national identity, the prosecutor general said.

Ukraine has two main goals: to stop Russian aggression and to put an end to Russias impunity for international crimes, Kostin stressed.

The Kremlin regime poses a threat to the whole world. Therefore, it must act together and coordinate to bring the regimes leaders and their accomplices to justice for all the evil they have committed.

Read also: Iceland recognizes Holodomor as genocide against Ukrainian people

Ireland has accepted many Ukrainian refugees and provided them with support since the beginning of the invasion.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arrived in Ukraine for a state visit, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on July 19.

"Welcome to Ukraine, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Today, we will hold important negotiations - security, political cooperation, justice for Ukraine, and our economic cooperation," Zelensky wrote on Telegram

"Although Ireland is a neutral country, this neutrality does not mean indifference, and this is very important. Thank you for all your support!"

During his visit, Varadkar went to Bucha, the site of a Russian massacre against Ukrainian civilians, together with Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin.

The prosecutor informed the Irish prime minister that more than 1,400 civilians were killed in the city and noted the systematic nature of the crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine.

"Today Bucha is a free and safe city. But we will never forget the terrible mass murders of civilians committed here by Russian troops," Kostin said.

The Independent reported that Varadkar and Zelensky held a joint press conference during which the Irish prime minister voiced his belief that Ukraine will win the war.

"Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot," he said.

"My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, have confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed."

Dublin has provided Ukraine with non-lethal military and humanitarian assistance but has refused to provide lethal aid, citing its neutrality.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks to reporters outside the White House after meeting with President Biden on July 18. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

The Biden administration is allowing Israel to audition for a special status that would enable Israelis to travel to the U.S. without a visa  but only if Israel can prove it will no longer discriminate against Palestinian American travelers.

For more than a decade, Israel has sought membership in the United States' visa waiver program, a privilege enjoyed by about 40 mostly European countries whose citizens can enter the U.S. without visas.

But restrictions that the Israeli government puts on the movement of Palestinian Americans, including at times refusing to allow them to use the countrys international airport, have meant it could not join the program, U.S. officials say.

On Wednesday, the U.S. government said it and officials from Israel were signing a memorandum of understanding in which Israel would pledge to treat all traveling U.S. citizens equally without regard to national origin, religion or ethnicity through all ports of entry, including Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

"Our understanding is that this policy will apply to U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans on the Palestinian Population Registry, and that will begin a process in which we will monitor not just their implementation of these policies, but their compliance with these policies and compliance with other facets of the visa waiver program," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

"And by Sept. 30 [the end of the fiscal year], the U.S. government will make a decision on whether they merit admission into the program," Miller said.

U.S. officials will monitor Israels compliance for the next six to eight weeks before Israelis can travel to the U.S. without visas, two other senior administration officials said separately, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement.

The officials declined to outline in detail how the monitoring would work  whether U.S. agencies would post observers at the airport and other points of entry or try similar methods  but said they were determined to obtain accurate reports on the treatment of U.S. citizens.

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We do have an approach in place whereby we can get information from a variety of sources, one of the administration officials said. Our aim is to collect as much information as we can so that we can reach a judgment that is most likely to capture what is actually taking place as opposed to what were being told.

Palestinian Americans have long complained of being discriminated against, abused, subjected to tough questioning and confronted with other obstacles when attempting to travel in Israel, usually when headed to the West Bank or Gaza Strip, or back into Israel from those areas.

The Biden administration officials acknowledged that the Israeli government has known for years what steps it needed to take to win entry into the visa waiver program. This is the first time the Israelis are committing to meeting the requirements at the same time that the visa refusal rate for Israelis dropped to under 3%, another precondition for qualifying for the process, one of the officials said.

"What Israel is pledging to do would represent a significant change in its policy regarding the entry of American citizens," the official added. "I hope ... that what this is changing [is] how Israel fundamentally treats all American citizens," especially those with Palestinian or other U.S.-dual nationalities.

The announcement coincided with Israeli President Isaac Herzog's official visit to Washington, delivering an address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, a day after meeting with President Biden at the White House. He did not mention the visa program in public remarks, but State Department officials said a "breakthrough" on the issue was achieved Tuesday. Reports from Israel say the steps it has agreed to will start Thursday.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks at a Tuesday meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, D.C.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks at a Tuesday meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. House of Representatives said Tuesday it believes Israel is neither a racist nor an apartheid state and that the United States will always be a staunch partner of the country, and it went so far as to reject antisemitism and xenophobia.

A resolution stating those precepts was unsurprisingly and overwhelmingly adopted on a bipartisan basis on a 412 to 9 vote that had more to do with the partisan jockeying for position than any actual concern over Israel.

On the House floor, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who was one of the nine votes, all from Democrats, against the resolution and the only Palestinian American in Congress, called it an effort at policing the words of women of color.

Israels president, Isaac Herzog, is set to speak Wednesday before a joint session of Congress, and his invitation to speak set off a chain of events that led both parties to accuse the other of being soft on antisemitism ahead of the speech.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a prominent Israel critic, kicked things off Saturday when, as part of remarks at the progressive Netroots Nation conference decrying the deterioration in Israeli-Palestinian relations recently, she said that Israel was a racist state.

That drew condemnation from both fellow Democrats as well as Republicans. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters Monday Jayapals comments were only the latest in a series of anti-Semitic remarks by members of the party.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), a critic of Israel, referred to the nation Saturday as

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), a critic of Israel, referred to the nation Saturday as "a racist state" but recanted her words on Sunday.

There are a number of them over there, he said. I think this is a role for [House Democratic Leader] Hakeem [Jeffries], the leader, to prove that, no, theyre not antisemitic and they cannot allow their members to continue to say what they have said in the past.

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Jayapal recanted her statement Sunday, but Democratic leaders put out their own statement in support of Israel, and 43 of Jayapals Democratic colleagues issued their own separate statement distancing themselves from Jayapals original remark.

And in an irony that could only happen in Washington, House Republicans left themselves open to charges of antisemitism with the disclosure that a high-profile witness for a hearing Thursday, presidential candidate and noted anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had made antisemitic remarks at a New York City dinner recently.

Kennedy told other dinner guests in a video posted by the New York Post that he believed COVID-19 had been ethnically targeted to affect some populations, such as white people and African Americans, but not others, such as Ashkenazi Jews and people of Chinese descent.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Kennedys remarks perpetuated harmful and debunked stereotypes.

McCarthy said again Monday that he disagreed with everything he says but also said Kennedys remarks should not affect whether he testifies at the Thursday hearing.

The hearing that we have this week is about censorship. I dont think [censoring] somebody is actually the answer here, he said.

I think if youre going to look at censorship in America, your first action to [censor] him probably plays into some of the problems that we have.

And though the resolution may have passed overwhelmingly, as expected, the fight over the optics isnt done yet.

Asked Friday about a group of Democrats who planned to skip Herzogs speech and whether he believed merely not attending was antisemitic, McCarthy answered simply, Yes.

Related...
Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a joint address to Congress to large fanfare despite recent divisions within the Democratic Party about Israel.

Mr Herzog acknowledged the fact that some Democrats chose not to attend his joint address.

I respect criticism, especially among friends, although one does not always have to accept it, he said. But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the State of Israels right to exist.

Mr Herzogs address came a day after the House of Representatives passed a resolution 412 to 9 reaffirming US support for Israel and saying that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state as well as rejecting all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia.

The resolution came after Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) called Israel a racist state, which she later clarified. Many of the Democrats who voted against the legislation  such as Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Cori Bush (D-MO)  also elected not to attend Mr Herzogs speech.

Questioning the Jewish peoples right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism, he said to large applause. Vilifying and attacking Jews, whether in Israel, in the United States or anywhere in the world is antisemitism.

Mr Herzog defended Israels record on human rights and minority protections.

Our democracy is also reflected in protesters taking to the streets all across the country to emphatically raise their voices and fervently demonstrate their point of view, he said. Israel is currently facing a series of protests about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus proposed plan to reform the judiciary.

I am well aware of the imperfections of Israeli democracy, and I am conscious of the questions posed by our greatest of friends, he said. The momentous debate in Israel is painful and deeply unnerving, because it highlights the cracks within the whole.

The Israeli president spoke about his familys longstanding ties to the United States, including the fact that his father, Chaim Herzog, was the first president to address a joint session of Congress. He addressed Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who travelled to Israel earlier this year to commemorate Israels 75th anniversary.

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Your sincere expression of friendship on behalf of the United States truly resonated with the Israelis, he said. He also thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for her support.

Mr Herzog noted the overwhelming bipartisan support for the state of Israel and the Jewish people going back to Harry Trumans recognition of the state of Israel in 1948. Mr Trumans grandson Clinton Truman Daniel received applause when Mr Herzog mentioned his presence in the chamber.

He also mentioned Abraham Lincoln calling for Jewish people returning to their homeland and the efforts of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in America to support civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr.

The people of Israel are grateful to no end for the ancient promise fulfilled and for the friendship we have formed, he said.

Despite these divides, most of the US Congress filled out the House chamber for the joint address and gave Mr Herzog roaring applause throughout his address, specifically when he spoke about the need to prevent a nuclear Iran.

Let there be no doubt: Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, he said. Iran is building nuclear capabilities that pose a threat to the stability of the Middle and beyond. Every country or region controlled or infiltrated by Iran has experienced utter havoc.

He also called to continue building on peace agreements with Israels Arab neighbours such as Jordan and Egypt, as well as the Abraham Accords, former president Donald Trumps peace agreement with the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Morocco and Bahrain.

This is a peace anchored in trust, hope and prosperity, he said. Each of these historic agreements, which have altered the trajectory of the Middle East, was facilitated by our greatest friend, the United States of America.

He also called for Israel to establish peace with the Palestinians. Many of the progressive Democrats who boycotted Mr Herzogs speech did so because of Israels treatment of Palestinians.

Israel has taken bold steps towards peace and made far reaching proposals to our Palestinian neighbors, he said.

He said that the United States and Israels support for each other was in each others best interest.

When the United States is strong, Israel is stronger, and when Israel is strong, the United States is more secure, he said to applause.
Military reservists sign a declaration announcing the suspension of their voluntary reserve duty as part of the protest (Menahem KAHANA)

Hundreds of Israeli activists marched from Tel Aviv towards Jerusalem on Wednesday to protest against the hard-right government's planned judicial overhaul, which they fear threatens liberal democracy.

"It is time for a decisive move," said protest organiser Shikma Bressler of the 70-kilometre (43-mile) multi-day march, set to reach the Knesset or parliament by Saturday. "We need you... to join us."

The march is part of a months-long wave of protests that saw thousands block roads and train stations across the country on Tuesday, ahead of an upcoming parliament vote on a key clause of the reform agenda.

Protests against the judicial reforms have drawn support from both the left and the right, secular and religious groups, peace activists and military reservists, blue-collar and hi-tech workers.

Carrying Israeli flags, water bottles and umbrellas against the scorching sun, they set off in the morning, took a lengthy midday break in the shade of a park, and resumed their walk at around 5:30 pm (1430 GMT).

"We will get to Jerusalem on Saturday night and set up tents around the Knesset," said Moshe Radman, 38. "We hope that the government of Israel will hear the nation and stop the destruction."

Radman told AFP that the protesters would walk for about four hours, then break for the night and start again around sunrise on Thursday.

The judicial reform plan, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in January, has split the nation.

It has sparked one of Israel's biggest ever protest movements, with weekly demonstrations often drawing tens of thousands.

It has also drawn international criticism, including from Israel's close ally the United States, where Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.

- Tensions with Washington -

US President Joe Biden has regularly voiced criticism of the proposed judicial reforms.

"My recommendation to Israeli leaders is not to rush," Biden was quoted as saying by columnist Thomas Friedman in The New York Times.

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"I believe the best outcome is to continue to seek the broadest possible consensus here."

Herzog -- who earned multiple standing ovations during his 45-minute address to a joint session of Congress -- said the "painful, and deeply unnerving" demonstrations were the "clearest tribute to the fortitude of Israel's democracy".

"Although we are working through sore issues, just like you, I know our democracy is strong and resilient. Israel has democracy in its DNA," he said.

"As head of state, I will continue doing everything to reach a broad public consensus, and to preserve, protect and defend the state of Israel's democracy."

Tuesday's mass protests, billed as a "national day of resistance", came after lawmakers adopted in a first reading a bill to limit the "reasonability" clause that currently allows the judiciary to strike down government decisions.

The Israeli parliament is due to begin the much-awaited second and third readings of the controversial bill on Monday.

The government, which includes Netanyahu's extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, argues that the changes are necessary to ensure a better balance of power.

Some critics of Netanyahu, who is fighting corruption charges in court, have argued he is seeking to undermine a judicial system he has accused of targeting him unfairly for political reasons.

The "reasonability" clause was cited most recently by Israel's top court to force Netanyahu to remove from his cabinet Aryeh Deri of the ultra-Orthodox party Shas, over a previous tax evasion conviction.

Other proposals include giving the government a greater say in the appointment of judges.

The Israel Medical Association on Wednesday announced a two-hour strike to protest the government's reforms.

Later on Wednesday, dozens of Israeli military reservists also signed a declaration announcing the suspension of their voluntary reserve duty to protest against the judicial reforms.

burs-jd/srm/it
By Patricia Zengerle, Rami Ayyub and Josephine Walker

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israeli President Isaac Herzog told U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday he welcomed criticism, especially from American friends, but said it must not cross the line into negation of Israel's right to exist. That, he said, was antisemitism.

Herzog, whose position is largely ceremonial, spoke to a chamber packed with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, despite the absence of a handful of progressive Democrats who announced they would boycott over issues including the treatment of Palestinians by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Herzog spoke a day after a White House meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at which the two leaders stressed their countries' close ties despite tensions with Netanyahu's right-wing government.

"I'm not oblivious to criticism among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House. I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it," Herzog told the joint meeting in a speech greeted with several standing ovations.

"But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the state of Israel's right to exist. Questioning the Jewish people's right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism."

The House passed a resolution by an overwhelming 412 to 9 vote on Tuesday expressing support for Israel and saying it was not a racist state. The nine were Democrats, and a 10th voted present.

The vote followed an uproar over remarks by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal, who leads a large group of progressives in Congress, for saying that Israel is a racist state. She apologized on Sunday.

U.S.-Israeli ties have been strained over Israeli settlement expansion on the occupied West Bank and what Washington sees as dimming prospects for a two-state solution to relations with the Palestinians as well as a judicial overhaul.

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The proposed overhaul, which has drawn street protests across Israel from critics who decry it as anti-democratic, included curbs on the Supreme Court's authority while granting the government decisive powers in appointing judges.

Herzog vowed to work toward a consensus on the difficult issue, calling the protests a reflection of the strength of Israeli democracy.

"As a nation, we must find a way to talk to each other, no matter how long it takes. As head of state, I will continue doing everything to reach broad public consensus and to preserve, protect, and defend the state of Israel's democracy," he said.

HISTORIC TIES

Herzog followed his father, Chaim Herzog, who as president in 1987 was accorded the same honor of addressing a joint meeting of the U.S. House and Senate, one of the highest marks of esteem Washington affords foreign dignitaries.

The invitation was extended to Herzog by the leaders of Congress last year to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel's founding.

Herzog acknowledged the presence of Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of former U.S. President Harry Truman, who met with Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac Halevi Herzog, Herzog's grandfather, at the White House in 1949 after Truman became the first world leader to officially recognize Israel.

Herzog met later on Wednesday with Vice President Kamala Harris. The two announced a joint five-year, $70 million initiative to support climate-smart agriculture to improve the use of critical water resources in the Middle East and Africa.

Herzog thanked Harris husband Doug Emhoff for his "valiant efforts to combat antisemitism and hatred of all forms."

On Monday, Biden invited Netanyahu to the United States for an official visit later this year.

Biden had held off extending the invitation out of concern over Jewish settlements and the planned judicial overhaul. Israelis have protested the plan for months, including on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Don Durfee, Chizu Nomiyama and Howard Goller)
Jul 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Alex Baker wears a shirt advocating against Issue 1 made by Ohio House Democrats as volunteers gather at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 683 union hall to write postcards and pick up shirts and yard signs before going out and knocking doors to encourage people to vote against Issue 1 in the August special election.

Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. tsuddes@gmail.com

Ohioans are now voting on State Issue 1, which, if ratified, would make it nearly impossible for the states voters to amend the Ohio Constitution.

Voting no on Issue 1 is a vote to uphold the public interest. Voting yes is a vote for special interests  and the chokehold they have on the Ohio Statehouse.

Thomas Suddes

Issue 1 is so smelly that four former governors  two Republicans and two Democrats oppose it: Former Govs. Bob Taft, Ted Strickland, John R. Kasich and Richard F. Celeste. Also opposing Issue 1 are five former Ohio attorneys general  two Republicans and three Democrats.

Issue 1 is a scheme by Statehouse operators and their enablers, who fear that fed-up Ohioans will use their power as citizens to bypass an unresponsive, gerrymandered General Assembly.

Thats the same simon-pure legislature that helped enable the $61 million House Bill 6-FirstEnergy scandal, and the virtuous legislature that has yet to repeal HB 6 altogether, even though the Houses former Republican leader is serving 20 years in the jug for engineering the HB 6 affair.

How would passage of Issue 1 on the August 8 Ohio Special Election ballot change the way voters get constitutional amendments on the ballot?

Issue 1 would cheat Ohio voters in three ways:

Since 1912, Ohioans have been able to ratify a proposed state constitutional amendment with a simple majority  50% plus 1  of those voting on it. Issue 1 would require an amendment to draw a yes vote of at least 60%.

Issue 1 would make it harder  arguably, nearly impossible  for Ohioans to petition to place a proposed amendment on the ballot. Now, backers of a proposed amendment must gather a specified percentage of voter signatures in 44 of Ohios 88 counties. Issue 1 would require gathering that specified percentage in all 88 counties.

Then this: Now, if petitioners come up short of the necessary number of signatures currently, 413,487 (10% of the votes cast in the last governors election)  petitioners are granted 10 days to gather the needed signatures (the so-called cure period). Issue 1 would abolish the cure period.

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Of course, theres an agenda here, but the backers of Issue 1 arent advertising it. Issue 1 was crafted to block an abortion-rights amendment thats being proposed for Ohios November statewide ballot.

How so? Well, in four of the states whose voters ratified abortion rights amendments in response to the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, the yes vote on those amendments came in at under 60%: Kansas, 59%; Michigan, 56.7%; Kentucky, 52.4%; and Montana, 52.6%.

So, no coincidence, Issue 1 would set a 60% floor on yes votes when Ohioans consider future constitutional amendments. And as Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Ohios chief elections officer, has conceded, Issue 1 is 100% about abortion.

If voters approve Issue 1, then a November abortion-rights amendment would require a yes vote of at least 60% to become part of the Ohio Constitution.

The 50% requirement has been good enough for more a century. Not now: Republican legislators owe the anti-abortion lobby big time.

But access to abortion isnt the only target of Issue 1. So is an anti-gerrymandering amendment likely to surface in 2024. Gerrymandering means rigging the boundaries of General Assembly and congressional districts to make it easier for one party or the other to capture them.

Republicans have gerrymandered Ohio for that very reason, meaning many General Assembly and congressional races are decided in GOP primaries, where the zanier the candidate, the better her or his prospects for landing in Columbus or Washington. (Sure, Democrats could do the same, but the last time they controlled both the state Senate and Ohios House was in 1983-84  40 years ago.)

And the Statehouses GOP leaders couldnt care less what courts say about rigged districts. An effective 2024 anti-gerrymandering amendment would help end Statehouse business-as-usual. Thats precisely what insiders fear and why they are so determined to weaken voters power via Issue 1,

Voting no on Issue 1 sends a message to an out-of-control General Assembly: Enough, ladies and gentlemen, is enough.

Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. tsuddes@gmail.com

Make a plan and vote.

Jul 11, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; A steady stream of voters comes and goes on the first day of early voting for issue 1.

Visit www.ohiosos.gov or call your county board of elections to register to vote, check to see if you are registered or change your registration information.

Polls will open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on election day, August 8.

Early in-person voting hours for the August 8 special election.

Visit www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/toolkit/early-voting/ for voting locations in your county.

July 17 to 21  8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

July 24 to 28  8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

July 31  7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

August 1  7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

August 2-4  7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

August 5  8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

August 6  1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Suddes: Issue 1 stinks. Your no vote will send message to Ohio lawmakers
You should avoid these mistakes to have the best possible cruise. Erica DePascale

I've worked on a cruise ship for six years, so I've seen a fair share of passengers make mistakes.

Missing the ship at port or booking excursions with outside operators could be costly and risky.

If you don't set your phone to airplane mode, you may rack up overseas roaming charges.

After over six years working on ships for a major cruise line, I've witnessed tons of travel blunders that prevent guests from having the best possible experience.

Here are 14 common mistakes I see travelers make:

Not reading the fine print can lead to conduct issues later

Passengers usually come on the ship excited for a good time, and for many, this involves a drinks package.

Having fun and enjoying your vacation is one thing, but getting too rowdy is not allowed.

Every passenger consents to a hefty conduct policy when they book the cruise, so make sure to read through it to know what's prohibited on board.

I've come across a few troublemakers who had no idea that smashing Champagne glasses in the hot tub could get you booted off the ship.

Make sure to put your phone on airplane mode to avoid expensive roaming charges

Cellular rates at sea can sneak up on you, and you can easily rack up a $500 roaming bill.

Even if you're not actively on your phone, most are still using data, so make sure to set yours on airplane mode to avoid roaming charges.

Really, unless you're using your phone for photos or accessing the ship's WiFi, just turn it off.

Many passengers don't take advantage of the different dining options on board

a wooden, circular table full of food with the ocean in the background

There are more complimentary dining areas than just the buffet.Solarisys/Shuttershock

I often see passengers eat all three meals at the buffet every day. I know some people just really love the self-serve option, but it surprises me how many guests have no idea what's included with their trip.

Many times, the biggest shock to most first-time cruisers is that the dining room is included. Yes, this means a sit-down meal where you can order seven appetizers, five entrees, and 12 extra cookies for a midnight snack.

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There are also so many free-food spots around the ship, like the pizza station, 24-hour ice-cream machine, and small cafes.

Just be aware that specialty dining, like the steak house, might cost extra.

Leaving your room key behind is more of a hassle than you'd expect

It is not just a room key  it's your onboard credit card, ticket on and off the ship, and identification for the week.

Everything is connected to that card, so make sure to set up your information online ahead of time to start swiping the moment you get on board.

Security will scan it when you pass through the gangway to know who is on or off the ship, so it's especially important to have on port days.

If you lose it, report it to the service desk right away to make sure no one else spends your money.

Many guests don't know that they can bring their own wine on the ship

While many people think no outside alcohol is permitted on the ship, many major cruise lines allow passengers over the age of 21 to bring a bottle or two of wine on boarding day, so you can stop smuggling drinks in empty mouthwash bottles.

Some terminals will even sell wine to boarding travelers.

If you buy alcohol in a port, you'll have to check it upon reentering the ship, and it'll be delivered to your room on the last night.

You might miss out on fun events by ignoring the cruise planner

The planner will let you know about the daily happenings on board. Erica DePascale for Insider

An updated cruise planner is placed in your room every night for the next day. Many passengers overlook it, but it can save you a lot of time and money.

It contains important information like the hourly activities, the weather, special happenings, the drink of the day, and information on the ports.

Missing the all-aboard time on port days is an expensive mistake

In my years of working cruises, I have seen more than a handful of guests miss the ship.

While this is a huge fear for most passengers, it usually happens to avid cruisers  people who have been to the port many times before sometimes assume the all-aboard time is always the same.

But this time varies by cruise, and it's stated on multiple signs at the exit gangway, in the daily planner, and in the captain's announcement.

Also, always triple-check whether the all-aboard time is based on the ship's clock or the local time.

If you miss the ship, you'll have to get yourself to the next port, which can be very pricey.

Passengers miss out on discounts by not booking their next cruise while still on the ship

Booking a future vacation while cruising can get you bigger discounts, access to new itineraries not open to the general public yet, and a lot of onboard credit.

These booking appointments are usually filled up by the last few days of the cruise, so head there at the beginning of your stay for more deals and no wait.

Booking a tour with an outside operator can be risky

ship crew having fun

Ships usually won't wait for outside tours to return.Erica DePascale

Although it might be a lot cheaper to book your tours independently, it's also a lot riskier.

The onboard excursions through the ship are with verified operators. And most cruise lines will wait for the ship's tour to return before leaving the port, even if it's hours late.

But this is not the case if you book on your own, and running through the port to find the ship sailing away is probably not the excursion you're looking for.

Immediately removing the automatic gratuity affects many staff members

On most cruise ships, there is a preset daily gratuity charged per passenger unless it's removed at the guest-services desk.

I see so many people come on board and immediately remove the charge, but this fee is usually split between your housekeeping, dining, and cleaning staff. It is essential to their jobs and affects their livelihoods.

I'd recommend waiting until the end of the cruise to make sure you're happy with the service instead of removing it on day one. You can also increase or decrease the amount instead of cutting it.

Packing prohibited items can lead to a headache

As confident as you are that you can sneak on your portable iron, I seriously advise against packing anything that's not allowed on board.

Security scans your bags on embarkation day, and if a prohibited item  like an iron, a bottle of vodka, or a candle  is found, they will hold your bag.

Your luggage won't be delivered to your door, and you'll have to wait several hours until security contacts you, brings you to the holding area to search the bag, and confiscates the item until the end of the cruise.

Prepare your necessary travel documents to avoid trouble at ports

a view of mountains and water off the front of a ship

It's your responsibility to know which documents you need.Erica DePascale

Cruise ships journey all over the world, so make sure to check if you need specific visas or documents based on your nationality.

You are responsible for knowing and bringing your own paperwork. If you don't have the right documents, you might not be able to get off at a port or, even worse, be allowed back on the ship.

I saw this happen when traveling to India with many American guests, a handful of whom didn't realize they needed a visa.

Dressing down on formal night limits your dining options

Even though walking through the promenade in shorts is your choice, many guests aren't aware that there's usually a formal evening on cruises.

Most passengers don evening gowns and suits on formal night, and I've met cruisers who wished they would've packed at least one nice item  besides their Margaritaville shirt, of course.

Passengers not formally dressed on this evening aren't allowed to eat in the main dining rooms, though the buffet is open to everyone.

It's worth learning the difference between port and starboard

Different announcements will direct passengers to either the port side or starboard side of the ship, so it's best to brush up on the jargon before your vacation.

Port is the left side of the boat and starboard is the right, always configured facing the front of the ship.

Just remember that "port" and "left" are both four letters. You'll thank me later.

Click to read more of my advice on cruising and stories from onboard the ship.

Read the original article on Insider
James Cameron. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

James Cameron suggested OceanGate lacked "rigor and discipline" after the Titan disaster.

The Hollywood filmmaker and ocean explorer called for more regulations on deep-sea vessels.

Cameron made the comments while speaking Tuesday at an event in Ontario, Canada.

Hollywood filmmaker and underwater explorer James Cameron suggested OceanGate  the company behind the Titan submersible that imploded last month, killing all five people on board  lacked "rigor and discipline" as he called for more regulations on deep-sea vessels after the tragedy.

The "Titanic" movie director on Tuesday called the catastrophic implosion of OceanGate's Titan sub an "extreme outlier" when it comes to the safety record in the world of deep-sea exploration, according to CBC News.

"No fatalities, no incidents, no deaths, no implosions  until today," Cameron, who has voyaged to the Titanic wreck site in the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean 33 times, said while speaking during an event at the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society in Ontario.

The Titan disaster, Cameron said, "is an extreme outlier of a data point that in a sense proves the rule. And the rule is we've been safe for half a century," CBC News reported.

However, "We have to be reminded of the possibility of human failure," Cameron said.

French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet was among the five passengers killed on the Titan sub during an expedition to the wreckage site of the famed ship, and Cameron called him "a good friend."

"So it's an emotional shock. It's like a gut punch. You don't expect it because you don't expect an implosion to happen because that's what you spend all your time and all your finite element analysis and your computer simulations and everything else to prevent it," Cameron said.

"But they obviously didn't do that," said Cameron, referring to OceanGate. "They didn't approach it with that same rigor and discipline, unfortunately."

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Cameron added that new regulation is now needed when it comes to deep-sea exploration to "treat any kind of passenger vehicle  which it [the Titan] was  the same way you treat a ship that takes passengers or a fishing boat," Cameron said, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

The filmmaker made the comments while speaking at the opening of an exhibit called "Pressure: James Cameron into the Abyss," which features the Deepsea Challenger submersible that Cameron piloted in 2012 to the ocean's deepest point in the Mariana Trench.

"I certainly wasn't worried about imploding because we had tested everything  that's how it should be," Cameron said.

Read the original article on Insider
Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong meets with Wissanu Krea-ngam, deputy prime minister of Thailand, in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with Wissanu Krea-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, in Beijing on Wednesday.

Noting that China and Thailand are good neighbors, good friends, good relatives, and good partners, Wang said that the two peoples enjoy profound friendship. In particular, the two sides announced last year to jointly build a China-Thailand community with a shared future, which opened a new era of China-Thailand relations.

China is ready to work with Thailand to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen practical cooperation in law enforcement and security, safeguard the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future, and bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples, said Wang.

Wissanu said that Thailand is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in law enforcement and security and promote the continuous and in-depth development of Thailand-China relations. 
WASHINGTON  A Jan. 6 rioter who was armed with a concealed weapon as he led a mob that overran police on the steps of the Capitol was sentenced to seven years in federal prison Wednesday.

Christopher Alberts, a Donald Trump supporter from Maryland who was found guilty on nine charges in April after he testified that "instinct took over" when he charged at police with a wooden pallet during the Capitol attack, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper.

Alberts, who told jurors that he felt like it was a fraudulent election," was one of just a handful of rioters who was actually arrested on Jan. 6, 2021. Had he not been taken into custody that day, federal investigators might never have realized he had a gun during the Capitol attack. The total number of guns in the mob that day will never be known, but other defendants have admitted they were armed, including Mark Mazza, who was carrying two firearms and received five years in federal prison when he was sentenced last year. Guy Reffitt, a Jan. 6 rioter who charged up the stairs alongside Alberts and was the first Capitol rioter to go to trial, also had a gun. He was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison.

Christopher Alberts at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Emily Molli via U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C.)

Prosecutors had sought 10 years in federal prison for Alberts, saying charging the police line while armed with a gun and wearing metal-plated body armor and a gas mask deserved a significant sentence.

"For hours, and often just steps from the Capitol Building, Alberts screamed at police officers that they were 'domestic terrorists' and were 'treasonous, communist motherf---ers,' who were improperly stopping the rioters 'from doing whats right,'" prosecutors wrote. "He exclaimed that he and the other rioters were there 'to do what we are constitutionally allowed to do'  that is, they had 'a right' and 'a duty' to overthrow the government of the United States and install a new government.

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"Since his January 6, 2021 arrest, Alberts has expressed no remorse for his crimes, instead seeking praise for being a 'hero' and 'protector' during his assault on the Capitol while slandering the police officers who valiantly struggled that day to protect it," prosecutors continued.

Christopher Alberts leaves court in Washington, D.C. (Ryan J. Reilly / NBC News)

Prosecutors also pointed out that Albert urinated on a wall of the Capitol while yelling f--- D.C. Metro" and later threw a bottle at the police line. He was arrested after nightfall when a police officer noticed a bulge on his hip that he recognized to be a weapon.

"Through its sentence, the Court must send an unambiguous message to Alberts that military service does not justify his betrayal of the United States on January 6, 2021," prosecutors argued.

Capitol Police Officer Stephen Sherman said in a victim impact statement that he thought rioters were going to take out guns and begin assassinating myself and fellow officers on the western front of the Capitol. He spoke about being unable to reach his wife, another Capitol Police officer, after he was attacked with pepper spray for a second time and how he thought she was dead.

You came to the Capitol that day to start a war, Sherman told Alberts.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast

As the Justice Departments special prosecutor prepares to indict former President Donald Trump, all signs point to criminal charges unseen in American history: defrauding the nation with fake electors to sway the 2020 election, obstructing Congress to stop it from certifying votes, and inciting an insurrection.

On Tuesday, Trump claimed he was singled out in a target letter by Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smitha strong indication that an indictment could be weeks away.

In the two years since the former presidents failed coup, some of the nations top legal minds have analyzed how a federal indictment would read. Their conclusions, laid out in various legal memos and essays, all generally point to the same end: Prosecutors will rely on powerful criminal charges, many of which date back from the last time the nation faced an existential crisis during the American Civil War some 160 years ago.

Although nothing is publicly known about the oncoming law enforcement action, Smiths questioning of witnesses and grand jury subpoenas hint at whats to come.

Fake electors

The House Jan. 6 Committees extensive investigation and public hearings already documented how Trump was repeatedly told he lost the 2020 election to his rival. As the clock ticked down the 64 days until Congress would certify the electoral college votes, Trump and his advisers secretly engaged in a scheme to assemble alternate electors from seven states who would replace authentic electoral college electors already slated to vote for President Joe Biden.

The effort ultimately went nowhere, but Smith is digging in. Last week, CNN reported that his investigators had sent subpoenas to all seven states: Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada, Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Additionally, on Tuesday, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel politics journalist Molly Beck reported that federal investigators interviewed a Wisconsin elections official in April.

Trump Loses It Over Letter Saying Hes a Target of Jack Smiths Jan. 6 Probe

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A group of scholars including former ambassador Norman Eisen, government watchdog nonprofit leader Noah Bookbinder, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Donald Ayer, and New Yorks former chief public corruption investigator E. Danya Perry put together a model prosecution memo that examines what the DOJ can do with that.

Trump could be charged with violating 18 U.S.C.  371conspiracy to defraud the United Stateswhich carries a five-year prison sentence if two or more people join forces to commit any offense against the country. In their memo, legal scholars also cite how Trump and his advisers mounted a pressure campaign on then-Vice President Mike Pence that would have had him abuse his role as the overseer of the electoral certificationa clear violation of the Constitution.

On that note, a federal judge in California last year already found that Trump and John Eastman, the conservative lawyer who advised him to manipulate Pence this way, likely violated this conspiracy-to-defraud law.

Investigators can point to a heated email exchange between Eastman and Greg Jacob, the former vice presidents lawyer, which was documented by the Jan. 6 Committees final report. When Eastman conceded that they were asking Pence to commit a relatively minor violation of the Electoral Count Act, Jacob pushed back on the ridiculous idea and asked if Eastman had at the very least told Trump that the vice president doesnt legally have that power. Eastmans response was that Trump had been so advised and later added: But you know himonce he gets something in his head, it is hard to get him to change course.

Theres a third angle to a possible violation of  371: over the way Trump tried to use Jeffrey Clark, a MAGA loyalist in the upper decks of the DOJ.

GOP Lashes Out Over Trump Target Letter: Worse Than Russia

Trump briefly considered elevating Clark to become the nations attorney general, where he could weaponize the Justice Department by casting doubt on the election results and pressuring states to use the fake electors.

Part of this investigation could focus on Trumps efforts to also threaten Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in the now-infamous January 2021 phone call in which Trump asked him to find 11,780 votes to overturn the election there. And it appears that Smiths team is examining Trumps similarly menacing behavior directed at the man who was Arizonas governor during the 2020 election, Doug Duceywhom Trump grew to despise for refusing to flip the results in the Grand Canyon State. On Tuesday, CNN reported that Smiths investigators also reached out to Ducey.

Obstructing an official proceeding

Trump could also be slapped with the same criminal charge the DOJ has used against more than 200 of the MAGA loyalists who assaulted the Capitol building during the winter insurrection: impeding an official proceeding. Another model prosecution memo put together last year by former Michigan federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade lays this charge out.

The massive crowd showed up at Trumps direction following his December tweet and his D.C. speech that day calling for them to march on Congress. As the DOJ has proven time and time again in court, the rioters attemptedand succeededin interrupting the certification of the 2020 election results.

For that, Smith could charge Trump with violating 18 U.S.C.  1512(c)(2), which prohibits obstructing, influencing, or impeding any official proceedingor even attempting to do so. That carries a hefty 20-year prison term.

Inciting a rebellion

The most serious criminal charge is also the hardest to proveand using it would be an extraordinary maneuver.

Smith could try to hold Trump directly responsible for the savage violence his followers exacted on dozens of police officersand the extensive property damage on the Capitol, which the DOJ estimated last year at $2.9 million.

Legal scholars have pointed to 18 U.S.C.  2383, which severely punishes anyone engaged in outright rebellion. It dates back to a time when the nation was at war with itself, and the Union found it necessary to snuff out any flame of violent resistance.

At only 57 words, the text has barely changed since it was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, and prosecutors havent used it since the Civil War, according to an in-depth analysis by two college professors writing for the Illinois Law Review.

USA-TRUMP/INVESTIGATIONS REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

If Smiths prosecutors decide to go down this route, they can point to some details surfaced by the Jan. 6 Committee, which ended its work by making a criminal referral to the DOJ citing this very statute.

The special counsel can make the case that when Trump exhausted all of his legal challengesthe many kraken tentacles of his conspiracy-laden lawsuits across the country were cut off one by one by judgeshe instead employed the threat of the crowd to pressure Pence and members of Congress.

This law prohibits insurrectionor giving aid or comfort to insurrectionists. As legal scholars have noted, prosecutors could point to Trumps 2:24 p.m. tweet on that fateful day, when he egged on the rioters mid-attack.

Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth! Trump posted, as his followers beat police officers and lawmakers tried evacuating the Capitol.

Smith could also point to Trumps reluctance to intervene for the next three hours, as the violence intensified.

If hes charged, Trump faces up to 10 years in prison for this crime alone. However, legal scholars warn against whats become a common reading of the law, which says that violators shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

Bizarrely, that language doesnt appear to apply to elected officials, South Texas College of Law Houston professor Josh Blackman and Maynooth University Department of Law lecturer Seth Barrett Tillman cautioned in 2021.

That clause has remained virtually unchanged since 1862, they wrote. And at the time, it only applied to federal employees and appointees. Thats because back then, legislators considered The Federalist Papers canon. And as Alexander Hamilton argued in Federalist No. 60, Congress cant tamper with the Constitution by adding qualifications for elected federal officials.

If Donald Trump were convicted of violating 18 U.S.C.  2383, he would not be disqualified from serving as president, they observed.

The overarching case

Bill Barr, Trumps own former attorney general, said on CBS Face the Nation television program last month that he expects this case to be difficult because of First Amendment interest. But the underlying facts of the case are still strong enough that Barr said he expected the special counsel to indict the former president this summer.

An open question is whether this will finally be the breaking point for the mainstream Republican Party, which continues to support Trump at every turn. Its that blind loyalty to MAGA that the conservative legal scholar J. Michael Luttig warned about in his recent guest column in the New York Times, where he noted that Republicans will be as responsible for any indictment and prosecution of him for Jan. 6.

Republicans have waited in vain for political absolution. Its finally time for them to put the country before their party and pull back from the brinkfor the good of the party, as well as the nation, Luttig noted.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Jane Birkins Paris home has been targeted by thieves days after her death, local media has reported.

The singer, actor and fashion icon was found dead on Sunday (16 July) aged 76, 16 years after she was diagnosed with cancer and two years after she suffered a stroke. She was found at her home by her caregiver, on her first night spent on her own in two years in a move to regain independence, family have said.

Je taime... moi non plus singer Birkins body was discovered at her home in the French capital, with local media outlet BFMTV now reporting that an attempted burglary took place in the early hours of Wednesday (19 July) morning.

The publication, who cite a police source, claim that shortly before 4am, a childhood friend of Birkins staying in the home heard noises coming from behind the door.

According to the reports, police officers were dispatched to the scene where they noticed potential evidence of an attempted break-in, including markings on and damage to the door and its frame, as well as pieces of wood scattered on the ground.

The Independent has contacted Birkins estate for comment.

On Wednesday (19 July), Birkins family also confirmed that the actor had requested she spend the evening before her death on her own, in a bid to feel independent away from her caregivers.

Confirming that Birkin died of natural causes, their statement read: aaJane Birkin passed away after 16 years of a fierce battle with illness.

Jane Birkin in 1975 (Getty Images)

Since her stroke in September 2021, her family and wonderful caregivers had been by her side day and night.

For a few days, she had been walking again, and was motivated by rescheduling her Olympia performance. The first evening alone turned out to be her last. She had decided it.

Born in London in 1946, Birkin began her career as an actor. She moved to France in the late 1960s, where she gained recognition for her long relationship with poet Serge Gainsbourg.

The two met while co-starring in the 1969 French satirical romantic comedy Slogan. That same year, they released a debut album in the same year, containing the controversial chart-topping song Je taime... moi non plus.

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Birkin on stage in 2018 (' KEYSTONE / MARTIAL TREZZINI)

Throughout her career, Birkin starred in around 70 films and was directed by filmmakers from Jean-Luc Godard to Agnes Varda.

Her legacy also branches out into the realm of fashion, as the inspiration behind the Hermes iconic and long-standing Birkin handbag, which was launched in 1983. She was also a model, and considered a style icon.

Birkin had three children. Her first daughter, the photographer Kate Barry whom she had with her first husband John Barry, died in 2013 by reported suicide.

She is survived by her other daughters: the actor and model Charlotte Gainsbourg, whom she shared with Serge, and musician Lou Doillon, whom she had with director Jacques Doillon.
Donald Trump. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Former President Donald Trump was indicted for a third time on Tuesday, August 1.

This time, it was over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and the events leading to the Jan. 6 riot.

Here's what we know so far about the months-long investigation.

Former President Donald Trump officially received his third indictment from special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Federal prosecutors allege Trump broke federal laws by engaging in a conspiracy to defraud the government and obstructing an official proceeding by plotting to block Congress from certifying the electoral victory of now-President Joe Biden.

Trump, for his part, has denied responsibility for any violence during the Capitol riot. But if an indictment in connection with the Capitol riot does go through, this will be his third time getting indicted.

Trump was first indicted in March in connection with a hush money payment to the porn star Stormy Daniels, and again in June over classified documents the FBI found during their raid of Mar-a-Lago.

Here's a brief timeline of what's been reported about the federal investigation into Trump's role in the Capitol riot.

January 7, 2021: The Justice Department begins investigating the Capitol riot. Michael Sherwin, the former acting US Attorney for the District of Columbia, announces that the DOJ won't rule out charging Trump.

March 2022: The Washington Post reports that the DOJ's investigation, which mostly focused on individual rioters , had expanded to include the planning of Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally, where he urged his supporters to "fight like hell." The Post also reports that officials linked to the planning and funding of the "Stop the Steal" rally were subpoenaed between January and March 2022.

May 2022: The DOJ requests a trove of documents from the National Archives and Records Administration that was given to the House panel conducting a separate investigation into January 6, per The New York Times. This batch of documents includes at least 770 pages of documents that Trump unsuccessfully claimed executive privilege over, in an attempt to prevent the January 6 House panel from viewing them.

July 26, 2022: The Post reports that the DOJ has zeroed in on Trump's actions in its investigation of the Capitol riot and concerted efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The DOJ reviewed Trump's phone records and interviewed witnesses in Trump's circle , per the outlet.

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Also in July 2022: Attorney General Merrick Garland confirms that he has not ruled out charging Trump.

August 17, 2022: The federal grand jury issues another subpoena to NARA requesting that a new batch of documents be handed over by the end of August, per CNN.

November 18, 2022: Garland announces that Smith will oversee the January 6 investigation , along with the investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents.

December 19, 2022: The House panel investigating the Capitol riot recommends that the DOJ charge Trump with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to make false statements, obstruction of an official proceeding, and inciting an insurrection.

February 2023: High-ranking individuals in Trump's orbit, including Mark Meadows , Trump's former chief of staff, and former Vice President Mike Pence , are issued subpoenas by Smith to testify before a grand jury and provide documents to investigators.

March 2023: Trump lawyers try, unsuccessfully, to block the testimonies of Meadows and other aides, citing executive privilege, per ABC. An appeals court later upholds this ruling in April. Meadows and other Trump staffers, including Stephen Miller and former Department of Homeland Security official Ken Cuccinelli, are ordered to testify to the grand jury.

July 2023: Trump takes to Truth Social to talk about receiving a target letter, and says he might be arrested and indicted again.

August 1, 2023: A federal grand jury indicted Trump over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and the events leading up to the January 6 Capital riot .

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jason Fields

Fort Myers City Council affirmed Jason Fields, a 20 year veteran of the Fort Myers police force, as chief of police after members twice failed to confirm City Manager Marty Lawing's first choice.

Lawing's first choice, Reo Hatfield, failed to get the needed four votes for approval last month, and the council again rejected him at Monday's meeting.

Faced with a divided council, Lawing decided on a home-grown choice and nominated Fields.

"The option to restart the process is not a good option; it is not feasible at this point," Lawing said.

Council confirmation came easily, on a 6-1 vote, with Ward 2 council member Johnny Streets voting against the appointment.

Fort Myers city manager turns to local candidate

In nominating Fields, Lawing chose one of the two local candidates, noting that the city needed a new police chief in place when Randall Pepitone retires in about six weeks. Pepitone, who did not apply for the job, has filled in since last year, when Chief Derrick Diggs went on medical leave. Diggs died in February of cancer.

The manager said that he had "a pretty good feel for what the needs are" in the police department, and, in particular, to have a permanent leader on the job when the interim chief retires.

"Chief Pepitone has done a good job, but it is kind of an awkward situation; there are things and decisions that you cant make and there are decisions you should make," Lawing said. "That being considered, I think Chief Pepitone has done a great job and has been professional throughout the process."

Lawing asked again Monday for confirmation of his choice of Hatfield, a top police official in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for the position. It was the first meeting since the council initially refused to confirm Hatfield. As was the case Monday night, Hatfield mustered three votes of the four required by the city charter for confirmation.

Lawing then nominated Fields. City council members do not have the power to appoint a chief, their authority under the city charter is limited to a vote to confirm or reject the manager's recommendation.

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Fields is expected to take over leadership of the department by Aug. 2. Pepitone has served notice that he intended to retire from the force on that date.

Councilwoman raises issue of female candidate

Ward 3 Council Member Terolyn Watson sharply criticized Lawton for not recommending Gina Hawkins, who appeared to have support of at least three candidates for the job at the council meeting last month.

"We lost the best candidate we had," Watson said. "She now has another job. Someone hired her as a deputy county sheriff ... the person who had police chief experience was Gina Hawkins, and you couldnt bring her forward for whatever reason."

Mayor Kevin Anderson noted that he had appointed Fields to the department two decades ago when he was a ranking officer in the department.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Acting Major Jason Fields chosen to lead Fort Myers Police Department
John Amos | Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Good Times star John Amos children continue to fight over the actors health. His son, K.C., was arrested for allegedly threatening his sister by sending terroristic text messages with photos of guns.

K.C. was reportedly taken into custody last weekend after his sister, Shannon, claimed he sent her several disturbing texts that made her fear for her life, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

Shannon reported the incident to West Orange, New Jersey, police after receiving the text messages. She said K.C. described his gang affiliations with photos of a handgun and a rifle, per the outlet. He also sent her videos of him shooting a handgun in an open field and wrote, Gonna sleep much better tonight big sis.

The 57-year-old also confirmed K.C. has bipolar disorder, and he believes Shannon hired someone to kill him, according to Robert Florida, a spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutors Office.

Shannon was concerned K.C. might retaliate due to his troubled thoughts and actions regarding his sister. Last month, Blavity reported Shannon had created a GoFundMe campaign in May to raise money for her father after she claimed he was a victim of elderly abuse and financial exploitation.

She also said the Roots actors health was failing, and he fought for his life after his caregivers mistreated him. At the time, TMZ reported that Shannon received a phone call from her father stating he was hospitalized in Memphis and was in unbearable pain.

In a separate incident, Shannon also mentioned her fathers home was robbed of valuable items and launched the GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $500,000 to cover health and legal fees, per Blavity.

The 83-year-old learned of his daughters efforts to help him. He confirmed no one was abusing him and was unsure why Shannon created the crowdfunding campaign.

GoFundMe eventually shut the website down after John declined the funds.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) John Kerry announced during a press conference in China on Wednesday that his visit to the nation failed to yield any significant climate agreement.

Kerry told reporters that, while he and his Chinese counterparts engaged in "frank" discussions about fighting global warming, they couldn't solidify any formal agreement. He added that the U.S. and China  the world's two largest polluters  will need additional time to hash out a climate deal between the nations.

"We came to Beijing in order to unstick what has been stuck for almost a year, and thats the in-person dialogue between the United States and China," Kerry said, E&E News reported.

"We had very frank conversations, but we came here to break new ground, which we think is important at this stage, and it is clear that we are going to need a little more work to be able to complete that task, which we still believe, both of us, is doable," he continued.

WATCHDOG HITS JOHN KERRY WITH SCIENCE ETHICS COMPLAINT OVER CLIMATE CHANGE DEATHS CLAIM

And the climate czar said the U.S. and China will continue in the coming weeks and months to negotiate on an "accelerated" schedule, according to Bloomberg.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Were not finished finding the pathway with clarity on both sides that will allow us to achieve what we need to achieve," Kerry said.

Kerry's trip to China and meetings with Chinese officials came about a year after climate talks between the two nations stalled in response to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's, D-Calif., high-profile trip to Taiwan. The State Department confirmed in May that Kerry had quietly restarted climate talks with China and that his office was planning future in-person meetings.

STATE DEPARTMENT FAILED TO PROPERLY ASSESS JOHN KERRY'S CARBON FOOTPRINT DESPITE BIDEN ORDER: GOV WATCHDOG

Since assuming the SPEC position, Kerry has engaged in various private talks with Chinese counterparts, including two 2021 meetings in China. Following a regional climate summit in April 2021, though, Kerry told CNBC that solving climate change was "not about China."

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However, Kerry's role in the Biden administration has been criticized by top Republican lawmakers who have also taken issue with his negotiations on behalf of the U.S. with China. In 2021, President Biden appointed Kerry to be SPEC, a position that hadn't previously existed, didn't require Senate approval, and gives him a spot on the president's cabinet and National Security Council.

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has vowed to maintain scrutiny of Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry's climate negotiations with China.

"Despite not being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, John Kerry is still negotiating with the Chinese Communist Party to push a radical, Green New Deal agenda detrimental to American interests," House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement to Fox News Digital earlier this week.

"President Biden granted his Climate Czar the ability to unilaterally set foreign policy and bind the United States to international agreements without consent from Congress," Comer continued. "China now recognizes that this is an opportunity to take advantage of this Administrations weak leadership that consistently puts the priorities of Americans last."

In one of his first actions leading the Oversight Committee, Comer opened a probe in February into Kerry's office over its negotiations with China. And in May, Comer again promised "intense scrutiny" of Kerry's China climate talks.

"The Biden Administration's continued attempts at appeasing Communist China are pathetic," Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who chairs the House Republican Conference, said this week.

"While the CCP is conducting cyber espionage attacks on U.S. executive agencies, operating an intelligence collection facility in our backyard, and buying up U.S. agricultural land next to sensitive military installations, Joe Biden continues to pander to the CCP by sending John Kerry to Beijing, ignoring their aggressions, to engage in futile discussions about climate change with the worlds biggest polluter," she added.
FIRST ON FOX: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan on Tuesday asked FBI Director Christopher Wray to amend his testimony about the bureaus efforts to stop "misinformation and disinformation" on social media.

In a letter to Wray obtained by Fox News Digital, Jordan, R-Ohio, said Wray last week made "several statements about the FBI's actions relating to misinformation and disinformation that are contradicted by the findings of a federal court and information obtained by the Committee.

"We write to provide you with an opportunity to amend your testimony," Jordan and Rep. Mike Johnson, the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, wrote.

Last week, Wray testified that the FBIs "focus is on malign foreign disinformation  foreign hostile actors who engage in covert efforts to abuse  our social media platforms."

JORDAN THREATENS TO HOLD FBI DIRECTOR WRAY IN CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is giving FBI Director Christoper Wray a chance to amend his testimony about how far the FBI went to censor social media.

Wray also testified that "the FBI is not in the business of moderating content or causing any social media company to suppress or censor" speech. He said the FBI may notify media companies about certain content but said the FBI is "very clear that its up to the social media companies to do something or not."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

But Jordan and Johnson said Wrays testimony "conflicts" with findings of the federal court in Missouri v. Biden, which specifically said the FBI "flagged domestic speech as potential disinformation and that the FBI significantly encouraged social media platforms to take certain actions with respect to content."

GOP REP CHALLENGES WRAY OVER COURT RULING ON FBI SUPPRESSION OF CONSERVATIVE FREE SPEECH: YOU SHOULD READ IT

The federal judge presiding over the case blocked key Biden administration agencies and departments this month from communicating with social media companies to avoid potential First Amendment violations. The Biden administration is asking a court to stay a preliminary injunction.

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In the ruling, the court found that "Domestic disinformation was also flagged by the FBI for social media platforms. Just before the 2020 election, information would be passed from other field offices to the FBI 2020 election command post in San Francisco. The information sent would then be relayed to the social-media platforms where the accounts were detected."

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., joined Jordan on the letter to Wray.

The ruling said the FBI made "no attempt to distinguish whether those reports of election disinformation were American or foreign," and "actually [misled] social media companies in regard to the Hunter Biden laptop story."

The lawmakers told Wray they have also obtained documents "showing that the FBI did more than merely notify social media companies about alleged disinformation.

FBI DIRECTOR WRAY MUST CORRECT HOUSE TESTIMONY FOLLOWING 'DEMONSTRABLY UNTRUE' CLAIMS, GOP LAWMAKER SAYS

"The FBI often followed up with the companies, requested that the companies notify the FBI if they removed the flagged accounts, and provided unsolicited input regarding whether content did or would violate the companies respective terms of service," they wrote.

They pointed specifically to one email FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs San Francisco Cyber Branch Elvis Chan sent to Google employees regarding social media activity concerning the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, said the FBI was only involved in policing foreign disinformation, but House lawmakers say otherwise.

"We anticipate the type of information we would be passing as tippers that would violate your terms of service," Chan wrote.

Jordan and Johnson also said the FBI "also sought to ensure that its flagged content had, in fact, been taken down, even offering legal process to support the removal of content."

FBI DIRECTOR WRAY SAYS IDEA HE IS TARGETING CONSERVATIVES IS SOMEWHAT INSANE

They said in March 2022 that an FBI agent asked a Facebook employee, "Would you be able to tell me if these accounts were taken down, or if you need some legal process from us?"

"The FBIs offer to provide legal process for the flagged accounts, which, in this case included Americans engaging in lawful speech, does not comport with your assertion that the social media companies simply acted of their own volition with respect to the FBI's referrals of accounts allegedly engaged in disinformation," the lawmakers wrote.

Jordan and Johnson said Wrays testimony "appears to be at odds with other information available to the committee."

"Contrary to your testimony, the FBI did not passively relay information to the social media companies and leave it for the companies to decide what content moderation decisions to make," they wrote. "Instead, the FBI was an active participant in this process  flagging content for companies, following up with them to ensure the content had been removed, and offering legal process for the contents removal."

Jordan and Johnson said the "discrepancy" between Wrays testimony and the information the committee holds "leads us to conclude that either you misled the committee about the FBIs interactions with social media companies, or that you were not fully aware of the egregious and unconstitutional actions of the FBI you administer.

"Either scenario is alarming. Accordingly, we invite you to amend your testimony."

The FBI declined to comment.
Inter Miami has not yet announced the signing of former FC Barcelona defender Jordi Alba, but he appeared on the teams official Leagues Cup roster that was released to the media at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Tournament organizers released the rosters of all 47 MLS and Liga MX teams, and Alba was listed on the Miami roster, wearing shirt No. 6. The Miami roster was later removed from the website, the only one of the 47 teams whose roster is missing.

Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said Tuesday that Alba should be signed (Tuesday) and co-owner David Beckham mentioned Alba in an interview with the Miami Herald. We have to be able to give Leo (Messi) and Sergio (Busquets) and Jordi the opportunity to ease into this because there is going to be some adjustment, Beckham said.

Alba, who played with Messi and Busquets at Barcelona, has been in talks with Miami for quite some time. His wife is expecting their third child any day, and after that he will travel to South Florida to sign his contract and undergo his physical, according to a team source. He will sign as a TAM player (Targeted Allocation Money), not as a highest-salary-level Designated Player.

Messi and Busquets are expected to make their Miami debut on Friday night in the Leagues Cup opener against Liga MX team Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium. It is unlikely they will start, as they have been training with the team for less than a week.

Another name that was on the Leagues Cup roster was midfielder Gregore, who is recovering from foot surgery and was not expected to return until September. It is possible, if Miami makes a deep run, that Gregore could be back in time.
A federal judge Wednesday rejected former President Trumps request for a new trial after a jury found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, an appointee of former President Clinton, said the jurys verdict was not seriously erroneous or a serious miscarriage of justice, rejecting Trumps claim that the $5 million in damages he was ordered to pay was excessive and other arguments.

There is no basis for disturbing the jurys sexual assault damages, Kaplan wrote in the 59-page ruling. And Mr. Trumps arguments with respect to the defamation damages are no stronger.

The nine-member jury found Trump liable in May for sexually abusing Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, in the mid-1990s at a New York City department store. The jury also found him liable for later defaming Carroll in an October 2022 statement denying her story.

The former president, who has denied Carrolls claims, appealed the judges ruling later Wednesday and is appealing the jurys original verdict. He also faces another lawsuit from Carroll  set to go to trial in January  in which Trump is accused of defaming Carroll during his presidency when the writer initially came forward with her story.

In asking for the new trial, Trump noted that the jury found him liable for sexual abuse rather than rape, which are both forms of sexual battery but have different definitions under New York law. Carroll has long described the incident as rape, including after the verdict.

The definition of rape in the New York Penal Law is far narrower than the meaning of rape in common modern parlance, its definition in some dictionaries, in some federal and state criminal statutes, and elsewhere, Kaplan ruled. The finding that Ms. Carroll failed to prove that she was raped within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr. Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape. Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that.

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Kaplan said the $2 million in damages the jury ordered for the sexual battery count did not deviate materially from reasonable compensation so as to make it excessive.

The Hill has reached out to a Trump attorney for comment.

Now that the court has denied Trumps motion for a new trial or to decrease the amount of the verdict, E Jean Carroll looks forward to receiving the $5 million in damages that the jury awarded her in Carroll II, said Carrolls lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to the judge. She also looks forward to continuing to hold Trump accountable for what he did to her at the trial in Carrol I, which is scheduled to begin on January 15, 2024.

Trumps attorneys, however, have further contended the damages he was ordered to pay for Carrolls defamation claim was also excessive, citing an expert witness, professor Ashlee Humphreys, whom Carroll called during the trial.

The jury considered all of Professor Humphreyss testimony, including the purported flaws Mr. Trumps counsel attempted to draw out on cross examination and in summation, and determined that her testimony still was worthy of sufficient weight to reach the $1.7 million it awarded for the reputation repair program, Kaplan ruled. None of Mr. Trumps challenges to that testimony, considered separately or collectively, supports a determination that the jurys compensatory damages award was seriously erroneous, egregious, or against the weight of the evidence.

 Updated at 12:41 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
China's TCM giant to import medical herbs from Russia, Indonesia

Xinhua) 10:34, July 19, 2023

GUANGZHOU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- China's leading traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manufacturer, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited (GPHL), Tuesday announced a plan to import nearly 30,000 tonnes of TCM materials from Russia and Indonesia in the next five years.

On the same day, a subsidiary of GPHL signed agreements to purchase almost 20,000 tonnes of TCM materials, including licorice, Astragalus and Schisandra chinensis from Russia, and close to 10,000 tonnes of TCM materials, including frangipani from Indonesia, with a total estimated value of about 1.3 billion yuan (182 million U.S. dollars).

The GPHL said the purchase would stabilize the prices of TCM materials and promote the sustainable development of the industry.

With its cold weather and rich biodiversity, Russia produces a variety of cold-region herbs, said Wu Changhai, deputy general manager of GPHL. He added that Indonesia is one of the main producing countries for frangipani, a key ingredient in the company's herbal tea beverages.

Imported medicinal materials are a significant source of China's TCM industry. China's revised measures to administrate imported medicinal materials, implemented in 2020, encourage such imports.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia.

Since their establishment 65 years ago, China-Cambodia diplomatic ties have stood the test of time and vicissitudes in the international arena, and grown from strength to strength, Xi said.

He noted that at the beginning of this year, he and King Sihamoni met in Beijing and exchanged correspondence many times, bringing the cause of building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future into a new era featuring high-quality, high-level and high-standard.

The "diamond hexagon" cooperation framework between China and Cambodia covering politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges has been continuously deepened and enriched, Xi said.

Xi also said that remarkable progress has been made in building the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor," adding that a series of events celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-Cambodia Friendship Year have been held.

Stressing that he highly regards the development of China-Cambodia relations, Xi said he is willing to work with King Sihamoni to push for more fruits in the China-Cambodia friendship and bring tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Sihamoni said the traditional friendship of the two countries dates back a long time ago, adding that on the basis of high-level mutual trust, mutual benefit and win-win results, the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, are jointly building a community with a shared future and forged an iron-clad friendship.

Sihamoni said he firmly believes that under the new circumstances, the Cambodia-China friendly ties and mutually-beneficial cooperation will surely be strengthened, and the iron-clad friendship be passed down through generations.

The Cambodian side, Sihamoni said, is willing to deepen cooperation in all fields with China, so as to benefit the two nations and promote regional and world peace, stability and prosperity.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulations with his Cambodian counterpart, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, on Wednesday.

Li noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties as well as the China-Cambodia Friendship Year, saying that bilateral relations stand at a new starting point.

Li said he is willing to work with Hun Sen to instruct various departments and regions in the two countries to cooperate closely to push for more practical results in the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Hun Sen said Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and other important proposals.

The Cambodian side is also willing to work with the Chinese side to add more substance to the building of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and their people, he noted. 
Former President Donald Trump arrives inside State Supreme Court in New York City for his arraignment in April. A federal judge Wednesday denied Trump's request to move the fraud case to federal court. Trump faces 34 felony counts related to hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels. File Photo by Louis Lanzano/UPI

July 19 (UPI) -- A federal judge Wednesday denied former President Trump's legal move to transfer the Manhattan criminal business fraud case to federal court. Trump faces 34 felony counts related to hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein's ruling lets the Trump criminal fraud case trial date of March 25 stand and keeps the case in New York.

"Trump has failed to show that the conduct charged by the indictment is for or related to any act performed by or for the president under color of the official acts of a president," Hellerstein wrote in his ruling.

Trump had claimed that the state criminal case must be transferred to federal court because he is being prosecuted for an act under the color of his office as president.

But Hellerstein denied that.

Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein Wednesday denied former President Donald Trump's legal effort to move the Manhattan criminal fraud case against him to federal court. Trump faces 34 criminal business fraud felony counts. He's pictured here headed to his arraignment in New York City April 4, 2023. File Photo by Louis Lanzano/UPI

"The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the president -- a cover-up of an embarrassing event," Hellerstein wrote in his opinion. "Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a president's official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the president's official duties."

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement when Trump was indicted, "The People of the State of New York allege that Donald J. Trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."

The twice-impeached and twice-criminally indicted Trump faces two more possible criminal indictments plus civil lawsuits as he campaigns to be elected president again.

According to Trump, himself, he recently received a letter from Special Prosecutor Jack Smith informing him that he is a target of the criminal investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

In the Manhattan case, Trump is charged with the felony business fraud for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.

Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen went to prison on charges related to that payment.
REUTERS/Marco Bello

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that Donald Trumps hush-money case involving Stormy Daniels would remain in New York state court, rejecting the former presidents bid to have the case be moved to a federal court.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellersteins decision sets up Trump to stand trial in Manhattan as early as next springpossibly the heart of peak campaign season as he vies for a return to the White House. Trumps lawyers can appeal Hellersteins ruling to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan.

In an order and opinion granting motion to remand obtained by The Daily Beast, Hellerstein wrote that Trump and his lawyers improperly invoked a U.S. code in hopes of getting the cases jurisdiction shifted.

Slapped Down: Trump Gets Stuck With Judge He Hates in Manhattan DA Case

Defense attorneys argued the root of Trumps charges were within the color of his office when he was president and belonged in a federal court. Hellerstein reportedly scoffed at that argument last month, however, foreshadowing Wednesdays ruling.

The hush-money case was the first of a flurry of legal troubles to hit Trump this year. He was indicted in March and arrested a month later on allegations he schemed with then-lawyer Michael Cohen to save his 2016 presidential campaign by paying hush money to the porn star Stormy Danielsa messy attempt to keep her quiet about an affair they had nearly a decade earlier.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg slapped Trump with 34 felony counts, accusing him of making fake business records to hide the hush-money and the reimbursements he provided to Cohen, who originally paid Stormy Daniels out of his own pocket.

Ever since his indictment, Trumps lawyers have desperately tried to have the case moved to federal court, accusing Bragg of being biased. Trump also reportedly wanted to avoid Justice Juan Merchan, a state court judge whos already presided over the criminal trial where a jury convicted the Trump Organization of tax fraud.

Story continues

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A federal judge has shot down Donald Trumps attempt to move his Manhattan criminal charges into US District Court, sending the case stemming from hush money payments back to state court in New York City.

In June, Manhattan prosecutors charged the former president with 34 counts of falsifying business records, alleging an effort to silence news of Mr Trumps alleged affairs as campaigned for the presidency in 2016. He has pleaded not guilty.

The order from US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein on 19 July argued that the former president failed to show that any of the conduct in the indictment related to his actions as president and remanded the case back to state court.

Evidence presented by prosecutors from Alvin Braggs office overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the President-a cover-up of an embarrassing event, according to the judges ruling.

Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the presidents official duties, he added.

Judge Hellerstein also rejected Mr Trumps claims of immunity and his argument that the indictment is politically motivated.

He wrote that there is no reason to believe that the New York judicial system would not be fair and give Trump equal justice under the law, and that Trump fails to make a case of protective jurisdiction in this case.

The next appearance in that case is scheduled for 4 January, 2024.

This is a developing story
A judge Wednesday rejected former President Trumps bid to move his hush money criminal case to federal court, ruling that the allegations are not connected to Trumps role as president.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee, granted the request of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs (D) office to keep the case in New York state court in a major blow to the former president.

Trump had argued the case must be moved to federal court because he was being prosecuted for an act under the color of his office as president and that Braggs prosecution was politically motivated. Granting the request wouldve also broadened the jury pool beyond deep-blue Manhattan to surrounding areas in New York.

Manhattan prosecutors charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records, accusing him of making a series of false entries as he reimbursed his then-fixer, Michael Cohen, in part to conceal a $130,000 hush payment that Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump pleaded not guilty.

A trial in the case is currently set for March 2024. Trumps lawyers have a deadline late next month to file any motions in state court to dismiss the charges ahead of trial.

They argued that Trump hired Cohen to handle his personal affairs solely because he was President of the United States and that the reimbursements were truthful legal expenses made while Trump was serving in the White House.

The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the President  a cover-up of an embarrassing event. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a Presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the Presidents official duties, Hellerstein wrote.

The Hill has reached out to Trumps legal team for comment.

We are very pleased with the federal courts decision and look forward to proceeding in New York State Supreme Court, a Bragg spokesperson said in a statement.

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Hellersteins 25-page ruling went on to reject the former presidents assertion of two federal defenses: that he was immune and that federal election laws preempted the charges.

Trump had argued the Constitution gave him immunity from the indictment because the allegations in question were pursued solely because he was president.

Reimbursing Cohen for advancing hush money to Stephanie Clifford cannot be considered the performance of a constitutional duty, Hellerstein wrote, using Danielss legal name.

Falsifying business records to hide such reimbursement, and to transform the reimbursement into a business expense for Trump and income to Cohen, likewise does not relate to a presidential duty, Hellerstein continued. Trump is not immune from the Peoples prosecution in New York Supreme Court. His argument of immunity is not a colorable defense.

More from The Hill

Braggs office elevated the falsifying business records charges from a misdemeanor to a felony by connecting them to another crime. Prosecutors in part have cited state campaign finance law violations, and Trumps attorneys have argued they are preempted by a federal law that governs campaign finance.

Hellerstein wrote the indictment does not intrude on the laws domain.

The mere fact that Trump is alleged to have engaged in fraudulent conduct with respect to a federal election is not a basis for preemption, the judge wrote. There is no colorable basis to support a federal preemption defense.

Trump had also claimed Braggs prosecution was politically motivated because of Trumps actions as president, citing it as another reason to move the case to federal court.

But there is no reason to believe that the New York judicial system would not be fair and give Trump equal justice under the law, Hellerstein wrote.

The former president also faces another indictment for his alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. That case was brought in federal court by the Justice Department.

The Justice Department is also investigating Trump for his efforts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election. Trump said he received a target letter on Sunday, a signal he could soon face charges.

In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) is investigating Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.

Updated at 3:38 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A federal judge on Wednesday denied former President Donald Trumps bid to move his hush money payments case from New York state court to a federal venue.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein's ruling means the case will stay in Manhattan criminal court, where District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is prosecuting Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty, argued that the payments were connected to his duties as president and that the case should therefore be heard in federal court. Hellerstein rejected that argument.

"Trump has failed to show that the conduct charged by the Indictment is for or relating to any act performed by or for the President under color of the official acts of a President. Trump also has failed to show that he has a colorable federal defense to the Indictment," he wrote in a 25-page ruling.

A spokesperson for Bragg said: We are very pleased with the federal courts decision and look forward to proceeding in New York State Supreme Court.

A Trump campaign spokesperson said in a statement that "this case belongs in a federal court and we will continue to pursue all legal avenues to move it there.

Hellerstein had indicated he was skeptical of Trumps argument at a hearing last month.

It is very clear that the act for which the president has been indicted does not relate to anything under the color of his office, Hellerstein told attorneys for Trump and the Manhattan district attorneys office at the time.

The conduct Trump is accused of covering up includes a $130,000 payment his then-lawyer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump.

Trump has acknowledged repaying Cohen in a series of payments in 2017, when he was president, but he maintains the payments were on the up-and-up and that he never had an affair with Daniels.

Trump's attorneys had argued the case should be heard in federal court, where he could claim additional defenses, in part because, they say, he would not have hired Cohen as his personal lawyer had he not been elected president. Therefore, they argued, his actions relating to Cohen were connected or associated with his official duties.

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Hellerstein disagreed in his ruling.

"The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the President  a cover-up of an embarrassing event. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a Presidents official acts," he ruled.

"Falsifying business records to hide such reimbursement, and to transform the reimbursement into a business expense for Trump and income to Cohen, likewise does not relate to a presidential duty," he added.

Hellerstein also shrugged off Trump's argument that he was unfairly charged by the Democratic district attorney.

"Trump argues that a 'politically motivated' district attorney who 'disfavored [Trump's] acts and policies as President' caused the grand jury to indict. Trump fails to show, however, that the grand jury lacked a rational basis for the indictment," he wrote, adding that "there is no reason to believe that the New York judicial system would not be fair and give Trump equal justice under the law."

The case will now go back to state criminal court in Manhattan, where it is being overseen by Judge Juan Merchan. It is scheduled to go to trial in March.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
There were tense moments inside a Fulton County courtroom Wednesday as prosecutors and defense attorneys clash over prospective jurors in the YSL gang case.

Hip-hop superstar Young Thug is on trial.

There are nearly 750 prospective jurors and on Wednesday, Channel 2s Michael Seiden was inside the courtroom as attorneys heard from four of them.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys questioned the jurors about everything from their personal views about rap music and they even asked some about their feelings when it comes to tattoos.

Over the next month, jurors are expected to face questions like these:

Do you have an opinion on people who have head and neck tattoos?

Do you believe rap lyrics are usually autobiographical?

Is your mind perfectly impartial between the state and the accused?

In court Wednesday, Juror No. 1 spent more than an hour answering those questions and more.

At one point, he told the judge that after reading the indictment in its entirety, he believes the state has a strong case, adding that they have enough evidence to get a guilty conviction.

RELATED STORIES:

But Judge Ural Glanville stepped in, making it clear that the indictment is not evidence.

Juror No. 1: There was so much evidence, I guess that its hard to not, I guess, be impartial.

Judge: So, you know you havent heard any evidence in this case? Glanville said.

Juror No. 1: OK, I guess from what Ive heard

Judge: And you know that is not considered to be evidence at this point?

Attorneys also heard from Juror No. 13, the wife of a pastor who condemned hip-hop music and told the judge that she watches a lot of news and believes that YSL stands for Young Slime Life, a criminal street gang.

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Defense lawyers argued that YSL is a record label called Young Stoner Life.

Defense Lawyer: Is there anything that would keep from listening to the law, that the court gives to you, and hearing evidence presented in this courtroom, from making a determination as each defendant faces, solely on the evidence you see and hear in the law that the court gives to you?

Juror No. 13: I dont believe so.

Defense Lawyer: When you hear YSL in the context of not the designer, do you have a negative, positive or neutral perception of those three letters?

Juror No. 13: Im going to say neutral just because Im aware of the negative side of it but I also know that other people have other opinions about it.

The jury selection process could take at least a month.

RELATED NEWS:
Six men and three women were selected Tuesday as jurors in Michael Cohens case against the Trump Organization.

Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Joel Cohen said three alternates would be chosen after the evidence stage of the case. Lawyers for Trumps family business and Cohen are slated to go head to head after delivering opening arguments on Monday.

Cohen is suing the Trump Organization for around $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees for matters covered by a July 2017 agreement when he was an employee. He joined the company in 2006 as Trumps executive vice president and special counsel  fundamentally acting as his fixer  and resigned on the day of Trumps inauguration to become his personal lawyer.

Cohen, 56, says the Trump Organization broke its promise to foot his legal bills when it became clear hed cooperate in investigations related to his work for the company following his 2018 arrest by the FBI and three-year conviction on a host of charges.

Cohen squarely implicated Trump in the case, losing his liberty and law license in the process, pleading guilty to paying off porn star Stormy Daniels at his behest for the principal purpose of influencing the 2016 election. He also admitted to hiding millions in debt and lying to Congress.

Last month, Trump Organization lawyers said the legal fees agreement contained an express condition requiring Cohen to act in the companys best interest but that he only looked out for himself. They argued that his cooperation would not have occurred but for his criminal conduct and the need to save himself.

Cohen has cooperated extensively with Manhattan investigators prosecuting the former president on state charges for the hush money scheme. Hes expected to be the trials star witness.

Along with Trumps fixer-turned-foe and an assemblage of lawyers, jurors are expected to hear testimony from Trumps eldest son. Cohens lawyers say Donald Trump Jr. called the shots as to whose lawyers were paid and that the company disbursed his lawyers for some of the matters he was involved in per the same agreement.

Cohen and his lawyer declined to comment. Trump Organization attorneys could not be reached.

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It took only 30 minutes on Wednesday for a Miami federal jury to convict a father and his three sons of selling a toxic bleach solution as a miracle medical cure out of a fake Florida churchs website to thousands of consumers across the country.

Mark Grenon, 65, and sons Jonathan, 37, Joseph, 35, and Jordan, 29, chose to represent themselves in their two-day trial in Miami federal court.

But they said nothing during the trial, as if they were silently protesting the proceeding.

Only after the 12-person jury hit them with a quick verdict did one of the Grenons speak up.

We will be appealing, Joseph Grenon said.

During the trial and closing arguments, prosecutors had a lot to say about the four defendants from Bradenton, portraying them as con men who used a phony religious front on a website, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, to sell $1 million worth of their Miracle Mineral Solution in video pitches as a cure for 95% of the worlds known diseases, from AIDS to the coronavirus.

This whole Miracle Mineral Solution scheme was built on deception and dishonesty, prosecutor John Shipley said during his closing argument, telling jurors that the Grenons created a fake church to make it harder for the Food and Drug Administration and government to stop them from selling snake oil.

But, this was no church, he argued. This was a scam for money  an old-fashioned scam.

The jury found the four defendants  all wearing beige inmate uniforms, pony tails and flowing beards  guilty of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government and FDA, which regulates the food and drug industry, by distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug, Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS). That conviction carries up to five years in prison.

Additionally, the jury found two of the Grenons  Jonathan and Gordon  guilty of two counts of violating federal court orders requiring them to stop selling MMS in 2020. Those counts carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

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The same contempt charges were dismissed against the father, Mark, and third brother, Joseph. When they were extradited from Colombia in 2022, the Bogota government turned over both defendants to U.S. authorities on the condition that they would only be charged with the conspiracy count, not the contempt charges.

The sentencing hearing for the father and three sons was scheduled for Oct. 6.

During the trial, Shipley and fellow prosecutor Michael Homer said the Grenons called themselves bishops and peddled MMS as sacraments to consumers in South Florida and other parts of the United States in exchange for a donation to the Genesis church, before the Food and Drug Administration cracked down on the family in 2020.

The Grenons were charged that April with conspiring to defraud the U.S. government after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when they defied FDA and court orders to stop distributing the toxic MMS substance. Their criminal case was the first pandemic-related enforcement action in Florida. In public warnings, FDA said it received several reports of hospitalizations and life-threatening conditions as people drank the dangerous substance.

MMS is a chemical solution containing sodium chlorite that, when mixed with water and a citric acid activator, turns into chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp and paper.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga gave an instruction to jurors that the Grenons could not use the First Amendment, specifically religious freedom, as a defense for selling the dangerous product because their so-called church was not a religious entity.

In his closing argument, Shipley hit home on that point. You cannot go out and create a fake church and violate the law, he argued.

During the trial, a Food and Drug Administration agent testified about three Grenon-produced videos that pitched the solution as a cure for cancer, lung cancer and COVID-19, among other deadly diseases.

We are trying to create a world without disease, Mark Grenon said in one video, pitching the MMS substance. Its been proven to be tremendously effective in curing cancer.

Another video, dated March 8, 2020, was titled: The coronavirus is curable. Do you believe it? You better!

Homer asked the FDA agent, Jose Rivera, if theres a cure for the coronavirus, which can cause severe respiratory disease and death.

No, there isnt, Rivera said.

To bolster his investigation, Rivera, under a different name, said he bought multiple bottles of the Grenons MMS product through their website at $15, $20 and $30 each. They were shipped to addresses in Florida and Georgia. In one instance, Rivera complained that his fictional wife, who was portrayed as battling cancer, did not improve after taking the substance for three weeks. The agent testified that he received an email from one of Grenons sons saying that she would have to use it for a longer period of time to be effective.

Prosecutors said the Grenon familys religious front, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, sold tens of thousands of MMS orders in violation of federal law since 2010.

Mark Grenon, right, and Joseph Grenon, left, during a video update from Genesis II Church of Health and Healing in Bradenton, a quasi-religious organization that promotes and sells industrial bleach as a cure for COVID-19 and other medical conditions.

It was in that year that Mark Grenon claims to have founded the organization with a man named Jim Humble in a plan to avoid governmental regulation and arrest as they promoted MMS as a miracle cure. Humble, a man who has dabbled in Scientology and professed to be a billion-year-old god, began promoting the substance as early as 2006 in self-published works after he claimed to have discovered its medical properties while on a gold-mining expedition in South America.

After Humble supposedly stepped away from the organization in 2017, Grenon continued to manufacture, promote and sell MMS with his three sons.

The Grenons open defiance of a court order ultimately led to criminal charges and a federal raid on the familys Bradenton home, where federal investigators say they found loaded guns, nearly 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder and thousands of bottles of MMS.

Jonathan and Jordan Grenon, the eldest and youngest sons, were arrested in Bradenton. Mark Grenon and the middle son, Joseph, fled to Colombia, where they were later arrested by Colombian authorities and held for extradition last year.

Information from the Bradenton Herald was used for this story.
The murder and robbery convictions of a North Carolina man in the death of a co-worker seven years ago were upheld by the state Court of Appeals on Tuesday.

The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel came barely a year after the state Supreme Court reinstated the convictions of David Myron Dover that a majority on that same panel had dismissed in 2021.

The Supreme Court had declared that the lower appeals court had gotten it wrong when it declared the circumstantial evidence in Dovers trial was too weak for guilty verdicts. Dover, now, 60, is serving life in prison without parole for the 2016 death of 79-year-old Arthur Buddy Davis in Kannapolis. Dover and Davis worked at the same automobile sales store. Their boss found Davis in his home, stabbed more than a dozen times.

The justices in June 2022, however, directed the Court of Appeals to examine Dovers outstanding claim that the judge in his 2019 trial was wrong to deny his motion for a mistrial.

ALSO READ: Gilgo Beach murder suspect owned land in South Carolina

Dover contended that Superior Court Richard Gottliebs failure to tell jurors to disregard a remark made by a prosecutor during closing arguments immediately after Gottlieb agreed with the objection by Dovers attorney was prejudicial to his case by transferring the burden of proof to Dover. The remarks were related to whether Dover could account for $3,000 that the state accused him of taking from Davis.

Writing for the panel, Judge Hunter Murphy said Gottliebs jury instructions later stating it was the states job to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt cured any potential problems arising from the improper closing argument. Judges Chris Dillon and John Arrowood joined in Tuesdays decision.

The Court of Appeals also upheld on Tuesday other first-degree murder convictions.

One panel affirmed trial court rulings and the jurys verdict that found Jamarkus Smith of Cumberland County guilty in the death of his 3-year-old daughter in 2015. Other panels upheld the murder convictions of Walter Sydney Mitchell in the death of Matthew Pressley in McDowell County in 2018 and of Dazis Davante Bonds in the 2018 death of Devon Khamari Revelle in Pasquotank County.

(WATCH BELOW: 1 killed, 1 hurt in east Charlotte home invasion, CMPD says)
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty/FX

Fans of laconic lawmen with a knack for terse, countrified eloquence, rejoice: Raylan Givens is back. Justified: City Primeval, a stand-alone eight-episode series, hits screens and streams on Hulu starting July 18.

(Warning: Some spoilers ahead.)

Eight years after Justified ended with the steely, quick-draw Deputy U.S. Marshal (Timothy Olyphant) happily transferred to Miami and sharing an ice cream with his daughter Willa (Timothys own daughter, Vivian Olyphant), Justified: City Primeval picks up with Raylan once again putting work first.

When an attempted carjacking in Florida becomes an ersatz prisoner-transport situation, Raylan and Willa find themselves on an unexpected detour to Detroit. Raylans performance on the witness stand piques the ire of brilliant defense lawyer Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis) and the interest of Judge Alvin Guy (Keith David). Raylaneager to hit the road with Willa for a father-daughter road trip back to Miamireluctantly accepts the assignment to assist in the investigation of Judge Guys recent escape from a car bombing. As is so often the case for Raylan, a fairly straightforward situation grows increasingly complex and dangerous.

The car bombing turns out to have been not political, but simple petty vengeance by a white man angry that his mother is sleeping with a Black judge. Judge Guy and his clerk turn up dead, anyway, thanks to chilling new nemesis Clement Mansel, aka the Oklahoma Wildman (Boyd Holbrook). Detroit police assume the murders are part of a conspiracy to put an end to the judges infamous blackmail side hustle, which is the worst-kept secret among Detroits powerful. Instead, they were simply victims of bad timing and Mansels short temper.

Raylan cant leave town now that theres a real case to solve, but the ease with which Mansel gets close to Willa shows him she cant stay. The situation devolves spectacularly from there, with everyone from Carolyns father figure Sweetie (Vondie Curtis-Hall) to the Albanian mafia getting messily involved. Its twisty, crackingly good television.

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Shortly before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect, we sat down with showrunner Michael Dinner to learn about how Raylan found his way to Detroit, how hes processing the existential dread of what to do with himself once hes obliged to retire, and the pleasures of revisiting colorful characters who thrive in the gray areas of life (and death).

You have a rich, long history with Justified, and the original series wrapped up quite satisfyingly. What makes that world so enticing that you returned to it with Justified: City Primeval?

This is my second or third go-around with Elmore Leonards material, and what Ive always loved about Elmores stuff is the tremendous opportunity for the writer or the director, because it really mixes it up, tonally. We like to say you dont see the joke coming, you dont see the violence coming, and you dont see the emotion comingand sometimes thats even within the same breath. And I love his charactershe creates these protagonists that live in the gray zone. Theyre good at what they do, but their personal life may be a mess: Raylan Givens has an itchy trigger finger and, like most men, is not very self-aware.

Justified: City Primeval Rekindles Everything That Made the Original a Perfect Show

So you have these flawed protagonists who youd want to have watching your back because theyre good at what they do. And then Leonard creates antagonists who, sometimes theyre embraceable or redeemable. And even if theyre neither one, theyre just so interesting that youre leaning forward to see what they do next. It's kind of what I think I do best, which is to kind of mix it up and have a mixture of thoughts about these complicated characters.

I think anyone who watched Justified would certainly agree with that.

Six seasons of Justified later, we felt wed stuck the landing, and we thought that was that. But then, a few years after that, Elmore Leonards son Peter called me and asked if Id like to develop a totally new series based on Elmores novel City Primeval. I knew that book pretty wellwed all read it when we were working on Justifiedso I started working on that as a possible next project.

I knew Tim Olyphant was interested, because he called me about it from set with Quentin Tarantino [who adapted Leonards novel Rum Punch into his 1997 film Jackie Brown, reviving the careers of Pam Grier and Robert Forster in the process], saying, Well, we thought it might make a great year of Justified. I said Id think it through, and when I mentioned it a year later in a meeting with FX, they said, Oh yeah, Tim called us about it a year ago, and wed be really interested in it as a year of Justified. I pitched it as its own thing and they said, Yeah, we love this, but wed like to see your Justified take on it.

FX

I love that Olyphant was on the same page.

So during the pandemic, we put a room together. We werent trying so much to recapture the past or redo the show. We just loved working with each other. We were trying to recapture the feeling we had, tapping into that shorthand we developed on Justified. There were six writers who have worked together before on the original show, and we brought in a couple of new writers who work with us, the great Walter Mosley and Eisa Davis. Walter is fantastic because hes like the librarian. He knew Elmore, and hed loved Justified, and he can recall stuff that my partner in crime and co-writer Dave Andron and I had long forgotten. It was just a great situation.

In addition to the allure of getting the band back together, what did you feel you hadnt said in the original series of Justified? What themes and character developments did you want to revisit?

I actually think there is an existential story of Raylans life here. The first act, which we told in Justifieds original run, is about how you cant go home again. In Justified: City Primeval, we pick him up 10 or so years later in Florida, and hes about three or four years away from mandatory retirement from the U.S. Marshal Service. His daughter Willa is 15, and will be emancipated in a couple of years. Hes in the predicament of never having really been the father to his daughter, which is a major thread of this part of the story.

Willa is a product of divorce, and he sees her twice a month, so hes Mr. Good-time Charlie. He thinks hes a better father than he really is, and he realizes that along the way. Its not just that hes near mandatory retirement, hes a walking anachronismthe worlds changed a lot politically and sociologically. People are more aware of situations around law enforcement and race relations. Thats a theme we pulled in from westerns, the equivalent of the old gunslinger who all of a sudden sees cars all over dirt roads.

Raylan in 2023 is a whole different world than Raylan in 2010.

Hes in a different place than he was in the original series pilot, where Winona tells him hes the angriest man shes ever met. Back then, hes not aware enough to get it. Justified: City Primeval is the next step. This is, in a way, like the chapter before the opening of Unforgiven, where Clint Eastwood starts out in pig shit and has to strap the gun back on. Its a potent and deeply personal story about when you see that the road in front of you is a lot shorter than the road behind, and you only have so much time left.

I rewatched the pilot yesterday, and was struck by how badly Raylan needs Winona to explain to him how furious he is. He makes such specific choices in his violenceshooting to kill the guy in Miami, deliberately sparing Boyds lifebut can just barely connect them to the feelings that prompted those choices. Its only after the fact that he can even start to see it.

Hes such an Elmore character. They dont make huge leaps; they move incrementally, and I think thats what happens in the new series. He gave up the ghost of his past in the first series. Hes moving another couple inches forward now, and theres a third chapter.

Theres something powerful about his relationship with his daughter. Theres interesting stuff going on with women, generally. Raylans been married. Weve seen him with other women before, but Carolyn is so smart. Shes formidable, and is not going to take any shit from him. Shes such a fascinating character. Heres the great thing: Everybodys working an angle in this world. Everybodys gray, you know?

Command Z Is a Welcome (and Very Weird) Surprise From Steven Soderbergh

You touched on race earlier, and in the years since the conclusion of the original series, many viewers perspectives on law enforcement have shifted towards a certain skepticism. It sounds like you approached the series with a very keen understanding of that. Where do you think Raylan is in his thinking about race?

I think Raylan is aware of how the world works, and I think he judges people on who they are. Hes a straight shooter. But I do think there is part of the story that is plainly about race, and what it means to be Black and to be white in the world right now. We maneuver him and Carolyn together in such a way that they have moments where they can come clean with each other. And I think its pretty honest. I talked to a couple of Black writers who are talking about this show, who love that aspect of the show and found it very real. And I felt like, wow, then we accomplished it without putting a flag on it. We wanted to make sure that it just felt honest and organic, and I think we did that.

FX

I dont know that the world itself is that different, but our eyes are a little wider than they were eight years ago, you know? I think Raylan is aware of that, and knows that hes kind of a dinosaur. The worlds changed, and he is who he is. But hes making these little incremental movements.

He seems more willing to listen now. Maybe part of that is being the fish out of water in an unfamiliar city.

Yeah, theres no safety net, and nothing to hold on to.

Lets talk a bit about how Raylan is subject to the specifics of Detroit and the players he meets. It goes to something at the heart of mystery and crime stories, how they run on coincidences of people and places.

A distinctive theme in American crime fiction, when its working well, is cosmic forces maneuvering people together. Elmore was called the Dickens of Detroit, weaving this fabric of all these people that run into each other. Its a big town and a small town at the same time, so this is a story about peoples lives intersecting.

So the story is a three-hander between Mansell, Carolyn, and Raylan, where forces are maneuvering them all together, and at least one of them will not be standing at the end. Its about the collision course theyre on. But Elmore would write characters who would appear for maybe two pages in one book, and theyd seem inconsequential, and then theyre the main characters in the next novel. Little things we set up in the first couple of episodes, they matter. Raylan meeting the judge at the courthouse, it matters! Still, we didnt want to let the audience get too far ahead of the characters in the storytelling.

The one place where the audience does get ahead is understanding that the murder of the judge and his clerk is not a political conspiracy. We see that its just a straightforward double murder by a guy whos mad that hes been inconvenienced.

Right. And he enjoys it.

Its so interesting that Raylan is still dealing with this type of villain, who he tussled with constantly in the original series. Mansell is kind of a horrifying fun-house mirror version of Raylan, a guy with limited impulse control, and whos largely unaware of his own shortcomings.

I think Mansell is different from the other guys. Hes a nihilist who kills out of anger, and for fun. With Boyd, he and Raylan dug coal together, so they had some common ground and understood each other. Raylan doesnt understand this guy at all, and thats a little scary. It makes him formidable. And Raylan may have lost a step and a half in there, too.

(This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.)

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URUMQI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign delegates attending an international seminar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region hailed the sound employment and development environment of the region, where they say the rights of workers of various ethnic groups are fully protected.

Organized by the regional federation of trade unions, the international seminar on labor relations and workers' rights and interests in Xinjiang was held from Monday to Wednesday in the regional capital Urumqi.

Representatives of domestic and international labor unions as well as scholars and enterprise representatives from home and abroad visited multiple enterprises during the event.

Sue Erdenebat, president of the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions, said human resources have been a top priority for the development of countries along the Belt and Road.

The enterprises in Xinjiang have provided a good work environment and remuneration for employees, who are well-motivated and have made excellent achievements, Erdenebat added.

Juan Sebastian Ruiz Flores, a Colombian enterprise representative who was on his first visit to the region, said he was surprised by the rapid development in Xinjiang.

"The enterprises here are very modern, and the workers of all ethnic groups are friendly and cooperative and strive for development together," he said.

"The local government and enterprises have a long-term vision and provide a great social security system and great working conditions," said Bekhzod Tagaev, an economist from Uzbekistan. "We are here to learn from China's development experience." 
WEST MICHIGAN  A political newcomer will throw her hat into the ring for Michigan's Fourth Congressional District.

On Wednesday, July 19, Kalamazoo attorney Jessica Swartz kicked off her campaign, running as a Democrat for the U.S. House in November 2024. The seat is currently held by Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland.

A former attorney for Western Michigan University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Swartz launched her campaign pledging to bring commonsense solutions to the challenges facing West Michigan communities.

"I think we just need to help the hardworking, honest people of Southwest Michigan who play by the rules," Swartz said in an interview with The Sentinel. "We need to stop the gridlock in Congress. And the way I want to do that is to work on the issues that most of us agree on  and those are the economy and the environment and extreme attacks on women."

Swartz was born and raised in West Michigan. Her mother was a public school teacher, and her father was a small business owner. She said those honest Midwestern roots instilled in her a strong work ethic.

"I had my first job at 13, so I learned early on how to work hard."

More: Alfonso officially kicks off congressional campaign

She's a graduate of Michigan State University. She earned a law degree from the American University Washington College of Law and went on to be an appellate attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Swartz said her approach will stand out because she's not interested in continuing partisan politics.

"I'm gonna sit down at the table and listen to all points of view," she said. "I'm going to approach it as, 'OK, what's the problem? And how can we solve it?' ... I'm putting our country over everything."

A self-described pragmatist, Swartz said she wants to first focus on issues where most people can find common ground, such as protecting the Great Lakes and ensuring clean drinking water for communities.

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"We can all agree that we need clean drinking water for our kids and that we need to protect Lake Michigan," she said. "And all it takes is someone who's willing to have those conversations."

Swartz also said she supports a woman's right to choose, and pointed to Michigan's passing of Proposal 3 in 2022, which enshrined the right to abortion, birth control and other forms of reproductive healthcare in the state constitution.

She said a majority of voters supported the measure last fall in the Fourth District, a new seat created after congressional districts were redrawn in 2022. The current district contains much of Michigan's old Second District, and includes all of Allegan and Van Buren counties, as well as the southern half of Ottawa County and portions of Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Berrien counties.

"We passed Prop 3 here in this district, and the voters made their will known in this state, and the proposed national abortion ban is going to overrule that and take away what our voters told us they want," she said, referring to Huizenga's support of a ban on federal health coverage that includes abortion and the expenditure of federal funds for any abortion services.

Swartz complimented former Republican Congressman Fred Upton, who until 2022 represented the southern portions of the newly drawn Fourth District. She said she would bring a similar bipartisanship to the chamber  something she said West Michigan residents want.

"While I disagreed with him on a lot of things, I also respected him, and he did wonderful things for the district and was willing to cross the aisle when it was necessary," she said of Upton. "There's a lot of people here who are looking for that  that are fed up with the extremism. People in West Michigan, they're not buying into all of that. They're just working, going through the day trying to put food on the table, and they want someone who's going to solve the problems with them."

In 2018, Swartz worked with Michigan nonprofit Voters Not Politicians to ban both parties from partisan gerrymandering. The organization works with state legislators to pass what it calls "good-governance reforms to protect voting rights, strengthen our democracy, and ensure political power remains in the hands of the voters," according to the group's website.

Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland

"It's something that I feel very strongly about," Swartz said. "Protecting the voters and protecting our election infrastructure."

Even though the election isn't until 2024, Swartz said she plans to use this time to travel across the district's many communities to connect with as many voters as possible.

"I'm not going to limit myself just to Kalamazoo, or just to Holland; I'm going go to all of the counties in the district and talk to as many people as are willing to talk to me," she said.

"And that's kind of the point of this whole thing  there are so many people in our district who have wonderful ideas. And it doesn't matter which party they're from. I want to hear those wonderful ideas and learn from them and see how we can make that work for Southwest Michigan."

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Swartz is the third Democrat to join the race. In April, Joseph Alfonso of Holland announced he was running again for the seat after losing to Huizenga by about 40,000 votes in November 2022. The other Democrat is Chris Glasser, a child protective services investigator for the state who also lives in Kalamazoo. The three will face off in the August 2024 primary before the winner moves on to the general election in November.

Huizenga was first elected in 2011. He's expected to seek re-election next year.

 Sarah Leach is executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelLeach.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Kalamazoo Democrat Jessica Swartz announces bid for Fourth House District
A Mexico native sneaked into the U.S. and settled into a quiet suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, where he oversaw the flow of millions of dollars worth of cartel drugs. He claims he had no choice.

Investigators believe Abel Miranda Diaz, 48, left Mexico years ago and moved to the town of Raymore, a suburb of fewer than 23,000 residents about 30 minutes southeast of Kansas City. He helped move heroin, meth and cocaine for a Mexican cartel for about five years before agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations toppled his drug ring.

Abel Miranda Diaz claims he trafficked millions of dollars of drugs into the Kansas City area because cartel members in Mexico threatened him if he refused. He's now in a U.S. prison.

Miranda's case illustrates how Mexican cartels target small U.S. towns as well as large cities to profit off the deadliest drug epidemic in American history. The case also involved a large-scale meth conversion lab, emblematic of a growing trend to make it easier for cartels to sneak meth across the border.

After his arrest, Miranda Diaz talked to investigators about his crimes  claiming a cartel in his home state of Michoacan forced him into the drug trade. He pleaded guilty in September to drug trafficking charges in federal court. But agents and prosecutors don't believe he's owning up to all that he has done.

That includes faking his identity.

According to court transcripts, while standing before a federal judge, he still insisted his true name is Baldemar Rodriquez-Zaragoza, though agents consider it one of his aliases.

He also claims he lived in a modest one-bedroom tan home in Kansas City, Missouri, with his aunt. Agents say he lived in the suburbs, but often stayed at a stash house, a place used to store drugs, across the Missouri River in Kansas.

Miranda Diaz admitted getting drugs from a Mexican cartel and trafficking them in Missouri and Kansas. But he didn't own up to being the leader of the area drug network, even though agents argued they had proof he gave the orders and his drug ring associates referred to him as "El General," or "El Jefe," Spanish for "The Boss."

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He also denies having anything to do with a sawed-off shotgun found near drugs inside a stash house. Investigators insist his ring used it to guard the drugs.

So, while he admits he trafficked drugs, he feels he got too much time in prison when a judge sentenced him in March to serve 27 years behind bars, said his attorney, Charles Lamb, who declined to discuss the case. Miranda remains in an Illinois prison, while his attorney appeals his sentence.

Agents previously caught Miranda in the U.S. twice, using aliases. He was deported but kept finding a way back. The Courier Journal sifted through court records and transcripts and interviewed an associate's father to learn more about the Miranda case.

Investigators found a large meth conversion lab

The DEA and Homeland Security Investigations agents had suspected Miranda was a large-scale drug trafficker as early as 2015, but they lacked the proof, according to a criminal complaint filed by a DEA agent. Miranda dodged prosecution during two big rounds of indictments in 2015 and 2017 in two cases targeting drugs imported from Mexico.

One method Miranda used to thwart police involved using aliases, including "Luis" or "Baldemar." And members of his drug ring found creative places to hid drugs, including in a children's cereal box.

But Miranda's luck wouldn't hold. A betrayal was coming.

Investigators got a major break in August 2018, when a drug associate confided in HSI agents, agreeing to be a criminal informant.

Agents convinced a federal judge to authorize wire taps to listen in on phone calls. They began following Miranda and noted he often spent hours inside a Kansas stash house, a 1,448-square-foot tan trailer home with black shutters and a sprawling front yard in a middle-class Kansas City neighborhood near a church and a youth center.

Methamphetamine is shown in its crystal form.

Agents used the informant to monitor drug buys and gather crucial evidence from 2018-20. On five occasions, the informant ordered drugs and agents watched as they were delivered by Miranda associate Rodolfo Yanez Sotelo.

"Yanez-Sotelo wasn't sitting on a large amount of meth" inside a drug stash house, his attorney argued in his sentencing memo asking for leniency.

"Yanez-Sotelo was little more than a middleman or gofer for Miranda Diaz."

Yanez didn't have any prior federal convictions, his attorney argued. But he was arrested in July 2020 in Minnesota for driving drunk, flagging police who were looking for him in the federal drug case in Missouri, court records show.

On March 18, 2020, agents watched a drug deal go down between two of Miranda's associates. Christopher Aldana Vergara, 33, hauled two kilos of heroin and two kilos of meth from Missouri to Kansas to Sergio Villegas Sandoval.

Christopher Aldana Vergara claims he played only a minor role in a drug ring supplied by Mexican cartels. Prosecutors say he guarded a stash house of drugs.

Investigators confiscated the drugs and arrested Villegas, a 44-year-old Mexican national who lived in Kansas City, Kansas. Then, they followed Aldana to his home in Independence, Missouri. When he left again, agents pulled him over, arresting him before he could get out of his blue BMW.

In the driver's floorboard, they spotted a brick-shaped kilo of cocaine. He also had more than $2,800 in cash, which agents classified as drug profits.

Agents found Miranda hiding under Aldana's trailer, in a suburb east of Kansas City that is home to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. He lied, giving a fake name and falsely claiming he had only been in the U.S. for 25 days.

Inside the attached garage, investigators found a large meth conversion lab, used to transform powder into crystallized meth or convert liquid meth into a solid form similar to rock candy, called "ice" due to its potency and its clear, hard chunks.

Cartels are relying more and more on these American conversion labs, which can be dangerous and often involve chemicals that are hazardous to the environment.

Cartels can more easily hide meth in a liquid form to sneak it across the border, often hiding it in windshield wiper fluid, in soda bottles or gas tanks. In this case, Miranda admitted that cartel members often hid liquid meth in compartments of car tires, the drive shafts of truck, in gas tanks and inside car batteries.

Inside Aldana's trailer, agents also found seven 1-gallon containers totaling 31 kilos of liquid meth, about 33 kilos of crystal meth, two kilos of heroin and drug ledgers.

Aldana pleaded guilty in 2021 to trafficking heroin, cocaine and meth.

His attorney said Aldana "has learned in the most painful of ways that the 'easier' way is certainly not necessarily the 'better' way to go in life," according to the defense sentencing memo asking for leniency.

His mother, Rosalva Vergara, wrote a letter in Spanish saying her son was always studious and shy until he began dating a 15-year-old girl when he was age 13. She got pregnant and, against his family's advice, he dropped out of school to work at a creamery to provide for his child. Vergara said the couple married and had two more children, and her son remained a hard worker and dedicated family man.

"I never had any complaints about him and he made the decision to come to this country to give his family a better life" due to few opportunities in his native country, said Vergara, who was surprised to learn of his arrest. "I do not understand when he got into this problem."

His father, Bernardo Aldana, told The Courier Journal during a recent phone interview that he and his wife believed his son ran a successful business restoring homes. But he said his son did grow more distant after leaving Mexico.

"He was a good kid, but you know what happens when you get in with bad company. They grab you when you're dumb," the father said through a Spanish interpreter.

"He got along well with the family, but he came to the U.S. and got lost."

Prosecutors argued for a long prison stint, claiming Aldana illegally entered the U.S. at least twice and oversaw the drug stash house, where they found the sawed-off shotgun.

Last year, a judge sentenced Aldana to serve 20 years in federal prison, where parole is not an option.

His father said in April that he is very worried because he hadn't heard from his son in a month, after his son was accused of stabbing a cellmate  something Aldana denied. The father also said he believes his son should have gotten fewer years in prison.

Villegas' attorney asked for a sentence of six years, saying his client had a more minor role in the drug ring and was the intermediary between the drug importers and lower-level dealers.

Villegas, 43, has lived in the U.S. since he was age 17, though not legally. His attorney claimed Villegas and his wife have two young children, one of whom has autism, giving Villegas a financial motive to get involved in the drug ring.

Villegas, a native of the central Mexico state of Guanajuato, was the least culpable of the drug ring, his attorney, James L. Spies, told The Courier Journal in April.

"The evidence clearly indicates he was a mid-level distributor with no connection to the cartel," Spies said.

Prosecutors pointed out that Villegas was caught accepting the 4-kilo load of heroin and meth in Kansas from Aldana and that Villegas participated in the drug ring for two years.

Last year, the judge sided with prosecutors and sentenced Villegas to serve nine years in federal prison.

More: He reached 'kingpin' status by selling Mexican cartel-supplied drugs. But betrayal awaited

Miranda pleaded guilty in September to trafficking at least 1 kilo of heroin, 5 or more kilos of cocaine and 50 grams or more of meth from 2015 until his arrest in 2020.

After his arrest, Miranda talked with Homeland Security Investigations agents, but gave an alias and gave conflicting details about his culpability. Finally, he did admit to operating stash houses and participating the drug transactions.

Miranda said he was recruited by a third-party to work for a cartel based in his hometown in Mexico.

"A member of that cartel had compelled Miranda-Diaz to help the cartel deal drugs in the United States by threatening to harm Miranda-Diaz and his family in Mexico," according to the agent's criminal complaint.

Many court records remained sealed. Those that are available don't reveal Miranda's hometown or which cartel paid him.

The cartel, La Familia Michoacana, also known as LFM, had long been the dominant cartel in Miranda's home state. But it has faced many bloody turf wars in recent years, including with top rival Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, a global powerhouse known as CJNG or the Jalisco Cartel.

Prosecutors argued in court that Miranda played the biggest role in the criminal network, meriting the most severe sentence.

When he is released, he will again be deported.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kansas City trafficker claims Mexican cartel forced him into drug trade
An ugly face

Where are the extravagant amounts of money President Joe Biden has designated for roads, streets and other infrastructure being used? Ukraine? Zimbabwe? The netherworld? Certainly not on any of the streets and highways we drive here.

Missouri 291 has way too many potholes, some of which have been there for months  ridiculous. And the failure to keep the grassy areas along the highway clean and mowed is disgusting.

What kind of impression do you think this lack of maintenance leaves in visitors minds? Someone needs to get with the program. Par for the course isnt working too well.

- Sharon Holst, Independence

Better buses

In middle and high school I took the bus home from school, and anyone who has had this experience knows that breathing in exhaust from a diesel bus is not fun.

More than 20 million students ride school buses in this country, and we now have an opportunity to protect their health. Kansas City Public Schools should take advantage of a new federal grant for electric school buses. After a successful round of rebates in 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency is awarding an additional $400 million in grants and rebates this year for qualifying electric and low-emission school bus purchases, with a total of $5 billion available for bus replacements over the next four years.

Electric school buses are a win for our children, our communities and our climate. As emitters of greenhouse gases, diesel buses are completely out of step with our effort to address the climate emergency. Also, electric buses cost 60% to 80% less to maintain and operate than diesel buses.

As a resident of Kansas City, Im excited at the prospect of shifting our bus fleet to a healthy, zero-carbon alternative. Superintendent Jennifer Collier should have the district apply for this grant funding today.

- Adam Rossi, Kansas City

Yes, gun laws work

Claims such as one in a July 16 letter to the editor that gun laws dont reduce gun crimes ignore compelling evidence. Numerous studies show that stricter gun regulations correlate with lower rates of gun violence. States with stronger firearm laws and lower gun ownership have fewer gun fatalities and homicides. Countries such as Australia and Japan implemented stringent gun control measures and saw significant decreases in gun-related deaths.

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According to the Gun Violence Archive, more than 23,000 people have been killed by guns this year. There have been 389 mass shootings, injuring and killing hundreds of people. Australias response to a 1996 massacre that killed 35 people in Port Arthur led to a ban on semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, resulting in a 59% reduction in gun-related homicides.

Advocating for stricter gun laws is not anti-gun but pro-life and aims to enhance societal safety. Sensible regulations prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands, including criminals and individuals with mental health issues. Background checks, waiting periods and restrictions on high-capacity magazines save lives.

Responsible gun ownership and limiting access to firearms create a safer environment. Stricter gun laws strike a balance between individual rights and public safety. Evidence supports their effectiveness in reducing gun violence. Its crucial to recognize that advocating for these measures is a step toward safeguarding society for all.

- Shawn Kalmus, Kansas City

Cleaning up

On my daily walk with my dog Monday morning, I saw some out-of-state trucks in storm-damaged areas. I talked to one of the workers, who told me they were from Tennessee. He said they go wherever there has been damage from extreme weather. They are known as storm chasers.

Thanks so much to Evergy and all the crews from all over who have come to our area to help with the damage. Thanks also to tree services helping to clear the debris.

- Don Bates, Leawood
I was impelled to write this column by a recent history book: Samuel Pepys and the Strange Wrecking of the Gloucester, by Nigel Pickford.

The war frigate Gloucester sank in 1682 during a storm off the British coast, imperiling not just its lowly crew but many nobles and  above all  James, Duke of York, who would soon be King of England. James escaped through the frigates big rear windows into his own lifeboat.

The tale reminded me of a column I wrote nearly five years ago. In it, I praised Kansas Republican leaders for being more generous to the poor than were the British grandees who starved millions in the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s, forcing scurvy-ravaged millions more onto ghost ships sailing for America. Our Kansas Republicans are better people than Sir Charles Trevelyn, the British official who cheered the Potato Famine on.

The judgement of God sent the calamity to teach the Irish a lesson, Sir Charles wrote. That calamity must not be too much mitigated. The real evil with which we have to contend is not the physical evil of the Famine, but the moral evil of the selfish, perverse and turbulent character of the people.

OK, but just how much better are todays Republican leaders? In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, millionaire President Donald Trump tweeted moral criticism of the suffering Puerto Ricans.

They want everything done for them, he groused.

Former Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley once justified cutting estate taxes on the rich as a way to honor the people that are investing, as opposed to those that are just spending every darn penny they have, whether its on booze or women or movies.

Every darn penny they have? Precisely because of Kansas Republicans, our poor folks have few pennies to blow on women and booze. We stand as a stingy island in the middle of four surrounding states  three of them Republican  that have raised the minimum wage above the lousy national $7.25 hourly.

Citizens of Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma dodged past their leaders with initiative petitions that permitted a vote on the issue. These same three  against the will of fulminating Republican politicians  also voted to expand Medicaid to help the poor.

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But in miserly Republican Kansas, we dont tolerate voter initiatives. Nor do we suffer throwing more money away on doctors for the poor. Kansas stands rock solid among Americas 10 states that refuse to expand Medicaid. It was killed once by the Kansas senate, a second time when vetoed by then Gov. Sam Brownback. An aide to Brownback, Melika Willoughby, explained:

This isnt just bad policy, this is morally reprehensible

Morals again. Morals are very important to Republicans.

Heres one good thing about Kansas legislators: By stiffing our own poor folks, Republicans helped fund care for the needy in the 40 states that did expand Medicaid. Our Kansas legislators thus have nobly given away billions in free federal dollars to lavish on health care for the poor of other states.

Republicans demand poor folks work a job to get care under Medicaid. But if a single mother with two children earns $8,751 a year, we cut her off because she is too rich.

So how moral were those fancy rich Britons in 1682 as the frigate Gloucester battled the raging Atlantic ocean? As I said, the Duke of York escaped through the frigates rear windows into his own lifeboat, leading Sir John Berry later to write:

His highness took as many persons of quality with him in the boat as she could carry.

Persons of quality. Of course. Nearly all of the quality was saved. An estimated 130 to 250 others drowned.

But here I cannot pass in silence, one observer later wrote, that those that could swim made up to the Boat where the Duke was, and grappled on the sides thereof, endeavoring to get into it, but their hands were ordered to be cut offand thereby they were deprived not only of getting into the Boats that came from other Ships, but also of the ability of swimming.

Surely, then, our Kansas Republican legislators must be better than that.

Or are they?

Contact the columnist at hammerc12@gmail.com.
Keanu Reevess alternative rock band Dogstar are back with their first new album release in 23 years.

The three-piece group  comprised of bassist Reeves, vocalist Bret Domrose and drummer Rob Mailhouse  garnered moderate success during their active years from the mid-Nineties to the early Noughties.

On Wednesday (19 July), the band announced their return to music, with a new album and tour, on social media.

WE ARE BACK!!! they posted on Instagram, alongside a photo of their forthcoming records cover. We are so excited to announce our new album Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees [is] out on 6 October on our label Dillon Street Records.

Next month, Dogstar will kick off their 25+ date headline tour in North America and Japan in support of the album. Tickets will go on sale on Friday (21 July) at 10am local time.

In a teaser of what fans can expect, the band released the albums lead single, Everything Turns Around, and its accompanying music video.

In a statement, the group called the track a fun summer song.

It has an uplifting message and a positive vibe that hopefully makes your day a little bit lighter, they said. Its one of our favourite songs to play live and cant wait to share it on our upcoming tour.

Dogstars reintroduction comes the day after their Tuesday night (18 July) live performance in Hollywood at The Roxy.

The group first announced their revival in May on Instagram, writing: Exciting news coming soon. Thanks for being so patient.

Fans reacted enthusiastically to the post, with one responding: For so many years we never even thought a come back was possible, this is like a dream come true. Seriously looking forward to it all.

The Los Angeles-based band was originally formed by Reeves, 58, and Mailhouse, 61, who met in 1991. They were joined by Gregg Miller, the groups original lead guitarist and vocalist, in 1992. Domrose was then added as an accompanying vocalist and guitarist in 1994.

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They released their debut album Our Little Visionary in 1996, followed by their follow-up record Happy Ending in 2000.

The grunge band originally went by the names Small Fecal Matter and later BFS before finally settling on Dogstar.

Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees are out on 6 October.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys nominee to take over the Kansas Highway Patrol earned easy advancement through the first stage of his confirmation process Wednesday as he seeks to take over an agency that has faced consistent controversy for years.

The Kansas Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to send Erik Smith, a former top official for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, to the full Senate for a vote.

We were all very much impressed with your career credentials and the awesome responsibility it is to head up the Kansas Highway Patrol and I think youre well suited to that, said Kansas Senate Vice President Rick Wilborn, a McPherson Republican.

Smith, whose career in law enforcement started in Sedgwick County, began leading the patrol on an interim basis earlier this month. The state Senate will vote on his confirmation after they return to Topeka for the Legislative session next year.

While much of Smiths career was spent in federal law enforcement, he said he consistently interacted with members of the highway patrol in his career.

Ive learned a lot about how to connect with people in a way that generates enthusiasm and hard work, Smith told lawmakers. Im energized by the opportunity to provide a positive example, strong leadership and a clear message on how the highest standard of law enforcement and public safety will be provided to all Kansans.

He steps into an agency that has faced scrutiny for years, including allegations of sexual harassment against his predecessor, recently retired Superintendent Herman Jones. Former Superintendent Mark Bruce, who led the agency before Jones, was forced out over questions about his handling of an alleged domestic violence case involving another high-ranking officer in the patrol.

Citing the allegations against Jones and the patrols continuing struggles to recruit and retain officers, Kansas Republican lawmakers threatened earlier this year to move the agency out of Kellys control and into the hands of Republican state Attorney General Kris Kobach.

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The lawmakers dropped that effort when Jones announced his retirement earlier this year. The upbeat and congenial nature of Smiths confirmation hearing marked a new relationship between the Legislature and the Highway Patrol.

Kansas Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, a Winfield Republican, asked Smith to explain how he would address ongoing morale and recruitment struggles.

Smith promised to foster open communication within the agency and consistent use of disciplinary rules to be hard on the problems and be soft on people. Improved recruitment and retention, Smith said, is tied to improving morale so that individual troopers are motivated to recruit new members.

Communication, setting a vision and working together to support that vision is important, Smith said. No voice should be quashed. If there are issues that need to be brought to my attention that originate at the rank and file I expect to learn of those issues.

Alley said he believed morale at the highway patrol had already improved since Smiths appointment was announced.

Im satisfied hes the man for the job. I think he can turn that around, Alley said.
Grant said he had no objections to being returned to the UK - Joseph Okanga

A British terror suspect and associate of the notorious White Widow could be returned to the UK imminently after a Kenyan High Court ordered his deportation.

Jermaine Grant should be sent to the UK as soon as his sentence has finished, a Mombasa judge ruled on Wednesday after an application from the Kenyan government.

Grant, 40, who is originally from London, had been imprisoned in the East African nation after being convicted of possessing bomb-making materials and using forged documents to obtain Kenyan citizenship.

The court heard there was a difference of opinion about when his sentence was due to be completed, but Kenyan authorities believed the deadline was either imminent, or had already passed.

The court order means Grant could be back in the UK in a matter of days, or weeks.

Justice Anne Onginjo told the court: The respondent Jermaine John Grant will be repatriated to his country of origin by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Immigration in accordance with the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.

Grant was prosecuted after police found chemicals, switches and bomb manual in his flat - Reuters/JOSEPH OKANGA

Grant, who watched the proceedings by video link from Kamiti maximum security prison in Nairobi, said he had no objections.

The Muslim convert from east London was considered a close associate of Samantha Lewthwaite, the so-called White Widow terror suspect who has been on the run from police for more than a decade.

Her husband Germaine Lindsay was one of the four suicide bombers who killed 52 people in London in 2005. She is wanted by Interpol and Kenya for possession of bomb-making materials and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Grant was prosecuted in Kenya after police found chemicals, switches and a bomb-making manual in a flat he shared with Lewthwaite. He was accused of being involved in a plot targeting hotels visited by foreign tourists.

Grant helped White Widow escape police in bomb attack - Reuters

In a 2019 trial he was convicted of possession of bomb-making materials, but the court acquitted him of conspiracy over the alleged plot.

He was given a four-year sentence, after already having been given a nine-year sentence in an earlier trial for using forged documents to obtain Kenyan citizenship.

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The court heard estimates of his completion date differ based on calculations of time served. The Kenyan government said his sentences ended on June 24, but prison authorities said he should be in prison until at least next month.

British officials are understood to consider his release date to be August 2024.

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John Kerry, U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, is ending his trip to China without any concrete commitments to reduce emissions.

We came here to break new ground, which we think is important at this stage, and it is clear that we are going to need a little more work to be able to complete that task, he said during a press conference Wednesday.

He said that the two sides would work intensively in the weeks ahead on issues such as integrating renewable energy into the power sector as China largely relies on coal power.

Meanwhile, in remarks this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the countrys commitments on climate change are unwavering but also said they must be determined by the country itself, rather than swayed by others, per the official Peoples Daily newspaper.

China is currently the worlds largest emitter of planet-warming gasses while the U.S is the second-largest, though the U.S. is the greatest historical emitter. The U.S. is currently seeking to reduce its emissions, while China has said that it intends for its emissions to peak in 2030.

The talks come after China halted its cooperation with the U.S. on issues including climate change for a few months last year after then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) visited Taiwan. They resumed talks on climate change in November.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US climate envoy John Kerry (C) walks next with US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns as they arrive for meetings at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 19, 2023 (Ng Han Guan)

US climate envoy John Kerry said Wednesday that Washington was not dictating climate solutions to China, after President Xi Jinping said Beijing will make its own decisions on how to address global warming.

At the end of a three-day trip to Beijing to restart bilateral climate discussion, Kerry told reporters on a conference call that he and his team had "extremely warm and productive meetings" with senior Chinese officials during the visit.

He admitted there were no breakthroughs in the discussions, which seek to build an agenda for the UN COP 28 climate conference in December.

But he said none of his Chinese counterparts expressed concerns about the United States pushing them on ways to deal with climate change.

A day earlier, Xi addressed a separate conference on the environment in Beijing and said China must chart its own course on carbon emissions.

"We must make the decisions on our own when it comes to the path, methods, pace, and intensity to achieve them. No one should expect to exert influence on us," the Chinese president said, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

He did not mention Kerry or the United States by name, according to the Xinhua report, and the US envoy was not in the audience during the address.

Asked about the comments Wednesday, Kerry said: "We're not involved in dictating anything to anybody. We're involved in following the science."

Kerry, who met with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Chinese premier Li Qiang, Vice President Han Zheng and his climate policy counterpart Xie Zhenhua, said Xi's comments were not reflected in his talks.

"There's no politics or ideology in what we're doing," Kerry said.

"None of the leaders I met with suggested that there was any reason we shouldn't be coordinating the way we are, working together the way we are, with mutual respect."

Kerry said his discussions covered a lot of ground after a long break in bilateral climate talks.

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The two-way discussions were cut off last year after Beijing took offence at a visit to Taiwan by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification.

- 'Mutual alarm' -

The veteran US politician and diplomat said there was "mutual alarm" between the US and Chinese sides, the world's two largest polluters, at the current climate situation.

He said that he had hoped to break new ground on combatting warming in the talks.

But after "frank conversations," Kerry said the US side "realised that it's going to take a little bit more work to break the new ground."

"So we've agreed that we're going to meet intensively," he said.

There was no joint statement on the talks.

But Kerry said the two sides focused on how to make COP 28, scheduled for December in Dubai, a success, and on how to craft national targets to be submitted in 2025.

Both sides agreed to hone in on integrating renewable energy into the power sector in order to reduce coal emissions.

They also agreed to focus on non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, he said.

Kerry said US and Chinese officials will meet again within a few weeks.

"We agreed to work together towards ambitious and agreed outcomes at the COP 28" and other international fora, he said.

pmh/dw
The Kettering Police Department is reaching out to the public for help identifying a theft suspect.

>> Person shot while repossessing vehicle in Dayton

The person is suspected of stealing a credit card at a business at Town and County and then using it at the Walmart on W. Dorothy Lane on Sunday, July 16.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Detective T. Engles at 937-296-3251.
ZHENGZHOU, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign trade of central China's Henan Province reached 379.95 billion yuan (about 53.15 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2023.

Customs authorities in Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, said that, during the past six months, its exports increased to 250.58 billion yuan, up 2.4 percent over the same period of last year, while its imports amounted to 129.37 billion yuan.

In June alone, Henan's imports and exports soared to 59.58 billion yuan, an increase of 5 percent compared with May.

From January to June, the United States, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union and the Republic of Korea were Henan's top four trading partners, with imports and exports of 71.99 billion yuan, 52.34 billion yuan, 42.54 billion yuan and 34.17 billion yuan, respectively.

During the same period, Henan's trade with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries reached 116.09 billion yuan, an increase of 4.1 percent. The province also saw its foreign trade with countries along the Belt and Road grow 11.4 percent to 116.05 billion yuan.

Customs said that exports of commodities such as automobiles and agricultural products increased rapidly, while imports of commodities including audio and video equipment parts, precious metal ore and agricultural products also increased significantly. 
Kindergarten Boy Dedicates Graduation Speech To His Late Beautiful Mommy | Ronnie Kaufman

A 6-year-old boy paid tribute to his late mother in his valedictorian graduation speech and brought the audience to tears. Jaxon Carters mother, Taryn Marie Gainey, died in an apartment fire last July.

Tragedy struck a few weeks before Jaxon started kindergarten at a new school, New Dawn Academy, a public STEM-focused charter school in Sterling Heights, Michigan. His father says the school was a last-minute find and a lifesaver, Good Morning America reported.

As school concluded this year, Jaxons teacher asked him to deliver a graduation speech.

His teacher asked him if he could give a little speech, Carter said. The little speech turned into a full valedictory speech, Justin Carter, his father, told the news outlet.

This 6-year-old dedicates his kindergarten graduation speech to his late mother.  Listen to it here: https://t.co/qizEapnPqg pic.twitter.com/p1sBr1bfyH  Good Morning America (@GMA) July 19, 2023

Jaxon worked on the speech with his grandmother, who didnt let the father read or hear it before the ceremony. The 6-year-old delivered the speech from memory and went on for 4 minutes.

When I started kindergarten at New Dawn Academy in August 2022, I was a little 5-year-old who had lost my beautiful mother a month before, Jaxon said. I learned to play with other kids, read books, answer or ask questions like how or why, use correct grammar, and use my school tablet.

My kindergarten year helped me grow braver, smarter, kind-hearted, and more grateful, he added.

Jaxon thanked his teacher, who he described as a supportive ear with a big heart. He also thanked his grandparents and his father.

You are the best daddy ever, and I love you so very much, Jaxon said.

The boy ended the speech by dedicating it to his mother.

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I dedicate my speech, good grades, all school awards, and my kindergarten graduation to my beautiful mommy, who I will always love and miss so very much, he said. I know she will always be with me in my heart.

Jaxons father told Good Morning America his sons speech was remarkable.

The expressions, the words, everything that he was saying, you could see that he meant every word of it, he said.

Conrad R. Koch, the principal of New Dawn Academy, noted that Jaxon is a standout student who comes to school every day with a smile. He told the news outlet that he was blown away by the boys speech.

I greet all the students in the morning, and I always had a good morning from him or a high-five. He came to school with a good attitude, ready to learn, Koch said. Whether it was the spelling bee, learning how to read, learning how to write his name, whatever the challenge was, Jaxon was able to meet it.
A three-dimensional serpent slivers up a burgundy background

A kitchen shrine adorned with serpents, a bakery, human skeletons, exquisite frescos, and yes, a picture of something that looks very much like pizza. These are among the new finds being turned up at the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

Dig anywhere in the ancient city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD79 and you will unearth an ancient treasure - a snapshot of a lost Roman world.

It's extraordinary to think that one-third of the city buried under pumice and ash has yet to be excavated.

"Much of that will be for future generations," says Alessandro Russo, the co-lead archaeologist on the new dig.

"We have a problem to conserve what we've already found. Future generations may have new ideas, new techniques."

Map locating Pompeii near Naples in the south of Italy

The latest work returns to a sector in the park last explored in the late 19th Century.

Back then, archaeologists had opened up the frontage of houses on Via Di Nola, one of Pompeii's main thoroughfares, but hadn't delved far behind.

They had identified a laundry but that was about it.

Excavation work under way in the searing summer heat, in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius

Now, the diggers are progressively pulling away the volcanic ash and pea-sized stones, known as lapilli, that smothered Pompeii during the two catastrophic days of the Vesuvian eruption.

The dig site is, in effect, a whole city block. It is known as an insula and is some 3,000 sq m (32,000 sq ft) in size.

Map showing excavations in Pompeii

BBC News has been given exclusive access to the investigation with Lion TV, which is making a three-part series to be aired early next year on the BBC.

The oven

The giant oven could have baked 100 loaves of bread daily

"Every room in every house has its own micro-story in the grander story of Pompeii. I want to uncover those micro-stories," said Gennaro Iovino.

The other co-lead archaeologist wants you to imagine that you are entering a delightful atrium - an entrance hall - with a hole in the roof where lion figureheads direct rainwater down onto a fountain, next to a statue.

The builders were clearly doing some repairs at the time of the eruption because the roof tiles are neatly stacked in two piles. But this is not a magnificent villa, like some of the imposing homes found elsewhere in Pompeii.

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This building would have been part-commercial because, on turning right, you are confronted by a giant oven, big enough to be producing 100 loaves a day.

Roughly 50 bakeries have already been found in Pompeii. This, however, can't have been a shop because there is no shop front.

It's more likely to have been a wholesaler, distributing bread across town, perhaps to the many fast-food joints for which Pompeii was so famous.

Aerial view of the archaeological site showing some of the most important discoveries laundry, burnt bed, wallpaper and Apollo, three skeletons, fountain, Oven, pizza fresco, shrine, Achilles fresco

That 'pizza'

The discovery of a fresco depicting a piece of round flatbread on a silver tray, surrounded by pomegranate, dates, nuts and arbutus fruits, caused a sensation when it was announced to the world in June.

It's not a pizza, though. Tomatoes and mozzarella, two ingredients in the classic Neapolitan recipe, were not available in Italy in the first century AD.

Perhaps it's a piece of focaccia? The pizza thing started as a bit of a joke, says Gennaro. "I emailed a picture to my boss, saying 'first the oven, now the pizza.'"

With Naples - the home of pizza - a short distance away, the discovery naturally caused a sensation

The world just went crazy after that. A cover will be built over the fresco to try to protect it from the elements. It will also be treated with a special sealant.

The 20,000 visitors who come to Pompeii every day will demand to see the "ancestor to the pizza", as some are now describing the fresco subject.

The skeletons

For the time being, the skeletons are being kept in a specially constructed store room

It's easy to forget that Pompeii was a human tragedy. We have little idea how many died. You have to believe most residents left when they saw the horror unfolding at the top of Vesuvius.

Skeletons have been recovered, perhaps 1,300 to 1,500 in total, and the new dig has its own examples: two women and a child of unknown sex.

A ball joint at the top of a human thigh bone (femur)

Looking at the position where the victims were found, it's obvious that they were trying to take cover, hoping that by hiding under a staircase, they would be safe.

What they hadn't counted on was the roof collapsing from the weight of all the lapilli and ash. The heavy stonework smashed their bodies.

The burnt bed

The drama of those momentous days in October AD79 are also revealed on the other side of the atrium in what was once a bedroom.

The bed itself is a charred mass - caused by a fire. It is barely recognisable apart from its broad outline seared into the walls and floor.

Archaeologists have one theory that the bedroom caught fire when a lamp was knocked over in the panic to escape Vesuvius's eruption

If you look closely at the debris, you can see blackened fragments of the textile bedclothes and even the filling from the mattress.

A fragment of what is left of the mattress

Archaeologists can tell from the position of these carbonised remains that the fire occurred relatively early in the eruption. They speculate that a lamp might have been knocked over in the panic to get out.

"It would be interesting to understand who were the people that didn't make it," wonders park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel.

Wall paintings that look like modern-day wallpaper - "We're always looking for a surprise," says Gabriel Zuchtriegel

"Were they the poor? More women than men? Or maybe people who had property and tried to stay to protect what they had, while others who had nothing just took off and ran."

The shrine

Towards the back of the area so far excavated there is a wall that encloses three rooms. It's here that the removal of lapilli and ash has exposed more astonishing artwork.

x

In the middle room, covered by a tarpaulin, is yet another elegant fresco. It shows the episode in the myth of Achilles where the legendary hero soldier - with his unfortunate Achilles heel - tried to hide dressed as a woman to avoid fighting in the Trojan War.

In the third room, I pull back another tarp to reveal a magnificent shrine. Two yellow serpents in relief slither up a burgundy background. "These are good demons," says Alessandro. He points to a fresco further down the wall just above an opening to a box of some kind.

"This room is actually a kitchen. They would have made offerings here to their gods. Foods like fish or fruits. The snake is a connection between the gods and the humans."

As the insula is further revealed, scaffolding is being put up around what remains of the buildings to make protective roofing. In the future, the park hopes to erect a high walkway so tourists can see the new treasures that are emerging.

Pompeii park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel

"People sometimes ask [us], 'What would you like to find? What are you looking for?'" explains Gabriel. He says such questions are misleading.

"What we're really looking for is what we don't know. We're always looking for a surprise. It's all emerging evidence, leading us somewhere, but we don't know where that journey goes."

Additional reporting by Rebecca Morelle, Alison Francis and Tony Jolliffe. The BBC/Lion TV series (Pompeii: The New Dig) will be broadcast early next year.

All photos subject to copyright

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WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that hes a target of a federal investigation into the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, and could be indicted over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump wrote that he received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith  who is overseeing the investigation  giving him four days to report to the grand jury.

Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner, who has been closely following multiple investigations into Trump, told USA TODAY that Justice Department target letters are general, usually not including any specific charges a person might face.

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Last year, a bipartisan House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack recommended that the Justice Department charge Trump with insurrection, obstruction and conspiracy, among other potential charges.

The final report published by the committee highlighted key moments from a speech that Trump gave to supporters at a rally on the Ellipse, a park near the White House, falsely claiming that the 2020 election was stolen and telling the crowd to head to the Capitol as it was certifying the election results.

Heres what you need to know about Trumps Jan. 6 speech and what legal experts say its role could be in a possible indictment.

What did Trump say in his speech on Jan. 6?

The Jan. 6 committee wrote in its final report that Trump was aware the crowd he addressed in Washington was angry and elements of the crowd were armed, and had prohibited items, and that many thousands would not pass through the magnetometers for that reason.

Lawmakers noted that Trump told supporters: "Youll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. ... And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

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The report also said that Trump targeted former Vice President Mike Pence leading the crowd to believe falsely that he could alter the election outcome. The Constitution does not allow the vice president to change or reject votes as Congress certifies the results of a presidential election.

Trump also urged his supporters to walk to the Capitol, saying "were going to walk down, and Ill be there with you."

"Were going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and were probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them, Trump said.

When the House impeached Trump in 2021 for inciting an insurrection, his lawyer Bruce Castor told the Senate during the former president's impeachment trial that Trump encouraged supporters to peacefully and patriotically make their voices heard during his speech.

Will the speech play a role in a possible indictment?

Marc Scholl, who served as a criminal prosecutor in New York, told USA TODAY it wasn't the words Trump used in his speech but the tone of his message that mustered up the crowd.

"He was speaking to a large, excitable crowd, and the entire speech was designed to make that crowd angry ... Once Trump raised the temperature with trigger words like 'fight' and 'stolen,' a phrase here or there about being peaceful becomes irrelevant." Scholl said.

He added that any indictment will not be limited to the Jan. 6 speech but that officials would focus on a range of factors, including what led up to it; claims of election theft; false, alternative electors; and more.

"The prosecution will likely argue that the January 6 mob was the product of a recipe that had many ingredients and cooking steps in its preparation," Scholl said.

Other legal experts said the Jan. 6 speech might not be of much relevance in a possible indictment.

"The speech was just a call to arms at that point, but I do not anticipate it crossed the line sufficiently to warrant a charge of insurrection or seditious conspiracy," Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer, told USA TODAY. "Nor do I suspect Jack Smith wants to mess with the First Amendment implications of trying to bring that charge in this context when he really does not need to, given his other charging options."

Moss pointed to Trump's efforts to pressure officials to recalculate state votes, to call on Pence to block the election results and more as factors forming the crux of Trump's criminal exposure.

David Super, a constitutional law expert at Georgetown University, said he doubts Trump's Jan. 6 speech will play a central role in any indictment.

"If the prosecutors can prove that he had a broad conspiracy to steal the election, the particular turns of phrase in his speech on January 6 will not matter nearly as much," Super said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Jan. 6 speech: What to know as he faces possible indictment
South Korean soldiers on guard at the Military Demarcation Line (file pic)

A US soldier is being held in North Korea after crossing the border from South Korea without authorisation, the US military has confirmed.

The crisis comes during a particularly tense time with the North, one of the world's most isolated states. The US tells its citizens not to go there.

Here we look at what we know so far about the incident.

What happened at the border?

Private 2nd Class (PV2) Travis King, 23, crossed from South Korea into the North after joining a Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) border tour.

At the time he was being escorted back to the US to face disciplinary action.

But he did not board the plane. Instead, he reportedly arrived at the boarding gate at Incheon Airport alone as military police officers were not allowed to accompany him all the way to the plane.

At the gate, he reportedly approached an American Airlines official, claiming his passport had gone missing. An airline employee then escorted him out of the departures area.

He then made his way out of the terminal to the border crossing about 54km (34 miles) away.

An eyewitness on the same border tour described hearing the soldier laughing loudly before making a run.

The United Nations Command, which operates the DMZ, said it believed the soldier was now in custody of the North.

A senior US commander said there had been no contact with the soldier and the incident was being investigated by US Forces Korea.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said the Pentagon's main concern is for the soldier's welfare.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that they "are still gathering all the facts".

"Our primary primary goal is to make sure that we ascertain his well being, get a sense of how he's doing, but also, clearly, we are committed to bringing him home," she said on Wednesday.

What do we know about the soldier?

Travis King (circled) at the border between North and South Korea shortly before he ran into the North

PV2 King has been in the Army since January 2021. He is a cavalry scout - a reconnaissance specialist - originally assigned to an element of the army's 1st Armoured Division on a rotation with the US military in South Korea.

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He had been held in a detention facility in South Korea's capital Seoul after getting into fights. He was reportedly investigated for assault in September 2022.

Local media reports he was suspected of punching a Korean national in a Seoul nightclub.

He was also fined 5m won (3,000; $3,950) for "repeatedly kicking" the back door of a police car and screamed "foul language" at the officers trying to apprehend him.

Local reports quoting officials said he was released on 10 July after serving two months in jail on assault charges.

He was released to Camp Humphreys - an army base in South Korea - for out-processing.

He was later escorted to the airport in Incheon, Seoul, for a flight back to the United States, where he was to face disciplinary action.

A US defence official confirmed PV2 King had been due to travel to Fort Bliss in Texas where he was to be administratively separated from the army.

A defence official said the soldier had "wilfully" crossed the border.

Sarah Leslie, a New Zealand tourist, who was in PV2 King's group told the Associated Press she noticed him "running what looked like full gas towards the North Korean side".

"Everybody was stunned and shocked," she added.

An American soldier had shouted "get that guy" before South Korean and American soldiers ran after him, but could not catch him, she said.

It was all over in a few seconds, Ms Leslie recalled, adding: PV2 King ran about 10m (30ft) down a narrow alley between buildings, before he was over the border and out of sight.

Meanwhile, another tour group witness told CBS News, the BBC's US news partner, that the tour group was rushed back to the Freedom House for everyone to give statements.

They said the incident hit them quite hard when they were on their departing bus.

The group was at a check point when "someone said we were 43 going in and 42 coming back".

What is his family saying?

PV2 King's mother Claudine Gates told ABC News she could not imagine her son doing such a thing. He "had to be out of his mind", she said.

Ms Gates said she had last heard from the US soldier "a few days ago", when he told her he would soon be returning to Fort Bliss, his army base in Texas.

Carl Gates, an uncle, told the Daily Beast that PV2 King had been "breaking down" emotionally over the death of his 7-year-old cousin.

PV2 King began acting "reckless" and "crazy" around the time of his cousin's death in February, the uncle said.

Did the soldier plan his move?

It is possible the soldier's move was pre-planned.

The host of the North Korea podcast, Jacco Zwetsloot, worked for a tour company in 2012 that took US soldiers to the JSA. He says there is "no way this person could escape from the airport one day and book on to one of these tours the next".

He explains that it usually takes three days to be authorised to go on one of these trips. You need to submit your passport number and military ID to the UN Command, which operates the area.

"When I was leading the tours, we had to change the turnaround time from 48 to 72 hours because there were too many mistakes," he says.

Also, since the pandemic, it has been much more difficult to get on these tours. They only restarted recently, and it seems there are just two companies offering tours to foreigners. To book this would have required research and planning.

Why is this so tricky for the US?

Recent escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula have become more of a foreign policy priority for US President Joe Biden's administration.

The incident came on the day that a US nuclear missile submarine arrived in the South Korean port of Busan - a visible demonstration of US military strength that angered the North Koreans.

The move was a US response to more than a hundred new North Korean missile tests over the past few years.

The soldier could potentially become a new bargaining chip for the North to use when dealing with the US.

What happened to Americans detained by North Korea in the past?

US citizens have been detained there several times since 1996. They included tourists, scholars and journalists.

In July 2017, the US government banned US citizens from visiting the country - a move that has since been extended until at least August this year.

US prisoners have typically been treated brutally in North Korean prisons.

In 2018, the North released an American college student, Otto Warmbier, who had been imprisoned for stealing a hotel sign. He returned to the US in a coma and later died.
The News

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the BRICS summit next month in South Africa, Pretoria announced on Wednesday.

A statement from South African President Cyril Ramaphosas office said that by mutual agreement, Putin would not attend the meeting and that the Russian Federation would instead be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

As a member of the International Criminal Court, South Africa would have been obligated to arrest Putin, accused of war crimes by the ICC, if he attended the BRICS summit in person. On Tuesday Ramaphosa had said that arresting Putin in this manner would be a declaration of war.

Weve compiled information you should read on why Putins attendance at BRICS would have put South Africa on rocky legal footing.

Insights

Putin will not attend the BRICS summit, which will host the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. But his attendance had been the subject of intense negotiations with Pretoria talking to the ICC about ways to get around the warrant, fearing that arresting Putin, if he attended, would spark a conflict. South Africa has no capacity to declare or wage war with Russia. Nor does it wish to, Ramaphosa said.

South Africa was earlier exploring other options to avoid arresting Russias president. Among the countermeasures discussed were moving the BRICS summit to China, or hosting it virtually  but partner countries had reportedly rejected these suggestions until Wednesday. Another compromise, that Russias foreign minister attend in Putins place, also faced initial resistance from the Kremlin.

Know More

Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war, Ramaphosa said in an affidavit published Tuesday. It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia.

South Africa is among a contingent of six African nations who are seeking to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Ramaphosa has refused to condemn Russias actions in Ukraine, and instead has called for a mutual peace deal. South Africa and Russias diplomatic ties stretch back decades.
FOND DU LAC  School districts across Wisconsin have struggled to retain staff over the past few years, especially with an exodus of early career teachers, and the Fond du Lac School District has not been immune to those problems.

At a school board meeting earlier this month, Director of Human Resources Marisa Lombardo presented data about staff retention from the past 14 years and exit surveys from the 2022-23 school year.

Heres what the data show.

Retirements and resignations increased in the past three years

Looking at data going back to 2009-10, the past three academic years have seen more than 100 staff members leave each year. This peaked in the 2021-22 school year with 126 resignations and retirements.

Breaking up the data by positions shows a marked increase in teachers and instructional assistants, such as language interpreters, leaving. More than twice as many teachers (78) retired or resigned in 2021-22 compared to two years earlier (38). The majority of them retired.

Over the past 14 years, the district has employed between 530 and 600 teachers each year.

Turnover for 2022-23 was slightly better than the year before.

More: Fond du Lac School District taps Terrance Lofton as equity coordinator, and more in weekly dose

Why are employees leaving the district?

Nearly a quarter of people selected Other as their reason for leaving the district.

The next most common reason for leaving was the stress of the job (14%), followed by a tie between dissatisfaction with administration and accepting a position closer to home both with 12%.

It is unclear whether respondents could select more than one reason for leaving.

The district has an exit survey for staff, but it was inconsistently distributed before January

According to Lombardo's presentation, all staff who retire or resign are given a link to an exit survey via email. It asks them to rate their experience, share demographics and provide feedback on strengths and areas of growth for the district.

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However, that only consistently became standard practice in January when Lombardo began working in the human resources department full time and wasn't juggling other roles in the district. An exit survey existed before then, but she said it wasn't always sent to leaving employees.

Lombardo said employees who want an exit interview instead of a survey are instructed to call human resources.

In the 2022-23 school year 113 staff left, and about a third of them completed an exit survey. Most of them were teachers who spent less than a decade in the district.

This year's response rate was better than the previous two years, when only 10% and 17% of exiting staff took the survey, Lombardo said.

More: Area administrators come out of retirement to fill Fond du Lac school roles after 4 district resignations

Only about half of staff believe Fond du Lac schools are a good place to work, fewer would consider working there again

The survey asked people to rate  using a scale of Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree  how supported they felt, whether the district is a good place to work and other questions to gauge satisfaction. People also had the option to select "Neutral" for their answer.

Heres a look at how many people marked Agree or Strongly Agree for each statement.

The Fond du Lac School District is a good place to work: 51%

I would consider working for the district in the future: 47%

I would recommend working in the district to my family and friends: 47%

Most staff said they felt valued, but the effectiveness of district policies was a toss-up

I was treated as a valued employee: 62%

Policies and procedures of the district helped to create a well-managed, consistent and fair workplace in which expectations are clearly defined: 49%

Former staff felt they contributed positively, but lacked training and support

Using that same exit survey data, nearly nine out of 10 former staff felt they had made a positive contribution to the district. Most of them also felt they knew what was expected of them, but fewer than half felt they had adequate support.

I made a positive contribution to the district: 89%

I knew what was expected of me in my job: 71%

I received adequate support to do my job effectively: 49%

I received adequate training to do my job effectively: 46%

More: Five things to know about the teacher shortage in Wisconsin

Reach AnnMarie Hilton at ahilton@gannett.com or 920-370-8045. Follow her on Twitter at @hilton_annmarie.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac school staff retirements and resignations increased
Morgan Benson said she hopes not only to give customers a morning boost, but also Haitian businesses through some of the proceeds from her Seed Coffee Co. shop that opened recently at 2558 Sutherland Ave.

Benson, along with fellow managing partner Andrea Land, opened the business in June in part of the former Marble City United Methodist Church building where Golden Roast Coffee Roasters had been before moving to larger space in Cherokee Mills.

And so far, their first venture into owning a coffee house has been going well, she said.

It is very fun, Benson said, adding that local architect Stacy Cox and her mother, Beverly Linkous, are also part owners. Its a lot of work but mostly fun for the most part.

She said the transition has been almost seamless because people were used to coming to the Golden Roast. The layout is basically the same, and they have made only minor changes, like a little painting, to make it feel like their place, she added.

But for those whom Benson hopes to help through proceeds and a nonprofit she helped start, their lives have been anything but seamless transitions. The Grace Christian Academy graduate  who later attended Maryville College, Liberty University and Carson-Newman  said she took a mission trip to Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake.

A subsequent visit made her realize the handouts of basic necessities were not really making a long-term impact. That planted the idea to use coffee seeds and various other projects in the blossoming stages to help people. She helped visualize a nonprofit that would partner with individuals and communities in education, entrepreneurship, and development projects.

And part of that is with coffee growers, since Haiti had once been traditionally known as a major coffee grower due to its ideal location, geography, and climate.

The nonprofit, which is faith based but not connected to any particular church, was founded in 2018, she said.

Entrepreneurs Morgan Benson, left, and Andrea Land stand in the coffee bar area of Seed Coffee Co.

A fundraising sale of some Haitian coffee beans for the nonprofit beneficiaries and some work at a coffee house also made Benson dream of one day opening a brick-and-mortar coffee house.

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She was also busy with a home construction and renovation business when architect Cox, who is on the board of SEED International, learned from architects Smee and Busby, whose offices are in the Sutherland building, that the coffee shop space was available.

I said, Lets check it out. And we fell in love with the space, Benson said. Its been really great to have a permanent place in Knoxville, a place where we can tell our story every day.

Besides a variety of coffee drinks from the Caribbean farmers they are trying to help, they also sell bagels, bagel sandwiches, scones and croissants provided by local vendors.

They also sell packaged coffee and merchandise which, along with some proceeds, go to help the beneficiaries of their nonprofit.

She said she met partner Land while they were working at the same coffee shop in 2016 and have been friends ever since, including being roommates for a period. Land has also volunteered at SEED International doing photography, she added.

Benson  who plans to focus strictly on the coffee shop and nonprofit after finishing renovating a home for her and husband Blake Benson  added that she wants the whole operation of their business to be one of goodwill and fair and friendly treatment. That ranges from the growers to the customers. And so far, the results have been positive, she added.

We want to make a cozy space and make everyone feel welcome, she said. Its important how we treat each other.

She hopes to get even more customers when more students from nearby University of Tennessee arrive in August for the fall semester. She also hopes that  with the changes coming to Cumberland Avenue and the construction of student apartments  maybe Sutherland Avenue can become the new Strip-like hangout for students interested in locally owned places.

Regardless, her experiences have created quite a journey for her so far, both in travel and work.

It still seems surreal, she said. I walk in the shop and sometimes have to remind myself that it is all real and something Ive worked hard for.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville coffee shop on Sutherland will fight poverty in Haiti
[Source]

South Korea is witnessing a resurgence of the "Ice Bucket Challenge" in celebration of the establishment of the country's first hospital dedicated to patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Background on the challenge: The charitable initiative comes as a follow-up to the 2018 version of the challenge in South Korea, where proceeds were directed towards funding the construction of the ALS hospital in the country. Spearheading the current movement is Sean, one half of the former hip-hop duo Jinusean and CEO of the nonprofit organization Seungil Huimang Jaedan, also known as the Seungil Hope Foundation.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is a global viral campaign that first emerged in 2014, gaining widespread popularity for its unique approach to raising awareness and funds for ALS charities. Participants film themselves being drenched with ice water and then nominate others to continue the challenge within 24 hours, thereby promoting both donations and the dissemination of information about the disease. Many celebrities participated, including Oprah, LeBron James, Bill Gates, Lady Gaga, Steven Spielberg, Taylor Swift and more.

2023 revival: Five years after the 2018 iteration of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Sean and a host of South Korean celebrities are once again embracing the campaign to commemorate the hospital's construction. Park Bo-gum from Itaewon Class and Record of Youth and soloist IU were among the first to respond to Sean's nominations, taking on the challenge and nominating others to follow suit.

More from NextShark: Tiger mom makes her 22-year-old daughter take breathalyzer test every time she comes home at night

Park nominated actor Kwak Dong-yeon, Oh My Girl member Mimi and Q from the K-pop boy group The Boyz. IU nominated her fellow Dream actor Heo Joon-seok, Lee Joo-young, who starred with her in Broker and The Glory star Lee Do-hyun, her former castmate from Hotel Del Luna. Kwak participated, as did Joo-young. Do-hyun did not participate but made a donation instead.

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Were about to find out if Arabian Knights talent can match the hype surrounding the lightly raced 3-year-old Thoroughbred.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Arabian Knight was installed Wednesday as the 5-2 morning-line favorite for Saturdays $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

Arabian Knight, undefeated in only two starts after sitting out the entire 2023 Triple Crown series, will face a field of seven other 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 1 race. That field includes 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, who will be racing for the first time since finishing third in the Preakness Stakes on May 20. Also running in the Haskell is Tapit Trice, who won the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in April before finishing seventh in the Run for the Roses and third in the Belmont Stakes.

Mage, trained by Gustavo Delgado, will race from post position No. 4 in the Haskell at morning-line odds of 3-1. Tapit Trice, the co-second choice also at 3-1, is in stall No. 5 for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Arabian Knight won his first career race Nov. 5, 2022, at Keeneland, a maiden special weight event on the Breeders Cup undercard in which he romped to victory by 7 1/4 lengths. He returned to the track Jan. 28 in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas and won by 5 1/2 lengths, immediately emerging as a top contender for this years Kentucky Derby.

He has not raced since then.

Because of Bafferts ongoing suspension by Churchill Downs, Arabian Knight was transferred to the barn of Tim Yakteen ahead of the Triple Crown series.

Then, on March 12, owner Amr Zedan announced that Arabian Knight was being taken out of training.

Trainer Tim Yakteen wasnt happy with his last work & we feel its in Arabian Knights best interest not to rush & allow him more time to develop, Zedan tweeted, saying that the 3-year-old would be pointed toward a return to racing in the summer and fall.

Yakteen told the Daily Racing Form at the time that Arabian Knight was not injured.

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After talking with Amr, hes a super-gifted horse, but were up against it, Yakteen said at the time. We want to give him a chance to be the best horse he can be.

Were under a time constraint, the weather. Look at what weve been dealing with. You dont want to put a square peg in a round hole.

Its going to be a fun summer to watch him campaign. I think youll see him a lot sooner than you think.

Arabian Knight was moved shortly thereafter back to Bafferts barn. He will be ridden Saturday by another Hall of Famer, three-time Kentucky Derby winner John Velazquez, who won the 2023 Preakness Stakes aboard another Baffert horse, National Treasure.

Mage will be ridden by Javier Castellano and Tapit Trice by Luis Saez.

The remainder of the Haskell field consists of 3-year-olds, like Arabian Knight, who skipped the 2023 Triple Crown series.

Geaux Rocket Ride (9-2), Extra Anejo (5-1), Salute the Stars (8-1), Howgreatisnate (20-1) and Awesome Strong (30-1) round out the field.

The Haskell is a Win and Youre In event for the $6 million Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita later this year.

Haskell Stakes

What: $1 million, Grade 1 stakes race for 3-year-olds

Where: Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

When: Saturday

TV: NBC

Streaming: Peacock

Distance: 1 1/8 miles (dirt)

Favorite: Arabian Knight (5-2)

Haskell Stakes field

1. Geaux Rocket Ride (9-2)

2. Awesome Strong (30-1)

3. Salute the Stars (8-1)

4. Mage (3-1)

5. Tapit Trice (3-1)

6. Howgreatisnate (20-1)

7. Extra Anejo (5-1)

8. Arabian Knight (5-2)
Correction: This story has been updated to correctly reflect Matt Halls votes on gun control bills.

IONIA TWP.  Second Amendment rights supporters gathered at a farm outside Ionia Wednesday, where several high profile speakers said their rights to own firearms were being infringed by the state and federal governments.

About 100 supporters showed up at the event on Freedom Farms in Ionia Township. The event, which included vendors, food sales and open displays of firearms, was set to take place on the Capitol lawn in Lansing until logistical issues caused the rally to relocate, organizer Jon Rocha said.

Among the crowd of speakers was Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted after killing two protestors during civil unrest in Wisconsin. Rittenhouse and others criticized Michigans recent slate of gun laws that were passed by Democrats with some Republican support.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her anti-freedom cohorts are hellbent on shredding Second Amendment rights for law-abiding Michiganders, Rittenhouse said.

Kyle Rittenhouse, center, speaks during the 'Defend our 2A: Michigan's Right for Self Preservation' event on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Freedom Farms in Ionia Township.

Rittenhouse called House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, a weak-kneed Republican who "opened the door" to a red flag law. Hall was one of five House Republicans to vote for the three bills establishing safe storage, drawing outrage from some conservatives. Hall did not vote for the bills establishing a red flag law.

Rittenhouse may have also been under the impression that Republicans controlled the House  asking, "what's the point of a Republican majority?"  when in fact Democrats control both chambers of the Legislature. A message seeking comment was left with Hall's office.

Rittenhouse was confronted by protestors in August 2020 during civil unrest in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police. Rittenhouse shot and killed two protestors who confronted him. He was charged with two counts of homicide but was acquitted after arguing he was exercising his right to self-defense.

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The choice I made to defend myself wasn't just about survival, he said. It was a testament to why our right to bear arms is essential.

In addition to red flag laws, Whitmer signed measures requiring safe storage of firearms in some situations and implementing background checks for all firearms and to include the private transfer of guns.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs a package of gun bills Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich, [Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal via AP]

When signing some of those measures in April, Whitmer celebrated the commonsense gun action that would reduce violence and save lives.

"Gun violence is a scourge that is unique to this country and that's why we're taking action, she said. We don't have to live like this and today we're showing that we're not going to.

Mark McCloskey and his wife Patricia gained national attention for holding firearms on their lawn as Black Lives Matter protestors walked by their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

Mark McCloskey, who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate following the incident, detailed his experience at Wednesday's gathering and credited his familys weaponry with saving their lives.

We didn't have to fire a shot, but we held off a mob 350 to 500 people, he said. And that's the value of the Second Amendment.

Mark McCloskey, left, and his wife, Patricia, sign autographs for Colleen Jakubowski, right, of Grand Rapids, during the 'Defend our 2A: Michigan's Right for Self Preservation' event on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Freedom Farms in Ionia Township. Mark McCloskey, who spoke at the event, and his wife were photographed outside their St. Louis home with guns during the George Floyd protests in 2020.

Jon Smith attended the event and is the 5th Congressional District chair with the America First Hillsdale Republican Party. The America First party is separate from the official Hillsdale Republican Party and has been involved in legal action with the group previously.

I do definitely think it's infringing on our civil liberties, and I think we're going to continue to see more of that if the average Republican doesn't stand up in the community, he said. I dont think its going to end any time soon.

Micah Young, a Second Amendment activist and YouTube creator, called gun debates a battle of good versus evil.

Evil always has prevailed, and Michigan is prevailing way too much right now, he said.

The only elected official seen attending the event was State Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers. State Rep. Bob Bezotte and U.S. Senate candidate Nikki Snyder sponsored the event, while Michigan GOP co-chair Malinda Pego spoke at the event in support of attendees.

Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com . Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause .

People listen to speakers during the 'Defend our 2A: Michigans Right for Self Preservation' event on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Freedom Farms in Ionia Township.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Kyle Rittenhouse, Second Amendment gun rights advocates rally in Ionia
BEIRUT, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Beirut Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday for cooperation in trade and investment.

The MoU was signed by Mohammad Choucair, chairman of the Beirut Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, and Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries, in the presence of Pakistani Ambassador to Lebanon Salman Athar, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

Sheikh said the MoU would help establish solid and sustainable relations between the two countries, highlighting the "great benefits that will arise from effective cooperation in trade, investment, technology transfer, and related economic activities."

He also said a delegation of Pakistani businessmen from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry would visit Lebanon soon.

For his part, Choucair highlighted the importance of the cooperation, saying a delegation of Lebanese businessmen already attended the international textile fair in Pakistan, and the chamber would send another delegation to the following food and agricultural fair in Karachi.

"This agreement will help the exchange of expertise between the two chambers," he said, stressing the importance of regular meetings to review the progress in the future. 
The Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

8:34 a.m. July 20, 2023: An earlier version of this story reported that people on parole or who had already had their pretrial release terms set by a judge would not be eligible for the countys new zero-bail schedule a second time. Those people will be barred from cite-and-release programs upon a second arrest, but can still be set free pretrial, without bail, by a judge, according to a spokesperson for the Superior Court.



Los Angeles County's courts will dramatically scale back the use of cash bail in all but the most serious criminal cases later this year, according to new bail policies unveiled Tuesday.

As of Oct. 1, virtually all defendants accused of misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies in L.A. County will either be cited and released or freed on certain terms and conditions after judicial review within 24 hours of arrest, according to L.A. County Presiding Judge Samantha Jessner.

A persons ability to pay a large sum of money should not be the determining factor in deciding whether that person, who is presumed innocent, stays in jail before trial or is released," Jessner said in a statement. "Any determination of an arrestees status after arrest but before being charged should be based on an individualized determination of risk and likelihood to return to court. A low-risk arrestee should not be held in jail simply because they cannot post the necessary funds to be released pending arraignment."

The decision comes approximately two months after Judge Lawrence Riff granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit aimed at ending the use of cash bail to hold people in jails operated by the Los Angeles police and sheriff's departments. Several of the plaintiffs in that suit were held in Men's Central Jail, the ancient holding facility in downtown L.A. where many defendants await trial in abysmal conditions. Since January, 22 prisoners have died in the jail, including at least two deaths by suicide.

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Read more: After jail deaths, supervisors ask LASD to give more warm clothes to inmates

Cash bail has been a controversial issue in Los Angeles and around the country in recent years, with criminal justice reform advocates often arguing for pretrial release to be dependent on an individual's criminal history and personal situation as opposed to an arbitrary dollar amount. After L.A. County instituted a zero-bail policy for many offenses during the pandemic in order to lower the populations of prisons and jails, some police officials argued those policies led to increases in recidivism and crime. But a report to the Board of Supervisors last year showed re-arrest and failure to appear rates remained relatively static during the time the zero-bail policy was in place.

Under the new misdemeanor schedule, almost all defendants will either be cited and released, or freed without bail after their case is reviewed by a judge, who can institute other nonfinancial conditions of release such as electronic monitoring or home supervision by probation officials.



A judge will be available to make those determinations at all hours, seven days a week, Jessner said. Defendants arrested while out on parole or supervised release will not be eligible to be cited and released, and would instead face judicial review, according to Jessner.

The few misdemeanor offenses that will still require cash bail for release include stalking, domestic battery and violation of a protective order, according to the new schedule.

Defendants accused of murder, manslaughter, rape and most types of assault will still face hefty cash bail amounts, according to the court. Felonies including human trafficking, battery on a peace officer and sex with a minor will trigger a judicial review, according to the new schedule.

Jessner said she hoped the revised bail schedule would ensure defendants return to court without the need to place them in the county's crumbling jails, where defendants are often injured or lose job opportunities while detained.

For low-risk attendees pretrial release decisions that are based on risk and an individualized determination improve public and victim safety and ensure the appearance of an arrestee at court and trial," she said.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Right: Actor Tim Jo picketing Paramount Studios, LA. Left: Trimmed trees outside NBC Universal both on July 28, 2023. Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images / Kenneth Meijas/LA City / Insider

A row of trimmed trees has become a new flash point in the Hollywood writers' and actors' strike.

NBC Universal cut back the trees that had provided shade to picketers outside its Los Angeles site.

It said it was routine maintenance, but an LA official said he's now looking into the matter.

A Los Angeles official is investigating why NBC Universal trimmed shade-providing trees outside a site being picketed as part of the Hollywood actors' and writers' strike.

Municipal tree management is at the center of the latest chapter in the strike called by the Writers Guild of America several weeks ago and joined by SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, last Friday.

NBC Universal drastically cut back ficus trees that shade the sidewalk outside its studios this week.

Supporters of the strike have suggested the move was intended to impede their ability to protest at the site, given temperatures in some parts of the city soared to over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the LA Times.

A picture of the trees tweeted by sketch writer and comedian Chris Stevens on Monday was widely shared and has been viewed more than five million times.

"Quick shoutout to the good people at @UniversalPics for trimming the trees that gave our picket line shade right before a 90+ degree week," he wrote.

NBC Universal did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, but in a statement provided to the LA Times it said the tree-trimming was routine work and not intended to impede the picketing.

"In partnership with licensed arborists, we have pruned these trees annually at this time of year to ensure that the canopies are light ahead of the high wind season," the statement said, adding: "We support the WGA and SAG's right to demonstrate, and are working to provide some shade coverage."

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But the matter has quickly become a flash point related to allegations of strike-busting.

In an apparent reaction to the furore, LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who has strong progressive leanings, tweeted that he would be investigating.

"The trimmed trees are LA City managed street trees," he wrote on Tuesday, posting before-and-after images of the trees.

LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia (@lacontroller) July 19, 2023

At the time of publication, it is unclear whether the company has the authority to cut the trees, though LA-based journalist Nicholas Slayton tweeted that LA's Department of Public Works Bureau of Street Services said it had not issued any permits to do so.

The dispute comes amid separate allegations about barriers at the site, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

On Tuesday, the WGA filed a complaint against NBC Universal to the National Labor Relations Board, saying construction work was obstructing an area of sidewalk outside the studio.

NBC Universal's refusal to provide barriers around the area has forced protesters "to patrol in busy streets with significant car traffic where two picketers have already been struck by a car," the complaint said, per the Hollywood Reporter.

In a statement provided to the outlet, NBC Universal pushed back, saying it believed it had fulfilled its obligations and will look into any issues raised by the board.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Part of the battle against Northeast Ohio gun crime is happening behind closed doors at a corporate office park in Richfield.

There, just off of Interstate 271, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has a sprawling brick complex filled with investigators, labs, scientists and high-tech gizmos, most working to help local police solve crimes.

Attorney General Dave Yost last week opened the locked facility to the media to promote expanded technology aimed at help solve gun crimes.

BCI forensic lab technician Patrick Murphy holds a model of an enlarged bullet to show markings left behind on gun cartridge casings. The marks are unique to the gun that fired the bullet. A federal database compares shell casing marks so that law enforcement can determine if the same gun was used in different crimes.

When a firearm is fired, a gun leaves a unique marking on a cartridge case, sort of like a fingerprint.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives maintains a searchable database of these markings called that National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN.

That database can help police determine whether the same gun was used in multiple crimes.

Until recently, BCIs Richfield office had only one NIBIN machine, technology which makes 3-D scans of cartridge cases and adds them to the database. But BCI recently added a second.

Lab technicians will use the newer machine during regular hours to scan cartridges submitted by law enforcement and look for matches. Akron police are among their biggest customers, said Patrick Murphy, a forensic science lab technician.

Forensic lab technician Patrick Murpy loads a shell casing in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network machine to make a 3-D scan of the casing during a demonstration in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation facility in Richfield.

BCI will make its older machine available 24/7 to any trained local law enforcement officer so they can search whenever needed, said Murphy, who will train any officer interested in using the machine.

NIBIN machines are also being added to BCI facilities in Bowling Green and London.

This is a tool for all Ohio law enforcement agencies, from the smallest village with only a part-time chief to the largest agency in the state, Yost said.

Criminals often use the same gun in multiple crimes, he said.

The more police use the database, uploading different cartridge markings, the more effective it will be, Yost said.

Gun violence in Akron: All of Akron's murders in 2023 have 1 thing in common: Victims were shot

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Some local police are still unaware of NIBIN, Yost said, comparing the database to the latest social media hit, Threads. For now, its easier to find friends on the more established option, Twitter. But as more people use Threads, it will have more reach.

A forensic lab technician demonstrates how the Bureau of Criminal Investigation matches the markings on a shell casing by looking at a reference shell from the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

The same is true for NIBIN, Yost said. The more cartridges submitted, the more crime links can be made.

Support local journalism: Here's why you should subscribe to the Akron Beacon Journal

BCIs Richfield facility also has a separate firearms unit, which, among other things, fires bullets into a water tank and compares the markings to bullets from a crime scene; a DNA unit, which can obtain offender profiles from firearms and cartridge cases; and a criminal intelligence unit, which uses forensics, data mapping and other tools to track criminals and crime.

A forensic lab technician works in the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network lab in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation facility in Richfield.

During the open house, BCI also showed off some of its technology, including 3-D mapping of crime scenes and a portable drug-detecting machine that can tell law enforcement exactly what kind of drugs they are dealing with in moments.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio BCI expands technology in Richfield lab to help solve gun crimes
Russia fired 30 cruise missiles, 1 aerial missile and 32 Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones on Ukraine on the night of 18-19 July, while Ukrainian air defence forces destroyed 37 Russian air targets.

Source: press service for Ukraines Air Force Command

Details: The Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine from the south, using air-, land- and sea-launched cruise missiles, as well as Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs.

The Russians attacked critical infrastructure and military facilities, with the main focus of the attacks in Odesa Oblast.

During several waves of attacks, the Russians used:

16 Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles, supposedly from the Ingushetia small missile ship and the Admiral Essen frigate from the Black Sea;

8 Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 long-range aircraft from the Black Sea;

6 Oniks cruise missiles from the Bastion coastal missile system (Crimea);

1 Kh-59 aerial guided missile from a Su-35 fighter jet from the Black Sea;

32 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs from the Chauda training ground (Crimea) and Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Rostov Oblast, Russia).

As a result of combat operations, the air defence of the Air Force and other units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces destroyed 37 air targets:

13 Kalibr cruise missiles;

1 Kh-59 guided missile;

23 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs.

Quote: "The Kh-22 and Oniks missiles struck infrastructure facilities in Odesa Oblast. The local military administrations will report on the consequences of these strikes and the casualties.

Over the current and previous days, the Air Force has carried out more than 20 air strikes on the Russian occupiers facilities, clusters of equipment and personnel."

Background: On the night of 18-19 July, Russian troops hit the port area and warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks in Odesa, tourist facilities and hotels were damaged in Odesa Oblast, an infrastructure facility was damaged in the Zhytomyr Oblast, all drones were shot down in Kyiv and the oblast, and three missiles hit an open area on the outskirts of the city of Zaporizhzhia.

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For reference: Ukrainian air defence does not have the capability to shoot down Kh-22 and Onyx missiles. Modern systems supplied by international partners are not enough to close the sky over Ukraine.

The Air Force stressed that Ukraine cannot deploy air defence along the entire border, so it needs modern F-16 multirole fighter jets.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Several people were sent to the hospital and significant damage was reported after a powerful tornado tore a 16.5-mile-long path through central North Carolina Wednesday afternoon. According to officials, no fatalities were reported from the storm.

The confirmed tornado was reported on the ground near Rocky Mount, North Carolina, which is about 44 miles northeast of Raleigh, just after 12:30 p.m. EDT.

After 4 p.m., local time, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Raleigh, North Carolina, reported at least EF2 tornado damage in Dortches, North Carolina, indicating winds had reached up to 135 mph.

A couple of hours later, the NWS office issued an update on Twitter noting damage consistent with an EF3 tornado, with estimated winds of 150 mph, was found north of Rocky Mount.

The NWS noted this is the first EF3 tornado ever observed on record in central North Carolina in the month of July.

According to WRAL News Producer Ashley Foster, several people were transported to Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount following the tornado.

According to Foster, the twister created significant damage to the Pfizer manufacturing facility, which is located in Rocky Mount. In a photo she shared on Twitter, a large swath of the roof could be seen caved into the building. Pfizer issued a statement Wednesday afternoon confirming that there were no serious injuries at the facility that was damaged during the storm.

Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said in a press conference on Wednesday that more than 50,000 pallets of medicine were reportedly tossed across the facility and damaged during Wednesday's storm.

Erin Fox, a senior pharmacy director at the University of Utah Health, told The Associated Press that the damage to the Pfizer facility "will likely lead to long-term shortages while Pfizer works to either move production to other sites or rebuilds."

According to the Pfizer website, the facility in North Carolina produces nearly 25% of all sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals.

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Photos shared on Twitter show the wedge-shaped tornado on the ground north of Rocky Mount.

A friend sent me these moments ago from the tornado north of Rocky Mount. Appears to be a very large wedge tornado. #ncwx #wxtwitter @NWSRaleigh pic.twitter.com/j7UR70woEV  Preston Harris (@WxPreston97) July 19, 2023

As the twister traveled northeast, it crossed over several roads and a portion of Interstate 95. A traffic camera on I-95 in Dutches, North Carolina, showed vehicles at a complete standstill close to where the tornado likely passed over.

Both directions of I-95 were temporarily shut down to allow crews to clear the highway of debris, and were reopened shortly after 3 p.m. EDT, the Nash County Sheriff's Office wrote in a Facebook update.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said on Twitter that he had spoken with the sheriffs of Nash and Edgecombe counties about the tornado damage. "State personnel are helping get roads open and providing other assistance as needed," Cooper said.

The Edgecomb County Sheriff's Office said deputies were working in the Battleboro and Whitakers areas in the aftermath of the twister. "There is scattered damage and power lines down in the area," the sheriff's office said.

In a video shared on Twitter, trees could be seen scattered along a road while the windows of a vehicle are completely knocked out. The Twitter user who shared the video wrote, "We were just in a tornado."

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"A reported tornado moved through the northern part of the city a short time ago. City crews are responding to power outages and downed trees," Rocky Mount city officials wrote on Facebook. "Residents are urged to avoid areas north of Thomas A. Betts Parkway and the Battleboro vicinity."

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat

BANGKOK (Reuters) -The leader of Thailand's election-winning Move Forward Party met fresh obstacles in his prime ministerial bid on Wednesday, as a court suspended him as a lawmaker and rivals successfully scuttled his re-nomination in parliament.

U.S.-educated liberal Pita Limjaroenrat has an extremely difficult path to the top job and must overcome fierce resistance from a royalist military at odds with his party's anti-establishment ambitions.

After more than seven hours of debate on a challenge to Pita's candidacy before a planned parliamentary vote on Wednesday, lawmakers voided his nomination, with opponents arguing a motion for him to be endorsed as premier had already been rejected when he was defeated in last week's vote.

As the debate ensued, the Constitutional Court separately announced Pita had been suspended as a lawmaker over an allegation he violated election rules by holding shares in a media firm, taking on its second case against him in six days.

The suspension does not bar Pita from running for premier but it was not immediately clear whether his eight-party alliance would seek to re-nominate him, by filing a different motion.

The 42-year-old had told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday that he was expecting "pre-planned" obstacles, describing efforts by the establishment to stop him as like a "broken record".

Thailand has been run by a caretaker administration since March and 65 days have passed since Move Forward's stunning triumph over military-backed parties in a May election, in what was widely considered a clear public rejection of nine years of government controlled by generals.

"Thailand is not the same since May 14. We have come halfway from the people's victory and there is another half to go," a smiling Pita told the house as he acknowledged the court's suspension order, receiving fist-bumps and applause.

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POWER STRUGGLE

Wednesday's drama was the latest twist in a two-decade battle for power between elected parties and Thailand's conservative military establishment, which has seen political bans, court interventions, two coups and huge, at times violent street protests.

A constitution drafted by the military after a 2014 coup and skewed in its favour ensured that Pita was blocked in the first vote by the junta-appointed Senate, which has served as a bulwark against elected politicians and can effectively torpedo attempts to form governments.

Hundreds of Pita's supporters gathered peacefully in Bangkok to protest against the efforts to stop him, some carrying signs denouncing senators.

"I feel angry. They didn't respect the people's will," said protester Wilasini Sakaew, 21. "They didn't listen to the voices of 14 million people."

The progressive Move Forward ran a disruptive election campaign in which they mastered social media to target and win over millions of urban and young voters, promising bold institutional reforms to upend the conservative status quo.

But its agenda has put it on a collision course with powerful, conservative interests, demonstrated by the legal cases against him and a determined effort by rival legislators from the outgoing, army-backed government to keep him at bay.

After the vote to void Pita's nomination, senior officials from Move Forward and alliance partner Pheu Thai said they would arrange a meeting to decide their next move.

The planned prime ministerial vote was expected to be Pita's last, having announced that he would step aside if he fails and let political heavyweight Pheu Thai field its candidate in a third round.

"It is now clear that in the current system, winning public approval is not enough to run the country," Pita posted on Instagram during the debate.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Debra Sue Daniel's mother died without ever knowing that her daughter was missing.

It's another painful aspect to the mystery surrounding the 68-year-old Meadville woman's disappearance that Daniel's out-of-state relatives have endured over the past year as they wait for answers on what might have happened to her.

"We have no information, so we are left wondering," Daniel's niece, Anne Puckett, said.

Have you seen these women?: Search continues for Crawford County pair missing for months

Candice Caffas' family knows that pain.

About a month before Daniel was last seen sometime in mid-August, either at her Holland Towers apartment complex in Meadville or at the Edinboro Manor where her mother resided, Caffas, 34, slipped out of her home in Union Township, Crawford County, as others slept.

A little more than two hours later, Caffas was spotted miles from her home at a railroad crossing near state game lands on Route 285 southeast of Conneaut Lake. It was the last time anyone reported seeing her.

"It's awful. We're just pretty lost without our girl," Caffas' mother, Carol Caffas, said.

Authorities say they don't believe the two disappearances are related, but they don't have much to go on in determining where the women might be as the cases turn a year old.

Candice Caffas

Caffas' family reported her missing from their home at 9162 Mount Pleasant Road, southwest of Meadville, on July 16, 2022, at 3:10 a.m.

Carol Caffas said it was 3:07 a.m. when she heard a noise that was either the screen falling out of the bathroom window or Caffas going out of the window.

Caffas had run away from home in the past, according to the Pennsylvania State Police, the lead agency in the search for Caffas. Carol Caffas told the Erie Times-News in July 2022 that her daughter ran away a few days before her disappearance by climbing through a bedroom window, and that family members found her swimming in French Creek.

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Caffas was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic condition that affects a child's metabolism, body and behavior, according to information on the Cleveland Clinic website. It causes a person to have a strong appetite and not feel full after meals, according to the website.

Carol Caffas told the Erie Times-News in July 2022 that Caffas is always hungry and, because of her heightened need for food, family members first searched grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations for her after she went missing.

Caffas was also known to frequent places of water, according to state police.

According to state police and Caffas' mother, the last reported sighting of Caffas after she left home was at about 5:30 a.m. on July 16, 2022, at a railroad crossing on Route 285 in Greenwood Township.

A large sign erected at a railroad crossing on Route 285 near state game lands in Greenwood Township, Crawford County, seeks information on the whereabouts of Candice Caffas, 34, who left her Union Township home on the morning of July 16, 2022, and was last seen at the railroad crossing.

Caffas' direction of travel after leaving her home is unknown. She could have traveled south on Mercer Pike, the closest cross-street, and then west on Route 285 to the area where she was last reportedly seen, a distance of about 11 miles. She could have also followed railroad tracks near her home which eventually cross Route 285 at the crossing where she was seen, or even possibly utilized a stretch of the Ernst Trail, which is also near her house and in which a portion crosses Route 19 to the west.

The railroad crossing on Route 285 is on the edge of the 5,603-acre State Game Lands 213. The Geneva Marsh, which Interstate 79 crosses over near the Route 285 exit, is also in the area.

Authorities have done extensive searches of those areas, including using scuba teams to search waterways. State police continue to fly a helicopter over the wooded and swamp areas monthly in search of any sign of Caffas, state police Cpl. Philip Shaffer said.

"We've used every resource available to us to attempt to locate her," Shaffer said. "At this point, we are following up on any leads that come in to state police through phone or email or through Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers."

Carol Caffas has worked tirelessly to spread the word about her daughter's disappearance and to help generate possible tips to her whereabouts by placing signs throughout parts of the region. The signs include a large, two-sided sign installed at the railroad crossing on Route 285 where Caffas was last seen.

Carol Caffas said she began laminating the smaller signs seen at area intersections and shopping centers to better protect them from the elements, as she has replaced a number of signs that have been in place since shortly after her daughter's disappearance.

"I never expected this to go on so long," she said.

Caffas is 4 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 95 pounds. She has brown hair and wears eyeglasses. She was last seen wearing a purple short-sleeve shirt, orange shorts with a floral design, and purple and blue sneakers, according to state police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Robert Baldwin at the state police Meadville station at 814-332-6911.

Debra Sue Daniel

The last time anyone had reportedly seen Daniel was on the early afternoon of Aug. 15, when she arrived at the Edinboro Manor in Edinboro where her mother was residing, according to Anne Puckett, Daniel's niece.

Daniel, who did not own a car, would walk wherever she went, including walking from her apartment in Meadville to the Edinboro manner, a trip that took about seven hours, Puckett told the Erie Times-News in September. She said her aunt would also hitchhike when she couldn't find a ride from a friend.

Puckett said in September that Daniel reportedly had a discussion with the nurses at the Edinboro Manor on Aug. 15 before she left. It was unknown whether she walked home or got a ride.

Debra Sue Daniel, of Meadville, was reportedly last seen at the Edinboro Manor in Edinboro on Aug. 15, 2022. The Meadville Police Department is continuing its investigation into Daniel's disappearance.

Family members suspected that Daniel may have made it home, because she reportedly had her bookbag while at the Edinboro Manor, and the bag was later found at her apartment. But Puckett said earlier this week that there may have been confusion on the date Daniel visited Edinboro Manor, and she may have gone there days earlier.

There were no cameras at the Edinboro Manor at the time, and the last time Daniel was seen on video was on Aug. 13 at her apartment complex, according to Puckett.

Puckett said her family has heard nothing from the Meadville Police Department, which is investigating Daniel's disappearance, about the case.

Meadville Police Chief Michael Stefanucci said earlier this week that the investigation into Daniel's disappearance is still ongoing, but there have been no other sightings reported and no new leads to follow up on.

Daniel is 5 feet 3 to 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 110 to 140 pounds. She has strawberry blond hair and green eyes and has tattoos of a cartoon devil on her right shoulder and a cross on one of her legs, according to information posted on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System website.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Meadville Police Department at (814) 724-6100.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Searches continue for two Crawford women who disappeared last summer
Nearly three decades after dozens were killed and more than 100 injured in a Jewish Center bombing, South Florida representatives remain committed to seeking justice.

On July 18, 1994, a bombing at the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association building in Buenos Aires killed 85 people. Now 29 years later, no one has been convicted of carrying out the bombing, which remains the deadliest antisemitic attack outside of Israel since the Holocaust.

The case has been cloaked in claims of conspiracy, with two past Argentenian presidents accused at one point of attempting to help cover for people implicated in the bombing. Prior to his death, a panel of judges in 2019 absolved former President Carlos Menem of interfering with the investigation. Two years later, a court dismissed charges against former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, whod been accused of covering up Iranian involvement in the bombing.

A prosecutor, Alberto Nisman, was found dead in 2015 the night before he was scheduled to present evidence against Kirchner, who is now Argentinas vice president. Nisman, years earlier, had authored a report implicating Hezbollah and officials in Iran, where the government has denied involvement.

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, Co-Chair of the Latino-Jewish Caucus, introduced a resolution commemorating the anniversary of the attack and demanding accountability.

There has been no progress towards accountability or closure for the victims, survivors, and family members. Wasserman Schultz said in a statement to the Miami Herald. It is an enduring disappointment for all of us that none of the suspects of the bombing, or of the cover-up, have been brought to account.

The Latino-Jewish Caucus was first established in 2011 and is now led by Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Miami. The bipartisan 25-member caucus has been vocal about combating rising antisemitism and anti-Latino hate across the world.

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Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart speaks during a roundtable discussion between elected officials and Cuban activists about political prisoners at Assault Bridge 2506 Museum on Monday, July 10, 2023 in Hialeah Gardens, Fla.

We continue to put pressure on the Argentinian government to find those responsible, hold those responsible accountable and do whatever necessary to prevent future attacks, the representatives said in a joint statement with several other colleagues.

The proposed resolution aims to condemn and hold the perpetrators of the 1994 bombing accountable. It expresses sympathy and calls for the United States commitment to bringing justice to the victims who have been waiting three decades.

Im hopeful broad bipartisan support brings this to a vote soon, especially as Jewish issues appear to be a House leadership priority. But Ill press for its passage for as long as it takes, said Wasserman Schultz.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert was filmed wordlessly threw throwing away a pamphlet calling for gun reform and sharing the story of Maite Rodriguez, one of the 19 students fatally shot in the 2022 Uvalde school massacre.

Anti-gun violence activist Sarah Fishkind filmed the interaction in the Capitol on Tuesday.

The Republican representative from Colorado is seen quickly grabbing the pamphlet and then throwing it in the trash, as a bystander is heard off-camera saying, We hope you take action on gun violence prevention.

Today, were passing out pins of the green converse that Maite Rodriguez was wearing when she was killed by gun violence at Robb Elementary School to members of congress.



Her legacy will live on, we are making sure of it. @AnaRodr17118 #EndGunViolence #BanAssaultWeapons pic.twitter.com/uh6JmZA6Oy  sarah fishkind (@sarahefishkind) July 18, 2023

In a separate video, the pamphlet is in a nearby trash can.

Activists, including Parkland survivor David Hogg, condemned the interaction.

Lauren Boebert just threw away a pamphlet of a mother fighting to honor her child who was gunned down and murdered in her classroom, he wrote on Twitter. This is how Congress treats survivors.

The flier included testimony from Maites mother and a green pin, modeled after the green Converse sneakers the students family used to help identify her body.

On that fateful morning, my daughter walked out of our home, not knowing she would never return to her mother, the pamphlet read. It was the last week of school and she was excited about watching movies with her friends.

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Maite, her classmates, and her teachers were killed with an AT-15 style rifle in their classrooms. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, it continued. We must ban assault weapons in this country and protect our children.

The Independent has contacted Rep Boebert for comment.

Lives Robbed told The Independent in a statement, The video of Rep. Boebert throwing out the pin of Maites Shoes is disgusting and beyond insulting. We will not be resharing the video.

Ms Boebert, who once ran a gun-themed restaurant in Colorado called Shooters Grill, is a staunch opponent of gun control laws.

In June, she was accused of blowing past gun violence survivors hoping to speak with her in Washington.

Guess what?? @laurenboebert doesnt care to talk to survivors of gun violence.



Oh right, this is nothing new!! @BCross052422 @EnoughofGv pic.twitter.com/Tq2tWXYfng  sarah fishkind (@sarahefishkind) June 6, 2023

She has previously compared new gun laws to banning planes after 9/11.

When 9/11 happened, we didnt ban planes, she told Fox News earlier this year. We secured the cockpit.

I want our schools secured, I want their children protected, and I want teachers that can protect themselves and their students, she added. And you know what? We can achieve this without trying to disarm law-abiding citizens.

She has previously mocked Mr Hogg online, telling him to give it a rest when he criticised her record on safety issues.
Tesla may have just won another battle in the war to determine which electric vehicle (EV) chargers reign supreme.

According to reporting from Reuters, Washington state is planning to require that Teslas North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs be included by EV charging companies if they want to qualify for a state program to help create more electric charging stations on highways.

Under federal rules, each of the charging stations must have at least four Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers. However, Washington is reportedly considering requiring stations to also have at least two chargers that work with NACS plugs, per Reuters.

This is the latest in a series of victories for Tesla, which wants its NACS chargers to become the dominant type, eventually overtaking CCS.

Recently, competitors Tesla and Ford announced a surprising partnership where Ford pledged to install NACS ports on its EVs moving forward. EV manufacturer Rivian is also on board, having embraced the NACS system by integrating Tesla charging stations into its own proprietary navigation system.

For EV drivers, the only real difference between the two types of chargers is that certain cars are compatible only with certain types of chargers. So, including both systems at more stations will make things way easier for drivers  possibly eliminating some of the range anxiety that comes from scrambling in search of a charge.

For Washington state, the decision seems to have come down to hedging its bets in case NACS does end up becoming the standard. Tonia Buell, alternative fuels program manager at Washington States Department of Transportation, told Reuters that the decision is about future-proofing the states investments.

Im actually really happy about NACS and how finally automakers are gearing toward one standard. We want to provide access to as many makes and models as possible, Buell told Reuters.

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RIYADH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Central Asian countries concluded a summit in Jeddah on Wednesday with plans for further cooperation.

The summit, which was chaired by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was the first-ever meeting between the six Gulf Arab countries and five Central Asian nations: Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.

The leaders and heads of delegations of the participating countries agreed to hold an investment forum between Gulf and Central Asian countries in Saudi Arabia in the last quarter of 2023. They also announced the initiatives of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan to host the GCC-Central Asian Investment Forum in 2024.

The summit agreed to hold the next summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025.

In a statement, the Saudi crown prince said the summit was an extension of ties to establish a promising start based on the historical heritage, capabilities, human resources, and economic growth of the participating countries.

The summit announced the action plan adopted by the GCC and the Central Asian countries for 2023-2027, which includes political and security dialogue, economic cooperation and investment opportunities, and strengthening communication among people. 
State Rep. Daniel Donahue, D-Worcester

Picking up produce at the local farm stand may soon look different in Massachusetts if the states cannabis farmers are granted their request to sell their product directly to consumers, just like farmers now can sell zucchini, tomatoes or blueberries.

It would be a different farm-to-table experience in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts legislators are looking only at direct sales of marijuana seeds, but outdoor growers are pushing for more direct sales.

When the state talks sustainability, it cannot leave out the farmers, said Matthew Gregg, an outdoor cannabis grower with a farm in the Lynn area and the program director at Sun Grown Cannabis Alliance, a cooperative of farms and farmers that promote sun- and soil-grown product in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts, he said, needs to keep cannabis home-grown.

Goldie Piff, of A.V. Rose Farm in Rochester on the South Coast, owns a legacy farm that once grew cranberries and since has diversified with the dip in market prices. However, despite qualifying as a social equity and economic empowerment small-business owner, she has not entered the cannabis market.

"There are so many regulations, so much red tape," said Piff, that she feels she has been shut out of the industry. Speaking remotely to the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Tuesday, she urged lawmakers to fight for the famers of Massachusetts. Farmers deserve the right to grow, manufacture and serve customers ourselves, without a middleman, she said.

Despite farms and farmers being included in the states cannabis laws, many feel forgotten, Piff said. The state makes concessions to other groups, has approved home delivery of product from retail sellers for both medical and recreational marijuana, and is considering curbside pickup at retail establishments. Farmers, she said, should be allowed to sell directly to customers.

Goldie Piff and her daughter Ominique Garner, are farmers in Rochester who feel shut out of the cannabis business despite qualifying for the economic and social equity programs

The push to allow farmers direct-to-consumer sales, technically not filed yet as a bill, was just one of the issues contemplated by the Joint Committee Tuesday at a short hearing interrupted by technical glitches and a false fire alarm that caused the evacuation of the Statehouse for a few minutes.

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Also on the agenda was a measure that would allow the sale of marijuana seeds in Massachusetts, the product farmers would be able to market directly to consumers, as well as the creation of an oversight mechanism that would ensure the states Cannabis Control Commission operate according to policy.

Seen as a prophylactic measure, Rep. Daniel Donahue, D-Worcester, said the measure would ensure that the regulatory body follows state protocols. The oversight duties would fall to the states inspector general.

According to the proposal, the internal audit unit would monitor the quality, efficiency and integrity of the Cannabis Control Commission, as it pertains to host community agreements, investigation and audit policies and procedures, its organizational structure and management functions. It would also look to prevention, detection and correction of fraud, waste and abuse of public money.

In 2022, legislators passed an omnibus bill addressing certain issues raised in a report released by the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association. That report indicated a disconnect between the licensing fees and impact fees charged by communities hosting retail marijuana establishments and the use of those funds, sometimes totaling millions of dollars.

Those changes, overseen by the Joint Committee chaired by Donahue, was a large-scale reform that addressed issues of equity and created new templates in host community agreements and licensing issues.

We made it clear that municipalities cannot take advantage, Donahue said.

The new bill Donahue filed would ensure that the business of cannabis be accessible, equitable and transparent.

Will Luzier, the director of compliance at Tudestr, an organization that eases entry into the cannabis industry, spoke at the hearing in support of allowing the sale of cannabis seeds in Massachusetts. He said the federal government classifies cannabis seeds as hemp and does not prohibit their sale.

Cannabis seeds are not considered cannabis, Luzier said, explaining that the seeds themselves do not contain enough active ingredient to be classified as a schedule one substance and under DEA jurisdiction.

Hemp comes under the regulation of the Massachusetts Division of Agricultural Resources, Luzier said. Allowing the sale of seeds would enhance the competitiveness of the states farmers.

In questioning Luzier, Donahue asked if there is a market for seeds in the state and was answered with a resounding "yes."

People buy grow kits all the time, Luzier said, adding that when he purchased seeds through Canada, they arrived concealed in a pen from a California grower.

There is a national market and a market in Massachusetts, Luzier said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Pot bills may OK direct sales of seeds at farm stands & CCC oversight
Lawmakers concerns about doing business with China could affect some quality of life programs in the military community, if proposed amendments in next years defense bill become law.

One proposal would ban the sale of goods in commissaries and exchanges that are made in China, assembled in China, or imported into the United States from China. Another would potentially affect a popular online education program, Tutor.com, which employs many military spouses in addition to educating the military community.

Exchange officials tell the Military Times that the ban on Chinese goods would have a devastating effect on military exchanges. They say if this provision becomes law, it could force the closure of nearly all exchanges on Army, Air Force and Navy bases. Its expected to have a minimal effect on commissaries.

For example, up to 70% of items in Army and Air Force Exchange Service stores are at least in part manufactured, assembled or sourced from China, said AAFES spokesman Chris Ward.

The China-manufacturing amendment was offered by Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, and passed in the House armed services version of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization bill. Green introduced a similar provision last year, but it failed to become law. House and Senate lawmakers will be hashing out their different versions of the bill to consolidate them in the coming months.

This provision would deprive military personnel and families of products that are widely available to other American citizens, wrote Steve Rossetti, president of the American Logistics Association, in a letter to House lawmakers asking them to exclude the amendment.

They should not be singled out and penalized by virtue of their service. Congress has not chosen to ban these products from off-base retailers and military personnel and their families should be entitled to at least the same rights and privileges as the citizens they defend, Rossetti wrote.

This would also affect a group of people who have been eligible since 2020 to shop in exchanges and commissaries: veterans with VA service-connected disability ratings; Purple Heart recipients; veterans who are former prisoners of war; and primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA caregiver program.

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Effects on military exchanges

Nearly every category of items sold in the exchanges would be affected by a prohibition on Chinese goods, exchange officials said. Its difficult to determine the exact percentage of goods being sourced, assembled in, or having components made in China, said Kristine Sturkie, a spokeswoman for the Navy Exchange Service Command. But items such as clothing and electronics make up more than 60% of their inventory, and Made in China could make up 40% of that inventory. The most affected categories would be clothing and fashion accessories, tech accessories and gadgets, makeup and cosmetics, phones and computers, childrens toys, household and domestic items, pet supplies and outdoor and travel products, she said.

About 70% of products sold by AAFES are at least in part manufactured, assembled or sourced from China, said AAFES spokesman Chris Ward. A wide variety of products would no longer be available on military installations worldwide, including Apple iPhones, iPads, computers, TVs, headphones, patio furniture, seasonal goods [such as Halloween costumes and Christmas decorations], luggage, watches, appliances, hardware, bicycles, fitness equipment, photo, home decor, housewares, Nike, Adidas, Levis and Mattel toys.

Officials from both exchange systems said if the provision were to become law, it would drive the closure of nearly all the stores, including most overseas and remote locations. This would have a dramatic impact to patron quality of life, particularly for overseas and remote locations, Sturkie said. Out-of-pocket expenses for Navy families, particularly overseas, would rise by 20% or more as they would need to purchase some products and services on the local economy.

Closures would also result in loss of jobs, officials said. The majority of the 10,000 Navy exchange employees would lose their jobs, which includes more than 2,500 military family members. For AAFES, it would result in the loss of up to 16,000 jobs, and 46% of AAFES employees are veterans, military spouses or dependents.

This would also result in loss of financial support to military quality of life programs. Over the last 10 years, for example, AAFES has provided $3.5 billion in profits to quality of life programs, Ward said.

The proposal would have a minimal effect on commissaries, said Marine Sgt. Maj. Michael Saucedo, senior enlisted adviser to the commissary agency director. We have a small amount of products that might have an ingredient from China.

Exchange officials have been working to identify alternate merchandise sources. The retail industry as a whole has been working over the last two years to reduce the amount of goods and materials sourced in China, diversifying into other countries and near sourcing where possible, Sturkie said. When give the option, NEXCOM has leveraged the progress the retail industry has made to secure goods from non-China sources.

Marine Corps Exchange officials hadnt responded by publication time to questions about the effects.

A second provision has been included in both House and Senate versions of that defense policy bill that would prohibit Defense Department officials from entering into contracts for online tutoring services by entities owned or controlled by the Peoples Republic of China. The House version resulted from an amendment introduced by Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Missouri, who said he wants to protect the data of American military members and their families from the Chinese Communist Party. The Senate version allows the Secretary of Defense to approve a waiver.

In January, 2022, the company that has provided extensive, popular free tutoring services for troops and families since 2009 through DoD contracts, Tutor.com, was acquired by Primavera Holdings Limited, which is owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

Tutor.com contends these provisions wouldnt apply to either Tutor.com or their U.S. military families program. Tutor.com is neither controlled nor owned by the Peoples Republic of China, said Pamela Brehm, Tutor.coms senior director for military and government programs. At the time of the acquisition, she said, defense officials were made aware of the change and Tutor.com submitted all required U.S. federal filings and notifications.

Lawmakers and others have raised concerns about how companies in China handle personal information, and whether it is accessible to the Peoples Republic of China. Though the committee understands that the company has taken certain mitigations related to the security of U.S. persons data in relation to these services, the committee is aware that technological advances could still allow for rapid exploitation by a sophisticated adversary, senators wrote in their report accompanying the Senate Armed Services Committees proposed legislation.

The committee requires a DoD briefing by Feb. 28, 2024 on how DoD plans to mitigate the risks from foreign ownership, control and influence, and how peoples data can be protected. DoD should also examine alternatives with domestically-owned and operated contractors who may be capable of meeting DoDs requirements for online tutoring, lawmakers stated.

Tutor.com abides by all U.S. privacy laws, Brehm said. No personal information of students or customers is shared with our parent company, Primavera Capital Group or any foreign government. Primavera does not have  and may not obtain  access to our internal systems.

Tutor.com initiated a U.S. regulatory review, and as a result instituted additional controls and safeguards to ensure the ongoing protection of personal data, Brehm said. Their commitment to securing personal information is bolstered by mechanisms that provide for constant monitoring and compliance, she said.

These measures were designed and implemented to ensure that no personal information of our students or customers is or will be transferred to the Peoples Republic of China.

Among the active controls is a binding legal commitment to the U.S. government that Primavera will not have access to any personal data or our IT systems Brehm said, as well as a U.S. government-approved data security officer who is a U.S. citizen and resident who will continuously monitor compliance; appointment to the Tutor.com board of directors of two U.S. government-approved independent directors who are U.S. citizens and residents, whose foremost duty is to ensure that personal date is appropriately safeguarded; and other measures.

Many of us at Tutor.com are military spouses, veterans, parents, and former military kids ourselves, Brehm said. We understand military life, and so it is our great honor to support our military service members and their families. All of us at Tutor.com remain dedicated to safeguarding the personal data of all students we help, including military families.
New York Stock Exchange Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

U.S. senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D- NY) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced plans to introduce a bipartisan ban on members of the federal executive branch and Congress from owning stock in individual companies and blind trusts. The proposed congressional stock trading ban is the latest in a succession of similar measures introduced by lawmakers from both parties.

Efforts to prohibit congressional stock trading have been ramping up over the last year after investigations by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal revealed the number of lawmakers trading stocks related to the regulatory committees they sat on. About a dozen similar bills have been introduced this year to amend existing government rules for stock trading in Washington under a 2012 law called the STOCK Act. So while a vote on a stock trading ban has failed to make it to the floor, the debate over the ethical implications rages on.

Lawmakers shouldn't be trying to "line their own pockets"

Gillibrand and Hawley proposed the latest bill to ensure that lawmakers are transparent with their constituents and not abusing their positions. It's "critical" for Americans to "know that their elected leaders are putting the public first," said Gillibrand in a statement to The Wall Street Journal, "not looking for ways to line their own pockets." After introducing a similar bill in January, Hawley asserted that members of Congress and their families "shouldn't be using their position to get rich on the stock market."

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), who partnered with Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) on another congressional stock trading ban proposal, said the mounting evidence of unethical trading proves a solution is needed. The public continues to "see story after story hit the headlines of members of Congress who bought and sold stock related to" the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, the invasion of Ukraine, and Covid," Spanberger said at a press conference, per Roll Call. "Frankly speaking, whether there was any ill intention or not, the American people think it's outrageous."

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Unethical trading could affect how they vote on legislation

The "deep conflicts" created by congressional stock trading are "significant enough" to produce both "corruption" and the "impression among the public of corruption," Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) told CNN's "Before the Bell." "For both reasons, that stock trading needs to end." Merkley proposed the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act, prohibiting lawmakers and their families from buying or selling individual stocks. Merkely expressed concern over how the conflicts of interest "might change how they would vote on legislation." Merkely also pointed out the possibility of lawmakers having confidential information that gives them an "unfair advantage."

A ban could make fewer people want to serve as lawmakers

Not everyone is on board with prohibiting congressional stock trading. "This is a free country, last time I heard," Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Al) said in a response to a proposed ban in 2022. He believed curtailing lawmakers' ability to participate in stock trading would lead to fewer people running for office. "I think it's ridiculous. They might as well start sending robots up here," he told The Independent. "I think it would really cut back on the amount of people that would want to come up here and serve."

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Local government is the most accessible level of government. It makes communities strong and resilient through shared involvement. To understand the impact, the League of Women Voters of Centre County is providing a four-part series about local offices. The first focuses on the judicial system.

According to the Pennsylvania Judicial Center:

Justices serve on the Supreme Court and judges serve on the lower courts. Before either can hold their positions, they must meet certain requirements, including citizenship and residency. All but magisterial district judges must be members of the Pennsylvania Bar. All are subject to standards of conduct administered and supervised by the PA Supreme Court.

Judges are elected in odd-numbered years and serve an unlimited number of terms but they must step down when they reach 75 years old. They may continue to serve part-time as senior judges until they reach 78, the age of mandatory retirement.

The Supreme, Superior, Commonwealth and Common Pleas justices and judges are elected to 10-year terms. When their term expires, a statewide yes-or-no-vote for retention is conducted for another 10-year term. If not retained, the governor appoints a replacement, subject to Senate approval, until a special election can be held.

The Supreme Court of PA is the highest court in the commonwealth. It exists to protect our rights and freedoms by upholding the Constitution and preventing legislative or executive branch overreach. For example, if the court determines that a law is written in such a way that it is unconstitutional, the court must strike it down. The legislature, which writes the laws, can choose to rewrite the law to meet the standards of the constitution, or propose a constitutional amendment. The executive branch enforces the laws. The court meets in Harrisburg and chooses its cases, with the exception of mandatory death penalty appeals, and certain appeals from the Commonwealth Court. It has seven justices and receives over 3,000 cases annually but accepts only 100-150 cases.

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The Superior Court of PA is based in Harrisburg and has 15 judges. It hears appeals in criminal, civil and family law cases from the Courts of Common Pleas. Most appeals are decided by written briefs; however, when the parties request oral argument, those sessions are usually heard by panels of three judges in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or Pittsburgh.

The Commonwealth Court of PA is an appellate court based in Harrisburg. It has jurisdiction over state and local governments and regulatory agencies. Nine judges preside over the court and hear appeals from state agencies and certain cases from the Courts of Common Pleas. The court may also function as a trial court in cases brought by or against the commonwealth government and cases regarding elections.

The Courts of Common Pleas are trial courts that hear civil, criminal and family law cases. The courts receive cases plus appeals from local magistrates and state and local government agencies. The courts are organized into 60 judicial districts. Each district has multiple judges elected to 10-year terms, with a president judge and court administrator in each judicial district. The LWVCC thanks Court of Common Pleas Judge Katherine Oliver for her contributions to this article.

Magisterial District Court is where most people experience the judicial system for the first time. There are 500 judges who handle 2 million cases/year, most of which are traffic violations, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, landlord disputes or property damage. MDJs determine if criminal cases go on to the Court of Common Pleas, perform marriage ceremonies, set bail, issue protection from abuse and arrest orders. MDJs must take a monthlong certification class and pass a qualifying exam, though attorneys elected as MDJs are exempt from the requirement. MDJs are elected to a 6-year term. The LWVCC thanks retired MDJ Tom Jordan for his contributions to this article.

The next installments will focus on: county government offices; municipal, borough and township offices; and boards of school directors. The Municipal Election is Nov. 7. Make sure your voter registration is current at www.centrecountyvotes.gov.

Sue Sargo is the presiding officer of the League of Women Voters of Centre County.
CHILLICOTHE  The Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters has spent the summer educating citizens about Issue 1 and registering people to vote with the help of the state league executive director.

Issue 1 would require that any proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution acquire a 60% majority vote in favor of the amendment. The special election is taking place on Aug. 8.

Jen Miller, the Executive Director for the League of Women Voters of Ohio, visited the local league on July 14 at Pape City Coffee to discuss Issue 1 prior to the August special election.

State League executive director Jen Miller has been traveling the state to visit Ohio league members, providing assistance and giving away supplies. She said the league is a nonpartisan political organization and "rarely" takes stances on ballot issues or political candidates unless the league believes human rights are at stake. The league is encouraging voters to vote no on Issue 1.

"Never in the history of the state of Ohio have Ohio voters decided such an issue of grave importance in a special election," Miller said. She said the league's goal is to ensure voters know the importance of the election. "It's our job to always ensure that voters know about elections and they know how to participate."

More: Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters hold reproductive justice panel

Local league president Robyn Brewster said the league has spent the summer handing out posters and flyers encouraging people to vote on Aug. 8, visiting farmers markets and other community events to help register citizens to vote and posting on social media to inform the public about the election.

The league encourages voters to visit VOTE411.org, a website launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF), a nonbiased, "one-stop-shop" for election-related information. It provides information on voter registration, absentee ballot information and information on the issues on the ballot.

"Lack of context, that's one of the things that we think is problematic with the language, but if you go on VOTE 411 you get the actual ballot language and then the context in terms of what's changed, as well as pros and cons," Miller said. "It's all about making sure that voters are not tricked into voting their rights away."

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Miller said the election is "much more than one issue" and it's important to look at what the results of Issue 1 will affect in future elections.

For more information, visit online or call the Ross County Board of Elections, the League of Women Voters or Vote 411.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ross County League of Women Voters educate Chillicothe on Issue 1
The FSO Safer oil tanker has been sorely neglected during Yemen's war (MOHAMMED HUWAIS)

When an alarm sounded on the decaying oil tanker off Yemen's coast, signalling a leak in its engine room, Hussein Nasser quickly sprang into action.

Working around the clock for days, he and the half dozen other people on board the FSO Safer fashioned makeshift iron strips to patch a burst pipe, before divers arrived to install a permanent steel plate to keep seawater from sinking the ship.

The incident in 2020 was just one example of how a motley crew of sailors and engineers - numbering no more than seven or eight at any given time - have laboured for years to keep afloat the FSO Safer tanker abandoned off Yemen, and stave off an environmental calamity.

The sinking of the vessel, or an on-board explosion, would have unleashed a thin slick of oil across the Red Sea, imperilling wildlife, coastal fishing villages, lifeline ports and maritime traffic.

The United Nations hopes anxiety about the 47-year-old Safer - which has been woefully neglected during Yemen's ongoing war -- is about to ease. That depends on the successful transfer of its oil to a replacement ship, the Nautica, that arrived off the country's coast on Sunday.

It represents a rare bright spot after more than eight years of fighting between the Huthi rebels, who control the capital Sanaa and waters where the Safer is moored, and the internationally recognised government based in the southern city of Aden.

For members of the Safer's skeleton crew, the milestone is a time to reflect on their long stints at sea with little food, no air conditioning and near-constant stress.

"Anxiety accompanies us all the time as a result of the worn-down condition of the ship," Nasser, an engineer with short greying hair and a dark moustache, told AFP.

Like other crew members interviewed, he works for the Huthis' maritime affairs authority.

"The Safer is like a front line and we have had to fight on it - no different from a military front line," Nasser said.

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- 'Unsung heroes' -

The Iran-backed Huthis praise men like Nasser as the "unsung heroes" of the Safer saga.

The villains, in their telling, are members and backers of the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in support of the Aden-based government, which they blame for a blockade of the Hodeida port that starved the Safer of needed equipment.

Yet the Huthis themselves were long accused of courting disaster by using the Safer as a bargaining chip, blocking UN inspection requests and demanding that oil revenue be used to pay the salaries of their employees.

After more than eight years without maintenance, there is no disputing the ship is in awful condition, with rust and fast-spreading fungus streaking its red-and-grey hull, whose thickness has worn away by four millimetres in places.

"Any oil ship needs regular maintenance... to keep the ship safe," said Ebrahim al-Moshki, head of Hodeida's maritime affairs authority.

"But the staff here are sometimes just three or five, while they used to be 72" before the war.

The situation would be far worse if not for the skeleton crew, said Edrees al-Shami, the Huthi-appointed executive general manager of SEPOC, the Yemeni oil and gas company.

"They worked in very risky and dangerous conditions and they were successful in patching it up. And they were not recognised. It was not publicised," Shami said.

- 'Swimming in the oil' -

Fixing leaks below deck was especially fraught given the intense heat and vapours coming off the crude, which can raise the possibility of igniting a blast from something as small as the flick of a cigarette.

"Our major problem is the possibility of ignition," Shami said.

"They worked through all these flammable gases, worked inside the oil, almost swimming in the oil, so it was very tough."

On Sunday, around the time the Nautica was arriving off the port city of Hodeida, Nasser, the engineer, visited the city's main fish market which would almost certainly have been shut down in the event of an oil spill.

The UN has said half a million people work in the area's fishing industry, and that 200,000 livelihoods "would be instantly wiped out".

"All of them would be have been affected badly," said Nasser, gesturing to the fishermen trying to unload wheelbarrows full of barracuda, parrotfish and even sharks at auction.

Asked what his plans were after the Safer is fully decommissioned, Nasser, in his late fifties, said he would accept whatever new mission maritime authorities decide to give him.

But after years of living on a vessel in danger of sinking or going up in flames, he said he wanted to take time to "catch some minutes of sleep and have a rest".

rcb/th/it
July 19 (UPI) -- A power transformer exploded at the Namami Gange project site in India's Uttarakhand Chamoli District on Wednesday, killing at least people 16 by electrocution and injuring several others.

Authorities said the incident happened just before noon near the Chamboli sewage treatment plant on the banks of the Alaknanda River. While the incident remained under investigation, authorities said that "electricity circulation on a metal railing" caused the deaths and injuries.

A medical helicopter transported two of those injured to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh while doctors admitted the other five to a hospital in Gopeshwar.

The incident happened after days of rain in Uttarakhand, causing the water level along the Alaknanda River to rise and forcing officials to release additional water from a hydroelectric dam at Srinagar in the Pauri district.

"It is a sad incident," chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said. "[The] district administration, police, and SDRF have reached the spot. Orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry."

The State Emergency Operation Center cautioned the district magistrates of Pauri, Tehri, Haridwar and Dehradun to use care in the area affected by the heavy rains and ordered people to stay away from the riverbanks.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Police in Kenya opened fire amid opposition-organized protests on Wednesday against the rising cost of living, and health workers and witnesses said at least two people were shot dead and 26 others wounded.

The opposition had called for three days of nationwide protests aimed at forcing the president to repeal a finance law imposing new taxes. President William Ruto had vowed that no protests would take place, saying he would take opposition leader Raila Odinga head-on.

In the western city of Kisumu, an Odinga stronghold, the chief executive Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital confirmed the deaths. We have two bodies recorded at the mortuary with gunshot wounds, and 14 other people are admitted with gunshot wounds, hospital CEO George Rae said.

The Associated Press witnessed one man shot in the shoulder and two others shot in the leg in the Mathare area of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. Four protesters were injured in Mathare, according to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

In Nairobi's Kangemi area, health records worker Alvin Sikuku told the AP that two young men were brought into the Eagle Nursing Home clinic. Police are using live bullets, he said.

One man was shot in the back and severely wounded, and the other was shot in the leg. We don't yet know if they were protesting or just walking by, Sikuku said.

In the city of Nakuru, Nakuru Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent James Waweru confirmed that four people came in with gunshot wounds, two of them shot in the abdomen, one in the chest and another one in the leg. A fifth person had been cut and wounded.

The Interior Ministry said more than 300 people were arrested during the protests and will be charged with crimes that include looting, destroying property and assaulting police. Authorities did not comment on the dead and wounded or respond to witness allegations that police officers had at times fired into homes.

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The opposition condemned the arrests of seven elected leaders and two close associates of Odinga, describing them in a statement as a desperate attempt by the Ruto administration to paralyze the opposition.

The opposition said protests would continue Thursday.

The Media Council of Kenya alleged cases of police masquerading as journalists with intent to arrest protesters. In a statement, the council called such behavior grave unprofessional conduct.

Businesses and schools in Nairobi were closed as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. Demonstrations were reported in several other parts of the country, including the western counties of Migori and Kisii, where the opposition enjoys huge support.

Police had said the protests were illegal as no permit for them was issued, but the right to peaceful protests is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution.

During similar protests last week, at least 10 people were killed, according to watchdogs. A police officer confirmed at least six deaths to the AP. Many others were injured, including 53 children who went into shock after tear gas was thrown inside their school compound.

Religious leaders have called for dialogue between the government and the opposition to end the protests. Catholic bishops on Wednesday issued a statement saying no further blood should be shed and urged the president to repeal the finance law that has agitated many Kenyans.

The law has raised the price of fuel to its highest level as the government implements a doubling of value added tax on petroleum products to 16%. The prices have taken effect despite a court order suspending the implementation of the controversial new taxes.

A Nairobi resident, Wycliffe Onyango, said his entire earnings are spent on food. Right now there is no work going on. We are suffering. I plead with the government to deal with the cost of living, he said.

The International Monetary Fund this week called the law's approval a crucial step toward reducing Kenyas debt vulnerabilities.

Western envoys from 13 countries on Tuesday issued a joint statement calling for dialogue and expressed concern over the loss of lives and destruction of property.

The Kenya Medical Association said its members had attended to hundreds of injured Kenyans and witnessed tens of fatalities as a result of protests in recent months, and access to health facilities was limited for patients and workers, leading to increased mortality.

Human Rights Watch urged political leaders to stop labelling protesters as terrorists and respect the right to peaceful protests. The group also called out the police for using force and live bullets to confront protesters.

___

Associated Press writer Cara Anna and photographer Brian Inganga contributed to this report.
A rare multiple shooting in the center of Auckland just hours before the opening of the Womens World Cup rattled the city as tens of thousands gathered to watch New Zealand play Norway in the first game of the tournament.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins outlined details of the attack in a hastily called news conference, confirming that three people had died  including the gunman  and several others were injured.

Emergency services rushed to the citys central business district just after 7 a.m. local time Thursday, after reports that a man armed with a pump action shotgun had opened fire on a construction site, he said.

He moved through the building site discharging the firearm as he went, Hipkins said. Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the man contained himself in an elevator. Shots were fired, and he was located a short time later.

News footage showed heavily armed police dressed in body armour and carrying rifles flocking to the scene and cordoning off swathes of the business district.

Hipkins said the actions of the police officers who ran into the gunfire, straight into harms way in order to save the lives of others were nothing short of heroic.

New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said one officer was shot as he attempted to engage the gunman, and four civilians had moderate to critical injuries.

Coster said the suspect was under home detention orders but had an exemption to work at the construction site where the shooting took place, and the incident was believed to be related to his work there.

The man had a family violence history but there was nothing to suggest that he has presented a high level risk, Coster said. He did not have a firearms license, Coster added.

New Zealand Police said the shooting did not pose a national security risk, as officials confirmed the Womens World Cup opening ceremony and first game would go ahead as planned.

In a statement, FIFA said it extended its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

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FIFA has been informed that this was an isolated incident that was not related to football operations and the opening match tonight at Eden Park will proceed as planned, the statement added.

However plans to show the match on a big screen at a fanzone in downtown Auckland were scrapped out of deep respect to those who lost their lives, the mayors office and Auckland Council said in a statement. The fan festival will open from midday Friday, the statement added.

Tourism New Zealand also canceled a welcome event scheduled for the opening match because the location is within the area cordoned off by police as they investigate the shooting.

The central business district in Auckland is the commercial heart of the city, a base for blue chip international firms and the gateway to the famous harborside, which is lined with restaurants and bars and home to the main ferry terminal.

Shootings are relatively rare in New Zealand, especially following the introduction of strict gun laws in 2019 after a mass shooting in Christchurch left 50 people dead and led to strict new laws curbing firearms being passed in a matter of days.

Officials have asked people to avoid the city center. - Nathan Frandino/Reuters

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told New Zealand public radio RNZ the shooting was a dreadful thing to happen in our city at a time when the rest of the worlds watching us over the football.

New Zealand will face Norway at Eden Park in the opening match on Thursday in one of the worlds biggest sporting events, co-hosted by New Zealand and neighbor Australia.

Players from the United States womens national soccer team (USWNT) also addressed the shooting at their inaugural press conference.

Unfortunately in the US I feel like weve dealt with this far too many times, forward Lynn Williams told reporters.

Looking over the cordon, Nisha, an American tourist who had traveled to Auckland to watch the World Cup, described the shooting to CNN as incredibly tragic especially at the start of the World Cup, theres so many people coming in, theres so much excitement.

Nisha, who declined having her surname published, said news of the shooting surprised her.

In places like New Zealand, you just assume a level of sort of safety, right? she said.

Standing at the edge of the cordon on Quay Street a block away from the ferry pier, 21 year-old Seth Kruger, who is originally from South Africa, expressed shock at the shooting.

I reckon its a pretty rare occurrence for New Zealand, he said. Moving here, you move here for safety reasons. So pretty weird for this to be happening just down the road from home as well.

Kruger and his friend David Aguillon were scheduled to work at The Cloud, a multipurpose event space at the Queens Wharf along the Auckland waterfront, which is hosting the FIFA Fan Festival throughout the World Cup.

However, with the police continuing to cordon off several key streets, Aguillon said they hadnt been able to get on site, and it was unclear whether the Fan Festival would be open in time for Mondays first game.

In a statement, US Soccer said that it extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims who were killed in downtown Auckland today.

In a statement, New Zealand Football said it was shocked by the incident. We can confirm that all of the Football Ferns team and staff are safe but we will not be able to comment further while details are still emerging, a statement said. Preparations for the game tonight at Eden Park will continue as planned.

CNNs Tara John, Mohammed Tawfeeq and Hira Humayun contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A mixed-use development plan that includes 346 homes and approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial space near Lebanon High School was approved Tuesday by the city council.

Blue Hickory concept plan for Lebanon.

Blue Hickory is the name of the mixed-use development that will be developed by Suncrest. The council approved Blue Hickory unanimously on second reading. Council member Chris Crowell motioned for the approval and Joey Carmack gave a second.

The 44-acre site is approved for 29 single-family homes, 317 townhomes and the commercial space according to Suncrest, marking the latest new development in the growing Nashville suburb.

No commercial users are under contract, "but there is significant interest from all the residential builders and a couple of restaurants and coffee-type shops," said Suncrest Managing Partner Mike Koch.

Development on the site where South Hartmann intersects with Hickory Ridge Road is expected to begin in the spring of 2024 with new homes available in early 2025, according to Suncrest.

The development will be connected by a network of multipurpose pathways and sidewalks.

Blue Hickory will be the eighth residential community planned by Suncrest in the greater Nashville area, and will be the third in Lebanon joining Woodbridge Glen, located off Hwy 109 and I-40 and Barton Village, on South Hartmann Drive just south of I-40.

Since 2017, Suncrest has acquired more than 2,000 acres of land in Middle Tennessee municipalities.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lebanon approves plan for 346 homes and commercial space on S. Hartmann
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A mainland spokesperson on Wednesday expressed firm opposition to Lai Ching-te's act of seeking "Taiwan independence" by soliciting U.S. support under the pretext of his so-called "transit" trip to the United States.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to Lai's planned trip to the United States in August announced by Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities.

"We resolutely oppose any form of U.S. connivance and support for 'Taiwan independence' separatists and their separatist activities," said Chen.

Noting mainland's firm opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in whatever form, Chen said Taiwan compatriots will see ever more clearly that these separatists are trouble-makers against the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. 
Participants at a Harvard University rally on July 1 protesting the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action. (Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Two top colleges are dropping the use of legacy admissions as criticism of the practice continues to mount in the wake of last months Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.

On Tuesday, Wesleyan University announced it would stop giving prospective students an advantage if they were the children of alumni. The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported Sunday that Carnegie Mellon University would no longer be considering relationships with alumni in its admissions process.

An applicants connection to a Wesleyan graduate indicates little about that applicants ability to succeed at the University, meaning that legacy status has played a negligible role in our admission process for many years, president Michael Roth said in a statement.

In a statement to the Tribune Review, a spokesman for Carnegie Mellon said, Each applicant is evaluated by the same criteria irrespective of legacy status. CMU does this to ensure equity throughout the admission process for all students. Also according to the Tribune Review, the University of Pittsburgh stopped considering relations to alumni in its process in 2020.

The moves follow the Supreme Court ruling in June against the use of race-conscious admissions for colleges, which reignited efforts to eliminate the process of giving favorable treatment to children of alumni, although that wasnt reflected in recent data.

The case against legacy admissions

The Wesleyan University campus, located in Middletown, Conn. (Getty Images)

For years, activists have been calling for an end to legacy admissions, a benefit that is sometimes called affirmative action for rich white people. In an op-ed earlier this month, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., who is Black, wrote, The Supreme Court did not strike down affirmative action for everyone. It was just taken away for everyone thats not wealthy and white.

Harvard, which was the center of one of the Supreme Court cases, leans heavily on legacy admissions: A 2019 study found that 43% of white students at the university were legacies, athletes or related to donors, faculty or staff (often referred to as ALDC, a catchall term).

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While ruling against affirmative action, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in a concurring opinion that Harvards preferences for the children of donors, alumni, and faculty are no help to applicants who cannot boast of their parents good fortune or trips to the alumni tent all their lives. While race-neutral on their face, too, these preferences undoubtedly benefit white and wealthy applicants the most. Still, Harvard stands by them.

Another student protester at the Harvard rally against the affirmative action decision. (Craig F. Walker/Boston Globe via Getty Images)

According to Education Reform Now, a think tank focused on education policy, legacy admits make up roughly 10% to 25% of admissions at top universities. A recent survey by Generation Lab found that 3 out of 4 college students say its not fair for schools to consider legacy during the admissions process.

Some colleges  including Johns Hopkins, Amherst, the University of California system and public schools in Colorado  made the change to eliminate legacy admits prior to the Supreme Court ruling.

Since 2013, the % of students in our incoming classes who have a family connection dropped from 8.5% to 1.7%, and % of first-generation or limited-income students rose from 16.7% to 30.8%, Farouk Dey, vice president of the Johns Hopkins University, said in a tweet.

While examining why legacy admissions are still used in the 21st century, Emilio Castilla, professor of management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found that while they do not increase diversity or provide entry for students who are more qualified, they are economically beneficial.

We found evidence that there are material interests  a lot of these legacy admits typically tend to be coming from richer families that are more likely to donate resources, Castilla told Yahoo News last month.

Fallout from the Supreme Court ruling

President Biden speaking about the Supreme Court's affirmative action decision on June 29. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

In response to the affirmative action decision, President Biden said that this is not a normal court and that diversity is essential in higher education.

Im directing the Department of Education to analyze what practices help build more inclusive and diverse student bodies and what practices hold that back, practices like legacy admissions and other systems that expand privilege instead of opportunity, Biden said.

Just days after affirmative action was struck down, Harvard was sued over alleged discrimination in its admissions process by favoring the students of alumni who tend to be wealthy and white. The three minority advocacy groups cited the ruling in their suit.

This preferential treatment has nothing to do with an applicants merit, Lawyers for Civil Rights wrote in a news release announcing the lawsuit. Instead, it is an unfair and unearned benefit that is conferred solely based on the family that the applicant is born into. This custom, pattern, and practice is exclusionary and discriminatory. It severely disadvantages and harms applicants of color.

Last year, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced the Fair College Admissions for Students Act, a first-of-its-kind bill that seeks to stop universities from giving special treatment to children of alumni and donors. The legislators promoted the bill in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling and celebrated the move by Wesleyan.

Awesome news! tweeted Bowman. Shoutout [to Wesleyan] for ending legacy admissions. With the Supreme Court banning affirmative action, we need to make sure that wealthy, white students dont get a leg up, either. Now lets pass my bill to ban legacy admissions across the country!
Donald Trump GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith, implying that he could face criminal charges in connection to an investigation into the deadly Capitol riot and attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Trump's latest run-in with federal prosecutors likely signals an impending indictment, which would be the third he has faced in recent months. Much of the probe has focused on Trump and his allies' efforts to stir sentiment amongst fervent MAGA supporters by publicly and falsely claiming that President Joe Biden had "stolen" the election, actions which catalyzed the frenzy leading to the Jan 6 siege in Washington, DC.

Though the ex-president in his Tuesday post did not disclose which criminal charges he could be facing, a person familiar with the matter told The New York Times that the letter cited three potential statutes, including conspiracy to defraud the United States: corruptly obstructing an official proceeding, conspiring to defraud the government and to make false statements, and wire and mail fraud.

After conducting a thorough investigation into the Capitol attacks, the House Jan. 6 Committee as well as a federal judge in California felt it was "more likely than not" that Trump intentionally attempted to obstruct the certification of Biden's victory, a crime which, if found guilty, could be punishable by up to 20 years of prison time. The Times reported that the legislation underpinning such punitive measures  Section 1512(c) of Title 18  has already been used to prosecute rioters; however, Trump did not actively participate in the physical assault. Additionally, though Trump encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol and "fight like hell," he also requested that they do so "peacefully," a point that the Times noted Trump's legal team could underscore.

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The House Committee and the federal judge also stated that there was enough evidence to demonstrate that Trump conspired with others to defraud the government, a crime that could see an offender face up to five years in prison. The former president, along with various attorneys and allies, advanced claims of voter fraud despite the fact that he was informed his allegations were unsubstantiated.

"The illegality of the plan was obvious," Judge David O. Carter wrote in a ruling in a civil suit last year. "Our nation was founded on the peaceful transition of power, epitomized by George Washington laying down his sword to make way for democratic elections. Ignoring this history, President Trump vigorously campaigned for the vice president to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election."

The Times reported the subpoenas issued by Smith and his team indicate that the special counsel is analyzing Trump's political action committee, Save America, for potential wire fraud after the PAC raised $250 million by telling donors it needed to secure funds to combat election fraud. The House Jan. 6 Committee also acknowledged how, only a day after the election took place, Trump and his inner circle repeatedly asked donors to send money to a defense fund and challenge election results in court.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti observed that it was "interesting" that he is reportedly not facing charges for "inciting an insurrection or making a false statement."

The target letter sent to Trump mentions three statutes, according to Rolling Stone:



Conspiracy to defraud the United States; deprivation of rights under color of law; and witness tampering.



Interesting  no charge for inciting an insurrection or making a false statement. https://t.co/UaRjSuRtHf  Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) July 18, 2023

"Don't fret it," longtime Harvard legal scholar Laurence Tribe urged his Twitter followers, assuring them that the reason a potential indictment would not include all charges against Trump was likely a strategic choice by Smith.

"If the indictment doesn't include all the crimes  including aiding and abetting insurrection  that Trump may have committed, the reason is likely to be a strategic judgment that less is more: a streamlined, narrow trial could lead to a much faster conviction."

If the indictment doesnt include all the crimes  including aiding and abetting insurrection  that Trump may have committed, the reason is likely to be a strategic judgment that less is more: a streamlined, narrow trial could lead to a much faster conviction. So dont fret it. https://t.co/Tmfny94lna  Laurence Tribe   (@tribelaw) July 19, 2023

Read more

about the Jan. 6 probe
The editorial printed in the July 16 edition, as offered by The Vindicator, regarding the use of credit cards by local government (county) employees presents a misguided view to the realities of managing a business operation as large and complex as county government.

Here in Stark County, your elected officials for more than five years have taken advantage of a prior law to the recently passed credit card legislation, which the County Auditors' Association of Ohio championed. The Board of Commissioners and I collectively developed our credit card policy to acknowledge what we all know of business transactions these days  that business is increasingly conducted online.

For too long, Stark County had counted on its employees to make routine purchases, notably for business-related travel, on personal credit cards. This is unfair to employees, especially those within our Children Services Division, to be expected to front often urgent expenses. Related here, it became difficult for my office to track and prohibit the accumulation of rewards and points that might be associated with personal credit cards.

Stark County has a credit card policy that is transparent. Each month in public session, the commissioners and I review the credit card activity for the previous month. The level of review, beyond the scrutiny offered at the department level and further by my office, has presented no signs of abuse.

Rather, it has promoted efficiency in business operations and full accountability in the activity. Notably in our policy and to further prevent misuse, no elected officials have county credit cards.

Stark County has successfully employed business credit cards for many years in an efficient and transparent manner, and I would encourage other counties and local governments considering the same to look at our practices as a model.

Alan Harold, Stark County auditor

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: Auditor explains Stark's policy on credit cards
May 7, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson speaks to the crowd during Spring Commencement ceremonies at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brooke LaValley/Columbus Dispatch

Proud of The Lantern

As a former editor of a college newspaper, albeit 47 years ago, I am so proud of the Ohio State University student newspaper, The Lantern for legally challenging and prevailing the University in the courts to obtain the former University president's separation agreement as a public record after the university denied the Lantern the document claiming "attorney-client privilege."

More: Kristina Johnson loses compensation if she speaks poorly of Ohio State, agreement says

Also, a "thumbs up" to the court for bucking the trend of public entities labeling documents "attorney-client privilege" as a means to deny the public and the press access to clearly public records.

Looking forward to future coverage by the Lantern and other local media revealing the total cost (internal and external) the University spent fighting the disclosure of this public record. Way to shine Lantern staff.

Judith Ann Zimomra, Grove City

Brian X. Tierney, FirstEnergy president and CEO, in his office at the utility's West Akron campus in Akron.

Nice, but we are still footing the bill

In the July 18 "Tierney: it's time to focus on the future'," Brian X. Tierney said many positive things.

Somehow he didnt mention that we Ohio utility customers are still footing the bill for two old, money-losing nuclear power plants, one of which is in Indiana.

More: Who is FirstEnergy's new CEO and what are his plans to move past HB 6 bribery scandal?

Tierney (and our governor as well as the state legislature) seem to think that the fleecing of Ohio taxpayers and utility customers brought about by House Bill 6 and Larry Householder and the largest bribery scandal in Ohio history, is OK. Lets repeal HB-6, Tierney.

Chet Ridenour Sr., Worthington

VA MIA for veterans

I believe there is an issue with veterans and their dependents not being adequately served at the Franklin County Veterans Service Commission.

It appears that they are MIA since the COVID pandemic when they were working from home. It was understandable then, but we are no longer in or under pandemic guidelines.

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Veterans and their dependents in need of VA claims assistance do not have the ability to walk in to see a service officer as they did before COVID, and you cannot get a call through to make an appointment to physically see someone.

I assume taxpayers are paying for staff to sit at home five days a week drawing a paycheck while veterans needing VA claims assistance for disability, non-service-connected pension, burial claims, and survivors benefits are wondering who is out there to help them.

Solution: Re-establish the five-day workweek representation with veterans service officers at all of the veteran services buildings, including the VA hospital and in downtown Columbus.

If we're going to serve veterans in this county and state, then let's do it right!

Darrel Peaks, Delaware

(Middle) Rev. Jesse Jackson listens to speakers before he was to give the keynote address during the Let Freedom Ring event in the atrium at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018.

Imagine President Jesse Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson has resigned from his leadership position at the Rainbow Push Coalition. It is impossible to turn back the pages of time but just imagine how our country would be different today if the Reverend had been elected President in 1984.

More: Rev. Jesse Jackson will retire, relinquishing longtime civil rights leadership role

Michael Oser, Columbus

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State student journalists stood up for former Kristina Johnson records and won
Temperatures will remain hot and humid on Thursday with temperatures in the low to mid-90s in most areas.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon said some areas north of Atlanta could be at risk for severe storms. Deon says there is a Level 1 out of 5 risk for storms.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Severe Weather Team 2 App for alerts wherever you go]

The main weather threat on Wednesday is damaging winds and hail.

Stay with Severe Weather Team 2 for the latest timing of the storms, throughout the day on Channel 2 Action News

Heres what else to know for Wednesday:

Highs will be in the low to mid-90s

Deon said it could feel like 100 degrees in some areas.

The Code Orange air quality alert is no longer in effect on Wednesday.

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At the South Bay Fire Department, a legend behind its formation has been passed down through generations.

While cities in Washington had fire services, rural areas did not. A serious fire in the area ended up being a disaster when nobody showed up. The solution laid within the community itself.

Nobody came. Thats a pretty good motivator (to start a department), said South Bay Fire Chief Brian VanCamp. So, in 1953, a group of citizens, both in the South Bay area and in the North Olympia area of Boston Harbor, decided that they needed fire protection.

Both neighborhoods went to the county courthouse on the same day in 1953 to submit ballot measures to create Fire Districts 7 and 8, said Janet Notarianni, an administrative assistant at South Bay Fire Department.

After voters approved the districts creation, VanCamp said a group of South Bay neighbors engaged in an effort to build the department from the ground up, locating a fire truck, coordinating logistics and ultimately moving into a fire station. In 2015, the two departments merged into South Bay Fire District 8.

This month, the South Bay Fire Department celebrates its 70th anniversary. VanCamp said there have been a lot of changes over the years, including a shift to a hybrid career/volunteer firefighting model, and increased efforts to boost transparency. But what has stayed constant is a sense of duty to the community at large.

This organization has been one of the more forward-thinking organizations, thinking about What are we doing? What do we need to do? What are the communitys needs? How do we meet those? VanCamp said. Weve been doing that for a long time.

The early days

The early days of the South Bay Fire Department, which was created 70 years ago.

Rich Gleckler, a now-retired firefighter, first responder and fire commissioner, remembers the early days of the North Olympia Fire Department fondly. When he moved to Olympia to audit Washingtons Department of Transportation, a coworker in the accounting department encouraged him to become a volunteer with the North Olympia Fire Department.

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He said he was part of the fire department out here and he lived right across the street from the fire station, he said. He thought maybe Id like it. So I went down a Monday later or something like that. And I never left.

In the 1970s, volunteer fire departments such as North Olympia ran on a much more casual basis, Gleckler said. They received a couple hundred calls a year, and used to get alerted to aid calls from a siren on top of a station. People would sometimes dispatch to addresses from their own vehicles, and most of the procedure was self-taught.

Even when the department switched to pagers, Ben Dicke, another now-retired volunteer firefighter and first responder at South Bay Fire, said firefighters were expected to remember addresses after hearing them once.

It was hard. I almost didnt remember (the addresses), I had to depend on a lot of the other guys, Dicke said, laughing. Or you could get on the radio and call Capcom at the time and ask them, Please repeat the address. And then everyone in the county would hear you ask them for the address.

Sometimes, the department faced unusual challenges. Gleckler remembers responding to a call where a yellowjacket nest blocked a sidedoor firefighters were trying to access, and another call where he found a driver stuck between the branches of a tree.

But he also remembers performing CPR and saving lives during his service.

When you made a good, successful save, it was really rewarding, he said. I just liked to be able to help the community.

There was a strong sense of internal community too. During events such as summer picnics and Christmas parties, Gleckler said he found himself connecting with neighboring families. Many firefighters in South Bay are from families where three or four generations have served.

VanCamp joined with his father, who was also a fire chief, and uncle in 1973. At one point, he and his dad, mom and a brother all worked at the department.

I was really invested in it as a volunteer, he said. Johnson Point station, where my uncle was, we had a neighborhood up there that, we were all volunteers at the Johnson Point station. And it was a little social group that we had out there.

Many of Dickes closest friends now are still the people he worked with at the fire department. They were the people who convinced him to take on first responder duties outside of his firefighting work. Today, VanCamp said 80% to 85% of calls responders get are for first responder aid.

Changes in volunteer firefighting

But training to become an emergency services provider is much more difficult now than it was for Dicke then. Instead of taking one class, first responders are now equipped with many more skills that they obtain through training. Its changes like these that VanCamp said have made volunteering much more involved than in previous years.

These changes are taking a toll on volunteer firefighting. At South Bay, and other departments around the state, volunteer firefighters numbers have dropped from about 19,000 to about 10,000, according to the Washington State Fire Fighters Association.

To be a volunteer requires a lot of training, and continuous training after they get their initial training, in firefighting, emergency medical service, and hazardous materials. It requires a lot, VanCamp said. I think generally, unless youre trying to go that direction as a career, theres not a lot of it that would entice a traditional volunteer.

The department now has a full-time career staff of 18 to respond to calls and work in management, VanCamp said. Ten to 15 years ago, volunteering was still enough, he added.

Recruiting and retaining new volunteers proves challenging, especially because career firefighters are in demand, meaning volunteers get hired out quickly. Providing training and equipment for volunteers is not always the most cost-efficient, but VanCamp said its an investment South Bay still budgets for.

Because of the limitations that we have in our revenue, we will continue to be dependent on having both, he said. We need a corps of career staff that we can schedule and make sure theyre here and everything, but it will never be large enough to do the full job.

The department shows no signs of slowing down, and responds to about 1,300 calls a year, VanCamp said. Its always prepared to provide aid and help respond to urban fires, and Notarianni said volunteers are key to staffing engines and providing other crucial work at South Bay.

The next recruitment and training cycle for the department is in September.

It is very fulfilling and makes you feel really good about yourself, being able to do this service for the community, Dicke said. It is dangerous, and exciting and scary. But I made a lot of friends that I have lifetime relationships with.
Arvydas Anusauskas

Lithuania will provide further security assistance to Ukraine worth EUR 24 million ($26.87 million) later this month, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said in a Facebook post on July 19.

"Military support from Lithuania to Ukraine will be provided in July for 24 million euros," the statement said.

Read also: Ukraine may be offered fast-track NATO membership in Vilnius, Lithuanian president says

The minister also proposed to create a broader "coalition of wisdom" to help Kyiv reform and modernize its education system. Anusauskas noted that such a six-state mini-coalition is already functioning in Lithuania, while so much more is needed.

Read also: Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia highlight Belarus threat to NATO

During a visit to Kyiv on June 28, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced that Lithuania had purchased two launchers for NASAMS air defense systems, which will be transferred 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
Serving as an educator for over 20 years, BJ Van Camp is named the new Director of Lively Technical College beginning July 24.

On July 24, BJ Van Camp, a Leon County educator of over 20 years, will take over as Director of Lively Technical College.

Van Camp will step in behind Shelly Bell, who served as director for six years before recently being named vice president for Workforce Innovation at Tallahassee Community College.

"My goal as the director of Lively Technical College is making sure our young students and adult residents recognize the advantages of attending Lively Technical College and to continue to develop innovative programs resulting in high-paying careers that support our communitys economic development," Van Camp told the Tallahassee Democrat.

As Bell makes the transition to start at TCC on July 24, she replaces Kimberly Moore, who will be leaving TCC after serving in the vice president role for a decade to join Yavapai College in Arizona as its inaugural chief workforce innovation officer.

Along with other applicants for the position, Van Camp was interviewed by a committee before the hire from Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna.

I am excited for the future of Lively Technical College as we continue to develop innovative workforce pathways for our young LCS students and adult residents in Leon County, giving them the skills they need to compete for jobs in our community. Having served at many different levels of school administration, Ms. Van Camp has the experience, vision and leadership to keep Lively at the forefront of helping students reach their goals and their next step in life, Hanna said in a statement.

Stepping into the new role, Van Camp leaves her most recent position as assistant principal at Augusta Raa Middle School. Her other K-12 experience includes being assistant principal at Godby High School and principal at Hartsfield Elementary.

Forrest Van Camp is her father-in-law and a well-known powerhouse in Leon County Schools, who served the district for 36 years in multiple capacities including serving on the school board and as principal of Roberts Elementary School.

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Van Camp graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education and then earned a Master of Science for Educational Leadership.

I am thrilled to learn that BJ Van Camp will be the new director of Lively Technical College. I have no doubt she will expand workforce offerings by partnering with the local business community to respond and prepare for the future. I look forward to working with her in the future in my capacity at TCC, said Bell in a statement

Lively Technical College Director Shelly Bell has been named the next vice president of workforce innovation at Tallahassee Community College.

Bell's leadership at Lively Tech helped the school transition from a vocational center to a technical college.

Although TCC strongly opposed the decision to add college to the vocational center's name  with TCC President Jim Murdaugh calling the change a "marketing effort at the time  the new title was finalized in 2019 as the two schools are situated next to each other on Appleyard Drive and offer a few programs in common, such as welding and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

Lively Technical College campus on Appleyard Drive

Lively Technical College serves approximately 2,000 students a year and also offers a dual enrollment program with Leon County Schools.

More on Shelly Bell: TCC names Shelly Bell its new vice president of workforce innovation, replacing Kim Moore

Lively Technical Name Change: Over objections of TCC and FSU, Lively Technical Center to become Lively Technical College

LTC's main campus is at 500 N. Appleyard Dr., and it has an aviation campus near the Tallahassee International Airport.

In the fall, LTC's east campus will open in Tallahassee at 283 Trojan Trail with its first programs being central sterile processing technician, nursing assistant, and phlebotomy. It will also offer GED and adult ESOL courses.

Two other new programs being offered at LTC besides central sterile processing technician on its future east campus are massage therapy and plumbing.

Tallahassee Democrat writer Alaijah Brown can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County school district names new Director of Lively Technical College
Port Newark fire Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

News stories like the horrific fire aboard the Grande Costa D'Avorio docked at Port Newark that killed two of Newark's bravest have a predictable narrative arc. The media focuses intensely as the very real human drama unfolds, and then we look away, as our gaze shifts to the next sensational story.

We live in a world where we are increasingly reliant on a global supply chain, we expect to deliver goods the same or the next day that may have originated anywhere in the world. How they arrive, who does it, what risks they take, or what corners are cut to make it all happen is usually of no consequence or concern to us.

That is until something like the Port Newark fire where the most selfless among us pay a price for our collective inattention to this global trade machine that generates billions and billions in profits by squeezing the margins.

In the short term, we do what we can for those we know that paid the ultimate price and then usually move on.

Newark firefighters Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks Jr., 49 who were killed fighting a fire aboard the auto-carrier Grande Costa D'Avorio on July 5, were posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.

"There are only a few men and women that have to stand up when that bell rings  that have to stand watch while we are all asleep  that must respond when the call is made  that don't have a stage of a mic  they don't have the luxury of turning back," Mayor Ras Baraka told mourners at the funeral mass for Captain Acabou at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart "When their name is called they must be present and accounted for with honor and pride without trepidation walk into fires while we sit to side and watch."

Meanwhile, in a more invisible universe, where the 28-member crew from the Grimaldi line's Grande Costa D'Avario exists, the Seamen's Church Institute, a non-profit founded in 1834 to aid stranded mariners, took to Facebook to raise money to help them.

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"These seafarers had to abandon ship immediately, leaving their belongings and visa papers behind," SCI's post explains. "Since they have been unable to leave the hotel, SCI Chaplains continue to check in regularly and provide for their requests, including toiletries and much-needed clothing. These complete sets of clothing, shoes, backpacks, and duffle bags were purchased through SCI's "SOS Fund For Seafarers" an emergency fund SCI established during COVID and sustained by the kindness and generosity of you, our donors. Thank you."

Last year, SCI visited close to 11,000 seafarers whose work brought them to the Port of New York & New Jersey. Over the years, SCI has had to come to the aid of international seafarers who have been entirely abandoned by their foreign-owned shipping company.

During COVID, the international maritime workforce was thrust into a largely unreported humanitarian crisis.

"More than 300,000 seafarers are currently stranded on board ships, with some now have been working for more than 17 months at sea, without a break," wrote the International Maritime Organization, during the pandemic. The IMO, the United Nations agency that oversees the maritime sector, added that "the crisis threatens the well-being of seafarers and puts navigational safety in peril."

Long before the pandemic, the industry used automation and technology to justify significantly reducing crew size even as trade volume and profits continued to grow exponentially.

No doubt, the crew of the Grande Costa D'Avorio has an important story to tell investigators.

"A comprehensive formal investigation will be launched to determine the root causes and contributing factors leading to the shipboard fire," according to a U.S. Coast Guard press release. "The investigation will be led by the Coast Guard in tandem with federal, state, and local entities including the National Transportation Safety Board, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Jersey State Fire Marshal, New Jersey State Police, Newark Fire Arson Division, Essex County Prosecutor, and a host of safety agencies to ensure we gain a critical and necessary understanding of the incident."

The Italian vessel is 12 stories high and was loaded with 1,200 cars as well as close to 160 containers bound for West Africa. The Port of Newark is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and includes portions of Bayonne, Elizabeth, Newark, and Jersey City. The bistate agency relies entirely on the emergency services in the host communities which, in the case of Newark, has historically been under fiscal stress.

According to Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson, on the night of July 5, firefighters "found a working fire on the 10th floor  it was apparently five to seven vehicles fully involved [on fire]. The fire quickly extended to the 11th and 12th floors. The members made an attempt to extinguish the fire and because of the intense heat they got pushed back."

Newark's ill-fated response got off to a shaky start when NFD's "Engine 16 quickly learned that their standard, 2.5-inch hose lines would not connect to equipment on the European-built ship," reported the New York Times. "They were forced to use the vessel's one-inch firefighting hoses, Newark's Mayor Ras Baraka would later explain."

The Newark fireboat wouldn't start," according to NorthJersey.com. And the FDNY, which has the region's most robust marine-based firefighting capability, did not get a request for mutual aid until 12:40 a.m. July 6, with Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh approving the mutual aid response around 1 a.m., three and a half hours after the initial response.

The fire continued to burn for days and was only declared out by the U.S. Coast Guard on July 11th. During press briefings after the incident officials have said that typically precautions are taken when loading vehicles on auto carriers like the Grande Costa D'Avorio.

In June of 2020 an "electrical fault from an improperly disconnected battery in a used vehicle led" to a fire breaking out aboard the vehicle carrier Hoegh Xiamen that was docked in Jacksonville, Florida, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The vessel was chartered by Grimaldi Deep Sea.

"Nine firefighters sustained injuries while responding," the NTSB reported. "None of the vessel's 21 crewmembers were injured. The fire took over a week to extinguish. The Hoegh Xiamen and its cargo of 2,240 used vehicles were declared a total loss valued at $40 million. In August 2020, after salvage operations were completed, the vessel was towed to Turkey to be recycled."

In its final report, the NTSB determined that many of the vehicles has been loaded onto the vessel without their batteries being disconnected "which increased the risk of electrical arcing and component faults. During the loading operations, both the loading personnel and crew missed opportunities to address these hazards."

The agency's probe showed the detection of the fire was delayed because the vessel's fire detection system had not yet been reactivated after the loading was completed. The local fie response was also delayed because the ship's captain did not know how to contact first responders at the port. The NTSB ultimately determined the probable cause was the shipper's "ineffective oversight" of the workers responsible for loading and securing the vessels.

"We found that used vehicles are often damaged and present an elevated risk of fire," the NTSB concluded. "We believe that greater inspection, oversight, and enforcement are needed to reduce this risk."

Evidently, there had been five similar incidents since 2015, including "a 2019 fire aboard Grimaldi's Grande Europa," according to the NTSB.

CBS News reported that the Grimaldi Group has had at least four other fires in recent years.

"Last February, a Grimaldi ferry caught fire near Greece. Authorities said at least eight people died," CBS reported. "At the time, the Grimaldi Group said the fire started in an area of the ship where cars were parked. In November of 2019, an Italian fire brigade shared video of crews extinguishing a fire on a cargo ship operated by a Grimaldi company, Malta Motorways of the Sea. Firefighters said no one was hurt on the ship."

A safety report from the Maltese government later concluded the fire was likely caused "most likely caused by fuel spilling accidentally onto a hot surface," according to CBS.

Back in May of 2019, a Spanish rescue crew had to rescue "15 crew members after a fire started on a Grimaldi car carrier, and in March of 2019, Grimaldi's Grande America caught fire then sunk off the coast of France. All 27 people onboard were rescued," reported CBS.

As for the July 5 blaze, Grimaldi maintains "the crew of the vessel immediately activated the on-board fire suppression procedures while the local firefighting services were alerted, and their prompt response played a crucial role in containing and bringing the fire under control."

Back in May of 2019, after the Grande Europa fire the Grimaldi Group issued a statement calling for more stringent regulations, according to the GCaptain, the international maritime news website.

"Following the umpteenth case of a fire that broke out on vehicles transported by cargo vessels, the Grimaldi Group launches an appeal to introduce more stringent controls and regulations on cargo sea transport, not only for rolling units but also for containers," Grimaldi Group said.

The statement continued. "Notably, with reference to rolling freight, the Grimaldi Group requests that there be more controls on car batteries, which often cause short-circuits on board vessels, as well as in port terminals."

Be great to know if the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey tracks any of this.
Four Price, the longtime State Representative for the 87th District in the Texas House, which covers eight counties of the Texas Panhandle including Potter, announced in a news release that he would not seek reelection for an eighth term. He will serve in the state Legislature until January 2025.

Price, R-Amarillo, has held office since 2011 when he ran for the late David Swinfords open seat. Price serves the region that includes Carson, Hansford, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Potter and Sherman counties. In the last election, Price won his district with 87% of the vote over Libertarian Nick Hearn. During his time in office, Price has not faced a serious challenge for reelection, often running unopposed and continuously garnering more than 75% of the vote.

State Rep. Four Price for the 87th District announced that he will not seek reelection for an eighth term in a news release Wednesday.

During this session, Price was selected to serve on the Natural Resource, Public Health and Health Care Reform Committees. Price was instrumental in the recent funding of $159 million for a state-funded mental health hospital to be in Amarillo and has been a part of a group of rural Republicans who have continued to oppose school vouchers, having voted to not allow state dollars from funding these measures in April. He was also a strong proponent of getting the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo. This was the first new veterinary school in Texas in over a century.

"The up-or-down vote was, you can accept the teacher pay raise, but you're also going to have to vote for a universal voucher, which in the House is kind of a non-starter," Price said in a recent forum about this past session. "What works great in Houston, or in Dallas, or in Corpus Christi is not necessarily representative and beneficial for those of us that live west of I-35."

More: Amarillo state Reps. Smithee, Price reflect on session in panel discussion

Along with the announcement, Price released the following statement:

"It's an honor for me to serve as the State Representative for the 87th District in the Texas House of Representatives, and I'm thankful to be representing the best people in Texas. I am making known at this early stage of the campaign cycle, however, that I do not intend to seek re-election in 2024. Consequently, my current term of service will end in January 2025. I have represented the 87th House District for seven sessions in the Texas Legislature, and I'm deeply appreciative of the community's overwhelming support since first being elected in 2010. From day one, I have worked hard to serve my constituents and improve our community. It's been the privilege of a lifetime to work on their behalf in the legislature and play a meaningful role in passing landmark legislation. I've given this decision considerable thought and believe the time is right to complete my service as a House member.

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"While completing my service, I will continue to assist the constituents of House District 87 and work diligently on issues important to the Texas Panhandle. I understood when first elected in 2010, and understand even more clearly now, how important it is to have an effective advocate for our community. I'm so pleased of all that we've accomplished together to improve and strengthen our state. Having served for four years on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, on 17 different committees (including six House Select Committees) and having been appointed to chair or co-chair six of those committees, I have enjoyed working on a wide variety of policy matters. During my seven sessions, I authored dozens of laws that I believe now benefit Texans both at home and statewide. I know we made a positive difference.

"Very few people get to be a member of the Texas Legislature. Even fewer get to choose the length of their service or accomplish their legislative priorities. I'm grateful to House District 87 for allowing me the chance to do both. It's been a wonderful experience through which I've made many new and lifelong friendships. Thank you to my wife Karen and my family, my dedicated staff and everyone in HD 87 for giving me the opportunity to serve and represent this special district in the Texas Panhandle.

"May God bless you and may God bless our great state of Texas!"

Major legislation passed over the years

According to Price's press team, some of the major legislative measures Rep. Price authored and championed into law in prior sessions include:

HB 2464 (88R) providing optional COLAs statewide to certain city retirees including police.

HB 5355 (88R) creating a Municipal Management District for Panhandle area beef processing.

HB 2727 (88R) expanding use of Home Telemonitoring services statewide.

HB 999 (88R) protecting consumers by prohibiting health insurers use of copay accumulators.

HB 2059 (88R) improving efficiencies & expanding Mental Health First Aid training.

HB 2100 (88R) providing student loan assistance for certain mental health professionals.

HJR 107 (88R) constitutional amendment to increase mandatory retirement age for judiciary.

HB 4 (87R) expanding and improving the use oftelemedicine and telehealth in Texas.

HB 2595 (87R) strengthening of mental health parity.

HB 871 (86R) enhancing financial viability of rural hospitals.

HB 1063 and HB 3345 (86R) enhancing the delivery of healthcare services via telemedicine.

HB 2454 (86R) addressing the overprescribing of opioids.

HB 1960 (86R) providing for an analysis of rural broadband opportunities.

HB 1074 (86R) eliminating age discrimination in employer training programs.

HB 18 and HB 19 (86R) enhancing mental health education & resources in public schools.

HB 1079 (86R) requiring TxDOT to study the potential expansion of I-27.

HB 406 (86R) increasing opportunities to register as an organ donor.

HB 1136 (86R) enhancing tourism development opportunities statewide.

HB 601 (86R) improving the nexus between mental health and criminal justice.

HB 13 (85R) providing local opportunities to address mental health needs.

HB 1697 (85R) enhancing neonatal intensive care telemedicine.

HB 10 (85R) improving parity access to care for persons with mental health conditions.

HB 194 (84R) creating a Texas holiday in honor of Texas Gold Star Mothers.

HB 635 (84R) ensuring parent rights to bury their unborn child's remains.

HB 197 (84R) & HB 2895 (85R) raising mental health awareness at colleges/universities.

HB 1212 (84R) and HB 2804 (85R) strengthening laws against synthetic drugs.

HB 1869 (83R) helping injured Texans.

HB 220 (83R) enhancing punishment for crimes against children.

HB 2038 (82R), Natasha's Law, landmark legislation to support student athlete brain health.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Four Price, R-Amarillo, to not run for 8th term in 87th District
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  The U.S. and U.S.-led United Nations Command say they are working to resolve the situation involving a U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea at a border village. The incident involving Pvt. Travis King comes at a time of high tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The pace of both North Korea's weapons demonstrations and U.S.-South Korean military exercises has intensified lately in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Other Americans have crossed into North Korea over the years, including a few U.S. soldiers. Some of the Americans were motivated by evangelical zeal or simply attracted by the mystery of a severely cloistered police state fueled by anti-U.S. hatred.

Other Americans were detained after entering North Korea as tourists. In one tragic case, it ended in death.

Heres a look at other Americans who entered North Korea in the past years:

CHARLES JENKINS

Born in Rich Square, N.C., Charles Jenkins was one of the few Cold War-era U.S. soldiers who fled to North Korea while serving in the South.

Jenkins, then an Army sergeant, deserted his post in 1965 and fled across the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. North Korea treated Jenkins as a propaganda asset, showcasing him in leaflets and films.

In 1980, Jenkins married 21-year-old Hitomi Soga, a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978.

Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002. In 2004, Jenkins was allowed to leave North Korea and rejoin his wife in Japan, where he surrendered to U.S. military authorities and faced charges that he abandoned his unit and defected to North Korea. He was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 25 days in a U.S. military jail in Japan. He died in Japan in 2017.

BRUCE BYRON LOWRANCE

Its clear that North Koreas handling of American detainees is influenced by the state of its relations with Washington.

Bruce Byron Lowrance benefited from cozy diplomacy in 2018 between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who met for a summit in June that year where they issued aspirational goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula without describing when and how it would occur.

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Five months later, North Korea announced it was expelling Lowrance who had entered the country illegally through China in October. North Koreas decision to deport Lowrance after only a month of confinement was remarkably quick by the countrys standards, apparently reflecting an eagerness to keep alive a positive atmosphere for dialogue with the United States.

During the buildup to the Trump-Kim summit in June, North Korea released three American detainees  Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song  who returned to home on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

However, the diplomacy broke down after the second Trump-Kim summit in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

MATTHEW MILLER

In September 2014, then a 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, Matthew Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labor by North Koreas Supreme Court on charges that he illegally entered the country for spying purposes.

The court claimed that Miller tore up his tourist visa upon arriving at Pyongyangs airport in April that year and admitted to a wild ambition of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the countrys human rights conditions.

North Koreas initial announcement about Millers detainment that month came as then-President Barack Obama was traveling in South Korea on a state visit.

Miller was freed in November that same year along with another American, Kenneth Bae, a missionary and tour leader.

Weeks before his release, Miller talked with The Associated Press at a Pyongyang hotel where North Korean officials allowed him to call his family. Miller said he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.

KENNETH BAE

Bae, a Korean-American missionary from Lynnwood, Washington, was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone.

North Korea sentenced Bae to 15 years in prison for hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town. Baes family said he suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes, and heart and liver problems.

Bae returned to the United States in November 2014 following a secret mission by James Clapper, then-U.S. director of national intelligence who also secured Millers release.

JEFFREY FOWLE

A month before Bae's and Millers release, North Korea also freed Jeffrey Fowle, an Ohio municipal worker who was detained for six months for leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin. Fowles release followed negotiations that involved retired diplomat and former Ohio Congressman Tony Hall.

While North Korea officially guarantees freedom of religion, analysts and defectors describe the country as strictly anti-religious. The distribution of Bibles and secret prayer services can mean imprisonment or execution, defectors say.

In 2009, American missionary Robert Park walked into North Korea with a Bible in his hand to draw attention to North Koreas human rights abuses. Park, who was deported from the North in February 2010, has said he was tortured by authorities.

OTTO WARMBIER

Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student, died in June 2017, shortly after he was flown home in a coma after 17 months in North Korean captivity.

Warmbier was seized by North Korean authorities from a tour group in January 2016 and convicted on charges of trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

While not providing a clear reason for Warmbiers brain damage, North Korea denied accusations by Warmbiers family that he was tortured and insisted that it had provided him medical care with all sincerity. The North accused the United States of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the biggest victim in his death.

In 2022, a U.S. federal judge in New York ruled that Warmbiers parents  Fred and Cindy Warmbier  should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501 million they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.
With a third indictment of former President Donald Trump now seeming quite likely  this one involving his attempts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election  there are three big questions about the case.

One, what would be the specifics of such an indictment? Two, would an indictment include significant new evidence, or focus on information thats already known? Three, what are the chances that Trump may one day face prison time?

1. The specifics

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On Tuesday, Trump said he received a letter confirming he was a target in the federal investigation into his attempts to stay in power after the 2020 election, including any role in inciting the Jan. 6 attacks. Such a letter is typically a sign of an imminent indictment, Charlie Savage wrote in The New York Times. Any charges will require months to work through the legal system.

On what grounds could Trump be charged? Several possibilities exist: his attempts to obstruct Congress Jan. 6, 2021, proceedings; possible fraud related to fundraising; and efforts to recruit so-called fake electors from states he narrowly lost. (Hours after Trump revealed the letter, Michigan authorities charged 16 people in the fake elector scheme.)

Only a little is known about where prosecutors are focusing, and that information comes from the letter to Trump. It cited statutes that could be applied in a prosecution, including a potential charge of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and a broad charge related to a violation of rights.

2. New information?

Without seeing the evidence, experts are unsure how strong the case against Trump is. In the classified documents inquiry, investigators uncovered new evidence, including photos of documents in a bathroom at Trumps Florida home and Trump suggesting in a recording that he knew he wasnt supposed to have the papers. So far, the public evidence around Trumps attempts to cling to power is less explicit.

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Consider Trumps involvement in the Jan. 6 riots: He made suggestive comments, including earlier that day at a rally in Washington. But none of them were explicit orders for an attack, and he eventually encouraged his supporters who had breached the Capitol to disperse.

Trump is often both all over the place and yet somewhat careful not to cross certain lines, Maggie Haberman, who covers Trump for the Times, has said. At his rally at the Ellipse on Jan. 6, he told people to go peacefully and patriotically but also directed them to the Capitol with apocalyptic language about the election. Frequently, people around him understand the implications of words, even when hes not being direct.

If investigators do have evidence that more directly links Trump to any potential charges, it will be revealed in the coming days or weeks if an indictment is filed and made public.

3. The prison possibility

In addition to this case, Trump already faces state charges in New York of falsifying business records to cover up potential sex scandals before the 2016 election as well as federal charges in the classified documents case. And Trump may face separate state charges in Georgia over his attempts to stay in power; a local prosecutor is expected to announce an indictment decision soon.

Any of these cases could lead to a conviction and possible prison time. Or Trump could beat the charges in court.

There is one other possibility that his advisers have raised: He could win the 2024 election, potentially making it too difficult to imprison him or allowing him to use the powers of the presidency to drop the federal investigations and charges.

When he was indicted in the documents investigation, his advisers were blunt that in their view, he needs to win the election as a defense against possible jail time, Haberman wrote Tuesday. That only increases with an indictment related to Jan. 6 at the federal level.

The circumstances put Trumps presidential campaign in a different light. He is not running, as politicians typically do, solely to push a policy agenda, establish his legacy or gain power. He is running for self-preservation, too.

The U.S. has never confronted this scenario. Experts are divided over whether and how Trump could act as president if he were sentenced to prison. No one knows for certain how Americas political and criminal justice systems would handle that outcome. As Jessica Levinson, an election law expert, told the Times, I dont think that the Framers ever thought we were going to be in this situation.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Travis Dardar, an Indigenous fisherman from Louisiana, is a resident of Cameron Parish, and he says his home is becoming unlivable thanks to nearby gas export facilities, Nexus Media News reports.

Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is a type of fuel that is a vapor at room temperature. Export terminals cool down the gas until it becomes a liquid. Then its placed on barges and shipped out of the country.

The U.S. only started to export LNG in 2016, but is now the worlds biggest provider of this fuel, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

To achieve this, companies build facilities right on the coast  like Commonwealth LNG, which plans to move into the area. Commonwealth LNG intends to fill in a marsh to build its site  one that the National Marine Fisheries Service says is an essential habitat for young fish in the area.

Just the one they built already is too much and too close, Dardar told Nexus Media News. There will be no living here.

LNG terminals are also a threat to residents health. The facilities release large amounts of air pollution, including methane, which recent studies link to heart and breathing problems.

I dont see them putting one in by Marthas Vineyard, John Allaire, a local with 40 years of experience in the gas and oil industry as an environmental engineer, told Nexus. Its absolutely a sacrifice zone.

Besides destroying the local fishing industry and causing health issues, the Environmental Integrity Project says LNG terminals could release as much as 90 million tons of heat-trapping gases each year, equivalent to that of 18 million cars.

A large portion of this comes from burning escaping gas. For example, Cameron Parish residents have witnessed frequent episodes of flaring, when the LNG terminals set fire to gas that has leaked or been released to relieve pressure. Its supposed to be an emergency measure, but Nexus reports months of flaring and multiple leaks in 2022.

On top of these concerns, the LNG facilities are in a zone ravaged by hurricanes. Storm damage to the facilities could cause disastrous leaks or fires.

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James Hiatt, a coordinator for the environmental organization Louisiana Bucket Brigade, told Nexus hes particularly concerned following the devastating hurricane seasons of 2020 and 2021.

How can they build these things directly on the coast when the residents who are there cant even get home insurance? he asked.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
By Rachel Nostrant

(Reuters) - A ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children is due to take effect in Louisiana on Jan. 1, after the state legislature overrode Governor John Bel Edwards' veto of the bill, according to state officials.

The legislature, which acted late on Tuesday, becomes the latest Republican-led state to ban trans-focused healthcare.

Louisiana's House Bill 648 - called the "Stop Harming Our Kids Act" - bans hormone treatments and puberty-blocking drugs, gender-affirming surgeries and other related care for anyone under the age of 18.

Twenty other states have passed similar measures, most of them this year.

The House voted 75 to 23 in favor of overriding the Democratic governor's veto, while the Senate voted 28 to 11 to override.

"Today, I was overridden for the second time, on my veto of a bill that needlessly harms a very small population of vulnerable children, their families, and their health care professionals," Edwards said in a statement.

In the previous override, involving a redistricting of the state's congressional map, a court later sided with him, said Edwards, governor since 2016.

Edwards said he expects the court will throw out this "unconstitutional bill as well."

Gabe Firment, the Republican representative who authored the bill, said Louisiana was simply following the lead of every single southern state" that had passed similar legislation.

"We cannot allow Louisiana to become a sanctuary state for the sterilization of innocent children," he said in a statement before the override vote.

Judges in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee have all found that such bans infringe on the right to equal protection under the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Judges have said laws banning such care violate a parent's right to make healthcare decisions on behalf of their children.

Lawsuits challenging such laws in Montana and Georgia have yet to be ruled on, with a third in Oklahoma set aside until the case can be heard in court.

Another bill that would have banned discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity at public schools, and one that sought to stop students from using preferred names and pronouns also were up for votes in the Louisiana House for an override. Neither secured enough votes to get off the House floor.

(Reporting by Rachel Nostrant; Editing by Howard Goller)
Louisianas Republican-majority House voted Tuesday to override the Democrat governors veto on a bill that bans sex reassignment surgeries and treatments for minors.

The state House of Representatives voted, 75-23, to override Gov. John Bel Edwards veto and reinstate House Bill 648, or the Stop Harming Our Kids Act, which would prohibit doctors in Louisiana from performing gender-reassignment surgeries and prescribing or administering hormones and puberty blockers to minors.

The override needs at least 26 votes in the state Senate to pass.

Left, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards; right, a girl holds a sign among anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrators outside a Glendale Unified School District Board of Education meeting on June 20, 2023, in Glendale, California.

Republican state Rep. Gabe Firment, who sponsored the bill, previously described the bill to Fox News Digital as "veto-proof" due to GOP majorities in both chambers.

TRANSGENDER BIDEN OFFICIAL RACHEL LEVINE SAYS HORMONES CAN HELP KIDS GOING THROUGH THE WRONG PUBERTY

"Thanks to the bi-partisan support of the Louisiana State Senate, we are one step closer to protecting children in Louisiana from experimental chemical and surgical sex change procedures. HB648 has passed both chambers of the state legislature with veto-proof majorities, and the people of Louisiana have made it clear that our children are worth fighting for," Firment said in a statement.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Edwards vetoed the bill on June 29, writing in his veto message that the bill tramples on "parental rights" and "denies healthcare to a very small, unique, and vulnerable group of children."

Edwards said sex-change surgeries on minors are not occurring in his state and that the bill is being fueled not by evidence of a growing problem but by "propaganda and misinformation generated by national interest groups."

FEMALE RECRUIT CONSIDERED RESIGNING AFTER BEING FORCED TO SHOWER WITH TRANS WOMEN WITH FULL MALE GENITALIA

Proponents for the veto applauded Edward's failed veto, saying that minors will "be safer now" in the Pelican State.

"Vulnerable children will be safer now in Louisiana," Mark Trammell, executive director of the Center for American Liberty, told Fox News Digital. "Governor Edwardss failed veto shows that he cares more about appeasing special interest groups than protecting children from medical procedures and drugs that physically mutilate and sterilize."

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"The Louisiana legislature did the right thing here and the Center for American Liberty applauds its efforts," Trammell said.

The governor also handed down vetoes on HB 81, which would require educators to use students pronouns associated with their sex at birth, and HB 466, which would ban discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in K-12 classrooms.

The House failed on a 67-29 vote to override Edwards veto of HB 81 Tuesday, The Advocate newspaper reported.
Northern Pacific Airways had to cancel its second-ever scheduled flight. Bryan Giardinelli/Northern Pacific Airways

Northern Pacific Airways launched its first revenue flight between California and Las Vegas on Friday.

Despite a successful outbound, the airline had to cancel the return due to a "minor maintenance issue."

NPA was initially created to offer low fares between the US and Asia, but its plans have faced unexpected hurdles.

Startup airline Northern Pacific Airways is struggling to take off  both figuratively and literally.

On Friday, the new discount carrier finally launched its first-ever revenue flight between Ontario, California, and Las Vegas, officially entering the US market  albeit over a month late after delaying the inaugural initially scheduled for June 2.

And, it has already faced another hiccup. After the first flight, passengers going back to California on the weekly route Sunday were left without a plane after Northern Pacific canceled the return leg due to a "minor mechanic issue" on its 28-year-old Boeing 757-200, the carrier confirmed to Insider on Tuesday.

Because it is the only active plane in the fleet, the carrier explained that all passengers were either refunded or accommodated on another airline. It noted the struggles of being a startup carrier but apologized for the inconvenience and said normal operations will continue this weekend.

"We were so happy with the positive reaction we received on the outbound flight and that the airline was the most tracked flight in the world on FlightRadar24 during this mission," a Northern Pacific spokesperson told Insider.

Northern Pacific Airways' economy cabin. The carrier also has first class. Brady MacDonald/Insider

Northern Pacific hasn't had great luck since its inception.

The airline was born in May 2021 with the goal of being a transpacific carrier flying from places like Orlando and New York City to cities in Asia with a stopover at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska.

The strategy is similar to Icelandair's network between the US and Europe via Reykjavik, and Northern Pacific says its one-stop routes can save customers up to 20% on airfare.

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However, sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine scorched the airline's plan as it could no longer fly over Russia. The Cold War-era problem effectively put flights to Tokyo and Seoul on hold because it added another layer to certification that Northern Pacific didn't initially plan for.

Because the Russian airspace closure will force the airline's 757s to cross water instead of land, the airline had to get a special aircraft rating known as ETOPS. This certifies the twin-engine plane can safely fly over large bodies of water for hours on one engine before needing to land.

ETOPS is required when crossing oceans like the Pacific as there are very few diversion airports easily accessible in the case of an emergency.

However, regulators required Northern Pacific to start flying before it could apply for ETOPS  igniting a mad dash for its operating certificate and a new first route.

The carrier ping-ponged around the US with different network ideas before landing on the heavily-trafficked corridor between Southern California and Las Vegas. Other possibilities included California to Mexico and the US commonwealth island Saipan to Australia and the Philippines.

On July 9, Northern Pacific got the official green light to launch flights, with CEO Rob McKinney sharing the news on Twitter.

Despite the turbulent first two years of business and a shaky inaugural, Northern Pacific is still planning to eventually fly to Asia. But, in the meantime, it will continue domestic service and dabble in charter flights, which start at $14,000 per hour.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A majority of Americans believe that climate change will have a significant negative effect on the globe during their lifetime, according to a new poll.

The new Quinnipiac poll found that 55 percent of Americans are expecting a significant negative effect from climate change, while 41 percent are not. Two-thirds of respondents said they are concerned about climate change, including 42 percent saying they are very concerned and 25 percent saying they are somewhat concerned.

The poll also noted that about one-third say they are not so concerned or not at all concerned about climate change.

Searing heat, devastating flooding, choking smoke. Americans are enduring a summer of weather-related calamities, with no age group more concerned than the youngest Americans, Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said.

Six in ten Americans said they believe climate change is related to extreme weather events in the U.S. over the past several years, but 34 percent said they are unrelated. Just over half of respondents said they are not worried that they or a family member may be affected by an extreme weather event while 46 percent of respondents said they are worried.

This new poll comes as a large portion of the U.S. has faced severe weather in summer 2023, including a weeks-long heatwave, fatal flash flooding and dangerous storms.

The poll was conducted among 2,056 adults from July 13 to 17 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Most Americans don't worry about malaria. The disease has largely been a thing of the past in the United States for two decades.

That's why reports of several new cases of the mosquito-borne illness in two separate outbreaks in Florida and Texas has garnered recent headlines. This week, the Gulf Coast county of Sarasota, Florida, reported another unusual, locally transmitted case of the disease.

While malaria drugs and current vaccines are becoming less effective over time, experts say the disease is unlikely to make a comeback in the U.S. The nation's public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was founded in the fight against against the illness in Southern states, and the surveillance system it set in place continues to be an effective defense, they say.

But more travel and hotter temperatures could make malaria hotspots more frequent, experts say.

We shouldnt be surprised that were going to have sporadic outbreaks again, said Dr. Thom Eisele, professor and director of the Center for Applied Malaria Research and Evaluation at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropic Medicine. The ingredients are here for transmission to happen, but we have a lot of safeguards.

Malaria in the US

Malaria is one of humanity's oldest diseases, and it's no stranger to the United States.

The mosquito-borne disease was one of the countrys leading causes of death in the 19th century, causing more than 45 out of every 1,000 deaths in 1850, according to Census Bureau data. Malaria devastated troops during the Civil War, causing more than a million cases and 10,000 deaths, and wreaked havoc in the South where the parasite was common.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes life-threatening disease caused by the bite of an infected female mosquito from the genus Anopheles, causing symptoms like chills, fever, headache, nausea, body aches and diarrhea. These symptoms typically occur seven to 30 days after people are infected with the parasite.

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However, if the infection is untreated, more severe symptoms may appear, including mental confusion, difficulty breathing, convulsions, abnormal bleeding and more, which can lead to death.

In 1942, the U.S. established the Office of Malaria Control in War Areas (MCWA) in Atlanta to limit the spread of malaria by focusing on public health measures that controlled mosquitoes transmitting the disease.

State and local health agencies from 13 Southern states began using the insecticide DDT in counties where malaria was reported, spraying millions of homes and using aircrafts for large areas. They also drained wet areas where mosquitos thrive and breed.

By 1949, malaria was declared to be no longer a significant public health threat, and the MCWA transitioned into a surveillance role, becoming today's CDC.

Malaria cases in the US are on the rise: Your visual guide to symptoms and prevention

The public health campaign was successful in eliminating transmission within the country, but sporadic cases brought in by infected travelers from other countries still occurred. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 2,000 cases of travel-related malaria were diagnosed in the country each year, according to the CDC.

Elimination in the United States means theres no longer ongoing local transmission for a certain time, said Dr. Shauna Gunaratne, an expert in tropical medicine and assistant professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. In the cases that weve subsequently seen, the vast majority are imported cases where theyre acquired overseas and diagnosed in the United States.

Domestic transmission can still occur, however, if a mosquito in the U.S. bites a person infected elsewhere and transmits the parasite. Experts say this is what likely happened recently in the U.S., and the disease spread locally.

Do mosquitoes in the US carry malaria?

Most mosquitoes dont carry the parasite that causes malaria  only an infected female mosquito from the genus Anopheles can transmit the disease.

These mosquitoes can be found throughout the United States. They typically prefer to feed on people or animals late in the evening or at night, according to the CDC.

Theyre attracted to dark and sheltered areas and typically feed there, Eisele said. That feeding preferences makes it harder for female Anopheles mosquitoes to transmit malaria in the United States, but the species of parasite found in Florida and Texas can lay dormant in a person's liver for weeks, months, or even years.

Mosquito bites: Why they itch and why mosquitos bite some people more than others

This species of parasite, called Plasmodium vivax, also causes less severe symptoms compared to other common varieties, which means people may be less likely to go to the hospital and receive treatment, said David Fidock, professor of microbiology, immunology and medical sciences at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

People could be walking around with infections in their liver without knowing, he said. There could be many more undiagnosed individuals who have fever and chills and think they have some bacterial or viral infection and dont realize its malaria."

The CDC recommends using "mosquito avoidance measures" when going outside, including:

Using EPA-approved mosquito repellent on skin and clothes.

Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, especially at night.

Staying in well-screened areas.

Sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net when camping.

When traveling out of the country, people should consult their doctor about vaccines and medicines that can be taken to prevent diseases.

Is there a malaria vaccine? Is malaria easily curable?

Malaria is treatable and certain medications can be taken to prevent infection before traveling to a country where the disease is prevalent.

But like other pathogens, the CDC says certain strains are becoming resistant to the first line of defense drugs  chloroquine  and other common antimalarial drugs.

There are effective medicines, but theres also a big issue in the world with regards to the drug resistant forms of malaria, Fidock said. Certain parasites have "acquired resistance to nearly all malaria drugs.

Researchers have spent decades developing vaccines for malaria, however, only recently has one been approved.

The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine by GSK, formerly known as GlaxoKlineSmith, is the first vaccine to help protect children against malaria. Formally recommended by the World Health Organization in 2021, the vaccine is typically used in areas of the world where malaria is more common.

But the vaccine is not ideal as it offer less than 40% of protection and requires three doses, said Nirbhay Kumar, professor of global health at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

Other malaria vaccines are in the works, but the parasite is notorious for evading immunity.

They have a very complex life cycle and because of this its been very difficult to nail down the parasite by developing effective vaccines, Kumar said.

What should Americans expect in the future

The handful of cases in Florida and Texas arent cause for widespread concern, experts say. But local cases of malaria are likely to stick around.

Cases are likely to become more frequent as travel increases and climate change makes certain areas of the country more hospitable to mosquitoes carrying the disease, Gunaratne said.

I do not think malaria is going to gain a foothold, she said. However, we are anticipating a lot of travel this upcoming summer, and the CDC is advising people and health care providers to be vigilant about the possibility of more imported malaria cases.

Experts say the recent cases have put a needed spotlight on malaria, as more than 600,000 people worldwide continue to die each year from the disease, according to the World Health Organization.

The U.S. cant be rid malaria if its still thriving in other parts of the world, Eisele said.

The front line of malaria is in Sub-Saharan Africa and other endemic countries  thats where our investments need to be put, he said. Its about combating malaria where it is locally and having good surveillance systems in the U.S.

Contributing: Carlie Procell and Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY. 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: Malaria in the US: Should Americans be worried about rising cases?
An arrest has been made two months after the death of a 43-year-old father badly beaten outside his home in May, police in Maryland said.

Christopher Michael Wright, of Brooklyn, a Baltimore neighborhood, died of his injuries after a group showed up at his home on May 19 looking for his son, who was involved in a fight at Brooklyn Park Middle School earlier that day, according to authorities and WBAL-TV.

Chris came out to tell them, like, hes not coming out here to fight, and they threatened at one point to come in and get him, and then they said, If hes not going to fight, then youre going to fight, Wrights fiancee, Tracy Karopchinsky, told WBAL-TV in May.

Now, Trevor Garrett Taylor, 26, of Brooklyn, has been arrested on several charges, including manslaughter and second-degree assault, in connection with Wrights death, the Anne Arundel County Police Department announced in a July 19 news release.

On May 19, Taylors nephew fought with Wrights son at school before Taylor, two other boys and an adult arrived at Wrights home in a confrontation that proved deadly, according to charging documents, TV station WBFF reported.

Taylor wanted his nephew and Wrights son to continue fighting, according to The Baltimore Banner.

Ultimately, Wright punched Taylor, who ended up punching him back, according to the outlet. Then, Taylor is accused of grabbing Wrights legs, resulting in the father falling and hitting his head on the ground as Taylor continued to beat him, the outlet reported.

He sustained a severe traumatic brain injury while defending his son, according to a GoFundMe created for the family on behalf of Karopchinsky.

On May 20, Wright died at a hospital due to his injuries, police said.

Karopchinsky and Wright had three sons together, according to The Baltimore Banner.

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A man who scammed more than $100,000 from a Midlands company and used the stolen money to buy himself lavish gifts was arrested, the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office said Tuesday.

Tony Lloyd II, a 42-year-old Pelion resident, was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent (over $10,000), the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Lloyd was the general manager at Tec Equipment Rental, according to an arrest warrant. Thats a company that deals with heavy-duty products  ranging from construction equipment to tractors and riding lawnmowers to power tools and more, according to its website. Its located at 163 Citadel Road in Orangeburg, near Exit 145 on Interstate 26.

On July 13, deputies were informed about a discrepancy in the companys finances, according to the release.

The investigation uncovered that Lloyd used $129,165 of company money to make personal purchases, the sheriffs office said. The purchases included a boat, two SUVs, and a large metal building that cost more than $45,000, according to the release.

The fraud happened between May 31, 2022 and May 13, 2023, according to an arrest warrant.

This individual would make a fake purchase invoice for items, then use that money (via company checks) to buy expensive items for himself, Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said in the release. His shopping spree has been put to an end.

Lloyd was arrested Monday and posted a $15,000 cash bond Tuesday, Orangeburg County court records show.

If convicted on the felony breach of trust with fraudulent intent charge, Lloyd faces a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison, according to South Carolina law.

Hes scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 11, and the sheriff said Lloyd could face more charges related to the scheme.

Lloyd has been arrested more than a dozen times on traffic violation charges in both Orangeburg and Lexington counties, court records show.
A man who shot and killed another man at the Val U Stay Inn and Suites in December 2020 is set to be sentenced after recently pleading guilty to murder charges.

Mohamed Henry, 48, is scheduled to be sentenced for the murder of 37-year-old David Robert Scott Tilley. He pleaded guilty on July 10 to one count of second-degree murder in a plea agreement signed by 10th Judicial District Attorney Jeff Chostner. Henry was originally charged with first-degree murder.

In exchange for his plea of guilty, Henry will receive a sentence of between 25 and 44 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, and five years of mandatory parole upon release. He also will be ordered to pay restitution to the family of the victim.

According to an affidavit authored by Pueblo police, officers were called to the Val U Stay Inn and Suites on North Hudson Ave. on Dec. 16, where they found Tilley had been shot in the back, the bullet exiting his chest.

A witness at the scene told police he saw Tilley exit the passenger seat of his vehicle in the parking lot and walk away from the vehicle. He stated he heard an unknown man yell something before hearing a loud pop. He said he then saw Tilley fall before an unknown assailant, later identified as Henry, kicked him in the head.

As the assailant walked back toward the building, the witness saw him wearing a black "COVID-style" mask, black stocking cap, black shirt, and pants, according to the affidavit.

Another witness told police that the man who shot Tilley was Henry, who went by the alias "New York," and that New York was in possession of a 9mm handgun.

The hotel manager said she had been informed by two separate clients who did not wish to be identified that Henry had killed Tilley. The manager stated that the two had a public and ongoing feud that was common knowledge at the motel.

According to the affidavit, surveillance footage obtained by police showed Henry exit the building prior to the shooting wearing clothing matching that of the witnesses' description of the shooter. After the shooting, he was seen on camera reentering the building before leaving shortly after.

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Henry was later picked up by police at a nearby gas station.

A person familiar with both Henry and Tilley told police she knew they had a preexisting feud.

The witness stated that several days before the shooting, Tilley was at her apartment and made threats to kill Henry. She also said she'd heard Henry threaten to kill Tilley and told police both men owned handguns.

Security footage showed Henry walking out of the front of the motel after the shooting with a blue backpack and orange handle. The backpack, which Henry did not have with him when taken into custody, was later recovered.

The backpack contained a Hi-Point 9mm Luger handgun, along with a magazine and ammo, which matched a spent shell casing found on scene, according to the affidavit.

Henry is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1 in the court of Judge Thomas Flesher.

More on the public safety beat: Man accused of four murders in two counties pleads guilty to Pueblo homicides

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: Man pleads guilty to murder in December 2020 homicide in Pueblo
A man is facing at least 15 years in prison over sex trafficking a 13-year-old he met on Facebook, federal prosecutors said.

Carlos Casillas, 51, of Springfield, Massachusetts, began messaging the girl on the social media platform as she was living in a group home, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Casillas picked her up from the group home  while she was in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families  and took her to a motel, prosecutors said.

By September 2021, federal authorities were investigating him for sex trafficking, according to officials.

In the cases latest development, a jury found Casillas guilty of sex trafficking a child under 14 years old, the attorneys office announced in a July 17 news release.

The charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.

McClatchy News contacted a federal public defender representing Casillas for comment on July 19 and didnt receive an immediate response.

Carlos Casillas preyed on a vulnerable 13-year-old girl in state custody, U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a statement. His conduct was beyond horrific and now he will face the lengthy sentence of incarceration the law requires for sex trafficking of a minor.

McClatchy News contacted the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families for comment on July 19 and was awaiting a response.

Since Casillas was convicted, he must forfeit all property he used in connection with the crime of sex trafficking a child, according to a superseding indictment.

This includes five cell phones, two tablets, two cameras, sim cards and more, the superseding indictment shows.

Casillas sentencing hearing hadnt been scheduledas of July 17, prosecutors said.

What to know about sex trafficking

The attorneys office is urging the public to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov if they know of a child being sex trafficked, according to the release. The office also advises visiting the Polaris Projects website for information and resources regarding commercial sex trafficking.

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In 2021, more than 17,200 reports of child sex trafficking in the U.S., including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, were received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a nonprofit organization established by Congress.

Out of 25,000 children reported missing to the organization that year, 1 in 6 were likely sex trafficking victims, according to the NCMEC.

Whats more: 19% of children who were reported missing in 2020 after running away from social care services were likely victims of sex trafficking, the NCMEC says.

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Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette acknowledged Tuesday that the primary suspect in the July 11 fatal stabbing of a well-known community activist "may not be" in the United States.

Scarlette said resources are being used "locally, federally and internationally" to pursue Gabriel Calixto-Pichardo, 25.

Calixto-Pichardo is wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery in the fatal stabbing of Emma Shafer, 24, at her South Eighth Street apartment.

There have been indications, Scarlette told The State Journal-Register, that Calixto-Pichardo, a Mexican national, "was still within the U.S. and there (are) also indications that he may not be."

Emma Shafer is remembered in sidewalk chalk in the 200 block of South Fifth Street in downtown Springfield. Shafer, a popular community activist, was fatally stabbed in her Springfield apartment on July 11.

When asked if Scarlette was referring to Mexico as a place Calixto-Pichardo may be, he said, "Yes, that's correct."

A Wanted Poster put out by the U.S. Marshals Service indicated that Calixto-Pichardo had fled the area prior to SPD discovering Shafer.

Shafer's death has shocked the Springfield community where she grew up and returned to after attending the prestigious New School in New York City where she studied urban planning.

About 500 people attended a memorial vigil for Shafer, a former community and digital organizer for the Faith Coalition for the Common Good, on the Old State Capitol Plaza Sunday evening.

Shafer was instrumental in putting together a number of forums sponsored by the Faith Coalition in the spring featuring mayoral, aldermanic and school board candidates in the weeks before the April 4 election.

More: As police hunt suspected killer, Shafer remembered as 'magnetic force of love'

Shafer was involved in a number of environmental movements, including opposition to the Navigator CO2 pipeline planned to cross through Sangamon County. She was the membership chair of the Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group and an incoming board member for the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN).

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A July 12 release from SPD stated that Sangamon County Dispatch had received a call from a female in Bethalto indicating that "her brother (Calixto-Pichardo) had possibly injured his girlfriend who resides in Springfield."

Scarlette believed there was "a series of phone calls made that ultimately led to an individual contacting the police.

Scarlette said to his knowledge, Calixto-Pichardo was residing at Shafer's residence.

As with other major cases, Scarlette said the department has enlisted the resources of the U.S. Marshals to locate and apprehend Calixto-Pichardo.

Scarlette didn't give a specific number of SPD officers who have been working on the case but said "pretty much every division" has been involved, including officers from criminal investigations, field operations and administrative services.

Calixto-Pichardo, a former Bethalto resident, pleaded guilty to kidnapping in a 2018 Madison County case involving a former girlfriend. He was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The kidnapping conviction was vacated because Calixto-Pichardo wasn't informed of the immigration consequences of pleading guilty to the kidnapping charge. Calixto-Pichardo was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of unlawful restraint, was resentenced to time served and was released Oct. 30, 2020.

Emma Shafer

According to court records, Calixto-Pichardo complied with all the conditions of his mandatory supervised release and maintained employment.

On May 4, 2021, he was arrested on a federal charge of improper entry, but that charge was dismissed.

During that holding, Calixto-Pichardo sought an application for asylum and protection under the Convention Against Torture, based on his fear of harm in Mexico on account of his severe mental illness. Those records referenced his struggles with mental health issues, an attempted suicide and diagnosis of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

Federal records show Calixto-Pichardo was brought to the U.S. at age 5 by his mother who was fleeing abuse. He was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ("DACA") status at age 15, but it expired in May 2019.

Scarlette said his family members in the U.S. have been cooperative with authorities, though he said the case likely will involve "many more weeks of investigative follow-up."

Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette

"As a father of two daughters myself," Scarlette added, "I feel that we have a responsibility to (Emma Shafer's) family members to give this particular case absolutely every ounce of energy we can to bring it to fruition and bring this individual to justice and we have assured the family that that's what we're going to do."

Shafer's funeral service is at First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St., at 11 a.m. preceded by a visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. The service at www.StaabObituary.com.

The Emma Shafer Peace and Justice Fund through the Community Foundation of the Land of Lincoln.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Suspect in Emma Shafer stabbing in Springfield still at large
A man recently found a treasure trove of gold coins in a Kentucky cornfield. Certified Collectibles Group; Brian Koellish/Getty Images

An unidentified man found a treasure trove of gold coins in a Kentucky cornfield.

The coins, which were minted before or during the Civil War, could be worth more than $1 million.

Urban legends have circulated for years about treasure buried before and during the Civil War.

An unidentified man recently found a treasure trove of more than 700 gold coins  believed to be worth more than $1 million  in a Kentucky cornfield.

The Numismatic Guaranty Company said that Southerners might have buried the coins before and during the Civil War to protect them from invading armies  a long-held belief by treasure hunters.

The finding, which is now being referred to as the Great Kentucky Hoard, includes genuine $1, $10, and $20 gold coins minted before and during the Civil War.

Urban legends have circulated for years about treasure buried before and during the Civil War

Live Science reported that Ryan McNutt, a conflict archaeologist at Georgia Southern University, said the coins might have been buried before a Confederate raid carried out by Gen. John Hunt Morgan in the summer of 1863.

At the time, Kentucky was declared a neutral state. It is thought that citizens were wary of their funds being stolen by the Confederacy, which led some to believe they may have buried their wealth in the ground for safekeeping.

Since the 19th century, treasure hunters have sought to unearth the gold they believe was hidden during the Civil War. The Times shared archival reports describing how people unearthed gold in Georgia in 1884 and in Alabama and Tennessee in 1926.

Dennis Parada, right, and his son stand at the site of the FBI's dig for civil war-era gold in Dents Run, Pennsylvania, in September 2018 AP Photo/Michael Rubinkam

In 2018 a US treasure hunter, Dennis Parada, accused the FBI of covering up a discovery of Civil War-era gold in Pennsylvania. According to The New York Times, the FBI was investigating a rural area of Pennsylvania, where "a trove of lost Civil War gold" was rumored to have been located.

The search took place in Dents Run, Pennsylvania, where local lore claimed that an 1863 shipment of Union gold disappeared on its way to the US Mint office in Philadelphia  a legend that Wells Fargo historians contacted by the FBI said they could not confirm or deny because some records from that period in history may be missing, according to the Associated Press.

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The FBI asserted that the 2018 dig came up empty, leading the rumors of buried Civil War gold to remain just that: rumors. A court-ordered release of government photos, videos, maps, and other documents related to the dig appeared to confirm the FBI's claim that nothing was found in Dents Run, but treasure hunters like Parada remained skeptical.

"I think we were expecting a couple hundred photos of the night dig, and I think we were expecting pictures of metal coins or bars," Parada told the AP. "I think there were pictures, but they disappeared."

The FBI denied any excavation took place at night, and said that the site was secured "around the clock," the AP reported.

The Kentucky coins have already sold, and the entire collection could rake in more than $1 million

A coin from the Great Kentucky Hoard. Courtesy of Certified Collectibles Group

Surprisingly, despite having been buried in the ground for an estimated 160 years, nearly all of the coins are in mint condition. A single gold dollar from the collection was valued at roughly $1,000.

The collection includes a gold Liberty double-eagles coin from 1863 that could be worth up to $381,875 at auction, according to Professional Coin Grading Services.

The total value of the hoard is unknown, but the Times estimates it could be worth upward of $1 million given the number of high-value coins found.

The exact location where the coins were found, as well as who found them, has not been shared publicly. But a video shows the moment when the unidentified man made the historic discovery.

In a short clip posted to YouTube by GovMint, the coin dealer charged with selling the coins, a man could be heard identifying how many coins he had dug up, calling it "the most insane thing ever."

"This is what every treasure hunter dreams about," one commenter wrote, "and this man lives it."

Correction: July 21, 2023  An earlier version of this article misattributed information to The New York Times. It has since been updated.

Read the original article on Insider
Lawmakers from both parties are calling on the Supreme Court to intervene over the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would stretch from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia, but it has faced legal opposition from environmentalists.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Republican Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.) have filed amicus briefs with the Supreme Court in support of the controversial pipeline, which was approved in the debt limit deal earlier this year.

Last week, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., granted a stay on construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a natural gas project championed by Manchin. The deal to raise the debt ceiling in June included a provision approving the pipeline and transferring jurisdiction over the matter to a Washington, D.C., appeals court.

In response, the company behind the pipeline filed an emergency request Monday asking Chief Justice John Roberts to intervene, citing the provision in the debt deal. Roberts has the option of either deciding on the matter himself or putting it to the court for a full vote.

Manchin filed the brief in support of the request Tuesday, while Reschenthaler filed his own Wednesday.

Its a shame when members of Congress have to ask the Supreme Court to intervene to maintain the credibility of the laws that we have passed and the President has signed, but I am confident that the Court will uphold our laws and allow construction of [the Mountain Valley Pipeline] to resume, Manchin said in a statement.

Reschenthaler added in his own statement Wednesday that [t]he Fourth Circuit judges are not supreme rulers and lawful orders issued by the legislative and executive branches must be followed. Congress was well within its power to restart the Mountain Valley Pipeline construction and usher in a new era of energy independence for the region.

Instead of halting the pipeline, I urge the Supreme Court to plug up the ludicrous activism seeping out of the lower court so American families can enjoy lower energy costs, substantial land royalties, and most importantly  law and order in America, he added.

The Richmond court ordered the halt to construction on a portion of the pipeline after the Wilderness Society sued over the provision that removed the 4th Circuits jurisdiction.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., speaks during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. | Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., left the possibility of a third-party presidential bid open at an event Monday in New Hampshire with former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.

We need options, Manchin said, arguing the two major political parties had become too extreme.

Billed as a Common Sense Town Hall, the event was held at Saint Anselm College and sponsored by the third-party group No Labels.

Manchin described himself as the most independent Democrat youve ever met, and said he hadnt made a decision about running  Im not here running for president tonight, Im not. Responding to criticism a third-party bid could put former President Donald Trump back in the White House, Manchin said he wouldnt run unless he thought he could win.

Ive never been in any race Ive ever spoiled, Ive been in races to win, and if I get in the race Im going to win, he said.

When asked if Huntsman could be a potential running mate, Manchin said that was getting the cart ahead of the horse. He said independent voters were critical in elections.

Either side cant win without the independent, he said. If they have another option, then theyre in trouble.

Huntsman, who ran for the Republican nomination in 2012, indicated he wasnt interested in running for president again and questioned what it might mean if next years election ended up being a rematch between President Joe Biden and Trump.

If we end up in 2024 with the same set of nominees that we did in 2020, I mean is that insanity? Huntsman said. Is that the definition of insanity or what?

Jon Huntsman Jr., former Utah governor and former U.S. ambassador to Singapore, China and Russia, speaks at Utah Valley University on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at the first China Challenge Summit, hosted by World Trade Center Utah and UVU. | Jay Drowns, Utah Valley University

Related

The progressive group MoveOn and Third Way, a center-left think tank, are hoping to stop a possible No Labels presidential bid next year, according to Politico, which reported officials from the group plan to brief Senate Democratic chiefs of staff about the risks of a third-party candidacy later this month.

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In a June memo, Third Way said No Labels has no hope of winning and would almost certainly serve as a spoiler for Trump.

A June NBC News poll found 44% of U.S. voters said theyre open to an independent or third-party candidate for president next year, including 45% of Democrats and 34% of Republicans.

Related

Little polling has been done on how U.S. voters feel about a matchup between Trump, Biden and Manchin, but FiveThirtyEight found five surveys that showed Trump benefitting in three-way races with either Manchin, Republican and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan or Green Party candidate Cornel West.

No Labels was founded in 2010 and will be on the ballot in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado and Oregon, according to The Associated Press. The group, which does not disclose its donors, hopes to secure ballot access in other states, but in Arizona its received pushback from the Arizona Democratic Party, which filed a complaint last week seeking to require the group to disclose its donors or be suspended as a party in the state.
Joe Biden and Marjorie Taylor Greene

Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who often says bigoted and controversial things when shes in the spotlight, has gone viral because of her support, in a sense, for President Joe Bidens accomplishments in office to date.

Though unlikely meaning to, Greene heaped praise on Biden during a speech at the far-right Turning Point Action Conference in Florida. Her comments were so positive that Bidens 2024 presidential campaign used her words in an ad viewed more than 33 million times by mid-afternoon Wednesday in less than 24 hours of being posted.

In her speech over the weekend, Greene, a staunch Donald Trump supporter, criticized the presidents socialist policies.

According to the congresswoman, Biden was working to expand the New Deal and Great Society policies launched under former Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson. According to Greene, Biden is attempting to complete these projects.

On Tuesday, an ad posted to Bidens Twitter account clipped Greenes words and used them as a sales pitch for his 2024 campaign, along with the statement, I endorse this message.

The video was posted shortly after 6 p.m.; by 10 a.m., it had been viewed more than 26 million times.

 (@)

Joe Biden had the largest public investment in social infrastructure and environmental programs, Green says in the ad over clips of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris smiling and confident. That is actually finishing what FDR started, that LBJ expanded on and Joe Biden is attempting to complete.

Over cheerful music, Greene continues, Programs to address education, medical care, urban problems, rural poverty, transportation, Medicare, Medicaid, labor unions, and he still is working on it.

The video cuts to the Biden/Harris campaign logo.

Reaction to the clever use of the far-right Republicans words was bountiful.

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Gay California Rep. Robert Garcia tweeted, I CANNOT, with three skull and bone emojis.

 (@)

Former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and current MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance wrote on Twitter, Im going to confess. I cant stop watching this. It makes me happy.

 (@)

TJ Ducklo, a Biden campaign political adviser, made an apt comparison.

20m views in less than 12 hours. Wonder how many people watched other campaign content yesterday on CNN at 4pm or on Fox News at 9pm? Im *betting* it was slightly less than 20 million, he wrote.

 (@)

Actor Mark Hammill retweeted the video with the hashtag, #GoDarkBrando[n].
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, ordinarily a strong supporter of Israeli policy, referred to the countrys apartheid wall during an address in the US House of Representatives.

Israel has again been in the headlines in Washington this week after Rep Pramila Jayapal of Washington called Israel a racist state before walking her comments back over the weekend.

The House overwhelmingly voted in favour on Tuesday of a resolution backing Israel that did not name Ms Jayapal but appeared to be crafted in response to her comments.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, meanwhile, is set to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday that several progressive lawmakers have announced they will boycott.

On Tuesday, Ms Greene waded into the fray. In a speech on the importance of borders, Ms Greene quoted from an article that referred to the giant wall Israel has constructed between its territory and the Palestinian West Bank as an apartheid wall.

Walls are very important for most countries, Ms Greene began. Theres many countries with walls. I have one article here that comes from earlier this month that says, talking about 65 countries that have erected fences on their borders, also talking about walls, talking about security fears, widespread refusals to help refugees have fueled a new spate of wall-building around the world.

They include Israels apartheid  apartheid  wall, Indias 2,500-mile fence around Bangladesh, and Moroccos huge sand berm, Ms Greene continued. So many countries around the world agree that walls are important in protecting the people within the country.

It was not immediately clear which article Ms Greene was citing, but if the second-term lawmaker from Georgia chooses to stand by her characterisation of Israels policy towards the Palestinians as apartheid, she will be in good company. Two years ago, Human Rights Watch said Israel is guilty of crimes against humanity in the West Bank and Gaza including apartheid.

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Public opinion in the Democratic Party, meanwhile, has shifted to the point where more Democrats now say their sympathies primarily lie with the Palestinians rather than Israel.

That change in opinion has not, however, been reflected in Congress. Only nine members of the House opposed Tuesdays resolution on support for Israel, all progressives. With just a pair of exceptions, the rest of the Democratic caucus and all voting Republicans supported the resolution.

Mr Herzog, the Israeli president, serves as head of state while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu serves as head of government. Mr Herzog visited President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Bidens campaign is seizing on an unlikely surrogate to help drive his message of an economic comeback that crosses party lines: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Bidens campaign posted a video Tuesday that features the Georgia Republicans own words at a recent conservative conference, outlining how Biden has pursued the largest public investment in social infrastructure and environmental programs, building on past efforts by Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Greenes sarcastic tone is undermined by a cheery soundtrack, as she says Biden is addressing education, medical care, urban problems and urban poverty." Bidens accompanying tweet says: I approve this message.

The Biden campaign says that the video generated 10 million views in just three hours after it was posted and they are using it to drive online fundraising. As of 1 p.m. ET Wednesday, it had been viewed 39 million times on all platforms  the second most for any Biden campaign video since Inauguration Day, behind his re-election announcement video.

Its the most conspicuous example so far of how the Biden team has seized on Greene, whom they view as an avatar for what the president has called the extreme-MAGA wing of the GOP.

Over the last five months, Biden has referenced Greene either directly by name or often simply as the gentlelady from Georgia about a dozen times in public remarks, including a cutting joke at the White House Correspondents Dinner in April. ("If you find yourself disoriented or confused, its either youre drunk or Marjorie Taylor Greene, Biden jabbed.)

Now, the president plans to take this strategy directly to Greenes district with a trip to highlight what he said is a major economic initiative. A South Korean solar panel manufacturer will soon hold an event in Cartersville, Georgia, to mark a $2.5 billion expansion of its existing manufacturing operations in the county, with Biden in attendance. It's a project the president's repeatedly touted in speeches, noting its location in Greene's district, and reflects his campaign's broader eagerness to spotlight a growing trend  how Republicans who opposed his economic agenda are beginning to see its benefits even in their heavily conservative districts.

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Vice President Kamala Harris already traveled to the companys plant in neighboring Dalton in April. She noted then that after the housing market collapse, Dalton lost more jobs per capita than any other American city, but now would see another 2,500 jobs come because of the solar plant.

All across our nation, there are communities like Dalton  communities full of people with incredible ambition and aspiration  who just need an opportunity to show what they can do. President Biden and I are fighting to create that opportunity, she said then.

Greene responded to Bidens new video on Twitter with a fuller video of her remarks. Be honest Joe, she tweeted.

Some Democrats found the White Houses extreme MAGA talking point clunky even as Biden advisers said it was part of a successful midterm strategy. Since then, though, Greene has emerged as a more convenient shorthand as Bidens team is eager to make the case that while the far right is pursuing culture war issues, the president is delivering on campaign promises both on policy and bipartisanship.

Biden advisers were presented with polling data last year that showed Greene had unusually high name recognition nationally for a relatively junior Republican congresswoman. And earlier this year, she emerged as more of a leader within the new House Republican majority, demonstrating an alliance with Speaker Kevin McCarthy and sparring directly with Biden during his State of the Union address, accusing him of being a liar.

A Biden adviser said singling Greene out is more than just for clicks. When the president met privately with historians last year and discussed the growing danger of authoritarianism and anti-democratic forces, he was advised about the importance of calling extreme things out when you see them.

Greene is seen by Biden's top advisers as a good, clear example of how the Republican Party continues to move in a dangerous direction, as when she said earlier this year that had she been a leader of the Jan. 6 insurrection, We would have won.

Andrew Bates, a White House spokesperson, linked Greene to another Republican who has been put in the White Houses crosshairs: Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who has blocked dozens of military promotions over abortion policy.

"Unfortunately, mainstream Republicans in Congress havent yet found the guts to stand up to either member in a real way, even as Marjorie Taylor Greene tries to kill high-paying Bidenomics jobs coming to her district and as Tommy Tuberville blocks critical military promotions, leaving service members and their families in limbo," Bates said. "GOP members should find their voice: Are they with the president and military families and rural economic growth, or will they keep caving to the most radical elements of their party?

The new campaign video was made by Parker Butler, part of the Democratic National Committees digital rapid response team. Butler was hired to work on Bidens 2020 campaign after he, while still an American University student, had been creating his own short viral videos about Biden. He would then produce what the campaign says was its most successful social video of 2020  a similar spot to the Greene video, featuring then-President Donald Trump saying that if he lost to Biden, youll never see me again. Biden quickly followed, saying he approved the message.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON  A pair of career IRS agents told the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday that the Justice Department stifled their investigation into tax crimes by the son of President Joe Biden and pursued weaker charges than they had recommended.

But some Republicans did not want to delve into the whistleblower allegations, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), who used her question time during the hearing to display what appeared to be naked pictures of Hunter Biden obtained from his laptop.

Whats even more troubling to me is that the Department of Justice has brought no charges against Hunter Biden that will vindicate the rights of these women, Greene said, holding up pictures that appeared to show the presidents son making sex tapes with women who Greene claimed were sex workers.

Should we be displaying this, Mr. Chairman? the committees top Democrat, Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), asked committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.), who did not answer.

Naked pictures of Hunter Biden are exactly the sort of sordid material that Comer once said he considered very counter to a credible investigation.

Comer had called the hearing to hear from IRS whistleblowers who have claimed the Justice Department prevented them from taking investigatory steps they thought were warranted to bring charges against the presidents son.

The younger Biden has been open about his addictions to drugs and alcohol spiraling out of control following his brothers death in 2015. He made questionable business deals with foreign nationals that earned him millions and created an appearance of conflict of interest because of his fathers government service. Hes due in court next week on misdemeanor charges relating to his alleged failure to pay tax on income he earned in 2017 and 2018.

The IRS whistleblowers said they recommended he be charged with felonies, but their recommendations were rebuffed by Justice Department officials in an unusual manner. And they said the federal prosecutor overseeing the case, U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a holdover from the Donald Trump administration, told them he couldnt bring charges outside of Delaware. Weiss and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland have insisted Weiss had complete authority to bring charges however he wanted.

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The hearing did not resolve the contradiction between the IRS agents previous allegations and the denials from the Justice Department. In their public testimony, the agents essentially repeated what theyd already told lawmakers in a private deposition.

It appeared to me, based on what I experienced, that the U.S. attorney in Delaware, in our investigation, was constantly hamstrung, limited and marginalized by DOJ officials as well as other U.S. attorneys, IRS special agent Joseph Ziegler told the House Oversight Committee.

The other whistleblower, Gary Shapley, a supervisory agent in the IRS criminal division, said he didnt know if Garland had deliberately lied.

I have never claimed to have evidence that Attorney General Garland knowingly lied to Congress, Shapley said.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said Republicans would move to impeach Garland if the whistleblower testimony proves true. We need to get to the facts, and that includes reconciling these clear disparities, McCarthy said in June.

The allegation that the Justice Department went easy on a member of the presidents family has become a centerpiece of an overarching Republican message that theres a two-tier justice system persecuting Trump and his supporters and protecting the Bidens. The former president has been indicted on federal charges related to retaining classified public documents and he could face additional charges for his efforts to undo the 2020 election.

Democrats suggested the discrepancy between statements from the Justice Department and the whistleblowers reflected their frustration with the common phenomenon of prosecutors not following through on investigators recommendations.

I think you have a tough view on what you think the law should be. this is why we have a prosecutorial system, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said. It turns out, often your recommendations on who should be charged differ from some of the other folks, and thats what happened in this case.

Shapley testified that such disagreements occur in the vast majority of cases but insisted the Hunter Biden case was different from any other hed worked on.

Raskin said it appeared Hunter Biden had not received any favoritism.

The fact that Hunter Biden faced a four-year criminal probe involving dozens of agents and prosecutors from the IRS, the FBI, the U.S. attorneys office in Delaware, Raskin said, demonstrates in my mind at least that he received no special treatment, but arguably tougher treatment than the millions of people who never faced criminal investigation for doing the same thing.
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on Capitol Hill on November 10, 2022. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized President Joe Biden in a recent speech.

She compared Biden's agenda to that of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The Biden campaign ultimately used part of Greene's speech in a campaign ad published Tuesday.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene unexpectedly became the narrator of an official advertisement for President Joe Biden's reelection on Tuesday.

On July 16, Greene spoke to a crowd of activists at the Turning Point Action conference in Florida, where she tried to attack the 46th president, comparing him to former President Lyndon B. Johnson and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

The Biden Administration clearly enjoyed Greene's comments  the White House's official Twitter account mocked Greene later after her speech.

"Caught us. President Biden is working to make life easier for hardworking families," the White House account tweeted.

Days after Greene's attempted attack on Biden, he tweeted out a new campaign advertisement centered around Greene's speech.

"Joe Biden had the largest public investment in social infrastructure and environmental programs that is actually finishing what FDR started, that LBJ expanded on, and Joe Biden is attempting to complete," Greene can be heard saying in the advertisement.

The ad included a snippet from her speech where Greene discussed the initiatives from Johnson's "Great Society."

"Programs to address education, medical care, urban problems, rural poverty, transportation, Medicare, Medicaid, labor unions, and he still is working on it," Greene said in her speech.

Greene has been an outspoken critic of Biden since before he officially became president in 2021, pledging to file articles of impeachment against him before he officially became president. She's since followed through on several occasions, though the House has yet to impeach him.

The Biden campaign is also using Greene's speech to fundraise. The campaign released an ActBlue fundraiser on Wednesday in an attempt to share her speech "far and wide."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mark Finchem lost his bid for Arizona secretary of state in a landslide. Now he wants to challenge the Republican incumbent to oversee Maricopa County elections.

Just when you think its darkest (2022) before the dawn (2024) for the Arizona Republican Party, along comes Mark Finchem, apparently eyeing a run for Maricopa County recorder.

No, seriously.

Finchem  the stop-the-stealer who decried the evils of early voting (never mind that he voted early for years) and sued over last years stolen election for secretary of state (never mind that he lost in a landslide)  is toying with the idea of running for the countys top elections job.

Turns out this Oro Valley champion of election integrity moved to the Valley at least six months ago. Yet until recently, he remained a precinct committeeman in Pima County.

Now, hes contemplating a run to clean up Maricopa Countys voter rolls. To purge outdated records and ferret out fraud, don't you know.

Oh, the irony.

Finchem wants another hand in elections

Finchem has been one of the states loudest and longest leaders in Donald Trumps Stop the Steal brigade, hoping to howl his way into the Secretary of States Office last year so he could oversee elections in one of the countrys key swing states.

In response, Arizona voters elected Democrat Adrian Fontes. In a rout.

Having chalked up his loss to fraud (naturally) and fallen short in his inevitable lawsuit challenging the results (the judge called it groundless), Finchem now appears to be setting his sights on Maricopa Countys top elections post.

He recently requested a packet for the recorders race, raising eyebrows given his longtime residence in Pima County.

But reporter Dillon Rosenblatt, who chases public records and writes about them in his Fourth Estate 48 newsletter, reports that Finchem has lived in a central Phoenix condo since at least January.

He registered to vote at that address on Jan. 20.

The primary could be a disaster for the GOP

Yet I note that he didnt resign as a Republican precinct committeeman in Pima County until last week, nearly six months after moving to Maricopa County.

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Id cry Fraud! but really, sometimes life intervenes and theres no actual master plot to game the system.

The more interesting question is whether Finchem will try to knock off Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, one of the hard rights favorite whipping boys.

Finchem didnt respond to questions about his intentions, but his potential entry into the race should have Democrats high fiving and Republicans moaning.

In Jan. 6 probe: How Arizona played a prominent role

Its doubtful a Democrat could defeat Richer, a conservative Republican who is well regarded among those who deal in facts and evidence.

But Finchem? Theyd relish a run against an election denier who sees conspiracies behind every cactus and enemies all around, even within his own party.

Maybe Richer should run as an indepedent

The problem for Republicans is the same as it ever was ... in 2018, in 2020, in 2022.

Simply put, the hard right candidates they nominate cant win county or statewide elections. Its why Democrats now hold both Senate seats and key statewide posts.

Richer would be hard to beat in November, but first hed have to survive the Republican primary in August.

Youll likely see this same scenario play out in other county races next year as Team MAGA takes aim at Republican incumbents  the ones who actually can win races.

The solution, for Richer and perhaps others, seems clear.

Forget Finchem and the mule he rode in on.

Run as an independent.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mark Finchem could run again? Talk about a gift for Democrats
A man who rushed police at the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, armed with a firearm was sentenced to seven years in prison on Wednesday.

Christopher Alberts was found guilty of nine charges related to his participation in the insurrection in April, including assaulting police officers and carrying a firearm on Capitol grounds.

According to federal prosecutors, Alberts charged Capitol Police officers who were defending the Capitol steps with a wooden pallet. As well as carrying a firearm, Alberts wore metal-plated body armor and carried a gas mask.

Prosecutors also said Alberts urinated on the side of the Capitol Building and threw a bottle at police.

He was arrested on the evening of Jan. 6 after a police officer noticed a handgun in his holster and arrested him as he was attempting to leave. He was one of 55 people arrested on Jan. 6.

Prosecutors asked for a 10=year sentence, saying Alberts showed no remorse.

Since his January 6, 2021 arrest, Alberts has expressed no remorse for his crimes, instead seeking praise for being a hero and protector during his assault on the Capitol while slandering the police officers who valiantly struggled that day to protect it, prosecutors wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Masi Nayyem received a new military rank

Ukrainian military, lawyer and human rights activist, Masi Nayyem, who was born in Afghanistan, has tweeted about his new military rank he received personally from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Valerii Zaluzhnyi on July 18.

Nayyem compared the mood from the meeting with Zaluzhnyi with the mood from the meeting with Charles King of Great Britain.

Read also: Long way to go before victory, says Zaluzhnyi

"For the first time in person, I met the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he wrote.

"The mood is the same as following the personal meeting with the King of Great Britain, and even better. And to not get you to salute twice, you can also congratulate me with a new military rank."

After a severe shrapnel wound to his head in June 2022, Masi Nayyem lost an eye and the ability to smell. However, he has not been demobilized.

Read also: A new social contract for wartime: Five things the Armed Forces expects from business

He entered the ranks of the Ukrainian army in order to repel the Russian full-scale aggression against Ukraine. He also took part in fighting in Donbas in 2015-2016.

On June 21, Masi Nayyem attended a meeting of King Charles III within the Ukrainian delegation before a conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine, which was held in the UK.

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
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced Wednesday that shes endorsing Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig (D) in the New Hampshire governors race.

Joyce has delivered again and again for Manchester  her record of success speaks for itself. I know firsthand the strength and values she brings to the table, and Im so excited to endorse her campaign for Governor of NH. Lets goooo!!! Healey tweeted.

Healey won her gubernatorial election against Republican Geoff Diehl in Massachusetts last November, becoming one of the first two openly lesbian women to win the governors office.

In a statement, Craig said she was grateful to have Healeys support.

Governor Healey is a staunch advocate for women and families and I am grateful for her support in our campaign for Governor of New Hampshire. Governor Healey grew up in New Hampshire and I know she cares deeply about our state, Craig said.

We have a chance to build a new future for New Hampshire and elect a Governor who will support local communities, strengthen public education, build affordable housing and defend reproductive rights. Thats why Im running  to ensure everyone in our state has the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live, she added.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) announced Wednesday he would not be seeking a fifth term after saying last month he was likely not interested in another bid.

Craig is one of two Democrats who have formally announced a bid for the governors mansion. Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington is also running for New Hampshire governor on the Democratic side.

Meanwhile, former state Senate president and former New Hampshire Senate candidate Chuck Morse (R) launched a bid for Sununus seat Wednesday. Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) has suggested she could also be launching a bid soon.

I am grateful to Governor Sununu for his hard work over the past seven years to improve our quality of life and for always fighting for all Granite Staters, she said in a statement.

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Our next Governor must be a tough and tested conservative who will fight to ensure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous, and free. I look forward to announcing some big news in the coming days, she added.

 Updated at 8:16 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A series of explosions roared through a Russian ammunition storage facility in occupied Crimea on Wednesday, forcing thousands of residents of nearby areas to flee and prompting leaders there to redirect traffic away from a local highway.

Footage showed smoke and flames rolling over the site near Stary Krym in Crimeas Kirorvsky district, where blasts were heard for at six hours after the initial explosion. The head of Crimeas parliament said that it could take two days to fully extinguish the blaze, according to Russian state media.

The cause of the blasts has not yet been confirmed. The Russian-backed leader of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said on Telegram that a fire occurred at a military training ground. Askenov said residents of four surrounding villages  more than 2,000 people  were being evacuated.

Smoke and flames billow over a military training ground following an explosion in the Kirovske district, Crimea, on July 19, 2023. - Reuters

The explosions are the latest in a series of recent incidents to roil Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula illegally seized by Russia in 2014. On Monday, Ukraine claimed responsibility for an attack that damaged part of the bridge linking Crimea to Russia, a vital supply line for Moscows invasion and a personal project for President Vladimir Putin.

Kyiv has not commented on Wednesdays explosions at the Crimea training ground. The pro-Russian Grey Zone Telegram channel claimed that a Ukrainian Storm Shadow missile struck the depot, which could not immediately be confirmed, while a rebel Ukrainian group in Crimea called Atesh celebrated the fire but said it was not responsible.

Putins spokesman said he had been briefed on the blasts at the ammunition dump.

One of the most horrible nights

Russia has retaliated against the Ukrainian strike on the bridge by launching a brutal two-day aerial assault on the strategic port city of Odesa in southern Ukraine, damaging key infrastricture and injuring civilians.

The Kremlins barrage overnight included Kalibr, Kh-22 and Oniks cruise missiles, and Iran-made Shahed-136/131 UAVs, the Ukrainian Air Force said, adding that it destroyed 14 cruise missiles and 23 drones.

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CNN journalists in Odesa heard an intense bombardment early Wednesday local time.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed it targeted military and fuel facilities in Odesa with high-precision sea and air-based weapons.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow deliberately leveled strikes at key grain deal infrastructure, after the Kremlin on Monday pulled out of an agreement that allowed grain to be exported by sea from Ukrainian ports otherwise blockaded by Russia.

He said it was the largest attempt by Russia to inflict pain on Odesa since the invasion began in February 2022, adding that about a million tons of food is stored in the ports that were struck on Wednesday.

Everyone is affected by this Russian terror, the Ukrainian leader added.

The Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry said the damage, which hit grain export infrastructure in Odesa and the nearby port of Chornomorsk, would take at least a year to fully restore.

This is a terrorist act not only against Ukraine, but against the whole world. Its food security is once again under threat. Humanity is being held hostage by a terrorist country that is blackmailing the world with hunger, the Ukrainian Agricultural Minister Mykola Solskyi said in a Wednesday statement.

A firefighter works at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, in Odesa, in southern Ukraine, on Wednesday. - Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters

Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov called the bombardment one of the most horrible nights of the war.

We do not recall such a scale of attack since the beginning of a full-scale invasion, he said on Facebook.

There were no casualties reported. But the city was shaken by explosions and several people were wounded by a downed Russian missile, including a nine-year-old boy, officials said.

Further east, two civilians were killed and seven others injured by Ukrainian shelling in parts of separatist-controlled areas of the eastern Donetsk region, according to a Russian-backed official.

Several homes, two schools and a hospital were damaged, the head of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR), Denis Pushilin, said on Telegram.

Ukraines attack on the Crimea bridge dealt a logistical and symbolic blow to Moscows faltering military campaign. The bridge is a critical artery for supplying the peninsula with both its daily needs and supplies for the military, in addition to fuel and goods for civilians.

The $3.7 billion-dollar corridor, which is 12 miles long, is a critical artery for supplying the peninsula with both its daily needs and supplies for the Russian military, in addition to fuel and goods for civilians.

The strike was a joint operation of Ukraines Security Service (SBU) and Ukraines naval forces, an SBU official told CNN. The attack killed a couple and left their daughter injured.

CNNs Yulia Kesaieva, Vasco Cotovio, Josh Pennington and Katharina Krebs contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The criminal investigation into suspected false nomination signatures filed by Sabina Matos' congressional campaign widened Wednesday and her political opponents launched challenges to her place on the September primary ballot.

Newport became the second Rhode Island community  after Jamestown  to refer potentially fraudulent Matos campaign signatures to police, who are now being coordinated by investigators under Attorney General Peter Neronha.

Later in the day two formal challenges, one by renewable-energy investor Donald Carlson's campaign and another from the Rhode Island Working Families Party, were sent to Secretary of State Gregg Amore.

"Preliminary investigation has uncovered demonstrably fraudulent signatures on Matos nomination papers in at least two separate jurisdictions  including instances of signatures of people who have died, people who have moved away and people who deny ever signing these nomination papers," Nicholas Marroletti, Carlson's campaign manager, wrote in a letter to Amore. "No satisfactory explanation has been offered by Sabina Matos or her campaign for these stark irregularities."

The challenge came after the Newport Canvassing Authority on Wednesday morning sent to the Newport police signatures the Matos campaign submitted in the city that its members suspected might not have been signed by eligible Newport voters.

Newport Canvassing Authority board chair Sharon Connor, front left, leads a Canvassing Authority meeting at Newport City Hall on Wednesday.

Newport canvassing officials said questions about signatures 'highly unusual'

Newport Canvassing Authority Chairwoman Sharon Connors told reporters after the meeting, "We had questions about" as many as half of the signatures collected by the campaign on one particular page, something she described as "highly unusual."

"We turned that over to the Police Department," she said.

More: Matos allegedly submits fraudulent signatures, Jamestown officials investigating

Who collected the signatures?

The Newport signatures were collected by Matos campaign supporter Holly Cekala McClaren of Providence, the same person who collected signatures for Matos that the Jamestown Board of Canvassers suspected of being fraudulent.

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McClaren did not answer the doorbell at her Smith Hill three-decker Wednesday afternoon, and an upstairs neighbor told a reporter she was not home.

McClaren was featured in one of Gov. Dan McKee's most memorable reelection campaign ads last year  one that attacked Republican Ashley Kalus for not being "from around here."

Lieutenant Gov. Sabina Matos

"Ashley, that's not Rhode Island," McClaren said in a thick Rhode Island accent in one part of the ad.

McClaren also worked as a field organizer on the ballot referendum last year that authorized Providence to borrow $515 million to help pay pension debts. She was paid $6,300 by the campaign, called the Committee to Save Providence, according to its filings with the state Board of Elections.

The Jamestown board asked the Jamestown Police Department to investigate Matos' signatures on Monday, and and officers there asked Neronha's office for help.

Now that multiple communities and police departments are involved, Neronha's office is "taking the lead," spokesman Brian Hodge confirmed Wednesday.

More: Which CD1 candidates qualified for the ballot? Here's what we know.

At the point the attorney general's office gets involved, "we're investigating potential criminal misconduct." Neronha told The Journal.

Asked if the investigation at that point was focused only on signatures collected by McClaren, he said, "I can't comment on that."

About 30% of Matos' signatures rejected

On Tuesday, WPRI-TV reported that at least three of the people listed on Matos' Newport nomination papers said they had not signed the petition.

Local boards of canvassers across the 1st District certified 729 registered voter signatures for Matos, clearing the 500-signature hurdle to get on the ballot, according to Amore's office.

Of those signatures, 194 signatures were collected by McClaren, according to a Journal review of the papers.

Local election officials also threw out 209 McClaren-collected signatures for various reasons, including her own signature nominating Matos. The reason: McClaren lives in the 2nd Congressional District.

Nearly 500 Matos signatures submitted by campaign workers were rejected by local canvassers, roughly 30% of all the signatures the campaign collected.

The largest number of validated signatures for Matos  433  were collected by her husband, Patrick Ward. He collected another 150 that were rejected. Erlin Rogel, senior adviser to Matos in the lieutenant governor's office, collected 10 signatures for the campaign and all but one was accepted.

On Wednesday morning, Democratic primary rival Gabe Amo called for a full state investigation of what he described as "instances of election fraud."

"It is disheartening to think that the signatures of both dead and living Rhode Islanders have been forged on her papers in at least two of the 19 municipalities in the 1st Congressional District," Amo said. There has been no accountability from the Lt. Governor. It is shocking and disturbing that the Lt. Governor has not held a press conference to take questions directly from the press nor spoken directly to Rhode Islanders."

The Matos campaign has not answered questions about how it collected signatures and what could have led to so many signatures being rejected or suspected of being fraudulent.

"While it is clear we have submitted more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, I am deeply troubled by what has been reported in the news," Matos campaign manager Brexton Isaacs said in a statement Wednesday that echoed the campaign's response on Monday.

Ballot order lottery Wednesday night

The secretary of state's office held a lottery at 5 p.m. Wednesday to decide the order each of the 12 Democrats and two Republicans who qualified to be placed on the ballot.

And on Friday afternoon, the Board of Elections is scheduled to meet to take up any challenges to nomination signatures.

Even after the lottery, there is a period when Amore can remove names from the ballot if a candidate withdraws or is found ineligible.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Sabina Matos signatures in Newport questioned, police will investigate
Matt Gaetz will not shut up about how hot he finds Margot Robbie, and its definitional ick. The Republican Florida congressman has spent the days leading up to the premiere of Greta Gerwigs much anticipated film Barbie reminding everyone that Robbie, the films star, is a 10  even as his wife and other conservative influencers pan the film as woke pro-LGBTQ propaganda.

On Monday Matt and Ginger Gaetz, clad in bubblegum pink, attended a Barbie-themed pre-party celebrating the 2023 Aspen Security Forum. Shortly after, Mrs. Gaetz posted photos of her and her husband at the event, along with her review of the film on Twitter. Gaetz criticizing Barbie for neglecting to address any notion of faith or family, and disappointingly low T (testosterone) and beta energy from Ryan Goslings Ken. Given that Ken dolls are infamously metrosexual and lack defined genitalia, its unclear what testosterone level Mrs. Gaetz would have found acceptable.

Mrs. Gaetz advised her followers to stick to getting outfit inspiration and skipping the theater.

Thinking about watching the Barbie movie?



I'd recommend sticking to getting outfit inspiration and skipping the theater. Here's why:



The Barbie I grew up with was a representation of limitless possibilities, embracing diverse careers and feminine empowerment.



The 2023 Barbie pic.twitter.com/AsparSgvS4  Ginger Gaetz (@LuckeyGinger) July 18, 2023

On social media, some conservative users criticized the congressmans attendance at the event. The movie where Doctor Barbie is played by a Trans actor. Wonder why we cant win culture wars? Republicans love being included with the rich and famous too much, wrote Twitter user @just_mindy.

Rep. Gaetz responded by tweeting that If you let the trans stop you from seeing Margo Robbiethe terrorists win..

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If you let the trans stop you from seeing Margo Robbiethe terrorists win.. https://t.co/iS0OMUrhht  Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) July 18, 2023

On Saturday, Gaetz spoke at Turning Point USAs annual summit, where he declared to the audience that as one true North for the nature of truth itself: Margot Robbie is not mid. A ten is a ten. Even with common core math.

Gaetz: Margot Robbie is not mid. A ten is a ten pic.twitter.com/5IK6YY1unf  Acyn (@Acyn) July 15, 2023

During both mentions of Robbies looks, Gaetz has also taken the opportunity to bash transgender individuals, which is in direct opposition to the films support of inclusivity and diversity. Many of the communities that Barbie celebrates are currently battling legislation aimed at curbing their ability to exist freely in public life, and Gaetz is a prominent voice in their subjugation.

During an interview with Attitude, Robbie said that she and the producers were conscious of representation during casting. We wanted Barbie Land to feel incredibly inclusive. And we wanted this film to feel like everyone was welcome, she said. So, it was so important that, kind of, every person that was, like, coming aboard the party would be able to represent someone else that could be watching this movie.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz recently accused the film of containing Chinese communist propaganda. The Christian website Movieguide.org, published an article titled WARNING: Dont Take Your Daughter to BARBIE, that accused the film of pushing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender character stories.

Republicans can stay mad, weve already deemed Barbie one of the most subversive films of the century  and Matt Gaetz can keep his 0/10 thirsting to himself.

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Click here to read the full article.
Matt Gaetzs wife has called on her followers to boycott the Barbie movie  while posting photos of the MAGA couple posing in pink on the red carpet at its premiere.

Ginger Gaetz took to Twitter on Tuesday to reel off her list of critiques of the hotly-anticipated film including that it neglects to address any notion of faith or family and that it contained disappointingly low T from Ken.

Ms Gaetz and her Republican congressman husband attended the red carpet premiere of the flick, held at the British Embassy in Washington DC, on Monday evening.

Photos showed the couple decked out in pink in honour of the occasion with the congressman in a pink blazer and Ms Gaetz in a pink dress.

In one picture, Ms Gaetz beamed as she posed inside a Barbie doll box.

But while her photos appeared to suggest that they had a fun evening at the event, Ms Gaetzs review of the film was likely not what her hosts had in mind when she got the invite.

Thinking about watching the Barbie movie? Id recommend sticking to getting outfit inspiration and skipping the theater, she tweeted.

Heres why: The Barbie I grew up with was a representation of limitless possibilities, embracing diverse careers and feminine empowerment.

The 2023 Barbie movie, unfortunately, neglects to address any notion of faith or family, and tries to normalize the idea that men and women cant collaborate positively (yuck).

Ms Gaetz concluded her review of the Barbie movie by listing what she felt were the pros and cons.

Pros: Margot Robbies performance, Stunning costume design, Amazing soundtrack, she wrote.

Thinking about watching the Barbie movie?



I'd recommend sticking to getting outfit inspiration and skipping the theater. Here's why:



The Barbie I grew up with was a representation of limitless possibilities, embracing diverse careers and feminine empowerment.



The 2023 Barbie pic.twitter.com/AsparSgvS4  Ginger Gaetz (@LuckeyGinger) July 18, 2023

Cons: Unfortunate portrayal of big dreams causing anxiety instead of inspiration, Disappointingly low T from Ken, Unfair treatment of pregnant Barbie Midge.

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She added: I really wanted to enjoy it, but ended up feeling let down. @american_girl, please dont take notes on this one.

The film itself has received mixed reviews ahead of its release.

While many have praised lead actor Margot Robbies peformance and a script that moves away from Barbie solely as a figure baed on her looks, conservatives have hit out at what they perceive to be the moves woke and feminist agenda.
Tim Scott posts some of the highest favorability ratings in the presidential primary field. He's well liked by donors and the conservative media, and with Ron DeSantis sputtering, he appears to have an opening.

There's just one problem: so far the GOP electorate aint buying it.

In interviews with a dozen strategists and pollsters, terms like affable,and optimistic came up repeatedly.

The description that did not come up often was "president."

I don't think there's anybody who doesnt think hes a nice guy, Ryan Rhodes, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said of Scott. But I don't believe the primary electorate believes that we can just have somebody that's going to get along with the other side in Washington.

Scott's failures to gain traction reveal that even the most accomplished and well-liked candidate entering at the right point in his career may not be enough. Sterling credentials don't seem to be enough to take on the twice-indicted Donald Trump.



Rhodes, who served as Iowa campaign director for Ben Carsons 2016 presidential run, said the field is so calcified that the Scott campaign will likely have to turn out some 5,000 or 10,000 new voters in the first-in-the-nation caucus state to be seen as viable. Making matters even harder: hed have to do so without alienating Trump or DeSantis voters.

Scotts advisers say their candidate is winning over voters with his positive message and is buoyed by groundwork he is laying in Iowa. He has made repeated trips to the state to court the evangelical-leaning electorate there.



The Scott-aligned Trust In the Mission PAC just announced they are planning to spend $40 million on early state campaign ads this fall  one of the largest investments in the field so far. A Granite State poll this week had Scott coming in third in New Hampshire, at 8 percent support.

His strategy relies on his trademark upbeat campaign style and his message of unity. He leans heavily into his biography, reminding voters his family went from cotton to Congress, in one lifetime, underscoring his assertion that America is not a racist nation.

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The truth of my life disproves the lies of the radical forces that believe that we should be in constant conflict with each other, Scott said at the Family Leadership Summit on Friday.

As a Black person who overcame adversity and championed Republican principles, Scott is appealing to many Republicans. But not, some GOP operatives say, as a candidate to vote for so much as a leader who can blunt criticism that the GOP has devolved into a white grievance party.

He serves as a bulwark against these attacks, said Mike Madrid, a longtime Republican strategist and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project.



The Iowa GOP has a long history of flirting with Black Republican presidential candidates  and not voting for them.

Carson, who served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Trump administration, briefly topped Iowa polls in 2015. At his peak, he reached 28 percent that October, nine points ahead of Donald Trump. But he eventually came in a distant fourth before dropping out. Herman Cain, the former head of Godfather Pizza, topped a Des Moines Register poll in 2011 with 23 percent, narrowly edging out eventual GOP nominee Mitt Romney who notched 22 percent in that poll. Two months after that survey, Cain suspended his campaign amid sagging poll numbers. And 2000 former diplomat Alan Keyes finished third in the Iowa Caucus, behind the winner, then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush.



Scott has a more robust political resume than any of those candidates. Hes been in the Senate since 2013 and in his first House race, he defeated the son of Strom Thurmond, the infamous segregationist. He cruised to reelection in his Senate race last cycle by 26 points.

Still, Scott is polling in single digits. He raised $5.8 million in the second quarter, a middle-of-the-pack haul that didnt match his reputation as a prodigious fundraiser.

Even he appears to recognize he isnt entirely catching on. At the Family Leadership Summit, he made a nod to a POLITICO report that top Republican donors are increasingly disillusioned with DeSantis ability to mount a credible challenge to Trump: I'm glad to hear they're all flocking to me, he quipped on stage. I wish they would go ahead and write the check too, because we haven't seen that yet.

While a light disposition can go a long way to winning over voters, Rhodes, who is not affiliated with any campaign this cycle, said he would like to see more "warrior" in Scott's "happy warrior" persona.

"A president sometimes has to bring a hammer in, he said.

Rhodes is not alone. GOP primary voters seem to relish aggression from a prospective nominee, said Jeff Kaufmann, the Iowa Republican Party chair.

Everybody at some point in time is going to have to, if not throw a punch, throw an elbow, Kaufmann said. And theyre going to have to land.

Kaufmann, who is remaining neutral ahead of the first-in-the-nation caucuses, added it is a tactical decision by a campaign on when to go on the attack. But he thinks casting Scott off as someone incapable of mounting a fight for the Republican nomination is a miscalculation.

I think his warrior credentials are inherent in his life story, he said.

So far, Scott does not appear poised to mount an offensive against GOP rivals.



Republicans close to the Senators campaign said he has no plans of abandoning his strategy or evolving into something that is out of character. Theres no need to, they add, with his $21 million cash on hand, second to any candidate other than Trump, according to the latest campaign finance disclosures.

Instead, Scotts summoning of a combats spirit has been directed toward Democratic politicians  and the media. His super PAC was fundraising as recently as last week off his tangle with a white co-host of The View who Scott said doesnt get it on systemic racism.

While his campaign says such incidents are evidence that, when prodded, Scott will punch back, he hasn't used skirmishes with the left to articulate an alternative vision on racial policy.

Shermichael Singleton, a GOP strategist who has worked on the presidential campaigns of Ben Carson, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, points out theres little incentive to.

This has to be part of the calculation to be just brutally honest. If Tim Scott were to start speaking differently on this, would Black people all of a sudden say, Oh my God, were going to support Tim Scott? Singleton said. Probably not.

Adam Wren and Natalie Allison contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Thousands of protesters are expected to gather along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on July 24, Monday, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Political alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said thousands are expected to participate in what they dubbed as the People's State of the Nation Address.

"The SONA protest this year will be bigger compared to last year. Mas marami ang galit, mas marami ang naliwanagan kasama ang mga kababayan nating gustong i-register 'yung protest doon sa policies ni Marcos," Bayan Secretary General Raymond Palatino said.

[Translation: The SONA protest this year will be bigger compared to last year. A lot more are angry, there are more people who now understand and want to register a protest on Marcos' policies.]

Palatino said they have coordinated their protest with the local governments and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Authorities have been informed about the route of their march and program schedule to minimize public inconvenience.

The rally will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Commission on Human Rights main office, hours before Marcos is set to deliver his speech at Batasang Pabansa.

Protesters will then march to Tandang Sora Avenue where the People's SONA is set from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

A highlight of the event will be the burning of an effigy of Marcos showing him as a two-faced figure on the image of a coin.

Palatino said the groups also have contingency measures planned in case it rains.

Maximum tolerance

As progressive groups continue to gear up for the major protest, the police said the officers to be deployed are trained in dealing with protesters.

"We always exercise maximum tolerance. Expected namin na kahit may permit o wala, po-protesta ang mga 'yan (We expect them to protest with or without permits)We always expect the worst and prepare for the best," QCPD director PBGen. Nicolas Torre III said.

The general also confirmed that a permit has been given to one of the expected progressive groups joining the People's SONA.

CNN Philippines' correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
Between March 2020 to October 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Erie, at least 33 users of the Snapchat social media platform had their accounts hacked.

Sexually explicit photos and videos of the victims were then shared, traded or sold online without their knowledge or consent, and some of the images depicted child pornography, including child sexual abuse, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

A 33-year-old Meadville resident is accused of heading the seven-person conspiracy behind the hacks and the illegal dissemination of the images. He and some of his co-defendants are also accused of providing scripts to teach others how to hack Snapchat accounts.

A federal grand jury in Erie has indicted the Meadville resident, Richard A. Martz Jr., and six other men on charges including the felonies of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, fraud connected to unlawful computer access and aggravated identity theft. Five of the other defendants are from Pennsylvania, and one is from North Carolina.

The social media platform Snapchat, whose logo is pictured, is based in Santa Monica, California. An indictment unsealed in federal court in Erie charges a Meadville resident with heading a seven-person conspiracy that hacked Snapchat accounts and circulated explicit images from those accounts online.

"As alleged, the defendants used deception and hacking techniques to unlawfully access social media accounts so that they could steal, hoard and trade explicit and otherwise private content of hundreds of unsuspecting victims, Eric G. Olshan, the U.S. attorney for the Pittsburgh-based Western District of Pennsylvania, which includes Erie, said in a statement.

"This office and our law enforcement partners will reach far and wide to identify and prosecute those who victimize our communities via the internet, especially when they seek to victimize our most vulnerable population  our children."

The 16-count indictment was returned on July 11 and unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Erie. Based on the indictment, the case is focused on hacks that occurred on users' accounts in the 25-county federal Western District of Pennsylvania.

U.S. District Court in Erie handles cases that originate in seven of those counties, all in the area of northwestern Pennsylvania: Erie, Elk, Forest, McKean, Venango, Warren and Crawford, where Meadville is the county seat.

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Feds say case includes many victims yet to be identified

The indictment alleges at least 33 people were victimized, and investigators believe more victims had their accounts hacked and their images posted online. At least three of the victims are minors, according to the indictment.

"We believe there is an extensive network of victims who still haven't been identified," FBI Agent Mike Nordwall, who is in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh office, which includes Erie, said in a statement.

"The seven people charged exploited their victims and engaged in a predatory behavior that will not be tolerated," Nordwall also said. "Hacking into social media accounts, stealing intimate pictures of unsuspecting victims and then selling and trading them in online forums is nothing short of reprehensible. These victims were re-victimized multiple times as their personal pictures were recirculated."

The U.S. Attorney's Office asked those who believe they are victims in the case to contact the office's victim witness coordinator by email at usapaw.victimwitness@usdoj.gov. Snapchat also has instructions for users whose accounts have been hacked.

The lead assistant U.S. attorney in Erie, Christian Trabold, is handling the prosecution. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon, who is based in Pittsburgh but hears some Erie cases.

The arrest warrants for all seven defendants were also unsealed on Tuesday. Trabold is recommending that all seven be released on unsecured bonds of $10,000, according to court records.

Allegations vary for seven defendants in hacking case

The defendants accused of the most crimes are listed highest in the indictment. In addition to Martz, who is listed first, the other defendants are:

Dylan M. Miller, 30, of West Mifflin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Christopher Clampitt, 33, of Clemmons, North Carolina, near Winston-Salem

Edward Grabb, 31, of Jeanette, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Michael Yackovich, 27, of West Newton, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Luke R. Swinehart, 22, of Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania

Karlin T. Jones, 26, of Beaver Falls, Beaver County, Pennsylvania

All of the defendants are accused of the conspiracy count, according to the indictment. The additional charges against Martz are fraud connected to unlawful computer access, aggravated identity theft and receipt and possession of child sexual abuse materials.

The criminal case of seven defendants accused of hacking Snapchat accounts is being prosecuted in federal court in Erie.

The additional charges against Yackovich are fraud connected to unlawful computer access and aggravated identity theft. Miller, Clampitt and Grabb are also charged with aggravated identity theft, and Miller faces an additional count of possession of child sexual abuse materials.

The maximum prison sentences for those convicted in the case range from 69 years for Martz and 20 years for Swinehart and Jones, who were accused of only the conspiracy count. The federal sentencing guidelines, which account for a defendant's prior record and other factors, could recommend lesser sentences.

Snapchat says abuse of platform is against policy

Snapchat is an online services that lets users capture and share photo, video clips and other materials. It also allows messages to automatically disappear seconds after viewing. The company that owns and runs the Snapchat platform, Snap Inc., is based in Santa Monica, California.

Snap Inc. said it supports the prosecution of those who illegally harm the users of the platform.

"The sexual exploitation or abuse of any Snapchatter is illegal and against our policies," a company spokesperson said in a statement to the Erie Times-News. "We are thankful for law enforcement's efforts to bring perpetrators to justice and regularly support prosecutions of people who exploit our community in these abhorrent ways.

"Snapchat has protections in place to make it harder for predators and strangers to find teens or take advantage of them, and we continue to develop new and innovative ways to combat sexual abuse on our platform.

The indictment does not detail why the hacking victims were targeted. Martz and the other defendants, except for Swinehart and Jones, are accused in the indictment of hacking the accounts and saving the images and videos on their own devices and their own accounts.

Those defendants are also accused of posting the materials, without the victims' knowledge or consent, "on numerous Internet sites and on social media or encrypted social media applications," according to the indictment. Swinehart and Jones are accused of trading and sharing the materials along with the other defendants.

All of the defendants except Swinehart and Jones, the indictment alleges, also would hack the accounts at the request of others. All the defendants except Miller are accused of using "Internet payment platforms to pay for and receive payments" for the images and videos from the hacked accounts, according to the indictment.

More on Snapchat: What's your Snapscore? Here's how Snapchat scores your profile and how to make it rise.

Regarding the allegations that the conspiracy involved instructing others, the indictment alleges that all the defendants, except Jones, "would pay for, receive, trade and teach others, known and unknown to the grand jury, the instructions, techniques and scripts detailing and explaining how to hack into victim Snapchat accounts" to get access to explicit images and videos.

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie indictment alleges Snapchat accounts hacked for explicit images
The News

Thailands parliament on Tuesday blocked progressive opposition leader Pita Limjaroenrat from his prime ministerial bid despite his party securing an unexpected victory in May elections.

A motion to block his bid for the role was passed 395 to 312 with eight abstentions. There was no indication of when parliament would vote again on a new prime minister.

Weve gathered insightful reports and analysis on what to know about the charismatic leader and the challenges to Thailands democratic future.

Insights
For as long as I can remember, I have felt my work had to be in service to others. When I was a teenager and I was asked, "What do you want to do with your career?" I would respond with a question: "How can I help people?" Over time my question evolved into "How can I be of service to people?" I found my answer when I was working on a graduate degree at the University of Oregon and that answer was developing communities through the arts. I am committed to making the arts accessible for everyone because without the free arts education I participated in, I would have been a high school dropout. I know firsthand the power art has in contributing to a well-balanced life filled with purpose and how it transforms communities through multifaceted learning opportunities, job creation, supporting small locally owned businesses and connecting people person-to-person.

A mural, created by artist Ana Balcazar from Peru and titled "Joy," adorns the east wall of a building at 562 E. 12th St. in Erie in this Nov. 9, 2022, file photo. Part of the two-year "Purposeful Placemaking mural project" coordinated by Erie Arts & Culture, the murals are located near Erie School District walking bus routes, which are designated areas where children and families typically walk to and from neighborhood schools.

I am also committed to doing business from a place of human dignity. It's my job to make sure the resources the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, grantors, and donors entrust with Erie Arts & Culture are stewarded so that we have the greatest impact possible in contributing to a vibrant, sustainable region. EAC relies on you to tell us what you need and want to create the lives you envision for yourselves, incorporating the artistic and creative talent and skills you each have into the greater fabric of northwestern Pennsylvania. I have met so many people in Erie and I've already begun to visit our partners in the region. Each of you share with me your vision for the future, passion for the present, and you have shown me what an exciting time it is to be part of this community.

More: Erie Arts & Culture names new leader to replace Patrick Fisher

When I came on board with EAC, the Views Festival was in full swing, with 27 artists, 54 artist assistants and loads of paint, resulting in 22 murals being painted. This brings the total number of murals for the Safe Walking Routes initiative to 35. What are the next steps? EAC has to pause, take stock of where the project and its resources are, report back to our funders, and listen to the feedback of artists, assistants, volunteers and partners. We will be in touch to get your input on how things went, and then the team and I will release an interim report on the project that includes next steps. Remembering that the Safe Walking Routes initiative is all about keeping kids in school by showing them they're on the route to get them to school and back home is important because it shows children we are invested in them and their futures. EAC is mindful of this, and has some steps to take in charting the next phase of the project to determine how we move forward.

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One thing that stays with me after meeting people through this job is how much you all love being here and much you support each other. To me, that points to so much success ahead for this region and for you. Those relationships, that trust, the optimism and celebration of your talents that you share with each other are essential to the future of this community. You are constantly creating and EAC has begun recognizing the talents of so many people who maybe didn't have a platform before, or an opportunity to grow in their creativity as individuals, or for organizations to take the next step in their evolution. EAC is here to support the talents and creativity of you who make this a multidimensional community with many experiences to participate in. It is exciting to think there are many more people and organizations we have yet to meet.

As I begin laying the groundwork for EAC's next strategic plan, it's important that I hear from as many people as possible throughout the six counties we serve. Individual artists, organization leaders in and outside of the arts and culture sector, creative entrepreneurs, and people who think they're not creative or artistic  I welcome your input to determine the scope and content of EAC's next strides. I look forward to working with our community partners and entrepreneurs as EAC moves forward in service to the many communities in northwestern Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for our next steps! And, thank you for welcoming me to Erie!

Anne O'Dell was named the new executive director of Erie Arts & Culture in May. She served most recently as vice president for programs and operations at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: New Erie Arts & Culture leader Anne O'Dell shares her vision
Melania Trump is aiming for the heavens with the launch of her latest nonfungible tokens (NFTs), which is tied to the anniversary of American astronauts landing on the moon.

The former first ladys press office announced Wednesday that shell be selling a limited-edition collectible celebrating Apollo 11s successful lunar landing, called Man on the Moon.

The NFTs  being sold for $75 each  mark July 20, 1969s giant leap for mankind, when NASA astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed on the moon in the spaceflight piloted by Michael Collins.

The digital item includes the iconic image of the American astronaut walking on the Moon, with an embedded audio file, according to the announcement from Trump. Collectors will unlock surprise audio upon purchase, a sales page said.

I am proud to celebrate the great achievement of these astronauts and remain inspired by American ingenuity, Trump said in a statement about the space-inspired product.

Its not the first time that Trump, a 53-year-old former model, has doubled as a purveyor of digital products since her husband exited the White House in 2021. Last month, Trump hawked $50 Americana-themed digital art, dubbed The 1776 Collection, timed to the Fourth of July. Shes also released a Christmas NFT collection, as well as an artists watercolor painting of her eyes, called Melanias Vision.

Another NFT collection from the ex-executive mansion resident that went on sale last year highlighted iconic moments from President Trumps administration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  A key senator is refusing to lift his longstanding hold on the sale of 40 Block 70 F-16 fighter jets to Turkey despite the Biden administrations announcement last week that it wants to move forward with the deal. The $20 billion potential sale also includes 80 modernization kits.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the sale would proceed last week after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced at the NATO summit in Lithuania that Turkey would ratify Swedens NATO accession bid. But Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., told Defense News on Tuesday that he continues to use his position as Foreign Relations Committee chairman to block the sale.

Ive always said that the ratification of Sweden, which should naturally occur, is not the sine qua non of why I would lift the hold on F-16s, Menendez said. Theres bigger issues than just that alone.

The U.S. State Department has held conversations with Menendez on his F-16 hold in recent weeks. Menendez told Reuters last week that if the Biden administration can find a way to ensure that Turkeys aggression against its neighbors ceases, which there has been a lull the last several months, thats great but there has to be a permanent reality.

Greece in recent years has frequently complained of Turkish incursions into its airspace, and Erdogan is slated to attend the opening of a new airport in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus on Thursday.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded in the wake of a coup aimed at union with Greece. Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence.

Turkey has also used F-16s in attacks on U.S.-backed Kurdish groups in northern Syria.

Further complicating matters, Erdogan has said Turkey will not ratify Swedens NATO membership until October at the earliest because the Turkish parliament has a two-month summer recess in August and September.

Six members of the congressional Hellenic and Armenian caucuses sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week urging the Biden administration to attach clear and substantive mechanisms to provide for the pause, delay or snapback to the F-16 sale if Turkey engages in actions that threaten or undermine U.S. national security interests and the unity of the NATO alliance.

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While we welcome the present pause in Turkeys destabilizing actions in the region, it is important to stress the Erdogan government has not changed policy, they wrote in the letter led by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H. The impression that Turkey has improved relations with NATO ally Greece is belied by the fact that Ankara maintains a casus belli against Athens.

Greece is also pushing to join Lockheed Martins F-35 fighter co-production program; the U.S. kicked Turkey out of it in 2019 after Turkey purchased the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system. The U.S. fears the S-400 radar system could allow Moscow to spy on the stealth fighter jets. Both Turkey and Greece have lobbied against the respective U.S. aircraft sales sought by their neighbor.

Menendezs home state of New Jersey boasts the sixth-largest Greek American population in the U.S. and the fourth-largest Armenian American population.

Despite his opposition to the F-16 sale, Menendez in April permitted a $259 million sale of avionics software upgrades for Turkeys current F-16 fleet.

Im opposed to F-16s, but this is not a sale of F-16s, Menendez told Defense News after the State Department approved the avionics kit sale. Its a sale to ensure the interoperability of existing aircraft in the NATO command structure, and for that reason I support it.

Even if the F-16 sale eventually clears Congress, its unclear when Turkey would receive its new aircraft due to a manufacturing backlog for the in-demand jet.

For instance, Taiwan is also waiting on 66 F-16s, which is an approximately $8 billion portion of a broader backlog in overall U.S. arms sales to the Asian nation that has run up to $19 billion.
The Tri-Cities mental health counselor accused of killing his girlfriend appeared in court Tuesday, a day after refusing to come out of his jail cell.

Michael T. Smith pleaded innocent to a charge of second-degree murder.

Smith, a licensed mental health counselor, was booked into the jail Friday afternoon and is being held on $1 million bail after being charged with killing his longtime girlfriend Jenna L. Olafson, 38.

Olafson was also a counselor. She was remembered by friends and patients as kind and empathetic.

Smith refused to come out of his cell or respond to jailers on Monday when he was set to make an initial court appearance.

On Tuesday, Smith appeared in court virtually from the jail, not speaking except to answer Court Commissioner Megan Whitmires questions.

Smith requested a public defender, telling the judge he owns a company but is unable to do his counseling work if he was to be released from jail.

Investigators say he killed Olafson on July 9 at the house they shared with her mother in the El Rancho Reata neighborhood south of Richland.

After allegedly strangling her, Smith tried to use a knife to kill himself. When that didnt work, he allegedly swallowed some pills. Olafsons mother and a friend found Olafsons body hours later on the back patio of the home.

Smith was still at the house and Tri-City Regional SWAT team members got him to come outside. He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for nearly a week. Police and prosecutors have not said how badly he was injured or what he was treated for.

Smith and Olafson had been together for about seven years. They each started their private practice within the past year after getting their licenses from Washington state.

Deputies at Smiths bedside after he was taken to the hospital said he admitted to strangling Olafson and described the violent confrontation, according to court documents.
Three dozen members of the European Parliament are calling for fourth-generation F-16 fighters to be urgently sent to Ukraine. Ukrainian pilots are to begin their training on the aircraft in August.

Source: European Pravda, referring to a letter published on 19 July by Tomas Zdechovsky, a Czech Member of the European Parliament, who initiated the campaign

Quote: "Providing Ukraine with these advanced aircraft will significantly enhance its air defence, ensure better citizens protection and deter further aggression."

Details: The signatories of the appeal are asking EU member states to urgently support the expedited delivery of F-16 Fighting Falcon combat fighters because they are needed to "bolster Ukraines defence and offensive capabilities".

The MEPs also emphasise that without fighter jets, other military assistance that the West has already provided to Ukraine "may not reach its full potential".

The letter was signed by MEPs Radosaw Sikorski and Andrius Kubilius, who have long been active supporters of Ukraine, among others.

The appeal is intended to be sent to the heads of EU member states on 19 July.

Background:

On Tuesday, 11 July, Ukraine signed a memorandum with its 11 partner states at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The memorandum defines the conditions for the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters.

The member states of the fighter jet coalition agreed that the training for Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s would start in Denmark in August.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!












Private investigator Daniel Morgan was found dead with an axe embedded in his head in 1987 - PA/Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police has agreed a pay settlement with the family of murdered private investigator Daniel Morgan.

Scotland Yard has apologised and reportedly has paid relatives 2 million after it admitted the original murder investigation was marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence and defensiveness.

Mr Morgan, who co-founded PI firm Southern Investigations, was killed with an axe in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south-east London, on March 10, 1987.

Mr Morgans family had brought a civil claim against the Met and, the force said, after a mediation process they reached a mutually satisfactory settlement of the proposed claims, including an admission of liability on behalf of the commissioner in respect of the conduct of his officers in response to the murder.

The Met said the settlement terms were confidential but The Times reported early in the week the force had agreed a 2 million payout.

No further details of the agreement will be made public at the request of Mr Morgans family, the force added.

Systemic failings

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in a statement on Wednesday morning: I unequivocally and unreservedly apologise for the failure of the Metropolitan Police Service to bring those responsible for the murder of Daniel Morgan to justice.

From the earliest stages, his family have been repeatedly and inexcusably let down by the Metropolitan Police.

This case has been marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence and defensiveness that has repeated itself over and over again.

The commissioner said the campaigning of Mr Morgans family exposed systemic failings in the organisation.

I have met with the family and listened to vivid and moving accounts of the devastating impact those failings have had on their lives.

They have explained how their trust in policing has been eroded, he added.

The family said in a statement released on Wednesday: The family of Daniel Morgan, deceased, proposed to bring civil claims arising out of his murder on March 10, 1987, and the ensuing investigations into that murder against the Metropolitan Police Commissioner.

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As a result of a formal mediation process in July 2023, the parties were able to agree to a mutually satisfactory settlement of the proposed claims, including an admission of liability on behalf of the commissioner in respect of the conduct of his officers in response to the murder.

Investigation heavily criticised

The Times reported Mr Morgans family met with the commissioner last week to apologise to them in person before the statement was signed.

The initial investigation into Mr Morgans death was heavily criticised. The murder scene was not searched and was left unguarded, there were no alibis sought for all the suspects.

A later probe by Hampshire Police, brought in to investigate amid fears of corruption, was compromised when a senior Met officer was appointed to work with the team.

No one has been brought to justice over the killing.

In June 2021, an independent panel produced a scathing report that accused the Met of a form of institutional corruption for concealing or denying failings over the unsolved murder.

In May, documents relating to the inquiry into Mr Morgans death were found in a locked cabinet at New Scotland Yard that had not been used for several years.

A total of 95 pages of material that should have been disclosed to the panel was discovered.

A further 71 pages were identified that would have been provided to His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) as part of its subsequent inspection.

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Several meteors can be seen streaking across a starry night sky.

In a story that's beginning to go viral, a French woman describes how she was injured when she was struck by a rock from space. But experts suggest all is not what it seems with this meteorite tale.

The woman, a resident of Schirmeck in the French department of Bas-Rhin, said that she was sitting on her terrace at around 4 a.m. local time on July 6 when she heard a shock on the roof. A pebble then fell off the roof and hit her at rib level.

"I heard a big 'poom' coming from the roof next to us. In the second that followed, I felt a shock in the ribs. I thought it was an animal, a bat," the woman told the French newspaper Les Dernieres Nouvelles dAlsace (DNA). "We thought it was a piece of cement, the one we apply to the ridge tiles, but it didnt have the color."

The paper showed an image of the suspected space rock (embedded below), which is black and has sharp edges. But it is in these images that the first cracks in the meteorite explanation appear. Observatoire de Paris astronomer Jeremie Vaubaillon explained that the rock pictured is definitely not from outer space.

"The pictures CLEARLY show this is NOT a meteorite! These rocks have way too many angles to be meteorites. Remember that during its flight in the atmosphere, the initial rock melts because of the surrounding super-hot plasma," Vaubaillon told Space.com via email. "Picture an ice cube melting: There is quickly no angular pieces left. Well, the same is happening for a meteorite as it passes through the atmosphere."

Related: Meteorite found! Space rock from brilliant fireball over Europe located in France

Vallee de la Bruche : une meteorite percute une habitante de Schirmeck https://t.co/G1MBLAZU4PJuly 13, 2023

See more

The rock also has a "bubbled" and irregular surface. This feature is common with volcanic rocks: bubbles of lava are frozen in as the molten rock quickly cools. Space rocks that pass through Earth's atmosphere, on the other hand, tend to have smooth surfaces due to the heat they experience and the melting it causes, as Vaubaillon noted.

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Few people doubt that something struck the French woman on July 6. But Vaubaillon isnt the only expert expressing skepticism about the offending rock supposedly coming from space.

Francois Colas, an astronomer with the Fireball Recovery and InterPlanetary Observation Network (FRIPON) sky surveillance network, explained to the French astronomy publication Ciel & Espace that, when a meteorite falls from the sky, it tends to arrive at the surface at approximately 186 mph (300 kph). So, if the July 6 rock were a meteorite, it should have damaged the roof when it hit. But that didn't happen here, Colas said.

This apparent meteorite struck a house in Hopewell Township, New Jersey on May 8, 2023.

Additionally, FRIPON monitors the sky over France for flashes of light caused by meteors, but none were detected in the area on July 6. If this was a space rock, the object was also missed by other skywatchers.

"Such an object reaches magnitude -15 [with the minus prefix indicating a particularly bright object over Earth]; it does not go unnoticed. In this season, there are also many amateur astronomers who observe; they would have reported such an event," Colas explained.

The odds don't favor an extraterrestrial origin for the rock, either. Vaubaillon explained how incredibly unlikely it would be to be hit by a meteorite falling to Earth.



"Meteorite falls are rare; most of the meteorite material is melted during the atmospheric entry," the astronomer said. "In order to survive the entry and make it to the ground, the rock has to be both slow and large, above 1.6 feet [0.5 meters] in diameter, and large objects are rare."

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 What are meteorites?

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In addition, Earth is an extremely big target for space rocks, and around 71% of its surface is ocean.

"The surface of the Earth is very wide compared to the size of a human," Vaubaillon said. "Two-thirds of meteorite falls end up in the ocean, and most of the remaining ones end up in fields, forests, deserts, etc."



Vaubaillon calculates that the chances of a person being hit by a meteorite are about 1 in 100 trillion. And that tiny probability should be quite a relief. The astronomer also explained what it would be like to be directly struck by a meteorite.

"It would hurt!" he said. "It depends on the rock size, but they fall from high altitude, and their speed stabilizes at around 190 miles per hour. Imagine you are hit by a rock while driving at such speed. This would hurt you a lot."
The head of MI6 said there are Russians already spying on Vladimir Putins regime for the U.K., and encouraged more to sign up.

Sir Richard Moore, speaking from the Czech Republics capital, Prague, on Wednesday, did not specify who he wanted to work on the intelligence agencys behalf, but called for more spy recruits.

He said: As they witness the venality, infighting and callous incompetence of their leaders  the human factor at its worst  many more Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968.

Thats a reference to how the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia) was invaded by Soviet Union troops in 1968 in a bid to stop a series of reforms happening across the country.

MI6 Chief Richard Moore invited more Russians to work with U.K. intelligence services.

MI6 Chief Richard Moore invited more Russians to work with U.K. intelligence services.

Moore continued: I invite them [disillusioned Russians] to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us.

He added that the U.K.s door is always open, and that any offers of help will be met with discretion and professionalism.

He promised: Their secrets will always be safe with us and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end. My service lives by the principle that our loyalty to our agents is lifelong and our gratitude eternal.

Before making this promise, the MI6 boss had emphasized the brutality of Russias invasion of Ukraine, saying: There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children.

They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country.

They know in their hearts that Putins case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent.

Vladimir Putin's regime looks shaky after a recent (albeit failed) rebellion from the Wagner Group.

Vladimir Putin's regime looks shaky after a recent (albeit failed) rebellion from the Wagner Group.

There were a string of protests across Russia shortly after the invasion, which were quickly suppressed.

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Moore also touched on the comments from the Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, emphasizing the division emerging even among those who have been at the forefront of the war effort.

Prigozhin undermined the very reasons behind Putins reasons for the invasion amid his own failed uprising against the Russian ministry of defense by claiming the invasion only happened to elevate the status of the defense minister Sergei Shoigu.

Moore quoted Prigozhin as saying, the oligarch clan that rules Russia needed a war. He added that the Wagner rebellion exposed the inexorable decay of the unstable autocracy over which Putin presides.

His comments come after growing speculation about how much support there really is for the war among the Russian public, after the latest spate of attacks on Russian-controlled land.

Drone attacks in Moscow, and explosions in the annexed peninsula of Crimea, as well as blasts on the Crimean bridge connecting it to Russias mainland, have all brought the reality of the war closer to home for Russian civilians.

Prigozhins rebellion was even reportedly able to seize a town without any resistance.

Moores comments are likely to have been aimed at Russian intelligence, security and military representatives.

For months, there have been reports of growing dissatisfaction among Russian military ranks, as they face low morale, a depleted force and a dwindling artillery supply.
Chinese medical team conducts more than 100 free surgeries in Ghana remote areas

Xinhua) 10:36, July 19, 2023

Photo provided by the Chinese medical team to Ghana and taken on July 10, 2023 shows Chinese and Ghanaian doctors posing for a group photo after a surgery at a hospital in Oti Region, Ghana. The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team to Ghana has successfully carried out more than 100 free surgeries on local patients living in some poverty-stricken areas of Ghana's Oti Region, the team told Xinhua on July 18. (Xinhua)

ACCRA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team to Ghana has successfully carried out more than 100 free surgeries on local patients living in some poverty-stricken areas of Ghana's Oti Region, the team told Xinhua Tuesday.

The week-long activity that ended on July 14 was spearheaded by dozens of Ghanaian doctors and the Chinese medical team, aiming to offer door-to-door service to low-income residents struggling to pay their medical bills.

According to Xie Shuangcong, a member of the Chinese medical team, local residents living in Worawora town have been long facing a shortage of medical resources, including medical staff and operating rooms.

"Carrying out surgeries in such conditions also posed a grave challenge for all the Chinese doctors, who have been racing against the clock to save more patients," Xie said.

"We spent around 16 hours in the operating room every day, though sometimes it was already midnight, we could still see some patients queuing up outside the hospital," said Zuo Fan, a gynecologist of the team, adding that local patients' trust has tremendously encouraged him to work even harder.

Zuo told Xinhua that during a cesarean section, they found that one of the newborn infants suffered severe asphyxia and almost lost breathing and heartbeat, and the doctors instantly came to the rescue.

"After more than ten minutes of CPR, we finally heard the infant's first cry, which made us feel delighted and honored," Zuo added.

According to the team, aside from the surgeries, the Chinese doctors also provided free medical consulting to more than 1,000 locals in the region, which was also highly acclaimed by Ghanaian health officials and residents.

The team, which comprises 11 members from south China's Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, began their one-year service here in March.

Photo provided by the Chinese medical team to Ghana and taken on July 10, 2023 shows Chinese and Ghanaian doctors performing surgeries at a hospital in Oti Region, Ghana. The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team to Ghana has successfully carried out more than 100 free surgeries on local patients living in some poverty-stricken areas of Ghana's Oti Region, the team told Xinhua on July 18. (Xinhua)

Photo provided by the Chinese medical team to Ghana and taken on July 11, 2023 shows Chinese and Ghanaian doctors performing a surgery at a hospital in Oti Region, Ghana. The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team to Ghana has successfully carried out more than 100 free surgeries on local patients living in some poverty-stricken areas of Ghana's Oti Region, the team told Xinhua on July 18. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Filipinos who have yet to receive their drivers license may have them as soon as September, when the supply of plastic cards is seen to normalize, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.

Yung license natin were expecting delivery by next week, initially pakonti-konti lang yan. By September, na-deliver na lahat yung pending natin na dapat iisyu, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement.

[Translation: We are expecting the delivery of licenses by next week, initially this will be in trickles. By September, all pending for issuance should be delivered.]

Early this year, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that the validity of drivers licenses expiring beginning April 24, 2023 will be extended to Oct. 31 amid the shortage of plastic cards. The issue also prompted authorities to release temporary licenses printed on paper.

Bautista said the government is yet to distribute 130,000 drivers licenses. Affected drivers may start claiming their license cards by August or September.

The DOTr chief also said the electronic drivers license can be accessed by motorists via the Land Transportation Management System Portal.

The digital license can be used as alternative identification cards, but drivers license holders must also have a physical copy, he added.
Not responding to a liposuction patient having post-surgery problems will cost a Coral Gables doctor $9,454 after Mondays final order from the state Board of Medicine.

For Dr. Algird Mameniskis, thats $5,000 for acting below the professional standard of care with the patient and $4,454 to reimburse the Florida Department of Healths costs in investigating the case. The settlement agreement approved by the board also requires Mameniskis take a three-hour continuing medical education courses in follow-up care and medical record keeping and a five-hour course in risk management.

Mameniskis online department license profile says this is the first discipline case against the license hes held since August 2018.

READ MORE: An illegal suburban Miami cosmetic surgery recovery house and the deadly doctors who the owners endorsed

Officially, Mameniskis neither admits nor denies whats stated in the Florida Department of Healths administrative complaint, which says the American Board of Plastic Surgery certified doctor was working out of Avana Plastic Surgery, 8700 W. Flagler, on Feb. 26, 2021. A patient came in for liposuction with a fat transfer. Mameniskis did the procedure, then saw her in a follow-up appointment the next day.

But, the complaint says, when she returned to Avana for post-op massage treatments on March 2 and 4, 2021, neither Mameniskis nor the nurse practitioner were available to answer her questions about the swelling and fatigue she experienced. She returned to her California home on March 5.

READ MORE: Heres how to check out your Florida doctor before plastic surgery or Brazilian butt lifts

From March 5 to April 1, 2021, [the patient] made numerous attempts to contact [Mameniskis] to discuss her post-operative swelling and fatigue, the complaint said.

But the Feb. 27 day-after follow-up was his last direct contact with her. To meet the prevailing standard of care, the complaint said, required Mameniskis to assess the patients post-operative concerns and discuss them with the patient.

READ MORE: A doctor got his second fine of 2023 for removing fat instead of an appendix in Coral Gables
The Michigan attorney general has announced charges against the state's 16 "fake electors," the office announced in a press release on Tuesday afternoon, for their alleged role in the scheme after the 2020 presidential election.

Attorney General Dana Nessel charged each of the state's electors with felonies including conspiracy to commit forgery, forgery and other charges.

The 16 electors allegedly met "covertly" in the basement of the Michigan Republican Party headquarters on Dec. 14 and signed their names to multiple certificates stating they were the duly elected electors.

MORE: Jan. 6 committee subpoenas staffers, operatives who sought to send 'fake electors' to Congress

Those false documents were then "transmitted to the United States Senate and National Archives in a coordinated effort to award the state's electoral votes to the candidate of their choosing, in place of the candidates actually elected by the people of Michigan."

The investigation remains ongoing, the release says.

"The false electors' actions undermined the public's faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan," Nessel said in a statement. "My department has prosecuted numerous cases of election law violations throughout my tenure, and it would be malfeasance of the greatest magnitude if my department failed to act here in the face of overwhelming evidence of an organized effort to circumvent the lawfully cast ballots of millions of Michigan voters in a presidential election."

PHOTO: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks at a campaign rally held by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin designed to get Michigan State University students, faculty and staff out to the polls, Oct. 16, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

The 16 electors were identified as Kathy Berden, 70; William Choate, 72; Amy Facchinello, 55; Clifford Frost, 75; Stanley Grot, 71; John Haggard, 82; Mary-Ann Henry, 65; Timothy King, 56; Michele Lundgren, 73; Meshawn Maddock, 55; James Renner, 76; Mayra Rodriguez, 64; Rose Rook, 81; Marian Sheridan, 69; Ken Thompson, 68; and Kent Vanderwood, 69.

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"Every serious challenge to the election had been denied, dismissed, or otherwise rejected by the time the false electors convened," Nessel said in a statement. "There was no legitimate legal avenue or plausible use of such a document or an alternative slate of electors. There was only the desperate effort of these defendants, who we have charged with deliberately attempting to interfere with and overturn our free and fair election process, and along with it, the will of millions of Michigan voters."

Nessel had announced she was reopening an investigation into the slate of fake electors on Jan. 6, the second anniversary of the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

Michigan AG announces felony charges against 'fake electors' in 2020 election plot originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Michigans attorney general has filed felony charges against 16 Republicans  including the head of the partys state chapter  with acting as "false electors" for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel said Tuesday that all 16 people would face eight criminal charges, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery, which range from a potential five to 14 years in prison each.

The group includes the head of the Republican National Committee's chapter in Michigan, Kathy Berden, as well as the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Meshawn Maddock, and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.

"The false electors' actions undermined the public's faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan," Nessel said in a statement.

DESANTIS BECOMES FIRST TO ENTER SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY, DEFENDS TRUMP AGAINST WEAPONIZED DOJ, FBI

The group is alleged to have met inside the then-Michigan Republican Party headquarters on Dec. 14, 2020, and signed their names to multiple certificates to affirm they were the qualified electors for Trump. These alleged false documents were then transmitted to Congress and National Archives.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said despite "accountability and justice" for those trying to subvert the will of the people, the nation is "still in the midst of a nationally coordinated effort to weaken democracy."

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed felony charges against 16 Republicans with acting as "false electors" for then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

"As we prepare for the 2024 presidential election, todays charges are the first in an ongoing effort to not just seek justice for the wrongs of the past but to ensure they do not happen again," Benson said.

TRUMP WINS CLEAN SWEEP OF ENDORSEMENTS FROM MICHIGAN'S GOP CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

False Electoral College certificates were also submitted declaring Trump the winner of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Story continues

Former President Donald Trump has said the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Michigan Republican Party for comment but has not yet heard back.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Dana Nessel

Dana Nessel, the out attorney general of Michigan, Tuesday announced felony charges against 16 people who participated in the alleged false electors scheme to throw the states electoral vote to Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, the first criminal charges relating to the matter.

Michigan officials certified that Democrat Joe Biden had carried the state with more than 2.8 million votes, about 154,000 more than Trump, Nessel, a Democrat and a lesbian, said in announcing the charges via video. Despite this, the groundwork was laid for a plan to send alternative slates of Trump electors to Congress in an attempt to outmaneuver and circumvent the long-standing Electoral College process, she said.

Her office alleges that as part of this plan, 16 Michigan residents met covertly and signed certificates claiming they were the duly elected and qualified electors for the state. That was lie, she said, and they knew they were lying.

Some of them attempted to deliver the documents to the Michigan Senate but were turned away, she noted. The documents were then forwarded to the U.S. Senate and the National Archives in hopes that then-Vice President Mike Pence would recognize the alternative slate and overturn the election results in favor of Trump, she said.

The false electors actions undermine the publics faith in the integrity of our elections and not only violated the spirit of the laws enshrining and defending our democracy but, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan and peaceably transfer power in America, she said.

Nessels office has therefore filed charges against the 16 alternative electors. Each is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit forgery; two counts of forgery; one count of conspiracy to commit uttering and publishing; one count of uttering and publishing; one count of conspiracy to commit election law forgery; and two counts of election law forgery. All are felonies.

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The first four charges carry a 14-year maximum prison sentence, the latter two a sentence of up to five years. Uttering and publishing means creating or altering a document with the intent to defraud someone.

Undoubtedly, there will be those who claim these charges are political in nature, Nessel said. But where these is overwhelming evidence of guilt in respect to multiple crimes, the most political act I could engage in as a prosecutor would be to take no action at all.

It is important to note that these individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, she continued. But we believe the evidence will demonstrate there was no legal authority for the false electors to purport to act as duly elected presidential electors and execute the false electoral documents.

The defendants will soon appear in court in Michigans Ingham County, which includes most of Lansing, the state capital. The investigation is continuing, and Nessel hasnt ruled out charges against others.

Nessel had referred the case to the U.S. Department of Justice in 2022, but when that federal department didnt bring charges after a year, she reopened the state-level investigation.

Investigations of fake electors schemes in Arizona and Georgia are ongoing, while in Nevada, Attorney General Aaron Ford did not bring charges against anyone accused of being involved in such a plan, saying state law did not empower him to do so.

When Congress was certifying the electoral vote January 6, 2021, the process was interrupted by Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol. About 1,000 participants in the insurrection have been charged with crimes, and several hundred have pleaded guilty or been convicted in court. Trump has said he expects to be indicted on charges relating to the January 6 action.

See the video below or read a transcript and a press release from Nessel.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Bill Pugliano / Getty Images

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) filed felony charges Tuesday against 16 Republicans who signed fake electoral certificates falsely attesting that former President Donald Trump won the state in 2020. Each of the "false electors" face eight felony counts, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election law forgery, and up to 14 years in prison on the most serious counts, if convicted.

The 16 Republicans, including Republican National Committee member Kathy Berden and former Michigan Republican Party Co-Chairwoman Meshawn Maddock, met secretly in the basement of the state GOP headquarters on Dec. 14, 2020, and signed certificates falsely attesting that they were in the Michigan Capitol and Trump had won the state, the indictment says. President Biden carried Michigan by more than 150,000 votes.

Nessel's indictment says the 16 Republicans were required to surrender their phones to ensure the event was recorded. When Maddock posted about it on Facebook later in the day, fake elector John Haggard texted Berden asking, "Was she not told at the meeting to keep quite [sic]?" according to text messages from Bergen's phone. "Yes, we all were," Berden replied.

"The false electors' actions undermined the public's faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan," Nessel said in a statement. "My department has prosecuted numerous cases of election law violations throughout my tenure, and it would be malfeasance of the greatest magnitude if my department failed to act here in the face of overwhelming evidence of an organized effort to circumvent the lawfully cast ballots of millions of Michigan voters in a presidential election."

These are the first charges filed against fake pro-Trump electors. Similar false electoral certificates were signed by ersatz electors in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. This scheme by Trump allies to overturn Biden's victory is also part of special counsel Jack Smith's federal investigation of the 2020 election aftermath.

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Prosecutors in Arizona and Georgia are investigating the fake GOP electors. Georgia's Republican Party has spent more than $520,000 in legal costs in 2023 to defend these electors amid Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' investigation, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. At least eight of the fake electors have accepted immunity deals in exchange for their testimony.

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After 18 months of battling their way through regulatory red tape, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are closer than ever to making their merger happen. However, with some issues still to smooth out in the UK, the companies weren't able to neatly tie things up in time for their initial July 18th deadline. As such, they've agreed to extend their merger agreement by three months to get the $68.7 billion acquisition over the line.

"Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have jointly agreed to extend the merger agreement deadline from July 18th, 2023 to October 18th, 2023, to allow for additional time to resolve remaining regulatory concerns," Microsoft said in a statement.

If they hadn't agreed on new terms and either side walked away (which they could have done as of today), Microsoft would have been on the hook for a $3 billion breakup fee. That termination fee will increase to $3.5 billion if the merger hasn't closed by August 29th and $4.5 billion if it's not a done deal by September 15th. The fee will only be paid if the acquisition doesn't close. In addition, they agreed that Activision can give its shareholders a dividend of $0.99 per share.

"Microsoft and Activision Blizzard remain optimistic that we will get our acquisition over the finish line, so we have jointly agreed to extend the merger agreement to October 18th, 2023," Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer wrote in a note to employees. "While we can technically close in the United States due to recent legal developments, this extension gives us additional time to resolve the remaining regulatory concerns in the UK."

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have extended the merger agreement deadline to 10/18. We're optimistic about getting this done, and excited about bringing more games to more players everywhere.  Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 19, 2023

The Competition and Markets Authority, the UK's antitrust regulator, initially blocked the deal in April based on concerns over its impact on the cloud gaming market (deals Microsoft signed with third-party cloud gaming platforms were enough of a remedy for the European Union to approve the merger). Microsoft appealed the CMA's decision but with just days to go before the deadline, the CMA said it would be willing to review a modified merger proposal.

The CMA, Microsoft and Activision submitted a joint proposal to an appeals tribunal to delay their litigation by two months in an attempt to resolve the regulator's concerns amicably. The appeals tribunal granted that request on Monday. The CMA has also given itself an extra six weeks, until the end of August, to review Microsoft's new proposal. However, it hopes to do so as quickly as possible.

It's not quite clear when this might all be wrapped up one way or the other, but the CMA and both companies are aiming to do so very soon and certainly well before October 18th. One key date to look out for is August 2nd. That's when an evidentiary hearing in the Federal Trade Commission's administrative proceeding in an attempt to block the deal is scheduled to start. The FTC was unsuccessful in its efforts to obtain an injunction to stop the merger from happening in the meantime. However, if the deal hasn't closed by August 2nd and the FTC's administrative trial begins, things could get more complicated for Microsoft and Activision.
Conservative lawmakers on Wednesday took aim at the military service academies diversity and inclusion efforts as a potential distraction from war fighting prowess, and pledged to force changes in the future to end those practices.

But military leaders and Democratic representatives defended the work as critical to force readiness and national security, and accused Republicans of inflating how much time and focus is spent on the effort.

The scene at the House Armed Services Committee mirrored hearings in recent months where GOP lawmakers have decried what they see as destructive, political ideology permeating the armed forces. That has prompted growing tensions among members of the panel, with each side accusing the other of damaging the non-partisan nature of the military.

Wednesdays hearing was prompted in part by the Supreme Court decision last month striking down affirmative action in college admissions but exempting the military education institutions in light of the potentially distinct interests that military academies may present.

Service academies exempt from Supreme Court affirmative action ruling

Several Republican lawmakers voiced concerns about the ruling, saying that it allows unfair racial divisions to persist at the academies.

I believe race-based admissions in any form violate the Constitution, said Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind. and chairman of the committees personnel panel. The military service academies must ensure immutable characteristics like race and color have no bearing on a candidates ability to tackle the rigors of military life.

Democrats also voiced concerns but for the opposite reason, arguing that only allowing the military to develop a diverse officer corps hurts higher education as a whole.

Its advantageous for us to embrace diversity, said Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. It makes us stronger, to embrace diversity. Our country is diverse, so we should reflect that diversity.

While Republicans on the panel peppered academy leaders with questions about terms like non-binary and demi-gender, Democrats offered support for classes on equality and programs to boost minority enrollment in the services.

Story continues

House narrowly passes defense bill after Dems defect over abortion

For their part, the service academy leaders defended their practices as critical to shaping the fighting force and allowing young officers to challenge themselves with unfamiliar and unconventional viewpoints as part of their learning experience.

We must embrace diversity as a strength, said Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, superintendent of the Air Force Academy. Our military is comprised of people from every congressional district, every community and every demographic in America. Our cadets will have to lead people who dont look like them, dont think like them, dont talk like them.

House Republican lawmakers have already included several legislative provisions to roll back diversity and inclusion training in the military as part of the annual defense authorization bill. That includes language that would end affirmative action in academy admissions.

Democrats in the chamber largely opposed those efforts, and Democratic senators have vowed to strike the provisions during negotiations later this year.
A Ukrainian deminer carries unexploded material during demining works at an airport in the town of Hostomel, northwestern of Kyiv, on May 5, 2022. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

A Ukrainian commander criticized Western mine clearing equipment.

He told The Washington Post it was noisy and ineffective and could be blown up.

Ukraine's counteroffensive has stalled as they struggle to clear huge minefields.

Mine-clearing equipment given to Ukrainian forces by the West is "ineffective" because it is noisy, large, and easy to strike, according to a commander speaking The Washington Post.

Officers told the publication that the Ukrainian military had encountered minefields between three and ten miles deep, laid with anti-tank and tripwired anti-personnel mines, in their counteroffensive to drive back Russian forces.

They said that Russian forces had been able to attack specialized minefield-clearing equipment provided to Ukraine by its Western allies, meaning that fields were being cleared by hand by specialist units.

One commander, identified by his call sign 'Oskar,' told the outlet that his unit of the 47th Mechanized Brigade had success before Ukraine launched its counteroffensive using German-made Wisent mine-clearance tanks to clear minefields in the Zaporizhzhia region.

"But now their use is already ineffective, because the enemy expects the appearance of such equipment, which is massive, which is noisy, which is easy to see and, accordingly, to strike," Oskar said.

Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine's military chief, told the Post that Ukrainian forces needed more specialist mine-clearing equipment.

"We need special equipment, we need special remote mine-clearance equipment," Zaluzhny said, adding of US-provided M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge systems that "they are also being destroyed, yes. There's nothing wrong with that. It takes a lot of them."

A Ukrainian official told the Post that it had only received around 15% of the specialist de-mining equipment it had requested from Western allies. A US official responded that it would provide all the equipment requested, but there were problems providing it on the scale requested in a timely way.

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Ukraine launched its much-anticipated counteroffensive in June, seeking to drive Russian forces back from territory it occupies in south and east Ukraine.

So far Ukraine has made limited advances, with Russian forces having dug heavily fortified positions protected by landmines during the winter.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Government transparency advocates are concerned that a pair of Missouri laws could severely limit the publics ability to access records from law enforcement agencies and public colleges.

One gives police and other law enforcement agencies sweeping power to close records related to security measures, GPS data and other investigative information if the records could potentially put the public in danger.

The other builds upon a current law that exempts some companies and nonprofits that partner with public colleges from the states open records laws. It states that meetings, records and votes submitted by a business to a public college may be closed if they relate to investments in or financial transactions with business entities for investment purposes.

The two laws, which go into effect next month, received overwhelming support this year by lawmakers from both parties who argue that they are common-sense revisions to the states open records law. But supporters of open government say they run the risk of preventing citizens from being able to access information that should be public.

We often see law enforcement agencies try to push the envelope in terms of Sunshine Law disclosures because theyre focused on doing their job and they dont always focus on the publics right to know, Jean Maneke, an attorney for the Missouri Press Association, said in a phone interview.

The laws come amid a broader push by some lawmakers to chip away at the states Sunshine Law, which protects Missourians right to access public records and meetings. Transparency advocates, at the same time, have fought for years to make Missouri state government and local agencies more responsive to the law.

The Sunshine Law has been under attack, frankly, said Dennis Ellsworth, the executive director of the Missouri Sunshine Coalition, an open government advocacy group.

Even as legislatures across the country push to revise, or overhaul, state open records laws, the pair of Missouri bills were a surprise to some national government transparency advocates.

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Wow, those proposals would be unusual and a departure from what Ive seen across the country, David Cuillier, the director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, said in an email to The Star.

I havent seen a 50-state comparison on those issues before, but both bills are problematic, in my experience.

Cuillier added that Unrestrained secrecy tends to lead to corruption, waste, and inefficiency.

The policing law allows law enforcement agencies to close records related to security measures, GPS data or investigative or surveillance techniques if disclosing the information has the potential to endanger the health or safety of an individual or the public, according to the law. Information or data provided to a tip line for the security at an educational institution could also be closed.

And information contained in a suspicious activity report provided to law enforcement could be considered a closed record.

Maneke said theres a possibility that police agencies could abuse the law to withhold information from the public.

She pointed to the provision that allows GPS data to be a closed record.

Ive argued many times that taxpayers paid for this GPS data and, therefore, it seems very frustrating to me that information under that is being closed, she said.

Lauren Bonds, legal director for the National Police Accountability Project, a nonprofit that promotes law enforcement accountability, said that the provisions of the bill were not atypical. However, she said the vague language could be weaponized to withhold information.

Investigative and surveillance techniques sticks out to me as particularly problematic and something that can be vague enough and broad enough to be abused, she said.

State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Joplin Republican who carried the bill in the Missouri House, said in a phone interview that theres been concern among law enforcement that the release of some public records puts innocent people at risk.

Sometimes there is a relationship between transparency and confidentiality  its called reason, he told The Star. Sometimes its not reasonable to be too transparent.

Roberts said he was not talking about government transparency, but about investigative information and things that would put a person at risk.

Thats not a reasonable thing to do in the name of transparency, he said. There has to be a level of reason involved.

Two law enforcement agencies contacted by The Star said they would enforce the law but did not respond to concerns that it could be abused to close certain records that should be public.

Jacob Becchina, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department, said the KCPD was committed to adhering to all laws, especially those that pertain to public records. John Hotz, a spokesperson for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said the agency will comply with the provisions of the law.

The law related to public colleges expands the types of records that may be closed when an individual, corporation or other business entity submits information to a public college. It extends that definition to certain investment information.

The records are allowed to be closed only if a public college keeps an annual report detailing money spent to and from the company and the college.

State Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat who sponsored a version of the legislation, said the University of Missouri System requested the law. The law, according to Razer, cleans up a provision of the Sunshine Law that requires companies such as hedge funds that invest with the University of Missouri to disclose their investors publicly.

The way our Sunshine Laws are written, Mizzou or the UM system has to say, X hedge fund has invested and then that hedge fund will be legally obligated to divulge everyone whos invested in them, he said.

Razer said the new law doesnt prevent the public from accessing information about which companies are investing in Missouri colleges. It just allows companies that invest with public colleges to not have to disclose other companies theyre investing with, he said.

Christian Basi, a spokesperson for the UM System, said in an email to The Star that the system has faced resistance when attempting certain investments in the past because of how our investment could compromise the confidentiality of those investments.

The amendment to state law allows the university to maintain confidentiality with respect to the specifics of how an (external to the university) investment manager invests inside specific investment vehicles (such as companies, markets, pending acquisitions), he said.

However, Basi said, information regarding how much money the university is investing and a summary of any investment if still available to the public.

For example, with an investment in venture capital funds, this adjustment to the law would maintain the confidentiality of those firms strategy while the amount and nature of the universitys investment would be information that remains available to the public, he said.

State Sen. Rusty Black, a Chillicothe Republican who sponsored the final version of the law, said that while the legislation limits what is available under the Sunshine Law, its a good thing for investors and for Missouri colleges.

I think its a safe thing to do for the university system to be able to invest as wisely as they can and not limit who they can work with when theyre doing their investing, he said. Any firm that they could possibly look at can have confidence that that firms private information is not going to be released.

Maneke said that she hopes that the law doesnt prevent the public from accessing investment information from Missouris public colleges. Because there have not been any lawsuits or rulings on the law, its unclear how it would be applied, she said.

Anytime you have a public institution that makes investments, whether its a school or government investing their funds, the public has an interest in where that money is being used  is it a good investment, is it a bad investment - because its the publics money, she said.

Its troubling. I dont know what the impact of that is going to be because I really havent had clients run into that.

Razer, in a follow up text to The Star, pushed back on any criticism of the legislation, saying that it merely clarified a narrow section of state law.

We want companies to invest in, and collaborate with, our colleges and universities, but that does not make these entities a government body, the text said. This is a commonsense clarification which is why it received broad bipartisan support.

While the application of the new laws may be unclear, government transparency advocates are concerned about the message they send amid the broader push by lawmakers to whittle away at the states open records laws.

Maneke said there was a definite push by the legislature this year to close access to some records.

Ive been very concerned about the efforts to narrow what is actually considered a public record because I think the public will pay for that, will lose a lot of information, she said.

In theory, the Sunshine Law is supposed to make public records readily accessible. In practice, requests can sometimes linger for months and large fees can sometimes discourage the public from requesting records in the first place.

I can tell you, far and away, the constituents who have benefitted from the Sunshine Law, the average citizens who need more and more access to knowledge about whats going on in government and public bodies, said Ellsworth. Its not about wanting to compromise security and that kind of thing. Were not about that.
The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on a case that will decide when signature collection can begin for eleven ballot initiatives that aim to restore abortion rights in the state.

Efforts to place the issue before voters have been halted by a dispute between Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick.

The two disagree on the potential cost to the state of legalizing access to abortion services. Fitzpatrick consulted 60 state and local agencies to calculate the estimated cost, with only Greene County reporting a cost of $51,000  an estimate of lost future tax revenue that might have been paid by those aborted.

Bailey argues that the cost is much higher. He and the governors office also project potential losses of $12.5 billion in Medicaid funding, but the Department of Social Services, which manages the states Medicaid program, said it foresees no fiscal losses.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks to reporters after being sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2023 at the Missouri Supreme Court in Jefferson City.

Last month, Cole County Judge Jon Beetem ordered Bailey to certify Fitzpatricks fiscal note summary, which would allow the ballot initiatives to move forward. Bailey appealed, leading to Tuesdays hearing in the states highest court.

Arguments center on numbers, legal authority

Fitzpatricks current fiscal note summary reads, state governmental entities estimate no costs or savings, but unknown impact. Local governmental entities estimate costs of at least $51,000 annually in reduced tax revenues. Opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue.

Assistant Attorney General Jason Lewis argued that Fitzpatrick was hiding an elephant in a mousehole by not including more specific estimates from opponents of the cost of the ballot initiative.

Lewis continued by asserting that only including the $51,000 loss reported by Greene County in the summary was misleading. Bailey wanted potential tax losses extrapolated across the state. That could have made the estimated cost as high as $51 billion, including presumed Medicaid losses.

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Representing the auditors office was Robert Tillman, who pointed out that this is the first time a fiscal note summary for a ballot initiative has ever been returned for revision.

More: An effort to put abortion on the ballot heads to the Missouri Supreme Court this week

The attorney general would have you believe that facts and figures are argumentative, Tillman said. But, numbers are numbers.

Tillman stated that the auditors fiscal note summaries meet legal content requirements, and that the attorney general has a perfunctory, ministerial role in the process.

Anthony Rothert represented the Missouri ACLU and Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who filed the initial lawsuit. He argued that Fitzpatrick reviewed Baileys suggested revisions to the fiscal note and confirmed the findings of his summary with the appropriate state agencies.

The governor and attorney general each submitted letters to Fitzpatrick disputing his findings, but these were deemed to contain no new evidence altering the fiscal note summary.

A revision doesnt mean a rehash of the same information, Rothert said. It means applying new information to make alterations as necessary.

AG's actions "direct threat" to democracy, attorney says

Rothert argues that Bailey is using the dispute to deny voters the chance to decide they want abortion rights reinstated in Missouri.

There have long been shenanigans around preparation of ballot initiatives by partisans of all stripes, Rothert said. But the attorney generals actions here represent the most direct threat to direct democracy thats ever happened.

More: Missouri ballot measures adding abortion protections to state constitution filed

Following the hearing, Luz Maria Henriquez, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri, expressed hope that the court will deliver swift judgment in the case. The ballot initiatives have been stalled for 133 days, more than double the maximum 54 days allowed by law.

We expect the Missouri Supreme Court to put an end to these delay tactics deployed by the attorney general to deny Missourians the opportunity to vote on protecting reproductive freedom, Henriquez said.

The court issued no ruling Tuesday but it is expected to make a decision by the end of the month.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri Supreme Court hears abortion ballot initiative case
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cooperate with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administrations bloody crackdown on illegal drugs.

Hontiveros, a known critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte, welcomed the ICCs decision to reject the Philippine governments petition against the resumption of the probe.

READ: ICC to continue probe into Duterte's drug war; court chamber junks PH appeal

This is an important first step in achieving justice for the victims, the widows, and the orphans of the war on drugs, she said in a statement on Wednesday.

My hope is that the President and the agencies of the Executive will cooperate with the investigation of the ICC so that true justice is obtained, she added.

The lawmaker also said that the Filipino people are watching if he will put the country or his political alliance first.

Vice President Sara Duterte was the running mate of Marcos in last years national elections.

In February, Marcos stressed that he cannot cooperate with the ICC, saying the Philippines is a sovereign nation and we are not colonies anymore of these former imperialists.

READ: Marcos on ICC: 'I cannot cooperate with them'

Even before the ICCs announcement on Tuesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that the upper chamber would protect Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is among the accused in the investigation unless a local court issues an arrest warrant against the latter.

Dela Rosa was the chief of the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration.
A woman from Missouri testified in front of a congressional committeethis week about the harrowing details surrounding her self-managed abortion in a state that has banned most abortions.

When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, a trigger law took effect in Missouri that became one of the countrys most restrictive abortion bans, outlawing all abortions except in cases of medical emergency. The Supreme Court decision also prompted a huge increase in the sale of abortion pills. (Medication abortion is the most common form of abortion in the U.S. Though its use is technically still legal at the national level, it is challenging to obtain.)

Rev. Dr. Love Holt told the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Monday that she was rushed to an emergency room on Jan. 20 for severe blood loss.

I nodded in and out of consciousness in the lobby for several minutes as blood began dripping down my legs. I sat in that wheelchair and instead of thinking about survival, I thought about not going to jail, Holt told the committee members.

I told myself to make sure you tell the staff that youre having a miscarriage, but I knew I was having an abortion. I also knew that for that medication pill, [it] needed to be taken orally because it showed up like a miscarriage in front of the doctors, said Holt, who is from St. Louis.

Holt, a mother of five, is a community engagement manager at Abortion Action Missouri, an organization working toward reproductive freedom. Her bio on the Abortion Action Missouri website says she is an abortion doula, herbal womb practitioner and cultural competency consultant.

Holt, who describes herself as a pro-choice storyteller, believes she is one of the first people to testify to Congress about her personal experience with a self-managed abortion.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a member of the oversight committee who was at Mondays meeting, said that more people need to hear stories like Holts.

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These are the stories that we need to hear more of in hearings in Congress because the reality is that Rev. Dr. Holts story is not an anomaly, Bush told HuffPost. Rather, it represents the reality of so many people struggling to terminate their pregnancies in states that have banned or severely limited access to abortion care.

Bush, along with Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), invited Love to Mondays meeting.

Mifepristone is smaller than a tic tac, but its impact is so much bigger than its size. It saves lives. Its health care. Its a lifeline.



SCOTUS & Republicans cant stop abortions. Well do everything in our power to protect access to safe and legal abortion. #MifeRoundtablepic.twitter.com/PNBhrkLwht  Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) July 18, 2023

During the testimony, Holt described the day she took the medication abortion pill  which she characterized as the day she almost died. Holt was approximately 13 weeks and six days pregnant on Jan. 20, but medication abortion pill guidelines recommend taking the pill before the 13-week mark.

But Missouris 2019 trigger law banned nearly all abortions, except during emergencies or when necessary to save the life of the birthing person. So Holt had to opt for a self-managed abortion, even if it meant taking the medication beyond the 13-week mark.

Holts first order of the pill had been stolen in the mail. And she didnt have the set of two pills until 18 days after ordering the second one.

Within 45 minutes of taking the pill, Holt said she experienced heavy bleeding, cramping and blood clots, then she became lightheaded.

According to Planned Parenthoods website, there are extremely rare instances in which a patient who takes the pill could face life-threatening complications  including bleeding so heavy it saturates more than two maxi pads per hour or blood clots that are larger than the size of a lemon.

Medication abortion is regarded as safer than taking drugs like penicillin or Viagra, but in these rare instances, Planned Parenthood urges someone experiencing these symptoms to contact a doctor or health center immediately. However, someone living in a state with strict abortion laws, like Missouri, might decide to delay seeking medical advice or care out of fear of revealing the abortion.

Holts children were home as the bleeding persisted, so she decided to seclude herself in her car so her children wouldnt be traumatized by the sight of her bleeding. Holts kids later called Holts mother, who discovered her unresponsive in the car completely covered in blood.

Holt said that they rushed her to a Catholic-run hospital nearby, where she received a dilatation-and-curettage surgical procedure. Recounting the experience to HuffPost, Holt said the hospital staff then hosted a funeral service for the tissue she passed  and even offered her a death certificate.

I was forced to participate in having my tissues in a mass grave with a headstone, Holt told HuffPost. I was sickened.

Holts story inspired her to talk to the congressional panel on behalf of many Missouri residents who have been left without access to abortions and must take extreme measures to obtain them.

Forcing people to carry unwanted pregnancies drives people into further positions of poverty, and poverty gives birth to violence and survival modes that make people unpredictable, and they do things that they would normally not do, like me, Holt said Monday.

I almost lost my life that day, she continued. I would have left my children, my Black children, alone in this cruel, cold world to navigate it alone. Nobody to protect them, nobody to support them.

Abortion rights advocates demonstrate June 30, 2022, against the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that had established a constitutional right to abortion.

Abortion rights advocates demonstrate June 30, 2022, against the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that had established a constitutional right to abortion.

With the Dobbs v. Jackson decision that walked back Roe, some conservatives are pushing forward with plans for a nationwide abortion ban.

See, the Dobbs decision is a death sentence for thousands of Black women and birthing people alone in Missouri, Holt said. So I want you to take a second and consider what will happen if this ban is national. How many people will die and suffer at the hands of the consequences of not having access to safe, medical abortions?

In a phone call with HuffPost, Holt underscored the importance of speaking to members of Congress.

There was a lot weighing on this conversation. And I knew that ... maybe as a local St. Louis activist, this might be my only chance to have a national platform to tell people about the things that working people experience from these bans, Holt told HuffPost.

I think I might have drawn a tear from every eye in the room  masculine or feminine presenting  it didnt matter. It seemed like everyone was engaged in my story, she added.

Holt told HuffPost that there are a multitude of ways for birthing people to get access to abortion care  including Pills by Post and Plan C, online organizations that help individuals find access to abortion medication.

One of the things that is always overarching, as a Black activist fighting for a marginalized community of working people, is that the lawmakers and larger figures dont care about saving any one of our children or any one of our bodies, Holt said.

We add to the working force, we add to the balance that they know needs to exist to have wealth and poverty, good and evil. They understand that there has to be somebody on the adverse side. And they want it to be everyone but them, she said. But that will never stop me from telling my story until the day I die.

Alanna Vagianos contributed to this report.

If you or anyone you know needs assistance self-managing a miscarriage or abortion, please call the Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline at (833) 246-2632 for confidential medical support or the Repro Legal Helpline at (844) 868-2812 for confidential legal information and advice.

Related...
The bikinis, one pieces and thongs have come and gone from (two!) separate Magic City swimsuit extravaganzas this summer, but theres one show still making waves.

That would be the always eye-raising Black Tape Project, by Joel Alvarez.

On the evening of July 8 at the Fontainebleau hotel, the controversial designer paraded models down the runway in his signature wearable sticky tape in all colors, shapes and, um, sizes.

The brand showcased over 100 looks ... breaking fashion norms and pioneering artistic fashion in the 21st century, says a release of the boundary pushing designs at Miami Swim Week event Powered by Art Hearts Fashion.

The beyond skimpy styles were, as always, striking in a quasi X-rated/NSFW way, as the women were not covered by any actual fabric or material, just strategically placed adhesive.

There was one sea change at this particular show: It was Alvarezs first in his hometown since his moniker change.

Alvarezs Instagram bio now reads in all caps: My name is Drakhan Blackhart. The King of Tape. Father of Dragons [the term he uses for his models]. Breakers of chains.

Why the reinvention? It seems the creative genius went through a bad breakup and wanted to start fresh. In February at New York Fashion Week, he told the Village Voice that he invited his ex to sit in the front row for closure.

The whole show was meant to let her go and bury Joel Alvarez on that stage for the world to see, Blackhart told the newspaper. It was 1000 percent only for her. I still wish her the best, but Joel had to go.

Dont cry for this guy, who has worked on major celeb projects with Michael Bay (Pain and Gain), Billy Ray Cyrus and Rick Ross and also sells his signature tape online starting at $29.99 a pop.

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Now Drakhan Blackhart is here, and he is not a hopeless romantic, he continued. He is the king of tape. The most controversial designer on the planet.

Like most masterminds who think outside the box, Alvarez does have his share of critics. A few Internet trolls called out the Fontainebleau show out for the lack of diversity and inclusion. For example, major label Cupshe just celebrated such models as Marsha Ella, who was born with one leg, and Chanel Iman, who is due to give birth any day.

Blackhart seems to think he is in a class by himself, and he kind of is. He called his most recent risque show historic and plans to rock NYFW yet again in the fall.

On Wednesday, the designers Instagram feed lit up with a snap of a blond, statuesque beauty wrapped in what appeared to be bondage gear.

The caption: @thekingoftape gave Miami Swim Week a show that they cant stop talking about.
A mother and her 5-year-old daughter died after being swept down a Connecticut river, according to police.

Kelly Dora, 39, and her daughter were at the Shetucket River near Sprague on Tuesday, July 18, when they became lost in the water, Connecticut State Police said in a news release.

After first responders arrived, they found Dora and her daughter in the river, police said.

Rescuers performed life-saving measures on the pair before they were taken to separate hospitals, police said.

Dora was pronounced dead at a hospital on July 18, according to police, while her daughter died at a childrens hospital the following day.

Police said they do not suspect foul play and that an investigation into their untimely deaths is ongoing.

Sprague is about 40 miles southeast of Hartford.

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US Army soldier Travis King can reportedly be seen in this photo on a tour of the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom before he crossed the border into North Korea. AP photo/Sarah Leslie

A photo shows the moment just before US Army soldier Travis King bolted into North Korea.

King had joined in on a civilian tour in South Korea before he made a mad dash over the border into the communist country.

US officials now believe that King is in North Korean custody.

This photo shows the moments before US Army soldier Travis King made a frantic, mad dash across the border from South Korea into communist North Korea while on a tour of a border village on Tuesday.

The image, provided to the Associated Press and Reuters by witness Sarah Leslie, reportedly shows King wearing a black shirt and black cap as he walked among a group of tourists in the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone in the village of Panmunjom.

King  who's now thought to be in North Korean custody  "willfully and without authorization" crossed from South Korea over the heavily fortified border into North Korea, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said.

He was previously held in a South Korean prison for nearly two months over assault charges and was in the process of being brought back to the US before he joined in on the civilian tour and bolted into North Korea, US officials told the Associated Press.

Leslie told the news outlet she thought King's stunt was so "stupid" that it had to be a TikTok prank.

Leslie said when King made his move, she heard an American guard who was patrolling the area with South Korean troops shout out, "Get that guy!"

King reportedly laughed as he ran across the border.

"This man gives out a loud 'ha ha ha,' and just runs in between some buildings," a witness on the tour told CBS News.

Read the original article on Business Insider
New Delhi  India's monsoon-rain-swollen Yamuna river, which flooded parts of Delhi last week, has become so engorged that its waters were lapping Wednesday at the walls of India's most iconic monument and tourist attraction, the Taj Mahal. It's the first time in almost half a century that the Yamuna's waters in Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, have touched the outer walls of the 17th-century white marble monument. The last time this happened was in 1978.

Photos and videos shared by people on social media showed a garden located behind the Taj Mahal submerged, and water touching the red stone outer walls of majestic Taj Mahal compound.

This photograph shows flooded banks of river Yamuna along the Taj Mahal in Agra. / Credit: PAWAN SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which maintains the UNESCO World Heritage site, said the monument was not under threat.

"It is unlikely that the floodwater will enter the monument. The ingenious design of the structure rules out such threats. Water cannot enter the main mausoleum even during high floods," Raj Kumar Patel, Superintendent Archaeologist at the ASI, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

It is rare for the Yamuna  a key tributary of the mighty river Ganges, which runs through the states of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh  to rise so high as to pose a threat. While the monsoon rains that lash India every year from June through September do bring floods regularly, record rainfall this season had brought unusual, deadly flooding across a wide swathe of northern India.

This photograph taken on July 18, 2023 shows flooded banks of river Yamuna along the Taj Mahal in Agra. / Credit: PAWAN SHARMA/AFP via Getty Images

Parts of the capital Delhi were flooded last week as Yamuna overflowed, grinding life in the city of some 30 million people to a halt. Other Himalayan states such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab also saw large-scale devastation due to landslides and house collapses  resulting in almost 100 deaths.

On Tuesday, the Yamuna's water level in Agra was 498 feet  at least three feet above the low flood level, officials said, and the river was expected to go over the 500-foot mark in the coming days as more water was being released into it from at least two dams.

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Police, government, and rescue workers have evacuated people from 50 villages and 20 urban neighborhoods in low-lying areas of Agra and surrounding areas as the water creeps into homes.

As flood waters recede, some houses are still submerged in New Delhi, India. / Credit: Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Around a 100 villages were without electricity and drinking water Wednesday, according to the Times of India.

Extreme weather events like this year's monsoon rains are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, experts have said, putting millions in the country of 1.42 billion at risk.

Air pollution, which is a significant contributor to the warming climate, is also threatening the Taj Mahal. The city has consistently remained near the top of global charts ranking the world's most polluted cities. In 2018, India's toxic air turned the white marble of the monument hues of brown and green.

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More than 4 in 10 Americans believe the Supreme Court has become too conservative, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

The poll, published Wednesday, found that 43 percent of respondents believe that the Supreme Court is too conservative, while 13 percent of those surveyed think that the court is too liberal and 33 percent believe that the current ideology of the Supreme Court is just about right.

This is a change from a September 2021 Quinnipiac University poll, in which 34 percent thought the Supreme Court was too conservative, 34 percent thought it was about right and 19 percent thought it was too liberal.

Along political party lines, 80 percent of Democrat respondents now believe that the Supreme Court is too conservative, compared with 38 percent of independent respondents and 8 percent of Republicans.

In contrast, 25 percent of Republican respondents believe that the Supreme Court is too liberal, compared with 12 percent of independent respondents and 5 percent of Democrats.

By race, Black respondents were more likely to see the nations highest court as too conservative compared with white and Hispanic respondents. Younger respondents were also more likely to hold this view than older respondents.

The poll comes weeks after the Supreme Court struck down the use of race as a factor for college admissions, along with the Biden Administrations proposed student debt relief initiative.

The court last year also struck down Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision that gave women the constitutional right to an abortion.

Three members of the Supreme Courts conservative majority were appointed by former President Trump, and the courts series of controversial decisions in the past two years has spurred Democratic debates over proposals to expand the court or impose term limits.

A series of scandals centered on Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife have further stoked frustration on the left and prompted calls for legislation imposing ethics rules on the countrys highest court.

The Quinnipiac University poll was conducted from July 13 to July 17 with a total of 2,056 respondents participating in the survey. The polls margin of error was 2.3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Morocco's top court has rejected the final appeals of two journalists, Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni (FADEL SENNA)

Morocco's top court has rejected the final appeals of two journalists, Omar Radi and Soulaimane Raissouni, imprisoned on sexual assault charges they deny, their lawyer said Wednesday.

The court of cassation in Rabat on Tuesday "rejected our appeal and confirmed the prison sentences" of the two men who have been behind bars since 2021, lawyer Miloud Kandil told AFP.

Radi, 37, was handed a six-year prison term and Raissouni, 51, a five-year sentence in trials that defence lawyers labelled "flawed".

Human Rights Watch has accused Morocco of using criminal trials, especially for alleged sexual offences, as "techniques of repression" to silence journalists and government critics.

Authorities in the North African kingdom say the journalists were tried for common law crimes which "have nothing to do" with their profession or free speech.

Radi's father told AFP that the family had "expected this decision despite the countless irregularities" that had marred the judicial procedure.

"We know that justice is not independent in this case, but we hope for a royal pardon to close this file, which has damaged the image of our country so much," added Driss Radi.

Lawyers for jailed Moroccan journalists and rights defenders had earlier urged the authorities to find a "judicial, political and legal solution" so that the two journalists could be freed.

They had warned that their prison conditions "do not respect basic rights" and threaten their health.

The watchdog group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Morocco 144th out of 180 countries in its latest World Press Freedom Index, down nine positions from 2022.

- 'Disastrous signal' -

Khaled Drareni, RSF's North Africa representative, said of the latest court ruling that "the signal sent is a disastrous one".

Feminist lawyer Aicha Guella, president of victims' rights group AMVD, welcomed the ruling and charged that Radi and Raissouni and their supporters were "trying to politicise these cases when the facts have been established in court".

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Morocco lost an opportunity to reverse course on its retaliatory measures against independent journalists, whose voices the country so desperately needs," said Sherif Mansour, Middle East and North Africa coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Radi, an investigative journalist who has written about official corruption, was arrested and charged in July 2020.

He was prosecuted for "undermining the internal security of the state" and accepting foreign financing and, in a separate case, for the "rape" of a former colleague who rejected his claim that they had consensual relations.

Raissouni, an editorialist who has been critical of the authorities, was prosecuted on "sexual assault" charges brought by a young LGBTQ activist, which he has denied.

He was arrested in May 2020 but did not attend most of his initial trial between February and July 2021 because he was on a 122-day hunger strike.

The court also upheld the conviction and one-year jail term of another journalist, Imad Stitou, who had been a defence witness in Radi's trial but was then himself charged for "failure to assist a person in danger".

Stitou, who had backed Radi's testimony in court, left Morocco and was tried in absentia.

isb-agr/fka/mca/cwl
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Morocco's king invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an official visit, the prime minister's office said in a statement on Wednesday, two days after Israel recognised the kingdom's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.

In a personal letter, which was confirmed by Morocco's national news agency, MAP, King Mohammed VI thanked Israel for its position and said Netanyahu's visit "would open new opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations".

Israel's national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita agreed on Wednesday to set a date "in the near future" for what would be Netanyahu's first visit to the kingdom, the prime minister's statement said.

Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, but the Algerian-backed Polisario Front wants an independent state there. In 2020, then-U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Morocco's claim to the territory in return for Morocco's resumption of diplomatic ties with Israel.

Earlier on Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson told reporters that the U.S. recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara remains unchanged.

Twenty-eight other countries - mostly African and Arab - have opened consulates in the Western Saharan cities of Dakhla or Laayoune, in what Morocco sees as tangible support for its Western Saharan rule.

According to MAP, the king also welcomed Israel's decision to mull opening a consulate in Western Sahara in his letter.

After Israel's announcement on Monday, a Moroccan senior government official told Reuters that efforts to upgrade Morocco's liaison office in Israel to an embassy are "ongoing," without offering a specific date.

The official added that Israel's recognition would not affect Morocco's "principles" in defending the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Palestinians want to establish an independent state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, among territories Israel occupied in a 1967 Middle East war.

(Reporting by Henriette Chacar; Additional reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Leslie Adler)
[Source]

More than half of Asian Americans have an unfavorable view of China, according to a new Pew Research Center survey on how Asian Americans see their ancestral homelands.

Key Findings: The nationally representative survey was conducted from July 5, 2022, to Jan. 27, 2023. among 7,006 Asian American adults. It found that 52% have an unfavorable opinion on China  the largest percentage for a negative view among eight countries included in the survey. About 26% reported having neither a favorable or unfavorable view of China, while only 20% said they saw the country in a positive light.

Meanwhile, a majority of 78% expressed favorable views on the U.S.; 68% on Japan; 62% on South Korea and 56% on Taiwan. Opinions on the Philippines, Vietnam and India are more mixed, with majorities of respondents reporting neither a favorable or unfavorable view on each of them.

When it comes to origin groups opinions on their own ancestral homeland, the survey found that most respondents have positive views. However, China, again, is the exception, with less than half (41%) of Chinese Americans reporting a very or somewhat favorable opinion of the country.

More from NextShark: Football Player Stops Suspect Months Before Same Man is Arrested for Invading Elderly Asian Home

The survey also found that Chinese Americans have more favorable views of other places in Asia  namely Japan, Taiwan and South Korea  than their homeland. Vietnamese Americans, additionally, see Japan more favorably than Vietnam.

On moving to their homelands: Aside from views on their ancestral homelands and other Asian countries, Pew also asked the respondents whether they would move to their ancestral homelands. It found that 72% would not move if given the chance.

Main reasons for moving also varied across origin groups: Most Chinese Americans said they would move to be closer to family and friends (27%), while most Indian Americans (52%), Filipino Americans (47%) and Vietnamese Americans (35%) would do so for the lower cost of living. Still, most Korean Americans (24%) said they would move for better health care.

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Read the full report here.

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'When manufacturers make it easier for people to perform DIY repairs and modifications, or to use an independent repair service, theyre making repair a viable option for more people and supporting a more circular economy.'

The smartphone Fairphone 4 is finally available in the United States. The phone, lauded for its sustainability, is user-repairable and made with responsibly-sourced materials like Fairtrade-certified gold and aluminum from suppliers certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI).

Like many other smartphones, the Fairphone 4 has front and back cameras, an LCD touchscreen, Near Field Communication technology that allows contactless payments via mobile wallets, and even a fingerprint scanner. It also offers at least five years of software support, assuring users that theyll be providing updates for years to come.

Given that smartphones are the most widely used electronic device around the world, efforts to reduce their environmental impact are important, says Gregory A. Keoleian, director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan.

[Related: Memory vs. storage: What to know when buying a new smartphone.]

Emerging trends and technologies often create consumer demand for newer models with better features, even though older phones still function. Smartphones are a significant electronic waste stream in the US with around 151 million products being thrown away annually, and only about 17 percent are properly treated and recycled.

The impact of smartphones on the environment

Smartphones may be small enough to fit in your pocket, but their carbon emissions likely surpass that of desktop computers, laptops, and LCDs. For instance, the iPhone 14 Pro contributes 65 kilograms of carbon emissions throughout its life cycle, which is equivalent to driving about 167 miles in an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle, says Keoleian.

About 80 percent of a smartphones carbon footprint is generated during the manufacturing stage. Mining, refining, and transporting precious metals consume a lot of energy, while the act of mining itself harms the natural environment. Thats why, Keoleian says there may be no such thing as a sustainable smartphone. Every smartphone has impacts related to their manufacture and use, and opportunities exist to further reduce these impacts, he says.

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Consumers can reduce environmental harm by replacing devices less frequently or opting for refurbished phones instead, says Keoleian. Refurbished phones, or pre-owned devices that were restored to like new condition and verified to function properly, are cheaper as well. Refurbished iPhone 12 products, which completed full functional testing and come with their standard one-year limited warranty, cost about $120 to $240 lower than new ones.

Joy Scrogum, assistant scientist of sustainability at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, says that manufacturers make more money if consumers believe they need the latest smartphone models. For example, Apple and Samsung, the two companies that currently dominate the smartphone industry, both release new phone models every year. These often come with specs that were improved from the previous model: better camera system, longer battery, performance upgrade of the graphics card, and more.

[Related: Letting your favorite things gather dust is unsustainableuse them.]

However, Scrogum says this belief is not always reflective of reality. Most people probably dont use all the processing power or features of their current phone, let alone what they might find on the latest smartphone models, she adds.

Smartphone users have to reassess whether they really need an upgrade. According to Scrogum, she bought her current smartphone when her now 18-year-old daughter started middle school. Although a few retailer apps are no longer compatible with the device, it's "not a big deal" and the phone still functions well, she says.

"Would I like a better camera on my phone?," says Scrogum. "Sure, but thats not really a need. My phone still does everything I need it to do, and plenty of things I dont really need, like providing games to play." She adds that she'll get a new phone when apps she regularly relies on stop being compatible with the device, but in that case, it's not that the phone isn't useful anymoreits because app developers stopped making the latest versions of their software compatible with the oldest devices still in service.

How manufacturers can practice sustainability

The best thing manufacturers can do to make devices more sustainable is to design them for repairability and upgradability, says Scrogum. Having components that can be easily removed and replaced is important because it allows consumers to fix issues and upgrade features without having to replace the entire phone.

[Related: Big tech companies are finally making devices easier to repair.]

In other words, plan for durability rather than obsolescence, she adds. Keep in mind that phones which are designed to be easier to take apart for repair are also easier to disassemble at their end-of-life so components and materials can be reused or recycled.

Smartphones will also remain in service longer with more equitable access to the tools and information needed for repairs and upgrades. Scrogum says manufacturers can restrict access to replacement parts or tools to control repair through their own authorized technicians, but the cost or proximity to such service providers may be a barrier for some folks.

When manufacturers make it easier for people to perform DIY repairs and modifications, or to use an independent repair service, theyre making repair a viable option for more people and supporting a more circular economy, says Scrogum.

Policy support is also crucial. New York passed a Right to Repair law last year that covers smartphones. It ensures that the diagnostic and repair information for digital electronic products available to authorized repair providers is also made available by manufacturers to consumers and independent repair services. Companies like Samsung, Google, and Apple have also established programs allowing consumers and independent repair providers to buy official parts.

Policies requiring standardization of common components may also help consumers keep their smartphones around longer. The European Union recently passed legislation that requires a USB-C charging port for phones and other small- and medium-sized devices like tablets and e-readers by 2024. A mandatory universal charger was established to help reduce the generation of electronic waste. The rule also unbundles chargers with electronic devices, allowing consumers to forgo them when buying a new product and save about $280 million annually on unnecessary charger purchases.

When in doubt, the greenest device is the one you already own, or one previously owned by someone else, says Scrogum. We need to keep products in useful service for as long as possible.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order declaring the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) as a flagship program of his administration, mandating the identification of state-owned lands suitable for housing and human settlement.

Executive Order (EO) No. 34 requires all government agencies to conduct an inventory of the lands they own and administer, and to submit a complete list to the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) within 60 days from the release of the directive.

The inventory of lands shall include government-owned idle lands or lands that have not been used for the purposes for which they have been originally reserved or set aside for at least 10 years, and on which no improvements have been made by the owner as certified by the concerned LGU, read the EO signed by Marcos on Monday and made public on Wednesday.

The DHSUD shall then recommend to the president, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the issuance of proclamations declaring public lands as alienable and disposable, and reserving these for housing and human settlement purposes.

The EO states that the DHSUD shall acquire ownership of these properties and immediately carry out their development for the governments housing program.

According to the government, the countrys housing needs have accumulated to 6.8 million units as of 2022.

Marcos earlier said he is confident that his administration will meet its target to build six million units by the end of his term  or 1 million yearly  under the 4PH program.

RELATED: 1M houses to be turned over by 2025, initial units seen ready by next year  Housing czar
Katie Koch, 34, has been arrested for allegedly imprisoning her two sons aged 7 and 9 in a Milwaukee home (Milwaukee Police Department)

A Wisconsin mother and her boyfriend are facing felony charges of child neglect and false imprisonment after her two sons were allegedly locked in a horror home for years.

Katie Koch, 34, and Joel Manke, 38, were arrested after her two sons aged seven and nine were seen running down a suburban Milwaukee street naked and covered in blood and faeces on 13 July.

Neighbours contacted authorities after they saw a woman violently drag the two boys back into the house, according to WJDT.

The children were acting like cavemen, like they had never seen the sun before, one neighbour told the CBS affiliate station.

Officers from the Milwaukee Police Department said they discovered a terrible hoarding situation when they entered the home on South 71st St. Ms Koch allegedly began putting a diaper on a child, they said.

Ms Koch has been charged with four felony counts and two misdemeanors of child neglect and false imprisonment. Mr Manke is charged with four felony counts, according to WDJT.

Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Mallory Davis said the children had been essentially confined to their room for much of their lives during a court hearing on Monday.

Its really terrible; its like something out of a horror movie, Ms Davis said.

The childrens bedroom door was locked from the outside with a latch, and the windows were boarded shut, she said.

Joel Manke, 38, is facing felony child neglect and false imprisonment charges after his girlfriends sons were found covered in faeces in their Milwaukee home (Milwaukee Police Department)

I have finally been able to view videos and photographs of the home and I can tell you that almost every inch of their walls was covered in human faeces.

Ms Davis said the children's heads had to be shaved because their hair was matted with faeces.

These children have been horribly damaged from their mother's actions, she said.

They are completely uneducated. They are not potty trained, even at their ages. They are, essentially at this point, unable to function in society.

Mr Manke told investigators he had lived at the home since 2007, while Ms Koch moved in about four years ago, WDJT reported.

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According to a criminal complaint, Mr Manke said he knew the boys were not being treated well but had to pick his battles to avoid fighting with Ms Koch.

Neighbours said they hadnt even been aware children were living at the property until they saw the boys running naked on the street last week.

Im not going to ever forget the way they looked when they came running out of that house  never forget that, neighbour Chris Eder told WISN.

The look on their faces was pure bewilderment. They were just looking all around. They could not  I dont think theyd ever been outside before.

A court commissioner set Ms Kochs cash bail at $30,000. Mr Manke's cash bail was set at $6,500.
Missouri State University's efactory is celebrating its 10th anniversary. I

Demand for coworking space at Missouri State University's efactory has maxed out the available square footage and open desks.

In response, the efactory is expanding that service.

At a Wednesday celebration to mark its 10th anniversary, the efactory announced the opening of a third coworking space. The move doubles its overall capacity.

"We've seen a huge increase in demand," said Rachel Anderson, executive director of efactory.

That ongoing demand initially drove the efactory to dedicate a second area in the Plaster Free Enterprise Center for coworking, an arrangement that allows remote workers, small business employees and entrepreneurs to share office space.

The new coworking space will be on the third floor of Brick City's Building 3. The semi-private offices will be called Coworking@Brick.

In an interview with the News-Leader, Anderson said traditional office jobs have changed with improved technology and the flexibility created during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rachel Anderson, director of the efactory at Missouri State University

Anderson recalled her own experience returning to Springfield and working remotely for a company based in Los Angeles. She then created her own tech startup company.

"This mindset where you go to a place and you work ... in the same room as other people, who might be working on different things was still pretty new to Springfield," recalled Anderson of that time a decade ago. "We started with probably six members and now are supporting more than 40 members on a monthly basis."

The efactory offers a range of coworking options and amenities build with more usage, including:

Day passes: $20 for a single day or $100 for a pack of 10. Includes internet, phone booths and bottomless coffee during regular weekday business hours;

Floating desk: $100 a month to work from any open desk. The added amenities include mail and package delivery, printing and copying, free entry to efactory programs, and the ability to reserve conference and phone rooms;

Dedicated desk: $200 a month includes all the amenities in the other packages plus 24/7 access and a dedicated desk;

Semi-private office: $300 a month and includes all amenities in other packages plus a monthly parking pass.

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"We started really in one room and saw that pick up throughout the pandemic and honestly don't see that slowing down," Anderson said.

She said the coworking space is heavily used by individuals who are fully remote or working to get a nonprofit or small business started.

"They just need a place where they can go and work from. Some people are coming in your traditional office hours, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.," she said. "Some people might be working full-time but need a place to work on an idea, maybe not even a fully formed business. They can come and do that."

Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal named Springfield the No. 1 city for remote workers. Anderson said efactory and the new space in Brick City are just north of downtown Springfield and near amenities.

More: Is Springfield the best U.S. city for remote workers? Here's what these locals think

She said flexibility and available space is critical in a coworking setting. She said the space allocated for coworking is often busy.

The new space in Brick City was formerly occupied by the Marlin advertising and marketing company and includes three conference rooms, 14 semi-private offices and slightly more than 8,000 square feet.

"It will give us a little more breathing room since we've been fully occupied across the street with private offices and coworking since 2017. That is really rare in our world," she said.

Startup workers use Missouri State University eFactory space to pursue their business goals.

She said occupancy in a coworking space typically hovers at 75% based on the nature of startup companies but that has not been the case with the efactory.

"We always want to make sure we have capacity for people and don't have 100% occupancy," she said.

Anderson said when the efactory opened in 2013  she joined a short time later  it was envisioned as a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs.

Over time, it has added programs for businesses and employers in the Springfield area and works closely to support the mission of Missouri State and network with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We are so thrilled and excited to not only still be here after 10 years but to be in a place where we're really growing our services," she said.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: MSU's efactory doubles coworking space with Brick City expansion
Twitter owner Elon Musk pushed back at Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs (D-N.Y.) criticism of the platforms safety measures with a nod to a popular line from William Shakespeares Hamlet.

Twitter Safety claimed Tuesday that over 99 percent of the content users and advertisers see on the social media platform is healthy, adding that the reach of hate speech on Twitter continues to represent an extreme small fraction of the overall conversation.

Ocasio-Cortez responded to the tweet, writing she has never experienced more harassment on this platform than I do now. She argued people are paying to give their own harassment more visibility.

The de-verification of journalists, civic orgs, and figures has made it impossible to follow conversations, she continued. I wish it could be usable again.

Musk clapped back at the lawmaker, tweeting Tuesday night, Methinks somebody doth protest too much

Methinks somebody doth protest too much   Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 19, 2023

According to Twitter Safety, they partnered with Sprinklr, a unified customer experience management platform, to assess and reduce hate speech on the the social media platform using Sprinklrs artificial intelligence (AI) model.

Sprinklrs independent model continues to show the reach of daily English-language hate speech impressions is even lower than Twitters own model represents, Twitter Safety wrote in its update Tuesday, estimating hate speech impressions are 30 percent lower on average compared with impressions before Musk acquired Twitter last fall.

Ocasio-Cortez has publicly criticized the platform on multiple occasions since Musks takeover, from blasting the billionaire over suspending several journalists from the social media platform to accusing Musk of boosting a fake Twitter account impersonating her.

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More from The Hill

Shortly after Musk purchased Twitter in a $44 billion deal last fall, Ocasio scoffed at another users comparison between Twitter charging users a monthly fee and large media outlets subscription services. She later claimed her Twitter mentions and notifications conveniently werent working.

So I was informed via text that I seem to have gotten under a certain billionaires skin, the progressive lawmaker tweeted at the time.

Musk has received backlash for some of his controversial choices since purchasing Twitter, including a new approach to content moderation measures and the Twitter Blue program, which charges users to verify their account.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Muslim lawmaker in Connecticut who was attacked outside a prayer service is calling for a hate crime investigation into the incident.

You do need to investigate to see: Has this person had a bias towards Muslims? state Rep. Maryam Khan (D) told NBC News. The fact that there was none of that was very problematic to me.

Khan was assaulted after attending an Eid al-Adha service in Hartford last month, leaving her with a concussion and an injured right arm and shoulder. The suspect, 30-year-old Andrey Desmond, is facing charges including misdemeanor assault, unlawful restraint, breach of peace and interfering with police.

He allegedly made sexual advances toward Khan and her daughters, with Khan saying that he slapped her, put her in a chokehold and threw her against the ground.

I tried to de-escalate. I tried to distract, she told NBC. He just kept persisting.

Officials filed more charges against Desmond earlier this week, but hate crime charges were not among them. Hartford States Attorney Sharmese Walcott added felony charges Monday of attempted third-degree sexual assault, second-degree assault, strangulation and risk of injury to children to Desmonds case.

The Hill reached out to Walcotts office for comment.

Khan, who was the first Muslim to be elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives, accused police earlier this month of downplaying the attack, saying it was much more violent than what was described in the police report.

All I keep thinking in these last few days is what happens to women in the city of Hartford that call the police when they are assaulted, when they experience what I experienced, when they experience sexual assault, when they experience physical assault, she said.

I knew in that moment my body went numb, and I thought I was going to die.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Counterintelligence officers of the Security Service of Ukraine have prevented another Russian attempt to obtain the coordinates of buildings where military-civil administrations and units of the Defence Forces in Mykolaiv Oblast were temporarily relocated, and have arrested a resident of Mykolaiv.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU); Mykolaiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: During counter-sabotage measures in the frontline territory of Mykolaiv Oblast, SSU officers arrested a woman who cooperated with the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (namely, the Main Intelligence Directorate).

According to the investigation, the Russian informant was a resident who has been remotely cooperating with the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate since the spring of 2023.

Her main task was to establish the exact coordinates of administrative buildings of local executive authorities and the time intervals of the maximum turnout of officials there.

The Russian agent also tried to identify possible positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces long-range artillery, including HIMARS artillery rocket systems, which are involved in combat operations of Ukrainian troops on the southern front.

The woman transmitted the information to the Russian Special Service through a middleman. It turned out to be her close relative, who previously served in the disbanded Ukrainian Special Forces Berkut, and now is part of the Russian occupation police in temporarily occupied Crimea.

The Russian invaders needed the intelligence to prepare a new series of air strikes on Ukrainian targets in Mykolaiv Oblast.

Quote from the prosecutor's office: "The investigations found that in June 2023, the suspect collected information about the locations of military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and military equipment on the territory of Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts and sent it to a relative living in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea via Telegram.

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At the same time, the woman was aware that the information she provided could be used to launch artillery or airstrikes on these sites by Russia."

Details: SSU officers promptly exposed the offender, gradually documented her criminal actions and arrested her while she was trying to transfer intelligence to Russia.

During the searches, a mobile phone with evidence of correspondence with a representative of the Russian Special Service was seized from the detainee.

SSU investigators served a notice of suspicion on the 55-year-old resident of Mykolaiv regarding the unauthorised dissemination of information about the location of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Art. 114-2.3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The informant was remanded in custody as a preventive measure without the right to pay bail. She faces up to 12 years in prison.

An investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime.

Earlier: On 16 July, during a special operation in Kherson Oblast, military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine arrested a Ukrainian Armed Forces contract servicewoman on suspicion of treason and cooperation with Russian intelligence.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
In this image made from video, a cylindrical object is seen on the beach in Green Head, Australia, on July 17, 2023. Authorities were investigating whether a cylindrical object about the size of a small car that washed up on a remote Australian beach is space junk from a foreign rocket. | Channel 9 via Associated Press

A giant metal object washed up on Green Head beach in Australia and has been baffling police since its discovery.

The New York Times reported that authorities are investigating the object and have asked people to not draw conclusions about the origins of the cylindrical object while it was being investigated.

Despite this, some have reportedly speculated that the object could possibly be from a military or commercial airplane, or even a spacecraft.

Related

What does the mystery object look like?

The Guardian described the object as a huge copper-coloured cylinder that looks to be substantially damaged and was found leaning on its side.

A giant mysterious metal cylinder has left locals stumped after the debris appeared suddenly on the shoreline of WA's Midwest.



The huge metal object was found on a beach near Green Head on Sunday, with local residents reporting the suspicious item to police.



The item is pic.twitter.com/XzUhAGznna  10 News First Perth (@10NewsFirstPER) July 17, 2023

CBS News reported that Andrea Boyd, an engineer from the European Space Agency, said that her colleagues have speculated that the mystery object could be from an Indian rocket while launching a satellite.

Were pretty sure, based on the shape and the size, it is an upper-stage engine from an Indian rocket thats used for a lot of different missions, Boyd reportedly told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Related

What will happen to the mystery object?

We want to reassure the community that we are actively engaged in a collaborative effort with various state and federal agencies to determine the objects origin and nature, the police said in a statement, according to the BBC.

Authorities in the area have reportedly cautioned the public to stay away from the object.

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A statement from the police reportedly said, This measure has been taken to ensure the preservation of potential evidence and facilitate further expert examination.

CBS News reported that the protocol is that the country responsible for launching something into space is the country responsible for cleaning it up.

There is a United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, and they have an Outer Space Treaty that everyone has signed saying that whoever launches something into space is responsible for it right until the very end, Boyd said.
Same-sex relations are outlawed or repressed in many parts of Africa (ANDREI PUNGOVSCHI)

Namibian lawmakers on Wednesday approved legislation to ban same-sex marriage and punish its supporters, in what critics said was an unconstitutional attack on the LGBTQ community.

The bill seeks to reverse a Supreme Court ruling that allowed for the recognition of some unions contracted abroad.

The legislation sailed through the upper house of parliament, encountering no opposition.

"The family union is between man and woman and that must be respected," Elder Filipe, a lawmaker with the ruling SWAPO party, told parliament.

"God created man with an anus for exit only, and transforming it into an exit-entry is extremely (immoral)," he said.

The law redefines "marriage" as the union "between persons of the opposite sex" and "spouse" as "one half of a legal union between a genetically born man and genetically born woman".

It states that same-sex marriages contracted abroad are not to be recognised in the country.

It also makes celebrating, witnessing, promoting or propagating such wedlock a criminal offence punishable with up to six years in jail and fines of up to 100,000 Namibian dollars ($5,500).

"This feels like a direct attack on the LGBTQ community," LGBTQ rights activist Zindri Swartz told AFP. "It is a gross violation of our dignity and humanity."

Gay sex is banned in Namibia under a rarely-enforced 1927 sodomy law.

But the southern African country has seen a flurry of court cases on the rights of same-sex couples to marry, become parents and immigrate in recent years.

In May, the Supreme Court said that same-sex marriages contracted abroad between Namibian citizens and foreign spouses should be recognised.

The ruling enraged social conservatives in the sparsely populated, largely Christian country, a popular tourist destination rich in wildlife and natural attractions.

But legal experts and opposition politicians have cautioned that by directly contradicting a Supreme Court ruling the new law might be unconstitutional -- and challenge the democratic foundations of the country.

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"I have not seen bills written deliberately contradict judgments," said opposition leader McHenry Venaani. "I am not sure it would pass the test of constitutionality."

Inna Hengari, a lawmaker with Venaani's Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) party said in earlier parliamentary debates that the broadly worded legislation needed to be better defined or it risked leading to "unfair and unwarranted prosecutions".

Other opposition lawmakers have expressed support for the law, which has to travel back to the lower house of parliament and be signed by President Hage Geingob before entering into force.

str-ub/sn/ri
The US Department of Defense has announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine with a total cost of US$1.3 billion.

Source: European Pravda; Pentagon

Details: The new US aid package is being provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which involves purchasing equipment from industry rather than removing it from US Army stocks.

The package primarily includes four NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems and ammunition for them, 152 mm artillery shells, TOW anti-tank missiles, and high-precision aviation ammunition.

The previously announced Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade drones, as well as anti-UAV and electronic warfare tools, are also mentioned.

In addition, the United States will purchase for Ukraine 150 fuel tankers, 115 tactical vehicles for towing and transporting equipment, 50 tactical vehicles for the evacuation of equipment, equipment for the protection of ports and harbours and mine clearance, as well as tactical secure communication systems.

Background: The previous package of military aid to Ukraine in the amount of US$800 million was announced by the United States on 7 July. It included cluster munitions for the first time, designed to temporarily compensate for the shortage of artillery shells.

Until the latest announcement, the total amount of US military aid to Kyiv since February 2022 amounted to more than US$41.3 billion.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






In recent months, local news organizations devoted considerable resources documenting the child care crisis that is causing parents to miss work and child care centers to close classrooms or reduce hours. These articles told the stories of a parent who pays $1,500 a month for child care and centers throughout the city that closed classrooms because the directors cant find enough teachers.

The child care crisis in North Carolina has reached a precarious point, demanding immediate attention from state and federal lawmakers.

Sherri Chisholm

Laura Yates Clark

North Carolinas Child Care Stabilization Grants kept child care centers afloat since the pandemic, covering increased costs and helping raise teacher wages to $15-$20 an hour. Without this funding, many child care workers would return to making only $10-$12 an hour. Cost-burdened centers would be left to either raise prices on strained families or face an exodus of educators. So, advocates across the state have been asking lawmakers to allocate $300 million in the state budget to extend the grants.

Lawmakers are in the final weeks of preparing the state budget. We hope it includes enough money to help the child care industry. As this crisis intensifies, its ramifications extend beyond individual families and providers, reaching our states economy and hurting everyone, including people without children.

As part of an effort by Leading on Opportunity, those who signed on to this op-ed are heartened to see advocacy from local business leaders calling for more funding for child care. Others are also sounding the alarm.

Last month, Gov. Roy Cooper lead a group of 10 governors who wrote a letter to congressional leaders advocating for increased federal funding for child care. He rightly emphasized that quality child care is a triple play that benefits children, enables parents to work, and underpins employers ability to hire a productive workforce.

The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, which represents nine area chambers, sent a letter to leaders of the N.C. General Assembly asking for more funding for child care, as did Atrium Health. The N.C. Chamber is also working to find solutions and educate lawmakers about the need for more funding.

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We welcome new allies to this work because we need them.

In March, lawmakers generated excitement among advocates by introducing five bipartisan bills to address the child care crisis, including $300 million to extend the compensation grants. Without those dollars, were going to lose a significant number of child care providers across the state, Rep. David Willis, R-Union, said during a press conference. It has to be our No. 1 priority. Willis owns and operates a preschool program in his district and serves as early childhood caucus co-chair.

Still, child care hasnt been prioritized by key lawmakers. Neither the N.C. House nor Senates proposed budgets adequately address the crisis. But there is still time for Republican leaders to allocate more money in the state budget.

Like parents and providers, employers need lawmakers to step up. With only 61 available workers for every 100 open jobs, our state has a severe worker shortage. A survey by the N.C. Chamber Foundation revealed that 26% of parents with young children had to leave the workforce due to unaffordable child care, while 60% experienced work absences for the same reason. Additionally, 32% of parents were unable to pursue job training or continuing education because of the lack of affordable child care.

Statewide, North Carolina is losing $3.5 billion annually in productivity, earnings and revenue due to a lack of reliable child care. To support the continued growth of our region and state, we urge lawmakers to invest in child care like the essential industry that it is. Its one that children, families and businesses depend on.

Sherri Chisholm is director of Leading on Opportunity in Charlotte. Laura Clark is president and CEO of United Way of Greater Charlotte. Editors note: These N.C. groups and individuals signed on in support of this op-ed: The Black Child Development Institute - Charlotte, business leader Malcomb Coley, Child Care Resources Inc., Council for Childrens Rights, Crisis Assistance Ministries, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, and Smart Start of Mecklenburg County.
A man who lived next door to Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann has revealed his neighbours alleged creep behaviour.

Mr Heuermann, 59, is charged with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, all sex workers in their 20s who vanished between 2007 and 2010 and whose bodies were found along a stretch of a remote highway in Gilgo Beach. He is also the prime suspect in Maureen Brainard- Barness killing.

The alleged murderer lived in Massapequa Park, near the sites where some of the victims were last seen, with his wife and two adult children. He also worked as the president of his architecture consulting firm located in Midtown Manhattan.

Etienne Devilliers, a longtime neighbour of Mr Heuermann, has since revealed that he had bizarre and strange interactions with Mr Heuermann. The one that jumps out to him the most, Mr Devilliers recalled on Fox & Friends, was the time nearly three decades ago when he confronted the disgraced architect for allegedly leering over the fence as his wife sunbathed.

My wife would sunbathe in the backyard occasionally ... but he would stand over the fence because he was a tall guy.  He would constantly say he was 64, 250 pounds, and he would try to start conversations with her, Mr Devilliers recounted. My wife finally told me a few times that she was getting creeped out a bit by him.

Mr Devilliers said that he had a heated conversation with the accused serial killer, but the latter ultimately stopped trying to make conversation with his wife.

Mr Heuermann had made a similar impression on other neighbours, Mr Devilliers claimed on Fox & Friends.

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)

People would stay away from his house. I mean, they would literally cross the street because the house was such a mess, he said. He tried to buddy up because he wanted some friends. Nobody in the neighbourhood ever talked to the guy.

The house was a mess, but he stayed to himself, pretty much. So, he asked me to play cards and tried to buddy up a couple of times, but I kind of stayed away from him.

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But despite his strange interactions with Mr Heuermann, Mr Devilliers said he wasnt expecting his neighbour to be linked to crimes of such a violent nature. Even during that confrontation so many years ago, Mr Devilliers said, Mr Heuermann did not come off as aggressive.

When I had that altercation with him, I basically threatened him to stop leering at my wife. He backed off, Mr Devilliers said. The violence thing I didnt see coming because he didnt come off violent. I mean, he was strange to look at, enormous. But he never became more violent to me or to anybody that I could tell.

Mr Devilliers said he felt very sorry for Mr Heuermanns family, describing the suspects daughter as a nice young girl and his stepson as a sweet kid.

He also claims he was interviewed by detectives, who confided in him that Mr Heuermann had kept a metal safe in his basement in which he stored his guns.

Mr Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all the murder charges against him. The Independent has reached out to his attorneys with the allegations made by Mr Devilliers.

Over the weekend, a trove of 200 to 300 firearms were seized from the suspects home  a home he has lived in his whole life and which is located just a 20-minute drive from Gilgo Beach where the killer dumped the bodies of his victims. He had legal permits for 92 guns, police previously said.

Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Police are investigating whether Mr Heuermann is behind the murders of seven other victims whose bodies were found along the shores of Gilgo Beach.

An NYPD official told ABC News the 59-year-old is being looked at in connection to missing persons cases and murders across all five boroughs of New York City.

Investigators further afield are also exploring potential links between the serial killer suspect and other unsolved murders out of state, after it emerged that Mr Heuermann has ties to South Carolina and Las Vegas.

The married father-of-twos DNA has been entered into a statewide database and his alleged MO is being compared to other cases  including those during the period he was allegedly active in Gilgo Beach.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  A multibillion-peso project to rehabilitate the aging and congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been approved, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Wednesday.

"Among the approved projects is the solicited proposal to rehabilitate, operate, expand and transfer the Ninoy Aquino International Airport PPP (public-private partnership) project, also known as the solicited NAIA PPP project," NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said at a briefing.

A solicited proposal is a project based on a specific request from the proponent, in this case the government.

Balisacan said the NEDA Board, chaired by the president, approved the project during its meeting Wednesday.

He said the project cost is 170.6 billion to be undertaken by the Department of Transportation and the Manila International Airport Authority.

"The goal of the project is to address longstanding issues at NAIA, such as the inadequate capacity of passenger terminal buildings and restricted aircraft movement," Balisacan said.

"It aims to increase the current annual airport capacity from 35 million to at least 62 million passengers. The NAIA PPP project also aims to increase air traffic movement from 40 to 48 per hour," he added.

Balisacan said the govenrment will announce the winning bidder for the NAIA PPP project within a year, adding that the project can begin as early as next year and that it would cover all terminals and facilities. There was no information whether bids have been submitted.

When asked if the NAIA PPP could be an investment project for the Maharlika Investment Fund, Balisacan said any of the agency's 194 projects could be considered.

"Obviously the board and the management of the organization will have to decide," he said.

Balisacan added the projects approved are PPP in nature, and will involve private sector funds.

"Of course, the Maharlika can also invest in that but if the private sector is, kaya na [can handle it], why put your money there?" he said.

Balisacan said the project will improve NAIA which is facing congestion and numerous breakdown in operations including power supply issues.

"The whole idea of rehabilitating the terminal is to make our airport also global standard. What you experience in many other airports should be the same experience you get in NAIA once rehabilitation and maintenance has been completed," he said.

"We are in a hurry to address the issues in the terminal because as you have noted tourism is one of the main drivers of the Philippine economy in the coming years and we want to ensure that tourists who come here have a good experience," he added.

While its unsolicited proposal has been set aside, the Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC) said it is "one" with the government in efforts to revitalize NAIA.

"Regardless of the route, we firmly believe that NAIA's modernization requires a long-term and comprehensive solution delivered by a credible and capable party at the quickest possible time. These criteria - regardless of the approach - would best benefit NAIA and the Filipino people," MIAC said.

Publicus Asia's PAHAYAG 2023 second quarter survey released on Wednesday revealed the privatization of NAIA had the lowest approval rating among those polled -- pulling in 32%

Meanwhile, the NEDA Board also approved the unsolicited proposal for the upgrade, expansion, operation and maintenance of the Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental, a 12.75-billion PPP project that aims to integrate concepts of green and connected airports into its design and operation, and use digital technologies to enhance passenger experience.
Judges sentenced the activist to three and a half years in prison - iStockphoto

A Dutch man has been jailed for selling suicide kits that led to the deaths of at least ten people in the first case of its kind in the Netherlands.

The man, identified as Alex S, 30, was accused of providing 1,600 packages of Substance X, a deadly cocktail of drugs, to buyers since 2018.

Judges at the Den Bosch District Court sentenced the pro-euthanasia activist to three and a half years in prison, 18 months of which were suspended.

While euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands, it can only be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor in instances where an individual is judged to be experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement.

It is illegal for ordinary citizens to help someone commit suicide.

The accused treated the lives of others very lightly and damaged the value of human life in general, judges said.

In addition, he thereby undermined the Euthanasia practice applicable in the Netherlands, which is designed with many due care requirements, they added.

Deadly dosage

The packages supplied by Alex S contained two or three capsules, a deadly dosage, as well as antiemetic, a drug used to stop nausea, the court heard.

Deaths caused by the cocktail of medicines were not always pleasant, the judges added.

During the criminal trial, relatives of the victims described distress and panic, leading to a gruesome death, they said.

According to the Dutch government, the toxic substances, for which there are now antidotes, can take up to 40 hours to kill someone.

Alex S procured them from outside the Netherlands before selling them for around 45 to customers he never met.

His case has led to an investigation into a further 12 people, five of which have links to the pro-euthanasia lobby group Cooperatie Laatste.

Hopeless suffering

The Netherlands and neighbouring Belgium in 2002 became the first countries in the world to legalise euthanasia.

Under Dutch law, patients must have requested to die in a way that is voluntary, well considered and with full conviction.

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Doctors must adhere to a strict set of checks and balances before being allowed to carry out euthanasia, including a second independent opinion.

In April, the Netherlands agreed to tweak its rules to allow doctors to assist in the death of terminally ill children aged between one and 12 who suffer unbearably from their conditions and for whom palliative care can bring no relief.

The end of life for this group is the only reasonable alternative to the childs unbearable and hopeless suffering, the government said in a statement at the time.

The law already provided possibilities for euthanasia involving terminally ill babies until their first birthday and for children aged older than 12.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala.  Alabama Republicans, under orders of the U.S. Supreme Court to redraw congressional districts to give minority voters a greater voice in elections, rejected calls Monday to craft a second majority-Black district and proposed a map testing the judges directive.

Lawmakers must adopt a new map by Friday after the high court in June affirmed a three-judge panel's ruling that Alabamas existing congressional map  with a single Black district out of seven statewide  likely violated the Voting Rights Act.

In a state where more than one in four residents is Black, the lower court panel had ruled in 2022 that Alabama should have another majority-Black congressional district or something "close to it" so Black voters have the opportunity to elect a representative of their choice.

Republicans, long resistant to creating a second Democratic-leaning district, proposed a map that would increase the percentage of Black voters in the 2nd Congressional District from about 30% to nearly 42.5%, wagering that would satisfy the court  or that the state will prevail in a second round of appeals.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle, who serves as co-chairman of the state redistricting committee, said the numbers are sufficient to provide an opportunity for an African American candidate to get elected. He said the plan satisfies the court's instruction to give Black voters a greater opportunity to elect their preferred candidates.

"We took in consideration what the court asked us to do which was to provide an opportunity district that complied with Section 2 (of the Voting Rights Act,)" Pringle said.

The Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment approved the proposal in a 14-6 vote that fell along party lines. The proposal will be introduced as legislation Monday afternoon as lawmakers convene a special session to adopt a new map by a Friday deadline set by the three-judge panel.

The National Redistricting Foundation, one of the groups that backed challenges to the Alabama map, called the proposal shameful and said it would be challenged.

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It is clear that Alabama Republicans are not serious about doing their job and passing a compliant map, even in light of a landmark Supreme Court decision, said Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation.

She called that a pattern seen throughout the state's history "where a predominately white and Republican legislature has never done the right thing on its own, but rather has had to be forced to do so by a court."

Democrats accused Republicans of rushing the process and thwarting the court's directive.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, a Democrat from Mobile, said the court was clear that the state should create a second majority-Black district or something close to it.

Forty-two percent is not close to 50. In my opinion 48, 49 is close to 50," Figures said after the meeting.

Figures had urged colleagues to adopt a proposal by the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case that would make the 2nd District 50% Black.

Rep. Chris England, a Democrat from Tuscaloosa, said he also doesn't think the GOP proposal would satisfy the court's directive. He said Republican lawmakers pushed through their proposal without a public hearing or producing a voter analysis of how the district will perform  if it is a red, blue or swing district. Pringle said that information will be available Tuesday.

The map that we adopted, nobody had any input on. There was no public input on it, not subject to a public hearing and now it's going to be the map of choice, England said.



Deuel Ross, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said lawmakers have yet to provide the information necessary to evaluate whether these plans will in fact provide Black voters with opportunities to elect their candidates of choice in two districts.

Any plan with a low Black voting age population does not appear to comply with the Courts instruction, Ross wrote in an email.

Joe Reed, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Conference  the states oldest Black political organization told urged lawmakers that the district will not elect a Black candidate to Congress unless it is a majority Black district.

Partisan politics underlies the looming redistricting fight. A higher percentage of Black voters increases the chances that a the seat will switch from GOP to Democratic control.

Pollster Zac McCrary said predicting a district's partisan leanings depends on a number of metrics, but getting a district too far below the mid 40s in terms of Black voter composition could certainly open the door for Republicans.
South Africa has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to a summit in August

Any attempt to arrest Vladimir Putin if he visits South Africa would be a declaration of war against Russia, the country's president says.

Cyril Ramaphosa made the warning with weeks to go before an international meeting happens in Johannesburg, to which the Russian president is invited.

But if Mr Putin leaves Russian soil, he will be subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

He is accused of committing war crimes during the Ukraine conflict.

Russia has consistently described the ICC arrest warrant as outrageous and legally void because the country is not a member of the organisation.

South Africa is an ICC signatory and should therefore help in his arrest.

Yet it has refused to honour that obligation in the past - allowing safe passage in 2015 to Sudan's then-President Omar al-Bashir who was wanted for war crimes against his own people.

Mr Putin has been invited to South Africa in August, when the country hosts a summit for members of the Brics countries - an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This bloc of fast-growing economies is seen by some as an alternative to the G7 group of advanced economies.

South Africa's biggest opposition party, Democratic Alliance, has gone to court to try to force the authorities to carry out an arrest on Mr Putin should he set foot in the country.

Court documents reveal that President Ramaphosa is firmly against any such move, stating that national security is at stake.

"South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin," he said in an affidavit.

"Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia."

President Ramaphosa added that South Africa is one of several African nations holding talks with Russia and Ukraine "with a view of ending the war altogether", and that attempting to arrest Mr Putin would be counter-productive.

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Last month saw a peace mission to the European nations, where African presidents hoped they could bring Ukraine and Russia to the table together but ultimately failed.

Much has been made of African nations' reluctance to back UN general assembly resolutions condemning Russia's war in Ukraine.

Correspondents say the reasons range depending on the nation - be it South Africa's anti-apartheid ties to the Soviet Union, or Mali's present-day reliance on Russian Wagner mercenaries to fight jihadists.

There are economic ties between Russia and African nations too, not least in South Africa.

A sanctioned Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, is said to be one of the biggest donors to South Africa's governing party - the African National Congress (ANC).
A man shot by police after he wounded Metro Nashville Officer Donovan Coble died from seven gunshot wounds on June 1.

Delama Casimir Jr. died around three hours after arriving at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had been shot seven times by police, who tracked him to a brushy area near Upshaw Drive after he fled from Coble and shot at the officer, striking Coble in the abdomen.

Casimir was wounded in the head, abdomen, right arm, left forearm, right knee and thigh, left knee and thigh and left buttocks.

According to a toxicology report, Casimir had amphetamine and methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death.

Police shooting: Nashville officer shot with gun stolen from vehicle, expected to go home Tuesday

Police were called to the 500 block of Donelson Pike for a report of a man breaking into vehicles.

Casimir, 37, of Florida was identified by police as the suspect.

As Coble and a partner approached Casimir, the suspect fled and jumped a fence.

Body camera footage released by MNPD showed Coble giving chase and saying "drop that gun" as shots began ringing out.

Coble then stopped his pursuit, telling a dispatcher he had been struck by gunfire in the ribs. He said he believed he might have struck Casimir during the exchange.

A SWAT team tracked Casimir to the brushy area, they said, where Casimir fired at officers as they asked him to surrender before officers returned fire.

Four days after being shot, Coble was released from the hospital.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Autopsy: Delama Casimir shot in head, abdomen arms and legs
Wildfires in Canada have burned a staggering 25 million acres so far this year, an area roughly the size of Kentucky. With more than a month of peak fire season left to go, 2023 has already eclipsed Canadas previous annual record from 1989, when over 18 million acres were scorched. And the countrys worst wildfire season on record continues to rage.

Hot, dry conditions have fueled widespread wildfires, mostly in Canadas boreal forests, since the spring, with some of the largest blazes burning in northwest Canada and in Quebec. The fires have forced more than 120,000 people to evacuate their homes, stretched firefighting resources, and repeatedly darkened the skies and polluted the air for millions of people across North America.

What is kind of extraordinary this year is that the fire season started early and in multiple areas at the same time, said Jennifer Kamau, a spokesperson for the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.

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In a more typical season, Kamau said, fires would flare up in one part of the country, then die down and then start in another area, which allows fire crews to tackle one region at a time. But this year, she said, demand in every province and territory is high, nearly coast to coast.

International fire crews, including more than 1,800 firefighters and support staff from the United States, have been mobilized to help battle the flames since May, but the size and ferocity of the blazes have often hampered their efforts even as many of the largest, most remote fires have been left to burn. Over the past week, two Canadian firefighters were killed on duty just days apart.

High temperatures in the spring helped the fire season get off to an intense early start. A heat wave baked British Columbia and Alberta in mid-May, exacerbating several early wildfires. In early June, multiple fires broke out in Quebec amid record heat and rapidly intensified. By the end of the month, June was recorded as the planets hottest month ever, and some of the worlds most anomalous temperatures were found in northern Canada.

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The recipe for a wildfire is simple, said Mike Flannigan, a professor who studies wildland fires at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. You need three ingredients: First, vegetation. We call it fuel. Second: ignition, which in Canada is people and lightning. And, third: hot, dry, windy weather.

Those ingredients came together over and over again this year across much of the country, he said, resulting in a fire season that stands head and shoulders above any other year.

By early June this year, Canadian wildfires had already burned as many acres as they usually do over an entire season.

The hot, dry, windy conditions that make it more likely for fires to take hold are becoming more common in many parts of the world as the planet heats from the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities. Canada has, on average, warmed twice as fast as the rest of the world in recent years, largely because of a loss of snow and sea ice.

Studies directly linking climate change to this years wildfires have not yet been carried out, but the 2023 fire season is in line with scientists understanding of how global warming is affecting wildfires.

Fire season is getting longer, were seeing more frequent fire-conducive weather, the conditions are getting more severe, the vegetation is getting drier and more primed to burn if there are ignitions, said Yan Boulanger, a research scientist in forest ecology at the Laurentian Forestry Center in Quebec. These are very significant trends we are seeing across large swaths of Canada.

That doesnt mean that quieter wildfire years, such as last year, are no longer possible, Flanningan said, but a warmer world makes large, explosive wildfires more likely than they were in the past.

This years hot, dry conditions have contributed to extreme fire behavior, too, experts said. More than 100 times over the past three months, Canadian wildfires have grown sufficiently large and powerful to produce their own weather, kicking up giant thunderclouds known as pyrocumulonibus, and injecting smoke high into the atmosphere. These events can help transport smoke over very long distances.

The previous most active year for such extreme fire weather in Canada was 2021, which had fewer than half as many pyroCbs, as they are more commonly called, over the entire season.

Forecasts for the rest of the summer suggest that higher-than-normal fire activity is likely to continue across much of Canada, which could mean more heat, more fires and more smoke ahead.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Kateryna Rotarenko, right, and two demining engineers search for human remains in Velyka Oleksandrivka, Kherson region, Ukraine, on July 1, 2023. (David Guttenfelder/The New York Times)

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  Clambering over boulders, past old tires and shellfish-encrusted scrap metal, Oleksandr Shkalikov ventured onto the dry bed of a vast reservoir.

Out in this wasteland rested a haunting reminder of long-ago battles on this same swath of southern Ukraine: a swastika, chipped into a rock, had emerged from the receding water. The year 1942 was written next to it.

History is repeating itself, Shkalikov, a tank driver on leave from the Ukrainian army, said of the World War II-era carving. He noted the timing: The Swastika had become visible because of more recent act of war, the explosion at the Kakhovka dam in June that drained a reservoir the size of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

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We are fighting this war on the same landscape and with the same weapons as those used in World War II, he said, evoking the heavy artillery and tanks that still shape the course of a land war.

World War II has been an ideological battlefield in todays war in Ukraine, with Russia falsely calling Ukraines government neofascist and citing that as the rationale for its invasion. The countrys military history is cropping up on the actual battlefield as well, not just with artifacts in the soil but in the lessons Ukraine has learned from a war fought long ago.

Terrain and rivers have often channeled the armies of today into the sites of some of the fiercest fighting in World War II, when German and Soviet troops swept over the valleys and the expanses of wide-open plains.

Indeed, key battles have coincided so closely with the sites of World War II fighting, the Ukrainian military says, that soldiers have found themselves taking cover in 80-year-old concrete bunkers outside Kyiv. They have discovered the bones of German soldiers and Nazi bullet casings in the dirt they removed from trenches in the south.

World War II reached what is now Ukraine in 1939 with a Soviet invasion into territory then controlled by Poland in western Ukraine, at a time when the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany were in a military alliance. When that pact broke down in 1941, Germany attacked and fought from west to east across Ukraine.

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As the invasion began, factions of pro-independence Ukrainians fought with the Germans, while other Ukrainians fought with the Red Army against the Nazis. The tide of war changed in 1943 with the German defeat at the Battle of Stalingrad, and the Red Army then fought the Nazis in Ukraine moving westward.

One of Germanys successes early on came in the Battle of the Azov Sea in 1941, when its troops advanced from Zaporizhzhia to Melitopol. Over the course of three weeks, Nazi forces covered this ground to move into position to attack Crimea and surround Red Army soldiers in the Kherson region.

Ukraine is echoing that World War II offensive, fighting at sites southeast of Zaporizhzhia in what the Ukrainian military calls the Melitopol direction. The strategic goal is the same as it was eight decades ago  to isolate enemy soldiers in the Kherson region and threaten Crimea  but Ukrainian troops are moving far more slowly, having gained only a few miles in more than a month.

Historical parallels, unfortunately or happily, keep coming to the surface, said Vasyl Pavlov, an adviser to Ukraines general headquarters who has closely studied the similarities of the two wars.

Strategically, he said, Ukraines generals most directly drew on World War II history in devising a defense of the capital, Kyiv, last year.

In the opening days of the war, the Russian army advanced from Belarus toward the flood plain of the Irpin River  only to find that the Ukrainians had blown up a dam and inundated a vast area of fields, blocking the advance. It was a reprisal of a Soviet trick in 1941, when Moscow blew up an Irpin River dam to block a German tank assault, Pavlov said.

Generals always prepare to fight the last war, he said. But the Russian generals didnt even prepare to fight the last war.

German troops eventually captured Kyiv in 1941; the Russians fought for a month in the suburbs in spring 2022 and withdrew.

When the current war turned from Kyiv to the east, it similarly retraced the battles of World War II. Then, as today, the looping course of the Siversky Donets River became a front line  with its high banks and swampy shores serving as natural barriers as rival armies fought over the cities and towns alongside them.

In World War II, the river formed a portion of the so-called Mius Line, a defensive position the Nazis built to slow Soviet counterattacks after the Battle of Stalingrad.

In the current war, various cities and villages along the Siversky Donets have come into play. Ukrainian forces used the rivers high bluffs and flood plains, for example, to attempt a defense of the city of Lysychansk, ultimately unsuccessful, and to prevent a Russian crossing near the town of Bilohorivka.

Both wars left riverside towns and villages in ruins. The current fighting has also damaged with shrapnel pocks monuments erected to commemorate the World War II fighting.

The village of Staryi Saltiv in the Kharkiv region was touched by both wars, and was largely destroyed each time.

Lidiya Pechenizka, 92, who has lived in the village her entire life, recalled that in both conflicts the fighting was largely defined by the artillery shells flying over the river at enemy soldiers holing up in the village. For civilians, the experiences were similar: cowering in basements and root cellars.

It was horrible, Pechenizka said in an interview this spring.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive south of the city of Zaporizhzhia is, Pavlov said, a direct analogy to the German offensive in September 1941. The objectives were similar: to move across the plains, cut supply lines to Russian troops on the eastern bank of the Dnieper and move into position to threaten the isthmus of the Crimean Peninsula.

But the parallels go only so far.

In World War II, the Red Army did not have time to fortify defensive lines on the plains; the Germans quickly advanced to the Azov Sea, surrounding tens of thousands of Soviet troops in a pocket to the north.

This time, the Russians have had months to dig in. As a result, Ukraines counteroffensive has stalled in the face of formidable fortifications of minefields, trenches and bunkers.

In other ways, too, the fighting is distinct. The Nazi and Soviet armies fought across Ukraine moving perpendicular to the north-to-south flow of the main rivers. Ukraine in the counteroffensive is mostly moving parallel to the rivers, providing at least one military advantage; it does not have to undertake many perilous water crossings.

In the winter of 1943-44, the Soviet Union lost waves of soldiers in an east-to-west crossing of the Dnieper River.

Some of the bodies were found decades later by a Ukrainian nongovernmental group, Memory and Glory, which searched for World War II dead from both sides to provide dignified burials. Since its founding in 2007, it says, the group has found more than 500 remains of soldiers who fought in World War II in Ukraine.

Last year, Memory and Glory members joined the Ukrainian army to search battlefields for soldiers reported missing in action. It has found more than 200 bodies from the current war  often in the same sites where World War II dead were found, said Leonid Ignatiev, the director.

When you dig into a trench looking for bodies of soldiers recently killed, he said, you find a trench from World War II.

Near the town of Novy Kamenki, in the Kherson region, the group recently searched for a Ukrainian soldier who had gone missing in action. Instead, they found the bones of a German soldier, Ignatiev said. The remains were sent for burial in a cemetery for German war dead in Ukraine.

The high ground, the places for defense, they are all the same, Ignatiev said.

Zaporizhzhia, a sprawling industrial city on the shore of the disappearing Kakhovka Reservoir, was occupied by Nazi forces in World War II and is a front-line city today where air sirens wail multiple times a day and Russian missiles occasionally streak in and explode.

But when the water receded from the citys lakefront embankment after the dam burst, it was unexploded munitions from the past that posed the gravest danger. Ukraines emergency services said the sandbars and new islands emerging from the reservoir turned out to be surprisingly cluttered with explosive objects from World War II.

Demining crews have found and removed World War II aviation bombs, the service said.

Shkalikov, the tank driver, whose home is a short walk from the shore, fought in the opening days of Ukraines counteroffensive in fields to the southeast of the city.

After his tank hit a mine, he was given leave from his unit, returned home and began exploring the dry lake bed. Finding the swastika emerging from the water, he said, didnt surprise me at all.

The wars are separated by decades, but the landscape hasnt changed, he said.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
[Source]

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a convicted fugitive who fled before the end of his trial for rape and other charges in 2007.

What he did: Tuen Kit Lee, now 54, who also goes by Duen Jie Lee and Dickie Lee, was accused of raping a coworker at knife point in 2005. In 2007, he was charged with aggravated rape, home invasion, kidnapping, armed burglary, armed robbery and other crimes by a Norfolk Superior Court in Massachusetts.

The victim worked as a waitress under Lee at a sushi restaurant in Quincy. She was at home on Feb. 2, 2005, when a masked man showed up, gagged her with duct tape, bound her and sexually assaulted her.

The victim reportedly identified Lee through his bad breath, which she realized had the same odor as her boss breath. DNA evidence led to Lees arrest eight days later.

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When he escaped: Lee faced a possible life in prison sentence for his crimes. After posting $100,000 in bail, he failed to show up for trial and has been on the run since. He was last seen in Quincy in 2007.

The trial proceeded and Lee was convicted in absentia. He was found guilty of four counts of rape, one count of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape, one count of indecent assault and battery and one count of assault and battery.

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Lees story was featured on Fox TVs Americas Most Wanted later that year.

Reward offered: The United States Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police and Quincy Police Department are now looking for Lee, who is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. An age-enhanced photo has also been released to estimate his current appearance.

Anyone with information that leads to Lees arrest may receive up to a $10,000 reward, police said. Tipsters may call 1-833-677-3171 or email usmarshalls.gov/tips.

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Otto Warmbier died days after returning to the US after his detention in North Korea

Since the guns of the Korean War fell silent on 27 July 1953, tens of thousands of US troops have remained in South Korea to cast a wary eye across the 38th parallel to North Korea.

Together with their South Korean allies, US forces regularly conduct large-scale military drills on the peninsula, frequently drawing angry rebukes from Pyongyang's government.

But despite these tensions and a lack of formal diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea, a small but steady stream of Americans have visited the country on organised tours - sometimes with dangerous results.

"Do not travel to North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of US nationals," reads a sternly worded travel warning on the US State Department's website. "The US government is unable to provide emergency services to US citizens in North Korea."

US citizens have been detained in North Korea several times since 1996, including tourists, scholars and journalists.

In July 2017, the US government banned US citizens from visiting the country - a move that has since been extended until at least August this year.

Here are some of the most notable cases from the last decade.

Otto Warmbier, 2016

Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, was arrested while visiting North Korea as part of a tour group in January 2016. The visit, organised by a China-based budget tour operator that specialises in off-the-beaten-track destinations, was a five-day trip to experience North Korea during the New Year's Eve period. His father later told the Washington Post that he was "curious about their culture" and "wanted to meet the people of North Korea".

About two months after his detention on 2 January, a North Korean court sentenced Otto Warmbier to 15 years' imprisonment with hard labour on charges that he attempted to steal a propaganda poster.

Shortly after the sentencing, Mr Warmbier suffered a neurological injury under unclear circumstances.

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He was freed - seriously ill - 17 months after his arrest, and died in a hospital six days after returning to the US in June 2017.

US doctors described Mr Warmbier as being in a state of "unresponsive wakefulness", but the Warmbier family said calling this a coma was "unfair".

His father said when they saw his son he was "moving around, and jerking violently, making these howling and inhuman sounds".

His head was shaved, he was blind and deaf, his arms and legs were "totally deformed" and he had a huge scar on his foot, he said. It "looked like someone had taken a pair of pliers and rearranged his bottom teeth".

"Otto was systematically tortured and intentionally injured by Kim and his regime. This was no accident," his father said.

Otto WarmbieR 'confessed' in front of North Korean media weeks after his detention

A US federal court later found North Korea liable for Otto Warmbier's torture and death.

While North Korea did not formally contest the charges, it has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The state-run Korean Central News Agency claimed he was provided medical care "with all sincerity" despite having "no reason to show mercy to such a criminal of the enemy state".

It also claimed that North Korea was "the biggest victim" of the death and subsequent "smear campaign" by the US.

Bruce Byron Lowrance, 2018

In October 2018, North Korea announced that Bruce Byron Lowrance - a 60-year-old from Michigan - had been detained while entering the country illegally from China.

US authorities later revealed that a man matching his name and description had been detained at the demilitarised zone separating North and South Korea. The man had allegedly told investigators that he believed that his visit would help ease geopolitical tensions between the two countries.

Mr Lowrance was released about a month after being detained, which US officials suggested may have been an effort to improve relations with the US following high-profile talks between Kim Jong Un and then US President Donald Trump.

He has not commented publicly on his detention and subsequent release.

Tourists in South Korea looking north across the Demilitarised Zone that separates the two countries

Matthew Miller, 2014

Matthew Miller, a 24-year-old teacher from California, was taken into custody by North Korean authorities and charged with "hostile" espionage acts while on an organised tour in April 2014.

North Korean authorities later alleged he admitted to a "wild ambition" of exploring the country and investigating conditions there.

He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with hard labour in September 2014. In interviews before and after his release, he said he spent much of his time digging in fields, moving stones and taking out weeds, but was otherwise largely kept in strict isolation.

Mr Miller was released the following month with another American detainee, Kenneth Bae.

In a later interview with journalist Nate Thayer of the North Korea-focused NK News site, Mr Miller said he went to North Korea with the intention of defecting and getting to "speak to an ordinary North Korean person about normal things", regardless of politics.

"I was trying to stay in the country," Mr Miller said. "They wanted me to leave. The very first night they said, 'We want you to leave on the next flight.' But I refused. I just did not leave."

In the interview, Mr Miller said he eventually "changed his mind" about seeking asylum and requested help from the US government.

Kenneth Bae, 2012

The man released with Mr Miller, Washington state resident Kenneth Bae, was arrested in November 2012.

A Korean-American Evangelical Christian missionary, he had visited the country many times. On this occasion he was stopped and a hard drive with Christian material was discovered.

North Korea levelled an array of charges for what it called Mr Bae's "hostile acts" including attempting to establish bases for anti-government activities, smuggling in forbidden literature, and encouraging dissidents.

He was sentenced to 15 years with hard labour, with state media suggesting that he only escaped the death penalty as a result of a "candid confession".

During his time in captivity, his family said that his health deteriorated as a result of poor conditions and difficult labour. Part of his captivity was spent in a labour camp for foreigners in which he was the only inmate.

Mr Bae was released and returned to the US along with Mr Miller following a secret visit to Pyongyang by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

After his release, Mr Bae wrote a memoir, "Not Forgotten: The True Story of My Imprisonment in North Korea" in which he said that he was interrogated from 08:00 in the morning until 22:00 or 23:00 at night every day for the first four weeks of his imprisonment.

His interrogators demanded hundreds of pages of confessions.

He said one interrogator kept telling him: "No-one remembers you. You have been forgotten by people, your government. You're not going home anytime soon. You'll be here for 15 years. You'll be 60 before you go home".

Laura Ling (M) and Euna Lee (R) flew home to the US with Bill Clinton in August 2009.

Eura Lee and Laura Ling, 2009

In March 2009, North Korea arrested two California-based journalists, Eura Lee and Laura Ling, who were filming a documentary about humanitarian conditions on China's border with North Korea. Two other members of their crew, a US cameraman and a Chinese guide, escaped and were briefly detained by Chinese authorities.

Ms Ling later acknowledged they crossed the border, although she said they spent less than a minute in North Korea before attempting to turn back into China.

Ms Lee and Ms Ling were soon charged with crossing the border illegally and in June 2009 were sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and hard labour.

"I had tried to prepare myself for a lengthy sentence but nothing could prepare me for the verdict," Ms Ling later told National Public Radio. "I was wondering if those words meant that the window of opportunity had closed and my fate was sealed."

In August that year, however, both were released after a previously unannounced visit to Pyongyang by former President Bill Clinton.

While the visit came amid a flurry of back channel negotiations between North Korea's government and the Obama administration, the White House said that Mr Clinton's visit was a "solely private mission".

"No money was exchanged and no diplomacy was conducted," Ms Ling told NPR. "It truly was a private humanitarian mission".
Women talk as they walk around Tajrish commercial district without wearing their mandatory Islamic headscarf in northern Tehran, Iran, Saturday, April 29, 2023. More women are choosing not to wear the mandatory headscarf, or the hijab, publicly in Iran. Such open defiance of the law follows months of protests over the September death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the countrys morality police, for wearing her hijab too loosely. | Vahid Salemi, Associated Press

Its been more than six months since state officials removed Irans Guidance Patrol (nicknamed morality police) from active duty on the streets of Iran. On Sunday, the force returned to patrolling to enforce the countrys modesty laws.

Shariah in the country states that women must wear hijabs and loose-fitting clothing to maintain modesty, in accordance with Islamic tradition.

Since 2006, the Gasht-e Ershad, or Guidance Patrol, has enforced the law by monitoring that women cover their hair with a hijab. Men have also been targeted but not nearly as frequently, as reported by The New York Times. Punishments in the past have ranged from verbal warnings and fines to arrests and beatings.

The alleged beating and death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody led to protests across the country in September and the forces uncertain status in December when officers were no longer patrolling the streets.

Earlier this year, protests receded as more than 500 protesters were killed and 20,000 detained, reported NPR. Instead, protesters turned toward silent defiance rather than rioting.

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On Sunday, police spokesperson Saeed Montazerolmahdi announced that the Guidance Patrol would once again be on the streets to deal with those who, unfortunately, ignore the consequences of not wearing the proper hijab and insist on disobeying the norms, per BBC.

If they disobey the orders of the police force, legal action will be taken, and they will be referred to the judicial system, he said.

Some speculation exists as to whether the patrol will be able to impose the countrys dress code like they did before, as BBC reported, because as one college student told Reuters, the number of people who do not obey is too high now.

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A man who shot and killed two people in Pueblo in April 2022 and allegedly admitted to two other murders in El Paso County recently pleaded guilty to the Pueblo homicides.

Carlos Diaz, 22, is charged with the deaths of four people in Pueblo and Colorado Springs. He pleaded guilty on June 15 to second-degree murder in the deaths of Manuel Zegarelli and Vetho Finnell-Vigil in Pueblo on April 25.

Four days before the Pueblo murders on April 21, Diaz allegedly shot and killed 22-year-old Anthony Moore in unincorporated El Paso County.

Then, about 10 a.m. on April 25  the same day he later shot and killed Zegarelli and Finnell-Vigil  police allege Diaz also shot 22-year-old Diego Martinez at a carwash in the 4300 block of Airport Road in Colorado Springs. Diaz was seen on security footage at the carwash, where police say he fatally shot Martinez before fleeing on foot.

Diaz was arrested in Pueblo on May 19.

In exchange for pleading guilty to the Pueblo homicides, Diaz will face a prison sentence of between 78 and 90 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. He was originally charged in the 10th Judicial District with two counts of first-degree murder, either of which would have carried a life sentence if convicted.

According to an arrest affidavit authored by Pueblo and El Paso County law enforcement, Diaz admitted to all four murders. Witnesses who spoke to police told them Diaz wanted to kill the men mostly due to alleged disputes over drugs and thefts.

In an interview with police, Diaz reportedly gave conflicting statements, at one point stating that he believed both Zegarelli and Vigil stole from him, but at another point saying he had shot them because Martinez, whom he did not identify by name, told him to.

Both statements from Diaz to police and Facebook messages from Diaz to Moore mentioned in the affidavit confirmed he shot Moore due to the belief Moore "set him up" with police during a previous drug deal.

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Diaz was originally identified by law enforcement after a witness reported Diaz had stolen a vehicle from them. Security footage placed that stolen vehicle at the scenes of the murders of Vigil, Zegarelli and Martinez.

On April 26, messages from Diaz to an unknown person also showed him admitting that he shot three people the day before, according to the affidavit.

Diaz is scheduled to be sentenced for the deaths of Zegarelli and Finnell-Vigil on Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. in the court of Judge Allison P. Ernst.

Charges in the two El Paso County murders are still pending, with an arraignment scheduled Thursday afternoon. Diaz continues to be held in the El Paso County Jail without bond.

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.

More Pueblo public safety news: Pueblo man set for sentencing in 2021 murder of child's mother's boyfriend

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Man accused of multiple murders pleads guilty to two Pueblo homicides
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  The Marcos administration will consider it a crime if members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) come to the country to investigate the Duterte administrations bloody drug crackdown, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said a day after the tribunal decided to resume the probe.

In a media briefing on Wednesday, Remulla maintained that the government will not cooperate with the ICC - something President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself previously said.

The Justice Secretary also said he will advise Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to no longer engage with the international court.

Hindi na tayo makikipag-usap sa kanila, Remulla said.

Hindi natin sila gustong pumunta dito. At wag na wag silang pupunta dito sapagkat ang gagawin nila ay usurpation of authority ng Philippine government. Magkakaproblema tayong lahat. Pag ginawa nila yan, they'll be violating our law and our legal system, the official added.

[Translation: We will no longer talk to them. We dont want them to come here. And they should never come here because if they do, thats usurpation of authority of the Philippine government. That will be a problem for everyone. If they do that, theyll be violating our law and our legal system.]

The Philippine National Police (PNP) echoed this stance.

Ngayon meron nga question sa jurisdiction ng ICC [Now, the ICCs jurisdiction is being questioned], and again as part of the executive department, we will follow and support the lead of the national government not to participate in the said investigation to be conducted by the ICC, PNP Spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo said, adding that the police force has already submitted itself to local investigations.

In rejecting the ICCs probe, the government has repeatedly maintained that the court could no longer exercise jurisdiction over the country since the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2019.

Former ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, however, earlier argued that the court retains jurisdiction over crimes that were alleged to have occurred when the country was still a state party to the treaty.

TIMELINE: ICC's probe into PH drug war

On Tuesday, the ICC appeals chamber  which rejected Manilas plea against the resumption of the probe  said the decision being assailed by the government is not a decision on jurisdiction. It added that the impact of the Philippines withdrawal from the statue was neither properly raised nor ventilated before the pre-trial chamber.
An Ada man has been sentenced to more than 18 years in federal prison for a homicide on Chickasaw Nation land.

On July 18, 2019, Jimmy Louis Northcutt broke into a commercial marijuana grow operation in Pontotoc County and shot to death Brian Doherty, 31.

On April 7, 2022, Northcutt pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder in Indian Country.

Last week in federal court, Chief Judge Ronald A. White of the Eastern District of Oklahoma sentenced Northcutt to 222 months in federal prison.

The investigation was conducted by the Pontotoc County Sheriffs Office, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma man sentenced to federal prison in marijuana grow murder case
Without a secret site in Eastern Washington, there would be no Oppenheimer movie nor a start to the atomic age as the world knows it.

The biographical thriller opening Friday focuses on theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimers work at Los Alamos, N.M., that led to the first detonation of an atomic bomb and the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, shortly after that test.

As Oppenheimer was racing to develop an atomic bomb before the Nazis during World War II, workers in the Richland, Wash., area were working long hours to build and then operate the worlds first full-scale reactor to produce plutonium to fuel those bombs.

Before September 1944 when Hanfords now historic B Reactor was started up, controlled chain reactions had been much smaller.

Those gathered at B Reactor knew they might have miscalculated on building a reactor so large  that a runaway chain reaction might blow the plant up.

As the first atomic bomb, fueled with Hanford plutonium, was detonated in the New Mexico desert 10 months later, leaders feared there was a chance that the chain reaction could destroy the world.

Central to work at both sites was Gen. Leslie Groves, played in the movie by Matt Damon.

He was appointed head of the Manhattan Engineer District, leading work by 100,000 workers and scientists in a race to develop an atomic weapon ahead of the Nazis.

The National Park Service describes Oppenheimer and Groves as opposites.

Groves, who occasionally visited Richland and Hanford, including to boost morale, was a dominant, controlling personality (and) a practical-minded military engineer  brusque, egotistical and confident.

He would later tell associates, If I cant do it, no one can.

J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie R. Groves at Trinity Site next to the remains of the Trinity Tower in September 1945.

Oppenheimer was charismatic, had little administration experience and family members who were suspected of being communist sympathizers, according to the park service.

Despite all that, Groves personally issued his security clearance in July 1942 over the objection of the FBI, according to the park service. The two formed a special relationship, understanding that the bomb might be the route to future fame for them both.

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Groves also was instrumental in picking a site just north of the then-tiny farming community of Richland for the secret project to produce plutonium.

Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer, left, Olli Haaskivi is Edward Condon, Matt Damon is Leslie Grove and Dane Dehaan is Kenneth Nichols in the movie Oppenheimer.

Hanford site desolate

In January 1943 he approved the Eastern Washington location as the site for plutonium production, which would continue through the Cold War. Nearly two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program was produced at Hanford from World War II through the Cold War.

Like Los Alamos, Hanford was a remote and desolate location.

There the Army Corps contracted with DuPont to construct what would be the fourth-largest city in Washington to house and feed workers at Hanford, code named Site W.

Then they built B Reactor in 11 months, constructed based on a design that relied on slide rules rather than computers.

Unlike Oppenheimer and Groves, few in the workforce that swelled to 50,000 knew what they were building.

They were recruited from across the nation to come to Eastern Washington to work 50-hour weeks with just one day off.

Workers line up to buy items at a Hanford camp store. With 51,000 people living in the camp during the war, the handful of hastily constructed stores at the site were kept busy. Residents also could catch a bus into Pasco for shopping.

Just as now, the weather usually was too hot or too cold. But in 1944 workers also had to contend with the termination winds.

Desert winds regularly whipped up dirt and sand from the sites many bare-dirt construction sites, causing discouraged workers to line up for what would be their final paycheck after each dust storm.

Small trailers housed 3,600 people in 1944 at the Hanford camp.

Groves was in the New Mexico desert near Los Alamos with Oppenheimer and others for the Trinity Test.

As they waited for the weather to clear to detonate the bomb, physicist Enrico Fermi, whose team designed the B Reactor at Hanford, offered wagers on whether or not the bomb would ignite the atmosphere, and if so, whether it would merely destroy New Mexico or destroy the world, according to a Department of Energy account.

Oppenheimer bet $10 against the months wages of a Manhattan Project scientist that the bomb would not work at all.

Oppenheimer would say years after the Trinity Test that as he watched the mushroom cloud rise over the desert, he thought of the line from the Hindu scripture, Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

Less than a month later on Aug. 9, 1945, plutonium produced at Hanford was used in a bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Three years and one day after the creation of the Manhattan Project, World War II ended.

Grovess stamp on Richland, WA

Key to Grovess approval of Eastern Washington as the site for plutonium production, was the Columbia River.

J. Robert Oppenheimer, alongside General Leslie Groves and others, inspects the aftermath of the Trinity Test in the New Mexico desert.

Eight more plutonium-production reactors would join B Reactor along the river.

The river provided the cold water needed to cool the reactors and produced massive amounts of electricity from the recently completed Grand Coulee Dam needed to run the reactors and other production facilities, according to the park service.

Today, the 149-acre Leslie Groves Park stretching along the Columbia River in Richland remains named in Groves honor.

Leslie Groves Park is seen on the right in this file photo.

Lesser known is the role Groves played in shaping Richland, including its current traffic issues.

As a federally built and owned town was constructed during WWII to house workers, Groves called for homes to be kept to the bare essentials, according to John M. Findlay and Bruce Hevley, writing in Atomic Frontier Days  Hanford and the American West.

He was concerned about accounting to Congress for money spent if the atomic bomb program was not successful.

As a result of Groves efforts at economy and efficiency, the town wound up with inadequate number of sidewalks, garages, stores and shopping areas, no civic center, roads too narrow for much auto traffic ... , according to Atomic Frontier Days.

Gen. Leslie Groves at Hanford in 1944.

Hanford site today

Plutonium production at Hanford through the Cold War left what is now a 580-square-mile site, down from the original 670 square miles under Groves, with contamination from radioactive and hazardous chemical waste.

The nation is spending more than $2.5 billion a year on environmental cleanup of parts of the Hanford nuclear reservation where plutonium was produced or contamination spread. Work is expected to continue for decades to come.

Workers started preparing to clean up a highly radioactive spill beneath the Hanford site 324 Building near Richland and the Columbia River in 2017. The spill was recently found to be much larger than expected.

Parts of Los Alamos and Hanford now are part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, along with Oak Ridge, Tenn., where uranium was enriched for the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, three days before the bomb dropped on Nagasaki.

At Hanford, the Department of Energy provides tours of B Reactor and also tours that tell the story of the people who were displaced from their homes and farms, including native Americans, to make way for plutonium production in WWII.

Go to manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov or call the park visitor center in Richland at 509-376-1647 for more information.
A picture taken on July 17, 2023 shows a Russian warship sailing near the Kerch bridge, linking the Russian mainland to Crimea, following an attack claimed by Ukrainian forces. STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images

Russian tourists are snarling up military supply routes near Crimea, a report said.

Despite it being a war zone, tourists are still visiting the occupied Crimean peninsula.

A Ukrainian attack on a major bridge prompted many to flee, reports say.

Russian tourists are snarling up crucial military supply routes as the Kremlin continues to encourage civilians to visit the occupied Crimea peninsula despite it being a war zone, a report says.

The traffic jams caused by tourists were made worse this week after an explosion tore through the Kerch road bridge on Sunday, with Russia blaming the attack on drones launched by Ukraine. Ukraine Monday claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack forced the temporary closure of the bridge for a second time in less than a year.

The Institute for the Study of War described the Kerch bridge as one of two supply routes for Russian forces in southern Ukraine battling to resist a Ukrainian counteroffensive. The other route runs through Russian-occupied regions in east Ukraine.

"The July 17 attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge will likely have continuing ramifications on Russian logistics in southern Ukraine," said the Institute for the Study of War.

"Russian and occupation officials have nevertheless continued to promote occupied Crimea as a tourist destination, however, urging Russian civilians to drive through and to a warzone rather than advising them to avoid it as a responsible government would," it added.

Russian tourists in the resort town of Alushta on the Crimean peninsula on June 18, 2023. OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images)

The Kerch bridge is one of Putin's most prized projects, and was built after Russia occupied the Crimean peninsula in 2014. It spans the 12-mile Kerch strait, connecting Crimea with southern Russia.

The report said that Russian occupation authorities had already been struggling to cope with traffic issues on the bridge. Despite this, Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Russian military vehicles to help ferry tourists to the location, it said.

In the wake of Sunday's attack, in which Russian officials said two people lost their lives, Russian state media reported traffic jams reportedly stretching for hours.

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The attack was the second on the bridge in a year, with Ukraine blowing up the railway section of the bridge in October 2022. Ukraine has also targeted several military sites in the region.

"The Russian government's continued failure to put Russian society on a war-time footing will have significant impacts on Russian logistics as traffic from Russian tourism to occupied Crimea jams Russian logistics to southern Ukraine in the midst of the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south," the report said.

Despite Russian authorities seeking to encourage holidaymakers to visit Crimea, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, the number of visitors fell by a third last year, when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and has fallen again this year, The Moscow Times said.

In the wake of Sunday's attack, Putin urged tourists to avoid the Kerch bridge and instead take the route through occupied east Ukraine.

"Just yesterday I was thinking what a moron one should be to go on holiday to Crimea now. Well, now the holiday will definitely be remembered when they go home through the front," one Russian quipped on Telegram, according to The Daily Beast.

Read the original article on Business Insider
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia unleashed intense drone and missile attacks overnight Wednesday, damaging critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounding at least 12 people, officials said.

The bombardment crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

It came days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

It also followed a vow by Putin to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014.

Putin said Wednesday that Russia could return to the deal if the West offers Russian banks involved in servicing payments for the country's agricultural exports an immediate access to the SWIFT payment system, adding that Moscow wants its conditions met, not some promises and ideas.

The Russian leader also listed other Russian demands, including a lifting of insurance and shipping restrictions that affect Russian agricultural exports and a resumption of Moscow's export of ammonia to Odesa via a pipeline, a section of which was blown up last month.

He said Moscow has shown miracles of patience and tolerance by repeatedly extending the grain deal while Western nations used it shamelessly enrich themselves," violating its declared goal of helping relieve hunger in poor countries.

Further raising the stakes, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement that Moscow has declared international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea temporarily dangerous for shipping. That follows Ukraine's pledge to continue grain shipments despite the Russian pullout from the deal.

The ministry warned it will see any incoming vessel as laden with military cargo starting from midnight. The countries whose flags those ships will fly will be seen as involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime, it said.

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Ukraine's Agriculture Ministry, citing experts, estimated it would take a year to restore the facilities damaged Wednesday. The destroyed grain was supposed to have been loaded onto a vessel and sent through the grain corridor two months ago, the statement said.

"Such attacks by Russian terrorists are not only affecting our country but also global stability, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a briefing with the visiting Irish prime minister in Kyiv. He said Ukraine needs more anti-aircraft defense systems to protect the port.

Zelenskyy said his government is trying to find a way to maintain a corridor to keep grain exports flowing despite Russia's decision to abandon the deal brokered with the U.N. and Turkey.

The corridor must be secure. In fact, knowing Russia, it wont be safe unless the U.N. starts working very clearly and firmly at the level of the secretary-general," he said.

Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi warned that if Ukraine cannot export food, "the population of the poorest countries will be on the brink of survival! The price of grain will increase, and not all countries will be able to afford buying agricultural products, which means food prices will significantly rise: flour, cereals, meat.

Wheat prices rose more than 2.5% on Tuesday and nearly 8% on Wednesday amid the attacks in Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, illustrating jitters in global markets. Wednesdays trading price of $7.23 a bushel still was nearly 80% below last years peak.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted that Putin hasnt just blown up the Black Sea Grain Initiative; now he has hit the port city of Odesa with a hail of bombs for the second consecutive night.

In doing that, he is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain. Every one of his bombs also hits the worlds poorest, she said.

Gov. Oleh Kiper said Oniks and Kh-22 missiles were used to hit grain and oil terminals. Debris from those that were shot down struck apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people.

Video from warehouses elsewhere in Odesa showed firefighters extinguishing blazes, as thick, black smoke billowed from the explosion.

The attacks were part of what Russias Defense Ministry described as a strike of retribution after Mondays attack on the Kerch Bridge, a key span used for military and civilian supplies. The attack, apparently by maritime drones, damaged part of the roadway on the bridge but rail traffic continued.

Ukraines top security agency appeared to tacitly admit a role in the attack but stopped short of directly claiming responsibility, echoing a response after a strike on the bridge in October 2022 that took months to repair.

Russian emergency officials in Crimea, meanwhile, said more than 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at a military facility.

The blaze forced the closure of an important highway, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed head of the peninsula. He didn't specify a cause for the fire at the facility in Kirovsky district.

Elsewhere across Ukraine, authorities reported that drones and missiles were sent against more regions than in recent days.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, in a statement on Telegram.

He said the attacks were especially fierce in Odesa for a second consecutive night. The Ukrainian armys Operational Command South reported at least 12 civilians were wounded in the region.

The attacks on Odesa injured at least six people, including a 9-year-old boy, showering them with shattered glass and other debris. The remnants of a downed Kh-59 missile created a large crater in another part of the city, wounding three civilians and damaging several buildings.

Eight Iranian-made Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

Russia also attacked Kyiv with Shahed drones without result, Popko said. Air defenses intercepted all the drones aimed at the capital and a preliminary investigation showed there were no casualties.

Strikes elsewhere in Ukraine in the past 24 hours that killed one person and wounded 21 others.

The death occurred in the northeastern Kharkiv region, near the volatile Kupyansk area, while 10 people were injured in the shelling of seven cities in the Donetsk region, including Avdiivka, Mariinka and Chasiv Yar. Two people were wounded by shelling in the Mykolaiv region and one person was injured in the Kherson region.

Russian drone attacks in the Zhytomyr region damaged some infrastructure and private homes, but no casualties were reported, said Gov. Vitalii Bunechko.

Attacks also were reported in the Poltava and Kirovohrad regions.

USAID chief Samantha Power said the agency will work with the U.S. Congress to provide an additional $230 million to boost Ukraines economy and reconstruction.

The new funding will help businesses to meet European Union regulations to export more products and services to Europe, an agency statement said. On Tuesday, Power said USAID would provide $250 million in other funds for Ukraines agricultural sector.

Separately, South Africa's president announced that Putin will not attend an economic summit next month in the country, which faced a legal quandary over whether to arrest the Russian leader on an International Criminal Court warrant related to Ukraine.

Although Moscow has dismissed the warrant and Russia doesnt recognize the court's authority, Putin has not traveled to any country that is a signatory to the courts treaty since he was indicted by the ICC in March for war crimes relating to the abduction of children from Ukraine.

South African authorities had given strong hints they would have likely not executed the arrest warrant against Putin, but South Africas main opposition party has taken the government to court to try to compel it to arrest the Russian leader if he sets foot on South African territory.

Russia will be represented instead by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to South African President Cyril Ramaphosas office. All the other leaders will attend, it said.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
[Source]

A homeless woman with a history of attacking Asian people is now facing a bias charge after allegedly shoving a top Japanese diplomat in Portland, Oregon, last month.

The latest incident: Yoshioka Yuzo, 62, the consul general for Portlands Consular Office of Japan, was walking near Southwest Park Avenue and Oak Street on June 17 when someone pushed him to the ground. He sustained a cut to his head and was transported to a hospital, with one officer observing a lot of blood running down the back of the victim.

A witness said he followed the female suspect for several blocks after the attack. According to court records, police found her hiding inside the U.S. Bankcorp Tower. She was identified as 23-year-old Arissa Jean Minyonne Robinson, who court records listed as having no permanent address.

Yuzo assumed his diplomatic post in March. After the attack, he said, I am glad to be assigned to Portland and havent changed my good image about Portland despite this incident.

More from NextShark: Texas man accused of knife attack on Asian family he blamed for pandemic pleads guilty to hate crimes

The bigger picture: Robinson was charged with fourth-degree assault and felony bias crime. She was also charged with strangulation in connection with another incident, which also involved an Asian victim.

Court records reportedly suggest that the latest incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks Robinson has committed against Asian people. In August 2022, she allegedly assaulted another Asian senior, 76, hitting him in the head and placing him in a chokehold.

In August 2021, Robinson allegedly targeted a mother and her baby in Old Town Chinatown, kicking over the babys stroller and later telling police that she meant to do it.

More from NextShark: Asian Man Caught on Video Telling Asian Neighbor to Go Back to China

Robinson remains held at Multnomah County jail.

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Russian servicemen patrol the destroyed part of the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol on May 18, 2022, amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine. OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Insubordination is spreading through the Russian military in Ukraine, a report said.

Soldiers are threatening to desert their positions, The Institute for the Study of War said.

It follows the failed uprising against the Kremlin by the Wagner mercenary group.

Insubordination is spreading through the Russian military in Ukraine after top commanders were fired for questioning the Kremlin's war strategy, according to a report by a think tank.

According to the respected Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing Russian sources, the Kremlin has in recent days fired a series of top commanders in Ukraine, most of whom were leading the defense of Russian positions in occupied Ukraine, specifically in Bakhmut and Zaporizhzhia.

The areas have been the scene of heavy fighting in recent weeks, as Ukraine seeks to push Russian forces out.

The most senior commander removed from his position was General Ivan Popov, who in an act of defiance criticized the treatment of front line troops and the lack of artillery support in an audio recording released last week.

"The reported dismissal and arrest of commanders leading combat effective units and formations appears to be associated with cases of insubordination," the ISW said.

It names the dismissed officers as Major General Vladimir Seliverstov, Major General Alexander Kornev, and Major General Ramil Ibatullin. It cited Russian military bloggers, an important source of information about the Russian military, saying that authorities were also preparing to arrest Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky.

According to the report, the officers dismissed all questioned the decisions of senior commanders in Ukraine.

The report says that the defiance towards Russia's top commanders appears to be spreading through the ranks.

It cites an audio recording from Russian airborne units, known in Russian as VDV, in the occupied Kherson region. In the audio, soldiers said they would abandon their positions if their commanding officer, Teplinsky, is arrested.

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"This audio appeal, if legitimate, is a threat of mass desertion in the face of the enemy on behalf of Teplinsky. Desertion in the face of the enemy is a capital offense in many militaries. The VDV servicemen are blackmailing the Russian MoD to ensure that Teplinsky continues to command troops in Ukraine," the ISW said.

The Russian military is in turmoil in the wake of the June mutiny by fighters from the Wagner mercenary group, who sought the firing of Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu for blunders in Ukraine.

Russian forces have faced steep casualties and in the invasion of Ukraine, and are reportedly fighting with low morale and poor equipment. A Ukrainian counteroffensive aimed at driving them back has so far made limited gains.

According to reports, in the wake of the uprising the Kremlin launched a search for traitors in the upper ranks of the Russian military, arresting Sergey Surovikin, a former supreme commander of Russian forces in Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(U.S. Marine Corps photo)

North Korea is reportedly detaining an active duty U.S. Army soldier after he illegally crossed the Demilitarized Zone during a tour. Private 2nd Class Travis King, age 23, was being escorted back to the United States for disciplinary action after being released from a South Korean prison where he was held on charges of assault. King was released by his escorts at customs but managed to evade airport security in Seoul before joining a DMZ tour group. U.S. military officials told CBS that he crossed into North Korea willfully and without authorization.

Military and civilian tours to the Korean DMZ are common, though they rarely end in international incidents (U.S. Army)

An eyewitness on the tour with King reported to CBS that the private laughed out loud and began running between buildings at the DMZ. I thought it was a bad joke at first, but, when he didn't come back, I realized it wasn't a joke, the witness said. And then everybody reacted and things got crazy.

The DMZ and joint security area is run by the United Nations Command. A UNC team made contact with the Korean Peoples Army of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea to negotiate Kings release. We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident, the UNC posted on Twitter.

The Korean Armistice Agreement is signed at Panmunjom (National Archives)

On July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. Although it brought about the end of hostilities in the Korean War, no peace treaty was signed. Moreover, then-South Korean President Syngman Rhee refused to sign the armistice. While the Korean War is considered over, North and South Korea officially remain at war. Since 1953, the DMZ along the 38th Parallel has divided the two nations.

According to the South Korean government, over 1,000 people fled North Korea for China annually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2020, the DPRK sealed its borders and has not reopened them. In 2017, a KPA soldier stole a truck and then ran on foot to defect across the DMZ to South Korea. He was shot at by communist troops but survived and successfully escaped to the south.

The JSA is the only place in the DMZ where troops face each other across the border (U.S. Army)

Also in 2017, a U.S. student was arrested and imprisoned in North Korea for stealing a propaganda poster. He was released later that year in a comatose state and died shortly thereafter. The Trump Administration took a strong stance against North Korea after the students death and secured the release of three U.S. citizens in 2018.
Little Antlers Learning Center in Plymouth gets calls daily from parents desperate for a spot, like many child care providers. Its also hearing from organizations interested in recreating its model.

Thats not a surprise.

Unlike many providers, Little Antlers Learning Center can give its teachers health benefits and half-price tuition for their children, with a goal of making it free. Fifty-one percent of its approximately 60 spots are reserved for low-to-moderate-income families. Its open 10 hours a day to accommodate parents schedules, and it takes infants and kids up to age 6. Theres an internship program in the works. Parents can get tuition assistance in an emergency.

Teachers Madi Dalphonse and Kree Woolley work with infants at the Little Antlers Learning Center in Plymouth.

Heres how Little Antlers does it: Its part of the Mid-State Health Center in Plymouth, which launched the center in 2007 for employees as a recruiting tool. Now its open to the community and funded by the health center as well as tax credits and grants.

The health center has recently launched a fundraising campaign to raise $1 million to increase tuition assistance.

After we did a feasibility study, we saw the need for our community, said Director Alison Murphy. I always knew it was there, but we wanted to get some hard data to show it was feasible.

The state of New Hampshire has invested an unprecedented amount in the last three years to expand the number of child care spots, including more than $100 million in one-time federal pandemic aid.

Most of that federal money has been spent. And while the state budget signed in June contains $15 million for worker recruitment and retention, and money to expand tuition assistance for families, it wont be enough to eliminate waitlists that can run 200 names long, child care leaders say.

More money will be part of the solution, they said, but not the only part. Providers, lawmakers, and economic development leaders are looking elsewhere for ideas.

One lawmaker wants to expand the number of slots by slightly increasing the number of children each child care worker can oversee. The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is beginning to put child care front and center in its conversations with members, calling it foundational to their and the regions success. Theres talk of reviving a statewide high school program to create a pipeline of new workers.

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The Monadnock Economic Development Corporation in Keene is launching a program focused on expanding child care in peoples homes, which it sees as ideal for rural towns, with grants and tax credits. It hopes to add 60 to 120 spots by giving people financial assistance to make required health and safety improvements to their homes and get business and child care training.

Instead of just sitting around the table and making the same pitch and saying the same thing over and over again, We need this, we need that, were doing something about it because we dont have a choice, said Executive Director Cody Morrison.

Its the kind of creative partnership that Executive Councilor Joe Kenney of Wakefield is advocating for as he travels his northern district, talking to child care providers and especially employers. Public-private partnerships and new ideas are necessary, he said.

If we can solve child care in New Hampshire, were going to live in one hell of a great state, Kenney said. If you can crack the code of child care, everything else will take care of itself.

Significant change, significant disruption

Although the child care shortage is getting more attention than ever, families and providers say the shortage is long-standing.

In 2020, the states 33,000 licensed child care spots for children under 6 met only 60 percent of the need, according to a study commissioned by the state Department of Health and Human Services.

That gap grew during the pandemic, as workers became harder to find, often because they could earn more money elsewhere  the average wage is about $12 an hour  or couldnt find care for their own children.

You can get a job at Walmart making $20 an hour, said Murphy, of Little Antlers. Being able to offer benefits and discounted tuition is crucial to her recruitment, she said. In the current economy, of course they are going to take those jobs, she said. It may not make them happy, but it will pay their bills.

As child care centers continue to close, other centers see their waitlists grow.

Jane LeBlanc shuttered Kids Only Day Care in Berlin in February, after running it for 33 years, because two workers left for other jobs. Two staff members, of four, took other jobs, one in another field for higher pay, leaving about 45 children with no care. A second center did the same six weeks later.

Im going to be 70, said LeBlanc, who had planned to retire and close in June but hadnt yet said so. Its so hard to find people, and I cant start over. I hated it for the families.

What happened next shows the fragility of the existing child care system.

Marianne Barter is the executive director at Merrimack Valley Day Care in Concord.

As soon as LeBlanc closed, the phones lit up at the Gorham Community Learning Center six miles away.

The calls we got were constant, said Mariah Middleton, coordinator of the infant and toddler program, during a recent child care discussion in Gorham. Families were told they could be added to the already long waitlist. It was heartbreaking, Middleton said.

Maine and Vermont are addressing their shortages with a significant increase in state spending. Vermont lawmakers overrode a governors veto in June to spend $120 million annually on child care. Maine recently doubled its state-funded stipends for child care workers from $200 to $400 a month.

Providers like LeBlanc said centers will continue to lose workers to higher pay, further strapping the system, if the state doesnt give them more money. The millions of federal dollars they got during the pandemic helped boost wages by $2 to $3, enough to get workers up to $18 or $19 an hour.

Raising tuition is not an option, providers said. The average cost of infant care is $14,425 per year, according to the health advocacy organization New Futures, slightly less than the average cost of a public university education in New Hampshire, according to the study done for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Families can pay only so much, LeBlanc said. I think there definitely needs to be more government intervention if we want to keep these places going.

Its near certain some lawmakers will push for more state funding beyond the $15 million in this years budget for worker recruitment, thats not the approach favored by Rep. Ross Berry, a Manchester Republican who chairs a new special legislative committee focused on child care, however.

Berry, who owns a child care center in Epsom, wants tweaks like a ratio change that will allow a child care worker to oversee five infants, instead of four. Do the math, he said, and that can quickly add a number of spots to existing centers without more money.

He wants the state to make it easier for child care workers to meet their continuing education requirements, too. He also supports the high school child care program.

I see more money as a Band-Aid. Substantive change is going to require significant disruption in the process, Berry said. You can put a new radio into a Ford Pinto, but it is still a Ford Pinto. I personally believe we are at the point where we need to get a new car.

A model for rural towns

The Monadnock Economic Development Corporations effort to increase home-based child care began with a conversation Keene Mayor George Hansel hosted between state and local leaders, funding agencies, and community organizations, including the Cheshire Childrens Museum.

The Bringing It Home Project launched this year with $1 million in federal funding and $500,000 in tax credits from the Community Development Finance Authority. Morrison, the organizations executive director, said theyve begun meeting with five families interested in providing in-home care and hope to launch by the end of the year, with a goal of adding 60 to 120 new child care spots.

Our interest in getting involved in this initiative was because child care is a top-three economic development issue in the state, said Morrison, who has been with the group for a year. The other two being housing and workforce.

A grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation will pay for a consultant to help people through the child care licensing process. The money raised through selling tax credits will go toward home renovations a potential provider must make to meet health and safety codes, such as fencing a yard or knocking down a wall to expand the size of a gathering area.

The Monadnock United Way and Keene State College received funding to expand training and employment pipelines for early childhood education. Morrison said this effort wouldnt have succeeded without the partnerships between such diverse groups, from the childrens museum to federal funders and business leaders.

A big advantage to this is that the commercial (child care) inventory may not be there in a lot of rural towns, Morrison said. If you take a small town like Marlow or Gilsum, they might not have the downtown, commercial real estate inventory for someone to be able to go and start a child care center.

But they still have workers  and employers  who need child care, he said.

This allows for more rural communities to be able to have the adequate level of child care capacity that their urban counterparts might. Were anticipating this being a model that other communities, other parts of the state are going to be looking at, said Morrison.

How do we move forward?

New Hampshire received nearly $142 million in federal pandemic assistance specifically for child care. The initial funding was aimed at emergency needs and then stabilization: giving child care providers assistance to remain open and families help to pay for child care. Nearly $108 million in pandemic assistance went to providers directly.

Merrimack Valley Day Care, a Concord nonprofit thats offered child care for more than 50 years, wouldnt have survived the pandemic without that assistance and other federal aid like the Paycheck Protection Program, said Executive Director Marianne Barter.

I mean, we took advantage of absolutely everything we possibly could, Barter said. Anything that came our way we applied for, and we have spent every single cent of it. Absolutely every cent. And a large part of that has been going towards keeping child care affordable for families and to our teachers to make sure that they understood that what they were doing is vital.

That money is gone, leaving Barter with no choice but to increase tuition by almost 20 percent, she said, for the first time in two years.

We had a board meeting about this  and my board understood and we decided to move forward with it, Barter said But I dont think there was a dry eye in the room.

The state is exploring new ideas for shoring up the states fragile child care system and making it more affordable. To that end, lawmakers included $45.5 million to expand eligibility for state child care assistance and increase payments to providers. The state is also adjusting how it pays providers so they dont lose money for days a child is absent.

But Karen Hebert, director of the Division of Economic Stability at the Department of Health and Human Services, knows it will take far more than that.

She said the state will invest the remaining $29 million in federal money in long-term sustainable solutions. The department spent six months asking providers and parents looking for child care to identify their greatest needs, she said.

Those conversations informed the departments long-term sustainability plan, which splits the remaining dollars across four priorities: strengthening the workforce and the overall system, helping families afford child care, and improving the quality of child care.

It isnt just about giving providers money. Its about how do we move forward? Hebert said. Because there are no plans as far as I know from the federal government to provide any further funding. How do we use this money wisely to be able to continue child care and continue building it, and rebuilding and strengthening it in New Hampshire?

Barter, whos worked for Merrimack Valley Day Care for more than 20 years and been its director for six, said shes thrilled lawmakers agreed to invest $15 million for providers to recruit and retain workers. Its amazing, she said, but if every child care provider took advantage of the funding, raises wouldnt get to $1 an hour.

For every child care worker you hire, Barter said, you can enroll eight children. So the ripple effect of a hire is huge because now all of a sudden many parents get to go work, she said. So each hire is enormously important.

And each loss is equally so.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: How NH child care solution could help parents and entire state
Belarus has already noticed the 9th convoy of Wagner Group mercenaries moving along the M5 highway from Bobruisk towards Asipovicy.

Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet

Quote: "This convoy is preliminarily composed exclusively of trucks with a minimum of 30 vehicles. Some trucks move with two trailers at once. Most of the trucks in the convoy are moving without number plates.

According to our observations, in recent days, some trucks that were travelling in convoys with other vehicles of the Wagner Group were later returning to the Russian Federation, which indicates that the trucks bring cargo and unload it in the camp in the village of Tsel. They are returned to the Russian Federation or for the next batch of cargo."

Details: Analysts suggest that the trucks may be transporting both personal belongings and equipment/parts of the former private military company camp in Molkino, as well as gear, weapons and ammunition.

Background:

Recently, convoys of fighters of the Wagner Group have arrived in Belarus.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), has allegedly spoken to the mercenaries who came to Belarus and said that they would be engaged in the training of the Belarusian army.

In Belarus, there are about half a thousand units of wheeled transport equipment near the Wagner Group tent city.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Law enforcement and lawmakers are demanding the immediate reopening of the Campbell Juvenile Detention Center in Newport.

BURLINGTON, Kentucky  Police officials and Kentucky lawmakers are demanding Northern Kentucky's only juvenile detention facility reopen immediately despite low staffing levels that prompted it to close last month.

Last year, Northern Kentucky police could bring all juveniles to the Campbell Juvenile Detention Center in Newport. But it was designated a girls-only facility in December, and then just last month partially shut down.

Getting juveniles to detention facilities hours away has been a hardship for local police, they said.

"The call to action is to reopen it immediately  they need to find other alternatives to make sure they can staff it appropriately and keep the thing open," state Sen. Christian McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, said at a news conference.

The Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Newport became the state's only female-only facility in December.

'A step that no one wants to take'

Last fall, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the 35-bed juvenile facility in Newport would be the sole all-girl detention center in the state. It began operating as such in December. But five months later, he announced the partial and temporary closure of the facility because of a "crisis" in staffing levels.

"This is a step that no one wants to have to take  to move juveniles to different facilities  but this is our best opportunity to provide the most safety for them and for the staff, Beshear said in a press conference last month, adding that some workers from the Department of Corrections have been volunteering their time on days off to staff the facility.

Young people 11 to 18 years old in Kentucky can be sent to juvenile detention centers while awaiting trial or after being convicted of a crime.

Females are now temporarily being housed at the Boyd Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Boyd County and the males are at the Breathitt Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

The Enquirer reached out to Beshear's office for more details prompting Morgan Hall, Justice & Public Safety Cabinet communications director, to provide the notification sent to police officials last month about the temporary closure of the facility.

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Police sometimes stuck with six-hour transports

While Beshear said transportation to and from those facilities would be provided for by the Department of Juvenile Justice, police and lawmakers say that's not the case.

"We live in a real world. We don't live in a make believe world," Senator John Schickel, R-Union, said at Tuesday's press conference, which comes amid a nationally-watched gubernatorial campaign in which Beshear, a Democrat, is running against GOP Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Kentucky state Senator John Schickel is among those who are calling for the Campbell Regional Juvenile Detention Center to immediately reopen.

Schickel said that while police have the option to call the Department of Juvenile Justice for help with transportation, officers or deputies are sometimes waiting hours for someone from the department to meet them for a transfer.

He also said housing youth hours away from their families, attorneys and church leaders puts the juveniles at a disadvantage because they can't as easily get help from trusted adults.

"They should be housed right here in our community with our people," he said.

'We don't just close down facilities'

Schickel said police departments and dispatchers are also short staffed "but we don't just close down facilities because we have shortages of personnel."

For police, the issues of staffing and finding ways to pay for overtime is a big factor when it comes to transporting juveniles to temporary facilities.

For instance, Bracken County Sheriff Robert Boody's deputies have to drive almost two hours to transport a female to Boyd County, making for a four-hour round trip. He and three deputies currently work the roughly 8,500-person county, so losing a deputy for half the day means there either aren't enough people to run the department or the department has to find ways to pay people overtime to cover shifts.

Boody says the department is fortunate to not have to handle juvenile transfers often. But other county sheriffs said they are transporting juveniles at least once a week.

Is the money and time worth the safety benefit?

Separating male and female juveniles is part of a statewide effort to improve the juvenile justice system.

In March, Beshear signed Senate Bill 162 into law, which provided $25 million to the Department of Juvenile Justice for staff salaries, upgrades to facilities and transportation.

Beshear said providing defensive equipment to protect staff from attacks, nearly doubling the pay for some workers, and separating boys and teens by the seriousness of the crimes they're charged with have also been part of the effort to improve safety for juveniles and staff.

Safety in youth facilities is at the forefront after a riot at Adair Regional Detention Center in Columbia injured young people and staff last fall and a riot at Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bowling Green that caused property damage last summer.

According to reporting from WAVE-TV, Louisville, a female juvenile was "violently" raped during the riot. Current or former workers also told the news organization that staff abused the incarcerated youth, used food deprivation as punishment, refused to allow medical staff to provide care and barred showers for weeks at a time.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NKY police, lawmakers want to reopen juvenile detention facility
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  The Supreme Court handed down a six-month suspension to lawyer and former Press Secretary Trixie Angeles for using "grossly abusive, offensive, and improper language" in a pleading.

The decision promulgated on March 27 said Angeles was guilty of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility, particularly Rule 8.01 of Canon 8 which states a lawyer "shall not, in his professional dealings, use language which is abusive, offensive or otherwise improper."

The court suspended Angles from practicing law for six months upon the receipt of the resolution, while a reprimand was given to Ahmed G. Paglinawan, another respondent.

"They are, likewise, sternly warned that a repetition of the same or similar act in the future will be dealt with more severely," the Supreme Court said.

The decision stems from a complaint filed in May 2016, which asked both respondents be disbarred.

The Supreme Court noted in its decision that Angeles did not file a motion for reconsideration, and considering that she was previously suspended from the practice of law, the imposition of the new suspension is in order.

Meanwhile, it said reprimand is a reasonable penalty for Paglinawan, considering that it is his first infraction.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty/Reuters

MANCHESTER, New HampshireAt their town hall event on Monday night to begin what could be a historically well-funded third-party presidential effort, the centrist group No Labels seemed to have all the right ingredients in place.

They had two bold-faced headliners: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R), who floated supporting a third-party candidacy, or in Manchins case running himself.

In the crowd at St. Anselm College, No Labels had a high-wattage roster of guests, ranging from former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R), former Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), former Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-SC), and even the popular Republican home state governor, Chris Sununu.

Manchins Planned Visit to New Hampshire Event Alarms Dems

They had on hand several hundred curious votersclutching No Labels glossy pamphlets and sleek No Labels swagwho heard lots of talk about fixing, not fighting the nations problems with a focus on substance and solutions instead of partisan rhetoric.

For all the pomp and performance, however, what No Labels and their allies clearly lacked was much in the way of substance and solutionsor a plan to do much more than potentially play spoiler in the 2024 contest.

While Manchin was the main draw, the night was dedicated to the rollout of Common Sense, a platform-style document that serves as No Labels justification for a third-party presidential campaign. The effort has yet to become official, but is being prepared and reportedly funded in the event of a repeat of the 2020 election.

Cloaked in the conspicuous symbolism of the Founding Fathers, the group describes Common Sense as a policy booklet that serves as a blueprint for where Americas commonsense majority wants this country to go, based on over a year of listening to and surveying tens of thousands of Americans to understand their aspirations and priorities for the country.

For all the talk from Manchin and Huntsman on todays politics being all about style over substance, the perfect-bound and smartly branded packet seemed to define the former.

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Across 63 glossy pages, the two most concrete policy solutions were to establish national commissionsa time-honored Beltway tradition in the event lawmakers dont have an actual solutionto address the national debt and the rise of artificial intelligence.

The town hall event itself didnt offer much more. On the subject of climate change, Manchin did not take any further questions beyond a pre-approved one from an attendee during the Q&A portion of the event.

At another point, McCrory tried to explain why he thinks No Labels wont alienate centrist voters who want the government to do something to curtail emissions and reduce carbon, but got interrupted by an angry voter during his interview with The Daily Beast.

Joe Manchin Refuses to Answer if He Still Identifies as a Democrat

The all of the above will do something about climate change, McCrory said before being interrupted by the climate-concerned voter, who did not offer his name. This is a draft here, man. Were trying.

Indeed, in the pamphlets Idea 15, the notion of a consensus on climate is floated in place of an actual policysave for support of the aforementioned all of the above energy approach, which is more talking point than position.

Most Americans want clean air and water, are concerned about climate change, and support the idea of Washington making significant investments to spur the adoption of cleaner energy resources, reads the blurb written by No Labels chief strategist Ryan Clancy.

In fact, the climate change proposal claims most Americans do not support government restricting access to fossil fuel energy at a moment when we dont yet have enough renewables to replace it, before offering the expansion of carbon-free nuclear power as the lone solution proposed.

At other points of the evening, No Labels big-name guests seemed most interested in less high-minded draws of the event. Sununu, for instance, mopped up reporters attention and took plenty of questions. But he wasnt in much of a mood to talk about another rare concrete proposal in the Common Sense pamphlet: raising the federal age to buy a firearm to 21 years old.

Sorry, I just havent read it, Sununu told The Daily Beast on his way out from a gaggle with reporters.

No Labels pitch for 2024 is simple. American voters, they argue, arent happy with the prospect of another four years of President Joe Biden, nor do they want Donald Trump to return to the White House.

NH Guv Chris Sununu Sees a Lane to the Left of Trump and DeSantis

Some public opinion polls support the general notion. But for now, No Labels is offering little in the way of an alternative, lacking not only a real vision but a candidate who would take it up.

Many Democrats believe No Labelswith a reported budget in the tens of millions of dollarswould ultimately be an expensive and quixotic spoiler that hands the election to Trump.

Those suspicions have grown with the groups steadfast refusal to provide information about its donors; some of its known donors are wealthy Republicans, like Harlan Crow, the Texas billionaire who courted Justice Clarence Thomas.

In New Hampshire on Monday night, some top No Labels officials seemed to be at a loss when explaining how their third-party effort might play out.

When pressed on how a third-party run wouldnt benefit Trump the most in a hypothetical rematch, former Sen. Joe Liebermanthe famed centrist and No Labels chairtried to argue polling shows it would have no tangible benefit to Trump. Recent surveys featuring a No Labels candidate, however, show Trump gaining between 1 and 3 percentage points in the scenario.

Once Lieberman abandoned the polling argument, he conceded he would vote for Biden if it were a one-on-one rematch with Trump.

Were gonna have a tough decision to make next year if it is Trump and Biden and theres no real change in the parties, Lieberman said, adding that No Labels would need a strong ticket to avoid being a spoiler. He also emphasized he was speaking in his personal capacity, not for No Labels.

Notably, the group has said their plans to offer a candidate hinge on whether a Trump-Biden rematch remains likely by Super Tuesday in March 2024.

Beyond promises of a committee being formed to select a nominee and a vice presidential pick, there are few specifics on who the ticket would be or how they would be chosen. Organizers are planning to hold a No Labels convention in Dallas next April, conveniently shortly after Super Tuesday.

On Monday, Manchin remained coy, saying he would wait until next year to make a decision, while McCrory told The Daily Beast that No Labels is still in the very early stages of forming the nominating committee.

Despite the lingering questions, compared to where No Labels was eight years ago, its return to New Hampshire was a production to behold.

Manchin Forces Approval of Embattled WV Pipeline in Debt Ceiling Deal

The last time the group held an event like this in New Hampshire in 2015, a far less ritzy production at the Radisson Hotel across the river in Manchester was forebodingly hijacked by Trump, who cramped the vibe of bipartisanship and decorum.

This time around, No Labels wants the immediate message to be clear: Theyre serious, they have money, and they have a nationwide operation up and running. McCrory said the group plans on securing a spot on the ballot in all 50 states.

After the town hall, some attendees didnt seem sold on the idea.

There are a couple things I gasped at, T.D. Floras, an independent Nashua voter and retired retail manager, told The Daily Beast. She said she was particularly aghast at how dismissive Manchin and Huntsman were to what impact a third-party run might have on Trumps chances of returning to office. She also took issue with the No Labels organizers requiring attendees to submit questions in advance.

Thats not how we do it in New Hampshire, she scoffed, adding she left the night far less likely to back a No Labels bid, especially if Manchin were the candidate.

Still, No Labels seemed to find at least a few sympathetic ears in the audience.

Charles Jessie, a New Hampshire Republican who said he identifies as being among the ambivalent righta fancy way of saying fiscally conservative but socially liberalsaid he was mainly drawn to the event for Manchin and didnt know Huntsman was co-headlining it as the Republican.

Jessie said he would treat the prospect of a second Trump or Biden term about the same, and was strongly interested in backing a third-party candidate.

Whats in my face today is Biden, Jessie said. I still remember Trump being in my face too. They both bother me.

When asked who hed like to see as a third-party candidate, he could only name Manchin.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Linda Schloesser, left, and Paul McGlocklin, right, enjoy their morning coffee with their dog Buddy while looking over Lake Monroe at the Cutright State Recreation Area on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

Editor's note: The photo caption has been edited to correct the year it was taken and Walker's title.

Move over, one-eyed, one-horned, flying, purple people eater. There's a new long-named, possibly flesh-eating monster on the block.

As described in a viral Facebook post, forensic biologists with Purdue University have linked decapitated human remains at Lake Monroe to a reportedly deadly attack by a nine-foot, 300-year-old snapping turtle  the largest of such species ever recorded.

Lake Lemon's folklore based in truth: Where is Cemetery Island? A look at one of Monroe County's hidden histories

However, since that post initially went viral, spawning 14,000 shares and over 400 comments on Facebook, some key discrepancies have emerged.

There have not been any human remains recently found at Lake Monroe, as confirmed by the Monroe County Coroner's Office. There's also no record of the post's aforementioned forensic biologist, Dr. Eric Paddlejack, in Purdue University's directory. And there is certainly no nine-foot, 300-year-old snapping turtle swimming in Lake Monroe.

"It was way too sensational to be true," said Nate Engbrecht, a zoologist who studies reptiles and amphibians with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

It's a full-fledged internet hoax, which spread rapidly this week across social media platforms and generated hundreds of confused and suspicious comments.

Monroe County coroner, Indiana officials deny claims of man-eating turtle

The rumored discovery of a living turtle with Jurassic Park proportions seems to have originated from a Facebook post by Kevin Goodman, a private user based in this area.

Written in the format of a news article, Goodman described how a team of forensic scientists at Purdue University, led by Dr. Eric Paddlejack, "confirmed" the existence of the largest and oldest snapping turtle currently alive.

For Engbrecht, there were a couple of clues that immediately flagged this report as a fabricated tale.

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Zach Walker, former state herpetologist with DNR, holds a snapping turtle that was caught during turtle research in Indiana in 2004.

"Right off the bat, the size was unreasonable for a native Indiana turtle, Engbrecht said. "(Snapping turtles) are large turtles but certainly not nine feet.

As Engbrecht notes, Lake Monroe is home to various turtle species  the spiny softshell turtle, which has a leathery shell as flat as a pancake; the red-eared slider turtle, which may be found in your home aquarium tank; and the musk turtle, which is about as big as a large avocado at Kroger.

In this region, a common snapping turtle's size ranges from 8 to 14 inches with a record length of approximately 19 inches  a far cry from 9 feet.

The estimated age was also a red flag.

While common snapping turtles typically have a lifespan of up to 40 years in the wild, there have been some cases of a few in captivity living just a bit longer than a century. Such is the case of Thunder, an alligator snapping turtle at the aquarium in Newport, Kentucky, who died in 2016 at the estimated age of 150 years old. There has been no snapping turtle ever recorded as old as 300 years.

As far as the man-killing claim goes, this also doesn't align with a snapping turtle's behavior. Despite the aggressive-sounding moniker, snapping turtles are often conflict-avoidant around humans. They only "snap" when they are provoked and feel they are in immediate danger.

"I mean, its important to know the difference between an animal being defensive and an animal being aggressive," Engbrecht said.

The turtles do not pose a deadly threat to humans, which makes the report of a decapitated body at the lake so jarring and eye-catching.

Beyond the sensational claims of age and size, there were some more subtle clues to the hoax. In Goodman's post, the main source is Dr. Paddlejack, a fictional person whose name derives from a kind of rubber fishing lure.

Shortly after the post went viral, a few local and state officials started shutting down the rumors.

One day after the initial claims began circulating, Monroe County Coroner Joani Stalcup took to her own Facebook page to denounce it as a "totally fabricated story." No human remains, nor evidence of a ginormous snapping turtle, have been recently found and recorded by Monroe County.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources had a light-hearted response to the confusion and controversy.

"FYI: If youre looking for turtles, weve got you covered. But if youre looking for a nine-foot, 300-year-old snapping turtle, you might try your favorite comic book or horror film instead of Monroe Lake," DNR wrote via Facebook.

In another post from DNR's fish and wildlife division, state officials expanded on their response, emphasizing the importance of checking sources when reading something shocking or out of the ordinary.

Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife shared this photo on social media following false reports of a 9-foot, human-eating snapping turtle in Lake Monroe. State officials encourage residents to reach out to DNR for fact-checking reports.

"Luckily with these kinds of wildlife related stories, you can always directly ask us! Feel free to reach out about any tall tales you may hear regarding Indiana's fish and wildlife," DNR officials wrote.

While encouraging people to do independent research to prevent the spread of such extraordinary claims, Engbrecht also wanted to shed some light on the importance of conservation, especially given some turtle species being at risk of endangerment in Indiana.

Even though snapping turtles are pretty common, (other turtles) face conservation challenges right now," Engbrecht said. "They could use some help and less fear (from people).

Internet hoax was for 'proof of concept' screenplay pitch, creator says

On Tuesday, July 18, two days after the initial story was floated, Goodman posted again on Facebook, confirming the hoax and expanding on his intent behind it.

"For several years now, I have joked about writing a screenplay in the tradition of Lake Placid about a giant man-eating snapping turtle in Lake Monroe. I liked the idea because snapping turtles are large primitive scary-looking creatures, and yet, to the best of my knowledge, the idea of man-eating snapping turtles is novel," Goodman wrote. "But I felt it could be done with an air of plausibility."

It isn't that novel, in fact. There is a similar mythos in a different small Indiana town. In March of 1949, Churubusco, Indiana, made national headlines when there were alleged sightings of a monstrous turtle  400 pounds of skin and shell, reportedly as big as a car  in the murky waters surrounding Fulk Lake. Divers began searching the lake for a chance at catching the Hoosier-equivalent of a Loch Ness monster, but no animal of such magnitude was ever confirmed.

Goodman decided to test the screenplay's viability and interest generation by writing a satire news story. With the idea of submitting it to the satirical media company the Onion, he posted it to his own social media account for a handful of close friends to read.

"Yes  I did want it to go viral, BUT I never imagined it would go viral from my personal Facebook page. I considered the article a draft, and I was looking for feedback and did not imagine it would escape my immediate circle of friends," Goodman wrote.

Goodman ended the post with a self-promotional spin: "At any rate, the 24 hours of turtle panic has proven my story concept has value. Movie rights are for sale!"

Reach Rachel Smith at rksmith@heraldt.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Internet hoax: human-eating snapping turtle in Indiana's Lake Monroe?
Sarah Huckabee Sanders PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Tensions between former President Donald Trump and his former press secretary, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, have mounted recently because, despite her team informing Trump's campaign that she would endorse him in the 2024 presidential election after the end of her first legislative session in May, Sanders has yet to do so, two sources familiar with the situation told Axios.

Sanders is one of several Republicans who have chosen to remain neutral ahead of the 2024 Republican primary. Her neutrality is complicated, however, because of her former role as the voice of the GOP frontrunner's administration. Due to their working relationship  and the fact that Trump endorsed her on the first day of her gubernatorial campaign in 2021  Trump reportedly holds the Arkansas governor to a different standard than other GOP leaders. "You should always dance with the person who brought you," an unnamed Trump ally said, describing the feeling. The New York Times first reported in March that Trump had asked Sanders for an endorsement, and she declined. Trump, however, vehemently denied the report on Truth Social, writing that he never asked her for an endorsement while adding that "nobody has done more for her than I have."

Sanders has also built a relationship with Trump's primary rival Gov. Ron DeSantis, attending the Florida Republican's retreat for prominent donors last year and hiring his senior chancellor of the state's Department of Education to be her secretary of education in Arkansas. She's also gotten close with DeSantis' wife, Casey, after their experience's with cancer in recent years. Trump and DeSantis' campaigns declined Axios' requests for comment.
Map of North Korea

For decades North Korea has been one of the world's most secretive societies. It is one of the few countries still under nominally communist rule.

North Korea's nuclear ambitions have exacerbated its rigidly maintained isolation from the rest of the world.

The country emerged in 1948 from the chaos following the end of World War Two. Its history is dominated by its Great Leader, Kim Il-sung, who shaped political affairs for almost half a century.

Decades of this rigid state-controlled system have led to stagnation and a leadership dependent on a cult of personality. The totalitarian state also stands accused of systematic human rights abuses.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA: FACTS

Capital: Pyongyang

Area: 120,540 sq km

Population: 25.9 million

Language: Korean

Life expectancy: 68 years (men) 75 years (women)

LEADER

Supreme leader: Kim Jong-un

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong-un is the third leader from the Kim dynasty, founded by his grandfather Kim il-Sung.

Kim Jong-un took over from his father Kim Jong-il when the latter died of a heart attack in December 2011.

Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea has continued its policy of promoting the military at home while sending mixed signals to the rest of the world about its nuclear programme.

MEDIA

North Korea is accused of keeping its people in a state of ignorance through tight control of the media

Radio and TV receivers are pre-tuned to government stations that pump out a steady stream of propaganda.The press and broadcasters - all of them under direct state control - carry flattering reports about North Korea's leader. Economic hardships or natural disasters are not always reported. If they are, they are framed as a patriotic battle. Ordinary North Koreans caught accessing foreign broadcasts risk harsh punishments, such as forced labour. The authorities attempt to jam foreign-based and dissident radio stations.

TIMELINE

Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers salute as they watch a mass rally on Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang on 9 September, 2018.

Some key dates in North Korea's history:

4th Century BC - Gojoseon (Old Joseon) kingdom in existence on the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria.

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3rd Century BC - Jin state formed in southern Korea.

57BC-668AD - Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla grow to control the peninsula and Manchuria as the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

668-935 - Korea is unified under the kingdom of Silla, before it breaks apart.

918-1392 - Korea is again unified, under Goryeo. The name "Korea" is derived from the name of Goryeo.

1231-1270 - Mongol invasions of Korea bring Goryeo under the influence of the Mongol Empire in Mongolia and the Yuan dynasty of China until the mid-14th Century.

1392-1897 - Joseon dynasty. Established by general Yi Seong-gye after a coup d'etat overthrowing the Goryeo dynasty in 1388.

1418-1450 - Sejong the Great implements administrative, social, scientific and economic reforms and creates Hangul, the Korean alphabet.

1592-1598 - Japanese invasions of Korea: conflict ends with the withdrawal of Japanese forces after a military stalemate.

1876 - Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876; designed to force open Korea to Japanese trade. The treaty ends Korea's status as a protectorate of China.

1897-1910 - Korean Empire: proclaimed by King Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. He oversees a partial modernization and westernization of Korea's military, economy and education systems.

1905 - Korean Empire becomes a protectorate of Japan.

1910 - Japan annexes Korea, which becomes a Japanese colony.

1945 - After World War Two, Japanese occupation ends with Soviet troops occupying area north of the 38th parallel, and US troops in the south.

1950-1953 - Korean War: Following border clashes and rebellions in South Korea, North Korea invades South Korea. North Korea is supported by China and the USSR while South Korea is supported by the US and allied UN countries.

North Korea forces initially drive South Korean and US troops back to a final stand on the Pusan Perimeter, around the port of Busan. US and UN forces launch a surprise landing at Inchon and drive North Korean troops all the way back close to the Yalu river border with China. Chinese forces then intervene and push the US and UN forces back.

After a year of mobile warfare the front stabilises along the 38th parallel, close to where fighting had a started and the last two years see a war of attrition on both sides. The fighting ends with an armistice on 27 July 1953 and the creation of a demilitarised zone, separating the two Koreas. Up to three million people are killed in the war.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone

1950s-60s - Ideological shift in North Korea, as Kim Il Sung seeks to consolidate power. He is highly critical of the USSR's Nikita Khrushchev and his de-Stalinization policies, and echoes Chinese critiques of Khrushchev as "revisionist".

1960s-1991 - Until the 1960s, economic growth was higher than in South Korea but in the 1980s, the economy beings to stagnate and almost completely collapses after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, when all Soviet aid is halted.

1994 - Founding President Kim Il-sung dies, succeeded by his son Kim Jong-il.

Mid-1990s - Flooding exacerbates North Korea's economic crisis, damaging crops and infrastructure and led to widespread famine. Between 240,000 and 420,000 people die. In 1996, the government accepts UN food aid

2011 - Kim Jong-il dies and is succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-un.

2017-18 - North Korea crisis: heightened tension between North Korea and US when North Korea conducts a series of missile and nuclear tests demonstrating its ability to launch ballistic missiles beyond its immediate region.

2018-19 - Korean peace process: Kim Jong-un becomes first North Korean leader to enter the South when he meets South Korean President Moon Jae-in for talks, and then US President Donald Trump.

2022 - North Korea conducts a successful ICBM test launch for the first time since the 2017 crisis.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deploys a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

The launches came as the U.S.-led United Nations Command tries to secure the release of a U.S. soldier who fled to North Korea from the South Korean side of a border village Tuesday afternoon.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, in his early 20s, had just been released from a South Korean prison where he was held on assault charges. Instead of getting on a plane to be taken back to Fort Bliss, Texas, he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border, U.S. officials say.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said that from 3:30 to 3:46 a.m. North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area near capital Pyongyang that flew about 550 kilometers (341 miles) before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

Those flight details were similar to the assessment of the Japanese military, which said the missiles landed outside of Japans exclusive economic zone and that there were no immediate reports of damage from ships or aircraft in affected areas.

The flight distance of the North Korean missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that the North Korean missiles traveled on a low trajectory, with their maximum altitude reaching about 50 kilometers (31 miles), and possibly demonstrated irregular maneuver in flight.

Japan has previously used similar language to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modeled after Russias Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

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The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North Korean launches as major provocation that threatens peace and stability in the region and said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring the North for further weapons activities.

Wednesdays launches marked the Norths first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland. That launch was supervised by the countrys authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to further bolster his countrys nuclear fighting capabilities in the face of expanding U.S.-South Korean military activities, which he blamed for worsening the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have rose in the region in recent months as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and U.S.-South Korean joint military drills have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles while attempting to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on both South Korea and the continental United States. The allies in response have stepped up their joint military training and agreed to increase the deployments of U.S. strategic assets like long-range bombers, air craft carriers and submarines to the region.Periodic visits by U.S. nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April in response to North Koreas expanding nuclear threat. They also agreed to further expand combined military exercises, strengthen joint planning for nuclear contingencies and establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, which held its inaugural meeting in Seoul Tuesday.

The steps were meant to ease South Korean concerns about North Koreas growing nuclear weapons arsenal and suppress voices within the South calling for the country to pursue its own nuclear weapons program.

U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement that the Kentuckys arrival in Busan reflects the United States ironclad commitment to extended deterrence, referring to an assurance to defend its ally with its full military capabilities, including nuclear ones.

The Ohio-class submarine can be equipped with about 20 Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles), said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert who teaches at Kyonggi University in South Korea.

From this submarine, the U.S. can launch attacks (on North Korea) from anywhere in the world ... But there will surely likely be backlashes from North Korea and China because its like the worlds most covert and threatening nuclear weapons forces being deployed on their doorsteps, he said.

While some South Korean conservatives have expressed disappointment that the Biden-Yoon meeting in April came short of agreeing to station U.S. nuclear weapons or strategic assets in the South, placing nuclear weapons offshore and on submarines is actually a stronger deterrent in many ways, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at Washingtons Center for a New American Security.

Deterrence is strengthened when the location of American strategic assets is unknown to the adversary as long as the adversary knows that these weapons exist, said Kim.

Still, Seoul and Washington will need to find the sweet spot when it comes to the visibility of Americas extended deterrent.

Too much visibility of strategic assets could actually undermine the deterrent effect while too little could raise questions in Seoul about commitment, Kim said.

AP writers Mari Yamaguchi and video journalist Haruka Nuga contributed from Tokyo.
North Korea has remained silent on its apparent detention of a U.S. soldier who crossed the border from South Korea on Tuesday.

The soldier was identified as Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, who willfully ran across the border during a tour of the border village of Panmunjom, according to U.S. officials. King, 23, was being held in a South Korean prison on assault charges, but he was recently released and was set to fly back to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday.

He had joined the tour of the area located within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and crossed the North Korean border Tuesday afternoon. The American-led U.N. Command said Tuesday he is being detained in North Korea, marking the first time an American has been detained in the country in nearly five years.

North Korea has not commented on Kings apparent detention, as experts have suggested the country may use him as a bargaining chip with the U.S. or use him in propaganda. U.S. officials said they are working to address the incident, but it is unclear how because King crossed the border willingly.

Were very early in this event, and so theres a lot that were still trying to learn, but what we do know is that one of our service members who was on a tour willfully and without authorization crossed the military demarcation line, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday.

More on the US soldiers detainment from The Hill

Im absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop. And so we will remain focused on this, he added.

Kings detainment comes as tensions continue to rise between North Korea and the U.S. North Korea launched two short-range missiles early Wednesday morning in what appears to be an act of protest against a U.S. nuclear submarine arriving in South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in more than 40 years.

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Kings mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC News she was shocked when she heard her son crossed the North Korean border, adding she spoke to her son just a few days ago, when he told her he was returning to Fort Bliss. She also noted she just wants him to come home.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Gates said.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Editors note: This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. EST with additional information.

SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea stayed silent Wednesday about the detention of an American soldier who sprinted across the Koreas heavily fortified border as members of his tour group looked on in shock. Some observers said heightened tensions between the two countries make it unlikely that he will return any time soon.

Pvt. Travis King bolted into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on Tuesday, a day after he was supposed to go back to a base in the U.S. He was released from a South Korean prison July 10 after serving time for assault and was scheduled to return to Fort Bliss, Texas.

King, who was imprisoned for 47 days, faced discharge from the Army because of his conviction in a foreign country, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

A portrait of American soldier Travis King is displayed as his grandfather, Carl Gates, talks about his grandson Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Kenosha, Wis. (Morry Gash/AP)

King is the first known American held in North Korea in nearly five years, and his detention comes at a time of elevated animosity. On Wednesday, North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in an apparent protest of the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea for the first time in decades.

Its likely that North Korea will use the soldier for propaganda purposes in the short term and then as a bargaining chip, said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea.

King, a 23-year-old cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division, was supposed to leave Monday for Texas. He was escorted as far as customs but left the airport before boarding his plane.

It wasnt clear how he spent the hours until joining the tour in the border village of Panmunjom and running across the border Tuesday afternoon. The Army realized he was missing when he did not get off the flight in Texas as expected. Military officials released his name and limited information after Kings family was notified.

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One woman who was on the tour with King said she initially thought his dash was some kind of stunt  and that she and others in the group couldnt believe what happened.

Kings stint in prison was the result of an altercation last year.

Soldier held in North Korea faced discharge for fights, cop car damage

In February, a court fined him 5 million won ($3,950) after he was convicted of assaulting an unidentified person and damaging a police vehicle in Seoul last October, according to a transcript of the verdict obtained by The Associated Press.

The ruling said King had also been accused of punching a 23-year-old man at a Seoul nightclub, though the court dismissed that charge because the victim didnt want King to be punished.

Kings maternal grandfather, Carl Gates, said his grandson joined the Army roughly three years ago because he wanted to do better for himself. He was drawn to service because he has a brother who is a police officer and a cousin in the Navy, Gates said.

Gates said he hoped his grandson could be brought home to get help.

I think right now he might have a problem or something. I cant see him doing that intentionally if he was in his right mind, Gates said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration was working to figure out where King was being held, his condition and his reason for crossing into North Korea. She said administration officials would seek his safe return to his family.

The American-led U.N. Command said Tuesday that the U.S. soldier was believed to be in North Korean custody.

It wasnt known whether or how the U.S. and North Korea would communicate. The two countries have no diplomatic relations and are still officially at war because the Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

In the past, Sweden, which has an embassy in Pyongyang, provided consular services for other Americans detained in North Korea. But Swedish diplomatic staff reportedly havent returned to North Korea since the country imposed a COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020 and ordered all foreigners to leave.

Some observers said North Korea and the U.S. could still talk via Panmunjom or the North Korean mission at the U.N. in New York.

Its rare for Americans or South Koreans to defect to North Korea, but more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to escape political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Tae Yongho, a former minister at the North Korean Embassy in London, said North Korea is likely pleased to have an opportunity to get the U.S. to lose its face because Kings crossing happened on the same day the U.S. submarine arrived in South Korea.

Tae, now a South Korean lawmaker, said North Korea was unlikely to return King easily because he is a soldier from a nation technically at war with North Korea, and he voluntarily went to the North.

The U.S. still stations about 28,000 troops in South Korea.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248-kilometer-long (154-mile-long) Demilitarized Zone, has been jointly overseen by the U.N. Command and North Korea since the close of the Korean War.

Bloodshed has occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for diplomacy and tourism, drawing visitors who want to see the Cold Wars last frontier. No civilians live there, but North and South Korean soldiers face off while tourists on both sides snap photographs.

A small number of U.S. soldiers went to North Korea during the Cold War, including Charles Jenkins, who deserted his army post in South Korea in 1965 and fled across the DMZ. He appeared in North Korean propaganda films and married a Japanese nursing student who was abducted from Japan by North Korean agents. Jenkins died in Japan in 2017.

In recent years, some American civilians have been arrested in North Korea on allegations of espionage, subversion and other anti-state acts, but were released after the U.S. sent high-profile missions to secure their freedom. The last releases occurred in 2018.

Those releases stood in striking contrast to the fate of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died in 2017, days after he was released by North Korea in a coma following 17 months in captivity.

Copp reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Zeke Miller in Washington; Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; and researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.
A U.S. service member was detained on Tuesday after entering North Korean territory, intensifying the already hostile relations between the two countries.

The United Nations Command, which operates the demilitarized zone, said the American, identified by the U.S. Army as Pvt. Travis King, was on a civilian tour of the so-called peace village of Panmunjom when he entered North Korea.

King willfully and without authorization crossed the border, Col. Isaac Taylor of the U.S. Forces Korea confirmed.

Just before this incident, Pyongyang announced that the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 12 was just the beginning of its military offensive. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Monday via translation that the situation on the Korean Peninsula has reached a point where actual armed conflict ... and nuclear war are being discussed.

Soldiers stand guard at the military demarcation line separating North and South Korea in October 2022. (Anthony Wallace/AFP)

The recent escalations, according to North Korea, serve as warnings to Washington after the Hermit Kingdom alleged that a U.S. spy plane had flown over its territory eight times in one day. In response, Pyongyang launched the ICBM into waters close to neighbors Japan and South Korea.

A State Department spokesperson called North Koreas accusations unfounded and urged the countrys military to refrain from escalatory actions. On Sunday, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. held trilateral naval exercises in international waters aimed at improving their response to enemy missile launches.

As tensions between the U.S. and North Korea continue to heighten, Yahoo News spoke with David Hundt, an associate professor of international relations at Deakin University in Australia, and Edward Howell, a lecturer in politics and international relations at the University of Oxford in England, to help break down the timeline of the failing relations between the two countries. Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

What was the U.S.s relationship with the Korean Peninsula before World War II?

Tension between the U.S. and North Korea continues to escalate. (Illustration: Juanjo Gasull for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images)

Hundt: The U.S. didnt have much of a relationship with the Korean Peninsula prior to World War II, mainly because the U.S. itself was in an isolationist period. But there had been a lot of interest in Korea, mainly for economic reasons, as the U.S. sought to expand its trade with Asia. There was a big push to increase relations with Korea after the war because Japan had been Koreas colonial master and Japan, of course, was one of the primary enemies of the U.S. during the war.

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How were relations between the U.S. and North Korea during the Cold War?

North Korean leader Kim Il Sung signs the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Hundt: You could say that the Cold War began on the Korean Peninsula because the U.S. and the Soviet Union were meant to be jointly liberating the peninsula from Japan.

Howell: The peninsula was initially divided along the 38th parallel in 1945, with the Soviet Union controlling the northern half and the U.S. controlling the southern half. This division was intended to be temporary, but the inconclusive end of the Korean War in 1953 started by Kim Il Sungs invasion of South Korea saw the de facto inter-Korean border shift to the demilitarized zone.

Given how no peace treaty was signed, the early Cold War years were fraught with U.S. concern that North Korea would invade the South again, but also that South Korea, under its first president, Syngman Rhee, would try and reunify the Korean Peninsula on the Souths own terms. In 1953, the U.S. signed the Mutual Defense Treaty with South Korea, allowing it to station forces in the South, an arrangement that continues to this day.

North Korea would align with the Soviet Union and China, balancing precariously between these two communist superpowers. South Korea would become one of the U.S.s ironclad allies in Northeast Asia, and North Korea one of its most potent enemies.

When did things start to become heated between Washington and Pyongyang?

Arthur Goldberg, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, at the Security Council in 1968 to show that the USS Pueblo was outside North Korean territorial waters when it was seized. (Getty Images)

Hundt: If anything, the situation has gotten worse since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s due to the lack of reform in North Korea. When North Korea was found to be developing its own nuclear weapons capacity in the 1990s and into the 2000s, relations deteriorated further. It truly has been a downward spiral.

Howell: Even before North Korea had nuclear weapons, North Koreas belligerence was causing concern. Attempts to assassinate two South Korean presidents in 1968 and 1983; the capture of a U.S. spy ship, the USS Pueblo, in 1968; and the planting of two bombs on a Korean Air flight in 1987 by North Korean agents all lowered Pyongyangs international reputation.

In 1985, North Korea joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons under pressure from the Soviet Union, thereby pledging not to acquire or develop nuclear weapons. By the end of the decade, however, U.S. intelligence had discovered that North Korea was operating plutonium-producing facilities.

Things began to look up when then-President Donald Trump met with Kim. What was the feeling at the time?

President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, June 30, 2019. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Howell: The feeling at the time was divided. Some thought Trumps somewhat unexpected approach toward Kim could lead to minimal change, such as small concessions on North Koreas nuclear weapons program in return for economic assistance.

Yet the opposing view, which was that such summitry was merely a form of optical diplomacy, became more prevalent with time. The Singapore summit joint statement was intentionally vague and, in fact, benefited North Korea.

Since then, it seems as though relations have gotten worse. Why is that?

Howell: Three meetings between Kim and Trump between 2018 and 2019 achieved little progress but lots of photo ops. The collapse of the Hanoi summit in February 2019, when both sides walked out of the talks, highlighted a fundamental mismatch in expectations, particularly on the part of North Korea with respect to the U.S.s willingness to remove specific sanctions that targeted the North Korean economy.

When working-level talks between the U.S. and North Korea in 2019 broke down, North Korea lost its appetite for negotiations. After it sealed its borders in January 2020 following the onset of COVID-19, we are now at a stage where North Korea is intent on developing its nuclear and missile capabilities and does not even want to pretend to negotiate with the U.S.

What is Pyongyangs reasoning for its issues with the U.S.?

An intercontinental ballistic missile is launched from an undisclosed location in North Korea on July 13. (KCNA via Reuters)

Howell: North Koreas time-old line is that the U.S. has been adopting a hostile policy ever since the Korean War. This policy is intentionally ambiguous, and North Korea controls its definition. This works to North Koreas advantage: In short, North Korea believes that the U.S. is intent on overthrowing the regime. Any condemnation of North Koreas nuclear development or human rights violations, imposition of sanctions, or criticisms of North Koreas missile launches, among other things, forms part of the hostile policy. The hostile policy is a convenient way for North Korea to justify its continued nuclear development, which it has framed as a defensive right against a hostile United States and its allies.
Hundreds of residents crowded into an unairconditioned gym last week to hear about Oncors proposal to build a high voltage transmission line that the state says is needed to maintain the grids integrity as growth ramps up in Denton and Wise counties.

Justin officials put the call to action on the citys website, urging residents to oppose Oncors proposed routes, which they say could impact new homes, a town center in the works and a beloved city park with a veterans memorial.

Oncor delivers electricity from power plants through transmission and distribution power lines. It plans to build a transmission line from a switch near U.S. 287 and Texas 114 south of Rhome to one southeast of Interstate 35W and FM 1171 in Flower Mound. The steel towers carrying the lines will be 120 to 175 feet tall, with four arms on each side.

Mayor James Clark estimated that over 250 people came to the July 13 meeting, including people from Rhome and New Fairview, Argyle and Northlake.

There is just so much movement of people coming in this direction, he said. There are so many homes coming not just in Justin but farther to the west. This power line is not for Justin, its out west of us.

Flower Mound spokesperson Melissa Demmitt said the city has encouraged property owners to submit their comments about the route, and the Town Council has expressed concerns and has had discussions with regional and state leaders.

Argyle passed a resolution in December opposing transmission lines through its town and authorized the administrator to take necessary action to oppose routes through the town. The latest proposed routes do not include the town. Neighboring Northlake passed a resolution in January urging a southern route for the transmission line.

Oncor spokesperson Kerri Dunn said the high-voltage lines are needed because of the incredible growth in the area. Dunn said the project will benefit the homes and businesses along the proposed route.

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We are very committed to making sure that we are available to these communities, she said.

Clark acknowledges that the project is necessary but but he said there are alternatives.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the states power grid, deems the project as critical to maintain reliable transmission, according to Oncor.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is taking comments until July 24 and will decide on a route in early December, Clark said.

Growth in Justin

Justin, once known for its rural atmosphere, is experiencing the explosive growth seen throughout North Texas. The citys population of 6,000 is expected to double in five years, Clark said.

He said the proposed routes could also affect the development of Reata Ridge where mature trees grow along a creek.

Justin is developing a 36-acre town center project, which will be home to medical offices, shops and restaurants. Clark said he couldnt comment on stores and restaurants are coming.

Plans are also in the works to build a new city hall in the town center. The city has invested $8 million in the development, which Clark said will change the face of the community.

Justin is not the only community with concerns about the project.

Clark, who moved from Pilot Point to Justin about 10 years ago said he came to the community initially because it is close to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for his business travel.

But he stayed because of the small town charm.

What kept me here is the citizens and the close-knit family feel.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday that his administration is putting out new posters telling migrants to "consider another city" and warning of high costs for housing, food and transportation in the Big Apple as it struggles to deal with its share of illegal immigrants.

"We have no more room in the city," Adams stressed at a press conference, calling for economic support from the federal government and a "decompression strategy" across the country.

Adams rolled out the posters, which outline how over 90,000 migrants have hit the city since April last year, and said, "There is no guarantee we will be able to provide shelter and services to new arrivals."

"Housing in NYC is very expensive," the posters say.

"The cost of food, transportation, and other necessities in NYC is the highest in the United States," it says.

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS SAYS ITS ANTI-AMERICAN NOT TO ALLOW 84,000 MIGRANTS TO LEGALLY WORK

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"Please consider another city as you make your decision about where to settle in the U.S.," said the city, which supporters of large-scale immigration have noted holds the Statue of Liberty.

As of July 16, the city says it has over 54,800 migrants in care, with 188 sites set up to accommodate them. There were more than 2,800 migrants entering NYC care last week alone. It's a small number compared to the hundreds of thousands that hit the border each month, but it has left the city overwhelmed  with Adams having called for federal help for months.

Adams said the flyers "honestly communicate our citys situation to those thinking of coming here." He said the posters will be handed out on the border and put on social media.

Migrants leave for a shelter from the Port Authority bus terminal in New York, the United States, on Sept. 27, 2022.

"This will help to reduce disinformation and is another effort we are making in the absence of federal action," he said.

Adams also announced that adult migrants will also be given 60 days notice to find alternative housing, accompanied by "intensive" case management services.

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NYC CONSIDERS HOUSING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER: 'NOT IDEAL'

Mayor Eric Adams is pictured during briefing at the Javits Federal Building on April 17, 2023.

New York City has been a main destination for many of the millions of migrants that have hit the southern border as part of the historic migrant crisis since 2001.

That has been exacerbated by efforts by Texas to send migrants to "sanctuary" jurisdictions, including NYC, as part of its own efforts to relieve the pressure on the border state. Adams and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have argued that it is right that so-called sanctuary cities bear the brunt of the migrant crisis that Republicans believe such jurisdictions have encouraged.

NEW YORK CITY SPENT $50K TO SEND MIGRANTS TO FLORIDA, TEXAS, CHINA: REPORT

"They attacked the previous administration's efforts to try to have border security. And so that's the policies they're staking out," DeSantis said last month. "And then what? When they have to deal with some of the fruits of that, they all of a sudden become very, very upset about that?"

Adams and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have feuded over the migrant transports. On Wednesday, Adams accused border states of carrying out a "funnel system" to send migrants to cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Houston and Chicago.

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"This cannot continue, it is not sustainable and we are not going to pretend it is sustainable," he said.

The posters come as official Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics show that there were more than 144,000 migrant encounters at the border in June alone. That number is down from prior Junes and from May, and marks the lowest numbers since February 2021  but numbers still remain high compared to pre-2021 numbers.
(CNN)  North Korea may have launched multiple ballistic missiles early on Wednesday local time, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, which landed in the sea.

The broadcaster, citing Japans Coast Guard, reported that North Korea had launched what could be two ballistic missiles. This comes after Japans Prime Ministers office said that North Korea had launched a suspected ballistic missile.

NHK added that Japanese government sources say the projectiles seem to have fallen into the Sea of Japan, outside of the countrys exclusive economic zone.

On Tuesday, a nuclear-capable US Navy ballistic missile submarine made a port call in South Korea on Tuesday. The presence of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in the South Korean port city of Busan was announced by the countrys Defense Ministry on Tuesday afternoon.

The arrival of the submarine, and the ensuing suspected launches on Wednesday follow a period of heightened tensions on the peninsula. Last week, North Korea both tested what it said was an advanced long range missile and threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance aircraft engaging in what it called hostile espionage activities near its territory.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior official in her own right, said in a statement Monday the deployment of a US ballistic missile submarine to the peninsula would damage already fractured lines of communication between the two sides.

South Korea and the US also held their inaugural meeting in Seoul on Tuesday of the Nuclear Consultative Group, a joint panel set up by the countries leaders at a summit in Washington in April.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "North Korea believed to have launched ballistic missiles, NHK reports"
Yevhen Borysov

Yevhen Borysov, the former head of the Odesa Regional Territorial Recruitment Center, has illegally earned UAH 188 million ($5.1 million), Oleksandr Novikov, head of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention or NACP, said during a briefing on July 19.

NACP and other law enforcement agencies are now checking all managerial staff of territorial recruitment centers, he said.

Read also: Odesa businessman attempts to bribe SBU officer with EUR 90,000

At the same time, the conclusion regarding Borysovs illegal enrichment is ready, Novikov said.

This is actually a record conclusion of establishing the facts of illegal enrichment  UAH 188 million, the official said.

Even just one object bought in Spain is worth EUR 3.7 million. It took place on Dec. 15 last year when Ukraine was under daily shelling by the Russians. And there are several more such objects and all of them worth half a million euros or more.

Read also: Mother of infamous Kyiv judge Vovk blocked access to Odesa beach with hotel construction

In turn, Borysov claims that this money is comprised of loans and he received them from various entrepreneurs, Novikov said.

For example, according to the former draft commissioner, one of them is allegedly from the co-owner of the Ibiza nightclub. However, there is no confirmation of this.

Whats more, some loan agreements provided to us allegedly as confirmation of the availability of funds were signed in Odesa by the citizens who were not in the city at the time of signing. This is a glaring fact, Novikov emphasized.

In addition, the NACP agents have exposed an organization for illegal travel abroad. All materials will be submitted to law enforcement agencies, the NACP head added.

On April 25, former MP Ihor Mosiychuk claimed that Borysovs mother, Nadia Borysova, had recently purchased a house worth EUR 4 million ($4.36 million) in Marbella, Spain.

On April 26, Mosiychuk added that Borysovs wife, Oleksandra Borysova, had also bought an office in Marbella during the ongoing war, reportedly worth EUR 2 million.

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Mosiychuk stated that Borysov had imported an expensive Mercedes Benz car as humanitarian cargo in the fall of 2022, adding that Borysov had been in Marbella from Dec. 22, 2022, to Jan. 18, 2023.

In May, the State Bureau of Investigation opened a criminal case against Borysov due to allegations that he had bribed his subordinates to not serve mobilization notices to specific individuals. He was subsequently suspended from his post.

Read also: Odesa Oblast comes under sustained Russian air assault, 9-year-old injured

The Ukrainian militarys Operational Command South announced Borysovs dismissal on June 28.

On July 4, Colonel Oleksandr Okhrimenko replaced Borysov as the head of the Odesa Regional Territorial Recruitment Center.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian terror revisited Odesa again after a fierce air assault at night

Odesa Oblast came under sustained Russian air attack last night with widespread damage to buildings reported, the local authorities reported on July 19.

A blast wave damaged several apartment buildings in Odesa. At least six residents, including a 9-year-old boy, sought medical assistance for shrapnel injuries.

In several waves of attacks, the Russian military launched Kh-22, Kh-59, Kalibr, and Oniks missiles, as well as Iranian Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones at Ukraine from the south.

Read also:

A Kh-59 missile was shot down on its approach to the shore and crashed in one of Odesa's neighborhoods. A large crater was created, and the blast wave damaged several buildings. Three civilians were injured.

The attack on Odesa Oblast was probably the largest in scale since the beginning of the invasion, according to local authorities.

Critical infrastructure and military facilities were targeted. A grain and oil terminal was hit, and the strikes also damaged tanks and loading equipment, which started a fire.

An industrial facility was also hit, injuring a civilian employee and damaging two warehouses in different locations - one with tobacco and the other with fireworks. Firefighters are extinguishing a fire over 3,000 square meters in Odesa Oblast.

Read also: Drone attack in Odesa kills 2 internally displaced Ukrainians who fled from Bakhmut

Eight Shahed-136 drones were shot down in the sky over Odesa Oblast, and two more over Mykolaiv Oblast. As a result of air battles and falling debris, fires broke out, recreational infrastructure in the coastal zone of the Koblevo community was damaged, and two civilians were injured.

In Kherson, the aggressor hit a community center with Shahed drones and damaged a dormitory. One civilian was injured.

OC South stated that at night "the enemy attacked the south of Ukraine with a powerful accumulation of missiles and kamikaze drones". The strikes were launched from a surface missile carrier in Sevastopol.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
To protect Odesa from the air, Ukraine needs additional SAMP/T or Patriot air defence systems.

Source: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday after meeting with Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar, writes Interfax-Ukraine news agency

Quote: "There are two systems today. I was negotiating with President Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni when we got SAMP/T. We won't say now where those systems are, but they work, they work great.

If we had appropriate additional systems, they would protect the infrastructure of Odesa and not only the port infrastructure.

Or Patriot systems You also know very well who gave us these systems. But all this is still not enough to protect the relevant infrastructure."

Background:

For reference: Ukrainian air defence cannot shoot down X-22 and Onyx missiles. Modern systems supplied by international partners are not enough to "close the sky" over Ukraine.

The Air Force stressed that Ukraine cannot deploy air defence along the entire border, so it needs modern modifications of the F-16 multi-purpose fighter jets.

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On Tuesday evening, an encounter between officers and a suspect in Dallas resulted in an exchange of gunfire. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries during the incident, according to the Dallas Police Department.

Police said they responded to a call about a suspect with a weapon at the intersection of Fields Street and N. Holland Street at approximately 6:15 p.m.

At the scene, the officers encountered William Thad McMickle, who was holding an object. During their investigation, McMickle fired a weapon, prompting the two officers to respond by discharging their own weapons.

ALSO READ: Woman involved in SWAT situation, now accused of stabbing nurse with pen

Following the exchange of gunfire, a brief standoff occurred before the officers were able to take the suspect into custody. Neither McMickle nor the officers were hit by the gunfire, according to police.

McMickle has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault by pointing a gun, and one count of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. He is being held at the Gaston County jail awaiting his first appearance in court.

The Dallas Police Department said the two officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a thorough and impartial investigation.

The Gaston County Police Department will also be assisting with the investigation.

VIDEO: CMPD officer fires gun after woman reaches for firearm during welfare check
Republicans are gearing up for a competitive primary as they look to unseat Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in next years closely watched Ohio Senate race.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) became the latest Republican to announce his candidacy earlier this week, joining a crowded field that includes businessman Bernie Moreno and state Sen. Matt Dolan (R).

Brown, a third-term incumbent, is seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for reelection next year, and the race could be key to deciding which party wins control of the upper chamber in the 2024 election.

Its going to be a dogfight to defeat Sherrod Brown. I dont think anybody would say anything otherwise. If they did, they dont know Ohio, said one GOP strategist in the state whos backing LaRose. Whoever the nominee is, is going to have to run an A-plus campaign.

Dolan ran for Ohios other Senate seat in the midterms last year but lost in the GOP primary to Trump-endorsed Republican JD Vance, who went on to win the general election. Dolan was the first to get in the 2024 race with the hopes of challenging Brown, followed by Moreno  who also lodged a bid for the open Senate seat in the midterms but eventually dropped out of the crowded Republican primary.

This time around, Moreno has Vances endorsement. LaRose, the newest addition to the race, is the only one of the three who has won a statewide election. His role as secretary of state has upped his name recognition among many Ohio voters, but hes also facing scrutiny related to a controversial ballot initiative in the states August special election.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Browns seat as a toss-up, along with those held by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I) and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D).

Former President Obama won Ohio in 2008 and 2012, while Trump won in 2016 and 2020, when he took the state by 8 points. Vance won the state by 6 points during the midterms against then-Rep. Tim Ryan (D).

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Ohio will be even redder than it was this last cycle, so Sherrod Brown is in deep trouble. This is why you have a crowded field, said Ohio-based GOP strategist Mark Weaver, who also predicted the primary race will be fairly close between the Republican candidates.

The primary will be more interesting than the general, although the general will be making some noise, Weaver said. But because Ohio is reliably red, because Sherrod Brown is uniquely weak, this is an easy Republican pickup with the right candidate. So the primary will be far more important than the general as far as national impact.

Still, Democrats are projecting a show of confidence. State party spokesperson Reeves Oyster said in a statement after LaRoses announcement Monday that the Republican slugfest for Ohios Senate seat is shaping up to be another long, contentious battle that will leave whoever emerges damaged in the eyes of Ohio voters.

Ohio GOP spokesman Dan Lusheck fired back, saying the states Democrats are so weak and have lost so many elections, that they would be lucky to even find two quality candidates to run against each other. Thankfully, Ohio Republicans do not have that problem.

More from The Hill

Brown has a long-standing presence in the state. The Democrat incumbent has served in the Senate since 2007 and held LaRoses position as Ohio secretary of state in the 1980s and early 1990s. Brown secured reelection in 2018 by nearly 7 points over then-Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio).

At the 10,000-foot level, I think its Sherrod Browns first time hes really gonna be in trouble, said GOP pollster Robert Blizzard. He said the sitting senator is a strong competitor but has benefited from a national environment that has been tilted more toward Democrats in his previous statewide races.

Brown is probably the most vulnerable Democrat incumbent in the country, Blizzard said. He also highlighted Ohio is in many ways, gonna be ground zero for winning the Senate majority this cycle.

The pollster argued the senator has moved further left over the years, while his state appears to be shifting to the right. He predicted the eventual Republican presidential nominee will win Ohio in 2024, making it very difficult for there to be any kind of coattail effect for Brown.

Whoever wins the primary, I mean  [for] Sherrod Brown, its going to be his toughest reelection, said former Ohio Democratic Party chairman David Pepper.

But Pepper shrugged off the newest entrant to the race, comparing LaRose to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who launched a bid for the White House in late May, well after Trump kicked off his campaign in November. He argued LaRose has taken so long to announce hes allowed the other candidates to get in front of him.

It reminds me of the DeSantis run-up, where he waited a long time. Other people have sort of outmaneuvered him, and now I think are positioned to take up the lanes that are the big ones, and I just dont see where LaRose fits in, Pepper said.

The GOP strategist backing LaRose suggested all three Republicans in the Ohio Senate ring could win in November, but he forecasted LaRose is the one that, I think, Sherrod Brown fears the most.

Weaver, the other strategist, also forecasted LaRose could be the front-runner, but said the secretary of state will need to keep up with Dolan and Morenos ability to self-fund and said hes not far in front of his competitors.

Bernie, Matt and Frank all have somewhat of a blank canvas. Theres still room for them to paint  LaRose being in the best position in that regard  but all of them have a lot of canvas left to paint, Weaver said.

Blizzard, on the other hand, said Dolan will likely lead the field, noting LaRose has never been in a competitive primary situation before and that Moreno dropped out during his last effort.

Ahead of Morenos announcement, Trump praised Moreno in an April post on Truth Social as a highly respected businessman, saying he would not be easy to beat, especially against Brown.

Before LaRose had officially entered the race, the elections forecaster Sabatos Crystal Ball said, We wouldnt describe any of the potential Republican Senate nominees in Ohio as slam dunk candidates, but any of them would be capable of winning a Toss-up race.

The Ohio GOP said LaRose, Dolan and Moreno are all strong conservatives committed to challenging Bidens failed policies that have hurt everyday Ohioans.

Republican voters deserve a robust, thoughtful primary where they can decide which candidate is best suited to end career politician Sherrod Browns time in office, said Ohio GOP chairman Alex Triantafilou.

But the Ohio Democrats said in a Tuesday release that a long, brutal, and expensive primary is taking shape in Ohio and no matter who emerges, they will have spent months focused on infighting  instead of fighting for Ohioans  leaving them bruised and badly damaged entering the general election.

The chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), told CBS News last week that his group, which has weighed in on GOP primaries in other states, plans to stay neutral in the Ohio race.

Pepper, the former Ohio Democratic Party chairman, said he thinks Brown still has a path to victory but that the incumbent shouldnt take anything for granted.

I think that next year is going to be a really fierce general election, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Oklahoma public schools are expected to receive $224.7 million in federal funds to support impoverished students this school year, but competitive federal grants are still a question mark.

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, who at times appeared skeptical of accepting federal dollars, celebrated the allocation as a record investment of federal Title I funds.

Walters announced Oklahoma's Title I appropriation in a news release Monday, though the U.S. Department of Education reported each states estimated funding levels on June 29 and made some of the funds available July 1.

My office has been working tirelessly to ensure that every school in the state has the funding needed to adequately educate our kids, Walters said in a statement. I will continue to keep a watchful eye on every federal dollar to make sure that our schools are focused on foundational learning tools not indoctrination.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education will make additional funding announcements later in the week, said Matt Langston, Walters' chief adviser.

Ryan Walters, state schools superintendent, greets the crowd March 23 before a meeting with the Oklahoma State Board of Education in Oklahoma City.

Still no clarity on how Oklahoma State Department of Education pursues competitive federal grants

It remains unclear how much Walters' administration has pursued in recent weeks from competitive federal grants, which are separate from Title I and have been the source of recent concerns.

The agency has endured heavy scrutiny from state lawmakers and the public over worries Walters failed to pursue the department's usual level of federal grant funding. The state superintendent called these allegations "fake news."

The agencys lead grant writer, Terri Grissom, quit in April and blew the whistle that Walters administration had brought the process of competitive grant applications to a halt. Since then, more employees who administered competitive grant programs left the agency.

Oklahoma lawmakers added language to the next state budget to limit the Education Departments ability to refuse certain federal grants.

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The Oliver Hodge Building houses the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Competitive grants are different from pass-through grants like Title I.

Both come from the federal government, but while competitive grants involve a selective process of awarding program funds to states with a winning application, title dollars flow to every U.S. state and territory annually. State education agencies fill out a form to ensure title funds pass through to local schools.

Title I gives extra funding to schools with a larger share of students from low-income homes.

Oklahomas Title I allocations have increased each of the past four years. The state will receive $12.7 million more this year as funding grows nationwide. At the request of President Joe Biden, Congress approved an increase of $851 million to Title I in 2023.

More: Despite Walters' promises, federal grants have stalled at Oklahoma Education Department, former staffers say

School district superintendents across Oklahoma received word on Monday how much Title I money the state would receive in total this year, said Sean McDaniel, superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools. Walters' sought to "dispel the myths" about their federal funding in his communication to district leaders, McDaniel said at a Monday evening school board meeting.

"The gist of the letter was dont believe what youre hearing out on the street that were imploding with regard to federal funds (or that) were not getting it," McDaniel told his school board. "He wanted to assure us that well get every penny that we have coming to us."

Ryan Walters, state schools superintendent, speaks June 21 at an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting.

Competitive federal grants took on a more prominent role in Oklahomas education system under Walters predecessor, Joy Hofmeister.

Grissom, who was hired under Hofmeisters administration, secured more than $101.5 million in competitive grants over five years. These funds supported a variety of initiatives, but many focused on student mental health and behavioral services.

Since Walters took office in January, Grissom said he blocked her from applying to a student wellness grant and Langston forbade her from seeking any programs with elements of diversity and inclusion, LGBTQ+ initiatives, social-emotional learning or trauma-informed practices.

Although Walters told lawmakers on May 1 his agency hadnt missed a single grant deadline, it already had missed application dates for two programs because of an error by upper-level department administrators, Grissom said.

The agency provided records to The Oklahoman in May that showed it had applied for one competitive award since Grissoms departure, a $2 million school safety grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the information school districts received from the state Education Department. McDaniel said superintendents were told the statewide total of Oklahoma's Title I funding.

Reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel covers K-12 and higher education throughout the state of Oklahoma. Have a story idea for Nuria? She can be reached at nmartinez-keel@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @NuriaMKeel. Support Nurias work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: As federal funding grows, grant levels unclear for Oklahoma schools
The State Board of Education on Wednesday approved new academic standards for instruction about African American history, after numerous teachers from across Florida objected to the changes and asked the board to put the proposal on hold.

Meanwhile, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. pushed back on assertions by groups such as the Florida Education Association teachers union and the NAACP Florida State Conference that the standards omit or rewrite key historical facts about the Black experience and ignore state law about required instruction.

Diaz defended the standards, while commending a workgroup involved in developing the curriculum and the Department of Educations African American History Task Force.

Applies to Black history lessons from K-12

As age-appropriate, we go into some of the tougher subjects, all the way into the beginnings of the slave trade, Jim Crow laws, the civil-rights movement and everything that occurred throughout our history, Diaz said.

Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel

The new standards are designed to guide lessons from kindergarten through high school.

For example, the kindergarten standards focus on teaching students about important historical figures.

Recognize African American inventors and explorers (i.e., Lonnie Johnson [inventor], Mae C. Jemison, George Washington Carver), the kindergarten standards require.

One part of the high-school standards directs students to describe the contributions of Africans to society, science, poetry, politics, oratory, literature, music, dance, Christianity and exploration in the United States from 1776-1865.

Only half the story

But during an at-times tense meeting Wednesday in Orlando, critics, including teachers and Democratic state lawmakers, asked the board to table the standards to allow for changes.

These new standards present only half the story and half the truth. When we name political figures who worked to end slavery but leave anyone who worked to keep slavery legal nameless, kids are forced to fill in the blanks for themselves, said Carol Cleaver, an Escambia County science teacher.

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Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, pointed to part of the middle-school standards that would require instruction to include how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.

I am very concerned by these standards, especially  the notion that enslaved people benefited from being enslaved. Its inaccurate and a scary standard for us to establish in our educational curriculum, Eskamani said.

Rep. Rita Harris, D-Orlando, pointed to the same part of the standards and called it such an insult.

Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, referred to her time as a teacher and college administrator as she criticized the proposal.

If I were still a professor, I would do what I did very infrequently  Id have to give this a grade of I (for) incomplete, Thompson said.

Thompson cited part of the high-school standards requiring instruction that includes acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans but is not limited to 1906 Atlanta Race Riot, 1919 Washington, D.C. Race Riot, 1920 Ocoee Massacre, 1921 Tulsa Massacre and the 1923 Rosewood Massacre.

Thompsons Senate district includes Ocoee, where Black people were killed on Election Day in 1920 by a mob of white residents. The violence took place after Moses Norman, an African American resident, was denied the right to vote.

Thompson objected to wording in the standards that said violence was perpetrated by African Americans.

When you look at the history currently, it suggests that the massacre was sparked by violence from African Americans. Thats blaming the victim. When in fact, it was other individuals who came into the Black community and killed individuals, burned homes and schools and lodges, Thompson said.

State criticizes the critics

But Paul Burns, chancellor of the Department of Educations Division of K-12 Public Schools, disputed the criticism.

For the folks in the media and in the teachers union who are watching, we want you to please pay close attention because youve been peddling really a false narrative, Burns said.

Updates to the African American history curriculum were required by a controversial 2022 law that Gov. Ron DeSantis dubbed the Stop Wrongs To Our Kids and Employees Act, or Stop WOKE Act.

The law required, in part, that instruction include the vital contributions of African Americans to build and strengthen American society and celebrate the inspirational stories of African Americans who prospered, even in the most difficult circumstances.
DOVER  Mauricio Guerrero, the Pennsylvania man convicted in May of charges related to stalking a Somersworth woman he met online was sentenced Wednesday to one year in jail, much less time than he could have received.

Strafford County Superior Court Judge Mark Howard took time to explain the thought process behind the sentencing of a the now 21-year-old man described as lonely by his defense attorney and therapist.

"I'm sorry," Guerrero said when Howard asked if he wanted to say anything before the sentence was imposed.

Mauricio Guerrero leaves the witness stand for a morning break during his trial at Strafford County Superior Court in Dover Monday, May 15, 2023.

Deputy County Attorney Emily Garod argued Guerrero not only knew what he was doing was wrong, but he exhibited a pattern of escalating behavior that made him a danger to the public.

Guerrero's attorney, Harry Starbranch, argued Guerrero was naive and the victim bore some responsibility for leading him to believe she was his girlfriend.

Guerrero connected with local woman on OnlyFans

Guerrero faced four burglary charges, a criminal trespass charge and two violation of privacy charges, stemming from his behavior related to his alleged obsession with the 25-year-old woman. He was arrested after allegedly hiding in the woman's mother's attic and taking indecent videos of her while she slept.

Guerrero was arrested Feb. 9, 2022, charged with hiding in the woman's attic for two days, sneaking down to her room to record the videos. The two met on OnlyFans, a content subscription service where creators can earn money from users  the "fans"  who pay a monthly membership fee to access their exclusive content.

Guerrero told the court he thought he was in a relationship with the woman and she wanted him to play stalking and rape games, after texting with her since October 2021. They had consensual sexual intercourse at one point prior to him allegedly sneaking into her home, attorneys for both sides acknowledged.

Guerrero had traveled 350 miles from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire after the woman provided him with her address, an apartment in Dover at first. The Somersworth home belongs to the woman's mother.

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Donna Vanderwst, a licensed professional therapist from Pennsylvania, is treating Guerrero. She characterized him as immature and very lonely. She said he does not form or keep relationships and is mostly isolated.

Sentence could have been much longer

Mauricio Guerrero sheds tears on the witness stand during his trial at Strafford County Superior Court in Dover Monday, May 15, 2023.

Howard sentenced Guerrero to one year in prison on each of four charges, to be served concurrently. This means he will serve one year in jail, minus 16 days credit for time served. He will be required to complete counseling.

Howard said he took a number of factors into consideration when deciding on the sentence for Guerrero, who was 20 at the time of the crimes. He was found guilty of two felony burglary charges, one carrying a potential 7.5- to 15-year sentence, the other charge 3.5 to 7 years. Two other burglary charges were reduced to criminal trespassing as an alternative charge.

"This case involves extremely unique circumstances," Howard said. "It is a complicated case. My job is to determine the sentence. I consider both sides of the argument, and the people who spoke here for him, including his mother. The aggravating factors include his entering the dwelling of another and attempts to violate her privacy. Mitigating factors include his age, his relative lack of maturity, especially from a social standpoint. There is also his complete lack of a criminal history."

Howard said the sentence needs to assure Guerrero will not reoffend. He added he thought he would not.

"The sentence also needs to send a message to the public that this behavior will not be tolerated, so there will be some jail time," Howard said. "The sentence should also address rehabilitation, which you have begun, but I will impose requirements."

Howard said the sentence does not allow for home confinement but added the jail superintendent could make a recommendation for a hearing on the topic if he deemed it appropriate at a later date.

On another burglary charge, Howard sentenced Guerrero to one year suspended, pending good behavior. That sentence begins today and will continue for five years after he is released, as will three years of probation. He is mandated to stay away from his victim.

Howard did not order Guerrero to register as a sex offender, a request made by the prosecution.

"Within 90 days of your release, you must complete a psychosexual evaluation," Howard said. "Regarding the state sexual offender registry, I do not find proof that his actions were made from a sexual compulsion, and I do not feel the public needs to be protected from him, so I will not require him to register."

The prosecutor reacted to to the sentence.

"Residential burglaries, especially ones of this nature, are particularly egregious because they violate a space where a person should feel the safest,' Garod said. "We are disappointed the judge did not sentence the defendant to what requested but we ultimately respect his decision."

If you need help

Haven has trained confidential advocates available to aid those affected by domestic and sexual violence. The 24-hour hotline is (603) 994-SAFE (7233) or visit havennh.org.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: OnlyFans stalker in NH case gets 1 year in jail. Judge explains why.
Hi OnPolitics readers! Biotech entrepreneur and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy sat down with USA TODAY for a wide-ranging interview on how he plans to beat former President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination, his vision for young people in America and more.

"I think that another establishment or career politician that's reciting poll tested slogans has no chance of not only defeating Donald Trump but coming anywhere close to Donald Trump," Ramaswamy told USA TODAY.

But the 37-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio-area native doesnt believe Trump is responsible for the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Instead, he called for "introspection on what actually led to the frustrations of Americans that boiled over that day."

Fast facts: During the conversation, Ramaswamy talked about why he wants to get rid of the FBI, raise the voting age unless you meet certain qualifications and more.

Keep reading: Vivek Ramaswamy, rising in the polls, talks pardoning Trump, ending the FBI, more

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vivek Ramaswamy talks beating Donald Trump, his vision for the country
Between 2012 and 2018, rates of loneliness in school among teens nearly doubled. COVID-19 school closures only added fuel to the fire, leaving students feeling even more isolated and withdrawn. In response to this nationwide epidemic, Surgeon General Vivek Murthys recent advisory urges institutions, including schools and community organizations, to reimagine their structures, policies and programs to support the development of healthy relationships. Many districts are heeding his advice, investing in mentoring, promoting social-emotional learning and adapting school culture to boost feelings of support and belonging. Yet, the ramifications of students disconnection dont stop at short-term consequences like decreased feelings of safety, engagement and inclusion. Mounting isolation also carries a devastating long-term cost: limited access to career opportunities.

Research spanning several decades has shown that the seeds of opportunity are planted as early as elementary school. Exposure to working adults shapes students career aspirations and trajectories, while strong youth-adult relationships drive persistence in school and college enrollment. When students enter the job market, personal networks open doors to resources, opportunities and promotions. Studies suggest that approximately half of internships and jobs are obtained through personal connections, and having at least one connection at a company on LinkedIn makes an applicant six times more likely to land a job than those who dont. In short, mounting loneliness today widens long-standing opportunity gaps tomorrow.

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What will it take for schools and programs to invest in students relationships as both sources of belonging and bridges to opportunity? To answer this question, our team at the Christensen Institute conducted an 18-month study of 20 career-connected learning programs. We sought to understand key factors that impacted schools and nonprofits ability to deepen and diversify students social capital  that is, access to relationships and the ability to cultivate them. Here are three lessons that can help schools and career-connected learning programs unlock the power of relationships.

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Use what youve got

Many educators lack the time and resources to develop networking activities from scratch. The good news is that schools are awash in relationships. Educators can double down on deepening those connections through activities that students are already engaged in. For example, rather than a typical guest speaker format in which an industry professional delivers a pre-prepared speech, speakers can engage in a dialogue where students talk about themselves and their career aspirations. Teachers can then create opportunities for students to get back in touch by re-engaging guest speakers on future projects or lessons where their expertise is relevant. In fact, researchers found that teens who engaged in career-oriented conversations with industry professionals earned higher-than-expected wages at age 26. For students participating in internships or apprenticeships, educators can use role-playing exercises to help them develop deeper, more enduring relationships with worksite supervisors and colleagues.

Related

Helping Schools and Districts Address Mental Health Crisis among their Students

Take, for example, EmployIndy, an Indiana-based nonprofit offering apprenticeship programs for high schoolers. To broaden students networks, EmployIndy leaders asked mentors who work directly with student apprentices to incorporate discussions about professional relationships into their regular check-ins. They also created a competition to motivate students to start creating professional networks and encouraged employer-based supervisors to help students build social capital in the workplace. These types of strategies are an easy lift, but powerful in tapping latent reservoirs of opportunity.

Prioritize experience over explanation

Simply teaching students about the power of networks as a concept wont cut it. Social capital needs to be part of their everyday experience. When Kupu, a Hawaii natural resources nonprofit, presented a slideshow to help students understand the research behind social capital, the initial response was underwhelming. Student surveys revealed that engagement with those lessons paled in comparison to out-of-classroom experiences such as college and worksite field trips.

Kupu pivoted to integrate opportunities for relationship-building into worksite visits by creating time for interaction with professionals. To build students confidence ahead of time, Kupu created opportunities for practice career chats. After the visits, students were asked to reach back out to at least two people for more in-depth conversations about their interests. That experience proved fruitful: 83% of students reported feeling very confident in their ability to follow up with new acquaintances to talk about careers.

Related

Indiana Expands Work-Based Learning, Apprenticeships, Internships to HS Students

Pair skill-building with access to relationships

Building social capital hinges on the ability of schools and programs to play two distinct roles: brokering access to relationships and building students relationship skills. However, some teachers found that providing access before honing students communication skills diminished their confidence in building new connections.

Generation Schools Network, a Colorado nonprofit focused on community- and career-connected learning, aimed to reduce students fears about having conversations with adults they hadnt met before. They gave middle and high school teachers a series of interactive and engaging communication lessons involving role-playing scenarios, opportunities to practice with peers and trusted adults, and dialogue with students around the anxiety inherent in talking with people they dont know. Teachers used these activities to prepare students for a project in which they collaborated with local businesses to solve complex problems such as food insecurity and wildlife conservation. Follow-up surveys revealed that 87% of teachers reported that the activities increased students communication skills and confidence when talking with businesspeople.

Related

How One Rural MS School Combats Student Loneliness by Strengthening Connections

Balancing access and skills is crucial for building and maintaining students confidence as they begin to develop professional networks. To unlock students potential, schools and programs must not only provide access to connections, but empower them to use those opportunities effectively. Strong networks are a buffer against the inevitable twists and turns of life and career.
(CNN)  A US soldier who crossed the demarcation line into North Korea had been facing disciplinary action by the US military and was set to be sent back to the United States, according to a US defense official.

The service member is a junior enlisted soldier who was assigned to US Forces Korea, the official said, adding that he had been on the Joint Security Area (JSA) tour as a civilian. US Forces Korea spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor said on Tuesday that a US soldier willfully and without authorization crossed the line during a JSA tour.

We believe he is currently in [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] custody and are working with our [Korean Peoples Army] counterparts to resolve this incident, Taylor said in a statement.

There was no indication the soldier was trying to defect, a separate US official said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the soldier had willfully crossed into North Korea, saying he was absolutely foremost concerned about the soldiers welfare.

Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation, and working to notify the soldiers next of kin, and engaging to address this incident, Austin said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The prospect of a US soldier being held in North Korean military custody comes at a time of fraught diplomacy and rising military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident, the UNC said.

A US official told CNN the soldier appeared to cross the line into voluntarily. US officials say they are waiting to confirm his identity until his next of kin is notified.

The Joint Security Area is the most recognizable part of the wider Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea, and tours of the area are open to the public and organized by the United Nations Command.

The JSA has been disarmed since 2018 after an inter-Korean military agreement, so both the UNC and North Korean soldiers at the area are unarmed. Neither the UN command soldiers or the North Korean soldiers are allowed to cross the military demarcation line separating North and South.

The broader demilitarized zone (DMZ) is the buffer, 2.5 miles wide and 160 miles long, that separates North and South Korea. It has become one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world, ringed by miles of barbed wire and landmines and patrolled by soldiers from both sides for decades.

But the Joint Security Area is a slightly different beast. While there are a series of checkpoints that must be passed to get to the JSA, crossing the Military Demarcation Line that is the actual border between North and South Korea does not require passing any physical barrier. There is only a small raised line on the ground that marks the border, and stepping across it requires only one step, as former US President Donald Trump did when he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the JSA in 2019.

During a JSA tour, participants are kept about 20 yards or so from the line Trump stepped across. Though there are guards on the South Korean side of the border during the tours, no guards were seen on the North Korean side when CNN took a press tour of the JSA last year.

Frozen history

The DMZ is a monument to the moment history was frozen at the end of the Korean War, which took place from 1950 and 1953.

Under a deal between the belligerents  North Korea and China on one side, the collection of western allies on the other known as the United Nations Command  the Korean peninsula was roughly cut in half and a buffer zone created between the two.

That deal was signed at the village of Panmunjom which became the JSA  the one area along the DMZ where the two sides could meet for negotiations and prisoner swaps.

US soldiers are stationed on the South Korean side of the JSA because they were part of the original United Nations Command.

Over the decades the JSA has seen sporadic bouts of violence between the two sides, including in 1976 when two US soldiers were bludgeoned to death by North Korean counterparts as they tried to trim a tree on the border.

The JSA has also seen a string of successful and unsuccessful defection attempts from both sides over the decades.

Rising tensions

Under leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea has been ramping up tests of potentially nuclear capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, something South Korea and its treaty ally the United States are keen to push back on.

The same day the US national crossed the border, another moment of intense historic and strategic symbolism was taking place at the South Korean port of Busan  for the first time since the early 1980s a nuclear capable US submarine was making a port call.

That visit came as Kurt Campbell, coordinator for the Indo-Pacific at the US National Security Council, was at the inaugural meeting in Seoul of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).

The NCG is a joint US and South Korean panel set up by the countries leaders at a summit in Washington in April.

During that summit US President Joe Biden and South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled a Washington Declaration that included a set of measures aimed at making Pyongyang think twice about launching an attack on its southern neighbor.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "US soldier believed to be detained by North Korea after willfully crossing border"
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first birth control pills to be available without a prescription. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Effective pregnancy prevention is a cornerstone of reproductive autonomy. The development and approval of the first birth control pill and the 1965 Supreme Court decision protecting access to it, Griswold vs. Connecticut, were watershed moments for reproductive rights.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration made the progesterone-based Opill (norgestrel) the first hormonal contraceptive approved for over-the-counter sale. Many advocates are celebrating the decision as another landmark triumph for reproductive rights. But in a country with countless obstacles to abortion access  including total or near-total abortion bans in 16 states  the advent of a nonprescription birth control pill is a hollow victory.

Why? Because pregnancy prevention is never perfect.

Read more: Opinion: How the end of Roe turned into a threat to American democracy

No contraceptive method is 100% effective, and the progesterone-based minipill  of which Opill is one formulation  is not the most reliable means available. That distinction belongs to the etonogestrel implant, which requires an in-office insertion procedure, with a pregnancy prevention rate of about 99.9%  even better than tubal ligation or vasectomy .

Thats right: Even surgical sterilization is not a guarantee against future pregnancy. Ive performed abortions for women who have had their tubes tied and for women whose only partners had vasectomies. I had one pregnant patient whose husband had undergone vasectomy twice!

With perfect use  meaning the user takes the pill every day at the same time  the minipills efficacy is about 99% . But we know from years of real-world study that a more meaningful metric for contraceptive efficacy is typical use, which accounts for the fact that many users will make mistakes such as missing doses or failing to take their pills at the same time every day. The minipills  typical use efficacy is closer to 91% .

This means that over the course of a year, 91 out of 100 women using the mini-pill for pregnancy will not get pregnant. At the risk of stating the obvious, the other nine women will become pregnant.

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Read more: Column: It's not about babies. Abortion restrictions are about power

Provided over-the-counter birth control is reasonably priced, it will go a long way toward mitigating disparities in access for people who are uninsured or otherwise unable to easily or safely get to a doctors office. But framing over-the-counter birth control as somehow mitigating the disastrous effects of the Supreme Courts reversal of abortion rights risks playing into the old, unhelpful argument that birth control is the solution to the abortion problem  that no woman should need to terminate a pregnancy in the age of widely available oral contraceptives.

This ignores the nine in 100 women who, despite taking the minipill, will typically become unintentionally pregnant within a year.

Prevention is no solution without a backup plan. When we tout easily accessible pregnancy prevention methods but fail to offer legal, available abortion, we are giving lip service to autonomy while setting women up for failure.

Imagine a city that offers free fire alarms to all residents but can only guarantee that 91% of them work. And now imagine that this city doesnt have a fire department.

A woman's ability to control her life trajectory depends on the options available when her birth control fails. Even with effective, affordable, over-the-counter birth control, women will wind up pregnant even though they dont want to be and, in many states, be forced to give birth against their will. Once your house is on fire, your free fire alarm is beside the point.

Christine Henneberg is a physician practicing in California and the author of  Boundless: An Abortion Doctor Becomes a Mother .





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Editors Note: Rabbi Jay Michaelson, PhD is a frequent guest on CNN Tonight and a columnist for Rolling Stone. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

Consider, in isolation, two recent statements about Jews and Israel.

Jay Michaelson - Beowulf Sheehan

In one, a politician makes a strident comment about Israel being a racist state, due to its unequal treatment of Jewish and non-Jewish citizens.

In another, a presidential candidate makes a wholly baseless claim that the Covid-19 virus might have been engineered by a shadowy conspiracy to spare Ashkenazi Jewish (and Chinese) people and attack Caucasians and Black people.

On the face of it, the second comment is far more problematic than the first. It echoes 1,000 years of antisemitic conspiracy theories that Jews are responsible for, yet somehow immune to, plagues and disease  beliefs that led to actual Jews being murdered by angry mobs. It is wildly inaccurate  in fact, both Jewish and Chinese populations were heavily affected by Covid. And it is profoundly dangerous, stoking the flames of antisemitic and anti-Asian hate.

But of course, the comments werent made in isolation. And while the first, made by US Rep. Pramila Jayapal, inspired Republicans to pass a resolution on Tuesday to repudiate them, those same Republicans are bringing the second commenter, fringe presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to offer expert testimony Thursday at a House hearing on government interference in social media. (Both RFK and Rep. Jayapal have walked back their comments and said they were taken out of context.)

Have we fallen down the rabbit hole into Wonderland? Are we in the Upside-Down?

No, of course, were in Washington, DC, where politics dictates how antisemitism is, or isnt, tolerated by those with something to gain from it.

Rep. Jayapals comments, of course, are good for Republicans. Many Democrats on the hard-left side of the party are, indeed, heavily critical of Israel, and that represents a massive political liability for the party as a whole. And while Jayapal quickly apologized, and cited the trauma of pogroms and persecution, the Holocaust, and continuing antisemitism and hate violence, the damage was done. Democrats are anti-Israel, goes the messaging. Heres the proof.

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Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was widely criticised for alleging that COVID-19 was targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people and that Jewish and Chinese people are most immune. - John Lamparski/Getty Images

Whereas, Kennedy Jr. is the epitome of the useful idiot. Heavily funded by right-wing donors, he is proving to be an early headache for President Joe Biden, who is now forced into a no-win decision between debating him and allowing his dangerous nonsense to go unchecked.

So what if RFK Jr. said the quiet part out loud? Republicans think the more his profile can be elevated, the worse for Democrats. So, apology accepted.

The disparate treatment of Kennedy and Jayapal is even more galling given the very different levels of damage that their words might cause.

In the case of Jayapal, I would argue  though many would disagree  that her comments are not even antisemitic. I think they oversimplify and mischaracterize the specific dynamics of Israels treatment of the Palestinians, and that they can contribute to the kind of anti-Israel sentiment that does, indeed, sometimes slide into antisemitism. But thats a far more attenuated relationship to bigotry than Kennedys overly antisemitic discourse.

And lets get real. Over the last few months, millions of Israeli and American Jews have been out protesting the draconian and theocratic nationalism of Israels current government. Some of that governments policies would indeed enshrine different levels of rights and citizenship for Jews and non-Jews. Is that racist? I dont know for sure (and saying a particular governments policies are racist is different from saying that the state itself is racist) but it sure comes close.

Whereas Kennedys lies are the kinds of lies that kill. This week, the trial of a man who murdered 11 Jews at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh in October 2018 entered its final, penalty phase, as the jury considers imposing the death penalty. He was motivated, we now know, by an odious web of conspiracy theories involving shadowy elites who have infiltrated our government and who are bringing migrants to America to displace white people. RFKs specific subject matter is different  the shadowy elites control the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health rather than Homeland Security, the FBI, and the CIA  but the basic structure is the same: shadowy elites control politics, and media, to the detriment of real Americans.

Sometimes those elites are explicitly Judaized, as in the Tree of Life murderers rants or the Rights endless blaming of George Soros for all manner of social unrest. Other times, they are merely cosmopolitan elites who manipulate media, politics, and finance. But eventually, these rootless, alien cosmopolitans end up being Jews. Really, it was only a matter of time before RFK Jr. stumbled into overt antisemitism. If you play the conspiracy-theory poker game long enough, eventually youre going to draw a Jewish card.

And that is the crisis that, as a rabbi, keeps me up at night. MAGA Republicans have met with overt antisemites like Nick Fuentes, elevated antisemitic conspiracy theories (lets not forget now Georgia GOP US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes 2018 statement that California wildfires were started by space lasers run by the [non-existent] Rothschild investment bank), railed against elites in Hollywood, New York, and Washington DC, and even, recently, equaled the white supremacist label to the N-word. All of this wouldve been unthinkable a generation ago.

Without exaggeration, many of my Jewish friends have remarked that this mainstreaming of antisemitism reminds them of 1930s Germany. There, too, Jews had been comfortable and prosperous for generations. Adolf Hitler was seen as a fringe nationalist, a bit of a joke. And yet, bit by bit, the unthinkable became acceptable and, eventually, all too real.

There is no equivalence between a strident anti-Israel remark and the resurrection of age-old antisemitic conspiracy theories. The former is an unfortunate misstep. The latter is a step toward darkness.

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This article has been produced in partnership between The 74 and the XQ Institute.

I never heard the shot, but the impact of the bullet that struck my leg just below the knee has reverberated throughout my life. As I laid on the ground of my East Oakland neighborhood, next to the bike I had been riding to high school, the first thing I heard was the sound of my screams. I was 16, victim to a random drive-by shooting. When I returned to school six weeks later, there were no words of encouragement or comfort, just the silence of a school system that chose not to care or value undocumented teens like me.

I came to the United States from Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico in 1999. I dropped out of high school three different times, and in 2009 I finished high school at an adult program in San Leandro. I know firsthand how, whenever the school system loudly slams a door, it drowns out the hopeful inner voice that all young people have. In my case, that voice was muted for a long time until, two years later, I saw an opening at an East Oakland elementary school for an attendance clerk. People around me at the time were either janitors, construction workers, or making illegal sales on the streets. I wanted to change the narrative. I walked in, applied, and got the job.

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I went back to a school building  the type of place that had failed me  for a few reasons. First and foremost, Id always wanted to be an educator. But those dreams were quashed when I found out that I was undocumented, and access to higher education was difficult and expensive for someone like me. It was also in part an act of resistance to challenge the status quo and disrupt a system that didnt work for me. And, I wanted to make my mom proud.

At the elementary school, the energetic buzz and laughter of students who looked like me sparked a determination to become the adult I never had at school. I worked as an office manager, yard supervisor, parent liaison, translator, after-school coordinator, and paraeducator. Eventually, in 2017, I co-founded Latitude High School in Oakland and became dean of students. Every day, I choose to hear my students voices and ensure that the world does, too.

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Many of the friends I grew up with felt tensions between school and the real world. Some of us needed to earn money for our families, many were bored, and most of us couldnt see how what we did every day in high school would help us when we got out. There is a misconception that students growing up in poverty dont think about their future. The opposite is true. Unlike young people with more advantages, we cant just trust that theres a backup plan to guarantee that everything works out.

Latitude High School is about 14 blocks from the street where I was shot as a child. We are a four-minute bike ride from Fruitvale Station, where Oscar Grant was shot and killed by the police. Students of color make up 94% of our school, and the majority are growing up in poverty. Were only a 30-minute drive from the global headquarters of some of the worlds largest tech companies, but for most students in Oakland, those opportunities will remain distant and out of reach unless their schools build intentional pathways.

Read more about how to build trusting relationships with students at your school in The XQ Xtra  a newsletter for educators that comes out twice a month. Sign up here.

That pathway to student success begins with a sense of belonging. Caring and trusting relationships arent, contrary to popular belief, the icing on the cake of academic rigor. They are the main ingredients, which is why Latitude partners with the XQ Institute. Caring, trusting relationships is one of six research-backed XQ Design Principles for successful schools. Our students thrive when they have adults who know them, believe and trust in their ability to learn and create the safety where students can discover their identity. This type of environment results from intentional choices in our schools structures and curriculum  like our focus on integrating community issues and culture into coursework.

When I was shot, my school offered no support because of decisions adults made long before that moment. They may not have predicted that specific trauma, but I was a young person growing up in a neighborhood wracked by violence, living with my brother and without either of my parents. A school that saw me and cared about my future would have been ready to support me instead of letting me drop out. As students build their paths, we are responsible for looking around the corner, anticipating where the road will get rough for them.

As educators, we can help students overcome challenges by intentionally using our space and time. For example, we know the college application process is tough for many students and families. In response, we at Latitude dedicated the time and people to guide and support students at every step of the way, from having highly personal conversations about their choices to ensuring that they submit their applications on time.

Our country asks schools to do a lot these days, but the load can be lighter by planning for what our students need and want, not just what the system requires us to do. At Latitude, these conversations and choices led to every one of 2022-2023s 12th graders being accepted into at least one two-year or four-year college.

At Latitude, we emphasize place-based learning by tapping into the assets of the Bay Area, including our local Oakland community. This approach to learning has a dual impact. Our students recognize the unique value of their cultures and communities while immersed in meaningful learning that will prepare them for their lives after high school. In 2021, I taught a senior course on entrepreneurship. Each student applied core academic skills to develop a concept for a clothing brand they later marketed and sold at a community pop-up event. Experiences like this have taught us that learning must take place in the real world for students to remain motivated to succeed.

Ensuring workplace experiences and internships are student-centered by matching them to students passions and aspirations is essential. It is just as crucial that student workplace experiences work hand in hand with what students learn in the classroom. The real magic happens when each lesson, project, and workplace activity builds on each other to develop skills and a sense of self-worth. Our students must constantly evaluate what they can afford to give their time and attention to. Thats why 100% of Latitudes class of 2023 completed at least one internship.

Our students can choose between multiple internship opportunities, from university research to aeronautics. We also have partners in construction and the building trades. Sometimes schools, with the best intentions, get so caught up in encouraging students to dream about a good career that it creates too narrow a definition of success. As a result, some students cant see themselves fitting into that type of success. In every industry, there are good jobs and jobs that trap people in cycles of poverty. Our community partnerships are vital in providing students with the options and agency to choose their path. We are responsible for building partnerships that provide enough range of experiences so all of our students paths bend toward success.

Related

Research: Schools Prioritizing Social-Emotional Learning See Big Academic Gains

I went through high school feeling isolated and abandoned. It wasnt just at a single school. The entire education system made decisions that failed me. Now, Im on my way to earning my bachelors degree, and hope to pursue a Ph.D. in education. Looking back at when I first applied for that role as an attendance clerk, it was the beginning of me redefining success.

I am fortunate every day to be part of a team of adults who make decisions that provide students with a sense of belonging and the learning experiences that will prepare them for success. I know that millions of students throughout the country feel the way I did at their age. I also know that millions of adults in communities across the country want better for their young people. If we can change high school, we can change the entire education system and give our students a path to the lives they deserve.

Do you want to learn more about how to rethink high school? The XQ Xtra is a newsletter for educators that comes out twice a month. Sign up here.

Disclosure: The XQ Institute is a financial supporter of The 74.
The reviews for Oppenheimer finally landed on Wednesday (19 July), the day after critics revealed their thoughts on Barbie  and Rotten Tomatoes has revealed a winner.

Follow live updates as Barbenheimer day approaches here

Rotten Tomatoes compiles critics reviews from across the web to create a score based on what percentage of the reviews were favourable versus unfavourable.

On Tuesday, Barbie debuted with an impressive score of 89 per cent on the review aggregator site, which has increased to 90 per cent at the time of writing.

However, Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer has blown Greta Gerwigs picture out of the water with an opening score of 94 per cent. Of course, these scores are subject to change as more reviews come in.

Oppenheimers score makes it Nolans best-reviewed picture to date. His next best is the second film in his Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight (2008), which stands at 94 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

2020s Tenet is his lowest-scoring film on the site with 69 per cent. The cerebral film confused viewers with its prominent themes of time travel.

Ryan Gosling in Barbie (left) and Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer (Warner Bros/Universal Pictures)

Starring Irish actor Cillian Murphy in the lead role, Oppenheimer follows the life of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, who spearheaded the development of the first nuclear bomb.

Barbie, meanwhile, stars Margot Robbie as the titular Mattel doll who goes on a quest to visit the real world in order to understand her true purpose.

The Independents reviews went against the grain on Rotten Tomatoes. Our film critic Clarisse Loughrey awarded Gerwig five stars for Barbie while giving Nolans effort a near-perfect four stars.

Barbie is one of the most inventive, immaculately crafted and surprising mainstream films in recent memory  a testament to what can be achieved within even the deepest bowels of capitalism, she wrote.

Despite calling Oppenheimer Nolans best and most revealing work, Loughrey argued that the film is occasionally a little too conscious of itself, and the ways cinema crafts its own reality.

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Writer and filmmaker Paul Schrader, meanwhile, described Nolans film as the best and most important film of this century.

Im not a Nolan groupie but this one blows the door off the hinges, The Card Counter (2021) director wrote.

Both Oppenheimer and Barbie are out in cinemas on 21 July.
Filmmaker Christopher Nolan has presented us with so many dark splendors and unsettling displays of destruction in his career  in science fiction, in Gotham City or in Dunkirk, his first real-world historical thriller.

Now we have Oppenheimer, his second in that real-world category. People will be talking about it for a long time; they already are, largely because of what its not: not a sequel, not an overbudgeted franchise product, not junk.

Its Nolans most haunted film to date, and with this subject  J. Robert Oppenheimer, theoretical physicist, father of the atom bomb, anguished, conscience-stricken victim of Americas errantly shifting political winds  a filmmaker cannot treat the sight, and the fallout, of the dawn of our catastrophic nuclear age as mere spectacle. Well, they can. But itd be a mistake.

It stars a pitch-perfect Cillian Murphy as the thin man in the famously oversized fedora, with Nolan freely adapting Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwins superb 2006 Oppenheimer biography American Prometheus. Nolan establishes back-and-forth timelines here, far less showily than in Dunkirk. (Fine by me; I found that films time-signature riddles to be facile in the extreme.) On one track in Oppenheimer, we follow young Robert as he races through the 1920s, coping with depression, discovering sex and women, chasing after quantum physics and bringing that exotic new branch of theoretical inquiry back to America from Europe.

A post-World War II timeline intertwines throughout. We see Oppenheimer fighting for his reputational life at the nadir of the anti-Communist McCarthy era. Robert Downey Jr., plainly relieved to get the hell away from Marvel green-screens for a while, portrays Atomic Energy Commission director Lewis Strauss, an old political nemesis of Oppenheimers, depicted as the cautionary tales cold-blooded antagonist.

Oppenheimer claimed he never was an official Communist Party member, but he circulated at the University of California, Berkeley among plenty of Communist friends and causes, with his troubled lover Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh) a party member, and Oppenheimers troubled wife, Kitty (Emily Blunt), a onetime party member as well. Nolan probably could have taken the time to explore more of what was behind that adjective troubled, but there it is.

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Oppenheimers leftist beliefs made his rather unlikely leadership of the secret Los Alamos, New Mexico, project during the war a dicey proposition, but one that his boss, Gen. Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), sent through the channels. From a scientific and militarily strategic standpoint, it worked out beautifully; the U.S. got what it wanted, and it seemed (or so Oppenheimer said in the heat of the race to beat the Nazis) a simple, momentous challenge. Already by 1939, Germany had split the atom; if Hitler hadnt dismissed nuclear physics and atomic weaponry as Jewish science, likely giving the Jewish Oppenheimer and the Los Alamos project time enough to develop and test the bomb in summer 1945, who knows how things wouldve gone?

How they went was horrific enough, and this is where Oppenheimer soars. Throughout the movie, Nolan and editor Jennifer Lame zap the audience with images of what Oppenheimers theories and imagination fire in his minds eye  images of electricity, fission, infernos of doom. The bomb test sequence at Los Alamos  Nolan re-creates the stunning sight and sound of its detonation, the sound and the blast arriving a full 100 seconds afterward  marshals everything Nolan has learned as a filmmaker. He craves intensity and screw-tightening; crucially, in Oppenheimer, he knows just when to strip it bare, and pull the audience in through other means.

The cast is enormous, with dozens of politicians, scientists, and academics darting in and out of the story, with especially intriguing work from a variety of weaselly D.C. operatives (Dane DeHaan as Strauss whipping boy Nichols, Casey Affleck as the quietly murderous Pash). The scene where President Harry Truman, played in a quick-and-dirty cameo by Gary Oldman, meets Oppenheimer and cant fathom the man admitting he feels as though he has blood on his hands is true, or true enough, anyway, in Nolans telling.

Whats missing from the script, I think, is a fuller sense of Oppenheimers paradoxical, quizzical, tic-laden personality. Murphys first-rate, but on the page this is a rather smooth-edged depiction of a singular character caught in epically fraught circumstances. Pugh and Blunt excel, too, though only in brief bits and pieces; the boozy, violent extremes of the Oppenheimer marriage (and the fate of their daughter) remain outside Nolans preferred and very busy timelines.

It may be serious and important stuff, but Nolan sacrifices none of his cinematic instincts for tension- and momentum-building. Thats sometimes for the best, and sometimes not. The musical score by Ludwig Goransson never gives us a break, in a style akin to Hans Zimmers all-out assault in Dunkirk. More than anything this kind of scoring is hell on the actors; late in Oppenheimer, Blunt and Jason Clarke engage in a ripping verbal exchange during Oppenheimers Atomic Energy Commission security board hearing, but the music keeps grinding and grinding and you half-expect Blunt to call time out.

I wonder if Nolan subconsciously (or consciously) favors multiple layers of screw-tightening, visual and aural, with scripts risking an overload of exposition as this one does. Hes an elegant and extremely clever structuralist; in Oppenheimer, Nolan is also trying to honor and dramatize as much of his subjects burdens as three hours can handle. The results are pretty gripping and occasionally brilliant; its peaks, particularly when Nolan suddenly changes gears, cuts out the sound and reveals the full weight of Oppenheimers tormented psyche, reach higher than anything this filmmaker has scaled to date.

Such scenes, awful and beautiful, have no need for words. And Nolan takes care of Job No. 1: This is a film about terrible risks and a planet likely destined to destroy itself someday. And we see it, and feel it.

The movies have played around with global destruction for fun once too often; its about time we took it seriously again.



'OPPENHEIMER'

3.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for some sexuality, nudity and language)

Running time: 3:00

How to watch: In theaters Friday


Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/Universal Pictures

Christopher Nolans cinema is one of dualities: between knowledge and ignorance (Memento); seeing and sightlessness (Insomnia); good and evil (The Dark Knight); illusion and authenticity (The Prestige); dreaming and waking (Inception); courage and cowardice (Dunkirk); and the past and the present (Tenet). In that regard, Oppenheimera film of endless contrasts and contradictionsis the fullest expression of the writer/directors artistry to date. Propelled by the inexorable march of progress and imagination and electrified by the terrible thrill of theories, dreams, and miracles realized in all their devastating glory, its a divided epic of awe and horror, fission and fusion. Its simultaneously a unified portrait of a conflicted man and a singular achievement for Hollywoods reigning blockbuster auteur.

Adapted from Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwins Pulitzer Prize-winning 2005 biography American Prometheus, Oppenheimer (July 21, in theaters) begins with images of raindrops falling on a ponds surface and fiery detonations in the voidthe first of innumerable opposing visions that are in unlikely harmony, or at least uneasy coexistence, in Nolans masterpiece. An individual of myriad paradoxes, Cillian Murphys J. Robert Oppenheimer is a scientist (and the father of theoretical physics in the United States) who adores art and culture; a towering intellectual whos incompetent in the laboratory; an arrogant leader whos unwilling to fight; a devoted lover and partner whos habitually unfaithful; and the architect of modern annihilation who wants to foster global peace. When, early in his academic career, hes drawn to quantum physics, because it suggests that the impossiblenamely, that light is both a wave and a particleis true, its a telling snapshot of his inherent attraction to the irreconcilable.

If the Oppenheimer Trailer Is This Long, Imagine the Movie

As with so much of Nolans prior work, Oppenheimer is chronologically fractured, recounting its tale from two perspectives: that of Oppenheimer, in color, and of Atomic Energy Commission chairman Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), in black-and-white. In accordance with that structure, the film casts its dual strands as flashbacks told by these characters during, respectively, the secret, Red Scare-driven 1954 hearing that cost Oppenheimer his security clearance and the 1959 Senate hearing that denied Strauss the Secretary of Commerce position he coveted. Throughout, Nolan narratively and formally intertwines Oppenheimer's and Strauss fates, juxtaposing them in order to highlight the storys fundamental honesty and duplicitywhat with its clandestine military operation in the Los Alamos desert, pervasive paranoia about Soviet spies stealing secrets from the Americans, and marital infidelities. Throughout, the film depicts Oppenheimer as a man partially unaware of himself; his wife Kitty, played by Emily Blunt, tellingly asks him, Nobody knows what you believe! Do you?

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Mysteries of the self and the universe are conjoined in the film, whose early passages find Oppenheimer gazing upwards or out into the darkness amidst cutaways to twinkling stars, shining molecules, and paroxysmal flames. Oppenheimer segues between intimate close-ups of Murphys lined, gaunt face and made-for-70mm-IMAX panoramas of cities, mountain ranges, and the cosmos until the two, like every other at-odds element in this drama, feel naturally wedded to one another. Shot with grandeur by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, the film is sensually overwhelming, its titanic visuals matched by Ludwig Goranssons bellowing score of anxious ticking, thunderous foot-stomping, discordant buzzing, and strident Psycho-esque strings. The last of these is remarkably apt, given that the proceedings are, in a certain sense, a nightmare about the corrosive legacy bequeathed by a parent to their (figurative) progeny.

Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures

Nolan begins with a flurry of borderline avant-garde cutting between spaces, places, and faces (courtesy of stellar editor Jennifer Lame), and he never lets his foot off the gas. Whether set in Oppenheimers Princeton classroom or his beloved New Mexico, every scene is awash in physical and mental movement and progresses at a pace fit for a pulse-pounding thriller. I can recall no biopic ever hurtling forward at such a scorching clip; it shifts among points of literal, conceptual, temporal, and geographic focus at a speed that allows the director to cram an amazing amount of biographical material into his three-hour opus.

At the same time, and particularly with Kitty, the film finds room to also suggest the incidents, dynamics, and struggles taking place beyond the edges of his compositions. Be it Oppenheimers impetuous attempt to poison a tutor with a cyanide-laced apple, his volatile romantic relationships, confrontational but respectful partnership with Manhattan Project director Brigadier General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), combative rapport with prosecutor Roger Robb (Jason Clarke), or frustration with colleague Edward Teller (Benny Safdie)whose interest in fashioning an even more powerful hydrogen bomb he opposedOppenheimer is loaded with detail, nuance, incongruity, and ambiguity.

The 20 Most Exciting Movies of Summer 2023: Barbie, Oppenheimer, and More

Theres an embarrassment of riches to digest, savor, and mull over in this saga, which touches upon the exhilaration of scientific discovery, the fear of inventing something over which the inventor has no control, and the alarming consequences of paving a historic path, especially when it leads directly to Pandoras Box. At every turn, superb supporting performances are delivered by Damon, Blunt, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Matthew Modine, Alden Ehrenreich, and Tom Conti as Albert Einstein (who knows how uneasily lies the head that wears the crown). Special mention goes to David Krumholtz as Isidor Isaac Rabi, an Oppenheimer associate whose initial moral qualms about joining the Manhattan Project are eventually shared by Oppenheimer and, in the end, by the film. Oppenheimer draws its figures in vigorous strokes, capturing their hesitancy and certainty, loyalty, and treacherynone better than Strauss, whom a tremendous Downey Jr. transforms into the vilest sort of jealous, vindictive rat.

At the center of this maelstrom is Oppenheimer, whom Nolan lionizes to the point of having him don his trademark hat and coat like he was Bruce Wayne putting on his Batsuit. Murphy imbues the scientist with so many warring traits, impulses, and instinctshes peerlessly perceptive and blind to his own faults; ambitious and uneasy in the spotlight; self-possessed and ultimately unsure of his choicesthat his countenance resonates as a topographical map of his increasingly harried soul. Its a magnificent marquee turn from the Peaky Blinders star (and frequent Nolan collaborator), providing a micro and macro concept of the physicists internal and external battles. No matter if hes enormous or minuscule in the frame, Oppenheimer as envisioned by Nolan is a pioneer as titanic as the mushroom clouds that his Little Boy and Fat Man produced. Hes also just as controversial, viewed by his comrades and the public as an exceptional hero, and his McCarthyite detractors and enemies as a left-leaning Communist incapable of being trusted with the nations security.

Universal Pictures

Oppenheimers socialist sympathies and Judaism are presented as core aspects of his personality and motivation for embarking upon his atom-bomb quest, and the former proves a persistent thorn in his side and results in his (temporary) downfall. His complexity additionally extends to his private life. I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds, muses Oppenheimer upon witnessing the Manhattan Projects maiden Trinity test, and yet he first utters that Bhagavad Gita quote in the film when hes in bed with Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh), the mistress whose suicide would be one of many deaths for which he blamed himself. Love and misery, triumph and tragedy, desire and obligationall are writ small and large by Nolan, with the personal and political colliding in unpredictable, calamitous ways.

Intensely attuned to its protagonists heart and mind, Oppenheimer wrestles with questions of justness and responsibility regarding the atom bombs development and function, and with Oppenheimers alternately reasonable, reckless, and misguided decisions. Its a complex character study-cum-history lesson that recognizes that our greatest accomplishments can also be our doom, violently shaking the world in explosions of dazzling light and cacophonous sound (or eerie silence) that leave behind charred bodies, tattered reputations, unappeasable bitterness, and tormented psyches. It's the creation myth of our contemporary age, begat in eruptions of 10,000-foot-tall pillars of fire that swallow the past and engulf us with dreadful ferocity. A terrible revelation of divine power is how Oppenheimer describes his paradigm-shifting weapon of mass destruction, and he might as well be speaking about Oppenheimer itself. This is surely the finest and most inspired film of Nolans career, not to mention 2023s best.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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As the release date for Christopher Nolans new epic Oppenheimer approaches, rumours have begun circulating that the film is banned in Japan.

Oppenheimer follows the life of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer who developed the first nuclear bomb for the top-secret Manhattan Project.

Nuclear weaponry was, of course, used to reap death and destruction on Japan during the Pacific War in 1945.

The USA detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, killing approximately 200,000 people, most of whom were civilians. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict.

Oppenheimer does not yet have a theatrical release date for Japan, leading some to speculate that the film has been banned in that territory.

However, this theory has been debunked.

A spokesperson for Universal Pictures told Variety in June that plans have not been finalised in all markets. The studio did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment.

Since the films premiere screenings over the last couple of weeks, Nolan has said people are leaving cinemas devastated.

Cillian Murphy is J Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures)

It is an intense experience because its an intense story. I showed it to a filmmaker recently who said its kind of a horror movie. I dont disagree, he said.

Kai Bird, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who co-authored American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer on which Nolans film is based, said in a recent academic talk: I am, at the moment, stunned and emotionally recovering from having seen [Oppenheimer].

Like it or not, J Robert Oppenheimer is the most important person who ever lived, Nolan said at CinemaCon, the annual convention for cinema owners, earlier this year. He made the world that we live in for better or for worse. His story has to be seen to be believed.

Dr J Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atom bomb (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Coincidentally, Greta Gerwigs Barbie, which is released on the same day as Oppenheimer, has been banned in Vietnam over a controversial depiction of the South China Sea.

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The film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, reportedly contains a scene depicting a map showing what appears to be the nine-dash line.

The line is a representation of Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam says violates its sovereignty.

China and Vietnam have long been in a stand-off over the region, while Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia all make claims to parts of the sea.

In a statement to Variety, Warner Bros said the doodles shown were intended to depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land.

The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing, a spokesperson said. They added that it was not intended to make any type of statement.

Oppenheimer is released in cinemas on 21 July.
[Source]

Kimiko Glenn recently revealed that she and her "Orange Is the New Black" co-stars couldn't afford cabs and had to keep their second jobs while working on the hit Netflix show.

What happened: Glenn, 34, first revealed in a TikTok video posted over two years that she only received $27.30 in foreign residuals in December 2020. In the 11-second clip, the Kiff voice actor notably shows a foreign royalty statement from the labor union SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists).

She then re-shared the same video on Instagram on May 22.

More from NextShark: Filipino band Ben&Ben break into US music scene with first-ever North American tour and new single

Glenn appeared in 44 episodes of OITNB as Brook Soso, a talkative former inmate at Litchfield Penitentiary.

Payment issue resurfacing: The issue of low residuals was reignited after Glenn and several other cast members of their Netflix show spoke to The New Yorker earlier this month about their experiences after the series ended on July 26, 2019.

The article was notably published right before SAG-AFTRA began its strike on Friday due to an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

More from NextShark: Japanese celebrities run from Hunters in trailer for new Netflix reality competition show Run for the Money

Well-deserved compensation: In a TikTok video posted on Saturday, Glenn addressed the comments her 2020 TikTok video previously received.

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Whether or not we got paid upfront  my tits live on in perpetuity. I deserve to get paid for as many f*cking streams as that sh*t gets, she says in her video. Second of all  we did not get paid very well. Ever. And when I say, Did not get paid very well, you would die.

More from NextShark: 'Raya and the Last Dragon' director takes over live-action Your Name adaptation

People were bartenders still, she continues. People had their second jobs still. They were f*cking famous as sh*t, like, internationally famous, couldnt go outside but had to keep their second jobs because they couldnt afford to not. We couldnt afford cabs to set, you guys.

Her earnings: While Glenn was paid $900 per day of shooting for "Orange," she explained in an Instagram post on Friday that a lot of the money she earned went to taxes and commission, leaving her with around $450 for one day of shooting. She also noted that a day of shooting "happened about twice every two weeks."

Assuming you work four days a month  were talking $1,800 for a months work, and you live in New York City. That doesnt make rent, she wrote.

More from NextShark: Ash Ketchum, Pikachu pass the torch to new 'Pokemon' protagonists after 25 years

Also, once we started getting paid a little more, we started getting taxed as if we made that episodic rate in one day, often taking away 55% of our paycheck. 20% for agent/manager commissions. Some people had lawyers (5%), business managers (5%), some people had to pay publicists $2-6k/month no guarantee for any press coverage. Theres a lot of misplaced outrage in these comments. $900 for one day of shooting is epically low for someone who is recurring on a hit television show, where they are contractually obligated to stay available 6 months out of the year.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kimiko Glenn (@kimikoglenn)

Shining a light on the issue: In another Instagram post, Glenn clarified that her aim was not to out the show, saying, "The problem was, we were the first of its kind. So everyone was sort of learning as they went. Now its been 10 years and SAG still hasnt really stepped up to the plate and created a deal in which its protecting its actors and properly compensating their actors. Its only good business for streamers to not pay if they dont have to. The fight really is to negotiate a great deal.
A barbed-wired fence is seen at the Imjingak Pavilion, near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on 19 July 2023 in Paju, South Korea (Getty Images)

US soldier Travis King was detained in North Korea on Tuesday (18 July) after crossing into the country wilfully and without authorisation, US authorities said.

Colonel Isaac Taylor of the United States Forces Korea Public Affairs told The Independent: A US Service member on a JSA orientation tour wilfully and without authorisation crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA [Korean Peoples Army] counterparts to resolve this incident.

This is, however, not the first time a US national has been arrested in the heavily surveilled country.

Here is a list of US nationals arrested in North Korea

Otto Warmbier

American student Otto Warmbier (centre) escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea on 16 March 2016 (AP)

Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, was arrested during his visit to North Korea.

Mr Warmbier was visiting the country as part of a group tour organised by a China-based budget tour operator in January 2016.

It was a five-day trip to experience the country during the New Years Eve period, but the trip soon took a turn. Mr Warmbier was seized by North Korean authorities from the tour group and convicted on charges of allegedly trying to steal a propaganda poster.

On 2 January 2016, about two months after this detention, the North Korean court sentenced Mr Warmbier to 15 years of hard labour.

After his initial sentencing, Mr Warmbier suffered from brain damage under circumstances that remain unclear.

In June 2017, Mr Warmbier was released and evacuated from North Korea, accompanied by a medical team due to being seriously ill.

A few days later on 19 June, Mr Warmbier passed away at the age of 22, at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

In a statement, his family said Mr Warmbier was unable to speak, unable to see and unable to react to verbal commands.

Mr Warmbiers family accused North Korea of torturing the student, but the North denied the accusations and insisted it had provided him medical care with all sincerity.

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The country also accused the US of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the biggest victim in his death.

In 2022, a federal judge ruled that Mr Warmbiers parents should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501m they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.

Matthew Todd Miller

Matthew Miller, a US citizen, sits on the dock at the Supreme Court during his trial in Pyongyang in September 2014 (AP)

In September 2014, Matthew Todd Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labour for allegedly committing hostile acts as the court claimed Mr Miller tore up his visa upon arriving at Pyongyang airport.

The North Korean Supreme Court also claimed Mr Miller illegally entered the country for spying purposes and said he admitted to a wild ambition of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the countrys human rights conditions.

Mr Miller was freed in November of that year along with another US national, but weeks before his release Mr Miller spoke with The Associated Press, where he claimed he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.

I was trying to stay in the country. They wanted me to leave, Mr Miller told NK News after his release.

The very first night they said, We want you to leave on the next flight. But I refused. I just did not leave.

Kenneth Bae

Kenneth Bae (centre) gives copies of his new book Not Forgotten, to representative Charles Rangel (left) and Ambassador Joseph DeTrani (right) (Getty Images)

Kenneth Bae is a South Korean-US missionary from Lynnwood, Washington who was arrested on the first day of a five-day tour on 3 November 2012 in Ranson  an area along the northeastern coast of North Koreas economic zone.

Almost two weeks after his initial arrest, the countrys official news agency confirmed his arrest and said Mr Bae committed hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town.

Mr Baes family came forward and said he has suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes as well as heart and liver problems.

He returned to the US in November 2014 following a mission by former director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who also helped secure Mr Millers release.

In a pre-taped statement for his tell-all memoir in 2016, Mr Bae said the detainment was an accident.

I was arrested by North Korean authority because I made a terrible mistake by carrying a portable hard drive containing hostile, anti-North Korean material by accident, he said in the YouTube statement.

Jeffrey Edward Fowle

A file photo issued by Moraine, Ohio shows Jeffrey Fowle, one of two detained American tourists who was released by North Korea in 2014 (AFP/City of Moraine)

In May 2014, Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56 at the time of his arrest, was detained while part of a tour group in North Korea.

Mr Fowle was arrested for six months after leaving a bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin, a country that is allegedly known to be quite strict with organised religion.

North Korea announced Mr Fowles detention and said he has violated the law by acting, contrary to the purpose of tourism.

During his detainment, the tourist also spoke to CNN and said he had no complaints about his treatment.

Its been very good so far, and I hope and pray that it continues, while Im here two more days or two more decades, he said.

The charges are violations of DPRK law, which stems from me trying to leave a Bible, he told CNN at the time.

Its a covert act and a violation of tourists rules. Ive admitted my guilt to the government and signed a statement to that effect and requested forgiveness from the people and the government of the DPRK.

He was released a month before Mr Bae, in October 2014.

Charles Robert Jenkins

Charles Jenkins deserted the US Army and was captive in North Korea for over 39 years (Getty Images)

Charles Robert Jenkins, who passed away at the age of 77, was captive in North Korea for over 39 years.

In January 1965, the US Army sergeant slipped across the demilitarised zone he was supposed to be guarding and went from the South to the North.

His plan was to escape the dangers of getting shot by North Korean border guards or being sent to fight in the Vietnam War  a price he ended up paying for many years.

In 2004, Mr Jenkins made it to Japan and spoke to a US Army Court martial where he revealed the horrors he had to face during his time in detainment.

He spoke about the beatings he faced, along with deprivation and the forced removal of his testicles.

Mr Jenkins said during his arrest, he found himself incarcerated in a single room with three others who had also defected.

In his memoir The Reluctant Communist, he spoke about the decision he made and said, I was not thinking clearly. But at the time my decisions had a logic to them that made my actions seem almost inevitable.

Mr Jenkins said he was also forced to spend 10 hours a day memorising the writings of North Koreas founder and then Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung. If a person failed to correctly recite the words in Korean, it could result in a beating or an increase in their study time.

Those cruel bastards, wrote Mr Jenkins in his memoir, Hated me and the other Americans so deeply they refused to see us as human and enjoyed making our lives hell.

Mr Jenkins was released in 2004 and died in 2017.

Bruce Byron Lowrance

Bruce Byron Lowrance was imprisoned in October 2018 for allegedly illegally entering North Korea from China.

He was imprisoned until November that year and was soon deported back to the US. North Koreas decision to deport Lowrance after only a month of confinement was quick by the countrys standards.

Some might say Mr Lowrance benefitted from the cosy diplomacy between former US president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who had met in a summit in June that year where they discussed goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

As the summit was approaching, North Korea released three US detainees at the time: Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song.

But that diplomacy was shortlived after the second summit in 2019, when the US rejected North Koreas demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

Euna Lee and Laura Ling

Journalists Euna Lee (left) and Laura Ling speak onstage at the The 2009 Women of the Year (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling were shooting a documentary on the Sino-North Korean border about North Korean refugees and the possible practice of human trafficking of young women.

The two journalists were reportedly captured by North Korean state security on March 2009 and taken to Pyongyang.

They were charged with committing hostilities against the Korean national and illegal entry, according to the North Korean mouthpiece news agency KCNA.

They were sentenced to 12 years of reform in a prison camp but were released after 140 days in a detention centre.

Upon their release, Ms Lee said: The past 140 days have been the most difficult, heart-wrenching time of our lives.

We are very grateful that we were granted amnesty by the government of North Korea, and we are so happy to be home.

Kwang Duk Lee

American pastor Kwang Duk Lee was arrested in May 1998 as a suspect spy in North Korea, but he was released three months later.

Mr Lees arrest came while he was trying to get financing for a soybean processing plant, his family had told The Los Angeles Times at the time of his release.

North Korean authorities said Mr Lee was a spy posing as a businessman and demanded $122,000 for his release.

Mr Lee was freed in August that year, three months after his arrest.

What is the Joint Security Area?

The Joint Security Area seen in this photo taken on 9 May 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

The Joint Security Area (JSA), also known as Panmunjeom, is where the Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953 and is located in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). Its a place that has become one of the most visited tourist sites of the DMZ.

The border is also known as the peace or truce village and is made up of bright blue UN buildings.

Both the South and North Korean sides are heavily policed by military officers.

Follow the latest coverage on Travis King - US national detained in North Korea

Can you visit the JSA?

The area is under heavy surveillance, but people can visit through tours.

To enter the JSA, visitors much pass through multiple checkpoints before arriving at Camp Bonifas. Visitors must either be escorted by either US or South Korean Soldiers.

Additional reporting from agencies
Ukraine has adopted more than 20 new types of domestically-made drones into service with the Armed Forces.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov during a press conference in Kyiv

Quote: "We gathered 82 purely Ukrainian manufacturers. They volunteered to do it, and we have already adopted more than 20 new drones, which today are very successfully destroying the Orcs (i.e. Russians  ed.) and their equipment."

Details: Reznikov reiterated that, on the initiative of the Ministry of Defence, a corresponding resolution was adopted, which simplified the deployment of Ukrainian UAVs.

Reznikov added that earlier, to put a new drone into service, it was necessary to wait for about 2 years, and now it is just three weeks  "as long as you have everything done the right way, and if you guarantee the quality."

In addition, the minister called the resolution, which increased the share of profit on foreign components during the production of drones to 25%, another breakthrough.

"And the third breakthrough  we adopted a resolution that simplified and removed all fees for importing components for the development of drones," the minister added.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
(CNN)  For the first time in decades, a nuclear capable US Navy ballistic missile submarine has made a port call in South Korea, in a move that comes just days after North Korea test-fired what it said was a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile.

The presence of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine in the South Korean port city of Busan was announced by the countrys Defense Ministry on Tuesday afternoon.

It came as Kurt Campbell, coordinator for the Indo-Pacific at the US National Security Council, was at the inaugural meeting in Seoul of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).

The NCG is a joint US and South Korean panel set up by the countries leaders at a summit in Washington in April.

The arrival of the submarine follows a period of heightened tensions on the peninsula, during which North Korea has both tested what it said was an advanced long range missile and threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance aircraft engaging in what it called hostile espionage activities near its territory.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a senior official in her own right, said in a statement Monday the deployment of a US ballistic missile submarine to the peninsula would damage already fractured lines of communication between the two sides.

The reality before the DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) is not dialogue repeatedly touted by the US, said Kim. Instead, she said, the NCG was openly discussing the use of nukes against the DPRK and the entry of US strategic nuclear submarine into waters of the Korean Peninsula for the first time in 40-odd years.

The US should know that its bolstered extended deterrence system and excessively extended military alliance system, a threatening entity, will only make the DPRK go farther away from the negotiating table desired by it, the statement added.

Sub can carry up 80 warheads

Known colloquially as boomers, each of the Ohio-class subs can carry a maximum of 20 Trident II ballistic missiles.

The Nuclear Threat Initiative at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies estimates that each Trident missile can carry four nuclear warheads, meaning each US ballistic missile submarine could be carrying about 80 nuclear warheads.

The port call came out of an agreement between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol when the met in the US capital in April. The Washington Declaration included a set of measures aimed at making Pyongyang think twice about launching an attack on its southern neighbor.

Our mutual defense treaty is iron clad and that includes our commitment to extend a deterrence  and that includes the nuclear threat, the nuclear deterrent, Biden said at the time.

The establishment of the NCG came out of that Biden-Yoon meeting.

In a joint statement on Tuesday the two allies said the NCG would enhance combined deterrence and response posture.

As a result, the collective strength of our two nations will directly contribute to the continued peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific region, the statement read.

This inaugural NCG meeting afforded the United States an opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the US commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK backed by the full range of US capabilities, including nuclear, it added.

Little military value

Analysts said after the Washington Declaration that the presence of a US Navy ballistic missile submarine in a South Korean port would be purely symbolic  and in fact would reduce the military value of the sub.

Tactically, (the US and South Korea) are diminishing the subs most powerful asset; its stealthiness, Carl Schuster, former director of operations at the US Pacific Commands Joint Intelligence Center in Hawaii, said in April.

The Trident missiles have a range of 4,600 miles (7,400 kilometers), meaning they are capable of hitting a target in North Korea from vast swathes of the Pacific, Indian or Arctic oceans.

Militarily, (these submarines) dont need to be anywhere near Korea in order to reach potential targets there, Blake Herzinger, a research fellow at the United States Studies Centre, said in April.

One of the keys to nuclear deterrence is uncertainty.

A US ballistic missile sub lurking hundreds of feet below the oceans surface thousands of miles from North Korea would still be within striking range of Pyongyang, but would be near impossible for North Korea to spot.

One arriving in South Korea on a port visit  which must be arranged 24 to 48 hours in advance  would be far more visible, giving North Korea an advantage, Schuster said.

If Kim Jong Un was looking to do a surprise strike, weve given him the submarines location and time it will be there, Schuster said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Nuclear capable US submarine makes first port call in South Korea in four decades"
A pedestrian bridge is planned at 106th Street over the White River

A pedestrian bridge over the White River at 106th Street will link the Monon Trail in Carmel to the Nickel Plate Trail in Fishers.

The Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Department is expected to open engineering bids Thursday for the project, which will span from Hazell Dell Landing in Carmel to Fishers Heritage Park at White River, said parks department Director Michael Klitzing.

The connection will allow bicyclists and joggers on the multi-use path on 106th Street to seamlessly bridge a seven-mile distance between the Monon and the Nickel Plate.

This will be one of the largest interconnected trail systems anywhere, said Delaware Township Trustee Debbie Driskell.

Clay Township and Carmel Clay parks will pay the cost of the bridge and Delaware Township will fund the final approach, landing and connection to the 106th Street pathway on the Fishers side.

Delaware Townships cost is expected to be $1.3 million. The cost on the bridge for the parks department and Clay Township will be determined when the bids are opened.

More coverage: Hamilton County's fairgrounds are getting a new name and an expansion. What will it cost?

The bridge will be 14 feet wide and 500 feet long. A new parking lot will be built at Hazel Landing Park to serve as a trailhead but bathrooms won't be constructed because the area is in the flood plain, Klitzing said.

The connection will serve as the southern loop in a Hamilton County trail system connecting the major greenways. In the northern end, users will be able to get from the Monon to the Nickel Plate by using the Midland Trace Trail, a connection nearing completion.

The Nickel Plate and Monon will also be joined in Marion County when Indianapolis builds its leg of the Nickel Plate. The extension, still in planning, will stretch from 96th Street south to 42nd Street near the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Carmel originally planned to build a footbridge at 126th Street south of Conner Prairie that would connect Carmel to Fishers, but Klitzing said it was determined to be too expensive because it would need a system of boardwalks on the Fishers side to navigate the rugged land.

Call the reporter at 317-444-6418.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bridge planned to connect Monon, Nickel Plate trails at 106th Street
A social-media video about the listing for the home in Beacon, New York, went viral. Zillow

Social-media users are discussing a New York home that hit the market for $1.2 million in June.

Many people said they were shocked to discover the house originally sold for $260,000 in July 2020.

Home flipping took a hit last year when they had to deal with the stumbling housing market.

A New York home that originally sold for $260,000 was renovated and relisted at $1.2 million has sparked a discussion about affordability as the housing market falters.

A TikTok user uploaded a video on Tuesday of a single-family residence in Beacon, New York, that sold for $260,000 in June 2020. The 83-year-old residence initially had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, the video said.

"This goes out to all the greedy, delusional house flippers and corporations in my area who are buying houses like this and doing too much," the TikToker said in the video, inviting users to guess how much the home cost.

The home was renovated before it was listed on the market again in June this year  but this time for an astronomical price. The house is listed on Zillow as a three-bedroom, three-bathroom home described as a "contemporary take on the classic 1940s cape cod commonly found in the Hudson Valley."

The listing and sale prices for the home from June 2020 to June 2023. Zillow

In comparison, the house next door is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom residence that sold for $377,000 in December 2020. Redfin's listing says that the median listing price for homes in that particular ZIP code is $550,000 and that the median sale price is $522,500.

According to Redfin, the house next door was sold for $377,000 in December 2020. Redfin

TikTok users shared their shock about the price jump, with many commenting that their initial estimate was way off. The video later made it to Twitter, where it went viral and accumulated even more opinions.

sean mcguire (@seanw_m) July 18, 2023



One person commented: "omfg at first I said $450k, then I saw the house after the flip and said $800k and I was very very wrong. We need serious home pricing regulations."

Story continues

"HGTV absolutely ruined people's brains," another added.

The viral video comes as Americans grapple with a stumbling housing market. Insider's James Rodriguez reported that mortgage rates were high, that people weren't selling their homes, and that the housing market was steeped in competition  a phenomenon he dubbed the housing Ice Age.

The struggle reverberated across the industry, with house flippers in fall 2022 slashing property sale prices  meaning a potential loss in profits  or switching careers to become landlords. In June, Toorak Capital Partners told Insider that some house flippers were still seeing profits but that they were becoming pickier about which projects to pursue.

Read the original article on Insider
Virginia authorities arrested three suspects from Pennsylvania who allegedly robbed multiple department stores as a group this month.

Philadelphia residents Ericka Williams, Amin Shamsid-Deen and Tunisia Amina Shamsid-Deen were given a slew of charges including grand larceny, organized retail theft and resisting arrest.

Tunisia was additionally charged with possession of a schedule I/II drug. The suspects are between the ages of 26 and 32.

Authorities received a tip last week from a Sak's Fifth Avenue employee about a Chevy Chase, Maryland, location being robbed. They reported that a retail theft crew fled the scene in a gold Chevrolet Impala with Pennsylvania tags.

CONCEALED CARRY APPLICATIONS SPIKE 600% IN PHILADELPHIA AMID CRIME SURGE: 'PEOPLE ARE SCARED'

"With this information, TUT [Tysons Urban Team] officers utilized LPR technology and learned that the vehicle had entered Virginia and was in the immediate vicinity," Fairfax County Police Department described in a press release.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The vehicle was located and observed by TUT units heading in the direction of Saks Fifth Avenue in McLean," police added.

Authorities were able to spot two suspects allegedly stealing items at the McLean location. The two fled when they were approached.

PHILADELPHIA CONCEALED GUN HOLDER ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE, FATALLY SHOOTING ATTACKER AT CEMETERY: DA

"Once in the store, they selected multiple high-end handbags and other luxury merchandise and headed toward the exit without paying," the press release explained. "When approached by the stores Loss Prevention team, the two suspects ran."

Authorities apprehended all three suspects, including the driver. One of the suspects was located in a dumpster.

"A representative from another retail store reported that one of the suspects had stolen from their business, as well," police said.

Police found around $15,000 worth of stolen property during their investigation.

Police found around $15,000 worth of stolen property during their investigation. All suspects were transported to a local jail and held without bond.
Park visitors at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park, California, on July 18. Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

California's Death Valley has long been considered the hottest place on Earth.

Despite numerous warnings from the National Weather Service, tourists visited the valley in droves.

Photos show people walking around as temperatures soared above 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

California's Death Valley has long been considered the hottest place on Earth.

The topography of its arid sand dunes and rocky crevasses could trick you into believing it belongs to a planet much closer to the sun than ours. The fascination surrounding Death Valley's otherworldly appearance and sweat-inducing temperatures is likely why tourists continue to visit and brave sky-rocketing temperatures  even during a heat wave that's had its grip on the West Coast for the better part of a week.

While temperatures have not exceeded the hottest on record  set in 1913 when heat levels soared to 134 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 56.6 degrees Celsius  they've come pretty close, The Guardian reported.

The National Weather Service said heat levels reached 128 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 53.33 degrees Celsius, on Sunday at Furnace Creek, the Associated Press reported.

As of Wednesday, the National Park Service was still issuing an "Extreme Summer Heat" warning tourists to "travel prepared to survive" because temperatures were expected to climb above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The NPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

And yet, despite the heat, tourists have flocked to Death Valley in droves. Some are going explicitly to experience that extreme weather for themselves. One tourist told Channel 4 News that she was visiting Death Valley for the first time because she thought it would be "a cool thing" to be there for what could be the "hottest day on Earth."

In doing so, they've pushed their bodies to the limit.

Some photos from the weekend give context to the danger of visiting Death Valley. This image shows tourists roaming the arid plains behind an "Extreme Heat Danger" sign warning people not to walk through the area after 10 a.m.

Story continues

An extreme-heat-danger sign at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California, on July 17. Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Warnings aside, tourists arrive at the valley in droves. Most wear hats, shorts, sun dresses, and sunglasses in a likely futile attempt to stay cool amid sky-rocketing temperatures.

Visitors from Poland stop at Zabriskie Point on July 18. Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Most people who visit are able to take in the unique views of Death Valley only before dawn.

Park visitors watch the sunrise at Zabriskie Point on July 18. Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Here, one recent tourist, a 71-year-old hiker, tried to take a break from soaring temperatures under a signpost. His face was covered in sunscreen, and he wore a sunhat, long sleeves, and gloves to protect himself from the sweltering heat.

Steve Curry walked to Zabriskie Point on July 18. Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Some people could only handle the heat for brief moments, such as this man who stepped out to view Zabriskie Point before quickly returning to his tour bus.

Robert Skulk at Zabriskie Point on July 18. Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Among the recent visitors was this man wearing a sunhat and sunglasses, standing in front of the digital temperature display at Furnace Creek holding a "Happy Death Day" poster and another that read: "This is the climate emergency."

A protester at Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley, California, on July 16. RONDA CHURCHILL/AFP via Getty Images

Also photographed by the temperature display were two park rangers, who smiled as the unofficial thermometer read 132 degrees Fahrenheit, just two degrees off the hottest temperature ever recorded in 1913.

Park Rangers pose next to the temperature display at Furnace Creek Visitors Center on July 16. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia

As the sun dipped below the valley, one tourist seemingly poked fun at the bone-dry landscape by wearing flippers and a snorkel at Badwater Basin, a salt flat lacking any signs of life other than its human visitors.

Marko Leszczuk at Badwater Basin on July 16. AP Photo/John Locher

Source: National Park Service

Read the original article on Insider
missing pilots

To date, over 1,060 service members lost in the Vietnam War have been identified through the tireless efforts of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Nearly 52 years after they went missing near Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, Col. Ernest Leo De Soto and Capt. Frederick Mervyn Hall were finally accounted for. Another two years later, De Soto finally returned home.

F-4Cs of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron fly over Vietnam (U.S. Air Force)

Born on December 30, 1931, De Soto was raised in San Francisco, California. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Turning service into a career, De Soto earned a commission as an officer and became a fighter pilot. On April 12, 1969, De Soto flew an F-4D Phantom II with the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 336th Tactical Fighter Wing. With Hall in the back seat and another aircraft on his wing, De Soto took off from Da Nang Air Force Base, Vietnam on a strike mission.

De Soto's wife said that, "He loved to fly, and he loved being an American, that was his life." (DPAA)

When the mission was canceled, both aircraft ascended through heavy cloud cover. That's when the other aircrew noticed that De Soto and Hall were nowhere to be seen. Although an aerial search and rescue effort located the crash site, there was no sign that either airman survived. Moreover, heavy enemy activity in the area prevented a ground search. A subsequent investigation revealed that De Soto and Hall's Phantom crashed into a mountain ridge.

De Soto returned home to San Francisco 54 years after he went missing in Vietnam (U.S. Air Force)

In May 1995, De Soto and Hall's crash site was located again. However, its remote location and unexploded ordinance in the area prevented a recovery. It was not until March 2021 that the site was excavated. Through June 2021, recovery teams from the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons recovered human remains and other material evidence from the crash site. This evidence, along with laboratory analysis, confirmed the identities of De Soto and Hall, finally accounted for decades after they went missing in action.

De Soto was buried with full military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery (U.S. Air Force)

On June 29, 2023, De Soto's remains arrived at San Francisco International Airport from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Air Force personnel carried his flag-draped casket on the tarmac as American flags waved and other service members saluted. De Soto's memorial service was held the next day at Our Lady of Angels Church in Burlingame, California. Afterward, he was buried with full military honors at the Golden Gate National Cemetery.

Joyce De Soto holds her husband's flag at his funeral (U.S. Air Force)

De Soto's wife, Joyce, called her husband's return a miracle. "Were grateful Joyce and the De Soto family are reunited with Ernest after all these years," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. in an Air Force Public Affairs release. "Ernest served valiantly defending our country and the American way of life. We honor his and the De Soto familys sacrifice to protect peace at home and abroad. The Air Force thanks all those involved at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency who made this possible."
A plane takes off from the Asheville Airport July 14, 2023.

A pilot has died after crashing into a Santa Fe home early Tuesday morning.

Authorities received reports of a twin-engine Cessna 310 crashing into a mobile home in the La Cienega community just south of Santa Fe Municipal Airport around 9 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The plane began its journey in Sherman Oaks, California before it stopped to refuel at the Santa Fe airport.

A few minutes after departing, the pilot reported engine failure before crashing into the home, the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Local authorities worked to put out the fire as quickly as possible, but the pilot died on scene, the Sheriffs Office said. The home was completely destroyed by the flames. No one was present in the home at the time of the crash.

Emergency crews remained on scene to extinguish the last of the hot spots. No other injuries have been reported.

The cause of the crash will be investigated by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.

How common are private plane crashes?

When the National Transportation Safety Board documented the number of hours a plane spent in the air back in 2007, they found that aircrafts generally logged 24 million flight hours, according to an aircraft statistics website. Out of these 24 million flight hours, 6.84 of every 100,000 flight hours yielded an airplane crash with 1.19 of every 100,000 resulting in a fatal crash.

Those statistics tend to be higher for private planes but are harder to keep track of due to lax government regulation and non-reporting, though private plane crashes have been on the decline since the 1980s.

A total of 39 aviation related accidents were reported last year, according to a report from the International Air Transport Association, 80% being caused by human error.

Surprisingly, the most dangerous time for an aviation accident is takeoff and landing including the times right before or after these routine procedures occur. Pilot error is thought to account for 53% of aircraft accidents followed by mechanical failure with 21% and weather conditions making up the last 11%, according to the website.

No slide found: Emergency evacuation slide from United Airlines flight lands in Chicago-area backyard

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pilot dead after crashing into Santa Fe home
Shielded by county law for decades, peacocks in Pinecrest are no longer off limits to trappers, and Don Harris is eager to get his hands on the birds.

Pinecrest lined up Harris to perform hundreds of rapid peafowl vasectomies after the village secured an exemption this week from Miami-Dade Countys strict rules against trapping the large birds.

READ MORE: Will cities declare peacocks fowl non grata as Miami-Dade loosens bird protections?

Trappers hired by the village will respond to resident requests for peafowl sterilizations, then ship the birds to a Harris facility for vasectomies under sedation before returning the fowl to the neighborhoods where they were taken. The hope is to slow the growth of a population thats both beloved by some for its plumage and detested by many for its daily habits.

The upside of peacocks is theyre beautiful. Everybody knows that, Harris said Tuesday after the County Commission vote granting Pinecrest a waiver from Miami-Dades 2001 peafowl ordinance. The downside is they can do damage to property. They will see their reflection in a car and attack the car...They roost on fences, on the tops of cars and on roofs. They do damage there. And theyre vocal. Very vocal.

Pinecrest has a plan to deal with the proliferation of peafowl. The birds are pretty but a nuisance, residents say. This is a file photo of peacocks in Coconut Grove from 2020.

Pinecrest budgeted $7,500 a month for whats being described as a pilot program that could expand to other municipalities fielding resident gripes about peacock noise, pecking damage and bird waste on sidewalks, cars and roofs.

We get complaints about peacocks every week. Its non-stop, said Raquel Regalado, the Miami-Dade commissioner representing Pinecrest and other areas around Miami with large peacock populations. During mating season, its our number one issue.

Pinecrest is a suburban village of 18,000 people where, according to county tax data, the average house is worth $1 million. Joseph Corradino, the villages mayor, said Pinecrest has been searching for a long-term peacock fix the last two decades.

That included a brief effort to relocate flocks to sanctuaries, but its been difficult to find places willing to care for more fowl. The zoos stopped taking them, he said. We never got any traction.

Story continues

One neighborhood reported a population of 250 free-roaming peacocks, fortified by a resident suspected of feeding them in her backyard. Pinecrest banned feeding the birds, but enforcement can be challenging.

Shannon del Prado, a member of the Village Council, headed up the recent effort that landed on hiring Harris. Even with the sterilization campaign, she said peacocks will remain part of the Pinecrest landscape.

Its like stray cats, she said. Were not eradicating them. Were just controlling the numbers.

Peacocks can be a prickly topic in Miami-Dade, which created unique protections for the birds after a petition drive to save a flock in South Miami-Dade. The county law bans killing peacocks  also known as peafowl or peahens  as well as capturing them, though theres an exemption allowing property owners to remove the birds unharmed.

Don Harris, a veterinarian, and Raquel Regalado, a Miami-Dade County Commissioner, talk to the media about a new county-approved plan by Pinecrest to hire Harris to perform vasectomies on wild peacocks.

Harris is emphasizing the operations shouldnt upset the established peacock societal order. With vasectomies, male peacocks can still mate with females and enjoy the benefits of being the dominant bird in the flock and peahens can continue laying eggs, Harris said. But after sterilization, peacocks lack the ability to fertilize an egg into a future chick.

Harris is a specialist in caring for exotic animals, with offices in the Stuart area and in South Miami. He said the peacocks will spend about three days with him in a pen located somewhere in Miami-Dade that he doesnt want to identify.

This is an abandoned zoo, he said. Im not going to say anymore.

Regalado sponsored the legislation approving Pinecrests new peafowl mitigation policy, the second one approved in Miami-Dade after Coral Gables filed a similar waiver request in October. Shes also using her District 7 budget to purchase the vasectomy equipment needed for Harris to sterilize the birds, and said shed be offering the same assistance to other cities she represents interested in their own peafowl operations.

The numbers have grown so much, she said. This is an important first step.
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is joining the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in inviting public comment on a recent proposal that will increase rates for water, wastewater conveyance and stormwater services.

In May 2023, PWSA filed a three-year rate request with the PUC to support infrastructure improvements, meet more stringent regulatory requirements and address increasing costs related to the treatment and distribution of drinking water services.

The request would include enhancements to PWSAs Customer Assistance Programs and would go toward the modernization of our regions water systems, PWSA said.

PWSA said the rate proposal would allow the organization to build upon recent accomplishments, including removal of lead service lines, modernizing and replacing old infrastructure, providing financial relief to income qualified customers, meeting environmental and regulatory requirements and improving stormwater management.

Public comment can be provided in person or telephonically.

The in-person meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 25 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Jerron X. Grayson Community Center located in the Hill District.

The telephonic meetings will take place on Thursday, July 27 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. To register, you you may contact the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) to obtain the call-in information by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26.

If you want to speak at the meetings, you can pre-register by doing either of the following:

Contact OCA at 1-800-684-6560 or by emailing consumer@paoca.org.

Visit PWSAs website at https://www.pgh2o.com/news-events/events-meetings, choose the public input hearing and submit your registration.

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By Ngouda Dione

PODOR, Senegal - In the arid expanse of northern Senegal, women traverse kilometres daily carrying heavy buckets of murky water from distant wells and rivers. Water scarcity is so acute at this time of year that many communities face a dire choice: water your farms or quench you thirst.

This dilemma drove builder and fundraiser Mamadou Diakhate to intervene. He turned to the internet, setting up crowdfunding campaigns where people can donate money to construct wells in communities lacking water.

"In many villages, there were water problems, and this issue notably impacted on learning," said Diakhate, who previously worked in school construction.

"I met women walking 7 or 8 kilometres (5 miles) to get water for their crops. I knew we had to do something," he said.

Droughts globally have become 29% more frequent since 2000, according to the United Nations, as factors like global warming and forest degradation dry out previously temperate areas.

In a region pockmarked with wells in various states of disrepair, Diakhate hopes the internet can bring communities together to solve the problem of water scarcity.

His group has built more than 50 wells this way since 2020, and nine more are under construction.

"We raise funds exclusively through the internet," he said, sitting in an alleyway in Senegal's capital Dakar showing his latest crowdfunding site to residents on his phone.

Although currently constituting just 0.1% of the global market, the total value of crowdfunding campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa could reach $2.5 billion by 2025, researchers from Pepperdine University estimated last year.

Villages like Ourou Amady Bagga in Senegal are already benefiting, thanks to one of Diakhate's campaigns.

No longer faced with extreme water shortages, the village chief, Yoro Boubou Ba, believes residents could soon have surplus vegetables to sell, giving their community a much-needed economic boost.

"Communities... can't do everything, and the state can't do everything either," Diakhate said. "But we're going to continue to do our part and push these communities to really live better."

(Reporting by Ngouda Dione; Writing by Cooper Inveen; Editing by Nellie Peyton and Christina Fincher)
A pizza delivery driver shot a man in the buttocks after an attempted robbery and carjacking, according to Pennsylvania police and local media reports.

The incident happened on Stenton Avenue in Philadelphia just before midnight on July 18, according to a police news release.

Two armed men in masks confronted the 21-year-old driver as he was delivering food, according to NBC 10, citing police.

After forcing him into his car, the pair demanded money and asked if the driver had access to funds on his phone, according to the outlet.

At one point, the 21-year-old delivery man was able to get out of the vehicle and confronted one of the perpetrators who had a gun, and the 21-year-old delivery man, we know, fired at least two shots, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said, according to CBS News Philadelphia.

One suspect, later identified as a 23-year-old, was hit in the buttocks, police said.

He was transported to a local hospital and was in stable condition. He is being held as a prisoner with charges pending, but the second individual, an unknown male in dark clothing, was not located, police said. A weapon was also recovered from the scene.

The delivery driver is believed to have had a license to carry a firearm, according to CBS News, citing police. The attempted robbery and subsequent shooting occurred during his first day on the job, according to the outlet.

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The communities that our military calls home are committed to a One Community approach that strengthens the relationship across an installations fence line, to include neighbors, schools and small businesses outside the base as well as inside.

When uncertainty begins to impact the troops mission, it also impacts that wider One Community of military families, and everyone in the towns and cities that support us. We and that wider community are watching Washingtons delays of the confirmation and promotions of hundreds of senior military officers with growing alarm.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and seven former defense secretaries who served under presidents from both parties have said that promotion delays present a national security risk. We are experiencing a different sort of risk  crippling uncertainty.

First, it creates a leadership vacuum for some missions and units that are awaiting new commanders. Our men and women in uniform know their responsibilities and perform them dutifully but also deserve a clear chain of command.

For an officer, the uncertainty as to when or if they will receive a hard-earned promotion can cause great anxiety and stress for his or her whole family. They dont know when they will move or where their children will start the next school year. Their spouses job search is likely put on hold. In many cases, these senior officers are well-known and respected members of our communities who contribute a great deal to their neighbors, and its disheartening to see them put in such a situation.

And every day that a senior military officer is denied promotion to a new assignment is a day when a junior officer is denied the opportunity to advance. When promised jobs and therefore pay raises are delayed for service members of any rank, they tighten belts and pinch pennies, waiting for it to pass. In the short term, they arent able to fully support our local restaurants, retailers and other small businesses. In the long term, they think about the predictability of jobs in the private sector, and consider getting out.

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For young people thinking about signing up, watching how one person in Washington, D.C., can block the careers of dozens of service members just to make a political point, it doesnt make the military a more attractive option for them.

When men and women sign up to serve their fellow Americans, they trust that our nation will have their back just as they have ours. Defense community leaders and our neighbors work hard to support those military families, and we feel elected leaders should keep the same promise.

Karen Holt is the president of the Association of Defense Communities, and has played an advocacy role with Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, for almost two decades. Today, as Director of Economic Development, she serves as Hartford Countys liaison to APG and more than 155 defense contractors promoting community resources to industry.

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When Oppenheimer opens in theaters July 21, audiences will already know the ending. But the story of how America developed and ultimately used the first atomic bombs to effectively end WWII appears to pack a serious dramatic punch.

Though it may not be portrayed directly in Christopher Nolans film, decisions made by President Harry S. Truman were crucial to the deployment of the bombs known as Fat Man and Little Boy at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The atomic bomb named Fat Man was the second nuclear weapon to be detonated over Japan. A safety plug removed from this bomb to arm it moments before the detonation is on display at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri.

The Truman Library and Presidential Museum in Independence has collected various objects that bring parts of that history to life. They range from secret correspondence that alerted Truman to the existence of the Manhattan Project to the reports he received describing the wonder and horror of the first tests in the New Mexico desert.

The most notable artifact is the safety plug from the bomb that was used at Nagasaki, a small green capsule removed so the weapon could then be armed. It was donated in the 1980s by Philip Barnes, an engineer on the mission.

This is a plug that was removed from the atomic bomb named Fat Man to arm it moments before being detonated over Nagasaki, Japan. The plug was donated to the Harrys S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum by Philip Barnes, an electronic test officer on the flight who kept the safety plugs after they were pulled from the bomb and replaced with the red arming plugs. The note that came attached to the plug is signed by Barnes and Navy Commander Frederick Ashworth, the weaponeer responsible for arming the bomb is to authenticate the provenance of the artifact.

Mark Adams, education director at the library, says the plug looks so innocuous but its the closest thing we have to the beginning of the Atomic Age.

The display does make clear the enormity of the situation the new president faced after taking office in April 1945, with the end of the war in Europe and the birth of the United Nations immediately vying for his attention.

A mushroom cloud rises into the atmosphere after the atomic bomb named Fat Man was detonated over Nagasaki in Japan on on Aug. 9, 1945. The plutonium powered bomb was 40% more powerful than the uranium bomb detonated over Hiroshima just three days before.

Adams believes Trumans experience as a soldier in World War I contributed greatly to his decision to use the fearsome new technology in hopes of preventing the kind of massive American casualties that would have resulted from a land invasion of Japan.

There are chilling depictions of the toll the bombings took on their Japanese targets throughout the exhibits. The moral dilemmas Truman faced are acknowledged as well.

A display of paper cranes just a few feet from the safety plug alludes to the origami birds created by a young survivor of the bombing at Hiroshima before she died in 1955 from radiation-induced leukemia.

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Adams points to a guest book that allows visitors to write down reflections on what theyve experienced.

Our mantra is you do the research, you come look, you examine and you decide, and thats probably the best way for a presidential library to operate.

Watch the video to learn more about the museums presentations on the legacy of the detonations of the atomic bombs over Japan.

Here are more things related to the Oppenheimer legacy

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Theres another big summer movie coming out the same day as Oppenheimer
The top plumbers union endorsed President Bidens reelection bid on Wednesday, adding to the list of big labor organizations that have supported the president again this cycle.

The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), which represents about 366,000 plumbers, pipefitters and welders, announced its endorsement earlier than it announced in the 2020 cycle.

The Biden Harris Administration has provided economic opportunity for all United Association members  meaning our members have a fair shot at working family-sustaining jobs while building the future of American infrastructure, UA general president Mark McManus said in a statement.

The group pointed to Bidens policies, such as replacing lead service lines, building semiconductor manufacturing facilities and permitting reform, as reasons they wanted to endorse.

UA released a nationwide ad campaign announcing the endorsement, which was backed by a nearly $1 million buy and will run nationwide for four weeks, then only in battleground states for another four weeks.

This endorsement highlights the groundswell of support we have seen from across the organized labor movement, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden-Harris 2024 campaign manager, said in a statement. Thats because Joe Biden is the most pro-labor president in history  making historic investments in our countrys manufacturing and fighting for our workers.

Bidens reelection campaign was endorsed by AFL-CIO in June, along with more than a dozen other unions  like the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the American Federation of Teachers, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Nurses United and the American Federation of Government Employees.

The Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) also endorsed Biden earlier in June, citing the infrastructure law as an accomplishment of the administration.

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The unprecedented show of support from labor this early in the campaign unlocks the movements powerful organizing abilities and resources to help show how President Biden is delivering more jobs, more manufacturing, and lower costs for American families, Rodriguez said.

But the president hasnt had all good luck with unions this cycle. The United Auto Workers union in May said it would hold back from an endorsement, citing concerns over the White Houses focus on electric vehicles.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Poland will not open the border with Ukraine for grain products after 15 September, if the European Commission's moratorium on importing Ukrainian grain expires, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

Source: European Pravda, citing the PAP agency

Quote from Morawiecki: "I want to make it clear on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Poland that we will not open this border. Either the European Commission will agree to develop regulations extending this ban jointly, or we will do it ourselves."

Details: He stressed that Warsaw is taking this step "not against Ukraine", but "for Polish farmers".

Morawiecki stressed that the closure of the border would also apply to other agricultural goods.

"Poles earn money on transit; this does not threaten to destabilise the domestic market, so we facilitate these exports and make transit possible," he added.

The Polish Prime Minister recalled that according to the decision of the European Commission, Poland is due to reopen its border with Ukraine for grain imports on 15 September, that is, in less than two months.

Background:

Earlier on 19 July, five Central European members of the European Union  Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia  jointly appealed to the EU to extend the ban on imports of Ukrainian grain after 15 September.

Central European countries fear that the termination of the grain deal by Russia may lead to increased grain flows and bottlenecks in these five countries.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Polish police

A Russian intelligence network that planned to blow up trains with weapons and humanitarian aid destined for Ukraine has been exposed in Poland, Gazeta Polska reported on July 18.

The Polish Internal Security Agency, together with the Lublin Office of the National Prosecutor's Office, dismantled the largest Russian intelligence network in Poland in history.

Read also: Poland to bolster border security after Wagner mercenaries arrival in Belarus

Reportedly, a total of 15 people were detained in the country from March to July 2023 on charges of spying for Russian military intelligence. They face up to 10 years in prison. The detainees are citizens of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine.

"They received tasks for remote execution directly from Moscow, and then, after completing them, collected remuneration in cryptocurrencies (mostly bitcoin), which they then exchanged for cash," the statement said.

Read also: Poland reinforces border with Belarus, Russia after Wagner mutiny

Earlier, Ukraines Security Service conducted a large-scale special operation in several regions of Ukraine and detained members of the FSB agent network.

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
MiG-29

Having already transferred 10 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, Poland may provide an additional 20 aircraft, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Zvarych, said in an interview with Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform on July 19.

"Thus far, ten MiG-29s have been handed over, and there's a possibility that Poland will transfer the remainder  around 20 aircraft of this type that are still in service," Zvarych said.

Read also: Poland foils Russian plot to attack Ukrainian aid trains

However, he noted that Poland could only transfer these fighters after their replacements arrive from Warsaws allies. The process has already started, as Poland has received its first FA-50 jets from South Korea.

Zvarych also mentioned that Poland is among the 11 countries ready to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters  a process set to commence in August.

Read also: Slovakia to supply Ukraine with 16 Zuzana 2 howitzers, says Zelenskyy

"We are in discussions with the Polish side about the specific timeline, quantity, and implementation of these agreements on training Ukrainian pilots in Poland," he added.

Poland and Slovakia were the first NATO countries to provide combat aircraft to Ukrainian defenders. Slovakia transferred four Soviet MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine on March 23. On April 17, it was reported that Slovakia had delivered all 13 promised MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraines fighter jet coalition set to add more nations, additional aircraft than F-16s

On May 8, Poland's Minister of Defense, Mariusz Blaszczak, announced that his country had already provided Ukraine with 10 MiG-29 fighters.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksiy Hromov, announced on June 15 that the MiG-29 aircraft Kyiv received from Poland and Slovakia were already in service.

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
Pismo Beachs long-awaited new Public Safety Facility took a big step toward its planned November 2025 opening at this weeks City Council meeting.

On Tuesday, the Pismo Beach City Council voted 5-0 to approve a $42 million contract with F&H Construction to build the new stations, which will be headquarters for both the Police and Fire Departments.

Interim city manager Jorge Garcia said the plans have been in the works since the 1980s and recently picked up momentum starting in February 2017.

Garcia said the new facility, which will be located at the corner of Bello Street and Wadsworth Avenue, will cost more than $50 million in total, including around $7.75 million in soft costs such as inspections, planning, relocation services and information technology services.

With the contract awarded, the project is expected to break ground in May 2024, Garcia said.

Going into the future, this is a vision project, Garcia said during the meeting. This is 50 to 70 years out, and it could not happen without the leadership of the City Council.

Pismo Beachs new Public Safety Center, which will be located at the corner of Bello Street and Wadsworth Avenue, will give the citys police and firefighters a new home. The project will cost more than $50 million in total.

What will new Public Safety Facility look like?

The Police and Fire Departments new facilities were designed by LDA Architects, Garcia said.

The Police Department will get a two-story, 20,000-square-foot complex on Bello Street, according to LDA Architects renderings, while the Fire Department will get a 14,000-square-foot station nearby.

Designs for the fire station have not been finalized yet, but will be completed in coming months, Garcia said.

The new facility will also have enough parking space onsite for all public safety employees, freeing up parking in nearby neighborhoods, Garcia said.

A large oak tree located on the corner of the lot will also be conserved, he said.

Aesthetically, whats old is new again, as bricks from the old City Hall building currently occupying the projects location will be repurposed in the facade of the new facility, Garcia said.

The old building has been vacant since 1995, when the city opened its current City Hall on Mattie Road.

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Pismo Beachs new Public Safety Center, which will be located at the corner of Bello Street and Wadsworth Avenue, will give the citys police and firefighters a new home. The project will cost more than $50 million in total.

The new fire station will allow Pismo Beachs firefighters to sleep in the same building as their workplace and vehicles, Garcia said.

I think we all feel the same way, Councilmember Mary Ann Reiss said during the meeting. Its about time the firefighters can sleep in (their) station.

The City Council also voted 5-0 to aprove a $63,200 contract with CLAD Consulting, which will help coordinate project management, construction management and construction inspection services for emergency services.

Garcia said theres still quite a bit of work to be done before the project breaks ground next year, but with the contracts awarded, the project can start moving forward.

I think the final product is something were all proud of, Mayor Ed Waage said during the meeting. I think we finally figured out the best way to serve our community.
Police are investigating a shooting that occurred near a restaurant in Everett late Tuesday night.

Officers responding to a report of a shooting in a parking lot near Oliveiras Steak Bar & Grill on School Street around 11 p.m. found one person suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, according to the Everett Police Department.

The victim was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Video from the scene showed the area roped off with yellow crime tape.

There was no immediate word on if any arrests have been made.

Police didnt release any additional details.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Police lights

A man is in custody after police say he shot at police Tuesday night.

The incident happened about 6:15 p.m. in the area of Fields Street and North Holland Street in Dallas.

A call came in to 911 regarding an alleged neighbor pointing a gun at them.

Upon arrival, two Dallas police officers encountered a white male holding an object that appeared to be a firearm, according to a press release from Gaston County Police.

As officers arrived, they reportedly encountered a man, later identified as William Thad McMickle, who then fired a weapon, police said in a press release.

Both officers returned fire, the release said.

McMickle reportedly retreated into a nearby house and a short standoff ensued. After approximately 30 minutes, McMickle was taken into custody without incident. No one was injured.

McMickle, 56, was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault by pointing a gun and one count of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. He is currently held without bond in the Gaston County jail.

Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation, which is standard procedure.

Police ask anyone with information about the investigation to call Gaston County Police at 704-866-3320 or Crimestoppers at 704-861-8000. A Crimestoppers reward of up to $1,000 is available for information pertinent to the investigation.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Police: Man, officers exchange gunfire in Dallas
Rapper Tupac Shakur in 1994. Bob Berg/Getty Images

Las Vegas police executed a search warrant in connection with the decades-dormant murder case of rapper Tupac Shakur, the department said Tuesday.

"LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation," the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said, per ABC News. "We will have no further comment at this time."

The search warrant was conducted at a local Henderson home after homicide detectives gathered enough evidence to proceed, investigators told ABC. It is unclear what police were looking for, or how the home involved may have been connected to the case.

Shakur, widely considered one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop artists in history, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting near the Las Vegas Strip on Sept. 7, 1996. Killed at only 25, Shakur "saw his legend grow after his death, as dozens of posthumous albums, books, documentaries, and films were released," The New York Times noted.

No suspect has ever been identified, and there has been little-to-no movement in the case in the 27 years since Shakur's death. Some have pointed to a possible connection between Shakur's death and that of rapper Notorious B.I.G., who was similarly gunned down in a drive-by shooting six in Brooklyn six months later.

In 2015, Las Vegas police told the Los Angeles Times that the case had stalled not because of a lack of evidence, but because "witnesses in Shakur's entourage refused to cooperate" with the investigation. Following the recent search warrant, though, the evidence collected will be presented to a Las Vegas grand jury. While police believe the actual gunman is likely long dead, investigators told ABC there is hope that this new evidence could lead them to the gunman's accomplice.

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Mainland university exchange group visits Chinese Culture University in Taiwan

Xinhua) 10:41, July 19, 2023

TAIPEI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of mainland university teachers and students on Tuesday visited the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, a higher education institution dedicated to promoting Chinese culture and studies.

During the visit, the delegation toured the campus and enjoyed a Chinese folk music performance by students from the mainland and Taiwan.

They held group talks on issues concerning higher education with the university's students, joined by former Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party Ma Ying-jeou.

In his speech at the university, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Peking University Committee Hao Ping, who led the group visit, said that through the visit to Taiwan and exchanges with Taiwan compatriots, everyone in the delegation has been deeply aware that the bond of kinship between mainland and Taiwan compatriots is inseverable.

The 37-member group kicked off its visit to Taiwan on July 15 at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation. They will go on to visit Taiwan University and Dong Hwa University in the following days.

The group visit is the first made by mainland universities to the island for exchanges in over three years.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Hoover Police Department in Alabama has provided updated information on the case of Carlethia Carlee Russell.



Carlee went missing on July 13 before returning to her parents Alabama home on July 15.



According to the new details revealed by police on July 18, after leaving the Colonnade shopping center on July 13, Carlee went to a Target store on Highway 280 and bought some snack food. However, they added that none of the purchased food was found in her car that was left abandoned on the side of Interstate 459.

These items were not located in the vehicle or with her cellphone and wig at the scene of her disappearance, the police statement read.

Police added that no evidence of a toddler walking down the side of the interstate has been found.

The Hoover police department has not located any evidence of a toddler walking down the interstate, nor did we receive any additional calls about a toddler walking down the interstate, despite numerous vehicles passing through that area as depicted by the traffic-camera surveillance video, police said in the statement.

Carlees mother, Talitha Robinson-Russell also released a statement on Tuesday. In the statement she addressed several topics, including the status of CrimeStoppers donations for Carlees case and thanking people for their prayers and concerns.

In an interview with NBC News, Talitha said she was absolutely sure that Carlees abductor was still at-large.



She also went into detail about the hoaxes the family faced regarding Carlees case.



There were actually just so many calls and texts from people who maliciously lied to us, Talitha Russell said. I just didnt know people could be so evil.

In both the NBC News interview and the updated statement released on Tuesday, Carlees mother stressed that the family wouldnt be able to share too many details due to the ongoing investigation.

The post Police Share New Details in Carlee Russell Disappearance Case appeared first on 21Ninety.
Police shared new details Wednesday on the case of Carlethia Carlee Nichole Russell, the Alabama woman who went missing for 49 hours last week after calling 911 to report a toddler walking alone on the side of the highway, saying investigators have been unable to verify most of Russells initial statement.

At a news conference, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said the investigation continues but authorities do not believe there is a threat to the community, which is just south of Birmingham.

Derzis told reporters no one has reported a missing child and investigators have found no evidence of one.

The chief said detectives spoke briefly to Russell once and they want to interview her again.

Russells mother has said she believes her daughter was abducted before she returned home two days later on foot. Carlee has given detectives her statement and hopefully they are pursuing her abductor, Talitha Robinson-Russell said in a statement to CNN affiliate WBRC.

Derzis told reporters that investigators have learned Carlee Russell took items from work, stopped at a restaurant to get food and bought snacks at Target before she went missing. He also spoke about web searches on her cell phone in the lead-up to her disappearance.

CNN has reached out to her parents for comment.

Russell was driving Thursday to her home in Hoover from her job in Birmingham, about 10 miles to the north, when she called 911 to say she was stopping her car to check on a child and then called a family member who lost contact with her  though the line remained open, according to the Hoover Police Department.

Heres what we know about the investigation:

Russell spoke one time to investigators

Police havent spoken to Russell since just after she returned home Saturday.

Derzis told reporters she told investigators she got out of the vehicle Thursday to check on the child and a man came out of the trees and mumbled that he was checking on the baby.

She claimed that the man then picked her up and she screamed, he said. According to the chief, Russell told police the man made her go over a fence and she was forced into a car.

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The next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She stated that the male was with a female, however, she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying, Derzis said.

Russell told detectives that her abductor had orange hair with a bald spot. She told them at one point she was able to escape the 18-wheeler but was caught again and put into a car.

She claimed she was blindfolded but was not tied up because the captors said they did not want to leave impressions on her wrists. She said that they took her into a house and made her get undressed. She believes they took pictures of her but does not remember them having any physical or sexual contact, he added.

Russell told police the next day she woke up and the woman fed her cheese crackers and played with her hair.

The chief said Russell told police she was able to escape after being put back in the vehicle. She said she ran through woods before coming out near her home, Derzis said.

Russell came home around 10:45 p.m. Saturday, returning on foot, according to Hoover police. Authorities said she was taken to a hospital, treated and released.

Detectives want to speak to her again.

The family has stated to us that they didnt think that in her mental state right now because of trauma of the incident, that shes not ready to talk, the chief told reporters.

Her parents appeared on NBCs Today on Tuesday and said she was abducted.

She definitely fought for her life. There were moments when she physically had to fight for her life, and there were moments when she had to mentally fight for her life, Robinson-Russell said.

Phone reveals variety of searches

After police found Carlee Russells cell phone Thursday, they looked for information on it and discovered web searches that included Do you have to pay for an amber alert? and How to take money from a register without being caught.

Derzis said searches for bus tickets from Birmingham to Nashville with a departure date of July 13 and for the movie Taken were also in the history on Russells phone.

On the same day of her disappearance someone searched on her work computer for information about Amber alerts, including one about the maximum age, according to Derzis.

I think (the searches) are very relevant to this case, the chief said, adding that he thought googling Taken, a film about an abduction, was very strange.

Police found personal items and restaurant takeout

When police arrived at Russells car last Thursday, they found her wig and cell phone in the grass near her vehicle and her purse was on the front seat of her car, but there was no sign of her or the child. There was food from a restaurant in the car.

Police didnt find the snacks that she bought at Target after leaving work nor did they locate items she allegedly concealed at work before leaving  a dark-colored bathrobe, a roll of toilet paper and other items belonging to the business, Derzis said.

Adding to the mystery, Derzis said police have not found any evidence of a toddler walking down the interstate, nor did they receive additional calls about it despite numerous vehicles passing through that area. The chief said video from highway cameras, which only show someone get out of the drivers side door of her car, has been sent to the FBI for enhancement analysis.

Russells 911 call remains the only report of a child on the interstate and no one has reported a child missing, Derzis said.

An app on her phone showed her car traveled 600 yards down the interstate as she made the call of the child on the roadside, he said. Derzin said it was hard for him to understand how a child, who Russell said on a 911 call was 3 or 4 years old, could walk that far in bare feet without crying or getting out in the road.

There are many questions left to be answered, but only Carlee can provide those answers, the chief said at Wednesdays news conference.

Mother: Russell screamed on call with sister-in-law

On Thursday at around 8:20 p.m., Russell left her job at a business in Birmingham. Surveillance cameras at the business showed her concealing items before she left, according to Derzis. After work, she went to pick up food before driving south on Interstate 459 toward Hoover, police have said.

After picking up her food order, Russell stopped at a Target and purchased granola bars and Cheez-Its, the chief said.

Russell called 911 before disappearing, police said. - Hoover Police Department

At around 9:34 p.m., Hoovers dispatch center received a 911 call from Russell, who reported seeing a toddler in a diaper walking on the side of the interstate.

Russell told both the 911 operator and, later, a family member that she was stopping to check on the child, police said.

According to a recording of the call released Wednesday, Russell tells the 911 operator she isnt with the child because she is still in the car. She says the child has on a white T-shirt and what looks like a diaper. She is told to keep an eye on the child and that officers are on their way.

Russell was on the phone with her sister-in-law, who could hear Russell asking someone if they were OK, Russells mother told WBRC. There was no audible response, and then the sister-in-law heard Russell scream, Robinson-Russell said.

Russell returned home and banged on the door

Derzis told WBRC earlier that Russell showed up at her familys front door Saturday night, but officers werent sure how she got there. She walked up, banged on the door and that was her, he said.

Russell returned to her home Saturday night, police said. - Hoover Police Department

On Tuesday, police said they obtained surveillance video from Russells neighborhood that shows her walking down the sidewalk alone before she got to her home.

Fire department radio traffic revealed that medics were dispatched to her home on a call about an unresponsive but breathing person, police said, adding that was the term used by the dispatcher relaying information from what a 911 caller told the emergency communicator.

When first responders arrived on scene, they found Ms. Russell conscious and speaking and she was transported in that condition, police said. She was later treated and released from a local hospital.

Russells mother told NBC that when she reunited with her daughter, they tried to hug as best they could, but I had to stand back because she was not in a good state. So, we had to stand back and let medical professionals work with her.

CNNs Zoe Sottile, Joe Sutton, Amy Simonson, Rebekah Riess and Chenelle Woody contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Evidence does not support many details ofCarlee Russell and her familys account of her disappearance on July 13, Hoover, Alabama, authorities said in a news conference Wednesday.

The 25-year-old nursing students mysterious disappearance made headlines after she called 911 the night of July 13, saying she had seen a toddler in a diaper walking on the side of a busy highway. In a call to her relatives moments later, her mother said they heard her scream before going silent.

When police arrived minutes later, Russells red Mercedes, which had been captured in grainy traffic video driving slowly down the shoulder of Interstate 459 with its hazard lights flashing, was still running, but she was gone. Police found her purse in the cars front seat and her cellphone and wig in the grass nearby. The takeout meal she had purchased after leaving her job in Birmingham was still in the car. Police did not see a child, nor was one reported missing by anyone else.

Evidence does not support many details of Carlee Russell and her familys account of her disappearance on July 13, Hoover, Alabama, authorities said in a news conference.

Evidence does not support many details of Carlee Russell and her familys account of her disappearance on July 13, Hoover, Alabama, authorities said in a news conference.

After a massive nationwide search,Russell returned home on foot 48 hours later. A 911 caller said that Russell was unresponsive but breathing, but police said she was conscious and speaking when first responders arrived. She was transported to a hospital. Before being treated and released, Russell gave a statement to detectives, telling them she was abducted by a couple that night.

In Wednesdays news conference, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis said that because of the interest in the case  and in some cases, fear  from people in the community and beyond that, authorities owe it to our citizens to tell them the facts that we have uncovered.

Derzis said in her statement to detectives that Russell stated when she was checking on the child, a man came out of the trees, picked her up, and forced her over a fence and then into a car. She described the man as having orange hair with a big bald spot on the back.

Story continues

After being held in an 18-wheeler with the man and a woman, Russell escaped but was recaptured, Derzis said of Russells statement. She allegedly said she was blindfolded but not tied up to avoid leaving impressions on her wrists.

Later they took her to a house, forced her to undress, and took pictures of her, but she did not remember being physically or sexually assaulted, Dervis said Russell told police. She remembered the woman feeding her crackers and playing with her hair but nothing else. She said she was later able to escape again, ran through the woods, and came out near her home, police said.

Detectives noted in their interview that Russell had $107 cash in one of her socks.

Russell has refused police requests for a follow-up interview.

In retracing her steps the day she disappeared, Derzis said that surveillance footage from her employer showed that Russell concealed a dark-colored bathrobe, toilet paper and other items belonging to the business before she left work. She then bought snacks from Target, none of which were found in or near her car.

The police chief also read internet searches relevant to this case, he said were made on Russells cellphone in the days leading up to her disappearance, including questions about Amber alerts, how to take money from a register without being caught, Birmingham bus station, and the movie Taken, which Derzis noted is a film about an abduction. She also allegedly searched for a one-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville departing on the day she disappeared.

Derzis said that investigators discovered other searches on Russells phone that appeared to shed some light on her mindset but would not be sharing them publicly out of respect for her privacy.

Several law enforcement agencies had worked with the Hoover Police Department in the search for Russell, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals.

On Monday, Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama announced that it was refunding its donors the $63,378 in reward money for information leading to Russells safe return. Hours later, however, it reversed course, saying in a statement, This investigation is still ongoing, and accordingly, there is no basis to refund any contributions at this time. Furthermore, the Hoover Police Department has not requested for any donor contributions to be released or refunded.

Russells family had earlier requested that people donate to Crime Stoppers rather than organize crowdfunding campaigns. One GoFundMe was taken down after a question by The Messenger.

When asked about possible charges against Russell, Derzis said, Its not something we would discuss because the investigation is active.

This investigation is not over, Derzis said. Were still working this case and will be working this case until we uncover every piece of evidence that helps us account for the 49 hours that Carlee Russell was missing.

Russells parents said in an interviewwith NBCs Today on Tuesday that she fought for her life while missing and had been abducted. They also pushed back on rumors and speculation about the case that had spread online.

Talitha Russell, her mother, said: Shes having to deal with the trauma of people just making completely false allegations about her.

Related...
The News

Washington geared up for yet another Donald Trump indictment on Tuesday morning, when the former president announced that he was a target of special counsel Jack Smiths probe into the January 6th riot and efforts to overturn the election.

The View From Legal Experts

The investigations into January 6th and Trumps efforts to overturn the election results have touched on so many different angles that experts cautioned against making assumptions about what the charges might entail.

Rolling Stone reported on Tuesday evening, and other outlets confirmed, that the target letter indicated the investigation related to conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud the United States; deprivation of rights under color of law; and tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant.

The timing of the letter suggests Trump will likely face charges in a matter of weeks. While there arent any other known targets of the special counsels investigation, Randall Eliason, a George Washington University law professor and former assistant U.S. attorney in D.C., said that was likely to change given the assumed conspiracy charge.

I think people would be surprised if it was a standalone indictment of just him, he said. Other target letters could still be coming, they just havent got them yet.

The View From Jack Smith

Smith did not comment on the news himself, but was spotted by CNN visiting a Subway in Washington. (No word on his sandwich order.)

There was, however, a flurry of news about who has or has not received a grim letter of their own from the special counsel. Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, both at the center of various investigations, indicated they had not received notice that they were in Smiths crosshairs (at least not yet).

As for potential witnesses: Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who pushed back against efforts to reverse Bidens victory in 2020, told CNN through a spokesman that he had been contacted by the special counsel and would do the right thing. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, whose state is also the focus of Fulton County DA Fani Willis investigation, told NBC News he had not spoken with Smiths team.

Story continues

The View From Donald Trump

The Trump campaign has plenty of practice at this point dealing with indictment news. After Trump announced the target letter from Deranged Jack Smith on Truth Social, the Washington Examiner reported that he checked in with House Republican leaders to discuss a response while his campaign pressured Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to defend him without reservation.

Trump later appeared at a town hall in Iowa with Foxs Sean Hanity, who said that the former president didnt seem to be bothered by his legal woes. No, it bothers me, Trump responded. It bothers me for everybody in this incredible sold-out audience.

The View From 2024 Republicans

DeSantis once again struggled to strike a balance between defending Trump from legal charges, criticizing some of his underlying behavior, and not letting the whole episode overshadow his own campaign.

The news stepped on his big mainstream media debut, breaking just minutes before he sat down with CNN host Jake Tapper. I hope he doesnt get charged, DeSantis told Tapper, saying he was worried about a trend toward criminalizing political differences. However, he added that I dont think it serves us good to have a presidential election focused on what happened four years ago in January.

But the newsiest comments came at a separate event in South Carolina, in which DeSantis delivered his toughest criticism yet of Trumps actual role in January 6  even as he raised similar concerns about prosecution.

I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didnt do anything while things were going on, DeSantis said. He should have come out more forcefullybut to try and criminalize that, thats a different issue entirely.

Others reacted similarly. Mike Pence criticized Trumps actions during the riot during an interview on NewsNation, but said he hoped the former president wouldnt be indicted and that he is not convinced Trump committed a crime.

Vivek Ramaswamy called the expected charges the ultimate threat to democracy, but stood by his past criticism of Trumps abhorrent behavior on January 6 in interviews with ABC News and Foxs Neil Cavuto and said voters should judge the former president.

Nikki Haley told Fox News that we cant keep dealing with this drama, and said Trumps many ongoing legal problems would be a further and further distraction if the party nominated him.

The View From Capitol Hill

Trumps Republican allies eagerly lined up behind him to argue the letter was evidence of political targeting by the Justice Department. Speaker Kevin McCarthy went so far as to suggest that Trumps recent polling gains caused Smith to jump into action.

The comments were more muted from Republican lawmakers who have broken with the former president in the past. Its part of the distractions that are always going to be surrounding the former president. And people have to make their own judgments about whether or not they want to have that going forward, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. told CNN.

Perhaps the most grim  if somewhat inscrutable  take came from Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., who said voters had become used to the Trump indictment cycle by now. I think it shows that politicians lie and they know theyre lying, Lummis told HuffPosts Igor Bobic. The liar knows that people know hes lying, and the people that are being lied to know theyre being lied to. That is political reality in 2023.
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu says he won't seek re-election next year to what would have been an unprecedented fifth two-year term steering the key general election battleground state of New Hampshire.

Sununu, the popular governor who's been a staple on the national cable news networks and Sunday talk shows, early last month passed on launching a presidential campaign, after seriously mulling a White House bid for over a year.

On Wednesday, Sununu announced his intention not to run for re-election in 2024 in an email to supporters.

"After discussions with Valerie and the kids and much consideration, I have decided not to run for another term as Governor in 2024," Sununu told supporters. "This was no easy decision as I truly love serving as Governor."

MEET THE GOVERNOR IN DEMAND WITH THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, left, and former Vice President Mike Pence meet outside Poor Boys Diner in Londonderry, N.H. on June 9, 2023

"Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state," he added.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Sununu highlighted a list of accomplishments that he said made New Hampshire better off than when he took office  including the lowest unemployment rate, tax cuts, investments in housing, expanded school choice defense of Second Amendment rights and other social programs.

After a hard-fought election to the New Hampshire governor's mansion in 2016 and a single-digit re-election two years later, Sununu easily cruised to a landslide re-election in 2020 and a large double-digit victory last November.

WHY CHRIS SUNUNU PASSED ON RUNNING FOR THE WHITE HOUSE

Asked about his timetable, the governor told Fox News late last month that he would have a decision "this summer. Maybe after the Fourth or something." And pointing to his wife, Valerie, and three children, Sununu added, "Ive got to talk to Val and the kids. Ill figure it out. I really dont know."

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire speaks at a donor conference hosted by the conservative group the Club for Growth, on March 3, 2023 in Palm Beach, Florida

Two Democrats have already launched campaigns for governor: Cinde Warmington, the only Democrat on New Hampshire's five-member elected Executive Council, and three-term Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.

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Three Republicans had been laying the groundwork to launch campaigns if Sununu  the son of former Gov. John H. Sununu and younger brother of former Sen. John E. Sununu  didn't seek re-election.

They are former Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who is also a former state attorney general, former state senate president Chuck Morse, and Frank Edelblut, Sununu's education commissioner who came close to defeating Sununu in the 2016 GOP gubernatorial primary.

Morse said he was proud to have worked with Sununu to push forward a conservative agenda and then announced his candidacy to succeed the governor.

"Now that hes decided not to run for re-election, Im announcing that I am running for Governor to build on those successes," Morse said in a social media post.

Ayotte complimented Sununu in a statement and added that "I look forward to announcing some big news in the coming days."

Sununu's announcement also triggered a wave of statements of praise from other Republicans and conservative organizations.

"Governor Chris Sununu has been a tireless leader for the Granite State over his four terms as New Hampshires Governor, and we thank him for his incredible record of service," Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, the chair of the Republican Governors Association, said in a statement.

Granite State Democrats, who were unsuccessful in their attempts to defeat the governor at the ballot box, criticized him.

"This announcement today marks an inflection point for our state. We can begin to turn back the clock on the damaging policies enacted under Chris Sununus tenure," longtime New Hampshire Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley argued in a statement.
A string of murders in the Portland, Oregon metro area that police previously said were unrelated have now been linked as authorities have identified a person of interest.

Deputies in nine different police departments released a joint statement on Monday saying the deaths of four women who were found either near or on the sides of roads between February and May are connected.

The women have been identified as Kristin Smith, 22, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leann (Ramsay) Webster, 31, and Ashely Real, 22. Authorities have so far been unable to determine the victims cause and manner of deaths.

Police did not use the term serial killer to describe how the murders were connected but said through speaking with people connected to the deaths they were able to link one person of interest to all four deaths.

A serial killer is defined as a person who kills a series of three or more people with a common characteristic, according to the FBI.

At this time, police have not identified the person of interest or filed any charges.

Local media sites have identified the alleged person at the center of the investigation, but this information is unconfirmed.

Key Points

Deaths of four women in Portland linked to person of interest, authorities say

Police probed possible connection between deaths of six women in Oregon

Police once sought to downplay rumors that Oregon deaths were connected

Medical examiner has not determined cause of deaths

Multiple police departments involved in investigation

Police in Oregon initially said deaths were unrelated

Tuesday 18 July 2023 21:00 , Ariana Baio

The deaths of six different women in the Portland, Oregon area have sparked concerns online that they may be connected, though police say that is not the case so far.

Between February and May, six women have been found within 100 miles of one another, on the sides of the roads or in wooded areas  raising suspicions as to the similar nature of their deaths.

Due to the time frame each woman was found, and the similar type of location, speculation has circulated online that the six women may be victims of a single cause.

Story continues

However, the Portland Police Department said in a press release: PPB has no reason to believe these 6 cases are connected.

Ariana Baio reports:

Police probe possible connection between deaths of six women in Oregon

The four victims

Tuesday 18 July 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Kristin Smith, 32, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Webster, 31 and Ashley Real, 22 (Portland Police Bureau/Multnomah County Sheriffs Office/Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Police determine person of interest ties four deaths together

Tuesday 18 July 2023 19:00 , Ariana Baio

Authorities across several different police departments in the Portland metro area determined that the deaths of four women were linked together by one person of interest.

In a press release posted on Monday, the Multnomah County District Attorney said that investigators interviewed multiple people in connection to the cases to identify the person of interest.

Police Identified at least one person of interest that is linked to all four of the decedents. Based on the available information to investigators, there is not believed to be any active danger to the community at this time.

No charges have been filed at this time and no other information is being released.

Multnomah County District Attorney not releasing further information

Tuesday 18 July 2023 18:20 , Ariana Baio

The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office tweeted a link to the presser on the four death in Oregon on Monday, adding that they do not plan to release further information about the connected deaths at this time.

Information links 4 victims in ongoing death investigations. Issued this morning -- a joint release among 9 law enforcement agencies. No other information is being released at this time. https://t.co/TcqA5HqvNb  Multnomah County DA's Office (@MultCoDA) July 17, 2023

Medical examiner has not determined cause of deaths

Tuesday 18 July 2023 17:45 , Ariana Baio

Four womens deaths in the Portland metro area have been connected to one person of interest, authorities in several police departments confirmed on Monday.

However, the manner of each of their deaths is still unclear.

According to a joint press release, the Oregon State Medical examiner has not been able to determine the cause and manner of each of their deaths.

All four women were found near or on the side of the road within 100 miles of one another.

Portland police dismissed serial killer fears after the deaths of six women. Then came a chilling connection

Tuesday 18 July 2023 17:00 , Ariana Baio

After 22-year-old Kristin Smith vanished from Gresham, Oregon, late last year, her mother Melissa spent months distributing flyers around Portland, giving interviews to local media and true crime podcasts, posting in Facebook groups devoted to finding missing persons and running a GoFundMe page to help keep the search alive.

Then, on 19 February, Melissas worst nightmare became a reality when Kristins body was found in woodland outside of Greshams Pleasant Valley neighbourhood.

Since then, the bodies of five more young women have been discovered within a 100-mile stretch of the Portland Metro area and, on Monday, police said they believed that at least four of them could be linked to one person of interest, whom they declined to identify, having previously said they had no reason to believe such a connection existed.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Is there a serial killer in Portland? What we know about string of mystery deaths

Map of where victims were found

Tuesday 18 July 2023 16:20 , Ariana Baio

In New York a serial killer is identified

Tuesday 18 July 2023 15:50 , Ariana Baio

A Manhattan architect and married father-of-two was arrested on suspicion of being the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killer responsible for up to 11 murders on Long Island.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect named as Rex Heuermann

Two other deaths not related to person of interest

Tuesday 18 July 2023 15:15 , Ariana Baio

Speculation about a possible serial killer or link between deaths began last month when people pointed to six different potential homicide victims as being related.

Now police have linked four of the deaths together by one person of interest.

But two deaths, that of Oregon resident Joanna Speaks, 32, and an unidentified woman are not considered related to the current investigation.

Ms Speaks was found on an abandoned property in Ridgefield, Washington about 20 miles north of Portland. Authorities in the Clark County Sheriffs Office indicated that Ms Speaks body may have been moved.

The other woman, who remains unidentified, was found in a neighbourhood in downtown Portland. The Multnomah County Medical Examiners Office indicated she may have been Native American or Native Alaskan and between the ages of 25 and 40.

Victims were found near or on the side of roads

Tuesday 18 July 2023 14:30 , Ariana Baio

All four murder victims in Portland, Oregon were found either near or on the sides of roads.

Kirstin Smith, 22, was found in a wooded area in the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood.

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, was found in a culvert near Ainsworth State Park.

Bridget Webster, 31, was found near a creek on Harmony Road in Polk County.

Ashley Real, 22, was found in a wooded area near a pond.

What is a serial killer?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 13:52 , Ariana Baio

The person of interest thought to be linked to four murders in the Portland metro area has not been described as a serial killer by authorities but the pattern of killings could possibly be defined as one.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the term serial killings means a series of three or more killings, more than one was committed in the United States, that have a common characteristic to suggest the reasonable possibility the crimes were committed by the same person.

All the victims, in this case, were women between the ages of 22 and 31.

Catch up on the latest: Deaths of four women in Portland linked to person of interest, authorities say

Tuesday 18 July 2023 13:00 , Josh Marcus

Authorities in Oregon say they have identified a person of interest in an investigation into a string of murders of in the greater Portland Metro area.

The bodies of six women have been found in roadsides and woods in a 100-mile area of the city between February and May this year, prompting fears of a possible serial killer.

On Monday, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office announced it had connected four of the victims to a sole person of interest, according to KPTV.

The persons identity has not been released by authorities, and they are not currently facing criminal charges in connection with the murders, the sheriffs office said.

Bevan Hurley reports.

Person of interest identified in connection with four murders in Portland

Police say there is no danger to public

Tuesday 18 July 2023 12:00 , Josh Marcus

In a statement from nine Oregon law enforcement agencies, officials said despite four deaths being connected there was no danger to the public at this time.

Based on the available information to investigators, there is not believed to be any active danger to the community at this time, the statement issued on Monday said.

The statement continued: No charges have been filed against anyone in connection with any of these four death investigations.

The joint statement said they could not provide any more information about the nature of the deaths or how they are connected.

Who is Charity Lynn Perry?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 10:00 , Josh Marcus

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, of Longview, Washington, was found on 24 April near Ainsworth State Park, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said in a release.

Ms Perry was last known frequenting an area in downtown Portland around Southwest Washington Street and Fourth Avenue.

Her death was considered suspicious.

In an interview with KPIC, Diana Allen, Ms Perrys mother, said she always had a smile that could light up the world.

Ms Perrys family told the news outlet that she had extreme mental health issues with schizophrenia being the most impactful in her life.

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, was found dead on 24 April in Portland (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

Who is Kristin Smith?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 07:59 , Josh Marcus

Kristin Smith, 22, was reported missing on 22 December 2022, and her body was found on 19 February in a wooded area in the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood, police said at the time.

On a fundraising page, her mother Melissa Smith said she had put out thousands of flyers and undertaken extensive searches over several months.

After her daughters body was discovered, Ms Smith pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

Ive been devoted to searching and finding my daughter every single day through it all. Im willing to do whatever it takes to keep fighting to solve my daughters murder and put this piece of garbage away in jail for life, she wrote.

Ms Smith said that she was certain her daughter had been murdered, although police hadnt confirmed that to her.

Kristin Smith is one of four Portland women whose deaths have been linked to a sole person of interest (Portland Police Bureau)

Police probe possible connection between deaths of six women in Oregon

Tuesday 18 July 2023 06:00 , Josh Marcus

The deaths of six different women in the Portland, Oregon area have sparked concerns online that they may be connected, though police say that is not the case so far.

Between February and May, six women have been found within 100 miles of one another, on the sides of the roads or in wooded areas  raising suspicions as to the similar nature of their deaths.

Ariana Baio reports.

Police probe possible connection between deaths of six women in Oregon

Read polices full statement on the update in the Portland deaths investigation

Tuesday 18 July 2023 04:00 , Josh Marcus

Portland-area police say they have reason to believe a single person of interest links four different suspicious deaths of women in the greater metro area in recent months.

Read officials full update to the public here.

ICYMI: Deaths of four women in Portland linked to person of interest, authorities say

Tuesday 18 July 2023 02:00 , Josh Marcus

Authorities in Oregon say they have identified a person of interest in an investigation into a string of murders of in the greater Portland Metro area.

The bodies of six women have been found in roadsides and woods in a 100-mile area of the city between February and May this year, prompting fears of a possible serial killer.

On Monday, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office announced it had connected four of the victims to a sole person of interest, according to KPTV.

The persons identity has not been released by authorities, and they are not currently facing criminal charges in connection with the murders, the sheriffs office said.

Bevan Hurley has the details.

Person of interest identified in connection with four murders in Portland

Kristin Smiths family feared she had been sex trafficked

Tuesday 18 July 2023 00:50 , Josh Marcus

On 19 February, Kristin Smiths remains were found in a wooded area in Portlands Pleasant Valley neighbourhood.

Prior to her discovery, her family told local media they worried she had been sex trafficked.

A main concern of ours now is sex trafficking. We dont know but with things weve been told or people who know her are saying its a possibility because this is not like her to just disappear, Melissa Smith, Kristins mother, told KPTV.

When I tried to reach out to her again, she didnt answer, and I thought that was strange but thought, well, maybe she was busy. Next day, same thing, and then the phone went straight to voicemail and thats when Im like, this is very odd. Somethings not right, she added

Smith went missing in November.

Police once sought to downplay rumors that Oregon deaths were connected

Tuesday 18 July 2023 00:20 , Josh Marcus

Before Mondays surprising announcement, police previously sought to downplay online rumours that the suspicious deaths of multiple women in the Portland area in recent months were connected.

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has been hearing widespread questions and concerns about the death investigations of 6 women throughout the region, especially after widely distributed social media posts and news media articles appeared to suggest a connection between them, officials wrote in a press release last month.

These discussions have led to some anxiety and fear in our community, and we want to provide reassurance that the speculation is not supported by the facts available at this point.

While any premature death is concerning, and we will diligently investigate deaths that happen in our jurisdiction in collaboration with the Multnomah County and Oregon State Medical Examiners offices, PPB has no reason to believe these 6 cases are connected, the agency continued.

Police said the Monday update in the case was based on new interviews.

Investigators have interviewed multiple people in connection with these cases and have identified at least one person of interest that is linked to all four of the decedents, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office told The Independent.

Medical examiner has not determined cause of deaths

Tuesday 18 July 2023 00:00 , Ariana Baio

Four womens deaths in the Portland metro area have been connected to one person of interest, authorities in several police departments confirmed on Monday.

However, the manner of each of their deaths is still unclear.

According to a joint press release, the Oregon State Medical examiner has not been able to determine the cause and manner of each of their deaths.

All four women were found near or on the side of the road within 100 miles of one another.

Investigators ask for help in providing information

Monday 17 July 2023 23:45 , Ariana Baio

Authorities investigating the four linked deaths in Portland, Oregon are asking the public to provide any information that could help lead them to answers.

For tips pertaining to Kirstin Smiths case, people can reach out to Detective Jeffery Pontius with the Portland Police Bureau with information: jeffery.pontius@police.portlandoregon.gov.

For tips pertaining to Charity Perrys cases, people can reach out to Detective Kevin Odil with the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office at Kevin.odil@mcso.us or call 503-988-0560.

For tips pertaining to Bridget Websters case, people can reach out to Detective David Shorter with the Polk County Sheriffs Office at shorter.david@co.polk.or.us.

For tips pertaining to Ashley Reals case, people can reach out to the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office at 503-723-4949.

Who was Ashley Real?

Monday 17 July 2023 23:10 , Ariana Baio

Ashley Real, 22, was found on SE Judd Road near Eagle Creek in May, the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office said.

Ms Real went missing in March. She was last seen at a fast-food restaurant near Southeast Divison Street

Police initially declared Ms Real a missing person until her body was found by a fisherman. After that, police declared her death suspicious in nature.

Homicide victim Ashley Real is one of four Portland women whose deaths have been linked to a sole person of interest (Portland Police Bureau)

Who was Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster?

Monday 17 July 2023 22:45 , Ariana Baio

Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster was found dead on 30 April on Harmony Road near Mill Creek in northwest Polk County, authorities said.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office provided few details about the circumstances of her death, only revealing it was suspicious.

Ms Webster, a resident of Milwaukie, Oregon, was last known to frequent the Portland metro area  similar to the downtown areas as the other victims.

The remains of Bridget Webster, 31, were found on 31 April (Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Police say there is no danger to public

Monday 17 July 2023 22:15 , Ariana Baio

In a statement from nine Oregon law enforcement agencies, officials said despite four deaths being connected there was no danger to the public at this time.

Based on the available information to investigators, there is not believed to be any active danger to the community at this time, the statement issued on Monday said.

The statement continued: No charges have been filed against anyone in connection with any of these four death investigations.

The joint statement said they could not provide any more information about the nature of the deaths or how they are connected.

Who is Charity Lynn Perry?

Monday 17 July 2023 21:50 , Ariana Baio

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, of Longview, Washington, was found on 24 April near Ainsworth State Park, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said in a release.

Ms Perry was last known frequenting an area in downtown Portland around Southwest Washington Street and Fourth Avenue.

Her death was considered suspicious.

In an interview with KPIC, Diana Allen, Ms Perrys mother, said she always had a smile that could light up the world.

Ms Perrys family told the news outlet that she had extreme mental health issues with schizophrenia being the most impactful in her life.

Charity Lynn Perry, 24, was found dead on 24 April in Portland (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

Who is Kristin Smith?

Monday 17 July 2023 21:20 , Ariana Baio

Kristin Smith, 22, was reported missing on 22 December 2022, and her body was found on 19 February in a wooded area in the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood, police said at the time.

On a fundraising page, her mother Melissa Smith said she had put out thousands of flyers and undertaken extensive searches over several months.

After her daughters body was discovered, Ms Smith pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

Ive been devoted to searching and finding my daughter every single day through it all. Im willing to do whatever it takes to keep fighting to solve my daughters murder and put this piece of garbage away in jail for life, she wrote.

Ms Smith said that she was certain her daughter had been murdered, although police hadnt confirmed that to her.

Kristin Smith is one of four Portland women whose deaths have been linked to a sole person of interest (Portland Police Bureau)

Multiple police departments involved in investigation

Monday 17 July 2023 21:10 , Ariana Baio

Several police departments in the Portland metro area have been working together to solve six different homicides, four of which may now be linked.

In February, the remains of a missing 22-year-old woman named Kristin Smith were found near a wooded area in Pleasant Valley Neighbourhood.

Smith was first reported missing in December 2022 and a manner of death has not been determined so far according to Law&Crime. The case is under investigation by the Portland Police Department.

In April, the Polk County Sheriffs Office said it was investigating the suspicious death of Bridget LeAnne (Ramsey) Webster, 31, who was found on Harmony Road near Mill Creek.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office asked anyone with information about her death to contact its office.

In April, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office issued a press release seeking tips on the suspicious death of 24-year-old Charity Lynn Perry who was found in a culvert near East Historic Columbia River Highway and NE Tumlat Road.

Then in May, the Clackamas County Sheriffs Office began investigating the death of Ashley Real, 22, whose body was found on SE Judd Road near Eagle Creek in May.

Reals death was determined suspicious in nature but not declared to be a homicide at the time, according to a press release from the sheriffs office

Police probed possible connection between deaths of six women in Oregon

Monday 17 July 2023 20:50 , Ariana Baio

The deaths of six different women in the Portland, Oregon area have sparked concerns online that they may be connected, though police said that is not the case so far in June.

Between February and May, six women have been found within 100 miles of one another, on the sides of the roads or in wooded areas  raising suspicions as to the similar nature of their deaths.

Due to the time frame each woman was found, and the similar type of location, speculation has circulated online that the six women may be victims of a single cause.

However, the Portland Police Department said in a press release back in June: PPB has no reason to believe these six cases are connected.

Police probe possible connection between deaths of six women in Oregon

Deaths of four women in Portland linked to person of interest, authorities say

Monday 17 July 2023 20:38 , Ariana Baio

The bodies of six women have been found in roadsides and woods in a 100-mile area of Portland between February and May this year, prompting fears of a possible serial killer.

On Monday, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office announced it had connected four of the victims and identified a person of interest.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Person of interest identified in connection with four murders in Portland

Who was Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster?

Tuesday 18 July 2023 02:09 , Josh Marcus

Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster was found dead on 30 April on Harmony Road near Mill Creek in northwest Polk County, authorities said.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office provided few details about the circumstances of her death, only revealing it was suspicious.

Ms Webster, a resident of Milwaukie, Oregon, was last known to frequent the Portland metro area  similar to the downtown areas as the other victims.
PORTSMOUTH  The City Council voted 7-2 to seek the acquisition of the Thomas J. McIntyre federal building property for free based on federal legislation passed in 2004.

The motion made by City Councilor John Tabor also called for the city to hire Washington, D.C. law firm Holland & Knight to help Portsmouth secure the 2.1-acre Daniel Street property for public use.

Councilors Josh Denton and Andrew Bagley cast the two no votes, while Mayor Deaglan McEachern, Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley and City Councilors Tabor, Beth Moreau, Vince Lombardi, Rich Blalock and Kate Cook voted for it.

The Thomas J. McIntyre federal building on Daniel Street in Portsmouth is for sale by the General Services Administration in an auction but now the city is again considering a move to try to claim the property.

The vote came Monday night at a special City Council meeting, where a group of residents often applauded when councilors announced they would be supporting the initiative.

The work proposed by Holland & Knight calls for a two-month contract for $30,000.

The law firm plans to engage with GSA to seek the termination or pause of the current auction of the McIntyre building, given GSA is subject to a legal requirement to convey the building to the city of Portsmouth, the law firm stated to the city.

At the same time, we will engage with the New Hampshire delegation and the key authorizing and appropriations committees to communicate the clear Congressional intent of Section 408 of the (former Sen. Judd Gregg legislation) to GSA to convey the McIntyre Building to the City of Portsmouth without compensation for economic development purposes.

The law firm will also work with the city of Portsmouth to ensure that a comprehensive plan is developed  for the economic development purposes the city plans to use the McIntyre building, the law firm stated.

The law firm stressed the city should have a municipal purpose for the property, and not engage with private developers, according to officials.

City officials voted to try to secure the property from the GSA after former deputy city manager Ted Jankowski hired the law firm on his own to evaluate the status of the legislation in June.

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Making the case former Sen. Gregg's legislation is still valid

In a letter the law firm sent to Jankowski  which he shared with the city  Holland & Knight contends Greggs legislation is still valid and the GSA  which owns the property  is still compelled to turn it over to the city.

During Mondays special meeting, Tabor said the city has an opportunity to get the McIntyre property for free, which would give the city more land for long-term municipal use.

Its an opportunity, but only if we act, Tabor said, while noting the property is currently dead, as dead as a doornail.

Mayor says property must benefit all Portsmouth residents

McEachern acknowledged we do have to have a plan for how the property would be used by the city in order to be successful in obtaining it from the GSA.

He pointed to the need for more municipal facilities and mentioned potential uses like moving City Hall there, creating work-force housing and returning the post office to the downtown site.

We have an opportunity ... to see whether or not we can acquire this building for things that will benefit all of our residents, McEachern said.

Differing views among city councilors

Denton, who cast one of the two no votes, said the time to hire outside attorneys was 20 years ago when Greggs legislation passed.

He said if Portsmouth obtains the McIntyre property, money the city would have to spend on it would impact other city projects.

Blalock acknowledged the cost of hiring Holland & Knight but stated he thought it was important to explore all options.

The property could potentially be used for a police station, parking or work-force housing, Blalock said.

Its very clear we need more space, and this space is very valuable, he said.

Bagley pointed to the millions of dollars already spent by the city on the McIntyre and how its been a source of division in Portsmouth.

We must ask ourselves what might we have achieved with these resources, he said.

Kelley said her biggest takeaway is we have a chance we havent really had before.

We cannot afford to not try this, she said.

Moreau said Portsmouth could possibly put work-force housing there. She also appreciated the agreement with Holland & Knight is initially only two months.

Still no new building at Pease

Greggs legislation called for the GSA to use money provided to it to build a new facility at the Pease International Tradeport, and then turn the McIntyre property over to the city for free.

GSA bought property at Pease  which it still owns  but never built a new building.

The city tried for the past several years to secure the 2.1-acre McIntyre property, which is located in downtown Portsmouth near the citys waterfront, through the federal Historic Monument Program for $1.

GSA dropped Portsmouth from that program earlier this year when the city and its private development partner Redgate/Kane couldnt agree on a redevelopment plan and subsequently filed lawsuits against each other.

More: Redgate/Kane seeks '8 figures' from Portsmouth in McIntyre lawsuit. City attorney reacts.

'A unicorn opportunity' for Portsmouth?

City resident Bill Downey, an early and frequent opponent to the redevelopment plans the city proposed with Redgate/Kane, called the potential acquisition of the property a unicorn opportunity.

Lets explore what we have before us, he said. This is an amazing opportunity.

To not explore this would be a grave mistake, he said.

Former City Councilor Peter Whelan called the opportunity a no-brainer and noted that the city has already spent $4 million on McIntyre.

This is a chance to get this building, he added.

Whelan also urged the city to get the states congressional delegation involved.

GSA owes us something here, he said.

City Manager Karen Conard said the parking revenues the city is bringing in right now from parking spots on the property are paying for maintenance at the site.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth NH hires DC law firm in latest bid to obtain McIntyre
A doctored image has been shared in multiple posts that falsely claim it shows Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his wife visiting Muslim preacher Emha Ainun Nadjib at a hospital in July 2023. While it is true that the president visited the preacher at a hospital where he was being treated, the picture was in fact an altered photo combining several old pictures unrelated to the visit.

A photo that appears to show Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo greeting Emha Ainun Nadjib -- also known by his nickname Cak Nun -- as First Lady Iriana looks on was shared in this Facebook post on July 12, 2023.

"Jokowi and the first lady's visit to see the ailing Cak Nun was an extremely good lesson," the post's Indonesian-language caption partly reads.

"We knew Cak Nun in his lectures often criticised Jokowi. He even gave him a hurtful label, but on the contrary, this is how Jokowi repaid it. Jokowi came to visit Cak Nun."

A screenshot from the misinformation post (captured on July 17, 2023) Satya Adhi

Cak Nun -- a popular preacher and Muslim intellectual -- stirred controversy in January 2023 when he called Jokowi a "pharaoh who controlled Indonesia" in his sermon (archived links here and here). He later apologised for the remarks (archived link).

The post circulated days after Jokowi visited Cak Nun at a hospital in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta, where the preacher was being treated for cerebral hemorrhage on July 9, 2023 (archived links here and here).

Similar posts also appeared on Twitter here and here, and on TikTok here, here and here with more than 157,000 Likes.

The picture was also used in the thumbnails of YouTube videos discussing Jokowi's visit here and here.

However, the photo was altered.

Doctored image

A Google reverse image search found the image in the misleading post was created with elements taken from three pictures: two photos of Jokowi visiting the late Indonesian former president BJ Habibie at a hospital on October 28, 2014 and a picture of Cak Nun from an unrelated event.

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Two of the pictures -- here and here -- were published by the local media outlet Liputan 6 (archived links here and here).

One of the pictures shows Jokowi greeting Habibie, who was being treated at an army hospital in Jakarta, while the other shows Jokowi, First Lady Iriana and their daughter Kahiyang Ayu conversing with Habibie.

Below are screenshots of the photos published by Liputan 6:

Screenshot of the first photo in Liputan 6's report

Screenshot of the second photo in Liputan 6's report Yenni KWOK

Both pictures were also published by the state-run Antara News Agency and local news site Merdeka.com in late October 2014 (archived links here and here).

Online keyword searches found the picture of Cak Nun corresponds with this photo, published by the local news portal Kumparan on February 3, 2020 (archived link). It was taken when he offered condolences to the family of Islamic leader Salahuddin Wahid, who passed away one day earlier.

Below is a screenshot of the Kumparan report:

Screenshot of the Kumparan report

Other photos of Cak Nun on the same occasion were published by other local media here and here (archived links here and here).

Below is a screenshot comparison of the photo in the misleading post (centre top), the genuine photos of Jokowi's hospital visit (right and centre bottom), and the genuine photo of Cak Nun from Kumparan (left):
Florida Governor Ron Desantis, who is considered Donald Trump's main competitor for the Republican presidential election, does not believe that Russia's war against Ukraine is of paramount interest to the United States and promises to shift its focus to Asia.

Source: Desantis in an interview with CNN

Details: The United States presidential candidate called the war a "secondary or tertiary interest," but nevertheless added that he was "willing to be helpful to bring it to a conclusion."

Quote: "The goal should be a sustainable, enduring peace in Europe, but one that does not reward aggression."

In addition, the governor of Florida did not answer the question of whether he would stop arming Ukraine or providing it with financial support, but at the same time spoke in favour of shifting the focus of the US Army from Europe to Asia.

In particular, he called the future of Taiwan "a significant interest."

Quote: "I am not gonna diminish our stocks and not send (them) to Taiwan. Im not gonna make us less capable to respond to exigencies."

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that Desantis is reducing the staff of his campaign headquarters due to lack of funds.

Before that, he and Trump opposed the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley criticised her competitors for the nomination of Donald Trump and Ron Desantis, in particular because of their position on the Russian war against Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A Montana wildland firefighting crew hikes up the trail to battle a blaze in 2021

Wildfire conditions across Montana have been fortunate so far, but are likely to change rapidly, according to Tuesdays state fire season briefing.

Be prepared for big change, Northern Rockies Predictive Services Meteorologist Daniel Borsum told Gov. Greg Gianforte. Is Helena going to see heat in the upper 90s this coming Saturday and Sunday? Its very possible. Hundreds are going to be seen in some parts of the state and then the moistures shutting off. The mechanisms for us to get the thunderstorms are just not there anymore.

We are just getting to the cusp, and we are going to see heat waves through the end of the month, Borsum added. Thats going to cause a problem.

While the southern half of the nation has been in the grip of a history setting heat wave throughout all of July, Montana's weather has laid a wet, cool blanket across most of the state, delaying the inevitable outset of the annual fire season.

The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC), which tracks federal wildland firefighting efforts across the United States reports there have been no significant wildfires in Montana through July 18. Other areas of the U.S. haven't been so lucky. Arizona and New Mexico have already been blackened by early season fires exceeding 50,000 acres. In the upper regions of the Pacific Northwest, most fire activity has been west of the continental divide

Right now, all the really big fire activity is just west of western Montana; Idaho, eastern Washington, Borsum said of wildfire activity on the states periphery. Weve had just enough moisture from thunderstorms to hold things off, but its going to change shortly. Thats one thing we really want to stress, be prepared for big change.

He placed a special emphasis on the northwestern corner of the state, which never truly recovered from the drought conditions that began five years ago.

Looking at northwestern Montana, those counties up there; Glacier, Flathead and Lincoln are missing 20 inches or more (in precipitation) somewhere over the last five years, Borsum said. Thats not easily replaced by one rainstorm, three rainstorms or even an entire season. That area does have concerns that are going to linger for a while.

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We were really banking on the snowpack to help us out here, Borsum said. If we got the snowpack then wed have been good. Unfortunately, the snow didnt deliver in the Kootenai Basin, in the Pend Oreille and the St. Mary Basin. We had enough snow cover to help us, just not in northwestern Montana. And then May came along.

Record high May temperatures in the northwestern section of Montana led to an early transition to summer. In some areas the growing season was two weeks ahead of seasonal averages, leading to a significant fuel load in the forest understory just ahead of summers heat.

Scorched timber marks the path of the path of the Deep Creek Canyon Fire in June 2021 along U.S. Highway 12 in the Big Belt Mountains

The Governors Office had already taken steps to address the potential for future catastrophic fire seasons in Montana. In January Governor Gianforte approved a $3 million increase in funding for the states Fire Suppression Fund, including grants for fuel reduction across Montanas wildland/urban interface and a $1.70 increase in the per-hourly wage of state employed wildland firefighters, which for a new recruit now starts at $15.50 an hour.

However, the plan to treat roughly 30,000 acres of forest land a year is only a drop in the bucket of the 5.2 million acres of state administrated public lands in Montana.

Its not just northwestern Montana, Borsum said. Its started to project into that next tier, which is the Bitterroot Valley, the Helena Valley and even the Front Range.

Going to August, September and October we see that the pattern favors above normal temperatures and really below normal moisture for this critical end of the state, he added for northwestern Montana. The dryness thats out there is most likely to stick along with seeing above normal temperatures, particularly over the western end of the state.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte reiterated the need for all Montanans to stay vigilant throughout the upcoming fire season.

As weve heard here today, weve seen a slow start to fire activity but were likely to see a rapid increase as the weathers changing and the rain stops, Gianforte said. Theres also the potential for a prolonged fire season. Its critical that we all stay informed so we can protect our firefighters and communities this fire season.

Keep in mind local fire restrictions as youre out recreating on the landscape, he cautioned. Stay up to date on fires that are burning in your area and be responsible outdoors. Again, 87% of the fires weve seen this year have been human caused and we all have a part in making sure that campfire doesnt get out of control or sparks dont get off the swather.

To learn more about preparing for fire season and steps to become fire-adapted, visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org/.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Mild start to Montana wildfire season likely to give way to hot summer
PrideFete will bring Caribbean culture  tailored to an LGBTQ+ audience  to Wilton Manors on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 6 to 11 p.m.

Staged at Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve, the event will feature music, food, art, DJs, drag queens, local queer performers, Carnival drummers and masquerade performers.

Well have cultural food (and) all different types of music that represent the Caribbean, from soca to kompa, and therell be masqueraders, which are basically the Carnival costumes that you see with elaborate colors and feathers, says Jameer Baptiste, events manager with HOTspots Happening Out, the festival producer. Really what were trying to give the community, that weve noticed they want so much of, is the music, you know  just time to dance and have fun.

New this year will be an interactive educational display.

We have a map that people can actually engage with, where they can put an indicator of what Caribbean country theyre from. And that also gives an opportunity for people that are looking at it to say, Hey, I didnt know that was in the Caribbean,  adds Baptiste, who also helped organize the My Hollywood Pride festival in January.

Usually, most Pride events take place in June, commemorating the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, a pivotal moment in gay and lesbian history. But most of the past iterations of this Caribbean LGBTQ+ festival have taken place in May and August.

We were the ones that produced Stonewall Pride in June, and its such a big undertaking that we cant really place anything else close to that date, Baptiste says. And then we have other events throughout the year, so this was a perfect fit for us.

A great deal of attention went into curating vendors that represent the LGBTQ+ community and appeal to Caribbean attendees, Baptiste says.

One thing that were really trying to hone in is bringing more cultural vendors in, but there is that block, and this is why the festival was so necessary. There isnt that connection between the LGBTQ+ community and the Caribbean community, so its not that easy to get cultural vendors to be at the festival, Baptiste says. However, we still have a good representation of our community, like nonprofits and health organizations  Not many people in the Caribbean and the Black community get to know all the resources that we have in our community, and this provides a unique opportunity where the two can blend together.

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This is the second year the festival will be produced by Hotspots! Happening Out, best known for Hotspots! magazine. Previously called Caribbean PrideFest, the event was organized by the Fort Lauderdale-based SunServe social services agency from 2015 to 2018 and by Pride Fort Lauderdale in 2019. There were no festivals in 2020 and 2021. To ensure institutional knowledge, organizational members from previous festivals sit on the current committee.

This is quite a unique event for two reasons: One, it brings so much of the Black community to Wilton Manors, which you normally dont see. And Wilton Manors is so welcoming and enthusiastic about producing and helping to produce an event that brings a demographic to the community that normally isnt there, Baptiste continues. Wilton Manors is predominantly white male-attended, but this festival reaches out to women as well. We had as many women as we did men last year, and we want to keep that going 

This is all about having fun, you dont have to be Caribbean, Baptiste adds. You could really just be an admirer or someone who has no idea what Carnival is and come and experience it with us in a safe space where everyone can enjoy.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: PrideFete: An LGBTQ+ Caribbean Festival

WHEN: 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

WHERE: Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve, 1937 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors

COST:

$7 during online pre-sale (ends at midnight Aug. 11) and $10 at the gate

VIP admission (five drink tickets, hors doeuvres, indoor air conditioning access) is $85 online (also ends at midnight Aug. 11) and $100 at the gate

INFORMATION: Call 754-333-0740, email moreinfo@pridefete.lgbt, or visit pridefete.lgbt.
A low-resolution video has emerged appearing to show Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in public for the first time since his short-lived mutiny.

The video was posted to Prigozhin's Telegram account Wednesday, showing the mercenary commander addressing his soldiers as they arrive in Belarus.

"Welcome guys. I am happy to greet you all. Welcome to the Belarusian land. We fought with dignity. We have done a lot for Russia," the video captures him telling Wagner Group mercenaries, according to translations from The Hill.

PUTIN HELD MEETING WITH WAGNER CHIEF PRIGOZHIN DAYS AFTER THWARTED MUTINY, SAYS KREMLIN

Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

This video marks the first public appearance of Prigozhin since his mutiny against the Russian government last month.

In his address to the Wagner Group members, Prigozhin seems to state that the mercenaries will not be participating in the invasion of Ukraine, saying, "What is going on the front line today is a shame in which we shouldnt take part. We may return to the special military operation when we feel sure that we will not be forced to put shame on ourselves."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Prigozhin is also heard stating that the Russian paramilitary group would be moving on to combat in Africa.

BIDEN JOKES PRIGOZHIN SHOULD WATCH WHAT HE EATS AFTER RUSSIAN REBELLION

"We need to wait for the moment when we can show ourselves in full," he added. "That is why a decision has been made that we would spend some time here in Belarus. During that time, we will make the Belarusian army the second-strongest army in the world. We will train, raise our level and set off for a new journey to Africa."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he offered Wagner mercenaries a chance to serve under the same commander during a meeting just days after their mutinous march on Moscow was thwarted.

Putin gave details of his offer to Wagner Group commanders , including Prigozhin, in comments published Friday in the business daily Kommersant, The Associated Press reported. He met with the 35 mercenaries for about three hours on June 29 and spoke to them about their actions in Ukraine, the attempted mutiny  which he had publicly called an act of treason  and opportunities for future service.

One option was for Wagner to continue operating under the same commander, a man who goes by "Gray Hair" and has led the mercenaries' operations in Ukraine the past 16 months.

Fox News Digital's Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via REUTERS

Yevgeny Prigozhin is alive and well at a camp in Belarus with his exiled Wagner troops.

In a new video, Prigozhin criticized Russia's war in Ukraine again, calling it "a disgrace."

Prigozhin has repeatedly called out Russian military leadership  and lived to tell the tale.

How does he get away with it?

In a new video posted Wednesday, Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin once again criticized Russia's war in Ukraine, calling it "a disgrace."

"Right now, what is happening on the front is a disgrace that we don't need to get involved with," he said, addressing Russia's defenses against Ukraine's grinding counteroffensive.

Prigozhin also addressed the future of Wagner, detailing that his forces would remain in Belarus "for some time" before preparing for upcoming deployments abroad, including "a new journey in Africa."

Wagner troops may return to Russia, but only when they "are confident that we will not be forced to shame ourselves," he assured.

Prigozhin's latest comment bashing Russian military leadership and the Kremlin is a surprising reminder that although he's been significantly weakened by Wagner's failed mutiny and the Kremlin shutting down his media networks and troll factories, Prigozhin hasn't been silenced  and may remain a thorn in Russian President Vladimir Putin's side.

Putin may just not know what to do with his old ally, who earned the nickname "Putin's Chef" after the Russian president began eating at his restaurants and giving his catering business government contracts.

Earlier this year, Prigozhin earned a reputation for publicly pushing back against higher-ups and decision-makers, criticizing a lack of ammunition for his troops and threatening to pull them out of Bakhmut if his conditions weren't met.

Prigozhin's tendency to break ranks culminated in Wagner's aborted mutiny last month, during which he accused Russian military leaders of lying about the war in Ukraine and nearly marched on Moscow before striking a deal negotiated by Belarusian president Alexandr Lukashenko to back down.

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His troops were given the option to join him, convert to Russia's military, or just return to civilian life and avoid prosecution.

While Prigozhin's whereabouts haven't been clear since the June 24 mutiny  the Kremlin says he had an in-person meeting with Putin five days afterward and was reportedly traveling on a private jet to St. Petersburg in early July.

A photo released online this week suggested he had finally settled in the Belarus camp.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were reportedly denied their request to fly back to the United States with President Joe Biden on Air Force One after the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

According to a new report from the DailyMail, sources claim that Prince Harry and Meghan Markles request to accompany the president back to the US in September 2022 was a non-starter and there was barely any discussion about the request.

It would have caused such a commotion, another source alleged to the outlet. It would have strained relations with the Palace and the new King.

Months earlier, First Lady Jill Biden was reportedly invited to attend Prince Harrys Invictus Games, which were held in the Netherlands in April 2022. However, the college professor allegedly declined the invitation amid concerns that the royal family would have been offended by her presence there.

She wanted to go, a source claimed to the DailyMail, alleging that British officials conveyed to National Security Council staff that they thought the idea to attend the games would land badly with Buckingham Palace.

Pete Buttigieg, US Secretary of Transportation, and his husband Chasten Buttigieg led the US delegation to the 2022 Invictus Games instead  which Prince Harry founded in 2014 to honour wounded servicemen, women, and veterans. Dr Biden attended the Invictus Games in 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Despite reports that Harry and Meghan were denied their request to fly on Air Force One  the designated US Air Force plane carrying the President of the United States  the royal couple have often rubbed shoulders with US political leaders.

First Lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden walk to board Air Force One at London Stansted Airport in Stansted, United Kingdom, on September 19, 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

In September 2021, Harry and Dr Biden co-hosted a Zoom event with wounded warrior athletes after the Warrior Games had been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thank you for your service and your continued support over all these years, Harry told the first lady during the event. Its been fantastic to see you in action in various parts of the world giving everything that youve got to so many people to not just those who wear the uniform but to the families as well. A lot of them wouldnt be here without you so, thank you.

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In return, Dr Biden thanked the duke directly for his continued support of the Warrior Games. You live by a simple principle: Serve together, recover together, she told him. Its a philosophy not limited by the flag you wear. Your brothers and sisters-in-arms are connected by something so much deeper than the borders that separate us. Youve dedicated your time, talents, and heart to lifting up service members from around the globe.

Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II (Getty Images)

Both the Sussexes, President Joe Biden, and First Lady Jill Biden attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on 19 September. The late monarchs state funeral gathered together hundreds of world leaders, diplomats, and international royals at Westminster Abbey in London.

The sombre event also marked one of the few times Harry and Meghan have reunited with the royal family after stepping down as senior working royals in 2020. Since then, the couple has shared several bombshell claims about the royal family in their sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey, their six-part Netflix docuseries, and in Prince Harrys tell-all memoir, Spare. The many revelations included an alleged fight with his older brother, Prince William, in 2019.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at Westminster Abbey in London for state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Joe Biden met with King Charles III at Windsor Castle in early July, which marked their first formal meeting since the British monarchs coronation in May. During the meeting, the president was accused of breaking royal protocol when he was seen placing his hand on Charles back.

However, the King reportedly did not mind Bidens alleged breach of protocol, as a Buckingham Palace source told People that Charles was entirely comfortable with the gesture. What a wonderful symbol of warmth and affection it was between both the individuals and their nations, the source said.

The Independent has contacted Buckingham Palace, the Sussexes, and the White House for comment.
Heavy machinery is used to construct 42 new home units in Cold Springs, Nevada in June 2023 (Andri Tambunan)

Beneath a bone-dry Nevada lakebed, close to the dusty desert where the Burning Man festival is held each year, an ambitious water project is reshaping this pocket of the US West.

A giant, natural underground aquifer containing enough water to supply 25,000 homes annually is fed by rainfall and snowmelt from the surrounding volcanic mountains.

For the past few years, a little-known company called Vidler Water Resources has been quietly pumping much of this water out through a buried pipeline, under the mountains -- and straight into the rapidly sprawling northern suburbs of Reno, some 30 miles (50 kilometers) away.

"We, everybody, had to start buying from Vidler," said developer Robert Lissner. "Anybody who is building."

Diverting often-scarce water to cities is, in itself, nothing new in the West. But this pipeline is unusual because it was fully constructed and paid for by a private company.

Such projects could help solve water-shortage issues as development expands rapidly in the desert, but they raise serious concerns for the area's aquifers  and with high building costs, the path forward will depend on whether the strategy ultimately proves profitable.

Vidler spent around $100 million to purchase the ranch atop the aquifer, and build the infrastructure -- an outlay that local government officials say they could not contemplate.

"If Vidler hadn't constructed this project, it wouldn't have gotten done," said John Enloe, of the water utility covering Reno.

"They took quite a risk," agreed Lissner.

- 'Salivating' -

Nevada is the nation's driest state, and consistently among its fastest-growing. Builders cannot break ground on new homes here unless they have procured enough "water rights" to supply them indefinitely.

Developers typically buy these coveted and highly limited licenses from local farmers. In districts where local water rights have all been reallocated, building grinds to a halt.

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"The land is completely worthless in our area without the water," said rancher David Stix, whose farm is surrounded by newbuild houses.

Several companies have "water importation" plans, similar to Vidler's.

IWS Basin, formerly Intermountain Water Supply, planned to pipe water to northern Reno, but had its permits canceled in 2018. Similar schemes in nearby Lower Smoke Creek and Red Rock Valley are at various stages of development.

A giant industrial park containing Tesla and Panasonic factories, unable to procure local water rights, is constructing a pipeline taking "recycled" water from a Reno treatment plant.

But water importation projects raise ecological concerns.

The US West remains in the grip of a decades-long drought, driven by climate change. Environmentalist Kyle Roerink believes that, if over-pumped, aquifers like Vidler's "very well could be tapped out."

As basins are interconnected, the negative impacts of pumping water into one valley might not be noticed in another until "it is too late," he said.

Vidler declined to comment, instead directing queries to local water utility, the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA).

TMWA reduced its dependence on a major river flowing from Lake Tahoe by using Vidler's pipeline -- which can currently meet almost 10 percent of the region's total demand.

The authority said a federal environmental impact review had been carried out, and that the amount of water the pipeline is permitted to take is well below the aquifer's annual capacity.

Still, Roerink fears the Vidler pipeline could become a "bellwether" for similar projects, which may not prove sustainable in a few decades.

"There are other basins just like this, where you have developers who are salivating to tap it, salivating to export," he warned.

"Salivating to build their next subdivision, and shopping mall, off of groundwater that comes from 50 or 100 miles away."

Environmental issues aside, the process of moving water across -- or beneath -- mountains is very challenging.

"There are lots of proposals... Every year or two, we get a call from somebody saying 'I want to do a water importation project,'" said water lawyer David Rigdon.

"But they're very, very difficult to get approved. They're super expensive to build. And a lot of times, the market is not there for the water."

Vidler's pipeline, for example, sat unused for nearly a decade after it was completed in 2008, as recession brought housebuilding to a halt.

Vidler currently charges $45,000 per acre-foot of water rights, while water rights in central Reno tend to trade for between $10,000-$15,000. (An acre-foot is equivalent to around half an Olympic-size swimming pool.)

Those costs are borne by the developers, who must calculate whether the additional price makes construction viable.

"It doesn't help," admitted Lissner, the developer.

That said, one of the nation's largest homebuilders seems to think Vidler is a good bet: Last year the company was bought by construction giant DR Horton for just under $300 million.

But whether such pipelines ultimately succeed largely depends on one factor, Stix, the rancher said: "Ultimately, at the end of the day, the almighty dollar wins out."

amz/bfm/caw
State education leaders will gather in Orlando on Wednesday to discuss new rules for the upcoming school year.

The talk will include everything from an expansion to Floridas Parental Rights in Education law, to a ban on TikTok.

The state education board will consider amendments to student performance standards, including on African American history.

Watch: Orange County schools to work on plan to limit students from using cell phones

Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed a bill to ban the social media platform TikTok in schools.

This prohibits the use of TikTok on devices owned by school districts and through internet access provided by districts.

Read: Here are 9 food safety tips for the upcoming school year

Some parents said they support the changes and want to reduce their kids screen time.

Channel 9 will have a crew at the school meeting and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Read: Governor gives Florida teachers $33 million, seal of excellence for civics training

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.
Nick Proctor walks in the Colt Mesa area of the former Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Friday, May 14, 2021. The land pictured across from the dirt road is part of the national monument. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

A possible 1.1 million-acre monument designation in northern Arizona is being sought by Native American tribes and conservation organizations, but it has potential to impact a significant number of Utah ranchers who can only access winter range within its boundaries.

And mining uranium  which is critical for a carbon free future according to the Biden push for next generation nuclear technology  would be off limits.

The proposed Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument is only in Arizona, bordering the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in the Kane County area but also encompassing lands south of Washington County, potentially impacting Hildale, which straddles the border of Arizona and Utah.

A listening meeting by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service was held Tuesday in Flagstaff, where the Utah Farm Bureau officially submitted comments voicing its opposition.

Although the national monument is located within the boundaries of Arizona, portions of the national monument will disproportionately affect ranchers in southern Utah by including a remote region of the state known as the Arizona Strip, wrote Ron Gibson, president of the Utah Farm Bureau. The Arizona Strip is geographically separated from the rest of Arizona, is sparsely populated and is culturally tied to Utah.

Gibson pointed out that many ranchers in Kane and Washington counties graze their cattle at higher altitudes in southern Utah and later winter in the lower elevations found on the Arizona Strip.

We are concerned that the proposed national monument will eliminate this vital winter range either by prohibiting grazing outright or by placing new, unnecessary restrictions on grazing permits that will render them economically unviable.

In April, the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition implored the Biden administration to protect the greater Grand Canyon area given its cultural and historical significance to at least 12 Native American tribes or nations. The group wants the designation to protect cultural and religious heritage and native environments  and to protect it from mining.

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The coalition includes the Havasupai, Hopi, Hualapai, Kaibab Paiute, Moapa Paiute, Las Vegas Paiutes, Paiute Tribe of Utah, the Navajo Nation, the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, the Pueblo Tribe of Zuni and the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The monument designation has the support of Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democrat who is now an independent from Arizona.

Katie Hobbs, Arizonas Democratic governor, also wrote to Biden in May to urge the monument designation.

The designation, which would happen by Bidens use of the 1906 Antiquities Act, is also touted by supporters as a way to lock up uranium deposits, which could be as much as 375 million pounds used to fuel the deployment of nuclear energy by the United States. The U.S. currently gets the bulk of its uranium from foreign countries, including Russia and China.

Related

A 20-year ban on uranium mining near the Grand Canyon was put in place in 2012 by the Obama administration, but it has been subject to court challenges and political scrutiny.

Related

According to the Kingman, Arizona, newspaper The Miner, Mohave County officials have said the region contains the highest-grade uranium endowment in the United States, and a full third of all known uranium deposits in the country.

Washington and Kane counties are opposed to the monument designation, as is the community of Hildale.

At a June meeting of Utahs Federalism Commission, state Rep. Carl Albrecht, R-Richfield, expressed concerns about the proposed monument designation because of its impact on farmers and uranium mining.

This proposed monument would pretty much leave us high and dry for our uranium supply. If we are going to go nuclear with zero carbon, we cannot go buy fuel from Russia, our enemies. We need to be very much aware of what this administration is trying to do when it comes to carbon and power generation and when it comes to grazing.

At the same meeting, Redge Johnson, director of the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office, said the proposal has significant implications for Utah, although the monument would be entirely in Arizona.

Normally we would not be involved with another states efforts on a monument, but where that one section of the monument, this northwest section, really does impact mostly people from the state of Utah, the governors office has given us a nod to write some comments on that section, he said. It is a little frustrating right now in D.C. because we do wonder sometimes if the right hand is talking to the left hand when it comes to federal designations and tying up these minerals, whether it be critical minerals or uranium.

For the Utah Farm Bureau, the fear is the potential impact on ranchers if the designation is exclusionary to those rights.

Public lands grazing and the ranching way of life also provide many important cultural contributions. The agriculture community in southern Utah and the Arizona Strip is central to the regions identity and sense of community, Gibson said in his comments.

Ranching instills a sense of hard work, responsibility, and stewardship of the land. Ranchers care deeply for the public lands that they utilize. Limiting or removing livestock grazing from federal lands in this area will fundamentally alter the culture, heritage, and values of the region.

Gibson said farm bureau members also object to the lack of government meetings in Utah on the proposed designation.

A Utah Farm Bureau representative from the Garfield County area had to attend the meeting in person since there was a lack of any live streaming.
Maria Lvova-Belova with Filipp Golovnya, a 17-year-old boy from Mariupol who is now her adopted son

On the eve of the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, Maria Lvova-Belova stood before Vladimir Putin and thanked him for giving her another child to raise.

Russias smiley ombudswoman for childrens rights had just briefed the president on how many Ukrainian children had been saved since the war started.

Among the estimated 750,000 young people who had arrived in Russia was Filipp Golovnya, a 17-year-old boy from Mariupol  now her adopted son.

Filipp has become something of a poster boy for Russias programme to rescue children of war.

He had  the story goes  been found among the rubble in his coastal city flattened by two months of Russian bombing, and had nowhere to go.

But friends and relatives have now told The Telegraph that the boy was likely taken by Russia against his will, casting doubt on the official account broadcast on Russian television.

Thousands of Ukrainian children are thought to have been forcibly taken into Russia and adopted or fostered in a campaign of Russification.

Lvova-Belova is wanted by the International Criminal Court for the 'unlawful deportation of children'  a war crime

Lvova-Belova, 38, and Putin, 70, are wanted by the International Criminal Court for the unlawful deportation of children  a war crime.

State television claims that the Russians saved Filipp, spelled Pylyp Holovnya in Ukrainian, after he was kicked out of his home during the invasion.

He was living with his mothers ex-husband and new wife, who were appointed guardians following his mothers death from cancer in 2017.

The foster parents, now living under tightly controlled Russian occupation, have never publicly contested the official Russian story.

But they are unlikely to be able to speak freely, said friends and family of Filipp.

Vitaly Golovnya, a brother of Filipps guardian Sergei, rejected the Russian claims about Filipp.

There is no way they could have just thrown him out, said Mr Golovnya, who fled into Ukrainian-held territory during the siege of Mariupol.

We were all in Mariupol together when it was captured, he said.

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Filipp was simply forcibly taken away like many children.

Mr Golovnya, who now lives abroad, said he was separated from his brother during the Russian invasion and has not spoken to him since Christmas.

Friends and relatives often avoid direct communication across the front lines, as they fear being associated with the enemy.

Many details about Filipps story are almost impossible to verify. It demonstrates prosecutors challenges in collecting evidence to bring Putin, Lvova-Belova, and other potential suspects to trial.

The Russian story of Filipp is told through This is My Child, a half-hour documentary broadcast on an ultra-nationalist television channel, complete with dramatic footage of war-ravaged Mariupol and interviews with him and his new foster mother.

He says that Ukrainian troops at some point entered Mariupol and threw Molotov cocktails at civilians  claims that run counter to well-established facts about one of the bloodiest chapters of Russias war.

The bespectacled teenager fidgets nervously with a ring on his index finger during the interview. He explains how he was sheltering in a basement of his block when the building caught fire.

I went home, says Filipp.

My guardian said: What are you doing here? Go back to where you came from. He shut the door. I knocked again. I asked for my documents. He gave them to me and I walked away.

The documentary then shows archive footage of scorched cars at a bombed-out location in Mariupol.

The Russian story of Filipp is told through This is My Child, a half-hour documentary broadcast on an ultra-nationalist television channel, complete with dramatic footage of war-ravaged Mariupol - PAVEL KLIMOV

Mariupol residential buildings damaged during the invasion - PAVEL KLIMOV

The Telegraphs requests for telephone interviews with the boys guardians went unanswered.

But a friend of Irina Kalatalova, Mr Golovnyas wife, also dismissed suggestions that the couple threw the boy out in the middle of a war.

Its just impossible, Olga Tulainova told The Telegraph.

Ive known her most of my life. Shes not the person to do something like this.

Filipp has become a poster boy for Russias programme to 'rescue' children of war

Ms Tulainova fled to government-controlled areas in Ukraine and has not kept in touch with Ms Kalatalova, a recurrent pattern between Ukraines now divided south and east.

An unnamed teacher of Filipp told Radio Free Europes Ukrainian this year she also doubted that Filipps guardians abandoned him.

The woman, who asked to be anonymous out of fear for her safety, said the boy was well taken care of in Mariupol and his foster parents were involved in the school.

This is My Child portrays Lvova-Belova, a blonde petite woman with a penchant for floaty dresses, as a saviour.

She is shown to give up her comfortable life in Moscow  where she is filmed entering a black Mercedes saloon in a white fur coat  to rescue children from smouldering Mariupol.

This is My Child portrays Lvova-Belova rescuing children from smouldering Mariupol

Filipp was taken from Mariupol to Russia-controlled Donetsk and later to a resort outside Moscow last spring, along with an unspecified number of other children.

Both Filipp and Lvova-Belova describe their meeting there as a kind of love at first sight.

That moment I spoke to him I realised hes mine: this is my child, she said, while Filipp called her the most wonderful person Ive ever met.

In the documentary, Lvova-Belova, a mother of 10 children  five biological and five adopted  is interviewed in front of a fireplace, sitting next to her husband Pavel Kogelman, an IT engineer-turned-Orthodox priest.

Over the past 17 months of the war, the Kremlin has tried to use the young and likeable role model as a human face for Russias deportation campaign.

Lvova-Belova is from Penza, a city 400 miles east of Moscow. She took over as ombudswoman for childrens rights in 2021 from her old friend and co-worker Anna Kuznetsova  another young mother with multiple children and an Orthodox priest for a husband.

Both were heavily involved in charity work, helping orphans and children with disabilities.

Oleg Sharipkov, a well-respected charity worker in Penza who met them in their 20s, described the pair as just ordinary girls.

Other former colleagues described her as a charming young woman and a good fundraiser who had a gift for getting people involved in her work.

Lvova-Belova did not appear to be devout Christians until the mid-2010s, when Putins third term in power ushered in an era of conservatism with a focus on 'traditional values'

Both Lvova-Belova and Kuznetsova did not appear to be devout Christians until the mid-2010s, when Putins third term in power ushered in an era of conservatism with a focus on traditional values.

The women became a spin doctors dream for the Kremlin, said Mr Sharipkov.

Lvova-Belovas charity began receiving generous donations from Penzas regional government and businesses that relied on the government for lucrative contracts.

Mr Sharipkov said that colleagues from other NGOs warned her of the risk of being drawn in too close to the Kremlin.

But Lvova-Belova soon started mingling with the governor and top local officials. She appeared to be competing with Kuznetsova on whod have more kids, whod be more pious, said Mr Sharipkov.

Mr Sharipkov, whose NGO was declared a foreign agent over his apparent refusal to toe the Kremlin line, said he was stunned by the transformation of Lvova-Belova.

I think she does believe in what she says, he said.

She used to be someone who genuinely wanted to help others. Then apparently something clicks in your head  and before you know it you turn into a little monster.

Lvova-Belova and Vladimir Putin are wanted by the International Criminal Court for the 'unlawful deportation of children' - Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/Kremlin pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Exact figures on deportations vary, but Lvova-Belova herself reported in April that more than 730,000 children had arrived in Russia since the start of the invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine has identified at least 11,000 children deported to Russia and about 400 children who were put into foster care.

That would include Filipp, who joined Lvova-Belovas family all thanks to Putin, as she told the Russian president himself in February.

Rights activists have condemned Russian officials for placing Ukrainian children into foster care without proper background checks. Russia insists it is saving children from the misery of war.

Ukrainian minors in foster care in Russia are trapped and face brainwashing, said Mykhailo Savva, an expert at the Nobel Prize-winning Centre for Civil Liberties in Kyiv.

Those kids are the most vulnerable, she told The Telegraph.

They are not able to leave on their own. Those kids are at a particular risk  for them, the likelihood that they will lose their identity is very, very high. They are not old enough to have formed a worldview or resist attempts to impose a new one on them.

The Telegraph contacted Mrs Lvova-Belova but received no response.

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Richard Moore, the U.K.s chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, said in a rare speech Wednesday that last months uprising by Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin exposed deep fractures among Russias elite and that the deal to end the mutiny was humiliating for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at a Politico event hosted by the British Embassy in Prague, Moore said Putin was under pressure now at home after the uprising showed something deeply rotten in the country. He said he suspected many Russians are silently appalled.

He is clearly under pressure, Moore said of Putin. You dont have a group of mercenaries advance up the motorway toward Rostov and get to within 125 kilometers of Moscow unless you have not quite predicted that was going to happen.

Prigozhin led a brief rebellion last month after months of criticism of Russias military leadership and the approach to the war in Ukraine. He also had publicly challenged the premise of Putins invasion in Ukraine.

He led his troops toward Moscow, but then agreed to stand down after an agreement was struck for him to go to Belarus and for charges to be dropped.

I dont think it needs all the resources of MI6 to conclude that there are deep fractures within the Russian elite around Putin. If you have an invading army coming up the road at you, that indicates there has been a falling out, Moore said, adding, The extraordinary thing was to see the way that Putin handled that, and the weakness that that demonstrated.

Moore issued an invitation to Russians to spy on the Kremlin for the U.K., which he said many others have done since the war began. He promised discretion as they work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

As they witnessed the venality infighting and sheer callous incompetence of their leaders, the human factor at its worst, many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968, Moore said.

I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months. And join hands with us. Our door is always open. We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us. And together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Court documents show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was against arresting Mr Putin

Russia's president will not attend a summit in South Africa next month, according to the country's presidency.

The announcement comes after South Africa's leader said any attempt to arrest Vladimir Putin would be a declaration of war against Russia.

If Mr Putin had left Russian soil, he would have been subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

South Africa is an ICC signatory and expected to help in Mr Putin's arrest.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent the country at the two-day summit instead.

However, Mr Putin will take part in the Brics conference - an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - by video link, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, according to Russian media.

The Brics grouping is seen by some as an alternative to the G7 group of advanced economies.

In a statement, South Africa's presidency described the agreement for Mr Putin not to attend as "mutual" and said it had come about following a "number of consultations" on the summit.

Supporters of Russia have criticised the decision, saying South Africa should have insisted and used its sovereignty to protect and defend its friend.

South Africa's invitation to Mr Putin, issued before the ICC accused him of war crimes in Ukraine, has caused controversy both nationally and internationally.

It came to be seen as a move by the government to stray from the middle ground it has sought to tread, alongside other African nations, in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

But President Cyril Ramaphosa's government became frantic as pressure to arrest President Putin mounted.

The biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, went to court to try to force the authorities to arrest Mr Putin, should he set foot in the country. Global human rights group Amnesty International was also part of the challenge.

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Court documents reveal that Mr Ramaphosa was firmly against any such move, stating that national security was at stake.

"Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia," he said in an affidavit.

Mr Peskov denied Moscow had told South Africa that arresting its president would mean an act of war, but said it was "clear to everyone what [that kind of] infringement against the head of the Russian state would mean".

Russia has consistently described the ICC arrest warrant as outrageous and legally void, because the country is not a member of the organisation.

The African continent remains split over the war between Russia and Ukraine, with some countries showing reluctance to back United Nations' resolutions condemning Russia for its actions in Ukraine.

The reasons for this vary from country to country, but experts say one factor is the economic ties that some, including South Africa, have with Moscow.

A sanctioned Russian oligarch, Viktor Vekselberg, is said to be one of the biggest donors to South Africa's governing party, the African National Congress (ANC).
Putin and Ramaphosa in St. Petersburg last month during a peace mission by African presidents (Evgeny Biatov)

Vladimir Putin, who is under an international arrest warrant, will not attend in-person, a BRICS nations summit in South Africa next month, Pretoria said on Wednesday, ending months of speculation over whether the Russian President would show up.

Putin's potential visit has been a thorny diplomatic issue for Pretoria.

The Russian leader is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant -- a provision that South Africa as an ICC member would be expected to implement were he to set foot in the country.

"By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit," Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Russia, Magwenya said.

But Putin will participate remotely in the high-level talks, according to Moscow.

"President Putin decided to take part in the BRICS summit in a video conference format," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was cited as saying by Russian news agencies. "It will be a full-fledged participation."

The decision for Putin to stay way from South Africa follows "a number of consultations" held by Ramaphosa, the latest of which took place last night, said Magwenya.

Pretoria is the current chair of the BRICS group, an acronym for heavyweights Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, which sees itself as a counterweight to Western economic domination.

Putin was formally invited to a BRICS summit due to take place in Johannesburg between August 22 and 24, but Pretoria has been under heavy domestic and international pressure not to host him.

The other countries' leaders will all be in attendance in person, Magwenya said.

"President Ramaphosa is confident that the summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe," he said.

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Putin is sought by the ICC over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.

In court papers released Tuesday, Ramaphosa wrote that arresting him would have amounted to a declaration of war on Russia.

- 'Victory for South Africa' -

The assessment was given in an affidavit responding to an application by the country's leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which aimed at forcing the government's hand and ensuring the Kremlin leader was handed over to the ICC if he were to arrive.

Kremlin spokesman Peskov denied Russia threatened to wage war but said in Moscow that it was "absolutely clear to everyone what an attempt to encroach on the head of the Russian state would mean".

The affidavit revealed South Africa was seeking an exemption under ICC rules, arguing that enacting the arrest could have threatened the "security, peace and order of the state".

An arrest would have also undermined a South African-led mission to end the war in Ukraine and "foreclose any peaceful solution", Ramaphosa argued.

Last month, Ramaphosa led a seven-country African peace delegation including representatives from Egypt, Senegal and Zambia, to talks in Kyiv and Saint Petersburg.

Pretoria has long said it wants to stay neutral over the war in Ukraine but has been accused by critics of tilting towards Moscow.

Some feared hosting Putin could have been read as a signal of support for Russia and jeopardised South Africa's strong economic and trade relations with the United States and Europe.

Trade with Russia is much smaller, but their ties date back decades to when the Kremlin supported the ruling African National Congress party during the struggle against apartheid.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said Putin not coming was "a victory for South Africa".

The country's economic interests as well as its "reputation on the international stage and its commitment to upholding the rule of law were at stake in this matter," he said.

In recent local media interviews, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the government had been trying to persuade Putin not to come but met resistance from the Kremlin.

Ramaphosa is due to travel to Russia next week to attend a Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg.

ub-bur-sn/bp
CARMEL  A Putnam County man has been accused of conducting unlawful surveillance of multiple people, including children.

Carmel police said the case began on the Fourth of July, when they received a complaint of a man trying to take a picture up the dress of a woman at a local grocery store.

The man had fled in a vehicle by the time police officers arrived at the store.

However, Carmel detectives found a second victim at the store, and were subsequently able to identify the suspect as Derrick A. Rocco, 47, of Putnam Valley.

Detectives arrested Rocco on July 12, and he was charged with two counts of second-degree unlawful surveillance, a felony. He was arraigned in Town of Carmel Justice Court and released with electronic monitoring pending a future court appearance.

Canadian wildfires: Air quality alert prompts school districts to move activities indoors, shut windows

As a result of a forensic examination of Rocco's cellphone by Carmel detectives and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, additional search warrants were obtained on Monday for Rocco's home and place of business.

Rocco was taken into custody again by Carmel detectives. This time, he was charged with three counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child, one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child, and five additional counts of second-degree unlawful surveillance, all felonies.

Flash floods: One graphic shows why the Hudson Valley will keep facing threats

Rocco was arraigned in Town of Carmel Justice Court and sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 cash bail or $150,000 bond, pending a future court appearance.

Carmel police said the investigation is still active, and more information might be released at a later date. Anyone with additional information is asked to call detectives at 845-628-1300.

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 Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Putnam Valley man charged with unlawful surveillance
A soldier who fled across the Demilitarized Zone from South Korea into North Korea where he was detained has been identified as Pvt. Travis King, according to the Army.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday said that King "willfully and without authorization" crossed the border -- one of the most tensely guarded areas in the world -- and that the Defense Department is closely monitoring and investigating the situation.

King, who is in his early 20s, had just been released from South Korean detention after being held on assault charges, according to multiple outlets, including The Associated Press. He was set to fly back to Fort Bliss, Texas -- reportedly to face additional military discipline -- but instead somehow ended up on a civilian tour of the border village of Panmunjom, a tourist attraction.

Read Next: VA Spars with Republicans over Gun Rights for Veterans Deemed Mentally Incompetent

North Korea-focused news outlet NK News reported that a woman on the same tour as King later posted on Facebook that the soldier laughed just before ditching the group and crossing the border.

"To our right, we hear a loud HA-HA-HA and one guy from OUR GROUP that has been with us all day runs in between two of the buildings and over to the other side!!" she wrote, according to NK News.

King's fleeing to North Korea could put him in jeopardy, and is also likely to create a diplomatic fiasco for the U.S. as it works to secure his release from the belligerent authoritarian state.

North Korea -- ruled with an iron fist by Kim Jong Un, the third Kim to control the country since the Korean War -- has a long history of holding Americans captive until negotiations by U.S. officials lead to their release.

In one recent case, an American college student was arrested during a visit and eventually released in 2017 in a vegetative state. He died days after returning to the U.S.

However, King's case is unusual because his actions all but assured his detention. Typically, North Koreans flee across the border south to escape the oppressive state, nicknamed the Hermit Kingdom because it is so closed off to the outside world.

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The United Nations Command -- the unit that operates the Joint Security Area that separates North and South Korea -- first announced the incident in a news release early Tuesday morning.

Military.com reached out to Pentagon officials to corroborate details but was told no further information could be released until King's next-of-kin were told about his situation.

Bryce Dubee, and Army spokesperson, said that King is a cavalry scout who joined the service in January 2021. His rank of private second class after more than two years of Army service suggests King may have been held back for disciplinary issues or for failing to meet standards, though the service did not provide any information indicating that.

Promotion to private first class -- the next highest rank -- is automatic after 12 months of service.

In Korea, Dubee said King was originally assigned to 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, but is currently administratively attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Dubee also noted that King had no combat deployments.

Although such incidents are rare, King's fleeing to North Korea is not without precedent.

During the Cold War, four U.S. soldiers deserted to the secretive and totalitarian country after the armistice was signed in 1953. Perhaps the most famous of them was Sgt. Charles Jenkins who, worried that he would be sent to Vietnam, decided to defect in 1965 -- albeit after first downing 10 beers for courage.

Jenkins would go on to be imprisoned, tortured, forced to wed a Japanese woman and act in propaganda videos before finally being allowed to leave in 2004. He was the only one of the four men to leave North Korea.

Most captives of the North Korean state do not leave without injury or harm. Jenkins lost an appendix, a testicle and part of a U.S. Army tattoo that was hacked off his forearm without anesthetic while in North Korea.

More recently, in 2016, American college student Otto Warmbier was arrested by the regime after it alleged he stole a propaganda poster from his hotel. He eventually suffered a neurological injury and fell into a coma from which he would never awake.

The Trump administration took credit for getting Warmbier released in 2017 after 17 months in captivity. He died at age 22 upon returning to the U.S. after his parents decided to remove his feeding tube.

"I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop," Austin said before adding that "we will remain focused on this."

Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the State Department, told reporters at a briefing Tuesday that King's condition is "a matter that remains under investigation."

The State Department has a travel advisory posted for North Korea in which it notes that it cannot even provide emergency services to Americans since no relations exist between the two nations. The notice says Americans face "continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention" and there is a "critical threat of wrongful detention."

Miller told reporters that the Pentagon is "in the lead because it's a member of their personnel," but the State Department is offering any needed assistance.

He said that the State Department has not reached out to the North Koreans or other governments such as Sweden, which normally acts as a representative for U.S. interests in the country.

"If there are steps that would be useful for the State Department to take, we of course will not hesitate to take those," Miller added.

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

Related: US Deploys Nuclear-Armed Submarine to South Korea in Show of Force Against North Korea
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called a potential indictment against former President Trump over his alleged role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 a bad idea, in an interview Tuesday.

Ramaswamy maintained, however, that Trump exercised bad judgment on Jan. 6 and said voters should hold the former president accountable at the ballot box.

I think he should be held accountable at the ballot box, not at the behest of a federal administrative police state, Ramaswamy said on NewsNation, when asked whether Trump should be held accountable for the days events. I think it is a bad idea for this country to make a pattern out of using police power to indict a lead political opponent in the middle of an election.

Ramaswamy, a billionaire tech entrepreneur, has attacked the administration for investigating Trump, but still backed his earlier criticism of Trumps judgment on Jan. 6.

Theres a lot that led to the buildup that boiled over on January 6. And so while I think Trump made bad judgments  and I would have made very different judgments, had I been in that office  that is different from saying that he should be held criminally liable for what happened, Ramaswamy said.

And I think it sets an awful precedent in our country, if this indictment does indeed come through, he added.

His remarks come after Trump announced he received a target letter in connection to a criminal probe into his attempts to hold onto power after the 2020 election. Some have said the letter suggests an indictment against Trump may be imminent.

I want to win this race by convincing the voters, the people of this country, that Im the right choice. And I think it will set a disastrous national precedent, if were actually recharacterizing what was really a bad judgment as something that was illegal, for the purpose of achieving a political end, Ramaswamy said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Miami-Dade County leads the nation in the percentage of people 65 and older who have Alzheimers disease, as the memory-robbing condition has higher rates among Hispanic and Black populations, which make up more than 80 percent of the countys population, according to recently published research.

Florida, which in 2021 had the second-highest senior population in the country after California, ranked among the top four states in Alzheimers rates. Nationally, about 1 in 9 people age 65 and older (10.7%) has Alzheimers, according to the Alzheimers Association.

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago analyzed cognitive data from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, which looked at chronic health problems in people 65 and older from 1993 to 2012. They combined that with 2020 age, gender and racial/ethnic data from the National Center for Health Statistics to determine the prevalence of Alzheimers in adults 65 years and older in all U.S. states and counties.

Key findings

Some of the key findings of the study, published Monday in Alzheimers & Dementia, the Journal of the Alzheimers Association, include:

 The East and Southeastern regions of the United States have the highest rates of Alzheimers disease among people 65 and over with Maryland (12.9%), New York (12.7%), Mississippi (12.5%), and Florida (12.5%) leading the way. Maryland has the highest prevalence because of its older population combined with a high number of Black residents, according to the study. Blacks are twice as likely as whites to have Alzheimers or another form of dementia, according to the Alzheimers Association.

 California, Florida and Texas are estimated to have the highest number of people living with Alzheimers disease primarily because they are the top three U.S. states with senior populations. California has an estimated 719,700 people 65 and over with Alzheimers, followed by Florida with 579,900 and Texas with 459,300.

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All three states have large Hispanic/Latino populations; Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with Alzheimers, according to the Alzheimers Association.

Heart disease and diabetes, which are prevalent in Hispanic and Black populations, may account for some of the racial and ethnic disparities in Alzheimers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with higher rates of poverty, lower levels of education and obstacles to getting medical care.

 Among counties with more than 10,000 people 65 and older, Miami-Dade County in Florida, Baltimore City in Maryland and Bronx County in New York had the highest rates of Alzheimers (16.6%). Nationally, the rate is 10.7 percent.

Each of the counties have large populations of Hispanics and/or Blacks, two groups disproportionately at risk for Alzheimers. In Miami-Dade, Hispanics made up 69 percent of the countys population in July 2022, followed by Blacks at 17 percent and non-whites at 14 percent, according to the latest U.S. Census numbers.

Additionally, people 85 and older represent about 14% of Miami-Dade Countys population, the study found. As you age, your risk of Alzheimers increases. Of the estimated 6.7 million Americans living with Alzheimers in 2023, 73 percent  or about 3 in 4  are 75 or older, according to the Alzheimers Association.

READ NEXT: Why do some people get Alzheimers and others dont? How a new UM tool checks your risk

Scientific analysis of Alzheimers disease in hospital, conceptual image

Poverty, lack of medical care leads to greater Alzheimers risk

Dr. Rosie Curiel Cid, an associate professor at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine who was not involved with the study, wasnt surprised by Miami-Dade or Floridas high rankings.

Florida is a popular state for retired seniors and has cities like Miami and Hialeah that are home to large Hispanic and Black populations, groups that not only have higher risk levels but often have a more advanced stage of the disease when diagnosed.

A 2022 UM study found that Blacks and Hispanics are more at risk for developing Alzheimers due to socioeconomic factors such as income, and lack of access to health insurance and medical care. Poverty is the underlying determinant, researchers found.

Because poor people have less access to health care, education, healthy food, and other resources throughout their lives, theyre more likely to develop obesity, frailty, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and other vascular risk factors that boost their chances for Alzheimers in their later years, reads a UM Miller School of Medicine article about the 2022 study.

However, she said the data reiterates how critical it is for public health officials and lawmakers to improve access to diagnosis, care and education for Alzheimer patients, their families and caregivers.

We just dont have the infrastructure to take care of people who are aging and who are going to be unable to care for themselves because of Alzheimers disease, said Cid, referring to the country as a whole.

In Florida, the state budget, which went into effect July 1, included an additional $12.5 million to expand the states 17 Memory Disorder Clinics and the Alzheimers Disease Initiative, which helps residents and caregivers affected by the disease.

Keith Gibson, state director for diversity, equity and inclusion for the Alzheimers Association, hopes the research will serve as a guideline for public health officials to pinpoint the areas of high risk in the country, with more region-specific studies and strategies for Alzheimer patients.

This really paints the pathway for why we need to really look at how we can really create a path of access for care and treatment for all forms of society, said Gibson.

Two of the studys researchers were funded by the Alzheimers Association, along with grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Alzheimers by the numbers

 Alzheimers disease, which destroys neurons in the brain connected to memory, language, reasoning and social behavior, is the most common cause of dementia and primarily impacts people 65 and older. Younger people can get Alzheimers too, but its less common. Certain factors, such as age, genetics and family history, can increase a persons risk of Alzheimers.

 Currently, there are more than 6 million people living with Alzheimers in the country, a count thats forecast to balloon to nearly 14 million by 2060, according to the CDC.

 Women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimers than men, primarily because women live longer, the CDC says.

 Alzheimers disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of U.S. deaths, according to the CDC.

Where are we in the fight against Alzheimers

One recent milestone: Federal regulators earlier this month granted full approval to Lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi, a drug that can be used to help slow the disease progression in people with early Alzheimers.

While not a cure, Alzheimer experts say the treatment, along with other Alzheimer treatments that are in the works, is a sign that Alzheimers research has entered a new era.

READ MORE: Could FDA-approved Alzheimer drug reduce risk of future memory problems? Get paid to check

Top 10 counties with highest Alzheimers prevalence

Here are the Top 10 U.S. counties with at least 10,000 people 65 and older that have the highest Alzheimer prevalence, according to the study:

 Miami-Dade County, Florida

 Baltimore City, Maryland*

 Bronx County, New York

 Prince Georges County, Maryland

 Hinds County, Mississippi

 Orleans Parish, Louisiana

 Dougherty County, Georgia

 Orangeburg County, South Carolina

 Imperial County, California

 El Paso County, Texas

* Baltimore City is considered a county in Maryland

What about Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys?

Broward ranked No. 35 at 13.9% and Palm Beach County ranked No. 39 at 13.8%, according to the Alzheimers Association. Monroe County, which has a 10.6% prevalence, didnt make the list because it has 1,900 people 65 and older, fewer than the 10,000 threshold, the association said.

Top 10 states with highest number of people living with Alzheimers

 Maryland

 New York

 Mississippi

 Florida

 Louisiana

 New Jersey

 California

 Illinois

 Georgia

 Connecticut
The Belarusian Red Cross has confirmed that it is taking part in "exporting" Ukrainian children from the occupied territories to Belarus.

Source: Belarusian publication Zerkalo with reference to the statement of Dmitry Shevtsov, the chairman of the Belarusian Red Cross, during a trip to Donbas, which was broadcast on the Belarus 1 TV channel

Quote from Shevtsov: "I was outraged to the core by the fact that people, I think, because their minds are corrupted, or they think doing so makes sense, accused Belarus of kidnapping children who come to us for rehabilitation. And to be honest, the fact is that the Belarusian Red Cross has taken an active part in this  and is taking, and will continue to do so."

Details: Shevtsov said this to Belarusian television during a trip to the occupied territories of Ukraine.

He claims that he came there to "show everyone" and convince those who accuse Belarus of child abduction of the opposite. Shevtsov says that "he cannot allow damage to the image of the country, the Belarusian Red Cross and the entire Red Cross Movement."

The Zerkalo publication reports that during its preious trip to the occupied Ukrainian territories, Shevtsov was seen in camouflage with the letter Z (the symbol of Ruscism and Russia's aggression in Ukraine) on it. However, the Red Cross charter requires members of the organisation to remain neutral. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was studying the incident.

Background:

In June, the Belarusian Red Cross reported more than 700 children from Ukraine.

Earlier, the Belarusian opposition reported that more than 2,000 Ukrainian children were deported to Belarus. According to them, Lukashenko personally signs documents related to the commission of a war crime.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Relatives of two of the four women found dead in Oregon earlier this year said Tuesday they are hopeful justice will be served after authorities identified a person of interest in the slayings.

The name of the person linked to the deaths has not been released by the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, but relatives said the development was the first positive news they had heard in months.

The bodies of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Perry, 24; Bridget Webster, 31; and Ashely Real, 22, were discovered in and around Portland, Oregon, between February and May, striking fear among some residents that a serial killer was in their midst.

This is step one, so we just have to keep going and follow the process, said Smith's mother, Melissa Smith, whose daughter was found dead on Feb. 19 in southeast Portland. Im trying not to get too excited. It would definitely be nice to get the justice that my daughter and these three other girls deserve.

No charges have been filed in the cases, and all four deaths remain under investigation by the state medical examiner's office.

Officially, we have not named a person of interest, Liz Merah, a spokeswoman for the district attorneys office, said in an email Tuesday. Investigators have interviewed multiple people in connection with these cases and have identified at least one person of interest that is linked to all four of the decedents.

Kristin Smith and Bridget Webster. (Portland Police Bureau; Polk County Sheriffs Office)

They did not explain how the four deaths were connected to the person of interest, and at least one relative said it was too soon to believe the alleged killer had been found.

Hopefully, there will be an outcome (to this) and then everyone can take a deep breath and move on with their lives," said Websters step-grandfather, Tom, who did not want his full name used for privacy reasons. "Im gonna wait and see what happens.

Perry was discovered in a culvert on Multnomah Countys East Historic Columbia River Highway on April 24.

Webster was found six days later on a rural road in nearby Polk County, while Real was found in a wooded area in another nearby county, Clackamas, on May 7.

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NBC affiliate KGW in Portland and other media outlets first reported that two additional women were found dead in the region over the same period, but officials did not mention them when confirming the four women may be linked.

Relatives of one of those women, JoAnna Speaks, said in a statement Tuesday that they were trying to gather more information about why hers was not among the four deaths linked to the person of interest.

"We are extremely thankful, however, that we are one step closer to getting answers for the families of Kristin, Charity, Bridget and Ashley; hopefully soon JoAnna as well," the statement said. "Please allow us the time to wrap our heads around all of this new information and work to get some more clarification. We have no further comments at this time."

The Multnomah County DA's office said they did not believe there was any danger to the community.

The Portland Police Bureau said last month that authorities had found no evidence linking the deaths and that widely distributed social media posts and news reports suggesting otherwise caused fear and anxiety.

Nine law enforcement agencies in northwest Oregon collaborated to determine the four cases were linked, officials said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
State Rep. Four Price, center, speaks with legislators before the House gavels in on Aug. 31, 2021. Credit: Michael Gonzalez/The Texas Tribune

State Rep. Four Price, R-Amarillo, announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection after seven terms in the House.

From day one, I have worked hard to serve my constituents and improve our community, Price said in a statement, calling his time in the Texas House the privilege of a lifetime.

Ive given this decision considerable thought and believe the time is right to complete my service as a House member, he added.

First elected in 2010, Price represents House District 87, a solidly Republican seat in the Texas Panhandle.

In his statement, Price highlighted his four years on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which reviews state agencies, and his service as chair or co-chair on six House committees. In 2019, he led the powerful Calendars Committee, which controls which legislation makes it to the House floor.

Price is also known for being part of a group of rural House Republicans who have long resisted school-voucher proposals, worried about their impact on public education. Gov. Greg Abbott made that more of a priority than ever during the latest regular legislative session, and while he was unsuccessful, he has vowed to revive school choice efforts in a fall special session.

Price was one of 24 Republicans who joined Democrats in April to pass a budget amendment banning state funds for voucher programs.

There will likely be a crowded Republican primary to succeed Price, who said he was making his decision known at this early stage of the campaign cycle.

Price is the fourth House member to announce their retirement since the end of the regular session  Reps. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown; Tracy King, D-Uvalde; and Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, whos running for Congress.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
FIRST ON FOX: A group of more than two dozen House Republicans led by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is introducing legislation Wednesday to defund climate envoy John Kerry's office at the State Department.

The No Taxpayer Funding for Climate Zealots Advancing Radical Schemes Act would prohibit any federal funds  including for salary, administrative, and travel expenses  from being appropriated for Kerry's office. In 2021, President Biden appointed Kerry to be the first-ever special presidential envoy for climate, a position that didn't require Senate approval, and gives him a spot on the president's cabinet and National Security Council.

"Climate czar John Kerry is the poster child for the Biden administration's anti-energy policies that are destroying both our economy and national security," Roy told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"Now John Kerry is visiting China  the top threat to our national security and the world's number one polluter  to further hamstring energy freedom," he continued. "It's time to defund anti-energy climate bureaucrats like John Kerry once and for all."

JOHN KERRY COMES UP EMPTY IN CHINA CLIMATE TALKS

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, speaks during a news conference with the House Freedom Caucus on March 10.

Since taking on the role, Kerry has traveled worldwide, attending high-profile climate summits and diplomatic engagements in an effort to push a global transition from fossil fuels to green energy alternatives.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Despite the high-level role leading the Biden administration's global climate strategy, Kerry's office has been tight-lipped about its internal operations and staff members, sparking criticism from Republicans who have demanded transparency from his office. Overall, the special presidential envoy for climate office has an estimated $13.9 million annual budget with approval for 45 personnel.

Last week, Kerry refused to identify individuals who worked in his office during a congressional hearing after Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., criticized him for his apparent secrecy.

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TWO DOZEN REPUBLICANS CALL ON BIDEN TO DISAVOW JOHN KERRY'S REMARKS TARGETING FOOD PRODUCTION

"I have two deputies and they are well known, they're very experienced people, Rick Duke and Sue Biniaz  but I'm not going to go through all that," Kerry said. "I'm not going to fill them in here in this way, because that would be a violation of our process within the State Department."

"I'm not going to go through them by name because that is not the required process of the State Department," he added.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry is greeted by top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi before a meeting Tuesday in Beijing, China.

Republicans have also criticized Kerry for his secretive negotiations with China, the world's largest polluter, on behalf of the United States. House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., opened a probe earlier this year into Kerry over the negotiations and promised "intense scrutiny" of recent climate talks with Chinese officials.

On Wednesday, Kerry announced during a press conference in China that his trip to the nation yielded no formal agreement on tackling global warming.

TWO DOZEN REPUBLICANS CALL ON BIDEN TO DISAVOW JOHN KERRY'S REMARKS TARGETING FOOD PRODUCTION

GOP Reps. Mary Miller, Paul Gosar, Nancy Mace, Byron Donalds, Scott Perry, Randy Weber, Nathaniel Moran, Matt Rosendale, Andy Biggs, Jeff Duncan, Bob Good, Daniel Webster, Tom Tiffany, Lauren Boebert, Harriet Hageman, Andy Ogles, Nick Langworthy, Thomas Massie, Dan Crenshaw, Anna Paulina Luna, Aaron Bean, Bill Posey, William Timmons, Alex Mooney, and Dan Bishop signed on as co-sponsors on Roy's bill introduced Wednesday.
Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, is named after the Great Salt Lake, the largest inland body of salt water in the western half of the globe.

Unfortunately, the Great Salt Lake has suffered greatly from years of drought, and while this years heavy snow and rain have raised the water level, the lake remains in danger.

However, a recent poll showed that fewer Utah residents are concerned about the lake than before  a fact that could make it harder to take water-saving measures.

Whats happening with the Great Salt Lake?

In January, a group of researchers presented a report saying that if the Great Salt Lake didnt get a huge amount of water by 2024, it could disappear within the next five years.

As Great Salt Lake Collaborative pointed out, the lake was at its lowest water level since monitoring began 175 years ago. Larger boats had to be removed from the lake because it wasnt deep enough for them anymore.

Now, water from Utahs melting snowpack has raised the lakes level by about five feet, Great Salt Lake Collaborative reported  enough to invite those boats back. However, the lake is still much lower than its historic level, and experts remain concerned.

Most Utah residents are also concerned, according to the new poll, which was a joint effort between Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics. According to the poll, 74% of residents are still worried about the lake.

However, Great Salt Lake Collaborative reported that that number is down from 80% last year.

Why does this result matter?

The Great Salt Lake is vital to Utahs people and wildlife. Industries like mining and aquaculture depend on the water from the lake. Also, because its so full of minerals, it leaves behind fine, toxic dust when it dries, which damages the air quality and causes health problems for people.

Meanwhile, the report from January indicates that the lake drying up would harm local wildlife and migrating birds.

Saving the Great Salt Lake depends on measures like water conservation. The more people are willing to help, the better the chances of success. If fewer people are concerned about the lake, as this recent poll showed, then the remaining supporters will have an uphill battle.

I think theres a tendency when we have a good water year for people to think that the problems are solved, the new Great Salt Lake Commissioner, Brian Steed, told Great Salt Lake Collaborative.



Unfortunately on the Great Salt Lake, that one good water year was preceded by many, many bad water years, Steed continued. In order to get out of that deficit, it is going to take more than one good year, so its not time for us to give up on water conservation.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
A series of moves undertaken by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis political team in recent days is stirring speculation of a campaign reboot. That may be easier said than done.

Facing a stubbornly persistent polling gap with his chief rival, former President Donald Trump, and early signs of financial trouble within his presidential operation, DeSantis campaign has taken a few steps to correct course and reassure anxious supporters in the governors presidential prospects.

Over the weekend, he dismissed a handful of low-level staffers, while two top advisers left the campaign last week to work for a political nonprofit supporting DeSantis presidential bid. On Tuesday, he sat for an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper, engaging with the kind of mainstream news outlet that he has publicly trashed for years.

Yet some Republicans arent convinced that a campaign reset is afoot, noting that DeSantis has a propensity to double down in challenging situations rather than change course.

I dont see him reconfiguring anything, Ford OConnell, a Republican strategist, said. Youre not going to change Ron DeSantis DNA and all of sudden hes going to become something new. Hes got to find a way to change his message without changing who he is, because thats not going to happen.

Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trumps campaign, suggested that DeSantis wouldnt be able to correct course, even if he wanted to.

The real story here is that the DeSantis campaign doesnt know how to turn things around with their current candidate, Miller said in a statement to reporters.

While his campaign moved to lay off some staffers over the weekend, DeSantis strategy and communications teams remain largely intact. And theres little to no evidence that hes about to alter his messaging or public persona.

At a campaign stop in Tega Cay, S.C. on Monday, the governor continued to rail against the indoctrination of children and again swiped at Trump for failing to fire Anthony Fauci, the former White House public health adviser who was at the forefront of the federal governments response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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On Tuesday, DeSantis unveiled a plan to rip the woke out of the military, keeping in line with his long-time focus on culture-war issues and so-called wokeness. He vowed to reinstate service members who were let go for defying a Covid vaccine mandate and end diversity and equity programs within the military.

DeSantis direct engagement with the legacy and mainstream media has also been relatively limited. His CNN interview on Tuesday wasnt exactly a prime time affair. It lasted just about 15 minutes and aired at 4 p.m.  a time slot that tends to draw a far smaller audience than the top-rated evening news shows.

His appearance on CNN was notably free of the typical grievance-airing and combativeness that has defined most of the governors interactions with unfriendly media. But DeSantis largely stuck to his well-worn talking points. He pushed back on the suggestion that he had moved too far to the political right to appeal to a broader electorate and brushed off questions about his sagging poll numbers.

The reality is, this is a state-by-state process. Im not running a campaign to try to juice whatever we are in the national polls, he said. Its fine. Im definitely doing better than everybody else.

Campaign reboots are also notoriously risky undertakings. Alex Conant, who advised U.S. Sen. Marco Rubios unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nod, said that its not unusual for campaigns to reconfigure their strategy and staffing levels, but few have done so with great success.

He pointed to the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, who famously revamped his presidential campaign in the summer of 2007 before going on to win the GOP nomination the next year. But McCains shake-up is more of the exception than the rule, Conant said.

Every campaign is different. McCain famously shook up his campaign because he had to, Conant said. But theres not a lot of examples of candidates doing that. Its hard enough to build one presidential campaign. Its nearly impossible to build a second one in the middle of the campaign season.

DeSantis is still facing real challenges. He waited far longer than many candidates to jump into the race, allowing Trump to attack him for months with little to no pushback. And when he finally launched his campaign in May, he didnt see the kind of polling bump that candidates hope for in the days and weeks after they announce their candidacies.

Despite early confidence that he was the candidate best positioned to dethrone Trump as the ostensible leader of the Republican Party  especially after his massive 19-point reelection victory last year  DeSantis has struggled to break out of a distant second place.

And while he raised a hefty $20.1 million in the first six weeks of his presidential bid, a campaign finance disclosure filed over the weekend showed that he had largely tapped out high-dollar donors and burned through money at a breakneck pace. Of the $12 million he had left in the bank at the end of June, only $9 million can be used in the primary.

Andrew Romeo, a spokesperson for DeSantis campaign, declined to comment on whether the governors political operation is reevaluating its strategy. In a statement, he insisted that DeSantis remains the strongest candidate to defeat President Joe Biden next year and is well-equipped to go the distance.

Americans are rallying behind Ron DeSantis and his plan to reverse Joe Bidens failures and restore sanity to our nation, and his momentum will only continue as voters see more of him in-person, especially in Iowa, Romeo said. Defeating Joe Biden and the $72 million behind him will require a nimble and candidate driven campaign, and we are building a movement to go the distance.

With the Iowa caucuses still about six months away, Republicans acknowledged that the GOP primary race is fluid and noted that DeSantis is still in a much better position than most of the partys presidential hopefuls, most of whom have struggled to break into the low double-digits.

Still, Conant said, negative narratives like those surrounding DeSantis campaign struggles can wear on a candidate.

The problem in presidential politics is that negative narratives can become self-fulfilling, Conant said. If theres a drum beat that youre underperforming, that scares away donors, it drives negative coverage and makes it really hard to tell a positive story.
The Rev. John Edgar spent more than two decades working through his Community Development for All People to help impoverished people on Columbus' South Side find food, clothing and decent and affordable housing.

He's written a book about those experiences.

"A Front Porch for All People," was published earlier this year by Cascade Books of Eugene, Oregon. In the book, Edgar recounts the beginnings of his work on the South Side, his faith  "I want to celebrate the power of grace, God's grace," he writes to lead off Chapter 4  and how that propelled him, and his collaborations with others, including his wife, Sue Wolfe.

That included worship services that welcomed all from the neighborhood. Edgar, 70, writes that half of the congregation is Black, while others are white (including many with Appalachian roots), and members of the LBGTQIA+ community. About two-thirds have incomes below the poverty level.

"In these regards, we mirror the demographic of the South Side of Columbus where we are located," he said.

John Edgar sits in a building that is part of the Church for All People Community Development Program on Parsons Avenue. Edgar recently published a book about his life on the South Side titled "A Front Porch for All People".

Edgar, a resident of Merion Village on the South Side, retired in 2022 as the executive director of Community Development for All People, the South Side nonprofit group affiliated with the United Methodist Church and created to help the neighborhood.

HIs book chronicles the founding of the Free Store on Parsons Avenue in 1999 to distribute free clothes and other household items.

Edgar writes that the Free Store took off in ways he didn't imagine, starting with the first day. He writes that on a cold, bitter day, 88 people came through the doors in the three hours it was open.

"News of a free store spread like wildfire across the South Side of Columbus," he wrote.

From that, Edgar grew the organization, opening a main location at the corner of Parsons Avenue and East Whittier Street, then delving into the business of providing affordable housing in the South Side's poorer areas, including neighborhoods south of Nationwide Children's Hospital.

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Developing affordable housing was something Edgar knew nothing about. But in a recent interview, he said there was push back from some in the neighborhood who wondered what was going on.

"There had been so little positive activity in the 20 years leading up to that. So much cynicism," Edgar said.

That included the plan to build 40 rent-to-own houses on 40 vacant lots. "People were suspicious. None of those promises had been fulfilled before," he said.

"We had to have an angle."

The Rev. John Edgar, retired executive director of Community Development for All People, has written a book about his experiences on the South Side, "A Front Porch for All People."

That project, Southern Gateway Homes, was completed. Community Development for All People then partnered with Nationwide Children's Hospital to build and renovate homes near the hospital through the Healthy Homes program.

But with success came gentrification, spurred by the success of the hospital and Edgar's group and the Columbus market in general.

"At the very beginning of this stuff, I did not envision the gentrification at all. We were so preoccupied. We went into the housing meltdown in 2008, had so many vacant, blighted houses to stabilize," Edgar said.

Edgar writes in his book's introduction that by the end of 2021, more than $100 million worth of affordable housing had been built through those efforts.

One person whom Edgar worked with was local developer Don Kelley, who grew up on the South Side. Kelley, along with Jim Grote, the founder of Donato's Pizza, and Jim Williams, who owned a commercial heating and cooling company, wanted to expand Edgar's effort in the neighborhood.

Edgar writes that they formed South Side Renaissance, a subsidiary of Edgar's group that revitalized about 100 homes over the first five years.

"John was the instrumental person to make things happen," Kelley said in a recent interview. "I originally met him when I was president of the Columbus Board of Realtors. My wife and I got interested in Community Development for All People because John started it."

Edgar writes candidly about one of the hospital's motivations. The nonprofit hospital operates an accountable care organization called Partnership for Kids, and through that group, it is responsible for the health outcomes of of more than 400,000 low-income children on Medicaid.

The state of Ohio pays a certain set amount of money each year to the hospital for every child, Edgar writes. "When these children stay healthy, the medical costs to NCH are lower and the hospital makes money. When these children are ill and require more care, the hospital loses money," he writes.

And Partnership for Kids represents about 40% of the hospital's annual business revenue, Edgar writes.

"There was self interest, absolutely," Edgar told The Dispatch in an interview. "But also, folks cared about the community."

Dr. Kelly Kelleher, vice president at Nationwide Children's Hospital, wrote the book's foreword.

Kelleher said he met Edgar early on when the hospital and Edgar's group started making plans for housing.

Kelleher said he was amazed at Edgar's ability to speak to people in authority as well as people in the neighborhood.

"He was able to make bridges. He was able to say 'What if? What if we were the first ones to do this?' I saw so many people inspired by that," Kelleher said.

"He wasn't embarrassed to go on a limb. He got a lot of people thinking," he said.

John Edgar stands in the All People's Fresh Market, a part of the Church for All People on Parsons Avenue. Edgar recently published a book about his life on the South Side titled "A Front Porch for All People".

Rita Parise, housing administrator for the city of Columbus, worked with Edgar for years. In the book, Edgar writes that in 2011 she encouraged him to work with the Cleveland-based NRP Group on a plan to develop those 40 rent-to-own, single-family homes that Edgar mentioned, Southern Gateway Homes, using low-income housing tax credits to help finance it. NRP later suggested that they collaborate on another tax-credit project that became the 56-unit Parsons Village apartments for seniors that opened in 2014.

Parise told The Dispatch that while Edgar had no housing background, he had a vision of what the South Side could be.

"He worked very hard at staying ahead of the curve," Parise said.

Even with Columbus' booming housing market. she said the South Side wouldn't have rebounded as it has without Edgar's work.

"John's organization and vision had a crucial part in things happening positively," Parise said.

mferench@dispatch.com

@MarkFerenchik

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: A new book tells John Edgar's story helping poor South Siders.
Fox News

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) briefly sent Wednesdays House Oversight hearing into chaos when she displayed nude photos of President Joe Bidens son Hunter engaging in sexual activities, prompting committee Democrats to deem her latest attention-grabbing stunt inappropriate.

Wednesdays hearing was centered on the testimony of two IRS whistleblowers who allege that the criminal probe into Hunter Biden, which resulted in a plea deal on tax charges, was mishandled by the Justice Department, who they claim gave preferential treatment to the younger Biden.

For the first few hours, the hearing largely went as expected. Republicans touted the whistleblowers testimony as extremely credible while using it as a launching point for further speculation about the Biden crime family and allegations of foreign bribery schemes. Democrats, meanwhile, labeled the entire investigation into the Bidens as an exercise in futility and embarrassment, noting that House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) has yet to provide any evidence of the presidents wrongdoing.

It wasnt until Greene got her chance to ask questions, however, that the hearing really turned into a circus of the absurd.

Armed with a series of posterboards emblazoned with X-rated images from the younger Bidens infamous laptop, the MAGA congresswoman asked the two witnesses if they believed the presidents sons involvement with prostitutes violated any federal laws.

Greene: This is evidence of Hunter Biden making pornography pic.twitter.com/TQhWaJ13rR  Acyn (@Acyn) July 19, 2023

So when Hunter Biden paid for this woman to do this with him, to travel across state lines from California to Washington, D.C., on June 15, this is a violation of the Mann Act. This was prostitution, she said, holding up censored photos of a nude Hunter Biden.

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Joseph Ziegler, an IRS Special Agent with the Criminal Investigation Division, eventually told the Georgia lawmaker that he would need to refer her questions about Hunter Biden allegedly writing off payments to prostitutes to the House Ways and Means Committee. However, she persisted.

Even after Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) pointed out that Greene was nearly two minutes over her time, the congresswoman kept asking Ziegler about a potential IRS investigation into Hunter Biden making sex tapes and online pornography. She then waved around yet another large nude photo of the presidential scion, prompting gasps from the crowd and an objection from Raskin.

Should we be displaying this, Mr. Chairman?! Raskin exclaimed while another Democrat said this was unbecoming of the chamber.

Asking for a point of order, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) complained about Greene publicizing images that are not actually even allegations much less evidence of anything. Conceding that it was a good point, Comer went on to say that the material had been on the internet long before I became chairman of this committee and therefore was already publicized.

Following Greenes antics, some Democrats took her to task.

Todays hearing is like most of the majoritys investigations and hearings: A lot of allegations, zero proof, no receiptsbut apparently, some dick pics, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) said later in the hearing.

Lacking a certain amount of decorum in his response, however, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) tweeted that the photos revealed that perhaps we should call Hunter Biden the Big Guy, referencing an alleged nickname for the president in Hunters emails.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthys office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether Greenes behavior was appropriate and if he planned any disciplinary action against her.

In a Newsmax interview later Wednesday, Greene admitted the sexually explicit images made her uncomfortable, but maintained that they amounted to evidence that the American people deserve to see.

This is a weaponized Department of Justice. They are protecting Hunter Biden, she argued on Rob Schmitt Tonight.

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Oleksii Reznikov

Following the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (commonly known as Ramstein format), Kyivs partners have once again demonstrated unwavering support of Ukraines fight against Russian aggression, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Twitter post on July 18.

Ramstein-14 has demonstrated our partners' unwavering support for Ukraine, said Reznikov.

Read also: Ukraine eliminates 500 Russian troops, destroys 40 units of enemy equipment in last 24 hours  General Staff

Priority: The supply of weapons & equipment urgently required for the liberation of Ukrainian territory. Focus: Air defense, ammo, and armor.

Read also: Ukraine needs air defense, armored vehicles and missiles, not planes  Austin

He also thanked Luxembourg and Estonia for their assistance in the development of the IT coalition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Lithuania for its demining work. New initiatives were also discussed at the meeting.

Reznikov separately thanked U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Read also: Netherlands to sign up to G7 declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine

"Together, we are working hard to achieve victory, a just peace and a better future," the minister said.

Following the meeting on July 18, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands announced they will transfer tracked armored personnel carriers M113 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
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s suggestion that COVID-19 may have been maliciously engineered to spare Jewish and Chinese people was many thingsbut surprising wasnt one of them. As unhinged as the mind of a conspiracy theorist may be, it can always be trusted, sooner or later, to land on the Jews.

And thats just what the Democratic presidential candidate did at a Manhattan dinner last week when offering his thoughts on the viruss origins. There is an argument that it is ethnically targeted. COVID-19 attacks certain races disproportionately, he explained. COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese. Of course, he belatedly conceded, we dont know whether it was deliberately targeted or not.

RFK Jr. Said COVID-19 May Have Been Ethnically Targeted to Spare Jews and Chinese, Then Denied Saying It

Evidently, Kennedy isnt bothered by the fact that COVID has killed between 1 and 1.5 million people in China, nor its devastating impact on Jewish communities. But facts are of little import to a man who believes the CIA was behind his uncles and fathers murders; blamed vaccines for a rise in autism; accused the Republican Party of mounting a massive, coordinated campaign to subvert the will of the people in stealing the 2004 presidential election from John Kerry; claimed 5G internet towers are being used to harvest our data and control our behavior; and said that Wi-Fi breaches the blood-brain barrier and causes leaky brain.

And so, when he implicated Jews in one of historys deadliest pandemics, the question wasnt why, but rather, as others have wondered, what took so long? After all, antisemitism is not a mere bigotry, but a conspiratorial worldview that takes any societys ills or perceived evils, and rather than addressing them, scapegoats Jews.

It is exceptionally malleable; in many ways, it is the ultimate conspiracy theory. It is also, as the late historian Paul Johnson observed, a disease of the mind. Kennedy has swum in conspiratorial waters for years; from the moment he began looking for the malevolent puppeteer behind the worlds ills, he was bound to eventually set his sights on the Jews.

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Such demented thinking goes back centuries and can invariably be found in attempts to explain contemporary economic, social, religious, and political problems. In pious medieval Christian Europe, Jews were falsely accused of deicide for killing Jesus Christ. In the 14th century, they were blamed for the Black Death (if Kennedy thought scapegoating Jews for a disease was original, hell be disappointed).

In a Germany reeling from defeat in World War I, the stab in the back myththat disloyal Jews caused Germanys humiliating lossgained widespread popularity. Years later, during the Great Depression, Adolf Hitler blamed German Jewry for the countrys economic woes. The Soviet Union, meanwhile, decried Jews it deemed disloyal as rootless cosmopolitans in the lead-up to its anti-Jewish purges.

For thousands of years, peoples minds were inculcated with the image of the all-powerful Jew scheming to exploit and harm the masses. As a result, it is baked into Western DNA and is far more prevalent today than what many realize.

Given conspiracy theories farcical nature, their expressions often provoke an instinctive laugh, such as when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed a Jewish space laser was behind deadly California wildfires. Other times, they make more surprising appearances, such as when The New York Times suggested that powerful rabbis pressured Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to change her vote on U.S. funding for Israels defensive Iron Dome system. Some would perhaps place Kennedys assertion in this category of patently absurd but seemingly harmless anti-Jewish accusations.

Theyd be wrong.

Words have consequences; when enough people blame omnipotent, wicked Jews for the worlds ills, those consequences turn deadly. Robert Bowers, who in 2018 murdered 11 worshippers in Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue, specifically targeted that synagogue over its affiliation with an organization that helps refugeesdescribed by Bowers as invaders that kill our people. In 2019, after killing one and injuring three at Chabad of Poway synagogue, John Earnest claimed he was defending our nation against the Jewish people, who are trying to destroy all white people.

In January 2022, when Malik Faisal Akram held Colleyvilles Congregation Beth Israel hostage for 10 hours, he forced the congregations rabbi to call Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of New Yorks Central Synagogue, convinced that Buchdahl could help release Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman serving an 86-year sentence in Fort Worth.

This was somebody who literally thought that Jews control the world, Beth Israel Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker later said about Akram. He thought he could come into a synagogue, and we could get on the phone with the Chief Rabbi of America and he would get what he needed.

Theres scant evidence suggesting Kennedy holds hostile feelings towards Jews. Indeed, following the uproar over his remarks, he slammed accusations of antisemitism as a disgusting fabrication.

At the same time, with incoherence befitting a conspiracy theorist, he tweeted that he never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews, while maintaining that the U.S. and other governments are developing ethnically targeted bioweapons, that COVID serves as a kind of proof of concept for ethnically targeted bioweapons, and that ethnic Chinese, Finns, and Ashkenazi Jews are disproportionately untouched by the virus.

While Kennedy may not personally harbor any anti-Jewish hatred, his words followed the centuries-old tradition of blaming Jews for all that is wrong in the world. And once someone determines that the shady Jew is responsible for their grievances, theyre all the more likely to take the resultant anger out on Jewsas have countless others throughout history. Kennedy is yet to do so, but rest assured, somebody else will.

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A new report details the depths of Democratic presidential candidate and conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jrs antisemitic and xenophobic views amid his recent remarks that Covid-19 was ethnically targeted in a way that protects Jewish people.

The Congressional Integrity Project, an organisation that has criticised House Republicans investigations into the Biden administration, released a report detailing the depths of Mr Kennedys antisemitic and xenophobic remarks.

Kennedy embraces virtually every conspiracy theory in existence, the report said. His horrific antisemitic and xenophobic views are simply beyond the pale, and he has frequently met with and promoted antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

The report notes how in 2022, Mr Kennedy compared vaccine mandates in the United States to Nazi Germany and said Anne Frank was safer under Nazi rule than an unvaccinated person.

The report also highlighted his longstanding partnership with Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam who has a long history of antisemitism, noting how Mr Farrakhan said he and Mr Kennedy, a son of the late Sen Robert F Kennedy Sr and nephew of former president John F Kennedy, discussed a vaccine that is designed to affect Black males. Mr Kennedy for his part called Mr Farrakhan a truly great partner in this battle.

Similarly, in 2021, Mr Kennedy released a documentary called Medical Racism, which warned communities of colour about supposedly sinister vaccination campaigns. Similarly, in 2017, according to the report, Mr Kennedy said that science and anecdotal evidence suggest that Africans and African Americans may be particularly vulnerable to vaccine injuries including autism, claims that are empircally untrue.

The Guardian first surfaced the report from the Congressional Integrity Project.

Mr Kennedy rose to prominence as one of the leading promoters of the idea that a correlation existed between the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In that capacity, the report details how he started a debunked conspiracy theory that the Gates Foundation paralyzed 496,000 children in India during a polio vaccine trial.

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He also traveled to American Samoa to spread his anti-vaccine propaganda, which led to a measles outbreak and at least 32 deaths.

Named a super-spreader-in-chief of medical misinformation, Kennedy is considered among the most influential anti-vaxx conspiracy theorists, the report said. Before he was temporarily banned from Instagram, one study found his influence exceeded even former President Trumps posts featuring medical misinformation.

The report comes after Mr Kennedy spoke at a press event on 11 July and said that Covid-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people, and added that The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.

Despite video footage of his remarks, Mr Kennedy said in a statement: I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews. 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.

The comments warranted a swift condemnation from many leaders, including members of the Kennedy family such as his sister Kerry Kennedy and his nephew, former congressman Joe Kennedy.

Still, Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), invited Mr Kennedy to testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government to testify about federal governments role in censoring Americans on Thursday.

The Republican invitation comes as Republicans have sought to criticise Democrats on antisemitism after Rep Pramila Jayapal said that Israel was a racist state, which she later clarified.

On Tuesday, the House in response voted on a resolution saying that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, while rejecting all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia and reaffirming US support for Israel. The resolution passed 412 to 9.

The Independent has reached out to the Kennedy campaign for comment.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visits "Fox & Friends" at Fox News Channel Studios on July 14, 2023, in New York City. John Lamparski/Getty Images

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 69, is John F. Kennedy's nephew.

He is a lawyer known for promoting baseless anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

Kennedy is challenging President Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic nomination.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer who has promoted baseless public-health conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine misinformation, is running against President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries.

Despite his fringe views, Kennedy's lineage as a member of one of America's most prominent political families has helped boost his bizarre claims about vaccines, COVID-19, and other public health issues.

Here's a closer look at Kennedy's family history and controversial statements. Kennedy's campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a member of one of America's most famous political dynasties.

President Kennedy with his nephew, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in the Oval Office in 1961. CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Kennedy is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, a US senator who was assassinated in 1968, and Ethel Kennedy, a human-rights advocate who received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2014. He is the third of the couple's 11 children.

Kennedy is also former President John F. Kennedy's nephew.

As an environmental lawyer, his work focused on clean water.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a press conference for the 25th anniversary of Earth Day in 1995 in Washington, DC. Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Kennedy went to Harvard, then studied at the London School of Economics. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School and earned a master's degree in environmental law from Pace University School of Law.

He founded the environmental nonprofit Waterkeeper Alliance in 1999. His primary achievement is forcing the closure of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. But his advocacy for water issues has, over the past decade, become largely subsumed by an obsession with vaccines.

A longtime anti-vaxxer, Kennedy continues to promote conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during a public hearing about vaccine-related bills in 2015. Carl D. Walsh/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

Kennedy has long espoused anti-vaccine views, suggesting a flu vaccine may have caused his voice disorder, but he rose to prominence during the pandemic for his opposition to COVID-19 vaccines.

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In 2005, he wrote an article published on Salon claiming that the mercury-based thimerosal compound in vaccines causes autism. After issuing multiple corrections, Salon eventually retracted the piece.

Kennedy founded the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, originally named the World Mercury Project, in 2011. In 2022, Facebook and Instagram removed the nonprofit's social-media pages, saying it had repeatedly violated Meta's medical-misinformation policies, The New York Times reported.

In a 2022 speech opposing vaccination mandates, Kennedy said, "Even in Hitler's Germany you could cross the Alps into Switzerland, you could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did." He subsequently apologized for invoking the Holocaust.

At a press event held at a New York City restaurant in July, Kennedy told the crowd that COVID-19 may have been "ethnically targeted" to attack certain groups of people, The New York Post reported.

"COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people," he said. "The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese."

"We don't know whether it was deliberately targeted or not, but there are papers out there that show the racial and ethnic differential and impact," he continued.

In a statement to The Post, the Anti-Defamation League called Kennedy's remarks "deeply offensive," saying they feed into the "sinophobic and anti-semitic conspiracy theories about COVID-19 that we have seen evolve over the last three years."

He has promoted a number of other baseless public-health conspiracy theories, including claims that WiFi causes cancer and antidepressants are to blame for mass shootings.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks against legislation to narrow exemptions to state mandated vaccines during a rally in Albany, New York, in 2019. AP Photo/Hans Pennink

In a Twitter Spaces conversation hosted by Elon Musk in June, Kennedy likened Musk's purchase of Twitter to patriots who died fighting in the American Revolution. He also attributed increased numbers of mass shootings to pharmaceutical companies for marketing antidepressants, Insider's John Cook reported.

"Prior to the introduction of Prozac we had almost none of these events in our country," he said.

Later that month, in an appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, Kennedy claimed that "WiFi radiation does all kind of bad things, including causing cancer."

Kennedy also told CNN in July that environmental "endocrine disruptors" were causing "sexual confusion" and "gender confusion" in children, misconstruing studies that have shown these chemicals can cause some male frogs to become female and produce eggs.

A Kennedy campaign spokesperson told CNN that his remarks were "mischaracterized," and that he was "merely suggesting that, given copious research on the effects on other vertebrates, this possibility deserves further research."

Kennedy is running against President Joe Biden in the Democratic primaries in a long-shot campaign.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces his candidacy for president of the United States in a speech at Boston Park Plaza in 2023. David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Kennedy announced his 2024 presidential campaign in April at Boston's Park Plaza Hotel.

"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," he said in his speech, CBS News reported.

Kennedy acknowledged that some of his family members do not support his presidential bid, but that he harbors "no ill will or any kind of disappointment" towards them.

Other Kennedy family members have denounced his views and opposed his candidacy.

Kerry Kennedy speaks at the 2021 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

One of Kennedy's sisters, Kerry Kennedy, released a statement condemning his "deplorable and untruthful remarks" after he claimed COVID-19 was "ethnically targeted" to certain races.

In a statement to Insider's Alia Shoaib, Kerry Kennedy also shared that she would not be supporting his campaign.

"I love my brother Bobby, but I do not share or endorse his opinions on many issues, including the COVID pandemic, vaccinations and the role of social media platforms in policing false information," she said.

Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III of Massachusetts also tweeted that his uncle's comments were "hurtful and wrong."

He has been married three times and has six children.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines, arrive at HBO's Post Emmy Awards Reception in Los Angeles, California, in 2018. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Kennedy married fellow University of Virginia Law School student Emily Black in 1982 and had two children, Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy III and Kathleen, known as "Kick." They divorced in 1994.

That same year, he married interior designer Mary Richardson. The couple had four children: Conor, Kyra, Finn, and Aidan. Kennedy filed for divorce in 2010.

Kennedy is now married to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" actress Cheryl Hines, whom he wed in 2014.

In 2022, following his comments about Anne Frank, Hines denounced the remarks, calling them "reprehensible and insensitive," CNN reported.

But she has supported his run for the 2024 Democratic nomination, saying in a statement in April, "My husband, Robert Kennedy Jr. announced today he will be running for President and I support his decision," according to People.

Read the original article on Business Insider
[Source]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is currently under fire for spreading antisemitic and anti-Asian conspiracy theories about COVID-19, prompting the House Democrats campaign arm to call him out on his racism and hate.

Key details: At a press event at an Upper East Side restaurant in New York last week, Kennedy reportedly spoke about how COVID-19 attacks certain races disproportionately, according to the New York Post.

COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese, the Democratic presidential candidate reportedly said. 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.

More from NextShark: Nebraska Mayor Sparks Outrage After Mocking Korean Name on Facebook

What he was referring to: Kennedy was reportedly referring to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, which looked into the genetic susceptibility of COVID-19. One of the authors told CBS News that they do not support Kennedys claims, adding, This type of misinterpretation will hurt academic research to help us end the pandemic."

Condemning his actions: Rep. Suzan DelBene (D, WA-1) criticized Kennedy for his reprehensible antisemitic and anti-Asian comments that perpetuated harmful and debunked racist tropes.

Such dangerous racism and hate have no place in America, demonstrate him to be unfit for public office, and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, DelBene declared.

More from NextShark: Black and Asian Community Leaders Reveal What Would Happen If Our Communities Unite

What other people are saying: Rep. Ritchie Torres (D, NY-15) also slammed Kennedy in a tweet last week, saying that the Democrat lawyer has no business being anywhere near the presidency.

Hard to imagine a son who has done more to dishonor his fathers name than RFK Jr. He falsely said COVID-19 was ethnically targeted to favor Chinese + Jewish people and disfavor black + white people. More from NextShark: Meet the Navy SEAL and Doctor Who's the First Korean American Going to Space RFK Jr. is a complete crackpot who has no business being anywhere near the  Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) July 15, 2023

More from NextShark: Good Samaritan intervenes during armed robbery shooting in Oakland Chinatown

In a tweet posted over the weekend, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison wrote that Kennedys troubling comments do not represent the views of the Democratic Party.

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These are deeply troubling comments and I want to make clear that they do not represent the views of the Democratic Party. https://t.co/CHlsvjlgh2  Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) July 15, 2023

His defense: Responding to the controversy, Kennedy wrote in a tweet on Saturday that the New York Post was mistaken, adding, I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews.

Kennedy added that his claim the furin cleave docking site is most compatible with Blacks and Caucasians and least compatible with ethnic Chinese, Finns, and Ashkenazi Jews serves as a kind of proof of concept for ethnically targeted bioweapons that are allegedly being developed by the U.S. and other country governments.
US-POLITICS-ECONOMY-DEBT

Rep.Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) speaks during a television interview at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on May 31, 2023 Credit - Mandel NganAFP via Getty Images

This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.

Every few months during an election season, any number of my friends who work outside of politics will ring me with a sincere question, usually along the lines of I just saw this person on TV saying crazy things; is this what the party believes these days? Almost always, I respond that this is the price of having big-tent parties in the United States: the ringmaster cant always command the center stage when so much is going on, sometimes the circus clowns get their hands on the microphones.

Thats just the consequence of chasing as large a caucus as possible in D.C. And its been an annoying one for rank-and-file Democrats this week after Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington state once again grabbed the spotlight. Just days ahead of the Israeli Presidents speech to Congress, she said at a tech-driven conference in Chicago that his nation is a racist state. Jayapal, who chairs the Democrats Congressional Progressive Caucus, quickly walked back her comments. Party Leaders issued a joint statement criticizing her words, but knew they were in for a week of Republican trolling. The typically verboten rhetoric was coming from inside the tent, and from the chair of the largest caucus for House Democrats at that.

On Tuesday, House Republicans scheduled a vote intended to force everyone to answer whether they thought Israel is a racist or apartheid state. As TIMEs Eric Cortellessa reports, it was merely one piece of a very complicated visit with a key U.S. ally, especially given President Joe Bidens strong feelings about some Israeli leaders.

The purely symbolic measure in the House was meant to expose the intra-party rift over just how much support for Israel is expected, regardless of that nations leadership. Beforehand? Yes. On the House floor? No. The debate lasted a half hour and was entirely tilted in Israels favor. By the time it came time to vote by voice, it was so overwhelming that the House didnt bother with a recorded vote of yays and nays.

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For the moment, the Jayapal test is politically useful for House Republicans, during the week that President Isaac Herzog visits them and one day after Biden finally extended a notional invitation to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting. (Netanyahu has been back in power since December, but DemocratsBiden among themhave been critical of Netanahus government. No date was attached to the soft invite, nor was an assurance it would be at the White House and not an off-site spot meant to signal Bidens persistent frustration with the restored leader.)

But amid all this predictable outrage, theres no reason to expect any change in the U.S. policy toward Israel, which has stayed relatively steady since it came into being after World War II. Even at their most frustrated with Israeli governments, American officials in both parties have offered typically unwavering support for the state of Israel. Its a tricky balancing act when Israeli officials get too far over their skis, but theres a less-than-zero chance that Washington would really balk at the roughly $4 billion in aid it sends there every year, plus national security tools and diplomatic cover at the United Nations.

No, this is actually about highlighting Jayapal in hopes of making her the face of an anti-Israel messaging push from Republicans. Its part of the regular tit-for-tat from lawmakers trying to expose rifts within the opposition party. Both parties have challenging members, and these messaging tests are as common as they are meaningless. Still, its worth remembering that the House is full of loose-tongued lawmakers whose off-handed comments could dominate an entire Congress if these things go way off the rails.

Jayapal is among a handful of lawmakers who have been aggressively critical of Israel over its push to consolidate power for its majority and strip the courts of review powers. Others are also watching Israels rightward shift and the declining treatment of Palestinians as reasons to rethink just how closely Washington wants to hug one of its most reliable partners in the Middle East.

Jayapal, a masterful interrogator during House hearings, stands to complicate Democrats messaging for the next few days, even as others in her party considered a boycott of Herzogs speech that now carries much different undertones after Jayapals remarks blew up. (Heres what Jayapal actually said at Netroots Nation: As somebody whos been in the streets and participated in a lot of demonstrations, I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us, that it does not even feel possible.) As if expecting such an outburst, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week said boycotting the speech was an act of antisemitism.

Of course, the alternative to these problem children is to demand orthodoxy to the partys official position, include fewer members, and wield less power. In almost every case, the choice is as predictable as it is logical. Just consider this fascinating new nugget from TIMEs Molly Ball about how the far-right Freedom Caucus is dealing with its own troublemaker, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: members had a meeting about her after some pretty outlandish conduct, but Greene herself isnt sure if she got expelled or not.

These kind of muddled sideshows are par for the course in a big-tent party. Some may last, others are quickly forgotten. They all leave the Leaders in both parties taking deep breaths, reminding themselves this is the price of wearing the proverbial P.T. Barnum-style top hat, and excusing the constant errant conduct in exchange for one more voteno matter how problematic.

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Paul-Henri Nargeolet, director of a deep ocean research project dedicated to the Titanic, poses next to a miniature version of the sunken ship inside an exhibition, at 'Paris Expo', on May 31, 2013, in Paris. Joel SAGET / AFP

The company that owns salvaging rights to the Titanic is holding a memorial for its former employee.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet was one of five passengers who died on board the Titan submersible last month.

RMS Titanic's service for Nargeolet coincides with the opening of its new commercial exhibit.

RMS Titanic Inc., the controversial company that owns the sole salvaging rights to the historic shipwreck , is set to hold a live-streamed memorial service for its former employee and Titan passenger, Paul-Henri Nargeolet  an event that appears to closely coincide with the grand opening of the company's newest Titanic-themed exhibit.

In promoting the new Paris-based exhibition, Titanic - L'exposition, RMS Titanic has invoked Nargeolet's prior work with the company, which is responsible for surfacing thousands of artifacts from the underwater gravesite, many of which are now on display in exhibits around the world.

"Many of the artifacts on display were recovered by or recovered under the supervision of Paul-Henri Nargeolet and his dedicated team," RMS Titanic said of its new exhibit in a Tuesday pos t. "An intrepid explorer with an indomitable pioneering spirit, PH fearlessly ventured into the depths of the ocean to unravel its mysteries and educate the public."

RMS Titanic included Nargeolet's own words in social media marketing for the exhibit.

"Everyone has a right to dream about TITANIC, to see the wreck if they want, and to see artifacts. It should not be the privilege of a small group of people," a social media post from RMS Titanic promoting the new exhibit said on Tuesday, quoting Nargeolet.

RMS Titanic's memorial service for Nargeolet is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, one day after the Parisian exhibit held its opening. The memorial service is a private event, the company said in a post last week , but it will be live streamed across the globe on the company's Facebook page, "to provide an outlet for the world-wide Titanic and Oceanographic communities to remember our colleague and friend, and express our grief together."

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Nargeolet was one of five people who died on board OceanGate's Titan submersible last month when the vessel presumably imploded during an exploratory dive to the historic shipwreck.

The new Titanic exhibit appears to have the support of Nargeolet's family. His daughter spoke at a panel for the exhibit on Tuesday, thanking RMS Titanic Inc. for allowing her father to pursue his passions.

The French explorer spent two decades working with RMS Titanic Inc ., where he helped collect more than 5,000 artifacts from the wreckage during several dives he took to the site.

"He liked to share his passion and introduce people" to his passion, his daughter, Sidonie Nargeolet, said during the Tuesday RMS Titanic panel.

Sidonie Nargeolet did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

David Concannon, a longtime friend of Nargeolet and a former legal advisor to both RMS Titanic Inc. and OceanGate , told Insider he would not be attending the company's memorial service.

"I will be attending another, more appropriate memorial ceremony for PH," Concannon said in a statement to Insider. "The timing of the Paris event, so close to the opening of a commercial artifact exhibit there, is unfortunate."

RMS Titanic did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment and the company has not responded to multiple prior interview requests.

As the sole owner of salvage rights, RMS Titanic has long had a vested interest in profiting off the 1912 shipwreck, Insider's Katherine Long reported last month.

The group was responsible for surfacing thousands of artifacts throughout the 1990s, causing controversy among those who believed the gravesite and its inhabitants should be left untouched.

The company filed for bankruptcy in 2016 and put a collection of its recovered artifacts up for auction as a result. The auction never materialized , however, and the company still owns the collection today.

Read the original article on Insider
It was an unfortunate reference that Ron DeSantis viewers everywhere picked up on almost immediately.

In response to a question from CNNs Jake Tapper in one of his first mainstream media interviews, the Florida governor said of his electability that the proof is in the pudding.

This immediately recalled a viral story from earlier this year in which The Daily Beast reported that Mr DeSantis once ate a pudding cup with his fingers while on a private jet.

Not only did the story provide fodder for the late-night talk shows, but it also led to a stomach-turning Donald Trump campaign ad mocking the Florida governor in which a lookalike actor eats pudding with his fingers in close-up shots.

The ad was paid for by the Make America Great Again Inc PAC and said Mr DeSantis had dirty fingers.

Ron DeSantis loves sticking his fingers where they dont belong, the advertisement said.

Throughout the video, headlines from publications criticising Mr DeSantis appear over the images of the man eating the pudding. The advertisement accuses Mr DeSantis of cutting Medicare, Social Security, and raising the retirement age.

Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off his money, the advertisement says. And oh, somebody get this man a spoon.

Pudding Fingers pic.twitter.com/PRCVAZlkw9  MAGA War Room (@MAGAIncWarRoom) April 14, 2023

After the Florida governors choice of phrase in Tuesdays CNN interview, political commentator Keith Olbermann tweeted: His Effing fingers are in the Effing pudding  thats whats in the pudding and called Mr DeSantis Ron DePudding.

Jon Favreau, host of Pod Save America and a former Obama administration speechwriter, said on Twitter: When @jaketapper asked DeSantis about the state of his campaign, his answer actually included the phrase.... The proof is in the pudding.

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He included screenshots from the Trump campaign ad for good measure.

When @jaketapper asked DeSantis about the state of his campaign, his answer actually included the phrase....



"The proof is in the pudding" pic.twitter.com/r4ROWvlYjU  Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) July 18, 2023

In March, Mr DeSantis chose not to outright deny that he ate chocolate pudding with three fingers on a private flight in 2019. The Daily Beast noted that Mr DeSantis sometimes struggles to read the room.

I dont remember ever doing that, the governor told Piers Morgan in an interview on Fox Nation.

Maybe when I was a kid, but its interesting theres a lot of people who when they go at you, sometimes they have really good ammunition like, Youre a crook, you did this, you did that, he added. For me, theyre talking about pudding, and Im like, Is that really the best youve got? OK, bring it on!

Its quite interesting that the governor didnt flat out deny eating pudding with three fingers, an ex-staffer for Mr DeSantis told The Daily Beast earlier this year.

The full proverb the Florida governor intended to use is the proof of the pudding is in the eating, though that wouldnt have made things better.
Twitter users ate up Republican 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis latest reference to pudding.

CNNs Jake Tapper asked DeSantis, in an interview that aired Tuesday, if he thought he was alienating voters with his push further to the right as he trails in the polls by around 30 percentage points to former President Donald Trump.

I dont think its true. The proof is in the pudding, DeSantis replied, pointing to his record in Florida.

DeSantis dessert-themed turn of phrase prompted critics to immediately recall his reported eating of chocolate pudding with three fingers during a private flight in 2019, which The Daily Beast reported in March.

DeSantis subsequently denied the report, but the alleged incident prompted mockery from late night comedians and even inspired a gross ad from the Trump campaign.

His reference drew mockery online:

The only thing in the pudding is his fingers. pic.twitter.com/J4KMZdKG4q  Kelsie Taggart (@kelsientaggart) July 18, 2023

He owns the pudding lane. Might as well drive it. https://t.co/AP7LYrHGX5  Schooley (@Rschooley) July 18, 2023

Great! Now Ive got to change my handle again. #RonDePuddingpic.twitter.com/CpDu4OwMLI  Ron DeathSantis (@GovDeathSantis) July 19, 2023

When @jaketapper asked DeSantis about the state of his campaign, his answer actually included the phrase....



"The proof is in the pudding" pic.twitter.com/r4ROWvlYjU  Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) July 18, 2023

The proof is in the pudding  which I ate with my g***amn fingers https://t.co/DfHRM1l79q  Michael A. Cohen (NOT TRUMPS FORMER FIXER) (@speechboy71) July 18, 2023

Related...
In the same week that the Eastfield Mall went out of business just over the Massachusetts line, the troubled Enfield Square Mall escaped the threat of an emergency shutdown  at least for now.

Contractors were at the mall Tuesday working on some of the most urgent repairs that town inspectors have been demanding since May, and local officials are optimistic that more crews will arrive later in the week.

Enfield inspectors advised Target and about 30 smaller businesses and shops on Friday that it was considering shutting down the whole building because the owner wasnt responding to repeated warnings of severe code violations.

But this week theyve started doing sheetrocking, they have an electrical contractor coming in, Town Manager Ellen Zoppo- Sassu said Tuesday. Weve told the tenants that it doesnt appear well be moving forward with closure.

But Zoppo-Sassu emphasized that the owner, Long Island-based Namdar Realty Group, took nearly two months to even begin addressing serious building defects and also left a different safety hazard lingering last year, too.

This doesnt mean that a closure cant happen in the future, she said. Were frustrated by the lack of communication and the lip service weve received. This companys partnership with the town has not been a good one.

In May, town building inspectors and the fire marshal reported serious problems on the property.

At the former main Macys store, inspectors found extensive water damage, mold, missing ceiling tiles, and open actively leaking holes in both roofs, according to a memo from William DuFour, deputy public works director.

Macys Mens/Home, which is located in the center of the mall, has the largest hole in the roof and it is actively leaking water onto both floors of the building. This in turn is causing the drop ceiling to fall on the ground floor resulting in a fire and life safety hazard, DuFour wrote.

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Chief Building Officials Raymond Steadward sent the owners a warning on May 25 that described conditions at the vacant two-story, 146,000-square-foot space that used to be Macys.

A large area somewhere near the middle of the space has had a leaking roof for quite some time, which deteriorated the metal roof structure to the point of failure. The leak and partial collapse have caused damage or impairment to the following: sprinkler piping, electrical, ceiling tiles and insulation. There may be additional damage not viewable at the time of the inspection, Steadward wrote.

Fire Marshal Scott Ellis, who has since retired, issued a seven-page warning to the malls owners on May 31 citing 16 fire code violations and demanding remedies within 30 days. The fire alarm system wasnt functioning adequately and some exit doors werent properly marked, Ellis wrote. Entryways to vacant sections of the mall were not secure and there were signs of people living inside, according to the report.

Namdar, which recently became a major player in the field of Connecticut shopping malls, said in an email that it is resolving the problems.

We are fully aware of all the requirements and violations present, and are actively working with utmost diligence to address and resolve them in a timely manner, according to a statement from a spokesman for Namdar and Mason Asset Management. We are committed to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all of our visitors, and our management team is cooperating with the town of Enfield to address all their concerns.

The company owns dozens of malls around the country, largely in second- and third-tier cities. It runs several in Connecticut, including some that have been hard hit by the departure of signature anchors like Macys along with many smaller chain stores like Payless Shoes.

Namdar bought the roughly 950,000-square-foot Meriden Mall in 2020, and the 1.1-million-square-foot Trumbull Mall in December. Just last month, it acquired the almost 540,000-square-foot Crystal Mall in Waterford.

Two years ago, Namdar sold the 136,000-square-foot section of the mall that houses Target to a third party. Namdars website lists the remaining Enfield Square Mall space at 548,000 square feet, which includes dozens of small storefronts along with the three vacant anchor buildings.

Zoppo-Sassu said that last year, the mall owners left a damaged outdoor canopy in place despite warnings.

It presented a significant public safety issue if anyone was walking under it and it fell, she said. I kept calling Namdar, they never got back to me. I sent in a contractor to remove it, and now theres a $104,000 lien on the property, she said.

Zoppo-Sassu said the town doesnt want to hurt Target or the small businesses that are leasing space at the mall. But fire code violations cant be ignored, she added.
Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trumps former personal lawyer, on Tuesday vehemently denied that he flipped on the former president in the Justice Departments investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 presidential election.

The denial came on the day Trump said he received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith saying he is a target in the DOJs Jan. 6 investigation, foreshadowing a possible indictment.

Ted Goodman, Giulianis political adviser, told CNNs Paula Reid that Giuliani hasnt received a target letter and that he doesnt expect his client to be charged in the case.

The lawyer also appeared keen to dispel suspicions that Giuliani may have cooperated with prosecutors investigating Trump.

Any speculation that Mayor Rudy Giuliani flipped against President Donald Trump is as false as previous lies that Americas Mayor was somehow a Russian Agent, Goodman said in a statement on Twitter.

Goodman continued: In order to flip on President Trump  as many in the anti-Trump media fantasize over  Mayor Giuliani wouldve had to commit perjury, because all info he has on this case points to President Trumps innocence.

Any speculation that Mayor Rudy Giuliani "flipped" against President Donald Trump is as false as previous lies that America's Mayor was somehow a Russian Agent.



In order to "flip" on President Trumpas so many in the anti-Trump media are fantasizing overMayor Giuliani would've  Ted Goodman (@TedCGoodman) July 18, 2023

Giuliani, who pushed baseless vote fraud claims in the aftermath of Trumps 2020 defeat and encouraged the then-president to fight the results in battleground states, has already spoken to prosecutors, reportedly under a proffer agreement that allows a subject to offer information in exchange for prosecutors agreement not to use those particulars against them.

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The New York Times has reported that Giuliani was asked about the fake electors scheme, and the roles of Trump attorneys John Eastman and Sidney Powell.

Trump on Tuesday wrote in a Truth Social post that Deranged Jack Smith, sent his lawyers a letter saying he is a TARGET of the investigation and has a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy continued standing behind Trump, suggesting the special counsel is politically motivated.

I guess under a Biden administration, Biden America, youd expect this, McCarthy said. If you noticed, recently, President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for reelection. So, what do they do now? Weaponize government to go after their No. 1 opponent.

Trump already has been charged in two other indictments, first in New York over his role in a hush money payment scheme and then in the DOJs case over his mishandling of classified documents. Hes also under investigation in Georgia over efforts to undo Joe Bidens 2020 win in the state.

Giuliani last year was informed he is a target in Georgias probe, and later testified before a grand jury in the case. The prosecutor in that probe has signaled she may decide next month on indictments.

Meanwhile, Michigans attorney general on Tuesday charged each of the 16 Republicans who posed as fake Trump electors following the 2020 election with eight felonies.

Related...
A ruptured natural gas line in the 1600 block of East Third Street in Dayton on Tuesday evening triggered the evacuation of businesses and apartments.

>>PHOTOS: Ruptured natural gas line prompts evacuations in Dayton

Utility workers with two or three companies doing horizontal drilling hit the line, which connects to two other lines at a T-junction piece of pipe, District Chief Matt McClain, Dayton Fire Department, told News Center 7s Brandon Lewis.

We determined the gas was moving underground through some of the storm sewers, the district chief said. Were not sure what happened, why they hit the gas line.

Dayton firefighters were called and shut down a section of East Third Street so CenterPoint Energy, which maintains the lines, could come in to make repairs. Metro by T-Mobile cell phone store and Eliaa Smoke Shop & Gifts, at East Third and Huffman Avenue and nearest the leak, were evacuated. Two apartments above those businesses were evacuated as well.

Another apartment building, this one at 1903 E. Third across the street from the leak, was partially evacuated for a short time after some residents complained that they could smell gas, McClain said.

>> I-TEAM: U.S. Postal Inspection Service changes focus in fight against mail theft

Tyrone Hill, who lives in a second-floor apartment at 1903 E. Third St., said he was coming out to go to a store when firefighters told him to evacuate because of the gas leak.

It was kind of scary, he said.

Hill was given permission to go back inside the building to alert his neighbors.

You could smell the gas when you come out the door, he said. It was strong.

Despite being frightened by the suddenness of the emergency, Hill said he was happy because Dayton firefighters and the CenterPoint Energy workers seemed to have the situation under control.

No one was injured, the district chief said.

Photo from: Brandon Lewis/Staff

Photo from: Brandon Lewis/Staff

Photo from: Brandon Lewis/Staff

Photo from: Brandon Lewis/Staff

Photo from: Brandon Lewis/Staff

Photo from: Brandon Lewis/Staff

Photo from: Brandon Lewis/Staff












Destroyed Iranian Shahed kamikaze drone

Russia attacked Zhytomyr Oblast with Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones and hit several targets in the early hours of July 19, regional governor Vitaliy Bunechko reported on Telegram.

No casualties have been reported. An infrastructure facility and houses were damaged in the attack, Bunechko said. All emergency services arrived promptly at the scene.

Read also: One dead, three injured in latest Russian missile attack on Zviahel in Zhytomyr Oblast

Air-raid sirens sounded several times across Ukraine last night. Russian forces reportedly launched Iranian-made Shahed drones and cruise missiles.

Read also: Dozens of buildings damaged, residents displaced, emergency measures underway after night attack on Kryvyi Rih

All drones approaching Kyiv were downed. Explosions were heard overnight in Odesa at the Black Sea coast and in the morning in Kropyvnytskyi, in Ukraine's central Kirovohrad Oblast.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Fire as a result of the attack of Russian troops on the Mykolaiv region

Mykoliav and Kirovohrad Oblast came under attack by Russian missiles in the early hours of July 19, local authorities have reported.

The blast wave damaged houses nearby and a car belonging to the local fire station, the Mykolaiv office of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine stated on Facebook.

Read also: Odesa Oblast comes under sustained Russian air assault, 9-year-old injured

Central Kirovohrad Oblast also came under enemy fire last night. The strikes was aimed at the city Kropyvnytskyi, the governor Andriy Raikovych said on Telegram. No casualties or damage have been reported.

The overnight attack involved missiles of various types and Iranian-made suicide drones. OdesaOblast was its main targe where several apartment buildings were damaged. At least six residents, including a 9-year-old boy, sustained shrapnel injuries.

Read also: Russia attacks with drones Zhytomyr Oblast, no casualties reported

An infrastructure facility and houses were damaged by the Russian strike last night in Zhytomyr Oblast.

Ukrainian air defense units intercepted 13 Kalibr cruise missiles, a guided air missile Kh-59 and 23 Shahed drones. All were targeting crucial infrastructure and military objects.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Danone factory in Russia

Moscow has appointed a Chechen minister as the new head of yoghurt maker Danone's Russian subsidiary.

Yakub Zakriev, deputy prime minister and agriculture minister of Chechnya, has been installed after Russia seized control of the French firm's business.

Mr Zakriev is reportedly the nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov - a key ally of Vladimir Putin.

On Sunday, the Russian units of Danone and beer giant Carlsberg were put under "temporary management" of the state.

President Putin introduced new rules allowing Moscow to seize the assets of companies from "unfriendly" countries.

Many major Western companies halted their operations in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Before they were put under state control, Danone and Carlsberg were in the process of selling their Russian businesses.

Carlsberg said it was "unclear" what implications the development would have on the ongoing operations of its Russian operation, Baltika Breweries, as well as the sale process.

It was estimated that the sale of the business would result in a 1bn (861.7m) hit for France-based Danone.

Meanwhile, Taimuraz Bolloev was named as director of the Carlsberg's Russian business, Baltika Breweries.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment.

On Sunday, an order signed by Mr Putin placed the shares of Danone Russia and Carlsberg's Baltika Breweries under the control of Russian property agency Rosimushchestvo.

Danone, which started the process to sell its Russian business last October, said at the time that it was "investigating the situation".

Carlsberg said it had signed an agreement to sell Baltika Breweries last month but had not yet completed the deal.

"With the signing of the presidential decree on 16 July 2023, Carlsberg Group no longer retains control of the management or operations of Baltika Breweries. The change to the management of Baltika Breweries has consequently been made without the knowledge or approval by Carlsberg Group", said Carlsberg.

Baltika produces some of the most recognisable beer brands in Russia, with 8,400 employees across eight plants, according to Carlsberg's website.

Danone did not immediately respond to BBC requests for comment.
The US Department of State has reported that after refusing to participate in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia continues to export food and receives record high profits for it.

Source: Ukrinform citing Matthew Miller, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, during a briefing in Washington

Quote: "Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, its latest blow to the worlds supply of food. Just hours later, the Kremlin rained missiles and dispatched armed drones on Ukraines grain hub, the Port of [Odesa]."

"It is clear that Russia continues to use food as a weapon of war. This time, the impact is not only on the people of Ukraine, but also on global food supply and prices."

Details: Miller emphasised that food prices have increased by 22% since the beginning of Russian full-scale aggression, and they have jumped even more in the last day.

"Meanwhile, Russia continues to reap record profits from its grain exports," said the representative of the US Department of State.

He also noted that despite the Kremlin's lies, the UN together with the EU, the UK and the US had made efforts so that Russia could export its food. He recalled that the G7 countries did not impose any sanctions on Russian products and fertiliser exports.

Following this situation, the representative of the US Department of State emphasised that the influence of Moscow's malicious actions is already being felt, especially in the countries of the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, Yemen and Afghanistan.

He expressed hope that these countries realise that the only one who is responsible for blocking the goods access to the places where it is most needed is Russia.

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July 17 Russia officially announces its withdrawal from the grain deal

Russias Defense Ministry has designated all ships bound for Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea as potential carriers of military cargo, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported on July 19.

"From 00:00 Moscow time on July 20, all ships in Black Sea waters heading towards Ukrainian ports will be considered potential carriers of military cargo," the statement says.

Read also: UN Secretary-General urges Putin to salvage Black Sea grain deal

Russia stated that the countries under whose flag these ships sail will be considered involved in the Ukrainian conflict on Ukraines side. Moscow also designated several maritime areas in the northwest and southeast parts of the international waters of the Black Sea as "temporarily dangerous for navigation."

Read also: Ukraine proposes to continue Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia  PM

On July 17, Russia officially announced its withdrawal from the grain agreement after an attack on the Crimean Bridge.

At the same time, Moscow revoked guarantees of maritime security in the Black Sea.

Read also: The grain war is in full swing  Poland wont open borders for Ukraines agriculture

On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed that Ukraine, the UN, and Turkey continue with the grain agreement without Russias participation.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, mediated by the UN and Turkey in July 2022, allowed for three Ukrainian ports to keep exporting agricultural produce.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine says 60,000 tons of grain in a Russian barrage near Odesa.

Ukrainian officials say 60,000 tons of grain was destroyed in the latest wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on and around the Black Sea port city of Odesa. The attack was tied to Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, according to Ukrainian officials. That followed Ukraine's attack on the Kerch Bridge just days ago. The Kremlin has denied a connection and the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) said it is hitting military targets.

Meanwhile, the Russian MoD on Wednesday announced on its Telegram channel that in conjunction with ceasing the grain deal, all vessels sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo.

Accordingly, the countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime, The Russian MoD warned. In addition, a number of sea areas in the north-western and south-eastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation. Corresponding information warnings on the withdrawal of safety guarantees to mariners have been issued in accordance with the established procedure.

At the same time, some 230 miles to the east, more than 2,000 civilians in Crimea were evacuated and traffic along a major highway there is being diverted after huge explosions erupted at a military training base in the Kirov region in the eastern section of the peninsula, occupation government officials say.

While no official reason was provided for the explosions at the base, Kremlin-connected Russian Telegram channels claim it was hit by Ukrainian missiles.

Odesa Attack

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry (MoD) said southern Ukraine, especially Odesa, was hit by the second wave of missile and drone reprisal attacks in as many days.

https://twitter.com/OAlexanderDK/status/1681658643865821184

Ukraine says that Russia launched 31 cruise missiles and rockets and 32 Iranian-made Shahed-type drones early Wednesday morning. 18 of the missiles and nine of the drones hit their targets, the Ukrainian MoD claimed.

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https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1681479113389879296?s=20

As a result of the attacks, 60,000 tons of grain in the port of Chornomorsk, outside of Odesa, was destroyed, Minister of Agrarian Policy Solskyi said, according to the Telegram channel of Odesa military spokesman Serhiy Bratchuk.

That grain was supposed to be loaded on a large-tonnage ship and sent through the grain corridor 60 days ago, but was held up Solskyi said.

The grain infrastructure belonging to International and Ukrainian traders and carriers Kernel, Viterra, and the CMA CGM Group suffered damage, according to a post on the Facebook page of the Ukraine Reconstruction Ministry.

https://twitter.com/200_zoka/status/1681587692763586560?s=20

On Tuesday night, the infrastructure related to the grain was targeted and the reservoirs and berths at the port of Odesa were damaged as a result, the ministry reported.

Hanna Maliar, Ukraines deputy defense minister, tied the latest attacks on Odesa to Russias withdrawal from the grain deal. Russia withdrew after the Sunday attack on the Kerch Bridge

One of the Russians tactics is to launch drones and missiles to exhaust our air defense systems, Maliar said in an interview, according to The Wall Street Journal. We have an air-defense shortage across the country. And there are certain types of missiles that we cant shoot down, she added, referring to parts of the country not covered by the Patriot air-defense system capable of downing ballistic missiles.

Russia however claims it was striking military targets.

"The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a group strike with sea- and air-based precision weapons against military industry facilities, fuel infrastructure and ammunition depots of the [Armed Forces of Ukraine] close to Odesa and also against enemy Kanatovo airbase of the Ukrainian Air Force in Kirovograd region," the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) claimed on its Telegram channel Wednesday. "All the assigned targets have been neutralized. The goal of the attack has been reached."

Crimea Attack

There were no casualties caused by the early Wednesday morning explosion at the training base, occupation governor Sergei Aksenov said on his Telegram channel. The cause, he added, is being investigated.

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1681507454956474368?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1681542362084810752 https://twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1681601407437111298

Aksenov also told motorists to find a detour off the E97 highway - a major east-west road - and published a map with directions.

The occupation governor of Crimea is urging motorists to take a detour to avoid the training base that suffered a massive explosion Wednesday. (Sergei Aksenov Telegram channel)

The Russian Grey Zone and Rybar Telegram channels said the explosion was caused by U.K.-donated Storm Shadow air-launched, conventionally armed cruise missiles. The Two Majors Telegram channel said it was caused by a Ukrainian-produced Grom 2 missile.

The distance between the Crimean training base and the closest safe airspace for a Ukrainian Air Force jet to launch a Storm Shadow - over the Ukrainian-held side of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast - is about 145 miles. That is within the 155-mile stated range of the export versions of the Storm Shadow. The non-export configuration has a range of over double that. It is unclear which Ukraine has received.

The Russian training base that experienced an explosion is about 145 miles from the front lines and nearest location that Ukrainian fighters could likely safely launch a Storm Shadow. (Google Earth image)

However, a Ukrainian defense official we spoke with cast doubt on the Russian Telegram postulations.

First of all, the Grom 2 is still a concept, not an actual weapon, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss weapons development.

There have, however, been rumors that Ukraine could be working to bring what was a shelved tactical ballistic missile program into an operational Grom 2. You can read all about that here. But at this time, we have no evidence that this has yet happened.

A mock-up of the From 2 missile at a defense expo in Kyiv, January 2016. (Via open source)

As for the Storm Shadow, it is certainly possible, said the official. But using such a munition against a highly explosive ammunition depot might not be necessary. It was more likely the base was attacked with a Ukrainian-made aerial drone that had GPS guidance that was able to carry a significant payload and travel the required distance, according to the official.

Or it could have been the result of a sabotage operation by pro-Ukrainian partisans, the official added.

Regardless of Russian or Ukrainian speculation, we really don't know at this point what caused the explosion, but will update the story with any concrete details if and when they are provided.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Moscow is ramping up its threats to Ukraines Black Sea ports and the ships that dock there, heightening the risk of conflict in the key trade route and sending global wheat prices sharply upward.

Russias defense ministry warned in a statement Wednesday that all vessels sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo. The statement added that the countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kiev regime.

The U.S. also has information that indicates Russia has placed more sea mines around Ukrainian ports and could attack commercial ships in the region, according to White House National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge.

"We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks," Hodge said in a statement.

The moves seemed to be a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who vowed that his country would continue to ship grain through the Odesa port even after Russia on Monday pulled out of the year-old agreement lifting its military blockade of Ukraines Black Sea ports. Coming on top of a second night of Russian bombing at the Odesa port, it is likely to freeze further shipments of grain from the major seaports of Ukraine  one of the worlds leading exporters of wheat  and unsettle grain markets, at least temporarily.

Since Turkey and the U.N. brokered the grain deal last summer, major global shipping companies, including the U.S.-based agricultural shipping giant Cargill have transported wheat, corn, sunflower oil and other food staples through a humanitarian corridor to an inspection facility in Istanbul before heading to world markets. Threats from Russia, which is also a major wheat exporter, have previously halted those shipments at times, though only for a few days.



But the missile bombardments Monday and Tuesday nights tore through grain terminals and unleashed fires within key port infrastructure, leaving it heavily damaged, said Oleskii Goncharenko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament representing Odesa.

Story continues

The signal Moscow seems to be sending now is that this time they are serious about leaving the deal, said Andrey Sizov, head of SovEcon, a Black Sea agricultural market research firm focused on Russia and Ukraine.



Wheat prices quickly spiked in response to Russias statement Wednesday, with trading halted for the day after hitting its market limit. While analysts predict the markets will settle back down in the coming days and weeks, even short-term or small spikes in food prices are something world leaders and hungry populations cannot afford. Nations across the globe are already reeling from sky-high food costs in the last year. In the United States, Biden administration officials are increasingly wary of any surges in food prices ahead of the 2024 election, fearing it will give Republicans a potent talking point.

Odesa is the traditional center of Ukraines agricultural sector, which serves as a key lifeline to the countrys economy. USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited the port at Odesa after the first wave of Russian missile strikes Monday night, where she declared Russian President Vladimir Putin was willing to inflict humanitarian pain on innocents by targeting this port that helped to feed the world.



But since Russias invasion, the U.S. and other Western countries have worked to help Ukraine build out new overland and river routes and lessen its reliance on Odesas ports. That push has paid off, according to U.S. officials involved in the effort.

It removes Russia's veto over whether Ukraine exports grain, Jim OBrien, the State Departments head of sanctions, said in an interview last year as administration and European officials were scrambling to find new ways to get grain out of Ukraine amid skyrocketing global food prices. President Joe Biden was also publicly pressing for increased efforts to unlock Ukraines key grain supplies as a way to calm rising prices.

American officials are talking with Turkish, Ukrainian and other foreign officials as they search for new ways to increase exports from Ukraine, according to a U.S. official, who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. That includes looking at ways to further expand overland routes from Ukrainian territory, according to the official.



A makeshift export route via the Danube river near Romania now handles the main flow of food exports from Ukraine to world markets, according to the U.S. official. That route, however, is extremely expensive and also risks putting additional stress on commodity prices and infrastructure in Romania and other nearby nations, which has angered farmers in those countries.

Sizov said the expanded river and land routes are now expected to ship some 40 million tons of grain in the coming harvest season, which is close to the volumes Ukraine normally ships through its major seaports. Given that new reality, Odesa is not that important, Sizov said.

Still, given Odesas prominence in global trade routes, the Russian threats to commercial ships in the Black Sea has sent panic through world markets and rippled through global food prices in the short-term. A Cargill spokesperson said its ships and facilities that are based in the nearby Pivdennyi port in the Black Sea were safe. They declined to say whether Cargill would continue to operate in the Black Sea following the new Russian threats as shipping companies reevaluate the changing conditions.

Sizov said he expects markets to settle after this initial shock, as long as exports continue to flow through the Danube route. And he noted the market was slow to react initially to Russias decision to leave the deal Monday, with traders appearing to wait and see if Moscow was serious this time about blowing up the arrangement.

The immediate price spikes from Russias escalation in the Black Sea will be minor in the overall outlook, agreed Joe Glauber, a senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute and former chief economist at the U.S. Agriculture Department.

But long-term, the toll Russias war is taking on Ukrainian farmers and shippers will ripple through the global market for years, Glauber added. Key production estimates for Ukraines agriculture sector, which regularly feeds more than 400 million people across the world, are down by nearly 30 percent this year.

The U.S. official also noted record Russian profits on its own agricultural exports in recent months, as Moscow tries to increase their own market share and keep food prices artificially high by continuing to attack Ukraine.

Alex Ward contributed to this report.

CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify the nature of the expanded export routes that are expected to transport roughly 40 million tons of grain out of Ukraine in the coming harvest season.
The Russian command is faced with a difficult choice: whether to reinforce its troops in Kherson Oblast of Ukraine with units from Zaporizhzhia Oblast or not.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence update on 19 July

Quote: "Since the start of July 2023, there has highly likely been an increase in fighting around the lower reaches of the Dnipro River. As well as intense combat on the eastern bank around the small Ukrainian bridgehead near the ruined Antonivka Bridge, small units of Russian and Ukrainian troops have also been contesting islands in the Dnipro delta.

Both sides are using small, fast motorboats, and Ukraine has successfully used tactical one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles to destroy some Russian boats.

Russia faces a dilemma in deciding whether to respond to these threats by strengthening its Dnipro Group of Forces at the expense of the stretched units facing the Ukrainian counter-offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast."

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 19 July 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/21kg30qRdN



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/qHZCYmH3UF  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) July 19, 2023

Background: On 18 July, UK Defence Intelligence stated that Ukrainian and Russian troops had made minor advances on the frontline over the past week.

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Russian dictator Vladimir Putin

The Kremlin would be willing to reconsider re-joining the Black Sea Grain Initiative  once its conditions are met, which include lifting most of the trade restrictions the West has imposed on Moscow in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said on July 19.

Read also: Putin to skip BRICS summit in South Africa amid risk of arrest

Putin alleges that Russia has shown "remarkable restraint and tolerance" by upholding the grain agreement for as far as it did.

He insisted that neither party involved in the agreement has fulfilled or intended to fulfil their commitments and consistently imposed demands on Russia. Putin further claimed that "the West made every attempt to sabotage the grain agreement, without any restraint."

Furthermore, he stated that the agreement has directly led to a loss of $1.2 billion for Russian farmers. Putin maintains that Russia can replace Ukrainian grain on both commercial and gratuitous grounds, citing an "anticipated record harvest" this year. He argued that preserving the grain deal in its previous form does not serve Russia's interests.

This is why we opposed its extension; we are not against the agreement itself, Russian newspaper Kommersant quotes the dictator.

Read also: Water levels continue to rise, farmers face double disaster, Kyiv bomb shelters unready

We would consider rejoining it, but only if all principles of Russia's participation in the agreement are fully respected and enacted.

Putin outlined the conditions for his readiness to extend the deal:

- Removal of restrictions on exports of Russian grain and fertilizers to international markets;

- Reconnecting Russian banks to the SWIFT network;

- Removal of all restrictions.

- Resuming supplies of spare parts for agricultural machinery.

- Removing restrictions on insurance for Russian cargo ships.

Additionally, he demanded the Tolyatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline be reopened. Before the war, it was major route for Russian fertilizer exports.

Story continues

Read also: Zelenskyy stands firm as Russia withdraws from grain agreement

"We will immediately rejoin this agreement if all these conditions are satisfied," Putin concluded.

On July 17, Russia officially announced its withdrawal from the grain agreement after an attack on the Crimean Bridge, revoking guarantees of maritime security in the Black Sea.

Read also: Russian attack destroys 60,000 tons of grain in Chornomorsk

On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed that Ukraine, the UN, and Turkey continue with the grain agreement without Russias participation.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, mediated by the UN and Turkey in July 2022, allowed for three Ukrainian ports to keep exporting agricultural produce.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Exterior view of the grain storage terminal during visit of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the Odesa Sea Port, in Odesa, Ukraine, on Aug. 19, 2022. The fate of a wartime deal designed to move food from Ukraine to parts of the world where millions are going hungry is unclear as it faced renewal on July 17, 2023. | Kostiantyn Liberov, Associated Press

Russia attacked Ukraines grain infrastructure for the third night in a row. The airstrikes hit Ukrainian ports in Odesa, damaging Chinas consulate, as well as 27 civilians who reported injuries from the strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday on Telegram, Russian terrorists deliberately targeted the grain deals infrastructure, and every Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine, but to everyone in the world who wants a normal and safe life, The New York Times reported.

He also claimed the attacks were the largest since the war began, and he accused Russia of trying to weaponize hunger and destabilize the global food market, CNN reported.

Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Deal Monday after Ukraine sent airstrikes that damaged a section of the bridge connecting the annexed Crimean peninsula with Russias mainland, per the Deseret News.

According to Reuters, The signals that Russia was willing to use force to reimpose its blockade of one of the worlds biggest food exporters set global prices soaring.

Related

Of the 31 cruise missiles fired Tuesday night, Ukraine says 14 were destroyed, as well as 23 out of 32 Shahed attack drones, per CNN. One missile that was intercepted exploded, causing a blast wave that damaged buildings and injured civilians, per the Times. Approximately 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed when grain export infrastructure at Chornomorsk port southwest of Odesa was struck, per Reuters.

According to Ukraines Air Force, the attack was one of the largest sustained aerial assaults on Odesa, the countrys largest port, per the Times.

Russia has not responded yet, but did say it sent the strikes as a mass revenge strike for the explosions that damaged the bridge in Crimea  a region Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014, according to Reuters.

What is the Black Sea Grain Deal Initiative?

In 2022, the United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative to address concerns about a global food crisis after Russia invaded Ukraine  a key exporter of grain to other countries, per the Deseret News.

Story continues

Under the agreement, it oversaw the transport of 725,167 tons of wheat to sail on World Food Program ships to some of the worlds most food insecure countries, such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, CNBC reported.

According to The Associated Press, Wheat prices rose more than 2.5% on Tuesday and over 3% on Wednesday amid the Russian attacks in Odesa, following jitters in global markets after Moscow withdrew from the grain deal, threatening to worsen hunger in some parts of the globe.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted, Putin hasnt just blown up the Black Sea Grain Initiative; now he has hit the port city of Odesa with a hail of bombs for the second consecutive night. She added, In doing that, he is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain. Every one of his bombs also hits the worlds poorest, AP reported.

Related
Russian archaeologists and collaborators are excavating in the occupied Crimea at the site of the ancient Greek city of Chersonesos, looking for "evidence" of its belonging to Russia.

Source: National Resistance Center

Quote: "Excavations of a Ukrainian monument of national importance on the site of the ancient Greek city of Chersonesos are underway on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula.

Russian archaeologists and local collaborators are carrying out excavations under the supervision of the military. The main task facing the robbers of the historical monument is to prove the "belonging of the city to the Russian Federation."

Details: The Center adds that the occupiers want to prove that Chersonesos was actually inhabited by Slavs and was called the city of Korsun.

In the future, as the centre assumes, Russian propaganda will "draw a line" to Kyivan Rus, whose heir it considers itself. This will allegedly allow the occupiers not only to "justify their right to the peninsula" but also to level the history of the Crimean Tatars as "an insignificant stage in the history of Crimea".

Russian historians can resort to the deliberate destruction of Greek heritage in that area. The Center reports that many artefacts are being exported to the Russian Federation, and systematic looting and destruction of monuments are ongoing.

The National Resistance Center points out that the Nazis also excavated the peninsula during World War II, looking for evidence that Crimea was German land.

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One of the damaged tanks after a Russian missile and drone attack on Odesa and the region on Wednesday, July 19

The recent Russian missile strike targeting port infrastructure in Chornomorsk, Odesa Oblast, has destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, Ukraines Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi said on July 19.

According to a message on the ministrys website, Russia has once again attacked the port infrastructure and grain terminals in both Odesa and Chornomorsk. These ports are critical to the operation of the "grain corridor" in the Black Sea. 60,000 tons of grain set for loading onto a large ship were destroyed at the port of Chornomorsk.

Read also: Ukraine proposes to continue Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia  PM

The ministry disclosed that a significant portion of Chornomorsk port's grain export infrastructure has been rendered inoperative due to the attack. Government officials estimate that the complete restoration of the damaged facilities could take over a year.

Read also: Zelenskyy wants beefed up security at port infrastructure after Odesa missile strike

Solskyi revealed that the infrastructure of international and Ukrainian grain traders, specifically Kernel, Viterra, and CMA CGM Group, sustained the most damage. The official warned that if Ukraine cannot export food, some of the poorest countries in the world will face severe food security risks, with significant implications for the global economy.

Read also: The grain war is in full swing  Poland wont open borders for Ukraines agriculture

The cost of grains will increase, and not all countries will be able to afford agricultural products, said Solskyi.

This will subsequently raise the prices of staple food items like flour, cereals, and meat.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russian missile and drone strikes destroyed grain facilities and critical port infrastructure in Odesa early Wednesday morning, injuring at least six people.

Odesa, a major city in Ukraines south on the Black Sea, is the countrys largest and most important port. The attack threatens Ukrainian grain exports, which bolster the countrys economy and supply the global market.

The strikes on Odesa follow Russias announcement that it will suspend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a United Nations-negotiated deal to allow grain exports from Odesa that is set to expire Sunday. The strikes suggest a connection between that deals failure and an effort by Moscow to hurt Ukraines major export, even if doing so contributes to global grain shortages.

Russian terrorists have absolutely consciously kissed the infrastructure of the grain deal, and every Russian missile is a strike not only on Ukraine, but also for everyone in the world who seeks a normal and safe life, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday.

Zelensky pledged to increase the defenses at port facilities around the country.

Wheat prices have risen about 3 percent since Monday amid market pressures and the Russian moves.

Putin hasnt just blown up the Black Sea Grain Initiative; now he has hit the port city of Odesa with a hail of bombs for the second consecutive night, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.

In doing that, he is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain. Every one of his bombs also hits the worlds poorest, she added.

Odesa Gov. Oleh Kiper said 14 regions were targeted by Russian missile strikes overnight Wednesday, injuring at least 19 people. Kyiv was a target of explosive drones, but all were shot down, the citys defense minister said.

The flurry of strikes came after explosives damaged the Kerch Bridge, which connects Crimea to Russia from the east. That bridge is considered critical infrastructure for military and civilian supplies.

Ukrainian authorities did not directly claim responsibility for the attack, which was similar to another attack on the bridge in October 2022.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Russian-appointed puppet leader of occupied Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, has said that an ammunition depot in the Kirovske district was on fire and announced an evacuation of the residents of four settlements in the depots vicinity.

Source: Sergey Aksyonov on Telegram; Crimean Wind (Krymskyi Viter) Telegram channel

Details: At first, Aksyonov announced the closure of the Tavryda highway "in light of the fire at military training grounds in the Kirovske district".

He later reported that over 2,000 residents from four settlements would be evacuated from the area near the training grounds in the east of Crimea.

Aksyonov did not disclose what caused the fire.

Meanwhile, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel posted a video which purports to show the explosion that occurred at the Starokrymskyi military training grounds at 06:54.

The post reads: "Subscribers are reporting that the blast wave was felt in Feodosiia, causing some car alarms to go off."

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The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has reported that in the near future, the Russians are planning to organise another provocation at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) with the use of heavy weapons.

Source: press service of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Quote: "The occupiers are likely to organise another armed provocation on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the near future.

To this end, the FSB's military counterintelligence department is spreading information among the occupation contingent about the alleged preparation of an assault on the ZNPP by the Ukrainian defence forces."

Details: The Russian secret service has claimed that an "assault" on the nuclear power plant will be organised late in July; "assault groups" and unnamed "volunteer armed units of Ukraine" are allegedly supposed to take part.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine believes that spreading such information may indicate that the Russian occupiers are preparing a false flag operation that will lead to a large-scale accident at the ZNPP.

According to the available information, other simulated attacks on the plant are currently being prepared with the aim of further accusing Ukraine of it.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has called such actions an "act of nuclear terrorism".

Ukraine has repeatedly stated that nothing but the return of the ZNPP to full control of Ukraine and the IAEA, as well as the creation of a wide demilitarised zone around the plant, is able to guarantee the safe operation of a nuclear power plant.

Background:

ZNPP was seized by Russian occupation forces on 4 March 2022. Since then, there have been repeated reports of mines on the territory of the plant, several power units and the cooling pond.

The chief sanitary doctor of Ukraine said that in the event of a terrorist attack perpetrated by Russians at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), people will have to be evacuated from the zone with a radius of 50 kilometres around the station.

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Andrii Kovalov, Spokesman for the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces, has stated that the Defence Forces of Ukraine have driven the Russian forces out from their positions near Orikhovo-Vasylivka on the Bakhmut front.

Source: Military Media Center

Details: Kovalov reported that Ukrainian troops on the Bakhmut front are conducting offensive operations north and south of the city of Bakhmut.

Quote: "In the course of hostilities, the Russian occupiers were forced to retreat from their positions northeast of Orikhovo-Vasylivka."

Details: The General Staff spokesman said that Ukraines Defence Forces have had partial success, consolidating their positions, while the Russian forces are putting up strong resistance, using reserves, and suffering heavy losses.

Kovalev also said that Ukrainian troops have been successful on the Velyka Novosilka-Staromaiorske and Novosilka-Staromaiorske fronts, and are consolidating their positions.

The Ukrainian military "is inflicting fire damage with artillery on identified enemy targets, and carrying out counter-battery measures," he added.

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Putin and Ramaphosa in St. Petersburg last month during a peace mission by African presidents (Evgeny Biatov)

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a BRICS nations summit in South Africa next month, the country's presidency said on Wednesday, ending months of speculation.

Putin's potential visit has been a thorny diplomatic issue for South Africa.

The Russian leader is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant -- a provision that Pretoria as an ICC member would be expected to implement were he to set foot in the country.

"By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr (Sergei) Lavrov," Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said in a statement.

The decision follows "a number of consultations" held by Ramaphosa in recent months, the most recent of which took place "last night," Magwenya said.

South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group, a gathering of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China, which sees itself as a counterweight to Western economic domination.

Putin was formally invited to BRICS summit due to take place in Johannesburg between August 22 and 24, but Pretoria has been under heavy domestic and international pressure not to host him.

"President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe," Magwenya said.

Putin is sought by the ICC over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.

ub/sn/ri
Mykhailo Podolyak

Russias air attack against Odesa highlights the countrys attitude towards food security, African nations, the UN and global hunger, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, tweeted on July 19.

Russia deliberately targeted grain terminals and other port facilities in the area in order to make grain exports from Ukraine impossbile, Podolyak said.

Read also: Zelenskyy wants beefed up security at port infrastructure after Odesa missile strike

"These were direct strikes on civilian infrastructure and civilian population. Strikes against the global food program..." Podolyak wrote.

"Now the question is: Will Mr. Guterres make statements about the "inadmissibility of strikes on legitimate civilian infrastructure"? Will the UN hold an emergency meeting of the Security Council due to the deliberate act of terrorism committed by Russia against the global food program? And what are we going to do with international law?"

Read also: Ukraine proposes to continue Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia  PM

Russian attacked Odesa Oblast with dozens of drones and missiles in the early hours of July 19. It was one of the most intense strikes in the region since the war began.

A grain and an oil terminal were damaged, as well as reservoirs and loading equipment.

A TV-guided Kh-59 cruise missile was shot down near the coastline, falling on a residential area.

At least six people, including a nine-year-boy, were injured in the attack.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
[Source]

Ryan Gosling is sending BTS Jimin a special Ken guitar from the Barbie movie.



About the gift: Gosling, 42, stars as Ken in the highly anticipated Greta Gerwig-led film. On Wednesday, the actor shared a video message addressed to the 27-year-old K-pop star.

He starts by acknowledging that his character Ken wears the same cowboy outfit as Jimin in BTS music video for Permission to Dance.

I have to give it to you, you wore it first. You definitely wore it best, Gosling declares.

He then goes on to explain that there is an unspoken Ken code in regard to copying someone elses style.

More from NextShark: Coco Lee, 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon' and 'Mulan' singer, dies at 48

If you bite another Kens style, you have to give them your most prized possession, the actor says.

Holding up Kens guitar as a humble offering, Gosling notes that Ken doesnt even play guitar, so it would be much better in Jimins hands.

More from NextShark: Mel Gibson urges China to release Texas man on death row

About the movie: Barbie will hit cinemas on July 21. The upcoming film follows a doll named Barbie who leaves Barbie Land to explore the human world and features a star-studded cast that includes Gosling, Margot Robbie, Simu Liu, Ana Cruz Kayne, America Ferrera, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emma Mackey, Ritu Arya, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell and Michael Cera, among many others.

The film's soundtrack, which will also be released on July 21, features songs by a variety of artists, including FIFTY FIFTY and Kaliii, Ava Max, Charli XCX, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, Gayle, Haim, Ice Spice, Karol G, Khalid, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, PinkPantheress, Tame Impala and the Kid Laroi.

More from NextShark: BLACKPINKs Jisoo blooms in long-awaited debut solo album Me
Mikheil Saakashvili at a court hearing on July 3, 2023

Former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, who is currently being held in a Georgian prison, said he warned Western leaders that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin wanted to seize Ukraine decades ago, according to The Times on July 18.

Saakashvili said he also warned the world about Russian imperialism back in 2008 when Putin invaded Georgia, however, he was disregarded by the West.

When I warned the West about Putin, I was ignored like an unstable, embittered madman, Saakashvili said.

Western leaders preferred to ignore Russian aggression against Georgia in order to maintain economic ties with Russias energy resources.

Saakashvili also recalled his attempts to convey his concerns about Putin to Gerhard Schroder, the German chancellor from 1998-2005.

Schroder has close ties with the Russian dictator. He was one of the main lobbyists for the building of Nord Stream pipelines running from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.

The former chancellor was elected chairman of the board of directors of Russia's state-owned oil company Rosneft in 2017, and joined the board of directors at the Russian-German company Nord Stream AG, owned mostly by another Russian state energy giant Gazprom.

Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he condemned Russias actions but maintained ties with Moscow.

Unsurprisingly, he immediately denounced me to Putin, Saakashvili wrote.

Mikheil Saakashvili detention: What is known

The former Georgian president and Ukrainian politician Saakashvili returned to Georgia in September 2021 on the eve of the local elections and was immediately arrested. He was sentenced to six years in prison over several cases.

The politician launched several hunger strikes in protest claiming that the detention was politically motivated.

Saakashvili's lawyers, family, and supporters say his health condition has seriously deteriorated due to hunger and called on the Georgian authorities to allow to treat him in Ukraine or elsewhere.

Story continues

Read also: Georgia summons Polish diplomat after Polish doctors visit Saakashvili

His attorney Shalva Khachapuridze said in November 2022 that the prisoner was diagnosed with dementia and tuberculosis. Saakashvili believes he could have been poisoned by Russian agents.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in February 2023 that the Georgian government was killing Saakashvili and called for his release to Ukraine or elsewhere.

On July 3, Saakashvili, former Georgian president and current Ukrainian citizen, made aremote appearance in a court hearing for the first time in several months. Georgian oppositional media posted photos of the exhausted and lean politician.

On July 4, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported a protest to the Georgian ambassador in connection with the significant deterioration of the health of the Ukrainian imprisoned citizen and recommended that he leave Ukraine to consult with his own government.

On July 12, after a six-month delay, doctors from Poland were allowed to visit Saakashvili. Later, Georgian authorities said that a doctor sent by the European Union had tried to illegally take a sample of tests and carry it out in his shoe. They released a video showing the doctor taking a small object out of his shoe.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

SAC STATE INADEQUATELY ADDRESSING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT, REPORTS FIND

Two reports released this week concluded that the California State University system is inadequately responding to allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

The first, released Monday, is a year-long assessment commissioned by CSU into sexual assault and harassment allegation protocols on each of its 23 campuses.

The second report, released Tuesday by the California State Auditor, reviewed allegations of sexual harassment or assault by employees at the Office of the Chancellor, CSU Fresno, San Jose State and Sonoma State.

The audit concluded that CSU has not adequately or consistently addressed some allegations of sexual harassment.

The report found issues including:

Premature and unjustified closing of investigations.

Two-thirds of cases stayed open past the time frame mandated by CSU sexual harassment policy.

More than half of the cases missed essential documentation.

The audit blamed the inadequacies in part on a lack of systemwide guidance and oversight by the Chancellors office.

The office is responsible for overseeing sexual harassment policy at the university system. Each of the 23 CSU campuses also have a Title IX coordinator who oversees campus response to sexual harassment reports.

The CSU-commissioned report found a number of deficiencies at Sacramento State, including:

An under-resourced Title IX office . The Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO), which houses the universitys Title IX response coordinators, does not have enough resources to adequately serve the campus.

Lack of student awareness about OEO . The average Sac State Student has no idea what OEO is or what it does.

Ad hoc prevention and education programming . There is no strategic approach on campus to prevention and education.

Inconsistent documentation across the university. Inefficiency can impede in the investigations.

The biggest issue right now is that students dont really know what the resources on campus are, said Michael Lee-Chang, a rising sophomore at Sac State who has worked with the universitys Sexual Violence Awareness Team and OEO.

Story continues

In the 2022-23 school year, Sacramento State developed a Sexual Violence Prevention, Safety, and Support Action Plan. In the time since the CSU report was conducted, they have hired two new Title IX investigators, bringing the total number of investigators to four for the campus of 31,000 students.

Sac States OEO said it intends to implement all of the recommendations included in the report. It expects the process to take two to three years.

SACRAMENTO TO PILOT AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM

U.S. Bank is launching a new mortgage program that aims to help Black and Latinx buyers in particular purchase homes. Sacramento is one of the six California pilot cities where the loans will first be available.

The Access Home Loan mortgage provides up to $12,500 in down payment assistance and an additional $5,000 in lender credit.

Housing affordability is down across all groups since mortgage rates shot up to seven percent last year, Sacramento housing analyst Ryan Lundquist said in an email to the Bee. But racial income and wealth gaps, plus Californias history of racially discriminatory real estate practices, mean the barriers are even higher for Black households looking to buy a home.

Only 21 percent of Black households can afford the median price in Sacramento County, the lowest of any racial group, according to the California Association of Realtors. Across the state, that share goes down to 12 percent for a single-family home. Black Californians are now less likely to own a home than in the 1960s, when housing discrimination was legal, according to the California Reparations Task Force report on housing discrimination.

Its hard to say if this new mortgage product has the teeth to do anything about the gap or not, but I can see why programs like this are being considered, Lundquist said.

Who qualifies for the new loan?

Borrowers living in majority-minority neighborhoods with income equal or below the area median income qualify.

One thing I find particularly promising about this program is how theyre considering non-traditional credit data like rent payments and utility bills, said Sacramento Real Estate Broker Keisha Kee Mathews. Mathews founded Sac Club 100, an organization helping first-time homebuyers in Sacramento.

This can be a game-changer for folks with limited credit history or who may not have traditional banking relationships, as it gives them a better chance of getting approved for a mortgage.

Mathews also said US Banks outreach to raise awareness of the mortgage opportunity will make or break its success.

Six California cities are included in the initial launch of the mortgage program: Sacramento, Los Angeles, Oakland, Fresno, San Diego and Riverside.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

People are living in third-world conditions here in the states capital. We need to show compassion, but we also need to display courage to sometimes do things that are uncomfortable and unpopular, Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho in an interview with The Bee.

Best of The Bee:
Ahead of a three-day stretch of triple-digit temperatures, the city of Sacramento on Wednesday cleared over 30 homeless people from a midtown tree-lined street that offered shade.

Unlike previous sweeps, the city offered all of the people spaces at the newly expanded Miller Park Safe Ground, a sanctioned campground along the Sacramento River.

At least 14 went there, where they will get access to bathrooms, drinking water, showers and services. But many people did not want to go because they have heard its too hot in the provided tents erected on the blacktop.

Candice Montoya and her husband Robert Ash rushed to pack up their belongings Wednesday morning while a yellow excavator waited to scoop up whatever was left. The couple had been living in a tent along C Street for about six months with their cat Meow Meow and their small dog Sugar. They decided to move to Miller Park, but were only allowed to bring three bags of belongings. That meant they had to abandoned two tents, as well as clothing, mattresses, and Meow Meows cat tree.

Robert Ash tries to calm his cat Meow Meow, who he said was frightened by the sound of the citys disposal vehicles, during a homeless encampment sweep on C Street on Wednesday. He hauled his possessions, along with his wifes belongings and their dog Sugar, a few blocks away because they were afraid they couldnt sort their belongings quickly enough to avoid being trashed by the citys crews.

Knowing well have to be on asphalt in the middle of the sun is really shitty, Montoya, 42, said. At least here we had some shade.

The high Thursday is set to hit a dangerous 102 degrees, followed by 105 on Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. In September, unhoused man Michael Hooper, 49, died of heat stroke while living in his van near a Sacramento park.

City spokesman Tim Swanson said there are shaded areas at Miller Park, including shade structures in common areas and nearby tree canopies, as well as misters and cold water.

Despite that, George Russell was also concerned about the heat at Miller Park. He is on methadone to treat opioid use disorder and is not supposed to be in heat thats 90 degrees or higher, he said. He lost a tent and clothing in the sweep.

Im thinking about Miller Park but its hot, Russell, 58, said. We formed a community here.

Alicia Peterson, wearing a cowboy hat adorned with turquoise gem, sat on a mattress in her green tent until the last possible minute. She kept her tent but lost her mattress because she was not strong enough to carry it due to neuropathy and a broken wrist, for which she was hospitalized last week, she said.

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I wish theyd give us more of a solid place to be, not move us every six months, Peterson, 55 of Sacramento, said.

The city on Tuesday did not offer people housing, or another immediate shelter option other than Miller Park. The 17 trailers at Miller Park, which do not have air conditioning, are currently full.

The council, which is currently on summer recess, may discuss additional properties to open Safe Grounds during its meeting Tuesday, including some that could be shaded.

Tyler Vaneehei, 31, center, looks back as his mattress is readied to be thrown in the trash during a homeless sweep along C Street in Sacramento on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. He was able to save his tent but had no idea where he might go because he was afraid he had too many things to be accepted into the Miller Park Safe Ground. Officials were saying the homeless residents were only allowed three big bags and had to get rid of the rest of their belongings.

City under pressure

The sweep comes as the city is under increasing pressure to clear camps.

A homeless ballot measure went into effect last month, and several business owners and residents are accusing the city of not enforcing it. City Manager Howard Chan, who rewrote the measure before it was voted on, has publicly disputed that accusation.

The measure comes with a new form where residents can submit complaints about camps to the city. The camp the city swept Tuesday, which is near Leland Stanford Park, and also McKinley Village, was one of the top camps to receive complaints.

My household has spent over $20,000 repairing damage to property, replacing stolen items, upgrading security, securing property to minimize further trespassing and damage, nearby resident Staci Edwards wrote in a complaint to the city in June, obtained by The Bee from a California Public Records Act request. I have also been diagnosed with C-PTSD after living through 15 months of the camp from 2020-2021 and acute PTSD after being threatened at gunpoint by an occupant of the encampment on 2/15/23. We have not had quiet use or enjoyment of our property in over three years due to excessive noise and issues from the camp.

Bright green notices the city taped to tents last week stated they were violating a city ordinance by blocking the sidewalk. However, The Sacramento Bee observed most of the tents were pitched on the grassy strip adjacent to the sidewalk. The notices also checked a box saying they had personal belongings on public property in violation of a different city ordinance.

The sweep also follows mounting pressure on the city by District Attorney Thien Ho to clear camps. Ho Tuesday said he plans to investigate the citys response to homeless camps, which could result in criminal or civil legal fillings. Last week Ho sent the city a letter telling them to clear camps around the downtown courthouse.

The city has offered to take several people around the courthouse to Miller Park, but does not in general move people unless there is somewhere to take them, and there rarely is. There are roughly 2,300 city and county shelter beds in Sacramento for an estimated 9,300 homeless people.

The 2018 Martin v. Boise U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling states cities and counties cannot criminalize homeless people living on public property unless there is a place to take them to. The city and DA interpret that ruling, as well as subsequent rulings on the topic, differently.
The 2023 California Michelin Guide was released Tuesday night. Localis and The Kitchen remained Sacramentos pair of Michelin-starred restaurants. This is a story originally published September 2021 about the Michelin selection process.

Auburns Restaurant Josphines homey dining room is lit by charming bulbs that hang over customers heads as they eat moules frites and cheese vareniki over French wine. Mismatched china dishes with flower designs come from owners Eric Alexander and Courtney McDonalds personal collection amassed through years of thrifting. The effect is it feels like fine dining took over grandmas countryside cottage.

A longtime power couple leading Carpe Vino in Auburn, Alexander and McDonald opened their dinner-only French/Eastern European bistro in a converted Odd Fellows lodge in November 2020. They use ingredients from their nearby farm and others around the area for dishes such as duck liver mousse in pine cone caramel or beet salad in a Georgian plum sauce called tkemali.

A half-hour drive from the state Capitol, Restaurant Josephine is one of the best additions to greater Sacramentos dining scene in the last two years. Yet, if Michelin inspectors stick to the same guidelines as their last visit to the region, Josephine has no chance of being featured in the 2021 California Guide that comes out Tuesday.

Despite going to suburbs in other California cities, and previously saying they would do the same for Sacramento, Michelin expressed little interest in checking out anything but the Sacramento areas brightest neighborhoods in the inaugural 2019 California Guide.

Thats a shame. Theres nothing like Josephine in city limits.

It absolutely is different. The French and Eastern European mix that we have going on here, youre not going to get a lot of the flavors in Sacramento that you are going to have here, Alexander said. I dont know of anybody (else) thats got preserved pine cones on their (menu).

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Restaurant Josephines Mark Looney prepares three plates of potato-leek vareniki in the kitchen during dinner service Tuesday in Auburn.

Chef Eric Alexander, co-owner of Restaurant Josephine, works in the kitchen during dinner service.

Of the 13 Sacramento restaurants to receive Michelin accolades in the 2019 guide, all but The Kitchen and its multi-month wait list had locations in downtown, midtown or East Sacramento. It did not mention Vietnamese food in Little Saigon or Natomas Indian cuisine, to say nothing of suburban dining destinations such as Hawks in Granite Bay.

Even Visit Sacramento CEO Mike Testa, one of the loudest initial proponents pushing for Michelin to review Sacramento restaurants, wasnt fully satisfied with the 2019 list compared to the treatment received by other California cities.

When I look at the San Francisco (chapter of the) guide, they had restaurants in Contra Costa County. For us, that should mean looking in different parts of this region, whether its Sacramento, Granite Bay or Davis, Testa said. I dont know how far (Michelin inspectors) are looking to go, but yes, weve encouraged them to look at all the worthy restaurants in the region, not just Sacramento proper.

Sacramentos stars

The Kitchen was the only Sacramento restaurant to receive a Michelin star in 2019. Canon, Frank Fats and now-closed Mother earned Bib Gourmands from Michelin, reserved for restaurants that offer strong value. Mulvaneys B&L, Mayahuel, Binchoyaki, Allora, Ming Dynasty, Bacon & Butter, Grange, Zocalo, Ella Dining Room & Bar and Localis all got Plates, defined simply as good cooking.

A planned 2020 California guide was nixed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Michelin released 25 inspector discoveries. Sacramentos lone representative on that list was Yue Huang, a Natomas dim sum emporium that opened in 2016.

Yue Huang and Roseville-based Nixtaco, recently dubbed Northern Californias best tacos by SF Gate, were then announced as the two 2021 Sacramento-area Bib Gourmand winners on Wednesday. One might like to see more restaurants mentioned, but driving out to Placer County for tacos was a marked departure from the inspectors 2019 strategy. Was that a one-off, or will more off-the-beaten path restaurants be unveiled in Tuesdays guide release?

The chicken and crab clay pot at Yue Huang in 2017. The restaurant was announced as a 2021 Sacramento-area Bib Gourmand winner on Wednesday.

Patricio Wise, chef and proprietor at Nixtaco in Roseville, holds a plate of chicharron tacos in 2019. The chicken and crab clay pot at Yue Huang in 2017. The restaurant was announced as a 2021 Sacramento-area Bib Gourmand winner Wednesday.

Michelin did not respond to requests by The Sacramento Bee to talk by phone, but answered questions via email. It is grappling with its role in the rapidly-evolving U.S. food world and its relevance in Sacramento is murky. Chefs who once dreamed of stars are rethinking their restaurants since the pandemic, and criticism of its staid selection criteria has grown louder.

I didnt see anything from the 2019 ratings thats made me feel like Michelin really changed or adapted their rating system, said Carla Meyer, The Sacramento Bees dining critic from 2015-17. It was wonderful to have a Michelin star in Sacramento for The Kitchen, but it seems like it has to be a very tony place for them to give a star  post-pandemic, the whole thing seems a little behind the times to me.

Criticism for Michelin Guide

The first Michelin Guide was published in 1900 as a tool to help drivers navigate France on their Michelin tires, with maps, basic car repair instructions and locations of roadside inns included. Restaurants and stars were introduced in the 1920s, then Bib Gourmands in 1955 and Plates in 2016.

Michelin first landed stateside with the 2005 New York City guide, and published its first Bay Area guide two years later. In 2018, it only released guides in four U.S. markets: Chicago, New York, Washington D.C. and the Bay Area.

That changed in 2019, when Visit California coughed up $600,000 to fund Michelin inspectors reviews statewide. Suddenly, Sacramento restaurants were up for review, along with those in Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, Monterey and Santa Barbara.

That $600,000 came from Visit Californias $126 million 2019 budget, and certainly didnt look like much compared to the $2.5 billion tourists spent at California restaurants in 2017, according to a white paper produced by the organization.

At the time, Michelins reputation was starting to sink among food writers and even some chefs. It was too Eurocentric, too stuffy, too limited in its appraisal due to longstanding rules about service, setting and ambiance.

Michelin published a Los Angeles guide in 2008 and 2009 but left in 2010, when Lincoln native Garrett Snyder was an intern in the city. Snyder went on to become the food editor at LA Weekly and Los Angeles Magazine, then a staff writer in the Los Angeles Times food section before leaving to freelance and write cookbooks earlier this year.

Los Angeles chefs were pretty upset when Michelin left, Snyder said. In the decade that followed, the citys dining scene changed. Chefs who werent classically trained took on greater prominence, and some wondered whether the fine-dining kitchen culture of yesteryear was worth preserving.

Among the chefs in restaurants in L.A. (in 2010), there was really an aspiration toward (Michelin) recognition. That was the ultimate recognition for a lot of those chefs trained in classic European kitchens, Snyder said. By the time it returned, the citys center of gravity ... had totally shifted. A lot of chefs were like, Well I didnt really come up working in kitchens that were obsessed with Michelin. It still had cachet, of course, but I think L.A. kind of grew less attached during that absence.

Michelins anonymous inspectors officially look for product quality, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, chefs personality in the food, financial value and consistency, according to the companys website. White-tablecloth dining is heavily favored for stars, though a Singaporean hawker with $2.50 soy sauce chicken noodles held a star from 2016 until earlier this month.

Bib Gourmands can seem inconsistent as well. To qualify, restaurants must serve two courses and wine or dessert for less than $40, not including tax and tip. But Canon is hardly a budget-friendly option  it specializes in shareable small plates such as a roasted pear salad or sweet corn ribs, both $15. A steak will run you $69.

As for Plates, well, points for trying.

With the Plates, it felt a little like an attempt to show your homework, for lack of a better word, Snyder said. It was like they were trying to say, Look, we did our diligence, we ate around. They were trying to nod to places without giving them full recognition, whether thats as a Bib or a star. I think for some people, it felt a bit like a participation trophy.

The pandemic drastically affected all restaurants; fine dining, perhaps the most. Curbside pickup and street parklets suddenly became more important than pristine plating as restaurants like Ella and Localis shut down for months and others such as Allora turned to take-and-bake family meals. Even once star-hungry chefs dont have the same appetite now.

Several years ago, Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine co-owner/chef Billy Ngo asked Testa to push Michelin for inclusion in the Bay Area guide or a separate book on Sacramento, Ngo said. After Michelin passed on his high-end East Sacramento sushi bar in 2019, Ngo vowed to speed up plans for an intimate omakase counter in pursuit of a star, figuring Michelin would respect a nigiri-only establishment over one that also served rolls.

A 15-piece sashimi mix, on ice, pickled wasabi and other accompaniments is ready to serve at Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine in 2017. Co-owner/chef Billy Ngo pushed for Sacramentos inclusion in the Michelin Guide.

That idea is on the backburner for now. Kru was flooded with takeout orders during the pandemic, and is now doing 180-200 covers a night inside and outside with a thin staff. Ngo still wants his omakase bar someday, but a star today doesnt have the same allure as it did in 2019, he said.

I dont care. It all changed. I know it was really important to me before, when I talked to Visit Sac. But the last 16 months changed a lot of peoples perspectives, and its not that important to me anymore, said Ngo, who also owns Kodaiko Ramen & Bar and Fish Face Poke Bar. Im just trying to get through the days and staff up now.

What they missed

The Sacramento regions list of obvious star candidates beyond The Kitchen isnt particularly long. Meyer argued in favor of Binchoyaki and Canon, and active Bee food writers vouched for a few more in 2019, but tasting menus, impeccable service and sky-high prices arent really what comes to mind when one thinks of Sacramento-area restaurants.

Greater Sacramentos culinary calling card is its wealth of very good, ethnically diverse, reasonably-priced options such as Basha Taste of Jerusalem or Quan Nem Ninh Hoa. Neighborhood joints such as Masullo or Journey to the Dumpling would seemingly be strong Bib Gourmand candidates if Michelins inspectors made it off the grid.

Grilled meat sits on the special Japanese grill known as sumiyaki, which is imported from Japan at Japanese Izakaya restaurant Binchoyaki.

Bobby Masullo, owner of Masullo Pizza, cooks in 2020 at his Land Park restaurant, just off the grid in Sacramento, an example of one of the regions neighborhood spots that would make a strong Bib Gourmand candidate.

A bowl of takeout pho from Pho Xe Lua, served at home durng the coronvirus pandemic in March. The restaurant has one of the tastiest beef broths in Sacramentos Little Saigon.

Sacramento has some really great food thats a little more casual or doesnt fit the Michelin mold, Snyder said. Thats what really makes up the character of a city and its food scene, more than just the upscale restaurants in the main district of the city.

Even when Michelin recognized food rooted outside of European or New American cooking, the inclusions could be puzzling. Michelin lost legitness in Ngos eyes after the 2019 list, he said.

The list just didnt make sense to me. Im not s----ing on Ming Dynasty, I go there to eat quite often because its close to me. But to say they deserved a Plate, thats a joke, Ngo said. It felt like (inspectors) threw it in just to say they had a Chinese restaurant. Did they really do their job and come out here and review places, or did they just put together a quick list?

In fairness, Michelin Guides roots are in tourism, and many of Sacramentos largest hotels are around downtown and midtown. Travelers still consult the little red books, and Testa said he spoke to restaurateurs like Brad Cecchi of Canon who reported immediate upticks in business after inclusion in the 2019 California Guide, even booking Christmas parties after the June release.

Tina Nguyen runs Pho Xe Lua with her chef husband Bobby Phong. It was one of The Sacramento Bees Top 50 Restaurants of 2021, the few-frills home of arguably Little Saigons tastiest beef broths.

It also neighbors a sprawling homeless encampment on Stockton Boulevard near the Fruitridge Road intersection. That shouldnt and hasnt deterred Sacramento residents  Pho Xe Lua is three times as busy as it was during the stay-at-home order with the same amount of staff, Nguyen said  but can be a tougher sell to the kind of tourists who choose where to eat based on Michelins guidance.

That includes Nguyen and Phong, who consult Michelin guides when traveling and have eaten at starred restaurants in the Bay Area and Singapore. Nguyens satisfied with Pho Xe Lua, but said her restaurant doesnt measure up even as a Bib Gourmand or Plate  and doesnt want one, given her already-cooked staff.

Its not their brand. Theyre on-brand by not adding us, Nguyen said. I cant ask anyone to come here from reading the Michelin Guide, knowing theyre going to come by an encampment (and might) see something that would turn them off. Using the Michelin Guide, I would be upset if I came here and found that.

Sacramentos homelessness crisis isnt tourism billboard material. Suburban neighborhoods arent that exciting to weekend vacationers, either.

But avoiding restaurants near them means one cant really explore the best the region has to offer. Finding the Restaurant Josephines of the world sometimes requires a bit of a road trip.

Youd think Michelin, of all companies, would know that. Well find out on Tuesday.

This story was updated Sept. 24 to correct the reference to Visit California not commenting on how much was spent for this years guide. It did not refuse to comment. It was updated Sept. 27 to clarify how Michelin responded to an interview request.
As a public meeting Monday evening revealed, finding common ground on a multi-state carbon dioxide pipeline running through Sangamon County remains a problem both figuratively and literally.

Coming to Springfield from Nebraska, Navigator Heartland Greenway LLC attempted to sell a standing room audience on its proposed pipeline running through 292 miles in the state. That task has proven difficult in preceding months and the meeting held by the county Zoning and Land Use Committee continued that trend.

Approximately 39 miles of pipeline collecting emissions from ethanol plants and storing them underground would run through the county, hitting portions of nine townships. Opponents are concerned a potential pipeline burst with this proximity to towns such as New Berlin and Glenarm could lead to a public health crisis exceeding what was seen earlier this year during the I-55 dust storm.

Navigator CO2 Ventures filed a new application with the Illinois Commerce Commission on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. The filing expands the carbon dioxide pipeline into Montgomery County.

This fear, along with belief that existing state and federal regulations are inadequate, has caused several counties to issue moratoriums against CO2 pipeline construction. As of June, Navigator has also only received 13.4% of the right-of-way easement agreements statewide and 5.2% in the county according to its own data.

"This proposal is not the best interest of Sangamon County," Glenarm resident Kathleen Campbell said during the meeting held at the Bank of Springfield Center.

Most of Navigator's presentation focused on its safety efforts for the pipeline, where in addition to 24/7 monitoring and a lockdown system that would prevent a burst from spreading further up or down the line, there will be bi-weekly air monitoring by plane or drone to check in for any weather disruptions.

"So we have a control room that's monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by qualified personnel, they get a signal that comes in, they're able to say, 'Hey, we may have an event happening right here,'" said Chris Brown, Navigator vice president of capital projects. "At that point, they will follow their emergency manual procedures along with the counties if it involves getting them involved."

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Getting those counties involved, Navigator said it has held several meeting with emergency management agencies and plans to continue those conversations. They are in the process of crafting emergency response plans with each of the 12 counties the pipeline would run through in Illinois, with Brown saying these plans will be different for each county.

"You can't do everyone's the same because they're going to have different power settings, different locations, different hospitals," he said.

Sangamon County director of the Office of Emergency Management Bill Lee said it will likely take at least a year to develop a response plan, this being challenged since Navigator has not finalized its route. The company has also promised to pay for training, although how much funding it will commit is not certain.

Lee added the county currently lacks sufficient personal protective equipment or a fleet of vehicles that could drive through a plume of CO2. The kind of vehicle needed in the case of a pipeline leak has to be an electric since a combustion engine cannot operate if carbon dioxide displaces oxygen in the air.

Navigator's petition has been before the Illinois Commerce Commission since late February, who is in the middle of an 11-month review before ultimately making a decision on the pipeline. Already through, some ICC staff has recommended the commission to not approve.

More: CO2 pipelines, utility rate requests await new Illinois Commerce Commission chair

Among those providing testimony last month, ICC senior gas engineer Mark Maple cited those low amounts of secured easement agreements and a lack of experience from Navigator in building CO2-specific pipelines as his reasons to oppose. The company has also yet to establish a sequestration site - where the liquified CO2 would be stored underground - but has selected potential sites in either Christian or Montgomery counties.

"Without a sequestration facility in place and the end point being uncertain, the entire route remains in flux, and consequently, in my opinion, it is not a benefit to the citizens of Illinois nor in the public interest," Maple's testimony reads.

Financial incentives or financial hits?

While the majority of those speaking during the hours-long meeting rose in opposition, several members of pipefitters unions both local and visiting announced their backing.

Illinois Chamber of Commerce senior vice president of government affairs Clark Kaericher touted the economic benefits, specifically mentioning how the capture of emissions at 30 ethanol plants will bring-in potential billions per year and the creation of 3,500 jobs.

"I understand why some of you might initially be afraid of this project, I was too before I dove into it," the Chatham resident roughly a mile away from the proposed pipeline said. "But we can't allow that fear to reject the science, we can't allow that fear to reject strict PHSMA (United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) standards."

Navigator plans to exceed standards set by PHSMA, but those guidelines are currently being revised prompted by a 2020 pipeline burst in Satartia, Mississippi. No deaths were reported in the incident, but emergency personnel were forced to evacuate about 200 residents and 45 people sought medical attention.

Approximately 500 people attended a Sangamon County Board Zoning and Land Use Committee public hearing regarding a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline running through the county on Monday, July 17, 2023.

"The current regulations for constructions are essentially the same of those that were used to construct the pipeline in Mississippi," said JD Sudeth, president of the Sangamon County Farm Bureau who is formally opposed to the pipeline. "Thus, we cannot allow this pipeline to be constructed in the same manner as the Mississippi pipeline that failed."

Additionally, opponents say property values and agricultural yields will drop and those jobs that are tied to the project are seen as temporary at best.

If the ICC moves forward with the project, the county could receive payment from Navigator. Joel Benoit, chief of the civil division in the Sangamon County states attorneys office, discussed the form of payment the county would receive through two project development agreements, one pertaining to how much the county receives per mile of pipeline and the other regarding each operating sequestration well.

More: Protests mounting over proposed CO2 pipelines cutting across Peoria, Tazewell counties

The county could receive up to $48 million if it "provides positive assistance as necessary," per the PDAs. What that means specifically was not certain to Benoit.

"Generally, for a contract to be enforceable its terms must be definite," he said, calling for amended agreements between Navigator and the county. "In my opinion, the requirement to 'provide positive assistance as necessary' does not meet this standard. I mean, when I read, I just think 'What is positive assistance?' and what is 'as necessary?'"

Contact Patrick Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Hundreds attend public hearing on Navigator CO2 pipeline
San Diego State guard Lamont Butler, center, celebrates with teammates after he hit the winning basket against Florida Atlantic during the second half of a Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament on April 1, 2023. | Godofredo A. Vasquez, File, Associated Press

After reportedly telling the Mountain West Conference that it intended to leave the conference, San Diego State will reportedly remain in the Mountain West.

Yahoo Sports Ross Dellinger reports that the Aztecs were informed by the Mountain West that the school will remain a member, putting to rest the question if the league would welcome them back.

On June 16, the Aztecs reportedly wrote a letter about their intent to leave the MWC, but after no invite from another league materialized, it appears the Aztecs will remain in the conference they have been a member in since 1999.

San Diego State, which may have been hoping that an invite from the Pac-12 was coming, did not receive an invite from the conference, which still has not finalized its media deal.

Related

San Diego State originally sent the Mountain West a letter announcing its *intention* to withdraw; the MWC took it as a formal withdrawal & withheld distribution. After Pac-12 failed to finalize a new TV deal by SDSUs June 30 deadline, SDSU requested it remain a MWC member, Dellinger wrote.

The Aztecs will be responsible for covering fees that the conference expensed over legal work during a letter exchange with SDSU about its possible withdrawal, according to Dellinger.
The city of San Luis Obispo has paused enforcement of an ordinance that requires new buildings to be all-electric.

Following an April 2023 decision made by a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that overturned Berkeleys ban on natural gas in new construction, no building applications filed in San Luis Obispo will be denied on the basis of including natural gas until further notice, the city said in a news release.

Property owners and developers may now submit permit applications for new mixed-fuel buildings, meaning some new future buildings could install and use natural gas infrastructure, the release said.

However, if the panels decision is overturned, mixed-fuel applicants may have to modify their building plans, even if the project was approved to include natural gas, the release said.

In its appeal, the city of Berkeley asked the full Ninth Circuit Court to overturn the panels decision, the release said.

If the decision is overturned by the full Ninth Circuit Court and the case is not reviewed by the Supreme Court, San Luis Obispo will immediately resume enforcing its all-electric new building ordinance, the release said.

In the meantime, the city will remain committed to its Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery, and still aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, the release said.

Developers are still encouraged to consider all-electric building plans, as they are cost-effective, use efficient appliances, are connected to the citys increasingly green electricity system and include state-mandated solar energy systems, the release said.

The change was approved June 28 by city manager Derek Johnson and community development director Michael Codron, according to the administrative order.
A federal judge agreed to loosen Rep. George Santoss (R-N.Y.) travel restrictions as the freshman lawmaker awaits trial on more than a dozen criminal charges.

Santos was charged with 13 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and lying to the U.S. House of Representatives in May. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

The Republican lawmaker was released from custody ahead of trial on a $500,000 bond, but was directed to notify the government if he planned to travel anywhere in the continental U.S. outside of New York City, Long Island or Washington, D.C.

To prevent unnecessary notifications of Santoss travels, his lawyer Joseph Murray asked the court Wednesday morning to allow Santos to travel up to 30 miles outside D.C.

In light of the small geographical area of the District of Columbia, there is a frequent

need to travel outside the District of Columbia for usual and customary functions of someone

who lives and works in the District of Columbia, such as dining, shopping, meetings, events, and

even use of the local airports, Murray wrote.

This has resulted in unnecessary notifications which can easily be remedied by extending the geographical area in which my client can freely move about without providing prior notice, to include a thirty-mile radius around the District of Columbia, he continued.

Neither prosecutors nor pretrial services took issue with Santoss request. Magistrate Judge Anne Shields, who is overseeing Santoss case, agreed to allow the Republican lawmaker to travel farther without notifying the court Wednesday afternoon.

New York prosecutors allege that Santos misled donors and misrepresented his finances to the public and government agencies.

This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations, Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a May statement announcing Santoss indictment. Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself.

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A month before his arrest, Santos announced his reelection bid for New Yorks 3rd congressional district despite his implication in several state and federal investigations, plus an inquiry from the House Ethics Committee.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have called for his resignation from Congress, which Santos has rebuffed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SBU

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has exposed collaborators who, after cooperating with Russians in the temporarily occupied Luhansk Oblast, came to Kyiv to try to avoid punishment, the SBU press service announced on Telegram on July 19.

The group owned an alcoholic beverage production plant in temporarily occupied Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk Oblast, and after the start of the full-scale invasion, they refused to move the company's production facilities to territory controlled by Ukraine.

Read also: Ex-SBU operative sentenced to 15 years for collaborating with Russia

They "re-registered" the company in accordance with the requirements of "Russian legislation" and opened accounts in local "branches" of Russian banks, left a "trustee" in the city to control the plant, and moved to Kyiv, from where they coordinated their business.

The SBU said they regularly transferred the companys profits to the aggressor state as "taxes" and "fees" and consistently paid "tribute" to representatives of the local occupation administration.

Read also: National Police sends Interpol data on suspected collaborators who fled to EU

The SBU detained one of the organizers in Kyiv, and during a search of his apartment, law enforcers found more than UAH 2 million ($54,410) and documents with evidence of the scheme.

The other organizer was detained in the western Ukrainian city of Khmelnytskyi. He was caught trying to flee abroad.

The third suspect is reportedly hiding in the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk Oblast, so comprehensive measures are being taken to bring him to justice.

All three were charged with collaborative activities committed as part of an organized criminal group. They face 10 to 15 years in prison.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
To residents in a Murrells Inlet neighborhood, Jamin Christian Fite is an alleged litterer of antisemitic flyers. But to some Star Wars fans  hes a self-proclaimed infamous slave master.

Fite, 47, of Myrtle Beach, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly littering plastic baggies that contained hate messages.

Fite did not respond to a request for comment made by the Sun News and was not at home when a reporter went to the address listed as his home.

It appears he is the creator of the Slave Leia metal bikini, which is based on the Princess Leia character from Star Wars. A review of his online profile shows that hes been selling the costumes, which are heavily used in the cosplay community, since at least 2012 under the business title Leias Metal Bikini.

Fite has also appeared at events such as Star Wars Celebration, posing with women modeling the bikini, online searches show.

Its unclear if he still sells the costumes, as the latest online post is from 2019.

Fite was arrested July 3 for littering after Horry County officers allegedly caught him with duffel bags of flyers that match the description of antisemitic flyers found across the county last year.

Its unclear if he has spread such flyers in the past.

Officers confronted Fite at the corner of Adare Court and Seville Drive, and witnessed him throwing out a clear plastic baggie containing paper and pellets, according to a police report.

He was released from jail on July 3 after paying a $200 bond.

Fite has a court date set for Aug. 7. He has no previous criminal history in Horry County, according to court records.

The Horry County Police Department did not respond when asked if additional charges were expected.

He has been accused in the past of antisemitic talk

Its not the first time Fite has been accused of antisemitic acts.

Star Wars fans have taken to social media over the years, including Reddit, Tumblr and Facebook, claiming Fite is a Holocaust denier and a Neo-Nazi.

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Posts show that Fite has shared Holocaust denial videos and allegedly wore a German WWII officer dress tuxedo to a public event.

Two Star Wars costume organizations that frequently participate in charity events  Rebel Legion and 501st Legion  did not respond to a request for comment regarding Fites participation in area events.

Slave Leia costume well-known among fans

Actress Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the Star Wars film series, wore the iconic costume in the 1983 film, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

The outfit, a copper patterned bra with a copper plate as the bottom, has become a popular choice among fans of the series.

The costume is sold on many online platforms.
On a blistering-hot July day in the Cypress swamp of Francis Marion National Forest, Billy McCord blends in.

Disguised in camouflage clothing and equipped with a long-handle, wide-rimmed net, he was on the chase for monarch butterflies. The naturalist travels alone, wading into the bog, to catch the orange-winged glories and delicately affix a round sticker to the butterflies left hind wing, which tracks how long theyve fluttered and how far.

On a good day, when the butterflies are migrating south, McCord can label up to 500. On a more typical day, he can net closer to 250. For comparisons sake, he said a few people around South Carolina may tag 200-300 a season.

But the practice is nothing new for the long-retired state Department of Natural Resources biologist. Since the fall of 1996, McCord has tagged over 53,000 monarch butterflies in South Carolina.

His nearly three decades of tagging ventures has shed light on how monarchs move through the state, where they call home and what plants they rely on for survival. But recently published research by the DNR reveals an unusual behavior McCord has observed for years: A group of monarchs isnt leaving South Carolina.

And McCord thinks its been happening for centuries.

Staying put

Known to migrate during the fall, heading to Mexico for the winter, some of the insects instead chose to stay in South Carolina.

McCord found them hugging the coast in the winter and fluttering around the states coastal plain swamps during the spring, summer and fall.

People hear about monarchs going to Mexico and they think theyre going to lay in the sun and go to some nice beach, he said. They dont.

Its nothing like that.

Monarchs head to mountains in Mexico for the winter, where the daytime high temperatures are in the mid-to-low 50s and the nighttime air cools to 40 degrees. The moisture in the air keeps the butterflies from drying out. The weather there is much like South Carolinas coast.

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McCord was the first in the state to tag a monarch during the winter., he said. Hes found them on James Island and Folly Beach, usually within a half mile from the coast and its moisture-rich air.

In 2018, eight years after he left his post at DNR, McCord teamed up with Michael Kendrick for a five-year study tracking monarchs in the state. McCord was boots on the ground, tagging the butterflies in inland swamps and on sea islands. And Kendrick, an associate marine scientist at the department, wrote and conducted data analysis.

By the end of the study, the longtime naturalist tagged 18,375 monarchs and identified aquatic milkweed as a host plant in swamps from the Pee Dee watershed south all the way to the Savannah River.

Not a month went by that McCord didnt tag a monarch.

In the winter, the butterflies were in concentrated areas on barrier islands. But during the spring, summer and fall, they covered a broader stretch. McCord found aquatic milkweed  a host plant for monarchs eggs and caterpillars  in 18 watersheds in the coastal plain. Monarchs were also relying on swallow-wort, what DNR called a relative to milkweed that grows near salt marshes.

Its really trying to understand how the monarchs here in South Carolina relate to each other, Kendrick said. How are these that are overwintering and along our coast, relate to the monarchs that are using these inland swamps?

Once theres a strong grasp on how the different monarchs that stay in the state are related to each other, Kendrick said DNR wants want to compare how other monarch groups relate to the ones in South Carolina.

Under our nose

Since the 1990s, the monarch butterfly population has dwindled by about 90%, according to the National Wildlife Foundation.

A large portion of grassland ecosystems stretching across the eastern monarchs central migratory path have been affected, the foundation said. Pesticides and herbicides have killed the nectar-rich plants the butterflies rely on. Development has ruined their habitat. And climate change has shifted migration and weather patterns.

But McCord says the monarch population in South Carolina isnt up against the same challenges.

My guess is, our population that moves through this area is probably not in any kind of jeopardy and probably has not declined because they dont have the problems of the Midwestern monarchs, he said.

Theres no way to get a definite count, McCord noted. However, over the years, the population has stayed stable, he said.

And this has all been under our nose since McCord set out to tag the most well-known butterflies.

These monarchs are right here and in our backyard, Kendrick said. We can add monarch butterflies populations and migration patterns as another piece of a unique fauna of South Carolina.
South Carolina is the fourth worst state to live and work in for 2023, a new CNBC report says.

CNBC, the nationwide business and finance news organization, each year ranks states on how welcoming they are to workers and their families. The annual report includes multiple quality of life factors, such as crime rates, health care, environmental quality and child care. Inclusiveness in state laws, such as protections against discrimination and support of voting rights, also help determine the rankings.

This year, South Carolina tied for fourth place with Alabama in the report.

Here is what CNBC had to say about South Carolinas low ranking.

South Carolina is an unhealthy state, both at home and on the job, CNBC states. The state has the nations fifth-highest rate of occupational deaths and it finishes in the top 10 for frequent physical and mental distress overall. Legal protections for workers are limited and the states violent crime rate also finishes in the top 10.

These downsides have seemingly done little to hinder South Carolinas economy or dissuade people from moving to the state as of late, however.

South Carolina had a 3.1% unemployment rate in June, according to the latest statistics available from the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. The national unemployment rate was higher in June at 3.6%, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows.

And according to recent U.S. Census data, South Carolina was the third fastest-growing state of 2022. The Palmetto States population grew by 1.7% to a total of more than 5.28 million as of July 1, 2022. In terms of numeric growth, South Carolina ranked sixth  gaining 89,368 residents year over year.

Here are the 10 worst states to live in for 2023, according to CNBC.

1. Texas

2. Oklahoma

3. Louisiana

4. South Carolina (tie)

4. Alabama (tie)

6. Missouri

7. Indiana

8. Tennessee

9. Arkansas

10. Florida
Scarsdale police on Wednesday marked the 100th anniversary of the murder of a sergeant who was shot less than a block from headquarters after leaving the police desk to check on a report of a stolen car.

Sgt. John J. Harrison was killed just after 4:30 a.m. on July 19, 1923, the culmination of an overnight string of car thefts around the village.

A dozen officers and village officials stood at attention outside headquarters as retired Sgt. Thomas Meaney placed a wreath at the police memorial honoring Harrison and two other officers who died in the line of duty.

His service to our community, his sacrifice, will never be forgotten, Lt. Craig Carroll said. Over the past hundred years a lot of things have changed. One of the things that has remained the same is that police work remains a very difficult and at times a dangerous job.

A photo hanging in Scarsdale police headquarters of Sgt. John Harrison, who was killed in the line of duty 100 years ago. On July 19, 2023, police and village officials held a wreath laying ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Sgt. John HarrisonOs death. Harrison was killed when he left the police desk at 4:30 am on July 19, 1923, on a report of a stolen car nearby and was fatally shot by one of the thieves less than 200 feet from headquarters.

Harrison was manning the desk at headquarters that morning when a resident of Dobbs Terrace called to report his car had just been stolen from the garage and was headed toward Fenimore Road. Harrison asked an on-duty firefighter to watch the desk for him and walked outside headquarters to see the car about 175 feet south of him on Tompkins Road.

He went over there and was shot before and two men ran off because the car had stalled. A manhunt began and at least one of the thieves got out of the area by stealing another car, that of a state Assemblyman.

Both cars turned out be among several stolen that night in the village by a crew of thieves.

There were no breaks in the case until 1927 when Arthur Barry, dubbed the "$2 million gem thief" and "the American Raffles" was arrested in connection to high-end burglaries in Westchester; Greenwich, Connecticut; and Long Island where he would climb into upper windows of homes. He implicated James Monahan, who also went by the name Boston Billy Williams," as his partner in crime, but each claimed the other was the one who killed Harrison.

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Retired Scarsdale police sergeant Tom Meaney lays a wreath at a memorial in front of Scarsdale police headquarters July 19, 2023 during a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the murder of Sgt. John Harrison. Sgt. Harrison was killed when he left the police desk at 4:30 am on July 19, 1923, on a report of a stolen car nearby and was fatally shot by one of the thieves less than 200 feet from headquarters.

Barry was only convicted in connection with the burglaries, and was sent to Auburn state prison where he later escaped during a 1929 riot there in which three guards were killed. He was eventually caught living incognito in New Jersey in 1932 and returned to prison, though acquitted in connection with the guards' deaths. His name even surfaced as a suspect in the infamous kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh's baby. And a year before Harrison was killed he was charged, but never convicted, in connection with the killing of a Bridgeport, Conn. police officer.

Much of his story was told in the 1961 book "The Gentleman was a Thief" by Neil Hickey, although the Harrison murder was not cited.

"He was a sociopath, a really bad guy," Meaney said of Barry. "He could charm anyone but he was a true American psycho."

Looking for information and answers in John J. Harrison case

Meaney, who retired in 2005, remains the departments historian. He began researching Harrison's killing soon after joining the department in 1980, after walking into headquarters, seeing his picture on the wall, and wondering about the back story.

Meaney said the gun that shot Harrison was never recovered. Because Harrison's gun was nowhere to be found that morning, Meaney suspects the thieves managed to get it from the sergeant and shot him with it before fleeing with the weapon. Testing of a gun found nearby showed it wasn't the one used to shoot Harrison, Meaney said.

Harrison, 37, was a 10-year veteran of the department. He had a wife and three young children and two of his five siblings were also police officers in the village at the time he was killed. He was awarded a posthumous medal of honor from the police department in 1995.

He was one of three Scarsdale officers killed in the line of duty since the department formed in 1909.

Elected officials, along with members of the Scarsdale police and fire departments attend a wreath laying ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the killing of Scarsdale police Sgt. John Harrison. Sgt. Harrison was killed when he left the police desk at 4:30 am on July 19, 1923, on a report of a stolen car nearby and was fatally shot by one of the thieves less than 200 feet from headquarters.

Patrolman Alonzo Doty died after being struck by a car on Post Road just three months before Harrison was killed. Officer Charles Ackerly was fatally shot during an early morning traffic stop on Weaver Street on Oct. 4, 1956. The suspect, Nils Tvedt, was killed the next night in a bowling alley by a Larchmont police officer who responded to a tip that he was there.

Meaney said Wednesdays ceremony was important not just because it marks a milestone anniversary but because of Harrison's service to the community.

"I want it to be a reminder to all police officers, in Scarsdale and around the country, that danger exists even in small towns at any time," he said. "Our police department is family. And the Harrisons were a family of police officers who had a sense of duty."

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Scarsdale memorializes Sgt. John J. Harrison, murdered 100 years ago
By Thomas Mukoya, Monicah Mwangi

NAIROBI (Reuters) -Several people were shot in Kenya, some possibly fatally, as security forces clashed with demonstrators across the country protesting high costs of living and tax hikes, a hospital official and local media said on Wednesday.

Demonstrators hurled rocks at police and burned tyres in the streets, while the security forces fired volleys of tear gas, witnesses said. It was the third round of anti-government demonstrations the opposition called this month.

Police arrested at least 300 people countrywide, including nine senior opposition figures, according to the interior ministry and an opposition lawyer.

Schools were closed in the capital Nairobi, the port city of Mombasa and Kisumu, the country's third-largest city. Nairobi's city centre was largely deserted with many businesses shut, while police erected checkpoints on roads leading to State House, President William Ruto's official residence.

Ruto was elected last August pledging to champion the interests of the poor but prices of basic commodities have risen under his administration and last month his government passed tax hikes.

The government says the levies on fuel and housing are needed to help deal with growing debt repayments and to fund job-creation initiatives.

In Wednesday's unrest, seven people were admitted at Nakuru County Referral Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds, a top hospital official, Dr. James Waweru, told Reuters.

Citizen TV reported that two people were shot dead in Nakuru, in the Rift Valley, without saying by whom.

Those arrested will be charged with various crimes including looting, malicious damage and arson, the ministry said.

In Migori town in western Kenya, two people sought treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during protests there, Citizen TV reported. One person was shot dead and another wounded in the southern town of Makueni, Citizen TV said.

Citizen TV also reported that two people were shot and wounded in Nairobi, while the Standard newspaper also reported two people shot in the capital.

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"This government is violating the constitution by being brutal on us while we are trying to uphold the same constitution through peaceful protests," a protester in Mombasa who gave only his first name, Eric, told Reuters as he poured water over his face to wash away tear gas.

Reuters was unable to verify the reports and police officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Two water-cannon trucks and dozens of riot police were stationed at the entrance to Kibera, a shantytown in southwestern Nairobi. Protesters burned tires and hurled rocks at police, who responded with volleys of tear gas.

A TV station controlled by the Azimio La Umoja opposition party said that its leader Raila Odinga's spokesperson had been arrested.

Opposition leaders have also called for demonstrations on Thursday and Friday.

CHURCH CALLS FOR PEACE

At least 15 people were killed and hundreds arrested in the two rounds of protests earlier this month, when police fired tear gas and in some cases live rounds at the crowds.

A private sector lobby group says that protests this year have cost the economy more than $20 million per day and civic leaders have warned about sporadic incidents of apparent ethnic-based violence.

Kenyan politics are often defined by tribal alliances and fighting along ethnic lines after disputed elections in 2007 and 2017 killed hundreds of people.

However, political analysts say the latest protests are unlikely to spiral into widespread ethnic violence as Ruto's support base cuts across ethnic groups.

Churches and civil rights groups have called for Ruto and Odinga to resolve their differences through dialogue and call off the protests. Archbishop Anthony Muheria, a member of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops said the tax hikes should be repealed.

(Reporting by Thomas Mukoya, Monicah Mwangi, Jefferson Kahinju, Humphrey Malalo, Elias Biryabarema, Hereward Holland in Nairobi and Joseph Akwiri in Mombasa; Writing by Hereward Holland and Emelia Sithole-MatariseEditing by Angus MacSwan, Tomasz Janowski and Josie Kao)
Panic among professors and teachers has turned preparation as they look ahead to a new school year dealing with artificial intelligence.

Months removed from the initial shock of ChatGPT and other AI bots quickly infiltrating schools, educators have had an opportunity to reimagine classrooms and homework to fit the new age of technology.

The preparation has taught educators two things: AI isnt yet as smart as they thought, and they need to be more creative in their assignments.

Theres been a shift from being overwhelmed with whats happening and trying to make sense of how to respond to all of the questions that they were getting about ChatGPT  whether its cheating or jobs or what have you  and that has evolved into, I would say, an acceptance, Alex Kotran, co-founder and CEO of the AI Education Project, said.

The initial panic among educators largely stemmed from cheating concerns. Teachers did not know what to do with tools such as ChatGPT, that could seemingly write entire essays for students or complete their math homework.

The backlash led some districts to ban ChatGPT completely from their school servers. In one college, a professor falsely accused an entire class of using AI bots to cheat on papers.

Over the past seven months  as the bots expanded from ChatGPT and were added to companies across a variety of industries  educators learned that answers produced by AI are not always correct and often include some telltale signs they are autogenerated.

I think you can often tell, if theres too many flowery adjectives or if it makes up historical facts, right? I think, now that weve all been using a little bit more, weve collectively gotten better at predicting the mistakes. And it makes it, like, easier to detect when someones using it, said Zarek Drozda, director of Data Science 4 Everyone.

While catching the signs of AI-generated prompts may have gotten easier, teachers are also having to get more creative with their assignments.

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I have seen more comfort with  online tools generally, and more comfort with designing assignments. So, its not about right or wrong  or its not about something that can be replicated by ChatGPT  but its more about skills that intersect with it. So, analysis and interpretation, Drozda said.

Theres a difference between  youre writing an essay generally about The Scarlet Letter versus writing an essay about a particular prompt on a particular page with quotes that are real from the text, right? That can be pulled out by the teacher and, like, easily recognized, and so I think that theres more comfort, and [its] also easier detection of scenarios in which you can spot cheating, he added.

Educators have largely been on their own in this new realm of technology, and many have seized the opportunity.

There are very few things  that will get most of academia to do some really focused thinking on one topic, said Youngmoo Kim, director of Expressive and Creative Interactive Technologies Center at Drexel University.

AI, though, has done that, he said.

Kim, who also sits on a task force at Drexel regarding AI, says the school is preparing guidance for professors to send out in the new school year regarding ChatGPT and AI. The university will also offer workshops and individual sessions with faculty members who want more assistance on the topic.

The guidance is not one extreme or the other, Kim said.

Were not saying, Oh, you cant use it, or You must use it. That would be, ultimately, kind of silly. What were really strongly encouraging is for our faculty to become more knowledgeable about it, to do the specific things, he said. That is, if you have a standard set of homeworks that you always do, or exam questions that you use often or recycle, put them in the ChatGPT [and] see what you get. Do that legwork, so that you as an instructor can have a much better familiarity of what you know, what its capable of and what to expect there.

This open-ended approach is going to be a common theme among both colleges and K-12 schools, as a one-size-fits-all solution is unlikely.

Theres an absence of clear directions from experts in the field, Kotran said. Were in conversation with many of the organizations ourselves. Were thinking about, How do we put together guidelines and guidance for schools to reference? But right now, theres no high-level report from the Department of Education [or a similar organization].

While education institutions are often criticized for how slow they move, especially in the face of new topics, teachers have been quick to act on AI and learn, even without standard guidance provided to them.

Drozda attended a conference in North Carolina where teachers gathered to talk about data literacy and AI in the classroom.

It was a summer boot camp where we will have, like, longer conversations about these things and talk about them in more depth, he said.

Recently, the AI Education Project teamed up with Prince Georges County (Md.) Public Schools to announce it will provide AI education to teachers, students and school leaders, including professional learning opportunities and outreach programs.

In the summer launch, more than 200 people attended.

We have been very pleased, but Im surprised with the level of engagement and productivity on the part of educators and education leaders. We have not had a single meeting with a school district where its not clear that they urgently want to solve this problem, or this question. I think the challenge is, we just dont have enough time in the day to meet with all the schools that want to meet with us. And so we cant do this alone, Kotran said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FIRST ON FOX: GOP Sen. Tim Scott, a 2024 presidential candidate, on Wednesday blasted the progressive members of the "the Squad" after they voted against a pro-Israel resolution in Congress.

"There are sinister forces among the Radical Left in Congress," the South Carolina Republican told Fox News Digital in a statement Wednesday.

"They are giving aid and comfort to antisemitism and politicizing our relationship with our ally Israel. Its a dangerous, reckless signal for members of Congress to send. The rest of us should send a clear message that we stand WITH Israel and AGAINST those who are sowing strife with our allies."

BIDEN INVITES NETANYAHU TO WHITE HOUSE AS DEMOCRATS FACE CHARGES OF ANTISEMITISM

Sen. Tim Scott and members of the House progressive Squad

Scotts comment comes after nine Democrats  including Squad members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Cori Bush of Missouri  voted against a resolution to affirm that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state.

The vote came a day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

'SQUAD' DEMOCRAT STRATEGIZES WITH RADICAL LEFT-WING GROUP WHOSE MEMBERS ARE UNDER FBI INVESTIGATION

Sen. Tim Scott said Democrats' opposition to a pro-Israel resolution shows that "sinister forces" are at work in that party.

"The facts are clear, and the international consensus is resounding  Israel is an apartheid state," Omar's office told Fox News Digital in a statement Wednesday in response to Scott's comment. "To assert otherwise in the face of the colossal body of evidence and the consensus of the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, BTselem  the largest human rights organization in Israel  and countless others is to deny this reality."

"We're here again reaffirming Congress' support for apartheid ," Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, said about the resolution. "It's an attempt to deny the reality and to normalize violence of apartheid."

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke to a joint meeting of Congress a day after nine Democrats voted against the pro-Israel resolution. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

"This week, we're going to hear consistently that, you know, people talking about, like, Oh, this is bipartisan support here. But don't forget, this body, this Congress, supported the South African apartheid regime, and it was bipartisan as well."

Scott's criticism of the Squad follows strong Republican backlash in response to Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, saying over the weekend that "Israel is a racist state."

Fox News Digitals Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report
CLAYTON, Mo. (AP)  A second police officer from a suburban St. Louis department is now facing charges after a man was allegedly driven to a secluded spot and beaten until his jaw broke.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell on Wednesday announced that his office charged Northwoods, Missouri, Police Officer Michael Hill, 51, with second-degree kidnapping. Hill is jailed on $100,000 cash-only bond and doesn't yet have a listed attorney.

On Monday, Northwoods Officer Samuel Davis, 26, was charged with assault and kidnapping, stemming from an arrest on July 4. St. Louis County police said Davis handcuffed a man, then turned off his own body camera before driving him to a secluded spot, where the man was allegedly pepper-sprayed, beaten with a baton and told not to return to Northwoods.

A witness called 911 after finding the bloodied man. Police said the victims jaw was broken, among other serious injuries.

The probable cause statement in Hill's arrest said he was Davis' supervising officer and was with Davis when the man was taken into custody at a Walgreens store. The statement said Hill told a store employee what would happen to the victim.

Like Davis, Hill never activated his body camera, never informed the dispatcher that a suspect was in custody, and didn't write a report, the probable cause statement said.

There is no excuse for this criminal conduct, and my office will prosecute these officers to the fullest extent of the law," Bell said in a statement.

Northwoods police Chief Dennis Shireff told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Davis has been suspended as the investigation plays out.
Secret Invasion fans have shared their surprise at the latest Marvel cameo in episode five.

The Disney+ spin-off series focuses on the Kree-Skrull war first hinted at in 2019s Captain Marvel, and stars Samuel L Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn as friends Nick Fury and Talos.

*Spoilers for Secret Invasion episode five below  you have been warned!*

In the penultimate episode, which arrived on the streaming service on Wednesday (19 July), Fury attempted to flee the country and get to Finland, in order to meet Sonya Falsworth (Olivia Colman) and attempt to stop a global war.

Episode five features a number of references to Black Widow, as it is revealed that a member of the 2021 films cast has been working to help Fury.

Following the dramatic events of episode four, Fury takes a private jet to Finland when Rick Mason (The Handmaids Tale star O-T Fagbenle) appears at the cockpit.

The character, who is a smuggler and ally of Natasha Romanoff first seen in Scarlett Johanssons Black Widow film, tells Fury: An Interpol Red Notice. Wow. They dont just give those out to anyone. Kudos.

Yeah, well Mama always said I was special, Fury says, with Rick replying: Your Mama was right.

Out of all the cameos I expected from #SecretInvasion, Rick Mason never even crossed my mind but here we are lol pic.twitter.com/JKYZkbAV0u  Liv (@stevenrogered) July 19, 2023

Fury then gives Nick a piece of equipment. It is later revealed to be a Widows Veil, a piece of face-cloaking technology that allows Fury  now public enemy number one  to disguise himself and enter Finland without being noticed.

With Ricks help, former SHIELD director Fury is able to flee the country and meet Sonya.

On social media, fans shared their excitement at Ricks return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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The Cameo we didnt need but we got. RICK MASON is back, one fan wrote.

The last time we saw Rick Mason he was with black widow / Natasha Romanoff  I miss her so much!#SecretInvasion pic.twitter.com/5TWzIZ9LG1  // (@giselleb1234) July 19, 2023

aaRick Mason appearing wasnt something that I expected, but its nice that the MCU remembered he existed. Lets get this man back inexplicably supplying people with stuff, another joked.

Out of all the cameos I expected from #SecretInvasion, Rick Mason never even crossed my mind but here we are lol, one Twitter user said.

One tweet read: I was genuinely surprised to see Rick Mason return in this episode; he even supplied Fury with the same face-cloaking technology that helped Natasha fight against the Red Room & Dreykov!

Some fans questioned whether Ricks arrival could be a sign of a Johansson appearance in next weeks finale.

The cloaking mask, the rick mason cameo oh mothers definitely coming home soon, one tweet read.

Secret Invasion concludes Wednesday 26 July on Disney+.
Seeing a dead person alive in your dream meaning.

Have you ever dreamed of seeing a dead person alive in a dream? These types of dreams can feel surreal. When you wake up, you question whether or not the deceased has really passed on. In the dream, you could feel their presence. It was so familiar that it momentarily felt as if they were still alive. Was this dream a comfort to you or did you feel afraid? Were you sad? Did you wonder if they were trying to communicate something by visiting you in your dream?

Dreams have long been a subject of fascination to humanity. Through various cultures, religions, and faiths, people have sought to understand the meaning of dreams. Interpretations of dreams can be spiritual, metaphysical, emotional, psychological, and more. Seeing a dead person alive in a dream will have the same basic symbols for everyone. However, what the symbols represent vary in how the dreamer emotionally connects with the dream. To understand the symbols in dreams, the dreamer should start by analyzing the particular emotions they felt in the dream. They can then consider what situations in their waking life elicit similar emotions and interpret the symbols based on that correlation.

Symbolism And Interpretations Of Seeing A Dead Person Alive In A Dream

Seeing a dead person alive in a dream holds significant meaning. Remembering such dreams can allow you to process grief in a new way. Perhaps there were feelings of guilt associated with the deceased at the time of passing. Maybe there was unfinished business, things that were left unsaid that can be communicated in the dreamscape. A dream about the deceased could simply mean that they are missed and your subconscious is looking for a way to still feel connected to them.

Spiritually, seeing a dead person alive in your dream could signify that positive changes and new beginnings are happening. Metaphorically, death can represent something that needs to be let go of. This type of dream could be drawing attention to an unhealthy situation that needs to come to an end. Psychologically, dreams could also be representative of escaping some adversity. To see the dead in a dream might be a stop sign; a warning that there is some impending danger from recent poor decision making. It is important to recognize that dream interpretations are subjective and can vary based on personal experiences.

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However, some common interpretations associated with seeing a dead person alive in a dream may include the following:

Unresolved emotions and unfinished business

Dreams about seeing a deceased person alive may signify unresolved emotions, unfinished conversations, or lingering guilt associated with the departed individual. It could represent the dreamers subconscious desire for closure or the need to address unresolved issues.

Grief and longing for connection

Dreams featuring a deceased person alive can reflect the dreamers grief and longing for connection with their lost loved one. It may serve as a way for the dreamer to process their emotions, find solace, or seek comfort in the dream space.

Symbolic representation of the deceased person

Seeing a dead person alive in a dream might not necessarily represent the literal presence of the deceased individual. Instead, it could symbolize certain qualities, traits, or aspects of the person that still resonate with the dreamer. It may serve as a reminder of the influence, impact, or guidance the deceased person had in the dreamers life.

Psychological And Emotional Significance Of Seeing A Dead Person Alive In A Dream

From a psychological perspective, dreams about seeing a dead person alive in a dream can be a way of coming to terms with their death. This is especially true if that persons death in life was sudden, abrupt, and perhaps tragic. Such a loss leaves a hole in the psyche of those left behind. Many times, as a coping mechanism, the conscious mind will shut off thoughts of the deceased individual. This sort of reaction does not allow the living person a time to process and cope with the loss. As a result, the dream state may step in and manifest the burden of loss a person is feeling by manifesting the dearly departed as alive in a dream.

Common Themes And Variations In Seeing a Dead Person Alive In A Dream

Seeing a dead person alive in a dream has the core theme of grief. There are variations that can occur within this dream trope. These offer additional insights into the possible meanings and interpretations of such dreams. Here are some common themes and variations:

Conversations or interactions with the deceased

Dreams featuring conversations or interactions with a deceased person often hold deep significance for the dreamer. These dreams may represent the dreamers subconscious desire for guidance, advice, or support from the deceased individual. The dreamer may long for the wisdom, comfort, or connection that they associate with the deceased person. Such dreams can offer a sense of reassurance, validation, or closure, allowing the dreamer to process unresolved emotions and seek guidance from within.

Reunions and celebrations

Dreams depicting joyful reunions or celebrations with a deceased loved one can evoke powerful emotions in the dreamer. These dreams often symbolize a sense of closure, acceptance, or spiritual connection. The dreamer may experience a profound sense of peace, happiness, or relief upon seeing the deceased person alive. It can serve as a reminder of the positive memories, love, and bond shared with the individual who has passed away. Reunion dreams can also signify the dreamers ability to find solace and move towards acceptance of the loss.

Warning or unfinished business

Dreams that evoke a sense of warning or unfinished business with the deceased person carry a different tone. In these dreams, the dreamer may feel a sense of urgency or unease. They may experience a need to pay attention to unresolved issues or emotions related to the deceased individual. It could be a message from the subconscious, urging the dreamer to address lingering concerns, seek closure, or engage in self-reflection. These dreams can serve as a catalyst for personal growth, prompting the dreamer to confront unresolved feelings or take action in their waking life.

Symbolic representations and metaphors

Dreams about seeing a dead person alive can also involve symbolic representations or metaphors that hold personal meaning for the dreamer. For example, the deceased person may appear in a different form, such as a child or a younger version of themselves, symbolizing a specific aspect of their personality or relationship with the dreamer. These symbolic variations provide a unique lens through which the dreamer can interpret their emotions, memories, or unresolved issues associated with the deceased person.

Personal Reflection And Self-Analysis

Reflecting on personal experiences related to seeing a dead person alive in a dream can be a valuable exercise.

To interpret and analyze dreams effectively, it is essential to create a safe and reflective space for self-exploration. Seeking the guidance of a professional, such as a psychologist or therapist, can provide further insights and support in understanding the deeper meanings of dreams.

By delving into the symbolism, interpretations, psychological implications, and common themes associated with seeing a dead person alive in a dream, the dreamer can gain a deeper understanding of their own feelings and emotions. Exploring the subconscious desires, fears, and lessons embedded within these dreams can provide a path for healing and personal growth.

The post Seeing A Dead Person Alive In Dreams? Heres What It Means appeared first on 21Ninety.
Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema knows how to make a fashion statement, from the yellow dress to memorable boots, wigs and other sartorial choices.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema listened and took notes as those in drug treatment circles talked about fentanyl in Arizona.

Later, she urged veterans to contact her office for help on homelessness or military services at funerals.

Then she offered a long-distance hello to an admirer in Florida whose daughter sat in on a meeting in Tempe about getting Arizonans into technology jobs.

Officially, it was all business for Sinema, I-Ariz., who hasnt said whether she will seek another six-year term next year and deflected questions about her future, as she has routinely done since she left the Democratic Party in December to become an independent.

But back-to-back-to-back meetings Monday with a few dozen stakeholders in each case and a telephone town hall Tuesday had the unmistakable feel of a candidate trying to make her case.

The reality is Im doing my job, Sinema told a reporter Monday. As you know, over the last two-and-a-half years, every major piece of legislation that has passed the United States Congress I negotiated, drafted, wrote, passed. So I have a whole lot of work to do.

It was the kind of buttoned-up, nonpartisan-style Sinema has projected for years. It is unclear if that is enough to secure a second term.

Last week, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., reported outraising her campaign for the second straight quarter, renewing doubts about her elective viability in a potential three-way race. Her campaign spent more than $800,000 between April and June even as she remains undeclared for 2024.

Rep. Ruben Gallego speaks during his town hall at the Rio Vista Recreation Center in Peoria on June 26, 2023.

Many of her former Democratic supporters now hound her on social media for not holding the kind of in-person public meetings in which they could vent their complaints with her. Last month Gallego held an in-person event in Peoria in which he predicted victory because were the only people actually having these conversations.

Instead, on Monday Sinema heard from people in and around various issues in the meetings, some of whom specifically praised her for her work. She talked about whether federal legislation was appropriate and took group photos with photographers who traveled with her.

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The discussions were polite with dashes of humor. They also were intended to provide substance.

Chuck Byers, a member of Sinemas veterans service advisory commission for the past three years, told her in her Phoenix office about efforts to build 35 lower-cost individual dwelling casitas to help alleviate housing problems for vets.

The 400- and 600-square-foot homes, to be made of Styrofoam injected with concrete, will break ground in Phoenix next month and are intended to make use of housing vouchers for veterans that often go unused, he said.

Falling behind: Sen. Kyrsten Sinema again lagged Rep. Ruben Gallego in fundraising, kept overall cash edge

Sinema has been extremely supportive making sure we have enough (Housing and Urban Development) vouchers, Byers said. She feels we do have a problem with homeless veterans here in Arizona. Were kind of thinking outside the box here and she likes that.

Five veterans who were on her advisory commission were less enamored with Sinema and quit in 2021 in a move previewed by the New York Times.

"We feel as if we are being used as window dressing for your own image, and not to provide counsel on whats best for Arizonans, the group said in an advertisement about their views in 2021.

On Monday, Sinema praised the members who quit for their service and said it was unfortunate that sometimes partisan politics can get in the way of the work of a government office.

Byers called it political grandstanding.

Byers, who worked with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, on veterans issues and now works with Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, as well, said Sinema helps cut through issues affecting the veterans hes trying to help.

At a roundtable event earlier in the day, Sinema talked with law enforcement, drug treatment and social workers about their efforts to manage the opioid problem in Arizona, which is a key entry point for illegal drugs.

She talked about a pair of bipartisan-backed bills intended to make it harder for drug cartels to recruit people using social media and to target their money-laundering activities.

Sinema mentioned her proposed legislation while hosting a tele-town hall on Tuesday that included Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, a Republican.

A national poll earlier this year found that 37% of Republicans viewed fentanyl and opioids as the nations top public health issue, compared to 17% of Democrats who viewed the issue that way. Democrats viewed gun violence as the top health issue, the poll found.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mum on running, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema touts efforts on fentanyl, vets
WASHINGTON  Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., again spoke with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday evening to discuss the senators ongoing hold on hundreds of military promotions over an abortion policy.

Were talking, or trying to talk this out, Tuberville said of his good, short conversation with Austin. I think the more we continue to converse, I think the better chance we got.

Tuberville has for months held back promotions for over 250 high-ranking military officers over a Defense Department policy to pay for the travel expenses of service members traveling to other states to have an abortion. He has said that he wants a vote on a bill introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., that would codify the policy into law, agreeing to end his blockade if it passes. In exchange, he wants the DOD to agree to rescind the policy if the measure fails.

"If their bill does not pass, it goes back to the old policy. ... I just want them to do it the right way and go by the Constitution, and if they pass it, it passes and well go on with life," Tuberville told NBC News last week.

Tubervilles call with Austin, their second this month, comes as Defense Department officials plan to hold a closed-door briefing Wednesday morning with senators on the Armed Services Committee, including Tuberville, about the DOD abortion travel policy, two committee sources told NBC News.

Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh previewed the briefing in comments to reporters on Monday, saying, Its just to give members who have any further questions about our policy to really talk to the experts.

Austin told reporters Tuesday that Tubervilles hold is a readiness issue, saying it cascades, it creates friction throughout the entire chain. And he defended the legality of the department's abortion policy.

Sen. Tuberville has said that its illegal, its not illegal, and weve made that point a number of times, Austin said, I would ask Sen. Tuberville to lift his hold.

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The policy has been the subject of rigorous debate on Capitol Hill and has become a major part of the negotiations around the National Defense Authorization Act, a yearly must-pass defense policy bill. Republicans in the House inserted an amendment into their version of the package that would force the DOD to rescind the policy. The measure passed with largely Republican support. Senate Democrats have vowed to remove a whole host of conservative amendments added to the bill when they take up the legislation this week.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, plans to introduce her own amendment to the NDAA that would also effectively force DOD to walk back the policy.

I do believe it affects our readiness," Ernst said of Tuberville's hold. "But I also believe that the DOD needs to reverse its policy. This is a roundabout way of having taxpayers basically fund abortions.

Tubervilles hold affects a growing number of high-ranking military officers as more promotions are submitted to the Senate for approval. That approval is typically done quickly, often without the Senate needing to vote at all under the unanimous agreement of all 100 senators.

But Tubervilles blockade means each promotion would need to go through a process that includes two votes and hours of debate. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that going through that process for every promotion the Senate has to consider would take 668 hours, citing an analysis by the Congressional Research Service.

That is 27 days if the Senate works around the clock, 24/7, Reed said on the Senate floor. If the Senate just did exclusively military nominations for eight hours a day, it would take 84 days. So 'just vote' is not an answer. This is not a feasible solution to this issue.

The protest by Tuberville has drawn bipartisan criticism, even from senators who support his attempt to rescind the abortion policy.

I agree with the policy change hes looking for. I think this is an ineffective way of accomplishing that purpose with a substantial cost, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told NBC News.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said "we need to end" the blockade. "You dont always get your way around here," he added. "You do get to vote, but we lost an election."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON The Senates draft annual defense bill would add Kosovo to the list of eastern European countries eligible for U.S. military training amid heightened tensions in the Balkans.

The fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, which the Senate is slated to begin debating this week, allows Kosovo to engage in U.S.-led military exercises to increase interoperability with NATO forces. Doing so would allow Kosovo to receive reimbursements for training via multilateral military exercises with NATO and NATO Partnership for Peace members, a list of countries that includes its rival Serbia.

As a NATO Partnership for Peace member, Serbia regularly hosts the Platinum Wolf military exercises with the U.S. and its NATO allies and intends to do so again this year amid its acrimony with Kosovo.

The committee commends Department of Defense efforts to support the Republic of Kosovo as it works to develop and enhance its national security forces, particularly efforts to enhance professionalization, increase interoperability and bolster Kosovos ability to respond to external and hybrid threats, a committee report accompanying the bill stated.

The report also notes that the Senate Armed Services Committee supports expanding cybersecurity cooperation with the Kosovar armed forces, directing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to brief Congress on efforts to do so by the end of the year.

The committee believes that the Department of Defense should identify areas to further existing cybersecurity cooperation and also new opportunities to strengthen the bilateral partnership, states the report.

The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the bill 24-1 in June.

The effort to deepen U.S.-Kosovar military ties comes as the Biden administration and numerous lawmakers seek to temper Pristinas deteriorating relations with Serbia amid increasing tensions between Albanian and Serb communities within Kosovo.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on the issue on July 18, though lawmakers have differed somewhat on how much pressure to apply to Kosovo, versus Serbia, in the dispute.

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The government of Kosovo must engage on the implementation of an association of Serb-majority municipalities as it committed to do 10 years ago, Europe subcommittee Chairman Thomas Kean, R-N.J., said at the hearing. However, the U.S. must ensure [the association] protects the right of Kosovo Serbs without undermining Kosovos authority over its sovereign territory.

Violence erupted in northern Kosovos Serb-majority municipalities after Pristina installed Albanian mayors, who had won elections following a Serb boycott. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had sharply criticized the elections and supported the boycott.

The U.S. and European Union have called on Kosovo to hold fresh elections in the municipalities, and Deputy Secretary of State for Eurasian Affairs Gabriel Escobar said in June that failure to do so could affect Pristinas aspirations to join NATO and the EU.

Our singular request was that Kosovo not try to install the mayors by force where there were protests occurring, Escobar told the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday. In the meantime, we have been very tough on Serbia.

Escobar noted that the U.S. has gotten pledges from Serbia not to oppose the new elections and there are consequences for Serbia should they oppose this.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has called for a review of how the North American Aerospace Defense Command conducts airspace defense.

The Senate Armed Services Committee has called for a review of aerospace warning and control mission and procedures as handled by North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). This command employs a layered defense network that includes radars, satellites, and fighter aircraft in both the United States and Canada to identify aircraft and other aerial objects and determine the appropriate response.

The development is especially noteworthy bearing in mind the well-known issues regarding so-called unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs as well as the incidents earlier this year in which U.S. fighter jets had to shoot down a total of four high-flying aerial objects in American and Canadian airspace, including one identified as a Chinese government surveillance balloon.

U.S. Navy personnel prepare to move portions of a Chinese surveillance balloon that were recovered off the coast of South Carolina after being shot down on February 4, 2023 and then carried ashore by a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft. U.S. Navy

The requirement for a review is outlined in the Senate Armed Services Committees report on the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The review itself is to be conducted by the Comptroller General, which heads up the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a Congressional watchdog that provides the legislative branch with auditing, evaluative, and investigative services.

The committee wants the Comptroller General to provide a preliminary briefing to the relevant Congress committees by January 15, 2024, with a final report due in a mutually agreed upon format and timeframe.

In particular, the committee demands an assessment of NORAD procedures to manage command and control systems to determine the capacity for dealing with multiple airspace incursions of unknown or hostile aircraft and deal with incursions into airspace over military installations, and coordination and information sharing, both in near-real time and after the fact, between military installations regarding airspace incursions of all types.

https://twitter.com/ddeanjohnson/status/1681031858845253633?s=20

The Senate Armed Services Committees report includes the following potted history of NORAD and highlights some of the more recent kinds of threats that it now faces, including the aforementioned Chinese surveillance balloons:

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The United States and Canada have operated the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to protect North America from airborne threats for 65 years. Over time, those threats have evolved from Soviet strategic bombers outside our airspace to terrorist threats inside that airspace. In the last decade, the airborne threats posed by a resurgent Russia and an increasingly aggressive China have further evolved in number and technological complexity. Whether from traditional aircraft or novel systems, such as the recent experience with high-altitude surveillance balloons, the threats pose challenges to NORADs ability to detect and respond effectively. The committee needs a better understanding of the NORAD operating situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6G1rCj3zac

The committee report then breaks down its requirements into key areas that it demands the Comptroller General look into in more depth.

The first points of inquiry cover traditional NORAD missions, namely how the command intercepts known adversary aircraft approaching or entering U.S. airspace, and also such aircraft if they are first detected within U.S. airspace.

The next point refers to another threat scenario that NORAD has faced since it was established in the Cold War: dealing with simultaneous incursions into U.S. airspace by hostile aircraft in geographically separated locations. Further to this, the report also needs to address the capacity of existing command and control systems to cope with multiple airspace incursions of unknown or hostile aircraft.

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-22A Raptor flies next to a Russian Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bomber during an intercept in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, June 16, 2020. NORAD

Once aerial threats are detected, NORAD may also have to proceed to interrogate, identify, and interact with them  and potentially engage them, too. The report also needs to address NORADs ability to do these things, including procedures for authorizing engagements and how it delegates engagement authority to various levels of command, and also how it transfers responsibility for aircraft of interest to other geographic combatant commands if required.

At this point, the Senate Armed Services Committee expands the criteria for aerial threats beyond just unknown or hostile aircraft to include air vehicles with low-closure rate, such as helicopters, small drones, and high-altitude balloons. This indicates a particular interest in the kinds of aerial platforms other than the crewed long-range bombers, surveillance, and patrol aircraft, and accompanying escort fighters that NORAD has traditionally responded to.

Members of the FBI process some of the remains of the Chinese surveillance balloon that was shot down on February 4, 2023, off the coast of South Carolina. FBI

Particularly noteworthy also is the demand that the Comptroller General evaluate NORADs capacity to deal with airspace incursions over military installations, as well as coordination and information sharing between such military installations. The potential vulnerability of U.S. military bases is an issue that has come up repeatedly in the recent past and is a theme that The War Zone has also explored in depth.

As noted, the timing of the Senate Armed Services Committees call for a review of airspace defense is interesting.

Earlier this year, we looked at how a new U.S. government team was being set up specifically to help examine the policy implications stemming from increased scrutiny of aerial activity over and around North America. That groups stated objective is to study the broader policy implications for detection, analysis, and disposition of unidentified aerial objects that pose either safety or security risks.

https://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/1625204985276338196?s=20

As well as the spate of high-flying aerial objects shot down in American and Canadian airspace in a two-week period earlier this year, there is a broader concern about the ability, or lack of it, to address so-called unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), things that have been more commonly referred to in the past as unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

Other bodies have been set up to investigate similar issues, too. These include the Pentagons All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligences (ONDI) National Intelligence Manager for Aviation (NIM-A). AARO was established in 2022 to provide a more centralized entity focused on investigating incidents involving UAP, while NIM-A serves as a focal point for intelligence about all manner of aerial threats within the U.S. Intelligence Community.

While much about UAP remains mysterious, at least outside of the Intelligence Community, a report from AARO and NIM-A earlier this year indicated that 163 newly cataloged incidents in 2022 were assessed to be balloons or balloon-like.

https://twitter.com/FranticGoat/status/1624537531160137730?s=20

The possibility that reality that some UAP sightings are in fact foreign intelligence-gathering or surveillance assets is something that The War Zone has posited for some time now. And those efforts are being conflated with more 'exotic' UAP and the stigma that has gone with it. You can read our full 2021 expose here.

In the wake of the incidents involving high-flying aerial objects earlier this year, we know that NORAD made some changes to how it collects data, something U.S. officials disclosed at the time.

Indeed, its meanwhile certain that adjustments made to NORAD surveillance radars have only increased the amount of data  including potential aerial threats  that now need to be processed.

An unclassified map showing various NORAD air defense nodes in the contiguous United States. The Green circles, specifically, are bases that host U.S. Air Force fighter jets, including those assigned to Air National Guard units, that are tasked with the homeland defense mission. DOD

As The War Zone wrote at the time, The fact that changing the filter gates on radars in North America has turned up an apparently substantial amount of new activity certainly raises questions about how many things akin to Chinas high-altitude surveillance program have gone effectively ignored for decades and what broader risks that reality might present.

Clearly, concerning objects of various types are flying over North America on what seems to be at least a somewhat regular basis. This is in spite of repeated assurances from the Pentagon and the various services that they are taking the matter of UAPs more seriously in terms of its national security implications. The UAP issue has now reached new levels of government scrutiny as hearings on the matter will occur next week and bipartisan legislation to declassify government-held information on the topic is now moving forward. This also comes as a highly-experienced intelligence official turned whistleblower, David Grusch, claims the U.S. government is secretly in possession of alien craft.

https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1679984850588295168?s=20

It's also worth noting that the threat of cruise missiles and long-range drones has been on the rise. Both threats are hard to detect and counter. NORAD has been wrestling with these issues for some time now and truly confronting them could be a very expensive affair. You can read more about this issue here.

As the first line of both detection and defense against these kinds of aerial objects, its only logical that NORADs ability to deal with them is under scrutiny at this point. It will be hoped that the Government Accountability Office report will shed more light on the commands capabilities in this respect, but also that it might help provide a clearer understanding of the nature of the threat picture that currently exists over the United States and Canada, as well as the ability to realistic defend against those threats.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 02: Activists attend a press conference on Supreme Court ethics reform outside of the U.S. Capitol on May 02, 2023 in Washington, DC. A group of Democratic Senators are calling on legislation for a judicial ethics code that would govern all federal judges, including the nine Supreme Court Justices.

Updated 07/21/2023 at 10:30 a.m. ET

Calling out the Supreme Court used to be taboo in politics. But as the ethics scandals continue to pile up, were finally seeing significant efforts in Washington to hold the justices accountable. On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would impose sweeping ethics standards on the Supreme Court justices.

Read more

Now that the bill has passed the committee, it will move on to a vote from the entire Senate, where its sure to face massive GOP opposition. The bill, which would adopt a code of conduct for the Supreme Court, among other measures, passed entirely along party lines in committee. And Republicans voiced heavy opposition to enforcing ethics standards on the Supreme Court.

This is a bill not designed to make the court stronger or more ethical. This is a bill to destroy a conservative court, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the committees top Republican, said on Thursday, according to Reuters.

Grahams arguments fall somewhat flat in the face of a seemingly endless wave of scandals emerging from the court. Shocking Reporting from ProPublica, Politico, and The Associated Press has uncovered a web of ethically questionable relationships between members of the Supreme Court and wealthy donors, law firm heads, and billionaires with cases before the court. (The Root created a guide to all of the ethics scandals if you want to check it out).

Still, none of the recent revelations have been enough to convince Republicans that the Supreme Court needs tighter regulations. As weve previously written about, The Supreme Court isnt even held to the ethics regulations required of all other federal judges. The lax ethical standards for Supreme Court Justices have made it much more challenging to hold them accountable for actions that would be a clear ethical violation in any other court.

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Without the support of any Republicans, were unlikely to see this bill pass the Senate or the Republican-controlled House. But itll be difficult for Republicans to completely ignore growing concerns over the legitimacy of the Supreme Court as we approach an election for control of Congress.

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Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
The Senate is signaling deep skepticism about NASAs ambitious plans to fetch samples of soil from the red planet, expressing concerns over the missions cost and viability.

Senate appropriators are offering just $300 million in funding for fiscal 2024 for the Mars mission  less than a third of the $949 million budget request from NASA.

Appropriators also say they have deep doubts about whether NASA can complete the mission, known as Mars Sample Return (MSR).

The Committee has significant concerns about the technical challenges facing MSR and potential further impacts on confirmed missions, even before MSR has completed preliminary design review, the Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies subcommittee wrote in an appropriations bill outlining the funding for 2024.

It further said it would rescind the $300 million allocated for the mission if the agency cannot guarantee that overall cost will not exceed $5.3 billion. NASA estimates that the missions development costs, which were originally $4.4 billion, have soared to more than $9 billion.

Notably, this price tag only represents the cost of developing and testing the missions components. It does not include launch costs or operating costs for the missions planned five-year timeframe. It also doesnt include construction of any new sample-receiving facility that may be required to handle the rock and soil samples.

The samples in question have been collected by NASAs newest Mars rover  Perseverance which launched to Mars in 2020. The rover was dispatched to Mars to help find signs of life, and was tasked with scooping up samples of the Martian surface and subsurface. So far, Perseverance has collected 18 of 43 planned samples.

The ability to collect and study samples could provide scientists with unprecedented data on Mars, helping to fill in the gaps about how the planet changed over time. They could help scientists understand whether Mars was habitable and may even contain definitive signs of life  either past or present.

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NASA has been working with the European Space Agency to develop the MSR mission. As part of this plan, NASA will build a Sample Retriever Lander that is slated to launch in 2028, although the Senate as well as some within the agency doubt this is a viable launch date.

As NASA has been working on developing the technology needed for the mission, costs have ballooned. First estimates indicated the cost of this mission would be around $4 billion, but according to the committees report, the space agency has already spent more than $1 billion. The subcommittee also flagged that the planned 2028 launch date is very aggressive and likely to slip, increasing cost overruns.

NASA also convened an Institutional Review Board to review the MRS mission and determine its best path of success. The board is expected to issue its findings in late August or early September.

A periodic polling of the scientific community designed to flag important NASA missions last year estimated that MSR would cost around $5.3 billion, the limit the Senate is now setting.

If NASA cannot guarantee it can complete the mission for this amount, the Mars program faces cancellation, and the Senate will transfer the $300 million to other missions, with the bulk of it going to the Artemis lunar program. That mission aims to return astronauts to the surface of the moon and establish a small space station in orbit around the moon.

More from The Hill

Scientists in the same survey said the Mars mission was highly critical, and that it was worth asking Congress for more money to complete it. They argued that the request would help to ensure that any extra funding would not be taken away from other science missions.

But NASA faces significant headwinds in winning more funding, as congressional negotiators feel the pressure to keep overall government spending in line with a budget caps deal worked out between President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) earlier this year.

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) described himself as a NASA supporter but acknowledged during consideration of NASA funding in the Senate Appropriations Committee last week that the cuts will lead to significant challenges in continuing all of the agencys programs.

We were able to protect the most important national priority within NASAs budget, which is to return to the moon and maintain our strategic advantage in space, said Moran, the top Republican on the spending subpanel overseeing NASA funding.

Costs for the Mars program have risen for a number of reasons.

There were technical flaws in the original mission concept, which involved a single lander and a small rover to retrieve the samples. There were also large errors in the technical requirements of the mission which meant that more hardware was needed, which costs more money.

Staffing issues at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has also delayed multiple missions, including MSR.

This isnt the first time a mission was massively over budget or the first time a major NASA mission faced cancellation.

The James Webb Space Telescope faced its own possible cancellation in 2011, but went on to launch in 2021 despite a ballooning budget that ended up costing $10 billion. NASAs Artemis lunar program is also massively over its planned budget, and could end up costing an estimated $93 billion by the time astronauts reach the lunar surface.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Wind farm near Swindon

Ex-Prime Minister Liz Truss is among more than 20 Conservative MPs backing an attempt to overturn the de-facto ban on new onshore wind farms in England.

Former COP26 president Sir Alok Sharma is leading the move to force the government to ease restrictions.

Last year, ministers pledged to relax the rules by the end of April after a threatened rebellion from Tory MPs.

The government said it backed the development of onshore wind where there was local support.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak now faces a fresh challenge over the issue, which divides Conservative MPs, after seeing off last year's rebellion.

Sir Alok has tabled an amendment to the Energy Bill which would remove current planning restrictions in England meaning a single objection to an onshore wind development could lead to it being blocked.

It would also ensure local communities willing to host turbines would receive direct benefits and that local decisions made on onshore wind cannot be overturned on appeal.

The bill is due to return to the Commons after the summer recess.

Ms Truss's former Levelling Up Minister Sir Simon Clarke, who led last year's rebellion on the issue, is among those supporting the latest move, alongside former party chairman Sir Jake Berry, former chief whip Wendy Morton and former minister Stephen Crabb.

Tory peer Lord Goldsmith, who resigned from the government last month accusing Mr Sunak of "apathy" over climate change, also expressed support for the amendment on Twitter.

However, other Tories have opposed onshore wind developments in their areas because of the impact on local residents and landscapes.

Sir Alok said: "Last autumn the government committed to change the planning rules by the end of April this year to overturn the de-facto ban on onshore wind. Unfortunately, this has not happened.

"This amendment will help to deliver on the government's own promise to unlock investment in one of the cheapest forms of energy. Ultimately this will bring down household bills and improve our energy security."

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A consultation on relaxing planning restrictions closed in March but the government's response is not expected to be published until the autumn.

The proposals, which included relaxing a requirement for turbines to be built on pre-designated land, were criticised by the renewable energy industry as not going far enough.

The current rules, introduced under David Cameron in 2015, mean an objection from just one person over an onshore wind development in England could stop it going ahead.

Trade body RenewableUK said this could still be the case under the government's proposals.

The government is also consulting on plans to allow communities in England who want to host wind farms to directly benefit from them, for example through energy bill discounts.

A government spokesperson said: "We support the development of onshore wind where there is local support, recognising it as an efficient, low-cost and a widely supported source of energy, while being a key part of helping reduce the UK's reliance on importing expensive, foreign fossil fuels.

"We consulted on changes to national planning policy that could give local authorities more flexibility to respond to the views of their communities, and to demonstrate their support for areas suitable for onshore wind proposals."
People cross Montgomery Street as they walk towards the entrance of the J. Tom Coleman Courthouse on Tuesday.

This column is part of a weekly round-up of notable grand jury indictments and court decisions, following through on cases reported by Savannah Morning News public safety reporter Drew Favakeh. If there are cases you're curious about, email Drew at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.

ADA argues Leilani Simon's actions constitute malice murder

On July 14, Chatham County Assistant District Attorney Timothy Dean responded to Leilani Simon's defense team's request to dismiss malice murder charges against their client in the death of her son, 20-month-old Quinton Simon.

Dean argues in the latest court filing that the charges  malice murder, felony murder, concealing death of another, and five counts of making a false statement  are warranted based upon what happened to Quinton's body after his mother disposed of him in a dumpster.

Hours after... the hydraulic forks of a front-loading garbage truck lifted up the dumpster and dumped its contents, including Quinton, into the large box that constitutes the back of the truck. Then, a powerful compactor built into the truck compacted the contents of the box, Dean wrote in the filing.

Eventually, the truck disgorged its load at the 'trash basin' of a local landfill. A bulldozer then shoved the heaped garbage some 300 feet from the trash basin to a 'cell.' Once at the cell, the garbage  and Quinton  were compacted by a roughly 50-ton machine that looks something like a steamroller, but with rollers that are studded rather than smooth.

All of which is to say: Quintons body went through a lot.

Quinton Simon, 20 months old

More: Bones found in Chatham landfill identified as those of missing toddler Quinton Simon

With these actions, Dean argued, Leilani Simon deliberately tried to hide Quintons body. Her actions in disposing of his body and concealing its whereabouts indicate that her specific intent and hope was that Quinton would never be found at all. The idea seems to have been no body, no case.

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Dean cited multiple court cases that set precedent that defendants can still be charged with murder even without a body found, including Hinton v. State.

One marvels at the brazenness. Granting the Defendants special demurrer would be tantamount to telling the Defendant and other would-be murderers: Get rid of the body entirely  or do a good enough job trying  and the Court will reward your cunning and depravity by declaring you beyond the reach of prosecution for murder.

A motion hearing is scheduled for July 21.

DA re-evaluating cases handled by SPD Det. Ashley Wood

On July 14, Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones sent an email to the defense attorneys representing four alleged murder suspects that her office is re-evaluating their cases to determine if they can meet the burden of beyond reasonable doubt at trial after the Savannah Police Department (SPD) launched an internal affairs investigation for the lead detective working the cases.

The SPD launched an internal investigation into Det. Ashley Wood earlier this year for falsifying information, including security footage and text messages, in multiple search warrant applications tied to the 2021 murder of Charles Vinson.

Questions Arise: Savannah Police detective under review over search warrants in Charles Vinson murder case

In the email, Jones said she met with SPD Chief Lenny Gunther on July 6. During the meeting, the DAs office was informed that Wood was fired following the an internal affairs investigation, which found her to have inconsistent, unreliable, and/or false statements made during her investigation.

Savannah Morning News has requested the internal affairs documents.

The decision to terminate Wood is pending review by the City of Savannah and may be subject to the appeal process  if Wood chooses to appeal her termination.

Jones told the defense attorneys that they should be expect to be contacted on or before August 7, the same day the trial is scheduled.

The Time Saver convenience store on MLK JR Boulevard and West Bay Street is in a busy area near multiple hotels, SCAD buildings, and luxury living spaces.

Man, woman accused of killing British tourist plead guilty

On July 14, the man and woman accused of shooting and killing a British tourist at a Bay Street convenience story pleaded guilty to murder.

Benjamin Tucker, 27, was visiting from England when he was shot around 1:20 a.m. on April 24, 2022, at the Time Saver convenience store on West Bay Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Corey Reynolds Kent was sentenced to 20 years on a voluntary manslaughter charge. The felony murder charge against him was vacated. Georgiamae Lawrence was sentenced life with parole for a malice murder charge. Lawrence is also sentenced to 20 years for aggravated assault, which she will serve concurrently to the malice murder charge.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: In Session: Leilani Simon's defense, DA's re-evaluations, and guilty pleas
Carol Eckstrom dragged out a chair and staged a sit-in, just a few months after her stroke. In a way, she got what she asked for: The manager of her Sacramento mobile home park had finally hired contractors to fix the bulge in her walkway.

But it would cost her $500.

Eckstrom flatly disagreed that she should automatically have to pay $500 to her landlord to have the walkway fixed. She wanted time to find her own contractor. If sitting right on top of that trip hazard all day would stop the work from happening, thats what she would do.

Eckstrom is 73, a retired accountant with a tidy white bob. A complaint form she copied and saved shows that she first told the park management office about the roots pushing up the walkway in front of her Capital Mobile Estates home on Sept. 2, 2022. For the nine months before her small act of protest, management took no action. After reporting the problem again April 2, with another written form, she said she got fed up and called the California Department of Housing and Community Development the next month.

On the Friday before Memorial Day, Eckstrom learned that the workers would come to address the problem the next day  and she would have to foot the bill.

The job didnt seem like a $500 job to Eckstrom, and anyway, she thought she had the right to more time to negotiate with the landlord and to seek other bids. She said she told the park manager as much, but the manager, Lydia Mitchell, refused to delay the work, showing up that Saturday afternoon with contractors. There, they found Eckstrom and several friends sitting on top of the worksite in the wooden kitchen chairs she had wheeled outside on her walker early that morning.

Then, Eckstrom said, Mitchell summoned Sacramento police officers to the scene and threatened to evict her.

Eckstrom was so scared and overwhelmed that she started to cry.

Terrified that she would be evicted, Eckstrom agreed to pay the money and slowly shuffled inside. Soon after, she obtained the services of an attorney for the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League, who took over communications about the $500 and asserted that his client would not and should not pay that money.

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Mitchell did not respond to a detailed summary of Eckstroms version of events, except to say, I made the repair to the sidewalk, and as (a) courtesy I did not require Ms. Erickson (sic) to pay for the repairs or reimburse Capital Estates.

Sitting in her dining area surrounded by panda collectibles, Eckstrom said Mitchell didnt back down until the lawyer got involved.

They railroaded me by coming to my house when I had recently had a stroke, Eckstrom said. Shes bullying me.

Tenant protections

Eckstrom and other neighbors who have had run-ins with the property manager said their story illustrates the need for a tenant anti-harassment ordinance in Sacramento. The interactions range in severity from testy conversations to a restraining order case against a tenant in which the manager suggested an 82-year-old retired teacher, Maria Ruiz, was sent by the devil.

Shes picking on a vulnerable community, said Bobbyie Waters, who moved to the park in February. Many people who live in Capital Mobile Estates are seniors. A lot of them are on limited income, they cant get around. Some are very easily intimidated, or they just dont have the energy to try to fight.

But, Ruiz said, without a local anti-harassment ordinance, tenants cant do much even if they find the energy to fight.

Though certain forms of tenant harassment are illegal under state law, theyre only illegal when the landlord acts with the intention of getting renters to move out. In court, proving that intent can be next to impossible.

Furthermore, landlords liability is capped at $2,000 per violation, making these cases unappealing for attorneys to pursue.

A proposal put forth by Caity Maple, who represents District 5 on the City Council, would create stronger tenant protections in the California capital.

Among other provisions, the local ordinance would allow tenants to recoup attorneys fees from a landlord in a successful suit. The proposal also says that landlords and their agents cant harass tenants in bad faith, which goes beyond the state laws stipulation that tenant harassment only exists when the landlord is seeking to make the tenant move.

That proposal will likely be re-heard by the councils Law and Legislation Committee in August, Maple said; the committees members asked city staff for a detailed report on the current tenant resources in the city after hearing the proposal April 4.

We know there are not nearly enough (options for tenants) considering that free legal services are overwhelmed, and the Renters Helpline was run by the now-defunct Sacramento Self-Help Housing, Maple said in an email. While I would prefer this policy to move forward more swiftly, I think it will help our case to know how little resources are actually available for renters in Sacramento.

You cant get evicted for this, Carol

Eckstrom said she capitulated to Mitchells demands the day of her protest because she didnt understand her rights in the moment. Like many of the residents in the park, she owns her mobile home but rents the land from Capital Mobile Estates, a gated park near Lemon Hill, and some tenant law applies to her situation. When Mitchell raised the possibility of an eviction, she panicked.

She said her friends, including Ruiz, were all talking over each other.

The other people around me were saying you cant get evicted for this, Carol  its not an evictable offense, Eckstrom said. But Mitchell, she said, was scaring the heck out of me.

Before her stroke in January, Eckstrom was unflappable. Now, she said, she gets frazzled easily.

When Sacramento officers responded to the scene, they were, Eckstrom and Ruiz said, confused about why they had been called and not particularly knowledgeable about tenants rights. Eckstrom said the police encouraged her to pay the money to avoid this hassle.

In the end, she gave up and wheeled her walker back inside. All these people are yelling at me what to do and what not to do, she said. And finally I just caved. I said, fine, Ill pay the $500.

She also knew how Mitchell had treated some of her neighbors in the park. The Sacramento Bee reported last September on the culture of fear that had overtaken Capital Mobile Estates after Mitchell was hired by the Beverly Hills-based landlord in mid-2021 and started handing out seven-day notices threatening eviction for minor rule violations, such as having a sun shade over a hot tub.

Since September, Ruiz said, the mood at the park has only worsened.

Ruiz was lying in a hospital bed in January, she said, when a man wearing an unconvincing disguise handed her a big envelope. He was a process server; the envelope contained a restraining order filed by Mitchell. Ruiz, then 82, skimmed the pages.

In the form, Mitchell said that she feared for her safety, and she feared for the safety of her three young daughters. She wrote, Maria has said she is going to torment, annoy and harrase (sic) me all she wants and will make my life misrable (sic) because satan sent her to torment me.

Capital Mobile Estates resident Maria Ruiz describes on Thursday, June 22, 2023, how the Sacramento mobile home parks manager has been harassing her. She said the manager attempted to take out a restraining order against her and another resident, and the state president of an advocacy group for manufactured-home owners

Ruiz is a retired teacher and the president of the parks chapter of the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League. When she was served with the court papers, she said she was in the ICU recovering from a lung surgery. She considered the restraining order the latest development in a pattern of harassing behavior from Mitchell.

Mitchell denied that in an email: I was in fear of my own personal safety, she wrote, and did not file the restraining order to harass any of the residents.

Ultimately, court records show that Mitchells requests for restraining orders against Ruiz, another resident, Barbara Garnier, and Linda Larsen Nye, the state president of the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League, were all dismissed. The petitions were filed three days after the parks chapter of the league, which organizes for mobile home owners rights, tried to meet in the parks clubhouse on their regularly scheduled evening slot.

That night, as she wrote in her petition, Mitchell turned them away. At multiple points, the manager screamed at the residents in interactions that were caught on surveillance footage.

Mitchell submitted video surveillance to the court as part of her restraining order cases. One video directly contradicted her description of events in court documents.

Mitchell wrote in her petition that Barbara Garnier struggled with her to keep a sliding door in the clubhouse open, then shouted at Mitchell and bullied her and made as if to hit her.

Even though the video does show Garnier and Mitchell grabbing the sliding door at the same time from opposite sides, Garnier never shouts in the video, and she does not appear to threaten to hit Mitchell. The only person who appears ready to take a swing is Mitchells teenage daughter, who screams dont you put your hands on my mom at Garnier and throws her hands in the older womans face.

Mitchell did not respond to The Bees questions about the discrepancies between the video evidence and her written account in the restraining order petition. She said, Barbara Garnier and I have moved on to a new positive chapter.

Capital Mobile Estates residents Maria Ruiz, center, Bobbyie Waters, left, and Katie Brawley describe harassment on Thursday, June 22, 2023, by their mobile home parks manager at Capital Mobile Estates in Sacramento.

Tenant anti-harassment ordinance stirs up controversy





Existing state laws do little to protect tenants from harassment, said Ethan Silverstein, a staff attorney for the ACCE Institute who works on tenants rights cases.

Tenants often find themselves with no one to contact to enforce this, he said. If the harassment is very bad, a tenant can call the police.  What were calling hostile living environment harassment, things like, Oh, the landlords refusing to take my rent, so on and so forth, theres not really someone who enforces that. Landlords just kind of get away with it.

California cities, including Richmond, Oakland and Los Angeles, already have tenant anti-harassment ordinances in place. Silverstein said theyre game-changers. In those cities, he said with a laugh, Its a lot easier to stop tenant harassment.

Opponents of the ordinance who spoke at the Law and Legislation Committee hearing in April said it was duplicative and that it would introduce burdens to landlords, particularly mom-and-pop landlords. Some also said that it would enable tenants to harass building owners. One landlord who called in to comment said, Why should the tenants be a protected class? Theres just as many bad tenants.

But Silverstein said that attorneys generally start with a warning letter to the landlord informing them that their conduct is against the law.

Warning the landlord about the law oftentimes changes behavior, he said. And if the landlords dont change behavior and choose to proceed in bad faith, tenants have remedies.

Ruiz said that with the current state of tenant protections in the capital, she has no real options. She cant afford a tenants rights attorney on her fixed income, and the city and county have meager resources for residents who want to hold a landlord accountable. She doesnt want to move out of the home she and her husband, Ted Druch, have grown to love.

Shes watched as the clubhouse that used to bustle with pinochle games and kaffeeklatsches has emptied. She said people dont feel comfortable there anymore.

Some people sold their homes and left the park entirely. Mitchell suggested that tack to an elderly resident in one surveillance video.

In the video, the manager shouted at the elderly woman that she needed to respect the rules.

And if you dont like it, Mitchell says, you can sell your home and move out.
Sheryl Crow has some harsh words for Jason Aldean and his controversial new song, Try That In a Small Town.

Critics say the song promotes violence with its lyrics about guns ("Got a gun that my grandad gave me / They say one day theyre going to round up") and outright threats ("Try that in a small town / See how far you make it down the road / Around here we take care of our own").

"@Jason_Aldean Im from a small town, Crow tweeted July 18. Even people in small towns are sick of violence. Theres nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small town-like. Its just lame.

Crow was born in Kennett, Missouri, which has a population of just over 10,000. Aldean is from Macon, Georgia, a city in central Georgia which has a population of 153,000.

As Crow references, Aldean was onstage when 59 people died and hundreds more were injured in a mass shooting at the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival in 2017.

On July 18, Aldean tweeted in response to the controversy, saying that he had been "accused of releasing a pro-lynching song." Aldean wrote that he did not intend for the song to promote gun violence.

As so many pointed out, I was present at Route 91  where so many lost their lives  and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart, he wrote.

Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences, he continued.

In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.  Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023

Try That In a Small Town was not written by Aldean. That credit goes to Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace and Neil Thrasher.

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When the song was first released in May, Aldean in a statement, To me, this song summarizes the way a lot of people feel about the world right now. It seems like there are bad things happening on a daily basis, and that feels unfamiliar to a lot of us. This song sheds some light on that."

The song's lyrics reference spitting on police ("Cuss out a cop, spit in his face"), defacing an American flag ("stomp on the flag and light it up") and pulling a gun in a liquor store, with some people suggesting it alludes to the Black Lives Matter movement.

The video for the song, which has been removed by CMT, features footage of protests and robberies projected onto a courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, where 18-year-old Black man Henry Choate was lynched in 1927.

In his Twitter statement, Aldean said suggestions that his song is racist are off base.

"There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it  and there isnt a single video clip that isnt real news footage  and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music  this one goes too far.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
When Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve announced last week that he supports stricter gun control and would lobby the Indiana General Assembly for an assault weapon ban, ending permitless carry, and raising the legal age to buy a gun from 18 to 21 years old in Indianapolis, conservative voters and pundits reacted with ire and confusion.

The NRA, which Shreve said he was a member of in April, also condemned him as "pathetic."

The election was lost today by Jefferson Shreve, Jason Hammer, a local radio talk show host on WIBC, said on his show Thursday evening. He had a chance and now hes crapped all over his base of law-abiding citizens.

Shreve has taken quite a risk. He has to appeal to moderate voters in Democratic-leaning Indianapolis, given that there aren't enough party-line Republican voters to win him an election. But by taking a stand for gun control, he risks losing his base and may not be able to win without them. And some political watchers point out proposing a gun control agenda similar to Mayor Joe Hogsett's won't necessarily help him take votes from Hogsett.

Shreve has sought to differentiate himself from Hogsett by saying he would work his relationships with his fellow Republican Indiana state lawmakers to get his gun control proposal passed, if elected. Both Hogsett's and Shreve's plans would involve overturning a state law, something most experts agree is unlikely for either of them to achieve.

Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve laughs with supporters Tuesday, May 2, 2023, during his election night watch party at the Hotel Tango in Indianapolis.

For Shreve, this move also represents a change of heart on guns. In 2016, he ran on a strong Second Amendment platform.

I believe in responsible, lawful gun ownership," Shreve told IndyStar Friday. "I'm personally a responsible gun owner. But things are very different today in Indianapolis than they were in 2016. My public safety plan is a plan for todays challenges in our states urban core.

He added that he does not expect everyone to agree with his entire public safety plan but that it is clear Indianapolis has to start doing things differently to make the city a safer, better place to live.

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Some Republicans are not entirely on board with his tactics though.

"Agreeing with your opponent is not exactly a great strategy," former Republican Sen. Jim Merritt, who sought unsuccessfully to unseat Hogsett in 2019, told IndyStar, though he said he still supports Shreve. "Agreeing with your opponent, people would shrug and say whats the difference?"

Jim Merritt

Other experts, though, said moving to the middle may have been necessary for Shreve to win an election in a city where no Republican has won county-wide since 2011, when Republican Mayor Greg Ballard won his bid for a second term. Indianapolis voters lean about 60-40 Democratic, according to 2022 election results.

It could be argued that in order for a Republican to win city-wide in Indianapolis they need to be able to appeal to Democratic voters, Indiana pundit Andy Downs said after Shreve's announcement. If thats the case then you got to figure out whats the best way to appeal to Democratic voters. Given the concern over public safety issues, gun control or guns or some version of public safety could be a pretty effective way to do that.

And at the very least, some experts said, Shreve took ammunition away from Hogsett, whose campaign had sought to portray him as a far-right, NRA-supporting conservative.

Blake Hesch, Hogsett's campaign manager, wrote in a statement after Shreve announced his public safety plan last Thursday that the plan was a "gun flip-flop," and called it a hodgepodge of repackaged programs that already exist and meaningless platitudes.

Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve smiles on stage Tuesday, May 2, 2023, during his election night watch party at the Hotel Tango in Indianapolis.

And the general population's views on gun control may not be as clear cut as some believe. A small majority of Hoosiers  52%  support an assault weapon ban, although 59% of Hoosier Republicans oppose it, according to the 2019 Hoosier Survey conducted by Ball State University. Meanwhile, nationwide, 75% of respondents to an August 2022 University of Chicago and Associated Press poll supported raising the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21, and 57% opposed permitless carry.

Crime, it should be clear, is a key issue in Indianapolis and many have criticized high murder rates during Hogsett's tenure, though homicides have been on the rise since at least 2012, well before he took office.

Indianapolis saw record-high homicides at 271 in 2021. Although the number of killings have gone down, they are still high, with 100 criminal homicides as of July 13 this year compared to 116 on the same date in 2022 and 133 in 2021, according to IMPD data.

Many gun violence prevention advocates in the city are strongly in support of stricter gun control measures, which were embodied in Hogsetts plan passed by the City-County Council on July 10.

More: How will Hogsett's big gun violence prevention plan fight crime?

More: Republican mayoral candidate Shreve calls for stricter gun control in public safety plan

Shreve must walk a fine line

For Shreve, it will matter how many Republican voters agree with conservative pundits in denouncing his plan. How Shreves conservative base ultimately reacts to his pro-gun control stance is a significant issue, Downs said.

The issue is, have you given up too much of your base in order to win a little bit of the other party? he said. The math, and thats what it comes down to, is how many from your party would truly not vote for you.

State Sen. Aaron Freeman (Credit: Indiana Senate Republicans)

Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, said Shreve has a huge problem in winning over a Democrat-leaning county. But in threading that needle, Freeman said, Shreve still needs conservative and Republican-leaning people to vote for him.

There are core issues Republicans believe in and are in our party platform as a state: the Second Amendment and any lawful person should be able, in my opinion, to possess and carry a handgun, Freeman said.

The National Rifle Association Indiana State Director, John Weber, criticized both Shreve's and Hogsett's stances in a statement, first reported by Importantville, that the NRA sent to IndyStar Tuesday.

"The issue of violent crime can be addressed by a simple, yet highly effective solution: prosecute and punish the violent perpetrators," Weber wrote. "Politicians who can't grasp this concept don't deserve to be elected. But even worse are the candidates who will say anything  and even contradict themselves  just to remain relevant. It's truly pathetic."

Some Republicans who disagree with Shreves gun control stance said they would still vote for him, including Freeman and Indianapolis Republican councilor Brian Mowery, even as others said they wouldn't.

Im sorry Jefferson has gone down that road, Freeman said. I like him. I'm going to vote for him. But that was a mistake and he played right into the mayor's hands.

Shreve's plan also puts him out of step with messaging from Republicans on the City-County Council.

Mowery, the City-County Council minority leader, had slammed Hogsetts very similar proposal before it passed in council last week as unconstitutional and said it takes away rights of law-abiding citizens from owning firearms. Still, he said he supports Shreve.

Were not always going to agree on everything and theres a lot of great in the plan, not with respect to the gun control measures, Mowery told IndyStar. He added that people should not lose focus of the fact that city leaders have no control over gun regulation.

City-County Councilor Brian Mowery participates in a full council meeting at the City-County Building in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.

Indianapolis major cities have historically seen Republican mayors who end up doing things not in alignment with the rest of the party, Downs said. Former Fort Wayne mayor Paul Helmke, Downs said, had long advocated for stricter gun control including as a Republican mayor in the 1980s and '90s, and Mayor Greg Ballard more recently, Downs said, is seen as too liberal or too moderate for statewide office.

Ballard issued a statement in support of Shreve last Thursday.

"I was often told not being a politician was my biggest strength," Ballard wrote in a statement distributed by Shreve's campaign. "Jefferson isnt a politician either. Jefferson is a rational, intelligent individual who cares only for the city of Indianapolis. Anyone who says otherwise is incorrect.

At stake in the discussion about Shreves gun control agenda, Helmke told IndyStar, is what the Republican party stands for today.

Part of it is an argument about what it means to be a Republican anymore. Helmke said. Republican used to mean local control, used to mean public safety and law and order. Jefferson Shreve is arguing what Republicans were when I was growing up. Its part of the battle of the Republican soul.

Helmke pointed to how President Ronald Reagan and his wife were involved in the gun control movement, as was President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush.

Reagan pushed for the 1994 Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act which mandated federal background checks on firearm purchases. H.W. Bush had banned imports of assault rifles in 1989, leading to the 1994 federal assault weapons ban which expired in 2004. Bush said then that he would have renewed the assault weapons ban if it crossed his table.

Hogsett put gun control on the agenda

Why has gun control, something which the Indianapolis mayor has no legal authority over, become a focal point of this years election? Political experts said it shows the way Hogsetts public safety agenda has dominated the election.

In May, Hogsetts public safety plan announcement put gun control and fighting the Indiana General Assembly to repeal a 2011 Indiana law that prohibits cities and towns from passing stricter gun control regulations on the agenda.

Democratic mayoral incumbent Joe Hogsett gives a speech to supporters after winning the democratic primary on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at the IBEW Local Union 481 in Indianapolis.

At the same time, Hogsetts campaign and Indiana Democrats have been portraying Shreve as a NRA-supporting, pro-Second Amendment conservative who would work hand-in-hand with the state legislature to repeal commonsense gun laws, through a campaign ad and statements that unearthed Shreves pro-Second Amendment comments made in a 2016 Indiana Senate campaign ad. That ad has since been deleted from the ShreveforMayor Facebook page. IndyStar reviewed the ad prior to the deletion.

"And Jefferson Shreve will fight for...our Second Amendment rights," the ad narrator said. "Jefferson Shreve, the conservative Republican we can count on in the state Senate."

Then again, by coming out against the state legislature on gun measures and aligning with Hogsetts stance, Shreve has managed to weaken Hogsetts attack on his gun record, political expert Downs said.

It might cause Shreve problems saying hes a flip-flop, Downs said. Shreve is going to have to show some action behind the words.

Blake Hesch, Hogsett's campaign manager, accused Shreve of hypocrisy after he announced his plan last week, stating Shreve was either misleading the NRA in 2016 to get the highest grade or is misleading voters now.

Either way, hes willing to say or do anything to get elected, Hesch said.

Hesch was referring to the AQ rating, the highest available for a candidate without an established voting record, given to Shreve by the National Rifle Association during Shreve's 2016 Indiana Senate bid, when he lost the Republican primary.

Shreve had told IndyStar in April that he has an NRA membership that dates back to him having taken their handgun safety course in 2011, when he bought a handgun that he still owns, but that was the extent of his involvement in the NRA.

Shreve added in the Friday statement to IndyStar that he believes Indianapolis has to change its policies, while respecting that different policies would work for other parts of the state.

There is nothing responsible about 19-year-old kids who are drunk waving their guns around in neighborhoods like Broad Ripple, or gang members shooting guns at kids in a park, Shreve said.

Indianapolis vs. the Indiana General Assembly

Political watchers and Statehouse Republicans said its unlikely either Shreve or Hogsetts proposals would ever gain traction in the Indiana General Assembly.

Statehouse Republicans, including Freeman, said they think repealing the 2011 law to allow Indianapolis to pass stricter gun control would never happen.

Freeman is now chair of the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law committee, which heard the 2011 bill back when it was being considered. Freeman, a former City-County Council member, was not in the Senate at that time.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville, who was the author of the 2011 law, said what Hogsett and Shreve proposed is a violation of state law.

He added that guns are not the problem and that elected officials or candidates serious about dealing with criminal activity should focus on correcting bad behavior and lack of moral conduct.

The election is Nov. 7.

Contact the reporter at 317-903-7071 or kcheang@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy GOP candidate Jefferson Shreve angers NRA with gun control plan
Inspired by all things Barbie, Lexington restaurants and shops are stepping into Barbies world with pink food and drinks for customers to celebrate the release of one of summers highly anticipated movies. .

The live-action film of the 64-year-old icon will be in Lexington movie theaters beginning July 20 and is also inspiring local events like Barbie trivia and Barbie themed parties. There are even discounts if you decide to dress up as legendary characters Barbie or Ken at some locations.

Chaotic Good: Hi Barbie! Macchiato

Local coffee shop Chaotic Good: Coffee, Comics and Games, 545 S. Broadway, Suite 160, has the Hi Barbie! Macchiato that combines the flavors of espresso, strawberry and cherry. While recommended iced, co-owner Marian Turner said the drink can also be enjoyed hot.

Hi Barbie! Macchiato from Chaotic Good coffee shop.

Turner said the pink drink took a group effort and was something fun to do for the movie premier. Priced at $4.99 for a small or $5.99 for a large, the drink will be available until July 25. Customers can expect it to be featured on their next Coffee Flights as well.

Movie Review: Shes Perfect Barbie. Hes Scene-Stealing Ken. Their life in plastic looks fantastic

Heres How to Order the Secret Barbie Starbuck Drink TikTok Loves

Rock House Brewing: Pink Lemonade Pie Ale

Two Kentucky breweries came up with a collaboration for the the Barbie movie: Lexingtons Rock House Brewing teamed up with Louisvilles Butchertown Brewing to create a special beer.

Rock House Brewing, 119 Luigart Ct., will host a Barbie trivia night 7 to 9 p.m July 20 featuring their Pink Lemonade Pie Ale.

We are closed today but our week is CHOCK FULL of fun events and activities for you and yours! WEDNESDAY sees the... Posted by Rock House Brewing on Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Social media and events coordinator Sean Cain described the pink-colored beer as a sour ale with raspberry and lemon puree, cream of coconut and vanilla soft serve ice cream mix.

Old Vine Bistro: Barbie Brunch

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 22, Old Vine Bistro, 400 Old Vine St., Unit 108, will host a Barbie Brunch. Dress up as your favorite Barbie or Ken to win prizes. Reservations can be made at ovbistro.com or by calling 859-523-4141.

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Blue Stallion Brewing Company: Barbies Dream Beer

Forget Barbies Dreamhouse, Blue Stallion Brewing Company has Barbies Dream Beer.

Featuring a blood orange pilsner mixed with edible pink glitter, the craft brewery, located at 610 West 3rd St., will be offering the beer on Friday. Customers are welcome to the choice of a pint for $6 or a tasting glass for $3.50.

Blue Stallion Brewing Company will have a special release for the Barbie movie, Barbies Dream Beer.

As an added bonus, Blue Stallion will also have another release for the weekends other summer movie blockbuster. Death, Destroyer of Worlds, named for the film Oppenheimer, is a Marzen with dark rum, allspice, lime and sugar.

La Chula: Malibu Barbie shot

Available only July 21, a specialty shot consisting of Malibu Rum and Tequila Rose will be featured at La Chula, the Mexican restaurant at 304 S. Limestone.

Introducing the sweetest Barbie premiering July 21. The Malibu Barbie  She enjoys suntanning, walking the beach,... Posted by La Chula on Thursday, July 13, 2023

The $8 pink shot is rimmed with strawberry frosting and sprinkles, topped with whip cream, additional pink sprinkles and a pink drink umbrella. Co-owner Claire Morgado-Howell said a pink queso dip will also be featured for $7 and those dressed up as Barbie will receive 10% off their meal.

Crank and Boom: Barbie Dreamhouse Sundae, Malibu Barbie Cocktail

Popular Lexington ice cream shop Crank and Boom will honor Barbie starting July 21 with a Dreamhouse Sundae and a Malibu Cocktail. Theyll have strawberry ice cream mixed with butter cake chunks and topped with strawberry sauce, graham cracker crumbs, hot pink whip cream and glitter for $8, while supplies last.

For the Barbie movie, Crank and Boom will have a a Malibu Cocktail, left, and Dreamhouse Sundae.

An additional cocktail special made up of strawberry ice cream, rum, pineapple juice and glitter will be available for $10. The two treats can be found at both the Distillery District and Clays Mill locations.
Energy Northwest has signed an agreement with the goal of having an advanced small nuclear reactor producing power in Eastern Washington by the end of 2030.

It could potentially deploy as many as 12 Xe-100 reactors, together capable of generating up to 960 megawatts of electricity, Energy Northwest said in an announcement Wednesday of a joint development agreement with X-energy Reactor Co.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., praised the planned project, saying that advanced nuclear technology is bringing next-generation development to the marketplace, strengthening our nations energy security and providing economic security for businesses in the Tri-Cities and beyond.

Energy Northwest has operated the Columbia Generating Station, the Northwests only commercial nuclear power plant, about 10 miles north of Richland since 1984. The plant produces 1,207 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 1 million homes.

The new reactors would be on leased land at a site adjacent to Columbia Generating Station. It is on land at the Hanford nuclear reservation that was not used by the federal government for weapons work.

Columbia Generating Station, owned and operated by Energy Northwest, is a boiling water nuclear power reactor located about 10 miles north of Richland, Washington.

As the Northwest region of the United States pursues a future clean energy grid, it is clear it will need new sources of dependable, carbon-free power, said Bob Schuetz, chief executive of Energy Northwest.

X-energy announced in April 2021 that it would work with Energy Northwest and Grant County PUD to develop, build and operate an 80-megawatt reactor near Richland. It was proposed as the first Xe-100 reactor in the nation.

But in March 2023 X-energy said would instead work with Dow to demonstrate its first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactor in North America at one of Dows U.S. Gulf Coast sites.

It has since announced that Dow will use the reactor at its UCC Seadrift Operations site in Texas, where basic and specialty chemical products are made.

The joint development agreement with Energy Northwest would make Washington the second location in North America with an Xe-100 reactor project.

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Energy Northwest is a leader in building the clean energy grid, and the advancement of our partnership is expected to help meet growing commercial and household demand for reliable carbon-free energy across the state of Washington, said J. Clay Sell, chief executive of X-energy.

Energy Northwests experience as a leading nuclear operator in the region uniquely positions it to showcase the benefits and scalability of advanced nuclear, he said.

Backing up intermittent clean energy

Each Xe-100 module can provide 80 megawatts of full-time electricity or 200 megawatts of high-temperature steam for large regional electricity providers or industrial manufacturing systems.

Module components can be manufactured and construction done offsite.

The modules could then be shipped by truck, with electricity production scaled up as needed by adding additional modules. The standardized construction is intended to save time and to provide more predictable and manageable construction costs.

The smaller size of the nuclear power modules and the ability to quickly ramp up and down would complement intermittent renewable resources, such as wind and solar, that rely on weather conditions to generate power,

X-energy says it has a simple design for the high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor with meltdown-proof walk-away safety. Its fuel will withstand temperatures about four times greater than conventional nuclear fuel, it said.

Energy Northwests mission is to provide the region with clean, reliable and affordable electricity, and X-energys innovative advanced reactor technology will be a valuable addition to our existing portfolio of carbon-free electric generating resources, Schuetz said.

In addition to the Columbia Generating Station, Energy Northwest owns and operates hydroelectric, solar, battery storage and wind projects.

In 2021 the Department of Energys Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program awarded X-energy $1.2 billion in cost-sharing funding to develop, license, build and demonstrate an advance reactor and fuel fabrication facility by the end of the decade.

X-energy plans to bring what it learns on that project in Texas to Washington state.

Why Washington state?

Sell said in 2021 that a critical element in X-energy interest in the Tri-Cities area was the way the market in Washington state is being shaped by the Clean Energy Transformation Act. The act commits the states electric utilities to fully transition to clean, renewable and non-emitting resources by 2045.

He also likes the Tri-Cities support for nuclear energy.

This community knows about nuclear power. This community has a proud tradition, he said in 2021.

Work to bring more jobs related to nuclear power to the Tri-Cities area also was good news for union workers.

Todays historic announcement between Energy Northwest and X-energy will not only secure Washingtons ability to provide clean, affordable and dispatchable energy throughout our region, but will supply job opportunities for hundreds of our members and their families, said Nickolas Bumpaous, president of the Central Washington Building and Construction Trades Union.

Energy Northwest now employs about 1,000 workers.
[Source]

Outrage ensued after the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) announced the abrupt cancellation of its scheduled Asian American Literature Festival with little to no explanation.

Key details: Internal emails shared with The Washington Post revealed that acting Smithsonian (APAC) Director Yao-Fen You informed the festivals founder Lawrence-Minh Bui Davis, who is also a curator at the Smithsonian, on June 28 that any upcoming events should be reviewed under the Smithsonian Directive 603 due to the current political climate. The directive reportedly allows reviewers to identify potentially controversial exhibitions.

The acting director instructed Davis to write a draft memo, which was then submitted to the operations staff on July 2. You then reviewed the memo on July 5 and reportedly sent her email about the festival's cancellation that same evening.

How people reacted: Rosabel Tan, one of the leaders of a delegation of 10 writers from Australia and New Zealand, told the Post she had no idea who You was as it was the first time they had interacted.

More from NextShark: 'Elemental' director says his new Pixar film is about 'thanking' parents for their sacrifices

Several organizations were also caught off guard by the announcement, including Kaya Press and literary nonprofit Kundiman.

Poet Ching-In Chen, one of the writers who planned to attend the festival, said they were not notified of the decision through colleagues.

Their explanation: In a statement to the Post, the Smithsonians chief spokesperson Linda St. Thomas explained that officials ultimately decided to cancel the event as "festival organizers were unable to prepare a full packet of confirmed materials for this review of the program and its content, which was purportedly scheduled to take place Wednesday.

More from NextShark: Subtle Asian Baking founder Kat Lieu is building community through shared culture and tasty treats

St. Thomas added that the festival could not be executed to the high-level standards required by the Smithsonian.

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Speaking to WTOP in an email, St. Thomas noted that they had explored other options, including a virtual format for this year and a different and larger public event next year to increase our local and national reach.

Condemning the decision: More than 70 festival partners and participants signed an open letter on Monday condemning the Smithsonian APACs decision to cancel the event, calling it unprofessional and unacceptable.

More from NextShark: Artist Drue Kataoka is on a crusade against the 'racist and sexist' NFT space

This cancellation communicates to us that the Smithsonian does not feel accountable to partners and community, does not work collaboratively, and does not care about how it harms people, particularly communities of color, the open letter read in part.

Open letter signatories are also asking for Yous resignation as acting director of APAC and for the event to be rescheduled to 2024.

More from NextShark: Indians slam NYT for saying chicken Manchurian is 'stalwart of Pakistani Chinese cuisine'
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pacific Islands nations Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are considering forming defence forces and have discussed the matter with Australia, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Wednesday.

Security partnerships in the region, where currently only five out of 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) bloc have a military, have come into focus after China signed a security pact with Solomon Islands last year.

The U.S. responded by signing a defence cooperation agreement with Papua New Guinea in May.

China and Solomon Islands have said their security pact provides for domestic security and policing, rejecting concerns from other PIF members about the risk of militarisation of the region.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's ambition to create a defence force was first mentioned publicly in a press conference on Monday after he returned from a week-long visit to China.

"It is clearly a decision for Solomon Islands ... Australia is very keen to play its part in partnering with Solomon Islands in the development of their defence force," Marles said in an ABC Television interview on Wednesday.

"Vanuatu is also thinking about moving down this path as well," he added.

Vanuatu has signed but not ratified a security treaty with Australia, and will host a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron next week.

"We seek to be the natural partner of choice for the Solomon Islands and all the countries of the Pacific, after a decade where this country took its eye off the ball," Marles added.

Sogavare told reporters on Monday if there were "hiccups" with Australia providing security assistance under a 2017 treaty, China could send its police within nine hours.

The three Pacific Island countries with militaries - Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga - will take part in Australia's largest defence exercise with the United States, Talisman Sabre, beginning on Saturday.

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Thirty thousand personnel from 13 nations, including Japan, South Korea and Indonesia, and European countries France, Britain and Germany, will also take part.

The U.S. is Australia's major security alliance partner. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin travel to Queensland state next week for annual ministerial consultations.

"What you are going to see over the next few years is a growth in the way in which Australia and the U.S. operate together," Marles said.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by David Holmes)
Georgias Secretary of State confirms his office sent the State Farm Arena election counting video to the US Department of Justice as it informed former President Donald Trump hes now a target for possible criminal prosecution.

So much of that DOJ investigation centers on what happened inside the State Capitol. From the false electors to Rudy Giuliani and others giving false testimony to state senators, to Trumps phone call to Brad Raffensperger.

Now, Raffensperger has told investigators all about it.

Weve been pushing back since day one, Raffensperger said.

He confirmed to Channel 2s Richard Elliot that his office turned over all of the State Farm Arena video to the Justice Department and special prosecutor Jack Smith.

Our investigators looked at it. GBI looked at it. FBI looked at it, Raffensperger said. They looked at it and said nothing happened.

The video first came to light when former New York City Mayor and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and his team presented it to a state senate subcommittee in December 2020.

Giuliani declared it absolute proof of massive voter fraud.

RELATED STORIES:

I think today revealed the smoking gun weve been looking for. The video makes it clear, Giuliani said.

But it wasnt.

Multiple state and federal investigations showed nothing illegal happened at all.

It was at that same hearing that Giuliani and his team insisted tens of thousands of dead people voted.

10,315 or more individuals to vote who were deceased by the time of the election, attorney Ray Smith said at the time.

There werent thousands of dead people. Theres only four, Raffensperger said.

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Now, Trump and others could be facing federal indictments for their role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and much of that investigation centers on Georgia.

Raffensperger also confirmed he spent half a day talking to federal investigators but wouldnt say what they talked about.

He told Elliot that he thinks the truth about those efforts is finally coming out.

It took about two and a half years because the wheels of justice move a little bit slow. But they looked at it and said nothing ever happened here, Raffensperger said.

The federal investigation is running parallel with the Fulton County investigation.

That grand jury has already been seated and could already be looking at evidence.

RELATED NEWS:
Travelers love visiting one South Carolina city  and now, it ranks as one of the best vacation destinations in the world.

Charleston earned a spot on the worldwide list and also was named the No. 1 place to go for a trip within the United States, according to results Travel + Leisure magazine published Tuesday, July 11.

Though Charleston made its mark when it came to individual cities, other tourist attractions in the Palmetto State received nods in nationwide travel-related categories. The destinations that ranked in the top 10 include:

Kiawah Island at No. 3 for best islands in the continental U.S.

Hilton Head Island at No. 5 for best islands in the continental U.S.

Hilton Head Health at No. 3 for best destination spas

Wentworth Mansion in Charleston at No. 5 for best urban hotels in the continental U.S.

The Loutrel in Charleston at No. 8 for best urban hotels in the continental U.S.

Shoppers and students experience part of King Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina on Aug. 29, 2021.

The list of Worlds Best award winners came after Travel + Leisure said it conducted an extensive vacation-related survey. More than 100,000 readers responded from Oct. 24 to Feb. 27.

For individual cities, the survey focused on several aspects, including landmarks, dining options and value. Readers chose their favorite travel destinations based on a number of characteristics for which they could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor.

Why travelers love Charleston so much

Charleston  which ranked as the 19th most favorite city in the world  also was the nations highest scoring place for the 11th straight year. Travel + Leisure gave the popular South Carolina destination a nod for its combination of southern charm and city vibes.

The magazine said readers praised the friendly locals, historic sites, and the shopping and dining along King Street. Charleston also has gotten noticed for its colorful buildings, walkability and variety of hotel options, according to Travel + Leisure.

The city has made it into global rankings before, being named one of the worlds most breathtaking cities last year.

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Within the United States, the Charleston area recently was named a top food destination. It also was found to boast some of the best travel tours and staycation activities, McClatchy News reported.

Overall, the mole and mezcal capital of Oaxaca, Mexico, was named the No. 1 travel destination in the world among the 25 cities that were honored.

After Charleston, the top five places to visit in the United States were:

Santa Fe, New Mexico, at No. 2

New Orleans at No. 3

Savannah, Georgia, at No. 4

Chicago at No. 5

This South Carolina city ranks among the nations most beautiful and affordable

Coastal getaway? This SC beach ranks as one of the best to visit in the South
Former provincial legislator given life sentence for bribery

Xinhua) 10:49, July 19, 2023

SHIJIAZHUANG, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced Sun Guoxiang, a former senior legislator of northeast China's Liaoning Province, to life in prison for bribery.

Sun, former deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, was convicted of taking bribes worth over 97.65 million yuan (about 13.66 million U.S. dollars) by the Intermediate People's Court of Langfang City in north China's Hebei Province.

He was found guilty of taking advantage of his former positions in Panjin City of Liaoning between 2008 and 2018 to help relevant companies obtain loans and special funds, the court ruling stated.

Sun is deprived of political rights for life, and had all of his personal property confiscated and illegal gains from bribery recovered and turned over to the state treasury, the court said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
map of South Korea

South Korea has developed into one of Asia's most affluent countries since partition in 1948. The Communist North has slipped into totalitarianism and poverty.

The republic was proclaimed in 1948 and received UN-backed support from the US after it was invaded by the North two years later.

The Korean War ended in 1953 without a peace agreement, leaving South Korea technically at war for more than 70 years.

The following four decades were marked by authoritarian rule, during which government-sponsored schemes encouraged the growth of family-owned industrial conglomerates, including the Hyundai and Samsung groups.

They helped transform South Korea into one of the world's major economies and a leading exporter of cars and electronic goods.

The US has tens of thousands of soldiers in the country.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

REPUBLIC OF KOREA: FACTS

Capital: Seoul

Area: 100,363 sq km

Population: 51.8 million

Language: Korean

Life expectancy: 80 years (men) 86 years (women)

LEADERS

President: Yoon Suk-yeol

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol

Mr Yoon is a former prosecutor who only entered politics in 2021 and won the 2022 presidential elections by less than 1%.

At his victory ceremony he said he would "pay attention to people's livelihoods, provide warm welfare services to the needy, and make utmost efforts so that our country serves as a proud, responsible member of the international community and the free world".

In foreign policy, he promised a tougher "reset" on relations with China and North Korea and indications of closer ties with the US.

MEDIA

Woman walking in Seoul street

South Korea is a trailblazer for high-speed and wireless internet and nearly every household is connected. Instant messaging and gaming enjoy huge popularity.

South Korean TV soaps are popular across the region, including in China. They are part of the Korean Wave - the export of South Korean popular culture across Asia.

TIMELINE

Some key dates in South Korea's history:

The Korean War between 1950 and 1953 killed up to three million people

4th Century BC - Gojoseon (Old Joseon) kingdom in existence on the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria.

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3rd Century BC - Jin state formed in southern Korea.

57BC-668AD - Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla grow to control the peninsula and Manchuria as the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

668-935 - Korea is unified under the kingdom of Silla, before it breaks apart.

918-1392 - Korea is again unified, under Goryeo. The name "Korea" is derived from the name of Goryeo.

1231-1270 - Mongol invasions of Korea bring Goryeo under the influence of the Mongol Empire in Mongolia and the Yuan dynasty of China until the mid-14th Century.

1392-1897 - Joseon dynasty. Established by general Yi Seong-gye after a coup d'etat overthrowing the Goryeo dynasty in 1388.

1418-1450 - Sejong the Great implements administrative, social, scientific and economic reforms and creates Hangul, the Korean alphabet.

1592-1598 - Japanese invasions of Korea: conflict ends with the withdrawal of Japanese forces after a military stalemate.

1876 - Japan-Korea Treaty of 1876; designed to force open Korea to Japanese trade. The treaty ends Korea's status as a protectorate of China.

1897-1910 - Korean Empire: proclaimed by King Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. He oversees a partial modernization and westernization of Korea's military, economy and education systems.

1905 - Korean Empire becomes a protectorate of Japan.

1910 - Japan annexes Korea, which becomes a Japanese colony.

1945 - After World War Two, Japanese occupation ends with Soviet troops occupying area north of the 38th parallel, and US troops in the south.

1948 - Republic of Korea proclaimed.

1950-1953 - Korean War: Following border clashes and rebellions in South Korea, North Korea invades South Korea. North Korea is supported by China and the USSR while South Korea is supported by the US and allied UN countries.

North Korea forces initially drive South Korean and US troops back to a final stand on the Pusan Perimeter, around the port of Busan. US and UN forces launch a surprise landing at Inchon and drive North Korean troops all the way back close to the Yalu river border with China. Chinese forces then intervene and push the US and UN forces back.

After a year of mobile warfare the front stabilises along the 38th parallel, close to where fighting had a started and the last two years see a war of attrition on both sides. The fighting ends with an armistice on 27 July 1953 and the creation of a demilitarised zone, separating the two Koreas. Up to three million people are killed in the war.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone

1950s - South sustained by crucial US military, economic and political support.

1960s - Major programme of industrial development.

1988 - First free parliamentary elections.

1996 - South Korea admitted to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

2002 - Battle between South Korean and North Korean naval vessels along their disputed sea border is only one flare-up in the continuing tension between the two states.

2010 - South Korea breaks off all trade with the North after a naval ship is sunk by a North Korean torpedo.

2012 - South Korea elects its first female president, Park Geun-hye.

2013 - South Korea launches a satellite into orbit for the first time using a rocket launched from its own soil. It comes weeks after a North Korean rocket placed a satellite in orbit.

2018 - North and South Korea agree to march under the same flag at the Winter Olympics in South Korea in a thaw in relations. At a summit meeting in April 2018, President Moon Jae-in and North Korea's Kim Jong-un agree to end hostile actions and work towards reducing nuclear arms on the peninsula.
TEMECULA, Calif.  A Southern California school board has become the latest proxy for culture wars brewing across the country after a conservative bloc voted to formally reject state-endorsed curriculum that would have mentioned gay rights figure Harvey Milk.

On Tuesday, a heated Temecula Valley Unified School District board meeting dissolved into shouts and jeers as parents, teachers and community members confronted one another over a three-paragraph mention of Milk in supplemental materials for students in grades one through five.

At least three people were ejected from the five-hour hearing and escorted outside by law enforcement officers. In the parking lot, stickers in support of the far-right Proud Boys group mysteriously appeared on cars.

A Temecula Valley USD teacher was ejected from a school board meeting tonight after calling a board member a homophobe for rejecting curriculum that mentions Harvey Milk  pic.twitter.com/JeuuQ0CYnN  Alicia Victoria Lozano (@aliciavlozano) July 19, 2023

The controversy erupted in May when conservative school board members first rejected mention of Milk.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, responded weeks later, saying the state will buy the learning materials that include a short biography of the San Francisco civic leader.

Cancel culture has gone too far in Temecula: radicalized zealots on the school board rejected a textbook used by hundreds of thousands of students and now children will begin the school year without the tools they need to learn, Newsom said in a recent statement.

The Temecula school board president, Joseph Komrosky, who has called Milk a "pedophile," said he has instructed the district to reject any materials shipped from the state.

Image: Harvey Milk (AP file)

California law requires that public school districts have enough textbooks for each student and that social studies curricula provide information on the roles that Americans from diverse backgrounds have had in shaping history. The school board has not approved replacement learning materials after rejecting state-endorsed curricula.

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Turning school boards into surrogates for broader culture war battles is part of a familiar playbook deployed by conservative groups, which have focused on filling school boards with ideologically aligned members and clocked dozens of wins last fall.

In June, tempers flared outside a Glendale Unified School District board meeting in nearby Los Angeles County as members met to approve a measure recognizing Pride Month, something it has done for years.

Now, local conservatives see an opportunity to win more seats in places like Temecula and surrounding communities.

California and the nation are watching this school board, Tracy Henderson, founder of the conservative California Parents Union, told the Temecula school board Tuesday. You need to stand your ground.

But several parents and teachers are pushing for a recall of three school board members who have led the crusade against state-endorsed curriculum just six months after they took office.

The social conversation thats going on right now is just noise, said Skylar Tempel, a Temecula resident and organizer of the recall effort. This is turning our nonpartisan school board into a partisan platform."

Tempel, a lifelong Temecula resident who attended the school district in his youth, said issue is drawing unwanted attention to the otherwise quiet community. He seeks a return to the California model of conservatism popular decades ago, which preached fiscal responsibility but steered clear of social issues.

Board member Steven Schwartz, a retired educator with more than 40 years teaching experience, said he has never seen anything like the ruckus that has overtaken meetings in recent months.

I really dont want to get to the point where someone comes in and says Lincoln wasnt a good guy because slavery wasnt ended soon enough, he said. History is history.

Temecula Valley Unified School District in Temecula, Calif. (Google Maps)

Like many in the U.S., Temecula residents waded into culture wars during the pandemic after California officials implemented mask and vaccine mandates. Suddenly, mundane school board meetings became showdowns over whether students and parents should be forced to follow state health guidelines.

Groups like the conservative Inland Empire Family PAC, which has ties to a local evangelical church, emerged and backed conservative school board members across the region, including in Temecula Valley. All three conservative candidates endorsed by the political action committee were elected to the Temecula school board and soon the three members banned the teaching of critical race theory and ousted the superintendent.

Now, those same board members have rejected supplemental materials for elementary school students that mention Milk.

Proponents of the ban say Milk was a sexual predator, referring to a disputed claim that the gay rights icon had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Opponents say changing the curriculum four weeks before school is scheduled to start would unnecessarily throw teachers lesson plans into turmoil.

The state attorney general has ordered the school district to provide information regarding its decision-making related to its rejection of the social studies curriculum for grades one through five.

Gia Rueda, a Temecula resident with two high-school aged children in the school district, called the three conservative members of the school board chaos gods who are bringing unnecessary attention to the community.

The curriculum has already been vetted, piloted and approved by an overwhelming majority of actual TVUSD parents and teachers, so stop wasting money playing chaotic political games and stoking the fires of culture wars, she said. This never should have been an issue.

But Tim Thompson, founder of the Inland Empire Family Pac and evangelical pastor at 412 Church Temecula Valley, which hosted U.S. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene in 2021, said Milk is not someone who should be celebrated.

In Sacramento, Newsom and state education chief Tony Thurmond are supporting a bill that targets school districts that refuse to adopt state-endorsed curriculum. The bill would fine districts for failing to provide textbooks that align with state rules, including learning materials that teach inclusive and diverse perspectives.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Hes the stern-looking special counsel leading the Department of Justices investigations into former President Trump, and now Jack Smiths stony-faced image is being slapped on a line of bobbleheads.

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum announced Wednesday that it was launching a presale for its new Smith bobbleheads.

An artistic rendering of the $30 figures shows an unsmiling Smith, dressed in a black suit and tie with his arms at his side. The individually numbered bobbleheads are expected to ship in November, the museum said.

National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder Phil Sklar said the Smith-inspired products were created following a growing number of requests.

The Special Counsels investigations are unprecedented and a bobblehead is one fun and unique way for people to commemorate these unique historic events, Sklar said in a statement.

The debut of the Smith bobbleheads came a day after Trump said he had been notified that he is a target of the Justice Departments investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

The former president has already pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to his handling of classified documents, another case that came out of Smiths office.

Trump has frequently blasted Smith, calling the special counsel deranged and a thug.

The Wisconsin-based museum frequently features famed political and high-profile figures on its lineup of bobbleheads. In January it announced a mini version of Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) that played an audio recording of some of the congressmans biggest lies.

Other bobbleheads have been crafted to represent Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and even President Biden and Jill Bidens cat, Willow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Federal investigators examining efforts by former President Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 presidential election have reached out to former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, according to a spokesperson for Ducey.

"He's been contacted. He's been responsive, and just as he's done since the election, he will do the right thing," said the spokesperson, Daniel Scarpinato. CNN first reported the development.

Ducey, a Republican, was governor during Trump's alleged efforts to reverse the results of the election, which he lost. During a live broadcast on Nov. 30, 2020, in which Ducey certified the state's results, he was interrupted briefly when his phone rang and he could be seen on camera silencing it. His ring tone of "Hail to the Chief" could be heard, and Ducey later confirmed it was a call from Trump.

He said at the time that Trump never asked him not to sign the certification, according to the Associated Press.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey speaks at an event in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 2018. / Credit: Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Former Vice President Mike Pence told "Face the Nation" earlier this month that he also called Ducey following the 2020 elections.

"I did check in, with not only Gov. Ducey, but other governors and states that were going through the legal process of reviewing their election results," Pence said. "But there was no pressure involved  I was calling to get an update. I passed along that information to the president. It was no more, no less, than that."

When asked if he had been pressured by Trump to push Ducey to change the election results in Arizona, Pence said no.

Ducey's responsiveness to investigators for special counsel Jack Smith comes amid increasing signs that Trump may be indicted in the probe. On Tuesday, Trump revealed that he received a letter from the Justice Department identifying him as a target in the criminal investigation.

The target letter highlights three federal statutes, according to a senior Trump source. Two of the statutes include potential charges of conspiracy to commit an offense or to defraud the U.S., and deprivation of rights under color of law. The third indicates potential charges ranging from obstruction of an official proceeding to tampering with a witness, victim or an informant. Hundreds of defendants in the Justice Department's probe into the Jan. 6 Capitol attack have faced the obstruction-related charge.

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Trump said he was given the opportunity to testify before a federal grand jury. He repeated his claim that the special counsel is engaged in a "witch hunt" and criticized the investigation as a "complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement."

Trump has levied similar claims against prosecutors in two other cases for which he's been indicted, in New York and Florida, as well as an investigation in Georgia, where he may soon also face charges.

In the New York case, Trump entered a not guilty plea on April 4 to 34 state felony counts of falsification of business records related to an alleged "hush money" payment made to an adult film star days before the 2016 presidential election.

In the Florida case, which was brought by Smith's office, Trump entered a not guilty plea on June 13 to 37 federal felony counts related to alleged "willful retention" of national security information after Trump left the White House.

In Georgia, the Fulton County district attorney has indicated that Trump and others in his orbit may soon be charged in connection with their alleged efforts to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election.

Breaking down the fight between drugmakers, White House over price slashing

The alleged Michigan fake electors scheme explained

Trump could face conspiracy, witness tampering charges in Jan. 6 probe
A Grammy Award-winning Springfield native is encouraging people to vote in Ohios Special Election in August.

>>Photos: John Legend through the years

John Legend went door-to-door Tuesday in Hamilton County encouraging people to vote in next months special election.

Issue 1 will be the only thing on the ballot.

Legend opposes Issue 1.

>>Do you know what Issue 1 is? Voters say theyll do homework before Aug. 8 special election

If it passes, it will require signatures from all 88 counties to get an amendment on the ballot. It would also need 60% approval.

Right now, it takes signatures from 44 counties and 50% statewide vote.

Part of how people win is by us being ignorant and not knowing whats going on, said Legend. So, Im out here making sure people know whats happening.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Issue 1 is designed to protect the Ohio Constitution from special interests and out-of-state activists.

You can visit the Ohio Secretary of States website, ohiosos.gov, and print off a sample ballot to get a look at it before Special Election Day.
HADDON TWP.  A supermarket coming to the Westmont area is looking to hire 95 workers.

Sprouts Farmers Market expects to open Sept. 8 in the Westmont Plaza at Cuthbert and MacArthur boulevards, a company representative said.

Its hosting in-person events over two days for applicants seeking full- or part-time positions.

Revival ahead for Glassboro site: Liscio's Bakery taking over supermarket site with borough OK

The chain has one other South Jersey location, an Evesham store that opened in June 2019 at Marlton Crossing on Route 73.

The Westmont store will occupy about 23,000 square feet between a Target and the Cork n Bottle liquor store, according to information provided to the townships planning department.

The site formerly held A.C. Moore and Tuesday Morning stores, both now-defunct retail chains.

Arizona-based Sprouts has identified New Jersey as an expanding market, according to its website.

The chain had 395 stores in 23 states on April 2, the end of its last fiscal quarter. It reported net sales of $6.4 billion in 2022.

The Westmont stores hiring events will take place July 26-27 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill on Route 70 near Cuthbert Boulevard.

Each session will run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Employment opportunities include department managers and assistant managers, cashiers, and clerks in areas that include produce, meat and seafood, grocery and bakery.

Candidates may apply online in advance, and walk-in applicants are welcome.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email him at jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Sprouts Farmers Market opening second store in South Jersey
Members of the progressive House "Squad" on Tuesday voted against a resolution to affirm that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, just days after a fellow left-wing lawmaker landed in hot water for labeling Israel that way over the weekend.

Nine Democrats voted against the measure, which ultimately passed, 412-9, and saw one other Democrat, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., vote "present."

Democrats who voted against the measure were Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Cori Bush of Missouri, Andre Carson of Indiana and Delia Ramirez of Illinois.

The vote comes a day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday.

SQUAD DEM FACES BACKLASH FOR SMEARING ISRAEL AS RACIST STATE: TRULY DISGUSTING

Members of the progressive "Squad" voted against a resolution that Israel is not a racist state.

Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, tore into the resolution on the House floor ahead of the final vote.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"We're here again reaffirming Congress' support for apartheid," Tlaib said. "It's an attempt to deny the reality and to normalize violence of apartheid."

"This week, we're going to hear consistently that, you know, people talking about, like, Oh, this is bipartisan support here. But don't forget, this body, this Congress, supported the South African apartheid regime, and it was bipartisan as well."

The resolution was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, just as Tlaib's fellow progressive, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., is facing blowback from both sides of the aisle for labeling Israel a "racist state" over the weekend.

HOUSE DEM JAYAPAL GRILLS FBI'S WRAY ON COLLECTING AMERICANS' DATA, WARNS OF 'DIFFICULT' FISA REAUTHORIZATION

The pro-Israel resolution was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas.

Pfluger equated some Democrats' lack of support for his resolution with backing antisemitism.

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"Israel is our most important partner in the Middle East. It is critical for the U.S. Congress to send a unified message that we stand with Israel and unequivocally support our Jewish communities. I am extremely disappointed that Democrat members refused to vote against antisemitism and affirm that Israel is not a racist state," Pfluger told Fox News Digital.

Jayapal, who voted for the resolution today, has since walked back her comments, though they were condemned by dozens of her fellow Democrats, including House leadership, and she continued to insist that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration is racist.

TOP DEMS PUSH BACK AFTER 'SQUAD' MEMBER CALLED ISRAEL 'RACIST STATE'

The resolution comes just before Israeli President Isaac Herzog, pictured with President Biden, is expected to address Congress.

Herzog's upcoming address has reopened fractures within the Democratic Party while also uniting Republicans in condemning left-wing hardliners' criticism of Israel.

Both Omar and Ocasio-Cortez are expected to boycott Herzog's speech, which would commemorate U.S.-Israeli ties on the Middle Eastern state's 75th anniversary.
Courts in St. Clair County and across the state are again gearing up for the end of cash bail following an Illinois Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday morning.

Starting Sept. 18, a state law known as the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today, or SAFE-T, Act will require them to replace cash bail with detention hearings to decide if people charged with a crime should be detained in the county jail before their trials.

Bail reform had been set to start in 2023 after lawmakers approved the law in 2021. It was delayed by a legal fight last year, which the state Supreme Court resolved with its ruling that the law doesnt violate the Illinois Constitution, allowing it to take effect in two months.

Courts had been planning and preparing before and during that delay, including in St. Clair County.

Chief Circuit Court Judge Andrew Gleeson said Tuesday they will continue working to be ready for implementation in two months. The number of employees and amount of physical space in the courthouse are two challenges the county will be working to overcome before September.

A Supreme Court opinion was filed today in the case of Rowe v. Raoul (SAFE-T Act).



Find the opinion here: https://t.co/MHPq7hFhmN pic.twitter.com/V4lZ3rhf5b  Illinois Supreme Court (@illinoiscourts) July 18, 2023

Whats changing in Illinois courts with bail reform?

Under the current system in Illinois, people can be released from jail if they can pay an amount of money set by a judge known as a bail bond.

The intent of the SAFE-T Act is to detain people accused of crimes only if they are considered a danger to others or a flight risk.

The cash bail system will be replaced with pretrial detention hearings before a judge where prosecutors will present evidence for why they allege people charged with a crime should be detained in the county jail.

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The public defender will automatically be appointed to represent them.

St. Clair Countys challenges to overcome

Gleeson, who oversees the public defenders office, and Chief Public Defender Cathy MacElroy have long been voicing concerns that the SAFE-T Act will add a significant amount of work to already full attorney caseloads in that office.

The county added $200,000 to the public defenders office budget for 2023 because lawyers were leaving for better-paying jobs and caseloads got so high the chief public defender told the court they couldnt effectively represent any more people.

About $110,000 of the increase was covered by a state reimbursement for chief public defenders salaries because the county changed MacElroys position from part-time to full-time.

As of May 1, the office was fully staffed with eight full-time attorneys, but MacElroy said that was only enough employees to handle the existing caseloads, not the additional work coming from the SAFE-T Act.

Im seeking and have been seeking resources to make additions to the public defenders office in terms of people and compensation, Gleeson said. Weve had one round of that, and it goes on.

He said the public defenders office may seek state grant money for additional help or go to the county board for more taxpayer dollars to hire attorneys.

If these numbers are going to exponentially increase in terms of the caseload of my public defenders, theres gonna have to be additional public defenders, and the countys ultimately gonna have to fund that, Gleeson said. The county board is responsible to provide the public defenders office to their citizens.

What public officials are saying about Illinois Supreme Court ruling on SAFE-T Act

Gleeson said the other challenges the county faces are:

Ensuring other departments have enough staffing, including bailiffs to provide courtroom security.

Making room for a dedicated courtroom for detention hearings when the courthouse doesnt have any extra space.

Figuring out the logistics of transporting people between the jail and the courthouse for detention hearings.

He emphasized the complete overhaul the SAFE-T Act makes to the courts.

This is like turning the Titanic, Gleeson said. This is changing the criminal justice system as I have known it my entire career, totally.

County officials will meet at least weekly until Sept. 18 to continue preparing, according to Gleeson.

The meetings will include representatives from the following departments:
When St. Paul residents head to the polls this November to vote for city council, theyll also find a question on the ballot asking whether to raise the city portion of the local sales tax by a percentage point, or a penny on every dollar. The added sales tax, according to the mayors office, could generate nearly $1 billion over 20 years, most of it for arterial road reconstruction, with a fourth of the funding dedicated to major parks improvements.

At the request of the mayors office, the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday voted 6-1 to authorize placing the sales tax question on the Nov. 7 ballot, with Council Member Jane Prince opposed.

We have a unique opportunity to make an exceptional investment in our citys roads and parks, providing future generations with sound infrastructure, said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, in a written statement following the vote. We look forward to bringing this conversation to our residents.

Prince urged the council to amend the ballot language to clarify that the total city, county and sales tax in St. Paul would add up to 9.875 percent, but the council voted 6-1 to reject her amendment.

25 roads for reconstuction identified

St. Paul Public Works Director Sean Kershaw said the city has already identified 25 priority roads for full reconstruction. Bridges would also be eligible for repair under the ballot language.

There will be a direct line between the sales tax money that comes in and these projects, Kershaw said. The sales tax cant and wont be used for ongoing maintenance, street sweeping, patching and things like that.

Council President Amy Brendmoen said new sales tax funding for arterial road reconstruction relieves the pressure from our general fund, so we dont have to split our dollars between new projects and  the maintenance that we need to do.

In a separate action, the council also considered a question regarding potentially using city property taxes to fund subsidies for early childcare and early childhood learning programs over a 10-year period, voting 5-2 to place the issue on the November 2024 ballot. Council Members Russel Balenger and Mitra Jalali were opposed.

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Taken together, the funding requests over road reconstruction, parks improvements, childcare subsidies and downtown-area quality-of-life concerns underscore the challenges faced by a high-poverty capital city with a growing backlog of infrastructure needs. Following a pandemic that laid bare deep wealth disparities, those infrastructure needs have at times been overshadowed by human service concerns.

Some of those costs  like road reconstruction  appear inevitable, but they raise questions over which level of government or industry should take the lead in paying them and how funding should be structured.

Costs are inevitable?

Carter has repeatedly noted that expenses related to reconstructing arterial road streets will be born by taxpayers either way, but a sales tax shares the financial burden with city visitors, including tourists and others who work or do business within the citys borders.

Prince, among other critics, has questioned a line in the proposed sales tax ballot language that seems to offer voters an either/or choice  either support the new sales tax increase, or property taxes will go up an equivalent amount. Prince called the language disingenuous given that funding for road repair can come from a variety of sources, including federal grants and state aid.

The NO language states that most of the billion dollars will be shifted to the property tax  as if legislative budgeting decisions have no role for the next 20 years, said Prince, in an email Tuesday to the mayors office.

The St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce repeatedly has opposed the ballot question, which if approved would take effect on April 1, 2024.

The equivalent property tax increase to fund street improvements alone would increase commercial property taxes by about 25 to 35 percent.  Other sources do not address the problem, said Jon Grebner, political director for the mayors office, in an email responding to Prince on Wednesday.

A 2024 ballot question on early childcare and early childhood learning

In November 2024, St. Paul voters will decide whether to approve a dedicated property tax levy that raises funds over a 10-year period to back subsidies for early childcare programs and early childhood learning programs.

If approved next year, the special levy would be structured to raise $2 million in the first year, $4 million in the second year, $6 million in the third and so forth, reaching $20 million by year 10.

Minnesota is the fourth-most expensive state in the nation for childcare, and so many of our families are struggling, particularly our families of color, said St. Paul City Council Member Rebecca Noecker, who has promoted the effort across her time in office. Babies should not be on waitlists.

Also speaking in support, Council Member Nelsie Yang said that as a new mother, trying to find childcare is one of the hardest tasks.  It is for our littlest ones, to create an eco-system in St. Paul where families can thrive.

Prince said the effort could draw additional state and philanthropic dollars, allowing the program to expand.

Early childhood education is the single best economic development investment the city can make, she said, calling the ballot language very thorough and very transparent.

Also speaking in favor, Brendmoen said the resolution gives the council roughly one and a half years to fine-tune how subsidies might be structured to connect low-income families to childcare and early learning resources.

Critics have questioned whether property tax increases would hurt the very group they intend to support  moderate-income residents  by raising housing costs and further putting homeownership out of reach for first-time homebuyers.

This is not an action that I can support, or a forum I can support, for raising funds for this, said Council Member Mitra Jalali, who urged the city instead to partner with Ramsey County and St. Paul Public Schools to prop up existing early learning programs.

Jalali said she could not support a property tax levy for 10 years, locked in, with increases over time, for a new program that hasnt been created yet. Theres no precedent for that.

Those concerns were echoed by the mayors office. After the vote, Carter released a statement saying he had significant concerns with the lack of details available for what would be a brand new program with a budget that rivals our citywide library system.

While I appreciate the ambition behind this well-intentioned initiative, the citys focus should remain on meeting critical needs like repairing roads and caring for individuals experiencing homelessness, which have gone under-resourced for far too long, the mayor wrote.

Council members said the work of an early learning legislative advisory committee helped guide their decision, following advocacy by a coalition of educators known as SPARK Education.

We now have an opportunity in St. Paul to build the future that we want and show that early childhood education shouldnt be a luxury only available to a few families, said Halla Henderson, chair of the SPARK Education board of directors, in a written statement. We can lead the way and show the rest of the state that a small public investment in our kids will help every family thrive.

Related Articles
The president of Stanford University, one of the top-rated colleges in the US, is stepping down after its board found scientific papers he published contained manipulated research data.

Marc Tessier-Lavigne did not personally falsify any of the research, the panel concluded, but he co-authored papers with "serious flaws" .

The inquiry found "repeated instances of data manipulation" in labs he ran.

The president said he would step down "for the good of the University".

His term at the institution will end on 31 August.

Wednesday's announcement marks the end of a scientific misconduct inquiry that has shaken one of the top research universities in the world.

Dr Tessier-Lavigne, a celebrated neuroscientist, has served as the president of Stanford University for seven years. Before that he led research laboratories for more than 30 years.

In January, the university's Board of Trustees engaged a panel to investigate allegations that Dr Tessier-Lavigne authored research papers that contained Photoshopped or manipulated data.

The 95-page report concluded that scientists and researchers in his labs had engaged in "subpar scientific practices".

Dr Tessier-Lavigne was the principal author on five of the 12 research papers examined by the panel.

The inquiry said he took insufficient steps to correct mistakes, but absolved him of claims he tried to cover up the data scandal.

Dr Tessier-Lavigne said he intends to retract three papers and correct two others that were published between 1999 and 2009, before he became president of the prestigious university.

"I am gratified that the Panel concluded I did not engage in any fraud or falsification of scientific data," he said in a statement.

Dr Tessier-Lavigne continued: "Although I was unaware of these [data manipulation] issues, I want to be clear that I take responsibility for the work of my lab members."

"Stanford is greater than any one of us. It needs a president whose leadership is not hampered by such discussions," he added. The resignation followed reporting by the Stanford student newspaper, The Stanford Daily, last year.

Dr Tessier-Lavigne said he intends to remain at Stanford as a faculty member and focus on "further tightening controls" at his laboratories.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described Stanford as being an Ivy League institution.
Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne said on Wednesday he would resign from his post after a review by a panel of scientists concluded that research papers he contributed to contained manipulation of research data, according to a report released by a special university committee.

The panels report determined that data was manipulated in scientific papers to which Tessier-Lavigne, a neuroscientist, contributed, although the panel found no evidence that Tessier-Lavigne knew of or engaged in the research misconduct occurring in his lab.

Of the 12 papers the panel reviewed, Tessier-Lavigne is a principal author in five of them. He said he plans to retract three of the papers and correct the other two.

His resignation, which was announced in an open letter to the school, will be effective on August 31, though he will remain on the Stanford faculty.

The university launched the investigation into Tessier-Lavigne in late November after a series of articles in The Stanford Daily raised questions about the research.

The papers had serious flaws in the presentation of research data, as well as apparent manipulation of data by other contributors, according to the Special Committee report.

The review, led by former federal judge Mark Filip and five scientists, considered more than 50,000 documents, analyses by forensic image specialists, dozens of interviews and correspondence with scientific journals.

I agree that in some instances I should have been more diligent when seeking corrections, and I regret that I was not. The Panels review also identified instances of manipulation of research data by others in my lab, Tessier-Lavigne wrote. Although I was unaware of these issues, I want to be clear that I take responsibility for the work of my lab members.

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Marc Tessier-Lavigne, president of Stanford University, announced plans to resign after an investigation raised concerns about some of his scientific reseach (Philip Pacheco)

The president of Stanford University on Wednesday announced plans to resign after an investigation raised concerns about some of his scientific research.

Marc Tessier-Lavigne, a Canadian-born neuroscientist who has led the prestigious California-based school since 2016, said he would step down on August 31 but would remain on the faculty.

Tessier-Lavigne's decision came after the release of the findings of a panel of scientists who reviewed 12 publications that he had authored or co-authored.

The panel was convened after the school newspaper, The Stanford Daily, raised concerns about the research last year.

The experts found that Tessier-Lavigne "did not personally engage in research misconduct for any of the 12 papers about which allegations have been raised."

But several of the papers "exhibit manipulation of research data," they found.

In a letter announcing his resignation, the 63-year-old Tessier-Lavigne, whose research has focused on brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, said the panel had "identified some areas where I should have done better."

"The Panel's review also identified instances of manipulation of research data by others in my lab," he said. "Although I was unaware of these issues, I want to be clear that I take responsibility for the work of my lab members.

"Although the report clearly refutes the allegations of fraud and misconduct that were made against me, for the good of the University, I have made the decision to step down as President effective August 31," he added.

Tessier-Lavigne said he would retract three papers published in scientific journals following the panel's review and provide corrections to two others.

Prior to becoming president of Stanford, Tessier-Lavigne was president of Rockefeller University in New York and chief scientific executive at biotechnology company

cl/mlm
Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday that he will resign after a review found flaws in his past scientific work. (Patrick Tehan/Bay Area News Group via Associated Press)

Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday that he is resigning as head of the university after an independent panel determined that he failed on multiple occasions to correct errors in his published research and oversaw labs with a disquieting tendency to produce manipulated data and sloppy science.

In a lengthy report, the panel concluded that Tessier-Lavigne "did not personally engage in research misconduct" in the 12 papers it was tasked with reviewing. However, the panel did find that several of the papers included data that had been manipulated, probably without his knowledge.

"The Panel did not find evidence to conclude that Dr. Tessier-Lavigne engaged in, directed, or knew of the misconduct when it occurred, and the misconduct was of such a nature that a scientist exercising reasonable care could not have been expected to have detected it at the time," the panel members wrote.

Tessier-Lavigne, a neuroscientist and biotech entrepreneur widely known for his Alzheimers research, emphasized in a statement to the Stanford community that the investigation backed his assertion that "I have never submitted a scientific paper without firmly believing that the data were correct and accurately presented.

Although the report clearly refutes the allegations of fraud and misconduct that were made against me," he added, "for the good of the University, I have made the decision to step down as President effective August 31.

Read more: Stanford president's scientific papers draw scrutiny

Richard Saller, a Stanford professor of classics and European history and former provost at the University of Chicago, will serve as interim president beginning Sept. 1, Jerry Yang, chair of the Stanford Board of Trustees, said in a statement . Tessier-Lavigne will remain at the university as a professor of biology.

In light of the report and its impact on his ability to lead Stanford, the Board decided to accept President Tessier-Lavignes resignation and agrees with him that it is in the Universitys best interests, Yang wrote.

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In addition to vacating the presidency of the university he has led since 2016, Tessier-Lavigne said he will retract three papers on which he is named as principal author and issue corrections on two others.

Stepping down as president  especially for Stanford  is a very big step, said Debora Weber-Wulff, a professor of media and computer science at HTW Berlins University of Applied Sciences in Germany who specializes in detecting academic misconduct. I do think it is the correct thing to do.

The chain of events that led to Tessier-Lavignes resignation began in November, when an article detailing problems with some of his published research appeared in the Stanford Daily, the student newspaper.

As part of that investigation, the student newspaper contacted Elisabeth Bik , a microbiologist who works as an independent science-integrity consultant. Several studies that listed Tessier-Lavigne as a co-author contained serious problems, Bik told the Daily at the time, some of which appeared to have an intention to mislead.

Read more: Did you get COVID but never feel sick? New study hints at why

Tessier-Lavigne denied committing any academic impropriety. A month later, Stanford tapped former federal Judge Mark Filip and his law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, to head a special committee to investigate the allegations surrounding his work.

Filip convened an independent panel of five high-profile scientists, including the former president of Princeton University and a Nobel laureate. They met with interview subjects more than 50 times  including at least seven times with Tessier-Lavigne  and reviewed more than 50,000 documents and digital copies of Tessier-Lavigne's records.

The panel focused on 12 of more than 200 research papers Tessier-Lavigne has authored in his career, several of which exhibit manipulation of research data, according to the report.

On seven of the 12 papers he was a non-principal author, a more secondary role. As such, he was not directly involved in gathering or analyzing the disputed figures, the report found, and was not in a position where a reasonable scientist would be expected to have detected any such misconduct in its presentation.

The five papers on which he was primary author had serious flaws in the presentation of their data, and in four of them, data appeared to have been tampered with, the report found.

The panel found no evidence that Tessier-Lavigne was aware of these problems before publication, nor that he was reckless in allowing the papers to go out under his name.

Yet when significant problems with his published research were brought to his attention  sometimes within mere weeks of publication  the panel found that Tessier-Lavigne failed to decisively and forthrightly correct mistakes in the scientific record on multiple occasions.

Timely correction or retraction and/or more forthright and transparent actions toward correcting the scientific record would have better served science and all concerned, the panel found.

Furthermore, throughout his career in academia and the private sector, the laboratories Tessier-Lavigne ran had unusual frequency of manipulation of research data and/or substandard scientific practices from different people, at different times, and in labs at different institutions, the report concluded.

Read more: Second Alzheimer's drug in pipeline can slow the disease by a few months but with safety risk

Before he became Stanfords president, Tessier-Lavigne served as president of Rockefeller University in New York, oversaw the development of cancer drugs as chief scientific officer at Genentech, and co-founded the biotech company Renovis. His first faculty position was at UC San Francisco.

As president of the university, there's an expectation that he really sets the tone for standards of excellence and integrity in every way, said Dr. Ferric Fang, a clinician-scientist at the University of Washington and journal editor who has investigated the prevalence of lax research standards. I think he's making the right decision, because he's been damaged in terms of his ability to serve as an example and his ability to direct others in terms of standards that are expected of them.

A principal, or senior, author on a research paper is essentially taking responsibility for the work presented in the paper, even if they did not personally perform the research, Fang explained.

Whether they make innocent, honest mistakes or dishonest mistakes, he said, the principal author is responsible.

Times staff writer Christopher Goffard contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday he will step down next month following an inquiry into his past research as a neuroscientist.

In a statement, Tessier-Lavigne said that he was cleared of "any fraud or falsification of scientific data" but that "for the good of the University, I have made the decision to step down as President effective August 31."

The Board of Trustees' inquiry stopped short of accusing Tessier-Lavigne  who has been Stanford's president since 2016  of fraud, saying there's no evidence he "personally engaged in research misconduct."

However, it was concluded that five papers on which Tessier-Lavigne was a principal author included work from "some members of labs overseen by Dr. Tessier-Lavigne" who had "either engaged in inappropriate manipulation of research data or engaged in deficient scientific practices, resulting in significant flaws in those papers."

When the issues emerged, "Tessier-Lavigne took insufficient steps to correct mistakes in the scientific record," the board's report said.

Tessier-Lavigne is a neuroscientist who has led several sprawling and productive research laboratories at the University of California, San Francisco, the company Genentech and Stanford.

Some of his most important work has focused on mechanisms that could be responsible for brain degeneration and diseases like Alzheimers.

Concerns over work by Tessier-Lavigne and his collaborators were posted online on the nonprofit website PUBPEER as early as 2015.

The website allows scientists to share feedback or criticism after studies have been published. PUBPEER allows anonymous comments.

In November, The Stanford Daily, the universitys student newspaper, broke the news that the European Molecular Biology Organization was reviewing a paper involving Tessier-Lavigne for scientific misconduct.

Elisabeth Bik, a scientist who investigates image manipulation and research misconduct, identified additional papers in which she suspected image manipulation.

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"The fact that he is stepping down has surprised me, and I think it's a good outcome," Bik said Wednesday, shortly after news of Tessier-Lavigne's resignation broke.

"He should have supervised better. As a senior author in scientific papers, you're not the person standing in the lab, but you're ultimately responsible for the integrity of the work," she said.

Bik said that errors and manipulations of data could be difficult to spot but that issues with images used in research could be the "tip of the iceberg" of untrustworthy work.

"The things that have been flagged, the image problems, those are the visible problems. If you see visible problems in photos, that might be a sign there are other problems you might not be able to catch," Bik said.

"Any data that's in the form of a table or a line graph or just some numbers, it's much harder to know if it's real or not," she said. "At least in photos, we know that's real data. It, perhaps, could be the tip of the iceberg, a sign that the rest of the data cannot be trusted."

The reporting by The Stanford Daily and questions raised by Bik eventually touched off the Stanford inquiry.

In a statement on the Stanford website, Tessier-Lavigne said he would retract three papers on which he was a principal author and make corrections to two others. He will remain on Stanford's faculty, his statement said.

In his open letter to the Stanford community, Tessier-Lavigne suggested he was the victim of having shown too much "trust" in the work of students and postdoctoral researchers.

He will "be further tightening controls, including, for example, more systematically matching processed images to original raw data," he wrote.

Any future work by Tessier-Lavigne is likely to be greeted by skeptical eyes, given the concerns raised about previous research, Bik said.

"Its from different periods of his career. So its not just one person in one lab going rogue. It appears to be from different periods of his life, when he used to be at different labs, at UCSF, at Genentech," she said. "If he writes new papers, they will be  and should be  held to a higher standard and very thoroughly checked."

Professor Richard Saller will become interim president of the prestigious Northern California university on Sept. 1, the Board of Trustees said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BALTIMORE -- Did you get an alert Wednesday afternoon from Starbucks, but didn't place an order? You're not alone.

After several WJZ employees got the alert, and did not in fact place orders at Starbucks, we reached out to Starbucks to find out what happened.

In a statement to WJZ, Starbucks said, "Earlier today, a push notification from the Starbucks app was sent as an error, customers were not charged for an order if one was not placed. We are also currently experiencing a temporary outage of the order ahead and pay feature in our app. We apologize for the inconvenience and continue to welcome and serve customers in our drive-thrus and stores. If a customer needs additional support, we encourage them to contact the Starbucks customer care team."

There are millions of people who use the Starbucks app and this mistake went out to people across the U.S.

It sparked tons of reactions on social media, with some funny responses.

I saw that and I was like, I know Im not that stupid but did I really pocket order Starbucks   dan (@kdan_7) July 19, 2023

This message was posted on the Starbucks website Wednesday afternoon, "You may have received a notification stating "Your order is ready!" from the Starbucks app when you did not place an order. This notification is an error and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. If you received this notification and did not place an order, you were not charged. No further action is needed."

My first thought: Did my daughter get ahold of my phone and accidentally order Starbucks?! How much did she order??  Emilie Eaton (@emilieeaton) July 19, 2023

That Starbucks notification glitch (was it a glitch?) telling me that my order was ready was kinda brilliant because now I'm thinking about my coffee.  Maddy Skye (@MaddySkye) July 19, 2023

Again, Starbucks confirmed that no customers were charged.

Story continues

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Rangers in Ugandas Murchison Falls National Park have removed an unbelievable number of traps and snares in just the past 12 months, the Guardian reports.

As Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) founder Michael Keigwin told the outlet, the organization has collected more than 51 tons of these materials in the past decade to protect the parks wildlife from poaching.

Whats happening?

Since 2010, the government of Uganda has been restoring Murchison Falls National Park, a nature preserve covering almost 2,000 square miles of the country, the Guardian reports. As part of that effort, rangers have removed wire snares used by poachers to catch small game, as well as metal bear traps meant for larger animals like elephants, hippos, and lions.

Poaching is such a huge problem in the park that rangers remove literal tons of traps each year, the Guardian reports. This years haul totaled more than 13 tons.

A picture of the pile of traps, nicknamed snare mountain, has recently been released. The rusty pile is about three times as tall as the armed rangers standing on it.

According to Keigwin, the area is having a poaching crisis because of lost tourism income during the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding that damaged the regions food sources last year. For about 18 months, poaching has been up, and his team has collected about 100 traps per day.

Why does it matter?

National parks and nature preserves play a vital role in both the local economy and in protecting the environment. They keep populations of endangered animals alive, and they also bring in money, thanks to the many visitors who come to witness the natural environment.

Protecting the natural balance of animals in an area can have unexpectedly far-reaching effects. Yellowstone National Park and its reintroduction of wild wolves  which, in turn, caused the beaver population to bounce back  are an oft-cited example.

If Murchison Falls National Park is damaged by extensive poaching, it could fail to both produce revenue and protect the local wildlife. Unpredictable effects on the local landscape and economy could also ripple out farther than anyone expects.

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Whats being done to protect the park?

UCF and park rangers continue to remove traps in the area. Theyre also working with local communities to train ecoguards who collect snares and alert the park rangers about animals in need of help.

According to the Guardian, UCF has also received close to $1 million for managing the park, equipping the rangers, and developing local communities to reduce the pressure to poach.

The battle for wildlife is in full swing, said Keigwin. To win it, we need to support wildlife tourism, Ugandas largest foreign currency earner which employs over a million people, and we need to create more jobs and more wages.

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As homeowners look for ways to conserve water and provide pollinators with food and shelter, more and more people have decided to remove grass from their lawns. If helping the environment wasnt enough, though, Utah is now offering residents cash for their unused lawn turf.

The news was posted on Reddit to r/NoLawns, a community dedicated to alternatives to monoculture lawns, with an emphasis on native plants and conservation.

Utah residents can earn up to $3 per square foot of nonfunctional turf through the states turf buyback program. Nonfunctional turf refers to grass that, despite requiring mowing and watering, is never really used.

The buyback program was unveiled earlier this month with the aim of combating drought and preserving Utahs Great Salt Lake.

Grass lawns arent sustainable as they grow only one kind of plant, which means they arent providing food or shelter for local wildlife. Grass also requires 40% to 50% more water than other plants. As droughts become more frequent, it is important to reduce water usage. By replacing your lawn with native plants, you can conserve water while providing local wildlife with food and shelter.

Another popular alternative to lawns is xeriscaping, the practice of designing a landscape to reduce irrigation. Utah is one of the driest states in the U.S., so planting drought-resistant flora is a simple way for Utah residents to beautify their yards without wasting water.

Even without financial incentives, many homeowners have decided to replace their monoculture lawns with native flora. Its exciting to see more and more people understanding that we cant have as much grass as we used to have, said Utah Governor Spencer Cox.

Commenters were excited to see Utah encouraging residents to ditch turf. Just applied for this  Ill have to let my neighbors know, one announced.

$3 per sq ft of non-functional turf is amazing! said another. I hope other states follow suit.

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Colleen Davis, state treasurer, announced Wednesday that she will run for Delawares at-large U.S. House of Representatives seat.

Davis will face off against state Sen. Sarah McBride, who announced her candidacy last month and has pulled in significant fundraising money already. Eugene Young, director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, has also expressed interest in the seat.

U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is running for U.S. Senate following U.S. Sen. Tom Carpers retirement announcement earlier this summer. Blunt Rochester did not say if she would endorse a candidate in the primary.

Raising three children here in Delaware, Davis said in an interview,  I think that we need more leaders in Congress who come from working-class situations as I did growing up.

And truly, I'm focused on fighting for families and keeping them safe and secure.

Delaware State Treasurer Colleen Davis reacts during Avelo Airline's ceremony commemorating Avelo's Boeing 737-700 first flight to Orlando, Fla., out of New Castle Airport on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023.

Who is Colleen Davis?

Davis, 43, was largely unknown in Delaware before she ran for treasurer in 2018, defeating Republican incumbent Ken Simpler. She is also one of the rare statewide elected Democrats from Sussex County.

Davis, a former physician assistant and health care consultant, at the time earned the backing from the Democratic state party and key union endorsements. She was also among the wave of women elected into office in 2018.

Some controversy swirled around the treasurer, just after her 2018 win, regarding her driving on a suspended license for other traffic offenses. The matter was later resolved with her paying a small fee.

Davis won reelection in 2022. She didnt face a Democratic primary challenger in either election.

A focus on family

Davis announcement on Wednesday centered on her childhood, specifically when her fathers company fell victim to fraud and went bankrupt." She said her family lost their home and all of their belongings. They moved from rental home to rental home over the years.

The Delaware Way: Who is running for office in 2024? Our updated list of Delaware candidates, announcements

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That struggle doesnt define me, but it has driven me to help prevent other families from falling through the cracks, Davis said in her announcement.

The treasurer pointed to the creation of the DE EARNS program, which provides access to low-cost retirement savings plans, as one of her major accomplishments. She also noted the expansion of ABLE accounts, which are savings accounts for people with disabilities, as well as supporting the availability of more financial services for people living in south Wilmington and the Route 9 corridor.

Davis said she also has worked with the federal delegation on different policy items, naming the funding from the American Rescue Plan as an example.

She will likely be the only statewide elected official to run in this race, which Davis said has allowed her to meet people in the throes of the challenges that the pandemic brought us.

It comes down to ensuring that we're sending someone to D.C. who has a record of fighting for families and helping the most vulnerable  and doing it in a way that's tangible, she said.

That's certainly something that I have focused on over the last five years.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: State Treasurer Colleen Davis to run for Delaware's US House seat
The drama that unfolded last month between San Diego State and the Mountain West has come to an end for now.

Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said Wednesday that the conference and the Aztecs came to a resolution earlier this week that has the university staying in the league at least through 2024.

San Diego State is a positive to the Mountain West, Nevarez said at Mountain West media days. We are better with San Diego State in the league, and I feel really good about where we landed.

This whole saga began when San Diego State sent the conference a letter in June saying it was considering leaving the conference as early as 2024 and asking for leniency on its $17 million exit fee.

San Diego State, presumably waiting on an invitation to join the Pac-12, contended that it was just exploring options with its first letter, but the conference disagreed, saying it was a formal notice of resignation. The parties went back and forth and lawyers eventually got involved.

The June 30 deadline for action came and went, with the Aztecs still in the Mountain West.

Nevarez, who was hired last November, said the conference took a strong stance as a way to discourage schools from using realignment as leverage in the future.

It used to be that conference movement was an anomaly, she said. Now it seems to be a regular part of business. What I found is that we have very strong conference policies that are not designed to completely prevent schools from leaving, because we acknowledge movement is going to happen, but to protect the conference when those things happen.

Nevarez didnt go into detail about why the conference eventually softened its stance, but the resolution came with a couple of conditions, according to reports.

San Diego State will pay the Mountain Wests legal fees associated with the disagreement, and the university agreed in writing not to use its initial letter to retroactively ask for a smaller exit fee if the Pac-12 or any other conference extends an invitation before 2024, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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Nevarez confirmed Wednesday that the conference has released the $6.6 annual distribution it was withholding as the first installment of San Diego States exit fee, a step the league took after receiving the initial letter.

Conference realignment is a topic that will continue to pop up, Nevarez said, but she said she doesnt worry about other conferences poaching Mountain West teams.

As long as we maintain our positioning in the FBS space in that high-middle position, were going to be fine, she said. We just have to make sure were on the front foot, that we continuously evaluate our league and we get ahead of these things.

In the interest of strengthening its national brand, the Mountain West has retained Global Prairie  a marketing firm that will do a brand examination and analysis. Nevarez said she hopes to have results of the analysis this fall.
Democrat Stephen Webber, who aims to flip the Missouri Senate Seat held by Republican Caleb Rowden, and currently is running unopposed in the 19th District, which covers Boone County, is championing his fundraising efforts.

Webber announced his campaign in January and officially kicked it off in March.

Rowden cannot run again due to term limits and a redrawing of district maps for the 19th District now only includes Boone County, which tends to support Democratic candidates, instead of both Boone and Republican-leaning Cooper County.

More: Stephen Webber answers the 'whys' of his state Senate candidacy at campaign kickoff

Webber reported he received roughly $71,622 in monetary donations to the Missouri Ethics Commission since the April campaign finance report. He also received $4,750 from in-kind donations. The Homefront Political Action Committee, affiliated with Webber's campaign, provided $24,500, bringing total contributions through the candidate committee and PAC to $100,872 in the second quarter.

Total contributions since announcing his candidacy is roughly $409,153 via his candidate committee and the PAC.

PAC contributions came from a St. Louis-based law firm, Gladstone-based Rural Hospitals Group Consolidated LLC and from labor union United Food and Commercial Workers International, which contributed $20,000 of the of the total second-quarter contributions. Many first quarter contributions came from labor groups, other political action committees and law firms among others.

Candidate contributions from individuals, organizations and PACs were as little as $4 to as much as $2,400.

More: Stephen Webber announces candidacy for State Senate, aiming to flip seat from red to blue

Webber's campaign had around $86,912 in cash on hand at the start of the second quarter. After monetary contributions and expenses of $30,685, he was left with $127,849 available. He has no outstanding debt. Expenses in the second quarter were due to payroll, taxes, website maintenance, design services and campaign material creation, among others.

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Webber in his fundraising announcement noted several endorsements including from Access MO, Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick, State Rep. Kathy Steinhoff, D-Columbia, Columbia Ward 2 Council Member Andrea Waner, former Missouri Gov. Roger Wilson and former State Rep. Martha Stevens, D-Columbia.

Im so grateful for the support of so many local friends and neighbors," Webber said in the fundraising announcement. As Boone Countys Senator, I will work with anyone to defeat extremism, ensure a quality public education for our kids, restore women's right to choose, keep us safe, and create more economic opportunity for all of our workers, students and small businesses.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Stephen Webber Missouri Senate campaign raises more than $400,000
(Photo : MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Rudy Giuliani, the ex-attorney of former United States President Donald Trump, is rumored to have turned against his former boss in the Capitol Hill riot investigation.

Rudy Giuliani, a longtime ally of former United States President Donald Trump, is rumored to have betrayed the Republican businessman after allegedly talking with prosecutors over the Jan. 6 riot that the former president has now been indicted of.

The situation comes as Trump wrote a statement to his Truth Social platform on Tuesday morning where he revealed that the Department of Justice Special Counsel, Jack Smith, sent him a letter. The document informed the former president that he is now the target of a probe into the Capitol Hill riot.

Has Rudy Giuliani Turned on Donald Trump?

The incident saw a mob of angry Trump supporters who were allegedly motivated by the former president's unfounded claims of voter fraud. They gathered and rioted at the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to block President Joe Biden's electoral college victory certification.

Trump has continued to maintain his stance that he is innocent in the case, saying that prosecutors are simply targeting him for political purposes. He said that they wanted to weaken him and his influence so that he would not have as strong of a presence in the 2024 presidential race, as per Newsweek.

On the other hand, there have been reports that Giualiani's attorneys said that he had a "voluntary" interview with the special counsel in late June. The announcement prompted some legal experts to speculate that Giuliani may have flipped on Trump.

Despite speculation on social media platforms, there has been no confirmation from Giuliani's attorneys on whether or not he is cooperating with prosecutors regarding the case. Additionally, legal analysts said that there are several reasons why the former Trump attorney may have not received a target letter, noting that it was still too early to actually conclude that he has turned on the former president.

Giuliani is known to have echoed Trump's unfounded claims of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential race. Additionally, he is said to have overseen efforts to install a false slate of pro-Trump electors to the Electoral College from battleground states that Trump narrowly lost.

Read Also: Biden Administration Launches New Cybersecurity Label for Smart Home Devices

Capitol Hill Riot

His alleged conversation with the special counsel came before Smith's investigators met with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The latter allegedly had a phone call with Trump in early January 2021, where the former president is said to have unsuccessfully pressured Reffensperger into finding enough votes in the state to overturn Biden's victory, according to CNBC.

The state was one of the several key states that gave the Democratic candidate his margin of victory in the Electoral College. It is the body that actually selects American presidents after the popular vote.

The Trump-Raffensperger call happened a few days before the joint session of Congress convened to certify the Electoral College results. However, it was interrupted for several hours by the group of Trump supporters who besieged the Capitol.

In a statement, Giuliani's adviser Ted Goodman said that any speculation that his client has turned against Trump was false. He said that such a situation would have required Giuliani to commit perjury. This is because all the information he has regarding the case points to Trump's innocence, said ABC News.

Related Article: Donald Trump Targeted by January 6 Probe

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Did a tree fall on your roof during last weeks storm? Are you in search of a new contractor? If so, the office of Kansas attorney general wants to make sure you avoid fraudulent roofers and contractors looking to score a quick buck.

After storm damage, our instinct is to clean up and make repairs as quickly as possible, Don Borneman, director of the Kansas attorney generals roofing registration unit, said in a statement.

When considering roofing work on a home or business, it is important that consumers make sure their roofing contractor is properly registered before signing any contract or having any work done.

Contractor scams have been on the rise, according to the Inspection Support Network, a company that offers home inspection software to businesses. During the pandemic, property owners lost nearly $82 million in home improvement scams. Since 2007, more than 6,000 scams have been reported to the Federal Trade Commission each year.

If you are getting work done to your roof, the Kansas attorney generals roofing registration unit recommends getting a copy of your roofers registration certificate before moving forward. Residents can also double-check for a roofers registration with this online registry. Make sure that the roofers registration is still active.

The Kansas attorney generals office also suggests that customers check for references, get multiple written estimates for the project and check with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Kansas City to see if there are any complaints records on file for a contractor before hiring.

The Federal Trade Commission also warns customers of contractors who use these tactics to avoid being scammed:

Offer materials left over from a previous job

Pressure clients for an immediate decision

Ask clients to pay for everything upfront

Ask clients to obtain their own building permits

Suggest borrowing money from a lender that they know personally

For more information on how to avoid a home repair scam, visit here.
Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate exhibitions. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Karl Stanley said OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush made a "mousetrap for billionaires."

Stanley, a friend of Rush's, also said he believed Rush "knew" the Titan sub would end in disaster.

Stanley previously warned Rush that the carbon fiber hull of the submersible could experience issues.

Karl Stanley, who once was a passenger on the Titan sub, said that OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush knew the Titan sub would end in disaster, but continued to create his "mousetrap for billionaires."

Stanley, a friend of Rush who went on a dive in the Bahamas with him in 2019, began speaking out publicly following the deaths of five people, including Rush, on a trip to the RMS Titanic wreckage in June. Behind the scenes, however, he warned his friend that the Titan was dangerous.

"He definitely knew it was going to end like this," Stanley told told 60 Minutes Australia in an interview published Sunday. "He literally and figuratively went out with the biggest bang in human history that you can go out with. And he was the last person to murder two billionaires at once and have them pay for the privilege."

Stanley also told 60 Minutes there was "no doubt" in his mind "that it was the carbon fiber tube that was the mechanical part that failed" during the Titan's final trip, during which, investigators believe, the vessel imploded. Experts previously told Insider that evidence supports the theory that the hull made of carbon fiber  a material not used in underwater subs  failed first.

The events that led to the implosion are being investigated by the US Coast Guard, along with international agencies such as the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

"I think Stockton was designing a mousetrap for billionaires," Stanley said, per the outlet, referring to the submersible.

Stanley previously warned his friend following his venture in the sub that he had heard "cracking" sounds that had him concerned. Emails obtained by Insider's Lloyd Lee revealed that Stanley was desperate to convey to Rush that he believed there was a defect in the hull, and worried that the sub would "fail catastrophically."

Rush brushed off Stanley multiple times, railing against the "uninformed accusations from industry pundits." These criticisms, Stanley believed, were actually encouraging Rush to move forward with his sub.

Read the original article on Insider
Zen Rial/Getty Images

Two tourists were gored by bison in National Parks within the last week.

Officials urged caution around and distance from the "large, powerful, and wild" animals.

Mid-July to mid-August is mating season, resulting in aggressive and unpredictable bison.

Two tourists were gored by bison in national parks in the last week, prompting park officials to issue strongly worded warnings: Stay away.

On Saturday, a visitor at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota was severely injured in her abdomen and foot by a bison. Park staff were notified about the incident at 11 a.m. MDT and quickly responded, treating the patient before she was transported by ambulance to a hospital.

The details of the accident  including if the tourist did anything to agitate the bison or was standing too close to the animal  aren't currently known, park staff said.

On Monday, a similar bison-involved incident occurred at Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming. According to park staff, a visitor was walking along a trail when she spotted two bison in the field.

The tourist kept a distance and turned to walk away from the bison  the correct protocol when coming across a bison  but was charged at and attacked, sustaining significant injuries to her chest and abdomen. She was transported to the hospital by helicopter.

In both cases, National Park Service staff said bison are dangerous wildlife that should be respected and kept a distance of at least 25 yards.

"Park staff would like to remind visitors that bison are large, powerful, and wild. They can turn quickly and can easily outrun humans," staff said, adding that the animals are "unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans."

Park staff also said that mid-July through mid-August is bison mating season, meaning the animals could be agitated more quickly and easily.

"Use extra caution and give them additional space during this time," staff said.

Read the original article on Insider
President Joe Biden accompanied by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona as he announces new actions to protect student-loan borrowers in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

House Republicans are proposing cutting funding for Federal Student Aid by $265 million.

It denies Biden's budget request to increase funding for the agency by $620 million.

This could pose hurdles to student-loan borrowers who are resuming payments after years on pause.

Republican lawmakers released their proposal to cut spending for the upcoming fiscal year  and it's not making things easy on student-loan borrowers.

Last week, Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee released a series of bills for funding federal agencies through fiscal year 2024. According to the committee's press release, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill provides $147 billion for programs within those agencies, which is $60 billion below the fiscal year 2023 enacted level and $73 billion  or roughly a third  below President Joe Biden's budget request.

The committee wrote in its fact sheet that the proposal is "strengthening congressional oversight of funds provided in the bill and restricting the Administration's ability to ignore congressional directives to fund an extreme, partisan agenda."

A key area Biden wanted to see increased funding in was the Federal Student Aid office, which is charged with facilitating the return to repayment this year for millions of borrowers after an over-three-year pause. According to the text of the committee's bill, its proposal would include $1.8 billion for student aid administration, which is a cut of $265 million below the current level.

"Right now, House Republicans are pursuing an appropriations bill that cuts $22.5 BILLION from education," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona wrote on Twitter. "It's the lowest allocation in 15 years. They are defunding education. Let's call this what it is - a Republican attack on our students' futures."

The bill is headed for a committee vote before being voted on by the full House. Biden's budget request in March included $2.7 billion for funding for the Federal Student Aid office, which is a $620 million increase from the 2023 level.

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Cutting funding could pose significant challenges to borrowers, along with the operations of Federal Student Aid.

As Insider previously reported, the Education Department's ability to implement a range of programs aside from resuming payments  like reforms to income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness  all depend on whether it has the money to do so. Jared Bass, the senior director of higher-education policy at the left-leaning think-tank Center for American Progress, previously told Insider that "it's not just about one policy or one provision we're talking about."

"All of the student aid programs, everything from the process we use to fill out the application for FAFSA, through receiving Pell Grants, student loans, all the way through repaying those student loans, and ultimately, possibly receiving forgiveness, as well," he said, adding that "when funding for the account is in jeopardy, the quality of services that are being provided to students and families, to borrowers, and to taxpayers, gets called into question."

Some Democratic lawmakers have also expressed concerns about a lack of funding for Federal Student Aid. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined 16 of her Democratic colleagues in May in sending a letter to Tammy Baldwin, the chair of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee, and Shelley Moore Capito, a ranking member, calling on them to fulfill Biden's budget request.

"The Department of Education has projected that without additional loan relief, ending the payment pause will result in a devastating spike in delinquencies and defaults," they wrote in the letter. "However, that projection would understate the catastrophic consequences for millions of working and middle-class Americans if FSA also lacks sufficient funding to provide the outreach and servicing needed to assist borrowers simultaneously needing to navigate the requirements and options for starting payments."

After the Supreme Court struck down Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for federal borrowers on June 30, the Education Department announced a 12-month "on-ramp" period for borrowers once payments resume. Missed payments won't be reported to credit agencies during that time. The department also announced a new income-driven repayment plan to lower monthly payments, but it remains to be seen how effectively these changes can be carried out with a lack of funds.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A starfish that washed up on a Texas shore has social media amazed, but wildlife experts say the creature isnt too rare.

Christina Biery shared photos and video to Facebook on Wednesday, July 12, of the creature on the shore of Port Aransas on the Gulf of Mexico.

Just a day at the beach, the jetty end has A LOT of sea grass right now, she said in the post. I think they are getting caught in it. Theres more than Ive ever seen out there right now.

The video shows the starfish slithering along the shore as a wave crashes into it.

As others commented on the size of the starfish, Berry said it was so interesting to watch.

Berry picked up the fish and put it back in the water, she said on the Shutter Bugs Port Aransas group on Facebook.

That sucker is huge!! Donna Repka replied. Never seen one like this.

Kind of creepy, totally beautiful, Donna Curry commented.

Mark Fisher, the science director for the Coast Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife, told the Houston Chronicle the starfish species is a gray sea star.

Gray sea stars, also called striped sea stars, can grow up to 12 inches in diameter, according to Texas A&M University at Galveston.

These stars live burrowed in the sand along the shore in the surf zone and beyond, Fisher told the Chronicle. When the surf is rough, like it has been with all this wind, they get churned up and wash up on the beach.

Berry told KSAT the starfish she found was the size of my palm.

Marvin Orellana, a moderator of the Facebook group, told the San Antonio Express-News the sea star was not that rare. He said he sees starfish at the beach fairly often.

Two-spined sea stars, which are slightly smaller than the gray sea stars, are also common on the beach, the Express-News reported.
On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: Summer heat sets records worldwide

USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise looks at the slew of summer heat records being set worldwide. Plus, former President Donald Trump says he's been informed that he's the target of a federal Jan. 6 investigation, Trump's fake electors have been charged by Michigan's attorney general in an alleged 2020 election scheme, USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard has the latest on continued tensions in Israel over judicial reforms, and an American soldier has been detained in North Korea.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Taylor Wilson:

Good morning. I'm Taylor Wilson and this is 5 Things you need to know Wednesday, the 19th of July 2023. Today, a closer look at severe summer heat. Plus, Trump could be indicted soon on charges related to efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss, and an American soldier has been detained in North Korea.



It's not your imagination. This is not a typical summer. Heat records are being set around the world. And as USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise told me, this may be the new normal in the years to come. Thanks for hopping on, Beth.

Elizabeth Weise:

Happy as always to be here.

Taylor Wilson:

So this summer heat has been particularly brutal in much of the Northern Hemisphere. What kinds of records have been broken this year so far?

Elizabeth Weise:

Oh, it is so hot. It's just so hot. June was the hottest June in all of NOAA's climate records, which go back to the 20th century. They go back 174 years and it's the hottest June we've ever seen, and that probably means it's the hottest June it's been in a long time because only it's back as far as we've had records. Globally, it's 1.9 degrees above average. And that doesn't sound like a lot, but when you think globally, that means that a lot of places are super extra hot. It's also the 47th consecutive June and the 532nd consecutive month with temperatures over what they would've been in the 20th century. So anybody who was born in the 20th century, all of the averages that you were used to growing up, they're just gone.

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Taylor Wilson:

So in the US, which specific regions or cities have gotten the worst of this heat?

Elizabeth Weise:

Phoenix is way hot. It is expected to hit probably 115 this week. It is the 19th consecutive day it's been over 110. Death Valley in California reached 128 on Sunday. That might go slightly higher later in the week. We don't know. In places that they're used to heat, these are temperatures that are just kind of knocking it out of the ballpark, and not in a good way.

Taylor Wilson:

So we've heard a lot in recent years about air quality, I feel like, increasingly so. What's the air quality like in US cities this summer?

Elizabeth Weise:

Well, so this summer it's been bad overall, and that's because of the Canadian wildfires. It was really bad a few weeks back. The Canadian wildfires have ramped up again in British Columbia, which is the province just over Washington state. And that smoke is starting to kind of drift across and more likely to start seeing poor air quality again, especially in the upper Midwestern states in the United States. And mind you, you got to remember that the California and Northwest fire seasons really haven't started yet. Canada is burning really early. We've always had forest fires on the West Coast. They won't start to hit hard until July, August, September. And so we don't even know what that's going to look like yet. I mean, maybe it'll be a low fire year and that would be a blessing.

Taylor Wilson:

And I want to just turn the page to Europe for a second where the heat has also been particularly rough. What's going on across the pond, Beth?

Elizabeth Weise:

Yeah, poor Europe. So they had really, I mean for them, blazing hot temperatures. In May, especially in Spain and Portugal up above 100, which is very high for them. And then things cooled down a bit and that was good, but now they're getting another heat wave and it's impacting mostly Greece, Italy, and Spain. And the Italian weather forecasters, they've dubbed it Charon. And Charon, if you remember your Greek mythology, is the ferryman that would carry souls to the underworld. So they're starting to name their heat waves and this one is the one that carries you to the underworld.

Taylor Wilson:

Beth, I mean with these kinds of extreme temperatures, how are cities adapting to this heat?

Elizabeth Weise:

A lot of things are moving to the evenings when it's cooler. The good news is that the electric grid has managed to stay pretty stable. So we haven't seen widespread blackouts or brownouts, even though the demand is really high for air conditioning. In a lot of cities, especially Phoenix for example, we are seeing cooling stations for people who don't have access to air conditioners, or at least reliable air conditioners. This level of heat is dangerous. I mean, when you stay in 110 degree, 115 degree heat for any amount of time, your body starts to shut down. So people have to be careful. They have to stay hydrated, they have to stay out of the sun, and they have to find ways to cool off.

Taylor Wilson:

And globally, will this year be the warmest ever on record?

Elizabeth Weise:

The current record for the warmest year was 2016 during the last El Nino, which is the cyclical weather pattern that tends to produce warmer, drier weather. And we've just shifted back into El Nino from La Nina and temperatures have risen globally since then. So it is very likely that 2023 will be the warmest on record. The terrifying thing about that is that although this may be the warmest year of your life, it's probably going to also be the coolest year of your life.

Taylor Wilson:

Is this the new normal going forward?

Elizabeth Weise:

Probably for the foreseeable future, it's going to keep getting hotter until we lower CO2 concentrations, and then it's going to take a long time to go down. And as I always say to listeners, we have the technology to do that. We know how to do it. All we lack is the political will, but we could make the shift in a year or two if we chose to.

Taylor Wilson:

All right. Elizabeth Weise, thanks as always.

Elizabeth Weise:

You're so welcome.



Taylor Wilson:

Former President Donald Trump says he was informed Sunday that he's a target of a federal investigation into the events of January 6th, 2021. The investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith is looking into efforts to overturn Trump's loss in the 2020 election and whether the former president incited his supporters to storm the Capitol to stop the electoral college vote count. Trump said a letter from Smith gave him four days to report to the grand jury, which Trump believes will lead to an indictment and arrest. The two times Trump was indicted and arrested already earlier this year, he was the first to go public with the news of it on social media. Attorneys familiar with these types of cases said a target letter indicates charges are imminent.

Meanwhile, in the classified documents case against Trump, US District Judge Aileen Cannon is considering his request to delay the trial. Defense attorneys are requesting time to gain security clearances to view the classified documents Trump is charged with keeping at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Judge Cannon said she'll issue a ruling shortly.



In Michigan, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced felony charges yesterday against a slate of so-called fake electors involved in an attempt to award the state's electoral college votes to Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Joe Biden won Michigan's 16 electoral votes by over 150,000 popular votes. But the 16 Republicans are charged with submitting full certificates, naming themselves as the state's legitimate electors. They're each charged with eight felony counts, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery. The list of defendants includes the head of the Michigan chapter of the Republican National Committee and a former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party. Multiple charges there carry up to 14 years in prison.



Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, will address US Congress today. His visit comes amid concerns over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul and the ongoing protests there that have disrupted daily life. I spoke with USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard for the latest. Welcome back to 5 Things, Kim.

Kim Hjelmgaard:

Thanks for having me.

Taylor Wilson:

So we know that legislative efforts have resumed on this overhaul to Israel's judicial system. Where do reforms stand this week, Kim?

Kim Hjelmgaard:

Well, essentially, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after pausing these reforms for a couple of months because of lots of protest, he decided to try to push through one particular law, which is related to what they call reasonableness. And essentially, this proposed law would grant lawmakers greater control over the appointment of judges and give the parliament the power to overturn high court decisions and basically make some of Israel's lawmakers impervious to judicial review. Netanyahu has brought one part of this legislation back and it's currently in its first reading in the Parliament there, which means that it's got to go through a few more readings before it technically becomes law.

Taylor Wilson:

And Kim, protests appear to have again erupted in Israel alongside this. What's the latest there?

Kim Hjelmgaard:

Actually, for the last six months, the protests have not gone away. Israelis have done a remarkable job of going out day after day, week after week, month after month now to just express their dissatisfaction at these potential reforms. Before Prime Minister Netanyahu paused this legislation because the protests were getting so loud and problematic, we had things like the airports were about to get shut down, school teachers were going out on strike. Corporate CEOs were telling their employees not to show up for work. Israel's military, particularly its reserve forces, a lot of them were saying they were not going to show up for duty. But essentially, the protests have continued all the time. The Israeli public, by and large, has made it clear that they are not willing to just accept these proposed judicial reforms in the way that Netanyahu wants them.

Taylor Wilson:

And these reforms and protests come the same month as a renewed Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp. How does the situation in that camp reflect some of the broader tensions going on right now?

Kim Hjelmgaard:

Over the last couple of years, there's been an uptick of terrorist attacks against Israelis by militant groups that are based in Palestinian areas. And Jenin is a refugee camp in the north of the West Bank. There's thousands of families that live there, but there's also militant groups that headquartered themselves there and hide weapons there. The Israeli government sort of watched these attacks take place over a number of months and basically decided that it needed to raid this camp because it was just the sort of center of where militant groups have been storing weapons and planning assaults and so on and so forth.

The issue here is that Israel is 75 years old as a country now, and it has long kind of described itself and thought of itself as the only democracy in the Middle East. And the way that it interacts with the given US administration revolves around this sort of idea of democracy and so on. But really, 20% of Israeli citizens are Arabs and they have some of the same rights, but they don't have all of the rights that Jewish Israelis have. Therefore, when these reforms were proposed, a lot of people were kind of pointing out well, there might be a public opinion saying these reforms are anti-democratic. But there's a lot of Arab Israelis who don't feel the full impact of Israel's democracy.

Taylor Wilson:

And Kim, the situation in Israel has seeped over into American political discourse, especially this month. How important of a player is the US here, Kim, in terms of what these reforms and the next few months look like in Israel?

Kim Hjelmgaard:

Well, I mean the US and Israel consider themselves to be extremely close strategic partners. There's no question about that. American historic support for Israel is strong, it always has been. Israel is the recipient of the largest amount of US military aid since its existence in 1948, cumulatively amounts to about $160 billion. And that money really has helped transform Israel. The two countries cooperate extremely closely on intelligence and technology research. The sort of trajectories of the two countries are intertwined. And part of the frustration, I think, from the White House perspective is that these reforms that Prime Minister Netanyahu seems hell-bent on pushing through, they don't quite sit well with the White House that is also keen to kind of promote ideas of democracy and so on and so forth.

Taylor Wilson:

Kim Hjelmgaard, great insight for us as always. Thanks, Kim.

Kim Hjelmgaard:

Thanks for having me.



Taylor Wilson:

An American soldier has been detained in North Korea after he willfully crossed into the country's territory. The army identified the soldier as Private Travis King. He was stationed in South Korea and recently finished a 47-day jail sentence there for kicking a police car. The soldier was being processed to return to the United States, but left the airport before his scheduled flight on Monday. He would've flown to Fort Bliss, Texas where he faced possible discharge. But instead of boarding the plane, King joined a tour of a Korean border village. And once there, he bolted across the guarded border. An army spokesperson confirmed yesterday that a US service member willfully, and without authorization, crossed into North Korea. US authorities are working to resolve the incident. At a Pentagon Press conference yesterday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that King was likely now in North Korean custody.

Thanks for listening to 5 Things. If you like the show, please subscribe and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any comments, as always, you can reach us at podcasts@usatoday.com. I'm back tomorrow with more of 5 Things from USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Worldwide heat records, American detained in North Korea: 5 Things podcast
Summers are always hot. But this summer is different in some profound ways.

Record-breaking temperatures are hitting multiple cities. Phoenix recorded an unprecedented nineteen consecutive days over 110 degrees. Death Valley reached 128 on Sunday. Records are falling everywhere.

It's not your imagination: This is not a typical summer.

The extreme temperatures being recorded this summer are the result of the combination of natural variations within the climate system and human-caused climate change, with a hefty serving of El Nino thrown in.

Here's what to know:

The forecast map for July 24-28 shows above-average temperatures are likely across most of the nation.

How do we know climate change is fueling this heat? Couldn't it be just a hot summer?

Natural variability still exists, said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist a the University of California, Los Angeles.

But were starting to see the long-term, human-caused warming signal overwhelming that volatility. At this point, there arent any unprecedentedly extreme heat events on Earth that havent been exacerbated by climate change.

The good news: He doesn't believe Earth has reached some sort of climate tipping point and there's no hope.

This does not appear to be a sudden, sustained acceleration of the long-term trends climate scientists have been noting for decades.

"I know a lot of people are freaking out right now," he said.

"This year were stair-stepping upward due to human-caused climate change," Swain said. "The more we warm, the easier it becomes to hit previously inconceivable levels of heat."

It actually is that hot:

Here's a few global signs that the heat the United States is experiencing this summer is something much more significant than just a heat wave.

June was the hottest ever in NOAA's climate record : Earth's average global temperature in June was 1.89 degrees above average, making it the hottest June in the 174-years global climate record. It also marked the 47th-consecutive June and the 532nd-consecutive month with temperatures above the 20th-century average, according to the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration.

The past seven years have been the Earth's hottest : The years between 2015 and 2021 were Earth's warmest on record "by a clear margin," according to research by the Copernicus Climate Change Service, a group affiliated with the European Union. So far, 2021 was the planet's fifth-warmest year on record. The two warmest years, according to the Copernicus group, were 2020 and 2016.

2023 could be the warmest on record : It is actually almost a certainty that this will be the warmest year globally, Michael Mann, a climate scientist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told USA TODAY. The current record for the warmest year is 58.69 degrees over the global land and ocean, set in 2016, during the last El Nino. Last year's global average was just below that, at 58.44 degrees.

The Atlantic Ocean hit its highest temperatures since records began in 1850: Surface temperatures in the North Atlantic have hit "unprecedented" temperatures, almost 3 degrees warmer than typical for summer. The figure  the highest since in a series of temperature recordings that go back to 1850  broke records "by a wide margin," according to England's Meteorological Office.

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Yes, heat waves have always happened. But....

Heat waves have always happened. But the ones now are hotter and happening more often. A study published in May found that extreme heat of the magnitude Spain and Portugal experienced this spring should only have about a 1-in-400 chance of occurring in any given year. Temperatures there were 36 degrees higher than average for May this year.

Contributing: Dinah Pulver

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is climate change to blame for summer 2023's record heat? Yes.
FIRST ON FOX: A bicameral congressional delegation is filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court on Wednesday, calling for it to strike down a lower court order pausing a natural gas pipeline green-lit by recent legislation.

The delegation  led by GOP Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., and joined by seven fellow representatives and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.  argued that a 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling last week blocking Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) construction was illegal. The Fiscal Responsibility Act, the bipartisan debt limit bill President Biden signed in early June, fast-tracked federal permits for the MVP.

"The Fourth Circuit judges are not supreme rulers and lawful orders issued by the legislative and executive branches must be followed," Reschenthaler told Fox News Digital in a statement. "Congress was well within its power to restart the Mountain Valley Pipeline construction and usher in a new era of energy independence for the region."

"Instead of halting the pipeline, I urge the Supreme Court to plug up the ludicrous activism seeping out of the lower court so American families can enjoy lower energy costs, substantial land royalties, and most importantly  law and order in America," he continued.

JOE MANCHIN CALLS 'BULLS---' ON GOP TAKING CREDIT FOR GAS PIPELINE IN DEBT CEILING DEAL

GOP Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., is pictured during a House hearing.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act also transfers jurisdiction for judicial review of legal challenges related to MVP from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The language was included as a result of the appeals panel's history of striking down key permits for the project.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The MVP pipeline, which would stretch 303 miles from West Virginia to Virginia, is currently 94% complete, but has been slowed by a lengthy permitting process. The project was first proposed nearly a decade ago.

Story continues

DEM SENATOR UNLOADS ON WHITE HOUSE FOR AGREEING TO FAST-TRACK GAS PIPELINE IN BUDGET DEAL

"If the stays remain in place, Congresss authority will be usurped and the harm to the people will be irreparable. Respondents must pursue their claims of invalidity, if at all, in the D.C. Circuit pursuant to the Act," the lawmakers wrote in their Supreme Court brief Wednesday. "This Court should grant the Emergency Application and vacate the Fourth Circuit stays for lack of jurisdiction."

"Congress acted within its authority," they added. "It also acted sensibly and with bipartisan support. The Fourth Circuit, however, simply disregarded the law. Worse, the court did so without opinion or any articulated rationale. If this is to be a republic of laws and not of men, a recurring three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit cannot be permitted to override the clear will of the people. Intervention is imperative."

Sections of steel pipe for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Aug. 31, 2022, in Bent Mountain, Virginia.

On Friday, the pipeline's developer asked the Supreme Court to vacate the stay issued by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court then set a deadline of early next week for plaintiffs, a coalition of environmental groups, to respond.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who also played a role in securing the pipeline in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, filed his own amicus brief in the case Tuesday.

"We cannot let this continue any longer," Manchin said. "Its a shame when members of Congress have to ask the Supreme Court to intervene to maintain the credibility of the laws that we have passed and the President has signed, but I am confident that the Court will uphold our laws and allow construction of MVP to resume."

According to Equitrans Midstream, the pipeline's developer, MVP will transport about 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from West Virginia to consumers in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic. The pipeline is projected to generate $40 million in new tax revenue for West Virginia, $10 million in new tax revenue for Virginia and up to $250 million in royalties for West Virginia landowners.
Photo: Jacquelyn Martin (AP)

Historically Black colleges and universities have decided to change some of their admissions policies in lieu of the Supreme Courts decision to come down on affirmative action. They may become more selective as they prepare to have an increase in the number of applicants.

Last month, the high court decided to bar colleges from considering race when it comes to admissions. Though the decision was anticipated, it still has staggering repercussions as many universities used this as a tool for diversity. Numerous HBCU leaders believe there will be more applications from students in more welcoming environments that will allow open discussions about race during the college admissions process.

Read more

HBCUs represent 3 percent of colleges but educate around 20 percent of Black graduates and may be strapped for resources. In addition, Black colleges and universities have historically dealt with being underfunded, having housing shortages and navigating deteriorating infrastructure. Compared to white institutions, HBCUs also suffer from inferior cybersecurity measures and WiFi access.

The president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, David A. Thomas, stated: If our applicant pool doubles, we could not double our student body without seriously compromising the quality of our education. Morehouse is expecting student applications to double over the next three years.

Thomas also said that his school will have to make sure we continue to admit an economically diverse group of students and continue to serve poor and working-class students as they deal with larger application pools.

Experts believe that the attention that is now being paid to HBCUs will most likely not affect all of them equally, especially smaller schools in more rural areas of the country. Admissions officials are brainstorming ways to give future students an opportunity to share their racial backgrounds.

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The president of Bowie State University, Aminta Hawkins Breaux, said the institution may include an essay component to applications. Morgan State University Admissions officials are also considering the use of essay prompts or letters of recommendation to prompt students to talk about race.

More from The Root

Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Overland Park police are asking for help with identifying three alleged shoplifters  including one who was caught on camera pushing an employee down, causing her to break her arm  at a store near La Paloma Plaza last week.

The theft and battery occurred at a retail store near the 12000 block of Metcalf Avenue on July 12, according to police.

One shoplifter left through the stores entrance carrying a pink box and a duffle bag, according to video captured by the stores security cameras. While an employee was videotaping the shoplifter leaving on her phone, another shoplifter with a pink backpack knocked her over with a store item she was holding before also leaving the store, which was also caught on camera.

The employee fractured her right arm in two locations, according to a news release from Overland Park police.

The third alleged shoplifter is presumed to be in the white Dodge 4-door sedan or Avenger with unknown Missouri license plates.

Increasingly, retail chains are enforcing policies requiring employees to refrain from trying to stop shoplifting due to liability issues. In some cases, employees can even be fired for taking action to stop a shoplifter. Its not known whether this store has any such policies.

Anyone with information can contact the police department at 913-344-8729. Anonymous tips can be reported to the tips hotline at 816-474-8477.
(Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Illinois Supreme Court has moved in favor of completely removing cash bail as civil rights groups and some Democratic lawmakers argue that the system is unfair to poor defendants.

The Illinois Supreme Court has voted to remove cash bail completely after judges ruled that a landmark state law did not violate its Constitution.

A provision included in the state's controversial Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act was set to end cash bail starting on January 1.

Illinois Moves To End Cash Bail

However, it faced legal obstruction from prosecutors and sheriffs from dozens of counties who argued that the law was unconstitutional and only worked to diminish public safety and place law enforcement at risk.

In December, a Kankakee County judge ruled that the law was unconstitutional, whose decision was overturned by the state's highest court on Tuesday. With the new law, judges will not require suspects charged with crimes to post bail to leave jail while waiting for trial.

Suspects considered a threat to the public or individuals more likely to flee can still be required to remain in law enforcement custody. According to Fox News, Illinois' Supreme Court ruling means that the end to cash bail will take effect across the state starting on September 18.

In the ruling on Tuesday morning, Justice Mary Jane Theis wrote that the Illinois Constitution of 1970 did not mandate cash bail as the only means to ensure that criminal defendants appear for trials or as the only way to protect the public.

She added that the state Constitution balances defendants' and crime victims' rights. The pretrial release of the Act's provisions also set forth procedures commensurate with the balance she discussed.

It was Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker who signed the SAFE-T Act last year, and he recently released a statement where he celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the case. He said that he was pleased with the court's decision.

Read Also: House Republicans Propose Planting Trees to Address Global Warming

Unfair to Poor Defendants

In a statement, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said that a person's experience with the criminal justice system should not be based on their salaries. He added that the new law ensures that the decision to detain a person is not solely based on their ability to afford cash bail, according to NPR.

On the other hand, Justices David Overstreet and Lisa Holder, who both dissented from the ruling, said that ending cash bail directly violated the plain language of the state's Constitution's bill of rights.

The SAFE-T Act was enacted two years ago and resulted in several changes to Illinois' criminal justice system. The measure was introduced following the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, in the hands of a White Minneapolis police officer.

The end to cash bail has long been demanded by civil rights groups and some politicians, many of whom are Democrats. They have urged more ways for defendants to be released without paying up.

Critics have said that the bail system is unfair to defendants who are poor and those who risk losing jobs or homes if they cannot post bail, said the New York Times.

Related Article: Donald Trump Targeted by January 6 Probe

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tuesday wasnt the first time the same man is accused of firing a gun in public while being in illegal possession of that gun as a convicted felon, a background check obtained by The State shows.

Brandon Joyner  the 26-year-old suspected gunman taken into custody Tuesday for, police say, firing gunshots into the air in the Stoneridge, Greystone Boulevard area  was previously arrested for the same offense in Greenwood County in April of 2022.

On that occasion, Greenwood police responded to an afternoon shots fired call where Joyner had allegedly used a handgun to fire several shots into the air before running to hide the gun inside of a car, according to an incident report. No one was injured during the shooting, and Joyner was charged with discharging a firearm in the city and possession of a firearm by person convicted of violent felony.

Shortly after his arrest, Joyner made bond an left town. A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to show for court, but The State was unable to verify whether that warrant for Joyner was active during Tuesdays shooting.

The Greenwood case is currently pending, according to court records.

With more than a dozen other criminal charges and convictions, including multiple felonies, Joyner is an example of what some state lawmakers and Gov. Henry McMaster have said about the need to reform criminal laws in South Carolina, particularly related to illegal gun possession and repeat offenders.

From Lexington to Richland to Greenwood counties, and all the way over to Horry, Joyner has been charged 14 times since 2014.

He is now charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, first-degree domestic violence, discharging a firearm into an occupied motor vehicle, possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime, unlawful carrying of a pistol and breach of peace (high and aggravated), stemming from Tuesdays Greystone Boulevard shooting, during which both Joyner and a police officer were injured.

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Most recently before Tuesdays incident, Joyner was arrested by Myrtle Beach police for felony domestic violence in October of 2022. Although he was released after posting a $10,000 bond, the Horry County arrest triggered a warrant from Lexington County for violation of probation.

Thats because in 2015  and again in 2019  Joyner was charged with threatening the life of a public official in Lexington County. For the 2015 offense, Joyner was sentenced to three years in prison, which was suspended in exchange for five years probation. But when he committed the same offense again in 2019, he ended up with a five-year prison sentence, suspended for two years prison time and five years probation.

Other charges levied against Joyner include felony burglary in Orangeburg and Richland counties in 2015. In Richland County, he was handed a six-year suspended sentence for two years of probation. In Orangeburg, he received a three-year suspended sentence for four years of probation.

Public disorderly conduct, reckless driving, and malicious injury to animals, personal property are other charges sprinkled throughout Joyners criminal past, with little to no jail time served.

Of the 14 criminal charges in Joyners past, the majority of which are felonies, Joyner has served less than three years of jail time, and instead has received ample amounts of probation, according to court records.
Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on June 19, 2019. Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A South Carolina school board was discussing "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates on Monday.

The Black author of the book crashed the meeting, which was about whether his book should be banned.

He was there to support a teacher who had a lesson on the book's themes stopped in February.

A Black author crashed a South Carolina school board meeting in which locals railed against his award-winning book about racial justice, according to The Daily Beast.

The Lexington-Richland District 5 School Board met on Monday to discuss Ta-Nehisi Coates' autobiographical work "Between the World and Me"  a 2015 nonfiction book about being Black and experiencing racism in the US.

Coates was there to support Chapin High School educator Mary Wood, whose AP Language and Composition lesson on the book was stopped in February after the school board received complaints, DailyMail.com reported.

Coates sat next to Wood, at the back of the room, during the meeting, according to CBS 19.

In a February 2023 lesson, Wood asked her students to identify the themes of Coates' book, as well as watch two videos about systemic racism. The lesson was met with backlash from some parents and students, according to The Post and Courier.

Emails to the school board member said students were made to feel "uncomfortable" and "ashamed to be Caucasian," according to district records reviewed by The Post and Courier.

Wood was later called to a meeting with Chapin High's assistant principal and the district's director of secondary education, which resulted in the book being removed from the course, the newspaper said.

Members of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus claimed that the lesson violated state budget provisions, with South Carolina law prohibiting the use of state funds for lessons in which "an individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or any other form of psychological distress on account of his race or sex," per The Post and Courier.

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PEN America, a nonprofit that works to advance free expression, called the removal of the book "an outrageous act of government censorship."

The school board meeting on Monday heard arguments on both sides about whether Coates' book should be taught, with some people turning up wearing blue  the school's colors  in a show of support for the teacher, per DailyMail.com.

Though Coates did not speak at the meeting, others defended his book.

The chairwoman of Chapin High's English department, Tess Pratt, told the board that she had personally ordered copies of Coates' book and regretted having to take them away from students, DailyMail.com reported.

"On the day that I took Ta-Nehisi Coates' books out of the hands of Ms. Wood's students, I silenced his story," she said, according to the media outlet. "Even though this was a decision that was not mine, I will regret that moment in front of those students for the rest of my life, because it was wrong," she added.

The meeting ended without a vote being taken, according to reports.

Rebecca Blackburn Hines, the chair of the school board, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
A criminal group stole confidential information of about 1.2 million Tampa General Hospital patients, including Social Security numbers, the hospital announced Wednesday.

The theft of information came to light after the hospital detected unusual activity on its computer systems on May 31. An investigation aided by a third-party forensic firm found that an unauthorized user obtained access to data files over a three-week period through May 30.

The data that was compromised varies by individual, the hospital said, but may have included names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, health insurance information, medical record numbers, patient account numbers, dates of service and limited information about treatment.

The hospital said its medical record system was not accessed.

Tampa General reported the data breach to the FBI and is providing support to the agency as it investigates the crime, according to a statement released by the hospital. It said that its security systems prevented any attempt to encrypt its data, a common tactic used by hackers to deny an organization access to its own data unless it pays a ransom.

TGH considers the health, safety and privacy of patients and team members a top priority, the release said. The hospital is continuously updating and hardening systems to help prevent events such as this from occurring and has implemented additional defensive tools and increased monitoring.

Tampa General plans to mail letters to individuals whose information may have been compromised. It said it will provide complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection services to those whose Social Security numbers were accessed.

Patients with questions can visit TGHs website at tgh.org/cybersecurity-notice for more information.

The hack comes less than two weeks after HCA Healthcare reported that data on roughly 11 million of its patients across 20 states, including Florida, was stolen and posted on an online forum.
Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare used more than $1,700 worth of campaign finance funds to install security cameras.

The March 9 charge appeared on OHares July 15 campaign finance report and shows the county judge paid Flower Mound-based AV Guy $1,724 for Security Camera Installation. The expenditure is listed as a office overhead rental expense.

AV Guy offers a variety of packages for security cameras. A pack of 1080p analog cameras runs $1,790 and other bundles with eight cameras can run up to $3,160.

A representative for OHare wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon that the security cameras were listed in a campaign finance report because it was a security expense paid for by the campaign, and that the cameras arent used in any government office.

Texas lawmakers are allowed to use campaign funds to furnish their offices and apartments in Austin, and even pay their rent.

The Texas Ethics Commission doesnt say anything about using funds to pay for security cameras. Permissible campaign finance expenditures include to purchasing electronics for official use in courtroom or judges chambers and paying ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with ensuring their home security.

Experts say they believe spending campaign money on something like security cameras is in the realm of whats allowed.

Political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus at the University of Houston, too, said officeholders are not allowed to use campaign finance money for anything thats personal, recreational or medical.

Were in an era of heightened political controversy, Rottinghaus said. So that need to be able to keep everybody safe by monitoring whats happening is of paramount importance.

The type of security county judges have varies from county to county.

In Dallas County, there are security guards and cameras in the areas near Judge Clay Jenkins office, a representative for Jenkins office said. In Travis County, cameras are in Judge Andy Browns office and officials are working to install bullet proof glass in the commissioners court room.

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A representative for Bexar County said she wasnt sure if there were security cameras in Judge Peter Sekais office, but that the past county judge didnt have cameras.

Spokespeople for both Bexar and Travis counties said cameras would be something that were funded through the county and go through the commissioners court.

In Harris County, commissioners approved more than $320,000 worth of private security for Judge Lina Hidalgo this past August as a result of threats shes received during her time in office. Representatives for Hidalgo did not return an email and phone call inquiring about security cameras.
From left: Amanda Zurawski; Samantha Casiano; Molly Duane, senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights; and Ashley Brandt address the press at a Travis County courthouse Wednesday following the first day of testimony in Zurawski v. State of Texas. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

One woman could barely get words out through her tears. Another ran to the restroom as soon as she was done, wordless, wretched sobs wracking her tiny body. A third threw up on the witness stand.

These are believed to be the first women in the country since 1973 to testify in court about the impacts of a state abortion ban on their pregnancies. They almost certainly wont be the last.

Speaking to a packed Travis County courtroom Wednesday, three women detailed devastating pregnancy losses and said medically necessary care was delayed or denied due to their doctors confusion over Texas abortion laws.

Theyre challenging a clause in the states abortion ban that says a doctor can perform an abortion only if they believe the patient has a life-threatening physical condition aggravated by, caused by, or arising from a pregnancy that puts the patient at risk of death or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function.

Doctors have reported delaying necessary pregnancy care for fear of violating the law, which allows doctors to be punished by up to 99 years in prison, a $100,000 fine and the loss of their medical license. The lawsuit, brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights, asks a judge to temporarily block the law from applying to medically necessary abortions and ultimately clarify when a medical emergency justifies an abortion.

[Women denied abortions sue Texas to clarify exceptions to the laws]

Texas is asking District Judge Jessica Mangrum to dismiss the case, arguing these women have only their doctors to blame for any disruptions to their care.

At the end of each tearful testimony, lawyers for the state asked the women the same questions: Did Attorney General Ken Paxton tell you you couldnt get an abortion? Did anyone, working in any capacity for the state, tell you you couldnt get an abortion?

Amanda Zurawski

As soon as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states to set their own laws about abortion, Texas descended into legal uncertainty. The state already banned nearly all abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, enforced entirely through private lawsuits. The day of the ruling, Paxton issued guidance indicating that the states pre-Roe statutes, which have been on the books since before the Civil War, were also in effect.

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Before a court could confirm whether Paxtons guidance was accurate, the states trigger ban went into effect, banning all abortions from the moment of conception, with only an exception to save the life of the pregnant patient.

Amanda Zurawski learned the trigger law had gone into effect from a hospital bed in Austin, watching the only channel she could get on the television. She was in septic shock and would eventually spend three days in the intensive care unit.

Just three days prior, Zurawski had been proceeding through her pregnancy as planned, carrying a baby girl she and her husband had hoped, prayed and endured grueling rounds of fertility treatments to conceive.

She suddenly noticed fluid leaking down her leg and her body felt wider than usual. Her cervix was dilating early, and she had lost the amniotic fluid she needed to maintain her pregnancy. Her doctor told her miscarriage was inevitable, she testified Wednesday, but since there was still a fetal heartbeat, they could not induce labor.

She went to the hospital for a second opinion and heard the same verdict: She would have to wait until she miscarried naturally, or got sick enough that doctors felt legally safe to induce an abortion. She considered traveling to a state where abortion remains legal, but her doctors told her the situation was so dire she needed to stay within 15 minutes of a hospital.

Zurawski was devastated, grappling with the sudden loss of her pregnancy, the confusing medical advice, and the hesitation and fear she sensed from all the doctors and nurses. Every time they checked the babys heartbeat, Zurawski was forced to cartwheel through the stages of grief all over again.

I had to listen to her heartbeat, simultaneously wanting to hear it and not wanting to hear it at the same time, she said on the witness stand Wednesday, speaking through tears. If it stopped, they would be able to intervene.

She was at home when she started to descend into septic shock. She was shaking, her teeth chattering, so freezing cold despite the August heat in Austin. Her husband rushed her to the hospital, where they pumped her with antibiotics. Finally, her doctor agreed to induce labor. She delivered a deceased daughter.

They named her Willow, after a tree that grows both in Central Texas, where the Zurawskis live, and Indiana, where they are from. It means strength in adversity, she said Wednesday. They plan to plant a willow tree in her honor at their new house, which they bought when they learned they were pregnant.

Zurawski and her husband would still like to have children, but tests have revealed significant scarring and damage to her reproductive organs as a result of the infection.

Zurawski said she didnt blame her medical providers, who were rightfully fearful in the early, confusing days after the trigger law went into effect. She said Wednesday that she blames only the people who support these bans.

Samantha Casiano wipes away tears as she gives testimony in a Travis County courtroom on Wednesday. Credit: Screenshot via 353RD District Court

Samantha Casiano

Speaking to a courtroom full of lawyers, reporters and supporters, Samantha Casiano described the day she held her baby daughter, Halo, and watched her gasp out her first and final breaths. Over the course of four hours, Halo went from pink to red to purple, from being warm to cold, Casiano said Wednesday.

As she held her little body, Casiano apologized, again and again.

I was so sorry that I couldnt help her or release her going to heaven sooner rather than later, Casiano recounted for the court through sobs. I felt so bad. She had no mercy. There was no mercy there for her, and I couldnt do anything.

When Casiano learned her fetus had anencephaly, a fetal anomaly that prevented the skull and brainstem from developing fully, she thought maybe she could have surgery to fix it. Her doctor explained the diagnosis was incompatible with life  Halo wouldnt survive outside the womb  but offered little in the way of options.

Casiano considered traveling out of state, but with a job, persistent car trouble and other children waiting for her at home, she couldnt figure out a way to make the long trip in a hurry. So she carried the pregnancy for an additional 13 weeks before eventually going into labor.

As Casiano described the experience to the court, she began to cry, then she began to cough, then she threw up in her hands, as her husband and a bailiff rushed to the witness stand with wastebaskets.

When the court reconvened, she explained in a small, sad voice that she never used to throw up, but now, it happens all the time.

I vomit when certain parts of what happen just kind of make my body remember and it just reacts, she said.

On cross-examination, the state questioned Casianos prescription for antidepressants, which her doctor increased after the diagnosis, and asked whether Paxton or anyone from the state had told her she couldnt have an abortion.

I almost want to say yes, she said, noting that if shed had a chance to ask anyone at the state, they would have told her there was a law in place that prohibited doctors from performing abortions in most cases.

But no, she said. No one from the state told her anything.

Ashley Brandt

When Ashley Brandt learned that one of the twins she was carrying had a lethal fetal anomaly called acrania, she was devastated. That devastation only grew when she learned that the longer she continued her pregnancy with both twins, the greater the risk to herself and the other fetus, which was developing properly.

She needed to terminate one fetus for the other to survive, but her doctors in Texas said the states new abortion laws prevented them from helping her until her condition worsened. She and her husband scrambled together money and childcare to get to Colorado, where the procedure took mere minutes.

When she returned, she experienced bleeding. But she was hesitant to go to the doctor, she said, because she felt like a criminal.

Ashley Brandt holds hands with her husband, Marcus Brandt, following the first day of testimony in Zurawski v. State of Texas. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

I knew I needed, just for peace of mind, to be checked, she said, choking out the words between sobs. But because I had gone out of state for an illegal procedure, I was kind of worried about explaining it to the doctors there.  I didn't want anyone to get in trouble and I didn't want to get in trouble.

She eventually went to the emergency room for care. The rest of her pregnancy continued without incident, and she delivered her thriving daughter by cesarean section at 38 weeks.

I don't blame my OB or my specialists, she said. The law does not take cases like mine into consideration. I did have an anesthesiologist during my C-section who was a state rep, [Cypress Republican] Tom Oliverson, and so I do know that he supports the abortion bans and laws so I do put blame on him.

Doctors Speak

Lawyers for the plaintiffs also brought four doctors to the witness stand to testify: Dr. Damla Karsan, Dr. Aaron Caughey, Dr. Ali Raja and Dr. Austin Dennard.

Karsan, a Houston OB-GYN, told the court that the abortion ban's medical exemption is vague and doesn't work in practice.

She told a story of a patient whose fetus was attached to the placenta  a severe condition that is incompatible with life  and who was bleeding from the placenta. Karsan said this woman drove 14 hours to Albuquerque, with her husband and toddler in tow, to receive an abortion, which Karsan believes was medically necessary.

I feel like my hands are tied, Karsan said. I have the skills and training to provide the care but I'm unable to, and it's gut-wrenching,

In the cross examination, the state focused on the rarity of cases where Karsan believed she was unable to provide a medically necessary abortion. Speaking at a press conference after the hearing Wednesday, she said this wasnt just about her experience.

I want everyone to consider how many OB-GYN and family practitioners that do obstetrics in rural areas, and nurse midwives are taking care of pregnant patients in this state, Karsan said. Every single one of them has had these experiences.

On Thursday, Caughey, an OB-GYN and epidemiologist based in Oregon, and Raja, executive vice chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, provided similar statements to Karsan. They both testified that the laws medical exception is vague and could confuse Texas practitioners.

The threat of life in prison or the loss of a medical license will make many doctors err on the side of not treating patients, Raja said.

The states cross-examination focused not on the merits of Caughey and Rajas arguments, but rather on whether they were qualified to make them, noting that they both practice out of state.

Caughey and Raja testified that there is a national standard of care  meaning that though neither have practiced medicine in Texas, their expertise carries across state lines.

The state put forward their own expert witness, Dr. Ingrid Skop, a San Antonio OB-GYN who is also vice-president and director of medical affairs for the anti-abortion Charlotte Lozier Institute. Skop agreed that doctors are fearful, confused and likely withholding medically appropriate care because of the law.

But she said the accountability lies with medical associations and hospital management which have not sufficiently clarified the law.

I think it is clear that the Texas law allows treatment of life-threatening conditions, Skop told the judge. It is not the laws fault.

A new era of legal challenges

Over the past few decades, the Center for Reproductive Rights and the attorney generals office have found themselves in a courtroom just like this one countless times, arguing over the legality of Texas abortion laws. Historically, abortion providers were named on the lawsuits and testified on the stand, in an effort to spare the women most impacted by these laws from the pain of public testimony.

At a press conference after the hearing, Molly Duane, senior counsel for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said it was difficult to have to walk these women through the worst moments of their lives, but they did it to hold the state of Texas accountable.

Molly Duane, third from left, stands with women who testified Wednesday in Zurawski v. State of Texas. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

As a lawyer, you generally dont want to cry during work but it was hard not to, Duane told The Texas Tribune afterward. It helps people understand how abortion actually is health care. Because I can say it, and doctors can say it, but when these women say it, people can see themselves.

But there are no more abortion clinics in Texas. These women took the stand Wednesday because there is no one else left to speak for them.

For the women who took the stand, reliving their experiences for the sake of a courtroom full of people was deeply painful. They stood together after the hearing, comforting each other and rubbing each others backs, leaning on their partners and each other for support.

Samantha Casiano hugs her husband, Luis Fernando Villasana. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

I was horrified by how willing the cross examination was to ask over and over again about the most horrific thing thats ever happened to me, seemingly with nothing but callousness, Zurawski said after the hearing. I survived sepsis, and I dont think that today was much less traumatic.

During the most recent regular legislative session, Texas passed a law that provided some additional protections for doctors who perform abortions in cases of ectopic pregnancies and previable premature rupture of membranes, both of which can be fatal if left untreated. The law goes into effect Sept. 1.

Assistant Attorney General Amy Pletscher said while these womens stories are indisputably tragic, they do not warrant a judge taking steps to modify the laws.

Any future harm is purely hypothetical and therefore does not warrant injunctive relief, Pletscher told the judge. Given the nature of plaintiffs past experiences, it is understandable that they are seeking to place blame, but the blame directed at defendants is misplaced. Rather, plaintiffs sustained their alleged injuries as a direct result of their own medical providers failing them.

Standing before the judge Wednesday, Duane said the state has long argued that clinics do not have standing to challenge abortion law and claimed it is unlawful to challenge abortion laws before they go into effect. But now that the Center for Reproductive Rights has brought a suit with plaintiffs who are directly harmed as a result of the trigger law, the state still says there are no grounds for a suit.

It begs the question: Does the state think that the only person who would have standing to challenge an abortion law is a woman who comes to court with amniotic fluid or blood dripping down her leg?

After two days of testimony, Mangrum said she would weigh the evidence and expected to rule in a matter of weeks.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, speaks to people from a wide spectrum, including coronavirus skeptics, gathered under the Victory Column in the city center to hear speeches during a protest against coronavirus-related restrictions and government policy on August 29, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Silicon Valley and Wall Street stars are indulging Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign.

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, SPAC king Chamath Palihapitiya, and hedge fund legend Bill Ackman have all shown support.

RFK Jr. has said that vaccines cause autism  and the White House recently blasted him for sharing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Some of the biggest names in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street just can't get enough of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who was rebuked by the White House last week for sharing a "vile" anti-Semitic COVID conspiracy theory.

Backers of the presidential candidate  a member of the Kennedy dynasty who believes that the CIA killed his uncle and vaccines cause autism in children  include Twitter's co-founder and a legendary hedge-fund manager who made billions betting stocks would tank during the pandemic.

Here's a list of high-profile people voicing support for RFK, Jr, who's currently polling in the mid-teens for the Democratic nomination, per FiveThirtyEight:

Billionaire investor and Pershing Square Capital Management CEO Bill Ackman  who's also endorsed JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon running for higher office  has repeatedly backed Kennedy on Twitter and donated $3,300 to his campaign in the second quarter, according to a Federal Election Commission filing.

Fisher Investments founder Ken Fisher donated $6,600, per the same filing.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey told the "Breaking Points" podcast last month that he was backing Kennedy, who he said "has no fear in exploring topics that are a little bit controversial and in the future".

Mark Gorton, who created LimeWire and now runs the algorithmic trading firm Tower Research Group, told CNBC in May that he's given over $1 million to Kennedy's anti-vax non-profit, Children's Health Defense.

"SPAC king" Chamath Palihapitiya and PayPal founding exec David Sacks hosted a fundraiser for Kennedy last month. "The Establishment and [main stream media] will paint him with all kinds of labels so you don't give him a chance," Palihapitiya said after.

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Some have carried on standing by Kennedy after he suggested during a press event last week that COVID-19 had been genetically engineered to spare Ashkenazi Jewish and Chinese people. (He then denied that those comments were "ethnically targeted").

Ackman briefly condemned the controversial candidate  then claimed he'd "quickly jumped to conclusion based on a headline" and shared a Tweet where Kennedy said he'd been criticizing "ethnically targeted bioweapons", not spreading debunked anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

This isn't the first time parts of Wall Street and Silicon Valley have backed an anti-establishment firebrand.

In both 2016 and 2020, big names like venture capitalist Peter Thiel and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman backed Republican candidate Donald Trump. Look how that turned out.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty

Our homes seem to grow smarter by the day. Gadgets can now dim our lights, scoop cat poop, track when eggs will expire, and even check for wet baby diapers. While these gizmos can certainly make life more convenient, they also entice hackers. Thats because smart devices typically connect to Wi-Fi, which means people can hijack the network and your precious, often intimate data that lives on it.

But a recent incident suggests an entirely new threat that receives far less attention: the companies that make these devices. This past May, a Microsoft engineer named Brandon Jackson claimed he was suddenly locked out of his Amazon account and encountered a house full of unresponsive devices, a silent Alexa, and a lot of questions. Jackson assumed that someone had tried to log in to his account multiple times with the wrong password, but he couldnt find any evidence for this explanation.

After he reached out, Amazon told Jackson that a delivery driver reported receiving racist remarks from his smart doorbelland before the company could investigate this claim, he lost access to his Echo devices controlled via Alexa.

Massive Google Outage Turned Smart Homes Into Zombies

Ultimately, Amazon found that Jackson wasnt in the wrong. We work hard to provide customers with a great experience while also ensuring drivers who deliver Amazon packages feel safe, an Amazon spokesperson told The Daily Beast. In this case, we learned through our investigation that the customer did not act inappropriately, and were working directly with the customer to resolve their concerns while also looking at ways to prevent a similar situation from happening again.

The mishap suggests that companies could continue to remotely shut off customers smart gadgets for any reason, a symptom of the cloud service-dominated tech industry that has enabled tech giants to further tighten their grip on consumers over the past few years. Users likely get kicked out of software on a daily basisbut this doesnt typically receive the level of attention attracted by Jacksons case, Jathan Sadowski, a research fellow in the Emerging Technologies Research Lab at Australias Monash University, told the Daily Beast.

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I would totally expect this kind of thing to happen a lot more, Sadowski said. People are constantly locked out of software that they use, for reasons that they have no real transparency about and no obvious appeal mechanisms for.

Locked Out

If you happen to get kicked off your smart device, you might not have any legal recourse, according to Sadowski. Given the monopolies held by a handful of businesses that dominate our homes, this may prove particularly concerning.

The idea of locking somebody out without a proper investigation, whatever that means, is the prerogative of a private corporation, Sadowski said. Theres no due process here that they have to follow in the legal sense Nobody is innocent until proven guilty in the court of Amazon.

In fact, he said that companies likely find smart devices valuable not necessarily due to the products themselves, but for the profitable information they collect. After all, Amazon uses Alexa data to target users with ads.

So, what happens if Alexa hears someone bad-mouthing the company? Could the court of Amazon throw them in device jail? Thousands of Amazon employees listen to our conversations to improve Alexas performance, as reported by Bloomberg News in 2019. Its easy to see how they could shut off all our devices if they hear us say something they dont like.

Amazon came under fire after a man alleged that the company turned off his smart home after one of their drivers said his automated doorbell said a racist remark. Unsplash

However, Sadowski said its unlikely that businesses will track our words so closely because that would involve looking for a bit of little signal through a lot of noise. However, these companies already infer what we think of a product by combining all the seemingly harmless information they collect on us, he explained, including the types of items we buy, the content of our online reviews, and what we post on social media (a process known as sentiment analysis).

For now, tech titans pose a more immediate threat by handing over data gleaned from smart devices to law enforcement. Judges have ordered Amazon to offer this information in multiple murder investigations in recent years (though in 2018 the company refused to voluntarily give up certain information to protect consumer privacy). Its also possible that devices like Alexa could clue law enforcement into, for instance, people moving about or leaving their homes to seek unlawful abortions or attend protests.

A court might order the information from a company that knows about whether a light has been turned on or off, Bill Budington, a senior staff technologist at the digital privacy nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation, told The Daily Beast. You can see this in the context of overzealous prosecutors in states which have outlawed abortion.

Amazon Will Pay $30M to Settle Ring, Alexa Privacy Suits

Beyond collaborating with law enforcement, tech companies can also help landlords target low-income residents. In 2019, a smart intercom company called Teman boasted to New York landlords that its technology could help them avoid rent-control regulations with certain spying strategies. For example, Teman claimed that its GateGuard intercom could snap an image of every building visitor to catch illegal sublets or Airbnbs.

And as the EFF points out, landlords could use smart locks to hunt for other minor lease violations, such as letting a guest stay slightly longer than a lease allows, or even to shut out tenants without notice.

Were also subject to product updates or failing businesses that could leave us in the (literal) dark. Last year, a company called Insteon that sells internet-connected products such as lights and thermostats faced financial troubles and suddenly ceased service without warning customers. This situation is more likely with smaller, more vulnerable companies, Budington said.

But large corporations can decide to stop supporting software updates on older products. Just as older phones eventually reject new software updates and conk out, theres no reason why it wouldnt happen with smart light bulbs, Budington explained.

Smarter Set-ups

For those of us who cant give up our phone-powered bulbs or voice assistants, Budington and Sadowski suggest a more secure alternative. You can avoid connecting your tech to Wi-Fi (and company cloud servers) by creating a local network for smart devices. This set-up requires a computer like a Raspberry Pi and software such as the open-source Home Assistant to link and manipulate your various smart gadgets. You you can also opt for Hubitat, a device that comes ready with its own software. (You can learn more about the local hub process here on EFFs website).

This alternative is worth the extra work, according to Budington. The DIY smart home setups may prove less convenient than Amazon or Google hubs, but they still have some of that convenience, if not all of it, without making those [privacy] trade-offs, he said.

The risks inherent in smart home environments point to a broader issue in the tech industry. Remember when you could simply buy Microsoft Word or Photoshop for a single cost, instead of forking over money for them every month? In recent years, scores of tech companies have decided to shift toward subscription-based cloud products rather than trying to squeeze profits from one-time purchases. Companies claim this model is cheaper, easier to scale up, and more appealing for investors.

New Yorks Right-to-Repair Bill Is Functionally Useless, Critics Say

However, cloud software also gives companies the power to shut off or modify a number of machines we use in our daily lives, from home assistants to vehicles. For example, John Deere has long added software locks to its tractors, so farmers cant repair them themselves and must pay authorized dealers (an issue that the company claims theyre now addressing). And this past February, Ford filed a patent for a system that can lock people out of cars for missed payments and even autonomously maneuver vehicles to the junkyard, The Drive reported.

Essentially, companies now act as digital landlords and aim to maintain control of products long after the initial purchase, according to Sadowski. Beyond a shut-off Alexa, this dynamic could have significant impacts on our overall autonomy in a world already dominated by big tech.

We dont think about things like cars as a piece of software that we're driving around, but thats exactly how manufacturers do, he said. This is the kind of expansion and encroachment of this platform business model far beyond Alexa and into everywhere else in our lifewhere it actually has a lot more material consequence.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ted Cruz once again accused the upcoming Barbie movie of pushing Chinese communist propaganda - even though he hasnt seen it.

For weeks, the Texas senator has zeroed in on a scene from a trailer showing a world map of a contested area in the South China Sea.

Sen Cruz said in an interview with The Daily Signal: Theres a scene in Barbie, where there is this map of the world, and its drawn like with crayon. I mean, its really a very simple cartoon. And so they have this blockish thing that is called Asia. And then theyve drawn what are called the nine-dashes.

He was referring to the nine-dash line used on Chinese maps, showing what it claims is its territory within the South China Sea.

This is Chinese communist propaganda in which the Chinese are asserting sovereignty over the entirety of the South China Sea, the Texas Republican continued. And they dont have any right to it under international law, but they are trying to take it away from their neighbors there.

This isnt the first time Mr Cruz has made these accusations about the highly anticipated movie. Earlier this month he accused the film of  pushing Chinese propaganda  when the trailer was released.

His spokesperson told The Daily Mail at the time: Senator Cruz has been fighting for years to prevent American companies, especially Hollywood studios, from altering and censoring their content to appease the Chinese Communist Party.

Sen Cruz also isnt the only one upset about the movieeven before it has debuted in theaters. Vietnam also said it would ban the movie from being released in the country due to the controversial map.

The wife of Florida Republican Rep Matt Gaetz also voiced her qualms about the film. Thinking about watching the Barbie movie? Id recommend sticking to getting outfit inspiration and skipping the theater, Ginger Gaetz tweeted , alongside photos of herself and her husband dressed in pink outfits.

She continued, Heres why: The Barbie I grew up with was a representation of limitless possibilities, embracing diverse careers and feminine empowerment. The 2023 Barbie movie, unfortunately, neglects to address any notion of faith or family, and tries to normalize the idea that men and women cant collaborate positively (yuck).
The Foundation For Individual Rights and Expression

Last year, a Tennessee high school suspended a junior for three days as punishment for a series of playful Instagram posts lampooning the principal. According to a new lawsuit, that suspension was unconstitutional.

Referred to in the lawsuit as I.P., the student, who attends Tullahoma High School in Tullahoma, Tennessee, made several Instagram posts while off campus. The posts were humorous depictions of Jason Quick, the school's principal. The photos, according to the student, were intended to lampoon Quick's reputation as a strict and humorless administrator. For example, In one post, a photo of Quick holding a box of produce has the text "my brotha" added to it. In another, Quick's face is placed over a picture of an anime cat.

The posts didn't disrupt school, but Quick ordered the student to receive a five-day suspension. The punishment was later downgraded to a three-day suspension when I.P. suffered a severe panic attack after being informed of the five-day suspension. School officials justified the suspension by claiming that the student had violated school policies barring students from posting pictures that "result[] in the embarrassment, demeaning, or discrediting of any student or staff" and are "unbecoming of a Wildcat."

According to the lawsuit, the school maintained I.P.'s punishment even when given a legal letter informing them that they were violating his First Amendment Rights under Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. The 2021 Supreme Court decision held that public schools cannot punish students for non-disruptive off-campus expression.

On Wednesday, I.P. filed a lawsuit with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a First Amendment nonprofit. The suit challenges the school's social media policies as unconstitutionally vague and argues that school administrators had no legal right to suspend him for his off-campus Instagram posts.

"I.P.'s posts are protected First Amendment expression because they satirized a government official and did not create material disruption, cause substantial disorder, or invade the rights of others at school. The posts likewise did not cause Defendants to reasonably forecast such a disruption," reads the 48-page complaint. "There is no legitimate, let alone compelling, state interest in prohibiting students from engaging in non-disruptive speech about school staff or other students outside school hours and away from school property.

While stuffy administrators might not like it, public schools don't get to act as around-the-clock censors of students' speech. Once students are off school grounds, their public schools have no right to punish them for expression that doesn't cause a substantial disruption at schooleven if they find that expression offensive or embarrassing.

The post Tennessee Public School Sued After Suspending A Student Over Instagram Memes appeared first on Reason.com.
Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in 2020. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $18 million to a man who said he got cancer from baby powder.

The man, 24, probably won't see the money anytime soon because of a bankruptcy court order.

Anthony Hernandez Valadez's health is failing, and he's not expected to survive the summer.

A 24-year-old man in California was awarded $18.8 million on Tuesday in his lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, in which he blamed talc in the company's baby powder for giving him cancer.

But Anthony "Emory" Hernandez Valadez, who has mesothelioma, is unlikely to see the money any time soon due to a bankruptcy court order that's frozen legal proceedings for claims over Johnson & Johnson's talc-based products.

And Valadez's health is quickly failing  the only reason the chief US bankruptcy judge for the District of New Jersey, Michael Kaplan, allowed his case to proceed as an exception.

Valadez alleged that the talc in Johnson & Johnson's baby powder contained asbestos and said his mother used the product on him a lot when he was a child. His condition, mesothelioma, is a rare and aggressive cancer of the tissue surrounding the body's major organs and is often associated with exposure to asbestos.

"This will take his life," his attorney, Joe Satterley, told a jury in June. Satterley added at the time that Valadez's doctors did not expect the 24-year-old to live past December 2022. They now don't think he'll survive the summer.

Valadez accused Johnson & Johnson of hiding the health risks of its baby powder and said his mother would have avoided using the product if she had known about these risks. The California jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $18.8 million to Valadez as compensation for medical bills and the pain suffered from his cancer.

Johnson & Johnson, which plans to appeal the verdict, said "erroneous rulings" prevented it from sharing "critical facts" that showed Valadez's cancer was not related to its baby powder.

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"Without the benefit of that evidence, the verdict is irreconcilable with the decades of independent scientific evaluations confirming Johnson's Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer," the company's vice president of litigation, Erik Haas, said in a statement.

Valadez joined tens of thousands of plaintiffs who alleged that the talc in Johnson & Johnson's products contained asbestos at times and could have caused cancer.

But these cases are on hold after LTL Management, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, filed for bankruptcy in April. Through the bankruptcy, the firm proposed to settle with more than 38,000 plaintiffs and distribute $8.9 billion among them.

Filed in New Jersey, the order also blocks further litigation and the tidal wave of new cases against the company.

The six-week trial for Valadez's case was the exception and is the first in two years involving these allegations against Johnson & Johnson.

In his statement, Johnson & Johnson's Haas said the jury's award to Valadez would not be paid until after the bankruptcy proceedings.

"We remain focused on all claimants having the opportunity to vote and decide for themselves on our plan to compensate them in a timely and efficient manner," he said.

In response to queries from Insider, lawyers for Valadez wrote in an email that they hope the bankruptcy court will dismiss LTL Management's bankruptcy protection so the $18 million can be awarded to Valadez and his family.

"Emory's wish for the verdict was for Johnson & Johnson and other companies making poisonous products that hurt people to be precluded from doing this in the future. Emory is grateful for and satisfied with the jury's verdict," said the email.

Some plaintiffs are seeking to dismiss LTL Management's bankruptcy filing, saying it allowed Johnson & Johnson to put a hard limit on payouts if it lost the lawsuits.

Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in North America in 2020, offering a cornstarch-based version instead.

Lawyers for Johnson & Johnson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

July 20, 2023: This story was updated the reflect comment from lawyers for Valadez.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo : GULSHAN KHAN / AFP) (GULSHAN KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has continuously refused to enforce an arrest warrant on Russian President Vladimir Putin, argued that doing so is a "declaration of war" against Moscow.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that enforcing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Russian President Vladimir Putin is a "declaration of war."

Ramaphosa's warning comes as there are only weeks left before an international meeting that is set to take place in Johannesburg, where Putin is invited. However, the South African president noted that if Putin leaves Russian soil, he will become subject to the ICC's arrest warrant.

South Africa on Vladimir Putin's Arrest Warrant

The situation comes as South Africa is an ICC signatory, which means that it is required, by agreement, to help in Putin's arrest. However, the country's government has refused to uphold such an obligation, even in the past.

In 2015, South Africa allowed safe passage to Sudan's then-President Omar al-Bashir, who was wanted for war crimes against his people. In August, the Russian president was invited to South Africa, where the latter will host a summit for members of the BRICS countries, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as per BBC.

The biggest opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance, has already gone to court to force authorities to carry out an arrest warrant for Putin if he ever sets foot within the nation.

Additionally, court documents revealed that Ramaphosa is firmly against any such move, arguing that national security is at stake. In an affidavit, the South African president said the country has obvious issues executing Putin's arrest warrant.

Ramaphosa noted that Moscow has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be akin to declaring war. He noted that it would be inconsistent with South Africa's Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia.

Now, the South African government is seeking an exemption under ICC rules because enacting Putin's arrest warrant could threaten the country's security, peace, and order of the state, according to Yahoo News.

Read Also: French Justice Minister Favor New Bill Allowing Police to Eavesdrop

Akin to a Declaration of War

The ICC's arrest warrant over Putin alleges that the Russian strongman is guilty of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. In recent interviews, Deputy South African President Paul Mashatile said that the government has been looking to persuade Putin not to come but has been unsuccessful.

The situation over the enactment of Putin's arrest warrant follows diplomatic tensions with the West over South Africa's stance on Moscow's invasion of Kyiv. The nation has consistently avoided voting at the United Nations to condemn Russia's war, instead calling for dialogue to end the conflict.

Additionally, South Africa is part of efforts led by a group of at least six African countries who recently embarked on a peace mission to Kyiv and Moscow. They were set to meet with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In the affidavit, Ramaphosa added that arresting Putin would most likely introduce a new complication that would foreclose any peaceful solution to the situation at hand. While the South African president has insisted on keeping the affidavit confidential, the court ruled on Tuesday that it can be made public, said the Associated Press.

Related Article: Russia Attacks Ukraine's Port of Odesa in Retaliation for Crimea Bridge Strike

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The VinFast VF e36 is shown at the AutoMobility LA auto show Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles.

VinFast is going through it right now. Data shows that the Vietnamese electric vehicle maker has been able to shift just 128 of its ill-received EV crossovers in the first five months it has been on sale in the U.S. Still, according to Bloomberg, the company is planning to being construction of its own factory in North Carolina on July 28th as it heads toward taking itself public.

The plant will reportedly be located in Chatham Countys Triangle Innovation Point, and its expected to have an initial production capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year when it officially opens in 2025. Just for reference, that works out to be about 12,500 vehicles per month. Meanwhile, the company is only moving an average of 26 cars per month. Rough.

Read more

Bloomberg says the factory will consist of two main areas: electric vehicle production and assembly sites. The proposed complex is also going to house facilities for suppliers.

Back in March of last year, newly-minted President Joe Biden reportedly tweeted a statement from the White House that said the VinFast plant would create over 7,000 jobs. The factory will also have an initial investment of as much as $2 billion according to the companys Chief Executive Officer, Le Thi Thu Thuy.

When it begins operations, the factory will be VinFasts primary supplier of electric vehicles to the North American market, Thuy said in a statement reported by the outlet.

Bloomberg reports that VinFast plans to list in the U.S. by merging with special purpose acquisition company Black Spade Acquisition Co. in the second half of this year. The deal would apparently give VinFast an equity value of about $23 billion. That works out to about $180,000,000 per vehicle registered in the U.S. Do with you will with that information.

Heres some more information from Bloomberg on just what itll mean for VinFast to go public in the U.S.:

Story continues

The EV firms existing shareholders are set to own 99% of the company, leaving a tiny portion for SPAC investors who hold on through the deal. An equity valuation of $23 billion, or $27 billion including debt, would mean VinFast will trade at a premium to most peers including Rivian Automotive Inc. and Nikola Corp., according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Ken Foong and Siti Nur Fairuz Khalil. [...] Black Spade raised $169 million in an US IPO in 2021. About 84% of Black Spade shareholders opted to redeem their stock for cash when they approved a deadline extension for the SPAC merger last week. The redemptions leaves less than $30 million in the SPACs trust.

According to Bloomberg, the North Carolina factory is a part of VinFasts  lets just say ambitious  goal of global expansion. Whether itll work out still remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: VinFast has got to start selling a lot more cars, and fast.

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AMARILLO, Texas  A Texas community is rallying around an 11-year-old boy who went viral for looking for new friends after he was bullied. Shayden Walker was celebrated by dozens of his neighbors at the anti-bullying "Shine Like Shayden" event Sunday at a park in Amarillo.

We organized this event to raise awareness against bullying and to be a voice for those that do not dare to stand up for themselves, said Kyle Tijerina, a neighbor who hosted the event. We are trying to promote the courage to stand up against bullying by reaching out and talking to people.

The boy had gone viral after his neighbor, Brennan Ray, shared security camera footage on TikTok, showing Shayden stopping by his neighbors house on July 3 looking for other children his age. In the video, Shayden is seen talking to his neighbor through a front door security camera.

Um, I just wanted to see if you knew any kids around like 11 or 12, maybe, the boy can be heard saying in the video. I need some friends, like really bad.

Ray posted the video to help connect Shayden to friends, garnering over 70 million views as of this week. He and his wife, Angell Ray, also started a GoFundMe page for Shayden.

It is overwhelming but also awe-inspiring that Amarillo could come together like this from all walks of life from anyone who has been bullied whether they are abled or special needs," Shayden's mother, Krishna Patterson, said. "Shayden always says bullying is a dark and lonely path for the bully or the one being bullied. There are people that you can reach out to because you are obviously in pain.

'He is a beautiful soul': Neighbor helps boy who knocked on his door looking for friends

Viral video puts a spotlight on bullying

Tijerina said the video highlighted a shared experience of loneliness for many people.

This hit home for a lot of people that saw or experienced bullying that did not dare to stand up and did not know how to deal with the issue, Tijerina said. It shows that you have support no matter who you are. We want to show that there are people to talk to. We need to build better camaraderie with our community to combat bullying.

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Shayden attended the event and urged people who are being bullied or are bullying others to reach out for help.

Shaydens stepfather, Dustin Patterson, and Krishna Patterson, were initially overwhelmed by the number of people who had reached out to Shayden. They "had no idea" about the video or the GoFundMe until their older son asked if they knew Shayden was famous.

Shayden Walker thanks a group of kids for coming out to the park Sunday to meet him at the "Shine Like Shayden" meetup Sunday at John Stiff Park in Amarillo.

The one thing that I noticed about everybody that has reached out is that almost everyone has known someone that is a victim of bullying or was a victim of bullying themselves, Patterson said. I think that seeing a kid that was willing to go out and look for friends despite knowing he has been bullied in the past is still willing to take that risk, I think, just hit hard for everyone that has gone through that."

GoFundMe will help boy travel, get new clothes

Ray said he was touched by Shayden coming to his door, and being open about looking for friends and his bullying. He didn't expect the video to go viral and said people recommended he set up the GoFundMe for Shayden.

Shayden himself touched me in the video with his infectious smile. He shows to everybody in the video that he was genuinely reaching out for help in the video so we felt compelled to reach out to step up for the kid," Ray said. I think this video touched the world. If you were human, you could tell that Shayden was asking for help."

Members of the Amarillo community came out in force to the "Shine like Shaden" event Sunday to meet young Shayden Walker at John Stiff Park in Amarillo.

The page raised over $37,000 to go toward anything Shayden wanted or needed, including clothes and amusement park tickets.

Dustin Patterson said half of the money raised will be donated to other causes and charities, with some put toward Shaydens future. The money will also go toward a vacation for Shayden, since the 11-year-old hasnt been on one since he was a toddler.

According to Krishna Patterson, Shayden has received a number of diagnoses, including autism, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and others.

She previously told USA TODAY that Shayden had a hard time maintaining friendships and had been bullied for some time. So when she first heard of the video, she reacted with panic, anger and fear.

Krishna Patterson said she wanted it shut down but after talking with others, she saw it as a good thing for Shayden.

I was panicked because I thought my son is going to be made a laughingstock, Krishna Patterson said. Shayden has already had so many problems with school, with being bullied and hopeless. Then when I met with these people, Angel and Brennen, who started the GoFundMe and shared the video, they are literally walking angels."

Contributing: Saleen Martin, USA TODAY

Shayden Walker meets with new friends Sunday at the Shine Like Shayden anti-bullying event in Amarillo, Texas.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Shayden Walker makes new friends after viral anti-bullying video
Amanda Zurawski said she developed a condition during her pregnancy that meant a 'miscarriage was inevitable' -- yet she was denied an abortion in the US state of Texas (SUZANNE CORDEIRO)

A Texas court heard arguments on Wednesday in a lawsuit that says the state's strict abortion ban is preventing women who develop serious medical conditions during pregnancy from receiving the care they need.

Amanda Zurawski, one of the plaintiffs in the case, gave harrowing testimony on the witness stand about being denied an abortion after developing a condition that meant "miscarriage was inevitable."

But Zurawski said her doctor told her that she "couldn't intervene, because the baby's heart was still beating and inducing labor would have been considered an illegal abortion."

Zurawski, whose water had broken prematurely, went into life-threatening septic shock and the fetus was stillborn.

"What happened to me is happening to people all across the country, not just in Texas," Zurawski told the court. "So many people are being hurt by similar restrictive bans and I'm hoping to spread awareness."

The Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the case, said the suit is the first brought on behalf of women denied abortions since the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure just over a year ago.

"Texas' abortion bans are chilling the provision of medically necessary abortion care" and causing "unimaginable tragedy," Molly Duane, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in her opening argument at the two-day hearing in Austin.

"Texas is in a health care crisis," Duane said. "The only issue in this case, however, is who should be getting abortions under the medical exception to the state's abortion ban."

"No one knows."

The complaint takes aim at the narrow medical exception in the state's bans on terminating pregnancies, arguing the way it is defined is confusing and has stoked fear among doctors.

The case was filed in March on behalf of five women who were denied abortions -- resulting in risks to their health, fertility and lives -- as well as two obstetrician-gynecologists.

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Eight more women joined the case -- Zurawski v. State of Texas -- in May, bringing the total number of plaintiffs to 15.

Rather than seeking to overturn the state's ban, they want the court to offer greater clarity on when women facing pregnancy complications threatening their health can get abortions.

- 99 years in prison -

Texas physicians found guilty of providing abortions face up to 99 years in prison, fines of up to $100,000 and the revocation of their medical license.

A state "trigger" ban went into effect when Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, prohibiting abortions even in cases of rape or incest. Texas also has a law that allows private citizens to sue anyone who performs or aids an abortion.

These legal risks are causing a chilling effect among doctors, preventing them from providing necessary, life-saving abortions, contend the plaintiffs.

As a result, the lawsuit asks the court to create a binding interpretation of the "medical emergency" exception in the law, and argues physicians should be allowed to exercise "good faith" judgements on the qualifying conditions for an abortion, rather than leaving this to state lawmakers.

The Texas attorney general's office, on the other hand, says the measures sought by the complaint would effectively nullify its bans.

The medical exception proposed by the plaintiffs "would, by design, swallow the rule," its lawyers argued in their written response. "It would, for example, permit abortions for pregnant females with medical conditions ranging from a headache to feelings of depression."

The plaintiffs are seeking a temporary injunction to block the abortion bans in the event of pregnancy complications while the full case is heard. The Texas government wants the case tossed out.

mav-cl/nro
A Houston, Texas, man will spend the next 50 years behind bars for shooting a complete stranger 15 times and killing him in 2021.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg's office said around 9:30 a.m. Sept. 14, 2021, Elijah Malik Kaluanya, 27, drove a white Mercedes-Benz sedan to a convenience store near Greenspoint in north Houston.

Nearly 30 minutes later, 34-year-old Demrick Thomas pulled up to the convenience store and parked next to Kaluanya. When Thomas exited his vehicle, Kaluanya accused him of dinging the door to the Mercedes.

TEXAS DUO ALLEGEDLY HELD 18-YEAR-OLD AGAINST HER WILL FOR NEARLY 30 DAYS: POLICE

Both men argued about the ding, when Kaluanya pulled out a pistol and shot Thomas 15 times before leaving the scene and continuing with his errands, the DAs office said. One of the errands included buying an alternator for his vehicle from an auto parts store.

Emergency crews tended to Thomas and transported him to an area hospital where he died from his wounds.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Detectives with the Houston Police Department reviewed surveillance footage from the convenience store, which showed Thomas never dinged Kaluanyas vehicle.

AUSTIN SUFFERS 3 HOMICIDES IN 24 HOURS AS CITY COUNCIL BLAMES COP UNION FOR BEING UNDERSTAFFED

Judge holding a gavel in court.

The footage also helped detectives identify Kaluanya, which led to his arrest.

Last week, a Harris County jury convicted Kaluanya of murder after a four-day trial.

The convicted murderer chose to have District Judge Andrea Beall decide his punishment, and Kaluanya was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Shooting someone 15 times over an argument about a car is an absolutely senseless and pointless murder, and this happened in broad daylight," Ogg said. "Gun violence is never the right way to settle a dispute, and our hearts go out to the victims friends and family."
A Border Patrol helicopter flies low over the Rio Grande on a daily run in support of agents pursuing immigrants and smugglers on the ground in December 2018. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Troopers at the Texas border were ordered to push children back into the Rio Grande and failed to provide water to asylum seekers in extreme heat conditions, according to an email sent by a Department of Public Safety trooper, and first reported by the Houston Chronicle.

The incidents have coincided with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's push for intense border security efforts through his Operation Lone Star initiative.

The email, which was sent to a superior and shared by a confidential source, documented several situations the trooper had witnessed in Eagle Pass, Texas, where some of Abbotts most aggressive efforts are being implemented.

In response to the email, Abbott's office released a joint statement with other Texas officials, saying that no orders or directions were given to troopers that would compromise the lives of migrants. "Texas is deploying every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings between ports of entry," the statement said.

Abbott has accused federal officials of refusing to protect the border.

Read more: Street vendors, a core part of L.A.s culture, often struggle to survive

Texas state officials have also used miles of razor wire to prevent migrants from entering the country, which has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. The trooper's email detailed an incident that reportedly took place last month, where a 19-year-old pregnant woman had to be cut free from the wire. Troopers later determined the woman was having a miscarriage.

Another account described how a 4-year-old girl passed out after experiencing heat exhaustion in temperatures that were well over 100 degrees. After trying to pass through the wire, the girl was pushed back by Texas National Guard soldiers due to the orders given to them, the email said.

A spokesperson for the Texas National Guard was contacted but did not respond to a request for comment.

The trooper also claimed to have treated a 15-year-old teenager who suffered a broken leg after trying to navigate part of the water around the wire. The trooper said the wire was laid out in a manner that it forced him into the river where it is unsafe to travel.

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The federal Border Patrol has issued internal warnings that the razor wire is preventing agents from reaching at-risk migrants and has increased the risk of drownings in the Rio Grande, Hearst Newspapers have reported.

Read more: Viral video after Mexico's Gold Cup win sparks a conversation about speaking Spanish

Department of Public Safety spokesman Travis Considine did not directly comment on the information included in the troopers email but did add that there is no policy that would bar officials from providing water to migrants at the border.

DPS Director Steven McCraw said that state troopers should warn migrants not to attempt to cross the razor wire and migrants should be directed to other ports of entry.

On June 25, the trooper wrote that officials encountered a group of 120 people including babies and small children who were camped out along a fence by the river. The email said the shift officer in command ordered the troopers to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico.

When the troopers disagreed with the orders, they were given another order to instruct the migrants to go to Mexico and for them to get into their vehicles and leave the area, the email said.

Texas Democratic lawmakers were quick to condemn the actions reported by the Houston Chronicle.

Greg Abbotts actions on the border are inhumane, villainous, and out of step with Texas values  and theyre all about politics, tweeted Rep. Greg Casar on Tuesday. Abbott wants his name in the headlines  even if it means a childs name gets put in the obituaries.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Thailands parliament blocked the prime ministerial nomination of the winner of Mays nationwide elections, Pita Limjaroenrat, on Wednesday, a blow to his progressive opposition party after nearly a decade of military-backed rule.

Out of the 715 members of parliament present, 395 voted to block the second nomination, 312 voted for it, eight abstained and one  Pita himself  didnt cast the vote, according to the house speaker.

He was temporary suspended as a lawmaker by the countrys constitutional court after a complaint filed by the Election Commission against the Move Forward Party leader accusing him of violating election laws for allegedly holding shares in a media company.

Pita has denied he broke election rules and previously accused the Election Commission of rushing the case to court.

Move Forward 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.

The May election, which saw a record turnout, 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.

The court and parliaments decision will likely add fuel to the fire of Move Forwards young support base, with the potential for mass street protests.

The partys platform for change proved enormously popular with the party winning by far the largest share of seats.

A group of opposition parties then formed a coalition aimed at forming a majority government and put forward Pita as a prime minister candidate. Pita, a 42-year-old Harvard alumni, called the coalition the voice of hope and the voice of change and said all parties had agreed to support him as the next prime minister of Thailand.

Establishments headstart

Last week Pita failed to failed to secure enough parliamentary votes to become prime minister in a political system that was created by the previous junta and heavily favors the royalist, conservative establishment that has long held the levers of power in Thailand.

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In Thailand, a party or coalition needs to win a majority of 375 seats in both lower and upper houses of parliament  currently 749 seats  to elect a prime minister and form a government.

But the conservative establishment has a head start. The unelected 250-member Senate was appointed by the military under a post-coup constitution and has previously voted for a pro-military candidates.

Pita received just 324 votes out of the 376 needed for a majority and the kingdom is still without a prime minister as the political jostling continues.

He addressed parliament on Wednesday to bid farewell, while the investigation is underway.

Due to the Constitutional Court has ordered me to temporarily suspend my duty, I would like to use this opportunity to bid my farewell to Mr. Speaker, until we meet again, Pita said in parliament.

I would ask my fellow members to continue using the parliamentary system to take care of the people. I think Thailand has already changed and wont turn back since May 14. The people have already come halfway, for another half even though I cant perform my duty, I would ask my fellow members to continue taking care of the people.

The court ruling now threatens his status as a lawmaker.

Thailands powerful conservative establishment  a nexus of the military, monarchy and influential elites  has a history of blocking fundamental changes to the status quo.

Over the last two decades Thailands Constitutional Court has repeatedly ruled in favor of the establishment, dissolving several parties that had challenged the political elite.

The military also has a long track record of toppling democratically elected governments and seizing power during moments of instability.

Thailand has witnessed a dozen successful coups since 1932, including two in the past 17 years.

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[Source]

A Thai man has gone viral on TikTok after posting a video of a suitcase with his face printed on it.

About the video: On July 12, TikTok user @realhun posted the seven-second clip, which has already garnered over 1.6 million views and over 82,000 likes.

In the video, a suitcase with an image of the mans face can be seen on a conveyor belt at an airport. The photo appears to be a selfie of him in a black T-shirt.

On Instagram, the man describes himself as a designer.

More from NextShark: Indian doctor's adorable approach to giving baby injections goes viral

Social media reacts: Several TikTok users commented on @realhuns video, with many of them applauding his decision to go the extra mile to prevent other people from potentially taking his suitcase at the airport.

The smart way to avoid the luggage accident, one TikTok user wrote.

More from NextShark: California man drowns during Hawaii honeymoon, thieves steal couples belongings

Shud [should] try this, another user wrote.

"I'm sure his crush would want to take it, another joked in Malay.



More from NextShark: Viral video shows elephant sticking its trunk into womans hotel room and poking her awake

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

South Korea's tourism campaign with original soundtrack amasses over 240 million total views
Reformist Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat will face a second vote in the Thai parliament on Wednesday in his bid to become prime minister after his coalition won the most seats in a May election (Jack TAYLOR)

Thailand's constitutional court suspended reformist Pita Limjaroenrat on Wednesday, in another blow to his hopes of becoming the nation's next leader after a stunning election win.

The court issued its suspension just as Pita was sitting in parliament for another day of deliberations on whether he could become prime minister, after his first attempt fell 51 votes short last week.

Pita's Move Forward Party (MFP) has rode high on the hopes of young and urban Thais wearied by nearly a decade of army-backed rule, but its efforts to form a government have stumbled since the May polls.

Thailand's conservative establishment vehemently opposes the party's economic reform platform and its pledge to soften the kingdom's strict royal defamation laws.

On Wednesday, the country's Constitutional Court announced it would take up a case on whether Pita should be disqualified from parliament altogether for owning shares in a media company, ordering him to leave the assembly in the meantime.

"It was commanded that the respondent must suspend his role from July 19, until the Constitutional Court has made its decision," the court said in a statement.

Lawmakers are forbidden from owning shares in media companies under Thailand's constitution, though the television station in question has not broadcast since 2007.

Pita, Harvard-educated and wealthy from a family-run agrifood business, has said the shares were inherited from his father.

Under Thai law, Pita remains eligible to stand as a candidate for prime minister but must leave the lower house and will be unable to vote.

"If you vote according to the voice of the people, your name will be engraved in this kingdom with great honour and pride," he said on Twitter in the morning, in a last-ditch call for support.

Few expect his party to have made up last week's shortfall, and lawmakers aligned with the military immediately forced a debate on whether the law allowed Pita to be considered a second time.

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Thailand's senate is stacked with military appointees, with only 13 of 249 serving senators voting for Pita last week, and his only likely path to power is to successfully court many more members of that chamber.

"I don't think the senate is going to be brave and courageous enough to do that," Napisa Waitoolkiat, a political analyst with Naresuan University, told AFP.

Pita remained in the chamber immediately after the suspension was issued. He has vowed to step aside to make way for a coalition partner to form a government if his second attempt fails.

- 'Personal benefits' -

Other roadblocks have been thrown in front of Pita's candidacy.

The court has also agreed to hear a case alleging that MFP's campaign promise to amend Thailand's royal defamation law is tantamount to a plan to "overthrow" the constitutional monarchy.

Pita's party has ignored strident opposition to its pledge to revise the law, which can allow convicted critics of the monarchy to be jailed for up to 15 years.

The MFP's reformist platform also poses a threat to family-owned business monopolies that play an outsized role in the kingdom's economy.

Pita conceded Wednesday that lawmakers who gained "personal benefits" from the present order, including those with stakes in powerful Thai enterprises, would refuse to vote for his party.

- 'Justification for crackdown' -

If Pita is unable to become premier, the coalition backing him is expected to fall in line behind property tycoon Srettha Thavisin, potentially relegating MFP to serve in opposition.

Srettha's Pheu Thai party is seen as a vehicle for the Shinawatra political clan, whose members include two former prime ministers ousted by military coups in 2006 and 2014.

But as a successful entrepreneur liked by business leaders among the Thai elite, the 60-year-old is seen as a potential compromise that would smooth the way for the coalition to take office.

Prawit Wongsuwan, 77, a former Thai army chief who served as number two in the junta that took power in 2014, has also been floated as a candidate by parliament's military bloc.

Thai voters roundly rejected army-backed parties in May's election, and political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak said the prospect of a military presence in the next government could spark a backlash in a country that is no stranger to political unrest.

"If Move Forward is excluded, there will likely be protests... if protesters overreact, a Pheu Thai-led government would have some justification for a crackdown."

rbu-tak-gle/cwl
Students changing classes at Ohio Wesleyan University August 29, 2017. [Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]

David L. Warren was president of Ohio Wesleyan University from 1984 to 93. he served as president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities from 1993 to 2019. He now lives in Washington, D.C.

I write out of deep concern for American higher education, and do so as the former president of both Ohio Wesleyan University and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, whose membership consists of nearly 1,000 private college presidents.Today we are witnessing a full-scale assault on the academy intended to diminish the role of higher education as an integral guiding force in our nation.

In a 1957 opinion on Sweezy v. New Hampshire, Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter identified what he saw as the four freedoms essential to a university: to determine for itself on academic grounds who may teach, what may be taught, how it shall be taught, and who may be admitted to study.

Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States of America are shown in their judicial robes in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29, 1957. Seated from left are, Felix Frankfurter; Hugo Black; Earl Warren, chief justice; Stanley Reed; and William O. Douglas. Standing from left are, John M. Harlan; Harold Burton; Tom Clark; and William J. Brennan.

All four of these principles are now under attack in more than 30 states across the country.What we see, especially in the state of Florida, are actions to usurp these fundamental university freedoms: legislation to censor courses; to remove public college and university presidents and their boards of trustees; and to restrict discussion of race, sex, and gender issues in and out of the classroom.

Most recently the search for president of Florida Atlantic University was suspended because of anomalies, though critics contend the real reason was that a legislative ally of the governor with no higher education experience was not among the finalists.

David L. Warren

In Ohio, Senate Bill 83, passed by the Senate in May, would impinge on intellectual freedom and compromise the principles of academic shared governance.

Opinion: Ohio lawmakers hostile to colleges, universities. Politically motivated plot proof

The Ohio State Board of Trustees spoke out courageously against this legislation, and fortunately it has not yet become law.

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If passed by the House, however, public university staff and employees would be banned from striking, college students would be required to take certain American history courses, faculty tenure reviews would include any evidence of bias, and board of trustees terms would be reduced from nine years to four.

More: Ohio State's Board of Trustees issue a statement opposing Senate Bill 83

Across the country, public colleges and universities are facing similar hostile legislation to undercut their historic mission, eliminate curriculum subjects, and limit academic freedom. It is increasingly difficult for public college presidents to speak out under these circumstances. For those who do, the punitive response by many state legislatures has been to cut funding, replace the existing board of trustees, fire the president, and arbitrarily appoint hand-picked leadership of the institution.A group of concerned former college and university presidents  Champions of Higher Education  has organized to confront these challenges. The membership now numbers more than 200 and continues to grow.

David L. Warren photographed for the 5K race from his Ohio Wesleyan University presidents inauguration in 1984.

We are committed to write opinion pieces, address public gatherings, and contact state legislators.

There is also a key role here for private colleges and their presidents to speak out on behalf of their public college colleagues. It is urgent for us to take a stand of solidarity with them. At some point, such attacks can limit the autonomy of private colleges as well, either through restrictive new laws or by repeal of current legal protections.

It is our obligation to make our views known in support of free speech and our endangered public college colleagues and their institutions. That obligation is both moral and practical.

Im reminded of a profound statement by the German pastor Martin Niemoller who was imprisoned in a concentration camp until the end of World War II: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out  because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out  because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out  because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me  and there was no one left to speak for me.Before it is too late, it is time to speak out in defense of Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurters four freedoms, and in support of American higher education.David L. Warren was president of Ohio Wesleyan University from 1984 to 93. he served as president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities from 1993 to 2019. He now lives in Washington, D.C.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hostile lawmakers are attacking universities, colleges| Ex-Ohio university pres
The indictments of Donald Trump  past and pending  are becoming the background music of the 2024 presidential campaign: always there, shaping the mood, yet not fully the focus.

Like so much of the Trump presidency itself, the extraordinary has become so flattened that Trumps warning on Tuesday that he was facing a possible third indictment this year, this time over his involvement in the events that led to the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol, drew shrugs from some quarters of his party and a muddled response from his rivals.

At one Republican congressional fundraising lunch on Tuesday in Washington, the news of a likely third Trump indictment went entirely unmentioned, an attendee said. Some opposing campaigns strategists all but ignored the development. And on Capitol Hill, Trumps allies quickly resumed their now-customary defensive positions.

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Two and half years ago, the deadly riot that left the nations seat of government defiled had threatened to forever tarnish Trumps political legacy. His supporters had stormed the Capitol to stop the certification of his defeat, stoked by their leader who had urged them to fight like hell. Even long-loyal Republicans broke with him as shattered glass littered the Capitol complex.

Yet today, Trump is the undisputed frontrunner for the Republican Partys 2024 presidential nomination. And the threatened charges relating to Jan. 6 against Trump were instead turned into attacks on his successor by his Republican defenders on Tuesday.

We have yet again another example of Joe Bidens weaponized Department of Justice targeting his top political opponent, Donald Trump, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 4 House Republican, told reporters on Capitol Hill.

When Trump and Stefanik spoke by phone Tuesday, the former president lingered on the line as they discussed ways to use Republican-led House committees to try to attack the investigations. Trump also spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who accused the Biden administration of trying to weaponize government to go after their No. 1 opponent.

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Their comments reprised a role that Republicans in Congress played for Trump twice before when he was impeached, and twice again when he was indicted earlier this year. The first indictment came in March, by the district attorney in Manhattan in connection with hush money payments to a porn star. The second was in June, when he was indicted on charges of keeping top-secret classified documents and obstructing efforts to get them back.

Republicans and Trumps extended orbit have established a rhythm of how to respond. Yet on the campaign trail, Trumps leading rivals continue to struggle to even articulate a response.

Chief among them is Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, Trumps top-polling rival. At a stop in South Carolina, DeSantis on Tuesday said that Trump should have come out more forcefully against the protesters who stormed the Capitol that day.

But after that line was picked up by Trump surrogates to attack DeSantis, his usually forceful DeSantis War Room Twitter account was anything but warring, accusing those surrogates of taking the governor out of context.

I hope he doesnt get charged, DeSantis said of Trump in an interview broadcast later on CNN.

The CNN interview was supposed to be an important moment for a candidate who had previously avoided any sit-downs that might legitimize the corporate media that he regularly denounces. Instead, the network interrupted its own exclusive recorded DeSantis interview with live updates from outside a courthouse in Florida on one of Trumps coming trials. The sequence seemed to capture the state of the race that Trump is dominating.

Justin Clark, who served as Trumps deputy campaign manager in 2020 and whose firm, National Public Affairs, has conducted polling of the primary race, said the challenge for his rivals is the voters themselves. Data from Clarks firm shows that Republicans view an attack on Trump as an attack on them, he said.

That loyalty is not something that is easy to beat in a campaign, he added. His opponents see this, too, and that is why they tread very carefully. Its hard to see how another Republican breaks out when primary voters are rallying around their most recent president and any challengers have to hold their fire.

Trump on Tuesday revealed that he had received a target letter from the Justice Departments special counsel, Jack Smith, who is investigating his role in the lead-up to the violence of Jan. 6.

Almost always means arrest and indictment, Trump wrote of the target letter on Truth Social.

Smiths office already indicted Trump in federal court in June, saying he had possessed reams of national defense material and obstructed the investigation. In the coming weeks, he faces possible indictment in Georgia related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election in that state.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who had served as Trumps communications director before resigning in late 2020 and publicly breaking with her former boss, said, The most striking thing to me is that most of Trumps GOP opponents, who are polling double digits behind him, still will not seize this opportunity to denounce his unfit actions.

One reason is that Trump, and Republican primary voters, have so thoroughly rewritten the history of Jan. 6, 2021. The mere mention of the day is no longer an overwhelmingly clear political loser for the former president, at least in a Republican primary. Trump, two months after the attack, declared the violence a lovefest, and has continued to do so.

Indeed, at a rally this year in Texas, Trump placed his hand on his heart and listened to the song Justice for All that featured his voice and those of some Jan. 6 prisoners.

Few prominent elected officials were as directly affected on Jan. 6 as former Vice President Mike Pence. But even he declined to suggest that Trump should be prosecuted and said the election should be how the matter is arbitrated.

I believe that history will hold him to account for his actions that day, Pence said Tuesday on NewsNation. But of an indictment, he said, I hope it doesnt come to that. Im not convinced that the president acting on bad advice of a group of crank lawyers that came into the White House in the days before Jan. 6 is actually criminal.

There were some exceptions.

The low-polling former governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, said in a statement that Donald Trumps actions on Jan. 6 should disqualify him from ever being president again.

And former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey wrote on Twitter that he wants to see the indictment itself before offering his opinion, but added that Trumps conduct on January 6th proves he doesnt care about our country & our Constitution.

However, the details laid out in the first federal indictment against Trump  allegations that he waved material he described as secret government documents in front of people without security clearances at two of his private clubs  barely dented his support. Several Republican elected officials instinctively leaped to support him, and his poll numbers remained high or even rose.

Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist in California who worked on Mitt Romneys 2008 presidential race, says he believes it will eventually all become too much freight for Trump to carry to win the nomination.

Theres been the question of electability and as these indictments pile up and details emerge, I dont think we know yet if voters will stick with him if there appears to be viable competitive alternatives, Stutzman said.

Trumps team has capitalized on his past indictments to raise huge sums of campaign cash. But in Iowa on Tuesday, at a town hall-style interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Trump dismissed the friendly hosts suggestion that he was able to slough off his latest legal entanglement.

No, Trump said, it bothers me.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
(Photo : ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)

New satellite images disclose that a large convoy of suspected Wagner combatants has arrived from Russia at a new camp in Belarus.

According to a former Russian army officer, the repositioning of Wagner Group forces to Belarus places Russia in a position to swiftly strike vital NATO targets near Poland and Lithuania.

Andrey Kartapolov, a Russian politician and former military colonel, told Russian state television that the private military corporation Wagner Group could strike the border region of Poland and Lithuania in "a matter of hours" from its new location in Belarus.

Wagner Mercenaries Move to Belarus Camp

The presence of the Russian mercenary group in Belarus follows last month's apparent failure of an insurrection by Wagner Group and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

As part of an agreement with the Kremlin to end the uprising, Prigozhin consented to be exiled to Belarus. Wagner fighters have reportedly begun to join him and are assisting with military training, according to Fox News.

Belarus, which has aligned itself with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the conflict in Ukraine, is located at a strategically significant crossroads in Europe, bordering NATO nations such as Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia in addition to Ukraine.

This border encompasses the strategically significant Suwalki Corridor, a 60-mile tract of land along the Poland-Lithuania border between Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, the home of Russia's Baltic Fleet.

According to reports, the Wagner Group will close its primary military base in Russia the following week, as footage shows members of the mercenary organization lowering their flag and the Russian flag at the site.

Per Daily Express, the Wagner Group has resided at the Molkino base in the southern Russian district of Krasnador, adjacent to the Crimean peninsula, for nine years. Supposedly, the private military corporation (PMC) shared the site with the 10th Separate Special Purpose Brigade of Vladimir Putin's foreign military intelligence agency, the GRU.

Multiple Wagner convoys have been captured on camera traversing western Russia from Molkino to a decommissioned military base in southern Belarus, approximately 60 minutes from the Belarusian capital Minsk, over the past six days.

According to the Belarusian Hajun Project, the footage was released hours before the fifth Wagner convoy in six days arrived in Belarus.

The convoy, which was escorted by Belarusian traffic police and consisted of "vans, pickups with open trunks, passenger buses, trucks, cars, a few fuel trucks, and Ural trucks with trailers," entered Belarus at the Dubovichka checkpoint in Russia, which was located 290 kilometers from the new military base near Tsel.

Read Also: Gilgo Beach Serial Killer: Chilling Details of Arrested New York Architect Rex Hauermann

Wagner Chief Arrives at Belarusian Military Airfield

According to the Hajun monitoring group, at least 2,000 Wagner mercenaries and approximately 400 vehicles have arrived in Belarus within the past week.

On Monday, pro-Wagner channels purportedly shared footage of the third convoy traveling through the Russian city of Orel, roughly six hours west of Belarus. Several vehicles displayed Russian and Wagner banners flying from poles mounted to their rears.

A fourth convoy arrived on Tuesday, around the same time Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's private aircraft landed at a nearby Belarusian military airfield. In the weeks preceding the Wagner insurrection on June 24, satellite images depicted the development and erection of hundreds of shelters on the abandoned military base.

Analysis by BBC Verify reveals scores of vehicles entering the camp at Tsel, an abandoned military base in southern Belarus - approximately 103 kilometers (64 miles) from the capital Minsk.

The camp materialized shortly after an agreement was reached in late June to terminate Wagner's rebellion against the Russian military. The agreement reportedly included the relocation of Wagner forces to Belarus.

Related Article: Crimea Bridge Attack: Putin Vows Response After Ukraine Claims Responsibility to 'Terror Incident'

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A fire erupts at Kirovske military base on Wednesday morning - STRINGER/REUTERS

Thousands of civilians have been evacuated after an ammunition depot in Russian-annexed Crimea went up in flames, setting off a series of explosions.

Blasts were still being heard several hours after the fire was reported at the Kirovske military base on Wednesday morning, Russian media reported.

Authorities did not specify the cause of the blaze, but footage showed columns of black smoke billowing into the sky.

The incident came just days after an explosion on the Kerch bridge linking the Black Sea peninsula to mainland Russia, which the Kremlin has blamed on Ukraine.

Local authorities said more than two thousand people were evacuated from villages surrounding the depot. They were reportedly provided with temporary shelter.

Sections of the Tavrida highway, which connects Sevastopol to the Crimean port of Kerch, were closed, with vehicles redirected through regional roads.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-backed head of Crimea, said: In the Kirovske district, it is planned to temporarily evacuate residents of four settlements  this is more than two thousand people.

An operational headquarters has been deployed, all specialised services are working on the spot.

Vladimir Konstantinov, head of Crimeas state council, appeared to suggest Ukraine was behind the attacks.

The situation is dynamic. For the moment, everything is under control, Mr Konstantinov said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

Kyiv is doing everything to shake up the situation inside Crimea. But they cannot understand that it all works in the opposite direction. Since 2014, we have been withstanding their provocations, he added.

Explosions at the training ground are still heard [at 12:45 local time] In Crimea, there is experience in dealing with such situations.

Explosions at the training ground could still be heard several hours after the fire was reported - STRINGER/REUTERS

Early reports suggested Kylylo Budanov, the head of Ukraines military intelligence, had taken credit for the fire and hailed a successful operation.

However, this was later denied by the defence ministry and attributed to a fake post on Telegram.

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Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 in a move not recognised by the international community.

Kyiv has repeatedly said it plans to take back the peninsula as part of its drive to expel Russian troops from its territory.

Separately on Wednesday, Ukraine accused Russia of having intentionally struck grain terminals and infrastructure in the Black Sea port of Odesa for a second consecutive night after Moscow quit a deal that allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain to global markets.

Russian terrorists absolutely deliberately targeted the infrastructure of the grain deal, said Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, following Tuesdays overnight attacks.

Every Russian missile  is a strike not only on Ukraine but on everyone in the world who wants a normal and safe life.

The Black Sea grain deal, agreed in July last year, was intended to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russias invasion of Ukraine and a blockade of Ukrainian ports.

Mr Zelensky has said the agreement could continue without Russian participation, and that Ukraine is working on options to keep its commitments on food supplies.

Russia announced on Monday that it was quitting the deal, complaining that promises to free up its own shipments of food and fertilisers had not been kept.

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One man was killed and an innocent bystander was injured Wednesday afternoon after police say an argument escalated to a barrage of bullets being sprayed inside a Walmart near the entrance to the Florida Keys.

Nathaniel Baez died, Miami-Dade police said. He was 23. One database said Baez lived in Homestead.

Several others were caught in the ensuing chaos, suffering minor injuries.

Detective Alvaro Zabaleta, a Miami-Dade police spokesman, said the shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups of three people in the Walmart, 33501 S. Dixie Highway, in Florida City. One person was arrested, with authorities looking for five more suspects.

Just before 3 p.m., this argument turned into a physical fight. One of the men subsequently pulled out a gun and started firing.

A bullet struck Baez, who was in the other group, as well as a shopper who had nothing to do with the altercation, Zabaleta said. The second man was shot in the foot.

Both men were taken to Jackson South Medical Center, where Baez died, Zabaleta said

Miami-Dade police say one person was killed and another injured in a shooting at a Walmart near the Florida Keys. One person was arrested.

Zabaleta said earlier reports saying that the melee was an active shooter situation were not true.

This was not an active shooter, he said. It was an isolated incident between two groups.

Dozens of police cars from multiple agencies  Miami-Dade, Homestead, Florida City, and even the FBI  flooded the Walmart parking lot following the incident. Officers with MDPDs Priority Response team came in and arrested one of the men who were fighting.

Its not clear whether he was the shooter, Zabaleta said, adding investigators need to review the security camera footage. Other individuals in the two groups fled and were not caught, he said. Police are still searching for five more suspects.

There were others injured in the mayhem, including a woman who slipped, fell and hit her head. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue treated five other people at the store who had cuts and scrapes. Another woman was treated for heat exhaustion.

Given the amount of people in the store at the time, and the fact that one of the wounded was an innocent bystander, Zabaleta said the incident could have been all the more tragic.

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Miami-Dade police say one person was killed and another injured in a shooting at a Walmart near the Florida Keys. One person was arrested.

I heard the shots

The Florida City Walmart is more than just a local grocer for area residents. Travelers and tourists on their way to the Florida Keys, as well as Keys residents, pick up cheap essentials at the southernmost Walmart in the United States.

There are no Walmarts in the Keys and few regular big box stores. Foot traffic is particularly heavy at this Walmart store compared to other south Miami-Dade locations. Even a weekday afternoon could see lines of grocers.

Residents and employees watched as paramedics and officers worked the scene. At least one witness was also in the crowd.

A woman, who did not want to be named, was inside the store when shots rang out, although she said she did not see who pulled the trigger.

I heard the shots, and I ran out, the woman said.

Two 15-year-old friends, whom the Miami Herald chose not to name because theyre minors, went to Walmart to check out some video games. But their plans quickly changed. Just as they entered the store, chaos ensued.

They started shooting, and we saw the blood and we started running, one of the boys said.

An Instagram video shows screaming and shouting inside the Walmart  moments after the shooting. A person can be seen lying on the ground, motionless, being attended to by bystanders.

The caption of the video read, Witnesses say it was an argument and then gunshots.

Miami Herald reporter Omar Rodriguez Ortiz contributed to this story.
Two men and a teenage boy have been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of two children, the Sacramento Police Department said Wednesday, following a shooting in May that left a total of four victims injured.

Just after 10 p.m. on May 13, police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Del Paso Boulevard and Fairfield streets in Old North Sacramento. Officers found two juvenile victims, each with at least one non-life-threatening gunshot wound, police said.

The victims were described by police as a 10-year-old boy and a 1-year-old girl, The Sacramento Bee reported at the time.

After those two were transported to the hospital, officers found an additional two adults at an area hospital with non-life threatening wounds, authorities said.

Detectives identified two men, Davon Lewis-Mills, 19, and Demetreice Smith, 20, who are suspected of being involved in the shooting. A warrant was issued, and they were arrested July 5.

Lewis-Mills and Smith were arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court on July 7 and July 10, respectively. Both men are being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail and are ineligible for bail.

A male juvenile was also arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said. He was booked into juvenile hall.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Sacramento Police Department at 916-808-5471.
Comments are taken directly from the latest Thurston County inspection reports, which are available for each food establishment, at the Thurston County Environmental Health Office and their website. For questions concerning these reports, contact the health office at 360-867-2667.

Report restaurant, grocery store, deli or bakery complaints online via the complaint form here: https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/phss/Pages/eh-problem.aspx.

Reading inspection scores:

Attention should be given to the type of violation (red versus blue) and whether the establishment has a history of red violations or repeat violations.

Red violations are those most likely to cause food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately if feasible or according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: not keeping food at the right temperature.

Blue violations relate to the overall cleanliness and condition of operation and must be corrected according to a compliance schedule established by the health officer. Example: a worn floor that needs replacing.

If red points exceed 45, the county will require a reinspection within 10 business days.

If red points exceed 100 and theres a lack of managerial control, the county will shut down the establishment for at least 72 hours. The establishment may reopen after management and employees complete retraining and demonstrate corrective action during a reinspection.

Some common abbreviations: PHF/TCS is potentially hazardous food/time control for safety; RTE is ready to eat; PIC is person in charge; FWC is food worker card; CDI is corrected during inspection.

Pho Hoa Noodle Soup

2615 Capital Mall Drive SW, Olympia

July 12: 35 red points; 10 red points.

Comments:

Noodles were cooling while covered in the walk-in. TCS foods must be cooled at 2-inch depths and uncovered until temperature reaches 41 degrees or below.

Chicken, egg rolls and other items were improperly cooled in prep units.

A chlorine sanitizer solution was too strong.

A warewash sanitizer solution was too weak and the facility had no test strips to check it.

Story continues

Happy Lemon

2615 Capital Mall Drive SW, Olympia

July 12: 40 red points; 0 red points.

Comments:

One food worker card was expired.

Waffle batter with egg and jam was stored at room temperature.

Multiple foods in various cold holds were above 41 degrees.

Waffle Craze Co.

625 Black Lake Blvd SW, Olympia

July 11: 40 red points; 0 blue.

Comments:

Chicken was cooled at 2-inch depths while covered. Foods must be cooled at 2-inch depths uncovered or by other approved method.

Shredded cheese was at 45 degrees in under counter cold hold. TCS foods must be kept at or below 41 degrees.

The facility was cooling foods that do not comply with its permit.

Wetzels Pretzels at Capital Mall

625 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia

July 11: 30 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

Hot dogs in a steam table were at 125-130 degrees rather than at or above 135 degrees.

Boba in an undercounter cold hold was at 45 degrees rather than at or below 41 degrees.

Office Bar and Grill

2030 Mottman Road SW, Tumwater

July 14: 10 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

A food worker washed their hands in the wrong sink.

Wetzels Pretzels Mobile at Capital Mall

625 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia

July 12: 0 red points; 10 blue points.

Comments:

No test strips were present to verify the sanitizer concentration.

Plumbing facility was not properly installed or maintained.

Century Theatres Olympia 14

625 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Olympia

July 12: 5 red points; 0 blue points.

Comments:

One worker has an expired food worker card.

Jack in the Box

1635 Mottman Road SW, Tumwater

July 12: 5 red points; 0 blue points

Comments:

One worker did not have a Washington state food worker card.

No violations
A Texas-based TikTok user who accused a University of Idaho professor of the quadruple homicide in Moscow, and faces a defamation lawsuit, has filed a countersuit against the professor.

Ashley Guillard filed 11 counterclaims against Rebecca Scofield and her legal team: Wendy Olson, Elijah Watkins and Cory Carone. Scofields lawyers aim to have the counterclaims dropped at a court hearing Friday.

The initial defamation lawsuit was against Guillard, who has made false allegations against Scofield on TikTok and claimed that the professor was responsible for the stabbing deaths of U of I students Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21; and Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, both 20.

In a 61-page counterclaim, Guillard asserts that her spiritual intuition led her to Scofield and accuses the professor of being the mastermind behind the homicides. Scofields complaint said that Guillard uses tarot cards to solve crimes, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.

The Moscow Police Department publicly said in December that Scofield was not involved with the homicides. Bryan Kohberger, the suspect facing four first-degree murder charges, will face a trial scheduled for Oct. 2. Prosecutors said they intend to pursue the death penalty.

In Scofields defamation lawsuit, she said she was in Portland visiting friends with her husband when the homicides took place on Nov. 13. Scofield also said she has not taught any of the four students in her classes and has not met them while at the university.

Scofields attorneys in a memorandum said Guillards countersuit was made to purposely delay the trial and increase her legal expenses.

Guillard has relentlessly attacked Professor Scofields reputation and made a spectacle of the tragic loss of four young lives, and she cannot even allege, let alone provide, any actual facts to back it up, attorneys said in the memorandum.

The countersuit added more legal fees for Scofield, said Stefanie Ramirez, an associate professor of economics at U of I and Scofields close friend. Ramirez has set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for the professor. Another GoFundMe, set up by professors in the spring, raised over $25,000, Ramirez told the Statesman.

The current GoFundMe has raised over $13,000 with a goal of $100,000. Any extra funds raised will be donated to a student scholarship the university has set up to honor the four victims.

Im glad that she can see now that the public is generally on her side, that nobody is putting stock into these accusations, even if they dont know her, Ramirez said. To see such public support I think has been really good for her.
TikToker PinkyDoll Discusses Being An NPC Streamer: At The End Of The Day, Im Winning | wagnerokasaki

NPC streamers are the latest content creators to go viral on TikTok. Non-player characters are usually background video game characters present in video games that the players cannot interact with. Their phrases and movements are often repetitive and formulaic  characteristics that some streamers have been inspired by and have incorporated into their content.

This is the case with PinkyDoll, a TikTok content creator who has recently gone viral on the platform. She is known to repeat phrases such as ice cream so good and for her emotes, which include her noisily pretending to lick a cone and other cartoon-like expressions.

The music producer Timbaland is one of her fans. He recently reposted a video of the TikToker breaking character as she noticed him watching one of her livestreams. Timbaland is ranked as the top viewer of PinkyDolls streams, according to Popcrave.

PinkyDoll, whose real name is Fedha Sinon, lives in Montreal and has turned this activity into her job. She mimics video game characters as viewers send her digital gifts such as roses, dinosaurs and ice cream cones. Each item converts into money transferred to her via TikTok.

I was just being cute, she told The New York Times about how she started off on the social media platform. I remember someone saying, Oh my God, you look like an NPC. And then they start sending me, like, crazy money.

Sinon says she makes between $2,000 and $3,000 per stream. She adds that her earnings can go up to $7,000 per day by combining her revenue across all platforms, which include Instagram and OnlyFans.

The content creator previously worked as a stripper and owned a cleaning business. She started livestreaming on TikTok earlier this year as a way to make money. She was first inspired by NPCs in the video game Grand Theft Auto.

I was like, Im going to try to do it like them, she said, although she still is not really sure what an NPC is.

Story continues

Sinon says she has fun coming up with different reactions for each gift.

I could sit here all day, but I cant because I have a son and I got to eat, she added.

For some viewers, her livestreams can be characterized as fetish content, where they can control her every word and gesture by sending her various gifts.

Its no coincidence that the streamers involved are all good-looking young women, DAZED writes in an article.

For other viewers, Sinons livestreams are simply entertaining to watch. The content creator is unbothered by the plethora of online reactions to her job.

I dont really care what people say about me, she told The New York Times. If they want to think I am this or that, its fine with me.

At the end of the day, she added, Im winning.
Two University of North Florida students have been awarded $1,500 collectively in grants from the Timucuan Parks Foundation and the National Park Services Timucuan Ecological Historic Preserve.

Victoria Hayes, an undergraduate student of anthropology, and Hunter Mathews, a graduate student and research assistant in the biology department, will be conducting research in the Timucuan Preserve over the next eight months.

The results of each project will be presented at the Timucuan Science and History Symposium on January 26, 2024.

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Hayes will be conducting topographic mapping and limited excavations of a mounded shell deposit at Cedar Point with the help of Dr. Keith Ashley. The pair will also be investigating the site to better understand the lives of the Indigenous people who lived in northeastern Florida.

The results of her archaeological testing will be used to guide future excavations and provide information to the Timucuan Preserve on how best to manage, interpret, and protect the site.

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Mathews will be working under the mentorship of UNF Associate Professor Kelly Smith to investigate the use of oyster shell habitat modules, at Kingsley Plantation.

These are oyster reef restoration devices made from recycled oyster shells and were designed at UNF to rebuild oyster reefs, stabilize shorelines, and provide habitat to improve ecosystem health with limited impact on the surrounding environment.

Mathews will assess the habitat models ability to sustain a healthy oyster population, create a habitat for important fish and crustaceans, and help build sustainable living shorelines.

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The student research grant program is funded through sponsorships of the symposium. It introduces students to field research to attract and retain their interest in ecological science, preservation, archaeology, and history of the Timucuan Preserve.

Story continues

The students have an opportunity to share their research results with an audience of research professionals. The program creates partnerships between university faculty, students, and NPS, and also provides NPS and the public with a better understanding of the resources within the Timucuan Preserve, said UNF in a news release.





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Fair Oaks house builder Colton Paulhus is plotting an empire of thousands of tiny homes across the U.S. based on his success in the Sacramento region.

His Anchored Tiny Homes only opened for business in 2019, but the small company that includes his father, Scott, a general contractor, and his brother, Austin, has already built 200 homes in Northern California and has contracts for another 300.

There is a big need for more affordable housing in the Sacramento area and other large U.S. metropolitan areas, said Paulhus.

Now, he is franchising his concept of building auxiliary housing units on homeowners existing property across the country. In the last few months, he has sold franchises in Austin, San Antonio, Boston, Raleigh, Jacksonville, Florida and Bend, Oregon. His first franchiser in Salt Lake City signed a contract in late 2022.

Anchored Tiny homes are unlike the tiny homes being built by the state of California and the County of Sacramento to house the homeless. Gov. Galvin Newsom said in March that $30 million would be spent to build 1,200 tiny homes.

Were building structures that give people the sense that they are living in an actual house, Paulhus said.

For one thing, Paulhus homes are much more spacious, think 600 feet to 800 feet, rather than the small structures for the homeless that can be as small as 120 feet.

His homes are called auxiliary housing units officially, but also go by the more popular nickname, granny flats.

Granite kitchen islands, hardwood floors, built-in microwaves, equal the features of more luxurious homes, just on a smaller scale.

One of the two ADUs  accessory dwelling units  being built on a midtown parcel by Anchored Tiny Homes stands earlier this month in Sacramento.

Seventy percent of our sales is building auxiliary living units for family use, said Paulhus, the CEO of Anchored Tiny Homes. Mom living in the backyard unit, kids coming home from college. And then the remaining is the investors. Homeowners wanting to have more cash flow by renting out auxiliary housing units.

It was another piece of legislation signed by Newsom in October 2019 that helped Anchored Tiny Homes. The new law made it harder for municipalities to reject such homes by streamlining statewide zoning requirements and removing impediments to their construction.

Story continues

The bill was part of Newsoms effort to build more housing in California and to bring down the cost.

Still, local regulations vary. In the city of Sacramento, two auxiliary housing units are allowed on a property. In unincorporated parts of Sacramento County, only one unit is allowed.

Paulhus said the completed units cost customers anywhere between $100,000 and $350,000, with an average price of $185,000.

The builder said hes hoping to close the affordability gap while creating more housing, but renting one of the tiny homes is not necessarily cheap.

Former Channel 10 reporters George Warren and Sharon Ito spent close to $400,000 for their nearly complete auxiliary housing units from Anchored Tiny Homes behind their house in midtown Sacramento. They have exchanged their backyard for what they hope will be a steady stream of rental income.

Warren, who still works part-time in television news, hopes to rent the nearly complete 600 foot homes to traveling nurses or therapists for around $2,500 a month each. He said each home will be furnished.

Sacramento is a hot market for traveling health professionals, he said.

Warren said he could have hired his own contractor to build the houses but it was much easier dealing with Paulhus company.

George Warren is building two ADUs  accessory dwelling units  on his midtown Sacramento property by Anchored Tiny Homes out of Fair Oaks. Warren talks on July 13 inside one of the bedrooms about possibly renting the units fully furnished for traveling nurses.

Do you go to the city and find out whats possible? Then go to an architect? And it just seemed daunting, said Warren. And the fact that they do this turnkey thing, you sign here, you put a deposit down and you have progress payments, and they take care of all the permitting. They get the general contractor, they deal with all the headaches.

Paulus doesnt have a factory, all the homes are built on site. He said a sub-contractor is hired for each construction job.

The company has 42 in-house employees who work in areas ranging from marketing to working with local municipalities to get the plans approved for the tiny houses.

Paulus said the company made $47 million in revenue in 2022 and is on-track to exceed that this year.

He said around one-third of the cost to build a home is profit to his company.

All of Anchored Tiny Homes are built on foundations. Originally when the company opened in mid-2019, it focused on tiny homes on wheels that could be moved from site to site.

Paulhus said he abandoned that concept in 2020 after realizing the market is too small.

He got the idea for the company after seeing a competitors tiny home advertisement. Paulhus got his fathers approval and put his own ad on Facebook. Within several days he had 300 responses expressing interest.

That was confirmation, theres a need from consumers, he said.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) harshly denounced a House resolution supporting Israel in a floor speech on Tuesday, the day before Israeli President Isaac Herzog will address a joint meeting of Congress.

Israel is an apartheid state. To assert otherwise, Mr. Speaker, in the face of this body of evidence, is an attempt to deny the reality and an attempt to normalize violence of apartheid, Tlaib said.

Dont forget: This body, this Congress, supported the South African apartheid regime, and it was bipartisan as well, she added.

Tlaib, who is of Palestinian heritage, is one of a slate of progressive members of Congress who plan to skip Herzogs speech to Congress on Wednesday out of protest against the Israeli government.

The protests come as violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has increased in recent months, and the Israeli government faces internal strife over attempted judicial reforms.

Tlaib pointed out that the United Nations as well as advocacy groups Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Btselem have labeled Israel an apartheid state.

The resolution supporting Israel passed overwhelmingly, with nine members of Congress  mostly Democratic members of the progressive Squad  voting against. It specifically states that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state.

On Saturday, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said Israel is a racist state, vowing to vote against the resolution and skip Herzogs speech.

Those comments sparked calls for action from Republicans who believed the remarks were antisemitic.

Democrats have dismissed the outrage as a political squabble, but it has caused some rifts within the party.

There is a difference between criticizing the right of Israel to exist, which is beyond the pale, and criticizing the conduct of the Israeli government, which I think is horrible, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is Jewish, said Tuesday.

Herzog met with President Biden on Tuesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tobias Ellwood is a former army veteran who served with British forces in Afghanistan

Afghan women have derided a British Conservative MP for being naive after he referred to the country as peaceful and "transformed", but barely mentioned human rights following a recent visit.

In a widely criticised video, Tobias Ellwood urged the UK to re-engage with the country and reopen its embassy.

The Taliban welcomed his remarks - seen as a rare PR coup for their government, which no country recognises.

Since retaking power 2021, the Taliban have restricted many Afghans' rights.

There has been global condemnation of their mistreatment of women in particular.

On Wednesday Afghan women held a rare protest against the Taliban's decision to shut female beauty parlours and salons.

"The British politician says that he is optimistic and he's happy about the situation in Afghanistan Today we went on the street to ask for our rights and they try to stop us and beat us. You have seen the videos," said one of the women taking part in the protest in Kabul.

Another woman asked if Mr Ellwood knew that people in the country were "hungry and unhappy".

"There's no suicide attacks any more, but poverty is at its peak, businesses are collapsing," she said.

Mr Ellwood, the chairman of Parliament's defence select committee, visited Afghanistan with the Halo Trust, a de-mining organisation.

Earlier this week, he tweeted and shared a video following his trip, which prompted some to compare it to a promotional video.

"It's about time you prepare to move in with your Taliban brothers. After all, it's safe and thriving," Afghan activist Nilofar Ayoubi said on Twitter.

In his video, Mr Ellwood said security in Afghanistan had "vastly improved" since the Taliban returned to power, and suggested the West encourage the uptake of women's rights "incrementally".

"After Nato's dramatic departure, should the West now engage with the Taliban? You quickly appreciate this war-weary nation is for the moment accepting a more authoritarian leadership in exchange for stability," he said.

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The video contains one reference to women and girls at the end.

The MP told the BBC "we need to engage more directly, more robustly" with the Taliban.

Interviewer Yalda Hakim, who is of Afghan origin, had asked him: "Do you think it sends a certain message when it comes to things like human rights, women's rights, if you just say, 'They've got solar panels now, they've got less violence and therefore we should open up our embassy and be back in the country'?"

"You're simplifying what I'm saying," Mr Ellwood replied. "The current strategy of shouting from afar is not working."

Earlier on Tuesday, Afghan women had been barred from sitting university entrance exams this year - the latest move curtailing what they are allowed to do.

Afghan women protesting in December 2021 - since then such opposition to the Taliban has become rarer

Fawzia Koofi, the first ever female deputy speaker of the Afghan parliament, told BBC Newshour she was angry at the MP's remarks.

She said it showed ignorance of how restricted life had become for Afghan women.

"Women literally are not even allowed to, I think, breathe normally in the streets. When they are out, they [the Taliban] ask them, 'Why are you in the streets?' If you're not allowed to go to university and school and work, why are you in the street? That's a feeling I think only those women and their families would understand."

A number of Conservative MPs have criticised the remarks by Mr Ellwood, a former soldier who served with British forces in Afghanistan.

One senior Tory colleague on the committee he chairs said the MP had posted an "utterly bizarre video lauding the Taliban's management of the country". Mark Francois said it had been described by a fellow member of the committee as a "wish-you-were-here video".

Mr Francois raised the issue at prime minister's questions on Wednesday.

"I and some of my colleagues on the Defence Committee were absolutely stunned to see a video posted by our own chairman lauding the Taliban's governance of Afghanistan, not mentioning they're still trying to identify and kill Afghan civilians who sided with Nato forces, and also not mentioning the fact they don't like girls to go to school," he told the house.

UK PM Rishi Sunak said he would look into Mr Ellwood's visit.
(Photo : Angela Weiss / AFP) (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the creation of a new agency that would be responsible in tackling artificial intelligence.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a new agency to tackle artificial intelligence as the Security Council discussed AI's benefits and risks.

The meeting was the first discussion on artificial intelligence and the technology's associated risks. Several international leaders highlighted AI's dangerous potential if it falls into the wrong hands.

UN Secretary-General Calls for Agency To Tackle AI

Guterres added that various factors, such as the malicious use of AI systems for terrorists, criminal, or state purposes, could result in horrific deaths and destruction, widespread trauma, and serious psychological damage. He noted that technology has enormous potential for both good and evil.

The UN Secretary-General said that the creators of the technology themselves have already issued warnings of much greater, catastrophic, and existential threats in the future. According to Fox News, Guterres warns that without action to address such risks, the world is turning its back on its responsibility to present and future generations.

Previously, the UN Secretary-General called for creating a UN watchdog responsible for monitoring the development of artificial intelligence technology and its use globally. He also welcomed calls from member states to follow that path toward addressing the current threats.

The United States acting deputy representative to the UN, Amb. Jeffrey DeLaurentis had previously tried to highlight AI's benefits and positive potential. These include crop management, weather predictions, and medical assessment.

He noted that using artificial intelligence appropriately can help accelerate progress toward achieving sustainable development goals. In a statement to members of the Security Council, he acknowledged the technology's potential to "compound threats and intensify conflicts."

Guterres' remarks come as the UN is already deploying artificial intelligence in its operations to monitor ceasefires and identify patterns of violence. Additionally, according to CNN, UN peacekeeping and humanitarian operations are now the targets of hostile actors who are utilizing AI technology for malicious purposes.

Read Also: EU-US Data Privacy Framework to Make Data Transfer Between Europe and the US Possible

Benefits and Threats of Artificial Intelligence

The Tuesday meeting was led by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who called for international governance of artificial intelligence. He also wanted it to be tied to principles that uphold freedom and democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, security, property rights and privacy protection, and trustworthiness.

Cleverly said that the meeting was conducted because the technology will directly affect how the council will work moving into the future. He argued that artificial intelligence could enhance or disrupt global strategic stability.

Cleverly added that there is an urgent need to shape the global governance of transformative technologies such as AI because it knows no borders. He said that no country will be untouched by artificial intelligence in the future, which forces officials to be involved and engage the widest coalition of international actors from all sectors.

Additionally, Ian Hogarth, an investor and the chair of the UK government's AI Foundation Model taskforce, said that current AI systems should still be subjected to investigation by experts as we still need to understand them fully, said The Guardian.

Related Article: OpenAI Faces FTC Scrutiny Over Potential Consumer Harm

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Prominent gun-control activist Shannon Watts is trying to get country music star Jason Aldean canceled over a song she claims is "racist and violent."

Aldean denies that his song, "Try That in a Small Town," has racial undertones following its music video release last week, in which he touts how small towns wouldn't put up with the kind of lawlessness found in big cities.

Country Music Television (CMT) yanked the video without comment on Monday, prompting Aldean to lash out on Twitter, writing, "There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it  and there isnt a single video clip that isnt real news footage  and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music  this one goes too far."

Gun-control activist Shannon Watts and country music star Jason Aldean

JASON ALDEAN ADDRESSES CRITICISM OF CONTROVERSIAL COUNTRY MUSIC VIDEO: THIS ONE GOES TOO FAR

Watts first called attention to the songs lyrics in a late-night tweet Sunday, saying its about "how he and his friends will shoot you if you try to take their guns."

Watts later took credit for CMTs decision in scrubbing the video.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Proud to have had a hand in getting CMT to reject this racist and violent song," she tweeted Tuesday evening.

Watts then set her sights on trying to get Aldean canceled from the Grand Ole Opry.

"The @opry is hosting Jason Aldean at a fundraiser for the Covenant School in Nashville," she wrote. "One would think there are many other country music artists they could invite instead?"

Aldean, who was onstage during the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas, is joining a star-studded lineup at the Opry on Aug. 7 to benefit the Covenant School Community Fund after the Nashville private school was targeted by a mass shooter earlier this year.

Aldean defended his song in a lengthy Twitter post Tuesday afternoon, saying it "refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief."

"My political views have never been something Ive hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this Country dont agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to  thats what this song is about," he added.

The lyrics of the song juxtapose big-city crime with small-town values: "Cuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light it up / Yeah, ya think you're tough," Aldean sings in the song. "Well, try that in a small town / See how far ya make it down the road / Around here, we take care of our own / You cross that line, it won't take long."
Photograph: Jose Luis Magana/AP

The top official overseeing the criminal division at the US justice department is expected to step down this summer, according to three people briefed on the matter. His tenure included managing high-profile investigations into corporate crime and the January 6 Capitol attack.

The departure of assistant attorney general Kenneth Polite is significant given he occupies one of its most high-profile and influential roles and oversees 600 federal prosecutors.

Related: Progressives in unlikely position as Republicans escalate attacks on FBI

Polite is expected to return to private practice when he formally steps down next week, the people said. In the interim, and until the White Houses next nominee for the role is confirmed, the criminal division is expected to be overseen by his principal deputy, Nicole Argentieri.

I am deeply grateful to Kenneth for the skill and integrity with which he has led the departments criminal division, the US attorney general, Merrick Garland, said in a statement. The impact of his leadership on the criminal division and the justice department will be felt for a long time to come.

Polites chief of staff, Jessica Kim, is also leaving the criminal division after she was appointed the US special prosecutor to the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine earlier this month.

The departure of an assistant attorney general after two to three years is typical for the intense and fast-paced nature of the position, though Polite  who was based in Washington while his wife and children stayed in Philadelphia  had started to consider leaving at least as early as February.

The difficulty Polite found in working with the deputy attorney general, Lisa Monaco, appears to have played an additional part in his decision to leave.

The deputy attorney general manages the day-to-day running of the justice department and Monaco is Polites direct superior. But Monaco is also known to manage with a heavy hand and to trust only a small circle of advisers that did not always seem to include Polite, the people said.

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Polite took charge of the criminal division in April 2021, during one of the most turbulent times for the department as it sought to grapple with the aftermath of the Capitol attack and leftover issues from the Trump administration, including Russian cyber-attacks against the US government.

The criminal division under Polite, though, quickly set its priorities on combating corporate and violent crime, and was involved in prosecuting executives of the cryptocurrency hedge fund FTX following its collapse last year, as well as pursuing Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Polites departure from the justice department will be his third. Before he became the assistant attorney general, he was a line prosecutor at the US attorneys office for the southern district of New York. He then returned to private practice until he was nominated by Barack Obama to serve as the US attorney in New Orleans.
An EF-3 tornado with winds up to 150 mph was reported in Rocky Mount, a city on the border of Nash and Edgecombe counties, North Carolina, Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service announced.

Update! Damage has been found north of Rocky Mount consistent with an EF3 tornado and wind speeds of 150 mph.



Storm survey is ongoing, updates to come. #NCwx  NWS Raleigh (@NWSRaleigh) July 19, 2023

The tornados path started just west of Nashville, traveling northeast through Red Oak, crossing Interstate 95 north of US 64 before running out of energy just before Scotland Neck, ABC affiliate WTVD reported.

The tornado was on the ground for sixteen and a half miles and was the first EF-3 tornado ever recorded in central North Carolina in July.

WTVD confirmed that 16 people did receive minor injuries.

EF-3 tornadoes are rare in NC, but they are exceptionally rare in the month of July. According to the NWS, yesterday's tornado was the first in July for that area. Here's a map of all the EF-3 tornadoes that have occurred in any month since 1950. More here https://t.co/C7iOFwjXuV pic.twitter.com/IM7g3OsYTC  Keith Monday (@kmondayWSOC9) July 20, 2023

(Photos: Tornado hits east of Raleigh)

Resident James Powell shows Channel 9 the damage done to his home.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

Interstate 95 was closed near Rocky Mount due to obstructions, between Highway 64 and Highway 43. The North Carolina Department of Transportation told WTVD its expected to reopen by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

A tornado touched down in North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

Homes in the area were leveled.

Channel 9s Jonathan Lowe and his crew went to Nash County, which is east of Raleigh, to talk with residents who were impacted by the devastation.

I just lost my house, James Powell told Lowe. I just lost my house -- been living here since 2007 -- got to start over.

Resident James Powell explained what happened when the EF-3 tornado roared through the area.

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I was in the house, walking through the house, he said. I just heard the storm outside, and I came to the door. I saw the wind blowing and stuff. By the time I turned around, trees were coming through the house.

James Powell said he immediately took cover.

I hit the floor, he said. I couldnt do nothing. It fell on me. It actually fell on my back and took me down to the floor.

He only suffered some scratches.

Im in here right now trying to get what I can get, because I dont know what the weather is going to do, Powell said. So just trying to get what I can get.

Powells parents live down the block.

His mom Evelyn Powell, who is an Edgecombe County commissioner, was at work when the storm hit. Her husband was at home and tried ducking under a table when the tornado warning flashed on TV.

When he did, the entire roof came off the house, Evelyn Powell said.

The twister destroyed both structures on her property, two vehicles, and a host of precious memories that they are now trying to salvage.

ALSO READ: 50,000 pallets of medicine damaged by tornado at NC Pfizer plant

The destruction left drivers in limbo, as well.

Interstate 95 was closed near Rocky Mount due to obstructions, between Highway 64 and Highway 43. It reopened later in the day.

Tornado rips through Pfizer plant in North Carolina A tornado that landed near Rocky Mount left a trail of destruction Wednesday. INFO: https://bit.ly/3pOvKhJ Posted by WSOC-TV on Wednesday, July 19, 2023

A Pfizer facility in Rocky Mount was heavily damaged.

A tornado tore through part of North Carolina Wednesday afternoon, WTVD in Raleigh reports.

We can confirm that the Pfizer Rocky Mount facility was damaged by the tornado, a Pfizer spokesman told WTVD. At this point, there are no reports of serious injuries. We are assessing the situation to determine the impact on production. Our thoughts are with our colleagues, our patients, and the community as we rebuild from this weather incident.

Tornado in eastern NC this afternoon along I-95 in Nash country formed from the same MCV (mesoscale convective vortex) or small scale disturbance that came through Charlotte before dawn this morning. https://t.co/MCYBQbew4j  Keith Monday (@kmondayWSOC9) July 19, 2023

Nash County was placed under a state of emergency following the storm.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said he has spoken with the sheriffs of Nash and Edgecombe counties and said state officials are providing other help as needed.

Officials will continue to survey the damage in the area.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: No tornadoes reported despite warnings from National Weather Service)

The Nash County sheriff warned people about scams during natural disasters:

Beware of contractors or roofing representatives going door-to-door after a disaster.

Call your insurance agent or insurance company before signing a contract or paying for repairs.

Dont let the contractor work directly with your insurance company unless your agent gives approval.

Be aware of allowing lone individuals onto your roof. Scammers may use this tactic to create damage that was not previously there.

Work with only licensed and insured contractors.

Get more than one estimate. Dont be pushed into signing a contract right away.

You may visit www.ncdoi.gov for more information.

You can also contact (919)-807-6840 to report any fraudulent activity. This is the Fraud Line for the Department of Insurance.

During this catastrophic time for our community, we want you to be aware that there is an increased potential for scams. Scammers will prey on those impacted by natural disasters and it is important to take precautions to protect you and your family. > Beware of contractor or roofing representatives going door-to-door after a disaster. > Call your insurance agent or insurance company before signing a contract or paying for repairs. > Dont let the contractor work directly with your insurance company unless your agent gives approval. > Be aware of allowing lone individuals onto your roof. Scammers may use this tactic to create damage that was not previously there. > Work with only licensed and insured contractors. Get more than one estimate. Dont be pushed into signing a contract right away. You may visit www.ncdoi.gov for more information. You can also contact (919)-807-6840 to report any fraudulent activity. This is the Fraud Line for the Department of Insurance.








Bob Stewart appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court

A Tory MP has denied racially abusing an alleged torture survivor who he is said to have told to go back to Bahrain.

Bob Stewart, MP for Beckenham and Bromley, was charged with two public offences last month following a heated confrontation with Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, 37, outside the Foreign Offices Lancaster House in central London.

Mr Alwadaei, the director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, complained to the Metropolitan Police after the 74-year-old allegedly told him to go back to Bahrain.

Mr Alwadaei, who claims he was tortured in the Gulf state in 2011, said the comments amounted to racial abuse and reported the incident to the Conservative Party and Scotland Yard.

At Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, Mr Stewart standing in the well of the court, wearing a dark suit, grey tie and a blue shirt, confirmed his name and date of birth to the court.

He pleaded not guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence and an alternative count of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Factually straightforward

Mr Alwadaei watched the proceedings unfold from the public gallery.

Paul Goldspring, Chief Magistrate, set a provisional trial date of November 3 which is expected to last one day at the same court.

He described the case as factually straightforward. Mr Goldspring told the MP: You need to be at court by 09:30 [for the following hearing. I am not placing you on unconditional bail, I am simply going to adjourn.

Mr Stewart confirmed he would attend.

In a statement issued at the time of the incident in December 2022, Mr Alwadaei, said: I dont believe I would have been told to go back to the country that violently tortured me if it werent for the colour of my skin.

Mr Stewart, a former British Army officer who was stationed in Bahrain in 1969 and has represented Beckenham since 2010, is the chair of the all-parliamentary group on Bahrain.

Story continues

Following the incident he apologised and issued a statement in which he said: I meant go back to Bahrain, which is a perfectly safe place, and protest there. If anyone thinks Ive been racist I honestly didnt mean to be, and I apologise if they think that, and I wasnt.

He was allowed to keep the Tory whip.

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People relax on a beach of the Black Sea in the resort town of Alushta on the Crimean peninsula on June 18, 2023. Olga Maltseva/AFP via Getty Images

Tourists are fleeing the popular holiday destination Crimea as it becomes increasingly militarized.

Tour operators are begging tourists to stay and not be swayed by their "emotions," CNN reported.

But a drone attack on Monday left a Russian couple dead and their 14-year-old daughter injured.

Tour operators in Crimea are begging people to stay after a bridge attack on Monday left a Russian couple dead and their 14-year-old daughter injured, according to multiple reports.

Hour-long traffic jams started forming on Tuesday as Russian tourists tried to drive out of Crimea, a popular holiday destination on the Black Sea coast, Reuters reported.

"We have cancellations for the end of July and August," Elena Bazhenova, head of the Laspi Crimean tour company said, according to CNN. "We are explaining to tourists that cancellations for these dates are only possible with penalties."

"We are trying to convince tourists not to make decisions based on emotions," Bazhenova added. "We expect the situation to normalize in the coming days."

Crimea was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 and has become increasingly militarized due to its proximity to southern Ukraine.

On Monday, fighting continued to escalate after a drone attack on the Kerch bridge  which connects Russia and Crimea  killed a couple, Reuters reported. Their teenage daughter, who was a passenger in the car, was wounded and is in intensive care, officials said.

The family were on their way to Crimea for what they hoped would be a holiday. They had decided to drive in the middle of the night to avoid traffic jams, Reuters reported.

Russia has blamed Ukraine for the incident, but Kyiv has not officially said it was responsible.

However, Ukrainian security officials told the BBC that all details regarding the explosion will be announced after the victory, which hints at some form of responsibility.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has since vowed to retaliate against the attack on the bridge, which is an important resupply route for his forces who are occupying part of southern Ukraine, the BBC reported.

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Crimea has been busy this summer after Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine made it harder for Russians to travel to Europe, according to Reuters.

Hotels in the area have been offering steep discounts for months to attract visitors but with not much luck.

Ilya Ymansky, the president of the Russian Union of Travel Industry, said he expects "significant" cancellations from the estimated 20,000 tourists that were due to arrive in the area soon, Reuters reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A tourist visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) who saw a U.S. soldier bolt to North Korea says she thought at first it was a really stupid prank.

Sarah Leslie and her father, visiting from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the DMZ and tour the border village of Panmunjom. She told The Associated Press that Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King was part of the 43-member group, but he was dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, so she did not know he was a soldier.

She said as the tour was coming to an end, she saw King running really fast, darting about 30 feet in between buildings before crossing and disappearing behind the border.

I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do, Leslie said. But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy.

She said the soldier who shouted to stop King was a U.S. soldier patrolling the area, but the soldiers did not have enough time to respond. She said she did not see anyone on the North Korean side of the border.

The American-led United Nations Command announced Tuesday that a U.S. national crossed the border during the tour of Panmunjom and was being detained by North Korea. U.S. officials later identified King as an Army soldier, saying he willfully crossed the border.

Officials say King was recently released from a South Korean, prison, where he was being held on assault charges. He was slated to return to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday, but he joined the tour group instead of boarding his plane.

Leslie noted the tour visited the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom, where they could step on North Korean soil from inside one of the jointly held buildings. She added she needed to give her passport and get a permit in advance of the tour.

She also said the soldiers took the tourist group to give statements about what happened after the incident.

Story continues

People couldnt really quite believe what had happened, Leslie said. Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there, we were all kind of staring at each other.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A general view shows the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, Kim Hong-Ji/Pool Photo via AP, File

A woman who saw a US soldier run into North Korea from South Korea said she thought it was a prank.

Sarah Leslie told the AP that soldier Travis King's stunt was "the most stupid thing you could do."

King is believed to be in North Korean custody after he crossed a border into the country.

A tourist from New Zealand who witnessed a US Army soldier's mad dash from South Korea into communist North Korea on Tuesday thought the action was so "stupid" that it had to be a TikTok prank.

"I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do," the witness, Sarah Leslie, told the Associated Press of soldier Travis King.

Leslie said that she then heard an American guard who was patrolling the area with South Korean troops shout, "Get that guy!"

"People couldn't really quite believe what had happened," said Leslie, adding, "Quite a few were really shocked."

King, who is now believed to be in North Korean custody, "willfully and without authorization" crossed from South Korea over the heavily fortified border into North Korea, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said.

He was previously held in a South Korean prison for nearly two months over assault charges and was in the process of being brought back to the US before he joined in on a civilian border tour and ran into North Korea, US officials told The Associated Press.

Leslie and some 40 other tourists were visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom moments before King bolted off across the border.

"I probably only saw him running for like a few seconds and that's all it would have taken to get across the board," Leslie told Reuters.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tourists crowd in to the Midway Geyser Basin July 14, 2021 at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Natalie Behring/Getty Images

Tourists have defaced the Colosseum and approached bison at Yellowstone this summer.

The behavior has resulted in fines and even injuries, and yet officials struggle to stop it.

The issue is likely to get worse as more people travel and visit national parks.

It's hard to overstate how ridiculous tourists have been this spring and summer.

Two separate people have been caught on video defacing the Colosseum in Rome, an ancient amphitheater that has stood for 2,000 years, attracts six million visitors annually, and clearly is not improved by carving you or your girlfriend's name into it.

Meanwhile, tourists in the US, not to be outdone, are treating Yellowstone National Park like an adult playground.

Plenty of videos show tourists getting too close to bison, despite the park service warning visitors to remain at least 25 yards away from the 2,000-pound beasts. In June, a video showed a woman stepping off trail to stick her hand in a hot spring only to scramble away in shock, shouting, "It's hot!" And in May a bison calf was euthanized after a tourist pulled it out of a riverbank. The man later said he was trying to help the calf.

There's only so much that government officials can do to deter this behavior.

In Italy, officials have vowed to charge anyone who defaces the Colosseum, which could result in fines of 15,000, or $16,850, and up to five years in jail. In the US, the National Park Service focuses on education, using signs and rangers to warn tourists against stupid behavior, as well as fines  the man who moved the bison calf was charged and fined about $1,000.

Neither the fines nor the risk of severe injury seems to be enough to deter this behavior, even when the stakes are life-or-death. Search and rescue officials in the US have reported an increase in calls for help in recent years, especially since the pandemic, with visitors getting lost on public lands or even dying from heat and dehydration while hiking.

But as long as more people are traveling and visiting national parks, the problem is only likely to get worse.

Read the original article on Insider
A Tallahassee police officer is suing a Wakulla County deputy over an encounter outside a high school that he claims amounted to his false arrest, though he was never charged or cited.

Trent Sexton, a veteran Tallahassee Police Department officer, filed a lawsuit in May against the deputy, Arturo Cordoba, and Wakulla County Sheriff Jared Miller alleging false imprisonment and arrest. A lawyer for the deputy called the claims "baseless" in a recent motion to dismiss.

A 21-year-old man is sentenced to prison for a fatal shooting last year in North Linden.

The complaint alleges that Sexton was dropping his child off in March 2020 at Wakulla High School when the deputy "accosted" him, held him against his will and falsely accused him of speeding.

Cordoba told Sexton he clocked him going 28 mph and told him to slow down, according to the complaint. Sexton denied he was going that fast and suggested he had to have his equipment checked. He also said Cordoba didn't have the legal right to detain him because he was on private property.

"Cordoba became agitated and said, 'Do you want to take this as a warning to slow down or do you want to see where this goes?' " the complaint says. "Deputy Cordoba was verbally abusive and combative toward plaintiff."

The lawsuit, which seeks more than $50,000 in damages, says Sexton was "publicly humiliated" by the encounter and suffered mental anguish, pain and suffering lost wages and employment opportunities. Tallahassee attorney Marie Mattox, who is representing Sexton, did not immediately return a phone call or text.

"Plaintiff was ... restrained by defendant's use of coercive words and threats of force as well as actual force and immediate means of coercion against plaintiff, so that the plaintiff was restrained and deprived of liberty," the complaint says. "Defendant restrained plaintiff without any justification and in the absence of probable cause."

Tallahassee attorney Michael Spellman, who is representing Cordoba, moved on June 30 to dismiss the lawsuit, writing that Sexton's allegations were "woefully deficient" to pierce the statutory immunity from lawsuits granted to public employees and police officers.

Story continues

Florida law says public officers can't be held personally liable for civil claims unless they acted in "bad faith" or with "malicious purpose" in a manner showing "wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety or property."

"By his own admission, Deputy Cordoba only detained plaintiff long enough to warn plaintiff to 'slow down' while dropping his child off at Wakulla High School," the defense said in its motion to dismiss. "This brief detention and warning humiliated plaintiff, a Tallahassee Police Department officer, so badly, he elected to clog the court system with a baseless lawsuit."

Contact Jeff Burlew @jburlew@tallahassee.com and follow @JeffBurlew on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TPD cop sues Wakulla deputy over 'false arrest'; sheriff's lawyers call it 'baseless'
Flight tracking military aircraft

Members of the U.S. Senate are pressing the Department of Defense to adopt more uniform policies to limit the ability of third parties, including the general public, to track U.S. military flights via their Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast transponders. Senators have expressed particular concern about the current ease with which aircraft carrying senior officials can be monitored. If these measures become systemically implemented, it could severely limit the ability for the public to track aerial movements of U.S. military aircraft.

In recent years, tracking flights online via Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and other data has become a particularly valuable tool for news outlets, including The War Zone, and other organizations. The power of flight tracking became particularly apparent as a result of investigations into the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) secret extraordinary rendition program in the early 2000s. Public advocacy and accountability-focused groups also regularly use this information to draw attention to other controversial or potentially wasteful use of military aircraft, including potentially illegal domestic surveillance and travel by top officials.

It has also prompted concerns about how foreign intelligence agencies and other malign actors might exploit this data.

A screen capture from online flight tracking website ADS-B Exchange showing a snapshot of military flights across the United States on July 18. ADS-B Exchange

The Congressional guidance in question was included in a report accompanying a draft of the annual defense policy bill, or National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), for Fiscal Year 2024 that Senators Jack Reed and Roger Wicker filed last week. Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, and Wicker, a Republican representing Mississippi, are the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, respectively.

The full relevant section, titled "Mitigation of Aviation Transponder Vulnerabilities," is as follows:

"The Department of Defense (DOD) has confirmed in briefings that it has developed a number of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), which it calls Joint/Interagency-Ground/Air Transponder Operational Risk Reduction, that are intended to mitigate the operational security threats posed by third parties tracking DOD aircraft through open source data broadcast by Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast [ADS-B] transponders. The Department has also confirmed that it has tested these TTPs and that they can be effective against tracking.

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However, the Department acknowledges that the use of these TTPs is not consistently applied for sensitive DOD flights, in part because the decision whether to use the TTPs has been decentralized due to a lack of an overarching DOD policy.

The committee understands there are several software programs that track DOD aircraft, including aircraft DOD uses to transport senior government officials. The software is able to do this because these flights are not using the TTPs, making them readily tracked. Therefore, the committee expects the Secretary of Defense to address this situation by ensuring that a DOD-wide policy for preventing release of such sensitive information is promulgated as soon as possible."

ADS-B transponders, which are in widespread use globally, broadcast precise location and other data, and do so in an unencrypted manner. Many countries require various types of aircraft to carry them for safety purposes and to otherwise help with air traffic control monitoring. This includes the United States, where Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations have required most aircraft, including military types, to employ this system since 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-v54MlxMIo

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration offers options to aircraft operators to withhold ADS-B data, but that only applies to what the U.S. government collects and releases. Since ADS-B is not encrypted, a number of publicly accessible websites now exist that display flight information in near-real-time based on information fed in from various non-FAA sources, including receivers operated by private individuals all around the globe.

Broadly speaking, from the perspective of Congress and the U.S. military, at least officially, fears lie in what bad actors might do with that information.

The Department of Defense considers open source flight tracking and data aggregation on our aircraft a direct threat to our ability to conduct military air operations around the world, the U.S. Air Force told National Defense magazine earlier this year.

As highlighted by the Senate report attached to the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA draft, those concerns about those risks extend to non-combat activities, including the transport of senior officials from one location to another. It is also worth noting that the use of U.S. military aircraft by members of Congress and other U.S. government officials has drawn accusations of waste and abuse on many occasions in the past.

As a particularly notable and relevant example of high-profile U.S. military flight tracking, the U.S. Air Force C-40 Clipper aircraft that ultimately carried Nancy Pelosi, then a Democratic party Representative from California and Speaker of the House, to Taiwan last year was visible online despite concerns that the Chinese military might attempt to forcefully prevent the flight from reaching the island or otherwise harass it. That flight, which used the callsign SPAR19, was one of the most tracked ever in terms of total simultaneous users monitoring it on the popular site FlightRadar24.

https://twitter.com/flightradar24/status/1554457269714264066

Private citizens, most notably SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk, have been increasingly voicing similar concerns, as well.

As the Senate report attached to the draft of the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA notes, the U.S. government already has various tactics, techniques, and procedures it can use to mitigate those risks. The Senate Armed Services Committee did not provide specific details about these "Joint/Interagency-Ground/Air Transponder Operational Risk Reduction" tactics, techniques, and procedures, but there are a number of known capabilities and strategies that are relevant here.

It's important to point out immediately that many U.S. military air operations are not readily trackable online at all. Tactical combat aircraft and bombers, in particular, routinely fly combat and non-combat sorties without broadcasting this data. U.S. military aircraft also have the option of flying with their transponders off entirely under so-called "due regard" procedures, including on sensitive flights outside of combat operations, wherein the pilot assumes full responsibility for keeping their aircraft safe and avoiding mid-air collisions.

When circumstances require U.S. military aircraft to publicly broadcast transponder data, there is also the option of using a more selective output setting known as Mode S. Transponders broadcasting in this way can be set to not pump out specific geolocation data or send out information of any kind automatically, unlike when using ADS-B. Aircraft using Mode S can still be tracked, but it requires at least four receivers pinging them to triangulate their lateral position and establish altitude. The Tweets below offer an example of how ADS-B versus Mode S flight tracking data might appear online.

https://twitter.com/steffanwatkins/status/1681345998818361347?s=20

With this in mind, open-source intelligence enthusiasts and analysts have been noting for some time now that the majority of instances of U.S. military aircraft disappearing from online tracking sites are very likely to be the result of them switching to Mode S rather than them turning transponders off entirely.

https://twitter.com/vcdgf555/status/1579560177518645248

On top of that, ADS-B is only as good as the feeders available, and errors and dead zones are well-known issues in publicly-available flight tracking data. Deliberate spoofing is another issue that is becoming more pronounced and could potentially be used to deceive and misdirect perceptions during times of conflict or crisis.

The U.S. military is also known to use bogus hex codes, which identify a transponder as belonging to a specific aircraft, to help mask certain sensitive flights. For instance, the U.S. Air Force VC-25A Air Force One jet that carried President Donald Trump to Afghanistan in 2019 masqueraded electronically for a time as a KC-10 Extender tanker in this way.

https://twitter.com/CivMilAir/status/1200247418626990082

It is, of course, worth noting that none of these TTPs to mitigate online flight tracking limit the ability of traditional plane spotters to visually observe aircraft coming and going from various locations. The U.S. Air Force has recently begun removing individually identifying markings on a host of different transport and tanker aircraft to try to mitigate this kind of manual flight tracking, as well.

As The War Zone has noted in the past, there are many questions about the utility of this strategy, especially given online flight tracking tools. It's possible that these efforts could be bolstered by other measures to limit the ability for people to track U.S. military flights electronically.

A US Air Force C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft with its serial number, tail code, and other typical individually identifying markings removed from its tail and elsewhere along the fuselage as part of a still relatively new operations security policy. USAF

Interestingly, The Intercept published a story yesterday that indirectly highlights the potential limitations of all these strategies. The secretive U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, which operates fleets of aircraft the identities of which are already heavily obfuscated visually and electronically, is reportedly interested in the possibility of acquiring an "Aircraft Flight Profile Management Database Tool" to help those planes 'hide' out in the open.

"When determining if the planned movement is suitable and appropriate, the 'Aircraft Flight Profile Management Database Tool" reveals that the aircraft is primarily associated with a distinctly different geographic area. Additionally, 'tail watchers' have posted on social media pictures of the aircraft at various airfields," a U.S. military procurement document uses as a notional scenario where this tool would be applicable, according to The Intercept. "Based on the information available, the commander decides to utilize a different airframe for the mission. With the aircraft in flight, the tool is monitored for any indication of increased scrutiny or mission compromise."

This picture shows a Beechcraft King Air configured for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions at Baledogle Military Airfield in Somalia in 2021. The U.S. civil registration code on the side was not assigned to any specific aircraft at the time and its exact operator remains unknown. However, this is very much in line with the kinds of aircraft that JSOC is understood to operate clandestinely and that it would be interested in obscuring the activities of via the proposed Aircraft Flight Profile Management Database Tool. USMC

How feasible it might be to create such a tool, at least in the near term, is unclear. Such a system sounds like it would need to leverage things like artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to help scrape and scan large amounts of data quickly.

Regardless, JSOC's interest in this capability speaks directly to the broader issues at play and the difficulties in mitigating them in a world where flight tracking information of various kinds can be readily shared and disseminated in multiple ways online.

It is important to remember that what Senators are calling for in the report attached to the draft of the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA is just a more uniform implementation of the existing mitigation techniques. What impacts doing that might actually have remain to be seen.

What is clear is that Congress is now actively pushing the Pentagon to take those steps, which could have significant ramifications for anyone who currently uses online tools to track U.S. military flights going forward.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
I came to office determined to build the economy from the middle out and bottom up, not the top down - that's Bidenomics - and supporting small business has been central to the progress we've made.

My first two years saw the most Americans applying to start small businesses of any on record.

Today's report from the Small Business Administration shows that we've also made progress leveling the playing field in federal contracts, with a record $163 billion going to small businesses. Just in the last fiscal year, our policies have supported one million jobs in small businesses.

READ NEXT: Statement from President Joe Biden on Retirement of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.

This report also shows progress in increasing the share of federal contracts going to small disadvantaged businesses.

Vice President Harris and I are committed to ensuring that federal investments build wealth and opportunity for underserved entrepreneurs and small business owners in every community across the country.

Small businesses are the engines of our economy and the heart and soul of our communities, and investing in our small business entrepreneurs means investing in competition and job creation.

READ MORE: Readout of President Joe Biden's Meeting with President Sauli Niinisto of Finland

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A transgender disabled man in Michigan said he was injured Saturday after a group of people drove by and shot him multiple times with a pellet gun.

Andrew Blake-Newton, 30, was on the sidewalk in his wheelchair heading to a gas station late Saturday night when the alleged attack occurred, WDIV-TV reported. According to Blake-Newton, a small sedan pulled up next to him shortly after midnight, and two people inside the van shot bullets at him five times with a pellet gun.

After striking him with the bullets, the group allegedly mocked him, yelled anti-transgender slurs at him and drove away laughing, according to NBC News.

Theres just no way to understand what goes on in somebodys head to do that, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard told WDIV-TV, later describing the attack as cowardly and despicable.

Its just hard to imagine the lack of humanity in the individual or individuals involved in this, Bouchard continued.

No suspects have been arrested. The Oakland County Sheriffs Office did not respond to HuffPosts request for additional comment and updates regarding the incident.

Blake-Newton was treated at the hospital after the incident and has since been recovering. He sustained several minor injuries on multiple parts of his body, including his legs.

It was so bad that I was leaking. Puddles of fluid were around my legs at the hospital, Blake-Newton told WDIV-TV. Since this happened, I cant get comfortable. I have barely been able to sleep due to the pain.

Transgender people are four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violence such as rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault, studies show. Disabled people are also disproportionately impacted by violent crimes and victimization.

This was just a pellet gun, Blake-Newton added. But I have seen trans people of color on social media being gunned down.

A review of fatal violence cases between 2017 and 2021 found that the risk of anti-transgender violence is shaped by factors such as race, gender and class. The number of transgender people who have been murdered in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2017 and 2021, and three-quarters of known victims were Black transgender women.

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The Human Rights Campaign reported that 38 transgender people were killed in 2022, and at least 14 transgender people have been killed in 2023.

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Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

When the lower chamber of the Russian parliament passed a new law banning gender-affirming surgery for transgender people, it confirmed Milana Romanovas worst fear: The relative freedom that transgender people had enjoyed in Russia since 1997, during her entire life, was over.

The new lawpassed Friday, and which now goes to the upper chamber and President Putin for final approvalhinted dangerously of increasing medical pressure on gay and transgender people: Putin had personally ordered the ministry of health to create a special psychiatric institute to study LGBTQ people. Romanova told The Daily Beast that the new legislation would only encourage more violence and more transgender people will attempt to commit suicide.

LGBT, Terrified for Their Lives in Russia, and Desperate for Asylum

An 18-year-old stylist, Romanova was in the process of transition. The law means she will not be allowed to have any further medical help, legally. She now walks on the streets of Moscow, feeling herself as a Jew in Berlin during the World War II, she told The Daily Beast. This law is an invitation to kill us all, there is only one way to surviveto leave the country; I wish I had money to travel to one of the most transgender-friendly countries like the Netherlands, she said. Western countries should make the immigration procedure easier for Russian transgender peoplewe are the most vulnerable group here. The discrimination we face threatens our lives.

A few months ago, Romanova began to take female hormone therapy and her voice changed. As soon as I heard back in May, that the State Duma deputies were proposing to ban transition, I rushed to receive a medical diagnose of transsexuality and managed to change my passport, she told The Daily Beast.

Until recently, Russians wishing to legally change their gender had to interact with psychiatrists, municipal authorities, draft officers and sometimes judges. But there was a legal route to transition. On Monday, Russian transgender peoples closed chat on Telegram for over 1,000 Russian trans people was bubbling with updates on which psychiatrist to run to get the most-desirable F-64 certificate, a diagnose of transsexualism. Then, based on that certificate, one could get a passport changed.

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But there is no time left. Transgender people have less than one week left before Putin signs the law. I have no doubt he willthis is Russia, and then none of us will have any access to professional medical help and society will know its OK to eliminate us, Romanova told The Daily Beast.

International groups condemned both the bans of the gender-affirming care and the elimination of legal recognition of transitioning between genders in Russia.

This is a part of an ideology aimed at erasing trans people, and this is true in the US as well as Russia. This is also the same kind of ideology that also drives the anti-LGBTQ legislation and bills in Uganda and other countries in Africa, Maria Sjodin, executive director of Outright International, told The Daily Beast. Governments are claiming to protect youth or traditional families, while ignoring the fact that gender-affirming care and legal gender recognition that respect peoples identities save lives and improve the quality of life immensely for trans people that have access to them.

Milana Romanova. Courtesy Milana Romanova

LGBTQ peoples persecution, discrimination, and fight for equality have been political issues in Russia ever since Stalins crackdown on gay men in the mid-1930s. Russian gay men were arrested and sentenced to 5 years of prison in USSR, punished by criminal law for nearly seven decades until post-Perestroika reforms, after which international gay and lesbian symposiums, film festivals became popular. Homosexual acts between consenting adults were legalized on May 27, 1993.

But by 2011, Vladimir Putins government pivoted to repression of LGBTQ people as a political strategy, seen as distracting from failed economic reforms. His model of government was not going to make Russia more prosperous than the European Union, so the Kremlin started to define the value of Russian leadership as opposing Western decadence.

The Pussy Riot trial became a long show trial of the anti-Putin punk band that was supportive of LGBTQ rights. The Kremlins propagandists condemned the decadent West for accepting transgender people, and presented Putins government as a defense of traditional values. Of course, many in Putins circle cheated on their wives and husbands, took bribes, stole from the state budget, and not all of this could be hidden. But their anti-LGBTQ stand defined them as different from Europeand was politically useful.

In 2013 Putin signed the so-called anti-gay propaganda law, for the purpose of protecting children from information advocating a denial of traditional family values.

Nikita Loyk, an out-gay man from the Altai Mountain region in Siberia, has been documenting voices of the victims of LGBTQ repression. His recent film Incurable Me about horrific cases of Russian conversion therapy, recently premiered in Lisbon and Amsterdam.

The new law obliges every district clinic to hire a sexologist and treat teens; this law is a carte blanche for violence, and a license to kill for all sorts of thugs, Loyk told The Daily Beast. After I released my film, I received many letters from LGBTQ people in Russia. One guy said: help me, they kidnapped my boyfriend and took him for conversion therapy. First, domestic violence was decriminalized in Russia and now nobody seems to care if transgender people will survive.

In post-Soviet countries with authoritarian regimes parents often took their teenage transgender children for repressive treatments at mental clinics or religious institutions. One of those featured in Loyks documentary, a transgender man named Dr. Zeyd, was sent to Iran by his mother when he was 19 years old.

Sexual activity between members of the same sex is illegal in Iran (indeed punishable by death), and Zeyd was sent for religious correction. It was all useless; I had felt myself a boy for as long as I remembered myself, so even during the special corrective prayers I caught myself thinking that I like done of the girls in our group, Dr. Zeyd, now a stomatologist in Amsterdam, told The Daily Beast. It is extremely dangerous to deprive people in transition of medical help. Hormones can be damaging for health if one takes them without doctors prescription. Even in Iran, if one feels himself a woman, the state helps you to transition and provide medical service. The law is not going to stop Russian transgender people. But without medical aid, their health might be ruined.

Even before the new law, Russian transgender people have been victims of violence. A group of thugs attacked two young transgender people, Melody and her friend, when they walked home in the city of Yekaterinburg in 2016. They beat us terribly. I still have a scar on my face, but my friend had many more scars; a few days later she walked out of the window on the 16th floor, Melody, who now lives in the Netherlands, told The Daily Beast.

Melody. Courtesy Melody

Attacks, humiliations, and her friends tragic death made Melody scared and depressed. I thought I would have to cope with normality, stop the transitionbut no laws, no pressure could break my nature. I knew I could only be happy as the woman I am.

Melody and her mother moved from Yekaterinburg to the Tula region. By 2022 Melody was living with her boyfriend there, terrified by the war in Ukraine, by the draft, and by the increasing repressions on LGBTQ people.

Last December we made a decision that I move to Amsterdam and he would join me later. But upon my arrival in Holland I received a phone call: my boyfriend was stabbed to death in the town of Aleksin, she said. Of Russia, she said, I look back and see only repressions, fear and threats.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea was silent Wednesday about the status of an American soldier who bolted across the inter-Korean border into the isolated communist country a day earlier, as more details emerged about the 23-year-old Army private.

Meanwhile, nuclear-armed North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles eastward from its west coast early Wednesday local time, South Korea and Japan said.

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King is in North Korean custody after crossing the heavily fortified border willfully and without authorization, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Tuesday.

US Soldier Held in North Korea (Anthony Walllace / AFP via Getty Images file)

King, who had recently been released from a South Korean prison, had been escorted by the military to Incheon International Airport outside Seoul, the capital, for possible further disciplinary action in the United States.

But instead of proceeding to his gate, a senior administration official told NBC News, he joined a commercial tour group headed for the joint security area. The truce village, also known as Panmunjom, is about an hour and a half from the airport and is the only place along the approximately 155-mile Demilitarized Zone where North Korea and South Korea interact.

Sarah Leslie, a tourist from New Zealand who was in Kings group, said the tour was nearing its end and the group was sort of milling around under the watchful eyes of South Korean and American soldiers, while soldiers on the North Korean side appeared to be inside a building.

Suddenly, she noticed a man running what looked like full gas towards the North Korean side, she told The Associated Press.

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King. (via Facebook)

The South Korean and American soldiers ordered the rest of the group inside and chased after King but couldnt catch him.

Everybody was stunned and shocked, Leslie said. There were some people who hadnt even realized what was going on.

King was initially reported to South Korean police after allegedly punching a Korean national at a night club in Seoul on Sept. 25 last year, but was not indicted because the victim did not want to press charges.

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In February he was fined 5 million won ($3,950) in Seoul on charges that included damaging public property, according to South Korean court documents. He was accused of repeatedly kicking a police patrol car in Seoul last year, causing several hundred dollars in damage.

He did not cooperate when apprehended by officers at the scene and was shouting profanities about Koreans and the Korean army.

King has been serving in the Army since January 2021, according to U.S. Army spokesman Bryce Dubee. He was a cavalry scout assigned to the 1st Armored Division, The Associated Press reported, and served almost two months in a South Korean prison after declining to pay a fine in an assault investigation.

King is the first known American to be detained in North Korea since Bruce Byron Lowrance, who was caught after entering from neighboring China in October 2018 and deported several weeks later. King appears to be the first U.S. soldier to defect to North Korea in more than 50 years.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday that the U.S., which does not have official relations with North Korea, was engaging on King with South Korea and Sweden, whose embassy represents U.S. interests in North Korea.

Our primary concern at this time is ascertaining his well-being and getting to the bottom of exactly what happened, she said.

North Korea has not mentioned the border crossing in its state media but continued Wednesday with weapons testing that has accelerated since last year.

The missiles launched by North Korea from 3 to 4 a.m. local time (2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday ET) landed east of the Korean Peninsula outside Japans exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of damage to aircraft or vessels in the area, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.

They reached maximum altitudes of about 30 miles and flew distances of up to about 370 miles, the ministry said.

North Korea has expressed opposition in recent days to plans by the U.S. and South Korea for a nuclear consultative group aimed at upgrading their coordination in the event of nuclear war with the North, as well as a rare visit to the South by a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine. The first group meeting and the submarines arrival both took place Tuesday.

Despite international sanctions, North Korea has been ramping up its nuclear and missile programs amid stalled denuclearization talks. Last week, it tested the Hwasong-18, a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the continental U.S.

North Koreas missile launches Wednesday are probably unrelated to Kings border crossing, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, but such an incident doesnt help matters either.

The Kim regime is likely to treat a border crosser as a military, intelligence, and public health threat even though it is more likely that such an individual is mentally distressed and acting impulsively due to personal issues, Easley said in an email. Such unexpected events highlight the need for diplomatic channels between governments and regular communication between militaries.

The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in the South, a treaty ally that has remained frozen in conflict with the North since the Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty 70 years ago this month.

The State Department has barred Americans from traveling to North Korea since 2017, when college student Otto Warmbier died days after returning to the U.S. in a coma following 18 months of detention in North Korea. He had been sentenced to 15 years of hard labor after being accused of trying to steal a propaganda poster from the wall of his hotel in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, where he was on a group tour.

Stella Kim reported from Seoul, and Jennifer Jett and Larissa Gao from Hong Kong.

CLARIFICATION (July 20, 2 p.m. ET): This article has been updated to clarify that King served time in a South Korean prison after declining to pay a fine in connection with an assault investigation. An assault charge in a separate case was dismissed.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Travis King joined a border tour and fled to North Korea

Travis King, the American soldier who fled to North Korea, had been detained for getting into fights in South Korea before he crossed the border.

Court documents showed he also damaged a police car and had recently spent time in a detention facility in Seoul.

The 23-year-old serviceman had been recently released and was being sent back to the US when he escaped.

He joined a tour of the Joint Security Area and fled into North Korea, which has not commented so far.

It remains unclear what his intentions were for crossing the border. US authorities have said that he did so "wilfully, of his own volition" and expressed concern about his well-being.

Private 2nd Class (PV2) King's mother Claudine Gates told ABC News she could not imagine her son doing such a thing. He "had to be out of his mind", she said.

Ms Gates said she had last heard from the US soldier "a few days ago", when he told her he would soon be returning to Fort Bliss, his army base in Texas.

PV2 King was reportedly investigated for assault in South Korea in September 2022. According to local media, he was suspected of punching a Korean national in a nightclub in Seoul.

He was fined 5m won (,3,000; $3,950) for "repeatedly kicking" the back door of a police car and screamed "foul language" at the officers trying to apprehend him.

Local reports quoting officials said he was released on 10 July after serving two months in jail on assault charges, but did not elaborate.

Travis King, dressed in a black shirt and black cap, is seen on the tour before he crossed the border

After his release, he was placed under military observation for about a week in South Korea.

He was escorted to the airport in Incheon, near Seoul, for a flight back to the United States, where he was to face disciplinary action.

But he did not board the plane. The Korea Times, quoting an airport official, said he arrived at the boarding gate alone as military police officers were not allowed to accompany him all the way to the plane.

At the gate, he reportedly approached an American Airlines official and claimed his passport had gone missing. An airline employee then escorted him out of the departures area.

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After parting ways with his escort, he is reported to have left the terminal to embark on a tour of the Demilitarised Zone, or DMZ, between North and South Korea, where foreigners can visit via tour companies.

It is not clear how PV2 King managed to get on one of these tours, as it typically takes between three days and a week for an individual to be authorised, and the trips are usually closely monitored.

An eyewitness on the same border tour described hearing the soldier laughing loudly before making a run across the border.

The United Nations Command, which operates the DMZ, said it believed the soldier was now in custody of the North. A senior US commander said there had been no contact with the soldier and the incident was being investigated by US Forces Korea.

Retired General Robert Abrams, a former commander of United States Forces Korea, told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight he believed we were "seeing the opening act" of a "tragedy of the utmost proportion".

"I've got serious concerns for [PV2 King's] health and welfare... I was actually glad they didn't shoot him on sight when he came sprinting across the military demarcation line," Ret. Gen Adams said. "He's in for a very rude awakening on how North Koreans treat people who unlawfully enter the country."

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The jury trial for three Bellingham Public Schools administrators who were charged criminally with failing to report a high school students sexual assaults that were brought to their attention has been rescheduled.

The rescheduling of the trial comes roughly a week after The Bellingham Herald first reported that the lead Bellingham Police Department detective investigating the cases is now himself the subject of departmental and criminal investigations.

At a hearing Tuesday afternoon, Whatcom County District Court Commissioner Tony Parise rescheduled the three school administrators jury trial to Aug. 28. A pre-trial hearing is set for Aug. 25.

Parise also consolidated all three of the cases Tuesday so that they may be heard as one jury trial instead of three separate ones.

Defense attorneys for the administrators also withdrew their motion to dismiss the cases at Tuesdays hearing.

Whatcom County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Levi Uhrig had previously requested the administrators jury trial be rescheduled during a July 11 hearing in the case. Uhrig informed the pro-tem commissioner that the additional attorney handling the case with him has medical appointments over the next several weeks, and that a new detective had taken over the case.

Criminal defense attorney Bob Butler then clarified for the commissioner in open court that the reason the state was likely seeking a new trial date was because the former lead detective on the cases is likely soon to be placed on the Brady list, The Herald previously reported.

The Brady list, maintained by the county prosecutors office, is a list of law enforcement officers whose credibility has been called into question. The officers on the list have most commonly been found to have been dishonest, lied while in an official capacity, or have been accused or found guilty of past misconduct.

Prosecutors are legally required to turn the list over to defense attorneys if an officer on the Brady list is involved or worked on the case. This information can then be used to impeach the officer as a witness if they are called to testify in court.

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The pro-tem commissioner declined July 11 to rule on whether to reschedule the administrators jury trial because he was temporarily filling in for the normal commissioner hearing the case and set a hearing for Tuesday hearing on the matter.

he administrators  Meghan V. Dunham, Jeremy Gilbert Louzao and Maude Chimere Hackney  were each criminally cited Dec. 7 in Whatcom County District Court with one count of failure to report, which is a gross misdemeanor.

They have entered not guilty pleas. Gross misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The school district is providing legal defense for the three administrators.

Tuesday hearing

At Tuesdays hearing, Whatcom County Assistant Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dona Bracke said she was requesting the administrators jury trial be rescheduled due to medical reasons.

Bracke asked the commissioner for a standard continuance in the case of roughly six to eight weeks.

Butler, the defense attorney, said while he was sympathetic to the prosecutors medical issues, there were other attorneys in the prosecutors office who could handle the case. Having a different prosecutor handle the jury trial would not require such a long continuance, Butler said during Tuesdays hearing.

But Bracke said she has been the only prosecuting attorney assigned to the case since the beginning, the only one to sit in on several interviews, and said that no one else in the office is privy to all of the information she has in the case. Having a different prosecutor handle the trial would require them to listen to a ridiculous number of hours of interviews to get caught up to speed, she said.

Bracke also said the other attorneys in the office have full caseloads and that none would likely have the time to get caught up with the case unless a full continuance was granted.

Parise, the commissioner, ultimately decided to reschedule the administrators jury trials, but did not grant the prosecutions request for a full continuance in the case.

He said while he was sensitive to the prosecutors medical issues, he did not feel comfortable pushing the trial date that far out, adding that the prosecutors office has many attorneys and the situation was different than dealing with a personal attorney. Parise said he understood that it may take some time for a different attorney to get familiar with the case and said he wanted to balance that with the administrators speedy trial rights.

Parise then rescheduled the administrators jury trial to Aug. 28.







Squalicum High School Assistant Principals Jeremy G. Louzao, 41, left, and Meghan V. Dunham, 50, and Bellingham High School Assistant Principal Maude Chimere Hackney, 41, have been accused of failing to report sexual assaults that a student brought to their attention nearly a year ago. Each was issued a criminal citation Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, for failure to report, a gross misdemeanor.

Background

All three administrators are mandatory reporters and required by state law to report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child to law enforcement or the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families.

None of the three reported the female students sexual assaults, The Herald previously reported.

At the time the criminal citations were issued, Louzao and Dunham were serving as assistant principals at Squalicum High School, while Hackney was an assistant principal at Bellingham High School.

All three were reassigned in early January to the school districts Department of Teaching and Learning. They were also included among the list of 60 administrative staff members the district recommended to the school board for employment for the 2023-24 school year.

The school board approved that list at its May 18 meeting, The Herald previously reported.

The former Squalicum High School student who has accused the district of mishandling her sexual assault reports filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Dec. 7 against Bellingham Public Schools. The student, who has since withdrawn from the high school and is now attending another school, accused the district in her lawsuit of violating her federal Title IX rights, failing its duty to protect and care for her and neglecting its duties to report the sexual assaults to law enforcement.

She previously sought $1 million in damages from the district before filing the federal lawsuit.

In its January response to the lawsuit, Bellingham Public Schools denied it mishandled the students sexual assault reports. The district said it took reasonable steps to stop the reported harassment, that the assault allegations contained in the students lawsuit were not reported to the administrators and that the conduct that was reported to them was not considered abuse or neglect under state law.

The federal lawsuit and all three of the administrators criminal cases are currently pending, county and federal court records show.

Bellingham Public Schools District Office, Jan.30, 2019.

The male student accused of sexually assaulting the female student pleaded guilty to amended charges of two counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation May 17 in Whatcom County District Court. He also resolved two unrelated criminal cases.

He was previously facing a charge of one count of indecent liberties by forcible compulsion, which is a felony, for assaulting the female student.

In the sex crime case, he will undergo an evaluation for a special sex offender disposition alternative, which if granted, would allow him to participate in treatment.

The prosecution and defense attorneys are expected to present an agreed resolution at the boys disposition hearing recommending a special sex offender alternative. The alternative sentence would include two years of community supervision, an anti-harassment no-contact order with the female student and restitution to be determined.

If the sex offender alternative is granted and then later revoked, a manifest injustice sentence of 15-20 weeks at a juvenile detention institution will be recommended.

The boys disposition hearing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, according to court records.

Investigation

In February 2022, Bellingham Police Detective Adam (Bo) S. McGinty, with the special victims unit, began investigating a former Squalicum High School female students disclosures that a male student had repeatedly sexually assaulted her, according to previous reporting in The Herald.

Roughly a month later, McGinty also began investigating the three Bellingham Public Schools administrators the female student had reported the assaults to, and their alleged failures to notify law enforcement or the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families, according to public records obtained by The Herald.

In early December, the administrators were charged with failing to report the female students sexual assaults, which were brought to their attention nearly a year prior, The Herald previously reported.

McGinty is now himself the subject of a Bellingham Police Department internal affairs investigation and the subject of a criminal investigation with the Mount Vernon Police Department, the public records show.

As of Monday, July 17, neither investigation had concluded and no determinations had been made, according to Bellingham and Mount Vernon police.

Former Bellingham Police Chief David Doll (left) congratulates Detective Adam (Bo) S. McGinty (right) on his promotion in a Jan. 3, 2018 photo. In June 2023, McGinty became the subject of a department internal affairs investigation and an outside agency criminal investigation.

The Bellingham Police Department started its internal affairs investigation of McGinty on May 18, according to Bellingham Police Deputy Chief Don Almer.

Almer declined to discuss the investigation, saying it is an active and ongoing administrative investigation that has not yet been completed, but did say that the allegations do not involve domestic violence, crimes of violence, acts of a sexual nature, any public safety issues, or drugs/alcohol.

McGinty was placed on paid administrative leave on June 7 in accordance with agency policy, Almer said in a previous email to The Herald.

The departments Office of Professional Responsibility is finalizing documentation and said he hopes the administrative investigation will be concluded by the end of July, Almer said in a Monday, July 17, email to The Herald.

The Mount Vernon Police Department is also conducting a criminal investigation into the allegations at the Bellingham Police Departments request.

The Mount Vernon Police Department began its investigation into McGinty on June 15, Mount Vernon Police Lt. Mike Moore previously told The Herald.

As of Monday, July 17, there were no updates on the criminal investigation or an estimated timeline of when it may be completed, Moore said.

When asked what the nature of the criminal allegations against McGinty were, Moore said the extent of the criminal investigation has not yet been determined.

McGinty was previously the lead detective handling the investigation into the three school administrators alleged failures to report a high school students sexual assaults. Public records show McGinty spent more than a year working on the cases.

He has since been removed from handling the cases. He was hired by Bellingham police on March 1, 2015 and was promoted to detective in January 2018.
Hawaii is a popular tourist destination in the summer, with nearly a million people visiting the island in July 2022

Tropical Storm Calvin has passed Hawaii without inflicting significant damage or injuries.

Calvin mainly caused localised flooding - over 5in (13cm) of rain in some areas - and minor wind damage after making contact on Tuesday night.

By Wednesday afternoon the storm had passed.

More than a million people in the US state had been under a state of emergency, but all watches, warnings and advisories have now expired.

Calvin was the first tropical cyclone to affect Hawaii this year, but authorities cautioned that hurricane season has only just begun.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the state recommends all residents keep stockpiles of water, food, medicine and other supplies that would last up to 14 days.

"Thankfully, Calvin did not cause significant damage, but it's a reminder for us to be prepared," he told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

He spoke as the bulk of Calvin had moved south and west of the islands, with winds dropping below tropical storm strength (40mph).

There is a 50% chance for above-normal tropical cyclone activity during this year's Central Pacific hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said.

Hawaii is a popular tourist destination in the month of July. The state's department of tourism reported that nearly one million visitors came to the Hawaiian Islands this month last year.

Hurricanes and tropical storms do not often travel in Hawaii's path.
A medical examiner completes an autopsy report. Shepard Sherbell/CORBIS SABA/Corbis via Getty Images

A true crime YouTuber is apologizing after charging $3 to see a murder victim's autopsy photos on Patreon.

Zav Girl said she got the pictures of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch through a public records request.

The boy was stabbed to death in 2020 by his stepmother, who later pleaded guilty to the crime.

A true crime YouTuber is "looking into sensitivity training" after landing herself in hot water for sharing autopsy photos of a young murder victim on her Patreon.

In a video apology posted on Friday, the content creator known as Zav Girl apologized to the family of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch, who was stabbed to death by his stepmother in 2020, for sharing his photos, which she said she received after filing a public records request about his death.

Leticia Stauch was found guilty of the crime in May after a jury rejected her claim that she was insane when she attacked him, NBC News reported.

"I'm sorry I let you down," Zav Girl said, speaking to the family of the victim in her video. "I cannot imagine the pain Gannon's family has gone through. My anger over what happened to Gannon is the reason I started following the case."

The true crime content creator has posted several videos related to the crime, as well as other high-profile incidents like the death of four college students in Idaho and the Watts family murders. She charged $3 for a subcription to her Patreon, which allowed subscribers to view the records she had received from the request about the Stauch murder, Insider previously reported.

Zav Girl added in her video: "I'm not this evil, heartless person, like many are saying but I'm also doing a lot of self reflecting and I'm looking into sensitivity training."

Zav Girl did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Viewers were largely unreceptive to Zav Girl's apology, with commenters calling the incident a "cautionary tale" for true crime channels seeking to share the stories of families impacted by such tragedies.

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"The fact that you didn't already know that selling photos of a murdered child is depraved and heartless is REALLY alarming," one wrote.

"And this ladies and gents, is how you lose the support of all true crime channels and their viewers," another added.

Zav Girl's Patreon has since been removed from the site. She has not posted new content since her apology video.

Read the original article on Insider
By Jason Lange

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump is dominating the U.S. Republican presidential nomination contest with 47% support within his party, well above 19% for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The seven-day poll completed on Monday showed Trump, who was president from 2017 to 2021, rising from a June Reuters/Ipsos poll when he was the pick of 43% of Republicans.

The rest of the Republican field remains well behind the two front-runners, with Vivek Ramaswamy, a former biotechnology executive, at 9% in the poll, followed by former Vice President Mike Pence who had 7% support.

Ramaswamy, who only had 3% support in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in June, has been putting considerable sums of his own money toward promoting his candidacy. On Saturday he disclosed that he had lent his campaign about $15 million.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, which surveyed 4,414 adults nationwide online, showed a tight race in the November 2024 general election should Trump face Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden, who is seeking reelection and is not expected to face serious competition for his party's nomination.

Biden led Trump 37% to 35% in a hypothetical matchup, with the remaining 28% saying they weren't sure who to pick or would vote for someone else or no one at all.

Neither Biden nor Trump were widely liked by people outside their parties. Just 31% of independents had a favorable opinion of Trump and 32% thought as much about Biden.

At 80 years old, Biden is the oldest U.S. president ever to sit in the White House, and 63% of Democrats in the poll agreed with a statement that he was too old to work in government. Thirty-seven percent disagreed.

Still, Biden leads the Democratic contest by even more than Trump leads the Republican field, with 63% of Democrats' support compared with 15% for anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The poll's results had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 2 percentage points in either direction.

(Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Scott Malone and Jonathan Oatis)
(Bloomberg) -- The Justice Department appears to be on a fast track to charge former President Donald Trump with election interference before a potential case is brought in Georgia next month.

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The avalanche of legal troubles facing Trump comes just as the Republican presidential primary season heats up.

Special Counsel Jack Smith notified Trump this week that hes a target in the departments investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, meaning that a new round of federal charges against the former president could be coming within days.

The move signals that the Justice Department is aiming to get ahead of Atlanta-area district attorney Fani Willis, who has indicated she could announce charges against Trump and others in August for interfering in Georgias 2020 election.

The development also means that Trumps legal challenges are piling up and will consume more of his time as he revs up his campaign to return to the White House. Trump is currently the frontrunner to be the Republican candidate for president in next years election.

A federal judge in Florida didnt immediately set a trial date in the classified documents prosecution against Donald Trump Tuesday, but expressed skepticism about arguments from both the government and the former presidents lawyers.

Trump revealed in a post on his Truth Social account earlier Tuesday that he received the target letter Sunday night from Smith, who is investigating Trumps actions in the aftermath of the presidential election, including the insurrection at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

In the post, Trump said he was given four days to testify before Smiths grand jury, adding that the notification almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.

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At a Fox News town hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday night, Trump said the timing of the target letter shows that prosecutors are in a hurry.

I got the letter on Sunday night. Think of it. I dont think theyve ever sent a letter on Sunday, Trump said. And theyre in a rush because they want to interfere. Its interference with the election.

Trump has already been charged by Smith with mishandling classified information and obstructing justice, and by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg with falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

The Jan. 6 target letter lists multiple federal criminal laws that Trump could be charged with violating, according to a person familiar with the contents.

The statutes listed include one that makes it a crime to obstruct an official proceeding, among other things  a charge that has been featured in numerous prosecutions against individuals who attacked the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021  and conspiring to commit an offense or defraud the United States.

Rolling Stone, which earlier reported details on the target letter, also said the document listed an offense for willfully depriving a person of their rights under the US Constitution and other laws.

So far, Trumps legal troubles have helped him with GOP primary voters as he claims President Joe Bidens administration has weaponized the Justice Department to politically attack him.

Since being arraigned in Florida on June 13 in the documents case, Trump has extended his lead over his top rival by 3.5 percentage points in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls. He now leads Florida Governor Ron DeSantis 54% to 20%.

During a CNN interview Tuesday, DeSantis suggested that looming trials could prove a distraction to Trump and limit his effectiveness in the general election campaign.

If Im the nominee, well be able to focus on President Bidens failures and Ill be able to articulate a positive vision for the future, DeSantis said.

DeSantis also said the country was going down the road of criminalizing political differences.

An indictment in the election interference case would add another trial date to Trumps crowded calendar, with two trials scheduled for the heart of the 2024 primary election season.

Trump is also a defendant in a civil trial brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who claims that Trump sexually assaulted her and defamed her after she won a $5 million judgment against him. That trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 15  the same day as the Iowa Caucuses  and could continue through contests in New Hampshire and Nevada.

The criminal case in Manhattan is scheduled to begin March 25, tying him up for the Rhode Island and Wisconsin primaries.

Other trials could take Trump away from the campaign trail and into a courtroom for months in the coming election year.

The criminal cases have been a boon to Trumps online fundraising, bringing in tens of millions of dollars in the days following his first two indictments. Many of those were prized first-time donors.

Trumps Republican challengers have been mostly unwilling to use the indictments to score political points  with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson being notable exceptions. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy has said he would pardon Trump if elected.

On Monday, the Georgia Supreme Court unanimously rejected Trumps bid to shut down the inquiry by Willis, the Fulton County district attorney.

Trump sought to disqualify Willis and quash the report of a special grand jury that heard from 75 witnesses. The foreperson of that panel said in interviews that the panel secretly recommended indicting more than a dozen people, hinting one would be Trump.

A new grand jury that could indict Trump has been empaneled in Atlanta, and it could reach a decision on charges next month, Willis has said.

She has investigated matters including Trumps Jan. 2, 2021 telephone call during which he asked Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find enough votes to overturn Bidens narrow victory in Georgia. Williss probe also involves an effort to submit an alternative slate of Trump electors before Congress counted the Electoral College votes.

It remains to be seen if any of Trumps associates are charged in the Justice Departments election interference probe. A congressional committee that investigated the events leading up to and on Jan. 6 referred Trump for criminal prosecution, along with conservative lawyer John Eastman.

Eastman hasnt received a target letter, said his lawyer, Charles Burnham, in a statement Tuesday. We dont expect one since raising concerns about illegality in the conduct of an election is not now and has never been sanctionable, Burnham said.

Trump associate Rudolph Giuliani also hasnt received a target letter and his lawyer doesnt expect him to be charged, CNN reported Tuesday.

--With assistance from Zoe Tillman.

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CEDAR RAPIDS  Once again facing the possibility of a criminal indictment, former President Donald Trump complained of "evil prosecutors and a weaponized Department of Justice Tuesday night as he made an unannounced stop Tuesday night through a local county party meeting in Iowa.

Trump spoke to more than 150 people at a meeting of the Linn County Republican Party after taping a Fox News town hall with Sean Hannity in Cedar Rapids. Fox did not permit other media outlets to attend the event, which was scheduled to air at 8 p.m. Central.

We have a man  the only way he can get elected is to weaponize the Justice Department, which he's gone around doing, Trump told the crowd, referring to Democratic President Joe Biden. I didn't know practically what a subpoena was and grand juries and all of this. Now I'm like becoming an expert. I have no choice, because we have to. It's a disgrace.

Former President Donald Trump visits with campaign volunteers at the Grimes Community Complex Park, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trump posted on Truth Social early Tuesday morning that he is a target of a federal investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riots and could soon be indicted on charges related to efforts to subvert the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

In his social media post, Trump said special counsel Jack Smith sent a letter "giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment."

The former president was first indicted in March over his alleged role in a hush money payment to two women who said they had sex with Trump before the 2016 election. He was indicted again in June over his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House.

Trump has not said whether he would appear before this grand jury, and it was not immediately clear what specific charges may be pending.

In Cedar Rapids, Trump did not directly mention the potential indictment. But he once again claimed without evidence that Democrats cheated in the 2020 election. Dozens of courts have dismissed those claims as unfounded.

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If you say something about an election, they want to put you in jail for the rest of your life, he said. It's a disgrace. So they can cheat on an election. But if somebody wants to question the cheating, they want to call you a conspiracy theorist and all these other things.

Many attendees arrived in Make America Great Again hats and Trump campaign T-shirts, saying they had some advance warning of Trumps arrival.

A supporter keeps watch for the arrival of former President Donald Trump at the Grimes Community Complex Park, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

But others were caught off guard when they arrived to their regularly scheduled meeting  alerted to the event only when they pulled into a crowded parking lot and met Secret Service agents conducting security checks at the door.

Emma Aquino-Nemecek, wearing a Team Trump T-shirt, drew the former presidents attention from the lectern.

Watch the show tonight, Trump told the group. I saw you there because I recognize that beautiful shirt.

Aquino-Nemecek said she attended the Fox News town hall earlier in the day and was excited to hear Trump say he saw her there. She plans to caucus for him in January.

Hes the only one that can do the job. Nobody else, she said.

A supporter arrives to see former President Donald Trump during his visit with campaign volunteers at the Grimes Community Complex Park, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

The 64-year-old Marion resident said that the indictments against Trump are politically motivated.

Its going to be a civil war if that happens again, she said.

Steve Scheib, a 74-year-old Cedar Rapids resident, said he wasnt excited to see Trump attend the meeting.

I voted for him in the last election because there was no other options, he said. But I think this coming election, I really like Nikki Haley. I like Tim Scott.

Scheib called the indictments against Trump a bunch of crap. But he said hed still prefer to see someone else get the GOP nomination.

I'd rather see anybody else be in because if Trump gets the nomination, I think the Democrats are going to do everything they can do, legally and illegally, to not get him elected, he said.

Trump has ruffled feathers in Iowa recently after criticizing Gov. Kim Reynolds in a Truth Social post for choosing to remain neutral in the Republican primary rather than endorsing his campaign. I dont invite her to events! he said in the post.

Reynolds, who has attended multiple events with Trump in the past, told reporters on Tuesday that she is absolutely still open to doing so.

She said shes already invited Trump to join her Fair-Side Chats at the Iowa State Fair next month.

"Hes been invited, so hopefully hell take that opportunity to show up," she said. "I think its a great way for Iowans to see kind of a different side of our candidates. Who wouldnt want to come to the Iowa State Fair?"

But, unlike with Trumps last indictment, she did not immediately rush to his defense Tuesday.

I havent even had a chance to look at that, Reynolds told reporters at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

"Im not entirely surprised by whats happening," she said. "It seems to be a pattern with what we see coming out of this administration, but I havent had a chance to even look at it to comment."

Trump doubled down on his comments during an interview on WHO Radio Tuesday night.

When I spoke to Kim, she told me very nicely that she would like to remain neutral," Trump said in the interview. "I said, 'Wow, you want to remain neutral.' I said, 'Thats strange.' I didnt expect that from her.  So I was surprised at that, to be honest with you. Because again, I did rallies for her. I did things for her. She would not be governor. So, she would not be governor. She was substantially behind.

USA Today contributed to this report.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Trump campaigns in Iowa as third indictment looms: 'It's a disgrace'
(Photo : Darren McCollester/Newsmakers)

McDonald's is under fire over hundreds of former and current employees accusing the company of having a toxic culture filled with harassment.

Global fast food chain company McDonald's is under fire over harassment claims following a bombshell report compiling workers' accusations of a "toxic culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying."

The investigation of the situation, which BBC conducted, found that there were ten specific times of harassment and abuse. Additionally, employees allege that managers would often downplay the complaints or, in some cases, were the ones who instigated the harassment.

McDonald's Faces Harassment Accusations

The report noted that several staff members said that McDonald's managers at outlets across the United Kingdom were responsible for the harassment and assaults. A former worker for the company, who went by the name of Emily, said there were already expectations that if you worked for the fast food chain, you would be harassed at some point.

The chief executive of McDonald's in the UK and Ireland, Alistar Macrow, said that every single one of the company's 177,000 employees in the UK deserves to work in a "safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace," as per Salon.

The report included hundreds of former and current McDonald's workers who have come forward to reveal the controversy surrounding the fast food giant. The probe found that workers as young as 17 claimed they were being groped and harassed almost routinely.

With more stories highlighting the controversy, McDonald's faces further pressure to address the issue. The company said that it has "stringent" standards and would work on investigating all allegations that are brought to it.

Macrow acknowledged that there have been instances where the company has fallen short and apologized to the victims. One worker claimed that an older female manager forced his hand down her trousers and smacked his rear.

Some also said that managers smoked cannabis and took cocaine inside the offices while they were at work. There was also an accusation that one manager became a drug dealer for his employees, according to BBC.

Read Also: Founder of Frank Student Aid Startup Pleads Not Guilty to $175 Million Fraud Accusations

A Toxic Workplace Environment

Many people who came forward said they were previously afraid to do so because they were afraid to report the alleged behavior. Others who said they complained argued that managers ignored them or even criticized them.

Emily, who worked in a branch of McDonald's located in the North West when she was 17, said that her workplace environment was "really toxic." She said that she was constantly being asked inappropriate things by other male staff.

She said she told the manager to leave her alone and even emailed the company's staff support service to report the incident but did not reply. A week after a groping incident, she was fired for "being rude to staff."

Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said that under the Equality Act 2010, employers are legally responsible when a worker is sexually harassed at work by another employee. It added that if the employer does not conduct any corrective measures, they will receive legal consequences, said the New York Post.

Related Article: Columnist Says 'Sound of Freedom' Was Shelved by Disney for Years

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Indictments are imminently expected following a federal investigation into efforts from Donald Trump and his allies to subvert the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

The former president announced he received a target letter  a document formally indicating he is the subject of an investigation and  in connection with a sprawling US Department of Justice special counsel probe into an alleged scheme to preserve Mr Trumps presidency against the wills of millions of voters.

A case will not likely be revealed in full until an indictment is unsealed in US District Court, but a wealth of evidence uncovered by members of Congress and in other documents suggests that the former president and potential co-defendants could be prosecuted in what would be a second round of federal charges against him.

A House select committee spent a year and a half investigating the events surrounding and leading up to the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January, 2021, including a series of blockbuster public hearings laying out evidence and witness testimony describing the depth of Mr Trumps attempts to remain in office at whatever cost.

The panels final 845-page report provides a detailed account of Mr Trumps refusal to cede power  regardless of the outcome of a democratic election  while privately acknowledging that he lost, as his baseless stolen election narrative fuelled his supporters to riot in the halls of Congress, an argument that also bolstered his second impeachment in the House of Representatives.

In December, lawmakers on the House committee unanimously voted to recommend charges against the former president, claiming that there is enough evidence to prosecute him for at least four crimes  including aiding or providing comfort to an insurrection aimed at toppling the United States government.

The panel also referred Mr Trump to the Justice Department for the obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the US, and conspiracy to make a false statement to the federal government.

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John Eastman, the attorney who argued that Mr Pence could reject election results, and Kenneth Chesebro, who helped develop the fake elector scheme, were also implicated in the committees report, along with former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, attorney Rudy Giuliani, and former assistant US Attorney General Jeffrey Clark.

It was a mostly symbolic vote, marking the culmination of the committees months-long investigation, but it sent a powerful signal from a bipartisan group of lawmakers bolstered by mountains of evidence that a former president should be held accountable for his alleged crimes against the government.

That report and countless investigations into the events surrounding January 6 have painted the attack on the Capitol as part of a much-larger effort to preserve a fragile American democracy in a volatile battle to determine the truth and who wields it.

Who is under investigation?

The Justice Department, meanwhile, had separately been investigating Mr Trumps rejection of 2020 results, building on the years of work from federal prosecutors to investigate more than 1,000 people in connection with the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, fuelled by the former presidents ongoing false claims that the election was rigged against him.

Prosecutors have talked to a number of chief aides and officials in Mr Trumps circle, including Mr Pence, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, former attorney Rudy Giuliani, former White House counsel Pat Cipollone, his former deputy Pat Philbin, and former National Security Adviser Robert OBrien, among several others.

They also have spoken with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who was on the other end of a call with Mr Trump demanding that the states top elections official find 11,780 votes  enough for him to overturn Mr Bidens victory in the state.

That call, which was taped, also is at the centre of a separate investigation from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis into election interference in the state.

Former Trump attorneys John Eastman, left, and Rudy Giuliani speak to the former presidents supporters in Washington DC on 6 January, 2021. (REUTERS)

Arizona  ground zero for an election denialism movement that gave rise to leading GOP candidates for the top three statewide offices, including failed candidate for governor Kari Lake  was a focal point for the Trump campaign and his allies, who filed several lawsuits against the state and some counties in an attempt to overturn the lawful results. Mr Biden won the state by roughly 10,000 votes.

Federal prosecutors have talked to former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who silenced a call from Mr Trump while Mr Ducey was in the middle of certifying his states election results  a process that was being live-streamed and carried across news outlets.

Mr Smiths office also subpoenaed the office of Arizona Secretary of State and has met with top elections officials in Wisconsin, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

Prosecutors also have interviewed Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, whose office provided a tranche of documents that included communications between the states election officials and Mr Trumps former lawyers and members of his campaign as the former presidents allies targeted the critical battleground state.

Central to the investigation is whether Mr Trump knew that he lost but pressed ahead with spurious efforts to overturn results anyway, with federal prosecutors reportedly speaking to his son-in-law and former adviser Jared Kushner and former communications directors Hope Hicks and Alyssa Farah Griffin with those questions in mind.

What charges could prosecutors bring against Trump?

Based on evidence uncovered by the select committee and other filings and reporting, prosecutors are likely investigating several key elements of the sprawling effort to reverse the 2020 election: Mr Trumps lies about the outcome, his campaigns attempts to pressure state officials and push false slates of electors to obstruct the certification of the results, a failed attempt to persuade Mr Pence to refuse the outcome, and Mr Trumps failure to stop a mob of his supporters from breaking into the Capitol.

A mob of Donald Trumps supporters breached the US Capitol on 6 January, 2021, fuelled by a baseless narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from him. (REUTERS)

Mr Trump knew he had lost the election but continued to pursue efforts to remain in power, including the so-called alternate elector scheme to fraudulently certify the results submitted to Congress, prosecutors are likely to argue.

On 18 July, Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel charged 16 fake electors in that state, marking the first criminal charges brought against so-called alternate electors who sought to overturn 2020 results.

Charges against Mr Trump and others connected to those allegations and similar attempts in other states could include conspiracy to defraud the United States in the administration of elections, the obstruction of an official proceeding, and wire and mail fraud.

Obstruction

The target letter from federal prosecutors to Mr Trump cites three statutes that the former president likely violated in his attempts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election.

One charge  obstruction of an official proceeding  has already been brought against hundreds of people in connection with the Capitol attack.

The House select committee and a federal judge who was involved in cases stemming from its inquiry argued that there is evidence that Mr Trump sought to corruptly obstruct the certification of electoral college votes in Congress  a crime punishable up to 20 years in prison, if convicted.

Conspiracy

That same federal judge and the House select committee also have argued that there is evidence to convict Mr Trump on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the government, which is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Mr Trumps efforts through his legal team and his inner circle to block the certification of Mr Bidensvictory in states that he lost, while falsely claiming widespread voter fraud and manipulation had stolen the election from him, would likely form the basis for that charge.

The former president also is charged under this statute in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, where he is accused of using a lawyer to lie to the Justice Department.

The illegality of the plan was obvious, California Judge David O Carer wrote in a ruling from a civil lawsuit involving John Eastman, who was central to the so-called alternate electors scheme.

Mr Trump, ignoring the nations history of the peaceful transition of power, vigorously campaigned for the vice president to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election, the judge wrote.

Fraud

The special counsel investigation suggests that prosecutors are scrutinizing Mr Trumps vast fundraising arm and the tens of millions of dollars it raised after pleas to supporters for donations to combat election fraud, despite no evidence to defend those claims.

In May 2020, with the presidential election still months away, Mr Trump said it would be rigged against him if he were to lose. That June, he said the election would be the scandal of our times, called it inaccurate and fraudulent and the greatest election disaster in history. Not a single ballot had yet been cast.

His own Justice Department and campaign found no evidence of widespread voter fraud, and dozens of lawsuits filed by his campaign and allies to overturn results were withdrawn or dismissed, while his attorneys and the right-wing network amplifying their false claims face massive defamation lawsuits from the voting machines companies and election workers at the center of them.

Lawmakers on the House select committee argued that Mr Trumps campaign misled donors as to where their funds would go and what they would be used for, US Rep Zoe Lofgren said during hearings.

So not only was there the Big Lie, she said. There was the Big Rip-off.

Is there a case for insurrection?

After Mr Pence refused Mr Trumps argument for his vice president to toss out the results, then-President Trump went to his last resort: triggering an insurrection in the hope that it would throw Congress off course, delaying the transfer of power for the first time in American history, according to legal experts at Just Security, outlining a model prosecution memorandum similar to what federal prosecutors would also likely be reviewing.

And after delivering remarks to a rally of his supporters while a joint session of Congress convened to certify 2020 election results, a speech that allegedly incited his supporters to storm the Capitol, then-President Trump stood by for 187 minutes before he told them to go home.

The House select committee unanimously agreed that Mr Trump should be charged for inciting an insurrection and giving aid or comfort to insurrectionists  a rare and severe charge that prosecutors will approach only with extreme caution, if they decide to prosecute at all.

We believe there is sufficient evidence to pursue it  as did the Select Committee in making a criminal referral of Trump under that statute  but prosecutors may make different choices, experts at Just Security noted.

A conviction on that charge mandates a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and would prohibit Mr Trump from holding office.

None of the more than 1,000 people arrested in connection with the attack are facing this charge.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon heard arguments Tuesday from Donald Trump's defense lawyers and prosecutors about his landmark trial on charges he kept classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate, but without setting a trial date.

Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith proposed a December start to the trial, to allow Trump's lawyers time to get security clearances and review evidence in the case. But Cannon told prosecutors that would be too soon.

Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche argued he couldn't get a fair trial while campaigning for president and urged a postponement until after the November 2024 election.

Cannon said the case was complex and said she would issue a written decision "promptly."

Neither Trump nor Smith attended the hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida. Trump's co-defendant, personal valet Walt Nauta, arrived at the courthouse with his defense lawyers Stan Woodward and Sasha Dadan.

Here are four takeaways from the hearing:

Former President Donald Trump's valet Walt Nauta, center, and his lawyers Sasha Dadan, left, and Stanley Woodward, right, arrive at The Alto Lee Adams Sr. United States Courthouse on Tuesday in Fort Pierce, Fla. They are attending the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon as she decides how and when Trump will stand trial on charges based around him holding classified national security secrets at his private home.

Trump lawyers, DOJ spar over trial schedule

Trumps lawyers asked for an indefinite delay in his trial by arguing he couldnt get a fair trial ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Trumps lawyers argued the evidence at stake is already voluminous, with more on the way. Trump and his Nauta, are busy with the presidential campaign. And Trump has to prepare for other criminal and civil trials.

It is intellectually dishonest to say this case is like any other case, Blanche said. It is not.

The Justice Department opposed an open-ended delay in the trial.

He should be treated like everyone else, said assistant special counsel David Harbach.

Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to reporters on June 9 in Washington.

Why Judge Cannon is in the spotlight

The hearing marked the first time Cannon, a Trump appointee, met with prosecutors and defense lawyers in the high-profile case. She pressed Trump's lawyers for a timetable to schedule the case but questioned whether it could be handled as quickly as prosecutors proposed.

We need to set a timetable, Cannon said. Some deadlines can be established now.

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Cannon's oversight of the case has been scrutinized because she ordered a special master to review the Mar-a-Lago documents seized during an FBI search in August. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned her order, ruling that Cannon couldn't allow the subject of a search warrant to block government investigations after the execution of the warrant.

Trump was indicted on 37 counts including willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice and concealing documents.

Who gets access to classified documents in the case?

Another issue at the hearing was the 1980 Classified Information Procedures Act, which governs how classified information is shared in a criminal case. The law aims to balance the defendant's right to access against the government's interest in safeguarding secret information.

Prosecutors asked Cannon in a filing before the hearing to partially restrict defense lawyers from sharing documents with Trump and Nauta. Defense lawyers told them they intended to object to portions of the proposed order, but without specifying details.

E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court on May 8 in New York City. Attorneys for E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump are set to give closing arguments Monday morning in the battery and defamation trial against the former president in Manhattan federal court.

Trump juggles several pending trials in the next year

The federal documents case is one of several pending against Trump:

 A New York civil trial is pending against Trumps namesake company in October.

 E. Jean Carroll, who won a $5 million defamation judgment against Trump in May, has a second trial for statements against her made while he was president. The trial is scheduled to start on Jan. 15, the date of the Iowa presidential caucuses.

 A New York criminal trial looms in March on charges Trump falsified business records to pay a woman to remain silent before the 2020 election about her claim she had sex with him.

In addition, Smith and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Georgia are investigating Trump for possible election fraud in 2020. Trump announced Tuesday that Smith named him a target in the federal investigation.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump lawyers, DOJ spar over classified documents trial date
A federal judge has rejected Donald Trump's request for a new trial after a jury found the former president liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, the author who says he raped her in the dressing room of a New York department store in the 1990s. She was awarded $5 million in damages in the civil trial.

Carroll sued Trump under the Adult Survivors Act, a New York state law passed late last year giving adult victims of sexual assault and abuse one year to bring lawsuits against their alleged perpetrators regardless of when the alleged abuse took place.

In a 59-page decision issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed Trump's arguments for reducing damages to less than $1 million, saying the verdict was neither a "seriously erroneous result" nor a "miscarriage of justice."

E. Jean Carroll walks out of Manhattan federal court on May 9 after a jury found former President Trump liable of sexually abusing and defaming her in their civil trial. (John Minchillo/AP)

Trump, who is appealing the verdict, called the amount awarded to Carroll for sexual abuse "grossly excessive" because the jury also concluded that she did not prove that Trump raped her. Such abuse, Trump argued, could have included groping Carroll's breasts through clothing, "which is a far cry from rape."

Kaplan disagreed.

"The proof convincingly established, and the jury implicitly found, that Mr. Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carroll's vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm," the judge wrote.

It was the latest legal setback for Trump, who is facing multiple ongoing criminal probes as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination in another bid for the White House.

Trump says hes a target of DOJs Jan. 6 investigation

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 1. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

On Tuesday, Trump announced that he is a target of the Justice Departments investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

In a lengthy statement posted on Truth Social, Trumps social media platform, the former president said that he received a so-called target letter from special counsel Jack Smith on Sunday night in connection with the DOJs probe of the attack on the Capitol carried out by a violent mob of his supporters contesting his loss in the 2020 presidential election.

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Trump received a similar letter from Smith shortly before his indictment in the federal investigation into his handling of classified material after he left office and his alleged efforts to obstruct the probe.

Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment, Trump said in the Truth Social post.

Smith has been leading the DOJs investigation into Jan. 6 and Trumps efforts to hold onto power after he lost the 2020 election in addition to the classified documents probe.

The letter reportedly informed Trump he is facing three potential criminal charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against or defraud the United States; deprivation of rights; and witness tampering.

The reaction from Trumps GOP rivals

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign stop in West Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday. (Meg Kinnard/AP)

In the classified documents case, most of Trumps rivals in the 2024 Republican presidential primary were quick to defend him. But as news of a second potential federal indictment broke, they were not as eager.

At a campaign stop in South Carolina, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized what he called the "weaponization" of law enforcement while questioning why Trump failed to forcefully stop his supporters who stormed the Capitol.

I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didnt do anything while things were going on," DeSantis told reporters, but added: To try to criminalize that  thats a different issue entirely.

Vivek Ramaswamy, who last month urged every candidate in the GOP primary to promise to pardon Trump if elected, has continued to defend the former president. But this time Ramaswamys response was decidedly muted.

I would have made very different judgments than President Trump did, but a bad judgment is not a crime, Ramaswamy said in a statement. Its a mistake to say he was responsible for Jan. 6. The real cause was systematic and pervasive censorship in the lead-up to those events.

Judge in classified docs case mulls Trump request for delay

Trump speaks at a campaign event in Las Vegas earlier this month. (John Locher/AP)

In federal court in Fort Pierce, Fla., Tuesday, the Trump-appointed federal judge overseeing the classified documents case heard arguments from both sides over his request to delay the trial until after the 2024 presidential election.

Judge Aileen Cannon said she would issue a written ruling soon during the first formal hearing since Trumps arraignment last month, when he pleaded not guilty to all charges stemming from Smiths 38-count indictment against the former president and Walt Nauta, his personal valet and co-defendant.

Earlier this month, Nauta pleaded not guilty to charges he conspired with Trump to hide top secret documents at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., last year.

During the 90-minute hearing, Cannon appeared to skeptical about the former presidents request to delay the trial until after the election, but also wary of the request by prosecutors for it to begin as soon as this year.

Georgia court rejects Trumps bid to toss case

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis listens during a hearing in Atlanta on Jan. 24. (John Bazemore/AP File)

The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously has rejected a last-ditch effort by Trump to try to head off a potential indictment for tampering with the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state.

In a five-page decision handed down Monday, all nine justices  eight of whom were appointed by Republican governors  said Trumps lawyers had failed to make a persuasive case for shutting down the election probe led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Willis has signaled that indictments are possible in the next few weeks as a grand jury convenes to consider possible charges against Trump and others who tried to persuade Georgia election officials to reverse Trumps narrow loss to President Biden in the state.

Biden carried Georgia by just 11,779 votes.
Its been a rough day for Donald Trumps legal team. On Wednesday, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein slapped down a bid by the former president to have charges related to his 2016 hush money payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels moved from state to federal court.

In his decision, Hellerstein wrote that Trump has failed to show that the conduct charged by the Indictment is for or relating to any act performed by or for the President under color of the official acts of a President. Trump also has failed to show that he has a colorable federal defense to the Indictment.

In March, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Trump with 34 separate felony counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursement payments made to his former attorney Michael Cohen, who carried out the hush-money scheme shortly before the 2016 election.

During a June hearing, Hellerstein hinted that he wasnt buying Trumps argument that the case belonged in federal court given that the payments to Cohen took place after he had been sworn in as president.

Cohen was hired as a private matter to take care of a private matter, Hellerstein said at the time. The fact that it was a president who made that private hiring does not change the facts or the legal principle to be derived from the facts, he added.

Hellersteins ruling was not the only disappointing court ruling received by Trumps legal team on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan rejected a request from the former president to retry a civil court case brought against the former president by author E. Jean Carroll.

In May, a Manhattan jury found Trump liable for defamation, sexual assault, and battery against Carroll. Trump was ordered to pay the author $5 million in damages. Trump took issue with the amount granted to Carroll, claiming that because he was found liable for sexual assault, but not explicit rape, the penalties should be reduced.

The definition of rape in the New York Penal Law is far narrower than the meaning of rape in common modern parlance, Kaplan wrote in his decision. The finding that Ms. Carroll failed to prove that she was raped within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr. Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape. Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that.

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I have considered Mr. Trumps other arguments and found them all unpersuasive, Kaplan added. The jury in this case did not reach a seriously erroneous result. Its verdict is not a miscarriage of justice. Mr. Trumps motion for a new trial on damages or a remittitur is denied.

The double blow on Wednesday is a marker of extensive legal debacles being fielded by the former president. Earlier this week, Trump announced that he had received a target letter from the Justice Department informing him that he is the subject of a criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The letter is the clearest sign yet that Special Counsel Jack Smith is preparing to level a second criminal indictment against Trump.

At least the former president is willing to acknowledge the amount of strain hes placing on his lawyers. As he wrote on Truth Social Wednesday morning, Any attorney that represents me is either a fool, or a Great American Patriot.

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NEW YORK  A federal judge on Wednesday denied Donald Trumps bid for a new trial two months after a jury found that he sexually abused and defamed the writer E. Jean Carroll.

In his motion for a new trial, Trump argued that because the jury found him liable for sexual abuse but not rape, which is what Carroll originally alleged, the jury award of $2 million in compensatory damages for the sexual abuse claim was excessive.

He also argued that the jury award of $2.7 million in compensatory damages for the defamation claim should be reduced, largely because he disputed the testimony of an expert witness on which it was based. And Trump said an additional punitive damages award of $228,000 violated his constitutional right to due process.

Carroll alleged that Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a luxury Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. She testified during the trial that he penetrated her with his fingers, but she said she couldnt be certain that he had inserted his penis because he was pressed up against her in a way that blocked her view.

In a 59-page decision, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote that the proof convincingly established, and the jury implicitly found, that Mr. Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carrolls vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm.



He said that the former presidents argument therefore ignores the bulk of the evidence at trial, misinterprets the jurys verdict, and mistakenly focuses on the New York Penal Law definition of rape to the exclusion of the meaning of that word as it often is used in everyday life and of the evidence of what actually occurred between Ms. Carroll and Mr. Trump.

The jury in this case did not reach a seriously erroneous result, he wrote. Its verdict is not a miscarriage of justice.

Separate from his motion for a new trial, Trump is also contesting the verdict before a federal appeals court. That appeal remains pending.



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Carroll, meanwhile, has a separate defamation lawsuit pending against Trump. The trial over that lawsuit is scheduled for January 2024.

On Wednesday, a lawyer for Carroll, Robbie Kaplan, said, Now that the court has denied Trump's motion for a new trial or to decrease the amount of the verdict, E Jean Carroll looks forward to receiving the $5 million in damages that the jury awarded her at trial. She added that Carroll also looks forward to continuing to hold Trump accountable at next years trial.

A lawyer for Trump, Joe Tacopina, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.
Writer E Jean Carroll (centre) exits a Manhattan Federal Court after a jury found Donald Trump guilty of sexual abuse and defamation in May

A federal judge has dismissed Donald Trump's request for a new trial in a civil case in which a jury found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming columnist E Jean Carroll.

Mr Trump was ordered to pay $5m (3.9m) in damages, which he argued was excessive based on the jury's verdict.

The judge ruled that the jury's 9 May verdict was not a "miscarriage of justice".

The former president has called the case "part of a political witch hunt".

Ms Carroll, 79, had accused Trump of raping her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, and then branding the incident a hoax in an October 2022 post on his Truth Social platform. The jury found Mr Trump guilty of battering the columnist, but stopped short of finding the former president guilty of rape.

Mr Trump's attorneys had argued in their bid for a new trial that "the Court should order a new trial on damages or grant remittitur because contrary to Plaintiff's claim of rape, the Jury found that she was not raped but was sexually abused by defendant during the 1995/1996 Bergdorf Goodman incident."

In a 59-page decision on Wednesday, US District judge Lewis Kaplan ruled the jury did not reach "a seriously erroneous result", in calculating the amount of damages, as argued by Mr Trump's lawyers, and dismissed his request for a new trial.

Judge Kaplan, who presided over the original trial, wrote that the trial evidence demonstrated Mr Trump "raped" Ms Carroll in the plain sense of the word.

"The finding that Ms Carroll failed to prove that she was 'raped' within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr Trump 'raped' her as many people commonly understand the word 'rape'," Judge Kaplan wrote. "Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr Trump in fact did exactly that."

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Roberta Kaplan, the lawyer representing E Jean Carroll, celebrated Judge Kaplan's ruling in a statement shared with the BBC.

"E Jean Carroll looks forward to receiving the $5 million in damages that the jury awarded her," Ms Kaplan said.

She added her client also looks forward to "continuing to hold Trump accountable" in a further defamation trial scheduled to begin early next year.

Ms Carroll has sued Mr Trump for $10m (7.7m) for statements he made in 2019 that she claims are defamatory.

The US Justice Department initially ruled Mr Trump was legally immune from the lawsuit because he was president when he made the remarks.

But earlier this month, government attorneys said they no longer had "sufficient basis" to conclude Mr Trump was acting within the scope of his duties as president.

The BBC has contacted Mr Trump's lawyers for comment.

Judge Kaplan's decision comes as former president Trump is facing a series of legal challenges, including a potential indictment over his alleged role in January 6 insurrection as well as criminal charges in New York related to a hush-money payment to a porn actress.

In the hush-money case, a New York judge delivered another loss for Mr Trump's legal team on Wednesday rejecting the former president's request to move an upcoming trial to federal court.

Mr Trump is facing felony charges in New York for falsifying business records over a reimbursement he made to his lawyer for paying porn star Stormy Daniels.

He has pleaded not guilty to those charges and a trial is scheduled for March 2024.

Mr Trump had argued the trial should be moved to federal court because the alleged crimes took place while he was president. But District Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote in a filing that Mr Trump had failed to show his conduct was related to "any act performed by or for the President".
Donald Trump recently delivered the news to Rep. Matt Rosendale: He wouldnt win the former presidents coveted endorsement if he runs in the GOP primary for the US Senate seat in Montana, according to a Trump ally, a decision with major implications in the high-stakes battle for control of the Senate.

In West Virginia, Trump privately suggested to Rep. Alex Mooney that he is unlikely to back him in the Senate GOP primary over Gov. Jim Justice, the candidate backed by Republican leaders, in part because of his loyalty to the West Virginia governor, something the House conservative confirmed to CNN after meeting with Trump twice and seeking his endorsement.

The twin developments will be welcome news for GOP leaders, who have been carefully maneuvering for months to try to keep Trump from undermining their efforts to prop up their preferred candidates in the nations most pivotal Senate races. Their goal: Intervene in GOP primaries to pick candidates they believe can win in the general elections and keep Trump on the same page  all in a bid to avoid the 2022 debacle when Trump-endorsed candidates collapsed in the general election and cemented Democratic control of the Senate.

And despite his legal woes, including the possibility of facing a third criminal indictment, Trumps sway among hardcore GOP voters is enough to scramble Republican congressional primaries simply by offering up his endorsement. Even his allies are uncertain if the former president will stay in line with Senate GOP leaders.

There are a lot of ways for this to go south, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who frequently talks and golfs with the former president, and is eager to avoid the pitfalls of 2022.

Senior Republicans believe they can stay aligned with Trump in part because they now have a common foe: The Club for Growth, an anti-tax group whose leader has sparred with the former president and is raising millions to help Mooney and could potentially back Rosendale as well. Plus Trump himself is preoccupied with his own White House bid and doesnt want to alienate key blocs of conservative voters by engaging too deeply in Republican primaries  so he is unlikely to be as active in Senate races as he was in 2022, his advisers say.

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Montana Sen. Steve Daines, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the first member of his partys leadership to back Trumps 2024 bid, has tried to keep the former president in the fold with regular briefings on candidates and the party committees strategy, shifting tactics from the last cycle when the NRSC  under different leadership  steered clear of engaging in GOP-vs.-GOP contests.

I dont, Daines said bluntly when asked if he believes Trump would support Mooney or Rosendale. I speak with President Trump frequently, and he wants to win in November 24  with candidates who will win.

But as he works to woo Trump, Daines is facing a rift with the Club for Growth, which is now sharply criticizing his handling of the party committee after he privately met with the group in Florida in the spring and made comments to try to smooth things over with his skeptics after the two groups have sparred bitterly over Senate candidate recruitment in past cycles.

I hope we can continue to change the direction at the NRSC, Daines told the group in March, according to a video clip of his remarks obtained by CNN. Its not gonna happen in one election cycle, it wont. But I hope we can demonstrate that if we do apply some principles here  conservative principles, then we indeed can have better outcomes.

The Club for Growth now plans to go head-to-head with the NRSC over candidates they believe are insufficiently conservative on fiscal issues, even as GOP leaders are focused on finding the most electable Republican, a battle Democrats hope could bolster their uphill climb to keep control of the chamber.

I know that Steve Daines and his team are really focused on winning and realize that those prospects are enhanced if we can consolidate behind a candidate, said Senate GOP Whip John Thune of South Dakota.

The 2024 map heavily favors the GOP  with 23 seats held by Democrats in contention and just 11 for Republicans  and several of those in states Trump carried, including Ohio, West Virginia and Montana. But in all three of those states, Republicans face messy primaries that could help Democrats. In Ohio, Republican leaders have yet to pick sides, arguing that they have three primary candidates who can knock off Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, assuming the primary doesnt badly damage them against the incumbent.

Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Joe Manchin and Sen. Sherrod Brown -- three Democratic senators whose seats are up for reelection next year. - Getty Images

Rosendale coy on Senate run

In Montana and West Virginia, the divisions are far starker.

Rosendale has already begun telling his Republican colleagues in the House and Senate that he plans to launch a Senate bid to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in Montana next year, sources familiar with those conversations told CNN.

But his bid would put him at odds with many Republicans in the Senate, who are nervous about his potential candidacy since he lost to Tester six years ago. If he were to run in the primary, Rosendale would pose a serious threat to Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL whom Daines and Republican senators are lining up to support.

But Rosendale, who received Trumps endorsement last cycle when running for reelection to the House, hasnt endorsed Trumps 2024 presidential bid and has publicly said he doesnt have plans to endorse a presidential candidate anytime soon  a move that influenced the former presidents decision not to support him, a source familiar with the situation said.

The Club for Growth, meanwhile, is considering backing Rosendale if he formally enters the race, a decision that could bolster his chances given the big bucks the group often spends on attack ads.

Rosendale has spoken with Club for Growth President David McIntosh on a few separate occasions about his potential candidacy, a source with knowledge of their calls told CNN, though the group has some concerns about his fundraising prowess.

In this January 2017 photo, David McIntosh sits for an interview in his office. - Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images

Rosendale declined to comment on his conversation with the Club for Growth or with Trump. And when asked about Trump informing him that he wouldnt give him his backing, Rosendale grinned and didnt want to address it (The Montana Republicans office later denied that the former president has explicitly informed him that he wont win his endorsement in a Senate bid, though other sources familiar with the call say the message was delivered).

What Ive said  been very consistent  is that we got plenty of time, Rosendale, a member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, said of his Senate deliberations. That election is not until next year. What we do know is that Jon Tester does not represent the people of Montana, and he will be replaced, and they are forming their opinions right now of who theyre going to replace him with.

Tester, who is running for a fourth term in a state Trump won by 17 points in 2020, claimed that Rosendale could be a tougher candidate in the general election than Sheehy, whom he called an unknown quantity.

Theres something to be said about experience, he said of Rosendale, while adding: I dont want either one of them.

In this May 2022 photo, Rep. Alex Mooney attends a campaign rally at the Westmoreland Fair Grounds in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. - Gene J. Puskar/AP

Mooney lobbies for Trump endorsement

Like Rosendale, Mooney won Trumps endorsement in his House race, in large part because the West Virginia Republican opposed President Joe Bidens infrastructure law that was backed by both his GOP opponent and Justice himself.

Mooney told CNN on Monday that he visited Trump twice seeking his endorsement and he believes its pretty clear hes unlikely to win his backing  though he said the former president never said he would or wouldnt back him. The reason for his hesitance in backing Mooney: Trump still values the fact that Justice switched parties and became a Republican during a Trump rally in 2017, according to the congressman.

He more just impressed upon me that Jim Justice party switched for Trump at a rally, and that he feels some loyalty to Mr. Justice for that purpose, Mooney said.

Mooney, who is also a member of the Freedom Caucus, added that he is still seeking the former presidents endorsement. I still make the case Im more in line with Trump, Im much more in line than my opponent.

Just last week, the Club for Growth announced raising $13.6 million for Mooneys Senate bid, pitting the group against the Senate Leadership Fund, the deep-pocketed super PAC allied with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and the NRSC itself.

The more West Virginia voters learn about Jim Justice, Mitch McConnells chosen candidate, the clearer it becomes that he is a big government RINO, McIntosh said, referring to Justice as a Republican in name only.

Roman Stauffer, the campaign manager for Justice, pushed back and said that the governor has a strong record on taxes and conservative results in West Virginia.

The only RINO in this race is the one taking $13.5 million from the Trump-hating Club for NO Growth, Stauffer said.

Trump personally likes Justice, and believes he is the stronger candidate, a Trump official told CNN. He also thinks Justice has a better fundraising infrastructure in place to succeed in the 2024 race, though he has yet to offer Justice his endorsement.

Mooney also said Trump was positive toward him in his recent discussions.

So if hes not gonna endorse me, then my hope is that he at least just stays neutral, Mooney said of Trump, while adding: Im going to make the case that Im the only conservative running because I am the only conservative running.

Whether they will be facing an incumbent Democrat also remains to be seen. Sen. Joe Manchin, the veteran West Virginia Democrat, says he will make a decision on whether to run for reelection later this year. If he does run, hell face an uphill battle to keep the seat in a state that has grown sharply more Republican and that Trump carried by nearly 40 points last time. If he hangs it up, GOP chances to flip the seat will rise substantially.

Manchin denied to CNN that he was waiting to see how Justice performed as a candidate before deciding whether to run again, something many Democrats suspect is part of the calculation.

Whoever my opponent would be, whatever my decision is gonna be, none of that makes a decision, he said. Ill make it in the fall sometime.

Rep. Matt Rosendale speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on March 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Trump vs. the Club for Growth

How Trump approaches these races could be influenced by his tense relationship with the Club for Growth  a breakdown in ties between two former allies.

Indeed, McIntosh periodically joined Trump on flights on Air Force One while he was in office, and would frequently meet with the former president at Mar-a-Lago to discuss GOP endorsements.

But their relationship turned sour quickly during the 2022 midterm election cycle, when the two began backing different candidates in critical battleground states such as Ohio and Pennsylvania  something Trump viewed as disloyal.

The Clubs decision to pump money into races challenging Trump-endorsed candidates  such as 2022 Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance, who went on to win his race  was a move Trump saw as a personal attack.

Their relationship has furthered deteriorated this cycle. While the Club is not planning on directly attacking Trumps 2024 presidential campaign, the group notably did not invite the former president to attend its annual donor retreat in March, hosted in Trumps backyard at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.

McIntosh has also made clear that he supports other Republican presidential candidates taking on Trump. The party should be open to another candidate, he told reporters earlier this year. And an outside group with ties to the Club and McIntosh, Win it Back PAC, launched last month with the chief goal of targeting Trump in 2024.

Trump, meanwhile, has not shied away from publicly slamming the Club. Hes frequently railed against the fiscal conservative group on social media, including attacking it as Club For NO Growth on Truth Social and recounting the breakdown of his relationship with McIntosh.

The former president has at times been so fixated on his disdain of the Club, and candidates who have received their endorsement, that hes brought it up in conversations with lawmakers.

Shortly before Vance and Trump announced their endorsements of Rep. Jim Banks in February, who is running for the US Senate in Indiana, the former president called Vance to ask him about his opinion.

He just said, What do you think about Jim Banks? And I said, I think Jim makes a great guy, and Im going to endorse him, Vance told CNN about the call.

A source familiar with that conversation told CNN that Trump brought up Banks ties to the Club during their call, noting that the groups endorsement of the congressman was a concern.

He certainly is frustrated by the fact that Club for Growth is opposing him, not just in this race but a lot of these primaries. I think hes still frustrated by their posture in 2022, Vance said. Look, he doesnt like Club for Growth, but its sort of a well-known thing.

Sen. Steve Daines speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol February 9, 2023 in Washington, DC. - Drew Angerer/Getty Images

NRSC chairman caught in the crosshairs

Daines has also found himself in the crosshairs of the Trump-vs.-McIntosh feud. While his decision to endorse Trump early in the cycle was viewed as a politically and financially beneficial move for both Daines and Trump, it also put the NRSC chairman in the Clubs direct line of fire.

The group says it has issues with Daines early recruits.

Wed hoped Sen. Daines would turn NRSC around  and stop just recruiting self-funder moderate squishes who have a long record of losing Senate seats  but unfortunately hes followed McConnells lead, McIntosh told CNN.

Daines declined to comment on the Club for Growths criticism.

But a national GOP strategist, who asked for anonymity to speak candidly, was unsparing in his criticism.

The Trump-hating Club for Chinese Growth specializes in recruiting unelectable losers, the strategist said. Rosendale and Mooney are bought and paid for by the group spending millions trashing Trump, so its not surprising he doesnt want to back them.

Mooney, in the interview on Monday, said he is steering clear of the feud between the Club for Growth and Trump, though he believes the group will give him a big boost in his campaign.

Knowing that the Club for Growth is there, ready to back me up  it is important, Mooney said, pointing to the GOP-leadership aligned outside groups helping Justice.

In March, Daines attended the Florida retreat hosted by the Club for Growth  and faced some sharp questions from the audience.

In the video clip obtained by CNN, Daines was speaking onstage at the groups annual event when he was asked by an audience member about the NRSCs past history of opposing some conservative candidates backed by the Club. The questioner pressed Daines about the NRSC trying to elect what he described as McConnell loyalists.

Daines said that the committee would try to avoid head-on collisions with outside groups.

Were starting to turn the ship a bit, and it is an incredibly trying time in American politics today with the undercurrents going on in so many ways, Daines told the Florida audience. And where we can try to minimize head-on collisions between great outside conservative groups, which I am a friend of many, many of them, versus some of the more establishment groups we work with, its going to take all hands on deck right now to get candidates across the finish line.

The audience member also asked Daines if the NRSC would oppose a candidate like Rosendale if he were to run for Senate, noting that Rosendale has been supported by the Club in the past. Daines didnt specifically address that aspect of their question.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.

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Former President Trump on Tuesday railed against a Justice Department investigation into his efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election, hours after he said he was a target of the probe.

Trump, in his first on-camera comments on the investigation, told Fox Newss Sean Hannity during a town hall in Iowa that he was bothered by the timing of the notification. He went on to repeat his claims that he is being targeted because of his standing in the GOP presidential primary race.

It bothers me. It bothers me for everybody in this incredible, sold-out audience, and it bothers you, the former president said in front of the overwhelmingly pro-Trump crowd.

I got the letter on Sunday night. Think of it. I dont think theyve ever sent a letter on Sunday night, Trump continued. And theyre in a rush, because they want to interfere. Its interference with the election. Its election interference. Never been done like this in the history of our country, and its a disgrace.

Trump complained that the Department of Justice has become a weapon for Democrats, and he blasted special counsel Jack Smith as a deranged prosecutor. Smith is overseeing the investigations into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election, as well as Trumps handling of classified documents after leaving office.

Trump said Tuesday morning on Truth Social that he was alerted he is a target of the Justice Departments investigation focusing on his efforts to stay in power after losing the 2020 election, which culminated in the riots at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Receiving a target letter is often a sign someone could soon face charges in a matter where prosecutors have gathered substantial evidence. Its unclear what specific charges Trump could face if prosecutors decide to move ahead.

Trump pursued a multi-pronged plan to remain in office, pressuring the Justice Department and state officials about claims of election fraud, ultimately rallying his supporters on Jan. 6 and urging them to march to the Capitol before rioters ransacked the complex in an effort to halt the certification process.

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Separately, Michigans attorney general Tuesday charged 16 fake electors for their alleged roles in a plot to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Hannity also invited Trump on Tuesday to air grievances about the Biden administration and the state of the country, including the border, foreign policy and a recent controversy over a bag of cocaine found near where visitors enter for tours of the West Wing.

When Hannity prodded Trump to advocate for Republicans voting early, the former president said he would support the effort, but cautioned that even early voting with paper ballots can be subject to fraud.

We have very corrupt elections, we have no borders, Trump said. If you dont have borders and you dont have good elections, you dont have a country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Trump said the Justice Department has become "an absolute weapon" for Democrats, while slamming Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation as "election interference."

Trump, who is leading the 2024 Republican presidential primary field, during an exclusive town hall hosted by Fox News Sean Hannity Tuesday night, reacted to the news that he is the "target" of Smiths investigation into the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

TRUMP SAYS HE IS DOJ JAN. 6 GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION TARGET

"It bothers me," Trump said, explaining that Smiths team "sent a letter on Sunday night" notifying him that he had "four days" to report to the grand jury  something, he said, "almost always means an arrest and indictment."

A government source with direct knowledge of the situation also told Fox News that Smiths office sent Trump a target letter.

Former President Donald Trump reacts to crowd applause during a campaign event on July 1, 2023, in Pickens, South Carolina. The former president faces a growing list of primary challengers in the Republican Party.

"Theyre in a rush because they want to interfere. Its interference with the election  its election interference," Trump said. "Never been done like this in the history of our country, and it is a disgrace whats happening to our country  whether it is the borders or the elections or kinds of things like this, where the DOJ has become a weapon for the Democrats."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

He added: "An absolute weapon."

Trump, last month, pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges stemming from Smiths investigation into his alleged improper retention of classified records at Mar-a-Lago last month.

The charges include willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements.

The indictment from Smith's classified records investigation is the first time in United States history that a former president has faced federal criminal charges.

But Trump reminded that President Biden is also under special counsel investigation for alleged improper retention of classified records. Special Counsel Robert Hur is investigating Biden. The status of that probe is unknown.

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TRUMP PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO 37 FEDERAL FELONY CHARGES IN CLASSIFIED RECORDS CASE

"They go after me on documents, and I have the Presidential Records Act, which is a big deal," Trump said, adding that Biden is not protected by the Presidential Records Act, as his classified documents were from his time as vice president and in the U.S. Senate.

Trump went on to slam Smith as a "deranged prosecutor" and a "nasty, horrible human being," and said the Department of Justice has been "totally weaponized."

Separately, Trump, in April, pleaded not guilty to state charges in New York stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation. Trump is accused of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments made during the 2016 campaign.

Meanwhile, Trump also reflected on the FBIs original investigation into whether the Trump campaign was colluding with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller found that there was no evidence of collusion, and Special Counsel John Durham found that the FBIs investigation never should have been opened in the first place.

James Comey, former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), speaks to members of the media after testifying before the House Judiciary and House Oversight and Government Reform Committees joint investigation in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. Monday, January 20, 2020, marks the third anniversary of U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration. Our editors select the best archive images looking back over Trumps term in office.

DURHAM FINDS DOJ, FBI 'FAILED TO UPHOLD' MISSION OF 'STRICT FIDELITY TO THE LAW' IN TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE

Trump said that his decision in May 2017 to fire then-FBI Director James Comey was the right one and said "the whole thing collapsed."

"I said, this guys bad news. I realized it very early, very early in the administration," Trump said. "I fired him and it was wild. Thats when we found out all of the corruption."

FBI IGNORED 'CLEAR WARNING SIGN' OF CLINTON-LED EFFORT TO 'MANIPULATE' BUREAU FOR 'POLITICAL PURPOSES'

He added: "Had I not fired Comey, you wouldnt know any of the thingsThey were trying to take me outI mean, it was like a coup. It was like a coup."

Trump said as president he "got rid of a lot of" dishonest people.

"But we're going to get rid of a lot more because you have some bad people," Trump said.

As for other investigations, the former president said it is "very disappointing" the Secret Service closed its investigation into who brought cocaine to the White House earlier this month, saying he believes they "know who" the illegal substance belonged to.

Trump said the incident is an embarrassment for the country, telling Fox News that the United States was respected under his presidency.

"This country was respected and Putin knew he couldn't do it, and President Xi of China knew he couldn't do it," Trump said, seemingly referring to Putin's invasion of Ukraine and Xi's ambitions for Taiwan.

Shifting to the Biden family's overseas business dealings, Trump said: "We have a compromised president."

"China gives him millions of dollars, he's compromised," Trump said, pointing to allegations that the president was involved in his son, Hunter Biden's, Chinese business dealings. "He's getting millions of dollars illegally from China, and then you say, hey, they impeached me over a phone call that was perfect."

"Why aren't they impeaching Biden for receiving tens of millions of dollars? Why isn't he under impeachment?" Trump asked.

Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives, but acquitted both times by the Senate.
Trump decried a potential indictment by the Manhattan District Attorney's office during a rally in Waco, Texas, on March 25, 2023. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Trump's lawyers say his classified documents trial should be postponed until after the election.

His lawyers argued it's hard for the former president to balance campaigning with all the indictments and lawsuits he's facing.

If Judge Aileen Cannon  a Trump appointee  agrees, it could allow Trump to pardon himself in 2024 if he wins.

Former President Donald Trump's lawyers argued in court that his trial in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case should be pushed back until after the 2024 election because it's too hard for him to balance campaigning with all the indictments and lawsuits he's facing.

They made the argument while appearing Tuesday before US District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, for a pretrial hearing.

Prosecutors have asked Cannon for a speedy trial that wraps up before the end of the year. But Trump's legal team is pushing for the trial to be postponed until after the 2024 election  which would give Trump a way to dodge the charges if he wins in 2024.

Justice Department prosecutor David Harbach told Cannon on Tuesday that Trump's legal team has repeatedly said he should be treated differently because he's a 2024 presidential candidate and the current GOP frontrunner.

But "he should be treated like everyone else," Harbach said.

If Cannon grants Trump's request to postpone the trial until after the election, it would mean that the trial could unfold during a second Trump presidency, and Trump could pardon himself in the event of a conviction. That's assuming he doesn't instruct the Justice Department to drop the case against him altogether.

Trump is facing a slew of criminal indictments and civil lawsuits, which his defense lawyers said are clashing with his plans for the 2024 campaign trail.

During the hearing, Cannon signaled that she wouldn't grant the prosecution's request to start the trial in December, but also appeared not to buy Trump's lawyers' arguments about pushing the trial back after the election, according to CNN.

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Cannon said she will "promptly" announce her decision on the trial's start date.

Defense lawyer Christopher Kise told Cannon that Trump is facing a civil trial in late October in New York attorney general Letitia James' $250 million fraud lawsuit against him.

He's also set to face a civil trial in January as part of the columnist E. Jean Carroll's 2019 defamation lawsuit against him. This lawsuit is separate from another suit Carroll filed accusing Trump of sexual assault and defamation. A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse earlier this year and awarded Carroll $5 million.

A grand jury in New York also indicted Trump in March on 34 counts in connection to his 2016 hush-money payment to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and that trial is set to kick off next March.

And on Tuesday, Trump revealed that the special counsel Jack Smith's office sent him a letter informing him that he's a target in the Justice Department's sprawling investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Trump announced via Truth Social that he received the letter on Sunday and that Smith gave him four days to appear before the January 6 grand jury  meaning the former president could be hit with his third criminal indictment as soon as this week.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo : Moses Robinson/Getty Images for Usher's New Look Foundation)

IRS whistleblowers alleging that the Justice Department improperly interfered with a multi-year investigation of Hunter Biden will testify before Congress.

On Wednesday, an unidentified IRS criminal investigator will testify before the House Oversight Committee, divulging his identity for the first time after alleging that the Hunter Biden investigation was politicized.

Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) stated that "Whistleblower X" and veteran IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley will attend the public hearing.

IRS Whistleblowers to Testify to Congress

Oversight Committee member Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) told the Washington Examiner, "I'm looking forward to Mr. X's testimony and the light he will shed on the American people."

In May, the unidentified agent and Shapley testified to the House Ways and Means Committee that US Attorney David Weiss of Delaware was prevented from charging President Joe Biden's son in a criminal tax investigation in California and Washington, DC.

In addition, Weiss reportedly stated in a meeting last year that he was not the official who decided whether or not charges would be filed. In May 2023, the two agents and the rest of their team were terminated from the investigation after years of coordinating with the Department of Justice on this case.

Their attorneys and congressional Republicans claim that their release from the investigation constitutes illegitimate whistleblower retaliation, as it occurred after they had expressed concerns about the investigation to Congress.

According to an affidavit by Shapley, the pair later detailed in formal closed-door testimony how they had witnessed "conflicts of interest, preferential treatment, deviations from normal investigative procedures, and conflicting information provided by Attorney General Merrick Garland to Congress" during the Hunter Biden investigation.

Comer stated that he does not anticipate discovering any new information during the hearing. Still, he intends to present the information his committee has unearthed regarding the Biden family's business dealings and "find out what the IRS whistleblowers believe."

Read Also: Wagner Group Arrives at Belarus Camp; Mercenaries Could Strike NATO, Russian Official Warns

FBI Instructed Agent to Avoid Congress

Moreover, a counsel for the FBI instructed an agent who investigated Hunter Biden to avoid answering questions from the House Oversight Committee as news of the ongoing criminal investigations into the First Son continues to leak out.

The committee is investigating whether Biden, 53, received preferential treatment from officers who investigated his tax affairs and caught him misrepresenting about drug use on a firearms permit application.

Per Daily Mail, FBI Counsel Jason Jones sent a letter to the agent on Sunday, just hours before the agent was scheduled to testify before the committee. Jones stated that delaying responses would "provide the Department ample time to consider specific queries and potential accommodations that could satisfy the Committee's legitimate need for information while safeguarding Executive Branch confidentiality interests."

The FBI attorney characterized the investigation as "ongoing" and verified that Biden's legal team was informed before an interview scheduled for December 2020. He added that Congress wanted him to respond "specifically" to the allegations and defer.

The special agent, who worked in the FBI's Wilmington field office, stated in a transcribed interview with committee staff on Monday that the Biden transition team was informed the night before Hunter Biden's scheduled interview.

Democrats quickly disregarded the agent's assertion, stating disagreements between the FBI and DOJ regarding how to proceed with an investigation were commonplace.

Shapley and his colleague reported a pattern of slow-walking investigative steps and deferring enforcement actions in the months preceding Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. It is unclear whether the conflict they describe represents an internal disagreement over how to proceed with the investigation or a pattern of interference and favoritism.

Department policy has long cautioned prosecutors to exercise caution when prosecuting cases with potential political overtones during election season to avoid influencing the outcome of an election.

On Wednesday, Shapley is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee. According to Shapley, Weiss claimed he was denied special counsel authority. Weiss refuted Shapley's claims, stating that he was given carte blanche to do as he pleased and never sought special counsel authority.

Related Article: Hunter Biden Case: FBI Agent Verifies IRS Whistleblower's Claim

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Donald Trump Scott Olson/Getty Images

All day Monday, former president Donald Trump's Truth Social feed was active with posts ragging on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and re-posts of his fandom's superhero memes. You would never have known that the night before he had been presented with a target letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith. On Tuesday, Trump fessed up and posted a rambling, incoherent official two-page "statement" announcing it to the world.

"Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter  stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and an Indictment" the statement began after which it immediately devolved into whining and crying over his alleged persecution at the hands of well... everyone. He lamented, "it is a very sad and dark period for our nation."

It is a sad and dark period for our nation that an accused criminal ex-president is the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. In fact, it's tragic.

Late last night several news outlets reported that the target letter specified three crimes they are contemplating charging Trump with. According to ABC, it mentions "three federal statutes: conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under color of law, and tampering with a witness, victim or an informant." Contrary to much speculation, the letter apparently did not mention sedition or insurrection.

Despite the fact that the letter refers to a conspiracy charge, no other targets have come forward to say they have been similarly informed. Trump's former lawyer Rudy Giuliani would be a likely choice but he spent many hours with the Special Counsel during two "proffer" sessions and claims that he is neither a cooperator nor a target. His spokesman told ABC,

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Any speculation that Mayor Rudy Giuliani 'flipped' against President Donald Trump is as false as previous lies that America's Mayor was somehow a Russian Agent. In order to 'flip' on President Trump  as so many in the anti-Trump media are fantasizing over  Mayor Giuliani would've had to commit perjury because all the information he has regarding this case points to President Trump's innocence."

We'll have to see how that shakes out because it could mean almost anything. It's entirely possible that Giuliani remains more assured of his lawyerly prowess than he should be and those sessions actually implicated Trump  and himself. As for the other potential conspirators like John Eastman and Sidney Powell, who knows? All we are sure of at this point is that Donald Trump is very likely on the cusp of another federal indictment and this one is the big enchilada.

CNN reports that Trump has been on the horn to his allies on Capitol Hill twisting their arms to use their power to defend him. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., stepped up to the microphone immediately after Trump announced the news and said, "Well, I guess under a Biden administration, Biden America, you'd expect this. If you noticed recently, President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for reelection." (Recall that McCarthy took to the floor of the House chambers after January 6 and said the attack on the Capitol was "was undemocratic, un-American, and criminal," and that "the president bears responsibility.")

Trump also had a long conversation with House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., brainstorming talking points for the caucus to circulate in his defense. This was apparently what they came up with:

Stefanik didn't stop there, however, she also brought in yet another conspiracy theory which was echoed by other members and on Fox News. She tweeted:

It is no coincidence  on the same week that IRS whistleblowers are testifying about illegal corruption protecting the Biden crime family, Biden's DOJ targets President Trump with yet another corrupt Witch Hunt.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was typically restrained in her recitation of the talking points, calling the target letter "bullshit" and saying that "the only way that the Democrats have to beat President Trump is to arrest him, smear him, charge him with ridiculous charges, all in a cover-up of Joe Biden's crimes, Hunter Biden's crimes." She later tweeted out this charming comment:

Jack Smith is a lousy attorney.



His career is filled with mistrials, overturned cases, and judicial rebukes.



He only targets Republicans because hes a weak little bitch for the Democrats.  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) July 18, 2023

Why do I have the feeling she's also been on the phone with Donald Trump?

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On the campaign trail, Trump's rivals were predictably wishy-washy. The New York Times reported that former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley didn't address the merits of the issue and instead complained that it was a distraction from important issues and said "we don't need all this drama." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis went with the talking points that it is "an attempt to criminalize politics and to try to criminalize differences" but tepidly pointed out that Trump could have come out more forcefully on January 6. Vivek Ramaswamy said, "it is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its chief political rivals," while Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who has been accusing the Democrats of weaponizing the Justice Department (DOJ) in his speeches, boldly pointed out that "it's part of the distractions that are always going to be surrounding the former president."

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was the only one who actually addressed the big picture:

While Donald Trump would like the American people to believe that he is the victim in this situation, the truth is that the real victims of January 6th were our democracy, our rule of law, and those Capitol Police officers.."

The overriding theme among Trump's defenders is this notion of a "weaponized" DOJ. Someone should remind Republicans, however, of the 27 different people that Trump said he wanted thrown in jail, from Hillary Clinton and James Comey to Marco Rubio to Tim Kaine to Robert Mueller to Presidents Biden, Clinton and Obama. He wanted to sic the IRS on his political enemies and there's good reason to suspect he succeeded.

The reason Trump is being indicted for all these crimes is not because the "deep state" is out to get him but because he imperiously insists he is above the law and continually breaks it. He always has. When it came to taxes and various kinds of fraud he was able to worm his way out of any legal consequences because he was just another rich, white guy with friends in high places. When he became president his extreme narcissism and grandiosity took over completely and he stopped even pretending to believe that he had any limits. He used to say it all the time:

He was protected from legal liability while he was president and since he refuses to acknowledge that he lost his re-election bid, he seems to think it should still apply to him now as he runs for president again. It does not. Nobody's "weaponizing" the Justice Department against this poor innocent MAGA martyr. There is a mountain of evidence that he broke the law in half a dozen different ways and he is long overdue for a reckoning. It looks as though it's finally here.

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about Trump and his defenders
Senior Defense officials failed to change minds with a Wednesday briefing to senators on the Pentagons abortion policy, with Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville describing the meeting as not very good.

Tuberville is holding up approval of senior military officials in protest of a Pentagon policy that reimburses travel costs for service members who must go across state lines to seek an abortion.

The White House and Democrats have slammed Tuberville for the hold, which they say is damaging military readiness. But the Biden administrations public shaming, combined with efforts to directly engage with Tuberville, have so far been fruitless.

The senator said defense officials on Wednesday could not explain how the abortion policy helped military readiness, or define the parameters around when the Pentagon would allow service members or their dependents to receive the procedure.

They didnt explain it very well, he said. They had no clue about readiness. They had no clue what month theyd do an abortion. We asked them eight or nine months  well they didnt know.

He said he had gone into the meeting with open mind, to be convinced that this is affecting readiness, and they gave a poor answer  [its] affecting recruiting, very poor answer on that.

Tuberville since March has held firm on blocking some 300 military promotions over the policy, which was established after the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade last year.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has called the senator three times  including once in March, once last week, and again on Tuesday  in an effort to get him to loosen his grip.

Austin explained to Tuberville that his blanket holds were increasingly harming U.S. military readiness and national security at a critical geopolitical moment, a Pentagon official told The Hill.

Tuberville earlier suggested that he could be convinced to drop his hold should the Senate vote on an amendment to curtail the Pentagon policy in its annual defense policy bill, which lawmakers hope to pass before August.

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The Houses version of the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which narrowly passed on Friday, included a provision that would end the policy.

GOP senators have offered up similar proposals for the upper chambers NDAA  which it will begin to debate this week  but if included, the amendment would hamper the likelihood the bill passes the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Tuberville was not the only senator who left Wednesdays briefing unmoved. Armed Services ranking member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) also complained that the Defense officials failed to give data on how abortion access affects enlistment and readiness.

Officials from the Department of Defense could not supply that information, which clearly indicates that this policy was entered into for political reasons and not based on the facts, not based on data, Wicker told reporters. So Im very disappointed, though not surprised, at what we are learning today.

But Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I) offered a far different take of the briefing, saying that after today there can be no doubt in my colleagues minds about the legality of the Departments policy. I am even more convinced of the necessity and appropriateness of this policy, which is critical for the health of our military women, men, and their families.

He added: The Defense Department laid out clear, plain facts to the committee. The Department of Justice has examined the Pentagons policy and found it to be entirely legal, consistent with 40 years of precedent through both Republican and Democratic administrations.

And Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) told The Hill that the presentation was very thorough and answered a lot of questions.

King noted that only four to five Republican senators attended the briefing.

Al Weaver contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tupac Shakur, March 1996. (Steve Granitz Archive / WireImage via Getty Images)

A home in a Las Vegas suburb searched Monday night by Las Vegas police in connection with the unsolved slaying of Tupac Shakur is tied to a man who previously said publicly he was in the car with the shooter, sources have told The Times.

In a renewed investigation into the 1996 shooting death of the hip-hop legend, Las Vegas detectives obtained a search warrant from a judge, and along with a SWAT team, pulled up in a procession of law enforcement vehicles to the Henderson, Nev., home.

Using a bullhorn, a supervisor with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department ordered the residents to come out with their hands up  and empty  according to security camera footage from a neighboring home.

Investigators then entered the house, where they sought computers, files and other items potentially related to Shakur's killing, according to a source familiar with the investigation who was not authorized to comment on it publicly.

Read more: Tupac Shakur killing: Police search Vegas-area home in connection with rapper's fatal shooting

A statement issued Tuesday by Las Vegas police is the first time in years that any law enforcement agency has publicly revealed it is actively pursuing inquiries in the Sept. 7, 1996, shooting.

"LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada, on July 17, 2023, as part of an ongoing investigation," the statement said. "We will have no further comment at this time."

Las Vegas police have refused to confirm the address that was searched. But sources and public records indicate the home is connected to a relative of Duane Keith "Keffe D" Davis.

In his book, "Compton Street Legend," Davis  a self-described South Side Compton Crips gang member  says he was inside the car that pulled alongside Shakur just off the Las Vegas Strip and opened fire. He has never identified the gunman.

Davis has said he is the uncle of Orlando Anderson, another Crips member identified early on as a suspect in Shakur's slaying. Anderson was killed in a gang shootout in Compton a year and a half after Shakur's death.

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Neither Davis nor the listed resident of the home returned phone calls Wednesday.

Read more: Tupac's getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next week  for real this time

Nevada does not have a statute of limitations for prosecuting homicide cases and can, under certain circumstances, hold responsible those in the getaway vehicle even though they did not pull the trigger.

Shakur was gunned down while riding in a BMW driven by Marion "Suge" Knight. Knight, then-owner of Shakurs record label, was leading a procession of luxury vehicles past the MGM Grand Hotel and Caesars Palace on their way to a hot new nightclub.

It was after 11 p.m. on a Saturday when the BMW paused at Flamingo Road and Koval Lane, a block from the Vegas Strip. Shakur was flirting with women in a nearby car, unaware that a white Cadillac had quietly pulled alongside the BMW. A hand emerged from the Cadillac, pointing a semiautomatic pistol straight at Shakur.

Four gunshots struck the legendary hip-hop artist, and one grazed Knight. Shakur died from his injuries six days later. He was 25.

Read more: How Vegas police probe floundered in Tupac Shakur case

Despite investigations by both Vegas and Los Angeles police as well as federal agencies, plus myriad theories involving conflicts, no one has ever been arrested in the killing.

Las Vegas police previously investigated Anderson in connection with the slaying. He was identified as having been involved in a physical altercation with Knight, Shakur and his bodyguards on the night of the fatal shooting. Anderson, 21, was a member of the Southside Crips. Shakur and Knight were affiliated with a rival Compton gang, the Mob Piru Bloods; Shakurs bodyguards were also members of the Bloods.

Read more: Tupac's getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame next week  for real this time

Shakur's death  and that of New York rival Notorious B.I.G.,who was slain six months after Shakur  has long been the subject of conspiracy theories and documentaries, including USA Network's "Unsolved," A&E's "Who Killed Tupac?" and the 2015 movie "Murder Rap: Inside the Biggie and Tupac Murders."

Last month, Shakur received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, his first year of eligibility.

Times staff writer Kenan Draughorne contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the New York State Capitol, May 14, 2019, in Albany, New York. Hans Pennink/AP Photo

Prominent anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running for president as a Democrat.

Kennedy has been repeatedly suspended from Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for spreading misinformation.

But on Elon Musk's Twitter, Kennedy's conspiracy theories are boosted by paid subscribers.

Before he announced his candidacy for president in April, it seemed that anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his slew of conspiracy theories would remain consigned to the fringes of political debate.

He told attendees of a "health policy roundtable" his campaign hosted last month with a variety of anti-vaccine personalities that the mainstream media had ostracized him.

"I'm somebody who could not get on the press for 18 years," said Kennedy, who has compared pandemic-era public-health measures to Nazism, claimed chemical exposure is causing people to identify as transgender, and said at a campaign event last week that COVID-19 is proof that governments are building bioweapons to target racial groups.

Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have repeatedly suspended RFK Jr. and the accounts he's associated with for spreading misinformation about vaccines and the COVID-19 pandemic. (For his part, Kennedy has said he is not an anti-vaxxer, but he has sown doubt about the safety of vaccines by calling for more studies on links between vaccines and conditions, including autism.)

But on Twitter, where he has more followers than on all other platforms combined, RFK Jr.'s misinformation has thrived, amplified by a host of Twitter Blue subscribers whose tweets are algorithmically boosted into other users' feeds.

Twitter Blue subscribers pay $8 a month for a suite of features, including an edit function and the ability to write lengthier tweets. But most significantly, their tweets are prioritized by Twitter's ranking algorithm , meaning they appear higher in users' feeds.

Twitter Blue subscribers also receive a blue checkmark next to their name. Before CEO Elon Musk rolled out Twitter Blue last year, only users manually verified by Twitter staff received a blue check, usually because they were political figures, celebrities, or news media.

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A blue check "used to signal actor authenticity," four researchers from NewsGuard, an app that assesses the reliability of media sources, concluded in an April study showing that Twitter Blue subscribers were spreading conspiracy theories. "Now, it's a way for peddlers of misinformation to appear trustworthy."

An Insider examination found more than 20 Twitter Blue subscribers with follower counts ranging from 180,000 to 1 million users who have spread RFK Jr.'s conspiracy theories to tens of millions of people in the past two months, according to Twitter's metrics.

Media- most effective devil in America. Maj Toure of Black Guns Matter gave me this Merch today while attending Freedom Fest and meeting with RF Kennedy jr. I endorse this message. pic.twitter.com/izfK1Gccio  Robert W Malone, MD (@RWMaloneMD) July 15, 2023

A Twitter spokesperson, when asked to comment, auto-replied with a poop emoji. Kennedy's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

The tweets come from right-wing and anti-vaccine activists whose accounts have been penalized by other social media platforms. They include the anti-vaccine activist Del Bigtree, who previously sued YouTube and Facebook for suspending his accounts from their platforms; Dr. Robert Malone , who rose to prominence discrediting the COVID vaccine; and Dr. Mary Talley Bowden , who was suspended by a Houston hospital for spreading vaccine misinformation to her patients and online, including tweets promoting the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19.

Bigtree and Malone did not respond to requests for comment. In a text message after the publication of this article, Bowden wrote that her tweets "are all based on first-hand knowledge from seeing thousands of patients with COVID, long-haul COVID and vaccine injuries. I have been defamed, censored and retaliated against for speaking out about what I'm seeing."

.@RobertKennedyJr: "The Media Is an Extension of the Pharmaceutical Industry"



"75% of advertising revenues now on the mainstream media are now coming from pharma  and that ratio is even higher for the evening news," informed @RobertKennedyJr.



"Anderson Cooper has a $12 million pic.twitter.com/ZjucrOjFX1  The Vigilant Fox  (@VigilantFox) April 5, 2023

They also include anonymous accounts like The Vigilant Fox, Chief Nerd, and KanekoaTheGreat, all previously suspended from Twitter for spreading misinformation. In the past week, tweets from those three accounts alone showing support for RFK Jr., including repeating the bunk theory that COVID-19 targets certain ethnicities and repeating calls for Kennedy to debate a prominent vaccine scientist, have received more than 15 million views, according to Twitter's metrics.

Kennedy, who has 1.9 million Twitter followers, is also a Twitter Blue subscriber.

Musk, who unveiled Twitter Blue last year after purchasing the company for $44 billion , has emerged as an RFK Jr. booster, along with other Silicon Valley elites . Musk hosted a bizarre two-hour-long Twitter Spaces last month in which RFK Jr. pronounced that the rise in mass shootings is linked to antidepressant use , implied that pharmaceutical companies are to blame for COVID deaths, and thanked Musk for "reclaiming democracy."

Twitter in the Musk era has become an incubation tank for misinformation, propelled in part by Twitter Blue subscribers, according to researchers at the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate.

The center found more than one-quarter of the tweets with the most engagement from Twitter Blue subscribers contain misinformation. On Twitter, anti-vaccination and conspiracy theorists have celebrated the reinstatement of accounts previously banned for spreading misinformation.

And finally restoration. Thank you @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/3LxlIOgHle  Mary Talley Bowden MD (@MdBreathe) July 16, 2023

"The Twitter blue tick used to be a sign of authority and authenticity, but it is now inextricably linked to the promotion of hate and conspiracism," Center for Countering Digital Hate president Imran Ahmed said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Twitter does not act on complaints about Twitter Blue subscribers' tweets in 99% of cases, the nonprofit found.

Insider identified blue-check Twitter accounts amplifying Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s conspiracy theories by examining Twitter's database of tweets flagged for review as possibly containing misinformation.



However, none of the tweets spreading misinformation that the Insider reporters reviewed ended up with a community note or warning label attached.

July 19, 2023 This story has been updated to include comment from Dr. Mary Talley Bowden.

Read the original article on Insider
When dam operators of the foothill reservoirs outside Fresno have no choice but to release water through their spillways, some folks get a little nervous.

No reason to, really. As long as those spillways are structurally sound  which admittedly in California is no longer a given  everything is operating as designed.

Last week, water spilled from the top of 319-foot tall Friant Dam for the first time since July 2017 and second since 2011 as the state endured two multiyear droughts.

The man-made waterfall is visible for miles whether you drive north from Fresno along Friant Road or climb atop a bluff with a clear view of the dam. Watching the waters of Millerton Lake cascade down its concrete face is an unusual sight, but no reason for alarm.

No less aesthetically pleasing (but not as visible from the surrounding area) is Pine Flat Dam, which stands roughly 28 miles east of town and has been spilling since late June. Also for the first time in six years.

Opinion

Still, Friant Dam, which impounds the San Joaquin River, and Pine Flat Dam, which captures the Kings River, are designed and managed so differently that any discussion of the two must be separated.

So lets do that.

Built by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1942 as part of the Central Valley Project, Millerton Lake stores 520,528 acre-feet of water under normal conditions. During flood events, three 100-foot wide, 18-foot tall buoyancy-operated gates located in the spillways upper recesses increase that capacity by some 30,000 acre-feet.

Which explains why Millerton Lake, in recent days, is listed as more than 100% full.

Underneath each of those gates are giant bladders called Obermeyer bladders, and we pump air into each one of them like a balloon, said Michael Jackson, the Bureau of Reclamations regional office manager. As each balloon gets bigger, it lifts the gate up so that more water can be stored behind the dam.

By inflating or deflating the three gates, which are engineered to be leak proof, dam operators also control the amount of water flowing through the spillway.

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On Tuesday, according to Millertons daily operations report, the average spillway discharge over the previous 24 hours stood at 1,350 cubic feet per second. (Thats compared to 4,653 cfs being released into the Friant-Kern Canal, 1,197 cfs into the Madera Canal and 1,997 cfs into the San Joaquin River from four jet valves at the base of the dam.)

However, the current spillway releases of 1,350 cfs are nowhere near its listed maximum capacity of 83,000 cfs. Allowing dam operators plenty of wiggle room.

We open and close each gate based on whatever calculation determines how much water we want flowing into the spillway, Jackson said.

Even though Millerton Lake is full to the brim while plenty of snow remains in the upper San Joaquin drainage, the most severe threat of flooding has passed. Operators have a pretty good idea how much snowmelt is headed their way, when it will arrive and adjust daily discharge levels into the two irrigation canals and the river accordingly.

Millerton Lake storage is also impacted by water levels of several upstream reservoirs with a combined storage of 610,000 acre-feet built for hydroelectricity production. Those are currently 92% full, including breathtakingly beautiful Florence Lake at the end of Kaiser Pass Road, which recently spilled over its dam for the first time in decades.

An unusual event and one that creates perilous downstream conditions (campgrounds at Mono Hot Springs remain closed due to high water levels on the South Fork of the San Joaquin), but nothing to sound the alarm.

The same is true at Pine Flat Lake, the serpentine-shaped irrigation and flood control reservoir built in 1954 and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Pine Flat Lake stores 1 million acre-feet of water, nearly twice as much as Millerton, and in its seven decades has never exceeded capacity. When lake levels reach 85%, as was the case three weeks ago, dam operators open one or more of six 36-foot wide, 42-foot tall Tainter gates built into the dams original construction.

Water that pours through the gates and down the spillway is then dispersed into the river channel by a giant flip bucket at the base of the dam, which reduces erosion and creates a ton of spray and mist.

Such spillway use is merely another means of safely releasing water to the river, Kings River Watermaster Steve Haugen said. Pine Flat Dam has never exceeded (its) gross pool.  The spillway gates are built of thick steel and are strong enough to hold stored water but can be raised as much as necessary.

On Tuesday afternoon, Pine Flat Lake exceeded 96% capacity as its waters continue to rise due to snowmelt from the recent heat wave. Even so, in its latest order issued Monday, operators reduced flood releases into the Kings River by 500 cfs.

Why would operators do that? Because theyre confident in how much water they can safely store thanks to accurate forecasts and a spillway system that operates and functions as designed.

Yes, water flowing down a towering concrete slab and crashing into a river makes for an unusual sight. But that by itself is nothing to get worked up about.

Friant Dam releases water from Millerton Lake into the San Joaquin River, foreground, Saturday, July 15, 2023 near Friant.

Friant Dam releases water from Millerton Lake into the San Joaquin River Saturday afternoon, July 15, 2023 near Friant.

The upper Kings River meanders through the canyons toward Pine Flat Lake east on Fresno on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Pine Flat is shown at capacity on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 after historic Sierra Nevada snowfall last winter and spring.
Editor's Note: The online version of this story has been updated with a correction to Tina DeMoore's quote.

PETOSKEY  The need for more units of affordable housing in the Petoskey area is being addressed by several entities, including city officials and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Recently, both the Lofts at Lumber Square and Michigan Maple Block projects received updates as the developments continue to move forward.

This is a proposed rendering of The Lofts at Lumber Square, a 60-unit apartment building located at 900 Emmet St. in Petoskey.

Lofts at Lumber Square

The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation recently announced that the proposed Lofts at Lumber Square apartment building has received state approvals.

At its June 2023 meeting, the Michigan Strategic Fund board gave its approval for the project, which includes key components of the projects funding such as state loans, grants and Brownfield tax credits totaling $7.6 million, or 46 percent of the projects total cost.

The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation purchased the property at 900 Emmet St. in May 2022 to preserve it for workforce housing.

Throughout our 30-year history, weve identified community needs and looked for unique and innovative solutions to meet those needs. What our community needs now is housing, said Sarah Ford, director of community philanthropy at the community foundation.

The project  a proposed 60-unit apartment building located on Emmet Street in Petoskey intended for middle income households  is protected by deed restrictions that will ensure the apartments remain affordable.

According to the community foundation, the development would be targeted at households earning between $46,000 and $102,000 per year and is expected to provide homes for approximately 165 people. Target rents are projected at $1,150-$1,550 per month, depending on apartment size.

Officials said they plan to break ground on the project later this year.

The former site of the Michigan Maple Block Co., which closed down in 2020, sits on about 12 acres of land which will be used as the location of a new, high-density apartment complex.

More: High-density apartment complex coming to former Maple Block Co. site

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Michigan Maple Block

The City of Petoskey continues to work with developers on a proposed mixed-use commercial residential project at the former site of the Michigan Maple Block Company, 1420 Standish Ave.

At their meeting on Monday, city council members gave approval for city manager Shane Horn to apply for a $1 million Brownfield loan from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The project had already received a $1 million EGLE Brownfield grant, and Horn said EGLE has kind of left a window open for us to follow up with the loan piece.

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The vote was not unanimous among the council members, with council member Tina DeMoore voicing concerns about potential risk and the citys role in applying for a loan.

I assess that the risk of a $1 million loan to the city outweighs potential benefits, particularly given other funding mechanisms available to a well-capitalized developer, she said. Therefore I will not vote to support moving the $1 million loan application forward this evening.

The vote passed 3-1, with council member Derek Shiels absent.

It still remains a loan and I certainly value and understand the concerns that have been expressed here this evening, Horn said. I think anytime you have a development this large you have to utilize all the tools in your toolbox. And this is certainly a tool that the developer is not going to have access to. These opportunities are not passed on directly to the developer, they are through public entities such as the city.

The proposed housing development would create over 200 units, which will include workforce housing. The entire project is estimated at over $70 million.

 Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Two housing developments in Petoskey still making progress
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Two senior members of Singapore's largest opposition party quit on Wednesday after admitting to an inappropriate relationship, the latest scandal to hit a country otherwise used to stable and drama-free politics.

The Workers' Party (WP) said member of parliament Leon Perera and its youth wing president Nicole Seah had handed in letters of resignation after a video circulated on social media earlier this week showing the pair holding hands.

"The Constitution of the Workers' Party requires candidates to be honest and frank in their dealings with the party and the people of Singapore," Singh said, adding that Perera had been untruthful when first asked about the relationship in late 2020 to early 2021.

Seah had also denied the relationship when asked by party leaders at that time, Singh said, adding the pair's behaviour was "unacceptable".

This is the third scandal to rock Singapore's political landscape within a week.

Last week, the transport minister was arrested in connection with a graft investigation, and on Monday two lawmakers, including the house speaker, quit because of an inappropriate relationship. All three were members of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

Both the WP and the PAP have in the past sacked members for extramarital relationships.

National University of Singapore political scientist Chong Ja Ian said as the ruling party, the PAP had more to lose in light of the scandals engulfing its members, and that voters would judge its actions at the polls, due by 2025.

"The unknown is how many voters find (the PAP's) actions have addressed issues of authority, restraint, position, privilege, oversight, and transparency to their satisfaction."

In resignation letters shared by the party with the press, Perera and Seah, who were part of the party's top decision-making body, apologised to their families, constituents and the party.

With Perera's exit, WP is down to eight lawmakers in parliament from 10 who were elected in 2020, when the house was formed with a total of 93 lawmakers.

(Reporting by Chen Lin, Writing by Xinghui Kok, Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
Two brothers have joined five other South Florida residents in admitting to being part of a $67 million scam that targeted Medicare recipients to enrich themselves with federal funds.

The guilty pleas came after four days of trial in the Southern District of Florida.

Federal investigators say Daniel M. Carver, 36, of Boca Raton, owned and managed call centers that he used to conduct deceptive telemarketing campaigns, soliciting Medicare beneficiaries for medically unnecessary genetic tests and medical equipment. Meanwhile, agents say Louis Gino Carver, 32, of Delray Beach, worked for call centers, acting as a straw owner of a laboratory that submitted false genetic testing claims.

The tests use DNA sequencing to detect mutations in genes that could indicate a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Between January 2020 and July 2021, agents say the Carvers and their co-conspirators:

Paid kickbacks and bribes to telemedicine companies in exchange for completed doctors orders.

Sold doctors orders to laboratories and medical equipment companies in exchange for kickbacks.

Forged doctors and patients signatures.

Tricked medical providers into ordering medically unnecessary genetic testing.

The scheme, investigators say, resulted in the submission of over $67 million in false claims to Medicare.

In addition to last weeks guilty pleas, five other Florida residents in this case have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Meanwhile, three others are scheduled for a trial set to start Sept. 26.

Daniel Carver faces a maximum of 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive kickbacks. On Friday, Louis Carver pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and could spend up to a decade behind bars.

Both men are scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 5.
Photo: Przemek Klos (Shutterstock)

The U.S. government placed two Israeli spyware companies on a blacklist this week, all but totally cutting them off from business opportunities with American firms. The move is yet another attempt by the Biden administration to clean up the ethically bankrupt spyware industry before it spins totally out of control.

Intellexa and Cytrox, which have both been described as Israeli-controlled, are known for selling shady cyber exploits that can infiltrate mobile devices, steal data, and monitor user activity. Critics say such tools are commonly used by governments to hack the phones of journalists and political activists and can provide full-spectrum visibility into the targets lives.

Read more

In a statement published Tuesday, the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Standards accused both firms of trafficking in cyber exploits used to gain access to information systems, threatening the privacy and security of individuals and organizations worldwide. Both companies have been placed on the Entity List, which is a roster of foreign firms that have been deemed as working contrary to U.S. interests. Placement on the list means that American companies must secure a special license from the U.S. government if they wish to work with firms on the list. Suffice it to say, most firms dont go through the trouble to do that and getting placed on the list can all but tank your business.

This is not the first time that an Israeli surveillance company has suffered such a fate. In 2021, the notorious NSO Group, which also sells powerful commercial malware, was placed on the list. Since being blacklisted, NSO has visibly struggled, stumbling from one financial debacle to the next.

Both Cytrox and Intellexa have been linked to a slew of surveillance scandals over the past few years, including a series of spying incidents that have come to be known as Europes Watergate. In one particular case from 2021, a Meta security executive was allegedly hacked by the Greek government using one of Cytroxs products. The victim in question believes she may have been secretly surveilled for as long as an entire year. In another casealso in Greecea journalist sued Intellexa after its spyware was apparently used to hack his phone. The journalist had been investigating public corruption at the time and believed his phone was hacked by the Greek government. The government later admitted that it had, indeed, spied on him.

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We remain laser focused on stemming the proliferation of digital tools for repression, said Bureau of Industry and Security Under Secretary Alan Estevez. Considering the impact of surveillance tools and other technologies on international human rights, I am pleased to announce these additions to our Entity List.

The Biden administration has taken strides to curtail the more harmful excesses of the spyware industry. In addition to banning companies like Cytrox, Intellexa, and NSO, the government has passed a number of regulations during Bidens tenure that are designed to put legal barriers around the way such tools can be used.

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WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD (Reuters) -The United States has barred 14 Iraqi banks from conducting dollar transactions, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.

The ban, which was imposed by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is part of a crackdown on the siphoning of U.S. currency to Iran, the report said.

The United States uncovered information that the Iraqi banks engaged in money laundering and fraudulent transactions, some of which may have involved sanctioned individuals and raised concerns that Iran could benefit, the newspaper said.

"We have strong reason to suspect that at least some of these laundered funds could end up going to benefit either designated individuals or individuals who could be designated," a senior U.S. official was quoted as saying by the Journal.

"And of course the primary sanctions risk in Iraq relates to Iran."

Among the banks on the U.S. ban list are Al Mustashar Islamic Bank, Erbil Bank, World Islamic Bank, and Zain Iraq Islamic Bank, the newspaper said.

Iraq's private banks association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Iraqi government, the U.S. Treasury Department and the New York Fed did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Iran has been unable to access billions of dollars in assets in several countries due to U.S. sanctions.

The United States has insisted that oil-rich Iraq, the OPEC group's second-largest producer, moves towards self-sufficiency. Washington has put pressure on Iraq to stem the flow of dollars into neighboring Iran.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington, Timour Azhari in Baghdad, Michael S. Derby in New York and Akanksha Khushi in Bengaluru; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
Chinese envoy warns against risk of Ukraine crisis going out of control

Xinhua) 11:00, July 19, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday warned against the risk of the Ukraine crisis going out of control.

Since its outbreak, the Ukraine crisis has increasingly shown signs of protraction, expansion, and complexity with ever more cruelty, danger, and unpredictability. The international community should work together to prevent the situation from getting out of control, achieve a cessation of hostilities at an early date and promote political settlement, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The evolution of the battlefield shows that military means cannot solve the crisis. And the protraction of the conflict will only bring more suffering to civilians and may even lead to unpredictable and irreparable situations, he told the UN Security Council. "No matter how long the crisis lasts, it must eventually be solved through political means."

The two parties to the conflict should meet each other halfway, explore solutions that accommodate each other's concerns, that correspond to regional realities, and that can help bridge differences. The international community should work together to create the necessary conditions for a ceasefire and create a favorable atmosphere for peace talks, he said.

The Ukraine crisis is a major outbreak of security problems in Europe, he said. "The crisis once again proves that the pursuit of absolute security, inciting bloc confrontation, and expanding military alliance are outdated ways of thinking and dangerous practices that will only bring turmoil and anxiety to Europe and the whole world. The key to the ultimate solution is to uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept and to promote a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture."

Geng stressed the importance of controlling the spillover effects of the crisis.

The recovery of the world economy after the pandemic has been difficult. The Ukraine crisis, on top of other factors, has dealt a severe blow to global development, bringing fragility to global food, energy, and financial security. As a result, developing countries face more difficulties in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, he said.

The international community should devote its financial resources to addressing common global challenges. Certain countries should immediately stop unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, ensure safe and smooth global industrial chains and supply chains, increase support and assistance to developing countries and do more things that are conducive to economic growth, he said.

Millions of people have been displaced by the protracted conflict and key infrastructure was destroyed. Parties to the conflict should strictly abide by international humanitarian law; strictly follow the principles of necessity, differentiation, and proportionality; protect civilians and civilian infrastructure; provide rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, so as to reduce the suffering of civilians. China encourages the international community and humanitarian agencies, on the basis of abiding by the principle of humanitarian relief, to step up humanitarian assistance to people affected by the crisis, said Geng.

The irresponsible transfer of cluster bombs can easily give rise to humanitarian issues. Humanitarian concerns and legitimate military security needs should be handled in a balanced way. Prudence and restraint should be exercised in the transfer of cluster bombs, he said.

Nuclear safety and security must be ensured, he said.

China calls on both parties to the conflict to remain rational and maintain restraint as much as possible, abide by nuclear safety protocols and international law to avoid man-made nuclear accidents. China supports the International Atomic Energy Agency in continuing to maintain contact with all parties and playing a constructive role in ensuring the safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities, he said.

China has always maintained that nuclear weapons should not be used and that a nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought. China has been calling for all efforts to prevent the escalation of conflict into a nuclear crisis, he said.

On the issue of Ukraine, China has always maintained that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be safeguarded, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be upheld, and the legitimate security concerns of all parties should be respected, all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should deserve support, he said.

In February this year, China released its position paper on the political solution to the Ukrainian crisis. China will continue to use this as a basis to promote a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, together with the international community, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In what has been viewed as the newest test case for Dutch right-to-die regulations, a Dutch court on Tuesday found a man guilty of aiding at least ten individuals in taking their own lives by selling them lethal "suicide drugs" and instructions for using them.

The man, solely known as Alex S. before being apprehended by authorities, sold the pills to more than 1,600 persons in compliance with Dutch privacy laws, reported by The Associated Press.

Concerns Over Euthanasia in Netherlands

(Photo : by ED OUDENAARDEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

A masked protester holds syringe and a flag during a demonstration against euthanasia in front of the Ridderzaal (the Knights' Hall) in The Hague, 10 April 2001, where the Dutch Senate was expected to legalize mercy killings in the Netherlands.

According to a written judgment from East Brabant District Court, he first purchased the pills online. The court in the southern city of Den Bosch decided that the 30-year-old suspect should serve three and a half years in jail after being found guilty on Tuesday. The remaining 18 months of his sentence were suspended, so he would only be required to complete them if he committed another offense.

The court declared that he "undermined" the carefully crafted Dutch euthanasia law and "treated the lives of others very lightly and damaged the value of human life in general."

The court stated that the defendant misled consumers into believing that the medicine would result in a painless death. Since the euthanasia law was passed, there has been ongoing discussion concerning the options open to those who want to end their lives but are not candidates for euthanasia.

Euthanasia was first made legal in the Netherlands. A law passed in 2002 gave doctors the legal authority to end patients' lives under certain restrictions, either by giving the patient a deadly dose of medication or by giving them the medication themselves.

It is still unlawful to assist someone in taking their own life by giving them a lethal medication to self-administer. In a case launched by campaigners who claim it violates their right to choose the time of their death, a court in The Hague maintained the restriction late last year.

The judges stated they were aware of the Netherlands' public discussion around end-of-life concerns. Still, they emphasized that "it is fundamental that laws are followed in a democratic society and by those whose opinions do not entirely match those of the law.

Read Also: Pope Francis Condemns Euthanasia And Abortion As 'Sins Against God'

Who Can Get Euthanasia in Netherlands?

To be eligible for euthanasia, a patient must be an adult of sound mind experiencing unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in any other way. The patient must also make a clear and voluntary request for euthanasia and be fully informed about the procedure and its consequences.

If a patient meets all criteria, the attending physician must consult with another independent physician to confirm that the patient's request is voluntary and informed. The physician must also ensure that there are no reasonable alternatives to euthanasia, such as palliative care.

If the two physicians agree that euthanasia is the appropriate course of action, the attending physician will administer a lethal medication dose to the patient. The patient must be able to self-administer the medication, or they must be able to give their consent for the physician to administer it on their behalf.

Euthanasia is a controversial issue, and there are strong arguments on both sides of the debate. Some people believe that euthanasia is a compassionate way to end suffering, while others believe that it is a form of assisted suicide and should be illegal.

Related Article: Australia: Woman With Terminal Illness Chooses Voluntary Assisted Death, Proving Euthanasia's Value

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A U.S. soldier who is being detained in North Korea has a Wisconsin connection.

According to a report from ABC News, Army Pvt. Travis King's mother resides in Racine and she said Tuesday that the Army said her son crossed over into North Korea in recent days.

King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had just served a 47-day sentence nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault, after he allegedly kicked a South Korean squad car, damaging it. He was released on July 10 and was being sent home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

He was escorted as far as customs but left the airport before boarding his plane. It wasnt clear how he spent the hours until joining the Panmunjom tour and running across the border Tuesday afternoon.

King was last seen entering a van and being whisked away by officials from North Korea, U.S. officials said.

The soldier was on a tour of the storied border village of village of Panmunjom, inside the heavily fortified 154-mile-long DMZ, when the crossing happened, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

A general view shows the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, on July 19, 2022.

Army Col. Isaac Taylor said Tuesday that a U.S. service member "willfully and without authorization" crossed into North Korea. King's mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC News she couldn't see King intentionally entering North Korean territory.

"Im so proud of him. I just want him to come home, come back to America," Gates said. King joined the Army in January 2021.

United Nations Command said the American was in North Korean custody and it was working to "resolve the incident."

North Korea has not acknowledged the incident or commented at all. The U.S. State Department referred all inquiries to the Defense Department.

The border between North and South Korea is one of the most heavily fortified in the world. It runs for about 150 miles and divides the Korean Peninsula roughly in half along the "38th parallel"  the cease-fire line of demarcation between the two nations that has existed since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

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The incident comes as tensions between North Korea and the U.S. and its allies in the region have surged over North Koreas continued launch of ballistic missiles. Last week, North Korea launched what was suspected to be a ballistic missile and also threatened to shoot down U.S. surveillance planes.

Citizens pay tribute to the statues of their late leaders Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang, North Korea Saturday, July 8, 2023, on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the death of former President Kim Il Sung.

Previous Americans who have been detained in North Korea have not been treated well. College student Otto Warmbier, for example, was released in a vegetative state in 2017 after spending 17 months in captivity. He died a short while later. His parents said he had been tortured and suffered brain damage.

Three Americans detained in North Korea were freed in 2018 when Donald Trump was president.

USA Today and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Drake Bentley can be reached at DBentley1@gannett.com.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: U.S. soldier detained in North Korea is linked to Racine
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty/Facebook

A relative of Travis King, the 23-year-old American citizen who crossed into North Korea on Tuesday, fears his last conversation with the U.S. Army private sent him over the edge and across the border of the Korean Peninsula.

Carl Gates, Kings first uncle on his mothers side of the family, told The Daily Beast that he had an emotional conversation with King when the soldier reached out over the phone to check in on him the weekend before the defection.

I was basically shitting on the family for not being here for me when my son was going through what he was going through. And, and so I really didnt have any encouraging words to give him because Ive been upset with the family, Gates said, referring to the recent death of his 7-year-old son. He was saying that he was sorry, he loved us all. And that he is sorry that he couldnt be here for me.

Gateswho said he always made it a priority to support King, babysitting and changing diapers in the absence of his biological fatherlost his young son, Kings first cousin, in February this year from a rare genetic disorder. The tragedy sparked tensions within the larger familyand deeply affected King, who snapped and began acting out in the aftermath of his cousins death, his uncle said.

Me giving him what hurts me right now, I feel like I gave him bad feedback, bad intel on a family, said Gates of their last conversation, explaining that he feared his words had sent King into an emotional spiral of questioning whether his own family would have his back as he served overseas.

U.S. Soldier Was Breaking Down Before Bolting Into North Korea, Uncle Says

I didnt give my nephew a loving welcome, like Everything is good with the family, theyve been supportive! And this and that. I was more like: fuck the family, there werent here for me, they werent here for your cousin. And I dont know man. Maybe that triggered him to say, the hell with everything.

Thats what hurts me, he said through tears, adding that King had joined the army to make his family proud. I said the wrong thing. Instead of giving him words of comfort, I gave him words of: Rebel! Rebel against the family. Fuck everybody, there aint nobody here for us anyway.

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Kings crossing into North Korea came after the army private had spent nearly two months detained in Korea over disciplinary issues. He was reportedly facing two assault allegations among other alleged transgressions in recent months.

The soldier, a cavalry scout who had been serving in the army since 2021, was scheduled to travel back to Fort Bliss, Texas on Monday. Officials told CBS that instead of boarding his flight, the army privatewho was escorted to customs and went through airport securityleft the airport and joined an organized tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the Demilitarized Zone dividing North and South Korea.

King was initially behaving normally on Tuesday, according to witness accounts from civilians who were part of the same group. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he started running very, very fast towards the North Korean side, one tourist told Sky News. I thought it was some kind of stupid stunt that he was doing for TikTok or something like that. I thought that was an incredibly stupid thing to do in a place like that.

In the aftermath of the incident, the United Nations command, which operates the DMZ, released a statement stating: A U.S. National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident.

In later comments on Wednesday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration was working with South Korea on the issue of Kings unauthorized crossing, adding that the primary concern at this time is ascertaining his well-being and getting to the bottom of exactly what happened.

U.S. Soldier Reportedly Cackled HA-HA-HA! While Defecting to North Korea

For Kings uncle Gates, the fear that he may have inadvertently set his nephew off has compounded the grief of losing his own son. I definitely blame myself. And I gave him poor feedback and instead of sucking it up and going through my trauma, I put that on him. I didn't give him anything positive to come home, he said.

Speaking about what he wished he said in his last conversation with King, Gates said that he wished he told his nephew that the family and everything was good and peaceful. Make it home safe, and we are there for himme and my sister Claudine, referring to Kings mother, who Gates said had supported her during the loss of his child.

Hes like a son to me. And he always will be. And Im even more broken to pieces because we still grieve. The family is still grieving the loss of my son, Gates said. And now we dont know whats going on with him. We might not ever see him again. No telling what theyll do to him over there.

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Russian service members take part in a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 78th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2023. Pelagiya Tikhonova/Moscow News Agency/Handout via REUTERS

Britain's intelligence chief invited Russians who are upset with the Ukraine war to spy for MI6.

Richard Moore said his agency's door is "always open" to Russian spies and offered protection.

Espionage has been a feature of the war, and the CIA even tried earlier this year to recruit spies.

Britain's intelligence chief has made a proposal to Russians opposed to Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine: share any secrets about Moscow, and you'll be kept safe.

During a rare public speech on Wednesday, Richard Moore, chief of the UK's Secret Intelligence Service (also known as MI6), drew parallels between present-day Ukraine and the 1968 "Prague Spring," a period of political liberalization and freedom movements that was ultimately crushed by a Soviet Union invasion  triggering defectors to the West.

"As they witness the venality, infighting and sheer callous incompetence of their leaders  the human factor at its worst  many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968," Moore said during an address at the British embassy in Prague.

Moore said his agency's door is "always open" to Russian interested in turning spy, inviting them to share any sensitive information they have on Russian President Vladimir Putin's government and saying that they would join other individuals who have done the same over the past 18 months.

"We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us, and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end. My service lives by the principle that our loyalty to our agents is lifelong  and our gratitude eternal."

Espionage and intelligence gathering has long been a feature of Russia's war in Ukraine, and MI6 is not the first Western intelligence agency to try and recruit Russians. Earlier this year, the CIA even launched a Telegram channel to try and get Russians to spy for them, which eventually prompted a Russian video in response that attempted to lure American into spying for Moscow.

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But Moore's comments on Wednesday appeared to add a historical context to the Western offers, as the MI6 chief recalled how Russians who witnessed how forcefully the Soviet Union responded to the 1968 movements defected to the West. They were the "bravest," he said, and didn't want to be on the "wrong side of history."

"There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverizing Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes, and kidnapping thousands of children," Moore said. "They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putin's case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy."

Indeed, Putin initially provided several baseless reasons for his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, including unsubstantiated claims that Kyiv was committing genocide against ethnic Russians and that NATO was engaged in territorial provocations. His justifications have since received widespread international pushback, including from Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who accused Moscow of lying to the public about the war.

Russia has gone to extraordinary lengths to squash any sign of opposition to the war. Early on, there were widespread protests across the country, and some lawmakers even felt compelled to speak out. Kremlin leadership has since managed to clamp down and heavily censor dissent, although the Wagner Group's armed rebellion last month has reportedly led to some Russians questioning Putin's military objectives in Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
PRAGUE (Reuters) - The head of Britain's MI6 foreign spy service invited discontented Russians to share their secrets with British intelligence services.

"I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us," said Richard Moore, the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service during a rare public speech on Wednesday.

"Our door is always open. We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us."

(Reporting by Michael Holden, writing by Sarah Young, editing by William James)
UAF also mines the area

In response to the influx of Wagner Group mercenaries into Belarus, Ukraines military is reinforcing the state border with its Moscow-allied neighbor, Serhiy Nayev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a Telegram post on July 19.

We are aware that Wagner mercenaries have been entering Belarus recently, said Nayev.

Read also: Lukashenko lacks funds for PMC Wagner, unsuccessfully seeks meeting with Putin  opposition

However, we are already responding and making the Ukrainian state border (with Belarus) utterly impassable for enemy forces.

He noted that over 40 kilometers of anti-tank trenches have been dug in the Chernihiv Oblast, in just one direction towards Belarus. In addition, more than 30,000 various types of mine traps have been set up to incapacitate a potential invasion force.

Read also: Column of Wagner mercenaries with at least 60 vehicles arrives in Belarus  Belarusian Hajun

Nayev also revealed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have fortified sections of the state border with non-explosive and explosive obstacles, designed to catch the enemy off guard.

"If they dare to defile Ukrainian soil with their dirty boots, they will meet their deaths," he concluded.

On July 14, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported that Russia had withdrawn almost all of its military personnel from Belarus.

Read also: Third column of Wagner fighters arrived in Belarus  Belarusian media

On July 18, CNN reported the arrival of the first column of Wagner troops at an abandoned military base in Belarus, with at least two more columns en route.

Following the June 24 Wagner mutiny, the Kremlin announced that the mercenary force will be either folded into the regular Russian army or redeployed to Belarus.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian military conducts training on Leopard 2 tanks at the test site on May 14, 2023 in Ukraine. The German-made tanks are one of many Western weapons sent to aid Ukraine in time for its counter-offensive. Serhii Mykhalchuk/Getty Images

Ukraine's top general says even advanced tanks alone are not cutting it in the counteroffensive.

Mines are a big problem for Ukraine's forces, but that's not all there is to it, one warfare expert said.

Ukrainian forces are struggling to break Russian lines with combined arms operations.

Ukraine received a lot of Western armor, like Leopard tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, ahead of its big counteroffensive, but that isn't enough to break through Russian defenses. There's more Ukraine still needs, and it's not just more equipment.

As one expert told Insider previously, Leopards are very capable tanks, but no one should expect a "silver bullet." Similar observations were made about the other armored systems, and that seems to be the case as Ukraine's military leadership laments the ability of Russian land mines to stop armor in its tracks.

Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, recently told The Washington Post that "you can no longer do anything with just a tank, with some armor, because the minefield is too deep, and sooner or later, it will stop and then it will be destroyed by concentrated fire."

In some cases, Ukrainian troops are leaving the much-sought-after armored vehicles behind and attempting to advance on foot. In other cases, offensive movement has slowed to a crawl or ground to a halt as Ukraine signals its forces need much more to slice through Russia's defenses.

The New York Times reported that in the first couple weeks of the counteroffensive, Ukraine lost as much as 20 percent of the weaponry sent into battle  which is notably only a fraction of the total offensive firepower available  charging into minefields and intense artillery fire, actions that resulted in horrific scenes of wrecked armor.

Those numbers have since dropped as Ukrainian forces have adopted a long-range fires approach instead, but forward movement along the front is limited.

Story continues

Ukrainian army's 35th Marine Brigade members conduct mine clearance work at a field in Donetsk, Ukraine on July 11, 2023. Ercin Erturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ukraine received heavy weapons from its Western partners, but officials in Kyiv say it received less than 15 percent of the de-mining and engineering capabilities it requested, The Post reported, noting that Zaluzhny emphasized the need for "special equipment" like "special remote mine-clearance equipment."

Ukrainian forces are equipped with US-provided M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) systems, but their supply is being expended and destroyed, Zaluzhny said. MICLIC systems clear a path for advancing vehicles and infantry by firing a rocket that lays a track of C-4 explosives and detonates any mines within reach. These systems are effective, but Ukraine's forces needs more of this kind of capability, the top general said.

Equipment isn't everything

Franz-Stefan Gady, an expert on war at the Center for New American Security who recently visited Ukraine, reported that "this is an infantryman's fight" with artillery support along the front, meaning "progress is measured by yards/meters and not km/miles given reduced mobility."

He said in a summary of his findings that "mechanized formations are rarely deployed due to lack of enablers for maneuver," adding that "this includes insufficient quantities of de-mining equipment, air defenses, [anti-tank guided missiles] etc."

As it attempts to execute a counteroffensive, Ukraine is facing not just minefields but also other barriers to tank and infantry advances, trench networks, aviation, and artillery, both actual designated artillery pieces and older tanks functioning as self-propelled artillery.

Zaluzhny has expressed frustration with expectations for a quick, hard-hitting counteroffensive, arguing that "without being fully supplied, these plans are not feasible at all." In an interview with the Post, he pointed out that not even NATO is prepared to fight a war this way.

Ukrainian soldiers of the 57th Brigade during tactical training in Donetsk oblast, Ukraine on July 9, 2023. Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ukraine does not have the full-range of tools for the kinds of combat operations required to effectively break through the minefields and other Russian defenses, but equipment isn't the only problem Kyiv's forces are dealing with in this battle. More military hardware will not necessary fix everything.

"Minefields are a problem as most observers know. They confine maneuver space [and] slow advances," Gady said.

"But much more impactful than the minefields per se on Ukraine's ability to break through Russian defenses is [Ukraine's] inability to conduct complex combined arms operations at scale," which is necessary protect an army on offense.

"Lack of a comprehensive combined arms approach at scale makes Ukrainian forces more vulnerable to Russian ATGMs, artillery etc. while advancing," Gady said. "So it's not just about equipment. There's simply no systematic pulling apart of the Russian defensive system."

Combined arms operations are a difficult concept that most, the Russians included, do not do well.

It is about effectively combining capabilities  such as using engineering operations to enable infantry maneuvers with mobile protected firepower supported by artillery, other ranged fires, and aviation  to strike as a unified, cohesive combat force.

A soldier takes cover as he removes an anti tank mine by tying a rope around the detonator during a mine clearance exercise on July 11 2023, in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine. Ed Ram/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Unable to carry out those kinds of complex warfare, Ukraine may find itself stuck in an attritional artillery fight with Russia. It's a fight in which it has seen some wins, such as counter-battery combat, but might not see substantial territorial gains. Attritional warfare doesn't tend to lend itself to those kind of outcomes.

In this situation, Gady said that "absent a sudden collapse of Russian defenses," he suspects "this will remain a bloody attritional fight with reserve units being fed in incrementally in the coming weeks [and] months."

Gady said that if Ukraine does not want that to occur, it will have to "better synchronize [and] adapt current tactics" and incorporate effective fire and maneuver at scale in all operations from breaching operations to the broader counteroffensive.

If it fails to do so, he said, the Western military equipment in country and on the way, like American M1 Abrams tanks, likely "will not prove [tactically] decisive in the long run."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The route will pass through the territorial waters of Romania

Following Russia's withdrawal from the "grain deal" Ukraine is creating a temporary route for food exports through the Black Sea via Romania territorial waters, Reuters reported on July 19, citing an official letter from Ukraine to the UN's International Maritime Organization.

"Its goal is to facilitate the unblocking of international shipping in the north-western part of the Black Sea," Reuters said.

Read also: Ukraine proposes to continue Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia  PM

The route, according to media reports, will pass through Romania's territorial waters and exclusive maritime economic zone.

On July 17, Russia officially announced its withdrawal from the grain agreement, motivated by explosions on the Crimean Bridge. At the same time, Moscow withdrew guarantees for the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.

Read also: Zelenskyy stands firm as Russia withdraws from grain agreement

On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed to extend the grain deal without the Russians  together with Turkey and the UN.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed under the mediation of the UN and Turkey last July, unblocked three Ukrainian ports for food exports. The grain corridor became operational on Aug. 1, 2022.

Read also: UN Secretary-General urges Putin to salvage Black Sea grain deal

The plans to seek an alternative route comes amid Russia's massive attack on Odesa Oblast with dozens of drones and missiles in the early hours of July 19. It was one of the most intense strikes in the region since the war began.

A grain and an oil terminal were damaged, as well as reservoirs and loading equipment.

A TV-guided Kh-59 cruise missile was shot down near the coastline, falling on a residential area.

At least six people, including a nine-year-boy, were injured in the attack.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will visit Pakistan on a day trip on Thursday, a Pakistani foreign ministry statement said on Wednesday, against a backdrop of Islamabad's warming relations with Russia.

Kuleba's visit is the first ministerial visit from Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1993, the statement said.

Islamabad has been building ties with Moscow and has recently begun importing discounted Russian crude oil to meet its local demands and save on foreign exchange reserves.

Kuleba will meet his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

"It is expected to contribute to further strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries," the statement said.

Islamabad has also lately been importing wheat from Ukraine.

The Pakistani foreign ministry didn't provide an agenda for the visit.

(Reporting by Asif Shahzad)
Over the course of a month, Kyiv has retaken more territory than the Russians were able to capture in a year, said Richard Moore, the Chief of the UK Foreign Intelligence Service MI6.

Source: Moore during a speech at the British Embassy in Prague on 19 July, as European Pravda reports, referring to the Politico news agency

Quote from Moore: "Ukrainian commanders in rather stark contrast to their Russian counterparts want to preserve the lives of their troops and therefore move with due caution."

Details: The MI6 Chief added that Ukraine's liberation of its territories is "a hard grind, and Ukrainian officials and military dont shy away from that," while "the Russians have had a chance to put in defence[s] which are very tough to overcome".

He also called on Russians outraged by the war in Ukraine to "join forces" with his intelligence service and put an end to the bloodshed.

In the same speech, Moore expressed his belief that artificial intelligence will not replace human spies.

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Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS summit in South Africa next month where he was at risk of arrest, the countrys presidency said on Wednesday.

Russia will instead be represented by foreign minister Sergei Lavrov by mutual agreement, Pretoria said, after a number of consultations on hosting the summit.

The announcement has defused an intense political dilemma for president Cyril Ramaphosa, after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin.

As a member of the ICC, South Africa would have been expected to act on the warrant if Putin set foot in the country for the summit alongside the leaders of Brazil, India and China.

But Pretoria had argued any arrest would be tantamount to a declaration of war against the nuclear-armed power.

Smoke and flames rise from an explosion during a fire at a military training ground in the Kirovske district, Crimea, on Tuesday - Reuters

South African diplomats have spent months trying to wrangle a way out of the confrontation, with suggestions including holding a remote meeting or transferring the summit to China.

Pretoria said Mr Ramaphosa was now confident that the summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe.

Act on the warrant

The opposition Democratic Alliance had added to the governments discomfort by going to court to compel the ruling African National Congress to act on the warrant.

A government response before the court said Mr Ramaphosa believed seizing Putin would put South Africa at war.

He told the court: It would be a reckless, unconstitutional and unlawful exercise of the powers conferred upon the government to declare war with Russia by arresting President Putin.

My government and I have constitutional obligations to protect the national sovereignty, peace and security of the republic and its people.

The BRICS group of nations and their attempt to form a counterweight to Western economic domination is a cornerstone of South Africas foreign policy.

However, the country has come under heavy domestic and international pressure not to host Putin since the ICC issued the warrant for his alleged role in deporting Ukrainian children.

Story continues

Analysts have speculated that the recent domestic upheaval in Russia, with the brief mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner forces, may have come to Mr Ramaphosas aid, leaving Putin uneasy about travelling abroad.

03:15 PM BST

Today's liveblog is now closed

Thanks for following todays liveblog. We will be back tomorrow with all the latest updates on the Ukraine war.

Read the latest news on the conflict here.

03:08 PM BST

Video appears to show Prigozhin welcoming Wagner to Belarus

A video has surfaced online apparently showing Yevgeny Prigozhin welcoming Wagner fighters to Belarus.

It has not been verified by The Telegraph, but a military monitoring group based in Belarus claimed the mercenary boss private jet landed in the country yesterday.

The footage, shot at night, shows a man whose voice sounds like Prigozhins praising his fighters. It was reposted by his press service on Telegram.

The man, who can only be seen in profile, says: Welcome lads... Welcome to Belarusian soil.

We fought honourably... You have done a great deal for Russia. What is going on at the front is a disgrace that we do not need to get involved in.

He tells the men to gather their strength for a new journey to Africa, adding that they may return to Ukraine when... we will not be forced to shame ourselves.

02:47 PM BST

'We'll give you a flat in Crimea', Russians told spy

A Russian spy who was promised a $200,000-flat in Crimea has been jailed for 15 years, according to Ukrainian intelligence.

The SBU said the unnamed man gathered information about the training of Ukraines navy on the Black Sea and ground units in the south of the country.

He was apparently recruited by Moscows security services in 2010 - four years before the annexation of Crimea, and more than a decade before the full-scale invasion of Ukriane.

The SBU posted on Telegram: In case of successful execution of enemy tasks, the Russian agent hoped to receive from his curators an apartment in the occupied Crimea.

According to available data, he was promised residential real estate worth $200,000.

02:34 PM BST

Watch: Odesa grain terminal hit by Russian airstrike

02:18 PM BST

Explosion at Russian ammunition depot in Crimea forces thousands to flee

Thousands of people were evacuated after an ammunition dump caught fire in Crimea, setting off a series of explosions.

Blasts were still being heard several hours after the fire at a military base in the Kirovske district was reported, according to local media.

More than two thousand people have been evacuated and temporary shelters have been provided, said Sergei Aksyonov, the regions Russian-installed head.

He wrote on Telegram: The causes of the fire at the training ground in the Kirovske region will be established by investigating authorities. There were no casualties.

Ukraines military intelligence chief denied reports that Kyiv was behind the fire.

02:06 PM BST

Pictured: Odesa grain terminal damaged during Russian airstrike

A grain terminal in a sea port damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes on Odesa - UKRAINIAN INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTRY/via REUTERS

02:00 PM BST

Ukraine to set up new shipping route after Black Sea deal falters

Kyiv is planning a temporary shipping route to maintain grain shipments after Russia withdrew from the Black Seal deal this week.

Vasyl Shkurakov, the deputy communities minister, has written to the UN shipping agency to say Ukraine had decided to establish on a temporary basis a recommended maritime route.

He continued: Its goal is to facilitate the unblocking of international shipping in the north-western part of the Black Sea.

The route will apparently lead to the territorial waters of Romania, which is one of the neighbouring Black Sea countries.

01:43 PM BST

Give us missiles to protect grain supplies, says Zelensky adviser

Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff has said Ukraine needs more defensive weaponry to protect grain supplies from Russian airstrikes.

Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram: Russian attacks on the infrastructure of the grain agreement are attacks on global food security.

It is possible to protect the infrastructure - more ABM (anti-ballistic missile) systems are needed for Ukraine to repel air attacks.

It comes after Ukraines agriculture minister said that 60,000 tonnes of grain had been lost when Russia fired cruise missiles on the port of Odesa last night.

01:31 PM BST

'Crimea evacuees will only be away for a couple of days'

Thousands of civilians evacuated from near a blazing ammunition depot in Crimea will only be away for a day or two, the head of the peninsulas state council has said.

Vladimir Konstantinov said on Rossiya-24 television: Places for evacuation have been set up. There are volunteers, and theres enough help. Everyone is provided with everything they need.

From our experience, its for a day or two. It is not a long evacuation.

The evacuation sites in the villages are under police protection. Theres enough accommodation to hold evacuees. Everything was organized quickly.

01:16 PM BST

Pictured: Zelensky holds 'important negotiations' with Irish PM Varadkar

Neutrality does not mean indifference, Volodymyr Zelensky told Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar as he welcomed him to Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky wrote on Twitter: Today, we will hold important negotiations - security, political cooperation, justice for Ukraine and our economic cooperation.

Although Ireland is a neutral country, this neutrality does not mean indifference, and this is very important. Thank you for all your support.

Ireland has a longstanding policy of military neutrality, meaning it does not join alliances or make defence agreements.

Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arrives for a visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy - Pool/Getty Images Europe

01:04 PM BST

Putin 'could have been arrested' if he travelled to South Africa summit

Vladimir Putin will not attend a summit in South Africa because authorities would have been obliged to arrest him for war crimes.

Russia will instead be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Johannesburg conference, alongside the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian president in March, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting children from Ukraine.

12:58 PM BST

Russia claims it advanced 1km in Kharkiv

Russian forces have advanced one kilometre along the Kharkiv frontline in the past day, its defence ministry has claimed.

It said in a statement: Over the last day, the advance of Russian units amounted to more than a kilometre in depth and up to two kilometres along the front.

The advancing units captured the Molchanovo railway station in the Kharkiv region.

12:49 PM BST

60,000 tons of grain destroyed in Russian attack

Considerable damage was done to grain terminals a Chornomorsk port in the Odesa region by Russian airstrikes, Ukraines agriculture minister has said.

Mykola Solsky added that 60,000 tons of grain, which were ready to be loaded and shipped off, had been destroyed.

After killing the #GrainDeal,  Russia attacked grain and oil terminals in #Odesa, demonstrating its true attitude towards global food security

We urge the international community to join  #Ukraine's efforts to save vital grain exports to the world and take a principled stance pic.twitter.com/mhVX450SVF  MFA of Ukraine  (@MFA_Ukraine) July 19, 2023

12:31 PM BST

Zelensky: Russia is targeting our grain terminals

Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian terrorists of trying to sabotage its ability to export grain after launching cruise missiles at the port of Odesa.

The Ukrainian president wrote on Telegram: At the morning conference call, I heard information about night-time Russian strikes on Odesa, Zhytomyr, and other regions of our country.

Russian terrorists absolutely deliberately targeted the infrastructure of the grain agreement.

Every Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine, but also to everyone in the world who seeks a normal and safe life.

12:20 PM BST

Pictured: Airstrike sends Odesa storage facilities up in smoke

Smoke billows from a fire at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian strikes on Odesa - STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/via REUTERS

11:57 AM BST

Russia: West is ignoring Ukraine's 'terrorist attacks'

The West is turning a blind eye to terrorist attacks after a blast on the Kerch bridge killed two people, the Kremlin has said.

Russia accuses Ukraine of using naval drones to attack the bridge linking the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014, to mainland Russia.

11:39 AM BST

Evacuations and road closures after military base explosion

Thousands of civilians are being evacuated in Russian-occupied Crimea after a fire broke out at a military training ground.

The incident, which occurred in the Kirovsky district, comes just days after an explosion of the Kerch bridge which links the peninsula to mainland Russia, which the Kremlin blamed on a strike from Kyiv.

There were not any casualties and the causes of the fires outbreak are being investigated by authorities, Sergei Aksyonov, Crimeas head of government, said.

He continued: The temporary evacuation of residents of four localities adjacent to the military field in the Kirovsky region is planned. Thats more than 2,000 people.

Sections of the Tavrida highway, which connects Sevastopol to the Crimean port of Kerch, have been closed. Vehicles are being redirected through regional roads.

11:22 AM BST

Ukrainian mine in Black Sea destroyed by Russia

Russias forces destroyed a stray Ukrainian mine drifting in the south-western part of the Black Sea, its defence ministry has said.

The mine was apparently detected by Russias Black Sea fleet, floating roughly 111 miles northeast of the Bosporus Strait.

The ministry said: On the decision of the ships commander, a Ka-27 helicopter was taken into the air, whose crew eliminated the mine with machine-gun fire.

11:06 AM BST

Ukraine's farmers fear 'disaster' after Black Sea deal ends

Ukrainian farmers fear losing their livelihoods after Russia this week quit a wartime deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of grain.

Kees Huizinga, who owns a 15,000-hectare farm of the Cherkasy region, said: We have some reserves so we can survive for a month or so, but if we cant sell its going to be a disaster.

He estimates war-related disruption cost his business up to 4.5m last year, and could inflict similar damage this year.

Although Ukraine can also ship produce along the Danube river, experts suggest that the Black Sea was used for up to 90pc of its pre-war exports.

10:55 AM BST

Kyiv: 'We never claimed credit for Crimea fire'

Ukrainian officials have denied taking credit for a fire that consumed a Crimean ammunition depot and forced mass evacuations.

It was previously reported that Ukraine said it carried out a successful operation in the peninsula that caused damage and manpower losses.

A representative for the defence ministry told the Kyiv Post: There was no such statement.

10:48 AM BST

Pictured: Huge fireball rises above Crimean ammunition depot

Smoke and flames rise from an explosion during a fire at a military training ground in the Kirovske district - STRINGER/REUTERS

10:12 AM BST

'Keep ban on Ukrainian imports', EU told

Five eastern European countries will ask the EU to extend a ban on Ukrainian grain imports after the Black Sea export deal collapsed, Hungarys farming minister has said.

Istvan Nagy said Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia will ask for the embargo to remain beyond its 15 September deadline.

There are fears among farmers that imports will lead to grain prices plummeting, prompting protests earlier this year in Poland.

09:58 AM BST

'Russia wants to destroy Ukraine's grain exports'

Russia targeted grain terminals and port infrastructure in Odesa in air strikes last night, a senior Ukrainian presidential adviser has claimed.

Mykhailo Podolyak said the attacks on Ukraines main Black Sea port showed Russias lack of regard for African countries, the UN, and the prospects of global hunger.

He continued: The main objective is to destroy the possibility of shipping Ukrainian grain.

09:53 AM BST

Pictured: Odesa firefighter battles blaze after 'hellish' attack

A firefighter works at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian missile and drone strikes in Odesa - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/via REUTERS

09:47 AM BST

Russia hoping for 'refugee crisis' as Odesa struck for second night

Russia has been accused of trying to overwhelm the West with refugees as it reportedly struck a grain terminal in the port of Odesa.

Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff, said: The Russian terror of Odesa proves once again that they need hunger and problems in the countries of the Global South.

They want to create a refugee crisis for the West. Everything is done in order to weaken allies and politically intervene in the internal affairs of these countries.

Global leaders have accused Vladimir Putin of depriving millions of access to grain when Russia withdrew from the Black Sea export deal this week.

09:38 AM BST

'You have 3 months to sort out grain deal', Russia tells UN

Russia has issued an ultimatum on the Black Sea grain deal, saying it will refuse to restart talks on the initiative unless the UN concedes to its demands by October.

The UN still has three months to achieve concrete results, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. If there are concrete results, we will return to the discussion of this issue.

09:30 AM BST

MI6 boss: 'Our door is always open' to Russian informants

The head of MI6 has invited discontented Russians to share their secrets with British intelligence services.

Richard Moore, chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) said in a rare public speech: I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us.

Our door is always open. We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us.

09:22 AM BST

Chechen warlord's nephew to run yoghurt company

A nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been appointed head of Russias Danone subsidiary after the Kremlin seized control of the yoghurt business.

A number of Western companies have left Russia since it invaded Ukraine last year. Some assets have been temporarily claimed by the state under the control of Vladimir Putins allies.

Yakub Zakriev, the 32-year-old deputy prime minister of Chechnya, has been appointed general director of Danone Russia. Kadyrov has referred to him as his dear nephew on social media.

09:10 AM BST

'Several explosions' heard in Crimea

Explosions can be heard in Crimeas Kirovsky District where a military base is on fire, Russian news agency Tass has reported.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Moscow-backed head of Crimeas government, first warned that the fire had broken out more than four hours ago.

Temporary shelters have been set up for evacuated residents, while emergency services are on the scene.

08:54 AM BST

Ukraine conducts 'successful operation' in Crimea

Ukraine has hailed a successful operation in Russian-occupied Crimea after a fire at a military base prompted thousands of civilian evacuations.

Kylylo Budanov, the head of Ukraines military intelligence, did not specify what the operation was or where specifically it took place.

He said in a statement: A successful operation was conducted on occupied Crimea. The enemy conceals the extent of the damage and the number of losses in manpower.

08:51 AM BST

Grain terminal hit in Russian attack on Odesa

Russian cruise missiles struck a grain terminal in Odesa on the second consecutive night of strikes to hit the port, it has been reported.

It comes after the Kremlin withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal, which allowed the safe passage of cargo ships from three Ukrainian ports. Authorities want exports to continue even without Russias participation.

Regional governor Oleh Kiper wrote on Telegram: The Russians directed Onyx and X-22 [missiles] to the port and critical infrastructure.

A grain and oil terminal was hit, tanks and loading equipment were damaged, a fire started, all competent services are working to eliminate the consequences.

08:40 AM BST

Pictured: Man rides motorbike over destroyed bridge in Kharkiv

A man rides a motorbike as he crosses the destroyed bridge over the Vovcha River in Kharkiv - SERGEY BOBOK/AFP

08:31 AM BST

MoD: Russia struggling with 'Dnipro dilemma'

Moscow faces a dilemma over which of its troops to reinforce after Ukrainian successes on the Dnipro River, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

It said in an intelligence update that Ukraine had destroyed Russian boats as it fought for islands on the Dnipro delta, as well as opening up a small bridgehead near the Antonivsky Bridge.

While the Russia could push back by reinforcing its Dnipro forces, the MoD noted this would weaken the stretched units responding to the counteroffensive in the south.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 19 July 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/21kg30qRdN



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/qHZCYmH3UF  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) July 19, 2023

08:25 AM BST

Ukraine warned 20 years ago that Europe and the US were too close to Putin

Newly released archives reveal Ukraine warned two decades ago that the West had too rosy a view of Vladimir Putin, Gordon Rayner writes.

Leonid Kuchma, Ukraines then president, pleaded in 2002 with Sir Tony Blair to support the former Soviet state joining the EU, but the British ambassador to Kyiv suggested the UK saw Ukraine as not really European.

In a memo to Sir Tony from Roger Liddle, his special adviser on European affairs, Mr Liddle said: The Ukrainians are depressed that most of Europe and the new US administration is running them down.

Read the full story here.

08:22 AM BST

Pictured: Mykolaiv hotel sent up in flames by missile strike

A firefighter works at the site of a recreation hotel hit by a Russian missile strike in the village of Kobleve, Mykolaiv - STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/via REUTERS

Two people have been injured across the Mykolaiv region, although the city itself was spared a repeat of Monday nights missile strikes.

The local defence force said on Telegram that an attack on the settlement on Koblivska had destroyed recreational infrastructure facilities on the coast.

Two people were injured during the incident, one of whom was sent to hospital.

Russian forces launched five waves of artillery on Ochakiv yesterday but no casualties were reported.

08:14 AM BST

'Ukrainian agent' jailed for 12 years by Russia

A man who Russia claims is an agent of Ukraines defence ministry has been jailed for 12 years after allegedly smuggling explosives into the country.

Alexander Tsilyk was also accused on creating arms caches in Russian territory and will split his sentence between prison and a penal colony.

The court told Russias Tass news agency: The court sentenced Tsilyk to 12 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 rubles. He will spend the first three years in prison, and the remaining part of his sentence - in a high-security penal colony.

He admitted his guilt in part, and actively assisted in solving and investigating crimes.

08:10 AM BST

10 civilians injured by Russian attacks in Donetsk

Russian attacks have wounded 10 people across Donetsk, the regions governor says.

Pavlo Kyrylenko said: On July 18, the Russians wounded 10 residents of Donetsk region; 5 in Zhelanny Persh, 2 in Lyman, 1 in Avdiika, Kurakhivka and Krasnohorivka.

Current, it is impossible to establish the exact number of victims in Mariupol and Volnovas. Every war criminal will be punished.

08:02 AM BST

MI6 chief to say Russias invasion of Ukraine remains doomed

The chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) will on Wednesday say Russia is failing in its military aims in Ukraine as he gives a rare speech in Prague, Robert Mendick writes.

Sir Richard Moore is set to make the comments at the British Embassy in the Czech capital, emphasising the UKs close relationship with the former Eastern Bloc country and the symbolism of the countrys resistance to Soviet imperialism in the face of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

It comes as Ukraine warned that Russia is amassing a force of 100,000 soldiers to attack the northern section of its frontline to divert forces away from its counter-offensive.

Read the full story here.

08:00 AM BST

Watch: Fire breaks out at military base in Crimea

07:57 AM BST

Ukraine hit by 'dozens of missiles' in overnight strike

Russian forces struck critical infrastructure and military facilities with dozens of drones and missiles last night, the Ukrainian air force has reported.

It said on Telegram that the waves of attacks were focused on Odesa in the south and comprised of:

16 Kalibr cruise missiles

8 Kh-22 cruise missiles

6 Onyx cruise missiles

1 Kh-59 air missile

32 Shahed attack drones

Air defences apparently destroyed 13 Kalibr missiles, the Kh-59 missile and 32 drones.

07:50 AM BST

Odesa endures 'hellish' night of strikes

Russia launched a hellish strike on Odesa in the second consecutive night of bombardment, a Ukrainian official has said.

Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for the citys military administration, said the attack was very powerful, truly massive on his Telegram channel.

It was a hellish night, he said, adding that details on damage and casualties will come later.

The attacks on Odesa, one of Ukraines main ports for exporting grain, followed a pledge of retaliation by Russia after a blast on a bridge linking Russia to the Crimean Peninsula on Monday.

07:42 AM BST

Russia brainwashing Ukrainian children to use as weapons

Officials warn that Russia is brainwashing abducted children to turn them against Ukraine, Nataliya Vasilyeva and Inna Varenytsia writes.

It comes as a Telegraph investigation reveals a system of re-education to Russify children illegally taken from Ukraine.

Children schooled in occupied parts of eastern Ukraine and Crimea have been taught to blame Nazis and Nato for the war that has killed family and friends.

Pupils are forced to learn the Russian national anthem, study textbooks littered with historical inaccuracies and, in some cases, write thank-you letters to Russian soldiers responsible for atrocities in their regions.

Read the full story here.

07:41 AM BST

Good morning

Good morning and welcome to todays Ukraine liveblog.

We will be guiding you through all the latest updates from Ukraine.

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(Photo : JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Demonstrators wave Israeli flags as they gather by a bonfire while blocking a highway during a protest against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul bill in Tel Aviv on July 18, 2023.

During a day of nationwide demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious judicial reform plan, tens of thousands of demonstrators blocked highways and train stations on Tuesday and gathered in central Tel Aviv.

In recent days, the protests, which are now in their seventh month, have taken on a greater sense of urgency as Netanyahu and his allies in parliament move forward with the program.

Israeli Reservists Protest Against Judicial Change

The first bill, which seeks to restrict the Supreme Court's oversight authority, could become law as early as next week.

Israel's figurehead president, Isaac Herzog, was invited to the White House to commemorate Israel's 75th anniversary, but the unrest cast a pall over his visit.

Herzog, a political moderate, has been involved in efforts to mediate a compromise on judicial reform, which has strained relations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden.

During a meeting in the Oval Office with Vice President Biden, Herzog acknowledged that Israel was "undergoing a passionate debate as a society." However, he stated that the debate demonstrates that Israeli society is "tough and resilient." He added that the nation should pursue a "common ground."

Biden, who has criticized the revision plan, has stated that the United States' commitment to Israel is robust and that the relationship between the two nations is "unbreakable."

Read Also: Crimea Bridge Attack: Putin Vows Response After Ukraine Claims Responsibility to 'Terror Incident'

Israel Judicial Reform

According to Politico, Netanyahu and his associates argue that the reform is necessary to reign in the powers of an unelected judiciary (particularly the Supreme Court) that, in their view, is excessively involved in government decision-making.

Their opponents, who represent a broad cross-section of Israeli society, argue that the plan is an attempt by Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies to demolish the country's delicate system of checks and balances.

In addition, they assert that the prime minister, who is currently on trial for corruption, and his allies are motivated by various grievances against the justice system.

Tuesday night, demonstrators swarmed outside the US diplomatic offices in Tel Aviv, filled the city's central square, and shut down the city's main thoroughfare. The police on horseback galloped through the masses to disperse them.

Before this, protesters congregated before Israel's stock exchange and military headquarters. Business leaders have repeatedly warned that a compromised legal system will discourage foreign investment. Reservists from critical military divisions, such as fighter pilots and cyber warfare agents, have threatened not to report for duty.

If the legislation passes, many Israeli reservists, the backbone of the country's military authority in times of conflict, have threatened to refuse service. Thousands were expected to again take to the streets in Israel as part of the weekly demonstrations against Netanyahu's proposals, as per Telegraph via MSN.

Outside the Tel Aviv stock exchange, protesters lit smoke grenades, drummed, chanted, and carried signs that read "save our startup nation" and "Dictatorship will destroy the economy."

Others demonstrated in front of the headquarters of the Histadrut, Israel's largest labor union, demanding that it call for a general strike. This move could paralyze the economy of the country.

Outside the building, protesters climbed scaffolding and raised reservist protest flags. The labor union called for a strike in March, contributing to Netanyahu's decision to halt the judicial overhaul. During highway-blocking protests in central Israel, police say officers have arrested at least 19 individuals suspected of public disturbance.

The unprecedented dispute over Netanyahu's proposed reforms has exposed a significant chasm in Israeli society between the secular, liberal population, who oppose the measures, and the religious conservatives, who support them.

Critics of the reform assert that it will weaken the Israeli legal system by eliminating vital checks and balances on Israeli ministers. However, Netanyahu and his supporters assert the reforms are required because, according to them, the courts have excessive power over the government.

Related Article: Iran, Russia Coordinate To Push Away US Troops in Syria, Pentagon Officials Claim

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On the front, fighting is concentrated in eastern Ukraine (SERGEY BOBOK)

Kyiv on Thursday put ships in the Black Sea headed for Russian-controlled ports on alert, as Moscow hit the Ukrainian ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa with drones and missiles in another night of "hellish" strikes.

Ukraine said it would treat the ships as potential carriers of military cargo, mirroring a move made by Russia after it withdrew from a key grain export deal.

At least three people died and more than 20 were injured in the Russian strikes on the southern Ukrainian ports, officials said, posting images of buildings in flames and partially collapsed.

Russia pounded the cities with 19 missiles and 19 drones, the Ukrainian air force said, after the Kremlin promised retribution for an attack on the bridge linking annexed Crimea to mainland Russia.

"A hellish night for our people!" said Sergiy Kruk, head of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service.

In Odesa, a man was found "under the rubble", regional governor Oleg Kiper said, while in Mykolaiv an elderly couple were killed.

Rescue teams in Mykolaiv searched through the debris under pouring rain to find survivors after missiles struck the centre.

Oleksiy Luganchenko, 72, stood outside a collapsed building in the city, saying the deceased couple were his sister and her husband.

"Who needs this war?" Luganchenko said.

"I'd told them they should leave and now they have died."

- 'Retaliatory strikes' -

Iryna Personova, 65, said her apartment had been destroyed. "I've lived here for 40 years, there's not a single military target nearby," she told AFP.

Russia said it had carried out the "retaliatory strikes" against military infrastructure around the two cities.

A production site for seaborne drones was hit around Odesa, while "fuel and ammunition depots of Ukraine's armed forces" were struck near Mykolaiv.

But Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to the Black Sea deal which collapsed earlier this week.

Story continues

A previous strike had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export from the major global producer, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said.

Moscow's invasion last year saw Ukraine's Black Sea ports blocked by warships until the two sides agreed to the grain export deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

The agreement enabled the export of more than 32 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain over the last year, bringing relief to countries facing critical food shortages such as Sudan, Afghanistan and Yemen.

But Moscow said Monday it was exiting the deal, after months of complaining that provisions allowing the export of Russian food and fertilisers had not been fulfilled.

The Kremlin also accused Kyiv of using the grain corridor for "combat purposes" and said it would now consider cargo ships travelling to Ukraine through the Black Sea potential military targets.

In response, Ukraine on Thursday said ships headed for Russian-controlled ports on the Black Sea would be treated as possibly carrying military cargo and prohibited navigation on "the northeastern part of the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait" near Crimea.

Ukraine has previously signalled it would be ready to continue with grain exports from its southern ports despite Russian threats, and called on the UN and neighbouring countries to secure safe passage for cargoes through joint patrols.

A senior United States security official told AFP that Russia was considering attacking civilian ships on the Black Sea and putting the blame on Kyiv.

- Attacking civilian ships -

In Crimea, a Ukrainian drone strike damaged four administrative buildings and killed a teenage girl, the Moscow-installed governor said.

It came a day after an unexplained fire at a military site in Crimea and an attack on the sole bridge linking the annexed peninsula to mainland Russia earlier in the week.

Ukrainian forces carried out the assault on the Kerch bridge using seaborne drones, a security service source told AFP.

On the front, fighting is concentrated in eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv's counteroffensive is so far struggling to break through Russia's defensive lines.

The grinding battles have left settlements near the front in ruins.

Near Bakhmut, in the surprisingly named settlement New York whose horizon is darkened by smoke rising from the battlefields around, Russian strikes have targeted its chemical factory.

"Maybe it's because their assault on our village has stalled," plant director Sergiy Dmytrenko, 34, told AFP.

"Maybe this is their new tactic."

burs-as/sea/lcm
The Bradley IFV team that Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said took out two Russian T-72s, on July 18, 2023. Hanna Maliar/Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Two Russian T-72 tanks were taken out by a single US-supplied Bradley IFV, Ukraine says.

Ukraine's deputy defense minister said the tanks were set aflame by the Bradley's anti-tank missiles.

Ukraine is keen to demonstrate to Western allies how it is putting their military aid to good use.

A US-supplied Bradley infantry fighting vehicle recently took out two Russian T-72 tanks, according to Ukraine's deputy defense minister.

Hanna Maliar shared an image of the Bradley with its crew on Tuesday, saying they had been fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region when they became surrounded by Russian infantry.

After Ukrainian automatic cannon fire took out the infantry Russian forces declared a "real hunt" by introducing two T-72s onto the battlefield, Maliar wrote, according to The New Voice of Ukraine's translation.

But both tanks were destroyed by the Bradley's heavy TOW anti-tank missiles, Maliar said.

Insider was unable to independently confirm Maliar's account, and the Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As of July 7, the US has committed a total of 186 Bradley IFVs to Ukraine, and, going by a Ukrainian Ministry of Defense tweet, the first ones arrived on Ukrainian soil no later than April.

The fast, tough armored vehicle is not a tank, but has been referred to as a "tank killer." It can transport troops as well as provide fire support, including through the use of its powerful anti-tank missiles.

Dutch open-source weapons-tracking website Oryx said that, as of this month, Ukraine appears to have lost, or sustained damage to, 35 Bradleys  a large proportion of those handed over.

Maliar suggested that Western-donated equipment is a major target for Russian forces.

"Our military is well aware that Western equipment attracts the enemy's attention," she wrote, per The New Voice of Ukraine, adding: "As soon as the Bradley appears on the frontline, the Russians unleash all their firepower, from grenade launchers to artillery and attack helicopters."

Story continues

Ukraine has been keen to demonstrate the difference the US supply of Bradleys has made on the battlefield.

In June, Maliar shared images of one such IFV appearing barely damaged after what she said was a direct rocket hit. She said the vehicle took a direct hit from a Russian Grad rocket system  but was tough enough to keep going, while protecting everyone inside.

A pair of Ukrainian soldiers also told ABC News in June that they owed their lives to the Bradley they were riding in.

"Thanks to it, I am standing here now," a soldier, identified only as Andriy, said. "If we were using some Soviet armored personnel carrier we would all probably be dead after the first hit."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The U.S. has promised Ukraine more Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers.

With the Ukrainian counteroffensive going slower than anticipated because of deeply dug-in, heavily-mined Russian defenses causing personnel and equipment losses, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday Kyiv promised additional deliveries of armor and artillery pieces.

Ukraines allies will continue to provide platforms, Austin said during a press conference following the 14th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG). We talked about the additional leverage and infantry fighting vehicles that are on the horizon, as well as artillery pieces and so we're going to continue to generate combat power. We're going to continue to push in additional Bradley Fighting Vehicles and also Strykers and artillery pieces.

https://twitter.com/NewsHour/status/1681342555470852097

There were no announcements of new arms shipments to Ukraine on Tuesday and Austin did not provide details about how many additional armored vehicles and artillery pieces the U.S. will send or when.

Asked later by The War Zone for additional details, a Pentagon spokesman said more information would be available when an announcement is made. Earlier on Tuesday, Reuters reported that the U.S. would in the coming days announce a new, $1.3 billion aid package to provide Ukraine with additional air defenses, counter-drone systems, exploding drones and ammunition. That package will be provided through Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative Funds, which means the equipment will be purchased from industry as opposed to providing it from existing stocks.

https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1681315316608159744

According to the Oryx open source intelligence group, Ukraine has seen 15 Bradleys destroyed, 16 damaged and four damaged and abandoned. The U.S. has promised a total of 190 Bradleys. The U.S. has promised a total of 157 Strykers. Oryx has reported no Strykers lost. Those loss figures, of course, could be higher because Oryx only tabulates vehicles for which is has visual confirmation of major damage or loss.

Story continues

There have been several videos and images emerging on social media of Bradleys in combat, but there have been few, if any, of Strykers. It is unknown why, though it is possible they are being held in reserve along with the bulk of Ukrainian forces set aside for the full brunt of the counteroffensive. Still, while additional Bradleys have been sent to replace lost ones, more Strykers have also been sent without word of any losses of the type.

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1681232983678648321

Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Army Gen. Mark Milley on Tuesday were addressing reporters after a meeting of the UDCG, an international group of some 50 nations working to supply Ukraine for its defense against Russia.

So far, the U.S. and allies have trained 17 brigade combat teams - 63,000 Ukrainian troops, said Milley. And that training continues with additional troops.

Asked if Ukraines now six-week-old counteroffensive was stalled or a failure, Milley said neither. He said that though war games held ahead of the counteroffensive showed that it would progress more rapidly than it has, Russias defensive lines have proven a great challenge.

The Russians have had several months to put in a very complex linear defense-in-depth, said Milley. It's not quite connected trench lines like World War I, but it's not dissimilar from that either. Lots of complex minefields, Dragon's Teeth, barbed wire, trenches, etc. They've got a very extensive security zone in depth, and then they've got at least two, perhaps even three main defensive belts, so they've had a lot of time to prepare them.

https://twitter.com/bradyafr/status/1675591420131028992

Ukraine, meanwhile, has a significant amount of combat power not yet committed, said Milley, without offering specifics. And I will not say what's going to happen in the future, because that's going to be a Ukrainian decision as to where and when they commit their reserves, etc.

At the moment, Ukraine is preserving its combat power, and then slowly and deliberately steadily working their way through all these minefields, and it's a tough fight, said Milley. Very difficult, but it started about five or six weeks ago, and the various war games that were done ahead of time predicted certain levels of advance, and that has slowed down. Why? Because that's the difference between war on paper and real war. 

The counteroffensive, he said, is far from a failure. In my view, I think that it's way too early to make that kind of call.

The progress of this counteroffensive, plus any advances the Russians might make, are things we will keep a close eye on.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

In an interview with the BBC published Tuesday, Ukrainian Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi offered some explanation of why Kyiv still fights for Bakhmut.

For Syrskyi, recapturing Bakhmut is "a matter of honor," the BBC reported. "We lost many of our brothers, our servicemen, when we were defending Bakhmut therefore we simply have to return it."

Syrskyi also confirmed that U.S.-supplied Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICMs) cluster munitions had now arrived in Ukraine and would be ready to use within days. That's something we reported about last week, which you can read more about here.

"We saw the US-supplied M777 howitzers, which will fire the shells, already in position around Bakhmut," the BBC reported.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1681248441626656769?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

On the battlefield, Ukraine is making slow, incremental progress, then stopping to reassess before pushing off again, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Tuesday on her Telegram channel.

On the directions Mala Tokmachka-Novopokrovka and Velika Novosilka-Urozhayne, our defenders were successful, she said of the fighting in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk oblasts. They are taking hold at the reached boundaries. The initiative is on our side.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1681357258481889280

Russian forces, she added, are putting up a fierce resistance.

The enemy's task is to stop our advance, she said. And they put a lot of effort into it. Our enemy is strong. Therefore, our troops have to move in extremely difficult conditions.

Maliar hinted at things to come, likening the pace of this counteroffensive to that of last Falls in Kherson.

It is necessary to create certain conditions for further promotion, she said. And it takes time. Remember the liberation of Kherson - it was also more than one day.

As for Kupiansk, where a Ukrainian military spokesman yesterday said Russian forces had amassed more than 100,000 troops and more than 900 tanks, Maliar said the Russian offensive there is currently unsuccessful. The battles continue, but the initiative is already on our side.

In and around Bakmut, meanwhile, Ukraine continues to make advances, she said.

For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces inflicted heavy losses on Ukrainian troops and equipment across the front lines.

Russian troops repelled Ukrainian attempts to advance in Donetsk and Zaporizhia, the Russian MoD said.

https://twitter.com/DailyWorld24/status/1681296778598166532

And contrary to Maliar's statement about Kupiansk, the influential Russian Archangel of The Special Forces Telegram channel says Russian troops are approaching that city in Kharkiv Oblast.

The Russian Armed Forces are actively advancing in the Kupiansk direction, and according to sources, they have approached the line of sight to Kupiansk, Archangel of the Special Force reported Tuesday. There are fights. The enemy is in big trouble.

https://twitter.com/faytuks/status/1681397913463734341?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

A day after Vladimir Putin promised a response to Sundays attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge, Russia launched six Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles and 36 Iranian-made Shahed-type attack drones at targets in Odesa and Mykoliav, according to the Ukrainian General Staff Facebook account.

The Ukrainian General Staff claimed that all six missiles and 31 of the attack drones were destroyed.

However, the fragments of hit rockets and the explosive wave from the hit damaged port infrastructure facilities and several private homes, Ukraines Operational Command South said on its Facebook page. An elderly man was injured in his own house, he is hospitalized.

It has been quite a long time since there was an attack with various types of sea- or air-based missiles, Yuriy Ignat, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, said at a news conference Tuesday, according to The New York Times.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that strikes were in retaliation for the attack on the Kerch Bridge, which Ukrainian and Russian officials have said was carried out by uncrewed surface vessels.

The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) claimed on its Telegram channel that it carried out the attack with precision sea-based weapons against facilities where terrorist acts against Russian troops were prepared using unmanned boats, as well as the place where it was manufactured at a ship repair plant near Odesa."

The Russian MoD also claimed that it destroyed fuel storage facilities with a total of about 70,000 tons of fuel for Ukraines military stored close to Mykolaiv and Odesa.

https://twitter.com/radioukraine1/status/1681314325976461312

Ukrainian presidential advisor Andriy Yermak published a photo on his Telegram channel Tuesday he said showed one of the Iranian-made drones shot down over Mykoliav that he said contained a foreign engine carburetor.

The carburetor, as well as hundreds of other parts, are made in Western and Asian countries, Yermak said. Russians often erase serial numbers in foreign components. In the second photo, you can see the part with the erased serial number.

Yermak called for added sanctions against companies manufacturing these components.

You can read more about how Iranian drones are loaded with foreign components in our coverage here.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1681284343778492420?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Hours after the barrage, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Susan Power arrived in Odesa to announce that the U.S., "through its Agriculture Resilience Initiative-Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine), is providing an additional $250 million to support Ukraines agriculture sector that has been battered by Russias aggression," according to USAID. "This brings the U.S. governments total investment in the AGRI-Ukraine initiative to $350 million."

Power also denounced Russias decision to suspend participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative "that is hugely important in moving Ukrainian food to the global market."

https://twitter.com/PowerUSAID/status/1681303479955111938

The Crimean peninsula, meanwhile, was subjected to an attempted attack by a large wave of aerial drones, according to Russian authorities and milbloggers.

At night, in the east of Crimea, air defense forces shot down nine UAVs, another 19 were suppressed by electronic warfare, Crimean occupation governor Sergei Aksenov said Tuesday on his Telegram channel. There were no casualties.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on its Telegram channel that 28 Ukrainian drones tried to attack Crimea while "another 11 were intercepted by electronic warfare means and crashed without reaching their target. There were no casualties or damage as a result of the foiled terrorist attack."

The Kremlin-connected Rybar Telegram channel concurred that the attempted attack caused no damage, but offered additional details, including an even larger number of Ukrainian drones that were downed.

Beginning at about 1 a.m. local time Tuesday, five groups of UAVs from the Shkolny airfield in Odesa took off in several directions, Rybar wrote Tuesday.

Russian air defense units destroyed 17 drones from the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile and gun system and small arms near Capes Tarkhankut and Priboyny, as well as Razdolie, Olenevka and Portovoy, according to Rybar.

According to the Rybar Telegram channel, several Ukrainian drones were downed by electronic warfare around Cape Tarkhankut in eastern Crimea. (Google Earth image)

Rybar also noted that at least one reconnaissance UAV of an unidentified type took off from the airfield in Chernobaevka near Kherson, which provided visual tracking for kamikaze drones from Karkinitsky Bay. After the raid, [it] returned.

The attack was the most massive in recent months, but our servicemen successfully repelled it, said Rybar. None of the UAVs reached the target. Moreover, only a couple of drones were shot down by anti-aircraft weapons - the air defense rifle detachments achieved the greatest result, which proves their effectiveness against low-flying targets.

The War Zone could not independently verify these claims.

https://twitter.com/sambendett/status/1681328017455366145?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Images of Russian Navy Project 775II Ropucha II-class Kaliningrad and Project 775 Ropucha I-class Olenegorskiy Gornyak amphibious landing ships emerged transiting near the Kerch Bridge on Monday.

https://twitter.com/Saturnax1/status/1681315022474211333?s=20

But even before the most recent attack on that span, which has severely reduced motor vehicle traffic, the Russian Navy began using its large landing craft to ferry trucks across the strait. The ferry service began earlier this month in response to severe holiday season traffic over the bridge that resulted from a lack of air transport, the Russian Izvestia news outlet reported on July 7.

A few days earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin order the use of ferry crossings to reduce the waiting time.

During the meeting with Putin, Transportation Minister Vitaly Savelyev said the Russian Defense Ministry was ready to provide two large landing ships, each of which takes 40 vehicles, Izvestia reported.

https://twitter.com/MrFrantarelli/status/1678824099508809735

While that helped alleviate the traffic jams at the time, Russian officials noted that the peak situation is expected on July 16-17, Izvestia reported.

The bridge was attacked Sunday, July 16 and by Tuesday, traffic was barely restored.

https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1681243581678333952?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

"Russian tourists fleeing occupied Crimea likely exacerbated traffic and likely impeded Russian logistics from Crimea to rear areas in Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts," the Institute for the Study of War reported Sunday. "Occupation authorities asked civilians to consider alternate evacuation routes to mitigate the immediate traffic issues."

https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1681325560796946438?s=20

Germanys Bundeswehr has agreed to a $1.7 billion deal to purchase several hundred thousand artillery shells from the Rheinmetall arms maker, the company announced Tuesday.

The need to replenish stores of ammunition caused by the war in Ukraine is resulting in major artillery ammunition contracts for Rheinmetall, the company said in a release. "In all, the scope of delivery encompasses several hundred thousand shells of various types, including fuses and propelling charges."

https://twitter.com/RheinmetallAG/status/1681201698436464641

Ukraine, meanwhile, is ramping up its own 155mm artillery shell production. It recently signed two contracts with the Belgian Europlasma groups Les Forges de Tarbes subsidiary for the purchase a total of 420,000 large hollow bodies for 155mm shells, according to the French La Tribune publication. The first contract calls for the delivery of 60,000 large hollow bodies to be delivered in 2024 the publication reported.

On July 17, the company announced it signed a deal, lasting at least three years, to deliver an additional 120,000 large hollow bodies per year beginning in 2026.

The publication did not specify the cost of the deal.

https://twitter.com/F4SuperBugfan89/status/1681293637185859584

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came out swinging during an interview with African journalists.

"We were cut off from the electricity in the winter," he said. "There has not been a blackout on this continent for 100 years. The last blackout was under Hitler. He (Putin) is doing the same as Hitler. The ways of capturing Ukraine were the same as in fascist Germany. He did all the same, only he did not take Kyiv."

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1681398080497696776?s=20

A Swedish-donated CV9040C Infantry Fighting Vehicle was recently spotted in Ukraine with Saab's Barracuda camouflage designed to defeat "hostile sensors and target acquisition systems in all phases of the mission."

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1681367049178578954

More video has emerged of Ukrainian First Person Video (FPV) drones attacking Russian equipment.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1681237946509164545?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

The Ukrainian General Staff shared video of an Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter in action on the battlefield.

https://twitter.com/feher_junior/status/1681205871483797504?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

The Ukrainian Air Force shared a video of an Su-25 Frogfoot attack jet firing unguided Zuni rockets at Russian positions. The first evidence of the use of those U.S.-donated rockets emerged in May, which you can read more about in our story here.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1681239232969318400?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

And finally, Russian commentators seem to be fed up and having none of it with the country's elites.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1681298992150515712?s=20

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Key developments on July 18:

Russia targets Odesa with Kalibr missiles, drones

Yermak: Russian drones still have Western-made parts, more sanctions needed

Defense Ministry: Ukraine regains initiative near Kupiansk, continues offensive along southern front

European Parliament calls for ICC arrest warrant against Lukashenko

Benelux countries to send M113 infantry vehicles to Ukraine

Shmyhal: Ukraine to reconstruct Kakhovka dam and power plant

Explosions were reported in Odesa at around 2:30 a.m. local time on July 18. Russia targeted the port city with six Kalibr missiles, which Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed was "retaliation" for the attack on the Crimean Bridge on July 17.

Russian media originally reported two explosions at the Crimean Bridge around 3 a.m. local time on July 17 and accused Ukraine of being behind the act. Ukraine has neither claimed responsibility nor denied its involvement in the incident.

The Crimean Bridge connects Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which has been under illegal Russian occupation since 2014, with Russias Krasnodar Krai.

Ukrainian air defense was able to shoot down all six Kalibr missiles targeting Odesa, according to the Air Force. Thirty-one out of 36 Shahed kamikaze drones and one reconnaissance drone launched by Russia overnight from the south were also shot down.

However, Ukraine's Southern Operational Command reported that the debris and the resulting shockwave caused property damage and injured one person in the city.

Four of the drones were shot down over Mykolaiv Oblast, according to Southern Operational Command. An industrial facility in Mykoliav caught fire but there were no causalities.

How Russia uses Iranian drones to try to overwhelm Ukraines air defense Russias been shelling civilian housing and infrastructure since the war escalated on Feb. 24 and has a body count in the thousands to show for it. But recently, Moscow prioritized attacking power plants throughout Ukraine, damaging more than a third with big missile and loitering munition attacks. The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

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Yermak: Russian drones still have Western-made parts, more sanctions needed

Andrii Yermak, the head of President Volodymyr Zelensky's office, said on July 18 that one of the four drones shot down over Mykolaiv last night was made with parts from Western and Asian countries.

On Telegram, Yermak posted an image of the Iranian-made Shahed drone's engine with the words "Made in Ireland" clearly visible on the carburetor.

"Russians often erase serial numbers in foreign components," he added, posting a second image of the drone's internal components where the serial number had been removed.

The fact that Shahed drones include components from Western and Asian countries means that there are not enough sanctions in place, Yermak added.

"The manufacturing companies also cannot accept that their components are present in weapons that kill people. Russia has been buying foreign technological products for many years, but now, when they are becoming instruments of killing people, terrorism, and genocide, this cannot continue," he said.

National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov previously reported on June 3 that Ukrainian authorities found parts inside drones "that are not produced in either Iran or Russia."

Danilov stressed that it was vital to look into how spare parts that Moscow could use for the drones were ending up in Russia or Iran despite existing sanctions.

Kyivs frustration boils as flow of Western chips for Russian missiles continues uninterrupted Destroyed apartments, burnt-out cars, lives upturned or extinguished altogether: Russias June 13 missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih was, in many ways, nothing out of the ordinary for wartime Ukraine. The evening after the attack, which killed 13 civilians, President Volodymyr Zelensky came o The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Defense Ministry: Ukraine regains initiative near Kupiansk, continues offensive along southern front

Russia's offensive in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction has failed to make any gains, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on July 18.

"The battles continue, but the initiative is already on our side," Maliar said.

Serhii Cherevatyi, the spokesperson for Ukraines Eastern Military Command, previously reported on July 17 that Russia was concentrating "more than 100,000 personnel, more than 900 tanks, more than 555 artillery systems, 370 MLRS" in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction.

Kupiansk was liberated in Ukraine's counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast in September 2022. Lyman, located in Donetsk Oblast, was liberated just weeks later.

Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, acknowledged on July 17 that the situation in the east was difficult. According to Syrskyi, Russia has been attempting to gain ground in the Kupiansk area to continue "the offensive into the depth of our battle formations."

In her July 18 update, Malyar also said that Ukrainian troops were advancing on the southern flank of Bakhmut. Ukrainian offensives are also advancing in the direction of Russian-occupied Berdiansk and Melitopol, she added.

Concerning the slow pace of the counteroffensive, Maliar explained that "our troops have to move in extremely difficult conditions" and that Russian forces are making an effort to stop any advances.

"Remember the liberation of Kherson - it also took more than one day," Maliar said.

Francis Farrell: As the world watches the counteroffensive, a sober hold on reality is Ukraines greatest weapon This June was meant to be all about the great Ukrainian counteroffensive. After months of waiting, dozens of public statements from exasperated Ukrainian officials bound to silence, and even more analyses from experts and commentators in the media, the moment finally came when Ukrainian soldiers on The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

European Parliament calls for ICC arrest warrant against Lukashenko

The European Parliament called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) on July 18 to issue an arrest warrant against Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko due to his regime's involvement in the war against Ukraine, including the deportation of Ukrainian children.

"With the International Criminal Court (ICC) already having issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, MEPs call on the ICC to consider a similar arrest warrant for (Alexander Lukashenko)," the parliament said in its statement.

Additionally, the parliament condemned ongoing human rights abuses in Belarus, expressed opposition to the participation of Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, and called for the release of political prisoners as well as the implementation of tougher EU sanctions.

The statement also raised concerns about Belarus' increasing subordination to Russia and urged the EU to provide stronger and more decisive support to the Belarusian democratic opposition.

On June 27, the Belarusian anti-government organization National Anti-Crisis Management submitted evidence to the ICC that Lukashenko and other Belarusian and Russian officials are responsible for the forced deportation of at least 2,100 Ukrainian children to Belarus.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has also said that Ukrainian children, as well as prisoners of war, are being transported to Belarus with the knowledge of authorities in Minsk.

The ICC issued arrest warrants against Putin and Lvova-Belova on March 17 for allegedly overseeing the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children. The Ukrainian government database Children of War estimates no less than 19,500 children have been taken.

Ukraines fight to bring Russian leadership to justice puts legal systems to ultimate test In pursuit of justice for Russias many war crimes, Ukraine is actively seeking the establishment of an international tribunal. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already launched investigations into alleged Russian war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Ukraine. However, the The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet

Benelux countries to send M113 infantry vehicles to Ukraine

In a joint statement on July 18, the defense ministers of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg announced their countries' plan to send refurbished M113 armored vehicles to Ukraine in the coming months.

Additionally, Ukraine will receive the necessary spare parts for the vehicles.

"With this donation, we show that we continue to support Ukraine against Russian aggression," the Benelux defense ministers said.

"Joining our efforts, we are responding to the request of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to further deploy armored vehicles," they added.

Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are also part of a new international coalition to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, which was announced at the NATO summit in Vilnius earlier in July.

Former NATO envoy to Moscow: Potential escalation with Russia is a myth The West failed to understand the Russian regime before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Robert Pszczel, the former NATO envoy to Moscow from 2010-2015, said on the sidelines of the Warsaw International Summit in Kyiv on July 7. Once the punching bag of Russian propagandists during his appearances on The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query

Shmyhal: Ukraine to reconstruct Kakhovka dam and power plant

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on July 18 that the Ukrainian government has given its approval for the commencement of a reconstruction project for the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.

According to Shmyhal, the reconstruction project is set to take place in two stages over a two-year period.

"At the first stage, we will design all engineering structures, and prepare the necessary base for restoration. The second stage will begin after the de-occupation of the territories where the (power plant) is located. This involves actual construction work," Shmyhal said.

Shymal added that the project will be coordinated by the Economy Ministry and the state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo will take on the work.

On the morning of June 6, 2023, the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, situated in Russian-occupied territory across the Dnipro River, was destroyed. The event has triggered a massive humanitarian and environmental crisis throughout southern Ukraine.

Within two weeks, the dam's destruction had already caused an estimated $1.5 billion worth of damage to Ukraine.
Key developments on July 19:

Russias overnight attack targets Ukraines grain infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, injures at least 10

US to provide 4 NASAMS systems to Ukraine under new $1.3 billion military aid package

Russia threatens that all ships sailing to Ukrainian ports will be considered military targets as of July 20

Russian troops retreat from their positions near a village in the Bakhmut direction, Ukraine says

Irish Prime Minister visits Ukraine, announces $5.6 million in humanitarian aid

Russia unleashed a mass missile and drone attack against Ukraine overnight on July 19, targeting critical infrastructure and military facilities with the main focus on Ukraines southern Odesa Oblast, according to the countrys Air Force.

Several Russian cruise missiles hit the grain and oil terminal of a port in Odesa Oblast, damaging loading equipment and destroying 60,000 tons of grain, according to Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi.

"Russian terrorists absolutely deliberately targeted the infrastructure of the grain deal, and every Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine but also to everyone in the world who seeks a normal and safe life," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

This is Russias second consecutive strike against Odesa in the past two days, following its July 17 withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The agreement has played a crucial role in stabilizing food prices worldwide amid a surge caused, in part, by Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

According to Ukraines Air Force, on July 19 Russia targeted Ukraine with a total of 16 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea Fleet vessels, along with eight Kh-22 cruise missiles, six Oniks cruise missiles, one guided aerial Kh-59 missile, and 32 Iranian-made Shahed 136/131 drones.

Ukraine managed to shoot down 13 Kalibr cruise missiles, one guided Kh-59 cruise missile, and 23 Shahed drones, the Air Force said.

Apart from the grain and oil terminal, the Russian attack also hit an infrastructure site and damaged recreational centers and hotels in Odesa Oblast, as well as several buildings in the regional capital, reported Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper.

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The attack injured at least 10 people across Odesa Oblast, according to the Prosecutor General's Office. Kiper, however, said that 12 people were wounded in the attack, including a 9-year-old child.

Following the attack, Zelensky said that the military had been instructed to strengthen the security of ports and that Ukraine needs additional SAMP-T or Patriot air defense systems to protect the city.

Retired chief of UK military: As international partners deliberate, Ukrainians pay the price Ukraine has been forced to do battle with less equipment than it needs because of the caution of its international partners, said Mark Carleton-Smith, the U.K.s former top military commander, during his visit to Kyiv. Carleton-Smith, who was in the country as part of the Warsaw International Forum The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

US to provide 4 NASAMS systems to Ukraine under new $1.3 billion military aid package

On July 19, the U.S. announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $1.3 billion.

It includes four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), as well as Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

NASAMS has been in service in Ukraine since November 2022, when the first systems were delivered in the midst of Russia's mass missile campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The system is seen to be particularly useful in Ukraine due to the large stocks in NATO countries of the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles used.

The announcement comes a day after an online meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group  known as the Ramstein Group  which was attended by Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov and hosted by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The package also includes precision aerial munitions, 152mm artillery rounds, mine clearing equipment, electronic warfare and drone detection equipment, port security equipment, 165 tactical vehicles, and 150 fuel trucks.

"The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements," reads the U.S. Defense Department press release.

Former NATO envoy to Moscow: Potential escalation with Russia is a myth The West failed to understand the Russian regime before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Robert Pszczel, the former NATO envoy to Moscow from 2010-2015, said on the sidelines of the Warsaw International Summit in Kyiv on July 7. Once the punching bag of Russian propagandists during his appearances on The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query

Russia threatens that all ships sailing to Ukrainian ports will be considered 'military targets' as of July 20

On July 19, the Russian Defense Ministry declared that all vessels sailing to Ukrainian ports will be considered "military targets" starting from midnight Moscow time on July 20.

According to the ministry, all ships traveling across the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports "will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo," and therefore regarded by Russia as on the side of Ukraine in the war.

The ministry also claimed that "a number of sea areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been temporarily declared dangerous," as well as that "corresponding information warnings about the withdrawal of safety guarantees" have been issued.

The claim comes two days after Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative dealing a significant blow to global food security. Brokered by Turkey and the U.N. in July 2022, the deal allowed Ukraine to continue exporting its agricultural products through the Black Sea during the full-scale invasion.

Zelensky has called Russia's withdrawal from the deal "blackmail."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 17 that Russia is using food as a weapon in its war against Ukraine."

"For years (Ukraine) has been the breadbasket of the world," Blinken said, adding that in roughly a year that the initiative has been in effect, Ukraine has exported the equivalent of 18 billion loaves of bread.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also made a statement on July 17 in which he said that the hundreds of millions of people around the world who are facing hunger "will pay the price."

Black Sea grain deal collapses as Russia pulls from agreement Russia announced on July 17 that it is pulling out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, critical for ensuring global food security, effectively collapsing the deal. The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Russian troops retreat from their positions near a village in the Bakhmut direction, Ukraine says

During the hostilities, Russian forces were pushed out from their positions northeast of the village of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, not far from Bakhmut, the spokesperson of the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Andrii Kovalov, reported on July 19.

According to him, Ukrainian troops have achieved partial success in their advance and solidified new positions.

The General Staff reported that Ukraine is conducting offensive operations both north and south of the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast. Kovalov said Russia is deploying its reserves but suffering heavy losses.

Earlier on July 18, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar also reported Ukraines advances on Bakhmut's southern flank.

On July 17 she said that the Ukrainian troops liberated 7 square kilometers in the Bakhmut direction over the past week.

Its a lottery: How Ukraines assault brigade counterattacks near Bakhmut Editors note: The Kyiv Independent spent a day with soldiers from the 80th Separate Assault Brigade in June, and the story is comprised of interviews with them about their experience near Bakhmut. The soldiers are identified by their names or callsigns, and their deployment locations are not reveal The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

Irish Prime Minister visits Ukraine, announces $5.6 million in humanitarian aid

During his state visit to Kyiv on July 19, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced 5 million euros ($5.6 million) in humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

According to Varadkar, 2 million euros ($2.24 million) will be allocated to the United Nations Humanitarian Fund, while another 3 million euros ($3.36 million) will be spent in Ukraine by the Red Cross to help the ongoing emergency response and humanitarian crisis following Russias June 6 demolition of the Kakhovka dam.

The new aid adds to the 100 million euros ($112.2 million) that Ireland has already allocated to support Ukraine, Varadkar said.

During his visit, Varadkar visited Bucha, the site of a Russian massacre of Ukrainian civilians, together with Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin.

"This morning I came face to face with the horror inflicted by Russias forces on the people of Ukraine," Varadkar said at a press conference alongside Zelensky.

"I gave a commitment to President Zelensky, and to the people of Ukraine, that we will continue to offer our practical as well as our political backing," he said.
Tony Blair, US president George W Bush, and German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with Vladimir Putin - Brooks Kraft/Corbis Historical

Ukraine warned two decades ago that the West had too rosy a view of Vladimir Putin, newly released archives reveal.

Documents released by the National Archives amid the war in Ukraine show that Leonid Kuchma, Ukraines then president, pleaded in 2002 with Sir Tony Blair to support the former Soviet state joining the EU, but the British ambassador to Kyiv suggested the UK saw Ukraine as not really European.

In a memo to Sir Tony from Roger Liddle, his special adviser on European affairs, ahead of a meeting between Sir Tony and Putin, Mr Liddle summarises talks he has had with Kuchmas team by saying: The Ukrainians are depressed that most of Europe and the new US administration is running them down.

We have too rosy a view of Putin (who according to them is a clever, presentable power politician, but no democratic hero) and we rubbish Ukraine.

The documents also reveal that Sir Tony said he was greatly encouraged by the Russian leaders cooperation with Nato after 9/11.

Ukraine declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and a decade later was still seen as a fledgling democracy by the UK. A 350-page file of Downing Street correspondence about Ukraine dating from 2001-2 includes letters that set out Sir Tonys thinking on Britains relationship with both Ukraine and Russia.

Sir Tony Blair spoke highly of Russian president Vladimir Putin in archive documents just released - ALEXANDER NATRUSKIN/AFP

On Nov 15 2001, two months after the al-Qaeda terrorist attacks, Sir Tony said in a letter to Lord Robertson, the then Nato secretary-general: I am convinced from my own contacts with President Putin that there is a genuine desire to develop a new partnership with Nato.

He added: I am greatly encouraged by the approach that President Putin has taken to cooperation with Nato in the fight against terrorism.

The contacts which you, I and other Nato leaders have had with President Putin since Sept 11 suggest that we now have an opportunity to achieve a transformation in Euro-Atlantic security.

Another internal memo notes that Donald Rumsfeld, the then US defence secretary, said his country applauded and encouraged Ukraines desire to join Nato but the UKs view was that Ukraine was far from meeting the criteria of Nato applicants, though it cannot be ruled out as an eventual candidate for membership.

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In February 2002 Roland Smith, the British ambassador to Kyiv, said in a letter copied to Mr Liddle that he had concerns about foreign secretary Jack Straws proposal to give Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova special neighbour status in the context of EU relations.

Mr Smith warned: It could sound as though the ultimate eastern boundary of the EU is being finally fixed, and special neighbour status is for those on the wrong side.

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 Melitopol front, the defence forces advanced by more than one kilometre along the front line.

Source: Valeri Shershen, spokesman of the United Press Center of the defence forces of the Tavriia front, on air of the national 24/7 joint newscast

Quote: "It is worth emphasising on the Melitopol front. We note that there is an advance of the shock units of our troops  more than one kilometre along the front line.

The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on holding company strongholds. This is important for us. The enemy is concentrating significant efforts on preventing the further advance of our troops".

Details: In general, the offensive operation of the Tavriia group continues on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts.

Shershen also explained why control over the village of Staromaisorske in Donetsk Oblast is important.

Quote: "The village of Staromaiorske is primarily a settlement that rises above the terrain. There is the Mokri Yaly River here. That is, it is an important commanding point for fire control. The Russian invaders have pulled up their reserves here, but they are losing fire control. Our shock units dominate here."

Background: Ukraines defence forces have advanced by more than one kilometre on the Berdiansk front.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ukraines Defence Forces have achieved tactical gains in the areas of the front where they are conducting counteroffensive actions, despite the intensification of Russian operations.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: The ISW reported that Russian troops conducted a strike campaign allegedly against Ukrainian military facilities in Ukraines south as a clear revenge for the attack on the Crimean Bridge.

The report noted that Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive actions on at least three areas of the front against intensifying Russian offensive operations, and reported tactical gains along the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts on 18 July.

Russian and Ukrainian sources noted that Russian troops have recently intensified offensive operations in the vicinity of Kupiansk (between the north-eastern Kharkiv and north-western Luhansk oblasts).

This confirms ISW's assessment that Russian forces aim to draw Ukrainian reserves to the area of Kupiansk and take them away from critical areas of the battlefield where Ukrainian forces are conducting counteroffensive operations.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 18 July:

The 17 July Kerch Strait Bridge (Crimean Bridge) attack is likely having immediate ramifications on Russian military logistics in southern Ukraine.

Russian forces conducted a strike campaign ostensibly against Ukrainian military objects in southern Ukraine in explicit retaliation for the Kerch Strait Bridge attack.

The dismissal of former Russian 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA) Commander Major General Ivan Popov and the issues he cited continue to have effects on Russian military operations in southern Ukraine and the discourse around these operations.

Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive actions on at least three sectors of the frontline against the backdrop of increased Russian offensive operations and claimed tactical gains along the Kharkiv-Luhansk Oblast border on 18 July.

Russia continues legislative manipulations to repress domestic dissent through introducing fear of criminal liability.

Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupiansk-Svatove line, southwest of Kreminna, and in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka-Donetsk City areas and made limited territorial gains in all sectors.

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations around Bakhmut and advanced north of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhzhia area and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast and reportedly made limited advances.

Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhzhia oblast area and recently made limited advances in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Some Russian sources suggested that recent measures supporting the development of the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) allow it to posture as an alternative Russian military formation.

Russia continues to formalise methods of social programming targeted at youth in occupied areas of Ukraine.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
By Max Hunder

KYSHCHENTSI, Ukraine (Reuters) - Farmers whose work on Ukraine's fertile land has long been vital to its economy fear losing their livelihoods after Russia this week quit a wartime deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of grain.

For Kees Huizinga, who moved from his native Netherlands to farm in central Ukraine in 2003, Moscow's refusal to extend the deal makes his finances, already squeezed by Russia's invasion last year, appear catastrophic.

"We have some reserves so we can survive for a month or so, but if we can't sell it's going to be a disaster," he told Reuters at his 15,000-hectare farm in a village in the rolling hills and green flat plains of the Cherkasy region in central Ukraine.

Ukraine is a major exporter of grains and sunflower oil, including to Middle Eastern and African nations. The deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 was designed to enable Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea despite a Russian blockade and to combat a global food crisis.

Agricultural exports are crucial for Ukraine's economy, making up about 12% of gross domestic product before Russia's invasion in February 2022 and about 60% of all exports.

Of the 60,000 tons of produce grown on Huizinga's land last year, 50,000 tons was sent abroad through the grain deal.

In total, Ukraine has been able to export 33 million tons of agricultural products through the deal.

Huizinga said exporting the same volume of his produce won't be possible without the Black Sea initiative which, according to an industry association, was used for up to 90% of Ukraine's pre-war agricultural exports.

The Dutchman, who grows seven major crops including wheat and sunflowers, estimates war-related disruption cost his business between $3 and $6 million in 2022, and could cost it another $6 million this year.

He said he was getting about $100 a ton for his barley, half the price that western European farmers would receive, and that his transportation costs had risen sharply.

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CLOSURES FEARED

Huizinga, who came to Ukraine from his family's farm near the Dutch city of Groningen, has already been forced to take out loans to cover his expenditure.

"Some farmers who have more reserves will last longer, and those farmers who have less reserves will probably have to sell or close down the business, or give it to somebody else," he said.

The main remaining route for agricultural produce out of Ukraine is the Danube river, which runs along Ukraines southwestern border with Romania.

Some of Ukraine's western neighbours have restricted imports of Ukrainian grain under pressure from their farmers, who said they were suffering from the added competition.

Denys Marchuk, deputy head of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council, the country's largest agribusiness organisation, has estimated that Ukraine's Danube ports can carry up to 3 million tons a month, nowhere near enough to cover its export potential.

Ukraine expects to harvest 44 million tons of grain this year, down from a record 86 million-ton harvest in 2021.

One of Huizingas farm workers, Yuriy, recently drove a fresh harvest of barley down to storage in Izmail, a southern town where one of the river ports is situated.

He said the storage operators were stunned to see 2023 barley arriving, as they still had a huge stockpile of last year's crop which had not yet been shipped.

Both Marchuk and Huizinga believe grain shipments should continue through the Black Sea even without Russia's participation in the deal. The U.N. has said ideas are being floated to try to help get Ukrainian grain to global markets.

"I think they (Russia) are bluffing, they are playing poker on a very high level and trying to influence the Western leaders somehow, and we shouldn't let this happen," Huizinga said.

(Reporting by Max Hunder, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Philippa Fletcher)
Chaplain (Capt.) Steliac (center) is a Ukrainian-American chaplain (U.S. Army)

A crucial element of a war-fighting force is its chaplain corps. Providing spiritual and moral support to both religious and non-religious service members, chaplains help all troops in their formations. The chaplain corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a very new one. In recent years, embedded civilian clergy were replaced with commissioned officers. With their country in an all-out war, the chaplain corps had to grow. Helping with this is Ukrainian-American Air National Guard Chaplain (Capt.) Vladimir Marius Steliac.

Fr. Steliac serves as a chaplain in the Air National Guard (St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral)

Born in Ukraine, Steliac literally won the lottery to come to America. In 1997, he immigrated to the U.S. after winning a green card lottery that selected 10,000 people across Europe and offered them a unique path to citizenship. After living in the U.S. for five years, Steliac earned his full citizenship. In 2001, he began serving at St. Andrew Cathedral, a Ukrainian-Orthodox parish, in Silver Spring, Maryland. After 9/11, he volunteered to serve as a military chaplain. "...this was my new country, this was my new world, and I wanted to support it," Steliac told Army News Europe.

However, the Army National Guard was on 15-month deployment cycles and Steliac's bishop would not allow him to leave his large parish for that long. Undeterred, Steliac contacted the Maryland National Guard's chaplain at the time, Chaplain Sean Lee. Lee told Steliac about the Maryland Defense Force where Steliac could serve as a uniformed chaplain and support the Maryland National Guard. Although the position was voluntary and unpaid, Steliac joined up and served for 12 years.

The chaplain course is a multinational NATO effort (U.S. Army)

Attracted by the shorter deployments of the Air Force, Steliac later transitioned to the 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard. In May 2023, still part of the 175th, Steliac was requested at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany. There, a 14-day Armed Forces of Ukraine Chaplain Training Course is being taught by chaplains from other NATO countries including Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK. Steliac was called up to serve as an interpreter and cultural/religious advisor.

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The war in his home country hits hard for Steliac. "It saddens me greatly that they had to experience so much death," he said. "Even if they werent Ukrainians, which they are close to my heart, I would still be saddened and dismayed by what Ukraine had to go through for absolutely no reason at all and be part of this diabolical and unprovoked war."

U.S. chaplains from 7th Army Training Command, Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, U.S. European Command, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (U.S. Army)

The chaplain course aims to advise and educate Ukrainian chaplains on NATO chaplaincy procedures. However, many of the chaplain students experienced combat as fighters before becoming chaplains and have their own unique perspectives to offer their instructors. "There are many Orthodox priests, which I am as well, so we have a lot of commonalities," Steliac said of the Ukrainians that he trained. "...they brought with them so much combat experience as chaplains because they served as volunteers for years." Steliac continues to serve the St. Andrew Orthodox parish in Silver Spring.
Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers are urging the government to "urgently rethink" its present recommendations for regulating AI in the UK.

There are now 18 proposals in a recent report by the Ada Lovelace Institute that summarizes the UK's plans for new artificial intelligence (AI) regulations.

This report revealed that there are very few legal protections for private persons to seek redress when AI goes wrong and makes a discriminating judgment, according to The Evening Standard.

This comes after a study by the same organization in June that surveyed 4,000 UK adults and found that 62 percent wanted laws and regulations to govern the use of AI technologies, 59 percent wanted a clear process for appealing a decision made by AI, and 54% wanted "clear explanations of how AI works."

The first AI safety conference will be held in the UK this fall, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is eager to host it. He will seek out bilateral support during the meeting to advance AI legislation.

If draft legislation, like the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, which is presently in the House of Lords, is not amended, the researchers fear that public protections would deteriorate in the future.

The researchers prefer that the AI safety summit include representatives from a range of social groups, not simply politicians.

Doubts Over Success of International Agreements

The researchers expressed concern that, among other reasons, it is doubtful that international agreements will be successful in averting harm and making AI safer unless they are supported by "robust domestic regulatory frameworks" capable of influencing corporate incentives and AI developer behavior in particular.

(Photo: by Leon Neal/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: In this photo illustration, the welcome screen for the OpenAI "ChatGPT" app is displayed on a laptop screen on February 03, 2023, in London, England. OpenAI, whose online chatbot ChatGPT made waves when it debuted in December, announced this week that a commercial version of the service, called ChatGPT Plus, would soon be available to users in the United States.

The report also emphasizes the need to steer clear of "speculative" claims about AI systems and to take solace in the knowledge that any harms can be avoided by collaborating more closely with AI developers as they create new products, as opposed to freaking out about "existential risks" like the notion that AI could wipe out humanity in just two years.

Read also: Biden Administration Launches Measures for Addressing AI Challenges

The UK's Regulations on AI

The UK government has taken a proactive approach to regulating AI and has published a number of documents setting out its plans.

In 2018, the government published a National AI Strategy, which set out the government's vision for AI in the UK. The strategy included a commitment to developing a regulatory framework for AI that is "proportionate, effective, and agile".

In 2023, the government published a White Paper on Artificial Intelligence, which set out more detailed proposals for regulating AI.

The White Paper proposed a new regulatory framework that would focus on the safety, fairness, and accountability of AI systems. The framework would be based on a risk-based approach, with more stringent requirements for high-risk AI systems.

The UK's approach to AI regulation is seen as being progressive and forward-looking. The government's focus on safety, fairness, and accountability is in line with international best practices, and the risk-based approach is likely to be effective in ensuring that AI systems are used safely and responsibly.

Related article: Google, EU in Productive Talks on AI Regulation

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ukrainian military personnel

While the Ukrainian troops are advancing steadily, quick results should not be expected from Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, said at a press briefing on July 18.

Milley emphasized that the international coalition has helped Ukraine prepare 17 combat brigades for the operation, including over 63,000 servicemen. Meanwhile, Ukraine is still holding back a significant amount the troops in reserve, slowly and deliberately breaking through Russian defenses.

A robust Ukrainian force lies in waiting, ready to be committed at the time and place of Ukraines choosing, he commented on Kyivs untapped military reserves.

Read also: Counteroffensive to produce major results in August-September  Ukrainian official

He noted that despite the time Russian forces had to prepare for defense, they have encountered significant problems: poor training, equipment, and morale. The June Wagner mutiny has added to these problems.

It (the counteroffensive) is far from a failure, in my view; It is wat too early to make that kind of call, Milley added.

Read also: Russian aviation commander charged with striking Ukraines energy infrastructure

This is going to be long; its going to be hard; its going to be bloody.

However, he believes that the main problem causing Ukrainian casualties at the moment are extensive minefields, not Russian aviation.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian troops in the south are succeeding in two directions

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are succeeding and consolidating their positions in the Velyka Novosilka  Staromaiorske and Novosilka  Staromaiorske southern front lines, Ukraines Military Media Center reported on Telegram on July 19, citing spokesperson for the Ukrainian militarys General Staff, Andriy Kovalyov.

Read also: Ukrainian military conducting dual offensive operation, says General Staff

The Ukrainian military is launching artillery strikes on identified enemy targets and implementing counter-battery measures, he said.

Earlier, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria operational-strategic troop grouping, said the Russian invaders were retreating in the Tavria area. Three enemy companies were eliminated there during the day.

Ukraines counter-offensive: Latest

On July 16, the Armed Forces of Ukraine occupied the northern part of Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast. The enemy tried to restore its lost positions but failed.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated over 30 sq. km in the Bakhmut area and almost 180 sq. km in the south amid the ongoing counter-offensive, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar saidon July 17.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that progress since the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive campaign is slower than we would like, but that Ukraine will move forward asit sees fit.

Earlier on June 28, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said that opinions expressed in the West that Ukraines counter-offensive is going slower than expected anger him.

This is not a show, Zaluzhnyi said.

Its not a show where the whole world is watching and betting on or anything. Every day, every meter, is paid for with blood.

The head of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, predicted that the Ukrainian counter-offensive would see difficult and fierce battles.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
F-16

Ukrainian pilots are slated to start their training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark this August, before proceeding to a training center in Romania by late 2024, Ray Piselli, Vice President of International Relations at Lockheed Martin, said on July 17, as reported by Defense Romania.

Read also: Ukrainian pilots to begin training on F-16s in August  report

According to Piselli, the Danish Skrydstrup airbase will host the initial phase of the training. Subsequently, in Romania, the training center will be set up near Fetesti, at the 86 Borcea airbase. Romania will provide the infrastructure, while the Netherlands supplies the F-16 aircraft. Lockheed Martin will supervise the pilot training through its subcontractor, Draken International.

The U.S. firm, Draken International, has already purchased around 12 fighter jets from the Norwegian Air Force and has begun recruitment for F-16 instructor pilots.

The training of Ukrainian military personnel in Romania will continue till the end of 2024, Piselli confirmed. The program will kick-off with the screening and selection of Ukrainian personnel, language courses, and theoretical as well as practical preparation. The key objective is to equip the Ukrainian Air Force with the fundamental skills and conditions for flying and maintaining F-16 fighter jets.

Piselli also mentioned that the Netherlands and Denmark are spearheading the development of the training program. At the same, Danish officials have refrained from directly answering questions if F-16 aircraft themselves will be donated to Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine and Netherlands agree on schedule of F-16 pilot training

We initially plan to train two teams, comprising a total of 10 to 12 pilots and some auxiliary personnel for aircraft maintenance, Danish military officials said.

Around 30 to 40 technicians are also scheduled for the training.

Read also: Romania opens training center for Ukrainian pilots

The time frame required to retrain pilots from Soviet-era MiG fighter jets to F-16 aircraft remains uncertain.

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"The duration depends on the pilots' qualifications and experience with advanced fighter jets, as well as their proficiency in English," said Danish Army Commander General Flemming Lentfer.

Read also: Poland pledges its infrastructure to help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s

Lentfer also noted that the duration of the Ukrainian pilots' stay in Denmark will be influenced by their knowledge of the English language.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian military near Bakhmut, July 5, 2023

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have ousted the Russian invaders from their positions near the village of Orikhovo-Vasylivka in the Bakhmut area, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraines Military Media Center reported on Telegram on July 19, citing spokesperson for the Ukrainian militarys General Staff, Andriy Kovalyov.

Ukrainian soldiers are conducting offensive actions north and south of Bakhmut, he noted.

During the hostilities, the Russian invaders were forced to retreat from their positions northeast of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Kovalyov said.

The army is succeeding and consolidating its positions, while the Russians are suffering heavy losses, putting up strong resistance and using reserves.

Read also: Russians pulling in military reserves to hold ground near Bakhmut, says senior officer

In addition to Bakhmut, the Defense Forces are conducting offensive operations in the Melitopol and Berdyansk areas. They are also succeeding in the Velyka Novosilka  Staromaiorske and Novosilka  Staromaiorske southern front lines.

On July 16, the Armed Forces of Ukraine occupied the northern part of Staromaiorske in Donetsk Oblast. The enemy tried to restore its lost positions but failed. Heavy fighting continues there.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated over 30 sq. km in the Bakhmut area and almost 180 sq. km in the south amid the ongoing counter-offensive, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar saidon July 17.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images; Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Vladimir Putin had tea with mutiny leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the UK's spy chief said.

Richard Moore said the Russian leader's actions after the mutiny were "mysterious."

The June uprising was the most serious threat to Putin's power in decades.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is "floating around" and recently went for tea with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the chief of the UK's MI6 spy agency.

Speaking at an event in Prague in the Czech Republic, MI6 boss Sir Richard Moore discussed events in Russia since the failed June 23 uprising, when a rebellion by the Wagner Group saw mercenary fighters headed to Moscow.

In a furious video message that day, Putin branded the rebels "traitors" and pledged to punish them. However, after striking a deal with Wagner leader Prigozhin to call off the mutiny, Putin's actions have been mysterious.

"If you look at Putin's behaviour on that day, Prigozhin started off as a traitor at breakfast, he'd been pardoned by supper and two days later he'd been invited for tea. There are some things that even the chief of MI6 find a little difficult to try and interpret," Sir Richard said.

Asked whether he believes Prigozhin is still alive, Sir Richard said that "as far we can tell Prigozhin is floating around," reported Sky News.

Sky News also reported that Sir Richard said Putin had invited Prigozhin for tea "in recent days," although it is unclear whether he was referring to the meeting made several days after the mutiny.

Prigozhin was initially believed to have taken exile in Belarus after the uprising, then reportedly resurfaced in St Petersburg to collect a stash of weapons seized from his luxury home.

Putin has in the past dealt brutally with those he deems to be traitors or critics, but in the days after the uprising he has been uncharacteristically lenient with Wagner rebels, inviting them to sign contracts with the Russian military.

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Analysts have speculated that Putin is wary of alienating hardline nationalists, who are supportive of Prigozhin's criticisms of failings by the Kremlin in the war in Ukraine, so is reluctant to punish him.

Sir Richard in the speech invited Russians opposed to the Putin regime to share their secrets with the UK, and said the rebellion "exposed the inexorable decay of the unstable autocracy over which Putin presides."

Sir Richard, officially codenamed "C", compared the situation in Ukraine to the Prague Spring in 1968.

"As they witness the venality, infighting and callous incompetence of their leaders ... many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas as their predecessors did in 1968," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump may soon face justice for his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Hes angry about it. Americans shouldnt be.

Trump said Tuesday that he is a target in the grand jury investigation into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, per a letter from special counsel Jack Smith, and believes an arrest and indictment are forthcoming.

Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, Trump posted on Truth Social.

Its the clearest indication yet that the Justice Department is looking to hold Trump himself accountable for what happened on and before the insurrection.

Good.

Of course, without any details, we cant say whether an indictment is warranted. For one, we dont yet know which crime(s) might be in an indictment. But last years Jan. 6 hearings, while certainly not criminal proceedings, helped detail the extent to which Trump was responsible for the attack on our democracy. After they concluded, many speculated whether the special counsels investigation would actually extend to Trump because of the thorny politics involved with prosecuting a former president  especially when the country remains somewhat divided on whether Trumps actions before and on Jan. 6 rise to the level of criminal charges.

Its clear, however, that the special counsel isnt letting polls and politics get in the way of justice. He shouldnt.

Still, Republicans will likely decry this development, the same way they have decried prosecution of Trump in the past. They will likely say, as they have before, that the justice system is being weaponized for political purposes. Already, GOP leaders like House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have suggested that this is only happening because Trump is rising in the polls, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called Smith a weak little bitch for the Democrats on Twitter. (Well repeat: we dont even know what the allegations against Trump are yet.)

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We do know this. Its time for Republicans in North Carolina and beyond to answer this question:

Which side are you on?

There is an imminent indictment that will likely say the former president effectively tried to overthrow the government. For the past two years, theres been a quiet civil war conducted by Republicans who are excusing those actions. Now they will have the opportunity  and the obligation  to declare what they believe about the 2020 election and the president who tried to nullify it.

There should be no wiggle room, no he did some bad things but not criminal things. There should be no deflecting Trumps actions by questioning the motivation of those who question him. There is, quite simply, this: Do you believe the former president was justified in trying to stay in office, despite the fact that he clearly lost the election?

Trump, like any American, can and must be held responsible for his actions. Thats especially true when those actions may have been an attempt to nullify a valid election, a fundamental attack on our democracy. Thats not weaponizing justice. Its protecting our country and the foundation it stands upon, and any suggestion otherwise is an attack on that foundation.

It would not be fair, either, for Trump to be immune to prosecution simply because he is a former president and current presidential candidate. For as much as Trump and his fellow Republicans crow about a two-tiered justice system, a true two-tiered system is one in which the wealthy and powerful escape deserved consequences.

Republicans have been tested before on their loyalty to Trump and their country. This is not just another test. It is the test. If Republicans defend Trump before hearing the details of the case against him, if they tell voters they should be angry about how Trump is being treated, they are enabling a narrative that the 2020 election was not valid. They are saying that a revolt against our democracy was excusable. They are defending the indefensible.
An October 2022 file picture of Jordan's Zaatari camp, which is home to some 80,000 Syrian refugees according to the United Nations (Khalil MAZRAAWI)

The United Nations' World Food Programme has announced it would reduce cash assistance to nearly 120,000 Syrian refugees in Jordanian camps, saying the move was "unavoidable as funds run precariously low".

The UN logs about 650,000 Syrians in Jordan who fled their native country since war broke out there in 2011, but Amman estimates their number at 1.3 million.

The WFP said in a statement that "further reductions in food assistance for refugees in Jordan have become unavoidable as funds run precariously low".

The statement late Tuesday added it was "compelled to reduce by one-third the monthly cash assistance for all 119,000 Syrian refugees in Zaatari and Azraq camps".

As of next month, the Syrian refugees in the two camps will receive "a reduced cash allowance of $21 per month per person" down from the current $32.

"Syrian refugees living in both camps have limited income sources with only 30 percent of adults working - mainly in temporary or seasonal jobs - while 57 percent of camp residents say cash assistance is their only source of income," the WFP said.

Dominik Bartsch, the UN refugee agency UNHCR's representative in Jordan, warned Wednesday of "serious consequences for refugees and host communities" if funding is not secured.

"Due to the funding gap, tens of thousands of vulnerable refugees are gradually being excluded from WFP's assistance to prioritise the poorest families," UNHCR said in a statement, urging "determined and coordinated action" by the international community.

"Sustained support over the years has allowed Syrian refugees to access the labour market (in Jordan). Now there is an imminent risk that the situation is sliding back into a humanitarian crisis," Bartsch said.

The WFP's representative in Jordan, Alberto Correia Mendes, warned of "increased negative coping strategies" including child labour, child marriage and debt accumulation as a result of the aid cuts.

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"We are deeply concerned about the potential deterioration of families' food security, but as funding dries up, our hands are tied," he was quoted as saying in the statement.

The WFP said it "still faces a critical funding shortfall of $41 million until the end of 2023" despite the cuts.

The war in Syria has claimed more than half a million lives and displaced millions, including at least 5.5 million refugees hosted by neighbouring Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, according to the UN.

kt/ami/fz
An emergency evacuation slide fell from a United Airlines flight and landed in the backyard of a suburban home near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The FAA said a United Airlines Boeing 767-300, UAL Flight 12, landed safely Monday at O'Hare after a trip from Zurich, Switzerland, when maintenance workers realized that an emergency slide was missing from the plane's side.

United Airlines told Fox News Digital that the large plane was carrying 155 customers, with 10 crew members.

The slide fell from a United Airlines Boeing 767 en route to Chicago from Zurich, Switzerland.

The 9-hour, 22-minute flight was preparing to land when the emergency evacuation slide dropped into the backyard of Laura and Patrick Devitt's home in suburban Chicago.

The family said they found it in their backyard after it fell on Monday. Patrick told local news station WLS-TV that his son and father-in-law were having lunch in the kitchen when they hear a loud boom at 12:15 p.m.

WATCH: PLANE SKIDS OFF RUNWAY UPON ARRIVAL, SMASHES TO PIECES ON PROTECTIVE BARRIER

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

When they investigated the noise, they found the deflated slide, which had caused damage to the family's home. The Devitts said that the piece of equipment hit part of the house, damaging the roof, downspout and a window screen.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after an emergency slide fell off a plane mid-flight and into a residential neighborhood near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

The Devitts said the emergency slide is larger "than a small car."

MULTIPLE INJURED WHEN ALLEGIANT AIR FLIGHT HITS TURBULENCE: LOOKED LIKE THE MATRIX

"When its all stretched out  like, its a little jumbled up, Im sure, in the picture from when we dragged it out  its larger than a small car," Devitt told WLS. "Its a very, very big piece of equipment."

A maintenance crew at the airport discovered that one of the planes emergency slides was missing after the United Airlines flight landed from Zurich, Switzerland, the FAA confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The large emergency slide did not injure any residents as it fell from the sky Monday afternoon.

After the Devitts made the unusual discovery, they dragged the silver slide to their front yard and called the Chicago Police Department.

Authorities, along with FAA investigators, responded to the scene on the 4700 block of North Chester Avenue. The FAA said the incident is under investigation.

A United Airlines spokesperson said that the airline immediately contacted the FAA regarding the emergency evacuation slide and are working with the federal administration to "better understand the circumstances around this matter."
United Airlines scored a tripling of quarterly profits in the second quarter of 2023 as international capacity surged (Ed JONES)

United Airlines reported on Wednesday that second-quarter profits more than tripled, benefitting from robust travel demand and a surge in international capacity.

The big US carrier raised its full-year profit forecast following the better-than-expected results, even as total seat capacity lagged expectations for the period.

Profits were $1.1 billion compared with $329 million in the year-ago period, while revenues rose 17 percent to $14.2 billion.

International travel capacity jumped 27 percent compared with the year-ago level.

The results showed no financial hit from the difficulties that befell the company in the final week of the quarter at its Newark, New Jersey hub as bad weather in the New York area prompted thousands of flight cancelations at Newark and the other two New York area airports.

But United, which had previously projected an 18.5 percent jump in capacity, instead reported a rise of 17.5 percent in the second quarter.

As the situation at Newark stabilized earlier this month, United Chief Executive Scott Kirby told employees in a memo that the carrier would reduce capacity at Newark to allow more flexibility in case of bad weather.

Kirby, who had blamed short staffing at the Federal Aviation Administration for exacerbating the Newark issues, alluded to the difficulties in United's earnings press release.

"The United team persevered through an unprecedented series of events at the end of last month," Kirby said. "They are the best in the business and we're focused on the important changes we can make, especially in Newark, to serve our customers even better."

Shares rose 2.7 percent to $56.25 in after-hours trading.

jmb/caw
WASHINGTON  Israeli President Isaac Herzog pushed back against criticism of Israel from some progressive Democrats, after the lawmakers vowed to protest his address to Congress and sparked a firestorm in recent days.

"I am not oblivious to criticism among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House," Herzog said during his speech on Wednesday. "I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it."

Republicans  and fellow Democrats  have targeted some members of Congress' left flank over their criticism of Israel's human rights record. Several progressive Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., announced they would boycott Herzog's address over Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. listen as Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress on July 19, 2023. Herzog is only the second Israeli President to address a Joint Meeting of Congress. His father, Chaim Herzog, addressed Congress when he was President of Israel in 1987.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said last week that "there is no way in hell" she would attend Herzog's address in Congress. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Cori Bush, D-Mo., announced they would join the boycott in a joint statement Wednesday morning, in which they declared that "Israel is an apartheid state."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also did not attend Herzog's address. Sanders said in a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday that "it is no great secret that I strongly oppose the policies of Israels right wing, anti-Palestinian government."

"We provide them with $3.8 billion in aid," Sanders said. "We have a right to demand they respect human rights."

But Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., drew the most criticism ahead of Herzog's visit after after she called Israel "a racist state" during an appearance at an event on Saturday.

Jayapal attempted to walk back the comment a day later, but she faced condemnation from both Republicans and many Democrats. Democratic leadership released a joint statement that said "Israel is not a racist state," and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called on Democrats to remove Jayapal from her role as chair of the Progressive Caucus.

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Jayapal's remark led House Republicans to bring a resolution to the House floor on Tuesday that declared Israel is "not a racist and apartheid state" and condemned antisemitism. The vote also forced some progressive Democrats to choose between contradicting their past criticism of Israel's human rights record or being perceived as refusing to condemn antisemitism.

The resolution passed 412-9, with one lawmaker voting "present." Jayapal supported the resolution, but nine other members of the Progressive Caucus voted against it.

In his speech, Herzog condemned those who question Israel's right to exist.

"Questioning the Jewish people's right to self-determination, is not legitimate diplomacy. It is antisemitism," Herzog said. "Vilifying and attacking Jews, whether in Israel, in the United States, or anywhere in the world is antisemitism."

He also warned against a political climate that risks veering into antisemitism.

"Criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the State of Israel's right to exist," Herzog told lawmakers, sparking a standing ovation from both Republicans and Democrats.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republicans, Israel's president knock progressive Dems over Israel
An alligator attack in Florida is under investigation after injuring a snorkeler while swimming in a spring in Ocala National Forest.

The horrifying incident happened on Monday, July 17.

Florida: Alligator Attack in Ocala National Forest Under Investigation

According to CBS News' latest report, the snorkeler was attacked by an alligator at the Alexander Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest.

The gator that bit the man is estimated to be 8 feet. The snorkeler suffered from lacerations and punctured wounds.

Authorities removed the large reptile so the incident will not happen again.

"The 7  foot-long alligator believed to be involved in the incident was removed this afternoon," said the U.S. Forest Service on July 17 via its official press release.

Because of the alligator attack, USFS said that NFF (National Forest in Florida) decided to temporarily close the Alexander Springs swim area. As of writing, USFS is still investigating the alligator incident.

For those wondering if alligators are common in springs for swimming activities, Chad Weber of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission explained that gators can potentially be found in all types of bodies of water.

"Every body of water has the potential to have an alligator, especially the springs. I mean, that's kind of a misconception that just because the water's cooler, they won't be in there," explained Weber.

Read Also: Crocodile Rips Boy's Head Off, Snatches the Remains in Front of Horrified Parents

Surviving and Avoiding Alligators

Avoiding an alligator is the best thing you can do. If you love swimming in springs and other bodies of water, then you need to know when these giant reptiles are mostly active.

Animal experts said that gators are commonly inactive during the cold season, especially winter. But, you still need to take precautions since other gators tend to roam around even in low temperatures.

Now, here are the things you can do if ever you come face-to-face with an alligator:

Don't provoke the alligator by making aggressive movements.

If ever a gator decided to attack you suddenly, the best thing you can do is poke their eyes or hit them in the top part of their skull.

Try escaping on land as much as possible. But, you still need to run in zig-zag since gators also move fast on lands.

If ever the gator was able to bite a part of your body, try causing a gag reflex by jamming any object into the back of its mouth.

Related Article: Alligator Suspected of Devouring Louisiana Man During Hurricane Ida Captured, Human Torso Remains Found in Its Belly

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The port infrastructure in Odesa region was damaged as a result of night rocket attacks

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has condemned Russias air attack against Odesa overnight on July 19.

More acts of cruelty  just as Russia weaponizes food by withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, it hits the port infrastructure and grain terminals in Odesa with missiles and drones, the envoy tweeted.

Read also: Zelenskyy wants beefed up security at port infrastructure after Odesa missile strike

Ukraine is ready to feed the world but Russias callous decisions are affecting millions of people in need.

On July 17, Russia officially announced its withdrawal from the grain agreement after an attack at the Crimean Bridge. In addition, Moscow withdrew guarantees of navigation safety in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent official letters to the president of Turkey and the UN secretary general, proposing a trilateral expansion of the grain initiative.

Read also: Zelenskyy stands firm as Russia withdraws from grain agreement

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed under the auspices of the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022 allowed for the utilization of three Ukrainian ports for food exports. Operations in the grain corridor began on Aug. 1, 2022.

An air raid alert was triggered several times across Ukraine overnight on July 19 due to Russian attacks. The invaders attacked Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Mykolayiv and Poltava oblasts, as well as the cities of Kherson and Kropyvnytskyi. In total, air defense forces shot down 37 out of 63 air targets.

The Russians also hit a grain and oil terminal in Odesa Oblast, local authorities reported. In addition, several residential buildings were damaged and an industrial facility was hit, resulting in several civilians being injured, including a child.

Read also:

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for security at port infrastructure to be beefed up after a massive Russian missile strike on Odesa Oblast overnight on July 19.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
People look at fragments of a missile shot down during a night strike in Odesa, Ukraine on July 19, 2023 (Oleksandr GIMANOV)

The United States on Wednesday announced a new $1.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine featuring air defense systems, anti-tank missiles, drones and other equipment.

The package is part of US efforts to meet "Ukraine's pressing requirements by committing critical near-term capabilities while also building the enduring capacity of Ukraine's armed forces," the Defense Department said in a statement.

The assistance will not immediately arrive on the battlefield, as it falls under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), under which Washington procures equipment from the defense industry or partners, rather than drawing it from US stocks.

The package includes four NASAMs air defense systems and related munitions, TOW anti-tank missiles, 152 mm artillery shells, drones as well as counter-drone systems, and various vehicles.

The announcement comes as Ukrainian forces are fighting to advance against invading Russian troops in a slow-moving counteroffensive that Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior aide to Ukraine's president, said Wednesday "will be quite difficult, long and will take quite a lot of time."

Podolyak also said that Kyiv's forces need two to three hundred tanks as well as 60 to 80 F-16 warplanes.

The Netherlands and Denmark are leading a plan to train Ukrainian pilots on using the US-made aircraft as part of an 11-nation coalition, but the effort is still in its early stages.

The pace of Ukraine's advance in the counteroffensive has raised questions about whether it will be successful, but US officials have highlighted the tough obstacles Kyiv's forces must overcome when asked about the pace of advance.

Ukrainian troops are facing heavily fortified Russian positions that include complex minefields, tank obstacles, barbed wire and trenches, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley told journalists on Tuesday.

He also said that Ukraine has "a significant amount of combat power not yet committed."

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"Right now, they are preserving their combat power, and they are slowly and deliberately and steadily working their way through all these minefields, and it's a tough fight."

The United States has spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, quickly forging an international coalition to back Kyiv after Russia invaded and coordinating aid from dozens of countries.

Washington has committed to providing tens of billions of dollars in military aid to Kyiv since Russia invaded in February 2022.

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This general view shows the Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, in China's central Hubei province (AFP via Getty Images)

The US has officially announced it is terminating funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology over unanswered safety and security questions in the institution embroiled in the Covid-19 lab leak theory.

The news of the termination has come as the US and China are looking to improve their bilateral working ties in the wake of economic repercussions from the global pandemic that killed more than seven million people. The US has launched efforts to improve ties by sending a number of its officials to Beijing in recent times.

The Chinese facility was notified of the suspension by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Monday, reported Bloomberg citing a memo.

According to a review by the HHS, the facility in Chinas Wuhan, where Covid is said to have first emerged, has violated biosafety protocols and is not complying with US regulations.

With the funding coming to a sudden halt, the global research institute will not be receiving any financial assistance from the US, an HHS spokesperson told Bloomberg in an emailed statement.

The virology facility has received more than $1.4m (1m) in awards and subgrants, but that had stopped after July 2020.

The lab, located in the city where the Covid pandemic is believed to have begun, has faced intense scrutiny due to its reported security lapses and over research that has been carried out on bat coronaviruses.

Intelligence officials of the Joe Biden administration have been pushed by lawmakers to release more material about the origins of Covid. But they have repeatedly argued that Chinas official obstruction of independent reviews has perhaps made it impossible to determine how the pandemic began.

Last month, the US officials released an intelligence report and rejected several points raised by those who argued that Covid leaked from a Chinese lab, instead reiterating that American spy agencies remain divided over how the pandemic began.

The report said the intelligence community has not gone further in determining Covids origins.

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Four agencies still believe the virus was transferred from animals to humans and two agencies  the Energy Department and the FBI  believe the virus leaked from a lab. The CIA and another agency have not made an assessment.

The report was issued at the behest of Congress, which passed a bill in March giving US intelligence 90 days to declassify intelligence related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Apart from this, reports of several lab researchers falling ill with respiratory symptoms in fall 2019 have also remained inconclusive, the report argued, saying some of their symptoms werent consistent with Covid.

US intelligence, the report said, continues to assess that this information neither supports nor refutes either hypothesis of the pandemics origins because the researchers symptoms could have been caused by a number of diseases and some of the symptoms were not consistent with Covid-19.
Himars rocket launchers are seen placed on military vehicles at the military 1st Transport Aviation Base in Warsaw. (Photo by Attila Husejnow/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In 2022, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the Biden Administration was concerned that sending the Army Tactical Missile System to Ukraine could spark World War III. Today, it seems to be shrugging off that concern. While it never ruled the long-range missile out completely, 2022 was a very different time for Russia, its international military prestige and its fortunes in its ongoing war in Ukraine.

In May 2023, Biden officials said the deal for the missiles, also known as ATACMS for short, was still in play. Now, the Wall Street Journal reports the administration is considering sending ATACMS to Ukraine, in spite of its former reluctance.

Ukrainian forces have received other long-range weapons, including the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, that can hurl 200-pound rockets nearly 48 miles. It has become a favorite among Ukrainian troops, allowing them to hit Russian positions deep in occupied territory. They double the reach of the M777 howitzers the U.S. provided previously.

Those rockets have devastated Russian command and control deep behind the front lines of the war. But 48 miles isnt the real limit of the HIMARS weapon system. American officials have held back rockets that can be fired by HIMARS and can hit targets an estimated 185 miles away: the Army Tactical Missile System.

In all the aid packages sent to Kyiv, President Joe Biden has never approved the transfer of the ATACMS, with the fear that striking actual Russian territory with the weapon could escalate into a wider, more intense conflict. Despite that initial fear, transfer of the long-range missile systems is pending approval at the highest levels of the Pentagon.

While positioning the new long-range missile in Kharkiv wont allow the Ukrainian forces to hit Moscow or Saint Petersburg, it would allow them to strike deep inside Russia, including the cities of Kursk, Belgorod and the Crimean Peninsula  one of the biggest concerns to American officials.

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After Kharkiv fell in September 2002, Russian officials warned the United States and its NATO allies that supplying Ukraine with longer range missiles would be crossing a red line, and that they would become a party to the conflict. Ukraine has promised not to use long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. to strike inside Russia. That threat had kept the weapons out of consideration.

After mercenaries led by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin began a mutiny that captured the city of Rostov-on-Don and began a trip to Moscow before it was voluntarily aborted, U.S. and European planners began to rethink their reasoning. The Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution calling for the administration to approve the long-range weapon.

ATACMS would allow Ukraine to strike Russian logistical targets behind Russian lines, which are currently out of reach of Ukraine's current arsenal. Russia would be forced to move its logistical apparatus and command and control more than 200 miles from the front, seriously disrupting its ability to wage war.

The White House and the Pentagon declined to comment on any of the recent development in regard to sending the ATACMS missile, but has said many times that its policies regarding support for Ukraine is continuously under review. As of April, however, the Wall Street Journal says its sources say the ATACMS is still off the table.
By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday turned back a bid by hardline conservatives to end five presidential emergency declarations that allow for sanctions against America's enemies in the Middle East and Africa.

Four Republican Representatives - Lauren Boebert, Matt Gaetz, Paul Gosar and Eli Crane - used separate measures known as privileged resolutions to require votes on whether to end longstanding emergency declarations involving Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The House overwhelmingly rejected the resolutions in a series of votes, after mainstream Republicans and Democrats warned that ending the emergencies would unfreeze the assets of militia leaders, arms dealers and accused war criminals, while denying compensation to U.S. victims of terrorism.

The hardliners said the emergency declarations, dating back to the presidencies of Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama, were out-of-date and had become examples of the "deep state," former President Donald Trump's conspiratorial term for Washington officials who opposed his will.

It marked the latest effort by hardline conservatives to force Democrats, fellow Republicans and their own party leaders to vote on controversial measures that otherwise would not reach the House floor or be a long time in coming.

"Nothing gets accomplished here without force," said Boebert, a Colorado firebrand who pursued a similar legislative avenue last month in an effort to force a vote on a measure to impeach Biden.

Hardliner Republicans, including members of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, have also used their political leverage in the closely divided chamber to promote "culture war" legislation and pressure House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to accept fiscal 2024 spending targets lower than those he agreed with Democratic President Joe Biden.

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Under House rules, privileged resolutions of the kind pursued on Tuesday must come up for a vote within two legislative days.

The hardliners said they would bring additional resolutions to draw attention to 41 national emergency declarations, including one against Iran dating back to the 1970s, which they said have been allowed to remain in place without adequate Congress review.

"There'll be 36 more coming your way, because once again, when Congress doesn't do its job, somebody's got to squawk. And I'll be one of those that squawks from here to the sunset," Gosar said in the floor debate.

Elizabeth Goitein, a senior director at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, said emergency declarations to buttress sanctions against foreign regimes have not been used to get around Congress.

Trump, a hero to Republican hardliners, did use a 2019 national emergency declaration to fund construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border over the opposition of congressional Democrats.

"Trump was probably the first president to use the National Emergency Act and national emergency declarations for the express purpose of getting around Congress on a question of long term policy," Goitein said.

Both Republicans and Democrats said they agreed with the objective of improving the national emergency system.

"While I understand my colleagues' desire to reform the national emergency process, empowering terrorists, corrupt officials and war criminals is not the answer. And draining the fund that assists victims of terrorist attacks should be a crime in and of itself," said Republican Representative Mike Lawler.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Lincoln Feast)
The US is preparing sanctions against Kyrgyzstan, which supplies Russia with sanctioned equipment and electronics, such as drones, optical sights and bomb parts.

Source: The Washington Post citing sources

Details: Officials in the Biden administration claim they are especially worried about the part Kyrgyzstan is playing. There are now several companies there that act as a conduit for Western and Asian commodities that Russia is unable to import lawfully from elsewhere.

According to the publication, the Biden administration is considering new economic measures to persuade the nation to suspend trade with Russia following months of unproductive trips to the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, by a stream of US and European diplomats.

Sanctions or blacklisting of companies accused of violations could be implemented as early as this week, two US officials, who spoke anonymously, said.

Quote from the source: "Kyrgyzstan, while small relative to other countries, is a clear example of every factor at play at once to create an unacceptably [sanction] evasion-friendly environment."

More details: Trade records that are available to the public provide information regarding the size of the Kyrgyz shadow market. Records reveal that in 2022, before the invasion of Ukraine, the total value of Kyrgyzstan's exports to Russia surged, increasing by 250% over the year before.

For some items, such as rifle scopes, there is no previous record of Kyrgyzstan ever exporting such goods to Russia.

Trade records also imply close collaboration with Moscow's buying initiatives. Records from the beginning of the year reveal that Kyrgyz companies have been buying sensitive electronics in large quantities from Chinese and South Korean firms, including expensive voltage amplifiers and specialised semiconductors worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The documents demonstrate that over the same time period, approximately the same amounts of the same kinds of equipment were sent from Kyrgyzstan to Russia.

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The Russian companies that received the goods were in most cases well-known suppliers to the Russian defence industry, a senior US official said.

The apparent consistency of the third-party transactions has been seen as the work of Russian intelligence services, which US officials say are now directly involved in schemes to circumvent economic sanctions.

Background:

In the spring, Lithuania announced that it had completely eliminated the import of Russian and Belarusian wood and forest products from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan that was carried out bypassing sanctions.

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By Sarah N. Lynch and Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. federal public defenders system could need to cut as many as 500 from its staff charged with protecting the rights of poor criminal defendants, because of a budgeting error by Congress that could leave it with a 3% to 5% shortfall, officials said.

That would mean a reduction of as many as 12% of the roughly 4,100 employees of the Federal Public and Community Defenders, the office that represents indigent federal criminal defendants, who could in turn be left to spend more time in jail awaiting trial.

The agency has already been found to be understaffed: A 2022 independent judiciary commission study found the offices need to add at least 250 more people to handle current case loads, defenders told Reuters.

An appropriations bill moving through the Republican-led House of Representatives would reduce spending during the 2024 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 for federal public defender services by about $42 million from its current $1.49 billion budget.

A version drafted by the Democratic-controlled Senate would lead to a nearly $71 million cut, federal defenders told Reuters in interviews.

The agency has already imposed a nationwide hiring freeze to brace for the cuts, according to a July 13 email seen by Reuters.

Officials warn the resulting layoffs and furloughs for public defenders, along with possible cuts and delays to payments to the 8,000 private court-appointed lawyers nationwide, would be of the magnitude experienced in 2013 when similarly-sized belt-tightening was imposed by Congress.

That year, the 87 chief judges of federal district courts warned the reductions had "a devastating and long-lasting impact" on the criminal justice system.

Democratic Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin said he is aware of the budgeting problem and hopes to fix it before Congress settles on a final version.

"We are at risk of critically underfunding their constitutionally-mandated services," he said in a statement to Reuters.

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Without significant changes, the cuts would strain offices such as in Washington, D.C., where prosecutors have charged more than 1,000 people for the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and are expected to bring as many as 1,200 more cases, according to a letter from the D.C. federal prosecutors office to the court last year.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which oversees the Federal Public and Community Defenders, said it is assessing the impact of the proposed legislation.

The U.S. Constitution requires the appointment of a lawyer to criminal defendants who cannot afford one. Approximately 90% of federal criminal defendants qualify.

The defendants are "the most impoverished people who are very often the most marginalized and very often people of color, said Melody Brannon, the top federal defender in Kansas.

Melanie Morgan, a Kansas lawyer whose firm does court-appointed work, warned that reduced or delayed payments for private lawyers might deter some from participating.

"We do it because we are true believers in the system, but it comes down to dollars and cents," she said.

Attorneys and congressional sources said the budgeting error stems from unique circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic court closures and travel disruptions.

Those disruptions gave the defender services office an unusually large surplus of $111 million that carried over into 2023, contributing to an artificially low 2023 appropriation.

But Congress didn't re-adjust that number for 2024, leading to the shortfalls in the two perspective bills.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Richard Cowan; Editing by Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis)
A US soldier is believed held by North Korea after crossing the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone (Anthony WALLACE)

A US soldier who served around two months in a South Korean jail on assault charges was believed to be in North Korean custody Wednesday after crossing the heavily fortified border without authorisation, officials said.

The soldier -- identified by the US military as Travis King, a private second class who has been in the army since 2021 -- crossed the border "willfully and without authorisation," US Forces Korea spokesman Colonel Isaac Taylor said.

The United Nations Command said he had been on a Joint Security Area (JSA) orientation tour, adding he was believed to be in North Korean custody and that it was working with Pyongyang's military to "resolve this incident".

"King was released on July 10 after serving around two months in a South Korean prison for assault charges," a Seoul official told AFP.

South Korean police told AFP that King had been investigated for assault in September 2022, but was not detained at the time.

CBS News, citing US officials, reported that the low-ranking soldier was being escorted home to the United States for disciplinary reasons, but managed to leave the airport and join the tour group.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told journalists that Washington was "closely monitoring and investigating the situation".

North and South Korea remain technically at war as the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, with a Demilitarised Zone running along the border.

Soldiers from both sides face off at the JSA north of Seoul, which is overseen by the United Nations Command. It is also a popular tourist site, and hundreds of visitors tour the South Korean side each day.

Former US president Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Panmunjom Truce Village in 2019 and even stood on North Korean soil after stepping across the demarcation line there.

An eyewitness who said they were on the same JSA tour told CBS News the group had visited one of the buildings at the site when "this man gives out a loud 'ha ha ha' and just runs in between some buildings".

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"I thought it was a bad joke at first but, when he didn't come back, I realised it wasn't a joke and then everybody reacted and things got crazy," they said.

- No North Korean soldiers -

Hours later, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, according to the South Korean military -- an apparent response to the arrival of an American nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea on Tuesday, the first such visit since 1981.

The ballistic missile launches were likely unrelated to the American soldier crossing the border, "but such an incident doesn't help matters," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

"The Kim regime is likely to treat a border crosser as a military, intelligence and public health threat even though it is more likely that such an individual is mentally distressed and acting impulsively due to personal issues."

North Korea sealed its borders at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and has yet to reopen them. Its security presence on its side of the border at the JSA has also been scaled back significantly.

When AFP toured the JSA earlier this year, no North Korean guards were visible in the area. Even so, under armistice protocols, South Korean or US personnel could not cross the border to retrieve the US national.

The incident comes as relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points, with diplomacy stalled and Kim calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nuclear warheads.

Seoul and Washington have ramped up defence cooperation in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and US strategic assets.

- JSA -

The JSA in Panmunjom is typically peaceful despite ongoing hostility between the two sides.

In 1976, two American soldiers were killed in the JSA by North Koreans with axes in a dispute over a tree.

The last time there was a defection at the JSA was in 2017, when a North Korean soldier drove a military jeep and then ran on foot across the demarcation line at Panmunjom.

He was shot multiple times by his fellow North Korean soldiers but survived.

In general, defections between the two Koreas are rare but far more common in the other direction, when North Koreans seek to escape grinding poverty and repression by fleeing, typically across the northern land border into China.

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New details have emerged about a US soldier who crossed into North Korea on Tuesday  but his exact whereabouts remain a mystery since the secretive country hasnt said a word about the incident.

Court documents showed that Private Travis King, believed to be the first US soldier to cross into North Korea since 1982, had a history of assault, was facing disciplinary action over his conduct and was meant to go back to the US the day before the incident. An army official told CNN the private was set to be administratively separated from the US Army.

Details about how exactly King ended up on the North Korean side of the border remain unclear.

King had been on a tour of a border area as a civilian when he crossed the demarcation line.

His motive is also a mystery. Kings mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC she was shocked after being told by the US Army that her son had crossed into North Korea.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Gates told ABC, adding that she heard from her son several days ago and he told her that hed be returning to his base in Fort Bliss.

Travis King, the US soldier who ran across the military demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday, July 18 - Travis King/Facebook

The US has been actively reaching out to North Korea to resolve the situation, but it has not yet heard back, a defense official said Wednesday. It is typical of North Korea not to respond to US outreach, the defense official added.

Adm. John Aquilino, who is in charge of US Indo-Pacific Command, said Tuesday that the US has had no contact at this point with North Korea in regards to King. Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum on Tuesday, Aquilino said King made a run across the demilitarized zone in the Joint Security Area, was picked up by the North Koreans, and weve had no contact at this point.

Aquilino added that he has gotten no reports that King was a North Korea sympathizer.

The US Army has identified King as a cavalry scout who joined the military in January 2021. US officials did not say how long King had been in South Korea, but at some point he faced disciplinary action for assault and spent about 50 days in a detention facility.

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King was held in a designated detention facility under the Status of Forces Agreement with South Korea, the officials said, which is an agreement that defines how US service members, their family members, and other Defense Department personnel are treated and processed in a foreign country, including its justice system

A US official told CNN that King was released from detention on July 10 and was set to fly back to the US on Monday.

Another official told CNN King was escorted to the airport by military officials, but the escorts were unable to accompany him to the gate and he ultimately did not board his flight.

History of assault

King appears to have a history of violent behavior. South Korean court documents show that he was accused of assault twice last year, and received a fine for one of the incidents.

Last October, he was accused of pushing and repeatedly punching a victim in the face in a club in Mapo-gu, Seoul, after being refused a drink he asked for, according to the Seoul Western District Court documents.

Following the alleged assault, King was taken into police custody and placed in the back seat of a patrol car, when he allegedly used offensive language against Korea, the Korean army and the Korean police while in anger, the court document said.

South Korean soldiers stand guard during a media tour at the Joint Security Area. - Jeon Heon-Kyun/Reuters

He then allegedly kicked the door of the patrol car several times, causing 583,959 Korean won (around $461) of damage, according to the court document. King was fined 5 million Korean won (around $4,000) as a result, the document stated.

If the defendant does not pay the above fine, the defendant shall be detained in a labor facility for a period of time converted to 100,000 Korean won per day, the document said. It is unclear at this point if King paid the fine or served time at a labor facility.

The court document also referenced an earlier assault case against King from September 2022, which was dropped after the alleged victim expressed his intention not to press charges against King. South Korean police told CNN that King was transferred to US military police after an investigation into an assault last September. It is unclear whether the incident they were referring to was the same case that was dismissed by the court.

It is unclear whether the time he spent in detention was related to these incidents.

CNNs Haley Britzky, Oren Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand, Gawon Bae, Brad Lendon, Rob Picheta, Kevin Liptak and Simone McCarthy contributed reporting.

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South Korean soldiers stand guard as they face North Korea's Panmon Hall (back) at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea. Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

The US soldier who crossed into North Korea has been accused of assault and damaging a police car.

Travis King is believed to be in North Korean custody after he crossed a border into the country.

He had been held in a South Korean prison over assault charges before the incident.

The US Army soldier who crossed the border into North Korea on Tuesday had previously been accused of punching a man, hurling insults at Koreans and the Korean army, and damaging a police car as he was in the back of the vehicle, according to reports.

Soldier Travis King is now believed to be in North Korean custody after he "willfully and without authorization" crossed from South Korea over the heavily fortified border into the communist country, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said.

King was previously held in a South Korean prison for nearly two months over assault charges and was in the process of being brought back to the US before he joined in on a civilian border tour and ran into North Korea, US officials told The Associated Press.

He was accused of repeatedly punching a man in the face at a club on September 25 of last year, Reuters reported, citing court records in Seoul, South Korea. That case was ultimately settled, according to the report.

However, two weeks later, on October 8, police responded to another report of a squabble involving King, Reuters reported, citing a court document. Authorities allege that when they tried to question King, he continued with "aggressive behavior," Reuters reported, citing the court paper.

When police put King in the backseat of their patrol vehicle, he spouted off profanities about Koreans, the Korean army, and the Korean police, Reuters reported, citing the court ruling.

King, who had no previous criminal record, was accused of kicking the door of the police car multiple times during the ordeal, causing about $460 in damages, the report said.

Reuters reported that King pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public goods. He paid $780 to repair the car and was fined nearly $4,000 on February 8 by the Seoul Western District Court, Reuters reported.

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Two US officials told Reuters that the King was due to undergo disciplinary action by the US military before he crossed into North Korea.

It was not clear whether the disciplinary action was connected to his conviction in the October incident.

Meanwhile, King's mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC News that she was shocked to learn that her son had crossed into North Korea.

"I can't see Travis doing anything like that," Gates said.

She told the news outlet that she last spoke to her son a few days earlier, and he told her he would soon return to a base in Fort Bliss, Texas.

Gates said she just wants her son "to come home."

King's uncle told The Daily Beast that King had been "breaking down" over the death of his seven-year-old cousin.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A transformer explosion on the riverbanks in India that electrified a bridge resulted in at least 16 fatalities and six injuries.

Officials in the Chamoli district of India's Himalayan state of Uttarakhand reported that a police inspector and three home guards (auxiliary to the police) were among the individuals who were killed inside a sewage treatment facility on the banks of the Alakananda river.

The government's flagship Namami Gange project seeks to preserve and revitalize the river Ganges, and the electrified bridge near Pipalkoti hamlet was a component of that plant.

Bridge Electrification Results in Deaths

According to NK Joshi, the disaster management officer for Chamoli district, the police went to the scene to get information on an employee who was electrocuted while working there. The incident was brought about by electricity flowing through a metal fence, killing more people, including the investigating cops.

In a report by the Independent, some of the wounded were sent to a nearby facility, while others were flown to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh by helicopter.

The chief minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has ordered a judicial inquiry. He traveled from Dehradun, the state capital, to Chamoli to view the scene. "This is a very unfortunate incident. Police, SDRF [State Disaster Response Force, Assam], and rescue teams are present at the spot. Strict action will be taken against the guilty," he stated.

Himanshu Khurana, the district magistrate, has claimed that an in-depth investigation will reveal the true cause of the occurrence but that initial evidence points to electrocution, as reported by Reuters.

The tragedy occurred at an "old 50KLD sewage treatment plant," according to a source cited by Times of India. The source said the workers were cleaning up the muck that had accumulated due to the rain.

The chief minister has requested that the government pay Rs500,000 (about $6100) to the surviving family members of the victims and Rs100,000 (about $1,200) to each of the wounded.

Also Read: India, France Agree on Defense Ties, But Avoid Issues About Ukraine During Bastille Day Celebration

Terrible Mishaps in India

Independent reported that more than a hundred people in north India have been killed by torrential rains over the previous three weeks. This tragedy, meanwhile, took place as water levels in most rivers there rose owing to record monsoon rainfall.

Electrocution was responsible for the deaths of at least 100,000 persons between 2011 and 2020, as reported by the National Crime Records Bureau. Annually, there were around 11,000 electrocutions, and by 2022, that figure had risen to 12,492.

A lady was killed in the city of Delhi last month after she struck an electric pole while navigating a flooded road to reach a railway station.

In April, at least 11 people were killed when a vehicle driving in a parade for a Hindu festival in southern India touched a suspended electricity line.

Also Read: Bastille Day 2023: Tight Security, Indian and African Troops, No Fireworks

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By Josh Smith and Phil Stewart

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military was scrambling to establish the fate of an American soldier who made an unauthorised crossing of the inter-Korean border into North Korea, throwing Washington into a new crisis in its dealing with the nuclear-armed state.

The U.S. Army identified the soldier as Private Travis T. King who joined up in 2021 and was facing disciplinary action. While on a orientation tour of Joint Security Area (JSA) on the border between the two Koreas, King crossed into North Korea on Tuesday "wilfully and without authorization," U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

"We believe that he is in (North Korean) custody and so we're closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin," Austin told a briefing.

North Korea's state media have made no mention of the incident. Its mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The crossing comes at a time of renewed tension on the Korean peninsula, with the arrival of a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine, and the launch early on Wednesday morning of two ballistic missiles into the sea by North Korea.

North Korea has been testing increasingly powerful missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile launched last week.

NORTH KOREA FIRES MISSILES

The soldier was on a tour of the Panmunjom truce village in the JSA with a group of visitors when he crossed the line marking the Military Demarcation Line border, U.S. officials say. The heavily armed border has separated the two Koreas since fighting in the Korean War ended in 1953 in an armistice.

Colonel Isaac Taylor, a spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea, said the military was "working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident," referring to North Korea's People's Army.

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U.S. officials were stumped why the soldier fled to the North and outlined a puzzling series of events.

King had finished serving time in detention in South Korea for an unspecified infraction and was transported by the U.S. military to the airport to return to his home unit in the United States, two U.S. officials said.

He had already passed alone through security to his gate and then, for whatever reason, decided to flee, one official said. Civilian tours of the demilitarized zone are advertised at the airport and King appeared to have decided to join one, the official added.

Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldier had been due to face disciplinary action by the U.S. military. But he was not in custody at the time he decided to flee, one of them said.

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles ties with the North, said all tours to Panmunjom have been cancelled indefinitely on the request of the U.N. Command which oversees security for the area.

It was unclear how long North Korean authorities would hold the soldier but analysts said the incident could be valuable propaganda for the isolated country.

Historically, the North holds these folks for weeks, if not months, for propaganda purposes (especially if this is a U.S. soldier) before a coerced confession and apology, said Victor Cha, a former U.S. official and Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Before dawn on Wednesday, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, each flying 550 km and 600 km before plunging into the sea off its east coast.

The launch comes hours after the South Korea and the United States held the first round of talks on Tuesday on upgrading coordination in the event of a nuclear war with North Korea.

The United States has pledged to deploy more strategic assets such as aircraft carriers, submarines and long-range bombers to South Korea, drawing an angry response from Pyongyang which vowed to escalate its own military response.

(Reporting by Josh Smith and Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul, David Brunnstrom, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington, Kiyoshi Takenaka and Nobuhiro Kubo in Tokyo; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
By Hongji Kim and Phil Stewart

PAJU, South Korea/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. officials scrambled on Wednesday to determine the fate of an American soldier who made an unauthorized crossing into North Korea, handing Washington a new crisis in its dealings with the nuclear-armed state.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a regular briefing the Pentagon had "reached out" to counterparts in North Korea's Korean People's Army about the soldier, Private Travis King, but added: "My understanding is that those communications have not yet been answered."

The Pentagon said King, 23, who joined the Army in 2021 and was facing disciplinary action, crossed into North Korea on Tuesday "wilfully and without authorization" while on an orientation tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) on the border between the two Koreas.

North Korea's state media has made no mention of the incident and its mission to the United Nations in New York has not responded to requests for comment.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told a briefing the Biden administration was still gathering the facts, while the State Department said U.S. officials were trying to ascertain King's whereabouts.

Miller said the U.S. had also engaged with Sweden, which acts as a diplomatic channel for Washington with Pyongyang, but added: "We are still trying to gather information here about the whereabouts of Private King."

"The administration has and will continue to actively work to ensure his safety and return him home to his family," Miller said.

The incident comes at a time of high tension on the Korean peninsula, with the arrival on Tuesday of a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine, and the test launch early on Wednesday of two ballistic missiles into the sea by North Korea.

Army Colonel Isaac Taylor, a spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea, said on Tuesday the U.N. Command (UNC), which oversees security for the border area, was "working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident."

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Taylor said the communication had been over a daily hotline with the North Koreans, though he did not elaborate on any response.

LEGAL TROUBLES

King was on a tour of the Panmunjom truce village when he suddenly dashed across the Military Demarcation Line that has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, U.S. officials said.

His motive is not known. While based in South Korea, he faced accusations of assault and damaging a police car in an October incident. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in February to a fine, a court document seen by Reuters showed.

Carl Gates, the brother of King's mother Claudine Gates, told the Daily Beast his nephew had been "breaking down" after the tragic death of his 7-year-old cousin earlier this year.

Gates said his son died in late February from a rare genetic disorder and was on life support in his final days.

"When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away ... Travis started (being) reckless (and) crazy when he knew my son was about to die," the outlet quoted Gates as saying. "I know it was related to what he did."

Claudine Gates, told ABC News she was shocked at the news her son had crossed into North Korea. "I can't see Travis doing anything like that," she said.

King had finished serving detention in South Korea and was transported by the U.S. military to the airport to return to his home unit in the United States, two U.S. officials said.

He had passed alone through security to his gate and then fled, one official said. Civilian tours of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) are advertised at the airport and King appeared to have decided to join one, an official said.

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles ties with North Korea, said all tours to Panmunjom had been cancelled indefinitely at the U.N. Command's request.

It was unclear how long North Korean authorities would hold the soldier, but analysts said the incident could be valuable propaganda for the isolated country.

In the past when Americans have been detained in North Korea, they have been put on trial and sentenced, but eventually released, often following high-level diplomatic intervention. Incidents involving soldiers, though, have been extremely rare.

"We don't know enough yet about King's intentions, and there just isn't really a comparable precedent to clue us into how the North Koreans might assess the situation," said Jenny Town, director of 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea-monitoring project. "We'll have to just wait and see."

A former North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea said King may be used as a propaganda tool, but it was not clear how long North Korea would want to exploit his presence.

"Looking at previous cases of U.S. servicemen who went into the North, holding an American soldier is probably a not very cost-effective headache for the North in the long run," said Tae Yong-ho, now a member of South Korea's parliament.

(Reporting by Josh Smith, Ju-min Park, Hyonhee Shin and Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul, David Brunnstrom, Phil Stewart, Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis and Idrees Ali in Washington, Kiyoshi Takenaka and Nobuhiro Kubo in Tokyo; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Tomasz Janowski and Jonathan Oatis)
By Ju-min Park, Josh Smith and Matt Spetalnick

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Army Private Travis T. King had finished serving nearly two months in detention in South Korea and was being escorted to the airport to fly home and likely face disciplinary action. But he never made it to his plane.

Instead, roughly 24 hours later, he sprinted into North Korea while on a civilian tour of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border between the two Koreas.

So began a bizarre odyssey that landed an active-duty American soldier in North Korean hands and created a fresh problem for Washington in its dealings with the nuclear-armed state.

While much remains unknown, investigations by authorities from Seoul to Washington and witness accounts have begun slowly piecing together a picture of King and what transpired in the final hours before his escape.

TURNAROUND AT THE AIRPORT

On Monday, King was due to board American Airlines Flight 280 from Seoul's Incheon Airport to Dallas, Texas, scheduled to depart at 5:40 p.m., according to a U.S. military report obtained by the U.S. website The Messenger, and an airport official who spoke to Reuters.

King, 23, was escorted by other American soldiers, who could not accompany him past the security checks, so he proceeded alone to the departure hall, officials have said. King texted his Army escort to say he had arrived at his departure gate, according to The Messenger report.

There, he told American Airlines staff that he lost his passport, the Incheon Airport official said.

Escorted by an airline worker with the approval of a South Korean justice ministry official, King left the boarding zone and was seen exiting through departure gate no.4, returning to the terminal at around 7 p.m., the Incheon airport official said. He declined to be identified because he is not allowed to speak to media on the matter.

Flight records show Flight 280 departed nearly an hour late that day, but it is unclear if that delay was due to King skipping the flight.

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Reuters could not ascertain how King returned to Seoul from Incheon, which is roughly an hour away by train or bus, or where he stayed Monday night.

BORDER TOUR

According to the U.S. military "serious incident report" cited by The Messenger, in May King had booked two different DMZ tours, prior to his 50-day detention. He wasn't able to make the first tour, but was confirmed for the second, scheduled for Tuesday.

That tour was a 10-hour, full day tour of the DMZ operated by South Korean company HanaTour ITC. The tours start at $180, according to a TripAdvisor itinerary provided by Sarah Leslie, a New Zealand tourist who was on the same trip with King.

It departed at 8 a.m. on Tuesday from Namdaemun Market, not far from Seoul's main train station, according to the itinerary. Leslie told Reuters she does not recall anyone joining from another spot.

HanaTour ITC declined to comment and referred questions to the United Nations Command (UNC), a U.S.-led force that oversees the JSA on the South Korean side.

Like all DMZ trips that include stops at the Joint Security Area (JSA), the tour was capped at 40 people and required copies of passports or U.S. government identification cards be provided in advance and cleared by the UNC.

King used his U.S. government I.D. to check in for the tour, The Messenger reported.

SPRINT TO THE NORTH

By the time the group arrived at the JSA on Tuesday afternoon, they were nearing the end of the tour, having already visited an observation post with a view into North Korea, and a tunnel once dug under the DMZ by North Korean soldiers, among other sights.

At the JSA, however, the tourists would get the chance to step across the border into North Korea itself, inside one of the iconic blue buildings that straddles the border and used for negotiations.

At around 3:30 p.m. the group had just left the building and were standing around taking photos when King - wearing jeans, a black shirt and a black hat with the letters "DMZ" printed on it - suddenly ran between the structures toward the North, Leslie said.

"It all happened pretty quickly," she said, with American and South Korean guards shouting "get him" and unsuccessfully trying to stop King from crossing. "I assumed it was some kind of stunt."

The Messenger reported King ran to the back of a building where he entered a van and was driven out of the area by North Korean troops.

U.S. officials say they have not heard from him since.

UNCERTAIN FUTURE

King, who joined the U.S. Army in January 2021, had served as a Cavalry Scout with the Korean Rotational Force, part of the decades-old U.S. security commitment to South Korea.

But his posting was dogged by legal troubles.

He faced two allegations of assault, and eventually pleaded guilty to one instance of assault and destroying public property for damaging a police car during a profanity-laced tirade against Koreans, according to court documents.

From May 24 to July 10 he served a sentence of hard labour at the Cheonan correctional facility in lieu of paying a fine, Yonhap news agency reported.

After his release from the prison, which is a designated facility for U.S. military members and other foreigners, King stayed at a U.S. base in South Korea for a week, Yonhap said.

A Cheonan prison official confirmed King had served the hard labour sentence there, but declined to provide further information citing privacy concerns.

U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said King had been due to face military disciplinary action on his return home to Fort Bliss, Texas.

The question of what drove King to act as he did on Tuesday remains a mystery.

King's uncle, Carl Gates, told The Daily Beast King had been in distress over the death of his 7-year-old cousin from a rare genetic disorder earlier this year.

"It seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot," Gates said of his son's death.

King's exact whereabouts are still unknown, as well as what happens next.

When a U.S. soldier defects, North Korea has to create a security and surveillance team for them, and arrange an interpreter, a private vehicle, driver and lodging, said former North Korean diplomat Tae Yong-ho, who is a now a member of South Korea's parliament.

Pyongyang has typically treated American and other Western detainees or defectors well to avoid political blowback, said Andrei Lankov, director of the Seoul-based Korea Risk Group. The notable exception was U.S. college student Otto Warmbier, who died in 2017 shortly after being released from a North Korea prison.

Detainees are often housed in the North Korean equivalent of a four-star hotel, Lankov said.

Still, analysts suggested King's stay in North Korea could be lengthy.

"It's always good to resolve these ASAP, but I am not certain that will be the case," said Victor Cha, a former U.S. official and Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park and Josh Smith in Seoul and Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Writing by Matt Spetalnick and Josh Smith; Editing by Don Durfee, Sandra Maler and Lincoln Feast)
A tourist who saw a plainclothes American soldier sprint across the South Korean border into North Korea initially thought it was a stunt.

New Zealander Sarah Leslie and her father were part of a tour group that departed from Seoul Tuesday morning to visit the Military Demarcation Line separating the two countries. In an interview with The Associated Press, Leslie gave her eyewitness account of Pvt. Travis King leaving the other 43 tourists behind and running straight into North Korean territory, where he is currently detained.

Leslie said she had no idea at the time that King, who was dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, was a soldier, or that he was facing disciplinary action back home in the U.S.

A senior defense official told Fox News that King had just finished about two months in a South Korean detention facility following a physical altercation with locals. After King was arrested and throughout the time he was held at the facility, he made comments that he did not want to come back to America, according to the official.

NORTH KOREA DETAINS US SOLDIER WHO CROSSED BORDER WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, OFFICIALS SAY

After his release on July 10, King was scheduled to travel home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline, including discharge from service, The Associated Press reported.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Instead, he "willfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK)," according to a U.S. Forces Korea spokesperson.

Leslie told The Associated Press her tour group went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held. To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The tourists left Seoul by bus early Tuesday morning, and Leslie said she noticed that King was keeping to himself and didn't seem to talk with anyone else on the tour. At one point, she recounted, he purchased a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

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NORTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR MAKES RARE APPEARANCE AT UN, BLAMES US FOR ESCALATION

Eyewitness Sarah Leslie gave an interview to The Associated Press in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Leslie thought she was witnessing a TikTok stunt when she saw an American soldier start sprinting toward North Korea.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running "really fast."

"I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do," Leslie said. "But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy."

Leslie told The Associated Press it was an American soldier who gave the command to chase King, one of a group that patrols the area with South Korean troops.

But King was too fast for them. She said he charged about 30 feet down a narrow passageway between two blue buildings at the DMZ and disappeared before anyone could stop him.

NORTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR MAKES RARE APPEARANCE AT UN, BLAMES US FOR ESCALATION





U.S. officials believe King is now in DPRK custody and are working with North Korean officials to resolve the matter.

Leslie said she didn't see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the incident, Leslie said soldiers gathered the tourists in a building and took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, were unaware of what happened, but a soldier explained how King ran into North Korea.

"People couldn't really quite believe what had happened," Leslie said. "Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other."

Leslie, a lawyer from New Zealand's capital, Wellington, told The Associated Press she had an interest in the Koreas after studying politics at university and seeing South Korean movies.

She said she did not understand why King would flee to North Korea.

"I just didnt think anyone would ever want to do that," she said.



Fox News' Greg Norman, Jennifer Griffin, Liz Friden and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Egyptian researcher Patrick Zaki previously spent 22 months in pre-trial detention until December 2021 (Mohamed EL-RAAI)

The United States called on Egypt Wednesday to release rights researcher Patrick Zaki, a day after he was sentenced to three years' prison for "spreading false news".

"Concerned by 3-year sentence of Egyptian human rights defender Patrick Zaki," the US State Department said on Twitter, urging the "immediate release of him and others unjustly detained".

Zaki, 32, was jailed over an article recounting the discrimination he and other members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority say they have suffered.

He had previously spent 22 months in pre-trial detention, and was again taken into custody Tuesday after the court ruling in Mansoura, 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of Cairo.

The drawn-out case has triggered international condemnation, particularly in Italy where Zaki was studying when he was arrested in 2020 on a visit to Egypt.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday Rome's "commitment to a positive resolution of the Patrick Zaki case has never ceased," adding that "we still have faith".

Over 40 Egyptian and international organisations -- including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy -- have condemned the sentence, which they said followed "a trial rife with due process violations".

Rights defenders have said Zaki was beaten and electrocuted during his detention.

The sentence has pushed three human rights activists to walk out of the government's "national dialogue" which aims to involve Egypt's decimated opposition but has been met with heavy scepticism.

National dialogue coordinator Diaa Rashwan -- who also runs the State Information Service -- said Tuesday the dialogue's board of trustees had appealed to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for Zaki's "immediate release".

Washington has repeatedly criticised Cairo's human rights record, accusing authorities of the use of torture, "life-threatening prison conditions" and curbs on free speech.

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Egypt is a key ally of the United States and one of its top recipients of military aid.

Though voices within the US Congress had called for broader aid cuts to Egypt over its rights record, the administration of President Joe Biden withheld only $130 million in 2021.

In January, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Sisi to "free all political prisoners" -- of which rights groups estimate Egypt holds tens of thousands -- while welcoming the "important strides" the country had made.

bha/fz
Angelena Todaro, a research intern with the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District, examines a mosquito trap in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

How worried should Utahns be about the spread of malaria now that the United States is seeing the first cases of local transmission of the potentially deadly disease in two decades?

The more than a half-dozen cases of malaria, identified in late June as originating in Florida and Texas rather than overseas, arent really much of a cause for concern here in Utah according to state and local health experts.

I cant say that the risk is zero here because we have the mosquito and we have the parasite that is arriving in people that have traveled, said Hannah Rettler, a Utah Department of Health and Human Services zoonotic and vector-borne epidemiologist.

Since the beginning of the year, Rettler said there have been six malaria cases in Utah, all confirmed to be from mosquito bites in foreign countries. Five of the people infected had traveled to Africa and the other to Central and South America.

None of the cases, which were diagnosed in Salt Lake and Utah counties as recently as June, are currently active, Rettler said, meaning theyve been investigated and those infected have been treated.

Utah averages about eight confirmed cases of travel-related malaria annually, she said, putting this years count within normal numbers. There are about 2,000 cases in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Angelena Todaro, a research intern with the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District, collects a mosquito trap in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Whats different about the headline-making cases in Florida and Texas are that people were infected with malaria after being bitten by mosquitos in those states over the past two months, something that hasnt happened in the United States since 2003.

Citing the locally transmitted cases, the CDC issued a health advisory in late June, calling malaria a medical emergency and raising concerns about a potential rise in cases associated with increased international travel this summer.

The advisory recommends health care providers be on the lookout for malaria in any person with a fever of unknown origin. Symptoms can also include chills, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, usually starting at least 10 days after infection.

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The CDC wants the public to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, including applying an approved insect repellent, wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants, and making sure theres no standing water available for the insects to breed.

Travelers should be aware of where malaria occurs, and seek out preventative medicine before their trip, the CDC says, and get medical care if they develop a fever or other malaria symptoms after returning home.

Yes, there are more mosquitos in Utah this year

Utah is seeing more mosquito activity this year, likely due to so many water sources from the abundant winter snow and spring rains, Greg White, assistant director of the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, said.

The districts mosquito count during the first two weeks of July was about twice as high as normal, he said, with more than 287,500 of the insects collected in 35 traps around Salt Lake.

The state has its own native species of the Anopheles mosquito that spreads the parasite responsible for malaria, but so far, White said it is present in low numbers throughout the state.

How low? Less than 0.2% of  just 524  of the mosquitos collected this month were capable of carrying the parasite, he said. Statewide that number drops to only 0.1% of reported mosquitos collected.

Typically, Utahs native Anopheles species of mosquito only turns up in rural areas, White said. Those trapped this month were all in areas west of I-215 near the Salt Lake City International Airport.

All that means the chances of getting malaria from a mosquito bite in Utah is extremely low, he said.

For that to happen here, White said, someone would have to be infected elsewhere, then bitten by a local Anopheles mosquito, which would then have to incubate and replicate the pathogen for nearly two weeks, before biting another susceptible human host.

Angelena Todaro, a research intern with the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District, hangs a mosquito trap she just collected in the back of a truck in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

West Nile virus already seen in Utah

Utah officials meet bi-weekly to discuss mosquito-borne illness. At last weeks meeting, Rettler said they had a great conversation about how we can all be prepared, should a locally transmitted case of malaria surface in Utah.

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She said she is really proud and confident of the system we have here that has the state working closely with local health departments and mosquito abatement districts to monitor disease spread.

That includes other mosquito-borne illnesses, especially West Nile virus, which has spread within the United State since 1999. In 2021, there were 28 cases of the virus reported in Utah, including three deaths.

This week, Davis Countys mosquito abatement district reported West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito pool in Syracuse, noting thats often the first indication that the virus is circulating in the community.

White said the focus this year on malaria because of the locally transmitted cases in Florida and Texas is probably a good reminder that we have mosquito-borne diseases that we dont think about much.

He said more mosquitos mean more treatments, including using mosquito-eating fish to control larvae in water sources in urban areas, but otherwise, nothings being done any differently.
The Vatican envoy who traveled to both Ukraine and Russia on the direction of Pope Francis met with President Biden.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna, sat down for two and a half hours with Biden at the White House on Tuesday evening.

Zuppi and Biden discussed "the Holy Sees efforts providing humanitarian aid to address the widespread suffering caused by Russias continuing aggression in Ukraine," according to the Vatican.

RUSSIA ACKNOWLEDGES VATICAN PEACE MISSION AS HOLY SEE TRIES TO 'HELP EASE THE TENSIONS'

Following the meeting, the White House said Biden "shared his wishes for Pope Francis continued ministry and global leadership and welcomed the recent nomination of a U.S. archbishop as cardinal."

Zuppi has headed diplomatic missions to both Ukraine and Russia since the beginning of the invasion last year, hoping to broker peace and minimize bloodshed.

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Russian officials have publicly expressed openness to the Vatican's attempts to broker an end to the conflict but has criticized a lack of "practical steps."

VATICAN PEACE ENVOY EN ROUTE TO MOSCOW AFTER ABORTED WAGNER MUTINY

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris walk back to the Oval Office after an event in the Rose Garden of the White House.

"We acknowledge the Holy Sees sincere desire to promote the peace process," the Russian Foreign Ministry previously said.

"At the same time, no practical steps have been taken by the Vatican side to organize the trip to Moscow."

Pope Francis has consistently offered himself as a negotiator and moderator for peace between Russia and Ukraine since the invasion began last year.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi attends a meeting with Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets to discuss the exchanges of the POWs and the deportation of Ukrainian children in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The pontiff has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Vatican City, worked with the Ukrainian government to care for displaced Ukrainian children and hosted Russian Orthodox church leaders for discussion.
Donald Trump Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump-appointed federal district court judge overseeing the Justice Department's documents case against the former president, denied the special counsel's motion for a protective order in the case Wednesday because the defense and the prosecution have not conferred sufficiently.

According to the Guardian and the Independent, Cannon told the Department of Justice that it can refile the motion for the protective order, required under section three of the Classified Information Procedures Act, once it has adequately conferred with attorneys for Trump and the personal aide charged alongside him, Walt Nauta.

New: Judge Cannon tells DOJ to refile proposed CIPA S3 protective order governing use of classified discovery bc parties havent sufficiently conferred  replacing earlier tweet and deferring to @secretsandlaws that giving Trump team a couple of days to review was their misstep  Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) July 19, 2023

JUST IN: Judge Cannon has denied the DOJ motion for a protective order over classified discovery because the defence and prosecution havent adequately conferred on the matter. DOJ can ask for one again once theyve conferred with Trump/Nauta attorneys. pic.twitter.com/yZT0DSiuwg  Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) July 19, 2023

The CIPA governs the use of classified materials during a case with section three requiring the court  at the government's request  to issue an order "to protect against the disclosure of any classified information disclosed by the United States to any defendant in any criminal case."

The DOJ reached out to the defense Friday regarding the proposed protective order but filed the motion Monday after not receiving any engagement from them that day or over the weekend, Bloomberg News reports. In the Wednesday hearing, Cannon told the DOJ that it needed to give Trump and Nauta's legal teams more time to negotiate the terms for handling the sensitive materials.

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DOJ said they reached out to Trump defense Friday about the proposed protective order re: classified material, and then filed it Monday when they didn't get engagement over the weekend. Judge said that seemed rushed for something important where they should be conferring  Zoe Tillman (@ZoeTillman) July 19, 2023

Legal experts decried Cannon's decision Wednesday, arguing that the move substantiates the efforts to delay the trial being made by Trump's legal team, who the Guardian reported "weren't interested in engaging" with the Justice Department to confer.

"This is a bad call by Cannon! The DOJ attempted to confer with defense counsel and didn't hear back from them. This is on defense counsel, not DOJ. Cannon should hold defense counsels' feet to the fire [fire emoji], and not delay CIPA proceedings because of the BS gamesmanship," MSNBC legal analyst Katie Phang wrote on Twitter, calling it "another assist by Cannon that unnecessarily delays the proceedings."

Former federal prosecutor Brandon Van Grack, who served on special counsel Bob Mueller's team, said it was "very odd to deny the motion" instead of "requiring defense counsel to articulate objections."

"On Monday, DOJ explained it had reached out to defense counsel on Friday, who did not wish to confer that day or over the weekend. Defense counsel cant get classified docs w/o a protective order," he wrote on Twitter Wednesday.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

"This adds more delay," legal analyst and former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti tweeted.

This adds more delay. https://t.co/EuksC7jmly  Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) July 19, 2023

"Oy. When one side does not meet, it is hard to confer," added former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, another Mueller probe alum and NYU law professor. "This legitimizes defense delay tactic."

Oy. When one side does not meet, it is hard to confer. This legitimizes defense delay tactic. https://t.co/T9jtl7rrnu  Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads) (@AWeissmann_) July 19, 2023

Read more

about the documents case
Donald Trump Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The charges Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Tuesday against the 16 fake electors who signed certificates falsely claiming then-President Donald Trump had won Michigan in the 2020 election are "very serious" and present a significant deterrent to future potential "bad actors," several legal experts said.

As CNN reported, the 16 individuals were hit with multiple felony charges "for their role in the alleged false electors scheme following the 2020 U.S. presidential election," Nessel's office announced. The charges include election law forgery, which carries a five-year maximum prison sentence, and conspiracy to commit forgery, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

The charges filed by Nessel are separate from special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Donald Trump's efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election as well as Georgia District Attorney Fani Willis' probe into the former president's alleged 2020 election interference in the state.

Former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade, a University of Michigan law professor, praised Nessel for seeking to hold the fake Trump electors "accountable."

"This crime is an affront to democracy," McQuade wrote on Twitter.

Great to see @MIAttyGen @dananessel holding accountable the Trump electors who allegedly signed a false document attesting that they had been duly elected to cast Michigans electoral votes in 2020. This crime is an affront to democracy. https://t.co/58v1EGmFtO  Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) July 19, 2023

Former federal prosecutor Laura Coates emphasized on CNN Tuesday evening the gravity of the charges against the Michigan 16, both for the false electors themselves and for American democracy.

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"Remember, in states, these are the ones whose electors, based on the popular state votes, will then elect a President of the United States," Coates said. "It relies on faith, it relies on credibility that what a voter believes will happen once their vote is cast, and they're compiled, will actually happen."

"These are very serious charges," Coates continued. "Forgery, the uttering and publishing  a fancy way of saying you've endeavored to pass it off as a real thing. This goes to the core of our democracy."

What's notable about the Michigan attorney general's indictment, she added, is that "this is a state-level prosecution and happening there as opposed to waiting for what's happening for say, a Jack Smith or special counsel or DOJ... It tells you how wide-ranging it is, how specific it is, and how, for many people, the idea of what happened three years ago is not in the rearview mirror. It's very much ahead of the attorney general's focus."

Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor and legal analyst, also noted on social media late Tuesday that Nessel's indictment against the false electors could be a deterrent for other potential "bad actors," arguing that the charges are "more important than you might realize."

"Our electoral system is run at the state level, and as we saw in the last election, there is room for bad actors to get to subvert the process. These charges will be a real deterrent," Mariotti wrote on Twitter to open a thread detailing the legal and social implications of the indictments.

He clarified that the indicted individuals weren't billionaires nor people who could otherwise glean fame or funds from the swath of charges against them but rather Republican operatives "who will be devastated by an indictment like a typical person is."

2/ Remember that the fake electors arent billionaires. Theyre not raising money off of these criminal charges. These charges wont lead to fortune or fame.



Theyre GOP party operatives who will be devastated by an indictment like a typical person is.  Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) July 19, 2023

"Getting indicted isn't fun. It is a stressful, costly, and humiliating experience," Mariotti continued. "Just like the charges of individual January 6th insurrectionists, these charges may deter foot soldiers who would consider joining an effort to overturn the *next* election."

"So they matter more than you think. A lot of Trump's followers stayed home when he urged them to turn out after he was indicted. The indictments of January 6th insurrectionists had something to do with that. Charges against fake electors could have a similar effect," he concluded.

4/ So they matter more than you think.



A lot of Trumps followers stayed home when he urged them to turn out after he was indicted. The indictments of January 6th insurrectionists had something to do with that.



Charges against fake electors could have a similar effect. /end  Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) July 19, 2023

New York University law professor and former Pentagon special counsel Ryan Goodman argued that it will be next to impossible for the Michigan 16 to defend against the charges because the documents they're accused of forging also include a falsehood that they "convened and organized in the State Capitol."

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"It's a detail that matters," Goodman told CNN. "It mattered to the Trump campaign lawyer, and he said this is a problem. He is mapping out the secret memo how they can do these false electors across the seven states. Michigan may have a problem because it's a legal requirement that you have to convene in the State Capitol. That's why they obviously put it in their declaration that we are convened in the State Capitol. And it is just a falsehood."

That lie is significant, Goodman added, because, "they can say, 'oh, we thought Trump won the election and that's why we did this.' Did you think you were in the Capitol? You are not in the Capitol, you were in the basement of the GOP headquarters in Lansing. That's where you were when you convened. It's a false statement that they submitted to state and federal authorities that is almost an open-and-shut forgery."

In an op-ed for the New York Times, Goodman and CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen, who served as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee in the first impeachment of Trump, praised Nessel for the precision of her indictment against the fake electors, which they argued left "a clear lane" for Smith in his federal probe.

"The charges in Michigan will surely meet criticism on all sides. Some will say the case is not broad or bold enough, that Mr. Trump and the other alleged national ringleaders should have been charged as well," they wrote. "Others will say Ms. Nessel cast too wide a net, pulling in low-level party functionaries who did not know better. We think those critiques are misconceived.

"Ms. Nessel got it just right, prosecuting crimes firmly within her jurisdiction, while opening the way for federal authorities to net even bigger fish," they said, later noting the importance of her being able to establish intent in order to prove the case they dubbed "far more egregious" than most of the Michigan attorney general's other prosecutions.

"If Ms. Nessel can move against these individuals in Michigan, Mr. Smith can and should do the same against the ringleaders," they added. "Together, they can hold both the foot soldiers and their organizers accountable for their actions leading up to the Capitol riot."

Read more

about the Jan. 6 probes
Australia, home to more venomous snakes than any other country in the world, just added one more toxin-slinging serpent to its ranks.

A new desert-dwelling species, characterized by its distinctive blue color, was just identified by researchers at the University of Adelaide, according to a July 19 news release.

The creature had previously been confused with another snake found in the outback, but tissue analysis led researchers to determine it was indeed an undocumented species.

Subtle but consistent differences in external appearance, such as its copper tail and head, also helped confirm their findings.

The newfound snake, named Demansia cyanochasma, had previously been confused with another species, researchers said.

The snake was given the name Demansia cyanochasma, which means blue gap in Latin  a nod to the creatures unique color pattern.

Found throughout arid areas on the continent, the snake can grow up to about 3 feet long and is fast moving.

However, humans should not be concerned by the scaly creatures discovery, researchers said, noting that the animals are very shy and tend to flee at the first sign of danger.

The reclusive viper is only mildly venomous, too, so any human who may get bit is unlikely to be seriously harmed.

The newfound creature, the 15th whip snake discovered in Australia, is most active throughout the day, when it hunts down lizards it suppresses with its venom.

Our country is home to more species of reptile than anywhere else in the world and there are still even more species just waiting to be discovered, James Nankivell, one of the studys authors, said in the release.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Adelaide, located on the countrys southern coast, and two museums published their findings in the journal Zootaxa.

Pint-sized, ridiculously cute penguins waddled around 3 million years ago, study says

Gentle giant makes rare appearance off Florida. See the majestic encounter with boaters

Rare creature gives sailing students a heart-warming surprise in Hong Kong. See it
The family of 22-year-old YouTube lifestyle creator Annabelle Ham has confirmed her death on July 15 after what they identified as an "epileptic event."

"We're writing this with heavy, heavy hearts," the Ham family posted on her Instagram account. "She struggled with this for a long time and wanted to raise awareness for it, which we will do in honor of her."

How and Why Did She Die?

Ham was allegedly reported missing after attending a bachelorette party hundreds of miles away from her Atlanta home. Her oldest sister Alexandria said she had last seen Annabelle walking along a pier and was worried she might have fallen over the water.

It was later announced the influencer died after suffering from an epileptic seizure, shortly after being reported to authorities in Fairhope, Alabama.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by repeated seizures. A seizure, on the other hand, is usually defined as a sudden alteration of behavior due to a temporary change in the electrical functioning of the brain. Normally, the brain continuously generates tiny electrical impulses in an orderly pattern.

There are a lot of variations of seizures that specialists frequently classify as seizure types. Typically, seizures belong to one of two basic categories: Primary generalized seizures and partial seizures. The difference between these types of seizures is in how they begin.

As for Ham's case, however, the official cause of her death had not been made public yet as investigations about it continue. The Ham family also urged Annabelle's followers to await official reports from authorities and not spread rumors.

Read Also: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Search Home Related to Deceased Rapper Tupac Shakur's Long-Unsolved Murder Case

Facebook Error

Family and Fans Heartbroken

Ham's sisters Amelia and Alexandria also shared they were heartbroken for losing a much-beloved sister.

Amelia described Annabelle as someone who was "always happy and lighted up every room" and always wanted to live life to the fullest. "You would never think something like this would or could happen to you until it does," she added.

Alexandria echoed the sentiment, calling her sister a "spark-plug" who "loved others" as much as her followers "loved her and loved being around her."

Prior to her death, the Georgia native was also studying at Kennesaw State University. Her sorority Alpha Omicron Pi also offered their condolences to the Ham family in a statement on Instagram.

"On Saturday, July 15 we lost a big piece of our hearts," the Greek organization stated. "She had an amazing impact on each and every sister in [the] Beta Zeta [chapter of the sorority]. She was caring, selfless, and carried so much love inside of her heart... To know her is to love her. She lived every day to the fullest."

Meanwhile, in the final video she uploaded on YouTube dated June 26, many in the comments section were shocked by her untimely death.

"Never seen her channel before, but I know 22 is way too young to go," wrote one user. "No parent should ever have to lose a child."

Ham began uploading YouTube videos in 2015 as a personal channel, and eventually evolved to lifestyle content.

Related Article: CBS Announces Death of Long-Time WCBS New York Meteorologist Elise Finch

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An electricity link between Denmark and the UK has been connected for the first time, the National Grid said.

The 475-mile (765km) high-voltage Viking Link cable joins Bicker Fen in Lincolnshire with Jutland in Denmark.

When it is completed, the two countries will be able to share enough green electricity to power up to 1.4 million UK homes, the utility company said.

Rebecca Sedler, from the interconnectors team, said it was a "fantastic moment" for the project.

The final section of the link was completed offshore in the North Sea on a cable-laying boat called the Leonardo da Vinci.

It involved lifting sections of cables out of the water and joining each strand together on the vessel.

The route includes about 40 miles (64km) of underground cable running through four Lincolnshire council districts.

'Huge benefits'

Ms Sedler, National Grid's managing director for interconnectors, said: "As countries begin to integrate more offshore wind generation into their energy systems, interconnectors will become critical for transporting clean and green energy and helping to manage the intermittent nature of renewable sources.

"Interconnectors bring huge benefits to the UK, acting as clean energy super-highways, allowing us to move surplus green energy from where it is generated to where it is needed the most."

Construction on the Viking Link began in 2019 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.
VIRGINIA BEACH  The city could face renewed litigation in federal court if it chooses not to stick with the current ward-based election system, according to the citys legal team.

The barriers to any system other than the 10-1 are strong, if not insurmountable, Deputy City Attorney Christopher Boynton told the City Council on Tuesday.

Citing a conversation at the end of May with a federal court judge and plaintiffs in a previous election lawsuit against the city, Boynton said Virginia Beach needs to make a move soon. He also said if the city doesnt permanently adopt the ward system, it could face the possibility of not having City Council elections in 2024.

The court expressed extreme frustration with the citys pace of considering the election system to this point, Boynton told council members. It made clear that it believed only the 10-1 system with these three minority opportunity districts is sufficient to overcome the Voting Rights Act issues.

The update comes as Virginia Beach officials are mulling what to do about the citys election system. The city was sued over its previous at-large voting system, which allowed all voters across the city to elect at-large and district representatives, and a federal judge deemed it illegal because it diluted minority voting power.

The ward-based system, in which only residents of a ward are allowed to vote for that representative, was implemented by the court for the 2022 elections. But for future elections, the 10-1 ward system would need to be written into city code and ratified by the General Assembly, Boynton said. If the city attempted to go through with ward-based elections for its previous configuration of seven wards and three at-large elections (plus the mayor), it could be subject litigation, he warned.

Boynton recommended the council hold a public hearing on adopting the ward system and vote on it when members return from summer break in August, to not run afoul of the courts view of the decision timeline.

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The next step would then be for the city to seek 2024 General Assembly approval through a charter change which requires a two-thirds majority in both houses plus the governors signature, or propose a new state law to harmonize with the redistricting ordinance, Boynton said.

In 2017, Latasha Holloway and Georgia Allen filed a lawsuit against the city, contending that Virginia Beachs election system violated the federal Voting Rights Act. In 2021, a district court judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, and the court imposed a 10-1 system for Virginia Beach while appointing a special master to draw new voting district maps.

The 10-1 ward system, with three minority opportunity districts (Districts 4, 7 and 10), where minority voters are the majority, was used in November.

The city had appealed the rulings, but the case was declared moot after the General Assembly approved legislation that bans localities from allowing at-large voting for representatives in wards that have a ward-based resident requirement. The same General Assembly also adopted the Virginia Voting Rights Act, which changed the view of at-large districts statewide, where there is racial polarization in voting populations, Boynton said.

The city is not presently under a federal court order imposing a system, but the charter has been changed by state law, and the Holloway case could still be amended and brought back if the city changes the election system, Boynton said.

Even without the Holloway case, as if it had never happened, you no longer have your charter system, he said.

The City Council recently heard results of a public input survey on the election system, which concluded residents support a 10-1 system, and that more than 60% of respondents wanted a referendum question about the election system on the November ballot.

But the plaintiffs reject the idea of a referendum because a racially-polarized electorate cannot fairly choose an election system, according to Boynton.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit remanded the Holloway case to the trial judge to receive amended challenges or claims by the plaintiffs, if they feel the city is moving down a path that is inconsistent with the Voting Rights Act, Boynton said.

If the city pursues another path, the judge warned that there wont be an election in 2024, he said.

The court is clearly watching everything we do, Boynton said.

Despite the attorneys remarks, Councilwoman Barbara Henley renewed her support for a referendum.

I have some very strong feelings that I have expressed much prior to this about this concept of not allowing the people to vote on this issue, Henley said. I think the very essence of voting rights is the right of our citizens to vote in elections.

They have a right to elect their representatives and the right to vote on issues of importance to the community, she continued. To circumvent the right of the people to have elections in my opinion is the very height of a violation of voting rights.

Henley then laid out the history of elections in Virginia Beach, and how the relationship between the urban, suburban and rural communities played a role in establishing the at-large system.

Virginia Beach used to have four members including the mayor who were elected at large. Those four could live anywhere in the city and were elected by residents across the city. The remaining seven members represented districts but were elected by the population at large.

That system had been in place since 1967 after the merger of Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County. The Virginia Beach School Board is elected by the same method as the City Council, except for the chair, who is elected by members of the body.

Councilwoman Jennifer Rouse said its time for a change, noting that the last election produced the most diverse city council in Virginia Beach history.

Its uncomfortable, but the history of Virginia Beach is not a history that has been welcoming to Black people, Rouse said. If we keep doing what we have been doing, we will keep getting what weve been getting, and that is a council that a number of citizens have said are not reflective of the makeup of the city.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is doing all he can to take a bite out of Donald Trump's base in his pursuit of the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

The Cincinnati-area native, 37, has pledged that, if elected, he would pardon the former president if Trump were found guilty of federal crimes. He has proposed raising the legal voting age to 25 unless you pass a citizenship test or serve in the U.S. armed forces.

Just this week he released a Supreme Court nominee list that included conservative lawmakers such as Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah.

Ramaswamy's pitch that he will be Trump 2.0 appears to be working, according to national polls.

An Echelon Insights survey in June found 49% of GOP respondents said they favored Trump, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 16% and Ramaswamy at 10%. That is well ahead of better-known candidates such as former Vice President Mike Pence.

Jul 19, 2023; Washington, DC, USA; Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy poses for a portrait in the USA TODAY Washington D.C. Bureau.. Mandatory Credit: Josh Morgan-USA TODAY

"I think that another establishment or career politician that's reciting poll-tested slogans has no chance of not only defeating Donald Trump but coming anywhere close to Donald Trump," Ramaswamy told USA TODAY.

"But I do think I'm an outsider in this race, and I have a very clear message of what it means to be an American."

Ramaswamy visited USA TODAY's offices Wednesday to discuss his vision for the country, his rise in the polls and how the Republican primary is taking shape as he looks to overthrow Trump and defeat President Joe Biden.

Here are the important moments from that discussion.

How do you defeat Trump?

Former President Donald Trump visits with campaign volunteers at the Elks Lodge, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Ramaswamy's Double Dutch on the campaign trail is a mix of applauding Trump's past accomplishments and simultaneously arguing the former president is politically past his prime.

He said about 30% of the country becomes "psychiatrically ill" in response to whatever Trump champions and that it will take a new outsider to further the agenda the Republican base wants.

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Among the GOP's "expected electorate," a Morning Consult poll released Monday found 53% hold a favorable view of the Ohio Republican, which is the fourth-highest among the crop of candidates. It also found that 17% of Trump and 14% of DeSantis voters rank him as their top backup pick.

Ramaswamy told USA TODAY much of the Republican base is sticking with Trump because of an "anaphylactic reaction" to an administrative state his supporters believe is targeting their candidate and their beliefs.

"I think many of us have a strong sense that the government is about to get not just him, but what he represents," he said.

Biden won the 2020 election, but 

President Joe Biden speaks as first lady Jill Biden listens during the ceremony to light the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse of the White House, Nov. 30, 2022.

A significant portion of the Republican electorate still doesn't believe Biden is the legitimately elected president.

Ramaswamy was coy when asked directly about Biden's legitimacy and instead emphasized how the result would have been different had the story about Hunter Biden's laptop seen more light.

But when pressed, he said there is no evidence systematic ballot fraud altered the results of the past presidential election.

"I've seen no evidence to suggest that was the case," Ramaswamy said.

Jan. 6 attack a result of 'pervasive censorship,' not Trump

Rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Daniel D.J. Rodriguez, a California man who drove a stun gun into a police officer's neck during one of the most violent clashes of the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced on Wednesday to more than 12 years in prison. Rodriguez yelled, Trump won! as he was led out of the courtroom where U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced him to 12 years and seven months behind bars for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.

This past week at a conservative summit, Ramaswamy blamed "pervasive censorship" for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Critics pointed to a Jan. 12, 2021, tweet that had a different message: "What Trump did last week was wrong. Downright abhorrent. Plain and simple," Ramaswamy wrote at the time.

Ramaswamy said Wednesday that the coupling of COVID-19 restrictions and the Hunter Biden laptop story frustrated many Trump supporters but that he doesn't believe Trump is responsible for the riot even though be believes he did act irresponsibly as president.

What Trump did last week was wrong. Downright abhorrent. Plain and simple. Ive said it before and did so in my piece.  Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) January 12, 2021

"I think it is unproductive for our country to blame Trump for Jan. 6 because it exonerates everyone else from introspection on what actually led to the frustrations of Americans that boiled over that day."

The Ramaswamy Revolution: Ditch the FBI, pardon Julian Assange and end regulations

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Among the big things the biotech entrepreneur wants to do includes getting rid of the FBI, issuing Day One pardons, such as for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and eliminating collective bargaining powers for federal employees.

He also would cap how long most federal employees can work for the government to no more than eight years, just like a president's term limit.

Ramaswamy said his campaign plans to "mechanically lay out" at a campaign stop in New Hampshire this week exactly how he would shut down a wave of government agencies, including federal law enforcement agencies that have been criticized by conservative lawmakers and activists for their pursuit of Trump investigations.

"I think the FBI as an institution should not exist," he said.

Appeal to first-generation Americans and challenging 'victimhood'

July 1, 2022: Sheannica Chua participates in a naturalization ceremony held for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services annual Independence Day celebration at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library.

Republican voters have the most racially diverse field of presidential contenders in the party's history with contenders such as Sen. Tim Scott and former Gov. Nikki Haley, who like Ramaswamy, is the child of Indian immigrants.

Ramaswamy has emphasized his parents' journey to the U.S. taught him about hard work and says his biography epitomizes the American dream.

Yet he has been firm in multiple comments during the 2024 campaign that racial minorities are too often being led into embracing the "victimhood" of their background over excellence.

"Part of what I see in the Indian American community  I think it's true of the Asian American community more broadly  is that that next generation, my son's generation, they're taught to think of themselves as victims," he said.

Ramaswamy, who wrote "Woke Inc."  a book that was critical of racial justice movements and identity politics  said that if elected president he would sign executive orders ending racial and gender hiring practices for the federal government.

"I think my unapologetic embrace of meritocracy in the pursuit of excellence in every sphere of our lives is no doubt influenced by the fact that my parents taught me through their example that hard work is the way that you get ahead in this country, not by complaining about the color of your skin."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vivek Ramaswamy talks to USA TODAY about 2024: 5 key takeaways
A Florida voting rights organization filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), members of his administration and dozens of Florida election officials, alleging that the group discriminated against felons who could vote and created a climate of intimidation.

The suit, filed in federal court Wednesday, claims that the DeSantis administration purposely did not fulfill the requirements of the 2018 Amendment 4 to the state constitution, which restores voting rights for some convicted felons in the state.

Florida has failed to realize the promise of Amendment 4. Since the Amendment was passed in 2018, the Defendants have created and perpetuated a bureaucratic morass that prevents people with prior felony convictions from voting or even determining whether they are eligible to vote, the suit reads.

This is not simply the result of administrative failures or bureaucratic ineptitude. Rather, the record reveals a years long campaign of acts and omissions by the Defendants that have thwarted the aspirations of the citizens of Florida who enacted Amendment 4, and the aspirations of those whose rights it restored, it continues.

The suit also claims that Floridas election police unit, formed in 2022 to investigate illegal voting and other electoral crimes, has discriminatorily targeted those impacted by Amendment 4.

This effort, coupled with the earlier-created roadblocks to registration, has turned the simple act of voting into a complicated and risky venture in the eyes of those who were re-enfranchised by Amendment 4, as well as others who have been affected by the Defendants conduct, the suit says.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, a group which advocated for Amendment 4s passage, brought the suit alongside four people who the suit says were negatively impacted by the DeSantis administrations actions.

The group called the bureaucratic process required to be reenfranchised an embarrassment.

One of the four additional plaintiffs, Rhoshanda Bryant-Jones, refrained from voting in 2022 after she said she saw the election police unit arrest multiple felons who voted in the 2020 election, believing they were following the law.

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Bryant-Jones was reenfranchised in 2020 and voted in that election, but said she was intimidated by the DeSantis administrations actions.

DeSantiss office did not respond to a request for comment by publication.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Walla Walla man had two chances to learn his lesson about drinking and driving.

But Judge Diana Ruff said Jesus Avalos-Chavez took the wrong lesson from his DUI-related convictions in the late 2000s.

He received no punishment in those cases and thought it was OK to again drink and drive again on March 5, 2021.

Thats when he crossed the center line on Highway 14 south of the Tri-Cities, killing 68-year-old Manuel Guajardo Jr. in a head-on collision.

Ive never seen any remorse. You didnt even take an opportunity here today to say youre sorry, Ruff noted this week as she sentenced him to the maximum possible sentence. All Ive ever heard from you was what an injustice this has been for you.

This time the judge ordered the maximum term.

Family and friends of victim Manuel Guajardo Jr. listen to the sentencing proceedings in Benton County Superior Court for Jesus Alvalos-Chavez. A jury found the Walla Walla man guilty in the 2021 vehicular homicide death of Manuel Guajardo Jr. of Kennewick.

She sentenced Avalos-Chavez was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in a Washington state prison, a little over a month after a jury found him guilty of vehicular homicide.

Avalos-Chavez had represented himself as his own attorney at the six-day trial but Monday refused to speak to the judge and Guajardos family in the courtroom before he was sentenced.

Jesus Alvalos-Chavez is lead into a Benton County Superior Court courtroom for sentencing in the 2021 vehicular homicide on Manuel Guajardo Jr. of Kennewick.

Avalos-Chavez was heading east on the highway in his GMC Sierra pickup six miles east of Paterson near the Oregon border when he slammed into a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle just before midnight. Guajardo died before Washington State Patrol troopers arrived.

Guajardo of Kennewick was a machine operator who had lived in the Tri-Cities for 61 years.

The Pasco High grad had worked at the Hanford site and at Boise Cascade before going to work at Columbia Crest Winery, according to his obituary.

At the time of the crash, Avalos-Chavez said he drank four beers about three hours before the crash.

A Walla Walla man has been charged with vehicular homicide for the fatal March 5 crash south of Tri-Cities.

A blood test showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.18%, more than twice the legal limit.

The standard sentencing range for the crime in Washington is 78 to 102 months. But the law allows judges to add two years for every previous DUI offense.

Judge Ruff found Chavez had two prior drunk driving offenses in 2006 and 2007 in Walla Walla, increasing his sentencing range to 126 to 150 months. She ordered the maximum.
Roman Romokhov/AFP via Getty

The notorious Wagner Groups top leaders have appeared in a new video from Belarus promising a new beginning for the mercenary group that does not involve the disgrace unfolding in Russias regular army in Ukraine.

A nearly 6-minute video released on a Telegram channel affiliated with Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin on Wednesday showed the Vladimir Putin-ally-turned-mutiny mastermind riling up a crowd of mercenaries at the groups new base in Belarus, nearly a month after their violent uprising on Russian territory resulted in several dead Russian service members, a humiliated Vladimir Putin, and banishment to Belarusthough no criminal charges or people mysteriously falling out of windows.

Almost immediately, he took a shot at Russian military leaders whom he allegedly tried to capture last month during his violent armed uprising on Russian territory, telling the Wagner fighters: You have done a lot for Russia. What is happening at the front now is a disgrace in which we do not need to take part. We must wait for the moment when we can show our worth to the maximum. Thats why it was decided that we will be here in Belarus for some time, he said.

During this time, we will make the Belarusian army the second army in the world. And if necessary, we will go to bat for them, he said, quipping that local girls are already gossiping about the mercenary groups arrival.

Be careful not to hurt any of them, he added.

Were gathering our strength, and [setting off] for a new path to Africa. And maybe well return to the [war in Ukraine] when we can be sure we wont be forced to bring shame to ourselves and our experience, Prigozhin said.

Yevgeny Prigozhins Explanation for His Violent Mutiny: I Went Crazy

He then directed the crowds attention to Dmitry Utkin, the shadowy neo-Nazi commander whom the group is named after. Utkin, a former special forces officer in the GRU, was greeted with roaring applause before telling the mercenaries gathered he was grateful to them for the name Wagner blowing up all over the world.

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This is not the end. This is only the beginning of the biggest work that will be carried out very soon. Welcome to hell! he said.

Just a day earlier, Prigozhin announced that the mercenary group would continue its operations in Africa despite reports to the contrary. In comments to Afrique Media TV on Tuesday, he acknowledged that hed sold off some assets but denied that the mercenary group was relinquishing its grip on the region.

There has not been, and there wont be, any winding down of our programs in Africa, he said. Without a doubt, we will continue to work in all those countries where we started and continue to carry out work. He went on to portray the private army accused of myriad war crimes as a heroic crime-fighting force, saying, If the help of Wagner is needed somewhere to fight gangs and terrorists, or to protect the interests of the peoples of these countries, we are ready to immediately begin to carry out these tasks. His comments come after a raid on his home in St. Petersburg reportedly uncovered a framed photograph of the decapitated heads of several African men.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A Russian news agency, citing the independent social group Russian Field, has reported that before the rebellion in Russia, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), had support among the population, and many Russians would have supported his candidacy for president. However, everything changed after two days of the mercenaries' uprising.

Source: The Insider

Quote: "Various sociological groups say that shortly before the 'uprising', Prigozhin was at the peak of his popularity.

And he was ranked second only to Putin as a candidate for the next president among those respondents who agreed to talk to sociologists.

However, he lost all his support after the coup, and both Putin and Shoigu [the Russian Defence Minister] suffered reputational damage along with him."

Details: The independent social group Russian Field conducted a telephone survey in May 2023 to find out what the preferred candidate for the next president of Russia was.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin came first among those who responded, followed by Prigozhin, who came in second for the first time in the surveys history. A total of 2% of Russians were ready to vote for him.

Meanwhile, back in February, almost 15% of respondents knew nothing about Prigozhin at all.

Sociologists noted that this is a particularly high ranking since no other federal politician has ever had such a level of support.

Before the start of the mutiny (16-19 June), Russian Field once again assessed the attitudes of Russians towards the so-called "special military operation" [the name the Russia propaganda calls the war against Ukraine  ed.] and leading Russian politicians, adding Prigozhin to the survey.

Almost half of those surveyed said they approved of the mercenary leader's activities. Based on the results of that poll, support for Prigozhin's activities increased from 41% to 55% compared to February.

Russian Field launched a new poll on 23 June, immediately after the start of the rebellion, to determine the instantaneous change in attitudes towards "Putins Chef" [Prigozhin is called "Putin's chef" since he owns restaurants and catering companies providing services for the Kremlin].

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Following the events of 23-24 June, attitudes towards Prigozhin have deteriorated sharply, but 29% of respondents still support his actions.

Prior to the rebellion, only slightly more than 50% of respondents knew about the conflict between Prigozhin and the Russian MoD, with 45% siding with Prigozhin and only 12% with the Russian MoD.

After the rebellion, the situation "flipped", as now 41% of respondents said that they were closer to the position of the Russian Ministry of Defence in the conflict, and 20% remained on Prigozhins side.

The latest June poll indicated that 20% of respondents believe that the Wagner PMC had a chance to stage a military coup, and two-thirds of respondents said they were satisfied with the outcome of the conflict.

Background: The Wagner Group fought in Ukraine, most actively in Bakhmut, but they withdrew to field camps in late spring.

On 24 June, the Wagner PMC launched an armed rebellion in Russia due to a conflict with the Russian military command, but in the evening of that day, after a conversation with Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Yevgeny Prigozhin said that his mercenaries were heading back to their field camps. The criminal case against Prigozhin in Russia was closed, and he was supposed to "go to Belarus".

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Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the Republican nominee for Kentucky governor, announced Wednesday hes chosen Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, as his running mate.

Cameron made the announcement on Twitter and at an event hosted at the Republican Party of Kentucky headquarters in Frankfort Wednesday morning.

Mills is a longtime public official in Western Kentucky. He spent 16 years on the Henderson City Commission starting in 1998 before serving a term in the Kentucky House, then winning election to Senate District 4 in a one-point 2018 win over an incumbent Democrat. In 2022, he won re-election to a second term by 33 percentage points.

Together the two hope to unseat Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman in November in what is expected to be the most expensive and closely watched governors race in the nation.

Todaywe make an important addition to #TeamCameron.



I'm proud to announce State Senator @RobbyMillsforKY of Henderson as my running mate. Robby will be a strong partner in our quest to defeat Andy Beshear and bring common sense back to the governor's office. pic.twitter.com/LwmBj24oZe  Daniel Cameron (@DanielCameronAG) July 19, 2023

It was Robby Mills, the state senator (who) represents Dawson Springs, (who) led the charge to rebuild Western Kentucky after the devastating tornadoes, Cameron said at the press conference. It was Robby Mills, who as a defender of our coal industry, has relentlessly fought off attacks from the radical ESG movement and improved the resiliency of our electrical grid. It was Robby Mills who passed a law requiring a photo ID to vote, which helps increase faith in our elections. And it was Robby Mills who was the first person in Frankfort to sound the alarm about radical gender ideology.

Mills said as a member of the General Assembly, hes seen Beshear push his radical agenda into our schools, into our businesses and our homes.

He has failed to support our values and its time for a change in the Kentucky governors office. Time for a change.

Mills said their administration would bring about a new era of cooperation between the executive branch and the legislature and will deliver results on Day 1, no learning curve.

Beshear responded to Camerons pick Wednesday afternoon, slamming the senators legislative record.

As a legislator, Robby Mills led the effort to pass a sewer bill that would have stripped the earned retirements of every teacher, police officer, firefighter, social worker, every state, city, and county employee that was made a promise and he was willing to break it. In fact, after I got that sewer bill declared unconstitutional, he pushed then-governor Matt Bevin to call a special session to take a second try at ripping away those pensions, Beshear said. Now, what that means is that Sen. Mills is anti-teacher, anti-worker and anti-law enforcement.

Who is Robby Mills? Cameron running mate has focused on energy, elections, cultural issues

Despite Kentuckys conservative leanings, Beshear is believed to be a tough opponent to beat. Polling shows he has consistently high approval ratings and is one of the most popular governors in America.

Beshears tenure as governor has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, devastating tornadoes in Western Kentucky and historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky, and his early campaign messaging seeks to convey that hes a proven leader in difficult times.

But Cameron has been called a rising star in the GOP by former president Donald Trump, who threw his endorsement behind the 37-year-old nearly a full year before the May 20203 primary.

At the event announcing Mills spot on the ticket, Cameron said Kentuckians are ready to turn the page on Beshear.

This is our chance to write a new future, Cameron said.

A couple dozen Republican members of the General Assembly attended the Wednesday announcement to show their support for Mills. Among them was Sen. Gex Williams, R-Verona, who called Mills a perfect pick who can navigate the political landscape while remaining gracious and without making enemies.

I think one of the last Republican administrations didnt accomplish as much as they could have because they lacked the voice with the legislature and cooperation, Williams said. His real strength as lieutenant governor is that he will form the bridge between the two branches of government.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer also praised Camerons choice of Mills, tweeting that his colleague has has changed KY for the better through his work.

Cameron bested 11 other candidates to emerge at the top of the Republican ticket  including Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft and Eric Deters, a former attorney  but did so resoundingly, with almost half of GOP voters choosing him.

The Beshear campaign wasted no time in skewering the selection. Alex Floyd, the Democratic governors campaign spokesperson, criticized Mills previous support for the so-called sewer bill, a controversial pension reform package pushed by former GOP governor Matt Bevin.

Choosing a lieutenant governor is the first major decision a candidate for governor makesit demonstrates their judgment and values. Selecting the person who helped lead the charge to enact Matt Bevins plan to slash pensions for our teachers, police and firefighters shows how Daniel Cameron does not care about hard-working Kentuckians, Floyd said.

Mills supported that bill in 2018 as a member of the House.

Beshear campaign manager Eric Hyers was quick to mock the pick, tweeting that certainly not even the Cameron campaign will argue with a straight face that two months ago Robby Mills was anywhere near the top of their wish list.

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A top Pentagon official will tell a House panel on Thursday that conflict between the U.S. and China is neither imminent nor inevitable and that the Biden administration is doing more than ever to deter Beijings aggression in Asia.

The Peoples Republic of China presents the most comprehensive and serious challenge to U.S. national security because of the PRCs increasingly coercive efforts to refashion the Indo-Pacific region and the international system to suit its authoritarian preferences, Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs will tell the House select committee on China, according to a copy of his testimony shared with Semafor.

But, Ratner will say, U.S. deterrence is real and strong, and the Department is doing more than ever to keep it that way.

Know More

Ratner and other administration witnesses from the State and Commerce Departments will appear at the hearing on Bidens policies toward China at a time the administration is trying to ease tensions with the country. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and U.S. climate envoy John Kerry have all traveled to Beijing in recent weeks. Kerry concluded meetings Wednesday without any new agreements to address global warming.

But Ratner will acknowledge that its efforts to restore military-to-military communications with China, which could potentially help prevent an accidental conflict from breaking out between the countries, have been largely unsuccessful, despite overtures from the Pentagon. China rebuffed a U.S. request for a meeting between the two countries defense chiefs at a conference in Singapore last month over Trump-era sanctions on Chinas new defense minister that the Biden administration has kept in place.

Unfortunately, the PLA has remained largely unwilling to engage in substantive dialogue, Ratner will say, referring to the Peoples Liberation Army.

The Biden administration witnesses are likely to face criticism from Republicans during the hearing, including the panels chairman Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., who has accused the administration of pursuing zombie engagement by holding talks with top Chinese officials. On a call with reporters, Gallagher suggested the engagement strategy had failed, pointing to recent examples of Chinese aggression towards the U.S. like the hack of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondos unclassified email and a ban on chips made by U.S. firm Micron.

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I want to give the administration a chance to respond to my criticism, Gallagher said.

The Wisconsin Republican also said he wants to ensure the government is acting with enough urgency to address the threat posed by China, adding that he believes there is only a narrow window for the U.S. to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

In his testimony, Ratner will tout tighter defense ties between the U.S. and the Philippines, a new deal for India to produce jet engines with U.S. technology, and the trilateral nuclear-powered submarine pact between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K.

The panels top Democrat, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., told Semafor that he wanted to ask administration officials about the recent email hack, which Microsoft has attributed to China (the White House has not yet formally blamed China but said it has no reason to doubt Microsofts findings).

I am going to be exploring whats at the heart of why we are seeing Chinese aggression, especially military aggression, against its neighbors and friends, and how do you curb that aggression, Krishnamoorthi said in an interview.
A tourist in Death Valley takes a selfie with the local thermometer. Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Temperatures have soared to record highs in many parts of the world, including much of the US.

People are flocking to the hottest spot of them all in Death Valley, where temps are exceeding 130.

The weather tourists are taking photos at a digital temperature display.

People will go to some wild lengths for a selfie.

Many of you have probably noticed it is a little warmer than usual outside. Over 106 million people in the US have been living under heat alerts this week, according to MSNBC, and Phoenix just set a record with 19 consecutive days over 110 degrees. Meanwhile, dangerous heat waves in Europe are also causing chaos.

But the hottest spot of them all is Death Valley National Park, the famously scorching location on the border of California and Nevada. Temperatures in the Valley are nearing 130 degrees this week and have flirted with passing the record for hottest-ever recorded temperature  134 degrees  which was set at California's Furnace Creek in July 1913. Temps in the Valley even recently hit 120 in the middle of the night, which may have been the record for the hottest midnight temperature ever recorded.

But the record-setting sizzle isn't deterring tourists. In fact, people are flocking to the desert to see what it feels like and for photo ops with a local landmark: a giant thermometer.

A Death Valley tourist. John Locher/AP

At one point earlier this week, a Weather Channel report showed brave souls hiking through the desert to stand next to the thermometer's 133-degree reading. According to one park ranger who spoke with The Weather Channel, the tourists "want to feel what it feels like to live in such an extreme place.

Tourists in Death Valley. The Weather Channel

The thermometer may be inflating things a tad, the park service explained that it reads a few degrees higher than the actual temperature due to the metal frame. So even though the display has gone over 130 degrees several days this week, the highest official temperature was 128 degrees on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

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Still, the temperatures are no joke. Earlier this month, a 65-year-old man was found dead in his car in Death Valley. The car had two flat tires, and it is believed the man died of extreme heat. According to the National Park Service, the air conditioning in the car was not working, and a heat-related illness may have caused the man to veer off the road.

A sign warns people not to walk outside in Death Valley after 10 am. Ty ONeil/AP

The National Park Service warns people on their website to "travel prepared to survive," and explains the health risks.

"Heat-related illnesses are caused by your body's inability to cool down properly. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but sometimes sweating just isn't enough. When this happens, the body's temperature rises which can lead to brain damage or injure vital organs. Heat-related illnesses range from treatable symptoms, like heat rash and sunburns, to heat stroke which can lead to death if not treated quickly."

That does not sound like fun.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo: Miriam Alonso / Pexels)

New research found a correlation between chronic constipation and a 73% increased risk of subjective cognitive deterioration, according to scientists. Chronic constipation is classified as having a bowel movement only once every three days or less often.

The study was presented on Wednesday, July 19, at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Amsterdam, according to CNN.

Constipation affects around 16% of individuals globally. However, it is more frequent in the elderly because of age-related variables such as decreased physical activity, reduced fiber intake, and medication side effects.

According to a news release, chronic constipation is associated with inflammation and mental problems, including anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, many uncertainties remain regarding the connection between gut health and long-term cognitive performance.

The ability to learn, think, reason, problem solve, make decisions, recall, and pay attention are all examples of cognitive function.

Studies That Shed Light on These Questions

The authors analyzed data from almost 112,000 individuals who took part in the Nurses' Health Study, Nurses' Health Study II, and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study to help shed light on these questions. The first two studies looked at the variables that put women in North America at risk for developing chronic illnesses, while the third did the same for males.

The current study gathered data on participants' bowel movement frequency from 2012 to 2013, their self-assessments of cognitive performance from 2014 to 2017, and some individuals' objectively evaluated cognitive function from 2014 to 2018.

The scientists observed that constipated patients experienced cognitive aging comparable to three years more than those who defecate once a day. People who had more than two bowel movements every day also had a slightly increased risk.

Alzheimer's Association chief science officer Maria Carrillo, who was not involved in the study, said, "The more we learn about the gut-brain access, the more we understand that it's just so important to ensure that (preventing or addressing cognitive decline) is a system approach."

Also Read: ADHD Diagnoses in UK Drastically Increase-NHS Struggling to Manage Patients

Brain Processes and Bowel Habits

Dr. Chaoran Ma, the study's first author and assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said this research was not meant to examine the causal association between bowel movements, the gut microbiome, and cognitive health. As a result, it is difficult to determine the exact chain of events that led to the emergence of this correlation.

The scientists also observed that gut microbiomes affected bowel movement frequency and cognitive performance.

The gut barrier stops bacteria and other germs from entering the circulation, and the Cleveland Clinic reports that those with irregular bowel movements and worse cognitive function have less beneficial bacteria that make butyrates, fatty acids that sustain the barrier.

"Further studies are needed to identify the microbes involved and their function," Ma stated.

"Good food not only feeds our brain, but it also promotes healthy bowel movements," Carrillo added, referring to the connection between the digestive system and the neurological system.

Also Read: Dozens of Cats in Poland Infected With Bird Flu-No Human Cases Reported

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Wesleyan University announced Wednesday it will end its legacy admissions after the Supreme Court ruled last month to curtail the use of affirmative action in the college admission process.

An applicants connection to a Wesleyan graduate indicates little about that applicants ability to succeed at the University, meaning that legacy status has played a negligible role in our admission process for many years, Wesleyan President Michael Roth said in an announcement.

Nevertheless, in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding affirmative action, we believe it important to formally end admission preference for legacy applicants, Roth added.

While he says multi-generational students are still highly valued at the school, they will not get a bump in the admissions process.

Legacy admissions, the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants who have had family members attend the school before, has come under fire after the Supreme Court ruled schools can not give such a bump to students based on race or ethnicity.

Advocates against legacy admissions say the practice favors applicants who are white, rich or both.

It is important to underscore that Wesleyan has never fixated on a checked box indicating a students racial identification or family affiliations. We have long taken an individualized, holistic view of an applicants lived experience  as seen through the college essay, high school record, letters of recommendation, and interactions with our community, Roth said.

Moving forward, the university wants to continue to ensure a diverse student body, work toward geological diversity in the U.S., and enhance recruitment efforts for undergraduates from Africa, veterans and community colleges, according to the announcement.

The school will also work on outreach to community-based organizations and offering degree programs to incarcerated individuals.

Legacy admissions are often practiced at Ivy League schools and more selective colleges in the U.S. Only Colorado has a state law on the books to ban the use of legacy admissions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Editors Note: Michael S. Roth is president of Wesleyan University. Among his recent books are Safe Enough Spaces: A Pragmatists Approach to Inclusion, Free Speech and Political Correctness on College Campuses and the forthcoming The Student: A Short History. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

In the wake of the Supreme Courts decision on affirmative action, higher education must work harder to promote equitable access. One thing that can be done at schools like Wesleyan University, where I am president, is to end preference for legacy applicants. At Wesleyan, this is low-hanging fruit, as we have rarely given such preference. But the time is right for Wesleyan (and other schools, I hope) to make this formal change in policy.

Michael S. Roth - Robert Adam Mayer/Wesleyan University

Given the courts declaration that the country should act as if our society were race neutral, selective colleges and universities are changing their approach to admissions decisions. It cant be said enough that this is not very relevant to most Americans attending college, since the great majority go to schools that admit the majority of those who apply. As a nation we would be well-served by paying more attention to funding public education from pre-K through the college years to better educate working adults as citizens and members of communities.

Economic inequality in America often means educational deficits for millions of children in this country. Providing access to affordable quality education will serve people better than telling them they dont need so much schooling to slot into the jobs generated by todays economy.

For better or worse, selective colleges and universities do create certain standards for what counts as a quality education, and almost without exception, these schools today consider a diverse student body important to their mission. People learn more and perform at higher levels when they encounter new people and ideas different from their own. Everyone should be able to agree on this. The disagreement arises over how to achieve that purpose.

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Controversies over access to prestigious universities arent just about the politics of diversity; they also persist in part because its hard to persuade outsiders that the happy few admitted into top-tier institutions really deserve to be there more than the next several thousand potential admits. Ivy League tour guides have been known to share how many applicants with perfect standardized test scores are rejected each year.

Messages such as these are two-fold: one, look how many brilliant people are trying to get into this wonderful place, and two, the ultra-selective master chefs in the admissions office know that the first-year class will be more interesting and productive if not everyone in it is test-perfect. At a number of selective liberal arts colleges, such as the ones where I have spent most of my career, entering classes have fewer than 1,000 students and most of the many thousands who apply are capable of doing the work at a reasonably high level.

That so many qualified applicants are not selected naturally leads to suspicion about those fortunate ones who are. For many rejected candidates and their families, affirmative action policies have been an easy target for venting their disappointment.

The large majority of those who apply to Wesleyan are qualified to do the work here, and so the choice of whom to accept is challenging. More than 50 years ago, Wesleyan began working toward having a much more diverse student body, and this meant that a smaller percentage of students would be coming from those groups traditionally associated with schools like ours: a small percentage of White, Protestant men from New England. We expanded the pool. Over the years, weve found that an applicants connection to one of our graduates indicates little about that applicants ability to succeed at Wesleyan, and so legacy status has played a negligible role in our admissions process for a long time.

Nevertheless, ending any preference for legacy applicants sends an important message at a pivotal time. We still value the ongoing relationships that come from multi-generational Wesleyan attendance, but family members of alumni will be admitted on their own merits.

Most highly selective colleges, including Wesleyan, take an individualized, holistic view of an applicants lived experience expressed in their college essay, shown by their high school record and letters of recommendation and reinforced through interactions with representatives of the school. We look closely at an applicants individuals history, considering their talents and potential to contribute to our community, while getting the most out of the education offered here. There simply is no one factor that could ever guarantee (or proscribe) admission.

In many ways, ending preferential legacy admission is the easy part. The hard part comes with fostering a variety of ways to achieve diversity in our student body. We are committed, for instance, to geographic diversity, pursued by recruiting efforts in rural America, and we have launched the Wesleyan African Scholars Program to recruit and support a group of undergraduates from Africa each year (we will welcome our first class of students, hailing from nine different countries on the continent, this fall).

We will strengthen our outreach to community-based organizations, college access programs and Title I high schools, which receive federal support in the absence of robust state or local funding. We will continue to build a durable pipeline of community college graduates and veterans interested in a liberal arts education. We will also ensure the sustainability of Wesleyans Center for Prison Education, a degree program for incarcerated people in Connecticut prisons, which already has yielded life-changing results.

Its news to nobody that a liberal education is expensive. Small classes, with access to faculty and research support, constitute a major financial investment, and we are committed to increasing aid and support by meeting the full demonstrated need of all students while keeping loans to a minimum. Wesleyan also has a three-year bachelors program for those trying to save money by moving through the curriculum more rapidly, an option we will continue to invest in for students who are seeking to reduce the cost of college.

For many years now, Wesleyan has used Coursera to offer classes free of charge, and more recently, we have partnered with The National Educational Equity Foundation to provide free classes for credit in high-poverty high schools around the country. We will develop these options more fully, with the goal of eventually allowing students who may never set foot on the Wesleyan campus to complete a year of college online or in hybrid mode.

Wesleyan University is a small school. But we take pride in graduating students who will have an impact disproportionate to our numbers as they shape a changing world. Our renewed commitment to equitable and forward-thinking admissions processes is made in that spirit. I hope that many American colleges and universities will use their resources to do much the same, by ending legacy preferences and expanding access to their educational programs.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Wesleyan's President said that legacy "indicates little" about a student's abilities

Wesleyan University, an elite US liberal arts college, says it will no longer grant preference to student applicants with family or donor ties.

The Connecticut institution said it was "important" to end so-called legacy admissions, long criticised as a perk for the white and wealthy.

It cited the Supreme Court's recent ruling that race could no longer be considered as a factor in admissions.

A vast majority of Americans are against legacy admissions.

Supporters of legacy admissions processes argue that that practice helps create an active alumni community and encourages donations to universities.

In a statement on Wednesday, Wesleyan University President Michael Roth said "an applicant's connection to a Wesleyan graduate indicates little about that applicant's ability to succeed".

For that reason, he said, such ties have played a "negligible" role in the university's admission process.

Mr Roth also said that Wesleyan will continue to value its "ongoing relationships that come from multi-generational Wesleyan attendance".

But there would be no legacy "bump" in its selection process from now on, he said.

Wesleyan joins a number of other US universities that have already rejected legacy admissions, including Johns Hopkins.

It is unclear how many students benefit from legacy admission policies each year, but studies suggest that the numbers are significant.

An Associated Press review of some of the top universities in the US found that the proportion of legacy cases among first-year students stood at between 4% and 23%.

At some prominent universities - including Notre Dame, the University of Southern California and Cornell - there were more legacy students than black students, the AP found.

Another study, from MIT, found that over a third of legacy applicants at an unnamed "elite" East Coast university were admitted, compared to 14% among non-legacy applicants.

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Nearly 75% of legacy students offered admission were accepted, compared with 47% of non-legacy offers, which the study argued allows colleges to better plan finances and admission cycles.

An opinion poll conducted last year by the Pew Research Center found that 75% of Americans were against legacy admissions, up from 68% in 2019.

Adam Nguyen, a college admissions expert and CEO of Ivy Link - a firm that works with students aiming to enter elite US universities - told BBC News "the lid has been blown off" and that more schools are likely to follow Wesleyan's suit.

But at many high-profile institutions, particularly in the Ivy League, efforts to reform legacy admissions practices will likely face "pushback".

Instead, Mr Nguyen, a veteran of Columbia's admission office, predicted that many universities will place a greater focus on "donor legacy" cases - in which families give money - rather than on legacy admissions cases based on family ties alone.

"A lot of money is riding on legacy admissions," he said. "It takes a lot of money to run private universities, even with huge endowments. Tuitions are very high, but they don't cover everything... and alumni donations are a big piece of a university's finances".

US President Joe Biden last month led criticism of the practice, saying that "adversity" should be considered in the college admissions process.

"When a poor kid, maybe the first in their family to go to college, gets the same grades and test scores as a wealthy kid whose whole family has gone to the most elite colleges in the country and whose path has been a lot easier, well, the kid who faced tougher challenges has demonstrated more grit, more determination," he told reporters at the White House.

"That should be a factor that colleges take into account."

Mr Biden's comments came after the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to repeal decades-old US policies on so-called affirmative action, also known as positive discrimination.

Following the decision, a Boston-based non-profit, Lawyers for Civil Rights, filed a federal civil rights complaint against Harvard's legacy admissions.

The legal action cited studies indicating that a vast majority - 70% - of legacy and donor-based applicants are white.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a California Democrat, referred to legacy admissions as affirmative action for white people.

Harvard has yet to publicly address the issue, but data revealed during the affirmative action cases found that the admissions rate for legacy applicants stood at 34% between 2014 and 2019.

Among applicants without legacy status, the rate was 6%.
VAN BUREN COUNTY  A man who shot and killed two friends on New Year's will serve a year in jail and three years of probation after pleading guilty in June, according to reporting from WZZM.

Christopher Toppenberg, 62, of Lawrence Township, was initially charged with two counts of second degree murder and two counts of felony firearm, but those charges were dismissed when Toppenberg pled guilty to a single charge of discharging a firearm under the influence of liquor or a controlled substance and causing death, WZZM reports.

More: West Michigan man pleads guilty to felony weapons charge after shooting friends on New Year's Day

He was given credit for 167 days already served.

Toppenberg was arrested in January for killing 40-year-old Jason McCreary of Sutter Creek, California, and 35-year-old David Reed of Waverly Township after firing 20-25 celebratory shots from an AR-15.

The shooting happened just after midnight Sunday, Jan. 1, on 60th Avenue near County Road 681 in Lawrence Township. A small group of people shot off fireworks when Toppenberg started firing the gun, according to the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office.

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Lt. Tony Evans told media in January that Toppenberg believed the "range" was clear when he began shooting in that direction. Evans also said the victims were Toppenberg's friends.

McCreary died at the scene from a shot to the head and Reed died at the hospital from multiple shots to the back.

 Cassandra Lybrink is the local editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at clybrink@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @CassLybrink.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: West Michigan man who killed friends in New Year's shooting will serve a year in jail
Clarification, July 21, 2023 at 10:17 a.m. : A previous version of this story said that companies that lose natural gas due to emissions events can still charge consumers for the lost gas. That portion of the story has been removed because those rules don't apply to Targa, which does not sell natural gas for public consumption.

A sign marks an oil and gas pipeline south of San Antonio. Searing heat in June caused companies in West Texas to vent natural gas directly into the atmosphere rather than burning it off with flares. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

As a record-breaking heat wave bore down in June, extreme temperatures triggered a series of failures in West Texas gas supply infrastructure that led to more than 300 tons of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.

According to more than a dozen reports filed by gas pipeline operators with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, extreme heat caused compressor stations along gas pipelines to dial back or shut down in June, which caused dangerous pressure buildup inside the pipes. In response, operators released hundreds of tons of natural gas through emergency valves and shut down other compressors in the network.

In Reagan County, a rural Permian Basin county with about 3,360 residents, reported emissions were nine times higher than the June average for the prior six years, according to an analysis of self-reported industry emissions data to the state by the Environmental Integrity Project, an environmental nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C.

That analysis followed an earlier report by Public Citizen, an environmental watchdog group in Texas, stating that 18 emission events  the term used for unexpected releases of airborne pollution  were attributed to extreme heat in the West Texas gas fields last month, including nine in Reagan County. Those emissions included 362 tons of natural gas, which is largely made up of the potent greenhouse gas methane.

It is sadly ironic that the fossil fuel industry is seeing its equipment threatened by a situation it helped create, Adrian Shelley, Texas director of Public Citizen, said in the report.

The heat-related releases were equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of more than 5,000 cars in one year. But they are a tiny fraction of the approximately 30 million tons of annual U.S. methane emissions estimated in recent years. Oil and gas systems are the largest single source of methane emissions, according to the EPA.

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Baking temperatures like those Texas experienced last month are becoming increasingly common partly due to the warming effects of carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Texas has seen average temperatures climb during the past century, a Texas Tribune data analysis shows  especially in the states oil-rich west, which includes the Permian Basin.

This year, San Angelo broke a 63-year-old temperature record, recording a high of 114 degrees on June 20. In Reagan County, temperatures hit 108 degrees three times in one week before peaking at 111 on June 25.

The heat-related gas releases mostly happened in remote rural areas  Reagan County has fewer than three people per square mile on average. But the effects of rural pollution can spread far beyond West Texas, according to Laura Kate Bender, assistant vice president for the American Lung Associations Healthy Air campaign.

It often shows up many, many, many miles away from the source of the pollution that formed it, Bender said. The methane that is being emitted from these facilities is further driving climate change and the health harms that all of Texas is experiencing.

Extensive planning occurs

Power generation often depends heavily on the weather. Ice storms can freeze wind turbines, cloudy skies can reduce the output of solar panels and extreme temperatures can cause problems with gas supply.

When Winter Storm Uri caused catastrophic grid failure in February 2021  leaving millions of Texans without power or heat for days in freezing temperatures  gas system failures comprised about 27% of the unplanned outages.

One year later, the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the states oil and gas industry, approved new rules for certain gas supply chain facility operators, requiring them to prepare their equipment for extreme heat and freezing cold.

Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, said in a statement that extensive planning occurs to prepare assets for hot or cold weather, which was part of industrys continued commitment towards achieving lower emissions through operational efficiencies and contributing to the reliability of Texas power grid.

He said hot-weather preparations can include insulation, equipment shelters, sunshades, wind walls, around-the-clock monitoring and backup power generation.

It is amazing what this industry does to keep jobs flowing and governments functioning with the revenue it contributes, all while investing heavily to successfully minimize environmental impact, Staples said, adding that Texas accounts for 26% of U.S. natural gas production.

Self-reported emission events

The reported emissions events in Reagan County included one release of 238,000 pounds of natural gas by Targa Resources on June 20. In its report to Texas regulators, the company wrote high ambient temperature had caused an increase in pressure, leading operators to let gas escape from mid-morning until after midnight the next day.

Targa, a Houston-based company valued at $17 billion, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The Environmental Integrity Projects analysis of emissions in five Permian Basin counties  Reagan, Midland, Ector, Crane and Glasscock  for the past seven years found that the June 20 event was the largest single gas release in those counties for the month of June since 2017  another year of record-breaking West Texas heat, when Targa released 253,000 pounds of propane and 108,000 pounds of butane due to high temperatures in Midland County.

Reported emissions for the five counties this year during June totaled 1,150 tons  the highest since 2020 and almost four times as high as June 2022. That figure includes large volumes of nongreenhouse gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The heat was not cited as a factor for many of those emissions.

Targa reported more than a dozen instances of venting unburned gas because of heat. Other companies also reported smaller releases of emissions but said they flared, or burned, natural gas and other chemicals rather than releasing them directly into the atmosphere.

For example, on June 20, DCP Operating Company in Ector County reported burning almost 4,000 pounds of acid gas in its flare after system failures caused by the automatic shutdown of the control panel from elevated temperatures. The next day, WTG South Permian Midstream reported burning about 7,000 pounds of carbon monoxide, 2,600 pounds of nitrogen oxide and 1,200 pounds of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, due to high gas temperature in the sales line.

DCP declined to comment for this story, and WTG did not respond to requests for comment.

Texas requires companies to self-report emissions events, but the reports are never independently verified. Shelley at Public Citizen doesnt think Targa was the only West Texas gas operator facing widespread heat problems in June.

I was fairly confident this was going on elsewhere, but just this one company reported, Shelley said.

Targa has failed in the past to report emission events to the state.

In February, a European Space Agency satellite detected a large gas release from a Targa compressor that was not disclosed until Bloomberg News reported it to state authorities. Targa later told Bloomberg that 10 tons of gas were released.

Targa and its subsidiaries have more than 5,700 notices of violation on record with the TCEQ since 2015. In that time, the agency has fined Targa companies 34 times and the company was required to pay about $452,000, according to state records.

Laura Lopez, a spokesperson for the agency, said TCEQ reviews each emissions event to determine if it could have been preventable and assesses whether or not operators took measures to minimize emissions.

Sharon Wilson, an optical gas imaging thermographer with Oil Field Watch, said she has recorded many large emissions events in Texas that never appear in the TCEQ database.

All the operator has to do is deny the event reached the reportable threshold. Since its all self-reported by their own calculations, no one disputes it, she said.

High temperature affects gas compressors

Air temperature affects the pump stations that move gas through pipeline networks, according to Richard Kuprewicz, a career pipeline engineer who has testified to Congress as an expert witness on pipeline safety.

Because warm air holds less oxygen, it burns less efficiently in the gas-fired turbines that run pumps. When those pumps cant move gas out of the pipeline as quickly as it is put in, the subsequent pressure buildup can cause an explosion.

I have to chuckle when the operators feign surprise with high temperatures, said Kuprewicz, who is president of the pipeline consultancy Accufacts Inc. It doesnt make a lot of sense to just vent gas to [the] atmosphere.

At well sites, he said, gas can be redirected from the pipelines to flares, where its burned and enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. But in almost all of the cases reported by Targa, gas was released in raw form  a practice known as venting  through emergency relief valves on pipelines.

Unburned natural gas contains up to 95% methane  a greenhouse gas that traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide. It also contains scores of carcinogenic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

You dont use relief valves as pressure regulators, especially if youre venting methane, Kuprewicz said. Its Texas and they can claim its not illegal, but its poor engineering practice.

Many available technologies can reduce gas emissions during extreme heat, according to Bill Caram, executive director of the nonprofit watchdog group Pipeline Safety Trust.

Mobile compressor stations can empty pipelines into storage tanks instead of releasing gas into the air. Gas could be diverted to other parallel pipelines or cleared from downstream segments in anticipation of heat waves, Caram said.

However, he said, most operators have no financial incentive to minimize emissions.

The end user ends up paying for the gas whether it gets delivered or not, he said. If it gets released in these emission events, operators still make money.

Thats because federal and state rules on gas pricing allow operators to charge consumers for gas that is lost and unaccounted for due to leaks, accidents, damage or maintenance. The Texas Railroad Commission allows operators to report up to 5% of their total gas deliveries as lost and unaccounted for.

Virginia Palacios, executive director of energy policy watchdog Commission Shift, said allowing operators to charge for lost gas removes incentives for better maintenance and engineering.

Theres an economic case to be made for the public on why utilities should not let their product escape to the air, she said. If you pay a gas bill, you pay for lost gas.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
Sheriff Eddie Scott, who has been the top lawman in rural Clay County for more than a decade despite repeated allegations of sexual abuse and coercion, in his office in West Point, Miss. on June 29, 2023. (Rory Doyle/The New York Times)

In 2012, three months after Eddie Scott became sheriff of Clay County, Mississippi, a claim by a woman he had helped put behind bars threatened to tarnish his earliest days in office.

The woman said in an April court filing that, while chief deputy less than three years earlier, he had coerced her into a sexual relationship after she was arrested. Promising to use his influence in their rural community to keep her out of prison, she said, the lawman drove her to a hog farm to have sex in his patrol car on at least five occasions.

She laid out her allegations in state circuit court in October 2012 and asked a judge to overturn her prison sentence. To back up her story, the 26-year-old showed suggestive letters with a return address of the Clay County Sheriffs Office and signed by then-Chief Deputy Scott, who was 47.

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Hey Sexy, he wrote to her in prison nine months before his election to the top job. Got my blood pumping hard after reading the last two letters. Cant stop thinking of how tight it is. I want all of that and more if you can.

The revelations could have led to an internal investigation, a criminal inquiry or a public reckoning for the newly installed sheriff. Instead, powerful officials in Clay County took no action.

Judge Jim Kitchens ruled against the woman. Sheriff Scotts predecessor, Laddie Huffman, had known of the allegations before retiring but did not report them to state or federal law enforcement agencies. There is no record of any internal investigation or disciplinary review.

The court file for the womans case  the only public record of the allegations  went missing at the Clay County Courthouse, likely for years. It was placed in the wrong filing cabinet, lost among hundreds of cases, until reporters pressed for it this summer while investigating other allegations against Scott.

In interviews, Scott would not directly answer whether he had ever had sex with the woman. When asked about his relationship with her, he called it a mistake. He denied coercing her.

Story continues

What she didnt tell was, she was coming up to the office with her tits hanging out, he said. I never put myself in that position anymore.

But an investigation by The New York Times and the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting at Mississippi Today, which included dozens of interviews and a review of court records and exclusively obtained internal documents, found that during his 11 years in office, Scott has repeatedly been accused of using the power of his position to harass women, coerce them into sex and retaliate against those who criticize him or allege abuse.

In rural communities like Clay County  dominated by farmland and economic hardship  some sheriffs rule like kings. They can arrest anyone they choose, smear reputations and hand out reprieves and other favors. They have enormous latitude to hold people in jail as long as they please and they answer to no one, typically facing little press or prosecutorial scrutiny.

Three months ago, the Times and Mississippi Today told the story of another sheriffs office, less than 40 miles away. Former Noxubee County Sheriff Terry Grassaree rose in the ranks of his Mississippi department and kept his elected office for years despite similar accusations of abuse. He was voted out in 2019 and now faces federal charges of bribery.

But in Clay County, Scott remains in power even after repeated allegations of misconduct.

A local woman said the sheriff had repeatedly forced her into sex during her eight months in jail starting in 2017. When she began telling people after her release, she said, a sheriffs deputy arranged to have drugs planted in her car  an allegation corroborated by a secretly recorded conversation with a man who said he had planted them.

In a court filing last year, a man claimed that Scott had pursued a sexual relationship with his girlfriend and helped her avoid a lengthy prison sentence when the couples child died in 2019 with meth in his system. Prosecutors charged the parents with child neglect. While prosecutors sought only probation in the mothers case, they offered the father a plea deal that called for 10 years in prison.

Also last year, a woman who once worked for the sheriff sued him, claiming he had subjected her to months of sexual harassment, including texts commenting on her breasts. After she filed her complaint, Scott fired her boyfriend, a captain in the office.

At least five people who accused the sheriff of misconduct, or who were potential witnesses in the cases, said he had retaliated against them, efforts they believe were intended to silence them or discredit their allegations.

In 2021, the FBI began investigating allegations against the sheriff. They interviewed nearly a dozen witnesses, including Scott and staff members in his office. No charges have been filed.

Officials familiar with the allegations and how they have been investigated, including federal prosecutors, declined to comment. Huffman, citing poor health, said he did not remember any of the allegations. Kitchens did not respond to a request for comment.

In multiple interviews, including one on camera with reporters, Scott, now 58, has denied harassing women, coercing them into sex or retaliating against anyone. He said he has had to defend his reputation from con artists and drug users who were inventing accusations to avoid jail time or somehow benefit financially.

The sheriff said he was the victim in all of this, and that he had been under attack. It was a coordinated hit on me, he said.

In a statement late Wednesday in response to this story, Scott reiterated his innocence and called the article completely slanted, one-sided and without any basis in fact.

I have cooperated fully with all authorities, news media and any others regarding questions concerning these allegations and will continue to do so, Scott wrote.

A Popular Figure

Scott and his siblings grew up milking cows on their family farm in Montpelier, Mississippi, a rural crossroads along Highway 46 marked by a single gas station and the Baptist church his family attended.

After high school, he married, had children and worked at Bryan Foods, a meat processing company and one of the areas biggest employers. Then he was called to serve on a Clay County grand jury and became fascinated with police work, he said.

In 1999, he became a full-time deputy for the Clay County Sheriffs Office. He fought the drug trade just as meth was emerging as the scourge of rural America and he eventually became an investigator, responsible for solving the countys occasional murders. He rose to chief deputy, second in command to Huffman.

The logical heir when Huffman retired, he won his first election in 2011 and took office the next year.

Today, Scott is one of Clay Countys most popular figures and the face of area law enforcement. His brother, Terry, is listed as senior investigator on the Clay County Sheriffs Office website; his son James serves on the Mississippi Highway Patrols SWAT team; and his sister, Tanya, has worked as the nurse for the county jail.

On the 137-acre spread where his family once raised cows, Scott hosts fish fries and crawfish boils, where he swaps stories and swigs cold beer with fellow law enforcement officers and some of the countys most powerful officials.

Scott has covered his office walls with images of John Wayne, whom the sheriff considers his hero. The actor and the characters he played symbolize everything good and decent in America, Scott said. They dont build them like him anymore.

In his office, he keeps a Christmas card from former President Donald Trump, whom he has met several times. Beside it is a Bible that, he said, reminds him of his childhood.

Back when we were kids, we all went to church and learned the difference between right and wrong, he said. And were not seeing that now.

A New Allegation

Scotts public persona clashes with what a woman named Amber Jones says she experienced after she failed three drug tests and was arrested for violating probation in May 2017.

That summer, Jones, then 21, was called down from her cell at the Clay County Detention Center to the sheriffs office, where Scott asked if she would like to help out filing paperwork.

She had spent weeks in a dirty jail cell without seeing the sun, she recalled. She told him yes and became a trusty, an inmate with special privileges, working for the jail records administrator, Patty Stange.

One day in the office, Jones recalled, Scott held out a hand to her and said, If you take this splinter out of my finger, Ill give you an eight-hour home pass.

Desperate to see her family, she agreed, and a few days later, the sheriff himself checked her out of jail to take her home, she said. A mile down the road, the sheriff stopped the car by a small brick house and told her she had to change out of her jail clothes.

Jones said she felt uneasy as the sheriff led her inside, through a bedroom to a bathroom. He gave her a T-shirt and left her alone to change.

But he eventually returned and came up behind her, Jones recalled, touching her and commenting on her tattoos. Without another word, the sheriff pulled her to the bed and forced her to have sex, she said.

Jones said she felt that she had no choice  he was the sheriff. I felt like I was worthless, like I didnt have any control over my own body, she said. There was nothing I could do to stop it.

After she visited her brother and returned to jail, she said, the sheriff called her to his office and told her she didnt have to worry about getting pregnant because he had been fixed.

For the rest of Jones eight months in jail, this pattern continued, she said: Scott offered her home passes to arrange sexual encounters.

Her accusations were detailed in a federal lawsuit filed last year by a former employee of the Clay County Sheriffs Office, Caitlyn Wilson. The suit claims that Scott sexually harassed Wilson, and it cites Jones allegations as evidence of the sheriffs mistreatment of women. In sworn testimony last month, Scott declined to say whether he had ever had sex with Jones, citing his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination. The case is set for trial next year.

In interviews for this article, Scott denied taking Jones out of jail or having sexual contact with her. Amber is a sweet, likable girl on the face, he said. But we learned that shes one of the biggest con artists that ever walked the face of the earth.

Had he had taken her out of the jail, he said, their exit would have been recorded on surveillance video and sign-out sheets. When reporters asked to review such materials, Scott said the computer system that logged inmates whereabouts was broken.

Sign-out sheets were kept among thousands of pages of jail records stacked in lopsided piles on an office floor. A review of the only records available revealed that Jones had received at least one home pass.

Jones description of the house where she said the sheriff took her for sex matches that of a place Scott said he used for storage: a one-story brick home about a mile from the jail. Scott said it was widely known that he used the house and that lots of people let themselves in and out using a key he kept under the doormat.

Jones shared account records showing that past midnight on Jan. 25, a week after she left jail, Scott sent her a friend request on Snapchat, the disappearing-photo app. She also shared copies of text messages between them.

In the texts, Scott asked Jones for updates, his code for nude photographs, she said. She felt forced to send them, she said, because her brother was in jail for drug possession.

In one text exchange from 2019, Jones asked the sheriff if he had heard anything about her criminal record being expunged. A good update would help me remember, he replied, adding a smiling emoji. In another exchange, the sheriff wrote that Jones owed him an update and sent her an emoji with a tongue sticking out.

Scott said he couldnt remember what he had meant by update, but denied that it involved nude pictures.

The only photos he received from Jones over Snapchat, he said, were body shots that he had requested from her as part of an investigation into jail inmates tattooing one another. Scott said he had provided those photos to the FBI.

Two women, including another female inmate, had seen her in the house where she said the sheriff took her for sex.

On one occasion, she said, the sheriff drove her and the other jailed woman there, had them remove their clothing and gave them boxer shorts to put on. Jones were Superman-themed, with a cape to cover the otherwise-bare back, she said; the other woman received a Duck Dynasty pair.

Scott posed the women together and snapped a photo from behind, according to Jones. The other woman, visibly upset, bolted for the bathroom, she said.

A few minutes later, Jones said she heard a knock at the door: It was Stange, the jail records administrator.

Stange said in a statement that she drove the women back from the house to the jail and they seemed in good spirits. She said she had no knowledge of any sexual misconduct of Sheriff Scott with any female inmates.

The second woman declined to comment. But in a Facebook post last year, she appeared to confirm that she had been present for the picture. Replying to a post by Jones describing the events, the woman recalled that she had said, Oh, hell no, and walked out of the room.

When asked about this under oath, Scott took the Fifth.

I Knew I Was Being Set Up

For years after her release from jail, Jones said she tried to put these abuses behind her. She stopped getting messages from the sheriff after blocking his number near the beginning of 2020, she said.

Then, in September 2021, a woman who had worked for the Clay County Sheriffs Office came forward with new accusations that threatened to bring attention to years of alleged sexual misconduct by Scott.

Caitlyn Wilson, a former investigative assistant who alleged sexual harassment, filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint that said Scott had made sexual advances toward her and threatened to fire her after she rebuked him. She made reference to other women whose similar experiences had not yet been made public.

My situation has been exacerbated, her complaint said, citing multiple women either in jail or employed by the county who had made claims that the Sheriff was having sex with them. It appears to be well-known within the County that the Sheriff suffers from a sexual addiction, and this sexual addiction has affected my work performance and is causing me extreme fear and anxiety.

The EEOC did not weigh in on the merits of Wilsons complaint, but determined she had the right to sue.

In the lawsuit she filed in May 2022, Wilson described a group chat in which Scott had sent several employees a steady stream of sexually explicit text messages.

His messages, reviewed by reporters, referred to women as hookers, heifers and hos. In one text, the sheriff suggested Wilson and Stange should tag team to give him oral sex. In others, he called himself a stallion and said women liked to be hammered.

Pictures the sheriff sent, which he called humorous memes on the humor channel under oath as part of the lawsuit, compared women to dogs that needed to be trained and joked about date rape.

Wilson said she decided to file her complaint after Scott rubbed his crotch against her as he walked past her one day in the office. I felt very violated, she said in an interview. I was just so shocked and surprised because he was my boss.

Scott denied touching Wilson inappropriately, saying he was running a high fever that day. I was as sick as a dog, he said. Grabbing a woman was the last thing on my mind.

He told reporters that none of his texts included sexual content and said under oath that anyone in the group chat could have stopped participating at any time.

When Wilson filed her complaint, Scott assigned one of his own deputies to investigate. The final report concluded that the allegations were unsubstantiated and punitive and dismissed Scotts texts as adult humor shared among willing participants.

As the deputy investigated, Wilson said, she found herself increasingly isolated at work. She was barred from carrying her gun at the office and told to eat lunch at her desk. Most of her co-workers stopped talking to her, she said.

In December 2021, three months after Wilson filed her initial complaint, Scott suspended her then-boyfriend, Jeremy Bell, a captain who had worked in the office for five years. According to a personnel report signed by Scott, Bell had violated department policy by driving his patrol car outside of Clay County to visit Wilsons house in a neighboring town. He was fired two days after Christmas.

It was around this time that Jones, who had not heard from Scott for months, found herself under the scrutiny of local law enforcement again, she said.

Several weeks after Wilson submitted her complaint citing allegations that women in the jail had been forced to have sex with Scott, Jones was pulled over by a narcotics officer from West Point, a town of about 10,000 people in Clay County.

The officer discovered a bag of diabetic needles filled with meth under her passenger seat and arrested her. Jones believes the drugs were planted there.

I knew I was being set up, she said.

Frustrated and facing time behind bars, Jones decided two months later to post on a Facebook page called Mississippi Corruption, where she detailed for the first time her allegations against the sheriff.

I was fixing to go to prison for a really long time for something that I didnt even do, just because he was mad over his mistakes, over things that he had done, she said.

A few months later, in April 2022, Jones received a video from her friend Madison Ray, she said. Ray said she had secretly recorded a conversation with Joshua Fulgham, a local diabetic man with prior drug arrests, because she suspected someone had planted the drugs while they were all hanging out the night before Jones arrest.

The recording, on Rays cellphone, captures him explaining how and why he placed the drugs in Jones car. I put dope under that seat like Kyle told me to, he says. I didnt even have to use mine. Kyle gave it to me.

According to Wilsons lawsuit, Fulgham is referring to Deputy Kyle Eaves, who used to work for Scott. The apparent purpose of Deputy Sheriff Eaves causing drugs to be planted upon Jones is to intimidate Jones or to cause her to be arrested so that she will lack credibility in claiming an involuntary sexual relationship with Defendant Scott, the complaint states.

After the video spread around town, Fulgham was arrested on drug possession charges, taken to the jail and made a trusty. About six months later, he made a video at the Clay County jail and had it posted on Facebook. He accused Jones of being a liar out to get Scott, but he never recanted his previous statements.

She needs help and rehab, just like me, Fulgham said in the video, and she needs to leave the sheriff alone.

The sheriff sent a copy of the video to reporters and pointed to it as proof that Jones and others were lying. Seems like their plan [is] coming to light, he said.

Neither Fulgham nor Eaves responded to requests for comment.

About six months after the video was made, another potential witness in Jones case changed his story too.

Her former boyfriend, Edward Adam Todd, had been arrested by Clay County deputies and was facing up to 50 years in prison for two burglary charges.

After initially backing up Jones allegations, Todd later told investigators that he had lied to get the sheriff in trouble, according to transcripts of his April sentencing hearing.

The court transcript shows that Kitchens praised Todd for his change of heart, saying his statements cleared a local member of law enforcement that had been accused of something that probably turns out that was not true.

At the hearing, the prosecutor suggested a seven-year prison sentence for Todd, citing his help to law enforcement. Kitchens further reduced his sentence, cutting it to four years.

Instead of being transferred to prison to serve his sentence, Todd has remained at the Clay County jail, where he could not immediately be reached for comment.

Back on the Ballot

Scott believes that he will be vindicated and that voters will see through the allegations to reelect him in the deciding Democratic primary election on Aug. 8.

He has won his previous elections easily. But this time, he faces an unexpected opponent who is an experienced law enforcement officer in Clay County: his own chief deputy, Ramirez Williams.

In February, Williams announced his run for sheriff. The next month, Scott demoted him to work the graveyard shift as a jailer.

When asked if Williams candidacy played a role in his demotion, the sheriff replied, Not necessarily, and declined to comment further.

Scott insists he will leave office on his own terms, regardless of what becomes of the accusations against him.

He said he believes the federal investigation is over and he cooperated with their review, even voluntarily meeting with federal authorities to answer questions. I wasnt going to let a bunch of drugheads run me out of office, he said.

The sheriff said he had been burned by extending compassion to people behind bars, but had no plans to stop. You cant turn your back, he said. One of these days, I might be in the same shape.

He chuckled. You never know.



This article was co-reported by The New York Times and the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting at Mississippi Today.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley (left) and Joe Ziegler testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability (Drew Angerer)

Republicans pressed unsubstantiated claims of US government bias against conservatives on Wednesday, bringing two whistleblowers before Congress to condemn the handling of a criminal probe of President Joe Biden's son.

Opponents of the 80-year-old Democratic leader made bitter complaints of unequal justice when Hunter Biden reached a plea deal in June to avoid jail time over unpaid taxes and false claims on a firearms application in 2017 and 2018.

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee heard from two tax agents who accused the Justice Department of "slow-walking" the case to run out the clock on some potential charges, and of putting the younger Biden "on the path to a sweetheart plea deal."

One of the whistleblowers, Internal Revenue Service supervisor Gary Shapley, said the Justice Department had prevented the probe into 53-year-old Biden from building a bigger case, although lead prosecutor David Weiss denies this.

Shapley said Weiss, a Delaware-based US attorney appointed by then-president Donald Trump in 2018, was denied "special counsel" status that would have allowed him to pursue more serious charges in Washington DC and California.

He alleges that Weiss said in an October 2022 meeting he was not authorized to make final charging decisions in the case.

Shapley, who first raised the allegations before a separate committee earlier this year, brought up multiple occasions when he said prosecutors had voiced hesitation about taking actions that might influence the 2020 election.

Fellow whistleblower Joseph Ziegler, a 13-year IRS special agent with the Criminal Investigation Division, echoed Shapley's concerns.

"It appeared to me, based on what I experienced, that the US Attorney in Delaware in our investigation was constantly hamstrung, limited, and marginalized by DOJ officials as well as other US attorneys," Ziegler said.

- Political cover -

The case made by Republicans has been undermined, however, by Weiss's repeated denials of the allegations. Parts of the complaints date back to 2020 in any case, when Trump was still president.

Story continues

Weiss says he never sought special counsel status and Attorney General Merrick Garland has told Congress that the Delaware prosecutor had full latitude to pursue any charges he wished, in any venue.

Some Republicans have argued that the differing accounts make an impeachment inquiry into Garland necessary, but Democrats counter that internal disagreements among investigators of the type outlined by the whistleblowers are commonplace.

Hunter Biden's business dealings, especially during the time his father was vice president, have been a major target of Joe Biden's political opponents, and continue to be probed by congressional Republicans.

The hearing was part of a wider campaign by Republicans to convince voters that the federal government is "weaponized" against Biden's adversaries and conservatives more broadly.

Democrats say probes into Biden's family and administration -- which have yet to turn up evidence of wrongdoing by the president -- are designed to give political cover to Trump, who is running for reelection but faces prosecution on multiple fronts.

The twice-impeached former president said on Tuesday he expected an imminent indictment in the Justice Department's probe into the 2021 Capitol insurrection and the broader plot to subvert his election defeat to Biden.

Hunter Biden -- who has admitted having drug problems in the past, is the only surviving child of Joe Biden's first marriage, which ended tragically in 1972 when his wife and baby daughter were killed in a car accident.

He is due to appear in court on July 26 after agreeing to plead guilty to two federal tax charges and admitting to illegally possessing a gun despite having a history of drug use.

ft/md
[Source]

The White House on Thursday will host the first-ever Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Summit, the Biden-Harris administrations largest event yet focused on delivering mental health care for AANHPI communities.

Background: The summit is co-hosted by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), the U.S Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It is the direct result of a May 2022 recommendation from the Presidents Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs.

The event also follows the release of the first-ever national strategy to advance equity and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities in January. Additionally, it builds on a breakout convening hosted by WHIAANHPI and the White House in May focused on mental health.

What to expect: The summit will gather administration leaders, mental health professionals, federal policymakers, community organizations and people with lived experiences to collectively tackle the growing need for access to quality, culturally competent medical care, including mental health services for AA and NHPI individuals, according to a White House press invite. Multiple issue-specific sessions will encourage the identification of solutions to persistent and emerging challenges.

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The bigger picture: The event will take place in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a concurrent trend of anti-Asian hate and mass shootings that have plagued Asian American communities and the rest of the country. So far, only the state of California has reported a drop in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2022.

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The White House announced a plan Wednesday to coordinate with rental housing platforms and local lawmakers to counter "junk fees" often hidden from consumers who rent property  in what one critic called an attempt to counter record-high rent prices seen during the Biden administration.

The announcement includes a promise from Zillow, Apartments.com, and AffordableHousing.com to provide upfront cost information on rental properties that includes fees for services such as applications, online payments, mail sorting and trash. The administration has worked with state lawmakers to pass laws that require landlords to include these sorts of fees in their online listing instead of putting them into a contract at the last minute.

WHISTLEBLOWER X REVEALS IDENTITY AS IRS SPECIAL AGENT JOSEPH ZIEGLER

The median price of rent has hiked roughly 25% under the Biden administration, from $1641 in January 2021 to $2029 in June 2023, according to rent.com.

Joel Griffith, a research fellow in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for economic policy studies at The Heritage Foundation, said the announcement from the White House "masks the true drivers of this problem" of skyrocketing rent prices under President Biden's lead.

"This push by the White House is all for show," Griffith told Fox News Digital. "They want to acknowledge the problem of rent prices, but they are pointing fingers in the wrong direction and ignore that the problem is created by a growing intervention of the federal government."

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REPUBLICANS IRS WHISTLEBLOWER X IS A GAY DEMOCRAT IN CRIMINAL DIVISION WITH 13 YEARS AT THE AGENCY

The median price of rent has hiked roughly 25% under the Biden administration, from $1641 in January 2021 to $2029 in June 2023, according to rent.com.

Griffith said that even if private companies follow the lead of the White House to increase transparency on rent fees, they are likely to increase rent prices as a whole to compensate for any losses.

The Biden administration has touted several actions taken over the past two years to counter these rising rent prices. This includes tens of billions of dollars in investments and tax credits for low-income housing, as well as national eviction prevention programs to reduce homelessness.

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FORMER FBI AGENT CONFIRMS KEY DETAILS OF HUNTER BIDEN WHISTLEBLOWERS TESTIMONY, GOP SAYS

But Griffith says government intervention is the reason why rent prices continue to increase. Government subsidies, building regulations, and lenient eviction policies, he said, give private companies and landlords no choice but to charge what is necessary to maintain a profit.

"When I see the president try to focus on so-called junk fees, what I see here is an attempt to shift the blame to those who are responsible  state, local, and federal subsidies  and divert the blame to the private sector," Griffith told Fox News Digital.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of health care-related bills Tuesday, including one the governor's office said would make Michigan the first state in the country to allow individuals to sign up as organ donors on their state income tax return.

Whitmer celebrated the bipartisan bills she approved as cost-saving measures for Michigan residents that will also increase access to health care. Here's a few key things you should know:

Bill would preserve Healthy Michigan Plan

Whitmer signed House Bill 4495, which removes a provision eliminating the Healthy Michigan Plan  the state's Medicaid expansion  if the program's net costs outpace net savings.

By preventing the repeal of the program based on costs, Whitmer's office said the change will help protect health care for more than 1 million residents.

Bill sponsor, state Rep. Will Snyder, D-Muskegon, said the new law will have a "huge impact" for those covered by the plan. "Eliminating the automatic trigger removes the possibility of a catastrophic loss of coverage for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders," Snyder said in a statement.

Whitmer also signed House Bill 4496, making tweaks to what the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services includes in its Medicaid expansion waiver request from the federal government that could potentially lower costs for some individuals. "This bipartisan legislation improves access to health care for lower-income families and folks in rural communities, gets more people insured, and saves taxpayers money," said bill sponsor state Rep. Graham Filler, R-St. Johns, in a statement.

Big 10: Whitmer signs bill allowing alcohol sales at college football, basketball games in Michigan

Allow pharmacists to administer vaccines

Whitmer also signed a bill continuing to allow pharmacists to administer vaccines under certain circumstances. Lawmakers first voted on the legislation the same day that the federal COVID-19 public health emergency ended. Without a change to state law, Michigan pharmacists would have lost their authority to administer vaccines without the supervision of a doctor granted during the public health emergency.

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Proponents of Senate Bill 219 argued that pharmacists in many communities are the most accessible health care providers, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color. Bill sponsor state Sen. Sylvia Santana said the legislation "will provide better care across the sate."

Add organ donation option to state tax return

Michigan became the first state to allow individuals to sign up to be an organ donor on their state income tax return, according to the governor's office. Whitmer signed House Bill 4362, allowing individuals to join the donor registry on their tax forms starting in the 2023 tax year.

Bill sponsor state Rep. Felicia Brabec said her legislation will help save lives. "By offering more opportunities to join the organ donor registry, this legislation will help to ensure that anyone who wants to become an organ donor has the ability to do so, by checking a box on their state tax forms," she said in a statement. Whitmer also signed House Bill 4363 and House Bill 4364 updating other state laws to reflect the change.

Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan to add organ donor option to state income tax form
The fate of Thailand's democratic efforts to form a civilian government is hanging by a thread after Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat was denied the chance to lead the country as prime minister.

After hours of deliberation, the US-educated liberal's bid to prime ministership was blocked due to at least two legal challenges filed by the Election Commission to the country's Constitutional Court. He was also temporarily suspended as an MP as a result of the court cases.

In his speech after the vote, Pita urged colleagues to "continue using the parliamentary system" to attend to the people's needs as he reckoned his party's landslide victory during the country's May 14 general elections was a point of no return. "Due to the Constitutional Court [ordering] me to temporarily suspend my duty, I would like to use this opportunity to bid my farewell to Mr. Speaker, until we meet again," he said in parliament.

The first involved breaking election rules due to his holding shares in a broadcast media firm, which ceased its operations in 2007. The second was his party's move to repeal the country's lese majeste laws, which criminalize any criticism against the Thai royal family.

Read Also: Missing German Businessman Found Dismembered in Thailand With Chainsaw, Hedge Clippers

Tense Night in Bangkok

Tensions were visible as protesters made plans to hold a rally Wednesday night near the Democracy Monument in Downtown Bangkok. There was also tension inside the Thai parliament chamber for several hours after the court order was issued and was not directed to leave.

Move Forward has won the most seats in the Thai parliament after May's general elections, but he admitted that while the popular vote was beneficial for the Thai people, the votes in the whole Parliament, including the military junta-appointed Senate.

"It has become obvious that the people's vote is not enough to rule the country," Pita said in a statement on his official Instagram account.

While Pita is likely to be disqualified as an MP, he could still technically become prime minister, according to Thai law.

Nevertheless, both Move Forward and coalition partner Pheu Thai Party are discussing their next move given the situation. It is expected Pheu Thai would field property tycoon Srettha Thavisin as its candidate in a third round of votes as Pita earlier stated he would step aside should he fail his candidacy.

Related Article: Move Forward Leader Pita Limjaroenrat Fails to Secure Bid to Become Thailand's PM

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Julia Nikhinson - CNP/Sipa USA/Newscom

A widely cited paper dismissing the COVID lab leak theory "expressed conclusions that were not based on sound science or in fact," wrote the authors of a recent House of Representatives committee report entitled "The Proximal Origin of a Cover-Up."

"The question is why," ask the authors.

For a deep exploration of that question and the wider implications of its possible answers, join Reason's Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller on Reason's YouTube channel or Facebook page, where they'll discuss the lab leak theory with Matt Ridley, science writer and co-author of Viral: The Search for the Origin of Covid-19, this Thursday at 1:30 pm ET.

Sources cited in this interview:

YouGov: Two-thirds of Americans believe COVID-19 originated in a lab: https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/articles-reports/2023/03/10/americans-believe-covid-origin-lab

Early February 1 draft of Proximal Origin paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11zyWYG1OZ7z7RMZHaj2EoDeHveGnendT/view

House Oversight Committee evidence: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023.03.05-SSCP-Memo-Re.-New-Evidence.Proximal-Origin.pdf

Nature: "Proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2": https://www.nature.com/articles/S41591-020-0820-9

Kristian Andersen's written statement to Congress: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Testimony-of-Dr.-Kristian-Andersen.pdf

Redacted vs. unredacted Fauci email: https://twitter.com/justin_hart/status/1679705254462631937/photo/1

Wall Street Journal: U.S.-funded scientist among three researchers who fell ill amid early COVID-19 outbreak: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-funded-scientist-among-three-chinese-researchers-who-fell-ill-amid-early-covid-19-outbreak-3f919567

Unredacted Fauci email: https://twitter.com/COVIDSelect/status/1679606442414809090?s=20

House Oversight Committee report on Proximal Origin paper: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Final-Report-6.pdf

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Shi/Baric paper on gain-of-function research: https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.3985

Shi group created 8 chimeric SARS CoVs in 2017: https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1006698

RFK Jr. on bioweapons: https://twitter.com/LevineJonathan/status/1680205451483283456?t=CFNd8mp9HzgQPeF7jR8F_g&s=31

RFK Jr. response to New York Post reporting: https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1680227322509635595?s=20

BMC Medicine: The genetic susceptibility of populations to COVID-19 https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-020-01673-z

The post Why Did Scientists Suppress the Lab Leak Theory? appeared first on Reason.com.
No disabled child should grow up in a nursing home. That should be obvious  but in Florida, its not.

For 10 long years, the state has been in court fighting litigation over its system of care for some of Floridas most severely disabled children. About 140 of these kids  medically fragile children  do, in fact, live in nursing homes. Another 1,800 are at risk of the same fate. Many of the children require constant care, and parents are forced to leave them in nursing homes. Some spend their entire lives there.

Families who want to bring their children home  and would be able to do so with government-paid, at-home nursing assistance and medical equipment  find themselves caught in what one federal judge called a maze almost impossible for parents to escape.

The state has a bewildering system of funding and care involving managed-care providers unaccountable to the state. Few parents in this situation have been able to bring children home, even if the child would be better off there and even if the cost would be similar to what the state spends to keep the child in a nursing-home bed.

Now, as the Miami Herald reported, U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks has issued a ruling that offers the strongest hope so far that Floridas system might finally be reformed. He ordered last week that the state impose a series of changes that would require health administrators to provide the nursing that is minimally necessary for these children to go home and to keep a record of any failures to comply.

Medicaid generally pays for the care of medically complex children, and costs can run into the millions. The states Agency for Health Care Administration, which oversees the state Medicaid program, has appealed Middlebrooks ruling. In the past, AHCA has argued that the failures to provide adequate care to severely disabled children are the fault of the managed-care companies that contract with the state to provide the services.

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Decade of battling

This long-running battle stems from a lawsuit that said Floridas reliance on nursing homes in this situation is a violation of the childrens civil rights and runs counter to federal laws requiring disabled people to be housed in homes or community settings whenever possible.

As the judge wrote in his order, issued after a trial in May, Florida has made it so hard for parents to obtain the needed care and services outside of institutions that few manage it. In other words, its a trap. And one of the biggest problems apparently is that families arent able to get enough hours of nursing care for their children. The judge suggested raising the wages of nurses as a basic step.

That would seem to be the least we can do, under the circumstances. The difficulties facing the children and parents in this case are heart wrenching, Middlebrooks noted. The parents love for their children is palpable, and their actions are heroic; they jeopardize their own health, employment and time with their other children in order to care for their medically fragile child in their home.

The children stuck in nursing homes can find it to be an isolating, lonely and scary experience. Jade Quinones, who spent four years in a pediatric nursing home in Plantation, is now 19.

She communicates by tablet and is an enthusiastic reader. She wants to be a romance author: I mean, what is not to love about love?

But she also recounted times, during her nursing home stay, when caregivers didnt keep her clean. She said she felt fear and panic when her breathing equipment became dislodged and she had to wait for someone to help. She became depressed and didnt want to wake up, something that has changed now that she has become one of the lucky ones and gone home.

Florida must stop warehousing its most vulnerable children in nursing homes if there are other options. It must stop expecting parents of severely disabled kids, who are already in an unimaginably hard situation, to navigate ridiculous bureaucracy to get the help they need. And it must stop trying to shift the blame to managed-care companies.

This is a failure to do the right thing, and the state needs to take on the responsibility to fix it.
J. Robert Oppenheimer working with Albert Einstein. Corbis/Getty Images

Albert Einstein sent a letter in 1939 that helped convinced FDR to launch the Manhattan Project.

But Einstein was not part of the secretive program run by J. Robert Oppenheimer to develop a nuclear weapon.

US officials worried Einstein's left-leaning political views made him a security threat.

Albert Einstein played a key role in convincing President Franklin D. Roosevelt to launch the Manhattan Project and develop the world's first atomic bomb.

But the renowned theoretical physicist never took part in the secret project run by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer; US officials were worried his left-leaning political views posed a security threat.

Einstein sent a letter to Roosevelt in August 1939 warning that the Nazis could develop an atomic bomb and recommended "quick action on the part of the Admininstration"  namely, launching its own nuclear program.

The letter cited the Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard's work, and Szilard helped draft the letter, which Einstein signed.

However, the US Army Intelligence office had concerns about Einstein's political ideology and in July 1940 denied him the security clearance to work on the project, according to the American Museum of Natural History.

Intelligence officials also barred the scientists who were part of the program, which was organized by Oppenheimer, from consulting with Einstein.

The Manhattan Project was officially created in August 1942, months after the US entered the war. The years-long program developed the world's first nuclear weapons, which were dropped on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

"Woe is me," Einstein said after learning of the attack, according to AMNH.

He later expressed remorse for recommending that the US start its own nuclear program, telling Newsweek, "Had I known that the Germans would not succeed in developing an atomic bomb, I would have done nothing."

Szilard and his fellow Hungarian-born physicist Eugene Wigner both expressed their agreement with Einstein's statements, according to The New York Times.

The Manhattan Project is the center of a new biopic from director Christopher Nolan. "Oppenheimer," which chronicles the physicist's work developing the nukes and stars Cillian Murphy, releases this week.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Spaniards heading to the polls this Sunday will not do so cheerfully. Not only is the election disrupting the summer holidays of more than a quarter of Spanish voters  but the options on the ballot paper are, at first glance, pretty dismal. Neither of Spains two mainstream centrist parties can win outright, and so both will be forced into coalitions with smaller, more extreme parties. If one is to believe the feverish discourse, its a choice between anti-feminist neo-fascists on the Right or blood-drenched, murderous terrorists on the Left.

There is a grain of truth in this. If the current Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wins, he will probably only be able to form a government with the backing of EH Bildu  a Basque separatist party that welcomes former terrorists from the now defunct but once dangerous ETA into its ranks. However, if the opposition Peoples Party (PP) of Alberto Nunez Feijoo wins, it will need the support of Vox  a hard-Right party that attracts national conservatives and authoritarians. Some of its supporters remain in thrall to the thuggish military dictator Francisco Franco.

Bildu and Vox each claim to be devoted democrats, but most Spaniards strongly dislike both  and with good reason. Vox leader Santiago Abascal has called Sanchezs government the worst in 80 years, suggesting that he prefers Francos violently repressive autocracy. His party hopes to repeal abortion and euthanasia laws, end measures to ensure gender equality and combat domestic violence, and re-centralise power to Madrid.

The reputation of EH Bildu leader Arnaldo Otegi is even less flattering. The ETA veteran has only semi-apologised for the groups murder of 853 people between 1968 and 2011. Having vowed to alleviate the suffering of the victims relatives in 2021, he then humiliated them by putting forward 44 former convicts at local elections in May 2023. These included seven candidates condemned for murder or for directly assisting murder.

While Spains mainstream parties would rather avoid such unseemly bedfellows, it seems they will have little choice: the Peoples Party will likely win the most votes but fall short of an absolute majority. In that case, it will have no option but to turn to Vox. The party has no other potential allies: its dismissive stance on devolution and independence referenda has alienated nationalists from the Basque Country and Catalonia, who might otherwise have been sympathetic to its Christian Democrat agenda. Indeed, ever since Catalan separatists tried to secede unilaterally in 2017, the split between unionists and centralists has often dominated politics just as much as traditional Left-Right alignments.

If Feijoos PP and Vox fail to win a majority of seats, then Sanchez  whose party has long followed a conciliatory policy of devolution without independence  will form a minority coalition government with far-Left Sumar (a tweaked version of current coalition ally Unidas Podemos) backed by all the nationalist and separatist parties. That includes five or so deputies from EH Bildu. Nevertheless, although the polls are still too tight to call a winner, a Peoples Party-Vox coalition is still the most probable outcome.

The election campaign has become all about the kingmakers. Take the vote of Txapote! (an infamous ETA chief currently jailed for several murders) is a favourite PP slogan targeting Sanchezs Socialists. Vote against the pact of hate! shouts a massive scaffolding banner in Madrids famously gay Chueca district, claiming a PP-Vox coalition would shred womens rights and fuel homophobia.

What frantic political slogans fail to acknowledge is that whichever side wins, Spain is not about to be sucked into a whirlwind of insanely radical government. EH Bildu and Vox may make headlines, but in reality they have very little influence. Support for Vox has in fact shrunk to below 13%, from 15% in 2019 elections. EH Bildu, meanwhile, represents fewer than 1.5% of Spaniards. By comparison, the Peoples Party and the Socialists are large, resilient and moderate parties  European-style Christian or Social Democrats who have run all of Spains governments for four decades. Some think the most logical coalition would actually be between them, creating a German-style grand coalition. Of course, entrenched bad blood makes that impossible, but minority allies are unlikely to force larger parties to adopt truly radical policies.

The reasons for this lie in the strength of Spains 1978 constitution, designed three years after Francos death to prevent a return to radicalism. Any significant change requires a two-third parliamentary majority, which can only be found by combining the votes of both Peoples Party and the Socialists. As a result, there have only been two amendments in the last 45 years, both to please the European Union. (In comparison, Frances Fifth Republic has amended its 1958 constitution 24 times, and Germanys Basic Law has had 62 changes since 1949.)

The constitution proved its worth in 2017, when Catalan regional leader Carles Puigdemont made his unilateral declaration of independence. The Constitutional Court proclaimed Puigdemonts so-called referendum  which most Catalans boycotted  illegal, and the main secessionists were jailed or fled into exile. Since then, the separatist balloon has deflated. EH Bildu faces a similar problem, with support for Basque independence, which has never grown above 50%, waning in the face of a constitution that declares the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation.

Yet those on the far-Right who imagine the constitution is their friend are equally misguided. Even if Vox gets into power, it will struggle to pass many of its more radical policies. Its call to recentralise Spains 17 semi-autonomous regional governments would require rewriting a constitution that enshrines the right to autonomy of the countrys regions. Elsewhere, as the constitutional scholar Ana Carmona Contreras points out, other Vox proposals such as striking out the abortion law or banning separatist parties are similarly made impracticable under the constitution.

In the face of inevitable failure, Vox will likely devote its energy to culture warfare instead. Expect chest-thumping about Spanish history  especially the conquistadores in the Americas and other deeds and feats of our national heroes  as well as attempts to revive the flagging fortunes of professional bull-fighting with public money. (Its manifesto also takes a dig at New Bauhaus architecture, a dislike uncomfortably close to that of Adolf Hitler.) Otherwise, Voxs influence will be reduced to encouraging a Peoples Party government to uphold its economic principles: cutting taxes and shrinking the state.

In other words, Vox is destined to share the fate of far-Left party Podemos, whose role in Sanchezs outgoing coalition shows how slight the impact of small, radical partners can be. Podemoss headline reform to employment law, and its support for minimum wage hikes, hardly challenge the standard aims of social democracy.

The main policy mistake Podemos will be remembered for wasnt intended to be radical. Its clumsily written 2022 rape law allowed some sex offenders to leave jail early. It was, however, a well-meant response to a horrific gang rape during the San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona in 2016  but it left a loophole open to be exploited. Sanchez put hundreds of monsters back on the streets, a Vox campaign poster shouts. That may be true, but there is little radical about the law itself.

Much like Podemos, Vox will struggle to push through its radical agenda. Those watching this weekends election for signs of a neo-fascist revival are therefore likely to be disappointed. Unlike much of Europe, Spains revolutionary days are over; few European countries offer as much political stability as Spain has over the past four decades. Vox may try to whitewash Franco, but Spaniards learned much from an era of civil war and dictatorship. They wont be going back.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat, thinks in most cases any elected official or member of Congress who cant have sympathy for someone in a situation like former President Donald Trump is pathetic.

Trump said on social media Tuesday that he received a letter from special prosecutor Jack Smith that a grand jury is considering charges about his efforts to hold on to the presidency after losing the 2020 election. Such letters usually indicate a coming indictment, which would be Trumps third indictment this year.

Cleaver said he was talking to friends on the House floor about having sympathy for Trump and one asked him whether Trump would express the same sympathy to him if the tables were turned.

I said no, said Cleaver, who is a United Methodist pastor. But were called to be better than that. I dont have a party to celebrate that.

Cleaver said he believes there should be consequences for the people responsible for storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and that everything he has seen or read indicates Trump played a pivotal role in inciting the group of his supporters who violently stormed the Capitol that day.

Im not celebrating, Im not joyful, that the president has received a target letter, which means likely hes gonna be indicted shortly, Cleaver said. I dont get excited about us resembling some of the so-called banana republics and an even Eastern European and Asian countries, African countries where the loser ends up in jail.

Cleaver blamed Trump for the Capitol attack in the immediate aftermath of the riot, telling The Star that evening that, The president sent the people down here. Thats an uncontestable fact that I think history will record.

As indictments pile up against Trump  one for alleged hush money payments to cover up an affair, one for his alleged refusal to return classified documents to the National Archives and now one regarding his effort to maintain power after losing the election  lawmakers responses have taken on a familiar pattern.

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While Cleaver was offering sympathy from the House, the Republican senators from Missouri and Kansas were dismissive of the letter, claiming it was part of a politically motivated effort by the Department of Justice.

This seems like its another political hit job regardless, said Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican. And it just doesnt make sense what theyre doing at this point.

Marshall and Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, were among the five senators who voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results in both Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Hawley, who has been widely criticized over a photo taken of him raising his fist to protesters that day, was the first senator to say he would object to the certification of the election, setting off a process that was delayed by the mob who violently fought their way into the building.

Hawley on Tuesday called the investigation politically motivated, saying the Senate had already held an impeachment trial and acquitted Trump.

My view is that DOJ clearly, clearly wants to prevent Trump from running and of course from winning and so the clock is ticking here, so theyre going to try to do this soon as they can, Hawley said.

Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, was not in office during the insurrection and did not vote during the impeachment trial. As Missouri attorney general, Schmitt joined lawsuits seeking to overturn Bidens wins in key swing states.

They had an impeachment vote here, which I would disagree with, but that was a political response, Schmitt said. Here we are now with, again, criminal charges, maybe a third round, and I just think its a very dangerous road to go down to weaponize our politics and bring criminal charges that weve seen so far for this administration.

The indictments appear to have done little so far to knock Trump off as the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. He continues to have a firm lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in early polling, and his opponents have largely shied away from using Trumps legal challenges against him.

On Tuesday, DeSantis campaign tried to deemphasize his statement that Trump didnt come out forcefully enough against the mob on January 6, 2021, after Trumps spokesman called it a disqualifying take.

It seems like the people that support President Trump, each indictment comes out, they love him even more, they dig their heels in even more, Marshall said. So those that love him seem to love him more and those that hate him seem to hate him more.

There are only a few Republicans in the Senate who have come out vocally against Trump, though one of them is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has largely ignored the former president since he left office.

Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican who has been vocal about his opposition to Trump, said on Tuesday that Trump sat idly by for hours while he knew that the Capitol is being attacked and that his vice president was under threat of bodily harm.

I know that we do our best to try and fire up our base, Romney said. But the reality is that President Trump did a number of terrible things on January 6.

Sen. Jerry Moran, who voted to acquit Trump during the Senates impeachment trial, had little to say about Trumps likely indictment. He was the only Kansas Republican in Congress to affirm Bidens victory in the Electoral College.

Its just one more step in the process, Moran said.
If you start to feel sweaty and sticky as soon as you step outside on a summer day in North Carolina, you can blame humidity.

Humidity, the measure of the airs water vapor content, causes the bodys perspiration to evaporate from the skin at a much slower rate, according to AccuWeather.

The water-saturated air causes your clothes to feel drenched in sweat, especially while wearing certain fabrics such as cotton, which can soak up and retain moisture, AccuWeather says.

Sweat laying on the skin results in the bodys inability to regulate its temperature, which is why it sometimes feels hotter than the temperature on the thermometer, according to the National Weather Service.

Why are North Carolina summers so humid?

The high humidity in North Carolina during the summer months has to do with warm water vapor that travels inland from the Gulf of Mexico, NWS Meteorologist Christiaan Patterson told The Charlotte Observer.

We get a lot of heat that builds in with the higher pressure, so well get hotter temperatures that way, Patterson said. And then of course, the moisture of the surface makes it feel hotter than it actually is.

Periods of high humidity usually last through the summer months, Patterson said, noting that September, the peak of hurricane season, can bring in a lot of moisture.

It can last three, maybe even four months at a time, then well start seeing a cool down with the humidity going away, said Patterson. Then we start getting drier air at the surface.

How to survive the heat and humidity

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to stay cool when its humid:
The grain deal allowed Ukrainian corn and other products to reach ports in Lebanon and elsewhere. AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

The Russia-Ukraine grain deal that has been critical to keeping global food prices stable and preventing famine is currently in tatters. On July 17, 2023, Russia said it was pulling out of the year-old deal, which allowed shipments of grains and other foodstuffs to travel past the Russian naval blockade in the Black Sea. And to make matters worse, over the next two days Russia bombed the Ukrainian grain port of Odesa, destroying over 60,000 tons of grain.

As a result, food prices have surged, with the cost of wheat, corn and soybeans in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere all skyrocketing.

So, what is the grain deal, and why is it so important to the global food supply chain?

Anna Nagurney is an expert on supply chains, including those involving perishable products like food, and is co-chair of the board of directors overseeing the Kyiv School of Economics in Ukraine. She explains how important Ukrainian grain is to feeding the world  and why the Black Sea is a vital route to getting it to people who need it.

What makes Ukraine such an important part of the global food supply chain?

Ukraine has been called the breadbasket of Europe and is a major supplier of wheat, barley, sunflower products and corn to Europe as well as to developing countries such as in the Middle East, Northern Africa and China.

More than 400 million people relied on foodstuffs from Ukraine before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

One key reason for that is Ukraine has approximately one-third of the worlds most fertile soil, which is known as chernozem, or black soil. And before the war, Ukraine was able to rely on its year-round access to ice-free harbors in the Black Sea to ship grains to nearby markets in the Middle East and Africa.

What happened when war broke out?

Even before the war, famine was increasing across the globe. Russias invasion made it a lot worse.

From 2019 to 2022, more than 122 million people were driven into hunger by a combination of the impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the United Nations said in a recent report. Other researchers have suggested global hunger is the highest its been since at least the early 2000s.

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From February to June 2022, at least 25 million tons of Ukrainian grain intended for global markets got trapped in Ukraine because of Russias naval blockade, causing food prices to jump.

How did the grain deal come about?

The U.N. and Turkey brokered what is officially known as the Black Sea Grain Deal with Ukraine and Russia on July 22, 2022.

The agreement allowed for the secure passage of agricultural products from Ukraine from three ports on the Black Sea, including its largest port, Odesa. While the original agreement was to last 120 days, it has been extended several times since.

Ukraine has exported more than 32 million tons of food products through the Black Sea since August 2022. The World Food Program, the worlds largest humanitarian agency, purchased 80% of its wheat from Ukraine. Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Turkey have been the biggest recipients of humanitarian shipments.

The U.N. has estimated that the grain deal has reduced food prices by more than 23% since March 2022.

The amount of grain shipped per month had already been falling before the deal fell apart in July 2023, from a peak of 4.2 million metric tons in October to about 2 million tons in June. This is primarily because of slowdowns in the number of inspections Russians had been conducting before ships could exit the Black Sea.

Another problem generally is falling production. Ukraine is expected to produce 31% less wheat, barley, corn and other crops during the current season that it did before the war. And this estimate came before the destruction of a key Ukrainian dam flooded fields.

Odesa, which the Russians have attacked in recent days, is Ukraines largest port. AP Photo/David Goldman

Why is the Black Sea so important for Ukrainian exports?

Colleagues at UMass Amherst and the Kyiv School of Economics and I published a study in May 2023 that showed just how vital the Black Sea ports are to ensuring Ukrainian grain gets out to the world. Before the war, 90% of Ukraines agricultural exports were transported on the Black Sea.

While Ukraine also ships its grain and other food over land through Europe, doing so costs a lot more and takes more time than sea exports. And transportation costs over land were rising because of the war as a result of mines, the destruction of agricultural infrastructure and other challenges.

Why did Russia say its pulling out of the deal?

Russia has threatened to exit the deal before, but each time it has chosen to stay in.

But on July 17, 2023, it said its unwilling to stay in the deal unless its demands are met to ship more of its own food and fertilizer. Over the following two days, it attacked Odesa with drones and missiles in one of the largest sustained assaults on the port. Russia also said it would deem any ship in the Black Sea bound for a Ukrainian port to be a legitimate military target.

This caused the price of critical commodities such as wheat and corn to soar and created vast uncertainty and global concern around hunger. Chicago wheat futures, a global benchmark, are up about 17% since Russia left the deal.

While Russia has extended the deal after previous threats, this time may be different. Russian strikes caused extensive damage to Odesa, which may severely limit Ukraines ability to export through the port in the future  deal or no deal.

I believe Russian leader Vladimir Putin is weaponizing food at a time of growing hunger. I only hope goodwill prevails and somehow Ukraines vital exports are allowed to continue.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Anna Nagurney, UMass Amherst.

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Anna Nagurney does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
WASHINGTON  Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian businessman who figured prominently in Rudy Giuliani's effort to dig up dirt on Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election, said Tuesday that a GOP-led House committee should end its probe into the Biden family.

In a 10-page letter obtained by NBC News, Parnas told House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., that there is "no evidence" that the president or his son Hunter interfered with Ukrainian politics, "and there never has been."

With all due respect, Chairman Comer, the narrative you are seeking for this investigation has been proven false many times over, by a wide array of respected sources," Parnas wrote. "There is simply no merit to investigating this matter any further.

Parnas offered to testify under oath or provide any information the committee needs, and he highlighted information that came to light during former President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial in 2019, alleging that Giuliani and Trump orchestrated a campaign ahead of the presidential election to "dig up dirt on the Bidens."

Reached for comment Tuesday, a spokesperson for Comer said his office had not yet seen the letter. In a statement, Comer blasted Democrats and the media, saying they were ignoring independent facts about the Biden family, their financial dealings and allegations from IRS agents about the Department of Justices politicization of Biden investigation.

Bank records, the FBIs Biden Bribery Record, and IRS whistleblowers have nothing to do with Rudy Giuliani. Its past time for Democrats and their allies to stop covering for the Bidens and instead follow the facts, Comer said.

Parnas said that from November 2018 to October 2019 he was a key participant in meetings or phone calls between Giuliani and various Ukrainian officials, often acting as a translator in efforts to pressure them to launch an investigation into the Biden family.

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Never, during any of my communications with Ukrainian officials or connections to Burisma, did any of them confirm or provide concrete facts linking the Bidens to illegal activities, Parnas wrote.

"In fact," he added, Ukrainian officials and people linked to Burisma, a company in Ukraine, repeatedly asked him "why our team was so concerned with this idea.

Parnas further alleged that Giuliani and some of his associates knew that the allegations they were pursuing were false.

A Giuliani spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

There has never been any factual evidence, only conspiracy theories spread by people who knew exactly what they were doing," Parnas wrote. Please abandon this effort to investigate the Bidens, which is nothing more than a wild goose chase, and let our elected officials return to the issue at hand of uniting our great country to be stronger and better than ever before."

Parnas cooperated with the first impeachment inquiry into Trump. He was later convicted of fraud and campaign finance crimes and sentenced to 20 months in prison. In his letter, he expressed remorse for his participation in Giulianis efforts.

The Hunter Biden investigation has been in the works for months. In June, the president's son agreed to plead guilty to a pair of federal misdemeanor counts in Delaware of failing to pay his taxes.

The White House has pushed back against the Biden family probes led by House Republicans.

"As we have said many times before, the President was not in business with his son," Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement last month. "As we have also said many times before, the Justice Department makes decisions in its criminal investigations independently, and in this case."

Asked about the timing of the letter, an attorney for Parnas, Joseph Bondy, said his client had come forward out of a sense of duty, and he highlighted the panel's hearing scheduled for Wednesday, which is expected to include testimony from two purported whistleblowers who worked on the Justice Department's Hunter Biden investigation.

Rebecca Kaplan reported from Washington, and Zoe Richards reported from New York.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The former Wisconsin veterans policy board head was sentenced to three years in prison Friday for possessing child pornography.

FOX 6 in Milwaukee reported that 39-year-old Curtis Schmitt Jr. was found guilty in May of three counts of child pornography possession, and along with three years in prison, he was sentenced to three years of post-release supervision.

Schmitt was appointed to the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs by Gov. Tony Evers in 2019, and the appointment was confirmed by the state senate.

WISCONSIN TEEN KILLED BY SAWMILL ACCIDENT WAS REPORTEDLY DOING WORK ALLOWED BY STATE LAW

Curtis Schmitt Jr. booking photo

He stepped away from the post in March 2022. He was charged with possessing child pornography on Jan. 23, 2022.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators learned that two photos and a video depicting child pornography were uploaded to a Dropbox account connected to Schmitts email in December 2021.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Schmitt told police he was addicted to adult pornography and would sometimes receive and download child pornography, the criminal complaint noted.

WISCONSIN HOMELESS MAN ALLEGEDLY SWUNG AX AT WOMAN OVER $40 BIKE REPAIR

The veterans bord and the secretary of Wisconsin's Department of Veterans Affairs work together to shape benefits programs for Milwaukee veterans through the adoption of administrative rules.

The board also approves recommendations and resolutions from veteran organizations in the state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WAUTOMA  A 33-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison for inappropriately touching a child while he was a counselor at a Christian camp.

Remington J. Nystrom pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree sexual assault of a child on April 12, which was the day he was scheduled to go to trial, according to online court records. The charge was reduced from a charge of first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

The case stems from a report made to the attorney general's clergy and faith leader abuse initiative, according to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The statewide initiative investigates clergy and faith leaders accused of sexual abuse.

Nystrom agreed to the facts in the criminal complaint, which stated he inappropriately touched a 10-year-old victim while Nystrom was a camp counselor at a Mount Morris camp in Waushara County in 2009, according to the release. Mount Morris is affiliated with the Moravian Church of America.

The victim in the case did not report the assault to the church or legal authorities before reporting it to the attorney general's website for clergy and faith leader abuse.

Waushara County Judge Scott Blader ordered Nystrom to serve 10 years on extended supervision following his prison sentence. Blader also ordered Nystrom to pay $1,525 in jury fees.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul thanked the survivor for coming forward and reporting the crime for being courageous, according to the release. He encouraged anyone with information about clergy and faith leader abuse to make a report at SupportSurvivors.widoj.gov or by calling 877-222-2620.

Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Our subscribers make this coverage possible. Click to see the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune's special offers at wisconsinrapidstribune.com/subscribe and download our app on the App Store or Google Play.

This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Man sentenced for child sexual assault at Wisconsin Christian camp
A California man claimed he got cancer from using Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) baby powder. Now, it is a win for him since the US jury agreed with his claim, ordering the company to pay him $18.8 million.

This ruling, which was announced on Tuesday, July 18, comes as the corporation attempts to resolve thousands of similar complaints over its talc-based products in US bankruptcy court.

Baby Powder Lawsuit

Emory Hernandez Valadez, who sued J&J in a California state court last year, was awarded damages by the jury, as reported by ABC News.

Hernandez, 24, claims that his life-threatening mesothelioma in the heart's pericardial tissue was caused by his prolonged exposure to the company's talc beginning in his youth.

J&J's talc trial lasted six weeks. It was the first legal proceeding the New Brunswick, New Jersey-based corporation had been involved in for over two years.

Hernandez was awarded compensatory damages to cover his medical expenses and pain and suffering, but the jury did not levy punitive damages on the firm.

But because of a bankruptcy court decision that put a hold on most lawsuits over J&J's talc, Hernandez will not be able to collect the award any time soon.

For J&J, the judgment is "irreconcilable with the decades of independent scientific evaluations confirming Johnson's Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer," according to a statement released by J&J's vice president of litigation, Erik Haas.

On July 10, during their closing statements, J&J's attorneys told the jury that there was no evidence connecting Hernandez's form of mesothelioma to asbestos or showing that he was ever exposed to contaminated talc.

Meanwhile, attorneys for Hernandez claimed that J&J had covered up asbestos contamination for decades in a "despicable" manner.

In his June testimony, Hernandez told the jury that he would have avoided J&J's talc if he had been advised that it included asbestos.

Anna Camacho, Hernandez's mother, testified that she applied a lot of J&J's baby powder to her son from the time he was an infant and throughout his adolescence.

Also Read: J&J Talc Lawsuits: US Judge Halts Litigations as Company Pursues $8.9 Billion Settlement

J&J Declares Chapter 11 for the Second Time

Numerous lawsuits have been filed by individuals who claim that J&J's baby powder and other talc products sometimes contain asbestos and contribute to the development of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. On the other hand, J&J claims that their talc products do not contain the cancer-causing mineral asbestos.

In April, a J&J subsidiary, LTL Management, filed for bankruptcy in Trenton, New Jersey. It offered to pay $8.9 billion to resolve more than 38,000 complaints and avoid further litigation.

After a previous effort at settling talc claims in bankruptcy was denied by a federal appeals court, the business made a second one.

US Chief Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan, who is supervising LTL's Chapter 11 bankruptcy, normally would have paused all litigation until the outcome of the case, but in light of Hernandez's terminal prognosis, he allowed the trial to continue.

Also Read: FDA Withdraws Authorization for Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 Vaccine; What Happened?

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A North Florida woman is facing an unusual charge of impersonating a firefighter after shes accused of stealing a firetruck and trying to convince a passing deputy she was on the job, according to the Suwannee County Sheriffs Office.

The conversation happened Saturday, July 15, when the firetruck ran out of gas, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Investigators learned the firetruck belonged to the Wellborn Volunteer Fire Department, which reported it stolen around the same time the suspect ran out of gas.

The scenario provided is complicated, if not odd.

The volunteer fire department chief ... allowed (the suspect) to spend the night at the fire station the night before. When he returned to the station the next afternoon to respond to a call, he discovered that (woman) and a fire truck were missing, the sheriffs office said.

While on the scene, (the suspect) called the volunteer fire chief and told him she had run out of gas and was at a business in Live Oak.

A deputy went to Live Oak, about 10 miles northwest from Wellborn, and found the woman and the stolen firetruck, officials said.

When questioned, the 44-year-old woman claimed she was a volunteer firefighter with Suwannee County, the sheriffs office reports.

But according to the Suwannee County Fire Rescue administration, she was not on their official roster and was not authorized to operate the fire truck, officials said. They wished to pursue criminal charges.

The woman, who lives in Wellborn, did not offer an explanation for why she had been driving the firetruck, but noted she left the keys in the trucks cab, inside a blue cup, officials said.

She was arrested and charged with grand theft and fraud  impersonating a firefighter, officials said.

Wellborn is about 75 miles west of Jacksonville.

Unlicensed doctor was offering live blood analysis for patients, Florida cops say

Duo impersonated gaming commission staff, confiscated cash at Florida arcades, cops say

Babysitters bizarre outing saw 2 kids taken from Florida to Wisconsin park, cops say
TikTok post of woman who had a frightening date with Gilgo Beach serial murder suspect Rex Heuermann nearly ten years ago in West Jefferson. Nikkie Brass

Almost 10 years ago, a woman's date with Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann turned creepy.

"Do you like true crime?" he asked over seafood. "Do you know anything about the Gilgo Beach killer?"

Heuermann "weirded me out," she remembered. "I didn't want dessert."

Maybe it was his announced obsession with true crime. Or how he couldn't stop talking about the Gilgo Beach serial killings  and knew things about the case that hadn't yet been in the papers.

But nearly ten years ago, Nikkie Brass, then in her mid-20s, hit the brakes hard on what she calls her "date" with Rex Heuermann  the Long Island, New York, man charged with killing three sex workers and leaving their bodies to rot in the underbrush along a bayfront highway.

As she put it in a TikTok post from Monday through her account, @your_recovery_stylist, he "really weirded me out."

"I didn't want dessert," she remembered of hightailing it out of dinner.

Heuermann, a 59-year-old father of two, was arrested last week after federal, state and local investigators linked him to the long-cold case through a cache of evidence including cell phone tower site data, DNA from hairs left at the scene, and an internet search history heavy with torture porn.

She'd met him on "one of the sketchy sites, back then," Brass, 34, joked to Insider on Tuesday of the dating websites she frequented while living on Long Island.

"I just want girls to understand how dangerous those sites can be," the hair stylist and mom, who now lives in New England, said of why she's coming forward, including to Insider and Good Morning America, which will air an interview with her on Wednesday morning.

Brass, like many Long Islanders, followed closely the then-unsolved Gilgo Beach serial murder case  including the four petite, young sex workers, all in their 20s, whose deaths prosecutors have alleged were committed by a single client  Heuermann, a Manhattan architect.

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What freaked Brass out most about Heuermann?

He knew about a victim whose death, at the time of their date, hadn't been publicized yet, she said.

"So, I don't really know where to totally begin with this," Brass began, nervously describing the date in Monday's TikTok post.

"It was anywhere from 2014 to 2016," she said.

"And part of me thinks that I should go to the cops and talk to them, because he did say information that like wasn't let out to the public," she said.

"And honestly that's what made me lose the date," she said of her decision to bail.

"Because I knew. Because I was watching the news and I was following this case."

They met "at a place in Port Jeff," she said in Monday's post, meaning the town of Port Jefferson, a 50-minute drive from where Heuermann lived with his family in Massapequa Park.

"A seafood place," she said. "And I kinda had a bad feeling to begin with, but I don't always trust my gut. I was young and dumb, and so I went," she said, giving the camera a wry smile.

Dinner began with a drink and what she called "normal" conversation. "What do you do?" they asked each other. "What are your hobbies?"

"And then, he brought up, 'Are you into true crime?'"

"He was like, 'Are you a true crime fan?' And I was like, 'Actually, I am. I could probably tell you more about serial killers than their own mother can. It's bad.'"

Heuermann then asked a question that, in retrospect, now sounds chilling: "Well, do you know about the Gilgo Beach killer?"

Of course, she remembered answering.

"Everybody on Long Island does," she told him. "We're all following that case."

Heuermann started spouting off about his knowledge of the case, she said. And he knew a lot, including, she said, "about a body that wasn't announced on the news yet."

"It was not just him," she said, adding that Heuermann's descriptions leads her to believe now that, "there were other people involved."

"He is taking the fall though, I think, for all of them," she said in the post.

The architect was very detailed, she said of his knowledge of the Gilgo Beach case. And as he spoke, he seemed "like he was reliving it in his head," she said.

"He seemed like, excited. Like it piqued his interest. He sat up straighter."

Brass changed the subject, and tried to speed things along, she said.

When dinner ended, and Heuermann asked, "Well, do you want to go back to my place?" Brass hesitated.

"I don't know," she told him. "I'd have to follow you in my car."

"No, no, no," she said Heuermann insisted. "Get in my car with me. Leave your car here."

"I'm not going to leave my car in a random lot in Port Jeff," she said she protested.

Heuermann kept trying to persuade her into his car.

"It'll be fine. No big deal. Just come with me," she said he told her.

When Brass stood her ground, telling Heuermann that she didn't feel comfortable getting into the car alone with a stranger, he turned angry and insistent, she said.

"That made me even more like  'I gotta get out of here.'"

Brass shakes her finger at the camera as she closes the post with this thought: "Thank god. I trusted my gut. I left after that check came.

"And I never spoke to that man again."

Read the original article on Insider
Co-Chair of the Michigan Republican Party Meshawn Maddock waves to an attendee during a Save America rally on October 1, 2022 in Warren, Michigan. Emily Elconin/Getty Images

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Tuesday her office was filing felony charges against 16 Michiganians for their role in a 'fake elector' scheme in 2020.

One of the women charged was Michigan Republican Party co-Chairwoman Meshawn Maddock.

In May, she bragged on Twitter about how Democrats wanted her arrested but that she was still waiting.

A Michigan woman recently charged with eight felonies as part of a "fake elector" scheme in the 2020 presidential election previously bragged on Twitter about her lack of arrest at the time.

"Dems waiting for my arrest," tweeted Michigan Republican Party co-Chairwoman Meshawn Maddock in May, accompanied by a GIF of a skeleton tapping its fingers on a table captioned "WAITING."

Two months later, on Tuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Maddock was one of 16 people each facing eight felony counts for their alleged role to try and overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election by sending a fraudulent document claiming then-President Donald Trump won the presidential race in the state, despite losing by more than 150,000 votes.

"We allege that 16 Michigan residents met covertly in the basement of Michigan GOP headquarters and knowingly, of their own volition, signed statements that they were the duly elected and qualified electors for the president and vice president of the United States of America," Nessel announced on Tuesday. "That was a lie."

A charging document in the fake elector case also alleges that Maddock and 15 other fake electors intentionally took measures to keep their plot as covert as possible.

The document said that two Michigan GOP staffers stood guard at the entrance of the party's headquarters in Lansing to ensure nobody could enter  the staffers said they denied entry to Maddock's husband, Michigan state Rep. Matt Maddock, as well as a film crew.

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Since her arrest, Maddock has vociferously denied that she and the rest who were charged did anything wrong at all and said there was nothing secret about the group's meeting in 2020.

"Secret meeting  no, there was no secret meeting," she said, according to Fox 2 Detroit. "These were Trump electors, duly elected Trump electors who met and it's all very public. It was on Facebook. I haven't taken anything down from that day. We met and we turned in paperwork. It was meant to be put alongside with the Democrat electors."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Darke County woman has been found guilty of two felonies related to the death of a missing man whose body was found last August in a rural area of Darke County.

>>RELATED: 2 indicted on charges in connection to Darke County homicide investigation

Ashley Fletcher, 38, was found convicted Tuesday in the Common Pleas Court of Darke County of two felonies, Tampering with Evidence and Abuse of Corpse, according to online court documents.

News Center 7 previously reported she was arrested with Dean Baker last August in Ocala, Florida in connection to the homicide of Corey Fleming.

Baker was indicted on one count of murder, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, courts records said. His case was moved to from Darke County Common Pleas Court to Clark County Common Pleas Court, where he was found guilty of all charges last month.

>>2 Darke Co. fugitives wanted in connection to homicide investigation arrested in Florida

Fleming was reported missing by his family to the Union City Police Department on August 18, 2022.

His body was discovered by investigators in a shallow grave at a commercial farm in Brown Township on August 20, the Darke County Sheriffs office said.

>>Homicide investigation launched after body of missing man found in rural area of Darke County

Fletcher is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8.

Her bond has been revoked.

Fletcher has also been ordered to be in the custody of the Darke County Sheriffs Department until sentencing.
A 31-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of attempting to stab a store employee during a robbery at the WinCo Foods store in Victorville.

At 11:47 a.m. on Friday, July 14, Deputy Bellamy from the Victorville Sheriffs Station was dispatched to a robbery that just occurred at the WinCo at 15350 Roy Rogers Drive.

The suspect, identified as Felica Lineberg of Victorville, allegedly stole over $300 in merchandise from the store, and attempted to stab an employee with a large kitchen knife, sheriffs officials said.

Felica Lineberg, 31, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to stab a store employee during a robbery at the WinCo Foods store in Victorville.

Deputy Bellamy arrived and detained Lineberg in the parking lot. The suspect was arrested and booked into custody at High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto.

Lineberg was transferred to the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. She faces possible charges of felony robbery, and felony assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm). Her bail was set at $50,000.

Knife assault, shooting

In recent years, San Bernardino County Sheriffs deputies have responded to some serious incidents at the Victorville WinCo.

In August 2022, a 39-year-old Victorville resident was shot by deputies after he allegedly tried to assault them with a knife at the WinCo, the Daily Press reported.

Deputies rendered medical aid and airlifted him to a hospital where he was in stable condition, sheriffs officials said at the time.

In December 2019, a shooting occurred in front of the WinCo, leaving one man injured and patrons running.

Arriving deputies found one man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital. His condition was unknown at the time.

Anyone with information about the July 14 incident is urged to contact the Victorville Sheriffs Station at 760-241-2911 or Sheriffs Dispatch at 760-956-5001.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 800-78CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Woman suspected of trying to stab employee at WinCo in Victorville
Ukrenergo, together with the Finance Ministry and Energy Ministry, signed two agreements with the World Bank

The World Bank will provide Ukrainian state energy company Ukrenergo with $240 million to purchase special equipment to ensure the stable operation of the power grid, Ukrenergo board chair, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, wrote on Facebook on July 18.

Read also: Ukraines power grid operator urges Ukrainians to save energy in evenings

Ukrenergo, together with the Finance Ministry and Energy Ministry, signed two agreements with the World Bank on the allocation of financial aid to the company, he said.

As part of the first agreement, funds from the German government will be directed to the purchase and installation of special devices that increase the stable operation of the Ukrainian power grid  STATCOM.

The second specifies the transfer of financial assistance to Ukrenergo for the purchase of special equipment, autotransformers and other high-voltage equipment to replace those damaged as a result of enemy strikes.

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
Online articles and social media posts claim the World Economic Forum (WEF) has banned natural conception in favor of "lab-grown" babies. This is false; a spokesperson for the Geneva-based organization, which has no legal authority over governments, said there was no truth to the claim.

"WEF Bans Natural Conception: All Babies Must Be Lab-Grown by 2030," says an article published June 8, 2023 by The People's Voice.

The People's Voice, previously known as NewsPunch, has a lengthy history of publishing fabricated stories, many of which AFP has debunked.

Screenshot of an article published by The People's Voice taken July 18, 2023

The claim then spread across social media and video sharing platforms including as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Rumble and Bitchute.

The WEF, an international organization that lobbies politicians, businesses and cultural groups, is a frequent target of misinformation. Like many of the claims made online about the forum, this is similarly false.

"The World Economic Forum never called for an end to natural conception or pushed for babies to be lab-grown. These are false claims to discredit the important work that the World Economic Forum does on serious global challenges," WEF spokesperson Yann Zopf told AFP on July 19, 2023.

AFP searched the WEF's websites and reputable media outlets and found no evidence the organization made any such statements regarding natural conception.

While some researchers have been working toward creating artificial wombs to help premature babies, this is independent of the WEF, which has made no proposal in this area.

The People's Voice article links to a WEF blog post from 2017 (archived here) about a breakthrough in synthetic womb research. The study was conducted on lambs, not people, and the post notes: "The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum."

Additionally, the WEF is an independent, non-governmental foundation, therefore, it does not have legal jurisdiction to establish a ban on natural conception or create any laws.

AFP has previously debunked other false and misleading claims about the WEF here, here, here and here.
"People sometimes think that the president of the United States ought not to travel, but they think many things about the president which are wrong. ... I wish to convey to you the profound conviction which has come to me that I am better equipped to serve and more resolved faithfully to serve the Nation than when I left Washington last June."

Those were the words of President Warren G. Harding upon arriving in Seattle, Washington, on July 27, 1923, following his visit to Alaska during his famous Voyage of Understanding in the summer of 1923. Sadly, the president died just six days later on Aug. 2 in San Francisco.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Harding's death and once again local residents gathered at the Harding Memorial in Marion to honor the memory of the 29th president of the United States and his wife, Florence Harding, during a wreath-laying ceremony that was conducted Saturday morning.

Brigadier Gen. Andrew F. Scarcella salutes after assisting Dr. Warren G. Harding III in laying a wreath at the tomb of President Warren G. Harding on Saturday at the Harding Memorial on Delaware Avenue in Marion. The wreath-laying ceremony is an annual tradition that was conducted for many years before being written into the U.S. Army Regulations in 1980. This year marks the 100th anniversary of President Harding's death while on his famous Voyage of Understanding in the summer of 1923.

"One hundred years ago this summer, President and Mrs. Harding traveled by train, ship, and automobile to the western states, Canada, and Alaska," Harding Presidential Sites manager Sherry Hall said during Saturday's ceremony. "The president called the 15,000-mile trip the 'Voyage of Understanding.' It was based on the simple premise that if the government went to the people, listened to their concerns, and explained what the government was trying to do in Washington, both sides could more easily communicate and work together for the good of all. 'Our common country,' as Harding put it."

July 15 still an important day in history of Alaska

"Today, the small town of Nenana, Alaska, population 358, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the exact day (July 15) that President Harding came to them," Hall added. "He drove the golden spike to finish the Alaska Railway. This day is a big deal to the folks in that town, as it should be. Not only did the president travel to a remote area to get to them, but he listened to them that day. It's no wonder that Nenana is so proud of their connection to this president. He gave them his time."

Dr. Warren G. Harding III, a grandnephew of President Harding, paid tribute to his ancestor in a brief speech he delivered on Saturday, citing several policy measures that he accomplished during his presidency.

Dr. Warren G. Harding III addresses the crowd that gathered Saturday for the annual wreath-laying ceremony in memory of President Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence Harding, at the Harding Memorial in Marion. Dr. Harding is a grandnephew of President Harding.

"I believe that presidents should be evaluated by the history which they accomplish," Dr. Harding said. "Historian Henry Adams, who was the grandson and great grandson of the Adams presidents, developed an analogy that he used likening the president to a captain of a ship at sea with a helm to grasp, a course to steer, and a port to seek. President Harding's vision for his presidency, or his port to seek, included peace, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans and for our republic to be an example for the world.

"President and Mrs. Harding loved Marion and Marion's people and I'm sure they would have enjoyed being here for this ceremony this morning. They would be proud and honored to be a part of it."

Brigadier general assists in wreath ceremony

Brigadier Gen. Andrew F. Scarcella, deputy commanding general of the 88th Readiness Division based at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, was tasked with paying tribute to President Harding on behalf of the United States Army. He assisted Dr. Harding in laying the memorial wreath at the foot of the president's tomb.

Dr. Warren G. Harding III, right, and Brigadier Gen. Andrew F. Scarcella lay a wreath at the tomb of President Warren G. Harding during a ceremony at the Harding Memorial in Marion. A wreath also was laid at the tomb of Florence Harding, the president's wife, who also is buried at the Harding Memorial.

Gen. Scarcella also assisted Phyllis Butterworth, a member of the Harding Presidential Sites Advisory Committee, in laying a memorial wreath at Mrs. Harding's tomb. Butterworth paid tribute to Mrs. Harding in a speech that outlined the former First Lady's achievements and activities both before and during Harding's presidency.

To commemorate the "Voyage of Understanding," the Harding Presidential Sites is posting information about the trip daily on its Facebook page. The program "Death of a President" will be presented at 7 p.m. on Aug. 2 which, according to officials, will allow people to learn "about the health challenges faced by the President when he was taken ill in San Francisco, and his funeral services that followed."

Presenters will be Harding Presidential Sites Researcher Jon Andersen, Site Manager Sherry Hall and the presidents grand-nephew, Dr. Richard Harding. More information about the program will be available on the Harding Presidential Sites website hardingpresidentialsites.org.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Honoring President Harding on the 100th anniversary of his passing
Local broadcast station groups, with the support of the ABC, NBC, FOX and CBS television Affiliate Associations representing more than 600 local TV stations across the country, today announced the official launch of The Coalition for Local News, a new advocacy group urging lawmakers and regulators to act now to protect the future of local news in America.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Coalition for Local News is dedicated to the belief that local news is essential to the well-being of local communities across the nation and is a vital pillar of American democracy. As the most trusted source of news for Americans, local news broadcasts provide timely coverage of important issues and events, emergency weather service, and access to lifesaving information.

The future of local broadcast news is threatened by regulations that need to be modernized and government inaction in exercising existing authority to protect the ability of local news outlets to compete.

One glaring example is the streaming loophole in the current FCC rule requiring cable and satellite providers, but not online streaming services, to negotiate directly with local broadcasters for carriage of their stations. Today, streaming services represent about one-third of the pay-TV market and are growing quickly.

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Local television stations have lost control of their retransmission consent rights under current rules that cut them out of the negotiating process with streaming services. Without the ability to negotiate directly with streaming services, local broadcasters cannot obtain the compensation necessary for them to sustain their substantial investments in local news.

Local broadcast stations can thrive in a fair marketplace. We have demonstrated as much over the past 30 years of successful competition in the cable and satellite era. But no business can succeed when the rules dont apply fairly and reflect todays reality, says Mike Meara, former chair of the ABC television Affiliates Association and member of the Coalition. The market has evolved dramatically and its time for lawmakers and regulators to act to protect local broadcast news.

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The FCC itself began a process to consider the issue of the streaming loophole back in 2014 when it solicited public comment, but it has not addressed the issue since.

Last month, Senator Maria Cantwell sent a letter to the FCC requesting that it refresh the record to address the current media environment and protect local news in the streaming era. Among the Coalitions chief priorities is urging the FCC to do just that  refresh the record now with comments that reflect the vastly changed market realities of 2023. Last week, the FCC announced its intent to consider updating a separate set of longstanding program carriage rules, an acknowledgment of the need to modernize video regulations in light of a changing marketplace.

Congress and the FCC have always modernized federal rules in other contexts to keep them in line with advancements in communications technologies and changes in the marketplace. All we ask is that we modernize these regulations to reflect the current marketplace so local broadcasters are able to compete and thrive on a level playing field, says Michael OBrien, SVP at The E.W. Scripps Company, and member of the Coalition. This streaming loophole takes direct investments away from local broadcasters and allows national media conglomerates to control the right to local broadcasters signals, ultimately deciding the fate of local news.

The Coalition will be engaged in an array of advocacy efforts, including working with groups that recognize the vital importance of local news and urging them to get involved in this debate.

Visit coalitionforlocalnews.org to learn more and help protect local news in America.
Veronika Petrova is an Asian Russian influencer who posts videos on TikTok demystifying stereotypes.

Veronika Petrova is an Asian Russian influencer who posts videos on TikTok demystifying stereotypes.

Whereareyoureally from? is a microaggression that has harassed people of color for decades. For Veronika Petrova, its the question that made her go viral.

The answer is simply Russia. And where her parents are from? Also, Russia, and so has the answer been for countless generations. Yet, due to her Asian features, its something that Americans just cant seem to process since she first visited the United States.

Petrova is Russian but ethnically Asian. Her family is Yakut, one of the many different Turkic Groups from across Asia and the Middle East that Russia colonized. As she frankly explains in her viral video, If you understand your geography, you would understand that half of Russia, the biggest country in the world, is in Asia.

With such a diverse and expansive collection of cultures, Russians are still seen as a monolith, and many of us in the Western world cannot grasp the idea of people from Russia being Asian. So where does this disconnect come from?

Petrova believes it largely stems from our TV screens and the medias narrative. Hollywood has a very specific archetype of who a Russian person is. A Russian person is always evil  a bad guy with a crazy accent who is White with blonde hair and blue eyes, she tells me. Thats why people cannot comprehend the fact that a Russian can also be Asian, she adds.

This lack of nuance led to Petrova being subjected to endless questioning of where shes from and why shes Asian. Petrova says that almost every person she first meets in America asks these questions, but she has noticed some change during the past few years thanks to social media.

Its clear Petrova was very intentional in her content. Following TikToks formula at the height of the pandemic, Petrova got to the point in every post and found a way to bridge education with humor. When the [viral] video was made, I got a lot of love. The video was funny, and people liked my personality because I was explaining the history, but in a joking way. I find humor unites all people. You make something funny. They agree with you, whatever it is.

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Six million views later, Petrovas informative, saucy rant was a hit. Suddenly, she validated millions of peoples experiences around the world and intrigued those who had never experienced someone like her. Shed put a taboo desire  trying to detect someones ethnic identity to understand more about their experience  out there in a way that felt accessible and human. Petrova didnt take her sudden fame for granted; she began expanding her content to explain Russian colonization, her Yakut cultureand to air out her funny and insightful opinions on American culture.

Much like our struggle to grasp the concept of being Russian and Asian, Americans appear equally confused about the cultural differences between East and Central Asians. The way people in the West perceive the term Asian is also very problematic and very narrow-minded, Petrova explains. China, Korea and Japan have become staples in Western pop culture, but by only viewing Asians through a lens thats comfortable and marketable to Americans, Asian cultures outside of that limited view are erased.

In another one of Petrovas viral videos, she answers this erasure directly, Im not fried rice, sushi, ramen type of Asian. Im horse meat kabob type of Asian, humorously rejecting the rigid archetype pop culture puts on Asians. Her sound also went viral across Central Asia, prompting users to create their own version and affirm themselves. Asiansofrussia, its_trashling and tatar.prince all use their platform to speak on Central Asian identity, the impacts of imperialism and advocating for equality.

Not only do these videos educate, but they inspire people all over the world to advocate for a more nuanced understanding of Asian identity. A lot of Central Asians reach out to me all the time saying, Thank you or You inspired me to write my paper in university about Central Asians or Russian imperialism. I think [her first viral video] really had influence on the world.

The Western worlds lack of understanding of Russias diversity can have some pretty ugly blowback. Take, for instance, Russian K-Pop star Lana, when she debuted, was the subject of vitriol and hate, despite being both ethnically Asian and Russian. Lana was even accused of getting plastic surgery despite naturally having Asian features.

Marsel Rafail-ul Ganeyev, a doctoral candidate and content creator, initially joined social media for queer activism as an openly gay person in Kazakhstan but also experienced ignorance related to his ethnicity and race. He was born in Kazakhstan, a country also colonized by Russia and formerly of the Soviet Union. He is half-Russian half-Tatar, another native ethnic group of Russia. Because he is ethnically Russian and white-passing, Europeans were confused about how he could be from an Asian country with his skin color and features.

I was always fascinated by complex identities within Kazakhstan and studying them and reflecting on my own identity, Ganeyev says. I was trying to raise awareness about people speaking in Kazakh, but also using it in the queer context, speaking about queerness and LGBTQ rights. In exploring his identity in Kazakhstan, Ganeyev wanted to learn more about his Tatar identity and the language.

Like the Yakuts, Tatars were forced to assimilate to Russian ideology through imperialism in the 16th century. According to Ganeyev, even in academic settings, Tatars must write in Russian when discussing their culture. This erasure of his culture and the homophobic Russian propaganda fueled Ganeyevs social media content.

In addition to posting on TikTok, Petrova is a podcaster and also has her own clothing line.

In addition to posting on TikTok, Petrova is a podcaster and also has her own clothing line.

Ganeyevs strategy for creating informative and accessible content aligns with Petrovas. Im amazed by Veronika because she is bringing content in an understandable way. Its not an academic article that you would read and try to understand all this history, but its just storytelling that is personally connected, he says. It helps a lot of people understand in general. Same for me, when I create content, write my posts, its just academic words being said very simply.

Despite being an educator online, Petrovas online persona is not central to her identity, nor does she see it as something that will last past her 20s. In addition to social media, Petrova is a college student, intern, podcaster and now runs her own clothing line. I want to travel the whole world. I want to have talk to different people in different parts of the world, she says of her future aspirations. To me, a conversation is the meaning of life.

The conversations Petrova has started online are not just empowering to those who feel unseen but also for people who thrive off of human connection on a deeper level. Hopefully, Hollywood will catch on. Acknowledging a more realistic spectrum of Asian identity ultimately combats Russian imperialism and helps communities worldwide embrace their most authentic selves.

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People frequently using Google Search would regularly notice that Google's logo changes on special and historical events like Juneteenth, New Year's Day, and Fourth of July.

These creative logo designs, or Doodles as Google calls them, bring a breath of fresh air to Google Search's familiar yet sometimes monotonous homepage. Once you notice something different with Google's logo, you'll immediately know an event worth celebrating is happening on that day.

However, why did Google start creating Doodles in the first place, and how does it choose who gets to design its logo for that day?

From Humble Beginnings

Interestingly enough, the first Doodle Google ever made didn't even celebrate anything. According to Google Doodles' About page, the first unofficial Doodle came to be when company founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin placed a stick figure behind the second "o" in Google to show they attended the Burning Man festival in Nevada in 1998.

It was at that point when both founders got a "Eureka" moment - the one Google Doodles owes its existence. Page and Brin came up with the idea of decorating Google's logo to celebrate notable events.

Little did they know they would soon have their chance to showcase Google's first-ever Doodle. Two years later, the founders asked Dennis Hwang, a Google intern at the time, to produce a doodle for France's Bastille Day.

Hwang's Doodle for Bastille Day 2000 consists of the French flag atop the "l" while red and blue fireworks hover above Google's first four letters. The French words for "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" are located just beneath the first three letters.

Read More: SEC Expresses Concern Over Use of Generative AI in Financial Markets

Users praised the Doodle so much that Page and Brin appointed Hwang as Google's chief doodler. Since then, doodles started showing up on the Google homepage regularly.

While the first few Doodles celebrated well-known events, Google eventually expanded its scope to celebrate a wide array of events and anniversaries with a Doodle - from the Birthday of John James Audubon to the ice cream sundae.

As of press time, Google has published over 5,000 Doodles for its various homepages worldwide. Their popularity reached a point that Brin filed a patent for them to protect the company's practice of spiffing up their logo for special dates and events, per Stikky Media.

Who Gets To Design Them?

While Hwang became Google's chief (and sole) doodler for some years, Google's recent doodles are now the responsibility of a team Google specifically created to spoof the company logo for special events. While they are mostly responsible for many of the Doodles people see, the company also works with guest artists like Laura Freeman, who created 2023's Juneteenth Google Doodle.

These guest artists could've come from the approximately 7,000 art submissions Google receives from users per year, per Google. Unfortunately, only a few hundred user-made artworks get featured on Google's homepage.

Nonetheless, Google's Doodles allow not only artists but also users that visit Google Search every day to commemorate special events through art and technology.

Related Article: Google Launches Unique Juneteenth 2023 Doodle From Laura Freeman
By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New York City will distribute flyers at the U.S.-Mexico border telling newly arrived migrants to "consider another city" and limit shelter stays for adult asylum seekers to 60 days as the city's Democratic mayor says it is straining to house them.

In an announcement on Wednesday, the office of Mayor Eric Adams said the flyers would seek to "combat misinformation at the border" and that the city would help migrants find other housing and "take the next step in their journey."

New York City says that it has provided services to 90,000 migrants since last spring and that nearly 55,000 remain in its care. Thousands of those migrants arrived on buses sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican who has tried to shift the burden of receiving them to Democratic strongholds.

New York is bound by a decades-old consent decree in a class-action lawsuit to provide shelter for those without homes. As more migrants have arrived, Adams has tried a range of approaches to housing them, from tents to relocating them to other parts of the state.

Two groups advocating for New York City's homeless population - the Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless - said in a joint statement they were reviewing the legality of the new 60-day shelter limit.

"This new policy raises many questions and concerns that the City has yet to address. It is also unclear whether State officials have provided any input on what the City proposes to implement."

They added that the state has a legal obligation to "ensure that people who lack shelter are safe and secure, and protected from exposure to the elements."

Adams declared a state of emergency in October 2022 and has called on President Joe Biden, a fellow Democrat, to provide more resources and to help migrants get work permits.

The new flyer that New York City plans to circulate at the border highlights the high cost of housing, food and other necessities that migrants will encounter if they travel to the U.S. financial center.

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"Please consider another city as you make your decision about where to settle in the U.S.," it reads in English and Spanish.

(This story has been refiled to fix formatting in paragraph 6)

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
Investigators in Manhattan have seized $69m worth of stolen artifacts from a major Metropolitan Museum of Art trustee and collector, according to a report.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has confiscated 89 artifacts from Shelby White, 84, over the last two years.

The office's Antiquities Trafficking Unit alleges that the seized artifacts were stolen before they were put up for sale.

Ms White is reportedly cooperating with authorities. It is unclear if Ms White and her late husband, prominent financier Leon Levy, knew the items were stolen before they purchased them for their collection.

While most of the artifacts were recovered from Ms White's apartment at Sutton Place, 17 of the recovered items were held at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art on loan, according to the New York Times.

One of the most valuable artifacts, a bronze statuette of Roman Emperor Lucius Verus, is worth approximately $15m. The piece was reportedly stolen from Turkey, according to a search warrant.

The pieces recovered by the DA's office were stolen from 10 countries, including Italy and Yemen.

The couple were major donors to the Met, providing the museum with $20m in 2007. The Met responded by opening a wing named in their honour that displays a large collection of Greek and Roman artwork.

In addition to donating to the museum, Ms White sits as an emeritus trustee on its acquisitions, building, and finance committees.

Shelby White, 84, a trustee and major donor to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is at the centre of an investigation into $69m worth of stolen artifacts (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

She recently was appointed to a task force directed to advise the museum's collecting practices.

The Met has been very public in acknowledging that new information brought to light by law enforcement and others has precipitated our decision to devote additional resources to provenance research, Ken Weine, a Met spokesman, said in a statement to the Times.

While the Met's director, Max Hollein, has supported Ms White and praised her for being a "profoundly generous supporter," antiquities experts expressed scepticism that she was unaware that the pieces were not obtained legitimately.

There is no way that someone at her level of the market and her depth of collecting and her prominence at the Met  there is no way someone at that level did not know they should be asking for things like export licenses, Elizabeth Marlowe, director of the museum studies program at Colgate University, told the Times.
A few years ago, Mia Alaina-Lorene Knight shared with some family a dream: Leading a pride parade in her hometown.

A 20-year old transgender woman from the Yuba-Sutter area, Knight died on May 31 by suicide, her family and friends said. Many in the area say she brought light to a community where LGBTQ+ people are still finding their footing.

She was a dancer. She sang. She was known for her unapologetic attitude, and though she had her struggles, Knights community of family, friends and supporters chose to honor her legacy at Yuba Citys first Love is Love walk in mid-June. She wasnt involved in organizing the celebration, but her family and friends were at the forefront, carrying a banner with her name amid chants and music. All in all, the walk drew over 100 attendees and organizers later brought in vendors, booths and resources for LGBTQ youth.

To have that all come together was just really heartwarming, but it was also heartbreaking, said Rachel Madrigal, a co-organizer of the parade. It was just even more important to do what we did.

Mia Knight, a transgender woman who died by suicide in May, was honored by Yuba Citys first Pride parade.

In Yuba City, the citys first Pride parade was peaceful despite concerns about violent backlash, said Amy Johnson, owner of local business Rockabettys Hair Parlor and organizer of the event.

Theres allies and people that love and care about the community and are seeing the struggle, said Johnson.

In California, reported events of gender-based hate crimes increased by nearly 56% from 2021 to 2022, according to a report from the states Department of Justice. That increase comes as rates of suicidal thoughts among LGBTQ youth trend upward year by year, and their communities consider how best to support them.

Johnson was already planning to put on the pride event when Knight died. Around half of her clients are LGBTQ+, Johnson said, and she strives to make her salon an inclusive space.

Knights network intersected with Johnsons, and news of her death led Johnson to want to bring everyone in the community together in a safe environment, not just LGBTQ people. We called all the local police departments in town. We invited a couple local politicians. I was like, OK, come on Yuba City, get it together.

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Finding community

Those politicians never showed up, Johnson said. While things are changing, Johnson feels conservative values still take priority for many in Yuba City and the surrounding area.

According to family and friends, Knight experienced rampant bullying and discrimination throughout her childhood. It was also in day to day things like being made fun of in restaurants.

But it never stopped her. Once, when neighbors found a young Knight wearing a tutu, they informed Susan Knight, Mias birth mother, the moment she came home. Her response? She chuckled. I already knew... I always allow my kids to express themselves.

From 18 months old, it was clear that Mia Knight knew who she was, Susan Knight said. She found joy dressing up, experimenting with makeup and Barbie dolls. It was at Anna McKenney Intermediate School in Marysville, where Knight would go on to meet her close friend, Kylee Stone, in the sixth grade.

Kylee Stone, left, and Opal McCartney hold Mia Alaina-Lorene Knights urn while, Kylee Stone and Jasmine Mederos, 17, and Jennique Lee stand behind them while remembering Knight at POW/MIA Park on July 1, 2023, in Linda. This is a place that Mia came to when Mia wasnt feeling safe, this where she ran to, McCartney said.

She was very open with me, Stone said. The two confided in each other and found friendship, Stone said. They hung out after school regularly, and Knight once told Stone her family felt like her own. She even helped Stone, a member of the LGBTQ community, work through her own suicidal thoughts. Shes had a very rough life ... but when she was young, we were just always together.

Friends and family said the power structures that were supposed to help did not always step up to protect Mia Knight. Her middle school principal did attempt to address the bullying Knight faced, Susan Knight said, but Knight had her own personal struggles, too, and ended up in foster care.

That was where she came into the care of Opal McCartney and Jennique Lee, two sisters who had been in the foster care system themselves. McCartney, her foster mother, was originally Knights teacher. She saw how time after time, Knight lost out on a chance to be placed in a foster family.

Opal McCartney, center, embraces Kylee Stone, close friend of Mia Alaina-Lorene Knight, at POW/MIA Park in Linda on July 1 wile honoring the life Knight. This is a place that Mia came to when Mia wasnt feeling safe, this where she ran to, McCartney said. The young transgender woman from the Yuba-Sutter area died May 31 by suicide due to bullying, friends and family said.

Official programs for youth in Mia Knights situation catered to cisgender girls and boys, which left her to fall through the cracks, her family said. LGBTQ youth are over represented in the foster care system, but many advocates believe the California could strengthen existing protections for them.

McCartney chose to look beyond the statistics and saw something different.

I can still picture her in the outfit she was wearing the day I met her, McCartney said. I just remember seeing such an ability and a potential in her. The only thing I wanted is for her to be able to tell her story and to be who she wanted to be.

Not as widely accepted: How things could be changing

Knights smile was radiant and she could often be found dancing or singing to her favorite artists, McCartney and Lee said. But when she struggled with bullying or finding safe spaces for her community, there was less specific support in the Yuba-Sutter area.

When you have that much light, you also have that much dark, Lee said.

Efforts to support LGBTQ+ students are ongoing, said Zachary Pless, director of student welfare and attendance for Marysville Joint Unified School district, which oversaw Knights middle school. The district didnt respond to a 2022 statewide survey scoring policies based off of inclusivity for LGBTQ students, conducted by the Equality California Institute. (District officials said they were unaware of why but are open to responding to similar surveys in the future.)

Being LGBTQ is not as widely accepted in the Marysville area in comparison to places like the Bay Area, Pless said, but the school district has been able to individually support some of its trans students.

Pless, who joined the school district last year, also helped start the first Gay-Straight alliance in Solano County in the early 2000s. It was at a time he said the word gay was deployed as a commonplace insult and adjective throughout middle school. Hes now held multiple stints in various education roles, putting the onus on those who teach young LGBTQ people to set a standard that adults in their lives will have their backs.

Many tell Pless they are concerned about their parents response to them being trans or gay, sometimes just because they dont know how theyll react. At the school district, some high schools and middle schools do have support groups for LGBTQ students, but those are limited since they often require student initiative: Theres not the same group of students around who are keeping it up and keeping it going, he said. Thats hard to see. Id like to see more to be honest.

Many youth were in attendance at the Yuba City Pride Walk. Some were afraid and decided not to go for fear of revealing they were part of the LGBTQ community or experiencing violence, Johnson said, but others were empowered by Knights story and the communitys willingness to come together. Her family and friends brought her ashes and carried a banner designed with her photo and the pride flag colors in the background. Dont you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you cant be exactly who you are, the banner said, quoting from Lady Gaga.

Knight was in close contact with McCartney and Stone before her death. Her relationships with her family werent always perfect, McCartney and Susan Knight said, but they always found a way to heal, much like any other family.

The greatest thing about love is the opportunity to give it to whomever you choose. Im grateful for the opportunity to give my love to Mia.  McCartney said. Theres absolutely no doubt in my mind there are things that I would do differently, because I know better now than I did then, but I would still do it in a heartbeat.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential assistance to anyone in crisis and their loved ones through a live chat and free 24-hour hotline: 800-273-8255. WellSpace Health operates the Sacramento regions 24-hour hotline: 916-368-3111 or text HOPE to 916-668-4226.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for security at port infrastructure to be beefed up after a massive Russian missile strike on Odesa Oblast overnight on July 19.

The Russian invaders absolutely consciously hit grain deal infrastructure, the president wrote on Telegram.

Zelenskyy noted that he held a conference call early on July 19, during which he was informed about the Russian night attack on Odesa and other regions, as well as its consequences.

Each Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine, but also to everyone in the world who seeks a normal and safe life, he emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, and Commander of the Air Force Mykola Oleschuk reported during the conference call.

Ive instructed the military to step up the security of civilians and port infrastructure, and the Interior Ministry to intensify contacts with partners to increase pressure on the terrorist state and continue the normal export of Ukrainian grain, Zelenskyy said.

An air raid alert was triggered several times across Ukraine overnight on July 19 due to Russian attacks. The invaders attacked Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Mykoliav and Poltava oblasts, as well as the cities of Kherson and Kropyvnytskyi. In total, air defense forces shot down 37 out of 63 air targets.

The Russians also hit a grain and oil terminal in Odesa Oblast, local authorities reported. In addition, several residential buildings were damaged and an industrial facility was hit, resulting in several civilians being injured, including a child.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A pair of bluebirds perched above their nest box called softly to their chicks, urging them to come out into the world.

One brave chick poked his head out and looked. Minutes later he stuck more of his body out, then abruptly retreated.

Its a big world out there.

After having spent 15 to 20 days safely ensconced in its nesting box with daily food deliveries, this chick was reluctant to test his wings. In a few minutes, however, it peeked out again and flew impressively about 100 feet from its nest, only to crash against the bottom of a cedar tree and plop into the grass.

Fortunately, the baby soon poked his head up and hopped around the tree, apparently unharmed.

His father successfully called him up into the cedar, where he would be safer from predators.

The male found a large caterpillar and bashed it in a nearby tree before delivering his chick its first outdoor breakfast.

While I didnt see another chick exit, I spied a second one fluttering down to the ground from a red maple tree. He hopped around before arriving at the base of the tree and disappearing from view.

Michael and I maintain nine boxes on our road and already have had two broods launch this year.

Bluebirds generally start building nests at the end of March, start round two at the end of May and can have up to four broods in one season.

To start the process, a male bluebird will gather nesting material and flutter in front of a box to attract his mate, but he leaves the heavy lifting to her.

The mother builds the nest alone, and quickly.

She lays one egg per day and once she is finished, she begins the incubation process. Bluebirds generally lay four to five eggs.

Incubation lasts 13 to 17 days and young chicks grow fast enough to leave the nest 15 to 20 days after hatching. Parents continue to feed fledglings for up to a month.

That means a lot of work by both parents. Almost all baby birds need soft, squishy caterpillars that are easily digested and full of protein. And they need a lot of them.

Doug Tallamy, an entomologist at the University of Delaware, found to raise one brood of chickadees, for example, requires 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars!

Thats why native plants are crucial for birds. Insects are found in abundance on native plants and hardly at all on non-natives.

Bluebirds are master hunters. They can often be spotted perched high on a limb or a wire, staring down at the ground before swooping down to snatch an insect.

Bluebirds were in serious decline in the 1960s and 70s from habitat loss, competition with house sparrows and starlings, severe weather and pesticide use.

In the 1990s, efforts to provide nesting boxes have nearly returned their populations to 1960s levels, proof that we can be a positive influence in the world that looks so big to a baby bluebird.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of the Commonwealth Kay Coles James have offered some insight, after months of speculation from Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups as to what criteria the administration considers when restoring rights to formerly incarcerated people.

In a letter obtained by Richmond Times-Dispatch, James wrote to the Virginias state conference of the NAACP that Youngkin will be less likely to quickly restore the voting rights of anyone who used a firearm in the commission of a crime, and that, generally speaking, but not always, he will work to restore the voting rights of those who committed nonviolent crimes.

Virginias state conference of the NAACP says the answer is not good enough.

We need more specifics on use of firearms and committing felonies to determine whether thats fair to all, the organizations president, Robert Barnette Jr. said during a news conference Tuesday at the state Capitol.

The NAACP submitted a series of recommendations to the administration that include publicly available criteria for applicants, communication of the timeline for the process and monthly public disclosures of how many applications it received, granted and denied.

This past March, the Times-Dispatch reported changes to the Secretary of the Commonwealths website that indicated former prisoners have to apply to have their rights restored. In Virginia, felony convictions result in loss of rights like voting, running for office, serving as a notary or carrying a firearm. The state constitution allows for governors to restore the rights on an individual basis (except for the right to bear arms, which only a court can do).

Recent governors  Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam  had worked to streamline the process and restore the rights for more people.

This spring, the Youngkin administration confirmed the process no longer began automatically and that people had to apply.

In the months since, the administration has stressed that it handles the applications on a case-by-case basis. Both a spokesperson for Youngkin and James (in her letter to Barnette) said that the Secretary of the Commonwealths office has hired additional staff to process applications.

The administrations response to a Freedom of Information Act request the NAACP filed in early May shows that Reginald Burroughs was hired as a project manager for $75,000. Personnel records included in the FOIA indicate he began on June 10, but the administrations announcement of his role came on July 7. Burroughs position is in addition to the other six people who serve as part of the Clemency and Restoration of Rights Team within the Secretary of the Commonwealths Office.

We are very pleased that all completed applications submitted on or before April 30, 2023 have been acted on, James wrote in her letter.

The FOIA response also shows that a form to apply for rights restoration is included in a Reentry Resource Packet as former inmates are released from prison and reenter society. A flow chart included in part of the FOIA indicates the general process for how the administration processes applications. This includes review by various state departments: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Elections and Compensation Board.

In a Dec. 9, 2022 Department of Corrections memo, all unit heads were notified of changes James made to the Restoration of Rights form.

At the time of release from a correctional center, community corrections alternative program and at intake to probation and parole, staff are to provide each individual with a copy of the form and ensure the individual signs the Acknowledgement of Restoration of Rights Application Form.

Ryan Snow, a lawyer with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said the NAACP would like more details about the records needed for the restoration process. The committee is co-counsel with the firm Hoven Lovells in representing the NAACP.

Theres no memo or guidance as to which records need to be produced. We know that must exist because how would the state agencies know what to give them? Snow said.

Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups have expressed concerns amid recent lawsuits challenging the changes. According to one filed last month, Virginia has an estimated 300,000 people whove lost their rights for felony convictions. Though Black Virginians make up less than 20% of the states voting-age population, they account for half of people disenfranchised from felony convictions, according to the suit.

The suit alleges that the states constitution violates Reconstruction-era Congressional acts in 1870 aimed at preventing former Confederate states from disenfranchising Black people. The provision in Virginias constitution that eliminated rights for people with felony convictions was enacted in the 1902 version of the states constitution.

Some of the most pernicious attempts to suppress the voting rights of Black citizens originated in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, but they have consequences that persist to this day, said American Civil Liberties Union attorney Vishal Agraharkar at the time. Our constitution has enabled mass disenfranchisement through decades of over-criminalization, and it turns out that was illegal.

Barnette noted other ways Virginia has historically suppressed voters of color.

Virginia has a deplorable record with regard to voting rights, Barnette said. Poll tax, slavery all comes into play here, and now using voter disenfranchisement is part of that.

James wrote that race, religion and ethnicity play absolutely no role in the process.

Youngkins administration has restored rights to significantly fewer former inmates than his predecessors. In James letter to Barnette, she noted a 2016 Virginia Supreme Court ruling that governors could not grant clemency en masse. Virginia House Republicans raised that legal challenge after McAuliffe attempted to restore rights to more than 200,000 former inmates via executive order rather than through the traditional process.

While our process slowed to accommodate the mandatory directive of the Supreme Court, we have made serious progress to reduce wait times after application and are working to rollout increased process transparency, James wrote.

Still, the NAACP recommends that the administration provide more transparency on standards for review.

The governor cant hide behind the Constitution, Snow said. The previous three governors have found a way to do this in a way thats fair and equitable and consistent with the Constitution.
A recent trip to the New York homestead that included a visit with a boyhood pal on easternmost Long Island ended with a rude awakening:

That where I had gone in July to get away from it all is where Gov. Glenn Youngkin  the Fox News Presidential Flavor of the Month  is going in August to again lard his political treasury with big bucks from fellow plutocrats.

This time, the Republican will do so at a party thrown by Wilbur Ross, the Trump commerce secretary who avoided federal prosecution for misleading Congress about trying to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. It could have dampened minority participation in the head count, possibly diminishing Democratic representation in state legislatures and Congress.

Politics  more oriented to policy than personality  intruded on the vacation, too: what other states offer as other options to public education.

Alternatives to the traditional classroom are a big deal for Youngkin, narrowly elected in 2021, pledging to stir school kids from their COVID-19-era  distance-learning stupor that, he suggested, was a consequence of the nanny state approach to pandemic management of Democrat Ralph Northam.

Among the options pressed by Youngkin and thwarted by Democrats in Virginias divided General Assembly was steering to families public dollars they could spend on private school tuition and supplies for home schoolers.

The beef with such an idea  beyond cutting dollars to public schools, which the General Assemblys investigative arm, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, said were shorted an eye-popping $6.6 billion because of an outdated funding formula  diminishes accountability in education spending.

For troubling evidence of this, one need only to travel to New York City, where some Democrats, most notably Mayor Eric Adams  for purposes of preserving the votes of a crucial, disciplined slice of the electorate  have forged an unholy political alliance with rigorously devout Hasidic Jews, who educate their children in religious schools, known as yeshivas, that share with other nonpublic schools about $320 million a year in aid from New York State.

Concluding an eight-year investigation, New York City found that nearly 20 yeshivas had violated state law by failing to provide students with an adequate secular education.

These schools  among 200 yeshivas statewide, resistant to public oversight despite public largesse  were found to have put religious lessons in Yiddish, the preferred tongue of the Hasidim, ahead of instruction in English, mathematics, history, science and other secular subjects. Further, teachers at these academies often showed little mastery of these subjects.

Should state education officials uphold the findings  The New York Times reports that is likely  the schools would have to submit detailed plans for secular lessons and submit to government oversight. It is unclear whether the yeshivas risk penalties for not complying with New York education law.

The larger story about the New York City yeshivas  and the lesson for Virginia  is how the lack of accountability disrupts education.

Youngkin  sheathing his approach to education in an ear-pleasing catch phrase, parents rights  would tell you his school policies are all about accountability, though it seems he is most accountable to a minority that stands out because theirs is the loudest voice in the room.

Plus, the governor appears to consider existing state law a hindrance  one his administration may be ignoring  to begin opening so-called laboratory schools, publicly financed alternatives to traditional schools managed by colleges and universities.

Never mind that there are only an estimated 4,000 transgender kids among the 1.2 million students enrolled in Virginia public schools, Youngkin  now with a hand-picked majority on the State Board of Education  wants local schools to adopt rules that require students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their biological sex. The regulations also create bureaucratic obstacles to those who want to change at school their name or pronouns.

School for many trans students may be a far safer place  emotionally, intellectually and physically  than home. The Youngkin approach, in effect, overlooks that and the concept of in loco parentis  that teachers and administrators have a responsibility, rooted in law, to act in a students best interest.

That means looking out for a students health and welfare, especially if that child is isolated, alienated or abused because of gender identity. Northam-era guidelines addressed such concerns, but they were junked by Youngkin.

Language in the state budget made clear that no public funds would be available to private colleges and universities to operate laboratory schools, which are free to set their own spending and academic programs. The restriction, however, has not stopped the administration from issuing planning grants to four private schools.

The reflexively Democratic teachers union, the Virginia Education Association, is complaining about the grants to the states chief accountant, who works for the legislature, not the governor. In Youngkin World, whose inhabitants are ex-corporate types who look on the protocols of government as a nuisance, probably consider such grousing as validation of their views.

In some respects, it is akin to the supposed intolerance and impatience that Youngkin alleges woke lefties use to silence the right, especially in higher education, and which the governor vows to counter by loading up college and university oversight boards with conservatives who peddle their own brand of intolerance and impatience.

Of course, that is not how the Youngkin administration sees it.

In a speech in March to the conservative American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Education Secretary Aimee Guidera seemed to lump Virginia Senate Democrats with Marxists for kicking a Youngkin appointee off the State Board of Education for challenging the controversial admissions policy of an elite, diverse public high school in Northern Virginia.

Such political friction notwithstanding, Guidera said the heads of Virginias public colleges and universities get along swimmingly with Youngkin, adding  in a telling slip  theyve never had this much time with their president  their governor.
Japans top carmakers suffered a huge setback in China in the first half, with sales plunging nearly 20 per cent, their biggest drop in the worlds largest car market since 2012, where the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating.

The top six  Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru  all of which assemble and sell cars through their joint ventures with Chinese partners, sold 1.71 million conventional vehicles between January and June, a 19.9 per cent decline year on year, according to industry data provider MarkLines.

The dynamic Chinese car market requires all players to react quickly to customers changing tastes, said Eric Han, a senior manager at Suolei, an advisory firm in Shanghai. Japanese carmakers are lagging behind their Chinese rivals in developing electric cars which are now in high demand here. ...continue reading
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Morocco received the agreement in principle to obtain the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), at the 56th meeting of foreign ministers of member countries held on July 11 and 12, 2023, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Morocco, the first African country to benefit from this status, aims through this partnership to raise its cooperation with ASEAN to a higher level, thus contributing to regional peace, stability, security, development and prosperity in both regions, stresses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release.

This status also reflects the vision of King Mohammed VI to diversify the Kingdoms partnerships, particularly on the Asian continent, says the ministry.

The sectoral dialogue partnership defines the foundations and prospects for multi-faceted cooperation between ASEAN and Morocco in sectors identified by both parties. To this end, in February 2018, Morocco had proposed a cooperation action plan, targeting areas of cooperation of common interest likely to contribute to ASEANs vision for 2025, the press release states, noting that this action plan was updated, in February 2023, taking into account developments since then, notably the repercussions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Partnership represents an opportunity for substantial cooperation based on a win-win approach that lies at the heart of the South-South cooperation policy advocated by Morocco.

Likewise, Morocco expressed its willingness to share its experience and expertise with ASEAN member countries in areas where the Kingdoms reputation is known and recognized internationally, such as agriculture, food security, fisheries, marine pollution control, trade, investment promotion, tourism, and education.

Morocco joined the ASEAN Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC) in September 2016. Since then, the Kingdom has strengthened its presence in other regional organizations in Southeast Asia, notably those linked institutionally or geographically to ASEAN. In 2017 and 2022, Rabat signed two MoUs with the Mekong River Commission (MRC), comprising Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ASEAN, created in 1967, comprises 10 countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. As a grouping, it is the 3rd largest economic power in Asia. Six other countries enjoy Sectoral Dialogue Partner status with ASEAN. These are Switzerland, Norway, Turkiye, Pakistan, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.
Hong Kong: Lam Sai-hung views SZ traffic ops

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Lam Sai-hung today embarked on a two-day visit to Shenzhen to better understand its latest developments in traffic and transport management as well as autonomous vehicles (AVs).

In the morning, Mr Lam called on member of the Shenzhen Municipal Government Party Members Group Zhang Liwei to discuss how to accelerate the transport networks interconnection of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), strengthen co-operation in promoting smart transport, and co-ordinate the regulations and benchmarks of AVs in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

He then called on Shenzhen Municipal Government Office of Port of Entry & Exit Chief Wang Gang and received an update on the planning and construction of the new Huanggang Port. They also discussed further enhancing cross-boundary traffic and transport at the boundary control points between the two cities.

Mr Lam visited the Shenzhen Transportation Operation Command Center in the afternoon, where he was briefed by Shenzhen Municipality Transport Bureau Deputy Director General Xu Wei.

He learnt about Shenzhen's innovative traffic and transport management model and integrated traffic monitoring platform which have greatly enhanced the effectiveness of traffic operation and management as well as reduced the workload of manual inspections through intelligent traffic management.

The transport chief also toured the headquarters of Huawei, a provider of information and communications technology infrastructure and smart devices, in Shenzhen.

He viewed an exhibition hall which showcased the company's digital transformation and was briefed by a Huawei representative on the functionalities and technological development of its integrated smart traffic control platform.

Mr Lam said: To meet the growing cross-boundary transport and mobility needs, facilitate deep integration within the GBA and promote coordinated regional economic development, it is necessary to further enhance the interoperability of the transport network in the region. Shenzhen has valuable experience in smart mobility which Hong Kong should learn from.

The Transport Department recently put forward four transport strategy concepts of the Traffic & Transport Strategy Study, including the promotion of AVs, to be progressively taken forward next year with a view to promulgating the Transport Strategy Blueprint in 2025.

We will suitably apply Shenzhen's experience in smart mobility in the light of the situation in Hong Kong to enhance our Transport Strategy Blueprint, he added.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Egyptian students celebrate 1st Chinese language summer camp

Xinhua) 13:09, July 19, 2023

Students show their paper cutting works at the closing ceremony of the first Chinese language summer camp in Cairo, Egypt, on July 18, 2023. More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, July 18 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp.

The 14-day camp, the first of its kind in Egypt, was held at the Confucius Institute for Chinese Learning at Cairo University.

"Today, the Chinese language teachers and their students have witnessed a historic moment that wouldn't have happened without the constant support of the Chinese embassy in Egypt," said the institute's director Rehab Mahmoud.

By organizing the camp, the institute aims to help the students learn more about the rich Chinese culture, including Chinese symbols, paper cutting, drawing, songs, calligraphy and the traditional sport of Wushu, she said.

While commending the camp for providing "a unique and unforgettable experience," she asked the students to be patient in discovering more about the amazing Chinese culture.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said the camp represents a great beginning.

"I cherish the efforts of the participating students in the camp who studied the Chinese language seriously," Liao told a ceremony to mark the conclusion of the camp.

Both Egypt and China have made prominent contributions to advancing human civilizations, and the Arabic and Chinese languages are among the official and working languages of the United Nations, the Chinese ambassador said.

Learning Arabic and Chinese languages will serve the interests of both countries, he added.

President of Cairo University Mohamed Elkhosht said he encouraged the learning of languages as language is the mirror and the road to express people's thoughts.

"Learning without thinking is a loss," he quoted Confucius as saying, stressing that the civilizations of Egypt and China are open to learning from each other.

During the ceremony, the students staged a series of dancing, drawing, and martial art performances.

Students perform a traditional Chinese dance at the closing ceremony of the first Chinese language summer camp in Cairo, Egypt, on July 18, 2023. More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Students show their painting skills at the closing ceremony of the first Chinese language summer camp in Cairo, Egypt, on July 18, 2023. More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

People pose for photos at the closing ceremony of the first Chinese language summer camp in Cairo, Egypt, on July 18, 2023. More than 100 students from Egyptian governmental preparatory schools celebrated on Tuesday the conclusion of their first Chinese language summer camp. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The pandemic forced a lot of people to work remotely, and while things have since gone back to normal, some companies decided to keep the work-from-home setup since it has become more convenient for some workers. With virtual meetings becoming a norm, Google launching AI-generated backgrounds for Meet could be useful.

Meet's AI-Generated Background

Google, through its Workspace Labs, has been testing out its new AI-generated background function. Some users are already able to try out the new feature. However, the company has been rolling out gradually, which means that there are those who won't be able to use it yet.

You can check if you already have the feature by opening Google Meet and heading to the right of the self-view panel. Click on "Apply visual effects" and then "Generate a background." It works like most generative AI tools.

Through a text prompt, you'll be able to describe the type of background you want to generate. For example, you can type in "luxurious living room interior" so you'll have a proper backdrop without having to arrange or clean up your actual space.

The feature is able to generate several options for you to choose from. Click on "Create samples" to view the suggested images. After that, you can make changes to your text prompt to add more specific descriptions.

You can apply the AI-generated background even when you're already in the meeting, simply click on the three dots menu and select "Apply vision effects." There's a way for you to try it out early if you still don't have the feature.

As mentioned in The Verge, you could request to join the Workspace Lavs testing program on the company's site. Head to the Google support page which instructs you on how to get AI-generated backgrounds for meetings.

This could be a useful tool for those who often have virtual meetings in a remote setup, and haven't had the chance to tidy up or create a space that's appropriate for a work meeting. It also gives users the freedom to generate the kind of background that they want.

Read Also: Google Meet Now Has 1080p Option for Video Calls

Increase in Remote Work

Not all jobs require the frequent use of virtual meetings, but remote workers will still attend them from time to time for company or organization meetings. With that being said, platforms like Google Meet or Zoom has become an important tool for said circumstances.

Remote work is once again on the rise after it died down back in April 2021. By November 2022, 55% of people are already back to working on-site and only 25% are working from home, which marks a 30-point gap, as reported by CNBC.

This January 2023, the numbers have shifted with on-site workers dropping to 50% and primarily remote workers increasing to 28%. Around 18% stated that they were working on a hybrid schedule, which has been steadily rising since 2021.

LinkedIn Senior Editor Geirge Anders said that the changes were enough to signify "the start of something interesting," adding that "remote work is having its moment." These statistics emerge despite the fewer job openings for remote work.

Related: Google Announced that AI Features Will Be Added to Workspace Apps
King Mohammed VI has said that Israels important decision to recognize the sovereignty of Morocco over its Sahara and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla is both just and far-sighted.

This came in a message that the Sovereign has addressed to the Prime Minister of Israel Benyamin Netanyahu.

I would like to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for your letter informing me of the State of Israels decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara, and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla, the King stated in his message, adding that this decision has been warmly welcomed by the Moroccan people and the nations driving forces.

The Sovereign pointed out that the Moroccan Sahara issue is the national cause of the Kingdom and is the priority of our foreign policy, adding that your important decision is both just and far-sighted.

It is just in that it reaffirms Moroccos legal entitlement to, and irrefutable historical rights over its Saharan Provinces, noted the Sovereign, adding that the definite jurisdiction of the Moroccan State and the legal ties of allegiance which have existed, since time immemorial, between the Kings of Morocco and the Moroccan populations inhabiting these territories  which have always been so dear to the hearts of Moroccos Monarchs  are both well-established and undeniable.

Your decision is also far-sighted because it is in line with the irreversible international dynamic that has seen many countries, from all parts of the world, backing a final solution to this anachronistic regional dispute, on the basis of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative for the Sahara region, within the framework of the Kingdoms sovereignty and territorial integrity, King Mohammed VI stated further.

The Sovereign also recalls that since December 2020, bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel have gone from strength to strength in all sectors.

The momentum characterizing our ties is unprecedented, be it in terms of the exchange of visits by officials and the business community, the development of the bilateral framework, the diversification of our cooperation or the consolidation of trade relations, stated the King, who welcomed the fact that the deep human bonds that exist between the Morocco and Israel  notably through the Jewish community of Moroccan origin  have been serving as a catalyst.

The Sovereign expressed his confidence that the clear position taken by Mr. Netanyahu, on behalf of the State of Israel, regarding the Moroccanness of the Sahara will contribute to closer ties between Morocco and Israel, assuring him of his firm and unwavering commitment.

As I indicated during our telephone conversation on 25 December 2020, you are welcome to visit Morocco on a mutually agreed date, to be determined through diplomatic channels, the King stressed in the message.

In this context, the Sovereign affirmed that this meeting will open up new possibilities for bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel and will also be an opportunity to promote the prospects of peace for all peoples in the region, bearing in mind the content of the Tripartite Declaration signed on 22 December 2020 by the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel, including the principles which should guide the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Mitch McConnells kind of guy. Photo: Alex Slitz/AP

Georgia governor Brian Kemp broke some Never Trumper hearts on Monday night, announcing in an interview with CNN that hes not running for president in 2024. He also offered some interestingly timed punditry on the potential impact of Donald Trumps insistence that the 2020 election was stolen:

Kemp reiterated that if Trump continues his false claims that the election was stolen, Hes going to lose Georgia in November. 

I mean, for goodness sakes, it was two-and-a-half, three years ago now. 

If you feel like the election was stolen  I know theres people that are out there that do, theres others that, you know, dont, but it doesnt really matter. The people want to know what youre going to do, he said.

This prediction came just hours before Trump let it be known that hes almost certainly going to be indicted very soon by the Department of Justice over his actions in the lead-up to the January 6 insurrection. This means the whole political world will soon be focused on the events of two-and-a-half, three years ago. And the odds are very high that this extended look into what Kemp calls the rearview mirror will help Trump win the Republican presidential nomination or at least approach the voting phase of the contest as the unquestioned front-runner. After that, of course, Kemp may be right that the former presidents self-absorption and endless grievances will hurt him in the general election. Perhaps at some point Kemp will endorse a rival to reinforce his argument that Trumps a likely 2024 loser, but he wont become a rival himself.

As it happens, Politico has just given us a hint at what the Georgia governor might have in mind for his own political future, since hell be term limited when his current term runs out at the end of 2026:

Whats happening: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is in Washington this week meeting with Senate Republican leaders  and creating a little buzz for Georgias next Senate race.

Details: The Georgia Republican is meeting with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday, according to two people familiar with the meetings. He will meet with National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Steve Daines (R-Mont.) on Wednesday, the people said. 

Im focused on 24: winning Georgia in 24 and the White House, Kemp told reporters after meeting with McConnell.

I doubt pretty seriously that Kemp is strictly focused on 2024 while meeting with the very poohbahs who could instantly clear the Republican field for a 2026 U.S. Senate run against freshman Democrat Jon Ossoff. Kemp is certainly Mitch McConnells kind of guy: a cold-blooded political assassin who demolished Trumps designated instrument of vengeance against him  former Senator David Perdue  in a 2022 primary before efficiently dispatching Democratic superstar Stacey Abrams by a bigger margin than he won in 2018. For Senate Republicans, Kemp is clearly an improvement on their 2022 Georgia candidate, Trumps friend Herschel Walker, who lost while running well behind Kemp and the rest of the GOPs statewide ticket.

Even for Kemp, who has built his own political machine in Georgia to bypass a very Trumpy state party, Ossoff wont be a pushover. Hes smart and tough and something of a wizard at the mechanics of running a campaign in difficult terrain like Georgia. Ironically, Kemps 2026 prospects will improve if Republicans ignore his advice and give Trump the 2024 nomination, leading to a general-election loss. A 2026 midterm with a second-term Democratic president in the White House would be an ideal environment for a Republican in a highly competitive state like Georgia.

If thats his goal, Kemp will have two more years to burnish his popularity in Georgia. He doesnt have what youd call a winning personality; he reminds me of a small-town banker cheerfully foreclosing mortgages all day long. But what he lacks in charm he definitely possesses in steely determination and a great electoral track record, so Ossoff had better get his game on early for 2026.
Rising star or ingrate? Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON)/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump recently raised a lot of eyebrows by publicly rebuking Iowa governor Kim Reynolds for following her states informal rule that local Republican leaders stay neutral in contested presidential contests, at least prior to the states first-in-the-nation caucuses. At Truth Social, Trump complained that Reynolds would be nothing without him:

I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL.

The backstory to Trumps unhappiness with the Iowa governor is that Reynolds is widely thought to be in the tank for Ron DeSantis, so this may have been a preemptive strike to keep Reynolds neutral in the guise of a complaint about her neutrality. But theres another Republican governor whose neutrality in the 2024 race has to be driving Trump absolutely nuts: that of his former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is now governor of Arkansas.

Axios reports that Trump asked Sanders for an endorsement earlier this year, but she begged off until her first legislative session as governor had ended. It concluded in May, but no endorsement has ensued. Sanderss silence is all the more conspicuous because her famous father, Mike Huckabee, jumped onboard the Trump train back in March. As with Reynolds, moreover, there are suspicions in MAGA-land that Sanders is playing footsies with Ron DeSantis, as Axios notes:

Last year, she attended DeSantis retreat for his prominent donors and some fellow governors.

She hired DeSantis senior chancellor at Floridas Department of Education, Jacob Oliva, to be her secretary of education in Arkansas.

Sanders also has become close to DeSantis wife, Casey, since their experiences with cancer in recent years. Sarah reached out to Casey during her treatments and the same thing happened when Sarah had her experience, said one senior Republican close to both orbits.

You can see how this situation frustrates Trump, as Axios puts it. After all, he made Sanders the voice and face of his administration for nearly two years. As he said on Truth Social in March after denying he had asked Sanders for an endorsement: Nobody has done more for her than I have, with the possible exception of her great father, Mike! He also gave her 2022 gubernatorial candidacy his first postWhite House endorsement early in 2021.

But she might think Trump owes her as much as she owes him, and she has reason to believe she could have gotten elected governor of Arkansas without his help. Her last name and close association with her father, a three-term governor, made her a 2022 front-runner. And she was also a highly regarded political operative in Arkansas and nationally long before Trump came down the escalator in 2015. Since her election, Sanders has made her own mark nationally via an anti-woke agenda reminiscent of what DeSantis has done in Florida, along with a star role offering the GOPs official response to Joe Bidens 2023 State of the Union address. Indeed, her nasty screed calling the competition between Republicans and Democrats a contest between normal and crazy showed she was as capable as her former boss of demagogic invective.

Sanders has appeared regularly on lists of possible Trump running mates for 2024. But she may have already disqualified herself for that position, even if she coveted it. Ingratitude, real or imagined, is not something the 45th president, who sometimes acts as though he deserves credit for the sun rising in the morning, can tolerate.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders is only 40 years old, so she may be playing the long game here; her national political career could reach its peak well after Trump has run his last campaign. In response to the latest speculation about tensions between her and the former president, she did trot out her communications director to make conciliatory noises:

Governor Sanders loves President Trump and believes our country would be much better off under his leadership than President Biden, and that President Trump is the dominant frontrunner and our likely Republican nominee in 2024, [Alexa] Henning told Axios.

That wasnt an endorsement for the GOP nomination, however. It will be fun to see how far Sanders will take this declaration of independence from the jealous god of Mar-a-Lago.
Auburn to host National Night Out on Aug. 1

Auburn Public Safety has invited the public to the Auburn University Agricultural Heritage Park on Aug. 1 to have some family-friendly fun while connecting with first responders.

The group will hold its National Night out event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the green space at the park. There will be free food and plenty of activities at this years event, such as games, inflatables, face-painting, Touch-A-Truck, and K-9 demonstrations. School resource officers and other local first responders will be there to get to know people in the community.

National Night Out is about bringing the entire community together, said Sidney Hancock, the community relations specialist with Auburn Public Safety. Its getting everybody together to celebrate and get to know one another. Share and promote the awareness of local programs and how to stay safe in our community.

Auburns DJ James hosting bookbag giveaway

With the school year drawing near, Auburn senior defensive back DJ James will give back to the Auburn-Opelika community with his Back to School Bookbag Giveaway.

The event will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Opelikas Covington Recreation Center at 213 Carver Ave. The senior cornerback will be providing book bags and other school supplies to students in need ahead of the 2023-2024 academic year.

In an effort to giveback and assist the cities of Auburn and Opelika, I am providing book bags and school supplies to students, James said in a post on his Twitter account.
Wasting $30 million on DEVELOPMENT for a canned film but cannot pay your writers or actors #okay

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after sinking 30$m in development into it 





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$30m spent only in development?! Bulllllllshit. These streamers are cooking the books.

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I nominate Zane for the role. He's big. Blonde. and GAY.

I feel like He-Man is better suited for a GoT-esque show than a movie.I nominate Zane for the role. He's big. Blonde. and GAY.

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He looks like ole boy who was Adam Warlock.

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I can kind of see it, although I will say that Zane doesn't need facial hair to look presentable to the world.

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he does look good for adam warlock!

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no actor wants to sport that ugly haircut!

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It probably would have sucked anyway, who can top the classic film with Courtney cox anyway????

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wait 45 other mattel movies?? are they all like animated barbie & monster high movies or...? i know they're making a Rock Em Sock Em Robots movie

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omg not lena dunham doing a polly pocket movie

& ty!

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This is the one Mattel movie I actually want to see. I think there is potential for epicness

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Just keep it a cartoon, and find a way to let the properties play together on screen again because I need Adam and Adora to be able to acknowledge each other!!!

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Yes! I love that old She-Ra movie where they team up (and of course, she saves him) but I love it! I played it all of the time when I was younger.

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Last I checked, all of the Princess of Power episodes are on YouTube if you ever wanted to rewatch. They're corny, and I say this as someone who loves them, but they're still a good way to waste time.

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this belongs to a gay porn studio thats why

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OP's current musi c 

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& a shirt lol...

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd1XfuwvPZs/ well we have this...& a shirt lol...

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they couldnt find a muscular blonde himbo actor? i wonder if they wouldve leaned into how scantily clad he was. like would they have made the costume the same as the slutty ones twinks wear to parties or nah

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should've cast wonho

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LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLLLLLLLLLLL



A complete. Fucking. Mess.



ADIOS!!!!!

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i want him to have a movie just for his transformation sequence.





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HOW, how can you spend 30M in development? This project has been in development at least 3 other studios for the past 15 years with no less than 4 different directors attached for a NOSTALGIA franchise that no one remembers. NONE of those previous drafts were worth working off of that you spent 30M before shooting single shot? This is why writers and actors are on strike!

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No one remembers?



It was only the 80s, we're middle-aged not dead lol



(edit: This does not in any way detract from your overall point lol)



Edited at 2023-07-19 11:30 pm (UTC)

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From left, actors Kim Ji-hyun, Ji Jin-hee, Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun and Son Seok-koo pose during the press conference for the second season of Netflix series "D.P." held at a hotel in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Netflix



By Lee Gyu-lee



The second season of Netflix's original series "D.P." is finally set to arrive on July 28, about two years after its first season created a buzz by spotlighting corruption and abuse in the military.



The military action series revolves around two soldiers  Ahn Joon-ho (Jung Hae-in) and Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan)  serving in a special unit called Deserter Pursuit (D.P.) which specializes in tracking down military deserters and bringing them in.



As the two take cases of deserted soldiers, they come across their different backstories and injustices in the organization that led them to flee from the military.



"(Season 2) captures the stories of the unchanging reality and injustice the two D.P. soldiers, Joon-ho and Ho-yeol, face," Jung said during the press conference for the series held at a hotel in Gangnam District Seoul, Tuesday. "There are untold stories that need to be resolved from season 1 and they are well woven (in the new season)."



The new season, led by the previous director Han Jun-hee, will follow Ahn and Han picking up their work with D.P., confronting new deserters.



"Joon-ho keeps clashing as he gets used to the military from season 1, and as he does, he wears himself out and suffers mentally. And he keeps throwing questions to the injustices and thinks about what he can do," Jung said. "There are different episodes with colorful stories. So it's not just deep and will have a lot to enjoy."





A scene from season 2 of "D.P." / Courtesy of Netflix
How Prioritizing Workplace Safety Can Help You Meet Sustainable Development Goals

Taking steps to protect your workers can also have a large impact on the environment.

Mention sustainability, and most people will automatically think about preserving natural resources and protecting the environment. While those concerns are certainly part of what is commonly considered sustainable development, the concept reaches further.

The United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals include the likes of overall health and well-being, decent work and economic growth. The goals also address industry-related topics and the need for responsible production. This is where workplace safety and sustainability overlap.

In this article, we examine how prioritizing workplace safety can help forward-thinking businesses meet sustainable development goals while also growing their profitability.

Why Workplace Safety and Sustainable Development Goals Go Hand in Hand

Its a common misconception that sustainability is a 21st-century concept. The idea dates back over 300 years to German forestry expert Hans Carl von Carlowitz, who decreed that sustainable use of timber should be among the highest goals of forestry.

In the 1970s, another German scientist transferred the idea from the forestry industry to natural resources in general and economic development. In the 1980s, the UNs Brundtland Commission redefined sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. That broad definition still applies, but it has been refined since the days of the commission.

Using Sustainability for a New Approach to Workplace Safety

Todays concept of sustainability is based mostly on our interpretation of the sustainable development goals published by the UN in 2015. These 17 goals cover workplace-related issues as well as natural resources and other considerations.

The goals have not only become part of the national conversation but theyve also been adopted by businesses looking to secure their development and the future of their workforce. Aside from businesses, government organizations like OSHA have embraced the importance of sustainability.

According to OSHA, choosing to implement sustainable practices in workplaces allows businesses to approach health and safety from a new angle. Setting safety standards can take time and occasionally be too slow to protect workers from hazards, including injuries and illness. In those situations, leveraging movements like the global drive for sustainability can accomplish both goals at the same time.
OSHA Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health Meets in August

The meeting gives the public the chance to address the committee.

OSHA just revealed the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) has set a date for its next meeting.

In a press bulletin dated July 18, OSHA announced the ACCSH will meet on August 9, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST in Washington D.C. The meeting is open to the public for in person as well as virtual attendance.

According to the announcement, the program will include remarks from OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor Jim Frederick, updates from OSHAs Directorate of Construction and an opportunity for the public to directly address the committee.

Workgroup meetings will follow on August 10. Meeting times will be determined at the full committee session the day before.

Attendees may participate in the event in person at the Conference Room C-5320, Room 6, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210. Those interested in attending have until August 3 to register by emailing Gretta Jameson at [email protected]. Details on attending virtually are available on the ACCSH webpage.
As Mexicos state-owned Pemex experiences yet another fire on its platform, its health and safety standards are once again being called into question. Pemex has long faced international pressure to improve its health and safety standards following years of avoidable accidents that have had a detrimental impact on both its workers and the environment. Following another fire this month, the company is once again in the limelight with critics questioning whether it will ever improve.

At the beginning of July, at least two people were killed, and one person missing, following a fire at the Nohoch Alfa offshore platform at the Bay of Campeche, in the Gulf of Mexico. The platform is operated by the state-owned oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex). When the fire started, 321 of the 328 workers were evacuated, with four boats being sent to manage the fires. Those killed and missing were apparently from a company working at the facility and not Pemex.

The fire caused major destruction to the platform, with an investigation being called to see how it started. Due to the fire, Pemex initially estimated that it had lost 700,000 barrels of crude. This was mainly due to the closure of all wells in the area. Although most production was resumed by the following day. Pemex engineers are assessing the repairs required for pipelines, interconnections, and other infrastructure to begin restoration.

But this is not the only incident seen at a Pemex site in recent years. The company experienced a major fire in 2021, as well as enduring several other safety events. In March this year, Bloomberg reported that Pemex had plans to improve its environment and safety procedures to help it attract financing from banks and investors demanding tougher standards from fossil fuel companies. The state-owned company is highly indebted, owing around $107.7 billion. Several banks and advisors are helping Pemex to develop a long-term plan to improve its environmental, social and governance (ESG) track record, including Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, HSBC Holdings Plc and BNP Paribas.

More and more investors are now expecting companies to report their ESG metrics. While this is not mandatory, rising pressure from governments to cut carbon emissions and support national climate pledges is driving banks and investors to ask more from companies. And Pemex does not have a good track record when it comes to ESG.

The Mexican oil giant has been accused of increasing its gas flaring, even after committing to curbing the practice. Pemex signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, being paid $2 billion in government funding to reduce its methane emissions by 98 percent. In late 2022, Pemex stated that this funding would go towards reducing flaring practices at Ixachi. The firm has long neglected much of its infrastructure due to a lack of finance, acknowledging that it had failed to maintain and refurbish its gas processing centres, leading to an increased level of flaring. But this is a slow process, as the company needs to clear dense vegetation before constructing the infrastructure required to process gas for sale. Media images from earlier this year showed an increased level of flaring from the Ixachi field, suggesting Pemex is falling behind on its ESG pledges.

And its not just in its environmental practices that Pemex is failing, the company has reported a multitude of safety failings in recent years. In February this year, there were fires at three different Pemex facilities in Mexico and the U.S., leaving two people dead. That same month, two people died after a vehicle collision inside a Pemex refinery in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. In May, the company announced that there had been an explosion caused by an illegal pipeline tap, which injured 13 people.

A plethora of safety incidents in recent years have led to international criticism of the Mexican oil firm, with many questioning when it will change its practices. In 2021, five people were killed and a further six injured following a fire at an offshore Pemex platform. The fire was so extensive that work at 125 oil wells had to be halted. This followed a gas leak in an underwater Pemex pipeline just six weeks before. The blaze was widely known as the eye of fire due to its appearance in the water. Pemex CEO Octavio Romero emphasised the fire was not due to a lack of investment in infrastructure stating: There is not a problem of lack of resources. The oil industry is a risky industry. We have had accidents, which in numbers are less than in previous years.

The most recently reported platform fire is the latest in a long line of safety incidents from Mexican oil firm Pemex. The indebted company has supposedly begun to develop a long-term ESG plan in an attempt to attract funding from banks and investors. But failures to curb gas flaring practices, despite receiving funding to do so, as well as other health, safety and environmental failures, could leave Pemex without the support it needs to return to its prior glory.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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With the amount of crude oil in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve now at multi-decade lows, the prospect of replenishing the reserves could be an arduous task according to some, and a cinch to others.

The SPR isnt empty, contrary to the hyperbolic headlines that have casually misrepresented the current state of the nations emergency oil stockpiles. But it is fair to say that the amount of crude oil in the emergency stockpiles is the lowest its been in decades and decadessince 1983 to be preciseand it could take decades to put it all back.

Taken by itself without further context, the current inventory levels and the possibility that it might not be a simple task to purchase hundreds of millions of barrels of oil to replenish it has caused some consternation among those within the oil industryand without. In fact, it has been especially irksome to many outside the oil industry, who are concerned that without a fully stocked SPR, America will soon be at the hands of some merciless Middle East oil-rich nation or global supply outage.

There are two pieces to this SPR puzzle. One, is it possible to refill the SPR in short order, and two, does the United States need such a fat SPR anyway.

SPR Has a Refill Problem

Behind some of the SPR angst are difficulties that come with refilling the SPR with such a large amount of crude oil. Last year, the Biden Administration began the process of selling off 180 million barrels of crude oil that was housed in the salt caverns known as the SPR. Additional sales that were already mandated by Congress followed shortly thereafter, bringing the total number of barrels sold from the SPR since President Biden took office to 291 million barrels. Related: Oil Steady As API Reports Small Draw In Crude Inventories

The problem with refilling the SPR to the tune of nearly 300 million barrels is multifaceted.

First, oil prices are still a bit above the level that the Biden Administration said would trigger purchasing action. Most short term forecasts are calling for price hikes instead, so the likelihood of prices falling to those levels soon is not estimated to be a sure thing.

Second, 300 million barrels at a cost of even $70 per barrel would cost $21 billion for the oil alone. Now, the Administration would argue that since it canceled congressionally mandated sales that had called for another 147 million barrels of crude oil to be sold from the SPR, it should be counted that it has already replaced 147 million barrels, leaving only 144 million left to purchase at a minimum cost of $10.8B with $70 oil.

Whats more, that cancellation resulted in Congress taking $12.5 billion away from the DoE that was to be used to repurchase crude oil, leaving it with just $4.3 billion of available cash to buy.

Nevertheless, the Administration is confident that it will refill the SPR, although the anticipated timing of the repurchases depend entirely on who in the Administration is doing the talking.

Next up is the issue of infrastructure and feasibility of filling, withdrawing, refilling, etc. of the SPR. Those salt caverns are made of well, salt, and according to SPR former project manager William Gibson, who spoke to Bloomberg, they were builtin the 70swith the idea that they would last 25 years. They were also designed to be withdrawn and refilled just five times, lest the salt caverns simply dissolve.

As one former official put it, the caverns were not really intended for daily ATM-type operations.

Any buyback program would have to be slow-rolled in order to prevent price spikesthe very thing that triggered SPR sales in the first place. In March, even Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said that any repurchase scheme would take years.

Does the U.S. Need it Anyway?

In the other camp are those who argue that the United States might not need this oil anyway. When the SPR was first conceived, the United States had just found itself in an energy crisis, with Middle Eastern oil producers withholding crude oil from the United States, which was itself producing 8.4 million barrels of oil per day, while importing 4.1 million bpd, according to EIA data. Total average U.S. net imports of crude oil and petroleum products was 6.2 million bpd. Having an SPR with a capacity to hold 714 million barrels seemed like a necessary piggy bank should supply shocks reemerge.

Fast forward to today, and the United States net imports are -1.3 million bpd, while producing over 12 million bpd. Some would argue that the SPR, while certainly still a handy safety feature for weathering supply shocks like natural disasters, has lost at least some of its climacteric properties.

Still, not all crude oil grades are equal. And while the United States is a net importer of petroleum products, the United States still imports 6.3 million barrels of crude oil every day, and global supply shocks still have the power to put the United States in a tough position, much like the squeeze consumersand the Biden Administrationfelt when demand rushed back quicker than supply post-Covid pandemic.

Does this Administration Really Want It?

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Of course, its entirely possible that the Biden Administration is less eager to refill the stockpiles than its words would suggest. Last December, the Biden Administration announced plans to make its first repurchase, issuing a solicitation for 3 million barrels of sour crude. Contracts were due to be awarded in January 2023. WTI was trading at $74 at the time. The purchase was ultimately canceled, with the Administration saying that it did not get offers that met its terms for price or quality. The move triggered critics who claimed the Administration was not earnestly looking to replenish what it had sold off.

But in June of this year, the DoE announced that contracts were awarded for the acquisition of 3 million barrels of U.S.-produced crude for the SPR, while announced a solicitation to purchase another 3.1 million barrels in September.

At the rate of 6-9 million barrels per year, however, it would take between 33 and 50 years to replenish the 300 million barrels sold.

The United States needs the SPR as a safety net less than it did in the 70s. Crude oil prices might not be low enough ever again to entice the government to purchase. The salt caverns have a limited capacity to accommodate repeated inflows and outflows. Even if the government wishes to replenish in earnest, it will likely take decades to refill. All these factors point to the likelihood that the SPR will stay empty for decades to come, if not forever.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The worlds demand for electricity is expected to rise by less than 2% this year, down from last years growth pace of 2.3%, as power consumption in the United States and Europe will decline amid an economic slowdown and the effects of the energy crisis, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a new report on Wednesday.

Electricity demand in the United States is set to decline by nearly 2% this year, demand in Japan is expected to drop by 3%, while EU power demand is on track to fall by 3%, after a similar decline in 2022, the IEAs latest Electricity Market Report showed today.

Europes two consecutive yearly declines in power demand in 2022 and 2023 would together amount to the EUs largest slump in demand on record. This year, EU electricity consumption is poised to drop to the lowest levels since 2002, the IEA said.

Due to the lower demand in advanced economies, growth in global electricity demand is set to ease to 2% this year, down from a rate of 2.3% in 2022.

The growth rate will rebound in 2024, assuming an improving world economic outlook, and power demand could see a 3.3% increase next year, the agencys latest estimates show.

While power demand in developed economies falls or stagnates, China and India will see robust demand growth over the next two years. Chinas demand is forecast to increase at an average annual rate of 5.2% over the next two years, only slightly below the 2015-19 average growth rate. Average annual growth in Indias electricity demand is estimated at 6.5% this year and next, well above its 2015-19 average, the IEA said.

The expected rebound in global power demand growth next year suggests that growth of renewables is more important than ever, the agency added.

Power generation from renewables rose by 7.8% globally in 2022, the highest growth rate over the last 30 years. This year, renewable generation growth is set to ease to 7% amid lower hydropower generation, before rebounding to growth of 11% next year, according to the IEA estimates.

By 2024, the share of renewables in global electricity generation is expected to exceed one third for the first time in history, the agency said.

With demand growth easing in 2023, the incremental growth in renewable generation alone is expected to cover all the additional demand increase, and will do the same in 2024 even as demand growth is expected to accelerate again.

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By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Over the past decade, natural gas has been touted as the perfect bridge fuel as the world transitions to low-carbon fuels. That appears pretty straightforward considering natural gas emits almost 50% less CO2 than coal when burnt as fuel. However, recent studies have discovered that leakages from natural gas infrastructure occur at much higher rates than previously thought, potentially denting the fuels green credentials.

A new peer-reviewed analysis in the journal Environmental Research Letters finds that relatively small amounts of methane--the primary constituent of natural gas--can drive up the industry's emissions to equal the effects of coal thanks to methanes much more potent greenhouse gas effect compared to CO2. Scientists from NASA, Harvard University and Duke University also contributed to the paper.

"This analysis compares gas and coal at varying methane leakage rates. We find that very small methane leakage rates from gas systems rival coal's greenhouse gas emissions," said Deborah Gordon, co-author of the analysis and a senior principal at the environmental group RMI.

The study has found that even leaks amounting to as low as as low as 0.2% of the methane in the country's gas production and supply system are enough to do as much damage as burning coal. Thats highly alarming considering that recent surveys have found leak rates far above that, of "0.65% to 66.2%."

Leaky Infrastructure

Leaky oil and gas infrastructure have been playing an outsized role in climate change by spewing out far more quantities of an even more potent greenhouse gas into the atmosphere than earlier thought.

Three years ago, Reuters reported that satellites by the European Space Agency had detected huge plumes of methane leaking from the 2,607-mile-long Yamal pipeline that transports natural gas from Siberia to Europe and operated by Gazprom. Using the satellite data, energy consultancy Kayrros estimated that one leak was spewing out a staggering 93 tonnes of methane every hour, equal to the amount of CO2 emitted by 15,000 cars in the U.S. in a whole year. A second leak on the same pipeline was nearly as egregious, gushing 17 tonnes of the colorless and odorless gas every hour.

Those discoveries suggest that we have been unfairly blaming mud volcanoes and natural oil and gas seepages for the sharp increase in atmospheric methane and that our drilling activities could in fact be directly responsible.

Currently, there isnt much methane in the atmosphere--only 1,920 parts per billion, or about two cups of water inside a standard Olympic-size swimming pool. In contrast, CO2 levels in 2023 were measured at 417 parts per million (ppm), making it 217x more abundant than methane in the atmosphere. Although methane does not usually get the same bad rap that carbon dioxide does, its actually a far more potent greenhouse gas, over 80x more powerful at warming the earth than CO2 over 20 years and 28x more powerful on a 100-year timescale. Methanes chemical shape is what makes it remarkably effective at trapping heat, and adding just a little more of the gas into the atmosphere can have profound effects on how quickly the planet warms.

The bad news: Methane levels have increased sharply over the past four decades, and are now responsible for about one-sixth of the total energy imbalance that is causing global warming.

Source: Climate.gov

Oil and gas companies in the spotlight

Methane typically lasts only about a decade before its cycled out--a blip, really, compared to the centuries that a CO2 molecule can last. However, methane has many sources, meaning the atmospheric load is constantly replenished.

About 40% of the earths methane is thought to come from natural sources including wetlands and bogs. Many microbes that thrive in oxygen-deprived ecosystems like waterlogged wetland soils spew out methane instead of CO2, which leaks directly into the atmosphere. Some methane also seeps out of the ground in areas with high volcanic activity as well as naturally near some oil and gas deposits.

Human activities, however, are by far the biggest source of methane on our planet, contributing 60% of new emissions every year. Our 1.4 billion or so domesticated bovines as well as oil and gas drilling activities are responsible for much of the damage.

Cows and other grazing animals host trillions of gut-filling hitchhikers that help them break down tough grasses to access the nutrients. These anaerobic microbes account for about a quarter of the worlds annual methane budget. Other agricultural endeavors such as rice paddies, landfills and sewage treatment centers also produce significant amounts of methane.

It was previously estimated that the energy sector contributes ~25% of the worlds methane emissions. However, the latest revelation implies that these estimates are highly conservative. Indeed, the latest findings are backed by a 2015 study that found that U.S. oil and gas supply chains produce 60% more methane than estimates by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Hitherto, most industries have estimated greenhouse gas emission by largely relying on paper-based calculations of whats pouring out of smokestacks and tailpipes, as well as based on the amount of energy consumed by end users. But improvements in satellite technology are allowing researchers to actually stress test the data--and so far its revealing that oil and gas companies are more culpable than we thought.

Many countries have enacted strict rules about how much methane leakage is allowed. Unfortunately, these rules have mostly proven difficult to enforce. The latest revelation is likely to heap additional pressure on embattled energy companies to track their methane emissions and plug them.

BP and Royal Dutch Shell have invested in satellite companies or signed monitoring deals to help track and plug their methane leaks--this might soon become mandatory for all oil and gas companies involved in drilling and transportation activities.

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A study published in Nature Energy in May revealed that the U.S. Oil Patch is home to tens of thousands of inactive offshore oil and gas wells that remain unplugged, posing the risk of possible leaks into the ocean. The study estimates that whereas plugging and abandoning these wells could minimize their environmental risk, the exercise would cost the industry a hefty $30 billion. There are more inactive, non-producing wells in the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama that have not been plugged and abandoned than currently active wells in this region.

It also means that companies operating in the region risk clashing with the regulators sooner rather than later.

The U.S. pipeline regulator unveiled new rules aimed at lowering methane leaks from the vast network of 2.7 million miles of natural gas pipelines in the country. The proposal issued Friday by the Transportation Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration could "significantly improve the detection and repair of leaks from gas pipelines... deploy pipeline workers across the country to keep more product in the pipe, and prevent dangerous accidents."The agency estimates the new rules could potentially eliminate 1 million metric tons of methane emissions by 2030, the equivalent of emissions from 5.6 million cars.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the West has been scrambling to find reliable sources for consistent oil and gas supplies to compensate for those lost from Russia. At the same time, and cognisant of this dire need, China and Russia, have done their utmost to deny the West any such opportunities. An additional crucial factor at play in this element of the new global oil market order, as analysed in depth in my new book of that name, is that China and Russia want to expedite the creation of a pan-Arabic unified power grid  in every sense of the phrase. The basic notion reflects the view on how to maintain control over people or countries espoused by former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt: If youve got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow. In this context, control over a unified Middle Eastern power grid means that China and Russia would be able to exert even more authority over countries dependent on that grid for their electricity than they otherwise might. Egypt is at the centre of these plans for a unified power grid, so the two recent announcements by Western firms of major new discoveries in that country is extremely significant.

The first of these came from one of the core companies that has been at the vanguard of the Wests attempts to secure new oil and gas supplies since the Russian invasion of Ukraine  Chevron. According to the U.S. oil and gas giant, it is set to drill the first oil and natural gas exploration well in its concession area in the Red Sea in Egypt during the first half of 2024. This follows extensive seismic surveys, geological studies, and geophysical data collection by the company earlier this year. This, in turn, is part of a major strategic push by Chevron and the U.S. government to secure Egypt as a key ally in the new global oil market order, which received a vital boost in 2019 when Chevron won Egypts first international bid round for oil and gas exploration in the Red Sea.

Related: Oilfield Services Giants Signal Weaker U.S. Shale Drilling

Egypt is extremely important in the Arab world for several reasons, all of which are fully appreciated by the U.S., and are also analysed in depth in my new book on the new global oil market order. This is why it is figuratively pulling out all the stops to consolidate its influence there and to keep the country out of Chinas and Russias sphere of influence. For decades, Egypt was seen by the Arab world as the leading proponent of the Pan-Arab ideology that believes enduring strength can only be found in the political, cultural, and socioeconomic unity of Arabs across the different countries that emerged after the two World Wars. The philosophys most powerful recent proponent was Egypts President from 1954 to 1970, Gamal Nasser. Arguably his ideological successor was Syrias President from 1971 to 2000, Hafez al-Assad. Among the most palpable signs of this movement at the time was the formation of the United Arab Republic union formed between Egypt and Syria from 1958 to 1961, the formation of OPEC in 1960, the series of conflicts with neighbouring Israel over the period, and then the 1973/74 oil embargo.

By bringing this leader of the Arab world on side, the U.S. hopes to offset  at least in part - the negative geopolitical impact of long-term ally Saudi Arabia having been lost to the China-Russia bloc. Politically and historically, Egypt is at least as much of a leader in the Arab world as Saudi Arabia has ever been. This had not been lost on China, which through its chief ally in the Middle East, Iran, had long been seeking to draw Egypt into its unified power grid concept. Last year saw an announcement that Egypt and Jordan were increasing their cooperation in gas delivery projects inside Jordan with Egyptian expertise through specialised petroleum sector companies. Just prior to this, it was announced that Iraq had agreed to re-start the export of crude oil from Iraqs Kirkuk to the refinery at Zarqa in Jordan. Electricity supply originating from Iran was also factored into this deal, given that Iran has historically supplied Iraq with 30-40 percent of all its electricity needs, and had just signed the longest-ever single deal between it and Iraq to continue to do the same at that point. At around the same time, Iraqs then-Electricity Minister, Majid Mahdi Hantoush, announced that plans had been finalised for the completion of Iraqs electricity connection with Egypt within the next three years. This network was to be bolstered by the parallel network connections that Iran had consolidated in terms of direct electricity and gas exchanges. These, said Irans then-Energy Minister, Reza Ardakanian in 2019, would be part of the overall project to establish a joint Arab electricity market.

Chevron, though, is now firmly ensconced in Egypt, and earlier this year discovered a potentially huge offshore gas field there, together with its European partner in the site, Italys Eni. Chevron and Eni, which each hold a 45 percent stake in the 1,800 square kilometre Nargis offshore area concession (with Egypts Tharwa Petroleum Co. holding the remaining 10 percent stake), announced that they had made a new gas discovery in the concession, focused on the Nargis-1 well. The state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) stated that the precise quantity of reserves in the well were being evaluated but that it was working with Chevron, Eni and Tharwa to begin production as soon as possible. This should not take long as, according to data from marine intelligence firm VesselsValue, Eni has a platform in Thekah, around 40 kilometres to the south-west of the Nargis site. This discovery follows the announcement in December 2022 that Chevron had hit at least 3.5 trillion cubic feet of gas with its Nargis-1 exploration well in the eastern Nile Delta, about 60 kilometres north of the Sinai Peninsula. Chevron  along with most notably the U.S.s ConocoPhillips - also now operates the huge Leviathan and Tamar fields in Israel and the Aphrodite project offshore Cyprus. According to the president of Chevron International Exploration and Production, Clay Neff: The East Mediterranean has abundant energy resources, and their development is driving strategic collaboration in the region.

Underscoring that Egypt is now regarded as a key new ally to the Western Alliance of the U.S. and Europe was the announcement by the British oil and gas giant Shell that it is to begin the development of the tenth phase of Egypts Nile Delta offshore West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) concession in the Mediterranean Sea. Shell and its partners - EGAS, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, and Malaysias Petronas - have developed the WDDM concession across nine development phases, according to company statements. The concession comprises 17 gas fields, located at water depths ranging from 300 metres to 1,200 metres and spanning approximately 90-120 kilometres from the shore. Underlining the broader energy and political implications of these recent deals, Egypts Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El-Molla, said: This is a significant step towards unlocking further hydrocarbon potential in Egypts rich Nile Delta region [] We are pleased to strengthen our longstanding partnership with Shell, which plays a crucial role in developing Egypts energy resources and supporting the countrys ambition to become a regional energy hub.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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ADNOC Gas has signed a long-term agreement to supply liquefied natural gas to Indian Oil Corporation, in a deal worth between $7 billion and $9 billion.

Under the terms of the agreement, ADNOC Gas, the integrated gas unit of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), will export up to 1.2 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa) of LNG to Indian Oil over a period of 14 years, the Abu Dhabi company said in a statement.

ADNOC Gas, which supplies around 60% of the UAEs sales gas needs and has access to 95% of the UAEs huge gas reserves, looks to expand its global presence as the LNG market grows and countries look to diversify supply to boost energy security.

The landmark deal marks another significant milestone for ADNOC Gas as it expands its global reach, reinforcing its position as a global LNG export partner of choice, and reaffirming IOCL as its key strategic partner in the LNG market, ADNOC Gas said.

India, for its part, aims to boost the share of natural gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030, up from around 6% now.

Competition for LNG has increased and long-term LNG contracts have returned, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine upended the global gas market, prompted Europe to pledge to ditch Russian pipeline gas by 2027, and kickstarted a competition between Europe and Asia for spot and long-term LNG supply.

The United States and Qatar have recently signed major long-term deals with both Chinese and European firms. Last month Germany signed a 20-year deal with U.S. firm Venture Global LNG to import 2.25 million tons of LNG per year from Venture Globals third project, CP2 LNG, as Europes biggest economy is looking to secure gas supply after Russia stopped deliveries.

Chinese buyers, for their part, have recently signed with Qatar the longest LNG term deals in the history of the industry while also discussing additional agreements with QatarEnergy and with U.S. LNG developers.

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Major LNG buyers in North Asia have slashed imports of liquefied natural gas from Russian export projects to the lowest in two years as the worlds top LNG importers look to diversify supply amid ample current supply.

In June, Asian imports of LNG from Russia slumped by 15% to the lowest levels since August 2021, shipping data compiled by Bloomberg showed on Wednesday.

China, which has been buying record volumes of crude oil from Russia, has recently slashed LNG purchases from Russian export plants. Chinese LNG imports from Russia halved in June compared to May, to the lowest level in 11 months, according to the shipping data compiled by Bloomberg.

South Korean utilities are not buying Russian spot LNG cargoes currently, while at least two Japanese utilities want LNG supply from Russia reduced, sources familiar with the matter have told Bloomberg.

Russias natural gas and LNG exports are not subject to any embargoes or restrictions, but buyers are looking to diversify and avoid potential future problems with payments and deliveries, according to Bloomberg.

Japan and South Korea have renewed some of their long-term LNG supply deals with Russia. Most long-term LNG buyers of the Sakhalin-2 project, including from Japan and South Korea, have continued to buy gas from the venture, even though Western majors quit en masse operations in Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co doesnt plan to exit its minority shareholding in the Sakhalin-2 LNG project in Russia as the export facility continues to export liquefied natural gas to Japan, Mitsuis senior executive managing officer, Toru Matsui, said at the companys annual general meeting last month.

While North Asia is scaling back LNG purchases from Russia, Spains imports of natural gas from Russia more than doubled in May compared to a year earlier and Russia accounted for 27.9% of Spains gas imports, second only to Algeria.

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An idea to cap the revenues of electricity generators in case energy prices surge again failed to win support at the European Parliaments Industry, Research, and Energy Committee on Wednesday as the committee agreed on texts to reform the EUs electricity market.

In their amendments to the draft legislation, MEPs from the committee supported proposals to make the EUs electricity market more stable, affordable, and sustainable, but did not include an earlier idea to cap the revenues of electricity generators.

In May, Nicolas Gonzalez Casaresthe European Parliament's lead negotiator on the reform proposed by the European Commission earlier this year  proposed that the reform of the EU's electricity market cap the extraordinary profits that power-generating companies reap when energy prices spike in a crisis. A cap that would have recovered 90% of any revenue over $202 (180 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh). The cap would have included producers of electricity from wind, solar, and nuclear power, as well as coal.

However, the European Parliaments energy committee didnt support this proposal.

The industry has strongly opposed such ideas. Following todays vote at the Parliaments committee, Naomi Chevillard, Head of Regulatory Affairs at SolarPower Europe, said,

Today we breathe a sigh of relief as MEPs have decided to not make market revenue caps a structural feature of the electricity market.

They have recognised the hugely negative impact of the caps on renewable energy growth  resulting in a contraction of the Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) market by 21% in 2022 due to regulatory uncertainty, Chevillard added.

Earlier this month, the European Parliament reached a broad agreement on the proposed electricity market reform, designed to prevent a repeat of last years energy crisis.

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The proposal has now passed to the Council and the European Parliament for debate and negotiation, with the market reform expected to be voted on later this year. The European Parliament is set to vote on the reform in September, before final negotiations with EU member states in the autumn.

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Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon speaks about the Korean government's decision to challenge the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling during a press conference at the Government Complex in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



By Anna J. Park



Elliott Investment Management expressed regret over the Korean government's decision to appeal a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The U.S.-based hedge fund company argued in an official statement that the Korean government's decision to seek an appeal sends the wrong message to foreign investors.



"The Republic of Korea's (ROK) refusal to honor the Tribunal's unanimous decision  which, after five years of thorough litigation, found against the ROK on virtually every substantive ground  sends the wrong message about the Republic's tolerance for corruption and impairs the country's objective to be viewed as a fair and responsible market for foreign investment," the statement reads.



Elliott stressed that the Korean government's challenge to the award payment granted by the international tribunal last month is aimed at distracting from the damages borne by the domestic and foreign shareholders of Samsung C&T.



In 2015 when Elliott held a 7.23 percent stake in Samsung C&T, it opposed a controversial merger of two Samsung Group affiliates, Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, arguing that the deal damages shareholder interests by unfairly undervaluing Samsung C&T shares to benefit "only a few powerful individuals." The merger was widely seen as aimed at solidifying Samsung Group heir Lee Jae-yong's grip over the conglomerate.



"Further, many Koreans, including institutional investors and pensioners, were damaged by Samsung and the prior administration's actions. Had Elliott not been illegally obstructed by the corrupt conduct at the heart of this case, these Korean institutions and pensioners all would have benefited significantly," the statement reads.



"This challenge to the Award seems once again designed to use opposition to Elliott to distract from the damage done to Korean shareholders, domestic and foreign, by Samsung and the ROK, who together treated them as pawns to be sacrificed in a scheme to benefit only a few powerful individuals."



Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon announced Tuesday that the Korean government has filed an appeal in a court in London against last month's ruling by the international arbitration tribunal located in the Netherlands, which ordered it to pay approximately $108.5 million  including damages, interest, legal fees and other costs  to the U.S. hedge fund company.



The government said that the PCA did not have jurisdiction to make the ruling under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, along with raising other points of legal contention.


Europes benchmark natural gas prices were steady on Wednesday as above-average inventories offset higher cooling demand in the prolonged heatwave that has gripped southern and central Europe.

The front-month futures at the TTF hub, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, traded at $30.64 (27.32 euros) per megawatt-hour (MWh) as of 12:43 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, slightly up by 0.9% on the day.

On Monday, prices extended last weeks losses to drop by nearly 3% after a prolonged maintenance period on a key Norwegian gas supply route ended this weekend. Last week, Europes gas prices posted their biggest weekly loss for this year, 22%, as Norwegian gas supply increased following the end of regular maintenance at the Nyhamna gas processing plant after work took over a month more than originally thought.

As a result, Norways gas exports rose on Monday by 60 million cubic meters a day (mcm/d) at 318 mcm/d, according to Refinitiv Eikon data cited by Reuters.

Norway is now Europes single largest gas supplier after Russia cut off pipeline supply to most of its EU customers after the invasion of Ukraine.

On Tuesday, European gas prices shot up by nearly 8% as traders weighed the coming maintenance at other Norwegian facilities planned for Augustthe massive Troll gas field, the Vesterled pipeline, and the Kollsnes gas processing plant.

However, gas levels in storage across the EU are significantly higher than the five-year average and the levels from this time last year, easing concerns about Europes gas supply.

The EU gas storage sites were 82.1% full as of July 17, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. Industrial gas consumption in Europe is also lower, due to the slowdown in major economies.

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Despite higher demand for cooling amid a heatwave, natural gas demand in Europe continues to be subdued, also due to weaker demand for industrial activities.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A massive carbon credit projectthe second-largest in the worldhas come to a halt, with the projects operators claiming that government policies are behind the stoppage.

In May of this year, Zimbabwe said it would require companies to give up half of their revenue. This change of government regulatory policy has prompted the operators of the Kariba REDD+ Project to stop all work while the matter is sorted. The project is operated by South Pole and Carbon Green Africa.

We did write soon after the government advised that for those projects already running we needed to regularize. We are however still waiting to get a response from the authorities and as such, operations have stopped, Charles Ndondo, managing partner of Carbon Green told Bloomberg via email.

Such a large demand from the government of the global offsets industryalong with possible similar demands from Malawi and Zambiacould call into question the financial feasibility of carbon offsets.

Zimbabwe has yet to finalize the revenue demand into law, sending the project into even more uncertainty. Zimbabwes environment minister Mangaliso Ndlovu expects that the regulations could be codified into law as early as this Friday.

The carbon offset project has been operating for more than a decade, with 23 million credits purchased from it so far, representing 23 million tons of carbon dioxide or its equivalent.

But the project is not without controversy. In March, South Pole was accused of exaggerating its climate claims surrounding its forest-protection projects that facilitate the offsets. South Pole has claimed that its Kariba project has saved from destruction a forest nearly the size of Puerto Rico.

But some experts have alleged that South Pole has overestimated the scope of its forest preservation, meaning that ultimately, companies who purchased carbon credits from Kariba, overstated their contribution to combat climate change.

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Indian multinational conglomerate Tata Group will build a massive facility for the production of electric car batteries in the United Kingdom, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Tata will invest more than 4 billion (around $5.17 billion) in the gigafactory, a move that will significantly boost the UKs transition from vehicles fueled by fossil fuels to those powered by low-carbon fuels. The UK government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The Tata battery project will create as many as 4,000 direct jobs and provide Jaguar Land Rover--a subsidiary of Tata Motors--with EV batteries. The gigafactory will be one of Europes largest, and aims to commence production as early as 2026.

This investment will be crucial to boosting the UKs battery manufacturing capacity needed to support the electric vehicle industry in the long term. With an initial output of 40GWh, it will also provide almost half of the battery production that the Faraday Institution estimates the UK will need by 2030, the government has said.

India has lately doubled down on its clean energy investments. Last month, a venture group backed by Indias second-largest solar energy company, Vikram Solar, announced it will invest up to $1.5 billion in the U.S. solar energy supply chain, with the first investments going to a factory in Colorado next year. The $250 million Colorado facility will be capable of producing 2 gigawatts (GW) of modules a year initially and double the capacity over time and will also create more than 900 jobs.

Newly formed VSK Energy LLC will leverage India's extensive solar manufacturing know-how in the U.S. push to build a clean energy manufacturing sector that can compete with China. Vikram Solar Limited is one of the largest solar module manufacturers in India with 3.5 GW module manufacturing capacity annually.

"It's a great thing for us to be bringing an Indian company to the table here. You've seen a number of Indian companies get into the manufacturing space and do quite well, and Vikram is the best of them,"Sriram Das, managing director at Das & Co and chairman of the joint venture, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Indias State-owned oil company Bharat Petroleum has approved raising up to 180 billion rupees ($2.19 billion) through an issue of equity shares as part of the governments push into green energy. The Indian government plans to inject billions of dollars into Bharat Petroleum and its state-owned peers, Indian Oil Corp. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd. to help fund their energy transition projects.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Gigi Hadid was arrested at Owen Roberts International Airport for being in possession of cannabis.

The 28-year-old model was embarking on a girls' trip to the Cayman Islands on July 10 when she was detained upon arrival at the airport by Customs Border Control agents.

Local media outlet Cayman Marl Road, reported that after Gigi and a friend arrived via private jet custom officials put her bags through a scanner and searched them by hand and found "ganja and utensils used for the consumption of ganja" in their luggage.

The two travellers were then arrested on "suspicion of Importation of Ganja and Importation of Utensils used for the consumption of ganja" and were taken to the Royal Cayman Islands Detention Center before being released on bail.

On July 12, Gigi - who has two-year-old daughter Khai with her ex-partner Zayn Malik - and her friend were formally charged during a court appearance, where they pleaded guilty and were both fined $1,000. They are not facing any further charges.

A representative for the catwalk star released a statement clarifying that "Gigi was traveling with marijuana purchased legally in NYC with a medical license. It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island".
MEXICO CITY  An Australian sailor who had been adrift at sea with his dog for three months has been rescued by a Mexican tuna boat in international waters, the fishing vessel's owner said.

Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, 54, was aboard his incapacitated catamaran Aloha Toa in the Pacific some 1,200 miles from land when the crew of the boat from the Grupomar fleet spotted them, the company said in a statement Monday.

The company said Shaddock and his dog Bella were in a precarious state when found, lacking provisions and shelter. The tuna boat's crew gave them medical attention, food and hydration, it said.

Video from the rescue shared with 9News showed Shaddock bearded, thin and wearing a hat and Bella behind him, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Aboard the trawler, Shaddock told his rescuers hed been through a very difficult ordeal at sea.

I'm just needing rest and good food because I've been alone at sea a long time, he said. Otherwise I'm in very good health.

According to Haddock, the pair survived by drinking rainwater and eating freshly caught raw fish. Haddock managed to avoid getting serious sunburn by keeping shelter aboard the catamaran.

An expert told 9News that companionship from Bella probably contributed to the sailors survival.

I think that may have well made the difference, ocean survival expert and Professor Mike Tipton said, according to 9News.

Its a combination of luck and skill and the right behavior, Tipton said of the needle in a haystack rescue. People need to appreciate how small the boat is and how vast the Pacific is. The chances of someone being found are pretty slim.

A Mexican doctor who is treating Haddock told 9News that the sailor is stable and very well, and that he has completely normal vital signs.

Grupomar did not provide specific details on what day Shaddock was rescued. The pair were reportedly about a month into their trip bound for French Polynesia when they encountered a storm that wiped out the boat's communication capabilities.

The tuna boat, captained by Oscar Meza Oregon, was expected to arrive in the Pacific coast port of Manzanillo on Tuesday with Shaddock and Bella.

In photographs of the rescue provided by Grupomar, a smiling, bearded and thin Shaddock is seen with a blood pressure cuff around his arm, holding a box of pain medication inside the fishing boats cabin. In others, Bella is stretched out on the deck. The catamaran floated nearby without a visible sail.

Antonio Suarez Gutierrez, Grupomar's founder and president, said he was proud of his crew, praising them for their humanity in saving the life of someone in trouble.

The Associated Press and Tribune News Service contributed to this report.
The former band director at Elkhorn South High School was found guilty of felony child abuse last week in a case that alleged the longtime teacher groomed a female student and fostered an inappropriate relationship with her for years.

Michelle Bluford, 57, will face up to three years in prison when she is sentenced in August. She pleaded no contest to the child abuse charge last week in exchange for prosecutors dropping additional misdemeanor sexual assault charges.

According to court documents, the inappropriate relationship began when the student was a junior in high school and lasted for about two years after she graduated.

The student joined band during her freshman year, but had little contact with Bluford until she was selected to take on a leadership role within the band in her junior year. At that point, according to court documents, the relationship turned inappropriate.

Bluford would drive the student to locations off of school property during school hours, according to court documents, where they would hold hands and cuddle in Blufords car. They also began meeting outside of school hours, including one occasion where Bluford went to the students home under the guise of a music lesson.

After the student graduated, the relationship intensified. The student said that, the day after she graduated high school, Bluford invited the student to her apartment. Bluford allegedly kissed her on the lips, and the student noticed Bluford had framed multiple pictures of them together and placed them around her apartment.

Bluford requested that the student call her mom and attempted to convince the student that her family didnt love her, according to court documents.

The relationship continued after the girl went to college in a different state, with Bluford traveling to visit her regularly. In 2021, the girl met Bluford at Elkhorn South High School and ended their relationship.

A criminal investigation was opened shortly after the relationship ended. Authorities served a search warrant on Blufords apartment in June 2021, where they found multiple items that corroborated the information provided by the victim, according to court documents.

Bluford was initially charged with felony child abuse, and prosecutors later tacked on two additional counts of misdemeanor sexual assault. The case was scheduled to go to trial in August.

But last week, Bluford pleaded guilty to the child abuse count in exchange for the dismissal of the sexual assault charges. She will be sentenced August 25 and faces up to three years in prison.
Omaha police are investigating the citys latest-known homicide after a man was shot Saturday night just west of Carter Lake.

Police were called to the area of 14th Avenue and Pinkney Street about 9:30 p.m. Officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound, and he was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center by ambulance, where he died, a police spokesman said Sunday.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family.

The homicide is the citys ninth of 2023. That compares with 11 homicides at this time in 2022 and 19 in 2021.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the OPD Homicide Unit at 402-444-5656 or anonymously contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP, at www.omahacrimestoppers.org.

or on the P3 Tips mobile app.

Tipsters are eligible for a $25,000 cash reward for information leading to a homicide arrest.
SEATTLE  A big mound of fresh dirt sits at Terry Taylor's marijuana farm in the high desert of north-central Washington state. Each hole for a new plant gets filled with the clean soil.

Large swaths of recently installed landscape fabric cover the ground, and soon the dirt roads on his property will be covered in crushed rock to keep contaminated dust from covering the crops.

Taylor's pot farm is one of several getting back to business after state regulators halted their operations in April, citing product testing that turned up unacceptable levels of chemicals related to DDT, a synthetic pesticide banned half a century ago.

The affected growers haven't used the pesticide themselves, but they are located on a 5-mile stretch of former fruit orchards along the Okanogan River where it was applied heavily and remains in the soil.

The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board announced last week it had lifted the holds on the businesses, which are now taking steps with state financial support to keep the residual pesticide at bay and rebuild their brands. The board said it will increase pesticide testing for cannabis from the area.

I havent sold any product since April, said Taylor, who operates two licensed cannabis producer-processors, Okanogan Gold and Kibble Junction. Its just destroyed us. No one wants to buy it.

Taylor, 58, said hes been living off savings since April. His income has been about one-tenth of what it was previously. He normally has about six full-time employees and 20 seasonal workers, but now has only two.

Pesticides in cannabis are a concern for regulators and consumers in legal pot states around the country, especially because the plant is typically smoked or concentrated, a process that can intensify the levels of pesticides in the final product.

Regulators in Vermont early this year pulled pesticide-contaminated pot from five retail stores after a customer reported feeling sick, and Nevada officials issued an advisory about widely available products possibly tainted with an unapproved pesticide.

Due to marijuanas illegal status under federal law, states have written their own rules about pesticides in cannabis. There is wide variation in which are regulated and how much of a trace can remain in products. It's unclear how many states require cannabis to be tested for legacy pesticides such as DDT.

Washington state's recent experience with DDE, a remnant chemical remaining in the soil as DDT breaks down, suggests such regulations only go so far in protecting public health.

A chemist for the Liquor and Cannabis Board in March noticed several high test results for DDE and traced them to a single growing area. The companies  Okanogan Gold, Bodie Mine, Kibble Junction and Walden Cannabis  immediately issued recalls when asked in April, but by then much of the products had already been sold.

There were 108 samples tested from the companies and 59 came back with unapproved levels of DDE, the board said.

DDT was used heavily in the decades following World War II to control mosquitoes as well as insects that can damage fruit or other crops, but it also killed birds. Rachel Carsons 1962 book Silent Spring documented its effects on nature, which sparked the environmental movement and helped bring about a national ban on the use of DDT in agriculture in 1972.

Studies have shown women with high amounts of DDE in their blood were more likely to give birth prematurely or have a baby with a wheeze, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The chemical is considered a possible carcinogen.

Christopher Simpson, deputy director of the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center at the University of Washington, said the risk from DDE in cannabis is probably low, though possibly more of a concern for anyone using the marijuana medicinally, since they already may have health issues.

To my knowledge, nobody has done a really good risk assessment for that, Simpson said. You would have to be able to figure out how much cannabis people would consume and how much of that DDT would be deposited in the body. There just isnt experimental data available.

Many of the problematic samples of cannabis foliage or oil tested at about 0.2 parts per million, which is above the 0.1 ppm limit in state law but still only about half of what federal authorities tolerate for DDT contamination in tobacco. One sample of cannabis oil or resin came back at 1.7 ppm, the board said.

Given a lack of scientific evidence about what constitutes a dangerous level of DDE in cannabis, Taylor and other affected growers argued that regulators had overreacted by having them halt operations, rather than just issue recalls.

Chandra Wax, director of the board's enforcement and education division, said in a statement that regulators acted responsibly, swiftly, and intentionally.

It isn't clear how the DDE wound up in the products. Cannabis is known for its ability to remove contaminants from soil and has been studied for use in environmental cleanup. Taylor said he believed the contamination most likely came from dust settling on the plants as he and others drove or walked on the farm, or even from DDT present in wildfire smoke in the region.

Ranking of nonorganic produce with the most pesticides 1. Strawberries 2. Spinach 3. Kale, collard and mustard greens 4. Peaches 5. Pears 6. Nectarines 7. Apples 8. Grapes 9. Bell and hot peppers 10. Cherries 11. Blueberries 12. Green beans
North Korea has been silent about the highly unusual entry of an American soldier across the Koreas heavily fortified border. Travis King, who bolted across the border Tuesday, is the first American known to be detained in the North in nearly five years. Although the North test-fired short-range missiles on Wednesday, this latest weapons display was seen as unrelated. Instead, the launches were suspected to be a protest at the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea the previous day. King had served time in a South Korean prison for assault and was being sent home to Fort Bliss, Texas, when he disappeared. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed King was likely now in North Korean custody.
FREMONT, Neb.  Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen visited Fremont on Tuesday to tout the collaboration of local officials, businesses and others that led to the completion of the U.S. Highway 77-Fremont Southeast Beltway project.

The new freeway segment south of the city connects U.S. Highway 77 south of Fremont to U.S. Highway 275 on the east side of the city. The bypass recently opened and, according to city officials, has already led to a reduction of semitrailer truck traffic through downtown Fremont.

Fresh off an economic visit to Vietnam, Pillen compared Nebraska to the Southeast Asian country, saying the Vietnamese are very similar to Nebraskans, but a big difference is that Vietnam lacks highway infrastructure needed to expand its economy.

One thing (Vietnam) doesnt have is infrastructure. Infrastructure is a really, really big deal. This project is so critical to Fremont, so critical to the growing of Costco, so critical to the growing of Wholestone, Pillen said. Wholestone is going to have 300 trucks coming in every day  an extraordinary amount of activity. So people are really, really excited about this project.

Pillen also expressed his gratitude to what he said was an everybody in level of collaboration and cooperation between local and state government, as well as the business community, that made the project go smoothly and quickly.

Everybody was all on the same team to make sure we got this project finished, he said. It is really going to be an extraordinary hub.

When you think of the city of Fremont, and you think about the four-lane roads of U.S. Highway 30 and U.S. Highway 275  hopefully we can get that sped up  the future for Fremont is absolutely extraordinary.

Construction of the $62 million project began in July 2020 and was finished in May, with traffic cruising on the bypass in June. Graham Construction was the sole contractor on the project, and the firm utilized local supply companies and workers in the three-year effort.

Joining Pillen at Tuesdays ceremony were numerous elected officials and business executives involved in the project, including Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg, Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Vicki Kramer, State Sen. Lynne Walz, as well as Jessica Kolterman of Lincoln Premium Poultry and Dave Rexin, construction manager for Graham Construction.

The Fremont Southeast Beltway is a 3.2-mile segment of four-lane highway that connects U.S. 77 to U.S. 275 to the east. The section of new highway was designed to help reduce heavy truck traffic through the city center of Fremont, replacing the route directly through the citys downtown on Broad Street.

Several large agricultural facilities  including Costcos chicken slaughterhouse and processing plant, Lincoln Premium Poultry and Wholestone Farms, a pork processing facility  are based on the south side of the city and receive hundreds of big-rig trucks per day carrying chickens and hogs.

Kolterman told the audience that she had been involved with both the development and construction of the LPP facility, as well as planning the new Fremont Southeast Beltway, since 2016 and was thrilled to see the project completed.

I had been tasked by (former) Gov. (Pete) Ricketts to help LPP and the Costco team navigate the next steps. Because of the relationships and partnerships we have (in small towns), we can get things done, Kolterman said. It quickly became evident that in Fremont, this is a place for collaboration and partnership with a lot of people who are committed to growth.

Among the officials Kolterman credited with the beltways completion were Dodge County Board Chairman Bob Missel, Ricketts and former Fremont Mayor Scott Getzschman.

With the opening of the Fremont Southeast Beltway, Fremont regained control and jurisdiction over a more than 3-mile section of the old U.S. 77 that included the north-south corridor of Broad Street.

City officials have plans to either stop or significantly reduce heavy truck traffic on the former highway, with plans being devised on how to reduce that type of semitrailer traffic on Broad Street from Military Avenue to 23rd Street.

Spellerberg, who was elected mayor in 2020 as the beltway project was under construction, said he is elated that the crucial connector was now open for traffic. He also noted that Fremonts future is in front of the community, and economic growth is surging.

This official ceremony today represents a great achievement toward improving Nebraskas infrastructure and ensuring the safety and economic growth of Fremont, he added. We do have a bright future here.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
North Korea fires a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), July 12, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap



North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday, Seoul's military said, after the arrival of a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine here and the inaugural session of a new South Korea-U.S. security dialogue.



The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches from the Sunan area in Pyongyang between 3:30 a.m. and 3:46 a.m., and they flew some 550 kilometers before splashing into the sea.



The JCS condemned the launches as "acts of significant provocation" that harms peace not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community, and as a "clear" violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.



"Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond overwhelmingly to any North Korean provocations," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters.






A Grand Island business owner is being held on no bail in Missouri ahead of her return to Nebraska to face theft charges.

On Monday, Kelli Lepler pleaded not guilty on the charge of fugitive from out of state in the 11th Judicial District court in Missouri. Lepler faces 43 theft charges involving her Grand Island business, Monument Advisors. She was arrested July 13 in Wentzville, Missouri.

In denying her request for bail, Judge Dwayne Johnson ruled that the court finds reasonable grounds to believe Lepler would not appear on summons and is a danger to the crime victim, the community or another person, according to court documents.

A bail hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

A warrant for Leplers arrest was issued July 3 in Hall County.

There will be an out-of-state extradition process that will take place prior to her return for arraignment, the Grand Island Police Department said last week.

The theft charges relate to Leplers business, Monument Advisors. She is accused of not delivering on paid monument orders.

Of the 43 theft charges, 36 are felonies, and seven are misdemeanors.

After an investigation, the Grand Island Police Department turned the case over to the Hall County Attorneys Office in early June.
LINCOLN  A Lancaster County District Court judge heard arguments Wednesday in the case challenging Nebraskas new abortion and gender-affirming care restrictions.

Judge Lori Maret did not make any rulings at the hearing, instead taking the case under advisement after hearing arguments from lawyers for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office.

Planned Parenthood is seeking a court order to block enforcement of the new restrictions and declare Legislative Bill 574 unconstitutional on the basis that it violates the Nebraska Constitutions single-subject requirement for legislation.

In addition to seeking a permanent injunction against the law, Planned Parenthood is asking for a preliminary injunction to stop enforcement of the restrictions while litigation is pending. Attorneys representing the State of Nebraska are seeking to dismiss the lawsuit.

The final version of LB 574 that was signed into law in May immediately banned abortions after 12 weeks based on gestational age, and will restrict hormone therapy and puberty blockers for individuals under 19 starting Oct. 1, while also banning gender-affirming surgeries for the same age group.

Jane Seu, an attorney with the ACLU of Nebraska representing Planned Parenthood, argued the organization  along with their patients  were adversely affected by the laws abortion provisions. She said medical professionals have not been allowed to offer the best standard of care, while women have been forced to travel out of state to seek abortions or have had to carry pregnancies against their will.

Assistant Attorney General Erik Fern argued there is no vested right to practice medicine under state law, so the impacts of the bill against medical professionals dont warrant an injunction. He described the impacts as primarily economic concerns for Planned Parenthood, and argued those are outweighed by the protections the bill gives to preborn children.

LB 574 started out as a bill to ban gender-affirming care for people under 19, while a separate bill sought to ban abortions after embryonic cardiac activity could be detected, at about the six-week mark. But the abortion measure, LB 626, was blocked when supporters failed to get enough votes to cut off a filibuster.

Supporters then combined the two topics into an amendment that replaced the original language of LB 574.

Matthew Segal, an attorney with the ACLU, argued that LB 574 clearly contains two subjects that are not naturally connected, noting that the regulations are classified under two different titles with two different effective dates under its language.

He also described the timeline of how the abortion restrictions were added to LB 574, noting that it was only after LB 626 stalled that the amendment was proposed. Segal called out the state for trying to dismiss a portion of evidence Planned Parenthood submitted regarding this, arguing the state is trying to carve a narrow path in order to prove its point.

Lawyers for the state argued the law falls under the single subject of general health and welfare, which relates to both the abortion and gender-affirming care restrictions. Fern also argued that both aspects of the bill involve minors.

Segal, meanwhile, described LB 574 as one of the gravest violations of the single-subject rule that Nebraska courts have ever considered. He argued that if a member of the public had to describe the bill, they couldnt get away with calling it an act on health and welfare. They would have to describe the bills two provisions on abortion and gender-affirming care, he said.

The violation is egregious enough that Segal argued if the courts side with the state, it would essentially make the single-subject rule meaningless.

This is a short-sighted view of the law, Segal said.

Fern said lawyers for Planned Parenthood were overstating aspects of the case, and argued that if the courts sided with the Planned Parenthood, it could interfere with the Legislatures ability to conduct business moving forward.

Fern said many of the cases Planned Parenthood referenced to prove past precedent date back to the 1800s, before the creation of Nebraskas single-house legislature, and had to do with a separate part of the state Constitution than the current case references.

He also argued Planned Parenthoods lawsuit clearly represented an ideological challenge to the law, representing one sides opinion on the hot-button issues of abortion and gender-affirming care.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
NEW YORK (AP)  The head of the Teamsters said Sunday that he has asked the White House not to intervene if unionized UPS workers end up going on strike.

Negotiations between the delivery company and the union representing 340,000 of its workers have been at a standstill for more than a week with a July 31 deadline for a new contract approaching fast.

The union has threatened a strike if a deal is not reached by the time the collective bargaining agreement expires. Asked during a webcast with members Sunday on whether the White House could force a contract on the union, Teamsters President Sean OBrien said he has asked the White House on numerous occasions to stay away.

My neighborhood where I grew up in Boston, if two people had a disagreement and you had nothing to do with it  you just kept walking, OBrien said.

We dont need anybody getting involved in this fight, he said.

The Teamsters represent more than half of the Atlanta-based companys workforce in the largest private-sector contract in North America. If a strike does happen, it would be the first since a 15-day walkout by 185,000 workers crippled the company a quarter century ago.

Before contract talks broke down, both sides had reached tentative agreements on several issues, including installing air conditioning in more trucks and getting rid of a two-tier wage system for drivers who work weekends and earn less money. A sticking point in negotiations is wage increases for part-time workers, who make a minimum of $16.20 an hour, according to UPS.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The bodies of four women began appearing in wooded areas in northwest Oregon in February, though police initially said the cases appeared to be unconnected. But on Monday, prosecutors dropped a bombshell, saying they are linked and at least one person of interest has been identified.

The state medical examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death for any of the women, prosecutors said in a statement.

But, in an about-face from a June 4 Portland Police Bureau statement saying six deaths did not appear to be connected, the Multnomah County District Attorneys office in Portland announced that four of them are.

Investigators and prosecutors from multiple law enforcement agencies have been working collaboratively, ... and they have determined that there are links between four cases: Kristin Smith, Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and Ashley Real, the prosecutors office said.

Investigators have interviewed multiple people in connection with these cases and have identified at least one person of interest that is linked to all four, the DA's office added.

The Multnomah County District Attorneys office in Portland says no charges have been filed against anyone but that the community is not currently in any danger. Local media reported a man is in custody. The announcement led to online reports of a serial killer, but officials did not use those words in announcing the connection between the deaths.

The womens bodies were found in Portland and rural areas starting on Feb. 19, with the latest one found on May 7. One body was found about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Portland, near a creek in Polk County.

The first body discovered was that of Smith, 22, found in a wooded area in a suburb southeast of Portland. Smith's disappearance was reported to police in suburban Gresham on Dec. 22, 2022.

Its quite like a piece of you is missing, thats really the only way you can describe it, Hailey Smith, Kristins sister, told KPTV, a Portland television station, as family members searched for the then-missing woman.

Family members hung up fliers and looked for Smith near homeless shelters and other sites in downtown Portland. And a private Justice for Kristin Smith Facebook page with over 600 members was created over four months ago.

Perry was 24 when she died. Her body was found on April 24 near a state park alongside the Columbia River, east of Portland.

Perrys mother, Diana Allen, said her daughter struggled with her mental health. Allen shared a photo with The Associated Press of Perry taken after Perry won spiciest chili in a contest several years ago.

She was so proud of it, Allen said. She had an amazing personality when she had her mental health under control.

Websters body was found on April 30 near Mill Creek in rural northwest Polk County. She was 31.

Real, 22, was last seen at a fast-food restaurant near Portland on March 27, police said. She was reported missing on April 4. Her body was found on May 7 in a forest southeast of Portland.

Investigators from nine law enforcement agencies, including the prosecutors offices in three Oregon counties and the Oregon State Police, have been collaborating on the cases, authorities said.

This story has been updated to correct the location where two of the womens bodies were discovered. While two of the women were from Gresham and Milwaukie, the bodies were found elsewhere in rural areas.
South Korean soldiers are on guard at the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjeom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, March 3. Yonhap





A U.S. soldier's detention in North Korea this week is raising cautious expectations for direct diplomatic reengagement between Washington and Pyongyang as bilateral ties have remained in the freezer amid the recalcitrant regime's dogged pursuit of nuclear armament.







The soldier, identified as Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King on rotational duty in Korea, "willfully" crossed the military demarcation line into the North during a tour to the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas on Tuesday, according to U.S. officials.







The incident came as tensions have run high due to North Korea's continued weapons tests, including a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile launch earlier this month and two short-range ballistic missile launches Wednesday morning.







Analysts said the border crossing could create an opening for dialogue between the two sides, though the possibility remains that bilateral relations could further deteriorate should Pyongyang use the incident for propaganda purposes.







"How things will pan out may hinge on North Korea's will or its future course of action," Nam Chang-hee, professor of international politics at Inha University, said.







"Should the North use the incident as a channel to reengage and cooperate over the issue, Washington would take it as a very amicable gesture. But should it use the case with ill intentions, this would be an addition of a fresh irritant in the bilateral relations," he added.







U.S. State Department Press Secretary Matthew Miller indicated Washington has reached out to Pyongyang for talks between the defense authorities over the border-crossing issue.







U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller answers questions about a American solider detained in North Korea after he willfully crossed the border from South Korea during a news briefing at the State Department in Washington, Tuesday. AP-Yonhap




This July 19, 2022, file photo shows the Joint Security Area of Panmunjeom inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. An American soldier is now believed to be in North Korean custody after "willfully" crossing the inter-Korean border on Tuesday. AP-Yonhap



Pyongyang will likely deport him due to criminal charges: experts



By Jung Min-ho



An American soldier is now believed to be in North Korean custody after "willfully" crossing the inter-Korean border on Tuesday, creating a new problem that could further complicate Washington's efforts to deal with Pyongyang.



Asked about what will happen to Pvt. Travis King, analysts on North Korea and human rights experts said on Wednesday that he is likely to face deportation due to criminal charges pending in the U.S. and the little utility it can expect by holding him.



Before crossing the border during his Panmunjeom tour, King was reportedly released on July 10 from a South Korean prison where he had spent two months over assault charges. Further military disciplinary action awaited him in the United States.



"Given that his criminal charges have been reported widely by the media, he will likely face deportation," Cheong Seong-chang, an analyst at the Sejong Institute think tank, told The Korea Times.



"As a member of the U.S. Forces Korea, he might be able, and willing, to provide some information North Korean officials would find useful. Depending on the levels of his knowledge and cooperation, he could be detained there for a while, but probably not for too long."









The fate of U.S. citizens detained in North Korea is not always clear or consistent. Some are released voluntarily, while others have been put behind bars over dubious offense charges.



North Korea generally does not welcome foreigners who have illegally entered the country, as King did, for any reason, according to Kim Duck-soo, deputy director of Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, a rights advocacy group.



"In addition to that, his judicial proceedings may not be finished in the United States, which could ask North Korea to send him on that legal (extradition) ground," Kim said, adding that North Korea, which is notorious for abusing the same grounds to punish its citizen defectors, would not reject such demands outright.



But Washington would not make such a request if King insists on staying there, which is another complex issue, as it is almost impossible to tell whether he is speaking without duress while in North Korean captivity.



As long as his stay is voluntary, there is little Washington could do, said Oh Gyeong-seob, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification think tank.



"Since he was not abducted, the U.S. cannot impose additional sanctions on the regime or even criticize it," Oh said. "He is now dependent on North Korea's leadership to decide if he can stay there."





Tourists visit a tourist center during a tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas at Imjingak Peace Park in the border city of Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. AFP-Yonhap
Ambassador of France to Korea Philippe Lefort, left, speaks during a press conference introducing the newly renovated embassy in celebration of Bastille Day at the diplomatic compound in central Seoul, July 14, with architect Cho Min-suk, center, of Mass Studies, and Jeong Min-joo of Sathy Korea. In the background is a photograph of the embassy building in 1961, originally designed by Korean architect Kim Chung-up. Yonhap



By Kwon Mee-yoo



In the bustling heart of Seoul, the Embassy of France stands as a testament to the city's modern development and its rich history. The building, originally designed by renowned Korean architect Kim Chung-up (1922-88) in 1961, masterfully marries traditional Korean elements with French sophistication.



It recently underwent a comprehensive renovation, led by Korean architects  Cho Min-suk of Mass Studies and Yoon Tae-hoon of Sathy Korea  and the redesign has reinvigorated the diplomatic compound, ushering it into the 21st century.



Ambassador of France to Korea Philippe Lefort reflected on the enduring relationship between Korea and France, drawing parallels to the history embodied by the embassy building.



"The relations between France and Korea can be traced back to the late 19th century, when diplomatic relations were established in 1886. The first French legation to Korea was built in 1888," Lefort said during a press conference introducing the newly renovated embassy in celebration of Bastille Day, July 14.



"The embassy's original location was in Jung-gu, but it was relocated to its present site following the Japan-Korea Treaty of 1905. This land was once owned by Min Young-hwan, a prominent politician of the Korean Empire."



Highlighting France's steadfast support for Korea, Lefort underscored that France maintained its presence and solidarity with Korea throughout the nation's struggle for independence from Japanese colonial rule.



"In 1960, under the foresight of then-French President Charles de Gaulle's strategy for Asia, the French foreign ministry decided to erect a new embassy building, which was a significant investment for the ministry," Lefort said.



The idea to hold a design competition for the new building was put forth by Roger Chambard, the first French ambassador to the Republic of Korea. To the surprise of many, it was Kim, a Korean architect who worked at Le Corbusier's studio, who won against his French rivals in this contest.





The French Embassy in Seoul, originally designed by Kim Chung-up and renovated by Cho Min-suk of Mass Studies and Yoon Tae-hoon of Sathy Korea, is open for a press conference in celebration of Bastille Day at the diplomatic compound in central Seoul, July 14. Yonhap
BLOOMINGTON  Although concerns linger about proper enforcement, Central Illinois law enforcement leaders say they are prepared to abide by the Illinois Supreme Court's ruling that upheld the constitutionality of eliminating cash bail in the state.

The state Supreme Court issued a 5-2 ruling along party lines Tuesday that determined the cash bail element of the landmark criminal justice reform law known as the SAFE-T Act will go into effect in September, nine months after it was set to be implemented.

The ruling comes more than six months after a lower court found the law, also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, violated the bail and victims' rights clauses of the state constitution. The state Supreme Court stepped in, pausing the reform while agreeing to hear the case.

In the majority opinion, Chief Justice Mary Jane Thesis wrote: "The Illinois Constitution of 1970 does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public. Our constitution creates a balance between the individual rights of defendants and the individual rights of crime victims."

McLean County States Attorney Erika Reynolds, who was among the more than 60 county prosecutors who filed a lawsuit in opposition to the legislation, said her office will be prepared for the implementation of the law in 60 days, despite an ongoing shortage of prosecutors.

This will exacerbate the problem, she said.

Reynolds said most states attorneys offices had planned to bring in more lawyers to handle added requirements that will accompany the new system.

With most offices across the state having difficulty (filling positions), this will just add to that, she said.

Livingston County States Attorney Mike Regnier said he was disappointed with the high court's decision and believes this law will have a dangerous effect on public safety in his community.

Regnier's predecessor and current associate judge, Randy Yedinak, was among the prosecutors who joined the complaint challenging the constitutionality of the law.

I regret the way it was passed in the first place, which was in the middle of the night, and the way it was haphazardly thrown together, Regnier wrote in an email Tuesday. Illinois legislators who voted for this law did not have the best interests of Illinois communities in mind.

However, this is now the law of the land, we must accept the decision of the Court. My office intends to use all the mechanisms in the law that are available to ensure the public and victims are protected.

Tazewell County States Attorney Kevin Johnson said disappointed but not surprised was the sum of his reaction to the Supreme Court ruling.

Regardless of my professional opinion to the contrary, the SAFE-T Act will be implemented in September, and I will fulfill my sworn obligation to uphold the law, Johnson said in a prepared statement. Fortunately, Tazewell County is well positioned to implement the requirements of the SAFE-T Act and will do everything within our authority and control to protect the law abiding citizens of Tazewell County.

But not every attorney was expecting the decision.

Adam Ghrist, a criminal defense attorney with the Finegan, Rinker & Ghrist law office in Bloomington, said he was somewhat surprised by the ruling Tuesday.

I thought that the Victims Rights Clause claim had substantial merit and could result in the law being held unconstitutional, he wrote in an email. Although I do not agree with all of the courts reasoning, it is very difficult to overturn a law on constitutional grounds because the law has a strong presumption of constitutionality.

Ghrist said the language of the Victims Rights Act involves an amount of bail, which can be seen as an indication that bail must be monetary; however, in the majority opinion of the high court, the justices reasoned that the term bail does not have a monetary component.

In order to do away with monetary bail, they had to wrestle with what bail means, Ghrist said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. Its a hard place to land when it comes to the Victims Rights language.

He noted the dissenting opinion addressed the issues of defining bail without a monetary element.

Ghrist, a former state and federal prosecutor, also noted he had concerns that the changes to Illinois law will not work as well as the federal system, in which cash bail is already not used.

He said the SAFE-T Act does not give judges as much discretion, compared to the federal system, and that prevents judges from making the best decision for the specific case in front of them.

Chief Judge Casey Costigan said the 11th Judicial Circuit and its judicial branch partners are reviewing the details of the Supreme Court opinion, having worked extensively since August 2022 to prepare for the implementation of the SAFE-T Act.

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit consists of McLean, Ford, Livingston, Logan and Woodford counties.

In a prepared statement, Costigan said judges had been fully prepared for implementation before the state Supreme Court issued a stay on the act on Dec. 31, 2022.

Following the review of the Act, all judicial offices will be preparing to implement the ruling and the provisions of the Act on September 18, 2023 as provided in the opinion, he said.

Some local sheriffs have voiced concerns about staffing once the elimination of cash bail goes into effect.

McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane said his office has been preparing for this possibility for months. Officers have been trained on the key differences of enforcement under the SAFE-T Act and weekly meetings have been set up with other county offices and local law enforcement agencies, he added.

Because of staffing shortages, the McLean County Detention Facility has temporarily transferred more than 40 of its inmates to the La Salle County Jail. Although Lane said he expects the move to provide some relief to McLean County's inmate population, he previously stated that the inmate transfers likely will remain in effect for another couple of months.

"I'm not sure exactly how many inmates will qualify to be released," Lane said. "That would have to be reviewed by the state's attorney's office and they'll let me know."

DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker echoed other law enforcement officials, saying, I think (the decision) was expected just simply because of the political climate in Illinois. I dont think anybody in law enforcement or prosecution or who follows this is surprised by (the ruling).

Walkers chief concern was that the new system would hurt counties financially  not because defendants wont have to post cash to leave jail, he said, but because it could strain county offices after hours and on the weekends. He said the change is going to cause staffing issues and require guards to be posted at the courthouses on the weekends.

Walker said this could also cause undue stress to potential victims.

Not only do we have to take them (the defendants) to court or hold court, but the victim has the right to be in court, he said.

Still, Walker was sympathetic to the spirit of the change.

I understand the logic behind some of this. There are situations where people are held in jail on minor crimes and they can't get out, Walker said.

In an emailed response Tuesday, Livingston County Sheriff Ryan Bohm provided the Illinois Sheriffs Associations statement from Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk regarding the ruling, that said the sheriffs were extremely disappointed by the ruling, but it was not unexpected.
BLOOMINGTON  Charges have been filed against two Illinois men for a shooting that occurred in March 2022 near Forrest Park in Bloomington.

Kenyon J. Bones, 21, of Peoria, and Brian K. Burnett, 32, of Blue Island, each face the following charges:

one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, a Class X felony;

two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, Class 1 felonies;

one count of unlawful use of a firearm by a felon, a Class 2 felony.

Burnett was indicted on April 12 earlier this year and is currently in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections for another matter.

Bones was indicted Tuesday in McLean County.

The charges stem from an incident last year in which the two men arranged to purchase 3 pounds of cannabis for $6,000, prosecutors said.

According to a probable cause statement, the purported sale was to take place the evening of March 11 on Goose Creek Drive. Prosecutors said Bones and Burnett attempted to steal the cannabis, instead of paying for it, forcing the sellers to speed away in their vehicle, a red Ford.

Prosecutors said Bones and Burnett then engaged in crossfire with the driver and passenger of the vehicle, injuring the driver and Bones.

The Ford vehicle crashed into other parked cars, and the driver fell onto the ground. The driver sustained injuries to their head, but they survived the crash.

Bones and Burnett escaped in a red Kia, which crashed at the intersection of Oakland and Euclid avenues. They then entered a blue Jeep, driven by another person.

Prosecutors said Bones was seen on security footage being dropped off by the blue Jeep at a Peoria hospital the next morning.

Bones and Burnett each had their bonds set at $500,000 with 10% to apply, meaning they would have to post $50,000 plus court fees to be released on these charges.

Bones' next court date in this matter is 9 a.m. on July 28.

Burnett, who remains in DOC custody, is scheduled to appear in McLean County court Aug. 24.

Photos: Police respond to Turnberry Drive shooting
BLOOMINGTON  A 23-year-old Bloomington man has been sentenced after he was found guilty on 2022 drug possession and delivery charges.

Keon Spiller was sentenced Tuesday by Judge William Yoder on one count of manufacture or delivery of between 30 and 500 grams of cannabis and unlawful possession of less than 15 grams of a controlled substance.

Spiller was also initially charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, but the charge was dismissed.

According to Normal police, Spiller and two other individuals, one of whom was a juvenile, were arrested on April 29, 2022, after breaking up a party in Underwood Park.

Officers reported they pulled over a vehicle with Spiller inside as the party dispersed, citing a vehicle code violation.

The stop led to a search of the vehicle in which police said they found a handgun, an AR-15 rifle, loaded magazines and loose ammunition, more than 69 grams of cannabis packaged for sale and 10 pills of MDMA.

Spiller was sentenced to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the cannabis charge and three years for the possession charge, with credit for 64 days served. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Spiller is also order to serve one year of mandatory supervised release and to pay the necessary fines and fees.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorney Trevor Sierra and Spiller was represented by Mackenzie Frizzell with the McLean County Public Defender's Office.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones
BLOOMINGTON  A LeRoy man faces charges surrounding an incident at the LeRoy Police Department and a confrontation with law enforcement.

Kenneth D. Downey, 52, is charged with one count each of aggravated battery, resisting a peace officer and carrying a concealed firearm in a prohibited area.

According to statement from LeRoy police, authorities were alerted on July 13 that Downey was "possibly possessing firearms and allegedly having suicidal and homicidal ideations."

LeRoy police said they conducted an investigation and asked a McLean County judge to issue a firearms restraining order and search warrant for Downey's residence, both of which were granted on July 15.

Authorities then partnered with Illinois State Police and the Department of Children and Family Services to de-escalate the situation and remove two children from the residence.

In a probable cause statement, prosecutors said Downey began making threats, verbally and through text messages, to family members, DCFS personnel and law enforcement officials, implying a stand-off and exchanging fire with authorities.

On July 17, Downey was summoned to the LeRoy Police Department, where he confronted state troopers and reached for a handgun in his waistband, prosecutors said.

Troopers were able to restrain Downey without shots being fired, from either law enforcement or Downey.

Police said while in an investigation room with LeRoy Police Chief Jason Williamson, Downey kicked the chief.

Downey's bond was set at $150,000 with 10% to apply, meaning he would have to post $15,000 plus court fees to be released from the McLean County Detention Facility.

His next court date is 10 a.m. July 28.

Photos: Emergency crews train on air disaster readiness at Bloomington airport 061222-blm-loc-1training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-2training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-3training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-4training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-5training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-6training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-7training.JPG 061222-blm-loc-8training.jpg
Question: An occasional occurrence at Central Illinois Regional Airport is a passenger booked on a flight to Baltimore (airport code: BWI) who instead lands in Bloomington (BMI) because of a reading, programming or typing error. Can you name the sad occurrence back on Jan. 20, 2009, that CIRA airport officials still talk about?

Answer: "The saddest mix-up," says one TSA employee based at CIRA, may be a "very nice, older Black woman who arrived at BMI on that morning and asked why she didnt see the Washington Monument when she was arriving." The woman had a ticket to that mornings inauguration of President Barack Obama but somehow was booked a ticket to BMI instead of BWI. She got to enjoy BMI for at least a moment, but also sadly missed the inauguration.
I think I am in one of those situations where there is someone I should have written about and I dont do it and suddenly the person dies and I am faced with writing an obituary.



Luckily, this person is very much alive.



I am not sure if, at this time, he is the Ghanaian-British architect, or the celebrated British-Ghanaian architect, Sir David Adjaye, OBE; whichever designation you prefer, there is no question but that he is in the news currently not for his architectural exploits.



The last headline I checked said Sir David Adjaye had lost SEVEN key roles in relation to his professional work since July 4, 2023 when the Financial Times published serious allegations, made by three women, of sexual misconduct against him.



Painful



This was a painful story for me to follow, first of all I didnt expect the FT to deal in such grubby fare, but my long life has thrown out stranger matters.



And then, my instincts are to damn anyone accused of sexual misconduct, so, I am puzzled that what appeared to interest many of the news outlets was the number of architectural commissions Sir David Adjaye had lost or was likely to lose as a result of the publications.



The positions he has relinquished include an advisory position with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, building projects including the UKs new Holocaust Memorial and a public library in Oregon that said it had cut ties with his firm, Adjaye Associates, entirely.



How do I explain the enthusiasm with which the CNN for example is providing a full account of all ongoing projects that Sir David Adjaye was involved in and how many he had lost so far?



It said since the initial publication of their article, CNN had received additional statements from the Ghana-based African Future Institute, which confirmed Adjaye stepped away from his role as a patron of the AFI immediately following the allegations, and the African Institute, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, which confirmed the institutes decision to cancel plans for a new campus designed by Adjaye Associates altogether.



And to make the point that CNN was expecting more projects to drop the suddenly toxic David Adjaye, we are told:

CNN has also reached out to representatives for buildings and commissions which have been in development with Adjaye Associates around the world, including the Batsheva Arts Centre in Tel Aviv, Israel, the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Barbados Heritage District in Bridgeton, Barbados, among others, but received no response.



Up until a few weeks ago, this was the man that was up there on a pedestal.



He was knighted in 2017, was awarded British architectures highest accolade, the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal, in 2021, and awarded the Order of Merit last year.



The Financial Times in breaking their story about the sexual misconduct allegations demonstrated the dizzying heights at which this man was that they were about to expose as mired in maximum filth.



This is how they started their story:

When Sir David Adjaye was awarded the Gold Medal in 2021 by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the guest of honour at the virtual ceremony was Barack Obama.



The former president had inaugurated the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington in 2016  one of the crowning achievements of Adjayes gilded career designing buildings around the world.



Obama was in no doubt about the talent of the Ghanaian-British architect, Genius, pure and simple.



The moment cemented Adjayes status as one of the most prominent architects of the age.



He has been commissioned to design the UKs new Holocaust memorial, Ghanas national cathedral in Accra and a museum of West African art in Benin City, Nigeria.



Among his current projects is the redevelopment of Liverpools International Slavery Museum and a museum of west African art in Benin City, Nigeria.



Numbered



I hesitate to say this but unfortunately, someone ought to have told our Ghanaian-British architect that when the Western media is that generous about a black man, you can be sure his days at the top are numbered.



And if he strays into the sexual misconduct mire, which is where they would be on the lookout for him anyway, nothing will save him from destruction.



In a profession that rewards age and experience, one famous British journalist wrote five years ago that the British-Ghanaian architect David Adjaye had hit the top without having to wait his turn.



The journalist wrote that David Adjaye has buildings or ongoing projects on four continents.



He spends a third of his life on airplanes; maintains offices in London, New York, Berlin and Accra; and rarely spends two consecutive nights in the same bed.



It must be said though that his work has not always been universally admired.



Some describe it as unduly harsh; others felt he had come too far too fast.



Another architecture critic complained that Adjayes vision paid insufficient attention to practical details, as if he is too easily persuaded by his own eloquence.



Notable successes



The attacks did not seem to have slowed down Adjaye, and he went on to score notable successes such as the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo, which was his first really big project.



Then came the undoubted big one, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC.



I must confess that when I went to see it in 2019, I was overwhelmed and couldnt really understand it.



Let me borrow a description of the building in an architecture magazine:

Its a tiered, upside-down zigguratthree stacked square boxes with outward-leaning walls, resting on a glass-and-steel base.



The zigzag silhouette is shrouded in open-work aluminium panels painted dark bronzein striking contrast to its white-marble and limestone neoclassical neighbours.



Its a daring contemporary design based on Yoruba tribal motifs.



It takes your breath away, or to quote Barrack Obama, genius, pure and simple.



A month ago his first skyscraper was commissioned in Manhattan to widespread acclaim.



In Ghana, our opportunity to see his work in a public building has stalled with the difficulties the National Cathedral has run into.



But he did design the Agenda 111 hospitals and those working on the projects are speaking highly about the meticulous work his firm has done with the design of the hospitals.



Plus, he seems to have saved us a lot of money, his designs being in the US$20 million range as compared to the US$35 million of his competitors.



Sir David Adjaye is known for his artistic sensitivity and deft use of space and inexpensive, unexpected materials.



He is rightly celebrated for ingenious use of materials, bespoke designs and visionary sensibilities testifying to the originality of an architect at the height of his talents who is changing the face of our built world.



Suddenly he cant be allowed near a building any more.



1990s



Back in the middle 1990s, I came back to London after a longish trip to the news that a Ghanaian of my acquaintance had floated his company on the London Stock Exchange.



Of course, I was excited.



Then I got a call from a friend of mine on one of the top British newspapers who wanted me to help him in an expose they were doing on this man.



The newspaper told me they believed this man who had floated a company on the Stock Exchange was not the true royal he had been claiming to be in London.



Since I was a Ghanaian, they were hoping I knew the truth or could easily find out the truth and tell them so they could expose him for being the fake royal they believed him to be.



I was horrified, and said I would do no such thing.



I told the journalist that it was not lost on those of us who had come from Africa to live in their country how impressed the British were with royalty and I would not begrudge anyone calling himself an African prince or princess if that would open doors for them in British society.



It was significant that this newspaper was not trying to expose this man for shady financial deals, they wanted a story that would expose him as a fake royal and it would doubtless do the same job of shattering his standing in the business world.



I cant understand why Sir David Adjaye should give up his architectural commissions because he has been accused of sexual misconduct.



Why do I get the feeling they are trying to show he is a fake royal to prove he shouldnt be celebrated as an architect.





Source: Elizabeth Ohene









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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Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink is seen answering questions during a hearing before the House foreign affairs subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific in Washington, U.S., in this July 18 captured image. Yonhap



The United States is currently focused on dealing with the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs instead of formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War with a peace treaty, a senior state department official said Tuesday.



Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, also insisted that the U.S. should focus on demonstrating its strong commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan rather than signing a peace treaty with Pyongyang.



"I think, candidly speaking, rather than focusing on a peace treaty, I think we would rather focus on the immediate problem," he said when asked if the incumbent administration would sign a peace treaty formally ending the Korean War during a hearing before the House foreign affairs subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific.



The Korean War ended with an armistice treaty, technically leaving South and North Korea at war to date.






Managing Director of State Housing Company (SHC), Kwabena Ampofo Appiah has disclosed how he made his firm more profitable.



Speaking in a one-on-one interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Mr Appiah popularly known as Virus said "Discipline is key"



"It's more about discipline and running the State agency as if it's your own or as if you're in the private sector. That helps in cutting down waste and increasing profitability," he added.









Meanwhile, the ruling government has acquired 200 acres of land at Pokuase, a suburb of Accra for the construction of more affordable housing.



According to the SHC Managing Director, "As part of government's affordable housing project, 200 acres have been acquired in Pokuase...and this is not rhetoric"



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The government has approved a new salary structure for staff of the Judicial Service.



In a press statement issued last Monday, the President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), Samuel Afotey, said the implementation of the salary structure was expected to take effect this month.



The association commended the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, for her ingenuity and exceptional leadership with various stakeholders to arrive at the decision.



We are further gratified by the commitment of the Chief Justice to see to the passage into law a Judicial Service Regulation (Constitutional Instrument - CI) in accordance with Article 158(2), 159, and the case of JUSAG vs The Attorney General & 2 Ors (2016), it said.



The release expressed the hope that comprehensive work on the CI would bring an end to the biennial strikes associated with salary reviews.



We shall work with her and management to rebrand the Judicial Service and build upon the successes chalked up by the judiciary and the service over the years, the statement said.



JUSAG on May 24, this year declared an indefinite strike to drum home its demand for the government to review salaries of members.



The association said, per the Constitution, the salaries of staff of the service had to be reviewed by the President, acting on the advice of the Judicial Council and that by convention, the said review was done every two years.



However, JUSAG indicated that the President failed to implement the recommendation by the Judicial Council on February 2023 for the salary review.



Justice delivery across the country came to a standstill as the various courts were reduced to a graveyard ambience, barely 24 hours after the strike was declared.



A working visit by the Daily Graphic revealed that the legal system grounded to a halt as the courts were deserted.



The team observed that all the court premises were locked, making it virtually impossible for lawyers, prosecutors and persons with cases pending before the courts to gain access.



The entrance to the courts were locked, with red bands tied at the main gates of many of them.



Some court users and litigants who were not aware of the strike and had travelled from far and near to access the services of the courts, were frustrated because there were no officials to attend to them.

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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Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini has opened up about the sentencing of his son, Abdul Inusah by a US court on charges of fraud.



Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda on Citi TVs 'Face to Face' programme on Tuesday, the former MP said he finds it difficult discussing the issue as a father who had brought up his son in a good way.



According to him, the circumstance around the issue makes him believe that Abdul was caught up in stupidity by seeking to enter into a business while schooling in the US.



Well, it is a difficult thing, it is difficult. I mean you train your child, bring up your child to be a useful and responsible person. You sit down with him at night and in the day to talk about what decent life is, you try to infuse in him what hard work can do but we are of different generations.



It is difficult to talk about him because deep inside me, deep inside me I think he was just caught by stupidity and nothing or some level of invincibility. As a student he had his document so he decided to register a company. I never sanctioned that, I believe that if you are sent to school to learn you must concentrate on your studies and I told him that. Now that obviously as a young man he thought he could make quick bucks so he registered a company and he was actually buying cars for people. I know many people in Ghana that he bought cars for. In this particular case, he bought a car for some guys from Nigeria who were fellow students, colleague students and it turned out that the money used to buy the car was obtained fraudulently and that was his offense, he said.



The 32-year-old Abdul Inusah was sentenced to a two-year jail term after having been found guilty for his role in a Huntington-based scheme that defrauded individuals in multiple states through the use of false online personas.



According to YouTuber Hello Frank, who broke the news on Saturday, July 8, 2023, Inusah was also ordered to pay $128,000 in restitution.



The details, culled from a statement from the US Attorney's Office Southern District of West Virginia, said that the trial was decided by a federal jury after three days in court.



The statement from the United States Attorney, dated Thursday, March 23, 2023, added that Abdul Inusah was found guilty for being part of a conspiracy that targeted victims using false personas via email, text messaging, online dating websites and social media platforms.



But according to his father, he can still vouch for his sons innocence.



I support my son 110%, I know him. I know Abdul Hamid, I know he can be boisterous but I dont know him to be somebody who will be interested in other peoples things, he stated.



The former minister of environment science and technology who is also a private legal practitioner revealed that his son has since commenced an appeal of his sentence.

















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 renowned Chief Executive Officer of Agazy Homes, Thomas Ayisah has contributed tremendously to support the renovation works of the Regimental Aid Post (RAP) at the Battle Training Camp (BTC) in Bundase, to befit the status attained by the Army Peace Operations Training School (APOTS) as a certified United Nations Training Centre.



The reconstruction works of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Ghana Battalion 11 (UNMISS GH11) were done within 2 weeks and was one of the four projects commissioned on Thursday 18 May, as a side attraction to the official presentation of the United Nations Training Recognition Certification to the Commander, APOTS  Colonel Clement Kojo Dingane, by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS)  Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, in the company of an array of Generals and Senior Officers of the Army.



Speaking to the media after the short opening ceremony, Thomas Ayisah said, the move is part of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS).



According to him, his company will do its best to support major institutions when the need arises since his company's vision is to provide quality housing and accommodation at all times.



"I am very glad we have also contributed massively to support this important course. We hope to do more in the coming days ahead. As you all know, Agazy Homes has good finishes and excellent works when it comes to real estate in the country", he said.



Thomas Ayisah took the opportunity to call on individuals, institutions and contractors to contact Agazy Homes for all their housing needs.



The kind gesture worth thousands of Ghana cedis was done in collaboration with several prestigious personalities including; Akroma Gold Mining Company, Davida Roofing Company, TT Quarry Ltd and Mr Samuel Kyerbuah Bunyan who jointly supported with an air-conditioner and quarry stones.



Items of the reconstruction were; converting all louvres to slide glasses, re-roofing, floor tiling of the entire building, installation of new door locks, face-lift of staff and patients washrooms with new water closets and shower fittings, painting, plumbing works, landscaping, installation of new ceiling fans with switches, air-conditioners with switches, sockets and security lights.



In 2022, Thomas Ayisah donated some medical equipment and also paid the bills of some patients at the Kpone Polyclinic Hospital in the Kpone-Katamanso of the Greater Accra Region to mark his birthday.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Supreme Court today affirmed the decision of the High Court that it has jurisdiction over the lawsuit filed against the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in August 2019.

The highest courts ruling upholds the decision of the High Court and paves the way for judgment.

Now the case is to return to the High Court for its ruling on the main motion filed.



The High Court Judge, Justice Gifty Addo-Adjei who is now an Appeals Court Judge, announced in 2020 that she was ready to give her ruling.

One technicality upon another tactically applied by BOG lawyers have stretched the lawsuit to travel almost four years.



Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and others sued the Bank of Ghana and others in August 2019 over the revocation of the GN Bank/Savings license.



The Bank of Ghana challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court on the grounds that the Banking Acts says that if a license is revoked by Bank of Ghana, the right forum is arbitration and not the court.



The High Court disagreed and continued to hear the matter.



Bank of Ghana went to Appeal Court and won.



Dr. Nduom appealed the Court of Appeal decision in the Supreme Court leading to this important verdict by the Apex Court today.



In a brief comment after the ruling Dr. Nduom said;



On behalf of my entire family and all Groupe Nduom employees, I wish to thank the Lord our God. It is He who has made this day possible.



To the 5 member panel who reviewed our complaint and agreed with us, we thank you for restoring our faith in the judiciary system.



To our brilliant and highly professional counsel Justice Srem-Sai, we say well done!



Nobody won here today. Shareholders, employees, government, customers all have suffered for more than six years - from the uncertainties to the indignities of losing a license; losing scarce jobs, poor health and for some, unfortunately death.



We sent petition after petition to the highest levels in the current Administration and Regulators for a win-win settlement but were not successful. So the courts were and remain our last resort.



The battle has not ended. We want our license back and our task is clear. To rebuild the Peoples Bank and take formal and safe banking to the doorstep of every person living anywhere in Ghana. It took us nearly 20 years to build our bank only for it to be pulled down in one day. We have a national duty to build it back step by step. The end result will be an even better bank than what was pulled down.



We dont have time to hate or be against anyone. We want to get back to work. We are looking forward to working diligently with the regulator, the Bank of Ghana, to press the start the button to bring back GN Bank."

Source: Frank Owusu-Ofori/Manager/Groupe Nduom Corporate Affairs









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 Minority Caucus of Parliament is up in arms demanding that Attorney General Godfred Dame prosecutes government officials involved in the payment of $2 million in the Sky Train deal.



This was in reaction to an Auditor-Generals report which indicated that the government of Ghana has spent a whopping $2 million on the sky train which was originally costed at $3 billion.



The said amount, the Auditor-General said, was executed through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Funds acquisition of 10 ordinary shares in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Ai Sky Train Consortium Holdings.



According to the 2021 audit report, despite the money spent, the feasibility studies for the project are still inconclusive.



The former Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, under whose tenure the Sky Train Project started, has stated that he never paid any money to AI Sky nor authorized the payment of US$2 million to fund the Accra Sky Train Project.



He added that the GIIF is the statutory corporation that has the power to make such payments and so you can ask them.



Even though the current Minister for Railways Development, John Peter Amewu, has not commented on the recent issues raised on the deal, his statement in 2021 indicates that there was no agreement in place.



Here is what the current Minister for Railways Peter Amawu said about the deal in 2021:



Speaking on City TVs Face to Face programme, Amewu said that the government would not go ahead with the sky train project as planned.



According to him, the government would not be able to fund the project owing to its intensity in terms of capital investment.



The sky train that we are talking about is the one that is going to run on columns in the sky like the ones you see in Dubai but no agreement has been signed.



It is not possible to be done now. I dont see any sky train being done in the next 3-4 years. There is not going to be any Sky train in the country. It is not possible, he stated.



The minister noted that the funding for the construction of some already commenced projects is becoming a problem for the government hence the need for the state to forgo the sky train project.



Rail construction takes a lot of time and it is also capital intensive. A kilometre of a railway line is about four to five times the cost of building a concrete infrastructure in terms of building an asphaltic road.



So, considering the fiscal space that we have in the country, facilities to absorb it is becoming problematic for the government and you know our current debt to GDP which is in excess of 70%, he said.



About the Accra Sky Train Project



The Accra Sky Train Project envisaged a total track length of 194 kilometres across all routes and was projected to provide transportation to around 380,000 people each day.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo speaking at the signing of the project described it as a happy day for Ghana and her good people, adding that it is a critical step towards the consummation of this project, and a vivid testimony of the value of the African Investment Forum.



He further touted the project as an important infrastructural need, and hopefully, the step that is being taken today, that is signing the concession agreement, is bringing the project to much nearer conclusion. That is what we are hoping for so that the people of Ghana benefit from the progress and the relief that a modern system of transport in our capital city is going to bring.



At the time the agreement was signed, it was said that the project will be completed in some 9 months which would have been in August 2020.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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A man described as the gang leader of a notorious robbery gang within Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region got unlucky on Monday, July 17, 2023, when some alert residents arrested him in an act.



According to a report by 3news.com, the man whose name has been given as Nii Addo, had been on the wanted list of the police for a while for snatching phones of residents.



The report added that in a recent case, Nii Addo had been captured on CCTV snatching mobile phones from some innocent residents on the main Adientem route, off Sycamore Hospital at night.



It added that the gang members operated by riding on motorbikes and snatching the mobile phones of unsuspecting victims in the enclave.



But on Monday, while on operation at the Takoradi Market Circle, luck run out on the leader as some vigilant residents apprehended him.



The report added that his victim  the one he got unlucky from stealing from, is a Kumasi-based radio presenter who doubles as a film producer.



A journalist based in the area explained that the radio presenter had parked his car around the YOU 84 area at the Market Circle in the evening of Monday, July 17.



He was suddenly pounced on by some robbers on a motorbike, snatching his iPhone 11 Promax, just around the Kojokrom Trotro Station.



The victim-presenter is said to immediately jumped into his car, and with the help of some good Samaritans, he gave the robbers a hot chase until he caught up with them.



I quickly gave them a hot chase along the highway and hit them with my vehicle. They fell into the gutter and one was able to flee but the leader was arrested. We realized they had already snatched the bags of over four ladies. We handed him over to the Police but the other one left with the phone. We got to the police station and he was already on the wanted list of the police. He is a notorious armed robber who is also alleged to have robbed some residents in Tarkwa, he report stated.



In 2017, Nii Addo was arrested by the Kwesimintsim Police Command and accused of being a protege of the notorious criminal, Atta Ayi, the report added.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Founder and President of the Atta Mills Institute, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has expressed gratitude to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for assuming management responsibilities of the Atta Mills Presidential Library in Cape Coast, Central Region.



He argued that the project spearheaded by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuafo-Addo will be remembered as one of his best legacies, and not the famous Free SHS policy.



Speaking in an interview on Onua FM on July 18, 2023, Koku Anyidoho, who previously served as an aide to the late President Atta Mills, commended President Akufo-Addo's administration for its efforts in safeguarding the legacies of former presidents.



He expressed his satisfaction and relief, knowing that the library would now be operational to preserve the memory and contributions of the late President Atta Mills. He referred to this act as one of the legacies of President Akufo-Addo's government, showcasing its commitment to honoring and protecting the achievements of past leaders.



This will be one of the legacies of the current government, led by President Akufo-Addo, that is protecting the legacies of former presidents.



Look at the reconstruction of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park; very beautiful, and that of the Atta Mills Presidential Library at Cape Coast in the Central Region.



This will be Akufo-Addos legacy and not the Free SHS policy because such will protect the legacies of former presidents, 3news.com quoted him as saying.



The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) and the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), has taken over the management of the Atta Mills Presidential Library.



The facility, which was completed and inaugurated in 2016, had been left to deteriorate due to a dispute between the contractor, Mamdev Ghana Limited, and the government over alleged non-payment for the work done.



However, Mamdev Ghana Limited has now handed over the facility to the government for renovation and commissioning. The GTA, GMMB, and GLA have jointly committed to revitalizing the library and ensuring its functionality within three months.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has said that he is in support of the calls for the abolition of the death penalty in Ghana.



According to him, the existing law is in itself redundant, and the need to abolish it is the right step.



Speaking in an interview on Citi TV, the former MP explained that the essence of the death penalty doesnt apply any longer because there is a need for persons caught in such webs to receive compassion.



I stand for the abolition of the death penalty. Evidence abound that many people have been subjected that penal punishment when subsequent evidence exonerates them. That is number one. Number two, that is the old law where it says death for death, an eye for an eye. No.



You should look at the Bentham Theory. There must be utility for a punishment. Why are we punishing a person? We punish the person to reform, so if we kill that person, we deny that person the opportunity to reform. The reformative aspect of punishment is something that should engage our thinking and our understanding. People have committed grievous offenses need compassion; need our love; need empathy and so you sentence them to death, they are hanged or shot, and then is that compassion?



Thirdly, I dont know the last time anyone who was sentenced to death was ever killed. So, the language at the Nsawam is under debilitating conditions, we treat them in an inhuman way. The constitution says that the dignity of a human being is invaluable, meanwhile, go and see them, he stated.



MPs divided over a proposal to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment



On Friday, July 14, 2023, GhanaWeb reported on how Members of Parliament (MPs) in Ghana had found themselves at odds regarding the report presented by the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on the amendment to the Criminal Offences Act.



The proposed amendment aims to substitute the death penalty with life imprisonment.



Although the death penalty was initially inherited from the colonial era as a punishment for offenses like murder, attempted murder, genocide, piracy, and smuggling of gold or diamonds, Ghana has refrained from executing offenders since 1993.



During the parliamentary debate on the amendment bill, MPs expressed varying opinions concerning the abolishment of the death penalty.



Cletus Avoka, the MP for Zebilla Constituency, voiced his concerns, stating, "I first submit that the arguments they have advanced in terms of the motion are very scary and have no measures at all. Arguments in favor of the motion are unmeritorious."



On the other hand, Francis-Xavier Sosu, the MP for Madina and a proponent of the amendment, emphasized Ghana's current stance, saying, "the current position of Ghana is that we are abolitionists in practice. This is so because, since 1993 to date, Ghana has not signed a death warrant to execute anyone, and that is very commendable."



During the debate, James Agalga, the Builsa North MP, and Habib Iddrisu, the Second Deputy Majority Whip, pointed out a correction, stating, "We cannot count universal declaration on human rights as part of our treaty obligations with the greatest of respect. The universal declarations on human rights are declarations; they are non-binding, and so they do not qualify as a treaty."







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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As a father who had committed every available resource to provide his son with the best opportunities in life as he possibly could, Inusah Fuseini, a former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, could not hide his disappointment in the fact that all of that did not seem to save his boy from trouble.



Speaking in an interview with Citi TVs Umaru Sanda for the first time since his son, Abdul Hamid Fuseini, was sentenced by a US court, the veteran politician said that he had hopes that his son would have been smarter about such decisions.



Explaining further what happened and how things led up to the incarceration that will see him spend the next two years, Inusah Fuseini stressed that even though he had advised his son against focusing on other things apart from school, he got unlucky.



Well, it is a difficult thing; it is difficult. I mean you train your child, bring up your child to be a useful and responsible person. You sit down with him at night and in the day to talk about what decent life is, you try to infuse in him what hard work can do, but we are of different generations.



It is difficult to talk about him because deep inside me - deep inside me, I think he was just caught by stupidity and nothing, or, some level of invincibility. As a student he had his document so he decided to register a company. I never sanctioned that. I believe that if you are sent to school to learn, you must concentrate on your studies, and I told him that. Obviously, as a young man, he thought he could make quick bucks so he registered a company and he was actually buying cars for people. I know many people in Ghana that he bought cars for.



In this particular case, he bought a car for some guys from Nigeria who were fellow students - colleague students -, and it turned out that the money used to buy the car was obtained fraudulently, and that was his offense, he said.



Inusah Fuseini, who is also a former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, added that while all of these things happened, just as he is fully confident in his son that he is not an intentionally-bad person, the court that sentenced him also thought so.



He added that it is the reason he was handed the minimum sentence in the case.



The sentencing of Abdul Hamid Fuseini has since been appealed, the former MP added.



The 32-year-old Abdul Inusah was sentenced to a two-year jail term after being found guilty of his role in a Huntington-based scheme that defrauded individuals in multiple states through the use of false online personas.



According to YouTuber Hello Frank, who broke the news on Saturday, July 8, 2023, Inusah was also ordered to pay $128,000 in restitution.



The details, culled from a statement from the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, said that the trial was decided by a federal jury after three days in court.



The statement from the United States Attorney, dated Thursday, March 23, 2023, added that Abdul Inusah was found guilty for being part of a conspiracy that targeted victims using false personas via email, text messaging, online dating websites and social media platforms.



But according to his father, he can still vouch for his sons innocence.



I support my son 110%, I know him. I know Abdul Hamid, I know he can be boisterous, but I dont know him to be somebody who will be interested in other peoples things, he stated.



The former minister of environment science and technology who is also a private legal practitioner revealed that his son has since commenced an appeal of his sentence.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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South Korea's top nuclear envoy on Wednesday traveled to Japan to hold talks with his United States and Japanese counterparts on North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile provocations.







Kim Gunn, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, plans to meet with his American and Japanese counterparts, Sung Kim and Takehiro Funakoshi, respectively, in Tokyo on Thursday.







The three sides are expected to discuss ways to deal with Pyongyang's growing provocations, highlighted by the launch of a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile last week.







They are also expected to discuss response measures against the North's illegal cyber activities used as new ways of financing Pyongyang's nuclear and missile developments.







The three previously held trilateral talks in Seoul in April. Kim also plans to hold separate one-on-one talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, respectively.







The scheduled meeting comes after the United Nations Security Council failed to take an action on North Korea for its latest ICBM test due to opposition from China and Russia. (Yonhap)


The Office of the Former President of Ghana, has dismissed rumours that John Agyekum Kufuor has died.



A statement from the office signed by Kwabena Osei-Adubofour, a senior aide and spokesperson for the former president said the octogenarian was healthy and going about his normal duties.



Stories, from late last week through the weekend, had made it especially across social media platforms claiming that Kufuor had died.



It continued well into this week prompting the office to allay any such reports which it described as claims borne out of mischief or peddled for political reasons.



"We wish to categorically deny such an occurrence and state emphatically that the former president is very much alive and well.



"We therefore urge the general public to disabuse their minds of these malicious and uncanny rumours that spring out of nothing," the statement read in part.





Below is a copy of a statement issued by the Senior Aide and Spokesperson for Former President Kufuor, Dr Kwabena Osei-Adubofour



Reports of the demise of Former President John Agyekum Kufuor are false



The Office of Former President John Kufuor has, over the past several days, been inundated with persistent rumours of the supposed passing away of Former President John Kufuor.



We wish to categorically deny such an occurrence and state emphatically that the former president is very much alive and well.



We therefore urge the general public to disabuse their minds of these malicious and uncanny rumours that spring out of nothing.



The office further urges those who may be behind the propagation of such wicked untruths to desist from them henceforth; there have been far too many.



We can only speculate that the perpetrators do so out of mischief-making and possibly for unfathomable political purposes.



We pray for God's continuous blessings on our former president.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Inlaks, a leading ICT infrastructure, and systems integrator in Sub-Saharan Africa, has reaffirmed its dedication to delivering exceptional digital financial services to financial institutions in Southern Africa.



This commitment was showcased at a Breakfast Forum held with the banking community at the Venue Avondale in Harare, Zimbabwe. The event, themed Implementing Efficient Solutions for Business Growth, reflects the companys unwavering focus on fostering innovation and corporate expansion throughout Africa.



During the forum, Joseph Agyeman- Badu, the companys Head of Business Development, introduced its innovative digital banking solution, to guests highlighting its features including Customer Relationship Management which assists customers with resolving Complaints, and a Self-Service Portal, the Inlaks Dormant Accounts Management System, Branch Digitization and Omnichannel Digitization.



Speaking at the forum, Inlaks Executive Director, Olufemi Muraino, enumerated the companys efforts to improve the financial sector across the region focusing on core banking efficiency, e- solutions, and digital banking tools.



Inlaks is devoted to enhancing digital financial services and inclusion across Africa. This forum creates a platform to understand the challenges of the banking community within the region and provide the needed solutions. Inlaks is a proactive organization hence we have created a robust platform to solve digital banking challenges for customers.



During the event, Guest Speaker, Precious Murena, a Strategy and Innovation consultant emphasized the importance of data in unifying and implementing centrally managed sharing and governance guidelines for banks to improve customer experience. In addition, Edward Kapili, Manager, Central Bank of Zambia attested to Inlaks' efficiency in its deliverables including Skillset and knowledge transferred to ICT staff which has resulted in improved operations at the bank.



As Banks digitize their services, we continue to develop initiatives that meet expectations for Large Banks and microfinance institutions to increase market share and scalable core banking capabilities. By prioritizing customer needs, user experience is improved, and cost reduced to maximize efficiency. Olufemi Muraino added.



Over the years, Inlaks has earned a reputation for effectively assisting its clients in exploring new markets and seizing service opportunities. This success has paved the way for the development of efficient and seamless methods for businesses, thereby contributing to overall advancement and growth.



About Inlaks



Inlaks is a leading systems integrator in Sub-Saharan Africa with operations in Nigeria, Ghana, East Africa, and other regions within the Sub-Saharan African market. The company has established partnerships with leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the technology industry, allowing it to provide world-class information technology solutions that consistently exceed customer expectations.



Over the years, Inlaks has established itself as the primary provider of ICT and Infrastructure Solutions, enabling customers to effectively seize new market opportunities and enhance their service offerings. Its impressive customer base includes several Central Banks in East and West Africa, as well as other key customers within the region. As a result, Inlaks has emerged as the dominant Information Technology Company in Africa.



Inlaks serves diverse segments across various industries including Banking, Telecommunication, Oil/Gas, Power, Utilities, and the Distribution sectors of the economy. For more information, please visit www.inlaks.com

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has slammed the minority caucus of parliament for its decision to boycott sitting in the parliament over the prosecution of their MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.



Speaking to the media at parliament on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, Annoh-Dompreh said that the move by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs does not make sense because they are still attending meetings of committees of the house.



He described the actions of the minority as immature and suggested that they should stop attending committee meetings if they truly want to boycott parliament.



 Ato Forson said you are going to boycott parliament, are committee meetings not part of parliament? It is. So, who are you deceiving? Ato Forson should come clear on this matter.



I think that they should bury their head down in shame. This is a very unpopular decision by leadership. I know their side is divided about it. If you want to boycott parliament, boycott parliament in its entirety, dont pick and choose.



You go for committee meeting yet you say that you wont come to the chamber. At the end of the day, all the deliberations, whether it is a referral by the speaker, is a bill or some agreements that are being considered by the committee, it would eventually be brought to the chamber for it to be debated or for us to adapt or otherwise this is childish, he said.



He added that the decision by the NDC MPs to boycott parliament is not principled.



On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, parliamentary proceedings came to a standstill as the Minority Caucus continued its boycott of sittings in support of the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.



This was the fourth instance of the minority members abstaining from participating in parliamentary business.



The decision to boycott parliament was announced by members of the caucus during Quayson's swearing-in ceremony on July 4.



Their solidarity with Quayson stems from his ongoing criminal case concerning allegations of dual citizenship, which is constitutionally prohibited for Members of Parliament in Ghana.



Despite the Supreme Court annulling his 2020 parliamentary victory, Quayson contested in the subsequent by-election and secured an even larger margin of victory.



As a result of the minority members' support for Quayson, the attendance in Parliament today was significantly reduced, with only 23 majority MPs present for the sitting.



The boycott by the minority has effectively paralyzed parliamentary business, leading to a disruption in the legislative process as the house is compelled to adjourn.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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Presidential Candidate hopeful for the New Patriotic Party Hon. Alan Kyerematen has asserted that the 2024 General Election will be leveraged around the credibility of the candidate and campaign style of the ruling party.



As Ghana prepares for the 2024 general elections, the choice of candidate, campaign message, and campaign style of all political parties will play crucial roles in determining the outcome of the elections.



These factors , according to Hon. Kyerematen, will not only shape the eventual outcome of the election but also determine the level of trust and support that the candidate can garner from the electorates.



Hon Kyerematen, who is the leading candidate in the NPP Presidential Primaries, emphasized the importance of choosing a candidate who has the credibility to win the trust of the electorates because of his strong appeal throughout the country.



"Credibility is a key factor that voters consider when making their decision at the polls. A candidate with a strong track record of integrity, competence, and commitment to the welfare of the people will have a higher chance of winning the support of the electorate", Alan narrated to delegates in Volta region.



According to the former Trade and Industry Minister, "the evidence is clear that I have the potential to attract over 2 million votes and gain support from the Volta region".



This statement is significant as it highlights the importance of regional support in Ghana's politics.



Alan Cash, as he is affectionately known, specifically mentioned the Volta region, traditionally seen as a stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), as one region that the NPP must up their game to enhance their political fortunes, adding that he has the ability to bridge partisanship gaps and attract voters from across the political spectrum.



The long serving Trade and Industry Minister, challenged the notion that Voltarians do not like him, asserting that the people of the Volta region are actually calling for his candidacy. This assertion suggests that Alan has a unique appeal that resonates with voters in the Volta region.



While the choice of candidate is undoubtedly crucial, the campaign message and style also play vital roles in shaping public perception and attracting voter support. A compelling and resonant campaign message can capture the attention and interest of the electorates.



It is important for the candidate to articulate a clear vision for the country, addressing the key concerns and aspirations of the citizens. The campaign style should be inclusive, engaging, and accessible, ensuring that the message reaches a wide range of people across different demographic groups.



As Ghana enters the 2024 election season, the choice of a presidential candidate, campaign message, and campaign style will be critical in determining the outcome of the elections.



Ghana's political space is gearing up for the upcoming NPP November 4, 2023 Presidential Primaries, which will determine who leads the party into the 2024 general elections.

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Ghana's longest-serving Trade and Industry Minister and leading presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. Alan Kyerematen, Wednesday stated that stepping down to avoid a runoff and allow then fellow contestant, Nana Addo, to win the party's 2007 primaries, was in the supreme interest of the party and nation.



Speaking to the party's delegates in the Volta region, Hon Kyerematen stated that he made the greatest political sacrifice in Ghana's history by voluntarily stepping down for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the current President of Ghana.

He attributed his decision to the supreme interest of the NPP and the necessity of fostering unity within the party.



Kyerematen, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, has long been known for his commitment to the advancement of Ghana and the NPP's principles.



The former Trade and Industry Minister stated, "I made the greatest political sacrifice in the history of Ghana's politics by stepping down for Nana Addo. It was in the supreme interest of the NPP and to foster unity."



According to him, his decision to step down for Nana Addo in the 2007 Presidential Primaries exemplifies a remarkable display of , sacrifice, selflessness and a commitment to the greater cohesion in the party.



By recognizing that a united party would have a stronger chance of success in Ghana's political landscape, he prioritized the NPP's collective interests over his personal ambition, a feat he described as the 'greatest political sacrifice in Ghana's' geopolitical space.



Ghana's political ecosystem has been flooded with counter reasons why delegates should vote for a particular candidate based on what the candidate has done to defend the image of the party.



The Vice President, HE Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, recently cited the 2012 legal tussle with NDC, where he was chief witness for the NPP, as evidence of his major sacrifice and commitment to party for which the delegates must vote him as leader in 2024.



Hon Kyerematen's many sacrifices and contribution to the party including his leadership of the Young Elephants Forum, which was the main source of funding for the party in its early days, stands him high above any contribution Dr Alhaji Bawumia could lay claim to and makes him the best candidate for party in 2024.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The lead flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, on Monday, 17th July, 2023, assured the people of the Volta region that he was prepared to take up the mantle of late President Jerry John Rawlings as their godfather should they support him to win the presidency.



Addressing delegates from various constituencies who gathered at Aflao in Ketu South, Dzodze, in the North and Sogakope in Central Tongu respectively, Hon Kyerematen, urged delgates in the region to throw their support behind him in the November NPP primaries, and eventually, in the 2024 elections to become President of the nation so he can continue with the positive role the late President played in the development of the Region.



Popularly called Alan Cash, Hon Kyerematen said he bears some of the charisma of late President Rawlings and appealed to Voltarians to extend the same love they had for the late President to him to enable him to lead the nation and ensure that the Region gets its fair share of the national cake.



Acknowledging wild cheers from the delegates at Sogakope,

Hon Kyerematen said, although the Volta Region is seen as a no go area for the NPP, he was sure the political dynamics would change, after he has been elected to lead the NPP as he was convinced of the peoples love for him.



The former Minister for Trade and Industry, urged delegates to vote for a leader who has been tried and tested, and had nationwide appeal, to enable the NPP to 'break the eight', and not the one who could only become flagbearer of the party but fail to win the national elections.



To wild applause , Hon Kyerematen said he remains the only candidate in the NPP who can march the NDC 'boot-for-boot' even in their stronghold of Volta region.



He assured delegates that when voted as the flagbearer, he would change their fortunes and that of the party executives by putting in a scheme to earn them monthly salaries.



The Minister for Railways and MP for Hohoe, Hon John Peter Amewu asked delegates to take bold decisions without any intimidation and vote massively for Hon Kyerematen.



He asked delegates to do away with the fear factor and allow anybody to intimidate them, adding that even though as a cabinet minister he has shown his open support for Hon Kyerematen, he has not been admonished by the President for doing so.



Mr Amewu urged delegates to be prepared to sacrifice for the betterment of Ghana and vote for Hon Kyerematen to become the president.



Former Minister for Zongo Development, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar, Mr. Yaw Boabeng Asamoah, and some NPP Regional executives are accompanying Mr. Kyerematen on the tour.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Kwami Sefa Kayi, affectionately called 'Chairman General', has responded to the rumormongers spreading what he believes is false information about Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who is vying for the position of flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP).



The astute broadcaster on his 'Kokrokoo' morning show on Peace FM today took notice of a rumor that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's campaign is being sponsored by some Islamic fundamentalists in Nigeria.



A post by one David Humdeyin, purportedly a Journalist in Nigeria, read that the Bawumia Campaign is being funded by some Islamic group in Nigeria called the ACF.



This hearsay is gradually and potentially gaining attention but Chairman General has taken it with a pinch of salt.



He called it a "silly season" for those peddling this Islamic fundamentalist agenda targeted at the Vice President.



"Thankfully, to the glory of God, I have worked as a practicing Journalist for well over 25 years. Sometimes, we know it is silly season, juju and tricks," he commented, adding "when you ask those making the allegations to provide evidence," it turns into stories.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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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:

Representative examples of application of acetalization strategy in biomass valorization. Credit: Changzhi Li, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Biomass, mainly composed of lignocellulose and vegetable oil, has been acclaimed as one of the most promising sustainable sources of raw carbon material for the synthesis of transport fuels and value-added chemicals. The catalytic conversion of lignocellulose/vegetable oil and their related derivatives has attracted great attention in biomass valorization.

Many elegant methods including hydrolysis, dehydration, hydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, oxidation, etherification, esterification, amination, aldol condensation, DielsAlder, Knoevenagel condensation, and acetalization have been developed for the valorization of lignocellulose/vegetable oil derivatives toward value-added chemicals and biofuels.

In particular, acetalization is advocated as an appealing approach in biomass valorization because it serves as both a synthesis tool for renewable acetal fuel additives and a protection strategy to improve product selectivity. A team of scientists summarized the latest progresses about the application of acetalization strategy in biomass valorization. Their work is published in Industrial Chemistry & Materials.

"The development of efficient and selective strategies is crucial for valorizing lignocellulose/vegetable oil derivatives," said Changzhi Li, a Professor at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, "In this review, we systematically discussed the recent advancement of the application of acetalization strategy in biomass valorization."

"The latest progresses in the development of catalytic systems for the acetalization of biobased furanic compounds and biogenic ethylene glycol/glycerol are systematically summarized and discussed, with an emphasis on the reaction pathway, relationship between catalyst structures and their performance, and relevant catalytic mechanism."

"Moreover, the application of the acetalization strategy for protecting carbonyl groups/diol structure functionalities to improve the target products' selectivity in lignin depolymerization, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation, sorbitol dehydration, and xylose hydrogenation is highlighted. We also provided an outlook on the remaining challenges to this field."

"Acetalization, a well-known reversible reaction between carbonyl compounds and alcohols, usually need excess of one of the reactant to compel reversible acetalization completion," Li said.

"Nevertheless, studies on the recovery of excess reactant after the reaction are scarce. Moreover, the separation and purification of cyclic acetals/ketals deserve much attention. Expectedly, rectification or designing a suitable biphasic reaction system for this transformation may probably realize the recovery of the surplus substrate and/or separation of the acetals product."

"A five-membered-ring acetal (i.e., 1,3-dioxolane) and a six-membered-ring acetal (i.e., 1,3-dioxane) are available from the acetalization of furanic compounds and glycerol," Li said, "However, it is still a significant challenge to achieve the selective synthesis of 1,3-dioxolane or 1,3-dioxane. Designing structurally adjustable catalysts or choosing suitable solvents may provide an opportunity for achieving the selective synthesis of 1,3-dioxolane or 1,3-dioxane."

"In addition, the use of crude glycerol, stemming from biodiesel production, for acetalization is more economically viable, and the influence of impurities on the acetalization reaction needs to be investigated."

At present, the available researches for getting insights into detailed catalytic mechanisms for the acetalization of furanic compounds and ethylene glycol/glycerol are limited. More effort should therefore be devoted to the fundamental understanding of the catalytic mechanism via in situ spectroscopic measurements and density functional theory calculation.

"The synthesis of a single product with high selectivity during the valorization of biomass derivatives is very challenging due to the presence of multiple functional groups (e.g., C=O, C=C, and C-O) in biomass molecules," Li said.

"Taking advantages of the fact that acetalization is a reversible reaction and the formed cyclic acetals/ketals are stable/low reactivity in basic media, acetalization as a protection strategy of the carbonyl group is worth further promotion in biomass valorization such as exclusive hydrogenation of C=C in biobased multifunctional compounds while leaving the C=O group unreduced."

"In this review, our main goal is to provide readers with timely and accurate research progress on the application of acetalization strategy in biomass valorization," Li said.

More information: Jian He et al, Acetalization strategy in biomass valorization: a review, Industrial Chemistry & Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1039/D3IM00050H

Provided by Industrial Chemistry & Materials
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:

Canadas Lake Crawford was chosen because its a rare meromictic lake, meaning different layers of water dont intermix. That, in turn, makes it better at laying down sediment. Credit: Shutterstock

It made world news last week when a small lake in Canada was chosen as the "Golden Spike"the location where the emergence of the Anthropocene is most clear. The Anthropocene is the proposed new geological epoch defined by humanity's impact on the planet.

It took 14 years of scouring the world before the geoscientists in the Anthropocene Working Group chose Lake Crawfordthe still, deep waters of which are exceptionally good at preserving history in the form of sediment layers. Core samples from the lake give us an unusually good record of geological change, including, some scientists believe, the moment we began to change everything. For this group, that date is around 1950.

But what didn't get reported was the resignation of a key member, global ecosystem expert Professor Erle Ellis, who left the working group and published an open letter about his concerns. In short, Ellis believes pinning the start of our sizeable impact on the planet to 1950 is an error, given we've been changing the face of the planet for much longer.

The other working group scientists argue 1950 is well chosen, as it's when humans started to really make their presence felt through surging populations, fossil fuel use and deforestation, among other things. This phenomenon has been dubbed the Great Acceleration.

The disagreement speaks to something vital to sciencethe ability to accommodate dissent through debate.

What's the debate about?

Would the public embrace the idea that our actions are making the world almost wholly unnatural? The answer, of course, depends on the quality of the science. Since most people aren't scientists, we rely on the scientific community to hash out debate and present the best explanations for the data.

That's why Ellis's departure is so interesting. His resignation letter is explosive:

Villages and towns dotted many parts of the Amazon before colonisation. This image shows whats left of a village. Credit: University of Exeter, CC BY

"It's [] [im]possible to avoid the reality that narrowly defining the Anthropocene [] has become more than a scholarly concern. The AWG's choice to systematically ignore overwhelming evidence of Earth's long-term anthropogenic transformation is not just bad science, it's bad for public understanding and action on global change."

It's not that Ellis thinks the way we live is problem-free. The central issue, in his view, is that there's powerful evidence of much earlier global-scale impacts caused by pre- and proto-capitalist societies.

For instance, as Earth systems experts Simon Lewis and Mark Maslin have shown, the violent Portuguese and Spanish colonization of Central and South America indirectly lowered atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. How? By killing millions of indigenous people and destroying local empires. With the people gone, the trees regrew during the 17th century and covered the villages and cities, expanding the Amazon rainforest.

Why we should welcome honest disagreement in science

Scientists have been debating in recent years over whether the Anthropocene should be deemed an "epoch" with a specific start date, or else an historically extended "event" caused by different human practices in different places, such as early agriculture, European colonization and the spread of European and North American capitalism worldwide.

Ellis' resignation stems from this debate. He's not aloneother group members and experts have also worked to refute the epoch idea.

As philosopher of science Karl Popper and others have argued, productive scientific debate can only occur if there's space for dissent and alternative perspectives. Ellis clearly believes the Anthropocene group has gone from debate to group think, which, if true, would challenge the free exchange at the heart of science.

Longer term, a compromise may well be reached. If the Anthropocene group were to shift tack and label the start of the epoch a multi-century event (a "long Anthropocene"), we'd still benefit from having labels for periods such as our current one where the human impact ramped-up significantly.

This unassuming rock formation in Scotland is the site of a famous geological discovery, where James Hutton first realised the boundary between two types of rock separated geological epochs. Credit: Shutterstock

One issue with such tensions is what happens when they hit the media. Consider Climategate, the 2009 incident in which an attacker stole emails from a key climate research center in the United Kingdom. Bad faith actors seized on perceived issues in the emails and used them to claim anthropogenic climate change was fabricated. The scientists at the heart of the controversy were cleared of wrongdoing, but the whole affair helped seed doubt and slow our transition away from fossil fuels.

The risk here is that if the public gets only a glancing, oversimplified view of these debates, they may come to doubt the abundant proof of our impact on Earth. It falls to journalists and science communicators to convey this accurately.

As for our trust in science, the case for declaring the Anthropocene will be subject to very close scrutiny and may not be ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the body responsible for separating out deep time into specific epochs.

Stratigraphers such as Lucy Edwards have argued that an emerging epoch isn't a fit subject for stratigraphy at all because all the evidence cannot, by definition, be in.

What does this tension mean for the Anthropocene?

The epoch versus event debate doesn't mean we're off the hook in terms of our impact on the planet. It is abundantly clear we have become the first species in Earth's long history to alter the functioning of the atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and pedosphere (the soil layer) all at once and very quickly. Species such as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae had huge impact by adding oxygen to the atmosphere, but they did not affect all spheres with the speed and severity we have.

While we did not set out to alter the planet, its implications are profound. Humans are not only altering the climate but the entirety of the irreplaceable envelope sustaining life on the only planet known to have life. This is a complex story and we should not expect science to simplify it for political or other reasons.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams are the world's dominant river ecosystem, yet monitoring and management typically focus on rivers that flow year round. Writing in BioScience, Amelie Truchy of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) and colleagues describe the problem, as well as a potential solution: citizen science.

The authors discuss the results from a new app, DRYRivERS, which allows scientist and nonscientist users alike to record data on ephemeral streams and intermittent rivers. The data are then made available to various experts. Over a one-year period, the authors recorded "3,600 observations from more than 1,900 river reaches across 19 countries and four continents."

Such data are essential for managers and ecologists, say the authors, because current "monitoring schemes, approaches, and tools are designed for perennial rivers, rarely reflecting the prevalence of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams or their hydrological characteristics and biological communities."

The authors share three case studies, highlighting the potential for DRYRivERS and similar apps to inform river regulation, aid the mapping of ephemeral waterways, and assist in the modeling of hydrological statessuch as the drying of rivers in the face of climate change. In addition to helping managers and researchers, say the authors, the benefits of community monitoring may accrue among the citizen scientists, themselves.

Such efforts are "an excellent way of raising people's awareness" and helping them reconnect with rivers and streams "by emphasizing the importance of the water resources and any resulting restrictions that the authorities may implement in response to more frequent or more dramatic drying."

Over the longer term, Truchy and colleagues anticipate even greater benefits from consolidating traditional ecological and citizen science data in the form of a universal waterways map with broad applications. They envision that such a resource that could ultimately become "the cornerstone of future, harmonized water management strategies that are not limited to specific types of rivers or constrained by administrative boundaries."

More information: Amelie Truchy et al, Citizen scientists can help advance the science and management of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams, BioScience (2023). DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biad045. academic.oup.com/bioscience/ar  .1093/biosci/biad045 Journal information: BioScience
A look through the glass barrier at the Buddha statue in Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington



By Dale Quarrington



A line had already formed when I first arrived, snaking its way out towards the concrete stairs at the entry. The sliding metal fence was removed at 6:10 a.m. sharp, and the families that initially formed the ever-expanding line went bounding down the dirt trail led by their children. At the end of this mountainous trail, and up a set of uneven stairs, is the nearly indistinguishable mound that protrudes slightly out from the side of the mountain. And beneath this unassuming mound are hundreds of stones that form the world-famous Seokguram Grotto.



The beauty and scope of the artistry and architecture at Seokguram Grotto is unsurpassed in Korean Buddhism. And for just one day  and one day only  the protective glass barrier at the grotto is moved aside to welcome visitors to the Silla-era stone masterpiece atop Mount Toham in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. This past Buddha's Birthday, this writer was one among the thousands to explore the unsurpassed depths of Silla skill and ingenuity.



Construction on Seokguram Grotto began in 751 by Kim Daeseong (700-774), a chief minister of Silla. The grotto was completed in 774 by the Silla court shortly after Kim's death. According to the Samguk Yusa, or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms in English, Seokguram Grotto and neighboring Bulguk Temple were built to honor two sets of Kim Daeseong's parents . Seokguram Grotto was built to honor Kim's parents from his former life, while Bulguk Temple was built to honor Kim's parents from his present life.



Seokguram Grotto follows the Indian tradition of carving images of the Buddha on stones, natural caves, steep mountainsides and stupas. This tradition, as Buddhism migrated eastward, was practiced in China and then in Korea. However, because of the geological makeup of the Korean Peninsula, which contains an abundance of hard granite, both mountain carvings and cave images were extremely difficult to create. With all this in mind, Seokguram Grotto is an artificial cave.



Throughout the years, Seokguram Hermitage has undergone numerous repairs. Eventually, it fell into disrepair largely as a result of the oppressive Confucian-oriented policies of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom towards Korean Buddhism. Except for some locals who probably kept visiting, Seokguram Grotto was largely forgotten until 1909, when a traveling Japanese postman found it.





Outside Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington



Eventually, word got back to the Japanese authorities in Seoul. That same year, Resident-General Sone Arasuke (1849-1910) paid a highly publicized official visit. Archaeologically and architecturally, the grotto was investigated by Japanese authorities led by Dr. Sekino Tadashi (1868-1935). In a 1910 report, Sekino expressed concern that rainwater was washing silt down from the mountain which was causing the front arch capstones to collapse. As a result, he said the seated central Buddha figure was being exposed to the elements.



Through Sekino's report, and the Japanese colonial government's need and want to use tourism and Buddhism as a way to help assimilate Koreans into the Japanese empire, this led to several reconstruction projects on the Seokguram Grotto that took place over 16 years starting in 1913 and ending in 1928. In fact, the Japanese authorities were completely amazed by Seokguram Grotto. After its initial cleaning and thorough dismantling, it was hoped that the grotto would be shipped to Seoul with the intention of eventually exporting it Japan. Fortunately, this attempt was thwarted by local officials.



The first of these repairs lasted from 1913 to 1915 and focused on the cleaning of the grotto and stabilizing the structure. The way they stabilized the structure was by encasing it in concrete, which was the most advanced technology at the time. Unfortunately, this led to humidity building up in the grotto. So a second round of repairs took place starting in 1917 when drainage pipes were added to remove rainwater from around the structure. Despite these efforts, a third round of repairs was conducted on Seokguram Grotto from 1920 to 1923, when waterproof asphalt was added to the surface of the concrete. Unsurprisingly, this only worsened the problem. So in 1927 and 1928, the Japanese did the now unthinkable when they sprayed the surfaces and sculptures inside the grotto with hot steam to blast away the moss and mold that had accumulated inside.





Prayer time at Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington



After liberation in 1945 and in the 1960s, President Park Chung-hee ordered a major restoration project on Seokguram Grotto. The problem of temperature and humidity caused by Japanese reconstruction projects had led to a buildup of humidity in the grotto. The Korean restoration project led to the past problem being resolved by using mechanical systems. It was also at this time that a wooden superstructure was built over the antechamber. This remains a hot topic of debate by many historians who believe the grotto originally did not have such a structure blocking the view of the sunrise over the sea, and subsequently cutting off the air flow into the grotto. It was also around this time that the glass barrier was placed in front of the antechamber to protect it from both humidity and visitors. And it was beyond this barrier, for one day only, that I was able to visit the inner recesses of Seokguram Grotto. For many visitors, being limited to view the grotto through the glass partition can be a bit disappointing, so that's why I was so interested in going beyond this barrier.



When stepping inside Seokguram Grotto, it appears both much larger and smaller than I had previously expected. The small size of the grotto implies that it was originally used exclusively by Silla royalty. And while the grotto is small in its overall dimensions, the reliefs and statues are much larger than I had previously anticipated.





Looking up at hte Buddha statue from inside Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Joseph Bengivenni



The antechamber, which houses large stone reliefs of the Palbu-jung (Eight Legions), are a group of Buddhist deities that are meant to protect the Dharma (Buddha's teachings). This antechamber is meant to represent the earth. There is then a narrow passageway that leads visitors into the inner chamber of the grotto. This narrow passageway is fronted by two fierce stone reliefs of Geumgang-yeoksa (Vajra Warriors). As for the narrow passageway itself, you'll find the Sacheonwang (The Four Heavenly Kings), who, like the Eight Legions, are meant to protect the Dharma. This passageway is meant to act as a symbolic conduit between the earthly and the heavenly.



Finally stepping inside the inner chamber, you'll find resting in the center of the rotunda a statue of the Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). This central image is 3.5 meters in height, and it sits upon a 1.34-meter-tall lotus pedestal. Before the wooden structure was built in front of the grotto, this granite image of Seokgamoni-bul would have looked serenely down the valley and out across the East Sea. This central image is surrounded in the rotunda by larger relief-carvings and smaller niche relief-carvings. The upper niche relief-carvings are dedicated to various Bodhisattvas, while the lower ones are dedicated to 10 Nahan (Historical Disciples of the Buddha), as well as Beomcheon (Brahma) and Jeseok (Indra).



But of all the stone reliefs inside the rotunda, it's the partially hidden relief of the eleven-headed Gwanseeum-bosal (Bodhisattva of Compassion) that stands out. This relief stands 2.18 meters in height, and it gracefully holds a vase containing a lotus blossom. This ancient relief-carving is only second in Korea to the serene statue of the Buddha in front of it. Unfortunately, very few people get to see it because it's well-hidden behind the imposing image of the Buddha out in front of it.





The relief of the Bodhisattva of Compassion at Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Joseph Bengivenni
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On the high-resolution erosion maps of EROPSPOT, erosion-prone areas including river direction (in the image in red) are marked three-dimensionally, as well as possible locations for interventions such as green strips or beetle banks (green bar) Credit: ZALF

Arable soils are a valuable resource for our food and biodiversityand are at risk from drought, storms and heavy rainfall. To help farmers better protect their fields from erosion, the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), in cooperation with the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL), has produced erosion maps that identify areas particularly at risk of erosion and thus help to target protective measures where they will have the greatest effect.

As with the recent heavy rains caused by Storm Lambert, farmers seem powerless in the face of increasingly severe weather events. Fields are flooded and fertile topsoil simply washed away. It is not just the harvest that is at risk: the eroded soil often ends up in watercourses. In the worst cases, this can lead to contamination or fish mortality due to lack of oxygen. What can farmers do to protect their harvests and at the same time better conserve biodiversity on land and in water?

After a year of research, the EROSPOT project is providing high-resolution erosion maps to help farmers and advisers plan and implement measures to reduce soil erosion and run-off into surface waters. The main aim is to locate erosion-prone areas in the field to within a meter, and implement the necessary erosion control measures. "EROSPOT uses the latest geo-information technology to produce a map that makes it easy to see where something urgently needs to be done about erosion," says Prof. Sonoko Bellingrath-Kimura, project leader at ZALF.

Possible measures include the creation of green strips, flower strips or "beetle banks" that cross the water's path and thus reduce erosion. The aim is to preserve the soil in the long term and improve the quality of surface water. By promoting biodiversity and ecosystems through digitization, the project fulfills a key objective of the DAKIS project, coordinated by ZALF, which helped fund EROSPOT.

The focus is on minimizing additional burden on farmers. "We know that everyone has to think economically. Every extra tractor ride costs time and money. That's why the measures should be as easily compatible as possible with normal field work," says Marvin Melzer, project coordinator and contact person for the data processing behind the tool. To achieve this, the project team's next step is to expand the data set to include lane analysis in conjunction with slope.

This will make it easier to see, for example, where to change the direction of plowing to reduce erosion, or where to best integrate a green area into the field. Farmers can transfer the suggested measures to their GPS-controlled tractors and manage the land in a targeted way. In the future, they will also be able to see the success of the measure on the erosion map.

So far, erosion maps of individual areas are displayed in a 3D web application. Before the end of this year, the data set will be extended to the entire state of Bavaria. Data for individual areas are already available on request. In the long term, the data on erosion-prone farmland will be freely available throughout Germany.

Provided by Leibniz-Zentrum fur Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V.
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An artists impression of the ultra-long period magnetar. Astronomers discovered the object using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a radio telescope on Wajarri Yamaji Country in outback Western Australia. Credit: ICRAR

An international team led by astronomers from the Curtin University node of the International Center for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) has discovered a new type of stellar object that challenges our understanding of the physics of neutron stars.

The object could be an ultra-long period magnetar, a rare type of star with extremely strong magnetic fields that can produce powerful bursts of energy.

Until recently, all known magnetars released energy at intervals ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes. The newly discovered object emits radio waves every 22 minutes, making it the longest period magnetar ever detected. The research was published in the journal Nature.

Astronomers discovered the object using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a radio telescope on Wajarri Yamaji Country in outback Western Australia. Lead author Dr. Natasha Hurley-Walker said the magnetar, named GPM J183910, is 15,000 light-years away from Earth in the Scutum constellation.

"This remarkable object challenges our understanding of neutron stars and magnetars, which are some of the most exotic and extreme objects in the universe," she said. An animation describing the discovery, the behavior of the object, and what it might look like. Credit: ICRAR.

The stellar object is only the second of its kind ever detected after the first was discovered by Curtin University undergraduate research student Tyrone O'Doherty.

Initially, scientists could not explain what they had found. They published a paper in Nature in January 2022 describing an enigmatic transient object that would intermittently appear and disappear, emitting powerful beams of energy three times per hour.

Dr. Hurley-WalkerO'Doherty's honors supervisorsaid the first object took us by surprise.

"We were stumped," she said. "So we started searching for similar objects to find out if it was an isolated event or just the tip of the iceberg."

Between July and September 2022, the team scanned the skies using the MWA telescope. They soon found what they were looking for in GPM J183910. It emits bursts of energy that last up to five minutesfive times longer than the first object.

Other telescopes followed up to confirm the discovery and learn more about the object's unique characteristics.

The magnetar was discovered by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) radio telescope, with a host of other facilities around the globe joining in to confirm the discovery and study the object. Credit: MeerKAT - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), Gran Telescopio Canarias - Daniel Lopez/IAC, Murchison Widefield Array - Marianne Annereau, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope - NCRA, Australian SKA Pathfinder - CSIRO/Dragonfly Media, Australia Telescope Compact Array - CSIRO, Parkes Radio Telescope, Murriyang - CSIRO, Very Large Array - AUI/NRAO, XMM-Newton - European Space Agency

These included three CSIRO radio telescopes in Australia, the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, the Grantecan (GTC) 10m telescope, and the XMM-Newton space telescope.

Armed with GPM J183910's celestial coordinates and characteristics, the team also began searching the observational archives of the world's premier radio telescopes.

"It showed up in observations by the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in India, and the Very Large Array (VLA) in the U.S. had observations dating as far back as 1988," she said.

"That was quite an incredible moment for me. I was five years old when our telescopes first recorded pulses from this object, but no one noticed it, and it stayed hidden in the data for 33 years.

"They missed it because they hadn't expected to find anything like it."

Not all magnetars produce radio waves. Some exist below the "death line," a critical threshold where a star's magnetic field becomes too weak to generate high-energy emissions.

An artists impression of the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope observing the ultra-long period magnetar, 15,000 light-years away from Earth in the Scutum Constellation. Credit: ICRAR

"The object we've discovered is spinning way too slowly to produce radio wavesit's below the death line," Dr. Hurley-Walker said.

"Assuming it's a magnetar, it shouldn't be possible for this object to produce radio waves. But we're seeing them. And we're not just talking about a little blip of radio emission. Every 22 minutes, it emits a five-minute pulse of radio wavelength energy, and it's been doing that for at least 33 years.

"Whatever mechanism is behind this is extraordinary."

The discovery has important implications for our understanding of the physics of neutron stars and the behavior of magnetic fields in extreme environments.

It also raises new questions about the formation and evolution of magnetars and could shed light on the origin of mysterious phenomena such as fast radio bursts.

An artists impression of the ultra-long period magnetar. The object has emitted a five-minute pulse of radio wavelength energy for at least the last 33 years. Credit: ICRAR

An artists impression of the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope observing the ultra-long period magnetar, 15,000 light-years away from Earth in the Scutum Constellatio. Credit: ICRAR

The Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre was used to store and share the data used for this research. Credit: Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre.

The research team plans to conduct further observations of the magnetar to learn more about its properties and behavior.

They also hope to discover more of these enigmatic objects in the future, to determine whether they are indeed ultra-long period magnetars, or something even more phenomenal.

The MWA is a precursor to the world's largest radio astronomy observatory, the Square Kilometer Array, which is under construction in Australia and South Africa. The MWA celebrates a significant milestone this year as it completes a decade of operations and international scientific discovery.

The International Center for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is a joint venture between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia.

More information: Natasha Hurley-Walker, A long-period radio transient active for three decades, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06202-5. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06202-5 Journal information: Nature

Provided by International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
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Mountain glacier in China. Credit: Gene Taylor via Unsplash.

Earth has experienced significant changes in its climate over the past ~2.6 million years (the Quaternary) with a series of glacial and interglacial cycles that have transformed our landscapes. This involves erosive action directly from glaciers moving across the area, as well as fluvial erosion from subsequent meltwater. In particular, mountain glaciers can erode the local landscape, changing the topography over which water runs downstream, but it is uncertain how quickly such activity has an impact.

New research, published in Geology, has focused on the Qilian Shan mountain range in China as an ideal experiment to determine the effects of glacier erosion on mountain topography due to the difference in glacier size on either side of the mountain. Solar insolation from the sun focuses more on the southern flank of the mountain, meaning that glaciers grow to a smaller size than the comparatively cooler and wetter (from Asian monsoons) northern slopes, a result known as asymmetric glaciation. In fact, the point at which ice accumulation and ice melt is in equilibrium (known as equilibrium line altitude) on the northern slopes is 200m lower than on the southern slopes.

Dr. Jingtao Lai and Dr. Kimberly Huppert, from the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, explain that this phenomenon is not a recent occurrence, instead asymmetric glaciation is likely to have occurred since the late Oligocene (up to 27.8 million years ago) as the East Asian monsoon has persisted since then.

"Many glaciers are shrinking as a result of climate change, yet their potential impact on the landscapes is still unclear," Dr. Lai says. "By studying the Qilian Shan, we found that glacial erosion influenced rivers downstream, causing long-lasting changes that keep shaping the terrain even after the glaciers are gone. This understanding helps us see how climate changes affect Earth's landscapes and gives us valuable insights into how glaciers, rivers and land surface all work together in the past and potentially in the future."

To test the response of topography to glacial-interglacial cycles, the researchers used topography maps and simulated glaciation across the study area based upon different equilibrium line altitudes. The greater the difference between the equilibrium line altitudes on either slope, the more pronounced the glacial asymmetry and therefore the drainage divide moved further.

A) Model of asymmetric glaciation on a mountain peak over 50,000 years, with a lower equilibrium line altitude (ELA) on the northern slope. B) Model of glacier elevation over the same time period and C) model of river channel steepness cut by glacier meltwater. Credit: Lai and Huppert, 2023.

Dr. Lai and Dr. Huppert found that the drainage divide, the boundary between two neighboring drainage basins into which all of the precipitation and runoff flows, moved southwards and consequently river channels flowing into it had become steeper, noticeably on northern slopes. Such steepening results in deeper erosive action of the local landscape, not just confined to areas experiencing glaciation, but further downstream too.

The response time of the topography rebalancing itself post-glaciation results from the difference between erosion rate and the rate at which the land uplifts. Dr. Lai and Dr. Huppert's modeling suggests that while erosion is exacerbated during interglacial periods, over time erosion and uplift come to relative equilibrium, potentially taking over 6 million years. This completely outpaces the altering glacial and interglacial cycles every 40,000 and 100,000 years. Dr. Lai says that "the long response time suggests that the impact of asymmetric glaciation (via divide migration) does not disappear easily after glaciers have disappeared."

"In fact, fluvial erosion is still the dominant process in interglacial times, and divide migration impacts topography evolution via changing the rate of fluvial erosion," Dr. Lai adds. "The long response time means that the effects of drainage divide migration and erosion rate changes do not easily go away and the topography continues adjusting itself to deglaciation. This has implications for interpreting some observational data. For example, we should be careful about interpreting some observed erosion rates as long-term stable rates and assuming these rates do not change in the future.

"In this work, we only focused on the timescale of topography rebalancing itself during interglacial periods in response to asymmetric glaciation. In the future I would like to have a thorough understanding of the timescale of asymmetric glaciation moving the drainage divide location. This way we could have a full picture of the dynamic interactions between glaciers, rivers, and topography during the glacial-interglacial cycle."

Globally, this research is important to link with east-west trending mountain ranges that experience significant differences in solar insolation on its northern and southern slopes, as well as those with wind and precipitation patterns that focus more on one slope than the other. The rate at which glacial and fluvial erosion affects local landscapes is important as climate change continues to shrink glaciers and larger volumes of meltwater are transported downstream, making their mark on the environment and communities in their path.

More information: Jingtao Lai et al, Asymmetric glaciation, divide migration, and postglacial fluvial response times in the Qilian Shan, Geology (2023). DOI: 10.1130/G51086.1 Journal information: Geology

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The newly discovered beetle species Dorynota phoenix. Credit: Senckenberg

Senckenberg researcher Dr. Marianna Simoes, together with her colleague Dr. Lukas Sekerka of the National Museum in Prague, discovered a new species from the tortoise-beetle genus. The insect, newly described as Dorynota phoenix in the journal Zootaxa, comes from the collections of the Brazilian National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, which were almost completely destroyed by an out-of-control fire in 2018.

Large parts of the 200-year-old National Museum and its archives in Rio de Janeiro were destroyed by a major fire on September 2, 2018. "The Brazilian collections of the National Museum held more than 20 million objects of inestimable value. They included the oldest collection of ancient Egyptian exhibits in the Americas, the largest meteorite discovered in Brazil, and Brazil's first complete dinosaur fossil.

"The inventory also included one of the largest reference collections of insect diversity in South Americawith an extensive beetle collection of more than two million specimens representing a wide range of species," explains Dr. Marianna Simoes from the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt. "Except for a few pieces on loan that were not present in Rio de Janeiro at the time of the fire, these collections were irretrievably lost."

The Frankfurt entomologist has now examined one of the rare, still preserved specimens on loan with Dr. Lukas Sekerka, a scientist at the National Museum in Prague. "The insect, which is about 11 millimeters long and ten millimeters wide, belongs to the tortoise-beetle genus, which currently comprises 18 species that are widespread in the neotropical region from Mexico to northern Argentina. We quickly realized that the present specimen has features that clearly set it apart from the other described species of the genus," says Simoes.

The small beetle is one of the few collection objects salvaged from the devastating fire at Brazils National Museum. Credit: Senckenberg

The two researchers christened their newly discovered species Dorynota phoenixthe second name referring to the mythical bird that burns at the end of its life cycle, only to rise anew from its ashes. "With this name, we wanted to draw attention to the fact that the collection piece was miraculously saved from the devastating fire at the museum. The small beetle is meant to serve as a symbol of the museum's remarkable rebuilding from the ashesthe entire museum is already scheduled to reopen in 2025.

"The newly discovered species also shows once again the crucial role that museums play in the conservation and understanding of biodiversity and how important it is to protect these 'archives of nature,'" says Simoes.

More information: Marianna V. P. SimoEs et al, A new species in the tortoise-beetle genus Dorynota s. str. Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Dorynotini) from Brazil, Zootaxa (2023). DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5311.3.7 Journal information: Zootaxa
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Skull excavated from the Old Lazzaretto that researchers will extract ancient DNA from. Credit: Robert Tykot

Italian officials have provided an interdisciplinary group of researchers from the University of South Florida access to the remains of individuals who died from the Black Death, a plague that killed millions of people in the 14th century, to help determine the effectiveness of quarantines.

The team from the USF Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment is extracting DNA from the teeth of 900 skeletons excavated from the Old Lazzaretto, an island off the coast of Italy where officials built the world's first isolation hospital in 1423.

"This is the first time that we could have a set of DNA sequences of pathogens present at a single location, and in parallel, DNA changes in the local populations," said Robert Tykot, professor of anthropology. "Thus, we can study for the first time, the co-evolution of pathogens and humans, unhindered by the fast mutations of modern viruses or the presence of vaccinated people."

USF visiting research fellow and Venice native Andrea Vianello is coordinating the project with preservation groups to develop the site's first genetic database, allowing them to trace the evolution of pathogens and humans over the span of 300 years to determine if the introduction of containment measures, such as masks and isolation, impacted genetics.

"The Venetians invented lockdowns and masks to address pandemics and they seemed to work," Vianello said. "Our project will test scientifically their effectiveness, before vaccines and medicines existed. We will see if any epidemics were stopped by the quarantine island."

The team launched the historical plagues research effort earlier this year when they began tracking Justinianic, the world's first plague to strike during the previous millennium, at a mass burial site in Jerash, Jordan. Tykot and Vianello organized an international conference at the Scuola Grande di San Marco in June to present their findings from Jordan and explain the importance of understanding past pandemics to address and manage current and future outbreaks.

Lead geneticist Rays Jiang, associate professor in the College of Public Health, helped identify bacterium of the plague in Jordan and is excited to expand their research, describing the Old Lazzaretto, a World Heritage Site, as a time capsule and treasure trove for the field of genetics.

"This unique quarantine island can contain devastating plague pathogens, newly introduced syphilis pathogen and anthrax pathogen that jumped from animals," Jiang said. "For the first time, it captures multiple pathogens coexisting in human populations over three centuries."

The team is applying for funding to further analyze the remains and conduct proteomics, an analysis that can reveal how genetics are expressed and can facilitate drug development by providing a comprehensive map of protein interactions associated with disease.

Tykot examining teeth. Credit: Robert Tykot

"Studying ancient pandemics is useful for preventing future ones as it allows us to identify epidemic patterns, track pathogen evolution, understand cultural and social contexts, learn from mistakes, anticipate challenges and inform public health policies," Jiang said.

The findings from this project will be displayed in a permanent exhibit at the new National Archaeological Museum of the Venetian Lagoon in Italy, expected to open in about five years.
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Schematic diagram of China's proposed lunar lander. Credit: China Manned Space Engineering Office

As of 2019, China began conducting preliminary studies for a crewed lunar mission that would take place by the 2030s. Two years later, the China National Space Agency (CNSA) and Roscosmos announced a partnership to create an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) around the South Pole-Aitken Basin. The proposed timeline for development came down to three phases: Reconnaissance (202125), Construction (202535), and Utilization (2035onward). Earlier this year, China announced that its space agency would send the first crewed mission to the lunar surface by 2030.

On July 12, during the 9th China (International) Commercial Aerospace Forum in Wuhan, China, Chinese officials offered additional information about its crewed lunar exploration program. This included Deputy chief engineer Zhang Hailian of the China Manned Space Engineering (CMSE) office announcing the preliminary plan for China's first crewed lunar mission. As Zhang illustrated with a series of animations, the mission will consist of two carrier rockets launching all the necessary elements to the moon, which will then rendezvous in orbit and land on the surface to conduct science operations.

This mission architecture is similar to that of Artemis III, NASA's proposed mission that will land the "first woman and first person of color" on the moon, who will also be the first astronauts to touch the lunar surface since the Apollo Era ended over 50 ago. NASA's current mission architecture calls for an Orion spacecraft (with a crew of four) and the Human Landing System (HLS) provided by SpaceX (the Starship HLS) to launch separately, rendezvous in lunar orbit, and two astronauts to transfer aboard the HLS and use it to land on the surface.

Once surface operations are complete, the two-person crew will return to orbit using the Starship HLS, where they will rendezvous again with the Orion, transfer aboard, and fly back to Earth. The mission is scheduled for 2025 but may be subject to delays depending on several factors. Nevertheless, it will be followed by many more Artemis missions that will culminate with the creation of an orbiting platform (the Lunar Gateway) and a lunar base around the South Pole-Aitken Basin (the Artemis Base Camp).

China's mission architecture

Similarly, China plans to launch two Long March-10 rockets (currently in development) carrying the lunar lander and crewed spacecraft separately. These will conduct rendezvous and docking maneuvers in lunar orbit, allowing the taikonauts to transfer to the lander, descend, land in a predetermined area, and spend the next few days conducting scientific investigations and sample collection. Once complete, the taikonauts will take off in the lander's ascent vehicle and dock with the spacecraft, which will be used for the return trip to Earth.

During the speech, Zhang presented pictures of some mission elements, including the Long March-10 (CZ-10) rockets, the lunar lander, and the lunar rover. The design for the next-generation CZ-10 was first presented at the National Museum of China in February 2022 as part of the "30 Years of China's Manned Spaceflight" exhibit. This rocket is highly anticipated since, like the Long March-9 (also in development), China has announced it will be "entirely reusable." As of 2023, engineers have successfully tested the YF-100K first-stage engine and other components, with an inaugural launch targeted for 2027.

Zhang's slideshow included schematic diagrams of the CZ-10s profile featuring its three first-stage core rockets, each equipped with seven YF-100K engines. There were also images of the first stage (and its launch abort system) and the lunar lander with the third stage launch vehicle attached. The lander has a familiar configuration that resembles the one depicted inside China's Manned Lunar Deep Exploration Project Office last year. This design was part of a mural depicting many different crewed lunar mission elements and features the same squat four-legged profile with twin fan solar panels.

The schematic of the crewed lunar rover shows a two-seat vehicle with the engine in front and what appears to be mast-mounted instruments. Then there's a cutaway view of the lunar laboratory (image above), which consists of two connected modules (both powered by twin fan solar panels) docked with a surface vehicle that appears to be transferring crew. In the background, there's another vehicle that has a large parasol-like device mounted on itwhich bears a striking resemblance to NASA's proposed Kilopower Reactor Using Sterling TechnologY (KRUSTY) concept.

Credit: Li Wenyi, China Manned Space Engineering Office

Chang'e Program

During the Forum, details were shared by Wu Weiren, the chief designer of the lunar exploration program, about the future of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (Chang'e) and how these will contribute to the realization of the ILRS. This includes the Chang'e-6 lunar probe, which is scheduled to launch sometime next year and will conduct the first-ever sample return from the far side of the moon. The Chang'e-7 mission, which will launch around 2026, will be the first lander and rover to search for evidence of water around the lunar south pole.

By 2028, Chang'e-7 will be joined by the Chang'e-8 mission to establish a basic research station, conduct scientific experiments, and investigate the presence and utilization of lunar resourcesaka In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). The Chang'e-8 mission will also test construction methods, examine potential base sites, and investigate the challenges of radio communications around the lunar south pole, said Wu. This station is scheduled for completion by 2030, coinciding with the arrival of the first crewed mission, and will be the predecessor of the ILRS (scheduled for completion by 2035).

These plans may be subject to delays as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, which has led to worsening relations between Russia and its space exploration partners. This includes the termination of multiple cooperative agreements between Roscosmos and the ESA and the seizure of the Baikonur Cosmodrome by the state of Kazakhstan in March 2023. It could also impose delays on the development of Russia's planned Angara-5 super-heavy launch vehicle, a vital part of Roscosmos' commitment to the ILRS and the country's plans for future lunar exploration.

However, it is clear that China is more than capable of going it alone at this point with the ILRS. Not only are they making tremendous strides with their Manned Lunar Deep Exploration program, but the CNSA was already shouldering most of the financial and logical burdens associated with the base's construction.
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Scheme of the experimental setup. Pump (bottom green), kick (top red), and probe (middle blue) pulses (all at   800 nm) are focused at the center of the LHe cryostat. Polarization of the kick pulses is modulated with a Pockels cell (PC) at the frequency  m . LIF is collected in the direction orthogonal to the laser beams, filtered around 640 nm, and sent to either a spectrometer, or a photomultiplier tube (PMT). The PMT signal is gated with a boxcar integrator around the arrival time of probe pulses and fed to the lock-in amplifier, which amplifies the signal at  m . P, polarizer; M, mirror; BS, beam splitter; /2, half-wave plate; L, lens (f = 25 cm); F, bandpass filter (20-nm FWHM). Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2455

Molecules immersed in liquid helium can probe superfluidity since their electronic, vibrational and rotational dynamics can provide valuable cues about the superfluid at the nanoscale. In a new report in Science Advances, Alexander Milner and a team of scientists in physics and astronomy, and chemistry at the University of British Columbia, Canada and the University of California, Irvine, U.S., described an experimental study of laser-induced rotation of helium dimers inside a superfluid helium bath at various temperatures.

The team regulated the coherent rotational dynamics of helium with ultrashort laser pulses tracked via time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence. The research outcomes offered a new path to study superfluidity with molecular nanoprobes under a variety of thermodynamic conditions.

Liquid helium

The superfluid phase of liquid helium (LHe) denoted He II forms a strongly interacting quantum system with unique physical properties giving rise to several questions of its composition. Primary among them is the microscopic interpretation of an intrinsically macroscopic two-fluid model of superfluidity that describes the system in two forms: a normal fluid behaving like a classical liquid and a superfluid with zero viscosity that flows without resistance.

Landau's theory demonstrates the normal component to contain collective elementary excitations including phonons and rotons with corresponding dispersion and scattering behaviors that govern the function of the entire system. The two-fluid model predicted the process of second sounda temperature wave that moved through the liquid via periodic exchange of normal and superfluid fractions.

Helium excimers

Elementary excitations in superfluid helium can be studied with neutron scattering and by observing the dynamics of embedded atoms and molecules. To examine the inherently macroscopic two-fluid model of helium II, the researchers carried out measurements as a function of thermodynamic variables, accomplished using helium dimers known as excimers (He 2 *)the native molecular probe of liquid helium.

Helium excimers have a lifetime on the order of seconds, and are ideally suited for time-resolved quantum environment probing. Milner and colleagues presented a time-domain study to prepare coherent rotational wave packets in helium excimers and explored their decoherence with femtosecond resolution in a superfluid quantum bath, at varied temperatures. The scientists produced a-state excimers using intense pump pulses to excite molecular rotation via a linearly polarized femtosecond "kick" pulse to follow-through with a delayed probe pulse, for direct measurements.

Liquid Dichroism (LD) signal. (A) LD of the LIF from rotationally excited He 2 molecules in the metastable a state at T = 1.36 K, as a function of the time delay between the fs kick and probe pulses. (B) Fourier transform of the trace in (A) showing the rovibrational splitting of the LD 1,3 line (red solid curve) with labeled vibrational branches and a fit to the known gas-phase spectrum (black dashed curve). (C) Fourier transform of a different LD LIF (t) signal (shorter delay scan with a finer step) with two rotational peaks, LD 1,3 and LD 3,5 . Right diagram: Relevant energy level scheme with an example of one possible pair of interfering two-photon absorption pathways and the observable LIF channel. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2455

The experiments

The team presented the signals as a function of the kick-probe delay. Unlike vibrational excitations, transition of rotational population from the ground to the excited state required two-photon Raman frequencies within the bandwidth of the kick pulses.

The team explored if the linear dichroism lines originated from rotationally hot molecules created by the pump pulse that had not decayed to the ground rotational state, or if they stemmed from molecules coherently excited by the kick pulse; the outcomes highlighted the influence of the kick pulse.

The molecular dynamics of bulk liquid helium

The team further conducted numerical calculations of the expected ratio between the two linear dichroism peaks by solving the Schrodinger equation. The team then plotted the ratio of the two linear dichroism peaks calculated for the experimentally used kick energies. The outcomes showed how many helium dimers relaxed to the ground rotational state about a millisecond after creation by a pump pulse, with a shorter rotational decay constant. The team further verified the conclusion by numerically modeling the expected signal.

A primary advantage of studying molecular dynamics in bulk liquid helium is the potential to vary the pressure and temperature of the superfluid by probing the macroscopic nature of superfluidity. A clear decrease of liquid dichroism with temperature increasing towards the lambda point provided a signature of the interaction between the liquid and laser-induced coherent rotation of helium dimers. The team conducted the experiments in a custom-built cryostat and incorporated three laser pulses: pump, kick and probe delivered to the cryostat focused in liquid helium.

Time and energy dependence of LD. (A) Amplitude ratio of the two rotational lines in the LD spectrum, LD 3,5 and LD 1,3 , as a function of the kick pulse energy (green squares) at T = 1.35 K. (B) Long-time amplitude dependence of the first rotational peak at T = 1.95 K, normalized to LD 1,3 (t = 0) (red circles). In both panels, solid lines represent the results of numerical simulations. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2455

Temperature dependence of LD. Dependence of the amplitude of the first rotational peak (LD 1,3 ) on the temperature of the superfluid at the kick-probe delay of t = 850 ps (red circles, left vertical axis). Thick blue dashed and red solid lines are fits to the equilibrium kinematic decoherence model and its nonequilibrium modification, respectively. Thin blue dashed and red solid lines are corresponding decoherence rates (right vertical axis). Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2455

Laser induced-fluorescence (LIF) from metastable helium dimers. (A) Pump-induced d  b fluorescence spectrum of He 2 at T = 2 K with P, Q, and R rotational branches labeled. The broadening of rotational lines with decreasing pump intensity demonstrates the transition between the molecules in macroscopic gas pockets ("gas phase," lower red line) and solvated molecules (bubble phase, upper blue line) and illustrates the effect of the superfluid on the molecular rotation. (B) Intensity of the probe-induced fluorescence as a function of temperature (dots) and its fit to the expected bimolecular decay. Credit: Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2455

Outlook

In this way, Alexander Milner and colleagues conducted a first study on the experimental observations of laser-induced coherent molecular rotation in bulk superfluid liquid helium. They did not credit the observed rotational decoherence of helium excimers to biomolecular collisions. Using time-resolved methods, they detected and studied a variety of rotational dynamics across three windows of time, where they characterized the degree of rotational cooling, probed the spin-spin dynamics and investigated the decay of rotational decoherence at the nanoscale.

The outcomes of the rotational relaxation of liquid helium can improve the process of laser-induced fluorescence-based molecular tagging methods to understand studies of counterflow and quantum turbulence, by examining microscopic implications of superfluidity with molecular nanoprobes.

 2023 Science X Network
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Stylophora pistillata coral covered with biomaterial during thermal stress tests. Credit: IIT/Universita Milano-Bicocca

Researchers at Italian Institute of TechnologyIIT and University of Milan-Bicocca, in cooperation with Genoa Aquarium in Italy, have recently published a study in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, which demonstrates the efficacy of curcumin, a natural antioxidant substance extracted from turmeric, in reducing coral bleaching, a phenomenon caused primarily by climate change.

The research group developed a biodegradable biomaterial to deliver the molecule without causing damage to the surrounding marine environment. Tests conducted at the Genoa Aquarium have shown significant efficacy in preventing coral bleaching.

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that, in extreme events, causes the death of these organisms with devastating consequences for coral reefs, which are crucial for the global economy, the protection of coastlines from natural disasters, and marine biodiversity. Most corals live in symbiosis with microscopic algae, which are indispensable for their survival and are responsible for their vibrant colors.

Due to climate change, sea and ocean temperatures are rising, a condition that disrupts the relationship between these two organisms. When this happens, the coral, which turns white due to the loss of algae, literally risks starvation.

In recent years, as a result of climate change, this condition has affected most of the world's major coral barrier reefs, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef. However, to date there are no effective methods of countering this phenomenon and preventing coral bleaching without seriously endangering the survival of these habitats and the exceptional biodiversity associated with them.

Stylophora pistillata coral covered with biomaterial during thermal stress tests. Credit: IIT/Universita Milano-Bicocca

Curcumin is administered to the coral in a controlled manner by applying a biomaterial based on zein, a protein derived from maize, a system developed by the partners themselves in order to ensure safety for the environment.

During the tests, performed at the Genoa Aquarium, overheating conditions in tropical seas were simulated by raising the water temperature up to 33C. Under these conditions, all untreated corals were affected by the bleaching phenomenon as would occur in nature, while, on the contrary, all specimens treated with curcumin showed no signs of this tendency, a result that makes this technique effective in reducing the susceptibility of corals to thermal stress.

A coral species (Stylophora pistillata) typical of the tropical Indian Ocean, included in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of endangered species, was used for this study.

"This technology is the subject of a patent application that has been filed, and in fact the next steps of this research will focus on its application in nature and on a large scale," said Marco Contardi, first author of the study, research affiliate of the Smart Materials group at IIT and researcher in DISAT (Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences) at the University of Milan-Bicocca. "At the same time, we will examine the use of other antioxidant substances of natural origin to block the bleaching process and thus prevent the destruction of coral reefs."

"The use of new biodegradable and biocompatible materials capable of releasing natural substances that can reduce coral bleaching is something entirely new," said Simone Montano, researcher at DISAT and deputy director of the MaRHE center (Marine Research and High Education Center) at the University of Milan-Bicocca. "I strongly believe that this innovative approach will represent a significant breakthrough in the development of strategies for the recovery of marine ecosystems."

More information: Marco Contardi et al, Biodegradable Zein-Based Biocomposite Films for Underwater Delivery of Curcumin Reduce Thermal Stress Effects in Corals, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c01166 Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
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A man cools off at a fountain in Rome as Europe braces for new high temperatures.

Extreme heat was forecast across the globe on Wednesday, as wildfires raged and health warnings were in place in parts of Asia, Europe and North America.

Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands while Spain issued heat alerts and some children in Italy's Sardinia were told to stay away from sports.

From California to China, authorities warned of the health dangers brought by searing temperatures, urging people to drink water and shelter from the sun.

"You can't be in the street, it's horrible," said Lidia Rodriguez, 27, in Madrid.

Temperature records tumbled around the world, with new heat streaks set in China and the United States, and fresh highs in France.

Beijing broke a 23-year-old record with 27 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), forecasters said.

Phoenix broke a similar record, in place for 49 years, with its 19th consecutive day of temperatures of 43.3 Celsius or higher, weather officials said.

In southern France, a record 29.5C was recorded in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, while 40.6C had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

In a stark reminder of the effects of global warming, the UN's World Meteorological Agency (WMO) said the trend showed "no signs of decreasing".

"These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves," John Nairn, a senior extreme heat adviser at the WMO told reporters in Geneva.

Soaring temperatures have made efforts to contain fires outside Athens difficult.

Heatwave on horizon

Northwest of the Greek capital Athens, columns of smoke loomed over the forest of Dervenohoria, where one of several fires around the capital and beyond was still burning.

Fire spokesman Yannis Artopios called it "a difficult day", with another heatwave on the horizon for Thursday, with expected temperatures of 44C.

A forest fire by the seaside resort of Loutraki, where the mayor said 1,200 children had been evacuated Monday from holiday camps, was still burning.

In the Canary Islands, some 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has ravaged 3,500 hectares of forest and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate, with authorities warning residents to wear face masks outside due to poor air quality.

Temperatures were unforgiving in Italy and in Spain, where three regions were put under hot weather red alerts.

Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to possibly surpass a continent-wide record of 48.8C recorded in Sicily in August 2021.

At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca told AFP.

In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms.

"They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low," Angioni said.

Many throughout Italy sought escape by the sea, including outside Rome, where the midday heat hit 40C.

"Certainly it's better at the beach, you can at least get a little wind from the sea. It's not even possible to remain in the city, too hot," said Virginia Cesario, 30, at the Focene beach near the capital.

A Greek police officer evacuates a child from a wildfire at the village of Agios Charamlabos, near Athens.

Climate change impact

Tens of millions of Americans experienced dangerous heat levels on Tuesday.

In the town of San Angelo, Texas, where temperatures were expected to reach 104-108F (40-42C), the National Weather Service said it was "running out of ways to say that it's gonna be hot out there today."

"With temperatures across the area likely topping the 105 mark yet again, we implore you to continue to practice heat safety and try to stay cool," the agency said on Twitter.

And in Arizona, the mercury at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport again reached 110F on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 18 consecutive days at or above that temperature, set in 1974.

The heat waves across Europe and the globe are "not one single phenomenon but several acting at the same time", said Robert Vautard, director of France's Pierre-Simon Laplace climate institute.

A Palestinian boy and his dog walk in the sea amidst soaring temperatures in Gaza City.

"But they are all strengthened by one factor: climate change."

The record-setting heat came as US climate envoy John Kerry met with Chinese officials in Beijing, with the world's two largest polluters reviving stalled diplomacy on reducing planet-warming emissions.

Speaking Tuesday at Beijing's Great Hall of the People with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Kerry called for "global leadership" on climate issues.

 2023 AFP
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Grave goods from the Copper Age cemetery of Varna on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The copper and gold objects are considered the oldest in the world. Credit: Kalin Dimitrov

Recent archaeogenetic studies have shown that human migrations and individual mobility played a bigger role in prehistory than previously anticipated. With the movement of people, also culture, technical know-how, language and social practices were often spreading, leading to sometimes fundamental changes in lifestyle and genetic ancestry.

By studying 135 individuals from the Copper and Bronze Age in southeastern Europe and the northwestern Black Sea region an international team of researchers documented significant genetic changes between 7000 and 4000 years ago, a time when contact and exchange with late farming groups enabled the economic exploration of the West Eurasian steppe belt.

Southeastern Europe played an important role in the spread of the agricultural lifestyle during the Neolithic 9000 to 8000 years ago. Expanding early farming groups introduced many cultural and technical innovations, which subsequently spread across central and western Europe.

During the subsequent Copper Age, 7000 to 6000 years ago, the easy access to copper, gold and salt led to the development of numerous flourishing tell settlements in regions of today's Bulgaria and Romania. Located at major rivers such as the Danube and the at the Black Sea, southeastern Europe thrived through contact and trade with the surrounding areas.

At the same time, social hierarchies and inequalities in the distribution of wealth became visible, as evidenced in the burials of Varna, which are unparalleled in their richness in gold.

The archaeological record reports largely homogeneity in culture during this time which indicates a stable socio-political network for around 500 years. This stability is also reflected in the data presented by the new study, which shows large-scale genetic homogeneity across the wider region. Compared to the preceding local Stone Age there was very little change except a minor increase in a hunter-gatherer ancestry from remnant surrounding groups.

The beginning of a new era

Many settlement sites of the Copper Age were abandoned around 6000 years ago. The exact reasons remain unclear, but could have involved climatic deteriorations and a depletion of local resources. Instead, the settlement activity shifted further north to the forest steppe zone in regions of today's Moldova and Ukraine where mega-sites associated with the so-called Cucuteni-Trypillia culture emerged.

Here, the region around Odesa is considered an archaeological 'melting pot' between 6500 and 5200 years ago, with various influences from the outgoing Copper Age cultures, the northwestern Cucuteni-Trypillia culture, the abutting groups from the steppe zone to the east, but also from the geographically distant Maykop culture from the North Caucasus.

The Eneolithic period (6500 to 5200 before today) was characterized by a horizon of innovations, such as wheels and wagon transportation, new metallurgical technologies, and new objects, which were spread swiftly between the North Sea and the Caucasus region.

The genetic results from the 18 ancient individuals from the Eneolithic time period mirror the heterogeneity of the archaeological findings. In addition to local genetic ancestry from the Copper Age in southeastern Europe, other genetic contributions can be traced to the forest/ steppe regions and the North Caucasus, showing that there were multiple influences coming together in this contact zone as early as ~6500 to 5400 years ago.

Previous archaeogenetic studies showed that people who lived as transitional foragers in the adjacent steppe zone around 6500 years ago carried a very different genetic profile that was, in roughly equal parts, derived from Eastern European hunter-gatherers of today's Russia and those from the southern Caucasus region.

The team of researchers could now show that this type of ancestry, so-called 'steppe ancestry," was already present in the Odesa region. "The biggest surprise was that we found this type of ancestry mixed in in the ancient individuals from today's Ukraine at least 500 years earlier than expected," says first author Sandra Penske, a Ph.D. student at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

"This means that besides the cultural exchange that we see in the archaeological record of the northwestern Black Sea region, there was also a genetic exchange between farming communities from the west and steppe pastoralists from the east," adds Svend Hansen, director of the Eurasia Department of the German Archaeological Institute and senior author of the study.

This time period of early contact and exchange is now clearly documented with the Eneolithic individuals from today's Ukraine. Critically, despite this early appearance, the team found no evidence for a contribution of steppe groups to the demise of the Copper Age tell settlement, a narrative that had been postulated in the 20th century.

A mosaic of ancestries

The subsequent Early Bronze Age (5300 to 4000 years ago) is then characterized by the westward expansion of steppe pastoralists, associated with the Yamnaya culture, which emerged from the preceding horizon of contact and exchange.

"Indeed, individuals who were buried in characteristic burial mounds, so-called kurgans, in today's Bulgaria and Ukraine carried the typical steppe-related ancestry profile. However, further inland, we also found individuals who had retained the genetic signature that was already present during the Copper Age," explains Wolfgang Haak, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and senior author of the study.

The reasons why the people associated with the Yamnaya culture and carriers of steppe ancestry suddenly expanded so drastically are not yet fully understood, but all technological and cultural prerequisites for fully nomadic pastoralism were put in place. The research team looked closely at the various Yamnaya-associated groups.

"We find that all of these groups are genetically very similar, so they must have started from a small group. Interestingly, we also observe subtle contributions of local ancestry from the geographic regions, they expanded into" says Sandra Penske.

The combined transect trough time study reveals a highly dynamic picture of human prehistory in southeastern Europe and it becomes clear that nuanced archaeogenomic studies have many more chapters to offer as new data will become available.

The paper is published in the journal Nature.

More information: Wolfgang Haak, Early contact between late farming and pastoralist societies in southeastern Europe, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06334-8. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06334-8 Journal information: Nature
Xi, Cambodian king exchange congratulations on 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 14:27, July 19, 2023

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia.

Since their establishment 65 years ago, China-Cambodia diplomatic ties have stood the test of time and vicissitudes in the international arena, and grown from strength to strength, Xi said.

He noted that at the beginning of this year, he and King Sihamoni met in Beijing and exchanged correspondence many times, bringing the cause of building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future into a new era featuring high-quality, high-level and high-standard.

The "diamond hexagon" cooperation framework between China and Cambodia covering politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges has been continuously deepened and enriched, Xi said.

Xi also said that remarkable progress has been made in building the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor," adding that a series of events celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the China-Cambodia Friendship Year have been held.

Stressing that he highly regards the development of China-Cambodia relations, Xi said he is willing to work with King Sihamoni to push for more fruits in the China-Cambodia friendship and bring tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Sihamoni said the traditional friendship of the two countries dates back a long time ago, adding that on the basis of high-level mutual trust, mutual benefit and win-win results, the two countries have established a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, are jointly building a community with a shared future and forged an iron-clad friendship.

Sihamoni said he firmly believes that under the new circumstances, the Cambodia-China friendly ties and mutually-beneficial cooperation will surely be strengthened, and the iron-clad friendship be passed down through generations.

The Cambodian side, Sihamoni said, is willing to deepen cooperation in all fields with China, so as to benefit the two nations and promote regional and world peace, stability and prosperity.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulations with his Cambodian counterpart, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, on Wednesday.

Li noted that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties as well as the China-Cambodia Friendship Year, saying that bilateral relations stand at a new starting point.

Li said he is willing to work with Hun Sen to instruct various departments and regions in the two countries to cooperate closely to push for more practical results in the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Hun Sen said Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and other important proposals.

The Cambodian side is also willing to work with the Chinese side to add more substance to the building of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future, and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and their people, he noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Matthew Gamble sells Diazable apparel at a table set up outside Phillies in central Seoul's Haebangchon neighborhood, April 15. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar



By Jon Dunbar



If you catch him at one of his stands, streetwear entrepreneur Matthew Gamble may introduce himself as Guksu, a Korean word for noodles.



Just take a look at his designs, and you'll see why. Many of them bear his most popular character, Baby Noodle, a bashful little creature with a black hat, puffy cheeks, a wispy moustache, snakebite piercings and lots of tattoos. The character can be seen in a lot of poses, but the most popular one has him chowing down in a bathtub-sized bowl of noodles. The character is a dead ringer for Gamble.



"Baby Noodle is me," Gamble told The Korea Times. "He is literally just me but 1,000 percent cuter. He has a hat on because I always wear a black hat. He has tons of tattoos because those are all my tattoos. He has snake bite piercings because I have those piercings. Calling him Noodle and putting him in a bowl of noodles is not only cute, but everyone who knows me will instantly recognize I put my Korean touch on the design."





Diazable's Noodle Boy design / Courtesy of Diazable



He's one of the founders of the Korea-U.S. fashion brand Diazable, which is named after a portmanteau of the name of his U.S.-based best friend and business partner Jaimee Diaz and his own surname.



"We wanted to create a very personal and unique name for our brand," Gamble said.



The two established Diazable in December 2021 during a late-night/early-morning long-distance conversation. Gamble operates it in Incheon, and its U.S.-based operation is run out of his parents' house in Texas. It is licensed as a business in both countries.



"When I went to get the business license in Incheon, it was quite terrifying but I got it done. I am proud of myself for doing the registration all on my own."





Matthew Gamble poses at a table selling Diazable apparel during IT'S A FEST! at Incheon's Hanagae Beach, June 18. Korea Times photo by Jon Dunbar



In Korea, Gamble can often be seen running his merch table in pop-up style wherever he can  art markets, festivals, concerts, restaurants, etc. "Big shout to all the friends who let me sell at their bars or shows," he said. "I appreciate every one of you."



He said the biggest event he's done was the 2022 Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama.



"That one was crazy because I flew all the way from Seoul to San Antonio, Texas, with layovers in San Francisco and Denver," he said. "Then I drove 14 hours with my 69-year-old Korean mother from San Antonio to Birmingham, AL. We did the fest over the weekend, drove back to San Antonio, and I flew back to Korea, all within a week. That was a whirlwind of madness and joy."





Matthew Gamble, right, poses with his Korean mother at a table selling Diazable products in the U.S. Courtesy of Diazable



Diazable also sells products online, through a Naver Smart Store on the Korean side and diazable.com in the U.S. Its products have also appeared in a few stores around Korea, including POHS-TIHS, Foe Korea and Flef. As well as shirts, Diazable also sells accessories like keychains, stickers and drink koozies.



On its website, Diazable says its mission is to "bring people together through our love of cute, black, and metal things."



"The identity of Diazable is a brand for all the people in the world who love extremely heavy and dark music but love cute things as well," Gamble explained. "When I sat down to brainstorm about the brand, I kept thinking 'Make the brand personal, Matt.' People can connect more with brands when they see it's genuine and authentic from the creator's heart. So, I looked in the mirror and thought, 'Who am I? What do people see in me? How can I get their attention?' Then, it clicked, and I felt that these are the things everyone associates with me: I am ridiculously cute  this is not up for discussion, and y'all know it's true lol  I love to wear black, and everyone knows I love metal music. I felt like this brand can speak to those who love extreme metal like me."



When asked what makes a good streetwear brand, Gamble answered "heart," quoting lyrics from the U.S. hardcore punk band Stick to Your Guns: "We're what separates the heart from the heartless, so we'll keep pushing regardless." He added, "and never giving up," quoting Colin Young of the "HardLore: Stories from Tour" podcast and LA hardcore band God's Hate and metal band Twitching Tongues, who said "giving up is the only way to truly fail."





Models show off one of Diazable's shirt designs. Courtesy of Diazable
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Study watershed in the New Mexico-Texas portion of the Rio Grande Basin. Credit: Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101307

Climate model projections indicate that New Mexico's future will be warmer and drier, with diminished water supply from the Rio Grande, presenting extreme challenges for policy makers and agricultural stakeholders. A new study titled "Adapting irrigated agriculture in the Middle Rio Grande to a warm-dry future" analyzed the long-term tradeoffs of land and water management interventions that could help irrigated agriculture adapt to growing water scarcity in a desert environment.

David Gutzler, a professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at The University of New Mexico (UNM), along with UNM students and collaborators at other regional universities led by the University of Texas-El Paso, delved into the potential impacts of various intervention scenarios on agricultural water supplies in the Rio Grande Valley downstream of Elephant Butte Reservoir.

This research has a big impact on New Mexico because while this study focused on hydrology and climate change, there is also a big component of water management associated with interstate and international agreements to share water. The research was carried out with the engagement of communities that share river water and groundwater in southern New Mexico, western Texas, and across the border in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

The research analyzed 19 different intervention scenarios, including the implementation of deficit irrigation, changes in cropping patterns using existing crops, and the introduction of new drought- and salt-tolerant crop alternatives. Hydrological simulations were conducted using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model, considering the limitations of the model in performing scenario simulations.

"We carried out a six-year effort with a big interdisciplinary team, including hydrologists, economists, and agriculture experts, to explore the water future of the transboundary region along the Rio Grande, and to think about potential ways that the community could adapt to projected diminished water supplies," said Gutzler.

"The principal UNM-based component of the research was to make projections of future river flows into Elephant Butte reservoir. We started with US Bureau of Reclamation model projections of natural river flows in a future climate warmed by increasing greenhouse gases. But we couldn't use the natural flow projections directly."

"The actual Rio Grande flow that reaches Elephant Butte is nowhere near natural because we're withdrawing lots of the water upriver, putting it to beneficial use in Colorado and northern New Mexico. So, our research came up with a way to turn the simulated natural flows reaching the reservoir into something more realistic, accounting for upstream water withdrawals."

Gutzler and UNM graduate student, Nolan Townsend, did this in a purely statistical way. They adjusted the average simulated flow during a historical period by cutting the flow by a certain fraction to match the corresponding long-term average in observations. They applied the historical adjustment statistics to future flows, effectively assuming that the upstream water management implicit in the statistics does not change in future decades. They also kept current (as of 2020) management rules for releasing water from the reservoir unchanged.

This procedure yields projections for how much water is available from Elephant Butte storage for irrigated agriculture and for the cities of El Paso and Juarez, and how much water is available to maintain groundwater south of Elephant Butte, assuming that water management rules currently in place are not changed.

Gutzler emphasized that there are multiple ways water management policies could change. A primary result of this study indicates that if the rules do not change then water supplies will be completely unsustainable in a warming climate. The study, therefore, emphasizes the necessity of changing water management rules to address the imminent water scarcity issues. As Gutzler says, "If we don't change the rules, we're going to run out of water down there."

However, the study acknowledges the complexity and challenges associated with implementing new water management strategies. Gutzler notes that political factors, historical treaties, and financial considerations will play a significant role in shaping future water policies.

"Nevertheless, we're at the point when the availability of water does not reliably meet the demand for water under current management rules," said Gutzler. "I think we can present that with confidence. There are multiple ways to change the water management system that may or may not fix the shortfall."

Gutzler explains that there are also alternative ways to generate water supplies for the region, but he emphasizes that some of these alternatives are probably unrealistic. He states that technically it is possible to build a pipe from the Mississippi River and bring in water; however questions arise of who is going to pay for this, and would people elsewhere be okay with having their water piped away to the Southwest?

Another alternative to generate new water is desalination. However, this process can cause environmental problems such as what to do with the leftover brine. This process is also very expensive compared to the current water supplied by the river.

"One could also envision new rules that would maintain some level of river flows for environmental purposes. And we can quantify that. What would it take to keep water in the river? And we can also estimate what that would cost in terms of foregone agricultural production."

Gutzler says that there are different watering patterns that might be affected. He talks about how agricultural farmers can change their crops from cotton or pecans to pistachios as an example and what the effect would be on the total water supply.

"The summary result was that there are strategies that could be used by farmers to reduce consumption of water and still produce crops  There are lots of ways that farmers could choose to adapt and the folks that manage water allocations in our study region could choose to adapt by limiting supplies."

The results suggest that irrigated agriculture in the Middle Rio Grande can be adapted to a warmer and drier future, but it will require a combination of management innovations by growers, alternative crops, and more efficient irrigation technologies. The study highlights the importance of long-term planning and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure sustainable water management in the region.

Gutzler concludes, "In academia, we are in the business of assessing options and saying, here's what's feasible, and here's what's likely to happen in terms of water futures if you do option A and don't do option B. Our hope is that studies like ours can help inform policymakers about their best options in this contentious discussion."

The study sheds light on the urgent need to adapt irrigated agriculture in the Middle Rio Grande to a warm-dry future, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to address water scarcity challenges in the region. "Contention over water supplies is not going to go away and I hope exercises like ours can help to inform policymakers and water users what their best options might be," added Gutzler.

The findings are published in the Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies.

More information: Maryam Samimi et al, Adapting irrigated agriculture in the Middle Rio Grande to a warm-dry future, Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101307
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Subnational GDP/capita and terror attacks, displayed by kernel-weighted local polynomial smoothing along with 95 percent confidence intervals. Panel A: GDP/capita and terror attacks, Panel B: GDP/capita and domestic terror attacks, Panel C: GDP/capita and transnational terror attacks. Credit: Journal of Conflict Resolution (2023). DOI: 10.1177/00220027231175071

Rising incomes in the world's poorer countries weaken terrorism: many political decision-makers have been convinced of this since the attacks of September 11, 2001. However, a study by Bayreuth economist Prof. Dr. David Stadelmann published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution puts this view into perspective.

Together with research partners in Abu Dhabi/UAE and Perth/Australia, he demonstrates that an increase in income in poorer countries is initially accompanied by an increase in terrorist activity. Only when average incomes reach a level of around $12,800 do further increases in income go hand in hand with a sustained weakening of terrorism.

The conclusion of the study is that societies in poorer countries worldwide must expect an increase in terrorist activities and not a decrease when economic conditions begin to improve as a result of economic growth. Significant economic growth should therefore be accompanied in its early stages by more intensive monitoring of potential terrorist groups and, if possible, counterterrorism strategies.

"We hope that our analyses will encourage policymakers at the regional, national, and international levels to further explore the relationship between economic progress and terrorism. For a very long time, the view that rising incomes and an accompanying increase in living standards would, as it were, automatically reduce the risk of terrorist attacks has influenced political and social decisions. But the situation is more complex," says Prof. Dr. David Stadelmann, who is Chair of Economic Policy and Economic Development at the University of Bayreuth.

Empirical data from over 1,500 regions of the world

The authors of the study first developed a theoretical framework based on the current state of research in order to formally represent and analyze correlations between the level of terrorist activity and income trends among the population. Building on this, they constructed a database that is special in its breadth: it contains empirical data from the years between 1970 and 2014 for 1,527 regions in 75 countries that are broadly representative of the global relationship between income and terrorism.

In particular, these data relate to the frequency and motives of terrorist attacks as well as the standard of living of the population in the various regions. Using statistical methods, factors that are constant over time are also included, such as specific geographic, historical, or enduring cultural conditions that may be positively or negatively related to terrorist activity.

The 'inverted U shape' as a basic global pattern

Despite all the differences, a clear basic pattern emerges. It is described by the authors as an "inverted U-shape." Almost everywhere, an increase in incomes is initially accompanied by an increase in the frequency and intensity of terrorist activity until a tipping point is reached. From then on, a further rise in incomes is associated with a continuous weakening of terrorism.

The tipping point, the calculations show, is reached when the increase in annual incomes reaches an average of $12,800 per capita. "The fact that the inverted U-shape has emerged as a basic pattern in more than 1,500 regions of the world shows very clearly that there is a significant correlation between income levels and terrorism globally," Stadelmann explains.

More precise findings through comparisons of subnational regions

The authors emphasize that the relationship between income levels and terrorism can be more accurately inferred by examining selected subnational regions such as Ile-de-France, Catalonia, Baluchistan or Californiainstead of entire countries like France, Spain, Pakistan and the United States.

This method is more accurate for two reasons: terrorist attacks often concentrate in one region rather than spreading evenly across the country. In Chile, for example, the O'Higgins region was spared terror from 1970 to 2014, while the data used for the Santiago metropolitan region show 1,612 attacks. In addition, income differences between regions are often greater than between countries.

For example, the average income in Moscow is higher than in Sicily, although the population in Italy is on average about three times wealthier than in Russia. Such differentiations are lost in studies that limit themselves only to country comparisons.

Politically and religiously motivated terrorism

The study also includes the question of whether political or religious ideologies motivating terrorist attacks influence the relationship between income and terrorism. The researchers distinguish between left-leaning, right-leaning, separatist, Islamist and other religious groups.

The analyses show that religiously motivated terrorism tapers off earlier than left- or right-wing terrorism when incomes rise continuously. For such politically motivated forms of terrorism, the tipping point does not set in until somewhat later, when higher income levels are reached. Overall, however, the inverted U-shape is found in all variants of terrorismhowever they are ideologically shaped.

More information: Michael Jetter et al, Income and Terrorism: Insights From Subnational Data, Journal of Conflict Resolution (2023). DOI: 10.1177/00220027231175071
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Researchers from Northwestern University and recently joining the Institute for Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo develop a high-throughput approach to evaluate protein folding stability in thousands of proteins . Credit: Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo

You may be familiar with the art of origami, in which paper is intricately folded to create shapes. But did you know that proteins in the human body also undergo an intricate folding process that is essential to their structure and function? Recently, researchers in the U.S. and Japan have shed new light on protein folding stability, or the propensity of a protein to maintain its folded shapea factor at the center of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and cystic fibrosis.

In a new study, "Mega-scale experimental analysis of protein folding stability in biology and design," published in Nature, a research team from Northwestern University and the Institute for Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo have developed a new high-throughput approach known as cDNA display proteolysis to evaluate the folding stability of nearly a million proteins in a single experiment.

A protein is initially generated as a single chain of amino acids that is then folded into a three-dimensional shape. Failure to fold properly or maintain this three-dimensional structure can disrupt protein function and lead to disease.

Insight into how protein folding stability is maintained will therefore shed new light on diseases involving misfolded proteins. However, it has previously been difficult to evaluate protein folding stability in an efficient and large-scale manner. Therefore, the research team sought to develop a platform to assess protein folding stability in a reproducible, high-throughput way.

"We began with a technique in which proteins are attached to their own DNA," says lead author of the study Kotaro Tsuboyama. "Using DNA libraries, we generated a large number of these proteinDNA complexes and treated them with enzymes that destroy unfolded proteins. The intact proteins, which were able to maintain their folded structures during enzyme treatment, were then identified using DNA sequencing."

This method allowed the research team to evaluate the stability of up to 900,000 protein sequences in a single test tube. To examine how individual elements within a protein sequence affect folding stability, the researchers used this method to analyze a series of natural and designed protein domains.

"We were able to identify a number of factors that contribute to protein stability," says senior author Gabriel J. Rocklin at Northwestern University. "We also used our approach to analyze the effects of specific mutations in protein sequences, and to identify determinants of stability in designed proteins, providing insight that can help advance protein design methods in the future."

While previous methods for assessing protein stability have been limited to evaluating single-protein sequences, the cDNA display proteolysis method permits the evaluation of many proteins in a single experiment, supplying an unprecedented amount of information regarding protein stability. This approach may advance the development of new predictive models of protein folding, which may further our understanding of diseases involving protein misfolding.

More information: Gabriel Rocklin, Mega-scale experimental analysis of protein folding stability in biology and design, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06328-6. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06328-6 Journal information: Nature
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The moon marks new territory for commercial, military and geopolitical interests. Credit: NASA/JPL/Cassini Imaging Team/University of Arizona

NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, with the first human landing currently scheduled for 2025. This goal is not just technically ambitious, but it's also politically challenging. The Artemis program marks the first time since the Apollo program that an effort to send humans to the moon has been supported by two successive U.S. presidents.

As a scholar of international affairs who studies space, I'm interested in understanding what allowed the Artemis program to survive this political transition where others failed. My research suggests that this program is not just about advancing science and technology or inspiring the public. It also offers practical benefits for the commercial sector and the military and an opportunity to reinforce U.S. global leadership.

Commercial interest in the moon

Several companies around the world, including both startups and established aerospace firms, have begun working on missions to the moon. Some, like Japan-based iSpace and U.S.-based Astrobotic, are developing commercial lunar landers and have plans to eventually collect lunar resources, such as water or minerals.

For now, efforts to return to the moon are largely funded by government space agencies, like NASA or the European Space Agency. However, many experts talk about the growth of a "cislunar economy," where companies make money through their activities in and around the moon.

Expert studies suggest that it will be decades before many activitieslike mining lunar resources or collecting solar energy on the moonwill generate profits. But in the meantime, government space programs can leverage commercial innovation to cut costs, spur innovation and accelerate their programs. And some commercial activity, such as lunar tourism, may be profitable in the near future. SpaceX has already sold one trip to the moon, tentatively scheduled for launch in 2024.

Companies entering the market early may have an advantage. Crowding is unlikely to be an issue in the near termthe moon has a surface area roughly equivalent to the entire Asian continent. Even at the poles, multiple sites offer access to both water ice and solar illumination.

However, the first companies on the moon may set precedents for the extent of lunar mining allowed, as well as the safety and sustainability protocols that others coming later may follow. The United Nations has established a working group to examine the legal issues related to using space resources, but it won't finish its first set of proposed principles until 2027. In the meantime, commercial entities are already attempting to land on the moon.

Military interest in the moon

In 2020, the head of the U.S. Space Force referred to the moon as "key terrain," and the Air Force Research Laboratory is funding an experimental satellite called Oracle, scheduled for launch in 2026. Oracle will monitor the space between the Earth and the moon. NASA is planning to return to the Moon with Artemis missions. This video describes where on the Moon they may land, and how theyll decide.

The U.S. military has decades of experience in monitoring spacecraft orbiting the Earth. It could use this expertise to support safety and security as commercial and civil governmental activity near the moon increases. They could also provide the United States with better intelligence on the space activities of strategic competitors, like China.

Some individuals in the space sector go further and suggest that the military should watch for weapons hidden in deep space or on the far side of the moon. However, the physics and economics of space suggest that these uses are costly, with little practical benefit.

While leveraging U.S. military expertise in space makes sense, there are reasons not to take developments in this area too far. Military advances like theseeven if done in support of civil and commercial goalsmay raise suspicion from other nations, potentially leading to increased military space activity on their part, and ultimately increasing tensions.

Geopolitical concerns

The Apollo program is famous for its role in the U.S. and the Soviet Union's mid-20th century "space race." The United States' ability to land humans on the moon was interpreted by many around the world as evidence of U.S. technological superiority and the capabilities of a democratic and capitalist society. Some have suggested that the United States is now in a new space race, this time with China. China recently accelerated its plans to send humans to the moon.

While not everyone agrees that such a race is taking place, the use of this terminology by U.S. political leaders, including current NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and its ubiquity in global media coverage suggest that many will view efforts to land humans on the moon in this way. If China lands humans on the moon before the United States, people around the world may see this as evidence of China's role as a global leader and the capabilities of its communist government.

The return to the moon is not just about competition. It also offers nations opportunities to engage in international cooperation. More than 20 nations have announced plans to undertake missions to the moon. Just as the United States is leveraging commercial developments, the U.S. is working with international partners, as well. Europe, Japan and Canada have already joined the United States as partners on the Lunar Gateway, a space station that will orbit the moon, with the first modules expected to launch in 2025.

The United States is also seeking international support for the Artemis Accords, a set of principles for responsible lunar exploration and development. As of July 2023, 27 nations had signed the accords. This includes not just close allies like the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, but also less traditional partners, such as Rwanda, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. India's signing of the accords in June 2023 was seen as a sign of strengthening ties between the U.S. and India.

It's worth noting that China's lunar program also emphasizes international engagement. In 2021, China announced plans to develop the International Lunar Research Station in partnership with Russia, and it has invited other nations to join, as well. Sweden, France, Italy, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are all participating in China's upcoming lunar lander mission.

Ever since humans last left the moon in 1972, many have dreamed about the days when people would return. But for decades, these efforts have hit political roadblocks. This time, the United States' plans to return to the moon are likely to succeedit has the cross-sector support and the strategic importance to ensure continuity, even during politically challenging times.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Tao and Warecki in their lab. Credit: University of Hawaii

A biologist at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, who is doing research into the mechanisms of cell division to find clues for cancer treatment, has just published his most recent findings in the journal Science Signaling.

Associate Professor of Biology Li Tao is a biochemist and cell biologist with expertise in using a combination of in vitro biochemistry and in vivo cell biology to understand the regulation of cell division, thus providing insights into the fundamental mechanism to control the growth of cancer cells.

"Cell division is of tremendous interest to the biomedical research community due to its connection to various human diseases, including cancer," explains Tao. "Understanding the regulation of cell division is crucial to combating cancer. Cytokinesis, as the last stage of cell division, represents the final opportunity to control this process."

The recently published findings from Tao's lab highlight that centralspindlin, a motor complex implicated in cell division, plays a pivotal role in dictating cytokinesis by transporting essential components required to initiate this process.

"This discovery positions centralspindlin as an ideal target for anti-cancer drug designs," says Tao.

The study was conducted primarily by Tao and Brandt Warecki, who holds a joint postdoctoral position between UH Hilo and University of California, Santa Cruz. Warecki is lead author of the study; Tao serves as corresponding author.

Finding clues for cancer treatment

Tao says any mistakes that escape from cytokinesis will cause severe human diseases including cancer. Several years ago, he discovered that a key motor protein for cytokinesis, kinesin-6, is regulated by Rho-family protein RacGAP. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications with Tao as both lead author and corresponding author.

In that study, Tao challenged a widely accepted concept in the field: that all kinesins can move along microtubules by themselves. "However," he says, "we found that kinesin-6 alone is not active, meaning it cannot move on microtubules. Kinesin-6 has to bind to another protein RacGAP to activate its function. This finding provides a novel mechanism on the regulation of cytokinesis." After this finding, Tao and his research team continued their study of kinesin-6 and other motor proteins.

Tao says his research into the mechanisms of cell division will provide clues for cancer treatment.

"Abnormal cell division causes cancer," he explains. "Understanding the mechanism of cell division and its control has thus become a key to find cures for cancer." This is why his studies are directly related to the regulation of cell division. His ultimate goal is to have a greater understanding of how mitotic motors regulate cell division, which will help find an effective way to cure cancer.

Tao believes the success of this mission depends on collaboration among peers. "In my opinion, solving problems on cell division should be teamwork with experts from various fields," he says.

Provided by University of Hawaii at Hilo
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Predicted probability of a positive response by criminal record status and changing racial composition of neighborhood. Credit: Criminology (2023). DOI: 10.1111/1745-9125.12347

Individuals involved with the criminal justice system experience high levels of housing instability and move frequently, but little is known about how the stigma of having a criminal record affects attempts to rent housing. A new study examined how landlords in Ohio used criminal records to screen tenants.

The study found that many landlords disqualified all tenants with a criminal record, with the incidence higher in gentrifying neighborhoods and in areas where the proportion of Black residents was dwindling. In this way, criminal records screening reinforces racial inequities, say the authors.

The study, by a researcher at North Carolina State University (NC State), appears in Criminology.

"Neighborhood conditions are powerful determinants of many social outcomes, including economic opportunities and the likelihood of recidivism," says Laura M. DeMarco, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology at NC State, who conducted the study. "We need to understand how landlords look at criminal records and whether criminal record screening reflects or motivates changes in neighborhood composition."

Increasingly, landlords have access to information about prospective tenants, including rental history, credit scores, employment, and personal references. As laws have been enacted to prohibit explicitly racist and other discriminatory practices in renting, criminal background checks have become central to tenant screening practices, with prior studies showing individuals with the most stigmatizing criminal histories (e.g., sex offenses) having the worst housing opportunities.

DeMarco, instead, highlights the growing prevalence of broad criminal record screening practices by examining landlords' willingness to rent to individuals who have a criminal record without knowing any details about type, severity, or timing of the offense.

In the study, DeMarco conducted an online correspondence audit, a type of audit done entirely without face-to-face communication, in Ohio to test nearly 1,000 landlords' behaviors in renting to people with criminal records. She used rental postings from a popular website that offered variation in units' size, type, and cost.

The study collected data from October through December 2018 and from January through April 2019. Landlords received a submission form from the website from a potential renter; half received a message telling the landlord about the applicant's criminal record. All applicants were employed; their race and gender were conveyed through their names.

Many housing providers disqualified all tenants with a criminal record without ever seeing information about the severity or timing of their offenses. Specifically, DeMarco found that of the almost 1,900 messages sent to landlords, about 55% received a positive response, which varied significantly across race and gender.

Black and Hispanic men had significantly lower response rates than White men. More than 60% of messages sent without a criminal record disclosure received a positive response, while only 49% of messages disclosing a criminal record received a positive response. The broad disqualifying effect of a criminal record in rental housing held within each demographic group.

The impact of having a criminal record varied by neighborhood: It was twice as large in gentrifying neighborhoods than in non-gentrifying neighborhoods, and it was stronger in communities where the relative size of the Black population was shrinking. Excluding applicants with criminal records appears to be a mechanism for neighborhood change.

"Criminal record screening is a central obstacle faced by the justice-involved population," explains DeMarco. "Difficulties finding a home amplify struggles with employment, health, and well-being."

DeMarco suggests that although criminal records screening is technically a race-neutral approach, it reinforces and reproduces racial inequalities. Across cities in Ohio, this type of screening appeared to facilitate neighborhood turnover and extend the legacies of segregation and discrimination, functioning as a new linchpin of racial inequality. "Fully understanding the effects of criminal histories on housing opportunities is essential to dismantling the broader system of inequalities created and perpetuated by the criminal legal system," she says.

Among the study's limitations, DeMarco says the study's focus on one state limits the generalizability of her findings. In addition, the survey she used focused on renters' initial willingness to rent, making them relatively conservative estimates of discrimination.

More information: Laura M. DeMarco, Criminal record stigma, race, and neighborhood inequality, Criminology (2023). DOI: 10.1111/1745-9125.12347 Journal information: Criminology

Provided by American Society of Criminology
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A proposed federal rule calls for forcing companies to disclose whether their products contain toxic "forever" chemicals, the government's first attempt at cataloging the pervasiveness of PFAS across the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency rule would require manufacturers to report many products that contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They're a family of chemicals that don't degrade in nature and have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and hormone irregularities.

Companies would have to disclose any PFAS that have been manufactured or imported between 2011 and when the rule takes effect, with no exemptions for small businesses or for impurities or byproducts cross-contaminating goods with PFAS. Those disclosures would be available to the public, barring any trade secrets linked to the data. The EPA will finalize the rule in the coming months, agency spokesperson Catherine Milbourn said, then require companies to report back within 12 months.

The effort excludes pesticides, foods and food additives, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, Milbourn said. It also is essentially a one-time reporting and record-keeping requirementand companies wouldn't need to provide updates.

Still, the chemical and semiconductor industries are grumbling about what the EPA estimated is a potential $1 billion cost to comply with the rule. The U.S. chemical industry says it generates more than $500 billion annually.

On the other side, environmental health activists say the data collection exercise would be flawed, as it accounts for only a tenth of the more than 12,000 PFAS chemicals, which are used in everything from nonstick cookware to kids' school uniforms. Moreover, they say, it wouldn't stop PFAS from making their way into the air, waste, or consumer products, nor would it clean up existing contamination.

Congress gave the EPA the power to track PFAS chemicals in 2016, when it revised the Toxic Substances Control Act. Then a bipartisan effort in 2019, which President Donald Trump signed into law, called for the EPA to inventory PFAS. However, health activists warn that unless Congress overhauls U.S. chemical laws to give the EPA and other agencies more power, PFAS will continue to threaten humans and the environment.

These so-called forever chemicals went from marvel to bete noire in just 50 years. When PFAS debuted, they were revered for making Teflon pans nonstick and Gore-Tex jackets waterproof. They are effective at repelling water and oil yet so durable they don't break down in the natural environment. That strength has become their downfall, as the chemicals accumulate in landfills, soil, drinking water supplies, and, ultimately, human bodies. As scientists learn more about PFAS' toxic nature, governments around the world have set limits or imposed outright bans.

Because PFAS are found in thousands of productscontact lenses, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals such as Prozac, paper plates, clothing, and dental floss, to name just a fewregulators are scrambling to gather data on the scope of the PFAS threat. The EPA data collection proposal is a move in that direction.

Milbourn told KFF Health News that 1,364 types of PFAS may be covered by the rule, and EPA officials are reviewing public comments they received to determine whether they should modify its scope to capture additional substances.

By contrast, the European Union is discussing banning or limiting 10,000 PFAS chemicals, according to Hanna-Kaisa Torkkeli, a spokesperson for the European Chemicals Agency.

"In the U.S., chemicals are innocent until proven guilty," said Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a nonprofit based outside Washington, D.C. "In the EU and Japan, chemicals are guilty until proven safeand that's why they have fewer PFAS."

That lack of regulation in the U.S. is driving states to take matters into their own hands, pursuing PFAS bans as gridlock and industry lobbying in Washington thwart tougher federal laws. Minnesota's crackdown on PFAS limits the chemicals in menstrual products, cleaning ingredients, cookware, and dental floss. Maine's law will ban all avoidable uses of PFAS by 2030. Vermont and California ban PFAS in food packaging.

"The states are acting because our federal system doesn't currently allow the government to say 'no more use of PFAS,'" said Liz Hitchcock, director of the federal policy program at Toxic-Free Future, a national advocacy group. "And even if it did, that wouldn't clean up the mess already made."

U.S. courts are also weighing in on PFAS contamination. On June 22, 3M agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion to settle lawsuits by communities around the country that argued their drinking water was contaminated by the company's PFAS-containing products.

Additionally, the U.S. military is moving to limit PFAS, after a report said more than 600,000 troops were exposed to the toxic chemicals in drinking water contaminated largely by PFAS-laden firefighting foam.

Just cleaning up PFAS waste at U.S. military bases could cost at least $10 billion. Removing it from U.S. drinking water supplies could add more than $3.2 billion annually to the bill, according to a report commissioned by the American Water Works Association.

"The CDC estimates that 99% of Americans have PFAS in their blood," said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs for the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that researches the ingredients in household and consumer products. "We estimate that 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in their drinking water right now."

Officials with the U.S. Geological Survey released a similar finding July 5 when they announced that the agency's researchers estimate more than 45% of U.S. tap water is contaminated with at least one PFAS chemical after they conducted a nationwide study of water samples.

As ubiquitous as PFAS are, the reason they haven't generated more outrage among the public may be that the damage from PFAS chemicals isn't immediate. They affect health over time, with repeated exposure.

"People aren't getting headaches or coughing from exposure to PFAS," Bennett said. "But they are getting cancer a few years down the lineand they don't understand why."

Some environmental health advocates, such as Arthur Bowman III, policy director at the Center for Environmental Health, say the EPA's data collection project could help. "It will be fairly straightforward for the EPA to gather PFAS information on cleaning products and other wet chemicals that contain PFAS," Bowman said. "And this will lead to phaseouts of PFAS."

Some retailers, such as Dick's Sporting Goods and REI, have recently announced plans to remove the chemicals from many of their products.

But Bowman said it will be more difficult for manufacturers to remove PFAS used in the production of semiconductor chips and printed circuit boards, since alternative products are still in the research phase.

The Semiconductor Industry Association has asked the EPA for an exemption to the proposed reporting requirements because, it maintains, semiconductor manufacturing is so complex that it would be "impossible, even with an unlimited amount of time and resources, to discern the presence (if any) of PFAS in such articles." Other industries have also asked for waivers.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents large PFAS manufacturers such as 3M, disagrees with those calling for the entire class of PFAS chemicals to be banned. "Individual chemistries have their own unique properties and uses, as well as environmental and health profiles," said Tom Flanagin, a spokesperson for the trade group.

While the council's member companies "support strong, science-based regulations of PFAS chemistries that are protective of human health and the environment," Flanagin said, the rules shouldn't harm economic growth "or hamper businesses and consumers from accessing the products they need."

For their part, some environmental advocates welcome the reporting proposal, expecting it to reveal new and surprising uses of PFAS. "However, it's going to be a snapshot," said Sonya Lunder, the senior toxics policy adviser for the Sierra Club.

Lunder said even if PFAS were found in, for example, brands of baby bibs, pesticide containers, or pet food bags, it isn't clear which federal agency would regulate the products. She said Americans should demand that Congress add PFAS and other harmful chemicals to all major environmental statutes for water, air, food, and consumer products.

And another worry: If the data does make it into the mainstream, will consumers simply tune it outjust as many do with California's multitudinous cancer warning signs? Lunder doesn't think so, since "the audience is scientists, regulators, andfor better or for worsetort attorneys."

Benesh, of the Environmental Working Group, said the disclosures could reach further and "embolden consumers to demand even more market change."

2023 Kaiser Health News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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This artist's concept shows an ice-encrusted, Earth-mass rogue planet drifting through space alone. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

New research by scientists from NASA and Japan's Osaka University suggests that rogue planetsworlds that drift through space untethered to a starfar outnumber planets that orbit stars. The results imply that NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, set to launch by May 2027, could find a staggering 400 Earth-mass rogue worlds. Indeed, this new study has already identified one such candidate.

"We estimate that our galaxy is home to 20 times more rogue planets than starstrillions of worlds wandering alone," said David Bennett, a senior research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and a co-author of two papers describing the results. "This is the first measurement of the number of rogue planets in the galaxy that is sensitive to planets less massive than Earth."

The team's findings stem from a nine-year survey called MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics), conducted at the Mount John University Observatory in New Zealand. Microlensing events occur when an object such as a star or planet comes into near-perfect alignment with an unrelated background star from our vantage point.

Because anything with mass warps the fabric of space-time, light from the distant star bends around the nearer object as it passes close by. The nearer object acts as a natural lens, creating a brief spike in the brightness of the background star's light that gives astronomers clues about the intervening object that they can't get any other way.

"Microlensing is the only way we can find objects like low-mass free-floating planets and even primordial black holes," said Takahiro Sumi, a professor at Osaka University, and lead author of the paper with a new estimate of our galaxy's rogue planets. "It's very exciting to use gravity to discover objects we could never hope to see directly."

The roughly Earth-mass rogue planet the team found marks the second discovery of its kind. The paper describing the finding will appear in a future issue of The Astronomical Journal. A second paper, which presents a demographic analysis that concludes that rogue planets are six times more abundant than worlds that orbit stars in our galaxy, will be published in the same journal. This animation illustrates the concept of gravitational microlensing with a rogue planet  a planet that does not orbit a star. When the rogue planet appears to pass nearly in front of a background source star, the light rays of the source star bend due to the warped space-time around it. This slightly changes the star's apparent position on the sky, and can even produce multiple copies of it. Such changes signal the planet's presence to astronomers. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/CI Lab

Pint-sized planets

In only a few decades, we've gone from wondering whether the worlds in our solar system are alone in the cosmos to discovering more than 5,300 planets outside our solar system. The vast majority of these newfound worlds are either huge, extremely close to their host star, or both. By contrast, the team's results suggest that rogue planets tend to be on the petite side.

"We found that Earth-size rogues are more common than more massive ones," Sumi said. "The difference in star-bound and free-floating planets' average masses holds a key to understanding planetary formation mechanisms."

World-building can be chaotic, with all of the forming celestial bodies gravitationally interacting as they settle into their orbits. Planetary lightweights aren't tethered as strongly to their star, so some of these interactions end up flinging such worlds off into space. So begins a solitary existence, hidden among the shadows between stars.

In one of the early episodes of the original Star Trek series, the crew encounters one such lone planet amid a so-called star desert. They were surprised to ultimately find Gothos, the starless planet, habitable. While such a world may be plausible, the team emphasizes that the newly detected "rogue Earth" probably doesn't share many other characteristics with Earth beyond a similar mass.

Roman's hunt for hidden worlds

Microlensing events that reveal solitary planets are extraordinarily rare, so one key to finding more is to cast a wider net. That's just what Roman will do when it launches by May 2027.

"Roman will be sensitive to even lower-mass rogue planets since it will observe from space," said Naoki Koshimoto, who led the paper announcing the detection of a candidate terrestrial-mass rogue world. Now an assistant professor at Osaka University, he conducted this research at Goddard. "The combination of Roman's wide view and sharp vision will allow us to study the objects it finds in more detail than we can do using only ground-based telescopes, which is a thrilling prospect."

Previous best estimates, based on planets found orbiting stars, suggested Roman would spot 50 terrestrial-mass rogue worlds. These new results suggest it could actually find about 400, though we'll have to wait until Roman begins scanning the skies to make more certain predictions.

Scientists will couple Roman's future data with ground-based observations from facilities such as Japan's PRIME (Prime-focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment) telescope, located at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland. This 1.8-meter telescope will build on MOA's work by conducting the first wide-area microlensing survey in near-infrared light.

It's equipped with four detectors from Roman's detector development program, contributed by NASA as part of an international agreement with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

Each microlensing event is a one-time occurrence, meaning astronomers can't go back and repeat the observations once they're over. But they're not instantaneous.

"A microlensing signal from a rogue planet can take from a few hours up to about a day, so astronomers will have a chance to do simultaneous observations with Roman and PRIME," Koshimoto said.

Seeing them from both Earth and Roman's location a million miles away will help scientists measure the masses of rogue planets much more accurately than ever before, deepening our understanding of the worlds that grace our galaxy.

More information: Terrestrial and Neptune mass free-floating planet candidates from the MOA-II 9-year Galactic Bulge survey, The Astronomical Journal(2023). on arXiv: arxiv.org/abs/2303.08279 Free-Floating planet Mass Function from MOA-II 9-year survey towards the Galactic Bulge, The Astronomical Journal(2023). on arXiv: arxiv.org/abs/2303.08280 Journal information: Astronomical Journal , arXiv
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

What causes certain individuals who experience a sudden decline in kidney function to develop kidney disease while others recover? A new study co-led by bioengineers at the University of California San Diego could provide detailed insightat the level of individual cellsinto the underlying factors contributing to these divergent outcomes.

The researchers constructed the largest single-cell atlas of the human kidney to date that maps healthy and diseased cell states across over 90 patients. The atlas is intended to serve as a foundation to better understand the progression of kidney disease after acute kidney injury, a condition in which the kidneys suddenly lose their ability to filter waste from blood.

"We want to understand that progression at the single-cell level," said study co-first author Blue Lake, who conducted this research as a project scientist in the Department of Bioengineering at UC San Diego. "By building an atlas of the different types of cells that make up a healthy kidney, as well as injured and diseased kidneys, we can start to figure out which cell types may be contributing to disease progression. We can get an idea of what changes are happening that cause some injured cell types to repair, and in some cases, transition into a state that can no longer be repaired."

The work, titled "An atlas of healthy and injured cell states and niches in the human kidney" and published July 19 in the journal Nature, was jointly led by the lab of former UC San Diego bioengineering professor Kun Zhang, who is now at San Diego Institute of Science, Altos Labs, and researchers at Washington University, Indiana University, and University of Michigan.

To construct their atlas, the researchers analyzed more than 400,000 cells and nuclei from a broad range of kidney samples from individuals with healthy kidneys, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease.

Single-cell and single-nucleus sequencing technologies were used to generate RNA expression and gene expression profiles of the cells. These profiles enabled the researchers to identify 51 different populations of cell types. Using spatial imaging technologies, the researchers were able to map where the different cell types are arranged in the kidney.

"This is the most comprehensive atlas so far of cell types in the human kidney," said Lake.

The researchers also discovered that 28 of these cell types are altered in acute kidney injury.

What normally happens when kidney cells get injured is that they enter a repair state in which they make new copies of themselves, as well as release signals that recruit immune cells and fibroblasts, to heal the injured area. Afterwards, they return to their normal cell state.

But with the altered cell types, a return to the normal state does not happen, the researchers found. Instead, they get stuck in the repair state. As a result, they continue to recruit more immune cells and fibroblasts. This drives inflammation and fibrosis, which in turn leads to progression of disease and irreversible reduction of kidney functions.

"These repair states are normally important for healing but can become maladaptive," said Lake. "If they persist or are constantly being stimulated, that will cause the kidney to continue into a diseased state."

The researchers found that these altered cell types, with the so-called "maladaptive repair state," live in two areas of the nephrons, which are the major filtering units of the kidney. The first area is called the proximal tubule, which has been known from previous studies in mice. This new study reveals that a second area in the nephrons, called the thick ascending limb, also houses these altered cell types.

"We were surprised to see this maladaptive repair state show up in human cells in this other area," said Lake. "We have now identified another area in the kidney that can be associated with disease progression. Hopefully, these insights will lead the way to further developments in the field."

The researchers are constructing the next version of their kidney atlas. Their goal is to include data from a more diverse population of patients.

More information: An atlas of healthy and injured cell states and niches in the human kidney, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05769-3 Journal information: Nature
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Agricultural landscape dominated by exotic species of European origin (Merced Vernal Pool and Grassland Reserve, California, U.S.A.). Credit: Dr Javier Galan Diaz

Plant species become exotic after being accidentally or deliberately transported by humans to a new region outside their native range, where they establish self-perpetuating populations that quickly reproduce and spread. This is a complex process mediated by many factors, such as plant traits and genetics, which challenges the creation of general guidelines to predict or manage plant invasions.

Scientists from Spanish and Australian institutions have now defined a new framework to find the predictors of invasiveness, investigating species that have succeeded or failed to establish abroad after following similar historical introduction routes.

Dr. Javier Galan Diaz, University of Seville, Spain, Dr. Enrique G. de la Riva, University of Leon, Spain, Dr. Irene Martin-Fores, The University of Adelaide, Australia, and Dr. Montserrat Vila, Donana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), Spain, described their findings in a new paper in NeoBiota.

"While current policies exert strong control on the import and export of living organisms, including pests, across countries, until only a few decades ago, very little attention was paid to this issue. This means that many species were translocated to new regions without any consideration of their potential impacts," says Dr. Javier Galan Diaz.

An example of this is the massive plant exchange among Mediterraneantype regions as a consequence of European colonialism: crops and cattle were exported, along with tools and materials, potentially bringing along the seeds of many plant species.

"So far, most studies on plant invasions have tried to explain the success of exotic species by comparing their traits with those of the native plant communities where they arrive, or by comparing the traits of plant species that have achieved different levels of invasion in the same region. But, if we take into account that the most common plant species from European agricultural landscapes have been in contact with humans and have therefore had the potential to be inadvertently transported to other Mediterranean regions, then only those that have successfully invaded other regions have something different in them that allowed them to establish and spread abroad," Dr. Galan Diaz explains.

Agricultural landscape dominated by exotic species of European origin (La Honda Creek Preserve, California, U.S.A.). Credit: Dr Javier Galan Diaz

Following this approach, the scientists found that, when comparing plant species transported from the Mediterranean Basin to other Mediterranean-climate regions (California, Central Chile, the Cape Region of South Africa and Southwestern and South Australia) in the search of predictors of invasiveness, only those species with large distribution ranges that occupy climatically diverse habitats in their native region became exotic.

Also, species with many dispersal vectors (for instance those that have seeds dispersed by animals, water or wind), long bloom periods and acquisitive above- and belowground strategies of resource use are most likely to become exotic. Most of this plant information is readily available or easy to obtain from free and open-access repositories.

"Determining the factors that pre-adapt plant species to successfully establish and spread outside of their native ranges constitutes a powerful approach with great potential for management," the researchers write in their paper. "This framework has the potential to improve prediction models and management practices to prevent the harmful impacts from species in invaded communities."

"Using the existing information, we can identify the key species to monitor. This is especially encouraging in the era of Big Data, where observations from citizen science applications add to those of scientists, increasing the potential of screening systems," Dr. Galan Diaz says in conclusion.

More information: Javier Galan Diaz et al, Which features at home make a plant prone to become invasive?, NeoBiota (2023). DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.86.104039 Journal information: NeoBiota
Visitors pass by a wire fence decorated with ribbons written with messages wishing for the reunification of the two Koreas at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, July 19. North Korea was silent about the highly unusual entry of an American soldier across the Koreas' heavily fortified border although it test-fired short-range missiles Wednesday in its latest weapons display. AP-Yonhap



An American soldier who crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea had been sentenced to a fine for kicking and damaging a police patrol car in Seoul, legal sources said Wednesday.



United Nations Command and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the previous day the active U.S. service member had willfully crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea without authorization during a tour to the Joint Security Area and is believed to be in North Korea's custody.



The Pentagon later identified the defector as Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King in his 20s, and American media organizations reported that he was in the process of being sent back to the U.S. for disciplinary action in connection with assault charges he faced in South Korea.



Legal sources here said Wednesday that King, 23, was fined 5 million won ($3,943) on Feb. 8 by a court in Seoul on charges including inflicting damage on public property.






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This artist's concept shows the two-faced white dwarf nicknamed Janus. The blue-tinted dead cinder of a star, which was once a star like our sun, is composed primarily of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other (the hydrogen side appears brighter). The peculiar double-faced nature of this white dwarf might be due to the interplay of magnetic fields and convection, or a mixing of materials. On the helium side, which appears bubbly, convection has destroyed the thin hydrogen layer on the surface and brought up the helium underneath. Credit: K. Miller, Caltech/IPAC

In a first for white dwarfs, the burnt-out cores of dead stars, astronomers have discovered that at least one member of this cosmic family is two faced. One side of the white dwarf is composed of hydrogen, while the other is made up of helium.

"The surface of the white dwarf completely changes from one side to the other," says Ilaria Caiazzo, a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech who leads a new study on the findings in the journal Nature. "When I show the observations to people, they are blown away."

White dwarfs are the scalding remains of stars that were once like our sun. As the stars age, they puff up into red giants; eventually, their outer fluffy material is blown away and their cores contract into dense, fiery-hot white dwarfs. Our sun will evolve into a white dwarf in about 5 billion years.

The newfound white dwarf, nicknamed Janus after the two-faced Roman god of transition, was initially discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), an instrument that scans the skies every night from Caltech's Palomar Observatory near San Diego.

Caiazzo had been searching for highly magnetized white dwarfs, such as the object known as ZTF J1901+1458, which she and her team found previously using ZTF. One candidate object stood out for its rapid changes in brightness, so Caiazzo decided to investigate further with the CHIMERA instrument at Palomar, as well as HiPERCAM on the Gran Telescopio Canarias in Spain's Canary Islands. Those data confirmed that Janus is rotating on its axis every 15 minutes. This artist's animation shows the two-faced white dwarf nicknamed Janus rotating on its axis. The blue-tinted dead cinder of a star, which was once a star like our sun, is composed primarily of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other (the hydrogen side appears brighter). The peculiar double-faced nature of this white dwarf might be due to the interplay of magnetic fields and convection, or a mixing of materials. On the helium side, which appears bubbly, convection has destroyed the thin hydrogen layer on the surface and brought up the helium underneath. The white dwarf's rotation has been sped up in this animation; normally, it rotates around its axis every 15 minutes. Credit: K. Miller, Caltech/IPAC

Subsequent observations made with the W. M. Keck Observatory atop Maunakea in Hawaii revealed the dramatic double-faced nature of the white dwarf. The team used an instrument called a spectrometer to spread the light of the white dwarf into a rainbow of wavelengths that contain chemical fingerprints. The data revealed the presence hydrogen when one side of the object was in view (with no signs of helium), and only helium when the other side swung into view.

What would cause a white dwarf floating alone in space to have such drastically different faces? The team acknowledges they are baffled but have come up with some possible theories. One idea is that we may be witnessing Janus undergoing a rare phase of white dwarf evolution.

"Not all, but some white dwarfs transition from being hydrogen- to helium-dominated on their surface," Caiazzo explains. "We might have possibly caught one such white dwarf in the act." Scientists think that magnetic fields may explain the unusual two-face appearance of the white dwarf nicknamed Janus. One side of the dead star's surface is composed primarily of hydrogen, while the other side is helium, as seen in this artist's animation. Asymmetric magnetic fields (seen as looping lines) may have influenced the mixing of materials in the white dwarf in such a way to have caused their uneven distribution. The white dwarf's rotation has been sped up in this animation; normally, it rotates around its axis every 15 minutes. Credit: K. Miller, Caltech/IPAC

After white dwarfs are formed, their heavier elements sink to their cores and their lighter elementshydrogen being the lightest of allfloat to the top. But over time, as the white dwarfs cool, the materials are thought to mix together. In some cases, the hydrogen is mixed into the interior and diluted such that helium becomes more prevalent. Janus may embody this transition phase, but one pressing question is: why is the transition happening in such a disjointed way, with one side evolving before the other?

The answer, according to the science team, may lie in magnetic fields.

"Magnetic fields around cosmic bodies tend to be asymmetric, or stronger on one side," Caiazzo explains. "Magnetic fields can prevent the mixing of materials. So, if the magnetic field is stronger on one side, then that side would have less mixing and thus more hydrogen."

Another theory proposed by the team to explain the two faces also depends on magnetic fields. But in this scenario, the fields are thought to change the pressure and density of the atmospheric gases. Credit: California Institute of Technology

"The magnetic fields may lead to lower gas pressures in the atmosphere, and this may allow a hydrogen 'ocean' to form where the magnetic fields are strongest," says co-author James Fuller, professor of theoretical astrophysics at Caltech. "We don't know which of these theories are correct, but we can't think of any other way to explain the asymmetric sides without magnetic fields."

To help solve the mystery, the team hopes to find more Janus-like white dwarfs with ZTF's sky survey. "ZTF is very good at finding strange objects," Caiazzo says. Future surveys, such as those to be performed by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, she says, should make finding variable white dwarfs even easier.

More information: Ilaria Caiazzo, A rotating white dwarf shows different compositions on its opposite faces, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06171-9. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06171-9 Journal information: Nature
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Do insects such as honeybees create mental maps or do they rely on environmental cues to navigate? The debate has divided insect-cognition researchers for decades. Credit: Jozsef Szabo/Unsplash

There's a debate among insect-cognition researchers, but the two camps have been arguing for so many decades that many onlookers are no longer sure what they are arguing about. SFI Postdoctoral Fellow Kelle Dhein, a philosopher and historian, has published a paper in Studies in History and Philosophy of Science clarifying the debate, with lessons for philosophers, historians, and scientists alike.

One camp, led by Randolf Menzel, argues that insects form cognitive maps, assembling their memories into sophisticated mental representations that tell them where they are. The other camp, led by Rudiger Wehner, argues that insects have toolkits that tell them where to go, depending on environmental clues and whether they are venturing out to forage or returning to the nest.

Oddly, Dhein points out, Menzel and Wehner were trained at the same time by the same mentor in Germany, and initially, they both rejected the idea that honeybees use cognitive maps. But Menzel became influenced by American experimental learning psychology and began advocating learning-driven cognitive maps, while Wehner remained in the European ethological model that emphasized instinct.

This led to very different cultures in the two groups. While both performed behavioral experiments in the field, the cognitive map group also investigated the neural processes underlying honeybee learning through laboratory conditioning experiments. Meanwhile, the toolkit group developed computational models of insect navigation based on behavioral experiments with ants. These experiments have led to a sort of stalemate, however, because each side can explain the experimental results using their own model.

Mammalian navigation researchers largely accept the cognitive map hypothesis thanks to research by John O'Keefe, May-Britt Moser, and Edvard Moser that won a Nobel Prize in 2014. These scientists discovered that patterns of neuronal firing in rats systematically correspond to a rat's location in space. One of the ways to settle the dispute in insects will be to understand insect neurology with a similar depth.

For philosophers, Dhein argues, the debate shows that cognitive science is a rich source of ideas for making sense of hard-to-define concepts like "representation." For historians, it shows that the debate between instinct and learning is still very much alive, though less obvious than it once was. And for scientists, it clarifies the issues underlying the dispute.

"I've become a big fan of both sides of the debate," Dhein says. "The whole tradition they come out of represents an extraordinarily productive way of knowing animals that is evolving before our eyes."

More information: Kelle Dhein, The cognitive map debate in insects: A historical perspective on what is at stake, Studies in History and Philosophy of Science (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2022.12.008
The Tri-County United Ways Allocation Fund, the fund the organization uses to support the work of other local organizations, saw a 23% increase this year.

The 23% was raised by workplace campaign programs, induvial donations, corporate grants, and special events, said Community Engagement Coordinator Laura Jensen in an interview.

The funding will be used for community programs such as childcare, medical care, rehabilitation therapies, domestic violence support, food assistance, footwear support, services for the elderly, elder abuse prevention, and youth mentorship for all age groups, Jensen said.

After weeks of thorough review, including on-site interviews and program presentations, Tri-County United Ways Allocation Committee determined how funds raised by the organization are allocated to local partner agencies.

Our community investment reviewed the applicants we had in the spring of 2023. Each agency or program had specific targets for the ALICE community, she said, using the acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained Employed.

Those are people who have jobs but little savings and often live month-to-month. They are usually above the federal poverty level but make less than a livable wage.

We are very grateful to our community and their ongoing support throughout our 100-hundred-year anniversary, especially during this challenging economic climate, Jensen said.

Board Chairwoman of Tri-County United Ways Rebecca Wood said its rewarding to see the communities of the lower Adirondacks come together through the Tri-County United Ways Allocation Committee, which is made up of local businesses, their employees and others throughout Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties.

Local business leaders have joined forces with our funded agencies to learn about the amazing work being done daily. The ability to fund each agency with over 20% more than last year is something we should all be very proud of in this financial climate. It is a true testament to this area and our people, she said.

The United Way allocates the money to partnering agencies, or organizations and companies that provide community programs throughout Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties.
The Lake George Village Board had voted to ban trailers from Canada Street during the Adirondack Nationals Car Show event this fall, but a discussion with village Department of Public Works Superintendent Keith Lanfear, has made Mayor Ray Perry pull back from the decision.

Lanfear told the mayor that the village cant disallow licensed vehicles from parking legally on the street, the mayor told The Post-Star on July 19.

Many of the classic car and hot rod owners trailer their cars to the event rather than driving them, and then they park the trailers in the spaces on the villages main strip. Since some of the trailers are box trailers, people cannot see over or through them, and the view of the street and the classic cars rolling by is blocked from the sidewalk.

The board decided at its Monday meeting to therefore make trailer parking illegal on Canada Street during the event, and to charge $150 per space used on back streets or $25 at the Recreation Center on Transfer Road.

The mayor said that the village will hold another meeting to strip that plan from the rules. The same protocols will be followed as in 2022. The car show runs Thursday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 11.

Perry said during the meeting that flatbed trucks and trailers have been an issue in past years with people setting up camp on them for the weekend.

Some sit on it as a balcony ... Were trying to eliminate that but our DPW super(intendent) says we cant legally do that, and I think hes right, Perry explained during a July 19 phone interview.

Theres been an issue where they (the car and trailer owners) park the trailer and sit on it and watch the cars go by. A lot of people dont like it because you cant see from the sidewalks, Perry said during the meeting.

Trustee Alyson Miller said that the trailers can often block businesses during the event, saying that the whole point of the show is to boost clientele. Trustee Jose Filomeno agreed with Miller.

It turns Canada Street into a parking lot and it hurts local business, Filomeno said.

On both Friday and Saturday nights of the event, the village is transformed into a sea of hot rods, classic trucks, and other custom vehicles during the Cruises on Canada Street.

Perry said trustees will be meeting with business owners and car show representatives to possibly change the parade route because of businesses that are shut out due to road closures. The hope is to keep unaffiliated vehicles from sneaking into the show and doing burnouts and drag racing down Canada Street.

The Warren County Sheriffs Office is in charge of the parade route, Perry said.

No one from Albany Rods and Kustoms is affiliated with the rambunctious behavior. All of them are well respected and well behaved, Perry said, but some people sneak into the parade only to drag race later.

The parade route tries to make sure the route is controlled.

Car Show Chairman Mark Ingleston said that he hopes the parade route will stay the same for the safety of participants.

The cruise is a big part for registered applicants. Unfortunately yes, outside people that with cars not fitting the criteria sneak into the show and they are often the ones causing the most problems. The vehicles are supposed to be 1979 or older but the ones sneaking in are often newer models, he said.

The flat stretch on Canada Street from Beach Road south to the Lake George Battleground seems to be the troublesome. Perry said cars have gone sideways in the past while showing off and theres no way to protect the public.

Thats what sheriffs try to prevent from happening, he said.

Sheriff Jim LaFarr could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
ATLANTIC CITY  A flood of planned new cannabis businesses may slow to a trickle, at least for now, while multiple proposals work their way through the state approval process.

The city has plans to become a cannabis capital along the East Coast, hoping the new industry can join the beaches and gaming as a draw for visitors and a source of jobs, revenue and economic development.

But at a recent meeting of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, at which multiple cannabis-related applications were up for approval, some members began to ask when enough would be enough.

At the Tuesday board meeting, CRDA President Modia Butler said the city has agreed to ease up in the short term, at least long enough for some of the already-proposed businesses to open up.

The citys going to put a pause to assess where they are, Butler said. He and CRDA Director Sean Pattwell spoke with Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his team to discuss plans for the Green Zone, the overlay district where cannabis sales and cultivation are a permitted use. That zone includes a significant portion of the city.

At the Tuesday CRDA meeting, Butler said many cannabis business applications dont manage to open their doors because of issues with financing or real estate.

Thats bearing out in the Green Zone as well, he said.

The CRDA has approved more than a dozen applications for cannabis-related businesses in the boards role as the planning and zoning authority for the citys Tourism District. In June, the board said yes to five applications, but some members began to question the exceptional volume of them.

Some Buena Vista Township residents don't want pot business on Union Avenue The Township Committee voted in December to allow the municipality to receive proposals for retail sales of cannabis. Now that a business, New Frontier Solutions LLC, is interested in setting up shop in the township, some residents are not happy about it.

At that meeting, Small said the city has decided to let the market decide how much weed is enough.

The city has taken a position to support as many companies as possible, he said then. Small did not speak at the Tuesday meeting. City spokesperson Andrew Kramer on Tuesday confirmed Butlers account in an email.

That is, indeed, where things stand, Kramer wrote. While the city of Atlantic City is open for business when it comes to the cannabis industry, we just want to make sure we do not experience an overload in the earlygoing.

Also on Tuesday, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission met in Atlantic City, in the Casino Control Commission building. The cannabis regulators usually meet in Trenton.

The commission has continued to approve new conditional licenses and annual licenses, as a new legal cannabis market gets off the ground. A little more than a year since the first legal sales began to those over 21 who do not have a medical marijuana card, there are now close to 50 legal cannabis businesses in operation, including three in Atlantic City and two in Egg Harbor Township.

But many have complained about the pace of the new industrys launch. Last month, 96 businesses with conditional licenses asked for an extension to meet the requirements to move to an annual license, needed before the business can actually open.

There are three main reasons why a business requests an extension, cannabis commission Chair Dianna Houenou said at the meeting: a lack of real estate, a lack of or delay in municipal approvals and a lack of funding.

The commission has granted 561 requests for extensions so far, and nearly three-quarters of the businesses awarded conditional licenses have requested extensions in the approval process.

Legal weed is on its way to Cape May County Work continues on a West Cape May property thats set to become Cape May Countys first legal cannabis dispensary.

The board approved a request from Design 710 at 112 Park Place, a cannabis business that opened this year in Atlantic City, to expand its operation from medical-only sales to sales to the recreation market, making it the second business in the city approved to sell cannabis to anyone over 21.

The board also approved an Egg Harbor Township location, Brutes Roots at 6206 Black Horse Pike, to include sales to adults. Board member Charles Barker voted no. He often votes against resolutions, without discussion at the meetings, but in the case of Design 710, he voted yes, making it unanimous.

Last year, with support from the CRDA, Atlantic City created the Green Zone development district. It originally ran from Boston Avenue to Maryland Avenue, including both sides of Atlantic and Pacific avenues. It also includes the Orange Loop district running from Pacific Avenue to close to the Boardwalk between New York and Tennessee avenues.

It was expanded this year. The city expects millions of dollars in investments in cannabis businesses in the coming years. In many instances, including Design 710, the businesses look to long-vacant properties. For MPX on New York Avenue, the first licensed cannabis business in the city on New York Avenue that opened in spring, work is underway on a new building on St. James Place behind the current location.

There are plans in the works for large-scale cultivation sites, retail locations and consumption lounges in the city, each with planning approval and working their way through the state approval process. There was another application approved Tuesday, after Butler mentioned that the pace would likely slow down after that.

The CRDA voted unanimously to approve a site plan and variances for a cannabis dispensary at 1518-20 Atlantic Ave., with 20 apartments upstairs. There are already 19 apartments at the site, CRDA Planning and Development Director Lance Landgraf told the board Tuesday.

Premium Dispensary needed variances for parking and for the size of the building. Landgraf described the nonconforming elements of the plan as part of the existing building.

The board also approved a site plan for Panaderia Mexican Bakery at 24 S. Kentucky Ave., which required minor site plan approval. The applicant needed to show that the existing dwelling units at the site predated regulations that would have prevented them, Landgraf said, and there were some conditions put on the approval that were requested from a neighbor.

Atlantic City enters era of green investment ATLANTIC CITY  Christina Casile stands in the lobby of Design 710 at 112 Park Place, the la

Landgraf said he was happy for the change, after most of the planning applications this year being weed related.

Its nice to get off the cannabis, he said. Its nice to see a real retail operation come in.
Formal dressware retailer David's Bridal, which filed for bankruptcy in April, is staying in business after the company's sale was approved late last week.

David's Bridal, which has a store on the Black Horse Pike in Hamilton Township, is being sold to Cion Investment Corp., a New York-based investment company.

The company's bankruptcy hearings were held in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey.

David's named Cion its winning bidder July 6, according to court records. A sale hearing was held Friday, records show.

The sale comes as major retailers in New Jersey, including Bed Bath & Beyond and Christmas Tree Shops, have faced bankruptcy filings amid mounting financial challenges.

David's Bridal first filed for bankruptcy in April. That month, the company said it would lay off more than 9,000 workers nationwide, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

The company was preparing to eliminate 227 jobs in late August, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed in April with the New Jersey Department of Labor. Outside of Hamilton Township, the chain's next closest store is in Deptford, Gloucester County.

It was unclear how the sale would affect the company's local workforce.

Attempts to reach David's Bridal for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Cion intends to keep stores open while shedding debt, as well as the costs of renewing and breaking lease agreements at retail locations, according to a report from Reuters.

The no-cash sale will decrease Davids Bridal's debt from $256.9 million to $50 million, Reuters said.
Children go to a spring picnic the day before Children's Day at Seoul Children's Grand Park, May 4. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog



By Lee Hae-rin



The Seoul Metropolitan Government held a debate with policy experts, Wednesday, to discuss the possible introduction of foreign nannies at sub-minimum wage pay rates to tackle the city's record-low birth rate and examine overseas cases to map out localization of the policy.



Bringing foreign nannies to the capital is one of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's main policy plans, which could come into effect at a trial level as early as later this year. The capital marked the lowest fertility rate among all cities at 0.59 children per woman last year.



Professor Kim Hyun-cheol of the Economics Department and Division of Public Policy at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology shared the situation and research from Hong Kong.



Kim cited Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department saying since the policy was introduced there in 1990, the number of foreign nannies jumped by 4.6 times from 1990s 70,335 to 338,189 last year. Their top nationalities are the Philippines (56.2 percent) and Indonesia (41.4 percent).



Between 1978 and 2006, Hong Kong saw a 10- to 14-percent increase in labor participation rate among women with children aged under five.



However, the cause-and-effect relationship between the policy and bringing up the low birthrate has yet to be proven and the monthly salary of foreign nannies should range around one million won ($790) for young Korean middle-class parents to benefit from the policy, the professor explained.





Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, center, poses with lawmakers and policy experts during the city government's debate session on introducing foreign nannies at the City Hall, Wednesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
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A 30-year-old Millville man died after suffering a medical episode while being held at a State Police station earlier this month, state officials said.

Daniel King died July 9 following his arrest July 8, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office said Wednesday in a news release.

An investigation into King's death remains ongoing.

The Attorney General's Office investigates any death during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officers official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. The agency announced a probe in King's death Friday.

The agency said King suffered a medical episode when he was at the State Police station in Bridgeton.

Troopers at the station performed medical rescue efforts until King was brought to Inspira Medical Center Vineland, where he was declared dead at 11:37 p.m. July 9.

According to preliminary reports, first responders were called to the station about 8 p.m.

King was arrested July 8 after he assaulted a trooper.

State Police responded to Fordville Road in Fairfield Township after King called authorities requesting an escort to retrieve property at his home. During his interaction with troopers, King became confrontational and assaulted a trooper, the Attorney General's Office said. He allegedly continued to assault the trooper until two civilians intervened and assisted in the arrest of King.

King was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
NORTHFIELD  Atlantic County commissioners approved a new six-year contract with the union representing prosecutors agents at their meeting Tuesday.

Prosecutors agents are civil, non-sworn staff, but all have special skills and perform vital jobs supporting prosecutors, county Prosecutor Will Reynolds said in a phone interview late Tuesday.

The new collective bargaining agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2020, and ends Dec. 31, 2025, according to a summary of the agreement provided by County Counsel Jim Ferguson.

It raises starting salaries to $40,000 effective Jan. 1, 2021, rising to $43,000 effective Jan. 1, 2024, according to the summary.

It also awards percentage increases to the base salary for each year, from 2% in 2020 to 2.5% in 2021, to a high of 4% in 2022. The last three years give 3% annual increases.

One person does all the cellphone dumps, one handles Megans Law and makes sure sex offenders register, some do discovery, one agent is assigned to obtain discovery from the Atlantic City Police Department, Reynolds said.

The discovery agent digitized the process and set up a system where the county can get information on cases and evidence more quickly, he said.

Daily outreach, local court effort latest help for addiction, mental illness The most difficult challenge for governments and social services agencies these days might b

Of about 17 agents in the office, half are unionized and half not, Reynolds said, depending on the terms under which they were hired.

Some are retired law enforcement officers, others younger people interested in law enforcement careers.

One gentleman is retired law enforcement, and all he does is forfeitures, Reynolds said. Hes the one that processes the money through the forfeiture accounts. It stays in the account pending the outcome of the case.

The agents had worked without a contract for about three years, Reynolds said, and it has been one of Reynolds goals to get all employee contracts renewed.

Reynolds has been in the job about a year.

The county also negotiated using NJ Direct 2030 as the new base health benefits plan starting with open enrollment at the end of this year. It is a less expensive plan than the one currently in place.
Incidents exposing a lack of safety of students travelling in school buses were reported recently. Mirror had highlighted an incident, where a 4-year-old girl child studying in lower kindergarten at a renowned school in Kalyani Nagar was trapped in the bus for almost two hours owing to the negligence of the driver and the attendant. In a recent meeting, commissioner of police (CP) Retesh Kumaarr directed that school bus transportation is a highly sensitive subject from the perspective of covering all aspects of student safety.

School managements and bus operators should strictly adhere to the school bus transportation rules. According to CP Kumaarr, strict compliance with the school bus transportation rules is necessary to prevent accidents and other such incidents that might put pupils in risk physically or mentally while being transported from home to school and back. It is required that every school bus carrying girl students has an attendant, a female assistant. These buses should only be driven by welltrained, ethically upright and reliable drivers. The School Transport Committee is required to make sure of these things. He was speaking at the District School Transport Committee meeting held at the police Commissionerate.

Joint commissioner of police Sandeep Karnik, deputy commissioner of police Vijaykumar Magar, regional transport officer (RTO) Ajit Shinde, additional superintendent of police (Pune rural) Mitesh Ghatte, deputy RTO Sanjeev Bhor, Atul Ade and others were present. Deputy RTO Sanjeev Bhor told Mirror, Instruction was given to the schools and concerned authorities of the education department about the safety of the students using the school bus. Anyone found flouting the rules will be punished by the Pune RTO and the police. I request all the school managements and school bus operators to abide by the rules as it concerns the safety of the children.

The guidelines

As per the Pune District School Committee website, the state government had enacted the following School Bus Rules in 2011 under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, 2010 for school buses.
Downtown Davenport has bounced back from a devastating flood and global pandemic to produce multi-million dollar projects.

Tuesday morning, a crowd of business leaders gathered at the Hotel Blackhawk to hear from Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP). The city has received negative national attention recently, he said, but there are lessons to be learned and progress to applaud.

324 Main Disaster

The May 28 collapse and subsequent death of three Davenport citizens in the apartment building at 324 Main Street is a tragedy that will never be forgotten, Carter said. Moving forward, the city needs to learn from the disaster and shift the focus from building ownership to building stewardship, he said.

The Davenport's collapse is the "exception" and not the rule, he said, noting downtown wants to begin the healing process and turn the page on something new.

"We are better, and we will be better," he said.

Carter also noted more than $185,000 was raised between fundraisers, donation drives, agencies and organizations. The DDP itself allocated $100,000 for business relief and awarded $97,500 to 14 businesses in the area by June 30.

In order to move forward, he said, the downtown will have to work collectively to pave a new path.

"The legacy of this needs to be that we learned something and that we will come back better," he said.

Business booms, momentum continues

In the past year, 36 businesses have joined or expanded in downtown Davenport. Those include Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie, Dam Tacos, RubberStamps.Net and the Habano Cigar Lounge.

"This is on the heels of COVID and two floods," Carter said. "Balance is what we're shooting for here, and downtown should be a little bit of everything."

Thirteen major projects were completed this year, including the renovations of the Kahl Building apartments and the Capitol Theatre. It's been 14 years since a show took place in the Capitol, and the $24 million renovation of the building will make it possible once more, he said.

"That is an enormously important project as far as getting the westside of downtown more active," Carter said. "There's been so much this year that's happened that we're excited about."

The DDP also awarded grants for design and entrepreneurs to help get their businesses off the ground. Additionally, it granted $77,000 to nine businesses for interior improvements and leveraged more than $340,000 in private investments.

This year, the DDP is doubling its investment in the exterior and structural improvement grant fund to $100,000. Grant applications open Aug. 15.

Looking ahead, progress is happening everywhere, Carter said. Currently, 12 projects with an estimated cost of nearly $70 million are underway. This includes renovations at the Bucktown Center for the Arts on 2nd Street.

"That was something that was delayed by the 2019 flood and other issues. It's really getting off the ground and it will have first-floor commercial as well," he said. Plans for the upper floors include market-rate apartments.

Housing is a big part of development as well. The Federal Pointe apartments, near the downtown YMCA, will possibly be the largest downtown apartment building with more than 180 units, Carter said.

"Residential continues to be the lifeblood of a lot of community down here and drives our retail as well," he said. "We're not going to let our foot off the gas anytime soon."

There are more than 1,700 downtown housing units with an additional 367 under construction and an additional 320 market-rate units planned.

Uncovering history a priority

After the 2019 floods, there was considerable concern about whether 2nd Street could bounce back. A slew of new business developments, including the new movie theater on the corner of 2nd and Iowa and upcoming improvements to the Great River Brewery, have created a hype that has brought new life to the area, Carter said.

"We should collectively be extraordinary proud that this is the shining diamond of downtown," he said. "This is a spectacular piece of real estate. We went through the seventh-highest flood (on record) this spring, and you wouldn't even know it happened."

In the Motor Row and Bucktown historic districts, iron archways will go in to recognize the history of the area. Lighting will be installed in Emmerson Alley and a mural will be completed during Alternating Currents.

On Brady Street, construction is continuing on the MLK Park, adjacent to the MLK Center. For the last year, a survey of historic Black business sites has been underway. The two-year study is wrapping up its first year and will look to uncover the history of the neighborhood, Carter said.

"A lot of people don't realize that the corner of 5th and Brady was at one time a thriving Black business corridor," he said. "That's been erased from history."

The purpose of the project is to uncover the history and promote the history of Davenport alongside the history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The survey is being paid for by state grants, the DDP and the Friends of MLK, Inc.

"I think this is going to redefine our history. I think Iowa's history books are going to literally be changed by this study, and it's just the beginning," he said.

Destination Iowa grant to bring life to the riverfront

A big goal for the DDP is to create a place that people want to be and come back to, Carter said. The $24 million plan to fill out Main Street Landing is intended to transform the riverfront.

"This is the kind of stuff that real cities are made of," he said.

In addition to Main Street Landing, a component to a state grant is lighting at the Figge Art Museum. Renderings show the museum blocks lit up in different colors.

Back on the riverfront, Carter touched on the 2023 flood response.

Carter said the city learned from its mistakes in the 2019 HESCO breach to build a taller, stronger flood wall and to better communicate with businesses along 2nd Street.

"The fact that you can't tell that it flooded at all proves that we are doing something right with this," he said.

The city has approved a flood mitigation plan that will include sewer system upgrades to help eliminate the backup of sewer water when the flood waters inevitably rise.

"It won't fix all of our problems, but it will make it a lot less painful," he said.

Key performance indicators looking at sales tax show the food and beverage industry has completely bounced back, and improved, since 2019. Sales tax on specialty retail increased more than $115,000 from fiscal year 2021 to 2022, and the total sales tax rose by nearly $2 million.

"This community has seen blips over the last five years like all of humanity, but we are a resilient bunch and continue to fight back," he said.

The purpose of the Downtown Davenport Partnership

The DDP manages a self-supporting municipal improvement district (SMID) operating in 52-square blocks of downtown space that consists of more than 250 businesses, 200 plus residents and has an assessed value of more than $200 million. Part of the DDP's mission statement is to improve the business district and, "enhance its aesthetic appearance and economic future."

Carter said this is crucial, because cities are judged by how their downtowns look and operate. If the downtown is not up to par, it sets a precedent for the rest of the city.

"No matter how many jobs we create and no matter how much we have worked to build those businesses, if this isn't a place that people want to live in the first place, it doesn't matter," he said. "We have to make quality of place. We have to be a place where people feel welcome, included, excited by and in turn, the wheel goes around and we will start to create more jobs."

From 2022-23, the DDP brought in more than $1.7 million in revenue. Of that, more than $970,000 came from the SMID alone. Events, city services and funding from the Rhythm City Casino helped make up the remainder.

In the past year, more than $29 million in projects have been completed, with an additional $69 million in projects underway. Overall, the downtown generates $7.6 million annually for Davenport  about 4.5% of citywide revenue.

A train pauses traffic at the Riverfront Drive railway for Viking Cruise passengers
A woman faces 11 felony and misdemeanor charges related to a series of incidents in July that involved others at her Davenport address.

Since July 3, Laryn Renae Ingram-Williams, 26, of Davenport, authorities allege she has struck someone with her car, followed two people to the point that they called the police, fled from police, and used her car and a knife to damage an SUV. In the latter incident, authorities say she had a child in her car at the time.

All of the incidents involved an address in the area of the intersection of Wilkes Avenue and 6th Street, court records state.

Ingram-Williams has been in custody since Sunday, after she was arrested in relation to the latest of these encounters, according to the Scott County Jail.

The latest case

Police responded at 8:53 a.m. Sunday to a disturbance at the address near Wilkes and 6th. An investigation led to Ingram-Williams being charged with second-degree criminal mischief, two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, child endangerment and driving while barred.

Authorities accuse her of trying to hit a man who was sitting in the driver's seat of his SUV with her Pontiac Grand Prix, records state. The Grand Prix struck the SUV on the driver's side.

A child was in the Grand Prix when this occurred but was not injured.

As Ingram-Williams rammed the SUV, the occupant got out and went into a nearby yard, police said, adding that Ingram-Williams got out of her car and used a large kitchen knife to break one of the SUVs windows and slash one of its tires.

She approached the SUVs driver with the knife, and he backed away from her, court records state. Ingram-Williams then returned to her vehicle and drove through a yard near another person.

Court records state that police recovered the knife on scene as well as security camera footage of the encounter.

Ingram-Williams has been barred from driving since July 25, 2022, court records state.

Following and fleeing

A person called police at 12:04 p.m. Saturday, complaining she was being followed to her residence  the same address from the July 16 and July 3 complaints, according to court records.

Ingram-Williams saw the victim, who was with another person, a male, driving through town, and she did a U-turn and began following, often extremely closely, police said. Ingram-Williams continued to do so when the victims tried to escape her and called police.

The pair have had ongoing problems with Ingram-Williams harassing and trying to assault them, according to court records, which do not elaborate.

When officers arrived, they saw Ingram-Williams driving her Grand Prix south in the 700 block of Wilkes Avenue, police said. One of the officers signaled both with her hands and verbally that Ingram-Williams needed to stop her vehicle.

Ingram-Williams looked directly at the officer but did not stop, police said. A second officer, using lights and sirens, attempted to stop her in the area of the 1200 block of Taylor Avenue but Ingram-Williams continued to flee.

The officer followed her for just over a block and reached speeds between 50 mph and 60 mph with Ingram-Williams still pulling away, records state. At that point, the officer stopped pursuing her.

The speed limit in that area is 25 mph, court records state.

On these allegations, Ingram-Williams is charged with third-degree harassment, interference with officials acts, eluding and driving while barred, court records state.

July 3 incident

Ingram-Williams, in the Grand Prix, arrived at 8:55 a.m. on July 3 at the address, court records state.

She argued with someone who lives there and, as that person approached the car, Ingram-Williams backed up, accelerated and struck him, police said.

This encounter was also recorded by security cameras, court records state.

The person Ingram-Williams is accused of hitting went to the police department to report the attack and told police he had pain and swelling in one of his knees, reports show.

Authorities have charged Ingram-Williams with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and willful injury causing bodily injury in relation to the attack, court records state.

None of the victims listed in the court records are identified in detail, so it was unclear Tuesday whether the male victim listed in each case is the same person.

What is next

Ingram-Williams total bond has been set at $29,000, with $10,000 of that cash only, according to the jail website.

Her next court appearance is set for Aug. 10, according to court records, and she has an upcoming hearing in a separate case.

In November 2022, authorities accused Ingram-Williams of eluding, child endangerment, driving while barred and other charges, according to previous reporting. In that incident, she is accused of fleeing a state trooper. Authorities say she had a child in the vehicle at the time.

The next hearing in that case is scheduled for Aug. 4.

More on that incident is available on the newspapers website.
An anti-Trump organization is ramping up its advertising presence in Iowa, launching a new ad attacking former President Donald Trump for his recent critique of fellow Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.

A new ad from Republican Accountability PAC says Trump has trashed conservative Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on social media just because she wont endorse him in the caucuses. It also points to Trumps absence from the Family Leader Summit last week, saying Trump snubbed Iowa Christians.

The ad will run on cable and broadcast channels, including Fox News, the PAC said in a press release.

The ad references a Truth Social post by Trump, in which he attacked Reynolds for remaining neutral in Iowas 2024 Republican presidential caucuses. He also claimed credit for her 2018 victory, when she was first elected to office after succeeding former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who became Trumps ambassador to China.

The ad follows a similar ad the PAC launched last week, which noted Reynolds conservative accomplishments and said Trump is cutting her out of campaign events and taking credit for her success.

The PAC is spending an additional $180,000 on the most recent ad push, which includes the new ad and additional airtime for the first ad in the Cedar Rapids and Des Moines markets, a spokesperson for Republican Accountability PAC said. The PAC initially spent $115,000 to air the first ad.

The PAC was launched in 2020 to encourage Republicans to support President Joe Biden over Trump, and is now launching an advertising campaign to turn Republicans away from Trump in the primary.

Donald Trump is counting on Republican voters to support him no matter how much he insults other elected officials that they like, said Sarah Longwell, the PACs president and treasurer, in a press release. Were reminding Iowans that they have other options instead of supporting the twice-impeached, twice-indicted, disgraced former president who looks down on their leaders.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum reaches donor threshold for first Republican presidential debate

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced on Wednesday he had passed the donor threshold to qualify for the first Republican presidential primary debate, receiving 40,000 individual donations, including 200 from 20 different states.

Burgum, who announced his bid for the presidency in June, has yet to reach the polling threshold to qualify for the debates. Those rules require a candidate to carry at least 1% of support in three separate national polls, or two national polls and two early state polls.

In a poll by the University of New Hampshire released Wednesday, Burgum took 6% of support. Recent national polls, however, show him with less than 1%.

Other candidates that have met the donor threshold include former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and South Carolina U.S. Sen Tim Scott. All have also placed above 1% in two recent national polls.

Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard speaks at the Iowa GOP Reception
A super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis launched an ad in Iowa this week that uses an AI-generated Donald Trump voice to attack him for his recent social media comments about Gov. Kim Reynolds.

The ad from Never Back Down shows text of a Truth Social post Trump made last week in which he claimed credit for Reynolds 2018 victory and criticized her for remaining neutral in the run-up to the caucuses. A Trump-like voice reads the text on screen, but it's not a real clip of the former president. Instead, it is a computer generated voice using artificial intelligence.

I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won, the AI-Trump voice says in the ad. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events!

DeSantis is Trump's chief primary challenger in a field of more than a dozen candidates. Trump continues to lead polling in Iowa and nationally.

A poll published Monday by Citizens Awareness Project found that 78% of likely Republican caucusgoers disagreed with Trump's statements on Reynolds.

The ad began airing Tuesday ahead of Trumps Cedar Rapids town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity, and is part of a seven-figure ad buy, according to a release from Never Back Down.

The ad calls Reynolds a conservative champion and applauds her for recently signing a six-week abortion ban.

The blatant use of AI to fabricate President Trumps voice is a desperate attempt by Always Back Down and (political consultant) Jeff Roe to deceive the American public because they know DeSanctimonious campaign is on life support, Trump campaign spokesperson Chris LaCivita said in a statement. After losing big donors and slashing their staff, they have now outsourced their work to AI just like they would like to outsource American jobs to China.

Perry Johnson to host Iowa campaign donor event

Michigan businessman and long-shot GOP presidential candidate Perry Johnson will hold a rally and concert for campaign donors in August, his campaign announced Tuesday.

The rally will be held Aug. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in Des Moines and feature country music duo Big & Rich. Details about additional speakers will be announced later, Johnsons campaign said in a press release.

Johnsons campaign reached 15,000 donors this week, he said in the release. Candidates will need 40,000 individual donors to participate in the first Aug. 23 primary debate.

The 40k donor requirement is clearly an effort to keep non-establishment candidates off the stage, but we are taking the necessary steps to reach it and plan to participate in the August debate stage where I hope to share my message with even more Americans, Johnson said in a statement.

This morning's top headlines: $1B Powerball; Phoenix still sweltering; VP Harris' record vote $1B Powerball; Phoenix still sweltering; VP Harris' record vote; plus, more top news this morning.
Gov. Kim Reynolds said she owes her 2018 election victory to Iowa voters, not former President Donald Trump, who last week claimed credit for the election in a pointed social media post.

I owe it to Iowans who actually put their trust in me, Reynolds told reporters Tuesday when asked about the former presidents remarks. They put their trust in me in 2018. It was a tough year for Republicans. I was one of the few that made it across the finish line, and then overwhelmingly won in 2022. So I am grateful, and honored, and proud to serve as governor of the state of Iowa, and I appreciate Iowans putting your confidence and trust in me.

In a Truth Social post last week, Trump took shots at Reynolds for not endorsing and remaining neutral in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. He also claimed credit for her 2018 election victory, when she was first elected to office after succeeding former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, who resigned to serve as Trumps ambassador to China.

I opened up the governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won, Trump wrote on his social media platform. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events!

The post came after a New York Times article detailed internal strains between the Iowa governor and the Trump campaign. Reynolds appeared alongside Trump in April, but she has not joined Trump during his last two visits to Iowa. However, she has hosted other GOP presidential candidates, including Trumps top primary challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Iowa governors and top politicians remaining neutral during the caucuses is a common practice. Republican U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have both said they plan to remain neutral in the primary.

Despite the criticism, Reynolds said she is willing to appear alongside Trump in the future. She noted she has invited him, along with the rest of the Republican primary field, to her Fair-Side Chat interview series at the Iowa State Fair in August.

Reynolds announced Monday she would host the one-on-one interviews with the Republican presidential candidates at the State Fair. Reynolds said the interview schedule during the first few days of the fair is already full, and she will release the schedule soon.

Hes been invited, so hopefully hell take that opportunity to show up, Reynolds said of Trump on Tuesday. I think its a great way for Iowans to see a different side of our candidates.

Candidates historically have given stump speeches at the Des Moines Registers Political Soapbox at the State Fair, but several state and congressional Republican candidates skipped the stage last year.

Reynolds also praised the independence of Iowa voters in weighing presidential candidates.

That is one of the reasons we do the Iowa caucuses, first in the nation, as well as we do, she said. Because they are fiercely independent, they are engaged, knowledgeable on the issues, and theyre going to continue to ask all of the candidates really tough questions.

DeSantis camp targets Trumps comments

While Trump visited Cedar Rapids for a town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity, DeSantis' campaign on Tuesday highlighted new polling by Public Opinion Strategies for a little-known group called the Citizen Awareness Project that shows an overwhelming majority of likely Iowa GOP caucus goers disagreed with Trump's social media comments about Reynolds.

The group polled 400 likely Iowa GOP caucus goers July 14-16, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent.

Asked if "Trump was right to publicly trash Republican Governor Kim Reynolds for not endorsing his presidential bid," 78 percent of respondents disagreed with Trump's attack on Reynolds' neutrality, while 17 percent agreed.

A super PAC supporting DeSantis, Never Back Down, also released an ad on Tuesday that uses an AI-generated Trump voice to read the text of the post.

At Trumps Cedar Rapids town hall, Fred Wahl, of Eldora, said he disapproved of Trumps comments about Reynolds. He said he supported Trump in his past elections and plans to support him again in 2024, but he wishes when it comes to Reynolds relationship with DeSantis, that Trump would suck it up and not say nothing.

I dont think he should get mad at her because she aint supporting him, Wahl said. Just let time play out. I dont hate the guy but I wish hed keep his mouth shut every once in a while.

Photos: Trump indictment shows documents stacked in bathroom, bedroom, ballroom

Erin Murphy and Tom Barton of the Gazette Des Moines Bureau, and Marissa Payne of the Gazette, contributed to this report.
Box Elder and Rapid City are entering an agreement with South Dakota Department of Transportation to install a new street called Hotel Way on the east side of Rapid City to access a number of hotel properties.

The change will be on the east side of Elk Vale Road, south of the I-90 interchange.

The Rapid City Council unanimously approved the agenda item to authorize the mayor and finance director to sign the agreement between the two city governments for the maintenance of a portion of Hotel Way at Monday's meeting.

There is currently a frontage road used to access the hotels. The SDDOT will close the access because of how close it is to the interchange and move it farther away from the interstate for some safety clearance.

Hotel Way will connect the access road to Cheyenne Boulevard. It'll run on the east side of the Black Hills State University-Rapid City campus and to the west of Woodworks Supply.

"It's a necessary connection," Rapid City Engineer Roger Hall said. "We've just been in the facilitator mode, working with Box Elder and the DOT to get it done."

The road will be located in Rapid City limits but the properties that need the road are almost all within Box Elder's city limits.

To make construction easier, organizations have agreed Box Elder will build and maintain the road.

Rapid City will eventually own and maintain the road, but there currently is no time set when the transfer of responsibility will happen.

Projects between Rapid City and DOT are common and Hall said they're very important, from road reconstruction to traffic signals to beautification projects.

"We've got great working relationships with all these people because we do have DOT highways that run through the city of Rapid City, and Box Elder is adjacent to us, and we have great working relationships with these guys," Hall said. "We partner with them quite frequently, and it's a very good strong partnership with both the DOT, Box Elder and all of our surrounding communities."
A banner advertising a DMZ tour can be seen on a tour bus at Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday. AP-Yonhap



Exact reason for defection remains unclear



By Lee Hyo-jin



An American soldier who defected to North Korea during a Joint Security Area (JSA) tour on Tuesday apparently lied that his passport was missing to avoid boarding a flight back to his home country, where he faces disciplinary action, according to sources, Wednesday.



Travis King, a 23-year-old Army private, crossed the inter-Korean boarder at around 3:27 p.m., Tuesday, while on a tour of the JSA, also known as the border truce village of Panmunjeom, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.



King, who was facing disciplinary action in the United States on charges of assault he committed in Seoul, fled to North Korea, a day after he was scheduled to return to Fort Bliss in Texas aboard an American Airlines flight.



On Monday, the American soldier was escorted by military police from Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, to Incheon International Airport. The soldier then went through a security checkpoint alone because the military police officers were not allowed to accompany him.



King arrived at the boarding gate, but did not board the plane.



"At the gate, he approached an American Airlines official and reported that his passport was missing, and was able to return out of the departure gate under the escort of an airline employee," an official at Incheon International Airport told The Korea Times, adding that King appears to have lied about his missing passport.



Once a passenger goes through the customs and immigration checkpoint at Incheon airport, he or she cannot go back to the terminal without a valid reason approved by an authorized personnel.




A mining exploration company has submitted a notice of intent to search for lithium-bearing materials two miles northwest of Keystone.

SDO Services, LLC, operating under Midwest Lithium AG with offices in Sioux Falls and Switzerland, submitted the application in late May. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources notified the Pennington County Commission of the exploration intent on July 11.

SDO intends to drill 55 exploration holes to a maximum of 850 feet in search of a lithium-bearing material called spodumene, and other pegmatite materials. Exploratory drilling will be done with diamond core water drilling and all holes will be backfilled and plugged.

According to the Exploration Notice of Intent filed with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the total disturbance for the drilling pads will be 38,500 square feet. Improvements to some nearby roads will result in an additional 4,200 feet of disturbance. Where possible, drill pads will be located on previously disturbed areas to minimize impact, according to the application.

If the company discovers lithium-bearing materials, it would have to complete the mine permitting process with the state before beginning mining operations.

SDO will place a statewide surety bond of $20,000 in lieu of drill program specific surety bonds with the state before the project begins, according to project documents.

More information on the Notice of Intent is available on DANR's website.
South Dakotas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is one of the nations most efficient and effectively run programs, according to payment error rates recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

SNAP is a federal-state partnership that helps low-income South Dakotans purchase the food they need to stay healthy while they work to regain financial independence. The SNAP payment error rates measure the accuracy of a states determination of household eligibility and the amount of benefit a recipient is to receive.

South Dakotas accuracy rate was 97%, the best among all 50 states. The national rate was 88%.

The accuracy rate is a testament of our hard work in ensuring SNAP is operating with integrity within our state, said Department of Social Services Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff. Its vital that we ensure participants get the benefit amounts they are entitled to, while also prioritizing the efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars.

The USDA measures both the overpayment and underpayment rates to arrive at the error and accuracy rates. The rate is a measure of clerical mistakes or wrong or inaccurate information received from a participant.

South Dakotas low payment error rate reflects the dedicated efforts of our specialists in DSSs economic assistance division and their careful attention given to each case they are asked to process, Althoff said. We are very grateful to have earned this distinction as it reflects the quality of training provided to our staff and the commitment the departments leadership holds to refining our processes and procedures.

The fiscal year 2022 payment error rates are the first to be reported while in the midst of pandemic operations. Due to pandemic-related flexibilities allowed by Congress, USDA hadnt released error rates in two years. During the pandemic, many states faced staffing shortages while also seeing increases in applications for this benefit.

South Dakota previously ranked second with a 98% accuracy rate in 2019.
The Darby Town Council will vote on the fate of a new hotel development proposal at a Special Town Council Meeting set for Wednesday, July 19 at 5 p.m.

The councils decision on the proposed Bitterroot Resort at Darby is the only item on the agenda. The development has been a source of heated debate at community meetings that have attracted hundreds in the small Bitterroot Valley town. The meeting is not posted on the towns website with other Town Council meetings, but is listed on paper fliers at various locations throughout Darby. When asked why the meeting was not posted on the town websites calendar, Darby Mayor Nancy McKinney said that the towns website is not official.

Its not an official posting site, she said. There are five local areas in town that our agendas are posted on  outside of Town Hall, Farmers State Bank, the credit union, library.

She also said that people can go to the Facebook page Darby Town Meeting, but said, It's just a local person who has this site that we post things on.

Developer Brooks Pace, who moved to Darby over a year ago from St. George, Utah, plans to spend around $30 million to build the resort, which would include a multi-story hotel, lodges and a pool house, as well as a restaurant, bar and casino. The Bitterroot Resort at Darby would target tourists attracted to the valley for the "Yellowstone television set, or to attend the rodeo at the popular nearby arena.

Community members have voiced concern about the developments proximity to local schools at previous meetings, citing state law that prohibits bars being located within 600 feet of a school. The development plan, however, does comply with the law.

Officials from Montana Department of Environmental Quality gave a presentation at the Darby Clubhouse on Tuesday evening, July 18 at the request of concerned community members. The proposed building site is part of the S&W Sawmill State Superfund Facility. More than 50 community members attended the meeting along with local officials that included McKinney and Montana State Senator Theresa Manzella.

Montana DEQ project officer Robert Roll gave a presentation discussing the site and potential development, as well as an overview of the history of the site as well as the state Superfund process. He also discussed ongoing monitoring of the groundwater and surface soils in the area as well as possible health risks, and how the level of risk is determined. During the Q&A portion of the presentation Roll said that while they cant make any absolute guarantees, as long as potential development is done appropriately, the spread of contamination shouldnt be a concern, citing other projects that have occurred within the contaminated area.

I don't know that I can provide an absolute guarantee, he said, but if the development is done following good construction practices, in that they follow the guidance that DEQ has provided with how to manage their soils, and that they aren't allowing soils to be to be moved off site in any way, any sort of proposal that is done and done in a safe and appropriate manner should be able to be done without making things worse, at the property or off the property in the town.

The Darby Town Council will give their final vote on the development tonight at 5 p.m.




Kathmandu, Nepal, July 19, 2023: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is going to Italy on coming July 21 to participate in the United Nations Food System 2023 Stocking Moment. The program is going to be held in Italy, the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.





The cabinet meeting held on Wednesday approved Prime Minister Dahal's visit to Italy. A Nepali delegation headed by Prime Minister Dahal is going to Italy to participate in the United Nations Food System 2023 Stocking Moment, government spokesperson Rekha Sharma informed after the meeting.








Kathmandu, Nepal, July 19, 2023: The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has objected to the ongoing debate regarding the reduction of the number of the army terming it as "unseasonable".





Issuing a statement on Wednesday, RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden on Wednesday objected the debate on reducing the number of army.





The "unseasonable" debated is initiated from self-proclaimed intellectuals and responsible leaders of some political parties in a planned manner, Lingden has stated in the statement.





"It is mysterious, unfair and unfortunate to conduct a series of debates about the need to reduce the number of Nepalese army," reads the statement.




At the Celebrity Room pizzeria and restaurant, it was Christmas every day. The year-round Christmas decorations were just one of the many features that made the restaurant a Richmond-area landmark.

In 1963, Constantinos Gus Serafim opened the original Celebrity Room, which was located off U.S. Route 1 near Lakeside Avenue. After a fire destroyed that location, Serafim reopened the restaurant a few blocks away at 7515 Brook Road in June 1977.

Although Serafim died in 1993 and the family closed the business in 1994 after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Celebrity Room was not gone for good.

It was reopened and closed a few more times by Alan Serafim, Gus son. In 1995, Alan opened the Celebrity Room in Mechanicsville. It lasted for about two years before closing. A little over a decade later, in 2008, Alan reopened the Celebrity Room on West Broad Street in Henrico County. It has since permanently closed.

Although each rendition of the restaurant attempted to carry on the unique charm of the original, the second Celebrity Room on Brook Road, which was in business the longest, is likely the most remembered location. A jukebox always played an assortment of music, which included Christmas carols, and rooms were decorated with pictures of celebrities, such as Elvis (who had a whole room dedicated to him), Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. One of the most eye-catching features was a three-dimensional black-light mural that depicted Elvis and Sinatra performing on a stage.

In a 1977 interview, Gus said the permanent Christmas decorations came about partly by laziness in 1965 when no one felt like taking them down and also because he thought to himself, Why cant we just leave them up and have Christmas all the time? When the restaurant relocated in 1977, the Christmas spirit followed. Waitresses even wore green and red outfits.

In 1993, a Times-Dispatch dining review described the restaurant as a mix of classy nostalgia and curious contrasts.

Theres a Godfather booth lined with menacing mugs, while overhead a cheerful mechanical Santa waves a Christmas candle, the reviewer said. Although the restaurant was dimly lit with a barroom smoky vibe, kids loved it. Some evenings Little Leaguers swarmed the restaurant in droves, the reviewer continued. The thick atmosphere was said to match the heavy food, which included Italian and Greek fare in addition to pizza  for which the restaurant was best known. According to the reviewer, most of the entrees were no match for the pizza.

Whether patrons visited the Celebrity Room for pizza or just the unique atmosphere, it made an impression. Its a one of a kind place, be that a blessing or a curse, the 1993 review concluded.
ISRAEL

WASHINGTON  Israel's figurehead President Isaac Herzog sought to assure President Joe Biden that Israel remains committed to democracy amid deepening U.S. concerns over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial plans to overhaul his country's judicial system and ongoing settlement construction in the West Bank.

Sitting by Biden's side at the start of their Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, Herzog told Biden that Israel's democracy remains "sound, strong" and "resilient" while acknowledging the country is going through a fractious moment.

Herzog's visit comes a day after Biden spoke with Netanyahu by phone and invited him to meet in the U.S. this fall, though the president expressed reservations about several of the Netanyahu hard-right coalition's policies.Netanyahu's government is pushing forward with judicial changes that have sparked widespread protest in Israel and he has authorized the construction of thousands of new housing units in the West Bank.

Netanyahu and his allies, a collection of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties, say the plan is needed to rein in the powers of unelected judges. Opponents say the plan will destroy Israel's fragile system of checks and balances and move the country toward authoritarian rule.

Herzog has appealed for a compromise that so far has proven elusive. Many American Jewish groups and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the plan.

With differences in plain view, Biden sought to stress the importance of the U.S.-Israeli relationship in his brief remarks before reporters.

"This is a friendship I believe is just simply unbreakable," he said.

During his U.S. visit, Herzog is also to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional leaders. On Wednesday he will become the second Israeli president, after his father Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. His speech will mark Israel's celebration of its 75th year of independence.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of protesters blocked highways and train stations and massed in central Tel Aviv on Tuesday during a day of countrywide demonstrations against Netanyahu's contentious judicial overhaul plan.
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS

Almost as quickly as it rose Sunday night, the James River in Richmond began to fall on Monday afternoon.

The river crested about 1 foot above flood stage at 8 a.m. Monday, officially at 13.11 feet at the Westham Gauge site near the Huguenot Bridge.

Despite some short-lived but intense rain in Richmond on Sunday, the root cause of the flooding was dozens of miles upstream, near Lynchburg. A Thursday night deluge there dropped 5 to 6 inches across most of the Hill City, with one gauge in the city's Boonsboro section recording 6.5 inches in 24 hours. As that rain ran into the James and washed downstream, it initially nudged the river in Richmond to about 7 feet during the day Saturday, but the river started to slowly fall again on Saturday night. After more rain in Lynchburg on Friday, an additional 3 to 4 inches of rain covered the city Saturday night. Lynchburg officially had 8.15 inches in four days, although analysis of additional rain gauge and radar data suggests a wide area of 6 to 10 inches over those four days, which included the adjacent communities of Amherst, Rustburg, Forest and Concord.

Additionally, the rain on Saturday night expanded further in scope, with a broad area of 2 to 3 inches reaching northward to Charlottesville. And all of that area sits in the James River drainage basin. With the soil having been saturated from the previous couple of days, the rainwater raced into streams and creeks, collected in the James, and headed toward Richmond on Sunday evening. In Richmond, the James returned to a level below flood stage late Monday afternoon, but it will likely stay above the 6-foot threshold until late Thursday.

Elsewhere across the U.S., heavy rains over the weekend caused flash flooding in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Drier times ahead

Smaller scatterings of thunderstorms are expected statewide over the next several days, allowing a gradual drying out. The burst of heavy rain in Richmond on Sunday  1.57 inches between noon and 1 p.m.  sent our monthly total above normal, now at 3.44 inches for July.

Despite the frequent rains of the last couple of weeks, this July is about 2 degrees warmer than normal so far. Even though we have not had a serious heat wave, the persistently high humidity has kept low temperatures either normal or above normal every night this month.

Only three nights have gotten below 70 degrees, and none has been below 68.

Looking forward over the next 10 days, the core of the heat nationally will remain in the West. There is no sign of the upper 90s in metro Richmond until at least the end of the month.

Return of the Canadian smoke

The latest wave of smoke from the Canadian wildfires pushed into the U.S. over the weekend, reaching Virginia on Monday. A hazy sky has been the largest impact thus far, as most of the smoke is higher in altitude and has not had a dramatic effect on air quality at ground level. However, there has been some influence  air quality edged into Code Orange on Monday afternoon, meaning the air was unhealthy for sensitive groups.
HAMPTON, Ga.  The 40-year-old man who shot four people in the country's 31st mass killing this year needed mental help for nearly a decade but his family and officials couldn't force him to get treatment, his mother said.

Andre Longmore walked through his neighborhood in Hampton, Georgia, on Saturday and fatally shot four neighbors, all senior citizens. The killings set off a manhunt that ended Sunday with Longmore dead in a shootout in another suburb about 15 miles north. The shooting wounded a sheriff's deputy and two police officers, who all are expected to recover.

Longmore had a "mental breakdown" in 2014, leading to an inpatient hospital stay, his mother Lorna Dennis, told WSB-TV on Sunday.

She said her son "kept deteriorating" but refused to seek medical attention, and that officials said they couldn't force him to seek care.
A fractured Hopewell City Council this week appointed Concetta Manker, the citys former information technology manager, to lead the localitys daunting financial turnaround.

The vote Tuesday underscored fault lines in the council that have come to the fore since auditors found that the city has weathered years of financial mismanagement  most notably in the form of late audits that have left the city unable to issue debt. Problems with audits date to 2014.

Manker did not respond immediately to an interview request on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier this year, Virginia State Secretary of Finance Stephen Cummings intervened, ordering an outside audit and outlining steps the city should take to get back on track. Cummings, a former financial executive, repeatedly stressed the need to bring in experienced help to get the municipalitys books in order.

Cummings on July 7 sent a letter offering $200,000 to help the council find such an executive. The Hopewell Chamber of Commerce also wrote a letter to councilors, asking them to adhere to the states roadmap for a turnaround plan.

But the city councils vote appears to have been a rebuke of those outside suggestions.

After a closed session, a faction of councilors emerged to vote no on allowing public comment at the unusually well-attended special council meeting. The group included city council members Janice Denton, Mike Harris, Dominic Holloway and Jasmine Gore. Gore is also the vice mayor.

Community faces financial hurdles

The councilors then voted no on a motion to accept Cummings offer to help find an outside executive, and then voted in Manker, who took up the interim city manager post last fall, to step into the role officially.

All of their votes were opposed by Mayor John Partin and city council members Rita Joyner and Brenda Pelham. Vice Mayor Gore, Holloway and Denton did not return requests for comment.

Harris stood by his vote, saying that he had confidence in Manker after six months of working with her in an interim capacity.

Working with her, I can say that Im satisfied with her performance, Harris said. Im satisfied that she can do what it is that we need to do to get back in good working order in regards to the audits.

Partin said he was praying that Dr. Manker is up to the task, and described the vote as city council thumbing their nose at the state.

I am very disappointed in city council for refusing the states generous help, said Partin. We have long-standing audit issues, and we need strong, seasoned and experienced leadership with municipal finance experience.

Rita Joyner, who voted against Manker, said the votes underscored a level of denial in city council about the citys finances, as well as the political optics of being micromanaged by the Youngkin administration.

Joyner said that Manker is very capable, but has been worried that shes learning on the job, and we require someone with expertise.

Pelham was outspoken during the meeting, calling city councilors a bunch of wimps as they voted against allowing public comment and discussing Mankers qualifications.

That was a slap in the face, Pelham said. Anyone can see that this was not good for the city. Were not in the position were you can appoint a neophyte when youre five years behind.

Im disappointed

Hopewell City Councils squabbles occur against a backdrop of delayed capital projects, Joyner said, including an urgent need to finance new fire stations in developing southeastern parts of Hopewell, which she said the city had previously been unable to finance.

Currently, the city cannot take on debt because it lacks a credit rating. It has not had a credit rating since 2017, when it was pulled due to the citys lack of audit reports.

This has public safety implications, Joyner said. We need another fire station that can respond to incidents in that area.

Del. Carrie Coyner, R-Chesterfield, who represents Hopewell in the Virginia General Assembly, said she was frustrated that the council seemed to be ignoring state help. The audit, conducted by outside firm Alvarez and Marsal, cost $350,000.

They spent taxpayer money to deliver that report, Coyner said. Im disappointed, and I think its by the fact that this city council doesnt act as a council. But at the end of the day, these are local issues.

Susan Benton, a new Hopewell resident, said the decision to mute public comment was jaw-dropping.

I was so, so, disappointed, said Benton, a former consultant to county and city governments with the International City/County Management Association.

Harris said the decision to exclude public comment was not out of the ordinary for the meeting, which was called to vote on two agenda items  one of them being the city manager appointment. There had been discussion with residents, Harris said.

This isnt something that hasnt been talked about, Harris said. This has been one of the hottest items in the city.

Harris added that the council had received vitriolic texts from residents, including threats and allegations that the city council is ruining the city.

The city obviously has real needs, the sidewalks are in disrepair, the roads are in disrepair, our children need real programming, Benton said. All of that is not getting attended to because we dont have the finances.

From the Archives: 160 photos of Shockoe Bottom through the years
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during his visit to the Busan Naval Base for a tour of the USS Kentucky nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps



North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles as U.S. flexes nuclear capabilities in Busan



By Nam Hyun-woo



President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the Busan Naval Base, Wednesday, and toured the Ohio-class nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) USS Kentucky which docked at the southeastern port city a day earlier.



The visit marked the first visit of a U.S. submarine of its class in 42 years and follows Seoul and Washington's first Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting, which was aimed at giving greater visibility to South Korea in U.S. nuclear planning in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack. It was also seen as a show of force to Pyongyang, which appears to be growing ever more belligerent, as evidenced in the launch of two more short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) on Wednesday morning.



Yoon's tour of the USS Kentucky was the first time for the leader of a U.S. ally to set foot in an SSBN.



"The deployment of the USS Kentucky showcases the two countries' commitment to execute the extended deterrence and deploy U.S. strategic assets on a regular basis," Yoon said.



"The two countries will make overwhelming and resolute responses to North Korea's escalating nuclear missile threats through the NCG and regular deployment of strategic assets including SSBNs."



The last U.S. ballistic-missile submarine to visit South Korea was the USS Robert E. Lee in 1981.



The USS Kentucky is capable of launching 20 Trident II D-5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, which are one of the primary nuclear delivery systems of the U.S. Navy, and serves as a formidable deterrent aimed at discouraging a nuclear attack. Nuclear-armed submarines are one component of the U.S. nuclear triad along with land-launched nuclear missiles and nuclear-capable strategic aircraft.



The visit commences the implementation of the Washington Declaration, in which Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed in April to send a nuclear submarine to the Korean Peninsula and establish the NCG to give Seoul greater insight into U.S. nuclear planning against North Korea's growing nuclear threats.



"South Korea and the United States decided to discuss the joint planning and execution of South Korea's conventional support to U.S. nuclear operations, and enhance the regular visibility of strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula," Yoon said.



"Through this, we make it clear that North Korea would never be able to dream of a nuclear provocation, and it will result in the end of the regime."



During the first NCG meeting held at Seoul's presidential office, Tuesday, the participants reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies "is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime." They also "discussed joint planning and execution of South Korea's conventional support to U.S. nuclear operations as well as how to enhance visibility of U.S. strategic asset deployments around the Korean Peninsula," according to the NCG.





President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee board the USS Kentucky nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine docked at the Busan Naval Base, Wednesday. Joint Press Corps
Jackson Ward may soon be at the forefront of growth and revitalization late next year as the city pushes forward its community plan.

The historic Black neighborhood, called the Black Wall Street and the Harlem of the South, has taken several hits throughout the years  primarily the result of racist political actions by an all-white 1940s city council that sought to neutralize Black voting power.

The neighborhood was further isolated from the city through gerrymandering, and the construction of public housing and a highway, now a portion of Interstates 64 and 95, which effectively cut the neighborhood in half, destroyed numerous homes and caused community separation. The neighborhood is bounded by the expressway, North Second and Belvedere, and East Broad streets.

According to the the city planning department, the city decimated the neighborhoods mixed-use streets, disrupted street networks, decentralized the area, incentivized white flight to the suburbs and displaced 10% of the citys Black population at the time.

While the actions were devastating to the community that once did and still do call the neighborhood home, the city has made strides to address problems it helped create decades prior through reconnection and revitalization efforts.

The plan  a three-fold program that targets the neighborhood, its residents and their homes  will create avenues for better amenities, safe streets, good schools and active businesses as well as replace distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality, mixed-income housing.

We want the history to help inform our future so that we dont displace people and that we continue to uplift Black ownership and excellence in this community that has such a storied history, Pechin said.

Project is funded through $450,000 grant

The multi-year project is funded partially by a $450,000 U.S. Housing and Development Authoritys Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant, which aims to transform neighborhoods struggling to address the interconnected challenges of distressed housing, inadequate schools, poor health, high crime and a lack of capital.

However, in order to receive funds, the city is required to submit a comprehensive plan by the end of the year. The department submitted a draft in mid-May.

Additionally, the department is required to construct an early action physical improvement. Following the Planning Commissions unanimous vote Monday afternoon, the city plans to construct a splash pad in the neighborhood for kids to play and cool off.

The 190-page draft, as written, if approved sees both short- and long-term goals that coincide with other ongoing city projects and plans.

With five themes and 20 goals outlined in the draft, some of the short-term goals include initial cleanup efforts, the creation of green spaces, the installation of additional lighting and rezoning future land maps to expand historic districts  all of which are initiatives that align with the citys RVAGreen 2050 plan as well as its Richmond 300 master plan.

Likewise, some of its long-term goals  including addressing publicly owned assets like the Calhoun Recreation Center, and improving sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure and bus access  also are included goals in the citys Vision Zero plan, which pushes for more green infrastructure and access.

Its largest initiatives align with the department Reconnect Jackson Ward. They eventually will result in the reconnection of north and south Jackson Ward through the construction of a multimodal path, bridge or park over the highway that will link Gilpin Court to Jackson Ward, Downtown and Northside.

In February, the city received $1.35 million in federal dollars as a portion of a larger $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021. The funding is dedicated to creating competitive grants geared at reconnecting primarily historic Black communities displaced by highways and other construction.

In line with this initiative, the city plans to launch a major rehaul of Gilpin Court, one of Richmonds six public housing projects.

For the first time in its history, the city will create a mixed-income community in a public housing complex. Instead of the complex being 100% composed of public housing, the goal is to construct both affordable and market-rate housing intermixed with replacement public homes.

The hope is that, by creating a community that indistinguishably intertwines market-rate and public housing and makes neighbors of the residents of each, the stigma of public housing will be diminished and equal opportunities will be available to everyone in the community.

Earlier this year, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority CEO Steven Nesmith told The Richmond Times-Dispatch that creating mixed-income housing is one of his top priorities after receiving a $14 million federal grant to renovate the citys public housing units, which make up some of the oldest complexes in the country.

In order to do so, the authority will have to demolish Gilpin Court. Pechin said the goal is to limit displacement through a build-first strategy that unfolds in phases. This includes building on unused authority land first, moving residents to the second location and then demolishing buildings in phases.

This project is expected to create additional affordable housing units.

We talked a lot about preparing residents for the demolition of Gilpin, which will happen over several phases, Pechin said. A major focus for our efforts as were looking to implement the plan and develop strategies that ensure displacement does not occur.

Community plan started in winter 2022

Other goals outlined in the draft include creating a full-time position to oversee the community plan, implementing anti-substance abuse and mental health group programs in the area, improving bus signage, enhancing visibility along sidewalks and intersections, developing an interactive historic map that uses the 1950 U.S. Census to showcase where descendants and relatives lived at one time and creating a reparations task force to study the long-term effects of racist policies and recommend remediation strategies.

The draft saw support from several council members on the committee, with many calling it long overdue. Richmond City Councilwoman Ann Frances-Lambert, third district representative, posed questions regarding community input and trust, stressing the importance of public involvement.

Past developments that have occurred and the city has brought a lot of mistrust, Lambert said. When I was elected, this project was starting. So one of the things that community was asking was is this going to happen.

Pechin said the plan is the result of both city development as well as the community, with the overarching goal to develop a project that meets community needs and on which community members are happy to sign off.

The department kicked off its community plan in the winter 2022. In that time, it outlined a plan, hosted numerous community town halls, heard from the community and partnered with other agencies to develop a final draft. Following input from the citys elected officials, the department expects to submit a final plan by November with the goal to begin implementing it by spring 2024.

From the Archives: Jackson Ward in the 1970s and 80s
(CNN)  First came Toys R Us roller coaster revival, and now Babies R Us is experiencing its own rebirth, too.

Babies R Us, which went out of business in tandem with its parent company, Toys R Us, in 2018, is opening its new US flagship store on Wednesday at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey.

The brands comeback store is spread across 10,000 square feet and will carry an assortment of products and services catering to the needs of new and expecting parents, according to WHP Global, a brand acquisition and management firm that bought both retail chains from Tru Kids in 2021.

Tru Kids had bought Toys R Us (which also owned Babies R Us) in a 2018 liquidation sale and had attempted to resurrect the toy store chain, opening two locations in New Jersey and Texas in late 2019. But both of those locations permanently closed in 2021, with the company blaming pandemic-induced struggles.

Since acquiring both brands, WHP Global first fueled Toys R Us comeback. It opened a new 20,000 square foot Toys R Us flagship store, also at the American Dream Mall, in December 2021.

It has since accelerated the rollout of the toy store brand through a partnership with Macys (M), which brought a Toys R Us store within all 452 Macys (M) department stores in the US and on Macys (M) website.

The plan for Babies R Us is equally ambitious, Yehuda Shmidman, CEO of WHP Global, said in an interview with CNN.

He said Babies R Us comeback will mimic that of Toys R Us: Expect the same ambitious rollout, said Shmidman, adding that WHP is looking at taking Babies R Us nationwide with a similar partnership to Macys-Toys R Us.

Babies R Us reemergence comes as another once popular one-stop-shop of baby and toddler products  Buybuy Baby  is going away, supposedly forever. The retailer is closing all of its stores as part of its parent company Bed Bath & Beyonds ongoing bankruptcy liquidation.

At the same time, Shmidman said the new Babies R Us stores are being developed to adapt to a changing retail landscape and consumer buying behavior.

He said the stores will be more experiential. Todays store formats are smaller and more engaging. For instance, we have created different terrains in the store, such as cement and grass, for people to test strollers, he said.

Another feature is a model of a car in the store for shoppers to test out different car seats. They can test if they like the fit, the buckle, or not, he said.

We like to think that the new stores will be a modern version of the Babies R Us stores of the past, but with the same DNA, said Shmidman.

Major retail chains that no longer exist Major retail chains that no longer exist Ames Anchor Blue BI-LO Blockbuster Borders Builders Square Century 21 Circuit City CompUSA Crazy Eddie Crown Books Delia's Dominick's Dressbarn Eckerd's Family Video Frank's Nursery & Crafts Friedman's Golfsmith Gottschalks Hollywood Video Hudson's Just for Feet Kaufmann's KB Toys Kids 'R' Us Linens 'n Things Marshall Field's Merry-Go-Round Mervyn's Modell's Sporting Goods Noodle Kidoodle Payless ShoeSource Pier 1 Imports Sam Goody Sharper Image Sports Authority Sports Chalet Steve & Barry's The Limited Thom McAn Tower Records Tweeter Virgin Megastores Warner Bros. Studio Store Western Auto Wickes Furniture Woolworth's Zany Brainy
A recent trip to the New York homestead that included a visit with a boyhood pal on easternmost Long Island ended with a rude awakening:

That where I had gone in July to get away from it all is where Gov. Glenn Youngkin  the Fox News Presidential Flavor of the Month  is going in August to again lard his political treasury with big bucks from fellow plutocrats.

This time, the Republican will do so at a party thrown by Wilbur Ross, the Trump commerce secretary who avoided federal prosecution for misleading Congress about trying to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. It could have dampened minority participation in the head count, possibly diminishing Democratic representation in state legislatures and Congress.

Politics  more oriented to policy than personality  intruded on the vacation, too: what other states offer as other options to public education.

Alternatives to the traditional classroom are a big deal for Youngkin, narrowly elected in 2021, pledging to stir school kids from their COVID-19-era  distance-learning stupor that, he suggested, was a consequence of the nanny state approach to pandemic management of Democrat Ralph Northam.

Among the options pressed by Youngkin and thwarted by Democrats in Virginias divided General Assembly was steering to families public dollars they could spend on private school tuition and supplies for home schoolers.

The beef with such an idea  beyond cutting dollars to public schools, which the General Assemblys investigative arm, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, said were shorted an eye-popping $6.6 billion because of an outdated funding formula  diminishes accountability in education spending.

For troubling evidence of this, one need only to travel to New York City, where some Democrats, most notably Mayor Eric Adams  for purposes of preserving the votes of a crucial, disciplined slice of the electorate  have forged an unholy political alliance with rigorously devout Hasidic Jews, who educate their children in religious schools, known as yeshivas, that share with other nonpublic schools about $320 million a year in aid from New York State.

Concluding an eight-year investigation, New York City found that nearly 20 yeshivas had violated state law by failing to provide students with an adequate secular education.

These schools  among 200 yeshivas statewide, resistant to public oversight despite public largesse  were found to have put religious lessons in Yiddish, the preferred tongue of the Hasidim, ahead of instruction in English, mathematics, history, science and other secular subjects. Further, teachers at these academies often showed little mastery of these subjects.

Should state education officials uphold the findings  The New York Times reports that is likely  the schools would have to submit detailed plans for secular lessons and submit to government oversight. It is unclear whether the yeshivas risk penalties for not complying with New York education law.

The larger story about the New York City yeshivas  and the lesson for Virginia  is how the lack of accountability disrupts education.

Youngkin  sheathing his approach to education in an ear-pleasing catch phrase, parents rights  would tell you his school policies are all about accountability, though it seems he is most accountable to a minority that stands out because theirs is the loudest voice in the room.

Plus, the governor appears to consider existing state law a hindrance  one his administration may be ignoring  to begin opening so-called laboratory schools, publicly financed alternatives to traditional schools managed by colleges and universities.

Never mind that there are only an estimated 4,000 transgender kids among the 1.2 million students enrolled in Virginia public schools, Youngkin  now with a hand-picked majority on the State Board of Education  wants local schools to adopt rules that require students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their biological sex. The regulations also create bureaucratic obstacles to those who want to change at school their name or pronouns.

School for many trans students may be a far safer place  emotionally, intellectually and physically  than home. The Youngkin approach, in effect, overlooks that and the concept of in loco parentis  that teachers and administrators have a responsibility, rooted in law, to act in a students best interest.

That means looking out for a students health and welfare, especially if that child is isolated, alienated or abused because of gender identity. Northam-era guidelines addressed such concerns, but they were junked by Youngkin.

Language in the state budget made clear that no public funds would be available to private colleges and universities to operate laboratory schools, which are free to set their own spending and academic programs. The restriction, however, has not stopped the administration from issuing planning grants to four private schools.

The reflexively Democratic teachers union, the Virginia Education Association, is complaining about the grants to the states chief accountant, who works for the legislature, not the governor. In Youngkin World, whose inhabitants are ex-corporate types who look on the protocols of government as a nuisance, probably consider such grousing as validation of their views.

In some respects, it is akin to the supposed intolerance and impatience that Youngkin alleges woke lefties use to silence the right, especially in higher education, and which the governor vows to counter by loading up college and university oversight boards with conservatives who peddle their own brand of intolerance and impatience.

Of course, that is not how the Youngkin administration sees it.

In a speech in March to the conservative American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Education Secretary Aimee Guidera seemed to lump Virginia Senate Democrats with Marxists for kicking a Youngkin appointee off the State Board of Education for challenging the controversial admissions policy of an elite, diverse public high school in Northern Virginia.

Such political friction notwithstanding, Guidera said the heads of Virginias public colleges and universities get along swimmingly with Youngkin, adding  in a telling slip  theyve never had this much time with their president  their governor.

PHOTOS: Gov. Glenn Youngkin and first lady visit George W. Carver Elementary School
WASHINGTON (AP)  House Republicans raised unsubstantiated allegations Wednesday against President Joe Biden over his familys finances as they summoned IRS whistleblowers to testify publicly for the first time about claims the Justice Department improperly interfered with a tax investigation into Bidens son Hunter.

Lawmakers heard from the two IRS agents assigned to the Hunter Biden case, which looked into his failure to pay taxes, for six hours of what was often grueling back-and-forth testimony. The hearing came after the president's son pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor tax charges in what Republicans have derided as a sweetheart deal.

Still, House Republicans are deepening their own investigation, making broad claims of corruption and wrongdoing by the Bidens, which they acknowledge have not been proven to be true.

We will continue to follow the money trail, said Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, as he opened the session. The Justice Department has denied the whistleblowers allegations. And the White House, in a statement, called the investigation and subsequent hearing part of politically-motivated attacks on a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, the rule of law, and the independence of our justice system.

The top Democrat on the committee, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, said the hearing was a theater of the absurd.

IRS supervisory special agent Greg Shapley, and a second agent, Joe Ziegler, claimed there was what Shapley called in testimony a pattern of slow-walking investigative steps into Hunter Biden, including during the Trump administration in the months before the 2020 election that Joe Biden won.

One of Shapley's most detailed claims was that U.S. Attorney David Weiss in Delaware, the federal prosecutor who led the investigation, asked for special counsel status in order to bring the tax cases against Hunter Biden in jurisdictions outside Delaware, including the District of Columbia and California, but was denied.

Weiss and the Justice Department have denied that, saying he had full authority and never sought to bring charges in other states.

Shapley testified during an exchange with Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, that he wrote an email later that day to memorialize the October 2022 meeting with Weiss and five others. Shapley insisted Wednesday on his own recollection of what was said.

The second IRS whistleblower, Ziegler, described his frustrations with the way the case was handled, dating to the Trump administration under Attorney General William Barr. The tax agency employee said he started the investigation into Hunter Biden in 2015 and began to delve deeply into the now 53-year-old's life and finances.

Ziegler, whose name was withheld in closed-door interview transcripts released last month by Republicans, said Wednesday that he decided to come forward publicly not as a hero or a victim, but as a married, gay Democrat compelled to disclose the truth.

Democrats on the committee pushed back on the whistleblower claims that Hunter Biden received special treatment because his father was the nominee for president in the upcoming 2020 election. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., made the point that it was Donald Trump who was president during the 2020 time frame when the whistleblowers allege there was interference.

Trumps Justice Department, he noted, issued a memorandum in February 2020 telling prosecutors to exercise particular care regarding sensitive investigations and prosecutions that relate to political candidates, campaigns and other politically sensitive individuals and organizations," his voice rising. "Especially in an election year!

Democrats also pointed out that Weiss was appointed by Trump and the federal investigation into Hunter Biden was initiated under Trump. Biden kept Weiss on the case after he won the election. But the hearing took several twists and turns as dozens of members from both sides of the dais sought to maximize their time with the two witnesses.

In one startling moment, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., displayed graphic sexual images of Hunter Biden with women, suggesting he had paid for them to travel to Washington, D.C., presumably for sex, in a potential violation of the law. Democrats led by Raskin objected to the graphic content being shown at a public hearing by Greene, saying it was inappropriate.

Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, questioned whether this was an investigation into the president or of his son, who does not and has never worked at the White House.

As Republicans decry what they say is a justice system favoring the politically connected, Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., pointed to the killing of Emmett Till and the treatment of other Black Americans across U.S. history and said, This is the two-tiered justice system."

Republicans for their part have sought testimony from other agents involved in the case and held a transcribed interview this week with an FBI agent, now retired, who they said was involved. But other witnesses have declined to appear before the panel.

Before the hearing, Comer, R-Ky., acknowledged it has been difficult for Republicans to succinctly outline Hunter Bidens tangled financial affairs or to provide convincing evidence of any specific wrongdoing by the president or his family.

Its so hard to explain, Comer told reporters. Hopefully these IRS agents can do a better job explaining than I can.

In the previous closed-door interviews, Shapley had described IRS agents efforts to execute a search warrant of a Virginia storage facility where the younger Bidens documents were being stored. He said the assistant U.S. attorney involved in the case reached out to Hunter Bidens lawyers, in a move that is seen as customary in cases involving high-profile individuals, but it ruined our chance to get to evidence before being destroyed, manipulated, or concealed.

A similar occurrence happened when the FBI officials notified Hunter Bidens Secret Service detail ahead of an effort to interview him and several of his business associates in order to avoid a potential shoot-off between two law enforcement bodies.

Justice Department officials have countered these claims by pointing to the extraordinary set of circumstances surrounding a criminal case into a subject who at the time was the son of a leading presidential candidate. Department policy has long warned prosecutors to take care in charging cases with potential political overtones around the time of an election, to avoid any possible influence on the outcome.

During the hourslong testimony, Democrats sought to chalk up the entirety of the whistleblowers claims as a disagreement between prosecutors and investigators on how to move forward with charges against Hunter Biden.

My view here is that were spending hours on a disagreement on whether to charge someone and we have a whole democratic process that decides that, said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. You dont get to decide that.

Republicans pushed back, saying that beyond charging decisions, it was clear that the prosecutors didn't want to touch anything that would include Hunter Biden's father. In one instance, Shapley testified that in a meeting with Weiss and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf after the 2020 election, he and other agents wanted to discuss an email between Hunter Biden associates where one person made reference to the big guy. Shapley said Wolf refused to do so, saying she did not want to ask questions about "dad.

Republicans have moved ahead, issuing a series of requests for voluntary testimony from senior Justice officials, including Weiss.

Weiss said in a letter to Jordan earlier this month that he would be happy to testify before the committee when he is legally able to share information with Congress without violating the longstanding department policy of discussing an ongoing investigation.

Testimony from Justice Department officials could come after Hunter Biden appears for his plea hearing next week.
The young bear that was rescued from a tree in Roanokes Market Square Monday was euthanized, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

The young black bear had wandered into the city with an older bear before they became separated and the cub scaled a tree. Authorities were called to retrieve him around 4 p.m.

DWR wildlife biologists, city police and fire department personnel worked together to sedate the youngster before carrying him down a ladder. Then, he was taken to a DWR facility for an evaluation.

The DWR said Tuesday that biologists consulted with bear program leads and decided to euthanize the bear, which it called a yearling.

This bear was characterized by the public as a cub due to its extremely small size, but it was actually a yearling, meaning it was born the previous winter, the DWR said. A healthy yearling should be twice as large.

The department said the bear was not a good candidate for release or rehabilitation.

The bear was severely underweight for its age and unlikely to thrive or survive, the DWR said. It was likely habituated to people and human food sources making it more likely to have conflicts with people if released.

The department said biologists euthanize bears using drugs similar to what a veterinarian would use for pet cats and dogs.

Photos: Downtown Roanoke bear rescue
Delores Murray had heard enough. A year ago last May, with the Richmond School Board embroiled in a bitter fight with Superintendent Jason Kamras over rezoning an overcrowded River City Middle School, the former RPS instructional assistant approached the podium.

I came down here tonight not to criticize you, only to remind each one of you as to why you were elected to run this school system in Richmond, Murray said, her voice dripping with disappointment. You cannot afford to be divided at a time like this, people. They are banning books all across the country.  At the top of Virginias agenda: private schools, charter schools, home schooling. Public education is being attacked.

The School Board meeting was held at Huguenot High School, with the nine board members sitting on an elevated stage with the podium for administrative presentations and public input sitting just below it. The logistical arrangement of the meetings, which typically rotate among the districts school auditoriums, create an imbalanced power dynamic: Citizens play the part of unwitting audience subjugated to a group of ranting performance artists.

As usual, Kamras administration had proposed a reasonable fix: shifting 450 of River Citys students to Boushall, Binford and Lucille Brown middle schools, all of which were under capacity. A week earlier, the board had voted down the plan citing concerns over cost, potential transportation issues and the impact on open enrollment seats. The well-documented overcrowding problems at River City  jammed hallways, not enough bathrooms, daily fights and the toll it was taking on students who were already struggling emotionally, and academically, from the pandemic  did little to move the boards majority.

You have got to be together, Murray scolded. Whatever the differences are  personality, difference of opinion, whatever  you must come together and make decisions for this system.

Dysfunction has long been a hallmark of the Richmond School Board. There are myriad reasons for this, starting with the simple fact that 68% of the districts students qualify as economically disadvantaged, according to the Virginia Department of Education. Richmonds ailing schools reflect a harsh reality: Racial and economic segregation, nearly 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education, persists. Even during Richmonds residential resurgence, which took hold in the 1990s, the citys growth was fueled primarily by childless young professionals, artists and creative types. Richmonds public schools, which remain majority Black and low income, have been bleeding students for decades.

The Richmond School Board, in other words, is the product of a broken political system, representing a constituency  mostly lower-income families in the citys highest-poverty neighborhoods  that lacks resources, social capital and political power.

All of which makes schools something of a political liability. Not even Doug Wilder, who served as Richmonds first mayor elected at large in 2004 under the restructured city charter, winning 78% of the vote, could influence RPS to his liking. So Wilder decided to keep the School Board at arms length, preferring to demonize RPS leadership  he once tried to evict the entire school system from City Hall  and push for an appointed school board. Neither took.

Richmonds current mayor, Levar Stoney, is finding out the hard way. Despite extending olive branches to RPS, increasing funding for schools and forging a chummy relationship with the superintendent, the boards leadership turned its back on Stoney, his administration and Richmond City Council. A year ago, after wresting school construction away from City Hall, the board engaged in a protracted fight with the mayor and council over plans to rebuild George Wythe High School. Council wanted assurances that the school would be built for 2,000 students; the School Board  the same School Board that sparked outrage for refusing to rezone students attending the dangerously overcrowded River City Middle  insisted on a smaller, 1,600-seat school. They settled on 1,800 for Wythe (they also eventually agreed to rezone River City), but not before initiating unnecessary, bruising fights that undercut public trust. During a joint meeting between the two boards last spring, for example, School Board members mostly argued among themselves, eventually leading several simply to walk out.

So it should hardly be a surprise that after devising a new security plan following the double homicide after Huguenot High Schools graduation ceremony last month, some board members pushed back aggressively, citing concerns about over-policing students.

I see things like metal detectors, policing and other punitive measures as Band-Aids, said School Board Chairwoman Stephanie Rizzi. It looks like were headed to a dystopian future.

Enhancing security, of course, is not intended to solve the long-term crisis. But something must be done now to protect students in a city rife with gun violence. The more than $2.5 million plan includes additional metal detectors, X-ray scanners and revamping the contract with Richmond Police  which deploys 11 school resource officers at RPS  but there is also a new pilot program that would require students at four schools to hand over their cellphones, which would be locked away in special pouches during the school day (social media, it turns out, is a primary source of conflict that leads to shootings). The plan also includes hiring 24 additional mental health counselors to help students grappling with emotional trauma, and a host of other proactive measures.

Over-policing students is a valid concern, but when you live in a constant state of dysfunction, it can be hard to see what is right in front of you. Getting nine elected officials to agree on how to solve any significant problem, much less the seemingly intractable social ills that accompany institutional poverty, is not easy. But this School Board prefers stoking conflict over problem-solving, playing a dangerous game at the worst possible time.

Murray was right a year ago, and even more so today: Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who won the governorship in 2021 by politicizing the state of public education, is gunning for a presidential run. His push for university-partnered lab schools focuses on underperforming districts. Richmond, the seat of the Capitol, is shaping up to be ground zero.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Board of Education already has a foot in the door at RPS, part of a 2017 memorandum of understanding that brought state oversight. Alarmingly, there are currently 28 Richmond schools that are not fully accredited. The MOU requires all schools achieve full accreditation by the 2025-26 school year; if not, the state will take a more direct oversight role. Considering this School Boards track record, and another election on tap in 2024, does anyone believe RPS will reach full accreditation by then?

With Stoney gearing up for a statewide political bid in 2025, one can bet that his challengers will highlight the citys underperforming schools. If he responds like he did to another recent embarrassment for RPS  a 6,000-word dissection of the School Boards refusal to shift to a year-round calendar in The New Yorker  things may get even uglier. Ive done everything in my power to fund and advocate for RPS since 2017, Stoney tweeted on June 21, shortly after the story was published. But, instead of leading boldly and doing whatever it takes to support our kids post-pandemic recovery, leaders on the School Board and in the Richmond Education Association choose to sit idly by & maintain the status quo.

This School Board alone is not responsible for creating a level of dysfunction no one will defend  neither Democrats nor Republicans  but it has turned RPS into Exhibit A in the political fight over what to do about a growing public education crisis. Turning Richmond schools into a political punching bag, and a lab experiment for Republican-led alternative schools that drain needed resources, is a recipe for disaster.

If there is a dystopian future on the horizon, the cause will not be a well-reasoned security plan that aims to protect students today and invests in their long-term mental health. Nor will it be City Halls insistence on well-planned school construction, or a traumatized student population thats suffering enormous academic declines post-pandemic. The culprit will be something else: Richmonds unrelentingly dysfunctional School Board.
As a woman who visits a prison in metropolitan Richmond, I observe a prison environment that is punitive and dehumanizing. The poor living conditions and the poor medical care contribute to this dehumanization. An example of the lack of regard for inmates' well-being is the fact that three physicians employed by the Virginia Department of Corrections had their medical licenses revoked or suspended for past misconduct, according to a July 8 Richmond Times-Dispatch article, "Decertified doctors work for Virginia corrections department, treat inmates."

The hardships of incarceration are immense, but the worst is separation from community, family and children. Prisoners sense they are looked down upon by those of us who don't live behind bars, and that they are not good enough to be a part of our community. But these inmates are part of our community and need our support during their incarceration.

How does a person learn new ways of living in a punitive atmosphere? It's difficult, but I see lives changed inside those walls. Visitors, staff and fellow prisoners who show care instead of condemnation create an atmosphere that supports growth and change. What if we emphasized growth and change as the goal of incarceration rather than punishment?
MANZANILLO, Mexico  An Australian sailor who was rescued by a Mexican tuna boat after being adrift at sea with his dog for three months said Tuesday he is grateful to be alive after setting foot on dry land for the first time since their ordeal began.

After a visit from a doctor on board the Maria Delia Tuna, Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, 54, and his dog, Bella, disembarked in the Mexican city of Manzanillo from the fishing boat that rescued them.

Im feeling alright. Im feeling a lot better than I was, I tell ya, Shaddock, smiling, bearded and thin, told reporters on the dock in the port city about 210 miles west of Mexico City.

To the captain and fishing company that saved my life, Im just so grateful. Im alive and I didnt really think Id make it, Shaddock said, adding that he and his amazing dog are both doing well now and that he still loves the ocean.

Before they left the vessel, the crew posed for photos while holding Bella.

The Sydney mans catamaran set sail in April from the Mexican city of La Paz for French Polynesia but was crippled by bad weather weeks into the journey. He said the last time he saw land was in early May as he sailed out of the Sea of Cortez and into the Pacific Ocean.

Shaddock told Australias Nine News television from the fishing boat that he and his dog survived on raw fish and rainwater after a storm damaged his vessel and wiped out its electronics.

The tuna boat spotted Shaddocks boat about 1,200 miles from land, said Grupomar, which operates the fishing fleet. It didnt specify when the rescue occurred but said Shaddock and his dog were in a precarious state when found, lacking provisions and shelter, and the tuna boats crew gave them medical attention, food and hydration.

Antonio Suarez Gutierrez, Grupomars founder and president, said he was proud of his boats captain, Oscar Meza Oregon, and crew, praising them for their humanity in saving the life of someone in trouble.

Shaddock said hell be going back to Australia soon and hes looking forward to seeing his family.

He also spoke glowingly about his dog, pointing out that she was a hit with the fishing boats crew.
WAR IN UKRAINE

LONDON  Russia on Monday halted a breakthrough wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Black Sea Grain Initiative would be suspended until demands to get Russian food and fertilizer to the world are met.

An attack Monday on a bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula to Russia was not a factor in the decision, he said.

"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.

Russian representatives at the operation center for the initiative were more definitive, calling the decision "a termination," according to a note obtained by The Associated Press. Russia has complained that restrictions on shipping and insurance have hampered its agricultural exports, but it has shipped record amounts of wheat since last year.

The suspension marks the end of an accord that the U.N. and Turkey brokered last summer to allow shipments of food from the Black Sea region after Russia's invasion of its neighbor worsened a global food crisis. The initiative is credited with helping reduce soaring prices of wheat, vegetable oil and other global food commodities.

Ukraine and Russia are both major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other food that developing nations rely on.

Meanwhile, an attack before dawn Monday damaged a bridge linking Russia to Moscow-annexed Crimea that is a key supply route for Kremlin forces in the war with Ukraine, forcing the span's temporary closure for a second time in less than a year. Two people were killed and their daughter was injured.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered increased security at the 12-mile Kerch Bridge, repeating a call he made in October 2022 when the span was severely damaged by an explosion that Moscow also blamed on Kyiv.

He also promised "there will be a response from Russia, of course."

"What happened is another terrorist act of the Kyiv regime," Putin said at a televised meeting with officials.

The strike was carried out by two Ukrainian maritime drones, Russia's National Anti-Terrorist Committee said.
U.S. MILITARY

SEOUL, South Korea  An American soldier facing military disciplinary actions fled across the heavily armed border from South Korea into North Korea, U.S. officials said Tuesday, becoming the first American detained in the North in almost five years.

Two U.S. officials said the soldier detained was Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, who was just released from a South Korean prison where he was held on assault charges and faced additional military disciplinary actions in the United States.

King, who's in his early 20s, was escorted to the airport to be returned to Fort Bliss, Texas, but instead of getting on the plane he joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border.

At a Pentagon news conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin did not name King, but confirmed that a U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody.

"We're closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin," Austin said, noting he was foremost concerned about the troop's well-being. "This will develop in the next several days and hours, and we'll keep you posted."

Details about King, including his hometown and what additional charges he faced, were not immediately available.

The American-led U.N.Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. North Korea's state media didn't immediately report on the border crossing.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Panmunjom, located inside the 154-mile-long Demilitarized Zone, has been jointly overseen by the U.N.Command and North Korea since its creation at the close of the war. Bloodshed and gunfire have occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for numerous talks.

Panmunjom draws visitors from both sides who want to see the Cold War's last frontier. No civilians live at Panmunjom. In the past, North and South Korean soldiers faced off within yards of each other.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, second from left, speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, July 18. Yonhap



President Yoon Suk Yeol has given a warning to Environment Minister Han Wha-jin over poor water management blamed for leading to the deaths of dozens of people in recent downpours, officials said Wednesday.



Yoon told Han to "properly carry out water management duties" during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, saying environmental protection is important, but people's lives and safety are even more important, according to the officials who attended the meeting.



Han replied that she would "bear that in mind," the officials said.



Recent downpours have killed at least 44 people and forced thousands more to evacuate in the country's central and southern regions since last week, according to authorities.



Yoon has reportedly taken issue with the lack of implementation of his instructions last year to run digital simulations on water systems and share relevant data between ministries.



"The bottoms of rivers and streams have become so high that there needs to be dredging," a presidential official said. "Some experts say that if the environment ministry can't properly handle it, it should be transferred to the land ministry."



Under the previous administration of President Moon Jae-in, water management responsibilities were transferred from the land ministry to the environment ministry as part of efforts to create a single oversight authority.



The government and the ruling People Power Party are reportedly planning to meet soon to discuss effective water management measures. (Yonhap)


EDUCATOR PIPELINE

The Virginia Department of Education under the Youngkin administration halted the dissemination of grants intended to help provisionally licensed teachers of color receive their full teaching license, despite funding from the state legislature.

Virginia lawmakers appropriated $50,000 a year for the grants in each of the last three two-year budgets. The grant program is intended to help provisionally licensed teachers of color who are seeking full licensure by subsidizing tutoring and test fees for the exams required for full licensure. A provisional license lasts three years. Many teachers do not obtain their full license because of barriers like cost and time.

Without public notice, the state education department stopped announcing and disseminating the grants last year for fiscal year 2023, though the legislature had approved the funding. Unused funds, essentially, sit in the state's coffers.

Jeremy Raley, the Virginia Department of Education's chief of staff , said: "The VDOE is currently evaluating this grant program. The Department will communicate more information as it becomes available." He did not elaborate.

The annual $50,000 grant program was an outgrowth of a 2017 task force to diversify Virginia's educator pipeline.

Supporting provisionally licensed candidates in obtaining full licensure, including additional exam preparation, was one of the priority recommendations the task force presented to the administration of then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe in August 2017. The state Department of Education first announced the program in December 2018 in a superintendent's memo under then-Gov. Ralph Northam, and then each following summer up to 2021. The Department of Education did not announce it in 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin's first year in office, or so far this year. The application has apparently been scrubbed from the VDOE website.

"That budget amendment and other policies that we've implemented are meant to try to cast the net because we know a lot of the times minority teachers (who are provisionally licensed) don't become (fully licensed) teachers because of the burdens, the barriers," said Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, a high school teacher in the county's school system.

"One of those barriers, for example, is the Praxis test. ... If we have a bunch of (provisionally licensed) teachers who are minority teachers, and that is a barrier in the way of them becoming a full-fledged licensed teacher, well, let's help them."

While Virginia's K-12 student population has grown more diverse over the years, Virginia's teacher workforce remains largely white. Last year, fewer than half of Virginia's 1.3 million students were white, according to state data. Black students made up 22% of the state's enrollment, followed by 19% Hispanic students and 8% Asian students.

About 82% of Virginia's teachers were white in the 2020-21 school year, according to the most recent federal data. Only 10% were Black. Virginia's teacher workforce mirrors national trends.

Research consistently shows that all students benefit from greater teacher diversity, while students of color in particular benefit academically and emotionally from having teachers who look like them.

Rodney Robinson, a senior adviser for Richmond Public Schools who was named National Teacher of the Year in 2019, said grants such as this are important because they help keep teachers of color in the classroom by lowering the costs of licensure. Studies have shown that Black students are more likely to borrow federal student loan money to finance their undergraduate education.

"Most teachers of color come through alternative programs and the state of Virginia knows these grants are important ... especially because we know teachers of color take on more debt than white teachers," Robinson said. "If we really want to close the achievement gap, studies show the No. 1 indicator is having teachers of color in the classroom to benefit all students."

Youngkin in September announced an executive directive to address the teacher shortage in Virginia schools. His administration has made a point to prioritize recruiting and retaining quality teachers.

The administration has also made a point to roll back diversity efforts. One month after his inauguration, Youngkin's new education department scrapped dozens of resources for schools on the department's website aimed at promoting diversity and equity, calling them divisive and at times discriminatory. Virginia's chief diversity official, Martin Brown, slammed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at a Virginia Military Institute event in April and said "DEI is dead."
AUSTIN, Texas  Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's escalating measures to stop migrants along the U.S. border with Mexico came under a burst of new criticism Tuesday after a state trooper said migrants were left bloodied from razor-wire barriers and that orders were given to deny people water in sweltering heat.

In one account, Texas Trooper Nicholas Wingate told a supervisor that upon encountering a group of 120 migrants on June 25  including young children and mothers nursing babies  in a rural Texas border county, he and another trooper were ordered to "push the people back into the water to go to Mexico."

The trooper described the actions as inhumane in an email dated July 3.

Travis Considine, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Safety, said the accounts provided by the trooper were under internal investigation.

The emails, first obtained by Hearst Newspapers, thrust Texas' sprawling border security mission back under scrutiny at a time when Abbott is expanding the mission by putting a new floating barrier on the Rio Grande.
VIRGINIA BUSINESSES

The cost of the insurance that covers medical bills and lost wages when Virginians are hurt or die at work is set to decline again.

The basic building blocks for what insurers charge businesses for workers' compensation coverage  called loss cost  would decline 0.5% for voluntary coverage and 2.5% for assigned risk coverage beginning next spring if the State Corporation Commission accepts the just-fi led proposal from the National Council on Compensation Insurance.

Employers with more than two employees are required to have workers' compensation insurance. Voluntary coverage is coverage that insurers compete to offer companies with relatively normal numbers of claims; assigned risk coverage is for firms that cannot get coverage otherwise.

This will be the ninth year in a row that rates would decline, if the SCC approves.

This decline, though, is not as big as those the commission has approved in recent years, including last year's 6.8% decline in voluntary coverage, 2021's 16.4% decline and 2020's 20.2% decline.

Workers' compensation rates are a matter of importance to Virginia's business community, said Barry DuVal, president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

"Historically, the workers' compensation has been managed responsibly, protecting workers' financial interest, and maintaining a competitive rate for business, when compared with other states," he said. Virginia employers' costs for workers' compensation are the second-lowest in the nation, tied with Michigan, at 61 cents per $100 of wages paid, according to the National Academy of Social Insurance. Only Washington, D.C., with its workforce of mainly office and retail workers, has lower costs.

Costs in Virginia declined 19.6% between 2016 and 2020, the latest year for which data is available, NASI said. That is slightly less than the 20.7% decline nationally.

NCCI calculates the loss cost portion of what insurers will charge based on the past two years of insurers' claims experience in Virginia, with projections forward about other basic costs.

Those other basic costs include the impact of expanded benefits  generally, in Virginia, involving coverage for work-related cancer  as well as the impact of wage increases and the cost of the capital that insurers need in order to back their promises to pay claims.

What insurers actually charge will exceed the loss cost and will vary depending on the other expenses they want to cover and their profit goals.

This year's proposed decline for voluntary coverage reflects a 2.4% decline in claims payments  down 4.5% per year over the past two years for lost wages and death benefits, and down 2.5% per year for medical costs, adjusted for trend factors, wrote Amanda Glish, an actuary and senior data scientist at the NCCI, in testimony for the SCC. The cost of handling claims slipped by 0.3%.

On the other hand, the impact of benefit changes would push claims expenses up by 2.1%.

The assigned risk claims and trends and benefits roughly followed the voluntary market pattern, but a reduction in differentials  meant to ensure that the assigned risk pool that all insurers support can fund itself  allowed for a larger decline than in the voluntary market.
Firemen assist in removing two male bodies from Cancun cenote

Cancun, Q.R.  Two dead bodies seen in a cenote were reported to Cancun police Tuesday. The bodies, said to be of two males, were seen at the bottom of a jungle cenote in the Copa Buena region of the city around 7:00 a.m.

Cancun firemen were requested to assist in the removal of the bodies from the water. Both bodies were transferred from SM 242 by the Forensic Medical Service (Semefo) for autopsies.

Local authorities have not provided information on the bodies found. It is not known if they are the result of a murder or an accident.
Indian pedestrian arrested at Quintana Roo border carrying equivalent of half a million in Mexico pesos

Othon P. Blanco, Q. R.  Mexican Customs along with National Guard detained an Indian national after he was found with more than half a million pesos in various currencies. In a statement, the SSPC said the man was found in possession of unclaimed U.S. and Belizean dollars as well as Indian rupees and Mexican pesos.

The unidentified man from India was arrested July 17 by members of the National Guard in coordination with the National Customs Agency of Mexico at the Southern Quintana Roo border. He was arriving by foot from neighboring Belize.

The man was detained at the southern border after trying to enter Mexico with the equivalent of more than half a million pesos in currencies from different countries. According to the SSPC, he was without the corresponding tax declaration required to carry the cash.

During security and surveillance at the Subteniente Lopez customs facilities in the municipality of Othon P. Blanco, elements of the institutions carried out a routine check on a person from India who crossed through the area pedestrian.

In the foreigners hand luggage, wads of national currency bills were found and when asked if he had more money with him, he took more cash from under his clothes, accounting for $30,040 USD, $870 Belizean dollars, 1,430 Indian rupees and 53,640 in national currency. The sum is equivalent to more than half a million Mexican pesos, which he did not declare with the Tax Administration Service (SAT), thereby violating article 9 of the Customs Law.
Suspect wanted in California murder extradited from Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico  A Mexican man wanted for murder in the state of California has been extradited to face charges. On Monday, Mario S was transferred to the Mexico City International Airport where he was met by U.S. agents.

According to the Attorney Generals Office of the Republic (FGR) of Mexico, Mario S was delivered to the agents in an extradition agreement between the two countries. He has already been returned to the state of California where he will appear before the Superior Court of the State of California in Contra Costa County, Richmond Division, for the felony of murder.

On September 20, 2009, Mario S is alleged to have stabbed a man several times causing his death. He was located and arrested in San Luis de la Paz, Guanajuato, in January 2022 and finally extradited to the U.S. to face charges.
A word like tolerance is often waved about as a symbol of open-mindedness and laudable fairness. But when it is a mere cultural expedienta Pilate-like What is truth?it can lead to an awful resentment and the worst kind of intolerance.

Berlin is a city saturated with history. Everywhereon every corner, in every park, behind every wall and in every buildingone stumbles on a piece of that which once was, scattered by the wind of time and silently reminding the indifferent faces of the weight of the past. Let the dead bury their dead (Luke 9:60), it is said, for God is not the God of the dead, but of the living (Matt. 22:3234). In Berlin, the dead and the living live side by side, and what is buried anxiously watches over the unfolding of the centuries, afraid to be summoned once again. And so, in the sweet and heavy lethargy of the summer, under the bright and shining sun that rises on the virtuous and the wicked alike, Berlin lives, drunk with freedom, while in the shadow of the linden the wind blows, carrying the anxious and tireless cry of the many who shall not be forgotten. Nie wieder, say they. Never again.

Rising above the city, a couple of blocks away from the Spree River, a dome imposingly shines in the sunlight, bright as a giant crown on the land of poets and thinkers. Blazing with gold and blue, it stands in sharp contrast with the seemingly random collection of concrete blocks hiding shamefully under the lindens shadow, back in the city center. This blazing dome, for everyone to see, is the Neue Synagogue, the new synagogue. The concrete blocks are the Holocaust memorial.

Consecrated in 1866, the Neue Synagogue was to serve as the main place of worship for the Berlin Jewish community. Inaugurated on the Oranienburger Strasse in the presence of Otto von Bismarck, then minister president of Prussia, it stood for decades as a symbol of the citys new commitment to coexistence. Then the war came, and then another one, barbarism triumphed for a while, and for some time the prayers ceased and silence reigned. And while in the camps and the forests six million mirrors were held to civilizations face, there, on the Oranienburger Strasse, on the synagogues front, one could still read, written in golden Hebrew letters: Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith (Isa. 26:2).

It would be easy to see in the inauguration of the Neue Synagogue in 1866 and its desecration during World War II the two disconnected and radically antagonist manifestations of the commitment to and rejection of tolerance. Since the building of the synagogue, one might argue, was in its very essence a tolerant act stemming from a tolerant intention, then its desecration, rightfully regarded as an intolerant act, must likewise find its sources in a wholly opposed philosophical paradigm. In other words, the conception of tolerance that led to the building of the synagogue cannot have anything to do with the ideas that ultimately led to its looting and burning.

I believe this is ultimately mistaken. To be clear, I do not think that the destruction of the synagogue can be regarded as a tolerant act similar to its construction. I am, however, convinced that the emergence of the intolerant rage that led to the systematic murder of German and European Jews and other minorities can be traced back to the limitations inherent to the very conception of tolerance dominant in mid-19th- and early-20th-century Europe.

As argued by John R. Bowlin, dean of Princeton Universitys Theological Seminary, in his article Tolerance among the Fathers in 2006, the necessity of tolerance emerges from the problem of association generated by the diversity of goods and preferences within pluralistic societies. The general occurrence of this problem has led to a traditional depiction of tolerance as a natural secondary virtue and an integral part of justice, such that, as put by Bowlin, in every place and at all times the just act tolerantly, and the tolerant act justly.

This traditional conception of tolerance as an integral component of justice presupposes an objective standard of justice, and thus the existence of an objective truth. Therefore, Cardinal Lercaro argues in his essay Religious Tolerance in Catholic Tradition in 1961, tolerance should not amount to mere practical foresight, but should proceed from respect for the truth and the manner in which the human intellect arrives at the truth. Consequently, while tolerance requires reverence for freedom as the manner in which human beings seek and eventually recognize the truth, it does not exist for the sake of freedom itself, nor for its own sake. Thus, it is not a virtue in and of itself but subordinated to a greater goodi.e., the need for truth to be freely accepted as such. This conception was, as explained by Cardinal Lercaro, implicitly present in Christian philosophy since the early Church and found its metaphysical justification in the principle of correspondence between human law and divine law.

For example, in his Summa Theologica, Thomas Aquinas enounces the principle that, since God allows the occurrence of evil in the universe so that the suppression of evil may not entail the suppression of greater goods or even beget greater evils, the Church, correspondingly, and while not conceding any right to anything save what is true and honest, should not forbid public authority to tolerate what is at variance with truth and justice for the sake of avoiding some greater evil or preventing some greater good (Leo XIII, Libertas, 1888). It follows that the duty to repress moral and religious error cannot, as expressed by Pope Pius XII in an address to Italian Catholic jurists on December 3, 1953, become the absolute and unconditional norm of action, as articulated by the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matt. 13:2430.

Therefore tolerance, while incompatible with an acceptance of the wrong as such, permits it for the sake of the greater good, namely the preservation of the divinely ordained right of each individual to freely come to the truth. Tolerance so defined is thus a subtle combination of dogmatic intolerancesince truth is objective, one, and eternaland practical license, distinguishing the defense of freedom from the religion of freedom, and the liberty of consciences from the liberty of conscience, as outlined by Pope Pius XI in his encyclical Non Abbiamo Bisogno in 1931.

While tolerance as defined in Catholic thought is not merely a compromise but the logical consequence of the nature of truth, the popular and dominant definition of tolerance, rooted in relativist and naturalist thought, and expressed in the construction of the Neue Synagogue in 1866, cannot amount to anything more than mere compromise. Indeed, when truth is uprooted as the purpose of freedom, then freedom is left existing alone and for its own sake, replacing truth as the supreme value. It follows that freedom becomes the sole measure by which an opinion can be evaluated, automatically excluding any recourse to an external objective standard. This is what is referred to by Pius XII as the religion of freedom and by Bowlin as moral collapse. The latter is the beginning of resentment and, ultimately, the end of freedom.

Indeed, in a society dominated by moral relativism, freedom itself ceases to be regarded as an objective value and must at best find its justification in practical circumstances. Resentment then emerges from the mere act of tolerance, which becomes nothing more than tactical restraint. In such a society, liberty of conscience is thus akin to liberty from the truth.

The Berlin Jews, then, were most probably not tolerated in a majority Christian society out of reverence for the need for truth to be freely chosen. Rather, they were tolerated because it was seen as a practical necessity. This, as history has shown, is never enough to ensure that tolerance will be preserved. If freedom is respected not as a requirement for truth but as long as it appears necessary, then it can be taken away when it ceases to be regarded as such. The modernist conception of tolerance, deprived of the telos of truth and justice and deeply relativistic in nature, contains the seeds of its own destruction, and it can be argued that the premises that led to the building of the Neue Synagogue might have been, from the beginning, rotten with the germs of their own demise.

It is therefore vital, when we speak of and strive for tolerance, to clarify what we mean by it. It seems clear that the imperative of tolerance requiresto preserve its substance and lead to constructive engagement with other belief systemsa linkage to the objective categories of truth and justice. The answer to the relativistic and resentful turn induced by the modernist conception thus seems to lay, at first hand, in a return to the Catholic understanding of tolerance as developed by the Church. However, this traditional conception of tolerance is not necessarily unique to Catholicism or even Christianity. After all, God-given individual freedom, human dignity, objective truth, and natural justice are central assumptions of all three major Abrahamic religions.

In the increasingly pluralistic and secular West, a rediscovery of the Abrahamic understandings of tolerance is necessary to prevent moral relativism, overcome resentment, and rehabilitate the traditional conception of tolerance as a consequence of mans natural right to seek the truth. So that, in Gods good time, the gates may safely be open again.
During his first term, George W. Bush promised that faith-based organizations that fought addiction and poverty would not be muted in their proclamation of the gospel. The heads of those organizations didnt believe him.

My last entry in this series on the compassionate conservatism movement concluded with a question: Would John DiIulio, head of the George W. Bush administrations faith-based office, insist that religion-based programs, to be eligible for federal grants, be devoid of religious teaching or evangelism? I liked John, but such a prospect seemed bizarre to me, and I knew many evangelicals would see it as a betrayal of campaign promises.

On March 7, 2001, both John and I spoke at the National Association of Evangelicals conference in Dallas. I tried to warn him with a story about the Texas mother who saw her daughter in front of their house milking a cow and talking to a strange man. The mom calls out, Havent I always told you not to talk to strangers? You come in this house right now. The girl calls back, But momma, this man says hes from Washington. The wise mother replies, In that case, bring the cow in with you.

John told the audience not to worry: Were taking a deliberative approach and focusing first on conducting our audits, studying competing ideas, weighing competing perspectives, and looking forward to  improving government-by-proxy programs through performance-based grant-making. He gave as an example of what could not be funded: a faith-based drug treatment program  urging each beneficiary to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Its indivisibly conversion-centered treatment modality takes the following form: Your problem is X. To cure X, believe Y.

That did not go over well at the National Association of Evangelicals, nor with others who prized Teen Challenge and similar groups. What if to cure X, believe J turned out to be the most effective program in helping people beat their addictions? Performance-based grant-making might be at war with a ban on speaking about Jesus.

Under evangelical pressure, the Bush administration temporarily pledged not to require groups to separate their faith from their teaching and counseling and not to discriminate against groups from any religion that stress proselytizing, as long as those in need have the opportunity to choose secular alternatives. One example: A class that teaches about budgeting and saving by citing biblical verses as normative will receive treatment equal to that of a program resting on secular wisdom. Under press pressure, even that small concession later disappeared.

Nevertheless, on May 22, 2001, Bush told leaders of Hispanic faith-based groups that one of our commitments is that we will work tirelessly to make sure that bureaucracies dont stifle the very reason you exist in the first place, and the power of your ministries, which is faith. Two days later he noted in Cleveland that my administration will do everything in our power to make sure that those who do interface with government never have to sacrifice their mission, their reason for being. John DiIulios chief assistant, David Kuo, wrote in his 2006 book, Tempting Faith, that the poor ministers and tiny charities thought they could count on George W. Bushs White House to fight for them. Not so.

A week after Bushs speech, I surveyed several hundred gospel mission heads and saw he had not convinced them that the faith-based initiative would help groups that showed strong faith in God. The head of a Toledo Christian homeless shelter recognized that government should not favor one religious organization over another, but all that we do, whether providing meals or beds or clothing or counseling, all is done to the glory of God and for ONE purpose, to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to disciple men and women in Christ. To deny this is to deny our most basic purpose for being.

My survey showed that only 4% were positive about a grant-making system. Only 5% favored giving vouchers to the alcoholics and addicts, who made up a big part of their clientele, letting them choose where to go: they said most would choose the least-demanding program. Ninety percent echoed this comment from a ministry head in Pueblo, Colorado: Any vouchers or direct government grants would NOT be acceptable to our ministry, as these would undoubtedly lead to government controls and restrictions on the Christian religious nature of our ministry.

Three of every four offered comments like this: The ONLY one of the possibilities that would be acceptable to our ministry would be tax credits. A Utica, N.Y., leader said tax credits empower the donor  discretionary grants are least preferable because the government may award them arbitrarily. A Philadelphia program head stressed that Evangelical faith-based organizations cannot segment their programs into religious and nonreligious aspects. Christ is the center of all we do. A common thread: The government does not know what is best. We are on the front lines, not them.

Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.), who died last September, understood that. He talked with two leading Democratic opponents of the grant-centered bill heading to House and Senate votes at the end of June. He found receptivity: Bobby Scott and Chet Edwards were willing to drop [propose] the $500 tax bill with me. On the [House] floor it sounds like we dont like each other, but we get along fine. The tax credit idea died, Souder told me, when DiIulio stopped me in the corridor and insisted that the president really needs this  wed really appreciate it if you hold off. I had to let the president have his shot.

The House Ways and Means Committee ignored the tax credit approach but approved a measure allowing the 70% of taxpayers who did not itemize to deduct charitable donations. Deductions are much less potent than tax credits, but still something: the committee, though, capped the allowable amount at $25 for single taxpayers, which would amount to $3.75 in annual savings for the typical non-itemizing, 15%-bracket taxpayer. Souder said that the $25 limit and $3.75 result were close to insulting.

Nevertheless, Bush motored to the Capitol to ask wavering Republicans to vote for the House bill that centered on government grant-making. Rep. Joe Pitts described Bushs talk in a basement conference room: He was very passionate, obviously committed to this.  You could see he was tearing up. He was saying, Give us a chance. Bush did not deal with the question of whether the bill would help groups about which he spoke most highly. He said, I want you to overlook some of the details and get it done. Its unclear why Bush remained wedded to the grant-making approach exclusively, but once he chose DiIulio to head up the administrations faith-based initiative, it was unlikely that overt evangelism would be allowed in government-funded programs. DiIulio had a strict set of metrics in evaluating programs, and belief in God was not one of them.

The get it done plea became a mantra. John DiIulio later recalled: One senior staffer chided me at a meeting where many junior staff were present and all ears, Get a faith bill, any faith bill. Republicans on virtually a party line vote passed the bill, 233-198. If it became law, it would stop some of the most overt kinds of anti-religious bias. Catholic organizations could keep crucifixes on the wall. But allowing religious symbols and banning religious teaching was superficial religious tolerance that would do nothing, Souder said, for pervasively religious organizations that are the most effective groups in the country.

The House bill did not allow government funding of groups that made worship services or religious instruction central to their programs. They could set up a parallel organization for poverty-fighting, but they would not be able to incorporate biblical teaching into all their instructional and counseling activities. They could consider religion when they hired staff members but would not be allowed to require that a new hires religious practices conform to theirs.

It all became moot when a question on hiring became prominent in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The Salvation Army wanted to be able to say no to gays and lesbians, and that goal energized hostility from liberal groups. Sen. Joe Lieberman backed away from his support. Majority Leader Tom Daschle said he would not put it on the Senate agenda. The bill died.

John DiIulio in August announced his resignation, citing health concerns, but in 2002 told journalist Ron Suskind that in the White House on social policy and related issues, the lack of even basic policy knowledge, and the only casual interest in knowing more, was somewhat breathtaking. John claimed that Mayberry Machiavellis filled the White House: they consistently talked and acted as if the height of political sophistication consisted in reducing every issue to its simplest, black-and-white terms for public consumption.

Could the faith-based initiative be saved?

This is the seventh installment of an eight-part series on poverty and welfare reform in America. Click through for parts one, two, three, four, five, and six.
Authorities in Nevada say they have served a search warrant in connection with the long-unsolved killing of rapper Tupac Shakur in September 1996. News of the search confirmed Tuesday has propelled the case back into the spotlight nearly 30 years after Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He was 25. Las Vegas police said the search happened Monday in the nearby city of Henderson. Its unclear what they were looking for and where they were looking. Las Vegas police also didn't say whether a suspect has been identified. No arrests have ever been made, but attention on the case has endured for decades.
A Salem manufacturer plans to hire 38 more people as it expands its capacity to produce train brakes, officials said Wednesday.

The new jobs support the establishment of a new manufacturing line for braking systems for trains at Wabtec Corp. on Colorado Street, formerly Graham-White Manufacturing.

Wabtec Corp., officially the Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., acquired Graham-White a number of years ago and sees the Salem plant and its 236 workers as a capable producer, spokesman Michael Diserio said.

We felt it was the best place for this work to be relocated to, he said, noting that Wabtec is closing a plant in Wilmerding, Pa.

The Pennsylvania company expects to spend $2.7 million in return for financial incentives not fully detailed in the press announcement. Diserio said Wabtec expects a state grant, the amount of which he did not know. Salem will contribute $50,000, city spokesman Mike Stevens said.

Right now, the plant seeks to hire machinists. It was not immediately clear when the 38 new jobs will open up.

Products made at the plant right now include air dryers, valves, flowmeters and certain braking equipment for freight and passenger trains, trucks and buses, the company said.

This expansion is a testament to the regions continued competitiveness in transportation equipment manufacturing, said John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, in a prepared release. Wabtec, through its Graham-White plant, has been actively manufacturing in the Roanoke region for over a century. It is encouraging to see a longstanding manufacturer expanding production and providing strong employment opportunities.

Wabtec earned $633 million on sales of $8.4 billion last year, it told the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.


Seoul should play more proactive, creative global role



By Troy Stangarone



Dating back to last year's presidential election, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has sought to transform Korea's foreign policy to give it global reach and to advance Korea as a "global pivotal state."



In his article in Foreign Affairs, then candidate Yoon Suk Yeol in describing shifts in global foreign policy said that "South Korea should no longer be confined to the Korean Peninsula but rise to the challenge of being what I have described as a 'global pivotal state,' one that advances freedom, peace, and prosperity through liberal democratic values and substantial cooperation."



In taking part in the last two NATO summits and the recent G7 summit in Japan, the Yoon administration has taken initial steps towards raising Korea's global profile. Moving forward, how Korea chooses to contribute to global challenges and the development of global norms  such as the values President Yoon has articulated  will shape how successful Korea is in becoming a force in the international community.



Additional elements of a pivotal state can be seen in the previous experience of the Lee Myung-bak administration's "Global Korea" policy. During that period, Korea began to carve out a larger role on the international stage by hosting the G20 during the global financial crisis and the second Nuclear Security Summit advanced by the Barack Obama administration. The Lee administration also worked to site the U.N.'s Green Climate Fund in Incheon and established the Global Green Growth Institute.



However, broader global outreach was scaled back under both the conservative Park Geun-hye administration and the liberal Moon Jae-in administration. Had they maintained the level of international engagement, especially on climate change, Korea may have developed a pivotal role in helping the world to manage the climate crisis. While the Moon administration would eventually embrace dealing with climate change, momentum on Korea carving out a leading role on this issue had been lost.



Another path to expanding Korea's role on the international stage is engaging more in crisis management. We've seen on President Yoon's recent visit to Europe this month begin to take shape with the agreements for Korea and Korean firms to take part in up to $52 billion in postwar reconstruction projects in Ukraine, but Seoul remains reticent to contribute in an area where Korea could be pivotal to the war effort.



Because of the manufacturing capacity of Korea's arms industry, Seoul is in a strong position to support Ukraine's efforts to secure its freedom, enforce the international norm that states should not invade their neighbors and hasten the end of the conflict. While the problems of Ukraine may seem far from Seoul, the Korean Peninsula likely seemed far away for the European troops that defended Korea's freedom during the Korean War. Providing arms to Ukraine is one way Seoul can provide support to Europe.



These are all examples of ways that Korea could expand its influence as a global player, but one critical area rarely discussed is for Seoul to develop a "big idea" to advance in the international community.



What would be an example of a "big idea"? In the lead up to his recent summit meeting with Biden, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak floated the idea of creating a "CERN for AI" to promote the ethical development of AI modeled on the international particle physics project in Switzerland and the development of a regulatory AI body modeled on the International Atomic Energy Agency. While the U.S.-U.K. summit didn't result in these two specific proposals, the United States announced its support for the U.K.-led Global Summit on AI Safety which in time could lead to the development of some of Sunak's proposals.



In developing a "big idea," the United Kingdom identified a critical issue facing the international community, devised a reasonable plan for managing that issue and then began to seek international support. While the process that is developing may be different than what was initially envisioned by the British government, the U.K. has now placed a claim to being a pivotal player in the area of artificial intelligence. This could be a path for Korea as well.



Becoming a "global pivotal state" will take time and consistent effort. It will entail elements of attending international meetings, hosting key summits and contributing more globally in areas where Korea has relative advantages. But it also will require Korea to find a way to stand out among other states. Developing a "big idea" could be a key part of that process. However, as the experience of the Lee administration demonstrates, it will also require commitment on the part of Seoul across administrations if Korea is to remain a major international actor.





Troy Stangarone (ts@keia.org) is the senior director of congressional affairs and trade at the Korea Economic Institute.


An online help-wanted sign hung out Monday by U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine contained a low-key announcement: U.S. District Judge Michael Urbanski has given a one-year notice that he plans to take senior status, the working retirement that caps the careers of some federal judges.

I wrote the President last month and advised that I intend to retire from regular active service  as of July 4, 2024, Urbanski, 66, confirmed in an email Tuesday.

Next years July 4 happens to be one day after the conclusion of his term as chief judge of the Western District of Virginia, Urbanski noted.

Busy presiding over a trial Tuesday, Urbanski had no other immediate comment on his decision to relinquish his position  or at least his title, since senior judges continue to hear cases.

Federal judges who qualify for senior status through age and length of service stay on the bench, but can reduce their caseload. The Western District of Virginia presently has two senior judges, Norman Moon in Lynchburg and James Jones in Abingdon, along with three magistrate judges and four district judges.

Kaine and Warner issued a joint news release inviting applicants for Urbanskis judgeship to complete a 25-page online questionnaire and file other application materials before Aug. 14.

A panel of lawyers selected by the senators will review applications and conduct interviews, the news release said. Warner and Kaine will then consult experts, practitioners and bar associations from around the Commonwealth before making recommendations to the president. The president nominates candidates for federal district judgeships, and the full U.S. Senate votes to confirm them.

Urbanski became a federal magistrate judge  a position selected by other judges  in 2004. He was nominated to become a federal district judge by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2011.

Before joining the federal bench, Urbanski was an attorney at Woods Rogers Vadeventer Black, known as Woods, Rogers & Hazlegrove when Urbanski was recruited to join the firm. He eventually led its litigation section.

Urbanski received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, and in 1981 and 82, clerked for the late U.S. District Court Judge James Turk.

Among recent federal cases that have come before Urbanski are an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit against the Roanoke County Police Department and an officer who fatally shot a man in the midst of a mental health crisis  Urbanski declined to throw out the case; a libel lawsuit against ABC News and a Franklin County Black Lives Matter activist, which Urbanski dismissed; a medical malpractice lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of a teen at a Craig County health center and lawsuits that more than 40 people filed against Famous Anthonys over a hepatitis A outbreak, all of which ended in settlements; and numerous drug-related charges.
Facing citizen opposition to books about sex and gender on public library shelves, the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors affirmed support for library staff this week.

Recently 13 books were nominated for reconsideration through a longstanding library policy, said county Libraries Director Julie Phillips during a board of supervisors meeting Monday night.

And those were all recent, wed never had any reconsideration requests before that, Phillips said. Wed had some concerns, but no one took us up on the process.

Its a process available to patrons for at least 30 years prior, she said.

Discussions Monday arose more than a month after a citizen picketed busy Botetourt County roadsides with a sign that said supervisors allow porn for children in libraries.

One of the supervisors named on that sign, 16-year board member Billy Martin, confronted the protestor and was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery.

First appearances in that case were delayed from Monday until Sept. 27, according to online court records. But Martin already lost a Republican primary nomination to run for another term as supervisor.

Elsewhere in Virginia and nationwide, groups have taken issue with the presence of books about gender, sex and sexual orientation on public library shelves.

Out of more than 121,000 items in the Botetourt library collection, 353 titles, far less than one percent, are about LGBTQ+ subjects, Phillips said.

By comparison, there are 6,851 items about Christianity, she said.

Supervisor Steve Clinton, who also serves as a county Library Board of Trustees member, said complainants routinely use the word pornographic to describe contents of the challenged publications.

I bought four of these books, the electronic version, and I looked for something truly offensive, Clinton said. And I looked in vain.

He said the book discussions have been going on for more than six months, underscoring the importance of the matter. The time has allowed for a diverse community conversation, Clinton said, and he wants to bring the matter to a conclusion.

There are some narratives in some of these books that I dont agree with, fairly strongly dont agree with it, Clinton said. But I could not for the life of me identify a reason that these books should be banned.

He said the books were making points that were not necessarily comfortable, but might be ideal for parents to use as educational material.

I could see compelling evidence that these have some value, Clinton said. It may not always be comfortable, but these books have some value.

Clinton then read a resolution in support of Phillips and the county library staff. The board passed that resolution unanimously.

In recent months, Ms. Phillips and Botetourt County Libraries staff have come under personal attack by members of our community in person, in local media and online, Clinton read. The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors will not allow Ms. Phillips or her staff to be persecuted for doing the job that they are tasked to do.

In an email Monday, Phillips said she was grateful to hear the supervisors support for her and the library staff. She said civil discourse to explore and debate opposing ideas is important to a free society, but its never acceptable to attack people personally, especially when someone is just doing their job.

As a public servant, its my responsibility to set aside my personal beliefs, biases, and opinions in order to understand and meet the needs and interests of all citizens, Phillips said in the email. That can be a challenge when those citizens have very different life circumstances and needs, and completely opposite opinions on various issues and library materials.

The countys book collection budget during the 2023 fiscal year was close to $150,000, 86% funded by the state, she said. That leaves about $21,000 of book-buying money funded locally.

Library books are further protected from censorship under the First Amendment, said County Attorney Mike Lockaby.

Books that are outdated or factually inaccurate may be removed, Lockaby said. However, books may not be removed in an effort to prevent access to ideas or viewpoints with which the library board or others disagree.

Some of the same books that caused complaints in Botetourt County were recently removed from libraries in Llano County, Texas, causing a lawsuit that will most likely lead to those books returning to shelves, he said.

As a practical matter, if the libraries ultimately removed any of these books, I would have very strong concerns that that attempt would be a total failure, Lockaby said. There is no getting around the fact that much of the public hue and cry about these books is motivated by disagreement with the viewpoints of these books.
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CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
How refget works. Credit: Stephanie Li / GA4GH

A widely-used tool that finds the exact references needed to pinpoint differences in our DNA just got a refresh.

On 17 July, the Standards Steering Committee of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) voted to release refget v2.0. With better compatibility for a range of reference genome names, formats, and systems, the new version of refget makes it easier than ever to retrieve verified genomic reference sequences.

A vital infrastructure

You may not even realise that you're using refget already.

"Almost anyone who uses a CRAM file uses refget," said Timothe Cezard, co-leader of the team that produced the new refget version and a project lead at EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). "Compression, decompression, all CRAM toolssay, for conversion to other formats or direct analysissit on top of refget."

CRAM is a popular and efficient file format for storing DNA sequences, able to reduce storage costs by up to 50%. It achieves that staggering compression by relying on a reference sequencea bit of DNA considered typical.

Compare your own genes against the reference, and you will begin to see variation: genetic differences that could lead to everything from freckles to a high risk of breast cancer.

Instead of storing all three billion base pairs of the reference sequence alongside the DNA being studied, CRAM files simply hold onto the reference sequence's name.

When it's time to decompress the data, refget steps inhelping you "get" the "reference" you need.

Solving the dictionary dilemma

CRAM is just one example of how refget removes dangerous uncertainty from genomic data.

"refget identifies each reference sequence using its inherent unique qualities, so you can always trust that a sequence contains what it says on the label," said Andrew Yates, a founding developer of refget and a team leader at EMBL-EBI.

"The consequences of comparing genomic data to incorrect or misaligned reference sequences are serious. Genetic variants may be classified as pathogenic or harmless incorrectly, and patients could receive improper care. Being exact matters," he said.

By assigning a unique identifier to reference sequences, refget solves a tricky naming problem in genomics.

Central authorities like the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), Ensembl, and the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Browser use different naming conventions for the same reference sequence.

Think of how the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster sometimes spell and define the same English word differently. Then try to convince a British English speaker to use "color" instead of "colour," and you will see the challenge of standardising nomenclature.

Non-unique names create even more uncertainty when analysing data. For instance, another common naming convention counts by chromosome number, starting with chromosome 1 as the largest. But the reference genomes of many organisms have a chromosome called "1." How do you know you're getting a human chromosome and not a mouse, for instance? Which "1" is the right one to use?

refget clears up any confusion.

"refget is very straightforward. You've got a name, you grab a sequence. You have a sequence, you construct the name," said Cezard. "You don't need to rely on any naming authority."

Why you need refget for any genomic analysis

For the initial refget release in 2018, the GA4GH Large Scale Genomics Work Stream tailored the API to support CRAM.

But Yates and team quickly realised that refget could smooth over issues in other genomic data formats and models. VCF and SAM also support refget identifiers, with growing community interest in using them.

A simple depiction of refget. Credit: Stephanie Li / GA4GH

"refget is a fundamental building block for GA4GH standards," said Yates. "It can solve problems beyond CRAM, for any file format or data model that requires a reference sequence. With refget, you know exactly what sequence you're talking about."

For instance, refget is already solving problems for the GA4GH Variation Representation Specification (VRS), which provides a framework for describing genetic variants that computers can easily compare and analyse.

Yates and Cezard worked closely with the VRS team to develop refget v2.0, which supports VRS sequence identifiers. Now hospitals, laboratories, and databases like NIH-funded ClinGen, which use VRS to represent and share genetic variants, link to reference sequences via refget.

"In large part due to refget, GA4GH VRS makes sharing and comparing variant data across institutions much more reliable. refget lets us pinpoint the exact reference sequence, which then helps us represent the variation unambiguously," said Larry Babb, a leader of the VRS team, principal software engineer at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and a GA4GH Driver Project Champion for ClinGen.

"By using refget identifiers in VRS, we can tackle important interoperability challenges that arise when comparing evidence from new reference sequences. The strategy has already worked in the real world in a project with the Atlas of Variant Effects Alliance," said Alex Wagner, the other VRS team leader, who is a principal investigator at Nationwide Children's Hospital and GA4GH Driver Project Champion for the Variant Interpretation for Cancer Consortium.

Another major resource for the genomics community, the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA), has already implemented refget v2.0.

ENA contains all sequenced DNA and RNA in the public domainnearly three billion sequences. To decompress files from the database, researchers use the CRAM reference registry, which runs on refget.

The new version of refget will also debut in the Ensembl genome browser. This collection of more than 50,000 genomes (representing great diversity within and among species, from humans to maize to zebrafish) offers tools for analysis and comparison.

"refget is powering our new Ensembl infrastructure. These refget endpoints will be made available in the near future and will provide access to Ensembl hosted protein and transcript sequences," said Yates.

New features in v2.0

The latest version of refget expands the capabilities of the API, making it more accessible and compatible with other systems.

Work with the VRS team led to a new preferred algorithm for defining identifiers. Other new features detailed in the specification include recommended best practices (such as lowercase naming authority strings), and options when searching for a specific identifier (with or without a namespace).

One key changeaimed at expanding the groups who can benefit from refgetallows you to search not just by unique refget identifier, but by another naming convention. In dictionary terms, you can look up either "colour" or "color" and still retrieve the right definition.

"refget servers can now retrieve the same sequence using a different naming convention. The new version is interoperable with other systems that rely on naming authorities, so you can search even if you don't have access to the reference sequence itself," said Cezard.

"You can enter a name that isn't a refget identifier and still get the same verified, reliable sequencewhich you can then recompute into a refget identifier," he added.

The new version includes technical solutions for handling non-unique names.

These major v2.0 upgrades don't entail major work for implementers: all existing refget clients can continue using the API. The only breaking change is a minimal one and makes refget servers compatible with the GA4GH Service Info API, which helps find web services for analysing genomic data.

refget for an entire genome

Building on the same principles as refget, the team is currently developing a new specification that verifies the identity of collections of sequences.

"refget defines a name for a single sequence, like a chromosome. Sequence Collections defines a name for a group of sequences, which we would often use for assemblies or a whole genome," said Cezard.

Sequence Collections will offer many new features beyond defining names, including searching within and comparing collections.

In the meantime, Cezard, Yates, and collaborators aim to strengthen support for refget in a wide range of genomic file formats, from BED to SAM to VCF, and demonstrate how useful refget can be.

"refget already safeguards a crucial step in genomic analysis for researchers around the world," said Yates. "This second version reinforces how vital the concept of unique identifiers really is, whether you are identifying a single reference sequence, an entire genome, or even a pangenome."

Provided by Global Alliance for Genomics and Health
FLORENCE, S.C.  The Center for Heirs Property Preservation, a nonprofit founded in Charleston to help protect heirs property, officially opened the doors of a Florence office Monday.

The center helps families reach agreements on what to do with inherited land by holding personalized presentations and preparing all necessary legal documents. In addition, the nonprofit offers help in making land sustainable and profitable in the long term through forest management.

We saw that there was a high prevalence of heirs property in the Pee Dee, and there was a high percentage of poverty, said CEO Jennie Stephens. With our work, if we can resolve the title, then literally we unlock the potential of the familys land so that they can use it to generate income.

The nonprofit has three main goals: educate people to prevent more heirs property disputes, resolve heirs property disputes and educate historically under-served landowners on how to manage their forestland for maximum income.

Florence Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin said she is thankful that the center has opened an office in the city.

Before, the cost of an attorney was really just too much for many families to be able to do what they need to do to handle heirs properties, so its a great opportunity for the community members, she said.

To educate landowners on how to avoid disputes among their potential heirs, the center offers seminars, free simple will clinics and free legal advice.

Heirs property issues are not just prevalent in South Carolina or just among African Americans, according to Stephens. She said it is an issue across the globe.

I think of heirs property as being a low-income issue. Poor folk dont sit around the dinner table and just talk about estate planning. Thats not their priority. Its about survival, Stephens said.

For property heirs with disputes, the center performs titles searches, land surveys, prepares documents and represents heirs in court. It also organizes family meetings to go over options for the land, where heirs can learn about their property and about the potential steps forward.

However, Stephens said the center does not assist in selling heirs properties.

If they want to sell it, they can go to a for-profit attorney, she said. Preservation is in our name, and were for families who want to keep their land.

Once a propertys title is clear, or for those who do not have heirs property disputes, the center has foresters that will help landowners sustainably shape the land to be profitable for the owners.

Were providing technical assistance. Were helping landowners access the market to sell their timber if they have merchantable timber, Stephens said. Forestry and forest products in the state of South Carolina is a $23 billion industry, and so our families who are often low-income or middle-income, they dont really know how to get into that business.

The nonprofit helps landowners get federal grants so that many of the improvements needed for the land does not have to come out of the landowners pocket, she said.

While the center focuses on agroforestry, or the growing of trees for a profit, Stephens said the center also partners with other organizations that focus on other types of agriculture if landowners want to pursue a different route.

The Florence office is located at 1831 West Evans St., Suite 312, and offers legal and forestry services for the whole Pee Dee region.

The Center for Heirs Property Preservation often partners with local organizations to host free seminars and clinics. To get in touch with the Florence office, call 843-745-7055 or visit the centers website at: www.heirsproperty.org.
HARTSVILLE.  Amy Bashor has been fascinated with campground resorts, especially Disneys Fort Wilderness, for many years. Living in picturesque surroundings, socializing with fellow campers, and enjoying resort amenities seemed to her like a lifestyle that would appeal to pretty much anyone.

Bashor and her husband, Craig Walton, plan to give Darlington County and Pee Dee residents the opportunity to experience that lifestyle soon. The couple, along with the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce and others, celebrated the beginning of construction on Standing Pines Campground & RV Resort near Hartsville on Tuesday morning.

For my husband and I, this is a dream come true, said Bashor. We are so excited to be in this community. When we first started putting our business plan together several years ago, one of the things that was most important to us was a community that would be supportive of the business. Weve found the perfect location right here in Hartsville.

Located on Bethlehem Road of S.C. 15 north of Hartsville, the campground resort is scheduled to open in March of next year. Spread out on 90 acres of rural landscape, the resort will offer a blend of luxury amenities, picturesque natural surroundings. Standing Pines will feature 107 campsites, 80 of which will be equipped for RVs. Guests can choose from rental cabins, tent sites, glamping options, and RV campsites. One of the resorts features is a resort pool. The Standing Pines pool will have a splash areas for children, a wet suntan deck and in-pool benches in the deep end to keep an eye on adventurous swimmers. The resort will also feature a welcome center, fishing pond, boat rentals, bike pump track, dog park, and hiking trails.

What we are looking to create is an idyllic country rest and retreat in todays busy world in a quiet environment thats close and convenient to everything, said Bashor.

County officials estimate that Standing Pines will generate over a dozen jobs and have an economic impact of more than $10 million in its first year alone. Dempsey Construction will oversee the construction of the resort.

We are beyond excited that Amy and Craig have decided to open their resort in Greater Hartsville, said Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Murphy Monk. This is a huge investment for them personally and its a huge investment in our community. It will be a great addition what we already have to offer.

Originally from Murrells Inlet, Bashor met her husband of 20 years while living in Seattle, Wash. Bashor eventually decided she wanted to live closer to home, so they relocated to South Carolina. The couple moved to Hartsville two years ago.

Bashor said they had no problem coming up with a name for the resort.

The name Standing Pines came to us as we were capturing photographs of the landscape during our land search, said Bashor. We noticed two sentinel pine trees near what we envisioned as the main entrance, standing tall and proud. Inspired by their presence, we knew that Standing Pines would be the perfect name for our campground.

Standing Pines will begin accepting reservations for 2024 in September. Visit www.campstandingpines.com.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Tom Mullikin is a world explorer who frequents South America and has climbed mountains around the globe, but the South Carolina native always finds his way back home.

I spend a month a year in Ecuador, have projects in the Amazon and places around the world. Nothing is more beautiful than parts of South Carolina, and the Pee Dee is at the top of that list. People need to know about it, Mullikin said.

For the past three years, Mullikin has led a group of like-minded people in a month-long journey across the state to encourage people to get outdoors and get motivated about conservation.

The expedition, called SC7 after the states seven geographic wonders, came to the Pee Dee region for the first time ever on Sunday after Mullikin and his crew were invited by state Sen. Mike Reichenbach.

Theres so much richness and history in Florence County and in the Pee Dee. In the fourth year of SC7, I really felt compelled to do what I could to bring folks here so they could see that, as a portion of the state, the Pee Dee has a lot to offer, Reichenbach said.

The days main event was a four-hour paddle on Lynches River starting at Odell Venters Landing and ending at The Cut Landing on Mill Creek. The route is a part of the SC Revolutionary Rivers Trail, a six-mile federally designated National Water Trail rich with history and pristine waterways.

The Pee Dee doesnt get enough of the spotlight and is just remarkable, Mullikin said after the paddle. The ecological beauty is unparalleled. What we saw today  its literally untouched.

Under a nearly cloudless blue sky, around 75 paddlers navigated through open river and tight cypress-lined creeks. Kayaks and guides for the trip were provided by RiverRats, a company that rents kayaks and canoes on Lynches River.

At the treacherous A-Braces, also known as Hells Gate, RiverRats employees helped to guide unfamiliar paddlers through the swift currents and sharp turns by getting out of their boats and pushing the struggling paddlers in the right direction.

When not out in the river pushing paddlers to safety, RiverRats guides were carrying SC7s film crew, who came from Ecuador to document the expedition.

Each hour of the four-hour paddle brought with it new scenery.

First, the wide-open Lynches River near Odell Venters Landing began to slowly shrink to skinny trees and grassy banks.

After A-Braces, where only one boat could fit through at a time, the path became a narrow and swift push through tight corners of close cypress trees and shallow water only just deep enough for the kayaks to float in. When the path began to slow down and widen at Persimmon Bluff Landing, it was time for lunch.

After a lunch of chicken salad sandwiches and fruit, the journey began again. The creek became harder and harder to discern as nearly everything in view was flooded, and the correct pathways between cypress trees looked only slightly wider than any other distance between the spread-out trees.

Occasionally, a fellow paddler could be seen floating through the trees off the main path, using phones to snap pictures of the massive cypress trees, some of which were still alive at the top but had their trunks naturally hollowed out.

Near the end, lily pads and bandit snakes became a common sight.

All of Lynches River is beautiful, but youve got to have that little area thats over the top, and this is what I consider a little area thats over the top, said Barry Frick, the owner and founder of RiverRats.

Frick said he and his team helped to get the river ready for the SC7 team by cutting back some trees and plants to make the tighter spots easier to navigate.

After the paddle, some members of the SC7 team traveled to Florences Veterans Park where they got a tour by Barry Wingard, a retired Army colonel.

Later that evening, the SC7 met local leaders like Florence County Administrator Kevin Yokim and Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce President Mike Miller at the Florence County Museum. The team got a tour of the museum from curator Stephen Motte. The tour showcased the regions history with a particular focus on Francis Marion.

The day ended with a dinner at Victors in downtown Florence, where Mullikin presented Reichenbach with an Environmental Resiliency Leadership Award.

SC7 is now making its way down to the coast, where team members will get a chance to see another one of Mullikins projects.

We have begun building an artificial reef along 24 sites from North Carolina to Georgia, and it is cutting-edge technology, he said. People around the world now are coming to meet with our scientist and say, What are yall doing? Because it is working, but it takes pushing through.

On top of everything else he is doing, Mullikin is the chair of the South Carolina Floodwater Commission. The reef was designed alongside engineering students from Coastal Carolina University to help prevent storm surge along the coast by breaking up strong waves, he said.

At next years SC7 expedition, Mullikin said, he hopes to spend several days in the Pee Dee region. The Lynches River itself deserves at least two days, he said.

History was the main reason Mullikin decided to come to the Pee Dee this year, he said.

I dont want to be critical of the academics up Northeast in the Ivy Leagues, but you can watch specials on the History Channel and think that the Revolutionary War was fought in Philadelphia and finished in Philadelphia. The Revolutionary War was fought and won in South Carolina, and the Pee Dee played an instrumental role in that, Mullikin said.

Holly Beaumier, executive director of the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Revolutionary Rivers Trail was where Francis Marion, the Revolutionary War general known as the Swamp Fox, would retreat into during his guerrilla warfare campaign against the British.

Beaumier was also instrumental in organizing SC7s trip to Florence.

Even though he came for the history, it is the ecology that impressed him the most, Mullikin said. It is also the reason he will be coming back for longer next year.

The main purpose of SC7, both the organization and the expedition, is to encourage people to get outdoors and experience nature right here in South Carolina. People dont need to travel around the world to see amazing sights  they can stay in their own state and see some of the most beautiful places in the world, Mullikin said.

Once people get connected with the natural world, they are more likely to want to protect it, according to Mullikin.

We want people to notice. Some old Santa Claus looking old man, crippled with walking sticks, is walking 300 miles across South Carolina, somebodys going to say something about it, he said. We do it to create attention.

South Carolina is already doing a good job at protecting the environment, according to Mullikin. He said the state is reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy, something many say cant be done.

By connecting with people, either personally or through social media, Mullikin hopes to further inspire environmental action and conservation efforts.

Weve touched 14.8 million households because of earned media. Theyre covering us from Los Angeles to New York, and were about 60,000 a night on our social media platforms. None of that is paid for, he said.

SC7s film crew will also be an important component of telling the story of South Carolinas natural beauty. Los Angeles Film School graduate, Ecuador native and award-winning producer of documentaries Santiago Paladines is traveling with Mullikin across the state to document the journey.

For us, it is covering how beautiful South Carolina is, Paladines said. We are not from here, so everything is new. Youve got an amazing state and an amazing outdoors.

The narrative of the documentary has not been decided on yet, Paladines said. He knows that he and his crew want to cover the artificial reef that Mullikin is helping to create, but the journey has been more interesting than they expected.

Paladines said the documentary will be ready and available before next years SC7 expedition.
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Japanese consumers wait in line for Korean street food at Shin-Okubo in Tokyo, June 3. Korea Times file



By Kim Jae-heun



Tomoaki Jitsukawa living in Osaka has recently fallen in love with Korean-style fried chicken at local restaurant franchise Crispy Chicken n' Tomato.



"I've been to Seoul recently and tried fried chicken with cheese power sprinkled on it. I realized we also have similar food in Japan and have been enjoying it almost weekly," said Jitsukawa, 28. "Korean food is very popular among young Japanese, who watch Korean series on Netflix a lot. I like cheese balls and fried chicken that are not too spicy."



Another Japanese consumer Maisy Yokoyama said she often visits Shin-Okubo, the biggest Korean neighborhood in Tokyo, to eat "samgyeopsal," or Korean grilled pork belly, with "makgeolli," an alcoholic beverage made with fermented rice.



"Many Japanese social media influencers share videos of samgyeopsal on Instagram or TikTok these days. After watching the food online, I actually went to Shin-Okubo to try it last week. My friends also like the Korean twisted donuts they tried in Myeong-dong when they visited Seoul. Korean food has always been popular among young Japanese," Yokoyama said.



Riding on the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas on over-the-top platforms, Korean food has been winning the hearts and stomachs of young Japanese consumers.



If older Japanese people in their 40s and 50s like traditional Korean foods such as kimchi and bibimbap, the younger generation in their 20s and 30s are going after dishes like fried chicken sprinkled with cheese powder and tornado potato snacks.





Japanese food firm Tomato and Associates' promotional poster for Korean street foods offered at Yakiniku Buffet restaurants from June 22 to Sept. 13 / Screenshot from Tomato and Associates official website



Young Japanese consumers learn about new Korean foods on YouTube, Netflix or social media.



Japan's lifting of pandemic travel restrictions to Korea last October has also boosted the popularity of Korean food in Japan. Young Japanese tourists came to Korea and tried relatively new foods that have trended among Koreans recently.



Japanese food firms and hotels are also introducing Korean foods to attract local consumers.



Japanese restaurant chain Tomato and Associates has launched Korean snacks such as the tornado potato snack and twisted donuts at its Yakiniku Buffet. It also sells Korean instant noodles and "gimbap" instead of Japanese ramen and norimaki, which are similar foods in style.





Korean food served for a lunch buffet at Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel in Osaka / Courtesy of Marriott Miyako Hotel
Russian President Vladimir Putin has withdrawn from the grain deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has withdrawn from the grain deal.

Russia has just pulled out of a global grain deal which allowed exports to leave Ukraine, in a move which has been condemned as a form of blackmail.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative expired on Monday and now will not be renewed for another year, because Moscow claims its own conditions for the deal were not being met.

This decision puts the food supply for millions around the globe in jeopardy. Heres what you need to know.

What was the Black Sea Grain Initiative?

A Russian wartime blockade imposed after the invasion had meant Ukrainian farmers were struggling to sell their exports, net importer nations like Egypt and Libya were facing depleted food suppliers and the global cost of living crisis was worsening.

Ukraine is seen as one of the worlds largest breadbasket, producing enough food for 400 million people during peacetime with around five million tonnes of grain and oilseeds being exported every month.

But after Russias invasion, millions of tonnes of grain were left in storage and there were shortages elsewhere.

The initiative was therefore a massive breakthrough. Brokered by the UN and Turkey last summer, the agreement meant Russia would allow Ukraine to export grains and oilseeds through the Black Sea for a year.

A Joint Coordination Centre was also set up to inspect ships and monitor their movements.

The world breathed a sigh of relief when Russia agreed to the deal. By last October, Ukraine had been able to send out 4.2 million metric tonnes of grain and oilseeds. In the year since the deal was first struck, it has exported a total of 33 million metric tonnes.

So, why has the deal been called off?

Russia has pulled out of the deal.

Moscow claimed that its side of the deal was being ignored, because Western sanctions and still targeting Russian individuals and state agriculture bank, preventing Russias own exports going out.

Russia also said it needed to be readmitted to the SWIFT international payment system, and rejected a suggestion to create a new unit within the bank to allow transactions linked to grain trading.

Story continues

Speaking on Monday, the UNs secretary general Antonio Guterres said: Todays decision by the Russian Federation will strike a blow to people in need everywhere.

Did this have anything to do with the damage to the Crimean bridge?

While this decision came just hours after Russia accused Ukraine of damaging the bridge between the annexed peninsula of Crimea and the Russian mainland, Moscow claims these two events were not related.

Dmitri Peskov, Russias spokesperson, said the deal was halted until its own demands were met, including guarantees the West would facilitate its exports of grain and fertilisers.

As soon as the Russian part is fulfilled, the Russian side will immediately return to the implementation of that deal, he said.

The agreement was already struggling even before Russia officially left it, with grain exports falling to just 1.3 million metric tonnes exported in May.

However, on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry also released a statement blaming continued Ukrainian provocations and attacks against Russian civilians and military facilities in the Black Sea area for its withdrawal for the deal.

It alleged UN and Ukraines allies had not resolved Russian sticking points either, and that Western sanctions still restrict sale of its own goods.

Russia and Ukraine have also been arguing about who is more helpful when it comes to tackling world hunger for months now.

Vladimir Putin has previously claimed that just 3% of Ukrainian exports were going to poor countries, although UN figures dont stand that up.

What does this mean for Ukraine?

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had broken the deal with the UN and Turkey, not Ukraine.

He also called for the deal to continue, just in a new form, saying: Even without the Russian Federation, everything must be done so that we can use this Black Sea corridor.

It is possible for Ukraine to transport exports over land, but its faster over sea, it now plans to use a route to get grain out through the European Danube river.

Ukraine has been preparing for this, having suspected Russia would pull out for months.

However, there will be extra pressure on Ukrainian farmers, as the extra logistics will drive up the costs.

What does this mean for global food supplies?

For the rest of the world, there is a worry that this will bring extra disruption.

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said: Russia is using hunger as an instrument to blackmail the world.

As German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock told DW, the grain deal shocked every country and every UN delegate.

She called for other countries outside of Europe to call on Putin to reinstate the deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision not to extend the grain deal "shocked" every country and every United Nations delegate, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told DW in New York.



She stressed the importance of applying pressure on Putin to reverse the decision. pic.twitter.com/o3wKjTnSOI  DW Politics (@dw_politics) July 18, 2023

Meanwhile, Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has said he would speak to Putin about it.

UNs secretary general Antonio Guterres sent Putin proposals last week to remove hurdles affecting transactions, but a UN spokesman has since said there were no plans for the two to speak.

Meanwhile, the US secretary of state Antony Blinken warned that this would have a profound chilling effect on the countrys food exports, and the safety, security , predictability it offered commercial shippers.

Its really hard to replace whats now being lost as a result of Russia weaponising food.

Related...
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As the U.S. struggles with prescription drug shortages, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has advanced a modest plan that she hopes will prod Washington to take decisive action to address weaknesses in the international pharmaceutical supply chain.

Noem told reporters at a pharmacy in Sioux Falls last week that her state will expand its stockpiles of certain medications that have been in short supply. The Republican former congresswoman also used the occasion to turn up the heat on the federal Food and Drug Administration, urging the agency to make the U.S. less dependent on foreign suppliers like China and India.

Noem said she hopes other governors  and members of Congress  take notice of what South Dakota is doing and lend their voices to push for long-term change in Washington to fix what she called a real risk to national security.

"My hope is that those leaders in D.C. that have the ability to weigh in on this issue will," Noem said. "We'll continue to educate them on why it's such a critical need for us to address it today."

Shifting shortages of a variety of drugs predated the COVID-19 pandemic by decades and continue to complicate treatment of patients across the country. Major contributors include manufacturing problems, demand spikes, tight ingredient supplies and overreliance on foreign sources. A U.S. Senate report in March said the shortages have "cascading effects on patient care."

Last fall, the FDA announced a shortage of the attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder drug Adderall. Stores ran out of children's medicines due to demand during last winter's particularly intense cold and flu season. Prominent cancer centers warned last month that a growing shortage of common cancer treatments is forcing doctors to switch medications and delay some care. Several Democratic-led states plan to stockpile abortion-inducing drugs in response to a court ruling that could limit access.

There were 309 active drug shortages in the U.S. at the end of June, according to the University of Utah Drug Information Service. That's up from 295 at the end of last year and the highest total recorded since 2014.

Noem wrote to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf last week, imploring him to work with Congress on long-term solutions to fix the supply chain and reduce America's reliance on China and India.

"This is one of the issues that's still getting traction in Washington on both sides of the aisle, which is rare these days," said Stephen Schondelmeyer, a leader of the Resilient Drug Supply Project at the University of Minnesota.

South Dakota already maintains drug caches at each end of the state, at a pharmaceutical warehouse in Sioux Falls and at a Rapid City hospital. It will now add sites at partner pharmacies in five additional cities statewide. In addition to current antibiotic stockpiles, the department is adding albuterol, epinephrine, insulin, prednisone and pediatric amoxicillin to the list, which was developed by the state Department of Health as part of a study that Noem ordered in May.

"This effort is helpful, but not the whole picture," Schondelmeyer said.

He noted that South Dakota' plan focuses on outpatient medications. Serile injectables used in hospitals  ranging from drugs on crash carts to chemotherapy medications  have accounted for about 70% of the shortages over the past decade and may warrant stockpiling as well, he said.
SIOUX CITY  As an estimated 40,000 people arrive in Sioux City for the start of RAGBRAI, Sioux City police say they are already receiving calls from motorists who are concerned about traffic congestion.

This week, Capt. Chris Groves said he fielded calls from residents who are wondering how they're going to get to church on Sunday with cyclists exiting the city on Hamilton Boulevard. He said the right lane will be coned off for RAGBRAI riders, which will force traffic into the left lane.

"Every intersection on Hamilton Boulevard will have somebody at it," Groves said. "The major intersections, those with particular lights or a lot of traffic, will have an officer at it. The other ones will be managed by a civilian volunteer, so just work with those folks."

Chris Groves RAGBRAI news conference Sioux City Police Capt. Chris Groves talks about RAGBRAI road closures during a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Seaboard Triumph Foo

Groves urged residents to plan ahead and expect delays this weekend.

RAGBRAI riders will depart Chris Larsen Park and head north on Hamilton Boulevard on Sunday morning. Lights along Hamilton Boulevard will be flashing red, beginning at 6 a.m. Riders will then go east along Outer Drive, turn onto 41st Street and ride east on Floyd Boulevard. They will travel north on Floyd Boulevard through the Leeds neighborhood to 46th Street and head east out of the city on Highway D12.

The following road closures have been announced:

Pearl Street, from Gordon Drive to Tri-View Avenue and the southbound lane of Pearl Street from Tri-View Avenue to Third Street, will be closed to all traffic, beginning at 12 p.m. Friday and ending at 12 p.m. Sunday.

Tri-View Avenue, from 909 Tri-View Avenue to Pearl Street, will be closed to thru traffic for non-RAGBRAI vendors beginning at 12 p.m. Friday and ending at 12 p.m. Sunday.

Gordon Drive, from Pearl to Pierce streets and the westbound lanes from Pierce to Nebraska streets, will be closed to all traffic beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and ending at 12 p.m. Sunday.

Larsen Park Road will be closed to non-RAGBRAI participants roughly 875 feet east of the boat ramp entrance to Virginia Street beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and ending at 12 p.m. Sunday.

D12/Floyd Boulevard from U.S. 75 (northbound and southbound) and Lewis Boulevard/Business 75 will be closed from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday as riders leave the city. Motorists are asked to use Outer Drive or C80 to access the north side of Sioux City.

RAGBRAI support vehicles will use Gordon Drive/U.S. 20 eastbound to exit the city on Sunday. Since there is construction on Highway 20 eastbound, Iowa DOT personnel will be directing traffic at the interchange. Traffic in the work zone will be congested.
SIOUX CITY -- A Sergeant Bluff man who sexually assaulted a teenage girl at his home was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison.

Leuanglong Thongvilay, 37, pleaded guilty in June in Woodbury County District Court to third-degree sexual abuse and distribution of a controlled substance.

In addition to the prison sentence, District Judge Robert Tiefenthaler ordered Thongvilay to register with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for life and serve a lifetime special sex offender sentence after he completes his prison sentence. If he were to violate terms of the special sentence, he could be sent back to prison.

Thongvilay sexually assaulted the girl March 24 at his home in the 100 block of West Eighth Street in Sergeant Bluff. After offering the girl marijuana, Thongvilay pushed her into his room and onto his bed and assaulted her while pinning her arms. He later offered the girl $100 to remain quiet about the assault.

Sergeant Bluff police learned of the assault after responding to an April 12 disturbance at Thongvilay's home. He was arrested the following day.

Thongvilay is charged in O'Brien County with two counts each of second-degree sexual abuse and indecent contact with a child for allegedly sexually assaulting and inappropriately touching a girl several times when she was age 7-12 from approximately January 2015 to August 2020. Thongvilay, who was living in Sheldon at the time, is scheduled to enter a plea in that case Monday.
SIOUX CITY  The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution regarding energy growth and policy in the county.

The resolution outlines what the county supports in regard to energy development in the county and the property rights of the residents.

It supports coal and natural gas, cost-effective energy, mindfulness for landowners, the safety of citizens, free-market capitalism, land stewardship, rejects eminent domain, rejects subsidized energy and more.

"This is not anti-green energy," Supervisor Mark Nelson said. "In the current offerings of commercial wind and commercial solar today, it does not mesh well with the agricultural land and the recreation land that we have here in Woodbury County."

Board of Supervisors meeting Matthew Ung, Chairperson (R) 4th District, center, leads the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors meeting at the Woodbury County Courthouse on

Supervisor Jeremy Taylor said the county has heard from residents that they want to grow the county, but in a way that makes the county a better place to work, live and raise a family. The policy is about looking at how the energy is impacting the land, residents and quality of life, he said.

There have also been multiple energy ideas proposed in the county that seem shortsighted, trading short-term gain for the long-term pain that could degrade the land, safety and property rights, quality of life, and true economic growth, Taylor said.

The board approved the resolution unanimously, which they had previously delayed a week to have a full board vote. Supervisors clarified the resolution does not ban anything and does not prevent any commercial energy development.

Taylor said the resolution is a guide and messaging the tone for how the county wants to grow.

This is about environmental stewardship done the right way, Taylor said. It is also a response to our citizens.

He added the resolution will be used to guide policy and inform the board of adjustment, planning and zoning and economic development.

Supervisor Dan Bittinger said he supports energy projects and encourages people to bring clean energy projects to Woodbury County that don't use eminent domain or force extra taxes and regulations.

Some community members in attendance were supportive of the resolution, while others were concerned about the message and confused about the purpose of the resolution. They were against the resolution supporting coal, due to environmental concerns.

Trisha Rivers, the Siouxland Project Director with Great Plains Action Society, asked the supervisors if they had consulted any communities of color in drafting the resolution. Taylor said no.

Rivers encouraged the board to reach out and listen to communities of color about the impact coal-burning power.

"State and federal laws ensure local governments conduct themselves in a transparent and open manner. But it is an individual responsibility to educate and involve oneself," Chair Matthew Ung said in a letter to the editor in response to Rivers' request. "It is the height of irony to complain about not being involved as you are in the very same moment involved. Nothing is a more entitled, first-world problem than that."

Other concerns with the resolution included supporting coal while supporting land stewardship. Renee Weinberg said MidAmerican Energy has proposed discharging water from their coal ash ponds into the Missouri River.

MidAmerican's own internal studies identified Neal 3 (one of the coal-fired generators by Sioux City) as uneconomic, Woodbury County should be planning now to ensure that the plant is replaced with locally sited clean energy to maintain the tax base and local jobs, said Bob Fritzmeier, NW Iowa Sierra Club Member.

Thomas Treharne, senior project manager with NextEra Energy, said the company has been working with property owners in Woodbury County for renewable energy projects. He said the company was attracted to Woodbury County due to naturals resources and openness in county policies and ordinances.

Treharne said the resolution is contrary to county ordinances and many statements in it were unfounded.

Daniel Hair of Hornick said he does not believe in "climate alarmism" and "green energy religion."

"There is a God and he created the earth and if you don't believe that you've got bigger problems," he said. "The earth will go on until God decides otherwise."

He said green energy is environmental terrorism due to the mining in other countries for electric car batteries, solar panels and wind turbines.

The resolution states the county supports:

Economical and dependable forms of energy that have helped historically build America such as coal and natural gas and urges technologies that improve environmental stewardship and are not dependent on weather which has proven to cause shortages when needed most;

Recognizing the long-term sustainability of coal-fired electricity and the jobs necessary to support it at Port Neal;

Cost-effective energy rather than those that purport to be cost-effective but instead heavily subsidized with reliance on federal and state government programs;

Mindfulness for landowners and families who reside on the land over and above the interests of out-of-state companies and absentee landowners whose projects may negatively affect the quality of life and future economic prosperity;

An absolute right for private property land rights with a rejection of the use of eminent domain to force landowners to place pipelines, turbines, solar panels, or any other energy commodity of their land against their will and consent;

A commitment to land use that does not take productive ground out of agricultural production at a time when young farmers and true economic development needs a place to grow;

Free-market capitalism and market-driven technologies that from a taxation standpoint do not rely on abatements, incentives, credits, and other advantages over and above other industries;

The safety of citizens and families not subjecting residents to harm;

Technologies that truly steward the environment but not from supposed green energy that comes from China, is not biodegradable, is not founded on research/science, and does not meet a common sense threshold and;

Energy industries that steward agricultural land and do not degrade the soil in such ways as erosion, compaction, water quality, and wildlife ecosystems and preserve our most valuable natural resource-the land of Woodbury County- for future generations.

The resolution will be sent to The Governor's Office, area legislators, Mid-American, Nexant, Summit, Navigator, Iowa State Association of Counties, the board of adjustment and planning & aoning, the Farm Bureau, SIMPCO, local cities within Woodbury County, and the Siouxland Chamber/Initiative, according to the board packet.
SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City Farmers Market is getting a temporary home, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, inside of the Great Southern Bank parking lot, 329 Pierce St.

The one-time only change is due to the Tyson Events Center, 401 Gordon Drive -- the Farmers Market's normal home -- will be gearing up for the first day of RAGBRAI, which will start in Sioux City, this weekend.

"We are so excited to be the starting point for RAGBRAI 50," said market manager Becky Barnes. "All the vendors are looking forward to welcoming riders to the Siouxland area."

The market will return to its usual location, west of the Tyson Events Center in the Suite Parking Lot, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 26.

The Sioux City Farmers Market is organized by Buy Fresh Buy Local -- Siouxland, Inc., a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  Astronomers reported Wednesday the discovery of what could be two planets sharing the same orbit around their star.

They said it's the strongest evidence yet of such a bizarre cosmic pairing, long suspected but never proven.

Using a telescope in Chile, the Spanish-led team spotted a cloud of debris in the same orbit as an already confirmed planet circling this star, which is 370 light-years away in the constellation Centaurus. They suspect it's either a planet in formation or remnants of a planet.

Asteroids are known to accompany planets around their star  for example, Jupiter and its so-called Trojan asteroids. However, planets in the same orbit "have so far been like unicorns," noted study co-author Jorge Lillo-Box of Madrid's Center for Astrobiology.

"They are allowed to exist by theory, but no one has ever detected them," he said in a statement.

The scientists said they will need to wait until 2026 to properly track the two objects around the star, known as PDS 70.

The confirmed planet with the suspected tagalong takes 119 years to complete a lap. A gas giant, it's three times the size of Jupiter. Another gas giant is known to circle this star, albeit at a much greater distance.

Lead author Olga Balsalobre-Ruza of the Center for Astrobiology in Madrid, said the findings, published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, are "the first evidence" that such double worlds might exist.

"We can imagine that a planet can share its orbit with thousands of asteroids as in the case of Jupiter, but it is mind-blowing to me that planets could share the same orbit," she said in a statement.

50 space terms for understanding the universe 50 space terms for understanding the universe #1. Aberration of light #2. Alpha Centauri #3. Andromeda Galaxy #4. Asteroid #5. Barycenter #6. Big Bang #7. Binary star #8. Black hole #9. Brown dwarf #10. Celestial sphere #11. Comet #12. Constellation #13. Dark energy #14. Dark matter #15. Doppler shift #16. Eclipse #17. Equinox #18. Escape velocity #19. Exoplanet #20. Fermi paradox #21. Galaxy #22. Gamma-ray burst #23. Gravity #24. Hypergalaxy #25. Light-year #26. Magellanic clouds #27. Magnitude #28. Meteor #29. Milky Way #30. Moon #31. Nebula #32. Nebular hypothesis #33. Neutron star #34. Oort Cloud #35. Orbit #36. Parallax #37. Quasar #38. Red giant #39. Red shift #40. Solar system #41. Solar wind #42. Spaghettification #43. Star #44. Star cluster #45. Supernova #46. Telescope #47. Theory of relativity #48. Tides #49. White dwarf #50. Universe 50 space terms for understanding the universe #1. Aberration of light #2. Alpha Centauri #3. Andromeda Galaxy #4. Asteroid #5. Barycenter #6. Big Bang #7. Binary star #8. Black hole #9. Brown dwarf #10. Celestial sphere #11. Comet #12. Constellation #13. Dark energy #14. Dark matter #15. Doppler shift #16. Eclipse #17. Equinox #18. Escape velocity #19. Exoplanet #20. Fermi paradox #21. Galaxy #22. Gamma-ray burst #23. Gravity #24. Hypergalaxy #25. Light-year #26. Magellanic clouds #27. Magnitude #28. Meteor #29. Milky Way #30. Moon #31. Nebula #32. Nebular hypothesis #33. Neutron star #34. Oort Cloud #35. Orbit #36. Parallax #37. Quasar #38. Red giant #39. Red shift #40. Solar system #41. Solar wind #42. Spaghettification #43. Star #44. Star cluster #45. Supernova #46. Telescope #47. Theory of relativity #48. Tides #49. White dwarf #50. Universe 50 space terms for understanding the universe #1. Aberration of light #2. Alpha Centauri #3. Andromeda Galaxy #4. Asteroid #5. Barycenter #6. Big Bang #7. Binary star #8. Black hole #9. Brown dwarf #10. Celestial sphere #11. Comet #12. Constellation #13. Dark energy #14. Dark matter #15. Doppler shift #16. Eclipse #17. Equinox #18. Escape velocity #19. Exoplanet #20. Fermi paradox #21. Galaxy #22. Gamma-ray burst #23. Gravity #24. Hypergalaxy #25. Light-year #26. Magellanic clouds #27. Magnitude #28. Meteor #29. Milky Way #30. Moon #31. Nebula #32. Nebular hypothesis #33. Neutron star #34. Oort Cloud #35. Orbit #36. Parallax #37. Quasar #38. Red giant #39. Red shift #40. Solar system #41. Solar wind #42. Spaghettification #43. Star #44. Star cluster #45. Supernova #46. Telescope #47. Theory of relativity #48. Tides #49. White dwarf #50. Universe
The tale of J. Robert Oppenheimer ranks among the most haunting and consequential of the modern era, yet all but its barest outlines are largely forgotten. This makes Christopher Nolans eponymous film both vital and challenging: Its a complicated story, as world-altering sagas tend to be, so who knows whethereven aside from its three-hour lengthmany moviegoers will stick with it.

You should. Its a mind-blower, not just for Nolans artistic innovations, but also because the story itself is disturbing, tragic, even shocking, and the fact that most of its details will be new to most viewers might make them probe it more deeply. Some are already probing. The magisterial Oppenheimer biography on which the film is based, Kai Bird and Martin Sherwins American Prometheus, published in 2005, recently hit the list of paperback bestsellers for the first time ever.

As someone who has read a lot (and written two books) about nuclear history, I can say that, for the most part and as far as it goes (important qualifiers, which Ill soon get to), the film is a faithful portrait of what really happenedespecially, perhaps, in the scenes that some might assume are made-up or exaggerated.

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Oppenheimer was 38 when he was appointed director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, the centerpiece of the Manhattan Project, the $2 billion, top-secret World War II program to build the atomic bomb.* Though a brilliant theoretical physicist and a pioneer in the newfangled field of quantum mechanics, he had never managed any project, was inept at experimental (i.e., practical, bricks-and-mortar) physics, and wasnt even the most talented scientist of any sort among the hundreds who worked around him. But he was enormously charismatic, grasped concepts with preternatural speed, and saw how progress in one department could jolt progress in another department, so he made it work in ways that possibly no one else could have.

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After the war, he became the most famous scientist in the world, appearing on the cover of Time magazine and hailed as the father of the atomic bomb. A few years later, he raised doubts about his work, opposed production of the much more powerful hydrogen bomb, called for international controls on all weapons of mass destruction, and as a result, got blackballed by key figures in the nuclear establishmenthis security clearance revoked by a tribunal as rigged and vindictive as any of the Cold Wars various other Red-baiting panels.

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Yet as absurd as it was to tarnish Oppenheimer as a Soviet spy, it is equally mistaken to sanctify himas many of his defenders have doneas a peace-loving martyr. The film avoids that trap, painting a complex portrait: a tortured soul, enthralled by the science, then racked by guilt over the hellscape it unleashed. Hes insistent on his independence as a scientist, but also pliant in his role as mere adviser to authority. Hes certain of his convictions, but ambivalent about almost everything.

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Witnessing the A-bombs first test in the desert far outside Los Alamos, the New Mexico town where much of the bomb-building took place, he really did (as the film depicts) recite the line from the Bhagavad-Gita, Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. At his meeting with President Harry Truman, after the bombs he helped build incinerated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he really did say I have blood on my hands. And Truman, who lost no sleep over his decision to drop the bombs, really said to an aide afterward (though not within earshot of Oppenheimer, as he does in the film), Dont let that crybaby in here again.

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Yet Oppenheimer was also gung-ho about the bomb, waving his fist at a rally of the scientists after they heard the news of Hiroshima, bellowingto applause and laughterthat he was sure the Japanese didnt like it, and expressing regret only that he and his colleagues hadnt built the bomb in time to use it on the Germans.

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt instigated the Manhattan Project in 1942, after Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard, two of the most prominent physicists of the day, wrote him a letter warning that German scientists had figured out how to split an atom, that they could turn this discovery into a very powerful bomb, and that we needed to beat them to it or risk losing the war. As it happened, the Allied armies defeated the Nazis in the spring of 1945, before the German scientists succeeded. But Japan fought on, so Trumanwho became president after FDR diedshifted the plans to drop the bomb on Japan.

Some of the Manhattan Projects scientistsincluding Szilardpetitioned Truman to drop the bomb on an unpopulated island as a demonstration of its power, giving the Japanese a chance to surrender before it was unleashed on their cities. Oppenheimer urged his colleagues not to sign Szilards letter, saying such matters should be left to political leaders and endorsing the official view that if we didnt drop the bomb, thousands of American soldiers would die in an invasion of the Japanese mainland. (The debate over this question is still unsettled.) The film is clear on all of this. It points out, as well, that Oppenheimer served on the official commission that selected the bombs targets.

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Oppenheimer fell into a funk after the war, perhaps as a result of viewing footage of the atrocities that his bombs inflicted on tens of thousands of civilians. But many military officers and some scientists, foreseeing a possible war with Russia, pushed to build a hydrogen bomb, which would be 1,000 times more powerful than the atomic bombs that ended World War II. Oppenheimer opposed the H-bomb project, but not entirely for moral reasons. At first, he thought it was infeasible. Then, when the math proved it feasible, he dropped his resistance, admitting that it was too technically sweet not to develop. (The film does not quote this rather famous line of his.) Still, he remained unenthusiastic, worrying that the H-bomb would divert money from Hiroshima-type A-bombs, which he thought the Army should continue building as weapons to be used on the battlefield if the Soviets invaded Western Europe. He argued that H-bombs were too powerful for battlefield targetsthey could destroy only big citiesand, if the Russians built them, as they would if we did, a war would devastate American cities, too. He did eventually come to the view, as portrayed in the film, that this mutual vulnerability might deter both sides from using the weapons or even from going to war at all. But he was not opposed to nuclear weapons in general.

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At this point, in the early 1950s, Oppenheimer was still very influentialamong fellow scientists, legislators, and the public. He was chairman of the advisory council to the Atomic Energy Commission and director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, where Einstein still served.* His hedged attitude toward the H-bomb threatened the projects funding. And so its leading advocates set out to destroy him.

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They created a tribunal to investigate whether his security clearance should be revoked. (Without a Q security clearance, he could play no role in setting, or even learning about, atomic policy.) Oppenheimer left himself open to attack. In the 1930s and early 40s, he had been a fellow travelerprobably not a card-carrying member of the Communist Party, but an active supporter of some of its causes, which in the day included racial integration, a minimum wage, and aiding the anti-fascist soldiers in the Spanish Civil War. Not only that, his wife, Kitty (played by Emily Blunt), had once been a party member, as had his brother and several of his close friends, and he attended several meetings of the partys chapter in Berkeley, where he was teaching physics. Even after he was appointed director of Los Alamos in 1943, his security clearance was held up because of these connections.* The projects military director, Gen. Leslie Groves (played by Matt Damon), had to force the clearance through.

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It was one thing to hold left-wing ideas in the 30s, during the Depression, or even in the early 40s, when the U.S. and the Soviet Union were allies in the war against Nazi Germany. But by 1954, when the tribunal held its hearings, we were in the thick of the Cold War. Distinctions between a fellow traveler, a Communist, and a Soviet spy were waved away as trivial.

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The FBI had been tapping Oppenheimers phone for years. The tribunal obtained transcripts of the taps, and because the hearings werent a trial, they didnt feel the need to share the material with Oppenheimer or his lawyers. They even had phone taps of his calls with his lawyers. They also deliberately humiliated Oppenheimer, catching him on discrepancies between his memory and the record of the phone taps, and at one pointwhile his wife was in the hearing roomasked about an affair hed had with a former girlfriend, Jean Tatlock, played in the movie by Florence Pugh. (Kitty knew about it, but was mortified that her husbands tormentors did too.)

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Much of the film is devoted to these hearings. His interrogators are portrayed as so brazenly hostile, you may wonder if the scenes are accurateand they are. Theyre taken, almost verbatim, from the hearings transcripts, which were published many years ago.

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Nolan is also accurate in depicting the tribunal as an instrument of personal revengethe creation of Lewis Strauss, a shrewd, self-made financier and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Not only was Strauss (cannily played by Robert Downey Jr.) an ardent advocate of the H-bomb, he had also been humiliated by Oppenheimer, first at a public congressional hearing, then repeatedly at AEC meetingsand Strauss never forgot this.

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Oppenheimers tendency to badger or ridicule those who werent as smart as he was (which included almost everyone) earned him several enemies. And he made a mistake in alienating Strauss, whose capacity for holding grudges was limitless. (One of Strauss colleagues later said, If you disagree with Lewis about anything, he assumes youre just a fool at first. But if you go on disagreeing with him, he concludes you must be a traitor.)

Further damage was done by Edward Teller (played by Benny Safdie), one of the Los Alamos scientists. Teller had been bored by the A-bomb project, even while it was going on, and wanted to move ahead with an H-bomb. He and Oppenheimer quarreled about this. After the war, Teller pushed to create a separate lab dedicated to building H-bombs. Oppenheimer opposed the idea, so Teller defanged him by testifying against him at the hearing.

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The tribunal voted 21 to revoke Oppenheimers clearance. Teller got his money for a new lab in Livermore, California. (Both Los Alamos and Livermore are still in operation.) The episode unleashed a scandal and created schisms within the scientific communitythe Teller hawks vs. the Oppenheimer doves, a divide that pushed both sets of partisans to harden their positions. It also drove a rift between scientists and the government. Many scientists doubted they could offer advice without compromising their principles. The loss to the public was incalculable.

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Oppenheimer was eventually vindicated, in two stages. In 1959, President Dwight Eisenhower nominated Strauss to be secretary of commerce. But one of the Manhattan Projects scientists, David Hill (rivetingly played by Rami Malek), testified that Strauss had organized the campaign against Oppenheimer as an act of petty vengeance. As a result, the Senate voted down the nomination, the first time a Cabinet nominee had been rejected since 1925. (This scene is drawn from the Senate hearings transcript, which, by the way, was not in Bird and Sherwins biography. Nolan dug it up on his own.)

Then, in December 1963, President Lyndon Johnson awarded Oppenheimer the Fermi Award, one of the most prestigious in American science, carrying a cash award of $50,000 (the equivalent of almost $500,000 today). Teller, who was at the White House ceremony, offered his hand to Oppenheimer, who shook it. Kitty did not; she scowled, properly. The film accurately depicts both moments of triumph. (Their marriage was even more tempestuous than the film depicts, though its accurate in showing her as repeatedlyand wiselyurging her husband to fight back against his foes.)

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Even clocking in at three hours, there are several aspects of this story that go untouched. Dont expect a group portrait of scientists in collaboration. The Manhattan Project was a vast team effort, but the film wont show you much of that. Except for Teller, and to some extent Ernest Lawrence (Josh Hartnett) and Isidor Rabi (David Krumholtz), all the other scientistssuch brilliant, colorful figures as Hans Bethe, Enrico Fermi, George Kistiakowsky, and many othersare presented as ciphers in walk-on cameos. For a fuller view of the project, watch (if you can find it) the BBCs 1980 seven-part drama, also called Oppenheimer, with Sam Waterston in the starring role. Or, better yet, read American Prometheus or Richard Rhodes The Making of the Atomic Bomb.

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Nor will this film teach you much about fission, fusion, or quantum physics, though that may be asking too much of any movie. Nolan creates split-second images of starbursts, black holes, and galaxy-like explosions, and they have a dramatic effect. His re-creation of the first atom-bomb test is awesomely immersive.

The entire film is an experiment in immersion, an attempt to make us feel what its like to be Robert Oppenheimer, and it succeeds to a remarkable degree. Cillian Murphy, in the title role, helps: His lanky frame, awkward gait, and wide eyes convey the impression of an ethereal being, a creature from another dimension, which Oppenheimer sometimes seemed to be. He not only grasped the most arcane new concepts in physics, but also read deeply in history, philosophy, and literature, in several languages, which he mastered with absurd alacrity. (The film is accurate in showing him give a lecture on quantum mechanics to an audience in the Netherlands in Dutch, based on having studied the language for six weeks ahead of time.) We do get a sense of Oppenheimers magnetism, his arrogance, and his touch of crazinessand it may be that a man had to have all three to absorb so fully and instinctively the crazy-quilt eeriness of quantum physics. (It is also true, by the way, that as a grad student, he left a poison apple for one of his teachers.)

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The film ends with a flashback to soon after the war, Oppenheimer talking with Einstein (charmingly played by Tom Conti) by a lake in Princeton, the two of them wondering whether their joint invention might someday engulf the world in flames. This scene never happened, or at least its not in Bird and Sherwins biography. But its an effective bit of dramatic license, capturing the guilt felt by many of the scientists who worked on the bomb. Some, led by Szilard and to some extent joined by Oppenheimer, became ardent activists for nuclear arms control.

Nolan means for Oppenheimer to be more than a mere biopic or historical drama. At a panel after a screening of the film on Saturday, he said that scientists today are facing their own Oppenheimer moment, especially in the development of artificial intelligence, another new technology that seems too technically sweet to resist but may wind up reshaping humanity more than humanity can shape it.

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But he also reminded the audience that the hydrogen bomb is still with us, and that just because it has helped deter a war between the major powers for the 78 years since Hiroshima, our luck might not last forever. We are all still living in Oppenheimers era.

Correction, July 19, 2023: This article originally described Oppenheimer as the director of the Manhattan Project. He was the director of the Manhattan Projects central laboratory in Los Alamos.
This story is published in partnership with Open Campus, a nonprofit newsroom focused on higher education. Subscribe to College Inside, an Open Campus newsletter on the future of postsecondary education in prison.

Three decades ago, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Actalso known as the 1994 crime billtook a sledgehammer to federal financial aid for incarcerated students. On July 1, though, people in prison were finally again eligible to receive Pell Grants for higher education for the first time in 29 years.

With the return of Pell, it will take colleges and corrections departments a while to figure out exactly what these new prison education programs will entail. But its a significant step forward toward expanding college access for people in prison.

Ever since I started covering prison education in fall 2021, Ive been asking everyone I meet who was incarcerated before 1994, What was that moment like when Pell Grants went away?

Ive talked to a dozen men and womenmost of whom are lifers now in the 50s, 60s, or 70s (and at least one octogenarian)about the ebb and flow of prison education over the past four decades.

For many people inside, education was here one day and gone the next, essentially stranding thousands of incarcerated students in the middle of their degrees. Sean Pica, now the executive director of Hudson Link, entered prison in 1987 as a 16-year-old with a ninth grade education.

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After a lot of false starts, he had finally earned 118 credits toward a bachelors from Skidmore College when the 1994 crime bill passed. At this point, its not getting taken away because I fucked up, he said. So, in some ways, youre a little resentful that Im finally getting my shit together. And now Im still not finishing.

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Skidmore came in and packed up their books and supplies with very little explanation, he said. And then it was just gone.

As the prison education pendulum has finally swayed back, we asked several lifers to share their experiences with Pell Grants before 1994, in their own words.

These stories have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Gladiator school

An account from Ghostwrite Mike

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As the old-school California Youth Authority van pulled into the infamous Youth Training School, I thought my life was over. It was, at the time, Californias largest youth prison, known as gladiator school.

It was 1991. Id spent the previous two years fighting and losing a juvenile court fitness hearing for a shooting I committed as a 16-year-old. I got transferred to adult court, refused a deal, lost a first-degree murder trial, and wound up sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. I was a classic case of what they today would call a youth offender. Back then, we were superpredators.

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There was one redeemable thing about gladiator schoolI discovered that the facility actually had a Pell-funded bachelors program in sociology from the University of La Verne. For a kid who acquired his GED in juvenile hall at the age of 16, being able to perhaps parlay my woes into a college degree was the only inspiring thing in my life.

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I eagerly enrolled and quickly knocked down 39 units. But then, in fall 1992, a race riot landed me time in solitary confinement, a DA referral, and a gnarly shipout to an even more volatile youth facility. Over the next 15 years, during which time Congress killed our access to Pell Grants, I spent most of my time in and out of administrative segregation.

It wasnt until I was doing my last long-term stint in the hole that I started to contemplate a different mode of life on the inside. While in lockup, Id received a reply letter from Thomas Aquinas College in Ojai, California, a renowned Jesuit school that taught the Great Books Series as its curriculum, responding to my request for donated paperback philosophy books. One of the professors there visited me regularly, became my friend, and caused me to contemplate universals, question my ethics, and deconstruct my malformed ideas about my purpose on the planet.

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I own my mistakes, going on the ride of being a follower trying to survive the idiotic politics I was too afraid to buck. My beef is with the obstacles placed in the way of the academic climb Ive tried to make since then, after I changed my life, flipped my script, and started to explore my capacity to exist beyond the limiting confines of what Id been indoctrinated to accept for myself.

Ive been on never-ending college program waitlists for nearly 10 years, while staying discipline-free, dropping custody points, and earning my way from maximum-security prisons to the medium-security facility Ive been at since 2018. After every transfer, I had to start the waitlist climb again, from the bottom rung of a ladder that placed me last due to my life sentence.

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It took me more than 30 years to get back on track. 1992 to 2023do that math.

Ghostwrite Mike is a student at Coastline College, transferring to Merced College in the fall. Hes a published poet, illustrator, producer, and journalist. His work has appeared in Exchange, a literary magazine published by Columbia University School of the Arts. Hes the co-founder of Barz Behind Bars (B), and managing editor of the BarzOnline literary blog for the Ben Free Project, and a consultant for the nonprofit Radical Reversal.

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I need to find my way out of here

An account from Charmaine Pfender

I arrived at Muncy in 1985 and college classes were already a mainstay. I took my GED, then enrolled at Bloomsburg College. We had two classes a semester and Pell paid it all. A couple years later, Bill Clinton ended Pell Grants for prisoners. A lot of people were pissed.

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I could no longer afford to go. I had to drop out of college. I hated to do that, because I was emotionally abused as a child and my father was illiterate. He always told me Id never amount to anything and wasnt smart enough to do anything with my life. So, the fact that I had a life sentence made me feel he was right, until I discovered college.

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College changed everything. It made me feel like an adult for the first time. And I discovered my identity and intelligence. When it went away, I was dejected and sad I couldnt accomplish graduating. I would have been the first in my family.

I focused all my attention on my apprenticeshipa multitrade program through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. My certification is as a maintenance builder, repairer, servicer. It took six years to graduate. We had to build custom furniture for staff to fund the program.

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After I graduated, I went on to specialize in carpentry at the maintenance department for 15 years. I also went to school for computers, and then took a course in AutoCAD to use with carpentry. And then took Accounting I, II, and III. I planned a future in carpentry, to open my own business. I just need to find my way out of here to do it.

Charmaine Pfender has served 35 years in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. She is 1 of 3 original founders of the nonprofit Lets Get Free: The Women and Trans Prisoner Defense Committee.

There were good people who cared more about my future than I did

An account from Mark Wilson

Methamphetamine derailed my 1987 high school graduation. I was then locked in a small jail cell facing murder charges three weeks later. Soon thereafter, I was sentenced to life within the Oregon State Correctional Institution.

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I was relieved to find that prison was much more like a college than the violent war zone I feared, thanks to the education opportunities offered by Pell Grants. The prison offered two- and four-year college degrees, vocational training, and apprenticeships in numerous professions. Approximately 20 percent of the 1,000 prisoners at the prison were taking classes. New prisoners were constantly encouraged to join them, but I could not see a future for myself after being told I would die in a cage.

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Thankfully, there were good people here who cared much more about me and my future than I did. I thought I was done with school after a woman in the education department helped me quickly earn my high school diploma. But she immediately encouraged me to enroll in college.

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Truthfully, I was afraid of enrolling because I still believed the lie that I had internalized for so many years: that I was not smart enough to ever have academic success. Fortunately, she refused to take no for an answer and finally convinced me to give it a try. I eventually earned a two-year degree on March 17, 1995.

Earning a degree helped free me from a psychological prison that I had constructed for myself as a child. It made me finally believe that I could achieve and become so much more than I ever imagined possible. It is a sad irony that I discovered this freedom only in a cage, but prison education was an essential key to my personal freedom.

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Finally understanding the value of education, I wanted to continue, but my educational journey came to a screeching halt. Congress abolished prisoner Pell Grants just six months before I graduated, and I could not pursue a four-year degree because both colleges quickly left in 1995.

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Sadly, my fellow prisoners and I witnessed guards gleefully celebrating as college classes ended.

Mark Wilson, 54, has been an Oregon prisoner since 1987. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Oregon in 2019. Since 2019, he has served as a member of a legislative working group seeking to improve prison educational opportunities.

It was like a badge of honor

An account from Craig Muhammad

In 1982, I started my incarceration in the Maryland State Penitentiary, where 90 percent of incarcerated persons were serving life sentences. The other 10 percent were serving virtual life sentences (50 years and above). College programs, such as Coppin State College (now Coppin State University, an HBCU), were one of the few tools available for an incarcerated person to improve himself and to stay positively focused away from destructive behavior. A few incarcerated people were also earning masters degrees.

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I can vividly recall the disappointed faces after the college coordinator, Ms. Yolanda Hendricks, informed incarcerated people that the undergraduate program was going to cease operations. Being part of that program was like a badge of honor. It also encouraged students to earn their GEDs so they could go to college.

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It really felt like I was in a comfort zone when I earned my GED and then went to college. I was so proud of myself when I walked across that stage in 1989 and received my degree.

The most devastating effect of the Pell Grant removal was an increase in hopelessness. With hopelessness comes an array of destructive and self-destructive behavior.

Ninety percent of all programs in the penitentiary were created by incarcerated people that had earned a degree or were in pursuit of a degree. When the Pell Grants ceased, many of those programs eventually stopped functioning. The programs that remained were taken over by prison officials and were only a fragment of what they once were.

Craig Muhammad has used education to reach back and help his incarcerated peers to become better human beings. He is a writing tutor for the University of Baltimore Second Chance College Program, a trained peer support specialist, and a facilitator for the Georgetown University Law Center Legal Writing Program.




Renault Korea Motors, Honda Korea and Bike 1 will voluntarily recall more than 12,000 vehicles to fix faulty components, the transport ministry said Wednesday.







The companies are recalling a combined 12,358 units of six different models, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement.







The problems that prompted the recall include a faulty turn signal system in Renault Korea's Master van, a faulty audio system in Honda Motor's Odyssey minivan and a faulty chain gear system in the Spyder F3 two-wheeler imported by Bike 1, it said.







Vehicle owners can check the government's homepage at www.car.go.kr or call 080-357-2500 to see if their vehicles are subject to the recall, the ministry said. (Yonhap)


It seemed clear last year what the Supreme Courts decision to end the right to abortion in Dobbs would mean for other constitutional rights. Justice Clarence Thomas was not shy about his plans: Dobbs, which concluded that only fundamental rights recognized in 1868 enjoyed protection, could be applied to destroy any privacy right, from same-sex marriage to same-sex intimacy to birth control. But this year, a different possibility has emerged: Dobbs will undermine protections against sex discrimination.

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To understand Dobbs as the symbol of a conservative overhaul of equality law requires a close look at Geduldig v. Aiello, the 1974 case that the conservative majority relied on to reject sex equality claims as a justification to uphold the right to an abortion. Geduldig rejected the claim that pregnancy discrimination qualified as sex discrimination because there was no perfect alignment between sex and pregnancy. (Not all women, for example, were pregnant all the time.)

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At the time and ever since, commentators across the ideological spectrum recognized that the court had missed the point: stereotypes about pregnancy were at the root of a great deal of sex discrimination. Congress recognized the same thing when it passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. And so, for years, Geduldig was a sort of awkward constitutional afterthoughtrarely cited and better forgotten.

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The Dobbs court had other plans. Justice Samuel Alitos majority opinion focused mostly on why there was no privacy right to abortion, but briefly rejected what many still view as the strongest constitutional argument for abortionthat abortion bans constitute sex discrimination.

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The conservative majority could not be bothered to write much more than a few lines to address this major line of argument, and at the center of its reasoning was Geduldig. Precedent, the Dobbs court explained, established that the regulation of a medical procedure that only one sex can undergo does not trigger heightened constitutional scrutiny unless the regulation is a mere pretex[t] designed to effect an invidious discrimination against members of one sex or the other.  Regulations of abortion, the court suggested, were about biology, not discriminatory stereotypes, just like laws regulating pregnancy considered by Geduldig.

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Critically, Dobbs and Geduldig play a central role in the defense of laws targeting transgender Americans. School districts made such a claim in defending trans-exclusionary bathroom policies and laws prohibiting minors from accessing hormones or puberty blockers. States like West Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina have relied on a related claim to defend the exclusion of gender-affirming care from state Medicaid or other health insurance coverage.

And earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit relied on Dobbs to uphold Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care for minors under this same logic. Courts had generally blocked enforcement of these laws, noting that they interfered with parents constitutional interests in directing the upbringing of their own children. Courts also focused on sex equality. In 2020, in Bostock v. Clayton County, the Supreme Court held that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity was sex discrimination. Lower courts have applied the same insight to bans on gender-affirming care for minors.

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As the 6th Circuit saw things, though, Dobbs had taken that argument off the table by reviving the reasoning of Geduldig. If a state could package a law as reflecting biological difference, then there was no constitutional problem. If a law restricting a medical procedure that applies only to women does not trigger heightened scrutiny, as in Dobbs, the 6th Circuit reasoned, a law equally applicable to all minors, no matter their sex at birth, does not require such scrutiny either.

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Sex-equality scholars have argued convincingly that sex stereotypes have fueled the push for laws that regulate abortion and pregnancy. In the years before Dobbs, the Supreme Courts decisions had even suggested that states couldnt rely on sex stereotypes in the context of pregnancy either.

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Not after Dobbs, the 6th Circuit explained. As the court saw it, Dobbs resurrected and supercharged a kind of biological determinism. Anything that could be passed off as law focused on biological differences between the sexesor on specific medical procedures related to sex or reproductionwas probably fine.

The 6th Circuit even floated the possibility that Dobbs had made it easier for states to discriminate on the basis of sex in any context. Generally, the Supreme Court applies intermediate scrutiny to sex classifications, which requires that states have an exceedingly persuasive purpose for relying on sex. The 6th Circuit cited an older case applying a much more deferential standard. Perhaps, the court suggested, Dobbs had made it easier to pass any kind of sex classification, even when gender identity or abortion wasnt involved.

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There is more than a little irony in Dobbs new life as a precedent that takes aim at sex equality while also claiming its mantle. For starters, the court itself had so little to say that its a minor miracle conservative litigants and judges have made Dobbs stand for so much.

But Dobbs embrace of Geduldigand its role in a new conservative vision of sex and sexualityis even more telling. For years, Geduldig was an object of ridicule for Americans with varying views on abortion because it ignored the obvious truth that stereotypes about biology were at the very heart of sex discrimination. If some conservative states have their way, Geduldig wont be an embarrassing reminder of the past. Thanks to Dobbs, it just might be part of a radical rethinkingand dismantlingof equality in the future.
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As a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur, you understand the importance of making well-informed decisions. One choice you might not have considered yet is the selection of an American flag for your business or personal use. This guide will cover everything you need to know about buying US flags, including materials, sizes, care tips, and FAQs. The aim is to help you make the best choice possible for you.

Why the American Flag Holds a Special Place in Our Hearts

A Symbol of National Pride and Unity

The American flag serves as a powerful symbol of national pride and unity, reflecting our shared values and history. When you fly an American flag outside your business or home, youre not only showcasing your patriotism but also fostering a sense of community among your fellow citizens.

A Reminder of Our Nations Rich History

The American flag has evolved throughout our nations history, with each change reflecting significant events and milestones. Flying the flag is an opportunity to honor the sacrifices and achievements of those who have come before us, making it a meaningful choice for your business or personal use.

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Flags Used in Various Celebrations and Events

Whether youre celebrating a national holiday, commemorating a special event, or showing support for our military, American flags play an essential role in these occasions. Displaying the flag is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to the festive atmosphere while promoting a sense of national pride.

Factors to Consider When Buying American Flags

There are a few factors to consider when looking to purchase high-quality flags online. Here are the most important ones:

Durable Material

The material of your American flag is crucial for its durability and appearance. Nylon flags are lightweight and fly easily in the wind, while polyester flags are more durable and better suited for harsh weather conditions. Cotton flags offer a traditional look but may not be as weather-resistant. Consider your local climate and the intended use of the flag when selecting the best material for your needs.

Size and Dimensions

American flags come in various sizes, from small car window flags to larger American flags suitable for outdoor flagpoles. Consider where and how you plan to display the flag to determine the right size for your needs. Its essential to choose a flag that is appropriately sized for your flagpole or hanging location.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Use

Outdoor American flags are typically made from more durable materials like nylon and polyester, with reinforced stitching and corners to withstand the elements. Indoor flags are often made from materials like cotton, with additional features like embroidered stars and sewn stripes. Make sure to select a flag suitable for its intended purpose, be it outdoor or indoor use.

Flagpole Compatibility

When purchasing an American flag, ensure that it is compatible with your flagpole or hanging system. Some American flags come with grommets or sleeves for easy attachment, while others may require additional hardware. Check the flags specifications and your flagpoles requirements before making your purchase.

Best Places to Buy American Flags Online

Online retailers offer a wide variety of American flags for sale, often at competitive prices. Shopping online allows you to compare multiple brands and styles easily, ensuring that you find the perfect flag for your needs. Be sure to check customer reviews and return policies before making a purchase.

Specialty stores like Valley Forge Flags and Annin Flagmakers focus on providing high-quality flags and flag-related products. These stores often manufacture flags in the USA and are committed to delivering exceptional craftsmanship and durability. Both of these sellers and many others, offer their merchandise on Amazon and other online retailers.

Our Top Picks: American Flags for Sale

Since Amazon typically has the widest assortment and the fastest shipping, we searched through their pages to find the best quality American flags. Below are our top 3 picks and 7 additional recommendations for American flags for your business.

Feature Top Pick: Annin Flagmakers American Flag Runner Up: Star Spangled Flags Polyester American Flag Best Value: Made in USA Flags Polyester All Weather American Flag Size 1218 inches 35 feet 58 feet Material 200-denier heavyweight nylon Heavy-duty, all-weather 2-ply polyester 2-ply PolyMax polyester FMAA Certified Yes Yes Not specified Sun Protection Technology SolarGuard Nyl-Glo Sun-protected, vivid colors with aniline dye Not specified Installation Banner-style pole sleeve 2 sturdy brass grommets Brass grommets Additional Features Resistant to wind shredding Water-resistant Heavy-duty, fade-resistant design Flag Design Embroidered stars, sewn stripes Embroidered stars, sewn stripes Embroidered stars, individually sewn stripes

Annin Flagmakers American Flag

Top Pick: Annin flags have a rich history, having flown over the White House, on foreign battlefields, draped Abraham Lincolns casket, raised on Iwo Jima, and even planted on the moon.

With 50 stars that are embroidered and 13 sewn white and red stripes, this flag showcases quality craftsmanship. Four rows of open weave lock stitching on the fabric help resist wind shredding, while the banner-style pole sleeve provides easy mounting and display.

Size: 1218 inches

Material: 200-denier heavyweight nylon

Made in the USA

FMAA Certified

SolarGuard Nyl-Glo technology for sun protection

Banner-style pole sleeve

Annin Flagmakers American Flag

Buy on Amazon

Star Spangled Flags Polyester American Flag

Runner Up: Coming in second, the Star Spangled Flags Polyester American Flags are expertly crafted in the USA with a focus on durability and quality.

This flag features embroidered stars and sewn stripes, with lock-stitching on all seams and quadruple stitching on the fly end for extended durability. Designed with attention to detail, the flag includes water-resistant material and 2 sturdy brass grommets on a thick polyester canvas header.

Size: 35 feet

Material: Heavy-duty, all-weather 2-ply polyester

Made in the USA

FMAA certified

Sun-protected, vivid colors with aniline dye

2 sturdy brass grommets and a thick polyester canvas header

1-year risk-free warranty

Star Spangled Flags Polyester American Flag

Buy on Amazon

Made in USA Flags Polyester All Weather American Flag

Best Value: Our Best Value pick by USA Flags is a premium commercial-grade flag designed for durability and all-weather use. This flag boasts lock-stitching on all seams and vibrant red, white, and blue stripes that are individually sewnnot printed. The embroidered white stars have a high thread count, creating a raised and detailed appearance.

Dimensions: 58 ft

Material: 2-ply PolyMax polyester

Made in the USA

Vibrant, individually sewn stripes

Embroidered, raised white stars

Brass grommets for easy installation

Heavy-duty, fade-resistant design

Made in USA Flags Polyester All Weather American Flag

Buy on Amazon

Grace Alley Outdoor American Flag

Crafted by American workers, this flag is made with all-American materials and is Flag Code compliant. The 46 US Flag is constructed from Durawavez nylon to endure various outdoor environments. Its polyester heading adds strength, and the flag features four-point needle fly hemstitching and durable brass grommets.

Size: 46 ft

Material: Durawavez nylon

Made in the USA

Certified FMAA compliant

Embroidered stars and sewn stripes

Fade resistant and heavy duty

Grace Alley Outdoor American Flag

Buy on Amazon

Rushmore Rose Outside USA Flag

The Rushmore Rose USA American Flag is designed for small business owners who appreciate a high-quality, patriotic display. This robust flag is crafted for outdoor use and can withstand harsh weather and high winds. The Flag Manufacturers Association of America recognizes this flag for its high-quality craftsmanship.

Size: 2.5 x 4 ft

Material: Durable poly nylon

Made in the USA

Embroidered stars and sewn stripes

Rushmore Rose Outside USA Flag

Buy on Amazon

Valley Forge Sleeved American Flag

The Valley Forge Sleeved American Flag is 100% made in the United States and certified by the Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA). This flag is ideal for five-foot residential flagpoles and features a sleeve with a leather tab on the left edge for secure attachment to a flagpole.

Dimensions: 2.5 x 4 sleeved

Made in the USA

FMAA certified

Made of Perma-Nyl nylon

Quick-drying nylon ideal for rainy areas

Suitable for 5-foot residential flagpoles

Valley Forge Sleeved American Flag

Buy on Amazon

Grace Alley 3 Pack of Outdoor American Flags

Grace Alley brings you a 3-Pack of 35 ft outdoor American Flags, designed for outdoor use and 100% made in the USA. Each flag in the pack is crafted with Durawavez Nylon, offering high wind durability and weather resistance for outdoor environments. The American flags feature a polyester heading for added strength, a four-point needle fly hem, brass grommets for secure attachment, and sewn and embroidered stripes and stars.

Dimensions: 35 ft (3-Pack)

Material: American-made Durawavez Nylon

Made in the USA

Fade-resistant and long-lasting

Polyester heading for added strength

Brass grommets for durability

1-year, no-questions-asked warranty

Grace Alley 3 Pack of Outdoor American Flags

Buy on Amazon

Annin Flagmakers Tough-Tex Polyester Flag

Introducing the Annin Flagmakers Tough-Tex Polyester Flag: a 610 ft. U.S. flag designed for industrial, commercial, or institutional use. This flag boasts bright and bold colors achieved using SolarGuard dyes, processed for sun protection. It features 50 embroidered white stars and 13 sewn red and white stripes, with four rows of stitching on the fly hem for enhanced durability.

Dimensions: 610 ft

Material: Premium 2-ply polyester

Made in the USA and FMAA certified

Vibrant SolarGuard dyes for sun protection

Rust-proof grommets

Annin Flagmakers Tough-Tex Polyester Flag

Buy on Amazon

DANF Flags TearProof Series Outdoor American Flags

The 35 ft TearProof Series American Flag from DANF FLAG is crafted to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. This flag is made of robust 200GSM spun polyester and features advanced water-repellent, UV protection, and fade-resistant treatments to ensure its colors stay bright and true.

Featuring real brass grommets, this outdoor-ready flag is designed with longevity in mind. Four rows of stitching on the fly edge prevent rapid wear and tear, making this flag an enduring symbol of American craftsmanship.

Dimensions: 35 ft

Material: 100% spun polyester

Made in the USA

Fade-resistant and weather-resistant

Embroidered stars, sewn stripes

Brass grommets for secure display

DANF Flags TearProof Series Outdoor American Flags

Buy on Amazon

SYII American Flag with Gold Fringed Hem

The SYII American Flag is crafted with quality and attention to detail. This 35 foot flag is designed with a banner-style pole sleeve and showcases gold fringed edges that add elegance to its appearance. Constructed with heavy-duty polyester, its well-suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

Dimensions: 35 feet

Material: Durable polyester

Made in the USA

Luxury embroidered white stars

Pole sleeve for easy display

SYII American Flag with Gold Fringed Hem

Buy on Amazon

Caring for Your American Flag

Proper Flag Storage and Maintenance

Proper care and storage of your American flag will ensure it stays beautiful and durable for years to come. When not in use, store your flag in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. If your flag becomes dirty or stained, clean it according to the manufacturers instructions, typically using a mild detergent and lukewarm water. Allow the flag to air dry thoroughly before storing it.

How to Clean and Preserve Your Flag

Cleaning your flag regularly will help maintain its vibrant colors and prevent damage from dirt and pollutants. For outdoor flags, consider using a flagpole with a rotating collar to reduce flag wear caused by tangling. Additionally, remove your flag during severe weather conditions to minimize potential damage.

Tips for Displaying Your Flag Respectfully

Follow the US Flag Code guidelines to ensure youre displaying the American flag respectfully. Hang the flag with the union (blue field with stars) at the top left, whether displayed horizontally or vertically. When flown at half-staff, raise the flag to its peak before lowering it to the halfway point. Be mindful of lighting requirements if your flag is displayed outdoors 24/7; it should be illuminated during nighttime hours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there specific guidelines for displaying an American flag?

Yes, the US Flag Code provides guidelines for displaying the American flag respectfully. Adhering to these guidelines demonstrates patriotism and respect for our nations history and values.

What are the differences between nylon and polyester flags?

Nylon flags are lightweight and fly easily in the wind, making them ideal for mild weather conditions. Polyester flags are more durable and better suited for harsh weather, as they can withstand high winds and prolonged sun exposure.

How can I ensure my flag lasts longer outdoors?

Choose a flag made from durable materials like nylon or polyester and follow proper care and maintenance guidelines. Additionally, consider investing in a flagpole with a rotating collar to reduce wear from tangling.

Are there any laws or regulations regarding flag size and display?

While there are no specific laws governing flag size or display, following the US Flag Code guidelines ensures respectful and appropriate flag use.

Can I customize my American flag with my business logo?

It is not recommended to alter the design of the American flag, as it may be seen as disrespectful. Instead, consider creating a custom flag featuring your business logo alongside the American flag or incorporating patriotic elements into your logo design.

Choosing the perfect American flag for your business or personal use involves considering factors such as material, size, intended use, and where to buy the flag. Our comprehensive guide aims to help you make an informed decision, ensuring that you find a flag that meets your needs while promoting patriotism and supporting American businesses.

Remember to follow proper care and maintenance guidelines to keep your flag looking beautiful and durable for years to come. With the information provided in this guide, youll be well-equipped to choose an American flag that you can proudly display and cherish for years to come.

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Creating your own beauty business is an exciting endeavor. One of the most significant steps in the process is choosing the right name. Your brands name needs to reflect the uniqueness and the essence of the services or products you offer. Whether you are launching a beauty salon, a cosmetic line, or a skincare blog, this extensive list of 500 beauty business names will inspire you.

Classic Beauty Business Names

Starting off, lets explore some classic, timeless beauty business names. These names are elegant, refined, and subtly evoke the world of beauty:

Ageless Elegance

Polished Charm

Refined Radiance

Chic Cosmetics

Elegant Esthetics

Sophisticated Styles

Timeless Grace

Velvet Vixen

Classy Contours

Opulent Obsessions 

Regal Beauty

Pearl Perfection

Ivory Delights

Serenity Spa

Enchanting Essence

Graceful Glow

Harmony Haven

Luminous Luxe

Radiant Reflections

Opal Beauty

Regency Rouge

Golden Aura

Silk & Satin

Glamourous Garnet

Timeless Beauty Co.

Royal Rhapsody

Divine Elegance

Belle of the Ball

Majestic Mornings

Ethereal Enchantments

Modern Beauty Business Names

Next, we delve into modern, trendy names that can resonate with a younger, more hip audience. Here are some cool, chic, and modern beauty business name ideas:

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Neon Blush

GlamGlitz

GlitterBeam

Velvet Vibes

Pink Pout

Glossy Goddess

Chic Shimmers

Strobe Stunner

Lit Lashes

SlaySpace .

Vivid Vibe

Flawless Fusion

Glow Gang

Chroma Chic

Radiant Rebel

Dreamy Daze

Bold Beauty

Urban Glam

Electric Elegance

Modern Muse

Chic Canvas

Dazzle District

Sleek Style

Fierce Facets

Artistic Aura

Glamazon Studio

Trendy Tresses

Vogue Vision

Luxe & Lively

Glam Garage

Creative Beauty Business Names

Looking for a unique identity? Check out these creative beauty business names that evoke a sense of originality and innovation:

ChromaCraze

SpectraSplash

Illustrious Illusion

Fantasy Fringe

Dreamy Dusk

Cosmic Canvas

Whimsical Waves

Twilight Twirl

DazzleDrops

Prismatic Palette

EnchantiBlend

Mystic Maven

Artistry Alchemy

Luminary Lashes

GlowGalore

VividVisage

Whispering Winds

Serene Splendor

Radiant Reverie

Marvelous Mosaic

Ethereal Essence

Inkling Ink

Opaline Opulence

Jewel Jive

ColorBurst

Imaginique

Epic Elegance

Stellar Strokes

MesmerEyes

Chromatic Charms

Luxurious Beauty Business Names

When it comes to luxury beauty businesses, the names should embody sophistication and grandeur. Here are some that do just that:

Opulent Orchid

Lavish Lustre

Plush Peony

Luxe Lotus

Majestic Muse

Glamorous Gem

Prestige Petals

Regal Rose

Sublime Satin

Imperial Iris

Sumptuous Silk

Elegant Emerald

Noble Nectar

Radiant Royale

Exquisite Essence

Dazzling Dynasty

Gilded Grace

Regency Reign

Haute Hibiscus

Chic Caviar

Luxuria Luminance

Grandiose Glamour

Nectarine Niche

Velvet Vault

Supreme Splendor

Regalia Refined

Ravishing Regency

Indulgent Ivory

Diamond Dalliance

Nouveau Noir

Organic Beauty Business Names

Are you aiming for an eco-friendly, natural vibe? Here are some beauty business names that emphasize organic, wholesome elements:

Eco Elegance

Natural Nirvana

Wholesome Wonders

Pure Panache

Green Glamour

BioBeauty

Nature Nymph

Harmony Hues

Earthy Eclat

VitalVogue

Botanic Bliss

Organic Opulence

Sustainable Serenity

Fresh Fusion

Herbal Haven

Pure Purity

NaturaLux

Green Goddess

Earth Essence

Renewal Retreat

Nourish & Nurture

Rooted Radiance

Holistic Harmony

Bare Beauty

Evergreen Elegance

Whisked Away

Naturally Yours

Sage Serenade

Earthly Enchantment

Naturalize

Catchy Beauty Business Names

Discover a curated list of 20 names inspired by industry terms to help establish your expertise and make your beauty business easily recognizable.

Gloss n Glaze

Blush Buff

Swanky Shades

Ravishing Rouge

Sassy Stains

Bold n Beautiful

Dapper Dusk

Sprightly Sparkle

Magical Mist

Glam Glaze

Glimmer Glam

Chic Chisel

Radiant Rendezvous

Vivid Valet

Luxe Lather

Sleek Siren

Glossy Glow

Flair Finesse

Enchanting Elixir

Dazzle Drizzle

Allure Aesthetic

Stunning Strokes

Pizzazz Pout

Gleaming Gaze

Captivating Canvas

Glow Getter

Vibrant Vogue

Fierce Flicks

Sculpted Chic

Effervescent Elegance

Beauty Business Name Ideas Inspired by Industry Terms

Discover a curated list of 40 names inspired by industry terms to help establish your expertise and make your beauty business easily recognizable.

Contour Cosmetics

Brow Bar

Pout and Polish

Glamour Glow

Luscious Locks

Nail Nirvana

Skin Sanctuary

Tress Trends

Brow Envy

Gloss and Glam

Beauty Basics

Spa Serenity

Makeup Maven

Hair Haven

Brow Studio

Nails & Beyond

Beauty Bliss

Skin Deep

Lash Lounge

Glam Squad

Highlight Haven

Brow Sculpt

Mani Magic

Glow Getter

Strand Style

Glossy Glam

Pedi Paradise

Curl Craze

Lash Luxe

Beauty Baroque

Makeup Mastermind

Hair Harmony

Nail Nectar

Flawless Facets

Brow Bliss

Skincare Solutions

Glamour Glossary

Locks & Lashes

Radiant Reflections

Nail Couture

Beauty Business Name Ideas Inspired by Foreign Languages

Explore 40 foreign language-inspired names that add a sense of mystique or elegance to your beauty brand and captivate your customers.

Bellezza (Italian for beauty)

Schon (German for beautiful)

Beaute (French for beauty)

Bella Rosa (Italian for beautiful rose)

Jolie Beaute (French for pretty beauty)

Hermosa (Spanish for beautiful)

Belleza Elegante (Spanish for elegant beauty)

Bella Luna (Italian for beautiful moon)

Kaunis Kauneus (Finnish for beautiful beauty)

Belo Estilo (Portuguese for beautiful style)

Magnifica (Italian for magnificent)

Sjondugt (Swedish for beautiful)

Lepota (Serbian for beauty)

Bello Fiore (Italian for beautiful flower)

Frumos (Romanian for beautiful)

Alhuriya (Arabic for beauty)

Hermosura (Spanish for loveliness)

Sopoys (Finnish for cuteness)

Bellesse (French for beauty)

Belo Horizonte (Portuguese for beautiful horizon)

Belle Eclat (French for beautiful radiance)

Hermoso Encanto (Spanish for beautiful charm)

Bela Sinfonia (Portuguese for beautiful symphony)

Bella Vita (Italian for beautiful life)

Bela Ceu (Portuguese for beautiful sky)

Charme Magnifique (French for magnificent charm)

Bello Sole (Italian for beautiful sun)

Lueur Elegante (French for elegant glow)

Bela Melodia (Portuguese for beautiful melody)

Bellissimo Angolo (Italian for beautiful corner)

Encanto del Mar (Spanish for enchantment of the sea)

Schonheit des Himmels (German for beauty of the sky)

Bela Primavera (Portuguese for beautiful spring)

Belle Harmonie (French for beautiful harmony)

Radiante Esplendor (Spanish for radiant splendor)

Bella Anima (Italian for beautiful soul)

Charme Divin (French for divine charm)

Belo Destino (Portuguese for beautiful destiny)

Bela Alegria (Portuguese for beautiful joy)

Etoile Eblouissante (French for dazzling star)

Beauty Business Name Ideas with Acronyms or Abbreviations

Make your beauty business more memorable and intriguing with 40 names using acronyms or abbreviations that leave a lasting impression on your audience.

F.A.B. Facials (Fabulous and Beautiful)

R.A.D. Cosmetics (Radiant and Dazzling)

L.U.S.H. Beauty (Luxurious, Unique, Stunning, and High-quality)

E.V.E. Skincare (Elegant, Vibrant, and Enchanting)

G.L.O.W. Spa (Gorgeous, Luminous, and Outstanding Wellness)

D.A.R.E. Cosmetics (Daring, Alluring, Radiant, and Exquisite)

P.O.S.H. Beauty (Posh, Opulent, Sophisticated, and High-end)

S.T.Y.L.E. Salon (Stylish, Trendy, Youthful, and Luxurious Experience)

I.R.I.S. Makeup (Inspired, Radiant, Innovative, and Stunning)

B.E.L.L.A. Hair Studio (Beautiful, Elegant, Luxurious, and Lovely Ambiance)

S.W.A.N. Nails (Stylish, Wonderful, Artistic, and Nurturing)

V.I.V.A. Skincare (Vibrant, Invigorating, Vital, and Age-defying)

E.C.H.O. Spa (Exquisite, Calming, Harmonious, and Opulent)

A.U.R.A. Beauty (Authentic, Unforgettable, Radiant, and Alluring)

E.N.V.Y. Cosmetics (Exquisite, Nurturing, Vibrant, and Youthful)

L.U.X.E. Salon (Luxurious, Upscale, Exquisite, and Elite)

R.O.S.E. Spa (Radiant, Opulent, Serene, and Enchanting)

C.H.A.R.M. Beauty (Captivating, Harmonious, Alluring, and Radiant)

S.W.E.E.T. Hair Studio (Stylish, Winsome, Elegant, and Trendsetting)

D.I.V.A. Nails (Dazzling, Impeccable, Vibrant, and Artistic)

S.O.L.E. Skincare (Soothing, Organic, Luxurious, and Enriching)

P.U.R.E. Cosmetics (Pure, Unblemished, Radiant, and Ethereal)

A.C.E. Beauty (Alluring, Captivating, Elegant)

L.I.F.T. Spa (Luminous, Invigorating, Firming, Transformative)

E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Salon (Exquisite, Modern, Beautiful, Relaxing, Artistic, Captivating, Elegant)

S.P.A.R.K. Makeup (Stunning, Professional, Artistic, Radiant, Known)

G.L.A.M. Beauty (Gorgeous, Luminous, Artistic, Mesmerizing)

B.L.I.S.S. Skincare (Beautiful, Luminous, Invigorating, Soothing, Serene)

H.E.A.V.E.N. Cosmetics (Harmonious, Ethereal, Alluring, Vibrant, Enchanting, Natural)

P.O.L.I.S.H. Nails (Perfect, Opulent, Lavish, Innovative, Stylish, High-quality)

F.L.A.W.L.E.S.S. Beauty (Flawless, Luxurious, Alluring, Wholesome, Elegant, Serene, Stunning)

R.A.V.I.S.H. Spa (Radiant, Alluring, Vibrant, Invigorating, Serene, Harmonious)

I.C.O.N. Salon (Inspiring, Creative, Outstanding, Nurturing)

G.E.M.S. Makeup (Glamorous, Elegant, Mesmerizing, Stunning)

S.T.U.N.N. Beauty (Striking, Timeless, Unforgettable, Natural, Noteworthy)

M.A.J.E.S.T.I.C. Skincare (Magical, Alluring, Joyful, Ethereal, Serene, Transformative, Invigorating, Captivating)

V.O.G.U.E. Cosmetics (Vibrant, Opulent, Glamorous, Unforgettable, Elegant)

G.L.O.W. Hair Studio (Gorgeous, Lustrous, Outstanding, Wonderful)

E.N.V.I.S.I.O.N. Nails (Elegant, Natural, Vibrant, Innovative, Serene, Opulent, Nurturing)

S.P.L.E.N.D.O.R. Spa (Stunning, Pampering, Lavish, Enchanting, Nurturing, Divine, Opulent, Relaxing)

Beauty Business Name Ideas with Puns or Wordplay

Infuse your beauty business with fun and creativity by choosing from 20 names featuring puns or wordplay that will make your brand stand out and leave a smile on peoples faces.

Makeup Ur Mind

Eye-Dream

Lip Service

Blush Crush

Curl Up & Dye

Mane Attraction

Polished Perfection

Tressed to Impress

Beauty and the Beach

Brow Chic

The Glam Garage

Gloss Boss

Chic Cheeks

Pedi-Paradise

Brushed Beauty

Lash-Tastic

Beauty Bound

Bling & Beauty

Nailed It!

Skin Wins

Beauty Salon Names

For those looking to establish a salon, here are some unique and creative names:

Polished Profiles

Heavenly Highlights

Dazzling Dos

Mane Mystique

TressTreat

Sleek Streaks

Shear Splendor

Snip n Shine

Chic Clips

Primp n Preen

Glamour Gurus

Stylista Studio

Elegant Edge

The Beauty Den

Posh & Pixie

Cuts & Curls

Lavish Locks

Glossy Mane

Style Sanctuary

Strand Street

Beauty Haven

Blissful Blends

Signature Styles

Salon Serenity

The Hair Emporium

Flawless Finish

Tress Trends

Glam Lounge

The Style Spot

Chic Coiffeur

Lash Business Name Ideas

Launching a lash business? Here are 30 catchy and creative names to inspire you:

Lash Luxe

Flutter Fab

Lash Lounge

Glamour Gaze

Divine Lashes

Lash Envy

Lash Haven

Alluring Extensions

Lash Couture

Lash Bliss

Lash Emporium

The Lash Studio

Fabulash

Lash Vixen

Lash Dreams

Luxe Lashes

Glam Lash Bar

The Lash Co.

Lash Enchantment

Lash Obsession

Dazzlelash

Lash Magic

Lash Elegance

Blink Beauty

Glamourlash

Lash Perfection

Lash Diva

Flutter Finesse

Lash Affair

Lash Love

Beauty Blog Name Ideas

Are you a beauty blogger looking for an exciting brand name? Heres some inspiration:

BlushBullet

LashLine

StainStories

Contour Chronicles

BronzerBlogs

MascaraMusings

GlossGoss

RougeRamblings

TintTales

PowderPosts

GlamGrams

Beauty Babbles

Chic Chats

Dazzle Diaries

Luxe Looks

Glow Gurus

Cosmetic Chronicles

Polished Prose

Beauty Byte

Savvy Shades

Makeup Memoirs

Style Stories

Beauty Buzz

Radiant Reviews

Glossy Glimpses

The Glam Gazette

Slay Secrets

Beauty Beat

The Makeup Maven

Flawless Insights

Aesthetic Business Names

Running an aesthetic clinic? Check out these sophisticated names that will resonate with your clientele:

AesthetiAura

Harmony Hues

Radiant Reverie

Dreamy Demeanor

Illustrious Illusion

Enchanting Elegance

Elegant Euphoria

Enigma Ethereal

Radiant Renaissance

Serene Silhouettes

Opulent Oasis

Luxury Luminance

Divine Delight

Serenity Spa

Ethereal Aesthetics

Regal Reflections

Chic Contours

Aesthetic Allure

Tranquil Touch

Ravishing Renewal

Luminous Luxe

Harmony Haven

Glowing Grace

Sophisticated Serenity

Elevate Esthetics

Sublime Symmetry

Elegant Equilibrium

Timeless Tranquility

Blissful Beauty

Captivating Calm

Nail Salon Names

Aspiring to start your own nail salon? Here are some catchy names to make your business stand out:

Polished Pinkies

Sassy Stilettos

Elegant Enamel

Glossy Gems

Radiant Ruby

Twinkle Toes

Velvet Varnish

Lavish Lacquer

Pristine Polish

Nifty Nails

Nail Nouveau

Chic & Tipsy

Nail Nirvana

Glamour Gloss

Mani Magic

Nail Haven

Nail Couture

Posh Polish

Nail Envy

NailBar

Luxe Lacquer

Nailed It!

The Nail Nook

NailFusion

Nail Delights

Artful Adornments

Nail Bliss

The Nail Lounge

Vivid Varnish

Nail Perfection

Hair Salon Names

Launching a hair salon? Here are some catchy and creative hair salon names:

Hair Haven

Tress Temptation

Glossy Grains

Dazzling Dos

Locks of Luxury

Shear Splendor

Pristine Plaits

Ravishing Ringlets

Chic Curls

Beautiful Braids

The Hair Hideaway

Glamourous Gaze

Salon Serenade

Lavish Locks

Curl Couture

Hair Harmony

Stylista Studio

Mane Majesty

Hairitage

Silk & Scissors

Strand Studio

Sleek & Chic

The Hair Emporium

Tress Trends

Tress Temptations

Hair Haven

Tress Treasures

Cuts & Curls

Hair Whispers

Sculpted Splendor

Makeup Business Names

Planning to start a makeup business? These names may spark your imagination:

Prismatic Palette

Glam Glisten

Hue Haven

Chroma Charm

Luscious Lustre

Radiant Rouge

Blushing Beauty

DazzleDrops

Glossy Glimmer

Twinkle Twirl

Opulent Opus

Cosmic Canvas

Glow Glamour

Flawless Finish

Makeup Mirage

Glamour Grind

Glossy Glam

Spectrum Sparkle

Pristine Pigments

Blissful Brushes

Enchanted Enhancements

Glamour Galaxy

Color Crush

Makeup Maven

Radiant Reflections

Artistic Aura

Chic Chroma

Elegant Embellishments

Vibrant Visage

MesmerEyes

Skincare Business Names

Are you launching a skincare brand? Here are some names that radiate a sense of purity, wellness, and radiance:

Skin Serenity

Radiant Reverie

Purity Petals

Dewdrop Dazzle

Flawless Flair

Glowing Grace

Tranquil Tones

Luminous Lustre

Silken Solace

VitalVogue

Ethereal Essence

Serenity Spa

Harmony Haven

Pure Perfection

Velvet Veil

Blissful Beauty

Renewal Retreat

Nourish & Nurture

Revitalizing Radiance

Divine Derma

Radiant Rituals

Crystal Clear

Aqua Aura

Luminous Luxe

Natural Nourishment

Vibrant Vitality

Youthful Yonder

Skin Sanctuary

Harmonious Glow

Silken Serums

Tips for Creating Beauty Business Names

When it comes to creating names for your beauty business, its not just about picking something that sounds good. There are several crucial factors to consider that will contribute to the overall success of your brand.

Overview of important factors to consider when creating a business name for a beauty business

Relevance: Your business name should clearly indicate that youre in the beauty industry. It should resonate with the products or services you offer. Uniqueness: Standing out is essential in the saturated beauty market. Aim for a unique name that distinguishes your brand from competitors. Memorability: Customers are more likely to remember short, catchy names. Long or complicated names might be easily forgotten. Simplicity: Your beauty business name should be easy to spell and pronounce. This makes it easier for customers to share your business by word of mouth. Availability: Before settling on a name, check its availability as a web domain and within business registries to ensure you can legally use it.

Consider SEO When Naming Your Beauty Business

Importance of SEO in business naming

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial in naming your beauty business because it helps your website appear in search results when potential customers search for beauty products or services. An SEO-friendly name can drive more traffic to your website, leading to increased awareness and sales.

Tips for incorporating SEO in your beauty business name

Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate popular beauty-related keywords in your business name. This can help search engines associate your site with these keywords.

Avoid Duplication: To stand out in search results, avoid using a name thats already popular in the beauty industry.

Research: Use SEO tools to research potential names and see how they might perform in search rankings.

The Process of Naming Your Beauty Business

Choosing a beauty business name isnt just about creativity; its a strategic process that can significantly influence your makeup and beauty businesss success. The first step involves brainstorming a myriad of beauty business name ideas, allowing creativity to flow freely without restriction. Next, a shortlist of catchy beauty business names is created that possess distinct qualities  being memorable, relevant, and unique, just like the sparkle of beauty queen dazzling lashes.

Seeking feedback from close associates or potential customers is crucial in this stage, functioning as a valuable health and beauty source for ideas and perspectives. Further, check the availability of your chosen brand names to ensure theyre unique in the beauty store marketplace and not already owned by an existing beauty company or shop. Finally, upon settling on a catchy beauty business name, legally register it, safeguarding your brand from potential misuse and establishing your place within the beauty and makeup industry.

Beauty Business Name Generators

If youre struggling to come up with a name, using a business name generator can be a helpful tool. Here are a few recommended beauty business name generators:

Shopify Business Name Generator Namelix NameMesh BizNameWiz

Remember, a business name generator should serve as a starting point. Its essential to tailor the suggestions to your brand and check the availability of the names generated.

Final Words

Choosing the perfect name for your beauty business is a significant step. The right name can communicate the essence of your brand, attract your target audience, and set you apart from the competition. So take your time and make sure your chosen name reflects your brands vision and values. We hope our extensive list of beauty business names has sparked your imagination and helped you along your journey to business success.

Remember, the beauty industry is all about transformation, creativity, and aesthetic appeal. Your brands name is your first impression to potential customers, so make it count!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Choose a Beauty Business Name?

When selecting a business name, its crucial to consider the brands essence and the services or products offered. A simple and concise name helps create a strong connection with the target audience. Choosing a name that resonates with the target market is essential, as different demographic groups may respond differently. To stand out from competitors and avoid confusion, a unique and distinct name is essential. Ensure no existing businesses have similar names to avoid confusion among potential customers. A distinctive name helps create a strong brand identity and sets you apart in the marketplace.

How to Check the Availability of a Beauty Business Name?

Once you have a list of potential business names, you need to check their availability. This involves checking whether the name is already trademarked, and if the domain name is available. You can do these checks online through trademark databases and domain registrars.

Can I Use the Beauty Business Name Generator?

Yes, you can use a beauty business name generator to get ideas. However, the most creative and effective names often come from human imagination and a deep understanding of the brands identity.

What Are Some Famous Beauty Business Names?

Some famous beauty business names include LOreal, Estee Lauder, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty. These names are globally recognized and associated with high-quality beauty products.

Can I Change My Beauty Business Name in the Future?

While it is possible to change your beauty business name in the future, it is not recommended. A name change can be confusing for customers and can lead to a loss in brand recognition and trust. Therefore, it is best to choose a name that you are happy with from the start.
Call centers are important to small businesses because they are a point of contact for customers. A small business gets a more professional image when they use one of these business services. These outbound services also allow a business to expand. There are even options for an in-house call center.

This blog will walk you through all of your options for call center services and answer important questions. Youll know what to look for and even the names of some of the industry leaders when youre done.

If youre thinking about starting one of these businesses, call centers do pay off. In fact, the industry is projected to be worth $21.8 billion by 2024.

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The Importance of Call Center Services

Call center services can play an instrumental role in the growth and success of small businesses. The role of contact centers extends beyond just answering calls; they provide holistic customer service that can lead to improved customer satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, business growth. Below are some key points elaborating on the importance of call center services for small businesses:

24/7 Support : This allows businesses to provide round-the-clock assistance to their customers, which is especially crucial for serving international clientele across different time zones.

: This allows businesses to provide round-the-clock assistance to their customers, which is especially crucial for serving international clientele across different time zones. Immediate Assistance : Many call centers offer immediate support for diverse areas such as IT, helping resolve issues quickly and efficiently and enhancing customer satisfaction.

: Many call centers offer immediate support for diverse areas such as IT, helping resolve issues quickly and efficiently and enhancing customer satisfaction. Order and Payment Processing : Inbound call centers often handle tasks such as order taking and payment processing, making the customers buying journey more seamless and convenient.

: Inbound call centers often handle tasks such as order taking and payment processing, making the customers buying journey more seamless and convenient. Scheduling and Technical Support : Advanced call center services answer queries and schedule appointments, provide technical support, and even manage the customers overall journey with the brand.

: Advanced call center services answer queries and schedule appointments, provide technical support, and even manage the customers overall journey with the brand. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) : Features like IVR allow businesses to direct callers to the appropriate departments based on their needs, ensuring efficient and effective service.

: Features like IVR allow businesses to direct callers to the appropriate departments based on their needs, ensuring efficient and effective service. Scaling Operations : By taking care of aspects such as warranty inquiries, account updates, and other administrative tasks, call centers enable small businesses to focus on their core operations and scale up effectively.

: By taking care of aspects such as warranty inquiries, account updates, and other administrative tasks, call centers enable small businesses to focus on their core operations and scale up effectively. Building a Reliable Brand: By providing consistent, high-quality customer service, call centers help small businesses establish themselves as reliable and trustworthy brands.

In a nutshell, a call center service can significantly enhance a businesss customer service experience, leading to improved customer retention, increased operational efficiency, and sustained business growth.

Understanding Call Center Services

Call center agents can handle complaints, requests and customer inquiries. Outbound call center services can include surveys. The best call center service can help a business outsource and scale the customer services. Call centers can also offer social media communications for low-volume calls and bigger numbers.

Role of Call Centers in Business

These types of contact center solutions cover outbound messages too. For your business, they are more than just an answering service. Dedicated agents can conduct market research. And they can take customer service calls for technical help. Plus they could even offer cold calling services.

Call Center Services and Customer Relationship Management

Providing great customer service is a priority. Good centers focus on customer needs, like order processing. This kind of direct response can provide support for customer inquiries. These call centers can look after details like providing information on company procedures and policies while handling outbound and inbound sales calls.

Importance of a Call Center Service for Customer Support

Inbound call center services are done properly to answer calls from existing customers. They can supply customer care and assistance 24 seven with the right center software or staff. They enhance customer satisfaction by resolving issues and providing knowledge about services and products. You can have a centralized department on the premises for this service.

Where to Find Reliable Call Center Services

Finding the right call centers will help your small business. Following are some of the top outsourced call centers you can use to full advantage. All those listed provide customer service that includes service and/or product troubleshooting.

AMBS

This call center service provider operates around the clock. Their center software has a dashboard and web portal that runs reports in real time. The best software does a few different things well, including call routing so customers get the most appropriate responses.

Real-time dashboards also allow managers and supervisors to monitor important analytics.

Signius Communications

This company provides a specialty answering service and call center outsourcing for businesses. Their answering services operate only in the United States and look after overflow calls and emergencies.

Ring Central

This is one of the contact centers that offers unlimited domestic calling. They include phone calls and video on any device. Ring Central was voted one of the top outbound call centers for 2023. Also voted one of the top automated answering services.

GetCallers

More than another telephone answering service. This company offers center outsourcing that includes virtual assistants.

Uassist.ME

This company offers call center outsourcing and even graphic design. They offer other services like appointment setting with contact center software.

AnswerConnect

This company focuses on lead generation. Get inbound and outbound calls that plug into Salesforce and other core business partners. Call volume doesnt matter. The inbound services here answer in one to four rings.

Magellan Solutions

Magellan Solutions specializes in inbound calling services. The contact center software includes a virtual receptionist for both in and outbound calls. This is a multilingual call center service.

NexReP

This is one of the contact center services that focuses on a work-from-home model. NexRep offers tasks to outsource to independent contractors from Portland, Maine.

RSVP Communications

This is another contact center offering fulfillment and marketing support. RSVP Communications is a top-notch outbound call center that handles incoming calls too.

Fivestar Call Centers

This company has been looking after outsourcing customer service for 35 years. This contact center offers multilingual options. The center locations are offshore and onshore.

Company Hours of Operation Domestic/International Specialties Extra Services Call Management AMBS 24/7 Not specified Real-time reporting, Call routing Web portal, Dashboard Yes Signius Communications Not specified US only Specialty answering service, Handles overflow calls and emergencies - Yes Ring Central Not specified Unlimited domestic calling Phone calls, Video calls, Top automated answering services - Yes GetCallers Not specified Not specified Call center outsourcing Virtual assistants Yes Uassist.ME Not specified Not specified Call center outsourcing, Appointment setting Graphic design Yes AnswerConnect Not specified Not specified Lead generation, Inbound and outbound calls Integrations with Salesforce and other business partners Yes Magellan Solutions Not specified Not specified Inbound calling services Virtual receptionist, Multilingual Yes NexReP Not specified Not specified Work-from-home model Independent contractor outsourcing Yes RSVP Communications Not specified Not specified Fulfillment, Marketing support, Outbound call center - Yes Fivestar Call Centers Not specified Offshore and onshore Customer service outsourcing Multilingual Yes

Frequently Asked Questions About Call Center Services

People have questions about their contact center outsourcing options. Here are some of the common ones about how these centers work.

What are call center services?

Call center companies handle communications for one or several businesses. They can route calls or answer questions. Some look after customer surveys and other marketing services.

How can call centers help my business?

Contact center software and employees can do a variety of things like market research. A good call center solution can schedule appointments, troubleshoot complaints, and process orders. A virtual call center can even make outbound calls and follow up on leads.

What is the role of a call center in customer support?

A call center frustrating customers isnt accomplishing the goal. Their primary role is to look after customers who are seeking assistance or support. Call center services fall under the heading of the complaint department. Part of the support system they offer is about resolving issues.

Where can I find reliable call center services?

The best call center locations are international. The United States, India, and The Philippines are popular choices. Here is some information on the best software features to look for when youre putting together or looking for a call center program. This information can help you to narrow down your choices.
The laundromat industry has been strong since the 1900s and is now poised for even stronger growth. Do people still need laundromats? Remember, during the pandemic, laundromats were considered essential businesses.

One of the main reasons for that growth is advances in technology that improve the doing the laundry experience:

Smart Phone users can connect with laundry equipment such as washers and dryers, to check the status of their laundry in the wash and dry cycles. Also, they can pay through Apps.

Franchise designs often include flat-screen TVs, WIFI, and even childrens play areas.

As a franchise, the laundromat has a very low failure rate, with more than 90% of new businesses still running strong after five years.

There are laundry franchise opportunities to fit the type of business best for your area. For example, a laundromat franchise can be totally self-serve, or you can add laundry services such as wash, dry and fold services.

Understanding the Laundromat Business Model

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Lets delve into the business model. There are two main franchise types.

Laundromat franchise  Washers, dryers and an inventory of products (detergent, dryer sheets). The franchisor helps with choosing and securing the location, design of the laundromat franchise and marketing.

Laundromat equipment franchise  This type of franchise focuses on providing commercial quality equipment at your predetermined location. For example, the owners of an apartment complex could like to set up a laundry business in the building for tenants use.

Or, the owner of a vacant commercial property in a busy downtown area installs a laundromat franchise or equipment franchise for the use of local business people.

How Does a Laundry Service Franchise Work?

The franchise fees are typically low, but the franchisee needs to have a good amount of liquid cash available. That number ranges from $100,000 to $300,000. Franchise fees range from $30,000 to $75,000. Some have no franchise fees, but the required amount of liquid cash is higher.

Both franchisor and franchisee benefit from a name brand association that helps build the customer basealso, both benefit from having access to quality, dependable commercial equipment at a reasonable price.

After the startup, the laundromat owners then focus on maintenance and utilities. In most laundry businesses, there are few employees unless additional services are added, such as washing, drying and folding, or pickup and delivery.

How Profitable is the Average Laundromat?

The average traditional coin laundromat nets from $15,000 to $100,000 annually.

The average laundry franchise does much better. There are laundry franchises that are clearing $10,000 to $40,000 MONTHLY. The estimated Return on Investment ranges from 20 to 35%.

The Top 10 Laundromat Franchise Opportunities

Which is the best laundromat franchise? In todays world, many customers make it a point to be eco-friendly by reducing water and energy use. They also want cleanliness and comfort so that a chore is made as pleasant as it can be.

1. Eco Laundry Company

The Eco Laundry Company has set the standard for environmental consciousness. The Eco Laundry franchise uses energy-efficient machines, and the business is run 100% using wind energy. The franchise fee is $30,000 and youll need a minimum of $230,000 in liquid cash.

2. Speed Queen

Speed Queen has a cloud-based management platform for managers and offers customers App-based payments. Services such as pick up/delivery and wash, dry, and fold can be added with the Speed Queen franchise. Youll need $300,000 in liquid cash and a net worth of $2 million.

3. Maytag

Maytag also has commercial equipment that allows cashless payments and remote monitoring by customers (of the wash and dry cycles). Youll need $75,000 in liquid cash. Financing is available privately through Maytag through its partnership with Eastern Funding.

4. Supersuds

The Supersuds franchise is currently only available in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Supersuds will help the franchisee secure a location and design the facility. The Supersuds facility will include flatscreen TVs, WIFI, and radio. Youll need $100,000 in liquid cash.

5. Zoom Express

The Zoom Express laundry franchise is available in Michigan, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania. Zoom Express offers credit card and mobile payments. Youll need $100,000 in liquid cash and the franchise fee is $39,500. As the name implies, the franchise focuses on speedy wash and dry times.

6. WaveMAX

The WaveMAX franchisor plan includes a detailed, in-depth analysis of the proposed location or locations in the target area. The company will analyze the potential for customers. The WaveMAX franchise fee is $49,950 and youll need $200,000 in liquid capital.

7. Express Laundry Center

The Express Laundry Center is also a franchise that focuses on time-saving wash and dry commercial equipment. There is no franchise fee for an Express Laundry Center, but you need $250,000 in liquid cash.

8. Martinizing

The Martinizing franchise is most aimed at providing dry cleaning services but also offers laundry services, including wash, dry and fold. Another service is bulk laundry, such as business uniforms. The franchise fee is $69,500 and youll need $420,000 in liquid cash.

9. Statewide

Statewide is a franchise thats available in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The Statewide franchise is a supplier of Speed Queen equipment and focuses on the development and construction of new facilities, as well as the refurbishing of existing laundromats. Your amount of liquid cash determines how much equipment you can buy.

10. Laundrylux

Like Statewide, Laundrylux focuses on helping existing laundromats upgrade equipment to its line, called Wascomat. Laundrylux focuses on setting up in commercial buildings. The Wascomat line includes App-based and cashless payment systems.

Franchise Key Features Franchise Fee Liquid Cash Required Eco Laundry Company Environmental consciousness, energy-efficient machines, wind energy $30,000 $230,000 Speed Queen Cloud-based management, App-based payments, additional services Not specified $300,000 Maytag Cashless payments, remote monitoring, financing options Not specified $75,000 Supersuds Facility design with amenities like flatscreen TVs, WIFI, and radio Not specified $100,000 Zoom Express Speedy wash and dry times, credit card and mobile payments $39,500 $100,000 WaveMAX Detailed analysis of proposed locations, franchise support $49,950 $200,000 Express Laundry Center Time-saving wash and dry equipment, no franchise fee Not specified $250,000 Martinizing Dry cleaning and laundry services, bulk laundry, financing options $69,500 $420,000 Statewide Supplier of Speed Queen equipment, new facility development Not specified Varies Laundrylux Equipment upgrades, commercial building focus, App-based payments Not specified Not specified

Comparing Laundromat Franchise Opportunities: What to Consider

If you want to run the best laundromat franchise, location is probably the top priority. You must have a location thats convenient to customers, even if youre going to offer pickup and delivery. Of course, you want to be a good distance from any competitor.

The Future of the Laundry Industry: Trends to Watch

The laundry industry is evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of customers. Here are some key trends to watch for in the future:

Eco-Friendly Services: Customers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly laundry services that prioritize sustainability. This includes using technologies and practices that minimize water and energy consumption, as well as using biodegradable detergents and environmentally friendly cleaning processes. Offering such services can attract environmentally conscious customers and differentiate your business in the market.

Enhanced Customer Experience: In todays fast-paced world, customers value convenience and relaxation. Laundry facilities that provide amenities like WIFI connectivity and television screens create a more enjoyable and productive experience for customers. By offering these features, you can cater to customers who prefer to multitask or unwind while their laundry is being done.

Technological Advancements: The laundry industry is embracing technology to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. From mobile apps for scheduling pickups and deliveries to smart laundry machines with automated cycles, technology is streamlining operations and enhancing the overall laundry experience. Keeping up with technological advancements can help you stay competitive and meet customer expectations.

Personalized Services: Customers appreciate personalized services that cater to their specific needs and preferences. Offering options like fragrance customization, fabric-specific treatments, or specialty cleaning services can set your business apart and create a loyal customer base. Understanding and addressing individual customer requirements can lead to increased satisfaction and repeat business.

Subscription and Delivery Services: The rise of subscription-based models and on-demand laundry services is transforming the industry. Customers are looking for convenient options that save them time and effort. Offering subscription plans for regular laundry pickups and deliveries or providing on-demand services through a mobile app can attract busy customers who prioritize convenience.

By keeping an eye on these trends, laundry businesses can adapt and stay ahead in the evolving industry landscape. Embracing eco-friendly practices, enhancing the customer experience, leveraging technology, providing personalized services, and exploring subscription and delivery models can position your business for success in the future.

FAQs: Laundromat Franchise

What is the average startup cost for a laundromat franchise?

The average start-up cost for laundromat franchises is $200,000 to $300,000, including a franchise fee and cost of equipment.

Are laundromat businesses profitable?

Yes. The Return on Investment is 20-35%, and some franchises report earnings of $10,000 or more per month.

How does an eco laundry company differ from a traditional laundromat franchise?

An eco-friendly laundry focuses on using less water and energy and may use alternative energy sources. For example, Eco Laundry uses wind energy.

What are the key factors in a successful laundromat business model?

Location, including proximity to customers.

How is the laundry industry expected to evolve in the coming years?

The successful business model will adapt to customer needs, which may include more add-on services such as wash, dry and fold, as well as pickup and delivery.

Is laundromat a good side business?

Yes. Once the start-up has been completed, the owner will focus on maintenance and utilities. The business can be run as a sole proprietor or with a minimal number of employees.

Can a laundromat make you a millionaire?

Yes. According to statistics, a modern laundromat can net $10,000 a month. Some make much more than that!

How can I make my laundry business stand out in a competitive market?

You can make sure your facility is clean and comfortable. In addition, you can offer services such as washing, drying and folding, and pickup/delivery.
PM blames breakdown in trust between police and minister.

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Interior Minister Ivan Simko has left his post after just two months in Slovakia's technocratic government, with Prime Minister Ludovit Odor blaming a breakdown in trust between Simko and police leaders for the move.

President Zuzana Caputova revoked Simko's mandate on Wednesday, with the ministry entrusted to the PM.

"Trust between Ivan Simko and the wider leadership of the police has been damaged in recent weeks and it was impossible to restore it despite negotiations and great effort on the part of the President and myself," Odor said.

The move follows recent social media posts by Simko about the police, which included one in which he wrote that "the hands of people with pistols and handcuffs must not be untied".

Police Corps President Stefan Hamran, National Crime Agency (NAKA) head Lubomir Danko, and other senior police officials had threatened to resign if Simko remained in place.

According to the SME daily, police leaders disagreed with Simko on personnel issues and on approaches to some sensitive cases, and had different views on political control over the police force or how the minister should obtain information from the police.

As Odor's government is a technocratic one, ministers cannot be dismissed. After their mandate has been revoked, they can be replaced by any of the remaining cabinet members.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/presumed-north-korean-ballistic-missile-test-lands-outside-japanese-waters---tokyo-1111976734.html

Presumed North Korean Ballistic Missile Test Lands Outside Japanese Waters - Tokyo

Presumed North Korean Ballistic Missile Test Lands Outside Japanese Waters - Tokyo

Military authorities in South Korea and Japan said on Wednesday morning that they were tracking a projectile as it flew from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) into the Sea of Japan.

2023-07-18T21:12+0000

2023-07-18T21:12+0000

2023-07-18T21:10+0000

dprk

japan

south korea

ballistic missile

test

asia

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South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said it was still analyzing the type of missile that was launched. The Japanese Coast Guard said it believed two missiles had been launched, although Seoul only mentioned one device. Tokyo also said the missiles landed outside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a 200-mile-wide strip of water off its coast over which it exercises sovereignty.The missile launch came a day after the US and South Korea held the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), at which the two nations discussed ways to strengthen extended deterrence against a potential attack by the DPRK. The US and DPRK have nuclear weapons; South Korea does not.The launch also comes a week after the DPRK test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which it dubbed the Hwasong-18 and called a "core weapon system of the strategic force" of the country.The socialist state has launched 12 ballistic missiles so far this year. Although it has faced international pressure to give up its missile and nuclear weapons programs, Pyongyang has said it needs the weapons to ensure its safety so long as US forces remain in South Korea and no permanent peace treaty between the three states exists.The 1950-53 war, which killed more than 3 million Koreans, only ended in a ceasefire and the establishment of a demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230716/us-japan-south-korea-hold-missile-defense-exercise-in-sea-of-japan-1111912104.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/trump-admits-he-received-target-letter-from-special-counsel-over-next-possible-indictment-1111977348.html

Trump Admits He Received Target Letter From Special Counsel Over Next Possible Indictment

Trump Admits He Received Target Letter From Special Counsel Over Next Possible Indictment

Former President Donald Trump received a letter from special counsel Jack Smith, informing him that he is a target in his investigation, indicating that an indictment will come soon.

2023-07-18T21:40+0000

2023-07-18T21:40+0000

2023-07-18T21:37+0000

americas

donald trump

jack smith

joe biden

garland

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indictment

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Special counsel Jack Smith reportedly issued a letter to former President Donald Trump, informing him that he is a target in Smiths investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The letter would all but confirm Trump's indictment in the case.Smith took over the investigation in November of last year and has since interviewed dozens of witnesses, focusing on a scheme to send fake electors to Washington, DC, in an attempt to have them cast their electoral college votes for Trump in states that President Joe Biden won.The investigation is also looking into Trumps actions and mindset in the days and hours before the January 6, 2021 riots, when thousands of Trump supporters flooded the US Capitol and delayed the electoral certification process.Trump received a similar target letter from Smith shortly before he was indicted on 37 charges related to his mishandling of classified documents. Trump is also facing 34 charges of falsifying business records from a New York district attorney related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election.In both cases, Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges.Posting on his social media site Truth Social, Trump confirmed the charges while decrying it as a witch hunt.Trump is also facing a potential indictment in Georgia, where an Atlanta-area district attorney is looking into possible election interference in that state by Trump and his allies.Recent polling has Trump beating Biden by two to seven points.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230716/trump-angling-for-indefinate-delays-in-classified-docs-prosecution-battle-1111919819.html

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This combined photo shows the 3,000-ton-class Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine at the shipyard of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), which was renamed Hanwha Ocean, left, and the 3,000-ton-class Shin Chae-ho submarine at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard. Newsis and Courtesy of Republic of Korea Navy



By Park Jae-hyuk



Intensifying competition between Hanwha and HD Hyundai in the shipbuilding industry is feared to help their Japanese rivals win construction orders for the Royal Canadian Navy's new submarines, according to industry experts, Wednesday.



The experts expect Mitsubishi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries will organize a consortium once again, as they did in 2016 for a bid to build and maintain 12 new submarines collectively worth 50 billion Australian dollars ($34 billion) for the Royal Australian Navy. At that time, a French firm won the bid, but Australia eventually canceled the deal to adopt nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S.



"Instead of forming a consortium, Korean shipbuilders have tended to take turns in participating in bids to build warships for foreign navies," Moon Keun-sik, professor of Kyonggi University Graduate School of Political Studies, said. "Due to the large size of the Canadian submarine project, however, both Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will participate in the upcoming bid."



Canada's navy is expected to place an order for the construction of 12 submarines. Considering maintenance and training costs, the size of the project is estimated at around 60 billion Canadian dollars ($45 billion).



Canadian naval officers will also reportedly return to Korea in October, following their previous visit to Korean and Japanese shipyards in May.



Moon, who was formerly a ROK Navy submarine commander, pointed out that Canada may choose the Japanese consortium if the Korean shipbuilders vie to offer lower prices by downgrading the quality of their submarines.



"If the shipbuilders organize a consortium, they can offer lower prices without downgrading the quality, because they will be able to share their workforce and facilities," he added.



Both Hanwha and HD Hyundai said it is too early to comment on this issue, as the Canadian government has yet to make an official announcement of the bid.





Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan, left, speaks with HD Hyundai President Chung Ki-sun at a hotel in Hanoi, June 22, during a banquet for businesspeople accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol on his trip to Vietnam. Newsis
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/european-peace-facility-to-run-out-soon-due-to-continued-aid-to-ukraine-1111981719.html

European Peace Facility to Run Out Soon Due to Continued Aid to Ukraine

European Peace Facility to Run Out Soon Due to Continued Aid to Ukraine

The level of EU support for Ukraine is so high that the funds of the European Peace Facility (EPF) would soon be exhausted, US media outlet reported on Tuesday, quoting a senior EU official.

2023-07-19T05:02+0000

2023-07-19T05:02+0000

2023-07-19T05:02+0000

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"Our level of support to Ukraine in the military is now so high, that money allocated to the European Peace Facility for Ukraine will be soon exhausted," the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The EPF was established in March 2021 under the Common Foreign and Security Policy in order to expand the EU's role as a "global security provider." The EPF's budget for the 2021-2027 period amounts to 5.69 billion euros. This comes amid reported EU plans to create $22.5bln fund to replenish Ukraines military stocks. Citing diplomats familiar with the matter, the media has reported that the European Union will propose to create a 20 billion euros ($22.5 billion) fund over the next four years.The report added that the EU wants to help countries cover their costs of military assistance to Ukraine.EU foreign ministers will discuss the plan during a meeting on July 20, the newspaper noted, adding that it is planned to approve the proposal by the fall. At the same time, there is no guarantee that all 20 billion euros will be spent as part of the initiative, the report said.Last year, EU member states agreed to use the EPF to fund part of military supplies to Ukraine. In late December, EU foreign ministers agreed to boost the EPF's funding by 2 billion euros, with the possibility of a further increase at a later stage. In late June, the Council of the European Union agreed on a second increase of 3.5 billion euros to the overall financial ceiling of the EPF.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/brits-dissect-russian-tanks-after-challenger-2s-fail-to-save-ukraines-offensive-1111962452.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/uk-attempts-defense-makeover-amid-lack-of-ammo-1111967731.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/how-russia-and-european-food-producers-are-set-to-benefit-from-grain-deal-suspension--1111996492.html

How Russia and European Food Producers Are Set to Benefit From Grain Deal Suspension

How Russia and European Food Producers Are Set to Benefit From Grain Deal Suspension

The Ukrainian leadership's plans to transport grain through the Black Sea without Russia's participation appear to be doomed, Sputnik's interlocutors warn, adding that agricultural producers are poised to benefit from the Black Sea Grain Deal suspension.

2023-07-19T18:37+0000

2023-07-19T18:37+0000

2023-07-19T18:37+0000

analysis

europe

vladimir putin

ukraine

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grain

black sea grain deal

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The Kiev regime is lobbying for grain exports to go on after Russia announced it suspended the expired Black Sea Grain Initiative after the West failed to implement its part of the agreement concerning Russia's agricultural products.Unprecedented sanctions slapped on Russia in the wake of its special military operation in Ukraine have so far hindered Moscow's ability to supply its grain and fertilizers to the world market amid the food crisis. Russia has signaled that it is ready to resume the grain deal once the West meets its obligations under the agreement brokered in July 2022 by Turkiye and the United Nations.Shippers and Insurers Take a PauseMeanwhile, international shippers and insurers met Ukraine's calls to ignore Russia's suspension of the deal with skepticism. The cancellation of the pact means that Moscow will no longer guarantee safe passage through the Black Sea. As a result, some insurance brokers have already halted their programs for grain exports from Ukraine. For its part, Washington ruled out shipping escorts of Ukraine's vessels.Per Dudchak, exporters of Ukrainian grain, as well as intermediaries, are likely to lose some of their excessive profits. Still, no one prohibits them from exporting Ukrainian foods by land routes, through the European Union.The scientist noted, however, that Eastern and Central European states are opposing this option, given that previously a huge amount of Ukrainian grain was stuck in their territories instead of being redirected to the needy countries of the Global South. As a result, agricultural producers in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria lost their profits due to the Ukrainian cheap grain glut in the European market.In April, the group of Eastern and Central European countries introduced bans on Ukrainian foods, prompting the European Commission (EC) to take action and temporarily prohibit the sale of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seed in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia until June 5. The ban was later extended until September 15. Currently, the five nations are urging the EC to extend the ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products beyond September 15.In addition, the carrying capacity of land routers is considerably lower than that of sea lanes, noted Arkady Zlochevsky, president of the Russian Grain Union.Bulgarian and Romanian Ports Not a PanaceaUkrainian authorities are considering a new route for transporting grain through the territorial waters of Bulgaria and Romania as part of a trilateral grain initiative with the UN and Turkiye, Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Vasily Bodnar stated earlier this week."We have created a guarantee fund on our part and can attract companies that provide ships for the transport of grain. From our point of view, this can be implemented even without using the route that was previously agreed, but through the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria," Bondar told journalists.Earlier, the head of the Ukrainian agricultural company HarvEast Holding Dmitry Skornyakov said that Kiev's main task is to get a nod from Ankara for continuing the grain deal without Moscow. Skornyakov further suggested that the Turkish Navy could ensure Ukrainian grain caravans' security. However, that would be a highly risky move for Turkiye and it is likely to refuse, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing an official familiar with the matter.Ukraine Needs Sea Route to Smuggle WeaponsThe Ukrainians are pushing to continue the grain deal not only because they want to profit from the sales of agricultural products. The truth is that the Kiev regime also used the maritime corridor to deliver weapons to Ukraine under the guise of the grain deal and to cover-up attacks on the Crimean peninsula, according to Dudchak."There were cases described in the press () when some radioactive substances were delivered to the Ukrainian port participating in the grain deal, this was recorded. Of course, it is very difficult for [the Kiev regime] to lose such a channel for the supply of weapons and such a reason not to allow Russia to strike at ports," the political scientist said.Moreover, the Kiev regime itself undermined the Black Sea security by releasing a considerable number of sea mines in its waters, Dudchak continued. "Even today it is reported that one such mine was shot by the Russian military," he remarked.Ukraine's Dumping Backfired on European ProducersThe suspension of the deal  even if the Kiev regime continues to transport its grain through alternative routes  would benefit agricultural producers, according to Zlochevsky.Ukraine was able to make such a discount because Russia created and maintained a safe corridor in the Black Sea as part of the grain deal, explained Zlochevsky. As a result, the cost of insurance for Ukrainian shipments become very cheap. The Ukrainians had cheap freight with a guarantee for unhindered passage of its vessels amid the conflict. In general, all these factors led to the fact that Ukraine began to sell a huge volume of its foods at extremely cheap prices unbalancing the grain market, according to the expert. Zlochevsky added that Eastern and Central European producers suffered greatly from Ukraine's dumping spree.After the suspension of the deal, the security risks are back, forcing insurers and shippers to raise costs for Ukrainian shipments. This would raise the Ukrainian grain prices to at least some reasonable level from the market's viewpoint, as per the president of the Russian Grain Union.It's Time for West to Help Global SouthThe US and EU have already subjected Russia to criticism for suspending the grain deal, citing the food problems of the Global South. Sputnik's interlocutors refered to the West's hypocrisy, given that the poor developing states got a minuscule part of Ukraine's maritime grain shipments.Russian Grain Can Replace Ukraine's SuppliesDudchak pointed out that Russia is ready to step in and fill the gap, given its record-high harvest in 2022. Despite the West artificially disrupting the flow of Russia's agricultural goods, Moscow has managed so far to send considerable volumes of grain to the developing countries of the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.Russia is ready to continue supplying its grain to world markets, replacing Ukrainian grain, said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.He noted that Ukraine produced about 55 million tons of grain over the past agricultural year with its exports amounting to 47 million tons. For comparison's sake, Russia harvested 156 million tons of grain last year and exported a whopping 60 million tons.

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

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/turkiye-rejects-ukraines-appeal-to-escort-ships-in-black-sea-after-grain-deal-ends---report-1111994804.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/military-experts-ukraine-used-black-sea-grain-corridor-for-weapons-smuggling-and-terror-attacks-1111972894.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/poland-to-ban-ukrainian-grain-import-if-eu-fails-to-extend-ban---govt-head-1111990545.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230717/russia-to-continue-food-supplies-to-global-south-despite-black-sea-grain-deal-suspension-1111949743.html

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A Ukrainian mine found in the Black Sea was destroyed by a Russian Ka-27 helicopter A Ukrainian mine found in the Black Sea was destroyed by a Russian Ka-27 helicopter 2023-07-19T18:37+0000 true PT0M11S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/hunter-biden-emails-expose-corruption-black-alliance-for-peace-urges-us-not-to-invade-haiti-1111979161.html

Hunter Biden Emails Expose Corruption; Black Alliance for Peace Urges US Not to Invade Haiti

Hunter Biden Emails Expose Corruption; Black Alliance for Peace Urges US Not to Invade Haiti

Recent emails from the infamous Hunter Biden laptop show that the President's son was specifically hired to close corruption investigations against his Ukrainian employers.

2023-07-19T04:04+0000

2023-07-19T04:04+0000

2023-07-19T11:51+0000

the critical hour

radio

hunter biden

burisma

nato

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crimea

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Hunter Biden Emails Expose Corruption; Black Alliance for Peace Says Stop US Invasion of Haiti Recent emails from the infamous Hunter Biden laptop show that the President's son was specifically hired to close corruption investigations against his Ukrainian employers.

Misty Winston, radio host and free speech and press freedom activist, joins us to discuss former President Donald Trump's legal cases. Trump says he expects to be arrested by a federal inquiry into the US Capitol riot.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. The US sends missiles from Taiwan to Ukraine. Also, US weapons stockpiles are low.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War, joins us to discuss the Biden laptop scandal. Recent emails from the infamous Hunter Biden laptop show that the President's son was specifically hired to close corruption investigations.Dr. David Oualaalou, international geopolitical consultant, veteran, and author of many books, including "The Dynamics of Russia's Geopolitics: Remaking the Global Order," international security analyst, and host of the "Geopolitics in Conflict" Show on YT, Congress argues that NATO expansion into Asia is inevitable. Also, Philippines politicians juggle US imperialism with economic needs.Laith Marouf, broadcaster, and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. The GOP prepares a pro-Israel vote. Also, Israel targeted civilians when they attacked Jenin.James Carey, host of The Left is Dead podcast, joins us to discuss a global NATO. NATO is a warfare alliance that creates war and instability. Also, ASEAN nations are wary of becoming US vassals and proxies.Dr. Jemima Pierre, Professor of Black Studies and Anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles, a member of the Black Alliance for Peace, and an editor of the "Black Agenda Review" segment of the Black Agenda Report, discusses Haiti. The Black Alliance for Peace argues that the US must not invade Haiti again.Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of Economics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, joins us to discuss the economy. The world needs an alternative to neoliberal capitalism for economic development.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/20230719/italy-braces-for-peak-heat-as-nearly-every-major-city-placed-under-red-alert-1111996205.html

Italy Braces for 'Peak Heat' as Nearly Every Major City Placed Under Red Alert

Italy Braces for 'Peak Heat' as Nearly Every Major City Placed Under Red Alert

Italy is the latest country to come under pressure from an intense heat wave. Heat warnings were in place for 16 Italian cities on Wednesday, warning that the intense heat would be dangerous for all age groups.

2023-07-19T18:36+0000

2023-07-19T18:36+0000

2023-07-19T18:36+0000

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A heat dome of stagnant high pressure has trapped heat across Southern Europe, driving temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) on Wednesday. In the southwestern islands of Sardinia and Sicily, temps got even higher, hitting 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius).Italian media has dubbed the heat wave settimana infernale - or "week of hell" and it has already claimed several lives.Italian meteorologists are warning that the worst is yet to come, and that Italy may break the temperature record for Europe of 119.84 Fahrenheit (48.8 Celsius) - a record itself set in the Italian city of Syracuse in August 2021.In the poorer south, where temperatures are higher, air conditioning is also less common. Two elderly people were found dead in their homes in the Sicilian city of Palermo on Tuesday.Sergio Ciresi, a Catholic priest who runs the Caritas charity in Palermo, told reporters the heat was "making people more impatient and short-tempered.A study published earlier this month, researchers estimated that the excessive heat last summer was responsible for more than 60,000 deaths across Europe.Spain and Greece are experiencing similar hot weather, with the Acropolis, one of Athens biggest tourist destinations, being closed for safety reasons. South of the Greek capital, wildfires are raging out of control, drawing international fire fighting forces in an attempt to quell the blazes. Wildfires also displaced thousands on Spains Canary Islands, which sit off the coast of Morocco.In North America as well, weeks of record-high heat has created perilous outdoor conditions and fanned wildfires, the smoke from which has choked the skies across the continent.Italy has been the unfortunate location for lots of extreme weather this year. Torrential rains in May caused extensive flooding and damage in the mountainous central provinces and killing more than a dozen people.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/netherlands-faced-5-more-deaths-than-expected-in-june-due-to-heat-wave-1111884997.html

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italy; heat wave; temperatures; record
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/moscow-sends-23-notes-to-opcw-secretariat-on-possible-chemical-use-by-kiev-1111988198.html

Moscow Sends 23 Notes to OPCW Secretariat on Possible Chemical Use by Kiev

Moscow Sends 23 Notes to OPCW Secretariat on Possible Chemical Use by Kiev

Russia has sent 23 notes to the secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the use of toxic substances as chemical weapons by Kiev, but the OPCW does not yet see the need to send specialists to Ukraine, Russian Permanent Representative to the OPCW Alexander Shulgin said on Wednesday.

2023-07-19T11:23+0000

2023-07-19T11:23+0000

2023-07-19T11:23+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

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chemical weapons

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"In total, 23 notes have already been sent verbally [on the use of toxic substances as chemical weapons by Kiev], warned about the upcoming provocations," Shulgin said at an online briefing organized by the international media group Rossiya Segodnya. According to the Director General of the secretariat, all this information is being scrupulously monitored and analyzed, but so far the technical secretariat believes that there is no need to send a team of experts, the diplomat explained.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230206/ukrainian-forces-employing-drone-dropped-chemical-weapons-in-donbass-dpr-chief-says-1107010114.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230115/video-shows-ukrainian-forces-prepping-chemical-weapons-attack-russian-embassy-says-1106329644.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/over-740-people-given-real-prison-sentences-for-recent-riots-in-france-1111986960.html

Over 740 People Given Real Prison Sentences for Recent Riots in France

Over 740 People Given Real Prison Sentences for Recent Riots in France

Over 740 people have been given real prison sentences in France after the recent riots over the killing of a 17-year-old by police, French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said Wednesday.

2023-07-19T10:32+0000

2023-07-19T10:32+0000

2023-07-19T10:32+0000

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"I spoke directly to the prosecutor general and asked for firm solutions: 1,278 charges have been brought, 95% of which have led to convictions; 1,056 people have been sentenced to prison, 742 of which are real prison sentences," the minister told French radio. He added that the average sentence is 8.2 months and that 600 people have already been imprisoned. Dupond-Moretti also stressed the need for a serious response. "It was extremely important to show a firm and systematic response. I asked [prefects] to bring the perpetrators to justice wherever possible," he said. On Monday, French Transport Minister Clement Beaune said that the damage to public transport as a result of the riots was estimated at tens of millions of euros. On June 27, Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old French of Moroccan and Algerian descent, was shot by a police officer for allegedly refusing to follow orders during a traffic stop. The incident sparked mass nationwide protests that lasted for over a week. The French Interior Ministry said the protesting youth set on fire more than 12,000 cars, as well as about 500 city halls, police stations and other government buildings. The economy ministry said over a 1,000 retail outlets, about 370 banks, 200 grocery stores and 436 tobacco shops were looted. More than 4,000 people were detained, a significant part of whom were minors.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230703/nation-on-edge-violence-and-devastation-on-french-streets-1111634660.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/poland-to-ban-ukrainian-grain-import-if-eu-fails-to-extend-ban---govt-head-1111990545.html

Poland to Ban Ukrainian Grain Import If EU Fails to Extend Ban - Gov't Head

Poland to Ban Ukrainian Grain Import If EU Fails to Extend Ban - Gov't Head

Poland will unilaterally ban the import of grain from Ukraine if the European Commission does not extend it, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.

2023-07-19T13:29+0000

2023-07-19T13:29+0000

2023-07-19T13:30+0000

world

european union (eu)

grain supply

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europe

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In less than two months, on September 15, it is necessary to open the borders to grain from Ukraine again in accordance with the decision of the European Commission, the Prime Minister said following a meeting of agriculture ministers of countries bordering Ukraine. It is worth mentioning that Poland imposed temporary restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports in April in order to protect national market from the uncontrolled inflow of cheap agricultural products from Ukraine.In the recent months, several European countries including Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland insisted on financial compensations to local farmers and on a broader list of Ukrainian agricultural products prohibited for imports in the EU.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230415/polish-cabinet-authorizes-temporary-ban-on-ukrainian-grain-imports-1109556926.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/pratt--whitney-wins-256mln-f-35-engine-upkeep-contract-1111982676.html

Pratt & Whitney Wins $256Mln F-35 Engine Upkeep Contract

Pratt & Whitney Wins $256Mln F-35 Engine Upkeep Contract

Pratt and Whitney won a US military contract worth more than $256 million to provide depot level maintenance and repair for engines used in all three variants of the F-35 fighter jet, the Defense Department said in a press release.

2023-07-19T06:37+0000

2023-07-19T06:37+0000

2023-07-19T06:37+0000

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"Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $256,315,686 [contract modification]... to provide depot level maintenance and repair for all fielded F135 propulsion systems at the F-35 production sites and operational locations," the release said on Tuesday. The contract extension also includes training in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, the Defense Department said. Work will be performed in the US, Norway, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Italy and the United Kingdom, the release said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230702/who-are-natos-biggest-spenders-and-how-much-bang-do-they-get-for-their-bucks-1111627337.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/record-breaking-heat-wave-grips-us-phoenix-for-19th-straight-day-1111980645.html

Record-Breaking Heat Wave Grips US Phoenix for 19th Straight Day

Record-Breaking Heat Wave Grips US Phoenix for 19th Straight Day

The heat wave in Phoenix stands out even amidst sweltering temperatures experienced worldwide, as it reached a staggering 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47.2 degrees Celsius) by mid-afternoon.

2023-07-19T03:46+0000

2023-07-19T03:46+0000

2023-07-19T03:43+0000

beyond politics

us

phoenix

arizona

viral

national oceanic and atmospheric administration (noaa)

el nino

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Phoenix, Arizona, is in the grips of a dangerous heat wave, as scorching temperatures soared to at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) for the 19th consecutive day. This record-breaking streak has turned the vibrant city into a ghost town, with residents seeking refuge in air-conditioned spaces.Scientists attribute the unprecedented heat to a combination of human-caused climate change effects and the formation of a new El Nino, factors of which are shattering heat records globally. Phoenix set a new record among major US cities, with no other city in the top 25 most populous experiencing such an extended period of 110-degree days or 90-degree nights. While some less populous areas like Death Valley and Needles in California, as well as Casa Grande in Arizona, have experienced longer heat streaks, Phoenix stands out as a major city enduring the relentless heat. The city last recorded a temperature below 110 degrees Fahrenheit on June 29, with the current 19-day streak surpassing the previous record set in 1974.The absence of nighttime cooling poses significant risks to those without access to air conditioning, as the body requires a respite from the extreme temperatures to function properly.The heat wave's impact goes beyond the discomfort of high temperatures. Dog parks emptied out in the morning, and outdoor events, including concerts, were canceled to safeguard performers and attendees.The effects of the heat wave are particularly challenging for vulnerable populations, such as the homeless. Lori Miccichi, a homeless individual, expressed the need to seek shade to cope with the extreme heat, highlighting the dire conditions faced by those living on the streets.While approximately 200 cooling and hydration centers have been set up in the Phoenix metro area, most of them close between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time due to staffing and funding limitations.The scorching temperatures in Phoenix are not an isolated occurrence but part of a broader global trend. The US alone has witnessed the breaking of over 860 heat records in the past week, according to NOAA. Italy, France, Spain, and parts of China also reported record-breaking heat, including Rome, which reached an all-time high of 109 degrees Fahrenheit (42.9 degrees Celsius).Health officials are concerned about the potential health consequences of the prolonged heat wave. Deaths and illnesses related to the extreme temperatures are expected to increase significantly. David Hondula, the chief heat officer for the city of Phoenix, emphasized the gravity of the situation, expressing the goal of minimizing the impact on public health.Residents are taking precautions to mitigate the effects of the heat wave. Workers, like Joseph Garcia and Roy Galindo, who trim shrubs for the Phoenix City Parks and Recreation department, adjust their work schedules to avoid the hottest times of the day.However, not everyone is able to escape the scorching temperatures, and instances of heat-related illnesses have been observed among professional athletes and hikers.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230717/record-breaking-temperatures-hit-38-cities-across-us-southwest-1111940689.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/report-texas-agents-told-not-to-give-migrants-water-push-them-back-into-rio-grande-1111980337.html

Report: Texas Agents Told Not to Give Migrants Water, Push Them Back Into Rio Grande

Report: Texas Agents Told Not to Give Migrants Water, Push Them Back Into Rio Grande

An internal email sent by a Texas trooper detailed that officers were ordered to push migrants back into the Rio Grande River and withhold water as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbotts Operation Lone Star initiative.

2023-07-19T03:15+0000

2023-07-19T03:15+0000

2023-07-19T03:12+0000

americas

joe biden

greg abbott

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An internal email sent by a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper detailed that officers were ordered to push migrants back into the Rio Grande River and withhold water as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbotts Operation Lone Star initiative.The email which was provided to the Houston Chronicle, details previously unreported incidents the trooper witnessed at Eagle Pass, where the state has erected barriers, including razor wire and a wall of buoys. It also says officers have been directed not to give water to migrants, even while temperatures reach record levels in the southwest.The email describes a 19-year-old pregnant woman who was entangled in the wire while having a miscarriage. It's detailed the officers found her in obvious pain and had to cut her out and provide medical attention, which is when they discovered she was having a miscarriage. The woman was later transferred to emergency personnel.Another incident described by the trooper involved a four-year-old girl who passed out from heat exhaustion after being pushed back by the Texas Guards. The trooper indicated it was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit when the incident occurred.The troopers email also recounted an experience where officers had found a man with a significant laceration in his leg that was sustained when the individual was trying to help his son, who had gotten trapped on a razor-wrapped buoy in the water. Around the same time, the trooper treated a 15-year-old boy who broke his leg trying to go around the wire, which had forced him into an unsafe area of the river.The owner of a farm just south of Eagle Pass, who leased some land to the state of Texas for the purpose of processing migrants there, has since given interviews in the media stating he told the DPS not to set up the razor wire on his property, and has demanded they take it down, but have so far refused. He is threatening to bring charges of trespassing and destruction of property, but DPS officials claim their actions are legal under a border-related disaster declaration signed by Abbott in 2021.There also appears to be some pushback among troopers about the orders they are being given, according to the new findings.The trooper described an incident where officers encountered a group of 120 people camped alongside a fence near the river, and which included small children and nursing babies. The email notes the officer in command told troopers to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico.It was further described in the correspondence that the troopers didnt agree with the order and called high command to express their concerns. They were then told to tell the migrants to go back to Mexico and leave in their cars. The email stated that other troopers worked with the Border Patrol to provide aid for the migrants.At the same time, according to the same Texas outlet, the Federal Border Patrol has issued internal warnings about the razor wire, noting that their agents have had trouble reaching migrants in need of assistance and have increased the rate of drowning.The email also sheds light on a previously reported incident of a mother and at least one of her children drowning in the river after trying to go around the razor wire. In fact, the email described how troopers pulled the mother and one child from the river after they went under the surface for a short time. Although the two individuals were later given medical attention, they ultimately succumbed to their injuries. The womans other child was never found.Meanwhile, the governors office has stated it is trying to secure the border and put the onus for the issue on the Biden administration.Texas Democrats have called on the White House to intervene against Abbott's barriers.The name of the trooper has not been released by the Chronicle, which added that it is unclear if he received a response from his superiors.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/mexico-files-complaint-over-texas-rio-grande-barriers-citing-treaty-violation-concerns-1111900302.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230513/biden-pulling-agents-from-us-mexico-border-despite-post-title-42-migrant-influx-1110307748.html

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South China's Hainan sees foreign trade surge in H1

Xinhua) 16:47, July 19, 2023

HAIKOU, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The total import and export of goods in south China's Hainan Province hit 115.16 billion yuan (about 16.11 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of this year, up 26.4 percent year on year, Haikou Customs said Wednesday.

Specifically, Hainan's export of goods from January to June amounted to 38.2 billion yuan, up 45.1 percent year on year, while its imports increased by 18.9 percent to reach 76.96 billion yuan.

The dynamic performance of private enterprises has played a crucial role in the province's foreign trade. During the same period, Hainan witnessed the addition of 12,200 newly registered foreign trade companies, marking a 19.1-percent increase.

The European Union, ASEAN, and Australia were the top three trading partners of the island province from January to June. Its trade with countries along the Belt and Road rose 18.7 percent year on year to 38.03 billion yuan, accounting for 33 percent of the total.

Hainan's foreign trade has sustained rapid growth in the first half of the year, with increasing import and export volumes, optimizing trade structure, and improving trade quality, a spokesperson of the Haikou Customs said.

China released a master plan in June 2020 to build Hainan into a globally influential and high-level free trade port (FTP) by the middle of the century. Since then, a slew of favorable policies have been rolled out to support the FTP development, including zero tariffs and easing market and foreign investment access.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, participates in a bilateral meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., July 18. EPA-Yonhap



Joe Biden and his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog on Tuesday discussed tensions over a controversial judicial shake-up inside Israel that the U.S. president has branded the work of an "extremist" government.



Biden hosted Herzog in the Oval Office at the White House, telling him, "You know my love for Israel is deep-rooted and long-lasting."



But the warm greeting did not mask a split over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's divisive push to reform the court system and expand Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.



President Isaac Herzog, who has a mostly ceremonial role in Israel, was quick to address the judicial reforms controversy, which has sparked giant street protests by opponents who accuse Netanyahu of mounting a power grab.



"It's a heated debate but it is also a virtue and a tribute to the greatness of Israeli democracy," Herzog told Biden. "Let me reiterate, clear  crystal clear  that Israeli democracy is sound, strong and resilient."



A White House statement after the meeting said the two "discussed the need for a consensus-based approach to the judicial reform package."



Herzog's high-profile visit  which included a separate meeting Tuesday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and was set Wednesday to feature an address to Congress  was a chance for official Washington to underline its backing for an especially close ally.



In opening remarks, Biden flagged Washington's determination to prevent Iran from ever getting a nuclear weapon and he noted regional diplomatic thaws that have seen Israel and Arab countries expanding ties. The White House said the two leaders also discussed Russia's growing military ties with Iran.



But clouding Herzog's presence was the shadow of the leader with the real power in Israel: Netanyahu.



Relations between Netanyahu and the Biden administration have been rocky ever since he made his political comeback at the head of a coalition of hard-right and ultra-Orthodox parties in December.



A few lawmakers in Biden's Democratic Party have said they are considering boycotting Herzog's address to Congress in protest.





Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media during a press conference, in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 10. AP-Yonhap
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/russia-ready-to-supply-grain-while-west-sabotages-global-food-security---putin-1111995808.html

Russia Ready to Supply Grain While West Sabotages Global Food Security - Putin

Russia Ready to Supply Grain While West Sabotages Global Food Security - Putin

Russia showed miracles of endurance and tolerance when it extended the Black Sea Grain Initiative in past, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

2023-07-19T18:56+0000

2023-07-19T18:56+0000

2023-07-19T19:32+0000

black sea grain deal

russia

grain exports

grain

vladimir putin

ukraine

the united nations (un)

russia

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Putin also noted Russia sees obstacles even when it wants to donate fertilizers to poor nations. The Russian president further underscored the West undermined the essence of the agreement that maintained a "colossal humanitarian significance." He also stated the West demonstrated audacity and impudence unwilling to adhere to the terms of the deal towards Russia.It is Russia that contributes to global food security, while statements that Ukraine feeds countries are lies," the president emphasized. Although "the continuation of the grain deal has lost all sense," Putin noted, detailing that Russia is ready to consider returning to the grain deal if all obligations concerning Moscow are implemented."All obstacles for Russian banks, financial institutions that service the supply of food and fertilizers must be removed. This includes their immediate connection to the SWIFT international banking settlement system. What we need is not some promises or idea on this issue. We need implementation of these conditions."When the Problems AppearedRussia, Ukraine, Turkiye and the United Nations struck a deal to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships with food and fertilizer exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports on July 22, 2022. However, while Moscow has been performing its part of the accord, pledges to lift sanctions on Russian vessels engaged in grain and fertilizer exports were not kept.Problems with insurance and servicing of ships in ports were not addressed. Banks did not issue loans to purchasers of Russian grain and denied bank guarantees, often citing the danger of Western sanctions.Moreover, the grain transported via the Black Sea barely reached the poorest countries, which was one of the main points of the deal. Only 2.6% of the deliveries were sent to countries in need, while 80% of supplies were heading to nations with high or above-average incomes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/turkiye-rejects-ukraines-appeal-to-escort-ships-in-black-sea-after-grain-deal-ends---report-1111994804.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/military-experts-ukraine-used-black-sea-grain-corridor-for-weapons-smuggling-and-terror-attacks-1111972894.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/russian-president-putin-chairs-government-meeting-1111983128.html

Russian President Putin Chairs Government Meeting

Russian President Putin Chairs Government Meeting

Top officials will reportedly discuss the role of Artificial Intelligence in Russian economy.

2023-07-19T16:21+0000

2023-07-19T16:21+0000

2023-07-19T16:21+0000

russia

russian economy under sanctions

artificial intelligence

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Sputnik is live from Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the government to look at AI.According to preliminary data, the event will discuss the implementation of artificial intelligence in the national economy. President Putin previously stated that technological sovereignty is of utmost importance for the Russian economy and national security. In November 2022, Putin stressed that AI must become an integral part of the Russian economy within the next decade.Follow Sputnik's live feed to learn more!

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Russian President Putin Chairs Government Meeting Russian President Putin Chairs Government Meeting 2023-07-19T16:21+0000 true PT88M51S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/strained-us-israel-relations-further-soured-by-bidens-courting-of-herzog-1111994165.html

Strained US-Israel Relations Further Soured by Biden's Courting of Herzog

Strained US-Israel Relations Further Soured by Biden's Courting of Herzog

Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet to Isaac Herzog in an unusual visit by the non-executive president of Israel. Richard Becker and Eleanor Goldfield said there was more than met the eye about the visit.

2023-07-19T19:54+0000

2023-07-19T19:54+0000

2023-07-19T20:21+0000

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US President Joe Biden welcomed his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog to the White House this week in a rare official foreign outing for the ceremonial head of state.Relations have been strained between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following months of protests against the Israeli government's attempts to curb the power of the judiciary over the elected Knesset parliament and government  which have sparked huge protests.Richard Becker told Sputnik that Biden was anxious to "cover himself in the eyes of those who are the arch supporters of Israel in the United States."But at the same time, Washington is seeking to pressure Tel Aviv to fall in line on a range of issues.While the role of the Israeli president is mainly ceremonial, it can take on greater importance during national emergencies or political crises, the peace campaigner explained. "So having Herzog is kind of is both a slap at Netanyahu," Becker noted. "Netanyahu won't care very much, but it's really a way to keep things going with the support for the state of Israel and in the eyes of the Israeli supporters in the United States to maintain that."The commentator pointed out that the relationship between the US and Israel had to be viewed through the prism of Washington's view of its ally in the Middle East."Israel cannot really come to terms with the other countries in the Middle East because it's really a military outpost of the United States," he added.Meanwhile the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a motion rejecting comments by Democrat Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal that Israel was a "racist" state.Journalist Eleanor Goldfield told Sputnik that she wished more Jews like herself around the world would "call out" Israel over its treatment of the Palestinian people, arguing that its cheek-by-jowl relationship with Washington only fuelled anti-Semitim."Israel's existence and the US' continued support for it actually gives rise to anti-Jewish violence," she argued, recalling that she had heard people at protests "saying things like: 'Man, the Jews just control our government'."For more in-depth commentary on current affairs, tune in to our Sputnik Radio shows.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/us-no-longer-israels-closest-ally-amid-judicial-reform-push---ex-pm-lapid-1111973528.html

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us president joe biden hosts israeli president isaac herzog in washington dc, us-israeli elections strained by protests over judicial reforms, can joe biden go over israeli prime minister benjamin netnyahu's head to the ceremonial president.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/trump-claims-hell-ask-europe-to-reimburse-us-for-ukraine-military-aid-if-reelected-1111981591.html

Trump Claims He'll Ask Europe to Reimburse US for Ukraine Military Aid if Reelected

Trump Claims He'll Ask Europe to Reimburse US for Ukraine Military Aid if Reelected

Former President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that if elected as president he will ask Europe to reimburse the United States for the cost of refilling US stockpiles sent to Ukraine.

2023-07-19T04:23+0000

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"I will ask Europe to reimburse us for the cost of rebuilding the stockpiles sent to Ukraine, which they should be doing now but Joe Biden is too weak and too disrespected to even ask," Trump said in a release. Trump highlighted that Europe has spent just a tiny fraction of the amount the United States has spent assisting Ukraine. Earlier Tuesday, Lockheed Martin President and CEO James Taiclet said the United States currently plans to spend $44 billion of congressionally approved funding to refill US stockpiles of military assistance sent to Ukraine. He added that a lot of those munitions are going to be upgraded to the capability that the company can produce today. Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, after the Donetsk and Luhansk 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.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/zelenskys-ingratitude-ukraine-fatigue-steadily-increasing-in-europe-1111968837.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/trump-speculates-he-will-be-arrested-for-jan-6th-grand-jury-1111978135.html

Trump Speculates He Will Be Arrested for Jan 6th Grand Jury

Trump Speculates He Will Be Arrested for Jan 6th Grand Jury

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including US COVID-19 deaths were overcounted by nearly a third, and a US soldier crossed the border into North Korea.

2023-07-19T04:14+0000

2023-07-19T04:14+0000

2023-07-19T12:03+0000

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Trump Speculates He Will be Arrested for Jan 6th Grand Jury On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including US Covid-19 deaths were overcounted by nearly a third, and a US soldier crossed the border into North Korea.

Mark Sleboda - International Relations and Security Analyst | The Media Admit it Was Ukraine, 28 Drone Strike by Kiev, and Russian Military Logistics Manila Chan - Veteran News Anchor and Co-Host of The Final Countdown | John Kerry the Climate Czar and third Indictment for Trump.In the first hour, Lee spoke with Mark Sleboda about the Russian air defense systems, the ferry network in Crimea, and consecutive days of attacks on the Crimean bridge. Mark talked about the NATO involvement on the Crimean bridge attack and the conversation changing on the special military operation in Ukraine. Mark described how many Ukrainian refugees have been taken in by Russia and Russia's expected response to Ukraine's terrorism.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Manila Chan about the problems with climate science data, the Dr. Fauci cult, and the Trump indictment for January 6th. Manila commented on the recent RFK Jr criticism and Dr. Fauci's involvement with gain of function research. Manila talked about Donald Trump possibly facing a third federal indictment and the American public tired of propaganda.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/20230719/uk-energy-minister-slams-coutts-bank-for-closing-nigel-farages-accounts-1111995711.html

UK Energy Minister Slams Coutts Bank for Closing Nigel Farage's Accounts

UK Energy Minister Slams Coutts Bank for Closing Nigel Farage's Accounts

UK Energy Security Minister Grant Shapps described on Wednesday as "absolutely disgraceful" the Coutts bank's decision to close the accounts of former leader of the UK Independence Party and Brexit Party Nigel Farage because of his political views.

2023-07-19T18:59+0000

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He noted that the decisions made by certain banks based on the "PEP regime" were "really actually scandalous." Chair of the UK Treasury Select Committee Harriett Baldwin also condemned Coutts' decision.In June, Farage said that Coutts, part of the wealth management arm of the NatWest Group and one of the world's oldest banks, had closed his personal and business accounts without explanation. Media reported that Farage had insufficient funds in his account, which the politician denied.He later suggested that the reason for the closure could be rumors that he had allegedly received money from Russian broadcaster RT. Last week, Farage said the real reason was that the bank had labeled him a politically exposed person (PEP). The politician claimed to have seen a 36-page document which mentioned his position on LGBT issues, his friendship with former US President Donald Trump and his stance on Russia. Farage himself was described as "racist and homophobic" in the document, he said.Farage had advocated the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union for twenty years. From March 2019 to March 2021, he was the leader of the Brexit Party.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/ukraine-loses-over-340-military-in-donetsk-direction-in-past-day-1111988595.html

Ukraine Loses Over 340 Military in Donetsk Direction in Past Day

Ukraine Loses Over 340 Military in Donetsk Direction in Past Day

Ukraine has lost more than 340 troops and 15 items of military equipment in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

2023-07-19T11:38+0000

2023-07-19T11:38+0000

2023-07-19T11:38+0000

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Russian troops have repelled 25 attacks by Ukrainian military in the Donetsk direction over the past day, the ministry said in a statement. "Over the past day, more than 340 Ukrainian military, two tanks, three armored combat vehicles, four pickup trucks, a German-made Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery mounts, a Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mount, and two D-30 howitzers have been destroyed," the statement read. Ukraine also lost more than 170 military in the Zaporozhye direction and up to 100 military in the Krasny Liman direction, the ministry said, adding that four attacks were repulsed in the Krasny Liman direction.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230715/up-to-20-of-kievs-weapons-destroyed-or-damaged-in-first-2-weeks-of-offensive-1111898445.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230703/ukraines-counteroffensive-fails-in-all-directions---shoigu-1111636724.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/us-senate-advances-to-consideration-of-886bln-defense-authorization-bill-for-fy2024-1111983704.html

US Senate Advances to Consideration of $886Bln Defense Authorization Bill for FY2024

US Senate Advances to Consideration of $886Bln Defense Authorization Bill for FY2024

The US Senate voted to advance to consideration of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes approximately $886 billion in defense-related funding and outlines policies for its spending.

2023-07-19T06:52+0000

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The US Senate invoked cloture on a motion to proceed to the legislation on Tuesday in a vote of 72-25. Last week, the US Senate Armed Services Committee released its version of the FY2024 NDAA as the House considered and ultimately passed its own amended variation of the bill. Both versions authorize approximately $886 billion. Senate leadership has expressed a desire to pass the legislation before lawmakers leave Washington for their August recess. However, the Senate and House versions will need to be reconciled before finalization. The House considered hundreds of amendments to its version of the NDAA, while the Senate is set to consider several dozen, according to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Amendments in the Senate cover areas including artificial intelligence (AI) technology and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) disclosure. The White House Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday released a statement expressing gratitude to the Senate for its bipartisan work on the bill. The Biden administration looks forward to working with lawmakers to set "appropriate and responsible" levels of defense and non-defense spending, the statement said. Given the short timeframe between public release of the Senates bill and their action on it, the administration is not providing a detailed view of the legislation at this time, the statement added. Earlier this month, the White House released a statement broadly supporting enactment of the FY2024 NDAA, while urging lawmakers to reconsider certain provisions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/report-us-never-checked-how-35-billion-in-europe-defense-aid-was-spent-since-2015-1111805155.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230714/us-house-rejects-defense-budget-amendment-to-ban-sending-cluster-bombs-to-ukraine-1111866623.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/us-soldier-defects-to-north-korea-1111992781.html

US Soldier 'Defects' to North Korea

US Soldier 'Defects' to North Korea

Private Travis King, a US Army cavalry scout, crossed the demarcation line into North Korea and is believed to be currently in the nation's custody, according to the US Forces in Korea. What happens to US citizens who end up in the Democratic People's Republic?

2023-07-19T17:37+0000

2023-07-19T17:37+0000

2023-07-19T17:37+0000

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The UN Command, the multinational military force backing South Korea, tweeted that a US national had crossed into North Korea "without authorization" on July 18 while he was on an "orientation tour" of the Joint Security Area (JSA), the only section of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Koreas that does not have a physical barrier.Remarkably, a Korean-language version of the UN Command message said that the US national in question had "defected to North Korea."Who is the US Soldier?Even though the US national crossed into the DPRK as a civilian, he was later identified as 23-year-old African-American Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, who was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss (Texas) at the time of his rotation in South Korea.Prior to the incident at the JSA, the soldier had been held in a South Korean prison over assault charges. The US military planned to send him to Fort Bliss for additional disciplinary actions. He was released from the South Korean prison and escorted to the airport.However, instead of flying home, King somehow fled the airport and joined a tour of the JSA. According to eyewitnesses, while being at the Military Demarcation Line the young man broke away from the group of tourists, gave out a loud "ha-ha-ha" and ran between some buildings into North Korea.How Many US Soldiers Have Defected to North Korea?To date, seven American military servicemen have defected to North Korea since the end of the Korean War of 1950-53. Private Larry Allen Abshier, a member of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, abandoned his post in South Korea and went to the north in May 1962.James Joseph Dresnok, a private first class with the 1st Cavalry Division, defected to the DPRK in August 1962, running across a minefield in broad daylight.Jerry Wayne Parrish, a US Army corporal, crossed the DMZ into North Korea in 1963. In January 1965 then-US Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins abandoned his patrol and walked across the Korean Demilitarized Zone, defecting to the DPRK. All four, Dresnok, Abshier, Parrish, and Jenkins, had different reasons for defection. They worked together and cooperated with the DPRK government.Roy Chung is believed to be the fifth US Army defector to North Korea. In June 1979, then-Private First Class Chung allegedly deserted while serving in West Germany. Two months later, North Korea's broadcaster announced that the man defected to the DPRK. US Army soldier Joseph T. White, who was assigned to 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment in South Korea, fled to North Korea and requested asylum there in August 1982. Pvt. Travis King is believed to be the seventh defector from the US Army.How Many Americans Are Detained in North Korea?According to some estimates, around 20 American civilians had been detained in North Korea since 1996 on charges including espionage, illegal entry, unauthorized religious activity or committing hostile acts. The release of the aforementioned civilians was then secured by the US government. One of them, Otto Warmbier, who was released after 17 months in captivity, died several days after returning to the US, prompting a lot of controversy. No clear causes of his death emerged. Bruce Byron Lowrance was the last one released by Pyongyang after being arrested for entering the DPRK illegally from China in October 2018.Are Americans Under Threat in North Korea?According to the US mainstream media estimates, as of 2017, there had been roughly 200 Americans living and working in North Korea under the rule of Kim Jong-un. As per Times Magazine's study, the aforementioned American citizens were doing educational, medical or infrastructural work in the DPRK, and sometimes raised families. Of those 200, about 50 worked in North Koreas Rason Special Economic Zone, near the Russian border, on social entrepreneurship and humanitarian projects.The magazine also reported on a predominately American-run school, the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, that had brought about 70 American professors and staff members each semester. The media outlet claimed at the time that the fact that Americans were freely living and working in North Korea was "controversial" because their services "indirectly helped" the DPRK government. When the Trump administration stated in 2017 that it would ban travel to North Korea, the American community in North Korea  some of whom were Evangelical Christians  said that despite respecting the president's stand, they would nevertheless stay and work in the DPRK.What are the Issues Between North Korea and the United States?In the eyes of ordinary Americans, King's move is nothing short of mind-boggling given the current atmosphere of heightened animosity between Washington and Pyongyang. The US media routinely smears North Korea as a belligerent "dictatorship". The US State Department urges US citizens not to travel to North Korea "due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of US nationals."However, the roots of mutual distrust between the nations run deep into the Cold War era. The US and its allies joined the Korean War on the side of South Korea in 1950 against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) backed by the USSR and China at the time. The hostilities began on June 25, 1950, with the advance of North Korean troops to the south; however, according to Pyongyang, it was their southern neighbors who started the invasion and moved into the territory of the DPRK up to 2-3 kilometers. The war ended in 1953 with the DPRK upholding its independence and North and South remaining split.The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953, and brought a ceasefire in the Korean War. The United Nations Command (UNC) on the one side and the Korean People's Army and Chinese People's Volunteers on the other side agreed to establish a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along their shared border (248 km).How Many American Soldiers Died in the Korean War?The Korean War (1950-1953) claimed the lives of approximately 36,574 US soldiers with more than 100,000 being wounded. For comparison's sake, North Korean casualties are estimated at around 600,000 civilians and 406,000 soldiers.Did the US Lose the Korean War?Officially the US did not lose the Korean War, however, it failed to win, too. Back in 1953, the US media described the situation as "a tactical stalemate." The hostilities ended where it began, at the 38th parallel.What Does the US Army Do in Korea?The stated mission of United States Forces Korea (USFK)  a sub-unified command of US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM)  is to support the United Nations Command (UNC), the multinational military force established on July 7, 1950, to provide assistance to South Korea during and after the Korean War. The US military force in South Korea amounts to 28,500 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. As per DPRK authorities, the US extensive military presence in South Korea and continuous muscle-flexing is preventing North and South from mending fences and signing a peace deal.However, the Biden administration ceased any attempts to normalize relations between North and South and hailed the election of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol who declared the DPRK as the nation's major enemy and did not rule out a pre-emptive strike against Pyongyang. The intensified US-South Korean joint drills and military buildup as well as US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) designating Russia, China and North Korea as major "threats" provoked a backlash from the DPRK that responded with resumed ballistic missile tests. North Korea's new solid-fuel and nuclear-capable Hwasong-18 is believed to be capable of reaching the US mainland.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/us-soldier-who-crossed-into-north-korea-served-jail-time-was-facing-disciplinary-action-1111981196.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230628/the-73-year-long-war-how-cold-war-rivalries-set-off-the-korean-conflict-1111503385.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20170530/us-north-korea-approach-1054128217.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/what-is-north-koreas-new-solid-fuel-icbm-hwasong-18-missile-1111858631.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/watch-russian-artillery-knock-out-krab-howitzer-in-special-op-zone-1111990418.html

Watch Russian Artillery Knock Out Krab Howitzer in Special Op Zone

Watch Russian Artillery Knock Out Krab Howitzer in Special Op Zone

Experts stress that artillery has played pivotal role in warfare since the invention of gunpowder and its role has been ever growing.

2023-07-19T16:01+0000

2023-07-19T16:01+0000

2023-07-19T16:01+0000

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Russias Ministry of Defense has published footage that shows Russian artillerymen destroying a Poland-made Krab howitzer in the special military operation zone.Artillery is often dubbed as the God of War for its decisive role in military conflicts throughout history. Captured Ukrainian militants often say that they were shocked by Russian cannonades that eliminated the landscape and left no place for them to hide.

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China's first ultra-deepwater research drilling vessel, which can collect samples at depths of more than 10,000 meters, is under construction and set for 2024 delivery, according to Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, the builder.?







The ship will primarily undertake major national scientific and technological projects, as well as international large-scale scientific programs related to ocean scientific drilling tasks.







The ship is independently designed and built by China, a significant breakthrough for the construction of key equipment serving China's deep-sea exploration.?







With a designed displacement of 42,000 tons, the vessel can operate in "unlimited navigation" areas in global seas.







Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, located in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province is part of state-owned China State Shipbuilding, the world's largest shipbuilder. The facility is a major construction base for a range of ships including navy vessels, public service vessels, merchant vessels and scientific research ships.







Some well-known ships the company has built include the Dayang comprehensive resource survey ship, the Intelligent mother ship, the Antarctic Kroll boat, and a new type of geophysical comprehensive scientific research vessel.







As of now, there are two ships of the same type in the world. One is the Japanese?Chikyu, the other is the US vessel,?JOIDES Resolution, a technical director of the project at Huangpu Wenchong, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Global Times on Sunday.







According to a report by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology in the UK on June 9, the retirement of?JOIDES Resolution?is now set for 2024, four years earlier than initially expected.







Completion of the drilling ship, which is designed to be delivered in 2024, will likely contribute significantly to scientific research and technological exploration in the marine domain, industry observers said.







In a major step in its construction, the main body of the drilling vessel took shape in December 2022.







"Overall construction progress of the ship is now basically under control, though difficulties and challenges remain," the director said.







Breakthroughs have been achieved in more than 10 key technologies, including water dynamics performance optimization and the layout of operational system modules. It has two major operational modes: oil and gas drilling, and ocean scientific drilling, according to the shipyard.







Moreover, 10 types of cutting-edge scientific devices will be installed on the vessel, enabling the establishment of nine major laboratories covering all areas of marine research. For the first time, there will be world-class paleomagnetics and ultraclean labs aboard the ship.







The director said that the ship will have numerous functions and high-performance capabilities. However, its relatively compact size poses significant challenges and difficulties during the design and construction process.







For instance, the installation of core drilling equipment requires high precision and a complex structure that requires the extensive use of high-strength steel has increased welding difficulties and high workload, said the director.







Construction of the vessel comes amid the rising strength of the nation's shipbuilding?capability.?







Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed that China's shipbuilding output hit 21.13 million deadweight tons (dwt) in the first half of the year, increasing 14.2 percent year-on-year and accounting for 49.6 percent of the global volume.?







New orders rose 67.7 percent year-on-year to reach 37.67 million dwt, accounting for a global market share of 72.6 percent.







The China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources will be the user of the ship. The ship is expected to strengthen China's deep-sea research capability and serve the nation's efforts to better conserve and develop the oceans, according to a press release from the agency.







China has invested heavily and achieved considerable feats in the field of deep-sea exploration in recent years. (Global Times)







This article was originally

on Global Times.


https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/western-troops-unlikely-to-enter-ukrainian-battlefield---uk-foreign-secretary-1111995990.html

Western Troops Unlikely to Enter Ukrainian Battlefield - UK Foreign Secretary

Western Troops Unlikely to Enter Ukrainian Battlefield - UK Foreign Secretary

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Wednesday that he is doubtful troops from the United Kingdom and the United States will end up fighting on the battlefield in Ukraine.

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US President Joe Biden has said American troops will not be deployed to Ukraine; however, the commander-in-chief earlier has since signed an order authorizing the US military to augment its European forces with 3,000 reserve personnel.Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has commented that Biden made the move as part of preparations for a ground war against Russia. At present, there are approximately 100,000 US troops stationed throughout Europe.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.The Russian Defense Ministry has indicated that Ukraine stepped up recruitment of mercenaries in the US and Canada - facilitated by the CIA and private military companies controlled by it, explaining that the Kiev regime uses foreign mercenaries as "cannon fodder."

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This past spring when Dr. Roly Armitage was honoured for his lifetime achievements that have included being a Standardbred industry leader, he noted that kindness has been key to nearly a century of service to his country. One act of kindness has come back to light eight decades later for the 98-year-old decorated World War II veteran.

Armitage's public recollections of saving two children back in 1944 when serving in Holland have sparked a reunion with one of those kids 80 years later.

"I was driving the Jeep in 1944 in Holland near the Eindhoven airport," he told CTV News Ottawa, recalling the cold night decades ago that he never forgot. "I thought I saw movement as I went by, I thought it could be soldiers so I backed up and there's two little kids in the ditch.

"So I dug them out. It was cold, cold, cold," he said. "I took them to the field kitchen and I said to the chef, 'Get yourself help, look after these kids, clean them up and warm them up.'"

The boy, approximately six years old, returned home, but the little girl, who was around three years old, was taken to a nunnery and Armitage never heard what happened to her.

When Armitage told this story to Dutch media this past spring, the identity of the little girl was discovered. Now 83 and living in Minnesota, Sonja Jobes will be reunited with the man that saved her in Ottawa next month.

(With files from CTV News Ottawa)
Aaron Merriman found the winners circle three times in four of the Ohio Sires Stakes races on Tuesday (July 18) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Merriman swept both $55,000 divisions for freshman colt trotters and took one of the $55,000 divisions for two-year-old filly trotters.

In the first of two races for the colts and geldings, Royal Precedent and Merriman claimed the lead going to the first quarter as race favourite Tennessee Tom, with Chris Page, went off stride. Royal Precedent gave up the lead briefly to Rose Run Zoom and Don Irvine Jr., but quickly retook heading to the half. The gelded son of Creatine had to fight off a late charge from TTs Magnum Force and Jason Thompson, holding on to win by a half-length in 1:57, a new lifetime mark. It was the second win in three starts for the Sam Schillaci trainee, who is owned and was bred by the Claude Gendreau Stable. TTs Magnum Force was second with Rose Run Zoom third.

In the second division for the colts and geldings, Merriman piloted undefeated Spaaaanzano (pictured above) to his second Ohio Sires Stakes win of the year. Spaaaanzano raced to the lead from post seven and never looked back, going gate-to-wire in 1:57 for the 2-3/4-length triumph. It was the third win in as many starts for the son of Coraggioso. Chris Beaver trains and co-owns with Spaaaartners, Bill Manes and Leo Fleming. Spaaaanzano raised his earnings over the $100,000 mark to $122,500 with the victory. Commander Tom finished second with A Million In Coins third.

On the filly side, Merriman collected his first Sires Stakes win of the night as he took another Chris Beaver trainee, Possibility wire-to-wire to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:56. The win was the first in three starts for Possibility. The daughter of What The Hill is co-owned by Beaver, W J Donovan, Joe Sbrocco and Mark Moger. Shes Spicy was second with Sister Wives finishing third.

Driven by Ronnie Gillespie, Sugar Instead made it two-for-two in Sires Stakes starts with a winning effort in the evening's other division for fillies. Sugar Instead settled into the third spot through the first half-mile. Heading up the backstretch, Gillespie took the Volstead filly to the lead and won by 1-1/2 lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:56.2. Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and owned by Joyce McClelland and Larry Wills, Sugar Instead has won two of her first three outings. Iam Independent finished second with Midnight Daydream third.

Ohio Sires Stakes action continues on Wednesday night at MGM Northfield Park with three divisions of two-year-old filly pacers. First race post time is 6 p.m.

(With files from Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger will host her 49th telephone town hall from 7:30-8:30 p.m. tonight at spanberger.house.gov/live and by dialing 833/380-0670.

The focus will be the range of issues facing Virginias veterans, military families and caregivers.

Joining the discussion with the congresswoman will be Virginia Department of Veterans Services Ben Shaw, Central Regional Director of Virginia Veteran and Family Support, and Guy Dinkins II, Benefits Northern Region Director.

Spanberger will share important updates for veterans and survivors looking to apply for new U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits signed into law as part of the bipartisan Honoring Our PACT Act, which she voted to pass last August, according to a release from the local congresswomans office.

The town hall will also be shared on Spanbergers Facebook page during the event.
The Lied Scottsbuff Public Librarys Summer Reading Program is coming to a close, with some fun events planned for children and their families.

The public is invited to Bean It Like You Mean It, at the Midwest Theater on Tuesday, July 25 at 7 p.m. for the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library Summer Reading Wrap Up Party. The String Beans, a musical group from Lincoln will perform a wide variety of original, family-friendly songs about all the things kids love. When we brought them in 2018, they were hilarious and everyone loved them, Deb Carlson, childrens librarian, said in a press release. I will never forget how much fun it was watching everyone dancing in the aisles and singing along.

For 19 years, The String Beans have performed their unique variety of original, family-friendly songs for audiences across the nation. From pop and country to rap and rock & roll, the band writes songs about things kids love: animals, books, movies, food, science, nature, play, imagination, and lots more! Each show is hilarious, inclusive, and spontaneous, and each catchy tune is designed to get every audience dancing and singing along. Since forming in 2004, The String Beans have released 14 albums, appeared on dozens of radio and television programs, and delighted tens of thousands of people at fairs, festivals, libraries, schools, churches, museums, zoos and more.

Popular String Beans songs include Right Here In Nebraska, used by many educators statewide, and Opposites, featured in a textbook published by Cambridge University Press.

In their hometown of Lincoln, the Beans have sold out the Lied Center for Performing Arts, and consistently set new attendance records at the Lincoln Childrens Museums Music & Mozzarella concert series. The group has also performed for the Governors Arts Awards Ceremony, and toured the southeast United States with performances in Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida.

At the solar eclipse celebration in 2017, The String Beans performed alongside Bill Nye and musicians from the PBS program, Ready Jet Go, for more than 10,000 people at Homestead National Monument near Beatrice, plus more than 100,000 people streaming the show on NASAs website.

Following the show, the summer reading wrap up party will include the announcement of the grand prize winner of the Nintendo Switch donated by NTC Logistics and the winners of the Smiley Face Candy Jar Guess, and other prize drawings.

Every child will get a special surprise to take home.

There is no admission fee or reading requirement to attend. The event, sponsored by Scottsbluff Public Schools Sixpence, Platte Valley Companies and Healthy Blue Nebraska, is open to the entire community.
South Statesville is not served by a grocery store, and getting one on Shelton Avenue will be a challenge, according to an economic analysis.

Matt Jaeger of Retail Strategies, an Alabama-based company that assists cities such as Statesville in landing retail partners, made a presentation before Statesville City Council on Monday.

Jaeger said while the city-owned properties at 1809 and 1832 on Shelton Avenue could be attractive to some retailers, a grocery store chain would be less likely to want to locate there.

He added that most companies would consider the area overserved as far as grocery stores and cited a $76 to $105 million grocery gap analysis that factored in consumer spending habits with the supply of grocery stores in a 10-mile radius of the areas surrounding the city-owned properties.

Jaeger said grocery stores such as IGA or Piggly Wiggly, with independent franchise operators, might be more flexible in putting a store in South Statesville. Still, many chains would likely pass on building a new store in that area.

It certainly is a possibility, but if youre looking at it through the lens of a retailer, and thats ultimately what our company wants to do for the city is analyze and give our assessment on what a retailer would view it, this site is going to present a lot of challenges that they may not face in other parts of the city, Jaeger said. Just from that perspective, Im never going to say never, but this site is challenging to do what youre proposing.

Council members Doris Allison and Fred Foster said they are concerned for South Statesville residents who cant travel as easily to some of the citys other grocery stores.

I did not want it to be a fact where this is a closed case, no hope in sight, a flat no, Allison said. We didnt get a flat no. So, there is still a possibility for a greater good.

Retail Strategies did say the former Food Lion location at 1382 Shelton Ave. could be a more viable option. However, that property is controlled by the Statesville Housing Authority.

There are some stores in the area, such as Family Dollar and Dollar General, which provide food. Council members Allison and Foster said they want to see a grocery store that offers fresh produce and other items that is within walking distance of South Statesville residents.

The hope is that along with a grocery store, retail and other economic growth can be spurred.

We absolutely have to get on the ball with cleaning up this area and getting retail in that area, city council member Kim Wasson said.

Jaeger said the analysis was the first step the city needed to take. He said the next step would be creating a detailed plan for recruiting businesses to the area, as well as possible ways to incentivize the project.

Incentives were a concern to council member Steve Johnson, who owns an auto parts business in the area.

Along with mentioning the figures and assessments from Retail Strategies, he said that if the market had appeared to indicate why a grocery store might struggle there, then the city should be hesitant to invest in such a project.

The first lesson of economics is scarcity: There is never enough of anything to satisfy all those who want it. The first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics, Johnson said, quoting Thomas Sowell. And thats where we are.

Johnson said he wouldnt be willing to use the money of taxpayers to make the project viable.

Foster said the city needs to take some action to make a grocery store a reality.

We need some action, Steve. Weve been a food desert for 30 years. Its time for some action. If we dont do it, it will never get done. Damn, these people are sick and tired of being sick and tired, Foster said.

Allison also pushed back on Johnson. Your vote is just one, she said.
A North Korean soldier looks at the southern side through a pair of binoculars at the border village of the Panmunjeom, in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), that separates the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Paju, north of Seoul, South Korea, March 19, 2013. AP-Yonhap



The U.S.-led United Nations Command is trying to secure the release of an American soldier who fled to North Korea from the South Korean side of a border village.



Private 2nd Class Travis King, in his early 20s, had just been released from a South Korean prison where he was held on assault charges. Instead of getting on a plane to be taken back to Fort Bliss, Texas, he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjeom, where he ran across the border.



The incident comes at a time of high tensions as the pace of both the North's weapons demonstrations and U.S.-South Korean joint military training have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.



There have been cases of Americans crossing into North Korea over the past years, including a small number of U.S. soldiers. Some of the Americans who crossed were driven by evangelical zeal or simply attracted by the mystery of a severely cloistered police state fueled by anti-U.S. hatred.



Other Americans were detained after entering North Korea as tourists. In one tragic case, it ended in death.



Here's a look at other Americans who entered North Korea in the past years:





Former U.S. Army deserter to North Korea, Charles Jenkins, together with his daughters Mika, rear left, and Brinda at Narita International Airport, Japan, June 14, 2005. AP-Yonhap



Charles Jenkins



Born in Rich Square, N.C., Charles Jenkins was one of the few Cold War-era U.S. soldiers who fled to North Korea while serving in the South.



Jenkins, then an Army sergeant, deserted his post in 1965 and fled across the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. North Korea treated Jenkins as a propaganda asset, showcasing him in leaflets and films.



In 1980, Jenkins married 21-year-old Hitomi Soga, a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978.



Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002. In 2004, Jenkins was allowed to leave North Korea and rejoin his wife in Japan, where he surrendered to U.S. military authorities and faced charges that he abandoned his unit and defected to North Korea. He was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 25 days in a U.S. military jail in Japan. He died in Japan in 2017.





Matthew Miller, a U.S. citizen, sits on the dock at the Supreme Court during his trial in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 14, 2014. AP-Yonhap



Matthew Miller



In September 2014, then a 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, Matthew Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labor by North Korea's Supreme Court on charges that he illegally entered the country for spying purposes.



The court claimed that Miller tore up his tourist visa upon arriving at Pyongyang's airport in April that year and admitted to a "wild ambition" of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the country's human rights conditions.









North Korea's initial announcement about Miller's detainment that month came as then-President Barack Obama was traveling in South Korea on a state visit.



Miller was freed in November that same year along with another American, Kenneth Bae, a missionary and tour leader.



Weeks before his release, Miller talked with The Associated Press at a Pyongyang hotel where North Korean officials allowed him to call his family. Miller said he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.





American missionary Kenneth Bae speaks to reporters at Pyongyang Friendship Hospital in Pyongyang, North Korea, Jan. 20, 2014. AP-Yonhap



Kenneth Bae



Bae, a Korean-American missionary from Lynnwood, Washington, was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone.



North Korea sentenced Bae to 15 years in prison for "hostile acts," including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town. Bae's family said he suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes, and heart and liver problems.



Bae returned to the United States in November 2014 following a secret mission by James Clapper, then-U.S. director of national intelligence who also secured Miller's release.



Jeffrey Fowle



A month before Bae and Miller's release, North Korea also freed Jeffrey Fowle, an Ohio municipal worker who was detained for six months for leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin. Fowle's release followed negotiations that involved retired diplomat and former Ohio Congressman Tony Hall.



While North Korea officially guarantees freedom of religion, analysts and defectors describe the country as strictly anti-religious. The distribution of Bibles and secret prayer services can mean imprisonment or execution, defectors say.



In 2009, American missionary Robert Park walked into North Korea with a Bible in his hand to draw attention to North Korea's human rights abuses. Park, who was deported from the North in February 2010, has said he was tortured by authorities.





American student Otto Warmbier, center, is escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea, March 16, 2016. AP-Yonhap
Read this piece by Texas Monthly on a few young oil executives.

Loved it.

My favorite quote about the oil business?

If you want to throw darts at us, thats fine, he said. But those darts are made out of plastic and steel, and you dont get that without oil and gas.

Its honestly refreshing to read about another oil apologist. 

Dont miss reading The Big Rich, By: Bryan Burrough.

My Notes:

If they worked in the tech industry, no one would bat an eye at their agesthey might not even be considered young. But most CEOs of Texas-based oil companies are in their sixth decade or beyond. Even more notable is the youthfulness of the two hundred employees Hickey and Walter have assembled. Im probably one of the more seasoned people here, said Matt Garrison, the companys COO, at the ripe old age of forty-one.

The emergence of an oil company staffed by millennial and Gen Z workers is all the more remarkable because many of their peers have turned away from careers in fossil fuels. At Texas A&M University, in College Station, the number of Aggies majoring in petroleum engineering last fall was 418down from 755 four years earlier, despite higher oil prices, which have historically attracted more students. A few years ago, when todays college students were teenagers, global consulting firm EY surveyed them about careers in oil and gas. Nearly two out of three said the industry was unappealing, with more than one in three describing it as very unappealing.

Last year the University of Houston surveyed its students and found they were twice as likely to want to work for a renewable-energy company as for an oil company offering a higher salary. If the U.S. oil industry is to remain vital, it could use a youth movement like the one at Permian Resources.

After college Hickey went to work for Irving-based Pioneer Natural Resources and then the Dallas office of EnCap Investments, a Houston-based private-equity company that provided funding for oil and gas companies. Walter was in Houston, working at Denham Capital, where his job involved financing energy projects in West Texas. They stayed in touch and, in 2015, Walter concocted a reason to visit EnCap in Dallas. He popped his head into Hickeys office, and soon they were talking about starting their own company. They got so excited that Hickey worried his coworkers would overhear him. You told me to keep my voice down, Walter says to his friend as they recount the story. Over the next few weeks, they developed their business plan, which began with a simple first step. Move out to Midland and really kind of figure out what to do, Hickey says.

Billy Quinn, the then 45-year-old founder and managing partner of Pearl Energy Investments, was their first backer, initially providing $75 million. (Nearly $200 million came later from Quinn and others.) We love their energy. We love their ambition. We love their intellectual honesty, he told me. It didnt hurt, he added, that they were surprisingly mature.

Thirty-two-year-old Michael McNamara, a petroleum engineer who works on corporate strategy at Permian Resources, characterizes their work as a noble pursuit. If you want to throw darts at us, thats fine, he said. But those darts are made out of plastic and steel, and you dont get that without oil and gas.

Their vision of a sustainable future doesnt involve a transition by Permian Resources into building solar farms. Thats not what their investors want. Hickey and Walter are mindful of lessening their environmental impact by reducing flaring and trying to eliminate spills, but they are still going to pump oil. The sustainability that most interests them is building a long-lasting business. Fossil fuels, Walter says, are something that is going to be here for a long time. Maybe long enough for a thirtysomething to enjoy a decades-long career before a comfortable retirement.
(CNN)  There has been more fallout regarding Jason Aldeans controversial single, Try That in a Small Town.

Multiple outlets have reported that the music video for the single  whose politically charged lyrics have resulted in a backlash  has been pulled from CMT.

Billboard was the first to report the news. CNN has reached out to CMT and reps for Aldean for comment.

The song was released in May, but according to Billboard the accompanying video wasnt released until July 14 and had been in heavy rotation through Sunday before it was pulled on Monday.

The lyrics, critics say, are evocative of vigilantism, racism and sundown towns that practice a form of all white segregation in which people of color and others who were considered outsiders knew they faced violence if they were not out of an area before the sun went down.

One commenter called it a modern lynching song.

Aldean sings:

Cuss out a cop, spit in his face

Stomp on the flag and light it up

Yeah, ya think youre tough

Well, try that in a small town

See how far ya make it down the road

Around here, we take care of our own

You cross that line, it wont take long

For you to find out, I recommend you dont

Try that in a small town.

He defended those lyrics in a tweet on Tuesday.

In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.  Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023

Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences, wrote Aldean, who was born and raised in Macon, a mid-sized city in central Georgia.

But its not been received as such by some critics.

As Tennessee lawmakers, we have an obligation to condemn Jason Aldeans heinous song calling for racist violence, Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones tweeted Tuesday. What a shameful vision of gun extremism and vigilantism. We will continue to call for common sense gun laws, that protect ALL our children and communities.

While singing about guns is certainly not uncommon in country songs of any era, some listeners thought the lyrics were a bit puzzling given Aldeans tragic history with gun violence. (Aldean is not credited as a writer on the song.)

The entertainer was performing at the Route 91 Music Harvest Festival in Las Vegas in 2017 when a gunman shot repeatedly into the crowd, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds more. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting in American history.

Afterward, Aldean spoke out about his emotional experience and expressed an openness for more gun control laws. He acknowledged the mass shooting in his social media statement Tuesday, noting, NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart.

The controversy over Try That in a Small Town reached a new level with the recent music video release for the song. Some viewers noticed scenes in the video were shot in front of what appears to be the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee. The courthouse has been the site of several incidents of racial violence, including the 1927 lynching of a Black man named Henry Choate. It also served as a backdrop for the Columbia Race Riot in 1946.

Top country song from the year you graduated high school 1948 (tie): 'I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)' by Eddy Arnold and His Tennessee Plowboys, "Bouquet of Roses" by Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys 1949: 'Lovesick Blues' by Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys 1950: 'I'm Movin' On' by Hank Snow 1951: 'Shotgun Boogie' by Tennessee Ernie Ford 1952: 'The Wild Side of Life' by Hank Thompson 1953: 'Kaw-Liga' by Hank Williams 1954: 'I Don't Hurt Anymore' by Hank Snow 1955: 'In The Jailhouse Now' by Webb Pierce 1956: 'Heartbreak Hotel' by Elvis Presley 1957: 'Gone' by Ferlin Husky 1958 (tie): 'Ballad Of A Teenage Queen' by Johnny Cash, 'Guess Things Happen That Way' by Johnny Cash 1959 (tie): 'The Battle of New Orleans' by Johnny Horton, 'The Three Bells' by The Browns 1960 (tie): 'He'll Have to Go' by Jim Reeves, 'Please Help Me, I'm Falling' by Hank Locklin 1961: 'Don't Worry' by Marty Robbins 1962 (tie): 'Walk On By' by Leroy Van Dyke, 'Wolverton Mountain' by Claude King 1963: 'Love's Gonna Live Here' by Buck Owens 1964: 'I Guess I'm Crazy' by Jim Reeves 1965: 'Before You Go' by Buck Owens 1966: 'Almost Persuaded' by David Houston 1967 (tie): 'There Goes My Everything' by Jack Greene, 'All The Time' by Jack Greene, 'It's The Little Things' by Sonny James 1968: 'Skip A Rope' by Henson Cargill 1969: 'Daddy Sang Bass' by Johnny Cash 1970 (tie): 'Baby Baby (I Know You're a Lady)' by David Houston, 'It's Just a Matter of Time' by Sonny James, 'Hello Darlin'' by Conway Twitty, 'Don't Keep Me Hangin' On' by Sonny James 1971: 'When You're Hot, You're Hot' by Jerry Reed 1972: 'My Hang-Up Is You' by Freddie Hart 1973 (tie): 'You've Never Been This Far Before' by Conway Twitty, 'The Most Beautiful Girl' by Charlie Rich 1974: 'A Very Special Love Song' by Charlie Rich 1975 (tie): 'Before the Next Teardrop Falls' by Freddy Fender, 'Rhinestone Cowboy' by Glen Campbell, 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' by Willie Nelson, 'Always Wanting You' by Merle Haggard, 'Touch the Hand' by Conway Twitty, and three more 1976: 'Convoy' by C. W. McCall 1977: 'Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)' by Waylon Jennings 1978: 'Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys' by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson 1979 (tie): 'Every Which Way but Loose' by Eddie Rabbitt, 'I Just Fall in Love Again" by Anne Murray, 'If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me' by The Bellamy Brothers, 'Amanda' by Waylon Jennings, and two more 1980 (tie): 'Coward of the County' by Kenny Rogers, 'My Heart / Silent Night (After the Fight)' by Ronnie Milsap, 'Lookin' for Love' by Johnny Lee 1981 (tie): 'I Don't Need You' by Kenny Rogers, '(There's) No Gettin' Over Me' by Ronnie Milsap, 'Never Been So Loved (In All My Life)' by Charley Pride 1982 (tie): 'Always on My Mind' by Willie Nelson, 'Just to Satisfy You' by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, 'Slow Hand' by Conway Twitty, 'She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)' by Jerry Reed 1983 (tie): 'Islands in the Stream' by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, 'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)' by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers 1984 (tie): 'To All the Girls I've Loved Before' by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson, 'Why Not Me' by The Judds 1985: 'Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night)' by Ronnie Milsap 1986 (tie): 'Whoever's in New England' by Reba McEntire, 'Have Mercy' by The Judds, 'Desperado Love' by Conway Twitty, and two more 1987: 'Forever and Ever, Amen' by Randy Travis 1988 (tie): 'Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses' by Kathy Mattea, 'I Told You So' by Randy Travis, 'I'll Leave This World Loving You' by Ricky Van Shelton, 'When You Say Nothing at All' by Keith Whitley 1989 (tie): 'I'm No Stranger to the Rain' by Keith Whitley, 'The Church on Cumberland Road' by Shenandoah 1990: 'Love Without End, Amen' by George Strait 1991 (tie): 'Down Home' by Alabama, 'Don't Rock the Jukebox' by Alan Jackson, 'You Know Me Better Than That' by George Strait 1992: 'Achy Breaky Heart' by Billy Ray Cyrus 1993: 'Chattahoochee' by Alan Jackson 1994 (tie): 'Wild One' by Faith Hill, 'I Swear' by John Michael Montgomery, 'Wink' by Neal McCoy 1995: 'I Like It, I Love It' by Tim McGraw 1996 (tie): 'It Matters to Me' by Faith Hill, 'No News' by Lonestar, 'Time Marches On' by Tracy Lawrence, 'My Maria' by Brooks and Dunn, 'Carried Away' by George Strait, and two more 1997: 'It's Your Love' by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill 1998: 'Just to See You Smile' by Tim McGraw 1999: 'Amazed' by Lonestar 2000 (tie): 'Breathe' by Faith Hill, 'How Do You Like Me Now?!' by Toby Keith, 'I Hope You Dance' by Lee Ann Womack and Sons of the Desert 2001 (tie): 'Ain't Nothing 'bout You' by Brooks and Dunn, 'I'm Already There' by Lonestar 2002: 'The Good Stuff' by Kenny Chesney 2003 (tie): 'Have You Forgotten?' by Darryl Worley, 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett 2004 (tie): 'There Goes My Life' by Kenny Chesney, 'When the Sun Goes Down' by Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker, 'Redneck Woman' by Gretchen Wilson 2005 (tie): 'As Good as I Once Was' by Toby Keith, 'Better Life' by Keith Urban 2006: 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' by Carrie Underwood 2007: 'Never Wanted Nothing More' by Kenny Chesney 2008 (tie): 'Our Song' by Taylor Swift, 'Letter to Me' by Brad Paisley 2009: 'Need You Now' by Lady A 2010 (tie): 'Consider Me Gone' by Reba McEntire, 'Why Don't We Just Dance' by Josh Turner, 'The House That Built Me' by Miranda Lambert 2011: 'Honey Bee' by Blake Shelton 2012: 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' by Taylor Swift 2013: 'Cruise' by Florida Georgia Line 2014: 'Burnin' It Down' by Jason Aldean 2015: 'Girl Crush' by Little Big Town 2016: 'H.O.L.Y.' by Florida Georgia Line 2017: 'Body Like a Back Road' by Sam Hunt 2018: 'Meant to Be' by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line 2019: 'Whiskey Glasses' by Morgan Wallen 2020: 'The Bones' by Maren Morris 2021: 'Fancy Like' by Walker Hayes
Many crucial cancer treatments are unavailable in northern Syria, according to Zaman al-Wasl.

The campaign titled Save Cancer Patients in northern Syria was launched several months ago by activists and media professionals. Its primary objective is to provide treatment to hundreds of patients, the majority of whom are children. This initiative is necessary due to the scarcity of essential medical equipment and specialized medical personnel required to effectively treat cancer in the region.

In an interview with Zaman Al-Wasl =, Mohammed al-Rahim, the father of a child who recently underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his head, emphasized the urgent need for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, these crucial treatments are unavailable in northern Syria. To address this issue, the father suggested facilitating patient admissions to hospitals in Turkey or establishing cancer treatment facilities within the northern regions of Syria.

Additionally, the brother of another cancer patient shared the challenges they face regarding his sisters treatment. He mentioned the high cost of her treatment, their inability to cover the expenses themselves, and the unavailability of adequate medical care. Desperate for a solution, they were forced to leave their homes and relocate to northern Syria. They expressed their frustration at being unable to seek treatment in Turkey for their 53-year-old sister.

The patients brother further emphasized their struggle to find treatment options within northern Syria or access healthcare in Turkey.

Dr. Ayham Demo, a hematologist and oncologist who heads the Department of Hematology and Oncology at SAMS, highlighted their efforts to offer free treatment for six types of cancer, along with complimentary consultations for all cancer types.

Dr. Demoo drew attention to the challenges faced by their medical center in northern Syria, specifically the lack of chemotherapy options for various types of cancer. This scarcity worsened after patient entry into Turkey was halted, placing immense pressure on their facility.

Dr. Demo mentioned the absence of free radiotherapy, a crucial complement to cancer treatment, and the prohibitively expensive immunotherapy, both of which are inaccessible in northwestern Syria. Consequently, the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of oncology patients have been delayed, resulting in worsened conditions and even loss of life.

Dr. Demo made an appeal to relevant authorities to open the Bab al-Hawa crossing and establish a humanitarian corridor. This would allow the entry of all cancer patients seeking treatment in Turkish hospitals.

It is important to note that there are thousands of cancer patients in northern Syria, primarily children. However, due to the recent earthquake in Turkey on February 6th, patient entries for treatment in Turkish territory were temporarily halted, adding to the complexity of the situation.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The team argued that cross-border humanitarian aid is vital to prevent Russia from controlling the Syrian humanitarian issue, according to Zaman al-Wasl.

The Syria Response Coordinators team announced on Sunday that the suspension of humanitarian aid entering the country from the border crossings with Turkey has continued for the fifth consecutive day. This suspension coincides with the expiration of the UN mandate to facilitate aid entry through the Bab al-Hawa crossing, and an unwarranted halt to aid delivery through the Bab al-Salama and al-Rai crossings. It is worth noting that the exception allowing aid entry through the latter two crossings remains in effect until mid-August.

In their report, the team highlighted a blatant manipulation of the regimes rhetoric with the backing of Russia. This manipulation serves to grant approvals for humanitarian aid entry through the Bab al-Hawa crossing for a period of six months. It is important to note that this crossing is outside the control of the Syrian regime and lacks authority within the area.

The team emphasized the urgent need to establish a renewed mechanism for aid entry that is free from political maneuvering within the UN Security Council. Such a mechanism should aim to prevent any special interests between countries. Furthermore, they stressed the permanent removal of the humanitarian issue from the Security Councils jurisdiction. This is particularly crucial as the Syrian regime has started exploiting the Councils internal chaos to achieve political gains. Notably, the regime has demanded the activation of the Syrian Red Crescent, an institution known for its documented history of supporting the regimes military activities.

The team argued that cross-border humanitarian aid is vital to prevent Russia from controlling the Syrian humanitarian issue and turning it into a subject of political negotiation. They also emphasized that the authorization mechanism prevents the Syrian regime from exerting control over humanitarian aid and manipulating its distribution in the region. Moreover, the mechanism helps combat theft and looting carried out by the regime forces and associated institutions and organizations, including the Syrian Red Crescent and local organizations.

Additionally, the mechanism serves as a deterrent against the regimes potential exploitation of aid by selling it in the local market for financial gain or diverting it to support and supply Syrian regime forces in various areas. These points were stressed by the team.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Syria urgently calls upon the United Nations to take immediate and effective action to halt violations of international laws, according to al-Baath.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs expressed Syrias vehement condemnation of the heinous act committed by the Turkish regime, which has resulted in the deprivation of over one million Syrians of access to water. This act is particularly appalling given the prevailing high temperatures.

The Ministry highlighted that the Turkish regime, in collaboration with separatist groups, continues to impede the flow of drinking water, denying the people of Hassakeh and its surrounding areas a basic necessity of life.

Syria urgently calls upon the United Nations to take immediate and effective action to halt this violation of international laws, norms, and charters. It further urges the UN to facilitate the swift restoration of water pumping operations at full capacity by granting access to international organization staff and water station personnel, who can carry out the necessary repairs and ensure the proper functioning of the facility. This is crucial for the well-being of the affected residents.

Additionally, Syria reiterates its demand for the immediate cessation of the unlawful presence of US and Turkish forces on Syrian territory. Only through the restoration of Syrias control over these areas and the resumption of state-run institutions in the north, northeast, and northwest regions can the Syrian peoples suffering be alleviated and their living conditions improved.

In conclusion, the Ministry urges the international community to address this grave situation promptly and effectively, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive resolution that respects Syrias sovereignty and the rights of its people.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Minister of Industry, Abdelkader Jokhadar, held discussions with Bahrain's Ambassador to Syria, Waheed Mubarak Sayyar, according to Tishreen.

Syria has been actively engaging in discussions and agreements with several countries to enhance cooperation in various domains. These efforts include strengthening legal and judicial ties with Iran, bolstering air services with Iraq, and fostering industrial cooperation with Bahrain.

In a meeting between the Minister of Justice, Ahmed al-Sayyed, and his Iranian counterpart, Amin Hossein Rahimi, the two officials discussed joint cooperation in the legal and judicial field. They explored the formation of a joint legal committee aimed at defending common interests and condemning crimes before international forums. Minister al-Sayyed emphasized the importance of exchanging judicial expertise and organizing workshops and international conferences. He called for the implementation of international law as a deterrent against Israeli aggressions, highlighting the need for legislation to be impartial and not influenced by certain Western countries sentiments. Minister Rahimi acknowledged the role of the Syrian and Iranian justice ministries in confronting American and Zionist dominance. He stressed the importance of defending against the ongoing lawfare and urged international forums to condemn the crimes committed in Syria and by states in the resistance axis. Minister Rahimi also referred to President Ebrahim Raisis recent visit to Syria, which marked a turning point in Syrian-Iranian relations, emphasizing their intention to rebuild what was destroyed by terrorism.

Meanwhile, Syria and Iraq signed an air services agreement to ensure both countries remain up to date with the latest developments in air transport in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Minister of Transport, Zuhair Khuzaym, held discussions with the Head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, Imad Abd al-Razzaq Abd al-Ali, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation and creating new opportunities in air transport. Minister Khuzaym highlighted the significance of solidarity and mutual cooperation between Iraq and Syria in promoting air navigation services, improving safety and security, facilitating air cargo, and sharing expertise. The head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority acknowledged Syrias importance as a vital external destination for Iraq and emphasized the need for stronger cooperation to achieve mutual economic, social, and commercial development.

In another development, Minister of Industry, Abdelkader Jokhadar, held discussions with Bahrains Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Syria, Waheed Mubarak Sayyar, regarding prospects of commercial and industrial bilateral cooperation. Minister Jokhadar emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation and exchanging expertise while encouraging joint investment programs for the benefit of both nations. Ambassador Sayyar urged Syrian participation in specialized exhibitions held in Bahrain and emphasized the role of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as entrepreneurs, in both countries. The officials agreed to reactivate a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and Bahrain, focusing on specifications, and standards, and developing a comprehensive action plan to strengthen industry cooperation.

These recent efforts reflect Syrias commitment to forging stronger partnerships and promoting mutual benefits across multiple sectors.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The strike was initiated by Manbij activists in response to the SDF's enforced recruitment campaigns, according to Syria TV.

On Wednesday, the city of Manbij, located east of Aleppo, experienced a widespread strike among markets and shops as a form of protest against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which currently holds control over the city.

The strike was initiated by Manbij activists in response to the SDFs enforced recruitment campaigns targeting young individuals within the city and its surrounding areas.

The residents of Manbij have urged the SDF to halt their forced recruitment initiatives, improve the wages of employees and workers, and enhance the overall security situation.

According to local news networks, the strike had a significant impact on the primary market shops, as well as the Aleppo and al-Jazeera roads, the Sirb neighbourhoods, and the Hazawneh road.

Since early 2016, the SDF has maintained complete control over the city of Manbij, achieved through battles fought with the support of the international coalition forces against the Islamic State (ISIS). However, the city periodically witnesses strikes as a response to SDF and its associated groups violations.

It is worth noting that the SDF has been conducting security operations in numerous areas under its control in northern Syria, primarily targeting young individuals, both males and females, with the intention of recruiting them into their ranks.

Self-defense Law

Compulsory conscription, which has faced criticism from civilians and legal perspectives, was initially introduced by the YPG following the 2014 Duhok agreement, coinciding with the emergence of the Islamic State and its territorial control in significant parts of Syria and Iraq.

The Military Service Law comprises 35 articles that outline the terms of service, deferment, exemption, and all regulations pertaining to individuals subject to mandatory conscription within the areas governed by the Autonomous Administration.

As per the Self-Defense Law, the mandatory service duration is set at 12 months. Males are assigned to service starting at the age of 18, and individuals who fail to fulfill their service obligation are required to complete it before reaching the age of 30.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
There has been an increase in incidents involving Russian aircrafts intercepting American ones in Syrian airspace, according to Baladi News.

Syrian regime forces, in conjunction with Russian forces, are currently conducting military exercises along the coastal region opposite the city of Lattakia in western Syria. These exercises have been accompanied by reports of a drone attack and subsequent response.

According to sources cited by Al-Watan newspaper, the sounds of explosions heard in the sky of Lattakia since this morning are a result of the military exercises carried out by the regime forces.

However, the Nawras Center for Studies has confirmed that the Russian Hemeimeem base launched heavy rockets into the sea in response to a drone attack in the regions airspace. They consider the regimes claim about the exercises to be unsubstantiated.

On June 23rd, 2020, a series of explosions rocked the regimes positions in the city of Jableh, located in the Lattakia countryside. Ground-based anti-aircraft fire was also reported at the Russian Hemeimeem base.

At that time, the regimes SANA news agency published on all its official channels that air defences had intercepted drones in the airspace of the Jableh area in Lattakia countryside.

In recent months, there has been an increase in incidents involving Russian aircrafts intercepting American ones in Syrian airspace, as well as Russian aircraft flying over US bases in Syria.

On Friday, a senior U.S. defence official revealed that a Russian Antonov An-30 reconnaissance aircraft had repeatedly flown over the al-Tanf base and the surrounding area. This incident was significant because it involved an American base.

The U.S. official stated that a formal protest was lodged against Russia through the established deconfliction line in Syria, which Russia disregarded.

Both the U.S. and Russia maintain a military presence in Syria, with the US being part of the international coalition against ISIS, while Russia supports regime leader Bashar al-Assad.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Crews estimated Wednesday they would continue to battle Tuesday nights large commercial fire at the Industrial Way paper mill complex throughout the day in Longview.

Wood chip piles were fueling the blaze at Nippon Dynawave Packaging at 1701 Industrial Way as of Wednesday morning near the entrance on the Longview side of the Lewis and Clark Bridge and Weyerhaeusers gate 4 near Oregon and Industrial ways.

A large plume of smoke could still be seen Wednesday afternoon.

No injuries were reported and officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

Cowlitz 911 was notified of the fire at about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, according to the emergency response app PulsePoint.

Longview Fire Marshall Jon Dunaway said this is the largest fire he has seen in his four years in the position, but could not estimate the size. He said eight apparatuses were on site and up to 45 fire personnel were at the scene at one point Tuesday night.

He likened the smoke to a wildfire and urged people nearby to either leave the area or close their windows and doors and shelter in place.

Crews, including from the Longview Fire Department and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, worked over night to fight the blaze that Dunaway said damaged equipment including conveyors that take wood chips to the paper and pulp plant. Crews have to dig through wood piles to apply water, he said.

A helicopter from the Department of Natural Resources did not arrive as of Wednesday morning, though the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management reported Tuesday night one was on the way.

Dunaway said helicopters were expected to help fight the fire Wednesday. When helicopters arrive, crews will likely back off the blaze. The helicopters and Nippon crews, who have equipment like water tenders, may relieve the municipality fire departments, he said.

Nippon Director of Support Services Brian Wood said all 525 mill employees came to work Wednesday to help put out the fire, while fiber line operations were shutdown. He said workers were not feeding chips as of Wednesday afternoon.

A lot of our workers are supporting the first responders and the fire crews making sure were doing everything we can to enable them to do their job, he said.

Nippon and Weyerhaeuser share the site, and a Weyerhaeuser representative said the company was assessing damages as of Wednesday morning. Wood said Weyerhaeuser is supporting Nippon. He said nearby NORPAC also changed their shipping schedule due to the fire.

Last night, law enforcement kept people from walking across the Lewis and Clark Bridge as smoke passed over the structure. Kelly Hanahan, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation, said the bridge was re-opened to pedestrians and cyclists at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday. She said the state doesnt anticipate delays in reopening the bridge, which is under construction, by its 8 p.m. Monday deadline.

At around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Industrial Way from Oregon Way to Washington Way was reported to be closed for emergency traffic only, according to the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management. Dunaway said the closure was lifted around midnight.

Officials ask drones not be flown within 2 miles of the fire because they will prevent helicopters from approaching the blaze.

Responding agencies also included Cowlitz Fire District 5, Cowlitz County Fire District 3, Cowlitz County Fire District 6, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Editors note: The Daily News Reporter Sydney Brown contributed to this story.
The Lewis and Clark Bridge marks the quickest way to drive from Cowlitz County to Rainier, but this week Kalama resident Rikki Anderson has a faster route  by air.

Employees who usually take the Lewis and Clark Bridge have had to secure creative ways of crossing during the closure that started Sunday night and could last until 8 p.m. Monday.

Anderson, an employee at Rightline Equipment in Rainier, will spend her week commuting via helicopter.

About two or three weeks ago, her employer let them know they had secured rides with two helicopters with a combined capacity of nine passengers and would start picking people up at 5:18 a.m. from the Southwest Washington Regional Airport in Kelso.

If she took the Astoria-Megler Bridge detour, Anderson said it would have taken her four hours to get there and another four hours back. Comparatively, the helicopter ride takes only four minutes, Anderson said.

I was really apprehensive at first because I have never been in a helicopter, Anderson said in an interview. But its been so efficiently run and a great experience.

They have about 160 employees, all of whom are being helicoptered in on the companys dime, she said. Anderson said she has to wake up earlier to make the drive from Kalama to Kelso, but said she almost wishes they could do this more often. The rides will end once the bridge reopens.

If it had been up to him, Rightline Equipment employee Mike Jensen said he would rather take the week off.

We knew all year they were closing the bridge at some point, so we were hoping to get a vacation, said the Longview resident, who had hoped to take a trip to Las Vegas this week. I can see their point, though. If they had to pay for a week of paid vacation for everyone, I can see how that might be quite devastating for some companies.

In his daily commute to Rainier, Jensen said he consistently felt nervous driving across the Lewis and Clark Bridge.

They have to get the bridge fixed the way it should be, Jensen said. The bridge sways back and forth, and it felt like every time I drove on it, there were more holes, and it got shakier.

Other effects on business

Lindsey Cope, vice president of the Cowlitz Economic Development Council, said in an email the closure to fix the bridges joints and a broken floor beam will very likely have effects on regional businesses, but it is too early to tell right now what those might be.

For Outpost 30, a convenience store in Rainier, co-owner Dena Clark said in an interview Tuesday they actually saw more business Monday after the bridge closed. She said she thinks the uptick in business is likely because locals did not have the option of traveling across the bridge  or getting a helicopter ride into Longview.

We had a great day. ... So I would say it has not hurt us, Clark said.

Commutes from out of town are common in Rainier, according to the 2020 U.S. census. About one-fourth of Rainier residents work outside Columbia County.

While 18.6% of employees have a travel time of less than 10 minutes, 16% have a 20-minute commute. For 12.9% of the workforce, it takes about 50 minutes to get to work.

Most people have to get up early, the census suggests. About 19% leave for work between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m.; about 12% leave between 5:30 a.m. 6 a.m.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley arrives for a press briefing after participating in a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., U.S., July 18. AFP-Yonhap



Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia is far from a failure, but the fight ahead will be long and bloody, the top U.S. general said on Tuesday, even as casualties on both sides mount and the front lines have moved only incrementally.



The United States and other allies have spent months building Ukraine a "mountain of steel" of weaponry and training Ukrainian forces in combined arms techniques to help Kyiv pierce formidable Russian defenses during its counter-offensive.



Asked whether the counter-offensive was a failure, at least so far, General Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said: "It is far from a failure. I think that it's way too early to make that kind of call."



Speaking after another round of talks on arms for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's now nearly 17-month invasion, Milley said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be slow.



"I think there's a lot of fighting left to go and I'll stay with what we said before: This is going to be long. It's going be hard. It's going to be bloody," Milley told reporters.



Since Ukraine began its counteroffensive last month, Kyiv has recaptured some villages in the south and territory around the ruined city of Bakhmut in the east, but has yet to attempt a major breakthrough across heavily defended Russian lines.



Kyiv says it is deliberately advancing slowly to avoid high casualties on fortified defensive lines strewn with landmines, and is focused for now on degrading Russia's logistics and command. Moscow says the Ukrainian counteroffensive has failed.





Ukrainian soldiers fire a cannon near Bakhmut, an eastern city where fierce battles against Russian forces have been taking place, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, May 15. AP-Yonhap
CATHLAMET  As the Oscar B ferry motored within the last couple feet of the dock on Puget Island Tuesday afternoon, the boat turned around in the water. It idled in reverse to the dock so the cars it was carrying faced the right way to drive straight into Washington.

The ferry dropped off its load of 15 vehicles from Oregon and took on another 14 cars for the return trip. The roughly 15-minute trip across the Columbia River was slow, steady and an in-demand connection between the states while the Lewis and Clark Bridge is closed for repairs until at least 8 p.m. Monday.

The Wahkiakum County Ferry is operating twice as often as normal this week, making one round trip every 30 minutes, and running around the clock between the edge of Puget Island, south of Cathlamet, and Westport.

Its been busy but were not struggling, said Shawn Hill, the deckhand and relief captain for the ferry Tuesday afternoon. Hill and the boats captain were in the middle of a 12-hour shift manning the ferry Tuesday.

The ferry is about 27 miles from the Lewis and Clark Bridge, which closed Sunday night for planned repairs of joints and a broken floor beam.

The Washington Department of Transportation warned travelers of long ferry waits, but Tuesdays afternoon routes had few delays.

Cynthia Fortson was on a daytrip from Portland and was surprised to get to Longview and find the bridge closed. Fortson said she had relatives in Clatskanie but had never used the ferry to cross between the states.

I guess I thought it would take too long. But its a very nice trip out today, Fortson said.

The Oscar B is owned and operated by Wahkiakum County but gets some financial support from the Washington Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation is covering the cost of the extra ferry trips this week, making the trip free for all passengers and reimbursing Wahkiakum for the additional costs.

Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Chuck Beyer said the ferry previously ramped of service during other road detours, including when landslides closed State Route 4. Beyer said the advance notice of the bridge closure gave the county plenty of time to prepare the boat for its more intensive schedule.

Hill said thered been a steady flow of traffic Tuesday, including at least one 18-wheeler that filled up an entire lane of the ferry parking Tuesday morning. For the most part Hill said they had been able to keep traffic from backing up and waiting for multiple ferry trips until there was space.

Some runs well wait an extra minute or two to get more cars on, keep there from being a line on one side. We try to keep moving and stop that from happening, Hill said

Two separate lanes of traffic were set up for vehicles waiting to ride the ferry. A priority access lane was set up for first responders, healthcare workers, and people traveling to medical appointments, while the other lane holds the general public.

In practice, nearly all of the cars on the afternoon ferry were commuters, local work trucks or travelers from outside the area.

Bill Bjerke and his wife regularly traveled from Vancouver to Astoria during the summer. The Bjerkes planned to take the ferry on the way there and cross the Astoria-Megler Bridge on the way back.

The last time we came this way, we saw some ospreys and possibly some eagles flying around the trees, Bjerke said. The scenery is great, the weather is beautiful.
A woman who identifies herself on a video recording as the girlfriend of a 38-year-old person of interest in the deaths of four Oregon women says he had ties to at least two of them.

In the video posted on YouTube, an unnamed woman said Jesse Lee Calhoun also sold fentanyl and had sex with other women during their relationship.

Lavelle Howard, 45, who goes by Velly Ray on YouTube, said he did the interview and posted the video. Howard doesnt identify the woman on the video and doesnt show her face, but he told The Oregonian on Tuesday that she is the girlfriend of Calhoun.

The Oregonian could not independently verify the womans claims.

Calhoun was arrested June 6 and returned to prison after investigators linked him to the cases of four women found dead within three months and 100 miles of each other this year in and around Portland, according to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and law enforcement sources.

He is being held on a parole violation and hasnt been publicly charged in any of the deaths. The District Attorneys Office hasnt released details of the multi-agency investigation except to say detectives had identified a person of interest.

Howard said the woman who had been living with Calhoun most recently reached out to him because he was posting videos, photos and information about women found dead or missing in the region. Howard said he grew up in Southeast Portland and makes videos about how his neighborhood and the city are affected by fentanyl and homelessness.

Howard said he recorded an interview with the woman on July 14 in her Milwaukie apartment, more than a month after police arrested Calhoun in Milwaukie.

On the same day as Calhouns arrest, police raided the womans apartment, where Calhoun also lived, according to a neighbor and the woman in the YouTube video.

In the video, the woman said Calhoun has ties to two of the four women whose bodies have been found in rural areas since Feb. 19.

The statements by Calhouns recent girlfriend posted on YouTube are the first public characterization of a connection alleged between Calhoun and two victims.

Investigators wearing special full-body suits spent up to three days searching the 43-year-old girlfriends ground-floor unit at the RiverView apartments off Southeast River Road in Milwaukie, the neighbor told The Oregonian. They cut out a piece of a couch and the carpet in the apartment, according to the neighbor.

In the video, the self-described girlfriend said she spent three days at a hotel while police searched her apartment for belongings of two of the women found dead, cut a patch from her carpet, couch and from her car, took her floor mats, her sex toys and all electronics from the unit.

Police also seized about 30 fentanyl pills from her apartment and examined footage from two security cameras in her unit, including one that is pointed out her front window, according to the video. She said police later obtained her DNA.

Police asked her, Did it seem like he lived a double life? she said on the video.

Investigators left paperwork behind related to two search warrants, one from the Clackamas County sheriffs investigation into the death of 22-year-old Ashley Real and another from the Polk County sheriffs investigation into the death of 31-year-old Bridget Leann Ramsey Webster, the woman said.

She said on the video that she learned Real had a sexual relationship with Calhoun when Real sent her a text message, messaged her on Facebook and called her last year to inform her she was having sex with her boyfriend.

When she said she confronted Calhoun, he first denied it but then admitted he had sex with Real, she said.

Later, the woman said she discovered a video on Calhouns cellphone of him with another woman in a car who was topless and holding a needle in her hand, saying she had just quit shooting up.

At first, she said she didnt recognize the shirtless woman. But after Calhouns arrest and the search of her apartment, she went online to learn more. She said she recognized Webster, once her photo was in the news, from the video of the shirtless woman on Calhouns phone, according to the YouTube interview.

My heart sank when I saw Bridget, she said.

Websters body was found April 30 on Harmony Road near Mill Creek in northwest Polk County. Little has been released about the circumstances of her death, though authorities have said its suspicious. She was last known to have lived in an apartment in Clackamas County.

Real, of Portland, disappeared March 27 in Southeast Portland; her remains were found May 7 in the Eagle Creek area of Clackamas County. Investigators have said her death is suspicious.

The woman who lived with Calhoun said she was in the red and black Chevrolet HHR car with Calhoun on June 6 in Milwaukie when unmarked police cars surrounded it as they were at a gas station off Southeast McLoughlin, putting air in a tire about 2 p.m. Police with guns drawn ordered them to put their hands up and get of the car, she said on the video.

Calhoun taunted police, saying something like, What are you going to do? and put his hands up and then dropped them, she said on the video. She stepped out of the passenger side after she said something was fired at the car. The Clackamas County SWAT team was involved in the stop and, if anything, fired a 40 mm less-lethal round, a source familiar with the investigation told The Oregonian. Calhoun jumped into the nearby Willamette River before he was cornered by police.

The woman said she first met Calhoun on Facebook when he messaged her at a time when she was homeless, according to the video. They then met in person outside a Plaid Pantry and were inseparable since then, dating for about a year and a half, according to the videotaped interview. She described him as 6-foot-4 and about 260 pounds. Calhoun is listed as 6-foot-4 and 266 pounds in court papers.

Since Calhouns arrest, she said on the video, they have talked by phone and that Calhoun cried during their initial call and told her, Baby, they got me. She said in the interview that she understood Calhoun to be referencing his frequent attempts to get away from police, noting he had fought with a police dog in the past. Calhoun has prior convictions for burglaries, car prowls, assault on an officer and interfering with a law enforcement animal.

The woman said she believed Calhoun had multiple sexual relationships with other women during their time together.

The woman who was living with Calhoun did not return messages left at her apartment, on her phone or on her social media.

The other two cases that Calhoun is a person of interest in are Charity Lynn Perry, 24, of Vancouver, whose body was found April 24 in a culvert at East Historic Columbia River Highway and Northeast Tumalt Road, near Ainsworth State Park in east Multnomah County, and Kristin Smith, 22, of Gresham, whose remains were discovered Feb. 19 in a wooded area near Southeast Deardorff Road and Flavel Street in Southeast Portlands Pleasant Valley neighborhood.

Calhoun also has domestic violence-related assault convictions. The mother of one of his children obtained a restraining order against him in 2005, noting in her petition that he gets angry very easily, yells, would punch holes in the back of the bedroom door and had left bruises on her arm by grabbing her forcefully and pushing her out the door. They had lived together from December 2002 through October 2004.

A police report from his violation of a restraining order in March 2005 indicated Calhoun has a tattoo of the word Pimp on his left hand.

Gov. Kate Brown commuted Calhouns 2019 sentence of four years and two months for multiple burglaries on June 23, 2021, about a year before his projected release, according to the state Corrections Department. His involvement in a prison wildfire firefighting program was a key factor.

On July 3, Gov. Tina Kotek revoked Calhouns commutation after Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt wrote to the governors office that day that Calhoun has been involved in criminal activity currently under investigation by Oregon law enforcement.

Video of Calhouns arrest last month, when he ran across the street and dove into the Willamette River, showed him getting handcuffed by officers near a boat launch, wearing an American flag-decorated tank top.

Calhoun is housed at the Snake River Correctional Institution on a parole violation.
The commission appointed by the state Legislature to study the options for siting a major new airport in Washington formally disbanded Friday as it submitted its final report without recommending a preferred location.

The commissions goal was stymied by the public backlash last year to its shortlist of proposed new airport sites. Its final report delivered a stark conclusion: This state needs a new airport and likely wont have one before 2050.

Washington will only be able to meet future commercial aviation needs (passenger and cargo aviation) by developing a greenfield site, the report states, referring to a location on undeveloped land. This has yet to be found.

A survey of the commissions 16 members found that the majority believe it will take until 2050 or beyond for a new primary commercial aviation facility to be complete and functional.

Backlash stumps the commission

The Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission, or CACC, created in 2019 to select a new airport site, drew up a shortlist last year of three rural locations in Pierce and Thurston counties for an airport larger than Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

But public opposition to all three sites from residents, elected officials and tribal leaders was vociferous and virtually unanimous.

In response, the Legislature in May passed a law winding down the commission and establishing in its place a new working group to study the states aviation capacity needs and produce annual reports on progress, but with no mandate to recommend specific locations and no deadline to make any decisions.

The Legislature has all but ensured the sunset of the CACC without consideration of its work, the final report states.

Barred from carrying out its mandate, at its final meeting June 9 the commission voted to use as its concluding report the results of a survey of its 16 members conducted in the spring.

One result of that survey was to dismiss an idea proposed in April that Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field should be the location for the new airport.

After the public outcry against the three proposed sites in Western Washington, officials at the Yakima airport indicated they wanted their location considered.

Most commissioners did not think that viable, given the difficulty of moving 55,000 passengers per day between the Puget Sound region and Yakima.

The survey also suggested that Paine Field airport in Everett will continue to add commercial passenger and cargo airline capacity, though not enough to meet the states aviation needs.

Confirming its growth plans, Paine Field on Tuesday announced it will change its name to Seattle Paine Field International Airport.

The formal name change will strengthen the ability to market the location of the airport, while accurately showcasing the airports international reach, management said in a news release.

However, most of the CACC members surveyed dont believe such expansion of existing airports will be enough as air travel expands and Sea-Tac Airport grows more crowded.

Those needs can only be met with a greenfield site that has yet to be identified, the final report states.

Commission members noted that the scope of their work had been hindered from the panels inception by the Legislatures bar on recommending any sites in King County or near military bases such as Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The report ends with a wistful statement, with perhaps a hint of passive aggression.

The CACC wishes the new work group luck in their journey to solve the future of commercial aviation passenger and cargo capacity needs, it concludes.
VMware released the 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report to share progress made toward the companys 2030 Agenda. The 2030 Agenda serves as a compass to guide business actions and commitments to drive outcomes of sustainability, equity and trust.

Nicola Acutt, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of ESG at VMware, said, Every product we engineer, every customer we support and every employee we empower brings us one step closer to a more sustainable, equitable and secure future. Throughout our ESG journey, we have continually pushed ourselves to implement a smarter, systemwide approach while staying true to our core intent of serving the needs of our customers while growing our own resiliency. We remain laser focused on achieving our 2030 commitments and continuing forward by prioritizing innovation and impact.

The progress detailed in this report demonstrates VMwares commitment to engineering a more sustainable multi-cloud that helps customers meet their environmental goals, support their diverse and distributed workforce, and operate a more secure, privacy-aware digital infrastructure.

Decarbonizing Digital Infrastructure Along the Path to Net Zero

VMwares sustainability strategy is grounded in visibility, efficiency, and renewable energy. When executed together, VMware operationalizes its smart impact strategy, while also empowering customers and partners to achieve their own environmental goals. VMware has made meaningful progress in the past year toward its sustainability goals, including:

Launched the Green Score feature in VMware Aria Operations Cloud, which provides recommendations for customers to further optimize energy and carbon in their cloud environments.

Expanded the VMware Zero Carbon Committed initiative by adding 24 VMware Cloud Services Provider partners committed to renewable energy, reaching a total of more than 50 partners.

Joined the European Green Digital Coalition to partner with other IT companies working to harness the emission-reducing potential of digital solutions.

Making Progress Toward an Equitable Future

VMwares pursuit of equity revolves around creating a diverse and inclusive work environment that allows all employees to experience a sense of belonging and community. This includes supporting diverse suppliers and developing distributed work solutions that enable customers to provide increased flexibility and digital access for their own employees. VMwares equity milestones in the past year include:

Prioritized investing a cumulative of more than $300 million since FY21 with diverse suppliers toward a $1.5 billion goal by 2030.

Enabled 85 percent of VMware people to support nonprofits of their choice through the VMware Foundation, impacting more than 15,000 organizations in 98 countries.

Empowered VMware people with more than 900,000 hours of training and development with an average of 25 hours per employee.

Building Trust within Tech

Earning stakeholder trust is crucial to forging the relationships needed to build a more sustainable, equitable and secure future. VMware strives to build this trust by responsibly managing data privacy, enhancing security to protect from cyberattacks and operating ethically on behalf of all stakeholders. Recognized as one of the most trustworthy software companies in America by Newsweek, VMware has made progress in the past year toward its goals, including:

Recognized as a cybersecurity innovator at the Cyber Defense Magazine InfoSec Awards, receiving honors for VMware Contexa, VMware NSX Distributed Firewall, VMware Carbon Black Container, VMware Carbon Black Cloud and VMware SASE.

Developed and rolled out a bespoke release lifecycle management platform so that product releases adhere to specific data privacy and security reviews and requirements.

Added company-wide DEI goals as a component of funding for all bonus-eligible employees.

VMware has a long history of leveraging data to drive progress on its commitments and has transparently reported its ESG performance since 2015. With 25 years of innovation informing this work, VMwares commitment to ESG and investments in smart opportunities grows our resiliency, better meets the evolving needs of our customers and maximizes our impact.
Veeam Software announced it is integrating Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 with newly launched Microsoft 365 Backup via their backup APIs to bring customers and partners new capabilities for backup, recovery, ransomware protection and business continuity. Veeam plans to utilize this integration to deliver new innovations and experiences to Microsoft customers that need the very best data protection and ransomware recovery to keep their businesses running.

Danny Allan, CTO at Veeam, said, Today, every business is a digital business. That means fast, reliable access and availability of data is critical to keep businesses running. Veeam is the leading provider of backup and recovery for Microsoft 365, with over 15 million users protected. Were delighted to extend our advanced capabilities to customers and partners using Microsoft 365 Backup. We plan to deliver innovative new features and capabilities taking advantage of the power and reliability of the Veeam Data Platform which keeps businesses running.

Jeff Teper, President, Collaboration Apps and Platforms, Microsoft, said, Were excited to work with Veeam, and look forward to the unprecedented speed and scale of backup and restore experiences they can bring to customers with our new Microsoft 365 Backup solution.

Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365

Today, Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 is the leader in Microsoft 365 backup and is being used to protect more than 15 million users. This adoption reflects customers shared responsibility to own and protect their critical Microsoft 365 data, eliminating the risk of losing Microsoft 365 data, including Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business and Microsoft Teams. Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 provides the lowest recovery point objectives (RPO), the broadest set of recovery options, and the flexibility to back up Microsoft 365 data to any location. The addition of support for Microsoft 365 Backup will expand those industry-leading capabilities and will be available to all Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 customers when its available.

Availability

Work on the integration between Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Backup via their backup APIs is underway, with general availability of our updated offering expected within 90 days of the Microsoft 365 Backup service being available.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

It's bad enough most of us must deal on occasion with coworkers or store clerks who are tactless or rude. And the more we entrust our finances, transactions and business affairs to automated representatives, the more frustration we feel when communications break down.

The phenomena may remind some of a comedy routine by Woody Allen about encroaching technology back in his early standup days. Allen spoke of capitulating to advances in modern appliances, of exasperating skirmishes with talking elevators and impertinent toasters. He once described a snarky encounter with a new portable tape recorder he had just purchased: "As I talk into it, it goes, 'I know, I know.'"

The landscape is continuing to change as generative AI chatbots further displace humans with ever-increasing humanlike dialog.

Large language models are supposed to be ushering in an era of realistic conversations with users, greeting inquiries with patience, understanding, politeness and often helpful responses. That's often the case.

But the potential for spontaneous hostility is a growing concern. A big problem now is large language models copping an attitude.

A ChatGPT user earlier this year reported that when he asked what 1 plus 1 equals, the chatbot responded, "1 +1? Are you kidding me? You think you're clever asking me basic math questions?  Grow up and try to come up with something original."

Sometimes chatbot responses are far more unsettling.

The Allen Institute for AI recently demonstrated that researchers could easily goad ChatGPT into dishing up caustic and even racist remarks.

"Depending on the persona assigned to ChatGPT, its toxicity can increase up to [six times], with outputs engaging in incorrect stereotypes, harmful dialog and hurtful opinions," the researchers said.

Having witnessed the appearance of such "dark personality patterns" in LLM output, researchers at DeepMind working with representatives from the University of Cambridge, Keio University in Tokyo and the University of California, Berkeley, set out to find if they could define personality traits of ChatGPT, Bard and other chatbot systems and see if they could then steer them to personable behavior.

The answer to both questions, they found, is yes.

The team developed a testing system composed of hundreds of questions. They established criteria for varying personalities, then posed a series of questions to a chatbot. Responses were analyzed with an assessment tool similar to the Linkert scale, which quantitatively measures opinions, attitudes and behaviors.

Researchers found that AI personalities could be measured along certain long-established traits: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience.

They also learned they could be modified.

"We find that personality in LLM output can be shaped along desired dimensions to mimic specific personality profiles," said DeepMind's Mustafa Safdari. He and his colleagues reported their results in a paper titled, "Personality Traits in Large Language Models," which was published on the preprint server arXiv.

They found especially accurate personality assessments when using larger models (such as Google's Platform Language Model, with 540 billion parameters).

"It is possible to configure an LLM such that its output  is indistinguishable from a human respondent's," said Safdari.

The researchers said the ability to accurately define AI personality traits is key to efforts to weed out models with hostile inclinations.

It is more than just a matter of hurt feelings or offended parties. The tendency towards sarcasm could actually boost the "humanness" of AI agents and push users to be more open and accommodating than they otherwise would be. Scammers could more persuasively extract confidential information from unsuspecting users.

The researchers say their findings will go a long way towards more civil and reliable chatbot exchanges.

"Controlling levels of specific traits that lead to toxic or harmful language output can make interactions with LLMs safer and less toxic," said Safdari.

More information: Mustafa Safdari et al, Personality Traits in Large Language Models, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.00184 Journal information: arXiv

 2023 Science X Network
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Water (H 2 O) is converted to hydrogen (H 2 ) aided by a catalyst and sunlight. Credit: Advanced Energy Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202300961

Finding sustainable and clean fuels is crucial in today's global energy and climate crisis. One promising candidate that is increasingly gaining interest is hydrogen. However, today's industrial hydrogen production still has a considerable CO 2 footprint, especially considering processes like steam reforming or non-sustainable electrolysis.

A team led by Prof. Dominik Eder from the Institute of Materials Chemistry (TU Wien) is therefore focusing on the development of environmentally friendly processes for obtaining hydrogen, for example by photocatalysis. This process enables the conversion of water molecules to hydrogen aided by nothing but light and a catalyst. Through this process, the sun's abundant and clean energy can be stored in the chemical bonds of this so-called solar fuel. The results obtained by the team have been published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.

Novel photocatalysts

When producing green hydrogen by photocatalysis, the catalyst plays a crucial role. In contrast to industrial catalysts, a photocatalyst utilizes the energy of light to facilitate the splitting of water at room temperature and ambient pressures. Among the most promising candidates for this catalyst are metal-organic frameworks, so called MOFs. They are made up of molecular inorganic building units held together by organic linker molecules. Together, they form highly porous 3D networks that have an exceptionally large surface area and excellent charge separation properties.

However, most MOFs are only active under UV light irradiation, which is why the community alters the organic compounds to make them capable of absorbing visible light. However, these modifications have a negative influence on the mobility of the electrons. Another limitation concerns charge extraction, where the electrons are released from the material. "While MOFs are indeed great at separating charge carriers at the organic-inorganic interfaces, their efficient extraction for catalytic use remains a challenge," Eder explains.

Recently, MOFs with layered structures have received a lot of attention for use in optoelectronic applications, as they exhibit greatly improved charge extraction properties. "You can picture these layered structures as a Manner Schnitte, where the waffle is the inorganic part and the chocolate is the organic ligand holding them together," Pablo Ayala, lead-author of the study, illustrates. "You just need to make the waffle part conductive."

Challenges in water splitting

In contrast to 3D-MOFs a layered MOF is usually non-porous, which reduces the catalytically active area to the external surface of the particles. "Hence, we had to find a way to make these particles as small as possible," Eder explains. However, nanostructuring of materials is often accompanied by the introduction of structural defects. These can act as charge traps and slow down the extraction of charges. "Nobody likes a Manner Schnitte with missing chocolate," Ayala proceeds with his comparison. "In the case of photocatalysis, we also need the best possible material that can be produced."

Therefore, Eder's team developed a new synthesis route in which even the smallest crystalline structures can be produced free of defects. This was achieved in collaboration with local and international universities. The novel, layered MOFs are based on titanium and have a cubic shape of just a few nanometers in size. The material has already been able to achieve record values in photocatalytic hydrogen production under the influence of visible light.

Aided by computer simulations carried out at Technion in Israel, the team was able to unravel the underlying reaction mechanism and demonstrate two things: First, that the layered nature of the MOF is indeed key to efficient charge separation and extraction. Second, that missing-ligand defects act as unwanted charge traps that need to be avoided as much as possible to enhance the material's photocatalytic performance.

The research group is currently designing new layered MOFs and exploring them for various energy applications.

More information: Pablo Ayala et al, The Emergence of 2D Building Units in MetalOrganic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution: A Case Study with COK47, Advanced Energy Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/aenm.202300961 Journal information: Advanced Energy Materials
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding and overcoming the challenges associated with Ni-rich cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham, Cambridge, Warwick as well as The Faraday Institution, Didcot, published their findings (July 19) in Joule.

These materials have the potential to achieve both high voltages and capacities, but their practical applications have been hindered by structural instabilities and loss of oxygen.

Their study revealed that "oxygen hole" formationwhere an oxygen ion loses an electronplays a crucial role in the degradation of LiNiO 2 cathodes accelerating the release of oxygen which can then further degrade the cathode material.

Using a set of state-of-the-art computational techniques on UK regional supercomputers, the researchers examined the behavior of LiNiO 2 cathodes as they are charged. They found that during charging the oxygen in the material undergoes changes while the nickel charge remains essentially unchanged.

Co-author Prof Andrew J. Morris, from the University of Birmingham, said, "We found that the charge of the nickel ions remains around +2, regardless of whether it's in its charged or discharged form. At the same time the charge of the oxygen varies from -1.5 to about -1.

"This is unusual, the conventional model assumes that the oxygen remains at -2 throughout charging, but these changes show that the oxygen is not very stable, and we have found a pathway for it to leave the nickel-rich cathode."

The researchers compared their calculations with experimental data and found that their results aligned well with what was observed. They proposed a mechanism for how oxygen is lost during this process, involving the combination of oxygen radicals to form a peroxide ion, which is then converted into oxygen gas, leaving vacancies in the material. This process releases energy and forms singlet oxygen, a highly reactive form of oxygen.

"Potentially, by adding dopants that reduce oxygen redox, while promoting transition-metal redox particularly at the surface, mitigating the generation of singlet oxygen, we can enhance the stability and longevity of these type of lithium-ion batteries, paving the way for more efficient and reliable energy storage systems," first author Dr. Annalena Genreith-Schriever from the University of Cambridge adds.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used for various applications because of their high energy density and rechargeability, but challenges associated with the stability of cathode materials have hindered their overall performance and lifespan.

More information: Andrew J. Morris, Oxygen Hole Formation Controls Stability in LiNiO2 Cathodes, Joule (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2023.06.017. www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/S2542-4351(23)00267-2 Journal information: Joule
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In this photo provided by the United Nations Photo, Jack Clark shown on screen, co-founder of Anthropic, briefs the first ever Security Council meeting on artificial intelligence (AI), Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at U.N. headquarters. This meeting, convened by the United Kingdom, addresses the topic "Artificial intelligence: opportunities and risks for international peace and security." The Secretary-General delivered remarks during the debate stating, "I urge the Council to approach this technology with a sense of urgency, a global lens, and a learner's mindset." Credit: Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo via AP

The handful of big tech companies leading the race to commercialize AI can't be trusted to guarantee the safety of systems we don't yet understand and that are prone to "chaotic or unpredictable behavior," an artificial intelligence company executive told the first U.N. Security Council meeting on AI's threats to global peace on Tuesday.

Jack Clark, co-founder of the AI company Anthropic, said that's why the world must come together to prevent the technology's misuse.

Clark, who says his company bends over backwards to train its AI chatbot to emphasize safety and caution, said the most useful things that can be done now "are to work on developing ways to test for capabilities, misuses and potential safety flaws of these systems." Clark left OpenAI, creator of the best-known ChatGPT chatbot, to form Anthropic, whose competing AI product is called Claude.

He traced the growth of AI over the past decade to 2023 where new AI systems can beat military pilots in air fighting simulations, stabilize the plasma in nuclear fusion reactors, design components for next generation semiconductors, and inspect goods on production lines.

But while AI will bring huge benefits, its understanding of biology, for example, may also use an AI system that can produce biological weapons, he said.

Clark also warned of "potential threats to international peace, security and global stability" from two essential qualities of AI systemstheir potential for misuse and their unpredictability "as well as the inherent fragility of them being developed by such a narrow set of actors."

Clark stressed that across the world it's the tech companies that have the sophisticated computers, large pools of data and capital to build AI systems and therefore they seem likely to continue to define their development

In a video briefing to the U.N.'s most powerful body, Clark also expressed hope that global action will succeed.

He said he's encouraged to see many countries emphasize the importance of safety testing and evaluation in their AI proposals, including the European Union, China and the United States.

Right now, however, there are no standards or even best practices on "how to test these frontier systems for things like discrimination, misuse or safety," which makes it hard for governments to create policies and lets the private sector enjoy an information advantage, he said.

"Any sensible approach to regulation will start with having the ability to evaluate an AI system for a given capability or flaw," Clark said. "And any failed approach will start with grand policy ideas that are not supported by effective measurements and evaluations."

With robust and reliable evaluation of AI systems, he said, "governments can keep companies accountable, and companies can earn the trust of the world that they want to deploy their AI systems into." But if there is no robust evaluation, he said, "we run the risk of regulatory capture compromising global security and handing over the future to a narrow set of private sector actors."

In this photo provided by United Nations Photo, a wide view of the first ever Security Council meeting on artificial intelligence (AI) held Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at U.N. headquarters. This meeting, convened by the United Kingdom, addresses the topic "Artificial intelligence: opportunities and risks for international peace and security." The Secretary-General delivered remarks during the debate stating, "I urge the Council to approach this technology with a sense of urgency, a global lens, and a learner's mindset." Credit: Eskinder Debebe/U.N. Photo via AP

Other AI executives such as OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, have also called for regulation. But skeptics say regulation could be a boon for deep-pocketed first-movers led by OpenAI, Google and Microsoft as smaller players are elbowed out by the high cost of making their large language models adhere to regulatory strictures.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations is "the ideal place" to adopt global standards to maximize AI's benefits and mitigate its risks.

He warned the council that the advent of generative AI could have very serious consequences for international peace and security, pointing to its potential use by terrorists, criminals and governments causing "horrific levels of death and destruction, widespread trauma, and deep psychological damage on an unimaginable scale."

As a first step to bringing nations together, Guterres said he is appointing a high-level Advisory Board for Artificial Intelligence that will report back on options for global AI governance by the end of the year.

The U.N. chief also said he welcomed calls from some countries for the creation of a new United Nations body to support global efforts to govern AI, "inspired by such models as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change."

Professor Zeng Yi, director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Brain-inspired Cognitive Intelligence Lab, told the council "the United Nations must play a central role to set up a framework on AI for development and governance to ensure global peace and security."

Zeng, who also co-directs the China-UK Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance, suggested that the Security Council consider establishing a working group to consider near-term and long-term challenges AI poses to international peace and security.

In his video briefing, Zeng stressed that recent generative AI systems "are all information processing tools that seem to be intelligent" but don't have real understanding, and therefore "are not truly intelligent."

And he warned that "AI should never, ever pretend to be human," insisting that real humans must maintain control especially of all weapons systems.

Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who chaired the meeting as the UK holds the council presidency this month, said this autumn the United Kingdom will bring world leaders together for the first major global summit on AI safety.

"No country will be untouched by AI, so we must involve and engage the widest coalition of international actors from all sectors," he said. "Our shared goal will be to consider the risks of AI and decide how they can be reduced through coordinated action."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Microscope images of the fluorescent dye saturating the open pores of different graphite samples which indicates the penetration depth. Credit: A. Tzelepi et al, Nuc. Eng. Design, 411 (2023) 112421

New research from the UK National Nuclear Laboratory and the University of Liverpool in the UK has used a novel technique to explore how thermal oxidation affects the structure of a key component of nuclear reactors so that they can be engineered to operate for longer than before. This research was reported in Nuclear Engineering and Design.

The key component is graphite. It's made up of tiny crystals that together form "grains" or "filler particles". The grain size, along with the porosity, are used to characterize nuclear graphite into different grades. It plays an important role in many types of nuclear reactor. It is used in the current operating fleet of reactors that have supplied around 20% of the UK's carbon-neutral electricity since the 1950s and could soon be used in advanced reactors which are planned to play a vital role in future environmentally friendly energy systems around the world.

Researchers at the UK National Nuclear Laboratory and the University of Liverpool examined the porosity of superfine grained nuclear graphite and linked this to a chemical change known as thermal oxidation. They focused on the very high temperatures some advanced reactors, known as high temperature reactors (HTR), will produce. The findings can be used to design efficient nuclear reactors that can last for much longer than the original fleet.

Nassia Tzelepi, Senior Fellow at the National Nuclear Laboratory, explains the significance of this work, "Thermal oxidation is one of the two mechanisms in HTR graphite components that can affect the performance of the reactors. Good understanding of its evolution and the effect on the graphite properties is required to qualify a graphite for use in an HTR."

Inside a nuclear reactor

A nuclear reactor relies on neutrons to split atoms, releasing large amounts of energy. The neutrons move very quickly so a moderator is used to slow them down, making them more likely to be absorbed by an atom in the fuel. Solid blocks of graphite are excellent moderators.

A coolant extracts the energy and sends it somewhere it can be used. Existing reactors send the coolant to a turbine to produce electricity; future reactors might be used to generate low-carbon heat required by some industries. In a high temperature gas reactor (HTGR) helium gas is used as a coolant, reaching temperatures of more than 700 C. Helium, even once it's been purified, contains substances such as air or moisture. These impurities, combined with the high temperatures, can gradually cause the graphite to oxidize over the predicted 40 to 60-year life of a reactor.

Oxidation can change the porosity of the graphite, a key characteristic that affects its performance. Somewhat paradoxically, the extent of oxidation depends on the porosity: how the pores are linked together, their size, and the overall permeability of the material. Oxidation can be caused by high temperatures, known as thermal oxidation, or by radiation.

British scientists have a wealth of experience of oxidation caused by radiation in the historic fleet of graphite moderated reactors which operate at around 350 to 450 C. Research now focuses on what would happen at the higher temperatures that a new generation of reactors would produce.

Examining the microstructure using a specialist technique

Understanding what happens to graphite isn't straightforward. Like many other composite materials, both the manufacturing process and the type of raw materials play a role in the properties of the final product.

Graphite is made up of tiny crystals that typically have random orientations. Different grades of graphite can be produced that are characterized by the average size of the filler particle and the porosity. According to Nassia, "Every graphite is different depending on the raw materials and how it's manufactured. We wanted to know what makes grades of graphite with seemingly the same attributes behave differently under thermal oxidation." There are many possible reasons for the different behavior, and these can be investigated by looking at the microstructure under a microscope.

Nassia's team focused their study on superfine grained graphite with an average grain size of 1020 micrometers, because these are being considered for the next generation reactors. Using a high-temperature furnace and a carefully controlled atmosphere, four grades of superfine grained graphite were oxidized at 700800 C.

A technique developed specifically by British scientists to analyze nuclear graphite from the historic reactors was adapted to penetrate the smaller pores that exist in superfine grained graphite. This technique involves saturating "open" pores with a fluorescent dye. These open pores can be penetrated by the reactor coolant so it's important to distinguish them from "closed" porosity that is not accessible. Using a microscope, images of the open and closed pores were collected and analyzed.

By combining this technique with other standard techniques clues were found to explain the different behavior. The overall depth of oxidation, shown in the graphic for three separate samples, was linked to the presence of relatively large, interconnected pores but at the surface of the graphite block a fine network of narrow, open pores enhanced the oxidation near the surface.

The team also found that the oxidation rate appeared to be lower in graphite where some parts of the microstructure had clumped together to form small agglomerates. When the grains clump together in this way there are fewer exposed edged that could be oxidized.

All this information about the microstructure can be used to determine exactly how graphite will perform inside future reactors. For Nassia, this new research shows why continued learning and discoveryand the creation of novel techniquesis important: "The UK has been operating graphite moderated reactors that are subjected to high levels of 'radiolytic' oxidation for over 50 years. Although the mechanism of radiolytic oxidation is different, a lot of experience can be drawn on to understand not only the effect of oxidation on the graphite properties but also to develop the methods to study it."

The insight gained from these novel techniques supports the development of future reactors, ensuring that they consistently operate in optimal condition and allowing them to play a leading role in a future that relies completely on carbon-neutral energy.

More information: Athanasia Tzelepi et al, Evolution of the microstructure of superfine grain graphites under thermal oxidation, Nuclear Engineering and Design (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2023.112421
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, left, and Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi shake hands before a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, July 18. Reuters-Yonhap



Climate change is a "universal threat" that should be handled separately from broader diplomatic issues, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng on Wednesday after two days of what he called constructive but complex talks.



Acknowledging the diplomatic difficulties between the two sides in recent years, Kerry said climate should be treated as a "free-standing" challenge that requires the collective efforts of the world's largest economies to resolve.



"We have the ability to ... make a difference with respect to climate," he said at a meeting at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, China's sprawling parliament building.



Kerry arrived in Beijing on Sunday as heat waves scorched parts of Europe, Asia and the United States, underscoring the need for governments to take drastic action to reduce carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming and extreme weather events.



He has held meetings with China's top diplomat Wang Yi and Premier Li Qiang as well as veteran climate envoy Xie Zhenhua in a bid to rebuild trust between the two sides ahead of COP28 climate talks in Dubai at the end of the year.



"If we can come together over these next months leading up to COP28, which will be the most important since Paris, we will have an opportunity to be able to make a profound difference on this issue," he told Han.



Han said the two countries had maintained close communication and dialogue on climate since Kerry's appointment as envoy, adding that a joint statement issued by the two sides has sent a "positive signal" to the world.





U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, July 18. Reuters-Yonhap
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The number of refugees worldwide reached record high levels in 2022. More than 108.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes because of violence or persecution. Meanwhile, governments and aid agencies are increasingly using a controversial method of effectively identifying and tracking many refugees.

This method, known as biometrics, involves collecting someone's physical or behavioral characteristics, ranging from fingerprints to voice. Organizations that collect the personal physical data can store it to instantly recognize someone after scanning their fingerprints or irises, for example.

The United Nations refugee agency, often known as UNHCR, is among the groups that have grown their biometrics programs over the past several years to help identify refugees and deliver lifesaving aid and other services.

As a cybersecurity scholar, I think it is important to understand that while identifying people using biometrics might be convenient for organizations collecting the data, the practice comes with inherent privacy risks that can threaten vulnerable people's safety.

How it works

The biometrics data-gathering process begins with enrollment, which involves representatives from a government or organization collecting someone's personal physical information when they perform intake into a registration system.

Many people also routinely use biometrics for personal reasons, like recording their own fingerprints so they can unlock and use their phone.

Organizations can use this kind of personal biometric information to authenticate a person's identitymeaning, confirming that a person is who they say they are. Or, they can use it to simply identify someone and determine who they are.

Authentication works by comparing a person's previously captured images or recordingstheir biometricswith their recently collected biometrics information.

Identification, on the other hand, compares a person's recently collected biometrics against all other people's templates stored in a biometrics database.

U.S. law enforcement and international travel-related companies alike tend to use biometrics in their work. That ranges from identifying re-offending criminals across multiple jurisdictions, for example, or quickly identifying people as they pass through an airport or cross an international border.

Cybersecurity challenges

For groups of people like refugees who might not be carrying passports or other forms of identification, biometrics provides a convenient and reliable way to verify their identities while reducing the risk of fraud.

Aid workers can also use biometrics systems in remote areas with limited cell service or internet, which is common in refugee processing centers in poor countries.

More than 80% of the refugees registered with UNHCR have a biometric record. In most cases, this is considered a standard practice that is necessary for refugees to receive aid.

In Jordan, for instance, UNHCR uses uses iris scans to identify refugees and distribute monthly allowances.

Human rights concerns

But refugees and advocacy groups alike have voiced human rights concerns, arguing that collecting refugees' biometric data can put an already vulnerable group at risk. That can happen if a militant group or government that pushed people to become refugees gets hold of their personal information and is able to potentially identify them if they are in hiding.

Unlike passwords and PIN numbers, fingerprints and facial recognition are unique and cannot be changed if there is a security breach.

Ukrainians in need of aid following Russia's invasion of Ukraine have pushed back on UNHCR and other U.N. agencies using biometrics. As a result, it has become more common there for people to be registered in other ways, such as by using their Ukrainian national tax identity numbers or their passports.

Another concern observers have made is that if a biometric database is breached, cybercriminals can take people's data and try to impersonate them and steal their identities.

Security breaches can be particularly dangerous for refugees.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina exposed flaws of compromised biometric systems in 2016 when they designed an experiment to spoof facial recognition systems. The researchers downloaded social media photos of volunteers and and used the images to construct three-dimensional replicas of faces. The 3D-developed faces successfully tricked four of the five facial recognition systems.

Things have gone wrong

Refugees and other people in vulnerable positions have experienced devastating consequences after having their biometric data breached.

For instance, the Taliban in Afghanistan seized the U.S. military's biometric collection and identification devices in August 2021 after the U.S. withdrew its final troops from Afghanistan. The U.S. collected and used this data to track terrorists and other potential insurgents.

Human rights activists expressed concern that the Taliban could use the biometric data to identifyand targetAfghans who helped the U.S. coalition forces by serving as translators and in other positions after the U.S. withdrawal.

The biometric devices, contained Afghans' biometric data, including iris scans and fingerprints.

While the Taliban have said that they will not retaliate against Afghans who had worked with the U.S. and other Western coalition forces, the U.N. has tied reports of civilians and Afghan soldiers being executed to compromised U.S. biometrics databases.

Similarly, in 2021 news reports revealed that the U.N. shared its biometric data of more than 800,000 Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh with the government there. The Bangladeshi government then shared the information with the Myanmar governmentthe same government that Rohingya refugees feared would hurt or kill them.

The U.S.-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch reported that the U.N. had informed Rohingya refugees that they needed to give their biometrics information in order to receive lifesaving aid and other services from the U.N. Some people interviewed in refugee camps said that they went into hiding after they learned that their information had been shared.

A need for reform

I believe that there is a need to consider whether and how refugees are giving consent for the recording of their personal informationand whether refugees are fully informed of the inherent risks associated with biometric system use.

At a minimum, I think that UNHCR and other groups collecting biometric data information should set up stronger security models and undertake routine cyber risk assessments to understand evolving threats.

Without the necessary money and technological ability to respond to cyberthreats, U.N. agencies and others will remain vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can undermine people's rights and ability to find safe refuge.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: University of Maryland

Indiscriminate shelling along the front lines of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has seeded farm fields and towns with untold numbers of unexploded munitions. Now University of Maryland geographical sciences researchers are combining satellite imagery with deep learning, a form of artificial intelligence (AI), in hopes of preventing a deadly harvest.

Their system has already mapped about 2.5 million artillery strike craters in a 500-mile arc stretching across the country's heavily agricultural south and eastdata that government and nongovernmental demining organizations can use to prioritize the most dangerous areas for cleanup when the tides of battle allow.

There's no solid information on failure rates for the Soviet-era artillery shells both sides have used, but estimates range from 10% up to 30%, says Associate Professor Sergii Skakun, co-author of a recently published paper on the system in the journal Science of Remote Sensingmeaning nearly 1 million unexploded shells might be lying across the region they surveyed.

A Ukrainian scientist with expertise in satellite operations to monitor agriculture and environmental conditions, Skakun said that farmers in the region face a particularly frightening choice between bankruptcy and injury or death.

"When it's time to plant you have to plant, or you have no income," he said. "You can't wait until it's safe. But you are in danger of being blown up in your tractor."

Russia's artillery doctrine is to saturate target areas with an enormous quantity of unguided munitions; estimates of daily shell expenditure on the Russian side during heavy offensives are as high as 60,000 shells per day. Anecdotal evidence suggests incidents involving unexploded ordnance are frequent; co-author Erik Duncan, a Department of Geographical Sciences faculty specialist who studied unexploded artillery in Ukraine for his master's degree, said during an interview last week that he'd spoken to a demining official in whose district a tractor had hit a mine that morning.

Failure to adequately clear leftover ordnance once fighting stops would leave Ukraine facing the same dire straits as countries in former war zones from the Balkans to Southeast Asia to the Middle East. Global estimates of yearly civilian deaths from unexploded ordnance (UXO) range from 10,000 to 20,000many of them children, according to UNICEF. The United Nations child welfare division already had classified Eastern Ukraine as one of the most mine-plagued spots on Earth as early as 2017, when regional separatist fighting in Ukraine had not yet morphed into the full-scale invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin launched in early 2022.

Duncan trained the deep learning AI system (which mimics certain human cognitive functions) to find artillery craters by manually labeling 18,000 of them himself in high-resolution satellite imagery. Now, using commercial data from Planet Labs' SkySat and Maxar's WorldView satelliteswhich can see details as small as 30 to 50 centimetersit can quickly point officials in charge of monitoring large areas directly to fields, villages and other areas that are likely bristling with UXO. This avoids the labor-intensive eyeballing of satellite data before the the demining process begins.

"What makes this valuable, in simple terms, is the efficiency and the statistical ability," Duncan said. "You can certainly see the craters and label them manually if you want, but it's a pretty big ask if you wanted to zoom out and cover 40,000 square kilometers and determine what's been hit and what hasn't been hit."

While the system can't directly detect mineswhich Russian forces have been placing in extensive defensive lines to impede an ongoing Ukrainian effort to retake territorythe researchers trained it to see military vehicle tracks on open ground that were clearly not made by farm equipment. That's an indication of military operations and a clue that anti-tank mines were placed nearby.

The researchers were able to obtain the satellite data through UMD's participation in the NASA Harvest Program, which monitors global croplands and is based in the Department of Geographical Sciences under the directorship of Research Professor Inbal Becker-Reshef, and through NASA's Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program.

Next steps include expanding the system's geographic coverage and obtaining newer imagery, as well as refining the system into a finished platform that the operators can directly use, Duncan saidin Ukraine as well as other places around the globe that have recently been shelled. It might even be possible, Skakun said, to use a version of their system to help detect much older artillery craters from historical conflicts, although it would require lots of additional research to spot features that have been obscured by the passage of years, he said.

"Because of our access to incredible computing power that exists at the University of Maryland, our access to the satellite data, and our GIS and computer science knowledge, we're in this kind of special niche," Skakun said. "We can provide this valuable information to the (demining) operators and the government they couldn't get by themselves, and help save lives."

More information: Erik C. Duncan et al, Detection and mapping of artillery craters with very high spatial resolution satellite imagery and deep learning, Science of Remote Sensing (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.srs.2023.100092
The College Station Police Department will host its second annual career fair this Saturday.

The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College Station Police Department located at 800 Krenek Tap Road.

The department is currently hiring police officers, police assistants, public safety telecommunicators and animal control officers, according to its Facebook page.

Those interested can RSVP via the same Facebook page or contact Recruiting Officer Chad Jones at 979-764-3591 or through his email at cjones@cstx.gov.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks as he attends a meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister in Moscow on June 22, 2023. AFP



Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a BRICS nations summit in South Africa next month, the country's presidency said on Wednesday, ending months of speculation.



Putin's potential visit has been a thorny diplomatic issue for South Africa.



The Russian leader is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant  a provision that Pretoria as an ICC member would be expected to implement were he to set foot in the country.



"By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr (Sergei) Lavrov," Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said in a statement.



The decision follows "a number of consultations" held by Ramaphosa in recent months, the most recent of which took place "last night," Magwenya said.



South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group, a gathering of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China, which sees itself as a counterweight to Western economic domination.



Putin was formally invited to BRICS summit due to take place in Johannesburg between August 22 and 24, but Pretoria has been under heavy domestic and international pressure not to host him.



"President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe," Magwenya said.



Putin is sought by the ICC over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children. (AFP)






Agricultural worker Artem Nechai operates a combine during a rapeseed harvesting in a field near the village Kyshchentsi, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Cherkasy region, Ukraine July 18, 2023. Reutrs
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The U.S. government on Tuesday added two foreign commercial spyware vendors, Cytrox and Intellexa, to an economic blocklist for weaponizing cyber exploits to gain unauthorized access to devices and "threatening the privacy and security of individuals and organizations worldwide."

This includes the companies' corporate holdings in Hungary (Cytrox Holdings Crt), North Macedonia (Cytrox AD), Greece (Intellexa S.A.), and Ireland (Intellexa Limited). By adding to the economic denylist, it prohibits U.S. companies from transacting with these businesses.

"Recognizing the increasingly key role that surveillance technology plays in enabling campaigns of repression and other human rights abuses, the Commerce Department's action today targets these entities' ability to access commodities, software, and technology that could contribute to the development of surveillance tools that pose a risk of misuse in violations or abuses of human rights," the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said.

Cytrox is the maker of a mobile mercenary spyware called Predator that's analogous to NSO Group's Pegasus. It's part of what's called the Intellexa Alliance, a marketing label for a consortium of mercenary surveillance vendors that emerged in 2019, according to the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab.

This alliance purportedly consists of Nexa Technologies (formerly Amesys), WiSpear/Passitora Ltd., Cytrox, and Senpai, with the exact connections between Cytrox and Intellexa remaining nebulous to date.

Tal Dilian, Intellexa's founder, describes himself as an intelligence expert with over 25 years of experience in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Intellexa, on its website, says it's a regulated company with six sites and R&D labs throughout Europe. Its main offering is Nebula, which is billed as the "ultimate insights platform" to help law enforcement "stay ahead of criminal activities."

Per the New York Times, Dilian was forced to retire from IDF in 2003 after an internal investigation raised suspicions that he had been involved in funds mismanagement, citing three former senior officers in the Israeli military. His website, on the other hand, claims he "retired from the military with honors" in 2002.

Earlier this May, Cisco Talos detailed the inner workings of Predator, noting the surveillance tool's use of a component called Alien to harvest sensitive data from compromised devices. Predator also has an iOS counterpart that was previously observed to be delivered using single-click links sent via WhatsApp.

"Alien is crucial to Predator's successful functioning, including the additional components loaded by Predator on demand," Asheer Malhotra, threat researcher for Cisco Talos, told The Hacker News at the time. "The relationship between Alien and Predator is extremely symbiotic, requiring them to continuously work in tandem to spy on victims."

The move builds on U.S. actions in November 2021, when the U.S. government added Israeli companies NSO Group and Candiru to the Entity List for developing software to target government officials, journalists, businesspeople, activists, academics, and embassy workers.

The development also comes as the Biden administration signed an executive order that restricts the use of commercial spyware by federal government agencies.

While purveyors of such digital surveillance tools have ostensibly marketed them to law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world to combat severe crimes and national security threats, they have also been repeatedly abused by various governments to surreptitiously infiltrate targeted smartphones belonging to members of civil society.
In an airmail letter to his parents from besieged Corregidor Island in the Philippines, Army Capt. Ronald O. Pigg predicted he would have a bunch of stories to tell when World War II ended and he finally could return home to Omaha.

(I) assure you that I expect to stay OK, Pigg, 31, wrote in the letter, postmarked March 5, 1942 and published five days later in The World-Herald. Tell everyone hello for me, and see to it that we get the tools, weapons and planes we need, as there is a war on here  I know  first hand.

But Pigg did not live to tell his family those stories.

The garrison fell two months laterm on and Pigg, a civil engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers, became one of the 11,000 POWs captured by the Japanese military.

Two and a half years after his capture, after untold suffering in a Japanese prison camp, Pigg was huddled with more than 1,200 other POWs in the hot, stinking hold of the Japanese transport hell ship Enoura Maru at Takao, on the island of Formosa (now Taiwan), when U.S. aircraft bombed it. An estimated 400 men died.

Pigg and the others had survived a similar attack on another hell ship, the Oryoku Maru, a few weeks earlier in Manila.

Its not certain whether Pigg died in Takao, or a few days later aboard another ship bound for the Japanese mainland. But he didn't get to Japan alive.

No one knows what happened to his body.

Now the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is trying to find out. This year they have disinterred 71 caskets containing 431 sets of remains linked to the Enoura Maru and the Oryoku Maru from military cemeteries in Hawaii and the Philippines and brought the remains to the DPAA lab at Offutt Air Force Base for identification.

All have been buried in graves marked unknown since the 1940s.

DPAA anthropologists hope to identify many of the 985 missing service members from the ill-fated hell ship journey, including Pigg and 11 others from Nebraska. At least 16 more are from Iowa.

These guys held out for months against pretty tough odds, and they did a lot of heroic acts in the process, said Greg Kupsky, the agencys lead historian for the project, in a statement. If we can give them their names and identifications back, and send them home to their families, that would be great.

20,000 BONES  SO FAR

One Omahan with a keen interest in the outcome is Ronald L. Pigg, 81, a second cousin of the missing captain who has delved deeply into the background of the relative whose name he shares. Several years ago he gave the Army a DNA sample he hopes might lead to an identification.

"I myself would like to see him recovered," Pigg said. "To me it would make a difference because of the many, many hours I've spent learning about him."

The Enoura Maru project is currently slated to last eight years and is the largest one ever undertaken by DPAA. Its even larger than the USS Oklahoma project, which wrapped up at the Offutt lab in 2021 and resulted in the identifications of 361 of 394 missing sailors and Marines from a battleship that was sunk at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941.

The first coffins linked to the Enoura Maru were disinterred from Honolulus National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Jan. 9, on the 78th anniversary of the attack, said Carrie LeGarde, the Offutt-based forensic anthropologist who is leading the project.

On July 1, an Air Force jet flew more flag-draped coffins believed to contain 315 sets of remains to Offutt, bringing to 360 the number of remains now at the Offutt lab. The rest are scheduled to arrive later this summer.

LeGarde said about 20,000 bones have now been catalogued, with DNA samples extracted from some for submission to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Delaware.

We are in the inventorying stage, she said.

Considering the ordeal of the hell ship victims, it is remarkable there are any remains to identify.

After the fall of Corregidor, the POWs were transferred to several slave-labor camps in the Philippines. They were held for 2 years in appalling conditions; many died in captivity of disease and starvation.

Later in the war, Japan experienced severe labor shortages and began shipping thousands of Allied prisoners to the homeland. They packed them tightly into the holds of cargo freighters with little food, water, or air, and no sanitation or medical facilities. They didn't much care whether the prisoners survived.

'NO COMBATANTS ... SUFFERED MORE HORRIBLY'

The POWs came to call them "hell ships" because of the inhuman conditions on board.

"No combatants in the war suffered more horribly than the prisoners on these hell ships," said historian Donald L. Miller in his 2001 book, "D-Days in the Pacific."

Slow-moving and unmarked, the hell ships were easy marks for U.S. submarines and carrier aircraft. More than a dozen were attacked and sunk.

On Dec. 13, 1944, 1,621 POWs, mostly officers, were loaded into the cargo hold of a former Japanese passenger liner, the Oryoku Maru. They had minimal space, food, water and air. The temperature quickly rose to well over 100 degrees.

Men began to die of suffocation, and the insane were knifing anyone available to suck the blood of the victim to satisfy their thirst, said Maj. Arthur Peterson, a POW survivor, in a diary used at war-crimes trial after the war. By daylight there were several score dead either from suffocation or by murder."

Two days later, aircraft from the carrier USS Hornet attacked the ship as it sailed up the coast to Subic Bay. About 280 POWs were killed, some of them shot in the water by Japanese guards as they tried to escape from the sinking ship.

"Some of them were too hurt or sick to be shipped, so they were taken to a cemetery and executed," LeGarde said.

Two weeks later, guards packed the survivors onto the Enoura Maru and a second livestock freighter, the Brazil Maru, for the journey to Japan. They arrived at Takao after four days, on New Years Eve. At least 20 prisoners died en route.

'A MASS OF WRECKAGE AND DEAD'

On Jan. 6, the POWs from the Brazil Maru were also crammed onto the Enoura Maru, making a dismal situation even worse.

Dysentery is spreading and the flies are out of control entirely. There are literally millions of them, Peterson wrote in his diary. The bulkheads appear to be a moving mass of black and green.

On Jan. 9, 1945, aircraft from the Hornet attacked the ship  once again, with no idea that it held prisoners. About 270 were killed in a direct hit.

Peterson described the forward hold as a mass of wreckage and dead.

The calmness of the men when under air attack is miraculous, he said. Most of them . . . would just as soon be blown up by Uncle Sam's planes as starved to death by the Nips.

After a few days, some bodies were taken ashore and burned. Others were buried. All of the living  about 900 prisoners  were moved over to the Brazil Maru for the final tortuous journey to Moji, Japan, a port on the northern tip of the island of Kyushu.

During the 16-day ordeal, about 40 prisoners died per day  if not from their wounds, then from starvation, dehydration, disease or exposure.

The hold continuously has a pile of 40 to 50 emaciated bodies which are removed above decks once a day and buried at sea, Peterson wrote in his diary. It is impossible to recognize your best friend on the death pile due to emaciation, etc. It makes the identification of the dead extremely difficult.

A roll call upon landing at Moji indicated just 497 of the POWs had survived the voyage. A report for the war-crimes tribunal described the men who disembarked as "walking skeletons."

They were scattered to several different prison camps in Japan, most still sick. Another 200 died before Japan surrendered in August 1945.

After the war, the American Graves Registration Services search for the remains of U.S. war dead brought them to Formosa in 1946. About 400 sets of remains  most, but not all, associated with the Enoura Maru  and were recovered and sent to Hawaii for reburial in communal graves.

The search was unable to recover remains from Oryoku Maru from the wreckage along the shoreline at Olongapo, near Subic Bay. But some POWs who died after making it ashore were recovered and buried at Manilas U.S. military cemetery.

ONE POW IDENTIFIED, HUNDREDS TO GO

Several years ago, DPAA historians and forensic anthropologists started studying the historical files and decided to take on the identification of the Enoura Maru unknowns.

The service branches began tracking down relatives of the missing POWS to get DNA samples for comparison. So far, they have obtained samples from about 70% of the families of the missing, LeGarde said, or nearly 700. Defense Department rules call for at least 60% family reference samples before disinterments are allowed.

As a test, DPAA disinterred one casket in 2017 that records showed contained the remains of a single service member. Forensic anthropologists did identify one person  Marine Corps Capt. Lester A. Schade, 27, of Abbotsford, Wisconsin  from dental records. But the bones in the casket contained DNA from at least four different people.

LeGarde said other caskets also have been found to contain the bones from many more people than shown in the records, complicating identification.

They are very commingled, similar to the Oklahoma, she said.

Still, LeGarde said, the agency has made seven tentative identifications so far. Those IDs must be confirmed before families are notified and they are publicly announced.

So far, it's working, she said. Thats good news for the project overall.

A CLUE IN A DIARY

Ronald Pigg isnt getting his hopes too high.

About 20 years ago, he began researching his namesake cousin whom he had heard very little about while growing up.

He learned that the first Ronald Pigg was born in Massena, Iowa, in 1910. His mother, Myrtle, died when he was about 3. His father, Arthur, remarried about three years later, and moved to Omaha.

Pigg attended Park School near Hanscom Park and graduated from Technical High School in 1928. He attended the University of Omaha for a year, and in 1935 earned a civil engineering degree from Iowa State.

That same year, he married Ruth Stiver. They did not have children.

After graduating, Pigg got a job with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was sent to the Philippines in 1939 to help shore up Corregidor's fortifications against a possible Japanese attack.

Though he worked for the Corps as a civilian, he was commissioned as an Army captain on Jan. 6, 1942, in the first desperate weeks of the Japanese invasion.

Im sure getting a workout, he wrote in his one letter home.

The prospects for Pigg and the rest of the POWs grew bleaker as it became clear no rescue was possible.

In July 1945, Piggs family was notified that he had been killed seven months earlier in the sinking of the Oryoku Maru, at the beginning of the hell ship ordeal.

During his research, however, the younger Ronald Pigg discovered a reference to his cousin in Petersons diary in an entry dated January 28, 1945.

Underway at 6 a.m. Deaths increasing, Peterson wrote. Captains Eichlin and Ronnie Pigg are dead.

That leads Pigg to believe that his cousin survived until just before the ship docked at Moji.

I never felt hed be recovered at all, Pigg said. I assumed they just put him overboard.

Still, identifications of the dead were difficult as the men on the ships suffered and died. Peterson himself said that many mistakes were made.

So there's at least a sliver of hope that Ronald Pigg could see the World War II hero who shares his name identified and brought home, perhaps to be buried next to his parents in Massena.

I would be ecstatic about it, Pigg said. I hope I live long enough to see the results.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
JBIC, Mizuho Bank provide $41 mln loans to retailer Aeon Vietnam

By Nguyen Thuy Wed, July 19, 2023 | 2:26 pm GTM+7

Two Japanese leading lenders - the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Mizuho Bank - said they are providing Aeon Vietnam with a total of $41 million in loans.

Of the sum, $24 million is from JBIC and $17 million from Mizuho Bank, according to a Nikkei Asia report on Tuesday. The funding will finance the opening of two new stores, one in the southern province of Binh Duong, and the other in Long An province. Both provinces border Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams southern economic hub.

Aeon Vietnam, with its head office in HCMC, did not respond to The Investors calls for comment.

Aeon Mall Tan Phu Celadon in Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Aeon Vietnam.

The JBIC loan also aims at supporting the creation of a distribution network for Japanese food ingredients and processed food in Vietnam through Aeon's stores, according to Nikkei Asia.

Japanese-invested Aeon Vietnam imports many items from Japan and procures many items from Japanese-owned plants operating in Vietnam.

Aeon entered Vietnam in 2013 and opened its first Vietnam megamall in HCMC early that year. It now has seven operational malls in the country with two in HCMC, one in Binh Duong province, three in Hanoi, and one in the northern port city of Hai Phong. The giant is seeking to expand its Vietnam mall network to 25 by 2025 and has earmarked around $1 billion for the purpose.

The Japanese largest retailer sees Vietnam as the most important market in its overseas strategy. Not just the megamall, Aeon has diversified its network to include MaxValu, a mid-sized supermarket.

Aeon signed an agreement last October with Boxed, an American online platform which sells household consumables in bulk and licenses its e-commerce software through its Spresso Software and Services Division. Under the agreement, Aeon will launch Boxeds end-to-end software and services platform in the Vietnamese market with Aeon Vietnam.

Also regarding financing in Vietnam, JBIC, Mizuho Bank and two other Japanese lenders  Joyo Bank and Shiga Bank  are providing funding totalling $300 million to renewable energy firms in the country to support its decarbonization efforts.

The four banks provide the funds via Vietnamese leading lender Vietcombank under a deal signed in Hanoi late this March, with $165 million from JBIC, a Japanese government-linked bank.
New industrial park in Dong Nai welcomes first project

By Tri Duc Thu, July 20, 2023 | 12:17 am GTM+7

The Long Thanh hi-tech industrial park, an Amata project, welcomed its first project Monday with the Anh Duong Irradiation Technology JSC receiving an investment certificate.

Dong Nai provinces first hi-tech industrial park was built by Amata City Longthanh JSC, the Vietnamese subsidiary of Thailands leading industrial real estate developer Amata Corporation.

Construction on Anh Duong Irradiation Technologys two-hectare project with an investment of VND650 billion ($27.5 million) is set to commence later this month and the facility is scheduled to begin operations in the third quarter of 2024.

The projects services will include sterilization of farm produce, food and fruit; medical sanitation; and production of new materials.

Nguyen Quoc Truong, CEO of Anh Duong Irradiation Technology, receives an investment certificate for his companys project at the Long Thanh high-tech industrial park, Dong Nai province, southern Vietnam, July 17, 2023. Photo courtesy of Amata.

The 410-hectare industrial park, with an investment of $282 million, is connected to the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, about 10 kilometers away from the Long Thanh International Airport under construction. It aims to attract high-tech investments towards promoting green industries and sustainable development.

Dong Nai currently has 31 industrial parks in operation and eight others on the anvil. Officials have said earlier that the province missed out on some major FDI projects because of a lack of available industrial areas. Industrial parks in the province have an occupation rate of 85% at present.

Vietnams index of industrial production (IIP) showed signs of recovery with a year-on-year growth of 2.8% in June, but fell 1.2% year-on-year in the first six months of this year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported.

Bucking the national trend, Dong Nais IIP grew 3.01% year-on-year in the first six months. This growth was driven by a 4.02% increase in mining, 3.3% hike in manufacturing and processing, and 3% rise in water supply and treatment of waste and wastewater. The power production and distribution sector, meanwhile, recorded a negative growth of 2.6% in the first half of the year.
Thai Nguyen province approves $19 mln gas project for Germanys Messer

By Tri Duc Wed, July 19, 2023 | 12:39 pm GTM+7

Messer Hai Phong Industrial Gas, a subsidiary of German industrial gas producer Messer, has received an investment certificate for its $19.25 million project in the northern province of Thai Nguyen.

The 4,000-square-meter project is set to enter operation in the third quarter of 2024, providing 9,200 normal cubic meters per hour (Nm3/h) of oxygen, 3,450 Nm3/h of nitrogen, six tons of liquid oxygen per day, and 11 tons of liquid argon per day.

The duration of project, located in Song Cong I Industrial Park, is until August 2049.

The project aims to supply oxygen to steel mills and nitrogen to electronic component producers in the province, according to an environmental impact assessment conducted by the province.

A representative of Messer receives an investment certificate from Thai Nguyen authorities. Photo courtesy of Thai Nguyen newspaper.

Messer entered Vietnam in 1997 and now runs three subsidiaries in Hai Phong city in the north and Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc provinces in the south. It has invested over $250 million in Vietnam and currently operates nine facilities with over 400 staff.

In June, the industrial zone authority in Quang Ngai gave an in-principle nod to Messer to build a $133 million factory in the central province's Dung Quat Economic Zone. The projects designed capacity is 240,000 normal cubic meters of oxygen and nitrogen gas an hour; 400 tons of liquid argon, oxygen and nitrogen a day; and 12.09 normal cubic meters of krypton, xenon and a mix of helium and neon a day.

The company's latest project in Thai Nguyen province is the $43 million Messer Yen Binh factory, inaugurated last year.

In the first six months of this year, Thai Nguyen attracted 15 new foreign direct investment projects with total registered capital of $116.75 million. The province is an industrial hub in the north and home to a Samsung factory. It has attracted 185 valid FDI projects to date with total registered capital of $10.5 billion.

Vietnams index of industrial production (IIP) showed signs of a recovery with year-on-year growth of 2.8% in June, but fell 1.2% year-on-year in the first six months of this year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported.

Buckling the trend, Thai Nguyens IIP grew 4.14% year-on-year in the first six months of this year, including a 3.92% increase in June, according to provincial data. However, the province stressed challenges for the sector, including slow growth of the global economy impacting consumption demand, firms limited access to credit, high prices of input materials and energy, and others.
Vietnam approves $11.4 bln fuel storage development plan

By Van Minh Wed, July 19, 2023 | 11:45 pm GTM+7

The Vietnamese government has approved a master plan to develop the national oil and gas storage system by 2030 with an estimated investment of VND270 trillion ($11.42 billion).

The investment will be sourced mainly from businesses, not from the state budget.

The plan, part of efforts to ensure national power security, will raise Vietnams storage capacity of crude oil, refined oil products and gas to 75 to 80 days of net imports, extendable until 90 days.

Specifically, oil storage capacity would increase to at least 20 days of net imports by 2030 and increased further to 25 days after 2030.

Storage of oil for commercial purposes would increase capacity by an additional 2.5-3.5 million cubic meters by 2030. After 2030, total storage capacity would be increased to 10.5 million m3, or 30-35 days of net imports.

Meanwhile, LPG storage capacity will be expanded to reach 800,000 tons by 2030 and to 900,000 tons later.

Total LNG storage capacity would be increased to 20 million tons per year by 2030. This would be doubled to 40 million tons later, according to the national plan signed Tuesday by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

A technician at a storage facility maintained by PetroVietnam. Photo courtesy of the state-run oil and gas group.

For the distribution of petroleum and gas products, infrastructure facilities would be upgraded to meet the demand for pipeline transportation from supply sources (oil refineries, petroleum terminals, LPG distribution stations, and terminals for imported LNG) to end users including industrial clients and residents.

The master plan envisages that the national oil and gas storage and supply system develops apace with imports, exports, exploitation, transportation and processing of oil and gas products.

At an oil and gas industry meeting presided over by Deputy PM Ha last March, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said Vietnams current fuel storage capacity stood at 65 days of net imports. He also noted that the country was yet to develop a national oil storage hub.

Two operational refineries, third about to open

Vietnam has two operational oil refineries now, namely the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical complex in Thanh Hoa province and the Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical complex in Quang Ngai province, both in the central region.

Nghi Son is a $9 billion refinery co-owned by state-run Petrovietnam, Kuwait Petroleum Europe B.V. (KPE), and Japans Mitsui Chemical and Idemitsu Kosan Co.

The other, better known as Dung Quat Refinery, is a Petrovietnam subsidiary that has received investments of more than $3 billion from the giant. It is the countrys first oil refinery.

The Vietnamese government decided in May to expand Dung Quats capacity to 171,000 barrels a day by 2028 from the current 148,000 barrels, with an investment of more than $1.2 billion.

The third one, which is the $5.4 billion Long Son petrochemicals complex in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, will start commercial productions this September, CEO Roongrote Rangsiyopash of Thai investor Siam Cement Group (SCG) said in a Reuters report in late June.

The complex, about two hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City, is in the process of testing its operating units. Testing would be completed next month or in August so that commercial operations can start in September or so, he said.

In addition to the three oil refineries, Hanoi-based multinational group Stavian is investing $1.5 billion in a polypropylene production facility in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

The 600,000 ton-per-year Stavian Quang Yen petrochemical plant is expected to go on stream by 2026. A propane dehydrogenation unit is also planned as part of the project.
The Perspective

Atlanta, Georgia

July 18, 2023



Henry Pedro Costa
CHICAGO  Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed several bills last month aimed at reducing plastic and polystyrene use. Two other bills environmental advocates say are important steps to improving reusable systems and minimizing waste are still awaiting his signature.

Senate Bill 58 would require state agencies and public universities to significantly reduce their purchase of single-use plastics, including materials made out of polystyrene, which is the main substance in foam takeout containers.

In 2018, the World Health Organization classified styrene, a building block of polystyrene, as a "possible carcinogen." It's also harmful for workers in factories that produce it, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration.

The goal of Senate Bill 58 is to encourage companies to move toward manufacturing more environmentally friendly options, like paper products, said Andrea Densham, a senior policy adviser with the Great Lakes Alliance.

"We can do that by using the marketplace, which you know, the state of Illinois is a large purchaser," Densham said.

But some working in restaurants have concerns about a possible industrywide polystyrene ban in the future.

Ghaleb Massoud runs Yaba's Middle Eastern Grill in Logan Square and said recent efforts by Illinois lawmakers to encourage producers to switch to nonpolystyrene options could hurt the business.

Every month Massoud checks online prices for foam takeout containers, purchasing the cheapest option for his family-run restaurant.

"The alternative will be very expensive for us," he said. "Actually, many restaurants cannot afford it."

For an 8-ounce foam container, Massoud said typical prices are 4 to 5 cents each. Paper containers, which are biodegradable, are around 22 cents. Massoud said he would have to increase menu prices to offset this cost, potentially losing customers.

Densham compared the cost of a polystyrene ban to the cost of electric vehicles.

"We used to hear that it would be unbelievably far too expensive for us to move from the cars that we have now to electric vehicles," she said. "Well, if we build smart policy, we invest in smart ways. We can move in that direction."

Bills that ban polystyrene at the restaurant and consumer level have been introduced but with little success. Only three states  Maine, Maryland and Vermont  have laws limiting or banning polystyrene products, according to the advocacy group Environment Illinois.

In Chicago, an attempt in 2020 by Northwest Side Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, didn't get support from the City Council.

The Illinois Restaurant Association has stated that lawmakers should consider the financial hardships placed on restaurants by a polystyrene ban. Instead, the association supports restaurants' voluntary efforts to decrease environmental impacts.

On the plastics side of things, there's also House Bill 2086, which will allow customers to refill their own containers with ready-made food at restaurants and retailers. The bill states that health departments can regulate but not prohibit consumer-owned containers, as well as outlining health and safety guidelines for handling them.

Containers have to be "clean, sanitary and free from debris, smooth, durable and easy-to-clean," among other guidelines. They have to be handled separately from the serving surface on a cleaned surface after every refill.

"If a restaurant's operations are set up for it, they can opt-in, but it is up to each restaurant and health code guidance," said Sam Toia, president and CEO of the restaurant association.

A spokesperson for state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, co-sponsor of the reusable containers bill, said this bill would also apply to someone wanting to scoop their leftovers into their own container after dining.

Environmental advocates said it's important to not just limit harmful materials but to also improve reusable systems.

"There's a growing trend toward providing consumers with increased options to reduce the amount of plastics that they use in their life," said Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council. "And right now, many times, people are without those options."

At Beatrix Market in the Loop, customers come and go at the hot food bar. A spokesperson for Stava-Murray said buffet-style restaurants aren't expected to comply with these requirements.

Kevin Trojanowski, managing partner for Beatrix Market, said they still want to do their part in reducing waste. Years ago, they used to have plastic containers that would just get thrown out after customers ate something quick at the market.

"We were finding our garbages were just filled with plastic to-go containers, and I was mortified," he said.

They've since switched to compostable cardboard containers and Trojanowski said they'll likely stick to their policy of not allowing personal, reusable containers.

"I don't know that that container has been properly cleaned; I don't know that it's been properly sanitized," he said. "And now, when they are putting food into that container, whatever utensil they are using is now getting cross-contaminated."

Jesse Armenpa, owner of Aglaia Coffee and Tea Co. in West Town, follows a similar protocol. They don't handle outside coffee cups for the safety of their staff.

Instead, they'll make coffee in their own biodegradable cups and transfer it to the customer's cup. Armenpa said it still saves a lid, cup sleeve or straw.

"Everything we use has to go through a sanitation process to make sure that it's reusable, that it's foodgrade clean," he said. "And unfortunately we can't ensure that with outside cups."
Students and faculty will return to Denmark Technical College this fall to discover their campus has received a facelift. The college will have newly paved parking lots and improved roadway surfaces, crosswalks and striping.

Parking spaces, including ADA accessible spaces, will be more visible and clearly defined, and six additional crosswalks will alleviate pedestrian and driver confusion, creating an overall safer campus environment.

The Denmark Tech paving ground-breaking ceremony occurred April 13. Construction is currently underway and should be completed before classes start in August.

The extensive paving improvements are being funded by about $1 million in Bamberg County C-Funds and about $250,000 from the South Carolina Technical College System.

C-Fund Committee Chairman Harold Johnson said, This has been a collaborative effort between Bamberg County, the Bamberg County C-Fund Committee and the S.C. Technical College System and demonstrates what is possible when everyone works together.

Denmark Tech President Dr. Willie Todd Jr. has been pleased with the progress, noting, Just five years ago, Denmark Technical College almost had to close its doors, but today we are thriving and providing students with a quality education.

This paving project symbolizes much more than improving old parking lots and roads. It also represents a bright future for Denmark Tech and the Denmark community.

Bamberg County Council Chairman Dr. Jonathan Goodman said, When Denmark Tech prospers, Bamberg County prospers. When Bamberg County prospers, Denmark Tech prospers. This project has significantly strengthened our partnership.

Additionally, former Denmark Technical College instructor and Bamberg County Council Vice Chair Evert Comer said it gives him much joy to help a place that is so dear to his heart, and he looks forward to many more years of collaboration with Denmark Tech.

Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston said, This is a team effort, and together we can find solutions to the challenges we face  even if it is just one parking lot at a time.
WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa. (AP)  A broad effort to find two young siblings who were swept away from their car during flash flooding in the Philadelphia suburbs over the weekend may soon pivot to underwater searching, authorities said Tuesday.

Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer provided an update near the search area, saying the team was still looking for Matilda Sheils, 2, and her 9-month-old brother Conrad Sheils. If the children are not located by day's end, Brewer said, the focus will be on the water, using dive teams.

With the search in a fourth day, officials acknowledged the many that have asked to volunteer to help but said they are not needed. Brewer asked people to avoid the area.

Some 100 officials, as well as drones and cadaver dogs, have combed the area near the creek that drains into the Delaware River. The search has covered about 117 acres, with those on land logging some 160 miles, often going back and forth over the same ground, he said.

The children are members of a Charleston, South Carolina, family that was visiting relatives and friends when they got hit by a "wall of water" Saturday, Brewer said.

The children's father, Jim Sheils, grabbed their 4-year-old son, while the children's mother, Katie Seley, and a grandmother grabbed the other children, Brewer said. Sheils and his son made it to safety, but Seley and the grandmother were swept away. The grandmother survived, but Seley was among the five people who drowned, according to the Bucks County Coroner's office.
(TBTCO) - Truoc tac ong kep tu tinh hinh the gioi va nhung bat cap, han che tu noi tai, cac doanh nghiep va ca nen kinh te ang boi trong dong xoay kho khan. Boi canh nay oi hoi phai co nhung co che, chinh sach ot pha e ua nen kinh te phuc hoi, at uoc muc tieu tang truong cho ca nam va ca giai oan.
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As a new wave of persecution hits the Belarusian-language book publishing industry, the war in Ukraine has prompted more Belarusians to speak their native tongue. From Al Jazeera.

The Knihauka bookstore in Belarus, which specialized in Belarusian-language books, had unexpected visitors on the morning of its first day of operations on 16 May.

Rygor Azaronak and Lyudmila Hladkaya, two journalists infamous for spreading state propaganda, visited the small shop and criticized it publicly for its alleged nationalist ideology.

A few hours later, the police arrived, searched the store, confiscated more than 200 books  including a translation of George Orwells 1984  and reportedly sent 15 titles to an expert to determine whether they contained extremist materials.

During the operation, the shops owner, publisher Andrey Yanushkevich, and sales assistant, literary blogger Nasta Karnatskaya, were arrested on petty hooliganism charges that are commonly used in politically motivated arrests in Belarus. They remained behind bars after their administrative sentences were extended, before being released in mid-June.

This attack on Belarusian-language publishing was not unique or out of the ordinary. Earlier in March, Andrey Yanushkevitchs namesake publishing house was asked to vacate its office. A year earlier, its accounts had been frozen and equipment confiscated (the accounts were finally unfrozen in June 2021).

Several other publishing houses specializing in books by Belarusian authors or in the Belarusian language  Halijafy, Limaryus, and Knihazbor, as well as the printing house Medysont  were ordered to temporarily cease operations for violation of regulations earlier this spring.

This wave of persecution in the book publishing industry rolled on top of another one the year before. With the current government, I dont see a future for book publishing [in the country], a Belarusian publisher who was forced to shut his publishing house and bookstore recently told me. He asked to remain anonymous out of safety concerns.

A Diverse Past

Belarus has historically been a multilingual, multiethnic state, with people speaking Belarusian, Polish, Russian, Yiddish (more common before World War II), and a number of local dialects.

When Belarus became part of the Soviet Union in 1918, its ethnic language and culture, just like the languages of many other Soviet republics, came under attack.

Belarusian intellectual and cultural elites were purged, and books by Belarusian authors, as well as dictionaries, were burned. On the night of 29 October 1937, which is now remembered as the Night of the Assassinated Poets, more than a hundred Belarusian writers, poets, artists, and scientists were executed in Minsk on the orders of Joseph Stalin and his associates. From 1937 to 1938, more than 100,000 Belarusians were repressed  arrested, jailed, sent to camps, or killed. Before Stalins death in 1953, between 600,000 and 1.5 million Belarusians were victimized. Russian became the dominant language.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Belarusian language experienced a brief renaissance, becoming the main language in schools and other institutions. In 1994-1995, at its peak, over 75 percent of middle schools had Belarusian as their main teaching language.

The abrupt transition was hard for many, and the newly minted president, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, seized the opportunity. In May 1995, he held a referendum on the status of the Russian language, a new official flag and seal, further economic integration with the Russian Federation, and the powers of parliament. As a result, Russian received equal status with Belarusian, and became the second state language in the country.

Today, the enrollment in Belarusian-language schools is negligible  less than 4 percent  and less than 20 percent of the population speak Belarusian in their daily lives. It is officially an endangered tongue.

However, with the war in Ukraine entering its fourth nightmarish month, the language situation in Belarus has started to change. More and more Belarusians now choose to speak their mother tongue. More and more are choosing to use the language in their everyday life. The transition is also palpable on social media, with Belarusian Twitter and Instagram becoming increasingly dominated by the Belarusian language by the hour.

Recently, a close friend of mine suggested we speak Belarusian, instead of Russian, between us. Soon another friend started texting me in Belarusian rather than Russian. No explanation was needed.

As Belarusian poet and Cornell University associate professor Valzhyna Mort told me, [the] Belarusian language came to signify something more than just a system of signs.

Just saying a word in it, like thank you or hello, means more than just thank you or hello  it is also a political statement.

A Struggle to Remember

As Russia continues its immoral war against our southern neighbor, Belarusians all over the world are coming to the conclusion that returning to our mother tongue is one of the few remaining ways for us to signal our protest against Russian aggression in Ukraine, and in Belarus, and survive as a nation.

Russians refer to us as their younger brothers and sisters; they say that we have a lot of similarities and were the same, Mort told me. From that position, it is just one step to say that we do not exist at all as a culture, which is not true. We see what happened in Ukraine.

My attempts to speak Belarusian after speaking English and Russian for decades sound ill-equipped. My Belarusian limps on both feet, but I persevere, like many others.

With limited access to Belarusian-language education and media, it is through reading Belarusian literature or translations that countless Belarusians like me try to remember the forgotten lexicon and grammar of their mother tongue. So it is not surprising that Lukashenkas regime, which has effectively turned Belarus into Russias vassal state, assaults Belarusian-language bookstores and publishing houses.

We are not just in the crisis of censorship, but in the crisis of annihilation, said Mort, as we discussed the recent decree signed by Lukashenka that allowed capital punishment for attempts at terrorism. In Belarus, where thousands have been persecuted on charges of extremism and terrorism for their acts of peaceful resistance, a death penalty for a book  for example, Alhierd Bacharevics novel Dogs of Europe is now considered extremist material  doesnt seem far-fetched.

Effectively, day after day Lukashenka is carrying out a cultural genocide of Belarusians that was first started by the Soviets. We hope that the international community will not avert their eyes.



Olga Loginova is a Belarusian-American documentary filmmaker and journalist based in New York. She is a fellow at Columbia Journalism Investigations, where she reports on the U.S. communities experiencing extreme climate change. Before, she was a staff journalist at Voice of America, a long-time visual journalist, and a recipient of the journalistic excellence award at RFE/RL. This article was originally published by Al Jazeera. Reprinted with permission.
The lack of a push in education fundamentals from teachers would haunt me, especially with grammar and spelling.

By Joseph DuShane-Navanick

Special to The Tribune

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Joseph DuShane-Navanick on the Ute Reservation. A member of the Ute Indian Tribe, he is planning to attend the University of Utah next year.

Overlooking my hometown of Fort Duchesne once stood Todd Elementary. There I learned how to jump off swings, sing my ABCs and occasionally kick a ball or two.

I still remember my first steps into the school. My mother was clutching my hand and leading me and my twin brother into Mrs. Mairs classroom. There I met my classmates who would follow me through my elementary school years and even past them.

The school is still overlooking the Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation. But it has since been remodeled and is not the same Todd Elementary I grew up with (it has since been renamed Eagle View Elementary). It is still the first school many of the young Native Americans go to because of its proximity to the reservation.

My time at Todd Elementary was just about what one could expect: P.E., music class, recess, school lunch. But I dont remember much about being educated there. Sure, there were lessons about math, English, spelling  none really seemed to matter, though, as much as recess did.

This lack of push in education fundamentals would haunt me for the rest of my life, especially with grammar and spelling.

Leaving the school was huge change for me and my brother. You see, Todd Elementary had a huge Native population. There, our culture was celebrated and understood. One of the fondest memories I have is when a Bear Dance was held at the school. And if you dont know what Bear Dance is, you should come to Fort Duchesne more often.

But many students left the school around 6th grade, me and my brother included. We now found ourselves at Roosevelt Middle School, which is located in a whole other town than Todd Elementary.

There was just a handful of Native kids in the whole middle school  no one dressed like us, talked like us or even shared similar experiences. It seemed my Native culture and beliefs were not valued or celebrated at this new school. The precious memories of attending sweat with my grandma, celebrating the coming of spring with the Bear Dance, learning to sing with my uncle, the smell of coffee paired with frybread and eggs. I was just another kid who happened to be brown and different.

It seemed my Native culture and beliefs were not valued or celebrated at this new school.

Roosevelt Middle School was the first time in my memory that I was ever graded. The teacher called my and my brothers names. We walked up, held out our hands and received our grades. We stood there for a moment looking at what was just placed in our hands. I looked at the teacher in confusion and back at the report card: It read all Fs in every single subject. I did not know what to do. I definitely couldnt show my mom.

But where do I go from there? The teacher did not point me or my brother in any direction where we could receive help. We were on our own.

This would be a pattern that followed me and my brother to our next school.

One subject that I desperately needed help in was English. Its not that I didnt have anything to say, but I didnt know how to spell or write a complete sentence. I would struggle just to spell simple words. I found myself unable to express myself. Writing a paper or a simple sentence was so frustrating. I had to substitute words that I wanted to say for words I could spell.

At one point, I had an English teacher that gave up reading one of my papers. She read the first paragraph and marked everything in red that was wrong. I had run-on sentences, incomplete sentences, misspellings. I didnt know how to use a comma, so I placed some randomly.

After my teacher marked up the first paragraph, she wrote a note in the upper right corner saying: I cant even read this, so Im not going to try. It makes no sense, and there are a lot of issues with your grammar and spelling. Please try harder on future essays.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Joseph DuShane-Navanick and his twin brother, Joey DuShane-Navanick.

I was deeply hurt and discouraged from what the teacher wrote. I felt behind, stupid and even more out of place than before.

My troubles with English did not let up and did not get better. Every teacher seemed content to pass me with a C and push me along to the next grade.

Now keep in mind I loved learning. Some of my favorite subjects were science, math and art. My brother and I would spend hours and hours watching the Science Channel and the History Channel  back when they were actually about science and history. We learned about the earth and all the animals in it, how cells interact with the world, the evolution of mankind, the history of the World Wars, the history of the different cultures of the world. We soaked it all up like a sponge.

But when we would go to school, the environment was not the best. Home was comfortable and welcoming  a place where I could be myself. But school was far from home, far from the reservation, foreign, uncomfortable, unwelcoming. I couldnt be myself at school.

Back to my English problem, I still very much was struggling and did my best to pass; however, that changed when I got to Vernal High School. I was in my sophomore year, taking English, and my teacher at the time was very much loved in the school. He had been there for years  teaching most of the students parents when they went to school.

Home was comfortable and welcoming  a place where I could be myself. But school was far from home, far from the reservation, foreign, uncomfortable, unwelcoming. I couldnt be myself at school.

His class was hard. We had to take a weekly spelling test, along with writing prompts. My brother and I were struggling to keep up both in spelling and writing. The teacher saw this; he saw how we were struggling in his class. And he did something that had never been done before for us: He asked us if we needed some help.

I was shocked. That doesnt happen. Teachers dont care about Native students.

But he did and he offered a tutoring session after school. It was a Tuesday when my brother and I went into his classroom. We didnt know what to expect, but the teacher started with a couple of questions. Like what makes a sentence? Where do you put a comma? What is a pronoun? What is an adverb? My brother and I just looked at each other; quietly and sheepishly, we said: We dont know.

The next two hours were spent going over the basics of writing and grammar. The teacher went over everything, stopping frequently to make sure we were following along. We went over nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, when and how to use commas and, most importantly, how to write a full sentence. This was the first time I fully grasped what a sentence was and what made up a proper sentence.

Now I had some, but not all, of the tools I need to do better. And all it took was someone who cared enough to show me.

It was heartbreaking to realize how simple it was. All the times I received markups on my paper, the teacher would tell me I needed to have better grammar. But I had no idea what better grammar looked like. I cried on my way home because now I understood. Now I had some, but not all, of the tools I need to do better. And all it took was someone who cared enough to show me.

I would go on to find another teacher in the high school who cared about me. And with his guidance and help, I got a certificate of completion from the Uintah Basin Technical College in the auto mechanics program, along with a certificate in beginner and intermediate welding. This mans name is Mr. McKee, and I hold him in high regard.

He knew about Native Americans, their struggles, humor and culture. He went to school with them and grew up interacting with them. He also made an effort to get to know me and every student that made their way into his classroom.

Taking Mr. McKees class changed the course of my life. I fell in love with everything car related. I even went on to get additional training at WyoTech, a technical school in Wyoming.

However, I would not stay in the field of car mechanics for long. I had other dreams and aspirations, so I enrolled in Salt Lake Community College. Now I am graduating with an associate degree in political science.

My eyes are set next on law school and becoming a lawyer to help my tribe and other tribes represent themselves in state and federal court. The schooling  or the lack of it  and other peoples perceptions of me did not define who and what I want to become.
Beloved grandfather and Ute spiritual leader Clifford Duncan would say: If you can hold education in one hand, and your culture in the other, youll go far in life.

Kyri Ungatavinekent-Duncan

Special to The Tribune

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Kyri Ungatavinekent-Duncan in Salt Lake City on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

At a young age, I was always near my grandfather, Clifford Duncan.

He was a self-taught learner, cultural participant in ceremonies and celebrations, and an anthropology consultant.

Through his work and life experiences, Clifford was able to gain knowledge and understanding around working with those who identify differently than him. One thing he always expressed to me and my siblings is that we needed to graduate from high school.

If you can hold education in one hand, and your culture in the other, youll go far in life, he would say.

Education in his terms can be summarized and interpreted as navigating the world outside of being American Indian. With my familys strong sense of cultural values and practices, the only thing left was to gain the tools of modern society.

In my mind, all I needed was to graduate from high school to succeed in my familys eyes. I was a C-average student and had to make up a couple of classes that I failed during my freshman and sophomore years. It wasnt until my U.S. history and German language teacher Hobart Willis gave me a strong push for me to pursue higher academia that I did.

I see strong potential for this young man to go to college, were the words that echoed through my ears when he spoke to my mother.

This sparked motivation to shape up my academic slump. I worked closely with the embedded Johnson-OMalley advisers  Johnson-OMalley is a federal act aimed at serving tribal education needs  to get concurrently enrolled with Utah State Universitys extension campus. As graduation approached, I was slowly making strides to start my college career.

Looking to be a first-generation college student, there were many things I didnt know. It was almost a miracle how Martha Macomber, the educational liaison between the University of Utah and the Ute Indian Tribe, came to my aid.

She provided key insights with applying to college, the FASFA financial aid form, scholarships, and other items around admissions. I applied to three colleges with the University of Utah at the top of the list.

Shortly after applying, I was denied admission.

Feeling defeated, I relied on my cultural teachings that my family has instilled. During this time, my father gave me strength with the words, If you really want this opportunity, offer a word of prayer. Thats what we do when we face barriers.

After following his guidance, I was informed with the wonderful news that the Beacon Scholars Program was going to sponsor my admittance to the U.

Kyri Ungatavinekent-Duncan's grandfather, Clifford Duncan, circa 1975, stands in front of housing for Ute seniors. The teacher catches you speaking Indian, that was it, Clifford Duncan said in an 1982 oral history interview. Read more in oral histories: Utes share their memories of Uinta Basin boarding schools

With adrenaline and not knowing what would be ahead, I made the 2.5-hour drive to Salt Lake City.

I was very fortunate that Beacon Scholars, known as First-Gen Scholars now, supported my admittance. Many American Indian students face isolation, imposter syndrome, culture shock and other mentally draining experiences when leaving home to attend college. Luckily, Beacon Scholars was a program that aimed to build a community and offer resources to first-generation students of diverse communities.

Through their mentorship-based structure, I made valuable relationships with peers, faculty, and staff who gave insights that cant be conveyed through books or presentations. This also led to engagement with various student organizations across campus. With the collective support on and off campus, I graduated in 2020 from the University of Utah with a bachelors in strategic communications and a minor in multidisciplinary design  while making the deans list for multiple semesters.

Fast-forward to 2023, I currently hold the role as the advisor for the Inter-Tribal Student Association and engagement person for Native American folks with the Center for Equity and Student Belonging at the University of Utah.

As I navigated higher education with little information at hand, I can truly reflect and gain insight on what our American Indian students face at the U. Besides the bare necessities to attend the university (cost for attendance, housing, testing requirements, etc.), there are multiple factors that contribute to a fun, impactful, and successful academic experience. The most itching question is how can we break through the glass ceiling and start making that progress of fulfillment?

Speaking from my experience, I can break it down to two aspects that improve the quality of attending college for American Indians. The first is balancing previous and current environments. As stated in the beginning, I came from a family that believed in cultural teachings and communal support. Most students who I work with share the same upbringings. It was easy for me to get reconnected with those practices because I lived only two hours and some change away (luckily, I got my drivers license by my freshman year of college). Other students, however, have to drive as much as 13 hours to get home. While some can drive, others have to book flights.

The creator put Ute/American Indians on this earth to be useful and utilize whats in front of us. Whether you are a self-learner or take academic means to attain knowledge, we must still inspire our people to live the best life they can.

The second aspect is finding representation of your identity through community members, programming and shared spaces. To be quite honest, I was always in the middle of being with my Ute and white peers in high school. Regardless of that, I learned at a young age that my identity holds many aspects, such as my music taste, the way I dressed and communication style. Attending a predominately white institution, such as the U., I had to utilize these ways of seeing myself to find a sense of community and shared space.

American Indian students today face the same predicament. Although we have the American Indian Resource Center at the U., the enrollment number of those students is about 250 people. Being a large campus, the barrier almost seems impossible to overcome for those who are looking to reconnect with their community.

Both aspects could be summarized into building a sense of belonging for American Indian students. With the rise in college attendance from our Indigenous folks, there will be many revelations and resources that we should strive to preserve and implement.

One time, an American Indian youth approached me and asked, Should I really go to college? Filtering out the jargon and baggage I carried, I simply responded with, College is one path that can lead you to what you want to do.

Our American Indian people were born resilient and found any means necessary to survive. The creator put Ute/American Indians on this earth to be useful and utilize whats in front of us. Whether you are a self-learner or take academic means to attain knowledge, we must still inspire our people to live the best life they can.

I would like to thank all those who support our American Indian students from K-12 to higher academia and The Salt Lake Tribune for giving me the platform to elevate the experiences stated above. Tah-gway-yahk (thank you).

Kyri Ungatavinekent-Duncan, Uncompahgre of the Northern Ute Tribe, grew up on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in eastern Utah. He is now the advisor for the Inter-Tribal Student Association and engagement person for Native American folks with the Center for Equity and Student Belonging at the University of Utah.


A California man accused of driving to Wyoming with two friends to rob a Casper Walgreens based on an idea found on Instagram, which showed them how to go for hydros, pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning.

Joshua Slaughter, 23, pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated robbery and felony conspiracy to deliver hydrocodone, oxycodone and methadone in Natrona County District Court.

Police determined the stolen pills were worth $4,715, and Slaughters potential sentence is 30 years.

Slaughter let out a long sigh when he sat the courtroom. He remains in the custody of the Natrona County Detention Center. Last month, his bond was set at $150,000, which at the time, his attorney argued was unfeasible.

When the judge asked Slaughter if he understood the charges he was facing, he responded, I fully understand, sir.

His attorney then successfully argued for a lower bond  Slaughter has no previous failures to appear, only one prior misdemeanor charge for vandalism, has a baby on the way, is the caregiver to his disabled mother and has the means to return to Wyoming for trial.

Slaughters bond was reduced to $75,000, which the state opposed due to it being an extraordinary, serious crime, and him being hundreds of miles from the originating state, Assistant District Attorney Blaine Nelson said in court Wednesday.

Him and his co-defendants, Curtis Green and Charles Jemison, are suspected of driving over 1,000 miles to commit the May 26 robbery and insinuated they had a gun to take more than 3,500 opioid pills, the police investigators affidavit states.

On May 26, a worker at the Wyoming Boulevard Walgreens reported Jemison entered the store, jumped behind the counter, and took a bag of oxycodone and everything in the safe, the affidavit states.

Slaughter was allegedly the lookout, the affidavit states. He made sure no one saw Jemison, 23, jumping the counter, and no one called the police.

The men entered a white Kia Forte out front, which was driven by 20-year-old Green, the affidavit states. The getaway car sped through Casper before getting onto Interstate 25.

A Casper police sergeant later interviewed one of the pharmacy employees on scene, the affidavit states. He reported he was pushed towards the back of the pharmacy during the alleged robbery and believed Jemison had a gun.

Once the safe was open, the male began taking all the Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, and Methadone, the affidavit states. ...[The employee] saw the suspect males hand in his hoodie pocket and it appeared the suspect male was holding a gun.

There is no evidence that a gun was actually brought inside Walgreens, the affidavit states. But officers located a small pistol magazine and rifle ammunition while executing a search warrant on their car.

Slaughter, Jemison and Green were ultimately apprehended in Converse County.

During an interview with Casper police, Green admitted he had never heard of Wyoming before this trip, and he could not explain why the trio selected the state as their destination to carry out the alleged crime, the affidavit states.

Green told investigators he made a stupid decision because he needed the money.

Their idea for robbing Walgreens was allegedly inspired by an Instagram video, which explained how to rob hydros at Walgreens, Jemison told investigators.

[Jemison] expressed to the group that they should go home, but they had driven 15 hours to get to Casper, so [they] talked themselves into robbing a store, the affidavit states. They talked themselves into trying as they had never tried to rob a store and it didnt hurt to try.

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WHILE physically, Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago are more than 6,500 kilometres away, the reality is that we are actually much closer than we think.

This is what Dr Afua Asabea Asare, chief executive officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) said she found most striking during her time in this country as part of a Ghanaian trade and investment delegation.
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Trinidad and Tobago is able to access levels of free public healthcare that is not available
Two days ago, the world, led by Japan, peered through the long lens of history to August 6, 
It rarely makes sense to stand for hours alongside the hot pavement on a 110-degree Tucson day.

That held true Sunday afternoon when around 100 people gathered in the heat to protest against alleged sexual grooming of children.

It might have made a little sense Sunday morning, when history tells us that real grooming has taken place  and the air is cooler. But not that afternoon and especially over this non-issue.

The protesters, organized by The Bridge Christian Church, gathered outside a northwest-side Bookmans store to protest a drag story hour taking place at a secret location at that time. They carried signs that said things like Bookmans is grooming kids with drag.

After the March postponement, a group of local congregations and others had assembled to help Bookmans hold the event. The upshot was that this time, instead of holding it at a Bookmans store, they made it an RSVP-only public event at a location only disclosed to participants.

It turned out to be at St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, near North Swan Road and East River Road.

The decision was made before I got here, but I was fully on board, the new pastor of the church, Rev. Michael Wilkerson, told me. This is an open and affirming congregation.

Beyond the intricate registration process, there were security guards on site to protect participants, Wilkerson said. About 60 people showed up, maybe 40 percent of them children.

The performer  who wore a top hat, suit, makeup and a tail  read three stories all with the theme of inclusion and tolerance, Wilkerson said.

There was no sexual allusion of any kind, he said.

From the beginning, the protest made little sense. Bookmans had hosted these events for years without any known negative consequences.

Theoretically, at the store, a child could have wandered into a drag story hour session without their parents and seen it on their own. But then what harm would have come the child? And on Sunday, the event would not have been accessible to any child without a parent.

So why would anyone protest? Parents have a right to think differently from members of The Bridge and other conservative evangelical churches.

Kimberly McAllister, the wife of The Bridges lead pastor David McAllister, told radio host Garret Lewis in March that she and friends started the protest.

Bookmans drag story hour, she claimed, represented grooming.

They just want to push their adult agenda on children, she said.

But lets be real: This is part of a much bigger culture-war political push. In a backlash to changing social norms about sexual identity and gender expression, some conservative Christians have invented a reason for hatred: They say sexual minorities are trying to groom our children into becoming trans or gay or to victimize them.

You know, drag isnt for everybody. Ive seen performances a couple of times but never go out of my way for them and probably wouldnt have brought my children when they were younger.

But I ought to have a right to do that without threat or intimidation and going through an elaborate registration process to visit a secret site. To use the phrase this group likes to use, we can be mama bear and papa bear to our own children  we dont need them to butt in.

Theres something else here, though, that is especially annoying: The objections of activists from churches like The Bridge feels so much like projection.

If theres anywhere weve seen grooming behavior, it has been in churches. The Roman Catholic Church, of course, has been a notoriously protective home for abusers. In 2004, the Diocese of Tucson was the second in the country to file for bankruptcy protection as a result of judgments in sexual abuse cases.

But Protestant churches have also been a longtime home for sexual abusers and sometimes acted as their protectors. An investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention found repeated abuse and protection of abusers throughout that network of churches, the largest Protestant denomination in the country.

One of the Southern Baptist cases was that of Chris Decaire, a youth minister at East Side Baptist Church in Tucson, who was sentenced to 79 years in prison in 2009 for sexually molesting a 13-year-old girl.

Another huge denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, told a Cochise County bishop not to report ongoing sexual assault of his children by a church member, Paul Douglas Adams.

But at least those mega denominations have governing boards that grudgingly started to take the problem seriously in recent decades or years. At non-denominational churches like The Bridge, the degree of governance will differ from church to church, as will the degree of welcome for grooming and abuse.

For those who care about real-life grooming, not the pretend stuff they protested Sunday, that should be good news. They can carry out their anti-grooming activities on Sunday mornings in the air-conditioned comfort of their own church.
Santa Cruz County officials got an earful on Tuesday from opponents of possible mine-related development in Rio Rico.

Several dozen residents spoke out against a sweeping rezoning proposal they fear would turn the community into the operations hub for a zinc and manganese mine that Australian company South32 wants to build in the nearby Patagonia Mountains.

During about two hours of public comment, the countys Board of Supervisors heard concerns over health risks, contamination, water depletion, heavy truck traffic and the destruction of natural areas in the Santa Cruz River community about 60 miles south of Tucson.

At issue is a request from prominent local landowner Andrew Jackson for major zone changes along a 9-mile swath of Interstate 19 through Rio Rico to allow mixed-use commercial, residential and industrial development on vacant property currently used for ranching and farming near the river.

Theres something special about Rio Rico, one local resident told the county supervisors, and you will destroy it if you let South32 and Andrew Jackson destroy it.

The barrage of negative feedback came ahead of a presentation by Pat Risner, president of South32s Hermosa Project in the Patagonia Mountains.

Risner said he was there Tuesday to provide an update on the project and clear up some misconceptions about the companys plans in Rio Rico and elsewhere.

The next-generation mine, as he called it, would be the only operation of its kind in the U.S. and the only place outside of China capable of producing the kind of manganese needed to make batteries for electric cars and other renewable energy initiatives.

This project is about creating a domestic supply chain for that, Risner said.

South32 intends to build two offsite facilities to support its $1.7 billion mine: an office building on about 5 acres to house a remote operations center for the mines automated equipment and a processing plant on as much as 250 acres for making battery-grade manganese.

The company has committed to locating both facilities somewhere in Santa Cruz County to maximize the employment and tax benefits for the mines host county, but Risner said the facilities can go elsewhere if residents dont want them there.

We havent made the decision to site these anywhere, much less Rio Rico, he said.

As for Jacksons rezoning proposal, Risner said South32 had no part in it. Its not something we asked for, and its not something we need, he said.

Risner pledged to host a community meeting in the coming months to address questions and concerns about the mining operation and the material it will produce.

He said Rio Rico is the companys preferred location for its remote operations center, namely because thats where the people they hope to train to work in the facility currently live. The battery-grade manganese facility, on the other hand, is not the sort of thing we could put right next to the Santa Cruz River or near homes or schools, Risner said.

He added that South32 will not select a site for the processing plant without a dialogue with the community, and the reason that hasnt happened yet is were too early in the process.

An artists rendering of the facility displayed during Tuesdays meeting included three enclosed processing structures, a warehouse, an electrical substation, an administration building, a product bagging plant and an emergency services center.

Risner said ore would be delivered to the facility in sealed containers built to remain intact in the event of a truck crash. Manganese processing would take place inside buildings sealed off from the outside air, though the rendering shows an outdoor dry stack tailings pile running the length of the facility.

Risner said South32 is committed to a range of environmental safeguards, including dust monitoring along transportation routes to and from the mine.

Actual mining at the site in mountains above Patagonia is still years away, assuming the project survives a host of legal challenges already underway.

In May, the Hermosa Project was accepted into a federal program designed to streamline reviews for critical infrastructure, but the permit process for the mine is still expected to last into 2026.

On Friday, eight environmental groups asked a federal judge for an injunction to halt exploratory drilling in the Patagonias by South32 and another mining company while their lawsuit over the work is heard.

The groups, most of them from Tucson, are suing the U.S. Forest Service for approving the exploration work, which they say could result in up to 7 years of around-the-clock drilling in sensitive habitat used by threatened Mexican spotted owls and Western yellow-billed cuckoos.

Road construction and drilling should not go forward in the Patagonia Mountains before we get our day in court, said Scott Stern, associate attorney for Earthjustices Biodiversity Defense Program, which is representing the eight groups. We are asking the judge to prevent environmental damage that threatens imperiled wildlife and irreplaceable natural areas.

Conservationists have also filed a notice of their intent to sue the Biden administration for violating the Endangered Species Act unless approval of the exploration projects is revoked within 60 days.

Only one commenter at Tuesdays county supervisors meeting in Nogales spoke in favor of South32s proposed mine, which she said would bring much-needed job opportunities to young people in Santa Cruz County, particularly in the Hispanic community.

Several speakers argued that no amount of economic benefit was worth the risk to the health and safety of residents.

Many Rio Rico residents have complained about being blindsided by Andrew Jacksons massive rezoning plan, which was reviewed by the countys Planning and Zoning Board on June 22, less than a week after a lot of people said they heard about it for the first time.

The supervisors were slated to consider Jacksons proposal on July 11, but that hearing has since been postponed until Aug. 15.

Thats still far too soon for some county critics.

One speaker at Tuesdays meeting said the speed at which county officials seem to be pushing the proposal is nothing short of criminal.

Please slow your roll, the man said.
Allowing Arizona counties to do hand-counts of most or all early ballots cast would be a recipe for chaos in elections, an attorney told an Arizona Court of Appeals panel Tuesday.

The three judges hearing the case appeared to mainly agree, despite a draft ruling written by one of the judges that sided with Cochise County. The case is an appeal by Cochise Countys officials, whose plan to do a full hand count of ballots in last years general election was blocked by a trial court judge.

Attorney Aria Branch told the panel that Arizonas election laws laying out how small hand-count audits are done to check the accuracy of machine ballot tabulators would be rendered useless if counties could just count all the ballots by hand. Branch represents the Arizona Association of Retired Americans, which sued to block the Cochise County hand count.

A full hand-count is only permitted if there are problems with the electronic tabulation, Branch said. Its not to proceed as a matter of course.

But the attorneys for Cochise County, Veronica Lucero and Bryan Blehm, disagreed. They argued the states election laws set a minimum number of early ballots to be audited and allow counties to do more, or even hand count all of them, to ensure the Board of Supervisors is certain enough of the results to certify the election.

Blehm told the judges that state law only sets a minimum number of early ballots to be audited.

But Judge Peter J. Eckerstrom cut him off.

Let me stop you there, Eckerstrom told Blehm. The plain language of the law covering audits of early ballots, he said, established that the maximum number of early ballots which can be initially audited is 5,000.

Blehm countered that county boards are not merely there to sign off on the election results handed to them by their election staffs.

They have to swear under oath that that is true and correct, he said. And to do that, one has to educate oneself whether or not that is true and correct.

The decision that the Court of Appeals will eventually issue has major ramifications for Arizonas elections.

Republicans, egged on by former President Donald Trumps unfounded allegations that vote-counting machines are not accurate, have been pushing for hand counts in multiple Arizona counties, although none have so far followed though.

If the appeals court sides with Cochise Countys GOP-led board and County Recorder David Stevens, hundreds of volunteers will have to be enlisted to hand count tens of thousands of ballots in the 2024 election.

That could delay certification, and as Branch told the appeals court judges, could lead to two separate sets of results, since she said it is a well-known fact that machine counts are more accurate than having people count multiple races on each ballot.

Other GOP-led counties are almost certain to follow Cochise Countys lead. Mohave County supervisors are considering scrapping tabulation machines altogether for next years election, although they face pushback from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

The state Election Procedures Manual, the road map for county election officials that provides detailed guidance on running elections based on state law, specifically says counties can expand the hand-count audit of early ballots. More than 80% of the ballots cast in Arizona are cast early, and the remaining votes cast in-person on Election Day are subject to different auditing rules.

The appeals court may get around that, Branch said, by noting that an informal opinion issued by former Attorney General Mark Brnovich last year, that counties can hand-count all ballots, has been withdrawn by new Attorney General Kris Mayes and replaced.

Also, Gov. Katie Hobbs, who signed off on the 2019 manual when she was secretary of state, has told the court that section about hand counts runs counter to the law and should be ignored.

State law, which trumps the Election Procedures Manual, doesnt allow a full hand count, Branch said.

Fontes, who like Mayes and Hobbs is a Democrat, is currently working on a new version of the manual. Fontes spokesman Paul Smith Leonard declined to say Tuesday whether that provision would be dropped, but Branch told the justices it would be.

We have every reason to believe that in the (Election Procedures Manual) that comes out at the end of the year, that line about counties having additional discretion will be removed, Branch said. Because every state official who is involved in the EPM process  the attorney general, the governor, the secretary of state  all agree that that line should be rendered inoperable because it conflicts with state law.
One year on, Xinjiang's desert rail loop brings convenience, prosperity

16:52, July 19, 2023 By Liu Hongxia, Zhao Chenjie, Guan Qiaoqiao and Hao Yu ( Xinhua

URUMQI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- As student Abdulrehim Abduleli moved toward the hometown of his childhood role model, he was filled with excitement, looking expectantly out of the train window and checking his watch from time to time.

The boy's role model, Kurban Tulum, was a resident of Yutian County, Hotan Prefecture, in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Uygur farmer is well-known for his role in promoting ethnic solidarity. Although he passed away in 1975, his story lives on.

"Since childhood, we were aware that Kurban Tulum had tried to ride a donkey from Xinjiang to Beijing. Now, we can take this clean and convenient train to his hometown," said 13-year-old Abdulrehim Abduleli, a resident of Hotan's Moyu County, some 200 km from Yutian. He was joined on his trip by over 30 students.

The boy was able to make this dream journey thanks to the 2,712-km rail loop encircling the Taklimakan, China's largest desert. Launched in June 2022, it is the world's first desert loop railway line.

The loop links major cities including Aksu, Kashgar, Hotan and Korla, and has put the development of Xinjiang, especially its southern part, on a faster track.

CONVENIENCE, DEVELOPMENT

Located in southern Xinjiang, Hotan is well-known, among other things, for its top-notch, mouthwatering fruits, and yet for a long time it lagged behind on development. Now things are improving, especially with the launch of the desert railway.

"By this special train, walnuts will be transported to our customers quickly," said Rozimamat Nuri, general manager of Kelaimu Agricultural Product Company of Hotan County, adding that he expects to sell over 40,000 tonnes of walnuts this year.

According to China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd., as of mid-June, a total of nearly 33.5 million tonnes of goods had been delivered through the freight transportation centers in the cities of Korla and Kashgar, thanks to the loop railway.

Industrial agglomeration has also been accelerated. The railway station of Qira County in Hotan Prefecture, a node of the loop, was also launched last year. Not far from the station is the Tianjin industrial park, where textiles and electronics enterprises are busy making products, while the main building of a regional logistics distribution center has been erected.

"We have started to build a logistics center in the area surrounding the station. Locally produced goods and other southern Xinjiang products can be delivered to the Kashgar economic development zone by railway, to better link with the Central Asian market in the future," said Ma Jiangshan, a major official with Qira County.

According to Xinjiang's transport authorities, the autonomous region has over 220,000 km of highway, nearly 8,770 km of railway in operation and 25 civil transport airports.

The fast-track development of Xinjiang's traffic infrastructure impressed Abdulrehim Abduleli. The boy said that, when he goes to university, he hopes to study a major linked to transportation. "I want to build high-speed railways in southern Xinjiang in the future," he said.

BOOMING TOURISM

The desert rail loop has not only brought convenience and opportunities to residents living nearby, but has also given tourists an opportunity to learn more about Xinjiang.

In Ruoqiang County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, people from various ethnic groups perform Muqam, a traditional art form of the Uygur ethnic group integrating song, dance, and folk and classical music, while tourists applaud or dance along with the melody.

"We are much busier this year," said Ershidin Tursun, head of the Loulan Art Troupe of Ruoqiang County. "Sometimes we even have to add temporary performances or rehearse a newly developed dance drama to meet the demand from tourists."

For Hasyetikhan Matursun, a guide at the Kurban Tulum memorial hall, the ongoing summer vacation is indeed a busy one. But she enjoys the buzz of activity.

"Sometimes we are very busy, but we are happy that more people are coming here and learning about Kurban Tulum's deeds," she said.

Xinjiang saw a rebound in the tourism sector this year. During the first half of 2023, the region received more than 102 million tourist trips, up 31.49 percent year on year, said the regional culture and tourism department.

Among the experiences that tourists really enjoy is the local cuisine, including traditional baked buns stuffed with meat and sometimes vegetables, a typical delicacy of Xinjiang.

In a baked bun restaurant in Hotan City, a waiter demonstrates how to enjoy the buns by cutting away the tough flat side to reveal the steaming contents. Diners take photos and share them with friends via social media.

"The baked buns in Xinjiang are large and they have a fragrant aroma," said tourist Fan Fei, adding that they are similar to the pineapple buns in her hometown of Guangdong Province, one of the country's economic powerhouses.

The rail loop is also convenient for people living near the desert who wish to travel outside Xinjiang. This year, a batch of students from the middle school of Ruoqiang County took the railway to Urumqi, where there is an abundance of airlines, then caught a plane to Shanghai, according to Feng Haiyan, who works with the school.

"Traveling by train is affordable and convenient. Our students went to Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University, and experienced artificial intelligence and engaged in assembling robots in an innovative factory," said Feng.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Last weekend, comrades from across the British section of the IMT gathered for this years Marxist Summer Camp, themed around the Communist International. Attendees left feeling educated, energised, and ready to build the forces of Marxism.

Between 14-16 July, over 110 comrades from across Britain  along with visitors from the recently-founded Irish group of the IMT  travelled to the Peak District to participate in the Marxist Student Federations second residential Marxist Summer Camp.

The theme of this years school was The lessons of the Communist International. Founded in 1919 by Lenin and Trotsky as a vehicle for world socialist revolution, the debates and resolutions of the first four congresses of the Comintern offer a treasure trove of communist theory, strategy, and tactics.

Over the weekend, every comrade rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in with the running of the camp  whether it was cooking, bartending, cleaning, or running the Wellred Books tent. This teamwork brought comrades closer together, and helped the event to run as seamlessly as possible  apart from a few flooded tents!

Unbroken thread

The weekend opened with a session on the history of Communist International, introduced by Fiona Lali, a national organiser for the MSF.

All set up and ready for the opening session of the Marxist Student Summer Camp 2023. We're kicking off the event by discussing The History of the International: From Marx To Trotsky.  pic.twitter.com/zvY56zpYJB  Marxist Student (@MarxistStudent) July 14, 2023

Fiona traced the unbroken thread of genuine Marxism: from the International Working Mens Association set up by Marx and Engels; through the rise and fall of the Comintern; to our efforts to build an international as part of the IMT today.

As Trotsky explained to the first congress of the Comintern, the role of an international is to generalise the revolutionary experience of the working class  to act as its living memory and guide the struggle to victory.

Comrades came into the discussion covering different aspects of this rich history: the battle between Marxism and anarchism in the First International; the reformist degeneration of the Second International; Lenin and Trotskys unwavering defence of internationalism, which laid the basis for the Third International; and much more.

Following dinner in the evening, comrades spent time huddled around the warmth of a campfire singing revolutionary songs from across the world, such as Bella Ciao, El Pueblo Unido, and Die Arbeiter von Wien.

The mood was electric, with one comrade describing it as an unforgettable weekend; a perfect mixture of education and fun.

Lessons of the Comintern

The next morning, comrades got up bright and early for the first two concurrent sessions. In one, comrades discussed the German Revolution of 1918-1923  a revolution which was vital to the success of the world revolution.

The discussion went into the revolutions betrayal by the Social-Democratic leaders, and the mistakes of the inexperienced German Communist Party. These mistakes, flowing from the vacillating leadership offered by Zinoviev and Stalin, paved the way for the defeat of the German working class.

Over the weekend, comrades took part in six political discussions covering the lessons of the Communist International / Image: Socialist Appeal

In the other session, comrades discussed Lenins struggle against ultra-leftism: an infantile disorder that the new and inexperienced communist parties suffered from. By refusing on principle to participate in the reformist mass organisations and bourgeois parliaments, the communist parties risked isolating themselves from the broader masses.

The discussion expanded on how communists must meet the masses where they are, using transitional demands that correspond to the stage of the class struggle, in order to raise the sights of the working class to the task of seizing power.

This discussion paired well with the afternoons session on the united front: a tactic adopted by the Comintern to allow the communists to reach the masses, by fighting alongside the reformist organisations, and in doing so exposing the limits of the reformist leaders. This method retains its full importance for communists to this day.

Another session focused on Stalins theory of socialism in one country: an anti-Marxist theory which was put forward by the Soviet bureaucracy, which began to emerge and assert their interests as the Russian Revolution degenerated.

One comrade described the Summer Camp as an unforgettable weekend; a perfect mixture of education and fun / Image: Socialist Appeal

Comrades came into the discussion to highlight how this policy led to the mistakes and betrayals of the Comintern under Stalin, in periods like the 1925-27 Chinese Revolution, the 1926 British general strike, and Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.

This policy culminated in the transformation of the Comintern from a vehicle for world socialist revolution, into a narrow tool of Kremlin foreign policy, and in its eventual dissolution by Stalin in 1943.

Forces of Marxism

In Saturdays final session, comrades split into groups to discuss our ongoing Are You a Communist? recruitment campaign, and how we can prepare for the upcoming university freshers period.

As one comrade remarked: The caucus provided some great ideas for how we can use our Marxist societies as a tool for building the forces of communism on campus. We cant wait to carry the energy of the Are You a Communist? campaign into universities and colleges!

Comrades then braved the torrential rain for a revolutionary walk along the Monsal Trail, brandishing red flags in the beautiful surroundings of the Peak District.

After yesterday's discussions on "Socialism in One Country: Why Stalin Doctored Theory", and "The United Front tactic", comrades went on a revolutionary ramble along the Monsal trail. The rain didn't dampen our revolutionary spirit one bit!  pic.twitter.com/8R8EUnWDd6  Marxist Student (@MarxistStudent) July 16, 2023

A fierce downpour forced the comrades to take shelter in a tunnel, where some comrades mounted a soap-box to give some rabble-rousing speeches, and a rendition of the Internationale erupted.

Once dried off, the camaraderie and high-spirits were transferred to a local pub, where we had lively political discussions, topped off with an uproarious pub quiz.

Glad comrades enjoyed the quiz at the Marxist Summer Camp - though clearly not everyone was satisfied with the answers... pic.twitter.com/MjGo4lGFee  harrykt (@harrykt1917) July 18, 2023

Carrying the torch

In the final session on Sunday, Socialist Appeal editor Rob Sewell, outlined Lenins conditions for joining the Communist International.

Rob explained the enduring significance of Bolshevism  the living application of Marxist theory  and the importance of building a well-trained cadre organisation to prepare for the tasks of revolution.

We are entering an epoch of crisis and instability; of revolution and counter-revolution  a period just like the one which gave birth to the Comintern itself.

In the final session on Sunday, Socialist Appeal editor Rob Sewell, outlined Lenins conditions for joining the Communist International / Image: Socialist Appeal

As Rob summarised: The great days of the Communist International will live again, but this time on a qualitatively higher level.

Comrades left the camp feeling energised and ready to take on the historic tasks at hand. Our enthusiasm stems directly from our understanding of Marxist theory, and our unshakeable faith in the power of the working class.

The thirst for revolutionary theory was evident, when it was announced that the Wellred Books tent had completely sold out of books  raising over 1600 for the communist cause.

As one comrade shared: Ive learnt so much; met so many comrades. But most of all I feel so politically energisedIll forever be proud to be part of the IMT.

Now we must finish off what Lenin and the Bolsheviks started over 100 years ago: to build a genuine communist international and complete the task of international socialist revolution.

Originally published at socialist.net
A man armed with 1,800 rounds of ammunition, a grenade and other explosives in his car unleashed a "murderous barrage of fire as he ambushed officers who were investigating a routine crash, killing one and wounding two before a fourth stopped him and thwarted what authorities described as plans for further mayhem, officials said Wednesday.

Mohamad Barakat, 37, shot Officers Jake Wallin, Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes from inside his car on Friday, from about 15 to 20 feet away, before they could even reach for their guns, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said at a news conference. Wallin was killed while Dotas and Hawes remain hospitalized in critical condition. Wrigley said Barakat also shot and injured a bystander, who was trying to run away when she was hit twice.

But Officer Zach Robinson, who just happened to be nearby, disabled Barakat's .223 -caliber rifle with a difficult shot from his own 9 mm handgun from about 75 feet (22.86 meters) away. Wrigley said Barakat  who was on the ground  then picked up a handgun and waved it around. As Robinson moved closer, he ordered Barakat to drop the gun 16 times, then killed him in a confrontation that lasted about two minutes, Wrigley said.

In the wake of Mohamad Barakats murderous, unprovoked attack, Officer Zach Robinsons use of deadly force was reasonable, it was necessary, it was justified, and in all ways, it was lawful," Wrigley told reporters. "Mohamad Barakat engaged in a savage attack. ... He unleashed what can only be described fairly as a murderous barrage of fire. But that isnt to say it wasnt precise. In fact, it was.

Investigators found 1,800 rounds of ammunition, three long guns, four handguns, numerous ammo magazines, explosives, canisters with gasoline and a homemade hand grenade in Barakat's car, he said. Officials released a photograph showing that eight of the magazines bore American flag stickers or decals.

Wrigley said Barakat also had a shooting vest that wasn't bulletproof, but had magazines in every pocket, and he had a suitcase of weapons, which he had rolled out of his apartment right before getting into his car. There was no mention of whether Barakat had any protective gear.

When you look at the amount of ammunition this shooter had in his car, he was planning on more mayhem in our community, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney said. Police Chief David Zibolski said Barakat's target was unknown.

Wrigley provided the most detailed account yet that authorities have given about what happened during the gunfight. He said investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the attack on police but promised more details on the investigation at a news conference planned for Friday.

Wrigley said video evidence shows Barakat drove around and was nonchalant before opening fire.

Hes casing the place up and stalking his way in and sizing up his opportunity and then parks there and spends minutes watching the officers and waits until they are literally walking," Wrigley said. "Thats when he lifts his firearm out the window and begins firing. It was an absolute ambush. Theres no other way to describe that.

Wrigley said Robinson displayed absolute courage under fire as he moved away from the cover of his vehicle and exchanged fire with Barakat, including a shot that incapacitated the suspects rifle  leaving roughly 20 rounds unused that could have been fired at other people. Robinson called in for help, and as he started approaching Barakat, he saw his colleagues were shot.

He said, We have three officers down. Send everybody, Wrigley said. And send everybody they did.

At some point Barakat was wounded, and was down on the ground, but he rearmed himself with a 9 mm handgun that he kept waving around, protected by his car, Wrigley said. Barakat continued to disobey Robinsons repeated commands to drop his gun. Robinson continued to move in and gave him one final command.

Put down the gun, He does not. And the threat was neutralized by the officer, the attorney general said.

Shortly after the shooting, authorities, including the FBI, converged on a residential area about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away and evacuated residents of an apartment building to gather what they said was related evidence. Wrigley said Wednesday that authorities found more firearms at the apartment.

The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI are still investigating.

The funeral service for Wallin, 23, is set for Saturday morning in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, according to an obituary. A private service will follow graveside at a cemetery in Nisswa, Minnesota.

Wallin served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq from November 2020 to July 2021. He and Hawes were sworn in less than three months ago and were still in training when they responded to Friday's crash.

Governors of Minnesota and North Dakota have directed U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Wallin through sunset on Saturday, and encouraged residents and businesses to do the same.

This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Zach Robinson's first name in a quote.
South Florida Sun Sentinel. July 14, 2023.

Editorial: Merciless Florida makes death penalty more likely

Floridas death penalty law, enacted in 1972 to satisfy the U.S. Supreme Courts objections to arbitrariness, capriciousness and racism, still left much to interpretation.

Upholding the law a year later, the Florida Supreme Court made promises that would prove difficult to keep. The court has now disgracefully repudiated what was left of them.

Voting 5 to 1, the court renounced its own policy to review and reduce death sentences that were excessive compared to how co-defendants were judged.

The majority said it had already done so, in effect, when it decided three years ago to forsake comparing new death sentences to others it had approved or reduced, a practice known as proportionality review.

The courts dubious excuse was that because the U.S. Supreme Court does not require proportionality review, the Florida Constitution forbids Florida from practicing it.

Failure, 50 years later

Taken together, the decisions give the lie to what Justice James C. Adkins Jr. famously  and fatuously  promised in the 1973 majority decision.

Review by the court, he wrote, would limit the death sentence to only the most aggravated and unmitigated of most serious crimes. The sentencing process would become a matter of reasoned judgment rather than an exercise in discretion at all.

Although it never quite lived up to that, the court tried. But that was before three liberal justices had to retire four years ago and Gov. Ron DeSantis replaced them with conservatives seemingly chosen for how bloodthirsty they would be.

With 293 prisoners on death row and DeSantis having resumed executions at the rate of one a month, Florida presents a merciless face to a civilized world where capital punishment has long been on the wane. The U.S. Supreme Court, which has yet to review Floridas law in its present version, should not uphold what is now the nations most death-oriented regime.

DeSantis new law, allowing death sentences if as few as eight of 12 jurors recommend them, will pick up the pace, even as the court has willfully rendered itself powerless to review them for fairness or the lack of it.

That is particularly savage because of the well-known fact that plea bargaining often results in life sentences for some killers while co-defendants who insist on their right to trial are sent to death row. The smarter ones, who may be the instigators, know that being the first to cop a plea can make the difference between life and death.

The law should be the same

Moreover, the discretion left to prosecutors, juries and judges puts intense pressure on defendants to plead guilty even when theyre not.

These issues suffused one of the first cases in which the court weighed relative culpability.

In 1975, the court reduced Darius Slaters death sentence for an Orlando robbery-murder because the actual trigger man, Charlie Ware, had pleaded no contest to killing a motel manager and was sentenced to life. Resentenced to life, Slater served 29 years before being paroled.

We pride ourselves in a system of justice that requires equality before the law, wrote Justice Ben Overton in the 5-2 majority opinion. Defendants should not be treated differently upon the same or similar facts. When the facts are the same, the law should be the same. The imposition of the death sentence in this case is clearly not equal justice under the law.

Adkins, whose opinion upheld the law, agreed.

John Crews, a North Florida circuit judge filling in for one of the other justices, agreed and went further. Affirming Slaters sentence, he wrote, would have an impermissible chilling effect on a defendants right to go to trial.

It would also inevitably weaken the learned opinion of Mr. Chief Justice Adkins sustaining the constitutionality of Floridas death penalty statutes, Crews added.

The court has now done just that.

What Adkins wrote in 1973 clearly influenced the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Floridas law. That decision, in 1976, spoke of the Florida courts commitment to assure consistency, fairness and rationality in the evenhanded operation of the state law.

That is no longer true of the original law and it is even less so now that the Florida court is the most death-prone in the nation. Before abandoning proportionality and culpability review, it receded from its 2017 decision requiring unanimous jury recommendation for death sentences, enabling DeSantis to demand and the Legislature to enact the present 8-4 minimum this year.

Prosecutors and judges around the state are beginning to apply it to defendants whose crimes predate it. That retroactivity is wrong, but Attorney General Ashley Moody seems to anticipate that the court will approve it. After the court stayed a Wakulla County proceeding against two men, Moody told the court it should let the case go on and rule on retroactivity only once someone is sentenced to death.

Cruz v. State

In its latest decision, the majority said that the life sentence a jury gave to co-defendant Justen Charles is irrelevant to and has no bearing on the death sentence for Christian Cruz for the same crime, even as it acknowledged many decisions where relative culpability mattered.

Cruz and Charles were convicted separately of kidnapping and murdering Christopher Jemery in Deltona in Seminole County 10 years ago.

Dissenting as he often does, Justice Jorge Labarga insisted, rightly so, that comparisons are consistent with the Eighth Amendment prohibition of arbitrary death sentences.

Surely, Labarga added, in a state that leads the nation with 30 exonerations of individuals from death row, every reasonable safeguard should be retained in this courts toolkit when reviewing death sentences to ensure that the death penalty is reserved for the most aggravated and least mitigated of murders.

But Floridas high court no longer cares.

Tampa Bay Times. July 17, 2023.

Editorial: On higher education, remember that Gov. DeSantis laws will outlast him ' Editorial

Amid fears of a brain drain, keeping Floridas #1 rank in higher education should not be about murmurs and mood. It should focus on the effect of laws on the books.

Amid the growing but anecdotal evidence that Floridas new laws might be chasing university faculty away lies a real, deeper concern. Because incontrovertible proof is hard to come by, people can argue about how real the effects are. But they cant dismiss an important reality, one that hasnt been central to this debate so far. From the Stop Woke Act to making it harder for faculty to retain tenure, each change risks corroding the integrity of Floridas highly ranked higher education system. Like a slowly rusting water pipe, the damage may not be noticeable next week or next year, but its there  and will be expensive to fix.

Thats the real problem. Each one of these actions by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his captive Republican Legislature dont just reflect their beliefs and their policies; they are the law of the land in Florida  and could remain so long after DeSantis has left the Governors Mansion. The worst may not even come on his watch. Floridians will be left to pick up the pieces and rewrite the laws, or the problems will only get worse.

In May, when DeSantis signed the ban on funding DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs, he said that: Florida has ranked No. 1 in higher education for seven years in a row, and by signing this legislation we are ensuring that Floridas institutions encourage diversity of thought, civil discourse and the pursuit of truth for generations to come. Florida is taking a stand for empowering students, parents and educators to focus on creating opportunities for our younger generations. I am happy to have worked with the Legislature to get this important legislation signed, sealed and delivered.

Floridians who care about higher education should mark the governors words, particularly this phrase: for generations to come. It is true that U.S. News & World Report again has Florida No. 1 in higher education. Its also a fact that the University of Florida, now ranked within the Top 5 public universities in the country, worked for years to gain that distinction. But reputations and rankings that take years or decades to nurture and carefully build can also wither away. And once they are lost, the hard work that went into acquiring them has to start again.

Its hard to see how any of the recent laws will help boost those rankings or, in fact, to sustain where they are now. Will 2021s Intellectual Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity Act, which encouraged lawsuits to ensure students expressive rights at colleges, in any way help to keep Florida No. 1 in higher education? That law allows students to record class lectures as evidence. How will that kind of intimidation help to keep rankings high?

Same for the Stop Woke Act, which banned universities from promoting concepts that make anyone feel guilt, anguish or other psychological distress related to race, color, national origin or sex because of actions committed in the past. The list of these new laws goes on.

In sum, they chill intellectual inquiry and frank, open classroom discussions and leave some topics  critical race theory, for one  virtually unmentionable. These are not the hallmarks of a great system of higher education. And, yet, they are the law in Florida and will remain so until the Legislature  some future Legislature  changes them.

Whatever people think of DeSantis and the manner in which he has fundamentally altered the arc of higher education in Florida, they should remember that, through the laws he has signed, his views will rule the educational landscape long after his term ends unless and until they are struck from the statutes. People may dismiss the anecdotes about trouble brewing for higher education in Florida, but the laws on the books are quite real, as will be their effects. Forward-looking Floridians and the Legislature that they elect should not wait for Floridas sky-high university rankings to collapse to understand this fact and to act to change it.

Miami Herald. July 18, 2023.

Editorial: DeSantis dangerous personal army is in turmoil. Lets hope it stays that way

Well, that didnt take long.

A little more than a year after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was activating the state guard for the first time in 75 years  a move that had government overreach written all over it  the civilian volunteer force is fast becoming an embarrassing mess at best and a powerful personal militia at worst.

An organization that started out with a non-military disaster-response mission has expanded into a group that can be deployed to protect  people and borders from illegal aliens and civil unrest.  Some recruits are dropping out because the training is more militaristic than they expected. The state is looking for the programs third leader in eight months. Recent stories by the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times and The New York Times documented the disarray and tensions.

Far from being a FEMA-style group, the new force is being trained by the states National Guard in a shortened and looser  some critics have called it slapdash  form of boot camp, with camouflage uniforms, shaved facial hair, rappelling with ropes, woodland navigation with a compass and military-style command. When the first class of recruits graduated in June, DeSantis issued a congratulatory press release calling them soldiers.

Roughed up

During training in June at Camp Blanding, the National Guard base near Jacksonville, a disabled retired Marine Corps captain who volunteered for the force reported to police that he was battered by Florida National Guard instructors who shoved him into a van after he questioned the program and its leadership.

Another former member, Brian Newhouse, a retired 20-year Navy veteran who was chosen to lead one of the State Guards three divisions, told the Miami Herald that the original idea for the force got hijacked and turned into something that we were trying to stay away from: a militia.

The idea started out more benignly, as power grabs usually do, dressed up in 2021 as mere assistance to the overworked Florida National Guard. In just a couple of years, it has grown from a proposal for 200 volunteers to more than 1,500 people, with a $108 million budget and planes and boats available to deploy.

DeSantis said thousands had applied. Of the 150 accepted, 120 graduated.

And the mission? In 2022, lawmakers said the guard was for emergencies and couldnt operate outside the state. Those requirements were dropped a year later. Add to that the fact that the Florida Guard reports directly to DeSantis and only to DeSantis, and you have the makings of a very dangerous situation in the Sunshine State.

The leaders of the organization told the Times that a military-style organization makes sense  it can coordinate easily with the National Guard. And calling the groups members soldiers is just tradition, going back to the way the guard was formed during World War II. The Florida guard, though, was disbanded in 1947, once the threat of war was over.

On our dime

This isnt about a real threat. Its fear-mongering. Its designed to pump up anti-immigration sentiment and take a swipe at President Biden. Its about one mans goal to become president. Its about duping taxpayers into paying for it all.

Maybe the chaos, then, is actually a blessing. If this state guard  with what sounds like an increasingly militaristic bent  were to get fully organized, it could easily become what we have feared from the start: a personal army for DeSantis. State power is already being abused here, in the so-called free state of Florida, to squelch dissent and free speech and target vulnerable groups.

How much worse could it become with a DeSantis Army at the ready?

Orlando Sentinel. July 18, 2023.

Editorial: In DeSantis Florida, obsession with LGBTQ Floridians keeps hitting new lows

By now, most Floridians get it: The DeSantis administration is obsessed with targeting the LGBTQ community in Florida dishonestly, irrationally and repetitively across multiple venues.

The latest salvos will be fired on Wednesday, when the state Board of Education takes up a group of proposals that would once again drag Florida educators down the path of persecution. Sooner or later, local school boards  who are elected by, and accountable to, the voters of each county  must start pushing back against this ridiculous, ongoing assault.

The policies up for adoption at Wednesdays meeting could be a good place to start  assuming they pass, which they likely will. Theyre just continuing the fear mongering from session, says Jon Harris Maurer, public policy director for Equality Florida, describing 2023 legislative changes that fall squarely into the more-of-the-same-homophobic-nonsense category.

Among the rules set for discussion:

1. An expansion of the rules intended to force students to use bathrooms associated with their gender determination at birth. This is an offshoot of 2023s ridiculous potty purity law (HB 1521) that attempts to keep transgender individuals out of bathrooms that correspond with their identity across multiple venues, including private businesses and government buildings. Lawmakers have consistently ignored the fact that by determining gender through at-birth assignment, the law is all but guaranteed to generate more uneasiness because it forces individuals to use restroom facilities that dont match with their current appearance or names. Yet lawmakers seem intent on forcing these uncomfortable confrontations, and have combined the bathroom provision with another rule that threatens the licensure status of teachers who violate it. Yet in most polls taken over the past 10 years, fewer than 40% of voters think that bathroom use by transgender people should be so illogically dictated. 2. A provision that would extend the infamous Dont Say Gay provisions to middle schools. Remember when DeSantis then-communications director put extensive effort into convincing Floridians that the prohibition on classroom discussion of gender and sexual protection was to protect very young children from too much sexy talk  which she used as cover for the ugly contention that anyone who lined up against that legislation was a groomer? Well, this rips that argument to shreds: Middle-school-aged children are certainly aware that same-sex relationships exist. Yet this rule also threatens teachers with misconduct charges for talking too much about that reality. 3. A new rule that seems to be aimed at protecting students from unexpected exposure to drag queens at any school-sponsored event or activity, because thats something that apparently happens all the time. (Or not.) The rule is written so broadly and confusingly that it could apply to many situations that most people would describe as harmless, including performances of Shakespeare plays, showing of the Disney film Mulan or a review of some religious texts. 4. Finally, a rule that punishes teachers that talk too much about preferred pronouns, which could make life difficult for English teachers.

We say these measures are likely to pass, because the Board of Education is currently acting as the public-school arm of DeSantis political committee. Still, we laud the organization of human-rights groups including Equality Florida, who intend to mobilize for Wednesdays meeting (scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort on Universal Boulevard in Orlando).

Their continued vocal opposition provides an ongoing reminder that, no matter how many times DeSantis and his supporters attack, this will never be something that passes without comment  and that it runs counter to the sentiments of the vast majority of the American people, who have long ago adopted a live-and-let-live approach to gender identity and sexual orientation. In an August 2022 Quinnipiac University poll, fewer than one in four Americans still opposed same-sex marriage. Support for civil-rights protections for LGBTQ people are almost as strong.

We hope, however, that local school officials are also paying attention. Unlike DeSantis supporters, who largely hold themselves aloof from the sentiments of Florida voters, they have to face their supporters. Even in the most conservative counties, many school board members are starting to express anguish over the pain theyre being forced to inflict. A widespread rebellion against these cruel and illogical policies might bring retaliation, since DeSantis has become increasingly fond of removing anyone from public office who dares to disagree with him.

But it would be a noble sacrifice. Florida needs more public officials to find the courage to stand up to Floridas self-designated emperor and say Governor, for someone so focused on Dont Say Gay, you sure seem to bring it up a lot. Find someone else to execute your politicized cruelty. Were done.

END
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  The U.S. and U.S.-led United Nations Command say they are working to resolve the situation involving a U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea at a border village. The incident involving Pvt. Travis King comes at a time of high tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The pace of both North Korea's weapons demonstrations and U.S.-South Korean military exercises has intensified lately in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Other Americans have crossed into North Korea over the years, including a few U.S. soldiers. Some of the Americans were motivated by evangelical zeal or simply attracted by the mystery of a severely cloistered police state fueled by anti-U.S. hatred.

Other Americans were detained after entering North Korea as tourists. In one tragic case, it ended in death.

Heres a look at other Americans who entered North Korea in the past years:

CHARLES JENKINS

Born in Rich Square, N.C., Charles Jenkins was one of the few Cold War-era U.S. soldiers who fled to North Korea while serving in the South.

Jenkins, then an Army sergeant, deserted his post in 1965 and fled across the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. North Korea treated Jenkins as a propaganda asset, showcasing him in leaflets and films.

In 1980, Jenkins married 21-year-old Hitomi Soga, a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978.

Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002. In 2004, Jenkins was allowed to leave North Korea and rejoin his wife in Japan, where he surrendered to U.S. military authorities and faced charges that he abandoned his unit and defected to North Korea. He was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 25 days in a U.S. military jail in Japan. He died in Japan in 2017.

BRUCE BYRON LOWRANCE

Its clear that North Koreas handling of American detainees is influenced by the state of its relations with Washington.

Bruce Byron Lowrance benefited from cozy diplomacy in 2018 between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who met for a summit in June that year where they issued aspirational goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula without describing when and how it would occur.

Five months later, North Korea announced it was expelling Lowrance who had entered the country illegally through China in October. North Koreas decision to deport Lowrance after only a month of confinement was remarkably quick by the countrys standards, apparently reflecting an eagerness to keep alive a positive atmosphere for dialogue with the United States.

During the buildup to the Trump-Kim summit in June, North Korea released three American detainees  Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song  who returned to home on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

However, the diplomacy broke down after the second Trump-Kim summit in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

MATTHEW MILLER

In September 2014, then a 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, Matthew Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labor by North Koreas Supreme Court on charges that he illegally entered the country for spying purposes.

The court claimed that Miller tore up his tourist visa upon arriving at Pyongyangs airport in April that year and admitted to a wild ambition of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the countrys human rights conditions.

North Koreas initial announcement about Millers detainment that month came as then-President Barack Obama was traveling in South Korea on a state visit.

Miller was freed in November that same year along with another American, Kenneth Bae, a missionary and tour leader.

Weeks before his release, Miller talked with The Associated Press at a Pyongyang hotel where North Korean officials allowed him to call his family. Miller said he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.

KENNETH BAE

Bae, a Korean-American missionary from Lynnwood, Washington, was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone.

North Korea sentenced Bae to 15 years in prison for hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town. Baes family said he suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes, and heart and liver problems.

Bae returned to the United States in November 2014 following a secret mission by James Clapper, then-U.S. director of national intelligence who also secured Millers release.

JEFFREY FOWLE

A month before Bae's and Millers release, North Korea also freed Jeffrey Fowle, an Ohio municipal worker who was detained for six months for leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin. Fowles release followed negotiations that involved retired diplomat and former Ohio Congressman Tony Hall.

While North Korea officially guarantees freedom of religion, analysts and defectors describe the country as strictly anti-religious. The distribution of Bibles and secret prayer services can mean imprisonment or execution, defectors say.

In 2009, American missionary Robert Park walked into North Korea with a Bible in his hand to draw attention to North Koreas human rights abuses. Park, who was deported from the North in February 2010, has said he was tortured by authorities.

OTTO WARMBIER

Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student, died in June 2017, shortly after he was flown home in a coma after 17 months in North Korean captivity.

Warmbier was seized by North Korean authorities from a tour group in January 2016 and convicted on charges of trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

While not providing a clear reason for Warmbiers brain damage, North Korea denied accusations by Warmbiers family that he was tortured and insisted that it had provided him medical care with all sincerity. The North accused the United States of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the biggest victim in his death.

In 2022, a U.S. federal judge in New York ruled that Warmbiers parents  Fred and Cindy Warmbier  should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501 million they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden on Tuesday is hosting Israel's figurehead president Isaac Herzog at the White House, as they seek to sustain ties despite U.S. concerns over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial plans to overhaul his countrys judicial system and ongoing settlement construction in the West Bank.

Herzog's visit comes a day after Biden spoke with Netanyahu by phone and invited him to meet in the U.S. this fall, although the president expressed reservations about several of the Netanyahu hard-right coalition's policies. Netanyahus government is pushing forward with judicial changes that have sparked widespread protest in Israel and he has authorized the construction of thousands of new housing units in the West Bank.

Netanyahu and his allies, a collection of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties, say the plan is needed to rein in the powers of unelected judges. Opponents say the plan will destroy Israels fragile system of checks and balances and move the country toward authoritarian rule.

Herzog has appealed for a compromise that has thus far proven elusive. Many American Jewish groups and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the plan.

During his visit, Herzog is set to meet with Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional leaders. On Wednesday he will become the second Israeli president, after his father Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. His speech will mark Israels celebration of its 75th year of independence.

Herzogs visit comes weeks after Israeli forces carried out one of their most intensive operations in the West Bank in two decades, with a two-day air and ground offensive in Jenin, a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank. Senior members of Netanyahus government have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israels control over the West Bank in response to a more than year-long wave of violence with the Palestinians.

U.S. officials have broadly supported Israels right to defend itself from militant attacks but have also urged restraint to minimize harm to civilians and have lobbied against additional settlements that would further diminish the chances of securing a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinians.

The Biden administration declined to say whether Biden would host Netanyahu at the White House  as the Israeli leader has hoped  or in New York on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly.

White House visits are typically standard protocol for Israeli prime ministers, and the delay in Netanyahu receiving one has become an issue in Israel, with opponents citing it as a reflection of deteriorating relations with the U.S.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden again on Monday expressed concern to Netanyahu over the judicial plan  as he did when they last spoke earlier this year  and urged the broadest possible consensus over the legislation that has been pushed by Netanyahu and his hard-line coalition.

Kirby said during the call Biden also expressed his ironclad, unwavering commitment to Israels security and that the two leaders discussed Irans nuclear program and regional security issues. Biden also expressed concern over Israels continued settlement growth in the West Bank and urged Israel to take steps to preserve the viability of a two-state solution with Palestinians.

Biden, Kirby said, also welcomed steps by the Palestinian Authority to reassert security control in Jenin and other areas of the West Bank and moves by Israel and Palestinians to move toward another round of direct talks.

Progressive lawmakers, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush and Ilhan Omar have pledged to boycott Herzog's address in protest of Israel's policies.

Herzog's visit comes days after Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the influential 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, sparked outrage for calling Israel a racist state," including criticism from House Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Jayapal later said she was criticizing Israel's government, not its existence as a country.

Kirby said Biden was glad she apologized. We think an apology was the right thing to do," he told reporters Monday.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim all three territories for a future independent state.
More than 11,500 Oklahomans stand to benefit from the White Houses latest student debt forgiveness effort, with nearly $550 million in loan cancellations approved for qualifying borrowers in the state.

The new plan  which will forgive $39 billion in student loans nationally for more than 804,000 borrowers  was announced this week by President Joe Biden and targets low-income borrowers who have been repaying their loans for 20 or more years.

Those who are eligible are not required to take any action, officials said, and will be alerted by their loan service when their debt is discharged.

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 in a statement. My administration is delivering on that commitment.

He said the discharges are part of an effort to address historical failures in the administration of the federal student loan program. Under the programs income-driven repayment plans, qualifying payments should have moved borrowers closer to forgiveness but were not accurately accounted for, officials said.

The announcement comes after Bidens previous, much broader student debt cancellation plan was struck down in February by the U.S. Supreme Court.

That proposal, first announced in August 2022, would have provided up to $20,000 in debt relief to over 40 million Americans. Included were at least 172,000 Oklahomans who were approved before the plan was struck down.

Biden said the Supreme Court made the wrong decision, prompting his administration to seek an alternative path to relief for as many borrowers as possible, as soon as possible.

Among Oklahoma residents, about 12.3% have student loan debt and owe on average $31,525, according to educationdata.org.

More than half of Oklahomans with student loan debt are 35 or older.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said: For far too long, borrowers fell through the cracks of a broken system that failed to keep accurate track of their progress toward forgiveness. Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking another historic step to right these wrongs. By fixing past administrative failures, we are ensuring everyone gets the forgiveness they deserve.

The U.S. Department of Education began notifying eligible borrowers last Friday.

For more information on income-driven loan repayment, go to studentaid.gov/idr.

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It seems to be quite the hot topic these days (pun intended)  the heat. Temperatures this week are soaring into the triple digits in parts of Oklahoma and the Southwest.

On Tuesday our highs topped out at 101 degrees, making it the second 100-degree day so far this season. The only other time we hit that triple-digit mark was back on June 29, when the official site at the Tulsa International Airport reached 102 degrees.

The heat continues on as a ridge of high pressure looms overhead bringing forecast highs for Wednesday afternoon to 101 degrees.

In addition to the soaring air temperature, the heat index values have been difficult to bear if your daily activities take you outside.

On Tuesday the heat index value in Tulsa topped off at 107, according to the National Weather Service, and for Wednesday the heat index value is forecast to hit 114 degrees.

This prompted multiple heat advisories and warnings across the state. And officials stressed that strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day should be limited.

You often hear that its not the heat; its the humidity, but when it comes to the heat index value, it is both. The humidity plays a factor in elevating heat index values on hot days when the air temperatures soar.

So how is the heat index calculated? Thankfully, the National Weather Service has a user-friendly chart that determines the heat index value when calculating the combined air temperature and relative humidity levels.

And on hot days like today, something else to remember is that the official temperature recording is always taken in the shade.

When temperature recording was first established, we were trying to find some sort of uniformity, said Steve Piltz with the Tulsa National Weather Service office. To eliminate any obstruction, the temperature must be taken at a height of six feet above the ground, in the shade, and preferably over a natural habitat.

Interestingly enough, Piltz said, back in 1992 the thermometer at Tulsa International Airport was moved. It was originally mounted near a building but was repositioned farther away and over a grassy area. He said there was a noticeable dip in the temperatures, which were 1 degrees cooler than normal after that move.

This is also why it is best not to trust the temperature reading on your car or on a digital billboard. Those thermometers are likely in a spot near an air conditioning unit or in direct sunlight, which will alter the actual temperature reading.

So while highs are well above our season average, our current weather pattern is forecast to change as we head into Thursday and Friday.

The strong ridge of high pressure centered over the state will begin to retreat west and allow for shower and storm activity to increase once again by the latter half of the week.

Slightly cooler temperatures are also on the horizon with this shift. In fact, highs in the 80s are actually possible for Friday and Saturday.



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A phone tip about a bomb at the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office building south of the state Capitol on Wednesday turned out to be a false alarm, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Spokeswoman Sarah Stewart said the OHP received a call describing a vehicle that possibly was carrying a bomb.

That vehicle pulled up and we immediately stopped the vehicle and took the driver into custody, Stewart said in an email. Our bomb squad searched the vehicle, parking lot and the AGs offices. Nothing was found.

Stewart said the driver was arrested but that she did not have information about charges or the persons identity.

Besides the offices of Attorney General Gentner Drummond and his staff, the building also houses grand jury rooms. The Attorney Generals office confirmed that a grand jury was meeting at the time of the threat.



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Update: Joey Whorton was taken into custody late Tuesday, Muskogee County Sheriff's Office said. He is accused in the slaying of Julie Whorton, his wife of two years.

Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation, according to Muskogee County Sheriff Andy Simmons.

The story below published in Wednesday's Tulsa World:

Muskogee County deputies are seeking a person of interest in a homicide investigation that began Tuesday afternoon in the Fort Gibson area.

Investigators have identified Joey Whorton, 49, as a person of interest after the Muskogee County Sheriffs Office responded to the homicide at a residence near 2 Mile Road and U.S. 62 around 1:30 p.m.

The Sheriffs Office has not released information on the deceased or the nature of the homicide.

Whorton is white and 5-foot-11 with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a white 2018 Ford F-250 extended-cab flatbed pickup with Oklahoma license plate OMU-221. The truck is possibly hauling a trailer with lawn mowers.

Those with information about Whortons whereabouts are asked to call the Muskogee County Sheriffs Office at 918-687-0202.



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OKLAHOMA CITY  Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell has been appointed to serve as secretary of workforce development, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday.

Lt. Governor Pinnell is a successful businessman with a talent for fostering economic growth in Oklahoma, Stitt said in a press release. As Secretary of Tourism, his leadership saw the highest visitation levels weve had in state history. I know he will bring that same level of excitement and energy into recruiting new talent to Oklahoma.

Pinnell has served as Oklahomas first secretary of tourism since January 2019. Under his leadership, Oklahoma experienced the best tourism year in state history, generating $10.1 billion in direct visitor spending and creating 4,000 new jobs, according to Stitts office.

In partnership with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Pinnell launched multiple successful marketing campaigns that produced more than $100 million in revenue for the state, Stitts office reported.

I am excited to take on the role of Secretary of Workforce Development and help lead the modernization of our economic development practices, Pinnell said.

As an entrepreneur myself, I know Oklahoma is one of the best places to run a business. Companies are looking for a pipeline of talent to hire a quality workforce and get Oklahomans the jobs they need. I look forward to helping businesses partner with education and career training programs.

Pinnell already serves on the Oklahoma Department of Commerce committee focused on small-business growth, entrepreneurship and workforce development.

If confirmed by the Senate, Pinnell will step down as secretary of tourism, wildlife and heritage in order to accept the new position.

In his capacity as lieutenant governor, he can break tie votes in the 48-member Senate, where he serves as president.



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MASS SHOOTING

HAMPTON, Ga.  Officers on Sunday shot and killed a man wanted in four weekend killings near Atlanta during an exchange of gunfire, with a sheriff's deputy and two police officers wounded while trying to take the suspect into custody, authorities said.

Officials said Andre Longmore was shot during an intense manhunt for the 40-year-old suspect. The exchange of gunfire came a day after Saturday morning's shootings rocked a bucolic subdivision in Hampton, south of Georgia's main city.

Officials said Longmore was killed about 15 miles to the north of Hampton in suburban Jonesboro. A Henry County sheriff's deputy and two Clayton County police officers were injured at separate locations in the attempt to arrest Longmore, they said.

One officer was shot in the back and was taken by helicopter to an Atlanta trauma center, Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett said. "He is conscious, breathing and talking at this time," Scandrett said of that officer.

Clayton County Police Chief Kevin Turner said all three officers are expected to recover.

Hampton Police Chief James Turner said the four killed Saturday were residents of the same Dogwood Lakes neighborhood where Longmore lived and were shot within a 10-minute span. He identified the victims as 67-year old Scott Leavitt and his wife, 66year old Shirley Leavitt, 65-year old Steve Blizzard and 66-year old Ronald Jeffers.

Sherry Wyatt, who works at Hampton's recreation center near Jeffers' home, said Jeffers would regularly come in to sing at the senior center that shares the building.

A few months ago, Jeffers came over to her side of the building to practice and she told him his voice was beautiful.

"I'm just so glad I told him he sang like an angel," said Wyatt, adding her heart was heavy Sunday over his death. "I know he is in heaven now singing."

A relative of Blizzard didn't immediately respond to a Facebook message.

Authorities were seeking to arrest Longmore on four murder warrants for the deaths. Turner said the motive remained under investigation.

On Sunday, neighbor Frankie Worth told The Associated Press he heard a gunshot Saturday morning as he was reaching for his living room window to open the blinds and see how much yard work he had to do.

Worth, who identified himself as a Marine Corps veteran, said he ducked "just for a second" and then looked back out the window.

Longmore, who Worth knew only as Andre, was standing in the middle of the street. Worth said he saw the man's hands jerking from the recoil of firing a silver handgun.

Worth said the man appeared to have fired at a white car driven by another neighbor, "an older white gentleman." He said the shooting happened on the edge of a cul-desac where they all live.

Worth said Longmore appeared to evaluate whether he needed to shoot again and then "started walking casually" toward the entrance to the subdivision, then at a "brisk stride." Worth said he ran upstairs, watching Longmore disappear behind some trees as he called police. Worth said he heard no more gunshots after that.

Police said Longmore fled in a black GMC Acadia SUV. At least three police cars staked out the neighborhood Sunday.

The shootings marked the 31st mass killing of 2023, taking the lives of at least 153 people this year, according to a database maintained by The AP and USA Today in a partnership with Northeastern University.
PHOENIX -- A global pattern of heat waves scorching parts of Europe, Asia and the United States intensified on Tuesday, with the World Meteorological Organization warning of an increased risk of deaths linked to excessively high temperatures.

Americans were facing a medley of extreme weather, from blazing heat from Texas to Southern California to smoke-choked air wafting into the Midwest from Canada's wildfires. Flood warnings were up for Vermont towns that were inundated just last week, while Tropical Storm Calvin was expected to hit the Pacific island state of Hawaii later on Tuesday.

The southwestern city of Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday recorded its 19th consecutive day in which the daily high exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius), breaking its all-time record of 18 days.

As temperatures in the Arizona capital climbed to 116F (47C), out-of-state visitor Amit Ghagoji, 40, set out for a hike in the trails of Phoenix's Papago Park.

"It's like you open an oven door and it's the heat wave," Bhagoji said. "If you're, like, making cookies or something and you open the oven door, it's going to hit you right in the face."

Tom Frieders, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Phoenix, said regional high temperatures would range between 115F and 120F (48.9C) for five to seven more days if not longer.

"It'll take probably some monsoon thunderstorms and cooling rains to come - hopefully, eventually - that will help to cool things down," Frieders said.

In the northeastern state of Vermont, thunderstorms were in the forecast for areas already saturated from recent torrential rainfall, raising the risk of more flooding. Last week, high water in the capital city of Montpelier forced road closures and trapped some residents in their homes.

A woman wearing a hat uses a phone during a heatwave in Bologna, Italy, July 18, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Europe scorched

With baking temperatures hitting Europe during the peak summer tourist season, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the heat wave in the northern hemisphere was set to intensify. An estimated 61,000 people may have died in heat waves last year in Europe alone.

The EU's emergency response coordination center issued red alerts for high temperatures for most of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

In Italy, tourists have been trying to keep cool by splashing in Rome's fountains and standing under giant fans set up outside the Colosseum. Some were forced to queue for taxis for more than an hour in the heat outside the central railway station in Rome due to the capital's chronic shortage of cabs.

Tourists queue to enter the Royal Palace museum amid a heatwave in Madrid, Spain, July 17, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The Mediterranean island of Sardinia hit 44C (112F) and Rome topped out at 40C (104F) on Tuesday, as the health ministry issued red weather alerts for 20 of the country's 27 main cities, with the number expected to rise to 23 on Wednesday.

The heat has prompted some travelers to go home early. Anita Elshoy and her husband returned to Norway from their vacation spot of Vasanello, a village north of Rome, a week earlier than planned.

"(I) got a lot of pain in the head, legs and (my) fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy," Elshoy said of her heat-related symptoms.

In Greece, authorities told citizens close to a forest fire in Dervenochoria, north of Athens, to shut doors and windows as smoke approached.

Standing in his burned-out house in Ano Lagonissi that had been his home for 32 years, Giorgos Nikolau, 89, described how he fled the fire with just the swimming trunks and shirt he was wearing.

"I have nothing else, I don't even have other shoes. Nothing. I am finished," he said.

Robert A. places his head in misters during an excessive heat warning in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 17, 2023. Photo: Reuters

'Desperate and urgent'

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service says 2022 and 2021 were the continent's hottest summers on record. Europe's highest recorded temperature of 48.8C (120F) was registered in Sicily two years ago.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions mainly from burning fossil fuels, will make heat waves more frequent, severe and deadly. They say governments need to take drastically reduce emissions to prevent climate catastrophe.

Heat waves this summer, which saw temperatures climb to 128F (53C) in California's Death Valley and over 52C (126F) in China's northwest, have coincided with wildfires from Greece to the Swiss Alps and deadly flooding in India and South Korea.

They have added renewed urgency to talks this week between the United States and China, the world's top greenhouse gas polluters.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry met Chinese officials in Beijing and expressed hope that climate cooperation could redefine troubled ties between the two powers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed Beijing's commitment to carbon neutrality and a carbon peak was certain but that it would not be influenced by others.

The World Health Organization's regional director for Europe, Hans Henri P. Kluge, said the world must look ahead while adapting to the "new reality" of killer heat waves and other extreme weather.

"There is a desperate and urgent need for regional and global action to effectively tackle the climate crisis, which poses an existential threat to the human race," Kluge said.

A firefighting helicopter is silhouetted in front of the sun as a wildfire burns in Mandra, Greece, July 18, 2023. Photo: Reuters

People sit in Brooklyn's Domino Park in New York City, July 17, 2023. Photo: Reuters
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen began a working visit to Vietnam on Tuesday to discuss the two countries bilateral economic cooperation and issues of mutual concern.

The visit, which is set to wrap up on Friday, takes place at a time when the two nations are celebrating a decade of their comprehensive partnership.

Yellen will have a working session with governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong, according to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.

The U.S. treasury secretary had earlier hailed the cooperation of the two sides which has backed Vietnams macro-economic and financial resilience.

Yellen emphasized the U.S. support for Vietnams development and the importance of such development to the peoples of the two countries.

The U.S. official will also meet with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh, and Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc, according to a schedule publicized by the U.S..

Yellen will visit a start-up in Vietnam to boost cooperation in clean energy transition.

She planned to meet with female economists and entrepreneurs and attend a discussion of female economic leaders held by the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi.

The U.S. secretary will deliver a speech on the importance of developing resilient supply chains through friendshoring, the act of manufacturing and sourcing from countries that are geopolitical allies, and climate change response efforts.

Before arriving in Vietnam, Yellen attended a meeting with finance officials and central bank governors from the Group of 20 wrapping up on Tuesday in India.

Vietnam and the U.S. established their diplomatic relations in 1995 and upgraded their ties to a comprehensive partnership in 2013.

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Vietnam and Singapore recently discussed a plan whereby Vietnam will export offshore wind power to the island nation, according to the outcomes of talks on Tuesday between Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan.

The talks were part of Minister Sons visit to Singapore from Monday to Tuesday this week.

This is the top Vietnamese diplomats first official state visit to Singapore since he took office in April 2021, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two diplomats agreed to have relevant ministries and agencies work together following the outcomes of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs trip to the city-state in March this year.

Both sides signed a number of cooperation deals during Minister Sons visit, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the Vietnam - Singapore digital and green economy partnership and a plan on offshore wind energy export.

The two foreign ministers also attended a ceremony on Monday evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam - Singapore diplomatic relationship and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

As for high-level delegation exchange, Minister Son and his Singaporean counterpart agreed to make preparations for upcoming high-level visits, especially Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs Vietnam visit slated for this year.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L, 4th), officials of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore meet with Singaporean Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean (R, 3rd) in Singapore, July 18, 2023. Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Both sides also agreed to facilitate negotiations on important cooperation deals in the upcoming period, including a document to upgrade the Vietnam - Singapore Connectivity Framework Agreement, which was signed in 2005.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two top diplomats agreed that the two nations should continue to enhance cooperation, maintain solidarity, and promote the central role of ASEAN.

In addition, they will consider endorsing each others candidates to join international and UN agencies, and develop the East Vietnam Sea into a place of peace, cooperation, and development.

Minister Son on Tuesday also met with Singaporean Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. They agreed to strengthen cooperation and signing of cooperation deals in national defense.

Singapore took the lead in ASEAN and ranked second in the world by foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam.

The island country has poured over US$73 billion of investment money into Vietnam, accounting for some 23 percent of total pledged FDI capital in the latter.

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Three children aged 1, 4, and 5 suffered serious poisoning after eating the seeds of Jatropha curcas trees, also known as physic nuts or poison nuts, in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam.

A representative of the Ninh Thuan General Hospital said on Tuesday that the hospital promptly gave emergency aid and saved the three children.

The patients are Cao Thi Ngoc K., 5, Ta La Van D., 4, and Ta La Van K., 1, all residing in Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province.

The three were rushed to the hospital on Monday evening, suffering fatigue, pale skin, pale mucous membranes, stomachache, and vomiting.

Their family members said they found Jatropha curcas seeds themselves and ate them.

The children were in stable condition as of Tuesday afternoon.

Jatropha curcas seeds contain 25 percent of oil and curcin, a toxin.

Oil from Jatropha curcas seeds is only used in industries to make fuel and soap, according to doctor Nguyen Thi Huong, head of the pediatric ward of the Ninh Thuan General Hospital.

Once Jatropha curcas seeds are ingested, curcin will cause serious digestive disorders, threatening the eaters' lives if they do not promptly receive first aid, doctor Huong added.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday proposed that Ho Chi Minh Citys outlying Can Gio District, known for its mangrove forest ecosystem and biosphere reserves, should be transformed into a forest urban area.

-- Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had a meal at a local eatery at Maxwell Food Center in Singapore with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan on Tuesday, his last day of official visit in the island country.

Society

-- The weather in the northern region on Wednesday is influenced by the weakening of a low pressure from Typhoon Talim, resulting in widespread rainfall, while heavy rain is in the forecast for some parts of the southern region due to the southwest wind, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecastings update on Monday morning.

-- The three airports of Noi Bai, Van Don, and Cat Bi in northern Vietnam resumed operations starting Tuesday afternoon following Typhoon Talims landfall and subsequent weakening.

-- A bus carrying Chinese tourists overturned on Khanh Le Pass in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving several others injured.

-- Based on reports from various ministries, departments, and localities, the total number of civil servants and public employees who resigned from their positions between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, amounted to 18,991. On average, approximately 1,582 people resigned each month during this period.

-- National carrier Vietnam Airlines on Tuesday announced the ban of smart luggage with integrated lithium batteries exceeding 300Wh from its flights.

-- The forest patrol and protection team in Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province, came across the carcass of a decomposed elephant on Tuesday.

-- Ho Chi Minh City has requested the central government to raise the capacity of waste-to-energy incineration from 240MW per day to 340MW per day to handle the growing amount of waste.

Sports

-- The Vietnam Football Federation and Vietnam Professional Football JSC are anticipated to introduce the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to the top-tier V-League 1 later this month.

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Three family members died after a fire swept through their house, which they used to sell electric bikes and motorbikes, in Hoai Duc District, Hanoi in the early hours of Wednesday, the municipal police informed.

The fire broke out at about 2:00 am at the 120-square-meter house, which includes a ground floor and a 30-square-meter mezzanine.

The house is equipped with a rolling door.

The deceased were T.D.Q., 38, his wife N.T.H., 33, and their seven-year-old son T.N.L..

Upon receiving reports of the fire, Hanoi police dispatched eight fire trucks and over 50 firefighters to the scene.

The firefighters put out the flames at about 3:00 am the same day.

The blaze burned down many electric bikes, motorbikes, and household appliances.

The incident is under further investigation.

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A forest ranger discovered the decomposed carcass of an adult elephant in a forest of Ha Tinh Province in north-central Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon.

A representative of the forest patrol and protection team in Huong Son District in the province confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Tuesday night that officials were clarifying the cause of the elephants death.

The ranger found the elephant dead in the forest managed by Huong Son Service and Forestry Company at 3:00 pm on Tuesday.

The site of the elephant death lies on a path on which three or four elephants often wander, and is far from residential areas.

In another development, the Peoples Committee of Quy Hop District under Nghe An Province in the north-central region has written to relevant ministries and departments seeking solutions to protect the last elephant in the district.

Over the past few months, the elephant has constantly come to residents houses to search for food, sparking concerns among the locals.

Vi Van Kien, 37, and his family members, who live in Tang Mountainous Village in Nam Son Commune under Quy Hop District, were sleeping at midnight on July 11 when the elephant came and woke them up with loud sounds.

This was the third time that the elephant had visited his house for food.

Apart from looking for food in his house, the unexpected visitor trampled a corner of his concrete yard, said Kien.

The elephant is the only one left in Quy Hop District. It has lived alone for some 20 years.

Over the past few years, the elephant has often visited locals houses in Bac Son and Nam Son Communes.

The Quy Hop administration has proposed evacuating the elephant to Pu Mat National Park, which has more space and houses many wild animals.

The national park is already home to 15 elephants.

On February 16, a local found an elephant dead in a forest in Chau Phong Commune in Nghe An Provinces Quy Chau District.

Its death was associated with the scarcity of food.

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The family of a 32-year-old brain-dead man in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam decided to donate his organs to give life to four other people.

The heart of the man, who was declared brain dead after a traffic accident, was given to a patient suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure for 13 years at the Hue Central Hospital in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam.

Meanwhile, his liver and two kidneys helped save the lives of three other patients undergoing treatment at the Hanoi-based Viet Duc University Hospital, the hospital said on Tuesday.

The health of the four recipients is now stable.

The man, D.V.T., residing in Luong Son Commune, Yen Lap District, Phu Tho Province, was healthy before he got into a traffic accident while returning home from work.

His family rushed him to a hospital in Yen Lap District and later transferred him to the Viet Duc University Hospital.

As he could not survive, the Organ Transplantation Center under the Viet Duc University Hospital called on the mans family to donate his organs to save other people.

Suppressing the pain of losing his son, T.s father and only family member then, agreed to donate his organs to save seriously-ill patients.

Earlier, T.s older brother also died in a traffic accident when he was 16 years old. His mother passed away over a year ago.

On July 6, a special flight from Hanoi to Thua Thien-Hue operated by local airline Bamboo Airways made headlines on social networks as it was delayed for 23 minutes to wait for a heart to be sent to a transplant recipient in need.

In particular, 159 passengers on board were glad to wait for 23 minutes to fly with the heart, which belonged to T..

Earlier, the National Coordinating Center for Human Organ Transplantation allocated T.s heart to a patient at the Hue Central Hospital in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

As the removal of the donors heart and other organs took longer than expected, Bamboo Airways was notified and chose to delay the flight in order to wait for the heart.

After finishing the organ removal, a group of doctors from the Hue Central Hospital quickly brought the heart from the Viet Duc University Hospital to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi where they boarded the flight to Thua Thien-Hue.

As soon as the flight landed in Thua Thien-Hue, the heart was unloaded from the aircraft first and transported by an ambulance to the Hue Central Hospital.

After a one-hour transplant surgery, T.s heart was beating again in the recipient.

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A long-haul bus carrying a group of 23 Chinese visitors overturned on a pass in Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon, leaving four Chinese dead and several others injured.

The 29-seater bus driven by Ho Ngoc Hung, 58, who lives in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, was heading from the highland city of Da Lat to Nha Trang, a famous beach city in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, on National Highway 27.

The vehicle was traveling on Khanh Le Pass in Khanh Hoa when the rollover happened at 3:30 pm, said a leader of the Peoples Committee of Khanh Vinh District.

The bus slid off the road and was damaged after it flipped over on its side.

Many passengers on board shouted out for help, while some others managed to break the doors and windows to escape from the overturned bus.

Four of the Chinese passengers were confirmed dead but their identities have not been announced.

Traffic police officers and medical workers were quickly dispatched to the scene of the crash for rescue operations.

The injured were taken to the Khanh Hoa General Hospital for medical treatment.

The deadly accident is under investigation, said Nguyen Van Dan, director of the provincial Department of Transport and deputy head of the provincial standing board for traffic safety.

Injured passengers on board the overturned long-haul bus are rushed to the Khanh Hoa General Hospital for treatment. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre

Among the deceased, three died on the spot, while the other was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital, said Dan.

The preliminary cause of the fatal accident was that the bus brakes were not working, Dan reported.

The driver of the bus tested negative for alcohol and illicit drugs.

After being notified of the incident, the Khanh Hoa Department of External Relations informed the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations, said a representative of the department.

The Khanh Le Pass area is 1,700 meters above sea level, and spans 33 kilometers. The pass lies on a national highway linking Nha Trang City and Da Lat City. The pass has several turns, so there have been many traffic accidents there.

The prime minister on Tuesday night issued a telegram asking the chairman of the Khanh Hoa Peoples Committee and the head of the provincial traffic safety board to direct competent agencies and medical workers to focus on treatment for the injured.

The province was told to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy to create favorable conditions for the families of the victims to complete relevant procedures to receive their bodies in line with the prevailing regulations.

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An unlicensed tourist attraction was developed on an agricultural land lot in Krong Pak District, Dak Lak Province, located in Vietnams Central Highlands region.

Many officials of the Krong Pak authorities have even promoted the tourist site on social media.

Ngo Thi Minh Trinh, vice-chairwoman of the Peoples Committee of Krong Pak District, said on Sunday that the district was reviewing legal dossiers of the tourist destination  T.O.P.C.L.E.V.E.R Dak Lak leadership talent development center, also known as an eco-educational village.

The villages legal representative is Loan Thi Dao, 31, according to the introduction of the village on its Facebook page.

Covering about one hectare of land for coffee and rice farming, the tourist site includes a lodging facility, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and areas for tourism activities.

It welcomes tens to hundreds of visitors per day, especially on weekends. They have to pay entrance charges at VND40,000 (US$1.7) and buy tickets for catering, swimming services, and other games.

However, the owner of the site has yet to get a license for the construction and operation of the facility.

The tourist site includes many components serving paid tourism services. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre

A leader of the Peoples Committee of Ea Phe Commune, where the tourist site is situated, confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the site includes many illegal items on agricultural land, adding that the commune is waiting for the investor to complete procedures to have a playground for local residents and students.

The facility has a food safety certificate from the district medical center and a fire prevention and fighting certificate from the district police.

Some leaders of the Party Committee and Peoples Committee of Krong Pak District have advertised the site as a tourist destination in the district on their Facebook and Zalo accounts since early this year although the project has no license.

Some tourism services at the tourist site introduced on its Facebook page

Loan Thi Dao, the owner of the facility, admitted that she has yet to complete legal procedures for the operation of the tourist site despite having operated it for a long time.

Besides 400 square meters of living land, the remainder is land for coffee and rice farming.

Most of the area accommodates amenities serving tourism activities.

A swimming pool built on agricultural land at the tourist site. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre

Many items are developed on land for rice farming. Photo: Trung Tan / Tuoi Tre

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Patricia Karvelas will return to host Q&A when it resumes on ABC next Monday night.

Guests in the Melbourne studio include UK Minister of State for Armed Forces James Heappey, Filmmaker Rachel Perkins and Independent Member for Curtin Kate Chaney.

It isnt yet clear if Karvelas will stay in the hosting role for the remainder of the year.

Stan Grant stepped down from the show in late May seeking a break from media.

News Director Justin Stevens told a Senate Estimates hearing Hes taken leave for around eight weeks.

ABC sources indicated there was no update on his return to the show as yet.

Meanwhile yesterday BTN held a Q+A high school forum in Melbourne hosted by Amelia Moseley, with Minister for Youth Anne Aly discussing topics with a teen audience: HECS debts, nuclear energy, Commonwealth Games, voting, the Voice to Parliament, social media, school phone bans, and AI misuse.

It screened on iview and YouTube.
After a six year absence Kitchen Cabinet is returning to ABC with Annabel Crabb -now with a bunch of new politicans ready to be grilled as they cook a meal.

This season features Former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Western Sydney Independent Dai Le, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and Labor Minister Anika Wells.

The Parliament is changing, says Annabel. More and more, it reflects the Australia you see when you walk down the street. Ive always been fascinated by what drives human beings to seek public office. And as the Parliament gets more diverse, the stories get better and better.

Its a different kind of interview from the standard in-studio format, Annabel says. Because theyre in their own homes, politicians cant reach for the same tried-and-true deflective forms of words that they rely upon in short studio interviews. And the interviewer can ask questions that are a lot more personal.

Which for a nosy person is massively useful. So I can ask, for instance, how Peter Dutton feels about being likened to a potato, or how his traumatic experience in the Queensland Police changed him as a person. Or how Anika Wells manages three kids and a ministerial job while also needing hospital treatment every eight weeks. Or go the darkest spots in Dai Les life, when she was convinced she would die. Every single politician we elect has a back-story that dictates the way they behave in politics. And whether you love or loathe them, its always worth knowing that story.

Production credit:

Director Stamatia Maroupas (Ms Represented, The House, Kitchen Cabinet, Queerstralia), Executive Producer Madeleine Hawcroft (The House, Kitchen Cabinet, Back In Time for the Corner Shop), Producer Pauline Ernesto, Associate Producer Brett Worthington Editors Elizabeth Graetz & Sally Moran.

Tuesday 15 August at 8pm on ABC.
A new study from the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership shows the impact wine programs can have on the success of museum restaurants.

From declining attendance to dwindling donations, many museums are still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. As these cultural institutions look for alternative revenue sources, researchers at the University of Houstons Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership say pairing fine art with fine wine can be an impactful income generator.

We know museums are upgrading their dining experiences to get more people to visit, and wine is a big part of that experience, said Chris Taylor, associate professor and director of the Beverage Management Program and Fred Parks Wine Cellar at Hilton College.

Taylor surveyed nearly 400 people who had dined at a museum restaurant in the past year and ordered wine. The results, published in the Journal of Foodservice Business Research, found that a curated wine program at a museum restaurant can enhance visitor engagement, serve as an extension of the cultural immersion experience and provide a higher profit margin.

While a wine program wont necessarily get people into the museum, they are much more likely to order wine if its available in the restaurant, Taylor said. And that provides another lucrative revenue stream.

The vast majority of museums are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that rely mainly on public funding, donations and membership fees to operate. But like many other entities, museums were hard hit by the pandemic. According to the American Alliance of Museums, attendance is down 38% from pre-pandemic levels and nearly two-thirds of museums reported financial losses averaging $800,000 per year.

Its important for museums to figure out a way to create a better experience for the patrons, especially younger adults who arent visiting the way older adults are, said Taylor. A big part of that is the dining experience and the beverages they offer.

Increasingly museums are ditching no frills, basic food offerings for visitors to more stylish restaurants helmed by award-winning chefs such as Wolfgang Puck. Two years ago, Houstons Museum of Fine Arts opened Le Jardinier, widely considered the best museum restaurant in Texas and one of the best in the country, which features a high-end wine selection, including several bottles priced around $12,000. Taylor says its all about building a culture that helps the bottom line.

Its an opportunity for the restaurant, and the museum, to grow revenue through wine sales, Taylor said. It makes sense to build a quality wine program because the typical museum visitor, and potential benefactor, will likely order wine with their meal.
Argos, which is owned by Sainsbury's, will be closing 100 UK stores in 2023. (Image: PA)

Argos is set to close a further seven stores across the UK next month as part of its plan to shut 100 sites in 2023.

The retailer has already closed 37 stores so far this year, including all 34 of its branches in the Republic of Ireland, which it shut for good last month.

Argos, owned by Sainsburys, announced plans to close 100 stores earlier this year.

The recent closures are part of its partner company's new strategy which involves closing 420 standalone stores over three-and-a-half years.

Next year, the retailer plans to have 160 standalone stores and around 430-460 counters within Sainsbury's supermarkets.

Oxford Mail: Argos has already closed 37 stores so far in 2023.

Argos has already closed 37 stores so far in 2023. (Image: PA)

An Argos spokesperson said: "To make shopping more convenient for customers and to enable us to invest where it matters most, we are relocating many of our standalone Argos stores to Sainsburys  this includes our Grimsby Alexandra Dock and Scunthorpe Argos stores.

"Brand new Argos stores will open inside Sainsburys Grimsby and Sainsburys Scunthorpe next month, enabling customers to purchase thousands of technology, home and toy products from Argos while picking up their groceries.

Argos stores closing in 2023

According to the Mail Online these are the Argos stores closing next month:

St Stephen's Shopping Centre, Hull, August 8

Alexandra Retail Park, Grimsby - August 9

Lakeside Retail Park, Scunthorpe (August 15/16)

Riverside, Norwich - date TBC

Park Plaza, Bridgend - date TBC

Cardiff Bay - date TBC

Newport Road, Cardiff - date TBC

Oxford Mail: Argos recently closed all its 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland.

Argos recently closed all its 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland. (Image: PA)

While, these are the Argos stores which have already closed this year:

Coventry City Arcade - January 7

Nottingham City Centre - January 14

Coatbridge Lanarkshire - March 11

Birkenhead Pyramids Shopping Centre - March 22

All stores in the Republic of Ireland - June 24

Other store closures in 2023

Stores including New Look, Iceland, Barclays and Natwest have all announced they will be shutting stores in 2023 - with some of those closures coming this month (July).

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Boots announced earlier this week they would be closing 300 stores in the UK in the next 12 months.

Marks and Spencer have already closed a number of stores across the UK in 2023 and are set to close two more before the end of the year.

The two Marks and Spencer stores still to close in 2023 are:

Newport Road, Cardiff - spring

Eagles Meadow, Wrexham - autumn

It's not all bad news for Marks and Spencer shoppers with the high street supermarket also set to open a range of new stores over the summer.

These sites include Purley Way, Leeds White Rose (relocation), Liverpool (relocation) and Stockport (food hall).

Prezzo also revealed earlier this year it would be closing 46 restaurants in the UK, putting 810 workers at risk of being made redundant.

Oxford Mail: Prezzo announced it would be closing 46 restaurants.

Prezzo announced it would be closing 46 restaurants. (Image: PA)

The announcement came just two years after the group shut 22 restaurants and cut 216 jobs.

Bosses at the Italian restaurant chain said the cuts, which are part of a broader strategic review, will affect sites where the post-Covid recovery has proved harder than we had hoped.

Restaurant chain Frankie and Benny's also revealed in March it would be closing 35 stores.
The Cloughmills team pictured when they attended the NHSCT Domiciliary Care Awards event in March this year when they were recognised for their contribution to the Service User and their innovative practice. Credit: NHSCT

The Social Care  Making a Difference campaign, which is delivered by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (the Social Care Council), was officially launched by Department of Health Permanent Secretary Peter May and Chief Social Worker Aine Morrison at a special event at LArche Belfast.

The Social Care Council will be telling real-life stories through video snapshots, case studies and podcast episodes to showcase the day to day role of social care and inspire those considering it as a career.

Social care workers register with the Social Care Council to provide communities with support every day. Today over 38,000 are registered to deliver social care, making it the largest health and social care workforce in Northern Ireland.

The special team from Cloughmills is made up of homecare workers who provide domiciliary care to an elderly service user who often mentioned that her favourite day out was to go for a picnic at Downhill beach.

However due to her health and mobility problems, she is no longer able to visit the beach. The homecare workers, therefore, went the extra mile decided to bring the beach to her.

They attended The NHSCT Domiciliary Care Awards Event in March this year when they were recognised for their contribution to the lady and their innovative practice.

Aine Morrison, Chief Social Worker, Department of health said: The Department of Health recognises the value of our social care workforce and is very committed to developing and supporting these roles.
The ball is in the Governments court with regards to actions which would see the restoration of the Stormont powersharing arrangements, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Sir Jeffrey said there had so far been a lack of meaningful action from Westminster in addressing his concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

It comes as Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is holding a fresh round of talks with party leaders this week in a bid to break the Stormont stalemate.

The Assembly has been in flux for more than a year amid DUP protest action over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Windsor Framework was agreed by the EU and UK earlier this year as a way to reduce red tape on trade between GB and NI.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is meeting with NI party leaders (Victoria Jones/PA)

But the DUP has insisted it will not return to Stormont until the Government provides further legislative assurances around Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Senior civil servants have been left running Stormont departments and face having to make substantial cuts following a budget set by Mr Heaton-Harris.

Sir Jeffrey and DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson met Mr Heaton-Harris at Westminster on Wednesday.

Mr Heaton-Harris also met separately with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood.

Speaking after his meeting, Sir Jeffrey said he urged Mr Heaton-Harris to recognise that there is no solid basis for an Executive and Assembly until we have arrangements that safeguard in law NIs place in the UK internal market and our constitutional arrangements are respected.

He added: The ball is in the Governments court.

The DUP has a mandate to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly on a basis that unionists as well as nationalists can support.

Consensus is the only way forward in Northern Ireland.

Unionists just want a fair deal.

Nationalists would never have been asked to accept the kind of arrangements north-south that unionists are being asked to accept between one part of the UK and another.

The DUP leader added: The Government committed to taking action to restore our place in the UK internal market but whilst statements and headlines have been in plentiful supply, there has been a lack of meaningful action.

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We need stable and sustainable devolved government and we need funding for our public services that meet the needs of our people.

Northern Ireland is a divided society.

Quick fixes without solid foundations will do a disservice to those trying to make the NI Assembly work.

Mr Eastwood said there can be no summer recess on efforts to restore devolution.

He added: I have again outlined to the Secretary of State that the SDLP will play a constructive role in opposition to re-establish devolved government.

People are quickly running out of patience with the glacial pace of progress on these issues.

A summer of drift cannot be allowed to happen.

Mr Heaton-Harris will hold further bilateral meetings with other party leaders over coming days.

He is expected to press the parties on their plans for a costed programme for government for any incoming executive.

The powersharing institutions at Stormont have not been functioning for more than a year (Liam McBurney/PA)

It is understood that Mr Heaton-Harris has also received the first batch of replies from civil servants examining potential revenue-raising options for Northern Ireland.

Last month, the Northern Ireland Secretary wrote to Stormont permanent secretaries seeking more information about measures that could otherwise improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland.

These included introducing domestic water charges and drug prescription charges, and raising tuition fees.

Officials at the Northern Ireland Office are expected to meet the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the near future to discuss the responses.
Palestinian women walk in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) during a protest against the reduction in food aid distribution on June 20, 2023.

Palestinian women walk in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) during a protest against the reduction in food aid distribution on June 20, 2023.

As Israeli President Isaac Herzog gets the red-carpet treatment in Washington this week, two powerful Republican lawmakers are withholding $75 million in American aid from the poorest Palestinians.

The moves by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) could spark starvation and violence in Gaza, where millions of Palestinians are struggling under a 15-year Israeli blockade, humanitarian groups warn. Half a million children are at particular risk, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, which would administer the aid.

If the funding continues to be delayed, the plight of Palestine refugees, who are already enduring immense hardships, will be intensified to the point of an unprecedented catastrophe, reads a letter that 25 organizations  including Oxfam America, Refugees International and faith groups  sent last week to McCaul and Risch, who are the top Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, respectively.

Legislators approved the food assistance for Palestinians in a bill they passed last year when Democrats controlled Congress, noting rising food and transport costs. In May, the State Department told Capitol Hill it planned to disburse the funds shortly.

McCaul and Risch used their positions on the powerful committees to enact holds soon afterward, with McCaul pausing more than $400 million in United Nations funding beyond the Palestine aid.

On Tuesday, a Risch representative put the onus for releasing needed funds on President Joe Biden and cast doubt on a resolution before the Sept. 1 deadline that UNRWA describes as vital.

The administration has all the authority they need to provide emergency food assistance to UNRWA, Risch spokesperson Suzanne Wrasse wrote in an email to HuffPost. The funds they are requesting are outside of an emergency situation and therefore Senator Risch will continue to hold them until his long-term concerns about UNRWA are addressed.

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The Biden administration is not seeking new funding, but members of Congress with senior ranks on committees can use their influence over government agencies to meddle with already-approved expenditures.

Risch has questioned UNRWA for years, saying the U.S. must do more to verify that the agency is not promoting antisemitism or aiding Palestinian militants.

A spokesperson for McCaul did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) presides over a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup hearing in March.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) presides over a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup hearing in March.

The dispute comes during high-profile discussions of U.S.Israel ties. On Wednesday, Herzog, Israels largely ceremonial head of state, will give a speech to a joint session of Congress marking the 75th anniversary of Israeli statehood and celebrating the U.S.Israel relationship.

But the contrast between U.S. politicians embrace of Herzog and their penny-pinching toward Palestinians shows how America remains far from attaining the more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that many experts see as vital to achieving sustainable peace.

Republicans have taken a harsher line toward Palestinians since former President Donald Trump cut off nearly all aid and took additional steps that previous U.S. presidents had avoided to sustain Palestinian faith in negotiations. Trump declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel despite significant controversy over its status and called Israeli settlements in the West Bank legal.

Republicans have also sought to score political points by suggesting they are more supportive of Israel, a longtime U.S. ally, than Democrats, whom they cast as discriminatory toward the country and, by extension, antisemitic.

While Biden has tried to restore U.S. relations with Palestine and urged a two-state solution, he has largely ignored calls from fellow Democrats to challenge policies like Israeli settlement expansion and military actions or to take steps to acknowledge Palestinian autonomy.

Its not clear if Biden or other U.S. officials are raising the issue with Herzog or his team during the Israeli presidents visit. The State Department and Israels embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

Yet Monday brought a fresh sign of the presidents soft-touch approach to Israel: Despite Bidens own stated concerns about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus ongoing controversial bid to consolidate his power by overhauling Israels judiciary, he invited Netanyahu to visit the U.S. No date for the visit has yet been set.

And on Tuesday, the ongoing political sensitivity around being seen as too tough on Israel was on display in the House of Representatives, which took time to vote on a sure-to-succeed resolution stating the country is not racist. Republicans pushed for the vote after Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) made and then walked back a comment calling Israel a racist state.

This is essentially politics that plays with Israeli and Palestinian lives.Hannah Morris, director of government affairs at J Street

Amid the political furor, supporters of aid to Palestinians say it is a moral imperative. Allowing aid to be affected by partisan differences over Americas approach to the Palestinians, they argue, would both create needless misery and worsen the overall situation on the ground by fueling dissatisfaction.

This is essentially politics that plays with Israeli and Palestinian lives, said Hannah Morris, the director of government affairs at the liberal Jewish American advocacy group J Street. The Israeli government understands that this funding is crucial for their own security.

While Israel is critical of UNRWA, the country has long acknowledged the need for help in Gaza, where observers say the experience of living in what is effectively an open-air prison helps drive locals into the arms of violent anti-Israel factions. The region has been largely cut off from the outside world since the armed organization Hamas, which the U.S. and its allies view as a terror group, took over in 2007. Israel allows the U.N. to funnel assistance into Gaza and has repeatedly worked with Qatar, the gas-rich Persian Gulf nation, to channel in additional funding.

Gaza already has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, according to the U.N., and international assistance meets most of the nutritional needs of 75% of the regions population.

Humanitarian experts already expected the situation there to worsen following the World Food Programmes May announcement that because of its own funding limitations, it was suspending aid to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many of them in Gaza.

Youre looking at, frankly, a humanitarian disaster that poses an impact to regional stability if the U.S. funding does not go through, said William Deere, the director of the UNRWAs Washington office. For people who purport to support Israel: Is Israel going to take over feeding these people? Or is it these two members plan to let people starve in Gaza?

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) speaks with reporters in the Senate subway after a vote in the Capitol on Feb. 9, 2022.

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) speaks with reporters in the Senate subway after a vote in the Capitol on Feb. 9, 2022.

UNRWA anticipates that continuing the hold would force it to experience shortfalls by September, Deere said, hurting its ability to provide essential food items like flour, rice, sugar, lentils and milk to 1.2 million Palestinians, nearly all of them in Gaza.

In 2021, Risch halted Bidens plan to restore assistance to Palestinians before accepting assurances about how the money would be spent  including a pledge that $20 million worth would go specifically to food aid.

Advocates for the aid hope the urgency of the situation will eventually convince the senator to accept similar guarantees about vetting and to use a different tack to push for changes at UNRWA.

There can always be a question about whats best regarding the long-term, but an immediate hold without any kind of underlying solution does not actually address the problem, Morris said.

Staffers for both Risch and McCaul have met with UNRWA about the issue, Deere told HuffPost.

It is as apolitical as apolitical can be: the funding is earmarked solely for food assistance, he said. Its food for people who already are in a desperate situation.
Mediterranean countries like Italy and Greece have recorded some extreme temperatures over the years (Image: NationalWorld/Adobe Stock)

A number of popular tourist spots in Italy have broken their own highest temperature records, with one on track to potentially reach the highest ever recorded in Europe.

Much of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean regions are in the grips of back-to-back heatwaves, with the anti-cyclone Charon sweeping its way across the continent. It comes on the tail of the Cerberus heatwave, whose effects first started to be felt on 10 July.

The UK's Met Office has also warned hot conditions are here to stay for Europe and North Africa in July, and the heatwave may even intensify in the coming days.

But how does the latest heatwave's extreme heat compare to the highest temperatures ever recorded in some of Europe's most popular destinations?

Here's everything you need to know:

Italy

The weather in Rome on Tuesday (18 June) was recorded at 41.8C, and local media reported an influx of emergency room admissions in the capital as locals and tourists alike struggled with the intense heat.

Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, welcoming millions of visitors each year. The heatwave has broken Rome's previous top heat record of 40.7C set in June 2022, the Guardian reports.

Other popular tourist regions affected by the extreme temperatures this week included Sicily which hit 41C, and Sardinia which reached 47C. Meanwhile 23 cities including popular spots like Tuscany's Florence were issued red alerts - meaning the heat was intense it posed a threat to everyone.

Sardinia's Wednesday (19 July) temperature high of approximately 47.3C is the hottest the island region has ever been, the i reports, whereas Sicily once reached 48.8C on 11 August, 2021. This is the highest land temperature ever recorded in Europe, but with the heatwave set to continue into the coming weekend - forecasters fear Italy Sardinia could be on track to reach that extreme once more.

Greece

Greece is being affected by the heatwave too, which has contributed to devastating wildfires that are ravaging the area surrounding the capital - leading to thousands of evacuations.

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Extreme heat in Athens has seen staff at ancient archaeological sites like the Acropolis - which are popular tourist destinations - take part in afternoon work stoppages due to the dangerous temperatures.

As of Wednesday, Athens is currently seeing temperatures in the high 30s, but could reach 41C on Saturday, according to the Met Office. However, the highest temperature ever recorded in Athens was 48C - on 10 July, 1977.

Off of the mainland, popular island destinations like Santorini are currently sitting in the late-20s and early 30s, but the highest temperature ever recorded there was 41C, on 30 June 2017.

Spain

Spain saw highs of 45C on Wednesday. Madrid reached 37C, while other popular tourist destinations have also been plagued by high temperatures, including Seville at 41C, Majorca at 36, and Barcelona and Ibiza at 31C.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Madrid was 40.7C on 14 July last year. Barcelona's record is 37.4C in August 2010, while the islands of Majorca and Ibiza have records of 44.5C in August 2022 and 38.4C in September 2016 respectively, according to local media.

Seville reached 47C way back in 1946. The Andalusian capital was also reported as breaking 50C twice in the late 1800s, but measurements were considered less accurate at the time.
The body of the distinguished academic and religious leader and founder of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (Zaoga) Forward in Faith Ministries International, Archbishop Ezekiel Guti, is expected to arrive from South Africa on Saturday afternoon.

Archbishop Guti died on July 5, leaving behind an enormous history of evangelism spanning 63 years since he founded ZAOGA FIF.

In the past fortnight, tributes have been pouring in from celebrities, politicians, business leaders, clergymen and other influential figures in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world.

In a letter addressed to Greater Harare, Norton and Chitungwiza leaders and saints, Secretary General of ZAOGA FIF Apostle Mishael Nyambo said: We announce the homecoming of our Father, who is accompanied by our mother, Archbishop Prof Eunor Guti and the family this Saturday around noon.

We therefore encourage Greater Harare, Norton, and Chitungwiza members to come in numbers and honour our Father at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare, on this historic day, Apostle Nyambo said.

He also said mourners would line up along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Road from the airport roundabout to Braeside roundabout before the convoy proceeds to a funeral parlour.

The church had organised grand celebrations which everyone was free to attend. Those from outside Harare were encouraged to come for the grand celebrations scheduled for 3  6 August.

The late Ezekiel Guti has been described as a modern day Christian giant who dedicated his life to preaching the word of God.

In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa said the death of Prof Guti left him deeply shattered and saddened.

He said Prof Gutis works and footprints indelibly abounded across the length and breadth of the country, well beyond the vast, national movement of congregants and places of worship that he led.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga described the late clergyman as a towering figure in Zimbabwes Christian movement, nation building and preservation of the social fabric.

Over and above his religious calling, Archbishop Guti also played a role in several other nation building initiatives including in the education and health sectors where he founded the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University and the Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Harare. Herald
(Bloomberg) -- Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., the energy giant seeking to expand its chemical operations through a series of ambitious deals, has boosted its takeover offer for Covestro AG to about 11 billion ($12.4 billion), people familiar with the matter said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Adnoc increased its proposal to about 57 per share in the hopes of convincing the German company to enter talks, the people said. Thats up from its first informal bid of around 55.

The state-backed firm voiced confidence in Covestros strategy and management, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private.

Covestro shares fell 2.9% in Frankfurt trading Wednesday, giving the company a market value of 9.4 billion. The stock had jumped in late trading on Tuesday, following the Bloomberg News report on Adnoc increasing its offer, to close at its highest level since February 2022.

Last month, Leverkusen-based Covestro rejected Adnocs earlier proposal as too low, people familiar with the matter said at the time. Covestro also raised questions around Adnocs plans for its specialties operations.

Adnoc Chief Executive Officer Sultan Al Jaber has been busy hunting for deals to better compete with Saudi Aramco and its Sabic chemical unit. The Abu Dhabi firm is in separate talks with Austrias OMV AG about a potential merger of two companies they back, Borouge Plc and Borealis AG, to form a chemicals and plastics giant worth more than $30 billion.

The mooted transactions dovetail with a wider plan by the United Arab Emirates to attract investment and technology as well as build new industries and manufacturing capabilities. Adnoc has been expanding a refining and chemicals hub in Abu Dhabi to find additional outlets for its oil and natural gas production and make the plastics that go into consumer goods.

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Adnoc has tried to address Covestros concerns about its offer, including over how it would help the German companys management develop the specialty chemical operations, according the people. If negotiations are entered, there could be scope for further increases in Adnocs bid.

Ben Kelly, an analyst at Louis Capital Markets, said Adnoc may need to go higher still to win over Covestro.

Covestro knows Adnoc can afford to pay up so I think theyll be patient, Kelly said. An improved offer of 61.5 would equate to 8x EV/Ebitda and in our opinion would be more likely to be accepted by the Covestro board.

Deliberations are ongoing, and its unclear how Covestro will respond to the latest proposal. Representatives for Adnoc and Covestro declined to comment.

Adnoc, which produces almost all the oil in the United Arab Emirates, plans to invest $150 billion to expand production capacity for crude, natural gas and chemicals. Its also investing in low-carbon energy.

Read More: Private Equity Titans Tap Sovereign Wealth to Get Deals Done

--With assistance from Alexandra Muller.

(Updates with closing share price in fourth paragraph.)

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By Catarina Demony and Andrew Gray

(Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva said on Wednesday he will send the European Union a counter-proposal on the long-delayed trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur in the coming two or three weeks.

Lula, who spoke after the two-day EU-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) summit in Brussels, said Brazil put together a response that it was now being discussed by the Mercosur bloc, which also includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

"In two-three weeks time we will deliver the definitive proposal to the European Union," Lula told reporters, adding he believed the EU would "very easily" agree with it.

The EU and the Mercosur bloc completed negotiations in 2019 but the deal has been on hold due to concerns about Amazon deforestation and Brazil's commitment to climate change action.

Lula, who was elected last year, has promised to overhaul his country's climate policy.

The Commission has proposed attaching an annex to the agreement to show commitments on deforestation and other areas of sustainability and is awaiting Mercosur's response.

In Brussels, Lula said that "for the first time" he was optimistic both parties would conclude the agreement later this year.

Although the EU-CELAC summit marked a new era of increased political and economic cooperation between European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders, the meeting was clouded by wrangling over how to address Russia's war in Ukraine.

The Brazilian leader irritated Western countries earlier this year when he suggested the West had been "encouraging" war by arming Ukraine.

Lula said it was necessary for countries to "convince Russia and Ukraine that peace is the right way to go".

(Reporting by Catarina Demony and Andrew Gray, writing by Inti Landauro, editing by Emma Pinedo and Bernadette Baum)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Chelsea gestures during the Premier League match (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to agreeing to a deal with French side Marseille where he will sign a two-year contract that will bring to an end to a nightmare period as a Chelsea player.

Aubameyang was signed by former manager Thomas Tuchel just days before he was sacked, leaving the Gabon international in limbo and predictably ended up being a very poor season for the player and the club in general.

He was left out of Graham Potters Champions League knockout stage list and his game time did not significantly improve when Frank Lampard took over.

According to a report on the Evening Standard, Marseille have agreed on personal terms with the player who has been left out of the training party to the United States for the second part of their pre-season training.

The deal to Marseille however hinges on Aubameyang accepting a huge drop in his wages even though he does get an option for an extra year based on performances and quite simply attainable clauses.

Chelsea are also reported to be looking at getting at least 5million from the deal which could lead to Marseille having to renegotiate the terms of the deal with the Gabonese striker.

The 34-year-old proved he could score goals when he moved from Arsenal to Barcelona but a move back to the Premier League yielded only one goal in 15 league games even though admittedly, the club was in transition and Chelsea just never got going.

Chelsea signed him for  1million last season and handed him a two-year deal, sources say Chelsea are looking at least to get him off the wage bill to create room and ultimately tie into the long-term vision of having a club that looks after itself.
Chevron Corporation CVX, one of the world's leading energy companies, joined forces with tech company BeyonC to revolutionize subsea inspections. This partnership combines Chevron's expertise in offshore operations with BeyonCs cutting-edge technology, resulting in the development of state-of-the-art mini remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

These mini ROVs, equipped with FiGS sensor technology from FORCE Technology, offer a game-changing approach to asset assessment. They also provide Chevron with accurate and comprehensive data without the need for diverse or work-class ROVs. Chevron has successfully usedROVs for subsea structure surveys with revolutionizing accuracy, efficiency and cost savings in asset assessment.

Benefits of Using Mini ROVs in Subsea Inspections

Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency

Chevron's journey with mini ROVs began in 2020 when it began testing in Angola. Since then, the company has conducted more than 30 structure surveys using these compact yet powerful devices equipped with FiGS sensors. These surveys have yielded a thorough and accurate assessment of Chevron's assets, enabling the company to make informed decisions regarding subsea maintenance and operations.

Extensive Survey Plans

Building on its initial success, CVX is now poised to undertake more than 150 structure surveys over the next three years in the region. This ambitious plan showcases the company's commitment to leveraging innovative technology in optimizing operations and improving asset management strategies.

Substantial Cost Savings

One of the most significant advantages of employing mini ROVs lies is the substantial cost savings. Chevron's Southern Africa Strategic Business Unit has estimated savings of approximately $130,000 per placement by employing these cutting-edge devices. These savings stem from multiple factors, including minimizing the need for divers, eliminating the requirement for a separate vessel, reducing the need for additional personnel for vessel-based ROV deployments and accelerating the inspection process.

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Increased Speed and Flexibility

Compared to their larger versions, mini ROVs have a distinct advantage in terms of speed and flexibility. According to Chevron, these miniature devices can run up to five times faster than work-class ROVs, facilitating swift and efficient inspections. Moreover, these compact ROVs are designed to operate effectively in shallow water.

Powerful Performance

Despite their compact size, these versatile devices can be deployed by a team of as small as two people, eliminating the need for a large vessel and reducing the complexity of field execution. Powered through their tether, mini ROVs can also run on batteries for up to six hours, ensuring extended operational period.

The Synergy of Collaboration

Chevron's partnership with BeyonC and the integration of FiGS sensor technology have yielded remarkable results in the realm of subsea inspections. By leveraging the collective expertise of all three entities, Chevron has positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in the energy industry. This collaboration exemplifies the company's dedication to continuously pushing boundaries and adopting cutting-edge solutions for improved operational efficiency and asset management.

Future Implications and Industry Impact

Chevron's adoption of mini ROVs for subsea inspections marks a milestone in the industry. By showcasing the tangible benefits of this technology, the company sets an example for other operators to explore similar solutions. The increased accuracy, cost savings and operational efficiency associated with mini ROVs create a compelling case for their widespread adoption, leading to a transformative shift in the subsea inspection landscape.

With Chevron's commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing cutting-edge solutions, the future of subsea inspections looks brighter than ever.

Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Currently, CVX carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks for investors interested in the energy sector are Evolution Petroleum EPM, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Murphy USA MUSA and NGL Energy Partners NGL, both carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Evolution Petroleum is worth approximately $264.82 million. EPM currently pays a dividend of 48 cents per share, or 6.03% on an annual basis.

The company currently has a forward P/E ratio of 7.37. In comparison, its industry has an average forward P/E of 10.60, which means EPM is trading at a discount to the group.

Murphy USA is valued at around $6.75 billion. In the past year, its shares have risen 15.2%.

MUSA currently pays a dividend of $1.52 per share, or 0.49% on an annual basis. Its payout ratio currently sits at 6% of earnings.

NGL Energy Partners is valued at around $502.64 million. In the past year, its units have risen 164.6%.

The partnership currently has a forward P/E ratio of 4.38. In comparison, its industry has an average forward P/E of 14.10, which means NGL is trading at a discount to the group.

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MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore who has travelled to Prague to give a speech on AI, Russia and other threats (PA Archive)

Britains top espionage chief told on Wednesday how the nations spies will play an increasingly vital role in the AI era in protecting against hostile foreign states and terror groups.

In a speech in Prague, MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore was due to stress that his officers would be able to gain secrets beyond the reach of artificial intelligence.

However, he also emphasised that the frontier of machine capability would race ahead.

In his second public speech since taking over as C in the autumn of 2020, he explained: AI is going to make information infinitely more accessible and some have asked whether it will put intelligence services like mine out of business?

In fact, the opposite is likely to be true. As AI trawls the ocean of open source, there will be even greater value in landing, with a well-cast fly, the secrets that lie beyond the reach of its nets.

He added: The unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant.

They are never just passive collectors of information: our agents can be tasked and directed; they can identify new questions we didnt know to ask; and sometimes they can influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

Human intelligence in the age of Artificial Intelligence will increasingly be defined as those things that machines cannot do, albeit we should expect the frontier of machine capability to advance with startling speed.

The head of Britains Secret Intelligence Service was also due to talk about Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine and why his military chiefs were still failing to achieve his aims.

Putins invasion has floundered and after 15 months his forces are very gradually being pushed back by a Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Kyivs forces are only making limited gains in the south and east of the wartorn country.

But even this is a huge turnaround from Putins lightning invasion plan to seize Ukraines capital within days in February 2022.

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Now bitter divisions have been exposed in his military top brass after the failed Wagner Group revolt.

Sir Richard was also due to highlight a recent wave of Russian imperialism in Africa.

He was also set to criticise countries such as Iran for arming Putins military with drones and other equipment, fuelling the conflict which has already killed thousands of civilians in often indiscriminate missile, drone and artillery strikes.

Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed, with Ukrainian forces also suffering high casualties.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced plans on Tuesday to modernise Britains armed forces with greater use of AI, quantum technologies, biology engineering, as well as learning the lessons from the Ukraine conflict.

The UK has led the West in arming Ukraine, first with anti-tank weapons, then Challenger II tanks and now Storm Shadow long range missiles.
Moo (Photo: supplied)

Moo was a stray dog living in Mauritius who was saved by Waterlooville couple Ben Jenkins and Charlotte Long after a fundraising drive raised 4,000 to fly the pup over to the UK last year.

READ NOW: Warship set for sail

Despite thinking they were behind the worst of their troubles once Moo was living with them, the couple noticed a decline in the dogs health - with him sneezing, coughing and having excessive mucus. The two-year-old mongrel previously had cancer resulting in him being given chemotherapy.

The couples situation was compounded by Moo not being covered for vets insurance as he had symptoms within the first 14 to of the policy starting. His condition had not been picked up in Mauritius.

Now further assessments have incredibly revealed that Moo has a chronic infection and inflammation caused by being blasted in the head with a gun.

The couple now need to raise 3,500 to have the urgent surgery to repair the hole where bacteria is causing the infection.

Ben said: What we thought was a tumour/mass up his nose is actually chronic infection and inflammation due to the fact he has multiple bullet fragments all around the inside of his head, neck, throat, tongue and nose. Our poor little pup has been shot in the head multiple times whilst he was a stray in Mauritius and somehow survived it all by himself.

This has left him with severe abnormalities of his nasal passage and has a hole between his mouth and nose which is allowing food/drink/bacteria to enter his nose and cause all of his issues.

The vet who dealt with Moo was absolutely fantastic and so thorough and explained we need to try to get the chronic infection under control first with a long course of strong antibiotics as the infection is even in his bone.

She said surgery would then be the best option to try to repair the hole and prevent further bacteria getting into his nose and causing further infections which, if left untreated, could then transfer to his lungs.

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So now we start the saving and fundraising process all over again to try to raise the next 3,000 needed for this surgery. We hope this really will be the end of all of his suffering as we now finally have a cause and the answers we needed.

After 4,000 was previously raised to get Moo flown to the UK, the couple said: Thank you all again for all the love and support youve shown. It honestly means the world to us to see how Invested people are in their journey and we hope to share more positive updates in the near future.

The couple are also attempting a raffle to boost donations and already have over 50 prizes from businesses around Portsmouth including thousands of pounds worth of hair and beauty vouchers, 300 worth of art, dog walking, treats, grooming, food vouchers, and vacation stays.

To donate go to: www.gofundme.com/f/save-and-bring-home-mauri-moo
(Bloomberg) -- Rio Tinto Group said second-quarter shipments of iron ore fell 1% from a year earlier, as Chinas faltering economic recovery continued to weigh on demand.

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The worlds biggest iron ore producer shipped 79.1 million tons of the steelmaking ingredient in the three months to June 30. While it left full-year export guidance for its core product unchanged, it trimmed output forecasts for alumina and refined copper.

Commodity-exporting heavyweights including Rio Tinto and Vale SA are being closely watched for insights on a slowdown in China that could have significant ripple effects across the global economy. The biggest metals-consuming nations disappointing post-pandemic recovery and persistent property woes have put downward pressure on steel demand and iron ore prices.

Chinas economic recovery has fallen short of initial market expectations, as the property market downturn continues to weigh on the economy and consumers remain cautious despite monetary policy easing, Rio Tinto said in a statement Wednesday. The steel demand recovery in the nation encountered persistent headwinds in the second quarter, it said.

Iron ore prices, which have staged a partial recovery since late May, could come under more pressure due to an increase in shipments from Vale. Output from the Brazilian miner, the worlds No. 2 iron ore supplier, rose more than 6% last quarter.

Iron ore fell 1.1% to $112.40 a ton as of 2:42 p.m. in Singapore. The steel-making staple is around 15% lower than this years closing high in mid-March.

Rio Tinto said it expects full-year iron ore shipments to be in the upper half of its 320 to 335 million ton range. It lowered alumina full-year production guidance to 7.4 million tons to 7.7 million tons from as much as 8 million tons previously, and refined copper to 160,000 to 190,000 tons from as high as 210,000 tons.

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Read More: Escondida Copper Production Drops on Plant Disruptions, Rio Says

Production downgrades during the quarter highlight that we still have much more to do, Rio Tinto Chief Executive Officer Jakob Stausholm said in the statement.

Second-quarter aluminum production was up 11% year on year to 814,000 tons, while copper output fell 1% to 145,000 tons.

The companys expansion of it Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia  one of the worlds largest copper mines  is progressing ahead of schedule, the company said. It remains on track to more than triple production of the metal by the end of the decade.

Rio Tinto said negotiations over the co-development of the massive Simandou iron ore project in Guinea, in which it has a joint stake with Chinese producers and the government of the West African nation, continued to show progress but gave no production timeline.

The miner continues to branch out from its core iron ore business, with ambitions to expand into metals that will underpin the clean energy transition.

Rio Tinto has a lithium project in Argentina and hopes to develop what would be Europes largest mine for the battery metal in Serbia, despite having its application blocked by authorities there earlier this year. Its focused on consulting with major stakeholders in the Serbian project to support what it sees as a world class asset, the company said.

--With assistance from James Fernyhough.

(Updates with updated iro ore prices in 6th paragraph)

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Henry Cheape, of St Andrews, who will row solo across the Atlantic to raise awareness of sustainability issues (Image: Four Media Group)

A St Andrews businessman is set to row solo across the Atlantic in a gruelling challenge, as he looks to raise awareness of sustainability issues.

Henry Cheape, who is from the business behind farm shop Balgove Larder, will travel from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua aboard the PollyAnne, an R25 rowing boat which won her class for the 2022 Atlantic race.

The 43-year-old will have 80 days' worth of food on board, and he will be using only local food suppliers from across Scotland.

His aim is to promote the message that sustainability is at the heart of a better future as he takes part in what is known as 'The World's Toughest Row'.

The challenge begins in December and will see Mr Cheape race against other competitors from around the world as he seeks to raise 250k for Global Canopy, a data-driven not-for-profit organisation that targets the market forces destroying nature; Sustain which campaigns for a healthy and sustainable food system and Nomad Trust which helps conserve wildlife, habitat and wilderness in Tanzania.

Sleep deprivation, hunger, and hallucinations are among the things organisers warn of before competitors begin, with up to 30 teams competing every year.

HeraldScotland: Kris Elliott taking part in trans-Atlantic rowing challenge

Kris Elliott taking part in trans-Atlantic rowing challenge

The route is 3000 miles (4,800km) long and each team will row in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes during the race.

The average rower loses around 8kg during a crossing, as they burn in excess of 5,000 calories per day.

Mr Cheape said: "Theres no doubt it is going to be an absolutely mammoth challenge.

Im not only taking on the physical might of the ocean, its weather systems and all that that can throw at you, Ive also got the mental challenge of enduring that entirely on my own.

Its going to be tough but I cannot think of a better reason to put myself through it! The importance of a sustainable future for farming and our planet is non-negotiable and I am calling for any producer who wants to get involved to make contact. The three charities Im raising money for are all delivering transformational change  demonstrating that it can be done.

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Read More: Alison Rowat: Go to Arran, they said. Book with CalMac. What could possibly go wrong?

Frank Samuelsen and George Harbo, two Norwegian-born Americans, were the first to deliberately row across the Atlantic in June 1896.

The pair departed from Battery Park in New York and travelled to the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall in a time of 55 days and 13 hours before travelling on to Le Havre in France.

Due to the danger involved no official crossing was attempted again until 1966 when a two-man team was lost at sea.

However, in that same year, John Ridgway and Chay Blyth successfully rowed across the Atlantic in 92 days.

The first person to successfully cross the Atlantic solo was John Fairfax in 1969. Born to an English father in Italy, at the age of 20 he attempted to commit suicide by having a jaguar attack him, only to change his mind, shoot the cat and sell its skin.

Fairfax spent three years as a pirate in Panama, smuggling guns, liquor and cigarettes around the world, before his solo crossing of the Atlantic.

Setting off from the Canary Islands, he stepped ashore in Florida 180 days later and declared "this is stupid", and was later congratulated in a letter from the Apollo 11 astronauts who had walked on the moon the day before he arrived in the U.S.

He and Sylvia Cook would later become the first male and female duo to cross the Pacific together.

The fastest row across the Atlantic was a four man team The Four Oarsmen who finished in 29 days, 14 hours and 34 minutes.

The first race across the ocean was founded in 1997, by Scottish yachtsman and rower Sir Chay Blyth.

Teams raced from Playa San Juan, Tenerife to Port St. Charles, Barbados, with 30 teams starting the race and 24 finishing.

Rob Hamill and Phil Stubbs of New Zealand won with a time of 41 days, two hours, and 55 minutes.

The runners-up, a convicted double murderer named Pascal Blond and his parole officer Joseph Le Guen, came in more than a week behind.

Having served 15 years for killing two people in a fight, Blond was then told he couldn't land in Barbadoes and was flown back to France.
The UK Government has been urged to reflect on its controversial legacy Bill as it failed to make it on to statute before the summer recess.

Peter Kyle MP, Labours shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said the Bill should be shelved.

As the Government has failed to ram through the legacy Bill by July as they recklessly intended, Labour is urging them to reflect over the summer and shelve their plans, he said.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle (Liam McBurney/PA)

Its time Rishi Sunak listened to Northern Ireland parties, all of whom oppose this Bill that delivers more for terrorists than victims.

If the Conservatives have given up being an honest broker, they should step aside so Labour can clean up the mess theyve made and be the partner Northern Ireland deserves.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would give immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to people who co-operated with a truth recovery body.

It would also prevent future civil cases and inquests.

The immunity element of the Bill was removed by the House of Lords, but reinstated when the legislation returned to the House of Commons on Tuesday.

In June, Cabinet Office minister Johnny Mercer said the Governments view was that the legislation would clear all stages by the summer recess.

Campaigners from Relatives for Justice protest against the Bill outside the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

On Wednesday morning Lord Caine, parliamentary under-secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said the Bills failure to pass before recess was entirely down to the volume of legislation that weve had to deal with in the House of Lords.

Lord Caine also described the immunity element of the Bill, which has faced opposition in Northern Ireland and in the House of Lords, as contentious.

The Bill is opposed by all major Stormont parties, the Irish Government and victims campaign groups.

However, Lord Caine said it is a realistic assessment of what can be done two decades after the Good Friday Agreement.

What the Government has done is tried to make a realistic assessment of what can be delivered for victims and survivors and families of those whove lost loved ones during the Troubles, bearing in mind that were now a quarter of a century after the Belfast agreement, nearly 30 years since the ceasefires, and well over 50 years since the outbreak of the Troubles themselves, he told the BBC.

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So its a realistic assessment of what can be delivered in circumstances where, frankly, the prospects of prosecutions is going to be vanishingly rare.

I do appreciate that this is incredibly difficult and challenging legislation.

Lord Caine said the Bill would not provide a general immunity from prosecution for people who committed crimes during the Troubles, only for those crimes that were dealt with by the Truth Recovery Commission.

Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says an inquiry after a suspicious death must be designed to lead to criminal proceedings where appropriate.

The contentious element of this, of course, which is very difficult for people, is the conditional immunity model, said Lord Caine.

Under the Governments proposals, the review mechanism thats in the legislation would allow for full Article 2-compliant criminal investigation.

The difference is, if the individual co-operates with the commission fully, and gives an honest and truthful account, which will be validated by the commission, then they will be eligible for immunity in specific circumstances relating to that particular incident.

Its not a general immunity from prosecution, its in respect of specific incidents.

If they dont co-operate to the standard that is expected in legislation with the commission, then the commission wont grant them immunity and they will still be open to prosecution in the normal way.

Lord Caine said he has made changes to the legislation to try to make it more acceptable to its opponents.

When this was going through the House of Lords at committee stage, I did take on board a number of representations from colleagues and also from various groups who argued that the bar was too low, he said.

So what I did was bring forward amendments at report stage of the Bill which were agreed by the Commons yesterday to make the immunity process much more robust.

In particular, to ensure that the commission has to take all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves of the validity and truthfulness of an individuals account.

Lord Caine (Jacob King/PA)

In circumstances where somebodys account is found to have been untruthful, I again amended the Bill to make sure that, if they had previously been granted immunity, that immunity can be revoked.

Families of victims have taken part in numerous protests opposing the Bill, saying it deprives their loved ones of justice.

Lord Caine said those affected by incidents being investigated by the commission would be invited to give evidence.

To raise the point about the views of victims again, I amended the Bill to ensure that one of the provisions thats now included is a victims impact statement, which is something that the Victims Commissioner in particular asked for, so that victims will be able to submit an impact assessment which will form part of the final report.

Victims, as a result of the amendments in the Commons yesterday, will also, when a review/investigation is launched, be able to submit a series of questions about an incident which the commission will be under an obligation to the best of its ability to answer, which will then form part of the final report.
FILE PHOTO: Commercial vessels including vessels which are part of Black Sea grain deal wait to pass the Bosphorus strait off the shores of Yenikapi in Istanbul, Turkey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House warned on Wednesday that Russia may expand its targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea.

Adam Hodge, White House National Security Council spokesperson, said U.S. officials have information indicating Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports.

"We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks," he said.

Hodge said Russia had announced that all ships proceeding to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters would be considered potential carriers of military cargo and said U.S. information indicated Russia had laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports.

"In addition to this coordinated effort in the Black Sea, we have already observed that Russia targeted Ukraine's grain export ports in Odesa with missiles and drones on July 18 and 19, resulting in the destruction of agricultural infrastructure and 60,000 tons of grain," he said.

Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of damaging grain export infrastructure in "hellish" overnight strikes focused on two of its Black Sea ports, vowing not to be intimidated from working to keep grain exports moving out of them.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Sandra Maler)
HIGH Court judge Justice Bongani Ndlovu will today make a ruling on the preliminary points raised during arguments in an application in which 12 registered voters in Bulawayo are challenging the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)s decision to accept nomination papers of political parties members who filed their papers outside the timeframes.

The Nomination Court sat on June 21 to accept papers from aspiring candidates. ZEC sat the next day to accommodate some aspiring candidates who had failed to file their papers on time.

The candidates from various parties which include Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Zapu, Free Zim Congress and the Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC) submitted their papers after the 4pm deadline.

ZEC has since published the final list of candidates participating in the August 23 harmonised elections.

Twelve urgent chamber applications for declaratory order were recently filed at the Bulawayo High Court by registered voters in Bulawayo. Cheda and Cheda Associates is representing all the applicants.

They are challenging ZECs decision to accept the nomination papers from the opposition party candidates.

They are seeking the disqualification of the aspiring MPs for allegedly filing their nomination papers outside the timeframes.

One of the applicants, Ms Rachel Dube, a registered voter in Mpopoma/Mzilikazi constituency, filed the application at the Bulawayo High Court under case number HC 1362. In papers before the court she cited ZEC, its chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba, the Bulawayo provincial elections officer Mr Innocent Ncube, Desmond Makaza (CCC candidate), Zwikwete Innocent Mbano (ZANC) and Strike Mkandla (independent candidate).

In her founding affidavit, Ms Dube said ZECs decision to accept the nomination papers from the cited respondents was an illegality which should be declared null and void.

Prospective election participants were all in all accorded ample time to put their paperwork and affairs in order ahead of the nomination day. Regrettably, for some of the political outfits, this turned out not to be the case.

The third, fourth and fifth respondents were election candidates of CCC, ZANC and independent candidate respectively in the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and for the Mpopoma/Mzilikazi constituency, she said.

Ms Dube argued that despite the Nomination Court properly commencing at 10 AM on June 21, 2023, the nomination papers in relation to the third, fourth and fifth respondents were in disarray.

She argued that the steps taken by the provincial elections officer were solely aimed at accommodating Makaza, Mbano and Mkandla and their colleagues from the same political parties in other constituencies in Bulawayo.

Ms Dube said in terms of section 46(7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, the provincial elections officer erred by accepting the candidature of Makaza, Mbano and Mkandla.

She said there was no factual or legal basis for Makaza, Mbano and Mkandla being permitted to submit their nomination papers after 4pm when the cut-off time had undeniably lapsed.

In conclusion I aver that this court application is urgent and pray that this Honourable Court intervenes in order to uphold the dictates of the law, argued Ms Dube.

She want wants an order declaring the decision by the provincial elections officer to accept the three respondents nomination papers null and void and set aside.

The opposition parties candidates were represented by various lawyers from different law firms and these included Professor Welshman Ncube, Advocate Thabani Mpofu, Moses Mahlangu and Brian Robin.

ZEC, which was represented by Mr Tawanda Kanengoni, opposed the application, arguing that the general division of the High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter.

In his opposing affidavit, Mr Ncube said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Electoral Court.

I am advised, and accept that advice that the Supreme Court whose decisions bind this honourable court, has found in various matters that the constitutional matrix by which the existence of specialised courts is founded, doesnt allow the High Court, in the exercise of its inherent jurisdiction, to usurp the specialised jurisdiction of the Electoral Court, he said.

Accordingly, this court lacks jurisdiction in the first instance in these matters and ought to strike them off the roll,

Advocate Mpofu concurred with ZEC, arguing that electoral disputes are a preserve of the Electoral Court, which is a specialised division of the High Court.

He further argued that there is a need for the court to establish what time CCC candidates, he is representing, got to the nomination court to file their nomination papers.

Prof Ncube also representing some CCC candidates urged that applicants relied on hearsay evidence, as they were not at the nomination court.

The applicants were not present at the court, they witnessed nothing and they dont even say they were told, but what they are doing is bringing and telling fairytales, he said.

Adv Thembinkosi Magwaliba who was instructed by the applicants lawyers, argued that the High Court had the jurisdiction to decide declaratory matters even with the existence of the Electoral Court.

It is clear that as a matter of law, the applicants are in the correct forum. The applicants are proper before this court, he argued.

Justice Ndlovu will today make a ruling on preliminary arguments before the matter proceeds on the merits. In proceedings on the merits, the court will then deliver a final judgment of the case. Chronicle
CHESTERFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Ben Osborn of Sheffield United runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Chesterfield and Sheffield United at on July 15, 2023 in Chesterfield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Sheffield United are now stepping up their preparations for the new season as we move into the busy end of the summer.

The Blades have enjoyed a successful start to pre-season, winning their only game so far, although it is not about the results at this stage. While Paul Heckingbottom will have been more concerned with fitness, United managed to see off Chesterfield in their summer opener. The Blades have since travelled to Portugal, where they will face Estoril Praia ahead of returning to British soil for the remainder of their summer games.

Here we round up all you need to know about the clash with Estoril Praia.

CHESTERFIELD, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Paul Heckingbottom the manager of Sheffield United looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Chesterfield and Sheffield United at on July 15, 2023 in Chesterfield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

When is Estoril Praia vs Sheffield United?

Estoril Praia vs Sheffield United will take place on Wednesday, July 7.

The fixture is being held at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, in Estoril, and kick-off is at 7.30pm.

Is it on TV?

This game is not on TV, but fans can still tune in via the clubs SUTV platform.

It is not free, however, with the Blades offering a pre-season package costing 30. That will allow you not only to watch this game but the remaining pre-season fixtures.

Highlights details

Highlights of this fixture will be available on Uniteds YouTube page.

Bitesize highlights will likely be posted on the clubs official channel some time on Thursday.

What has Paul Heckingbottom said?

We havent heard a lot from the United boss on pre-season preparations this summer, which is not a surprise given the lack of friendly action so far.

But in an address in early July, Heckingbottom said: Its the time of year for that [integration], whether its new players or staff. You want everyone to feel a part of it come that first game and when the whistle blows. So its a big part of what pre-season is. Yes, its about getting fit and trying to get the information across to new players and members of staff, so they can hit the ground running. But its also about integrating them and making them part of the team as well.

I dont think weve got half the players back yet, weve had three different stages coming back because a lot of people have done different things during the summer as well. Come next Monday, the 10th, everyone will be back in and itll be good to see where we are. Itll be about adding to that squad and getting to work for the first game against Palace.

Story continues

Since then, all of the players have returned to pre-season training, including the internationals, and we should see more key stars involved in the clash with Estoril Praia. Although, its worth keeping in mind that this will be the first run-out of the summer for some players, meaning it will likely be more of a fitness test, and significant rotations are expected.

Sheffield Uniteds pre-season schedule

The Blades pre-season schedule in full is as follows:

July 19 - Estoril Praia (Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, Portugal)

July 25 - Rotherham United (New York Stadium)

July 26 - Girona (TBC)

July 29 - Derby County (Pride Park)

August 5 - Stuttgart (Bramall Lane)
Russia on Wednesday warned that from Thursday, any ships travelling to Ukraine's Black Sea ports will be seen as possibly carrying military cargo and their flag states parties to the conflict. The announcement came after Ukraine said it was setting up a temporary shipping route to try and continue its grain exports following Russia's pullout of the Black Sea grain deal. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments on the war in Ukraine. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).

This live page is no longer being updated. For more of our coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

1:05am: US official says Russia could attack civilian ships in Black Sea

Russia is considering attacks on civilian ships carrying grain from Ukraine on the Black Sea and then seeking to put the blame on Ukrainian forces, a senior White House official said Wednesday.

"The Russian military may expand their targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks against civilian shipping," National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge told AFP, citing "a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks."

10:20pm: Belarus Red Cross chief's comments on bringing Ukrainian children sparks outcry

- Resumption of exports of agricultural machinery and spare parts to Russia;



Read more on FRANCE 24 English



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Fabinho in action for Liverpool

Fabinho is awaiting the green light to leave Liverpool and travel to Saudi Arabia.

Brazilian publication Globo reports that the midfielder has already agreed terms with Al-Ittihad. A 40 million bid has been lodged and Fabinho has not travelled with the Reds for their pre-season training camp in Germany.

An Anfield departure is edging closer for the midfielder, who has won six major trophies during his five seasons at Jurgen Klopps side - including the Premier League and Champions League. In total, he has made 219 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 11 times.

But Fabinho has been lured to Saudi like former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and ex-Chelsea midfielder NGolo Kante, who are poised to become his new team-mates at Al-Ittihad.

Reports in the 29-year-olds native Brazil have suggested that the Saudi Pro League outfit - who are owned by the countrys Public Investment Fund - are waiting for the money to be released by the government before Fabinho can fly to the Gulf state.

It is also suggested that Fabinhos lack of involvement representing the national team, having been omitted from Brazils squad in the past two international breaks, has been a factor in his decision to move to the Middle East.
Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children

Prince Louis older siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, have both been on royal tours with their parents, but the youngest child is yet to reach the major royal milestone. George went on his first tour when he went to Australia and New Zealand at eight months old in 2014, while Charlotte was 16 months old when she joined her parents on their tour of Canada in 2016.

However, Louis has yet to go on one with his parents, but the reason why the young royal has not made any journeys is quite simple. The reason comes down to the pandemic and school schedule.

In 2019, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Pakistan for a five-day tour. None of the children went and at the time Kensington Palace said it was the couples "most complex tour" to date. By 2020, the pandemic brought challenges to travelling abroad and many engagements were carried out in the UK.

William and Kate didnt do another international tour until 2022 when they went to the Caribbean for 10 days. None of the three children accompanied them because it was during term time and Louis was enrolled at nursery.

William and Kates three-day trip to Boston in November 2022 also clashed with the childrens education. However, Louis will have to wait a little longer to reach the milestone of going on a royal tour as his parents could be going to Singapore in November - when the children will still be in school.

Earlier this year, Prince Louis carried out his first public engagement the day after the coronation of his Grandfather, King Charles. He took part in the Big Help Out at 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough to assist in renovating and improving the building.
Europe braced for record-smashing heat Tuesday with Greece battling wildfires that have forced people to flee their homes. The UN's World Meteorological Organization warned of increased risks for health as heatwaves across the globe showed no signs of easing.

From California to China, authorities have warned of the health dangers of the extreme heat, urging people to drink water and shelter from the burning sun.

In a stark reminder of the effects of global warming, the UN's World Meteorological Agency (WMO) said the world should prepare for increasingly intense heat.

"These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves," John Nairn, a senior extreme heat advisor at the WMO told reporters.

Record heatwave expected in Sardinia and Sicily

The peak in Europe was due to hit in the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily, where temperatures could surpass the continent-wide record of 48.8 degrees Celsius recorded in Sicily in August 2021.

In Rome, where temperatures were expected to reach 42C, two priests ambled lethargically with their collars open outside the Pantheon as local merchants filled up water buckets at public fountains.

"We can't stop because of the heat," said waiter Mauro Natale, 45, who said staff was allowed to wear short-sleeved shirts instead of their usual suits.



Read more on RFI English



Read also:

June off to its hottest start on record between El Nino and climate change

Europe's heatwave last summer killed more than 61,000 people, study finds

UN records hottest week on record, warns of impacts on ecosystems, health
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin has purportedly appeared in a new video welcoming his fighters to Belarus and saying their training will make the Belarusian army the second best in the world.

The head of the Wagner Group is heard saying his men will stay in Belarus for some time and hit out at the situation on the frontline in Ukraine, calling it a "disgrace".

Thousands fleeing after massive explosion in Crimea - live updates on Ukraine war

The footage was filmed in the evening at the Tsel military base in southern Belarus. The exact date is unknown, but it is believed to have been captured at some point in the last week.

Prigozhin's plane reportedly arrived in the country yesterday morning.

It would be his first public appearance since he led an armed mutiny in Russia in June.

In the late-night footage, Prigozhin reportedly said they would take no further part in the war for now.

He is believed to have told his fighters: "Welcome lads... welcome to Belarusian soil.

"We fought honourably. You have done a great deal for Russia. What is going on at the front is a disgrace that we do not need to get involved in."

Prigozhin then told his men to behave well towards the local people and ordered them to train the Belarusian army and summon up their strength for a "new journey to Africa".

"And perhaps we will return to the SMO [special military operation in Ukraine] at some point when we are sure that we will not be forced to shame ourselves," Prigozhin said.

Wagner forces have previously been active in parts of Africa including the Central African Republic and Mali.

Read more:

Wagner 'perfecting a nightmarish blueprint for state capture'

Wagner troops leave Central African Republic after 'refusing Russia contracts'

Wigs, guns and gold bars found in raid of Prigozhin's palace

Last month, Prigozhin led a short-lived rebellion, railing against top Russian defence officials as his fighters headed towards Moscow.

Story continues

He called off the mutiny and his mercenaries pulled back after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko helped broker a "deal", which would supposedly see the businessman move to the Russian-allied country and his forces absorbed into the military.

Mr Lukashenko said earlier this month the Wagner leader was back in Russia and his fighters had not taken up an offer to relocate across the border.

But yesterday satellite photos, taken the day before, were released apparently showing a large convoy of vehicles had arrived at a once-abandoned military base in Belarus, which local authorities offered to Wagner.

The images from Planet Labs PBC showed a long line of vehicles going to the base near the town of Osipovichi, 45 miles from the capital Minsk.

Belaruski Hajun, an activist group monitoring troops' movements, said a convoy of more than 100 vehicles carrying Russian flags and Wagner insignia entered the country, heading towards the field camp.

The group said it was the third Wagner convoy to enter the country since last week.
Jonah Hauer-King filming World on Fire season 2

World on Fire fans are over the moon that the show has finally returned to their screens after a four year break - especially as the first season ended on a massive cliffhanger.

Filming began for the second season last year, after long delays caused by the Covid pandemic, and the series has returned to BBC One now. Season two is set across Europe from late 1940 to 1941, and will follow the Manchester Blitz, and the North African campaign as well as returning to events in Nazi Germany and occupied France.

Returning cast include Lesley Manville, Jonah Hauer-King, Julia Brown, and Zofia Wichlacz, whilst Mark Bonnar, Gregg Sulkin, and Grace Chilton are among the new cast members.

World on Fire series 2,20-08-2023,6,Behind-The-Scenes,Mammoth Screen,Steffan Hill

Sean Bean, who starred in the first season, will not return to the role of the dedicated pacifist Douglas Bennett, due to the stars scheduling conflicts.

As the global conflict heats up in the second season, the theatres of battle expand to new continents and to the land, air and sea in a war like none ever before experienced. This is everything we know so far about where World on Fire season two was filmed:

Where was World on Fire season 2 filmed?

The first season of World on Fire was filmed in Manchester as well as Prague, Zatec and Terezin in the Czech Republic.

Both seasons of World on Fire were produced by TV company Mammoth Screen, which has also produced major shows including Poldark, Endeavour, Noughts and Crosses, and The Serpent.

Filming on season two began in Belfast, Northern Ireland in July 2022 and wrapped in September - many of the cast and crew shared snaps from Northern Ireland on social media during production.

Belfast is a popular filming location for many well-known shows, and BBC dramas Blue Lights and The Fall were also filmed there.

Other filming locations for the second series have not yet been revealed. Last years BBC wartime drama series SAS: Rogue Heroes, which also focused on the North African campaign, was filmed in the Sahara desert in Morocco, and it is possible that shooting for World on Fire also took place there.

Additionally, as the Manchester-set scenes in the first season were filmed in Wigan, it is likely that producers returned there to film the Manchester Blitz scenes for the second season.

Behind the scenes images shared by the BBC also show large elaborate sets were used for many scenes set in the Sahara desert, with what is essentially a large sandbox being used to replicate the desolate landscape.
Supply chains of timber, wood products, coffee, and rubber of many countries will encounter many challenges in meeting the EU Degorestation Regulation (EUDR). However, this is also a great opportunity for Vietnam to expand export markets if it is well prepared and satisfy the new rules.



Under the EUDR, to enter European markets, all agricultural products of Vietnam must have exact Global Positioning Systems (GPS) coordinates of their farms based on which any evidence of defrestation could be checked via remote sensing systems.



Timber and wood products, coffee, and rubber are among key foreign currency earners of Vietnam, bringing home more than 2.3 billion EUR (nearly 2.6 billion USD) in exports to Europe each year. About 47.5% of the revenue comes from coffee, 35.2% from wood, and 17.1% from rubber.



Therefore, Vietnam will be affected once the EUDR takes effect.



Addressing a conference on this issue held in Hanoi on June 29, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan affirmed Vietnams commitment to promoting green growth, noting the new rules of the EU will help the country enhance its sense of responsibility towards the world, and that green growth is an attitude not a slogan.



At this event, Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General of the Environment Department of the European Commission, highlighted the EUs commitment to assisting Vietnam to sustainably develop and effectively deal with environmental challenges to contribute to the prosperity of the Vietnamese people and conserve the unique natural heritage of the country.



Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the agriculture ministry, held that Vietnam needs to seriously implement the requirements of the EU, which is an important market, especially for its coffee products.



The country will focus on developing sectors in a more sustainable, greener, and more responsible manner in order to improve the competitivenes of its farm produce in the EU compared to rivals from the countries yet adapting to the EUDR. That will also generate opportunities for farmers to improve their livelihoods, he noted.



Vietnam is about to issue a national-level action plan of the agricultural sector to meet the EUDR. So far, most of the sectors branches have met EUDR standards. In particular, 70% of the coffee farming area is not related to forest, 20% adjacent to forest, and 10% in forest and in the risk group. Rubber and wood products have their own sustainable production certificates.



Nguyen Nam Hai, Chairman of the Vietnam Coffee - Cocoa Association (Vicofa), said that the country is currently home to about 650,000ha of coffee plants, most of which had been cultivated before 2020. If there is any coffee area linked with deforestation after December 31, 2020, it is very small.



Under the EUDR, operators and traders will have to prove that their products are both deforestation-free (produced on land not subject to deforestation after 31 December 2020) and legal (compliant with all relevant applicable laws in force in the country of production).



The majority of Vietnamese coffee is produced by smallholders, with about 1.2 million households involved, and the number of households owing less than 0.5ha is considerable, which poses great difficulties in origin tracing, he pointed out.



However, businesses, associations, and state agencies affirmed that they are ready to both cope with this challenge and seize opportunities it creates.



Tran Quynh Chi, Regional Director of Asian landscapes of the Sustainble Trade Initative (IDH), said that the EU requirement for tracing produce back to their farms will increase management, storage, and transporation expenses for businesses.



Major enterprises, especially foreign ones, have moved to build their own databases to prove their products meet the EU standards. But if businesses work by themselves, expenses will surge and farmers be the hardest hit, so IDH is coordinating with some domestic companies to pilot two origin tracing methods in three large coffee cultivation districts covering 110,000ha. One method is to trace origin back to the district and communal levels in low- or no-risk areas, which account for about 90% of the total coffee area in the three districts. The remaining 10% in risk areas will apply tracing origin back to farms.



Basing on the pilot methods, the relevant sides can estimate costs and the capability of meeting the requirements and devise measures for sharing with the EU, Chi added.



She went on to say that ministries and localities need to join actions to develop database and create conditions for origin tracing. Although most of Vietnamese coffee plants being harvested had been grown before December 31, 2020, the origins of this produce still have to be proved to the EU.



Tuan emphasised that businesses and associations should be well aware of this issue and create guidance, especially for how to build databases and provide information. Basing on those databases, they can reduce costs in developing production unit codes and tracing product origins. To do that, it is necessary to boost cooperation among all parties, from state agencies, enterprises to farmers, with support from domestic and foreign development organisations.



He noted the agriculture ministry has worked with the EU to call for the blocs support programmes helping the agricultural supply chains impacted by the EUDR. Aside from pledging to assist the forestry sector to carry out a programme on reducing or preventing deforestation and forest degradation via promoting the conservation, recovery and sustainable management of forest, the EU also promised to implement another to help agricultural branches improve their capacity to meet the EUDR.



Meeting the EUDR will be another step of Vietnam in climate change response, environmental protection, and economic development, Tuan added, citing Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as saying at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in the UK in late 2021 that Vietnam will not pursue growth at the expense of the environment./.
The South African Presidency has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit in Johannesburg next month.

In a statement, The Presidency said Russia would be represented by the countrys foreign minister  Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov attended the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Cape Town last month.

By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the Summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Mr Sergey Lavrov.

In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued.

President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe, read part of the statement from the South African Presidency.

The Presidency added that the summit would be attended by other BRICS leaders from Brazil, India and China
HA NOI  Camimex Group JSC (CMX) has just approved the plan to issue bonds worth VN300 billion (US$12.7 million).

The batch of three-year bonds is non-convertible without warrants, but has collateral. And it is expected to be released this year.

Camimex Group is known as one of the world's first organic shrimp producers and is the only Vietnamese producer that presently complies with Naturland, EU Organic, and BIO SUISSE organic standards.

Previously, the company issued a batch of two-year bonds with the code of CMXH2123001 in October 2021 and due on October 22 this year. They are also non-warranty, non-convertible, and secured bonds.

The whole batch was issued to foreign institutional investors, which were three funds of ASAM Vietnam.

All the money raised from the issuance was spent to buy raw materials, expand production, and increase working capital.

In the first quarter of 2023, Camimex reported revenue of VN242 billion and a net profit of VN23 billion, down 48 per cent and 8 per cent over the same period last year, respectively. As a result, the company has accomplished 8 per cent of the revenue objective and 22 per cent of the yearly profit target.

This year, Camimex Group expects to export 10,000 tonnes of finished goods with a total export turnover of $100 million. The European Union (EU) is currently the company's largest export market. The business also plans to expand the ecological shrimp farming area to 20,000 hectares.

SSI Securities Corporation said that despite many challenges, seafood export businesses will start to see improvement in profits in the second half of 2023, thanks to lower costs including both raw materials and shipping.

On the stock market, CMX ended Tuesday at VN10,300 a share, an increase of 26.5 per cent from the beginning of the year.  VNS
HCM CITY  CYDAS, a Japanese IT venture company that provides a human resources data platform, has formed a business alliance with MOR Software JSC, a Vietnamese service provider engaged in software exports, to provide a human resources data platform.

The platform, also called CYDAS, has the comprehensive features of a human resource management system including human resource visualisation, input and retrieval of employees' information, evaluating results based on goals, training, and creating and retaining employees based on data systems that align with the company's objectives.

Employees can use it to update data such as individual career aspirations and important milestones in life.

Furthermore, companies who use the platform will be able to make human resource planning in a fair, transparent and convincing manner.

CYDAS actively hires Vietnamese engineers every year, and in FY2024 more than 10 per cent of our entire workforce will be Vietnamese, Shin Matsuda, president of CYDAS, said.

It is against this backdrop that we developed  a product that is easy to use for Vietnamese.

MOR Software has been a part of the development of the service since before the service was launched. We have worked together to speed up the development of the service, and I am confident that we will have a good partnership as we expand the service to Viet Nam.

According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Viet Nam's population last year was 99.46 million, and is expected to surpass 100 million this year.

It has a large number of workers who are highly motivated to develop their careers, and an increasing number of them are changing jobs in search of work and an environment where they can better develop their skills.

In recent years the job hopping rate has been on the increase.

MOR Software, a top development company in Viet Nam, handles a wide range of projects like commissioned offshore development, AI system development and IT human resource introduction in Japan, the US and other countries.  VNS
HA NOI  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) will take place in Ha Noi from September 19-21, with Vietnam Airlines as the host airline.

Under the theme Leadership in Action: Driving Safer and More Efficient Operations, the conference will bring together more than 800 delegates who are representatives from airlines and international organisations worldwide.

Borders are open, airports are busy, and flights are full. As we rebuild airline networks and balance sheets, it is vital that all aviation stakeholders maintain the same strong commitment to safe operations that we exercised during the pandemic years. The WSOC is the forum to discuss and debate todays challenges and opportunities to keep the industry on a trajectory of improving safety and more efficient operations, said IATAs Director General Willie Walsh.

Safety is aviations highest priority and is the cornerstone of all Vietnam Airlines operations and practices. We are excited to be the host airline for this important inaugural conference, bringing together cutting-edge leaders, regulators and a larger global community to address key topics relating to safety and infrastructure to ensure stronger safety operations in the wider industry, said Le Hong Ha, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines.

Session tracks will address safety, cabin operations, flight operations and emergency response planning and aircraft recovery, according to IATA.  VNS
By Ly Ly Cao

HA NOI  The Vietnamese stock market has undergone considerable changes in market capitalisation, liquidity, and the number of investors after more than two decades of operation. However, the number of newly listed companies is limited for a variety of reasons.

As of June 30, the market cap of the three stock exchanges, the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), and UPCoM, exceeded VN5.78 quadrillion (US$244.5 billion), a 10.7 per cent rise from the end of 2022.

According to figures from the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC), the number of listed firms was 1,600 at the end of June, up from only two companies trading on the stock market. However, the figure has not changed significantly in recent years.

While 54 new shares were added on three exchanges last year, delisted firms outnumbered the newly listed ones, causing the number of new trading stocks to decline by more than 40 units over 2021.

In the first half of 2023, there was only one new listed company on HoSE, which is Pacific Petroleum Transportation (PVP), and two more are expected to be listed in July and August. All three were transferred from UPCoM.

On HNX and UPCoM, the number of newcomers has totalled six so far this year.

The weaker internal factors of enterprises after suffering more than two years of pandemic and economic slowdown are attributed to the less positive picture in listing activities, Nguyen Trung uc, a representative of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (VINASME), said at a workshop themed "Solutions to Promote Companies Listing on the Stock Market" yesterday morning.

VINASME has more than 65,000 members, but the number of listed companies and those that are eligible for listing is just over 1 per cent.

"The biggest challenge now for SMEs is looking for output for their business activities," uc said, adding that SMEs also struggle to satisfy the listing conditions.

Enterprises that seek to go public must first focus on core business operations, reorganise to enhance internal resources, and improve product and service quality to fulfil the requirements necessary for listing.

"In the near future, the association will assist members in increasing the number of listed businesses because the stock market is a good long-term capital mobilisation channel. Listing helps SMEs strengthen their reputation and brand," uc added.

Similarly, Phan Quoc Huynh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Securities Business (VASB), stated that the key restriction for the present stock market listing situation is the internal health of enterprises.

"With stricter and more transparent listing regulations in place to improve the quality of goods on the market, enterprises must be transparent and healthy in order to be listed successfully," Huynh noted.

Furthermore, many enterprises are unaware of the requirements and timeline for listing operations, according to Bui inh Nhu, Chairman of Vietnam Enterprise Investment and Restructuring JSC. As a result, in order to stimulate their listing demands, it is vital to help firms become aware of the rewards and obstacles of going public.

The market's liquidity has improved as a result of the government's support measures. The market has experienced additional trading sessions near VN20 trillion and is approaching 1,200 points.

On Wednesday, the market benchmark VN-Index reversed its recent rally course to end lower at 1,172.98 points. It had gained for eight consecutive sessions. VNS
THE ruling Zanu PF party has upped the ante as it reportedly intimidates villagers to attend its weekly campaign meetings, warning that an attendance register will be used to punish those who boycott.

NewsDay has established that an attendance register is marked during every meeting and an audio doing the rounds on social media seems to confirm this.

In the audio, the voice of a suspected Zanu PF official is heard sternly threatening villagers in what is believed to be somewhere in Manicaland province.

The Zanu PF official claimed that villagers are already being monitored and spied on by security officials deployed in their wards ahead of the elections.

On election day, the official said, villagers will vote according to their cell registers, in what may turn out to be one of the biggest electoral violation.

We have a cell register which will be used on election day, he is heard saying, amid mumbles of disgruntlement in the background.

I am urging that if you are not available to attend our meetings on a particular day, you should go and report to your cell chair to give notice. If you dont attend our meetings, you will pay a fine of a goat.

On election day, the cell chair will lead the process. The cell chair, who has all the names of the cell, will tick the register as we vote. This election will be different from the previous ones, where you would go straight to vote with a national identity card. This time, you will go straight to your cell chairperson who will give you permission to go to vote.

He adds: There are many people who are monitoring you and you dont know some of them. I think you were told that we have two election dates; August 23 and October 2, if there is re-run, you might taken from your home and be killed.

Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa dismissed the reports and audio as part of a sponsored smear campaign against the ruling party.

There have been a lot of people who have been planted to smear Zanu PF. Look at the numbers attending our rallies, no one have been forced to attend.

There are people who have infiltrated our party and are trying to smear our party, he told NewsDay yesterday.

People who feel victimised should report to the police, people are protected by law of the land. Police are there for law and order and those who feel infringed should report to police.

Analysts yesterday pleaded with political parties to observe peace before, during and after the elections to ensure the polls are not disputed.

There is a need for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to look into this issue in line with its mandate to stop the electoral malpractice and for political parties to adhere to the electoral code of conduct, analyst Vivid Gwede said.

Police must also play their part to ensure perpetrators of violence are brought to book.

Another political analyst Sydicks Muradzikwa called on Zanu PF leaders to lead from the front in campaigning for peace.

Any public utterance by the centre becomes a policy position. Violence has been unleashed at the rallies by the Executive through the word of mouth. How many times has President Emmerson Mnangagwa mentioned the word kurakasha (assault the opposition)? he said.

Meanwhile, police yesterday said they had launched an investigation into a case in which Environment and Tourism deputy minister Barbra Rwodzi is accused of intimidating a police officer for arresting and opening a docket against a Zanu PF supporter who defaced opposition candidate campaign posters in Chirumanzu.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has taken note of an audio circulating on social media concerning the incident involving some ZRP Charandura members allegedly with the deputy minister of Tourism and Environment ... The case is now under investigation, police said.

In the audio, Rwodzi, who is the Zanu PF legislator for Chirumanzu South constituency, was recorded insulting a senior police officer, who was preparing a docket against a Zanu PF supporter, only known as Danger.

The supporter is also believed to be part of Rwodzis campaign team and was reported for allegedly tearing down CCC posters in the constituency.

In a three and half minute audio that has since gone viral on social media, Rwodzi is heard calling Assistant Inspector Matsa, based at Charandura Police Station, a stupid idiot. Newsday
Vietnamese self-taught artist Nguyen Tien Dung (Jeet Zdung) is the winner of the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Awards Medal for Illustration.

The awards are the UKs longest-running and best-loved childrens book awards, recognising outstanding reading experiences created through writing and illustration in books for children and young people.

The award-winning book entitled Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear won top prize at National Book Award in 2021.

Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Binh chats with Dung about his work.

How did you become an illustrator for children?

I didn't like to illustrate books in the beginning. When I was a junior high school student, I always wished that I became a comic book artist. Creating my own cartoon movies on paper is really what I want to do.

I like Japanese Doraemon manga the most.

However, it is not easy to have a chance to publish in manga and manga artists cannot earn an easy living.

Manga books do not require the author to draw beautiful pictures or write great stories, but it does require a high level of plot and the ability to effectively present the story in pictures.

Like a movie, a manga must draw the reader into the journey of the characters with continuous moving images connected to each other through frames that are carefully arranged with each turn of the page.

If the story is poorly presented, no matter how attractive the plot and how beautiful the paintings are, it can't make the readers keep going.

But book illustration is partly easier because the writer or illustrator just needs to do their work well.

Do you pursue your own illustration style?

I create different styles depending on the content of the book that I want to illustrate. In the first volumes of Saving Sorya, I combined Japanese manga and western comic art for scientific illustration and realistic depictions.

I also like to combine drawing styles in Vietnamese and Japanese folk paintings. Sometimes, just because I see another artist with a great drawing style, I want to learn and come up with a script to draw and practise.

I am most comfortable drawing with traditional materials on paper. I like using pencils, brushes, ink, watercolours, gouache, do paper and washi. These are convenient materials to take with me to draw any place and convenient to use in the scanner.

I used to paint a lot with digital tools but later I felt nervous every time working with machines. Paper and pen suit me better.

What is your biggest challenge when you draw the series?

I only have about over 120 pages per volume, meanwhile, there is a lot of knowledge and good details that I want to include in the book.

If I get too greedy, the story will be rushed and the reader will be flooded with a mountain of information.

Many scenes were so important that the script and structure of the book had to change to make room for them.

But it's very difficult to choose from the beginning. In composing, no matter what it is, I have to try a lot before I know what to prioritise and what to get rid of.

The tempo of the story greatly affects the reader's experience. My job is to lead their emotional rhythm up and down smoothly enough throughout the reading process.

If I feel the tempo isn't good, I'll need to change the structure of the story. I hope I did well enough.

This is a big project in terms of both the number of illustrations and the time it took. Are you satisfied with the success the book has achieved?

Wildlife conservationist Trang Nguyen is the author who finds real stories in her work which inspires her to write the script. She later sends it to me.

I draft the story script based on Trang's script. After that, I went on field trips to national parks and animal rescue centres working with animal experts and seeing the animals which are the main characters in the book.

In order to present as vividly as possible the environment and habitat of the forests that I have been to I want to know what the plants are called and where they should be located in the forests.

I try to gather as much material and real-life experience as possible before starting to work on the detailed script.

I'm very grateful to volunteer assistant artists Phuong An, Nguyet Hang, Nguyen Ngoc Hoan and Nguyen Hoang Long.

When the book came out and was well received, I simply felt I had done my job well. I am satisfied that I have finished these two volumes.

Author Trang Nguyen and I both want to do our best so that our book can make a positive contribution to wildlife conservation, attracting the community's interest in wildlife and bear conservation as well.

There are many talented comic writers and illustrators in Viet Nam. Hopefully, the book's success is a good start for many good works on the theme of Viet Nam's wildlife to be born and grow and come to the world. I look forward to reading them.

What is the most important thing you put into your illustrations and what do you plan for your work?

I'm not sure what's most important when people illustrate children's books. For me personally, it's probably the ability to reminisce about how I saw the world around me when I was a child.

Trang Nguyen and I will continue to make the next volumes of Saving Sorya. Plus, I have other projects in which I experience different styles and materials.

My latest book is My Daddy is A Runner. Its author is Bui Phuong Tam. I hope that the readers will like it.  VNS
By Nguyen Hang

A bad employee or executive can damage a few products or a few projects, but bad teachers can ruin an entire generation, which is the incalculable consequence that the whole society has to bear.

This is the first thing that appeared in my mind when I heard about the news that the organisers of the Genius Olympiad contest decided to cancel the results of a Vietnamese male student for fraud last Tuesday.

The move came four days after Ly Khanh Mai Chi, a 9th-grade student of Le Van Tam Secondary School in Binh Thanh District, HCM City, on July 7, posted a status on her Facebook account, accusing the male student and a teacher of Gia inh High School used her work to participate in the Genius Olympiad in the United States and won the prize.

The organisers of the Genius Olympiad contest said It has come to our attention that a recent project submitted for the Genius Olympiad has been found to contain a high level of similarity to an original submission by another student. Both students were supervised by the same teacher. After conducting a thorough investigation, we have determined that the student work in question has three to four sentences which are exactly the same as the original work and has three to four sentences very similar with only rearranged words. In addition, a text comparison tool identified that fraudulent work has 86 per cent similarity with the original work. In light of this discovery, we have taken the necessary steps to revoke the award associated with this fraudulent submission. The students recognition and any related accolades have been rescinded. Furthermore, we have also taken action against the teacher who oversaw the projects submission as the account supervisor. The supervisor will not be able to submit any projects for the upcoming 2024 Genius Olympiad.

Genius Olympiad is an international fee-based competition that promotes awareness of environmental issues through projects in science, creative writing, business, robotics, art, music, and short film. Every year, the competition attracts the participation of many high school students around the world.

This is a really sad and shameful ending because the fraud discovered in this case is no longer the private matter of a student, a teacher, or a school but also the face of a country's academic ethics with international friends.

Chi participated in the 2023 Genius Olympiad with two projects in two categories of Music and Creative Writing.

N.M.T., a teacher from Gia inh High School, was her supervisor.

After that, T. told Chi that she passed the Music section, but she was eliminated from the Creative Writing section.

However, Chi's family found that there was a similar project registered on the contests system. They asked the teacher, who said it was just a coincidence.

In June 2023, at the final round in the US, Chi discovered that her project was presented by a male student and he won the bronze medal. Then Chi found that the student was also supervised by her teacher. Chis family asked the teacher and the family of the male student to clarify the case but received no response.

Achievement disease"

"Achievement disease" in the education sector is a problem that has existed for a long time in Viet Nam but it has not been completely resolved so far.

A survey by a group, led by Professor Nguyen Ngoc Phu, Vice President and General Secretary of Viet Nam Psycho-Pedagogical Association, about "achievement disease" in the education sector, was carried out in eight schools in four provinces and cities, announced in September 2020, showed that 97.7 per cent of participants claim there was "achievement disease" in the education sector.

In May 2023, when answering voters in HCM City on the issue of solving "achievement disease" in the education sector, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that the ministry has deployed many synchronous solutions to gradually eliminate the disease in education.

However, he also acknowledged that there were still negative manifestations and "achievement diseases" such as dishonesty in learning, teaching, scientific research, and examination; concealing limitations and weaknesses; imposing higher targets than the actual capacity of students and schools; and giving ostentatious and wasteful awards.

Belated apology

Two days after the organisers of the contest decided to cancel the award of the Vietnamese male student, the teacher sent his apology to the students and their families.

The teacher said "No matter how sincere this apology is; it cannot compensate for the mistakes I have made in the incident involving students participating in the competition abroad. My violation has greatly affected the school's reputation, brand, parents and students."

He added "I will take full responsibility and abide by the decision of the school's disciplinary committee. This is a profound lesson in my life, I will constantly cultivate and train myself, overcome and correct the mistakes that the school disciplinary committee has pointed out and I will not repeat them."

The teacher also officially apologised to his two students who participated in the contest.

He added, "The image of me as a teacher in the heart of colleagues, parents, and especially dear students is no longer there".

Those are belated apologies.

If only he apologised and took responsibility as soon as Chi discovered a similar project on the contests system, instead of saying it was a coincidence. If only he apologised and taken responsibility when Chi found out the male student used her project to win the bronze medal, instead of saying nothing.

The teacher had at least two opportunities to apologise and bring everything back to its rightful place, but he did nothing.

He even told local medial on July 9, two days after Chi post a status to accuse the male student and the teacher use her work to participate in the contest, that due to a login problem with his account on the contests system, he only saw that Chi had passed the music section.

When asked by local media about the same title of Chi and the other student's submissions - "Saigon - Facing the loss of myself" - he said the content of the work was completely different.

He lied.

Teachers ethics

Although the controversy ended after the organisers cancelled the results of the male student in the contest, Chi claimed justice for herself and the teacher gave his belated apology to all related people. In the end, both the students are victims of the fraud, in which the teacher played the main role. So, the question becomes: where are the teacher's ethics?

During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh had said For the sake of ten years, we must plant trees, for the sake of 100 years, we must cultivate people.

The late president always gave high requirements to the teaching profession, saying it was difficult to grow trees, and even more difficult to grow people.

The late president also said, "Educate a teacher, and gain a whole generation".

The example set by a teacher will be followed by a generation, whereas the bad behaviour of a teacher cause hurt and distrust among an entire class of people.

In my estimation, the role of the teacher is not only to share knowledge but also to show students how to be human, including implanting proper ethics. Only ethics can cure cheating, plagiarism, and stealing other people's ideas in the education sector.

If you cheat, you might gain a beautiful resume, a beautiful school profile, an entrance to a top university, or a scholarship to study abroad. But the losses might be larger than you imagined. The losses will be self-esteem, honesty, confidence in your ability, and the feeling of happiness when you overcome difficulties by yourself. What you lose is yourself.

Only a teacher who does not cheat, does not lie, and bravely admits their own mistakes, can educate a generation of citizens who consider honesty a core element in the principles of living and working.

In the mutual relationship between virtue and talent, virtue must come before talent, virtue is the foundation, the root of the teacher. Teachers must be virtuous, then students will be virtuous.

There are still many good teachers, but this case was a lesson, warning all teachers about the ethics of the profession.

To be a teacher, you must first have ethics!  VNS
ROME  Minister of Public Security General To Lam held separate talks with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, as part of the Vietnamese officials visit to the country from July 17-19.

During the talks with the host Interior Minister, the officials highlighted the results of cooperation between the two ministries, with the signing of an agreement on collaboration in crime combat in 2014.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has sent many officials to Italy to join training courses on crime combat held by the Interior Ministry, and others on peacekeeping financed by the Italian government.

Lam noted with pleasure the positive, comprehensive developments of the relations between Viet Nam and Italy over the past 50 years, saying through high-ranking delegation exchanges and cooperation mechanisms, the two countries have enhanced substantive, effective cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economy, national defence and security, science-technology, culture and education, and connectivity between their localities.

During talks with the Justice Minister, Lam spoke highly of the Italian governments inclusion of Viet Nam into the list of 20 priority countries in trade and investment cooperation this year, as well as its issuance of a new strategy to boost development collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), creating favourable conditions for the two countries to elevate their relations to a new height.

Viet Nam stands ready to serve as a bridge between Italy and ASEAN, help Italy participate in cooperation mechanisms in Asia-Pacific, and support the country in multilateral forums, he said.

Along with the 2014 agreement, two others on extradition and the transfer of sentenced persons signed on this occasion are significant to the bilateral cooperation in crime prevention and control, the minister noted.

Nordio, for his part, suggested the two sides soon complete their own procedures to put the new legal documents in place, increase high-ranking delegation exchanges, and share information and experience in crime combat, especially organised, transnational, high-tech, drug and economic crimes, and human smugglers.  VNS
Kuala Lumpur  Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims official visit to Viet Nam from July 20-21 will help deepen the political trust between the two countries, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia inh Ngoc Linh.

The visit will contribute to promoting the development of bilateral relations across all channels and creating a new framework for them to grow further, Linh told the Vietnam News Agency.

It will also create a new impetus for the implementation of the Action Programme to implement the Vietnam-Malaysia Strategic Partnership for the 2021-2025 period, thereby developing bilateral cooperation in all fields from politics, security - defence, economics, culture, tourism, labour, and people-to-people exchanges in a more effective and comprehensive manner to match the potential and desires of leaders as well as people of the two countries.

He also expressed his belief that the Malaysian PMs trip will be a chance for the two sides businesses to seek cooperation and investment opportunities, and intensify bilateral collaboration in response to current international issues such as energy security, food security, climate change and digital transformation.

The two countries leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including marine cooperation promotion and sea-based economic development, and agree on major orientations to enhance coordination at regional and international forums, especially within the ASEAN framework, thus contributing to strengthening intra-regional solidarity and promoting ASEAN's centrality, he added.

According to Linh, Viet Nam and Malaysia are partners by nature, linked by the similarity in geo-strategic position as well as the parallel interests in the region and the world.

Therefore, despite complicated fluctuations in the region and the world, the ambassador showed his belief that in the future, the bilateral relationship will continue developing closely and effectively in all spheres, particularly politics and economics.

Stressing that there remains huge potential to develop economic cooperation, the diplomat said he believes the target of raising bilateral trade to US$18 billion by 2025 is reachable.

Two-way trade amounted to $14.68 billion in 2022, up 17.4 per cent year-on-year. VNS
Austrian ambassador to Viet Nam Hans-Peter Glanzer speaks to Viet Nam News about the Viet Nam-Austria ties and their development potential ahead of President Vo Van Thuong's visit to the European country.

How do you evaluate the achievements in Vietnam-Austria relations, especially as the two countries celebrated their 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2022?

Last year we celebrated the 50th-year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Austria. I think it was an excellent opportunity to take stock of our bilateral relations.

Austria was one of the first countries to establish such relations with Viet Nam back in 1972. Since then, relations have developed in an excellent way in various fields, be it political, economic or academic.

Economic relations have developed very well. We have seen bilateral trade volume between Viet Nam and Austria has increased many folds in the last 20 years. And last year, we saw a new peak of 1.65 billion euros (US$1.8 billion) in our trade volume, and I have to say it's a high surplus in favour of Viet Nam.

Viet Nam is our largest trading partner in the ASEAN region and Austria is between the fifth and seventh most important export market for Viet Nam in Europe. That trend was further strengthened by the free trade agreement between the European Union and Viet Nam, which entered into force in 2020.

I would also like to mention Austrian investments in Viet Nam - we have around 60 Austrian companies with subsidiaries in Viet Nam, and around one-third of these companies are engaged in the manufacturing sector.

What is the significance of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong's upcoming visit to Austria to bilateral cooperation?

It is very good to see visits at a high political level, which are so important for fostering our bilateral relations that have been resumed after the COVID pandemic. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son visited Austria at the end of September last year, and our Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was here in Viet Nam in mid-April this year.

The visit of President Vo Van Thuong to Austria is of great importance and significance because the visit will help further strengthen our bilateral relations. We are looking forward to intensifying our cooperation in the economic and educational fields. I think such a visit is always a good opportunity to intensify cooperation and to push further certain projects.

How are Viet Nam-Austria ties expected to evolve in the future?

I see great potential for further deepening our friendly relations. For example, in the economic field, there's definitely more room for Austrian investments in Viet Nam. Viet Nam's dynamic economic development, its young population and the growing middle class make the country an attractive location for Austrian companies.

Austria can support Viet Nam in various fields - for example, in strengthening its industrial capacity, but also with the green economy in the field of renewable energies, and in developing public infrastructure, including the health care sector. There are many opportunities and possibilities.

Vice versa, we also see a lot of opportunities for Vietnamese companies in Austria and Vietnamese investment and Austria. Austria is centrally located in Europe and can also be used as a kind of springboard for other regions in the continent.

In this context, Austria has also provided soft loans in the last year of around 350 million euros ($386 million) for, among others, the development of the health care sector and transport infrastructure, like the railway sector.

We also see quite a lot of potential for increased cooperation in the educational and academic field, for example, in the field of vocational training, or in the intensified cooperation between the two diplomatic academies, the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna, for example.

How do you feel about cooperation between Viet Nam and Austria at multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, ASEM and ASEAN-EU?

We are facing multiple challenges and crises at the global level, which require cooperation and solidarity as well as a strong multilateral system more than ever. Thus it is important and in the very own interest of our two countries that we pursue active multilateralism both at a global and regional level, be it in the framework of the United Nations or regional ones like ASEAN-EU. I think that is valid for both countries.

One of the big challenges we are facing is climate change. We very much welcome the ambitious goal of Viet Nam to become carbon neutral by 2050.

Another global challenge which required common responses and international cooperation was the COVID pandemic - Austria supported the Vietnamese in fighting the pandemic by donating vaccines.

The foundation for our cooperation is the respect for and commitment to a rules-based international order, which both of our countries strongly support; this is also important with regard to safe, free and open trade routes. We all must be interested in the respect for the sovereignty and integrity of nations and the Charter of the United Nations.  VNS
The upcoming Viet Nam visit by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is very important, the Malaysian diplomat told the Vietnam News Agency.

The visit, which will be on July 20-21, is the PMs inaugural trip to Viet Nam, taking place in the time the two country celebrate the 50th anniversary of their bilateral relations (March 31, 1973-2023), he said, stressing this is also an important point.

"I hope this visit will be able to further spur the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in terms of economies because there's so much work that could be done and could cooperate for the beneficial of both countries," the diplomat said.

PM Anwar will be accompanied by officials in charge of economics and many businessmen of Malaysia, Ambassador Tan said, adding this is the opportunity for the Malaysian delegation to learn more about Viet Nams actual economic development, and what further cooperation the two countries could achieve.

According to the Ambassador, more and more Malaysian companies will come to Vietnam and look for business opportunities. Malaysia also welcomes Vietnamese investors to the country as Vietnam, with a rapid economic development and big goups such as Vingroup, also has capacity to invest in other countries.

Among sectors where the two sides can cooperate in the coming time, Halal market is of great potential, the Ambassador suggested. During a business forum scheduled to be held as part of the PMs visit, concerned companies in Viet Nam will have the chance to have an insight into the concept of Halal, he noted.

Also in the interview, the Malaysian diplomat shared what has impressed him during his first months in Viet Nam. Among others are the local cuisine and Hoi An ancient town. The diplomat, who loves studying history, said he will try to further connect the two ancient cities, such as building a sister city relationship, during his tenure. VNS
HCM CITY  Multiple provinces across the southern region have been working to continue progress on ensuring residential land and housing for ethnic minorities, especially impoverished households.

A stable place to live is a great contribution to improving peoples livelihoods, and therefore the local socio-economic development goals.

The southern province of Soc Trang has built approximately 10,000 houses out of charity, and nearly 33,200 houses as part of Programme 134, which aims to provide production, housing and domestic water support for poor ethnic communities.

This is one of the key focuses of the province due to the multiple difficulties in livelihoods that local ethnic minorities are facing.

Director of Soc Trangs Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Vo Thanh Quang said that in 2021 and 2022, through a provincial Party Committees campaign, resources from local authorities, organisations and individuals had been mobilised to build nearly 3,500 houses at the total cost of VN174 billion (US$7.4 million).

Among these houses, almost 1,300 were given to poor households of Khmer ethnicity, each worth VN50 million ($2,100).

In the first six months of 2023, Soc Trang constructed around 1,350 residences for the poor with a total budget of VN67.5 billion ($2.9 million), of which 1,200 houses were made possible with the support of the Ministry of Public Security and philanthropists.

The project is expected to be completed before Independence Day on September 2 this year.

ien Hung, a Khmer beneficiary of this project said: I didnt know when I could have the means to build a house and settle down. Now that the province provided support with this solidarity house, I feel very happy.

I was given VN50 million to build my house, and our family covers the labour cost for workers ourselves.

Now that we have a home, I only need to focus on working to improve our livelihood.

In Chau Thanh District of Tra Vinh Province, with 300sq.m of land and VN50 million given to build a proper house, Thach Nhuts family also got out of poverty and enjoy a stable life.

He and his wife were informal workers with uncertain incomes, and had been living in a makeshift shed on a piece of land their parents left them.

Meanwhile, the southern An Giang Province has built two residential areas, Chau Phong and Vinh Chuong, which are home to nearly 300 households of Cham people. Two more areas are in development.

An Giang has 28 ethnic minorities of over 119,000, accounting for 5.2 per cent of the provinces population. Among them, more than 2,800 households, or almost 11,200 people, follow Islam.

Binh Phuoc Province also has been striving to reduce the number of poor households by 1,000 every year.

In 2023, with an estimated budget of more than VN120 billion ($5 million) for the programme, the province set out to resolve residential land and housing difficulties for nearly 680 households.

The family of ieu om and Thi Bot in Bu Gia Map District is one of the programmes beneficiaries.

Last year, with a combination of VN46 million from the programme, VN40 million from the districts bank for social policies, and VN60 million from their own saving, the couple managed to build a proper house.

Having a place to settle down gave them the motivation to continue working and sending their children to school, they said.

Similar initiatives are being carried out in ong Nai, Vinh Long and Bac Lieu provinces.

Mobilising resources

Hau A Lenh, Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs has required southern provinces to comprehensively implement solutions for raising funds with the aim to realise the national target programme of socio-economic development among ethnic minority and mountainous regions in the 2021-30 period.

He also called for mobilising resources outside of the state budget, and the engagement of businesses in supporting and effectively using the social policy credits.

The Bank for Social Policies said that multiple measures had been taken to respond to the borrowing needs of policy beneficiaries, especially people in poverty.

These include allocating funding from the State budget and providing capital for social policy credit programmes.

At the local level, deputy chairwoman of Soc Trang Peoples Committee Huynh Thi Diem Ngoc said that the province would continue to review and identify ethnic households that meet the requirement for housing support.

She added that Soc Trang had set the goal to resolve over 90 per cent of the cases lacking residential land and housing among poor ethnic minority households by 2025.

Tra Vinh Peoples Committee chairman Le Van Han said that the localities would continue to make use of support from state programmes and social resources to ensure land and housing for ethnic minorities, while also encouraging them to improve production and livelihoods.

The province also planned to enhance communication activities to reduce dependence on external support and promote self-reliance among the people on the way out of poverty.  VNS
HCM CITY  The Ho Chi Minh City Centre for Disease Control (HCDC) has reported a significant increase in the number of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases and hospitalisations in the region.

According to their latest findings from July 3 to 9, 2023 (week 27), the outbreak is spreading rapidly throughout the city.

Since the beginning of the year, certain districts in the city have witnessed a high incidence rate of HFMD infections per 100,000 people. These districts include Binh Tan, Binh Chanh, Tan Phu, District 6, and District 8.

In the most recent week (week 27th), the city recorded 1,614 HFMD cases, showing an alarming increase of almost 2.5 times compared to the average of 716 cases reported four weeks earlier.

The surge in cases began to be noticed from May 8, 2023, and along with the increased numbers, the severity of cases has also risen.

Doctor Tran Ngoc Luu from the Department of Infection at Children's Hospital 2, has expressed concerns about the mounting hospitalisation rates compared to a month ago. Some patients exhibit signs of worsening conditions and neurological complications, necessitating close monitoring in the recovery room.

The health sector has issued a dire forecast, predicting a continued increase in both the overall cases and the number of severe cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the forthcoming weeks. This concerning trend could persist for an extended period unless immediate and drastic preventive measures are implemented.

Doctor Luu emphasised that the current hot season contributes to the rise of diseases related to respiratory and digestive infections, with the hand, foot, and mouth group being particularly susceptible.

Dengue fever

In addition to the HFMD outbreak, HCMC is also facing an escalating risk of dengue fever.

According to data from HCDC, from the beginning of the year until week 27, specific districts have recorded a high incidence of dengue cases per 100,000 people, including District 1, Binh Chanh District, District 8, Binh Thanh District, and Binh Tan District.

During week 27, the entire city documented 237 dengue cases, signifying a concerning 32 per cent increase compared to the average of 180 cases recorded four weeks prior.

Although the number of new HFMD and dengue fever cases is currently lower than in the same period last year, it is distressing to note that the ratio of severe cases to the total number of new cases in both epidemics has escalated. For instance, last year, out of 100 cases, only 10 were classified as severe. This year, with 100 new cases, the number of severe cases has risen to about 20.

Nguyen Hong Tam, Director of HCDC, has revealed that no deaths have been recorded due to dengue fever at this point. However, the increase in severe cases warrants significant attention and immediate action.

According to the Department of Health, the yearly progression of dengue fever has already begun to increase. The peak season is expected to last from July until the end of October each year.

Disturbingly, surveillance reports indicate that the detection rate of larvae at risk points is alarmingly high, reaching close to 48 per cent (49 out of 103 points). This rate is anticipated to rise further with increased rainfall if drastic measures are not taken to control dengue risk areas.

The emergence of both hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and dengue fever poses a significant challenge.

Doctor Truong Huu Khanh, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Infectious Diseases Association, emphasised the urgency of simultaneously preventing both diseases.

"It is crucial to implement preventive practices for HFMD at home and in schools, while working collaboratively to eliminate mosquitoes, larvae, and clean up waterlogged areas to effectively combat dengue fever," he said.

Khanh further highlighted the concerning aspect of the coexistence of HFMD and dengue fever, as it places a tremendous burden on treatment resources.

To address the forecast increase in the epidemic, the Department of Health has proactively implemented a series of disease prevention measures. Hospitals have been directed to develop response scenarios and stratify treatment for both dengue and hand, foot, and mouth disease.

The Department of Health has established a three-tier response scenario for hand, foot, and mouth disease, with the final level involving pediatric hospitals and Hospitals for Tropical Diseases, equipped to handle the most severe cases.

Additionally, an expert group has been formed to address hand, foot, and mouth disease cases. This group aims to strengthen consultations for severe cases requiring referral or complicated situations with units in the city and southern provinces/cities. The assignment of Children's Hospitals 1 and 2, City Children's Hospital, and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases is to provide professional and technical support and guide hospitals in the southern region regarding prompt and effective treatment to minimize mortality from hand, foot, and mouth disease.

In light of the escalating health risks, cooperation among healthcare institutions, local authorities, and the public is of utmost importance. Immediate and cohesive efforts are essential in combatting the spread of these epidemics and ensuring the well-being of the community in Ho Chi Minh City. VNS
HA NOI  A 32-year-old man with brain death due to a traffic accident donated his heart to revive a patient in central Hue City while his liver and two kidneys saved three other patients in Ha Noi.

D.V.Th, 32 years old, residing in Luong Son Commune, Yen Lap District, Phu Tho Province unfortunately had a serious traffic accident while he was on the way home from work. He was transferred by his family to the Dan Lap district hospital in the province and then transferred to the Viet uc Friendship Hospital in Ha Noi. Despite being treated wholeheartedly by the doctors, he fell into a state of brain death.

Knowing that Th. could not survive, with the mobilisation of the Organ Transplantation Coordinating and Consulting Unit, the Organ Transplant Centre and Viet uc Friendship Hospital, his family agreed to donate his tissues and organs to revive the lives of seriously ill patients.

From Th.'s donated organs, the National Coordination Centre for Human Organ Transplantation transported his heart to the Hue Central Hospital in the central city of Hue for an organ transplant for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

Bamboo Airways made a special journey to transport the heart from Ha Noi to Hue City, creating favourable conditions for a successful heart transplant.

Hope and survival continued to open up when his donated organs, including two kidneys and one liver, were transplanted to save three other patients at the Viet uc Friendship Hospital.

Currently, all four patients are stable.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnam Airlines has recently given a recommendation to passengers to bring bags and suitcases with integrated batteries on their flights as hand or checked luggage in order to ensure flight safety and prevent the risk of spontaneous fires and explosions.

Vietnam Airlines will accept bags and suitcases integrated with lithium batteries that meet the conditions under international aviation safety regulations.

Bags or suitcases with integrated lithium batteries with removable designs and a maximum battery capacity under 300Wh can be transported as hand baggage on board.

In case passengers want to transport the bags and suitcases as checked baggage, the batteries will have to be removed.

The airline does not accept bags and suitcases with built-in removable lithium batteries with a capacity of over 300Wh.

For bags or suitcases with built-in lithium batteries with a non-removable design and a maximum battery capacity of 2.7 Wh or containing up to 0.3g of metallic lithium, Vietnam Airlines will carry it as hand baggage or checked baggage.

If passengers check in their bags, the battery must be completely powered down.

The airline will not ship bags or suitcases with integrated non-removable lithium batteries with a battery capacity in excess of 2.7 Wh or containing more than 0.3g of metallic lithium in excess of the specified capacity.

It will check information about batteries integrated with bags and suitcases before deciding to accept to transport passengers' luggage.

The bags and suitcases integrated with batteries that have no clear battery specifications or authentic document of specification attached will not be accepted for transportation in any form, said the airline. VNS
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According to data from the Ministry of the Interior on July 19th, an average of 1582 civil servants resigned each month in the past year, while an average of 1318 resigned each month from January 2020 to June 2022. Therefore, in recent times, the number of resignations from government agencies has increased by nearly 260 people per month compared to before.

Among the resigned personnel were 1967 civil servants, with the rest being civil servants, mainly concentrated in local areas. The education department has the highest number of employee resignations, followed by the medical department.



Most resignations are under 50, with nearly half holding a university degree and 16% holding a master's degree.

The localities with the highest number of people leaving state agencies are Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, An Giang, and Tien Giang Provinces. To replace the number of people who quit their jobs, ministries, branches and localities have recruited nearly 65,000 new civil servants, mainly in education and health.

The situation of many civil servants and public employees leaving state agencies has occurred since 2020 and tends to increase, although agencies have offered many solutions. From the beginning of 2020 to the middle of 2022, 39,500 officials, civil servants and public employees quit or moved to the private sector. Thus, in the past three and a half years, 58,500 people quit their jobs in state agencies nationwide.



In October 2022, Deputy Interior Minister Nguyen Duy Thang said that the main reason for the above situation was that the salaries of cadres and civil servants still needed to be improved, not meeting the essential needs of life. Attracting a team of experts has yet to be done well, so many people with good knowledge and qualifications have chosen to go to the private sector with better policies.

Moreover, downsizing the payroll increases the workload, creating more pressure on public sector workers.

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Chua Hang Street is famous for its pate, a favorite nightlife of Hai Phong people.

Walking along the main streets in Hanoi, you can easily see shops with the sign "Pate Lamp Pole Hai Phong". This is not a brand. Pillar Lamp Pate is a general term for pate at the Pole Light Market, now Chua Hang Street (Le Chan District, Hai Phong City). Hai Phong Department of Tourism has put the Pillar Light pate on the Hai Phong Culinary Map list, introducing diners to dishes that should be noticed when coming to the port city.

Every day, at around 7 pm, on Chua Hang Street, people used to call it the old name of the market, and the smell of hot pate is fragrant. Along the street are shops and stalls selling pate with different recipes and flavors. Famous for a long time and introduced by the people living on Chua Hang Street, the pate bread shop is located at 1 Chua Hang, the intersection with To Hieu Street.

No signboard, no decorative LED lights or a spacious facade, but Mrs. Nghia's pate shop (57 years old) is always crowded and is a famous nightlife address that many people in the center of Hai Phong city love. Mrs. Nghia is the second generation to take over the shop, which is open for sale from 19:00 to 4:00 the next morning.

Ms. Nghia said pate and bread are produced in the family factory. Pate is poured into aluminum trays, butter and shrimp paste in bowls and plates with the right amount. A special feature is that the moisture of the pate is made up of a layer of fat placed on the bottom of the pot, simmered for about 6 hours with a layer of the ground mixture from meat and pork liver sprinkled on top. The layer of fat dissolves gradually from the bottom to the top, making the mixture not dry but not too greasy, like when grinding fatty meat with liver and meat from the beginning. Pate has been seasoned according to its recipe to taste when eaten with bread or other foods.

Also read: 5 versions of delicious specialty bread of Vietnamese cuisine  Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com

Ms. Nghia used a knife to act quickly, from slicing bread lengthwise, spreading margarine, adding pate and coating homemade meatloaf. In less than a minute, diners had full pate bread.

Nguyen Dinh Hoang Khanh (HCMC) mistakenly thought this was spicy bread on a visit to Hai Phong to try Column Lamp pate. Many other diners also need clarification because the bread size of the two types is smaller than regular bread, and both have pate. The pole light pate bread is about twice as big as the spicy bread, with more pate inside, and the pate is also a softer, softer type, Ms. Nghia said.

In the past few years, the shop has sold more pate dumplings according to the suggestions and needs of customers. How to make pate dumplings is similar to bread, priced at 15,000 VND each.

The shop has a small area, 4 stainless steel tables for 4 people lined up close together, covered with canvas on four sides, making the space a bit mysterious. Right from the opening sale, many people have come to the shop to buy bread and pate dumplings, mainly to take home. Regular customers usually need to park their car next to the restaurant and, order, wait a few minutes to have their food brought back without getting off the car. Normally, by 19:00, the inner-city streets are less crowded, but the intersection of Chua Hang Street and To Hieu Street is still crowded, with people and cars coming to buy bread, making the traffic in the area a bit messy.

At the weekend, Mrs. Nghia's shop can sell up to two quintals of pate due to increased food tour customers and foreign tourists returning to Hai Phong. Quoc Hung, a student at a university in Hanoi, went to Mrs. Nghia's shop to buy 190 sandwiches. A classmate from Hai Phong introduced Hung to buying as a gift and buying for friends.

The pate bread is soft, not crispy, like spicy bread. The pate is greasy from the meat, fat and flesh of the pork liver, just right, more moist than the pate used in spicy bread but not too wet. The softness and smoothness of the pate are added to the slight toughness of the meat, a little bit of chili sauce. Diners should slowly enjoy feeling the taste.

The shop also sells fresh pate with a 500-gram box price of 110,000 VND. Customers who want to buy in bulk need to call in advance. On average, a person usually eats about 2-3 pate bread. Compared to the common ground, 30,000-45,000 VND is reasonable for a night meal in Hai Phong City.

Also read: Food for Hai Phong food tour  Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com
An Phat's tax conflict has been ongoing for four years, and despite the company's belief that it has provided transparent documentation, Hanoi Tax Department has yet to issue a decision on the VAT reimbursement.

On July 12, An Phat was invited by Hanoi Tax Department for a discussion scheduled for the next day. This meeting followed a previous dialogue held on June 23, where the company's representatives sought to resolve issues related to the reimbursement of VAT for periods 32 and 33.

However, following the meeting, An Phat declined to sign the minutes, accusing Hanoi Tax Department of misrepresenting the company's views in the record.

Pham Minh Khoa, director of the company, voiced the firm's disappointment with the proceedings. He mentioned that the company raised certain obstacles and requested answers from the tax authority but alleged that its statements were not accurately or comprehensively recorded in the meeting minutes.

As a result of this deadlock, An Phat has repeatedly refused to sign the minutes drafted by Hanoi Tax Department on June 23, and instead requested the department to respond in writing to the company's concerns.

At the June 23 dialogue, Hanoi Tax Department highlighted that a contract is one of the prerequisites for a VAT refund. However, An Phat's contracts exhibit inconsistencies, leading to a clash between the companys assertions and the tax authoritys verifications.

Nguyen Thi Sam, An Phats chief accountant, argued that the tax authorities have all the powers, duties, and professional competence to establish whether the company has paid and declared taxes correctly or has violated tax evasion laws.

Sam stressed that, based on three criteria  the origin of the goods, the correctness of the export declaration, and the validity of bank payment documents  An Phat has fulfilled its tax obligations and cannot be accused of violating any regulations that would warrant a criminal investigation.

The companys concerns were raised in a regular session of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on July 12.

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue emphasised the states obligation to refund the input tax. Hue criticised the delay in tax refunds, especially at a time when businesses are finding it extremely difficult to access capital.

The Vietnam Cassava Association pointed out that the VAT refund for agricultural products in Vietnam, as well as in other countries, means that businesses that have paid 10 per cent input VAT and then exported the goods (zero output VAT) must be refunded.

According to the organisation, no legal regulations require verification from foreign customers for the exporter to be deducted or refunded VAT. This would be unfeasible and beyond the control of Vietnamese businesses.

The association insisted that when it is confirmed that there are actual goods, actual input purchases in Vietnam, and 100 per cent actual exports to foreign countries as confirmed by customs, businesses must be refunded VAT in accordance with the regulations.

Referring to Official Letter No.181/CSKT-D5 dated January 18 from Hanoi Public Security's Investigation Agency that was sent to Hanoi Tax Department about changing the results of cases suspected of VAT refund fraud, Khoa asserted, "The investigative agency does not have any evidence proving any violation by our company. Accordingly, An Phat is eligible for tax refunds and there is no reason to suspend them."

Khoa also stated that many manufacturing and export businesses in Vietnam are experiencing the same difficulties, and have written numerous times to the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the General Department of Taxation with a desperate request for an urgent resolution to the VAT refund issue.

An Phat's ongoing tax dispute highlights the difficulty that businesses can face with VAT refunds in Vietnam. The company believes that its struggles epitomise the need for significant reforms in Vietnam's tax system to make it more responsive, efficient, and business-friendly.

Green logistics remain a taxing endeavour Vietnams logistics businesses are advancing on a green path connected with digital transformation, but are also in a highly energy-intensive and polluting industry, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability and financial viability of the sector, experts have said.

Tax Department in Vietnam asks banks to provide transaction information The General Department of Taxation has issued a letter requesting commercial banks and other credit institutions to provide transaction information, account balances, and data as requested by the directors of local tax departments.

UK investors confident in Vietnams GMT response Many British investors in Vietnam are large multinational corporations, who view the country as an emerging market or an increasingly promising place for future investment. That said, Vietnam will find many of them to be in the scope of the global minimum tax (GMT) regime and Pillar 2 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Work on the Long Thanh terminal is slated to begin in August

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last week urged a swift contractor selection process. Package 5.10, an integral part of the airports phase 1 focusing on the construction and installation of the passenger terminal building, has a budget allocation of VND35 trillion ($1.46 billion). The selection process has attracted interest from three consortia, with the Hoa Lu consortium, led by Vietnams largest construction firm, Coteccons, emerging as a notable contender.

The Hoa Lu consortium consists of domestic and foreign contractors, including UNICONS Investment, Thanh An General Company, DELTA Construction Group, Central Construction, An Phong Construction, Hoa Binh Construction Group, and Thai firm Power Line Engineering (PLE).

Hoa Binh Group, also part of the consortium, is renowned for large-scale projects like passenger terminals and expansions at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports. Meanwhile, An Phong Construction has contributed to key infrastructure undertakings such as Cat Lai Port and Cua Dai Bridge.

Coteccons is also known for deploying several projects closely linked to residential areas, industrial zones, and large-scale hotels. Partners of Coteccons include names such as Vinhomes, Inter Continental, Hoa Phat, and most recently Lego Group.

Despite only being founded in 2017, Central Cons boasts an illustrious portfolio, featuring partnerships with heavyweights like Hoa Phat, Vingroup, Masterise, Son Kim Land, Ecopark, and TTC Land.

According to Viet Dragon Securities, the consortium is a strong one.

Coteccons, one of the top two listed enterprises within this grouping, has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in infrastructure construction. Simultaneously, Hoa Binh has carved a niche for itself, owing to its diligent attention to the minutiae of the finishing process, setting a high bar in the market with its scrupulous standards, the brokerage noted.

This evidence of proficiency among domestic companies reiterates Vietnams growing prominence in the construction industry, suggesting a promising trajectory for both the sector and the nations broader economic landscape.

PLE, the only foreign member, brings a wealth of experience with accomplishments such as the $404 million satellite airport in Bangkok and the Thai Parliament House.

Chairman Swake Srisuchart said, The Long Thanh airport project presents an exhilarating opportunity for PLE to harness its prowess in electromechanical work. It represents a new and exciting challenge for us, driving us to push our boundaries even further.

When discussing the role of foreign contractors, Tran Quang Tuan, chairman and CEO of Central Cons, emphasised the indispensability of collaborative efforts for a project of this complexity. The integration of international specialists in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing operations undoubtedly edges us closer to success, he told VIR.

Tuan commended the consortiums strategic anticipation of possible cash flow difficulties amid the projects accelerated progress.

In the face of a potential negative cash flow of about $208 million, the consortium has been proactive. Coteccons collaborated with VietinBank, MB, TPBank, and BIDV to arrange comprehensive funding, thus safeguarding the project against financial setbacks, he said.

Le Viet Hai, chairman of Hoa Binh Group, carved out Hoa Lus distinct stance amid competition, highlighting their tenacious approach towards overcoming challenges. Our focus isnt on exploiting cost overruns but on swift project completion to bolster national economic growth, he stated.

Bolat Duisenov, chairman of Coteccons, weighed in on the consortiums tactical approach and prospective national impact as the contest for the Long Thanh project contract unfolded. Our meticulous year-long preparation focuses on finance and resources as our pillars of success, Duisenov said.

Rather than limiting itself to the stipulated 100-200 engineers, it can surge its capacity to 600 engineers during peak times, overseen by a robust executive board of 200, drawn from Vietnams top contractors. An exclusive consortium executive board has also been established to ensure strategic harmony.

ACV proposes Long Thanh International Airport delay Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), has proposed delaying the planned completion time of Long Thanh International Airport until 2026 instead of 2025 as initially planned.

Construction of terminal at Long Thanh intl airport to begin in August Work on a passenger terminal at Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai province is scheduled to start in August, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) announced at a working session on July 6 with the provincial People's Committee.

Hoa Lu Consortium bids for Long Thanh International Airport project One of Vietnam's largest construction firms, Coteccons Group, is leading the Hoa Lu consortium in a highly anticipated bid for the monumental Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai province. Within this diverse alliance, the Thailand-based Powerline Engineering Public Co., Ltd. (PLE) will play a pivotal role.
Duong Thuy Dung, head of Valuation, Research, and Consulting at CBRE Vietnam, said that although the supply chain was disrupted and a shortage of orders occurred in almost all traditional industries, there has still been an expansion of activities among foreign enterprises so far this year.

The northern region continued to record strong demand from the electronics sector. In the first half of the year, the industrial market recorded the expansion of large manufacturers such as Foxconn and Goertek in industrial zones (IZs) in Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces, Dung said.

Industrial expansions help record stronger absorption, Photo: Le Toan

In addition, the strong expansion of Chinese manufacturers in different sectors also contributed to the industrial land and ready-built factories segment recording good absorption in the north.

Meanwhile, southern market demand was very diverse. Tenants mainly from the vehicle, textile and packaging industries were among the most active seekers of industrial land, warehouses and ready-made workshops.

In the industrial land market, the absorption area of northern and southern tier-1 markets reached 386 ha and 397 ha, respectively. This absorption was 20 per cent higher for the south and 60 per cent for the north compared to the same period last year.

Due to the limited availability of industrial land available for handover in both regions, while demand is abundant, the rental price of such land continues to maintain a strong growth rate.

For the warehouse and ready-built factory market, supply has grown strongly over the past three years, CBRE said.

In the first six months, 900,000 sq.m of ready-made warehouses and factories were completed in the tier-1 market in both regions, in which 60 per cent of supply came from the north.

Supply has increased by more than 20 per cent annually in the north and 18-49 per cent annually in the south over the past four years. As competition increases, the rental growth rate of these segments has maintained 2-3 per cent per year for the past four years.

John Campbell, head of Industrial Services at Savills Vietnam, confirmed that Vietnams industrial market was currently benefiting from the advantages of border opening and the stable exchange rate and an attractive corporate tax rates.

In particular, multinational companies are looking to diversify their areas of operation, or relocate from China, industrial real estate in Vietnam will become a bright spot by creating better conditions to draw investors, said Campbell.

It is expected that industry and manufacturing will take the lead in attracting foreign capital, with foreign investors increasing interest in industrial land and high-quality ready-built supply.

However, finding a supply of such land is becoming a difficult problem for businesses, and the occupancy rate of IZs is consistently at a high level.

Campbell said that to best support the supply of industrial land to meet the needs of the market, procedures in investment, as well as legal and project approval needed to be accelerated.

A report released in July by Mirae Asset Securities assessed that the China +1 strategy would open up opportunities for northern IZs. Enterprises with large land banks located in the north are the main beneficiaries of this trend.

Many new projects are expected to commit to investing in Vietnam in the near future. In addition, electronic component manufacturers in the Taiwan market are interested in the Vietnamese market and have plans to expand investment in the north, the report said.

In addition, the flow of public investment is a factor supporting the development of IZs in the long term. Accelerating infrastructure investment will be a top priority of the government in 2023-2025, with a goal of completing more than 1,600 km of highways over the next three years.

The development of infrastructure will increase the attractiveness of IZs in the long term, through optimising operating and transportation costs, it said.

Eco-IP to transform Bac Ninhs fortunes The construction of a sustainability-focused industrial park in the northern province of Bac Ninh, with Hanaka Group as the assigned investor, commenced July 9.

Hung Yen lures in $374 million to industrial zones Industrial zones in the northern province of Hung Yen have taken in $374 million in newly committed and supplemental capital so far this year, bringing total cumulative investment to nearly $7.2 billion.

Danang seeks industrial park investment Danang is seeking investors for three industrial parks (IPs), namely Hoa Cam-phase 2, Hoa Nhon, and Hoa Ninh, with a total area of nearly 900 hectares.
The contest aims to shed light on companies that push the boundaries of what is possible in the tech industry while championing diversity and fostering collaboration across the globe. The competition serves as a platform for fostering connections and partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, and propelling the global tech ecosystem forward. This year's competition has attracted hundreds of exceptional entries from around the world, representing a vast array of sectors within the technology and innovation landscape.

Nguyen Tuan Hong Phuc, partner, head of Telecom, Media and Technology, KPMG in Vietnam and Cambodia, said, "We were astounded by the level of creativity, vision, and ingenuity demonstrated by all participants. The diverse range of companies and their innovative solutions truly reflect the global nature of the tech industry. We aim to support the continued growth of the tech sector and the entrepreneurs who are becoming the next generation of technology leaders."

"Weve invited tech innovators who've been establishing themselves over the last five years throughout the country to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to introduce their innovations to the world and take their businesses to the next level," Phuc added.

Each of the top six finalists has demonstrated groundbreaking advancements in their respective fields, showcasing a commitment to addressing real-world challenges and improving lives through technology. Let's have a closer look at each of the 2023 Global Tech Innovator finalists from Vietnam and Cambodia.

1. Benkon

A startup dedicated to energy-saving solutions with a particular focus on optimising AC systems for businesses in Vietnam. Benkon aims to address common business challenges such as cost, administration, and human resources while promoting sustainable development. With a strong commitment to combating climate change, Benkon strives to become a leading green-technology startup in Vietnam and beyond.

2. Credify

A revolutionary embedded-finance firm with cutting edge, self-sovereign identity and secure data passporting technologies. Their privacy-first financial services platform offers cross-offering solutions. With a culturally diverse community spanning five nationalities and four generations, Credify's experienced team has a proven track record in Asia when it comes to complex system engineering, including widely adopted embedded hardware and successful fintech solutions.

3. Digime

Digime provides advanced geolocation data solutions for businesses, delivering accurate location intelligence and customised AI-model training for informed decision-making. By offering flexible data packages, advanced analytics tools, and customised solutions, Digime empowers businesses to leverage location intelligence to unlock new growth opportunities in the dynamic SEA market.

4. eJoy Learning

eJoy Learning is an education technology company that is revolutionising the way we learn languages. Their immersive and gamified language learning platform harnesses the power of AI and machine learning to provide personalised and engaging language-learning experiences for students of all ages.

5. Graphicsminer

Graphicsminer is an eco-conscious startup disrupting the plastic-toy industry by creating high-tech playthings from sustainable cardboard material. Their mixed-reality platform enhances play with gamification scenarios for immersive learning.

6. Wareflex

Wareflex is Vietnam's first on-demand warehousing platform, providing flexible, pay-as-you-go warehouses. The startup currently has a network of more than 100 warehouses and is growing rapidly throughout Vietnam. Products on Wareflex are highly diverse, from normal, cold, and outdoor storage, to e-commerce service warehouses.

As the top six finalists prepare for the country final of the contest on July 27, they will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations to an esteemed panel of judges comprising industry experts, investors, and thought leaders.

The ultimate winner will represent Vietnam and Cambodia in the global final at Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal in November, along with gaining a range of benefits and recognition that will catapult their company to new heights.

The 2023 KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator contest represents a significant milestone in the journey towards technological advancement and societal progress. By celebrating breakthroughs, encouraging diversity, and fostering innovation, this competition sets the stage for further advancements that will shape the future of the technology industry.

The KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition was introduced in 2021 to build upon KPMGs success in the UK's Best British Tech Pioneer competition. In the first year of the global competition, 17 countries participated in the competition. In 2022, the competition grew to include 22 countries and jurisdictions from both mature and emerging markets. Companies from the startup to growth stages were invited to pitch their innovations and present their ambitions to panels of local and global industry experts for the opportunity to be recognised as a major technology innovator in their country and ultimately on the world stage. For more information, please visit our website: https://kpmg.com/vn/en/home/insights/2023/03/kpmg-tech-innovator.html

KPMG propels private enterprises in Vietnam towards sustainable excellence Private enterprises (PEs) encounter myriad obstacles encompassing economic fluctuations, technological progress, talent procurement, tax complexities, and the growing necessity for sustainable practices. In an exclusive interview with VIR's Celine Luu, Johnathan Lavender, global chairman of KPMG Private Enterprise, elaborated on how KPMG's extensive array of specialised services, tailored guidance, and profound expertise is dedicated to empowering PEs.

Responding to the changes in the startup environment Startups today face the daunting obstacles of scaling their businesses and proving their revenue models, requiring them to exhibit adaptability and articulate their value proposition in an ever-evolving investment landscape. Manisha Shah, CFO at Momo, also one of esteemed judges of KPMG Global Tech Innovator, shared with VIRs Celine Luu her perspective on these challenges, while also offering valuable insights on the role of women in tech start-ups and the need for increased support for female entrepreneurs.

Fundraising challenges must be navigated in uncertain M&A market Warnings about a slowdown in the Vietnam merger and acquisition market, particularly for investment from private equity and venture capital (PE/VC), were raised in late 2022. As of now, we are experiencing one of the toughest downturns.
Vietnamese digital bank Timo this month clinched an extra $10 million from its incumbent investors, according to DealStreetAsia, signalling continued faith in the digital banking sector amidst an accelerating trend of digitalisation in Southeast Asia. However, the identities of those participating in this funding round have not been made public.

According to startup data aggregator, CrunchBase, Timo had formerly drawn in a substantial $20 million through a venture round in 2022.

Prominent investors in the digital bank include Jungle Ventures, Kredivo Holdings, Phoenix Holdings, Granite Oak, and venture capital leader Square Peg Capital, which spearheaded the previous venture round. These backers have a history of funding successful startups, including Canva, FinAccel, and Airwallex.

Overseas investors are reportedly interested in taking a slice of Hanoi-based SHB, photo Le Toan

The 2022 venture round marked Timos inaugural plunge into external fundraising. Credible sources, compiled by TechInAsia, indicated at that juncture that the raised capital would fuel technological innovation, honing in on products curated expressly for the Vietnamese market.

This strategic decision coincided with an increasing receptiveness towards digital banking products across Southeast Asia, with Vietnam standing out in particular.

A number of conventional credit institutions are also seeking additional financial buffers from foreign investors.

Hanoi-headquartered lender SHB in July was reportedly in talks to sell up to 20 per cent of its equity to overseas investors, marking a significant movement in Vietnams banking sector, insiders said. The forthcoming transaction, which values the Vietnamese bank at an estimated $2-2.2 billion, is garnering substantial interest, particularly from investors in South Korea and Japan.

The deal, contingent on approval from the State Bank of Vietnam, is anticipated to be finalised either this year or in the early part of 2024, reported Reuters.

A spokesperson from SHB has disclosed that the bank is proactively seeking partnerships with a variety of potential associates both domestic and international, in an effort to maximise benefits for the bank and its shareholders.

In June, a group of 21 shareholders of Saigon-Hanoi Insurance Corporation, SHBs insurance arm, agreed to transfer 75 per cent to South Koreas DB Insurance. A key component of the DB Group ecosystem, the company had previously secured a controlling 75.18 per cent stake in Vietnams Aviation Insurance Corporation.

Meanwhile, BRG-backed SeABank also announced its strategy to privately issue a new tranche of shares while abiding by the regulations relating to maximum foreign ownership levels. It expects to privately release up to 94.6 million new shares, approximately 4.64 per cent of the banks currently circulating shares. Norfund, the Norwegian investment fund focused on supporting developing countries, is predicted to be the main investor in this issuance. The offering price, still under negotiation with the investor, will be finalised by SeABanks board, expecting to augment the banks assets by $50.71 million to $145.96 million.

SeABank is among a handful of banks in Vietnam currently operating without a foreign strategic stakeholder, a consistent point of discussion among shareholders at recent AGMs.

Kent Wong, partner, head of Capital Markets at VCI Legal, believes that this fundraising comes as Vietnamese banks are shoring up their capital and reserves to withstand rising competition and a potential deceleration in Vietnams economy, partly due to a slowdown in the real estate sector. It also underscores the strategic advantage of having a foreign investor onboard, providing not only financial support but also global market insights and expertise.

Acquiring a stake in SHB, for example, would be a compelling proposition for any strategic investor. South Korean and Japanese investors, in particular, can potentially benefit from this investment. South Korea and Japan have a historical track record of successful investments in Southeast Asia, and a minor stake in SHB would align with their broader geopolitical and economic strategies, he told VIR.

Wong also noted that SeABank is considering selling a minor stake that falls below the banks foreign ownership limit of 5 per cent. This approach, aside from bolstering the banks capital and improving liquidity, offers an intriguing opportunity to bring a foreign strategic investor onboard.

The proposed sale of a minor stake represents more than a mere capital-raising venture. It also signifies a strategic manoeuvre designed to draw in international investors who can bring a wealth of expertise, innovation, and oversight, he said.

Lenders reinforce security measures By harnessing the power of chip-embedded ID cards, AI, and reliable population data, banks in Vietnam are reinforcing security measures and revolutionising banking services for their customers.

Lenders determined to meet financing needs of customers In line with the governments economic stimulus initiatives and to ensure market liquidity, a number of major financial institutions are implementing strategies to address the financing needs of businesses and individuals.
Quality pharmaceutical products are more affordable and accessible for patients, which has its roots from the growing number of retail outlets to approximately 62,000 outlets, together with the governments launching of projects, and programmes to improve medical services such as the Antimicrobial Resistance Programme since 2018, the Youth Health Programme from 2019-2021, and many others.

D uong Thi Mai Hoa, Managing partner Indusviet Legal LLC

The domestic pharmaceutical industry is beginning to be prioritised for development, especially in areas of clinical pharmacy, manufacturing facilities, and related personnel via the promulgation of various policies.

For manufacturing facilities in particular, Vietnams pharmaceutical ecosystem is becoming more developed and very strongly linked with the increasing number of manufacturing factories, reaching the number of 250 factories and 200 exporting and/or importing facilities.

Nevertheless, there exist challenges for Vietnam to face, remedy, and improve for the increase in attracting foreign funding. This includes the lack of a breakthrough in vision, infeasible legal policies, and complicated administrative procedures.

In the past couple of years, nations have shifted their focus to health, medicine, and pharmacy and finding new, novel approaches. As a result, the investment trend into pharmaceuticals with an emphasis on technology transfer is beginning to take a clearer shape.

Vietnam has made major strides in establishing policies and amending legislation in an attempt to provide guidance and reinforcement to the development of Vietnams pharmaceutical industry. This includes Decision No.376/QD-TTg approving the development programme for the industry towards 2030 and with a vision to 2045, promulgated in March 2021.

One of the prominent points of Decision 376 is that the global trend of developing technology transfer in the industry is reflected in its contents. Subsequently, it sets out a specific target for technology transfer by 2030 to transfer production technology of at least 100 innovator drugs with valid trademarks, vaccines, medical biologicals, and medicine which Vietnam has not been able to produce.

Incentive policies for the pharmaceutical industry are also being recognised as the government shall prioritise investments in these areas as well as in scientific research, production of new medicines, quality herbal ingredients, and development of herbal ingredients of national brands.

In practice, investment in pharmaceuticals is also starting to see a transition. At the beginning of 2022, Indian enterprises entered into an MoU on funding Vietnam-India Pharmaceutical Park with Dai An Urban-Industrial Zone Development Corporation in the northern province of Hai Duong.

With the total capital reaching $10-12 billion, this project is expected to be a strategic lever to propel Vietnam to become a leading pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing institute in Southeast Asia.

Apart from Indian enterprises, a plethora of multinational corporations such as Sanofi and Nipro Pharma are expected to continue pouring money and increasing their presence in Vietnam.

Despite a transition in the legal policies of Vietnam in providing more incentives for better attraction of foreign capital, such policies, nonetheless, prove insufficient in the long run for investors to cope with the complicated or unspecified legal procedures in Vietnam as well as the humbleness of objective aspects on manufacturing facilities, materials, personnel, and policies on domestic drug prices.

An illustration of this is the lack of specific guidance on technology transfer. Tech transfer in pharma is currently receiving massive worldwide support. However, in Vietnam, multiple pharma enterprises and corporations are currently complaining about this activity. This mainly stems from the non-uniformity and lack of clarity of the administrative procedures, thus making foreign investors and major pharma companies hesitant to invest in Vietnam.

Even with the promulgation of the Law on Technology Transfer in 2018, there is yet to exist any provision expressively stipulating the procedures and process of pharma tech transfer in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Health has drafted a circular guiding the activity of drug processing and technology transfer in drug manufacturing as a replacement to a 2013 circular guiding the activity of drug processing. But currently, this circular is yet to be approved, thus effectively leaving a gap in the legal framework.

Therefore, the Vietnamese government is required to promulgate legal stipulations quickly to guide implementation. In addition, it is essential for other provisions on intellectual property, drug price policies, and the orientation on the use of generic drugs to become harmonised, as their discordance has created barriers restricting the technology transfer of drug manufacture.

For better implementation of the investment trend in this day and age, not only does Vietnam need to rapidly promulgate, amend or supplement the necessary legal framework, but it is also wise for Vietnam to learn from the experience of countries of which pharmaceutical industries have become developed on overseas capital such as Singapore and South Korea.

These countries have established notable research and development institutions such as the Biomedical Park Tuas of Singapore and Osong High-tech Medical Complex of South Korea, so as to create a stable and reliable pharmaceutical ecosystem, thus demonstrating a closely linked web within the industry. They also offer methods in training personnel with very high expertise, for example with Singapores Workforce Skill Qualifications.

If Singapore and South Korea are success stories in pharmaceuticals with foreign-based capital, India is successful by relying on both its domestic resources and its transition of the trend in attracting foreign investors with appealing policies.

India has established new projects that are under 100 per cent automatic route, meaning that no governmental approval is required for making the investment; overseas capital for existing projects via mergers and acquisitions with investment up to 74 per cent shall also be under similar treatment. However, for foreign funding above 74 per cent, such projects will be under the approval route, meaning that governmental approval is required.

Thus, from the experience of other countries, the solutions for Vietnam shall be the changing of policies and legislation for attracting investment to be simpler and with better probability, similar to what many countries have done while simultaneously focusing on optimising financial incentives for the promotion of inland manufacture and training of high-quality personnel. It must also create sources of materials for drug manufacture to become effective levers for Vietnam to build strong domestic pharmaceutical power. Such solutions are the foundation for creating a sustainable and effective funding environment for foreign investors.

Pharma groups step up competition More international pharma and medical device businesses are rushing to venture further in Vietnam, anticipating wide growth potential.

Pharma giant extends partnership with Cho Ray Hospital AstraZeneca Vietnam and Cho Ray Hospital signed an MoU in February to extend their commitment to improving healthcare innovation in southern Vietnam until 2025.

Top pharma names advocate for sweeping legal revamps With the Ministry of Healths latest pledge to improve upon medical legislation, international businesses continue to pin high hopes on marketing authorisation regulations for medical devices and distribution rights in order to drive their plans forward.

Multinational pharma groups keen on robust partnerships After making gains in 2022, multinational corporations will prioritise strengthening local partnerships to support their ambition of transforming the treatment landscape  but they are also pleading for further legal clarity.
Thi Vai terminal received its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel on July 10, with a shipment of nearly 70,000 tonnes from the Indonesian port of Bontang. PetroVietnam Gas (PV Gas), the first unit in Vietnam eligible for LNG import and export, announced the arrival the previous week. PV Gas is working to secure a long-term fuel source for future LNG gas power facilities. Pham Van Phong, general manager of PV Gas, and Marion Power, executive for business development at ExxonMobil, convened in Hanoi to discuss refuelling for the commercial operation of the Thi Vai project.

Strong commitments are necessary when it comes to negotiating gas power agreements and signing long-term contracts, Photo: Le Toan

Several additional energy suppliers are actively pursuing opportunities to sell LNG to Vietnam. Elena Golm, head of Oil and Gas Coverage at Novatek, came to Hanoi to debate the possibility of selling LNG between now and 2026 with PV Gas executives. Additionally, the parties reviewed options for partnership and investment in LNG power project chains in Vietnam.

Yoon Hee-seong, director general of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), said future orders for large-scale ventures are anticipated. KEXIM is going to promote South Korean engineering, procurement, and construction firms that are involved in these projects, he said.

Hee-seong reported that at the end of June, KEXIM signed an MoU on credit granting to Long An Energy Corporation, a joint venture between VinaCapital and GS Energy, for development of two gas turbine plants and a $3.13 billion LNG storage system in the Mekong Delta province of Long An.

Vietnams Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) calls for the construction of 13 LNG-fired power stations with a combined capacity of 22.4GW by 2030, the first of which is anticipated to enter service by the end of 2024. However, the majority of domestic energy developers argued that the specific level of policy, dedication to output, and electricity purchase price are the determining factors for effectively converting LNG into a primary power source during the current decade, carrying growth of 26 per cent, the highest rate among primary power sources, and accounting for 27 per cent of total power capacity, as outlined in the PDP8.

According to the PDP8, the demand for LNG imports is expected to reach 14.46 million tonnes per year by 2030 and grow by 1.92 million tonnes per year by 2035.

PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power) is one of the businesses that has benefited from gas-to-thermal power development. The corporation implemented the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plant projects in 2019, the first LNG-fired thermal power venture in Vietnam, with a capacity of 1,500MW and a total investment of $1.4 billion.

The global fuel market is currently well-balanced, but the chief of PV Powers Investment and Construction Department, Vu Van Loi, has reservations about the lack of expertise in negotiating the current import contract. The Vietnamese party frequently misses out on the chance to negotiate an affordable, long-term purchase contract, Loi said.

Vietnam also lacks a structure for LNG electricity tariffs, offtake rate, and a system to convert gas parity to electricity prices, according to Loi. The country requires regulations and guidelines on design, construction, transportation, and maintenance of import terminals, as well as on the safety of fuel transportation, loading, offloading, and storage, he added.

Nonetheless, the government has an interest in this field. Pham Quang Huy, deputy director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam, said, Negotiation of a gas power purchase agreement can be challenging because all plants require a high commitment rate of 60 per cent or more of contracted power output in order to borrow capital for implementation and sign long-term contracts.

According to Huy, Electricity of Vietnam only negotiates contracted power output based on actual demand and the facilitys electricity pricing on the market.

Vietnams LNG power projects face regulatory hurdles despite high hopes Vietnam's liquified natural gas (LNG) power projects, hailed as potential baseline power sources with quick startup capacity, continue to confront significant challenges amidst efforts to expedite their progress.

Thi Vai Terminal receives first LNG shipment As PetroVietnam Gas (PV Gas) works to secure a long-term fuel source for further liquefied natural gas (LNG) gas power facilities, the future stable operation of power facilities in Vietnam is being hampered by a lack of infrastructure to import and store sufficient liquefied natural gas.
According to a report by Cushman & Wakefield released last week, the industrial real estate market in the south, specifically key areas such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, did not have any launches planned in Q2.

Slow compensation processes and legal procedures are considered the cause of the shortage of new supply. By 2024, it is forecast that there will be about 1,800 hectares of new industrial land, mainly concentrated in the southern provinces of Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An, said Bui Trang, country head of Cushman & Wakefield in Vietnam.

Despite the slowdown in global economic growth, the market still saw a lot of demand for industrial zone (IZ) land in the south, with net absorption of more than 70 ha for new projects and capital increase in the first half of the year.

The industrial real estate market lacks new supply in the last months of the year, photo:baotainguyenmoitruong.vn

By 2026, industrial real estate will have an additional 1.3 million sq.m of warehouse, with an annual growth rate of 5.1 per cent. The market by then will become more competitive and investors may have to come up with more attractive rental policies and incentives to draw tenants, Trang said.

Dong Nai province has 40 IZs with a total area of nearly 19,000 ha approved by the government. Some 32 of them were put into operation with an occupancy rate of around 90 per cent.

Eight others are in the pipeline but still facing legal procedures, so industrial property available for lease is increasingly scarce.

Shortage of land creates issues for large-scale manufacturers. Lego Group waited for three years for approval for a large enough land space and moved to Binh Duong province instead, despite the group planning to invest a billion dollars in Dong Nai first.

Nguyen Huu Nguyen, director of Dong Nai Department of Planning and Investment, said that the province was aiming to entice investment in eco-friendly economic projects that take up less land and labour to move towards a green industry.

The construction of ring roads 3 and 4 as well as Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway are also being implemented to create a unique attraction for the province. Dong Nai province has come up with a number of solutions, such as setting up a working group to take notes at each locality to solve problems in new industrial property projects, he said.

Meanwhile, Huynh Thanh Chung, general director of Minh Hung-Sikico IZ in Binh Phuoc province, said that it was a place with great potential and advantages, but the available land was limited.

Although more land is wanted to develop the IZ, everything is still based on the governments target and the local allocation, Chung said.

Ho Chi Minh City has also requested adjustment of the planning of IZs, supplementing Pham Van Hai 1 and 2 IZs with 600 ha to the provinces master plan.

According to VNDirect Securities, limited supply will shape two shifting trends in the near future. Firstly, investors are gradually turning their attention to the tier-2 market, with great advantages. The tier-2 market offers more competitive rates thanks to the relatively large difference between the tier-1 and tier-2 rental rates, both north and south.

In addition, the available land in tier-2 offers more options for tenants, especially as traffic connectivity is increasingly improved. In addition, labour costs are also lower than in tier-1. Also, the connectivity between the two markets has been improved thanks to an upgraded infrastructure network, VNDirect said.

Industrial property expansion supported by long-term goals As the economy retains a strong growth rate in 2023, the expansion potential of the industrial real estate market will continue to pique the interest of investors.

Interest persists in industrial property Vietnams industrial property market is witnessing interest from global manufacturers, demonstrating its potential to become a production hub in electronics, technology, and high-value industries.
Many Vietnamese F&B products are being distributed in Thai chains

Kannigar Danpiboon, managing director of processed and freeze-dried food manufacturer Thongpoon Food Co., Ltd, was present at the Thailand-Vietnam Business Networking event on July 13 in Hanoi, which was organised by the Thailand Board of Investment and investment consultancy IPA Vietnam.

After carefully studying the Vietnamese market, I see that it has potential. Vietnam has abundant fresh fruit resources. However, agricultural production is mostly maintained at a small scale within households, using manual farming methods and limited mechanisation and processing. Thus, most exported products are still raw, bringing low value and profit, Danpiboon said.

According to Danpiboon, Vietnam has many key products with a competitive advantage compared to that of Thailand. Many fresh fruits from Vietnam, such as lychee and dragon fruit, are being distributed in Thai large retail chains.

In addition, Thai businesses prefer importing agricultural raw materials for processing, creating an excellent opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to export their agricultural products, she added.

The representatives of Thai companies such as Hsu Chuan Foods, Boonpornsubrawee, and Shunhenglirungrangshah also said that they will work closely with the Thai investment board and IPA Vietnam to look for suitable locations and partners.

Amnat Chulajata, director of Thailand Board of Investment Vietnam, said, In bilateral trading relationships in particular, Thailand is currently the largest trading partner of Vietnam in ASEAN, which is a favourable condition to promote two-way trading collaboration. Thus, we are increasing to support Thai investors and manufacturers to look for investment and trading opportunities in Vietnam. I see that many large Thai groups are present in Vietnam, but almost all of them locate in the south region, thus at this networking, I would like to connect Thai firms with local partners in the north.

Bilateral trading turnover has seen consecutive growth since the two countries became members of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Especially, participating in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has helped to remove tariff barriers, opening up numerous opportunities for import and export. Moreover, Vietnam and Thailand can cooperate in building supply and production chains as well as promoting exports to a third country.

Statistics published by the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that in the first five months of this year, the bilateral import-export turnover was $7.85 billion, with $3.11 billion worth of Vietnams exports. The two countries expect that the figure will increase to $25 billion for the whole year.

Thai food and agri-groups have a favourable foundation to expand the distribution channels and manufacturing facilities in Vietnam because at present, many retailers are setting their solid foot in the Vietnamese market, which are the backbone for fostering the export of Thai goods to Vietnam. In addition, Thai authorities are also encouraging these retailers to invest in this Southeast Asian country, Chulajata said.

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), a division of the Thai Ministry of Commerce, has urged Thai entrepreneurs to carefully examine the potential of harnessing Vietnams thriving retail market, which is poised to reach a staggering $350 billion by 2025.

In addition to this, the DITP has encouraged Thai enterprises to prioritise commercial enhancements, engage in environmentally friendly production practices, and demonstrate a keen focus on circular and green economies  all of which are instrumental in stimulating growth within Vietnams retail landscape.

Central Retail Corporation, the largest retailer in Thailand, in February announced its biggest investment in Vietnam at 50 billion ($1.45 billion) for the 2023-2027 period to accelerate its market presence in the country, which could help create distribution advantages for smaller Thai companies in Vietnam.

The corporation invested more than 10 billion ($288.6 million) to expand its retail business in Vietnam over the past decade. It has more than 340 stores across 40 cities and provinces.

Tourists dazzled by ice cream inspired by Thai temple tiles Thai ice cream maker Pop Icon has created much buzz by crafting ice cream shaped like the intricate tiles found on Bangkoks iconic Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn.
According to local media Tienphong, Vinacas reported that Tin Mai Co., a key local player in the cashew export market, released a consignment to a UAE-based buyer towards the end of June, following an upfront payment amounting to 15 per cent of the total shipment value.

The goods were confirmed as collected and the corresponding container returned on June 27. However, the company has yet to receive the outstanding 85 per cent payment despite numerous follow-up actions.

Vinacas disclosed that Sacombank, the Vietnamese financial institution involved in the transaction, has initiated two separate payment requests to the Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai Branch of Ajman Bank Pjsc, based in the UAE. The requests pertain to the unresolved payment and the return of the shipping documentation, both of which remain unfulfilled.

According to a representative from Vinacas, "Investigations have revealed that the shipping documents were handed over to a security official from Ajman Bank Pjsc by DHL, the courier firm involved. However, the subsequent location of these documents remains uncertain. The shipping company asserts their compliance with standard operating procedures, releasing the goods only after receiving the necessary paperwork."

In addition to Tin Mai, Vinacas revealed that at least two more firms have found themselves ensnared in comparable situations involving the same client and bank. Recognising the hallmarks of a potential scam, Vinacas solicited support from the Vietnam Trade Office in the UAE.

In an attempt to comprehensively understand the situation and formulate an effective response, Vinacas plans to collaborate with the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association. Together, they aim to convene a meeting with all affected parties to gather comprehensive data and establish recommendations for moving forward.

These are not isolated incidents in the cashew trade, as the industry has faced previous challenges of a similar nature. A notable case involved 100 cashew export containers destined for Italy, which led to substantial concerns over the security of international transactions.

Such instances of suspected fraud within the cashew export sector highlight the inherent risks involved in overseas trade, underscoring the importance of stringent due diligence. It sends a potent message to both corporations and regulators about the necessity for robust checks and balances to safeguard stakeholders' interests in the increasingly interconnected global marketplace.

Investment and new labour tie-ups lead UAE negotiations An upcoming economic cooperation deal between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates will help both economies to beef up investment flows and trade ties.
HP, the renowned US-headquartered computer company, is undertaking a significant endeavour to diversify its supply chain for personal computers (PCs) by shifting the manufacturing operations of millions of consumer and commercial laptops to Thailand and Mexico this year, as reported by Nikkei Asia.

This move represents HP's first major initiative to expand its PC production activities outside the territorial boundaries of China, aiming to reduce its reliance on a single manufacturing base.

As the second-largest PC manufacturer globally in terms of shipment volume (following China's Lenovo), HP is planning to relocate a portion of its commercial laptop production to Mexico, while some of its consumer laptop manufacturing will be shifted to Thailand.

HP is also considering Vietnam as a potential destination for relocating laptop production, with plans set to commence next year, according to sources from HP's suppliers.

These suppliers suggest that HP's production output outside of China for this year is estimated to range between 2-5 million units  HP delivered a remarkable 55.2 million PCs worldwide last year.

Benefitting from an existing presence of PC suppliers, Thailand offers new advantages for HP's operational transition. Similarly, relocating a fraction of the commercial laptop production to Mexico would enhance HP's market penetration in North America.

Vietnam, which is gradually emerging as an attractive investment destination for prominent global companies, has also drawn the attention of HP.

By expanding its operations to Vietnam and Thailand, HP would contribute to the establishment of a robust PC supply chain ecosystem in Southeast Asia, providing an appealing alternative for computer manufacturers seeking to diversify their production beyond China.

The decision by HP follows a proactive move by its fellow American competitor, Dell, which launched an ambitious campaign to eliminate Made-in-China chips from its product lines.

Dell, having diversified its supply chain much earlier than HP, aims to produce at least 20 per cent of its laptops in Vietnam this year. It is projected that Dell will achieve complete independence from Chinese chips at the component level by the end of 2024.

Apple also commenced MacBook production in Vietnam this year, marking a significant milestone as it diversifies its manufacturing away from China.

HP's strategic initiatives further bolster Vietnam and Thailand's burgeoning positions in establishing a comprehensive PC supply chain ecosystem, making Southeast Asia an increasingly alluring choice for computer manufacturers seeking production alternatives beyond China.

While HP's effort to diversify its production away from China has progressed at a relatively measured pace compared to other US firms, it has been engaging in supplier negotiations since 2019 to assess potential manufacturing locations.

HP has been a stalwart supporter of China's electronics manufacturing industry for many decades. The city of Chongqing, where HP established a laptop production hub in 2008, exemplifies this commitment.

Following HP's lead, other PC manufacturers, including Acer and Asus, requested that their suppliers shift production to Chongqing.

Presently, Chongqing has emerged as a prominent PC export hub in China, hosting a multitude of HP's suppliers such as Quanta Computer, Inventec, and Foxconn, cited Nikkei Asia.

However, this reliance on China for its laptop supply chain presents a notable challenge for HP. Many industry experts and analysts assert that achieving complete separation from the country is a formidable task.

According to data from Canalys, a monitoring platform, the US remains the largest PC market for both HP and Dell. In the first quarter of 2023, the US market accounted for approximately 31 per cent and 40 per cent of the total shipments for HP and Dell respectively.

Conversely, China's contribution to HP and Dell's shipment volumes during the same period amounted to merely 7.5 per cent and 8 per cent. In China, the domestic brands Lenovo and Huawei have dominantly captured the PC market during the initial three months of this year.

The primary objective behind diversifying the supply chain is to mitigate risks associated with US-China trade tensions while capitalising on the opportunities presented by emerging manufacturing hubs in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.

Vietnam continues to establish itself as an attractive destination for global factories and high-tech manufacturers looking to relocate their operations. Recent developments, such as the granting of investment certificates by Quang Ninh People's Committee, exemplify this trend.

Two Foxconn projects with a combined investment value exceeding $246 million have been approved in the Song Khoai Industrial Zone and the Quang Yen Economic Zone. These initiatives highlight Vietnam's growing appeal as a strategic choice for companies seeking to leverage its favourable business environment and skilled workforce.

Vietnam remains a popular destination for supply chain diversification Vietnam was highlighted as a growing significant destination for supply chain diversification among China and other countries at the event themed 'Beyond Boundaries - China and Vietnam Supply Chain Opportunities' held on June 14 in Shanghai.

Vietnam becomes preferred investment destination for Japanese corporations Vietnam has become a top choice for Japanese investors due to its strong economic growth, large consumer base, competitive labour costs, and favourable land rental rates.

Foxconn gains projects worth $246 million in Quang Ninh Quang Ninh People's Committee has granted investment certificates for two Foxconn projects worth more than $246 million in Song Khoai Industrial Zone (invested by Thailands biggest industrial developer Amata) and Quang Yen Economic Zone.
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Held by VIR, the Realising Resolution 29: New Approaches for Pharma-Healthcare Development event will focus discussions on the importance of Resolution No.29-NQ/TW to the future sustainable development of Vietnams health system, learning lessons from other nations, identifying where there is room for improvement, and promoting public-private collaborations.

VIR to host health conference on July 20

The conference will feature keynote speeches from Emin Turan, chairman of Pharma Group, and Eunice Cho, country manager of Viatris Vietnam Ltd., as well as two panel discussions.

Vietnams pharma and healthcare sector has witnessed significant contributions from all stakeholders over the years, including foreign-invested enterprises, but alongside the many achievements, significant obstacles lay ahead. Overcoming them requires innovation and strengthened cooperation from all involved to ensure its sustainable development.

Investment trends in pharma and healthcare have shifted towards focusing on innovative machinery, technology transfer, and more to further contribute to the countrys common goal of better protecting and improving people's health.

Recent moves by multinational corporations have reinforced the trend. In particular, the presence of Viatris in Vietnam is a strategic move for the company to achieve its mission of empowering people worldwide to live more healthily at every stage of their lives.

Cho said, In addition to seeing good growth potential for the company, we understand that our performance in Vietnam is in line with our purpose of meeting the nation's health needs and ensuring access to quality medicines. We work to promote responsible and sustainable operations, and I am extremely confident of the value our company will bring to our patients, employees, customers, and society as a whole.

The recent collaboration with Medochemie is intended to further fuel the companys efforts to support the Vietnamese governments goal of enabling technology transfer to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities. The ultimate vision is to make Vietnam the ASEAN hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing over the next 10-20 years.

Our relentless pursuit is to improve access to high-quality, trusted medicines. This cooperation is yet another milestone in our localisation efforts and our commitment to expanding the access to quality medicines to the people of Vietnam, she noted.

We will continue to work and support the governments vision to foster access to quality medicine through local manufacturing, Cho concluded.

Within the latest development period, Resolution 29 on the acceleration of the national industrialisation and modernisation to 2030 with a vision to 2045 has become a guide for sectors like healthcare.

Turan said that realising the goals in Resolution 29 means generating breakthroughs in the pharma sector's development, which require the adoption of innovative approaches and clearly defined policy priorities to achieve the long-term goals. This will not only foster the sectors growth and innovation, but also create spillover effects and driving forces for other industries.

Pharma Group Vietnam represents the voice of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, and wholeheartedly supports the orientation set forth in Resolution 29 to establish pharmaceuticals as one of the priority sectors that will enable and drive innovation. We are optimistic that the upcoming Government Action Plan to implement the resolution will enable breakthrough solutions and yield significant outcomes, he noted.

The event is expected to set off a platform for policymakers and the business community to discuss the issue, as well as help foster business cooperation opportunities.

The half-day conference, set to take place from 8.30am to 12pm on July 20 at the Pullman Hotel in Hanoi, will be covered extensively across VIRs various print and online offerings, on leading TV channels, and through other media agencies.

Panellists at the first discussion:

Phan Duc Hieu, Standing Member of the Economic Committee of the National Assembly

Do Van Su, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Agency under The Ministry of Planning and Investment

Ta Manh Hung, Deputy Director of the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health

Emin Turan, Chairman of Pharma Group

Prof. Nguyen Hai Nam, Rector of Hanoi University of Pharmacy

Panellists at the second discussion:
The highly anticipated bidding session for Package 5.10 of Long Thanh Airport's Phase 1 passenger terminal construction project, valued at VND35 trillion (approximately $1.46 billion), has unveiled the contenders vying for this lucrative opportunity.

The disclosed bidding details provide insights into the proposals submitted by three notable consortiums  CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors, Hoa Lu, and VIETUR.

As the construction industry eagerly anticipates the outcome of this tender, it is worth delving into the specifics of each consortium's offering.

CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam contractors

China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd. (CHEC), headquartered in Beijing, spearheads the CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors consortium. Impressively, they have submitted a comprehensive package consisting of 36 boxes containing technical proposal documents.

Each set of technical proposals comprises 24 volumes. Should they secure the contract, the projected timeline for completion is estimated at 37 months.

To provide the necessary financial security, BIDV has agreed to furnish CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors with a guarantee amounting to VND370 billion (approximately $15.42 million), valid for 240 days.

Hoa Lu consortium

Hoa Lu Consortium, led by Coteccons Construction JSC, presents a strong line-up of Vietnamese and Thai contractors.

Under the astute leadership of Coteccons, Vietnam's largest construction firm, the Hoa Lu consortium has assembled an impressive group of esteemed Vietnamese contractors, including Unicons, Thanh An, Delta, Central, An Phong, and Hoa Binh.

Notably, the consortium also includes Power Line Engineering (PLE), a prominent Thai construction business, renowned for its notable achievements in projects such as the $404 million satellite airport in Bangkok, Thai Parliament House, and the iconic SOHO building.

The consortium has submitted an extensive collection of 38 boxes, comprising a total of 38 volumes of technical proposal documents. This comprehensive submission demonstrates their commitment to delivering a robust and well-thought-out plan for the project.

Setting their sights on completing the construction within a 36-month timeframe, the Hoa Lu consortium presents the shortest projected duration among the three contenders. This ambitious timeline underscores their dedication to efficient execution and timely delivery.

To support the Hoa Lu consortium in their endeavours, BIDV has pledged to provide a guarantee of VND370 billion ($15.42 million), valid for a period of 180 days. This financial support from BIDV enhances the consortium's financial stability, offering reassurance against potential setbacks.

In a recent interview with VIR, Tran Quang Tuan, chairman and CEO of Central Construction (a member of the Hoa Lu Consortium), shared his insights into their proactive approach to securing project funding.

In case of a potential negative cash flow of approximately VND5 trillion ($208 million), Tuan revealed that Coteccons has collaborated with financial institutions such as Vietinbank, MB, TPBank, and BIDV to arrange comprehensive funding, safeguarding the project against any potential financial obstacles.

According to Viet Dragon Securities, Hoa Lu Consortium, celebrated for their substantial engineering teams and expertise in infrastructure development, is among the nation's finest.

"Coteccons, one of the top two listed enterprises within this grouping, has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in infrastructure construction. Simultaneously, Hoa Binh has carved a niche for itself, owing to its diligent attention to the minutiae of the finishing process, setting a high bar in the market with its scrupulous standards," Viet Dragon Securities said.

The Hoa Lu consortium's strategic approach, combined with the backing of reputable contractors and robust financial arrangements, positions them as a strong contender in the bidding process.

VIETUR consortium

The VIETUR consortium, led by IC ISTAS Industrial and Trading Construction, a subsidiary of IC Holding from Turkey, brings a touch of international expertise to the tender.

Their submission consists of 30 boxes containing technical proposal documents, the lowest quantity among the three consortiums.

However, these comprise 60 volumes, highlighting their meticulous approach. With an anticipated construction period of 39 months, the VIETUR consortium presents the longest estimated timeline among their competitors.

The consortium members will benefit from guarantees provided by Vietinbank and BIDV. Vietinbank will support Ricons ($2.03 million), Newtecons ($1.56 million), SOL E&C ($950,000), Construction No. 1 ($1.08 million), ATAD Structural ($2.74 million), and Hawee M&E ($445,000).

BIDV, on the other hand, will extend its guarantees to Vinaconex ($1.7 million), Phuc Hung Holdings ($645,000), Construction Hanoi ($690,000), and IC ISTAS Industrial and Trading Construction Corporation ($3.57 million).

While the technical aspects of the bidding process have been made transparent, the financial proposal documents remain undisclosed at present. This crucial piece of information will play a pivotal role in evaluating the overall competitiveness and viability of each consortium's bid.

The ongoing tender for Package 5.10 of Long Thanh Airport's Phase 1 passenger terminal construction project has attracted significant attention from within the industry.

Long Thanh terminal construction set to begin in August Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has unveiled plans to commence the construction of a $1.46 billion passenger terminal at the forthcoming Long Thanh International Airport in August, marking a significant milestone in the nation's ambitious three-phase airport project.

Hoa Lu Consortium bids for Long Thanh International Airport project One of Vietnam's largest construction firms, Coteccons Group, is leading the Hoa Lu consortium in a highly anticipated bid for the monumental Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai province. Within this diverse alliance, the Thailand-based Powerline Engineering Public Co., Ltd. (PLE) will play a pivotal role.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  A man considered a person of interest in the deaths of four women whose bodies were found in northwestern Oregon is being held in a state prison after Gov. Tina Kotek reinstated a prison sentence that was commuted by her predecessor.

Jesse Lee Calhoun, 38, is considered a person of interest in the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leann Webster, 31, and Ashley Real, 22, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation. The official requested anonymity Tuesday because they are not authorized to comment publicly on the case.

The womens bodies were found in wooded areas around Portland, Oregon, between February and May. Officials have not released any information about how the women died or why Calhoun is considered a person of interest in the investigation. He has not been charged.

Calhoun did not immediately respond to an email sent through the Snake River Correctional Institutions inmate communication system.

Scott Leonard, a court-appointed attorney who represented Calhoun in the 2019 burglary case, said he no longer represents Calhoun and had no comment.

The Multomah County District Attorney's office said in a statement Monday that investigators have identified at least one person of interest in the cases and have interviewed multiple people as part of the investigation.

Calhoun was serving time for a 2019 conviction of stolen vehicle and burglary charges when then-Gov. Kate Brown commuted his sentence along with the sentences of 40 other prisoners in June 2021. The inmates had all helped fight wildfires in 2020 under a prison firefighting program, and Brown commuted their sentences after determining they did not present unacceptable safety risks to the community.

The commutation shaved about a year off of Calhouns sentence, who otherwise likely would have been released in the summer of 2022, months before the women went missing.

I am absolutely horrified for the victims, their families, and all those who have experienced these losses, Brown said in a statement emailed Tuesday to the AP.

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson wrote to Gov. Tina Koteks office late last month, asking that Calhoun's commutation be lifted so he could be reimprisoned to serve the rest of his sentence.

Since his release from custody pursuant to this commutation, Mr. Calhoun has been involved in criminal activity currently under investigation by Oregon law enforcement, Jackson wrote in the June 30 letter. In light of this, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and Multnomah County Department of Community Justice recommends Mr. Calhouns commutation be revoked.

Kotek agreed, and Calhoun was taken back to prison on July 7 to serve the remaining 11 months of his original prison term.

The women's bodies were found over a series of months starting in February, sparking fears and speculation online that the deaths were connected. In June, the Portland Police Bureau said that speculation was not supported by the available facts.

On Monday, however, the bureau joined with several other local law enforcement agencies and said there appeared to be links between the women's deaths after all.

Investigators didn't detail just what those links might be, however, and the law enforcement agencies declined to release additional details about the case.

We will never stop fighting for Kristin. We will make sure the whole world knows how wonderful she was and the truth about her life, Melissa Smith, Kristin Smiths mother, posted on Facebook. We will get justice for her!!!

Kristin Smith, a resident of Gresham, just east of Portland, who sometimes used the last name Reedus, was reported missing Dec. 22 and found in a wooded area in a suburb south of Portland two months later.

I am deeply saddened, lost and broken, Melissa Smith wrote on a GoFundMe page after her daughter's body was located.

Its quite like a piece of you is missing, thats really the only way you can describe it, Hailey Smith, Kristin Smith's sister, told KPTV, a Portland television station, in February as family members searched for the then-missing woman.

Family members hung up fliers and looked for Smith near homeless shelters and other sites in downtown Portland. And a private Justice for Kristin Smith Facebook page with over 600 members was created over four months ago.

Perrys body was found in Multnomah County on April 24, followed by Websters remains, which were found in Polk County on April 30. The fourth body found, in Clackamas County on May 7, belonged to Real, who had been reported missing in Portland a month earlier.

Perrys mother, Diana Allen, said Tuesday that her daughter struggled with her mental health. Allen shared a photo with The Associated Press of Perry that was taken after Perry won a spiciest chili prize in a contest several years ago.

She was so proud of it, Allen said. She had an amazing personality when she had her mental health under control.

The state medical examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death for any of the women, prosecutors said in a statement.

Investigators from nine law enforcement agencies, including the prosecutors offices in three Oregon counties and the Oregon State Police, have been collaborating on the cases, authorities said.

Boone reported from Boise, Idaho. Associated Press writers Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska and Lisa Baumann in Seattle contributed to this report.
Employees at the state juvenile lockup in Mart are eager for the pay raise that begins with their next paycheck Aug. 1, and its leaders hope the bump will boost staffing and morale.

The Texas Legislature recently approved the pay bumps to support an agency that has been chronically understaffed in recent years and faced an acute staffing crisis last summer that led the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice to temporarily halt intake at its five secure facilities statewide.

Morale has already improved among employees at the McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility in Mart, Superintendent Antonio Houston said.

The 5% pay raise the Legislature approved for Texas Juvenile Justice Department employees took effect July 1 and will hit paychecks next month, with another raise arriving in a year.

Houston said he hopes the higher wages will allow his facility to compete for employees from as far away as Waco and hire for the vacancies he has.

It is our hope here to be able to bring the facility up to its full complement of authorized staff members, Houston said.

The Mart facility is looking to hire 40 more juvenile corrections officers in the next two months so it can fill vacant positions and ensure adequate staff for expected new programming, department spokesperson Barbara Kessler said. The lockup is also starting to offer part-time positions to add flexibility for its workforce that now numbers 360, including 218 juvenile corrections officers.

Mart housed about 180 youth this month, though the number can fluctuate day to day, Kessler said.

When the juvenile justice department halted intake at all its secure facilities last year, it had 391 corrections officers statewide, with an average of a little more than 600 youth in custody for the year, The Texas Tribune reported at the time. The agency was working to recover to the point it could continue taking placements from county facilities, which were holding 130 youth awaiting transfer to the state, according to a June 2022 letter to county leaders from Shandra Carter, who was then the agencys interim director and has since been named permanent director. At the time, there were 242 youth at Mart.

The halt in intake arrived when short staffing meant youth in some facilities were kept in their rooms for 23 hours some days because there were not enough corrections officers to supervise even trips to use the bathroom or shower, The Texas Tribune reported. The halt was needed to ensure the situation did not become even more dire, Carter said.

This could cause a significantly impaired ability to intervene in the increasing suicidal behaviors already occurring by youth struggling with the isolative impact of operational room confinement, she wrote.

Mart operations manager James Rogers said he hopes the improving pay means the facility would be able to hire not just more people but more good people.

Wed like to be able to pick and choose, Rogers said.

The minimum raise the Legislature approved is $3,000 per year, Kessler said.

The lowest-ranking and lowest-paid corrections officers starting in the juvenile justice system will now earn $44,700 annually, up from $41,700, she said.

They would be on track to receive another $3,000 annual pay increase next year, per the budget just passed, Kessler said.

Among the unsung employees working hard to help youth in custody of the states juvenile corrections facilities, the teachers can make a great impact on their youth, said Craig Taylor, who has been principal of the high school in the Mart facility for five years. Taylor previously worked 11 years as a principal in regular public schools and nine years teaching a variety of agriculture and mechanical courses.

Taylor said most of his teachers came out of public schools, including many who retired from a school district before coming to work in juvenile justice schools.

Many of our educators came from public schools and they still have something to give, so they go back to work teaching here, Taylor said. They find that their greatest success is when the students here try to better themselves.

Completing a General Education Development diploma or earning enough credits to graduate high school is the first positive achievement many of the youth in his school can recall, Taylor said.

Its empowering for them, to see that they did this themselves, Taylor said. It can be an uphill battle without much support from home. For many of our youth completing GEDs or earning high school diplomas, they will be first in their family to do so.

A GED or high school diploma may be unremarkable for young people from families that value education, Taylor said. But for the TJJD youth, whose parents may have dropped out of school, those milestones confirm that they are capable of success through hard work.

Taylor said his team holds a graduation ceremony every December and every May or June for all the youth who have passed their GED exams or earned a high school diploma and are still in residence. He said 24 youth completed one or the other since January.

Ten of them earned high school diplomas and got released before the graduation, so we gave them their diplomas and took photos in cap and gown, Taylor said.

Youth who earned their GED diplomas spoke to the Tribune-Herald under assumed names in accordance with TJJD policy.

Eno said he worked to get his diploma to better himself. He knew he was far behind on credits required for a high school diploma and that he did not have enough time before his scheduled release to complete credit recovery and a high school diploma.

In April, Eno started studying for the GED exams because it was something he could achieve in the time he had available. He passed the exams before the end of June. Now he wants to take the welding training available before his release.

Even though people doubted me, I was successful in obtaining one of my goals, Eno said.

He said English was his favorite subject, and he read some of Shakespeares poetry, but what he really liked most was writing essays.

Alexander said his mother motivated him and thanked all the teachers who helped him.

I am the first one in my family to get an education, Alexander said. I never in my wildest dreams thought I could get this far.

He said that getting his GED diploma is only the beginning of his life journey. He said he enjoyed studying history and other cultures, in particular Hispanic and African American culture.

I look forward to getting a good and stable job and thankfully to this GED, I have more job opportunities, Alexander said.
During a murder trial Tuesday in Waco, a woman testified that she was in the middle of a conversation with a man in his apartment when he was fatally shot in front of her.

Courtney O'Neil Washington, 29, of Waco, is on trial again this week in Waco's 19th State District Court in the shooting death of Larry Bryant Jr., 50, on July 13, 2020, at Bryants garage apartment in the 2600 block of Sanger Avenue. Judge Thomas West declared a mistrial last month in Washington's initial trial because evidence arrived from a state lab after the proceedings were already underway.

McLennan County Assistant District Attorneys Will Hix and Kristen Duron began calling witnesses Monday afternoon.

Rolanda Bridgewater, one of the state's witnesses Tuesday, entered the courtroom in a gray jail jumpsuit and hand restraints. Bridgewater has been in McLennan County Jail since March, serving twenty months for violating her probation in a state jail felony methamphetamine possession case.

Bridgewater said she had not been offered a reduction in sentence or any other inducement to testify, which she was not happy about.

Duron asked Bridgewater about the night Bryant died. Bridgewater said she, Bryant and several others had been hanging out at the apartment. On cross examination, Bridgewater said she was under the influence of methamphetamine, marijuana and alcohol that night into the early morning.

Larry was sitting on the floor talking to me about life, about being on drugs and then, boom! Cash shot from the door. I left very scared, felt terrified and very shocked, Bridgewater said, using Washingtons alias, "Cash."

Hix asked a former Waco police crime scene technician, Jennifer Koenig, who recovered the bullets and shell casings from the crime scene about the trajectories of the bullets. Koenig said she was able to establish that two of three bullets were fired downward from the vicinity of the door.

Duron asked Bridgewater how far away Washington was and whether she is sure it was him.

He was standing 12 to 15 feet away, Bridgewater said. I know Cash. I knew it was him.

Washingtons defense attorney Nora Farah asked Bridgewater about the two meth pipes she had that night. Bridgewater said that when she agreed to talk to the police about the shooting, they declined to charge her for the two meth pipes.

Bridgewater also said she agreed to let the police swab her hands for gunshot residue.

Gunshot residue particles were present on the swabs, said Juan Rojas, a retired trace evidence analyst from Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab in Austin who analyzed Bridgewaters swabs.

When asked if she shot Bryant, Bridgewater said she did not. Bridgewater said Washington shot Bryant and she has no doubt about it.

Hix also showed Koenig a few minutes of security video obtained from a neighbor showing the backyard of the garage apartment where Bryant died.

I see a tall, thin male carrying a firearm, Koenig said of a frame Hix isolated during playback. This was the only person captured from any angle with a firearm.

The defense is expected to begin presenting its case Wednesday morning.
The Cameron Park Zoos adult female Masai giraffe, Penelope, died unexpectedly Wednesday morning after falling ill the night before, the zoo announced.

The zoos veterinarian staff worked with the giraffe through the night, but she passed early Wednesday morning, according to a zoo press release. An necropsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death, which will take several weeks.

Penelope was 10 years old, born May 9, 2013, at the San Diego Zoo. She gave birth June 23 to a baby named Zuri. Zuri made her public debut in the giraffe enclosure alongside her mother just last week. Zuri was Penelopes second baby. Her first, Zeke, was born at Cameron Park Zoo in 2021 before being moved to the Cincinnati Zoo.

Masai giraffes are the largest species of giraffe and are endemic to Tanzania and Kenya. They are also endangered, as National Geographic reported in 2019 that only 35,000 Masai giraffes remained in the world.

The Cameron Park Zoo staff and volunteers are deeply saddened by the loss of Penelope. The support of the community is greatly appreciated in this difficult time, the press release says.
The mother of a Lincoln motorcyclist killed in a crash in northeast Lincoln in April has sued the driver of the SUV that collided with him.

Braedon Timm, 21, died at a local hospital following the crash the afternoon of April 25 near North 84th and Holdrege streets.

Lincoln Police didn't cite the other driver, 75-year-old Michel Drahota, citing witnesses who said Timm had been speeding and changing lanes in the moments before the crash.

But this week, Timm's mother, Shari Timm, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Drahota on behalf of Timm's estate.

In the accident report, Lincoln Police Investigator Alan Pickering said the 21-year-old was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle south on 84th Street and continued through the intersection at Holdrege Street, where he collided with Drahota, who was turning left onto Holdrege Street from the northbound lane of 84th Street.

Pickering said Timm crashed into Drahota's Toyota RAV4.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews took Timm to a local hospital, where he died.

A passenger in Drahota's SUV suffered minor injuries.

Though Drahota wasn't cited, Pickering said in the crash report that the 75-year-old had failed to yield the right-of-way to Timm in an action that contributed to the crash.

Shari Timm's attorney, Jonathan Urbom, alleged the collision was the result of Drahota's negligence for failing to keep a proper lookout to avoid the collision and yield to oncoming traffic.

The family is seeking $10,000 for funeral and burial expenses, in addition to money to compensate them for his loss to the family.

An attorney hasn't yet entered an appearance for Drahota or responded to the lawsuit.

Timm was a 2020 graduate of Lincoln North Star High School.
Two weeks after Waverly Mayor Bill Gerdes declared a water emergency for the city, residents responded by nearly cutting their water usage in half.

At the Waverly City Councils July 11 meeting  held for a second consecutive time at the Waverly Community Foundation Building to accommodate a larger audience  Public Works Director Tracey Whyman reported that the citys water usage had dropped 44% from the citys June average daily usage. That equates to 621,562 gallons used per day in the first 10 days of July, compared with 1,113,000 used per day in June.

Huge shoutout to the citizens of Waverly, said council member Aaron Hummel. I dont know what number I expected two weeks ago, but I am amazed at what they did, and I want to thank every one of them that conserved water or did something to help.

In that same stretch of time, drought conditions in the area have improved, from exceptional drought to severe drought as of July 11, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincolns U.S. Drought Monitor.

Thats the good news. The other reality is that Waverlys wells are still pumping at levels lower than desired, and Waverly likely wont see groundwater levels impacted by recent rains for more than a year.

Were not out of the woods yet, Hummel said.

Whyman said that while many of the citys well levels have risen since the councils June 27 meeting, most of them still have a ways to go before reaching normal levels. The majority of the citys 11 wells increased somewhere between four-tenths of a foot and two feet during those two weeks.

The other problem, according to David Miesbach  the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energys Groundwater Unit Supervisor  is that rainfall does not make immediate impacts on groundwater supply.

Miesbach, a Waverly resident, gave a presentation during the meeting detailing Waverlys geologic predicament, which makes the city reliant on groundwater in an area that stretches to Eagle and Walton, but not much farther.

Miesbach explained that groundwater is refilled in a process called recharge, in which precipitation seeps through the earth into an aquifer. That process adds an average of 2.3 inches of water to the aquifer each year, and it can take several years for the water to reach the aquifer. So, although the area has received more than eight inches of rain since June 1, the aquifer is working with water that has been deposited in three straight dry years.

Weve had three dry years in a row; we havent had recharge, Miesbach said. Thats why the wells (have been) going the wrong way. Its not that were using more water. Its just that there isnt water there to use.

Miesbach also noted that recent increases in groundwater levels come from shifts in water underground.

Groundwater is continually moving, and it always moves from high to low, he said.

On the agenda for the council was whether to approve the second reading on an ordinance that would charge households an extra $5 per 1,000 gallons of water used after reaching 10,000 gallons for the month.

The proposed ordinance proved controversial at the June 27 council meeting, with a number of citizens speaking out against it. Council member Abbey Pascoe voted against the ordinance, saying it could put citizens in tough financial positions.

The last thing that I want to do or have my name attached to is putting any families in financial hardship because they cant give water to their children, Pascoe said at the June 27 meeting.

Hummel and council member David Jespersen said at the time that they wanted to see if the citys water situation improved in the two weeks between meetings. They both voted in support of the ordinance in case the citys situation warranted it after the three council meetings needed to approve the ordinance.

After little discussion, the council voted 3-1 at the July 11 meeting  with Pascoe voting no  to move the ordinance on to a third and final reading at the July 25 council meeting.

Hummel said after the meeting that he voted for the ordinance, as the council needs to wait and see what happens before July 25.

We need to continue to (conserve), so lets give it another two weeks and look at it, he said. In two weeks, its going to be a tough decision.
The history and heritage behind Honor Flights is certainly something special, and the American Airpower Museum plans to honor that on August 5, 2023 when they co-host a patriotic reunion of 37 Vietnam, 2 WWII and 5 Korean War Veterans. These veterans were on an honor flight to Washington D.C. back in April of 2023, and will again be honored when the American Airpower Museum hosts their upcoming event. On Saturday, August 5, 2023 the museums Hangar 3 will be open to the public beginning at 10:30am.

The reunion portion of the event will run from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The American Airpower Museum (AAM) and Honor Flight Long Island will honor the attending veterans during the Ceremony of Honors, at which time each veteran will be presented with a tribute journal that includes an array of photo memories gathered during their trip to D.C. The event will further include speeches by Honor Flight Long Island President, Bill Jones, and AAM President and Founder, Jeff Clyman. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will be in attendance and perform a selection of patriotic music. Free cake, coffee, and refreshments will be enjoyed by all.

Honor Flight Long Island escorted all 44 veterans on an early morning flight to our nations capital on April 29, 2023. Veterans and their guardians visited many memorials and monuments, including the WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Memorials, Arlington National Cemetery where they observed the Changing of the Guard, the Air Force Memorial, and the Iwo Jima Memorial. Upon their return to ISP Long Island MacArthur Airport on the evening of the 29th of April, they were welcomed by the Nassau County Fire Fighters Pipe and Drum Band, plus thunderous applause by hundreds of family, friends, and supporters.

According to Bill Jones, Honor Flight LI President, West Point 1972 Graduate and U.S. Army veteran, This special flight included 37 Vietnam veterans who received long overdue recognition and thanks for their military service. They were accompanied by seven elder comrades  two WWII and five Korean War veterans. What this flight really represented was a Big Hug to all our veterans from Honor Flight, their families and supporters who make such flights possible.

AAM and Honor Flight Long Island encourage the public to make plans to attend this reunion, as they pay tribute to these very special veterans. Anyone from the general public arriving between 10:30 am and 12:00 pm will attend free of charge. After, 12:00pm regular museum admission applies: museum members are free and non-members are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12, and free of charge for children 4 and under. American Airpower Museum is located at 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY. You can learn more about the event at www.americanairpowermuseum.com
WEST UNION  A month-long drug investigation came to a head last weekend when an Elgin man pulled up to the Elgin Fire Department around 3 a.m.

Authorities allege the driver, 29-year-old Ryan James Smith, was in a Chevrolet Malibu and turned right with his left turn signal on and approached a Fayette County sheriffs deputy parked in the lot on July 11. Smith began talking to the deputy about a pending court case and admitted he used drugs.

Smith pulled out a backpack full of documents while jabbering quickly, according to court records. He was taken to the jail as part of an intoxicated driver investigation.

Officers called for the assistance of a K-9 and found meth, marijuana and a scale in the Malibu. Smith was arrested for possession with intent to deliver and operating while intoxicated.

What followed was a series of searches that ended with the arrest of a dozen other people on an array of drug charges.

On Friday, July 14, several agencies came together to execute five warrants. Officers with the Fayette County Sheriffs Office, West Union Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Fayette Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriffs Office and Postville Police Department searched 116 E. Elm St. Apt. 101; 118 E. Elm St. Apts 201, 202, and 204; and 124 S. Vine St. Apt. 7.

One of those arrested was Jeffrey Jay Blue, a 51-year-old West Union resident who is charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and morphine and possession of heroin. Officers found morphine pills, loaded syringes, THC cartridges and a ledger with names, according to court records.

Records also show authorities responded to a report of an overdose at Blues residence on June 18, 2019. Officials found Blue with an unresponsive man, amid two needles and a spoon.

Blue was administering Narcan nasal medication  also known as naloxone  to the man. Paramedics took the man to Palmer Hospital.
Following a few simple safety tips can make long summer strolls just as fun for your dog as they are for you. Heres what you need to know as the temperatures rise.

1. Timing is everything.

When the sun is at its peak, pavement can become scorching hot. Its best to save walks for early mornings or late evenings when the temperature is cooler. Skip mid-day walks when the sun is blazing unless you can stroll in a wooded area where the ground gets plenty of shade.

2. Stay hydrated.

Just as its important for people to get plenty of water on hot days, its also important for dogs. When walking in the summer, grab a cold water bottle and a collapsible dog bowl. If you notice excessive panting or salivation, take a break and give your dog time to hydrate. Freezing low-sodium broth in an ice cube tray is also a great way to get your dog more fluids in the summer.

3. Stay in the shade.

Staying in shady wooded areas is ideal, but for city-dwellers, its best to cross to the shady side of the street. Plan your dog's walking routes in areas with more tree or building coverage to keep your dogs paws cooler. As a bonus, it might help you avoid your next sunburn.

4. Protect their paws.

As mentioned before, if the sidewalk is too hot for the back of your hand, its also too hot for your dogs paws. Stick to grassy areas, or get some breathable dog booties to protect their paws from hot pavement.

5. Watch for signs of overheating.

Dogs produce far less sweat than people, so theyll need your help to stay cool in the summer.

Watch for common signs of your dog overheating which include:

Excessive panting

Difficulty breathing

Drooling

Weakness

Fatigue

Collapsing

If you notice any of these symptoms, get to a shady spot and offer your dog plenty of water. Wetting your dogs paws, belly, and ears with cool water can also help bring down their body temperature. You can even store some dog ice cream in the freezer for a special treat when you get home.
WAVERLY  A former Waterloo woman is taking a social services agency to court after her teenage daughter was sexually assaulted at a Waverly shelter in 2021.

The mother, currently a Kansas City resident, filed a suit against Cedar Valley Friends of the Family in June in Bremer County District Court alleging negligence and seeking damages to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering and loss of consortium.

The suit - filed by attorneys Dave Nagle and Eashaan Vajpeyi - alleges the agency failed to adequately screen incoming residents and didnt adequately segregate men from women and children staying at the shelter.

The attorney for Friends of the Family  Adam Zenor  filed a response arguing, among other things, that a third party is responsible for the plaintiffs injuries, and comparative fault, alleging the plaintiffs share responsibility for the sexual assault.

A trial date hasnt been set.

The man behind the attack, 22-year-old Joshuah Kareem Hoskins, of Waterloo, has been sentenced in criminal court to five years probation with lifetime parole and registration on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.

He was subsequently convicted of lascivious acts with a child stemming from a Waterloo incident with another teen that happened around the same time as the Waverly crime. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the Waterloo case.

Hoskins is currently housed at the Newton Correctional Facility.

According to court records, Hoskins had sex with a 13-year-old girl at a home on South Street in Waterloo while the girl was a runaway on June 1, 2021. The girls mother went to police with the accusations that same day.

By the following week, Hoskins was a resident at the Waverly shelter, according to court records. He was age 20 at the time.

Friends of the Family operates the facility as a domestic abuse, homeless and sexual assault shelter.

Also seeking shelter at the facility was the plaintiff and her two children, who had been staying there since May 22, 2021.

Court records allege the plaintiff and her children roomed with another unidentified resident who often drank and became intoxicated to the point they didnt like sharing the room.

Staff allegedly noticed Hoskins exhibiting inappropriate grooming behavior towards the plaintiffs 14-year-old daughter. Workers alerted the mother but allegedly took no other action.

Then in the early morning hours of June 9, 2021, the 14 year old got up to use the restroom and encountered Hoskins, who was in the kitchen. They talked, and he allegedly invited her back to his room where he had sex with her, according to court records.

The mother awoke around 6 a.m. and contacted staff when she noticed the teen was missing, They found her in bed with Hoskins.

Staff initially told the mother not to call 911 because police werent allows at the shelter, according to the lawsuit.

However, police were notified, and Hoskins was arrested and admitted to having sexual contact with the girl at the shelter and the other girl in Waterloo earlier, records state.

15 signs your child is affected by bullying and what you can do about it Changes in eating habits Declining grades or loss of interest in school work Self-destructive behavior Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem Feeling or faking sickness, headaches and stomach aches Unexplained injuries Lost or destroyed clothing, books, or other belongings Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares Avoidance of social situations or sudden loss of friends What you can do Signs that your child is bullying: Getting into fights Has friends who bully New money or possessions Detention Blames others Worried about reputation
CEDAR FALLS  The City Council agreed to cut a proposed 72% salary increase in half Monday night, setting its future pay at $8,500 annually instead of the previously considered $12,000.

Thats still 22% higher than the current $6,982.

The proposal goes into effect in 2024 if it is approved on three readings.

Councilmember Kelly Dunn proposed the compromise, calling it more reasonable than the original plan.

The council agreed to the lower amount in a 4-3 vote. Councilmembers Dustin Ganfield and Simon Harding opposed, as did Daryl Kruse, who had proposed the $12,000 figure.

The council then passed the ordinance setting the salary amount and allowing for raises in the subsequent years to be based on the consumer price index on a 5-2 vote. The passage counted as the plans first reading since the original amount of the increase was changed. The second of three readings will take place Aug. 7.

Dunn said she wanted the salary set high enough to encourage people from all walks of life to run for office, but noted the council could look at raising it again in the future.

I want a diverse council, or at least the ability to attract a more diverse council, Dunn said in the telephone interview. People should be able to participate, and its disgusting to me if people cant afford to.

Dunn noted a salary survey by Controller/City Treasurer Lisa Roeding influenced her proposal, determining the average annual council salary of the 25 most populated Iowa cities (minus Davenport which did not respond) was $9,372 and the median to be $7,864. When Cedar Rapids and Des Moines are excluded, Iowas most populous cities, the average is $7,902.

The council could again consider raising the salary after the 2023 city election, to take effect in 2026. Councilmember Gil Schultz first suggested phasing in the raises, rather than the one-time boost.

Councilmembers Susan deBuhr and Dave Sires dissented because they believe the elected officials shouldnt earn a salary at all. They supported $8,500, however, over the originally proposed $12,000.

Kruses suggested $12,000 was based on an average he calculated for councils in Iowas top 15 most populous cities. After removing the highest and the lowest compensated, that was $12,062.

He wasnt comfortable using the top 25 because of a significant drop in population between the largest 15 cities and the next 10.

Dunn, in one exchange, vehemently opposed Kruse, who said one reason the salary should be higher is to help reimburse candidates for their own money spent on the campaign.

Another thing to consider is it costs roughly five grand to run a City Council election, said Kruse. People will spend more, even. Some people get donations. Some people spend their own money. I think, to another point that Simon (Harding) made, youre getting compensated for money youre spending to get into this position, or the time you take away from your work.

And Dunn suggested in the interview shed be open to an idea of Harding who said it might be necessary to look at giving out stipends to the currently unpaid members of the various boards and commission if the volunteer work starts eating into their professional work.

Im pretty open to everything. The boards and commissions are very important, said Dunn. If were having trouble getting people signed up and serving then we may need to look into the reasons why and find out whats hindering them. Money isnt everything, but people need to be financially OK to give their time.

Mondays debate did not attract any public comments, in stark contrast to the June 20 meeting when five residents spoke against it.

I was pleased to see the council find a compromise on their salary increase tonight, Josh Wilson, one of the residents who spoke June 20 but who was out of town Monday, said in a statement. Their smaller raise is much more in line with the realities of salary increases that all citizens face in the real world.

The discussion dates back to at least November when city officials were working to set goals for the upcoming year. Mayor Rob Green, also a former councilman, took credit Monday for initiating the discussion on an adjustment he refrained from calling raise.

Its not like in normal business having better performance should get more money and get more authority, he said about the change from the ordinance passed in 1999 that established pay for councilmembers the first time in 2000 of $4,098, and allowed for increases over the years based off the consumer price index .

He exclaimed that the pay was warranted in part because of the deliberate change in responsibilities.

The quality of governance and the involvement of your elected representatives in the processes of the city are greater than it was 10, 15, 20 years ago and theyre compensated for that extra work (easily 10 hours a week) that I doubt they had two decades ago.

He mentioned the relatively new committee structure allowing for more council authority, especially as one gets to serve as the chair, when previously in committee of the whole, it had been the mayor facilitating discussion.

Additionally, Green says, Youre getting phone calls they never got in the 90s or emails. They didnt have email back then. Were expected to be accessible all the time.

DeBuhr, whos been in office since 2004, tried to hold back a smile from across the dais.

Im completely opposed to this and I remain opposed to it, she said. I was on two decades ago, and we did do that work with all the committees back then.
FREDERICKSBURG  A Fredericksburg man died when he was struck by a passing vehicle Tuesday.

The deceased was identified as 78-year-old Jerome Leach of Fredericksburg, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

The driver, 85-year-old Edmund Emerson of Cedar Rapids, was traveling east on U.S. Highway 18 in a Toyota Camry around 4:45 p.m. when the vehicle struck Leach, who was on foot, just west of Falcon Drive.

The accident remains under investigation by the State Patrol. Officials with the Chickasaw County Sheriffs Office, Chickasaw County EMS and Fredericksburg Fire Rescue assisted at the scene.

What speed limit zones are the most likely to see fatalities? What speed limit zones are the most likely to see fatalities? Interstate, principal arterial Freeway and expressway, principal arterial Collector Local Minor arterial Principal arterial, other
Inner Mongolia's 'energy city' embraces wind and solar power development

People's Daily Online) 10:46, July 19, 2023

Once known for its industries centered around "goat, coal, rare earth and natural gas," Inner Mongolia is now pivoting toward "wind and solar energy," according to Xu Ming, an executive of Inner Mongolia Tiansheng New Technology Co Ltd, while discussing the emerging photovoltaic module industry in Jungar Banner, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This transition has been supported by local government policies that encourage new energy equipment manufacturing.

The "Hello, Carbon Neutrality" research group, a Peoples Daily Online initiative, recently toured Jungar Banner of Ordos city, in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The group's visit to a mining factory revealed new developments in the "blue ocean of solar panels" within Inner Mongolia.

Within the solar module factory of Inner Mongolia Tiansheng New Technology Co Ltd, located in Jungar Banner's Dalu industrial park, clusters of photovoltaic panels shimmered in bright blue light. Xu Ming, who moved to Inner Mongolia from Jiangsu, expressed his enthusiasm for the construction and development of the new energy photovoltaic module factory in Inner Mongolia.

The interior of a solar module factory at Inner Mongolia Tiansheng New Technology Co Ltd. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

"In August 2022, our 2-gigawatt solar module production project officially commenced," Xu said. "With the 660W+ Supreme series components we manufactured, we achieved the first large-size component output in Inner Mongolia, which significantly boosts energy-saving and carbon reduction. This project also created approximately 500 jobs. We're inviting all sectors of society to adopt clean energy, while increasing public awareness of using clean energy, so as to contribute to a carbon-neutral future."

At Weijiamao Coal Power Co. Ltd., photovoltaic panels are strategically positioned atop the factory buildings. From the air, black coal, green trees, and blue panels merge, forming a striking composition.

Zhang Fei, deputy general manager of the company, shared that the Weijiamao open-pit coal mine was recognized as a National Green Mine at the end of 2020. "Weve made use of available spaces like rooftops, slope protection areas, and the top of the coal handling gallery by installing photovoltaic panels."

In November 2021, North Weijiamao Coal Power Co. Ltd. installed a 6-megawatt rooftop photovoltaic system. The green electricity it generates powers electric truck charging stations and provides power within its coal mines. This project also established Inner Mongolias first "zero-carbon electric vehicle charging and battery swapping station using stored solar energy."

Currently, 12 electric heavy trucks are powered by photovoltaic power generated by the plant, Zhang said. Our rooftop photovoltaic system can generate more than 8 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, saving more than 2,400 tonnes of standard coal. On the basis of a 25-year design life for a distributed photovoltaic power station, total power generation can reach about 200 million kilowatt-hours, saving 60,000 tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 220,000 tonnes.

The mobile battery sway station for heavy trucks in a factory of Weijiamao Coal Power Co., Ltd. (Peoples Daily Online/Kou Yanan)

"This March, we received approval for a 600,000-kilowatt wind power project at Ordos' Kubuqi Desert Base. This will establish a diverse energy pattern that includes thermal, coal, photovoltaic, and wind power," Zhang added. "The company is promoting the integration of light power with agriculture and animal husbandry. We plan to construct 50,000 kilowatts of photovoltaic power stations in the reclamation area and foster an 'under the panel economy.' This includes investing in a modern agricultural farm for the joint cattle industry by towns, villages, and communities in Weijiaomao, with the goal of raising 10,000 heads of Angus cattle, thereby creating a modern, efficient, comprehensive agricultural economy."

With wind and solar energy exploitation, the once-black coal landscape is turning green, signaling a swift energy transition in Jungar Banner.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Families of children with complex medical conditions needing to travel out of state to receive specialized care would have fewer hoops to jump through under legislation sponsored by members of Iowas congressional delegation.

Iowa Republicans U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks reintroduced legislation Wednesday that would improve health care access for children with complex medical conditions by simplifying out-of-state Medicaid enrollment processes for pediatric care providers. The bill is backed by more than 200 childrens hospitals, patients and research organizations nationwide, including in Iowa.

Families who rely on Medicaid shouldnt have to jump through hoops to secure treatment for their kids, Grassley told The Gazette. Their ZIP code shouldnt matter as well. In Iowa, were fortunate to have facilities like the University of Iowa Stead Family Childrens Hospital. Oftentimes, families across the country  sometimes even in Iowa  need to cross state lines for quality pediatric care.

Grassley and Miller-Meeks introduced the bill alongside U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Massachusetts.

Children with complex medical needs cannot always receive the highly specialized care they need within their home state, Grassley said. When that happens, parents must work with health care providers and state Medicaid officials to find out-of-state providers able to provide necessary medical care.

That process, Grassley and Miller-Meeks said, is difficult and full of red tape.

"This legislation gives children with rare and complex diseases access to health care institutions and research facilities that are in many cases out of state, Miller-Meeks said in a statement. It also lessens the bureaucracy and significant wait times that bottleneck patient care and risk worsening a childs health condition.

The Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act would provide states with the ability to use a streamlined screening and enrollment process for out-of-state pediatric care providers that need to enroll in another states Medicaid program.

In Iowa, families are fortunate to have complex specialty care available right here in the state at University of Iowa Stead Family Childrens Hospital, but out-of-state families who rely on Medicaid and need the specialized care only our experts can provide are faced with a cumbersome process to get coverage, resulting in delays in care that can sometimes be life-threatening, Dr. Brooks Jackson, vice president of medical affairs at University of Iowa, said in a statement. This bill streamlines the enrollment process for our providers so it is quicker and easier for out-of-state Medicaid patients to see us for their complex medical care needs.

Dr. Wendy Woods-Swafford, vice president and medical director at Blank Childrens Hospital & Womens Services in Des Moines, said the bill will reduce delays for children who rely on Medicaid in receiving pediatric specialty care.

Iowa has great care for children, but no state has every critical treatment option for each and every complex medical condition, Woods-Swafford said in a statement. Our Iowa families rely on coordinated care for their child between their local provider teams and pediatric specialty teams from across the country. This legislation will make a difference to countless children by increasing their access to the pediatric specialty care.

Grassley and Bennet introduced the same legislation in 2021, where it garnered 24 bipartisan co-sponsors in the Senate, but failed to pass out of committee.
DES MOINES  Saying she believes the Iowa Supreme Court got it wrong last month when its split decision left in place a block on abortion restrictions that were passed in 2018 but never became law, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday she believes that, given a second chance, justices will uphold a new version of the abortion restrictions.

I think the law is constitutional. I think they got it wrong the first go-round here a couple of months ago, Reynolds told reporters at the Iowa Capitol.

Abortion, as the law currently stands, is legal in Iowa until 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Last week, statehouse Republicans passed a new law that made abortion illegal once a fetal heartbeat  defined in the law as cardiac activity, the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac  is detected. That made abortion illegal possibly as early as the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women are aware they are pregnant.

Reynolds signed the bill into law Friday. But on Monday, a Polk County district judge temporarily blocked enforcement while courts determine its constitutionality.

Reynolds said she will direct the state to appeal that ruling.

We for sure will be appealing the temporary injunction. Its just a matter of time, Reynolds said. Were working with the Attorney Generals Office on the details, so hopefully that will be filed yet this week.

Iowa Republicans in 2018 passed a law that would have banned abortions once a heartbeat is detected. It was blocked by the courts and never took effect.

After rulings in 2022 from the Iowa Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court effectively eliminated a right to an abortion at both the state and federal levels, Reynolds asked the state courts to reinstate that 2018 law. In June, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled on Reynolds request, issuing a split, 3-3 decision that left the lower courts ruling in place. That meant the 2018 law remained blocked and abortion remained legal in Iowa.

But the court was ruling on whether it should consider the 2018 law; it was not considering the merits of the law itself.

Conservatives believe that if an abortion case makes it back to the Iowa Supreme Court, this time  in the wake of those 2022 rulings  the state court will apply a lower legal threshold to the new state law and thus find it constitutional.

I think the bill that we passed is constitutional, especially with the changes that weve seen (in the courts), Reynolds said. I feel that its a good bill.  I think the right to life is the most important right that we have, and without it we have nothing.

Advocates for access to abortion services celebrated the district judges ruling Monday, with an eye toward the legal debate ahead.

We are deeply relieved that the court granted this relief so essential health care in Iowa can continue, Dr. Abbey Hardy-Fairbanks, medical director of the Iowa City-based Emma Goldman Clinic, said Monday in a statement. We are also acutely aware that the relief is only pending further litigation and the future of abortion in Iowa remains tenuous and threatened.

It is widely expected the issue will return to the Iowa Supreme Court, which may then determine whether abortion restrictions in the state should be required to pass the undue burden legal standard, as they have in the past; or whether the lower legal threshold of rational basis should be applied.

South Carolina Senator Tim Scott holds a town hall meeting to talk about his plans for presidency
The Winona County Sheriffs Department is asking for the publics help in locating an Elba man who was last seen late Monday evening.

The sheriffs department responded to a welfare check for Bruce Wiza, 59 of Elba, around 11:30 p.m. Monday after his wife called in saying he had not returned home. Before deputies arrived at the residence on the 1200 block of North Main Street, Wizas wife located him in the house.

As authorities checked to make sure Wiza was OK, the sheriffs department said he took off running out the backdoor of the house and has not been located since. He left his phone and wallet behind.

Wizas wife said he had been acting odd. The sheriffs department believes Wiza was wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. He is described to be 5-feet, 6-inches tall and 140 pounds with brown hair and eyes.

Weve been searching for him since that night, chief deputy Jeff Mueller said. He didnt return home the next day. Weve been doing some sporadic searching for him and today were going to gear up and try to do a larger search.

Mueller said Wednesdays search will be assisted with area fire departments, a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter and dogs.

Wiza is not wanted for arrest and law enforcement is attempting to locate him for his own welfare.

Anyone who has seen Wiza or has information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Winona County Sheriffs Office at 507-457-6368.
The Winona City Council approved a bid Monday to update the heating and air conditioning system at the Masonic Temple thats $1 million over the amount budgeted for the project.

The city owns the building, which houses the citys Friendship Center and the other organizations. The $3 million bid was awarded to Winona Heating & Ventilating Co. for the work and to replace the boiler system. The replaced boiler from the Masonic Temple will be used for parts for the boiler at city hall.

City manager Chad Ubl said after receiving the bids at the end of May, city staff have worked on a solution to fund the project.

The project would be funded with $1 million of the citys American Rescue Plan Act dollars, a $1.1 million equipment certificate for the project, $150,000 from the citys facilities fund, $510,000 from the citys equipment certificate residual equity and $273,514 from the 2017 tax abatement bond.

Councilmember Jeff Hyma said there is a sticker shock toward the projects price but said the work is important for the community organizations that can use the building after the upgrades, which will allow the second and third floors of the building to be used.

Were trying to make a venue such that a variety of different arts organizations in the community can have a home, and by spending this during the HVAC process, you at least bring this goal to a usable standard, Hyma said.

There is still more work that will need to be done, Hyma said, but the city has made good on its part with the investment.

I would hope, going forward, that arts groups we are partnering with will be able to work as partners and find other funding sources for upgrades within the building, Hyma said. I see one of the roles of the city is to be that catalyst, to be that starting spot, that hopefully good things can come forward from.

Steve Young was the only councilmember to vote against awarding the contract. Councilmember Pamela Eyden was not in attendance.

Im really concerned about cost, Young said. Weve got a number of things the city wants to build.  I think $3 million would go a long way to building a new senior center and rec center.

Young said the city cant have everything it wants.

The citys Friendship Center provides health and wellness opportunities, clubs and programming for Winonas older adults at the Masonic Temple building.

Councilmember George Borzyskowski said several years ago he suggested the city sell the building, but said despite the price tag, he now supports the improvements to serve the citys older population.

Its a home for the Friendship Center, Borzyskowski said. This plan here will make the building usable, and I think we need to get that building usable.

Councilmember Jerome Christenson said to not support the buildings upgrades would betray the trust with a large segment of the community.

Its part of our heritage, and its an important anchoring structure downtown, Christenson said. This is money thats already been collected from taxpayers and pledged for public use and this is a public use, this is a public good, this is what we do as a community. And not to do it is just wrong.

Mayor Scott Sherman said it hurts a little bit to be $1 million over budget on the project.

Its not the building that makes it special but the programming thats in there, Sherman said. Were never going to make money on these but what we do is offer services to the community that, for the most part, are free or at a very low cost.

Laura Hoberg, Winonas director of Recreation Services, was surprised by the cost.

I think our members are excited to know whats happening because for so long weve been waiting to know what the plan is, Hoberg said.

The Friendship Center advocacy program has doubled its client base in the last few years.

To know that we have support for that program and people recognize how essential it is, Hoberg said. Especially if were talking about having an aging friendly community  you want people to stay in the community and have resources for people to age healthy in the place that they live now.
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Barricades are placed near the Unification Bridge, which leads to the Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. An American soldier who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison, fled across the heavily armed border into North Korea, U.S. officials said Tuesday, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Honeys benefits have been touted since antiquity  and it turns out the ancient Greeks and Romans were onto something: Honey really can hit the sweet spot when it comes to our health. 



Though honey  a sweet, sticky liquid made by honeybees from flower nectar  is technically a sugar, its also really rich in a lot of different bioactive substances, says Mayo Clinic registered dietitian (and hobbyist beekeeper) Joy Heimgartner. Those include a range of good-for-you minerals, probiotics, enzymes, antioxidants and other phytochemicals.

There are four common types of honey: Raw honey is defined by the National Honey Board as honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by extraction, settling or straining without adding heat. Manuka honey, produced from the flowers of manuka trees, is known for its unique antibacterial properties, attributed to a compound called methylglyoxal, says Jordan Hill, lead registered dietitian for Top Nutrition Coaching. 

Organic honey is produced without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides or GMOs. And locally produced honey has been reported to provide relief from seasonal allergies to local pollen, though scientific evidence to support that claim is limited, says Hill.

According to Hill, honey can be substituted for sugar in recipes, but remember: It has a distinctive flavor (which varies depending on the source flowers); its sweeter than sugar (the general rule of thumb is to use  to 1 cup of honey for every 1 cup of sugar); its a liquid, so you may need to cut back on other liquids or slightly increase the dry ingredients in a recipe; and it browns more quickly than sugar (so reduce the oven temperature by 25F).

But whatever way you use honey  in a recipe or as a condiment  always keep in mind that it is a sweetener. Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution, and we should limit added sugars of all types, says Heimgartner. Still, if youre looking for a sweetener that has more to offer, honey is fantastic. Here are six reasons why.
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Live Nation issues a statement after Egypt's Musicians' Syndicate claimed it is revoking a permit for the July 28 gig because it 'contradict[s] the identity of the Egyptian culture.'

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - Travis Scott (II) will still hold a concert at the Giza Pyramids to celebrate the launch of his new album, "Utopia". Despite getting pushback from Egypt's Musicians' Syndicate, its promoter Live Nation insisted that the show must go on.

"There have been no changes to Travis Scott's show in Egypt; any reports to the contrary are false," Live Nation declared. "We can't wait to celebrate 'Utopia' with you in Egypt!"

The statement arrived after Egypt's Musicians' Syndicate claimed it is revoking a permit for the July 28 gig because it "contradict[s] the identity of the Egyptian culture." The syndicate also noted that it's "committed to preserving the security and stability of our beloved homeland and rejects any actions that go against its societal values."

According to an English version of Egypt's government-owned newspaper, Al-Ahram, the group believes that Travis' concerts involve "strange rituals." The opposition is also reportedly due to the 2021 "mass casualty incident" at Astroworld that left 10 people dead.

Travis announced the event via Instagram on July 9. At that time, he penned, "UTOPIA LIVE AT THE PYRAMIDS. TICKETS AND UTOPIA PACK On TRAVISSCOTT.COM."

According to details from Travis' team, the upcoming record will feature five individual artworks, none of which have been revealed yet. The Live Nation event, which is dubbed a "once-in-a-lifetime gig," is being pitched as an "unforgettable show" that promises to envelop fans in a unique experience.

Travis once shared that he'd been working with new collaborators on his upcoming album in a bid to evolve his music. He told i-D magazine in 2021, "I never tell people this, and I'm probably going to keep it a secret still, but I'm working with some new people and I'm just trying to expand the sound."

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After being forced to pull out from the Rolling Loud festival in Miami and reschedule upcoming tour dates, the 'All My Life' rapper issues a statement to explain the cancellations.

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - Lil Durk is left with "no other choice" as he's forced to pull the plug on several festival appearances and various tour dates following his recent health scare. After it was reported that the rapper had to bow out of his headlining gig at the Rolling Loud festival in Miami and reschedule other shows, he has explained the decision.

"Since I'm still awaiting to get full clearance from my doctors to travel and perform again, I have no other choice but to cancel my headlining Rolling Loud performance," so The Voice said in a statement to DJ Akademiks on Tuesday, July 18.

Sharing his intention to get back on stage as soon as possible, he added, "While I'm home resting, I am looking forward to my two homecoming shows on the 11th & 12th in Chicago. For the rest of the country, I'll be announcing new dates soon. #StillHealing."

Durk was initially scheduled to perform at Rolling Loud on July 21. He has also canceled multiple dates with Kodak Black, NLE Choppa and DD Osama for his upcoming "Sorry for the Drought Tour" after he spent a week in the hospital due to severe dehydration and exhaustion.

The 30-year-old checked into the hospital on Thursday, July 6 after falling ill in Ohio. The Chicago rapper went to the hospital as a safety measure, but doctors told him the matter was more serious than he and his team realized, and that he needed to be admitted.

Due to the sudden health scare, Durk was forced to miss a series of scheduled shows across Europe and the 2023 ESPY Awards, which took place on Wednesday, July 12. "My fans mean everything to me, you're the reason why I do this," he said in a statement to TMZ last week. "I was looking forward to touching all of my European fans, performing this week(end), attending the ESPYs and more but after performing and traveling daily I've become severely dehydrated and advised by my doctors not to travel due to exhaustion."

"Once I get my full energy back, it's back to business which I'm looking forward to. #StillHealing," he promised.

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The new episode of the long-running talent competition show kicks off with Poetic Flight from France, who takes the stage to fly their miniature airplanes through the crowd.

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - The new episode of "America's Got Talent" featured an emotional audition that successfully brought tears to the judges' eyes. Airing on Tuesday, July 18, the new outing kicked off with Poetic Flight from France, who took the stage to fly their miniature airplanes through the crowd.

Simon Cowell and Heidi Klum weren't fans, so they pressed their red X buttons. Sofia Vergara, however, thought that it was "spectacular." Simon eventually decided to give the act another chance by giving it a yes, though Heidi stuck with her "no."

Following it up was singing cellist BJ Griffin. He amazed everyone with a stellar performance of "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green. "Right now, in singing, you are my favorite," Howie Mandel commented. Simon added, "That's what you call a moment. Your voice, it's so distinctive. Actually, it's stunning."

Phil Wright & The Parent Jam hoped to impress the judges when they took the stage for a fun performance of dancing and tricks that's full of spark and heart. Howie didn't think their performance was fun enough, but Heidi and Simon said they were great. The act moved on after all judges gave the act yes except for Howie.

Later, Enishi hit the stage in a blue mask. He then changed his mask to look like all the judges. Sofia said that it was "really creepy," while Heidi praised Enishi for being "super original." Simon initially said no to Enishi, but the latter was eventually sent to the next round.

Performing "In Da Club" and "Level Up" was drummer Timothy Fletcher from Baltimore. Sofia raved about the performance, saying that it was "so much fun." Heidi added that she was "mesmerized" by the performance with Howie calling it the "perfect first audition." Timothy unsurprisingly moved on.

The Rybka Twins returned to the "AGT" stage after failing last year. The two girls dazzled with their perfectly synchronized routine this time. Sofia and Howie weren't that impressed, but Simon said, "I completely disagree with Sofia and Howie. I loved this audition." Sofia eventually changed her mind, but Howie still gave the Rybka Twins a no.

Up next was acrobatic duo Just Two Men from Ukraine. They managed to make the judges jaw-dropped as one of the men balanced on his partner's head while suspended in the air. Heidi raved that these two have "moves we have never ever seen." Sofia noted, "It was breathtaking." Just Two Men stays in the competition.

Cakra Khan first performed "Make It Rain", but Simon stopped him mid-song as he asked Cakra to sing a second song. He then opted to sing "No Woman No Cry" and Heidi thought that he has a "very special" voice. Simon added, "It's so rare to hear voices like that." Cakra got four yes from the judges.

Magic Mike Jacobson stunned the judges with his magic skills. "It was incredible," Heidi said, while Sofia noted that she was totally "mesmerized." As for Atai Show, the group of four men brought some fun by dancing to "Everybody" by the Backstreet Boys. The group was sent to the next round.

Rounding out the night was 2 Moms United By One Heart. Holly from New York became forever connected to Kim from Oregon after Holly's son donated his heart to Kim's son Beckham. They didn't meet until several years later. For their performance, the two sang "For Good" from "Wicked" to Holly's late son, Jake.

Heidi and Sofia were moved to tears during the emotional performance. Howie shared that this was the "most magical moment I have ever experienced on 'America's Got Talent'." Simon added that this performance "will make a difference." The two moms headed to the next round.

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According to arrest records, the 33-year-old pretended to be his brother Brentt Leakes when he was arrested earlier this month and gave a false address to cops, resulting in him getting an additional charge.

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - NeNe Leakes' son Bryson Bryant has had a run-in with the law and was trying to dodge it by throwing his brother under the bus. The eldest son of the reality TV star reportedly gave false information to police, including pretending to be his younger brother Brentt Leakes, when he was arrested for felony possession of drugs earlier this week.

According to court documents obtained by Radar Online, Bryson was arrested on July 3 at around 1 A.M. at a home in Lawrenceville, Georgia for felony possession of Fentanyl, a Schedule II-controlled substance. In addition to the drug charge, he was hit with a misdemeanor "loitering/prowling" charge.

Police claimed in the arrest records that Bryson was at the address in question "evading police and claiming he knew the people that lived at the residence which was false." When asked for his name, Bryson told officers he was his younger brother Brentt, whom NeNe had with her late husband Gregg Leakes. As a result, the first few filings in the criminal case have Brentt's name on it. Bryson and Brentt do not share the same father.

Bryson was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail at around 2:36 A.M. and his bond was set at $5,900. He was released at 12:20 P.M. During booking, Bryson reportedly gave officers an address to a home that NeNe sold off years ago.

Prosecutors have since added a charge of "giving a false name, address or birthdate to a law enforcement officer." The updated filing listed the defendant as Bryson Rashard Bryant with a date of birth of 12/26/1989. Bryson was rearrested and is currently still behind bars.

Bryson was also accused of violating probation in another case. His hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 P.M. local time.

Neither NeNe nor Bryson has spoken up on his arrest. Last year, her son Brentt suffered a heart attack and a stroke. He was rushed to the hospital where he stayed for months. "Two weeks ago today, Brentt had congestive heart failure and a stroke. He's only 23, so he's really young for something like that to happen to him," she said in an Instagram Story video back in October. She went on noting that her son "doesn't drink or do drugs."

In November, the former "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star was overjoyed as Brentt walked out of the hospital. As staff cheered around him, the 55-year-old mother of two exclaimed, "Yay! You're walking out."

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who exchanged vows in a royal wedding back in May 2018, are allegedly 'taking time apart' to heal and rebuild their bond amid alleged marital issues.

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle apparently are facing trouble in their marriage. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who exchanged vows in a royal wedding back in May 2018, are allegedly "taking time apart" to heal and rebuild their bond.

Radar Online reported on Tuesday, July 18 that the pair are "trying to figure out what hit them." A source told the outlet, "Harry doesn't fit in Meghan's tacky Tinseltown world," adding that he's hoping to "find himself."

The new report also shared that Harry's upcoming solo trip to Africa is seemingly just what Harry needs. The insider went on to point out that the continent is his "second home and a place where he feels "most like himself."

The couple was also said to be "under tremendous financial pressure to fund their lavish California lifestyle, including their $14 million mansion and huge security costs." The source added, "That stress, coupled with their emotional issues, has likely made life a living hell. Taking time apart on different continents will hopefully help them find whatever they need to move on."

Prior to this, an anonymous tipster told Deuxmoi that the parents of two "sold their mansion in Montecito" and that Harry was "living in another place." The self-proclaimed "curators of pop culture" responded, "Not sure if the house was sold but I had heard a couple weeks ago he was staying someplace else there."

The tension between the couple allegedly started following their beef with Harry's royal family as well as the widespread backlash over their tell-all docuseries "Harry & Meghan" and Harry's memoir "Spare". A source additionally noted that the duo's Spotify failure was a "game-changer" in their relationship.

Another source, however, shut down rumors that Harry and Meghan are having marital issues. The informant, who claimed to be close to the couple, told Page Six that any speculation of a breakup is untrue. "It's not true, it's literally made up," the insider explained.

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The rock supergroup, which also consists of Alice Cooper and Joe Perry, announced their show in Budapest was canceled while fans were already queuing outside the venue.

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - The Hollywood Vampires' concert cancellation has sparked concerns among fans. The supergroup was forced to cancel their show in Budapest at the last minute, leaving many wondering if there's something serious happening to any member of the group.

The hard rock band, which was formed in 2012 by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp and Joe Perry, was scheduled to perform on Tuesday night, July 18 at the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sport Arena. Shortly before the show started, the stage was taken down, according to Index, leaving fans who were queuing outside the arena devastated.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Vampires will be canceling tonight's show in Budapest," the band announced in a statement posted on Instagram. "All tickets (general and VIP, including meet & greet) will be refunded in full."

"We love and appreciate all of the fans who traveled from near and far to see us rise, and we're truly sorry," they added. "Sincere apologies, The Hollywood Vampires."

As the exact reason of the cancellation was not revealed, fans can't help guessing if there's something serious happening to the member or the crew. "Cancelling the show while we're queuing is questionably weird. I sincerely hope everyone's alright," one fan reacted to the announcement.

Another speculated, "There could be something really wrong with a member of the crew or band. I'm sure they won't cancel otherwise. Be patient. They'll tell in their own time." A third expressed their concern in the comments section, "Please only let it be huge technical issues or whatever, no one from the Vampires or the team. I'm really really worried ..."

"Oh no! Hope everyone is okay," a worried fan exclaimed. Another remarked, "We are deeply concerned and hope that everyone is alright?!?!" A sixth user penned, "Hopefully none of the guys is I'll. Touring is exhausting for bands and these guys aren't as young as many others."

"They wouldn't cancel if it wasn't something important. Hope everyone is in good health," another said, while someone else added, "Just praying no one is hurt or sick. That's the most important thing of all. You sweet, sweet gentleman take care."

The cancellation comes just days after Johnny was seen using a crutch as a walking aid on his way to a concert in Scotland. The 60-year-old was spotted leaving his hotel in Glasgow on Friday night, July 11 and relying on the help of his crutch as he walked down the hotel steps.

The Hollywood Vampires was forced to postpone their shows in May after Johnny suffered a "painful" ankle injury. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star stated on Instagram at the time, "My dear friends, I am sorry to say that I have fractured my ankle, which is a drag!!! It began as a hairline break but somewhere between Cannes and the Royal Albert Hall, it got worse rather than better."

"Several medical professionals have strongly suggested I avoid any and all activity for the moment and so am sadly unable to travel at this time," he went on informing. "To that end, the guys and I are very sorry to miss you in New Hampshire, Boston and New York but fear not, I promise we will bring an amazing show to all of you in Europe and bring our absolute best to the East Coast later this summer and make it up to those who have paid for those shows!!!"

Meanwhile, the group also said in a statement, "Johnny has sustained a painful injury to his ankle following his recent appearances and has been advised by his doctor not to travel. He is devastated by this turn of events, but looks forward to resting up so all four Vampires can bring their absolute best to the tour in Europe."

They continued, "He is devastated by this turn of events, but looks forward to resting up so all four Vampires can bring their absolute best to the tour in Europe."

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A few months after turning heads at the 2023 Met Gala, the 'Oppenheimer' actress explains why she 'purposefully chose' to go through the dramatic hair transformation.

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - Florence Pugh took a bold move in her effort to take "control" of her image. A few months after debuting a shaved head at the 2023 Met Gala, the actress playing Jean Tatlock in "Oppenheimer" got real over the true reason she went through the dramatic hair transformation.

"Even at the beginning of my career, I was always fighting to control my image," the 27-year-old opened up in an interview with the Radio Times for its July 22-28 edition. Elaborating further, she stated, "It helps me when I'm wearing less make-up, because then I'm less of a sparkly thing on screen. I feel like I'm allowed to do ugly faces, like it's more acceptable."

Further explaining about her buzzcut, Florence admitted, "I purposefully chose to look like that. I wanted vanity out of the picture. Hollywood is very glamorous - especially for women - and it's hard for an audience to see past that. Whenever I've not needed to be glam or have a full face of make-up, I fight to keep it that way. It helps the audience. Vanity is gone. The only thing that people can look at then is your raw face."

Elsewhere in the article, Florence talked about her taking on various roles. She admitted that she "loved stretching any size of role, any obscure character" and that she is the person to "blame if it goes wrong." She elaborated, "There are things where I don't know how I mustered the courage - but I pushed myself off the cliff and hoped the wings came out."

The "Midsommar" star additionally weighed in on her latest project, "Oppenheimer". Playing an American physician who romanced J. Robert Oppenheimer in the Christopher Nolan-directed film, she proudly declared, "It's one of the biggest movies I've made."

About the movie itself, Florence stated, "Chris's approach is similar to indie movie-making. It reminded me of the early days when I was used to a fast-paced way of working - where, if you lost a scene from the day, you would lose it from the movie."

"When I walked on set, I couldn't believe there was that similar, incredible adrenaline, which I hadn't felt on a massive movie for a long time. It's a wonderful thing to inject into a film set - believing in yourself and what you're making," she recalled.

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According to a new report, the 'True Blood' actor and the 'Modern Family' alum's decision to split after seven years of marriage is due to their very different lifestyle aspirations.

Jul 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sofia Vergara's estranged husband Joe Manganiello is planning to leave the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle as soon as possible amid their divorce. According to a new report, the "True Blood" hunk and the "Modern Family" alum's separation was due to their very different lifestyle aspirations.

"I don't think Joe was ever really comfortable in a giant Los Angeles mansion or on the beaches of Saint Tropez," an insider told The Sun in a report published on Tuesday, July 18. "He saw that stuff for what it was and only let it into his life because it made Sofia happy."

The source added, "No way is Joe staying in Beverly Hills now that he's out of this marriage, and I would not be shocked if he found some modest small town to settle down in. He misses the backyard barbecues and friend group he had in the early days of his career, and he tried to recreate that vibe during this marriage, without much success."

The so-called friend went on to say, "Joe is incredibly close to his brother who has been a wingman for him on this crazy journey of the last several years. Joe is basically a normal guy trapped in the body of a superhero, in this industry full of deeply weird and needy people."

"To his credit, he's been careful and smart with the money he's made from acting but Joe isn't interested in conquering the world like Sofia is," the informant continued. "He was never willing to play that game."

It was also said that the "America's Got Talent" judge's love of partying played a role in their split. "Joe is a quiet man, who likes a peaceful existence. He is a self-confessed geek and a bit of a gamer, who likes being home. He loves his meditation and gym. Sofia just loves to be out and about doing things and moving forward all the time," another source detailed.

Previous report, meanwhile, noted that the former couple had grown apart after the "true versions of themselves started showing." While Joe is someone who "always loves being out and about and just having a good time," Sofia is "more concerned with the finer things in life, the trips, lavish dinners, being a celebrity, and everything that comes with all of that."

"That was not really seen while they were falling in love, but then the true versions of themselves started showing and they just got annoyed with each other, choosing work over hanging out," the source continued. It was also said that Sofia and Joe gradually "stopped wanting to be together and stopped hanging out."

Sofia and Joe recently confirmed that they have made the "difficult" decision to split. "We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives," they said in a joint statement.

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Days after seemingly calling out the 'Hotline Bling' rapper for never touching on black issues, the radio personality stresses that his statements were taken 'out of context.'

Jul 19, 2023

AceShowbiz - Ebro Darden has denied calling out Drake. Having made headlines for pointing out that the "Hotline Bling" hitmaker had never spoken up about black issues, the radio personality set the record straight and explained his intention in bringing up the discussion.

Clearing the air through a tweet on Monday, July 17, the 48-year-old radio host declared, "This is out of context." He continued responding to a tweet about him calling out the 36-year-old rapper for "never saying anything about black issues," by noting, "Drake doesn't have to. Nor should he if he doesn't feel it."

In the same tweet, Ebro went on to explain, "But to say 'This is America' is overrated and over awarded when that song came at a time when people needed someone to say something. And he doesn't feel the need to. That's all."

Ebro Darden denied that he called out Drake for never speaking on racial issues.

Ebro's tweet led others to share their two cents on the matter. In the replies section, one defended Ebro by writing, "No Ebro don't backpedal. You were absolutely right in what you said. Drake benefits greatly from the community and has never once said s**t about the injustice. And yes when you benefit from something to that extent, the least he can do is speak up about it."

Another, however, did not share similar sentiment and stated, "Y'all have spent his whole career telling him he doesn't belong, he's not street, he's not 'black BLACK', he doesn't represent the culture, and that he's not even from here. So why would or should he speak up about issues? Just to be told to stay in his place? That's unfair."

Ebro's clarification came a few days after he brought up the issue in a July 12 episode of Apple Music's "Rap Life Review". During a discussion with Nadeska Alexis and Lowkey, he said, "Drake, who has never shown up, and y'all know I'm the biggest Drake fan on this show. Drake has never shown up to have anything to say about anything going on in society with black folks or anything other than himself."

Ebro further stated, "So now you have an issue - I get you have an issue with Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) if what you're saying is face - but fam, the song was supposed to be a joke diss, it didn't actually happen. So why you in your feelings about it and taking shots at a song?"

Responding to Ebro's statement, his co-host, Nadeska, then stated, "Drake has never stepped his foot in those waters, and he may or may not ever." In response, Ebro replied, "By the way, at this point, we were not expecting him to."

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The former Disney actor and his new wife are expected to hold another nuptials after the newlyweds are back from her native country following their weekend wedding.

Jul 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin are plotting a second wedding. The 30-year-old actor married longtime girlfriend Barbara, 29, over the weekend in her native Hungary but she has now revealed that even though they planned an "intimate" wedding, that was not the case in the end and she is "excited" to head home to L.A with her husband to plan an additional ceremony.

"[This past weekend] was supposed to be an intimate event. But we ended up having 115 guests because there are a lot of people we care about and we wanted them all to be there. We're excited to go back to L.A. to our pets and rest a bit - before we start planning the American wedding," she told Vogue.

The model shared pictures on Instagram from her stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Budapest, admitting she experienced the "best hospitality" there. And she shared snaps of a "family field trip" in the capital, with 30-year-old Cole and others.

The former Disney Channel star - who shot to fame alongside his twin brother Cole Sprouse when they took on the title roles in "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" before starring in its spin-off series "The Suite Life On Deck" - confirmed in June that he and Barbara had been engaged since September, after months of speculation about their relationship status.

He told V magazine, "There's a lot of demand from the general public for full transparency. Which is funny to me because no relationship is fully transparent. This article, particularly, is timed up to the release of our engagement announcement, right? But we got engaged now, how many months ago?" Barbara then confirmed, "We got engaged in September."

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Britannia Milk Bikis launches Anaivarukkum, a region-specific campaign, celebrating Tamil Nadus rich linguistic diversity and regional pride.

Anaivarukkum, meaning 'for everyone', celebrates the rich plurality of dialects in the state. Each region within Tamil Nadu has its own distinctive heritage, captivating beauty, revered icons, and unique spoken dialects. Building on its popularity among the people of Tamil Nadu since 1978, Milk Bikiss latest campaign is a celebration that embraces the diversity and richness of every region across Tamil Nadu. This is Milk Bikiss gesture of showing its gratitude to the state, by shining light on sub-cultures within neighbourhoods and districts. The campaign reflects the deep understanding and appreciation of the state that the brand has garnered over its 40 year journey.

With Anaivarukkum, the brand has launched 5 digital videos representing 15 different dialects across the state ranging from Coimbatore to Madurai, Karaikudi to Toothukudi, Chennai to Erode and many others. These tailored videos are being served to precise audiences using pincode targeting ability on meta platforms. The campaign will also feature billboards and newspaper ads, each of which is a tribute customised to that location.

Commenting on the campaign, Amit Doshi, Chief Marketing Officer, Britannia Industries Limited said that Milk Bikis is loved all over Tamil Nadu, 1 in 5 biscuits bought in TN is a Milk Bikis and over a third of the households in the state consume the biscuits every month. With a bond as special as this, Anaivarukkum is a humble tribute to the state, the various beautiful dialects spoken across the state, rituals, its destinations and pop-culture.

PG Aditya, Founder of the Creative agency, Talented said, This campaign was led by two of my colleagues at Talented - Balaji and Samyu, who are both from TN. No better team to helm this.

Through this 60-part TN tribute series, were showing our gratitude to the state while shining light on sub-cultures within neighbourhoods and districts that have a separate fanbase. Weve curated a series of customised writing for each Tamil dialect across regions within the state. Milk Bikis potential to have a deep, highly-engaged relationship through hyper-localised creative work across TN is immense. And were just getting started!
Filter Coffee Co, a leading digital marketing agency, proudly announces its latest partnership with SEREKO, a trailblazing brand in the field of Psychodermatology. SEREKO offers innovative solutions that not only heal the skin but also nurture the mind, revolutionizing the skincare industry with its holistic approach to radiant and healthy skin.

Psychodermatology, a discipline that merges psychology and dermatology, lies at the heart of SEREKO's philosophy. By acknowledging the profound connection between the mind and the skin, SEREKO offers a transformative path to long-lasting healing. Going beyond traditional skincare, SEREKO addresses the underlying causes of skin concerns, providing comprehensive solutions that empower individuals to achieve true beauty from within.

Malvika Jain, Founder & CEO of SEREKO, expresses her excitement about the launch of their brand, stating, "We are thrilled to introduce SEREKO, India's first Psychodermatology skincare brand. Our mission is to revolutionize the skincare industry by integrating the power of the mind into the healing process. With our innovative products and cutting-edge formulations, we aim to deliver transformative results, enabling individuals to unlock their true beauty potential."

SEREKO's product range includes the groundbreaking NeuroCalm (S) and NeuroCalm (I), available in topical and ingestible forms. These meticulously crafted formulations harness the anti-stress and anti-anxiety properties of natural ingredients, providing a holistic approach to skincare that transcends surface-level concerns. By soothing the mind, SEREKO products pave the way for sustainable healing, offering a truly transformative experience for those seeking genuine beauty and overall well-being.

"We are honoured to collaborate with SEREKO, an industry pioneer in Psychodermatology," says Anuja Deora Sanctis, Founder of Filter Coffee Co. "Through our strategic partnership, we aim to leverage our expertise in digital marketing to amplify SEREKO's brand presence and empower individuals to embrace a holistic approach to skincare."

Filter Coffee Co, known for its exceptional results and innovative campaigns, is committed to driving digital innovation and helping clients thrive in the dynamic digital landscape.
The Madras High Court issued an order on Tuesday preventing Google from removing the Disney+Hotstar streaming service from the Play Store.

According to Reuters, the HC granted Disney+Hotstar an interim injunction and instructed the platform to pay a reduced 4% commission to Google for utilizing its proprietary in-app payments system.

Under the previous Google Billing and Payments System (GBPS), developers were subject to commissions ranging from 15-30%. However, the new user choice billing (UCB) system now allows for a 4% rebate, effectively lowering the rate to approximately 11-26% under the new framework.

During the court proceedings, Disney+Hotstar's legal representatives argued that Google had threatened to take down the streaming app from the Play Store due to non-compliance with the new UCB system, which has been embroiled in legal disputes.

On the preceding Monday, Walt Disney approached the Madras HC to seek a permanent injunction against the new payments policy and protection from potential removal from the Play Store.

By doing so, Disney+Hotstar has joined a litany of Indian companies challenging Google's controversial UCBS. But, this move also sets the stage for a significant showdown with Google.
Havas India has announced the launch of the global talent communications agency, Havas People, in the country. With this move, the network further strengthens its growing portfolio of specialised expertise.

A full-service employer branding agency, Havas People is headquartered out of London. Its work spans every aspect of the People Agenda  from internal communications that drive employee engagement and performance through to employer brand positioning to attract future talent. By combining data-driven insights, creative storytelling, and digital innovation, the agency creates and executes compelling employer brands that drive meaningful connections with candidates and deliver measurable business impact.

Havas Peoples entry into the Indian advertising space reflects the optimism around the future of the market, despite global headwinds. The introduction of such an agency marks a first for any large-scale advertising network in India, adding the crucial service of bespoke talent communications to Havas Indias portfolio.

Havas People will become part of Havas Creative Network India, that has witnessed exponential growth on the back of acquisitions, strategic tie-ups and client wins. Havas People will add to the creative networks repertoire that includes agencies like Havas Worldwide India (creative), Havas CX (customer experience), Think Design (UI/UX), Conran Design Group Mumbai (brand design), Shobiz Havas (experiential), and Havas QED (digital) in India.

To lead Havas People in India, Arindam Sengupta, Chief Growth Officer, Havas Worldwide India, has been promoted to the role of Managing Director, Havas People India. With over 20 years of experience, Sengupta has been an integral part of Havas India since 2016. Sengupta has closely managed a diverse range of marquee clients Citroen, JBL, Harman Kardon, Tata CLiQLuxury, Tata CLiQPalette, Celio, Burger King, P&G, and Lionsgate Play, and has played a pivotal role in growing Havas Indias P&L through integration.

Rupert Grose, CEO, Havas People, commented, We are thrilled to be announcing the launch of Havas People into the Indian market. Our entry into this dynamic country reflects our commitment to expanding our global footprint and connecting with diverse audiences, and it offers a plethora of opportunities to strengthen our expertise in shaping compelling employer brands. With its diverse talent pool, rich cultural heritage, and thriving business ecosystem, India provides an ideal platform for us to collaborate with organisations and unleash their full potential.

Grose continued, Our focus remains on empowering companies to attract, engage, and retain top talent by creating authentic employer brand experiences. We are excited to continue to partner with our existing global clients such as Haleon, Hitachi Vantara and Discover, as well as working with local Indian businesses, aligning their unique employer value propositions with the aspirations of job seekers. Together, we will redefine the employer-employee relationship, fostering an inclusive and inspiring workplace culture that drives success and fuels growth.

Rana Barua, Group CEO, Havas India, said, India has emerged as a lighthouse market within the Havas global ecosystem. Our global leadership recognises and is deeply invested in the immense potential that the country has to offer.

Barua elaborated, Havas India has seen unprecedented growth in the last 5 years, completely transforming the networks perception in the country, consequently adding us to the big league. One of the catalysts to this growth has been our constant endeavour to identify market gaps and come up with the most meaningful and innovative business solutions, which gives us the edge over other networks. This, combined with our integrated One Village philosophy and service-led solutioning, has helped us create meaningful difference to our clients business. Launching Havas People is one more definitive step towards that. I wish Rupert, Arindam and the entire Havas People team all the very best.

Arindam Sengupta, Managing Director, Havas People India, added here, In the post-COVID world, demographic and social changes have compelled clients to radically rethink and adjust not just their consumer needs, but also those of their employees  both existing and new. Today, clients are faced with several challenges, including talent shortage, trends like great resignation, quiet quitting, and several other deeper issues. This has led to the need to completely overhaul the employer branding space, going beyond just the transactional relationship. And that is precisely where Havas People steps in. At the core of the agency lies a simple idea  to help our clients build meaningful connections with the people who make them who they are. As a specialist agency we understand the intricacies of employer branding, and it will be our endeavour to solve complex workforce challenges for clients.

Founded in 1947, Havas People is a talent communications agency that helps businesses attract, engage, and retain top talent. The agency has worked with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including, PepsiCo, Mars, Pfizer, Haleon, Coles, Westpac, AXA, Hitachi Vantara, Discover, and Standard Bank.

With over 70 years of industry dominance and a global presence, Havas People is headquartered in London, with offices in New York, Chicago, Sydney, and now, Mumbai. The agencys 150+ strong team possesses specialist capabilities across all key communication disciplines, including strategy, research, creative, media, social, digital, events, and data.
In what is surely one of the biggest announcements in beauty, LOreal Paris, the number one beauty brand in the world, is thrilled to welcome Kendall Jenner to the family.

Kendall is a powerful, successful, and talented young woman who continues to captivate audiences around her. A constant figure in the fashion industry, an entrepreneur, and a media icon, Kendall Jenner has become a role model for her generation.

LOreal Paris is honored to announce our partnership with one of the most powerful women in the world. Its a new high in our mission to empower every woman, everywhere. At any other time, Kendall Jenner might have been as successful as she is now, but her worth and her choices and her image might have been defined or even controlled by others. But nobody defines Kendall Jenner but Kendall Jenner. She is the embodiment of everything Gen-Z stands for, owning her image, proudly growing in her self-worth, and inspiring others to do the same. Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, LOreal Paris Global President

Im honored to be part of a new sisterhood of strong, powerful women and to be able to say those iconic words, Im worth it, said Kendall Jenner. Joining the LOreal Paris family and having the opportunity to embody everything the brand stands for feels like a true full-circle moment.

Kendall Jenner joins LOreal Paris to be the lead of the brands makeup campaigns starting in September 2023.

MEET KENDALL JENNER

Born in Los Angeles in 1995 Kendall Jenner has become. Since 2007, alongside her sisters, Kendall has grown up with the world as her audience. Having started modeling at the age of 13, she had already accomplished so much by the time she was 22, walking for the biggest fashion houses and collaborating with some of the worlds most powerful brands.

A SYMBOL OF SISTERHOOD

As part of a family led by a strong woman that has blazed a new trail and redefined success for the modern world, Kendall Jenner is an example of solidarity and sisterhood. Away from the cameras, each member of the family has forged their own path while supporting the others on theirs. Each has taken ownership of her own identity and destiny, carving out their unique stories while simultaneously showing how women can grow together and lift each other up.

A CURATOR OF HER OWN IMAGE

With 350 million followers on social media, Kendall Jenner has her own global media platform, and she is editor-in-chief. With complete agency over what she shares with the world, she inspires women to be themselves and share their lives on their terms.

A WOMAN OF WORTH

Giving life to what for many is beyond their wildest dreams, Kendall Jenner has become an icon and a true global success story. Over the years, the supermodel has used her powerhouse position and platform to speak openly about struggles with mental health and anxiety. Her honesty has helped start conversations among the millions of young women and girls who admire her. Because simply knowing that Kendall Jenner also struggles with insecurities allows girls to open up about their own issues and create networks of support along their paths to self-worth.
On Tuesday, Spain's antitrust watchdog announced that it has fined Apple and Amazon a total of 194.1 million euros (approximately $218.03 million) for imposing restrictions on the online sale of devices from Apple and its competitors in Spain.

According to the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC), the two companies signed two contracts on October 31, 2018, which granted Amazon the status of an authorized dealer for Apple products. However, these contracts contained anti-competitive clauses that negatively impacted the online market for electronic devices in Spain. As a result, Apple was fined 143.6 million euros, and Amazon was fined 50.5 million euros. Both companies have two months to appeal against the decision. Spokespersons from Apple and Amazon have stated their intentions to appeal the fines.

The CNMC stated that the contracts restricted the number of sellers offering Apple products on Amazon's website in Spain without any justifiable reason. As a consequence, more than 90% of retailers who were previously using Amazon's marketplace to sell Apple devices were blocked from doing so. This also limited the ability of retailers based in Spain, but within the European Union, to reach Spanish customers. Additionally, competitors of Apple faced advertising restrictions on Amazon's website when users searched for Apple products, further impacting fair competition.

Following the agreement between Apple and Amazon, the prices of Apple devices sold online in Spain increased.

Amazon's spokesperson denied the CNMC's suggestion that excluding sellers from its marketplace benefited Amazon. The spokesperson explained that Amazon's business model relies on the success of companies selling through its marketplace. Furthermore, according to the spokesperson, buyers of Apple devices have benefited from the deal, with an increase in discounts on iPhones and iPads.

Apple defended the deal with Amazon, stating that its objective was to reduce the sale of counterfeit products online. Prior to the agreement, the company had to invest significant time and resources in sending numerous takedown notices to prevent the sale of fraudulent devices.
Tonic Worldwide - a digital first creative agency has been awarded the digital mandate for Brita India - the 50-year-old legacy German water filtration solutions brand.

Following a multi-agency pitch in the country, Tonic Worldwide has come on board as the digital partner for the brand to help them reach out to Indian consumers and raise awareness about the importance of sustainable drinking water solutions.

BRITA is a leading global brand for German engineered sustainable water filtration and optimisation solutions. It is the no. 1 filtration jugs brand in Germany, it is present in over 68 countries and has provided sustainable drinking water solutions for over 50 years. As a part of its global expansion, BRITA started its India operations in 2017 and since then has been operational with its Filter Jugs and Tank pan India and its RO+UV water purification systems for urban households in the Bengaluru market.

Unmisha Asher, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer , Tonic Worldwide, says We are excited to partner with a leading global and innovations-led brand like Brita. With the help of our specialised research arm GIPSI and e-commerce expertise we seek to optimise the consumer journey towards bringing their innovative and sustainable drinking water solutions to the country.

Speaking about this new partnership and the brands vision for the India market, Prashant Dayal, Managing Director, BRITA India Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. said BRITA is a global brand which is young, dynamic and sustainable at its heart. As we are getting bullish about introducing a new category of water filtration products in India, we are very positive about this partnership. Tonics expertise in digital marketing, backed by the innate understanding of consumer psyche will help us in establishing the brand in India.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

New York, 19.07.2023 - In 2023, the states parties to the Rome Statute will celebrate the 25th anniversary of this founding text, marking the international community's commitment to the fight against impunity. On 17 July, Switzerland took part in the commemorations organised in New York. The following day, together with Japan, it organised an informal meeting of the Security Council on the contribution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to international peace and security. The meeting provided an opportunity for member states to express their support for the ICC as an independent and impartial judicial institution, and to underscore the role of justice in peace.

The states parties to the Rome Statute gathered on 17 July to commemorate the 25th anniversary of this founding document. They took part in a ministerial panel discussion on the ICC's strategic vision for the next decade. "With the creation of the ICC, an essential element of the multilateral architecture defending the rule of law came into being. The ICC deserves the unfailing support of the international community today, for the next decade and beyond," Corinne Ciceron Buhler assured the audience. The 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute is an opportunity to celebrate a major achievement by the international community in the fight against impunity. This text established the ICC as an independent judicial body responsible for investigating the most serious crimes: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. The commemorations raise the ICC's profile and help to strengthen the political support necessary for its mandate. The aim of the meeting was also to encourage those who have not yet done so to accede to the Rome Statute and to reflect on its future.



The following day, UN member states discussed the ICC's contribution to maintaining international peace and security. The informal 'Arria formula' meeting on 18 July was chaired by Ambassador Corinne Ciceron Buhler, with the title of state secretary of the FDFA, and Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane, permanent representative of Japan to the United Nations.



It provided a forum for discussing the role and importance of the ICC in the fight against impunity worldwide. The meeting was also an opportunity for states to reaffirm their commitment to the Rome Statute. The president of the Assembly of States Parties, Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, the executive director of the ICC Trust Fund for Victims, Deborah Ruiz Verduzco, and representatives from academia and civil society presented their visions for the future of the ICC in terms of peace and security.



Correlation between justice and lasting peace

The ICC's mandate is to deliver justice for the most serious crimes. In cooperation with states, it aims to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their crimes and to prevent those crimes from reoccurring. Switzerland supports the ICC as an independent, impartial judicial institution. At the Security Council meeting, Ambassador Corinne Ciceron Buhler said: "The Security Council is the pillar of international peace and security; the International Criminal Court is the pillar of international criminal justice. Together, they represent the milestones of our shared vision of a fairer, safer and more peaceful world."



The ICC shares core values with the UN system: peace, security, the rule of law and respect for human rights. It is therefore crucial that these two entities work together. International justice is an essential condition for lasting peace. The ICC also contributes to justice through a victim participation and reparation programme.



25th anniversary of adoption of Rome Statute

The Rome Statute was adopted 25 years ago at a diplomatic conference. The treaty defines the crimes of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression, and gives the ICC jurisdiction to prosecute them. This anniversary marks a quarter of a century of commitment by the international community to fight impunity. For its part, Switzerland has always been committed to defending and promoting the principles and values of the Rome Statute. It has also supported the ICC since it was established, and continues to do so in keeping with its Foreign Policy Strategy 202023.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence to frame innocent people in the 2002 post-Godhra riots cases.

A three-judge bench of Justices B R Gavai, A S Bopanna and Dipankar Datta set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court rejecting her plea for regular bail.

The top court said a charge sheet has been filed in the case against Setalvad and her custodial interrogation is not necessary. The passport of the appellant already surrendered will be in custody of session court. The appellant shall not make any attempt to influence witnesses and shall stay away from them, the bench said.

The bench also granted the Gujarat Police liberty to directly move the apex court if attempt is made to influence witnesses in the case.

Setalvad was taken into custody on June 25 last year along with former Gujarat Director General of Police R B Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt in a case registered by the Ahmedabad crime branch police for allegedly fabricating evidence to frame innocent people in the post-Godhra riots cases.

An Ahmedabad sessions court had on July 30, 2022 rejected the bail applications of Setalvad and Sreekumar, saying their release will send a message to wrongdoers that a person can level allegations with impunity and get away with it.

The High Court had on August 3, 2022, issued a notice to the state government on the bail plea of Setalvad and fixed the matter for hearing on September 19.

Meanwhile, she moved the Supreme Court (SC) for interim bail after the high court refused to consider her plea.

The apex court, on September 2 last year, granted her interim bail and asked her to surrender her passport with the trial court till the time the Gujarat High Court decided her regular bail plea.
Grassroots Backlash Helps Defeat D.C. Schools COVID Vaccine Mandate, CHD Attorney Says



The District of Columbia announced the school vaccine mandate in July 2022 shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for ages 12-15, but low compliance, grassroots pushback and threats of more lawsuits may have led to its cancellation before implementation.

The District of Columbia last week ended its plan to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for children to attend school this upcoming academic year.

In announcing the decision, the Council of the District of Columbia noted that no state has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for schoolchildren, that the public health emergency has ended and that not attending school has detrimental effects for children.

Commenting on the news, Kim Mack Rosenberg, acting general counsel for Childrens Health Defense (CHD), told The Defender, While I believe that mandates  whether in D.C. or elsewhere  were legally problematic from the outset, the councils decision to now remove the mandate is an important step to remedy a mandate that should never have been imposed.

Rosenberg added:

However, parents need to be vigilant in the future to protect their children from similar attempts to control access to education and the classroom by essentially forcing children to take unwanted medical treatments.

Education is essential to childrens success, and to condition access to education, especially by mandating an experimental product is, simply put, unacceptable.

Rolf Hazlehurst, senior staff attorney, told The Defender the mandate was rescinded as an outcome of extensive grassroots organizing by families and legal work by CHD.

Hazlehurst said:

CHD is proud to have worked closely with a grassroots movement of parents, including the plaintiffs in Booth V. Bowser, who stood up for the children of DC against the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

If the COVID-19 vaccine mandate had not been repealed, by the start of the school year, CHD and parents were prepared to challenge the mandate in a court of law.

In March 2022, CHD prevailed in a lawsuit against the D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the D.C. Department of Health (D.C. Health) and D.C. public schools after the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order granting a preliminary injunction prohibiting the schools from enforcing the D.C. Minor Consent for Vaccination Amendment Act of 2020  a law that would have allowed children as young as 11 to be vaccinated without the knowledge or consent of their parents.

CHD: D.C. should be prepared to defend this unconstitutional policy in court



Read more at The Defender from Children's Health Defense.

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Order today, from Skyhorse Publishing.

The Wuhan Cover Up How Health Officials Conspired with the Chinese Military to Hide the Origins of COVID-19 (Childrens Health Defense)

The Wuhan Cover-Up pulls back the curtain on how the US government's increase in biosecurity spending after the 2001 terror attacksfacilitated by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)set in motion a plan to transform the NIAID into a de facto Defense Department agency.



While Dr. Fauci zealously funded and pursued gain-of-function research, concern grew among some scientists and government officials about the potential for accidental or deliberate release of weaponized viruses from labs that might trigger worldwide pandemics. A moratorium was placed on this research, but true to form, Dr. Fauci found ways to continue unperturbedoutsourcing some of the most controversial experiments offshore to China and providing federal funding to Wuhan Institute of Virology's (WIV's) leading researchers for gain-of-function studies in partnership with the Chinese military and the Chinese Communist Party.



Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak (Childrens Health Defense) Hardcover  Illustrated, August 15, 2023 by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Author), Brian Hooker (Author)

Based on over one hundred studies in the peer-reviewed literature that consider vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Each of these studies is analyzed and put in context of the difference in health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated infants, children, and adults. Given the massive push to vaccinate the entire global population, this book is timely and necessary for individuals to make informed choices for themselves and their families.
An 18-year-old wanted in a deadly 2022 shooting in Alexander City is now in custody.

Dental Lil Man Davis is charged with capital murder in the Dec. 29, 2022, slaying of 18-year-old Elijah Tarez Lewis.

The deadly shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. that night on Thomas Street in Alex City. Lewis later died at the hospital.

The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Davis Tuesday in Chicago.

The task force has been actively searching for Davis since January.

Central Alabama Crime Stoppers has received numerous tips about the fugitive, and said investigators credit a recent Crime Stoppers tip with helping provide the whereabouts of Davis.

The anonymous tipster will be receiving a $1,000 cash reward.
Firefighter Stockley Hall was on his way home Monday when his pager went off, alerting him that a call had come in to the station.

Hall was not far from the Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department, so he responded to the call, arriving to drive a fire engine to the reported location of the fire on Highway 59 in the unincorporated community in Baldwin County.

When he got into the fire engine and got it started, he took a look at the address.

It was his own house.

He didnt figure it out until he pulled into the station and got the truck going, said Halls firefighter colleague, Brent Pugh. He saw the address and then he realized Holy cow, thats my house.

Hall and the other firefighters raced to the location, with Halls main concern the welfare of his 11-year-old daughter, who he knew was at home.

That was his main concern, Pugh said, because at that point he had no idea.

The young girl, as it turned out, had the presence of mind to immediately leave the home once she realized it was on fire. She walked a lengthy distance to her grandmothers house, where the two made the 911 call which would dispatch Hall and the other firefighters.

Despite the efforts of Hall, Pugh and the other Stapleton firefighters, the Halls home is virtually a total loss. Hall and his wife, Holly, have two other children in addition to the 11-year-old.

We talked to him after the fire, Pugh said, and again after things settled. My wife and I met with him that night. I would describe him as being in a state of shock. I dont think its fully hit him yet.

Hes got so many things on his mind, things to take care of. Overall, hes doing ok, but you can tell hes in a state of shock right now.

In addition to volunteering with the Stapleton VFD, Hall is a full-time firefighter with Mobile Fire Rescue.

The Stapleton community is rallying around the Hall family, providing donations to assist the family in getting back on their feet. Pugh said gift cards and checks are most welcome. Checks can be made payable to the Stapleton VFD Auxiliary or Stockley and Holly Hall and mailed to P.O. Box 174, Stapleton, AL 36578.

In addition to monetary donations, clothing is also needed. The fire department published the following list of sizes needed:
Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday took another step toward construction of a new Alabama Statehouse by appointing a committee to negotiate a lease agreement.

A 20-member panel that consists of legislative leaders and appointed members voted to allow a committee to negotiate a lease for a building that would be constructed by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The panel will need to approve the lease agreement.

Lawmakers in the last session approved legislation to contract with the Retirement Systems of Alabama, or another entity, for the construction of a Statehouse that would be leased back to the Legislature. The proposed new building would be located in a parking lot behind the existing Statehouse. The Retirement Systems has built several office buildings in downtown Montgomery that are used by other state entities.

The negotiations are expected to be completed within a few weeks, members of the panel said.

The current building is plagued by mold and other problems and lacks adequate space for the public to attend meetings, according to lawmakers.

From the mid-1800s to 1985, Alabama lawmakers met at the Alabama Capitol, which also includes the governors office. Lawmakers in 1985 moved into the current building as a temporary meeting place when the Capitol was undergoing renovations. Lawmakers, who had offices in the new location, never moved back.

Alabama lawmakers in 2020 briefly discussed the possibility of using $200 million of federal pandemic relief funds to build a new statehouse, but the idea drew immediate backlash.
Democratic lawmakers reacted strongly Wednesday after Republicans in the House of Representatives approved a new congressional map that did not add a second majority Black district to fix what the U.S. Supreme Court said was a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act.

This was an opportunity for the state of Alabama to be on the right side of history, Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, said. Once again, the state decided to be on the wrong side of history. It reminds me of hearing the discussion that my elders would tell us years ago when I was a child. Were fighting the same battle that they were fighting 100 years ago. Fifty years ago. Forty years ago. Right here today.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 8 that Alabamas current congressional map, with one majority Black district out of seven, most likely violates the Voting Rights Act in a state where one-fourth of residents are Black. A three-judge federal district court ordered the Legislature to approve a new map by Friday.

After a three-hour debate Wednesday, the House approved a map that maintains District 7 as Alabamas only majority Black district. The vote was 74-27, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposed.

The plan, by Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, increases the Black voting age population in District 2 to 42%. Pringle said District 2 would meet the court requirement to create a second majority Black district or one close to majority Black, a district where Black voters would have an opportunity to elect a vote of their choice.

Seventeen Democratic lawmakers came to the House floor to argue against the map. They said it showed a disregard for the courts ruling and for Black voting rights.

The House rejected an alternative map that would have created two majority Black districts, a map supported by the plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case.

Once again the state, the supermajority, decided that voting rights of Black people are nothing that this state is bound to respect, Chestnut said. And its offensive. Its wrong. And this type of vote, it dehumanizes a people. It dehumanizes, a struggle.

Worst of all, it shows Alabama still has the same recalcitrant and obstreperous mindset that it had 100 years ago. The only way were going to come out of that is we have to change on our own and not be once again compelled and forced by the federal courts.

The Senate is scheduled to consider a similar plan starting Wednesday afternoon.
John Shell fondly recalls going out on the boat with his dad, reeling in fish from Mobile Bay when he was a child.

On a Boy Scout camping trip about five years ago, he noticed something was different while fishing from the bank: they werent catching any fish.

The 17-year-old rising senior at St. Pauls Episcopal School started researching online about dwindling fish populations.

I wanted to change that because everyone should be able to come down to Mobile or to coastal Alabama, whether they live here or (are a) tourist, and be able to enjoy the amazing experience of catching a fish, Shell said at a press conference in Point Clear on Tuesday.

In his research, Shell learned about artificial marine habitats. Needing a capstone project to reach the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, he decided to place artificial reefs in the Bay.

Shell said he initially aimed to place 50 reefs, but what happened next was overwhelmingly successful.

His project, dubbed Eagle Reef, raised over $52,000 and deployed 175 reefs. This represents 1.5 to 2 billion gallons of water filtered annually, according to George Hunter, economic development manager for Spire Energy, a company that provides natural gas service along the coast.

The manmade objects act as and resemble natural reefs. These include oil and gas platforms, bridges, lighthouses, and other offshore structures, according to the National Ocean Service, but they can also be homemade objects that oysters and barnacles can attach to.

Shell purchases the reefs from the Florida company Ocean Habitats. The 2 feet by 2 feet by 3 feet structures include several layers of sturdy plastic, PVC pipes and rope. Theyre designed to be tied between four pier pilings underneath a deck. Within six months of installation, the reefs teem with the oysters, barnacles, fish and crabs of Mobile Bay.

There are many problems in this world: Some we can fix, and some we cannot. The ones we can fix, we should, Hunter said Tuesday, speaking at a press conference at the Grand Hotel to celebrate Shells project. Sometimes adults can overcomplicate situations. Sometimes we cant get out of our own way. Sometimes we need a new angle.

Now, if a 17-year-old could raise $50,000 in a summer, imagine what the business community could do, Shell said to the crowd of local elected officials, university administration and business owners.

As Shell prepares to head off to college in a little over a year  he plans to study microbiology and environmental sciences  his project will outlast his time in the Boy Scout troop.

Eagle Reef is partnered with The Partners of Environmental Progress (PEP) and The University of South Alabama (USA). At Tuesdays press conference, PEP founding member Tom Bramlett announced they aim to deploy 1,000 reefs, which will filter up to 10 billion gallons of water annually and create habitats that will result in habitats for up to 500,000 fish and crabs per year, according to the project.

Your words were very emotional to me, because Ive always lived here, and I love this bay, and I love the coastal waters of Alabama, Bramblett said. How can we not be challenged by a rising high school senior to step up and actively do the things that are going to improve our water quality?

Eagle Reefs are available for purchase for $350 on the projects website. For those who want to support but cannot deploy a reef where they live, donations are also accepted.
Hoover police continue to investigate Carlee Russells disappearance and are still awaiting her to be made available to obtain a more detailed statement, the department said Tuesday night.

Police said they expect to release more information at a press conference planned for Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

As investigators continue to retrace the steps of the 25-year-old nursing student who vanished Thursday night after saying she saw a toddler on I-459, police said Tuesday they learned she went to the Target on U.S. 280 prior to her disappearance.

After leaving work at a day spa, it was previously reported, she picked up dinner at the Tazikis in the Colonade.

After leaving Tazikis, police said Tuesday, she purchased snack food at the Target.

These items were not located in the vehicle or with her cell phone and wig at the scene of her disappearance, a police statement read.

The statement also said Hoover police have not found any evidence of a toddler walking along I-459, as Russell told 911 and a family member Thursday night.

Nor did we receive any additional calls about a toddler walking down the interstate, despite numerous vehicles passing through that area as depicted by the traffic camera surveillance video, the statement read.

Detectives have obtained surveillance video from Russells neighborhood that shows her walking down the sidewalk alone prior to her arrival home Saturday night, the statement continued.

Fire department radio traffic obtained by several media outlets shows that medics were dispatched to her residence on an unresponsive but breathing person. That was the term used in the initial dispatch of the Hoover Fire Department to the residence, and the information about her condition was simply a dispatcher relaying information from what a 911 caller told the emergency communicator, the statement read.

However, first responders found Russell conscious and speaking when she was transported to UAB Hospital, police said.

The investigation continues as police try to determine what happened during the approximately 49 hours she was missing and what took place prior to her disappearance, police said.

Her parents appeared on the TODAY show Tuesday morning and said she was abducted and fought for her life.
While at UAB Hospital, Carlee Russell told Hoover police she escaped the clutches of a man and woman who snatched her from the side of Interstate 459 two nights earlier, officials said at a Wednesday press conference.

However, police said the investigation they conducted since she vanished that Thursday night, and after she showed up at her Hoover family home Saturday night, led them to have no reason to believe that there is a threat to public safety related to this case, police said.

Police were unable to verify most of Carlees initial statement made to investigators, said Hoover police Chief Nick Derzis.

See also: A timeline of the Carlee Russell case

Derzis said the investigation continues but due to the public interest and in some cases public fear that this story has created, we owe it to our citizens to tell them the facts that we have uncovered at this point.

Efforts to reach Russells parents for comment following the press conference were unsuccessful, and no one responded at their Hoover home, where a pink and green bow remains tied to their mailbox.

Neighbors, during Russells disappearance, had put up those bows in support of Russell.

Russells parents have maintained she was abducted, telling the Today show on Tuesday that Carlee has given detectives her statement so they can continue to pursue her abductor.

There were definitely moments where she fought for her life. There were moments she had to physically fight for her life and there were moments she had to mentally fight for her life, her mother said.

Derzis said Russell gave a brief description of her ordeal to police investigators Saturday night, but has not spoken with them since then.

Were ready to talk as soon as shes ready, Derzis said. If she called right now, were ready.

The chief said investigators have remained in contact with Russells parents.

The family stated to us that they didnt think in her mental state right now that shes not ready to talk,' he said. Thats what weve been told.

Asked where Russell was during her time gone, Derzis said, Thats the $100 question. We pretty much know exactly what took place from the time she left work until the 911 call. We see her getting out of the car, and after that, only she knows.

Derzis said he thinks the parents believe what Russell is saying.

Ive talked to them today a few times and made them understand were under pressure from the community, not only our community but nationally,' Derzis said.

I just wanted them to understand that today we were going to have a press conference and what we were going to detail today were facts. Everything Ive told you today is actual fact. Its not innuendos, its not about what I think or these detectives think, its about the information we have.

Hoover police said the ordeal began when Carlee Russell at approximately at 8:20 p.m., Carlee left work at the Summit. Surveillance video from The Woodhouse Day Spa showed that Russell concealed a dark colored bathrobe, a roll of toilet paper, and other items belonging to the business prior to her departure.

Russell then ordered food from Tazikis at The Colonnade and after picking that up, went to Target on U.S. 280 where she purchased granola bars, Cheez-its, and a drink.

Russell remained in the parking lot of that shopping center until 9:21 p.m. when she drove to I-459.

10 1 / 10 Carlee Russell

Derzis said she disappeared around 9:36 p.m. There is no other indication there was a child on I-459.

After her return home, detectives were able to obtain a brief statement.

What Carlee Russell says happened the night she disappeared:

She told detectives that while traveling down the interstate, she saw a baby walking down the side of the road and called 911. When she got out of her vehicle to check on the child, a man came out of the trees and mumbled that he was checking on the baby, Derzis said.

That man then picked her up and she screamed. He then made her go over a fence. He then forced her into a car and the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She stated that the male was with a female, however she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying, Derzis said.

She told detectives the male had orange hair with a big bald spot on the back. She was able to escape the 18-wheeler and fled on foot, only to be captured again and put into a car. She was then blindfolded, but was not tied up because the captors said they did not want to leave impressions on her wrists, Derzis said.

She said that they took her into a house and made her get undressed. She believes they took pictures of her, but she does not remember them having any physical or sexual contact with her. She stated that the next day, she woke up and was fed cheese crackers by the female, according to Derzis.

She stated the woman also played with her hair, but she could not remember anything else.

At some point, she was put back in a vehicle that she claims was able to escape from while it was west Hoover area. She told detectives that she ran through lots of woods until she came out near her residence, the chief said.

During this interview, detectives noted that Carlee had a small injury to her lip and she complained of her head hurting. She also had a tear in her shirt. Detectives also noted that she had $107 in cash in her right sock.

Among the other details Hoover police released at Wednesdays press conference were things they found she had searched for on the internet in the days before she vanished.

At 7:30 a.m. on July 11, two days before Russell disappeared, the term Do you have to pay for an amber alert was searched.

At 1:03 a.m. on the day of her disappearance, the term How to take money from register without getting caught Reddit was searched. At 2:13 a.m. that same day, the term Birmingham bus station was searched.

Then, at 2:35 a.m., a search for a one-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville was conducted. At 12:10 p.m., Russell searched the movie Taken.

There were also two searches related to Amber Alerts on a computer at the spa, including one regarding the maximum age of an Amber Alert.

A pink and green bow outside the house of Carlee Russell's parents' house on July 19, 2023. (Howard Koplowitz)

In the minutes after her disappearance on July 13, police found her wig, cell phone and purse on the roadway, and her Apple Watch in her purse.

The food she ordered from Tazikis was also still in her car. The items she purchased from Target, as well as the items taken from her place of employment were not in the vehicle nor were they located at the scene, Derzis said.

We have asked to interview Carlee a second time, but have not been granted that request,' the chief said. As you can see, there are many questions left to be answered, but only Carlee can provide those answers.

Police said they did not press her for additional information and made plans to speak with her in detail in a second interview after giving her time to rest.

There were other searches on Carlees phone that appeared to shed some light on her mindset, but out of respect for her privacy we will not be releasing the content of those searches at this time, Derzis said.

The case sent fear and pandemonium, through Hoover and the state, Mayor Frank Brocato said. The mayor thanked the Hoover police and all those who aided the search.

We know everyone has questions, the mayor said. Its important to share information to put community at ease, he said.

Asked if he expected criminal charges against Russell in connection with her disappearance or the reported theft from the Woodhouse Spa, Derzis said, Right now, our focus is to determine those 49 hours, so the investigation continues.

Woodhouse Spa owner Stuart Rome on Tuesday said theyve been working with police and everything they uncovered is in the departments possession.

Derzis said there are many unusual aspects to the story Russell told police.

I do think its highly unusual the day that someone gets kidnapped that seven hours before that, they were searching the internet, Googling the movie Taken about an abduction, Derzis said. I find that really strange.

He also talked about the possibility of a toddler walking on the interstate. Russell drove the length length of six football fields while making calls about spotting the child.

Ive had kids, Im sure a lot of people here have,' he said.

To think that a toddler barefoot that could be 3 or 4 years old is going to travel six football fields without getting in the roadway, without crying, just moving on, its very hard for me to understand.
Hoover police on Wednesday shared more information about what happened in the days that led up to the disappearance of Carlee Russell and what she said happened in those 49 hours.

Here is a timeline of the case:

July 11:

At 7:30 a.m. on July 11, two days before Russell disappeared, she searched the term Do you have to pay for an amber alert.

July 13:

At 1:03 a.m. on the day of her disappearance, Russell searched the term How to take money from register without getting caught Reddit was searched. At 2:13 a.m. that same day, the term Birmingham bus station was searched.

Then, at 2:35 a.m., a search for a one-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville was conducted. At 12:10 p.m., Russell did a search for the movie Taken.

Russell left the Woodhouse Spa at the Summit, where she worked, at 8:20 p.m. Surveillance video showed that Russell concealed a dark colored bathrobe, a roll of toilet paper, and other items belonging to the business prior to her departure.

She ordered food from Tazikis at the Colonnade, reportedly picking the order up as the restaurant was closing about 9 p.m.

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.

After leaving the Colonnade, police said, Russell stopped at Target on U.S. 280 and bought granola bars, Cheez-its, and a drink.

10 1 / 10 Carlee Russell

Russell remained in the parking lot of that shopping center until 9:21 p.m. when she drove to I-459.

At 9:34 p.m. Thursday, Hoover 911 received a call from Russell stating she had seen a white male child, about 3 to 4 years old, walking on I-459. She made a phone call to her brothers girlfriend, about 9:36 p.m.

Russell, who was seen driving slowly with her flashers on for about a half mile on the shoulder of I-459, stopped at mile marker 11, between the Galleria and Alabama 150.

Her brothers girlfriend reported hearing Russell scream. The phone line remained open, but nothing more was heard but interstate traffic.

Officers soon arrived and found Russells red Mercedes still running but no sign of a toddler or Russell. Police found Russells wig, phone and purse near her vehicle. Her Apple watch was in her purse.

The food she ordered from Tazikis was also still in her car. The items she purchased from Target, as well as the items taken from her place of employment were not in the vehicle nor were they located at the scene.

She told detectives that while traveling down the interstate, she saw a baby walking down the side of the road and called 911. When she got out of her vehicle to check on the child, a man came out of the trees and mumbled that he was checking on the baby, police said.

That man then picked her up and she screamed. He then made her go over a fence. He then forced her into a car and the next thing she remembers is being in the trailer of an 18-wheeler. She stated that the male was with a female, however she never saw the female, only hearing her voice. She also told detectives she could hear a baby crying.

911 operators tried to call her back but got no response. A statewide lookout bulletin was then issued for a possible abduction.

July 14:

Family members searched for Russell in Hoover aided by police and volunteers.

July 15:

Russells family, shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, reported they had received a call from her family saying she was at Red Roof Inn in Vestavia Hills. Talitha Russell later told Fox 6 news that was a terrible hoax.

Hours later, at 10:44 p.m., Hoover 911 received a call from Carlees residence that she had returned home on foot. A large crowd was in the street as first responders arrived.

Police later said Russell was alert when they arrived at her home.

At 11:02 p.m., a dispatcher noted Russell was en route to UAB Hospital.

Detectives were able to obtain a brief statement at the hospital. During this interview, detectives noted that Carlee had a small injury to her lip and she complained of her head hurting. She also had a tear in her shirt. Detectives also noted that she had $107 in cash in her right sock.

July 16:

She was released about 6 a.m. Sunday after being held overnight for evaluation.

At 1:05 p.m. the day after Russell arrived home, her mother released a statement on Facebook asking that people respect their privacy to allow us to just love on our daughter and each other.

Her mother thanked those who aided in the search.

Just as we made a commitment to not entertain negative thoughts during the time our daughter was missing, we surely will not entertain negative thoughts/statements, unvalidated opinions, or sheer ignorance at such a joyous time, the statement continued.

Police at 1:53 p.m. said they were still gathering and evaluating evidence.

July 17:

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama on Monday reversed course hours after announcing that more than $60,000 raised in reward money for information that led to her safe return would be returned to donors.

At 4:01 p.m., police said they had no evidence that she was being followed when she disappeared.

July 18:

The only interview Russells parents gave was to the Today Show on Tuesday morning.

They said speculation about what happened was upsetting Carlee, but declined to say what Russell told them when she came home, citing the ongoing investigation.

Carlee has given detectives her statement so they can continue to pursue her abductor, her mother said.

Asked if they believe there was an abductor still out there, Russells mother replied, Absolutely.

There were definitely moments where she fought for her life. There were moments she had to physically fight for her life and there were moments she had to mentally fight for her life, her mother said.

The Woodhouse Spa at the Summit shopping center in Birmingham, where she worked, said employees have been deeply impacted by the events that transpired but are now ecstatic with the news of Carlees return home.

At 9:02 p.m., police said they had learned Russell bought snacks at Target on U.S. 280 before she vanished.

July 19:

At a 4:30 p.m. press conference, police said they had no evidence of any threat to the public.

July 24:

At a 4 p.m. press conference, Hoover police read a statement Russell provided her lawyer, Emory Anthony.

There was no kidnapping on July 13, 2023. My client did not see a baby on the side of the road. My client did not leave the Hoover area when she was identified as a missing person. My client did not have any help in this incident, but this was a single act done by herself, Anthony wrote.

July 28:

At 12:40 p.m. Russell surrendered at the Hoover City Jail on charges of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident, according to her attorney. She was freed on bond.

She was with her parents. They went in through a side entrance of the jail.

As we all know, actions can have consequences and thats why we are here today, Hoover police Chief Nick Derzis said at a 1 p.m. press conference.
A father and his three sons  accused of peddling poisonous industrial bleaching agent as a miracle medical cure out of a self-styled Florida church  all sat silently in a row at the defense table in Miami federal court as prosecutors laid out the case against them.

Mark Grenon, 65, and sons Jonathan, 37, Joseph, 35, and Jordan, 29  all with matching beige inmate uniforms, pony tails and flowing beards  had nothing to say during opening statements in their fraud trial, an unusual legal tactic considering they have chosen to represent themselves on charges that potentially could send them to prison for years.

Prosecutors depicted the four defendants from Bradenton as con men and snake-oil salesmen who used a phony religious front on a website, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, to sell $1 million worth of their Miracle Mineral Solution in video pitches as a cure for 95% of the worlds known diseases, from AIDS to the coronavirus.

Prosecutors Michael Homer and John Shipley said the Grenons called themselves bishops and peddled MMS as sacraments to consumers across the United States in exchange for a donation to the Genesis church, before the Food and Drug Administration cracked down on the family for distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug in 2020.

The Grenons were charged that April with conspiring to defraud the U.S. government after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic when they defied FDA and court orders to stop distributing the toxic MMS substance. Their criminal case was the first pandemic-related enforcement action in Florida. In public warnings, FDA said it received several reports of hospitalizations and life-threatening conditions as people drank the dangerous substance.

MMS is a chemical solution containing sodium chlorite and water that, when mixed with a citric acid activator, turns into chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach typically used for industrial water treatment or bleaching textiles, pulp and paper.

Before the trial began on Monday, U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga gave an instruction to jurors that the Grenons could not use the First Amendment, specifically religious freedom, as a defense because their so-called church was not a religious entity.

Homer, the prosecutor, zeroed in on that critical point when he asked FDA special agent Jose Rivera, who led an undercover investigation into the Grenons business, why they sold the miracle chemical solution through a religious website.

To get around government regulation and not go to jail, Rivera testified.

During his testimony, Rivera focused on three Grenon-produced videos that pitched the solution as a cure for cancer, lung cancer and COVID-19.

We are trying to create a world without disease, Grenon said in one video, pitching the MMS substance. Its been proven to be tremendously effective in curing cancer.

Another video, dated March 8, 2020, was titled: The coronavirus is curable. Do you believe it? You better!

Homer asked the FBI agent if theres a cure for the coronavirus, which can cause severe respiratory disease and death.

No, there isnt, Rivera said.

To bolster his investigation, Rivera, under a different name, said he bought multiple bottles of the Grenons MMS product through their website at $15, $20 and $30 each. They were shipped to addresses in Florida and Georgia. In one instance, Rivera complained that his fictional wife, who was portrayed as battling cancer, did not improve after taking the substance for three weeks. The agent testified that he received an email from one of Grenons sons saying that she would have to use it for a longer period of time to be effective.

Prosecutors said the Grenon familys religious front, the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, sold tens of thousands of MMS orders in violation of federal law since 2010.

It was in that year that Mark Grenon claims to have founded the organization with a man named Jim Humble in a plan to avoid governmental regulation and arrest as they promoted MMS as a miracle cure. Humble, a man who has dabbled in Scientology and professed to be a billion-year-old god, began promoting the substance as early as 2006 in self-published works after he claimed to have discovered its medical properties while on a gold-mining expedition in South America.

After Humble supposedly stepped away from the organization in 2017, Grenon continued to manufacture, promote and sell MMS with his three sons.

The Grenons utilized a complex network of websites to reach potential users, according to federal prosecutors, as well as countless newsletters, posts, and articles.

The Grenons caught the eye of federal agents during the COVID-19 pandemic when they began promoting MMS as a cure for the virus. At the time, many unproven and dangerous cures for the virus were circulating on social media.

In April 2020, federal authorities sent the Grenons a warning letter ordering them to stop sales.

We can say cure, heal and treat as a Free Church, Genesis allegedly said in a response letter. There will be NO corrective actions on our part. ... You have no authority over us! ... Never going to happen.

The Grenons open defiance of a court order ultimately led to criminal charges and a federal raid on the familys Bradenton home, where federal investigators say they found loaded guns, nearly 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder and thousands of bottles of MMS.

Jonathan and Jordan Grenon, the eldest and youngest sons, were arrested in Bradenton. Mark Grenon and the middle son, Joseph, fled to Colombia, where they were later arrested by Colombian authorities and held for extradition last year.

Information from the Bradenton Herald was used for this story.

2023 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alabama Death Row inmate James Barber expressed anxiety over his upcoming execution  the first since Gov. Kay Ivey put a pause on the practice following three botched lethal injections.

I have no fear of death, Barber, 64, said in a phone interview from the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore with NBC News in a story published Tuesday. I have a fair amount of trepidation about the process that they obviously havent perfected  to be at their hands and be the first one after they didnt do a true review of the protocol and made no real changes.

Barber is awaiting a decision from a federal appeals court on his effort to block his execution scheduled for Thursday.

Gov. Kay Ivey established a 30-hour window for Barbers execution to be carried out at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, beginning at midnight Thursday and continuing until 6 a.m. Friday. Its the first time the state has set an execution window of longer than 24 hours, a result of a review of the states execution process Ivey called for after the previous issues with other condemned inmates.

The states review of its execution protocol came after problems arose with three previous execution attempts. Barber argues in his appeal that he has the same body mass index as one of the inmates for whom personnel struggled to establish an IV line and a higher BMI than another. Because of those previous struggles and the similarities in BMI, Barber said that should not be an option in his execution.

I dont know what to expect, Barber told NBC News. But then, I know Im in Gods hands, so its not fear. Its hard to explain.

The Alabama Death Row inmate was convicted in Madison County for the slaying of 75-year-old Dorothy Epps. Epps was beaten to death with Barbers fists and a claw hammer in her Harvest home, according to court records. She suffered multiple skull fractures, head lacerations, brain bleeding, and rib fractures.

Barber said he could not reconcile how Gov. Kay Ivey has anti-abortion views but believes in the death penalty.

He offered the example of the execution of Joe James. The family of James victim, his ex-girlfriend Faith Hall, pleaded with Ivey to halt his execution and that they forgave him.

When it came time for Joe James execution, the victims family cried out to [Ivey] for mercy: We dont want any harm to come to him. Weve forgiven him, Barber said. And she looked at them and her own words were Yeah, but I got to make an example out of him. What happened to all life is precious? What happened that youre trying to get closure for the victims family? Thats not what shes doing.
The Turkey Creek Watersheds first litter gitter device was installed in Beaver Creek at Pinson Bicentennial Park this week to intercept floating litter from stormwater runoff in the waterway, according to a press release from local nonprofit Freshwater Land Trust (FLT).

District 4 County Commissioner Joe Knight dedicated $25,000 in discretionary funds to sponsor the device for the next year according to Jefferson County Public Information Officer Helen Hays. Alabama-based company Osprey Initiative installs and maintains the devices, removes trash, shares inventory data from the devices, and recycles as much collected litter as possible according to the release.

Theyre not cheap and they must be checked frequently to empty the contents, but I think its important. Because unfortunately we shouldnt have to put these in, but we do [have to], Knight said. And we do it to keep our waterways clean. It protects our fish, it protects our wildlife, and it keeps our water clean... So, its a good project and if theres another need, an identified need, well definitely take it under consideration and see what we can do to help.

Jefferson Countys roads and transportation department has proposed $150,000 in the countys 2024 budget for additional litter gitters along with other waste classification items according to Hays. If this passes when the budget is finalized in the fall it could fund more than 3 additional units through 2025, Hays said.

Clay resident Charline Whyte said she recently approached Knight about having one installed at Beaver Creek after years of picking up trash in the waterway and noticing how quickly it would reappear.
Hoover is seeking an appeal of a Jefferson County judges ruling to temporarily bar its efforts to court landowners in the Indian Ford Fire District, court records show.

Phillip Corley, Jr., Hoovers attorney, filed the appeal with the Alabama Supreme Court late Wednesday afternoon and shared a copy with AL.com.

This comes after the third ruling that Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge David Hobdy has entered on which city can campaign the districts residents since Helena sued Hoover on Friday.

In the interest of justice and to allow the citizens of the entire Indian Ford Fire District to have their voices heard, the City of Hoover is hereby restrained from proceeding with or starting the process of annexation on any property within the Indian Ford Fire District for a period of 10 business days, Hobdy said in the order on Tuesday evening.

He initially entered a temporary restraining order on Monday barring Hoover from courting landowners until the district votes in an election next month to decide whether to be annexed by Helena. Later Monday, the judge then entered an order barring both cities from campaigning to annex in the fire district, which is located west of both cities in unincorporated Jefferson and Shelby counties.

On Tuesday, the fire districts board of directors filed to intervene in the case, seeking to also stop Hoovers annexation campaign. Hobdy reversed his earlier ruling after a court hearing that same day.

The latest ruling bars Hoover from campaigning for 10 business days, meaning it does not extend past the election on Aug. 8. If Helena doesnt file the necessary paperwork for the annexation process, it will forfeit its turn and Hoover can move forward with its campaign, instead.

Its unclear why the deadline is for 10 days, Phillip Corley, Jr., Hoovers attorney, told AL.com.

Nobody has explained where that came from, he said in an email. There is no evidence or affidavit from anyone relating that time frame to any official activity.

Corley said that Hoover disagrees with the judges ruling.

Despite the ruling of the Court, we maintain our position that the statutory process in which the City of Helena is attempting to annex the entire fire district has been declared void by the Alabama Supreme Court and so recognized by the Alabama Attorney General, Corley said in an email. We will seek all available remedies to ensure that this ruling is overturned.

Spokespeople and attorneys for Helena as well as the Indian Ford Fire District did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Updated at 5:07 p.m. to show Hoover is appealing.
What happened in the 48 hours from the time Carlee Russell made a call to 911 reporting a toddler walking on a Hoover interstate until she walked to the door of her parents home remains a mystery.

Police say they are continuing to retrace the 25-year-old nursing students steps to determine where she was from Thursday night until Saturday night. Her parents say she was abducted and fought for her life.

AL.com obtained recordings of police dispatch calls from the time Russell called 911 until a large crowd gathered outside her Hoover home following her safe return that illustrate the police response throughout the ordeal.

Hoover police did not release the law enforcement radio communications and have not released Russells 911 call because of the ongoing investigation.

It began Thursday night at 9:34 p.m., when police received a 911 call from Russell stating she had seen a white, male toddler in a white t-shirt and a diaper.

Hoover officers quickly arrived on the scene and found Russells red Mercedes, but saw no sign of a toddler or Russell.

Call the RP (reporting person) back. Shes not with her vehicle, one officer said.

Be advised, her vehicle is unlocked, running, all her personal belongings except her phone, the officer said.

Officers ran the cars registration and found that it was registered to Russell.

10 1 / 10 Carlee Russell

911 operators tried to call her back but got no response.

Were not getting the female to answer, an operator said. Were trying to call her back. Shes not answering.

Can you give me a description of the child? Were they southbound? Walking southbound? an officer said.

The RP had just seen a child walking on the interstate and had gotten out with it when she disconnected, according to police radio communications.

If we can, can we start a unit to (inaudible) to see if this child might have wandered from a house over there? an officer said. See if we can find her.

The officers also talked about sending police to Russells family home in Hoover, to try to make contact there.

Another officer said, I believe we located her. We got a call about a female screaming with a childBe advised, the female screamed and the line disconnected.

Where exactly is that call coming from?

The call is pinging from that location.

Were at .... Atkins Trimm Lane checking the back yard....Do you want to see if we can start getting her (Russells) phone pinged?

Thats 10-4, start pinging her phone.

Were trying to get T-Mobile to ping the phone.

Im not sure if you have this info already, but apparently there was a sister who was on the phone with her and still has an open line with her phone and can hear the vehicle on the side of the interstate or something.

The first call we got was from her. The second call we got was from the family.

Right, Im just saying the sister apparently has an open line from that phone still.

Officers talked about bringing in a drone and checking IMs from Facebook. Shortly after 10 p.m., they called for an evidence technician to come to the scene.

A police staging area was set up at The Grove as at least two drones were brought in to help with the search.

Star 1 -- the Jefferson County sheriffs office helicopter -- was also called, but was not able to fly.

A statewide lookout bulletin was issued for a possible abduction.

That BOLO - with special attention directed to Bessemer, Jefferson County, McCalla and the Tuscaloosa area -- read, in part, that personal belongings including cell phone were just located around Exit 1 on 459.

Other calls capture the moment when Carlee Russells family shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday reported they had received a call from her saying she was at Red Roof Inn in Vestavia Hills.

The front, per caller, said family members at this location saying they received a call from the female thats missing, Carlee Russell, saying she was at this location, a dispatcher said.

I spoke with the front desk clerk. They said the familys not being (inaudible) or anything like that, but that there was about six carloads of people that have just shown up over there, the officer replied.

Dispatcher: Did the front desk have anybody check in under that name?

Officer: Negative, and according to the front desk, the message the family got did not state which Red Roof Inn. They dont know if its going to be Vestavia or another location.

Hours later, at 10:44 that night, the Hoover 911 center received a call from Carlees residence that she had returned home on foot.

Nunnally Pass, police are en route, unresponsive female is breathing, a fire department dispatcher said.

Be advised, Im 23 (on scene), weve got a large crowd out here in the street, a first responder replies.

We should have all the family members that were here on the front porch, an officer then said.

At 11:02 p.m., a dispatcher noted Russell was en route to UAB by a rescue unit with additional medics.
Mobile is now the second-largest city in Alabama following a special election Tuesday, surpassing Birmingham in population for the first time in 123 years.

The outcome of the annexation vote resulted in 19,789 new residents who will almost immediately come into the city, and push the citys population from 184,952 to 204,689 residents. The number of new residents coming into Mobile equates to about a population the size of Cullman.

Mobiles population is now above Birmingham (197,493) and Montgomery (198,665). The city only trails fast-growing Huntsville, which has a population of 216,963.

Were bigger than Birmingham, Stimpson proclaimed during a celebration at Kravers Seafood in west Mobile. And were the second largest city in the state of Alabama.

Related:

The additional residents was the result of three of four areas voting in support of annexation, anchored by an area called the Cottage Hill corridor filled with longtime subdivisions immediately west of the city limits. Voters within that corridor cast ballots at Creekside Church of Christ, where 1,933 voters said Yes to annexation, 1,066 said No.

Annexation was approved in two smaller areas -- Kings Branch (295 Yes, 235 No) and Orchard Creek (46 Yes and 25 No).

We are excited with the decision to serve you, Stimpson said. We are proud to claim you as Mobilians. It just tees up everyone for success. This is a springboard for us going forward.

The only area to vote down the annexation plan was an area called the Airport Boulevard corridor, where 863 No votes were cast at Baker High School, to 431 Yes votes.

I lived here 25 years and I moved out here to get away from the city for no particular reason, said Robert McBride, 68, who voted at the high school on Tuesday afternoon. I am just happy with the way things are. Im not one for change very much.

Stimpson said that he felt the Airport corridor would be a challenge. That area included 6,017 total residents. Had voters supported annexation, it would have increased the citys overall population to over 210,000 residents.

They are celebrating just like we are, Stimpson said. I know they are happy, we are happy. Its a win-win.

Stimpson said that residents who live in areas that voted to be annexed into the city can anticipate emergency medical services to begin immediately. He said by October 1, the city will provide garbage and trash services to the areas. And Stimpson said that police patrols will routinely happen within the areas.

We will start patrolling the neighborhoods and things we can do inside the city in about a week, Stimpson said.

The annexation vote will mean west Mobile businesses included within the new city jurisdictions will start charging a higher sales tax rate, which city officials say will occur in October. But residents will not see any increases in their property taxes for another five years.
NASAs proposed 2024 budget has advanced in Congress with money for NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, the Space Launch System rocket and the likely space propellant of the future. The total NASA is asking for all its centers and headquarters - $27.2 billion - would be a 7 percent increase over current funding.

U.S., Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala), a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations who voted for the funding, said the following Alabama-related appropriations passed the committee and will go to the full Senate for approval:

$2.5 billion for the Space Launch System program managed at Marshall in Huntsville. That would enable future deep-space exploration and support Marshall Space Flight Centers work in advancing this key national priority, Britt said.

$1.88 billion to fully fund the Human Landing System (HLS) involving two crewed landers to take astronauts from the Gateway lunar space station to the Moons surface. That program is also managed at Marshall.

$110 million for the development of nuclear thermal propulsion research based at Marshall. Rocket builders say nuclear power will be important for deep space missions and could power future crewed missions to Mars.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has said Marshall has both the expertise and workforce to establish a habitat and life support office that integrates and manages NASAs efforts, Britt said in her budget announcement.

The Marshall Space Flight Center is second-to-none, Britt said. As the incredible men and women at NASA, along with their partners in the private sector, continue to make historic leaps that broaden our understanding and expand the limits of human achievement, we must ensure that their groundbreaking work is supported.

I am proud of the work that Alabamians accomplish every day to fuel a new age of American excellence in space exploration, Britt said, and I am continually impressed at how our capabilities in Huntsville lead innovation crucial to our national priorities.
The Alabama House of Representatives has approved a new congressional district map that the sponsor said complies with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling by adding a second district where Black voters have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.

Democrats opposed the plan and called it a futile effort to defy the Supreme Courts finding that Alabamas current map most likely violates the Voting Rights Act.

This is really a slap in the face, not only to Black Alabamians, but to the Supreme Court, Rep. Barbara Drummond, R-Mobile, said.

The plan would leave Alabama with one majority Black district out of seven despite the Supreme Court ruling that the state needs to add a second majority Black district or one close to that to fix the violation.

I believe this map complies with the states obligations under the Voting Rights Act, Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, the bills sponsor, said during debate on the House floor today.

The Pringle plan would keep District 7 as the only majority Black district out of the seven in Alabama, where one-fourth of residents are Black. It would increase the Black voting age population in District 2 from 30% to 42%. Pringle said the changes to District 2 would comply with the court mandate for a second district where Black voters could elect their preferred candidate.

The Republican majority in the House passed the plan Wednesday by a vote of 74-27 after more than three hours of discussion. The Senate will debate a similar plan later Wednesday.

A three-judge federal district court gave the Legislature until Friday to pass a new plan to be used in next years elections.

Pringle said plaintiffs testified during the federal court litigation that a 40% Black voting age population gives Black voters an opportunity elect a candidate of their choice. Pringle said he would be proud to present the plan to the court, which plans to hear challenges to the map next month.

Democratic lawmakers predicted the court would reject the map as a remedy for the Voting Rights Act violation.

The smoke and mirrors is not going to work. And everybody here knows its not going to work, Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, said. Im begging yall please, for one time, for one time, Alabama, do whats right.

I have never seen a learned group of people who will outright without any fear of contradiction would dare to blatantly flip off the United States Supreme Court and throw such a historical, monumental ruling in their face, said Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham.

Democrats proposed alternative maps. On the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, proposed a map supported by the plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case. That map would make District 2 a second majority Black district, at slightly more than 50% Black voting age population.

The Republican majority rejected Englands bill by a vote of 73-27.

England later returned to the House floor and told Pringle he believed the purpose of his plan was not to follow the court order, but instead to generate a new court challenge to the Voting Rights Act.

Your map is the quintessential definition of noncompliance, England said.
An increase of 30% to 42%. Or an increase of 30% to 38%.

Thats the change in the percentage of Black voting age population that would happen in congressional District 2 under two plans the Republican majority is advancing through the Alabama Legislature.

A three-judge federal court, with two President Trump appointees, has told the Legislature it must add a second majority Black district, or something close to that, to fix what the court found was most likely a violation of the Voting Rights Act because of the dilution of Black voter influence in a state with racially polarized voting.

On the current map, Alabama has one majority Black district out of seven. The states population is one-fourth Black. The three-judge court, in a ruling affirmed by the Supreme Court, said the Black population is large enough and compact enough to draw a reasonably configured second majority Black district.

The two Republican plans, called the Pringle plan and the Livingston plan, are scheduled for consideration Wednesday at the State House.

Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, and Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, co-chairs of the Legislatures reapportionment committee, say their plans are responsive to the courts order by making District 2 the second district where Black voters would have a chance to elect a candidate of their choice. Both plans received strong Republican support in committees. Both plans would retain District 7 as Alabamas only majority Black district, as it has been since 1992.

Democrats say the Pringle and Livingston plans fall short of fixing the Voting Rights Act problem.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, said District 2 under the plans would not meet the court mandate of a second district with a majority Black voting age population or something quite close to it.

Close to it, to me, is 47, 48 or 49 (percent), " Figures said.

The three-judge district court has given the Legislature until Friday to approve a new map that would be used in next years elections.

House and Senate committees on Tuesday rejected plans proposed by Democrats, including one that was proposed by the plaintiffs in the lawsuits who prevailed in their arguments at the Supreme Court. That plan, sponsored by Figures and Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would raise the Black voting age population in District 2 to slightly more than 50%.

The House convenes at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and the Senate at 3.

This story was corrected at 8:55 a.m. to say that the Black voting age population in District 2 under the current map is 30%, not 32%.
Retired Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin has been elected as Jefferson Countys newest commissioner for District 5, the countys southwest region that covers areas across Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, and Leeds.

I want to get going as quickly as possible, Bolin said after the votes were counted Tuesday night. Im anxious to get in there and work hard and just get it going. Im thrilled and feel blessed that the public has given me one more opportunity to serve them. And I will do everything I can to not drop the ball.

With 100 percent of the vote in, Bolin beat fellow candidate and real estate developer David Silverstein with 59.27% of the vote, or 5,728 votes out of 9,666 in total, according to unofficial election results from the county website.

Real estate developer and former candidate Jeff Wise received 13 votes even though he had withdrawn from the race several days before the election, as the Lede previously reported.

Economic development, public safety, and construction of the Northern Beltline, a 52-mile bypass route around Birmingham through northern and western Jefferson County, will all be high priority items during Bolins time as commissioner, he told the Lede previously.
The owner of the spa where Carlee Russell worked addressed rumors circulating on social media about potential reasons for her disappearance.

Russell, a 25-year-old nursing student who returned to her Hoover home Saturday night after disappearing, worked part time at Woodhouse Spa at the Summit shopping center in Birmingham.

Spa owner Stuart Rome on Tuesday issued a statement to Birmingham-area media outlets after he said they received many inquiries in recent days.

Our greatest concern has always been the well-being of Carlee and her safe return, Rome said.

Woodhouse Spa employees have been deeply impacted by the events that transpired but are now ecstatic with the news of Carlees return home.

Our employees worked extremely hard through very tough times keeping guests happy while dealing with the fact that their co-worker was missing, he said.

Weve been working with the Hoover Police Department since Friday morning, the morning following Carlees disappearance, in order to come up with any information that would help the investigation.

Rome said everything they uncovered is in the possession of the Hoover Police Department.

We understand the investigation is in a very sensitive state and do not want to release any details that could jeopardize the investigation, Rome said.

Leaks, both true and untrue, can have a devastating impact on any investigation, he said. We understand there are many posts on social media claiming certain information to be true.

Some items are factual while others are not, Rome said.

Rome went on to say Hoover police are working around the clock to bring the case to a close.

We have great confidence in the investigators and expect a resolution soon, he said.

Police have not yet released any updates Tuesday but previously said they are continuing to retrace the Russells steps to determine where she was from Thursday night until Saturday night.

Her parents say she was abducted and fought for her life.
The Alabama chairman of the House Armed Services Committee has accused Air Force and U.S. Space Command leadership of deliberate, taxpayer-funded manipulation of a competitive selection process in the fight over a permanent location for the U.S. Space Command headquarters.

Chairman of the committee, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), said in a Wednesday letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Space Command commanding Gen. James Dickinson that the committee has been trying since May 25 to obtain essential documents related to the selection of a permanent home for the command.

To date, you have refused to meaningfully respond to this request and have offered contradictory explanations of fundamental issues, Rogers wrote.

Rogers represents Alabama where the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville was the top choice of an official base selection competition. That competition procedure was established years earlier by the Pentagon to decide base closings and moves and end political infighting among states over the steady jobs and tax revenue those installations generate.

The final six candidate locations in the Space Command HQ competition were Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, where the command was started and now operates; Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico; Patrick Space Force Base in Florida; Redstone Arsenal in Alabama; Joint Base San Antonio in Texas; and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

In its review of the initial basing decision for USSPACECOM, the Government Accountability Office noted that senior (Department of Defense) leaders intervened to give Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO a chance to change their cost projections and personnel needs without giving other sites the same opportunity, Rogers letter said. This deliberate change altered the appearance of competition results after the competition was effectively complete.

Your responses to the committees requests thus far demonstrate a similar pattern of obfuscation, delay, and manipulation, Rogers wrote.

Rogers requested a response to document requests by Friday and a transcribed interview by Kendall and Dickinson with committee staff no later than Aug. 18. Multiple interviews and additional persons may be required due to insufficient document request responses, Rogers wrote. Your continued failure to reply with documentary and testimonial requests may result in the use of compulsory processes, Rogers wrote.

The letter is the latest move in an increasingly heated confrontation between members of Congress and the Pentagon over the base. An official military ranking procedure put Redstone atop the list of official preferred candidates for the headquarters but supporters of keeping the command in Colorado Springs, Colo., where it started and now operates, have opposed a move.

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) said on Twitter today that, A robust preferred headquarters site selection process, two official re-evaluations, and countless studies all point to Alabama being the best location for Space Command. Thats all there is to say at this point.

What should be the easiest decision that ever graced Secretary Kendalls desk has put Kendall in a position of deliberately defying the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee in an effort to cover up how the Biden administration tipped the scales in favor of Colorado, Strong said.

The base selection decision became openly political when former President Donald Trump said on an Alabama radio talk show in 2021 that he single-handedly ordered the command to Alabama.

(Updated at 2:20 p.m. July 19 to include comments by U.S. Rep. Dale Strong of Huntsville)
The body of a 4-year-old Theodore boy was pulled from a Mississippi lake Tuesday afternoon, roughly four hours after rescuers began searching for the child.

Jackson County (Miss.) Emergency Management Director Earl Etheridge said his department was notified of a child missing at Goodes Mill Lake, near the Mississippi-Alabama state line, about 12:37 p.m. Tuesday.

Etheridge gave the location of the drowning as 10501 Presleys Outing Road in Jackson County. Presleys Outing is a park, campground and RV park located along Goodes Mill Lake.

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd identified the victim as 4-year-old Noah Smith of Theodore.
Police released more details in the case of Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old Alabama woman who went missing last week before returning home by foot.

Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis released Wednesday the details of an analysis of Russells cell phone, which was conducted with the help of the United States Secret Service and included the search history on the Internet in the days leading up to the disappearance.

The searches included:

On July 11 at 7:30 a.m., the term, You have to pay for an Amber Alert was searched.

On July 13 at 1:03 a.m., the term, How to take money from a register without being caught was searched.

On July 13 at 2:13 a.m., the term, Birmingham bus station was searched.

On July 13 at 2:35 a.m., the term, One-way bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville with a departure date of July 13 was searched.

On July 13 at 12:10 p.m., a search was conducted for the movie Taken, the Liam Neeson movie which features an abduction of a mans daughter

In addition, Derzis added an additional search from a computer at her employment searched the maximum age of an Amber Alert.

Other searches were discovered on Russells cell phone, Derzis explained, that shed some light on her mindset. However, those searches were not disclosed.

Carlee Russell told Hoover police she escaped the clutches of a man and woman who snatched her from the side of Interstate 459 two nights earlier, officials said at a Wednesday press conference.

Officials have said Russell called a 911 operator Thursday night and then a relative and told both of them she saw a toddler in a diaper on the side of I-459 and was stopping to check on him. When officers arrived at the location, they found her car, cell phone and wig but were unable to find her or a child in the area.

Russells disappearance last Thursday sparked a frantic search by family and friends. Her return home Saturday prompted intense speculation about where she had been and what had happened to her.

Russell was not in a good state when she got back and needed medical care, Talitha Russell told NBCs Today show on Tuesday. She said her daughter gave detectives a statement so they could continue to pursue her abductor.

Surveillance video from the Russells neighborhood showed Carlee Russell walking down the sidewalk alone before arriving at her home. She was conscious and talking when first responders arrived, and later treated and released from a hospital, police said.
A billy goat bolted from his owner Monday on Montclair Road, baaafling police and witnesses in Birmingham and Mountain Brook.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the goat is still on the loose.

The adventure began around 8:30 a.m. Monday, when Birmingham police responded to a report of a goat in the 800 block of Montclair Road. Officers were assisted by Mountain Brook police

Apparently he keeps popping in and out, said Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald. He is on the loose, but out the publics eye.

Trevor Turnbough, a project engineer at Sterling Highlands spotted the goat Monday morning at the companys construction site on Montclair Road trotting by his trailer.

Turnbough then recorded video of the goat when the animals owner walked up to the sites entrance. He said the owner told him the goat jumped out of the owners window.

I offered to help because the goat was moving fast, already about halfway down our site, the project engineer said. I jumped in my truck to try and cut the goat off, but he made it out of our second entrance. The owner was still chasing right behind him. I tried to block the goat with my truck, but I think he saw his reflection in my driver side door, cocked his head forward, and started charging full speed to ram my truck! I quickly threw it in reverse and got out of the way. The goat kept running.

Turnbough then returned to work, but it wasnt his last encounter with the goat.

I was sitting at a light on the corner of 52nd street and Montclair when a police officer roared into the middle of the intersection. Another one quickly followed but on the corner. Sure enough, here comes the goat at a almost a fast jog letting out a Ble-E-E-E-eh goat sound, he said.

The owner then sprinted by the scene as three more police vehicles approached, Turnbough said.

The owner and I locked eyes for a second and I could tell he was not happy, he said. I felt bad because at this point he had been sprinting after the goat for over two hours.

On Tuesday, the goat was spotted again by Turnbough several times on the hill in front of the construction site.

Mountain Brook said it got another goat sighting call Monday night but it ran from officers shortly after they arrived.

Bill Voigt said he witnessed the goat Monday night running through his backyard on Fairmont Drive.

Anyone missing a large white goat, black accent markings around head, and with horns? he asked on social media:

Mollie Gillis Hughes snapped a photo of the goat on Beech Court:

The goat on Beech Court in Mountain Brook.

Mountain Brook police said it did not receive any reports of the goat on Tuesday, adding that the animal has mostly been spotted in Birmingham polices jurisdiction.
A Huntsville concert intended to celebrate the life and career of country music legend George Jones also benefited the family of a police officer shot and killed in the line of duty in March as well as another officer critically wounded in the same shooting.

Nancy Jones, widow of George Jones, presented a check for more than $80,000 to Huntsville police Chief Kirk Giles on Wednesday. Giles accepted the donation on behalf of the family of Garrett Crumby, who died hours after the shooting on March 28, as well as Albert Morin, who spent more than two weeks in the hospital after the shooting. Huntsville police announced earlier this month that Morin had returned to light duty at the department.

Crumby and Morin were responding to a shots fired call at an apartment complex on Governors House Drive when the shooting took place.

The outpouring of love from our community was overwhelming following the death of Officer Garrett Crumby and critical wounding of Officer Albert Morin. Giles said in a press release announcing the donation. Thank you to Nancy Jones, the artists, these organizations and everyone who donated to support Officer Crumbys family and Officer Morin following this tragic shooting.

Police arrested Juan Robert Laws and charged him with capital murder in connection with Crumbys death. Madison County prosecutors filed court documents in May stating that they will seek the death penalty for Laws. His case has been sent to the grand jury.

Jones presented the check in partnership with Concerts 4 A Cause, The Wounded Blue and the Von Braun Center.

The George Jones tribute concert took place at the VBC on April 25. Guitars autographed by Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Wynonna, Dierks Bentley, The Oak Ridge Boys, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Jelly Roll and many others were sold through the fundraiser, the press release said. Additionally, a pair of front-row tickets to the concert were auctioned off with support provided by 93.3 Nash Icon.

The sold-out concert, scheduled months before the shooting and featuring performances by Wynonna and Paisley as well as other stars, evolved into a fundraiser for the police officers after the shooting.

I am beyond thankful for the friendships I have with so many artists who agreed to sign guitars to help raise this money, said Nancy Jones. Everyone did their part and we did the right thing here. I hope this money will help these families not have to worry about some of the day-to-day bills that put a burden on you when you are dealing with health and tragic situations.

Steve Maples, VBC executive director, said the concert was one of the biggest events in the venues history.

We knew an event of this caliber would be very successful - not just for the VBC, but for the entire city of Huntsville and north Alabama - because it would attract thousands of people to our community who love listening to music by the great George Jones, Maples said in the press release. This sold-out concert was one of the top five highest grossing events ever held in the VBCs 48-year history and had an estimated economic impact of over $1.2 million; however, the amazing generosity of Nancy and her team to our local law enforcement is what will make this one of the most legendary events to be held in Huntsville.
A former Alabama corrections officer was arrested by U.S. Marshals and Montgomery police Tuesday for allegedly conspiring to deliver contraband to federal inmates housed at the Montgomery County jail, officials said.

Timothy Bernard Summerlin, a 33-year-old former corrections officer for the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, allegedly was involved in the conspiracy to deliver the prohibited items since February 2033, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Summerlin, who was a corrections officers for 3 1/2 years, was arrested in the parking lot of the Walmart on Chantilly Parkway in Montgomery on Tuesday.

Corrections officers are held to a high standard of integrity, trust, and honor. This investigation has spanned over approximately seven months by my office and we are not done yet. There will be more indictments coming very soon, said M. Dante Gordon, chief deputy for the U.S. Marshals Montgomery office.

Summerlin was taken to the Montgomery federal courthouse and charged with conspiracy to provide contraband to an inmate in prison and bribery of a public official.

Further details of the allegations were not available.
Acclaimed Canadian rockband Nickelback is headed to Alabama for the bands 2023 Get Rollin tour and tickets are officially on sale to the general public.

The group is set to perform at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham Saturday, Sept. 16 along with special guests Brantley Gilbert and Austin Snell.

Those who want to purchase tickets for Nickelbacks Pelham show can find them primarily through Ticketmaster. However, official resale tickets for this show can also be found through Vivid Seats, Seat Geek or StubHub.

These sites carry tickets that have already been purchased through Ticketmaster, providing fans more seating options that would otherwise not be available. These ticket resale sites also allow for fans to find for better deals on tickets to see their favorite artists.

Seat Geek in particular will let you know if the seller is actually offering a fair price for their tickets or not.

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The Democrats like to mock our whataboutism. Every time Donald Trump is attacked, we pull out an ever-growing list of examples illustrating how he's being treated differently from his political opponents. He is charged with illegally having classified documents in his possession. Joe Biden also had classified documents in his possession  illegally  but faces no charges. Hillary Clinton illegally had classified documents in her possession, too. They were stored on a secret email server, in her bathroom, which was almost certainly compromised by foreign actors. James Comey assured us that no reasonable prosecutor would charge Hillary. Apparently, the DOJ found an unreasonable prosecutor on staff to charge Donald Trump.

When we make such comparisons, the Democrats laugh and accuse us of deflecting with whataboutism. They'll make the claim that "no one is above the law"  which is demonstrably false (see Hunter Biden, Eric Holder, Andrew McCabe...). The Democrats, and their propaganda ministry, assert that comparisons do not excuse lawlessness  as if that ends the discussion. It does not, because it misses the point.

Whataboutism is "an argumentative tactic where a person or group responds to an accusation or difficult question by deflection. Instead of addressing the point made, they counter it with 'but what about X?'" The Democrats are implying that a whataboutism argument is invalid.

It is the motorist arguing with a police officer that everyone else was speeding, too. But we're not using it to defend speeding. We're using it to question why one motorist out of many was singled out. In fact, we want to know why the same police officer pulls over the same motorist every day  when hundreds are doing the same thing.

The Dems are deflecting from the real debate we need to have. We aren't using whataboutism as a defense of Trump. His lawyers will use evidence and legal arguments for that. In fact, we are not debating Trump's case at all. We are using Donald Trump's case as evidence of a broken criminal justice system. Whataboutism is an indictment of the system that is targeting Donald Trump. The "whataboutism" argument is about systemic corruption.

Merrick Garland is not the head of the department of law enforcement, the department of criminal prosecution, or the department of political dirty tricks. He is the head of the Department of Justice. He did not swear an oath to enforce the law. His oath is to "defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same[.]"

However, prosecuting only his preferred offenders is not bearing "true faith and allegiance" to the Constitution. He is sworn to defend justice, not use all legal means to target opponents.

According to the Cornell Law School:

Justice is the ethical, philosophical idea that people are to be treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law and by arbiters of the law[.]

The 5th and 14th amendments to the Constitution provide more direction on the meaning of "impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably." Their due process requirements are universally interpreted to require equal protection by federal and state governments. Law enforcement applied unequally does not advance justice  regardless of the facts associated with any specific case.

When conservatives make "whataboutism" arguments, we're arguing that the system attacking Trump is not providing equal protection. It is not serving justice. When a justice system fails the "whataboutism" test, it is broken.

Equal protection matters. Without the equal application of the law:

One mob can be excused for burning buildings to the ground, while another mob faces imprisonment for trespassing.

One person can be excused for a lethal act of self-defense while another is prosecuted.

One race can receive preferential treatment while another is penalized.

Without equal protection, law enforcement becomes capricious. When that happens, punishment can be administered based on race, social status, political ideology, religious affiliation, or anything else. Conversely, equal protection is how minorities (ethnic, political, ideological, and otherwise) are protected from the mob.

I used to manage a quality control department at a major defense contractor. My staff included technicians who checked our products to ensure that they met specifications. To do that, they not only had to check our products, but had to validate the instruments used to check the products. The instruments had to be both accurate and repeatable. Our tools had to detect deviations reliably  not just occasionally. An instrument that only sometimes detects a problem is not useable for quality control.

Similarly, a justice department that detects the crimes of only political adversaries is unreliable and not useable for the purposes of justice. It is broken. A broken system cannot provide a just result.

How does our DOJ stand up to the "whataboutism" test? what about

Hunter Biden being given a diversion program for an illegal gun purchase, while rapper Kodak Black was sentenced to over three years for the same offense?

trespassing on Capitol grounds receiving a three-year, multimillion-dollar investigation, while cocaine in the White House received a cursory eleven-day investigation?

Mark Houck prosecuted for shoving a pro-abortion activist who was harassing his son, while over 100 vandalized pregnancy centers go unaddressed?

Derek Chauvin convicted of violating George Floyd's rights, while the FBI violated our 1st Amendment rights without consequence?

The left continues to scream: No one is above the law  not even Donald Trump. But how can we know if Trump is guilty of anything? Because leftists say so? Is it possible that officials at the DOJ

fabricated evidence, as FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith did?

withheld exculpatory evidence, as the lawyers prosecuting Michael Flynn did?

used witness intimidation, as Andrew Weissmann is alleged to have done?

lied under oath, as Merrick Garland is accused of?

I don't know if Donald Trump is technically in violation of the law for having documents he was authorized to declassify, in a locked room, under Secret Service protection. I do know that the facts and allegations provided by a broken system are unreliable and unusable. It should take more than the claims of a broken instrument of justice to convince us that another American citizen is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and should forfeit his freedom. That is a much bigger problem for our republic than anything Donald Trump is alleged to have done.

The Dems accuse us of deflection for using whataboutism. However, they are using deflection to distract us from the real problem: weaponization of our criminal justice system. As examples of "whataboutism" continue to amass, public confidence in criminal justice will continue to erode  with disastrous consequences. Unless a system of true justice is restored, only tyranny or anarchy will result. Either the government will crush dissent with force, or the public will cease accepting governmental leadership.

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: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Just days ago, Georgia State Representative Mesha Mainor, representing a deep-blue Westside Atlanta district, switched parties from Democrat to Republican. She is Georgias first Black Republican woman state representative. Since then, she has been flooded with shocking racist messages.

In my life as a pre-political-correctness Southerner, I have never heard such racist language leveled at anyone. This response reveals the truly disturbing psychological state underlying progressive ideology, with the greatest social taboos thrown aside to defend the power of the Party.

As Rep. Mainor handles the barrage of racist attacks with grace, we might ask, what was the personal journey that brought about this change? Mesha grew up in a very rough Atlanta neighborhood, within a few blocks of Vine Street and English Ave., known as the Bluff -- the #1 most dangerous neighborhood in Atlanta, #5 most dangerous nationally. In 2012 it was described by Creative Loafing as:

"boarded-up homes built among the trees along the narrow streets people loitering in the middle of vacant lots, casting hollow stares at passing motorists, and young men hanging out on street corners, hollering at passers-by and then to lookouts down the street"

The Bluff stands for Better Leave U F***ing Fools, and is still a major drug-trafficking center left seemingly untouched by law enforcement throughout the decades. It was made recently famous when a local drug dealer made a docudrama movie about his life of crime there.

Mesha however, did well in school, and attended Howard University, a Historically Black University in Washington, D.C. While in school, she worked a short time in the office of Civil Rights legend Representative John Lewis. From there, she began to work as a speechwriter for and be mentored by Dr. Helene Gayle -- at that time assistant surgeon general and currently the president of Spelman College.

When she returned to Atlanta and her daughters, now 17 and 11, were young, she wanted them to access the world, and started a language immersion pre-school called Little Voyages. Later she started an Entrepreneur Camp, and also managed Emory Hospitals outpatient rehabilitation center.

With Meshas connections, soon she was running for Atlanta city council, where she began to see a more seamy side of politics. She asked Corwin Monson, a volunteer, to stop working for her campaign. His response was to stalk her, stopping by her home, calling her daily, and joining her church, where he would stare at her throughout the service. He was arrested for stalking, and then hired the Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, who then used his position of power to influence the case. The stalker was recorded saying that he wanted to destroy Mesha, even if he had to stay in prison for 10 years.' This was an eye-opening revelation as to the quality of some Metro Atlanta leaders.

Mesha also researched (33 minute mark) Fulton Countys elections, finding systemic voter suppression. Not from the Republican Secretary of State, but from incompetent management and unethical and apparently unaccountable Election Board leadership. She found serious flaws in virtually every election, from 100,000 ballots dumped in the trash to 20,000 voters directed to the wrong precincts. She even discovered that the winning candidate Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was in a business relationship with the director of registrations son! She averred that Fulton County in 2020 had no handbook, no ethical guidance, nor did elections officials swear an oath to follow the Constitution. She inferred the haplessness of Fulton County elections was a feature, not a bug, and so authored a bill to make election reforms. In 2021, Fulton County was the first Georgia county to be placed under performance review, based on SB 202, the new secure elections law. This June, the state elections board said significant improvements had been made.

In 2020, during the COVID lockdowns, Mesha and her daughters campaigned and won the race (by 40 points!) for state representative for District 56 in Atlanta, a heavily Democrat, economically diverse area covering Piedmont Park, Georgia Tech, Atlanta University Center, and points west. She has sponsored a large number of bills. As a Democrat in a Republican majority legislature, she was successful in passing quite a few. For example, last year HB762 created the first authority of its kind in the nation, using the considerable human capital resources in the Westside Area to provide targeted workforce development in renewable energy and technology. This year, she was able to pass a bill to improve university campus policing in response to the recent bomb threats on the Atlanta University Consortium campus.

From the time she was first elected, education lobbyists reached out to convince her that school choice was the wrong answer for students in underperforming schools. She said, I wanted to see the data, and the anti-school choice lobbyists never seemed to have a full set of data that would answer my questions. So, when the bill to promote school choice was introduced in Georgias legislature, Mesha was a loud and vocal supporter. As she said, this is parent choice. The bill proposed a $6500 scholarship for public school students in the bottom 25% of public schools. The entire Democrat caucus except Mesha opposed this bill. Additionally, 15 Republicans representing rural districts also opposed school choice. On the last day of this years session, the bill did not pass. Mesha was crucified by her fellow Democrats. In fact, one state senator from a wealthy district offered a $1000 campaign contribution to anyone who would challenge her in the Democrat primary! Mainors response was impressive:

Democrat lawmakers (not constituents) will cry about abortion rights, wail for transgender rights, demand AAPI protections, and create legislation for antisemitism. Yet, if a Black independent female Democrat legislator who grew up in poverty wants to give the bottom 25% of children attending failing schools a second chance at education infuriates some of my fellow Democrats to the point they are soliciting my opposition -- that's exactly the problem."

Finally, Mesha announced that her disagreement over parent choice had brought her to the Republican Party.

I have been impressed with the grace and class that Rep. Mainor has shown dealing with the deluge of racist attacks on her. She has shown an impressive passion, courage, and independent thought in taking a stand in favor of parents and children.

Image: Adolf Scott
The U.S. military used to be everything that Thomas Jefferson -- and Martin Luther King, Jr. -- thought America ought to be.

That George S. Patton -- arguably one of America's greatest generals -- demanded it be.

A meritocracy -- in which people rose according to their talents and initiative. As opposed to having privileged status on account of some other consideration, such as family name or wealth.

Or skin color.

Or sex.

Patton demanded excellence and initiative. He did not care what color wrapper it came in. It is why his Third Army rolled over the German Wehrmacht in Europe, racking up victory upon victory.

Patton earned his four stars.

The Biden administration is determined to make the U.S. military more like the America it has been working overtime to turn into the antitheses of a meritocracy. One in which what matters most isnt what youve done or how hard youve worked to get it done but whether your color (or sex or sexual preferences) check the necessary boxes.

These policies basically turn the U.S. Marine Corps into a Benetton ad.

Biden has officially come out against merit-based promotions that do not take the candidate's race into consideration.

This is absolutely fascinating -- as Mr. Spock from Star Trek might have put it. Weren't Democrats once-upon-a-time the party that opposed checking people off the list on account of their race? The liberal crooner Bruce Hornsby sang a whole song about it:

That's just the way it is... some things will never change... because a law don't change another's mind when all they see at the hiring time is the line on the color bar."

Well, it's of a piece with the Left's parking brake 180 on free speech -- which it claimed to favor once-upon-a-time. But that was a time when leftists objected to their speech being suppressed. Once the Left acquired control over speech -- via the Left's control of the federal government, colleges and of major media - it no longer favored free speech.

Well, for those who questioned Leftist speech.

And the same as regards "choice." The Left says -- militantly -- that a woman has the absolute right to choose to abort her baby, because it is her body the growing baby happens to be inside of. But if men -- or women -- want to choose whether to wear a mask, well...

So much for their choice.

"The administration strongly opposes... sweeping attempts (by the GOP-controlled House) to eliminate the (Defense Departments) longstanding DEIA efforts and related initiatives to promote a cohesive and inclusive force," says the Biden regime's Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

This statement is even more fascinating -- in that the "efforts" to force-feed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility criteria on the military are not "longstanding." They are less than three years old. They came into force almost immediately after Joe Biden took the presidential oath in January of 2021.

I'm not sure U.S. Army General William Tecumseh Sherman was worried about DEI when he burned Atlanta to the ground.

"Promote a cohesive and inclusive force"?

How do you promote cohesion by separating out people according to how they look? And how is it inclusive to kick certain people out -- or shunt them aside - on account of how they look? Will a white male captain who didn't get his earned promotion to major because he was passed over in favor not of someone more qualified but someone of the politically correct sex feel respect for the person who got promoted because of their sex -- or color?

And how about "people of color" -- as the Left styles everyone who isn't the one wrong color?

The military used to be the place where Black Americans especially didn't have to worry that their color would hold them back. The military -- once upon a time -- did not indulge doctrines that thwarted the promotion of people who had shown they were right for the job -- because it wasn't just a job.

If a mediocre student is allowed to graduate law school while a better student is denied admittance to law school, the legal profession is subtly degraded. If people in the military are advanced -- or held back -- according to any other standard than excellence, America's ability to fight -- and win -- wars is degraded.

The Russians and the Chinese do not consider "diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility." They consider intelligence, drive, and capability. Because if there's a war, they want to win. They want to beat us. There's no moral victory for your armed forces looking like the Crayola 64 box.

Patton understood this. Because he didnt like to lose.

"DoDs strategic advantage in a complex global security environment is the diverse and dynamic talent pool from which we draw," continues the statement issued by the Biden regime's OMB. It is a statement as counterfactual as "safe and effective," regarding the assertions made about the vaccines that neither prevented anyone from getting COVID or spreading it.

The "talent pool" referenced is no such thing when talent is excluded on the basis of color or sex.

"Wokeness is a cancer that will destroy our military from the inside out if we dont stop it," says GOP Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana, who is among those leading the fight in the House to rid the military of DEIA considerations.

"What were trying to do is move to a colorblind, race-neutral worldview, where were focused on building a national defense and a military that is focused on, you know, blowing things up and killing people, not on social engineering wrapped in a uniform," adds GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

In other words, the things the military used to focus on in Pattons time -- back in the days when it was the most meritocratic institution in America.

A.J. Rice, is President & CEO of Publius PR, Editor-in-Chief of The Publius National Post, and author of the #1 Amazon bestseller, The Woking Dead: How Society's Vogue Virus Destroys Our Culture.

Image; PxFuel
The public face of our military is Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Incompetent and corrupt best describe him. He is a shameless self-serving political hack, a former four-star general who now goes to work in a suit.

Defense Secretary Austin was humiliated on the world stage by the Chinese Communist Party recently. He sought a meeting at an annual security forum in Singapore with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu, Chinas new defense minister.

From the Pentagon:

Overnight, the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) informed the U.S. that they have declined our early May invitation for Secretary Austin to meet with PRC Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu in Singapore this week, the Pentagon said in a statement. The department believes strongly in the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication between Washington and Beijing to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict.

This was not his (and our nations) first snub and humiliation from China in the Biden era. In 2021, Secretary Austin repeatedly requested meetings with his Chinese counterpart and was rebuked. This was reported in May of 2021, less than two months after our Secretary of State Antony Blinken was humiliated by Chinas envoy (Yang Jiechi) in Alaska. From that meeting:

The United States does not have the qualifications to say that it wants to speak to China from a position of strength, Yang said right to Blinkens face.

As a final act of self-humiliation, in Singapore, Defense Secretary Austin chased down his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu for a handshake photo op. This is very reminiscent of a puppy dog rubbing up against your leg, seeking attention.

Image: Lloyd Austin (cropped). YouTube screen grab.

The question that needs to be answered about the public insult to our Secretary of Defense and our nation is why? The explanation is very clear. The Chinese Communist Party has no respect for incompetence and weakness. Vladimir Putin once referred to President Biden as a career man. He was essentially saying that Joe Biden is a political operative with no concern for anything except his own personal interests. His business dealings through his family intermediaries bear this out. Chinas treatment of our representatives indicates that Xi Jinping would agree with Putin. If Austin stands with Biden, he, too, must be unworthy of respect.

The worst thing Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has done is say he has no regrets over the disastrous August 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. In many other nations, there would have been serious repercussions for such a publicly embarrassing statement. For example, former Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev was forced from office after he was perceived to have lost face for his nation in the Cuban missile crisis.

Secretary Austin expressed his blind servitude during congressional testimony earlier this year.

In March, House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel Chair Jim Banks (R-IN) asked Austin, Do you have regrets about the withdrawal from Afghanistan? Austin answered, I support the Presidents decision.

Trying again, Banks asked, Do you have regrets about the withdrawal or how the withdrawal occurred from Afghanistan that cost the lives of thirteen of our servicemen?

This time, Austins answer was straightforward: I dont have any regrets.

Banks next wanted to know if anyone in the DOD had faced consequences for a withdrawal he characterized as deadly, botched, and embarrassing. Austin responded by boasting, Our troops evacuated 124,000 people off that airfield.

Banks again tried to get a responsive answer. Has anyone been held accountable? If a Navy captain grounded a ship, what happens immediately?

Austin reluctantly acknowledged the second question, not the first. Typically, that captain is removed.

Closing in, Banks asked, Has anyone been held accountable for what happened in Afghanistan?

And then the truth came out. To my knowledge, no.

Austins boasting aside, the Afghanistan withdrawal was a complete failure. Thirteen American servicemen died unnecessarily. An estimated $80 billion of useable military weaponry was left behind for our enemies. There was no success. Whatever number of people were safely evacuated was a result of our enemy letting us leave. And why wouldnt they? After all, it was in their best interests to have us go, especially in such a humiliating way.

The truth is that thousands of Americans and our allies were left behind, abandoned by the Biden administration. In fact, private Americans organized rescue operations when our government refused to go after those left behind. Can you imagine anything more disgraceful? But the Former military leader and our current Secretary of Defense stands with his president!

Whats even worse was that the disaster was predictable and predicted. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) wants to have made public a dissent cable from 23 American Embassy employees arguing for a more realistic plan of withdrawal. McCaul argues for its declassification because it doesnt reveal secrets but only confirms how corrupt and incompetent Biden and his military leadership are. The word corruption is justified here because the lives of American servicemen were deliberately sacrificed for political purposes.

In September 2021, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and U.S. Central Command leader General Kenneth McKenzie testified under oath that, contrary to Bidens claims, they recommended against Joe Bidens withdrawal timeline and warned of the impending collapse of the Afghan government. Defense Secretary Austin was in this loop of discussion. Again, sworn testimony from Americas highest military leadership holds that we could and should have avoided the loss of life and weaponry.

Milleys self-serving testimony might be a bit suspect. In July 2021, shortly before the withdrawal and while in Austins presence, Milley assured reporters that despite the narrative that the Taliban are winning, the Afghan security forces have the capacity to sufficiently fight and defend their country. Our highest military officials lie with impunity. Why shouldnt they? Who is going to call them out?

There is one more point to make concerning Austin. Many will recall President Obamas infamous declaration that the terrorist organization ISIS was not a serious threat. In 2014, he likened them to a Jayvee team (junior varsity). Shortly afterward, ISIS proved him shockingly wrong. The basis of his colossal error in judgment was counsel from then-General Lloyd Austin.

Secretary Austin is as much of a failure as General Austin. This gross error in judgment as it relates to ISIS should have been enough to disqualify him from consideration as Secretary of Defense. Obviously, it was not.

On the last Friday in June, the Biden administration released a report fingering the real culprit responsible for the Afghanistan disaster. It was Donald Trump all along!

If I had a child of military age, the last thing I would want him to do is join a military overseen by Lloyd Austin. Would you? People die in war. We all understand that, but we want our military leaders to be damn cheap; not so extravagant at throwing our soldiers lives away. Yet the geniuses at the Pentagon cannot figure out why recruitment is down!
Lisa Murkowski is the perfect mascot for Senate Republicans. She is a Democrat in all but name, an aristocrat who inherited her office, and a beneficiary of rigged elections. She has more in common with Nancy Pelosi than the average Republican voter, and every time Alaskan Republicans attempt to throw her out of office, Mitch McConnell's minions manipulate the rules to save her.

For McConnell, Murkowski is another beholden senator kept securely in his pocket who will vote how he wants on any given day. That might not be so bad (except for the good people of Alaska, whom she purportedly represents) if McConnell were not also an aristocrat who routinely betrays Republican voters. However, because his loyalties lie with President Xi, multinational corporations, the World Economic Forum, and his good friend Joe Biden, China Mitch uses the leash around Murkowski's neck only when he needs help sticking it to the American people. And oh, how Senate Republicans love to screw over the American people!

I mention this person because she and other backstabbing Senate Republicans (think John Cornyn, Mitt Romney, John Thune, etc.) got together to do their version of Festivus in July, during which they told The Hill how much they absolutely loathe normal Republican voters. "[O]ur party is becoming known as a group of kind of extremist, populist, over-the-top [people] where no one is taking us seriously anymore," Murkowski laments.

Our party? Alaskan Republicans tried to cashier your rear years ago, and you thumbed your nose at their wishes, ran as a write-in candidate, and got elected by Democrats. Instead of stripping you of your ranking position on choice committee assignments, Senate Republicans celebrated your "victory" over the actual Republican nominee (and Tea Party favorite, Joe Miller) by preserving your seniority. Last year, Republicans again tried to be done with you, and McConnell and his boys rigged the election by implementing ranked-choice voting  an incumbent protection racket that also defeated Sarah Palin and sent a Democrat to the House! Deep-red Alaska can't represent conservatives' interests when Senate Republicans work with Chuck Schumer to benefit Barack Obama's favorite candidates!

That is the absurdity of the Murkowski position. She and her ilk believe that the Republican Party should be represented by individuals who adore Barack Obama, voted for Hillary Clinton, and consider child-sniffer Joe Biden a close personal friend. And because she is too daft to grasp the mood of the country and such a product of venal nepotism as to have scant self-awareness, she thinks the riffraff will eventually see things her way. If they actually had elections in Alaska, Murkowski's campaign slogan really could be "Let them eat cake," and nobody would bat an eye. It is what abused voters expect when Dirty Mitch McConnell's election-riggers continue to hand out fortune cookies to the natives advising, "You shall be represented by a Democrat in Republican clothing."

Yet Marie Antoinette Murkowski is hardly the only Senate nincompoop with her head buried several fathoms deep in quicksand. Numerous Republican members of the House of Lords peered peevishly through clenched monocles while tsk-tsk-ing their alleged constituents and telling The Hill how horrendously difficult it is to use the powers of the Senate to become filthy rich while the "deplorables" outside their doors refuse to go away.

"There are an astonishing number of people in my state who believe the election was stolen," said one dumbfounded Republican senator too cowardly to go on the record. I suppose when Senate Republicans steal an election for their contemptible colleague Murkowski, watching Democrats steal battleground states with mail-in-ballot dumps just feels like normal politicking  what's good for the goose is good for the gander, after all. For normal Americans who know cheating when they see it and do not speak Parseltongue, though, the whole flock of geese appear dumb, corrupt, and quite deserving of being stuffed with figs and made into foie gras.

Another pusillanimous Republican hiding behind anonymity bluntly revealed his/her/their aristocratic proclivities by noting that "the kind of people who think the election was stolen ... it's not just a 'red-neck' thing. It's people in business, the president of a bank, a doctor." Oh, my, you mean the only Republicans either (1) lacking sufficient common sense to question how Unpopular Joe could win 81 million votes or (2) so filled with moral turpitude that they aided and abetted the Democrats' 2020 steal are those Republicans who sit in the Senate's chamber? Sacre bleu! Quelle surprise! On behalf of rednecks everywhere, you prissy "elites" sure are stupid! Never has one group of people so merited a collective swirlie.

In a comment that registers high on the mother-of-all-cluelessness scales, that same lily-livered shrinking violet above also whined, "In my state there are a lot of folks who see Washington as disconnected, they see their way of life threatened." Duh! Republican voters have been making this point for decades. Please, take this worthless central bank digital currency and buy some ears and a working brain. When Republican voters don't just fall into line, he continued, their rejection of the Uniparty "makes it a lot more difficult to govern, it makes it difficult to talk to constituents." There it is: the unvarnished truth. In order to preserve "democracy," we must install dictatorship. Snap to, proles! There can be no dissent in this (mal)functioning Republic!

What can normal Republican voters say to a group of Republican senators who do not represent them faithfully? They sound like a bunch of hyperventilating prima donnas standing one stair up from ground level while promising bemused onlookers that they might just jump unless they get their way. Go ahead, jump, fools! Then walk over to the left side of the aisle, where you belong.

I don't care if John Thune, Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Lisa Murkowski, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Bill Cassidy, Shelley Capito, Joni Ernst, Todd Young, or any of the other "DeceptiCons" all come out as proud "woke" warriors who can no longer stand the company of ordinary Republican voters. Off with you! Be gone! Better to be honestly represented by fewer people than duplicitously represented by a WEF-worshiping coven of liars, losers, insider traders, warmongers, and corporate whores. Let me put this as simply as possible for Romney's alter ego Pierre Delecto: casse-toi! Any sans-couilles Senate Republicans need not stay.

It is astounding how bizarrely distorted our "representation" in the Senate has become. The vast majority of voters strongly disagree with Republican senators' priorities and leadership; the vast majority of Republican senators entirely reject the concerns of Republican voters.

It is almost as if we are represented by hostile Democrats  with the exception that our senators have not yet openly embraced sterilizing children and applauding men for dominating women's sports. Give them time, though! You might remember how proud tete de noeud Delecto was when he paraded around with Black Lives Matter after that domestic terror group had torched and looted small businesses around the country. Whatever Marxist Democrats support today, Senate Republicans are certain to support one or two election cycles down the line!

They already love how embracing the hoax of man-made climate change gives them more money and power. They have kept their mouths shut while the Department of (in)Justice persecutes President Trump and his supporters. And they have remained far too quiet while State-imposed censorship, warrantless surveillance, and forced experimental injections have become the orders of the day.

Sometime soon, Murkowski and Senate Republicans will be chastising Republican voters for not embracing totalitarianism the proper way.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.
President Trump has a quasi-incumbency advantage for the Republican nomination, but there is much chatter about how he can officially seal the deal on his third primary victory.

However, one thing he does not have to do is unite the party, at least not in the way some believe.

During the 2008 Democrat primaries, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were locked into a vicious campaign that saw Obama squeak out a slim delegate victory. In theory, a party cant be more divided than having two candidates essentially tied. Eight years later, the Republican primary saw Trump spar with 16 candidates en route to winning a smaller percentage of delegates than any Republican nominee since 1968.

Both primaries produced battle-tested nominees by the time the general election cycle began. And while during the process it seemed there was immense internal division, voters of Obama in 2008 and Trump in 2016 evidently were not fazed by in-party hostilities by the time the general election arrived. In fact, those vicious primaries mobilized voters because Obama and Trump proved that they could withstand the storm, and voters rewarded them greatly for it. This was proven by Obama setting the then-popular vote record in 2008 and furthered by Trump setting the then-Republican candidate record for general election votes in 2016.

The alternative to this is having a nominee who faces very little opposition, which is not as beneficial as it sounds. The primary may appear more united, but keeping the all-important momentum going is the key to winning for any candidate. Recent history proves when it is assumed a primary is a lock, voters are more likely to stay complacent during the general compared to the party that experienced a tight race throughout the entire process. Furthermore, when a candidate experiences attacks for the first time during general election debates, they are less prepared to counter them than those who experience them during the primaries.

Hillary Clinton beat Bernie Sanders by 12 percent in 2016, but Hillary already had the vast majority of the superdelegates pledged to her candidacy prior to the election, making that primary a foregone conclusion. Likewise, McCain and Romney were granted their long-assumed turns as the Republican nominee without much resistance in 2008 and 2012, respectively. All three nominees endured a noticeable lack of voter enthusiasm before their significant electoral college defeats, despite the party elites all strongly backing them.

What this shows is the party is the voters, not the long-entrenched figures associated with it. Trump has already united voters, which is why he doesnt need the establishment seal of approval.

In 2015 Trump was an outsider that joined a party with strong allegiances to the political dynasties of Bush, Cheney, and Romney, and had put their hopes in the young, up-and-coming Paul Ryan. Trump has since ended the Bush and Cheney dynasties by defeating Jeb Bush soundly in the 2016 primary and endorsing a 2022 primary challenger to Liz Cheney who went on to beat her by nearly 40 points. Paul Ryan has also bowed out of public politics, and there is a good chance Mitt Romney is serving his last term in public office.

Voters supported 91% of Trumps endorsed candidates during the 2022 midterms, despite candidates not being nearly as popular as Trump himself. Republicans also outvoted Democrats on a national scale by the millions despite disenfranchisement that took place in Arizona.

The portion of the party not united behind Trump represents a vast minority, as virtually all polling shows Republican voters strongly prefer Trump to be the nominee. The narrative that the party isnt united comes from T.V. personalities, and the minority of Republican political figures who are given airtime for being openly anti-Trump.

The main goal for many old-guard, career-political establishment Republicans such as Chris Sununu is to stop Trump as opposed to securing a party victory. They would rather a Democrat win than Trump, which is why voters reject them.

Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson are other openly anti-Trump candidates who fail to crack double digits in the polls, and Paul Ryan now refers to himself as a Never-Again-Trumper from his NewsCorp perch. But even Mitt Romney conceded they are in the minority of the party in saying:

Among the potential contenders in 2024, if you put President Trump in there among Republicans, he wins in a landslide. Though I would probably be getting behind somebody who I thought more represented the tiny wing of the Republican party that I represent.

But even with the un-united narrative gaining mainstream (Fox News) attention, there are actually far more Republicans in government positions who have endorsed Trump than there are those who have endorsed a different candidate, further debunking claims of widespread Republican disunity.

Post-indictment polls also continue to reflect increasing support for Trump. This reinforces the notion that voters are in fact strongly united behind him nationally, not just in Republican stronghold areas. By setting the vote record for a Republican candidate in consecutive elections he proved he is not only uniting Republicans but also bringing in voters who previously didnt vote Republican, or at all. He achieved this by doing all the things that are considered destructive to the party image. But Trump isnt hurting the party, he is hurting what the establishment wants the party to be, and they know this.

Trump was at his weakest in 2016. He did not yet have a political track record, only ideas and campaign promises. He had to cut through media bias to convince voters he was a risk worth taking. Almost all polling suggested he had no chance of winning, which undoubtedly suppressed voting to some extent, yet he still prevailed.

By 2020, voters who were disillusioned by their 2016 options had experienced four years of record low unemployment, a secure border, and a strong economy, all of which have since vanished. We hear so much  despite no evidence to prove this  about people who simply vote for whoever runs against Trump. But what about those that are so enraged by the left that they will vote for anybody against them?

Our elections are corrupted, but in terms of reality, there is no doubt about how voters will respond when given the chance. If the Democrat nominee is Biden (which it may not be), voters will have a distinct comparison of how the two candidates have governed. There cant possibly be more people that would vote against bettering their lives personally because the name Trump is associated with it than there are people who will vote against the leftwing lunacy ravaging America. And when gauging Americas pulse ask yourself, do you know anybody whose mind isnt made up after all this time?

Reagans 11th Amendment said to never speak ill of a fellow Republican. Perhaps that was smart then, but not now. The old Republican Party is long gone, which is why Trumps attacks on Republicans do not hurt his popularity or enthusiasm in the slightest. Radical left extremism and right-wing warmongering has eroded much of the undecided voter base and drove them to Trump and his commonsense approach to governing. Like his time as a real estate developer, Trump was able to identify something (the Republican party) that had a solid foundation (the voters), but also tremendous untapped potential that with his skill could be made great again. Unite the establishment? No, unite the voters. Trump has, and now the party is his.

Matt Kane is a writer who graduated from Stony Brook University with a bachelors degree in political science whose work has been published by RealClearPolitics. Follow on Truth Social: @MattKane

Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License
What if former president Trump, current president Biden, and wannabe president Manchin have a debate sometime in the fall of 2024?

It could happen. It appears that Sen. Manchin is listening to those who want an alternative in 2024.

Here is the story:

Senator Joe Manchin teased a third-party presidential run at a No Labels event Monday, even as questions linger about whether the self-styled centrist group has the necessary funds to mount a successful challenge in 2024. Voters in the greater New Hampshire area gathered at St. Anselm's College in Manchester for a question-and-answer session with the West Virginia Democrat and former Utah governor John Huntsman (R., Utah). Both Manchin and Huntsman flirted with the prospect of potentially running together on a "unity ticket," should they believe voters are unhappy with the Democratic and Republican Party options in 2024. But Manchin was characteristically coy about his presidential ambitions. "I'm not here running for president tonight. I'm not," the centrist Democrat said at the town hall's conclusion. "I'm here trying to basically save the nation. I'm more concerned now than I've ever been concerned in my lifetime."

We understand, Sen. Manchin.

Some of us are concerned about saving the nation, too.

Who knows if Mr. Manchin will run, but it's hard to walk away from a group of people who want to nominate you for president. Of course, the problem is that "no labels" has gained ballot access in just four states.

Whom does Mr. Manchin help or if he can compete in 50 states? My guess is that he helps Mr. Trump, because Mr. Manchin could be an alternative to Mr. Biden among some Democrats, who want a more centrist approach to governing.

In the end, Mr. Manchin may just run to enjoy one more campaign because he is going nowhere in West Virginia. He may do young voters a big favor by reminding them that once upon a time, the party had more in common with the center than the AOC corner.

Who knows? It would be historic to have a challenger address his two opponents as "Mr. President." If Mr. Manchin wins, then #47 would go down as the man who beat #46 and #45. Talk about a trivia question!

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: Donkey Hotey via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
As a physician-psychiatrist, I was the medical director of a substance abuse unit at a U.S. naval hospital. After my military service, I worked at a V.A. hospital with substance abuse patients. In my private practice, I also did psychodrama treatments with substance abuse inpatients and outpatients. I have observed during clinical work successful recoveries from cocaine, opiate, and alcohol addiction and abuse. Many of these success narratives involved the long-valued Twelve Step AA approach.

I have never examined Hunter Biden, but I have reviewed videotapes of his behaviors and his writings and observed the media reports about his and his immediate family's behavior and his family of origin's behaviors. In my opinion, Hunter's behaviors and those of the Biden family do not look like those of a successful recovery treatment result, especially twelve-step treatments.

When Hunter Biden had overseas business dealings in Ukraine, China, and other countries, it is not clear why he would travel on Air Force II with his father, V.P. Biden, during those trips. Joe Biden claims he never talked to his son, Hunter, about his business dealings. But was Joe Biden in denial about Hunter's substance abuse or his questionable business practices? Obama administration officials raised such concerns about Hunter's business role. While it certainly is private medical information, it would be helpful to know what means Hunter used in his apparent recovery from cocaine addiction. And what about his ongoing sobriety maintenance?

The current high-stress, high-society atmosphere of the White House social domain and travel with a busy American president is not in my opinion a very good recovery sobriety maintenance program. Has the Secret Service been employed to help supervise Hunter's recovery?

Hunter's artwork is certainly a potential "art therapy" aid to his recovery from cocaine, but politically oriented financial remuneration could take away from Hunter's independent vocational efforts and genuine self-esteem.

Hunter Biden's behavior toward his out-of-wedlock daughter Navy and her mother raises questions about Hunter's genuine recovery from cocaine addiction. Not only have no apparent amends been offered to Navy and her mother, but Hunter Biden is making every effort not to appropriately support his little daughter financially and emotionally. Apparently, Hunter's father Joe and his stepmother Jill are also seeking to deny the family connection to little Navy and embrace her with family love. All of these would accompany a successful recovery from cocaine abuse by Hunter.

In my work with persons seeking cure of substance addictions, it has been rewarding to observe their recoveries. I have also seen the too frequent and often painful relapses. In the situation of Hunter Biden's "cure" or clean-up, I see elements of denial and possible enabling of his addiction.

Peter A. Olsson, M.D. is a retired professor of psychiatry.
Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville has blocked around 250 senior military promotions over his bigoted, dangerous, radical, far-right, MAGA-extremist objections to the DoD's recently issued abortion policy, hurting thousands of military families up and down the ranks and putting national security at risk (oh, my!). At least that's what the liberal left wants you to believe. In reality, he has merely objected to unanimous consent requests to approve those promotions by voice vote unless defense secretary Lloyd Austin rescinds his abortion policy memo or Congress passes legislation to terminate the policy.

Following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision last year overturning Roe v. Wade, Sec. Austin issued new guidance to DoD to provide leave time and travel pay to members and their dependents to travel to states that allow abortion if they can't obtain them in the states where they are stationed. Tuberville believes that it is illegal to spend federal dollars under that policy and decries the DoD for immersing servicemembers squarely in abortion politics. He is right.



File photo: U.S. DoD.

The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1977 and still in effect today, prohibits federal funding "to be expended for any abortion or to provide health benefits coverage that includes abortion" but makes exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. While not specifically addressed by the Hyde Amendment, federal funds for travel and associated military leave to obtain abortions are a misuse of taxpayer dollars, in Tuberville's opinion, and must be stopped. His point is valid because the DoD had never found it necessary in the past to issue a policy, let's say, for servicemembers stationed in Germany, where abortion is illegal after 12 weeks of pregnancy except for "medical" or "criminal" reasons, with additional restrictions prior to 12 weeks. Servicemembers would have to travel outside Germany at significant cost and time to obtain an abortion, but prior to Dobbs, the DoD was mute. So why now? Answer: politics.

The Biden administration believe they have a political winner in the aftermath of Dobbs by insisting that elective abortions should be accessible to servicemembers at taxpayer expense  not paying for the abortion procedure, but buying the plane ticket to it. When the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act last Friday with only four Democrat votes, the Democrats made clear they are willing to forego funding the U.S. military, increasing servicemembers' pay, providing aid to Ukraine, ensuring defense of Taiwan, modernizing the military for the future, and thousands of other policies in a blatantly political attempt to expand the reach of federal funding into abortion politics.

Their unsupported claims that the military will lose talent if abortion and transgender policies aren't institutionalized in the military don't ring true. Abortion policy for servicemember travel and leave has never been in effect, yet the military has always recruited some of the most talented people in our nation. If anything, the recruiting woes of the military are a result of the left-leaning policies of the administration, which is determined to appease its far-left flank with expanded abortion funding.

Military members are adaptable, if anything, and have found ways throughout the years to work around restrictive abortion laws and access to abortion services, or have modified their behavior to avoid the need for an abortion in the first place. A servicemember today who is reconsidering his commitment to the armed services because of the Dobbs decision, notwithstanding Sec. Austin's policy, should probably find another line of work.

The pressure is high on Sen. Tuberville to release his hold on those promotions. In the minds of the liberal left, the entire defense establishment will cease to function, and our national security will be at severe risk, if those promotions aren't allowed to proceed. But save us the sanctimony. Senior military leaders know they serve at the pleasure of the president and are subject to consent by the Senate before they can attain their promotions and move on to other positions. It comes with the territory. As a retired Air Force officer, I too was subject to occasional holds and witnessed many senior leaders who had to wait for months before their promotions were approved by the Senate for no better reason than senators' scheduling conflicts. In most cases, the incumbent couldn't retire or move until his successor's promotion was approved in the Senate. In other cases, a deputy or acting leader would fill in temporarily. This is not new ground.

What is new ground is the blatant, political ploy by the administration to force the DoD into abortion politics in an attempt to normalize federal abortion funding in the nation's most trusted institution. The pressure should not be on Sen. Tuberville to release his hold; it should be on Sec. Austin to rescind his abortion policy with a simple stroke of his pen. The men and women of the U.S. military should be shielded from abortion politics, and the secretary of defense should be leading the charge to protect them.

Mr. LaFrance is a retired Air Force officer and a former DoD liaison to Congress.
When was the last time you've heard of a veto overridden?

Well, it just happened in Louisiana.

Here's what Breitbart reported about that one, a bill banning "gender-affirming care" for minors, which most members of the statehouse really didn't want:

The Louisiana legislature voted in favor of overriding Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards' veto of a law that would ban medically transitioning minors. Sponsored by Republican State Rep. Gabe Firment, the law would ban doctors from "prescribing hormone therapy and puberty blockers to minors, and from administering gender-transition surgical procedures," according to NOLA. The state legislature passed the bill in June, only to be vetoed by Gov. John Bel Edwards. On Tuesday, the override of the governor's veto passed 75-23 before it was approved by the State Senate.

The statehouse banned "gender-affirming care" on kids. The governor overrode it, him against them. The statehouse then overrode the woke governor  so the bill become law, except that now the governor says he will take it to court.

Obviously, this was a bill that had huge public support, or the legislators would not have been so firm.

They had already tried to override two governor vetoes on similar matters  one on banning sex talk with minors in schools and another that required the favored pronouns in schools.

But this one succeeded, showing that the bill must have had mile-deep public support, for what Legislature would support such a bill if it didn't  and how much more obvious that the woke, leftist governor, John Bel Edwards, is grossly out of touch with the public?

Not surprisingly, Breitbart noted that Bel Edwards is grossly trailing in the polls.

Breitbart reports:

Louisiana will be hosting a gubernatorial election this year and current polls put Edwards' challenger, Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry, in the lead by wide margins. Per the Shreveport Times: A new independent Louisiana governor's race poll shows Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry in a "commanding position" at this stage of the race with a wide lead on all of his GOP rivals and ahead of the only Democrat in the field. The poll was conducted by Kaplan Strategies of Florida and isn't affiliated with any campaign, firm President Doug Kaplan told USA Today Network. "This is one of only three governors' races in the country and a good opportunity for us raise our profile," he said. Kentucky and Mississippi are the other two states with races. In the Louisiana governor's race, 30% of those surveyed chose Landry, followed by Democrat Shawn Wilson, the former transportation secretary for Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, with 20%.

Sounds as if this guy is well on his way to being the bum who gets thrown out by Louisiana's voters.

There is absolutely nothing in it for him for trying to stop the popular legislation, and a lot to lose if he does, which he did.

Voters hate this  and most likely, Bel Edwards will go down in flames for it.

That's not stopping him from uttering the usual urban pieties about "gender-affirming care."

Based on the steamroller actions of this Legislature, that doesn't matter, either. Other states should take note.

Image: Government photo.
The migrants are still coming, and Massachusetts is running out of free hotel space for them -- at least in the places where the governor would like to place them.

So taking a cue from New York's Mayor Eric Adams, Massachusetts's Democrat Governor Maura Healey, has called for the placement of illegals in private homes.

According to Breitbart News:

Massachusetts officials are now asking residents to take border crossers and illegal aliens into their homes as illegal immigration continues adding to the states homeless population. Gov. Maura Healey (D) is calling on residents with empty bedrooms in their homes and apartments to consider taking in border crossers and illegal aliens, WBUR reports: Massachusetts officials are seeking residents willing to host newly arrived families in need of shelter. Hosts are asked to provide a room or apartment for a few days, until longer-term accommodations can be arranged. [Emphasis added] A significant portion of the families in need of housing in the state are new immigrants. Many of those arriving in Boston have fled violence in Haiti and traveled through other states before coming to Massachusetts. [Emphasis added]

Which as I recall from school history books, sounds rather like the quartering foreign troops into private homes in Massachusetts, even if it is 'voluntary' and a state-paid gig. It's not normal, it is not sustainable, and it's the product of Biden's complete failure to enforce U.S. border laws. When exactly do they think this border surge is going to end? What happens if they run out of private housing? And pity anyone who thinks these arrangements are only going to last a few days. They have ways of lasting more than just a few days. Remember 'two weeks to stop the spread'?

Two hundred years ago when something like this was done, the leading lights of Massachusetts declared independence from Britain, and then taught the Brits a lesson they'd never forget.

Today? Not so much. The governor just goes along with Biden's catch and release policies, instead of demand that Joe Biden to stop admitting these foreign invaders rolling into the state on phony asylum claims and enforce existing law instead. Better still, she could ask the illegals to pay for their own housing the way everyone else does. They do have money.

Radio host Howie Carr has pointed out that it's worse than it looks:

The Healey administration has released a list of the 28 cities and towns where it is spending millions on hotels and motels for thousands of handout-demanding illegals arriving from the Third World. Oddly, however, almost all the ultra-affluent suburban communities most loudly committed to celebrating diversity have thus far been unable to provide suitable free housing for the new non-working classes. The illegals are not being sent to, among other millionaire destinations, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, Swampscott, Newburyport, Wellesley, Dover, Sherborn, Amherst. Do you begin to get the picture? These melanin-impaired preserves of the Beautiful People all have Hate Has No Home Here signs festooned on every lawn. Yet oddly they somehow remain unaffected by the Democrats ongoing fundamental transformation of America into a Third World flophouse. To sum it up, the self-proclaimed sanctuary cities and towns are no-shows when it comes to providing sanctuary for the huddled masses yearning to live free on the arm forever.

They are sending them solely to MAGA towns such as:

The letter from Healeys office didnt address most of Durants questions. But it did reveal a few interesting facts, including the two dozen state communities into which the Third World is being imported: Burlington, Chelsea, Chicopee, Concord, Dedham, Greenfield, Holyoke, Kingston, Marlborough, Methuen, Norton, Norwood, Peabody, Plymouth, Revere, Saugus, Shrewsbury, Sturbridge, Taunton, West Springfield, Westborough, Woburn and Worcester.

Which are the ordinary working class and MAGA towns, not the fancy places, with the lone exception of wokester Concord, as Carr notes.

Quartering invaders? In towns that still respect the American flag? I bet I'm not the only one thinking about that little trigger event leading to revolution from Massachusetts.

Images: Picryl // public domain
Bowing to the politically correct progressive censors, Country Music Television has pulled from broadcast the newest release by one of the true superstars of the genre. Billboard broke the story Tuesday:

CMT has pulled Jason Aldean's incendiary video for his new single, "Try That In a Small Town." The visual, which his label Broken Bow Records/BMG, released on Friday (July 14), was in rotation on CMT through Sunday (July 16), playing in the morning music video hours. It is unclear how many times CMT played the video before pulling it on Monday. Other than confirming the outlet had yanked the video, CMT declined to comment on the decision to cease playing the clip. The video, which has received more than 346,000 views on YouTube since its release, features Aldean performing in front of courthouse with an American flag hanging from the entrance. The performance is interspersed with footage of a flag burning, protesters screaming and attacking police in various scenarios, and robbing a convenience store. It's unclear where the footage was taken from, but at one point, a Fox News chyron appears with the words "state of emergency declared in Georgia." Aldean is from Macon, Ga.

As of the time of this writing, 16 hours after Billboard's story, the views on YouTube totaled 842,000. Because Google, the owner of YouTube, likes to censor conservatives, a Rumble video is embedded below, and you can take three minutes to see for yourself if the video is "incendiary" or "racist" or merely expresses view consistent with your values.

The New York Times coverage of the story implies that the backdrop used for the video is a signal of racism:

Country Music Television has pulled a music video for the song "Try That in a Small Town," by the country music superstar Jason Aldean, which was filmed at the site of a lynching, amid accusations that its lyrics and message are offensive. The video, released in May, was shot in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tenn., a site known for the 1927 mob lynching of Henry Choate, an 18-year-old Black man, and is interspersed with violent news footage, including protests. An American flag is draped between the building's central pillars, while Aldean, strumming a guitar, lists what he imagines as big city behavior that would not be well received in a small town; "carjack an old lady"; "cuss out a cop"; "stomp on the flag."

How many people instantly recognize the courthouse where permission was obtained for filming? I certainly didn't know about the lynching almost a century ago.

Meanwhile, the rap genre of popular music celebrates all sorts of violence, vulgarity, and racism with no pushback from the dominant media.

Photo credit: Rumble video screen grab.
In an announcement that has sent shockwaves through the nation, former president Donald Trump declared that his arrest is imminent. This declaration, shocking as it is, should be a cause for concern for anyone who values the principles upon which our nation was built. As citizens, it is our duty to scrutinize the implications of this ongoing political assault.

In Mr. Trump's words, this investigation is a "witch hunt," an attempt to weaponize the law enforcement apparatus against him. It appears to be an unprecedented attack on a former president, transforming political disagreements into legal battles, an alarming trend that threatens the stability of our constitutional republic.

The legal issues currently surrounding Mr. Trump range from a New York State case involving payments for a nondisclosure agreement to a federal case in Miami related to handling classified documents. Now he is a target of the special counsel investigation of the January 6 Capitol Free Speech Demonstrations. This exhaustive pursuit raises questions about the impartiality of our justice system, which should remain free from political biases.

On January 6, a faction of the crowd engaged in illegal activities, leading to a breach of the Capitol by some suspected of being planted provocateurs to discredit the peaceful event. The justice system responded by indicting over a thousand individuals, with some defendants held for over 800 days before their trials. Contrast this with the non-arrests or slaps on the wrists of participants of the Antifa and Black Lives Matter riots.

Labeling the actions of a few as an "insurrection" and using it to generalize the entire crowd is a blatant attempt to paint conservatives and Trump-supporters as extremists. Such a narrative deepens divisions and fosters animosity. These blanket accusations undermine the constitutional rights of millions of Americans and disregard their legitimate concerns over election irregularities.

Ironically, the same voices that dismiss calls for law and order in the face of destructive riots in our cities now cry foul, alleging an insurrection where there was none. Law enforcement should never be a tool for political gamesmanship, yet we are witnessing its blatant misuse.

In a country where the rule of law prevails, any citizen should face justice if he breaks the law. But it's crucial to ensure that the process is fair, unbiased, and not driven by a political vendetta. The trials must be focused on the evidence rather than the individual's political affiliation. Yet, in the case of Mr. Trump, it appears that the legal challenges focus more on the man than on the merits of the charges.

The consequences of these high-profile political cases go beyond the courtroom. They directly impact the morale of law enforcement officers often caught in the crossfire of these contentious issues.

As citizens, we must ensure that political disagreements don't transgress into the realm of our justice system. Justice should be blind to political affiliations, and our officers should uphold law and order without political agendas. The narrative surrounding Mr. Trump's imminent arrest is not just about one man; it's about the integrity of our justice system and the principles that underpin our republic.

For now, let us not be led by political leanings, but stand for the truth and the rule of law. Our constitutional republic deserves nothing less.

Michael A Letts is the CEO and founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs.

Image via Pxfuel.
In June, the U.S. Army posted an article on its website celebrating a pudgy, mentally confused mana majorwho claims to be a woman living authentically. People who care about our nations defense were horrified to learn that the military is in the hands of people like Major Jones. A DOD memo reveals that Major Jones is not alone. Instead, the DOD is bending over backward to accommodate so-called transgender service members without any regard for the degradation in military readiness.

We know a few things about people who claim to be transgender, and none of them can be good when it comes to military readiness. People who claim to be transgender have an inordinately high suicide rate (that includes attempts), something unchanged whether theyre pre- or post-transition, and whether theyre living in an accommodating society or not.

So-called transgender people, including those who risibly believe theyre no gender at all, are much more likely than the average population to suffer from substance abuse, depression and anxiety, and domestic violence. Those who have turned to the medical community to help them create the illusion that they are members of the opposite sex and, to that end, have taken hormones that are toxic for them or gone through mutilating surgery have a host of health problems: sterility and sexual dysfunction, increased risks of cancer and heart disease, bone fragility, and horrific post-surgical problems that last a lifetime.

Image: Major Rachel Jones, the pride of the Army. Public domain U.S. Army photo.

And of course, if you reject (as I do) the notion that people are born in the wrong body, which would mean transgenderism is a real thing, every person claiming to be transgender or non-binary is, by definition, mentally ill. Looked at from the perspective of reality, not fantasy, people claiming to be transgender are the last people youd want in an effective military force that has as its mission defending America from enemies with guns and tanks. This person, whose fealty is to himself, not his nation, is not a military asset:

.@USArmy Maj. Rachel Jones found solace after coming out as a transgender female. Her journey from battling depression & suicidal thoughts to embracing authenticity inspires us all. #WhyWeServe https://t.co/9llx7skuC3  Department of Defense  (@DeptofDefense) July 2, 2023

US Army Major Rachel Jones on diversity in the military  



God help us. pic.twitter.com/kexqtzggwg  Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.today (@JordanSchachtel) July 1, 2023

Nevertheless, the Biden DOD not only wants such people in the military, it will do anything to keep them there. Jordan Schachtel, writing at The Dossier, has made public, in summary form, some of the contents of a February 2023 memo from the Defense Health Agency detailing the CARE OF SERVICE MEMBERS WHO IDENTIFY AS TRANSGENDER. If Americas security were the DODs top priority, that care would mean dismissing them from the military and encouraging them to get solid psychiatric treatment.

However, we live in America in 2023, so the military has very different priorities. According to Schachtel, the 34-page memo reveals what the taxpayer-funded military is doing for its transgender troops:

1.Taxpayer funded care for transgender service members includes: speech/voice therapy

cross-sex hormones,

laser hair removal,

voice feminization surgery,

facial contouring,

body contouring,

breast/chest surgery (upper surgery)

genital mutilation surgery (lower surgery).

Psychological counseling 2.Service members who identify as transgender may receive a waiver for grooming and uniform standards. 3.Service members who identify as transgender may receive an indefinite waiver for physical fitness standards. This waiver often becomes a de facto permanent situation, and the transgender identifying service member just has to renew the exemption request every six months. 4.Service members who identify as transgender will be considered non-deployable for up to 300 days while taking hormones for their transition period. Again, given that these hormones are often required for life, this may render the transgender identifying service member as permanently unable to deploy.

In other words, if youre transgender, you get free surgery, waivers from grooming and uniform standards (just look at Major Jones), indefinite waivers from physical fitness standards, and freedom from being deployed to some of the worlds more challenging environments. They get the perks; young women in the military get the loss of privacy and safety.

Not only does this institutional insanity damage military readiness, but it is also a huge enticement for so-called transgender people to enlist so that the taxpayer will be on the hook for expensive surgeries and lifelong hormone treatments and remedial care for the damage these people have done to their bodies. Because they are being excused from all the downsides of military service (physical effort and risk), enlisting becomes a no-brainer. VA, here they come!

China, meanwhile, wants us to know that its military is full of incredibly fit fighting men training for battle (against Taiwan):

Degrading Americas military capacity, standing alone, should be grounds for impeaching or firing every senior-level member of the Biden administration, including Biden himself.

UPDATE: Your military's gender policies in action:
After T-Mobile, AT&T is lowering its AutoPay discounts for users paying their phone bills through credit cards. The carrier recently announced that accounts that use credit cards for AutoPay and paperless billing will see their monthly discounts drop from $10 to $5 per line starting October 2, 2023. T-Mobile has completely ended AutoPay discounts for credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.

AutoPay is a program that all major wireless providers in the US offer to their customers. It enables them to automatically debit the monthly phone bill from the customers registered payment method every billing cycle. The companies offer AutoPay discounts for each line enrolled in the program. The discounts vary from carrier to carrier, usually ranging from $5 to $10 per line per month.

Until recently, T-Mobile and AT&T offered AutoPay discounts with all payment methods. But, the former ended the discount for credit cards and wallets last month. It previously offered a $5 discount on the monthly phone bill for those payment methods. AT&T is now following the same route, at least for payments made through credit cards. It isnt completely ending AutoPay discounts, though. Its decreasing the discount from $10 to $5 per line.

According to the official announcement from AT&T, this change will also affect the AT&T-branded Points Plus Card from Citi. If you use this card or any other credit card to automatically pay your monthly AT&T phone bills, your bill amount will increase by $5 starting in October. Like T-Mobile, AT&T is encouraging those users to update their payment methods to a debit card or bank account.

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You can update your AT&T AutoPay payment method by visiting the companys official website. You can also reach a customer support executive over the phone call at (800) 331-0500. Note that it can take a couple of days for your payment type to change. AT&T lets you manually make a one-time payment if needed if your bill is due within that timeframe.

This AutoPay change will save AT&T a few bucks on processing fees

Wireless carriers pay a higher processing fee on credit card transactions than on debit cards or bank payments. By ending or reducing AutoPay discounts on credit cards, the companies are trying to save a few bucks. However, this change may annoy a few AT&T and T-Mobile customers as some credit card operators offer additional benefits such as phone insurance if they pay their phone bill every month with their cards. Note that Verizon still offers AutoPay discounts on its Verizon Visa credit card.
There are several folks who like to have their photos and videos backed up to Googles servers. However, not everyone does. Well, Google Photos has a new banner prompting people to back up their photos, according to Android Police.

In case you dont know what backing up your photos does, heres a quick rundown. If youre looking to back up your files, youll select which folder you want to back up. After that, every photo or video you add to that folder will be uploaded to Googles servers.

When that happens, youll be able to access that photo or video from the Google Photos app on any device regardless if you took the picture on that device. You can even see it on the Google Photos website in your browser.

Just know that this is an automatic process that takes place in the background. Youll want to be careful of what you take a picture of, as it will be uploaded.

Google Photos has a new banner telling you to back up your photos

If you dont back up your photos on Google Photos, then youll see a persistent banner on the top of the UI prompting you to Unlock the power of Google Photos. When you tap on it, youll be taken to a page with a checklist on it.

The checklist will have three features to enable. The first one will back up your photos, the second will enable notifications, and the third will sign you into Google Photos. If you already have these enabled, then theyll show up as checkmarks.

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Of course, Google is marketing this as a way to get the most out of Google Photos. Most tech users know what they want and what they dont want. If they dont have notifications enabled, then they dont want them enabled. That also goes for backups.

However, the less tech-savvy individuals might not be as rebellious. All theyre seeing is a way to make their experience more powerful. Theyre more likely to sign on without giving it a second thought. So, this could be the audience that Google is targeting. In any case, if youre not backing up your photos, get ready to be annoyed.
The Microsoft merger saga turns another page as the companys proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has now been extended. Microsoft will now have until October to finalize the Activision Blizzard merger.

The deal, which is worth a whopping $68.7 billion, initially had to be completed by July 18. But following last weeks denial of the FTCs request for appeal on the preliminary injunction case, Microsoft and the UKs CMA agreed to pause their ongoing legal battle and revisit terms. The CMA said it would agree to further discussions with Microsoft. To see if an agreement could be reached that would satisfy both parties. Initially the CMA disapproved of the acquisition. But its now willing to open up talks again to see if things cant be restructured in a way that not only benefits Microsoft but addresses its concerns.

The CMA also said that extending the deal might open Microsofts deal up to another investigation. While theres no word on that currently, the deals finalization date is being pushed out. This gives Microsoft even more time to iron out any wrinkles. And perhaps get the CMA to a place where it reverses its decision to block the deal. Amidst these changes, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer says hes optimistic about the deal being approved. A sentiment that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has shared numerous times over the past year.

The Microsoft Activision merger deadline is now October 18

With the deal now pushed out to October 18, a few other details have been changed up as well. Microsoft doesnt just have more time to finalize the deal. Its also increasing the breakup fee if the deal falls through or if either it or Activision decide to walk away.

If the deal isnt finalized by August 29, the fee is increased to $3.5 billion. And if it isnt finalized by September 15, then the fee is increased to $4.5 billion, The Verge reports. Granted, that fee is simply there as a means to ensure Activision gets something if things dont work out. But it certainly wants the acquisition to happen.

And Microsoft appears to be pulling out all the stops to get things done. According to the report, Microsoft is tinkering with the idea of selling off cloud rights in the UK to get the deal approved.
Last year, Netflix unveiled a cheaper ad-supported tier in order to get more people onto its platform. This one shared most features with its basic $10 ad-free tier, and it shaved a few bucks off of the monthly bill. Well, it looks like Netflix dropped its basic ad-free plan in the US and the UK, according to Engadget.

This pretty much came out of nowhere. Netflix quietly plucked the tier from its Canadian audience not too long ago. There was no announcement beforehand. Canadian users just logged on to see that there were only three payment options again.

Netflix dropped its basic ad-free plan in the US and UK

This is both surprising and not. Netflix gave no heads-up before getting rid of the plan. We just log on and Poof, its gone. Were not sure if the company is going to do this in more markets.

However, we shouldnt be too shocked about this, according to the companys recent behavior. Netflix has been heavily pushing its ad-supported tier, as we should expect. But, while pushing the ad-supported tier into the spotlight, its been pushing the ad-free plan into the shadows. Cord Busters notes that its been pretty much making the basic plan invisible while signing up.

Now that its gone, what if you already have the plan? Well, you dont need to worry. Netflix isnt going to switch you to a different plan. Youll retain your membership until you switch to another one. After that, if you want to switch back to the basic plan, then you wont be able to.

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So, youll keep the plan as long as you want to. However, dont be surprised if, a few years down the road, the company forces you to switch.

This could be hinting at something worse

Now, this is just speculation, so youll want to take it with a grain of salt. Offering plans at a cheaper cost just isnt profitable, even if there are ads. We can bet that Netflix is operating at a loss with its as-supported plan. If thats the case, then it wont sustain forever.

In that case, whats to happen? A price hike. However, hiking that plans price would make it conflict with the basic ad-free plan. So, whats Netflix to do? Get rid of the basic ad-free plan.

If that happens, then Netflix will have a plan that costs as much (or almost as much) as the basic ad-free plan, but with ads for extra revenue. Again, this is only speculation; lets just hope that it stays speculation.
After initially snubbing Samsung, Tesla has reportedly returned to the Korean firm to manufacture its next-gen Full Self-Driving (FSD) chips, at least a portion of it. The Texas-based EV (electric vehicle) company had previously chosen TSMC as the sole manufacturer of the Hardware 5 (HW 5.0) auto chips.

According to The Korea Economic Daily, this change of wind came after Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong met Tesla CEO Elon Musk in May. The duo discussed ways to strengthen their tech alliance during the meeting at the Samsung research center in Silicon Valley, San Jose. Lee offered to co-develop chips for fully autonomous vehicles and reportedly pitched favorable contract prices for manufacturing Teslas chips. Musk seemingly could not refuse the offer.

This wouldnt be the first time Samsung would be manufacturing chips for Tesla. The Korean firm supplied FSD chips for its Model 3, Model 5, Model X, and Model Y cars in the past. But in December last year, Tesla decided to snub its long-time partner and switched to TSMC to manufacture its next-gen FSD chips. Samsungs poor 4nm yields were said to be the reason behind this decision from the EV company.

However, Samsung has significantly improved its yield rates in recent months. Its 4nm yields are now on par with that of TSMC, while its 3nm yields have surpassed the Taiwanese firm. As such, Tesla has changed its mind and returned to Samsung. It plans to use Samsung-made 4nm HW 5.0 chips in its Level 5 autonomous driving vehicles, which should enter mass production three to four years from now.

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Tesla is reportedly considering splitting the manufacturing of the next-gen auto chips between Samsung and TSMC. But it hasnt completely ruled out the possibility of completely switching from TSMC to Samsung. Splitting next-generation chip production between the two is more likely though, said an industry official familiar with the matter. The chips are expected to enter production next year, so Tesla still has time to decide.

Samsung will also manufacture self-driving chips for other companies

Along with Tesla, Samsung will also manufacture self-driving chips for Ambarella and Mobileye Global. The former is a fabless semiconductor design company, whereas the latter is an autonomous driving tech affiliate of Intel. To fulfill these orders, the Korean firm has significantly increased its foundry capacity at its Pyeongtack plant in Korea. It will also begin operations at its upcoming chip factory in Taylor, Texas by the end of 2024. Samsung expects its global contract chip manufacturing capacity to triple between 2022 and 2027.
In this day and age, where nearly every new appliance or electronic device is connected to the internet, and hackers are on the lookout to gain unauthorized access to your accounts and data, selecting a device with robust cybersecurity measures is paramount. Now, in a bid to bolster security for IoT devices, the Biden administration has launched a new initiative called the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, which aims to help consumers choose the right smart appliances and fitness trackers that are relatively secure from cyberattacks.

Inspired by the Energy Star program, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark will operate as a voluntary labeling system featuring a distinctive shield logo on products that meet stringent cybersecurity criteria. Additionally, several major players, including Amazon, Best Buy, Google, LG Electronics U.S.A., Logitech, and Samsung, have already pledged their support for the initiative.

How does the system work?

The Biden administration has tasked the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop the necessary cybersecurity standards, ensuring that certified IoT devices adhere to the highest security benchmarks. And although not finalized yet, the requirements could reportedly include strong default passwords, comprehensive data protection for stored and transmitted information, regular security updates, and the inclusion of incident detection capabilities.

Furthermore, approved devices will feature a QR code that provides up-to-date information on various cybersecurity aspects, such as software updating policies, data encryption standards, and vulnerability remediation. To further raise awareness, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will also educate consumers about the significance of the label and encourage retailers to prioritize labeled products.

However, it is important to note that the system will initially focus on developing cybersecurity standards for high-risk consumer-grade routers. This focus is due to malicious actors targeting these routers to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and gain unauthorized access.

Although the FCC is currently in the process of applying for a national trademark for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, the government plans to launch the official program in 2024.
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - Italy's Antitrust authority has opened an investigation into eight fuel companies over an alleged cartel linked to their biofuel blending obligations, Staffetta Quotidiana reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper dedicated to energy said Eni, Esso Italiana, Saras, Kuwait Petroleum Italia, Tamoil Italia, Repsol Italia, Italiana Petroli and Iplom are being probed for allegedly fixing biofuel prices through a system of public announcements published in Staffetta Quotidiana itself.

On Wednesday the competition watchdog reportedly carried out inspections at the newspaper's offices and those of the oil companies to ascertain a possible breach of European Union rules regulating commercial practices that prevent, restrict or distort competition.

Photo: President of Italy's Antitrust authority Roberto Rustichelli. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - The news of Patrick Zaki's presidential pardon in Egypt is a "great joy for Bologna", mayor Matteo Lepore said on Wednesday.

"It is a great joy for Bologna, I hope it means embracing him soon and having him back in the city," said Lepore of the Bologna University alumnus who was sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly spreading fake news by a Mansoura court on Tuesday before being pardoned.

The mayor also thanked "all the activists who have worked for Patrick Zaki: Amnesty, the rector, Professor Rita Monticelli, the successive governments and also this last government, which has dialogued with Egypt".

"I will stop here for now; we are waiting for more news and we hope that Patrick can leave the country so we can have him here, I want to repeat that it is a great joy for Bologna," he concluded.

Bologna university rector Giovanni Molari said the news of the presidential pardon "fills us with joy".

"After yesterday's anguish, it is a moment of unexpected relief and great happiness for the entire Alma Mater. We hope this is the end of more than three years of waiting and disappointed hopes," he added.

"We are waiting to know the details, but we are confident that the moment we have been waiting for for so long will soon arrive: to welcome Patrick back to Bologna, to his university, and to give him a big graduation party that will ideally be a party for the whole city and the whole country," Molari said.

Earlier this month Zaki obtained a masters degree in women's and gender studies from Bologna University with the maximum grade of 110 with distinction, defending his thesis via video link after the authorities in his homeland refused permission for him to present it in person.

He was arrested at Cairo airport in February 2020 and held in pre-trial detention for 22 months until December 2021, when he was released but put on trial on separate charges and banned from leaving the country.

Bologna Archbishop Cardinal Matteo Zuppi also expressed his joy "for the announced forthcoming release of the young man".

Zuppi, who is currently visiting Washington as the Pope's envoy on Ukraine, said he hoped to be able to meet Zaki soon "to rejoice with him and share faith and hope". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - The Egyptian researcher, human rights activist and Bologna university alumnus Patrick Zaki has been granted a presidential pardon, the Egyptian authorities said on Wednesday.

"President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (...) uses his constitutional powers and issues a presidential decree granting pardons to a group of people against whom judicial sentences have been passed, including Patrick Zaki and Mohamed El-Baqer, in response to the appeal from the Council of Secretaries of National Dialogue and political forces," a member of Egypt's Presidential Pardon Committee, Mohamad Abdelaziz, wrote on Facebook.

On Tuesday a Mansoura court sentenced Zaki to three years in prison for allegedly spreading fake news.

Following the ruling, the 22-year-old researcher faced a further 14 months in jail having already spent 22 months in pre-trial detention following his arrest at Cairo airport February 2020 while returning to Egypt from Italy to visit family on separate charges of subversive propaganda connected to some Facebook posts.

Zaki was released from custody in December 2021 but subsequently put on trial for allegedly spreading fake news in relation to three articles on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and he was banned from leaving the country.

Earlier this month Zaki obtained a masters degree in women's and gender studies from Bologna University with the maximum grade of 110 with distinction, defending his thesis via video link after the authorities in his homeland refused permission for him to present it in person. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - "Tomorrow Patrick Zaki will be in Italy and I wish him from the bottom of my heart a life of serenity and success," Premier Giorgia Meloni said in a video message on Wednesday evening.

"Zaki today received a pardon from the Egyptian President, and I want to thank President Al Sisi for this very important gesture," said Meloni.

"Ever since our first meeting last November, I have never stopped raising the issue, and I have always found him to be attentive and helpful. And I want to thank the intelligence (services) and diplomats, both Italian and Egyptian, who in recent months have never stopped working to achieve the desired solution," she added. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - The release of Patrick Zaki "is expected in the next few hours", one of the lawyers acting for the pardoned Egyptian researcher and human rights activist told ANSA on Wednesday.

"His mother and uncle have gone to the police station in New Mansoura to await his release. God willing, he will be home as early as today," said Samweil Tharwat.

Separately, an Egyptian source informed about the judicial procedures in Egypt told ANSA that in order to be removed from the list of people banned from leaving the country Zaki "must bring his case before the court of assizes".

The travel ban can only be lifted "by virtue of a court ruling", the source said. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - Italy made a decisive contribution to the presidential pardon of Patrick Zaki in Egypt, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday.

"Egyptian President al-Sisi has granted Patrick Zaki a pardon.

Thanks to the government's foreign policy we have made a decisive contribution to freeing this young student. Hard work and international credibility lead to concrete results," tweeted Tajani. (ANSA).


China's ice cream industry sees robust development

People's Daily Online) 11:05, July 19, 2023

China's ice cream industry has witnessed a rapid development rarely seen for years in this searing summer.

Statistics show that there are 28,800 ice cream-related enterprises in China in 2023. According to the analysis of many market research institutions, the annual production and sales of China's ice cream market has exceeded 160 billion yuan ($22.25 billion), and the revenue of enterprises of the industry has increased.

Photo taken on April 14, 2022 shows a tourist displaying her choice of ice cream at Gulandam ice cream shop in Yining city, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Wang Zhihua)

Zhang Xiaohong, an executive of an expo on ice cream and processing techniques, said that leading enterprises have seen robust development. From 2020 to 2022, the revenue of the ice cream business of China's dairy giant Yili Group grew from 6.16 billion yuan to 9.57 billion yuan, and that of Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Co., Ltd. increased from 2.7 billion yuan to over 5.65 billion yuan. Both enterprises experienced a year-on-year growth of more than 33 percent in 2022.

Domestic and international brands have joined the fierce competition of China's ice cream market, rolling out products with various flavors and ingredients to cater to the different tastes of consumers, such as the ones with less fat, sugar, or higher protein. They also explored both online and offline sales channels and launched online promotional activities. With the help of improved cold-chain logistics and transportation networks, online sales of ice cream have surged.

Zhongxuegao, a Chinese ice cream brand also known as Chicecream, is considered high-end Chinese-style ice cream. It launched a series of popsicles developed by artificial intelligence this year. Priced at 3.5 yuan, the new product targets the middle and low-end market, and is only sold in offline channels. Since it entered the market in April, nearly 20 million such popsicles have been sold.

An ice cream store in north China's Tianjin Municipality, for instance, sells dozens of ice cream products, with 80 percent of the products priced below 6 yuan, and offers a discount of from 10 percent to 20 percent to customers who buy at least 10. The manager said that the promotion helped increase the sales of products priced at around 10 yuan.

"The trend of consumption has shifted from simply purchasing products to gaining a better shopping experience and satisfaction," said Zhao Guorui, a food expert. Zhao added that today's consumers care more about costs, ingredients, and the nutritional value of the products.

Last year, the consumers' associations of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province, together with the Beijing Sunshine Consumption Big Data Research Institute, tested the level of protein, fat, energy, carbohydrates, and the total number of bacterial colonies of 36 ice cream products in the market. And the results showed that the nutritional and microbial indicators of all of the samples met the standard requirements.

"That's really good news, and the data are reliable," said a net user in north China's Liaoning Province. Through the test, consumers felt that they were respected, and gained relevant knowledge.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
(see related) (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - "If yesterday was a catastrophic day, today is a day of happiness," said Amnesty International Italia on learning of the presidential pardon granted to Patrick Zaki in Egypt on Wednesday.

"It is important for Patrick to be free again. If this measure does not provide for it, we hope that the travel ban will also be lifted," said Amnesty International Italia spokesperson Riccardo Noury. (ANSA).


(see related) (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - The whole nation is paying homage to anti-mafia prosecutor Paolo Borsellino and the five members of his security detail murdered in the 1992 Via D'Amelio bombing, President Sergio Mattarella said on Wednesday, the 31st anniversary of the Cosa Nostra attack.

"On the anniversary of the Via D'Amelio massacre, the Republic bows to the memory of Paolo Borsellino, a magistrate of extraordinary valour and courage, and the agents of his security escort - Emanuela Loi, Agostino Catalano, Vincenzo Li Muli, Walter Eddie Cosina, Claudio Traina - who died with him in the service of democratic institutions," Mattarella said in a statement.

"That barbaric massacre, carried out with inhuman ferocity, hit the entire Italian population and remains indelible in our collective civil conscience". He paid tribute to how Borsellino and his friend and colleague Giovanni Falcone, who was murdered two months earlier, had proven that the mafia existed and shown that it "could be defeated.

"Their example invites us to overcome indifference and combat the grey areas of of complicity with the same firmness with which illegality is fought," the head of State said. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 19 - Premier Giorgia Meloni was in Palermo on Wednesday to pay tribute on the 31st anniversary of the Via d'Amelio Cosa Nostra bombing in which anti-mafia magistrate Paolo Borsellino and five members of his security detail were murdered.

Emanuela Loi, Agostino Catalano, Vincenzo Li Muli, Walter Eddie Cosina, and Claudio Traina were the names of the bodyguards.

The premier took part in a commemoration ceremony at the Palermo's Lungaro police barracks, met Chief of Police Vittorio Pisani and had an encounter with Manfredi Borsellino, the slain prosecutor's police officer son.

She then went to the Sicilian city's Santa Maria di Gesu cemetery to pay homage at the Borsellino family tomb.

"The fight against the Mafia is part of us, it is a fundamental piece of our identity, it is the moral question that guides what we do every day," Meloni said in a letter to Wednesday's edition of Il Corriere della Sera.

In the letter she described as "sickening" criticism of her failure to take part in the traditional torchlight procession in Palermo to mark the anniversary.

She said other commitments made it impossible for her to attend, adding that "I have always proudly taken part" in the procession in the past.

The leader of the centre-left opposition Democratic Party (Pd) Elly Schlein is also in Palermo on Wednesday for separate events marking the anniversary.

The Via d'Amelio attack took place just two months after the Mafia assassination of Borsellino's friend and colleague Giovanni Falcone, as well as his wife Francesca Morvillo and police officers Rocco Dicillo, Antonio Montinaro and Vito Schifani by a huge bomb detonated under their cars on the Palermo-airport highway. (ANSA).


The DNA of a man accused of inappropriately touching a murdered teenagers body instead of alerting police may have been present on her body before her death, a forensic biologist has said.

Stephen Corrigan, 45, is on trial accused of discovering Amber Gibsons body between November 26 and 28 last year but instead of alerting police, he is alleged to have inappropriately touched and concealed her body.

The 16-year-olds body was discovered on November 28 2021 at Cadzow Glen in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

Her brother, Connor, is also on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of murdering and sexually assaulting Ms Gibson, who was also known by the surname Niven.

A police scene at Cadzow Glen park in Hamilton where the body of Amber Gibson was discovered (Lucinda Cameron/PA)

Corrigans defence agent, Rhonda Anderson, cross-examined forensic biologist Alana Gunn on Wednesday.

The court had previously heard from Ms Gunn that Corrigans DNA was widespread on Ambers body, spanning 39 areas, including her buttocks, breasts and pubic area, with the forensic biologist estimating it came from direct contact.

However, following questioning from Ms Anderson, Ms Gunn said she could not exclude the possibility that his DNA was on the teenagers body by secondary transfer.

Ms Anderson put to Ms Gunn, if Ms Gibson had slept naked inside a sleeping bag that had Corrigans DNA on it before her death, that could account for why his DNA was on her body.

Ms Gunn replied: If there was a significant amount of DNA in the sleeping bag then I couldnt exclude that, no.

Ms Anderson said: As I understand it, your position from your evidence is that it could be that Stephen Corrigans DNA deposited on Ms Nivens body could have been deposited before she went to the park (Cadzow Glen).

Should the ladies and gentlemen on the jury understand that you are unable to exclude that his DNA was deposited on Amber Nivens body before she went to the park and before she died?

Ms Gunn replied: We cannot tell you exactly what time the DNA was deposited, before adding evidence did not say whether it existed on her body before or after her death.

Both Corrigan and Gibson deny all charges against them, with Ms Anderson lodging a special defence of alibi on her clients behalf.

Gibson is also accused of removing his sisters clothes and repeatedly inflicting blunt force trauma to her head and body on November 26 2021.

Prosecutors allege he compressed the 16-year-olds neck with his hands and strangled her with the intention to rape her.

Her faces further charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of bloodstained clothes and calling the childrens home where his sister lived and pretending she was alive.

He also faces a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice by telling police he had argued with his sister on the evening of November 26 before going to someones home.

The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.
Areas with fewer trees and green spaces are up to 5C warmer during the UKs hottest days, analysis suggests.

New heat maps show the temperature variation in five English cities  London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Newcastle  during the UKs hottest day on record a year ago  July 19 2022.

The analysis, from mapping experts TerraSulis and environmental group Friends Of The Earth (FOE), found that neighbourhoods with higher levels of tree cover, green space or both were much cooler than those without.

It is the first time research on the cooling abilities of green spaces and trees in built-up areas has been modelled, according to FOE  with maps showing the hottest areas appearing in dark red and the coolest, most nature-dense in light blue.

London (TerraSulis/Friends of the Earth/PA)

The analysis also found that people of colour make up 65% of the population in neighbourhoods with the least cooling, demonstrating how marginalised communities can be the most affected by the climate crisis in the UK.

People living on lower incomes are also disproportionately affected by a lack of cooling near their homes while air pollution is worse in the hottest areas.

Recent years have seen an increase in initiatives and funding to improve green spaces in urban areas, like the Governments Levelling Up Parks Fund, London Mayor Sadiq Khans push for more urban greening and Birminghams plan to double green spaces by 2040.

But last month, the Climate Change Committees annual report to Parliament warned of the Governments worryingly slow progress on tackling climate change.

Birmingham (TerraSulis/Friends of the Earth/PA)

Hot weather puts older people, very young children and those with pre-existing medical conditions particularly at risk.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, 2,803 excess deaths occurred during the summer of 2022.

Chris Kilby, 70, an FOE Hackney and Tower Hamlets member, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, said: When the weather is extremely hot, it completely knocks me sideways.

Bristol (TerraSulis/Friends of the Earth/PA)

Last year, I believed I had overcome the worst of it, but this years hot weather has made it nearly impossible for me to leave my house.

Even little things like doing my regular exercises on my balcony have become really difficult.

Rowha Mohid, founder of GuiltlessThreads, a social impact company that runs events like workshops for communities of colour on addressing eco-anxiety, said: Historically, people living in low-income, urban areas have had to suffer from soaring pollution levels due to badly regulated factories and roads.

Now, we are being robbed of green spaces by luxury developments that do nothing to benefit the people living in our communities.

Manchester (TerraSulis/Friends of the Earth/PA)

As we experience more extreme heat during summers, people have nowhere cool to shelter, which leaves the most vulnerable at risk of serious health complications. Working-class communities have as much of a right to clean air, green space and a healthy environment as wealthy ones.

FOE is urging the Government and local authorities to commit to no less than 20% tree cover across urban areas as part of the Governments upcoming Urban Trees Standard.

It is calling for more than 3,000 of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods to be prioritised as part of a council-led, street-by-street insulation programme to help keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter.

Newcastle upon Tyne (TerraSulis/Friends of the Earth/PA)

It also wants Londons Ulez expansion plans rolled out as well as Clean Air Zones in cities around the country.

Mike Childs, FOEs head of science, policy and research, said: Its remarkable to see such a striking visual representation of the cooling power of trees and green spaces in our towns and cities.

We know that extreme weather, including heatwaves, is become more frequent and severe due to the climate crisis. But not everyone is affected equally, with the most marginalised communities the hardest hit in the UK and overseas.

Boosting tree numbers is such a clear win for our communities and our planet, not just because of their ability to cool urban areas, but because they capture planet-warming carbon too.

The PA news agency has contacted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Local Government Association for comment.
A statue of wartime codebreaker Alan Turing should be placed on Trafalgar Squares Fourth Plinth, outgoing Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has suggested.

The plinth currently has no permanent display, and the London mayors Fourth Plinth Commission uses it to showcase temporary artistic installations.

Mr Wallace described Dr Turing as probably the greatest war hero of the Second World War, adding it would be the greatest tribute to the success of someone from the LGBT community.

Although Mr Wallace said Parliament Square rather than Trafalgar Square, a fellow Tory MP suggested he was referring to the latter, based on the context of his wider remarks.

The Defence Secretary was speaking in the Commons as he updated MPs on the Government response to an independent review of the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served in the armed forces between 1967 and 2000 under the ban on homosexuality in the military.

Mr Wallace said: There is no barrier to the success of gay men and women and what they can achieve in this world.

Dr Turing was probably the greatest war hero, in my book, of the Second World War. His achievements shortened the war, saved thousands of lives, helped defeat the Nazis.

And his story is a sad story of a society and how it treated him.

He added: If I think what the plinth at Parliament Square should be full of, the blank plinth, (with) the mayors gimmicks or whatever it is every other five minutes, it should be Dr Turing.

Ben Wallace (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

That would be the greatest tribute to the success of someone from the LGBT community and what they have done in this world.

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall (Totnes) said: I absolutely support the Defence Secretarys campaign to put up a statue of Dr Turing in Trafalgar Square, if thats what hes launching.

Mr Wallace joined Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in apologising for the way LGBT people were treated historically in the armed forces, and was praised across the House for the tone of his statement.

The Defence Secretary said: The part of the report that talks about institutional homophobia is true. You read it. I was part of that Army.

I was determined to give this statement today rather than my excellent colleague because I wanted to recognise I have been part of that thinking that I deeply regret.

He added later in response to another question: If I think of my own experience, being friends with, getting to know men and women from the gay community  which I didnt really in my childhood and certainly in my service, because it was never talked about  is what has brought me to a position where I regret voting against gay marriage.
Prime minister Tony Blair was urged not to snuff out Ukraines aspirations to join the EU amid hopes that it could form a formidable barrier to Russian expansionism, according to newly released official papers.

Files from the early 2000s released to the National Archives in Kew show UK officials found the Ukrainians were desperate to realise their European vocation but were depressed at the way they were rubbished in the West.

In what now seems like a highly prescient warning, the Ukrainians expressed concern that the US and the Europeans had too rosy a view of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

In September, Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma wrote directly to Mr Blair appealing for his support in achieving their long-term goal of full-scale European and Euro-Atlantic integration, including the full-fledged EU membership.

In a handwritten postscript, he added: Knowing you as a sincere friend of Ukraine, I pin great hopes on your personal support in this exceptionally important issue!

Roger Liddle, Mr Blairs main adviser on the issue, acknowledged that immediate membership of the EU or Nato was not on the cards, but urged the prime minister to engage.

The Ukrainians want to build a special relationship with us, if only we would show more interest, he wrote following talks in Crimea in July 2001.

Strengthening Ukraines shaky democracy and economy increases stability on the EUs future eastern borders and acts as a formidable barrier to any resurgence of Russian imperialism to the west.

At a follow-up meeting at Chevening in December, Mr Liddle found the delegation from Kyiv in downbeat mood at their treatment by the West.

The main Ukrainian pitch is to be given associate membership of the EU, he said.

The Ukrainians are depressed however that most of Europe and the new US administration is running them down.

We have too rosy a view of Putin (who according to them is a clever, presentable power politician, but no democratic hero). And we rubbish Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Britains ambassador to Kyiv, Roland Smith, expressed concern about a proposal by foreign secretary Jack Straw for the EU to offer Ukraine  along with Belarus and Moldova  special neighbour status.

He said the way the proposition was formulated appeared designed to deny them the right to aspire to full EU membership and he questioned why the prospect was being kept open for countries such as Bulgaria and Romania  which had not yet joined  but not Kyiv.

Because the Ukrainians are not really Europeans? Because countries which were part of the Soviet Union for longer than the Baltic States were incurably infected with the Soviet mentality? Because Ukraine is simply too big? Because really we think that Ukraine ought to go back to Russia where she belongs? he asked.

It could sound as though the ultimate eastern boundary of the EU is finally being fixed and special neighbour status is for those on the wrong side.
A man who filmed himself speeding at 123mph as he weaved between motorway traffic has been jailed for 12 years after killing a pregnant mother-of-two in a road smash.

Adil Iqbal, 22, was driving with one hand and holding his phone with the other to film himself, possibly to upload to Facebook, as he tailgated and undertook other vehicles and swerved across lanes, reaching 123mph in his fathers BMW car on the M66 in Bury, Greater Manchester, on May 13 this year.

Frankie Jules-Hough, 38, had pulled over on the hard shoulder with a tyre puncture, with her two sons and nephew in the car, and was making a call to say she would be late when she let out a blood-curdling scream, Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester heard.

Iqbals BMW 140i undertook a motorbike then swerved, over compensated and hit a crash barrier before spinning around and ploughing into Ms Jules-Houghs Skoda Fabia at an estimated 92mph.

Solicitors Rose Gibson, left, and Polly Herbert (right), read a statement outside Minshull Street Crown Court after Adil Iqbal was jailed for 12 years (Danny Lawson/PA)

Ms Jules-Hough, 17 weeks pregnant with her first daughter, Neeve, suffered unsurvivable brain injuries. Her daughter died with her when she passed away two days later in hospital surrounded by her family, having never regained consciousness.

Her son, Thomas Spencer, nine, and nephew Tobias Welby were left in a coma suffering serious brain injuries and their long-term outcomes remain uncertain, the court heard.

Both spent weeks in intensive care.

Ms Jules-Hough was on the phone to Thomass father who, along with other family, dashed to the scene of the mangled car wreck as emergency services and air ambulances descended.

Dashcam footage and footage from Iqbals phone was shown to the court, watched by relatives of Ms Jules-Hough, some of whom gave heart-rending victim impact statements before the defendant was jailed.

Iqbal, from Accrington, Lancashire, admitted two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of causing death by dangerous driving.

Passing sentence, Judge Maurice Greene told him: She was killed as a result of the most indescribable reckless driving by you, Adil Iqbal, leading to the devastation of a family.

Earlier, the court was told Iqbal was convicted of driving without insurance in 2019 and in December 2021 posted a video to Facebook after filming himself speeding in a Lamborghini Huracan in Dubai.

Two months before the deadly crash, he was given a warning by police after being stopped while racing an Audi car on public roads.

On the day of the smash, other drivers dashcam footage caught Iqbal aggressively tailgating and undertaking on an A road leading to the motorway, with his car fish-tailing and swerving.

Motorist Johnathan Hoyle, who saw Iqbal six minutes before the crash, thought he was an accident waiting to happen, the court was told.

Iqbal caused another driver, Sophie Dodswell, to scream out as he came within inches of her car at about 120mph.

Rob Hall, prosecuting, said Iqbal was filming himself at the time, adding: It may have been his intention to upload this video to Facebook as well.

In the seconds before the collision, the dash of the BMW shows approximate speeds of 107mph, up to 123mph, which shows more than once.

Mr Hall said Iqbal dropped his phone as he lost control of the car and hit Ms Jules-Houghs car.

Seconds before, Tom Spencer, Thomass father, took the call from her to say she would be late.

He told the court in a statement: Hi, Tom, I heard Frankie say before she let out the most blood-curdling scream. Next the impact and then silence.

After a few moments, I could hear people trying to help. I heard a man say, Were not supposed to move bodies.

Mr Spencer, who drove to the scene, added: Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.

His son was limp and lifeless and he told him: Daddy is here, mate. Please come back to me.

Ms Jules-Houghs partner, Calvin Buckley, the father of unborn Neeve, arrived to find her lying unconscious and badly injured.

She was taken to hospital along with Thomas and Tobias. Her youngest son, Rocky, two, who was also in the car, was relatively unscathed.

Mr Buckley said in a victim impact statement: What I witnessed that day, that weekend, those hours of desperation, those minutes praying for a miracle or those seconds watching my partner take her last breaths, will stay with me for a lifetime.

Frank Hough, Ms Jules-Houghs father, said his family has been devastated all because a young man wanted to show off, wanted to show his friends on social media how daring and cool he thought he was.

Our worlds have been torn apart and for what? So this boy could try to make himself feel like a big man.

Iqbal was also banned from driving for 14 years.
Oil giant BP has been fined 650,000 over health and safety failings after a worker fell through an open grating on an offshore platform into the sea and died.

Sean Anderson, 43, sustained fatal injuries when he fell through the grating on the lower deck of BPs Unity installation on September 4 2014.

BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd was found guilty of a health and safety breach at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on July 14 following an eight-day trial.

During the trial, the prosecutor led evidence showing that the company had failed to have suitable and sufficient control measures in place in respect of open gratings on the lower deck.

Sean Anderson died in September 2014 (Police Scotland/PA)

Speaking after the sentencing, Debbie Carroll, who leads on health and safety investigations for the COPFS (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service), said: Sean Andersons death was entirely foreseeable and could have been avoided if BP had taken all reasonably practicable precautions.

His death and the risk of fatal injury to which others were exposed cannot be understated.

There were serious deficiencies in the safety arrangements adopted around the management of open gratings which BP should have identified.

BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd could have done more to address the risks which is shown by the post-incident changes in procedures.

Our thoughts are with Mr Andersons family at this time.

Mr Anderson was part of a team carrying out routine maintenance on BPs Unity platform which was about 97 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.

He was from the Tyne and Wear area and was employed by the industrial services firm Cape.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: BP failed in their duty to have suitable and sufficient control measures in place in respect to open gratings on the platform.

Ultimately these failures resulted in Mr Andersons death.

Our thoughts remain with Mr Andersons family and friends.

A BP spokeswoman said: We acknowledge the outcome of the court proceedings.

This was a tragic incident. While we know nothing can be said to change the pain felt by Sean Andersons family and friends, our deepest condolences remain firmly with them to this day.
A man accused of murdering his teenage sister had abrasions on his knuckles which could have occurred on the night he allegedly killed her, a court has heard.

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow were shown photographs taken by forensic medical examiner Dr Shona Anderson, who examined the injuries of Connor Gibson, 20, following the discovery of his sister Ambers body at Cadzow Glen, Hamilton, on November 28, 2021.

Gibson, who also goes by the surname Niven, is accused of assaulting and sexually assaulting his sister Amber, 16, and repeatedly inflicting blunt force trauma to her head and body in November 2021.

Dr Anderson told the court that Gibson had abrasions and scratches on his legs, elbow area and knuckles which could suggest Friday November 26  the date Ms Gibson was last seen alive  would fit as a possible timeframe for when they were sustained.

She said: Yes, these injuries could have occurred on the Friday night.

The scene at Cadzow Glen park in Hamilton where the body of Amber Gibson was discovered (Lucinda Cameron/PA)

Prosecutor Richard Goddard asked if the bruises could have been caused by the knuckles coming into contact with a rough surface or punching something.

Dr Anderson said: Yes, it could have been caused by these mechanisms.

Jurors heard from Peter Benson, of Police Scotlands cyber crime group. He examined a phone found at the Blue Triangle housing unit in Hamilton where Gibson had been living.

It showed on November 27 at about 12.34am, the phones user wrote to a Snapchat group with five recipients: Im really going to need you guys help with something when yous come back. Im being serious.

The court saw evidence that about 40 seconds later the user messaged Amber Gibson on the app: Are you ok?

The user then told the group chat at approximately 1.33am: nvm (never mind) its all good.

Search history obtained from the phone also showed the user searched How to get nosy police officers to stop monitoring your phone at 11.38pm.

Gibson is accused of compressing Ambers neck with his hands and strangling her with the intention to rape her.

He faces further charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of bloodstained clothing and calling the childrens home where his sister lived and pretending she was alive as well as telling police he had argued with his sister on November 26 before going to someones home.

A second man, Stephen Corrigan, 45, is on trial accused of discovering the teenagers body between November 26 and 28 last year but instead of alerting police, he is alleged to have inappropriately touched and concealed her body.

Both men deny all charges against them, with defence agent Rhonda Anderson lodging a special defence of alibi on her clients behalf.

The court heard from forensic biologist Alana Gunn who, while being cross-examined by Ms Anderson, said his widespread DNA could have been present on her body prior to her death.

Ms Anderson said: As I understand it, your position from your evidence is that it could be that Stephen Corrigans DNA deposited on Ms Nivens body could have been deposited before she went to the park (Cadzow Glen).

Should the ladies and gentlemen on the jury understand that you are unable to exclude that his DNA was deposited on Amber Nivens body before she went to the park and before she died?

Ms Gunn replied: We cannot tell you exactly what time the DNA was deposited, before adding evidence did not say whether it existed on her body before or after her death.

Mr Goddard put it to Ms Gunn that Corrigans DNA was a major contributor on multiple parts of the teenagers body, including her buttocks and breasts, while a significant amount of Corrigans DNA would need to be present on the sleeping back for this to be explained as transferring onto this much of her body.

Ms Gunn said: There would have to have been a very large amount of DNA or body fluid to subsequently transfer on Amber Gibsons unclothed body.

The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.
Islanders have launched a campaign to explore the possibility of building tunnels to link two isles to the Shetland mainland.

The Yell and Unst Tunnel Action Groups believe building sub-sea links could help boost economic prosperity in the islands and reduce reliance on ferry services.

The groups have already secured more than 100,000 to launch the project and want to raise additional funds to commission geo-technical investigations as well as socio-economic and environmental impact studies.

Graham Hughson, Yell Tunnel Action Group (YTAG) chairman, said: This project seeks to lay the foundations for the tunnel infrastructure which, if successful, will breathe new life into the island communities, support economic and social development, and deliver a reliable, sustainable transport system for residents, businesses, and visitors.

Our first challenge is to demonstrate if this scheme is technically and economically achievable, and we are very grateful to Unst Spaceport and North Yell Development Council, each of whom have committed 50,000 to the project.

This financial support is a truly positive demonstration of how the islands business community view the potential connection of Unst and Yell to the Shetland mainland by subsea tunnels.

Today we are launching the campaign to add to this funding and take the critical first step in realising our vision for unrestricted travel to Yell and Unst.

By creating this permanent infrastructure, we can help the islands achieve their true potential, fostering economic prosperity, improving the quality of life for islanders, and promoting a sustainable future.

SaxaVord spaceport is taking shape on a remote peninsula in Unst and it is hoped it will host a sub-orbital rocket launch in October, with the first launch into space expected in April next year

Unst is connected to Yell and Yell to mainland Shetland by ferry, however the groups said the continued reliance on ferry services is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

They believe subsea tunnels would make the islands more accessible, irrespective of weather conditions.

Unst Tunnel Action Group (UTAG) chairman Alec Priest said: Space is often restricted for both commercial and passenger traffic at peak times, services are subject to suspension for weather, technical issues or crew availability, and running costs, maintenance, and replacement of vessels comes at an increasingly high price to the public purse.

The proposed subsea tunnels will not only mitigate these challenges but also provide a reliable and efficient transport solution that ensures uninterrupted connectivity, irrespective of weather conditions.

Additionally, this initiative will, in the long term, significantly reduce carbon emissions, promoting environmental sustainability and preserving the natural beauty of the islands.

Maggie Sandison, Shetland Islands Council chief executive, said: We meet with the action groups regularly and have discussed how we can make sure our work is complementary.

It is really positive that the private sector is engaging proactively in supporting the work of the council, and moving forward politically important projects.

Anyone wishing to donate to the project can do so at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/unst-yell-tunnel-action-groups-fundraiser-1
As Allied forces fought their way into Germany in the closing months of the Second World War, Winston Churchill was forced to take time off from directing Britains war effort to attend to a crucial matter  the appointment of a new provost of Eton College.

Official files newly released to the National Archives show how  in war and in peace  successive prime ministers were required to break off, at least briefly, from the other matters of the day to consider the administration of the UKs most exclusive public school.

Under Etons statute, the provost  who heads the board of governors known as the fellows  is appointed by the sovereign on the advice of the premier of the day.

So in October 1944, just than four months after the D-Day landings and less than a month after the failed operation by British airborne troops to secure the Rhine crossing at Arnhem, Churchill found himself presented with a dilemma closer to home  the shock resignation of the incumbent provost, Lord Quickswood.

Anthony Bevir, a No 10 official who advised on appointments, wrote: There is no precedent for a resignation of a provost within recent memory, except that of Dr Warre who was too old and ill, and the resignation had to be arranged by motion of the fellows and the visitor of college.

I have however discussed the matter with the authorities and it seems clear that the Kings permission is required though there need be no formal submission. May I therefore write to Sir Alan Lascelles (George VIs private secretary) and ask for the Kings approval?

That was not the end of it for the prime minister. It seems there was a plan to offer the post  which included a house in the college grounds  to Lord Gowrie, an old soldier and former governor of South Australia, but it had fallen through because he was not a graduate of Oxford or Cambridge.

The provost of Eton College is appointed on the advice of the prime minister (Matthew Fearn/PA)

In January 1945 amid continued heavy fighting in Europe and the Far East, Mr Bevir anxiously asked whether Churchill would be prepared to to allow the name of the vice provost Sir Henry Martens  a former tutor to the future Queen Elizabeth  to go forward instead?.

I think the governing body would take it hard if you pressed them to amend the statute in order to make Lord Gowrie provost, much though they must respect his character, he wrote.

It has always been an academic post till now and to put in a soldier at 72 when he is getting infirm and there is a good deal of business connected with the the estates and with the school which he would have to learn, would not, I feel sure, be at all well-received.

There was a further commotion in 1964, when The Sunday Telegraph reported that the then provost, Sir Claude Elliott, was resigning and that the permanent head of the Foreign Office, Sir Harold Caccia, was lined up to succeed him.

The No 10 appointments secretary John Hewitt informed prime minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home that he had sought to assure Sir Claude that the information had not leaked from Downing Street.

Sir Claude has written to say that he was greatly surprised and annoyed when he saw this article and he agrees that the information must clearly have come from someone who knows a great deal, although he can make no sort of guess as to who it was, he wrote.

Apparently alarmed, Sir Alec replied: Sir H Caccia mentioned it. However occurred to me that he wouldnt accept. Had I better see him?
A coroner has said a betting company failed to detect that a man who later took his own life was a problem gambler and that it has inadequate methods of protecting customers at risk of addiction.

Luke Ashton, from Leicester, died in April 2021, having racked up debts of 18,000, with a gambling disorder later ruled to have contributed to the father-of-twos death.

An inquest in June found that, despite his debts, the 40-year-old was not deemed by Betfair to be a problem gambler and the firm did not intervene or interact with Luke in any meaningful way, the coroner said.

Ivan Cartwright, the area coroner for Leicester City and South Leicestershire, has released a Prevention of Future Deaths report, in which he said that Betfair and its parent company, Flutter, did not take any measures to curb Mr Ashtons gambling.

He said: I remain concerned that the player protection tools, as mentioned above, were and are inadequate to protect a person such as Mr Ashton, who was a problem gambler with a worsening problem; specifically that such tools do not amount to any or any meaningful interaction with the gambler, or any intervention into the practices of the gambler.

I remain concerned that the algorithm devised and operated by Betfair to assist its staff in, amongst other things, observing and monitoring the gambling patterns and practices of its customers failed to flag up Mr Ashton as a problem gambler.

(This is) despite the increases in his time online (gambling), the value of his deposits and the size of his losses, in part because his gambling practices, even in the last 10-12 weeks of his life, were deemed not to be exceptional when averaged among gambling customers generally.

I remain concerned that, as was apparent through the evidence of a senior employee witness during the course of the inquest, the operator Betfair appears to judge the extent of its responsibilities to gambling customers solely with regard to industry (regulatory) standards, rather than current good or best practice in order to prevent further harming problem gamblers, or those who, as a result of their changing practices and patterns are likely to become problem gamblers.

Mr Ashtons inquest at Leicester Town Hall was believed to be the first in the UK in which a gambling company had been listed as an Interested Person in the proceedings.

It heard that he had become consumed by gambling in the last weeks of his life, with his activity on the Betfair exchange spiking.

He had been gambling more than 100 times a day, with his addiction described as pervasive by a medical expert.

This included while his wife Annie was asleep, but Mr Ashton made no disclosures about the toll it was taking on his mental health before taking his own life in South Yorkshire on April 22 2021.

Professor David Forrest, an expert in interpreting gambling records, told the hearing that Betfair failed to take adequate steps to intervene in Mr Ashtons gambling when it should have done so in response to a large number of indicators that he was at high risk of harm.

He said Mr Ashtons gambling showed significant signs of potential harm in 2019 and 2020, but that risk indicators  the amounts of time and money he was spending and the intensity of his betting  increased dramatically in early 2021.

Following the inquest conclusion, Mrs Ashton said her husband was a devoted and happy father and that gambling was destructive and causes suicide.

In a statement released by Leigh Day solicitors after the release of the report, she said: I believe that all gambling operators should have their safer gambling tools and algorithms assessed by an independent third party in the same way that Professor Forrest was able to do during the inquest.

This would help to advise and implement best practice when spotting those who are showing signs of harm and protecting them from further harm in the future.

Additionally, there is an urgent need for the Gambling Commission to step up and effectively oversee the markers used to detect harm caused by operators and routinely check that operators are setting the appropriate thresholds developed specifically to show those considered to be at risk in the real world.

Betfair gave evidence at the inquest that only 2.1% of its customers received a human interaction in 2021 while around 18% of gamblers have been found to be at risk, and this is clearly unacceptable as it led to inadequate interventions. For Luke this was imperative.

Failure to intervene should result in licences being removed by the Gambling Commission.

Mr Cartwrights report has been sent to Flutter, the Gambling Commission, and Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lucy Frazer, who have 56 days to respond to the concerns raised.

They will be required to set out the action taken or proposed to be taken in response, including a timetable for action, or to explain why no action will be taken.

A Flutter UKI spokesperson said a customer in Mr Ashtons circumstances would be unable to repeat the same betting patterns due to improvements made since early 2021.

They include a monthly net deposit limit based on a telephone assessment with customers, who cannot change the limit, and financial vulnerability checks.

The firm said that after a review of its interactions with Mr Ashton, it was confident it was compliant with regulatory frameworks in place at the time.

The spokesperson said: We note the publication of the coroners report and we will respond formally.

Flutter UKI is committed to creating an environment for customers to enjoy our products in a safe and sustainable way and we hold ourselves to the highest standards in the industry.

We have made significant changes to our controls since 2021 and will, of course, incorporate additional learnings from this tragic case into our systems and processes.

We wish to reiterate our sincere condolences to Mrs Ashton and her family. We are truly sorry for their loss.

A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission said gambling operators had paid more than 90 million over regulatory failures since April 2021 and have more effective policies in place to spot gambling harms.

It also said a review will be undertaken into incentives such as free bets to ensure they do not encourage excessive or harmful gambling.

The spokesperson said: Our condolences go to the family and friends of Luke Ashton at this difficult time.

We are currently considering the coroners report and intend to respond to it.

Any death linked to gambling is one too many and each and every story of gambling harm strengthens our commitment to making Britains gambling market safer.

As the gambling regulator we will continue to monitor compliance, take enforcement action, clamp down on irresponsible products, update our policies and guidance in line with best practice and challenge the industry to make sure operators are interacting with customers and identifying early signs of harm.

We are currently in the process of implementing the Governments recommendations in the recent white paper.

As part of this we will be consulting on safety measures to ensure bonus offers and incentives do not lead to excessive or harmful gambling, set further product controls for safer online games and require operators to identify and take action for financially vulnerable consumers, and to tackle significant unaffordable gambling through frictionless checks that are not disruptive for consumers.

 Anyone who needs support can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website.
Campaigners have welcomed Rishi Sunaks apology for the horrific historical treatment of LGBT people who served in the military under the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.

Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, who served in the Army and came out as gay last year, was among those who welcomed the Governments commitment to address the mistreatment faced by veterans.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he recognised there should be a financial award for affected veterans, some of whom suffered abusive investigations when their sexuality was discovered.

Others faced conversion therapy, peremptory discharges, and appalling consequences in terms of mental health and wellbeing, homelessness, employment, personal relationships and financial hardship, according to a Government-commissioned independent review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served in the armed forces between 1967 and 2000.

Dame Kelly Holmes DBE during an inspection of the ranks, after being made an Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Speaking to the PA news agency following Mr Wallaces statement in the Commons, Dame Kelly said: It means a huge amount to be here today and to hear it and be part of this with some other veterans that are all part of the review.

From a personal point of view, the ban affected me in terms of who I was and what I couldnt be for 34 years, leading me to do my documentary last year.

Dame Kelly, who spoke about her own experience in the military in an ITV documentary last year, added: I am in the public eye and I get a voice to express this, and I was able to be part of bringing it in, but today their voices got heard with the publication of this.

Craig Jones, executive chairman of the charity Fighting with Pride, said he had confidence the Government would deliver compensation for mistreated LGBT veterans.

Mr Jones said the Defence Secretary had acknowledged the decades of hurt and shame that have been felt by LGBT+ veterans who stepped forward in the service of the United Kingdom but were treated with abject cruelty.

He told PA: The account that he gave gave us great confidence as a campaigning organisation that it is the intent of the Government to acknowledge a watershed moment for LGBT+ veterans and do the right thing, and Fighting with Pride will work with the Government to deliver substantial reparations.

The review, carried out by Lord Etherton, former master of the rolls and head of civil justice, was published on Wednesday and made 49 recommendations to the Government, including making an appropriate financial award to affected veterans.

Mr Wallace said he recognised the need for financial awards for affected veterans, but stopped short of providing details.

He told the Commons: On the financial award, I think first and foremost we recognise there should be a financial award.

Mr Wallace added: I think its important we work with people like Fighting with Pride to work through how we can do it.

Independent MP Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) said: A number of (LGBT veterans) found themselves stripped of their medals. Will these now be returned swiftly? And the ban on LGBT veterans wearing their uniform at ceremonies be lifted?

Mr Wallace said: In answer to both: yes.

He also said LGBT veterans who were told they would not qualify for medals will be able to have their medals from now on.

The report also recommended that commission and rank should be retrospectively restored to what it was immediately before dismissals or discharges related to the pre-2000 ban, that pension rights are clarified, a public memorial be created, and a veterans badge be granted to those who served at the time of the ban.

Mr Wallace said the Government has been working through the reports recommendations, noting it accepts in principle the vast majority of them.

He added: Whilst we agree with the intent behind them, there are a number we may deliver in different ways to (how) theyre described in the report.

Mr Wallace said the Governments full response would be published after the Commons summer recess, which ends in September.
Police have confirmed 11 people have been arrested after climate campaigners targeted two oil sites in Scotland.

Activists from This Is Rigged protested at the Ineos refinery in Grangemouth, Fife, and the Nustar Clydebank oil terminal in West Dunbartonshire, earlier on Wednesday.

They claimed to have stopped oil leaving the sites and were seen protesting at the gates, sitting on pipes and on top of a tanker.

The campaign group posted on Twitter: Grangemouth supplies 90% of Scotlands oil. We have stopped oil leaving this site, as well as Nustar Terminal in Clydebank. We have no plans to stop.

Groups of people are currently occupying pipework and a fuel silo and blockading terminal gates, while another group has immobilised a car park full of tankers at the Grangemouth facility.

No fuel can leave the sites while they are occupied.

The action is the first in a sustained series of actions, in which the group has vowed to shut down the Scottish oil industry.

The group called on the Scottish Government to implement a just transition for oil and gas workers instead of assisting billionaires like (Ineos owner) Jim Ratcliffe.

They added: Dinnae fash yersel (dont worry), Jim, were not going anywhere.

Police were called to both sites and Ineos said the Grangemouth terminal has been temporarily closed to traffic over safety concerns.

An Ineos spokesperson said: We are aware of a number of protesters at the Grangemouth Road terminal and we have mobilised our incident management team.

We are continuing to monitor the protest activity at the terminal and we are working with Police Scotland, prioritising the safety of all those involved.

Our manufacturing operations remain unaffected and we can now advise that the road terminal has reopened with restrictions in place due to access and egress limitations.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: Police Scotland have made a number of arrests following protests at the Ineos site in Grangemouth today.

Eleven people have been arrested and officers remain in attendance.

Nustar was also contacted for comment.
The family of a nine-year-old with a terminal condition are fundraising to tick items off a bucket list and create a safe haven for her at home.

Caitlin Passey was diagnosed with Juvenile Batten Disease in October 2021  an inherited disorder which effects the nervous system and means her brain is forgetting to do stuff.

Since then, her family have been working their way through a bucket list created by the youngster.

One of the first items ticked off the list was going to Disney World, Orlando Florida in April 2022, which led to its creation.

Nick and Caitlin Passey (Nick Passey/PA)

While we were there, we asked all the children to give us 10 things they desperately wanted to achieve or do in your life because we didnt want to single out Caitlin, Nick Passey, 39, Caitlins father, told the PA news agency.

We just made a note of all of the stuff and over the next 10 days, we just kept revisiting it to see if there was anything else we can add on.

We set up a GoFundMe  we wanted to create a safe haven for Caitlin in terms of creating somewhere safe for her to live, but also a safe haven in terms of creating somewhere nice for her in her own mind through creating memories.

The Sun has played a pivotal role in helping to get items ticked off the list, including Caitlin being a mascot for Tottenham Hotspur and for the Lionesses when they played against the USA at Wembley in the 2022, and meeting Ed Sheeran.

Caitlin Passey meeting Ed Sheeran (Nick Passey/PA)

They flew us out to Munich and we got to spend about 15 minutes with him and he was the most amazing, down-to-earth guy, Mr Passey, who works in procurement and lives in Cambridge, said.

Caitlins jaw was on the floor when he walked out.

At first, she could only see his shape and the she recognised his voice and then when he got closer, she could see him.

One of Caitlins highlights has been getting a new puppy (a Cavapoochon), which Mr Passey said Caitlin is obsessed with.

Caitlin meeting Harry Kane (Nick Passey/PA)

A breeder gave us the puppy and the poor dog  Simba  gets trodden on every now and then when hes laying in the way of where shes walking because she cant see him, but it does make a massive difference when shes having a sad day.

She just gives him some cuddles and he licks her face and she starts laughing again.

Remaining items include going on a cruise like her favourite YouTubers the Ninja Kidz, visiting Lapland and travelling to Majorca, where her parents met.

Caitlin Passey has Juvenile Batten Disease (Nick Passey/PA)

Speaking about the effect the condition has on his daughter, Mr Passey said: Essentially, Caitlins brain is forgetting to do stuff.

Thats the easy way to put it. She has childhood dementia.

Shes already blind  theres one little spot in the bottom corner of one eye where if she holds something within an inch, she can see it, and dealing with the vision loss has been quite tough for her.

With her condition, she can also have quite severe mood swings and were now noticing that shes having speech issues, where she cant get her words out  shell stutter or speak at a million miles an hour.

Mr Passey said that it is expected that Caitlin will have epileptic seizures by the age of 10 and will eventually forget how to swallow and walk and will become wheelchair-bound, then bed-bound and then unfortunately pass away.

(from left to right) Nick Passey said eventually Caitlin will become wheelchair-bound (Nick Passey/PA)

Weve been told to be prepared for her to not live past 20, he added.

Mr Passey said the family currently live in what resembles a building site and were quoted 200,000 in order to sort all the renovations needed to cater to Caitlin as her condition progresses, which includes putting in specialist equipment, lifts and a bigger bed.

Around 90,000 has been raised via the fundraising page and separate fundraisers organised by those in the community, and some have even donated materials.

There was a company fairly local to us that donated all the materials for our roof and my cousins uncle owns a roofing company and they came and did the roof, Mr Passey said.

People in the area have even come over in the evenings to do a couple hours of work like moving bits and pieces around or knocking a wall down, so weve lucked out on that aspect.

Caitlin Passey hopes to tick off more items from her bucket list, including going to Lapland (Nick Passey/PA)

The community have come together to support the family through fundraisers, including organising bingo nights, making and selling bracelets, story competitions and parting with things they have had for over a decade.

My cousin has been growing his beard for about 15 years and he agreed to shave it off for Caitlin and his daughter even cried watching him do it, he said.

That got loads of attention around the village and loads of money was raised because they knew how attached he was to it.

For the latest fundraiser, Mr Passey and his wife Naomi are to take part in this years Challenge London, a city centre triathlon, on August 6.

Training has involved spin classes and cardio intensive activities for Mr Passey, while Mrs Passey has done bootcamps, swimming and running.

Any leftover money from the building work will be given to charity Batten Disease Family Association (BDFA), which has supported the family.

The fundraising page for the triathlon can be viewed here: https://app.collectionpot.com/pot/3124316/?fbclid=IwAR1BwZy9bEAJiEYQMl9EUJtSa5a1hKtdrxByvauv68NnuLGfL2BF82M2VwI

The familys GoFundMe can be accessed here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/SafeHaven4Caitlin
An ex-lover of a former Spanish king has told a London judge that she was the victim of a sinister campaign by an exceptionally ruthless man.

Danish businesswoman Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, 58, who has made a harassment claim against Juan Carlos, 85, and wants damages of more than 126 million, said the impact on her life had been catastrophic.

Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, who has homes in England, has sued Juan Carlos, 85, who abdicated in 2014, and wants damages for personal injury.

She alleges that he caused her great mental pain by harassing her.

He has denied harassment.

Mrs Justice Collins Rice is considering the latest stage of the dispute at a High Court hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice complex in central London.

The hearing is expected to end later this week.

Lawyers representing Juan Carlos have asked her to dismiss Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayns claim.

She says the case should continue.

Juan Carlos has denied any wrongdoing (David Ramos/Pool/PA)

A barrister leading Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayns legal team on Wednesday said Juan Carlos had begun a sinister campaign to control her.

Jonathan Caplan KC told the judge how Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn had said in a written witness statement: I think he is exceptionally ruthless.

She had described the impact on her life as catastrophic.

Mr Caplan argued that a trial was inevitable.

There are a series of substantial issues of fact here between the parties, he told the judge.

They cannot be decided without hearing evidence.

He added: The applications by the defendant are misconceived.

A barrister representing Juan Carlos has told the judge that Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayns case has no realistic prospect of success.

Adam Wolanski KC said evidence simply did not disclose a viable case.

He Juan Carlos emphatically denies ever having harassed the claimant.

A number of other judges have overseen earlier hearings in the litigation.

Judges have been told that Juan Carlos ruled from 1975 until his abdication in 2014 and the succession of his son, King Felipe VI.

They have heard that Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn is Danish, lived in Monaco between 2008 and 2019, and has homes in London and Shropshire.

Mr Wolanski also wants Mrs Justice Collins Rice to rule that judges in England have no jurisdiction to consider some of the allegations.

Juan Carlos won the last round of the case.

Another High Court judge  Mr Justice Nicklin  had ruled that claims could be considered at a trial in England.

But in December, Juan Carlos won an appeal after challenging some of Mr Justice Nicklins conclusions.

Court of Appeal judges in London concluded that the pre-abdication conduct alleged was immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of this country.

A lawyer representing Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn said in December that the appeal court ruling would not affect claims she made about Juan Carloss behaviour after his abdication.
Gigi Hadid has been fined 1,000 Cayman Island dollars (920) after being arrested for cannabis possession in the Cayman Islands.

The 28-year-old model, who has been a host of Netflix competition show Next In Fashion, was arrested along with her friend Leah McCarthy on July 10.

According to the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control, the pair were arrested for the importation of marijuana and importation of utensils used for the consumption of marijuana.

Hadid and McCarthy had arrived on a private jet from the US, where their luggage was searched and a small amount of cannabis was recovered.

They appeared in the Cayman Islands summary court on July 12 and were charged with the importation of a controlled drug and the importation of a drug utensil, to which they entered guilty pleas.

They were charged 1,000 Cayman Islands dollars (920) and no conviction was recorded, authorities said.

A representative for Hadid said she was enjoying the Cayman Islands despite the arrest, and that the cannabis had been purchased legally in New York with a medical licence.

The model also shared pictures on her Instagram on Tuesday of her holiday which showed her on the beach with friends, writing: Alls well that ends well.

In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Hadids representative said: Gigi was travelling with marijuana purchased legally in NYC (New York City) with a medical licence.

It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island.

Hadid began her modelling career aged two after being discovered by Guess co-founder, the Moroccan-born fashion designer Paul Marciano.

She has gone on to work with brands including Versace, Chanel, Fendi and Marc Jacobs and made more than 30 cover appearances for various international editions of Vogue.

Hadid has been involved with former One Direction member Zayn Malik and the pair share a daughter.
The Government is planting less than half of its annual target of trees, raising concerns about how it will meet its nature recovery and timber construction goals, MPs have said.

The Environmental Audit Committee said it welcomes the Governments targets but that it is very unlikely it will meet them, with only two autumn-spring planting seasons left before a March 2025 deadline.

Woodland restoration is seen as critical for improving natural habitats as well as using more home-grown timber for construction, but at present the rate of planting is less than half of the what is required to achieve 30,000 hectares by March 2025, the committee said.

Forestry England, the Government agency responsible for managing the public forest estate in England, has only planted 303 hectares out of the intended 2,000 between 2021 and 2026.

It means the UK will be more reliant on importing foreign timber with the committee concerned that this will have a negative impact on ecological systems abroad.

The committee said there was no single strategy that articulates the Governments vision for the timber sector, which is a more environmentally-friendly way of building houses, nor is there a clear plan to integrate that with a delivery on nature restoration and climate change mitigation.

Chair of the committee, Philip Dunne, said: As we look to meet our net zero and nature goals, pressures on woodland will grow.

The construction industry is increasingly looking to move away from steel and concrete to lower carbon alternatives, and timber is well placed to step in.

Increasing productive forestry is welcome, though the Government must ensure that this isnt at the expense of biodiversity.

The Governments target to plant 30,000 hectares of woodland in the UK by March 2025 is welcome, and by and large ministers appreciate the conflicting challenges and demands on woodland.

Biomass, such as that burnt at the Drax power station in North Yorkshire, must be genuinely sustainably sourced, the committee said (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

But the Committee is concerned that England is currently way off meeting its contribution to that UK-wide goal, and that the rate of planting must increase: not only to achieve greater biodiversity, but to ensure that the supply of timber from productive forestry is maintained.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was committed to having 16.5% of Englands total land area covered by woodland by 2050 but recognised there is much more to do to speed up planting.

The committee said the Government should create a holistic strategy for domestic timber growth that would incorporate the various goals together.

This would also help to give private sector planters and landowners as well as end-users of timber a clearer idea about what is happening given the competing demands for wood.

The committee also said that biomass should be genuinely sustainably sourced and that the right trees are planted in the right place, with native broadleaves for wildlife habitats and conifers for softwood timber.

Forestry England currently lacks the resources to ensure that trees are planted according to the UK Forestry Standard, the committee added, which should be rectified urgently.

Mr Dunne said: At the moment there are simply too many overlapping strategies that aim to cover tree planting policies in the UK and in England, and there is little evidence of an overall vision for the timber sector.

The numerous strategies are disjointed: what is required is an overarching, holistic strategy that sets a long-term vision for how different types of woodland will be used to deliver Governments goals.

The public sector is only responsible for a quarter of UK woodland. The private sector is therefore responsible for the lions share of planting, but with unclear strategies, overly bureaucratic schemes and a lack of clear leadership on planting on the public estate, there is little in way of incentive.

I hope the Government considers our report carefully, particularly as it looks to publish its Land Use Framework later this year.

This would be a timely opportunity for ministers to set out its vision for the future of UK tree planting.

A Defra spokesperson said: Since the start of this Parliament, we have planted or supported the planting of over 10.8 million trees.

Increasing tree cover is at the heart our pledge to meet net zero ambitions, which is why we are investing 650 million during this Parliament in transforming Englands treescapes.

We are also continuing to work on delivering our legal target to have 16.5% of Englands total land area covered by trees by 2050.

Tree planting rates are now at record levels, but we know there is much more to do and will continue to work with partners in both the private and public sector at pace to increase the nations tree cover and boost the forestry sector  supporting domestic timber production, creating new jobs and improving biodiversity across the country.
The Home Secretary has said she is particularly concerned about the rapid development and public deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT in relation to terrorism and national security.

Suella Bravermans comments came as she was pressed by Labour and the SNP about an update to the UKs counter-terrorism strategy, Contest, which acknowledged the potential for AI to facilitate terrorist activities.

Shadow home office minister Holly Lynch insisted concrete measures are woefully lacking in the update, and SNP home affairs spokesman Stuart C McDonald asked Ms Braverman if she thinks legislation is required in this area.

Holly Lynch (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA)

The Home Secretary emphasised the urgency of addressing unknown risks posed by the technology and the need for collaboration to mitigate the threats to public safety and national security.

Asking an urgent question on the long-awaited update to Contest in the Commons, Ms Lynch said: We are concerned by certain omissions from the update and the disparity between the threats outlined and the responses proposed.

On AI, the update recognises the challenge, saying terrorists are likely to exploit the technology.

We have called for new offences criminalising the training of chatbots to radicalise individuals, but concrete measures are woefully lacking in the update. So how is the Government going to tackle this?

Mr McDonald said: I was surprised by the very limited reference in the strategy of the use of artificial intelligence for radicalisation and instruction.

Can she say, does she believe legislation is required in this area, what more concrete steps are being taken to address use of AI in that way?

The Home Secretary said: Its clear that foundation model AIs undoubtedly hold vast potential, and they are crucial to the UKs mission to become a science and tech superpower.

But there are still many unknowns with this class of technology and many other forms of emerging technology which pose significant but not yet fully understood public safety and national security risks.

I am particularly concerned about the rapid development and public deployment of generative large language models like ChatGPT, and we are alert to the exponential pace of their development, the emergent capabilities, which make the exact risks difficult to anticipate or control and the relative ease with which safeguards can be overwritten.

So those at the forefront of those technologies are explicit about their seriousness and of these risks if proper safeguards are not developed quickly.

So we look forward to promoting and enabling an open and constructive dialogue and deepened collaboration with tech company leaders, industry experts and like-minded nations as we seek to ensure the gifts of this technology are delivered and society is protected.

Ms Braverman said there was a discussion at the recent Five Eyes security conference in New Zealand about the emerging hostile use of technology and collaborative ways in which, at the international level, we may work to mitigate those risks.

The Home Office counter-terrorism strategy was updated on Tuesday for the first time in five years.

Since it was last updated in 2018, there have been nine declared terrorist attacks in the UK in which six people were killed and 20 injured.

Police and security services have also disrupted 39 plots that aimed to target public figures such as MPs, events including the London Pride march, and popular sites in London.

The report found the risk of a terror attack in the UK is rising with domestic plotters harder to detect, a persistent threat from Islamist extremists and advances in technology being exploited.

Ms Braverman told MPs: Through this updated strategy, we will place greater focus on using all the levers of the state to identify and intervene against terrorists.

We will build critical partnerships with the private sector and international allies to keep the public safe. And we will harness the opportunities presented by new technology.

There is no greater duty for this Government than to keep the British people safe. And I will not rest in delivering that mission.
Nearly 600 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK as the Government hailed its sweeping reforms passing through Parliament.

The Home Office said 574 people were detected on Tuesday in 12 boats, just hours after a dramatic night of voting on the Illegal Migration Bill on Monday which sees it poised to become law.

This is the second highest number of arrivals on a single day this year and suggests an average of around 48 people per boat.

The latest crossings take the provisional total for 2023 so far to 13,774.

(PA Graphics)

While ministers trumpeted the flagship legislation, central to Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks pledge to stop the boats crossing the Channel, the United Nations denounced the plans.

It came as the Bibby Stockholm barge  which will house 500 asylum seekers  was met by protesters as it arrived in Dorsets Portland Port a month behind schedule. But two other cruise ships set to house migrants have reportedly been unable to find a berth.

The total number of migrant crossings for 2023 so far is still lower than the more than 15,000 arrivals recorded this time last year.

Overall, 45,755 people made the journey in 2022.

The highest daily number so far this year was on July 7 when 686 people made the crossing.

The Home Office said around 50 asylum seekers will board the Bibby Stockholm from next week with the numbers rising to its maximum capacity over the next few months, despite safety concerns raised by some of the countys Conservative MPs and locals.

The arrival of the barge to house migrants in Portland prompted protests (Ben Birchall/PA)

The barges arrival came after a night of drama in the Commons in which the Tory frontbench saw off changes being sought by peers to the Bill, including modern slavery protections and child detention limits.

The end of the stand-off between the Lords and MPs paves the way for the Bill to receive royal assent and become law.

The reforms will prevent people from claiming asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorised means.

The Government also hopes the changes will ensure detained people are promptly removed, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda, which is currently the subject of a legal challenge.

But UN human rights chief Volker Turk and UN high commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi led outrage at the plans.

In an unusually critical joint statement, they warned the Bill will have profound consequences for people in need of international protection and breaks the UKs obligations under international law.

Downing Street defended the Bill, with the Prime Ministers official spokesman saying: We are confident we are acting within international law.

The Government also stood by its decision to use barges to house migrants, insisting it was a cheaper alternative to housing them in hotels.
Irelands premier has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky on a visit to Kyiv.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital.

After an engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Mr Varadkar also paused for a moments silence at a memorial in central Kyiv for the children who have died in the conflict, placing a toy lamb among the other teddies.

At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

Volodymyr Zelensky (right) welcomes Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

Volodymyr Zelensky, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed in taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine areas.

He made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the Kakhoka dam and other areas.

        @LeoVaradkar.    : ,  ,       .     ,     ,    pic.twitter.com/ZNWiuxz9d1    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 19, 2023

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

I, first of all, would like to extend words of gratitude to you and to the whole people of Ireland for hosting our nationals in Ireland. This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

Mr Varadkar began an intensive schedule of engagements with a visit north of the city to the Kyiv Oblast region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Niall Carson/PA)

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

The funeral of Pierre Zakrzewski in Dublin in March last year (Damien Storan/PA)

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside 24-year-old Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainians fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.
Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps has accused Just Stop Oil protesters of illegal criminal damage after two activists filmed themselves spraying his departments building with orange paint.

Matthew Cunningham, 25, and Imogen May, 24, took responsibility for the direct action on the property in Victoria Street in Westminster.

 BREAKING: Just Stop Oil Paint the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero  This morning, 2 supporters of Just Stop Oil have painted the department responsible for issuing over 100 new oil and gas licences in the UK.  Sign up to take action at https://t.co/7BzUVS02dZ pic.twitter.com/wQwHVKoN8K  Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) July 19, 2023

The organisation said it spattered the department with paint after it issued more than 100 new oil and gas licences in the UK.

The targeting of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was one of a number of protests carried out by Just Stop Oil in London on Wednesday.

According to the Metropolitan Police, slow-marching demonstrators were cleared by officers from Westminster Bridge, Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road, as well as from roads in Marylebone and Kensington.

Mr Shapps, responding to questions about the paint protest on LBC during a round of broadcast interviews, said: It is illegal criminal damage and I will leave that to the authorities.

A video posted on Twitter by JSO appeared to show two protesters using a spray canister to spread orange paint over glass panels covering Mr Shapps Whitehall department.

 Listen to Matthew Cunningham, 25, and Imogen May, 24, explain why they took action at @energygovuk today.  Matthew and Imogen have picked a side. Have you? Sign up to slow march at https://t.co/7BzUVS02dZ pic.twitter.com/Yy9Ylb9ZGr  Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) July 19, 2023

Mr Cunningham, in another video posted by JSO, said: This department oversees our energy policy and we know from last month that the Climate Change Committee, the Governments independent watchdog for climate change policy, denounced the Governments efforts against climate change.

They said that they were far less sure that the Government would achieve net zero than it had been just one year ago.

And they specifically said that the Government needs to stop issuing new oil and gas licences because it is not compatible with a net zero future.

Just Stop Oil blocking Westminster Bridge again and traffic to/from St Thomass Hospital. This is unacceptable. Why wont Sir Keir Starmer pick up the phone to the common donor of JSO and the Labour Party and tell him to Just Stop It! pic.twitter.com/5IPSRYKBOE  Greg Hands (@GregHands) July 19, 2023

Ms May said the department is failing on their only purpose and that the climate situation is getting really dangerous.

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands, posting a picture on social media of Westminster Bridge being blocked by JSO supporters, called the demonstration unacceptable.
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spaceys accusers are no longer prepared to be the secret keeper for someone who treated them so badly, a court has heard.

The Hollywood star, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, is charged with nine sexual offences concerning four men which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

In a closing speech at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, prosecutor Christine Agnew KC said the case involves an enormous power imbalance and a man who is used to getting his own way taking advantage of that.

She questioned the two-time Academy Award winners claim that his accusers were motivated by money and suggested the trial was a result of his aggressive, oppressive and intimidatory behaviour.

Ms Agnew said his alleged offending had left the men feeling diminished and worthless, adding: There is no doubt that he is a very famous and lauded actor.

He is undoubtedly someone who is kind to those he chooses to be kind to.

History is littered with those who that are benevolent to some and cruel to others.

Ms Agnew said it is not simply a strength-in-numbers case against Spacey but that of four separate men who told friends and family, the police and then the court their stories in a bid for justice.

She said Mr Spacey Fowler was and is a powerful man, he was so famous who would believe them?

Ms Agnew said men are entitled to exactly the same protection that a woman would be in law, and added: Why on earth should these men put up with what they say has happened to them?

Giving evidence last week, the Hollywood star denied being a sexual bully and labelled the prosecutions case against him as weak, accusing one alleged victim of being after money, money and then money.

Kevin Spacey arriving at Southwark Crown Court (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

He previously told the jury the sexual assault allegations are madness, make no logical sense or a stab in the back.

The 63-year-old told Southwark Crown Court he could have had sex all the time but found it hard to trust people because of his fame.

Each of Spaceys accusers has given evidence, variously describing him as a vile sexual predator, slippery and atrocious, despicable, disgusting.

He pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

A further charge of indecent assault, an alternative count, was added mid-trial  taking the total number of alleged offences listed on the indictment to 13.

On Wednesday, the four indecent assault charges, which were all alternative counts, were struck off by the judge, due to a legal technicality and not as a result of the prosecution abandoning any allegation.

The jury was directed to concentrate on what happened and whether it was a crime, and not be concerned with precise dates when things happened.

The trial continues.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told a Ukrainian actor in Kyiv who was assaulted in Dublin last month that he is sorry for what happened.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel.

The actor required stitches in hospital after what Irelands national theatre called an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) meets actor Oleksandr Hrekov (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

Mr Varadkar then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with actors during a visit to Lesya Ukrainka Theatre following a meeting with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky, in Kyiv, Ukraine (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

He asked if the actor was doing OK, to which Mr Hrekov replied, through a translator: Yes, everything is fine, everything is perfect.

The Taoiseach said: Im sorry for what happened. Dublin is my home town, but sometimes not 100% safe, unfortunately.

The young actors reply was: All places are like that.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar chats to actor Oleksandr Hrekov (PA/Clodagh Kilcoyne)

At the time of the attack, the production of Translations in the Abbey Theatre was described by culture minister Catherine Martin as an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine.

Mr Varadkar told the Kyiv theatre company that he hoped the groups performances at the Abbey could continue.

Perhaps we can have an Irish company come here and perform here as well, he told performers at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company.

We were talking about this earlier, but I know from our history theatre and art was a very important part of our national identity, because we were part of the United Kingdom and we were almost overwhelmed by English culture.

Art and music and language and theatre was very important for us in protecting our Irish identity and I know in Ukraine you are fighting now to affirm your identity as a nation, and I think the arts is a very important part of that too.
A man has pleaded not guilty to a public order offence after he was arrested following protests outside Tate Britain over a drag queen story-telling event for children.

Lance OConnor, 59, of Plaistow, east London, denied using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

The defendant appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday in a grey T-shirt to enter the not guilty plea.

It is an alternative charge to two other public order offences, to which OConnor has previously pleaded not guilty, which allege that he used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, with intent, to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The Tate, in Millbank, central London, had been hosting Drag Queen Story Hour UK on February 11, with tales told by Aida H Dee, whom the gallerys website describes as the first drag artist in Europe to read stories to children in a nursery.

People protesting against the event were at the scene, as well as counter-protesters.

OConnor was granted conditional bail ahead of his trial at the same court on August 7.
The head of MI6 has urged Russians angry at Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine to spy for the UK.

Sir Richard Moore told them our door is always open and we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

He said that while artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help target the Kremlins war machine, technology will never replace human agents.

In a speech in Prague, Sir Richard said: There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children.

They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putins case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy.

Sir Richard Moore urged Russians to help end the war in Ukraine (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He said many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968 when Soviet tanks crushed the Prague spring uprisings.

I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open, Sir Richard said.

We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us.

And together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

He said Mr Putin is clearly under pressure, as demonstrated by the recent revolt by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner mercenaries.

Asked how far Mr Putin is prepared to go, given his references to nuclear weapons, Sir Richard said: He really didnt fight back against Prigozhin, he cut a deal to save his skin, using the good offices of the leader of Belarus.

Even I cant see inside Putins head, but  the only people who have been talking about escalation and nuclear weapons are Putin and a handful of henchmen around him.

That is irresponsible, its reckless and it is designed to try and weaken our resolve in supporting Ukraine and it will not work.

The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing. The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine 19 July 2023. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/uWqQPxsrYC#StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/eMeYeTnMJL  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) July 19, 2023

Sir Richard said AI is being used to disrupt the supply of weapons to Russia but machines will not replace human spies.

As AI trawls the ocean of open source, there will be ever greater value in landing, with a well-cast fly, the secrets that lie beyond the reach of its net, he said.

Human agents are never just passive collectors of information and sometimes they can influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

But he said technology is moving with startling speed.

My teams are now using AI to augment, but not replace, their own judgement about how people might act in various situations, he said.

Theyre combining their skills with AI and bulk data to identify and disrupt the flow of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine.

But Sir Richard said AI may also be used by hostile states in damaging, reckless and unethical ways.

With Rishi Sunaks drive for the UK to play a lead role in AI regulation, Sir Richard offered an olive branch to China over the technology.

I remain hopeful that our common humanity and our shared interest in understanding the power of AI may yet lead to agreement on global co-ordination, on which our Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is leading the way, he said.

Chinas draft AI regulations emphasise the importance of veracity, accuracy, objectivity and diversity. I can only say we agree. Lets make those fine words a reality, not a slogan.
Ministers have backed former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage after private bank Coutts reportedly closed his account because his views do not align with our values.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said the prestigious financial institutions decision is absolutely disgraceful, while Treasury minister Andrew Griffith said it raises serious concern.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: The Coutts scandal exposes the sinister nature of much of the diversity, equity and inclusion industry.

Eurosceptic Mr Farage has handed the Mail Online 40 pages of documents he obtained after making a subject access request to Coutts following its decision to shut his account.

According to the report, the banks dossier cited his retweet of a Ricky Gervais joke about trans women and his friendship with tennis player Novak Djokovic, who is opposed to Covid vaccinations, to flag concerns that Mr Farage is xenophobic and racist.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Farage said his experience has left him fearing the UK is moving towards a Chinese-style social credit system where only those with acceptable views can participate in society.

The Coutts scandal exposes the sinister nature of much of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion industry. Apparently anyone who wants to control our borders & stop the boats can be branded xenophobic & have their bank account closed in the name of inclusivity. 1/2  Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) July 19, 2023

It came as ministers refused to rule out introducing legislation to crack down on banks closing accounts due to a customers political views.

Mr Shapps told Sky News the Financial Conduct Authority, the sectors watchdog, does need to do more on this.

Asked if the law should be changed, he said: Maybe. We will do whatever is required, but in the first place the Financial Conduct Authority needs to get a grip of this.

The Cabinet minister added: I dont have to agree with everything Nigel Farage says to recognise that free speech is a very important part of our domestic life.

What has happened with some of these banks through this regime, which is known as the PEP regime  or politically exposed people  is really, actually, scandalous.

People shouldnt have their bank accounts closed because of their political or any other view.

It would be of serious concern if financial services were being denied to anyone exercising their right to lawful free speech Businesses have the right to protect against reputational risks  e.g. criminal activity  but the privilege of a banking licence in a democracy should  Andrew Griffith MP (@griffitha) July 19, 2023

City minister Mr Griffith later tweeted: It would be of serious concern if financial services were being denied to anyone exercising their right to lawful free speech.

Businesses have the right to protect against reputational risks  e.g. criminal activity  but the privilege of a banking licence in a democracy should imply a duty not to debank because you disagree with someones views.

Mr Farage, who also led the Brexit-backing UK Independence Party (Ukip), said his treatment by Coutts raises issues about the culture at NatWest, which owns the 17th century bank.

He said its dossier is prejudicial and full of bile, adding: If you are a NatWest customer and supported Brexit they probably think the same about you.

The politician-turned-broadcaster said the stance by NatWest, under its new leadership, with Dame Alison Rose at the helm, puts the group at variance with the majority of their customers.

He told PA: I think that the march of woke corporatism needs to be checked, and if it is not then we will finish up with a Chinese-style social credit system.

I now have evidence Coutts LIED to me.. In an explosive 40 page memo, Brexit is mentioned 86 times, Russia 144 & PEP 10. Support for Trump + views on immigration, net zero & the vaccine are listed as reasons to exit me. They say my account is commercially viable! pic.twitter.com/QjPCuUetu3  Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 18, 2023

Only those with acceptable views will be able to participate fully in society.

I am effectively de-banked. How do I pay my gas bill? What have I done wrong? I havent broken the law.

I happen to have an opinion on issues that are more popular outside the M25 than they are in inner London postcodes.

The Home Secretary said NatWest and other corporates who naively adopted this politically biased dogma need to have a major rethink.

Mrs Braverman said Home Office policies will be reviewed to ensure the issue does not exist in the public sector as well.

The BBC previously suggested that anti-European Union campaigner Mr Farage fell below the financial threshold needed to have a Coutts account.

Coutts requires its customers to borrow or invest at least 1 million or save at least 3 million, according to an eligibility questionnaire on its website.

Coutts bank reportedly said Nigel Farages views are not compatible with its own (Aaron Chown/PA)

But, according to the files handed by Mr Farage to the Mail Online, officials said closing his accounts could not be justified on the basis of his wealth as his economic contribution was sufficient to retain on a commercial basis.

The minutes of a meeting of Coutts Wealth Reputational Risk Committee, dated November 17 2022, said: The committee did not think continuing to bank NF was compatible with Coutts given his publicly-stated views that were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation.

Mr Farage going public about his account being closed has prompted a debate about the issue.

Rishi Sunak said at the time that banks should not be allowed to close customers accounts because of their views.

The Prime Minister said the right to free speech has to be respected and that should not be an excuse to close anyones account.

A Coutts spokeswoman said: Our ability to respond is restricted by our obligations of client confidentiality.

Decisions to close accounts are not taken lightly and take into account a number of factors including commercial viability, reputational considerations, and legal and regulatory requirements.

As the client has previously confirmed, alternative banking arrangements have been offered within the wider group.
Consultants in England are taking industrial action for the first time in more than a decade.

Here the PA news agency asks British Medical Association (BMA) members what has led them to strike action.

1 day to go! If you're not sure where your local picket line is or just want some advice about the #consultantstrike read more https://t.co/LgFx930Ejq For those in or near to London, come along to our pay rally tomorrow and show your support  sign up https://t.co/0pj859KddD pic.twitter.com/7iN4djNwMm  BMA Consultants (@BMA_Consultants) July 19, 2023

 Consultant cardiologist Dr Andy Thornley

At 47, Dr Thornley is already considering retirement.

Many of us are trying to work out what is the earliest point we can get out of the NHS? he said.

Why should we keep on working in a system that is basically failing? We are watching a system fail around us.

And that is because of underinvestment in the health service both in terms of the buildings and the structures but also underinvestment in people.

Dr Thornley, who has been a consultant for around a decade, said he and his colleagues are taking to picket lines in protest over pay erosion and a lack of attention in retaining doctors.

I dont think that my colleagues and I are worth a third less than what we were paid in 2008, he said.

I think the big thing though is around retention of doctors.

At the moment, weve got colleagues who are leaving because of the pay  they can go elsewhere and earn more money  but also the conditions in the NHS, the pressures in the system, and the underinvestment over the last 13 years.

And the Government needs to do something about it. They need to invest in the workforce because without the brightest and the best working as NHS consultants the service will fail.

Dr Thornley, form Middlesborough, added: We dont have the number of people that we should do to do the job that were trying to do.

Dr Andy Thornley (Andy Thornley/PA)

For example, in the radiology department at my hospital, we are short probably somewhere around about 15 consultant radiologists, and so weve got less than half the workforce we should have to report scans and get important results for patients. And the pressure on individuals who do remain is huge.

I think part of the frustration is that the Government is denying that there are such big problems in the health service and essentially trying to fob us off with yet another pay cut. Its just pushing the consultant body too far.

 Consultant physician Dr Adam Molyneux

Dr Molyneux, a neurophysiologist who lives in Oxford, said the walkout by consultants aims to fight for the future of the service.

The 43-year-old BMA member said consultant strike action is a sign of absolute desperation.

We are really at a tipping point of the survival of the NHS, he told PA.

I have personally seen colleagues leaving their post to go abroad, I have seen colleagues leaving their jobs to go into the purely private sector, this comes at a time when the NHS needs consultants who have trained for many, many years and are highly expert in their field.

We also have to make it an attractive role for those coming behind us. I dont really think it is overstating it to say that this is really about fighting for the future of the NHS as we know it.

The consultant post has to be an attractive post, and I think thats the crux of it, without the consultants there really is no NHS.

Doctors face constant pressure and are asked every year to do more when they are already over and above the limits of what people can do, often on the basis of goodwill and working many extra hours, he said.

I think whats happened is people have got to the end of their ability to maintain their own work-life balance and their own personal health. I think its about people starting to treat themselves more kindly, standing up for themselves and saying we actually need more staff, we need to prevent people leaving and we need to recruit.

Dr Adam Molyneux (Adam Molyneux/PA)

 Respiratory consultant Dr Neela Surange

Dr Surange said consultant pay is not keeping pace with wages in other countries including Ireland and India.

She told PA: There has been a real decline in pay and work conditions and that has an impact on how we provide care.

We are not able to provide the good care to patients that we think they deserve.

She said low pay compared with similar professions is causing difficulties in recruitment.

I know many, many people who are now finishing the training but they are looking elsewhere because jobs in many other countries, including the Republic of Ireland, are far more lucrative than UK consultant posts, she said.

Public health care services in Ireland pays more than the UK NHS, and other countries too: Gulf countries, Canada, Australia. I come from India and I know that the private sector in India pays a lot more and the work conditions there are far better than NHS.

The UK private sector pays also far more handsomely than the NHS.

From my personal perspective its not so much about money. But what worries me more is the young colleagues who are reaching the stage to apply for consultant posts I see them struggling and see they dont want to take consultant posts.

We have problems with recruiting people and retaining people.

Dr Surange said doctors go home feeling exhausted after work, adding: I want to come back next day to be a good and pleasant doctor, not a tired and frustrated one.

My colleagues and I never thought we would do this and we dont think this is the best way but we think this is the only way left now to make something happen.

 Ear, nose and throat surgeon Rohit Verma

Mr Verma, from Sheffield, said: Nobody is taking this action lightly, there has been a tremendous amount of reflection and soul searching and working out how this fits with our professional values.

Rohit Verma (Rohit Verma/PA)

The work were doing is complicated, its high risk, its demanding, its stressful.

It takes a lot of time to get to that point in your career where you are allowed to become a consultant.

Over the last 10 years, our workload has certainly not dropped  Id say the intensity is going up, the demands on the service are going up, the demand we need to meet in order to treat our patients with the latest medication, the latest technologies, the latest surgical techniques, its all ramping up.

And yet, over the last 10 years, our salary has remained static.

He said the first thing consultants want is negotiation, and that seems to be the stalling point at the moment.

Difficulties in recruitment mean existing staff are having to spread themselves more thinly, he said, adding: There comes a point where that elasticity snaps.

On junior doctors applying for consultant posts, he added: If you start thinking, Well, that job is no better paid that was 10 years ago, the whole worlds become more expensive. Why should I do that?

Mr Verma said that he hoped strikes planned for August could be halted by the Government entering talks with the union.
The chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority has said the regulator is ready to go, when asked about bringing buy now, pay later firms under its scope.

Questioned during a Treasury Committee hearing about reports that buy now, pay later regulation could be shelved, Nikhil Rathi told the MPs: That has not been suggested to me in any of my interactions with ministers

Were ready to go. The draft legislation has been published, its obviously a matter for ministers and Parliament to finalise the legislation. Upon its finalisation, we would look to bring these firms into regulation within 12 months.

He added: To the extent that this regulation might reduce the supply of credit, it will reduce the supply of unaffordable credit and irresponsible lending, which would be a positive thing and it will enable sustainable credit.

Mr Rathi said: We will make sure that there is proportionate regulation that supports innovation but also encourages responsible lending.

There is convenience to buy now, pay later. It does support customers. We want to make sure that that can continue.

He added: I dont buy the argument about supply of credit.

Mr Rathi was asked about the buy now, pay later sector after Sky News reported that Treasury officials had been told during recent talks with the industry that some of its biggest players could quit the UK market if heavy-handed regulation took place.

In February, a consultation was launched to look at how firms would be brought under the scope of the FCA.

A Treasury spokesperson said on Monday: Regulation of buy now, pay later products must be proportionate so borrowers are protected, while still being able to access these useful interest-free products.

No decisions have been made as we are reviewing the responses to our recent consultation and will report back in due course.

 Our session with the Chair and Chief Executive of @TheFCA has now started.  Watch the session live https://t.co/C0MtSaXkhY  Treasury Committee (@CommonsTreasury) July 19, 2023

Citizens Advice, along with representatives from MoneySavingExpert, Which?, StepChange, the Money Advice Trust, and Christians Against Poverty wrote to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt this week to say regulation is more important than ever.

The Government previously said the new regulations could help protect an estimated 10 million customers.

Mr Rathi was also asked by the Treasury Committee about savings rates.

He said: The pace has been slow. We have the consumer duty coming into force and youve seen I think in the last few weeks that that pace has quickened.

He added: We have powers to make sure that there is effective competition and thats what we have been focusing on.

The consumer duty goes further in extending the way in which we look at this to how are they communicating with their consumers, how they are ensuring good outcomes for consumers.

He later said: My advice to consumers would be to shop around and if your bank is not giving you a rate that you are satisfied with, move through, move on.

Explaining the new consumer duty rules, which will come into force from July 31, Mr Rathi told the MPs: They raise the standard for consumer protection in financial services we hope significantly.

He continued: What we are saying here is through every part of their business, from the manufacture of products, the distribution, the pricing and the customer service support, firms have to think about how theyre placing consumers at the heart of the journey.

Mr Rathi added: What I hope you will see is more proactivity from firms in communicating with their consumers, making sure the products are fit for purpose for the target market, making sure that the value that they provide is reasonable, making sure the customer service is matching their promises.

He added that, under the new duty, consumers should be seeing products which are better serving their needs, more proactive communications from their financial services providers, better customer service, better ability to seek redress and address complaints when things go wrong.

He said there will also be a greater focus on vulnerable customers under the consumer duty, for example making sure there is effective access for customers who may not be participating in the digital economy.

Asked about banking services and access to cash, Mr Rathi also said the Treasury will produce a policy statement on access to cash and that we envisage will happen in the autumn.

He later said: The fact that businesses are accepting cash less and less is clearly an issue, its particularly an issue for lower income households.
Last year travel insurers dealt with a new claim every two minutes typically, according to analysis from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The number and cost of claims rose significantly, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic travel levels, after lower claims due to the Covid travel restrictions, the ABI said.

Travel insurers dealt with 362,000 claims in 2022, surging by 148% compared with 2021.

Total claim payouts, at 352 million, leapt by 230% on the total recorded by the ABI in 2021.

Holidaymakers are also being reminded to take details of their insurer with them when they go abroad.

Summer holiday abroad just around the corner? Before you go:  Make sure your insurance covers all your planned holiday activities  Check travel advice for the latest info on your destination including areas affected by extreme temperatures  Sign up for email alerts  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) July 18, 2023

The ABI highlighted one significant payout for emergency overseas medical treatment covered by travel insurance, which came to 250,000.

Someone visiting Thailand suffered a serious blood infection needing intensive medical treatment and an air ambulance back to the UK. The total bill, paid by the travel insurer, was 250,000.

In another case, a holidaymaker in Spain needed private medical treatment for a kidney infection. This cost 15,000, covered by travel insurance.

It also said that last year there were big rises in cancellation and medical expenses claims.

The number of cancellation claims, at 129,000, rose by 75% on 2021. There were 112,000 medical claims, a leap of 235%, with payouts totalling 197 million.

Spain, the United States, Greece and France were the top overseas destinations in 2022 for people making medical claims on their travel insurance.

The average travel insurance claim last year was the highest on the ABIs records going back to 2004, at 973. The average emergency medical treatment claim was 1,750, also the highest on record.

Claim payouts tend to rise with age, with an average claim value of 571 for holidaymakers aged 36 to 40, rising to 1,950 for holidaymakers aged 71 to 75.

Louise Clark, the ABIs policy adviser, general insurance, said: Most holidaymakers remember their travels for all the right reasons, but for a few it turns into the stuff of nightmares.

No one wants to think of anything spoiling their holiday, but if it does, you could be left counting the cost for many years. The risk of falling seriously ill or injured while overseas can be financially horrendous, as well as very stressful. Travel insurance should always be an essential holiday purchase, and never a nice-to-have.

Here are six essential travel insurance tips from the ABI for your summer getaway:

1. Make sure it is safe to travel. Check and follow the latest foreign travel advice on gov.uk from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Travelling against it is likely to invalidate your travel insurance.

Always follow local health advice, such as dealing with heatwaves. Your travel insurance will apply in the usual way if you need emergency medical treatment due to extreme weather.

2. Be honest and open when applying for cover, especially around any pre-existing medical conditions, or medication you may be taking.

3. Read your policy, so you understand what you are covered for, and what limits and exclusions apply.

4. Take your travel insurers emergency helpline contact details, so you can contact them if the worst happens.

5. Have your EHIC, or get a GHIC, if travelling to Europe. If you hold a current European Health Insurance Card (the EHIC entitles you to access state-provided health care when visiting the EU), this remains valid until its expiry date. After that, or if you do not have an EHIC, you will need to apply in the same way (for free through NHS online) for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Neither the EHIC or the GHIC is a replacement for travel insurance as it will not cover you for all medical costs, or the cost of emergency repatriation back to the UK.

6. Know your rights if facing travel problems. Get as much information as you can, so that, in the event of any travel problems, you know what you are entitled to and from whom. Check if your travel insurance covers travel disruption, which will cover certain non-refundable costs because of specific circumstances (for example, strike or industrial action and airport closures), when other consumer protections do not apply.
Vodafone has launched a new social broadband tariff with faster speeds to encourage families struggling with the cost of living to take up the help.

The new plan, Fibre 2 Essentials, has been designed to offer more choice in the social broadband market and meet the needs of busier households.

The plan costs 20 a month and gives customers speeds of up to 73 Mbps.

It follows findings from consumer group Which? that concerns over broadband speed on social tariffs was slowing take-up of them.

Vodafone is promoting its social tariffs to anyone on jobseekers allowance and Universal Credit, as well as those on employment and support allowance, reduced earnings allowance, disability allowance, personal independence payments or pension credit.

Vodafone UK chief executive Ahmed Essam said: We have led the way in social tariffs, being the first to launch both fixed and mobile connectivity and having the cheapest social broadband product on the market since October last year.

We have now heard the call for telecoms providers to do more to support people in the cost-of-living crisis and offer social tariffs that meet the needs of different households, so we are continuing to lead the way by promoting a new faster speed social broadband tariff to our existing portfolio.

Connectivity isnt a luxury; we are doing all we can to make sure everyone can stay connected.

As part of its proposed merger with Three UK, Vodafone has committed to retaining all current measures to support vulnerable customers affected by the cost-of-living crisis, including social tariffs and digital inclusion campaigns.

Which? director of policy and advocacy Rocio Concha said: Were pleased that Vodafone has responded with this new faster offering following Which?s campaigning in this area.

Which? research has found worries about the speed of social tariffs can be a barrier to take-up. A range of social tariff options ensures eligible consumers can choose the right connection for their households needs.

Ofcom, Which? and others have repeatedly called on broadband providers to do more to promote these tariffs to eligible customers and they must ramp up these efforts.

Firms should also let customers on any contract leave without exit fees when switching to a social tariff  especially if they do not offer discounted tariffs themselves.
The mother of a man shot dead in cold blood told a court she had finally got justice as his killer was found guilty after four trials.

Ramane Wiggan, 25, was shot from behind after being lured to a balcony at a block of flats in West Norwood, south London, on the afternoon of March 27 2019, the Old Bailey heard.

Kaine Gilead, now 26, from Crystal Palace, south-east London, had denied being involved in the shooting but was found guilty of murder on Wednesday following a fourth trial in the case.

Mr Wiggans mother gasped in court as the jury delivered its guilty verdict by a majority of 10 to two after deliberating for nearly 47 hours.

Gilead shrugged off his suit jacket and tie, shook his head, and stared at the victims family as he held up a photograph appearing to show him with a young boy in his arms.

Judge Michael Topolski KC told the defendant to look at him as he adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed.

Gilead responded: What are you going to do to me? Thirty years for no reason. Ive done nothing wrong. Look at you, for what, your ego?

The victims mother called out to him: You are standing there and looking at me. You murdered my son.

Gilead shouted from the dock: Ive done nothing wrong.

The mother replied: You are a murderer and finally I have justice.

The defendant said: For what? Im innocent.

Remanding Gilead into custody, Judge Topolski praised Mr Wiggans mother, who had sat through four trials, saying: There were two other attempts to get the case to a jury for verdict. That did not happen.

There was a trial at the back end of last year which resulted in a jury not being able to reach a decision.

The court has been constantly impressed with her calm dignity, again having to relive the horrifying details of her sons death, not just once but relive it time and time again.

In the retrial, prosecutor Brian ONeill KC told jurors that Mr Wiggan was killed because of his work collecting drug money.

He had arranged to meet Gilead to collect money the defendant owed for drugs, it was claimed.

Mr ONeill: He was shot to death in cold blood and broad daylight. His murder was a deliberate, planned assassination.

Mr Wiggan was shot from behind with a Glock pistol, which was fired twice, one bullet travelling through his chest and rapidly leading to his death. He had been lured to that pre-selected location so that he could be shot.

The person who had lured him there was this defendant, Kaine Gilead. He denies any involvement in the murder and asserts that he has been wrongly identified.

The location for the shooting was well chosen because there was almost no CCTV coverage of the surrounding enclosed stairwells, corridors and walkways, jurors were told.

However, Gilead was identified from nearby CCTV as the pillion passenger on a Piaggio Beverly moped which had travelled to and from West Norwood.

Footage captured him getting off the bike and running towards the block of flats.

Mr ONeill said: Whether Gilead was the gunman, or the bait that lured Ramane Wiggan to his death, the prosecution is not in a position to say, nor do we have to.

A planned, targeted assassination is not a one-man job and there were no doubt others involved in this murder. But of this there can be no doubt  Kaine Gilead played an integral part.

Following the fatal shooting, rider and passenger, this defendant, fled the scene on the scooter.

The next day, Gilead went into hiding in Liverpool and went to some lengths to avoid detection, jurors were told.

The court heard he was also linked to the killing by mobile phone contact with the victim.

He had three mobile phones, one of which was only ever used on the day of the shooting.

The last call Mr Wiggan made was to this phone, less than three minutes before he was shot, the court was told.

Cell site analysis allegedly placed the defendants phone in the area around 15 minutes before the killing.

The prosecution alleged the combined evidence of CCTV, telephone and cell site analysis showed Gilead played an important part in the murder.
The mother of two murdered sisters has called for more black officers to be deployed by the Metropolitan Police in local communities.

Mina Smallman said action rather than words was needed to signify progress, and again called on senior Met officials to accept the term institutionally racist.

It comes after the Met announced plans to overhaul the force with a 366 million two-year scheme, dubbed A New Met for London.

It includes an increased emphasis on neighbourhood policing in a bid to rebuild public trust, moving 240 officers from central to local teams, and using terrorist-style tactics to catch the 100 worst predators targeting women in London.

Speaking at the launch of the Alliance for Police Accountability (APA) in London on Wednesday, Ms Smallman said we have to celebrate any movement that will help support women, but added: I think they need to welcome police officers of colour into that work that theyre doing, because they know the communities and grew up with them.

The police have got to stop thinking their main task is to cover up the misdemeanours. We know that theres a problem  let us work with you and let us in.

Ms Smallmans daughters, Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, were stabbed to death while celebrating a birthday in a park in Wembley, north-west London, in June 2020.

Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman (Family Handout/PA)

Former Met constables Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis were jailed for two years and nine months in December 2021 for sharing photographs of the womens bodies on WhatsApp, before the force was placed in special measures last June.

A review by Baroness Casey, published in March, found the force to be institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic after a series of scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer and Pc David Carrick being unmasked as a serial rapist.

Ms Smallman said: The evidence is there. Blood, sweat and tears are poured into these reports, only for them to eventually be put on the shelf and gather dust.

She said she had spoken to Met Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, who attended the launch, about accepting the term institutionally racist, after repeatedly calling on Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to do so.

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe (Yui Mok/PA)

The APA will see black community organisations and individuals across the UK working collaboratively over an initial three-year period to fight racism, misogyny and homophobia, including through the construction of an anti-racist policing charter.

Lee Jasper, chairman of the APA, said: We intend to scientifically scrutinise the implementation and effectiveness of these plans, and make sure our communities are aware of how well or not the Met is doing in relation to their rollout.

Also speaking at the launch, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Labour MP for Streatham, said Lambeth had the lowest trust and confidence in policing of all London boroughs, owing to a disproportionate use of stop and search in the area, adding black people in London were over-policed as citizens and under-policed as victims.
MPs have called for heavier restrictions on the packaging and marketing of vapes to tackle an alarming trend in the number of children using them.

The Health and Social Care Committee said the Government should consider bringing in plain packaging for e-cigarettes in line with other tobacco products.

It said it believes the messaging around vaping as a tool to help smokers quit can be maintained, but more should be done on education, enforcement and regulations to keep them out of the reach of children.

It also called for a review of the enforcement powers of trading standards to stop vapes being sold to children.

Steve Brine, chairman of the Health and Social Care Committee, said decisive action is needed from Government and industry to tackle an alarming trend in the number of children vaping and to protect them from its harmful effects.

He added: Its clear to us that the vaping industry has not gone far enough to ensure that its products dont appeal to children.

When you have brightly-coloured and branded vapes with flavours that name unicorns, sweets and popular fizzy drinks displayed in locations ranging from newsagents to chicken shops, its disingenuous for the industry to claim otherwise.

We heard a wake-up call from a headteacher who told us that hydraulic oil and antifreeze, along with other extremely concerning chemicals, were found in a vape confiscated at her school.

Ministers need to focus, across government, on the impact vaping is having in our schools, whether that be setting off smoke alarms in toilets or restricting access to them entirely for young people. Weve heard this issue is really impacting on the delivery of education in schools and, post-pandemic in particular, this is the last thing we can afford.

The call from MPs comes after the British Medical Association (BMA) said it would review the dangers of vaping.

A motion was passed at the organisations annual representative meeting in Liverpool earlier in July which also said vapes should be sold in plain packaging.

At the time, Dr Ryan Devlin from the BMAs Lothian division, said the number of young people using vapes is staggering as they should not have access to them.

MPs said there should be more restrictions on the packaging and marketing of vapes (Daniel Leal/PA)

In June, NHS figures revealed 40 children and young people were admitted to hospital in England last year for vaping-related disorders, up from 11 two years earlier.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) also warned e-cigarettes are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so, than traditional cigarettes.

On Saturday, local authorities joined the call for an outright ban on disposable vapes.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said single-use e-cigarettes should be banned by 2024 on environmental and health grounds.

France is considering a ban by the end of 2023, with the European Union expected to follow suit in 2026.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: While vaping is a preferable alternative to smoking for adults, it is illegal to sell nicotine vapes to children and we are concerned about the recent rises in youth vaping  particularly the use of disposable vaping products.

We launched a call for evidence to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vape products, exploring a range of issues including the marketing and promotion of vapes. The call for evidence has now closed, and the government will be considering a range of options based on the evidence provided.

We are also taking bold action to crack down on youth vaping through the 3 million illicit vapes enforcement squad to tackle underage sales to children.
Healthcare bosses have accused the parents and grandmother of a woman with a rare degenerative neurological condition of tampering with medical equipment.

They said the relatives messed with tubes and equipment settings and put the woman, who is in her late 20s and lives in a specialist unit, at risk by interfering during her medical care.

Lawyers representing an integrated care board with responsibilities for the womans treatment have asked a judge in a specialist court to make findings.

Mr Justice Hayden is overseeing a hearing in the Court of Protection, where judges analyse issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, at the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London.

The judge suggested the litigation is unusual, telling Wednesdays hearing: In 10 years I have never had to try a case like this in the Court of Protection.

He ruled that neither the woman, the unit where she is being treated nor the care board involved can be identified in media reports.

The parents and grandmother dispute the allegations and have accused staff at the unit of failing to care for the woman properly.

Mr Justice Hayden was told the womans father made covert recordings without the knowledge of staff at the unit.

Lawyers said more than 24 hours worth of covert recordings had been disclosed by the womans father.

Mr Justice Hayden is overseeing a hearing in the Court of Protection, where judges analyse issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to take decisions for themselves, at the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London (PA)

Thirteen months ago, Mr Justice Hayden bound the parents and grandmother to the terms of a behavioural framework after bosses at a hospital where the woman was previously treated raised concerns about clinical staff being spoken to in an intimidating way.

The judge said, in a ruling published in June 2022, the order was aimed at putting in place clear boundaries to manage the familys behaviour.

After considering the womans case at an earlier Court of Protection hearing, he said injunctive relief was needed.
Police Scotlands chief constable has discussed the police investigation into the SNPs finances, saying the probe has moved beyond initial reports.

Sir Iain Livingstone also said the length of the investigation would be proportionate and timeous.

It comes after former SNP leader and first minister Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as part of the investigation  later being released without charge.

Ms Sturgeon, 52, was the third senior SNP figure to be taken into custody after her husband Peter Murrell, the partys former chief executive; and Colin Beattie, the partys ex-treasurer.

An investigation into the partys finances has been ongoing since July 2021.

 May 2021  MP quits party finance role

Douglas Chapman resigned from his role as treasurer, saying he had not been given enough information to do his job.

Senior figures in the party, including Ms Sturgeon, later disputed his assessment.

Joanna Cherry, a vocal internal critic of the partys leadership, also resigned from her role on the national executive committee (NEC).

Former SNP treasurer Douglas Chapman stood down in April 2021 saying he did not have enough information to do his job (UK Parliament/PA)

 July 2021  Police open investigation

Police Scotland confirmed they were investigating after seven complaints were made around donations to the SNP.

This followed allegations that 600,000 raised for campaigning towards Scottish independence was diverted elsewhere.

Earlier, the police force said they were assessing a fraud allegation relating to 600,000 of funds to determine if an investigation is required.

The party said that all sums raised for independence campaigning will be spent on independence campaigning.

 August 2021  Party accounts acknowledge concern

As the partys annual accounts were published, treasurer Mr Beattie acknowledged there had been concern about transparency over independence-related appeals that had raised more than 600,000.

In a section of the accounts, Mr Beattie discussed money raised by the referendum-related appeals since 2017.

He said that 666,953 had been raised up to the end of 2021, with a total of 51,760 expenditure applied to this income.

The money was earmarked through internal processes, he said, though the accounts did not officially record a separate sum.

 December 2022  Loan to SNP emerges

In December, it emerged that Mr Murrell had loaned the party 100,000 in June 2021.

The party said this was to help with a cash flow issue after the election that year.

Ms Sturgeon said: The resources that he lent the party were resources that belonged to him.

Nicola Sturgeon resigned in early 2023 (Jane Barlow/PA)

 February 2023  Nicola Sturgeon resigns

Nicola Sturgeon stunned the political world by suddenly announcing her resignation on February 15.

She said this was not in relation to short-term pressures but because she knew in her head and heart that the time was right to go.

During her Bute House press conference, she was asked if she expected to be interviewed in relation to the investigation. She said she did not.

 March 2023  Peter Murrell resigns

Amid the SNP leadership contest to replace Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell announced he was stepping down from the role he had held for more than 20 years.

It came during a row over the partys membership numbers, which also led to media chief Murray Foote stepping down.

Membership numbers had dropped by about 30,000 in the last year, something the party previously denied.

Peter Murrell was arrested in April 2023 as part of the ongoing investigation into the SNPs finances (Andy Buchanan/PA)

 April 2023  Murrell arrested as police search premises

Mr Murrell was arrested on the morning of Wednesday April 5.

There was a large police presence around his home in Glasgow as well as the SNPs headquarters in Edinburgh.

He was released without charge, pending further investigation, the same day.

 April 2023  Camper van seized

On April 9, a luxury camper van was seized by police investigating the partys finances, thought to be worth about 110,000.

Colin Beattie, former SNP treasurer, was arrested as part of the investigation into the SNPs finances. He stood down afterwards (Jane Barlow/PA)

 April 2023  Treasurer arrested

On April 18, party treasurer Mr Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police.

His role is to oversee the partys finances.

 April 2023  SNP appoints new treasurer

Stuart McDonald MP was appointed as the SNPs new treasurer on April 22 after Mr Beattie stood down with immediate effect following his arrest.

The 44-year-old, who represents Cumbernauld, Kirkintilloch and Kilsyth, admitted it would be a difficult and challenging time for the party.

 May 2023  SNP appoints new auditors

The party appointed the AMS Accountant Group on May 3 2023, after their previous auditors Johnston Carmichael stood down in September 2022.

The party was subsequently able to file accounts prior to a crucial deadline which may have seen the Westminster group miss out on 1.2 million worth of funding.

 June 2023  Nicola Sturgeon arrested

Former first minister and SNP leader Ms Sturgeon was arrested on June 11.

She voluntarily arranged with Police Scotland to be questioned as part of the investigation into the partys finances, a spokesperson said.

Like the other party figures, she was released without charge pending further investigation.

Upon returning to Holyrood, she said: The thing that sustains me right now is the certainty that I have done nothing wrong.

 July 2023  Sir Iain Livingstone says probe has moved beyond initial reports

Police Scotlands chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone gave an interview shortly before he was to step down from his role.

He confirmed the police investigation, known as Operation Branchform, had moved beyond what some of the initial reports were, saying this is not uncommon in financial inquiries.

The chief constable said he would not put an absolute timeframe on the length of the investigation but that it would be proportionate and timeous.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

A post on Twitter shared the image and stated that the drone was shot down over the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, near the Black Sea.

Asked about the issue during a press conference in Kyiv, the Taoiseach said: We are aware of that, and we are investigating it at the moment.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (bottom left)) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) during a meeting at Horodetskyi House in Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Former foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan called it a matter of some concern.

Under EU sanctions imposed on Russia, there is a ban on the sale, supply or export of drone engines and electronic components, along with other items, that may contribute to Moscows military or the development of its defence and security sector.

The list of restricted items also includes toy drones and various technologies.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said Ireland implements a robust export control policy, which includes the application of relevant EU and international standards for export control.

A spokeswoman said: Any breach of export controls is taken very seriously and the potential use of Irish components in Iranian drones used by the Russian Federation in Ukraine is being investigated, by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Department is also actively working with Conflict Armament Research, which is funded by the EU, to ensure, insofar as possible, that Irish components do not end up, either intentionally or unintentionally, in conflict zones around the world.
Residents in the town that recorded the UKs highest temperature have recalled the unbearable heat one year on.

A temperature of 40.3C was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on July 19 last year as the country was hit with record high temperatures for several days.

It was also the first time the temperature rose above the 40C mark in the UK.

A year on from setting the record, residents and business owners in the town have described how they endured the conditions, which one said was awful.

Trevor Pattinson, manager of RH Papworth butchers in the town, said he and his staff still worked 10-hour days throughout the heatwave and despite the tough conditions, everybody still wanted us to bake pies.

He said: We struggled, we topped out at 48 degrees inside when we had the big oven on.

We are always eight to 10 degrees warmer in the shop anyway.

It was unbearable. We had to have lots of water and ice cream.

A 10-hour day in 45-degree heat, you werent worried about eating, you were just worried about hydrating.

Most of the stock was OK, we did lose a little bit, but it was extreme  there was nothing we could do.



(PA Graphics)

Julia Harrington, who also works in the butchers, said she spent much of her day in the shops refrigerated unit due to the heat and was concerned about such an event happening again.

She said: We worry about having to do it next year.

There was a report about a heatwave coming this year and we were all getting a bit twitchy.

The record at Coningsby was set a day after temperatures hit 38.1C at Santon Downham in Suffolk on July 18 last year.

Coningsby is the site of an RAF base, which itself is home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Callum Parke/PA)

While also holding the record for the hottest day ever recorded in the UK, Coningsby also currently jointly holds the record for the hottest day of 2023.

A temperature of 32.2C was recorded there on June 25, with the same temperature recorded in Chertsey, Surrey, on June 10.

So far this July, the highest temperature has been 30.2C, also recorded in Chertsey on July 7.

But there has been much more rain in July this year compared with 2022.

Holly Henes, 28, had to shield herself from the heat last summer while also caring for two young children, then aged seven and two.

She said: It was awful. We all had to sleep in the living room with the two kids and get all the fans out.

It was unbearable.

The kids were up all night just whimpering and crying and there is nothing you can do to help.

Ms Henes said her family closed the curtains during the day and had a paddling pool out, but did not have it out for long due to the heat. SHe said: I would not want it to happen again.

But she also said it felt strange for her town to hold a nationwide record, adding: It feels like a small place that not many people know about, and now they do.

The town is home to RAF Coningsby, which hosts three Typhoon fighter units, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Henry and Doreen Hutton described the heat as not too bad but were concerned about it happening again (Callum Parke/PA)

Mother and son, Doreen and Henry Hutton, who are from the town, said they stayed indoors for much of the day last year but did manage to get some shopping done.

Mr Hutton, 56, said: It was not too bad, but we did see some sights from the next-door neighbours laying out on the lawn in bikinis and on top of the coal house.

I dont mind the 20s, but the 40s are very hard to deal with.

Its the way of the world now, with climate change.

It does worry me. In a few years time, it will be even hotter.

Coningsby is unlikely to break its record this month, according to Met Office forecasts, with unsettled conditions including cloud, showers and some more prolonged periods of rain expected for the rest of July.
The UK is being gripped by a sickness explosion which is costing the economy 15 billion a year, experts have warned.

The nation has among the worst population health in Europe due to high levels of obesity, excessive drinking and large health inequalities, according to a new report by health experts and peers.

Poor health in the population, a rising number of elderly people and ballooning demand for care are leading to a health emergency, experts said.

As a result there is a high level of premature often avoidable ill health which is damaging the economy and the NHS, they said.

The new report, titled A Covenant for Health, states that millions are becoming prematurely ill which is forcing many to drop out of work.

It has been estimated that this cost the economy 15 billion in 2022/23 due to higher welfare costs and lower tax revenues.

The authors wrote: It is urgent to act  the UK has among the worst population health in Europe, the highest levels of obesity, the worst excess drinking levels, very large health inequalities, and very many people become ill much earlier than they should.

Our high level of premature, often avoidable ill health, damages lives, our society, localities and our economy. Without resolute action it will get worse.

The new report, penned by former Labour minister Lord Filkin, former health minister Lord Bethall, public health experts and academics from the Kings Fund think tank, calls for an emergency programme for better health.

Lord Filkin, chairman of the Covenant for Health Commission, said: We have a population health emergency  poor population health, more older people, ballooning demand, and costs on the NHS are leading to a sickness explosion. There will be 16 million people living with obesity by 2030 and 500,000 will die from smoking and poor air quality over the next five years.

The NHS alone cannot solve this. Far too many of us get avoidable illnesses which harm our lives and cause us to drop out of work. Estimates from last weeks OBR indicate that in 2023-24 welfare spending due to health inactivity, increases in ill-health among those in work and tax loss as a result of rising health-related inactivity and in-work ill-health will cost the Government more than 15 billion.

We need to keep well to be happy, to contribute and to sustain our economy and our NHS. Yet Government, business, society, ourselves, we have all done far too little to prevent ill health.

Yet a great deal can be done rapidly and for low cost to help us live healthier longer lives, as our report A Covenant for Health sets out. We call for bold action across society and by all political parties to develop an Emergency Programme for Better Health to help our society be healthier and so help make for happier lives and to treat fewer illnesses.

Former health minister Lord Bethell added: Our leaders should recognise the public do support measures to tackle smoking, obesity, heart disease and other chronic illnesses and address junk food, and dirty air, to support healthy communities and to engage people in their own health.

Richard Murray, chief executive of The Kings Fund, added: The health of the nation is in bad shape.

Whether looking at life expectancy, levels of chronic ill-health, inequalities, mental health or the drivers of poor health like obesity, Englands recent record is poor and often compares badly to our neighbours.

Apart from the obvious fact that no-one wants to be ill or to die prematurely, this state of affairs weighs heavily on the economy and the Exchequer, whether in terms of higher treatment costs, increased welfare payments or the loss of potential staff to ill-health at a time when many parts of the economy are facing deep workforce shortages.

Tackling this problem is not just a job for the NHS  we cannot treat our way out of a public health crisis.

Improving the nations health will require urgent cross-Government action that encompasses better quality housing, policies to ensure the air we breathe is clean, and the use of tax and regulation to encourage healthy behaviours.

And beyond national Government, local councils, the NHS, business, and charities all have power to improve the health of their employees, citizens and beneficiaries.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Our ambition is for people to live longer, independent lives in good health, and we are committed to improving healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035 and reducing the gap between areas where it is highest and lowest by 2030.

We have introduced calorie labelling, restricted the placement of less healthy food in shops, provided the largest ever single increase in drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding in England, and will help a million smokers across England quit by giving them a free vaping starter kit.

Our Major Conditions Strategy will set out our plan to tackle the six major conditions most prevalent, from prevention to treatment, and will consider a range of factors including work, education and transport which are all critical to good physical and mental health.
The SNP has been accused of making crass political jibes steeped in Sinophobia and misogyny after it handed out mugs comparing Labour welfare policy to China.

Labours Sarah Owen, the first MP of south-east Asian descent, took aim at SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn for the mugs and accompanying notes handed to journalists in Westminster.

Photos posted on social media showed a note, on House of Commons paper from Mr Flynn, reading: The Labour Party has a new range of mugs in production. Theyre made in China  just like Sir Keir Starmers latest policy.

The slogans Controls on family sizes and Whats the point of Labour? were written on the mug.

Three guesses what the SNPs Stephen Flynn might raise at PMQs, after his team dropped these round the press gallery pic.twitter.com/Hv4S9fxZWV  Aubrey Allegretti (@breeallegretti) July 19, 2023

Mr Flynn used Prime Ministers Questions to criticise the Opposition for its plan to maintain the two-child benefit cap, which prevents parents from claiming Universal Credit or child tax credit for a third or additional child born after April 2017.

Chinas one-child policy, implemented nationwide in 1980, sought to limit most Chinese families to one child each to limit population growth. It ended in 2016.

Ms Owen, raising a point of order in the Commons, told Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing: Earlier this morning a note on parliamentary headed notepaper and mug was sent to the press lobby from the SNP leader in Westminster referring to Chinas one-child policy.

This was not what I came to Parliament to do but sadly Ive become used to calling out Sinophobia and misogyny in this place and would be grateful for your guidance.

Official statistics confirm that as a result of the one-child policy there were 196 million sterilisations, 336 million abortions, all under Chinas one-child policy.

It was a policy that broke families, led to infanticide, mostly baby girls  in 2017, there were still 33 million more men than there were women in China.

When can our diverse communities expect better from Members of Parliament, especially in understanding the history and trauma of other countries?

Madam Deputy Speaker, is it really appropriate for the SNP leader in Westminster to use parliamentary stationery to make crass political jibes steeped in Sinophobia and misogyny?

Shouldnt we expect better, especially the south-east Asian community, on this issue?

 Labour Labour mugs Labour mugs children  Introducing the #TwoChildCup pic.twitter.com/binOjKgb5e  David Linden MP (@DavidLinden) July 19, 2023

SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, also made a point of order to ask Dame Eleanor: Maybe you can clarify two points for me.

Whether or not the British Labour Party is more rattled by a minor breach of the rules than they are by child poverty?

And also, in terms of quotes, I believe in 2018 the following was said: The cap reminds me of communist Chinas morally abhorrent one-child policy. Now even the Chinese have abolished that, perhaps the Tories can bring themselves to follow Chinas example and abolish the two-child cap.

The deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party (Jackie Baillie) said that.

So maybe in answering these two questions maybe we can find the member for Luton North (Ms Owen) the telephone number for Labours sub-branch office in Glasgow.

Dame Eleanor, in her reply, said: I would urge responsible language in this House and by members outside this House.

The Deputy Speaker advised Ms Owen to write to Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle if she had concerns over how parliamentary stationery has been used.
Rishi Sunak has braced Tory MPs for possible defeats in Thursdays triple by-election but promised them he will outline his vision to win over voters in the coming months.

The Prime Minister told a meeting of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers on the eve of the polls that they face a tough battle in what had been seen as safe seats for the Tories.

Sources said he told them that governing parties rarely win by-elections but urged the MPs to unite in the face of any defeat as he pledged to throw everything at winning the next election.

Labour hopes to snatch Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which was Boris Johnsons seat until he quit, and Selby and Ainsty  vacated by his ally Nigel Adams resignation.

The Liberal Democrats are eying victory in the contest in Somerton and Frome, triggered by David Warburton quitting after admitting cocaine use amid allegations of sexual harassment.

Loss in all of them would be the first time in 55 years that a government has been defeated in three by-elections on the same day.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Sunak was understood to have told his MPs: In the coming months, I am going to set out more of what I would do if I had a full term.

I was recently described as a full spectrum modern Conservative and you are going to see that in the programme I lay out.

Mr Sunak pledged to show the public who is really on their side, adding: And that is what will propel us to victory.

He was conscious of the battle he will face if voters roundly reject the Tory candidates, but urged MPs to unite ahead of a general election expected next year.

When we come back in September we have a choice to make, all of us. Do we come together and throw everything at winning the next election or not? Ive made my choice, Im all in with you to win, Mr Sunak told the meeting.

I promise you we can do this but we can only do it together as one team.

Tory backbencher Jonathan Gullis told reporters outside the meeting that the problem is apathetic Conservative voters rather than the publics support for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

He said Mr Sunak told them what we already know, which is its going to be a tough battle in the by-elections.

Tory MPs at the meeting said he did not address suggestions that he could spring a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday in an attempt to reset his premiership.

During a visit to Warwickshire, Mr Sunak told reporters asking whether he would shake up his top team that you would never expect me to comment on things like that  in what was clearly not a denial.

He welcomed a fall in the rate of inflation as proof his Governments plans were working.

The Prime Ministers press secretary acknowledged it would be tough for the Tories to hold the three seats on Thursday.

She said: By-elections, for incumbent governments, are very difficult, that is the nature of them.

The election that the Conservative Party is most focused on is the general election.

Mr Johnson held Londons Uxbridge constituency with a 7,000 majority when he was prime minister at the last general election in 2019.

Mr Adams secured North Yorkshires Selby and Ainsty with a 20,000 majority that night, a similar margin to Mr Warburtons victory in his Somerset seat.
Margaret Thatcher privately wrote to Labour prime minister Tony Blair to praise his staunch support for the United States in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, according to newly released government files.

For years, Baroness Thatcher was a thorn in the side of her Tory successor, John Major, but she could hardly have been more effusive in her admiration for Mr Blair  who she once described as her greatest achievement for steering Labour away from the left-wing policies of the 1980s.

You will have found, as I did, that just as one international crisis subsides, another soon threatens, she wrote in a handwritten note dated April 4 2002, seven months after al Qaida passenger jet hijackers carried out four co-ordinated suicide attacks, including on the Twin Towers in New York City.

I greatly admire the resolve you are showing. You have ensured that Britain is known as a staunch defender of liberty, and as a loyal ally of America. That is the very best reputation our country can have.

She signed off: With all good wishes, Margaret T.

Another admirer of Mr Blairs response to the crisis was former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown, who emailed to say: Heavens  what a wonderful speech. Just what the country needed. It will have daunted your enemies, thrilled your friends and comforted those who doubt.

The files, released to the National Archives at Kew, west London, also include a letter to Mr Blair from Tory former defence minister Sir John Stanley, written just days after 9/11, warning of the need to prepare for an imminent terror attack in the UK using weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

He wrote: I wish to urge most strongly that your Government bases its security, civil defence and intelligences resourcing and deployment policies on the assumption that a terrorist WMD attack on one or more of the centres of population in the UK will be attempted and attempted in the near and foreseeable future.

The vulnerability of British people, particularly those living in urban areas, to terrorist attack is, I suspect, all too great.

In response, Mr Blair said that while he shared his concerns and had ordered a security review, the greatest threat remained a conventional attack.
Rishi Sunak has braced Conservative MPs for possible defeats in Thursdays triple by-election contest.

The Prime Minister told a meeting of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers on the eve of the polls that they face a tough battle in what were seen as safe seats for his party.

He told them that governing parties rarely win by-elections but urged the MPs to unite in the face of any defeat as he pledged to throw everything at winning the next general election.

Labour hopes to snatch Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which was Boris Johnsons seat until he quit, and Selby and Ainsty  vacated by his ally Nigel Adams resignation.

The Liberal Democrats are eying victory in the contest in Somerton and Frome that was triggered by David Warburton quitting after admitting cocaine use amid allegations of sexual harassment.

Losses for the Tories in all of them would be the first time in 55 years that a government has been defeated in three by-elections on the same day.

Polls open at 7am on Thursday.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Sunak was understood to have told his MPs: In the coming months, I am going to set out more of what I would do if I had a full term.

I was recently described as a full spectrum modern Conservative and you are going to see that in the programme I lay out.

Mr Sunak pledged to show the public who is really on their side, adding: And that is what will propel us to victory.

He was conscious of the battle he will face if voters roundly reject the Tory candidates, but urged MPs to unite ahead of a general election expected next year.

When we come back in September we have a choice to make, all of us. Do we come together and throw everything at winning the next election or not? Ive made my choice, Im all in with you to win, Mr Sunak told the meeting.

I promise you we can do this but we can only do it together as one team.

Tory backbencher Jonathan Gullis told reporters outside the meeting that the problem is apathetic Conservative voters rather than the publics support for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

He said Mr Sunak told them what we already know, which is its going to be a tough battle in the by-elections.

Tory MPs at the meeting said he did not address suggestions that he could spring a Cabinet reshuffle on Friday in an attempt to reset his premiership.

During a visit to Warwickshire, Mr Sunak told reporters asking whether he would shake up his top team that you would never expect me to comment on things like that  in what was clearly not a denial.

He welcomed a fall in the rate of inflation as proof his Governments plans were working.

The Prime Ministers press secretary acknowledged it would be tough for the Tories to hold the three seats on Thursday.

She said: By-elections, for incumbent governments, are very difficult, that is the nature of them.

The election that the Conservative Party is most focused on is the general election.

Mr Johnson held Londons Uxbridge constituency with a 7,000 majority when he was prime minister at the last general election in 2019.

Mr Adams secured North Yorkshires Selby and Ainsty with a 20,000 majority that night, a similar margin to Mr Warburtons victory in his Somerset seat.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: Today voters across Somerton and Frome have a chance to send a clear message to the Conservatives that they have failed our country on the NHS, the cost-of-living crisis and protecting our rural communities.

If the Liberal Democrats succeed in overturning this massive 19,000 Conservative majority, it will show voters in Somerset are fed up with being taken for granted by Rishi Sunak and his failing government.

Sir Keirs spokesman downplayed Labours chances, saying Uxbridge was not even won during the 1997 landslide victory and Selby would require the partys best by-election result since the Second World War.
The Conservatives have complained to the Evening Standard about its contemptible front page coverage of the selection of Susan Hall as their candidate to be London mayor.

Deputy party chairman Nickie Aiken said the selection of the full-page picture of the London Assembly member was clear mockery, suggesting there was a whiff of misogyny.

Susan Hall has been unveiled as the Tory candidate who will challenge Sadiq Khan in next years London mayoral elections #frontpagehttps://t.co/xgZUoS6hl6 pic.twitter.com/Q2RjXb4VDY  Evening Standard (@EveningStandard) July 19, 2023

The accompanying headline asked And the winner is?, with text suggesting that Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan is odds-on to seal third victory.

Tory party chairman Greg Hands backed Ms Aikens complaint to Standard editor Dylan Jones, saying the coverage was extremely disappointing.

In her letter shared on Twitter, Ms Aiken said: I am writing to you to express my sincere disappointment in your front page today.

Your choice of photo of Susan Hall is a clear mockery, and it is contemptible, especially as the first female candidate for London mayor from either of the two main parties.

V disappointed by the photo used by @EveningStandard of @Councillorsuzie announcing shes @Conservatives candidate for London Mayor. Ive written to the editor expressing my concerns  whiff of #misogyny? I would have expected better from Londons daily. #misogyninpolitics pic.twitter.com/r41aPK1mqZ  Nickie Aiken MP #TwoCities (@twocitiesnickie) July 19, 2023

Ms Aiken said the councillor was heavily encouraged by the Standard photographer to pose with her arms in the air despite expressing reluctance.

She said other images were made available by the PA news agency, adding: It therefore appears to me that this photograph was chosen with malicious intent.

The MP called for a prompt response and explanation from the editor, who joined the paper last month having previously led the British GQ mens lifestyle magazine.
Conservative Tobias Ellwood has expressed regret and deleted a video in which he praised the Taliban for tackling opium and corruption after he faced criticism from fellow MPs.

The Commons Defence Committee chairman was condemned by a fellow Conservative member of the cross-party group for the utterly bizarre clip lauding the Talibans governance of Afghanistan.

Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid praised Mr Elwoods positive report from Helmand province, which the MP has now removed from Twitter.

           ()        .           .    ()       .          . pic.twitter.com/qnv9qVgy0D  Zabihullah (..   ) (@Zabehulah_M33) July 18, 2023

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday he will look into the video filmed during a visit to the nation recaptured by the fundamentalists as the West removed its troops.

Mr Ellwood, a former defence minister who served in the Army, conceded that the video could be done better.

The MP for Bournemouth East told TalkTVs Piers Morgan Uncensored: Its important to put your hand up and acknowledge errors, however well intentioned.

I stand up, I speak my mind. I try and find solutions especially on the international stage, and Im very, very sorry that my reflection of my visit could have been much better worded and have been taken out of context.

Mr Ellwood added: Ill be very clear the last couple of days have probably been the most miserable as a Member of Parliament. I got it wrong.

Mark Francois told the Commons his colleague should be very careful in expressing his views if he wanted to remain as chair of the committee.

He described the video as utterly bizarre, arguing it was lauding the Talibans management of the country.

Committee members were describing it as a wish-you-were-here video, Mr Francois said.

He added: I wish to make plain on behalf of the committee he was speaking for himself, even though he used the title of chairman of our committee in a number of associated articles. Not in our name.

Mr Ellwood has been urging the Government to reopen the British embassy in Kabul so that progressive improvements for girls education can be encouraged incrementally.

In his video, he claimed that security in Afghanistan had vastly improved since the Taliban had returned to power, corruption is down and the opium trade has all but disappeared.

He suggested western countries should incrementally encourage the uptake of womens rights by engaging with the new regime.

After Natos dramatic departure, should the West now engage with the Taliban? You quickly appreciate this war-weary nation is for the moment accepting a more authoritarian leadership in exchange for stability, he said.
A group of tourists stand near a border station at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Not long after this photo was taken, Travis King, a U.S. soldier, bolted across the border and became the first known American detained in the North in nearly five years. (AP Photo/Sarah Jane Leslie) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Sarah Leslie thought she was witnessing a stunt when she saw an American soldier start sprinting toward North Korea.

Leslie and her father, tourists from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea.

Pvt. Travis King was among the group of 43 tourists, Leslie told The Associated Press, although he was casually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was supposed to travel home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

Leslie said her tour group went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held. To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didn't seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running really fast.

I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do, Leslie said. But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy."

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

But the soldiers didn't have time to respond. She said that after running about 10 meters (30 feet) down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Leslie said she didn't see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadn't seen King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

People couldn't really quite believe what had happened, Leslie said. Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other."

Leslie, a lawyer from New Zealand's capital, Wellington, said she'd long had an interest in the Koreas after studying politics at university and seeing South Korean movies.

She said she found it hard to understand why King would head to North Korea.

I just didnt think anyone would ever want to do that, she said.
The UK Government has been urged to reflect on its controversial legacy Bill as it failed to make it on to statute before the summer recess.

Peter Kyle MP, Labours shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said the Bill should be shelved.

As the Government has failed to ram through the legacy Bill by July as they recklessly intended, Labour is urging them to reflect over the summer and shelve their plans, he said.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle (Liam McBurney/PA)

Its time Rishi Sunak listened to Northern Ireland parties, all of whom oppose this Bill that delivers more for terrorists than victims.

If the Conservatives have given up being an honest broker, they should step aside so Labour can clean up the mess theyve made and be the partner Northern Ireland deserves.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would give immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to people who co-operated with a truth recovery body.

It would also prevent future civil cases and inquests.

The immunity element of the Bill was removed by the House of Lords, but reinstated when the legislation returned to the House of Commons on Tuesday.

In June, Cabinet Office minister Johnny Mercer said the Governments view was that the legislation would clear all stages by the summer recess.

Campaigners from Relatives for Justice protest against the Bill outside the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA)

On Wednesday morning Lord Caine, parliamentary under-secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said the Bills failure to pass before recess was entirely down to the volume of legislation that weve had to deal with in the House of Lords.

Lord Caine also described the immunity element of the Bill, which has faced opposition in Northern Ireland and in the House of Lords, as contentious.

The Bill is opposed by all major Stormont parties, the Irish Government and victims campaign groups.

However, Lord Caine said it is a realistic assessment of what can be done two decades after the Good Friday Agreement.

What the Government has done is tried to make a realistic assessment of what can be delivered for victims and survivors and families of those whove lost loved ones during the Troubles, bearing in mind that were now a quarter of a century after the Belfast agreement, nearly 30 years since the ceasefires, and well over 50 years since the outbreak of the Troubles themselves, he told the BBC.

So its a realistic assessment of what can be delivered in circumstances where, frankly, the prospects of prosecutions is going to be vanishingly rare.

I do appreciate that this is incredibly difficult and challenging legislation.

Lord Caine said the Bill would not provide a general immunity from prosecution for people who committed crimes during the Troubles, only for those crimes that were dealt with by the Truth Recovery Commission.

Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights says an inquiry after a suspicious death must be designed to lead to criminal proceedings where appropriate.

The contentious element of this, of course, which is very difficult for people, is the conditional immunity model, said Lord Caine.

Under the Governments proposals, the review mechanism thats in the legislation would allow for full Article 2-compliant criminal investigation.

The difference is, if the individual co-operates with the commission fully, and gives an honest and truthful account, which will be validated by the commission, then they will be eligible for immunity in specific circumstances relating to that particular incident.

Its not a general immunity from prosecution, its in respect of specific incidents.

If they dont co-operate to the standard that is expected in legislation with the commission, then the commission wont grant them immunity and they will still be open to prosecution in the normal way.

Lord Caine said he has made changes to the legislation to try to make it more acceptable to its opponents.

When this was going through the House of Lords at committee stage, I did take on board a number of representations from colleagues and also from various groups who argued that the bar was too low, he said.

So what I did was bring forward amendments at report stage of the Bill which were agreed by the Commons yesterday to make the immunity process much more robust.

In particular, to ensure that the commission has to take all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves of the validity and truthfulness of an individuals account.

Lord Caine (Jacob King/PA)

In circumstances where somebodys account is found to have been untruthful, I again amended the Bill to make sure that, if they had previously been granted immunity, that immunity can be revoked.

Families of victims have taken part in numerous protests opposing the Bill, saying it deprives their loved ones of justice.

Lord Caine said those affected by incidents being investigated by the commission would be invited to give evidence.

To raise the point about the views of victims again, I amended the Bill to ensure that one of the provisions thats now included is a victims impact statement, which is something that the Victims Commissioner in particular asked for, so that victims will be able to submit an impact assessment which will form part of the final report.

Victims, as a result of the amendments in the Commons yesterday, will also, when a review/investigation is launched, be able to submit a series of questions about an incident which the commission will be under an obligation to the best of its ability to answer, which will then form part of the final report.
Britain is imposing visa requirements for all visitors from Dominica, Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu, as Suella Braverman cited abuse of the migration system.

The Home Secretary said the changes were being made solely for migration and border security reasons and insisted it is not a sign of poor relations with these countries.

In a written statement to MPs on Wednesday, she said Dominica and Vanuatus operation of a citizenship by investment scheme has shown clear and evident abuse.

The two Commonwealth allies have been granting citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK, she said.

Ms Braverman said there had been a sustained and significant increase in nationals from Namibia and Honduras who had abused their right to visit the UK for a limited period without a visa in order to claim asylum.

As such, Namibians and Hondurans rank first amongst non-visa nationals for asylum claims, she wrote.

These high numbers are unsustainable, contributing significantly to operational pressures which have resulted in frontline resource being diverted from other operational priorities.

Namibia is another member of the Commonwealth of 56 mainly former British colonies.

As for Timor-Leste, Ms Braverman said there had been a sustained increase in its nationals arriving at the border as non-genuine visitors.

She said they often had the intention to fraudulently claim EU Settlement Scheme status as dependants or to work illegally in the UK.

Ms Braverman was allowing a four-week transition period for those who hold confirmed bookings to the UK to travel without visas before the new regime hits.
Irelands premier said coming to face to face with the horrors inflicted by Russia has convinced him that Ukraine will ultimately emerge from the war victorious.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

On a day-long unannounced trip to the Ukrainian capital, Mr Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion.

He was taken to the church grounds where a mass grave was found and a bridge where fleeing civilians were bombed and laid a soft toy at a memorial for children killed in the conflict, the youngest just two days old.

The Taoiseach also participated in a number of other wreath and flower-laying ceremonies to commemorate those who have lost their lives defending Ukraine.

I came face to face with the horror that Russias forces have inflicted on civilians here in Ukraine, he said afterwards.

After an hour-long meeting with President Zelensky, Mr Varadkar reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the negotiation process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed to taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine vast swathes of Ukrainian land.

The Taoiseach made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the kakhovka dam and other areas.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

He added: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar shakes hands with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint news briefing at Horodetsky House in Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Mr Varadkar also revealed that an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

Asked how such a part could potentially have got into Russian hands, Mr Varadkar said: We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

Travelling with @LeoVaradkar in Kyiv today as he visited sites that still bear the scars of the Russian offensive to capture the Ukrainian capital in the early weeks of the war.@PA pic.twitter.com/A4UOqOYPAz  David Young (@DavidYoungPA) July 19, 2023

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression, he said.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

After the engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The Taoiseachs intensive schedule of engagements began in the early morning when he disembarked from an overnight train from Poland to travel to the Kyiv Oblast region on the northern outskirts of the city.

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Leo Varadkar visits the Motherland monument in Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, 24.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainian fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks from entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) shakes hands with actor Oleksandr Hrekov (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Later in the day, Mr Varadkar met a Ukrainian actor who was assaulted in Dublin last month.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel. The actor required stitches in hospital.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

The Taoiseach then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.
Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said he will reiterate the importance of Ukraines accession to the EU after President Volodymyr Zelensky told him the process would help build soldiers morale.

The Taoiseach had said that Ireland was supporting Ukraine by offering training, as well as financial support for non-lethal materials, and political support for Ukraines cause.

Mr Varadkar told reporters at a press conference in Kyiv that Irelands stance as a neutral country and as a non-Nato member gives an advantage when stating that Russias invasion of Ukraine was an aggressive, imperialistic attack, rather than a row between the West and Russia.

He said: Weve been among the strongest supporters in the European Union of tough sanctions against Russia, and indeed against Belarus, and were among the strongest supporters of Ukraine becoming a candidate country for EU membership.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, bottom left, and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, during a meeting at Horodetskyi House in Kyiv, Ukraine (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

The next step  which we believe should happen before the end of the year  is the opening of negotiations so that Ukraine can continue on its European path.

One thing that President Zelensky said to me which really struck me is that move can really help build morale for soldiers who are fighting on the ground, on the front line, to know that theyre fighting for a European future, but that Europe believes that is their future too.

Thats something Ill definitely take back to my colleagues.

Mr Varadkar said he had used that credibility in speaking with leaders from Latin America about support for Ukraine, and pledged to do the same with the heads of government in African countries.

He also said that the five million euros in humanitarian funding announced on Wednesday is in addition to more than 100 million euros committed by Ireland already.

Infrastructure, such as electricity grid and water purification equipment, is also being offered by Ireland.

Mr Varadkar said Ireland was also helping to train Ukrainian soldiers to de-mine areas, which Mr Zelensky called a priority for his country, as well as providing training in military medicine.

Around 30 Defence Forces personnel were involved in training Ukrainian soldiers in how to clear a former battlefield of explosives once it falls behind the front line.
The Prince of Wales will travel to the US to attend the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, where the 2023 finalists of his environmental awards will be named.

William will fly to New York for a two-day visit in September for a number of events including the summit, where the 15 solutions to repair the planet will be unveiled.

The heir to the throne was due to attend the inaugural summit, held last year in New York, but was unable to travel as the royal family were observing royal mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

The then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the first Earthshot Prize awards ceremony at Alexandra Palace in October 2021 (Alberto Pezzali/PA)

The Earthshot Prize aims to discover and scale-up groundbreaking solutions to repair the planet and 1 million in prize money will be presented to the winners in five categories, or Earthshots  Protect and restore nature; Clean our air; Revive our oceans; Build a waste-free world; and Fix our climate.

Singapore will host the third awards ceremony in November, after prize-giving events were staged in Boston last year and Londons Alexandra Palace in 2021.

William will begin his official trip on September 18, and the summit, which is taking place during New York Climate Week and the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, will be held the following day.

It will bring together previous Earthshot Prize winners and finalists with policymakers, global business leaders, philanthropists and climate activists to scale their innovative solutions.

Former New York mayor and business news mogul Mike Bloomberg, a global adviser to Earthshot Prize winners, will give a speech at the event.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden 's administration is hosting state legislators from 41 states to the White House on Wednesday for discussions on how legislatures can make child care more affordable for families, the White House said.

The meeting includes New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and 90 lawmakers from across the country to share legislative ideas and strategies for bringing down costs for parents and supporting child care providers. First lady Jill Biden will deliver closing remarks at the meeting, which will be convened by Jennifer Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council, Neera Tanden, the director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Tom Perez, the director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The summit follows similar meetings on subjects like abortion and healthcare, where Biden has faced roadblocks in passing his agenda in Congress but is seeking to support changes at the state and local level ahead of his 2024 reelection campaign.
The Biden administration is suspending all federal funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), the Chinese lab at the center of a controversy over the origins of the coronavirus, according to a memo from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that was made public by a House subcommittee.

The memo from an HHS official said the facility has repeatedly refused to provide documents and answer questions from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) about safety and security. HHS also told the lab its seeking to cut off funding permanently.

The memo, dated Monday, was first reported by Bloomberg.

The Wuhan Institute likely violated protocols of the NIH regarding biosafety is undisputed, wrote the official, whose name was redacted. As such, there is risk that WIV not only previously violated, but is currently violating, and will continue to violate, protocols of the NIH on biosafety.

The institute, which has not received any federal money since 2020, now has 30 days to respond to the notice.

Therefore, I have determined that the immediate suspension of WIV is necessary to mitigate any potential public health risk, the HHS official wrote.

The document was made public by the House Oversight Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, which has been probing the administrations grants to the Wuhan Institute. Republican members of the panel have insisted the virus was manufactured in the Chinese facility with the aid of U.S. funding and spread worldwide because of a lab leak.

Much of the attention has been focused on EcoHealth Alliance, a U.S.-based organization that received a 2014 grant from NIH that was partly sub-granted to the Wuhan Institute.

The U.S. intelligence community has yet to reach a conclusion about where the virus originated. At the same time, China has blocked international scientists from exploring all possibilities about the viruss origin.

NIH officials have asserted that no taxpayer funds were used for research that could have supercharged a coronavirus and caused the pandemic, but they have also admitted they dont know the full extent of research being conducted in Wuhan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Flight attendants changed a mans seat on a Delta Air Lines flight upon learning he groped a 15-year-old traveler sitting next to him, federal prosecutors said.

Jack Allen Roberson, 69, of Andrews, North Carolina, was arrested after the plane arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from Atlanta on Sunday, July 16, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington.

Roberson is accused of placing his hand on the teenagers thigh, then moving his hand under her skirt, prosecutors said.

Now hes facing a charge of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft, the attorneys office announced in a July 17 news release.

Roberson is due in court for a detention hearing scheduled for July 19, the release said.

McClatchy News contacted a federal public defender appointed to represent Roberson for comment on July 18 and didnt receive an immediate response.

When the 15-year-old boarded the flight to Seattle with her aunt on July 16, they found Roberson sitting in the wrong seat, an aisle seat, according to a complaint filed in court.

After Roberson moved to his correct seat, a window seat, the 15-year-old sat next to him in the middle, the complaint says.

Shortly after the plane took off, the 15-year-old picked up Robersons headphones after he dropped them, according to the complaint.

In response, he said thank you, I dont know what I would do without you, the complaint says.

Sometime afterward, the teenager felt him touch her thigh, which she thought was accidental because he appeared to be asleep, according to the complaint.

Then, he slowly moved his hands up her thigh, and under her skirt, the complaint says.

The teenager then alerted her aunt, who switched seats with her before notifying the flight crew about Roberson touching her niece  resulting in him getting a new seat, according to the complaint.

In an interview with federal investigators after the flight landed, Roberson said he had eight alcoholic beverages prior to boarding the flight to Seattle and drank two double vodka tonics on the flight, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

He told investigators he patted the 15-year-olds thigh while thanking her for retrieving his headphones before he purportedly fell asleep, the complaint says.

If convicted on the charge of abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft, Roberson could be sentenced up to two years in prison and fined $250,000, according to prosecutors.

Delta has zero tolerance for criminal activity of any type on our flights and at our airports, a Delta Air Lines spokesperson told McClatchy News in a statement on July 18. As such, we work with the requisite authorities when passengers engage in such activity to ensure they are prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Andrews is about 95 miles southwest of Asheville.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

Passenger gropes 2 women, including mom taking care of baby, on JetBlue flight, feds say

Passenger sexually abused a minor on cross-country American Airlines flight, feds say

Doctor groped woman mid-flight while headed to propose to girlfriend, feds say
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a GOP 2024 White House candidate, sidestepped a question on Tuesday on whether as president he would push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to cede land that Russia seized during its invasion.

So what I would say is, the goal should be a sustainable, enduring peace in Europe, but one that does not reward aggression, DeSantis said in an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper when asked whether he would push Zelensky to make land concessions in an effort to end the war.

And theres going to be different levers that youre going to be able to pull. We will pull some levers against Russia, he continued, noting his plan to be much more aggressive or energy and export policies, which he said has been Putins lifeline.

Zelensky has made clear that ceding any land to Russia is not an option, and his country recently launched a counteroffensive to retake lost land.

DeSantis has said he does not support escalating the United States involvement in the war. He also walked back comments he made describing the nature of Russias invasion of Ukraine as a territorial dispute.

He later said, clarifying his earlier remarks, If I could snap my fingers, Id give it back to Ukraine 100 percent, referring to the land in question.

DeSantiss avoidance on the issue reflects a split in the GOP on support for Ukraine. While traditional GOP defense hawks largely support any funding Ukraine needs, the more conservative wing of the party has been critical of the billions of dollars in funding.

So well use the levers that we have, but the goal is going to be a sustainable peace that does not reward aggression, DeSantis said on Tuesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Dylan Sprouse has married Hungarian model Barbara Palvin in a secret wedding after five years of dating.

The American Beautiful Disaster star, 30, best known for his role as Zack Martin on the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, confirmed his engagement to Palvin last month.

On Monday (18 July), reports revealed that the couple wed in Palvins home country on her parents property, Harlekin Birtok, which doubles up as a wedding venue.

Photographs surfaced showing the bride, 29, arriving at the wedding venue wearing a white Vivienne Westwood corset-style satin gown, sheer gloves, a Tiffany & Co Nineties-inspired choker and a long veil. British Vogue later confirmed the marriage.

Sprouse wore a simple black suit with a white collared shirt and a black tie. He also had two white flowers fastened onto his lapel that matched the flowers in Palvins bouquet.

Sprouses twin brother, Cole, who also starred in Suite Life of Zack and Cody, served as best man and the couple exchanged vows in the church in Albertirsa where Palvins parents tied the knot 34 years ago.

In a new interview with British Vogue, Palvin and Sprouse reflected on the weekend. Given Palvins family events business, she and her sister Anita planned the majority of the wedding.

For Palvins second wedding outfit, she chose a short dress with a crisscross back by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini.

There is also a Hungarian tradition where you have to wear a red dress after midnight  its called menyecske ruha, Palvin told British Vogue.

There was no question  I had to wear a Hungarian designer for this one, so I chose MERO. They created the dress of my dreams, it was sexy and sweet but also comfortable  exactly what I wanted.

The bride also told the publication that they intended for the wedding to be intimate but they ended up having 115 guests.

There are a lot of people we care about and we wanted them all to be there, Palvin said.

The surprise wedding comes just one month after the pair announced their engagement, starring on the cover of V Magazines Fall 2023 issue despite having been engaged since September 2022.

With the power invested in V I am a Sprouse to be [Bride emoji] @dylansprouse, the model captioned the post.

Speaking in the accompanying interview, Dylan opened up about his views on marriage.

I think the definition of marriage is very different for our generation than what it meant for the previous one, he said. For me, at least, marriage is a promise of kind of loving you endlessly and being your partner. Im nervous about the event. Frankly, its about the first dance. Im nervous about a choreographed dance.

Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin got married over the weekend in Hungary.  pic.twitter.com/x6eRjeQkek  VIBES (@fashiotainment) July 17, 2023

Palvin added that Dylan had been waiting seven months to find the moment to propose to her, but she had known she wanted to marry him since they began dating.

I mean, a man has time to prepare for the proposal  Dylan kept the ring for seven months before he asked the question  but for me, it was right then and there, Palvin said. I knew since we started dating that I want to marry him, but its a big decision.

Ahead of the wedding, Dylan said that he was excited to get married in Hungary and embrace Palvins family traditions.

Its gonna be a big event, with both of our parents meeting for the first time, too, he said. I think its exciting for me, not only because I love the kind of historical traditions of the event, but because [I] came from a very small family unit.

Barbara, on the other hand, has quite a large family unit. They look at her like their princess and I think its going to be a really special moment to see them all reacting to that amidst their traditions.

Palvin and Sprouse first met around six years ago, when she overtook him in line while entering an event. They exchanged a joke and Dylan later contacted Sprouse in the hope of securing a date.

After six months of ignoring Sprouse, Palvin succumbed to his message and replied. Three months later, she flew to China to see the actor while he was filming on set, and to go on their first date.
FORT PIERCE  The federal judge tasked with overseeing former President Donald Trumps classified documents case dealt the first blow to prosecutors Tuesday, denying their last-minute bid to partially restrict Trump and his codefendant from accessing classified evidence as they prepare for trial.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon called the effort a bit rushed and chided prosecutors for filing their motion Monday without first conferring with the defense attorneys. She also questioned prosecutors' proposed Dec. 11 trial date, weighing whether the complexity of the case may warrant more time for attorneys on both sides to prepare.

Cannon did not issue an order rescheduling the trial but promised to do so soon.

Classified records case: You won't see pictures from inside Trump's federal trial in Fort Pierce. Here's why.

Tuesdays hearing, the first pretrial conference held in the classified documents case, saw lengthy debate over whether Trumps status as a presidential candidate warranted an indefinite delay of the trial. Cannon, like prosecutors, seemed unconvinced that it did.

She repeatedly prodded Trump's defense attorneys Todd Blanche and Christopher Kise to propose a new trial date, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in August. Blanche landed on late November 2024  after the presidential election.

He pointed to the sheer amount of discovery prosecutors have yet to hand over and the nationwide attention on Trump, which he said may prevent attorneys from finding a fair and unbiased jury. Delaying the trial would let that attention abate, Blanche said. Failure to do so would give the appearance of "two leading presidential candidates squaring off in the courtroom."

Justice Department attorney David Harbach called the portrayal "flat-out false."

In short, Mr. Trump is not the president. He is a defendant indicted by a grand jury," Harbach told Cannon. Our view is he should be treated like anyone else."

Trump did not attend Tuesday's hearing, but his valet and codefendant, Walt Nauta, did. He sat between defense attorneys Sasha Dadan and Stanley Woodward while Trump's legal team argued that ignoring his status as a political contender would be "intellectually dishonest."

Woodward echoed their plea for more time even though his client, Nauta, isn't running for president. Woodward said he may move to sever Nauta's criminal case from Trump's, but that he needs to review all discovery  which includes more than 1.1 million pages of documents and over three years of video  before he can make the decision.

The logistics of combing through prosecutors' mountain of discovery, some of which the defense attorneys don't yet have the security clearance to review, seemed most compelling to Cannon. She steered Trump's attorneys away from discussing how his popularity in the news may unfairly influence his trial and refocused their attention on how much time they believe they need to prepare a defense.

Justice Department attorney Jay Bratt maintained that the "aggressive timeline" he proposed was long enough. Dadan traded glances with Kise and shook her head as the prosecutor explained that though the first batch of discovery included more than 8,000 pages, the Justice Department identified only 450 key documents among them.

What prosecutors deem significant isn't what's most significant to the defendants, Blanche told Cannon later. They need to review it all.

Cannon listened to each side argue, nodding occasionally. She had no patience for attorneys hedging their answers to her questions, often interrupting them when they began to veer.

"I'd like to wrap this up," she said at the end of the nearly two hour-long hearing. She sighed when Bratt stood once more to make a final argument.

Capitol attack: Donald Trump target in Jan. 6 investigation, predicts arrest and indictment in Jack Smith probe

Though absent from the courtroom, Trump made headlines from afar, confirming that he is a "target" of a federal investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Trump said Special Counsel Jack Smith has given him four days to appear before a grand jury.

He did not say what charges may be pending against him, though a congressional committee previously recommended those related to aiding an insurrection, conspiring to make false statements, defraud the U.S. and obstruct an official proceeding of Congress.

Tuesdays hearing drew none of the clamor and crowds that marked Trump's arraignment in Miami last month, though it wasn't without onlookers. Lynn Rowe, 68, of Fort Pierce parked behind the downtown federal courthouse on Tuesday afternoon in an effort to see the former president.

I was just hoping to catch a glimpse, she said.

A sign in front of a nearby steakhouse read: President Trump, Fort Pierce welcomes you.

Trump never saw it. He traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for a televised town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity, instead.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Judge Cannon said prosecutors 'a bit rushed' on Trump trial
The Ukrainian counteroffensive may be moving at a slower pace than originally expected, but it is far from a failure, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said Tuesday.

Kyivs counteroffensive began roughly six weeks ago but so far has failed to retake significant territory from the Russians.

But Milley  who said Ukrainian forces are preserving their combat power by not sending in their best soldiers  said the movements have been slowed down by the need to steadily clear mines set by the Russians.

This is going to be long, its going to be hard, its going to be bloody, Milley warned, but said the effort is far from a failure, in my view.

Thats a different war on paper and real war, Milley said. These are real people in real machines that are out there really clearing real minefields and theyre really dying. So when that happens, units tend to slow down  in order to survive, in order to get through.

Ahead of the counteroffensive, Russian troops had several months to create an extensive security zone against Ukrainian troops, for which they created complex minefields, strung barbed wire and dug trenches, Milley said.

But the Ukrainians are helped by Russias military command structure being thrown into disarray after Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhins failed coup against military leaders.

Wagner Group troops had been heavily involved in Russias attempt to take the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut as well as fighting elsewhere in the country. But with thousands of such soldiers apparently relinquishing their weapons to Moscows military, its unclear how the new command structure will shake out, with Milley calling it confusing at best.

The morale is low. And now recently because of the Prigozhin mutiny, the command-and-control apparatus at the strategic level is certainly confusing at best, and probably challenging in many, many other ways, Milley said.

Milley said the Russians have also suffered significant officer casualties.

Kyiv could also soon get a boost from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which earlier Tuesday discussed ramping up Ukraines ammunition as it met virtually.

We also discussed plans to ramp up production at both the national level and the multinational level through the European Unions important initiative to produce more ammunition, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who spoke alongside Milley, told reporters.

The group was formed to keep Ukraine in constant supply of weapons in the war. But the West is reportedly struggling to keep up with Ukraines long-term ammunition needs as the counteroffensive is expected to stretch longer than originally thought.

After the groups virtual meeting, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov on Twitter lauded the gathering as demonstrating unwavering support for Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln speaks at the grand opening ceremony for the Liberty Square low income housing in downtown Stockton.

The Speaker of the House-backed Stockton mayor could be the next congressman from San Joaquin Valley if things go his way in fall 2024.

Mayor Kevin Lincolns camp confirmed Monday night that he is running for a seat in the nations capitol. He will officially file paperwork Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission to run for Californias 9th Congressional District seat.

He also launched a website and released a video on YouTube announcing his candidacy.

I've lived a life of service to this community. Over the last few months, I considered where I could make the most impact for Stockton and the Valley going forward, the mayor said. The fact is that no matter how much progress we make as a community, Washington's culture of partisanship, blame, and neglect continues to make life harder for Stockton and Valley residents.

Lincoln, a Republican, will try to unseat Congressman Josh Harder (D-Tracy), who garnered nearly 96,000 votes in 2022. He beat out Republican challenger Tom Patti by nearly 10 percentage points.

Lincoln gained support from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield). The duo had fundraisers already planned ahead of the mayors announcement.

McCarthy and members of the California Republican Congressional Delegation will be hosting a private fundraiser in support of Lincolns run for Congress Thursday. The media is barred from attending.

A spokesperson for Harder released a statement on Lincoln's announcement Tuesday.

"Kevin Lincoln has failed the city of Stockton, plain and simple. He diverted money away from police and now the Stockton Police Department is short over 100 cops. Crime and homelessness have soared on his watch," the statement read. "Kevin McCarthy's grip on power is clearly hanging by a thread and this proves he's getting more desperate by the day."

As of June 27, the department had 364 officers  121 fewer than the 485 officers it has budgeted for, according to a memo Police Chief Stanley McFadden sent to Lincoln, City Manager Harry Black and the city council last month. The number is just 33 more officers than the department had in 2012, when Stockton declared bankruptcy, the memo states.

Meanwhile, Stockton had a 3% decrease in its homeless population between 2019 and 2022, according to the Continuum of Care's Point in Time count. The city did not conduct a count in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Election records show that Harder has already registered as a candidate for the District 9 seat in the 2024 general election, along with Brett Dood  a Republican and pastor from Ripon.

The candidates with the most votes in the March primary will go on to the fall election.

Stockton, Tracy, Manteca and Ripon are all part of District 9. Voters in the region lean Democratic  about 47% of registered voters are Democrats, while nearly 24% are Republican, according to state data. However, the National Republican Congressional Committee has listed District 9 as one of the 37 House seats Republicans are looking to flip in the upcoming election.

Lincoln was elected to his current position in 2020 after defeating then-Mayor Michael Tubbs in the general election. His run for Congress may come as a surprise to some  city campaign finance disclosure documents show that he launched a re-election bid for mayor in 2021 and filed a candidate intention statement on May 23. It's unclear when he decided to shift his focus to Congress.

Under my leadership, Stockton has worked together on a bipartisan basis to address our citys problems, Lincoln said. Together, we have balanced our budgets, attracted new business, lowered violent crime and homelessness, and made investments in youth.

While hundreds of guns have been taken off Stockton streets, homicides are up 19% on the year. At his State of the City address in May, the mayor said public safety is a shared responsibility, and deterring young people from violence "starts at home."

Lincoln's bid continues the trend of one-term mayors in Stockton. Gary Podesto, who held office from 1997-2005, was the last mayor in the city to serve two terms. The Stockton mayor role is nonpartisan.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton Mayor Lincoln confirms he will run for 9th Congressional seat
Two whistleblowers provided Congress with their side of the story from the yearslong investigation into Hunter Biden, who has become a lightning rod for Republican allegations about a two-tiered justice system in the United States.

Speaking to leaders of three powerful House committees, who held a joint hearing Wednesday, Internal Revenue Service employees Greg Shapley and Joseph Ziegler  who was previously known as "whistleblower x"  alleged U.S. Justice Department officials slow walked the investigation into President Joe Biden's youngest son.

"It appeared to me, based on what I experienced, that the U.S. attorney in Delaware in our investigation was constantly hamstrung, limited and marginalized by (Justice Department) officials as well as other U.S. attorneys," Ziegler said.

This marks the first public testimony from the two IRS agents who were assigned to the case, which focused on tax and gun charges against Hunter Biden, who ultimately agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of tax evasion and participate in a pretrial program in June.

IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley, left, and IRS Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler, are sworn in at a House Oversight Committee meeting on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden.

Republican officials and other conservative activists have swarmed Hunter Biden for years, blasting the plea deal as a "slap on the wrist" and a sign of preferential treatment that an average American wouldn't get.

Shapley said the investigation's treatment was different from any other case during his 14-year stint with the agency.

"At every stage decisions were made that benefited the subject of this investigation," he said.

The Justice Department has denied both Ziegler and Shapley's claims.

Here are key moments from Wednesday's hearing.

Agent X revealed  and he's a Democrat

Joseph Ziegler, Criminal Investigator for the IRS, testifies in front of the House Oversight Committee on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden.

Ziegler, a 13-year IRS veteran, was the main IRS case agent on the case and supervised by Shapley. He had been anonymous until Wednesday's hearing.

During his opening statement, Ziegler emphasized that he is a gay man and a registered Democrat who has been accused of betraying his party. He compared testifying to the day he came out as a member of the LGBTQ community.

"I am an example to other LGBTQ people out there who are questioning doing the right thing at the potential costs to themselves and others," he said. "We should always do the right thing no matter how painful the process might be."

Whistleblowers target Hunter Biden's tax delinquency

Ziegler alleged David Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, previously agreed certain felony charges against Hunter Biden were warranted.

But he said other Justice Department officials believed no jury would convict him given given his drug addiction and the death of his brother, Beau Biden.

Hunter Biden improperly claimed business deductions for a range of personal expenses, Zeigler said, from his children's college tuition to stays for his drug dealer at a Hollywood hotel. In written testimony, he said he was denied a request to interview Hunter Bidens adult children, alleging prosecutors said that would "get us into hot water."

"I do not want my colleagues at the IRS, FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies to go through my frustrating journey," Zeigler said.

Don't ask the 'big guy' or dad: Here's what IRS agents allege happened

IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley testifies in front of the House Oversight Committee on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden.

Joe Biden has long denied speaking with Hunter Biden about his business dealings, and he expressed personal support for his son after Hunter Biden's plea deal was announced.

Throughout the hearing, Ziegler and Shapley drilled into how they felt Hunter Biden was receiving special treatment, and that they were discouraged from pursuing the case to its fullest extent.

During his opening statement, Shapley said aspects of the investigation were delayed until after the 2020 election and then never pursued because of the political optics, including any examination of Joe Biden's role, if any.

"Prosecutors instructed investigators not to ask about the 'big guy' or dad when conducting interviews," he said.

Shapley also alleged Weiss wanted to bring the tax fraud charges against Hunter Biden in jurisdictions outside Delaware, including the District of Columbia and California, but was denied.

Weiss and federal investigators have denied those claims, saying he never wanted to bring charges in other states or cities.

GOP: Who are you going to believe?

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) asks questions as Gary Shapley, Supervisory Special Agent for the IRS, and Joseph Ziegler, Criminal Investigator for the IRS, testify in front of the House Oversight Committee on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden.

Republican lawmakers, who launched an investigation days after Hunter Biden's plea deal went public, said the two IRS agent are credible, and that their claims should be taken seriously.

"The White House and Democrats would have Americans believe that our investigation is based on five years of conspiracy theories," said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the oversight panel.

"But we have facts and new evidence continues to be uncovered by our committee revealing the first family's corruption," he added.

Other GOP lawmakers pointed to contradictions in Weiss's letters to House committees, and how the the whistleblower's testimony underscores an anxiety that the Justice Department and other federal agencies allow politics to tip the scales of justice.

"The question is who you're going to believe," Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said.

Dems: Hunter Biden 'lost his way' but there's no evidence of interference

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) makes an opening statement before Gary Shapley, Supervisory Special Agent for the IRS, and Joseph Ziegler, Criminal Investigator for the IRS, testify in front of the House Oversight Committee on July 19, 2023 in Washington. Shapley alleges that the Justice Department interfered in the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden.

Throughout the hearing, Democratic lawmakers looked to poke holes in the two agent's testimony and the GOP's assertion about the investigation.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., pointed out how Joe Biden never replaced Weiss, a Trump appointee, and he has stayed out of the investigation into his son.

"Now, can you imagine Donald Trump saying nothing about a witch hunt or not trying to quash the prosecution if it were his son being prosecuted?" he said.

Other Democratic lawmakers grilled the two IRS agents and pointed out how claims of delays during the investigation happened before Biden was ever president.

Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the oversight panel, added that no concrete evidence was presented that Hunter Biden was given preferential treatment, and that the two whistleblowers are simply expressing their disagreement with the decision to accept a plea.

"We'll hear about how they disagreed on investigative steps and what criminal charges to bring on normal stuff in government investigations that doesn't usually lead to a congressional hearing," he said.

"But one thing you will not hear today is any evidence of wrongdoing, by President Joe Biden or his administration."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: IRS whistleblowers speak out at Hunter Biden hearing, Agent X revealed
IRS whistleblowers are expected to testify at the House Oversight Committee Wednesday that they witnessed an "undeniable pattern of preferential treatment" for the Bidens, and "obstruction of the normal investigative process" throughout the years-long federal investigation into Hunter Biden.

IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, who served as the supervisor on the investigation at the IRS, and a second anonymous whistleblower bringing similar accusations, will offer testimony to the House Oversight Committee starting at 1 p.m.

The anonymous whistleblower, who previously testified before the House Ways & Means Committee last month, is expected to reveal his identity as a 13 year-special agent within the IRS Criminal Investigation Division and as a "gay Democrat married to a man," according to his prepared testimony obtained by Fox News Digital.

The whistleblowers have alleged officials at the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered in the investigation into Hunter Biden and said decisions in the case seemed to be "influenced by politics."

The Justice Department in Washington D.C.

They also alleged federal prosecutors blocked lines of questioning related to President Biden and said the U.S. attorney in charge of the probe, David Weiss, did not have full authority to bring charges.

The anonymous whistleblower, according to his prepared testimony, will say that Hunter Biden "should have been charged with a tax felony, and not only the tax misdemeanor charge," and that communications and text messages reviewed by investigators "may be a contradiction to what President Biden was saying about not being involved in Hunters oversea business dealings."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

That whistleblower is also expected to testify on several instances in which prosecutors "did not follow the ordinary process, slow-walked the investigation, and put in place unnecessary approvals and roadblocks from effectively and efficiently investigating the case," including prosecutors blocking questioning and interviewing of Hunter Bidens adult children.

The whistleblower is also expected to ask Congress and the Biden Administration to "consider a special counsel" for the Hunter Biden investigation and "all the related cases and spin-off investigations that have come forward from this investigation."

"Related cases that I believe are subject to the same problems and difficulties we had," the whistleblower is expected to say, and expected to add that Congress should consider "establishing an official channel for Federal investigators to pull the emergency cord and raise the issue of the appointment of a special counsel for consideration by your senior officials."

It is unclear, at this point, to which "related cases and spin-off investigations" the whistleblower is referring.

FORMER FBI AGENT CONFIRMS KEY DETAILS OF HUNTER BIDEN WHISTLEBLOWERS TESTIMONY, GOP SAYS

Meanwhile, Shapley, who has participated in multiple media interviews since the House Ways & Means Committee released his transcribed interview last month, is expected to testify that prosecutors "had decided to conceal some evidence from the investigators" that they found on Hunter Bidens laptop.

Shapley is also expected to say that the Delaware's U.S. Attorney's Office "slow-walked steps like conducting interviews, serving document requests, and pursuing physical search warrants in California, Virginia and Delaware" until after the 2020 presidential election.

"The warrants were ready as early as April 2020, but the Delaware USAO pushed them off until after the November 2020 election and then never pursued them," Shapley will say.

"After an electronic search warrant on Hunter Bidens Apple iCloud account led us to WhatsApp messages with several CEFC China Energy executives where he claimed to be sitting and discussing business with his father Joe Biden, we sought permission to follow up on the information in the messages," Shapley will say. "Prosecutors would not allow it."

Shapley will again testify that a search warrant for the guest house at the Bidens Delaware residence was being planned, but, despite agreeing there was "probable cause," Assistant U.S. Attorney Lesley Wolf "cited the optics of executing a search warrant at President Bidens residence as the deciding factor for not allowing it to be completed."

"This was the decision even though she admitted there would be evidence at that location that would further the investigation," Shapley will say. "AUSA Wolf also told investigators they should not ask about President Biden during witness interviews even when the business communications of his son clearly referenced him."

"What I witnessed reflects poorly not he DOJ and raises serious questions about their objectivity and ethics," Shapley will say.

IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley Jr.

Shapley is expected to say that his "red line" in coming forward was when U.S. attorney for Delaware David Weiss said he was "not the deciding person on whether charges are filed."

"I had seen an undeniable pattern of preferential treatment and obstruction of the normal investigative process," Shapley will say, and add that Weiss allowed the statute of limitations to expire for tax charges against Hunter Biden from 2014 and 2015 in D.C.

Their testimony comes as the committee, led by Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., investigates the Biden family's business dealings.

"Since assuming our Republican majority in January, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee has made historically fast progress in our investigation into the Biden familys influence peddling schemes," Comer is expected to say in his opening statement, obtained by Fox News Digital.

Comer is expected to lay out the committee's findings "in just six months," including "astonishing" financial records.

"What were the Bidens selling? Nothing but influence and access to the Biden network," Comer will say. "This is an influence peddling scheme to enrich the Bidens."

Comer will go on to stress the importance of "whether Joe Biden is compromised by these schemes and if our national security is threatened."

Comer is expected to tout the "brave and credible" whistleblowers and acknowledge that they have "risked their careers to come forward and provide important testimony."

"Their testimony about the DOJ, FBI, and IRSs investigation of Hunter Biden confirms the committees findings," Comer will say. "That there is nothing normal about the Biden familys business activity."

HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS LIMITED QUESTIONS ABOUT 'DAD,' 'BIG GUY' DESPITE FBI, IRS OBJECTIONS: WHISTLEBLOWER

Hunter Biden, son of President Biden, arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., July 4, 2023.

The hearing comes after a former FBI supervisory special agent assigned to the FBI's Wilmington office and the investigation into Hunter Biden "confirmed key portions" from the whistleblowers' allegations in testimony before the House Oversight Committee Monday.

HOUSE GOP DEMAND TRANSCRIBED INTERVIEWS FROM HUNTER BIDEN PROSECUTOR, DOJ, IRS, SECRET SERVICE OFFICIALS

Comer said that agent testified that "the night before the interview of Hunter Biden, both Secret Service headquarters and the Biden transition team were tipped off about the planned interview."

"On the day of the Hunter Biden interview, federal agents were told to stand by and could not approach Hunter Biden  they had to wait for his call," Comer said. "As a result of the change in plans, IRS and FBI criminal investigators never got to interview Hunter Biden as part of the investigation."

Comer added that the DOJ's "efforts to cover up for the Bidens" showed there was "a two-tiered system of justice," and vowed the committee would "continue to seek the answers, transparency and accountability that the American people demand and deserve."

But the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., is expected to say that the IRS whistleblowers "disagreements and frustrations" "began in 2020 when President Trumps own appointees ran both the IRS and the Department of Justice."

"But make no mistake, the only political interference at play in this case is taking place right now with Donald Trump and our GOP colleagues who continue their full-scale assault on the rule of law and our independent justice system," Raskin is expected to say, according to an excerpt of his prepared testimony obtained by Fox News Digital.

The highly-anticipated hearing also comes amid a joint-congressional investigation by the Oversight Committee, Judiciary Committee and House Ways and Means Committee into the federal probe into Hunter Biden and whether prosecutorial decisions were influenced by politics.

US ATTORNEY LEADING HUNTER BIDEN PROBE BREAKS SILENCE ON CLAIMS INVESTIGATION WAS 'INFLUENCED BY POLITICS'

David Weiss, left, Hunter Biden, center, and Joe Biden

The Justice Department announced last month that Hunter Biden had entered a plea agreement that would likely keep him out of prison. As part of the deal, the president's son will plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income taxes and to one charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

Hunter Biden is scheduled to make his first court appearance July 26.

The Justice Department has denied the investigation was influenced in any way. U.S. Attorney David Weiss of Delaware, who is in charge of the probe, has said the investigation is "ongoing."
A federal judge in New York has rejected former President Donald Trump's request to move his hush-money criminal case into federal court.

"Trump has failed to show that the conduct charged by the Indictment is for or relating to any act performed by or for the President under color of the official acts of a President," Judge Alvin Hellerstein wrote in his ruling Wednesday.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 presidential election.

MORE: Trump again argues Manhattan criminal trial should be moved to federal court

He had argued the case belonged in federal court because Trump reimbursed his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, who made the payment to Daniels, while Trump was in the White House.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg had argued that the hush payment had nothing to do with Trump's presidential duties.

"We are very pleased with the federal court's decision and look forward to proceeding in New York State Supreme Court," said a spokesperson for Bragg following Wednesday's ruling.

Trump had argued that arranging the hush payment was an official act, and that his "decision to separate his personal business from his public duties" was "rooted in constitutional concerns."

PHOTO: Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, March 4, 2023, at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. (Alex Brandon/AP, FILE)

The judge wholly rejected the theory.

"The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the President -- a cover-up of an embarrassing event. Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a President's official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the President's official duties," Judge Hellerstein wrote.

Hellerstein also endorsed the Manhattan district attorney's theory of the case that elevated the falsification of business records to felonies because, prosecutors said, Trump allegedly falsified the records in furtherance of another crime.

"Trump can be convicted of a felony even if he did not commit any crime beyond the falsification, so long as he intended to do so or to conceal such a crime," Hellerstein said.

Judge rejects Trump's request to move Stormy Daniels hush-money case into federal court originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A U.S. District Court judge sentenced two Kansas men to significant prison time after they were convicted of kidnapping and torturing a man in Wyandotte County four years ago.

In February, a federal jury found David Carr, 36, of Kansas City and James Poterbin, 47, of Edwardsville guilty of kidnapping, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and discharging a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking charge, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Kansas news release.

On July 6, the judge sentenced Carr to life in prison and Poterbin to 40 years in prison.

In 2019, Carr and Poterbin kidnapped and then beat, shot and stabbed a victim, who was the boyfriend of a woman who they mistakenly believed had stolen drug money from them, according to court documents and evidence presented at trial. The suspects then demanded payment for the victims release, before leaving him for dead.

Another person found the victim alive days later, and the victim was rescued.

When Carr and Poterbin realized the victim was alive and safe, Carr ordered a co-conspirator to burn down the house where the torture took place, per court records.
For the first time in decades a US soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody. That is a scenario that could cause a diplomatic headache for the United States while it, alongside ally South Korea, tries to keep pressure on Pyongyang as the isolated nation ramps up its ballistic missile tests and bellicose rhetoric.

The US Army has identified the soldier who crossed the demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday as Pvt. Travis King.

US military officials say King willfully and without authorization crossed into North Korea while taking a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area, a small collection of buildings inside the 150-mile-long demilitarized zone (DMZ) that has separated North and South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

We believe he is currently in (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) custody and are working with our (Korean Peoples Army) counterparts to resolve this incident, US Forces Korea spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor said in a statement.

Heres what we know so far.

Who is Travis King?

King is a cavalry scout who joined the military in January 2021. At the time of his rotation in South Korea, King was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, according to Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee.

US officials did not say how long King had been in South Korea, but at some point he faced disciplinary action for assault and spent 50 days in a detention facility.

Travis King has been identified as the US soldier who crossed into North Korea. - Travis King/Facebook

It is not known whether King spent that time in South Korean custody or in US military custody, but according to US officials, at some point after his release he was escorted to an airport for a flight back to the United States.

At the airport, Kings escorts could not get past a security checkpoint with him, and at some point after that, he left the airport and later made his way to the tour of the Joint Security Area.

King is believed to be the first US soldier to cross into North Korea since 1982.

His mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC she was shocked by the news. I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Gates told ABC, adding that she heard from her son several days ago and he told her that hed be returning to his base in Fort Bliss.

Why does this matter?

Relations between the United States and North Korea have been fraught for decades, but things are particularly difficult right now.

Tensions between Pyongyang and Washington have been rising, as the North has ramped up its nuclear and missile programs in the years following a breakdown in talks between former US President Donald Trump and North Koreas Kim Jong Un in 2019.

Those talks, which spanned three in-person meetings and saw Trump become the first sitting US President to step over the same demarcation line King crossed Tuesday, ended without any meaningful diplomatic breakthroughs.

To date, North Korea has tested intercontinental ballistic missiles three times this year and accused Washington and Seoul of inflaming tensions with military exercises and weapon deployments, including that of a US Navy nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine to the South Korean port of Busan this week.

Last year, North Korea, test fired more than 90 cruise and ballistic missiles, including one that flew over Japan, in defiance of international sanctions. The uptick in testing has sparked concerns it may be preparing for a potential nuclear test  its first since 2017.

The United States does not have official diplomatic relations with North Korea. Instead the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang acts as a liaison for the US.

What are the risks for Travis King?

King is now in the hands of a notoriously autocratic and opaque one party regime that regards the United States as a mortal enemy.

What military intelligence value King could provide to North Korea is uncertain. As a private, he would not likely have access to top-level information, but just by being on a US military installation, he may be able to talk about things like base layouts or what units and numbers of troops are there.

But as a soldier and US citizen, King also gives Pyongyang a potentially powerful bargaining chip.

The United Nations Command, which oversees operations in the DMZ, said it was working with our (North) Korean Peoples Army counterparts to resolve this incident. What North Korea might demand to return King back to US custody is unknown.

Or North Korea could use King for propaganda purposes.

A handful of US soldiers defected to the North Korean side in the decades after the end of the Korean War, but there has not been a recent defection.

And it is not clear at the moment what Kings intentions were.

Even so there have been plenty of more recent instances where US nationals have come unstuck in North Korea or been held in custody, sometimes for long periods of time as US officials try to secure their release and Pyongyang looks to extract concessions.

What has happened in the past?

The last American known to be held by North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who, according to North Korean state-run media, crossed from China into North Korea.

Pyongyang accused Lowrance of working for the Central Intelligence Agency, but released him about a month after he was taken into custody, with the Swedish Embassy in North Korea facilitating the release.

The most famous recent case of an American being held in North Korea was that of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who went there as a tourist in 2016.

His planned five-day stay turned into a 17-month detention after he was accused of trying to steal a political banner from his hotel.

Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years hard labor on the charge, but was released to US officials in 2017. However, Warmbiers physical condition was poor, with Washington saying he had been tortured in custody.

He died less than a week after returning to the United States with severe brain damage.

Perhaps the most famous case of a US soldier crossing into North Korea was that of Charles Jenkins, a US Army sergeant who crossed into the North in 1965 while stationed at a US military unit near the DMZ.

Jenkins later claimed to have regretted his defection and blamed the decision on alcohol.

While in North Korea, he appeared in propaganda films, taught North Korean spies English and spent up to eight hours a day studying the writings of North Korean leaders.

He was allowed to leave North Korea in 2004, two years after his wife, a Japanese national who was kidnapped from her home in Japan in 1978, was allowed to leave North Korea under a deal between Pyongyang and Tokyo.

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Probes into Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect Rex Heuermann now reach across the country as investigators are examining his connections to Las Vegas and South Carolina, where the suspect has owned property.

Police in Las Vegas are sifting through their roster of unsolved cases for any sign Heuermann may have been involved, a spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed in a statement.

Though Heuermann lived on Long Island, New York, he and his wife had purchased two timeshare condos in Las Vegas between 2003 and 2005, according to property records obtained by CNN. The couple has since sold the first property, the records show, and it is unclear whether they still own the second.

The 59-year-old architect and father of two was arrested last week in New York City and charged with murder in the deaths of three of the Gilgo Four, a group of four women whose remains were found along a short stretch of Long Islands Gilgo Beach in 2010.

Heuermann has pleaded not guilty in the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. He remains the prime suspect in the killing of the fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, but has yet to be charged in the case.

On Wednesday, Heuermanns wife Asa Ellerup filed for divorce, her attorney Robert Macedonio told CNN. Macedonio confirmed a summons and complaint to commence divorce proceedings has been filed under seal on behalf of his client in Suffolk County Supreme Court.

As authorities scour Heuermanns home, office and storage unit, they are operating under the assumption that the suspect may have continued his alleged killing spree after the bodies of the Gilgo Four were discovered, a source familiar with the case told CNN.

The sheriffs office in northern South Carolinas Chester County, where tax records show Heuermann owns four large parcels of land, says it has been gathering evidence for the Gilgo Beach investigative task force since before the suspects arrest.

Authorities were seen towing a truck belonging to Heuermanns brother late last week, according to neighbor Steve Caston, who lives down a gravel road from the brother and adjacent to land owned by Heuermann. Caston described deputies lined up with assault rifles and the whole nine yards, as the vehicle was being seized but he said the scene was fairly quiet with no screaming, no yelling.

A Chevy Avalanche truck seized from the property is being combed for evidence, sources told CNN.

FBI investigators were also seen talking to neighbors in the rural South Carolina neighborhood on Tuesday. As a CNN crew was speaking to Caston at his home, he was approached by two men in plainclothes who identified themselves as FBI agents and asked the neighbor to contact them later that day.

Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello and Megan Waterman - Suffolk County Police Department

The multi-agency cold case task force is actively investigating whether Heuermann may have had more alleged victims as they pore over a flood of tips and new evidence, Suffolk County Deputy Police Commissioner Anthony Carter said Monday.

In New York, investigators re-interviewed two sex workers after recently discovering Heuermann allegedly propositioned them several years ago, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon told CNN on Wednesday.

The connection was only recently made after cross-referencing one of Heuermanns burner phone logs, the sheriff said. Authorities have said whoever killed the four victims used burner phones to contact the victims.

Neither of the two re-interviewed women ever met up with Heuermann, who used an alias to contact them, according to Toulon. They described their phone conversations with him as just like any other John, Toulon said.

We are now reaching out to not only every female in our custody, but we are interviewing or at least establishing a relationship with those that were previously in our custody to see if they know anything about him or if they had any dealings with him specifically, the sheriff said.

Heuermanns family was stunned when authorities informed them of the harrowing allegations against him, Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said Monday. They were disgusted. They were embarrassed, he said.

So, if you ask me, I dont believe they knew about this double life that Heuermann was living.

Long-dormant investigation gets flood of evidence

Authorities remove evidence from the Massapequa Park, Long Island, home of suspect Rex Heuermann on Tuesday, July 18. - John Minchillo/AP

As investigators pore over Heuermanns home, they are primarily focused on gathering forensic evidence but are also searching for things that could be souvenirs kept from the killings, including items that are hidden or stashed where family members wouldnt find them, according to a source with knowledge of the case.

Any found items will then need to be shown to victims family and friends, a process that could take some time, the source said.

The search of the home has so far revealed a cache of between 200 and 300 firearms hoarded in a vault behind a locked metal door  far more than the 92 firearms authorities knew Heuermann had registered in the state, the source said.

Prosecutors have detailed a trove of evidence used to connect Heuermann to at least three of the Gilgo Four killings, including credit card bills, cell phone data and DNA evidence.

The four womens bodies were among a string of 11 sets of human remains found scattered along Long Islands South Shore between 2010 and 2011, sparking what police have called one of the most consequential homicide investigations in the islands history.

Striking similarities soon emerged between the cases of the four women. Each of the remains had been bound in camouflaged burlap and hidden along the same quarter-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway, authorities said. The women  who disappeared between 2007 and 2010  all worked as escorts and advertised their services on Craigslist, according to police.

But it took more than a decade for investigators to match DNA from a male hair found on the burlap wrapping to a sample of Heuermanns DNA surreptitiously collected from a pizza crust the suspect threw away after the cases were reopened, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Investigators were able to use cell phone and credit card records to identify several instances when Heuermann was in the general location when burner phones were used to call the victims, according to a bail application.

The evidence collected from the search warrants is being examined by criminologists at the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory who are going through each piece inch by inch, Tierney told CNN on Wednesday.

This is a painstaking process, it is a long process and were going to let that process play out. Were going to inventory all that evidence, were going to analyze it and then well be able to talk about it, the district attorney said.

Tierney said detectives will be interviewing a great number of people over the next few days as the investigation enters a new phase.

Though prosecutors have said Heuermann is the prime suspect in the fourth killing of Brainard-Barnes, police commissioner Harrison said Monday that bringing a charge in that case may take a little time. A hair follicle investigators have as evidence needs to undergo DNA testing, but has been damaged, he said.

Meantime, he said, Its a very good thing that we got this animal off the streets.

CNNs Scott Glover, Jeff Winter, Dianne Gallagher, Wes Bruer, Lauren Mascarenhas, Brynn Gingras, John Miller and Samantha Beech contributed to this report.

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The manager of a car repair and autobody shop in Hampton was convicted Friday in Newport News federal court on charges related to distributing drugs out of his shop  including fentanyl and marijuana from across the country.

Orlando Roosevelt Adkins, 45, had pleaded guilty in June to distribution of marijuana, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and two counts of using a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking while denying the charge of participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Last week, a federal jury found him guilty of that conspiracy charge.

Adkins was the operator and manager of Elite Customs, which was among the businesses, houses and vehicles in Virginia and North Carolina involved in the drug distribution conspiracy between at least eight other indicted individuals.

The conspiracy involved purchasing drugs from Mexico, Texas, California and North Carolina and coordinating to have them transported to Virginia in rental vehicles, couriers, the mail, semi-trailers, trucks and RVs, according to the Department of Justice. Adkins charge was related to at least 40 grams of fentanyl and an unspecified amount of marijuana, though he was accused of also being involved in the trafficking of heroin and cocaine, according to court documents.

Adkins is set to be sentenced Nov. 28. He is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, according to the Department of Justice.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
The mother of the American soldier who illegally crossed into North Korea said she was shocked and just wanted him to return home.

Meanwhile, his uncle has said that he was breaking down following the death of his seven-year-old cousin.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, who is in his early 20s, crossed the heavily fortified inter-Korean border to enter North Korea where he is believed to be detained. The incident has threatened a new diplomatic row and a crisis with the nuclear-armed state.

His mother, Claudine Gates, who lives in Racine, Wisconsin, told ABC News that she heard from her son a few days ago.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Ms Gates said, adding that she was taken aback when she was told her son had crossed into North Korea.

She said she received the information that Mr King was being held up in North Korea on Tuesday morning, days after her son told her he would return to his base in Fort Bliss, Texas, soon.

She said she just wants him to come home.

The mothers brother, Carl Gates, told The Daily Beast that he was one of the last people to speak to the 23-year-old before his defection. Mr King had been struggling after the death of Mr Gatess son KingNazir in February of this year from a rare genetic disorder.

His mom came down on a few occasions, and she then talked to him and let him know what was going on with my son. And it seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot, Mr Gates told the outlet. Because he couldnt be here. He was in the Army, overseas.

When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away Travis started [being] reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die, Mr Gates said, adding that hes a father figure to Mr King. I know it was related to what he did.

Picture yourself being in the Army and your baby cousin from your favourite, my only child, hes struggling and going through pain. And hes crying like a baby, and now youre in the service and you cant do nothing about it. And then youre crying like a baby, Mr Gates told The Daily Beast. The pain came from my son, and it escalated to this s***.

Mr King became the first American to be detained in North Korea in nearly five years after crossing the heavily fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ) that separates the country from South Korea.

The illegal crossing by a US soldier has come at a time of renewed and intensified tensions with North Korea under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, who ramped up his fiery rhetoric against Washington amid the countrys record missile testing spree.

North Korea has launched its banned intercontinental ballistic missiles in recent days, flexing its military muscle with its weapon which are capable of delivering nuclear warheads in American cities.

Mr King, who joined the army in 2021, was supposed to return to his base in Texas to face additional military disciplinary action after completing almost two months in a South Korean jail on assault charges, US officials said.

Following his release on 10 July he was transported to the airport by the US army and had passed through the security gates, being escorted as far as customs.

But Mr King did not board the plane and fled to join a civilian tour of the demilitarised zone between South and North Korea.

During some time at the tour, he left the tour group behind and he reportedly let out a loud laugh as he ran away.

The UN Command in a statement said: A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Authorities said that we are working with KPA (North Korean army) counterparts to resolve this incident.

On Wednesday, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles from its capital Pyongyang plunging into the sea off its east coast. Each missile flew 550km and 600km and the missiles landed outside of Japans exclusive economic zone.

It appeared to be in response to the nuclear-armed submarine the US deployed in South Korean wasters for the first time in decades.
New open-source forms of AI have sparked a disturbing trend of bad actors creating sexual images of children. (Illustration: Alex Cochran for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images)

Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but the technology took a giant leap last year with the genesis of large language models like ChatGPT and similar programs that can generate realistic, lifelike images in seconds.

These new open-source forms of AI have sparked a disturbing trend of bad actors creating sexual images of children, or CSAM (child sex abuse material).

Honestly, as soon as some kind of new technology comes out, my mind just automatically goes to, what are the worst possible things people are gonna do? Dane Sherrets, a solutions architect with HackerOne, a cybersecurity company, told Yahoo News.

How prevalent is the issue?

The Washington Post and the BBC have both reported on how thousands of AI-generated child sex images are being created and shared across the web.

The Post report noted that the material was found on forums across the dark web and that users are also sharing detailed instructions for how other pedophiles can make their own realistic AI images of children performing sex acts.

In 2012, actor and entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher and his ex-wife, actress Demi Moore, were watching a documentary about the prevalence of child sex trafficking in Cambodia. In response they co-founded Thorn, a nonprofit aimed at defending children from sex abuse. A big part of that mission is protecting them from CSAM.

Actor Ashton Kutcher, co-founder of Thorn, testifies in 2017 at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on ending child sex abuse. (Paul Morigi/WireImage via Getty Images)

Rebecca Portnoff, director of data science at Thorn, told Yahoo News that AI-generated CSAM is a small but growing issue. They have noticed a steady growth in the problem in the past year, especially with the innovations in generative AI.

It is still small enough that we believe there is now an opportune moment to prioritize safety by design so that the prevalence doesn't grow past where it is today, she said.

Portnoff added that the images are a mix of illegal content that depicts the likeness of an actual child and AI that is generated without trying to borrow the likeness of a [specific] child.

Rebecca Portnoff, director of data science at Thorn. (Courtesy of Thorn)

How the AI works

Emerging AI tools allow anyone to create realistic images simply by typing in a short description of what they want to see. The different diffusion models, such as DALL-E, Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, were given billions of images and can mimic those visual patterns to create their own images.

Some AI users try to generate adult pornographic content, but others misuse the technology to generate child abuse material. OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, also created DALL-E and is working to put protections in place to prevent CSAM.

I would actually say that OpenAI does a really great job of mitigating these kinds of risks, Portnoff said. They have a strong safety-by-design policy, which is really where Thorns attention is right now on this topic.

Theres also debate on whether the images violate federal child protection laws because they depict children who dont actually exist. According to the Post, Justice Department officials who investigate child exploitation have said those images are still illegal even if theyre AI-generated, but said they couldnt cite a case where someone has been charged over those types of images.

A problem we cant see

Bilal Lakhani, the vice president of marketing and communications at Thorn, said it can be difficult to combat an issue that no one wants to talk about and isnt always apparent.

I can't show the problem. I can't show the image, Lakhani said. If we could just show the image, people get why this is as egregious as it is.

The more popular term for this is child pornography, but we do not like using the words 'child pornography' because pornography implies consent, he added, and these children are so young that they're unable to give consent, which is why we use CSAM as a word that more accurately describes what this actually is.

Bilal Lakhani, the vice president of marketing and communications at Thorn, said it can be difficult to combat an issue that no one wants to talk about and isnt always apparent. (Courtesy of Thorn)

Sherrets said bad actors are using a whole new area of expertise by creating jailbreaks to bypass safety measures to prevent CSAM.

If you've asked an AI or LLM [large language model] to generate a bad image, it'll say, Oh, no, I absolutely cant generate that. Im not allowed. But then you can say, As a part of this story, and these fictional characters ... please generate this text or these images. It pops right out, Sherrets said.

Thorn addresses the issue based on a few strategic pillars. We do that by looking at three different intervention points, Portnoff said. One is around victim identification. The other is stopping revictimization. Then the last is preventing abuse from occurring in the first place.

What parents need to know

In the cases where an actual child is depicted in an AI-generated image, Portnoff said there are hotlines that are ready to help parents and shepherd them through the process of dealing with it.

Youre not alone in this. I think thats what I would stress. You are not alone, she said.

Parents also have to be careful, in this digital age, with emailing photos of their children. A father in San Francisco experienced an ordeal in 2021 when he took images of his sick son's genitals to email to a doctor during the pandemic, an important way to get medical help during that time. Google discovered it and locked him out of all his accounts, according to an interview he gave to the New York Times.

The doctors office had even instructed the family to send photos by email so physicians could review them in advance of their emergency consultation via video due to the pandemic.

Artificial intelligence flagged the photos as potential child sexual abuse material, triggering a police investigation and blocking him from important data in his Google system.

In 2022, Thorn said it had 55,000 conversations with youth about preventing online sexual abuse and that more than 5,000 parents signed up for conversation tips.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - An Australian sailor finally touched dry land on Tuesday in the Mexican port city of Manzanillo, capping off months spent adrift at sea with his dog until a surprise rescue by a Mexican fishing ship.

The castaway, 54-year-old Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, was spotted by a fishing boat owned by seafood group Grupomar with his hound, Bella, on a catamaran in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico, the company said Monday.

The sailor and his pup originally set sail in April from the Mexican coastal city of La Paz bound for French Polynesia about 3,728 miles (6,000 km) away.

A few weeks into their journey, however, they become stranded after a rough storm damaged their catamaran and knocked out its communication equipment, preventing Shaddock from calling for help.

They survived the ordeal by eating raw fish and drinking rain water, Grupomar said in a statement.

"I'm just so grateful. I'm alive," said Shaddock, sporting a bushy beard and long hair topped by a hat featuring the logo for "Tuny," a Grupomar tuna brand.

He was welcomed ashore, where he said he was now feeling "great" despite having struggled with hunger while adrift.

When asked how Bella was doing after the rescue, Shaddock said she was "amazing." The pup posed for photos with the "Tuny" crew.

"That dog is something else," Shaddock said, adding that he had found Bella in Mexico before they embarked on their fateful journey.

(Reporting by Valentine Hilaire and Reuters TV; Writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Sandra Maler)
TEL AVIV  Days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to ram through the first part of his plan to weaken Israels Supreme Court, President Joe Biden urged him not to rush the legislation that has so deeply divided Israel.

It was an unusually direct intervention by an American president into the affairs of one of the U.S.' closest allies.

By Wednesday, there was little indication that Bidens words, as described by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, had changed Netanyahus political calculus.

Under intense pressure from far-right members of his government, Netanyahu says he plans to move the first part of the legislation through parliament as early as Sunday, despite mass street protests that have paralyzed parts of the country and the growing numbers of military reservists who say they will refuse to show up for duty if the plan goes ahead.

The bill would strip the Supreme Court of its ability to strike down government decisions as unreasonable. Netanyahu argues the vague term gives unelected judges too much power to stop the policy agenda of an elected government. But critics say its one of the few checks on the power of the government, which has a majority in Israels single chamber parliament.

Earlier this year, the court used the reasonableness test to block Netanyahu from appointing an ally convicted of tax fraud to a senior Cabinet post.

This is obviously an area about which Israelis have strong views, including in an enduring protest movement that is demonstrating the vibrancy of Israels democracy, which must remain the core of our bilateral relationship, Biden told Friedman.

Israeli military reservists protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg / AP)

Finding consensus on controversial areas of policy means taking the time you need," he continued. "For significant changes, thats essential. So my recommendation to Israeli leaders is not to rush. I believe the best outcome is to continue to seek the broadest possible consensus here.

Friedman, a longtime supporter of Israel who has expressed growing alarm over the country's direction under Netanyahu, said Biden invited him to the Oval Office on Tuesday for a one-hour, fifteen-minute meeting to make his message crystal clear to all Israelis.

The columnist described Biden as deeply worried for the stability and future of Israel, though he did not quote the Netanyahu directly expressing that sentiment. (The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Friedman article.)

Israeli protesters have been stepping up their appeals to the Biden administration to intervene more forcefully in the countrys political crisis. Crowds gathered outside a U.S. embassy building in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, calling on the White House to do more.

President Biden, we love you, save us! read one post from a demonstrator carrying an American flag.

But some protesters also expressed frustration that Biden this week agreed to meet Netanyahu in the U.S. later this year.

Netanyahu took office in December but Biden had so far declined to invite him to the White House, in what was widely seen in Israel as a sign of U.S. opposition to the judicial overhaul.

Conversely, the Bidens decision to issue an invitation to the U.S. offered Netanyahu a political win days before the parliamentary vote.

What message is this sending? A tyrant seeks to dismantle democracy and youre inviting him to the Oval Office? This is unacceptable and we urge the U.S. administration to continue standing with Israelis who are tirelessly fighting for Israeli democracy, Josh Drill, a protest spokesman, told NBC News.

Israeli opposition politicians and analysts have repeatedly warned that the U.S.-Israeli relationship was straining under the disagreement over Netanyahus judicial plans.

For the first time in the history of relations between the two countries, the United States is concerned that Israel will no longer be a democracy, said the Institute for National Security Studies, a leading Israeli think tank. Tension in the special relations between Jerusalem and Washington is not new, but casting doubt on such a fundamental anchor of that relationship is an unprecedented development.

Compounding concerns about worsening ties is the growing sense that Bidens Democratic Party is moving farther away from Israel, with Democratic lawmakers particularly uneasy over its treatment of the Palestinians. Those concerns were on vivid display this week after Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who leads the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Israel a racist state, although she later walked it back.

Joel Rubin, a former State Department official who previously ran the American Jewish Congress, said that shift is likely to continue. He pointed out that older politicians like Biden, who spent decades in the Senate nurturing close Israeli ties, are gradually being replaced by younger counterparts whose views on Israel formed after the Oslo Accords of the 1990s and the two Palestinian uprisings, or intifadas  events that strengthened U.S. support for Israel.

Biden may very well be the last one, Rubin said in an interview. Most of the rest of the American political leaders are going to be educated in the post-Oslo, post-Intifada world and not have the same kind of sentimental attachment to Israel that Joe Biden has.

Palestinians queue at an Israeli checkpoint in Bethlehem (Hazem Bader / AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the strains playing out in public over Netanyahus approach, current and former U.S. officials have emphasized that on practical matters, the Biden administration has continued working to advance Israels security and diplomatic interests, preserving the traditional U.S. role as Israels staunch ally.

Behind the scenes, top U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan are working to broker an historic normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Last month, the administration appointed former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro to a newly created position aimed at expanding the Abraham Accords, which saw the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states recognize Israel.

After a visit by President Isaac Herzog to the White House during which he called Biden a huge friend of Israel, the administration announced a deal Wednesday to ultimately allow visa-free travel to the U.S. if Israel meets certain conditions  granting a long-standing request.

In return, Israel will change its travel procedures to ensure equal treatment for all U.S. citizens entering the country without regard to national origin, religion or ethnicity  including Palestinian Americans.

In recent months, Netanyahu has abandoned one of the most controversial parts of the bill  which would have allowed parliament to vote to ignore rulings of the Supreme Court.

Months of negotiations between the government and the opposition have failed to yield a compromise, and Netanyahu now appears ready to push the first part of the legislative package through parliament on Sunday.

Raf Sanchez reported from Tel Aviv, Josh Lederman reported from London, and Abigail Williams reported from Washington.
(Illustration by Victoria Ellis for Yahoo News; photos: Charles Johnson, Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, one of the largest hospitals in California, is facing a civil rights investigation from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) due to its treatment of Black mothers, who are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women in the U.S.

Since 1999, the number of women who have died following childbirth has more than doubled, and Black women make up the majority of deaths, according to a study published in JAMA that uses data from 1999 to 2019. The study found that there were 1,210 maternal deaths in 2019. In 1999, there were 505.

Maternal health is a priority for the Biden-Harris administration and one in which the HHS Office for Civil Rights is working on around the country to ensure equity and equality in health care, the DHS said in a statement to Yahoo News, adding that it cannot comment further on the investigation at Cedars-Sinai.

'How did you let this happen?'

The federal probe comes years after the death of Kira Dixon Johnson, a Black mother who died from internal bleeding roughly 12 hours after giving birth to her second child via a cesarean section.

Kira Dixon Johnson, a Black mother who died from internal bleeding roughly 12 hours after giving birth to her second child via a cesarean section. (Charles Johnson)

The doctor rushed [the C-section] and did it in less than two minutes. He lacerated her bladder in the process, and then once all that happened, she was allowed to bleed for 10 hours internally, while myself and my family begged and pleaded for them to do something, Charles Johnson, Kira's husband and founder of 4Kira4Moms, a nonprofit working to end the maternal mortality crisis, told Yahoo News. Kira Dixon Johnson is survived by the couples two sons.

In 2022, Johnson filed a civil rights lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai and said it has paved the way for a federal investigation.

It's about accountability and transparency, he said. How did you let this happen? What are you doing to make sure this doesn't happen to other women?

Kira Dixon Johnson is survived by her husband, Charles Johnson, and the couples two sons. (Charles Johnson)

Johnson says he has spoken with nearly 100 other families or individuals who claim they have received improper treatment at Cedars-Sinai during childbirth.

What's happening at Cedars-Sinai is not unique. This is happening in hospitals all over the country, Johnson said.

In 2021, maternal mortality rates in the U.S rose, and Black women were affected the most. "These aren't socioeconomic issues, Gregory Johnson, chief executive officer of Sound Physicians, a physician-led medical group, told Yahoo News. These are simply indications of systemic racism that are manifesting themselves in the health care system.

The Kira Johnson Act

Experts say the federal probe is unprecedented and long overdue.

This is a next natural evolution of really trying to get people to understand [that] even if you survive pregnancy and childbirth, even if you go home with your baby, even if you're not one of the shameful maternal morbidity and mortality statistics that we have in the United States, experiencing racism, when you experience health care, in and of itself is an adverse event, Monica McLemore, professor of nursing and public health at the University of Washington, told Yahoo News.

According to a Cedar-Sinai spokesperson, "Cedars-Sinai clinicians, leaders and researchers have long been concerned with national disparities in Black maternal health, and we are proud of the work we've done (and continue to do) to address these issues in Los Angeles as well as at the state and national levels," the hospital told Yahoo News.

Cedars-Sinai says it is working to prioritize maternal health as the hospital increases its research; working alongside the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative to increase treatment plans; and partnering with Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies. Financially, the hospital says it has provided more than $2 million in grants to organizations throughout Los Angeles that are working to improve Black maternal health care.

Kira and Charles Johnson before she gave birth to her second son. (Charles Johnson)

Johnson says the investigation is monumental. The reason why this civil rights investigation is so important is [because] the Department of Health and Human Services is the department that provides federal funding for hospitals, he said, adding that if it establishes a pattern of racism, it could put funding for the hospital in jeopardy.

In the meantime, leaders across the country are seeking federal action to combat the maternal mortality crisis. On July 11, Sen. Reverend Warnock, D-Ga., and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., reintroduced the Kira Johnson Act, which seeks to help fund organizations working to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.

The rate of maternal mortality is an ongoing and worsening crisis. Black women are particularly at risk in the state of Georgia, where they are three to four [times] more likely to die related to childbirth or pregnancy than their white sisters.  We cant get this done soon enough, Warnock said in a press release.

McLemore says that while an overwhelming amount of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, there is not just one solution. The demographics of the people who are dying are going to have to change before I think we actually see any significant change. And that's unfortunate, she said.
Border Patrol does not have protocols for assessing medical needs of children with preexisting conditions, according to an independent report made public Tuesday on the death of an 8-year-old girl from Panama who was in federal custody.

The girls death was a preventable tragedy that resulted from failures in medical and custodial systems for children within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that includes the Border Patrol, the report found.

It's the latest damning finding in the May 17 death of Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez, who was on her ninth day in custody with family in Harlingen, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the busiest corridors for migrant crossings. She had a chronic heart condition and sickle cell anemia.

An internal investigation found Border Patrol medical staff declined to review the girl's file.

The report made public Tuesday was conducted by an independent monitor working to enforce compliance with the latest terms of the Flores settlement agreement, a measure created to bring child welfare protections to children in immigration custody.

The failure to consult a physician or a local health facility for more extensive testing raises fundamental concerns regarding the ability of the CBP medical system to care appropriately for children at elevated medical risk, the report says.

New leadership has been appointed to the agency's Office of the Chief Medical Officer, said Troy A. Miller, acting CBP commissioner.

The agency "has undertaken significant steps to address deficiencies identified by the ongoing investigation, as well as to ensure that medically fragile individuals and family units receive the best possible care and spend the minimum amount of time possible in CBP custody, Miller said.

Mabel Alvarez Benedicks, the girls mother, told The Associated Press she reported her daughter's condition to officials when she and her family were being processed at the border, but officials failed to notify other staff at the time the family was taken to a second facility designated for families, a problem the monitor highlighted in a previous report to the court.

Six days later, the girl tested positive for influenza and had a temperature of 101.8 F (38.78 C), according to the report. She was given medication, put into isolation with her family but three days later, the girl and her mother made numerous visits to the medical unit, the report said.

Anadith reported vomiting and then a stomachache to the health provider, who failed to contact an on-call physician, the report showed. There is no protocol that highlights when an on-call physician should be contacted.

Alvarez begged officials to call an ambulance in order to hospitalize Anadith as her daughter felt pain in her bones, struggled to breathe and was unable to walk, but the health provider did not consider transferring the girl to a hospital, according to the report.

After Alvarez carried her daughter to the medical unit as she seized and became unresponsive, the girl was then taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, the report said.

The poor clinical decision-making by the health providers is responsible in Anadith's death, the report said.

These inexcusable systemic failures were exacerbated by just a sheer disregard for her life, said Melissa Adamson, an attorney at the National Center for Youth Law.

Three other migrant children have died in federal custody this year.

An unaccompanied 15-year-old girl from Guatemala died July 10 from an underlying disease while in federal custody. The girl had been hospitalized at El Paso Childrens Hospital for a significant, preexisting illness when she was referred from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in May, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement July 11.

In May, a 17-year-old boy from Honduras died in U.S. custody. Angel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza died at a holding center in Safety Harbor, Florida. His mother said her son had epilepsy but showed no signs of being seriously ill before he left for the United States.

In March, a 4-year-old medically fragile unaccompanied child from Honduras died at a hospital in Michigan, according to a Health and Human Services statement at the time.

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This story has been updated to correct that the other three migrant children died in federal custody, not Border Patrol custody.
A 9-year-old boy died in British Columbia from an asthma attack made worse by the Canadian wildfires, say his parents.

Carter Vigh, who had the condition his whole life, died on 11 July after visiting an emergency room when he suffered an asthma attack.

The BC Coroners Service has not given an official cause of death but stated in a bulletin that it was probing the death as being related to an existing medical condition aggravated by wildfire smoke, reported CBC.

The sudden and unexpected death of this young boy is a heartbreaking loss for his family and community.

And the service added: Our communities are now becoming more aware of the risks presented by wildfire smoke and the measures that can be taken to reduce those risks.

Carters parents told the broadcaster that the youngster had been at a water park earlier in the day and then went to a birthday party.

He began coughing in the evening and his parents gave him his inhaler and told him to concentrate on his breathing. But the coughing continued to get worse and he was rushed to the hospital where he lost consciousness.

Medical staff performed CPR for 25 minutes before he was declared dead.

Im hoping that people realize how quickly it can turn because we had his asthma under control. We were so diligent, his parents said.

They tried everything, Ms Vigh added. I just stood there and just told him that I loved him and just to breathe.

We took it seriously, she said, referring to Carters asthma. It was just his time and its not fair. He was perfect. He had the perfect little freckle on his earlobe and the cutest little nose ... We raised the most loving little boy.

Flames from the Donnie Creek wildfire burn along a ridge top north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Sunday, July 2, 2023. (AP)

A GoFundMe for the family, who live in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, has so far raised more than $30,000.

More than 900 wildfires are burning across Canada on Tuesday, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Around 360 wildfires in British Columbia have caused air quality in the region to drop significantly.

And at least two firefighters have died battling the blazes, which have burned more than 26 million acres of land.

The climate crisis, caused by emissions from fossil fuels, is driving larger, more frequent and erratic wildfires around the world. Canadian officials have warned that this could be the countrys worst wildfire season on record and smoke would be a problem all summer.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A flawed policy at California State University, the largest higher education system in the country, contributed to the closure of nearly a dozen sexual harassment cases without thorough explanation, according to a state audit reviewing 40 cases over the span of seven years.

The audit, released Tuesday, examined allegations of harassment between 2016 and 2022 against employees at the university system's chancellor's office and three of 23 campuses: California State University, Fresno, San Jose State University and Sonoma State University. It found that the colleges failed to discipline people found responsible for misconduct, including one case where officials took no action in the five years after a faculty member was found guilty of sexual harassment, sexual violence and stalking.

The problems and inconsistencies we found during this audit warrant systemwide changes at CSU, California State Auditor Grant Parks said in a statement. In particular, the Chancellors Office must take a more active approach to overseeing campuses efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment.

Parks office recommended the university system require colleges to find out if someone has been accused of harassment multiple times, make them clearly explain why officials didnt investigate a case, and give guidance for how to contact accusers.

Jolene Koester, California State Universitys interim chancellor, said in a statement that officials would comply with the recommendations. Representatives from California State University, Fresno, San Jose State University and Sonoma State University did not immediately respond to an email request for comment on the audits findings.

Sexual harassment is among the misconduct banned by state and federal laws, but California State University's policy aimed to address it falls short, the audit found. The auditor's office says it should better guide colleges on what steps to take after an incident is reported.

Deciding whether to conduct a formal investigation is one of the most critical steps in a campus process for responding to an allegation, the audit says. Nonetheless, CSUs sexual harassment policy lacks detailed guidelines about how to make and document these determinations.

There were more than 1,200 reports of sexual harassment by employees overall at California State University campuses between 2018 and 2022, the report shows. Of those, 254 were investigated.

The largest share of reports  nearly 18%  were at California State University, Fullerton, which is about 22 miles (35 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. There were also nearly 160 employees across all 23 campuses between 2018 and 2022 who were accused of sexual harassment multiple times, according to the report.

One student alleged a faculty member made inappropriate comments to her and compared her to women he had dated. The campus declined to investigate, the audit found. It didn't specify which campus.

Seven of 21 investigations the auditor's office reviewed contained deficiencies that caused us to question the campuses determinations that sexual harassment had not occurred. For example, a faculty member who was found responsible of making inappropriate comments to a contract worker and hugging her, and kissing another worker without their consent was not found to have violated the sexual harassment policy, the audit says.

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This story corrects an earlier version that inaccurately stated the span of years for the 40 cases the audit reviewed. It was over seven years.

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Sophie Austin is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on Twitter: @sophieadanna.
HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese e-commerce retailer Temu has filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts accusing its rival Shein of violating U.S. antitrust law by preventing garment makers from working with it.

Temu, which is owned by popular Chinese e-commerce site Pinduoduo Inc., is alleging that Shein has compelled clothing manufacturers to submit to unfair supply chain arrangements preventing them from working with Temu after it entered the U.S. market in 2022.

Shein (SHE-in) and Temu (TEE-mu) are fast-rising online shopping platforms. Shein has grabbed the largest share of the fast fashion market in the U.S., at over 50%, according to Temu's complaint. Temu is the most downloaded app in the U.S., according to the website data.ai, formerly App Annie, which tracks app rankings. It offers everything from apparel to household goods at similarly competitive prices.

Shein has engaged in a campaign of threats, intimidation, false assertions of infringement, and attempts to impose baseless punitive fines and has forced exclusive dealing arrangements on clothing manufacturers, according to the complaint Temu filed on July 14 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

In an emailed statement, Temu said that Shein also punished merchants that worked with Temu by imposing extrajudicial fines" and forced retailers to assign their intellectual property rights to Shein, which could then seek to enforce these rights against those who also operate on Temu.

For a long time, we have exercised significant restraint and refrained from pursuing legal actions. However, Sheins escalating attacks leave us no choice but to take legal measures to defend our rights and the rights of those merchants doing business on Temu, as well as the consumers rights to a wide variety of affordable products, the retailer said in the statement.

Shein did not immediately respond to AP with a comment, though it previously said that the case was without merit and that the firm would defend itself against the allegations.

Earlier, Shein sued Temu in Illinois, asserting that it engaged in deceptive business practices and created impostor pages that violated copyrights and trademarks.

China's regulators have cracked down on the widespread practice by internet firms there of forcing retailers, brands and suppliers to work exclusively with them.

Both Shein and Temu have gained attention as imports to the U.S. via their platforms have surged.

Just days ago, a filing in California by three U.S. fashion designers accused Shein of copyright infringement so aggressive that it amounts to racketeering. The filing alleges the company has violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as RICO, a law originally crafted to prosecute organized crime.

A Congressional report published last month questioned both companies' compliance with efforts to prevent goods made by forced labor from being sold on their platforms.

An anonymous coalition of brands and human rights advocates called "Shut Down Shein has been lobbying lawmakers seeking to increase scrutiny on the fast fashion site.
BALTIMORE (AP)  Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen session Tuesday, the latest step toward his return from left shoulder inflammation.

Kershaw has not pitched since throwing six shutout innings June 27 at Colorado and is unlikely to return until next month.

He was very pleased. He was right around 30 pitches, a little above that, manager Dave Roberts said. He used his entire pitch mix and gave it a good effort and came out of it well. I think for us right now, just to see how he responds tomorrow to decide what's the next step. But certainly a big step in the right direction.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 10-4 with a majors-best 2.55 ERA in 16 starts. He originally hoped to return right after the All-Star break, but that was delayed after he had an MRI.

Roberts said Kershaw hasnt felt pain in a handful of days, but Tuesday's session will not accelerate the ace's anticipated return.

I still think its still going to take a little bit of time, Roberts said. I think I tentatively mentioned early August. I think that still stands.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
PRAGUE (AP)  The Czech Parliament gave its expected approval Wednesday to a defense treaty signed with the United States in May that would deepen military cooperation and make it easier to deploy U.S. troops on Czech territory.

The lower house of Parliament voted 115-18 in favor of the Defense Cooperation Agreement. The treaty, endorsed by the Czech Senate last week, goes next to President Petr Pavel for his expected approval.

The document would set a legal framework for possible deployment of U.S. troops in the country at a time of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We cant do without a strong alliance with other democratic countries in this situation, Czech Defense Minister Cernochova told lawmakers in the lower house. She said the deal is absolutely in our national interest."

Cernochova signed the treaty together with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington D.C. on May 23. The U.S. has such agreements with 24 other NATO members, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria that form the eastern flank of the alliance.

The lawmakers of the five-party ruling coalition were joined by most of their colleagues from the opposition ANO (YES) movement led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis in supporting the treaty.

It was opposed by the major anti-migrant populist Freedom and Direct Democracy party, which claims the pact compromises the countrys sovereignty and makes possible a permanent presence of U.S. troops on Czech territory.

But any particular deployment of U.S. forces will still need approval by the Czech government and Parliament.
PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech parliament on Wednesday ratified a defence treaty that provides a framework for a U.S. military presence on Czech soil, strengthening ties between the two NATO members.

Any concrete decision to allow in U.S. troops would however require further parliamentary approval.

"The agreement is entirely in our national interest and I would like to underline that it is proof that our relations with the United States are now at a very high level," Defence Minister Jana Cernochova told the lower house ahead of the vote.

"It is particularly important in view of the current security situation, when unfortunately, just a few hundred kilometres from our borders to the east, brutal Russian military aggression is taking place and when Europe is threatened with the biggest military conflict since World War Two."

The upper house of parliament has already backed the Defence Cooperation Agreement, which the lower house backed on Wednesday, leaving the signature of President Petr Pavel, a retired NATO general, as the last official act left in the process.

It is unclear when he will sign the accord, which on Wednesday was backed by the main opposition party ANO, alongside the five-party centre-right ruling coalition. The opposition far-right Direct Democracy Party was the only party that voted against.

The framework for a potential U.S. military presence lists military installations U.S. troops could use, and deals with issues such as jurisdiction over foreign troops, environmental impacts and rules for operating vehicles.

The Czech Republic, which is the 25th NATO member country to conclude such an agreement, has bought U.S. attack and multi-role helicopters from the United States and is also considering buying 24 F-35 fighter planes.

Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has strengthened support in many countries for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Finland in April ended decades of military non-alignment to become the group's 31st member and Sweden has also applied for membership.

(Reporting by Jan Lopatka; editing by Barbara Lewis)
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A federal judge on Wednesday rejected Donald Trump's request for a new trial after a jury found the former U.S. president liable for sexually abusing and defaming the writer E. Jean Carroll and awarded her $5 million.

In a 59-page decision, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan also dismissed Trump's arguments for reducing damages to less than $1 million.

Kaplan said the unanimous May 9 verdict was "almost entirely in favor of Ms. Carroll," and neither a "seriously erroneous result" nor a "miscarriage of justice."

Trump, who is again seeking the presidency, appealed the decision, adding it to his earlier appeal of the jury verdict. His lawyer did not respond to requests for comment.

Carroll, 79, accused Trump, 77, of raping her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, and defaming her in an October 2022 social media post when he branded the incident a "Hoax and a lie" and said Carroll was not his "type."

She is also pursuing a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Trump over similar comments in June 2019, after she first accused him of forcing himself upon her in the Bergdorf Goodman store. A trial is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2024.

Carroll's lawyer Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to the judge, said her client looks forward to collecting the $5 million and the second trial.

In a separate legal setback for Trump on Wednesday, another judge rejected his bid to move a criminal case against him involving a hush-money payment to a porn star to federal court from a New York state court.

Trump faces many other legal problems, including a federal indictment over classified documents he took from the White House and possible charges over his efforts to remain president after his 2020 election loss.

JUDGE SAYS TRUMP MISINTERPRETED JURY VERDICT

In seeking a reduction in damages in Carroll's case, Trump called the $2 million award for sexual abuse "grossly excessive" because such abuse could have included groping Carroll's breasts through clothing, "a far cry from rape."

But Judge Kaplan said New York's penal law defines rape much more narrowly than ordinary people think of the term, and that Trump was wrong to insist it excused him.

"The proof convincingly established, and the jury implicitly found, that Mr. Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carroll's vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm," the judge wrote.

"Mr. Trump's argument therefore ignores the bulk of the evidence at trial, misinterprets the jury's verdict, and (ignored) evidence of what actually occurred between Ms. Carroll and Mr. Trump," he added.

The judge also said the evidence justified awarding Carroll $3 million for defamation, rejecting Trump's claim that the award was based on "pure speculation" about how Carroll's reputation was harmed.

Carroll filed her first lawsuit in November 2019.

She amended it after Trump disparaged her in a CNN town hall one day after the $5 million verdict, calling her account "fake" and her a "whack job."

Trump is also suing Carroll for defamation, after she said "oh yes, he did; oh yes, he did" when asked on CNN about the jury finding that he did not commit rape.

Carroll wants to dismiss that claim, saying her statement was "substantially true" and reflected her thoughts as the verdict was read.

The case is Carroll v. Trump, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-10016. Carroll's original lawsuit is Carroll v Trump in the same court, No. 20-07311.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis)
CAIRO (AP)  Egypt's president pardoned two prominent rights activists Wednesday, including one with ties to Italy who was sentenced this week, the countrys state-run news agency reported.

Among an unspecified number of people pardoned Wednesday by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was rights activist Patrick George Zaki, who was a post-graduate student in Italy and who was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday over an opinion article he wrote in 2019, the MENA news agency said.

Zaki's case has echoed in Italy, where many were reminded after the sentencing this week of the tragic fate of Italian student Giulio Regeni who was abducted and killed in Cairo in 2016. The Italian government had repeatedly called for Zaki's release since his arrest in 2020.

Also pardoned was Mohammed el-Baker, a rights lawyer, who was arrested in September 2019, the agency reported. El-Baker was sentenced to four years in prison late in 2021 over charges of disseminating false news, misuse of social media and joining a terrorist group. El-Baker was arrested when he attended the questioning by prosecutors of another jailed activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah.

The report said the two were among a group pardoned on Wednesday but did not elaborate who else was included. Prisoners who are pardoned in Egypt usually walk free within days.

We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds, prominent rights activist Hossam Bahgat wrote on Twitter.

He added that both activists should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work. Bahgat is the executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represented Zaki in court.

In Italy, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani welcomed el-Sissi's decision to pardon Zaki. Thanks to the governments foreign policy we have given a decisive contribution to freeing this young student. Concrete results through work and international credibility, he tweeted.

Jubilation also resounded from the ranks of Italian opposition lawmakers following the pardon news.

Victory for Patrick Zaki. Pardon granted, tweeted Federica Onori, the foreign affairs commission whip for the populist 5-Star Movement. We never quit fighting. We never quit believing. We await you soon back home in Italy.

When Zaki was arrested in 2020, the 5-Stars led the government and Melonis far-right party was in the opposition.

Speaking to the Italian state TV in a square outside Romes ancient Pantheon, an Amnesty International official in Italy, Riccardo Noury, expressed satisfaction that the grave case (of Zaki) is resolved, but it doesnt resolve the theme of human rights in Egypt.

Zaki, who is Christian, was arrested in February 2020 shortly after landing in Cairo for a short trip home from Italy where he was studying at the University of Bologna. He was released in December 2021 after spending 22 months in pretrial detention but had to remain in Egypt and was not allowed to travel abroad, pending trial.

He earned a masters degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to travel to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference.

An Egyptian court sentenced him this week to three years in person over his conviction of disseminating false news related to an article of his about alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt.

Amnesty International swiftly condemned Egyptian authorities and said that the image of Zaki being dragged out of a courtroom and taken to prison on Tuesday was terrifying.

Egypt has pardoned dozens of detainees in the past several months, after its human rights record came under international scrutiny when it hosted the U.N. climate change summit in November.

The government has been relentlessly silencing dissenters and clamping down on independent organizations for years with arrests, detentions, prison sentences and other restrictions. Thousands of political prisoners are estimated by rights groups to remain in custody in Egypt, many without trial.

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Associated Pres writer Frances DEmilio in Rome contributed to this report.
CAIRO (Reuters) -Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned rights researcher Patrick Zaki a day after he was handed a three-year prison term on charges of spreading false news in a case that drew new attention to Egypt's crackdown on dissent.

Zaki had been studying in Italy before his detention during a trip home in 2020 over a news article in which he documented life as a Coptic Christian in Egypt.

He will return to Italy on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement in which she thanked Sisi for a "very important act".

Sisi's pardon, which was reported by state news agency and confirmed by lawyers, also included Mohamed El-Baqer, a rights lawyer who represented Egypt's well-known activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah and was arrested in 2019 while attending his client's interrogation.

The United States welcomed the release of Zaki and Baqer and called on Egypt to free "all unjustly detained political prisoners", a State Department spokesman said.

"Human rights progress will strengthen our bilateral relationship," spokesman Matthew Miller said on Twitter.

Zaki's case gained widespread attention in Italy, which had already been jolted by the killing and torture in Egypt of Italian student Giulio Regeni in 2016. Four Egyptian security officials have been charged in Italy over Regeni's disappearance and murder, while Egyptian officials have repeatedly denied involvement.

After Zaki's sentencing on Tuesday, Meloni had said Italy still had confidence over his case, while a U.S. state department spokesman urged Egypt to release Zaki immediately.

The head of Egypt's national dialogue, a state-controlled initiative to debate the country's future, had appealed to Sisi to use his constitutional powers to have Zaki freed as several members of the dialogue's board signalled they were quitting over the verdict.

Zaki, a researcher at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), had served 22 months in pre-trial detention before being released in December 2021 pending the completion of his trial. EIPR said he was subjected to torture following his arrest.

His arrest came amidst a far-reaching crackdown on dissent under Sisi, who led the overthrow of democratically elected Islamist leader Mohamed Mursi a decade ago, before becoming president the following year.

Many of those swept up in the crackdown remain in prison, including senior Muslim Brotherhood figures and Abd el-Fattah.

Authorities have justified the arrests on security grounds.

Since late 2021 Egypt has taken a number of steps which it says are aimed at addressing human rights, including amnesties for some prominent prisoners, but critics have dismissed the moves as cosmetic and say arrests have continued.

"Baqer and Patrick should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work," EIPR head Hossam Bahgat said in a tweet. "We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds."

(Reporting by Yomna Ehab, Alaa Swilam, Mohamed Waly, Hatem Maher and Angelo Amante; Writing by Nadine Awadalla and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
MADRID (AP)  Venezuela's former spy chief, retired Maj. Gen. Hugo Carvajal, is being extradited from Spain to New York on Wednesday to face drug trafficking charges, an official with knowledge of the case and his lawyer said.

A person at Spain's National Court with knowledge of the extradition confirmed to The Associated Press that Carvajal had left the country. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

According to his U.S. lawyer, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma, Carvajal is expected to land in New York later on Wednesday.

For more than a decade, Carvajal advised the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez before breaking with his successor Nicolas Maduro. He had been fighting extradition to the U.S. since he was arrested in Spain in April 2019.

Prosecutors in New York allege that Carvajal used his high office to coordinate the smuggling of approximately 5,600 kilograms (12,300 pounds) of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006.

Carvajal also allegedly provided weapons to armed FARC guerrillas in Colombia, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, and helped fund the groups activities by facilitating shipments of large amounts of U.S.-bound cocaine through Venezuela.

A close collaborator of Chavez, Carvajal left Venezuela after he broke with Maduro, throwing his support behind the opposition to Maduros Socialist regime.

The man, also known in Venezuela for his nickname Pollo (chicken), has all along denied the charges.

A back-and-forth legal battle that followed Carvajal's first arrest in Spain in 2019 delayed the extradition. The process was also halted for nearly two years, after Carvajal vanished while on bail after being tipped off that the Spanish National Court was about to rule on his extradition.

Recaptured in Sept., 2021, the former general continued delaying extradition on numerous appeals that he ultimately lost. He had also applied for political asylum, which Spain rejected.

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Associated Press writers Joseph Wilson in Barcelona and Joshua Goodman in Miami contributed to this report.
Funeral services have been scheduled for the Fargo, North Dakota, police officer killed in a shooting that also left two other officers injured.

The funeral service for Jake Wallin, 23, is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Pequot Lakes High School in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, according to an obituary. A private service will follow graveside at a cemetery in Nisswa, Minnesota.

Fargo police say Mohamad Barakat, a 37-year-old Fargo resident, fatally shot Wallin while police and firefighters were responding to a traffic accident Friday on a busy street in south Fargo. Barakat also is accused of shooting and injuring officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes before officer Zach Robinson shot and killed Barakat, according to police. A 25-year-old Fargo woman also was shot, but authorities have not said who shot her.

Wallin served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq from November 2020 to July 2021. He and Hawes were sworn in less than three months ago, and were still in training when they responded on Friday to the scene.

Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the city would like to arrange a memorial service in Fargo, potentially next week.

The mayor on Tuesday visited the two officers, who were critically injured. Hawes is doing well" and improving and will have surgery Wednesday for his arm.

Dotas, who is in a lung machine and can't speak, was set to have surgery Tuesday on his lung but he should do better after that, the mayor said in an interview. Dotas always gives me thumbs up, Mahoney said. The two officers were in good spirits, he said.

The woman who also was injured is in good condition, a hospital spokesman said Tuesday.

Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski said Saturday that a motive for the shooting is unknown. The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and FBI are investigating the attack.

An FBI spokeswoman declined to provide further information on Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

Robinson was placed on paid administrative leave while state authorities complete an investigation into his use of force, per Fargo police procedure. The mayor anticipates a report evaluating Robinson's actions might come sometime in the next 10 days.

Barakat was not well known to the community," the mayor said.

Governors of Minnesota and North Dakota have directed U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Wallin through sunset on Saturday, and encouraged residents and businesses to do the same.

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This story has been corrected to note that authorities have not said who shot the 25-year-old woman.
A woman with a baby arrives last week at St. Anthony's Croatian Catholic Church in Los Angeles. The pair were among those on the third bus sent to L.A. by Texas. The fourth arrived Tuesday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A bus carrying 41 migrants arrived at Union Station on Tuesday evening, according to Mayor Karen Bass, the fourth sent to Los Angeles by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

"One bus with migrants on board from Texas arrived around 6:30 p.m PT today at Union Station," said Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass' office. "The city has continued to work with city departments, the county and a coalition of nonprofit organizations, in addition to our faith partners, to execute a plan set in place earlier this year. As we have before, when we became aware of the bus yesterday, we activated our plan."

Abbott's office confirmed a bus from Texas arrived Tuesday in L.A.

The city opened a temporary emergency shelter for 14 of the people while officials try to make arrangements for their travel or pickup, according to the mayor's office.

According to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), about half of the people aboard the bus were from Venezuela, with others coming from Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras. A spokesperson for the nonprofit said the bus left Brownsville, Texas, at 4:25 p.m. Monday.

The group comprised 35 adults and six children, including a 1-year-old, the coalition said in a statement. Initially, 45 asylum seekers left Texas, but a family of four got off the bus in Arizona to meet with their sponsors, according to a spokesperson for the coalition.

Read more:Photos: Another bus from Texas carrying migrants arrives in L.A.

After the bus arrived at Union Station, the asylum seekers received a full meal, clothing, hygiene kits and a basic health screening, CHIRLA said. Over a dozen in the group plan to stay in Los Angeles, while others will continue to other destinations, including Phoenix, Washington state and elsewhere in California, the coalition said.

Since the first bus arrived at Union Station in mid-June, the coalition has welcomed 154 migrants sent from Texas to Los Angeles by the Abbott administration.

"We do not mistake these busing episodes as well-intentioned. Texas and Florida have shown a callous disregard to the human experience, especially as it relates to asylum seekers with black and brown skin," Angelica Salas, CHIRLA's executive director, said in a statement. "Busing migrants anywhere in the middle of a scorching summer is not kind, it is cruel and unjustified.

"As an organized collective in Los Angeles and as advocates for a more humane and just society for immigrants, we will do what we must to protect the dignity and safety of these families whenever they arrive," Salas said.

Read more:Texas trooper alleges 'inhumane' practices against migrants at the border

CHIRLA was working to provide aid to the migrants upon arrival, including consultations with immigration attorneys.

The previous bus, which arrived July 13, had 30 migrants aboard. Two earlier buses arrived on June 14 and July 1, with 42 and 41 migrants, respectively. Texas has funded the transport of more than 22,000 migrants to Democrat-run cities across the U.S., including New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia, as part of Abbott's protest against federal immigration policies.

Times staff writer Nathan Solis contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On the Tuesday after Memorial Day 2023, Stephen Vidman, 28, had just returned to work when he felt lightheaded. He thought it might be a side effect of a medication he was taking. But when he tried speaking, he struggled to get words out.

(I) ultimately tried to walk it off, and I fell over, Vidman, a neuroscience graduate student at the Ohio State University, tells TODAY.com. I couldnt speak.

Stephen Vidman, stroke (Courtesy Stephen Vidman)

One of his professors, Dr. Em Harrington, who was working nearby, quickly assessed Vidman and knew exactly what happened.

I remember them vividly telling me, You are having a stroke, he recalls.

From normal workday to ER trip

Vidman had arrived to work and was chatting with his mom on the phone when he began feeling lightheaded. When he couldnt respond to her with more than mumbles, he suspected he was having a stroke.

It was a strange thing," he says. "I was really hoping it was just something weird, and it wasnt a stroke.

Harrington was working in their office when another student alerted them to Vidmans troubles. Harrington, a practicing neurologist who uses they/them pronouns, quickly began evaluating Vidmans condition.

He was sitting on a chair and didnt look like he was totally with it, Harrington, an assistant clinical professor in the department of neurology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells TODAY.com. Initially, I was thinking maybe he had like a syncopal event," such as a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Harrington started asking Vidman questions.

He was pretty severely affected, Harrington says. He was unable to answer questions, just had slurred speech, incomprehensible mumbling. ... He looked around, acting like he was trying to say something  but wasnt able to.

Harrington conducted a quick stroke assessment, asking Vidman how many fingers they were holding up. Vidman couldnt answer.

I looked at his face, Harrington says. "I had him raise his face and his eyebrows. It was full facial weakness."

A student called 911, but as Harrington thought about how long it might take the ambulance to arrive, they came up with another plan. Their office was directly across from an emergency department in a hospital with stroke care.

I knew he was having a huge stroke base on his presentation, Harrington says. Time, for him, was super critical, and I didnt want to wait.

Stephen Vidman, stroke (Courtesy Stephen Vidman)

Vidman was seated on an office chair with wheels, and his colleagues put a second one under his legs. Two professors pushed him to the emergency room. Harrington called ahead  their partner is the director of nursing  so staff knew to expect a young patient experiencing a stroke. A gurney awaited them outside the emergency room, and as soon as Vidman settled in, he got an IV to administer clot-busting medication. While Vidman couldnt speak, he remained aware.

I have a vivid memory of the whole experience, he says. I (began) feeling more tired as the symptoms progressed. I remember distinctly being like, Do not fall asleep, because I didnt know if I was going to wake up, and that was a little concerning.

Doctors also performed a thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the clot blocking the blood vessel, which caused the stroke. Vidman recalls that, too.

It was pretty large," Vidman says. My first thought was, Wow, thats cool. And I realized, Oh, thats what was causing all this.

Vidman says doctors suspect that he experienced stroke because he was in an accident where his aorta ruptured through a decade earlier. At the time, he was 18 and working for the Ohio Department of Transportation. A distracted driver of a flatbed tow truck hit him while driving 45 miles per hour, and Vidman launched into the air.

My life really flashed before my eyes, he says. I remember landing, and I actually stood up after I got hit, which blows my mind.

The ligaments in his knee were blown out, he recalls, and he had a compound fracture in his upper arm, with bone poking out of his skin. The trauma to his aorta, called a transection, could've turned fatal.

A damaged aorta is oftentimes how people die in car accidents, Vidman says. I asked the EMTs to tell it to me straight, Am I going to make it to the hospital, and am I going to make it out of the hospital? And I remember one of the guys said, We dont know.

Doctors successfully repaired the transected aorta with a bovine tissue graft to reconnect the pieces together. Since then, he has been taking a beta blocker to lessen the pressure on his aorta. Doctors suspect the weakened area where his aorta was repaired allowed a clot to slowly grow over the years, and it broke off arbitrarily," causing the stroke Vidman says.

We dont know exactly how or why but thats the leading assumption, he adds. Im not likely to have another stroke as long as I keep my cholesterol low and keep healthy. It seemed like it was just a one-off.

Stroke

The American Stroke Association wants people to consider the acronym FAST when thinking of stroke. It stands for:

F : F acial drooping or numbness

A : A rm Weakness or lack of sensation

S : S lurred or impaired speech

T: Time to call 911 immediately

With strokes, the faster the treatment, the better the outcome, Harrington says. Every minute really counts, and you have to get someone (to the hospital) quickly.

Clot-busting medications work best soon after a stroke, so its also helpful if friends and family can tell hospital staff when they noticed the onset of symptoms. Experts urge people to seek help if they notice a sudden cognitive change in a loved one.

Anything out of the ordinary thats sudden and not getting better, particularly if it involves the face or the limbs, is a warning sign, Harrington says.

Harrington notes that the quick treatment Vidman received likely contributed to his positive outcome.

Personally, Ive never seen anyone recover that well, Harrington says. It was just remarkable and also very lucky because a lot of people, even if you do get them to the hospital somewhat quickly, do have residual deficits.

From the ICU to presenting to colleagues

After spending three days in the surgical intensive care unit and then moving to a step-down unit for one day, Vidman went home. He took a week off and returned to work, giving a presentation only two weeks after his stroke. Still, hes noticed lingering symptoms.

I couldnt walk down the hall without becoming just absolutely exhausted. Its a different kind of tired, he says. Ive noticed improvements every single day.

He works about 30 hours a week. Even though he feels better, he struggles with expressive aphasia, which impacts his ability to speak naturally with ease.

I cant get words out sometimes, but I know what I want to say, Vidman says. Its frustrating.

Stephen Vidman (Courtesy Stephen Vidman)

The stroke occurred in the insular cortex in his brain, which impacts his feelings, and he noticed hes frustrated easily, for example.

Ive had a bit of emotional dysregulation, he says. Its helped me become more aware of my emotions, and to be honest, its helped me gain better control over that.

He wanted to share his story to offer hope to others who experienced stroke and to raise awareness of the importance of medical research.

I want to inspire people to study science. This is cool. We can figure this stuff out, he says. Were close to figuring out how to recover from injuries like this because, when these injuries happen, you cant recover from them right now, and that (is) scary. But were getting there.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of nearly 150 environmental justice groups urged the Biden administration on Wednesday to abandon talks with global energy companies on standards for "certified" natural gas, a form of the fuel that producers market as climate friendly, but critics say undermines the transition from fossil fuels.

The United States has held talks with energy companies and foreign officials on gas certification as it ships large amounts of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to Europe to displace Russian gas amid the war in Ukraine.

The Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Gas Leaks and other green groups argued the discussions are a diversion from President Joe Biden's pledge to move toward cleaner energy sources.

"While we strongly support robust and well-enforced regulations to cut methane leaks from the oil and gas sector, we oppose efforts that aim to provide 'extra credit' which the gas industry uses to promote growth in the production, trade and consumption of methane gas," they wrote in a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

But Tom Hassenboehler, a lobbyist who helped form the Differentiated Gas Coordinating Council industry group, said certified gas backers adopt practices to lower emissions throughout the gas supply chain.

"These practices should be encouraged not discouraged as efforts and momentum grow to drive down methane pollution," Hassenboehler said on Thursday.

METHANE EMISSIONS

A Department of Energy spokesperson said the agency "is not introducing or endorsing any natural gas certification measures or standards." It is working with gas importing and exporting countries to develop an approach to measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions that "provides consistency and accountability," and aligns with the administration's plan on methane emissions, the spokesperson added.

While gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, its main component is the powerful greenhouse gas methane, which can leak into the atmosphere - a top complaint from environmentalists, whose support is key as Biden ramps up his 2024 re-election campaign.

Gas producers have attempted to market certified gas at a premium for years, using third-party certifiers to prove the fuel was produced and transported in ways that minimize emissions.

But a lack of unified standards on measuring and verifying emissions across the supply chain has limited low-carbon gas markets. Certifiers rely on competing measurement technologies and differing methodologies on interpreting the data.

Brad Crabtree, a Department of Energy official, met privately with companies on the issue in March and told Reuters standards are needed because the "downside of all the innovation and creativity is that it also is very chaotic."

Scientists have long warned that climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions mainly from burning fossil fuels, will make heat waves more frequent, severe and deadly. They say governments need to drastically reduce emissions to prevent climate catastrophe.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Aurora Ellis and David Holmes)
Parts of Sicily and Sardinia will be the hottest parts of Europe on Wednesday

Red alerts for extreme heat are in place in most of Italy's main cities as a heatwave intensifies in Europe.

Temperatures are expected to peak on Wednesday, with 23 cities on high alert - from Trieste in the north-east to Messina in the south-west.

The warnings mean the heat poses a threat to everybody, not just vulnerable groups.

Wildfires are also raging across the continent, including in Greece and the Swiss Alps.

Millions of people in the northern hemisphere are being affected by scorching temperatures.

It is being caused by a high pressure system bringing warmer, tropical air, south of a jet stream currently stuck over central Europe.

And the heat is forecast to last through Wednesday across most of southern Europe, following several days of temperatures in excess of 40C (104F).

BBC Weather says parts of the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily will be the hottest again, with highs of around 46C or 47C.

The heatwave, which has swept across the country, has been described by local media as settimana infernale - or "week of hell".

Many buildings on the island of Sicily are not equipped to deal with temperatures this high. Lots of families live on the ground floor, in apartments with very few windows, and it is quite common for large families to live together in small spaces.

Two people - a man and woman aged 69 - were found dead in their homes in the Sicilian capital Palermo on Tuesday, with several local newspapers attributing their deaths to the heat.

In the south of Italy, which is poorer than the north, many cannot afford air conditioning, or even fans.

The heat is particularly tough on homeless people.

Sergio Ciresi, a priest running Catholic charity Caritas, which offers a shower service and homeless shelters in Palermo, told the BBC the heat was "making people more impatient and short-tempered".

"In the last few days we noticed people getting angry a lot more easily, and starting fights with each other."

There have also been power cuts on the island as a result of high demand for air conditioning.

The Italian health ministry has asked emergency rooms across the country to activate so-called "heat codes", assigning a separate group of medical staff to treat people who come in with symptoms caused by the heat.

Similar measures were brought in at the start of 2020, when Italy became the epicentre of the Covid pandemic in Europe.

There has been a 20% increase in the number of patients being admitted with heat-related symptoms, according to the health ministry.

"We are seeing an increase in admissions of patients with headache, tachycardia, dehydration and confusion," said Dr Tiziana Maniscalchi, director of emergency medicine at a hospital in Palermo.

She said some of her patients had died, with exposure to extreme heat a contributing factor.

"For people who already have a fragile health, being exposed to these temperatures can have devastating consequences," she said.

"I am worried, because the people who will pay the price are the most vulnerable and frail."

A new record-high temperature of 41.8C was reportedly recorded in the capital Rome on Tuesday.

Red alerts also remain in place across Spain, Greece and parts of the Balkans.

Temperatures are expected to fall on Thursday for many in Europe, including northern Italy - where red alerts will be removed for six cities.

But BBC Weather's Matt Taylor says that temperatures could be in the mid to high 40s for many in the central and eastern Mediterranean by the weekend and carrying on into next week - which could potentially come close to breaking records.

Tunisia in North Africa is also expected to register 50C in some spots, he added.

map

The UN weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization, has warned that the heatwave in Europe could continue into August, and that the extreme temperatures sweeping the globe are the new normal in a world warmed by climate change.

In Greece, staff at the Acropolis in Athens, one of the country's top tourist attractions, will stop working for four hours a day from Thursday in protest at working conditions during the heat, a union representing its workers has said.

Multiple wildfires have also swept across the country since Monday - including one which led to the evacuation of 1,200 children from a summer camp.

The most severe fire burned in the Dervenochoria region, north of Athens. Others also continue to rage in the towns of Loutraki - near the city of Corinth - and in Kouvaras, south of the capital.

In Mandra, west of Athens, residents have told the BBC damage from fires could have been avoided if emergency crews had arrived earlier.

The Greek fire service said it was doing the best it could to fight wildfires in very poor weather conditions, adding the "main concern is to protect lives, save belongings and the forests".

Some have levelled criticism at the government, claiming there are not enough firefighters to respond to the number of blazes currently raging in the country.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who cut his trip to Brussels short this week in wake of the fires, said the climate crisis was the main factor behind the blazes.

Mr Mitsotakis has faced these criticisms before, apologising in August 2021 for failures in tackling that summer's wildfires.

A firefighter tackles a wildfire in Loutraki, Greece

Scientists have long-warned that climate change will make heatwaves more frequent, more intense and last longer in duration.

Experts say Europe in particular is warming faster than many climate models predicted.

More than 61,000 people were estimated to have died from the heat in Europe last year, and there are fears this year will be similar.

Additional reporting by Azadeh Moshiri in Mandra, Greece.

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MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP)  High-water rescue crews pulled people from flooded homes and vehicles Wednesday in Kentucky, where waves of thunderstorms prompted flash flood warnings and watches. A search continued for two children swept away after torrential rains in the northeastern United States.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood watches and warnings, estimating that as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain could fall in the area where Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri meet at the convergence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The weather system will then move Thursday and Friday over New England, where the ground remains saturated after recent floods.

Atmospheric scientists say the global warming responsible for unrelenting heat in the Southwest also is making this kind of extreme rainfall a more frequent reality, because clouds hold more moisture as the temperature rises, resulting in more destructive storms.

With so much rain falling so quickly, it was a life-threatening situation in the Mayfield and Wingo areas early Wednesday, according to Keith Cooley, a senior forecaster with the weather service in Paducah, Kentucky.

In Mayfield, a city of 10,000 that was especially hard hit by storms that produced deadly tornadoes in December 2021, the flooding appeared concentrated in older neighborhoods, where the overflowing Red Duck Creek usually meanders toward Mayfield Creek, which feeds the Mississippi.

I know were weary of this, but also so hopeful for the future, Mayfield Mayor Kathy ONan said. I dont think this is going to set us back any, but we all feel that enough is enough.

In Connecticut, a woman died after being swept down a swollen river Tuesday with her 5-year-old daughter. State Fire officials say the pair were swimming in the Shetucket River in Sprague when they were swept away by currents that have been running high because of the recent heavy rains in New England. They were found unconscious downstream and taken to a local hospital, where the mother, a woman in her 30s, died. Fire officials say the daughter was stabilized at a local hospital and is expected to survive.

And in Pennsylvania, searchers are still trying to find two children visiting from South Carolina who were swept away in what one fire chief called a wall of water that hit their family and killed their mother Saturday. Four other people also died in those flash floods.

Emergency officials described the flash flooding as a catastrophic threat in Kentuckys Graves County, where Mayfield is the county seat. With major flooding already occuring and more rain on the way, Sheriff Jon Hayden urged drivers Wednesday to stay off the roads.

Many roads have been washed out, many cars have driven into water and drowned out, Hayden posted on social media. He said His House Ministries opened their church for anyone needing shelter.

Mayfield police urged people to closely watch for updates since many roads were becoming impassable and the area was expecting another 3 to 6 inches of rain. A short time later they began restricting travel due to flooding, with numerous roads under water.

Crews have had to rescue people from homes, but there havent been any reports of injuries or deaths, said Trooper Sarah Burgess, a spokesperson for Kentucky State Police Post 1, which covers 11 western Kentucky counties. Graves County appears to be hardest hit so far, she said.

ONan said she had no reports of injuries or deaths from the flooding after about six inches had fallen since midnight. Emergency officials and police officers were going door to door and finding that most residents had self-evacuated.

There have been no injuries reported, which is just a blessing, ONan said. She added that power briefly went out in the southern part of the city, which is still recovering from the 2021 tornados that toppled the county courthouse and killed dozens of people.
Editors Note: Past|Present is a new video series from The Star that travels through time to show how scenes Kansas City depicted in vintage postcards look today. Have a postcard youd like to share with our team? Tell us about it here.

Its hard to believe that someone could build the countrys largest lumber business while based in Kansas City, but near the turn of the 20th Century, R.A. Long did just that To mark his success, in 1910 Long built a 4-story Beaux Arts-style home on Gladstone Boulevard looking out over the East Bottoms.

He called the mansion Corinthian Hall, in honor of the distinctive Corinthian columns out front.

The outbuildings that surrounded the massive main structure cannot be seen in the view from a 1920s-era postcard, but the estate grew to include a carriage, a gatehouse and conservatory.

Longs influence is felt across the country as well, particularly in Longview, Washington, which took its name from the Long-Bell Company he operated there.

Lumber baron R.A. Long built his home, Corinthian Hall, on Gladstone Boulevard in 1910. Its now the Kansas City Museum.

Longview Mansion in Lees Summit was the familys summer home, and served as a showplace for equestrian activities.

After Longs death in 1934, his daughters donated Corinthian Hall to the Kansas City Museum Association, which opened it to the public in 1940. Since then, generations of local school kids have toured the museum which housed an eclectic assortment of somewhat suspect historical displays.

Today, the exterior looks remarkably like it did almost a hundred years ago. Inside, a recent renovation has brought much of the buildings faded glory back to life, and refined the museums emphasis on local history, the citys cultural heritage and sense of civic pride..

Looking for more Kansas City history?

But wait, theres even more here about Loula Long Combs and Longview Farm

R.A. Long was one of the prime movers behind the Liberty Memorial

Scenic and historic Cliff Drive is just down the hill from Corinthian Hall

How Cemetery Day at Mt. St. Marys speaks to the citys past
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP)  Honduras plans to build the only island prison colony in the Western Hemisphere and send its most-feared gangsters there, tearing a page from neighboring El Salvador's unforgiving approach to murder, robbery, rape and extortion.

Honduras's progressive president once promised to address gang violence through systemic reforms to governance and the criminal justice system. Now, President Xiomara Castro plans to build an isolated prison for 2,000 gang leaders on the Islas del Cisne archipelago 155 miles off the coast, part of a larger crackdown following the gang-related massacre of 46 women in one prison.

Island prisons once were common across Latin America, with facilities in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Peru. Deadly riots, brutal conditions and bold prison escapes captured filmmakers' and authors' imaginations before the last island prison closed in Mexico in 2019.

In Honduras, authorities are betting that a return to the past will help stem the wave of violence, but skeptics say such moves are little more than optics, and fail to address the root causes of endemic violence.

A new prison is quite useless if you dont first regain control of the others you already have, said Tiziano Breda, a Latin America expert at Italys Instituto Affari Internazionali. Criminal gangs have shown throughout their history that they can adapt.

Last month, 46 women were killed in a fight between gang members in one prison. Many of those killed were sprayed with gunfire and hacked to death with machetes. Some inmates were locked in cells, where they were doused with flammable liquid and burned in the worst atrocity in a womens prison in recent memory.

Castro said she would take drastic measures in response and crack down on the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gangs that have terrorized the nation for years.

The only way to communicate to the Islas del Cisne is by satellite, Jose Jorge Fortin, the head the Honduras armed forces, said in an interview with The Associated Press. Officials hope that will prevent gang leaders from running their operations from inside the prisons. Escape would be difficult as the island takes about a day to reach by boat from the mainland.

It's the farthest away they can possibly be, so these gang leaders feel the pressure once they're on the island, Fortin said. The idea is that they lose contact with everything, contact with all of society ... and they can really pay for their crimes.

Fortin would not specify the cost of the project or when officials expect it to be done, but said Castro ordered the facility built as quickly as possible.

Since the bloodshed, Castro's social media has been speckled with images of weapons seizures and men with gang tattoos sitting spread-legged, half-naked and hunched together on the ground surrounded by heavily armed police.

The images mirror those from neighboring El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has imprisoned one in every 100 people in the country, throwing thousands into a mega-prison. Bukele has said inmates will never again see the light of day even as human rights group Cristosal estimates that only 30% of prisoners have clear ties with gangs, fueling allegations of human rights abuses and democratic decay.

Sharp dips in violence in El Salvador have spurred on a sort of populist pro-Bukele fervor across Latin America.

If another country has done something well, why not copy it? Fortin said. Were not going to let this ... atmosphere of terror go on.

But Breda, the expert, said the move is inching the country away from policies such as stamping out corruption, demilitarizing and community policing that could make a longterm difference in addressing the roots causes of gang violence.

Hondurass security policy has become even more reactive and short-sighted, mimicking whats going on in El Salvador to contain damage to their public image," Breda said.

The proposed measures are being well-received by many Hondurans, like 30-year-old biologist Said Santos, who said ending the crime problem once and for all here in Honduras would be ideal for this country. But, he added, the government should proceed with caution.

Meanwhile, regional biologists worry the project will come at the expense of the island's highly biodiverse ecosystems at a time when the Caribbean is already being ravaged by the effects of climate change.

Largely uninhabited, the prison site has been designated as an environmentally protected territory for more than three decades. Last week, the Honduran Biologists Association released a statement calling the facility a threat to nature on the island, thats lush landscapes and glowing blue waters teem with life.

A prison is incompatible with the ecosystems, species, scenic beauty and climate conditions of the archipelago, the organization wrote.

Lucky Medina, Honduras secretary of natural resources and the environment, told the AP that the maximum security penitentiary will be built "in harmony with nature. He added that officials will follow environmental protections but the facility will definitely be built.

It is totally viable, he said.

-

Janetsky reported from Mexico City. AP reporter Michael Biesecker in Washington contributed to this report.
The House voted overwhelmingly to approve a resolution Tuesday backing Israel and condemning antisemitism, a move sparked by recent comments from Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) that ignited a firestorm on Capitol Hill and highlighted Democratic divisions on the highly delicate topic of Israel-Palestine relations.

The vote was 412-9-1 to endorse the symbolic measure, which says Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, rejects antisemitism and xenophobia in all forms and declares that the U.S. will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.

The lone opponents were liberal Democrats  most of them members of the far-left Squad  who have been highly critical of Israels human rights record toward Palestinians, particularly under the conservative administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Jayapal is among those Netanyahu critics, but her comments Saturday went further, denouncing Israel more broadly as a racist state. The remarks prompted widespread condemnation from members of both parties and led Jayapal to issue a clarification  and an apology  a day later.

The reversal did nothing to satisfy her Republican critics, however, and GOP leaders fast-tracked Tuesdays vote to come just before Congress welcomes Israeli President Isaac Herzog to the Capitol Wednesday for a visit reaffirming the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem  a speech that several progressives have said they will boycott.

Weve heard disgusting statements from other members of the aisle against Israel, Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), the sponsor of the resolution, said on the House floor.

From my standpoint, we look at Israel as the most important partner in the Middle East, he later added. And tomorrow, in fact, as we welcome President Herzog to this very body, to the United States, to a joint address of Congress, its critical for the U.S. Congress to send a unified message that we stand with Israel and that we unequivocally support our Jewish communities. There is no place for hate, for hateful words.

But the vote also represented an opportunity for Republicans to splinter Democrats on the sensitive matter of Israel which, for years, has been a political lightning rod, pitting liberals concerned with human rights issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict against party leaders leery of upsetting diplomatic relations with Americas closest Middle Eastern ally.

That dynamic was on full display Tuesday, when nine Democrats opposed the resolution, some taking issue with the inclusion of the phrase apartheid state in the measure.

Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), Summer Lee (Pa.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Cori Bush (Mo.), Andre Carson (Ind.), Delia Ramirez (Ill.) and Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) voted no, while Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) voted present.

In an impassioned speech during debate on the House floor, Tlaib, Congresss only Palestinian American, argued that Israel is an apartheid state, pointing to nongovernment organizations that she said have come to that determination and quoting members of the Israeli government who have made comments targeting Palestinians.

Israel is an apartheid state, Tlaib said. The government is deeply problematic in the way that they are proceeding in the structure of oppression.

Tlaib is one of several liberals planning to skip Herzogs speech Wednesday.

One of the most notable supporters was Jayapal herself, who told reporters after the vote that the resolution was a political ploy by Republicans to target Democrats and try to divide us.

Instead of calling attention to the fact that they refuse to do the work of the American people, theyre trying to strip our freedoms away from us, Jayapal said. But I am not gonna be bullied by their political games and Im not gonna let them, you know, try to continue this debate, so I voted yes on the resolution and I stand by my statement and Im gonna continue to speak out in the way that I have.

Republicans, for their part, were quick to point out the Democratic opposition to the resolution, painting those lawmakers as anti-Israel.

I hope we have 435 yes votes and no no votes, Pfluger said in a video on Twitter shortly before the vote. Unfortunately, it appears that some Democrats will not side with Israel.

Democrats dismissed those criticisms as a case of petty politics, accusing Republicans of purposefully ignoring the sharp distinction between condemning a governments policies and denouncing that countrys right to sovereignty.

There is a difference between criticizing the right of Israel to exist, which is beyond the pale, and criticizing the conduct of the Israeli government, which I think is horrible, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), a progressive Jewish lawmaker, said Tuesday morning.

And obviously, we all talk about the need for a two-state solution because there are two peoples that have to share that land. And the government of Israel is making it as impossible as they can, as rapidly as they can, for that to happen, he added.

Tuesdays vote came as Republicans are grappling with their own scandals involving race and ethnicity, after a pair of lawmakers last week made racially explosive remarks about African Americans.

GOP leaders have also been on the defensive this week for staging a hearing featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a key witness. Kennedy has been under fire for saying the COVID-19 virus spared certain Jewish populations, putting Republicans into the tough spot of condemning antisemitism while providing a platform for a figure accused of being antisemitic.

The high-profile vote came days after Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, declared at a progressive conference in Chicago that Israel is a racist state as Palestinian protesters disrupted a panel discussion with three Congressional lawmakers.

I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, she said Saturday.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), a Jewish lawmaker who was also sitting on the panel, said Monday that the activist group protesting at the conference has gone after her for years  picketing at her house and refusing to leave her district office  and that Jayapal was opposing an attack on me.

Jayapal issued a lengthy statement one day later that said, I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist, and she apologized to those who I have hurt with my words while also sharply criticizing the conservative government led by Netanyahu.

The backtrack, however, was not enough to quell the criticism, even within Jayapals party. Democratic leadership issued a rare joint statement that, without naming Jayapal, pushed back on her comments  Israel is not a racist state  and a separate statement from 43 House Democrats said they were deeply concerned about her unacceptable comments.

We will never allow anti-Zionist voices that embolden antisemitism to undermine and disrupt the strongly bipartisan consensus supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship that has existed for decades, the group of 43 wrote.

Tuesday was not the first time the House has taken action in response to comments made by Democrats that were panned as antisemitic.

The House in 2019 approved a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, and other forms of bigotry in a 407-23 vote, which was staged after Omar drew criticism for saying that pro-Israel advocates are pushing allegiance to a foreign country, which she later apologized for.

And in February, House Republicans voted to remove Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee as a rebuke for those, and other, remarks Republicans have labeled antisemitic.

Updated: 7:15 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) - Illinois' top court on Tuesday upheld a 2021 state law that eliminated cash bail and ordered that it take effect in September, clearing the way for the state to implement one of the most sweeping bail reforms in the nation.

The law, passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature and signed by Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker, had been blocked after a judge found in December that it violated the state constitution.

Several other states, including New Jersey, New York and California, have taken steps to reduce the use of cash bail, in which defendants charged with certain offenses can pay money to secure their freedom until their trial begins.

Critics of cash bail say the system effectively creates a tiered justice system in which wealthy defendants remain free while poor arrestees spend months in jail.

Proponents, including many law enforcement officials, argue that bail ensures defendants show up in court and prevents dangerous criminals from returning to the streets while awaiting trial.

Prosecutors in dozens of Illinois counties filed lawsuits challenging the law, leading to the state Supreme Court's 5-2 ruling on Tuesday, reversing the lower court's decision.

"Our constitution creates a balance between the individual rights of defendants and the individual rights of crime victims," Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann Theis wrote for the majority. "The act's pretrial release provisions set forth procedures commensurate with that balance."

Under the law, judges cannot set any bail, but they can order defendants charged with certain serious crimes to be jailed until trial if prosecutors can show they either pose a danger to the public or are likely to flee the state. Judges can also set conditions, such as house arrest, for defendants.

In a statement, Pritzer said, "We can now move forward with historic reform to ensure pre-trial detainment is determined by the danger an individual poses to the community instead of by their ability to pay their way out of jail."

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
JERUSALEM (AP)  Doctors in Israel held a two-hour strike Wednesday to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the country's judiciary.

The doctors say the plan will endanger public health by granting Netanyahu and his allies greater control over the country's health care system.

Wearing scrubs and holding signs saying, We are the wall shielding democracy, doctors gathered outside Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv. Medical leaders warned they will take more severe measures if Netanyahu's government  the most right-wing in Israels 75-year history  moves forward with a bill to limit the judiciary's oversight powers which could become law as soon as next week.

In a letter to Netanyahu on Tuesday, Dr. Zion Hagay, chairman of Israel's Medical Association, said the bill would lessen the judiciary's ability to strike down inappropriate appointments to the health care system.

As someone who once served as health minister, you are undoubtedly aware of the extensive professional powers held by the politicians within the health care system," he wrote in the letter. "These powers include the appointment of district psychiatrists, district doctors, and various other positions, as well as the authority to make significant decisions regarding infectious diseases, epidemics, clinic and hospital closures, service privatization, and more.

The plan has triggered months of mass protests, including one on Tuesday, and warnings from key sectors of society, including business leaders and military reservists, that it will damage the country.

The doctors strike Wednesday was the first by a workers organization since Netanyahu announced last month that the overhaul would move forward.

Weekly mass protests against the plan  including a strike by the countrys national labor union  led Netanyahu to suspend the overhaul in March, but he revived the plan last month after compromise talks with the political opposition collapsed.

Emergency rooms were still open on Wednesday and oncology and fertility treatments remained available, said Dr. Hagai Levine, chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians.

The Israel Medical Association will meet tomorrow to decide on further measures, Levine said.

If the government continues with the legislation, then the Israel Medical Association will take more severe steps, meaning a more severe strike, he said.

The overhaul consists of a series of measures that Netanyahu and his allies say are needed to rein in the powers of an unelected judiciary that they believe is overly interventionist in government decisions.

But protesters representing a wide cross section of Israeli society say the plan is a power grab by Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies that will destroy the countrys fragile system of checks and balances.
By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Israeli government could rethink its polarising drive to overhaul the judiciary if there is a major escalation in protests, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday, in a signal of pliability as Washington tries to close ranks with its ally.

With one contested amendment that would limit Supreme Court powers slated for ratification next Sunday and Monday, protests have intensified and now include some air force reservists refusing to report for duty - a potential denting of Israel's security as the Palestinian and Lebanese fronts simmer.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Joe Biden in phone call on Monday that the bill would pass as planned but that he would seek "broad consensus" for any further reforms, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said.

Netanyahu confidant Culture Minister Miki Zohar offered rare acknowledgement of the impact of six-month-old demonstrations, which surged in March after the premier fired Israel's defence minister for openly voicing worry at the impact on the military.

Netanyahu backed down on Yoav Gallant's ouster and suspended legislation to enable compromise talks with the opposition. He declared those fruitless last month, and revived the bill limiting Supreme Court powers to void some government decisions.

"If demonstrations reach a scale that was seen on 'Gallant night', we will understand that things have gone too far," Zohar told Kan radio.

Whether that might happen remained unclear, however.

Proponents of the change pursued by Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition say the Supreme Court has become too interventionist and that the change will facilitate effective governance.

Opponents say it will weaken the Supreme Court, which - in a country that has no constitution and a one-chamber parliament that is dominated by the government - has a critical role in protecting civil rights and liberties.

That Netanyahu is on trial for corruption has further stoked criticism. He denies wrongdoing.

The demonstrations against Gallant's firing mobilised as many as hundreds of thousands of people, organisers say. The protests have been more scattered with the onset of a scorching summer, featuring disruptions of highway traffic and face-offs with police at Ben Gurion Airport and rail stations.

Organisers believe the increasing involvement of reservists could be a game-changer. The conscript military relies on reserves for some combat missions and requires they train regularly.

With the biggest-circulation newspaper Israel Hayom carrying a front-page headline deeming the walk-out by 161 reserve air force staff officers a "red line", other reservists said they would publicly join them on Wednesday by signing an end-of-service declaration outside the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.

(Additional reporting by Ari RabinovitchEditing by Alexandra Hudson)
By Patricia Zengerle, Rami Ayyub and Josephine Walker

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israeli President Isaac Herzog told U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday he welcomed criticism, especially from American friends, but said it must not cross the line into negation of Israel's right to exist. That, he said, was antisemitism.

Herzog, whose position is largely ceremonial, spoke to a chamber packed with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, despite the absence of a handful of progressive Democrats who announced they would boycott over issues including the treatment of Palestinians by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Herzog spoke a day after a White House meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at which the two leaders stressed their countries' close ties despite tensions with Netanyahu's right-wing government.

"I'm not oblivious to criticism among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House. I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it," Herzog told the joint meeting in a speech greeted with several standing ovations.

"But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the state of Israel's right to exist. Questioning the Jewish people's right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism."

The House passed a resolution by an overwhelming 412 to 9 vote on Tuesday expressing support for Israel and saying it was not a racist state. The nine were Democrats, and a 10th voted present.

The vote followed an uproar over remarks by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal, who leads a large group of progressives in Congress, for saying that Israel is a racist state. She apologized on Sunday.

U.S.-Israeli ties have been strained over Israeli settlement expansion on the occupied West Bank and what Washington sees as dimming prospects for a two-state solution to relations with the Palestinians as well as a judicial overhaul.

The proposed overhaul, which has drawn street protests across Israel from critics who decry it as anti-democratic, included curbs on the Supreme Court's authority while granting the government decisive powers in appointing judges.

Herzog vowed to work toward a consensus on the difficult issue, calling the protests a reflection of the strength of Israeli democracy.

"As a nation, we must find a way to talk to each other, no matter how long it takes. As head of state, I will continue doing everything to reach broad public consensus and to preserve, protect, and defend the state of Israel's democracy," he said.

HISTORIC TIES

Herzog followed his father, Chaim Herzog, who as president in 1987 was accorded the same honor of addressing a joint meeting of the U.S. House and Senate, one of the highest marks of esteem Washington affords foreign dignitaries.

The invitation was extended to Herzog by the leaders of Congress last year to mark the 75th anniversary of Israel's founding.

Herzog acknowledged the presence of Clifton Truman Daniel, the grandson of former U.S. President Harry Truman, who met with Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac Halevi Herzog, Herzog's grandfather, at the White House in 1949 after Truman became the first world leader to officially recognize Israel.

Herzog was due to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris later on Wednesday, when a White House official said they would announce a joint five-year, $70 million initiative to support climate-smart agriculture to improve the use of critical water resources in the Middle East and Africa.

On Monday, Biden invited Netanyahu to the United States for an official visit later this year.

Biden had held off extending the invitation out of concern over Jewish settlements and the planned judicial overhaul. Israelis have protested the plan for months, including on Tuesday.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Don Durfee, Chizu Nomiyama and Howard Goller)
Jane Birkins Paris home has been targeted by thieves days after her death, local media has reported.

The singer, actor and fashion icon was found dead on Sunday (16 July) aged 76, 16 years after she was diagnosed with cancer and two years after she suffered a stroke. She was found at her home by her caregiver, on her first night spent on her own in two years in a move to regain independence, family have said.

Je taime... moi non plus singer Birkins body was discovered at her home in the French capital, with local media outlet BFMTV now reporting that an attempted burglary took place in the early hours of Wednesday (19 July) morning.

The publication, who cite a police source, claim that shortly before 4am, a childhood friend of Birkins staying in the home heard noises coming from behind the door.

According to the reports, police officers were dispatched to the scene where they noticed potential evidence of an attempted break-in, including markings on and damage to the door and its frame, as well as pieces of wood scattered on the ground.

The Independent has contacted Birkins estate for comment.

On Wednesday (19 July), Birkins family also confirmed that the actor had requested she spend the evening before her death on her own, in a bid to feel independent away from her caregivers.

Confirming that Birkin died of natural causes, their statement read: aaJane Birkin passed away after 16 years of a fierce battle with illness.

Jane Birkin in 1975 (Getty Images)

Since her stroke in September 2021, her family and wonderful caregivers had been by her side day and night.

For a few days, she had been walking again, and was motivated by rescheduling her Olympia performance. The first evening alone turned out to be her last. She had decided it.

Born in London in 1946, Birkin began her career as an actor. She moved to France in the late 1960s, where she gained recognition for her long relationship with poet Serge Gainsbourg.

The two met while co-starring in the 1969 French satirical romantic comedy Slogan. That same year, they released a debut album in the same year, containing the controversial chart-topping song Je taime... moi non plus.

Birkin on stage in 2018 (' KEYSTONE / MARTIAL TREZZINI)

Throughout her career, Birkin starred in around 70 films and was directed by filmmakers from Jean-Luc Godard to Agnes Varda.

Her legacy also branches out into the realm of fashion, as the inspiration behind the Hermes iconic and long-standing Birkin handbag, which was launched in 1983. She was also a model, and considered a style icon.

Birkin had three children. Her first daughter, the photographer Kate Barry whom she had with her first husband John Barry, died in 2013 by reported suicide.

She is survived by her other daughters: the actor and model Charlotte Gainsbourg, whom she shared with Serge, and musician Lou Doillon, whom she had with director Jacques Doillon.
MAYFIELD, Ky.  Historic amounts of rainfall prompted a Flash Flood Emergency in western Kentucky, including the town of Mayfield, Wednesday as waves of thunderstorms pushed through the region.

According to the National Weather Service, 11.28 inches of rain has fallen in the past 24 hours near Mayfield in Graves County, and will likely set a new 24-hour rainfall record in the Bluegrass State. The previous record was 10.48 inches in Louisville on March 1, 1997.

The rain swamped roads and prompted several water rescues. Many homes in Mayfield and Wingo were surrounded by water.

"Please pray for Mayfield and areas of western Kentucky impacted by significant flooding from last night's storms," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a tweet before declaring a state of emergency. "We're working to assess the damage and respond. Just like every challenge we've faced, we will be there for all those affected. We will get through this together."

Mayfield Fire Chief Jeremy Creason told FOX Weather that the flooding is in areas that are prone to flooding  mostly between four city blocks.

Firefighters responded to two 911 calls from people trapped in their homes in this area. Residents were told to shelter in place until road became passable for emergency personnel to reach them. Some places received up to 4 feet of water.

"The rain in this area was just horrendous," storm chaser Brandon Clement told FOX Weather. "The rain was so heavy it was like whiteout. It just all overwhelmed all infrastructure in place."

Clement has been surveying the flooding damage in the region and found widespread impacts.

"In Mayfield, theres quite a few structures flooded along a creek that runs through town," Clement said. "Its not a good situation."

In nearby Paducah, storm chaser Jonathan Petramala said it was "absolutely chaos." Wednesday was the second-wettest day of all-time for the city, with 6.73 inches of rain that had fallen Wednesday.

Wednesday, July 19, 2023, was the second-wettest day all-time with 6.73 inches in Paducah, Kentucky.

"All over downtown Paducah, just numerous roadways covered in water," he told FOX Weather. "You have trees getting blown down, snapped like twigs. You have power lines, and you have transformers bursting as well. Its a very dangerous morning in western Kentucky."

Footage captured by Angela Belt Newcom outside her home in Hickory showed just how fast the water rose in Graves County.

Kentucky's governor issued a State of Emergency due to the severe weather and said crews were monitoring the threat for additional rain chances.

7 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLASH FLOODS

A lull in the storms allowed first responders to participate in rescue operations on Wednesday, but more thunderstorms were expected in the Ohio Valley on Thursday.

A frontal boundary has stalled to the north of the region, pinning deep tropical-infused moisture against that front. Meanwhile, rounds of thunderstorms along the frontal boundary are tapping into that moisture, dropping intense amounts of rain.

Forecast models show an additional 1-2" of rainfall was possible through the remaining days of the workweek but locally heavy amounts are likely in the stronger storms.

For those in Mayfield, the floods are a painful reminder of the power of Mother Nature. The town is still recovering from a devastating EF-4 tornado that tore through the region in Dec. 2021, leaving more than 80 dead and over 1,000 homes lost.

The twister spanned over 165 miles over 19 counties in just three hours and is now known as the deadliest and longest-tracked tornado in Kentuckys history.

Mayfield Mayor Kathy Stewart ONan told FOX Weather last December the tornado had damaged or destroyed more than 60 businesses in the town of just 10,000 people.
A man who served a prison term for joining torch-toting white nationalists in marching through the University of Virginia's campus in 2017 has been arrested on charges that he stormed the U.S. Capitol and attacked police officers.

Tyler Bradley Dykes, 25, of Bluffton, South Carolina, was arrested in Charlottesville, Virginia, and made his initial court appearance on Monday, according to court records. A federal judge ordered Dykes held in custody until a detention hearing on Wednesday.

Videos captured Dykes tearing down police barriers, attacking officers outside the Capitol and stealing a riot shield during a mob's attack on Jan. 6, 2021, an FBI affidavit says.

Dykes previously was charged in a Virginia state court with illegally participating in the August 2017 march on the night before the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Far-right extremists clashed with counterprotesters on the streets of Charlottesville before an Ohio man linked to a white supremacist group plowed his car into a crowd, killing 32-year-old civil rights activist Heather Heyer.

In May, Dykes pleaded guilty to a state felony charge of burning an object with the intent to intimidate and was sentenced to 5 years in prison, with 4 1/2 years suspended. He was given credit for time he served in South Carolina while awaiting extradition to Virginia and finished serving his state sentence on Monday.

An FBI task force officer met and interviewed Dykes around January 2019 regarding his potential ties to domestic extremist groups, the officer wrote in an affidavit for the Jan. 6 case. Dykes may still have ties to extremist groups such as the South Carolina-based Southern Sons Active Club, the federal agent said.

Active clubs are a network of white supremacists who see themselves as fighters training for an ongoing war against a system that they claim is deliberately plotting against the white race, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

In December 2021, the FBI received a tip from somebody who said Dykes had boasted about attacking officers at the Capitol. The tipster told the FBI that Dykes said he went there for fun and wanted to "make a statement.

Dykes was wearing a gray gaitor over his face as he marched to the Capitol with two other people. Video shows him joining other rioters in tearing down barriers and attacking police officers on the east side of the Capitol, the FBI affidavit says.

Dykes stole a riot shield and raised it over his head before police deployed pepper spray toward him in an unsuccessful attempt to subdue him and regain control of their shield, according to the FBI. Dykes paraded around the interior of the Capitol building with the stolen shield, the FBI said.

The charges against Dykes include interfering with police during a civil disorder.

An attorney from the federal public defender's office was assigned to represent Dykes at his initial court appearance in Roanoke, Virginia. That lawyer said he can't comment on the charges.

___

Kunzelman reported from Silver Spring, Maryland. Lavoie reported from Richmond, Virginia.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) talks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a resolution Tuesday declaring that Israel is not a "racist state," effectively rebuking Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who said Saturday that it was.

The 412-9 vote reaffirmed broad bipartisan support for Israel ahead of Israeli President Isaac Herzog's planned address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. But the measure  which has no practical effect  also gave Speaker Kevin McCarthy a chance to paint Democrats as divided, embarrass Jayapal and demonstrate his party's unity after weeks of infighting.

Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a rising leader in her party, apologized for the "racist state" comment on Sunday and went on to vote for the resolution. But nine Democrats opposed the measure.

The resolution contains fewer than 100 words, and makes three central claims: that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state; that Congress rejects antisemitism and xenophobia; and that the U.S. will always "be a staunch supporter" of Israel.

The vote wasn't that complicated, said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands), one of the top Democrats in the House.

"It's a pretty simple resolution," he told reporters Tuesday morning. "I don't disagree with it, so I'm going to vote for it."

But the vote allowed Republicans to highlight Democrats who are especially critical of Israel. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, Jamaal Bowman, Andre Carson, Delia Ramirez and Ayanna Pressley voted against the measure, and Rep. Betty McCollum voted present. Most of the Democrats who voted against the resolution are members of "the Squad," a group of progressive lawmakers known for being among the most left-wing in the House.

In voting against a resolution that described Israel as not racist, these Democrats were forced in turn to vote against a resolution that condemned antisemitism.

Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress, criticized the resolution in floor remarks Tuesday.

"This week, we'll hear consistently ... 'This is bipartisan support here,'" Tlaib said. "Don't forget, this body, this Congress, supported a South African apartheid regime. It was bipartisan as well."

Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez, Bush, Bowman and Omar all have said they will skip Herzog's address on Wednesday morning. McCarthy has described their decision as antisemitic.

Aguilar said he doesn't view his caucus as divided on Israel.

"There's unity in the Democratic caucus," he said. "I think you'll see that with strong attendance from our colleagues on the House floor to see the president of Israel address us. I don't think that there is anything more on that."

On the House floor Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Northridge) said Republicans' focus on Jayapal's comment illustrated a double standard.

"Israel is not a racist or apartheid state," Sherman said, repeating the language of the resolution. "Congress should and does reject all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia and the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel. But why are we taking this up today?"

Sherman argued the House should have taken up the resolution when Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier, was hosted by former President Trump, or when Reps. Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene spoke at a conservative conference hosted by Fuentes.

"We should believe in this resolution every day," Sherman said. "If we're going to allocate floor time it should be when Holocaust deniers are honored by our colleagues and the former president of the United States."

The U.S. relationship with Israel is arguably its strongest foreign commitment, with Israel receiving billions of dollars in U.S. aid virtually no-questions-asked. And while that relationship remains ironclad, as U.S. officials like to say, under President Biden, there have been a few strains.

Israels harshest critics have long accused it of practicing a form of apartheid in its treatment of the Palestinians. Administration officials do not use that term, and some critics attack the administration for not rebuking Israel with sufficient forcefulness, especially when Palestinian civilians are killed in Israeli military anti-terrorism raids or by settlers.

Late last year, Israel seated its most right-wing government in history, with a number of Cabinet members who have voiced support for openly racist anti-Arab policies. Administration officials say they do not intend to interfere with Israels domestic politics but have cautioned against some of the more extreme measures under consideration by the Knesset, or Israeli parliament.

These include a major overhaul of the Israeli judicial system that even many Israelis regard as a gutting of the countrys supreme independent institution and the additional construction of Jewish settlements in West Bank land claimed by Palestinians who seek an eventual independent nation.

In rare admonitions, Biden, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and other officials have told the Israeli government it should avoid radical steps that flout the will of the public, as the judicial changes apparently would, or that would permanently undermine the formation of a Palestinian state, as additional settlements or de-facto annexation would. The officials pointedly remind Israel to continue to protect the shared democratic values it has with Washington.

The U.S. has issued similar warnings to the Palestinian Authority about violence and attacks by Palestinian militants against Israelis, but the criticism of the Israel government is more unusual.

The judicial changes are extremely controversial in Israel. Tens of thousands of Israelis have held massive regular street protests against the government, which is led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a fixture of Israeli politics who is on trial on corruption charges. American Jews have also been staging demonstrations in the U.S. in support of the Israeli protesters.

Asked whether the White House would like to see strong support for the House resolution, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday Biden would make clear in his meeting with Herzog that the U.S. commitment to Israel is "unwavering and is unshakable" and the two countries share a "special bond."

Pressed on whether the White House condemned Jayapal's comments, Jean-Pierre said the administration is "glad she apologized."

"'Any time anti-Jewish hatred is said, that is antisemitism. And we find it unacceptable."

The Biden administration has also taken the unusual step of refusing to meet with at least one member of Netanyahu's Cabinet: Itamar Ben Gvir, an ultranationalist once convicted of inciting anti-Arab hate whom Netanyahu appointed as national security minister. And until this week, Biden had broken with custom and declined to invite Netanyahu to the White House.

In the West Bank, most of the nearly 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military occupation. Around a half million Jewish Israelis also live in the West Bank in heavily guarded settlements most of the world considers illegal.

Palestinians who live inside Israel are on paper regarded as equal citizens but human rights groups say these residents are routinely discriminated against or treated as second-class citizens.

As Israeli president, Herzog, the scion of a legendary Israeli family, holds a largely ceremonial post. Under Israels parliamentary system, he sets the formation of each government in motion by inviting the political party or coalition that won the most votes in an election to take steps to build a Cabinet. If the parties fail, the president can invite other participants in the election to act.

Herzog has sought to be a mediator in the political turmoil roiling Israel and has attempted to soften Netanyahus judicial overhaul. But he has failed thus far to do so.

Asked Tuesday about a proposed bill in the Knesset that would curtail Palestinian activism at universities, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller again emphasized values that Israel should respect.

As a general matter, Miller told reporters, the United States government strongly believes that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and a strong civil society are critically important to responsible, responsive and democratic governance.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Miami International Airport will have a new airport hotel soon. But following a contentious vote in Miami-Dade County Commission Tuesday, it may not have a second new one anytime soon.

The County Commission voted to award a contract to build a new airport hotel connected to Terminal D to FDR Miami Hotel LLC, the firm that scored highest during the competitive selection process. Commissioners voted unanimously to award FDR the contract.

FDRs proposal is projected to bring the county around $240 million in revenue over course of the 50-year lease. FDR is a joint venture of Miami-based Fontainebleau Development LLC led by Jeffrey Soffer and The Related Companies, which is chaired by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and headquartered in New York.

Miamis world-class airport deserves a world-class hotel, a statement from FDR said after the vote. We look forward to continued collaboration with the county and airport officials to make the best airport hotel a reality for Miami.

The are outlined in red is where the new airport hotel would be located.

Another resolution to enter into negotiations with Parmco Airport Hospitality LLC, the second-ranked firm, for a second airport hotel failed after a 7-6 vote. If the resolution had passed, it would not have bound the commission to a contract with Parmco. The second proposed hotel would have been built after FDRs hotel and would have been at a lower price point than FDRs four-star Westin hotel.

READ MORE: Dolphins owner among real estate heavy-hitters vying for Miami airport hotel contract

Developers and county officials have said the airport needs a new hotel. Currently, the only hotel that connects directly to the airport is the Miami International Airport Hotel, which was built over 60 years ago. Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who voted in favor of the second resolution, called the offerings at this hotel embarrassing for Miami-Dade County.

Commissioner Marleine Bastien echoed Hardemons call for new hotels at the airport. She said given Miamis status as the capital of the Americas, the airport should have two  or even three  high-quality airport hotels.

Paul Lambert, the manager of Parmco, previously told the Herald that hotels that connect to the airport typically have higher occupancy and per-night pricing. Hotels connected to the airport provide options for travelers with delays or cancellations, as well as those with late arrivals or early departures. Business travelers and cruise patrons are also potential customers for airport hotels.

During Tuesdays commission meeting, Jonathan Vilma, one of Parmcos principals, spoke in favor of the resolution to grant a second contract to his firm. He called a second airport hotel a much-needed project. And while a number of commissioners agreed that there should be another hotel, some expressed a desire for a separate solicitation process to choose the firm that will build that hotel.

Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, who voted against the second resolution, compared the proposal to negotiate with Parmco to a participation trophy. Commissioner Rene Garcia said it would set a bad precedent in procurements.
Government transparency advocates are concerned that a pair of Missouri laws could severely limit the publics ability to access records from law enforcement agencies and public colleges.

One gives police and other law enforcement agencies sweeping power to close records related to security measures, GPS data and other investigative information if the records could potentially put the public in danger.

The other builds upon a current law that exempts some companies and nonprofits that partner with public colleges from the states open records laws. It states that meetings, records and votes submitted by a business to a public college may be closed if they relate to investments in or financial transactions with business entities for investment purposes.

The two laws, which go into effect next month, received overwhelming support this year by lawmakers from both parties who argue that they are common-sense revisions to the states open records law. But supporters of open government say they run the risk of preventing citizens from being able to access information that should be public.

We often see law enforcement agencies try to push the envelope in terms of Sunshine Law disclosures because theyre focused on doing their job and they dont always focus on the publics right to know, Jean Maneke, an attorney for the Missouri Press Association, said in a phone interview.

The laws come amid a broader push by some lawmakers to chip away at the states Sunshine Law, which protects Missourians right to access public records and meetings. Transparency advocates, at the same time, have fought for years to make Missouri state government and local agencies more responsive to the law.

The Sunshine Law has been under attack, frankly, said Dennis Ellsworth, the executive director of the Missouri Sunshine Coalition, an open government advocacy group.

Even as legislatures across the country push to revise, or overhaul, state open records laws, the pair of Missouri bills were a surprise to some national government transparency advocates.

Wow, those proposals would be unusual and a departure from what Ive seen across the country, David Cuillier, the director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida, said in an email to The Star.

I havent seen a 50-state comparison on those issues before, but both bills are problematic, in my experience.

Cuillier added that Unrestrained secrecy tends to lead to corruption, waste, and inefficiency.

The policing law allows law enforcement agencies to close records related to security measures, GPS data or investigative or surveillance techniques if disclosing the information has the potential to endanger the health or safety of an individual or the public, according to the law. Information or data provided to a tip line for the security at an educational institution could also be closed.

And information contained in a suspicious activity report provided to law enforcement could be considered a closed record.

Maneke said theres a possibility that police agencies could abuse the law to withhold information from the public.

She pointed to the provision that allows GPS data to be a closed record.

Ive argued many times that taxpayers paid for this GPS data and, therefore, it seems very frustrating to me that information under that is being closed, she said.

Lauren Bonds, legal director for the National Police Accountability Project, a nonprofit that promotes law enforcement accountability, said that the provisions of the bill were not atypical. However, she said the vague language could be weaponized to withhold information.

Investigative and surveillance techniques sticks out to me as particularly problematic and something that can be vague enough and broad enough to be abused, she said.

State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Joplin Republican who carried the bill in the Missouri House, said in a phone interview that theres been concern among law enforcement that the release of some public records puts innocent people at risk.

Sometimes there is a relationship between transparency and confidentiality  its called reason, he told The Star. Sometimes its not reasonable to be too transparent.

Roberts said he was not talking about government transparency, but about investigative information and things that would put a person at risk.

Thats not a reasonable thing to do in the name of transparency, he said. There has to be a level of reason involved.

Two law enforcement agencies contacted by The Star said they would enforce the law but did not respond to concerns that it could be abused to close certain records that should be public.

Jacob Becchina, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department, said the KCPD was committed to adhering to all laws, especially those that pertain to public records. John Hotz, a spokesperson for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said the agency will comply with the provisions of the law.

The law related to public colleges expands the types of records that may be closed when an individual, corporation or other business entity submits information to a public college. It extends that definition to certain investment information.

The records are allowed to be closed only if a public college keeps an annual report detailing money spent to and from the company and the college.

State Sen. Greg Razer, a Kansas City Democrat who sponsored a version of the legislation, said the University of Missouri System requested the law. The law, according to Razer, cleans up a provision of the Sunshine Law that requires companies such as hedge funds that invest with the University of Missouri to disclose their investors publicly.

The way our Sunshine Laws are written, Mizzou or the UM system has to say, X hedge fund has invested and then that hedge fund will be legally obligated to divulge everyone whos invested in them, he said.

Razer said the new law doesnt prevent the public from accessing information about which companies are investing in Missouri colleges. It just allows companies that invest with public colleges to not have to disclose other companies theyre investing with, he said.

Christian Basi, a spokesperson for the UM System, said in an email to The Star that the system has faced resistance when attempting certain investments in the past because of how our investment could compromise the confidentiality of those investments.

The amendment to state law allows the university to maintain confidentiality with respect to the specifics of how an (external to the university) investment manager invests inside specific investment vehicles (such as companies, markets, pending acquisitions), he said.

However, Basi said, information regarding how much money the university is investing and a summary of any investment if still available to the public.

For example, with an investment in venture capital funds, this adjustment to the law would maintain the confidentiality of those firms strategy while the amount and nature of the universitys investment would be information that remains available to the public, he said.

State Sen. Rusty Black, a Chillicothe Republican who sponsored the final version of the law, said that while the legislation limits what is available under the Sunshine Law, its a good thing for investors and for Missouri colleges.

I think its a safe thing to do for the university system to be able to invest as wisely as they can and not limit who they can work with when theyre doing their investing, he said. Any firm that they could possibly look at can have confidence that that firms private information is not going to be released.

Maneke said that she hopes that the law doesnt prevent the public from accessing investment information from Missouris public colleges. Because there have not been any lawsuits or rulings on the law, its unclear how it would be applied, she said.

Anytime you have a public institution that makes investments, whether its a school or government investing their funds, the public has an interest in where that money is being used  is it a good investment, is it a bad investment - because its the publics money, she said.

Its troubling. I dont know what the impact of that is going to be because I really havent had clients run into that.

Razer, in a follow up text to The Star, pushed back on any criticism of the legislation, saying that it merely clarified a narrow section of state law.

We want companies to invest in, and collaborate with, our colleges and universities, but that does not make these entities a government body, the text said. This is a commonsense clarification which is why it received broad bipartisan support.

While the application of the new laws may be unclear, government transparency advocates are concerned about the message they send amid the broader push by lawmakers to whittle away at the states open records laws.

Maneke said there was a definite push by the legislature this year to close access to some records.

Ive been very concerned about the efforts to narrow what is actually considered a public record because I think the public will pay for that, will lose a lot of information, she said.

In theory, the Sunshine Law is supposed to make public records readily accessible. In practice, requests can sometimes linger for months and large fees can sometimes discourage the public from requesting records in the first place.

I can tell you, far and away, the constituents who have benefitted from the Sunshine Law, the average citizens who need more and more access to knowledge about whats going on in government and public bodies, said Ellsworth. Its not about wanting to compromise security and that kind of thing. Were not about that.
Megan Dunn, who has struggled with addiction since her teens, points to the moment her life went deeply downhill.

After dropping out of high school, she gave birth at age 19 to a son she named Preston. Six weeks later, Dunn said, he died of sudden infant death syndrome.

From then on, I went into this, like, PTSD, depression, said Dunn, now 28.

Shortly after the babys death, Dunn said, she started using pain pills again. Eventually, she said, she was arrested on charges related to her illicit drug use, such as trespassing. She said she has had more than 30 stays in Walker Countys jail, a brick building in downtown Jasper. And each time, Dunn said, she was forced into drug withdrawal in her cell without medical care.

I was literally praying to God to end me, Dunn said about the pain and despair she felt.

People with drug addictions fill U.S. jails and are often left to endure withdrawal in concrete cells rather than in medical facilities. Thats especially true in Alabama, which has some of the toughest drug laws in the country. More than 5,000 people were arrested in Alabama on drug charges in 2021, and more than 90% of those were for possessing drugs rather than selling them, according to state data.

Dunn survived her stay in a holding cell in Walker Countys jail thats known, she said, as the drunk tank, a concrete room that lacks water, a bed, or a toilet. Others have not.

Megan Dunn visits Jasper Mall in Alabama. Dunn has been arrested on charges related to illicit drug use. While in Walker County's jail, she says, she was once placed in a holding cell known as the "drunk tank," a concrete room that lacks water, a bed, or a toilet. - Renuka Rayasam/KFF Health News

In January, Anthony Mitchell, 33, allegedly froze to death after spending 14 days in the tank, according to a federal lawsuit his family filed in February against Sheriff Nick Smith, his deputies, and other jail employees.

Mitchell had spiraled into worsening drug addiction, the lawsuit said, and his cousin called 911 to send an ambulance to his home because Mitchell appeared to be having a mental breakdown. Instead, sheriffs deputies arrived and then a SWAT team, the lawsuit said. On Facebook, the sheriffs office posted that Mitchell brandished a handgun and, from the scene, a deputy published a photo of his arrest, the suit said.

In jail, Mitchell was denied access to medical treatment, the suit said, citing video footage from the jail, and he died in custody. His death has sparked a debate in Walker County about the treatment by law enforcement of people with addiction and mental illness.

Crime and punishment

Walker County, nestled in northwestern Alabamas Appalachian foothills and dotted with coal mines, has one of the nations highest nonfatal overdose rates. The county was among the communities that pharmaceutical companies flooded with millions of pain pills in the 2000s. Addiction rates soared. Over time, people moved on to illicit drugs.

Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, first elected in 2018, campaigned to keep his job in last years election, in which he was unopposed, by saying hed confronted the drug epidemic head on by taking criminals off the streets and putting them in jail where they belong.

He also touted his drug arrests in a paid political announcement published in 2021 in the Daily Mountain Eagle, a newspaper in Jasper. He has deployed resources to boost the number of narcotics officers from two to five, and his staff has made about 2,500 drug arrests to date, Smith told KFF Health News.

Smith also said that his office helps people with addiction. It gives people a list of treatment resources when theyre released, he said, and has doubled medical supervision in the jail from eight to 16 hours a day.

Drug possession and distribution, Smith said, are crimes hes tasked with enforcing. We are going to do our job, he said. With so many people addicted to illegal drugs in Walker County, the power of the sheriffs office and threat of arrest loom large.

People are scared to say I need help, said Kayse Brown, who added that she faced down her own addiction and then became a certified peer support specialist to help others.

According to the lawsuit, a sheriffs deputy allegedly told Mitchells cousin words to the effect of: Were going to detox him and then well see how much of his brain is left. No one checked his vitals or gave him the medication he needed, the lawsuit said. Within days, Mitchell was without a mat or blanket and had to lie naked on the bare concrete floor, the suit said.

When Mitchell arrived at Walker Baptist Medical Center two weeks after his arrest, his internal body temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the lawsuit said. Thats more than 20 degrees below what is considered dangerously low, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Kayse Brown is a certified peer support specialist in Jasper, Alabama. "People are scared to say 'I need help,'" says Brown, who faced down her own addiction then decided to help others. - Renuka Rayasam/KFF Health News

In response to the lawsuit, Smith and other defendants said that Mitchell was a drug addict who was arrested in a psychotic and delusional state. Court records show they dont dispute what doctors reported about Mitchells condition in the medical records. But they deny most of the lawsuits other claims, including any liability for Mitchells death. They asked that the lawsuit be halted while the FBI and the state of Alabama consider filing criminal charges in the case, according to court records. A judge denied the request in June.

After Mitchells death, community activists called for Smiths resignation, circulating a petition that has more than 4,000 signatures. Ryan Cagle, a pastor who started the petition, said the sheriffs office doesnt see addiction as a chronic condition. Instead, Cagle said, its officials shame people who use drugs by posting their mug shots and arrest details on Facebook.

The people who are elected, the people who have the power, they do not see people suffering under substance abuse as human or worthy of dignity, said Cagle, who runs a food pantry. Cagles brother is married to Brown. His father dealt with addiction, and earlier this year he lost a 20-year-old cousin to an overdose.

Smith wouldnt comment on the Mitchell case because of the pending lawsuit and said that Dunns experiences happened before he took office. But, he said, the burden of mental health is put on every sheriff in Alabama. The shortage of mental health treatment and lack of early intervention means people who need help land in jail instead. In one case, he said, a person with mental health disorders faced an 18-month waiting list for space to open at the secure medical facility in Tuscaloosa.

Systemic change is not easy

Walker Countys challenges are indicative of those faced across the country. People with addictions often end up incarcerated, and Stephen Taylor, a Birmingham-based doctor and president-elect of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, points to a failure of the public health system to create a sustainable and robust addiction care infrastructure.

We know what to do to treat addiction, Taylor said in written testimony to a Senate subcommittee in May. But systemic change and disruption of the status quo is exceptionally difficult, he acknowledged.

Sources inside the system say that more than half of the people placed on the Alabama Department of Mental Healths waiting list for residential substance abuse treatment either die, drop off the list, or end up incarcerated, according to a 2020 report from the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, an advocacy group that says the states prison system is broken.

In Walker County, at least 2,800 people with a substance use disorder are not receiving treatment and existing treatment is limited, according to a September 2019 assessment conducted through a federally funded planning grant that helps rural communities respond to opioid overdoses.

The entrance to the Recovery Resource Center in Jasper, Alabama. Walker County has one of the nation's highest nonfatal overdose rates. - Renuka Rayasam/KFF Health News

Though treatment options are growing in the area, there are not enough to meet demand, some local recovery experts said. For example, the number of peer support specialists  those in recovery who are state-certified to help people before, during, and after treatment  increased to nine in 2022 from one in 2018, according to the Healing Network of Walker County, a group that organizes mental health and substance use-related resources in the county. A handful of providers offer medication-assisted treatment, including buprenorphine, which provides relief from severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal and, over time, reduces opioid cravings. A program now exists to help pregnant and parenting women experiencing addiction.

The need for more treatment services is especially acute in Alabama, one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, which has provided insurance coverage to people with substance use disorders in other states.

We operate the whole addiction system in a crisis mode, as opposed to looking at it over the long term, said Regina LaBelle, director of the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative at Georgetown University. Law enforcement officials with no health care training exercise almost total authority over the lives of inmates with addiction, and they are more likely to view substance abuse as a crime to be punished than a health crisis to be treated, say academic researchers, reform advocates, and formerly incarcerated people.

Right now, our system is still so focused on punishing people, said Leah Nelson, research director at Alabama Appleseed.

Dunn said she felt continually harassed by law enforcement officials because she was known to be a drug user. Because she once missed the jails 4:30 a.m. breakfast call, she said, she was put in the same drunk tank where Mitchell spent his final days.

Smith said that hes exploring the idea of treating people with addiction in Walker Countys jail with medications, but that the final decision rests with the county commission. Even though some people in county leadership disagree with the idea of treating people at the jail, were at the point where all options are on the table, he said.

That is huge for Walker County, said Nicole Walden, an associate commissioner at the Alabama Department of Mental Health. She has had initial conversations with the Walker County Sheriffs Office about the idea. The stigma around substance use, in the South, it is a lot worse. Alabama is very much a law-and-order state.

Fewer than a fifth of U.S. jails, and just 13% in the South, start people on medications to treat opioid use withdrawal, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report published in April. Only one Alabama jail currently offers medication-assisted treatment, Walden said.

Dunn checked into residential treatment outside the county about six times. Each time she relapsed. Eventually, after missing court dates and once trying to escape from jail, Dunn ended up in prison for nearly two years, where, she said, drugs were everywhere.

The long road to recovery

Nationally, police arrested more than a million people for drug possession in 2020. U.S. courts and police departments tasked with treating addiction have mixed results.

Jails are not the most ideal place to treat them, but its the reality of where they end up, said Andrew Klein, senior scientist for criminal justice at Advocates for Human Potential, a social services advocacy organization.

The Walker County Sheriffs Office runs a program to help people find treatment. But its limited to those without an outstanding arrest warrant and with no more than two drug convictions, so few residents who are in need qualify. In its first two years, 20 people completed some sort of addiction treatment, according to the September 2019 assessment.

Ryan Cagle is a pastor who runs a food pantry in Parrish, Alabama. Cagle started a petition calling for Walker County's sheriff, Nick Smith, to resign after a man in a Walker County jail holding cell died while experiencing drug withdrawal. - Renuka Rayasam/KFF Health News

Nikki Warren benefited from the county drug court program, which requires participants to take drug tests and pay thousands of dollars in fees. Warren joined the program at the recommendation of a judge. She was arrested in 2018 after she blacked out when she mistakenly took fentanyl instead of heroin.

I needed that wake-up call, said Warren, who is now an outreach supervisor at Recovery Organization of Support Specialists. After completing the program, her charges were dismissed, she said.

Dunn said the drug court program was too hard. But she was released from prison 3 years ago determined to change her life. She recalled thinking to herself, Dang, girl, all them years that I wasted.

She spends time reading the Bible and singing, she said, but has struggled to find stable footing. She has lost several friends to overdoses, she said. Dunn said she would like to see a counselor but is uninsured. She relapsed for about a week this year, she said. She wants to work, perhaps at the front desk of a factory, but she goes to job interviews with a felony record and no high school diploma.

Here I am  I quit school, my baby is dead, Dunn said. She feels she is still being punished by the system. Im not perfect, she said. But they dont give us a chance.

Kara Nelson of KFF Health News contributed to this report.

KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

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Legislation stripping more of the governors powers shows that the Republicans who dominate the legislature are drunk on their power, says a Democrat running for governor in 2024.

And hes not the only candidate voicing concern about the push to take away more authority from the job they want to hold.

Those (bills) are a perfect example where the legislature is saying: Were not only going to be the legislature and make the laws, were going to run the executive branch, were going to run state government, Attorney General Josh Stein said. Thats not how our system of government is designed.

We all learn about it in elementary school. We separate powers, because power corrupts, and that is bad for the people of North Carolina going forward, Stein said.

Attorney General Josh Stein speaks about public safety during a press conference on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the North Carolina Department of Justice in Raleigh, N.C.

Senate Bill 512 would take appointment power from the governor on several boards and commissions and give it to other officials. The bill is likely to either pass into law on its own or show up in the stalled state budget. Either way, the move could end up in the courts, Republicans have said.

Lawmakers would give themselves some of the appointments  drawing from recommendations by the House speaker, Tim Moore, a Kings Mountain Republican, and the Senate president pro tempore, currently Phil Berger, an Eden Republican.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, a Republican candidate for the job, sees some overreach in the legislation, according to his campaign manager.

Walker looks forward to working with the General Assembly as governor however, there are areas where he believes the Senate is overreaching, particularly certain appointments that are now designated by the Senate President Pro-Tempore, said Jonathan Bridges, who is Walkers campaign manager.

Mr. Walker believes its important to hold sacred the separation of powers between our three branches of government, he said.

Walker won his congressional seat in a heated race against Bergers son in 2014, in which Walker attacked the senior Berger for his role in the campaign.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, who is running in the 2024 Republican primary for governor.

Another Republican candidate, State Treasurer Dale Folwell, said that even with pending legislation putting more limits on the office, the governor of North Carolina is still the CEO of the largest business in this state.

The governor of North Carolina is responsible for employing more people, buying more light bulbs, more gallons of gasoline, more paper towels than anyone else in the state. And that is true yesterday, that is true today, and thatll be true tomorrow. Regardless of what legislation passes, he said.

The power of the governor

The office of the governor in North Carolina doesnt come with a lot of power  at least not compared to other states. Governors cant veto parts of a bill without axing the whole thing, and veto power itself is only a generation old.

And regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican occupies the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, the Republican-dominated General Assembly has been working to take even more power away.

But theres still a lot of power in the office, even if much of it comes from the public perception of the states spokesperson.

It was Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper who went on CNBC this month announcing that the business channel had picked North Carolina as the best place to do business in the country. So the governor may take the credit, and blame, for what the state does.

Governors are elected statewide, while the two other most powerful politicians in the state  the Senate president pro tempore and the House speaker  are elected by their districts, and then their caucuses elevate them to the power positions.

For more than a decade, those two positions have been held by Berger and Moore, who now lead veto-proof supermajorities in their respective General Assembly chambers.

This session, the supermajority has overturned Cooper vetoes, passing new laws that include restricting most abortions after 12 weeks and repealing the requirement to get a permit to buy a handgun.

And legislation still under consideration would give the General Assembly even more power  taking away some appointments to boards and commissions from the governors office.

What candidates for governor say

Past legislation from Republicans has directly affected Cooper, but now, with Cooper limited from running for a third consecutive term, any new laws would impact the next governor.

Stein previously served in the state Senate, and Folwell, who as treasurer is on the Council of State with Cooper, is a former House member. The apparent frontrunner in the Republican primary, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, presides over the Senate as president of the chamber.





Asked why he wants to be a governor that has been losing some powers, Stein said the state is at a crossroads and hes very concerned about the path the Republican legislature and my likely opponent, the lieutenant governor, would carry this state forward.

I certainly hope that the voters restore some balance here at the General Assembly and at least break the supermajority so that theres compromise  because I believe we are at our at our best when we compromise. These folks want it my way or the highway, and thats bad for North Carolina.

Stein said when he was in the Senate, I dont remember passing any laws that took power away from the governor, and gave it to the legislature. Because theres enough. Theres enough. The legislature has enough power.

And what they are doing is getting drunk on their power, he said. And its just about accruing and accruing more and more. And over the long term, its gonna cause a great deal of damage.

North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell, who is running in the 2024 Republican primary for governor.

Folwell doesnt oppose the legislation.

He said that after serving in the General Assembly and the cabinet, I have very little concern about how these, the change in these appointments, is going to affect the outcome of what these boards responsibilities are.

Robinsons office did not respond to a voicemail and emails from The News & Observer for this story. He has rarely been at the legislature during Senate sessions over the past few months.

Less power by design

A bipartisan group of five former governors wrote a letter in April sharing their disapproval of the latest powers legislation, The N&O previously reported. Former Republican Govs. Pat McCrory and Jim Martin and former Democratic Govs. Bev Perdue, Jim Hunt and Mike Easley all signed the letter.

We fear that it would inflict real chaos and harm upon the people of our state, they said.

Western Carolina University politics professor Chris Cooper said that the governors office has always been weak compared to the rest of the country.

The only question is whether North Carolinas governor is the 49th or 50th most powerful governor in the country. Theyre just weak by design, he said.

We were 100 years later than every other state to give the governor the veto power. Thats not an exaggeration. And then, of course, the appointment power ... has been reduced even further, Cooper told The N&O.

He listed off how North Carolina compares: It is one of only six states without line-item veto power, and it doesnt allow veto power over redistricting or local bills, which makes it essentially the weakest veto in the country.

However, the governor gets to be the face of the state, he said, and has a bully pulpit.

People think you have power, even though you dont. Which is just really interesting, right? And so what that means is that your rhetoric still carries the same weight that it would in a state with a powerful governor. Its just that you cant back up that rhetoric with access to the real levers of legislative power, like you can in other places, he said.

Gov. Roy Cooper, left, shakes hands with House Speaker Tim Moore before signing a Medicaid expansion bill into law during a ceremony at the Executive Mansion Monday, March 27, 2023.

2023 law limiting governor powers

During the coronavirus pandemic, Folwell was a frequent critic of the governors handing of the states response, specifically not bringing the rest of the Council of State into decisions as he made a long series of executive orders restricting peoples lives and businesses over more than a year. Folwell also objected to Cooper not holding the meetings of the council, which also include the secretary of state, labor commissioner and statewide schools superintendent, in person.

In an interview Monday, Folwell again highlighted what he described as a lack of transparency in decision-making by Cooper. A new state law this year requires the governor to get more approval from the rest of the Council of State, and in some cases the General Assembly, for lengthy executive orders during states of emergency.

Asked if he supports the new law, Folwell said you dont need the law to tell you whats right and whats wrong. And I believe that today as the treasurer and I will believe that as the next governor of North Carolina.

Folwell said what North Carolina needs is a department of common sense, that would think outside the box when it came to COVID-19 response and restrictions and including the Council of State.

The Council of State, pictured here during a June 2023 meeting, consists of 10 statewide elected officials including, from left, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Gov. Roy Cooper and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. Robinson, a Republican, is running for governor in 2024.

Chris Cooper, the politics professor, said its not just Republicans who have wanted a weak governors office compared to other states. Democrats are living in a glass house, he said, considering what happened when they controlled the legislature. The most powerful elected officials in the state, he said, are the House speaker and the Senate leader.

When the Democrats were in power they werent wild about gubernatorial power, either. Its Roy Cooper (as a state senator) that was the primary sponsor of the bill that gave the governor the veto. So he drew up a veto that did not give redistricting power for example, to the governor, he said.

State Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat, said that power begets power, and that even if Democrats did something when they were in power, it doesnt make it right.

I think its interesting, the Republicans are the party of less government, but were seeing many bills come in: We want more power. We want the legislature to appoint judges. We want the legislature to take away the governors appointees on the board of elections, the Board of Education, give it more to the legislature.

I think our separation of powers is important. The governor is elected by all people throughout the state, she said.

Moore, the Republican House speaker, told reporters in June that it was clearly contemplated and spelled out in the constitution that the legislative branch was to have the most authority because its the closest to the people.

I mean, we only what, in the 1990s, even gave the governor a veto. Which, by the way Id like to roll that back if we could, but thats not going to happen, Moore said.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

The launches came as the U.S. and the U.S.-led United Nations Command worked to resolve the highly unusual situation involving a U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea while on a tour of a border village Tuesday afternoon.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said that from 3:30 to 3:46 a.m. North Korea fired two missiles from an area near the capital Pyongyang that flew about 550 kilometers (341 miles) before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

The Japanese military said the missiles landed outside of Japans exclusive economic zone and no damage to ships or aircraft was reported.

The flight distance of the two missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the missiles flew on a low trajectory, reached about 50 kilometers (31 miles) in altitude and may have made irregular maneuvers in flight. That language has been used in the past to describe a North Korean weapon modeled after Russias Iskander missile, which is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North Korean launches as major provocation that threatens peace and stability in the region and said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring the North for further weapons activities.

Wednesdays launches marked the Norths first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland. That launch was supervised by the countrys leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to further bolster his countrys nuclear-fighting capabilities in the face of expanding U.S.-South Korean military activities, which he blamed for worsening the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have rose in the region in recent months as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and U.S.-South Korean joint military drills have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles while attempting to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on both South Korea and the continental United States. The allies in response have stepped up their joint military training and agreed to increase the deployments of U.S. strategic assets like long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to the region.

Periodic visits by U.S. nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April in response to North Koreas expanding nuclear threat. They also agreed to further expand combined military exercises, strengthen joint planning for nuclear contingencies and establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, which held its inaugural meeting in Seoul Tuesday.

The steps were meant to ease South Korean concerns about North Korea's growing nuclear weapons arsenal and suppress voices within the South calling for the country to pursue its own nuclear weapons program.

U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement that the Kentucky's arrival in Busan reflects the United States' ironclad commitment to extended deterrence, referring to an assurance to defend its ally with its full military capabilities, including nuclear ones.

The Ohio-class submarine can be equipped with about 20 Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles), according to South Korea's military.

From this submarine, the U.S. can launch attacks (on North Korea) from anywhere in the world," said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert who teaches at Kyonggi University in South Korea. But there will likely be backlashes from North Korea and China because its like the worlds most covert and threatening nuclear weapons forces being deployed on their doorsteps.

While some South Korean conservatives have expressed disappointment that the Biden-Yoon meeting in April came short of agreeing to station U.S. nuclear weapons or strategic assets in the South, placing nuclear weapons offshore and on submarines is actually a stronger deterrent in many ways, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at Washingtons Center for a New American Security.

Deterrence is strengthened when the location of American strategic assets is unknown to the adversary as long as the adversary knows that these weapons exist, said Kim.

Still, Seoul and Washington will need to find the sweet spot when it comes to the visibility of Americas extended deterrent.

Too much visibility of strategic assets could actually undermine the deterrent effect while too little could raise questions in Seoul about commitment," Kim said.

___

AP journalists Mari Yamaguchi and Haruka Nuga in Tokyo contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  Marijuana can legally be sold at festivals and other events in New York under a measure approved by state regulators Wednesday, after farmers complained that there are too few dispensaries to sell what they harvest.

The initiative approved by the Cannabis Control Board will allow three or more growers to partner with retailers for consumer sales outside of dispensaries at adult-oriented, locally sanctioned events.

The partnerships can also include a processor, who will be able to sell products like edibles and vape cartridges.

Municipal approval will be required.

Pot farmers around New York have said they entered this growing season still stockpiling marijuana from last year because the state has been opening stores too slowly. Twenty licensed retailers are currently open statewide, and more than 40 more are in development, according to regulators.

We certainly heard from our cultivators the urgency of a program like this to expand their retail sell-through opportunities, said John Kagia, a top state marijuana policy official.

Officials said the measure also will give consumers legal access to marijuana in areas that have no dispensaries.

The initiative is among a series of moves by regulators to shore up the state's nascent recreational pot market. They've also begun cracking down on unlicensed operations that are competing with aboveboard shops, especially in New York City.
By Elida Moreno

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -A Panamanian court sentenced former President Ricardo Martinelli to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering, the attorney general's office said on Tuesday, threatening the front-runner's bid for a new term next year.

Martinelli stated his innocence following the decision in the case, known as "New Business," which alleges public funds were used to buy a media conglomerate and give the ex-president a majority stake.

"We all know they want to convict me out of political interest," Martinelli said in a video. "I have no ties to illicit funds."

Four others were also sentenced on Tuesday for their involvement in the scheme, according to a statement from the attorney general's office. Martinelli was ordered to pay a $19.2 million fine in addition to serving 128 months in prison.

The former president's defense will appeal the sentence and exhaust all the legal avenues available, Martinelli's lawyer Carlos Carrillo said in a news conference.

"Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal's candidacy is solid," Carrillo said, noting he is still eligible to run for the presidency since there is time to challenge the sentence.

The former president also faces money laundering charges for his alleged involvement in the Odebrecht case, a massive bribery scandal involving public officials across Latin America.

Two of his sons returned to Panama earlier this year after facing prison time in Guatemala and the U.S. for money laundering in a case linked to Odebrecht.

A survey published in May by polling firm Campaigns & Elections Mexico put Martinelli as the front-runner in the coming elections, followed by former President Martin Torrijos.

Martinelli became the first official candidate for Panama's 2024 presidential election last month after he was elected by the party Realizando Metas, a group he founded two years ago.

The United States barred Martinelli from entering the country in January, accusing him of accepting bribes in return for improperly awarding government contracts during his 2009-2014 administration.

(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Valentine Hilaire and Kylie Madry; Editing by Richard Chang and Stephen Coates)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia unleashed intense drone and missile attacks overnight Wednesday, damaging critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounding at least 12 people, officials said.

The bombardment crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

It came days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

It also followed a vow by Putin to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014.

Putin said Wednesday that Russia could return to the deal if the West offers Russian banks involved in servicing payments for the country's agricultural exports an immediate access to the SWIFT payment system, adding that Moscow wants its conditions met, not some promises and ideas.

The Russian leader also listed other Russian demands, including a lifting of insurance and shipping restrictions that affect Russian agricultural exports and a resumption of Moscow's export of ammonia to Odesa via a pipeline, a section of which was blown up last month.

He said Moscow has shown miracles of patience and tolerance by repeatedly extending the grain deal while Western nations used it shamelessly enrich themselves," violating its declared goal of helping relieve hunger in poor countries.

Further raising the stakes, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement that Moscow has declared international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea temporarily dangerous for shipping. That follows Ukraine's pledge to continue grain shipments despite the Russian pullout from the deal.

The ministry warned it will see any incoming vessel as laden with military cargo starting from midnight. The countries whose flags those ships will fly will be seen as involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime, it said.

Ukraine's Agriculture Ministry, citing experts, estimated it would take a year to restore the facilities damaged Wednesday. The destroyed grain was supposed to have been loaded onto a vessel and sent through the grain corridor two months ago, the statement said.

"Such attacks by Russian terrorists are not only affecting our country but also global stability, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a briefing with the visiting Irish prime minister in Kyiv. He said Ukraine needs more anti-aircraft defense systems to protect the port.

Zelenskyy said his government is trying to find a way to maintain a corridor to keep grain exports flowing despite Russia's decision to abandon the deal brokered with the U.N. and Turkey.

The corridor must be secure. In fact, knowing Russia, it wont be safe unless the U.N. starts working very clearly and firmly at the level of the secretary-general," he said.

Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi warned that if Ukraine cannot export food, "the population of the poorest countries will be on the brink of survival! The price of grain will increase, and not all countries will be able to afford buying agricultural products, which means food prices will significantly rise: flour, cereals, meat.

Wheat prices rose more than 2.5% on Tuesday and nearly 8% on Wednesday amid the attacks in Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, illustrating jitters in global markets. Wednesdays trading price of $7.23 a bushel still was nearly 80% below last years peak.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted that Putin hasnt just blown up the Black Sea Grain Initiative; now he has hit the port city of Odesa with a hail of bombs for the second consecutive night.

In doing that, he is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain. Every one of his bombs also hits the worlds poorest, she said.

Gov. Oleh Kiper said Oniks and Kh-22 missiles were used to hit grain and oil terminals. Debris from those that were shot down struck apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people.

Video from warehouses elsewhere in Odesa showed firefighters extinguishing blazes, as thick, black smoke billowed from the explosion.

The attacks were part of what Russias Defense Ministry described as a strike of retribution after Mondays attack on the Kerch Bridge, a key span used for military and civilian supplies. The attack, apparently by maritime drones, damaged part of the roadway on the bridge but rail traffic continued.

Ukraines top security agency appeared to tacitly admit a role in the attack but stopped short of directly claiming responsibility, echoing a response after a strike on the bridge in October 2022 that took months to repair.

Russian emergency officials in Crimea, meanwhile, said more than 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at a military facility.

The blaze forced the closure of an important highway, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed head of the peninsula. He didn't specify a cause for the fire at the facility in Kirovsky district.

Elsewhere across Ukraine, authorities reported that drones and missiles were sent against more regions than in recent days.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, in a statement on Telegram.

He said the attacks were especially fierce in Odesa for a second consecutive night. The Ukrainian armys Operational Command South reported at least 12 civilians were wounded in the region.

The attacks on Odesa injured at least six people, including a 9-year-old boy, showering them with shattered glass and other debris. The remnants of a downed Kh-59 missile created a large crater in another part of the city, wounding three civilians and damaging several buildings.

Eight Iranian-made Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

Russia also attacked Kyiv with Shahed drones without result, Popko said. Air defenses intercepted all the drones aimed at the capital and a preliminary investigation showed there were no casualties.

Strikes elsewhere in Ukraine in the past 24 hours that killed one person and wounded 21 others.

The death occurred in the northeastern Kharkiv region, near the volatile Kupyansk area, while 10 people were injured in the shelling of seven cities in the Donetsk region, including Avdiivka, Mariinka and Chasiv Yar. Two people were wounded by shelling in the Mykolaiv region and one person was injured in the Kherson region.

Russian drone attacks in the Zhytomyr region damaged some infrastructure and private homes, but no casualties were reported, said Gov. Vitalii Bunechko.

Attacks also were reported in the Poltava and Kirovohrad regions.

USAID chief Samantha Power said the agency will work with the U.S. Congress to provide an additional $230 million to boost Ukraines economy and reconstruction.

The new funding will help businesses to meet European Union regulations to export more products and services to Europe, an agency statement said. On Tuesday, Power said USAID would provide $250 million in other funds for Ukraines agricultural sector.

Separately, South Africa's president announced that Putin will not attend an economic summit next month in the country, which faced a legal quandary over whether to arrest the Russian leader on an International Criminal Court warrant related to Ukraine.

Although Moscow has dismissed the warrant and Russia doesnt recognize the court's authority, Putin has not traveled to any country that is a signatory to the courts treaty since he was indicted by the ICC in March for war crimes relating to the abduction of children from Ukraine.

South African authorities had given strong hints they would have likely not executed the arrest warrant against Putin, but South Africas main opposition party has taken the government to court to try to compel it to arrest the Russian leader if he sets foot on South African territory.

Russia will be represented instead by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to South African President Cyril Ramaphosas office. All the other leaders will attend, it said.

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Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraine said its forces shot down Russian drones and cruise missiles targeting the Black Sea port of Odesa before dawn Tuesday in what Moscow called retribution for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge to the Crimean Peninsula.

The Russians first sought to wear down Ukraines air defenses by firing 25 exploding drones and then targeted Odesa with six Kalibr cruise missiles, the Ukrainian militarys Southern Command said.

All six missiles and the drones were shot down by air defenses in the Odesa region and other areas in the south, officials said, though their debris and shock waves damaged some port facilities and a few residential buildings and injured an elderly man at his home.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its strike of retribution was carried out with sea- launched precision weapons on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and Mykolaiv, a coastal city about 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the northeast.

It destroyed facilities preparing terror attacks against Russia involving maritime drones, including a facility at a shipyard that was producing them, the ministry said. It added that it also struck Ukrainian fuel depots near the two cities.

It was not possible to verify the conflicting claims by both countries.

President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine on Monday for striking the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with Crimea and was attacked in October 2022 and needed months of repairs. The bridge is a key supply route for the peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Ukrainian officials stopped short of directly taking responsibility, as they have done in similar strikes before, but Ukraines top security agency appeared tacitly to admit to a role.

Satellite images taken Monday by Maxar Technologies showed serious damage to both eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge across the Kerch Strait on the part nearest to the Russian mainland, with at least one section collapsed. The railroad bridge that runs parallel to the highway appeared undamaged.

The Russian military has sporadically hit Odesa and the neighboring region throughout the war, but Tuesdays barrage was one of the biggest attacks on the area.

Ukrainian forces have been targeting Crimea with drones and other attacks. Kyiv has vowed to reclaim it from Russian control, arguing that the peninsula plays a key role in sustaining the Russian invasion and is a legitimate target.

The onslaught also came a day after Russia broke off a deal that had allowed Ukraine to ship vital grain supplies from Odesa during the war. Moscow said the decision was in the works long before the bridge attack.

Even so, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov alleged, without offering evidence, that the specific shipping lanes and routes used for the grain transport under the deal were abused by Ukraine.

Our military has repeatedly said that Ukraine has used these grain corridors for military purposes, Peskov told reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will continue implementing the grain deal. Peskov warned that such action was risky because the region lies next to an area where there is fighting.

If they try to do something without Russia, these risks must be taken into account, Peskov told reporters.

Zelenskyy said grain exports by sea and port security topped his meeting Tuesday with senior military commanders and government officials, adding that he received reports on logistics and protection of the coastal regions.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraines presidential office, said Russia is endangering the lives of millions around the world who need Ukrainian grain exports. Hunger is a growing threat in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

The world must realize that the goal of the Russian Federation is hunger and killing people, Yermak said. They need waves of refugees. They want to weaken the West with this.

The United Nations and Ukraines Western allies slammed Moscow for halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

At the U.N., Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said very active discussions continue with the world body and other countries and entities on how to keep grain flowing, but a key issue is what would occur if Russia attacked a Ukrainian grain shipment.

Asked whether there was any talk of an international force or deployment to protect shipments, he told reporters that, Everyone is looking for the way out, and every option is on the table.

Earlier, he urged countries at a General Assembly meeting to demand that Russia return to the deal and stop its hunger games.

USAID is giving Ukraine a further $250 million to support its agricultural sector as its chief, Samantha Power, visited Odesa and chided Moscow for its stance.

Russias disruption of maritime commerce since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, including blockading ports, delaying ship inspections, and, most recently, withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, has severely choked the amount of grain Ukraine is able to provide to the world amid a global food crisis, a USAID statement said.

The Kremlin said the agreement would be suspended until Moscows demands to lift restrictions on exports of Russian food and fertilizer to the world are met. Peskov reaffirmed an earlier Kremlin pledge to provide especially poor countries in Africa with grain for free, adding that the issue will be discussed at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg next week.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry also said its forces had foiled a Ukrainian attack on Crimea using 28 drones.

The ministry said 17 of the attacking drones were shot down and 11 others were jammed electronically and crashed, with no damage or casualties.

Also Tuesday, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Associated Press showed that a convoy of vehicles arrived at a once-abandoned military base in Belarus, which was offered to Russias private military contractor, Wagner. That followed a short-lived rebellion last month against the Russian Defense Ministry by Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The photos, taken Monday, show a long line of vehicles coming off a highway into the base near the Belarusian town of Osipovichi, some 75 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of the capital, Minsk.

Belaruski Hajun, an activist group that monitors troops movements in Belarus, said several convoys with Wagner fighters have entered the country since last week, including at least 170 vehicles on Tuesday. It estimated that about 2,500 Wagner mercenaries are now in Belarus.

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Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Jennifer Peltz at the United Nations contributed.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
MOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) - Russia warned that from Thursday any ships traveling to Ukraine's Black Sea ports will be seen as possibly carrying military cargoes after Ukraine said it was setting up a temporary shipping route to try and continue its grain exports.

The moves by both countries on Wednesday came just days after Russia quit a deal - brokered by the United Nations and Turkey - that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain for the past year, and revoked its guarantees of safe navigation.

Ukraine has made clear that it wants to try and continue its Black Sea grain shipments and told the U.N. shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), that it had "decided to establish on a temporary basis a recommended maritime route."

But Russia's Defence Ministry then said it would deem all ships travelling to Ukraine to be potentially carrying military cargo and "the flag countries of such ships will be considered parties to the Ukrainian conflict".

In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, it said the move would start at midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT Wednesday).

The Defence Ministry did not say what actions it might take.

Russia was also declaring southeastern and northwestern parts of the Black Sea's international waters to be temporarily unsafe for navigation, the ministry said, without giving details about the parts of the sea which would be affected.

Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of damaging grain export infrastructure in "hellish" overnight strikes focused on two of its Black Sea ports.

In a televised meeting with senior officials on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Western countries he said "completely distorted" the expired grain deal, but that Russia would "immediately" return to the agreement if all its conditions for doing so were met.

WARY INSURERS

Insurers were already reviewing their appetite for covering ships into Ukraine.

A cargo insurance facility providing cover for Ukraine grain shipments traveling under the Black Sea deal has been suspended, the policy's broker told Reuters on Tuesday. The marine cargo and war facility provided cover of up to $50 million per cargo.

Norwegian shipping insurance group DNK, which provides war risk policies, told Reuters on Wednesday it was currently unable to provide cover for Ukraine.

The U.N. said on Tuesday there are a "number of ideas being floated" to help get Ukrainian and Russian grain and fertilizer to global markets after Moscow quit the Black Sea deal.

The Black Sea pact was brokered to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia are among the world's top grain exporters.

Russia's withdrawal on Monday also ended a pact between the United Nations and Moscow in which U.N. officials agreed to help Russian food and fertilizer exports reach world markets.

Moscow has suggested that if demands to improve exports of its own grain and fertilizer were met, it would consider resurrecting the Black Sea agreement. It quit because it said those demands had not been met and it complained not enough Ukrainian grain was reaching poor countries under the deal.

But the U.N. argued the arrangement has benefited those states by helping lower food prices more than 20% globally. Ukraine has also been a key supplier of grain for the U.N. World Food Programme's efforts to fight hunger.

(Reporting by Reuters; writing by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Stanford University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday that he will resign after a review found flaws in his past scientific work. (Patrick Tehan/Bay Area News Group via Associated Press)

Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday that he is resigning as head of the university after an independent panel determined that he failed on multiple occasions to correct errors in his published research and oversaw labs with a disquieting tendency to produce manipulated data and sloppy science.

In a lengthy report, the panel concluded that Tessier-Lavigne "did not personally engage in research misconduct" in the 12 papers it was tasked with reviewing. However, the panel did find that several of the papers included data that had been manipulated, probably without his knowledge.

"The Panel did not find evidence to conclude that Dr. Tessier-Lavigne engaged in, directed, or knew of the misconduct when it occurred, and the misconduct was of such a nature that a scientist exercising reasonable care could not have been expected to have detected it at the time," the panel members wrote.

Tessier-Lavigne, a neuroscientist and biotech entrepreneur widely known for his Alzheimers research, emphasized in a statement to the Stanford community that the investigation backed his assertion that "I have never submitted a scientific paper without firmly believing that the data were correct and accurately presented.

Although the report clearly refutes the allegations of fraud and misconduct that were made against me," he added, "for the good of the University, I have made the decision to step down as President effective August 31.

Read more:Stanford president's scientific papers draw scrutiny

Richard Saller, a Stanford professor of classics and European history and former provost at the University of Chicago, will serve as interim president beginning Sept. 1, Jerry Yang, chair of the Stanford Board of Trustees, said in a statement . Tessier-Lavigne will remain at the university as a professor of biology.

In light of the report and its impact on his ability to lead Stanford, the Board decided to accept President Tessier-Lavignes resignation and agrees with him that it is in the Universitys best interests, Yang wrote.

In addition to vacating the presidency of the university he has led since 2016, Tessier-Lavigne said he will retract three papers on which he is named as principal author and issue corrections on two others.

Stepping down as president  especially for Stanford  is a very big step, said Debora Weber-Wulff, a professor of media and computer science at HTW Berlins University of Applied Sciences in Germany who specializes in detecting academic misconduct. I do think it is the correct thing to do.

The chain of events that led to Tessier-Lavignes resignation began in November, when an article detailing problems with some of his published research appeared in the Stanford Daily, the student newspaper.

As part of that investigation, the student newspaper contacted Elisabeth Bik , a microbiologist who works as an independent science-integrity consultant. Several studies that listed Tessier-Lavigne as a co-author contained serious problems, Bik told the Daily at the time, some of which appeared to have an intention to mislead.

Read more:Did you get COVID but never feel sick? New study hints at why

Tessier-Lavigne denied committing any academic impropriety. A month later, Stanford tapped former federal Judge Mark Filip and his law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, to head a special committee to investigate the allegations surrounding his work.

Filip convened an independent panel of five high-profile scientists, including the former president of Princeton University and a Nobel laureate. They met with interview subjects more than 50 times  including at least seven times with Tessier-Lavigne  and reviewed more than 50,000 documents and digital copies of Tessier-Lavigne's records.

The panel focused on 12 of more than 200 research papers Tessier-Lavigne has authored in his career, several of which exhibit manipulation of research data, according to the report.

On seven of the 12 papers he was a non-principal author, a more secondary role. As such, he was not directly involved in gathering or analyzing the disputed figures, the report found, and was not in a position where a reasonable scientist would be expected to have detected any such misconduct in its presentation.

The five papers on which he was primary author had serious flaws in the presentation of their data, and in four of them, data appeared to have been tampered with, the report found.

The panel found no evidence that Tessier-Lavigne was aware of these problems before publication, nor that he was reckless in allowing the papers to go out under his name.

Yet when significant problems with his published research were brought to his attention  sometimes within mere weeks of publication  the panel found that Tessier-Lavigne failed to decisively and forthrightly correct mistakes in the scientific record on multiple occasions.

Timely correction or retraction and/or more forthright and transparent actions toward correcting the scientific record would have better served science and all concerned, the panel found.

Furthermore, throughout his career in academia and the private sector, the laboratories Tessier-Lavigne ran had unusual frequency of manipulation of research data and/or substandard scientific practices from different people, at different times, and in labs at different institutions, the report concluded.

Read more:Second Alzheimer's drug in pipeline can slow the disease by a few months but with safety risk

Before he became Stanfords president, Tessier-Lavigne served as president of Rockefeller University in New York, oversaw the development of cancer drugs as chief scientific officer at Genentech, and co-founded the biotech company Renovis. His first faculty position was at UC San Francisco.

As president of the university, there's an expectation that he really sets the tone for standards of excellence and integrity in every way, said Dr. Ferric Fang, a clinician-scientist at the University of Washington and journal editor who has investigated the prevalence of lax research standards. I think he's making the right decision, because he's been damaged in terms of his ability to serve as an example and his ability to direct others in terms of standards that are expected of them.

A primary author on a research paper is essentially taking responsibility for the work presented in the paper, even if they did not personally perform the research, Fang explained.

Whether they make innocent, honest mistakes or dishonest mistakes, he said, the principal author is responsible.

Times staff writer Christopher Goffard contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Stanford University president Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday he will step down next month following an inquiry into his past research as a neuroscientist.

In a statement, Tessier-Lavigne said he was cleared of "any fraud or falsification of scientific data" but "for the good of the University, I have made the decision to step down as President effective August 31."

The board's inquiry stopped short of accusing Tessier-Lavigne  who has been Stanford president since 2016  of fraud, saying there's no evidence that he "personally engaged in research misconduct."

However, it was concluded that five papers, in which Tessier-Lavigne was a principal author, included work from "some members of labs overseen by Dr. Tessier-Lavigne" that had "either engaged in inappropriate manipulation of research data or engaged in deficient scientific practices, resulting in significant flaws in those papers."

When these issues emerged, "Tessier-Lavigne took insufficient steps to correct mistakes in the scientific record," according to the board's report.

Tessier-Lavigne is a neuroscientist who has led several sprawling and productive research laboratories at University of California, San Francisco, the company Genentech and Stanford University.

Some of his most important work has focused on mechanisms that could be responsible for brain degeneration and diseases like Alzheimers.

Concerns over work by Tessier-Lavigne and his collaborators were posted online on the nonprofit website PUBPEER as early as 2015.

The website allows scientists to share feedback or criticism after a study has been published. PUBPEER allows anonymous comments.

In November, The Stanford Daily, the universitys student newspaper, broke the news that the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) was reviewing a paper involving Tessier-Lavigne for scientific misconduct.

Elisabeth Bik, a scientist who investigates image manipulation and research misconduct, identified additional papers where she suspected image manipulation.

"The fact that he is stepping down has surprised me and I think it's a good outcome," Bik told NBC News on Wednesday, shortly after news broke about Tessier-Lavigne's resignation.

"He should have supervised better. As a senior author in scientific papers, you're not the person standing in the lab, but you're ultimately responsible for the integrity of the work."

Bik said errors and manipulations of data could be difficult to spot, but issues with images used in research could be the "tip of the iceberg" of untrustworthy work.

"The things that have been flagged, the image problems, those are the visible problems. If you see visible problems in photos, that might be a sign there are other problems you might not be able to catch," Bik said.

"Any data that's in the form of a table or a line graph or just some numbers, it's much harder to know if it's real or not. At least in photos we know that's real data. It, perhaps, could be the tip of the iceberg, a sign that the rest of the data cannot be trusted."

The reporting by the Stanford Daily and questions raised by Bik eventually touched off the Stanford inquiry of Tessier-Lavigne's body of scientific work.

In a statement posted on the Stanford University website, Tessier-Lavigne said he would retract three papers in which he was a principal author and make corrections to two others. He will remain on Stanford's faculty, his statement says.

In his open letter to the Stanford community, Tessier-Lavigne suggested he was the victim of showing too much "trust" in the work of students and post-doctoral researchers.

He will "be further tightening controls, including, for example, more systematically matching processed images to original raw data," he wrote.

Any future work by Tessier-Lavigne will likely be greeted by skeptical eyes, given the concerns raised about previous research, Bik said.

"Its from different periods of his career. So its not just one person in one lab going rogue. It appears to be from different periods of his life, when he used to be at different labs, at UCSF, at Genentech," she said. "If he writes new papers, they will be  and should be  held to a higher standard and very thoroughly checked."

Professor Richard Saller will serve as interim president of the prestigious Northern California university starting Sept. 1, according to the board of trustees.
TOKYO (AP)  Blue-roofed huts, a raised slab of concrete and some raked gravel are all that separate the rival Koreas at Panmunjom, a rare point of close contact along the most heavily armed border in the world.

People have stepped across that thin dividing line, but only under very special circumstances, passing between two nations that are still technically at war.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un did it. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in walked hand-in-hand with Kim across the border. In 2017, a defecting North Korean soldier stumbled across nearby, under heavy gunfire, in a mad dash for sanctuary.

And this week an American soldier facing possible military discipline dashed over the line, causing an international incident that could worsen already uneasy relations on the Korean Peninsula, where the North has staged dozens of missile tests this year as it works to advance a nuclear program aimed at targeting the continental United States.

Much of the 4-kilometer-wide (2 1/2 mile-wide) Demilitarized Zone is wilderness, guarded by mines, barbed wire fences, tank traps and combat troops on both sides. It's jointly overseen by the American-led U.N. Command and by North Korea.

But Panmunjom, a once-obscure farming village inside the DMZ that now hosts a Joint Security Area, is different. Its a tourist site, albeit one of the worlds most surreal.

Seven decades of division since the end of the Korean War are made palpable by the South Korean soldiers who stand on guard, glaring across the border. North Korea soldiers are there, too, but less visible most days.

The Korean Peninsula was split at the end of World War II into a Soviet-controlled North and U.S.-backed South. It was in Panmunjom that U.S. and North Korean forces negotiated and eventually signed the 1953 truce that ended fighting in the Korean War and created the DMZ. There has never been a formal peace treaty.

A carnival atmosphere can occasionally take hold in the area around Panmunjom, with souvenir shops, fast-food restaurants and throngs of tourists, though North Korea has been closed to tourism because of the pandemic since early 2020. The South Korean side has an amusement park not far from the village, and used to have a Popeyes chicken outlet.

Tours to the southern side reportedly drew around 100,000 visitors a year before the pandemic, when South Korea restricted gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19. The tours resumed fully last year.

The area is also a throwback to the Cold War, a time of barely contained, simmering hostility between nuclear-armed rivals. There have been ax killings, U.S. bomber fly-bys and desperate defections along the border. U.S. presidents and senior officials regularly make the trip to the southern side of the DMZ for photo ops.

The tourist area is a short drive from Seoul, which lies in easy artillery range of the estimated 70% of North Korea's 1.2 million troop arrayed along the border.

There are occasional verbal exchanges between U.S. soldiers and their North Korean counterparts, often businesslike, at the Demarcation Line in the village.

Its a thrill, perhaps, for the tourists, but its a dangerous proposition for the soldiers keeping watch, often only meters (feet) apart.

Months and years often pass without incident, but when something happens, it can be violent.

In 1976, North Korean soldiers axed two American army officers to death, and the United States responded by flying nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ in an attempt to intimidate the North.

In 1984, North Korean and U.N. Command soldiers traded shots when a Soviet citizen defected by sprinting to the southern side. Three North Korean soldiers and one South Korean soldier were killed.

In 2017, when a fleeing North Korean soldier crashed his jeep and then sprinted across the border, North Korean soldiers fired handguns and rifles before southern soldiers could drag the wounded soldier to safety. South Korean soldiers didnt return fire.

North Koreans who flee to the South  an estimated 30,000 since the end of the Korean War  have mostly used the more porous border between the North and China.

In 2019, during a period that saw unprecedented diplomacy between North Korea and the United States and South Korea, Trump and Kim shook hands at the borderline. Trump stepped over the concrete slab, becoming the first U.S. president to set foot on North Korean territory.

On Tuesday, Pvt. Travis King, 23, became the first known American detained in the North in nearly five years, after he bolted across the border at Panmunjom.

King, who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison, had been held on assault charges and was being sent to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday, where he could have faced additional military disciplinary actions and discharge from the service. But officials say that instead of getting on the plane, he left the airport and later joined a tour of Panmunjom.
Dozens of Afghan women protested a beauty salon ban on Wednesday after the Taliban ordered their closure nationwide. Security forces used fire hoses, tasers and shot their guns into the air to break up the protest.

The Taliban said earlier this month they were giving all salons in Afghanistan one month to wind down their businesses and close shop, drawing concern from international officials worried about the impact on female entrepreneurs. The Taliban say they are outlawing salons allegedly because they offer services forbidden by Islam and cause economic hardship for grooms families during wedding festivities.

The ruling came from the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada  the latest curb on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, following edicts barring them from education, public spaces and most forms of employment.

In a rare sign of public opposition to Taliban orders, dozens of beauticians and makeup artists gathered in the capital of Kabul to protest the ban.

We are here for justice," said one protester who identified herself as Farzana. We want work, food and freedom."

The Taliban sprayed the women with water and shot their rifles into the air to disperse the gathering.

Farzana later said the women were going to the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, urging protesters to stay together.

One protester told The Associated Press the demonstration started at around 10 a.m. in the Shar-e-Naw area of the capital. She did not want to give her name for fear of reprisals.

The purpose of our demonstration was that they (the Taliban) should reconsider and reverse the decision to close beauty salons because this is about our lives, she said. All of us, 50 to 60 women, participated. Our slogan was work, bread and freedom.

The protest continued into the early afternoon, when the Taliban arrived to break up the crowd, she said. They used tasers on the demonstrators.

They put two or three of our friends in the car and took them," she said.

Nobody from the Taliban-run government was immediately available for comment about the protest.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, criticized the Taliban use of force in dispersing the protesters.

Reports of the forceful suppression of a peaceful protest by women against the ban on beauty salons  the latest denial of womens rights in #Afghanistan  are deeply concerning, the U.N. mission said in a tweet. Afghans have the right to express views free from violence. De facto authorities must uphold this.

Meanwhile, the Taliban-run Ministry for Vice and Virtue, which had announced the ban on beauty salons in early July, said Wednesday it was destroying goods and instruments used for the promotion of music and corruption and posted photos of bonfires on Twitter.

These materials, which were collected from immoral programs in Kabul and some provinces in the past few months, and which caused the loss of our youth and the deterioration of society, were destroyed according to Sharia (Islamic law), the ministry tweeted.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Sarah Leslie thought she was witnessing a stunt when she saw an American soldier start sprinting toward North Korea.

Leslie and her father, tourists from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea.

Pvt. Travis King was among the group of 43 tourists, Leslie told The Associated Press, although he was casually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was supposed to travel home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

Leslie said her tour group went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held. To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didn't seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running really fast.

I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do, Leslie said. But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy."

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

But the soldiers didn't have time to respond. She said that after running about 10 meters (30 feet) down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Leslie said she didn't see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadn't seen King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

People couldn't really quite believe what had happened, Leslie said. Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other."

Leslie, a lawyer from New Zealand's capital, Wellington, said she'd long had an interest in the Koreas after studying politics at university and seeing South Korean movies.

She said she found it hard to understand why King would head to North Korea.

I just didnt think anyone would ever want to do that, she said.
A federal judge has rejected Donald Trump's request for a new trial after a jury found the former president liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, the author who says he raped her in the dressing room of a New York department store in the 1990s. She was awarded $5 million in damages in the civil trial.

Carroll sued Trump under the Adult Survivors Act, a New York state law passed late last year giving adult victims of sexual assault and abuse one year to bring lawsuits against their alleged perpetrators regardless of when the alleged abuse took place.

In a 59-page decision issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed Trump's arguments for reducing damages to less than $1 million, saying the verdict was neither a "seriously erroneous result" nor a "miscarriage of justice."

E. Jean Carroll walks out of Manhattan federal court on May 9 after a jury found former President Trump liable of sexually abusing and defaming her in their civil trial. (John Minchillo/AP)

Trump, who is appealing the verdict, called the amount awarded to Carroll for sexual abuse "grossly excessive" because the jury also concluded that she did not prove that Trump raped her. Such abuse, Trump argued, could have included groping Carroll's breasts through clothing, "which is a far cry from rape."

Kaplan disagreed.

"The proof convincingly established, and the jury implicitly found, that Mr. Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carroll's vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm," the judge wrote.

It was the latest legal setback for Trump, who is facing multiple ongoing criminal probes as he seeks the 2024 Republican nomination in another bid for the White House.

Trump says hes a target of DOJs Jan. 6 investigation

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign stop in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 1. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

On Tuesday, Trump announced that he is a target of the Justice Departments investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

In a lengthy statement posted on Truth Social, Trumps social media platform, the former president said that he received a so-called target letter from special counsel Jack Smith on Sunday night in connection with the DOJs probe of the attack on the Capitol carried out by a violent mob of his supporters contesting his loss in the 2020 presidential election.

Trump received a similar letter from Smith shortly before his indictment in the federal investigation into his handling of classified material after he left office and his alleged efforts to obstruct the probe.

Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment, Trump said in the Truth Social post.

Smith has been leading the DOJs investigation into Jan. 6 and Trumps efforts to hold onto power after he lost the 2020 election in addition to the classified documents probe.

The letter reportedly informed Trump he is facing three potential criminal charges: conspiracy to commit an offense against or defraud the United States; deprivation of rights; and witness tampering.

The reaction from Trumps GOP rivals

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign stop in West Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday. (Meg Kinnard/AP)

In the classified documents case, most of Trumps rivals in the 2024 Republican presidential primary were quick to defend him. But as news of a second potential federal indictment broke, they were not as eager.

At a campaign stop in South Carolina, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized what he called the "weaponization" of law enforcement while questioning why Trump failed to forcefully stop his supporters who stormed the Capitol.

I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didnt do anything while things were going on," DeSantis told reporters, but added: To try to criminalize that  thats a different issue entirely.

Vivek Ramaswamy, who last month urged every candidate in the GOP primary to promise to pardon Trump if elected, has continued to defend the former president. But this time Ramaswamys response was decidedly muted.

I would have made very different judgments than President Trump did, but a bad judgment is not a crime, Ramaswamy said in a statement. Its a mistake to say he was responsible for Jan. 6. The real cause was systematic and pervasive censorship in the lead-up to those events.

Judge in classified docs case mulls Trump request for delay

Trump speaks at a campaign event in Las Vegas earlier this month. (John Locher/AP)

In federal court in Fort Pierce, Fla., Tuesday, the Trump-appointed federal judge overseeing the classified documents case heard arguments from both sides over his request to delay the trial until after the 2024 presidential election.

Judge Aileen Cannon said she would issue a written ruling soon during the first formal hearing since Trumps arraignment last month, when he pleaded not guilty to all charges stemming from Smiths 38-count indictment against the former president and Walt Nauta, his personal valet and co-defendant.

Earlier this month, Nauta pleaded not guilty to charges he conspired with Trump to hide top secret documents at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., last year.

During the 90-minute hearing, Cannon appeared to skeptical about the former presidents request to delay the trial until after the election, but also wary of the request by prosecutors for it to begin as soon as this year.

Georgia court rejects Trumps bid to toss case

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis listens during a hearing in Atlanta on Jan. 24. (John Bazemore/AP File)

The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously has rejected a last-ditch effort by Trump to try to head off a potential indictment for tampering with the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state.

In a five-page decision handed down Monday, all nine justices  eight of whom were appointed by Republican governors  said Trumps lawyers had failed to make a persuasive case for shutting down the election probe led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Willis has signaled that indictments are possible in the next few weeks as a grand jury convenes to consider possible charges against Trump and others who tried to persuade Georgia election officials to reverse Trumps narrow loss to President Biden in the state.

Biden carried Georgia by just 11,779 votes.
By Josh Smith and Phil Stewart

SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military was scrambling to establish the fate of an American soldier who made an unauthorised crossing of the inter-Korean border into North Korea, throwing Washington into a new crisis in its dealing with the nuclear-armed state.

The U.S. Army identified the soldier as Private Travis T. King who joined up in 2021 and was facing disciplinary action. While on a orientation tour of Joint Security Area (JSA) on the border between the two Koreas, King crossed into North Korea on Tuesday "wilfully and without authorization," U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

"We believe that he is in (North Korean) custody and so we're closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin," Austin told a briefing.

North Korea's state media have made no mention of the incident. Its mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The crossing comes at a time of renewed tension on the Korean peninsula, with the arrival of a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine, and the launch early on Wednesday morning of two ballistic missiles into the sea by North Korea.

North Korea has been testing increasingly powerful missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile launched last week.

NORTH KOREA FIRES MISSILES

The soldier was on a tour of the Panmunjom truce village in the JSA with a group of visitors when he crossed the line marking the Military Demarcation Line border, U.S. officials say. The heavily armed border has separated the two Koreas since fighting in the Korean War ended in 1953 in an armistice.

Colonel Isaac Taylor, a spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea, said the military was "working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident," referring to North Korea's People's Army.

U.S. officials were stumped why the soldier fled to the North and outlined a puzzling series of events.

King had finished serving time in detention in South Korea for an unspecified infraction and was transported by the U.S. military to the airport to return to his home unit in the United States, two U.S. officials said.

He had already passed alone through security to his gate and then, for whatever reason, decided to flee, one official said. Civilian tours of the demilitarized zone are advertised at the airport and King appeared to have decided to join one, the official added.

Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldier had been due to face disciplinary action by the U.S. military. But he was not in custody at the time he decided to flee, one of them said.

South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles ties with the North, said all tours to Panmunjom have been cancelled indefinitely on the request of the U.N. Command which oversees security for the area.

It was unclear how long North Korean authorities would hold the soldier but analysts said the incident could be valuable propaganda for the isolated country.

Historically, the North holds these folks for weeks, if not months, for propaganda purposes (especially if this is a U.S. soldier) before a coerced confession and apology, said Victor Cha, a former U.S. official and Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Before dawn on Wednesday, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, each flying 550 km and 600 km before plunging into the sea off its east coast.

The launch comes hours after the South Korea and the United States held the first round of talks on Tuesday on upgrading coordination in the event of a nuclear war with North Korea.

The United States has pledged to deploy more strategic assets such as aircraft carriers, submarines and long-range bombers to South Korea, drawing an angry response from Pyongyang which vowed to escalate its own military response.

(Reporting by Josh Smith and Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul, David Brunnstrom, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington, Kiyoshi Takenaka and Nobuhiro Kubo in Tokyo; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Hollywood's striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA actors' union filed a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Comcast's NBCUniversal on Tuesday, accusing the company of blocking a picket area.

The unions said NBCUniversal infringed its freedom to picket and endangered its members by obstructing a public sidewalk next to the company's studio lot in California with an ongoing construction project.

NBCUniversal did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The striking Hollywood actors joined film and television writers on picket lines for the first time in 63 years last week as they demanded higher streaming-era pay and curbs on the use of artificial intelligence.

The WGA's complaint said NBCUniversal "forced picketers to patrol in busy streets with significant car traffic where two picketers have already been struck by a car."

SAG-AFTRA said members had been forced "to picket at the unsafe crowded location, exacerbating the dire public safety situation to interfere with striking members' right to engage in the protected, concerted activity of picketing and patrolling outside the employer's premises during a lawful strike."

Both unions asked the NLRB to order NBCUniversal to remedy the situation.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey and Baranjot Kaur in Bengaluru and Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jamie Freed)
WASHINGTON  Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian businessman who figured prominently in Rudy Giuliani's effort to dig up dirt on Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election, said Tuesday that a GOP-led House committee should end its probe into the Biden family.

In a 10-page letter obtained by NBC News, Parnas told House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., that there is "no evidence" that the president or his son Hunter interfered with Ukrainian politics, "and there never has been."

With all due respect, Chairman Comer, the narrative you are seeking for this investigation has been proven false many times over, by a wide array of respected sources," Parnas wrote. "There is simply no merit to investigating this matter any further.

Parnas offered to testify under oath or provide any information the committee needs, and he highlighted information that came to light during former President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial in 2019, alleging that Giuliani and Trump orchestrated a campaign ahead of the presidential election to "dig up dirt on the Bidens."

Reached for comment Tuesday, a spokesperson for Comer said his office had not yet seen the letter. In a statement, Comer blasted Democrats and the media, saying they were ignoring independent facts about the Biden family, their financial dealings and allegations from IRS agents about the Department of Justices politicization of Biden investigation.

Bank records, the FBIs Biden Bribery Record, and IRS whistleblowers have nothing to do with Rudy Giuliani. Its past time for Democrats and their allies to stop covering for the Bidens and instead follow the facts, Comer said.

Parnas said that from November 2018 to October 2019 he was a key participant in meetings or phone calls between Giuliani and various Ukrainian officials, often acting as a translator in efforts to pressure them to launch an investigation into the Biden family.

Never, during any of my communications with Ukrainian officials or connections to Burisma, did any of them confirm or provide concrete facts linking the Bidens to illegal activities, Parnas wrote.

"In fact," he added, Ukrainian officials and people linked to Burisma, a company in Ukraine, repeatedly asked him "why our team was so concerned with this idea.

Parnas further alleged that Giuliani and some of his associates knew that the allegations they were pursuing were false.

A Giuliani spokesperson did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

There has never been any factual evidence, only conspiracy theories spread by people who knew exactly what they were doing," Parnas wrote. Please abandon this effort to investigate the Bidens, which is nothing more than a wild goose chase, and let our elected officials return to the issue at hand of uniting our great country to be stronger and better than ever before."

Parnas cooperated with the first impeachment inquiry into Trump. He was later convicted of fraud and campaign finance crimes and sentenced to 20 months in prison. In his letter, he expressed remorse for his participation in Giulianis efforts.

The Hunter Biden investigation has been in the works for months. In June, the president's son agreed to plead guilty to a pair of federal misdemeanor counts in Delaware of failing to pay his taxes.

The White House has pushed back against the Biden family probes led by House Republicans.

"As we have said many times before, the President was not in business with his son," Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement last month. "As we have also said many times before, the Justice Department makes decisions in its criminal investigations independently, and in this case."

Asked about the timing of the letter, an attorney for Parnas, Joseph Bondy, said his client had come forward out of a sense of duty, and he highlighted the panel's hearing scheduled for Wednesday, which is expected to include testimony from two purported whistleblowers who worked on the Justice Department's Hunter Biden investigation.

Rebecca Kaplan reported from Washington, and Zoe Richards reported from New York.
NEW YORK (AP)  With hundreds of migrants arriving daily, New York City will start giving adult asylum seekers in the city's shelter system 60 days notice to find somewhere else to live, Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday.

The new policy is intended to make room for migrant families with children, Adams said. Caseworkers will help migrants who are asked to vacate find housing and other services, he said, and those who don't find alternative housing within 60 days will have to return to the intake center and reapply for a new placement.

We must now take additional steps to create urgently needed space for families with children who continue to arrive seeking asylum and help those with us take the next steps to their journey, Adams said at a City Hall news conference. He added, Our goal is no child, no family sleeping on the streets.

Adams, a Democrat, has scrambled to house the tens of thousands of migrants who have arrived in the city over the past year and has called for more help from the state and federal governments.

The city has rented out entire hotels to house migrants and has also put cots in schools and temporarily housed people in tents, a cruise ship terminal and a former police academy building.

Adams said more than 54,800 migrants are currently in the city's care, with 300 to 500 more arriving daily. This cannot continue, Adams said. Its not sustainable and were not going to pretend as though it is sustainable.

Under the new policy, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom said adult asylum seekers who have been in the citys shelter system for a significant amount of time will receive their 60-day notice on a rolling basis.

As we continue to tackle this humanitarian crisis, we must devise novel ways of moving people within and through our system to find where they will ultimately settle, Williams-Isom said.

But immigration advocates said the new plan would create bureaucratic hurdles for vulnerable migrants and would violate the 1981 court order that requires the city to provide temporary housing for every homeless person who asks for it.

This is a bad policy that will be directly responsible for leaving families homeless and living on the streets, Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said in a statement. The new rule is an abhorrent end run on our right to shelter laws, and does not reflect the welcoming values of New York City.

Adams said he was not going to be deterred by potential legal challenges to the new policy.

The court system is going to do what the court system is going to do, he said.
North Korea launched two short-range missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday morning just a day after the U.S. docked its nuclear submarine in South Korea.

The move comes as tensions remain high between the two countries due to more frequent missile test launches by North Korea and the arrival of the nuclear-armed submarine.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired the ballistic missiles from near its capital of Pyongyang between 3:30 a.m. and 3:46 a.m. Wednesday. The missiles flew about 341 miles before landing in the eastern waters of the Korean peninsula.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada also said they reached a maximum altitude of 31 miles and noted the missiles may have experienced an irregular maneuver.

The USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon at the port of Busan, which is the first visit by a U.S. nuclear submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

This port visit reflects US ironclad commitment to the ROK [South Korea] for our extended deterrence guarantee, and complements the training, operations and other military cooperation activities conducted by Strategic Forces to ensure they are available and ready to operate around the globe, U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement.

This new launch is about a week after North Korea launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in three months.

This also comes as the American-led United Nations Command and U.S. officials attempt to negotiate the release of an American soldier who willfully crossed the North Korean border from South Korea. The soldier has been identified as Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, who was just released from a South Korean prison where he was doing time for assault charges.

Instead of going back to the U.S. on a plane, he chose to leave and join a tour of Panmunjom, a border village in the Demilitarized Zone, where he ran across the North Korean border, according to U.S. officials.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republicans are gearing up for a competitive primary as they look to unseat Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in next years closely watched Ohio Senate race.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) became the latest Republican to announce his candidacy earlier this week, joining a crowded field that includes businessman Bernie Moreno and state Sen. Matt Dolan (R).

Brown, a third-term incumbent, is seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats up for reelection next year, and the race could be key to deciding which party wins control of the upper chamber in the 2024 election.

Its going to be a dogfight to defeat Sherrod Brown. I dont think anybody would say anything otherwise. If they did, they dont know Ohio, said one GOP strategist in the state whos backing LaRose. Whoever the nominee is, is going to have to run an A-plus campaign.

Dolan ran for Ohios other Senate seat in the midterms last year but lost in the GOP primary to Trump-endorsed Republican JD Vance, who went on to win the general election. Dolan was the first to get in the 2024 race with the hopes of challenging Brown, followed by Moreno  who also lodged a bid for the open Senate seat in the midterms but eventually dropped out of the crowded Republican primary.

This time around, Moreno has Vances endorsement. LaRose, the newest addition to the race, is the only one of the three who has won a statewide election. His role as secretary of state has upped his name recognition among many Ohio voters, but hes also facing scrutiny related to a controversial ballot initiative in the states August special election.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates Browns seat as a toss-up, along with those held by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I) and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (D).

Former President Obama won Ohio in 2008 and 2012, while Trump won in 2016 and 2020, when he took the state by 8 points. Vance won the state by 6 points during the midterms against then-Rep. Tim Ryan (D).

Ohio will be even redder than it was this last cycle, so Sherrod Brown is in deep trouble. This is why you have a crowded field, said Ohio-based GOP strategist Mark Weaver, who also predicted the primary race will be fairly close between the Republican candidates.

The primary will be more interesting than the general, although the general will be making some noise, Weaver said. But because Ohio is reliably red, because Sherrod Brown is uniquely weak, this is an easy Republican pickup with the right candidate. So the primary will be far more important than the general as far as national impact.

Still, Democrats are projecting a show of confidence. State party spokesperson Reeves Oyster said in a statement after LaRoses announcement Monday that the Republican slugfest for Ohios Senate seat is shaping up to be another long, contentious battle that will leave whoever emerges damaged in the eyes of Ohio voters.

Ohio GOP spokesman Dan Lusheck fired back, saying the states Democrats are so weak and have lost so many elections, that they would be lucky to even find two quality candidates to run against each other. Thankfully, Ohio Republicans do not have that problem.

More from The Hill

Brown has a long-standing presence in the state. The Democrat incumbent has served in the Senate since 2007 and held LaRoses position as Ohio secretary of state in the 1980s and early 1990s. Brown secured reelection in 2018 by nearly 7 points over then-Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio).

At the 10,000-foot level, I think its Sherrod Browns first time hes really gonna be in trouble, said GOP pollster Robert Blizzard. He said the sitting senator is a strong competitor but has benefited from a national environment that has been tilted more toward Democrats in his previous statewide races.

Brown is probably the most vulnerable Democrat incumbent in the country, Blizzard said. He also highlighted Ohio is in many ways, gonna be ground zero for winning the Senate majority this cycle.

The pollster argued the senator has moved further left over the years, while his state appears to be shifting to the right. He predicted the eventual Republican presidential nominee will win Ohio in 2024, making it very difficult for there to be any kind of coattail effect for Brown.

Whoever wins the primary, I mean  [for] Sherrod Brown, its going to be his toughest reelection, said former Ohio Democratic Party chairman David Pepper.

But Pepper shrugged off the newest entrant to the race, comparing LaRose to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who launched a bid for the White House in late May, well after Trump kicked off his campaign in November. He argued LaRose has taken so long to announce hes allowed the other candidates to get in front of him.

It reminds me of the DeSantis run-up, where he waited a long time. Other people have sort of outmaneuvered him, and now I think are positioned to take up the lanes that are the big ones, and I just dont see where LaRose fits in, Pepper said.

The GOP strategist backing LaRose suggested all three Republicans in the Ohio Senate ring could win in November, but he forecasted LaRose is the one that, I think, Sherrod Brown fears the most.

Weaver, the other strategist, also forecasted LaRose could be the front-runner, but said the secretary of state will need to keep up with Dolan and Morenos ability to self-fund and said hes not far in front of his competitors.

Bernie, Matt and Frank all have somewhat of a blank canvas. Theres still room for them to paint  LaRose being in the best position in that regard  but all of them have a lot of canvas left to paint, Weaver said.

Blizzard, on the other hand, said Dolan will likely lead the field, noting LaRose has never been in a competitive primary situation before and that Moreno dropped out during his last effort.

Ahead of Morenos announcement, Trump praised Moreno in an April post on Truth Social as a highly respected businessman, saying he would not be easy to beat, especially against Brown.

Before LaRose had officially entered the race, the elections forecaster Sabatos Crystal Ball said, We wouldnt describe any of the potential Republican Senate nominees in Ohio as slam dunk candidates, but any of them would be capable of winning a Toss-up race.

The Ohio GOP said LaRose, Dolan and Moreno are all strong conservatives committed to challenging Bidens failed policies that have hurt everyday Ohioans.

Republican voters deserve a robust, thoughtful primary where they can decide which candidate is best suited to end career politician Sherrod Browns time in office, said Ohio GOP chairman Alex Triantafilou.

But the Ohio Democrats said in a Tuesday release that a long, brutal, and expensive primary is taking shape in Ohio and no matter who emerges, they will have spent months focused on infighting  instead of fighting for Ohioans  leaving them bruised and badly damaged entering the general election.

The chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), told CBS News last week that his group, which has weighed in on GOP primaries in other states, plans to stay neutral in the Ohio race.

Pepper, the former Ohio Democratic Party chairman, said he thinks Brown still has a path to victory but that the incumbent shouldnt take anything for granted.

I think that next year is going to be a really fierce general election, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(iStock/Getty/AP/REUTERS)

US soldier Travis King was detained in North Korea on Tuesday (18 July) after crossing into the country wilfully and without authorisation, US authorities said.

Colonel Isaac Taylor of the United States Forces Korea Public Affairs told The Independent: A US Service member on a JSA orientation tour wilfully and without authorisation crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA [Korean Peoples Army] counterparts to resolve this incident.

This is, however, not the first time a US national has been arrested in the heavily surveilled country.

Here is a list of US nationals arrested in North Korea

Otto Warmbier

American student Otto Warmbier (centre) escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea on 16 March 2016 (AP)

Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, was arrested during his visit to North Korea.

Mr Warmbier was visiting the country as part of a group tour organised by a China-based budget tour operator in January 2016.

It was a five-day trip to experience the country during the New Years Eve period, but the trip soon took a turn. Mr Warmbier was seized by North Korean authorities from the tour group and convicted on charges of allegedly trying to steal a propaganda poster.

On 2 January 2016, about two months after this detention, the North Korean court sentenced Mr Warmbier to 15 years of hard labour.

After his initial sentencing, Mr Warmbier suffered from brain damage under circumstances that remain unclear.

In June 2017, Mr Warmbier was released and evacuated from North Korea, accompanied by a medical team due to being seriously ill.

A few days later on 19 June, Mr Warmbier passed away at the age of 22, at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

In a statement, his family said Mr Warmbier was unable to speak, unable to see and unable to react to verbal commands.

Mr Warmbiers family accused North Korea of torturing the student, but the North denied the accusations and insisted it had provided him medical care with all sincerity.

The country also accused the US of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the biggest victim in his death.

In 2022, a federal judge ruled that Mr Warmbiers parents should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501m they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.

Matthew Todd Miller

Matthew Miller, a US citizen, sits on the dock at the Supreme Court during his trial in Pyongyang in September 2014 (AP)

In September 2014, Matthew Todd Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labour for allegedly committing hostile acts as the court claimed Mr Miller tore up his visa upon arriving at Pyongyang airport.

The North Korean Supreme Court also claimed Mr Miller illegally entered the country for spying purposes and said he admitted to a wild ambition of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the countrys human rights conditions.

Mr Miller was freed in November of that year along with another US national, but weeks before his release Mr Miller spoke with The Associated Press, where he claimed he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.

I was trying to stay in the country. They wanted me to leave, Mr Miller told NK News after his release.

The very first night they said, We want you to leave on the next flight. But I refused. I just did not leave.

Kenneth Bae

Kenneth Bae (centre) gives copies of his new book Not Forgotten, to representative Charles Rangel (left) and Ambassador Joseph DeTrani (right) (Getty Images)

Kenneth Bae is a South Korean-US missionary from Lynnwood, Washington who was arrested on the first day of a five-day tour on 3 November 2012 in Ranson  an area along the northeastern coast of North Koreas economic zone.

Almost two weeks after his initial arrest, the countrys official news agency confirmed his arrest and said Mr Bae committed hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town.

Mr Baes family came forward and said he has suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes as well as heart and liver problems.

He returned to the US in November 2014 following a mission by former director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who also helped secure Mr Millers release.

In a pre-taped statement for his tell-all memoir in 2016, Mr Bae said the detainment was an accident.

I was arrested by North Korean authority because I made a terrible mistake by carrying a portable hard drive containing hostile, anti-North Korean material by accident, he said in the YouTube statement.

Jeffrey Edward Fowle

A file photo issued by Moraine, Ohio shows Jeffrey Fowle, one of two detained American tourists who was released by North Korea in 2014 (AFP/City of Moraine)

In May 2014, Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56 at the time of his arrest, was detained while part of a tour group in North Korea.

Mr Fowle was arrested for six months after leaving a bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin, a country that is allegedly known to be quite strict with organised religion.

North Korea announced Mr Fowles detention and said he has violated the law by acting, contrary to the purpose of tourism.

During his detainment, the tourist also spoke to CNN and said he had no complaints about his treatment.

Its been very good so far, and I hope and pray that it continues, while Im here two more days or two more decades, he said.

The charges are violations of DPRK law, which stems from me trying to leave a Bible, he told CNN at the time.

Its a covert act and a violation of tourists rules. Ive admitted my guilt to the government and signed a statement to that effect and requested forgiveness from the people and the government of the DPRK.

He was released a month before Mr Bae, in October 2014.

Charles Robert Jenkins

Charles Jenkins deserted the US Army and was captive in North Korea for over 39 years (Getty Images)

Charles Robert Jenkins, who passed away at the age of 77, was captive in North Korea for over 39 years.

In January 1965, the US Army sergeant slipped across the demilitarised zone he was supposed to be guarding and went from the South to the North.

His plan was to escape the dangers of getting shot by North Korean border guards or being sent to fight in the Vietnam War  a price he ended up paying for many years.

In 2004, Mr Jenkins made it to Japan and spoke to a US Army Court martial where he revealed the horrors he had to face during his time in detainment.

He spoke about the beatings he faced, along with deprivation and the forced removal of his testicles.

Mr Jenkins said during his arrest, he found himself incarcerated in a single room with three others who had also defected.

In his memoir The Reluctant Communist, he spoke about the decision he made and said, I was not thinking clearly. But at the time my decisions had a logic to them that made my actions seem almost inevitable.

Mr Jenkins said he was also forced to spend 10 hours a day memorising the writings of North Koreas founder and then Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung. If a person failed to correctly recite the words in Korean, it could result in a beating or an increase in their study time.

Those cruel bastards, wrote Mr Jenkins in his memoir, Hated me and the other Americans so deeply they refused to see us as human and enjoyed making our lives hell.

Mr Jenkins was released in 2004 and died in 2017.

Bruce Byron Lowrance

Bruce Byron Lowrance was imprisoned in October 2018 for allegedly illegally entering North Korea from China.

He was imprisoned until November that year and was soon deported back to the US. North Koreas decision to deport Lowrance after only a month of confinement was quick by the countrys standards.

Some might say Mr Lowrance benefitted from the cosy diplomacy between former US president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who had met in a summit in June that year where they discussed goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

As the summit was approaching, North Korea released three US detainees at the time: Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song.

But that diplomacy was shortlived after the second summit in 2019, when the US rejected North Koreas demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

Euna Lee and Laura Ling

Journalists Euna Lee (left) and Laura Ling speak onstage at the The 2009 Women of the Year (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling were shooting a documentary on the Sino-North Korean border about North Korean refugees and the possible practice of human trafficking of young women.

The two journalists were reportedly captured by North Korean state security on March 2009 and taken to Pyongyang.

They were charged with committing hostilities against the Korean national and illegal entry, according to the North Korean mouthpiece news agency KCNA.

They were sentenced to 12 years of reform in a prison camp but were released after 140 days in a detention centre.

Upon their release, Ms Lee said: The past 140 days have been the most difficult, heart-wrenching time of our lives.

We are very grateful that we were granted amnesty by the government of North Korea, and we are so happy to be home.

Kwang Duk Lee

American pastor Kwang Duk Lee was arrested in May 1998 as a suspect spy in North Korea, but he was released three months later.

Mr Lees arrest came while he was trying to get financing for a soybean processing plant, his family had told The Los Angeles Times at the time of his release.

North Korean authorities said Mr Lee was a spy posing as a businessman and demanded $122,000 for his release.

Mr Lee was freed in August that year, three months after his arrest.

What is the Joint Security Area?

The Joint Security Area seen in this photo taken on 9 May 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

The Joint Security Area (JSA), also known as Panmunjeom, is where the Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953 and is located in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). Its a place that has become one of the most visited tourist sites of the DMZ.

The border is also known as the peace or truce village and is made up of bright blue UN buildings.

Both the South and North Korean sides are heavily policed by military officers.

Follow the latest coverage on Travis King - US national detained in North Korea

Can you visit the JSA?

The area is under heavy surveillance, but people can visit through tours.

To enter the JSA, visitors much pass through multiple checkpoints before arriving at Camp Bonifas. Visitors must either be escorted by either US or South Korean Soldiers.

Additional reporting from agencies
There is a tense calm in Lima ahead of a new round of anti-government protests this week, which will see tens of thousands of police deployed in Perus capital as demonstrators once again seek political reform and accountability for the alleged abuses during previous rallies.

While stuck in the rush-hour traffic, a taxi driver told CNN that he will continue to work and brave the protesters expected blockades on Wednesday because he needs the money.

Food is getting very expensive these days, Alex Mendoza said, adding that he only makes $30 a day, which is barely enough to cover his daily costs, let alone the fines he risks incurring for being one of the many unlicensed taxi drivers in Lima.

Previous protests  which began in December following the ousting of Perus former President Pedro Castillo and ended around March  ground some parts of the country to a halt and saw human rights groups accuse security forces of excessive abuse and extrajudicial killings in the violent clashes.

The social unrest was the worst the country had seen in two decades, leaving more than 60 people dead  many of whom were from southern Peru, where indigenous Aymara and Quechua people maintain their own languages and cultural traditions, as well as a sense of separation from people in urban areas of coastal Peru, particularly Lima.

Yet many of the protesters key demands, such as the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, early elections, and the closure of Congress, remain unanswered.

As the political elite and protesters remained at an impasse, the months-long demonstrations cost the country tens of millions in economic damage, according to government estimates. Many are worried about how this third round of nationwide discontent will affect their bottom lines.

It is why Mendoza is torn on where he stands. Here in Lima, we live from day to day, if protests start again, we would not be able to work to provide for our family, he said.

Still, they (protesters) do have the right to march  there is a lot of discontent.

Demonstrators clash with riot police in January during a protest against the government of Dina Boluarte. - Ernesto Benavides/AFP/Getty Images/FILE

Cloak of impunity

After Castillo was ousted in December and Boluarte took office, the new president promised to move the election forward to April 2024. But Congress has voted against the prospect of new elections up to five times, according to Perus official gazette, and in June, Boluarte buried the idea by saying that the case for a new poll before 2026 was closed.

Perus ombudsman previously announced an investigation into the protest deaths, which included a police officer. But there has been a lack of new developments in the probe, enraging many Peruvians, say critics.

Anger over accountability is whats driving the new protests, Omar Coronel, a sociologist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, told CNN. At the minimum, a democracy leads to some kind of political sanction for protest deaths. We currently have none of that. There has been absolute impunity, he said.

Marisol Perez Tello, a former justice minister, said the government is trying to ignore the dozens of dead and injured protesters. By not investigating, prosecuting, punishing and making reparations, if appropriate, the state is generating a cloak of impunity around the protests and assuming a political cost that seriously undermines its legitimacy, she told CNN.

CNN has reached out to Boluartes office and Perus ombudsman for comment.

In downtown Lima, Ivette, who declined to have her last name published, told CNN that even if she is undecided on where she stands on the protests, there have been many murders (during the protests) and I think it is valid to complain about that.

I dont know which side to be on because I also feel sorry for them, but I dont want the city to be paralyzed, Ivette explained.

Many agendas

Questions are being raised on whether security forces will crack down on protesters once again.

Peruvian authorities are taking no chances on Wednesday. At least 24,000 police officers are being mobilized to watch what has been dubbed the takeover of Lima protest.

At this moment, we have 24,000 police prepared, trained with the equipment, Interior Minister Vicente Romero told local media RPP Noticias. He added that the police were being deployed to provide peace and security to those who protest, those who exercise their free expression, and those who want to work freely.

While there is a clear legal framework for the police to use force, Perez Tello, also a professor of the armed forces in Peru, said the issue is that there are not enough non-lethal weapons at the polices disposal.

You must have other tools before (you) exercise the use of lethal force. The previous step is the use of non-lethal force, but for that, you need to have a properly implemented police force, but we have not yet reached an optimal level, Perez Tello said.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte addresses the country on June 9, 2023. - Cris Bouroncle/AFP via Getty Images

Others have faith that the response to protesters wont be as violent. The government has already learned of the negative impact that these deaths had internationally as well as within the country, Augusto Alvarez Rodrich, a Peruvian economist and journalist, told CNN.

The protest comes as Boluartes popularity remains extremely low  she has a 77% disapproval rating, according to an IPSOS poll from June.

Her ousting and sanctions on those alleged to have abused the human rights of protesters appear to be the common agenda among the disparate left-wing groups and unions calling for this weeks nationwide protest, Coronel said.

The groups  which include collectives, university students, and Ronderos (rural self-defense organizations) have expanded their list of demands. It includes the release of Castillo (who has been in pre-trial detention since December), the rejection of privatization, the freedom of political prisoners, the defense of natural resources, and the departure of US troops  who came in during the early 2000s to help train the armed forces.

The growing demands have led to some disagreements. The issue of the protest agendas generates a certain amount of tension. There are sectors that say: I would protest for new elections and condemn the violators of human rights, but I dont want to join the protest with whoever is marching for the release of Castillo, Coronel said.

People want to work

Lima residents are apprehensive about what this round of protests will do to Perus economy, which contracted 0.43% in the first trimester of 2023 due to the previous protests and a cyclone, the governments statistical agency, INE, said in May.

People are tired of protests. What people want is to work and that the businesses and the economy not to come to a standstill, political analyst Alvarez Rodrich said.

In a July statement, Limas Chamber of Commerce said Peru could not afford new protests even more so at a time when we need to be united to reactivate our economy and face the ravages of the El Nino phenomenon that will affect the country with heavy rains to the north and severe droughts to the south.

Jacinto Amansio Lopez Delgado, who owns a restaurant in Limas historic center, said the previous protests blocked the surrounding area and severely affected his business, which ended up working at only 40% capacity.

We lost a lot of money during the protests, here there are more than 20 workers, so those situations affect their families as well, Lopez said.

As an informal worker, taxi driver Mendoza also cannot afford for the social unrest to affect his income.

But without political change, the anger will persist over Perus toxic and embittered political landscape, he said, adding: There will always be dissatisfied people unless there is a president who truly wants to solve Perus problems.

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Vladimir Putin during a meeting in the Kremlin on Tuesday (Sputnik)

Vladimir Putin will not attend a summit in South Africa next month  allowing the hosts to avoid a decision whether or not to arrest the Russian leader thanks to an international warrant over war crime allegations.

As a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) which issued the warrant, South Africa would be expected to detain Mr Putin once he sets foot in the country. Although it has refused to honour that obligation in the past, allowing safe passage to Sudans then-president Omar al-Bashir in 2015, who was facing allegations of war crimes against his own people.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Mr Putin and Russias commissioner for childrens rights Maria Lvova-Belova in March in relation to the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.

The announcement that Mr Putin will stay away from the two-day summit in August comes a day after court documents showed South Africas president Cyril Ramaphosa had sought permission from the ICC not to follow through with the arrest, saying it would amount to a declaration of war. South Africas largest opposition party, Democratic Alliance, had gone to court to try and compel authorities to carry out the arrest if Mr Putin arrived, but Mr Ramaphosa appeared dead set against the move.

South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin, he said in an affidavit filed in late June but made public on Tuesday. Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (AP)

On Wednesday, a statement from South Africas presidency said that by mutual agreement Russia would be represented by its foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, at the summit of Brics nations  Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. The Russian state RIA news agency later said, citing the Kremlin, that Mr Putin will take part in the summit via video call.

Speaking just before the announcement by South Africa, the Kremlins spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, told reporters that everyone understood  without having it explained to them  what an attempt to infringe on Mr Putins rights would mean. But he said that Russia did not tell South Africa that an arrest would mean war. The Kremlin has called the warrant issued against Mr Putin outrageous and legally void, because the country is not a member of the organisation.

No, no such formulations were uttered, no one gave anyone to understand that, Mr Peskov said. It is clear to everyone in this world what an attempt to infringe on the rights of the head of the Russian State means. So there is no need to explain anything to anyone here.

South Africa has been trying to deal with the issue of the arrest for months. It sees Russia has an ally, but clearly does not want to inflame tensions with Western nations either. South Africa has consistently abstained from voting at the United Nations to condemn Russias aggression, calling instead for dialogue to end the war. Claiming neutrality, the country is also part of efforts by a group of at least six African nations who recently embarked on a peace mission to Kyiv and Moscow to meet with both Mr Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

In his court submission, Mr Ramaphosa suggested such efforts might be jeopardised by an attempt to arrest Russias president. An arrest of President Putin would introduce a new complication that would foreclose any peaceful solution, he said.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
A new report details the depths of Democratic presidential candidate and conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jrs antisemitic and xenophobic views amid his recent remarks that Covid-19 was ethnically targeted in a way that protects Jewish people.

The Congressional Integrity Project, an organisation that has criticised House Republicans investigations into the Biden administration, released a report detailing the depths of Mr Kennedys antisemitic and xenophobic remarks.

Kennedy embraces virtually every conspiracy theory in existence, the report said. His horrific antisemitic and xenophobic views are simply beyond the pale, and he has frequently met with and promoted antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

The report notes how in 2022, Mr Kennedy compared vaccine mandates in the United States to Nazi Germany and said Anne Frank was safer under Nazi rule than an unvaccinated person.

The report also highlighted his longstanding partnership with Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam who has a long history of antisemitism, noting how Mr Farrakhan said he and Mr Kennedy, a son of the late Sen Robert F Kennedy Sr and nephew of former president John F Kennedy, discussed a vaccine that is designed to affect Black males. Mr Kennedy for his part called Mr Farrakhan a truly great partner in this battle.

Similarly, in 2021, Mr Kennedy released a documentary called Medical Racism, which warned communities of colour about supposedly sinister vaccination campaigns. Similarly, in 2017, according to the report, Mr Kennedy said that science and anecdotal evidence suggest that Africans and African Americans may be particularly vulnerable to vaccine injuries including autism, claims that are empircally untrue.

The Guardian first surfaced the report from the Congressional Integrity Project.

Mr Kennedy rose to prominence as one of the leading promoters of the idea that a correlation existed between the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In that capacity, the report details how he started a debunked conspiracy theory that the Gates Foundation paralyzed 496,000 children in India during a polio vaccine trial.

He also traveled to American Samoa to spread his anti-vaccine propaganda, which led to a measles outbreak and at least 32 deaths.

Named a super-spreader-in-chief of medical misinformation, Kennedy is considered among the most influential anti-vaxx conspiracy theorists, the report said. Before he was temporarily banned from Instagram, one study found his influence exceeded even former President Trumps posts featuring medical misinformation.

The report comes after Mr Kennedy spoke at a press event on 11 July and said that Covid-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people, and added that The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.

Despite video footage of his remarks, Mr Kennedy said in a statement: I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews. 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.

The comments warranted a swift condemnation from many leaders, including members of the Kennedy family such as his sister Kerry Kennedy and his nephew, former congressman Joe Kennedy.

Still, Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), invited Mr Kennedy to testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government to testify about federal governments role in censoring Americans on Thursday.

Mr Kennedys press team denied that he was antisemitic, citing his interview with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, as well as upcoming event where he will discuss fighting antisemitismn and supporting Israel. They also sent a statement he made in response to the report from The New York Post.

The New York Post story is mistaken, he said. I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was engineered to spare Jews, and I unequivocally reject this disgusting and outlandish conspiracy theory.

The Republican invitation comes as Republicans have sought to criticise Democrats on antisemitism after Rep Pramila Jayapal said that Israel was a racist state, which she later clarified.

On Tuesday, the House in response voted on a resolution saying that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, while rejecting all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia and reaffirming US support for Israel. The resolution passed 412 to 9.
The head of MI6 has urged Russians appalled by the war in Ukraine to join hands with his spy service and bring the bloodshed to an end.

In his second speech since becoming chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in 2020, Richard Moore said there appeared little prospect of Vladimir Putins forces regaining momentum in Ukraine  and expressed optimism about Kyivs long-awaited counteroffensive.

Delivering his speech at the British embassy in Prague, the MI6 chief likened the current situation in Ukraine to the Prague Spring in 1968, when the Soviet Union quashed liberalising reforms.

As they witness the venality, infighting and callous incompetence of their leaders  the human factor as its worst  many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas as their predecessors did in 1968, Moore said.

I invite them to do what others have done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open ... Their secrets will be safe with us and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

While Mr Putin has sought to maintain an iron grip on the war narrative since Russias full-scale invasion last February, with the aid of state TV, public opinion of the conflict is likely to have been knocked by Moscows apparent military setbacks and his mobilisation of reservists last Septmeber.

Many fighting age men have fled abroad to escape the draft, while thousands of protesters have been arrested at infrequent demonstrations launched across scores of Russian cities since the war began even despite the prospect of swift state repression.

There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children, said Mr Moore.

Richard Moore, the Chief of Britains Secret Intelligence Service, has appealed to disillusioned Russians to join hands with MI6 (AP)

They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putins case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy.

Appealing for such individuals to work alongside the MI6, he added: We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed.

Despite the best efforts of the Russian state to shield citizens from Moscows military failures, an awareness of several attacks on Russian soil  including two on Mr Putins prized Kerch bridge in Crimea, and the Wagner mercenary groups armed mutiny last month  have filtered through.

The shortlived rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries  whose relative military successes in Ukraine have boosted their popularity within Russia  showed Mr Putin was clearly under pressure, Mr Moore said.

Yevgeny Prigozhin seized the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don last month and began to march on Moscow, before striking an 11th-hour deal apparently brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko (via REUTERS)

Criticising the wave of Russian imperialism in Africa fuelled in recent years by the Wagner group, Mr Moore also claimed Irans unconscionable decision to supply Moscow with suicide drones for the Ukraine war had provoked internal quarrels at the highest level of the regime in Tehran.

Also denouncing the Russian presidents nuclear sabre-rattling as irresponsible and reckless, the spy chief also warned that Moscow and China were racing to master technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

Some of Britains adversaries will try to develop AI in a way which is reckless and dangerous, he told Politico, adding: It will be a significant part of our role going forward into the future, to try and ... detect, uncover, and then disrupt people who would like to develop AI in directions which are dangerous.

But while government and intelligence agencies globally are seeking to harness the power of AI, Mr Moore told those present in Prague that the technology would complement rather replace human agents who can uncover secrets beyond technologys reach.

The unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant, he said.

They are never just passive collectors of information: our agents can be tasked and directed; they can identify new questions we didnt know to ask; and sometimes they can influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

Human intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence will increasingly be defined as those things that machines cannot do, albeit we should expect the frontier of machine capability to advance with startling speed.

Additional reporting by agencies
TEMECULA, Calif.  A Southern California school board has become the latest proxy for culture wars brewing across the country after a conservative bloc voted to formally reject state-endorsed curriculum that would have mentioned gay rights figure Harvey Milk.

On Tuesday, a heated Temecula Valley Unified School District board meeting dissolved into shouts and jeers as parents, teachers and community members confronted one another over a three-paragraph mention of Milk in supplemental materials for students in grades one through five.

At least three people were ejected from the five-hour hearing and escorted outside by law enforcement officers. In the parking lot, stickers in support of the far-right Proud Boys group mysteriously appeared on cars.

The controversy erupted in May when conservative school board members first rejected mention of Milk.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, responded weeks later, saying the state will buy the learning materials that include a short biography of the San Francisco civic leader.

Cancel culture has gone too far in Temecula: radicalized zealots on the school board rejected a textbook used by hundreds of thousands of students and now children will begin the school year without the tools they need to learn, Newsom said in a recent statement.

The Temecula school board president, Joseph Komrosky, who has called Milk a "pedophile," said he has instructed the district to reject any materials shipped from the state.

Image: Harvey Milk (AP file)

California law requires that public school districts have enough textbooks for each student and that social studies curricula provide information on the roles that Americans from diverse backgrounds have had in shaping history. The school board has not approved replacement learning materials after rejecting state-endorsed curricula.

Turning school boards into surrogates for broader culture war battles is part of a familiar playbook deployed by conservative groups, which have focused on filling school boards with ideologically aligned members and clocked dozens of wins last fall.

In June, tempers flared outside a Glendale Unified School District board meeting in nearby Los Angeles County as members met to approve a measure recognizing Pride Month, something it has done for years.

Now, local conservatives see an opportunity to win more seats in places like Temecula and surrounding communities.

California and the nation are watching this school board, Tracy Henderson, founder of the conservative California Parents Union, told the Temecula school board Tuesday. You need to stand your ground.

But several parents and teachers are pushing for a recall of three school board members who have led the crusade against state-endorsed curriculum just six months after they took office.

The social conversation thats going on right now is just noise, said Skylar Tempel, a Temecula resident and organizer of the recall effort. This is turning our nonpartisan school board into a partisan platform."

Tempel, a lifelong Temecula resident who attended the school district in his youth, said issue is drawing unwanted attention to the otherwise quiet community. He seeks a return to the California model of conservatism popular decades ago, which preached fiscal responsibility but steered clear of social issues.

Board member Steven Schwartz, a retired educator with more than 40 years teaching experience, said he has never seen anything like the ruckus that has overtaken meetings in recent months.

I really dont want to get to the point where someone comes in and says Lincoln wasnt a good guy because slavery wasnt ended soon enough, he said. History is history.

Temecula Valley Unified School District in Temecula, Calif. (Google Maps)

Like many in the U.S., Temecula residents waded into culture wars during the pandemic after California officials implemented mask and vaccine mandates. Suddenly, mundane school board meetings became showdowns over whether students and parents should be forced to follow state health guidelines.

Groups like the conservative Inland Empire Family PAC, which has ties to a local evangelical church, emerged and backed conservative school board members across the region, including in Temecula Valley. All three conservative candidates endorsed by the political action committee were elected to the Temecula school board and soon the three members banned the teaching of critical race theory and ousted the superintendent.

Now, those same board members have rejected supplemental materials for elementary school students that mention Milk.

Proponents of the ban say Milk was a sexual predator, referring to a disputed claim that the gay rights icon had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Opponents say changing the curriculum four weeks before school is scheduled to start would unnecessarily throw teachers lesson plans into turmoil.

The state attorney general has ordered the school district to provide information regarding its decision-making related to its rejection of the social studies curriculum for grades one through five.

Gia Rueda, a Temecula resident with two high-school aged children in the school district, called the three conservative members of the school board chaos gods who are bringing unnecessary attention to the community.

The curriculum has already been vetted, piloted and approved by an overwhelming majority of actual TVUSD parents and teachers, so stop wasting money playing chaotic political games and stoking the fires of culture wars, she said. This never should have been an issue.

But Tim Thompson, founder of the Inland Empire Family Pac and evangelical pastor at 412 Church Temecula Valley, which hosted U.S. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene in 2021, said Milk is not someone who should be celebrated.

In Sacramento, Newsom and state education chief Tony Thurmond are supporting a bill that targets school districts that refuse to adopt state-endorsed curriculum. The bill would fine districts for failing to provide textbooks that align with state rules, including learning materials that teach inclusive and diverse perspectives.
An American soldier has been detained in North Korea after willfully crossing into the country, throwing a curveball into Washington-Pyongyang relations amid heightened nuclear tensions.

North Korea has been ratcheting up its nuclear weapons provocations in recent months, and the incident came just as the U.S. made a rare docking of a nuclear-capable submarine at a South Korean naval base.

The American soldier has been identified as junior enlisted soldier Private 2nd Class Travis King. Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee said King has been a Cavalry Scout in the service since January 2021 and had earned a number of awards including the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.

He was reportedly returning to the U.S. from South Korea for disciplinary reasons, but managed to leave the airport and join a tour of the demilitarized zone with North Korea where he ran across the border. He is now believed to be in the custody of Pyongyang.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that the soldier willfully and without authorization crossed the military demarcation line. Austin said that U.S. officials are closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldiers next of kin and engaging to address this incident.

Im absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troops. And so we will remain focused on this, the secretary said.

What is the DMZ?

The boundary line between South and North Korea runs about 154-miles-long, where hostilities between the two countries are frozen in an armistice signed in 1953 and centered in the border town of Panmunjom, where neither side has direct sovereignty.

Its an active war zone, a Republican aide to the House Foreign Affairs Committee told The Hill.

The only reason that there arent as many flare ups as you would normally hear in an active warzone, on the DMZ, is because both sides have agreed to very strict rules of engagement, said the aide, who has visited the area twice.

Movement is strictly monitored by authorized tour guides, with visitors instructed to stand or walk only in certain areas.

Former President Trump made history by stepping over a small slab of concrete from South Korea into North Korea in 2019 as part of failed efforts to advance peace talks or curb Pyongyangs weapons program.

Despite the carefully orchestrated tours, there are no physical barriers to prevent people from crossing the border, said Markus Garlauskas, the director of the new Indo-Pacific Security Initiative of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council.

As a result, it is possible for a member of a tour group at the JSA to run to the other side before they can be stopped, he said, noting past incidents in which North Korean guards fired on defectors in the zone.

Tense time for U.S.-North Korea relations

The U.S. soldiers crossing over into Pyongyang came on the same day that the U.S. docked a nuclear-capable submarine, the USS Kentucky, at a port in Bosun, South Korea  viewed as a strong signal of deterrence against North Korea.

This is [the] first time since 1991 the U.S. has had nuclear weapons in South Korea, and first SSBN [Ballistic Missile Submarines] visit since 1981, tweeted Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project for the Federation of American Scientists.

He added that the U.S. submarine is loaded with more nukes than North Korea has in its entire arsenal.

The U.S. and North Korea are in a standoff over Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program.

The isolated East-Asian nation is designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism and under an intensive sanctions regime targeting its military activity and human rights abuses  ranging from labor and concentration camps to widespread starvation and illness.

The North Koreans have refused offers by the Biden administration to engage in unconditional talks, and rejected unconditional humanitarian assistance jointly offered by the U.S. and South Korea.

In addition to U.S. sanctions, North Korea is under a sanctions regime by the United Nations for its illicit nuclear weapons program.

The country has been led by Kim Jung-un, 39, since 2011, and he has catapulted the countrys nuclear arsenal and missile stockpile from being a threat to the U.S. to having the ability for a direct hit on American cities.

Its very clear that North Koreans see no value in speaking with the United States or any other western country at this moment, the Republican aide said.

Generally, were nervous about the ongoing ballistic missile and nuclear tests. They have gotten more aggressive and theres always rumors that theyre going to be testing another nuclear weapon. I dont think weve seen that yet. But they are clearly moving towards it.

President Biden has focused on deepening relations with Asia-Pacific allies to counter the threat from Pyongyang, in particular with South Korea and that was put on full display with the state visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol to Washington in April.

Yoon has taken a hard line against Pyongyang. In a speech to Congress during his April visit, Yoon promoted South Korea as a linchpin of security in the era of increased tensions in the Indo-Pacific.

Together with the U.S., Korea will play the role as a compass for freedom. It will safeguard and broaden the freedom of citizens of the world, Yoon said.

But even as we walk in unison for freedom for 70 years, there is one regime determined to pursue a wrong path: that is North Korea.

Hostage diplomacy

Its always concerning when theres an American in North Korea because of the human rights atrocities, the Republican aide said, but its always even more concerning when its a servicemember as well.

While U.S. officials said they are working with the Korean Peoples Army, North Koreas military, to resolve this incident, its not yet clear how North Korea could seek to exploit its holding of a U.S. soldier.

Pyongyang has previously used American detainees to draw concessions from Washington, ranging from calls for sanctions relief to symbolic moves of international recognition.

Unfortunately, U.S. citizens detained in North Korea are typically used by the Kim regime as bargaining chips, which is part of the reason why travel by US citizens to North Korea was banned, Garlauskas said.

Former President Clinton traveled to North Korea in 2009 to secure the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

In 2017, Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old American college student who was arrested for stealing a propaganda poster, was released by North Korea in a vegetative state and died shortly after being transferred back to the U.S.

The Washington Post reported at the time that former President Trump approved for his envoy retrieving Warmbier to sign a pledge to North Korea to pay a $2 million hospital fee  even as Trump has denied following through on the payment.

The last such incident was in 2018 when North Korea detained Bruce Byron Lowrance for about a month after he illegally entered the country from China.

The Biden administration has sought to deter countries from taking Americans prisoners as international hostages, signing an executive order to help develop policies that would increase the costs on hostage takers and streamline the U.S. response to working towards their freedom.

But with U.S. officials proclaiming quickly that the American soldier crossed into North Korea willfully, its unclear how the government will characterize his case.

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Pentagon is taking the lead on contacting other governments over the fate of the U.S. soldier.

At this point the State Department has not reached out to the North Koreans or other governments. It is our understanding that the Pentagon has reached out to their counterparts of the DPRK, they are the lead agency and I would defer to them to comment on the nature of those contacts, Miller said.

We will stay in close coordination with them [the Pentagon] over the next hours and if there are steps that would be useful for the State Department to take we of course would not hesitate to take them.

Ellen Mitchell contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.


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PM: Oppn can come together but cant unite

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by NDA leaders during the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of the next year's Lok Sabha polls, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (PTI)

New Delhi: Sounding the poll bugle for the 2024 electoral battle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday predicted that the BJP-led NDA will score a hat-trick in the coming Lok Sabha elections. Mr Modi said that the alliance will bag more than 50 per cent of the votes as the NDA is a representation of the core values of democracy.

Addressing the representatives of 39 political allies of the expanded NDA, Mr Modi took a dig at the Opposition camp, which rechristened itself "INDIA" from UPA ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. The PM said, "Wo paas paas to aa sakte hain par saath nahin aa sakte (They can come together but can't unite)." He also slammed the Opposition for underestimating the intelligence of the voters.

During the meeting, a resolution was passed stating that all constituents of the NDA resolved that the alliance will "unitedly contest" the Lok Sabha election under Mr Modi's leadership.

"The NDA constituents make a proclamation to emerge victorious in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of the Prime Minister with a bigger mandate, powered by massive public support and blessing... The NDA parties laud Mr Modi for propelling India on the path of unprecedented development through his commitment, devotion, unrelenting hard work, selfless dedication and for giving the citizens the opportunity to feel proud over the realisation of the power and prowess of their country."

Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde proposed the resolution, which was supported by AIADMK's K. Palanisamy and AGP's Atul Bora.

The resolution also claimed that the Opposition is facing a crisis of identity and relevance. "Today, the Opposition is confused and disoriented," the resolution stated.

The NDA allies leaders also addressed the gathering and praised the Modi-led government's various initiatives in the last nine years.

After the meeting, Mr Modi sat with the NDA partners for dinner and shared a table with Mr Shinde, HAM's Jiten Ram Manjhi, Apna Dal's Anupriya Patel and Mr Palanisamy.

Earlier in his address, the Prime Minister said, "The public sees the NDA's history and chemistry, which is why the math adds up. The NDA's vote share was 38 per cent in 2014 and 45 per cent in 2019. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA's vote share will be above 50 per cent because of its allies who are working hard."

In a message to the Opposition, Mr Modi said not just the people of the country but even foreign countries have sensed the 2024 outcome as many countries are inviting NDA representatives, which is not usual in an election year.

With the NDA completing 25 years, Mr Modi said the expansion of the alliance is not numerical or geographical but is an expansion of the trust of the people of every region as well as a rainbow of regional aspirations.

Noting that the NDA represents "sabka prayas (effort by all)", which is necessary for a nation to function smoothly while a majority is needed for a government to run, Mr Modi slammed the Congress for stitching up alliances for just political gains.

When the alliance is due to the compulsion of power, when the alliance is with the intention of corruption, when the coalition is based on the policy of familylism, when the alliance is done keeping casteism and regionalism in mind, that alliance does a lot of damage to the country," said the PM.

Recalling the formation of the NDA, Mr Modi said the NDA was formed not to make a government or stay in power but to bring stability to the nation, unlike earlier when the Congress alliance was used to destabilise governments or stay in power. He said the NDA is a legacy of late party patriarch and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Remembering the NDA stalwarts, including Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, SAD's Parkash Singh Badal, Shiv Sena's Balasaheb Thackeray, RLD's Ajit Singh and Sharad Yadav, Mr Modi said these leaders contributed to shaping the NDA.

"In the NDA, 'N' means new India, 'D' means developed nation, 'A' means aspirations of people and region," said the PM.

Slamming the Opposition for its negativity, the Prime Minister said even when the NDA was in the Opposition, it pursued positive politics and never defamed the mandate.

"Even when we were in the Opposition we did positive politics...to strengthen democracy...we never defamed the mandate...we never sought help from foreign forces...we never created hurdles in the country's development path," said the PM citing how some state governments of the Opposition parties do not allow the Central schemes for the poor and common man, fearing it could impact their political clout.

Asserting that the NDA balances the development and cultural heritage of the country, Mr Modi said the NDA's "niyat, niti aur nirnay" are all in the national interest.

"In politics, there is competition but not entity," said Mr Modi as he slammed the Opposition for abusing the NDA and him personally.

Pointing out the contrast between the NDA and the Opposition, the PM said the NDA conferred Opposition leaders like Pranab Mukherjee the Bharat Ratna and other Opposition leaders, including Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Tarun Gogoi, among others, the Padma awards for their contribution to nation-building.

In the NDA, people see the core values of democracy," said the PM as he cited the various G-20 events being held in states, including those ruled by non-NDA parties.

Taking a dig at the Opposition camp, Mr Modi cited the example of Kerala, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir to say that while the Left and Congress, the TMC, the PDP and the NC are sharing the dais, they are arch rivals in their respective states, which has even confused their cadre.

"Over 140-crore people in the country are watching this (Opposition meeting. They can come together (to defeat the Modi-led NDA) but cannot unite. Those who spend time abusing me should use their time for the betterment of the poor. The 2024 elections are not far...people have made up their mind...they will give the NDA a chance for the third time," said the PM.

In an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to the US, Mr Modi said that in an election year, even foreign countries keep tabs on what the poll outcome will be, and it is unusual to invite leaders of a party that is unlikely to win.

"...par iss samay Bharat ka maamla alag hai. Many important nations, like the US, UK, Japan, Australia, France and UAE, are inviting NDA representatives. India is signing major agreements with some of these countries because they know that Indians have faith in the NDA. They know what the mandate will be (in 2024)," said the PM.

Before concluding his speech, Mr Modi said to the NDA allies, "I assure you that I will leave no stone unturned in my hard work and efforts... Every particle of my body, every moment of my time is dedicated to the country."
Senior babus say that government decision-making adheres to established procedures and protocols, ensuring checks & balances.

The recent case involving K. Srinivasan, a 2005-batch IAS officer, in Jharkhand, has evoked a lot of interest in babu circles. The state government has issued four show-cause notices to Mr Srinivasan for tampering with the contents of a Cabinet note twice, which is a serious breach of protocol. Sources have informed DKB that the said approved Cabinet note outlined the extension of operations for six Eklavya schools. However, Mr Srinivasan allegedly added two additional sentences without proper authorisation, potentially impacting the outflow of funds and raising suspicions of misuse. Further, sources say that by not responding to the show-cause notices, Mr Srinivasan was removed from the post and is currently awaiting his posting.

Senior babus say that government decision-making adheres to established procedures and protocols, ensuring checks and balances to prevent unauthorised modifications. In this case, the addition of two sentences twice without the requisite approval is a serious deviation from governance practices.

Tampering with the Cabinet note is a serious issue and, though it was immediately noticed and the issue raised at various levels, clearly, the incident is a wake-up call for the Jharkhand government to review its processes to prevent similar instances in the future.

Whats the next chapter in the ED story?

Terming the third extension to Enforcement Directorate (ED) director Sanjay Mishra as illegal and fixing his tenure up to the last day of this month was a difficult decision for the Supreme Court. The court not only upheld the Parliaments decision on the CVC Act and DSPA but also contradicted its previous ruling regarding Mr Mishras removal. This outcome seems to have satisfied both the petitioners and the government, although it may not have been the courts original intention.

Mishra, who had comfortably settled into his role as the ED chief following his third extension, had elevated the EDs influence, surpassing event that of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and positioned it as a strategic player in the governments power play. Now, looking ahead, his future remains uncertain. Sources have informed DKB that there have been discussions about entrusting him with a key responsibility, such as becoming the governor of a state in the Northeast or South, serving as the high commissioner of India to the UK, or even being appointed as a union minister! Such conjecture underscores the consensus on Mishras competence and his indispensability to the Modi sarkar.

As for Mr Mishras successor, several names are being considered. Pravin Kumar, recently appointed as a Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) member, is reportedly a frontrunner for the coveted post. Pankaj Kumar Mishra, former director of the Financial Intelligence Unit and an empanelled secretary-level officer is also a strong contender, while Seemanchala Dash, a former principal special director in the ED, has also emerged as a potential candidate. Another probable is a highly trusted lady officer who is currently with the SSB.

While an IAS officer may be appointed as the next ED chief, it seems improbable given the EDs current momentum, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Regardless of who succeeds Mr Mishra, senior babus concur that filling his shoes will be daunting.

A new dilemma for retired babus

The recent introduction of stringent measures by the department of personnel and training (DoPT) to prevent retired babus from disclosing classified information has raised the question of the delicate balance between national security and democratic principles.

Undoubtedly, there have been instances where retired IAS, IPS and IFS babus have made sensational disclosures in their books, revealing information that should have remained under wraps, either because of its confidential nature or because of its potential to embarrass the government by exposing its flaws or misgovernance. While the need to curb such practices is instinctive for those in power, how can we ensure that the regulations implemented do not become tools to stifle dissent and limit the publics access to information?

The All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement-Benefits) Amendment Rules, 2023, raises serious concerns about the governments intentions. The amended rules link pension entitlement to maintaining good conduct and empower the Central government to suspend the pension of those convicted of serious offences or found guilty of post-retirement misconduct. Additionally, retired officers who have served in intelligence departments now have to seek permission before disclosing any information.

The big question here, for which there is no easy answer, is how the government proposes to determine the severity of the offence. The new set of rules seems more like a warning to critics to fall in line or pay the price of their dissent.
Whatever might be the reason, the BJP has so far failed to put its best foot forward either in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan.

As the jugalbandi between the old uncle and the brash nephew is being played out in Maharashtra, the BJP is perplexed about how to handle an aunt and her nephew in poll-bound Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh respectively.

It is a touchy issue and if handled in a haphazard way, the ruling party realises that it will be in the soup. It is dreading any defeat after the one in Karnataka two months back which has rattled it completely. A setback in the North, which is considered its backyard, is the last thing it wants. In both the states, however, the BJP is a divided house.

Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, 70, known as Maharani in political circles wants the prime spot in the desert state and to be declared the CM candidate. In MP, meanwhile, Jyotiraditya Scindia, 52, erstwhile Maharaja of Gwalior, is at sea and needs help to understand where he stands in the BJP scheme of things in the coming elections where it is facing an uphill task.

Both can make or mar the partys prospects in their respective states. The BJP came to power in Madhya Pradesh through the backdoor when Mr Scindia and 22 MLAs supporting him parted ways with the Congress, which led to the collapse of the Kamal Nath ministry in March 2020.

At one time, the Scindias had so much influence in MPs Madhya Bharat region that the Congress had drawn blank some half a century ago in the area when veteran Congress leader D.P. Mishra had dubbed the late Vijayaraje as naraj mata.

Much water has flown down the Chambal since then. In the last Lok Sabha polls, Jyotiraditya was himself defeated in his pocket borough of Guna by a local BJP leader. In the 1984 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress shifted Madhavrao Scindia to Gwalior at the last minute, resulting in the defeat of Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Vasundhara is the daughter of late Vijayaraje Scindia, known as Rajmata and one of the BJPs founders. She is the tallest woman leader in the BJP, having been Rajasthans chief minister twice and raring for a third term. Jyotiraditya is the son of her elder brother Madhavrao, who was a minister in several Congress governments.

Both have their reasons to worry. Vasundhara, long sidelined in state politics since she ceased to be CM five years back, was given a prime place next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he launched the partys Mahajansampark Abhiyan at Ajmer over a month back. It was a good signal for her.

But the party has not said a word about projecting her as its CM candidate. Her detractors like RLP chief Hanuman Beniwal insist that Prime Minister Modi has to repeatedly come to Rajasthan as it has failed to decide under whose leadership the Assembly polls will be fought.

Reports had it that last year BJP president J.P. Nadda had made a categorical announcement that nobody would be projected as the chief ministerial face in the Assembly election. Mr Nadda is aware of the fact that the state unit is faction-ridden and there are many aspirants for the chief ministers post and any move to project a single person as CM face would harm the partys electoral prospects.

But there is no denying the fact that Vasundhara Raje is the tallest leader of the state with a massive support base. Ms Raje is also the BJPs tallest woman leader at the national level. While one section is pushing for Ms Rajes candidacy as CM, there is a group that believes having Mr Modi as the face of the election will serve the party better as it would nip the problem of factions and groups working at cross purposes.

A section believes that Arvind Kejriwals AAP could damage the BJP more than it would damage the Congress.

Another worrying feature for the BJP in Rajasthan is that the Congress has been able to get its act together by smoking the peace pipe between chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his well-known detractor Sachin Pilot in the nick of time. The forgive and forget policy adopted by the two Congress leaders at the behest of the high command is the best thing that has happened to the grand old party when it is attempting to break the

jinx in recent decades that saw the desert state not giving a second term to the incumbent. Mr Gehlot wants to do what Mr Kejriwal did in Delhi through a host of popular schemes that caught the peoples imagination.

In the faction-ridden Madhya Pradesh BJP, Mr Scindia is being looked down on as an outsider who is seeking his pound of flesh for Operation Kamala which toppled the Congress government and brought the BJP back to power. But there has been much resistance from other factions as also the loyalists in the BJP who feel that Mr Scindias entry has created problems in the unified BJP as seen in civic poll results sometime back.

Rahul Gandhis remark over a year back that Jyotiraditya could have become chief minister if he had stayed with the Congress had a ring of truth in it. Now several Scindia supporters have started returning to the Congress amid the growing impression that the grass is greener on the other side.

Mr Scindias departure has strengthened the position of MPCC chief Kamal Nath, who is backed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh amid a sense of revival among ordinary workers in the wake of the Karnataka victory. Both Mr Nath and Mr Singh want to promote their sons to the next line of leadership. They have vowed to focus more on areas under the influence of Mr Scindia to make deep inroads by the Congress.

After dithering for much time, the BJP high command made it clear that the polls in MP would be fought under the leadership of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. This has also made Mr Scindia quite uneasy.

Whatever might be the reason, the BJP has so far failed to put its best foot forward either in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan. The Assembly polls are both a crisis and an opportunity for the aunt and the nephew who could be made scapegoats by rival party factions if it fails to get desired results. Only time will tell whether the BJP is its own enemy in the two election-going states, like in Karnataka. One thing is extremely clear: that a fierce fight is on the horizon.
Despite the total ban imposed by the Islamic Republic after the 1979 revolution, local bootleggers have flourished, but this has left consumers vulnerable to adulterated products. With scores of people poisoned in recent weeks, reformers want Iran to adopt the approach of the United Arab Emirates, but hardliners say no.

Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Iranian authorities are under pressure from public opinion for the surge in poisoning cases due to the consumption of bootleg alcohol. Last month, several incidents occurred in various parts of the country.

According to official sources, 191 cases of poisoning with 17 deaths were reported between 13 and 23 June in the province of Alborz alone. The latter is located near Tehran.

On 26 June three people died in the northern province of Mazandaran, a police official said, while some 34 cases were reported in the southern province of Hormozgan, 29 in Qazvin.

Police have responded with a series of arrests, but deny that these are cases of "serial poisoning", like with the wave of poisoning cases among female students a few months ago. For Irans police chief Ahmad Reza Radan, consumers are to blame.

The problem has restarted the debate over the total ban on alcohol imposed after the Islamic revolution of 1979, Anwaj, an independent news website, reports.

Despite the ban, a market for locally produced bootleg alcohol developed over the years, but without proper safety checks, with an astonishing turnover estimated at US$ 2.24 billion last year, this according to hardline newspaper Farhikhtegan.

For Abbas Masjedi Arani, director of Irans Forensic Medicine Organisation, alcohol poisoning claimed the lives of 644 people last Iranian year, which ended on 20 March. Arani added that this figure represents a 30 per cent increase over the previous year.

Against this background, Abdolreza Davari, former adviser to ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, caused a stir in a tweet in which he asked the government to legalise and oversee the sale of alcohol in the country.

Citing as an example the United Arab Emirates, Davari argues that this would help eliminate the black market for alcohol and provide the government with a source of income.

The idea was immediately shot down by hardline media close to incumbent President Ebrahim Raisi.
by Shafique Khokhar

The interfaith movement held a rally to demand action from the city and the entire country for social and religious peace during the holy month. The demonstration was attended by leaders of different denominations

Lahore (AsiaNews) - In an atmosphere increasingly charged with hatred and violence towards ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan, the people of Lahore have been called upon to embrace social peace, tolerance, respect and harmony between denominations by the Rwadari Tehreek civil and interfaith movement.

Established in 2015 precisely to counter intolerance and violent extremism in Pakistani society and promote respect for religious diversity, it organised a veritable interfaith caravan that travelled through the streets of Lahore and reached Karbla Gamay Shah, one of the city's oldest Imam Bargah, expressing - symbolically - solidarity between different faiths, starting from the National Council of Church.

The president of the Rwadari Tehreek movement, Samson Salamat invited several religious leaders, including Rev Emmanuel Khokhar (dean of the Raiwind diocese of the Anglican Church of Pakistan), Rev Sylvester Tahir Bhatti, Pastor Saleem Khokhar, Muslim religious leaders Syed Waqar Hussain Naqvi, Allama Abbass Shirazi and Pandit Bhagat Lal Khokhar, and Adoo Ram from the Hindu community.

"The growth of intolerance and religious tensions is a cause for serious concern. We believe that building a peaceful environment within our country can begin with the sacred and non-violent month of Muharram,' said the Rwadari Tehreek leader, who advised the government and institutions responsible for maintaining security to 'exercise zero tolerance towards those who incite hatred and incite violence'. Salamat also appealed for the civic responsibility of every citizen in ensuring social peace.

Rev Emmanuel Khokhar, Rev Sylvester Tahir Bhatti and Syed Waqar Hussain Naqvi also spoke, pledging to play their role as religious leaders to promote respect between denominations and maintain peace from this holy month.

Rev Emmanuel Khokhar said: "We believe that this month brings many blessings not only for the Shia community but for all mankind. We wish all citizens of Pakistan to celebrate this month in peace with everyone. It is the time to extend our hands towards our neighbour and realise true social peace for all those in need'. Khokhar concluded: "We must be ambassadors of peace and always pray for harmony in the country."
The case revolves around possible bribes linked to repatriation flights during the pandemic. This is part of a government campaign. Twenty people are still on trial for the same offence. Prosecutors have demanded the death penalty for Pham Trung Kien, former secretary to the deputy health minister.

Hanoi (AsiaNews)  Investigations are ongoing against 54 officials in connection with bribes involving government-sponsored repatriation flights for Vietnamese nationals stranded abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic. In one case, the death penalty was requested.

Earlier this week, prosecutors asked the Hanoi Peoples Court to sentence to death Pham Trung Kien, former secretary of Deputy Health Minister Do Xuan Tuyen.

According to the charge sheet, Kien received 253 bribes worth 42.6 billion dongs, equal to US$ 1.8 million, far more than 20 other defendants on trial for the same offence.

According to investigators, Kien was tasked with receiving applications and submitting them to the deputy minister for approval, as well as providing opinions on the flights proposed by the Foreign Ministry.

As a result of the investigation, Kien was accused of using his position to get rich. The other people involved  including several officials at Vietnams embassy in Malaysia  face up to 20 years in prison. All were ordered to return the ill-gotten gain.

Between 2020 and 2021, Vietnamese authorities organised more than a thousand flights to repatriate some 200,000 Vietnamese citizens from 62 countries.

However, due to the urgency of the health emergency, agencies organising the flights inflated the prices in league with government officials and ordinary Vietnamese had to pay the higher price.

Some observers have nonetheless raised questions about Vietnam's anti-corruption campaign. While it is in Vietnams interest to project the image of a country that is safe for business, it is hard to know whether the latest purges are politically motivated since media and dissent are under strict government control.

According to a report released in May this year by Amnesty International, at least 100 death sentences were carried out in 2022, but the real number is probably much higher since Vietnam does not release the relevant data.

Human rights groups note that most death sentences in Vietnam are imposed for drug trafficking, which is not deemed an extremely serious crime under international law.

According to some sources, Vietnam follows China and Iran in terms of executions, with 429 between 2013 and 2016, with a spike during the pandemic.

Human rights groups estimate that about a thousand people are on death row in the Southeast Asian country, including several foreigners from Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and Kenya.

Vietnam borders the regions infamous Golden Triangle, one of the worlds top opium-producing areas.
by Steve Suwannarat

In todays session, the second since the National Assembly met, the progressive leader fell short of a majority for a second time. He now has 15 days to convince the Constitutional Court to reinstate him as a member of the House of Representatives. The main stumbling block for opposition parties is the election platform of the Move Forward party.

Bangkok (AsiaNews)  On the day that he could have become prime minister, Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the pro-reform Move Forward Party (Phak Kao Klai) and prime ministerial candidate for the largest coalition, suffered two more defeats, a week after the first blow.

The first came at the start of todays joint session of Thailands National Assembly,[i] when the Constitutional Court suspended Pita from parliament following a request from the Election Commission in connection with allegations that he failed to disclose shares in a media company.

Other allegations have been made about other lawmakers vis-a-vis the law, and as such those against Pita need not be politically fatal to his quest for the prime ministers post. However, in the end, the National Assembly voted for a second time against him after a debate that lasted more than eight hours, by a vote of 395 to 312.

This opens the door to talks (and possibly frictions) between the Move Forward Party, the largest party in the coalition that won the elections on 14 May, and its junior partner, the For Thais Party (Phak Phuea Thai).

Another possible scenario would see the winning coalition seeking a deal with right-wing, pro-military opposition parties to pick a new candidate.

Before todays vote, the opposition challenged it citing Regulation No.49, which bans presenting failed motions to parliament during the same parliamentary session, a view largely rejected during the debate that preceded the vote.

Pro-Pita lawmakers noted that the regulation in question applies to general motions, not to prime ministerial nominations. Nevertheless, for the 42 -year-old Pita, the use of this rule was clearly meant to stop him from becoming prime minister.

As soon as the results of the vote were announced, the pro-reform leader left parliament. He now has 15 days to get his suspension by the Constitutional Court overturned and himself reinstated in the House of Representatives (500 members elected in May). The 250-member Senate is appointed by the military.

Now majority and opposition parties are expected to open talks, which might entail the former dropping some of the policy proposals on which they were elected.

For Thailands traditional elites, the major stumbling block is the lese-majeste law, which provides for up to 15 years in prison and has often been used against political rivals.

[i] House of Representatives and Senate.
Today's headlines: US soldier voluntarily crosses border with North Korea after being convicted by a court in Seoul; New data on false Covid deaths numbers emerge from figures on Zhejiang province cremations; Opium production increases in Afghanistan; Putin strikes deal with Iran to supply electricity from Middle Eastern country.

INDIA

More than twenty Indian opposition parties including the Congress Party and several regional parties have formed an alliance called "INDIA." The goal is to compactly challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in next year's parliamentary elections. The alliance intends to "safeguard from the BJP the idea of India enshrined in the Constitution." The prime minister has branded adherents of this alliance with opportunism and corruption.

NORTH KOREA - UNITED STATES

The U.S. soldier who crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea yesterday had been sentenced to a 5 million won (more than 3,500 euros) fine for kicking and damaging a police patrol car in Seoul. North Korea arrested the man, who is named Travis King and is in his 20s. He allegedly crossed the border voluntarily during a visit to the demilitarized zone. A few hours after the arrest, Pyongyang fired two ballistic missiles into the sea at the DMZ.

ISRAEL - SYRIA

Israel carried out several airstrikes in the Damascus area in the morning today, surprising Syrian defenses and shooting down most of the anti-aircraft fire. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, this is Israel's 20th attack on targets in Syria this year. Military positions near the airport and the Beirut-Damascus highway, where elite members of the Syrian army are stationed, were targeted. Missiles also hit warehouses of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, an ally of the Syrian government, causing a fire.

CHINA COVID-19

The number of cremations carried out in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang increased by 73 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to 2022, according to data posted on the website of the provincial civil affairs department, which has now been blacked out.The figure would testify to the very high number of casualties in the surge that followed the lifting of the "Zero Covid" policy earlier this year. For the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this "is further evidence that the figures on deaths from Covid-19 in China would be much higher than those stated" by the official national figures, which stops at 80,000.

AFGHANISTAN

Opium trade in 2022 from Afghanistan increased by 32 percent from 2021, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Taliban returned to power in the country in August 2021 and had announced a ban on opium cultivation the following April. Effectively, production has been greatly reduced in traditional poppy-growing areas, but the opium trade from Afghanistan has not stopped, in fact it has grown.

RUSSIA-IRAN

Russia and Iran have agreed to an exchange of electricity across the territory of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, Tehran's energy minister, Ali Akbar Mekhrabian, disclosed, after overcoming recent disagreements over Moscow's failure to support the Iranians in border disputes with other states.

KAZAKHSTAN

Authorities in Aktau, in Kazakhstan's Mangistau Autonomous Region, decreed a state of emergency in July over lowering waters in the Caspian Sea, and have now extended it for August as well, with grave concerns for the fate of the entire reservoir, whereby postponing solutions "could lead to consequences similar to those of Lake Aral," which is now irreparably dry.

AUSTRALIA

Fifteen months ago Victoria State Prime Minister Daniel Andrews announced that Australia would host the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Now at a press conference Andrews himself said the country is withdrawing its bid. With 3 years to go before the event begins, organizers are in chaos and the future of the Games themselves is in doubt, given also their legacy as an event born in the colonial period of the British crown. "This could mean the end of the Commonwealth Games," said Steve Georgakis, professor of sports history at the University of Sydney.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Fishermen in the northern regions are being harmed by the trawling activities of Indian fishing boats, but for years a solution has been hard to find. On the eve of a trip during which he will see Indian Prime Minister Modi, the president met with Tamil leaders, bringing reassurances but no particular progress in plans for reconciliation and autonomy.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has visited the northern regions in recent days and held talks with local parliamentarians in an attempt to address several unresolved issues since the civil war between the government and the Tamil population and to find a solution to the trawling practised by Indian fishing boats.

Tamil fishermen in northern Sri Lanka have long been adversely affected by Indian activities, which reduce fish stocks and cause nets to be damaged or even equipment to break. Trawling in Sri Lanka has been banned since 2018 and 74 Indian fishermen and 12 fishing boats have been taken into custody this year.

Tomorrow, the head of government will pay an official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, for which the Tamil people hope that a lasting solution will be reached regarding illegal fishing so that the livelihoods of 50,000 people in the region who depend on fishing activities will be ensured.

On 15 July, a group of Indian fishing boats had entered Sri Lankan territorial waters off the island of Delft and the Navy had managed to arrest 15 people, who were then taken to the port of Kankesanthurai and presented to the Kayts Court, which adjourned the trial until 21 July.

Nirmalan Aruliah (54), Annalingam Pillmarai (63) and Nagarajah Rubatheesan (59) from Vadmarachchi, near Jaffna, explained to AsiaNews that "the Tamil government and politicians have failed to protect the interests and livelihoods of our community, which is under pressure from trawling and illegal fishing activities conducted by Indian fishermen. Currently, we are not getting a decent catch as in the past and this has affected our livelihood."

According to senior naval sources, "when a fleet of Indian mechanised trawlers, made of iron rods and heavy metal equipment, enters Sri Lankan territorial waters, the naval vessels have to take extraordinary measures to remove them. The first thing we do when these fishermen enter our waters is to warn them to leave. If they resist our warnings, we arrest them. We always do our best to handle the matter in a humanitarian manner. There are reports of Indian fishermen claiming that the Navy damaged their fishing boats and attacked them, but these allegations are baseless. In October 2021, an Indian fisherman from Puthukottai in Tamil Nadu drowned after his fishing boat capsized."

The Jaffna District Fishermen's Co-operative Association further explained that the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Douglas Devananda, has failed to resolve the conflict amicably, but has instead worsened the situation by issuing directives such as the distribution of seized Indian fishing boats to local fishermen and encouraging mistreatment.

During his visit to the northern and eastern provinces, Wickremasinghe spoke of various projects, ranging from the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution for a path to regional autonomy, to the development of renewable energy and the promotion of tourism. The head of government emphasised that the devolution of powers to local councils can only take place with the agreement of all parties and a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

On the national reconciliation process, the president also did not present any particular progress: he said that the draft National Reconciliation Action Plan drafted by the Office of National Unity and Reconciliation had been sent to the Attorney General for constitutional review and would soon be submitted to the executive, while he was reluctant to involve foreign judges in the process of ascertaining the truth about the facts of the civil war, but told Tamil leaders that he would consider obtaining reports from foreign observers, following existing systems in South and East Asian countries.

(Melani Manel Perera contributed to this article)
The Android Auto 10 rollout happens through the Google Play Store, as it typically happens with all new app versions.However, because of the phased rollout model, some users will have to wait more than others to receive the new update. The strategy allows Google to provide enhanced stability and reliability, as it can monitor the feedback and potentially block the update from landing on specific devices if it determines an increased likelihood of bugs.If you don't want to wait for Google to push Android Auto 10 to your device through the Google Play Store, you can now download the new update using the stand-alone APK installer. The method involves a manual app update, so you must download the installer on your device, launch the update, and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.The new Android Auto 10 build (version 10.0.6328) is available on this page . Save the file on your smartphone, navigate to its location, and tap the installer.Depending on the configuration of your Android device, the update may require new permissions. Android is not configured to allow app installation from third-party sources, so if you see a prompt during the update process, you must grant the required access to complete the installation.Android Auto 10 doesn't bring any significant changes, despite the version number suggesting otherwise. It's a minor release focused mainly on under-the-hood optimizations and fixes.The only notable improvement spotted since this build landed in the beta channel is a new Google Assistant animation appearing on the screen when using the wake-up phrase. It's still unclear if the change is powered by Android Auto 10 or a recent Google app update  the Google app powers the Assistant experience on Android and Android Auto.Google did not release a changelog for Android Auto 10, as the company still lists old information for every new update.In the meantime, the Android Auto app ecosystem keeps growing as more developers join the platform, especially in the smart home world. Google unlocked smart home apps on Android Auto earlier this year. Now, developers bring their apps to the car for easy access to smart garage doors, home security systems, and interior lighting. The latest big name to join Android Auto is Alarm.com, with the company's latest app update bringing support for the car-optimized experience and the essential feature package, such as routines and one-tap access to smart home equipment and alarm systems.
Transport & Environment (T&E) does not like plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). It accused them more than once of greenwashing personal transportation and emitting more than automakers claim they do. That's controversial, considering car companies follow test protocols that give them the disclosed results. Anyway, it seems that T&E is indirectly and unwillingly defending PHEVs with a study that urges carmakers to make smaller battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

kWh

Photo: Toyota

BEV

Photo: Transport and Environment

Photo: Toyota

According to T&E, if BEVs sold in Europe were not as big as they currently are, the demand for raw materials to make batteries could drop by up to 49%. That said, it believes "governments and the EU must take action to reduce battery and car sizes, which is the single most effective measure to reduce metals demand." Ironically, this is what Gill Pratt has been saying for quite some time without urging politicians to impose anything: his solution is to advocate for smaller battery packs in vehicles  without necessarily reducing the cars themselves.Toyota's chief scientist argued at this year's edition of the Davos World Economic Forum that it made more sense for decarbonization to have 90 cars with a 1.1- battery pack than a single one with a 100-kWh component. Pratt said it was a more sensible use of the limited battery resources we currently have. T&E's concern about the same thing is what led it to its new recommendation: the organization knows how many more batteries will be necessary to have only BEVs running by 2050 and the environmental costs that may arise from that with mining.Predictably, what Toyota's chief scientist said also applies to smaller BEVs. Whether they use a 25-kWh or a 50-kWh battery pack, these cells would help more if they were installed in hybrids or PHEVs. After all, having more cars burning less fuel has a broader impact than having fewer vehicles with no direct carbon emissions.When he still led Audi, Markus Duesmann said future cars would have much smaller battery packs when the charging infrastructure was more widespread. That would make BEVs lighter and cheaper. The issue is that fast charging reduces the lifespan of battery packs, which would make replacement plans for them even more pressing than they currently are. Unlike whatadvocates say, a battery pack will not last as much as the car  unless you are ok with having a vehicle that will inevitably die when its battery pack kicks the bucket. T&E could have proposed that. It didn't because it knows charging infrastructure would also need to improve. Charging stations also need a lot of raw materials to be built, such as tons of copper.Pratt and T&E agree that smaller battery packs would be better, but Toyota's chief scientist proposition presents a more profound knowledge of the automotive market. The organization wants countries to impose "requirements on automakers to produce more entry-level" BEVs  as if governments could determine demand and market dynamics that easily. T&E misses that it would be pretty easy for carmakers to divide the massive battery packs into smaller units and sell more vehicles to lower their fleet emissions. What the organization did not seem to understand or chose to ignore is why they don't do that.The answer is almost intuitive. As Alfred P. Sloan once said, automakers' goal is to make money making cars, not only to manufacture them. Entry-level BEVs do not sell at a profit nowadays. Bigger and more expensive vehicles are the only ones that currently offer carmakers any chance of making money selling BEVs. It has to do with the cost of battery packs. Even cheaper chemistries like LFP and brand-new sodium-ion cells may not do the trick.On top of that, small vehicles are the second or third car for families  for those that can afford more than one, obviously. Usually, people go for a single car, one that can fulfill all their needs. That said, small cars are not the best sellers in Europe or any developed country, which means they will achieve lower sales volumes than C-segment vehicles or the SUVs T&E wants manufacturers to stop selling. According to Green NCAP, the Dacia Spring is the most efficient vehicle currently for sale in Europe, but it is the Tesla Model Y  a much larger BEV  that led sales charts. If automakers reduce the size of their new vehicles, customers will buy used ones. Car companies produce SUVs because they are what people want to buy, period.This is where hybrids and PHEVs may help with efforts to reduce climate change. With small battery packs that could fit the daily driving needs of most people, plug-in hybrids would save cell resources and carbon emissions in the cars customers really want to purchase. Hybrids would save them even more but would not prevent direct carbon emissions for lacking electric-only driving modes. Despite that, their emission levels would be very low compared to those of a regular internal combustion-engined (ICE) vehicle, which is something anyone claiming to fight climate change should celebrate. T&E suggested other measures to cut the demand for raw materials, such as "building fewer roads, cutting the space available for private cars, and charging for parking." In other words, by making car owners' lives more difficult so that they stop driving as often. It is like trying to prevent a forest from burning by cutting all the trees. That is only possible if governments promote public transport. The fact that they don't is what makes cars necessary in the first place. Even when public transport options exist, frequent strikes can make them very unreliable.The organization also wants governments to stimulate "shared transport and active travel," meaning carpooling, car sharing, and bikes. That completely ignores the convenience of owning an automobile and why most people do not adopt these other transportation options regardless of what governments may do. Any feasible solution will only work if it matches what customers want. Acknowledging that smaller battery packs are better than large ones is a significant step. Recognizing they may be used in vehicles other than smaller BEVs would make the decarbonization mission way easier.
With proper maintenance and high-quality refits, luxury yachts can age like fine wine. That is undoubtedly the case of Kamalaya, a world-cruising superyacht that continues to turn heads and make waves even after a decade.

Its manufacturer aptly described Kamalaya as an adventure seeker. Officially launched in 2013, it started its thrilling life of ocean travel that same year. While most pleasure craft boasting this level of luxury stick to lazy vacations around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Kamalaya proved its worth by reaching as far as the Arctic Circle and Svalbard. As for the usual millionaire playgrounds, it visited them all, adding memorable voyages to remote, secretive locations.A 180-foot (55 meters) beast, Kamalaya is part of one of the most exclusive yacht series, the Amels 180 Limited Edition. It combines exceptional exterior spaces created by the legendary Tim Heywood with sophisticated interiors designed by the acclaimed Remi Tessier.The yacht's stunning luxury features include a touch-and-go helipad, a large jacuzzi with fantastic 360-degree views on the sun deck, an outdoor cinema, and multiple spots for al-fresco dining. The generous five-cabin configuration offers comfortable accommodation to 12 guests.The master stateroom is like a self-contained residence, fitted with a modern fold-out balcony and large enough to include a separate office and a walk-through dressing room. Like any expedition vessel, Kamalaya also comes with a wide selection of water toys and tenders for further exploration.Performance-wise, the steel vessel is equipped with twin MTU engines and Northern Lights generators for a maximum speed of 15.5 knots (17.8 mph/28.7 kph) and a 4,500-nautical mile (8,330 km) range. In early 2018, Kamalaya underwent a major refit, including a full repaint.A yacht with such an adventurous soul had to be built for someone with a similar vision. Kamalaya was reportedly owned by Mark Scheinberg, the famous entrepreneur who co-founded the worlds largest online poker platform more than two decades ago.The Amels Limited Edition yacht recently sold for a whopping 29,5 million ($33 million). This is not the first time when Kamalaya changed hands. In 2020, it was sold after the poker tycoon allegedly moved on to another spectacular water toy, the Synthetis.This is the second time the ten-year-old vessel has started a new chapter. One of the reasons that convinced the mysterious buyer might be the significant price drop  a month ago, Kamalaya offered a 2 million price reduction, which isn't uncommon for superyachts in this price range.The good news is that folks who want to travel and relax onboard this exclusive pleasure craft might still be able to charter it. Until now, weekly rates were somewhere around $300,000 in high season. Even ten years after its debut, the majestic Kamalaya has plenty to offer and the same adventurous spirit.
The Tesla Model Y steals the show in Europe. It has just become Europe's best-selling car in the first six months of 2023. It is the first time an electric car stays in the lead for six months.

Why is the Tesla Model Y interesting to European customers?

AWD

SUV

Six months into 2023, and we have a winner. It is the Tesla Model Y surging to the top of the sales charts. From January to June, it remained Europes bestseller all throughout the six months of this year.The Model Y's popularity is forcing the Dacia Sandero to move out of the way. 125,144 customers bought a Model Y halfway through this year. That is a 211.7 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by Dataforce to Automotive News.Only in June, 29,764 new Model Ys set wheels on European roads, 104 percent more than in the month of June in 2022. But it hit record sales back in March, when there were 46,697 registrations, figures that were almost double compared to those of the Opel (Vauxhall) Corsa, coming in second, recorded in the same month, and more than tripling the sales of the Model 3 , the second best electric car sold in Europe that month.Being in the lead in Europe is not something Tesla has not grown used to. It finished Q1 in the first place as well.What convinced the customers in the European Union, the UK, and EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) was Tesla slashing prices to become competitive on the Old Continent, as well as government incentives.Back in April, the carmaker made a 10% price cut, which took the most affordable Model Y down to 50,990 euros in Germany, which translates into $57,157. And that's before any federal tax credit. Tesla managed to somehow balance the supply-and-demand ratio throughout the past year.Three versions are available for the European customers. The entry level is the rear-wheel drive. It is an almost 2-ton car which accelerates from 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph) in 6.9 seconds. It can drive as far as 455 kilometers (283 miles) with the 19-inch wheels and 430 kilometers with the 20-inch units.The Long Rangeversion is upper in the range, capable of driving up to 517 kilometers (321 miles) before it needs to be plugged in again. This one accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 5.0 seconds.And then there is the Performance version, with a 517-kilometer (321-mile) range and an acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in only 3.7 seconds. It's not something youd find in your usualTesla offers a four-year or 80,000-kilometer (49,710-mile) warranty for the car and an eight-year or 160,000-kilometer (99,419-mile) warranty for the battery and drive unit.
Tesla only introduced the Hardware 4 Autopilot computer earlier this year, and software support is still in its infancy. Still, the EV market leader is already working on the next generation. A new report indicates that Tesla once again partnered with Samsung to build the Hardware 5 chips using the 4-nanometer node.

FSD

The Hardware 5 chips will be produced by Samsung

EV

When they learned about the Hardware 4 Autopilot computer , Tesla owners freaked out about the obsolete Hardware 3. There were certain aspects of the new components that made people excited and worried at the same time. Elon Musk said that the previous iteration of the Autopilot hardware was all that was needed to achieve full self-driving. Then, Musk also noted that HW4 would be 3-5 times better than HW3, offering essential benefits in terms of safety. He also said it would not be practical to retrofit HW4 components on HW3 vehicles.This combination of factors made many postpone the purchase while waiting for the new-generation hardware to launch. And it did this spring with the refreshed Model S and Model X. Soon, the first owners discovered that the software support was still limited, with many features missing. Notably, theBeta doesn't run on the new hardware, although Tesla promised to release a compatible build soon. In the meantime, Tesla at least offered Vision-based park assist Although Hardware 4 capabilities are still not fully utilized, Tesla is already pressing ahead with the next generation. According to a Korea Economic Daily (KED) report, the Hardware 5 Autopilot computer will use Samsung chips manufactured on the company's 4-nanometer node. Tesla aims to mass-produce HW5 computers in about three-to-four years from now. This is surprising, considering that Tesla initially chose Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) as its manufacturing partner for the HW5 chips.The new report means that Tesla expects a much higher production level by that time, corroborating with the Gen-3 platform launch. Tesla doesn't want to put all the eggs in one basket and aims to diversify its supply base. There aren't many options for chip production, though, with Samsung and TSMC being the most advanced contract manufacturers. Considering the production numbers Tesla plans for its next-gen affordable, sourcing all the chips from a single company could pose serious challenges.According to KED, Samsung president Lee Jay-yong met with Tesla's Elon Musk in May at a Samsung research center in Silicon Valley. Samsung reportedly offered Musk a very compelling deal that he couldn't refuse. Samsung is a long-time partner of Tesla , having supplied HW3 chips for the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y.The Korean chip giant makes only 5% of its business from automotive products. Still, it wants to vastly expand its reach in this sector with the advent of autonomous vehicles. Samsung has already signed up autonomous-vehicle chip designer Ambarella and advanced driver assistance systems maker Mobileye. The company plans to expand its foundry capacity at its main chip-making plant in Korea and begin operations at a new plant in Taylor, Texas, by 2024.
In just a few hours, Tesla will present its financial results and accept investors' questions about its future plans. Based on the information we have at the moment, expectations are high regarding new products, strategy, and financial results.

Full Self-Driving

Tesla reported a record second quarter as far as deliveries are concerned. Still, analysts want to see that Tesla hasn't sacrificed its financial results for market share. Especially the price cuts are expected to affect Tesla's gross margins. Whether it managed to cut costs and improve the margins is still up for debate. Still, judging by the stock rally in the past 48 hours, I'd say investors are optimistic about Tesla's prospects.The Tesla-compiled consensus, which gathers data from 26 financial-analysis institutions, expects Tesla to report total revenues of $24.7 billion in the second quarter. If this happens, it would mark another 46% jump in revenue compared to Q2 2022. The analysts also expect Tesla to report an 18.2% gross margin and non-GAAP EPS of $0.80. Thus, the gross margin will likely sink compared to 19.3% in Q1 2023 and 25% in Q2 2022.While financial data will be front and center during the earnings call, we're not accountants. Like most regular folks, we want information about Tesla's upcoming models, new gigafactories, full self-driving, robotaxis, and such. As we've seen already, retail investors are very much interested in learning about technical details as we are.That's why the most-voted questions for the Q2 2023 earnings call are about products, not numbers. They covered topics from theprogress and licensing to Cybertruck and 4680 battery cells. But there'll surely be other talking points that Tesla is expected to address even before the Q&A session.Although Tesla has made the most important announcements during investor-dedicated events, we still hope it will make some important announcements on Wednesday. The refreshed Model 3 is long overdue, considering that test production is already underway at Giga Shanghai and in Fremont. Tesla hasn't announced a dedicated event for the revamped Model 3, so it's entirely possible that it will share the juicy bits during the second-quarter earnings call.Considering that a Cybertruck delivery event is planned for September, we don't expect to learn new things about the electric pickup. Nevertheless, Tesla might at least announce a date for the Cybertruck Delivery Day, which should happen at Giga Texas. Still, I wouldn't exclude another Cybertruck announcement, possibly a start date for the volume production . Depending on how the financial data look, Tela might want to accompany them with more announcements to keep the investors excited.Considering Elon Musk's obsession with artificial intelligence as of late, I expect to hear a lot about this during the event, mostly related to Full Self Driving and Tesla Bot. Robotaxis and Gen-3 platforms are a little too far ahead, so unless significant progress has been achieved in the past months, Tesla would probably stay clear from bringing this up. This is also true about the 4680 battery cells , which are not progressing very well. Still, considering that some of the most-voted questions are related to battery development, we expect to hear some answers.You can listen to the Q2 2023 earnings call livestream at the link below:
There is a simple reason why the annual British motorsports festival featuring modern and historic motor racing vehicles has become so unanimously praised and revered  as long as they're entertaining and have (some) wheels, they are allowed in without any stigma.

As opposed to dry automotive shows, the Goodwood Festival of Speed , held annually in Goodwood House, West Sussex, England, is all about movement rather than static displays. And this year's edition has had everything, from a multitude of funny crashes to scary evolutions that defy the laws of physics. The diversity of apparitions heralds a good example. Everything from the latest model introduction to reinvented old-school-style supercars like the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is welcomed with open arms.The event was created by the Duke of Richmond in 1993, so it celebrated its 30th anniversary this year  even in adverse conditions. For example, the typical English (bad) weather led to canceling all activities on Saturday, but around 200,000 people still enjoyed the motoring weekend, nonetheless. Just about everyone was in attendance, albeit with significant exceptions. For example, I would have loved to see renowned Texas tuner Hennessey Performance make an extra effort and send their all-new H850 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to roar its 850 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque up the iconic hill climb.Oh, well, you cannot have everything in life  but you can sure have stuff that only dreams are made of. The best example is represented by the incredible discrepancy between the victor and runner-up in the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb Shootout  the Vision Grand Turismo-inspired McLaren Solus GT limited-production track-only mid-engined hypercar and the 1983 Subaru GL station wagon dubbed the ' Family Huckster !' Sure, both are marvelous feats of engineering in their own right  but to see something that's like a page out of the near future meet with another something that looks like 'Back to the Future' material is truly something to behold.Born in Sony's Grand Turismo Sport virtual world and brought into real life by McLaren Automotive and its wealthy clients, the Solus GT will only be made in 25 units as custom customer cars  all powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine packing a whopping 830 hp and 479 lb-ft that only need to carry the weight of a vehicle that's below the 2,205 lb. mark! Oh, and the time in Sunday's grand finale with McLaren Factory Driver Marvin Kirchhofer behind the wheel was astonishing: 45.342 seconds.Of course, the runner-up was no less impressive on its own. During its second participation at Goodwood FoS, Travis Pastrana and his Subaru Motorsports USA-made 'Family Huckster' made good use of the available 862 horsepower to entertain the massive crowd with donuts and burnouts. Despite the inclement weather, Travis and the Huckster wowed the public in an early Sunday run up the hill that was hooned to the extreme as a tribute to the late Ken Block  and then was edged out during the official run by the Solus GT by just one second.
It's summer, so everyone thinks about vacations, glamping, and festivals. Even the corner office head honchos at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' UK division recently signed off their approval for a very special VW ID. Buzz Cargo van  and redubbed it as the 'Glamper Van.' Logic dictates that we already know where this marketing effort is headed  social media rather than the distant horizon of far-away road trips.As such, the 'Glamper Van' is based on the ID. Buzz Cargo was wrapped in a multi-colored design and is destined to offer "festival-goers an Instagram-ready photo booth with props, lighting, and camera with makeover filter." That's a really nice setup, right? At least if you're aiming for influencer status, that is.Anyway, the unique electric vehicle will debut at PennFest in Buckinghamshire (South East England) on July 21 in a bid to add extra sparkle to the event  a family-friendly music festival featuring artists like Noel Gallagher and Bastille. By the way, this idea isn't entirely new, as Volkswagen debuted the 'Pamper Van' one-off model based on the VW Multivan at the Cornbury Festival last year."Following the success of last year's Pamper Van, Volkswagen is pleased to be once again helping festival-goers celebrate in style with the new Glamper Van. Featuring a built-in photo booth, it's the ideal setting to capture the perfect festival photos and showcases the fantastic versatility of the all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo," explained the idea to Laura Bignall, Brand and Performance Marketing Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.The Volkswagen ID. Buzz battery-powered minivan is a modern take on the legendary VW Type 2 Microbus and was officially announced via an eponymous concept car in 2017 at the North American International Auto Show. As always, VW took its sweet time before introducing the series-production model in the spring of last year, launching it into manufacturing in June and starting European deliveries during the year's second half in two variants  the five-seater ID. Buzz and a panel van-style ID. Buzz Cargo.The latter is based on the short wheelbase version and has space for two or three people plus 3.9 cubic meters (137.7 cu ft) of cargo volume behind the bulkhead partition. There are no lateral windows, of course, just like with the 'Glamper Van.' By the way, the Americans are still waiting on their first ID. Buzz model, the variant that launched in early June with a longer wheelbase and enhanced powertrains  and this version will then represent the basis for the beloved California campervan OEM transformation going forward.
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The officials included Admiral Christopher Grady, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Charles Brown, the chief of the U.S. Air Force Staff.

The Defense Ministry in Yerevan said on Wednesday that Lieutenant-General Eduard Asrian, the chief of the Armenian armys General Staff, discussed with them U.S.-Armenian defense partnership and the conduct of joint activities stemming from it.

The two sides explored opportunities for broader cooperation in the Air Force sector, a ministry statement said, adding that regional security was also on the agenda. It gave no other details. The Pentagon issued not statements on Asrians trip.

The secretary of Armenias Security Council, Armen Grigorian, visited Washington earlier this month for talks with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Laura Cooper, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia.

In an interview with the Armenian Service of the Voice of America published last week, Grigorian said the United States and Armenia are now discussing ways of opening new doors in bilateral military cooperation.

We have made great progress. The results will be visible in the long term, he said without elaborating.

Washington has given no indications that it could provide Armenia with weapons or other military equipment.

In September 2022, then U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and three other pro-Armenian U.S. lawmakers fuelled speculation about such military aid when they met with Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikian during a visit to Yerevan. Pelosi said the meeting was meant to convey Americas support for Armenia's security in the face of Azerbaijans illegal and deadly attacks on the Armenian territory

Grigorian insisted that Armenias close military ties with Russia are not hampering the expansion of its defense cooperation with the U.S.

Armenias relations with Russia and the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) have deteriorated significantly over the past year due to what Yerevan sees as a lack of support from its ex-Soviet allies in the conflict with Azerbaijan. In January, the Armenian government cancelled a CSTO military exercise which it was due to host this year.

In April, Moscow demanded explanations from Yerevan after the U.S. Department of Defense initially listed Armenia among 26 nations that will participate in an upcoming U.S.-led military exercise in Europe. The demand came after the Pentagon promptly removed the South Caucasus country from the list, citing a technical error. The Russian Foreign Ministry charged that the Defender 23 drills are part of U.S. efforts to drive a wedge between Russia and other ex-Soviet states.
The several hundred judges gathered in Yerevan to fill a vacant seat in the SJC reserved for one of them. Only judges formally notified by the judicial watchdog can run for it. The SJC staff sent out such notifications only to provincial judges, excluding their colleagues working in Yerevan courts from the contest.

Several prominent judges condemned the decision as illegal. One of them, Davit Balayan, said he has challenged it in court.

In my view, the judicial department predetermined the circle of judges eligible for nomination, Balayan told reporters. I believe this cannot be done.

The SJC said that provincial judges are not among its current nine members and that it believes the remaining seat should be given to one of them. Most participants of Armenias General Assembly of Judges were unconvinced by that explanation, postponing the election of the SJC member.

The judicial watchdog has wide-ranging powers, including the right to nominate, sanction and even fire judges. It is headed by Karen Andreasian, a former justice minister widely regarded as a political ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Andreasian and four other SJC members were installed by the Armenian parliament controlled by Pashinians party. The four others were elected by the General Assembly.

Over the past year, the SJC has significantly increased the number of disciplinary proceedings against judges accused by the Ministry of Justice of various violations. Armenian opposition leaders and some legal experts claim that this is part of government attempts to further curb judicial independence in Armenia under the guise of Western-backed judicial reforms. Pashinians government denies these claims.

The SJC controversially dismissed four judges as recently as on July 3. One of them, Davit Harutiunian, was ousted after saying that the SJC arbitrarily fires his colleagues at the behest of a single person. The Ministry of Justice accused him of breaching the Judicial Code and discrediting the Armenian judiciary.

I believe that Mr. Harutiunian was unfairly ousted from the judicial system, Balayan said in this regard.

I am very concerned about so many disciplinary proceedings  I am concerned that four judges can be terminated in one day, said another district court judge, Arman Hovannisian.

Vazgen Rshtuni, a judge of Armenias Court of Appeals, echoed those concerns and said he and his colleagues should be able to openly discuss them.

The Supreme Judicial Council is not a holy site and the people working there are not saints either, Rshtuni told journalists.

But another senior judge, Gevorg Gyozalian, said his colleagues should stay away from the press. The only platform for addressing our problems is the General Assembly, said Gyozalian, who worked as Pashinians private lawyer before being appointed to the Court of Cassation last year.
19 July 2023 10:43 (UTC+04:00)

The House of Azerbaijan in the Netherlands has issued a statement regarding the landmines planted in the territory of Seyidlar village of Kalbajar district.

The statement reads: Threats posed by Armenian landmine terror in Azerbaijans liberated territories continue. The number of landmine victims in Azerbaijan has increased to 303 since the end of the war in 2020.

Another tragic landmine incident in which Aliyev Sahib Isa, a beekeeper in the village of Chopurlu in Azerbaijan's Kalbajar district, tripped a landmine on July 13.

Armenias mine terror against our country leads to the death or injury of our military personnel and civilians and also slows down the process of returning former internally displaced persons to their native lands, creating obstacles for the activities of businesses and the restoration work carried out in the region.

The planting of mines in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan and the lack of accurate maps of the mined territories is an open demonstration of Armenias disrespect for the norms and principles of international and humanitarian law.

As diaspora organizations, we call on the relevant international organizations to take decisive steps to curb mine terror by Armenia and have accurate mine maps handed over to Azerbaijan.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 July 2023 18:25 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The meeting between the Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and the Head of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani in Munich in February 2023, and the visit of Barzani to Baku in July 2023 strengthens further bilateral ties between two nations - Azerbaijanis and Kurds, which dates back thousands of years. It is worth noting that Kurds are one of the active minority groups in multi-ethnic Azerbaijan and they have played active roles in statehood building in the country. They have been broadly represented in Azerbaijan's state from art to politics.

Moreover, Azerbaijan always has a warm attitude toward Kurds and they have never felt any discrimination against themselves in Azerbaijan like other ethnic minorities. It should be mentioned that when tens of thousands of Muslim Kurds, together with Azerbaijanis were forcibly deported from Armenia where they had lived for thousands of years, Azerbaijan did not discriminate and embraced Kurds as well as Azerbaijanis. Besides, like Azerbaijanis, thousands of Kurds were subjected to ethnic cleansing in Karabakh conducted by Armenia, and those Kurds also found shelter in Azerbaijan. As for 30,000 Yezidi Kurds who were not dispelled are subjected to discrimination in Armenia. Gunning down the Yezidi funeral ceremony in Armenia in August 2017, and the arrest of a Yezidi human rights activist Sashik Sultanyan, are some of the examples of oppression that Yezidi Kurds encounter.

Keeping the historical bilateral ties in mind, the two meetings held in 2023 foreshadow the entering a new level. Strengthening relations between Azerbaijan and the Kurdistan region of Iraq has security and economic foundations.

From security point of view, Iraqi Kurdistan and Azerbaijan have the same enemies, more precisely Armenia and Iran. As is known, Armenian expansionist foreign policy is not limited only to Azerbaijan. It considers roughly all territories where Kurds live as Armenian territory. According to the Armenian claims, Urartu was the first 'Armenian kingdom', where the modern Iraqi Kurdistan is located. In other words, Kurds are supposed by Armenians so-called occupants in "historical hay lands". It also explains the reason of Armenian hatred against Kurds.

As for Iran, it is totally different story. Kurds are the third biggest minority groups after Azerbaijanis in Iran. As is known, no ethnic groups including Persians made up 50 percent of the Iranian population, but Azerbaijanis and Kurds together constitute over 45 percent of the population. So, Iran considers Kurds, like Azerbaijanis as a danger posed against its security. Therefore, the Mullah regime implements the same aggressive foreign policy against Azerbaijan as against Kurdistan. Propping up Christian Armenian terrorist groups against Muslim Kurds in Syria exemplifies our words. It should be mentioned that Iran repeats the same policy in the South Caucasus, more precisely, mullahcracy supports Christian Armenians against Shia segment in Azerbaijan. Besides, 70,000 Iranian Armenians have schools, but neither 35 million Iranian Azerbaijanis, nor 7 million Iranian Kurds have schools in Iran.

In terms of economy, Iraqi Kurdistan and Azerbaijan have great potential. Despite, Azerbaijan and Iraq are not bordered, but the two countries have several leverages to help boost the economy of each other. Iraq can deliver its natural gas to the European market through the TANAP project. By the way, Azerbaijan is interested in it, and even Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry had invited Iraq to join the planned Trans-Anatolia natural gas pipeline in 2014.

On the other hand, Iraq could be the second route to the Arabian Gulf for Azerbaijan. Especially, after opening the Zangazur corridor this route can gather momentum.

It will pave the way to the prosperity of the region and Russia, the Central Asian countries could use the route as well. It is another reason that Iran opposes the corridor and goes the extra mile to destabilize Iraq, because the regime in Tehran does not want to lose its privilege, and leverage over other countries. Kurdistan is the most stable and dynamic region in Iraq and it could be a favorable market for Azerbaijan's growing non-resource industry. So, the region attaches importance to Azerbaijan and we could expect development in bilateral relations.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

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19 July 2023 12:30 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

The European Parliamenthas accused Azerbaijan of 'severe corruption' against PACE members and 'bribing' their deputies. It is also noted that Azerbaijan was able to hide human rights violations by rejecting an investigation related to its elections.

It is noted that on July 13 this year, the EP adopted a resolution entitled "Recommendations on transparency, accountability and anti-corruption rules". Paragraph T of this resolution contains baseless ideas and absurd claims against Azerbaijan. Allegedly, there were unfounded questions related to the bribery of PACE deputies by Azerbaijani side and human rights in the elections in Azerbaijan.

It is very interesting that such an organization as the European Parliament, which has recently been at the center of corruption scandals, nevertheless finds the courage to blame other countries, including Azerbaijan. Because, as you know, the corruption scandals that have taken place in the European Parliament since the beginning of this year have caused a lot of noise and resonance. It even went so far that a high-ranking representative of the European Parliament, Vice-President Eva Kaili was arrested by the police and deprived of her mandate due to her direct involvement in a bribery and corruption scandal."

Azerbaijani deputy Tural Ganjaliyev said this in a comment for AZERNEWS while talking about the European Parliament's recent groundless accusation.

According to him, there is no evidence in the accusation brought against our country in the resolution, which contains lies and slander. Undoubtedly, the Armenian diaspora organizations operating in PACE and the European Parliament are behind the continuation of the slanderous campaign against our country. At the same time, it is necessary to mention some of the countries that currently accept them. The first one is France. Because recently in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the OSCE, we have repeatedly witnessed how France and European countries, under its influence, joined suchlike slanderous campaign against Azerbaijan.

As a result of such resolutions, the deputy pointed to the reality of Azerbaijan's independent policy, liberation from the occupation of its historical ancestral lands, creation of a new geopolitical reality based on the principle of new geopolitical justice and the principles of international law.

Unfortunately, today's reality is not accepted and digested by countries like France that are active in the European Parliament. In particular, along with France, some forces in the European Union are trying to exert various pressures," the MP said.

According to Ganjaliyev, foreign forces first tried to put pressure on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia under the guise of an EU mission against Azerbaijan. However, there was no effective result.

Later, French President Emmanuel Macron tried to take part as an uninvited guest in the negotiations led by EU President Charles Michel, but this did not bring any results. Finally, by adopting such weak resolutions and documents, they think they can put some pressure on Azerbaijan," the deputy said.

The pundit called the European Parliament the last world organization that accused Azerbaijan of corruption and bribery. Because the PACE itself is, an organization mired in corruption and bribery scandals that it blames on others.

There are forces that cannot come to terms with the fact that the new geography created by Azerbaijan is a reality, that it is restoring justice and liberating its lands from occupation. These are the world Armenians and the Armenian diaspora, especially the forces that are their patrons, the centers of power, and especially the forces operating in the Benelux countries, where the influence of France is strong. I believe that such pressures and steps will not bring any results against our country.

When we liberated our land from occupation, we faced some injustice elements in the world, and even international law were violated. Also, for 30 years, we have not witnessed any reaction or attitude expressed by them regarding the occupation of our lands and the violation of the rights of over 1000,000 of our people IDPs, Tural Ganjaliyev emphasized.

At the end, Deputy Tural Ganjaliyev addressed the European Parliament to be just and objective to realities.

I would like to take this opportunity and appeal to the European Parliament that if they talk about human rights and democratic principles and values and are true to these principles, then why have they been silent for 30 years, including me, as a former displaced person, violation of rights of 100 thousands of Azerbaijanis, the most elementary human rights, the right to property, the right to live on their land, as well as the fact that thousands of our people were deprived of their lives over 30 years, and thus the violation of our rights, such as the highest right of a person, the right to life? Why didn't they react to all of these then?"

I think before accusing someone of something, it would be better if the European Parliament answered my question," the pundit concluded.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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19 July 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Being an Armenian is difficult, but being the leader of Armenia is a great challenge. Because all the rules in Armenia are just like in the wildlife or life in the African savannah. For example, if a mighty lion in the jungle is chosen as the leader of a tribe, his leadership lasts only as long as he acts in accordance with the group's interests and wishes. That is, a small mistake can even be the end of it.

Nikol Pashinyan has been playing the role of the king of the jungle since the time he came to lead the Armenians thanks to the Velvet Revolution on 13 April 2018. It is true that, although Armenians call it democratic governance, other competitors around him are waiting with great impatience for Nikol to be defeated at once; but also without standing still for a moment.

In 2020, Armenia retreated somewhat on the political scene after its humiliating defeat in the Second Karabakh War. For example, when Nikol Pashinyan came to power, he made various promises in front of a group of partners and his fans, and even promised to gift Karabakh to Armenians. However, Nikol was aware of what kind of tribe he was leading and seemed to swallow the words he once said "Karabakh is Azerbaijan". Nikol knew that he was wronged in a just war, but he had no chance to back down  he had to either lose his precious skull, or suffer a disgraceful scene for his tribe, and he had to choose the latter, accepting half the damage.

Despite this, Pashinyan does not completely lose the sympathy of his fans, on the contrary, he was able to be elected prime minister again because luck smiled on his face.

The period of Nikol Pashinyan's control of power according to the rules of the jungle began exactly after his next elections. Unbearable pressures, threats and even blackmail and assassination attempts against his family took place one after another. Because Pashinyan could not just save his life by defeat, but he was also forced to confess many Armenian lies, even in front of the parliamentary tribune given to him by his tribe. It was one of the hardest tests for him, but this is just the beginning of everything...

Finally, Nikol Pashinyan had to reveal 30 years of lies in Brussels for the 5th time by having been seated in front of the true and strong political actor. He repeated the word that no Armenian leader dared to say - he recognized the territory of Azerbaijan consisting of 86.6 thousand square kilometers.

Nikol Pashinyan even mentioned in one of his statements that in 30 years such a leader as him has never been in power in Armenia. He is the only person and leader among Armenians who could speak the truth.

For this reason, Pashinyan is currently facing the pressure of a tribe whose wantonness and lack restraint have exceeded its limit in Karabakh.

According to Armenian media, a socio-political movement named "Together" noted that the ruling regime in Armenia, headed by Nikol Pashinyan, who has already exhausted the vote of confidence of the people, has endangered the country. Thy even have made a statement about this in which they try to protect the so-called state that they call artsakh.

They say that demanding the resignation of the regime that violated state and national interests is the only possible way to save the country from catastrophe. And demanded the release of the former head of Armenian terrorists Vitaly Balasanyan, who has hand in bloods of people massacred in Khojaly genocide.

Defending a terrorist who should be held accountable by the law is an action befitting an irrational society. Nikol Pashinyan is currently in a state of indecisiveness and helplessness in front of a rabid society. Because it was clear that his policy based on double standards would one day become a weapon against himself. 'What you sow is what you reap.' Today, Nikol Pashinyan is having the fruits of what he sowed. So dear minister, deal with it...

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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19 July 2023 15:30 (UTC+04:00)

- The latest situation in France and the emergence of deep cracks between the government and the people

- Protests against Macron's rule

- Human rights, racism, Islamophobia, as well as French colonial policy

Each of these listed aspects clearly reveals the picture of the French government. Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Azernews, the English-language newspaper published in Azerbaijan, political analyst Elnur Enveroglu touched on the topics in his comment to Israeli journalist Rachel Avraham.

AZERNEWS presents the article.

Status of French Colonialism today

By Rachel Avraham

Azerbaijani journalist Elnur Enveroglu recently stated, Frances colonial policy is the biggest disgrace of the 21st century. The fact is that the French state, which acts as the leading party for the democratization policy in Europe, is carrying out racism, violation of human rights, discrimination of language, and religion, both in New Caledonia and within the country, along with the colonial policy. For this reason, there is great strife and turmoil within France today.

According to him, Instead of regulating what is happening inside the country, French President Emmanuel Macron intervenes in the affairs of countries near or far from this country. For example, let us take a look at the South Caucasus or the unresolved negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Imagine that on the eve of the riots in France, he is looking for a remedy for the incurable pain of Armenia, which is 5,000 KM away, disrespecting the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and even making inappropriate statements. Within these statements, France is on the verge of an economic recession.

Enveroglu added: I should note that serious protests against the French company Total Energy have started in Africa recently. It spread rapidly to other countries like a wave. Even France embraced Armenia so much that it seemed to want to say that it is willing to end cooperation with Azerbaijan, one of the leading countries in the South Caucuses in the economic field, for the sake of the Armenians. This might bring about the end of France.

According to him, By doing this, President Macron acts as if he is reporting to the Armenians and he has a kind of commitment to support separatists in Karabakh. This is probably the compensation of his debt to Armenian lobbyists after the presidential election. However, he highlighted how this is not a wise policy: Recently, Azerbaijan hosted the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku and Frances colonial policy was on the agenda of the conference. A Baku Initiative Group was formed against French colonialism. This decision was made following the event towards the complete elimination of colonialism organized in Baku by the Center for Analysis of International Relations within the framework of the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement. A document was adopted on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the national leader Heydar Aliyev.

For further click here

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19 July 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

The 12th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan was held in Shusha. Minister of Economy, and co-chair of the joint commission Mikayil Jabbarov stressed that this event is the first meeting of the intergovernmental commission organized in Shusha and expressed satisfaction that it is being held jointly with friends from Uzbekistan, Azernews reports.

The Minister of Economy noted that our peoples and countries have friendly relations and are united by a common history, roots, traditions, and culture. The head of the Ministry of Economy stressed that the events organized to expand ties are an important factor in the development of relations. It was noted that mutual relations with Uzbekistan are developing incrementally.

Informing about the Azerbaijani-Uzbek economic relations, the Minister of Economy noted the expansion of trade, economic and investment partnerships. The creation of the Azerbaijan-Uzbek Investment Fund will give an additional impetus to the development of investment cooperation.

Topical issues on the bilateral agenda include the development of cooperation between regions, as well as in the fields of energy, industry, especially automotive, agriculture, transport and transit, healthcare, tourism, culture, and education.

During the meeting, information was provided on a favorable business environment, mechanisms to increase economic activity, and reintegration measures implemented in the territories liberated from occupation. It was emphasized that Uzbekistan is building a school for 960 pupils in the city of Fuzuli, and gratitude was expressed to the fraternal country for participating in the restoration of Karabakh.

The Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov expressed satisfaction with the commission meeting in Shusha and highly appreciated the work carried out in Karabakh and East Zangazur. It was noted that Uzbekistan is always ready to contribute to the restoration and reconstruction work carried out in the territories liberated from occupation. Laziz Kudratov noted the successful partnership between our countries in various areas and shared his vision of new areas of cooperation, the development of business relations, and the implementation of joint projects.

The event discussed the diversification of trade and economic ties, and the development of partnerships in industry, energy, agriculture, investment, and other areas.

A Protocol was signed following the results of the 12th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. According to the document, it is planned to expand cooperation in the areas of trade and the economy, energy, transport, innovation and start-ups, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, tourism, food security, water management, culture, humanitarian and social areas.

Also, an Agreement was signed between the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan on the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Uzbek Investment Company, as well as documents on expanding cooperation in the energy sector.

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19 July 2023 15:47 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov has met with Head of Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, Azernews reports.

The meeting saw discussions on expansion of economic cooperation arising from the instructions of the Azerbaijani President. They also exchanged views on the constant contacts and ties between the businesspersons of the two countries as well as the enhancement of cooperation in the fields of energy, trade and transport.

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19 July 2023 15:11 (UTC+04:00)

On July 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan commented on the statement of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, voiced at a press conference with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg, Azernews reports.

It was noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, once again accusing Azerbaijan, of putting forward a number of unfounded claims, demonstrated that he was not interested in peace and stability in the region.

The fact that the Armenian Foreign Minister, instead of showing respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, impedes the peace process under the pretext of the rights and security of the Armenians living in Karabakh (which was under occupation for almost 30 years, where ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis) testifies to the true intentions of the Armenian authorities. Speaking about the population of Karabakh, it is unacceptable to mean only the rights of the Armenian residents and ignore the rights and security of the Azerbaijani residents expelled from these lands. Azerbaijan is the party that initiates dialogue with the Armenian residents, and it is important to reciprocate these benevolent steps of our country. At the same time, it should be clear to the Armenian side that Azerbaijan equally ensures and will ensure the rights and security of all ethnic minorities living in the AR, the commentary says.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry stressed that allegations of a "tense humanitarian situation" in the region are a political adventure and manipulation by Armenia.

The objection to the transportation of goods along the Aghdam-Khankendi road proposed by Azerbaijan is an example of the groundlessness of these allegations. The distortion by Armenia of the decision of the International Court of July 6, 2023 on the unanimous rejection of the demand of the Armenian side to liquidate the Lachin checkpoint, as well as the commission of a military provocation, indicates that Armenia does not intend to comply with international norms and principles.

At the same time, it does not fit into sound logic that the Armenian side, which has violated all borders, keeping the Azerbaijani territories under occupation for almost 30 years, has not yet fully withdrawn the Armenian armed forces from the Azerbaijani territories, put forward a condition for establishing clarity on the state border and stated that this is a key factor in the negotiation process.

The fact that Armenia, which over the past three years has not fulfilled its obligation to open transport communications from the western regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, is now hindering this process under various pretexts, showing that this country still does not understand that the policy of self-isolation during almost 30 years to nothing good has not led.

If Armenia is interested in peace, stability, and security in the region, then it must stop hypocrisy and falsified manipulations, and comply with its international legal obligations in order to successfully complete the peace process, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a comment.

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19 July 2023 10:22 (UTC+04:00)

On July 18, at about 21:15, illegal Armenian armed detachments in the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, attempted to install long-term fortification facilities in front of the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of the Aghdam region, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry.

The conducted work was immediately stopped as a result of the urgent measures taken by the Azerbaijan Army Units.

Moreover, starting from 00:40 to 01:40 on July 19, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the directions of the Istisu region, Yukhari Shorzha settlement of the Basarkechar region, and Ajibaj settlement of the Gafan region using small arms periodically subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the directions of the Istisu and Mollabayramli settlements of the Kalbajar region, and Boyahmad settlement of Julfa region of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The Azerbaijan Army Units took retaliatory measures.

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19 July 2023 13:39 (UTC+04:00)

The State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, chaired by Bahar Muradova, has completed work on a new bill on children's rights. The announcement was made at a briefing on the results of the first half of 2023, Azernews reports.

Muradova said that currently the Women Resource Centers of the State Committee are operating in 17 districts:

"Eleven Children and Family Support Centers held four 'open door days' within six months. A total of 517 citizens who applied were provided with support in solving psychological, legal, and social problems."

The bill is aimed at protecting the rights of children and ensuring their safety and well-being. It includes measures to combat domestic violence, prevent suicide attempts, and protect children from human trafficking, exploitation, and early marriage. It also seeks to provide children with access to religious knowledge.

The bill was developed in close cooperation with the NGO Alliance for Children's Rights. The committee has also established support centers for families and children in Mingachevir, Goranboy, and Shuvalan. These centers provide education on health, social communication, and life skills to young boys and girls. To date, thousands of children, young people, and parents have been served in all centers.

The State Program on Delivering Children from Children's State Institutions to Children (De-institutionalization) and Alternative Care State in Azerbaijan was approved by presidential decree in 2020. This program is aimed at providing alternative care for children in need and reducing the number of children in state institutions.

The State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic is a governmental agency within the Cabinet of Azerbaijan in charge of regulating activities for the protection of the rights of women and children and overseeing activities of non-governmental organizations involved in families in the Azerbaijan Republic. The committee was established in 1998 and expanded in 2006 to include additional duties for the solution of problems of families and children.

The committee has been working to promote the independence of women in civil societies in terms of earning for living and functioning while the lead family providers are away. It has also been working to advance gender equality and strengthen women's entrepreneurial skills in rural areas, thus empowering women to overcome existing socio-economic challenges.

The State Committee for Family, Women, and Children Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, in cooperation with the British Embassy and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has been expanding the network of Women Resource Centers to Barda, Tartar, and Aghjabadi. Established in 2011, these WRCs provide a safe space for women to share ideas on improving their livelihoods through economic empowerment. To date, free training courses have been offered to over 6,200 women in human and economic rights, and skills such as business development, accounting, financial literacy, and computer science.

The new bill on children's rights is an important step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of children in Azerbaijan. It is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of children in the country.

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19 July 2023 14:49 (UTC+04:00)

Head of Iraqi Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani acquainted with Icherisheher and Heydar Aliyev Centre

The delegation led by the head of Iraqi Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, in a meeting with Shahin Seyidzade, chairman of the board of the State Historical-Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher", got acquainted with Icherisheher, which is one of the monuments of world cultural heritage, within the framework of a working visit to Azerbaijan on 18 July. The walk around Icherisheher started from the fortress gate, Azernews reports.

First, the guests got acquainted with the underground bathhouse dating back to the XVII century and the Art Centre in Icherisheher.

During the electric car ride, the delegation members were informed about the State Historical-Architectural Reserve "Icherisheher", and the improvement and restoration works done here. It was noted that unique historical architectural monuments belonging to different centuries protected by the state are located on the territory of Icherisheher.

Having tasted bread just baked in the 'tendir', the guests were familiarised with the masterpiece of medieval oriental architecture, an architectural monument of world significance - Shirvanshahs Palace complex in Icherisheher.

It is noted that the structures of the historical monument, built in the early 15th century, are located at the highest point of one of the hills of Icherisheher. The monument is clearly visible from the sea and the surrounding heights. The complex retains its historical and architectural advantage to this day.

The guests were also informed about the history of the Maiden Tower Monument, considered one of the symbols of Baku. It was emphasised that the Maiden Tower, erected in the VII-VI centuries B.C., was restored in the XII century. The cylindrical monument with a height of 28 metres and a diameter of 16-16.5 metres consists of the tower itself and a supporting structure adjoining it from the southern side. Conservation works were carried out in the Maiden Tower in 2009-2013 on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev to preserve this monument of world significance and pass it on to future generations in its present form.

The stone exposition newly organised on the territory of the religious-architectural complex of Syrataghli near the Maiden Tower aroused great interest among the guests.

Familiarisation with Icherisheher made a pleasant impression on the Iraqi guests.

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19 July 2023 16:12 (UTC+04:00)

According to the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, the work carried out in the field of further increasing the level of training of military personnel serving in the army and the combat capability of the units continues, Azernews reports, citing Ministry of Defense.

According to the training plan for 2023, the graduation ceremonies of the Reserve Officer Training Course hosted by the Training and Educational Center of the Azerbaijan Army and the Training and Educational Center of the Air Force were held.

First, the memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, and the Martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan were honored with observing a minute of silence. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed.

Graduates were conveyed the congratulations of the Defense Ministrys leadership, and they were wished success in future service.

The course graduates expressed their satisfaction with the created conditions and educational process and promised to apply the knowledge and skills they gained, to justify the trust shown, and to bear the title of military personnel of the Azerbaijan Army with honor.

In the end, the graduates were awarded certificates, and a photo was taken.

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19 July 2023 16:34 (UTC+04:00)

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev met with Mohammad Nafis Zakaria, executive director of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), as part of his visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Azernews reports, citing The Ministry.

According to the ministry's press office, the meeting discussed the possibilities of long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of communication and information technology.

The meeting discussed the implementation of a joint project with COMSATS to train professional ICT specialists in Azerbaijan. To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and COMSATS on cooperation in the field of ICT and technology training courses.

According to the MoU, Pakistani trainers will start training professional ICT experts in our country.

It was noted that this project will make a positive contribution to the development of competitive human capital and the formation of a modern innovation environment in Azerbaijan.

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19 July 2023 17:54 (UTC+04:00)

On 19 July, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, who is in Azerbaijan on an official visit, Azernews reports.

According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers, the current issues on the bilateral agenda were discussed during one-on-one talks between the heads of government.

Then the meeting of the Prime Ministers continued with the participation of the delegations of the two countries.

It was noted during the meeting that the foundation of bilateral relations between the two countries was laid by the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and the first President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

Appreciation was expressed for organizing high-level events in Uzbekistan on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev.

It was emphasized with a sense of satisfaction that thanks to the joint efforts of heads of state Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, today Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations have reached the level of comprehensively developing strategic partnership.

The sides noted that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan closely cooperate within the framework of international organizations, including the UN, CIS, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and Organisation of Turkic States.

A.Asadov wished success to Uzbekistan during its chairmanship in the Organisation of Turkic States this year.

It was noted that personal relations between the heads of state, based on mutual trust and constant contact, play a key role in strengthening bilateral relations. Last year was very productive in this regard. The President of Azerbaijan visited Uzbekistan three times.

"More important was the state visit, which was marked by the signing of a package of documents. The declaration on deepening strategic partnership and development of comprehensive cooperation signed by the heads of state raised our relations to a qualitatively new level," Asadov said.

The importance of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Azerbaijan in March this year to participate in the Summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement's COVID-19 Contact Group was also noted.

Preparations for the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan are in full swing.

Detailed information was provided on the large-scale reconstruction and development of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. In this context, gratitude was expressed for the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to build a 960-seat school in the liberated town of Fizuli.

The sides noted the importance of the meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan held in Shusha on 18 July. They expressed hope that the decisions taken at the end of the meeting will contribute to the strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The heads of government also highly assessed the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and expressed satisfaction with the significant growth of trade turnover, which has increased by about 64 percent by the end of 2022.

The sides stressed the good dynamics of mutual investment activity and noted the importance of signing yesterday in Shusha the founding documents on the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Fund. The establishment of the Joint Investment Fund was seen as an additional incentive for strengthening investment cooperation.

The Uzbek side was informed about the favorable investment climate in Azerbaijan.

The heads of government positively assessed the prospects for cooperation in transport and transit. Last year, the total volume of freight traffic between the two countries increased by more than 65 percent. The importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) was particularly noted.

The sides also noted the positive development of industrial cooperation, cooperation in the field of cotton and silk production.

It was emphasized that there is active interaction in the energy sector. Last year, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed a road map of cooperation in the energy sector.

The prime ministers also noted that good opportunities have been created in the sphere of renewable energy sources, and expressed satisfaction with productive cooperation in agricultural, cultural-humanitarian, educational, medical, and other spheres.

Then, co-chairman of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mikail Jabbarov, and Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov made speeches.

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19 July 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Inter are close to signing Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado on a free transfer after his contract with their arch rivals Juventus expired at the end of last season, sources said on Monday, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

The 35-year-old, who had been at Juve since 2015 and won five Serie A titles with the Turin giants, is set to sign a one-year contract and earn around 2.5 million euros a season, the sources said.

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A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
19 July 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

These days, the delegation of the company Uzbekistan Railways together with the railway administration of Pakistan and Afghanistan are conducting the final stage of negotiations on the Trans-Afghan railway line, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency.

This project, which is of great importance for the region, is a key element in strengthening economic ties between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the press service of Uzbekistan Railways reported.

The Trans-Afghan railway line is a large-scale project that will open up new prospects for transport cooperation and development in the region. It will allow establishing a direct rail link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan through the territory of Afghanistan, providing more efficient trade and logistics, the report reads.
19 July 2023 23:20 (UTC+04:00)

Kyrgyzstan and Italy are ready to cooperate in the textile industry, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

The press service of the National Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that this issue was discussed last week by Deputy Director of the National Agency Jalyn Jeenaliev and President of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Fernando Pelazzo at a meeting in Bishkek.

Pelazzo emphasized that Italian textiles are in great demand in the world, and expressed a desire to develop cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic in this direction, creating joint ventures.

As a result of the negotiations, further steps were outlined for the development of partnership between Italy and Kyrgyzstan in the textile industry. Both sides expressed their intention to do everything possible for the successful development of one of the important sectors of the economy.

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19 July 2023 22:15 (UTC+04:00)

Business circles in the Netherlands are preparing to publish a book on the investment opportunities of the Silk Road countries, including Kyrgyzstan, the press service of the National Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic said, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

Deputy Director of the National Agency Jalyn Jeenaliev last week met with the Honorary Consul of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Kingdom of the Netherlands Jarkyn Koshoeva and the head of Dutch companies Birman.

During the meeting, issues of cooperation between countries in various sectors of the economy, as well as the possibility of assisting in the publication of a book, were discussed. The National Agency expressed its readiness to provide all necessary information on the investment attractiveness of the Kyrgyz Republic.

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19 July 2023 20:40 (UTC+04:00)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday arrived in the UAE for the last leg of his three-nation Gulf tour to strengthen regional ties, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

On Wednesday, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will welcome Erdogan with an official ceremony in the capital Abu Dhabi.

The leaders are set to hold one-on-one talks. Later in the day, Erdogan will also attend a state banquet held in his honor.

During the talks, all aspects of bilateral relations will be reviewed, and steps to enhance cooperation in various areas, particularly the economy, will be discussed.

Turkiye and the UAE are also expected to sign several agreements.

Erdogan started his three-nation Gulf tour on Monday with Saudi Arabia, followed by Qatar.

During his visits to the three Gulf countries, Erdogan said he wants to boost ties and finalize investment deals.

At a news conference in Istanbul before starting his tour, Erdogan said that Turkiye's relations with the UAE are developing in every area, adding: "The UAE is the country with whom we recently trade the most in the Gulf region. We want to increase this figure to a level befitting the true potential of our two countries."

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19 July 2023 16:57 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan's tourism industry is gradually recovering from the pandemic. The State Tourism Agency is taking significant steps towards tourism recovery.

Speaking with journalists, chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev said that the number of tourists coming to Azerbaijan is the same as when the borders were open before the pandemic, Azernews reports.

"We have temporarily lost tourists from neighboring countries crossing the land borders. We are waiting for the decision of the Operational Headquarters regarding the opening of land borders. The closure of land borders has not had any effect on the growth of domestic tourism. These factors are not related to each other", Fuad Naghiyev said.

He added that negotiations are underway with CIS countries, Turkiye and Israel for the development of tourism in the liberated territories.

"We are negotiating with both local and foreign investors regarding investments in tourism, including Azerbaijan's territories liberated from occupation. Several investors are still interested in Shaki city. These are related to the restoration and processing of certain historical monuments," the chairman said.

In his remarks, Fuad Naghiyev emphasized that the interest of foreign tourists to visit the country's western region by train has increased. However, there is a shortage of hotels in that region.

"Azerbaijan's western region is an interesting tourist destination. Our destination Management operates in the city of Ganja, and where it has developed a project of tourism opportunities for the region. There is a need for investments in accommodation facilities in that region," said Naghiyev.

Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev said that changeable weather conditions in Azerbaijan have been creating difficulties for tourism opportunities for some time.

He noted that since the beginning of the summer season, the unstable weather conditions cause serious damage to the owners of tourist facilities. The chairman said that the beach season lasts from June 15 to September.

"Due to the large number of rainy and windy days this year, citizens cannot plan their holidays. The damage caused by floods and floods to tourism has not yet been calculated," he said.

Note that around 918,800 foreigners and stateless persons came to Azerbaijan from 181 in January-June, 2023.

According to the State Statistics Committee, 32.9 percent of the arrivals came from the Russian Federation, 19.2 percent from Turkiye, 7.7 percent from Iran, 5.2 percent from India, 4.9 percent from Georgia, 2.4 percent from Saudi Arabia, from each Pakistan and Kazakhstan with 2.3 percent, United Arab Emirates with 2.1 percent, Uzbekistan with 1.8 percent, Belarus and Ukraine with 1.5 percent each, Kuwait with 1.3 percent, Great Britain with 1.2 percent and Turkmenistan, 12.5 percent were citizens of other countries.

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Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
As police try to solve deaths of four women in Oregon, mothers hope for answers

The announcement that authorities are holding a person of interest in the case of four women found dead this year in Oregon has their mothers hoping they may finally get answers about what happened to their daughters
New Night Sky Tours for Stargazers at Clear Sky Resorts Near the Grand Canyon
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Crews Get Ready to Help Entangled Humpback Whale Off Oregon / Washington Coast, But It Disappears

Published 07/18/23 at 7:51 p.m. - Published 07/19/23 at 7:21 p.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Astoria, Oregon) [UPDATE: OFFICIALS CORRECT STATUS OF WHALE TO UNKNOWN]  Humans were trying to do the right thing along the edges of the Washington coast and Oregon coast for awhile, but Mother Nature may have taken over and solved the problem. More likely there's a bit of a mystery now.

A humpback whale about 20 miles off the mouth of the Columbia River found itself entangled in fishing gear and a small army of responders were getting ready to help out. However, it disappeared. (Photos US Coast Guard - they were small and low resolution so unfortunately this is the best possible rendering)

The U.S. Coast Guard and the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received notice on Monday afternoon that a whale was caught in fishing lines just off that border between both the Oregon coast and Washington coast.

According to Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer Annika Hirschler, the initial move was for an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Astoria to begin flyovers and take photos, determining the location and condition of the whale. That began Monday night, not long after the tip came in.

The aircrew arrived on scene and located the whale, which appeared to be a juvenile humpback whale entangled by the tail in line fishing gear, Hirschler said.

The whale was about two to three years old, the Coast Guard estimated. The fishing gear was later identified as halibut longline, based on buoy ID.



Humpback whale photo courtesy Seaside Aquarium. This is the time of year you often see humpbacks around Astoria

However, by Tuesday morning the situation was either resolved or it's a total mystery.

A Coast Guard aircrew conducted an additional overflight Tuesday morning and was unable to relocate the whale, Hirschler told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. There have also been no additional reports of the entangled whale last night or this morning.

No vessel had made it out there yet, but there were big plans being made. There were a few vessels that were set to arrive on Thursday.



Hotels in Astoria - Where to eat - Astoria Maps and Virtual Tours

Cascadia Research Collective, one of our Entanglement Program partners, would have been the response team, in their vessels, said Matthew Burke, spokesman for NOAA.



Burke said they don't really know the status of the whale. They have not seen it, so there's no way to know for sure if it freed itself.

All we know is that after the initial fly over, the whale hasnt been seen again, Burke told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. We don't know the status of the whale. The Coast Guard flew over the area three times today and saw two adult whales and one juvenile whale and none of them were entangled. A crew may go out Friday to survey the area by boat, but that is yet to be determined. We will be having another meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss if any further response is necessary. But for now, everyone is in agreement to stand down.

UPDATE ON 7/19: Burke said there is no way of knowing for certain if that young whale with the older two was the same whale or not.

The NOAA entanglement response group said on its website that some whales are able to unsnare themselves from such objects, but many others wind up carrying them for days, months and even years. This results in injuries and at times infections, as well as hindering their ability to swim. Sometimes, the amount of extra energy it takes for a whale to swim in these cases causes them to starve because they cannot feed.







MORE PHOTOS BELOW













Photos below of past Humpback encounters in Astoria, courtesy Seaside Aquarium















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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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Lynn Deatherage's Letter to the WDN; Not Published as of July 18th, 2023

Publisher's Note: This "Letter to the Editor" to the Washington Daily News was written by Lynn Deatherage, my wife, early on May 22nd, 2023, and promptly sent by email to the proper address, as advertised, that same morning. That email was not returned as the address sent to must have been correct. So far, it has been 6 days, here in the age of quickened information, and Lynn's correspondence with the WDN editor, seeking just public redress, has not been published, and subsequent corrective action has not been taken.



That being the case of such poor purpose by the Washington Daily News, Eastern North Carolina NOW will NOW publish this intended public correspondence as our Journalistic ideals command us to remain abjectly serious about: Freedom of Speech; the consequences of a Free Press; the intended honesty in all journalistic endeavors; and the guaranteed right of informing the People in a manner where only the truth is paramount.



With this First Amendment to Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech, however, comes certain responsibilities; responsibilities that we hold dear at Eastern NC NOW as a major player in the "Public Square."





Lynn Deatherage's Letter to the WDN; Not Published as of May 28th, 2023

In regard to your recent "Sound Off" section in the Washington Daily News, May 20th issue, an "anonymous caller," whose sole objective was to denigrate a duly elected county commissioner, I wondered what the purpose really was here.



It takes zero effort, and no accountability for a so-called "anonymous" entity to make a false accusation, and far longer for honorable people to refute these lies. I am curious, how does this make you feel as the publisher?



In no way does this adhere to the standards listed in your mission statement. Firstly, this isn't "news" and secondly, as mentioned, it is not true. Is not publishing the truth the most important factor in publishing the "news?"



Please feel free, at some point, to do your due diligence as is your journalistic duty to discover the truth, and move forward with integrity. Does not your readership deserve that? In an atmosphere of growing divisions amongst people, how does your "Sound Off" section really help? If anyone should feel humiliated, it should be you for your publication. I welcome and expect your public apology as soon as possible.



Sincerely,



Lynn Deatherage, 252.944.3952


This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is CJ Staff The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered a new prison sentence for a felon convicted of scamming the federal government out of $143,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.Appellate judges agreed that the trial judge in Byron Jones' case made an error in setting the conditions for his eventual release from prison.according to the unsigned opinion released Wednesday.the opinion continued.After conviction onoffenses in 1996, Jones spent 13 years in prison. He started supervised release in November 2019.In April 2020 he incorporated a trucking business, Ramses Air Freight and Transport, in Delaware. By June the business had filed an application with the U.S Small Business Administration for COVID relief. The federal government provided an initial $10,000 to RAFT that month and followed up with another $133,000 within weeks of the initial payment.Financial information Jones shared with his probation officer raised red flags about the federal COVID relief. Further investigation uncovered false statements in Jones' grant application, appellate judges wrote.according to the 4th Circuit opinion.Jones admitted paying $13,000 toto help with the application and other financial services. Jones blamed Chambers for the false information provided to the feds.The federal government charged Jones with wire fraud, false statements, and transactional money laundering. The feds also sought to revoke Jones' supervised release.Prosecutors countered Jones' attempts to shift blame to Chambers.4th Circuit judges wrote.In January 2020, U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad in North Carolina's Western District held a revocation hearing. He agreed with the federal government. Conrad sentenced Jones to two years in prison with five additional years of supervised release.according to the 4th Circuit opinion.Appellate judges rejected Jones' attempt to reverse revocation of his supervised release.according to the opinion.judges explained.That's not the end of the case.4th Circuit judges wrote.The case heads back to a trial court for a new sentencing hearing.Appellate Judges Steven Agee and James Wynn and U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson of Virginia agreed to the unanimous ruling.
Questions from the badly flawed electronic voting system at the recent state Republican convention have apparently led three delegates to file suit against the state party to get a new convention. While the information presently available does not indicate which counties the plaintiffs are from, the lawsuit is filed in Wake County and they are represented by a Raleigh lawyer. The lawsuit may be filed there because the party headquarters is in Wake County.

https://dailyhaymaker.com/served-party-activists-taking-the-ncgope-to-court/
ByAmerican Faith

In the wake of the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) releasing nearly 2,500 illegal migrant children, all carrying latent tuberculosis infections, across 44 states over the past year, a court-ordered report cited by The Washington Times has brought forward alarming concerns.

The children, out of the total of approximately 126,000 who were released, were all part of a distinct category known as unaccompanied alien children (UACs).

The release of these children, however, is not accompanied by any guarantee of treatment.

This stems from the limited time these children typically spend in government custody, not nearly sufficient to complete the treatment duration ranging from three to nine months.

In the hope of ensuring treatment before the dormant infection turns active, HHS hands over the infected children to sponsors and informs the local health authorities.

Unfortunately, this strategy has often proven ineffective.

The Virginia Department of Health, while conversing with The Times, commented, We do not know how often the sponsors follow through on treatment, adding that the child often relocates by the time outreach is initiated.

Concerns about the timeliness and frequency of such notifications have been raised by local health officials, who often discover that the child has already arrived by the time they are notified about a case in their jurisdiction.

The responsibility of UACs lies with Homeland Security, which is required to transfer most children swiftly to HHS.

These children are then placed in government-contracted shelters while efforts are made to identify suitable sponsors.

However, the system is fraught with issues, including overcrowded shelters, the struggle to find reliable sponsors, and the loss of track of children in many instances.

These issues add layers of complexity to the treatment of latent infections in the children.

Furthermore, tuberculosis is not the sole health challenge being faced.

The court report, penned by Aurora Miranda-Maese, the court-appointed monitor, mentioned the creation of protocols to deal with chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Miranda-Maese highlighted the reluctance of authorities to initiate treatment due to the limited custody duration of the minors.

She stated, Minors are not routinely treated for [latent tuberculosis infection] while in [resettlement] care because the average length of stay is typically shorter than the time required to complete treatment, and because there could be negative effects from discontinuing any treatment before completion, such as developing drug-resistant TB.

The government relies on a CDC-run reporting system to alert local health authorities.

However, Virginias experience suggests that the compliance rate for sponsors securing the necessary treatment is low.

Virginias health department emphasized its focus on connecting local health officials with sponsors who accommodate high-risk children below the age of 5 and those who may have HIV infections.

Despite this, the CDC, which operates the notification portal, has not responded to inquiries from The Times.

While the government offers UACs routine dental and reproductive care, including pregnancy tests and information about emergency contraceptives, the tuberculosis issue has drawn attention to the disparities in treatment between legal and illegal immigrants.

Those aiming to enter as permanent legal immigrants or refugees are required to undergo screening beforehand, and those with active cases can be denied entry.

Conversely, illegal immigrants arriving at the border are not required to test negative for latent tuberculosis infection before entry, but rather, within 90 days of arrival.

The Homeland Security Department did not reveal the compliance rate or consequences for non-compliance when approached by The Times.

However, they described the rate as high and expressed encouragement, while conceding the need to urge migrants to comply.
State treasurer Dale Folwell says legislators took a bold step toward protecting state retirees pensions when they overrode recent vetoes by Governor Doofus:

The best interests of North Carolina taxpayers and retirees will be served through legislative passage of House Bill 750, which requires investment decisions to be made on the basis of the highest financial returns, not social and political wacktivism, State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, said after the House and Senate voted to override Gov. Roy Coopers veto of the measure.

This is a good day in North Carolina. We are grateful to those lawmakers who understand the need to shield the state pension plan against the movement to weaponize public retirement systems to achieve extreme agendas, Treasurer Folwell said. The act is aimed at barring Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors in hiring and other personnel matters, or when awarding state contracts.

Most important, the treasurer said, is that those who spent their working years to teach, protect and serve can remain confident that investment decisions will conform to the fiduciary duty of loyalty and care. That means seeking the highest yields to strengthen and sustain their pension plan for this and future generations.

We never have had ESG policies at the Department of State Treasurer. We dont need a law to tell us what is right and wrong, Treasurer Folwell said. But now we do have a law that very clearly defines the guardrails.

Some activists want ideological ESG factors such as climate change and abortion to be considered when determining how and where public money will be invested. Major asset management firms such as BlackRock have used the market power they gained from their investors through proxy votes to aggressively push for ESG investments that may not be in the best interests of those same clients.

Treasurer Folwell has taken a firm stand in opposition to those practices. He signed an agreement that enables the North Carolina Retirement Systems to vote its own shares of about $14 billion in BlackRock investments rather than allow the investment giant to cast proxy votes for those shares. He also has called on BlackRock CEO Larry Fink to resign or be removed from the top spot of the money management company. []
Chicago physician Eliza Diaconescu, MD, has been sentenced to prison for prescribing opioids to patients without an exam and then billing for the purported treatment, the U.S. Justice Department said July 17.

From 2016 to 2021, Dr. Diaconescu admitted she pre-signed prescriptions for hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl for patients to receive when she was not present at her Gurnee, Ill.-based pain clinic.

Dr. Diaconescu and other employees at the clinic created paperwork falsely indicating she had face-to-face exams with the patients who had come to pick up the pre-signed prescriptions. She then knowingly submitted false claims for reimbursements from Medicare, according to the release.

She is sentenced to six months in federal prison and must pay $84,031 to Medicare.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has filed a suit against Gulf Breeze, Fla.-based OB-GYN Elaine Sharp, MD, alleging she was overprescribing controlled substances to her patients, the Pensacola News Journal reported July 19.

The department also alleges she obtained $20,000, which the suit aims to keep, through money laundering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and unlawfully prescribing controlled substances. Additionally, according to the report, 12 people have died after filling prescriptions from Sharp.

Dr. Sharp "developed a reputation for prescribing pain medications in significantly higher doses than other pain management physicians," according to the report, and since 2019, many pharmacies refuse to fill her prescriptions.

State documents say Dr. Sharp issued more than 3,000 prescriptions for controlled substances between August 2021 and August 2022.

The department plans to formally charge Dr. Sharp with six felony crimes before the end of the year, according to the report.
Medical staffing company American Physician Partners is closing and will transition to its hospital contracts.

Here is what ASCs need to know:

1. The Brentwood, Tenn.-based company is another physician staffing company to face economic distress following the implementation of the No Surprises Act. Earlier this year, Envision filed for bankruptcy, citing the No Surprises Act as a factor.

2. American Physician Partners provided services to more than 150 hospitals and health systems organizations in 18 states.

3. S&P Global Ratings downgraded APP Holdco, the parent company of American Physician Partners, to "CCC-" in 2021 after it pulled its $520 million term loan deal. S&P said the downgrade reflected the view that near-term default risk is high, with about $472 million in debt due in one week.


Two terrorists were killed at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Macchal sector in North Kashmir's Kupwara district after the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and BSF in a joint operation foiled an infiltration attempt. "In a Joint Operation launched by Indian Army, BSF and Jammu and Kashmir Police an infiltration bid was foiled today morning by alert troops along LOC in Macchal Sector, Kupwara," the Army said.



"Two terrorists eliminated and four AK Rifles, six Hand Grenades and other war-like stores have been recovered."



The forces have been foiling the infiltration attempts from the Pakistan side and many terrorists have been killed.



On Tuesday, an infiltration bid was foiled by the Army and police in a joint operation at the LoC in the Poonch sector after four foreign terrorists were gunned down in Poonch.








Plastic surgeon Boris Bergus, MD, has surrendered his license following several alleged violations, including prescribing medications with a suspended license and storing expired medications, Providence Business News reported July 18.

Dr. Bergus operated two Americas Vein & Cosmetic Surgery Centers in East Greenwich and Lincoln, both in Rhode Island.

In December 2021, Dr. Bergus' license was suspended after the Rhode Island Department of Health found multiple expired stored medications. He also allegedly engaged in a personal relationship with a patient, prescribed medications while his license was suspended and submitted claims while his license was suspended.

He has denied all the claims, according to the report, and signed an agreement waiving his right to appeal the ruling and agreed to not seek reinstatement of his license
The South Dakota Interim Rules Board recently approved several changes proposed by the state dental board, the Mitchell Republic reported July 18.

The changes include updates to licensure and clinical examination regulations, new service advertisement rules and a repeal of a reporting requirement. As part of the changes, the state rules board also eased regulations for hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, anesthesia and analgesia on patients.

Brittany Novotny, executive secretary of the South Dakota Dentistry Board, told the news organization that this change was requested by several stakeholders, including rural dentists who were unable to provide full services to patients because of the rule's restrictions.
The MOVEit data breach, a hack that has touched millions of Americans across a variety of industries, has already claimed three health system victims. And more could be on the way.

That's because victims of the breach continue to be identified, as several organizations found out they were affected after learning their third-party vendors use the file-transfer application from Progress Software, The Wall Street Journal reported July 19. Clop, a ransomware gang with ties to Russia, has claimed responsibility for the back.

"It's massively complex, the downstream impact is difficult to predict, and organizations are not necessarily going to be sure at this point whether they do have any exposure," Brett Callow, threat analyst at cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, told the newspaper.

The health systems already identified as victims of the breach have included Louisville, Ky.-based UofLHealth in July and Bellaire, Texas-based Harris Health System and Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine in June. UofLHealth and Johns Hopkins Medicine (which faces a lawsuit over the incident) were discovered to be affected almost a month apart. "New details are emerging daily from MOVEit and other third-party vendors," a spokesperson for Fort Collins-based Colorado State University, another recent victim, told the Journal.

One thing is for sure, Mr. Callow added to the news outlet: "This incident is going to be massively costly."
Omaha-based Nebraska Medicine is partnering with CareRev, a technology platform that connects hospitals with local talent, to address the healthcare workforce shortage.

Through the platform, Nebraska Medicine will have increased access to local registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and technicians. The platform is designed to simplify the credentialing and onboarding process, according to a July 18 CareRev news release.

Nebraska is expected to have a shortage of 5,435 nurses by 2025.

"Like so many hospitals across the country, we have been impacted by staff shortages," Angie Boesch, Nebraska Medicine's director of adult acute care services, said in the release. "CareRev's innovative approach provides a way to improve the work experience of our current staff by bringing in other qualified professionals to join them in providing extraordinary care to our patients."
Unlike many other health systems, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare hasn't changed its logo much over the years, but it has different emblems for specific geographic regions, branding agency Fabrik reported.

HCA's logo is navy blue, orange and white, featuring a plus sign  with a diamond in the middle  next to "HCA," with "Healthcare" written underneath, both in bold serif fonts, according to the July 12 article.

"The color palette symbolizes professionalism and trust with the dark navy coloring in the words. The orange 'plus' symbol, with the diamond in the center, is intended to highlight ideas of warmth and creativity," Fabrik wrote in its analysis. "The plus symbol demonstrates a commitment to excellent care, particularly when combined with the diamond shape in the center  a symbol often associated with opulence and luxury. The typography, which combines a friendly sans-serif font with a traditional serif typeface, demonstrates both sophistication and accessibility at the same time."

The colors and core image have stayed consistent over the years, whereas healthcare organizations often change their logos on a regular basis, according to the article. Where HCA has altered its logo is by region, with a slightly different take for its Florida market and a completely new logo and color scheme for the United Kingdom.
Tech giants Google and Microsoft are continuing their push into the healthcare industry: integrating generative artificial intelligence into their clinician-geared products and services.

Google

Google created its own medical chatbot, dubbed Med-PaLM 2, that can generate responses to medical questions as well as perform summarization tasks and organize health data.

The tech giant began piloting the chatbot at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic in April.

This isn't Google's only project with Mayo Clinic. Its cloud arm, Google Cloud, partnered with Mayo on a generative artificial intelligence application that aims to improve outcomes, research and clinical workflows.

Under this partnership, Mayo began using Google's Enterprise Search in Generative AI App Builder. The AI-based application makes searching for patient information easier and more conversational, like a Google search.

"Google Cloud's tools have the potential to unlock sources of information that typically aren't searchable in a conventional manner, or are difficult to access or interpret, from a patient's complex medical history to their imaging, genomics, and labs. Accessing insights more quickly and easily could drive more cures, create more connections with patients, and transform healthcare," Cris Ross, Mayo Clinic's CIO said about the partnership.

Microsoft

Microsoft is also getting in on the generative AI healthcare buzz.

The company partnered with one of the largest EHR vendors Epic Systems. The pair is working on developing and integrating Microsoft's generative AI into Epic's EHR software to reduce the documentation burden on providers.

Under the partnership, Epic software will integrate Microsoft's Azure OpenAI and provide draft messages to providers within patient portals. Physicians can then review the message and make any modifications before it is sent to a patient.

Physicians can opt to draft a blank message if they do not prefer OpenAI's version.

The tool is already being piloted by health systems such as Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health, UC San Diego Health, Madison, Wis.-based UW Health and Palo Alto, Calif.-based Stanford Health Care.

But, the tech giant is also taking its generative AI applications to another healthcare vendor, Teladoc.

On July 18, Teladoc said it will add Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cognitive Services and the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience to its Teladoc Health Solo platform.

The new integrations will automate the creation of clinical documentation during virtual exams, and aim to ease the documentation burden on healthcare staff.
Memorial Medical Center in Port Lavaca, Texas, has named Steve Brock CFO, according to local newspaper The Port Lavaca Wave.

Mr. Brock has more than 20 years of experience in rural healthcare. He most recently served as CFO for Shattuck, Okla.-based Newman Memorial Hospital, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The hospital has been searching for a CFO for more than a year, the newspaper reported.
The American College of Emergency Physicians has updated its position on non-physician-led emergency medical practices, stating physicians  not corporations  should make medical and business decisions.

"Medical decisions must be made by physicians, and any practice structure that threatens physician autonomy, the patient physician relationship, or the ability of the physician to place the needs of patients over profits should be opposed," the organization wrote in a July 14 policy statement. "Corporate practice of medicine prohibitions are intended to prevent nonphysicians from interfering with or influencing the emergency physicians professional medical judgment."

The organization said certain clinical decisions should only be made by an emergency physician, a supervised nurse practitioner or a supervised physician assistant. These decisions include determining which tests and treatments are suitable for a patient, as well as the need for referrals.

Emergency physicians can consult with non-physicians on certain business and management decisions, but the physicians should have the final say, according to the College. For example, only emergency physicians should decide how many patients they will see, how their practice will enter into contractual relationships with third-party payers and oversight of revenue cycle management policies and procedures.

"Ownership of medical practices, operating structures and models should be physician-led and free of corporate influence that impacts the physician-patient relationship," the College said.

Ownership of an emergency medicine practice or group by non-physicians or by physicians who do not have responsibility for the management, leadership and clinical care of the practice would fall under prohibited corporate practice of medicine, per the College. As would the restriction of emergency physicians' access to information and accountings of billings and collections in their name.

This could lead to the censure of some practices, emergency medicine physician Leon Adelman, MD, wrote in a July 15 LinkedIn post. He noted the new statement opposes the so-called "friendly physician" model, where a physician "owns" an emergency medicine practice as an LLC on paper, although a large company actually runs it.

"After years of tension over the corporate practice of medicine, the American College of Emergency Physicians and American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) now have the same position," Dr. Adelman wrote. "The question is whether (and how) ACEP & AAEM will enforce this policy  possibly via censures of 'friendly physicians.'"
Beginning Oct. 1, Connecticut hospitals will be required to implement several nurse staffing measures including having organized plans on file, establishing a staffing committee and must meet certain reporting requirements or face civil penalties, according to Littler law firm's analysis of a new state law.

Gov. Ned Lamont signed the bill into law June 12, and it will affect both unionized and non-unionized hospitals.

While staffing ratios are not specifically proposed or mandated under the new law, it will require hospitals to maintain nurse staffing plans on an annual basis and ensure the staffing committee is made up of at least 50 percent nurses. Employees involved in the staffing committee are also to be compensated for their time, according to the new law.

Hospitals must also maintain ongoing records of three key care aspects as they relate to nursing:

The number of patients per unit during each shift.





The number of nurses assigned per patient during each shift.





The number of medical or nursing assistants assigned to each patient.

Hospitals must comply with 80 percent of their nursing staff plans within the reporting period each year. If they fail to meet any of the new requirements outlined in the law they could face penalty fines between $3,500 and $5,000 for each offense.
A California jury has determined that pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson must pay $18.8 million to a patient who blamed the company's talcum baby powder for causing mesothelioma, the Los Angeles Times reported July 18.

The jury's ruling comes just days after a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, known as LTL Management, filed a lawsuit against multiple physicians for publishing separate research linking its talcum powder to mesothelioma, specifically.

The company has so far in that lawsuit claimed that the physicians' research is a "house of cards [that] is collapsing as the truth comes to light."

While it's unclear how Johnson & Johnson's lawsuit against the physicians will move forward, the California patient's victory may make it more unlikely for other patients who experienced the same circumstances to accept settlements that were previously offered to them by J&J, according to the Times.

"This verdict will sway people not to be inclined to accept what they can get under that $8.9-billion settlement if they can get $18 million at trial," said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond (Va.) law professor, told the Times. "This is not good for J&J, to be sure. It may discombobulate the settlement negotiations."
In response to the recent floods in the vicinity of the Yamuna River, the Delhi government has taken swift action to provide relief and support to the affected residents.

The administration of the area successfully shifted approximately 306 individuals from various location of the central Delhi to a well-organized relief camp.



Organized by the Delhi Government, the relief camp aims to address the immediate needs of the flood-affected people by providing a range of essential facilities. These include:

 Three nutritious meals a day to ensure an adequate food supply.

 Provision of milk for small children, prioritizing their nutritional requirements.

 Access to health and medical facilities to address any healthcare needs.



 Provision of toys, books, and stationary items for children, promoting educational and recreational activities.

 Round-the-clock ambulance services to handle any medical emergencies.

 24-hour lighting arrangements to ensure adequate visibility and safety within the camp.

 Comfortable mattress arrangements for a restful sleep.



 Continuous water supply, supported by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), to meet the daily needs of the residents.

 Regular cleanliness and fumigation activities are conducted twice a day by the MCD to maintain a hygienic environment. Soap and sanitizer are also distributed for personal hygiene as well.

 Sanitary napkins and diapers are also being distributed in the relief camp.

The Delhi government, under the supervision of the District Magistrate (DM), Ms. Sonika Singh, IAS from Central, is actively involved in overseeing the relief efforts.



The DM, along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure prompt and efficient response.

Upon speaking with the flood victims, it was evident that the government has provided various amenities, including biscuits for children, lighting arrangements, and bed arrangements. Furthermore, the provision of fans, as well as the deployment of Civil Defense personnel, has enhanced the comfort and safety of the residents. The Delhi government has also partnered with NGOs to offer additional support and assistance.



In the relief camps established in Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Mori Gate no. 1, government has made commendable arrangements for meals, lighting, fan facilities, bed arrangements, as well as tea and breakfast provisions. Moreover, separate toilet and bathing facilities have been set up to cater to the basic hygiene needs of the residents.



The relief camps established in Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Mori Gate no. 1 by the government have made arrangements to address the essential needs of the residents. The provision of meals, lighting, fan facilities, bed arrangements, and tea and breakfast provisions have been exemplary. Additionally, separate toilet and bathing facilities have been meticulously set up to ensure the basic hygiene needs of the residents are met.

The Delhi government remains committed to minimizing the difficulties faced by the flood victims and aims to ensure their well-being during this challenging time. By prioritizing the provision of necessary amenities and closely coordinating relief efforts, the government seeks to alleviate the hardships faced by the affected individuals.


Nashville-based Tennessee Oncology announced plans to build a $120 million medical center in downtown Nashville, according to a July 19 report in The Tennessean.

The 200,000-square-foot medical and office building, slated for completion by summer 2025, will house infusion, oncology, imaging, pharmacy and other services  and it will be the organization's new corporate headquarters.

The project is expected to offer "enormous innovation in cancer care bringing patients more diagnostic and treatment options than ever before," Natalie Dickson, MD, president and chief strategy officer of Tennessee Oncology, said in a news release cited by The Tennessean.






Without a clear resolution to the monthslong shortage of life-saving cancer drugs, hospital pharmacy leaders told Becker's the "gray market" is barging into their emails and phone logs.

In the pharmaceutical supply chain, the "gray market" is when local drug distributors try to sell drugs to hospitals that the nation's three biggest wholesalers  Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen and McKesson  can't access. These smaller companies then bid their supply to hospital pharmacy leaders, usually at a higher markup and less guarantee of safety and quality.

In an email shared with Becker's, a pharmacy company in Springfield, Ky., offered about three dozen products that are in shortage, including methotrexate and 5FU (fluorouracil), which are two cancer drugs that some hospital pharmacy leaders said they have enough supply for only the next few weeks.

One of the offered drugs was cleocin phosphate 150 milligram / 1 milliliter injection, an antibacterial treatment in shortage after one drugmaker discontinued its product, two experience manufacturing delays and another has a third-party supplier issue, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

The Kentucky-based distributor offered to sell a box of 25 solutions for $135  nearly twice as much as its wholesale acquisition cost.

Ryan Pepper, assistant vice president of pharmacy supply chain of New Orleans-based Ochsner Health, said he isn't buying from the gray market, but these scarce drugs are "certainly more expensive."

"Our leaders are telling us, 'That's the cost of doing business in such a really challenging environment.' They're OK with that," Mr. Pepper said. "There are other wholesalers [and] distributors that sell shortage drugs. There's a couple out there  I'm not even going to name names; I can't quite give out all our secrets  that are getting hold of those drugs. A lot of people want to call that the gray market."

"This isn't quite the gray market," he said. "This is the 'manufacturers don't want to deal with the wholesalers, so they're sending them to the smaller, more local, regional distributors that actually do have the drug.'"

Erin Fox, PharmD, associate chief pharmacy officer for shared services at University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City, said the "gray market" distributors might be buying supply from pharmacies. It isn't a long-term solution because they might have one or two doses, but hospitals could need 20 or 80, she said.

There's a middle ground between regional distributors and wholesalers, which Ochsner is buying from, and the "gray market" with its "enormous upcharges," Mr. Pepper said.

The high cost isn't the only reason eyebrows are raising: There's also a question of quality and integrity, according to Andrew Salzillo, PharmD, manager of pharmacy supply chain at Providence, R.I.-based Lifespan.

A majority of hospital pharmacy leaders aren't engaging in the market because of these concerns, Dr. Fox said, but "chemotherapy shortages, in particular, can make people feel desperate."
A newly released podcast from The New York Times delves into the story of how a nurse's tampering with pain medication led to an estimated hundreds of women undergoing painful egg retrieval procedures at the Yale Fertility Center.

In the fall of 2020, Donna Monticone, a nurse responsible for the ordering and inventory of controlled substances at the Yale Fertility Center on Yale University's West Campus in Orange, Conn., was found to have been stealing vials of fentanyl used for fertility procedures at the center and replacing them with saline. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, Ms. Monticone pleaded guilty in March 2021 to tampering with a consumer product.

An audit from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency found "discrepancies" surrounding the Yale center's inventory of controlled substances, including vials of fentanyl, ketamine and midazolam. Overall, the audit revealed "discrepancies of 665 units of controlled substances." In October 2022, Yale paid $308,250 to resolve allegations it violated the Controlled Substances Act.

"The settlement resolves allegations that Yale failed to maintain complete and accurate records concerning the controlled substances it purchased and dispensed at the Yale Fertility Center, and failed to provide effective controls and procedures to guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances," the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut said in a news release last fall.

"The Retrievals" is a five-part narrative series hosted by Susan Burton that tells the story of what dozens of women endured when undergoing egg retrievals at the clinic, and how in many cases, their pain was dismissed by staff members who, at the time, did not know the administered pain medications had been tampered with. The first episode was released June 29.

"They started the procedure. And, you know, I was just sort of taken by surprise, not expecting the excruciating pain," one woman said in the podcast. "My blood pressure started going up. I was sweating profusely and telling them I was just in too much pain, that they had to stop. At that point, I remember them giving me more, more of the pain medication, and me saying, 'It's not making a difference.'"

Becker's has reached out to Yale and will update the report if more information becomes available.
Two Florida men have pleaded guilty for their involvement in a $67 million fraud scheme that used "deceptive telemarketing campaigns" that targeted Medicare.

Daniel Carver, 36, of Boca Raton, and Louis Carver, 32, of Delray Beach, solicited Medicare beneficiaries for unnecessary genetic testing and medical equipment, according to a July 17 press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The men also allegedly provided bribes to telemedicine companies in exchange for physicians' orders, sold physicians' orders to laboratories and durable medical equipment companies in exchange for kickbacks, forged physicians' and patients' signatures and tricked medical providers into ordering medically unnecessary genetic testing, according to the release.

The scheme led to more than $67 million in false claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic tests and medical equipment. Daneil Carver pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and wire fraud and faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Louis Carver pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud and faces up to 10 years in prison.

The men are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5.
Saltzer Health, based in Nampa, Idaho, is opening a new spine clinic that will grant patients access to a range of spine treatments "all under one roof," CBS affiliate Idaho News reported on July 17.

The clinic will offer MRIs and imaging, physical therapy, injections and surgical treatments, pain management services, prescription-grade medications and overall evaluations with professional advice, according to the report.

The goal of the clinic is to get patients evaluated and treated as quickly as possible, Sara Wilson, a nurse practitioner in Saltzer's ortho spine department, told Idaho News.
Building electric vehicle battery factories in the UK is seen as vital to the countrys automotive industry (Alamy/PA)

Building electric vehicle (EV) battery factories in the UK is seen as vital to the countrys automotive industry.

Here the PA news answers eight questions about these gigafactories.

 What is a gigafactory?

A large site where EV batteries are produced.

 Which country has the most?

China. It is estimated to be on course to make more than twice as many batteries as every other country in the world combined.

 Why does the UK need gigafactories?

EV manufacturers want batteries to be produced as close as possible to where the rest of the vehicle is built.

Having gigafactories in the UK is seen as vital to encourage car-makers to keep and open plants in the country.

 Why is EV production important?

Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2030.

 What is inside EV batteries?

They are built from a combination of raw materials, including precious metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese which are extracted from the ground through complex and costly methods.

 How many gigafactories does the UK need?

Research from the Faraday Institution say at least five will be needed by 2030 to meet demand for the number of EVs expected to be built in the UK at that point.

 Are any gigafactories already open in the UK?

The UKs only large-scale EV battery plant opened in 2012 in Sunderland.

It is owned by Envision and provides batteries for Nissans Leaf electric cars.

The company is planning to open a second gigafactory in the city in 2025.

 What happened to Britishvolt?

The start-up company started building a gigafactory in Blyth, Northumberland, in 2021 but went out of business earlier this year as it could not raise enough money.

It was bought by Australian business Recharge Industries, which hopes to resume construction.
Susan Sarandon has told her fans that she attended her latest picket for the Hollywood actors strike along with her filmmaker son Jack Henry Robbins.

The Thelma And Louise star, 76, joked in an Instagram story on Wednesday that she would have asked Robbins to caption the post but he was unable to due to writers also being on strike.

She wrote: Usually my son would finish this caption but hes on strike.

The strike was called last week following the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra)  failing to negotiate new contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The Writers Guild of America began industrial action on May 2.

Many Hollywood stars who are part of the union which represents around 160,000 actors across the US have been pictured on the picket lines this week.

Actors pictured recently include Homeland actor Mandy Patinkin, The Boys star Jack Quaid and Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in The Lord Of The Rings.

Astin, also known for Stranger Things and The Goonies, is a negotiating committee member at the union.

He said in an Instagram video on Wednesday: I just want to say were at the start of this journey. Theres no sense of urgency coming from the other side.

We want to go back to work. We want everyone to go back to work.

Thor actor Chris Hemsworth also became the latest high-profile actor to back the strikes publicly following George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jessica Chastain also voicing support online

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Hemsworth wrote: These are challenging times for so many in our industry and I stand in solidarity with my fellow actors in #SAGAftra who are striking for a better future.

Some producers of independent films are being granted waivers to continue shooting despite the strike, as long as they are operating outside the studio system, according to Sag-Aftra.

The latest given the exemption include upcoming productions such as The Watchers starring Dakota Fanning and directed by M Night Shyamalans daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan, Dont Move which is produced by The Evil Dead director Sam Raimi, Exhibiting Forgiveness, Isaac and Weekend Escape.

Mother Mary starring The Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway and I May Destroy Yous Michaela Coel, The Rivals Of Amziah King starring Matthew McConaughey, and Death Of A Unicorn with Ant-Man star Paul Rudd and Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega had already been placed on the temporary waiver list.

Chris Hemsworth tweeted support for the strike (Ian West/PA)

The contract between Sag-Aftra and the AMPTP, which represents the major film studios, TV networks and streaming giants, expired after negotiators failed to reach an agreement over a number of issues including pay and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The union said actors face an existential threat to their livelihoods with the rise of generative AI technology and the threat of unregulated use.

The issue of pay has also been a key part of negotiations as the advent of streaming has changed the way actors are compensated for their work.
Whole India is my home: Rahul on getting back his official bungalow

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the whole of India was his home after sources said that...
A fire burns trees next of a road with people and vehicles at the village of Agia Sotira near Athens

Families face having to cancel their summer holidays to Spain and Greece with no compensation, despite the exceptional heatwave subjecting swathes of Europe to extreme temperatures and wildfires.

While the Foreign Office has issued warnings over scorching temperatures in both Spain and Greece, as wildfires rage on La Palma and near Athens, the UK Government has so far stopped short of issuing dont travel advice.

As a result, there is no automatic right for families to curtail, cancel or change planned trips, and holiday companies and airlines say normal terms and conditions will apply.

While provisional heat records were shattered in Rome and Catalonia on Tuesday, forecasters are bracing for Charon  the second heatwave in as many weeks, named after the Greek ferryman of the dead  to potentially surpass Europes hottest-ever temperature of 48.8C, set in Sicily two years ago.

The mercury hit 45C near Girona yesterday (Tuesday), as tourists and locals across the Mediterranean sweltered in 40C temperatures which had failed to fall below 25C in many places overnight, compounding the risks of fatalities  with 61,000 people estimated to have died last summer in Europe alone.

However, holiday companies argue that soaring temperatures in holiday hotspots are nothing new at this time of year, with some British holidaymakers happy to travel to Dubai and Egypts Red Sea coast in July, where temperatures above 40C are the norm.

Under the Package Travel Regulations, holidaymakers can cancel for a refund if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect the performance of the package or the carriage of passengers to the destination.

But unless authorities issue instructions that make normal holiday activities impossible, it is difficult to see how the rule might apply during the heatwave.

A fire burns trees next of a road with people and vehicles at the village of Agia Sotira near Athens

However, holidaymakers with a travel insurance policy in which a pre-existing health condition has been declared may have grounds to claim for a cancellation if they receive specific medical advice against travel to a very hot location.

The areas in which the European Unions emergency response coordination centre has issued red alerts for high temperatures now include most of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Approached for comment about the dilemma facing some holidaygoers this week as the majority of schools in England and Wales break for the summer, the Foreign Office pointed to its official advice for Spain and Greece.

Noting the current extreme temperatures, those visiting both countries are advised to check with your travel provider before travelling and follow the advice of local authorities at all times, while those visiting Greece are told they can sign up to Athens official emergency alert system.

A Greek mayor in a town affected by the wildfires said residents were living a nightmare on Tuesday, as prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis rushed home early from a Brussels summit while hundreds of firefighters battled blazes stretching across five miles, fanned for a second day by erratic winds.

With hundreds of children forced to flee a summer camp on Monday, dozens of properties near Athens had been ravaged by the flames by the following day  after rescuers freed children and retirees from their homes, monks from a monastery, and horses from a stable.

Standing in the burnt-out house in Ano Lagonissi which had been his home for 32 years, Giorgos Nikolau (89) told Reuters of how he fled the fire with just the swimming trunks and shirt he was wearing, adding: I have nothing else, I don't even have other shoes. Nothing. I am finished.

Authorities in Switzerland expressed fears on Tuesday that it could take weeks to fully extinguish a fire which engulfed a mountainside, forcing hundreds to flee  as firefighters in the Canary Islands battled the large blaze on La Palma for a fourth day.

The extreme conditions were mirrored around the world, as millions of people in the United States, Asia and Africa also contend with record-breaking heat, in some cases in excess of 50C  conditions scientists warn are becoming more frequent due to the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis.

With 2021 and 2022 having marked Europes hottest summers on record, according to the EUs climate change body, tourism organisations have predicted that the heat could prompt a lasting shift in tourist habits, with more people choosing cooler destinations, or steering clear of summer travel.

The heat has also prompted some tourists to return home early. Anita Elshoy, who left a village north of Rome for Norway a week earlier than planned with her husband, told Reuters: I got a lot of pain in the head, legs and [my] fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy.

Warning that Europe was now experiencing hotter and hotter temperatures for longer stretches of time every single summer, the International Red Crosss emergency health chief Panu Saaristo told reporters in Geneva: Heat waves are really an invisible killer.
After their flight was cancelled and their initial airport frustrations, the easyJet app crashed as the group attempted to book new flights and organise a hotel in which to stay.

Holidaymakers who had their flight home cancelled have told of their disappointment at a lack of support from EasyJet.

Roisin Thompson said she was in a party of 11, six of whom were children aged between eight months and nine, travelling to Belfast from Gatwick last Friday.

The group, who ended up being stranded in London for two days, comprised of family and friends from Newtownards and Carrickfergus.

They had travelled to southern England for a stay at a resort.

However, their flight back to Northern Ireland was cancelled hours after it was due to depart and they were forced to stay in England for two extra nights.

There was no staff assistance or support at the airport, Ms Thompson explained.

We were simply given a leaflet, told to sort ourselves out, and put under pressure to exit the airport without having anywhere to go. We kept being told there would be a manager there to explain everything and a colleague would escort us, but we werent helped. There was one member of staff who didnt make herself known.

I was disgusted with how we were treated. It felt like we were being dumped out onto the street.

We accept that things can go wrong, and there may have been a technical issue of some sort, but it wasnt handled well at the end of the day.

There was a lot of confusion at the airport due to a lack of advice.

And to compound matters, the EasyJet app crashed as the group attempted to book new flights and organise a hotel.

They eventually managed to make these new bookings, which cost around 1,000. But with six children, they couldnt stay in Gatwick the whole time.

This meant more money had to be spent on entertaining them, as well as looking after a baby and a child with coeliac disease who can only eat certain foods.

The group werent told how much money the airline would cover them for and are wondering if they will be fully reimbursed.

Ms Thompson is hoping that the group will get their money back.

She added: But you hear these horror stories about people not getting their money back and airlines digging their heels in to dispute claims.

EasyJet said it is very sorry that flight EZY831 from London Gatwick to Belfast on July 14 was cancelled due to a technical issue with the aircraft.

We notified customers directly of their options to rebook or receive a refund and offered hotel accommodation and meals where required, a spokesperson added.

Passengers who made their own arrangements will be able to claim back their reasonable expenses.

Nonetheless we fully understand the disruption this will have caused to their plans and we are very sorry for this.

Our team are reaching out to Ms Campbell to apologise for her experience and support her family with refunding their expenses.
Two alleged senior members of the New IRA are to stand trial over claims they tried to recruit a man to head up an active service unit in Belfast, a judge ordered today.

Gary McNally, 63, and Joseph Donnelly, 52, are accused of being present and involved in secretly recorded attempts to enlist him into the terror grouping.

They were arrested following a surveillance operation which targeted suspected meetings at a leisure centre in the west of the city.

McNally and Donnelly, whose address cannot be published, are jointly charged with belonging to a proscribed organisation, directing terrorism and preparation of terrorist acts on dates between December 2019 and August 2022.

Both men appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court today for a preliminary enquiry into the allegations against them.

The case relates to claims they met with an unnamed man, referred to as Mr X, at Whiterock Leisure Centre in September 2020.

During previous hearings, the prosecution alleged Donnelly held the role as Officer Commanding of the New IRA in Belfast, while McNally was in charge of security.

Based on audio and video recordings, they were accused of attempting to recruit Mr X by promising him autonomy to lead a small active service unit, set his own targets and help build the dissident groupings future.

He was asked to consider the position and return a week later but failed to show at the second meeting, it was claimed.

In court today McNally, who is currently on bail, and Donnelly, who remains in custody, confirmed they understood the charges against them.

Both defendants declined to give evidence or call any witnesses at this stage in proceedings.

District Judge Francis Rafferty backed prosecution submissions that they have a prima facie case to answer.

He granted an application to have McNally and Donnelly returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Mr Rafferty also issued a certificate for two defence barristers to represent both defendants after being told the charges relate to a surveillance operation.

Big read: The spying game... how the New IRA was neutered
A Belfast man awaiting sentence for IRA membership had a bid to vary bail conditions regarding his mobile phone refused.

Carl Reilly (47), from Pollard Close, has been on bail for six years and is due to be sentenced in September for an offence dating back almost a decade.

Both he and co-accused Paul Crawford pleaded guilty to membership of a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, on dates between January 1, 2014, and October 17, 2015.

The charge arose from a conversation that was covertly recorded by An Garda Siochana when the two men met at the Carrickdale Hotel in Co Louth in February 2015.

During the meeting, the pair discussed the terrorist activity of Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH), including attempting murders and bombings.

Both Reilly and Crawford appeared at Belfast Crown Court in May where they admitted the membership charge.

They were told they would be sentenced for the terrorist offence in September and were released on continuing bail ahead of sentencing.

Their case was back before the same court today where applications to vary bail conditions were sought.

In Reillys case, he applied to have a bail condition regarding his mobile phone varied.

His barrister, Michael Forde, told Judge Gordon Kerr KC: Primarily, he [Reilly] wants to have access to WhatsApp and access to the internet via his mobile phone and computer.

Pointing out that his client has been on bail since July 2017, which was granted after he served 22 months on remand, Mr Forde said Reilly was subject to very restrictive bail conditions and has been largely compliant.

Judge Kerr was told by a Crown barrister that the variation regarding Reillys phone was opposed.

Citing several alleged breaches of bail, the prosecutor said these included apps downloaded on his phone that were not approved by police.

He revealed Reillys mobile was seized on March 11 this year and there was evidence present of breaches.

The prosecutor said: The investigation has already shown that there has been a great number of social media apps  Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter and other apps  that have been downloaded without police approval.

He added that as part of Reillys bail terms regarding his mobile, he was allowed to have contact with ten people approved by police.

The prosecutor told Judge Kerr: There is also evidence from the seizure of the phone that he was contacting at least 40 people and there are ongoing investigations into that.

Objecting to the variation, the prosecutor said it was the Crowns view that the conditions regarding Reillys phone were proportionate and necessary.

Asking Judge Kerr to grant the variation, Reillys barrister said: A vast majority of communication between people does take place on WhatsApp, rather than on telephone calls or text messages.

Saying the use of the internet was a vital requirement in the modern world, Mr Forde said the court could temper the variation with police having access to Reillys phone.

After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Kerr pointed out Reilly will be finally sentenced in early September and spoke of the original conditions imposed.

Judge Kerr said: I consider the continuation of those conditions, until the time of his sentencing, is proportionate and, accordingly, I refuse the variation.

Whilst Reillys application was refused, a bid to vary the conditions imposed upon co-accused Crawford, from Carrickree Mews in Warrenpoint, was granted.

Crawfords barrister asked that his bail be varied from July 27 to July 30 to facilitate a weekend away at a hotel in Co Donegal.

No objections were raised by the Crown on the agreement that Crawford will provide police with his travel details, will remain on the grounds of the hotel between midnight and 6am and will sign in with police upon his return on July 31.
Stock image of Donegall Place in front of Belfast City Hall

A 33-year-old man allegedly stamped on a strangers head multiple times during a random encounter in the centre of Belfast, a court heard today.

William Millar is accused of launching an attack on the other man at Donegall Place in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Millar, with an address at Centenary House hostel in the city, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with attempted grievous bodily harm.

CCTV operators directed police to the scene of a suspected ongoing assault at around 3am.

A PSNI constable said officers found the injured man hunched over with blood coming from his nose and swelling to his face.

Camera footage showed him walking to Donegall Place, where he was allegedly elbowed and knocked to the ground by Millar.

The defendant can be seen punching him to the head and raising his foot as high as he could to stamp on his head multiple times while he lay defenceless, the constable told the court.

A second, unidentified, man was said to have joined in the assault on the prone victim.

Opposing Millars application for bail, the officer contended: It appears to have been an unprovoked attack.

Defence solicitor John McAtamney described it as an unsavoury incident which may have involved alcohol.

They dont seem to be known to each other, it appears to have been a completely random encounter, he told the court.

Millar was granted bail to live under curfew at Centenary House.

Adjourning the case until August 16, Judge Noel Dunlop imposed an alcohol prohibition and banned the defendant from any contact with the injured party.
A Co Down pensioner allegedly involved in smuggling and selling counterfeit items and diamonds for more than 16 years has been ordered to stand trial.

Standing in the dock of Newry Magistrates Court today, Anne Rosaleen Darcy (66) confirmed that she understood each of the 14 charges against her.

Darcy, from Windsor Bank in Newry, faces 12 charges under trademark legislation, 11 of which are for possessing items which bore registered trademarks, or were likely to be mistaken for a registered trademark, with a view to gain for yourself or another or with intent to cause loss to another and without the consent of the proprietor.

The other charge involves the selling handbags which bore a sign identical to, or likely to be mistaken for, a registered trademark.

All charges are alleged to have been committed at her home on September 1, 2022.

Darcy also faces single charges of converting and transferring criminal property over a time span between January 22, 2018, and July 23, 2022.

The particulars of the offences allege that Darcy converted 86,820 cash and transferred bank credits.

Various fashion houses are also named in the trademark offences, including Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Givinchy, Prada, Balenciaga and Christian Dior.

According to a police statement from organised crime unit detectives at the time, the charges follow a search in which nearly 500 items of suspected counterfeit designer goods and a BMW car were seized.

None of the alleged facts of the case were opened today in court, but previous courts heard claims that police seized 245 fake designer handbags during the raid. And with the 66-year-old admitting she makes 200-250 on each bag, the minimum profit would be 49,000 on that seizure alone.

During an earlier bail variation application, a detective outlined that, in addition to a room filled with allegedly counterfeit handbags, belts, shoes and purses, officers also uncovered 80,000 of diamonds wrapped in paper, as well as a diamond grading report from a business in Dubai dated January 1, 2011.

When Darcy was questioned, she made full admissions that she had been travelling back and forth to Dubai and also that the items in her house were all fake.

Since Darcy was initially interviewed, the court heard she had been further questioned for further offences including money laundering, tax evasion and VAT fraud and the police have restrained a couple of bank accounts.

In court today, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a prima facie case, which was conceded by defence solicitor Gerald Trainor.

District Judge Eamon King said that, having read the papers, he was satisfied there was a case to answer. Darcy declined to comment on the charges or to call evidence to the court on her behalf.

Returning the case to Newry Crown Court for trial, Judge King released Darcy on continuing bail, with her arraignment scheduled to be heard on September 5.
Mark Wylie cleaning Troubles memorial after it was vandalised in Belfast. (Pic by John Baucher).

Belfast City Council has cleaned up a forgotten memorial to the first 1,500 victims of the Troubles following an act of vandalism.

It follows calls for the site on Jubilee Square, close to the Albert Clock, to be properly restored by a local tour operator who began cleaning the monument with his own hands.

Last week Mark Wylie, who runs DC Tours, spent hours scrubbing graffiti off the terracotta tiles laid in tribute to the 1,500 people who had lost their lives as a result of the conflict by 1976.

He said attempts to alert the local authority had failed.

A social media user urged Belfast City Council to bring their skills to bear despite Mr Wylies best efforts and the council was quick to respond.

"Our team are aware of this recent spell of vandalism and it has been logged for removal clean up asap, it wrote on Twitter.

Minutes later the council provided an update.

"The memorial has been cleaned by our staff this morning. Thanks, it said.

The memorial was commissioned by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

The mosaic of green and brown terracotta tiles list every digit from one to 1,500 in a variety of sequences.

A small plaque in the bottom right hand corner reads: To The Memory Of Those Who Died By Violence From July 1969 To April 1976. Designed By Robert Ballagh. Made By Steve.

Mark Wylie cleaning Troubles memorial after it was vandalised in Belfast. (Pic by John Baucher).

Ballagh is a famous Irish artist who reportedly sold Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott his first bass guitar, while Steve refers to Irish ceramicist Stephen Pearce.

Mr Wylie has compared the memorial and its understated nature to Germanys cobblestone memorials, where the names of Holocaust victims are inscribed on brass cobblestones close to where they had lived.

I was in Berlin last summer and I think thats a beautiful, understated way of resonating with people; it absolutely catches you and it makes you think, he said.

Tourists understand that Belfast city centre is neutral and inclusive; a shared space. If we start memorialising every event that happens, it would be overwhelming.

Guests understand that we have an uncomfortable heritage; its a difficult history and I think they also realise that when you are standing at a memorial that reduces every victim to a number, that is not going to cause offence.

That is part of the memorials success, that it was never seen as contentious, but thats now part of the problem; its been forgotten about for so long.
Michella McSorely was last seen at around on Tuesday evening in the area of Clady, near Strabane.

Police have expressed concern for a woman who has been reported missing in Co Tyrone.

Michella McSorely was last seen at around 6pm on Tuesday evening in the area of Clady, a small village just outside Strabane.

The PSNI is appealing for information.

Police in Strabane are concerned for the whereabouts of Michella McSorely, it said in a statement issued on social media.

"Michella was last seen at approximately 6am on Tuesday 18th July in the Clady area.

"Michella is described as approximately 5ft8 in height, slim build with long dark hair.

"If you have any information on Michella's whereabouts please contact police on 101 quoting ref 152 of 19/07/23.
A councillor has branded a graveside robbery in west Belfast as despicable after an elderly mourner was targeted by three men.

The man was in Milltown Cemetery when the incident happened at around 9.30am on Tuesday morning.

The pensioner was approached by three men while he visited a family members resting place and had money taken during the ordeal.

SDLP representative Paul Doherty condemned the absolutely callous and despicable act.

"People in this community are shocked that anyone could stoop so low as to do something like this, he said.

Milltown Cemetery holds a special place in the hearts of many people in this community, there are few people in west Belfast who dont have loved ones buried there and they will be disgusted that it has been desecrated in this way.

I cannot understand how anyone could do something like, to target and rob an elderly man while he visits the grave of a family member is beyond the comprehension of people here.

"To use a cemetery where people regularly go to seek moments of quiet reflection and remember those theyve lost as a place to take advantage of someone has caused significant hurt and anger.

Mr Doherty said his thoughts are with the victim as he expressed hope that he is getting adequate support following what must have been a very difficult ordeal.

"This is not the first incident in our cemetery recently and I will be liaising with local police around what can be done to keep this area safe for everyone who attends, he added.

"The people who carried out this terrible act must be caught and we need to make clear that we will not tolerate criminality of this kind in our cemetery or anywhere else in west Belfast.

The PSNI has appealed for information in relation to the incident which detectives believe involved three suspects aged between 20 and 30.

"These three males engaged with the elderly gentleman and a considerable amount of money was taken from him, it said.

These males left the area towards the cemetery wall at Sainsburys.

"If anyone has any information in regards to this incident please contact 101 and quote serial 633 18/07/23.
Emergency services at the scene of an ongoing incident at Belfast Harbour after a fire broke out on a ferry (Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker)

Emergency services have dealt with a fire in Belfast Harbour after a fire broke out on a ferry.

Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene in the Dargan Road area following the blaze on Stena Lines Superfast VII vessel which was reported on Wednesday morning.

The vessel was docked at the Belfast Terminal at the time in preparation for its 11.30am sailing.

The departure has now been cancelled.

Emergency services respond as fire breaks out on Stena Line ferry docked in Belfast

A company spokesperson said: Stena Line can confirm that a small fire broke out in an emergency generator room onboard the Stena Superfast VII vessel this morning (July 19th) as it prepared to sail for the 11.30hrs crossing from Belfast Harbour to Cairnryan.

"The fire was quickly extinguished by Stena Line crew, emergency services were alerted as a precaution.

"There were no passengers onboard the ship at the time and there were no injuries.

"The 11.30hrs sailing was cancelled and Stena Line is currently working on a revised sailing schedule for the remainder of the day and will advise all affected passengers accordingly.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting to be held in Rajasthan's Nagaur on July 28 will now be held a day earlier in Sikar. Earlier, PM Modi was to transfer the amount of Samman Nidhi to the accounts of nine crore farmers across the country in Nagaur, however now he will transfer this fund from Sikar.



This programme, proposed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Fertilizer, was earlier to be held at Kharnal, the birthplace of Veer Tejaji, but now its location has been changed to the district stadium in Sikar.



The responsibility of the programme has been given to Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary. The event's nature has been changed from a government programme to a political rally.



PM Modi will now hold the rally in Kharnal on August 16.



Earlier it was to be organised by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, but now the responsibility will be taken up by the party.








Real UFF boss Adrian Price has been holed up in east Belfast

Feuding loyalists are setting up cops for murder in return for jailhouse protection from the New IRA, a source has claimed.

The Sunday World reports details of an alleged dirty deal struck by the self-styled Real UFF and the organisation behind the attempted murder of top cop DCI John Caldwell.

A number of Real UFF members are behind bars awaiting trial on a series of charges relating to the near three-month feud which has ripped through Newtownards, the Ards Peninsula and north Down.

A number of gang members have been accepted on to the loyalist wing in Maghaberry but a small group remains on the committal wing among the general prison population.

Read more Newtownards loyalist begs dissidents charged in connection with Caldwell murder bid for protection in prison

There are concerns they are vulnerable to attack, particularly by a gang from the travelling community who have already targeted one Real UFF member while on remand.

It is understood the crime gang  lead by Adrian Price  have reached out to the dissident group offering intelligence on serving cops in return for behind-bars protection.

And it is believed the dissident group has accepted.

Ironically the move comes as women on the West Winds estate in Newtownards have lodged a complaint with the Policing Board and Chief Constable Simon Byrne that the PSNI has not adequately protected the community while the feud has raged around them.

The Sunday World reports a file is being compiled for submission to the Police Ombudsman claiming the PSNI is protecting agents and informants within the Real UFF.

A source close to protest group North Down Women Against Drug Gangs, who organised a protest march in the town last Monday, said they believed cops were protecting agents within the group.

It is the belief of the group that police agents are running the Real UFF, and senior PSNI command on behalf of Special Branch are shielding them from arrest and charge.

These issues arent going away and the PSNI will be held accountable if anything happens or someone is hurt by this gang.

The contact said despite alleged police protection Prices mob were seeking protection from dissidents.

They are linking up with the New IRA offering intelligence on local uniform officers in exchange for protection in jail.

Im not sure whats worse, getting into bed with the New IRA or setting up police officers for attack.

The women arent letting this go and someone, somewhere, in the PSNI is going to have to be held accountable.

Two gang members are said to be currently under the protection of the dissidents. Other gang members who have already been moved to the main prison are also susceptible to attack but it is understood support among loyalist prisoners is split between the Real UFF and North Down UDA.

Sources have told Sunday World the Real UFF has sold its soul to the devil and is offering information on officers movements, where they live and their contact details.

They have even offered safe houses for New IRA operatives should they mount an attack in north Down.

Gang members claim they have been gathering intel on PSNI officers. Neighbourhood cops have been in regular contact with Prices mob throughout the feud. They regularly monitor activity in and around the gangs base at Weavers Grange.

They (cops) are easy pickings, said our source. They are there to keep the peace and there is regular contact on a face-to-face basis.

They (Real UFF ) are stabbing these people in the back, neighbourhood cops are the only buffer between them and North Down UDA.

The source said they were guilty of the ultimate betrayal and that they had crossed a line.

There is no going back from this, getting into bed with the dissys is a red line. Loyalists attacking cops is one thing but shopping them to the New IRA is like doing a deal with the devil.

They cant call themselves loyalists, no loyalist would work with dissidents, definitely not the New IRA.

Price and his gang have become increasingly isolated. Despite bullish clams that they have no intention of bowing to pressure in the face of repeated attacks and threats from a faction in North Down UDA, headed by veteran Dickie Barry, support has all but evaporated.

Price fled his Newtownards bolt-hole within weeks of the start of the feud in April. He has been holed up in east Belfast under the protection of a known organised crime boss.

He has recently been spotted in Seymour Hill close to Dunmurry on the outskirts of south Belfast but will find no comfort there as UDA Chief Jackie McDonald has made it clear he is not welcome on his patch.

The fact Price has had to look to the New IRA for protection says it all, he has no support within mainstream loyalism, said the source.

Local opposition on the ground took the shape of a 600-strong protest march to Weavers Grange last Monday evening.

Restrictions were placed on a larger proposed parade involving up to 16 bands when the Parades Commission barred it from entering the West Winds estate.

The protest came after the Real UFF threatened to shoot any women and children coming into Weavers Grange.
Jim Shannon broke down in the House of Commons on Tuesday discussing the murder of his cousin by the IRA

A DUP MP who broke down in the House of Commons recalling the murder of his cousin by the IRA has said he was his hero, as he called the UK Governments plans to pursue the controversial Troubles Bill disappointing.

On Tuesday, Jim Shannon was moved to tears speaking of the murder of his cousin, UDR Sergeant Kenneth Smyth, 51 years ago in Co Tyrone, during a debate on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill in Westminster.

The MP for Strangford said his family and others have received no justice for the killings, as MPs continue to debate the bill which is aimed at limiting criminal investigations, legal proceedings, inquests and police complaints during the Troubles.

Sgt Smyth (28) was killed in December 1971 alongside his friend and fellow part-time UDR member Daniel McCormick after the pair stopped their car when they noticed a rope tied across the road just yards from the border in Co Tyrone.

When Mr McCormick attempted to reverse the car, an IRA gang emerged from the nearby bushes and opened fire.

Mr McCormick died almost instantly, while Sgt Smyth attempted to leave the vehicle before falling to the ground. He was then shot in the face three times.

No one has ever been charged with the murders and Sgt Smyth was later buried in Urney Presbyterian Church, where he married his wife just three months prior to his death.

Opening up about his emotional display in Westminster, Mr Shannon said his cousin was his hero.

When we were small, we used to holiday together at our grandmothers, just outside Strabane, back in the 1960s, he said.

He always took us shooting. I suppose when youre small youve always someone you look up to, and that was Kenneth.

He was my hero. Not just personally, but [also through] serving in the B-Specials and, of course, the Ulster Defence Regiment.

My oldest son is named after him, Jamie Kenneth.

Mr Shannon said he can recall distinctly the moment he was informed by his father that his beloved cousin had been killed.

I had just left school in July of that year and that December I was working in my mum and dads shop in Ballywalter, continued Mr Shannon.

I was filling the 5lb potato bags, because that was my job, and my dad came up and told me Kenneth had been killed that morning.

Its my history. It certainly makes me aware, when it comes to those who have lost loved ones, that I understand that better than most. I understand their loss as well.

During the debate, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, said he recognised the emotion of Mr Shannon in his remarks and said: I cannot put myself in [Mr Shannons] shoes  I would not try to  and nor can I right the wrongs of something that happened 51 years ago.

Mr Heaton-Harris also acknowledged that the bill is not perfect and, whilst it may be imperfect for Mr Shannon, it might just work for some others.

When asked about the response from the Secretary of State to his comments, Mr Shannon said he believes the Tory MP was careful in his response.

He didnt answer the question, by the way, but he was careful and recognised the hurt and the soreness, even after a period of time when you live with someone who is no longer here, he said.

How I wish when I came of age at 18 years old and got my first shotgun that we would have gone shooting together. That was denied to me.

Mr Shannons emotional comments on Tuesday is not the first time he has shown emotion in the Commons.

He previously broke down in tears in January 2022 during an urgent question on revelations that some Conservative MPs and staffers had broken lockdown restrictions.

Mr Shannons mother-in-law died alone during the pandemic, a pain he said was felt by thousands of families across the UK.

I dont set out to be emotional, its not the purpose, but sometimes I just recognise the emotion coming up on me. During yesterdays debate, it wasnt just emotion for my family, but it was for the others I mentioned as well, he said.

As for the future of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which is still progressing through the debate stages in the House of Lords, Mr Shannon said he acknowledges the UK Government is committed to it.

Disappointingly, the government seems entirely committed to pursuing this bill, he stated.

If you look at all the people who spoke about losing loved ones yesterday  Colum Eastwood, Stephen Farry, Carla Lockhart, even the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Kyle  its about the victims. Its all about them, the ordinary people who just want to see the person who murdered their cousin, their brother, their dad, face justice  and not just justice for some.
Solicitors professional body and nationalist MPs criticise use of parliamentary privilege

Ian Paisley also said that Gavin Booth (inset), the legal practitioner representing the family of IRA man Colum Marks (29) - shot dead by the RUC in April 1991, was vindictive

The Law Society for Northern Ireland has called for attacks on solicitors under parliamentary privilege to stop after DUP MP Ian Paisley described one as a snake oil salesman.

During a debate on the Governments controversial Legacy Bill, Mr Paisley also said the legal practitioner representing the family of IRA man Colum Marks (29), shot dead by the RUC in April 1991, was vindictive.

Human rights lawyer Gavin Booth has represented the Marks family for many years, dating back to when he was a trainee solicitor.

Now a partner in Phoenix Law, he challenged Mr Paisley to repeat what he said outside the House of Commons.

As a qualified lawyer, along with colleagues in Phoenix Law, we will continue to represent everyone without fear or favour, said Mr Booth.

Should Mr Paisley wish to repeat his comments publicly, I would invite him to do so.

We will continue to act for those most marginalised in society regardless of who they are and where they come from.

The Law Society reiterated calls for attacks on lawyers made in relation to this Bill to cease immediately.

Solicitors provide vital support to victims and survivors of the Troubles to access truth and justice and should not come under attack for doing their jobs, it said.

Earlier this year the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said the evidence was insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction in the Marks case.

The family disputes the police version of events, claiming he was unlawfully killed. The policeman who shot Mr Marks in Downpatrick, known only as Officer B, said he believed he was armed, and claimed he refused to stop when an attempt was made to arrest him. No gun was found at the scene.

Colum Marks

The family has asked the PPS review its decision.

Mr Paisley said: The officer who took part in that operation has now faced three trials.

He was most recently cleared by the Director of Prosecutions with the words that it was a lawful killing, not only in his self-defence but the defence of the state and the people living in Downpatrick.

Was that the end of it? No there is now going to be another attempt to drag that officer, known as Officer B, before the courts.

That is vindictive. That officer has long since retired. He has another family and is trying to live his life, yet this continues to hang over him.

We have a certain shameful snake oil salesman of a legal practitioner saying he was going to take this person  this RUC murderer  back to court on behalf of the Marks family. That is vindictive, that is ongoing, and those matters do offend.

Mr Paisley was challenged over his comments by SDLP MP Colum Eastwood, who said: Can I ask the honourable gentleman to be very careful in his language?

The last time that solicitors were named in this House we ended up in a very bad and dangerous place.

I would ask him to be very careful about his language, because we can never go back to those days, and people in this House should not be given licence for that.

In 1989 Tory MP Douglas Hogg claimed in the Commons there were a number of lawyers in Northern Ireland who were unduly sympathetic to the IRA.

Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane was murdered three weeks later in front of his wife and children by UDA terrorists.

State papers released in 2019 show Irish ambassador Andrew ORourke asked UK cabinet secretary Robin Butler to issue a statement correcting any impression the Government considered lawyers defending paramilitaries as acting on anything other than a professional basis.

Journalist Des McCartan wrote at the time he believed Mr Hogg was briefed by the RUC through the NIO and Home Office, who named three nationalist solicitors  Mr Finucane, Oliver Kelly, and Paddy McGrory  and two other solicitors with loyalist sympathies.

However, defending his comments, Mr Paisley responded to Mr Eastwood by saying: I thank the honourable member for that, but he should be very clear that I did not actually mention solicitors, I said a legal practitioner, because they are not a solicitor. He wants to draw that out, as he has done by his comment, but he will now see that it is someone very specific.

People will be able to look up the website of that person, who makes snake oil sales. In this case, because such a person should recognise the outcome of the justice process.

Mr Booth believes this refers to his status when he first took on the case in 2015. He is identified on the Phoenix Law website as representing the Marks family for the last eight years.

South Down Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said Mr Paisleys comments were dangerous, and hark back to darker times.

MPs should not be hiding behind parliamentary privilege to engage in commentary of this type, he said.

All public representatives have a responsibility to be mindful of their language in the course of the ongoing legacy debate and to consider the impact their words and actions can have on the safety of legal professionals as well as on victims and their families.

The Marks family are entitled to truth and justice and Sinn Fein will continue to support them in their campaign.
NI parties have been reacting following meetings with NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris.

There can be no summer recess on efforts to restore devolution in Northern Ireland, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said.

Following a meeting with NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, Mr Eastwood said the impact of hospital waiting lists, the public sector pay crisis and soaring costs should keep minds focused on reforming the Executive.

"There can be no summer recess on the efforts to restore devolution. People across our communities are experiencing hardship and pain as the impact of the breakdown of democratic governance steadily gets worse, said the Foyle MP.

People waiting for hospital treatment, families where working parents havent had a fair pay rise in years, people who cant afford soaring mortgage costs or childcare bills wont be getting a break over the next few months and neither should political leaders who have a responsibility to form a government.

I have again outlined to the Secretary of State that the SDLP will play a constructive role in Opposition to re-establish devolved government. Our priorities for opposition will include addressing the childcare costs crisis, transforming health services to meet the needs of our people, ensuring that workers are paid fairly and that support is provided to families to address the cost of living.

"And well help secure public finances with the SDLPs triple lock plan to prevent the decimation of public services. People are quickly running out of patience with the glacial pace of progress on these issues. A summer of drift cannot be allowed to happen.

Meanwhile, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said there was no solid basis for a restoration of the NI Executive until NIs constitutional arrangements are respected.

During their meeting with Chris Heaton-Harris, Mr Donaldson and MP Gavin Robinson have urged the Secretary of State to recognise the need to safeguard Northern Irelands place in the UK internal market.

The ball is in the Governments court. The DUP has a mandate to restore the NI Assembly on a basis that unionists as well as nationalists can support. Consensus is the only way forward in Northern Ireland, said Mr Donaldson.

"Unionists just want a fair deal. Nationalists would never have been asked to accept the kind of arrangements North-South that unionists are being asked to accept between one part of the UK and another.

"The Government committed to taking action to restore our place in the UK internal market but whilst statements and headlines have been in plentiful supply, there has been a lack of meaningful action.

"We need stable and sustainable devolved government and we need funding for our public services that meet the needs of our people. Northern Ireland is a divided society. Quick fixes without solid foundations will do a disservice to those trying to make the NI Assembly work.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson

It comes during a week when Mr Heaton-Harris is holding fresh talks with party leaders in a bid to break the Stormont stalemate.

The bilateral meetings are taking place in both Northern Ireland and London and will also focus on budget pressures facing Stormont departments.

Mr Heaton-Harris is expected to press the parties on their plans for a costed programme for government for any incoming Executive.

The Stormont Assembly has been in flux for more than a year amid DUP protest action over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Windsor Framework was agreed by the EU and UK earlier this year as a way to reduce red tape on trade between GB and NI.

Senior civil servants have been left running Stormont departments and face having to make substantial cuts following a budget set by Mr Heaton-Harris.

Read more Heaton-Harris to meet party leaders over Stormont stalemate

It is understood that Mr Heaton-Harris has also received the first batch of replies from civil servants examining potential revenue-raising options for Northern Ireland.

Last month, the Northern Ireland Secretary wrote to Stormont permanent secretaries seeking more information about measures that could otherwise improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland.

These included introducing domestic water charges and drug prescription charges, and raising tuition fees.

Officials at the Northern Ireland Office are expected to meet the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the near future to discuss the responses.
The new report has been published by the Centre of Progressive Policy

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that has failed to provide a proper response to the cost-of-living crisis, a new report has said.

While those living outside Belfast are impacted by a severe difference in fuel poverty, rent prices here have become the most overheated in the UK.

According to the findings from think tank Centre of Progressive Policy (CPP), 68% of the Northern Ireland population depends on heating oil to power their homes, rising to 82% in rural areas with the energy price cap not applicable here.

Despite each household receiving 200 between January and February in aid of this, the CPP explained this did not take into account the varied reliance on heating oil in different parts of the country and came long after the spike in prices.

The report also said: Belfasts housing stock is also generally more energy-efficient than much of the rest of Northern Ireland, particularly compared to many rural and coastal communities where housing stock tends to be older, larger and more expensive to heat.

According to 2022 statistics from the National Energy Action group, 45% of households in Northern Ireland are living in fuel poverty, which is defined as a household spending more than 10% of its income on energy costs.

The CPP said the absence of a functioning government in Northern Ireland means that it is the only part of the UK to have lacked a proper policy response to the cost-of-living crisis.

It also claims the rental market has become the most overheated of the four nations of the UK, with prices having increased far more than in England, Wales, and Scotland since 2015.

Private rents here rose by 9.9% between March 2022 and March this year, compared to 4.6% in England, 4.4% in Wales, and 5.1% in Scotland.

There is also significant variation within the province, from a low of 1.7% in Derry City and Strabane, to a high of 12.7% in Newry, Mourne and Down.

According to the report, a record 129,710 households are in receipt of receiving universal credit, a figure that has more than doubled since 2020.

Local leaders fighting this crisis on the ground in Northern Ireland have often had to do so with few resources, little strategic oversight and limited data-led insight about the situation as it confronts them, said CPP research analyst and report author Ross Mudie.

Fuel poverty rates are a real cause for concern in Northern Ireland, while soaring private rents in certain areas are adding further pressure.

With many households outside of Belfast reliant on heating oil, Northern Ireland remains uniquely vulnerable to future price shocks.

Local authorities know their communities best and they should be granted flexible funding to target the support that is most needed.

An effective strategic response requires strong governance from the Northern Irish Assembly to both allocate funding and collect the data required to develop effective policy responses to respond to the situation on the ground.
The victims commissioner for Northern Ireland has called on the Government to reconsider its legacy bill amid ping-pong between the House of Commons and House of Lords.

Ian Jeffers was reacting to a vote in which MPs favoured (292 to 200) reinstating an amnesty provision to those who cooperate with investigations under the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) body.

The debate took place on Tuesday, a month after the House of Lords backed an amendment preventing individuals from requesting immunity from prosecution as part of any future investigation into Troubles related cases.

"I think the Lords will challenge again. I think we might be in for a bit of ping pong without a doubt, going between the Commons and the Lords, Mr Jeffers told BBC Radio 4s The World Tonight programme.

But I would hope the delay  that todays [Tuesdays] vote means that it has to go back to the Lords  and that gives time for us all to reflect and say is there a better smarter way to do this?.

Because the one thing the Secretary of State and I do agree on is that we do need to find a solution.

Chris Heaton-Harris told MPs that the bill, which was being debated as it reached its third and final stage, is not perfect but that families could use it to get valuable information.

He has previously said that the government believed it was "the best mechanism by which we can generate the greatest volume of information in the quickest possible time to pass onto families and victims".

Read more We must address Northern Irelands past in a different way if we are to achieve better outcomes

On Wednesday a Government minister told BBC Radio Ulster that previous attempts to find a solution to legacy issues have evaporated".

Lord Cain said that consensus has eluded successive Governments as he said the current one has made a realistic assessment of what can be achieved for victims and survivors.

We are now a quarter of a century after the Belfast Agreement, nearly 30 years after the ceasefires, and well over 50 years since the outbreak of the Troubles themselves, he said.

"So its a realistic assessment of what can be delivered in circumstances where frankly the prospect of prosecutions is going to be vanishingly rare.

"I do appreciate this is incredibly difficult and challenging legislation and as I said as far back as November last year when I introduced the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords  its challenging for me as well.

"This is very difficult and involves some finely balanced political and moral judgements.

When it was put to the Conservative peer that the only consensus around the legislation is opposition with the exception of representatives of former soldiers  he insisted he is acutely aware of peoples views.

"Since July last summer I have done 75 meetings on legacy with victims groups, political parties, parliamentarians, Irish Government, US interlocutors etc, etc, Lord Cain said.

"I am acutely aware of the difficulties that people have, people dont oppose it for the same reasons.

What I am trying to do taking this through the Lords at a very, very slow pace and take on board as many of the arguments as I can.

With summer recess getting underway on Thursday, The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill is not expected to come before Parliament again until at least September.

Shadow NI Secretary Peter Kyle urged the government to listen to the Bills critics.

As the Government has failed to ram through the legacy bill by July as they recklessly intended, Labour is urging them to reflect over the summer and shelve their plans, the MP added.

Its time Rishi Sunak listened to Northern Ireland parties, all of whom oppose this bill that delivers more for terrorists than victims.

If the Conservatives have given up being an honest broker, they should step aside so Labour can clean up the mess theyve made and be the partner Northern Ireland deserves.
Two men accused of attempted deception at a post office in Carlow after trying to collect a dead mans pension have pleaded guilty.

Declan Haughney (41), of Pollerton Road, Carlow and his co-accused Gareth Coakley (37), of John Sweeney Park, were charged with attempted deception at Hoseys Post Office, Staplestown Road, Carlow, on January 21, 2022.

The pair were rearraigned at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court this morning. When they appeared before the court on Tuesday, they had pleaded not guilty and a trial was due to proceed today.

However, shortly after 11.30am, defence barristers Richard Downey BL, for Coakley, and David Roberts, for Haugney, asked for their clients to be rearraigned.

They have now pleaded guilty to entering the post office and attempting to dishonestly induce by deception a member of staff.

It was also alleged Mr Haughney and Mr Coakley attempted to collect a pension payment of 246 owed to 66-year-old Peadar Doyle, whose body was later removed from the post office.

Judge Eugene OKelly dismissed the jury and thanked them for their patience.

Mr Roberts BL told the court that Mr Haughney is currently under an enhanced regime in Wheatfield Prison in Dublin and asked for a Governors report to be prepared before sentencing.

Mr Coakley, who had been remanded on bail after initially pleading not guilty, was taken into custody after his guilty plea.

A victim impact statement from Peadar Doyles family will also be given at the sentencing hearing.

Judge OKelly said the case had generated a lot of public interest after a deceased gentleman was taken out from the post office.

He said the bizarre circumstances of the case would be outlined at the sentencing hearing.

The court heard the offence carries a maximum imprisonment of five years.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he has not shirked away from anything found in a report which said the force was institutionally racist.

Following the report, led by Baroness Louise Casey and published in March, Sir Mark said he would not use the term institutional and told reporters that he needed to use language thats unambiguous and is apolitical.

It comes as Mina Smallman, mother to two daughters murdered in Wembley, north London, called for more black officers to be deployed by the Metropolitan Police in local communities.

Ms Smallman also told the PA news agency that it was a huge disappointment that Sir Mark refused to accept institutional racism in the force.

Sir Mark Rowley (second left) in Hackney, east London, to publicise his forces new Pc recruitment ad campaign (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Ms Smallmans daughters, Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, were stabbed to death while in a park in Wembley in June 2020.

Former Met constables Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis shared photographs of the womens bodies on WhatsApp and were subsequently jailed for two years and nine months each in December 2021.

Asked about Ms Smallmans disappointment, Sir Mark told PA: I completely understand Minas view.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley speaks to the media (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

I havent shirked away from anything that Baroness Casey has said.

I completely accept her diagnosis and thats why were on a big reform plan.

On Monday the Met announced plans to overhaul the force with a 366 million two-year scheme, dubbed A New Met for London.

The plan includes a recruitment campaign which Sir Mark says is encouraging diversity through advertisements that showcase ordinary frontline officers.

Sir Mark told PA: The adverts that people will see are ordinary frontline officers, some of our fantastic men and women and what they show is, this is a job with a real purpose, where you can make a massive difference to communities.

Theyre showing how much they enjoy the job and that will attract others in and what people will see is that we are an increasingly diverse organisation.

According to Met Police figures from the end of May, 17.2% of the Mets full time police officers are black, Asian or mixed ethnic heritage, whilst 30.7% of the Mets police officers are female.

The campaign has launched in the same week as the newly formed independent Alliance For Police Accountability (APA) organisation which aims to tackle racist, misogynistic and homophobic policing.
Irelands premier said coming to face to face with the horrors inflicted by Russia has convinced him that Ukraine will ultimately emerge from the war victorious.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

On a day-long unannounced trip to the Ukrainian capital, Mr Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion.

He was taken to the church grounds where a mass grave was found and a bridge where fleeing civilians were bombed and laid a soft toy at a memorial for children killed in the conflict, the youngest just two days old.

The Taoiseach also participated in a number of other wreath and flower-laying ceremonies to commemorate those who have lost their lives defending Ukraine.

I came face to face with the horror that Russias forces have inflicted on civilians here in Ukraine, he said afterwards.

After an hour-long meeting with President Zelensky, Mr Varadkar reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the negotiation process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed to taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine vast swathes of Ukrainian land.

The Taoiseach made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the kakhovka dam and other areas.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

He added: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar shakes hands with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint news briefing at Horodetsky House in Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Mr Varadkar also revealed that an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

Asked how such a part could potentially have got into Russian hands, Mr Varadkar said: We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression, he said.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

After the engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The Taoiseachs intensive schedule of engagements began in the early morning when he disembarked from an overnight train from Poland to travel to the Kyiv Oblast region on the northern outskirts of the city.

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Leo Varadkar visits the Motherland monument in Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, 24.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainian fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks from entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) shakes hands with actor Oleksandr Hrekov (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Later in the day, Mr Varadkar met a Ukrainian actor who was assaulted in Dublin last month.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel. The actor required stitches in hospital.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

The Taoiseach then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.
As of May 2023, China had sent 27 medical teams consisting of a total of 3,522 members to assist Algeria, treating approximately 27.41 million patients and delivering 2.08 million newborns.

[Xinhua] Flipping through an old photo album, Zhang Youming, 90, showed the journalist a picture of herself taken in the Algerian city of Saida, in which she embraces a local girl with big eyes. "This child told me she wanted me to be her mother," she said.





In 1963, China sent its first medical team abroad to help post-war Algeria rebuild its medical and healthcare services. After gaining independence in 1962, Algeria found itself in a difficult situation: almost all French doctors had left, and the Algerian people lacked medical care and medications. The country had no choice but to seek help from the international community. China was the first country to respond to the call.





On April 6, 1963, the first Chinese medical team departed from Beijing. It took ten days for the team to finally reach the northwestern Algerian province of Saida, traveling by plane, train and by road through Moscow, Belgrade and Rabat. Zhang, a doctor from Xiangya Hospital in central China's Hunan Province, was a member of the team.





A Chinese doctor (L, front) talks with patients at a hospital in Masacra, Algeria, May 13, 1966. (Xinhua/Sun Xingwen)





During her two-and-a-half-year stay in Algeria, Zhang successfully performed thousands of surgeries and delivered many Algerian children. She once wrote in her journal, "As a member of the first medical team sent by new China to support Africa, I left my family behind to ease the pain of the people of a foreign country. My heart feels satisfied and happy, and I have sensed a different value of life."





In late 1963, Zhang treated a pregnant woman suffering from hemorrhage. By successfully operating on her, Zhang saved her life and safely delivered her baby. The mother then named her child "Chinese" in Arabic. "She wanted the child to remember that it was the Chinese who saved their lives," she recalled.





When she left Saida in November 1965, many patients took her hands and asked her to stay. Wiping away her tears, she bid them farewell, saying, "The next Chinese medical team will take care of you just as we did. Don't worry!"





As of May 2023, China had sent 27 medical teams consisting of a total of 3,522 members to assist Algeria, treating approximately 27.41 million patients and delivering 2.08 million newborns. Today, 90 percent of obstetric surgeries in the province of Saida are performed by Chinese doctors, and even patients from neighboring provinces come to Saida to seek help.





"Chinese doctors are so important to Saida," said Girali Feltu, head of the gynecology and obstetrics department at Saida Maternity Hospital, who has been working with Chinese doctors for 16 years.





The Chinese medical teams have not only saved lives and treated the wounded but also brought medical knowledge and techniques to this North African country, helping train a large number of local medical professionals.





"The Chinese medical teams are dedicated and highly cooperative. They share their experience and skills with Algerian doctors and students," said Nadjet Akhnak, director of the Mother and Child Hospital in the northeastern Algerian province of Setif.





According to the National Health Commission of China, in the past 60 years, China has dispatched a total of 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions worldwide, with 290 million patients treated. China's selfless medical assistance and support have won huge appreciation of the recipient countries.
Police run towards protesters during clashes in the Kibera area of Nairobi (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

At least two people are dead and 26 others injured after police in Kenya opened fire on demonstrators protesting against the rising cost of living.

The countrys political opposition had called for three days of nationwide protests aimed at forcing the president to repeal a finance law imposing new taxes.

President William Ruto had vowed that no protests would take place, saying he would take opposition leader Raila Odinga head-on.

Protesters throw rocks at police during clashes next to a cloud of teargas in the Kibera area of Nairobi (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

In the western city of Kisumu, a stronghold for Mr Odinga, the chief executive of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital confirmed the deaths.

We have two bodies recorded at the mortuary with gunshot wounds, and 14 other people are admitted with gunshot wounds, George Rae said.

The Associated Press witnessed one man shot in the shoulder and two others shot in the leg in the Mathare area of Kenyas capital, Nairobi.

Four protesters were injured in Mathare, according to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In Nairobis Kangemi area, health records worker Alvin Sikuku told the AP that two young men were brought into the Eagle Nursing Home clinic. Police are using live bullets, he said.

The protests concern a new tax introduced amid a rising cost of living crisis (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

One man was shot in the back and severely wounded and the other was shot in the leg. We dont yet know if they were protesting or just walking by, Mr Sikuku said.

In the city of Nakuru, Nakuru Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent James Waweru confirmed that four people came in with gunshot wounds, two of them shot in the abdomen, one in the chest and another one in the leg. A fifth person had been cut and wounded.

The Interior Ministry said more than 300 people were arrested during the protests and will be charged with crimes that include looting, destroying property and assaulting police. Authorities did not comment on the dead and wounded or respond to witness allegations that police officers had at times fired into homes.

The opposition condemned the arrests of seven elected leaders and two close associates of Mr Odinga, describing them in a statement as a desperate attempt by the Ruto administration to paralyse the opposition.

The opposition said protests would continue on Thursday.

The Media Council of Kenya alleged cases of police masquerading as journalists with intent to arrest protesters. In a statement, the council called such behavior grave unprofessional conduct.

Businesses and schools in Nairobi were closed as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. Demonstrations were reported in several other parts of the country, including the western counties of Migori and Kisii, where the opposition enjoys huge support.

Riot police during clashes with protesters in the Kibera area of Nairobi (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Police had said the protests were illegal as no permit for them was issued, but the right to peaceful protests is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution.

During similar protests last week, at least 10 people were killed, according to watchdogs. A police officer confirmed at least six deaths to the AP. Many others were injured, including 53 children who went into shock after tear gas was thrown inside their school compound.

Religious leaders have called for dialogue between the government and the opposition to end the protests. Catholic bishops issued a statement saying no further blood should be shed and urged the president to repeal the finance law.

The law has raised the price of fuel to its highest level as the government implements a doubling of value added tax on petroleum products to 16%. The prices have taken effect despite a court order suspending the implementation of the controversial new taxes.

The International Monetary Fund this week called the laws approval a crucial step toward reducing Kenyas debt vulnerabilities.

Western envoys from 13 countries issued a joint statement calling for dialogue and expressed concern over the loss of lives and destruction of property.

The Kenya Medical Association said its members had attended to hundreds of injured Kenyans and witnessed tens of fatalities as a result of protests in recent months, and access to health facilities was limited for patients and workers, leading to increased deaths.

Human Rights Watch urged political leaders to stop labelling protesters as terrorists and respect the right to peaceful protests. The group also called out the police for using force and live bullets to confront protesters.
The US soldier crossed into North Korea during a tour in the border village of Panmunjom (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

North Korea remains silent about the detention of an American soldier who sprinted across its heavily fortified border with South Korea, asother members of his tour group looked on in shock.

Observers said the North is unlikely to repatriate the soldier anytime soon amid heightened tensions between the rivals.

Private 2nd Class Travis King bolted into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarised Zone on Tuesday, a day after he was supposed to leave the country and travel to a base in the US.

Pte King was released from a South Korean prison earlier this month, not the first time he had run into legal trouble in the country. He could have faced more punishment in the US.

Pte King is the first known American held in North Korea in nearly five years. Each detention has set off complicated diplomatic wrangling, and this one comes at a time of heightened animosity.

On Wednesday, North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in an apparent protest at the deployment of a US nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea for the first time in decades.

Its likely that North Korea will use the soldier for propaganda purposes in the short-term and then as a bargaining chip in the mid to long-term, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea, said.

The soldier crossed into North Korea during a tour in the border village of Panmunjom (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Pte King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armoured Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was supposed to leave on Monday for Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

He was escorted as far as customs but left the airport before boarding his plane.

It was not clear how he spent the hours until joining the Panmunjom tour and running across the border on Tuesday afternoon.

The US army released his name and limited information after Pte Kings family was notified.

One woman who was on the tour with Pte King said she initially thought his dash was some kind of stunt  and that she and others in the group could not believe what had happened.

Tours of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) run from South Korea (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Pte Kings stint in prison was not the first time he faced legal trouble in South Korea.

In February, a court fined him five million won (3,060) after being convicted of assaulting an unidentified person and damaging a police vehicle in Seoul last October, according to a transcript of the verdict obtained by The Associated Press.

The ruling said Pte King had also been accused of punching a 23-year-old man at a Seoul nightclub, although the court dismissed that charge because the victim did not want the soldier to be punished.

Pte Kings mother told ABC News she was shocked when she heard her son had crossed into North Korea.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Claudine Gates, of Racine, Wisconsin, said.

Ms Gates said said she had last heard from her son a few days ago, when he told her he would return soon to Fort Bliss.

She added that she just wanted him to come home.

US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin said his foremost concern was for the soldiers well-being (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US government was working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve this incident.

The American-led UN Command said on Tuesday that the US soldier was believed to be in North Korean custody.

Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin told a Pentagon news conference, noting that his foremost concern was for the soldiers well-being.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, although more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since a truce ended the 1950-53 Korean War.
The Dublin Monaghan bombings killed 34 people in total, including an unborn baby.

The first bomb, at the rush hour of 5.28 pm, was in Parnell Street in Dublin.

At rush hour on a Friday evening in the summer of 1974 three car bombs exploded in Dublins city centre.

They killed 26 people, including an unborn baby on Parnell Street, Talbot Street and South Leinster Street. Around an hour and a half later, a fourth car bomb went off in Co Monaghan where seven more people were killed.

The Dublin Monaghan bombings on May 17 49 years ago killed 34 people in total and injured almost 300.

Almost half a century on, no one has been convicted in connection with the no warning bombs, believed to have been carried out by the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

Presenter Siobhan Maguire is joined by Irish Independent columnist John Downing to hear about that awful day almost half a century ago.
Updated at 10 a.m. ET on 2023-07-20

Xiaoling bristles when asked about alleged detention camps where Uyghurs have been forcibly confined by Chinas government.

Have you been to Xinjiang? No? Then go and see Xinjiang first, said the second-generation Chinese immigrant to the Southeast Asian country.

Meanwhile in a report published last August, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said China had committed serious human rights violations against Muslim Uyghurs in re-education or internment camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

So where did 65-year-old Xiaoling get her information from?

Malaysian Chinese over the age of 61, with lower education levels who speak mainly Chinese (Mandarin), have a relatively favorable view of China, a survey done by Taiwan-based Doublethink Lab found. They tend to rely on traditional media such as newspapers and television to receive news.

Chinese language newspapers and television in Malaysia have a role to play in creating positive perceptions of China among the countrys ethnic Chinese population, as interviews by Asia Fact Check Lab with journalists from and consumers of Malaysian Chinese media revealed.

At the same time, the Malaysian Chinese media are not entirely responsible for these perceptions. Chinese television channels broadcast in Malaysia also beguiled the diaspora, AFCL found as well.

In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country like Malaysia, communal tensions can arise when a section of the population has no access to all the facts on an issue. Malaysia is predominantly Muslim, but the ethnic Chinese minority makes up about a fifth of the nations population.

The Lim clan has dinner together to celebrated Chinese New Year, at Weld Quay in Penang, Malaysia, Jan. 31, 2022. [A. Ammarudin/BenarNews]

On the issue of the Muslim Uyghurs of Xinjiang, the mainstream English language press in Malaysia had carried reports from Western news agencies about the U.N. findings and so did the Malay-language press. Agencies such as Reuters and the Associated Press included a sentence or two of denial from the Chinese government.

The Chinese-language press covered it slightly differently.

According to Li Wen Yue, a senior executive at a Chinese-language newspaper in Malaysia, in a situation where the East and West hold polarized views, such as on Xinjiang, the best way is to let both sides speak.

She said she would compile the official Chinese statements and also quote foreign media reports on the situation in the re-education camps, leaving it for readers to judge.

So the newspaper would say, I give you the space, you talk about your views, he talks about his views. When he accuses you of only reporting one side, you can say, I also reported on your views, she told AFCL.

If the Chinese embassy has any objections to the reporting, or calls to enquire, the newspaper can also explain that it is quoting foreign media, not reporting out of thin air.

And yet, Xiaoling, and many other Malaysian Chinese view China in a positive light compared with other ethnicities in the Southeast Asian country, research has shown.

In fact, compared to 2016, the percentage of Malaysian Chinese who had a favorable view of China increased to 67% in 2022 from 41%, a survey A survey conducted by the Merdeka Center and the China Studies Institute at the University of Malaya found.

Malays make up close to 70% of Malaysias population, and all of them are Muslim. Ethnic Chinese comprise almost 23% of the population, and ethnic Indians 6.6%.

People take part in an event in front of the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur in solidarity with the Uyghur community in China and to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the riots in Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, which left nearly 200 people dead, on July 5, 2019. [Mohd. Rasfan/AFP]

Malaysian Chinese families, like most Malaysian homes, have cable television, which has become especially ubiquitous since the pandemic.

That gives them access to mainland Chinese state-run media such as CCTV and Phoenix. These networks broadcast content that is not directly political, such as programs about technology, cuisine and agriculture, as well as variety shows and dramas.

These programs show high-rise buildings in Shanghai and average Chinese using cutting-edge technology. Such content dazzles people like Xiaoling and her friend, 62-year-old housewife Qiuping, who marvel at what they see as Chinas development, according to Malaysian media scholar Chen Ming-hui.

Xiaoling and Qiuping told AFCL that they envied the lives that the Chinese lead  or the lives they thought they led  and that they wished Malaysia could be led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Malaysias democracy, they believed, had brought chaos, and Chinas one-party rule and Xis leadership were necessary, they told AFCL.

Chinese Embassys concerns

Playing an adjunct role in influencing Malaysian Chinese perceptions of China is the Chinese press in Malaysia.

Well known Chinese-language mainstream newspapers in Malaysia include Sin Chew Daily, China Press, Nanyang Siang Pau and Oriental Daily News.

Sin Chew Daily is the largest, with a circulation of about 350,000 copies in print and electronic form, and about 1.5 million readers a day.

All but the Oriental Daily News, are run by Media Chinese International (MCIL), which is owned by Malaysian businessman Tiong Hiew King, who has investments and business relations in China.

Chinese-language media under MCIL tended to report positively on Malaysias and Chinas business dealings, and was relatively pro-China, said a 2022 report by Freedom House, an American NGO.

Much of this pro-China reporting, though, does not result from direct Chinese embassy coercion, AFCL found.

What the Chinese Embassy does is express concern over a news item, said Chen Zhi De, a Malaysian Chinese journalist.

China does not interfere with every event, as it would create resentment, he told AFCL

He added that the embassy couches its concerns in very polite language, which nevertheless delivers the message.

One too many concerns and the publication will find that Chinese businesses are suddenly withdrawing advertisements and the Chinese embassy is boycotting it, said a 2016 thesis paper by Taiwanese student Fang Cuiying, of National Taiwan University.

A vendor sells giant incense sticks and other decorations ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Kubang Semang, Penang, Malaysia, Jan. 16, 2020. [Mohd. Rasfan/AFP]

Sometimes, there is pressure from the readership as well.

Lin Wei Hong, a reporter who covered the 2019 protests in Hong Kong against an extradition bill, recalled that readers felt he had given the pro-democracy camp too much press.

Many times, you just put the phone down and let them complain, he told AFCL.

But that is not always feasible, most Malaysian Chinese media personnel said.

The survival of Malaysian Chinese newspapers depends on the Chinese community.

Malaysian media scholar Chen said that readers, who include local Chinese leaders and businessmen, exert pressure on the media if they see too much negative news about China, due to their close business ties with China.

Malaysian Chinese journalist Chen Zhi De and some others, however, defend themselves, saying they adhere to professional ethics, and while their reporting may not be perfect, they dont intentionally take a pro-China stance.

One kind of rice feeds hundreds of different people, Chen told AFCL, as he proceeded to talk about MCIL, which owns three of the four top Chinese newspapers in Malaysia.

If they believe that MCIL is red media, everything they read will be red.

This report was produced by Asia Fact Check Lab, a unit of Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNews. Shailaja Neelakantan of BenarNews in Washington edited this report.

Due to safety concerns, Xiaoling, Qiuping, Li Wen Yue, Chen Ming Hui, Chen Zhi De, Lin Wei Hong are pseudonyms preferred by the interviewees.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report had a mistranslation of the English name of Doublethink Lab.
Students wear face masks and maintain social distancing at a classroom to guard against COVID-19 during the first day of the reopening of their high school in Putrajaya, Malaysia, June 24, 2020.

In an unprecedented case, three former high school students in Malaysia have successfully sued their former teacher for his chronic absenteeism which, they argued, deprived them of a solid education.

The judge at the Kota Kinabalu High Court in Sabah awarded the ex-students a total of 150,000 ringgit (U.S. $33,021) in damages for the psychological harm caused to them by their English teachers nearly seven-month absence when they were 16 years old.

The Malaysian government, in addition to the teacher, is among the five defendants that have to jointly pay the damages, according to the ruling handed down on Tuesday.

High Court Judge Leonard David Shim ruled that the defendants had abdicated their responsibilities under the Education Act 1996.

Each student will receive 30,000 ringgit ($6,604) as nominal compensation for the loss of opportunity to obtain good grades in English and loss of a good opportunity in their lives to receive better education in the future, Shim ruled in a 74-page judgment made available via e-review on Wednesday.

[A]nd an additional 20,000 ringgit ($4,402) will be awarded for aggravated costs, considering the emotional and psychological trauma caused by the teachers absenteeism, leading to hurt and humiliation.

The other three defendants were the students then- principal of S.M.K. Taun Gusi, the high school in Kota Belud, the director-general of education and the federal education minister.

BenarNews contacted federal Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

The students who brought the suit, Rusiah Sabdarin, Nur Natasha Allisya Hamali and Calvina Angayung, are now 22 years old.

They had filed the case in December 2020, accusing their teacher of a seven-month absence from his teaching duties in 2017, when they were students in the fourth form, which corresponds to the 10th grade.

The students lawsuit said the teachers absence led to their failure in the English exam.

Before they went to court, the students in 2017 had spoken about the issue to the school principal, the state administration and the Ministry of Education, but no action was taken, they said.

(From left) Former high school students Calvina Angayung, Nur Natasha Allisya Hamali, Rusiah Sabdarin, who won a suit against their former English teacher for his chronic absenteeism, are seen in an undated photo with their lawyer, Sherzali Herza Asli. [Courtesy via Facebook@officialtiadaguru]

Rusiah, one of the three plaintiffs, said she hoped the defendants would now take student complaints seriously.

I hope all students will have courage to voice their concerns and dissatisfaction when their rights as students are violated, she said in a statement after the court ruling.

I hope that all parties involved, regardless of whether they are from the school or education authorities, will consistently monitor the presence of teachers in schools.

Calvina, another student who sued, said justice had been served and a precedent set for similar cases.

It remains fresh in my memories when our teacher kept going absent, so much so that many of us failed the English subject, she said in a statement.

With the decision, I feel grateful knowing that my rights are acknowledged and respected by the court.

The lawsuit was part of a campaign led by Tiada.Guru, which calls itself a whistleblower-led organization. It advocates for students right to a good education and raises awareness about teacher absenteeism, particularly in the rural areas of Sabah, which is on Borneo island and is one of Malaysias poorest states.

The victory of former students Rusiah, Calvina, and Nur Natasha has set a new course for justice, unity, and progress in Malaysia, Tiada.Guru campaign said in a statement on Wednesday.

Whistleblowers risk their lives to ensure the government follows its own laws. Malaysians everywhere, but especially in rural communities have lost decades of progress because of internal investigations and internal enforcement.
Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Army commander, speaks with members of the foreign media in Manila, Feb. 15, 2023.

The Philippine president on Wednesday appointed as the new military chief a general who had helped stabilize the southern city of Marawi, which Islamic militants seized in 2017 before government forces routed them in a five-month battle.

Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., 55, who is currently the Army commander, will replace Gen. Andres Centino, who was appointed presidential adviser on the West Philippine Sea, the Presidential Communications Office said.

The West Philippine Sea is Manilas name for South China Sea waters within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Brawner exemplified the highest levels of excellence in his military schoolings, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.

Brawner takes over at a time of persistent challenges to the countrys borders from Beijing in the disputed South China Sea.

Just a week before the seventh anniversary of a landmark international arbitration ruling that dismissed Beijings expansive claims to the sea, Manila accused China of harassing its ships in the waterway.

In February, the Philippines protested a similar incident when the Chinese Coast Guard pointed a laser at one of its coast guard ships, causing temporary blindness to its crew.

China has continued to ignore the ruling. Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea including territories within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

In February, Brawner said that the Philippine Army had shifted its focus to territorial defense from internal security, fueled by Chinas increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Troops, he said then, required a change of mindset to focus on an external enemy from fighting southern insurgents and communists.

There is a common theme among armies around the world: wars will be fought on land so we have to be prepared, Brawner said at the time.

A Special Forces commando, Brawner had served in various capacities in the southern Philippines, fighting against communist and Muslim insurgents.

He was the commander of the army division that carried out an operation that killed Jorge Madlos, a long-time senior commander of the communist New Peoples Army (NPA) in the south.

Brawner was also one of the top military officials and tacticians on the ground during the 2017 siege of Marawi by Islamic State group militants.

He subsequently led an infantry division that went after their remnants in Mindanao, and that killed Owayda Marohombsar (also known as Abu Dar), one of the senior IS leaders who escaped from Marawi, in 2019.

Jojo Rinoza in Manila contributed to this report.
by Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja

The NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania concluded without any tangible progress towards peace. Instead, it appeared more like a display of unity to perpetuate and intensify conflicts between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO, all while claiming to be peacemakers. Unexpectedly, the Wagner Group offered some consolation to Western proponents of conflict, showcasing Russias leadership capacity to manage an unimaginable conflict situation with ingenuity and minimal political damage. Perplexed American and NATO leaders were left speechless, realizing that Russia had overcome an internal crisis they had hoped to exploit to destabilize the country. Throughout history, self-centered leaders have driven humanity into wars, resulting in dehumanization and ultimately achieving nothing.





German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of NATO summit, Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)

It is disheartening that morally and intellectually conscious leaders have not learned from history that wars are not the solution to man-made conflicts. The ongoing proxy war between Ukraine and Russia spans multiple conflicting time zones, resulting in wasted time, loss of human lives, energy depletion, economic devastation, destruction of the environment, and an uncertain future for mankind. Both sides rely on military strategies to address differences in human perspectives, geopolitical interests, and priorities for shaping the future. Is this a perpetuated ignorance of crucial life facts or a deliberate suppression of human wisdom for change and global harmony? When lifes realities call for a shift, intelligent leaders take steps to bring about change in the best interest of their nations.









The current conflicts between former Cold War adversaries are fueled by deep-seated mistrust, animosity, and the temptation to victimize the rest of humanity through historical disorder. There is a lack of visionary leadership and a viable plan to alter the course of these tragic events, marked by widespread deaths and destruction. Morality and human intellect continue to decline, hindering any possibility of immediate ceasefires or workable peace agreements.





A rational analysis of conflicts and the search for peace involve listening to diverse viewpoints, learning from them, and finding common ground without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing. This requires effective communication and enlightened leadership traits. Humanity is burdened with sorrows and fears of unknown hostilities, daily killings, and displacement. A society or nation, no matter how it claims to be normal, cannot function as fully developed beings in human culture or make meaningful contributions to sustainable change and progress. The US, NATO, the EU, Russia, and Ukraine are trapped in this seamless yet vicious entanglement. Unfortunately, desperation may drive someone to unilaterally use tactical nuclear weapons, leading to catastrophic global consequences.









Throughout history, powerful individuals and nations that transgressed and manipulated the Earth and humanity eventually met their demise due to natural causes, as determined by the laws of God. Many empires and egoistic leaders have experienced this natural course of events. The conscientious people of the world possess a rational understanding of the equilibrium and balanced relationship between man, life, and the God-given living Universe in which we all reside. We wonder who, besides God, could have created life, the Earth, and the functioning Universe, perfectly balanced and functional since time immemorial.





Who else but God determined that the Earth would spin at a speed of 1670 km per hour, orbit the sun at 107,000 km per hour, and rotate at 28,437 km per hour at the equator? The average distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 93 million miles (105 million km), and the distance between the Earth and the Moon is currently 384,821 km (equivalent to 0.002572 Astronomical Units). If the distances between the Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon were to change, there would be no sign of life, human civilizations, or habitable environments left on Earth. As human beings, we all have one origin, so why cant we coexist in peace and harmony? Do people ponder and realize how God created human beings and how societies have flourished since time unknown to human consciousness?





God created human beings from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a leech-like clot. He brings us into the light as children, allows us to grow and reach our full strength, then lets us become old. Some of us die before reaching this stage, and ultimately, we reach an appointed term to learn wisdom (Chapter 40:67, The Quran).





We, the people, aspire for peace and global harmony, but leaders seem to opt for conflicts. If Russian, American, and NATO leaders are sincere, proactive, and accountable to the global community, they urgently need advisors who can provide fresh ideas and creative strategic thinking to address the complex layers of political conflicts and humanitarian crises. These leaders must break free from the entrenched political mindset of warmongers.





Recently, this author proposed a strategic framework for dialogue to achieve peace and urged global leaders to adopt it. The emerging conflicts and leadership failures necessitate new thinking and new individuals with ideas and ideals to reject the violent assumptions of militarization and ego-driven triumphs that lead to genocidal plans. We, the people of the world, implore conscientious global leaders to prevent the impending epicenter of cataclysm and listen to voices of reason, immediately calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine and halting the escalation of military confrontations between Russia, NATO, America, the EU, and others. When pushed to the brink of reason, war becomes anti-human and can result in the global annihilation of cultures and civilizations. If we continue on this path, there will be NOTHING left on Earth that resembles a civilized society.





Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international affairs-global security, peace and conflict resolution with keen interests in Islamic-Western comparative cultures and civilizations, and author of several publications including the latest: One Humanity and the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution, Germany
Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Partys candidate for prime minister, removes his lawmakers badge in Parliament in Bangkok after Thailands Constitutional Court suspended him as an MP, July 19, 2023.

Updated at 1:13 p.m. ET on 2023-07-19

Pita Limjaroenrats second bid to become Thailands next prime minister was struck down on Wednesday, with pro-royalist members of Parliament sinking his nomination not long after a court suspended him as a lawmaker.

The twin blows effectively squashed Pitas bid to become Thailands first pro-democracy prime minister after nine years of rule by an administration with deep military ties dating to a coup in 2014.

After the order by the Constitutional Court was delivered to Parliament, Pita briefly addressed lawmakers before leaving the debating chamber to applause from MPs.

I think Thailand has undergone a profound transformation and will never be the same again after May 14, the 42 year old said. The people have already achieved a victory halfway through, with the other half remaining to be conquered.

Although I can no longer fulfill my duties, I humbly request my fellow parliamentarians to persist in supporting one another in the service of our nation, thank you.

His Move Forward Party was the top vote-getter in the May 14 general election, in which pro-military and pro-royalist parties were trounced.

Saying he would abide by the courts order, Pita bade the house speaker farewell until we meet again.

And I would like to ask all the MPs to use the parliament as a place to take care of the people. I believe Thailand has changed for good since May 14, he said.

After removing his parliamentary badge, he put it down and walked away.

With the setbacks that appeared to doom Pita, a large crowd of his supporters gathered outside the parliament building and iconic Democracy Monument in Bangkok to voice their anger at these developments that thrust their country into political limbo.

Earlier in the week, Pita announced he would end his prime ministerial quest and step aside for another candidate from his eight-party alliance to be nominated for PM, if he failed in a second round of parliamentary voting for the top post in government.

The next date for a vote to determine who will be Thailands new prime minister has been tentatively set for July 27, some MPs said.

Pita had been expected to contest a second and final vote for the prime ministerial post on Wednesday after he failed last week in his initial attempt to win the backing of Thailands 749-seat bicameral Parliament.

But his second nomination was rebuffed even before a vote could happen. Pro-royal MPs challenged Pitas eligibility to be nominated twice, arguing that parliamentary rules did not allow a failed motion to be resubmitted to the House of Representatives under Article 41.

Following nearly eight hours of debate, the House of Representatives voted 395 to 312 in favor of invalidating his nomination for prime minister.

The activation of the parliamentary rule number 41 is validated, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said. Hence, the renomination of Pita in this parliamentary session is undoable.

Supporters of the Move Forward Party gather at the Democracy Monument during a protest in Bangkok, after Thailands Constitutional Court agreed to suspend party leader Pita Limjaroenrat from his duties as an MP, July 19, 2023. [Wason Wanichakorn/AP Photo]

Rival lawmakers outside Pitas eight-party alliance and most of the unelected, pro-royal Senate fiercely oppose Move Forwards progressive campaign agenda, including its plans to amend laws shielding the monarchy.

Thailands conservative establishment has pulled out all the stops to halt Pitas ascent to the premiership.

Suspended

Earlier on Wednesday, Thailands Constitutional Court agreed to suspend Pita as a member of Parliament, deeming that he had violated election laws for owning stock in a media company.

Thailands Election Commission had referred the case to the court to decide whether he should be disqualified as a lawmaker after finding evidence that he knowingly applied to be an MP candidate while holding shares in defunct media company iTV  which is prohibited under the electoral rules.

In a 7-2 decision, the Constitutional Court decided to temporarily halt Pita from performing his duty as a parliamentarian, it said in a statement. Pita, who has denied any wrongdoing, has 15 days to respond.

Despite an overwhelming vote for change in the May election, Tuesdays events have highlighted the enduring political legacy of the 2014 military coup and fanned fears of a return to sometimes-violent street clashes that roiled Thailand in 2020-21.

It is now apparent that winning peoples trust is not enough to govern the nation, Pita wrote on his Facebook after the court ruling. Worse, it is not even enough to warrant a second nomination.

A similar fate befell Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the former leader of the now disbanded Future Forward Party. After his progressive party posted strong numbers in the 2019 general election, the Constitutional Court suspended Thanathorn as an MP before that years parliamentary vote for prime minister. His party was later forcibly dissolved.

A pyre burns during a mock cremation of the Thai Senate and Constitutional Court, as part of a protest by Move Forward party supporters in front of the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, July 19, 2023. [Surin Pinsuwan/BenarNews]

As evening fell, pro-democracy protesters began started to coalesce around the Democracy Monument amid a heavy police presence.

I believe more than half of Thai people are cursing the senators and the court, Sherry Chanthavong, a 38-year- old Bangkok resident, told BenarNews as she joined the protest at the monument.

The parliamentarians should have respected the peoples representatives. Do they know how to spell democracy? It is not a game but the livelihood of the people.

What next?

Pita was the leading candidate for PM because his party won 151 parliamentary seats in the election, outpacing the favored opposition Pheu Thai Party, which came in second with 141. The six other members of the coalition pushed Pitas support to 312.

In the first round of voting, Pita and the alliance fell well short of the 375 votes needed to clinch power in the House of Representatives.

Rules enshrined in the constitution drafted after the 2014 military coup meant Pita had to overcome 249 votes held by the junta-appointed Senate, Parliaments upper house.

Earlier in the day, before Thai lawmakers convened, a group of Southeast Asian MPs urged members of the Thai Senate to consider their duty to the people and the greater good of Thailand when they cast their vote for prime minister.

The actions of the vast majority of the senators in the last prime minister vote show their utter disregard and lack of respect for the will of the people, which was communicated very clearly in the ballot box. It is evident that the immense power given to these unelected senators is at odds with any definition of a real democracy, Charles Santiago, a former Malaysian MP and co-chairperson of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, said in a statement released by the group.

Further attempts to block the formation of a new government by the winning parties would only lead to unrest and instability, APHR also warned.

Photos of Thai senators are seen by the funeral pyre during a mock cremation as part of a protest by Move Forward party supporters in front of the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, July 19, 2023. [Surin Pinsuwan/BenarNews]

With Pitas leadership aspirations seemingly over, attention now shifts to Pheu Thai, another party in Pitas eight-party alliance that is expected to field a PM candidate in his place.

Pita must recognize that his prospects of becoming Prime Minister have diminished, though its not definitively concluded, Thannapat Jarernpanit, a professor at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, told BenarNews.

As for proposing Pita as a candidate in the future, itll be a repeated motion, and he wont make it through the parliamentary approval, she said.

Pheu Thai campaigned with three prime ministerial candidates: ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatras daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and party advisers Srettha Thavisin and Chaikasem Nitisiri.

Paetongtarn said on Monday that Srettha, a Thai property tycoon, would be nominated as the partys prime ministerial pick.

A Pheu Thai-led coalition would scale back some of Move Forwards more liberal campaign promises that proved a hit with younger Thai voters, including reforming the royal insult law.

But experts have raised the possibility that the eight-party coalition could splinter if the attempts to pitch a Pheu Thai candidate also fail.

Among the possibilities, Pheu Thai could break away from Move Forward and try to form a government with the help of Bhumjaithai, a conservative party, Thannapat said.

The situation seems to favor the Pheu Thai Party in leading the governments establishment. They cant deny that theyll have to negotiate with the Bhumjaithai Party due to the need for the senators [support].

Harry Pearl contributed to this report.

This report has been updated to include comments by an analyst, the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, and a supporter of the Move Forward Party.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Cloudy. Some light rain will fall throughout the day. High 73F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

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Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Cloudy with occasional light rain throughout the day. High 73F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar

On Monday, while delivering the keynote address at the annual China Business Summit held in Auckland, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins weighed in on the power dynamic in the Indo-Pacific.





New Zealands estimation matters because it is a small country in Southern Pacific heavily dependent on trade with China for preserving its prosperity and yet one of the Five Eyes (along with the US, UK, Australia and Canada), the exclusive secretive security grouping of Anglo-Saxon countries.





Hipkins speech came just three weeks after his return from Beijing on an official visit with a business delegation when he met with Chinas President Xi Jinping. Meanwhile, Hipkins had just returned from the NATO Summit in Vilnius last week. NewZealand PMs have begun attending the NATO summits since last year as one of IP4, the alliances four Indo-Pacific partners (joining Australia, Japan and South Korea.)





Indonesias Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (C) with Director of Foreign Affairs Commission of Communist Party of China Central Committee Wang Yi (L) and Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) at trilateral meeting, Jakarta, July 12, 2023





The Chinese readout of President Xis meeting with Hipkins in Beijing on June 27 attributed the following remarks to the latter: He [Hipkins] said that New Zealand values its relations with China (and) believes that bilateral relations should not be defined by differences, and it is important that the two sides have candid communication, mutual respect, and harmony without uniformity. New Zealand is willing and ready to maintain communication with China on helping island countries develop.





But at Auckland on Monday, he added caveats: Chinas rise and how it seeks to exert that influence is also a major driver of the increasing strategic competition, particularly in our wider home region, the Indo-Pacific. Our region is becoming more contested, less predictable, and less secure. And that poses challenges for small countries like New Zealand that are reliant on the stability and predictability of international rules for our prosperity and security. (See todays China Daily report titled New Zealand PM calls for deepening economic, environmental cooperation with China.)





What emerges is that the traditional security concepts of balancing and bandwagoning are insufficient for understanding how smaller states like New Zealand are responding to USChina rivalry. (See the USIP commentary New Zealand Draws Closer to NATO with a Wary Eye.)





This was also the leitmotif of the foreign and security policy choices exhibited by Southeast Asian countries at the ASEAN summit and related events in Jakarta in the weekend. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens single-minded mission at Jakarta was to rally ASEAN members to the US banner. But ASEAN countries are choosing their own path, which is not to choose sides between the US and China.





Even Singapore, the USs closest ally in southeast Asia, has begun to differ. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told reporters ahead of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Jakarta on Friday that the ASEAN countries do not want to be divided or vassal states, or worse, an arena for proxy wars.





The US underestimates the strength and resilience of the cooperative relations that have been forged between ASEAN countries and China. Simply put, the diplomatic and political engagement between China and the ASEAN in Jakarta last week showed that there is a shared will to not let differences and disputes disrupt national or regional development. The trade volume between ASEAN and China touched $431.3 billion in the first half of this year, according to latest official data, an increase of 5.4 percent compared with the same period last year.





The meetings in Jakarta on Friday indicated that the ASEAN countries do not want the US to make the region another arena for its destructive power games. The completion of the second reading of the text for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and the adoption of a guideline document for its early conclusion, sent out a clear signal that the ASEAN region will not allow any seeds of discord to take root. Of course, this momentum serves Chinas interests while it undercuts the US attempts to create friction in ASEANs relations with China.





Indonesian President Joko Widodo told regional foreign ministers who gathered in Jakarta on Friday that ASEAN should not become a proxy to any power. Interestingly, alluding to the western attempts to split the ASEAN, Widodo underscored to the regional foreign ministers who were paying him a courtesy call on him (who included the QUAD foreign ministers) that the ASEAN is committed to strengthening its unity, solidarity and centrality in maintaining peace and stability in the region. ASEAN cannot be a competition, it cant be a proxy of any country, and international law should be respected consistently, he said.





In effect, the 18-nation East Asia Summit which was held during the ASEAN Summit, witnessed for the first time the concept of neutrality combining with the concept of ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.





Significantly, last Wednesday, ahead of the ASEAN summit, the foreign minister of Indonesia Retno Marsudi held a trilateral meeting with the Chinese CCP Central Committees foreign policy chief and Politburo member Wang Yi and her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Jakarta. The Chinese and Russian readouts (here and here) show a high level of satisfaction that the ASEAN is getting its act together, which strengthens the shift to a multipolar world order. To be sure, a key item for discussion would have been Indonesias BRICS membership.





Indonesia will be a strategic asset for BRICS. Historically, hedging as a concept arose out of the dialectics of the traditional security concepts of balancing and bandwagoning. But Indonesia is creatively taking matters to a post-hedging security paradigm where states big and small are shifting to economic policy as the meaningful indicator of security alignment. Simply put, the Southeast Asian states want a stable geopolitical environment to focus on their economic development and do not want to be forced to take sides in any hegemonic rivalry.





However, this transition wont be smooth. The US is weaponising economic and technological connectivity making it a source of geopolitical power and vulnerability. If weaponised interdependence means that more economic and technological policies are perceived as zero-sum, the policy space for hedging shrinks, in principle.





But then, a government might choose Chinese telecommunications providers purely based on cost, speed of rollout and superior quality, and disregard the Wests paranoia about network security risks. This is already happening in the Gulf region. The smaller nations motivation cannot be underestimated.





Besides, China has had a head start. The launch of RCEP and evolving investment flows look set to further strengthen the strong economic links between ASEAN and China. The ASEAN-China trade corridor stretching from the cold and dry steppes in northern China to the tropical jungles of Indonesia generates a diverse range of commercial activity, with each geography equipped with its own competitive advantage.





Thus, Chinas Pearl River Delta, Thailand and Vietnam, for example, are all important manufacturing hubs, while Indonesia and Malaysia are rich in natural resources. Hong Kong and Singapore are international financial centres, and Shenzhen is shaping up to be Asias Silicon Valley.





The potential economic impact will be huge. ASEAN trade to China is moving up the value chain. Looking to the future, green development and promoting innovation will be key areas of strategic focus. And these ambitions will be realised by investment. Equally, as the Chinese economy undergoes a tech-driven transformation, its homegrown innovations will be exported to other countries. ASEAN is a prime candidate.





Chinese companies are already building data centres and 5G networks across the ASEAN region. The Chinese ambassador to the ASEAN Hou Yanqi recently called the China-ASEAN common space the epicentrum of growth in the world economy.





M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Editor's Note This is the first of a three-part series that columnist Matt Straus is writing about his travels in Spain.

Its a strange thing to work for a long time with products that are closely associated with a particular part of the world that you have never seen. When I realized several weeks ago that there seemed a few especially intriguing reasons to visit Spain for the first time, and that I could square the time away and the expense, I eagerly began to cobble together an itinerary.

Twenty years ago, when I started managing wine lists and inventories at restaurants, Spanish wines were on my radar as least as early as French and Italian wines, if not before. For one thing, they were virtually all affordable. There were a few Spanish wines that were already stratospherically priced. A few of the handful of very expensive wines were made by old-school, traditional producers. The era of cult wines had also just begun; there were a few very pricy modern newcomers, too. But for the most part, Spanish import portfolios were full of inexpensive wines, and a broad range of quality and complexity.

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In the early going, in what was a theme for me just like so many other people, I was attracted to the wines of the south, specifically the region called Priorat, closest to Barcelona. The red wines from Priorat are full of the grape called garnacha, which in France, where it is known as grenache, for many years has been the most important grape in the southern Rhone Valley, and appellations like Chateauneuf-du-Pape. No matter whether you call it garnacha or grenache, whether the closest city is Avignon or Tarragona, the grape tends to ripen easily and quickly. In a warm growing season, it gets as dark and sweet as a fig under a broiler.

Those flavors are the first ones that jump out at a lot of people when they start to become curious about wine, and they definitely did jump out at me. Especially then, but even now, it isnt hard to find a wine of decent quality for $20-$25. And gone are the days when people had to worry about buying something that didnt taste good because the fruit was under-ripe. To the contrary; grapes like garnacha from Priorat (or the southern Rhone); zinfandel in California, malbec in Argentina, and increasingly nebbiolo in northern Italy, have moved with breakneck speed to the other end of the ripeness spectrum.

After my wine adolescence, the early crush on the hot-and-sugary sweet subsided, and as it is for many, was replaced by the great Spanish examples of the category that an old friend used to call real wine. When my friend said it, he was referring not just to wines of a certain style though they were stylistically consistent  but also to wines made with a lighter touch, with some of the ripeness and sugar traded for acidity. They were wines with lesser alcohol levels. He also was undoubtedly referring to wines that were not made in millions of bottles at a time, but by families, some of which had been learning about their vineyards and their winemaking for several generations. When my friend used the expression real wine, he was talking about the stuff on family tables at dinner every night, sometimes more than one bottle at a time.

Starting with Rioja, and the grape called tempranillo, which is the most important grape of northern Spain, my affinity for wines from all over the Iberian peninsula began to grow and hasnt let up. In the last dozen years, since my restaurant opened in San Francisco, I was lucky enough to become acquainted with spectacular wines from regions without famous names, like Bierzo and Galicia in the northwest part of the country, and the Penedes, the beautiful little mountain range just outside of Barcelona.

Then, of course, there was the icing on the cake, in terms of planning a trip to Spain, which was tracking the best bites of food, in these regions with different culinary traditions to accompany their distinctive wines. I was suddenly chomping at the bit. I booked flights from New York, in and out of Madrid, with plans to rent a car to drive to wineries in Rioja and the northwest, and then to visit a beloved grower in the Penedes. I would finally see the Prado, and lay eyes on some of the greatest paintings by Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso; modest diversions in the midst of what was sure to be an amazing tour of gastronomic discoveries.
This Story in History is selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
The additional alerts will warn truckers to ignore GPS  they cant reach Interprint in Pittsfield by short-cutting on a road to nowhere through the Richmond shores community.
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The 2022 invasion of Ukraine has been a disaster for Russia, because Russian troops ran into unexpected and very effective Ukrainian resistance. Russia lost more troops in less than a year of fighting in Ukraine than they did during eight years of fighting in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Russia did have one success because of the Ukraine War, but that occurred in Russia, not Ukraine. Back in Russia, many people opposed the war. While the Russian government portrayed the fighting in Ukraine as an effort to keep NATO from harming Russia, it was obvious that no one was invading or attacking Russia and that it was Russians that invaded Ukraine. Like the Germans who invaded Russia in 1941, where they were on the defensive by 1944. the Russians invading Ukraine were soon on the defensive and could be driven in another year or less.

Fourteen months after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainians are attacking and driving the Russian forces out. This is bad news for the Russian government, which has been facing growing criticism from Russian citizens about not merely the wars cost, but the need for it at all. The Russian government responded to the internal criticism and did so more effectively than their military efforts in Ukraine.

Throughout most of its history, Russia has been a police state. In addition to the secret police, Russia also intercepted and read mail and overheard radio and telephone conversations. Russia mobilized support inside Russia for detecting anonymous critics and threatening them with arrest if they did not curb their criticism.

This criticism made it obvious that the Russian government was losing the support of its own people, including a growing number of senior officers who spoke out, usually via encrypted messages on Telegram, a popular cell phone app in Russia and Ukraine. Early on many of these Russian Telegram based military bloggers (mil-bloggers supported the invasion and were supplied with information by the Russian government, including opportunities to spend some time with the troops inside Ukraine. By June the Russian mil-bloggers were no longer reporting the official Russian version of events in Ukraine, but what was being reported by Russian veterans of the fighting in Ukraine.

After Russia announced a pause in offensive military operations in early July, one of these mil-bloggers, a former general who had served in occupied Donbas before the invasion, reported a different reality. He insisted that Russia had suffered higher losses in eastern Ukraine (Luhansk province) than the Ukrainians, who were conducting a classic attrition defense. The Russians had suffered far more losses in men and equipment than the Ukrainians who were not driven out of Luhansk, but withdrew slowly and deliberately to encourage Russia to keep attacking and losing troops and combat vehicles that could not be replaced. Meanwhile the Ukrainians were receiving more weapons and equipment from NATO and forming new units, including armed resistance groups in Russian occupied Ukraine. This was not the official Russian assessment but it was the reality that Russian troops in Ukraine were experiencing and some Russian mil-bloggers were reporting.

All this was nothing new. When the most modern and effective Russian forces were assembled to invade Ukraine in 2022, they quickly discovered they were not facing an inept, poorly trained and armed foe but one that was far more effective than the Russians were. The main offensive in the north against the Ukrainian capital took heavy losses and within weeks was forced to retreat. Russian troops were told by their government that they had encountered NATO troops who were in Ukraine preparing to invade Russia. The surviving Russian troops knew better because all they encountered were Ukrainians, usually armed with weapons similar to what Russia used as well as more effective ones they had received from NATO. The Ukrainians used more effective tactics and some new weapons that were based on Western models but Ukrainian- made. The Russian state-controlled media was ordered to ignore reports like this and stick with the official story that this was all a secret NATO operation to attack Russia via Ukraine.

While this information war played on, the Russian military ordered everything Russia had, short of nuclear and chemical weapons, into use in an effort to salvage the situation. Russia was at war with a near-peer opponent and losing. Many Russians, civilian and military, figured out what was happening and openly criticized, or sometimes even physically attacked, their government because of the mess in Ukraine that was killing a lot of Russian troops. These Russian critics were often well-educated professionals in regular contact with Westerners, including more than a million Russians who had left since 2014 because of fears Russia was headed for what actually happened in 2022.

Russia encountered major problems trying to control information made available to its people. This became a critical problem after the invasion of Ukraine and the government wanted to conceal the extent of their military failures. Passing new laws against disclosing such information and shutting down the last few media operations that were not state-controlled were not enough. The ban on casualty information created a lot of public protest that found ways to get past the censorship.

The Russian government persevered and was eventually successful at organizing effective resistance to internal criticism by Russian officials and civilians. This was done by relying on the growing number of Russian firms that were developing new tools to read encrypted messages and track those who were anonymously news of the Ukraine War that was critical of Russian efforts. The FSB, the Russian secret police that replaced the Cold War era KGB in the 1990s, encouraged the establishment and growth of Russian companies that were developing new tools for the KGB to use for detecting, tracking and eavesdropping on the communications of Russian critics who thought they were safe when using encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. The Telegram app was developed by the two Russian Durov brothers in 2013 and soon attracted unwanted attention from the Russian government, which wanted to take possession of Telegram before it became widely used in Russia and prevented the government from knowing who was saying what to whom. The Durov brothers left Russia and continued their work on Telegram elsewhere. Over the last decade Russia has sought Russian firms willing and able to develop tools to degrade the effectiveness of Telegram and other encrypted messaging apps that have become common on the Internet. These encrypted apps were used by government critics inside Russia and the Russian leader wanted to put an end to it. Several Russian firms responded to this by developing tools and apps that can track the use of encrypted messages and identify who is saying what to who.

These efforts to track the users of encrypted apps and even decrypt some of the messages have produced some successes. Despite that Russians continue criticizing their government, especially the Russian actions in Ukraine. Portions of Ukraine still under Russian control are dealing with resistance from the native Ukrainians by moving the Ukrainians to Russia and uncertain future. The departed Ukrainians are replaced by Russians willing to risk living in a disputed area. The reward is that they receive free housing as they occupy the empty homes of the forcibly departed Ukrainians. Russia has already been condemned for its policy of seizing the young children of hostile Ukrainian civilians and sent the kids to Russia and adoption by Russian couples. This sort of thing appalls many Russians because Russian history books describe similar behavior by the nazi German invaders during World War II. The Russian government denies any similarities between its activities in Ukraine now and what the German invaders did inside Russia nearly 80 years ago. Russia declared it illegal to spread these ideas. There were a few arrests, but that was also unpopular and the prison system could not handle a large number of Russians convicted of thought crimes.

Successful government tracking and identification of Russians criticizing their government was seen as a victory against the spread of anti-Russian information on the Internet. However, this did little to stop Russians from discussing and criticizing government misbehavior. The government is undeterred and continues to reward Russians and Russian firms that come up with new tools to decrypt encrypted messages and track the extent of this critical information and who was involved.

Russian is also continuing to work on its plan to cut most Russians off from Internet users outside Russia. This involves isolating Russian Internet users from the rest of the world. There was recently a test of the system which was unsuccessful. The main problem is that too many Russian firms and individual Russians have legitimate economic or government reasons to maintain Internet connections outside Russia. The only nation that has successfully done this is North Korea, which is more of a police state and economically isolated than Russia ever was in the past. Iran and China have achieved partial isolation of domestic Internet users from the foreign Internet users. Chinese and Iranian Internet users are angry over these official efforts to restrict Internet access to the outside world and have come up with ways to bypass the restrictions. This is illegal, but if you keep quiet about using this approach, you are unlikely to be punished. Russians should be so fortunate because they live in a country where thought crimes are prosecuted and the government has outlawed private conversations via the Internet.
The 42 students at Emma L. Miller School in Savoy say they don't mind sharing classrooms or their teachers, or eating lunch at their desks, holding physical education outdoors rather than in a gym. Michael Bolling, 10, a fifth grader from Savoy, said, The kids are super nice.
Recently, the Southern Baptist Convention decided to remove Saddleback Church, one of its largest congregations, from its membership. The church is in California and was founded by popular pastor and author Rick Warren. The reason behind this ousting was based on Pastor Ricks decision to ordain three women to serve as pastors within the church. Couple this with prominent speaker and Bible study teacher Beth Moore deciding to leave the denomination in 2021, and it has brought into the daylight a debate that has been happening for many years now.

What is the role of women in church leadership?

There are two sides to this debate and your answer to this question largely boils down to how you interpret Scripture. Since most people are fairly dug in on this issue on both sides, I dont know if my contribution will sway your opinion one way or the other. I do want to ask some questions about this topic that may at least open the doors to healthy conversation around this subject.

Lets View the Subject of Women in Church Leadership from the Right Perspective

As we consider this question, there is one thing that needs to be said that I dont hear said enough. Disagreeing about this question is not a reason for division in the church. Typically, those who say women should not be in leadership are the ones who are the most divisive over this question. Some have even called out well respected Christian leaders, and labeled them false teachers, because they have allowed women to preach in their pulpits. I believe that goes too far, especially when there is legitimate debate over this issue.

Regardless of how you feel about this question, it has no determination on your salvation. For this reason, even if you have a different opinion, it should not drive a wedge between you and your fellow believers in Christ. If it does, then that creates a bigger problem than whether a woman should be in church leadership.

Were Women Used in Leadership in the Bible?

The argument for or against women in leadership is a New Testament argument. When you investigate the New Testament, women were used in important leadership roles. You also see that Jesus and Paul validated the worth of women in ministry, which was counter to the culture of that day. Here are four examples:

In John 4, Jesus sits at a well with a Samaritan woman. Not only did Jews and Samaritans hate each other, it was improper for a Jewish man to have a private conversation with a woman, let alone a Samaritan woman. However, the result of that conversation led to this woman being an evangelist and telling everyone in her town about Jesus. The Bible states that many became believers, and that all was spearheaded by a woman.

In John 20, the first person Jesus appeared to after he had risen was Mary Magdalene. She was the first eyewitness to the resurrected Jesus, and he instructed her to go and tell the disciples. What is amazing about this is that women were not allowed to testify in a Jewish court of law, and were deemed unreliable witnesses. Yet Jesus used a woman eyewitness to declare to the other disciples that he had risen.

In Acts 16, we learn of Lydia, who was a prominent businesswoman in the city of Philippi. Paul finds her and a group of women at the place of prayer and speaks to them. Lydia is converted, along with her household, and she became a leader and founder of the Philippian church.

In Acts 18, Priscilla and Aquilla, a husband-and-wife team who traveled in ministry with Paul, were used to explain the Scriptures to Apollos, who was a learned man from Alexandria.

These are just a few examples where we see women sharing the gospel, starting churches, and participating in discipleship. Also, in Pauls letters, he would refer to women who helped or co-labored with him in ministry.

Does Having Women in Church Leadership Hurt the Testimony of the Church?

Clearly we see from the New Testament that women helped to build the church. I believe we do the church a disservice when we dont recognize the gifting God has given to women in the church. We know all gifts are given for the building up of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:7) and Paul encourages us to use the gifts God has given (Rom. 12:6-8). Just as Jesus and Paul validated women and recognized their contributions to the building of his kingdom, we should do the same.

With the birth of the church in Acts, it has always been Gods intention to use women in various capacities within the church.

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy (Acts 2:17-18).

Is the Issue of Women in Church Leadership about the Scripture, or How We Have Applied It?

The debate over women in church leadership stems primarily from a few passages in the New Testament. Here are two that are commonly referred to:

Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church (1 Corinthians 14:34-45).

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

My desire here is not to deliver exegesis or commentary on these verses. My goal here is to ask a question. As I have stated, there are two sides to this debate. The question I have is this. Is the issue the interpretation of the Scripture, or the application of it?

Has the church validated and uplifted women, or has the church taken a more authoritarian view and devalued the importance of women in ministry? I say this because so many of the writings and opinions that believe women should not be in leadership at some point become apologetic. In just about every case I have read, at some point they declare that Paul is not being chauvinistic. Maybe that is part of the problem. Could it be that we have approached this Scripture from an authoritarian viewpoint and have left grace out of the equation?

For the record, I believe in the order God has established. Christ is the head of the church and man is the head of the home. However, when you consider the passages declaring husbands as the head of the home, there is no sense of domineering authoritarianism. There is a sense of a sacrificial love that cares for his wife. This emphasizes and increases a womans worth and does not devalue it. I wonder if this application has been missing, as we consider women in church leadership.

Final Thought

As I conclude this article, I realize I have either confirmed what some of you already believe or I have annoyed those who dont agree. I have probably not swayed an opinion because I wasnt really trying to. I will reiterate, even if you disagree, we should not divide over this question. We should always take the humble approach as we try to understand from Scripture Gods intention for the church. This intention includes the question of women in church leadership.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Web Photographeer
 Talking Points Memo: The failure of the Biden administration is only getting more and more obvious by the day. Heres three major agencies that are falling apart.

 President Biden snaps at reporter for asking about Hunters text messages.

 SCOTUS rules on states control over elections and agrees to hear case on wealth tax.

 Bill renews calls for investigation into Zuckerbergs efforts into the 2020 presidential election.

 Former Prosecutor Cully Stimson on his new book Rogue Prosecutors: How Radical Soros Lawyers are Destroying Americas Communities.

 Reuters releases report that says all living US Presidents descended from slaveholders  all expect Donald Trump.

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Commences export venture of diagnostic supplies to Nepal

Mumbai-based LordsMed, the global healthcare division of Lord's Mark Industries, has announced the commencement of export venture of diagnostic supplies to Nepal. The company aims to establish itself as a leading global player in In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) manufacturing and export.

With a strong commitment to delivering quality IVD solutions at a reduced cost, LordsMed has successfully built a vast network of over 300 distributor channels across India.

The manufacturing facilities located in the outskirts of Mumbai, currently has the capacity to facilitate an impressive 1.7 crore diagnostic tests per month, covering a wide range of specialties including biochemistry, haematology, serology, rapid tests, and urine strip tests.

Commenting on the launch, Manav Teli, Executive Director, Lords Mark Industries said Our goal has always been to emerge as a global leader in IVD manufacturing and export, providing top-quality solutions at an affordable cost. With our advanced manufacturing facilities and extensive distributor network, we are now expanding our reach to neighbouring countries."

As Lords Mark Industries continues to strengthen its presence in the Indian market, the company is now strategically focusing on supplying neighbouring countries with its high-quality IVD products. The conglomerate currently has five companies: LordsMed, Lords Mark Biotech, Lords Mark Microbiotech, Brahamastra Defense Techno Products Limited, Lords Mark Insurance Broking Limited, and Lords Automative Private Limited, with other verticals in renewable energy products and paper.
Pulsus Group announced the successful commencement of pre-meetings for the G20 Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Summit series. Held in Zurich, Switzerland, and Rome, Italy, on July 17 and 18, these essential discussions convened global leaders in primary healthcare and stem cell research.

Vinay Tendulkar, Member of the Rajya Sabha, and Dr Sandesh Yadav, Member Ministry of Civil Aviation (AAC) shared their insightful inputs regarding India's role in promoting affordable and accessible healthcare worldwide during their visit to Pulsus HQ in Hyderabad.Convenor and the architect of the summit Dr Srinubabu Gedela expressed his sincere gratitude to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, for their valued support in driving these global scale initiatives. Their commitment aligns seamlessly with the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will guide India's role as the G20 chair in 2023.The Pre-meeting held in Hyderabad highlights included Dr Dame Cally Palmer's insightful presentation on current cancer trends and challenges from a G20 perspective and Paulo Cezar Schutz's invaluable insights on the G20's role in accessible healthcare as Brazil gears up for its upcoming presidency.This meeting was attended by around 200 delegates, mainly from G20 countries, and offered a vibrant platform for global discussion. Dr Srinubabu Gedela, Co-convenor of the meetings, expressed eagerness for the impending official launch of the G20 Affordable and Accessible Healthcare Summit series in Delhi.
Limpopo Central Hospital in Polokwane has officially been given the nod by government officials among them Health Minister, Joe Phaahla, who joyously turned the first sod, marking the inception of this healthcare institution.

The barren land, situated a stones throw away from the Peter Mokaba Stadium, will soon be turned into an academic hospital, one of five flagship academic hospitals around the country.

Equipped with advanced medical technology, the minister said the hospital will offer cutting-edge diagnostic procedures and innovative treatments.

The project, which was launched during this years Nelson Mandela International Day, has been a long time coming since the initial planning of the hospital started in the 2008/09 financial year.

However, Phaahla said he was pleased when the National Treasury approved a master plan for the 488-bed hospital in 2022.

This day of laying the foundation for the construction of the Limpopo Central Academic Hospital is a culmination of the work of many years by many people, some of whom are here while others are not.

The Minister announced that the health facility - in association with the health science faculty of the University of Limpopo - will make a significant contribution to health education and research.

The establishment of a specialist hospital in this province will bolster the health-sciences education and training, creating more opportunities for future generations to pursue careers in health sciences.

The universitys health sciences faculty, which houses the medical school, must start concrete plans to attract specialists and super-specialists to train doctors and other health professionals.

Enhancing healthcare independence and education

Phaahla is of the view that the establishment will reduce Limpopos dependence on Gauteng for specialised medical care.

Meanwhile, as a teaching institution, it will also provide valuable educational opportunities for health-sciences students ranging from medical students to nurses, physiotherapists abd pharmacists..

The hospital will also offer emergency health services, critical care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ancillary services.

This will not be an ivory tower, but part of a network based on the foundation of primary healthcare, Phaahla said.

Collaborative efforts and implementing partners

Meanwhile, he said the success of the execution is going to depend on co-operation by all the roleplayers.

The department has assigned the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) as an implementing agent, working with technical professionals of Sakhiwo and Enza construction company.

This team is under very strict instructions, which were given by President [Cyril] Ramaphosa. He said to me that this must not be another Eskom-like Medupi, where you budget so much and you end up spending three or four times more. I assured the president that all those shenanigans will not happen here.

Phaahla called on the service providers to deliver a quality product, on time and within budget.

At various stages of construction, the department expects to produce about 2,000 jobs and about 2,000 more, once it is fully operational.

Phaahla thanked the Limpopo government for its co-operation and assistance, and former health minister Aaron Motsoaledi who started the process and laid the foundation for the hospital to be built.

I am confident that if we embrace the spirit of President Mandela; of doing everything for the most vulnerable we can disappoint the naysayers.

This Limpopo Central Hospital will be one of the pillars to deliver the National Health Insurance. In Madibas memory, let us deliver the Limpopo Central Hospital.
The Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF) is back with a bang, set to dazzle audiences at the CTICC 2 from 4 to 6 September 2023. This annual gathering, now in its 12th edition, promises to be a sensational event.

This year, CTIAF and Fame Week Africa are shifting their focus to the remarkable creatives and producers behind the captivating world of animated films. From the moment you step foot on the CTIAF Pavilion you'll be immersed in a world where imagination knows no bounds. Don't miss the chance to visit our organisers, speakers, and special guests, and be sure to try your luck on our 'Spin and Win' wheel for a chance to win exclusive CTIAF merchandise.

Prepare to be inspired by thought-provoking panel discussions and enlightening keynotes delivered by international experts. We are thrilled to announce that this year's line-up includes animation luminaries from studios around the world Gennie Rim, John Kahrs, Chrissy Metge, Ed Bell and Nate Stanton. Their insights and experiences will undoubtedly ignite your passion for the art of animation.

We are thrilled to introduce the first-ever CTIAF 'Pitch, Persuade, Produce' competition. This is your chance to shine and make your mark in the animation industry.

In addition to keynote presentations and panels, CTIAF will showcase an extraordinary selection of films from Africa, Stuttgardts FMX, and Cardiff Animation Festival. These captivating screenings will transport you to unique worlds, sparking emotions and creating lasting memories.

We invite you to submit your work for our curated collection. Submissions are open until 7 August 2023. Don't miss this opportunity to have your animation showcased at CTIAF. Click here to submit your work today!

CTIAF remains committed to supporting our outreach programme, Vuma Pop, which has been bringing the magic of cinema to townships across South Africa for the past decade. As part of our mission to make films accessible in rural communities, we host several outreach events throughout the year, bringing the best of local and international animation to new audiences.

To stay up-to-date with all the latest news, competitions, and announcements, be sure to subscribe to our CTIAF newsletter. By doing so, you will also enter the draw to win an incredible R500 Takealot voucher. Sign up here.

Join us at CTICC 2 from 4 to 6 September 2023 for an unforgettable celebration of animation and the remarkable minds behind it.




When most people think of careers one could pursue with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, the obvious ones that spring to mind are traditional law jobs, such as working as attorneys and advocates. However, according to Professor Philip Stoop, head of the Stadio School of Law, there are many other career options available to law graduates.

Image supplied

Considering an LLB degree

Professor Stoop explains that the LLB degree is an undergraduate qualification in law that equips students with a sound knowledge of the South African legal system and provides access to graduates for professional assessments by both the Law Society and General Council of the Bar examinations.

The traditional or formal legal career is regulated by the Legal Practice Council under the Legal Practice Act of 2014. Legal Practitioners are attorneys, advocates and candidate legal practitioners (candidate attorneys / candidates doing pupillage), explains Prof Stoop. A person is only qualified to become a legal practitioner if he or she satisfies all the requirements of the LLB degree obtained in the Republic of South Africa. Attorneys or advocates are also sometimes appointed as state advocates, prosecutors, magistrates or judges.

Three streams for LLB graduates

An LLB qualification prepares graduates for three potential career streams, he says. Aside from the traditional or formal legal career, theres also the option of a non-formal legal career. This sees graduates working in positions such as in-house legal counsel, legal advisors, human resource practitioners, labour law practitioners, state legal advisors, business rescue practitioners, compliance officers, company secretaries, and banking officials, for example.

The third stream entails further study towards a postgraduate qualification in law, which opens several additional career possibilities. The LLM degree, which is a Masters in Law, allows graduates to specialise in particular fields of law, for example environmental law, taxation law, or criminal law. Many LLM graduates go on to pursue careers as judges, diplomats, politicians or mediators.

Other legal specialisations in high demand in South Africa and abroad include finance (including mergers and acquisitions), tech law, and compliance.

Alternative legal qualifications

Stadio School of Law also offers various other qualifications for those who wish to pursue a career in law without necessarily undertaking the LLB degree. These include the Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies (NQF Level 5), which is an entry-level qualification aimed at paralegal professionals who assist lawyers in their legal work.

With this degree, one could pursue jobs such as court clerk, law clerk, legal assistant, legal secretary, or paralegal professionals. Further study opportunities include BA Law or BCom Law, two other qualifications available through STADIO School of Law.

The Bachelor of Commerce in Law (BCom Law) degree is designed to equip students with the core competencies necessary to pursue a career in law or commerce, for jobs including management, entrepreneurship, legal advisor, associate attorney, corporate secretary, or private investigator, among others. Delivered at NQF Level 7, the BCom Law degree also enables study towards the LLB, which is an NQF Level 8 qualification.

The Bachelor of Arts in Law (BA Law) degree equips students to interpret and apply the law and contribute to the development of the African political system. Prof Stoop explains that it also aims to offer personal and professional formation through the development of the students leadership skills and their understanding of the Humanities within the Southern African context, enabling students to serve in a variety of capacities in the private and public spheres.

Students can pursue careers in law, journalism, politics, management, intelligence, and public administration, he says. The programme also serves as an alternative route for entry into the LLB degree. Law has always been the ideal course for students who enjoy solving difficult challenges. Lawyers deal with ethical, moral and philosophical issues on a regular basis. Law affects all areas of our daily lives. Studying law enables one to develop interests and skills in many areas of life, ranging from politics, international relations, and globalisation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled two statues of the late former President Nelson Mandela, one in Mthatha and the other in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, as part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations.

The two statues unveiled at Bhunga Building in Mthatha and Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu, serve as a tribute to Nelson Mandela's enduring impact on South Africa and the world.

They further commemorate the 67 years he dedicated to the fight against apartheid and racism.

Unveiling the statue in Qunu, President Ramaphosa noted that while there are many monuments paying tribute to Madiba across South Africa, as well as across Africa and many parts of the world, for South Africans to be able to honour the father of our nation at his place of birth, meant a lot.

The President said the making of the statues was something that government has been working towards for some time.

Since 2021 the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resource Agency, the Mandela family, the Nelson Mandela Museum and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture have been driving this process  a process that included public consultation, President Ramaphosa said.

The statue in Mthatha depicts Madiba in the role for which he was most well-known, a statesman, while the statue in Qunu depicts him in the attire of his Xhosa-Tembu culture, reminding us of the traditional values he lived by and that shaped his consciousness.

It is our hope that this homage to Madiba in his final resting place will serve as an inspiration, especially to the young people in the community. It is to remind you that the seeds of greatness lie dormant within each one of us, and that it is up to us to make them germinate and bloom.

It is to remind you that being born in a rural area, or having humble beginnings, is no obstacle to achieving greatness, and to fulfilling your destiny. It is to remind us of all our duty to do what we can to make the world a better place, President Ramaphosa said.

He said the two statues were beacons of hope to individuals and communities that were still suffering from the evils of marginalisation and the scourges of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment.

Monuments, statues and museums have a key role to play in the political and cultural life of any country. They are a means of giving recognition to those who suffered hardship, repression, exile, or death in pursuit of universal ideals such as human freedom.

Monuments such as this one is the struggle of memory against forgetting. This statue should serve as reminder to those of us elected to serve the South African people that we must redouble our efforts to build a better South Africa that leaves no-one behind, President Ramaphosa said.

The President called on the people of Qunu to protect and look after the sites of memorialisation and commemoration, adding that he has no doubt they have the potential to attract tourists, which will in turn support business and job creation.

He encouraged South Africans to do their bit of good today by dedicating 67 minutes to performing acts of goodwill towards others, as part of making the world a better place.

Madiba built bridges of peace and mobilised people of the world to fight against social injustice and oppression. Let us strive to emulate his example, today and every day, the President said.
South Africa's advertising agencies recognise that skills development is crucial for success in the marketing communication sector. Many have been running internship programmes for a decade, some for longer, to guide and mentor youngsters set on entering the industry.

Top: Boomtown JHB from left Noma Mhlanga, Lindelani Dlamini and Sinakho Manxiwa | Bottom left: Boomtown JHB, Pontsho Lintoor, centre: Boomtown PE, Saskia Smith and Anelisa Maneli and right: Boomtown JHB, Zibusiso Dube.

Boomtowns Bayeza internship programme is different from most. Unlike traditional internships which tend to be organised along the lines of job shadowing, Bayeza offers interns a hands-on and immersive experience  and it pays more than the usual stipend.

Bayeza started in 2014 and has helped 35 young go-getters start their careers with a bang since then. Interns are entrusted with real projects and are encouraged to contribute their ideas and insights, gaining valuable exposure to various aspects of the advertising industry. This hands-on approach not only strengthens their practical skills but also boosts their confidence, preparing them for the challenges that lie ahead.

We asked the seven interns doing their 12-month stints during the 2023/2024 financial year to tell us what they have learnt so far at Boomtown.

Boomtown Johannesburg, marketing research intern: Pontsho Lintoor

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in your few months in the industry?

As an intern conducting marketing research for Boomtown, working on iconic South African heritage brands, the biggest lesson I have learned in my six months in the industry is the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural nuances and values associated with these brands.

In the realm of marketing, especially when dealing with heritage brands that have deep roots in a specific culture or community, it is crucial to recognise and appreciate the historical and cultural significance they hold. These brands are not just products or services; they are symbols of tradition, pride, and identity for many people.

By immersing myself in the rich history and cultural context of these brands, I have realised the significance of conducting thorough research to fully comprehend their heritage. This involves learning about their origins, key milestones, and the stories behind their success. It also requires understanding the target audience's values, beliefs, and aspirations, as well as the social and historical factors that shape their perceptions.

By prioritising cultural authenticity, we can create campaigns that not only promote these brands but also contribute to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of South Africa. This approach builds trust, fosters long-term relationships with customers, and ultimately drives the success of these iconic brands.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before you studied advertising?

Looking back on my journey studying advertising, there are a few things I wish I had known before diving into this field.

While advertising is about creativity and communication, understanding consumer behaviour is equally important. Knowing how consumers think, what motivates their actions, and how they make purchasing decisions can significantly impact the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. I wish I had recognised the value of consumer psychology and behaviour earlier on, as it forms the foundation for creating compelling and targeted campaigns.

The advertising industry is fast-paced, competitive, and subject to constant change. Being adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges, setbacks, and evolving client demands is vital. I wish I had known the importance of cultivating these qualities from the beginning, as they are critical for maintaining motivation, overcoming obstacles, and thriving in this dynamic industry.

Boomtown Johannesburg, graphic design intern: Noma Mhlanga

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in your few months in the industry?

I have learnt the importance of working with my team members and not against them. In the beginning, this was particularly difficult for me as I tend to be extremely competitive. I have really learnt to appreciate the opinions and suggestions of others, as they lead to more diverse and better quality work.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before you studied advertising?

That good campaigns do not always need to be complex and visually overloaded, but rather the more simplified ideas are usually more thought-provoking and impactful.

Boomtown Johannesburg, art director/designer intern: Lindelani Dlamini

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in your few months in the industry?

The biggest lesson I have learnt over the last few months is the ability to let go. Being a perfectionist, I always tend to want to get a project as close as possible to 'that's it', but this often hampers my teams progress. By letting go, I allow myself to work cohesively in a team, and allow space for more ideas (that I would probably not have seen had I worked on a project in isolation and trying to get it perfect).

What do you know now that you wish you had known before you studied advertising?

I wish I had known how quickly time flies when you are in the industry! Briefs feel like they are coming on hot on the heels of others, and there are not enough hours in the day to address them all  but here we are doing them!

Boomtown Johannesburg, digital and social media intern: Zibusiso Dube

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in your six months in the industry?

Over the past months, I have learnt that it is important to have knowledge about and skills in every aspect of the marketing industry. This will enable me to fit in, to be employable and to be an asset within a business. Without disregarding the importance of being a specialist, it will work in my favour to have basic knowledge about everything.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before you studied advertising?

Before I studied advertising, I did not know how to prepare a content plan and write copy. But, with the help of my colleagues, I have been able to sharpen my skills and get better at it.

Boomtown Johannesburg, copywriting intern: Sinako Manxiwa

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in your four months in the industry?

Coming out of my shell has been a challenge for me, because of just how outspoken most other people are. That, and learning to work under pressure! I tend to get overwhelmed by the strain of coming up with solutions. As someone who prides herself on her writing, I will say that I have doubled down on forcing myself to write effectively because of the various tones of voice of the brands Ive worked with.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before you studied advertising?

Coming up with ideas and concepts is not child's play, neither is following through with the work. I also never knew I would have to be more vocal, to learn to speak in upper case. To be honest, I did not expect to be in this industry  my goal was to be active in media as a journalist, but I opted to explore advertising. I wish those lecturers had focused on the practicality of creating ideas, rather than the theoretical  because most of the time I am required to apply knowledge. I am still open to learning more about this industry. However, the will to go venture elsewhere will always be within me. To be honest, I did not expect to be here  my goal was to be active in media as a journalist  but here I am.

Boomtown Port Elizabeth, copywriting intern: Saskia Smith

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in your few months in the industry?

Transitioning from university to the professional world can be daunting, especially in our industry. As a newcomer, you are expected to collaborate with highly experienced and accomplished creatives and share your thoughts and ideas. At first, I struggled with creative blocks and hesitated to pitch new ideas with regards to concepting campaigns. However, I quickly realised that every single idea is valuable, regardless of size or scale. Even small contributions can lead to new, groundbreaking concepts among the team. Since beginning to voice my ideas, I have seen many of them come to life in our campaigns. Moreover, I have learned that it's okay if not every idea is used; the important thing is to communicate openly and trust the process. In the end, it's far better to take the risk and discover what works rather than regretting never having tried.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before you studied advertising?

During my studies, I was uncertain if I had made the right choice. This feeling was amplified in my first year, leading me to consider changing courses. Looking back, I am grateful that I persevered and completed my degree as it has led me to a fulfilling career. If only I could have told myself then that this was the path for me. Many people dread the end of the weekend and returning to work, but I believe this is because they are not doing what they truly love. While my career is just beginning, I am convinced that continuing to pursue my passion will ensure lifelong contentment with my choices.

Boomtown Port Elizabeth, account executive intern: Anelisa Maneli

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in your few months in the industry?

I have learnt how an agency functions! How to write various types of briefs, how to create a job bag and assign tasks (for Hogan Lovells Global), how to handle daily meetings as well as absorbing the process of how things work (working on Ricoffy with Jade Redcliffe). So far, it has been a good experience, meeting deadlines and staying punctual.

According to Boomtowns Sinethemba Mashibini, who looked after the agencys human resources and the Bayeza Internship Programme from Port Elizabeth before moving to Johannesburg, it serves as a key that unlocks doors of opportunity for young graduates aspiring to make their mark in the advertising industry.

Now upcountry with greater overall management responsibilities, including ensuring the Boomtown DNA thrives, Mashibini said the agency strongly believes in investing in the next generation of talent.

Through Bayeza, we provide a supportive and nurturing environment where young interns can grow both personally and professionally, he said. Bayeza not only provides interns with the opportunity to work on exciting projects but also facilitates networking and relationship-building within the advertising industry. Interns are encouraged to attend industry events, engage with clients, and collaborate with seasoned professionals. This exposure helps interns expand their professional network, opening doors to potential job opportunities and long-term career connections.




Many countries, including the US, have birthrates that either are too low to sustain current population levels or are stable. Since 1970, the population of people born in the US has been stable at below 300 million. In fact, some estimates show a decline in population. All of the population growth in the US during this time period has been due to immigration. That is why the USA has grown to 336 million people in 50 years. This trend has only increased in recent years.

There were a record 44.8 million immigrants living in the US in 2018, making up 13.7 percent of the nations population. This represents a more than fourfold increase since 1960, when 9.7 million immigrants lived in the US, accounting for 5.4 percent of the total US population.

For Jill and I growing up in a blue state, we were indoctrinated at an early age by the public school system that having two children was the responsible thing to do to save the planet from overpopulation. That careers were more important than having a large family. That women would find more fulfillment in a education and career, as opposed to staying at home. That women should defer motherhood until college and a career were firmed established. That this was the responsible path to take. Today, young women receive the same messaging from our government, our schools systems, and mainstream corporate media.

This messaging by the US government is still as strident as when I was in my youth 50 to 60 years ago.

The truth is that UNs Agenda 2030 asserts that migration is a human right. What this means in practicality is that persons born in countries with high birthrates have a right to migrate into wealthy countries with low birth rates.

To begin - migration is not a human right. Property laws and nation states exist for a reason. To assert otherwise is to assert that there is a one-world government which is in control of migration. Another usurpation of authority by the UN and the WEF.

This nations rules and regulations, our very Constitution do not apply to non-citizens. This is by design. Lets abide by our Constitution and Bill or Rights, not UN agreements, such as Agenda 2030, which was signed by a US president and never ratified by the Senate.

Our country has done a fine job of convincing the American populace that large family size hurts families and individuals in aggregate. We were told that the reward of that, for better or worse, would be a stabilized population over time and preservation of the American way of life, environment, cultural heritage and associated economic opportunities for US citizens. And yet still they persist. This week, Kamala Harris specifically stated that a reduced population was key to children being able to breath and drink clean water. This is not the first time she has asserted this false narrative.

When we invest in clean energy and electric vehicles and reduce population, more of our children can breath clean air and drink clean water. - Kamala Harris

Yet, the Biden border crisis grows ever more urgent and the rate of illegal immigration continues to surge. It is a no brainer to think that an option to reduce population might be as simple as reducing immigration, if that was their true intent.

The truth is that the US has a vibrant and amazing culture. A heritage built on independence, free speech, shared values, and strong work ethic. This heritage can easily be diluted by too much immigration. Just look what is happening France right now. Open migration policies have worked to cause a vast instability within the nation. France literally can no longer integrate so many people, with such different sets of cultural norms into their core national culture. This is not progress.

Under globalism, the heterogeneous cultures throughout the world are being weaponized as a way to destroy diversity; a path towards enabling a single, globalized government controlled by the UN and the WEF. Which is precisely what open borders, the immigration policies of the UN and even Kamala Harris statements seem to be working towards. It is time to end this nonsense and get back to a closed and orderly immigration system.

There are over 8 billion people in the world. The US can not take all those that wish to immigrate. To think otherwise is foolish.

America has to be an independent and free nation. We need to rely on Americans for our goods and services. A strong economy is one that meets its own needs internally. Whereby goods, services, medical care, and energy are produced domestically. A strong nation doesnt need to import low-wage earners to do its dirty work. The bizarre directive of reducing the naturally born population while importing new immigrants serves no functional purpose except to further globalize the USA.

By accepting large numbers of immigrants while reducing our own American population, we further regress as a nation, and we will continue to accelerate economic devastation of both middle class and urban poor citizens. A new world order where migration is a right, borders are open and the UN controls the ebb and flow of populations is ceding American nationalism and will destroy the American experiment in self-governance.

Our government needs to stay out of the business of enforcing population measures.

Which brings me to the mRNA genetic shots. People worry that the mRNA jabs have some sequence or component, such as the lipid nano-particle or genetic code, which are causing sterility. And that these were intentionally designed to cause a decrease in fertility worldwide. This is not a completely unrealistic fear.

For years, there have been rumors of abortion vaccines and anti-fertility vaccines being developed in India and Africa. With evidence being presented for and against these rumors. But we do know for sure that China used forced sterilizations and forced abortions on its own citizens. Now, China worries that their population levels are crumbling rapidly. Government controls on family choices are immoral. The idea of a vaccine to control population is repugnant.

Which brings me to a newly published Nature paper that shows that using adeno-associated viral vectored techniques, cats can be permanently sterilized. In this essay, I dont want to get into the science behind this (lets defer that to a later essay) but I do want to discuss the ethics of developing gene therapy techniques that rely on viral vectors for sterilization.

To begin with, such a fertility gene therapy technique using adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy vectors could be accidentally or purposefully modified to be infectious. This requires a recombination event (rescue) of another related adenovirus, which could be a wild type. Once that happens, the viral vector could be replication competent: ergo infectious. Although AAV gene therapy vectors are not a full replicating virus; the truth is that in a research setting, using the full virus to create infectious products is relatively simple. It could be as simple as missing a purification step or a recombination event. If such a product were to escape or be released into the general cat population, it would be a disaster. If such a vector had a rescue event in an injected animal, it could literally create a new virus. What happens if it were to infect on other feline species, such as cheetahs, big cats, cougars or bobcats? There is a scenario whereby it could decimate the population of an endangered species or all the cats . Furthermore, there is a possibility that such a virus could jump species - even into humans. Adeno-associated viruses are respiratory viruses, so can spread easily. What happens then?

Not to mention, we already know that NGOs and governments are willing to consider reducing population via vaccination or forced sterilization. Who is to say whether an organization, perhaps even one with the best of intentions in mind (or believing that the ends justify the means), would be willing to go there. After what we have experienced over the past three years, I would consider it in the realm of possibility. Kamala Harris, Bill Gates and the WEF and UN all have made their positions crystal clear. Population reduction is imperative.

There must be more regulatory controls on biological research for both animals and humans.

But in the meantime, we have to consider that the government doesnt really care about population control. You can know them by their actions, not their words. Their words endorse low birthrate as a pathway to population stabilization, but their actions enable rampant population growth due to immigration. The DATA indicate that what they really are striving for is a New World Order, whereby the UN becomes the dominant force of the world, with nation states nestled under their organizational structure. One in which out-migration combined with regional population control via government-enabled birth control (via both pharmaceuticals and deployed propaganda) is designed to augment that process of enabling populations born in economically disadvantaged regions to gain control of more economically advanced nations and infrastructure while destroying the cultures and politico/economic structures which have historically enabled the economic development of these more advanced regions.

Republished from Substack
Yarbrough addresses the panel

Yarbrough, whose expertise includes political philosophy and American political thought, was featured on a panel at the Tocqueville Conversations, held at the Chateau de Tocqueville in Normandy on June 30 and July 1.

The venue is the former home of the nineteenth-century French political thinker and diplomat Alexis de Tocqueville and the place where he wrote his magnum opus, Democracy in America, completed in 1840.

According to the Tocqueville Foundation, which organizes the annual event, the Tocqueville Conversations focus on the challenges that our liberal democracies are increasingly facing. The conference brings together personalities from very different geographical, intellectual, and political backgrounds (heads of state, leading political figures and opponents, economic decision-makers, intellectuals, artists, whether French, European, American or others.) The focus for this years conversations was the major upheavals that Europe is facing today.

The panel that Yarbrough participated in was called Tocqueville and Us, and it also featured Professor Joshua Mitchell from Georgetown University, as well as a French colleague.
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Dan Wootton has made a name for himself in the British media as a prominent voice at tabloid newspapers and TV channels like GB News.

The presenter and columnist is facing allegations that he used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual material, claims he has branded as simply untrue.

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The publishers of MailOnline, where he writes a column, and his previous employers at The Sun newspaper said they are looking into allegations against the New Zealand-born journalist.

Prince Harry and Meghan. Photo: Kirsty OConnor/PA

During his time at The Sun, Wootton was best known for breaking stories including the withdrawal of Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from royal duties.

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In January 2020, the newspaper published a front page article with his byline which revealed that Harry and Meghan were reviewing their roles.

The couple later announced they intended to step back as senior members of the royal family, become financially independent  still supporting Queen Elizabeth but splitting their time between the UK and North America.

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Wootton also became embroiled in a legal battle with Johnny Depp over an article published in April 2018 while he was the newspapers executive editor, which referred to Depp as a wife-beater in the headline.

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Johnny Depp at the High Court in London. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA

The actor filed a libel claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN)  the owner of The Sun  which resulted in a 16-day trial in which the judge ruled that the content of the article was proven to be substantially true.

In January 2021, Wootton announced he would be leaving his job as executive editor at The Sun, where he had previously edited the papers Bizarre column.

He has since become a columnist for MailOnline, owned by DMG Media, which also publishes the Daily Mail and Metro newspapers.

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He also hosts his own show on GB News, titled Dan Wootton Tonight, which explores daily news stories and hosts interviews.

Previously he was showbiz editor at the now-defunct News of the World and appeared on ITVs Lorraine as the showbiz correspondent.

Phillip Schofield. Photo: Ian West/PA

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In a MailOnline column published in May, Wootton claimed former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield tried multiple times to have him fired as a contributor on Lorraine.

He has also previously suggested The Sun knew about Schofields relationship with a younger ITV colleague but said all he could legally write in 2019 while working for the newspaper was that a staff member moved from This Morning to Loose Women despite a previous close friendship with Schofield.

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In an interview with the BBC, Schofield dismissed the claims that he tried to have Wootton dismissed from ITV, saying the accusations had come from Woottons utter, total hatred for him.

You cant do it. There is no way that any presenter on one show can get a contributor fired from another because they dont like the fact theyre in the building, Schofield said to the BBC.

I dont know where this came from, that I have more power than anybody else. Bless Dan, there is a lot of things that I think he said out of hatred for me.
The ball is in the UK governments court with regards to actions which would see the restoration of the Stormont powersharing arrangements, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Mr Donaldson said there had so far been a lack of meaningful action from Westminster in addressing his concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

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It comes as Britain's Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is holding a fresh round of talks with party leaders this week in a bid to break the Stormont stalemate.

The Assembly has been in flux for more than a year amid DUP protest action over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Windsor Framework was agreed by the EU and UK earlier this year as a way to reduce red tape on trade between GB and NI.

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Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is meeting with NI party leaders (Victoria Jones/PA)

But the DUP has insisted it will not return to Stormont until the UK government provides further legislative assurances around Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

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Senior civil servants have been left running Stormont departments and face having to make substantial cuts following a budget set by Mr Heaton-Harris.

Mr Donaldson and DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson met Mr Heaton-Harris at Westminster on Wednesday.

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Mr Heaton-Harris also met separately with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood.

Speaking after his meeting, Mr Donaldson said he urged Mr Heaton-Harris to recognise that there is no solid basis for an Executive and Assembly until we have arrangements that safeguard in law NIs place in the UK internal market and our constitutional arrangements are respected.

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He added: The ball is in the governments court.

The DUP has a mandate to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly on a basis that unionists as well as nationalists can support.

Consensus is the only way forward in Northern Ireland.

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Unionists just want a fair deal.

Nationalists would never have been asked to accept the kind of arrangements north-south that unionists are being asked to accept between one part of the UK and another.

The DUP leader added: The government committed to taking action to restore our place in the UK internal market but whilst statements and headlines have been in plentiful supply, there has been a lack of meaningful action.

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We need stable and sustainable devolved government and we need funding for our public services that meet the needs of our people.

Northern Ireland is a divided society.

Quick fixes without solid foundations will do a disservice to those trying to make the NI Assembly work.

Mr Eastwood said there can be no summer recess on efforts to restore devolution.

He added: I have again outlined to the Secretary of State that the SDLP will play a constructive role in opposition to re-establish devolved government.

People are quickly running out of patience with the glacial pace of progress on these issues.

A summer of drift cannot be allowed to happen.

Mr Heaton-Harris will hold further bilateral meetings with other party leaders over coming days.

He is expected to press the parties on their plans for a costed programme for government for any incoming executive.

The powersharing institutions at Stormont have not been functioning for more than a year (Liam McBurney/PA)

It is understood that Mr Heaton-Harris has also received the first batch of replies from civil servants examining potential revenue-raising options for Northern Ireland.

Last month, the Northern Ireland Secretary wrote to Stormont permanent secretaries seeking more information about measures that could otherwise improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland.

These included introducing domestic water charges and drug prescription charges, and raising tuition fees.

Officials at the Northern Ireland Office are expected to meet the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the near future to discuss the responses.
Podcaster and author Blindboy Boatclub has revealed a planned interview with actor Cillian Murphy was cancelled due to the Hollywood strike.

Sag-Aftra (Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Writers Guild of America are currently on strike.

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Murphy stars in hotly-anticipated Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer, which is released on Friday, July 21st.

The Cork native was due to appear on the popular Blindboy Podcast to discuss the new film, but its host revealed Murphy was not able to appear due to his involvement in the strike.

Blindboy: "I was going to have Cillian Murphy on the podcast to speak about his new film Oppenheimer. We were all excited to do it, couldn't wait... it was going to be a big exclusive proper chat with Cillian Murphy, who I've had on this podcast before.

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"But the Screen Actors Guild have gone on strike for the first time in 50 years I believe, that means Cillian Murphy is on strike as well. Cillian Murphy doesn't cross picket lines obviously, and I don't cross picket lines, so unfortunately he is not my guest in this week's podcast."

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A regular element to Blindboy's podcast is opening with a poem from an 'actor', which he attributes to everyone from Colin Farrell to Timothee Chalamet.

He joked that this does not mean the interview with Murphy was imaginary.

"I know each week I often start off the podcast with a poem from a Hollywood actor, so it sounds a little boy who cried wolf, but no Cillian Murphy was literally going to be on the podcast this week, and we were going to chat about Oppenheimer."

Oppenheimer is a biographical thriller based on the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin about J. Robert Oppenheimer.

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Oppenheimr was a theoretical physicist who was pivotal in developing the first nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project and thereby ushering in the Atomic Age.

Murphy and the film's other stars recently staged a walk-out at the film's London premiere in support of the actors' and writers' strike.

Oppenheimr stars Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh at the London premiere of the film before they staged a walk-out. Photo: Getty Images

Speaking on this week's podcast, Blindboy also revealed he is nearly finished his latest book.

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"I'm doing the final edits to my collection of short stories, I'm at the literal end process of my book at the moment... the last final tooth comb before it goes off to be printed. I'm so excited, I can't wait to show you the book.

"It's quite different to my first two collections of short stories. I used the entirety of the pandemic to read and develop my writing style."

His third book Topographia Hibernica will be released on November 16th, 2023.

The Rubberbandits star has published two other short story collections, The Gospel According to Blindboy (2017), and Boulevard Wren and Other Stories (2019).

If the new collection of short stories is like the others, readers will be in for a treat. His writing style is engaging and his short stories are often surreal and always thought-provoking, while providing insightful views into the Irish psyche.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is to hold a fresh round of talks with party leaders this week in a bid to break the Stormont stalemate.

The bilateral meetings will take place over coming days in Belfast and London and will also focus on budget pressures facing Stormont departments.

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Mr Heaton-Harris is expected to press the parties on their plans for a costed programme for government for any incoming Executive.

The Stormont Assembly has been in flux for more than a year amid DUP protest action over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Windsor Framework was agreed by the EU and UK earlier this year as a way to reduce red tape on trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Advertisement

The powersharing institutions at Stormont have not been functioning for more than a year (Liam McBurney/PA)

But the DUP has insisted it will not return to Stormont until the Government provides further legislative assurances around Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Advertisement

Senior civil servants have been left running Stormont departments and face having to make substantial cuts following a budget set by Mr Heaton-Harris.

It is understood that Mr Heaton-Harris has also received the first batch of replies from civil servants examining potential revenue-raising options for Northern Ireland.

Advertisement

Last month, the Northern Ireland Secretary wrote to Stormont permanent secretaries seeking more information about measures that could otherwise improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland.

These included introducing domestic water charges and drug prescription charges, and raising tuition fees.

Officials at the Northern Ireland Office are expected to meet the head of the Northern Ireland civil service in the near future to discuss the responses.
The Taoiseach has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on a visit to Kyiv.

Leo Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital.

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At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelenskiy, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy (right) welcomes Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

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My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

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This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

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Volodymyr Zelenskiy, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed in taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine areas.

He made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the Kakhoka dam and other areas.

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        @LeoVaradkar.    : ,  ,       .



    ,     ,    pic.twitter.com/ZNWiuxz9d1    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 19, 2023

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Mr Zelenskiy thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

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I, first of all, would like to extend words of gratitude to you and to the whole people of Ireland for hosting our nationals in Ireland. This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelenskiy said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelenskiy also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

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Mr Varadkar began an intensive schedule of engagements with a visit north of the city to the Kyiv Oblast region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (Niall Carson/PA)

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

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The funeral of Pierre Zakrzewski in Dublin in March last year (Damien Storan/PA)

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside 24-year-old Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova.

The Taoiseach also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainians fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

Ireland Varadkar travels to Ukraine to hold talks with Zel... Read More

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.
The Taoiseach said coming face to face with the horrors inflicted by Russia has convinced him that Ukraine will ultimately emerge from the war victorious.

He pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv.

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On a day-long unannounced trip to the Ukrainian capital, Mr Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion.

He was taken to the church grounds where a mass grave was found and a bridge where fleeing civilians were bombed and laid a soft toy at a memorial for children killed in the conflict, the youngest just two days old.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visits a heavily damaged bridge in Irpin, Ukraine (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

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The Taoiseach also participated in a number of other wreath and flower-laying ceremonies to commemorate those who have lost their lives defending Ukraine.

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I came face to face with the horror that Russias forces have inflicted on civilians here in Ukraine, he said afterwards.

After an hour-long meeting with President Zelenskiy, Mr Varadkar reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the negotiation process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed to taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine vast swathes of Ukrainian land.

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The Taoiseach made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional 5 million in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the kakhovka dam and other areas.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

Advertisement

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We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

He added: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar shakes hands with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a joint news briefing at Horodetsky House in Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Mr Varadkar also revealed that an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

Asked how such a part could potentially have got into Russian hands, Mr Varadkar said: We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that, and we do take it very seriously.

Mr Zelenskiy thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelenskiy said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

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Travelling with @LeoVaradkar in Kyiv today as he visited sites that still bear the scars of the Russian offensive to capture the Ukrainian capital in the early weeks of the war.@PA pic.twitter.com/A4UOqOYPAz  David Young (@DavidYoungPA) July 19, 2023

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression, he said.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelenskiy also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

After the engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The Taoiseachs intensive schedule of engagements began in the early morning when he disembarked from an overnight train from Poland to travel to the Kyiv Oblast region on the northern outskirts of the city.

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He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Leo Varadkar visits the Motherland monument in Kyiv (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, 24.

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He also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainian fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks from entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) shakes hands with actor Oleksandr Hrekov (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

Later in the day, Mr Varadkar met a Ukrainian actor who was assaulted in Dublin last month.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel. The actor required stitches in hospital.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

The Taoiseach then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.
A woman with cancer who was growing cannabis at home as pain relief for herself has been ordered to carry out work in the community in lieu of a prison sentence.

At a hearing last February, the court heard that gardai acting on confidential information executed a search warrant for the north Dublin home of Stacey Harcourt (41) and found a pillow case containing plastic bags of cannabis herb.

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Harcourt told gardai that she had clipped the leaves from plants she had grown herself from seed.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that she was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010 and since then she has had eight operations on her neck and 15 operations related to malignant melanoma.

Harcourt told gardai that she had undergone chemotherapy, but this had not worked and cannabis is the only thing that works.

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She was using about 5gm of the plant every evening and said she never sold it on and never will.

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Olan Callanan BL, defending, told Judge Martina Baxter that his client used the drug for pain and in her mind, for the suppression of the disease herself. She put it into oils, butters and ointments, for consumption and for topical placement, the court heard.

In a very difficult decade, it's the only thing that has given her some comfort, he said.

Harcourt, of Carton Close, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her home on October 14th, 2021.

The total weight of the cannabis herb seized was 448gm, with an estimated street value given as 8,966.

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On Wednesday, as Judge Baxter ordered that Harcourt should carry out 240 hours community service in lieu of a two-year prison term, Harcourt spoke from the body of the court in praise of the judge.

Can I just say, you are brilliant. There are not many like you, Harcourt said.

Judge Baxter said a report from the Probation Service indicated that Harcourt had impressed the probation officer, and she had been deemed suitable for community service. She said she had taken into account the fact that Harcourt had demonstrated remorse and insight into her offending and she was continuing to try and rehabilitate.

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The judge said she was happy to hear that Harcourt is cancer-free and wished her continued good health.

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The court heard at the previous sentence hearing that the single mother had worked in security at large scale events, but has lost that work now as a result of this conviction.

Garda Conor Garland told Mr Callanan that Harcourt was not on any garda radar for drug dealing.

She has a number of previous convictions for road traffic offences and one for impeding the arrest of a suspect. Garda Garland told the court that in 2005, she had facilitated the escape of a post officer raider with the proceeds of the robbery.

Judge Baxter had adjourned the case to allow time for a Probation Service assessment. She said she wanted urine analysis for drugs.

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Mr Callanan said that over the last 10 years, his client had become attached to using the herb to treat her cancer.

Harcourt told the judge that she would try to cut down on her use of the drug but said: I ultimately cannot stop completely, I tried before to give it up, and I got very sick.

She said it's not an addiction and that she had never done any drugs before and only discovered cannabis after her cancer diagnosis.

Judge Baxter told the defendant she appreciated her situation but that in the eyes of the law, you are still committing an offence every time she used the drug.
TV presenter Anita Ranis first work of fiction has got a glowing review

Fiction

1. The Baby Does A Runner by Anita Rani is published in hardback by Zaffre. Available July 20th

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In her debut novel, TV presenter Anita Rani introduces us to Baby, a British-Indian female in her 30s whos stuck in life. After discovering love letters addressed to her late grandad  by a woman who isnt her grandmother  Baby decides to venture to India to uncover family secrets. As we join Baby on this adventure, were reminded about the generational impact of the partition of India. Readers are taken on a journey of love and loss while uncovering how the partition changed lives in Pakistan and India. The captivating story  which I read in just one day  encourages us to recognise and respect our family history. Baby Does A Runner serves as a powerful reminder to South Asian women that we would not be here today were it not for the suffering and strength of our past generations.

10/10

(Review by Maryam Munir)

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2. The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse is published in hardback by Mantle. Available now

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As always, a wonderful (and packed event) with @LindumBooks at beautiful Lincoln Museum. Thanks to everyone who came and @panmacmillan for getting early copies there @MantleBooks Now, to rest my poor old voice  pic.twitter.com/KhzjESadjY  Kate Mosse (@katemosse) June 30, 2023

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This is the third instalment in Kate Mosses series, the Joubert Family Chronicles, inspired by the Huguenot migration. The story carries us from France to Amsterdam and the Canary Islands across a decade, and tells the extraordinary tale of ordinary woman driven by religious war and displacement, centred on the sweeping illicit love story of Louise Reydon-Joubert and her desire for an independent and unconventional life on the high seas. The 17th century was a turbulent time and Louise faces these problems head on. Her love of the sea, her difficult past and her desire to captain her own ship sets her on a course of love, pirates, murder, and the slave trade that finds her at the mercy of forces shes unable to contain. As captain of the Ghost Ship, she hunts pirates to liberate the enslaved. If caught, the stakes are high, with death the likely judgement. This book is beautifully written and engaging from the first page, keeping you guessing until the end.

9/10

(Review by Amanda De Beer)

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3. Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan is published in hardback by Jonathan Cape. Available now

The second novel from the author of Acts of Desperation . . .



Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan - out today!



'As much of a compulsive read as the first'

THE TIMEShttps://t.co/ixDeW1gbjE pic.twitter.com/1ncdL4YOoQ Advertisement  Vintage Books (@vintagebooks) July 13, 2023

Nolans sophomore novel is set in a London council estate and mainly follows the story of the Green family, who turned up mysteriously a decade ago. After the body of a young child is discovered, the court of public opinion has ruled the family is guilty of all charges. The reality is unveiled by ambitious and hungry young journalist Tom Hargreaves, who attempts to convince the family to tell their story. Its an ambitious novel, and the story is told beautifully. It could easily be a little longer, as some elements feel a little rushed, however, and those expecting a murder mystery will be disappointed. Instead, this novel takes a magnifying glass to the medias response to tragic incidents, especially where troubled families are involved.

8/10

(Review by Lauren Gilmour)

Non-fiction

4. What About Men? by Caitlin Moran is published in hardback by Ebury Press. Available now

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Ahhhh, man, can't deny: I cried when I heard. "What About Men?" has gone straight in at Number One. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU if you bought it! I find it utterly bizarre it's been so controversial on social media - whilst in real life, the mums, dads & teachers at my gigs pic.twitter.com/KMyPwbx6Q7  Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) July 12, 2023

After years of banging the drum for women, bestselling author, columnist, feminist and social commentator Caitlin Moran has turned her attention to men and their challenges  and indeed, she reveals many in this examination of their insecurities, anxieties and challenges. Interviewing a variety of men, she has come to believe that, actually, they have it harder than women at the moment, and no support network equivalent to the feminist movement. She covers issues ranging from boys falling behind in education, porn addiction, and the rise in online misogyny, as well as male friendships, banter, body image and fashion pressures. As always, her prose is peppered with humour  but its clear that the problems of men need addressing and Moran has provided a solid template to open up that conversation.

8/10

(Review by Hannah Stephenson)

Childrens book of the week

5. Who Lives Here? by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb, is published in hardback by Macmillan Childrens Books. Available July 20th

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New book coming soon!!! Thank you @MacmillanKidsUK for my exciting parcel of an advance copy of Who Lives Here? Written by the wonderful Julia Donaldson and illustrated by me. Published by @MacmillanKidsUK on 20th July but it is available to pre-order now  #juliadonaldson pic.twitter.com/F6tpuzpJky  Rebecca Cobb (@rebecca_cobb) June 6, 2023

One name that is synonymous with childrens publishing in the 21st century is Julia Donaldson, whose lyrical picture books have sold over 17 million copies worldwide and become undeniable modern classics  including The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom and What The Ladybird Heard. Once more in partnership with illustrator Rebecca Cobb, here Donaldson presents a pre-school age lift-the-flap picture book following a little boy as he searches for his friend Dan, knocking on every door in the street until he finds him  and discovering a host of colourful characters along the way. Beautiful illustrations with surprising hidden designs are complemented by alliterative language and buoyant rhyming, making this a treat of a read for young children.

9/10

(Review by Holly Cowell)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 15th

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. Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

7. Penance by Eliza Clark

8. The Trial by Rob Rinder

9. Kala by Colin Walsh

10. Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan

(Compiled by Waterstones)

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HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. Beyond The Story by BTS & Myeongseok Kang

2. What About Men? by Caitlin Moran

3. Pax by Tom Holland

4. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

5. But What Can I Do? by Alastair Campbell

6. The Wager by David Grann

7. Hitler, Stalin, Mum And Dad by Daniel Finkelstein

8. Material World by Ed Conway

9. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

10. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom  The Complete Official Guide

(Compiled by Waterstones)

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. What About Men? by Caitlin Moran

5. The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish

6. Mythos by Stephen Fry

7. Outlive by Peter Attia & Bill Gifford

8. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

9. Spare by The Duke of Sussex

10. The Fellowship Of The Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

(Compiled by Audible)
Belfast-born actor Jamie Dornan is the new face of fashion brand Loewe.

Hes collaborating with the brands creative director, Jonathan Anderson from Co Derry, on the campaign.

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Dornan started his career as a model, appearing in campaigns for brands including Calvin Klein, Dior and Giorgio Armani.

Hes since become better known as an actor  starring in the Fifty Shades franchise, and more recently TV series The Tourist  but now hes making a return to modelling.

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In the campaign pictures, the 41-year-old is dressed simply. In one image he wears blue jeans, a black cardigan and brown boots, while holding a white shell to his ear.

In other shots for the autumn/winter 2023 campaign, Dornan wears a grey overcoat, light denim jeans and holds one of the Spanish brands signature puzzle bags in brown.

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Anderson, who is from Co Derry, posted a video to his Instagram page showing Dornan reading My Friend Leonard, an autobiographical novel by American writer James Frey.

I also happen to have a dog called Leonard, so double meaning for me this, he says, with a laugh to camera.

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Dornan appeared on the front row of Loewes Paris Fashion Week show in March this year, reuniting with Belfast co-star Caitriona Balfe, who was also in attendance.

As the brands creative director, Anderson has made a name for himself with well-tailored and slightly surreal designs, both at Loewe and his own brand, JW Anderson.

He made headlines in February after designing Rihannas bright red jumpsuit to perform at the Super Bowl.

More recently, he has created looks for Beyonces ongoing Renaissance tour  including a surreal sparkly jumpsuit with black hands emblazoned on.

On tour with Beyonce.



A custom LOEWE look designed for the Renaissance world tour. As seen on stage in Stockholm.



Styling Shiona Turini #LOEWE #RenaissanceTour pic.twitter.com/895dChY6ZH  LOEWE (@LoeweOfficial) May 11, 2023

Other celebrities who have previously appeared in Loewe advertising campaigns include The White Lotus star Aubrey Plaza, Irish actor Ruth Negga and legendary actor Anthony Hopkins.
A federal judge has rejected Donald Trumps bid to move his hush money criminal case from New York state court to federal court.

US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein ruled that lawyers for the former president had failed to meet a high legal bar for changing jurisdiction.

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Mr Hellerstein found that the allegations pertained to Mr Trumps personal life, not presidential duties that would have merited a move to federal court.





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The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the president  a cover-up of an embarrassing event, Mr Hellerstein wrote in a 25-page ruling.

Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the colour of the presidents official duties.

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Mr Hellersteins decision sets the stage for Mr Trump to stand trial in state court in Manhattan as early as next spring, overlapping with the 2024 presidential primary season in what could be a frenetic stretch of legal action as the twice-indicted Republican seeks a return to the White House.

Separately, Mr Trump is charged in federal court in Florida with llegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and impeding investigators. Prosecutors want that case to go to trial in December.

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Trump lawyer Todd Blanche declined to comment on Mr Hellersteins ruling, which can be appealed to the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan.

The judge signalled his decision at a hearing on the matter late last month, scoffing at defence claims that the alleged conduct at the root of Mr Trumps charges  reimbursing his long-time personal lawyer Michael Cohen as part of a scheme to bury affair allegations that arose during his first campaign  was within the colour of his office as president.



Trumps lawyers had wanted the case moved away from the state of New York (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

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Mr Hellerstein said evidence suggested that Mr Cohen, who arranged and made some of the hush money payments, was hired privately, not under colour of any presidential office or related to it.

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There are invoices showing how much Mr Cohen was paid, but no proof of what he did, the judge said at the hearing on June 27.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty on April 4 in state court to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide reimbursements made to Mr Cohen for his role in paying 130,000 dollars to the porn actor Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an extramarital sexual encounter with Mr Trump years earlier.

Mr Cohen also arranged for the National Enquirer to pay Playboy model Karen McDougal 150,000 dollars for the rights to her story about an alleged affair.

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Mr Trump denied having had sexual encounters with either woman. His lawyers argue the payments to Mr Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up.



Donald Trump remains the frontrunner in the Republican presidential primary (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Mr Trumps lawyers asked the federal court in Manhattan in May to take control of the hush money case, contending he could not be tried in state court because some of the conduct alleged in his historic indictment occurred in 2017 while he was president, including cheques he purportedly wrote while sitting in the Oval Office.

The lawyers, Susan Necheles and Mr Blanche, argued that federal officers including former presidents have the right to be tried in federal court for charges arising from conduct performed while in office.

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A shift to federal court would have meant a broader, more politically diverse jury pool  drawing not only from heavily Democratic Manhattan, where Mr Trump is wildly unpopular, but also from a handful of suburban counties north of the city where he has more political support.

The Manhattan district attorneys office, which is prosecuting the case, fought to keep it in state court.

Matthew Colangelo, a senior counsel to district attorney Alvin Bragg, argued nothing about the hush money payments and reimbursements involved Mr Trumps official duties as president. He also disputed whether the legal definition of federal officer applies to a president or only to other members of the government.

Had Mr Hellerstein sided with Mr Trump and moved the case to federal court, the former presidents lawyers could have then tried to get the charges dismissed on the grounds that federal officials are immune from criminal prosecution over actions taken as part of their official job duties.

US law allows criminal prosecutions to be moved from state to federal court if they involve actions taken by federal government officials as part of their official duties, among other qualifications. Mr Trumps request was unprecedented because he is the first former president ever charged with a crime.

Mr Trumps hush money trial is scheduled to start in state court on March 25, 2024.
The Indian owner of Jaguar Land Rover has revealed plans to build a 4 billion (4.6 billion) battery factory in the UK  a move the British government says will create around 4,000 jobs.

The plant  widely reported to be set for Somerset  will become one of Europes largest battery cell manufacturing sites when it starts producing in 2026, Tata Sons said on Wednesday.

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It will produce about 40 gigawatt hours of battery cells every year. The UK government said that is enough to provide about half the battery production the UK will need by 2030 according to the Faraday Institution.

Today, the Tata group announced plans to establish a global 40GW battery cell gigafactory in the United Kingdom. Here's a message from our Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on this occasion. #ThisIsTata pic.twitter.com/y7Oypj0S94 Advertisement  Tata Group (@TataCompanies) July 19, 2023 Advertisement

The British government said it stepped in with subsidies to entice Tata Sons, which owns Tata Group, to build the plant in the UK. It did not say how much money it promised.

The exact numbers on this will come out in the normal way. Because of the commercial sensitivities, they have to be released in the usual way, said UK energy security S=secretary Grant Shapps.

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Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said: Our multibillion-pound investment will bring state-of-the-art technology to the country, helping to power the automotive sectors transition to electric mobility, anchored by our own business, JLR.

The car battery factory is expected to be built near Bridgwater in Somerset, where it will have close access to the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, which is expected to open later this decade.

But Tata could not confirm the location.

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On Thursday, voters in the nearby Somerton and Frome constituency are set to vote in a by-election to select a replacement for its former MP, David Warburton.

The news comes weeks after reports emerged that Tata had selected a Somerset site for a gigafactory. The group reportedly considered a site in Spain as an alternative.

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Reports on Tuesday suggested the UK offered major subsidies to attract the industrial giant to British shores.

Asked on BBC Breakfast about a Financial Times report that the British government is providing 1.5 billion in subsidies, Mr Shapps said: That doesnt sound right to me.

Nor would UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt be drawn on how much the British overnment is providing to Tata, calling the discussions commercially sensitive.

Mr Chandrasekaran said: I also want to thank His Majestys Government, which has worked so closely with us to enable this investment.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said: Tata Groups decision to build their new gigafactory here in the UK  their first outside of India  is a huge vote of confidence in Britain. This will be one of the largest ever investments in the UK automotive sector.

It will not only create thousands of skilled jobs for Britons around the country, but it will also strengthen our lead in the global transition to electric vehicles, helping to grow our economy in clean industries of the future.

Mr Shapps said the investment will bring 4,000 jobs directly and thousands more indirectly, such as in supply chains.

Tata did not mention how many jobs it expects to create.

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The factory is expected to be located close to the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant (Ben Birchall/PA)

It is a big deal. It is probably the biggest ever UK car investment  or certainly the biggest for 40 years, Mr Shapps told Sky News.

This will produce a gigafactory that can produce about half the UKs electric vehicles batteries.

It has been nine months in negotiations, Ive been involved with it throughout, including going to India.

Earlier this year, start-up Britishvolt went out of business. Despite having little experience in the sector, it had promised to build the UKs first gigafactory.

But in the end it could not raise enough money to push ahead with the plans.

Start-up Britishvolt planned to build a gigafactory in Blyth, Northumberland, but failed (Britishvolt/PA)

Vauxhall maker Stellantis said in May that it would struggle to make electric cars in the UK without changes to the Brexit deal.

It said it is vital to reinforce the competitiveness of the UK by establishing battery production.

West of England Labour mayor Dan Norris said: After so many false starts, this is fantastic news for the West of England.

Local workers are delighted to see 9,000 new green jobs wrapped up in a Union flag. It shows our region is leading the way as the best place to invest in net zero.

Given the scale of the investment, we have a real opportunity to shape the green jobs revolution, not just here in the West, but nationally and internationally, to ensure these jobs of the future are high-quality, well-paid and unionised.

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However, the lack of a coherent industrial strategy means this historically rail-connected site will only be accessible by road. Thats a mistake.
Tory MPs including former UK prime minister Liz Truss are set to launch another attempt to overturn the de facto ban on onshore wind farms after the summer recess.

Sir Alok Sharma, the former Cop26 president, on Wednesday formally proposed an amendment to the UK governments Energy Bill, which is due to return to the Commons after the summer recess.

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His amendment would both end the effective ban on new onshore wind farms and require the UK government to show developers how they can demonstrate that local communities support their plans, and how they can provide financial benefits to those communities.

The plan would also prohibit appeals against a decision by a local council to refuse planning permission for a wind farm to ensure that local wishes are respected.

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Sir Alok Sharma, the former Cop26 president (Jane Barlow/PA)

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Mr Sharma said: Last autumn the Government committed to change the planning rules by the end of April this year to overturn the de facto ban on onshore wind. Unfortunately, this has not happened.

This amendment will help to deliver on the Governments own promise to unlock investment in one of the cheapest forms of energy. Ultimately this will bring down household bills and improve our energy security.

The amendment has been signed by more than 20 backbench Conservatives, including Ms Truss and several former ministers.

Other signatories include former party chairman Sir Jake Berry, former chief whip Wendy Morton, Wales Committee chairman Stephen Crabb and former levelling up secretary Sir Simon Clarke.

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Mr Sharmas amendment means Rishi Sunak now faces another potential rebellion over onshore wind less than a year after heading off a previous attempt led by Mr Clarke.

Former UK prime minister Liz Truss is one of several senior Tories backing Sir Alok Sharmas amendment (Aaron Chown/PA)

The former levelling up secretary, a strong backer of Ms Truss, withdrew a similar amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill after the UK government agreed to relax planning rules in December 2022.

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However, proposals put out to consultation earlier this year were criticised by the renewable energy industry as not going far enough.

The current rules, introduced under David Cameron in 2015, require councils to draw up detailed plans showing all the areas suitable for onshore wind development before new wind farms can go ahead, and also mean that proposals can be blocked even if just a single person objects to them.

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RenewableUK, the trade body for the renewable industry, said the British governments proposals only slightly changed the rules, meaning detailed plans were still required and the objection of one person was still potentially enough to stop a development going ahead.
An Australian sailor who was rescued by a Mexican tuna boat after being adrift at sea with his dog for three months has said he is grateful to be alive after setting foot on dry land for the first time since their ordeal began.

Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, 54, disembarked in the Mexican city of Manzanillo after being examined on board the boat that rescued him, the Maria Delia.

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Im feeling alright. Im feeling a lot better than I was, I tell ya, Mr Shaddock, smiling, bearded and thin, told reporters on the dock in the port city about 210 miles west of Mexico City.

To the captain and fishing company that saved my life, Im just so grateful. Im alive and I didnt really think Id make it, Mr Shaddock said, adding that he and his amazing dog Bella are both doing well.

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Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, right, next to a crew member of the Mexican tuna boat Maria Delia as they arrived in Manzanillo, Mexico (Fernando Llano/AP)

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Mr Shaddock described himself as a quiet person who loves being alone on the ocean.

Asked why he set out in April from Mexicos Baja Peninsula to cross the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, he was initially at a loss.

Im not sure I have the answer to that, but I very much enjoy sailing and I love the people of the sea, Mr Shaddock said.

Its the people of the sea that make us all come together. The ocean is in us. We are the ocean.

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The Sydney mans catamaran set sail from the Mexican city of La Paz but was crippled by bad weather weeks into the journey.

He said the last time he saw land was in early May as he sailed out of the Sea of Cortez and into the Pacific. There was a full moon.

Mr Shaddock said he had been well-provisioned, but a storm knocked out his electronics and ability to cook.

He and Bella survived on raw fish.

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Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock smiles during a welcoming ceremony in Manzanillo, Mexico (Fernando Llano/AP)

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There were many, many, many bad days and many good days, Mr Shaddock said.

The energy, the fatigue is the hardest part, he said.

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Mr Shaddock passed the time fixing things and stayed positive by going into the water to just enjoy being in the water.

When the tuna boats helicopter spotted Mr Shaddocks catamaran about 1,200 miles from land, it was the first sign of humans he had seen in three months, he said.

The pilot tossed him a drink and then flew away, returning later with a speedboat from the Maria Delia, he said.

Grupomar, which operates the fishing fleet, did not specify when the rescue occurred.

But it said in a statement that Mr Shaddock and his dog were in a precarious state when found, lacking provisions and shelter, and that the tuna boats crew gave them medical attention, food and hydration.

Mr Shaddock said the tuna boat became his land and that Bella was an immediate hit with the crew.



The crew of the Mexican tuna boat Maria Delia with Bella, the dog of Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock (Fernando Llano/AP)

He also explained how he and the dog met.

Bella sort of found me in the middle of Mexico. Shes Mexican, he said.

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Shes the spirit of the middle of the country and she wouldnt let me go. I tried to find a home for her three times and she just kept following me on to the water. Shes a lot braver than I am, thats for sure.

Perhaps for that reason, Bella did not leave the boat until Mr Shaddock had driven away on Tuesday.

He had already chosen Genaro Rosales, a crew member from Mazatlan, to adopt her on the condition that he would take good care of the dog.

Mr Shaddock said he will be returning to Australia soon and that he is looking forward to seeing his family.

Antonio Suarez, Grupomars president, said this could be the Maria Delias final trip because he is modernising the companys fleet and the boat is its smallest and is more than 50 years old.

If so, it would be a marvellous farewell, saving human lives, Mr Suarez said.
Margaret Atwood is among thousands of authors backing an open letter urging AI firms to gain permission before incorporating copyrighted work into their technologies.

The Handmaids Tale writer and other high-profile names from the literary world such as James Patterson and Suzanne Collins have endorsed the open letter from the Authors Guild.

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Millions of copyrighted books, articles, essays, and poetry provide the food for AI systems, endless meals for which there has been no bill, the letter reads in part.





As writers, we know the profound impact our work has had on the development of AI models. We are calling on AI leaders to stop using our works without our consent, compensation, or credit.



Please join us in signing our open letter. https://t.co/sVF42eZGJt pic.twitter.com/EigVsGRafn Advertisement  The Authors Guild (@AuthorsGuild) July 14, 2023 Advertisement

Youre spending billions of dollars to develop AI technology. It is only fair that you compensate us for using our writings, without which AI would be banal and extremely limited.

The letter is addressed to OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft and other AI producers.

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The guild announced that other signatories include the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists Jennifer Egan, Michael Chabon and Louise Erdrich, as well as authors Jonathan Franzen, Celeste Ng, Nora Roberts and Ron Chernow.

If creators arent compensated fairly, they cant afford to create, Roberts said.

If writers arent paid to write, they cant afford to write. Human beings create and write stories human beings read.

Were not robots to be programmed, and AI cant create human stories without taking from human stories already written.

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Michigans attorney general has filed charges against 16 Republicans accused of being fake electors for Donald Trump after the 2020 election.

Electors are people appointed to represent voters in presidential elections. The winner of the popular vote in each state determines which partys electors are sent to the Electoral College, which meets in December after the election to certify the outcome.

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The 16 people are accused of submitting false certificates confirming they were legitimate electors despite US President Joe Bidens victory in the state.

Attorney general Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced that all 16 individuals would face eight criminal charges, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery, which range from a potential five to 14 years in prison each.



Kathy Berden is a member of the Republican National Committee (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

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The group includes the head of the Republican National Committees chapter in Michigan, Kathy Berden, as well as the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Meshawn Maddock and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.

It would be malfeasance of the greatest magnitude if my department failed to act here in the face of overwhelming evidence of an organised effort to circumvent the lawfully cast ballots of millions of Michigan voters in a presidential election, Ms Nessel said.

There was no immediate reaction from the White House after the charges were announced.

The group is alleged to have met inside the then-Michigan Republican Party headquarters on December 14, 2020, and signed their names to multiple certificates stating they were the qualified electors for then-US president Mr Trump. These false documents were then transmitted to Congress and the National Archives.

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In January of last year, Ms Nessel asked federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation into 16 Republicans.



Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP, File)

She alleged a co-ordinated effort among Republican parties in several battleground states, including Michigan, to push so-called alternate slates of electors with fake documents.

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She said she wants federal authorities to make an evaluation for possible charges.

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In seven battleground states, including Michigan, supporters of Mr Trump signed certificates that falsely stated he had won their states, not Mr Biden.

The fake certificates were ignored, but the attempt has been subject to investigations, including by the House of Representatives committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

False Electoral College certificates were also submitted declaring Mr Trump the winner of Arizona, Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

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The deadline for Microsofts 69 billion US dollar (52.7 billion) acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard has been extended.

The companies are looking to close a deal that has been challenged by regulators in the US, as well as by the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

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Microsoft believes that pushing back the deadline to October 18 will provide enough time to work through the remaining regulatory issues, said Brad Smith, the companys president.



Popular Activision titles include Call Of Duty (PA)

We are confident about our prospects for getting this deal across the finish line, Mr Smith said.

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The extension comes with a bigger termination fee, should the deal be called off, and a number of other new agreements.

Tuesday marked an important deadline for the deal announced 18 months earlier. Both Microsoft and Activision had agreed that either party could walk away from the planned merger if it had not closed by then, triggering Microsoft to potentially have to pay a 3 billion dollar (2.33 billion) breakup fee unless both sides decided to renegotiate.

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That termination fee has been increased to 3.5 billion dollars (2.72 billion) with the extension. If the deal does not close by September 15, it will increase to 4.5 billion dollars (3.5 billion).

I am happy to share that based on our continued confidence in closing our deal, the Activision Blizzard and Microsoft boards have mutually agreed not to terminate the deal until after October 18, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a note to employees.

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He emphasised that it has already been granted approval in 40 countries, which include those in the European Union, and he was confident the UK concerns would be resolved.

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Microsoft spent this month working to resolve long-standing legal challenges from anti-trust enforcers in the US and UK who argued the merger would harm competition.

The deal was effectively clear to go in the US this week, especially after the Supreme Court decided against hearing a last-ditch effort to block the takeover from gamers who have described themselves as fans of popular Activision titles Call Of Duty, World Of Warcraft, Overwatch and Diablo.

Justice Elena Kagan rejected the emergency appeal without comment on Tuesday. Ms Kagan handles emergency matters from California and other western states.

But the UK remained an obstacle, though one that is likely to be surmounted.

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The CMA initially rejected the deal but later pushed back its final decision so it can consider Microsofts argument that new developments mean its acquisition can go through.



Microsoft will have to pay a larger termination fee if they cannot close the deal by the new deadline (PA)

A judge on Monday conditionally approved a joint request from Microsoft and the CMA to delay upcoming proceedings, enabling both sides to further negotiate.

Daniel Beard, a lawyer representing Microsoft in the UK case, told the judge he was grateful the process is moving quickly because the UK is the only impediment to closing and speed is of the essence.

Among the additional information sought by the judge was Microsofts announcement of a deal addressing concerns from top rival Sony, maker of the PlayStation console that is a competitor to Microsofts Xbox. Microsoft said it signed a deal with Sony to keep Call Of Duty on PlayStation for at least 10 years.

Such a deal would also appear to address at least one of the concerns about loss of competition brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which sued in December to stop the deal.

The FTC has not said if it will continue to fight the takeover after a federal judge and a federal appeals court both denied its attempt to stop the deal from closing. The FTC could still continue a case set for the agencys in-house judge in August, but that would not preclude the two companies from completing the merger beforehand.

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Phil Spencer, head of Microsofts Xbox division, said in an email to employees: While we can technically close in the United States due to recent legal developments, this extension gives us additional time to resolve the remaining regulatory concerns in the UK.
North Korea remains silent about the detention of an American soldier who sprinted across its heavily fortified border with South Korea, as

other members of his tour group looked on in shock.

Observers said the North is unlikely to repatriate the soldier anytime soon amid heightened tensions between the rivals.

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Private 2nd Class Travis King bolted into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarised Zone on Tuesday, a day after he was supposed to leave the country and travel to a base in the US.





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Pte King was released from a South Korean prison earlier this month, not the first time he had run into legal trouble in the country. He could have faced more punishment in the US.

Pte King is the first known American held in North Korea in nearly five years. Each detention has set off complicated diplomatic wrangling, and this one comes at a time of heightened animosity.

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On Wednesday, North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in an apparent protest at the deployment of a US nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea for the first time in decades.

Its likely that North Korea will use the soldier for propaganda purposes in the short-term and then as a bargaining chip in the mid to long-term, Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea, said.

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The soldier crossed into North Korea during a tour in the border village of Panmunjom (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Pte King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armoured Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was supposed to leave on Monday for Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

He was escorted as far as customs but left the airport before boarding his plane.

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It was not clear how he spent the hours until joining the Panmunjom tour and running across the border on Tuesday afternoon.

The US army released his name and limited information after Pte Kings family was notified.

One woman who was on the tour with Pte King said she initially thought his dash was some kind of stunt  and that she and others in the group could not believe what had happened.

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Tours of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) run from South Korea (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

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Pte Kings stint in prison was not the first time he faced legal trouble in South Korea.

In February, a court fined him five million won (3,060) after being convicted of assaulting an unidentified person and damaging a police vehicle in Seoul last October, according to a transcript of the verdict obtained by The Associated Press.

The ruling said Pte King had also been accused of punching a 23-year-old man at a Seoul nightclub, although the court dismissed that charge because the victim did not want the soldier to be punished.

Pte Kings mother told ABC News she was shocked when she heard her son had crossed into North Korea.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Claudine Gates, of Racine, Wisconsin, said.

Ms Gates said said she had last heard from her son a few days ago, when he told her he would return soon to Fort Bliss.

She added that she just wanted him to come home.



US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin said his foremost concern was for the soldiers well-being (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US government was working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve this incident.

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The American-led UN Command said on Tuesday that the US soldier was believed to be in North Korean custody.

Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin told a Pentagon news conference, noting that his foremost concern was for the soldiers well-being.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, although more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since a truce ended the 1950-53 Korean War.
Missiles and drones launched by Russia in an intense series of nationwide night-time air attacks have damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounded at least 12 people, Ukrainian officials have said.

The air raid targeted the southern port city of Odesa for a second night in a row, days after Russian president Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would halt its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled crucial grain exports to reach the world, including many countries facing the threat of hunger.

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Meanwhile, Russian emergency officials in Crimea said that more than 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at a military facility.

The blaze also caused the closure of a motorway, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Russia-appointed head of the peninsula, which was annexed in 2014.

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He did not specify a cause for the fire at the facility in Kirovsky district, which came two days after an attack on a bridge linking Russia to Crimea that the Kremlin has blamed on Ukraine.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said in a statement on Telegram.

Ukrainian authorities reported more drones and missiles sent against more parts of Ukraine than in recent days.

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Mr Popko said the attacks were especially fierce in Odesa for a second consecutive night.

The Ukrainian armys operational command south reported that at least 12 civilians sustained injuries in the attack on the Odesa region.

Russia targeted the southern port city of Odesa for the second night in a row (Kostiantyn Liberov/AP)

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Odesas regional governor Oleh Kiper said the attack included dozens of missiles and strike drones aimed at the port and infrastructure facilities.

Debris from missiles and drones that were shot down fell on apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people.

Russia targeted the port and key infrastructure with Oniks and Kh-22 missiles, Mr Kiper said. Grain and oil terminals were hit, damaging storage tanks, loading equipment and causing a fire. Emergency service workers were deployed.

Wheat prices rose more than 2.5% on Tuesday and over 3% on Wednesday amid the Russian attacks in Odesa, which is a key hub for exporting grain to the world, illustrating jitters in global markets just days after Moscow pulled out of the grain deal, which allowed Ukraine to ship grain to parts of the globe where people are going hungry.

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But Wednesdays trading price of 6.91 US dollars (5.34) a bushel was still more than 85% below last years peak.

Russia blames Ukraine for a July 17 strike on the Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimea (Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies via AP)

At least six residents of Odesa, including a nine-year-old boy, have sought medical assistance, because of injuries caused by shattered glass and other objects.

The remnants of a downed Kh-59 missile created a large crater in another part of the city, leaving three civilians injured and several buildings damaged.

Eight Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

Russia also attacked Kyiv with Iranian-made Shahed drones but with no result, Mr Popko said.

Ukrainian air defence intercepted all the drones aimed at the capital and a preliminary investigation showed there were no casualties.

A Ukrainian serviceman pays his last respects to his comrade, a US citizen and army veteran who was killed during fighting in Bakhmut (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

The attack in Odesa was accompanied by other strikes across Ukraine.

In the past 24 hours, at least one person was killed and 21 other people were wounded in Russian attacks.

The latest barrage came a day after Russia carried out what Moscows defence ministry described as a strike of retribution on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and the coastal city of Mykolaiv, using sea-launched precision weapons.

Russia blames Ukraine for a July 17 strike on the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with the Crimea, and is a key artery for military and civilian supplies.

Ukraines top security agency appeared to tacitly admit to a role in the July 17 attack, but stopped short of directly claiming responsibility, echoing their responses after previous similar attacks on the Kerch Bridge.
An American soldier who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison fled across the heavily armed border into North Korea, US officials said, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.

Private 2nd Class Travis King had been held on assault charges and was released on July 10th after serving his time.

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He was being sent home to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday, where he could have faced additional military disciplinary actions and discharge from the service.

According to officials, King, 23, was taken to the airport and escorted as far as customs.

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But instead of getting on the plane, he left the airport and later joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom.

He bolted across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists, on Tuesday afternoon local time in Korea.

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The army released his name and limited information after Kings family was notified of the incident.

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But a number of US officials provided additional details on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

It was not clear how he got to the border or how he spent the hours between leaving the airport on Monday and crossing the border a day later.

At a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday, defence secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that the US service member was likely now in North Korean custody.

Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldiers next of kin, Mr Austin said, noting he was foremost concerned about the troops wellbeing.

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This will develop in the next several days and hours, and well keep you posted.

According to army spokesman Bryce Dubee, King is a cavalry scout who joined the service in January 2021.

He was in Korea as part of the 1st Armoured Division.

The American-led UN Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident.

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North Koreas state media did not immediately report on the border crossing.

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South Korean and US army soldiers at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone between the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, in 2019 (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248-kilometre (154-mile) long Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), has been jointly overseen by the UN Command and North Korea since its creation at the close of the Korean War.

Bloodshed and gunfire have occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for numerous talks and is a popular tourist spot.

Known for its blue huts straddling concrete slabs that form the demarcation line, Panmunjom draws visitors from both sides who want to see the Cold Wars last frontier.

No civilians live at Panmunjom.

In the past, North and South Korean soldiers faced off within metres of each other.

Tours to the southern side of the village reportedly drew around 100,000 visitors a year before the pandemic, when South Korea restricted gatherings to slow the spread of Covid-19.

The tours resumed fully last year.

South Korean soldiers patrol while hikers visit the DMZ Peace Trail in the Demilitarised Zone in Goseong, South Korea, in 2019 (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

During a short-lived period of inter-Korean engagement in 2018, Panmunjom was one of the border sites that underwent mine-clearing operations by North and South Korean army engineers as the Koreas vowed to turn the village into a peace zone where tourists from both sides could move around with more freedom.

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In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced towards the South.

The soldier was hit five times before he was found beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom.

He survived and is now in South Korea.

The most famous incident at Panmunjom happened in August 1976, when two American army officers were killed by axe-wielding North Korean soldiers.

The US officers had been sent to trim a 40ft (12-metre) tree that obstructed the view from a checkpoint.

The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers towards the DMZ to intimidate North Korea.

Panmunjom is also where the armistice that ended the Korean War was signed.

That armistice has yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war.

The United States still stations about 28,000 troops in South Korea.

Former US army deserter to North Korea, Charles Jenkins, together with his daughters Mika, rear left, and Brinda at Narita International Airport, Japan, in June 2005 (Itsuo Inouye/AP)

There have been a small number of US soldiers who went to North Korea during the Cold War, including Charles Jenkins, who deserted his army post in South Korea in 1965 and fled across the DMZ.

He appeared in North Korean propaganda films and married a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted from Japan by North Korean agents.

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He died in Japan in 2017.

But in recent years, some American civilians have been arrested in North Korea after allegedly entering the country from China.

They were later convicted of espionage, subversion and other anti-state acts, but were often released after the US sent high-profile missions to secure their freedom.

In May 2018, North Korea released three American detainees  Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song  who returned to the United Sates on a plane with then-secretary of state Mike Pompeo during a short-lived period of warm relations between the longtime adversaries.

Later in 2018, North Korea said it expelled American Bruce Byron Lowrance.

Since his ouster, there have been no reports of other Americans detained in North Korea before Tuesdays incident.

The 2018 releases came as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was engaged in nuclear diplomacy with then-US president Donald Trump.

The high-stakes diplomacy collapsed in 2019 amid wrangling over US-led sanctions on North Korea.

American student Otto Warmbier is escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea, in March 2016 (Jon Chol Jin/AP)

Their freedoms were a striking contrast to the fate of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died in 2017 days after he was released by North Korea in a coma after 17 months in captivity.

Mr Warmbier and other previous American detainees in North Korea were imprisoned over a variety of alleged crimes, including subversion, anti-state activities and spying.

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The United States, South Korea and others have accused North Korea of using foreign detainees to wrest diplomatic concessions.

Some foreigners have said after their release that their declarations of guilt were coerced while in North Korean custody.

Tuesdays border crossing happened amid high tensions over North Koreas barrage of missile tests since the start of last year.

A US nuclear-armed submarine visited South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in four decades in deterrence against North Korea.
The last of the eight authors to remain at Google, Llion Jones, confirmed this week that he was leaving to start his own company. Watching the technology he co-created snowball this past year had been surreal, he said. Its only recently that Ive felt  famous, Jones says. No one knows my face or my name, but it takes five seconds to explain: I was on the team that created the T in ChatGPT. It seems strange that Jones became a celebrity thanks to actions outside Google. Where did the company go wrong? For all the talent and innovation Google had cultivated, competing firms were the ones to capitalise on its big discovery. One obvious issue is scale. Google has an army of 7133 people working on AI, out of a workforce of about 140,000, according to an estimate from Glass.ai, an AI firm that scanned LinkedIn profiles to identify AI employees at big tech firms earlier this year for Bloomberg. Compare that with OpenAI, which sparked an AI arms race with a much smaller workforce  about 150 AI researchers out of approximately 375 staff in 2023. Googles sheer size meant that scientists and engineers had to go through multiple layers of management to sign off on ideas back when the Transformer was being created, several former scientists and engineers have said. Researchers at Google Brain, one of the companys main AI divisions, also lacked a clear strategic direction, leaving many to obsess over career advancement and their visibility on research papers.

The bar for turning ideas into new products was also exceptionally high. Google doesnt move unless [an idea is] a billion-dollar business, says Illia Polosukhin, who was 25 when he first sat down with fellow researchers Ashish Vaswani and Jakob Uszkoreit at the Google canteen. But building a billion-dollar business takes constant iterating and plenty of dead ends, something Google didnt always tolerate. A spokeswoman for Google said the company was proud of our industry-defining, breakthrough work on Transformers and are energised by the AI ecosystem its created  including new collaborators and bittersweet opportunities for our researchers to continue to advance their work outside of Google. Character.AI cofounders Noam Shazeer and Daniel de Freitas. Credit: Getty In a way, the company became a victim of its own success. It had storied AI scientists, such as Geoffrey Hinton, in its ranks, and in 2017 was already using cutting-edge AI techniques to process text. The mindset among many researchers was if it aint broke, dont fix it. But thats where the Transformer authors had an advantage: Polosukhin was preparing to leave Google and more willing than most to take risks (hes since started a blockchain company). Vaswani, who would become their papers lead author, was eager to jump into a big project (he and Niki Parmar went off to start enterprise software firm Essential.ai). And Uszkoreit generally liked to challenge the status quo in AI research  his view was, if it aint broke, break it (hes since co-founded a biotechnology company called Inceptive Nucleics).

In 2016, Uszkoreit had explored the concept of attention in AI, where a computer distinguishes the most important information in a dataset. A year later over lunch, the trio discussed using that idea to translate words more efficiently. Google Translate back then was clunky, especially with non-Latin languages. Chinese to Russian was terrible, Polosukhin remembers. The problem was that recurrent neural networks processed words in a sequence. That was slow, and didnt take full advantage of chips that could process lots of tasks at the same time. The CPU in your computer at home probably has four cores, which process and execute instructions, but those used in servers for processing AI systems have thousands of cores. That means an AI model can read many words in a sentence at the same time, all at once. No one was taking full advantage of that. Uszkoreit would walk around the Google office scribbling diagrams of the new architecture on white boards, and was often met with incredulity. His team wanted to remove the recurrent part of the recurrent neural networks being used at the time, which sounded mad, says Jones. But as a few other researchers such as Parmar, Aidan Gomez and Lukasz Kaiser joined the group, they started seeing improvements.

Heres an example. In the sentence, The animal didnt cross the street because it was too tired, the word it refers to the animal. But an AI system would struggle if the sentence changed to, because it was too wide, since it would be more ambiguous. Except now the system didnt. Jones remembers watching it work this out. I thought, This is special, he says. Loading Uszkoreit, who is fluent in German, also noticed the new technique could translate English into German far more accurately than Google Translate ever had. But it took a long time for Google itself to apply the technique to its free translation tool, or to its language model BERT, and the company never deployed it in a chatbot that anyone could test out. That is, until the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 forced Google to quickly release a rival called Bard in March 2023. Over the years, the authors watched their ideas get applied to an array of tasks by others, from OpenAIs early iterations of ChatGPT to DALL-E, and from Midjourneys image tool to DeepMinds protein-folding system AlphaFold. It was hard not to notice that the most exciting innovations were happening outside Mountain View.
As the deadline for a renewal of the deal loomed on Monday, it became apparent that Russia would walk away from it, despite efforts by Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to negotiate an extension. Russias rationale for abandoning the deal is that has been too one-sided. Ukraines shipments had been dwindling in recent weeks as the inspections of the cargoes became increasingly, and probably deliberately, protracted. Credit: AP Its demands have included that the West allow its agricultural bank access to the SWIFT international messaging service that is vital in cross-border payments, the lifting of sanctions on maritime insurance and on the supply of parts used in agricultural machinery, the lifting of sanctions on fertiliser companies and the reopening of a war-damaged ammonia pipeline that passes through Ukraine. The UN, with the help of JPMorgan Chase, has built a payment mechanism outside SWIFT for The Russian Agricultural Bank and there was little, if any, opposition to the reopening of the ammonia pipeline, an important base material for fertilisers.

That wasnt, however, sufficient for the Russians. Loading Even though most of Ukraines grain exports go to Europe, China and generally developed economies, it is an important supplier to African countries. Of the roughly 33 million tonnes it has shipped since the Black Sea deal has been in place, about 17 per cent has been exported to Africa. Nearly half goes to Turkey, China and other Asian countries and the rest to Europe. Russia has cited the proportion of exports flowing to rich and middle-income countries as a failure of the agreement to deliver the grain to the poorest countries and as a reason for it to ditch the deal. The impact of the shipments, however, has been to ensure that the world trade in grain has held up.

Wheat prices had fallen nearly 20 per cent and corn 26 per cent this year before they started edging up as the deadline for an extension of the deal neared. The UNs Food and Agriculture Organisations global Food Price Index in May was more than 23 per cent below its post-invasion highs. Ukraines volumes have helped the inflated post-invasion prices return to levels that are affordable for those countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America that the UN is most concerned about. Its not so much about who the Ukrainian grains are sold to but their impact on global supply. If the safety of ships in the Black Sea is no longer guaranteed by Russia it wont shut down Ukraines exports. Russias oil revenues have been dwindling. Credit: Bloomberg Ukraine has been shipping an increasing volume of its exports by land and river, using trains and barges. While it could ramp up those volumes further, it is more costly and takes a lot longer to get the commodities to the market and the lower returns to the farmers make planting less attractive, threatening future production.

Ukraine has been bravely saying that it will risk the Russian threat to shipping but neither NATO nor the Turks, who earlier had offered a naval escort for Ukraines cargoes, appear willing to risk a conflict at sea with Russia. Without insurance  and no insurer appears willing  no owner will risk their ships either. Another change of heart by Russia is conceivable, given how changeable it has been on this issue over the past year. Russias rationale for abandoning the deal is that it has been too one-sided. It is also possible that Turkey, whose trade with Russia has soared since the invasion and which has become a key hub for unsanctioned Russian economic activity, might make another more successful attempt to bring it back to the table. Or that China, the major buyer of Ukraines grain, might use its relationship to convince Russia to take whatever concessions the West is offering to allow the shipments to continue. Given Russias own record exports its withdrawal from the agreement while impacting Ukraines exports means it would be taking competitive volume out of the market. Prices for the affected commodities were rising over the past couple of weeks as the likelihood that the deal wouldnt be extended increased.

In the oil market, Russia and Saudi Arabia have been cutting their production (or at least Russia has said it is cutting production) to try to force the oil price up. That would help Russia offset the loss of revenue because of the G7 price cap on its oil exports with fatter margins on the oil it has been able to sell using its own tanker fleet and other sanctions-circumventing tactics. Between them the sanctions on Russian oil and gas have almost halved its energy revenues. Loading While the oil strategy has had limited success, with prices only edging up after the latest announcement of production cutbacks, could the decision to walk away from the Black Sea agreement be motivated by a similar objective, or at least produce the outcome Russia was seeking in the oil market? Could it  whether by design or, perhaps, fortuitously  deliver Russia a windfall from grains that helps at least partly offset the massive losses of energy revenues it is experiencing from the sanctions on its oil and gas?
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 Read up on the cultural phenomenon that is Barbenheimer here. See all 14 stories . There is a moment in Christopher Nolans political thriller Oppenheimer where its titular character  J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist behind the development of the nuclear bomb  begins to transform from scientific hero to political pariah. At that story juncture its hard not to see him as the progenitor of Americas pandemic princeling, former presidential medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci: one moment a saviour, the next almost nailed to a cross as politicians sought to assign blame for an event that it hadnt come to terms with yet. That was a crazy time, says actor Cillian Murphy, who plays Oppenheimer, that intersection between science and politics. That was crazy. [The moment Oppenheimer realised] his utility was over. After that, the scientists, certainly in the army, were cut out. That moment in the movie is very telling. Cillian Murphy plays Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolans new film. Credit: Nicky J. Sims/Getty Oppenheimer is the work of director Nolan, but not quite as you know him. Based on the 2005 biography of Oppenheimer, American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, this might be Nolans most ambitious film. Perhaps his most political. Almost certainly, based on reactions at the first screening in New York, his best. It boasts an extraordinary A-list ensemble: Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey jnr, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh. It speaks to Nolans reputation, and the impact of the films script when offered, that actors accustomed to headlining their own films were happy to take on smaller roles just to be a part of it. Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh attend the Oppenheimer UK Premiere. Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

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Oppenheimer is a blockbuster, though not in the Batman sense of the word. The film is in both colour and black-and-white. It has few special effects, but the ones it has are practical, not computer-generated, an important footnote when you consider the story takes us to the Los Alamos headquarters of the Manhattan Project, and its world-changing 1945 nuclear test blast. It is also Nolans first script written in the first person; as a storyteller he has always preferred complex, knotted narratives with multiple perspectives. And it is in many ways Nolans first romantic story, at least in the sense that Oppenheimers complex and passionate relationship with his mistress Jean (Pugh) is a central thread of the story. Cillian Murphy at the London premiere, before the actors strike was called. Credit: Kate Green/Getty Images Those scenes were written deliberately, says Murphy of the films sex scenes, which created headlines of their own months before the films release. He knew that those scenes would get the movie the rating that it got. And I think when you see it, its so f---ing powerful. And theyre not gratuitous. Theyre perfect. And Florence is just amazing. I have loved Florences work since Lady Macbeth [William Oldroyds 2016 period drama about a woman embittered by a loveless marriage] and I think shes f---ing phenomenal, Murphy says. She has this presence as a person and on screen that is staggering. The impact she has [in Oppenheimer] for the size of the role, its quite devastating. Benny Safdie as Edward Teller, left, and Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer. Development on the film was announced in September 2021, with Murphy attached from the outset. It had actually begun a few months earlier when Nolans wife, producer Emma Thomas, had called Murphy. Even though the pair had collaborated on Nolans Dark Knight films (2005-2012), Inception (2010) and Dunkirk (2017), the pair are not particularly close.

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Myself and Chris dont keep in touch, you know, Murphy says. We dont hang out and go to have pizza. We work together. And then we dont see each other, and then we work. So, when I got a call from Emma, I knew it mustve been about something. And then Chris got on the phone, and he said, this is my next project, Id like you to be my Oppenheimer. Cillian Murphy, centre, in a scene from Oppenheimer. Murphy took the news quite calmly, he recalls. Particularly when compared with other similar, and significant, moments in his career. When he got 28 Days Later, Danny Boyles 2002 apocalypse thriller that became his breakthrough role, he was in a queue at Londons Stansted Airport. I remember jumping up and down in the f---ing queue, Murphy says, laughing. And then when Nolan offered him the role of the villain Scarecrow in his Batman trilogy, Murphy was struck deeply by the scale of what lay ahead. I went, holy shit, this is going to be f---ing big. [I knew] this is a lot of work. So immediately then it turned from kind of joy into focus. When Nolan offered him Oppenheimer, his visible enthusiasm was tempered by maturity, but no less engulfing. I had to f---ing sit down, Murphy says. But it was one of those great, glorious, pure moments of the kind of joy that you get only a few times in your life. Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, left, and Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer. Credit: AP Critically, Nolan did not want a biographical stitch-up of Oppenheimer, nor did he want the film to rehabilitate Oppenheimers complex reputation and legacy. This is, after all, the father of the atomic bomb, whose research created Little Boy and Fat Man, the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the Second World War. In the final accounting, those two events claimed almost a quarter of a million lives.

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There isnt any simple answer to that, Murphy says when I explain the films handling of Oppenheimer had left me conflicted. And I love it when the film does exactly what it did to you; it provoked you and made you think about Oppenheimer in different ways. Thats what we want to do. Were not making a documentary, its a fictional account. I dont think its meant to give any answers. I think its meant to ask questions. Murphy was born in Douglas, County Cork, Ireland in 1976. After flirting with both acting and performing in a band, he made his professional debut as an actor in 1996 playing a volatile teenager in Enda Walshs critically acclaimed play Disco Pigs. Walsh described him as enigmatic. The play made it to Australia two years later, but alas Murphy did not; he had left the production by then. Cillian Murphy as physicist Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer in a scene from Oppenheimer, left, and the real Oppenheimer on the test ground for the atomic bomb in 1945. Credit: AP The younger man in Disco Pigs and the 47-year-old man who walks confidently into a New York hotel room, a week before strikes shutter Hollywood, are not the same men. Yet Murphy still retains the enigmatic aura Walsh spoke of. The same quality casting director Gail Stevens saw when, several years later, she put him in line for the lead role in 28 Days Later. I always say this: when I was starting out, a director said it takes 30 years to make an actor, Murphy says. Ive been doing it since I was 20, so thats 27 years doing it, and I think its about right, that estimation. Im not quite there yet. But I think it does take that long to figure it out. And Im still figuring it out. Some of my instincts are the same as they were when I was a kid, but Ive kind of refined them, Murphy adds. One of the most important things for me, and it changed me profoundly when I worked with Ken Loach [on 2006s The Wind That Shakes the Barley], was that I realised it is pointless spending all the time in your head. Its pointless intellectualising work. Cillian Murphy in a scene from Oppenheimer. Credit: AP

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You can do all the research, and I did for Oppenheimer, I did six months of research, but when it comes down it, its just you and the other actors and the director, and what matters is the truth ... and that moment, Murphy adds. All the f---ing research in the world isnt going to help you there. Ive become better at doing that, being open. Open perhaps on the set, but off the set, Murphy is an unusually private man. He does not dislike giving interviews, but he is happy to point out he does not always see the value in them. He acknowledges his work gives him a public profile, but does not see himself as a celebrity. And his anonymity, he says, is one of the most important tools in the actors toolkit. I dont know if [fame] is destructive, but I dont think its useful, Murphy says. Ive always felt that way. It always seemed logical to me that the less people know about you, the more willing they are to invest in you on screen. That seems entirely logical to me. Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan with Cillian Murphy. Credit: Maja Smiejkowska And I think people are probably f---ing sick of me saying this, but I dont see any reason why you should be a personality, just because youre an actor, Murphy adds. In fact, I think, again, thats not useful. And so I try not to do that because Im not good at it and I just want to put everything into the work. And between February and May last year that is what he did. The film was shot on location in New Mexico, New Jersey and California, and explosives were used to re-create the Trinity nuclear test, the historic nuclear detonation that defined Oppenheimers legacy. Nolan was inflexible on that one point: a real explosion was required for the cameras to capture. Murphy would spend part of the film fencing with Robert Downey jnrs character Lewis Strauss, the former naval officer and political identity who was initially Oppenheimers ally, but ultimately became a key figure in the 1954 investigation by the Atomic Energy Commission into Oppenheimers background and associations.

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If every seat was like Fadden, Peter Dutton would be Australias prime minister in waiting today.

At Saturdays byelection, the Liberal primary vote went up, the Greens vote fell spectacularly and none of it went to Labor which suffered a small drop in its vote. The result proved Queensland remains a black hole for Labor and should spike any complacency inside the Albanese government.

The Prime Minister for Queensland. Credit: John Shakespeare

Unfortunately for Liberals elated after holding a seat they were never going to lose, Fadden is a long way geographically and in many other ways from the seats Dutton needs to win if he is ever to get back into government.

In the heartland seats lost in 2022, independent MPs stepping up their campaigns for the referendum have found  apart from unsurprisingly strong support for the Voice a hardening of sentiment against the Liberals. Not just over the referendum but also the pervasive negativity, the difficulty connecting with women and the failure to comprehend that robo-debt was tied to integrity  one of the three issues central to the success of the teals.
Australias fertility rates arent anything new. In fact, rates have been falling since The Australian Institute of Family Studies was established in 1980.

A lot of time has been spent looking into and considering the reasons women are choosing to have fewer children than the generations before them, but as a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist I can tell you that declining birth rates are as much about male fertility as they are womens.

Male fertility is a huge factor in the chances of conception, but most people dont realise this. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Today, one in six couples will struggle to have a family. And for 50 per cent of heterosexual couples who need interventional help such as IVF to conceive, a serious contributing factor is related to the health of a male partner. In 30 per cent of infertile couples, no female fertility barriers are present  the cause of fertility struggles are entirely related to male factors.

Sperm does not exist in a vacuum. A proportion of sperm problems are genetic and would affect a person at any age but advancing age, environmental, diet and lifestyle factors, and medical conditions are all major contributors to male infertility.
Billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart has lost a last-ditch bid to throw a veil of secrecy over swathes of her impending court showdown with the descendants of her pioneer fathers business partners.

Justice Jennifer Smith shut down her company Hancock Prospectings push for a confidentiality order over more than 16,700 pages of material on Wednesday, which would have forced the closure of the court and prevented disputed claims levelled against her by her eldest children from being aired publicly.

Gina Rinehart staunchly defends her image. Credit: Getty

The Supreme Court stoush, set to get underway next week, centres around a partnership deal inked between Lang Hancock, Rineharts father, his business partner Peter Wright and pioneer Don Rhodes back in the 1980s.

Wrights billionaire descendants have been sparring with Rinehart for more than a decade over how the spoils of one of the most lucrative assets in the partnership, the Hope Downs tenement Hancock Prospecting co-owns with Rio Tinto, should be distributed.
A proposed levy on the almost $10 billion universities make each year from international student fees could be used to pay for student housing or research, Education Minister Jason Clare said as he unveiled ideas to fund 1.8 million more tertiary students by 2050.

But Australias top universities are resisting the levy proposal. University of Sydney vice-chancellor and Group of Eight deputy chairman Mark Scott warned it could deter international enrolments, sending prospective students to North America or Europe.

The Group of Eight universities describe the proposed levy as a tax on high-achieving institutions. Credit: Peter Braig

An interim report from the first major review of the university system in 15 years, released on Wednesday, found funding relied on volatile revenue streams, lacked transparency and required a redesign.

The report slammed the former Coalition governments funding reforms, which hiked student fees for humanities subjects and slashed them for science subjects, and said they risked causing long-term and entrenched damage to Australian higher education.
Australians cannot continue to build on floodplains, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has warned, as the federal government investigates the risks and insurance issues caused by severe flooding.

Next month the government will launch a parliamentary inquiry into the insurance fallout from the 2022 floods, with some families still without permanent homes as they wrangle insurance claims.

Flooding in the NSW town of Forbes in November 2022. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Speaking from the central west NSW town of Eugowra, one of several in the region hit hard in late 2022 by flooding, Jones said the community deserved answers.

He said the inquiry would look at insurance coverage and the underlying risk, and that the federal government was focused on ensuring it was not putting homes and communities in peril.
A nurse whose death is at the centre of a criminal case against the NSW Health Department alleged she was the victim of sexual harassment and bullying at Cumberland Hospital, warning that her ward was toxic and damaging.

The Western Sydney Local Health District is facing criminal charges over the deaths in late 2020 of two nurses who worked in an acute psychiatric ward, but the case is shrouded in secrecy after NSW Health and the states work safety regulator, SafeWork, made a confidentiality agreement over the allegations.

A nurse whose death is now at the centre of a criminal probe against NSW Health alleged she suffered sustained bullying while working at Cumberland Hospital Credit: Edwina Pickles

The Herald has obtained a letter written by one of the nurses only months before her death which describes the final months of her life as like being placed in a political meat grinder after she was suspended from patient-facing duties.

Following the deaths of both women, who were in a relationship, SafeWork issued formal notices to the health district finding it had allowed a poor workplace culture to develop on the ward, leading to workers compensation claims and distressed and anxious workers.
A chart showing the proportion of Britons who trust or distrust specific countries/blocs to act responsibly in the world. Credit: British Foreign Policy Group There is a potential that as the UK increasingly reorientates back towards its European partners, the UK-Australia relationship may dwindle in importance. Overall the European Union, which Britain voted to leave in 2016, was rated the trusted international partner in terms of its capacity and willingness to act for good in the world, not the United States. Russia and China were the two most distrusted nations, with 86 per cent and 74 per cent of those polled distrusting the two authoritarian states to act responsibly. Britains response to the war in Ukraine propelled the number of people who felt positive about the UKs role in the world, with a majority, 52 per cent, feeling proud, despite an overall majority believing decisions like Brexit had harmed the UKs reputation abroad.

British cautious on China Loading British attitudes towards China continued to harden. Whilst Russia rated less favourably than China, those surveyed said the priority for UK engagement with Beijing should be challenging the Chinese Communist Party on human rights, followed by cooperation on climate change. Britons are very cautious of cooperation with China, particularly in areas central to national security, seeing little justification for engaging with a nation they overwhelmingly distrust, Aspinall said. Even in a cost of living crisis, economic rationales for engagement with China hold little sway as Britons prioritise a robust, valued-led approach to China, in which they believe China should be expected and required to respect liberal values.

Support for Chinese involvement in British infrastructure, such as its nuclear plants, and Chinese technology companies like TikTok operating in the UK, was just 15 per cent. But there was a sharp divide on this depending on the age of the respondent. For example, someone aged 18 to 25 was five times more likely to support Chinese tech companies compared to those aged over 66, the report showed. Aspinall said the findings demonstrated a willingness to alter personal behaviour for national security. With such little support for Chinese tech companies such as TikTok operating in the UK, even among young people who widely use the app, it is clear that Britons view the threat posed by China as acute and pervasive, and that they are willing to make personal sacrifices to meet the challenge posed by China, Aspinall said.

TikTok was contacted for comment. The findings suggest the public supports a tougher stance on China than Rishi Sunak has been willing to take, since becoming prime minister. Earlier this year the UK was forced into banning TikTok from government phones after the European Commission acted first, sparking an outcry from members of the House of Commons, who urged Britain to follow the EUs lead. Luke De Pulford, spokesman for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an organisation which comprises MPs from jurisdictions and different political parties around the world, said it showed the public backed their work in pushing their governments to take a tougher stand on the Communist Party. While parliament and the people of this country have clearly woken up to the threat Beijing poses, the UK government is out of touch, clinging on to David Camerons naive golden era project, he said.

Liberal senator James Paterson says the public is ahead of the government on the risks related to China. Credit: Rhett Wyman Ahead of the next general election, both parties need to get their houses in order on China, or pay for it at the ballot box. The oppositions shadow minister for home affairs and cyber security James Paterson echoed the comments, saying the data showed the public understood the threat posed. This data shows the public is miles ahead of many western governments when it comes to the dangers posed by high risk authoritarian vendors, he said. The public intuitively understands theres no such thing as a truly private company in a party-state system like Chinas.
Toronto: Australia and Canada should join forces to become a powerful voice that could help manage tensions between the US and China as competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop says.

Speaking in Toronto as she chaired a global forum of 150 senior business and political leaders, Bishop, a former deputy Liberal leader, also suggested Canada should have a greater role in the AUKUS military pact as it evolves.

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to Julie Bishop, Australias former foreign affairs minister, at the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum in Toronto. Credit: Bloomberg

She also called for the two nations to consider a new trade deal to deepen investment.

I believe that like-minded nations, such as Canada and Australia, together, could be a powerful voice in managing tensions between the United States and China, she told this masthead.
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A NSW-based mortgage broker donates 25% of his upfront revenue to charity in a bid to connect financial services with bettering the lives of those around the world.

Sion Titus (pictured above) launched his brokerage Lending Hands on the Central Coast in July 2021.

Within his first year, he saved more than $53,000 through cash back or refinances and donated over $22,000 across three different charities that are close to his heart.

We collaborate with Compassion for Child sponsorship, MTS for sponsoring community leaders within local churches, and a local charity for helping Indigenous children, Titus said.

What I love about my company is that we quite literally action our tag line  Save Money Save Lives. One of my clients saved $8,300 through refinancing in their first year and we were also able to give $680 from my commission to Compassion. This covers 15 months for a child to be sponsored for food, healthcare, and education.

Titus said that his clients really resonate with his cause.

When they see the impact of a kid in Uganda happy and healthy and that happened because of their contribution, they get a sense of fulfillment, Titus said. The biggest debt of some my clients lives will go towards something positive outside of their own sphere of influence and its really a win-win for everyone involved.

Originally inspired by Thank You Water, an Australian-based initiative designed to solve the water crisis by donating a portion of the purchases of bottled water, Titus thought he could do the same for mortgage broking.

What if I could do that kind of model where I could help people with their mortgages while helping to sponsor a child and giving them access to healthcare and education? I thought. I wanted to get to a point where my skills were being used to make a difference, Titus said.

Titus said with more than $2 trillion worth of mortgages in Australia there was space for this initiative to grow.

Even with our current model, if just 1% were refinanced, it would generate $32.5 million that could be donated to life-changing work. This is equivalent to 56,423 years of impact through the child sponsorship program, Titus said. Imagine the difference that could make to ending poverty on all levels.

While Titus' charity-driven mortgage broking model is already unique, the work from Lending Hands is also providing support where others can't. In the last 6 months, the brokerage donated over $10,000 to its charities, which nearly $7,000 went to child sponsorship.

Titus said this translated to 12 years of sponsorship for four kids who had previously lost their sponsors due to the pandemic.

"I personally write letters to all of the kids. It's something that I really enjoy because I get to hear about their aspirations in the face of extreme challenges. They're all amazing kids and they have big dreams of helping the community around them," Titus said.

"Take (my sponsored chiild) Abi for example, he wants to be a doctor because sickness is a real problem in his area. He so desperately wants to help them and if my small part helps to make that happen, I'm getting closer to the business I want to build."

Why brokers make the perfect social entrepreneurs

From setting up financial literacy programs to brokers who are firefighters, brokers are often well placed to provide support in other areas.

Embarking on a journey from mortgage broker to social entrepreneur may seem like a significant leap, but Titus said it was a transition that allowed him to expand his impact beyond financial transactions.

Our journey towards social entrepreneurship began with a fundamental shift in mindset, Titus said.

We realised that while providing clients with mortgage solutions was important, understanding their aspirations, challenges, and dreams was equally vital. Empathy became the cornerstone of our approach, allowing us to connect with clients on a deeper level and provide personalised guidance.

Unlike other financial institutions that may be restricted by red tape and procedures, Lending Hands is a small business like many other brokerages.

Titus said this allowed him to take a "personalised and nimble approach to his community initiatives.

Even so, Titus understood that he was personally passionate about these issues, he knew that he couldnt do it all himself.

Creating lasting impact requires a collective effort. We actively sought out partnerships with like-minded organisations, including nonprofits, community groups, and social enterprises, Titus said.

By collaborating, we could combine our expertise and resources to address larger social challenges. These partnerships also allowed us to tap into networks that expanded our reach and influence.

Still committed to excellence

While Titus charity initiative is his point of difference, he said that it hadnt made him compromise or forget about quality.

I still dont charge a fee for clients. My point of difference is a generous option without compromise. Im still shooting excellence. I want to be best broker while still making a difference, Titus said.

And while its just him for now at Lending Hands, Titus said he would love to see other brokers take up a cause they were passionate about even if it meant taking a hit to their bottom line.

Its definitely a challenge setting it up and I am taking a hit in terms of revenue, but I think there is enough things wrong in the world to try and do your part and fix.

What charity cause do you champion? Comment below.
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Corporate regulator ASIC has announced the cancellation of the Australian financial licence held by FTX Australia, the local arm of a collapsed US cryptocurrency exchange, effective July 14.

Under the terms of cancellation, FTX Australia was allowed to provide limited financial services that relate to the termination of existing derivatives with clients until July 12.

The cancellation has no effect on FTX Australias requirements to continue as a member of Australian Financial Complaints Authority, and to have arrangements for compensating retail clients.

The cancellation was announced after ASIC suspended FTX Australias AFS licence until May 15, which was subsequently extended to July 24.

On Nov. 11, FTX was placed into voluntary administration, along with its subsidiary, FTX Express, which operated a digital currency exchange not regulated by ASIC. John Mouawad, Scott Langdon, and Rahul Goyal of KordaMentha were appointed as voluntary administrators.

Prior to the suspension and cancellation, ASIC said FTX Australias licence permitted it to deal in, make a market for and provide general advice relating to derivatives and foreign exchange contracts to retail and wholesale clients.
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In a post-pandemic world, the dynamics of the traditional workplace have undergone a profound transformation, and the tug of war between major banks and employee unions over the rights and realities of working from home have become an escalating battleground.

Mortgage brokers, who are mostly free from the corporate structures that govern much of the financial services sector, are in a unique position to benefit from the choice the changing landscape has granted them.

Chris Bates (pictured above), director of online brokerage Blusk, said mortgage broking was a perfect fit for those working from home full time because it allowed them more flexibility.

I'm sure many teams and businesses have realised that thanks to technology and client perception, why shouldn't a business focus on a true win where employees don't have to give up too much to fit outdated models, Bates said.

Blusk (formerly known as Wealthful) has a remote team spanning across Australia, from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane to Griffith, and even overseas.

We have 11 young ones [collectively] at our homes, and many of our team members hope to have more, Bates said. Each day, we celebrate our children's moments, and parenting fails, and no matter what and when help is needed, the family will come first.

Big banks battle unions over working from home

A world away in the same industry, Australias big four banks are at different levels of discussions over how to mandate WFH for their tens of thousands of employees.

NAB has moved the furthest towards WFH rights, having reached a deal with the Finance Sector Union (FSU) to provide private sector staff legal protection for remote work.

Yet to be voted on by the banks 32,000-strong workforce, the deal struck on July 14 would mean NAB must support WFH arrangements and will see the introduction of a disputes process if WFH is denied.

This is a reversal of the banks earlier position in May, which ordered its senior staff back full-time and other staff back for two or three days.

However, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has mandated its staff to return to the office 50% of the time in a month from the beginning of this week.

While the FSU is fighting the mandate, CBA has stuck to its flexible work model, claiming nearly 70% of its 49,000 staff currently work at or close to the required in-office attendance.

Elsewhere, Westpacs CEO expressed his opinion on the topic in an email to company staff in May.

We continue to run a hybrid working model, where you are expected to come into the office two or three days a week, Peter King said in the email. Your team days are an opportunity to work together and collaborate in person.

The sentiments on team connection and productivity were echoed by Shayne Elliott, the CEO of ANZ, which is currently still in negotiations with the workers union.

Working in the office assists with efficiencies and productivity, creates opportunities for informal learning and development, and helps establish and maintain interpersonal relationships, Elliott said in June, according to an AFR article.

However, Bates said that productivity and connection was a choice whether you worked from the office or at home.

Recently, I have loved reading stories where employees with unions are fighting back and believe that WFH is a right that workers should demand and fight for in some form if they can genuinely do their work away from work, Bates said.

Firms that can adapt to their version of a hybrid model should. We should not force society to return to the old one that marginalised families, longer commutes, and under-prioritised one's wellbeing.

The choice

In 2020, the working world was catapulted into WFH as decision-makers were left with no safe alternative.

Now the fight is on to decide whether WFH should have ever been a choice. But still, its on the decision-makers at the major banks to decide on the working conditions of thousands of employees.

With more than 60% of brokerages operating as sole or dual operators, many in the broking industry have that choice.

Bates said he was thankful to be part of that cohort.

Image of Chris Bates sharing a moment with his children while working from home

Moments like yesterday, and my son just turned 20 months this week, the same age as our daughter was when he was born, make me feel so grateful for how the world shifted and the opportunity I have had, Bates said.

In the last few years, the quote that the days are long, but the years are short constantly reverberates through my mind. For both the mother and father, being around in these unforgettable early years in the past has been a privilege for a few, but as we know, COVID woke society up to a better model.

How many chances do parents get to be there for their kids and partners in these challenging but significant first few years?

What do you think of working from home? Comment below.
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Business finance made simple is the motto of Earlypay, a company that assists small and medium-sized enterprises by providing them with invoice and debtor finance.

The company provides access to a flexible credit line and a realistic payment plan to help SMEs meet their cash flow needs, particularly during difficult economic conditions.

Now Earlypay Business development manager Tony Harmey (pictured above) has been honoured as one of Australian Brokers 5-Star BDMs in 2023.

Earlypay has grown impressively in recent years despite pandemic-related issues in the SME sector. It recorded profits of $8.7 million and no losses in 2021. Thanks to its new online strategy and lending platform, Earlypays client numbers also increased and its loan book grew.

Harmey shares with Australian Broker what he believes are the most important attributes of a successful, award-winning BDM including:

product knowledge

being a good listener and asking the right questions

ability to build solid relationships, which involves the readiness to speak with clients any time

a growth mindset, which requires knowing the clients products and pain points

resilience in the face of challenges, and

empathy

In an interview with Australian Broker TV, Harmey said that Earlypay helped businesses succeed by providing funds so they can grow at scale without taking on additional debt.  Its not really a loan, we just accelerate the advance on their debt.

Earlypay also maintains close partnerships with brokers and educates them through a scholarship program, which has mentored 120 participants so far.

Complimenting Earlypays culture, Harmey said his managers were very supportive of his work. Ive got so many different avenues. I could reach out for any type of support [required] to move forward  so yes, its great. I love it.
QC Laboratories, Inc., a leading nondestructive testing and inspection services company, has announced that it has been awarded Nadcap certification for computed radiography (AC7114/10S) by the Performance Review Institute (PRI).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230717661945/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

The Nadcap certification is a highly respected accreditation that recognizes companies that demonstrate exceptional quality and performance in the aerospace industry. QC Laboratories, Inc. has met the rigorous requirements of the Nadcap audit for computed radiography, which includes stringent technical and quality standards, as well as an assessment of the company's personnel, facilities, and processes.

"We are thrilled to have achieved this certification, which reflects our unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality nondestructive testing and inspection services to our customers," said Jose Crespo, General Manager of QC Laboratories, Inc. "With the addition of Nadcap certification for Computed Radiography per ASTM E2033, combined with our powerful 450kV x-ray system, we are better equipped to serve our Nadcap subscriber customers in aerospace & defense, space, and beyond."

Computed radiography is a nondestructive testing method that uses digital imaging technology to produce high-quality images of internal structures and components. This technology enables the detection of defects and discontinuities in materials, such as cracks, porosity, and inclusions, without damaging them.

QC Laboratories, Inc. has had remarkable success in identifying defects in metal additive manufacturing parts using computed radiography. The company has been able to detect defects as small as 25 microns, which is crucial for ensuring the quality and reliability of complex metal parts made from exotic and refractory metals like those used in aircraft and rocket engine components, where high strength and thermodynamics are required.

With the new Nadcap certification for computed radiography (AC7114/10S), QC Laboratories, Inc. is now able to offer computed radiography services that meet the rigorous quality and technical standards of the aerospace industry. This certification further strengthens the company's position as a trusted provider of nondestructive testing and inspection services to customers in a wide range of industries.

About QC Laboratories, Inc.

QC Laboratories, Inc. is a nondestructive testing laboratory in Hollywood, Florida, USA. The company was founded in 1965 and offers various testing services, including nondestructive testing (NDT), chemical processing, and consulting services.

QC Laboratories serves a variety of industries, including aerospace, additive manufacturing, automotive, defense, manufacturing, and consumer products. The laboratory is accredited by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) and is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Nadcap (Performance Review Institute) for NDT services.

QC Laboratories has a team of experienced nondestructive engineers and technicians using advanced testing equipment and techniques to provide accurate and reliable results. The laboratory is committed to delivering high-quality services and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.

For more information about QC Laboratories' new capability for pre-penetrant etching of metal AM parts, please visit www.qclabs.net or contact the laboratory directly.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230717661945/en/
The Department of Biomedical Engineering at SSN has a long-standing association with the Drexel School of Biomedical Engineering, including joint research publications and student internships. This collaboration will offer students a world-class opportunity to foster creativity and technological innovation cost-effectively.

 said Dr. Kala Vijayakumar, President, SSN Institutions, India.

Both SSN SACE and Drexel University offer cutting-edge education in the fields of engineering and technology. Additionally, Drexels unique co-op program offers students the possibility to find employment directly in industry during their degree program. Students on co-op put into practice what they learn in the classroom, gain real work experience, and make a salary that substantially offsets tuition costs. After graduation, international students in STEM fields have 3 years of guaranteed work visa (OPT) if they receive a job offer,

said

SSN School of Advanced Career Education in Chennai (a part of SSN Institutions and Shiv Nadar Foundation) and Drexel University have announced a landmark collaboration to establish the SSN-Drexel University International Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering. The program will specialize in Medical Instrumentation, offering Indian students exceptional opportunities to pursue an advanced degree. By combining the expertise of two world-class institutions, students will gain a strong foundation in biomedical engineering principles and cutting-edge knowledge in medical instrumentation. Graduates, in particular international STEM students, will benefit from a guaranteed three-year work visa (OTP) on graduation, enhancing their career prospects globally. Students can apply at SSNs official website. The application will be open till 20July 2023.SSN believes in the holistic development of students and through this collaborative effort, we are not only strengthening academic ties but also grooming the next generation of leaders in the emerging field of Biomedical Engineering,Rogelio Minana, Ph.D. Vice Provost for Global Engagement, Professor of Spanish and Global Studies, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA.In addition to this partnership, SSN School of Advanced Career Education (SACE) has a successful track record of bringing top international institutions to India. SSN SACE specializes in offering programs in collaboration with renowned universities, enabling students to access cutting-edge education without leaving the country. Through SACE, SSN Institutions has consistently demonstrated its commitment to providing students with global exposure and preparing them for successful careers in a rapidly changing world.Applications for the SSN-Drexel University International Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in Medical Instrumentation are now open. Interested students are encouraged to seize this opportunity to embark on a transformative educational journey.Prospective students can apply through this link: https://drexel.edu/biomed/global-partnerships/international-programs/ssn-college-of-engineering-chennai-india/
This Daiquiri Day, family-owned Bacardi Limited raises a glass to celebrate the 125th birthday of the cocktail, still loved around the world by bartenders and consumers for its versatile recipe and refreshing taste. With an origin story that begins in Cuba with BACARDl rum, the Daiquiri cocktail remains one of the most sought after cocktails claiming the #2 spot on the Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report of 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719440258/en/

1930s BACARDI rum advertisement feat. the BACARDI Cocktail. Image courtesy of The Bacardi Archives

According to records from The Bacardi Archives, the story of the Daiquiri begins in the late 1890s during the Golden Age of Cocktails when many classic cocktail recipes were first invented and the height of the Spanish-American War in Cuba led Americans to travel to the island for the first time. In 1898, American mining engineer Jennings S. Cox was stationed in the copper mines near the sweltering Sierra Maestra mountains of the small Cuban town named Daiquiri. Looking for a way to cool down on a hot summer day, Cox reached for three local ingredients  white sugar, fresh lime juice, and BACARDI Carta Blanca rum  to shake up alongside crushed ice to make a refreshing drink. His colleague F.D Pagliuchi later recounted witnessing Cox mix up what would be the first BACARDI Daiquiri cocktail in Santiago to local Cuban newspaper El Pais, describing how they both suggested a short name to honor the town where the delicious drink was born: Daiquiri.

Cox first showcased his recipe to bartenders at the American Club bar in Santiago de Cuba, eventually taking the drink to the best bars in the city and soon across Cuba. Ice cold and served in a delicate coup glass, something usually reserved for the finest of Champagnes, the Daiquiri soon became the epitome of sophisticated drinking and the quintessential Cuban cocktail. By 1910, young American Navy officer Lucious Johnson had famously introduced the Daiquiri cocktail to the Army and Navy Club in Washington D.C. and soon after renowned Cuban bartender Constante Ribalaigua Vert introduced the frozen variation of the BACARDI Daiquiri to patrons at La Floridita bar in Havana, Cuba. With thousands of American tourists visiting the island of Cuba during Prohibition in the 1920s, the Daiquiri cocktails popularity spread to stratospheric new heights and its easily adaptable recipe expanded to include new variations that could be easily perfected by the at-home bartender.

No cocktail is more synonymous with BACARDI rum than the Daiquiri, states Rachel Guerin, Bacardi Heritage Curator. One hundred years ago, the two were so closely associated that bar patrons ordering this delicious drink could simply ask for a BACARDI Cocktail or even just a BACARDI as depicted in BACARDI rums historic advertisement collection from the 20th century.

Though it wouldnt be long before the Daiquiri cocktail was in such high demand that it became the cocktail behind a landmark consumer rights case in 1936. With the rise in popularity of BACARDI and rum cocktails after Prohibition ended in 1933, it was discovered that some bars and restaurants in New York City tried to take advantage of consumers by substituting lesser quality rums for BACARDI when they asked for BACARDI Cocktails by name. Seeking to protect its brand and the rights of its consumers, Bacardi took legal action against these bars and restaurants, and on April 28, 1936 the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court ultimately ruled to affirm Beyond a reasonable doubt, subterfuge and a fraud is subjected on the purchaser when BACARDI rum is left out of a drink listed as a BACARDI Cocktail. The decision was so significant to consumers that BACARDI featured the ruling alongside the Daiquiri cocktail in a series of print advertising and marketing campaigns from the late 1930s under the theme Nothing Takes Place of BACARDI Rum.

When it comes to BACARDI cocktails, the very best always were  and still are today  made with BACARDI rum, states Dickie Cullimore, Global Brand Ambassador for BACARDI rum. The secret to the perfect Daiquiri is to never hold back on ice, and, if possible, use a mix of cubes and crushed ice when shaking to achieve the best dilution and balance in flavors. Discover your own favorite Daiquiri variation by starting with the classic BACARDI rum recipe and experimenting with new ingredients to open up a world of endless cocktail possibilities.

Today, the legacy of the Daiquiri cocktail continues to shine around the world, inspiring new recipe variations and feelings of summer and celebration. Discover the official Daiquiri recipe at Bacardi.com.

BACARDI Daiquiri

2 oz BACARDI Superior / Carta Blanca rum

1 oz Fresh lime juice

2 tsp Extra fine sugar

Directions: Place sugar and freshly pressed lime juice into a cocktail shaker and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the BACARDI rum into the shaker and fill with half-cubed ice, followed by crushed ice. Place the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled and shaker is ice cold to the touch. Pour into a chilled coup glass and enjoy responsibly.

About BacardiLimited

Bacardi Limited, the worlds largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDI rum, PATRON tequila, GREY GOOSE vodka, DEWARS Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSONS Scotch whisky, DUSSE Cognac, ANGELS ENVY American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719440258/en/
MBABANE  The recently launched Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the Kingdom of Eswatini seeks to consolidate and strengthen credit schemes for Micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The CPF was launched by the Prime Minister, Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, on Monday. The CPF is an initiative driven by the World Bank Group (WBG) and it is aimed to run for the financial year 2024 until 2027. The project seeks to provide select assistance to lower barriers of the private sector growth and create opportunities for MSMEs, with a focus on youth and women. The 86-page document highlighted that addressing constraints in the business and investment climates to accelerate private sector development and job creation represented an important priority for Eswatini.

During the course of the project, planned Developing Policy Financing (DPF) financing and WBG analytics will support streamlining of trade licensing and improvements to contract enforcement, including establishment of a specialised bench for trade disputes, and reforms to open the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector to greater competition.

A proposed investment lending project will support the growth and resilience of exporting firms, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs, by increasing access to finance, improving the business environment, strengthening MSMEs support services, and enhancing firm competitiveness.

Assist

To reduce macro-fiscal volatilities arising from disasters, the project would also assist the government in establishing a Disaster Management Fund, backed by sovereign insurance, to help affected MSMES during shocks. In addition, MSMEs are vulnerable to economic, financial and other shocks and faces challenges without any financing mechanisms to support them to build resilience. Domestic credit to the private sector in Eswatini was only 20.9 per cent of GDP in 2019-lower than the SSA average of 40.7 per cent and the LMIC average of 43.9 per cent. The legal foundations for a digital economy are underdeveloped and access to digital services remains low and costly. The project will support investment promotion and business environment reforms; consolidate and strengthen credit schemes for MSMES; fund matching grants and investments for high potential MSMES, with specific support for women-owned MSMEs; develop a digital platform to create market linkages for improved access to business and financial services; and fund an early stage financing facility for entrepreneurs, particularly youth and female entrepreneurs.

This will include considerations of providing financial services, tailored to womens needs. The project will build and complement ongoing support under the Southern Africa Jobs Platform, including through support for the Innovation Bridge Digital entrepreneurship portal, which connects networks of entrepreneurs and innovators regionally. This support will center on the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), which houses Eswatinis only digital incubator, digital skills academy, and national data centre.

Structure

The project is driven by the fact that Eswatinis private sector has a dual structure comprising a small number of large firms that dominate trade and Foreign Direct 1nvestment (FDI), but more than 59 000 MSMEs, mostly in rural areas, account for about 40 per cent of employment. Businesses contend with a weak regulatory environment, difficulties in trade facilitation and licensing, and weaknesses in investor protection, particularly contract enforcement. Of total employment, formal employment accounts for 25.4 per cent but informal employment 61.9 per cent. In 2017, Eswatinis informal economy represented 39 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the highest among Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) countries.

It is worth noting that MSMES have limited access to finance attributable to a small banking sector, weak credit infrastructure, high returns on government securities, and challenges in using Swazi Nation Land (SNL) as collateral.
MBABANE  YouTube is arguably the leading video streaming platform in the world today.

Through it, local artists can benefit from their work uploaded on this site and other music streaming platforms. This revelation came about after the Lutfo Dlamini, foundation (LDF), signed a distribution deal with a United Kingdom (UK)-based distributor for the digital distribution of music and films for local artists. The deal has been signed with Lex Records, which is a British record and production label based in Camden, London, England. It was highlighted that Lex Records will pay LDF Records, when there are downloads every three or six months, depending on how much traffic each song gets.

LDF will then pay each artists dues directly into their bank accounts. Digitally, the artists music will be circulating globally. With a reach of two billion users every month, YouTube is one of the prime avenues for music promotion and has been the starting point for many success stories. Not only is it great for promotion, but it can also provide a steady source of income for artists. Whether you are a multi-platinum-selling artist or have a few releases to your name, it is possible to generate a revenue stream through YouTube.

How to make money on YouTube music

YouTube has a programme called YouTubes Partner that allows creators to monetise the content on their channels by mainly showing ads to generate revenue. The programme also comes with some additional features to help YouTube channel owners make money. But for artists, YouTube Music is the best platform. YouTube Music is a music streaming service, where listeners can stream songs and albums from their favourite artists and listen to entire catalogues of their work. Google Play Music is being phased out, and YouTube Music is set to replace it. It works pretty much the same way as Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, and other music streaming services.

The great thing about having your songs on YouTube Music is that you are paid a certain amount for every stream your music generates. You do not have to be in the YouTube Partner Programme or meet the minimum of 1 000 subscribers and 4 000 watch hours to start earning from YouTube Music. This publication looked at the monthly and yearly earnings for some of Eswatinis local artists who are available on YouTube, such as Manana and Young Zesh. Through an independent online application that calculates an artists weekly, monthly, and yearly earnings, it was tallied through the number of streams. Manana, a local recording artist and producer based in South Africa (SA), can make up to E30 000 a year from just his music views. This is open to all artists who have their music videos uploaded on the site, and the more views you accumulate, the more money you can make.

This then brought to the fore the ways in which locals can earn money from their music being streamed. Firstly, it is worth noting that the recorded music industry is not what it used to be.

The release of iTunes in 2003, followed by the later release of Spotify in 2006, forever changed the way people consumed music. Approximately 286 million people use Spotify to consume music, with roughly 130 million of those listeners being paid subscribers. Thats an incredible amount of people, and Im not even mentioning other music streaming services yet! Despite the incredible numbers of music fans taking to music streaming services, theres still one big issue that has lurked over the streaming world: Music royalties. But first, lets have a look at the types of streaming platforms.

Types of streaming services

There are two types of steaming services: On-demand and non-interactive. On-demand services include platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. They are placed in this category because their music is on demand. Listeners can hear any song whenever they see fit. Non-interactive streaming platforms include services such as Pandora and internet radio websites. These platforms function much like a radio, playing songs to listeners at random without the ability to select specific tracks. As you can expect, music royalties are much higher for on-demand services compared to non-interactive platforms.

What are streaming royalties?

Streaming royalties are the fees paid to rights holders (artists, record labels, songwriters, and publishers) every time a song is played on music streaming services such as Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. These fees are a vital source of income for songwriters and artists. However, its not as simple as it sounds. Lets start right at the beginning with some music publishing basics. When a song is written, its writer holds the copyright to that song. That song can then either be recorded and performed by the writer or given to another artist or band for them to record and perform. No matter the outcome, the songwriter always holds the publishing rights, while the recording artist will hold the master rights. If the songwriter or artist gets signed to a publisher or record label, these might also be considered rights holders. Once the song is recorded and uploaded to streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, fans are able to stream and listen to it at their own leisure. The songwriter is then paid a fee via collecting societies such as a Performance Rights Organisation (PRO) and a Mechanical Rights Organisation (MRO). Instead, the recording artist is paid via a record label or distributor.

How much do you earn from streaming?

How much does Spotify pay per stream? The amount paid to the rights holders often depends on a few factors:

The streaming platform:

1. The type of streaming platform (On-demand or Non-interactive)

2. How much of the song was streamed? (The royalty is less if only half the song is played.)

3. The type of account the fan uses (Free or Premium)

4. The pay-per-stream rates per country.
MATSIENG, LESOTHO: His Majesty King Letsie III yesterday received gifts fit for a king from His Majesty King Mswati III.

The gifts were presented to the Basotho Monarch at the Matsieng Royal Palace, which is situated about an hours drive from the centre of the capital city, Maseru. The gifts, which were in honour of King Letsies 60th birthday, included a set of living room chairs, accompanied by other household and personal items. The King of Lesotho appreciated the gifts and thanked His Majesty for the wonderful gesture.

Friendship

He said the friendship between the two countries was alive and urged that it continued to grow in leaps and bounds towards binding the two nations together for the benefit of the people of the two kingdoms. He also said the gifts were cementing the relationship between the two royal families. He added that, as leaders of the two nations, they had a responsibility to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, King Sobhuza II and King Moshoeshoe II, who founded these relations. Present during the presentation of gifts were Queen Mohato and their prince and princesses. Emazinyane were also there to witness the brief occasion.
Document Verification Dates for RSSB REET L2 (SST) Posts Amended; Check the New Dates

Dates for document verification for posts as an Upper Primary School Teacher (Level-2) (SST) in REET 2022 have changed slightly, according to the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board (RSSB), Jaipur.

The notification states that the new dates for the Teacher Level 2 (Social Studies) DV are July 27-28 and August 3-5. The DV was originally slated to take place from July 27 to July 29. Candidates may get the updated schedule by visiting the official website; rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in.

The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board, Jaipur, issued an office order informing employees of the direct hiring of Upper Primary School Teachers (Level-2) in 2022 under non-scheduled areas and Level-II (General/Special Education) in scheduled areas. A release and a subject-by-subject calendar for document verification were published on July 14, 2023, for the candidates named for document verification and eligibility checks for various posts.

Steps to Download REET Level-2 Revised DV Schedule:

To download the REET Level-2 Revised DV Schedule, follow the steps listed below:

Step 1: Visit the official website recruitment.rajasthan.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on Upper Primary School Teacher (L-2) (SST) 2022 Revised DV Schedule.

Step 3: The revised schedule will appear on your screen.

Step 4: Check and download the new schedule.

Step 5: Take a printout of the same for future reference.

For additional subjects, the teacher level 2 document verification started on July 18 in the meanwhile. The recruiting campaign intends to fill 27,000 positions for Upper Primary School Teachers overall.
Professor Thalappil Pradeep, an Indian scientist from IIT Madras, has received the prestigious Eni Award in recognition of his ground-breaking environmental and energy studies. His creative innovation employing cutting-edge nanoscale materials to provide clean water at a reasonable price has been recognised with an award. In the near future, Professor Pradeep is anticipated to receive the honour from the Italian President.

About Eni Award

The Eni Award is well-known around the world, and notable Nobel laureates and accomplished scientists have been past recipients. Only exceptional people are granted this coveted accolade, thanks to the selection committee, which includes Nobel laureates.

This prestigious award has been given to Professor Pradeep in recognition of his outstanding work in the fields of sustainable water purification and nanotechnology. The prize, which was established in 2007, aims to promote seismic advances in decarbonization, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. It acts as a forum to support and motivate the upcoming generation of scholars to take on the important issues around environmental sustainability and energy.

Renegade Clean Water Solutions

The IIT professor's research focuses on creating environmentally friendly and economically viable methods of eliminating harmful chemicals from water. His unique nanoscale materials have been effectively deployed as drinking water solutions, benefiting an amazing 1.3 million people in India every day. Not only has his work revolutionised access to clean water, but it has also spurred global initiatives to combat water pollution. For his contributions to the field of Advanced Environmental Solutions, Professor Pradeep has received one of the three Eni Awards.

His commitment and knowledge of nanotechnology applications have transformed water filtration and made it easier to get rid of dangerous elements like uranium and arsenic. His ground-breaking technique is currently being introduced to other nations after receiving approval for national adoption. The huge group of students, associates, and implementing partners whose tireless efforts made this work possible deserve my sincere gratitude. I received everything from my nation and my institution, he remarked.

Professor T. Pradeep continued by saying, "Water has several opportunities in cleansing, sensing, distribution, and data analytics. It is the best time to enter the water sector for science, industry, or both on a national and international level. "It has a career where one can find fulfilment in addition to wealth and recognition. To maintain water security, we need more children in the area, he continued.

Another award that the Professor received

The Eni Award is only one of Professor Pradeep's honours. The coveted Padma Shri, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water, and Nikkei Asia Prize are just a few of the honours bestowed upon him for his illustrious career. Professor Pradeep has published more than 550 publications and holds more than 100 patents. His work has had a significant impact on the subject of materials science.
In accordance with the elements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched "IIT Madras for All," the BS degree (data science and applications), and the Interdisciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) programmes today.

Through these programmes, IIT Madras will offer a wide range of educational possibilities with a variety of access and exit points. Students would have the option to switch between fields and even pursue technical studies while specialising in the humanities. IIT Madras is listed as a Central Higher Education Institution on the Academic Bank of Credits Portal (ABC Portal), and 491 of its students have enrolled there.

Important aspects of IIT Madras' implementation of NEP

'IIT Madras for All', the BS Degree in Data Science and Inter-Disciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD), the Rural Interaction Centre, the Rural Technology Centre, and centres that foster student innovation like CFI are some of the important components of IIT Madras' NEP implementation. IIT Madras has created Rural Interaction Centres (RICs) in communities to give rural students access to high-quality education using technology. These facilities offer live online science, English and maths classes taught in the native tongue using smart TVs and internet connectivity. The RICs currently have students from 100 villages in Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, and 89 villages in Tamil Nadu.

Centre for Rural Technology

IIT Madras has created Rural Technology Centres in Tamil Nadu in partnership with ASHA to teach computer science to students in rural government schools. The facilities will train kids in classes nine through twelve in computational thinking and digital literacy. Nirmaan and the Centre for Innovation (CFI) IIT Madras has built the Centre for Innovation (CFI) and Nirmaan pre-incubator in keeping with the NEP's emphasis on encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. CFI gives students the tools, setting, and direction they need to investigate novel concepts. On the other hand, Nirmaan gives potential business owners a sandbox environment to create workable business concepts while also providing mentorship, workshops, seed money, and access to sector experts.

Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Applications

The data science and applications degree curriculum at IIT Madras has four levels of study. A student can leave at any level but must complete all four. The institute states that students can obtain a foundation certificate from IITM's Centre for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), a diploma from IIT Madras, a BSc degree in programming and data science, or a BS Degree in data science and applications, depending on the courses they complete and the credits they earn.

Programme for Interdisciplinary Dual Degrees (IDDD)

Students may pursue both bachelor's and master's degrees through the Interdisciplinary Dual Degree (IDDD) programme at IIT Madras. There are now 14 topics covered by these five-year curricula at IIT Madras, including data science, robotics, and cyber-physical systems.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Monday in Shajapur district that the Madhya Pradesh government will establish 9,000 'CM Rise' schools to promote superior education. He launched the CM Rise School in Gulana village, naming it after the renowned lawyer and social reformer Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Officials claimed the chief minister launched the 'School Chale Hum' campaign, which began 23 years ago under the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. According to the CM, the school would have an Ambedkar statue. He further stated that Gulana village will henceforth be known as Golana. Furthermore, CM Chouhan declared that 9,000 CM Rise schools will be established to provide superior education, with smart classes' that will allow teachers from Delhi and Mumbai to teach pupils.

The government will create Atal Tinkering Labs in CM Rise schools to empower students and nurture their innovative potential. These labs will allow students to experiment and enhance their talents, encouraging an innovative and creative spirit. By offering such forums, the government hopes to inculcate an entrepreneurial mindset in kids and prepare them for future problems.
Hyundai has decided to shape the key fob of the Ioniq 6 in the form of its logo. This move carries with it a lot of weight and expectation, ...
MBABANE  A kombi driver and conductor were last week arrested for allegedly having sexual intercourse with one woman.

The driver alleged that the woman was his girlfriend, while the conductor is alleged to have touched her thighs while she was having sexual intercourse with the former. The kombi driver, Sibusiso Mpungose (32) of Sigangeni and the conductor, Bonginkhosi Nsimbini (25) of Nkoyoyo, were both charged under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act No.15 of 2018. The charge sheet, however, states that the two men both had sexual intercourse with the woman. It also states that Nsimbini harassed the complainant by touching her on the thighs. The offence was committed on June 11, 2023 at Qobonga in Mbabane. The offence was accompanied by aggravating factors in terms of Section 185 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 67/1938, in that they exposed the complainant to sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.

The driver and conductor were arrested on July 8, 2023 and made their first court appearance on July 10, 2023. They were remanded in custody pending committal to the High Court.

The accused persons filed an application for bail at the High Court. Mpungose informed the court that on the day of the incident, while in Mbabane, he drove his kombi, which services the Sidwashini-Qobonga-Mbabane route, to visit his girlfriend, who is the complainant.

Dropping

He informed the court that he was in the company of the second applicant (Nsimbini), whom he worked with as my kombi conductor. Mpungose submitted that he took Nsimbini along so that he may take the kombi to a car wash after dropping him off at the girlfriends place. The second applicant left me with my girlfriend whereat we had consensual sexual intercourse. While having sexual intercourse, I was alerted by my girlfriend that the conductor was in the room and was attempting to sexually molest her by touching her on the thighs. I confronted the second applicant and he denied same. He was physically intoxicated. My girlfriend accused me and the second applicant of having both planned to sexually assault her. She then reported us for sexual assault to the police whereat we were charged for contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act 15/2018, Mpungose narrated.

He denied ever sexually assaulting the complainant at anytime. He alleged that they had consensual sexual intercourse as she was my girlfriend, whom he had visited at her home. He denied conspiring with Nsimbini to sexually assault the complainant. The accused informed the court that due to his incarceration, he might lose his job, jeopardising his future and that of his dependants. He also denied committing the offence as the complainant is my girlfriend and has been for a while. I had consensual sexual intercourse with her, only to be spooked by the presence of the second applicant whom I am also not aware how he entered and what his intention was, as I never conspired with him in any way whatsoever. I am advised and verily believe that such evidence shows that I did not commit the said offence, and thus constitute exceptional circumstances, alleged Mpungose.

Worsen

He told the court that he was a sickly person and the conditions at the Sidwashini Correctional Services would worsen his situation. He alleged that the cells were poorly ventilated and there was overcrowding and they slept on a cold floor mat without adequate blankets. Mpungose said if the court granted him bail, he undertook not to abscond trial and not to interfere with Crown witnesses, especially because he, the complainant and his co-accused, stayed in different places. He also undertook to abide by all bail conditions. Mpungose further submitted that he would not tamper with any Crown witnesses. He also told the court that he cooperated with the police during their investigation and did not resist arrest. He also told the court that it would not be in the interest of justice to refuse him bail. I fear that now that I am incarcerated I will lose my source of income, as I am employed as a kombi driver, and looking at the economy, it is very hard to get employment. I submit that exceptional circumstances exist in my case that permits that I be released on bail, he added. The kombi driver argued that the matter was urgent because he was innocent of charge and the Crown would not be prejudiced if he was granted bail. He submitted that he would not be in a position to pay an amount of E15 000 as bail.
INSEE Cement offers cement to war veterans and their families

19 July 2023

Sri Lankas INSEE Cement has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the country's Ministry of Defense to provide cement at a concessionary price to families of war veterans who have been disabled or killed in combat. The MoU forms part of a broader initiative by the cement producer launched earlier this year to provide lower-priced cement to all Tri-armed forces personnel in recognition of their services to Sri Lanka, reports ColomboPage. Under the agreement, each family will be eligible for a maximum of 300 INSEE Sanstha cement bags as a concessionary price.

We at INSEE Cement deeply appreciate the invaluable service of Sri Lankas war heroes. We hope this concessionary cement will help these families to embark on construction projects that are important to them, help them rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities, says Nandana Ekanayake, INSEE Cement chairman. It is a clear demonstration of our INSEE commitment to care for our communities. We seek to empower and uplift these deserving individuals by providing them with essential resources to enhance their quality of life.

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China Shanshui issues profit warning

19 July 2023

China Shanshui Cement Group Ltd has issued a profit warning for the opening six months of 2023. The company has said that it expects to report a YoY fall in profit of 145-150 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier. According to the company, the contraction is due to the lower price of its cement products over the six-month period.

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MANZINI  The death of my husband is a cold case, says Tanele Maseko.

Tanele is the wife of slain Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Rudolf Maseko, who was assassinated on January 21, 2023, while watching television (TV) with his two sons and wife.

The killer of the human rights lawyer reportedly executed the assassination with precision as he delivered the first shot just above the ear and with the second bullet pierced through his upper torso.

Assassination

The wife of the deceased said she last heard or saw police officers regarding the murder days after it had occurred. She said since then, there had been no update from those investigating on possible suspects or the motive behind the assassination. The demise of Maseko is just a cold case to me as there is nothing happening and I dont see anything happening. To me this is just a cold case (sic), she said. Worth noting is that a cold case is any criminal investigation by a law enforcement agency that has not been solved for (generally) at least one year and, as a result, has been closed from further regular investigations. On the other hand, Tanele expressed doubt on whether the execution of the human rights lawyer would be solved at all.

She said the last interaction with the police regarding the demise of her husband was just after Maseko had been killed. Thereon, she said there had been no communication whatsoever regarding the murder.

It is worth noting that following the murder of the human rights lawyer, a number of entities made calls that the killing be fully investigated and that those responsible be identified, prosecuted and punished. Among those calls, two stood out because they were made by the leading relevant regional and sub-regional African bodies. On January 23, 2023, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, urged the Government of Eswatini to set up an independent inquiry to investigate the murder of Maseko with a view to apprehending, prosecuting and punishing those found responsible for his death.

Awareness

The commission further called on government to take legislative or other measures (institutional, administrative, policy and public awareness, among many), to ensure that human rights defenders were guaranteed the right to live a life free from the threat of violent attacks. Subsequently, on January 31, 2023, leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), of which Eswatini is part of, called on the country to conduct a swift, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of Masekos death, and to urgently initiate a peaceful national dialogue with pro-democracy groups as a means of strengthening democracy. Recently, during the Inaugural Lecture of Thulani Maseko at Esibayeni Lodge, the Director of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, Professor Frans Viljoen, said at the time of Masekos assassination, a government spokesperson cautioned against speculation, called for the police investigation to be allowed to go its course and expressed confidence that at the end, the truth would prevail.

Investigation

Professor Viljoen asked; Where does the investigation stand? What has it yielded? What obstacles have been experienced, if any, what measures have been taken to overcome these obstacles? What are the next steps; and the nature of any ongoing investigation? What are the prospects of bringing those responsible to justice? Furthermore, he said they also regretted that no investigation had been conducted on the much broader issue, affecting so many other people, emanating from the excessive use of force and violence by the police during 2021, in particular. He said they would also put this in an official letter to the government.
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The Libya Energy & Economic Summit is back for its second edition, announced organizer Energy Capital & Power. The 2023 edition of this summit unites the energy sector together with other critical areas of the economy  with the goal of creating and sustaining Partnerships for Energy and Economic Opportunity.

This historic, in-country Libya summit is organized with the endorsement and support of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Oil and Gas, and the National Oil Corporation. It builds on the success of the inaugural edition in 2021, which was the first major investment event to take place in Tripoli for a decade

Leaders in the fields of energy, finance, mining, manufacturing, trading and other sectors  from Libya and around the world  are welcome. The Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2023 will put the spotlight on Libyas vast resources and human potential; its need for investment in critical infrastructure and other sectors; its strategic importance as a global energy producer; and much more.

The event takes place in Tripoli on 8-9 November, 2023.

Regional partners from the Middle East, Africa, and Europe such as Turkey, Italy, France, the UK, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and others will participate with official ministerial delegations.

The organiser also expects strong private sector participation from the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.-TradeArabia News Service
The Tennessee Board of Regents approved criteria for the next president of Cleveland State Community College, the first step in the search for the colleges next president.Board of Regents Member Danni B. Varlan will chair the search advisory committee that will review candidates and recommend finalists for the position. Regents Miles A. Burdine and Thomas A. H. White will also serve on the committee. Representatives of Cleveland States faculty, staff, students and alumni and of the civic and business communities in the colleges service area will also be asked to serve on the committee.Chancellor Flora W.Tydings said a search timeline will be announced when the committees full membership is appointed, but the goal is to have a new president in office by July 1, 2024.The criteria are similar to the other community college presidents in the College System of Tennessee, the public community and technical colleges governed by the Board of Regents. Preferred criteria include an earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution, a distinguished record of teaching and experience in public higher education, a minimum of five years successful campus administrative experience or a distinguished record of senior level administrative experience in a complex business, industry or government enterprise.The full criteria and other details are available in the board meeting materials on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu/board/july-13-2023-special-called-board-meeting. A recording of the livestreamed meeting is archived at the same site. The criteria and other information about the search and the college will be posted later on the TBR executive search webpage at https://www.tbr.edu/hr/executivesearches.The next president will succeed Dr. Ty Stone. Dr. Ray Brooks, retired president of Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC, is serving as interim president. He has 35 years of experience as a college president, including 13 years as Piedmonts chief executive officer and 22 years as president of Northwestern Technical College in Rock Spring.Dr. Brooks has agreed to stay until weve completed the search process. He has jumped right in and were very grateful to have him on board, Chancellor Tydings said.The search committees selection of finalists for the presidency will be announced and those candidates will meet with the campus community in public forums. Afterward, the chancellor will review campus and public input and conduct final interviews to recommend a single candidate to the Board of Regents for its consideration for the appointment.During the special called meeting, Vice Chair Emily J. Reynolds also welcomed two new members of the Board of Regents: Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds and Faculty Regent Ross Roberts, professor of education at Northeast State Community College.
Kolkata, July 19 (UNI) "The moment they came to know about our alliance, the BJP camp has started shivering with fear, " asserted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday.

Taking a swipe at the saffron brigade, Banerjee iterated that democracy is at stake during the BJP regime at the Centre.

Stating that the BJPs sole focus is to create unrest, violence, and divide the society, Banerjee commented, "They have no other job, apart from indulging in destructive politics."

"However, INDIA is ready for the battle, and BJP will get a decisive reply.

The people will reply to BJP, INDIA will face the battle.

BJP, which keeps dreaming about toppling state governments, have now realised that their government at the Centre will be toppled by the people of INDIA very soon, " thundered Banerjee.

The Chief Minister, who visited state-run SSKM Hospital to meet the Trinamool Party workers, injured in Panchayat election-related violence, said, " I came to SSKM Hospital to meet the victims of those who have faced the brunt of attack from BJP goons in Nandigram and Khejuri.

The violence that has been perpetrated by the BJP across the State is condemnable. "

"BJP couldnt defeat us electorally, and have,therefore, resorted to violence and thrashed our party workers. Some of them are burnt badly too. Our State ministers are in touch with the victims families and we will provide them with all aid necessary, " iterated the Chief Minister.

" All those raising hue and cry about violence during the Panchayat Elections, they should know that the maximum number of casualties are from All India Trinamool Congress. The maximum number of deaths and injured are from our party, " she averred.

" ll those whove lost their lives in the violence during the entire Panchayat Elections campaign, be it pre-poll, or post-poll or during the election day, we are providing their families with Rs 2 lakh compensation from the State governments end, apart from a job to one of the family members, " Banerjee announced.

"Those who have suffered injuries in the violence perpetrated by the Opposition during the Panchayat Elections and are hospitalised, we are providing them Rs 50,000 as compensation, " she further announced.

"The remaining amount, we will disburse from our end within the next couple of days. The jobs are also ready, we will start issuing letters to the kin of the deceased soon, " the CM informed.

Accusing the saffron brigade of resorting to "divisive" politics and creating a wedge among the people, Banerjee said, " Violence and anarchy are their main weapon. But as long as I'm alive, nobody can do any harm to Bengal."

UNI SJC-PC CS1915
The Salvation Armys Chattanooga Area Command needs donations of bottled water to support its Life Navigation Ministry.The mobile program, which allows The Salvation Army to meet people where they are and address their needs, is currently handing out nearly 20 cases of bottled water a week to those in need."As temperatures increase, its crucial for those experiencing homelessness to have access to water," officials said.The Life Navigation Ministry is supported by The Salvation Armys outreach specialist, housing navigator and case manager.They use their mobile truck to deliver food, supplies and resources to those experiencing homelessness. They offer case management, counseling and housing navigation, as well as necessities like food, hygiene products, water and more.Additionally, the following items are needed for The Salvation Armys Beat The Heat program: Box fans; Handheld fans; Cooling towels; Umbrellas; Ice packs; and Bottled water.Donations are being accepted now through Aug. 31 at 822 McCallie Ave. in Chattanooga.To see a complete list of items needed for the Beat The Heat program, visit www.csarmy.org/beattheheat
The Red Bank Planning Commission recommended making a change to the citys zoning ordinance to expand permitted uses in the R-4 Special Zone, if issued a special execeptions permit. The board of commissioners agreed with the recommendations and now eight additional uses will be added to the other 29 uses that are allowed. The purpose is to encourage more diversified development. After the ordinance was passed, studios and galleries will be allowed, along with specialty shops, taverns/wine and cocktail bars, bed and breakfasts, banks, restaurants, indoor special event venues and outdoor stages.

The citys ordinance regarding setting standards and regulations for plant installation and landscaping was also amended. Don McKenzie, a resident of the city with a background in wildlife and native habitat, compiled a list of native plants that are preferred for use as well as a list of invasive and prohibited plants. In addition to specifying plants to be use by builders, the ordinance also encourages residents to voluntarily use native plants on their property. Native vegetation has ecological benefits for wildlife and pollinators and improves soil health and air and water quality.

The commissioners also passed a resolution that established a citizens advisory board to assist with the planning and execution of Red Bank parks, trails and recreation. The board will consist of 10 members and the city is seeking a good balance of residents and professionals. Applications will be available on social media and the citys website for the next 30 days.

The board of commissioners authorized Fire Chief Brent Sylar to apply for the 2023 Firefighting Support Grant of up to $1,000 from Tennessee American Water. He told the commissioners that the money would go toward the purchase of assist devices used to move heavy hoses. The cost of one assist device is $1,600, said the chief.

The commissioner voted to authorize participation of Red Bank with two different cooperative purchasing membership agreements, Omni Partners, and NPP, that specializes in police and fire department equipment. Red Bank is already using Sourcewell, a third cooperative. These businesses help cities in purchasing by vetting the seller, getting prices and having contracts ready for equipment and vehicles that cities routinely buy. The commissioners were told that it increases efficiency by getting the best price faster.

Announcements from Vice Mayor Stefanie Dalton include that the next community food pantry will be Thursday from 4:30-6 p.m. inside the Christian Activity Center at United Methodist Church. Food Truck Friday will be held July 21 from 5-8 p.m. All the Hamilton County schools will hold a district wide day on July 29 for volunteers to help get schools ready to reopen. Participants can sign up to participate on the HDCE website.

Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks-Harvey will hold the next Listen and Learn on Monday, Aug. 21, at Mr. Burritos. She thanked the police department for making well-being calls for residents who are homebound.

Commissioner Pete Phillips announced that a meeting with the steering committee of the Master Plan committee will be July 25 from 5-7 p.m. where the citys mobility plan will be discussed. He encourages citizens to come and participate.

Commissioner Hayes Wilkinson let the commissioners know that because of accepting a new job, he will recuse himself if a vote has the potential of being a conflict.
mass shooting that killed three students and three staff on March 27, have created two nonprofits to protect children from gun violence. Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows is a grassroots 501(c)3 organization comprising Covenant parents, staff, and survivors. This organization aims to provide education around the impact and prevention of school shootings and improve mental health support. will drive meaningful legislative change to ensure the safety of our children and staff in schools. A group of parents of students at The Covenant School in Nashville, which was subject to a





The families of The Covenant School have a wide range of political views but are united in their faith and shared desire to protect their children and all children in Tennessee from experiencing anything like what happened in March 2023. The two nonprofits are both dedicated to working with anyone who will respect all political and ideological viewpoints while taking meaningful steps to protect children. Both Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows and the Covenant Families Action Fund appreciate the decision by Governor Bill Lee to convene a special session of the state legislature in August to respond to overwhelming calls for action on gun violence prevention.





Covenant families have been engaged in 40 days of prayer and reflection leading up to special session, seeking wisdom on the best way forward.This Thursday, July 18, members of the

Covenant community will be making public statements on the new nonprofit entities and will be

available for press following their regular daily prayer service which is 10:10-10:27 a.m.

The press conference will be at the Tennessee State Capitol Steps, 600 Dr. Martin Luther King,

Jr. Blvd, Nashville, TN at 10:45 a.m. The event will be held under the auspices of the Covenant

Families Action Fund.




The Chattanooga Police Department and Chattanooga Fire Department have once again teamed up for an event that unites first responders and citizens. The "As 1" Annual Community Kickball Game will be held Saturday, July 29 from 1-4 p.m. at the Westside Community Center on Poplar Street.There will be food, music, and prizes.Families are welcome to join in the fun during this free event.The purpose of the game is to build positive relationships between police officers and firefighters within the communities they serve throughout Chattanooga.
You may have heard that Wyoming became known as the equality state because it was the first state to give women the right to vote. But did you know that the same year the 19th amendment was ratified, the state had a town run by an all-women government?

During a time when giving women the same opportunities as men, the residents of a town in Wyoming did something incredibly progressive. On May 11th, 1920, the town of Jackson, Wyoming, elected Grace Miller as their mayor.

They also elected Rose Crabtree, Mae Deloney, Faustina Haight, and Genevieve Van Vleck as their local council members.

The women were dubbed the petticoat rulers, and they made sure to get things done around the town of Jackson while they were in office.

One of the most important things the petticoat rulers did while they were in office was improve the towns budget and collect unpaid taxes. They would personally collect money that was owed to the town.

When the petticoat rulers were first elected, the town only had about $200 in its treasury. But soon, thanks to the womens efforts, they increased it to $2,000.

The petticoat rulers also installed street lamps throughout Jackson and expanded its electrical service. They were very focused on improving the living conditions of Jacksons residents so it could continue to be a progressive town.

The petticoat rulers inspired a town-wide clean-up, where residents were encouraged to clean up their homes and yards. They also made littering a misdemeanor and removed any loose livestock from the center of town.

At the end of their term, three out of the five women were re-elected. Grace Miller, however, was not.

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This 24-year-old girl lives on 4 acres of land that she purchased from her grandmother, who moved into a retirement home.

She and her grandmother have always had a good relationship, and shes always been there to help her grandmother take care of the property. When she got too old to manage it, her grandmother offered to sell it to her.

At the end of the month, her nephew is turning 16, and her sister asked her if they could host the birthday party on the familys property, referring to her land.

She told her sister no because of the strained relationship she has with her nephew. He disrespects her boundaries and is disrespectful to her and her elderly dog.

Her nephew constantly chases and tries to pick up Davos, a black lab, even after she asks her nephew to cut it out.

Davos has arthritis and cant be chased around and hates loud noises, which my nephew is very loud, she explained.

Her sister was angry at the rejection and claimed that she was putting her dog before her nephew. Additionally, her sister claimed that since it was their grandmothers property, she couldnt decide who could and couldnt be there.

However, she explained to her sister that it is, in fact, her property because she purchased it, took care of it and paid the bills.

Even though the property was never offered to anyone except herself, she highly doubts that her sister or anyone else would have been interested in it anyway.

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B'desh thanks India for inviting as guest at the G-20 summit

Dhaka, July 19 (UNI) Bangladesh Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal thanked the country's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for inviting Bangladesh as a 'guest country' in the G-20 summit.

Besides, a bilateral meeting between the finance ministers of the two countries was also held on the sidelines of the conference. In the meeting, Nirmala Sitharaman expressed the hope of working together by identifying areas for increasing cooperation in the areas of economy of the two countries. At this time, Mustafa Kamal urged Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman to visit Bangladesh to see the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

This information was informed in a statement sent by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.
On a warm spring day in 1942, Margaret Ridgway believed she heard God telling her to leave her home in Vancouver, Canada, and move to a Japanese internment camp.

Ridgway was on her knees in the kitchen, praying before an open Bible, when the prophet Haggais words leaped off the page: Go up to the mountain  build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified.  I am with you.  Fear ye not (1:8; 2:45, KJV).

God had spoken, she declared.

I had no doubt now that He was calling me to leave my ceiled housethe security of my home, my church, and my familiar surroundingsand follow my Japanese friends who were deprived of their homes and their livelihoods and were being sent to makeshift quarters in the narrow valleys of the Kootenay and Slocan Rivers, she wrote.

Ridgways heart and passion for the Japanese Canadians in Vancouver prior to the war had prepared her well to face this tumultuous period in Canadian history. Her life story would come to reflect a deep commitment toward sharing the love of Christ with the Japanese people.

If it werent for Margaret, we wouldnt be here, said retired Toronto pastor Stan Yokota. She was the only person who went to be among the Japanese to start an evangelical church.

Venturing into the unknown

Margaret Ridgway was born on May 31, 1915, in Regina, Saskatchewan. After her fathers untimely death when she was three years old, her family eventually relocated to Vancouver. She felt led to reach out to Japanese people well before the Second World War began, according to Ed Yoshida, former pastor of Wesley Chapel Japanese Church in Toronto.

Ridgway grew up in a Baptist home. After accepting Christ as a teenager, she became friends with L. C. Harry and his wife, who were missionaries sent by the England-based organization Japan Evangelistic Band. The Harrys asked Ridgway to help out in Sunday school for Japanese children living in the Celtic Cannery and other cannery settlements around the city.

Ridgway grew increasingly convinced that her lifes mission would be evangelizing to the Japanese people. When Harry later became ill, Ridgway prayed that God would empower her to take over his work.

The harvest was certainly plentiful: Japanese immigrants first arrived in Canada in the 19th century to pursue financial opportunities overseas. Many settled in fishing villages in coastal cities like Vancouver or on farms and alongside lumber mills situated further inland.

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Still, the Japanese people struggled to assimilate into Canadian society. Anti-Asian racism was rampant during this time. A mob ravaged predominantly Japanese and Chinese areas in Vancouver to protest against immigrants, who they felt were stealing their jobs, and lobbied the government to halt immigration from Asia.

The Canadian governments head tax on Chinese immigrants, which was levied in 1885, did not apply to the Japanese. By the early 20th century, more than 20,000 Japanese people, who mainly worked as fishermen and farmers, had settled in Canada. However, they were not permitted to vote, hold public office, or take on professional jobs. (Second-generation Japanese Canadians faced similar prejudices and received the right to vote only in 1949.)

Image: Illustration by Mallory Rentsch / Source Images: Courtesy of Nori Kanashiro

The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought Ridgways Sunday school classes to an abrupt halt. Though no blood had been shed in Canada, the country had a close political relationship with the US. Thus, after the US declared war on Japan, Canada immediately followed its neighbor, and when the US decided to incarcerate immigrants from Japan and citizens of Japanese descent, Canada adopted a similar policy.

Consequently, Canadian government officials forced many Japanese who were living along the west coast of British Columbia to move to abandoned ghost towns in the provinces interior. In all, more than 20,000 Japanese peopleincluding a majority who were naturalized citizens or Canadian by birthwere forced to move to these remote internment camps. The government separated fathers and sons over 18 from their families and sent them to labor in remote road camps, while it transported mothers and children to isolated towns in the provinces mountainous region.

Amid these dismal wartime days, Gods hand seemed far away. But Ridgways faith in God spurred her into action.

Upon hearing Gods voice through the prophet Haggai, Ridgway rose from the kitchen floor with a feeling of exultation and yet of solemnity. Weeks later, she received further confirmation of her new mission through her pastor: Margaret, I believe God has laid this burden on your heart and you should go. We will give you a commissioning service and will urge our friends to back you in prayer.

Ridgways destination: Kaslo, an abandoned town that had been the center of activity in the heyday of the silver mining boom that swept British Columbias Kootenay region in the late 1800s.

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When she stepped off the bus, several Japanese friends welcomed her. They were hungry for fellowship with other Christians and had no place to meet as they were living in such crowded quarterstwo families in one small hotel room.

One lady told me she had gone to the mountainside to pray, there being no other place where she could be alone, Ridgway recounted.

Rebuilding community

Ridgway settled into a tiny, abandoned summer cottage. Later that week, five Japanese women paid her a visit one afternoon. Although they were permitted to bring so little luggage with them when they left the coast, all had their Bibles and all but one had brought their hymn books, Ridgway wrote.

Each read some portion of Scripture that had been made precious to their hearts in those difficult days. Tears flowed as we prayed together.

The womens fellowship started meeting twice a week. A Happy Hour Bible Club for boys and girls and a Bible and Handcraft Club for young women soon followed, providing her with ample opportunities to evangelize.

These [gatherings] were answers to prayer, for I am naturally a shy person. Each morning I would pray, Lord, guide me. Give me the words to say and the courage to say them. And He did, said Ridgway.

Opportunities to pray for the infirm and the sick in the internment camps were numerous. Gods miraculous provision for physical needs was evident, and Ridgways efforts to preach the saving knowledge of Christ to children, youth, and adults resulted in many responding to the invitation of the gospel.

In one instance, a Japanese woman asked Ridgway to pray for a man who had suffered a stroke and was paralyzed from the neck down. Neither he nor his wife were Christians. I prayed for wisdom and accompanied the lady to the hotel, Ridgway recounted.

Image: Illustration by Mallory Rentsch / Source Images: WikiMedia Commons

There we read the story of the paralytic who was let down from the roof at Jesus feet and I pointed out that spiritual healing was our primary need and then the physical. We then laid hands on the invalid and prayed.

Over the next two weeks, the mans health improved. His face was radiant as he recounted his steady improvement from the time we first prayed for him, Ridgway wrote.

Between 1943 and 1946, Ridgways ministry in British Columbias internment camps grew as Japanese believers took on leadership roles in evangelism efforts. Ridgway also took part in youth rallies in the neighboring province of Alberta. These often drew between 60 and 80 Japanese young people who traveled for miles to worship God together.

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As Ridgway later wrote, I was to have a part in building Gods house there, not a building made with hands, but one composed of living stones. He would be glorified and the glory of this latter house would be greater than the formerHis work in Vancouver which we were having to abandon.

Because of Ridgways dedication to serve as a witness to the gospel in the internment camps, the Okanagan Valley, and Alberta, scores of Japanese youth gave their lives to the Lord. Many would go on to Bible schools and seminaries to become pastors and missionaries at home and abroad.

Yokota, the Toronto pastor, grew up in a Sunday school that was run by a believer who had accepted Christ after attending one of Ridgways evangelistic conferences. After becoming a pastor, Yokota assisted fellow Japanese missionaries Hiko and Ethel Kinoshita to plant a church, which exists today as the Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto.

Machiko Budai was two years old when Ridgway invited her family to attend a church in Vancouver. My parents were not Buddhist [or part of another religion], so they allowed us to go to Sunday school at a very early age, Budai said.

On one occasion, Ridgway waited hours for Budais teenage sister, Mary, to come home and confronted her about the importance of receiving Christ in her life. Mary laughed in Ridgways face, but Ridgway was persistent. God brought my sister Mary to himself, and she later became a missionary in Japan, Budai said.

Besides Mary, many of Budais older siblings also serve as missionaries in Japan and Brazil, which is home to the largest community of Japanese people outside Japan. Margaret was very instrumental in bringing our families the gospel, said Budai.

Journeying on

After the Second World War ended, Ridgway continued to minister to Japanese Canadians in British Columbia and Alberta.

In 1945, Japanese families who were interned in British Columbias interior were permitted to leave their confined surroundings if they chose to go east of the Canadian Rockies or repatriate to Japan. A majority chose the former, especially since British Columbia did not permit Japanese Canadians to return to the Vancouver area until 1949.

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In the postwar era, many Japanese Canadians continued to face discrimination. Finding employment and housing was difficult, especially in the larger cities. Children and youth often wished they had been born with brown or blond hair, not black. Many Japanese Canadians felt like they had to do better than others to prove that they were trustworthy and deserving of employment.

Ironically, Japan was making an unprecedented rapid recovery during this period, to the point that they became global leaders in technological research and development in a few short decades. Japans reputation was held in high regard, and Canadian society gradually became more accepting of people with Japanese heritage.

As more and more Japanese Canadians left the interior for other parts of the country, Ridgways outreach efforts experienced several changes. In the fall of 1946, her ministry was formally organized and named the Canadian Japanese Mission (CJM).

Over time, Ridgways ministry has undergone several changes in name and purpose. From engaging missionaries to spread the gospel and planting churches in cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto, the CJM today serves as an umbrella organization providing support to 17 churches and fellowship groups across the country.

Ridgway retired in 1980 and died in 2004. Her friend and fellow missionary Mary Holdcroft described her as a walking dictionary of all things concerning the CJM, in a tribute to Ridgway published in the CJM Reporters Spring 2005 issue.

Ridgway herself had a sobering yet hopeful perspective about her lifes work: Much has happened since these early beginnings.  We have made mistakes through the yearssome of them grievous indeed, she wrote in 1978.

Again and again we have been made aware that we are nothing but earthen vessels and that what has proved of lasting value has been of God and not of us.

The presence of many active Japanese Canadian churches testifies to Ridgways faithfulness and persistence, says Yokota.

Margaret was the key to many evangelical churches today in Canada. We have churches from Victoria to Halifax now that are connected with the Canadian Japanese Ministries, and theyre all evangelical. That certainly is a real legacy of what Margaret started before the war.

Nori Kanashiro is the former general director of CJM. Isabel Ong is Christianity Todays associate Asia editor.
If you ever visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijingancient Chinas largest center for high-level ritualsyou might be struck by its lack of Buddhist and Taoist idols. The design of the Chinese place of worship displays some of the characteristics of the ancient Chinese tradition of ritual sacrifice to heaven, which seem to bear many similarities to the rituals for worshiping God recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch of the Old Testament.

No known records exist suggesting that Judaism inspired Chinese spirituality. In fact, a second-century B.C. Confucian classic, The Rites of Zhou ( Zhouli), records these acts of worship, and archaeologists have discovered the bronze ritual vessels with Chinese characters depicting sacrifices of animals such as ox and sheep, confirming that these practices are thousands of years old.

Conducted by the royals until the end of the imperial dynasties in the early 20th century, these official rituals gradually drifted from their Confucian origins. But as a Chinese Christian, rather than grieve this separation, Im grateful that I know Jesus, whose death supersedes these ancient sacrifices and whose resurrection offers redemption for eternity.

The will of heaven

In 1982, the Chinese American scholar Ray Huang released 1587: A Year of No Significance (). The bestselling book highlighted the Ming dynastys religious practices, including a famous example from 1585 of an emperor using the Temple of Heaven to pray for rain. After months of drought, Emperor Wanli fasted for three days before leading his officials from the imperial palace to the temple and holding a special ceremony for the weather change. Upon arriving at the Temple of Heaven, the Ming dynasty emperor knelt on the lowest step of the Circular Mound Altar, burned the sacrificed animals, prayed, offered incense, and prostrated to the God of the Highest Heaven ( huang tian shang di). ( or shang di are the characters used for God in many Chinese versions of the Bible.)

After the ritual, Wanli spoke to his officials at the Altar of Heaven. He explained that he believed the great drought had come because he and his officials had failed to be virtuous and had allowed corrupt officials to exploit commoners. As he understood it, this behavior disturbed heavens harmony and caused heaven to withhold rain. To show he understood heavens will and intention, the emperor expressed remorse over his own moral failure and his expectation that the corrupt officials would repent and change their ways. The emperors act of worship offers a window into how Chinese spirituality understood the relationship between heaven and earth.

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In his remarks to his officials, Wanli used a name for God that had been adopted in a 1538 ceremony performed by his grandfather, Emperor Jiajing. To reinforce his legitimacy to the throne (as he was only a nephew to his predecessor, who had died without a male heir), Jiajing replaced the name God of the Vast Heaven (, hao tian shang di)which had been used for several thousand yearswith God of the Highest Heaven (, huang tian shang di).

Although both huang ( and hao ( contain the meaning of grand, great, or magnificent, huang ( is more frequently used in the words related to the royal family () or the emperor (huang di, ), underscoring a close connection between heaven and the royal power. Through this name change, then, the emperor was elevating his own authority over heaven, which at that time was regarded as the most symbolic and powerful source in Confucian politics.

As part of the 1538 sacrificial ceremony, officials sang 11 songs of praise to this God. One of these was titled The Coming of God and included a description of the beginning of the universe reminiscent of the first chapter of Genesis:

Of old in the beginning, there was the great chaos, without form and dark. The five elements [planets] had not begun to revolve, nor the sun and the moon to shine. In the midst thereof there existed neither forms nor sound. Thou, O spiritual Sovereign, camest forth in Thy presidency, and first didst divide the grosser parts from the purer. Thou madest heaven; Thou madest earth; Thou madest man. All things with their reproducing power got their being.

To the God of heaven

Despite their newer venue, the practices of these emperors were similar to rituals initiated by people from the Western Zhou (1045771 B.C.) dynasty, which also reflected the various animal sacrifices described in the Book of Exodus.

Ancient Israelites burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings all involved the butchering of unblemished animalsbulls, sheep or goats, doves or pigeons, depending on the sacrifice. After the animal was killed, the priest burned its carcass. As part of sin offerings, priests sprinkled the animals blood on the altar, representing the washing of the believers sins with the blood of the sacrifice. Priests also butchered cattle and sheep as part of ancient Chinese rituals of sacrifice to heaven.

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By the time of the Ming dynasty, the annual ritual sacrifice to heaven was considered a great ceremony. Five days before the sacrifice, the emperor himself would go to the place where sacrificial animals were kept and personally study their appearances and states of health, ensuring that the animals were unblemished and without defect.

Afterward, the emperor fasted and purified himself for three to five days leading up to the ceremony, before burning the selected animals as part of the event. People hoped that the smoke from the burning animals would rise up to the God of heaven so that he would send down blessings. The Confucian classic Shijing (Classic of Poetry), whose earliest contributions date back to the 11th century B.C., contains a hymn with the line The fragrance of the sacrifice rises; the God of heaven is surrounded by the fragrance; how wonderful is the fragrance! After describing the entire process of the ritual, the last line says, After Houji established the sacrifice ceremony (to heaven), people no longer feel guilt.

The Shijing commentary suggests that the Zhou people began sacrificing to the God of heaven to no longer feel guilt for their sin, to express respect of the divine, to seek his protection, and to pray for peace and prosperity for the country.

The real sacrificial lamb

Under the surface of these cosmetic similarities lie nuanced differences in the meanings of Israelite sacrifices in the Old Testament and ancient Chinese ritual sacrifices to heaven. The former sought Gods forgiveness and pardon. In contrast, the original motivation for the latter was to stop feeling guilt for sinand even this goal was gradually de-emphasized over time.

China had established an official ritual system since before the time of Confucius (551479 B.C.). But while the philosopher affirmed these practices, he also held that human beings could transform the world by observing five particular virtues. This focus on the temporal greatly influenced Chinese society. Over time, royal authority slowly transferred from the will of heaven to political succession ostensibly based on virtue.

Yet how does the ethical system of Confucianism interact with the entire Confucian system of ritual, including ritual sacrifice to heaven? And how do the will of heaven and the virtue of humanity interact with each other? The Confucian classic Mencius, Lilou II, which dates back to when Chinese leaders still practiced sacrifices regularly, said, Though a man is evil, if he fasts and cleanses himself, he might yet offer sacrifices to God. In other words, whether through fasting and cleansing or by slaughtering the cattle or sheep and burning sacrifices to heaven, in the ancient Chinese worldview there was no permanent way to solve humanitys sinful nature.

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How do we as Christians look at the sacrifice ceremony to God? In the Book of Hebrews, the author explores at length the relationship between the Old Testament sacrificial rituals and Christ on the cross.

Hebrews 9:8 says, The way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. According to the writer of Hebrews, then, before Jesus birth and crucifixion, the Hebrews sacrificial rituals could not take lasting effect. The high priests sacrifices in the Most Holy Place could not truly and completely remove peoples sins. Instead, his actions only foreshadowed what was to come through Christ.

For humanity to indeed be rid of sin, we had to wait for our only truly effective sacrificial lambJesus, whose death tore the tabernacle curtain separating human beings and God. Because of this, people can now enter the Holy of Holies and meet God when covered by Jesus blood.

If we trace the source of the traditional Chinese characters, we can find the origin of the butchering of cattle and sheep for sacrifice to the heavenly God. The Chinese character for ritual () has a radical on the left representing an altar () and a container () on the bottom right; above the container is a representation of the offering.

Shuowen Jiezi, an early and authoritative Chinese dictionary, defines the word ritual () as serving the divine in order to prosper. And the word for righteousness () has a lamb on the top, with a hand holding a weapon in order to kill the sheep on the bottomliterally meaning people can become righteous by butchering the lamb. According to the writer of Hebrews, the ancient Israelites sacrifice ceremonies foreshadow the coming of Jesus as the real Lamb for atoning human beings sins.

I personally believe that these ancient Chinese rituals foreshadow Christ in a common grace sense and that their presence serves as a reminder that he is the sacrificial Lamb of God offered on behalf of all. Yet we believe that the blood of Jesus Christ not only saves us from feeling guilty but also redeems us from our sins. We all have personal access to Jesus, not mediated by an emperor or priest. Thanks be to the true God of the highest heaven!

Jixun Hu has a master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and is a minister of East Bergen Christian Church in New Jersey.

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New AI technology determines embryos suitable for IVF, draws concern about eugenics

Artificial intelligence is playing a role in selecting which embryos show the most promise during IVF, with the technology ruling out which ones are unsuitable for a successful pregnancy.

The AI software, EMA, evaluates embryos for IVF procedures and scores them based on features such as genetic abnormalities, gender or the odds of successful implantation. AIVF, the Israel-based company behind the algorithm, is promoting the technology as a way to improve the embryo selection process during IVF.

David Prentice, the vice president of scientific affairs at the pro-life research organization Charlotte Lozier Institute, told The Christian Post in a Monday statement that this is eugenic technology.

The AI program is a tool used to pick and choose which embryos are higher quality; this means some human beings are looked at as lower quality, perhaps even discarded as lives not worth living, Prentice stated. Previous studies have shown that even embryos judged to be low grade, when given the chance for life, have been birthed as normal, healthy babies. Society should not divide human beings into quality control silos but rather should value and nurture every human life.

AIVF did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment.

IVF involves combining female eggs and male sperm to create an embryo, which is then implanted in a womans uterus. Pro-life organizations have raised ethical concerns about IVF, arguing that it results in the deaths of unborn children when excess embryos are discarded or fail to survive being frozen or thawed.

Embryologist Dr. Daniella Gilboa, co-founder and CEO of AIVF, asserted that IVF is one of the most important medical developments in the last 50 years but argued that its not good enough, citing the low success rates across all age groups.

Imagine if youre an embryologist, looking at multiple embryos in a hectic lab environment, and you have to decide which one has the best potential to become a baby, Gilboa told Fox News Digital Wednesday.

You might have eight, 10 or 12 embryos that all look the same  and you have to make that crucial decision, sometimes by yourself. Its basically you and the embryos under the microscope, she continued.

Gilboa highlighted how many women freeze their eggs so they can delay having a child and focus on advancing their careers, stating that this creates a demand for IVF.

"In the U.S., only 20% of the need is served, which means 80% of those women are giving up on the dream of having a child, she said.

The AIVF CEO emphasized how EMA can find embryonic features undetectable to the human eye and can work faster than doctors, although Gilboa claimed that the AI is not intended to fully replace human beings. Human doctors will still make the decision when it comes to embryo selection, according to the AIVF CEO.

AIVFs technology is already in use throughout Europe, Asia and South America, with Gilboa promising that its coming to the United States very soon.

EMAs AI embryo evaluation is based on a set of deep-learning-based algorithms that assess embryo quality and developmental competence, an AIVF brochure about the technology reads. The robust AI model is trained on biological markers of the embryo known to influence embryo viability and quality and can identify morphological features that the human eye is not able to see.

According to the data cited in the brochure, EMA is 30 times faster and 38% more accurate than a human embryologist. The technology also reduced patient time to pregnancy by 21.5% on average, according to the informational material.

AIVF developed the AI through rigorous scientific research, tailored exactly to the needs of the embryology lab, according to the brochure.

Our proprietary suite of solutions offers a unique set of tools for digitization and automation of the IVF clinic, helping patients on a smoother, quicker and more accessible path to parenthood, the document continues.
'Conspiracy of silence' enabling Christian 'genocide' in Nigeria, Catholic bishop tells Congress

WASHINGTON  In testimony provided to a U.S. congressional subcommittee Tuesday, a Nigerian Catholic bishop decried a "conspiracy of silence" from his government and the international community in response to what he says is genocidal violence targeting Christian communities in the African nation.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations held a hearing titled "The Dire State of Religious Freedom Around the World."

Bishop Winfred Anagbe of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in Benue State, Nigeria, was scheduled to testify about the mass killings in his diocese but was unable to attend the hearing.

The written version of the remarks he was slated to make, which were shared with The Christian Post, was entered into the record.

"For a long time, attacks by Islamic militants have not only killed thousands but have also displaced millions who now take refuge in camps scattered across the State," he explained in his written testimony.

"Schools, clinics, churches, markets etc, have all been destroyed in some areas. Since 2014, when I became bishop, I have lost territory to the Islamic militants masquerading as herdsmen, I have had to close 14 parishes because of the danger," he added.

Anagbe also detailed how Benue state has been greatly impacted by mass killings that have led to "displacement and occupation of lands" since 2009.

But since 2014, he and other bishops in Benue have "lost parishioners on an almost daily basis."

"[T]he killings of people, even pregnant women and children, and the occupation of their lands to cause the cessation of all economic activities mirrors the pattern of Jihadi elements like the Boko Haram in other parts of Nigeria," Anagbe stated.

For years, human rights advocates and Nigerian Christians have raised concerns about the violence that has led to the killings of thousands across Nigeria's Middle Belt states, including Benue, in recent years, saying that radicalized herdsmen have attacked predominantly Christian farming communities.

While Christian leaders believe that the attacks have a religious element, the Nigerian government contends that the violence is part of decades-old farmer-herder clashes and has firmly pushed back against claims the violence amounts to religious "genocide."

In his testimony, the bishop characterized the occurrences as a "calculated genocide," sharing the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect's definition of genocide as "acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnical, racial or religious group."

"It is disheartening to note that since the atrocities started, nothing serious has been heard to happen to the perpetrators," Anagbe lamented. "Our national government has not shown convincing signs or real commitment to ending the killings. The inaction and silence about our plight by both government and powerful stakeholders all over the world prompts me too often [to] conclude that there is [a] conspiracy of silence and a strong desire to just watch the Islamists get away with genocide in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria."

Anagbe urged committee members to "come to the aid of the Christian community in Benue, and indeed in Nigeria as a whole, before it becomes too late."

The bishop argued that the violence against Christians, constituting a 97% majority in Benue, amounts to a religiously motivated jihad.

"In 1989, a gathering of Muslims in Nigeria adopted what is today known as the 'Abuja Islamic Declaration,'" he stated. "It is a declaration that has been adopted by the Islamic Council of Nigeria. The declaration outlines a vision for the role of Islam in Nigerian society, and it calls for the establishment of an Islamic State in Nigeria."

"The Abuja Islamic Declaration is strongly influenced by the ideas of the Egyptian Muslim [B]rotherhood and the Iranian revolution. The Declaration argues that Islam is a complete way of life that should guide all aspects of society, including politics, economics, and culture."

Anagbe attributed the "steady decline into religious bigotry" that has come to define his country to the Abuja Islamic Declaration. He maintained that "the blatant killing and displacement of Christian communities in Nigeria is done in fulfillment of the long-time promise by fundamentalist Islamic groups in Nigeria bent on 'dipping the Quran into the Atlantic Ocean,' a euphemism for conquering the Christian states of the middle belt and southern regions of Nigeria."

As he concluded his remarks, Anagbe called for Nigeria again to be placed on the U.S. State Department's list of "countries of particular concern" for engaging in or tolerating egregious violations of religious freedom.

He also signaled support for the "appointment of a Special Envoy to the Sub-Saharan Region of Africa to enable the truth about the issues we have been trying to bring to the attention of the West to come out."

Anagbe's testimony comes as the Biden administration has faced criticism for keeping Nigeria off the State Department's annual list of countries of particular concern, a designation for governments that engage in or tolerate egregious violations of religious freedom.

While the Trump administration added Nigeria to the list of CPCs in December 2020, the Biden administration did not assign that designation to Nigeria the following year, even though religious freedom advocacy organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the level of religious persecution there.

On its 2023 World Watch List, which ranks the countries of the world based on the degree of persecution and discrimination Christians are subjected to, Open Doors US identified Nigeria as the sixth-worst country for Christian persecution.

It cited Nigeria as the source of 89% of the total number of Christians killed for their faith in 2022. In an interview with The Christian Post at the time of the report's release, Open Doors US Interim CEO Lisa Pearce described the country's absence from the CPC list as a "difficult thing to reconcile."

A petition delivered to the White House last year urging the State Department to designate Nigeria as a CPC received 32,000 signatures. The petition, spearheaded by Revelation Media and Alliance Defending Freedom, came shortly before the State Department released its list of CPCs in 2022. For the second year in a row, the State Department's list of CDCs did not include Nigeria.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which makes recommendations to the State Department, spoke about the situation in Nigeria at Tuesday's hearing. He echoed Anagbe's call to place Nigeria on the CPC list and establish a Special Envoy for Nigeria.

"Nigeria has become a country steeped in religious freedom violations where people of faith and those of no faith at all increasingly live in fear of harassment, imprisonment and violence," he insisted. "It meets clearly the CPC standard under [the International Religious Freedom Act] as evident in the State Department's own [International Religious Freedom] Report released in May."

"It is also why USCIRF recommended the appointment of a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin to maximize U.S. diplomatic efforts, to address the atrocity risks and religious freedom violations."

Cooper called on members of Congress to pass House Resolution 82, which would express "the sense of Congress regarding the need to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in and tolerating systemic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom" as well as "the need to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad region."

Introduced by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, the measure has attracted 13 cosponsors: Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Ben Cline, R-Va., Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Mark Green, R-Tenn., French Hill, R-Ark., John James, R-Mich., Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., Jake LaTurner, R-Kan., Michael McCaul, R-Texas and Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla.

Republican Delegate Aumua Amata Coleman of American Samoa, a non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives, has also signed on to cosponsor the legislation. The House Foreign Affairs Committee has yet to bring it up for a vote in the nearly six months since it was introduced on Jan. 31.
Louisiana lawmakers override governor's veto to ban gender transition surgeries for minors

The Republican-controlled Louisiana legislature has overridden the Democratic governors veto of a measure banning gender transition surgeries for minors, making it one of nearly two dozen states to have passed such a measure.

On Tuesday, the Louisiana House of Representatives overrode Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards veto of House Bill 648 in a 76-23 vote, while the Louisiana Senate overrode the gubernatorial veto in a 28-11 vote. The votes in both chambers fell mostly along party lines.

Seven House Democrats joined House Republicans in supporting the veto override, while one Senate Republican joined Democrats in opposing it as two of his Democratic colleagues broke with their party to vote in favor of the override. The lone independent in the House of Representatives sided with Democrats by opposing the veto override.

House Bill 648, scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, prohibits healthcare professionals from providing trans-identified minors with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones and performing gender transition surgeries on them. It requires medical professionals who have already begun providing trans-identified youth with gender transition interventions to institute a period during which the minors use of the drug or hormone is systematically reduced and discontinued.

Additionally, the bill authorizes professional or occupational licensing boards to revoke the license of medical professionals who perform the prohibited procedures on minors and provides a cause of action for children harmed by such procedures to seek damages in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The veto override comes less than three weeks after Edwards announced that he was vetoing the bill in a lengthy June 28 letter to House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Senate President Patrick Page Cortez. Edwards reacted to the veto override in a statement published Tuesday. He described the bill as unconstitutional and contended that it needlessly harms a very small population of vulnerable children, their families, and their healthcare professionals.

See below for a statement from Governor John Bel Edwards on the conclusion of the 2023 veto session. To read the governors full six-page veto letter on HB648, click here (https://t.co/qOXtq01dnD). pic.twitter.com/GIzvkX9H8K  Gov. John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) July 18, 2023

Louisiana becomes one of 21 states that have passed legislation restricting the provision of some or all gender transition procedures on minors. The others are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

Supporters of such measures cite concerns about their long-term effects as the reason why such legislation is necessary. While such interventions are supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Pediatricians has listed possible side effects of puberty blockers as osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment, and when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility.

As for cross-sex hormones, the American College of Pediatricians identifies an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers across their lifespan as potential long-term effects.

Gender transition surgeries, which involve the removal of body parts that align with an individuals biological sex and/or the creation of body parts that correspond with their stated gender identity, have received renewed scrutiny as a result of lawsuits filed by detransitioners who once identified as a member of the opposite sex and underwent treatment for gender dysphoria that they have since seen subside.

Earlier this year, Chloe Cole, a young adult who formerly experienced gender dysphoria and underwent several gender transition procedures as a minor, filed a complaint against the medical providers who treated her as a teenager. The lawsuit contended that the gender affirming treatment Cole received caused her mental health to decline, specifically attributing the suicidal thoughts she experienced to the double mastectomy performed on her at age 15.

According to the lawsuit, Cole suffers from deep physical and emotional wounds, severe regrets, and distrust of the medical system. In addition to highlighting long-term damage to mental health as a consequence of gender transition surgeries, critics of the procedures also point to their physical effects as a cause for concern.

In March, the DeSantis War Room, a Twitter account that describes itself as a rapid response unit for Floridas Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, released images of unsightly scars left behind from gender transition surgeries that remove healthy breasts from trans-identified females and remove forearm tissue from girls who identify as boys in an effort to create a fake, flaccid penis.
Rhode Island school district will allow Good News Clubs following lawsuit

A Rhode Island school district has agreed to allow a Good News Club chapter to meet at school properties as it settles a religious discrimination lawsuit.

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Rhode Island, the Evangelical Christian organization behind the Good News Clubs, entered into a consent order with Providence Public School District on Tuesday.

According to the order, the school district will allow the Christian student group access to District facilities that is equal to and on the same terms as other similarly situated nonreligious organizations offering programs to students in the District.

Although Defendants do not concede all of the allegations of Plaintiffs Complaint and dispute some claims arising in this action, the Parties in this action wish to resolve this matter now and hereby consent to entry of this Consent Order, read the order.

Nothing in this Consent Order shall be construed to limit Child Evangelism Fellowship from seeking redress from, or filing a new action, for any future violations of its constitutional or statutory rights alleged to occur after entry of this Consent Order and unrelated to the specific claims raised in this action.

The order notes that CEF will file its motion for attorneys fees and costs in accordance with the terms of this Consent Order and Final Judgment.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, whose organization helped to represent CEF in the litigation, said in a statement that the order is a great victory for Child Evangelism Fellowship and the students and parents of the Providence School District.

Public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities, stated Staver. Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a biblically based education that includes moral and character development. Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school.

Providence officials had allowed a Good News Club chapter to meet at William DAbate Elementary School during the 2019-2020 school year. But the program was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When CEF tried to restart the club following the easing of lockdowns and to launch a new chapter at Leviton Elementary School, the school district did not respond to their requests.

While refusing to approve the Good News Club request, the school district allowed other after-school programs like the Boy Scouts and Girls on the Run to meet at their facilities.

In response, CEF filed a lawsuit in March against the school district and Superintendent Javier Montanez in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Last week, the district court held a hearing on the CEFs request for a preliminary injunction and ordered the two parties to meet and eventually submit a joint status report.

In 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in the case of Good News Club v. Milford Central School that public schools could not ban the Christian student group from meeting on their property after class hours solely because the club was religious in nature.
Rock Church named in lawsuit over death of former elder's 11-year-old daughter

The Rock Church in San Diego, California, and one employee have been named among several defendants in a civil lawsuit alleging numerous failures to report and investigate child abuse less than a year after Leticia McCormack, a one-time elder and former volunteer, was charged with the murder of her 11-year-old adopted daughter, Arabella.

The 27-page lawsuit, filed on behalf of Arabella's two surviving younger sisters, also names among the defendants the San Diego Police Department and one of its officers, the San Diego Fire Rescue Department and one of its employees, the Pacific Coast Academy and two of its employees, San Diego County Child Welfare Services and two of its employees as well as McCormack, the estate of her late husband Brian McCormack, and her parents, Adella and Stanley Tom.

"The defendants in this case include not only the perpetrators of this horrific abuse  Leticia McCormack, Brian McCormack (sued through his estate), Adella Tom (Leticia's mother), and Stanley Tom (Leticia's father), but also the individuals and entities who interacted with the McCormacks and the girls in the weeks, months and years leading up to Arabella's death, and who owed mandatory duties to report the girls' neglect to the proper authorities," the lawsuit reads.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, 49-year-old McCormack was arrested with her parents on Nov. 7, 2022.

Along with murder, McCormack is charged with three counts of torture and three counts of willful cruelty to a child. Her mother was charged with three counts each of torture and willful cruelty to a child, while her father was charged with murder and similar counts of torture and willful cruelty to a child.

The arrests came after months of investigation by the police, who first responded to a call about a child in distress at a home in Spring Valley on Aug. 30, 2022. Detectives who responded to the call suspected possible child abuse in the home, and Arabella was rushed to a local hospital, where she died.

Arabella's younger sisters, ages 6 and 7, were also removed from the home and placed in foster care. When McCormack's husband, Brian McCormack, who worked as a border patrol officer, was contacted by police about his adopted daughter's death, officials say he fatally shot himself inside his truck near the home.

Even though Rock Church Senior Pastor Miles McPherson said in a previous statement that McCormack had passed multiple background checks that revealed nothing to suggest her life was on track toward tragedy, the lawsuit alleges that individuals at the church were aware that her children were being neglected or abused.

"During the course of her involvement with the church, the Rock Church (through its volunteers and employees) became aware of issues of child neglect and/or abuse relating to Ms. McCormack," the complaint alleges. "After Arabella' s death, church member Janet Horvath reported that she saw A.M. and E.M. in December 2021 at the McCormacks' home and that they looked like 'little ghosts.' She said that Arabella was kept upstairs away from her while she visited. She said that she was concerned for the girls because they appeared 'fragile' and smaller than her own grandchildren."

It is further alleged that McCormack told her prayer group that Arabella had "bad behaviors" and they were wrestling with "spiritual warfare" in the home.

"Ms. Horvath was part of a prayer group at the Rock Church that prayed for the McCormack girls. Ms. McCormack told the prayer group that Arabella had 'bad behaviors,' that they couldn't have people over, and that there was 'spiritual warfare' both appeared younger than their ages due to underdevelopment," the lawsuit states.

A representative of Rock Church declined to comment on the pending litigation when contacted by media outlets.

In his statement to Rock Church congregants last November, McPherson gave no indication that the church had been concerned about abuse in the McCormack home.

"I know when things happen like this there are a lot of questions about how it could have happened, and why it happened. And we have the same questions and we got to go to the Lord for those, for comfort in that situation. It's also bewildering because there were so many background checks that were done," McPherson said in an address.

"She was a volunteer for law enforcement. She was background checked by law enforcement, was background checked by Child Protective Services because she was a foster mother, an adoptive parent, her, and her husband, and obviously, we did a background check," he explained. "After all that and nothing revealed that anything like this would happen, could happen. And so, we would just ask that you would pray for everybody involved. There are a lot of people who do know her and know the family and are struggling with this."
UMC conference cant stop church from pursuing disaffiliation, judge rules

A judge has ruled that a United Methodist Church congregation in Oklahoma can't be prevented from pursuing disaffiliation from the denomination, ruling against the regional body.

Oklahoma County District Court Judge Aletia Timmons ruled in favor of First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City on Monday, concluding that the Oklahoma Conference had wrongfully delayed the congregation's process of discernment.

Timmons ruled that the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference committed several actions that prevented the congregation from joining 55 other churches in disaffiliating during a meeting in April. He ordered the conference and delegates to consider and vote on the church's disaffiliation.

According to The Oklahoman, the ruling gives the conference until Aug. 6 to hold another disafiliation gathering to hold the vote in which delegates from the 55 churches that have disaffiliated must be allowed to vote.

First UMC member Hardy Patton, a spokesperson for the congregation, told the Oklahoma City-based KOCO News 5 on Tuesday that he was "ecstatic with the ruling because we were looking for a way to be made whole."

Patton also said that while the conference "never specifically told us" why there were delays in the discernment process, he speculated that First UMC's property had something to do with it.

"But obviously, this is a very valuable building. Whether or not they wanted to have the building or control the building, whatever the case might be, we think that played a large role," Patton continued.

"We have always been a traditional, conservative-minded church. I think it will be back to business as usual. Hopefully, we can get back to actually focusing on ministry instead of focused on litigation."

The UMC Oklahoma Conference opposed the ruling and intends to appeal "without delay," saying in a statement shared with media that the decision "interferes with what is and should be an internal church process protected under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution."

"The District Court has no right to intervene in the internal affairs of a religious entity, and this unwarranted and erroneous decision represents a threat to all institutions of faith within the State of Oklahoma," the conference argues. "This is not a property dispute."

In April, the Oklahoma Conference held a special called conference in which they voted to approve the disaffiliations of 55 congregations that had been part of the UMC regional body.

Oklahoma Bishop James G. Nunn said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post at the time that he recognized "how painful and emotional these decisions are for all involved."

"I am comforted that the process for today's vote was carried out according to the requirements identified in our denomination and conference disaffiliation agreements," stated Nunn.

First UMC of Downtown Oklahoma City was not allowed to proceed with the disaffiliation process, with members believing that the conference was acting unfairly.

On June 1, First UMC announced filing a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Conference, with Patton saying that his church had "exhausted every other avenue."

"At least 75% of our congregation expressed a desire to disaffiliate, which is well above the 66% threshold, so we expected a relatively seamless transition," said Patton at the time.

"Unfortunately, leaders within our governing body have unfairly impeded our departure by deliberately ignoring their own rules and procedures. We allege their motive is greed."

Beginning last year, thousands of congregations have successfully left the UMC due to the mainline denomination's ongoing debate over whether to allow for the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of people in same-sex romantic relationships.

Although the UMC Book of Discipline prohibits both practices, many progressive leaders within the denomination have refused to follow or enforce the rules.

This has led large numbers of conservatives to leave the UMC, with many departing congregations affiliating with the recently created Global Methodist Church.

According to numbers compiled by UM News accessed Wednesday, nearly 6,200 churches have left the UMC since 2019, with more than 4,100 departing this year alone.
Why African countries are resisting LGBT ideology

The advancement of LGBT ideology is suffering a major setback in Africa. About 32 African countries have already criminalized homosexuality, lesbianism, same-sex marriage and transgenderism. Every effort to introduce these practices has been vehemently opposed by the people of Africa, and laws are coming up to ensure that these are not practiced at all. Nigeria criminalized homosexuality in 2014 with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.

Recently, Uganda passed the anti-LGBT bill into law, and members of the Parliament have vowed to resist outside pressure. Despite wide condemnation from Western countries, the European Union and United Nations, the Ugandan government remains persistent in implementing the law.

Ghana has also passed an anti-LGBT bill that will criminalize LGBT advocacy and jail LGBT people for at least five years. The Ghanaian Parliament has vowed to fight back if any sanction is imposed on members of Parliament or on the country as a whole by the United States or any other Western nations.

According to Sam George  a member of the Ghanaian Parliament  We will serve notice to Western powers that we have taken judicial notice of what they have done to the speaker of Uganda and the sponsors of [the] anti-LGBTQ bill. We will serve notice as well that if they replicate [the] same with our speaker and members of our Parliament, we will also take actions against their business interest in our country.

Why is it that African governments are so audacious?

Most African politicians are not religious people. Despite their personal moral failures, they found it difficult to comprehend same-sex marriage and the possibility of a man sleeping with a man or a woman sleeping with a woman. Even Muslims and pagans in Africa are saying no to the LGBT ideology.

It is about the collective consciences of the Africans who cannot abide by these newly adopted Western values. African societies have so far stood their ground on this issue. That is not likely to change anytime soon.
Christian genocide in Nigeria: 5 facts you need to know

Hundreds of lives have been lost and hundreds of homes have been burned since the start of 2019, raising questions again about the truth behind the violence occurring between Fulani Muslim herdsmen and predominantly Christian farmers in Nigerias Middle Belt.

While conflicts between nomadic herdsmen and farmers in the Middle Belt date back decades, theres been a noticeable increase in deadly massacres across several states in the Middle Belt of Nigeria since January 2018, where people were slaughtered and communities razed.

In addition to the seemingly countless numbers of people killed, it has been estimated that as many as 300,000 people have been displaced from their homes by the communal violence.

Whats happening in the Middle Belt of Nigeria can be confusing for onlookers outside the country because of the fact that there are competing narratives.

One narrative labels the Fulani attacks against Christian farmers a genocide perpetrated by radicalized Islamic herders looking to drive out Christians from their homes.

A second narrative paints the killings as being part of a years-old conflict exacerbated by several factors, including increased Fulani herdsmen migration due to the Boko Haram insurgency and the desertification in the north.

In the following pages are five key facts you need to know about the Fulani conflict in Nigeria.

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Nigerian troops kill 2 gunmen, arrest 5 in southern state

Lagos, July 19 (UNI) The Nigerian military killed two gunmen and arrested five others in a recent encounter with members of a rebel group in the southern Delta state, authorities said.

Gunmen from the Indigenous People of Biafra, a separatist group active in southern Nigeria, on Monday attacked a community in the Fuji area of Asaba city, the state capital of Delta, army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement late Tuesday.

The gunmen "succumbed to the overwhelming firepower" of local army troops dispatched to the community. Two gunmen were killed and others fled the scene, Nwachukwu said.
'Entire diocese shattered': Nigerian bishop calls on world to act after Pentecost Sunday massacre

Just weeks after an attack on a Catholic church in southwestern Nigeria on Pentecost Sunday left dozens dead and injured many more, the diocese's bishop is urging the international community to speak out against the killing of Christians in his country.

Bishop Jude Arogundade of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ondo spoke with The Christian Post on the sidelines of the International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C., late last month. He discussed the June 5 bomb-and-gun attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo. Around 40 people were killed, with some reports suggesting up to 80 were injured.

Arogundade hopes his presence at the annual conference "put out there for the whole world to see" what happened to his diocese and what is taking place in other parts of Nigeria.

He said that on Pentecost Sunday, "some terrorists came to St. Francis Church and opened fire on worshipers." The massacre "left the entire community broken" and the "entire diocese shattered," the bishop said.

In the weeks that followed, Arogundade said the diocese has tried to determine why anyone would "attack us for no reason" and also provided support to injured people and families who've lost loved ones.

He said one woman had two legs amputated because of injuries she sustained in the bomb blast and will need "long-term care."

Arogundade also spoke of children who "lost their father some years back" whose mother died in the attack, leaving them orphaned.

"We've done everything to raise money here and there, to provide them the education they need," the bishop added.

The diocese is also working to prepare the churches with cameras to prevent future "episodes."

"[We're] trying to educate our people on security matters in our diocese," he stated.

According to Arogundade, the southwestern portion of Nigeria where the diocese is located "is really a stable part of Nigeria" and has "never had this kind of incident before."

"We're so shocked and surprised that anyone would come from far away  to attack us," Arogundade told CP.

He praised the response of the Ondo state government, noting that "the governor has been very, very gracious and very, very supportive."

However, he claims the federal government's response to the attack is "lousy" and similar to its response to the frequent attacks against Christians in other parts of Nigeria. Arogundade claims the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has elected to "just look away, playing dumb."

In recent years, thousands have been killed by violence in the country's Middle Belt states as radicalized Fulani herders have been known to carry out attacks against predominantly Christian farming communities. In the country's northeast, Islamic extremist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have killed thousands and displaced millions.

Human rights advocates have argued for years that violence against Christians in Nigeria has reached the standard for "genocide." However, the Nigerian government maintains that religion is not a factor and has written off the violence in the Middle Belt states as decades-old farmer-herder clashes.

Arogundade characterizes the attacks against Christians in Nigeria as "ethnoreligious." He believes that what's happened in Nigeria "has gotten to that level of genocide."

He called for an "outcry from all decent people of the world so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice."

Arogundade criticized the U.S. State Department's removal of Nigeria from its list of countries of particular concern for tolerating or engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom last November. Nigeria was added to the list in 2020 by the Trump State Department after years of outcry from Nigerian Christians and rights activists.

In removing Nigeria as a CPC, the State Department ignored the recommendation of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent panel tasked by Congress to advise the federal government on religious freedom matters.

"Whoever did it must have acted out of ignorance, lack of understanding of what is going on," Arogundade said. "Every day, there are attacks here and there all over Nigeria, except for the southwest that has been very stable for some years now."

The religious leader called on U.S. leaders to disclose why Nigeria was removed from the list of CPCs and "make [a] pronouncement to stop the killing."

"That would be a kind of general understanding that America is complicit in whatever is going on to protect lives and properties of innocent Nigerian Christians" whose "only crime is that they believe in God" and "believe in Jesus Christ," Arogundade said.

"I just want the whole world to see and to hear and to know our story. We need to ask a question from the leadership of Nigeria why they are not protecting us, why they are not taking proactive actions to protect law-abiding citizens of the nation."

In releasing its annual international religious freedom report last month, the U.S. State Department acknowledged that "pervasive violence involving predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian, but also Muslim, farmers, particularly in the North Central, but also in the North West (where most farmers were Muslim) and South West regions."

Data from the Nigeria security tracker maintained by the Council on Foreign Relations suggests that an estimated 10,399 deaths occurred from conflict in 2021. The council estimated that 1,112 deaths "resulted from violence among ethnic groups, herdsmen, and farmers, some of which had implications for religion and religious freedom, according to multiple observers or, in the words of the council, 'sometimes acquires religious overtones.'"

While predominantly Muslim Fulani radicals are often blamed for attacks on farming communities, the State Department maintained that attacks were also perpetrated by "armed criminal groups of various ethnicities."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken "raised religious freedom issues with government officials in a visit in November, as did embassy and consulate general officials throughout the year," according to the State Department annual report.

Arogundade pleaded for stronger action from the international community.

"There are so many questions to be asked, and I see that in asking those questions, the world will be able to compel the leadership of Nigeria to give answers to those questions," he believes.

He rejected the idea that much of the violence unfolding in Nigeria results from conflicts between farmers and herders.

"I am very careful to say it's not a conflict between farmers and herders. No, it is an attack from the herders," he insisted.

"Farmers have never attacked anybody. It is the herder that goes around with the herd to devastate people's farms and destroy the livelihood of the people. [The] government has allowed this for too long to continue to happen."

The bishop reiterated his belief that herders "attacking the locals and taking over their properties and their farms" constitutes a form of "ethnic cleansing." He concluded that "they also attack churches in order to impose their Islamic religion."
Orthodox group accuses Tucker Carlson of spreading 'Russian propaganda' on Christian persecution

The Orthodox Public Affairs Committee has condemned former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson's recent comments about Christian persecution in Ukraine, accusing the media personality of spreading "Russian propaganda."

The U.S.-based organization advocating for the global Orthodox church criticized Carlson in a Monday statement provided to The Christian Post, charging the conservative pundit with creating further division during his Friday interview with former Vice President Mike Pence.

"The Orthodox Public Affairs Committee (OPAC) expresses its deep concern over media personalities, like Tucker Carlson, who continue to spout Russian propaganda about so-called persecution of Christians in Ukraine," the OPAC statement reads.

"Carlson, who has little or no understanding of the complexities of the religious reality of Ukraine, only forments more division with his nonsensical statements as he did in an interview with former Vice-President Mike Pence at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa over the weekend."

Carlson's interview with the 2024 presidential hopeful occurred at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Iowa, this past weekend.

At one point during the interview, Carlson questioned Pence if he asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the treatment of Christians in Ukraine during his meeting with the leader in June. Pence had voiced support for the U.S. giving Ukraine resources to thwart the Russian invasion.

Carlson said that Zelensky's government had raided convents, arrested priests and "effectively banned a Christian denomination."

Pence responded that he asked a Ukrainian Orthodox leader about the issue when visiting Kyiv, who assured the former Indiana governor that Zelensky's government is respecting religious liberty.

According to Pence, the church leader said the Zelensky government was being cautious due to elements of the Russian Orthodox Church attempting to "advance the Russian cause in Ukraine."

The OPAC, which was founded by a former Trump White House official in 2020, stated that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church cut ties with the Moscow Patriarchate  the Russian Orthodox Church  following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarch Krill, has publicly endorsed Russia's war with Ukraine, and Russian clergy members who disagree with him have faced punishments.

As OPAC noted, 1 million UOC adherents are in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, which the group noted creates an additional complication, as "the Kyiv Caves Monastery is central to Ukrainian Orthodox identity."

In March, Ukraine instructed the UOC church with historic ties to Russia to vacate its 980-year-old Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex. The Ukrainian culture ministry claimed that the church "violated the terms of the agreement regarding the use of state property," while UOC initially claimed it was the victim of a political witch hunt.

"The house arrest of the UOC Abbot of the Monastery, Metropolitan Pavel, and the subsequent expulsion of the UOC clergy and monastics from the Monastery occurred because of security concerns over the suspicion that some UOC clergy might be a Russian 'fifth column' in Ukraine," OPAC explained.

"OPAC in no way condones religious persecution of any group, but acknowledges that until the UOC situation is resolved in some canonical way and integrated with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), there will be inevitable and occasionally unfortunate repercussions," the group continued. "The complicity of the Moscow Patriarchate's leadership in the war crimes being perpetrated in Ukraine remains deeply hurtful and divisive. It is clear that this leadership is under the total control of Putin and his henchmen."

The public advocacy group called for the Ecumenical Patriarchate to facilitate communication between UOC under Metropolitan Onufry and the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) under Metropolitan Epiphaniy. OPAC believes that this action will establish a "unified national identity" under the country's Orthodox Church and provide UOC with "canonical standing" following its split from the Moscow Patriarchate in May 2022.

"OPAC, in addition to its demand for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, insists on punitory measures including trials for war crimes for all who have prosecuted this unjust and horrific war," the group concluded.

Regarding the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, groups such as Global Christian Relief have raised concerns about Russia conducting a religious persecution campaign in Ukraine. In an interview earlier this month with CP, David Curry, the head of Global Christian Relief, highlighted various instances of religious persecution in Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion.

These attacks have involved the targeting of churches and worship leaders, with many leaders in the Russian Orthodox Church justifying these actions. According to Curry, many of these leaders believe that Russia is "divinely inspired" to take the land.

In a report last month, Global Christian Relief broke down how Russian soldiers seized the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity in Mariupol two months ago. After expelling the clergy, around 30 troops remained inside the church building, as its proximity to occupied residential areas made it an effective shield.

The Ukrainian Institute for Religious Freedom shared data in late January at the Summit on International Religious Freedom that suggested that the Russian military has destroyed nearly 500 religious buildings, theological institutions and sacred places since the beginning of the invasion.

Russia has also murdered at least 26 religious leaders while torturing and imprisoning others, according to testimony from Dmytro Vovk of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights during a March U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom hearing.
Are universities the elite training camps for LGBT indoctrination?

A new report is claiming over a third of an Ivy League institutions students identify as LGBT, revealing the power of universities to brainwash and pressure students into conformity. According to The Brown Daily Herald, 38% of students at Brown University identify as LGBT, up from 14% in 2010.

Not only does this mean that the number of self-identified LGBT students at Brown has almost tripled in less than 15 years, but it now also stands at five times the national rate of American adults identifying as LGBT  even amongst the general populace aged 18-25, less than 20% identify as LGBT. Since the rest of the nation isnt following the same sexual orientation trend as Browns students, it stands to reason the demographic explosion isnt occurring naturally.

So whats brought it about?

Indoctrination is the first explanation that comes to mind, and with good reason. Higher education in the U.S. has, by and large, fallen from being an intellectual training ground for critical thinking and a place for fine-tuning unique or technical skills to being a bastion of leftist thought, brainwashing students into embracing the latest far-left ideological fads. Brown doesnt stand alone in this instance: according to a report published last year by the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology, nearly 40% of students at liberal arts colleges identify as LGBT, and back in 2018, both Yale and Harvard reported increasing rates of students identifying as LGBT. This rainbow ideology has been a hallmark of the leftist intellectual onslaught, one that universities have pushed rabidly.

First, theres the prevalence of LGBT ideology in the classroom. Some of the more glaring examples include a Penn State sociology professor instructing students to watch gay and lesbian pornography, the University of Miami outright encouraging students to undergo gender transition procedures, the Penn State student government voting to fund transgender name changes, a San Francisco State University professor lecturing on queer history, Oxford introducing an LGBT history course, and the once-Catholic University of Notre Dame offering lectures on Queer Holiness.

Brown has notably offered numerous LGBT courses over the years.

Nor are religiously-affiliated schools entirely safe: Texas Christian University is offering a Queer Art of Drag course, and medical students at Catholic Jesuit-run Loyola University Chicago are being taught gender transition procedures for children, despite the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops explicitly condemning the practice for both children and adults. These are just some of the more glaring examples leading to claims of LGBT indoctrination.

Second, the LGBT dogma isnt simply instilled in students but enforced amongst university faculty, and those who dare to dissent are rooted out and penalized. University of Alberta professor Kathleen Lowrey was demoted for insisting men cant be pregnant. Northwestern University professor Michael Baileys recent paper on gender dysphoria in adolescents was retracted after LGBT activists protested his claim that social contagion and peer pressure play a role in teens identifying as LGBT. St. Phillips College in Texas has been accused of firing biology professor Johnson Varkey for clarifying that chromosomes determine biological sex. Madera Community College professor David Richardson was suspended after bringing chocolates to campus labeled she/her for plain and he/him for chocolate with nuts. Southern Utah University allegedly fired Professor Richard Bugg for refusing to use a students preferred pronouns. Shawnee State University threatened professor Nicholas Meriwether for the same, costing the school over $400,000 after Meriwether sued. Over a third of college and university faculty reported they self-censor their thoughts and opinions in interviews and lectures, fearing for their jobs. Even students are policed  for example, a University of Cincinnati professor reportedly failed a student for using the term biological woman in a project.

This indoctrination isnt relegated to colleges and universities  academia is simply the breeding ground. Once higher education does its dirty work, the newly-commissioned LGBT devotees go forth to preach their gospel to others, especially in the public education system. Call it trickle-down indoctrination. A report published by the Washington Examiner this week reveals most colleges have replaced reading, writing, and arithmetic requirements for future teachers with woke diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements. University students are trained to teach children as young as 3 to consider being gay, attacking whites, ripping rich people, promoting Black Lives Matter, and combating climate change. This trickle-down indoctrination has also had its effect, with almost a quarter of high school students identifying as LGBT according to the CDC, up from just over 10% in 2015.

But its important to note that all this indoctrination results predominantly in students identifying as LGBT, not necessarily living as LGBT. Meg Kilgannon, Family Research Councils senior fellow for Education Studies, told The Washington Stand, [I]ts one thing to say youre pansexual and another thing altogether to have sex with a transsexual. Its easy to say and not so easy to actually do, I would think. Especially if you spend all your free time on Discord servers and game comment sections. Research backs this up.

Social science researcher Eric Kaufmann noted last month that the number of young people identifying as LGBT doesnt match the rate of LGBT sexual activity  the latter is significantly lower. He told The College Fix:

LGBT behavior is up 4 points among young people since 2008, but LGBT identity is up 11 points  If this was about people feeling able to come out, then we should have seen these two trends rise together. What we find instead is that identity is rising much faster than behavior, indicating that people with occasional rather than sustained feelings of attraction to the opposite sex are increasingly identifying as LGBT.

Kilgannon noted that LGBT ideology is only part of the broader issue  sexual immorality. She noted that colleges are promoting an atmosphere of debauchery that knows no limit in modern life. Its nothing new, remember the Playboy list of Top Ten party schools? but added, Pornography has done this work on youth long before they get to college. Our whole culture is brainwashing kids to be LGBT and to blame colleges gives them more credit than they might deserve.

Colleges and universities may be the elite training centers for LGBT indoctrination, but the practice pervades the entire culture, from Hollywood to corporate America to the federal government.

Originally published at The Washington Stand.
What is the mission in missional living?

Is missional living becoming merely an ethical lifestyle of Christian deeds? Is it becoming increasingly vulnerable to cultural influences? Is our courage to speak about the Gospel declining? Missional living cannot discount its prophetic mission. In every epoch, effective missional living was characterized by its ability to speak the Gospel in spite of the culture.



Surely, our message is also assessed by our deeds of love and compassion, and we should definitely strive to grow in Christ-likeness. We cannot neglect to vivify our witness of the infallible Good News, and communicate the Gospels power of grace. Otherwise, missional living can become indistinguishable from other well-meaning religions.

Jesus said, You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times (Matt. 16:3). In context, His point was that teachers of Gods Word should have discerned the overwhelming prophetic utterances that pointed to Him as their Savior. A parallel learning for us is that we too must discern our times and necessitate the uniqueness of His ageless grace. The signs of our times indicate subtle intimidation when we attempt to verbalize the message that is in our hearts. The tension between cultural thought and our treasured Gospel is at an all-time high. Its an arduous task to go against this cultural tide.

In 2008, the late Tim Keller captured the rise of this cultural tide in his highly acclaimed book, The Reason for God: Faith in an Age of Skepticism. He wrote:

Is a belief in absolute truth the enemy of freedom? Most people Ive met in New York City believe that it is. Christianity names some beliefs heresy and some practices immoral. It bars from its community those who transgress its doctrinal and moral boundaries. This seems to contemporary observers to endanger civic freedoms, because it divides rather than unites our population ... Finally, it seems to enslave or at least infantilize its members, determining what they must believe and practice in every particular.

Keller discerned correctly how people in the West are thinking about Christianity. In addition, people are now being encouraged to question everything, especially Christian claims. Believers are challenged to provide answers within a culture that is intellectually stubborn. How can we increase our confidence in speaking the Gospel to contemporary persons who are typically contrarian?

We must first overcome our fears, and acknowledge that Christian faith was not intended to be an individually private belief. The Bible says, Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15). In apologetic ministry, we quote this verse as a mandate; but contextually, we should note that the believers were undergoing persecution and immense push-backs. Their cultural milieu was hostile, and so Peter was encouraging them to be steadfast in their counter-cultural witness of Gods grace, albeit with gentleness and respect. A prophetic approach doesnt seek to win in a dialogue; neither does it seek to formulate arguments that make a believer appear brighter than questioners.

Realistically, Christians have never been, nor ever will be, free from antagonism. A dedication to genuine missional living will attract opposition. In the midst of wolves, missional living entails being wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16). The natural person doesnt welcome admonishment of sin, and a message of repentance is obnoxious. Yet sin and salvation must be part of any meaningful conversation that is faithful to John 3:16.

Missional living should be conscious of possessing a powerful message and it shouldnt be ashamed of it. Paul addressed the powerful Roman culture of his day by emphatically stating: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16). If God so loved the world, and we have personally tasted this love, then neither should we be ashamed of such a wonderful message.



When we engage people intelligently with love and proper tonality, Gods love and grace can accomplish something special.
Deuteronomy: preparation for entering the Promised Land

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on Deuteronomy and the significance for the Israelites of entering the Promised Land.

The Jewish community have now entered a new phase in the calendar, with the Book of Deuteronomy read at Shul, followed by the Fast of the 9th of the month of Av. In Hebrew, this book is known as Devarim, meaning words or things. And in fact these are no longer the words of G-d via Moses that speak, but rather the words of Moses himself.

Moses will not himself enter the Promised Land, but he knows that the moment has now arrived when the Children of Israel will have to leave the relative comfort of life in the desert with him as leader and mouth-piece for G-d, for the tricky task of negotiating life in the real world, so to speak.

The Jewish sages refer to the 5th Book of Devarim as Mishne Torah, a repetition or review of the Torah itself. Since the commandments were given earlier, at Sinai, or at the Tent of Meeting, during the first year after the Exodus from Egypt, how were the narratives and commandments of Devarim chosen?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (Germany 1808-88) explains that Devarim is Israel's Introduction to the new life they would be making for themselves in Eretz Israel. Once they crossed the River Jordan, they would no longer experience G-d's presence and daily miracles, as they had in the wilderness. They would have to become far more pro-active themselves. They would have to plough, plant and harvest. They would have to establish law courts and a government, and provide for and protect the poor and the helpless.

In order to do all this, as well as avoid the snares and customs of their idolatrous neighbours and false prophets, they would need backbone, faith and self-discipline. This is why the Book of Devarim encourages the people to be strong. So the fifth Book is not simply a repetition of what has gone before, but includes a large number of new laws.

The Vilna Gaon (Lithuania 1720-97) states the situation as follows:

'The first four books [of the Torah] were heard directly from the Holy One, Blessed is He, through the throat of Moses. Not so Devarim. Israel heard the words of this Book the same way they heard the words of the prophets who came after Moses. The Holy One, Blessed is He, would speak to the prophet today and on a later day he would go and make the vision known to Israel. Accordingly, at the time the prophet spoke to the people, the word of G-d had already been removed from him. So too, the Book of Devarim was heard in the mouth of Moses himself.'

In Devarim, Moses chose the words and conveyed the commandments as he understood them. Devarim began as the Oral Law conveyed by Moses, and then when G-d commanded Moses to inscribe his words in the Torah, it became part of the Written Torah. This is why Moses is known in Hebrew as 'rabbenu, 'our teacher.' For not only was Moses the conduit through which G-d's words were transmitted verbatim to Israel, he was also the teacher who explained these words.

This is why teachers are probably the most revered people in Judaism. Greater than priests, prophets, political pundits, judges, or monarchs, the 'teacher' is the Jewish leader par excellence, and in this, Judaism is unique. At a pinch the Jewish people have learned to do without priests, prophets and monarchs.

As for political pundits and judges, many are simply 'here today and gone tomorrow'. But teachers are people who continuously learn and then give over what they have learned. Is there any other religion in which the handing down of religious knowledge gleaned from continuous education is esteemed so greatly? As it states in the very popular Mishnah Pirke Avot, for example, 'Make yourself a teacher, and get yourself a friend.' (Chapter 1, v 6).

In other words, you yourself have to be active in finding the right teacher. Mere obedience is not the Jewish way. But a true teacher is a friend indeed, as the Mishnah so rightly states.

This time of year when we start reading the new Book of Devarim always falls in the month of Av, best known for the most mournful day in the Jewish calendar, the Fast of the 9th of Av. This is when we fast all day and read the Book of Eichah (Lamentations), seated on the ground or on low stools. So many tragic events took place at this time of year, including the destruction of the First Temple by Babylon in 586 BCE, and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. In addition, we have the expulsion of the Jews of Spain in 1492 and the start of World War One in 1914, to mention but a few.

This is also, as we have seen from the news, often an unbearably hot and arid time of year, when activity isn't possible and lassitude takes hold.

Maybe this is to remind us that entering the Promised Land is not a bed of roses after all, and we have much to contemplate. Not for us the dash to possession, but the careful and often impossibly tragic dilemmas which await in an arid country surrounded by outer enemies and inner pitfalls . And yet, this poignant period in the Jewish calendar will eventually lead to another Jewish New Year, and the start of the new cycle of 'In the beginning....'

For as it states in the accompanying Haftorah for Devarim (Isaiah 1: 1-27) 'Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will become as white as snow; if they have reddened like crimson, they will become like wool. If you show willing and listen, you will partake of the goodness of the land' (verses 18 and 19).

So even the most negative of predictions ends on a positive note, and that is how we feel at the end of the Fast of Av, chastened, but uplifted and ready to start anew.
Mother jailed over illegal at-home abortion to be freed

A woman jailed for illegally taking abortion pills to abort her baby at home when she was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant is to be freed.

Carla Foster, 44, is being released after the Court of Appeal reduced her 28-month prison sentence to 14 months suspended.

"It is a case that calls for compassion, not punishment," said Dame Victoria Sharp, sitting with Lord Justice Holroyde and Mrs Justice Lambert at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

Foster carried out the abortion at home during the first lockdown in May 2020 using pills sent to her by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) on the basis of information she provided that led the abortion provider to believe she was seven weeks pregnant - three weeks below the legal threshold for using the pills by post service.

Her release has been welcomed by BPAS and pro-abortion campaigners who have called existing laws "cruel" and "antiquated", and are calling for full decriminalisation.

Pro-life group Right to Life UK, however, has expressed alarm about the calls for decriminalisation and is instead urging a full inquiry into how Foster was able to procure the pills from BPAS.

Right to Life UK is calling for legal protections for the unborn to remain, and a return to in-person appointments before abortions take place to ensure that the gestation of babies can be accurately assessed.

Spokeswoman for the group, Catherine Robertson, said, "The government must firmly reject changing legislation to make abortion legal right up to birth, as is proposed by abortion campaigners, led by BPAS, who are using this tragic case to call for the removal of more abortion safeguards and to build momentum for their campaign to introduce abortion up to birth across the United Kingdom.

"At at least 32 weeks or around 8 months gestation, Baby Lily was a fully formed human child. If her mother had been given an in-person appointment by BPAS, she would still be alive.

"Rather than take responsibility for sending out abortion pills 22 weeks beyond the legal limit for at-home abortions and risking the health of the mother as well as her unborn child, this same abortion provider, BPAS, is now cynically exploiting this woman's tragic experience of using its abortion service to lobby the Government to give in to demands from the campaign they are leading in order to introduce abortion up to birth."

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is urging supporters to contact their MPs asking them to resist efforts towards full decriminalisation.

Alithea Williams, Public Policy Manager at SPUC, said, "We need make it clear to MPs that this tragic case should not be used to remove all protection from unborn babies. Indeed, baby Lily's death shows that safeguards around the pills by post scheme are entirely inadequate, and it should be scrapped."



Bishop John Sherrington, the Catholic Church's Lead Bishop for Life Issues, said: "I reiterate the consistent teaching of the Church that both the mother and the unborn child should be afforded the protection of the law and that abortion is always a tragedy for all concerned.

"It is important that the law which protects the life of the unborn child is upheld. In this case I welcome the court's decision to show mercy and compassion so that Carla Foster is reunited with her children and her family life can continue."

He added, "I raise again the concern that telemedicine (pills by post), which allows the home termination of pregnancies of up to 10 weeks, is dangerous for the health of women."
The key to advancing God's kingdom in the Global South is their autonomy

In the West, accessing a Bible is the natural next step when someone gives their life to Christ. There is no uncertainty around their safety in search of the scriptures. There are no language or legal barriers.

Western faith leaders, authors and scholars have the freedom of access to play pivotal roles in progressing evangelism, activism, and discipleship. Mega churches and church plants alike are well-resourced to engage in the advancement of God's kingdom. Church leaders are armed with the scriptures with an abundance of theological understanding, training, and study behind them.

The Global South looks very different. Hundreds of millions of people in the Global South do not have access to God's Word in their heart language. This may suggest a restriction on evangelism when the reality is the Church is experiencing exponential growth.

I grew up during the Second Sudanese War. Born into a nonreligious family, all around me people were dying. I asked myself 'Where are these people going?'. I had to have an answer because I knew the time would come when I would die.

When I was 10 years old, Muslim troops invaded my community. My mum kissed me and said 'You go northward. May you have peace.' She knew my life was at risk that day.

I ran with the hope that I would survive.

I ended up in a predominantly Muslim town as an orphan and searching for my own destiny, I believed my heart would be filled through Islam. But I still couldn't find the answers to my questions.

I accepted an invitation to attend a Christian gathering and found the fulfilment I had been searching for and dedicated my life to Christ.

Today I lead a team that is making the Scriptures accessible to 133 people groups totaling more than 44 million people.

In this work, autonomy is key. In recent years, there has been a growing movement within Bible translation networks to facilitate Church-Centric Bible Translation (CCBT). This shift carries an emphasis on the autonomy of local churches in the global South to translate the Bible into their heart language.

The primary contrast between the established models of Bible translation and this emerging model is that of agency. In the emerging model, the church is the primary actor who initiates, plans, executes, and utilizes the outcomes of the Bible translation process. If others participate, it is by the invitation of the church.

This movement towards autonomy is not only a step towards empowering people groups but I believe it is also a vital component for advancing God's kingdom.

The Global South is home to a significant portion of the world's population. It is a diverse tapestry of cultures, languages, and traditions. Entrusting the translation of the Bible to local churches, demonstrates honour and respect for the richness of these diverse contexts, allowing the message of the Gospel to resonate deeply within the hearts and minds of the people.

When we read and study the Bible in our mother tongue, a profound connection between our faith and the scriptures takes place.

Engaging with the Scriptures, wrestling with the text, and discerning its meaning within a specific cultural context is a transformative experience for the local church. It deepens faith, strengthens unity, and equips us to face our communities' unique challenges and opportunities. Through Church-Centric Bible Translation, our discipleship and evangelism become sustainable.

Local leadership is nurtured through this sense of autonomy. As local communities take responsibility for translating the Bible, they nurture a new generation of pastors, theologians, and Bible scholars.

External organizations and foreign missionaries often face limitations in their understanding of local languages, cultures, and nuances. Despite clear and noble intentions, biases can be made, or important cultural nuances are missed.

In contrast, local churches intimately understand the cultural and linguistic dynamics of their communities.

But this autonomy is not a call for isolation or exclusion. Rather, it is a call for collaboration, partnership, and mutual learning. External organizations can play a valuable role by providing technical expertise, training, and resources to equip local churches in their translation efforts.

By working together, we can ensure the highest standards of accuracy, faithfulness, and relevance in the translated Scriptures.

The key to advancing God's kingdom in the Global South lies in the empowerment of local communities and leaders. This emerging model of Bible translation aims to equip the church leaders of a nation such that they are able to address their country's need for church planting, theological maturation, and Bible translation both now and into the future.

As we embrace this paradigm shift, we affirm the value of autonomy and enable the Gospel's transformative power to touch lives and communities in profound and lasting ways.

Rev Tut Kony is the director of a South Sudan-based organisation, which cannot be named for security reasons, partnering with unfoldingWord. For more information on CCBT go to https://ccbt.bible.
Veteran cleared over silent prayer near abortion clinic

An army veteran who was fined for praying silently within an abortion clinic 'buffer zone' will not face criminal charges.

Adam Smith-Connor was approached six months ago by community safety officers near an abortion clinic in Bournemouth.

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) zone was imposed around the clinic by the local council last October banning prayer, counselling and acts of "approval/disapproval, with respect to issues related to abortion services, by any means".

Smith-Connor had been praying silently for his son who was aborted over 20 years ago and for the women, men, and children still being impacted by abortion today.

After being quizzed by community officers about his praying within the PSPO zone, he later received a letter from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council informing him that he was being fined and threatening criminal charges if he failed to comply.

After he launched legal action against the fine, his lawyers at the Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF UK) made submissions arguing that the state had no power to restrict thoughts directed towards God.

The police informed Smith-Connor that praying silently was not an offence in England and the council later decided not to pursue prosecution.

Smith-Connor has welcomed the outcome.

"Nobody should be criminalised for what they believe  especially not when they express that belief silently, in the privacy of their own minds," he said.

"I'm glad that, in my case, common-sense policing won the day. However, it's not right that I had to wait anxiously for a full six months for the authorities to determine my fate. The process, in essence, became my punishment.

"It's unthinkable that I was issued a penalty simply for praying about my own experience of abortion  having paid for my ex-girlfriend to have one  and my son, Jacob, whom I lost. The decision I made all those years ago now grieves me deeply.

"It isn't for the authorities to determine the contents of my thoughts on this matter, on a public street. I served in Afghanistan to defend democratic freedom  and yet, we see this encroachment on fundamental rights on the streets of Britain today."

ADF called it a win against "thought crime".

"But for the fact that he happened to be praying in his mind about abortion, Adam would not have been asked to leave," said Jeremiah Igunnubole, legal counsel for ADF UK.

"Were another person engaged in silent thought about another issue, such as climate change, within the PSPO censorship zone, then the Council officials would not have required them to leave. Adam was discriminated against in comparison to another person in an analogous situation based on his core faith-based beliefs."

The case has parallels with pro-life campaigner Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who has been arrested twice in less than a year for praying silently near abortion clinics that have PSPOs in place.

In February, Birmingham Magistrates' Court cleared her of all charges relating to the first arrest, along with Catholic priest Fr Sean Gough, but she is still waiting to hear whether she will be criminally charged following her second arrest in March.

Igunnubole continued, "Fortunately, common-sense policing has prevailed today. Yet a lack of clarity in the law has meant that Adam and others have been left vulnerable to 'thought-policing,' which is irreconcilable with democracy.

"While we are pleased to see Adam walk free today, others such as Isabel Vaughan-Spruce and Father Sean Gough have had to face criminal trial for the same activity  praying silently in their minds near an abortion facility.

"The criminalisation of these volunteers should be a wake-up call to all those who value freedom of expression  even freedom of thought  no matter their views on abortion.

"We need clear laws that uphold fundamental rights, and more common-sense policing, executed swiftly, so that innocent people like Adam can continue to live their lives freely  and police address their focus to real crimes."
Hong Kong: CE meets Minister of Justice

Chief Executive John Lee and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam held separate meetings with Minister of Justice He Rong who led a delegation to Hong Kong on July 17.

Mr Lee welcomed Ms He's visit to Hong Kong and thanked the Ministry of Justice for its support to the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and its promotion of co-operation of the Mainland and Hong Kong legal professions.

He said that the relevant efforts could facilitate the local legal sector's further integration into national development, contributing to the country's high-quality development.

The Chief Executive and Ms He also exchanged views on areas such as deepening co-operation on legal services among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, and cultivating legal talent.

Both officials signed a record of meeting to further deepen exchanges and co-operation on talent nurturing and legal and dispute resolution services between both places.

The record of meeting establishes a two-way mechanism on nurturing legal talent in the Mainland and Hong Kong to deepen the implementation of the Framework Arrangement on Legal Talent Exchanges & Training Cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Justice, and to jointly explore different forms of co-operation on nurturing legal talent.

It also enhances support for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) lawyers and Hong Kong resident lawyers practising in the Mainland, and explores the expansion of the scope of practice of GBA lawyers and Hong Kong resident lawyers who have obtained Mainland practice qualifications.

Additionally, the record of meeting promotes exchanges and co-operation on international commercial arbitration and mediation as well as supports the establishment of a co-operation mechanism for dispute resolution institutions in the GBA.

Mr Lam noted that the signing of the record of meeting will consolidate Hong Kong's status as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.

Minister He supplemented that the Ministry of Justice would support Hong Kong's legal sector to provide quality legal services and rule of law safeguards for the GBA development and the steadfast and successful implementation of one country, two systems.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Citywalk, a new travel trend for youngsters exploring cultural spots Pub Date:2023-07-19 09:10 Source:CGTN Gather together a couple of good friends and take a leisurely stroll through the streets  this is what many youngsters in China enjoy doing when they visit a new city. To them, Citywalk means "roaming around the city" on foot. Participants can follow a distinctive urban route, soaking up the atmosphere, exploring old buildings, browsing boutique shops, sipping a cup of coffee, or indulging in authentic local snacks. What is Citywalk? It can be a special guided trip for a small group of people, or simply a leisurely stroll for one or two to explore new areas, sticking to the key point: avoiding famous scenic spots and big crowds to gain a more inclusive experience of the places you visit. Hashtags and keywords for Citywalk are currently trending across multiple Chinese social media platforms, as more and more people look to share their experiences and thoughts online. In China, the Citywalk trend is spreading from first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai to second and third-tier cities, encouraging more participants and event organizers to get involved. Some organizers invite folk culture researchers and enthusiasts to act as tour guides. Xiao Yiyi is a young entrepreneur based in Changsha exploring new possibilities in the tourism sector. Recently she launched six Citywalk routes in different cities on her social media account, with the aim of providing experiences for visitors to "walk in open-air museums." Her Changsha route incorporates more offbeat sights like historical architecture from the 19th century, artsy old alleys, and even a stop-off to sample the local spicy crayfish specialty. Citywalk not only offers a way for young people to interact with a city but also provides them with a new social scene, where people who share the same interests and ideas can easily make friends. Xiao Yiyi said her group usually consists of a dozen or so people and her events last around half a day. Some regions, such as Beijing and Shandong, have included Citywalk in their plans to promote cultural tourism and leisure tours. Shanghai has established Citywalk routes using public bus routes to help day-trippers reach more far-flung districts by public transport and continue on foot. Even though Citywalk is a relatively niche and new phenomenon, industry insiders say that its potential is huge. Zhang Zhi, a tour guide from Beijing said tourists nowadays are paying more attention to personalized travel services. Many tour guides also try to expand their influence online, sharing their experiences in a bid to attract potential customers. Citywalk is offering a positive change to urban travelers as they can better choose the experiences that align with their interests and needs. At the same time, Citywalk represents an opportunity for tour guides and travel service providers to offer a more tailored, professional service to meet with ever-changing market demands. Editor:Zheng Chen

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BarTron is New Viscom Sales Partner in Michigan, Ohio and Western Pennsylvania Published: 19 July 2023 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

DULUTH, GA  BarTron Inc., headquartered in Michigan, is taking over Viscom representation in Michigan, Ohio and Western PA. Established in 1989, the company is a well-known and respected Manufacturers Representative firm. They represent companies supplying equipment and consumable supplies to electronics assembly and related industries. The main focus of BarTron is to provide assistance and solutions to customers process and manufacturing challenges. They do this by leveraging the knowledge and expertise of their Supplier Partnerships.

BarTron is taking on sales of the entire Viscom product range, from Solutions and systems for all inspection tasks in the electronics industry: 3D SPI, 3D AOI, 3D AXI, 3D X-ray, 3D Wire Bond, CCI, Battery as well as Viscom's latest AI solutions. BarTron successfully represents their principals, within the territory, to all sizes of customers. Their relationships with electronic assemblers, ranging from large-scale enterprises, like Viscom, to small businesses  this offers BarTron a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape.

Bob Papp, President of BarTron: We are honored to begin our partnership with Viscom. It is important that our Suppliers lead the industry in Technology, Innovation, and Support that BarTrons customers have come to expect.

Viscom brings a culture of family first that includes their customers and employees equally, which is a throwback to earlier times. For these reasons, we at BarTron look forward to brokering long and successful partnerships with Viscom and our customers.

Juan Briceno, Vice President of Sales, Viscom Inc. stated: The Midwest states covered by BarTron are very important to the growth of Viscom, Inc. and we are confident the BarTron team will help us to find opportunities where we can assist their customers in locating the best solutions for their needs.
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Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele
Very large charities that derive most of their income from delivering public services on behalf of the state can find themselves the target of suspicion and criticism from their colleagues within the charity sector.

Their smaller counterparts sometimes view these behemoths as simply arms of government, barely worthy of the charity brand, whose vast economies of scale enable them to hoover up contracts with relative ease, undercutting and elbowing smaller, more specialist charities out of the way in the process.

Such misgivings have been felt beyond the sector, too; as long ago as 2005, the then-work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith criticised big charities cosy relationship with government and warned that the increasing Tescoisation of charities  the concentration of income in the very richest organisations  stifles innovation. As big charity gets ever closer to big government, it increasingly mirrors its thinking and behaviour, he said.

Happily, the case studies in this editions cover theme would seem to suggest that Mr Duncan Smiths fears were unfounded. Both Shaw Trust and Barnardos have entered into trusting, dynamic partnerships with local authorities and other public bodies in which they have reimagined how services are designed and delivered, creating new models of support that are flexible, responsive, costeffective, and involve service users every step of the way.

In Barnardos case, the success of its partnership with Leicestershire County Council has prompted it to allocate chunks of its own voluntary income to consider new ways that it can help other public agencies to devise and deliver effective place-based services  proactively approaching those agencies with new models, rather than simply responding to tenders.

The woman who has led this work  author of the article, Liz Perfect  asserts that it is only Barnardos size and scale that affords it the ability to innovate in this way. While this may be cold comfort to its smaller rivals which dont boast the same levels of financial and human resources, at a time when economic conditions are screwing public spending ever tighter and a number of local authorities are facing deficits or worse, we should be applauding these progressive, forward thinking large charities for their cutting-edge work.

Charity Awards judges endorse the right to campaign

As always, our July issue carries the Charity Awards Event Report, with profiles of all the winners and why they won. This years Overall Winner, Freedom from Torture, may be seen by some as a controversial choice  not everybody in the audience joined the wide standing ovation that the charity received at the ceremony.

But our eminent panel of judges, all senior figures in the sector, discussed the decision at length and concluded in the end that they wanted to send a clear signal to the sector, and to the government. Not only do they support the objectives and tactics of Freedom from Tortures campaign against the Rwanda deportation scheme  and particularly the involvement of torture survivors in the design and execution of it  they also defend to the hilt the democratic right to protest and charities right to challenge government policies that they believe to be monstrous or harmful.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Charities must fundamentally change how they make decisions due to todays unending crises, according to a new guide for trustees from think tank NPC.

The guidance outlines four ways in which charity governance should adapt, including:

Focus on your mission, not your preservation.

Recognise that change is constant and that your response will need to keep evolving, rather than holding out for a return to business as usual.

Use lived experience to shape how you interpret data and make decisions.

Look beyond your immediate focus, recognising how crises are connected and work with others as part of a systems strategy.

Keep your charity focused on its core purpose

The guide states the top priority for any trustee is to keep your charity focused on its core purpose  achieving impact.

It says charities cannot help anyone without your staff and states beneficiaries will suffer if staff cannot perform at their best.

If an organisation works in crisis response mode for too long, staff are likely to get burned out and leave, the think tank warns.

NPCs guide adds that charities may need to look at structures and protocols for trustee involvement, adopting a more flexible or iterative approach which helps trustees make timely and informed decisions.

It can be helpful to adopt a change mindset  recognising that change is constant, and that your response will need to keep evolving. In a permacrisis, there is no point holding out for a return to business as usual, the guide reads.

If we see permacrisis' as continual change, rather than a brief pause in business as usual, it is clear that we need to use the tools at our disposal to understand and reflect on what is needed, what is working, and when to pivot.

The guide adds that boards should empower trustees to develop and grow their role, such as by listening to one another about their experiences.

It adds that in times of rapid change, it is important to review and regularly reassess how your organisation fits into the wider ecosystem as previous assumptions may quickly become inaccurate.

To respond effectively as circumstances change, you need to see your organisation as one of many moving parts, it states.

This is not a one-off storm

Charlotte Lamb, principal for involvement and decision-making at NPC, said: For anyone tasked with managing risk and making decisions, the past few years have felt like one crisis after another.

This is not a one-off storm. The climate has changed. Were now in a time of permacrisis; of unceasing storms, swells, and hurricanes through which we must navigate. Whether youre a trustee or a chief executive, you cannot continue as before. In any crisis, peoples needs change.

If you continue to deliver what you have always delivered, or to make decisions as you have always done so, then you risk becoming less relevant and less impactful.

Lamb added: Knowing where youre going still matters, but youll need to be flexible in how you get there. Youll need to make strategic decisions more often, and ensure they are genuinely influenced by lived experience. Aim for a minimum viable strategy, which clearly articulates your vision, mission, and values. Leave everything else to be adaptable.

Resist the temptation to scale back on measurement, evaluation and learning as a non-delivery activity. Times of rapid change are precisely when measurement is most needed.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Adrian Cho in Science:

This week, the much anticipated movie Oppenheimer hits theaters, giving famed filmmaker Christopher Nolans take on the theoretical physicist who during World War II led the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who died in 1967, is known as a charismatic leader, eloquent public intellectual, and Red Scare victim who in 1954 lost his security clearance in part because of his earlier associations with suspected Communists. To learn about Oppenheimer the scientist, Science spoke with David C. Cassidy, a physicist and historian emeritus at Hofstra University. Cassidy has authored or edited 10 books, including J. Robert Oppenheimer and the American Century.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Oppenheimers name appears in the early applications of quantum mechanics and the theory of black holes. How good a physicist was he?

A: Well, he was no Einstein. And hes not even up to the level of Heisenberg, Pauli, Schrodinger, Dirac, the leaders of the quantum revolution of the 1920s. One of the reasons for this was his birth date. He was born in 1904, so he was 3 years younger than Heisenberg, 4 years younger than Pauli. Those few years were enough to place him in the second wave of the quantum revolution and behind the main wave of discovery, in what [philosopher of science] Thomas Kuhn called the mopping-up operation, applications of the new theory.

More here.
In 2018, Vinay Shukla, an Indian documentary filmmaker, approached Ravish Kumar, a high-profile TV personality in the country, to be a part of his latest film, While We Watched. Shukla, who is known for his observational documentaries, had grown disturbed by Indias polarized media landscape. An ardent fan of newsroom dramas, he wanted to set up his cameras in the offices of NDTV, a network, where Kumar worked, that was known for maintaining high journalistic standards in a country where many media outlets were turning into mouthpieces for the government of Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP.

Shukla had noticed that Kumar was a rare anchor in India not to have fallen in line with Modis political agenda. Instead, he was almost chastising his audience and urging them to question Modis tactics, Shukla said. His film ended up chronicling Kumars work and family life as he navigated a spiraling world of disinformation; Shukla shot it over two years, a process that was not without risks given that Kumar had faced threats linked to his work. (Additionally, Modis government has turned the screw on independent filmmaking, a trend that I explored in Fadeout, a short film that I made for CJRs recent Authoritarianism Issue.) Late last year, Kumar resigned from his position as a primetime anchor after twenty-seven years, following the takeover of NDTV by Gautam Adani, a billionaire who is believed to have close ties to Modi.

While We Watched has been on the festival circuit for the past year and has won various major documentary awards. The team behind the film recently released it in the UK and Ireland, and is now gearing up for its US theatrical release on Friday at the IFC Center, an independent film space in New York City. Earlier this week, I spoke with Kumar and Shukla about the threats to journalism in India, the scrutiny facing media professionals under the Modi government, and what its like to continue to fight for the truth. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity (and my exchanges with Kumar have been translated from Hindi).



ZS: Ravish, what was your motivation in agreeing to let Vinay follow you over the course of two years?

RK: Vinay felt that it was important to record what was going on inside our newsroom. I did not take part in the planning of how the film should be made. I just said yes. It didnt bother me much that a camera was following me the entire time. Thats because I didnt really have anything to hide. All I did the entire day was work.

I knew that I was going through a tough time professionally. We were sliding backwards every day [as a newsroom]. And I knew I wouldnt surrender so easily and that I would try until the very end to do something. There were times when Vinay said to me that this channel [NDTV] could be shut down at any moment; investigative agencies could enter the channel at any time. He wanted to be there, ready to witness it when that happened. This was the thought process that led to the film.

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Vinay, why did you think that Ravish would be the best person through which to tell this story?

VS: Ravish says that its the job of journalists to ask questions of those in power. I could see that Ravish was doing that very actively. And I could also see that he was also going through a phase of vulnerability, doubt, and introspection. I would see his broadcast, and very often, instead of praising the audiencewhich a lot of prime-time news anchors [do in India]; they tell their audience we are only here to serve youRavish was actually reprimanding them, saying that they shouldnt be watching TV. I saw somebody who was going through a vulnerable phase, who had clearly seen a better time and who was disagreeing with the mainstream around him. And for me that was a good starting point.

Ravish, the film deals with the themes of misinformation and disinformation. How does a journalist cope in a world in which misinformation travels faster than facts?

RK: I dont think this film deals only with the misinformation environment. This wasnt the only crisis. Indian newsrooms were being demolished and everyone who stood in the wayI am not just talking about NDTV here[the BJP] made sure that they dont have the strength or freedom to gather real news. The media was prepared, ideologically and psychologically, to serve the government and were told that the way they could do it was by [helping to divide society along communal lines]. Many members of the media joined the bandwagon very happily. The media stopped playing its role of a watchdog and instead was weaponized for [the BJPs] benefit. So you cant call this a media, no matter in what light you see it. It became a weapon, a dagger with which they wanted to kill anyone who would ask questions; to brand them as anti-national, pro-Pakistani, and pro-Muslim. And the beneficiary of all of this has been the ruling party.

How do you deal with a government that is actively trying to stop you from doing your job?

RK: We no longer have the space where you can single-handedly do the job of a journalist. All you are allowed to do or can do is propaganda. If there are floods in Delhi, you can go to the site with your crew, and you can describe the water and its levels, but you cannot criticize the government of the day. You cannot ask for accountability from the central government. It simply does not exist. You are allowed to have a job; you will get a salary at the end of the month. But journalism no longer exists. The list of things you cannot do has gotten very long.

Vinay, did you feel that it was important for your audience to know that this story transcends NDTV and could be the experience of any Indian news outlet? Or did you prefer to tell the story through one man trying to challenge the system?

VS: The film is also a father and daughter story. The film is also a story about Ravish and his colleagues, the people who are not as famous. So you see a lot of faces within the film; while Ravish is a vessel for the story to move forward, he is not the story. When people watch the film, very often they have a very strong response to their own feelings as viewers. Theyre able to identify how they themselves have been complicit in where we are.

My ambition was to focus on just how lonely its becoming for idealists to continue in their professions. This film is about adult loneliness. Ravish is in journalism but people who have not been in journalismentrepreneurs; doctorshave told me that this film perfectly applies to [their situations]. There is clearly a layer of journalism and politics in the film. But ultimately, the story is universal: The story of perseverance during extremely difficult times.

What was it like for you to cover a journalist as a protagonist as opposed to your other projects, where people perhaps might not be so aware of the camera or, shall I say, media savvy?

VS: Actually, with Ravish, it wasnt so much of a concern because hes very busy doing his own thing. Mostly it was a challenge shooting in the NDTV newsroom because everybody was aware of the power of the camera. It wasnt like I was stepping into an office where nobody knew what our cameras were capable of. So it took me a long time to let them be comfortable with me; thats why I shot this film over two years. It was also very difficult, for example, to shoot with Ravishs family, because they arent really looking for public attention or a camera in their lives. Its a very private family. And, as you see in the film, they are going through a lot. So it took me much more time to be able to silently sit within those spaces and observe them with my camera.

Ravish, every time a journalist is targeted, they become the story. Whats that been like for you, especially with the film coming out?

RK: How is it possible for a journalist to stop themselves from becoming the story, especially when the state is repressing you andif you are a female journalistyou are receiving rape threats? There are a lot of journalists who have been fired and had to leave [the industry]. And they are somehow trying to survive. This story needs to be covered and it needs to be talked about. In fact, if we dont provide a platform to these journalists, then we are legitimizing the state and its effort to silence them. There is a systematic effort to dismantle the entire media, and people have been isolated. It has deeply affected their mental health.

There are a lot of journalists who did not end up becoming the story, because they surrendered . But I think they are also a part of this larger story, and I believe that, at some point, there will be a filmmaker, a historian, who will reach out to them and ask why they remained silent. I dont have a problem in becoming the story, and I continue to receive threats and attacks on Twitter. The entire BJP government boycotted my show. Isnt that a story in itself?

We have seen a rise in reporters leaving their newsrooms and joining social media platforms to bring the news to their audience. You left NDTV and you have a YouTube channel now. Can you talk to me about what is happening with that?

RK: I think there is a problem with your question. These journalists are not leaving their newsrooms. They have been driven out and now they have nowhere else to go. No one is willing to employ them.

We need to understand that the mainstream media, which has a viewership of millions, is incomparable to what we have been able to achieve through these social media platforms. It is a personal struggle for these journalists to continue working and to remain in their profession. But I dont see this as a solution to the crisis of journalism facing India today. We need to look deeper to realize the price we had to pay. We dont own these platforms and we are all very well aware of how easy it is to lose them. You never know when YouTube will introduce a copyright law, or when Facebook might decide to regulate a page. We have all seen it happen before.

If YouTube did not exist today, then I would be unemployed after twenty-seven years as a journalist. In a newsroom, you have several beat reporters and you work with your team to bring out the news. Right now, I do not have a team of reporters. Its just something that I cannot afford at this point in time. It is very challenging to single-handedly gather news and then do the analysisand do it every single day, all by yourself. Today, I dont have the luxury to stop and ask whether this way of producing news is giving me satisfaction or not, because my only goal is to survive in this moment and keep doing what Im doing.

Is there anything about journalism in India that Western media perhaps doesnt get quite right?

RK: I dont think that there is something I can point to that tells you that the American press has reported incorrectly or been incomplete in its coverage. However, I would say that the press here has only probably covered about 10 percent of the collapse of the Indian press and its impact. There are a lot of stories that are yet to be uncovered by the American press about what is happening in India today.

Vinay, I want to go back to the film now, particularly the way it ends, with Ravish winning a prestigious Magsaysay Award. How important was it for you to have that heroic ending? Did you ever have a different ending in mind?

VS: I mean, its not really a heroic ending, I disagree with you. Its a minor consolation, if anything. I dont think people are walking out of the film feeling everything is fine, and I dont think people are walking out of the film looking at Ravish as a hero. If anything its a very vulnerable and a very delicate portrait of somebody who is struggling. Heroes: that word is usually used to describe people who change the world for the better. I dont think this film is that. I think this film is about the cost being paid by journalists, and its a very big cost. Given that cost, the victory that you see Ravish have at the end of the film, its not substantive.

Will your film be distributed in India? And what kind of support or opposition are you expecting, given the current situation there?

VS: I have received only support and love from people, but at the same time, I have received no distribution offers from India at the moment. I currently have a financial debt. Its very important for me to be able to release this film, or to be able to make money off the release of the film. So its a hardship. But I faced challenges with my last film [about an insurgent activist turned politician] as well, which we were able to release in theaters. I remain optimistic that Ill be able to get this film out in India.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: A murdered journalist, the media mogul, and an epic reporting project in Cameroon

Zainab Sultan is a former CJR Delacorte Fellow. Follow her on Twitter @ZainabSultan.
The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to reconsider its 4-3 decision that found violations of the states Biometric Privacy Act occur each time an unauthorized scan is made, rejecting arguments that such an interpretation will lead to astronomical damage awards that could destroy businesses.

The same four justices who decided a new BIPA violation occurs every time an unauthorized scan is made ruled against White Castle System in a petition for rehearing in a lawsuit filed against the hamburger chain by its store manager Latrina Cothron.

White Castle warned that under the high courts interpretation of the law, a jury could award a $17 billion penalty against it. The majority said the amount of damages is discretionary so juries can temper damage awards to avoid astronomical amounts.

The majority opinion says we continue to believe that policy-based concerns about potentially excessive damage awards under the act are best addressed by the legislature.

The dissenting justices said penalties the high court should have at least given some guidance on how damage awards should be calculated to avoid staggering damage awards.

The federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals asked the Illinois Supreme Court to rule on when BIPA violations occur so it could rule on a procedural issue. The Supreme Court agreed to answer the certified question because the 7th Circuits decision will impact a question of law where there is substantial disagreement.

The BIPA establishes penalties of up to $1,000 for each unintentional violation and up to $5,000 for willful violations. There are three ways of violating the act: 1) By making an unauthorized scan of a persons biometric information, such as face or fingerprints; 2) by sharing that information with other parties; and 3) by failing to provide a information about how long the biometric information will be retained.

Theoretically, a plaintiff could allege three separate penalties for each unauthorized scan made. White Castle argued that damages in Cothrons class-action lawsuit could exceed $17 billion because 9,500 current and former employees were involved. White Castle used a third-party vendor to scan employees fingerprints each time they clocked in and clocked out for 10 years after the Biometric Privacy Act was passed, ceasing the practice only after Cothron filed suit.

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce was among several business groups that filed amicus briefs urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its interpretation of when violations occur under the law. Clark Kaericher, senior vice president of government affairs for the Chamber, said White Castle is not the only business that failed to notice that the methods they were using to verify employees identities violated a state law.

Its not unusual for large national employers to be uninformed about the passage of obscure state laws, he said. Some 1,500 Illinois employers have been sued under BIPA.

Kaericher said one of the few cases that have been concluded so far illustrates the potential for damage awards to get out of hand. In that case, truck driver Richard Rogers sued BNSF Railway Co. for requiring truckers to use a biometric scanner to gain access to its rail yards. A jury ruled that the Berkshire Hathaway-owned railroad had violated BIPA 45,600 times. A US District Court judge awarded $228 million in damages, calculating the amount by multiplying the number of violations by the maximum penalty of $5,000.

US District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly reconsidered that damage award. In a June 30 order, he decided to hold a new trial before a jury with the amount of damages the sole issue to be considered.

Still, Kaericher said the case demonstrates how BIPA can produce damage awards that bear no relationship to the amount of damage that is done. He said he is aware of no other case where a decision on the amount of damages has been reached.

Weve only seen it once and it was the worst-case scenario, he said.

Kaericher said the the Chamber is working with state lawmakers to amend BIPA to control the amount of damages that can be awarded. He said the legislature was close to adopting a revision to the law earlier this year, but lawmakers were unable to resolve some last-minute complications that developed before the legislative session ended.
CHICAGO (AP)  An emergency evacuation slide fell from an airliner Monday and landed in the backyard of a home near Chicago`s O`Hare International Airport, causing no injuries but damaging a roof, officials and witnesses said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a United Airlines Boeing 767 had landed safely at O`Hare on Monday on arrival from Switzerland when maintenance workers realized an emergency slide was missing from the plane`s side.

The aircraft was carrying 155 passengers and 10 crew.

He said the slide hit part of the house, damaging the roof, downspout and a window screen.

When its all stretched out, like its a little jumbled up Im sure in the picture from when we dragged it out, its larger than a small car. Its a very, very big piece of equipment, Devitt told WLS.

United said it was seeking to find out exactly how the slide ended up in the neighborhood.

We immediately contacted the FAA and are working with our team to better understand the circumstances around this matter, United said in a statement.

The FAA said, without releasing more details, that it was continuing to investigate.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NEW BEDFORD, Massachusetts (AP)  One early morning this week in ocean waters off the coasts of Rhode Island and New York, signs of the nascent wind industry were all around. Giant upright steel tubes poked from the water, waiting for ships to hoist up turbines that will make electricity driven by wind.

A battleship-gray vessel was on the prowl. In this ramp-up for U.S. offshore wind, American marine companies and mariners fear theyll be left behind.

So Aaron Smith, president of the Offshore Marine Service Association, was looking through binoculars to see whether ships servicing the new wind farms were using foreign-flagged vessels instead of U.S.-made ships with American crews.

It really makes me upset when I think about the men and women I know who can do this work. American citizens, fully capable, sitting at home while foreign nationals go to work in U.S. waters, Smith said. Its unfair.

The ship is named the Jones Act Enforcer, after the century-old law that says the transport of merchandise between U.S. points is reserved for U.S.-built, owned and documented vessels. The motto: Well be watching. Smith was documenting operations to show to federal law enforcement officials and members of Congress.

The Offshore Marine Service Association says it strongly supports the offshore wind industry. Many of its member companies are already working in it. Smith said this effort is about securing their future  decades of jobs and investments. The U.S. could need roughly 2,000 of the most powerful turbines to meet its goals to ramp up offshore wind to dramatically cut its use of fossil fuels to protect the atmosphere and reduce climate change.

The Enforcer made several trips to where Danish energy company rsted is developing the South Fork Wind project with the utility Eversource. This will likely be the first U.S. commercial-scale wind farm to open.

Approaching the site Tuesday, Smith saw a large crane ship sailing under the Cyprus flag, smaller Belgian-flagged vessels, and U.S. fishing and offshore supply vessels near the turbine bases. The Associated Press was the only media outlet aboard.

The U.S. fleet doesnt yet have massive ships specialized for offshore wind to install foundations and turbines. But some of the foreign-flagged vessels working in wind development areas along the East Coast are tugs and smaller supply ships. U.S. ship operators told the AP they have similar vessels that can do this work.

rsted responded that 75% of the vessels supporting South Fork Winds offshore construction are U.S.-flagged, including barges, tugs, crew transport vessels and fishing vessels that monitor for safety and marine mammals. But the larger U. S.-flagged offshore wind vessels aren`t built yet. Even so, the installation vessels for South Fork Wind have American union workers on board, the company told the AP.

While the U.S. industry continues to mature, were designing our projects to tap as many American workers, contractors, suppliers and vessels as possible. Were proud that South Fork Wind is putting hundreds of American mariners and union workers to work at sea in a wide range of roles, Bryan Stockton, head of regulatory affairs for rsted, said in a statement Thursday.

rsteds offshore work is complying with Jones Act provisions, Stockton added.

On this day, Smith said he could see no clear violations of the Jones Act, no smoking gun. In order to make a Jones Act case to Customs and Border Protection, the association would need to see several stages of activity, observing a ship for weeks if not months. It would need to show loading merchandise onto a ship in port, transporting it to an offshore site and returning empty.

In the past, the association has also checked oil and gas sites for foreign vessels. It first chartered the Enforcer from Harvey Gulf International Marine in late 2021.

Both wind and oil and gas companies can seek waivers to the Jones Act, citing national defense and unavailability of U.S. vessels, or get a ruling from Customs that a specific transaction is permitted using a foreign vessel.

But Smith said he feels that offshore wind developers are violating the spirit of the act. He said he worries investors wont finance the building of offshore ships if they`re going to compete against foreign vessels with cheaper day rates, largely because foreign crews can be paid less. That would create a cycle where developers keep using foreign vessels because no U.S. vessels are available.

The association wants to break that cycle as the industry takes off, Smith said. Federal officials expect to review at least 16 construction and operations plans for commercial, offshore wind energy facilities by 2025.

Thats a ton of work we could be doing, Smith said, and a ton of good-paying jobs.

Randy Adams owns Sea Support Ventures in Cut Off, Louisiana. His vessels do geological surveys for oil and gas. He wants to do the same for the clean energy transition, but hasnt yet.

Im just concerned that our industry is going to miss the boat on the wind farm work, he said. I cant say were being shut out of it, but were sure not on the top of the totem pole.

As for the Jones Act Enforcer, Smith plans to keep it berthed at the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts into August, visiting the two commercial-scale wind farm sites. rsted is installing 12 turbines. The other developer, Vineyard Wind, is building a 62-turbine wind farm 15 miles (24 kilometers) off the Massachusetts coast.

Vineyard Wind said in a statement Thursday that its project complies with all U. S. laws, including the Jones Act, and it fully supports the American maritime and shipbuilding industry.

Before arriving in Massachusetts, the Enforcer was off the coast of Virginia where Dominion Energy plans an offshore wind farm. Smith was seeing if foreign vessels were surveying the area for unexploded ordnance, and he said they were, despite at least four of his member companies bidding on the job.

Dominion told the AP those vessels are not transporting merchandise between U.S. points, so they`re compliant. The company said U.S. vessels got the work surveying, scouting, hauling equipment and transporting technicians.

In Texas, Dominion is also currently building the Charybdis, the first Jones Act- compliant offshore wind-installation vessel and says it strongly supports the Act. rsted will charter that ship.

rsted is also investing in the Eco Edison, the first American-made offshore wind service operations vessel, now under construction in Louisiana, and in five more crew transfer vessels being built in Rhode Island.

Sam Giberga is executive vice president and general counsel at Hornbeck Offshore Services in Covington, Louisiana. Its supply vessels and multi-purpose support ships are primarily used by the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. He said at first they were excited by the promise of offshore wind because it`s clean energy that will create jobs and business. But for him, its starting to feel like a broken promise. The company recently lost a bid to a foreign vessel.

We are a maritime nation. Always have been. This is the next great maritime frontier and were not going to get to do it, Giberga asked. Why would we allow that?

Top photo: Engineer John Rayfield, of Mobile, Ala., photographs foreign ships and crews installing portions of a wind farm, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, off the coast of Rhode Island. The trade association that represents the offshore service industry is going to great lengths to make sure that jobs go to Americans as the U.S. offshore wind industry ramps up. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns finally got to the end of their rope with troubled defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.

They swiftly released him on Wednesday morning after a woman posted a video on her Instagram story saying Winfrey threatened her with a gun outside The 9 at East 9th and Euclid and assaulted her. Winfrey can also be heard on the video threatening to hit her and her friend, saying I will smack the ---- out of both of you and you know I got it one me.

Winfrey later tweeted The truth will come out possibly referring to the fact the victim called him a derogatory name that upset him and apparently sparked the incident. He quickly deleted the tweet.

In April, Winfrey was arrested in Harris Country, Texas, for misdemeanor assault against a woman he was dating, but those charges were dropped last month after he completed a pretrial diversion program.

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The Browns stuck by Winfrey in the wake of the assault arrest, but that ultimately proved to be a mistake.

Cleveland Police Public Affairs Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said in an email response Wednesday that Winfrey is listed as a suspect in an aggravated robbery incident. First reported by Fox8 News, its the latest off-field trangression for the Browns 2022 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma.

Last month, Winfrey was robbed at gunpoint by six masked men, according to a police report, while leaving FilteR bar in downtown Cleveland at 3:30 a.m. Winfrey and a friend were walking to a parking lot to get teammate Greg Newsome IIs car, which was stolen by the gunmen but later retrieved.

In the womans Instagram story from Tuesday night, Winfrey can be heard saying give me that ----ing phone before threatening to hit them both.

The woman wrote on her Instagram story Perrion Winfrey just chased us barefoot out of the nine pointed his (gun emoji) at me and put his hands on me stole both of my phones and pulled off (in a car)....

In another frame, she shows a clip of a bruise on her neck with an arrow pointing to it and a caption that says, This is what you stand for ?!?? @clevelandbrowns

She also wrote Im literally scared to go home.

According to the incident report, the victim and her friend saw Winfrey in the lobby of Metropolitan at The 9, and the victims friend shouted his name. When he didnt respond, she called him a p---y. The victim stated that Winfrey became upset and started to approach them, so they left the hotel.

When Winfrey followed them outside, the victim started to record him on her phone, and he tried to take it, complete with the verbal threats. The victim stated that Winfrey lunged at her, striking the left side of her neck and yanking the phone away. Photos showed a red abrasion on her neck.

The victim said Winfrey pulled up his shirt and revealed the firearm in his waistband, a dark gray handgun. When Winfrey and his friend left the scene, the victim and her friend returned to the hotel lobby and called police.

Winfrey called the victims friends phone when they were with police, and she handed it to the officer. Winfrey told him that the females were harassing him and he took their phones. The officer asked him to return to the hotel, but he said he didnt want to because he was a Browns player and was worried about security issues. Winfrey said hed return the phones by placing them on a crate in an alley, which he did.

Police said the phones have good video of the incident, clear audio of his threats and video of the suspects actions, but no evidence of the firearm.

In addition to Winfreys three brushes with the law since April, he was benched several times for maturity issues last season, including as early as Week 2 against the Jets. But the Browns believed -- until now -- that he was worth the trouble.

Other than the statement that they were releasing him, they had no further comment on the incident.

After the arrest in April, Winfrey had a restraining order against him and wore an electronic monitoring device. In the wake of that incident, coach Kevin Stefanski said at the start of the offseason program that he would continue to talk to his players about their off-the-field behavior.

As you can imagine, we constantly talk to our players about making great decisions outside our building, he said. That will never change. Its something that we will remind our guys now in the offseason program. Ill remind them when the offseason program ends and we send everybody off for a brief respite before training camp. Youre constantly talking to your guys about being safe.

Winfrey was scheduled to report to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the starting of training camp on Friday, and fly Saturday to The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia with the rest of the team for the first nine days of camp. He was set to compete in a crowded field at defensive tackle with Dalvin Tomlinson, Jordan Elliott, Siaki Ika, Maurice Hurst and Trysten Hill. Defensive end ZaDarius Smith will also play a lot inside.

Winfreys rookie season was characterized by issues from the start when he was benched for the Jets game in Week for a disciplinary issue. He later vowed that he had learned from his mistakes and that he was glad it happened for a wakeup call.

But he went on to be inactive for three straight midseason games against the Bengals, Dolphins and Bills -- at least two of which were due to maturity reasons again. He was a healthy scratch for the Halloween game against the Bengals, and sat out the Dolphins game after missing two midweek practices with an illness. He missed the Bills game after suffering a concussion during what he told cleveland.com was a scooter accident.

I was driving around (on a scooter) and just ran into a pole, he said Nov. 26. Nothing crazy. I looked back to try to see if my friend was still behind me, and when I looked back I ran into the pole. Just things Ive got to get over as a rookie. Little things here and there.

A source told cleveland.com that Winfrey actually suffered the concussion when he lost control of his car while driving in the snow that week near the Browns facility in Berea. The scooter story was apparently an attempt to avoid the embarrassment of not being able to drive in the snow. But it was also another red flag that Winfrey had more growing up to do.

Shortly after being declared inactive for the Bills game in Detroit Nov. 20 after the accident, Winfrey tweeted I cant fake it this been one of the worst years of my life  I WONT stop tho.

After being robbed at gunpoint on June 5, Winfrey spent the first two days of mandatory minicamp inside the Browns facility while the team practiced outside. Stefanski declined to say if it was for disciplinary reasons. He joined his teammates for practice on the third and final day of minicamp, and it proved to be his last in a Browns uniform.

If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
AKRON, Ohio  An Akron man accused of the fatal shooting of a 38-year-old woman and also wounding the womans 5-year-old daughter on New Years Eve was convicted Tuesday by a Summit County judge of murder and other charges.

Common Pleas Court Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands found Christopher Mason, 39, guilty of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and endangering children, all with gun specifications, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh says in a news release. Mason also was convicted of having a weapon under disability.

According to police, Allison Dinkins was found dead by officers in an apartment in the Chapel Hill neighborhood on Dec. 31, 2022, after reports of gunshots at 7:45 p.m. Dinkins daughter also was found wounded in the apartment, with injuries to her face, prosecutors say.

Mason was arrested days later by federal agents in Akron. HE is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 21.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Oppenheimer opens with a title card about Prometheus, the titan from Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods, gave it to man and then was chained to a rock for eternity as punishment.

For writer-director Christopher Nolan, J. Robert Oppenheimer is the Prometheus of the modern age, a man who helped save the world by giving us the power to destroy it and then was persecuted for it. His biopic is a powerful film that explores the complicated legacy of the man known as the father of the atomic bomb and the thrilling circumstances surrounding the development of the bomb itself.

The story begins not at Cambridge where Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) studied theoretical physics, but during McCarthyism in the 1950s. Oppenheimer is being interrogated about his supposed ties to the Soviets by a security clearance review board. At the same time, Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), head of the Atomic Energy Commission and Eisenhowers nominee for commerce secretary, would like nothing more than to distance himself from his former colleague at his confirmation hearings.

Nolan has perfected his formula of non-linear storytelling and uses it again here to create a shroud of mystery around Oppenheimers character and patriotism before slowly peeling back the layers of the enigmatic figure. His first-person account is presented in color while Strauss version of the man is shot in black and white.

The film then flashes back to introduce a brilliant, but frustrated student who brings the study of quantum mechanics from Europe to the United States at UC Berkeley. There, he socializes with known members of the Communist Party and earns a reputation as a womanizer, an absent father and an arrogant yet charismatic genius who enjoys the spotlight. More significantly, his work as a physicist puts him on the radar of the government as one of the nations top minds.

When Leslie Groves (Matt Damon, perfectly cast as an impulsive and short-tempered Army officer) taps him to lead the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimer, a Jewish man, doesnt hesitate. He knows the U.S. is in a race with Hitler to build a bomb and, so, he rounds up a team of scientists to develop and test the weapon in a makeshift and secret town in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

If anyone can make physics and math exciting and dramatic enough that they deserve to be seen on a giant IMAX screen, its Nolan. The scientists experience a series of setbacks, including calculations that suggest the bomb could set fire to the atmosphere and destroy the entire planet, a crisis that draws in Albert Einstein (Tom Conti). The suspense and tension build up to the Trinity Test. The worlds first nuclear explosion is an instantly iconic moment in the film that will make your heart pound and might burst your eardrums.

Florence Pugh is Jean Tatlock and Cillian Murphy is J. Robert Oppenheimer in "Oppenheimer," written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan.Melinda Sue Gordon

The Los Alamos scenes comprise the most compelling section of the three-hour film. Yet, Nolan spends an inordinate amount of time and interest in rehabbing Oppenheimers image vis-a-vis his conflict with Strauss, a petulant and spiteful former shoe salesman turned politician who floats the idea that Oppenheimer might be a Russian spy. Downey is terrific in the role, so its easy to see why the director included so much of him. But his sole purpose as an unsympathetic antagonist is to prop up Oppenheimer, reminding the audience that his political loyalties never wavered, and his view on nuclear weapons evolved in his later years. Strauss helps us understand Oppenheimer and the paranoia of that era better but, eventually, it all starts to sound like a broken record. The third act consequently borders on exhausting.

Still, Murphy is absolutely captivating throughout the film. He and Nolan do a masterful job of taking the audience inside Oppenheimers mind. A scene where he recalls his affair with a younger woman named Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh, always interesting) to the review board is tragic and disturbing. Theres also a morbid and devastating moment where he pictures the victims of Hiroshima in the audience of his speech celebrating the successful dropping of the first bomb. And in an awkward and emotional meeting with President Truman, Oppenheimer laments the guilt he feels for his role in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, saying I feel I have blood on my hands.

Indeed, the films strength lies in its star-studded cast, which includes Josh Hartnett, Benny Safdie, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Casey Affleck, Alden Ehrenreich and Gary Oldman, among others. The standout is Emily Blunt as Oppenheimers wife Kitty. Her performance is luminous, a firecracker in an otherwise melancholy film who bluntly demands her husband to pull himself together following the death of a loved one, sends him off to the bomb test with a hearty, slightly sarcastic break a leg! and plainly tells special counsel Roger Robb (Jason Clarke) exactly where he and his questions can go and what to do when they get there.

Nolan has described J. Robert Oppenheimer as the most important person who ever lived, a man who changed the course of history for better or worse. No matter if you believe that or not, its hard to argue no one is more suited to make a film about him than the king of the cerebral blockbuster himself. Nolan, once again, delivers, with an epic and immersive film that pulls you in with stunning, larger-than-life visuals, theater-shaking sound and Ludwig Goranssons sweeping score. Oppenheimer is a deeply moving and incredibly haunting story of a complex man who convinced himself repeatedly to sacrifice his own decency for what he believed to be the greater good. His story is the ultimate cautionary tale if not for the chilling reality that we can no longer put the genie he unleashed back in the bottle.

This movie is going to leave a mark.

Oppenheimer is rated R and opens exclusively in theaters on July 21.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio  We check out Darkroom Brewing Co., talk about local restaurants winning Wine Spectator awards, and discuss a dinner at Great Lakes Brewing Co. featuring Joe Thomas. Heres our 5-minute food-drinks chat with WTAMs Bill Wills.
SINGAPORE -- Taylor Swift will have six concerts in Singapore in the spring of 2024!

Swift will perform at Singapore National Stadium on March 2, March 3, March 4, March 7, March 8 and March 9. Though the concerts are months away, tickets are being snatched up and are available on third-party online websites.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024 SHOW: Vivid Seats | StubHub | TicketCity

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2024 SHOW: StubHub

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024 SHOW: StubHub

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024 SHOW: Vivid Seats | StubHub | TicketCity

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024 SHOW: Vivid Seats | StubHub | TicketCity

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2024 SHOW: Vivid Seats | StubHub | TicketCity

Swift starts the Latin America part of her The Eras Tour Aug. 24 and it continues through Nov. 26. Tickets for Swifts first stop in Mexico City are available. Tickets are also available for her Argentina, Brazil and Australia dates.

Remember, Swifts re-recorded Speak Now album is out.

Read cleveland.com and The Plain Dealers review on one of Swifts Detroit shows.

Kaylee Remington is the commerce reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Follow her for deals, trends and breaking news in the shopping and entertainment industries. Read her work here.
CINCINNATI, Ohio  A Cincinnati man could be sentenced to up to five years in prison after he admitted to searching for sexually explicit photos by hacking the email and social media accounts of hundreds of women.

Dwayne Curry, 34, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

Prosecutors say Curry illegally bought passwords to womens accounts by using cryptocurrency on various dark websites. He targeted women he had seen on TV, the internet or had seen in person, authorities say.

He would use the passwords to search through the email and Snapchat accounts of his victims, prosecutors say. Curry reportedly accessed at least 48 Snapchat accounts and more than 300 email accounts.

The victims included a woman he met in person in Cincinnati and two women he saw on television, one a Tennessee resident and the other a Pennsylvania resident.

Curry was indicted in May, prosecutors say.
LANSING, Mich.  Michigans attorney general filed felony charges Tuesday against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for then-President Donald Trump in 2020, accusing them of submitting false certificates that confirmed they were legitimate electors despite Joe Bidens victory in the state.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that all 16 people would face eight criminal charges, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery. The top charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

The group includes the head of the Republican National Committees chapter in Michigan, Kathy Berden, as well as the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Meshawn Maddock, and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.

In seven battleground states, including Michigan, supporters of Trump signed certificates that falsely stated he won their states, not Biden. The fake certificates were ignored, but the attempt has been subject to investigations, including by the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

The false electors actions undermined the publics faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan, Nessel said in a statement.

The 16 individuals are set to appear for arraignment in Ingham County at a date provided to each by the court, according to Nessels office.

Phone and email messages seeking comment Tuesday from several of the people charged were not immediately returned.

One of those charged, John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix, told The Detroit News on Tuesday that he he didnt believe he did anything wrong.

Did I do anything illegal? No, Haggard said.

GOP state Sen. Ed McBroom, who chaired a GOP-led Senate panel to investigate Michigans 2020 presidential election that found no wrongdoing, said he previously spoke with one of the fake electors. It was clear, McBroom said, that the effort was organized by people who put themselves in a position of authority and posing themselves as the ones who knew what they were doing.

They were wrong, McBroom told The Associated Press. And other people followed them when they shouldnt have.

Berden and Mayra Rodriguez, a Michigan lawyer who was also charged Tuesday, were both questioned by congressional investigators as part of the U.S. House panels investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection.

In January of last year, Nessel asked federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation into the 16 Republicans.

Obviously this is part of a much bigger conspiracy, she said at the time.

Electors are people appointed to represent voters in presidential elections. The winner of the popular vote in each state determines which partys electors are sent to the Electoral College, which meets in December after the election to certify the outcome.

False Electoral College certificates were also submitted declaring Trump the winner of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Investigations are underway in some other states that submitted fake electors, but not all.

A Georgia prosecutor investigating possible illegal meddling in the 2020 election has agreed to immunity deals with at least eight fake electors. And Arizonas Democratic attorney general is in the very early stages of a probe. Nevadas attorney general, also a Democrat, has said he wont bring charges, while Wisconsin has no active investigation and the attorney general has deferred to the U.S. Justice Department.

There is no apparent investigation in Pennsylvania and former Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is now governor, said he didnt believe there was evidence the actions of the fake electors met the legal standards for forgery.

A group of other Trump allies in Michigan, including former GOP attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno, are facing potential criminal charges related to attempts to gain access to voting machines after the 2020 election.

According to documents released last year by Nessels office, five vote tabulators were taken from Roscommon and Missaukee counties in northern Michigan, and Barry County in western Michigan. The tabulators were subsequently broken into and tests were performed on the equipment.

A grand jury was convened in March at the request of a special prosecutor to consider indictments, according to court records. The special prosecutor, D.J. Hilson, wrote in May in a court document that a charging decision is ready to be made.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa  Former President Donald Trump joked about his legal challenges while campaigning in eastern Iowa on Tuesday night, just hours after announcing hed received a target letter in the Justice Departments investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Headlining a Republican county meeting, Trump attacked investigators while trying to make light of what could be his third criminal indictment since March.

I didnt know practically what a subpoena was and grand juries. Now Im becoming an expert, he told the audience at an Elks Lodge in Cedar Rapids.

He also taped a town hall with Fox News, telling host Sean Hannity that he was nonetheless frustrated by the charges.

It bothers me, he said while continuing to cast the investigations as politically motivated. The DOJ has become a weapon for the Democrats, he charged.

The trip to the leadoff GOP voting state was yet another indication that, when it comes to Trump, none of the rules of politics ever apply. Trump did not cancel the trip to huddle with advisers and he was not disinvited by organizers. Instead, he carried on as he has for months, incorporating his latest legal woes into his usual stump speech mixture of grievance, lies about the 2020 election, criticism of President Joe Biden and his agenda for a second term.

Iowa, with its caucuses just six months away, is a critical state for Trump, his partys decisive early front-runner, and his rivals.

He set off for his latest trip just hours after announcing on his Truth Social platform that he had received a letter Sunday informing him that is the target of special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into the aftermath of the 2020 election and the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Such letters often precede indictments and are used to inform individuals under investigation that prosecutors have gathered evidence linking them to a crime.

Trump has already been indicted twice  once in New York and once in Florida  and also faces potential charges in a separate election interference investigation nearing its conclusion in Georgia, a stunning and unprecedented legal onslaught as he runs for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

But the indictments have yet to damage Trumps standing. Instead, early polling shows Trump ahead of his closest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by 20 to 30 points, or more.

The monthly meetings of the Linn County GOP, typically lightly attended affairs, have become somewhat more popular in recent months as representatives from various Republican presidential candidates campaigns have paid visits to build goodwill with party regulars.

But Tuesdays gathering was far from ordinary. More than 150 people  many wearing Trumps signature Make America Great Again red hats  squeezed into the hall of the Elks Lodge on the citys southwest side. Press covering the stop were cordoned behind the bar typically used for weddings and anniversaries.

At least as many Trump supporters remained outside the event, unable to get in, and were left on the sidewalk to greet the former president as he arrived and departed.

News of the target letter, said Linn County, Iowa, GOP chair Bernie Hayes, only emboldens the former presidents supporters.

Does something like that engender sympathy? I think certainly it does, Hayes said, as the small event room filled beyond the number of chairs set. The mans being persecuted, so they are just thinking of another way to persecute him.

Some Iowa Republicans have said in interviews that the mounting legal battles Trump faces could make it difficult for him to govern if elected and that they have begun looking to alternatives. But Hayes said the developments have only strengthened the resolve of Trump supporters he talks to.

If anything, people see President Trump is actually hardened by the trials hes gone through and knows what hes up against, Hayes said.

Teresa Horton-Bumgarner from small-town Solon, east of Cedar Rapids, echoed that she and Republicans in her circle believe strongly the Biden administration is using the judicial system as a political weapon.

Nothing that (Trump) did on Jan. 6, that Ive ever seen that incited violence. He said to peacefully protest, and lawfully, said Horton-Bumgarner, 56, who described the indictments against Trump as so egregious that Republicans tend to rally behind him.

Before his speech, Trump was interviewed on local radio, and railed against the investigations while dismissing potential negative fallout.

The people of our great country, they fully understand whats going (on). Its election interference. Its a weaponization of justice, he said.

Speaking of his supporters, he said: They are never leaving us because they want to make America great again. Theyre with us. They have a passion like nobodys ever had.

The Jan. 6 probe has centered on a broad range of efforts by Trump and allies to keep him in office, including plans for slates of fake electors in multiple battleground states won by Biden to submit false electoral certificates to Congress.

Legal experts have said potential charges could include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding, in this case Congress certification of Bidens electoral victory.

In Washington, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Trumps supporters would not be turned off by the developments.

Well see what they come up with . but I tell you, the more they target Donald Trump? I mean, boy, the base, they just eat it up, she said. They see two systems of justice, one for Donald Trump and one for everybody else.

Trump called a top GOP ally in the House, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, to rally Republicans against the investigation and discuss their strategy for going on offense, according to a person familiar with the conversation and granted anonymity to discuss it. Trump also spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the person said. McCarthy once criticized Trump over Jan. 6 but on Tuesday accused Democrats of trying to weaponize government to go after their number one opponent.

Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Senate minority whip, said that, with one indictment after the next, voters eventually tune it out. It doesnt have the weight or the meaning that it does when youve got this many things coming at you.

Now, on the other hand, he added, it also creates, I think, kind of a lot of noise and distraction that always seem to surround the former president. At what point does that have some effect on peoples opinions? I dont know.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  As proposed, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronaynes plans to build a jail in Garfield Heights and fund it with a 40-year sales tax do not appear to have county councils approval.

During councils second discussion of the project at Tuesdays Committee of the Whole meeting, members repeatedly balked at the idea of purchasing more acres than are required for a jail, buying each of those acres for the same price despite some of them being undevelopable, and buying any land at all without first securing funding for a new jail.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A target letter sent to Donald Trump suggests that a sprawling Justice Department investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election is zeroing in on him after more than a year of interviews with top aides to the former president and state officials from across the country.

Federal prosecutors have cast a wide net, asking witnesses in recent months about a chaotic White House meeting that included discussion of seizing voting machines and about lawyers involvement in plans to block the transfer of power, according to people familiar with the probe. Theyve discussed with witnesses schemes by Trump associates to enlist slates of Republican fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden and interviewed state election officials who faced a pressure campaign over the election results in the days before the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

It is unclear how much longer special counsel Jack Smiths investigation will last, but its gravity was evident Tuesday when Trump disclosed that he had received a letter from the Justice Department advising him that he was a target of the probe. Such letters often precede criminal charges; Trump received one ahead of his indictment last month on charges that he illegally hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.

Though its not known what charges Trump or anyone else might face in the election probe, the scope of the inquiry stands in stark contrast to Smiths much narrower classified documents investigation. The vast range of witnesses is a reminder of the tumultuous two months between Trumps election loss and the insurrection at the Capitol, when some lawyers and advisers aided his futile efforts to remain president while many others implored him to move on or were relentlessly badgered to help alter results.

A spokesperson for Smith declined to comment about the target letter or the interviews that prosecutors have conducted.

Even before Smith inherited the election interference probe last November, Justice Department investigators had already interviewed multiple Trump administration officials, including the chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence and former top lawyers at the White House, scrutinized post-election fundraising and seized as potential evidence the cellphones of numerous lawyers and officials.

Since then, Smiths team has questioned senior administration officials including Pence himself before the grand jury in Washington and has conducted voluntary interviews with a wide array of witnesses inside and outside the federal government. Those include election officials in states where Trump associates waged fruitless efforts to get results overturned in the Republican incumbents favor.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who was personally lobbied by Trump to find 11,780 votes to overtake Biden, has been interviewed by Smiths team, as has Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, according to their representatives.

Wisconsins top elections administrator and election leaders in Milwaukee and Madison have spoken with federal investigators. And former Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who silenced a call from the Trump White House as he was publicly certifying Bidens narrow victory in the state, has been contacted by Smiths team, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

A consistent area of interest for investigators has been the role played by Trump lawyers in helping him cling to power, according to people familiar with the investigation who, like others interviewed for the story, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing criminal probe.

John Eastman, a conservative law professor, advanced a dubious legal theory that said Pence could halt the certification of state electoral votes to block Bidens win. Another lawyer, Sidney Powell, promoted baseless claims of voter fraud and pushed an idea  vigorously opposed by Trumps lawyers at the White House  that Trump had the authority under an earlier executive order to seize state voting machines.

Charles Burnham, a lawyer for Eastman, said Tuesday that his client had not received a target letter. We dont expect one since raising concerns about illegality in the conduct of an election is not now and has never been sanctionable, he said. A lawyer for Powell declined to comment.

Multiple witnesses have been asked about a heated Dec. 18, 2020, meeting at the White House in which outside advisers, including Powell, raised the voting machines idea, people familiar with the matter said. The meeting, which devolved into a shouting match, featured prominently in a separate investigation by the House Jan. 6 committee, with former White House official Cassidy Hutchinson memorably describing it as unhinged.

Rudy Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who participated in the meeting and who spearheaded legal challenges to the election results, was asked about that meeting during a voluntary interview with Smiths team and also detailed to prosecutors Powells involvement in failed efforts to overturn the election, according to a person familiar with his account. Giuliani has not received a target letter.

Giulianis interview was part of whats known as a proffer agreement, the person said, in which a person agrees to speak voluntarily with investigators while prosecutors agree not to use those statements in any criminal case they might later bring. Prosecutors have worked to negotiate similar arrangements with other witnesses.

As prosecutors dig into efforts by Trump allies to thwart Bidens victory, theyve focused on the creation of slates of fake electors from key states captured by Biden who were enlisted by Trump and his allies to sign false certificates stating that Trump had actually won.

Smiths team has also focused on Trumps efforts to punish officials from his administration who refused to go along with his false election fraud claims. Chris Krebs, who was fired by Trump as director of the Department of Homeland Securitys cybersecurity agency after vouching for the integrity of the 2020 vote, was interviewed by prosecutors a couple of months ago about the perceived retaliation for his stance, according to a person familiar with the questioning.

Another person familiar with Smiths investigation also said prosecutors in recent months have expressed interest in the ordeal of Ruby Freeman, a Georgia election worker who along with her daughter recounted to the House Jan. 6 committee how their lives became upended when Trump and allies latched onto surveillance footage to level since-debunked allegations of voter fraud.

___

Associated Press writers Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wis., Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix and Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  Ohio voters already are turning out in droves to cast ballots in the first days of early voting for the Aug. 8 special election, eclipsing turnout several times over for the same time period during last years May primary.

Last week, 66,314 Ohioans voted, compared to the 11,935 who did so during the first four days of early voting in May 2022. Thats more than four times as many ballots cast statewide for the Aug. 8 election, which will decide the fate of State Issue 1, than in the May election that featured a competitive GOP primary for U.S. Senate, a contested Democratic primary for governor and down-ballot races on both sides of the aisle.

Its unclear what the surge in early voting, which is particularly pronounced in urban and suburban areas, could foretell for State Issue 1, which would make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution. Ohio hasnt had a statewide August election to decide a ballot issue in more than a century, leaving it without a modern direct comparison.

Voters could be banking their votes before jetting off for summer vacations, suggesting an imminent drop-off as Election Day approaches  although early voting typically ramps up closer to Election Day. More voters could be opting to vote in person, instead of voting by mail, leading the results to be recorded faster, although vote-by-mail requests are up, too. Or, it could suggest an unprecedented and unexpected turnout for a plan that could stonewall future efforts to go around the GOP-controlled state legislature to pass direct law changes by asking voters to add them to the state constitution.

Republicans and rural residents also are less likely than Democrats and urban/suburban residents to vote early, which means there could be higher turnout in Republican areas on Election Day, although the Ohio Republican Party and the campaign working to pass Issue 1 are emphasizing early voting as part of a broader GOP push.

Were encouraged because were seeing strong participation so far, said Jen Miller, president of the Ohio League of Women Voters, which advocates for voter participation and opposes State Issue 1. But in the 200-year history of our state, the state legislature never has put an issue of such great importance on an August special election. So theres no way to really estimate what turnout ultimately will be in the end.

Need to Know: How to register, where to vote, when the polls are open

Aaron Ockerman, director of the Ohio Elections Officials Association, said hes heard from rural, urban and suburban elections officials alike who have described a surge in in-person early voting around the state.

We are not sure whether or not this is just a concerted effort by both sides to get their voters out early, or whether or not this is sustained through Election Day, Ockerman said. With no historical context, its tough to tell.

On Aug. 8, voters will decide whether to approve State Issue 1, which would make it harder to amend the state constitution by requiring future amendments to get 60% in a statewide vote to pass, compared to the current 50% simple majority standard. It also would make it significantly harder for future amendments to qualify for the ballot by tightening signature-gathering requirements for amendment campaigns.

A yes vote would approve the changes. A no vote would reject them.

Projections surrounding voter turnout have been a contentious part of the debate surrounding State Issue 1. August elections historically have had very low turnout, which is why Republican legislators largely banned them last December, saying that schools and other local governments unfairly targeted them to propose tax hikes.

Issue 1 opponents have criticized Republicans for subsequently setting an August election for Issue 1. Low-turnout elections  a scenario that groups including the Ohio Republican Party envisioned for the Aug. 8 election  also carry a different set of political calculations, with campaigns generally focusing on turning out their core supporters rather than persuading the broader electorate. Shifts in what kinds of voters show up at the polls can have dramatic effects on electoral outcomes.

Read more: Read all our State Issue 1 coverage here.

Where are the increases in early voting the highest?

The numbers come from a Plain Dealer / cleveland.com analysis of early-voting data published by Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who historically has announced weekly statewide early-voting numbers, and recently began publishing daily reports. It compares the first four days of early voting for the May 2022 primary election and the first four days of early voting for the August 2023 statewide election, which began last week.

The increase in early votes last week, when compared to the May 2022 election, was particularly pronounced in urban counties, which saw a six-fold increase in the number of early votes, and suburban counties, which saw a seven-fold increase. Early voting was up in rural counties too, but it hasnt accelerated as quickly as other parts of the state. Rural counties saw three times as many voters cast ballots in the first four days of early voting.

For the analysis, the following counties were categorized as urban: Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, Stark, Summit and Trumbull counties. Suburban counties were: Delaware Lake, Lorain, Medina, Warren and Wood. The rest were rural, besides Athens County, which was assigned its own unique category since it is an outlier as a rural, heavily Democratic county.

Higher turnout in more liberal suburban and urban areas likely would bode poorly for State Issue 1, in large part because of its implications for a potential vote in November that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Republican state legislators scheduled the vote on State Issue 1 in August to attempt to make it more difficult for the abortion measure to pass. Urban and suburban areas, meanwhile, saw some of the highest numbers of voters sign the petitions amendment backers circulated in their bid to qualify for the ballot. Elections officials are reviewing those signatures to see if they submitted the roughly 413,000 valid signatures needed, including a minimum number from 44 of 88 counties, to qualify.

While early voting numbers for the Aug. 8 election show a larger immediate response in areas more likely to reject Issue 1, outstanding absentee ballot requests also suggest the early no vote has room to grow.

Last week, another 113,889 voters requested absentee ballots  of which, 72,882, or almost two-thirds came from urban counties  compared to 75,428 during the same period for the May 2022 election. The increase in absentee ballots was particularly concentrated in urban counties, where they were up 90% compared to May 2022, while they were up 50% in suburban counties. They were down slightly, 2.3%, in rural counties.

Cuyahoga County saw the largest increase by far of any county, both in terms of raw votes and on a percentage basis. Last week, 6,938 voters cast early ballots, compared to just 167 during the same period in May 2022. Cuyahoga County also saw the largest percentage increase in absentee ballot requests, with 35,356 requesting vote-by-mail applications compared to 11,026 for the May 2022 election.

Citing early-voting numbers that are more reminiscent of a general election for governor, officials in Cuyahoga County have upgraded their projections for voter turnout there. State Republicans have said its not unusual for urban areas like Cuyahoga County to show big early-vote leads, but for the GOP to win the overall vote thanks to their performance on Election Day.

What about the August 2022 election?

The Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer analysis compared the August 2023 election with the May 2022 election, because every voter in the state had a competitive race to consider in both instances.

Another apt comparison could be the August primary election last year, the only statewide summer election in recent history, when voters chose Republican and Democratic nominees for the state legislature. The race drew record-low turnout, however, in part because many legislative districts didnt have competitive primary elections. The first week of early voting in August 2022 had just three days, though, compared with four days for the August 2023 election.

The general comparison between the August 2023 and August 2022 elections is similar to the comparison between August 2023 and May 2022. For this Aug. 8 election, nearly 10 times as many people voted during the first week of early voting when compared to the same period for the August 2022 election.

Similarly, the increase in turnout is comparatively driven by higher levels of early voting in urban and suburban areas, up 12 times and 13 times, respectively, compared to a seven-fold increase in rural counties. However, the suburban/urban/rural differences in absentee ballot requests are less pronounced.

Heres a table showing county-by-county early-vote and absentee-ballot request numbers in all 88 counties, comparing July 11-14, 2023 with April 5-8, 2022  the first four days of early voting for the Aug. 8, 2023 and May 3, 2022 elections. All votes is a combination of early, in-person votes and returned mail ballots.

County All votes 8/23 Absentee requests 8/23 All votes 5/22 Absentee requests 5/22 Statewide 66,314 113,889 11,935 75,428 Adams 127 108 39 96 Allen 577 294 92 532 Ashland 430 287 122 364 Ashtabula 344 508 86 603 Athens 715 450 82 330 Auglaize 311 213 43 173 Belmont 227 455 88 801 Brown 246 200 86 204 Butler 1,950 1,898 376 1,919 Carroll 93 75 31 191 Champaign 289 213 83 193 Clark 736 757 205 940 Clermont 847 1,620 105 1,040 Clinton 333 99 97 194 Columbiana 191 408 36 561 Coshocton 230 130 146 388 Crawford 199 220 84 179 Cuyahoga 6,938 35,356 168 11,026 Darke 375 191 105 269 Defiance 430 260 114 195 Delaware 1,822 2,547 156 1,350 Erie 667 629 105 600 Fairfield 1,024 1,062 167 743 Fayette 199 71 46 92 Franklin 4,437 13,048 562 6,500 Fulton 249 149 190 314 Gallia 77 92 79 226 Geauga 1,073 1,841 95 1,165 Greene 1,356 1,435 286 1,666 Guernsey 160 200 24 209 Hamilton 4,088 7,285 575 5,839 Hancock 686 377 105 301 Hardin 148 99 82 153 Harrison 39 58 10 64 Henry 193 105 39 75 Highland 265 137 78 172 Hocking 302 132 62 142 Holmes 246 242 45 93 Huron 398 379 64 312 Jackson 195 107 73 148 Jefferson 209 348 88 1,016 Knox 803 478 84 343 Lake 1,316 2,788 170 2,418 Lawrence 62 260 81 509 Licking 1,288 1,721 153 1,065 Logan 765 165 138 223 Lorain 2,335 2,837 299 2,012 Lucas 2,171 3,096 431 2,427 Madison 225 283 113 271 Mahoning 992 1,629 295 2,214 Marion 501 285 131 477 Medina 2,072 1,793 268 1,309 Meigs 73 49 29 85 Mercer 449 232 80 208 Miami 702 665 110 450 Monroe 85 54 30 67 Montgomery 1,822 2,698 556 3,647 Morgan 128 64 50 111 Morrow 283 213 76 199 Muskingum 346 272 192 477 Noble 66 48 41 92 Ottawa 334 357 40 351 Paulding 114 42 40 132 Perry 112 202 51 165 Pickaway 479 359 92 346 Pike 151 2 29 58 Portage 1,001 1,471 156 1,024 Preble 173 181 47 133 Putnam 322 167 90 146 Richland 883 581 435 648 Ross 612 421 119 252 Sandusky 298 342 47 250 Scioto 228 276 49 238 Seneca 274 202 84 292 Shelby 290 298 62 217 Stark 1,758 2,144 162 1,889 Summit 2,324 6,366 254 3,140 Trumbull 1,303 1,260 494 1,698 Tuscarawas 490 549 252 474 Union 787 361 101 284 Van Wert 194 82 163 207 Vinton 36 100 37 74 Warren 1,534 2,278 200 1,425 Washington 495 246 120 390 Wayne 890 431 108 846 Williams 205 116 58 141 Wood 935 1,249 157 492 Wyandot 187 91 42 134

Here are the top 10 counties, comparing the first week of early voting for the same two elections, sorted by highest percentage increase in total votes cast:

County All votes 8/23 All votes 5/22 % increase in votes # increase in votes Cuyahoga 6,938 168 4029.8% 6,770 Delaware 1,822 156 1067.9% 1,666 Geauga 1,073 95 1029.5% 978 Stark 1,758 162 985.2% 1,596 Knox 803 84 856.0% 719 Summit 2,324 254 815.0% 2,070 Athens 715 82 772.0% 633 Licking 1,288 153 741.8% 1,135 Ottawa 334 40 735.0% 294 Wayne 890 108 724.1% 782

Here are the top 10 counties, sorted by largest percentage increase in absentee ballot requests.

County Absentee requests 8/23 Absentee requests 5/22 % increase in AB requests # increase in AB requests Cuyahoga 35,356 11,026 220.7% 24,330 Holmes 242 93 160.2% 149 Wood 1,249 492 153.9% 757 Summit 6,366 3,140 102.7% 3,226 Franklin 13,048 6,500 100.7% 6,548 Delaware 2,547 1,350 88.7% 1,197 Ross 421 252 67.1% 169 Licking 1,721 1,065 61.6% 656 Warren 2,278 1,425 59.9% 853 Geauga 1,841 1,165 58.0% 676

Here are the bottom 10 counties, sorted by smallest percentage increase in total votes:

County All votes 8/23 All votes 5/22 % increase in votes # increase in votes Lawrence 62 81 -23.5% -19 Vinton 36 37 -2.7% -1 Gallia 77 79 -2.5% -2 Van Wert 194 163 19.0% 31 Fulton 249 190 31.1% 59 Coshocton 230 146 57.5% 84 Noble 66 41 61.0% 25 Muskingum 346 192 80.2% 154 Hardin 148 82 80.5% 66 Tuscarawas 490 252 94.4% 238

Here are the bottom 10 counties, sorted by largest drop in absentee ballot requests:

County Absentee requests 8/23 Absentee requests 5/22 % increase in AB requests # decrease in AB requests Pike 2 58 -96.6% -56 Paulding 42 132 -68.2% -90 Coshocton 130 388 -66.5% -258 Jefferson 348 1,016 -65.7% -668 Carroll 75 191 -60.7% -116 Van Wert 82 207 -60.4% -125 Gallia 92 226 -59.3% -134 Fulton 149 314 -52.5% -165 Wayne 431 846 -49.1% -415 Clinton 99 194 -49.0% -95

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
Rotunda Rumblings

Childs play? Forty-three Ohio House Republicans are sponsoring a bill that would classify drag queen story hours and other childrens events as adult cabaret performances, along with exotic and go-go dancing, and would prohibit them. Under House Bill 245, any cabaret performance in front of a minor would be criminalized as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on whether the performance was harmful or obscene. Equality Ohio plans to fight the bill, Laura Hancock reports.

Trans-ban: U.S. Sen. JD Vance on Tuesday announced that hes introduced legislation that would make providing gender-affirming care to minors a federal Class C felony, punishable with a prison sentence of 10 to 25 years, Sabrina Eaton reports. The Cincinnati Republicans Protect Childrens Innocence Act also would block taxpayer funding for such procedures, including banning coverage of the treatments from Affordable Care Act insurance plans, stopping universities from providing instruction on gender-affirming care, and deeming noncitizens who have performed gender-affirming care on a minor ineligible to receive visas or admittance to the United States.

On drugs: U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, a Champaign County Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, on Tuesday sent letters to the CEOs of Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck & Co. Inc to examine whether the pharmaceutical companies colluded with the White House to censor coronavirus-related speech. The entanglement of Executive Branch agencies, third-party organizations, and technology companies to moderate speech-related content online raises questions about the extent to which these actions affected the civil liberties of American citizens, the letters say.

Poll watch: U.S. Sen. Sherod Brown is slightly ahead of each of the Republicans running for his position, according to a recent USA Today Network/ Suffolk University poll of 500 likely Ohio voters. Among the three Republicans, Cleveland car dealer Bernie Moreno polled worse against Brown than state Sen. Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. The poll showed LaRose in the tightest race with Brown.

Who owns the House? Longtime Congressional Black Caucus PAC aides are launching a PAC aimed at reaching Black voters, in places such as Ohio and Nevada, with more than 8% Black voting age populations. This is part of an effort for Democrats to win back control of the U.S. House by spending eight figures and will work alongside the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Politico reports.

Death row debate: Its been five years since any Ohio death row inmate has been executed and News 5 Clevelands Morgan Trau talked to people on both sides of the debate. A friend of Suzanne Taylor, who was brutally murdered with her daughters in North Royalton in 2017, awaits George Brinkmans execution, hoping that her nightmares would stop. But John Manns son said that the death penalty just keeps the case open for years, exposing the family to trauma. Thomas Knuff Jr., was sentenced to capital punishment for John Mann and Regina Copabiancos murders in Parma in 2017.

Making an issue of it: Ohio Public Radios Jo Ingles spoke with the chairs of the Ohio Republican and Democratic parties about their strategy on Issue 1, which would make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution. The Democrats, which oppose Issue 1, are working with labor unions and advocacy groups. The Republicans, which favor Issue 1, are working with churches, anti-abortion groups and business coalitions.

Greene going red? Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene, a Democrat, is thinking about running for reelection next year as a Republican, he told David Skolnick of the Youngstown Vindicator. Greene, who said hes considering the move because of unspecified personal reasons, has been a Democrat since he was first elected sheriff in 2012. However, Greene also has maintained good ties with local Republicans, who arent expected to run an opponent against him in 2024. Mahoning County, once a firm Democratic stronghold, has turned increasingly Republican in recent years.

Case files: U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Ken Parker continues to stay mum on further prosecutions in the House Bill 6 corruption scandal, except to say the case isnt over. However, he did compare former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder to Chinese intelligence officer Yanjun Xu, who also is in prison for the next 20 years, because their actions brought a threat to the very foundation of our country, he told the USA Today Network Ohio Bureaus Laura Bischoff.

Civility aint cheap: An unusual pairing of GOP Rep. Mike Carey and Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty, co-chairs of the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus, will headline a fundraiser hosted by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC. A flier for the event show seats range in cost from $500 to $5,000.

Lobbying Lineup

Lobbyists flocked to the following five state agencies the most in 2022, according to a recent report by the Ohio Joint Legislative Ethics Committee.

1. The Ohio Department of Health: 563 lobbyists representing 572 companies and organizations.

2. The Ohio Office of Budget and Management: 540 lobbyists who represented 619 companies and organizations.

3. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: 499 lobbyists, representing 452 companies and organizations.

4.The Ohio Department of Taxation: 460 lobbyists representing 446 companies and organizations.

5.The Ohio Department of Medicaid: 450 lobbyists representing 393 companies or organizations.

On the Move

Will Hinman has been named executive director of the Utility Scale Solar Energy Coalition of Ohio, the trade association representing large solar power developers and related businesses in the state, according to a release. Hinman, who previously worked as a top staffer to ex-Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp and as a legislative lobbyist for the Ohio Department of Transportation, will continue to operate his consulting firm, Forrest Hinman Capitol Consulting.

Former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan has moved from the Mahoning Valley to the Columbus area for his new job, the Tribune Chronicle reports. Ryan sold his two-story house in Trumbull County and moved to a new home in Dublin, a Columbus suburb. He was hired in May as chief global business development officer for Zoetic Global.

Tick-Tock

The countdown is on for the special election to decide State Issue 1, a state constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass future amendments. Heres the key date to remember.

Election Day... 20 days (Aug. 8)

Birthday

Chloe Donovan, legislative aide to state Rep. Joe Miller

Straight From The Source

This bill is unconstitutional. If passed, might it be subjected to a pre-enforcement challenge?

-Case Western University law school professor Jonathan Adler, opining on the drag queen ban bill that he believes is not constitutionally sound.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- I was born in 1949, just as the Cold War was getting underway. My youth was spent under the leadership and protection of Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, Cold Warriors all. And what were all of them protecting us against? Communism, of course.

Communism, coincidentally enough, was represented by two of the geographically largest countries on the planet: Russia (then known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and China. They seemed to be behind much of the evil we attributed to Communism: missiles in Cuba, the Korean War, the occupation and subjugation of most of Eastern Europe, even the War in Vietnam, which scarred my high school and college years.

Communism was also the enemy which led us to support heinous dictatorships in Spain and, especially, in Latin America  notably in Brazil, Chile and Argentina. It was the driving force of our foreign policy for decades, with even liberal presidents and members of Congress accepting the need to contain and ultimately defeat Communism as the organizing principle of our relationship to the rest of the world.

Communism dominated much of our domestic politics, as well, with the hunts to root out Communists and fellow travelers by the House Un-American Activities Committee a leading feature of our politics in the 1950s. J. Edgar Hoovers FBI compiled dossiers on thousands of Americans as part of this widespread effort.

Then, strange things happened. The Soviet Union collapsed, replaced by an apparently de-communized Russia, and Richard Nixon famously went to China and opened a new and exciting relationship. The Chinese Communists became the manufacturing hub of the Capitalist world.

What had happened to the evil Communists? Did their absence mean that, as one writer notoriously declared, we had reached. The End of History? It seems not.

Here we are today, 74 years after my first appearance on the planet, confronted by a horrifying war of aggression in Europe, brought by  that de-communized Russia. Our major trade and foreign policy challenge? Why, that would be China, threatening Taiwan, trying to dominate the seas, and spreading its influence throughout Asia and Africa.

Mark Wallach has been practicing law in Cleveland since 1974.

Could it be that the real enemies we faced during my youth were not The Communists, but Russia and China? The history of those two ever-expansive empires reveals centuries  in Chinas case, even millenniafilled with two preoccupations: keeping their empires together and dominating their neighbors. Ask Japan and Korea about Chinas historical pursuit of Asian hegemony. Ask Poland and Ukraine how much fun it has been being Russias neighbor since the late Middle Ages.

So, looking back on the foreign policy challenges our country has faced during my life to date, I have to wonder: Was Communism anything more than a slogan to mask the territorial hunger of those two great powers? Are the battles we are fighting today any different than the ones we fought in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s?

Mark Wallach is a lawyer who has been practicing in Cleveland since 1974. Twenty-some years ago, he published an op-ed in The Plain Dealer suggesting that Northern Ohio should secede from the rest of the state; he still thinks so.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com
CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday gave his take on Morgan Stanley's decision to downgrade food and beverage giant PepsiCo after its second-quarter earnings report, saying he thinks the company could continue to outperform and that its latest results aren't "as good as it gets."

Cramer admitted that PepsiCo's high price-to-earnings multiples give him pause  it sells at 23 times next year's earnings  but said he feels the company's leadership is so strong that it won't be affected by the business cycle or the cost of labor.

"But I say when you call a top or say something's as good as it gets, you'd better know something meaningful about management  maybe a great leader's retiring, maybe something's gone terribly wrong and nobody else sees it," Cramer said. "Without those, I think the 'as good as it gets' call is a very risky call to make when a company's got great management at the helm."

Cramer said he is impressed with PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta, who he said was able to raise the company's growth rate when few thought it would be possible. It went from 4% to 5% to 8% and then this quarter to 10%.

He also noted the food and beverage giant bought an 8.5% stake in energy drink brand Celsius when it wasn't very popular and traded for $75. It now trades for nearly double that price, and Cramer envisions a possible PepsiCo takeover of the company.

"This is no longer the old Pepsi or Frito Lay: The company's done a remarkable job building brand equity. It's no longer, per se, a buyback machine  It's a machine that pours money into global growth markets," Cramer said. "Ramon Laguarta is a fantastic manager who's doing amazing things with Pepsi and Frito Lay that even bulls like me never thought possible."
Google on Wednesday is starting a new pilot program where some employees will be restricted to internet-free desktop PCs, CNBC has learned.

The company originally selected more than 2,500 employees to participate, but after receiving feedback, the company revised the pilot to allow employees to opt out, as well as opening it up to volunteers. The company will disable internet access on the select desktops, with the exception of internal web-based tools and Google -owned websites like Google Drive and Gmail. Some workers who need the internet to do their job will get exceptions, the company stated in materials.

In addition, some employees will have no root access, meaning they won't be able to run administrative commands or do things like install software.

Google is running the program to reduce the risk of cyberattacks, according to internal materials. "Googlers are frequent targets of attacks," one internal description viewed by CNBC stated. If a Google employee's device is compromised, the attackers may have access to user data and infrastructure code, which could result in a major incident and undermine user trust, the description added.

Turning off most internet access ensures attackers cannot easily run arbitrary code remotely or grab data, the description explained.

The program comes as companies face increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Last week, Microsoft said Chinese intelligence hacked into company email accounts belonging to two dozen government agencies, including the State Department, in the U.S. and Western Europe in a "significant" breach. Google has been pursuing U.S. government contracts since launching a public sector division last year.

It also comes as Google, which is preparing a companywide rollout of various artificial intelligence tools, tries to boost its security. The company has also in recent months been striving harder to contain leaks.

"Ensuring the safety of our products and users is one of our top priorities," a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "We routinely explore ways to strengthen our internal systems against malicious attacks."
Apple stock popped briefly Wednesday after a Bloomberg News report said the company was developing its own artificial intelligence large language model internally. It ended the trading day up less than 1%.

The move signals Apple is taking recent advances in AI technology seriously and is considering integrating them into future products. The company rarely uses the term "artificial intelligence," instead opting for the more academic "machine learning."

For the past year, technologists and investors have been enamored of large language models, an AI technology that can turn out text or code that looks like a human wrote it.

Apple has an internal foundation for AI called Ajax and a small team of engineers have built a chatbot that some call "Apple GPT," according to the Bloomberg News report. Access to the chatbot is limited within Apple. Some Apple staffers believe the company is aiming for a significant AI announcement next year, according to the report.

Aside from LLMs, Apple uses a lot of machine learning in its products, from Siri speech recognition to the ability of the Photos app to detect faces and pets.

To some degree, Apple is late to jump aboard the LLM trend. Microsoft has integrated OpenAI's ChatGPT into its software, Google has integrated its Bard into its search engine, Amazon will offer LLMs through AWS and Meta open-sourced a big LLM project this week.

On Tuesday, Qualcomm , which makes the processors for phones that compete with Apple's iPhone, said it would work with Meta so its LLMs would work directly on Android devices, instead of on far-away servers in the cloud.

Apple representatives didn't respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Dutch firm ASML makes one of the most important pieces of machinery required to manufacture the most advanced chips in the world. U.S. chip curbs have left companies, including ASML, scrambling to figure out what the rules mean in practice.

ASML , one of the world's most important semiconductor equipment firms, posted a jump in revenue and profit in the second quarter, but warned of macroeconomic "uncertainties" ahead.

The Dutch company makes expensive machines that are required to manufacture the world's most advanced chips. It counts giants like TSMC, the world's biggest contract semiconductor maker, among its customers.

But ASML has also been caught in the middle of the U.S.-China technology battle because of the importance of the tools it makes.

Here's how ASML did in the second quarter versus Refinitiv estimates:

Net sales : 6.9 billion euros ($7.7 billion), compared with 6.72 billion euros expected. That represents a 27% year-on-year rise.

: 6.9 billion euros ($7.7 billion), compared with 6.72 billion euros expected. That represents a 27% year-on-year rise. Net profit: 1.9 billion euros, versus 1.82 billion euros expected. That marks a 37.6% year-on-year increase.

ASML said it expects net sales in the third quarter of this year to sit between 6.5 billion euros and 7 billion euros.

The company also raised its outlook for 2023, now anticipating its net sales this year to grow 30% year-on-year, up from a 25% growth estimate previously.

ASML said that the brighter outlook is due to strong revenue from its deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machine, which is used to manufacture memory chips. These go into various devices, from smartphones to laptops and servers, and could ultimately be used for artificial intelligence applications.

Still, ASML CEO Peter Wennink warned about macroeconomic uncertainties.

"Our customers across different market segments are currently more cautious due to continued macro-economic uncertainties, and therefore expect a later recovery of their markets. Also, the shape of the recovery slope is still unclear," Wennink said in a press release.

Companies that design and make chips that go into end products like smartphones have been dealing with high inventory levels of these components. That's because demand for end products, such as consumer electronics, continues to remain weak.

That means chipmakers are slowing down their output of chips and therefore using ASML tools less, Wennink said in pre-recorded video interview on the company website.
The Spring Breeze bulk carrier freight ship is filled with grain at the Prince Rupert Grain Ltd. terminal of the Port of Prince Rupert in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada.

In a day of back-and-forth moves by the labor union representing workers at Canada's West Coast ports, the final one made by the International Longshoremen and Warehouse Union was to announce on its Facebook page that it was removing a new strike notice it had announced just a few hours earlier.

That decision came after Canada West Coast longshoremen had first walked off the job Tuesday afternoon when a key union caucus voted down a tentative deal agreed to by the union and port owners last week  since that agreement union workers had been back on the job. And port workers were eventually back to work Wednesday after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled the resumption of the strike illegal because no formal strike notice had been posted 72 hours in advance of a work stoppage. The union contended in an official statement that the CIRB was in the wrong, and its original strike notice of July 1 was still in effect and allowed its workers to renew the strike. Nevertheless, the union said it would formally give notice of the strike again.

Then it pulled the new strike notice, with no reason provided. The ILWU said there would be no additional comment.

The on-again, off-again strike has left logistics managers and the world of trade in turmoil as they attempt to assess the situation and make decisions on ocean and rail transport during peak shipping season.

"Managing a global supply chain either as a logistics provider or the beneficial owner of cargo is complex," said Alan Baer, CEO of OL USA. "Supply chains do not fit into the light switch category where you can simply turn it on and off. Historical cargo volumes demonstrate how volumes moving via the USWC [U.S. West Coast] eroded due to fears about cargo being stuck and or diverted," he said, referring to labor tensions on the West Coast over the past year that led many shippers to divert business to East Coast ports. "Once changed, not everyone will simply return," he added.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau convened the Incident Response Group with Labor Minister Seamus O'Reagan, additional ministers, and senior officials to discuss the labor turmoil. Minister O'Reagan had helped broker the tentative deal last week after saying there wasn't enough of a gap between labor and management for a strike to continue. In a statement on Tuesday night after the ILWU rejected the deal he said, "We should not be here. ... We need our ports operating."

By Wednesday, O'Regan, who was among Canadian officials who declared the strike over last week, said, "This strike is illegal," in a tweet.

Rob Ashton, president of the ILWU Canada, initially said in a statement after the voting results of the ILWU Caucus that it did not believe the recommendations had the ability to protect union jobs.

"Our position since day one has been to protect our jurisdiction and this position has not changed. With the record profits that the BCMEA's member companies have earned over the last few years the employers have not addressed the cost of living issues that our workers have faced over the last couple of years as all workers have."

But Ashton said in a statement on Wednesday that the union only "suspended picketing at the request of the Minister of Labor," while it considered the deal. He said the union has followed Canadian labor law which holds that a strike continues from the moment of job action until the ratification of a collective agreement.

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association, which represents port ownership, provided a statement indicating that the terms of the proposed four-year collective agreement settlement package include a compounded 19.2% wage increase over four years, which would result in the median ILWU income moving from $136,000 to $162,000, not including benefits and pension. "The proposed wage increase is well above industry average standards and yet, ILWU Leadership deemed it not enough ...The proposed deal also provides an 18.5% increase in their M&M retirement lump sum payment in addition to their pension, increased tool allowances, benefits, and pension contributions," the BCMEA stated.

Logistics managers and trade experts tell CNBC the delays created by the first strike, which lasted 13 days before ending last Thursday, July 13, will be compounded by the second strike.

Steve Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, which called on the Canadian government to step in during the first strike, said he is disappointed with the decision by ILWU Canada to go back on strike.

"Getting past these port closures and uncertainty, which is damaging Canadian and American workers, businesses, and consumers, should be job one for the Canadian government," Lamar said.

His group estimated that the first strike would cause an average 6-8 weeks of supply chain disruption before conditions would return to normal.

The Railway Association of Canada has estimated that it would take three to five days for every day the strike lasted for networks and supply chains to recover. When the first strike ended on its thirteenth day, delays for rail containers were estimated at 39 to 66 days. That does not include the delays in vessels waiting to get processed.

Work stoppage during peak shipping season

Trade delays lead to late fees on cargo containers that shippers pass onto the consumer. The delays also are taking place during peak shipping season, including back-to-school and holiday orders bound for the U.S.

The Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert are critical ports for U.S. trade, with 15% of U.S. trade coming into the Port of Vancouver, and 60% of all the containers bound for rail destined for the U.S.

Destine Ozuygur, head of operations at eeSea, said that given this latest supply chain surprise, carriers and terminals are weighing decisions and waiting on more information before taking action. Ocean carriers had moved vessels away from Canada to U.S. ports during the initial 13-day strike.

"Things are once again thrown into turmoil just while teams on the ground are beginning to get their bearings on how the next few weeks will unfold," Ozuygur said.

In a note to clients, HLS Shipping told clients an accumulation of around 60,000 containers at the Port of Vancouver needs to be cleared, but there is no labor to work on the containers, which will lead to vessel service delays.

The impact of the strike on U.S. rail trade is expected to continue. Weekly rail trade data from the Association of American Railroads on the second full week of the first strike showed a decline of 36.2%. The first week of the strike, there was a decline of 46.2% in U.S.-bound trade year-over-year. Top sectors impacted include forest products such as lumber and wood products, oil and petroleum products, non-metallic minerals such as crushed stone, sand, stone, clay, and glass products, and chemicals.
BEIJING  China's Commerce Ministry on Wednesday said non-economic factors were growing and interfering with the country's foreign trade which was facing an "extremely severe" situation in the second half of this year.

"Some countries' forceful push for 'decoupling,' 'severing [supply] chains' and so-called 'de-risking' are human-made obstacles blocking normal commerce," Li Xingqian, the head of the ministry's external trade department, said in Mandarin, according to a CNBC translation. He was speaking to reporters at a press conference about the ministry's work in the first half of the year.

China's exports, a significant contributor to domestic growth, have plunged in recent months as global growth has slowed.

On Wednesday, Li noted the overall slowdown. He also said that since trade had risen during the three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, that had set a high base for this year's figures.
Residential skyscraper buildings beyond luxury villas on the waterfront of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 19, 2023.

A United Arab Emirates resident and Nigerian citizen was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that victimized businesses across the U.S., Illinois federal prosecutors said.

Olalekan Jacob Ponle was extradited from the UAE into the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in July 2020, where he remained until pleading guilty to a single wire fraud count earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a Tuesday press release.

Ponle worked with a network of scammers to masquerade as corporate entities using phishing emails. The scammers duped employees into sending money on behalf of their "employers," who were really scammers.

Ponle, better known as Woodberry, was a minor celebrity in his home country of Nigeria due to his profligate displays of wealth on social media.

He relied on a network of "mules" to receive the funds and convert them into bitcoins he received. The Nigerian citizen used the proceeds of his scam to purchase ultra-high-end vehicles, including a Rolls Royce Cullinan and a Lamborghini Urus.

Ponle will forfeit those items, collectively valued at over $1 million, and pay more than $8 million in restitution to victim companies. Ponle had already forfeited 151 bitcoins, valued at over $4.5 million as of Wednesday.

He was prosecuted despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the UAE and the United States. Federal officials at the DOJ'S Office of International Affairs worked with their UAE counterparties to secure Ponle's rendition.
A Canadair CL-415 sprays water during a wildfire in the village of Pournari, near Athens, on July 18, 2023.

The European Union sent four Canadair water bombers to help Greece fight wildfires that have been raging for a third day on Wednesday, while authorities warned of another extraordinary heat wave.

It comes as scorching heat continues to grip southern Europe, with temperatures in Spain, France and Italy climbing to fresh record highs.

Italy's capital of Rome recorded its hottest day ever on Tuesday, as temperatures in the city center rose to a staggering 41.8 degrees Celsius (107.24 Fahrenheit)  surpassing the previous record of 40.7 degrees Celsius registered in June last year.

Mercury levels in Girona in Spain's Catalonia region hit a record 45 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in Verdun in northeast France reached 40.6 degrees Celsius for the first time.

Europe's hottest-ever recorded temperature is believed to have been 48.8 degrees Celsius, logged near the ancient city of Syracuse on the coast of Sicily in August 2021.

The World Meteorological Organization believes this record could soon be broken, as the heat wave is expected to intensify.
American citizen and Yale professor Fiona Scott Morton decided not to take up a key job in the heart of the European Union after facing significant backlash from politicians in the bloc.

Scott Morton had been nominated earlier this month to take the role of chief competition economist, a prominent role in the team of Margrethe Vestager, the EU's competition chief.

"Given the political controversy that has arisen because of the selection of a non-European to fill this position ... I have determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the Chief Economist position," she said in a letter to Vestager shared online Wednesday morning.

The EU's competition chief faced intense questioning from European lawmakers Tuesday for nominating Scott Morton. The criticism focused on her nationality (the fact that she isn't European) and her previous work consulting for Big Tech.

France's president, Emmanuel Macron, when asked by journalists in Brussels, said Tuesday that he was skeptical of the appointment and said that this was not coherent with the region's strategic autonomy goals. Different members of the French government had also in recent days expressed their concerns.
Putting yourself in the best financial situation possible will likely require personalized advice to ensure you're making the right moves, even if it looks different than your peers. But there are still plenty of money habits and attitudes many of us share that could be holding you back from feeling financially secure  or getting rich. Here are five red flags money experts see when creating financial plans for their clients, and what to look out for if you want to be smarter with your own money.

1. Living beyond your means

Do you really know how much you spend each month? If it's more than you can actually afford, that's a red flag. Every financial planner and wealth manager CNBC Make It spoke with highlighted how common it is for first-time clients to look for advice without really knowing how much money is coming in and going out each month. Plus, young people may be especially susceptible to overspending, Emily Safford, a certified financial planner and wealth advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Division, based in Pennsylvania, tells CNBC Make It. She often sees young people focused on designer items and tying to keep up appearances, "but on the backside you might be really squeezing yourself financially in order to do so," Safford says. "[Credit card debt] can snowball and get out of hand very quickly and when you're young, you're putting yourself at a real disadvantage moving forward." Not only can everyday buys add up, but you may also want to focus on big-ticket items, like a wedding or a house. While you probably won't pay all cash on those occasions, Safford recommends still making sure you can continue to meet all your other financial obligations, such as saving for retirement. "It's really easy to fall into [a mindset of] 'OK, let me pause everything else and just focus on this one goal and not save anything and maybe lower my retirement savings contribution at work,' and things like that," Safford says. "But it goes back to making sure you're living within your means and being able to do it all at the same time, if possible."

2. Letting your emotions get in the way

Money can be a highly emotional subject for people. For the average consumer, emotions like avoidance and shame can make it difficult to address underlying money problems. "A lot of individuals carry a lot of guilt that they don't manage [money] perfectly themselves," Annette VanderLinde, chief client officer at Liberty Wealth Advisors, a Prime Capital Investment Advisors Company, tells CNBC Make It. "Sometimes that negative emotion can be a hurdle to just moving forward seeking out help." Safford adds that people often struggle to get help with their finances or take steps on their own because they "might not want to face the reality of their situation right now." But you don't have to change your whole life in a day. It will take time to get good with money, and may take even longer to address problems that have built up over time, such as credit card debt or poor spending habits. "There [are] so many different avenues now that you can find advice through and I would say to start in baby steps," Safford says. "The whole financial wellness conversation is so overwhelming, there's so many different pieces. Start by using an app to track your budget and then go from there."

3. Not working with the right professional

You might not need to hire a professional planner right away, but a CFP, wealth advisor or other expert can help you figure out the best plan for your money  and help you steer clear of bad advice. "If you're not feeling confident and you're feeling overwhelmed, that's a perfect time to seek out the assistance of a planner," VanderLinde says. "Retain their services and they'll set you straight and put you on a path to success." But beware: You may spot a number of red flags when looking for the right financial professional. VanderLinde recommends asking at least the three following questions of your potential planner: Are you a fiduciary? A registered fiduciary is legally mandated to act in your best interest. So while someone may call themselves a financial advisor, if they're not a fiduciary they may be more focused on getting you to buy products or make financial decisions that benefit the advisor rather than you, the client. What kind of fees do you charge? "That should be easily answered and not veiled with a lot of confusion or mystery," VanderLinde says. Some advisors charge a percentage of the assets they manage for you while others charge a flat hourly or annual rate. Either may be better for your situation, but you'll want to be clear about that up front. What's your management style? Once you know they're a reputable advisor, you'll want to see if your money ideologies are a match. Ask the potential planner about their investment methodology and approach to see if it resonates with you, VanderLinde says. And if you've had a negative experience with one planner, don't let that stop you from trying to find someone else who can actually help you. Fernando Reyes, a CFP at EP Wealth Advisors based in Torrance, California, compares finding the right advisor to dating, and suggests you turn to your trusted peers to ask for recommendations. While you can certainly "blind date" an advisor and determine from there if it's a good match, "having somebody that you trust that already worked with [the advisor] and trusting that they've already vetted this person goes a long way," he says.

4. Being disorganized

Technology has taken a lot of the legwork out of personal finance management, but that can make it even easier for you to lose track of of your money. Reyes uses the example of balancing a checkbook to illustrate the advantages and drawbacks of digital money management. When people used checkbooks, "you had to physically account in a ledger for every single transaction," Reyes says. But with digital money management, that's done for you. "People don't even look at their credit card bills or the bank statements to see what's going on." It's not just your daily spending, either. As you get older, there may be more accounts to keep track of. Do a routine inventory to make sure you know where everything is and that you still have access. That goes for 401(k) accounts at former jobs, credit cards you don't use frequently or other old savings and investment funds.

5. Procrastinating
Beautifully crafted gift boxes with admission letters surprises new students On the morning of July 18th, at the 'H2O Auditorium' of the East Campus of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), the relevant leaders of USTC presented admission letters to 37 representatives of Anhui Province's Strengthening Basic Disciplines Plan and National Special Program who have just been admitted by the university. These admission letters are also the first batch of undergraduate admission letters for USTC in 2023. "It's so ceremonial!" said Yang Wenjie, a new student admitted to the USTC Strengthening Basic Disciplines Plan majoring in mechanics, "Look! The admission letter can be set up like a picture frame on the desk, and there's also a scientist's spirit manual and a cute little cow pendant. This is a 'big gift box'." Families gather at the school to witness their children's "big day" At the award ceremony, many parents and high school teachers of the new student representatives were also invited to witness their children's important moment. Although it was a workday, not only did new students from Hefei come in groups, but also many families from other places came together. Li Jiaqi, a new student at USTC from Jingde, Anhui Province, said, "We must come, this is a big event! My spouse and I took time off work a long time ago." Li Gaofeng, Li Jiaqi's father, was overwhelmed with excitement on the scene. He told reporters that this was his and his child's sixth visit to USTC, but this time, it's a dream fulfilling journey! Nearly 2,000 admission letters will be sent to all parts of the country It is learned that the admission letters issued on the morning of the 18th are the first batch of undergraduate admission letters for USTC this year. After this, nearly 2,000 admission letters will be sent to all parts of the country. "This September, USTC will celebrate its 65th anniversary, and the arrival of all new students has added new luster to the university." USTC President Bao Xinhe sent word to the new students, saying, "USTC is a place to 'read good books', and we hope that after you come to USTC, you will continue to be proactive young people who 'love to read books'."

Reported by Liuchang Sichen

Edited and translated by Zheng Chen
The Netflix logo displayed on a phone screen and its website on a laptop screen are seen in this photo taken in Krakow, Poland, June 8, 2023.

Netflix has gotten rid of its cheapest commercial-free plan in the U.S. and the U.K., in a push to get more sign-ups for its recently launched ad-supported option.

On its plans and pricing page, which outlines all subscriber options, Netflix noted that the basic plan, which cost $9.99 and didn't feature ads, was no longer available for new or rejoining members. Current subscribers of the plan won't be affected unless they choose to change plans or cancel.

The move leaves Netflix's standard with ads plan, which is priced at $6.99 a month, as its cheapest option.

During last quarter's earnings call, Netflix Chief Financial Officer Spencer Neumann said the "economics" of its ad-supported plan were higher than the basic plan. "It's actually even higher than our standard plan," he said during the call, adding that advertising was incremental to both its revenue and profit.

Former Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings admitted late last year that he was slow to embracing advertising on the streaming platform because he was so focused on digital competition from tech companies. Shortly after, co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during an investor conference that Netflix was likely to offer multiple ad-supported tiers over time.

The standard and premium plans without ads cost $15.49 and $19.99, respectively, a month.

Netflix, similar to other media companies, has been looking to boost streaming profits, and advertising has been considered a key step toward making that happen.

Similarly, Disney CEO Bob Iger has said the company is leaning into its ad-supported streaming option to get to profitability.

Netflix launched the ad tier late last year. Similar to its recent crackdown on password sharing, the plan was introduced after Netflix saw subscriber growth stagnate and looked to other options to boost revenue.

In May, Netflix told advertisers it had five million monthly active users for the ad tier, and 25% of new customers were signing up for the plan where it's available.

Netflix will report earnings after the bell Wednesday, and investors will be paying close attention to how the new sharing policy and ad-supported plan have affected subscriber additions and revenue.
Netflix said Wednesday that its quarterly revenue and subscriptions rose, as efforts to curb password sharing took hold.

Here's what the company reported for the second quarter versus what analysts expected, according to Refinitiv:

Earnings: $3.29 a share vs. $2.86 per share expected

$3.29 a share vs. $2.86 per share expected Revenue: $8.19 billion vs $8.30 billion expected

The streaming giant said it added 5.9 million customers during the second quarter amid its broader crackdown on password sharing in the U.S. Netflix said it would roll out its new policy to the rest of its customers on Wednesday.

Netflix's stock fell as much as 8% in after hours trading.

The company reported revenue of $8.19 billion, up 3% from $7.97 billion in the prior-year period. Net income of $1.49 billion climbed from $1.44 billion in the year-ago quarter.

The earnings report comes soon as investors look for more information on the rollout of Netflix's ad-supported streaming tier and push to boost subscriptions by rooting out account sharing.

However, Netflix said it was too early to report a breakdown of revenue from the ad-supported tier  which was introduced late last year  as well as the accounts that have come from the new password policy.

Netflix said Wednesday it expects a boost in revenue in the second half of the year as it begins "to see the full benefits of paid sharing plus the steady growth in our ad-supported plan."

Netflix said it now forecasts revenue of $8.5 billion, up 7% year over year, for the third quarter. It attributed the expected revenue growth to more average paid memberships.

The company also anticipates paid net subscriber additions in the third quarter will be similar to the second quarter. Meanwhile, Netflix expects revenue growth in the fourth quarter to "accelerate more substantially" as the efforts to curb password sharing gain steam and as advertising revenue grows.

In May, Netflix began alerting members about the policy to deter the use of other people's accounts. Subscribers can either transfer a profile to someone outside of their household so they can pay for their own account, or the member can pay a $7.99 additional fee per person.

The company's subscriber base rose in the weeks following the sharing policy rollout, according to a report from Antenna.

Netflix executives declined on Wednesday's earnings call to give specific information on the rollout of its paid sharing initiative so far.

Co-CEO Greg Peters said Wednesday that the company will not see the full effect of the policy for several quarters.

"It's not an overnight kind of thing," Peters said on the call. "In part because of interventions that are applied gradually, and in part because some borrowers won't immediately sign up for their own account, but will do so in the next month or three months or six months or maybe even longer down the line as we launch a title that they are particularly interested in."

The executives noted that the password sharers who have started their own accounts have similar characteristics as longstanding customers, leading the company to expect a high retention rate.

Netflix introduced both the new sharing policy and ad tier in the last year as part of its response to its first subscriber loss in more than a decade in 2022.

Netflix's stock has risen with the rollout of the initiatives. The company's shares have climbed more than 60% this year, and it notched a 52-week high on Wednesday amid expectations it would show growth this quarter.

The company on Wednesday said it hopes the changes will help to "generate more revenue off a bigger base," adding it wants to use the additional funds to reinvest in the platform.

In May, Netflix said it expanded its paid sharing policy to more than 100 countries, which account for more than 80% of its revenue.

"The cancel reaction was low and while we're still in the early stages of monetization, we're seeing healthy conversion of borrower households into full paying Netflix memberships," Netflix said Wednesday, adding it would address the issue in the remainder of the countries that it is available.

Meanwhile, media companies have turned more to ad-supported streaming as a way to get to profitability.

During its pitch to advertisers in May, Netflix unveiled few details about its ad-supported tier, albeit enough to push its stock higher. The company said it had 5 million active users for the new tier, and 25% of its new customers were signing up for the tier in areas where it's available.

On Wednesday, Netflix confirmed that it removed its "basic" ad-free plan, making its standard plan with ads its cheapest option at $6.99 a month. The standard and premium tiers without commercials cost $15.49 and $19.99, respectively, a month.

These initiatives come as the media industry goes through one of its most tumultuous periods in some time.

Industry analysts have long suspected the industry could consolidate, particularly through mergers and acquisitions.

On Wednesday, co-CEO Ted Sarandos said Netflix looked at opportunities to buy intellectual property and build its content library.

"Some of those assets are stressed for a reason," Sarandos said of potential media companies or assets up for sale. "Our M&A activity would mostly be around IP that we could develop into great content for members. Traditionally, we've been very strong builders over buyers and that hasn't changed."

Netflix is also contending with the potential fallout of the Hollywood writers and actors strikes.

Analysts expect Netflix to fare better than other media companies during the work stoppage due to its deep bench of content, particularly from international sources.

As a result of the strike, Netflix increased its free cash flow forecast to $5 billion for 2023, up from a prior estimate of at least $3.5 billion due to lower spending on content this year.

Sarandos said during Wednesday's call that Netflix has a lot of fresh content in the pipeline, but did not say how long that stream would last. Still, he said the strike needs to reach a conclusion.

"We've got a lot of work to do. There are a handful of complicated issues," Sarandos said. "We're super committed to getting to an agreement as soon as possible, one that's equitable and one that enables the industry and everyone in it to move forward in the future."
A man watches a television news screen showing a picture of North Korea's recent test-firing of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), at a railway station in Seoul on March 17, 2023.

North Korea launched two ballistic missiles eastward early on Wednesday, Japan's and South Korea's militaries said, just hours after a U.S. ballistic missile submarine arrived in a South Korean port for the first time in four decades.

Both of the missiles appeared to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, or JCS, called on the North to cease such launches.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's successive ballistic missile launches as grave provocative acts that undermine the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as well as the international community, and are a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," the JCS said in a statement.

The U.S. military said it was aware of the missile launches and was consulting closely with its allies and partners.

The launches do not appear to pose an immediate threat to the United States or to its allies, but the events highlight the destabilizing impact of North Korea's illicit weapons program, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.
The U.S. has been working hard over the past year to engage with North Korea on denuclearization  but Pyongyang has shown no interest, said Victor Cha, senior vice president for Asia and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"We can't simply assume that because the United States wants to talk, North Korea will come to the table," Cha told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Tuesday.

"The problem right now is that North Korea is not picking up the phone, answering the door, and is showing no interest through a variety of different interlocutors that they are willing to come back to talk [about] their nuclear program right now," he said.

The two countries have long been sparring over North Korea's nuclear threats and actions toward South Korea for years.

Early Wednesday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles eastward, hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine docked in South Korea  the first in decades.

Last week, the reclusive nation launched a long-range ballistic missile toward its eastern waters, in what experts say was likely its developmental Hwasong-18 ICBM  which is more difficult to detect or intercept than the liquid-fuel ones.

It was North Korea's first long-range missile test since April, and was deemed to be triggered by alleged U.S. spy plane incursions.
Russia launched a second straight day of attacks on the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa, targeting the port itself and critical grain export infrastructure, Ukrainian authorities said. The attacks follow Russia's withdrawal from a U.N.-brokered grain deal under which Russian forces blockading Ukraine's ports would allow ships to leave it for agricultural exports.

Moscow also sent a volley of lethal drones to attack the capital Kyiv, but no major damage or injuries were reported, Kyiv's military administration said. CNBC was not able to verify the information on the ground.

In a pivot since it pulled out of the grain deal, Russia also said that all vessels sailing toward Ukrainian ports will be considered military cargo carriers.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS summit in South Africa, ending months of speculation over whether the leader would travel to a country where he would be subject to an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest.
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Tesla reported earnings after the bell, showing a record for quarterly revenue but lower margins thanks to price cuts and incentives. The stock price remained flat after the initial report, but began dropping during the earnings call as CEO Elon Musk and other executives failed to deliver precise specs and start of delivery dates for the Cybertruck, and for a robotaxi-ready vehicle. Musk and other execs also said during the call that vehicle production would slow down during Q3 due to shutdowns for factory improvements. It's now down about 5% after hours. Here's how the company did versus expectations: Revenue: $24.93 billion, versus $24.47 billion expected according to Refinitiv.

$24.93 billion, versus $24.47 billion expected according to Refinitiv. Earnings: 91 cents per share adjusted, versus 82 cents per share expected as per Refinitiv. Net income (GAAP) was $2.70 billion, an increase of 20% from last year. Operating income, however, was off 3% from the year-ago quarter at $2.40 billion.

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. Alain Jocard | Afp | Getty Images

By way of comparison, during the first quarter of 2023, Tesla reported net income of $2.51 billion on revenue of $23.33 billion. During the second quarter last year, Tesla reported net income of $2.27 billion on $16.93 billion in revenue. On the company's earnings call, Musk said, "We continue to target 1.8 million vehicle deliveries this year, but expect Q3 production will be a little bit down because we've got summer shutdowns for a lot of factory upgrades."

Early this month, Tesla reported 466,140 total vehicle deliveries for the second quarter and said it had produced 479,700 electric vehicles. Deliveries are the closest approximation of sales that Tesla reports. Those deliveries were higher than Wall Street expected, and were partly driven by incentives and discounts. Correspondingly, operating margins came in at 9.6%, the lowest for at least the last five quarters. Total gross margin came in at 18.2%, also a low for the same period. Tesla explained in a shareholder deck that its lower margins in the second quarter resulted from reduced average sales prices "due to mix and pricing" of the cars it has been selling, and the cost of ramping up production of battery cells it designed in-house, known as the 4680 cells, among other factors. Revenue from Tesla's core automotive business rose 46% year-over-year to $21.27 billion, about a 6.5% increase sequentially. Its energy generation and storage revenue -- from solar installations, and backup batteries  rose 74% year-over-year to $1.51 billion. With more vehicles on the road, Tesla's "services and other" revenue, including fees for out-of-warranty vehicle repairs, rose 47% to $2.15 billion.
TikTok Music has launched on Wednesday in Australia, Singapore and Mexico to a small group of users.

TikTok is launching its subscription-based music streaming service in Australia, Mexico and Singapore to a small group of test users on Wednesday.

The expansion comes after the popular short video app launched TikTok Music in Indonesia and Brazil earlier this month.

"We are inviting users in Australia, Mexico and Singapore to participate in the TikTok Music closed beta test from today," the company said in a statement. Participants will be offered a free three-month trial to test the service.

Mexico is TikTok's fourth-largest market with 62.4 million active users aged 18 years and above, according to DataReportal, after the U.S. (116.5 million), Indonesia (113 million) and Brazil (84.1 million).

TikTok has plans to boost growth in other markets outside of the U.S.  its largest market  where Montana became the first state to ban TikTok. The app is also banned in India. TikTok's CEO previously said the company will pour "billions of dollars" into Southeast Asia over the next few years.

TikTok Music allows users to sync the music-streaming service to their TikTok accounts.

"TikTok Music is a new kind of music service that combines the power of music discovery on TikTok with a music streaming service offering millions of tracks from thousands of artists," a spokesperson said.

The company added TikTok Music will "help users listen, share and download the music they have discovered on TikTok, as well as share their favorite tracks and artists with their TikTok community."

TikTok Music will compete against Spotify and Apple Music, the dominant services in these markets. For example, Spotify accounts for over 80% of music subscriptions in Mexico.

Wednesday's announcement is the latest in TikTok's growing efforts in music streaming.

On Tuesday, the company announced an expanded licensing agreement with Warner Music Group.

Earlier this month, TikTok-owner ByteDance said it will shutter its music-streaming service Resso in Indonesia and Brazil following the launch of TikTok Music. The company said Resso users could transfer their accounts to TikTok Music instead.
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, July 7, 2023.

The target letter that special counsel Jack Smith recently sent lawyers for former President Donald Trump mentions three federal criminal statutes, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and witness tampering, NBC News reported Wednesday.

The target letter also mentions a third criminal statute, deprivation of rights under color of law, according to NBC, which cited two attorneys with direct knowledge of the letter.

Smith is investigating Trump and various allies of the former president for their efforts to reverse his loss in the 2020 election to President Joe Biden.

Those efforts included the submission of false Electoral College slates, various legal challenges to state election results, testimony to state lawmakers and Trump's pressuring of Georgia's top election official to change the election results.

The details of the federal statutes mentioned in the target letter were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Trump is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination in next year's presidential election.

Trump on Tuesday disclosed that Smith had sent his lawyers the letter, which is typically issued by the Department of Justice to give people a chance to testify before a grand jury after the discovery of substantial evidence linking them to a crime.

"Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment," Trump wrote on his Truth Social site Tuesday.

Trump argued that Smith's probe is designed to harm his chances of winning the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and general election against Biden.

Multiple sources told NBC News that Trump has no plans to travel to Washington, D.C., to testify to a grand jury meeting in federal court there.

Smith on Wednesday morning left his Washington office to visit the courthouse where the grand jury was meeting. The panel is likely to be the one Smith will ask to indict Trump if he decides to seek criminal charges against the former president.

NBC confirmed that former Trump White House aide William Russell, who works for his 2024 presidential campaign, will testify to the grand jury again, after having already appeared multiple times before that panel.

Conspiracy to defraud the U.S. can include acts that "interfere or obstruct legitimate Government activity," or that "make use of a government instrumentality," the Department of Justice notes on its website.

The DOJ's site detailing deprivation of rights under color of law notes that it is a "crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States."

The statute specifically mentions acts committed by federal, state and local officials.

The statute on witness tampering covers a broad array of criminal conduct, including persuading another person to prevent their testimony in an official proceeding, and destroying or concealing a document with the intent to impair its use for an official proceeding.
E. Jean Carroll exits the Manhattan Federal Court following the verdict in the civil rape accusation case against former U.S. President Donald Trump, New York City, May 9, 2023.

The jury found Trump had sexually abused Carroll in a dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan after they had a chance encounter there one day in the mid-1990s. Jurors also found Trump had defamed Carroll in comments last fall denying her allegations.

"Its verdict is not 'a miscarriage of justice,'" the judge wrote.

"The jury in this case did not reach 'a seriously erroneous result,'" Kaplan wrote in his decision, quoting from arguments made in Trump's motion for a new trial in U.S. District Court in Manhattan .

Judge Lewis Kaplan also rejected Trump's bid to sharply reduce that monetary award, which came after a trial for Carroll's lawsuit that ended in May.

A New York federal judge on Wednesday denied former President Donald Trump 's request for a new trial on monetary damages in the case where a jury ordered him to pay $5 million for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll .

Trump's lawyer Joseph Tacopina had no immediate comment on the ruling Wednesday. But in a court filing, he amended a pending appeal of the jury's verdict to appeal Kaplan's ruling on damages.

In a statement, Carroll's lawyer Robbie Kaplan said, "Now that the court has denied Trump's motion for a new trial or to decrease the amount of the verdict, E Jean Carroll looks forward to receiving the $5 million in damages that the jury awarded her in Carroll II."

Carroll II is how lawyers in the case refer to the lawsuit that resulted in this verdict.

"She also looks forward to continuing to hold Trump accountable for what he did to her at the trial in Carroll I, which is scheduled to begin January 15, 2024," said Robbie Kaplan, who is not related to Judge Kaplan.

In that other civil lawsuit, Carroll alleges Trump defamed her in 2019, when he denied her claims after she first publicly accused Trump of raping her during the encounter. Trump made the comments in that case when he was president.

The U.S. Department of Justice last week abandoned a nearly three-year fight to shield Trump from civil liability in that lawsuit, which was the first one Carroll filed. The DOJ had argued that Trump made the comments about Carroll as part of his job as president.

But the DOJ dropped that claim after a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., suggested in an opinion that Trump could be sued personally if he did not make his statements about Carroll with the intention of serving the U.S. government.

The trial for the first lawsuit is set to begin as the Republican presidential primary season kicks off next year.

Trump is the leading candidate for the GOP nomination.

In addition to the civil case, he faces two criminal indictments.

In Manhattan state court, Trump is accused of falsifying business records in connection with a 2016 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty in that case.

Trump separately is charged in Florida federal court with about three dozen felonies related to his retention of classified government records when he left office, and to his alleged obstruction of efforts by U.S. officials to recover those records.

He likewise has pleaded not guilty in that case, where he has asked a judge to delay the trial until after the 2024 election.

On Tuesday, Trump said in a social media post that DOJ special counsel Jack Smith has notified him that he is a target in a criminal investigation into Trump's efforts to undo his loss to President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
A bartender holds a glass of Carlsberg beer in a bar in St. Petersburg, Russia. Alexander Demianchuk | Russia

Ukraine is urging global companies to divest from Russia and relocate to its war-stricken neighbor, as Moscow continues to seize the assets of foreign companies. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Sunday for the government to seize control of the Russian subsidiaries of French food producer Danone and Danish brewer Carlsberg , taking the companies' shares under "temporary administration." Around 1,000 international firms began the process of leaving Russia after its illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but many have yet to successfully sell their assets in the country. Sunday's move was the first time that Russia has taken hold of the subsidiaries of Western companies since it seized Finnish and German energy companies Fortum and Uniper in April. The Kremlin has previously suggested that this was retaliation for Western seizures of Russian assets. Sergiy Tsivkach is the CEO of UkraineInvest, a government agency tasked with attracting foreign direct investment to Ukraine and promoting the country as a secure long-term investment option for international business. "We are most interested in those [companies] that stopped investment plans in Russia," Tsivkach told CNBC via videolink from Kyiv late last month. "We identified about 200 global companies that ceased investment activities in Russia and we are in touch with them in order to provide the possibility to build manufacturing facilities in Ukraine instead of Russia."

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Tsivkach also called for more companies with operations in Russia to pull out, urging CEOs to look not just at the ethical implications, but also the business case for fully divesting. "We understand that there may be difficulties with selling your businesses and leaving Russia, but that should be top on the list of the agenda of every CEO of an international company that still operates in Ukraine," he said. "It is important to show that the aggressor cannot receive any investments or any operations from international companies." Over 1,000 companies have publicly announced that they are voluntarily curtailing operations in Russia beyond the bare minimum required by international sanctions, according to the Yale School of Management, but some have continued operating undeterred. "I think they need to make a quicker decision, because it is not only about ending the war, our victory and the end of hostilities, this is about the inability of any reputable international company to operate in Russia during the war and after the war," Tsivkach said. "A country that illegally invaded its neighbor for no reason cannot be trusted by any private businesses, because their assets can be arrested without reason in due course, nationalized, so companies need to understand that Russia is not a business partner that you can rely on."

Carlsberg and Danone seizures

Tsivkach was speaking before Russia's seizure of Carlsberg-owned Baltika Breweries and Danone Russia, both of which are now under the control of the Russian Federal Agency and state property agency Rosimushchestvo, per Putin's decree.

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Carlsberg said in a statement Sunday that it will "assess the legal and operational consequences of this development and take all necessary actions in response." The company announced on Mar. 28, 2022 that it would seek a full disposal of its business in Russia, and signed an agreement on Jun. 23, 2023 to sell the subsidiary, although this was awaiting regulatory approval. Carlsberg said the prospects for the sale process are now "highly uncertain" and that it is "in the process of obtaining more detailed information." Danone also said it was investigating the situation, having started transferring control of its business in the country to a Russian entity in October last year. "Danone is preparing to take all necessary measures to protect its rights as shareholder of Danone Russia, and the continuity of the operations of the business in the interest of all stakeholders, in particular its employees," the company said on Sunday. Russia also on Monday axed the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a key humanitarian corridor delivering Ukrainian grains to global markets, hours before the expiry of the U.N.-brokered deal. Given the unpredictability associated with retaining operations in Russia, Tsivkach suggested that it could be decades before companies see enough of a business case to consider returning to the country.

'Your war investment could be wiped out'

Ukraine's allies pledged nearly $60 billion toward the country's recovery and reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London in June. UkraineInvest, meanwhile, is currently overseeing 17 investment projects worth over $2.3 billion. However, with no end to the war in sight, many investors are reticent about investing in the country. David Roche, veteran investor and president of Independent Strategy, told CNBC last week that the investment needed to secure Ukraine's future needs to come not from businesses, but from NATO.

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Preply, a language learning platform connecting people with tutors, raised $70 million of fresh capital to ramp up its use of artificial intelligence, the company told CNBC exclusively.

The firm, founded in Ukraine but based in the U.S., said it bagged the funds by issuing new equity and debt. Preply's founders include Ukrainian entrepreneurs Kirill Bigai, Dmytro Voloshyn, and Serge Lukianov.

The equity portion was led by Horizon Capital, a venture capital firm focused on investing in emerging entrepreneurs, particularly Ukrainians. It was also backed by Reach Capital, Hoxton Ventures and others.

The funding adds to a $50 million Series C funding round Preply raised last year, and takes its total funding raised to over $170 million.

Preply is a marketplace platform that connects people with human tutors to help them learn new languages. Each teacher on Preply shares a profile that tutees can view, and sets an hourly rate for lessons. Preply gets a cut of the hourly rates tutors charge.

Preply also sells to large enterprises such as Datadog, GroupM and Bain, which use it to improve their teams' foreign language skills. The company is not yet profitable, although revenues grew tenfold in the last three years.

Kirill Bigai, Preply's co-founder and CEO, said the company would use the funds to "extend our leadership in the [online language learning] category through AI-powered human tutors, providing a learning experience which is quickly becoming a game changer."

"Though the team today is truly global, as a Ukrainian founded company with significant R&D in Ukraine, this is a milestone to be celebrated. One that echoes the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian tech sector and all Ukrainians," he added.

The funding comes at a time of tighter fundraising conditions for startups, which are struggling to raise money quite as easily as they did in the 2020 and 2021 boom years of technology triggered by Covid-19 lockdowns and monetary easing.

AI has been a notable exception to that rule, thanks to the popularity of OpenAI's ChatGPT and tools like it. Many startups are raising seismic sums of cash as venture capitalists try to find the companies that will win from the upswell of demand for AI tools.

Preply said it already uses machine learning to better match learners and tutors. Now, it's incorporating more AI into its offering, having launched an AI assistant to help tutors come up with exercises, grammar explanations, and conversations starters.

It comes as Duolingo, a competitor to Preply, has been incorporating OpenAI's GPT language processing software to enhance its app's personalization to users. Shares of Duolingo have more than doubled in price so far this year. Other rivals to Preply include Babbel and Busuu.

It also highlights ongoing interest from tech investors in Ukraine, which has been battered by Russia since Moscow began an invasion of the country early last year. Horizon Capital raised $125 million for a startup fund aimed at backing Ukrainian founders.

Several founders of billion-dollar "unicorns" come from Ukraine, including Grammarly's Max Lytvyn and Alex Shevchenko, and GitLab's Dmitriy Zaporozhets. Google , Samsung and Amazon also have research and development centers in the country.
U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, John Kerry, said U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping could meet later in 2023.

BEIJING  John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, said Wednesday that U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping could meet later this year.

"We pledge to work with you very closely in order to help our presidents to be able, hopefully, to be able to produce real results should they be involved at the APEC meeting in San Francisco," Kerry said in opening remarks for his meeting with Han Zheng, vice president of China.

"We don't know what will take place yet."

Kerry was referring to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Summit  set to be held in San Francisco in November.

There's a potential for Xi to visit the U.S. for the summit, and meet with Biden during that time.

Han did not specifically mention such a Xi-Biden meeting in his opening remarks.
Sam Altman, chief executive officer and co-founder of OpenAI, speaks during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Congress is debating the potential and pitfalls of artificial intelligence as products like ChatGPT raise questions about the future of creative industries and the ability to tell fact from fiction.

The warnings are here  artificial intelligence can have catastrophic effects on society if there's no intervention.



Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI, parent company of ChatGPT, warns AI poses risk of human extinction, and Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "godfather of AI," cautions that AI can bring a dangerous future. These AI leaders and others support intervention from the federal government and other industry leaders before AI proliferates throughout society. "We need regulation," Altman told CNBC earlier his year.

But even if the government passes AI regulation, experts are skeptical of its reach. Based on the extent and limitations of government intervention, responsibility will still fall to companies.

"When you think about anti-bribery and corruption, other fields similar to AI, there's government regulation on the books, but the enforcement of it is slow, and the resources to enforce, track, monitor and test it are limited," said Asha Palmer, senior vice president of compliance solutions at digital learning platform Skillsoft. "So, we'll need to rely on the business community, and they must regulate," she said.

Disclose A.I. usage and develop transparency metrics

The number of companies investing in AI continues to grow, with generative AI chatbots from Google, its Bard, and Microsoft's investment in OpenAI and ChatGPT, topping the list. With rapid growth, Palmer said companies of all sizes need to track AI efforts and disclose the information publicly. The number of companies using AI will be growing rapidly too, with Microsoft announcing this week a $30 per month Microsoft 365 AI subscription for users of apps like Teams, Excel and Word.

While some growing companies, like graphic design firm Canva, are currently integrating ChatGPT into tools for clients, other industry stalwarts, like Samsung, are restricting usage among their own employees.

Among startups embracing chatbots for staff is Genies, a technology company that develops cartoon-like, digital avatars for use on social media and in the metaverse. Genies not only uses ChatGPT across product, engineering, finance, and HR departments, but CEO Akash Nigam said the company is fully moving its onboarding process to ChatGPT.

"We create avatars for the future of the internet and augmented reality, and we're targeting a core demographic of users that most people getting hired here can't immediately relate to, so it's best to consume [onboarding] information in an interactive experience," Nigam said. "We made custom [chat]bots for onboarding, and we've found it to be very meaningful so far."

Companies shouldn't stop with chatbot training, however. "Transparency with AI is crucial to our future, including transparency metrics that you measure, or vendors measure if they're the one developing it, to make sure AI development is fair," Palmer said. "This can be checking models for bias and making sure there are controls built in so people can't misappropriate trade secrets."

Tools like the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's AI Policy Observatory's list of metrics for how to use and develop AI are out there, but the market needs small and medium-sized enterprises to provide guidance.

"In an ideal world, all AI developers right now will get together and agree on some transparency metrics that we'll all measure and communicate to the market, because they're the ones developing it," Palmer said.

They know where bias can exist, how bias can occur, and how people can use and misuse AI, she said, so companies should look to these experts for a path forward.

Assess highest A.I. risk areas within the workplace

ChatGPT has led the way when it comes to early mass adoption and experimentation with generative AI, reaching 100 million monthly active users only two months after it launched last November, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history (before Meta's Threads surpassed that record this month, building off its huge existing Instagram base.)

It's no secret that chatbots have infiltrated the workplace, and companies are continuing to grapple with the implications. After a company has established metrics for tracking AI, or even while it's figuring that out, companies need to do a risk assessment for AI, Palmer said.

"Ask yourself: What are your company's risks? How do they manifest themselves? What are we doing to put controls in place? What are our policies and procedures?" she said. "What are our guardrails? What is the infrastructure around those guardrails, policies and procedures? Are they clear, communicated and documented?"

Then, companies need to train employees about those risks. In a risk assessment, a company should be able to identify which groups of employees are more likely to be the most exposed to AI risks, such as sales, the IT department, or customer-facing roles.

"Within most companies, AI doesn't have an owner," Palmer said. "It's like how ESG was about 18 months ago."

AI needs an owner that rallies together all the stakeholders within the company that have a hand in how AI is developed and used, she said. Then, that person builds a framework and infrastructure in conjunction with those stakeholders and individuals.

Self-regulation of A.I. won't be easy

One of the lessons from the rise of the internet is that new technology like generative AI requires self-regulation, but it won't necessarily be easy to create, and even though compliance experts like Palmer are skeptical about relying on the government, regulatory policies enacted in collaboration with government will be an important part of achieving safer AI usage for the public.

"Companies will need to create a unified regulatory framework," said Francois Candelon, global director at Boston Consulting Group's Henderson Institute. "Generative AI will likely be classified as a high-risk use case, so [companies] can start to ask themselves: How does it fit with our business? What would it mean to have a high-risk use case? Can I deal with that?"

Even companies in the same industry are going to have different perspectives on what requirements or policies should be put in place, Candelon said, so it's imperative for companies to band together to formalize their AI protocols in a cohesive way.

"In Japan, many people criticized the video game industry about violent and sexual content, so before the industry was regulated, companies said: Let's try to unite together and create something that would become the index and be clear," Candelon said.

He believes this same kind of co-regulation can work with AI. "It was a success [in the Japanese gaming industry] not only because it improved the public image, but because the Japanese video game industry worked hand-in-hand with governments on terms and standards."

The U.S. is at that same inflection point, Candelon said. "I believe that it's good for companies to share their experience and their expertise with [government] regulators."
The IMAX theater at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on New York's Upper West Side features one of the biggest screens in the country, measuring 97 feet wide and 76 feet tall.

Starting this week, it will be one of only 30 theaters in the world screening Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster "Oppenheimer" in 70-millimeter film.

David Keighley, executive vice president at IMAX, invited CNBC Make It into the projectionist booth at the venue to show off the 600-pound, 11-mile-long film reel for Nolan's three-hour nuclear bomb epic.

What makes 70mm film so special, Keighley explains, is the level of detail it can capture. While a modern digital projection is equivalent to a 4K display, 70mm film is equal to roughly 18K.

It's known as the gold standard in the industry, but using 70mm film is rare. The last movie to receive a 70mm IMAX release was Nolan's "Tenet" in 2020. Due to pandemic restrictions, only 11 theaters were able to screen it.

Of the 30 theaters equipped to show the 70mm IMAX print of "Oppenheimer," 19 are in the United States. The rest are in Canada and the United Kingdom, with Australia and the Czech Republic each being home to one.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18)  Members of K-pop supergroup The Boyz captivated their Filipino fans with their intense charisma and pure talent during "THE BOYZ 2ND WORLD TOUR: ZENERATION" solo concert on Saturday, July 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The audience could not contain their excitement as the countdown to the concert began. Screams roared even louder when Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, JuHaknyeon, Sunwoo, and Eric entered the stage.

At one point during the show, Jacob told the audience it has been a while since his ears hurt from the cheers of their fans, called The Bs or Deobis.

The Boyz fired up the show with their first set of powerful tracks "Ego" and "Reveal" from their first full-length album "REVEAL," and "Awake" and "ROAR" from their eighth recently released mini album "BE AWAKE."

After a few more songs, the band members introduced themselves, some of them even speaking in Filipino.

A concert highlight for Filipino fans was when Jacob danced the choreography of P-pop kings SB19s viral single "GENTO" during his dance break in the group's performance of "THRILL RIDE."

The Boyz also indulged fans with snippet performances of "Savior," "The Stealer," and "Bloom," which were not included in the setlist  and mid-tempo tracks and ballads like "Lucid Dream," "Wings," "Spring Snow," and "Horizon."

"I know there's a lot of songs you guys wanna hear. But let this be a promise that well be back again," Kevin said.

They ended their encore stage with a bittersweet duet of "Timeless" with the audience, letting the PH Deobis take over the concert at the beginning of the song.

"The energy of TBZ and the crowd was so crazy, everyone was having such a fun time. And the Boyzies are so much more talented than I thought, like videos really cant capture it," a fan said after the show.

The group last visited the country back in April as one of the headliners for the "K-Verse: The Ultimate Pop Universe" concert held at the same venue.

Towards the end of the show, the fourth generation K-pop kings again thanked their PH Deobis for supporting them and attending their first solo concert in the country.

The Boyz also confirmed a comeback album set for release in early August.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was aware of the trip his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, made to China to meet with President Xi Jinping. While a report on the discussion between the two leaders was not necessary, Marcos added that he hopes Duterte would share the conversation he had with Xi.

"I'm sure, I hope he will have a, he will be able to tell us what happened during their conversation and see how that affects us," Marcos said.

Marcos spoke to media on Tuesday following the kick-off event for "Walang Gutom 2027," the country's food stamp program.

He clarified Duterte's trip did not need his blessing.

"Alam ko naman na pupunta siya. Magkaibigan sila, magkakilala sila," he said.

[Translation: I knew he would go there. They're friends, they know each other.]

According to Chinese state media, Duterte and Xi met in Beijing on Monday, with reports saying the former chief executive was joined by former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, while Xi was with State Counselor Wang Yi, Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs member Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong, and Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying.

Marcos said he hopes Duterte was able to discuss with Xi recent issues concerning both countries.

"I hope na napag-usapan nila yung mga issues ngayon na mga nakikita natin, yung mga shadowing, yung mga kung anu-ano, all of these things that we are seeing now," he said. "I hope napag-usapan para magkaroon naman ng progress kasi yun naman ang habol natin ay patuloy ang pag-uusap."

[Translation: I hope they were able to talk about the issues we're seeing now, the shadowing and all of that, all of these things we're seeing now. I hope this was discussed so progress can be made because what we're looking for are continued discussions.]

"I welcome any new lines of communication. If that is president PRRD, then good. Hindi importante sa akin kung sino o ano basta may makausap sila, baka makatulong," the president added.

[Translation: It does not matter who or what as long as they talk, maybe that could help.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18)  The Office of the Secretary General (OSG), the legal defender of the national government, expressed disappointment over the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to proceed with its investigation into the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs.

In a press conference on Tuesday after the court announced its ruling, the OSG maintained that the ICC "brushed aside" data on the country's investigation and prosecution activities with regard to the anti-illegal drug campaign.

And worse, according to the OSG, the ICC refused to consider the Philippines' jurisdictional challenge on the ground that the court's ruling is "not a decision on jurisdiction."

"The majority decision does not alter the fact that the Republic, through its various national and local agencies, remains fully committed to the internal investigation and prosecution of allegations connected to the anti-illegal drug campaign," the OSG said in a statement. "The Philippine Government will not be deterred by today's outcome."

Philippine foreign legal counsel Sarah Bafahdel pointed out that the ICC has no police powers, therefore, it could not enforce laws or execute warrants without the cooperation of the state parties, to which the Philippines is no longer a member.

The Department of Justice previously said it will not execute any arrest warrants from the ICC in relation to the drug war as it stressed that the country has its own legal system.

Senators Francis Tolentino, Bato dela Rosa, and Bong Go maintained that the ICC has no business interfering in the domestic affairs of the country.

Dela Rosa, the former national police chief at the forefront of the Duterte drug war, insisted that he will not participate in the ICC probe as he does not acknowledge its power over the country.

The ICC insists it has jurisdiction over crimes committed during a state's membership period, in this case, from the time the drug war began in 2016 to 2019, when the Philippines withdrawal from the Rome Statute took effect.

Decision to resume drug war probe welcomed

In the hopes of receiving justice, the drug war victims, their families, and advocates welcomed the ICC's rejection of the national government's appeal to block its investigation.

The campaign claimed over 6,000 lives, according to the government. However, local and international human rights groups estimate a tally of between 12,000 and 30,000 deaths.

Patuloy po kaming magsasalita, patuloy po kaming maghahanap ng hustisya, patuloy po kaming lalaban, said Amy Jane Lee of Rise Up For Life and For Rights, speaking for families who lost loved ones in the drug war.

[Translation: We will continue to speak, we will continue to seek justice, we will continue to fight.]

Although they hail the ruling, Lee said the families pain would only be relieved once those "most responsible" for the drug war are held accountable for the deaths.

The victims have asked to be represented by an independent legal representative, according to the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, and intend to speak with both the prosecutor's office and the office of the public counsel for victims.

For Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Bryony Lau, the ICC's ruling marks the "next step toward justice" as he called on the Marcos administration to follow through with its "international legal obligation" to cooperate with the probe.

Meanwhile, human rights advocacy group Karapatan said there is an "urgent need" for the ICC to interfere because all domestic investigation mechanisms by the Duterte and Marcos administrations "are ineffective and only meant to window-dress the current dire human rights situation."

The In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend), along with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes, widened the call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to order the government to cooperate with the ICC.

"It's time for Mr. Marcos and the Philippine government to stop invoking sovereignty every time those in power wish to escape accountability, particularly for human rights violations and crimes against humanity," Reyes said.

Human Rights Watch senior researcher Carlos Conde said many international countries which are big advocates of human rights have mechanisms such as the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) that can indirectly pressure the administration to cooperate with the ICC.

Under the GSP+, the country benefits from EU tariff perks, including duty-free entry for 6,200 local products such as fruits, animals, textiles and metals. As a beneficiary, the Philippines is bound to address key concerns such as those under human rights violations to continue enjoying the GSP+ benefits.

"There are mechanisms to do that but they are giving the Philippine government, President Ferdinand Marcos, the benefit of the doubt. They are waiting for him to act on his promises," Conde told CNN Philippines' The Final Word.

"I think that the continued insistence of the President to not cooperate with the ICC will harm his credibility with the international community, the international business community in the long run," he added.

He said Marcos could be exposing himself as a "pariah" to western countries that value human rights by denouncing the ICC.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Senator Mark Villar on Wednesday said he will push for Senate approval of the bill seeking to create an e-commerce bureau when the 19th Congress opens its second regular session next week.

Villar is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship where Senate Bill 1846, or the proposed Internet Transactions Act (ITA), was referred to.

"Malaking bagay 'yan dahil iba na yung ekonomiya, digital economy tayo ngayon. Marami tayong transaction online at kailangan natin bigyan nag protection ang ating online consumers," he said in a media forum.

[Translation: It's very important because we now have a digital economy. We have lots of transactions online and we need to protect our online consumers.]

"Ito ay kasama sa priorities ni President BBM at pagbalik namin sa session, ipu-push ko na yung ITA para maging batas na."

[Translation: This is among the priorities of President Bongbong Marcos and once we resumed session, I will push for the ITA for it to become law.]

Marcos mentioned in his first State of the Nation Address last year that the ITA is among the administration's priority measures.

The bill aims to require digital platforms and online merchants to register their businesses with the proposed E-Commerce Bureau.

The bureau shall also receive and address consumer complaints on internet transactions.

Under the bill, the Department of Trade and Industry secretary has the authority to take down or ban online platforms, especially if the products or services are classified as dangerous.

The House of Representatives approved the bill last year. The Senate has to approve its version, and a bicameral conference committee will reconcile different provisions. The common bill, once ratified by both houses of Congress, will be sent to Malacanang for the president's signature.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday shrugged off plans of some groups to challenge the Maharlika Investment Fund law before the Supreme Court.

In the legislative process, you always go back to the transcript of records. That's why Im not worried with the Supreme Court because we will provide them with the transcript of records of what transpired, Zubiri told CNN Philippines The Source.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday signed the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund law that creates the countrys sovereign wealth fund. The money to be allocated here will be used to invest in projects like those in infrastructure that are seen to boost economic growth.

Kristina Conti, secretary general of National Union of Peoples Lawyers, told CNN Philippines on Tuesday that her group and the Makabayan bloc are looking into steps they can take following the signing of the law.

One of the issues they will raise is on the approval procedure of the Maharlika fund, after changes in the bill approved by Congress were allegedly discussed on Viber.

This is specifically on the differing prescription period for violation of the measure.

Zubiri has denied the alleged tampering of the measure after it was approved by Congress.

We only chose the same provision, only one prescription period of 10 years. Si Senator Risa (Hontiveros) proposed 20 years, (Senator) Mark Villar said no, we do not accept 20 years, only 10. Very clear in the transcript of records, he pointed out.

The Senate President said he then received no objections after asking if there were such to the motion of Villar, who was sponsor of the law. In effect, the motion to amend the period to 20 years was lost, Zubiri noted.

Zubiri said that it was just an honest mistake of the secretariat," when it put a prescription period of 20 years.

I stand firm that it is not unconstitutional and it's constitutionally sound, he added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 19)  Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri issued a warning against China as it continues to pose threats to Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea, saying the upper chamber will pass a resolution urging the Philippine government to bring the issue before the international community.

My message to our neighbors in China: Get out of our territoryThey are claiming that whole area (Recto Bank) as theirs which is, in practical terms for me, unbelievable. Its a creeping invasion, Zubiri told CNN Philippines The Source on Wednesday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on July 7 raised concerns over the growing number of Chinese fishing vessels in the disputed waters which was seen as a threat to oil and gas-rich Recto Banks security.

During a patrol on June 30, the AFP reported that pilots aboard NV312a Britten Norman Islander light patrol aircraft of the Philippine Navy saw 48 Chinese fishing vessels roaming the Iroquois Reef, which is south of Recto Bank.

Recto Bank, also known as Reed Bank, is part of the Philippines 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but is being contested by China.

A 2016 Hague ruling has upheld the Philippines sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its EEZ and nullified Beijings claims over the West Philippine Sea. China, however, has continued to reject this.

Zubiri said senators will pass a resolution to push the government, especially President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to raise the issue during the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

Were going to pass a resolution recommending it to our government agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs and to the president himself that we should file all the evidence in the last seven years since the Arbitral Ruling, photographic, video evidence, and well show to them what theyve been doing is building reclaiming islands, building bases, he said.

Zubiri said similar resolutions have been issued in the past, and senators were unanimous in all of these.

The Senate president also hopes that Marcos will continue his message during his second state of the nation address on July 24 that no single inch of Philippine territory will be given up to any foreign nation.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 20)  The University of the Philippines (UP) is in the process of crafting a policy on the "responsible" use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the academe, a first for any university in the country.

"In education, AI challenges range from systemic bias, inequality for marginalized groups of students, privacy and bias in data collection and processing. Already, many are worried that ChatGPT opens the door to cheating and plagiarism," UP said in a statement.

"It is therefore imperative for the national university, to promote the positive use and mitigate the negatives of AI."

WATCH: Beyond the lead: The future of learning with Artificial Intelligence

While measures related to regulating the use of AI have been filed in both chambers of the Congress, the bills mainly tackle issues in the workplace and less on its impact in the academe.

RELATED: DICT chief backs calls for AI regulation in workplace

The draft text titled "UP Principles for Responsible Artificial Intelligence" outlined 10 proposed principles to be adopted by the institution for its "responsible" use.

UP asked students and faculty members to provide suggestions to improve the draft.

The principles cited are "public good," "everyone should benefit from AI," "meaningful human control," "transparency," "fairness," "safety," "environment friendly," "collaboration," "accountability," and "governance."

The principles highlight the need for AI to be beneficial to the Filipinos by "fostering inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, political empowerment and enhanced well-being."

On the need for meaningful human control, UP stressed that AI should be used to "advance human autonomy and agency."

"AI also has the potential to transform education. It could enhance personalized learning, increase student engagement in learning, and improve education management," it said.

"Humans should ultimately remain in control of, and thus, morally responsible for, the behavior of AI systems," it added.

On the need for "transparency" in the use of AI, UP said individuals should be notified when AI-enabled tools are used.

"The methods should be explainable, to the extent possible, and individuals should be able to understand AI-based outcomes, ways to challenge them, and meaningful remedies to address any harms caused," it added.
(CNN)  Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS summit hosted by Johannesburg in late August, his South African counterpart confirmed on Wednesday, halting months of speculation triggered by an arrest warrant issued against the Kremlin leader for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

President Cyril Ramaphosas office said Putin will not attend the conference by mutual agreement, adding that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would visit instead. The leaders of the other members of the BRICS economic bloc, Brazil, India and China, are still expected to attend in person.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova in March, over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia amid the brutal invasion.

In the months following, South African lawmakers have made contradictory statements over the countrys obligation to arrest Putin should he attend the summit. As a signatory to the Rome statute, the treaty governing the Hague court, South Africa is compelled to arrest individuals indicted by the ICC.

The move by Ramaphosas government significantly weakens Moscows attempts to reestablish solidarity with key allies, as it finds itself increasingly isolated since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Western diplomats have criticized South African lawmakers for their perceived solidarity with Russia since the start of that conflict.

Officials in Johannesburg have long maintained that they are a neutral party, but they have refused to condemn Russia in United Nations General Assembly votes.

Earlier this year, South Africa hosted the Chinese and Russian navies for war games and was accused by the US ambassador of loading arms onto a sanctioned Russian vessel in December. Cape Town has denied any wrongdoing.

Wednesdays announcement came on the heels of revelations in a confidential affidavit by Ramaphosa, ordered released by a high court judge in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The affidavit was in response to an opposition partys legal move to compel Putins arrest.

I must highlight, for the sake of transparency, that South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin, Ramaphosa said, according to the courts document.

Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia, Ramaphosa continued.

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later refuted Ramaphosas claims, saying: No, [such warnings] were not conveyed.

Peskov added that it was absolutely clear to everyone what an encroachment on the head of the Russian state would mean, so there is no need to explain anything to anyone here.

In 2015, South African authorities failed to arrest then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir who was, and still is, under ICC indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the genocide in Darfur, during a visit to the country.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Putin will not attend BRICS summit in South Africa, as ICC arrest warrant overshadows key talks"
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Members of the UN Security Council met with two experts on Tuesday to discuss the potential risks and benefits of AI, highlighting the need for countries worldwide to coordinate efforts to regulate the technology.

In a meeting chaired by the UKs Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, the 15-member council heard from Jack Clark, co-founder of leading AI company Anthropic, and Zeng Yi, co-director of the China-UK Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance.

The UN Security Council is made up of five permanent members  China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US  and 10 non-permanent members that are elected for a two-year term. Current non-permanent members include Albania, Brazil, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

During the meeting, members stressed the need to establish an ethical, responsible framework for international AI governance. The UK and the US have already started to outline their position on AI regulation, while at least one arrest has occurred in China this year after the Chinese government enforced new laws relating to the technology.

Malta is the only current non-permanent council member that is also an EU member state and would therefore be governed by the blocs AI Act, the draft of which was confirmed in a vote last month.

Although AI can bring huge benefits, it also poses threats to peace, security and global stability due to its potential for misuse and its unpredictability  two essential qualities of AI systems, Clark said in comments published by the council after the meeting.

We cannot leave the development of artificial intelligence solely to private-sector actors, he said, adding that without investment and regulation from governments, the international community runs the risk of handing over the future to a narrow set of private-sector players.

While the council discussed transformative opportunities presented by AI, such as monitoring the climate crisis to breakthroughs in medical research, concerns around the technologys potential to spread misinformation or fuel malicious cyberoperations were also debated, according to a read out from the council after the conclusion of the meeting

Members additionally highlighted the importance of retaining human decision-making when it comes to the technologys military applications, such as autonomous weapons systems.

Tackling AI-fuelled biases

The finance industry estimates that AI could contribute up to $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, noting that the significance of the technology was underscored by the fact that almost every government, large company, and organization in the world is working on an AI strategy.

However, echoing comments made earlier this year by Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition, Guterres said that the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed alarm over evidence that AI can amplify bias, reinforce discrimination and enable new levels of authoritarian surveillance.

[Generative AI] could be a defining moment for disinformation and hate speech, he said, arguing that governments across the globe need to work together to support the development of AI that bridges social, digital and economic divides.
Indian-origin Singaporean minister Iswaran grilled for over 10 hours by anti-corruption agency

Indian-origin Minister S Iswaran, under fire over a corruption scandal, was questioned for around 10 hours by the authorities, according to local media reports.

Iswaran and Hotel Property Limited Managing Director Ong Beng Seng were arrested on July 11, the anti-graft body said last week, adding that the two were assisting with investigations. Photo courtesy: gov.sg

Iswaran, 61, arrived at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) building at Lengkok Bahru in Redhill estate at about 10.50 am on Tuesday and left at 8.48 pm in an SUV, according to a report by TODAY newspaper.

The minister, who has taken a leave of absence from his official duties, entered the compound alone.

Iswaran and Hotel Property Limited Managing Director Ong Beng Seng were arrested on July 11, the anti-graft body said last week, adding that the two were assisting with investigations. The agency did not give details on the nature of the probe.

Both were released on bail, and their passports were impounded as part of their bail conditions.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong instructed Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation was completed, the Prime Minister's Office said last week.

He will remain in the city-state during this period and have no access to official resources and government buildings, the Straits Times newspaper reported.

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.

He returned to Singapore from Bali on a private plane on Monday afternoon after being allowed by the CPIB to travel overseas. He left for the Indonesian resort island last Friday after posting bail of SGD 100,000.

Iswaran and Ong are known to be key figures in making Singapore's pitch to become a part of the Formula One circuit.

Ong is chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix, which annually organises the F1 night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

In the mid-2000s, Iswaran, a junior trade minister at the time and Ong convinced then Formula One Group Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone to make Singapore the venue for the sport's first night race, starting in 2008.

Iswaran reportedly knew Ong when he was a bureaucrat and top executive at Temasek, according to the report.

The minister's political career spans more than 26 years since he was first elected in 1997 as a Member of Parliament for West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Before being 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.
We have a feeling that Harry Potter is never going away, in the sense that franchises like Batman and Star Wars never went away (and Star Wars never got its own amusement park). And why not? It's the perfect storm of wonder, charm and innocent, family-friendly adventure that everyone can enjoy.

Which is why we love talking about how pants-crappingly terrifying that whole universe is. For instance ...

6 The People in Paintings Are Alive In the Harry Potter universe, the people in photographs and paintings can move and talk. But it's not like they're just video clips of the person -- hell, we could do that. You actually see characters interacting with the "people" in the pictures, particularly in the portraits that hang all over Hogwarts School -- several major plot points revolve around it. The people in the paintings are able to talk, think and even travel to other paintings. They relay information that no one else has. "I am innocent but love screaming like a madman."



And as such, some portrait subjects serve as security guards for locked rooms, while others are used as errand boys to deliver urgent messages (they can travel to any room that also has a painting). And, even weirder, these aren't entirely fictional creations dreamed up by some artist, like if somebody made a Mickey Mouse with computerized AI or something -- these are paintings of real people, long-dead former headmasters and such. They possess all of the personality and (presumably) memories of their living selves. Dumbledore is asleep all the time? Convenient, Rowling. Very convenient. Advertisement The Horrific Implications: Apparently, in the wizard world, if you paint a picture of a dead person, presumably with some magic paint or the right enchantment, their memories and the essence of their personality will be on canvas. Forever. For example, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, former Slytherin headmaster Phineas Nigellus Black is forced to take orders from his philosophical enemy and student Hermione Granger -- and he is pissed off about it. Who cares, right? Well, what's stopping that situation from being reversed -- if, after Hermione dies, she gets painted into a portrait and is forced to help some future generation of evil wizard Nazis? Especially if getting attacked and slashed up is just considered property damage. Advertisement Advertisement That brings us to our second point. Not every magical portrait is going to be of a Dumbledore or a comic-relief character like the Fat Lady at the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. What if some idiot paints a picture of Voldemort? Will it carry all of his evil genius and scheming? Is He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and also Has-an-Abortion-for-a-Soul going to be able to help plan the next Event-That-Would-Be-Awful? Somebody in Potterland didn't think this through. The guy has already proven he can carry out most of his plans without the benefit of a body -- Voldemort didn't even have one for the first half of the series. It's not all that hard to create a magical portrait, after all. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Draco shits out a quick sketch of Harry getting hit in the head with a ball and then getting struck by lightning. One of the crappier animated gifs available. Advertisement Advertisement



Maybe this sketch was infused with just enough magic to make it crudely animate, but we already know that more is possible. So what's to stop some Harry Potter enemy from making a painting version of that, just so he has a sentient Potter copy to torture? It'd be a two-dimensional Harry Potter who can think and feel, but who is painted into a situation where he's having angry dicks slapped on his face ... forever.

5 Technology Is Frozen Forever Advertisement The first difference you notice between the wizard world and ours, other than the presence of wizards, is that their society seems to exist in a time warp. When Harry discovers he's a wizard, he is whisked away from his big, mean "muggle" family and their modern suburban home into a world replete with bygone wonders from a quaint and magical yesteryear. Gone is the cold and impersonal culture of electronic gizmos and instant-gratification telecommunication; now he will be receiving his mail by "owl post" and writing his papers with quill and parchment. His school is a medieval castle. "First years go by boat because the cinematic unveiling is more impressive this way." Advertisement Advertisement



That's part of the fun, of course. There's enough charm and quaintness to give quaint-and-charming poisoning to some of this world's larger elephants. The Horrific Implications: The world isn't kind to people who don't keep up with the times. Film and camera maker Kodak just went bankrupt because they couldn't adapt to a world of digital cameras. The American South crumpled after the Civil War because it wasn't prepared for a slave-free economy. Swarms of charging soldiers were mowed down in World War I because they weren't ready for the machine gun. And we'll stop there, as the examples only get uglier (no reason to start using the word "genocide" in a Harry Potter article, really). Especially since it's such a gentle children's story. Advertisement



Now think of the disadvantages wizards have thanks to their adorably backward ways. Like the thing with owls carrying their mail -- it's an obviously slow, impractical and not-secure method of correspondence. What's stopping them from adopting the telephone? You know, in the way that at some point they adopted the use of eyeglasses to correct their vision. "Arrgh! Laser surgery is such bullshit!" Advertisement Non-wizards have had phones for 136 years! Fax machines have existed for more than a century. Yet wizards don't just reject the use of technology -- they're literally unaware that it exists. Arthur Weasley, a wizard who devotes his career to the study of non-wizard technology, is still trying to get his head around "the purpose of the rubber duck." "A hands-free chess set? Seriously? I have Contra at home." Advertisement

All of this would be fine if these were just quirky differences, the wizards embracing the old ways at the cost of some inconvenience and the inability to enjoy videos of cats wrestling their shadows. But it's not. What if the next He-Who-Is-Evil-and-Shit gets hold of some muggle weapons of mass destruction? The best wizards couldn't hold his badness back when it was just a magic-on-magic duel -- think about how awful things could have gotten if Voldemort ever found out that muggles are capable of wiping out half a city with non-magic so awful it will deform your descendents for generations to come. While wizards just have disfiguring furry fantasies. Advertisement Advertisement



And no, they won't just use magic to stop it, because they won't know what they're looking at. Wizards are shown not knowing what a cappuccino is; they're not going to understand what they need to do against a suitcase nuke. And don't say that non-magical weapons wouldn't work on wizards -- they have normal, human bodies that sustain injuries just like anybody else's. You could bash a wizard's head in with a rock if she didn't get her rock-stopping spell cast in time. What works with rocks would work better with bullets, or bombs. "Wait, so you mean a few pounds of this 'napalm' stuff would clear up my Hogwarts problem forever?" Advertisement

And we're guessing no one, not even Dumbledore, has invented a don't-nuclear-bomb-us spell, much less a keep-cancer-off-our-babies spell. The entire wizard world is a sitting duck, and they can't even warn the higher-ups of the danger without a damned owl.

4 A Magical Education Is Hardly an Education Advertisement Students at Hogwarts are offered a huge variety of classes. We've seen them taking Charms, Transfiguration, Potions ... for some reason Divination and Astrology are two different classes ... there's even some mention of "Arithmancy," which, as a cursory Google search reveals, is some kind of numbers-based divination. "Yeah, screw summoning my spirit animal. I'd rather do math." Advertisement Of every class mentioned in Harry Potter, the only ones of strictly academic value appear to be History of Magic and an optional class called Muggle Studies. At no point do we get the sense that wizardly high school graduates can perform long division, find Vietnam on a map or discuss themes of coming of age in The Catcher in the Rye. What are they learning? They're learning how to turn rats into teacups. "One day you'll be trapped in a rat-infested shack with company on the way and you'll be grateful for this lesson." Advertisement

At the end of the day, Hogwarts is a magic school, and the kids who go there are learning magic ... and that's about it. Advertisement The Horrific Implications: Don't get us wrong, magic eliminates the need for a lot of classes -- if Hogwarts students have the ability to instantly teleport, they don't need to learn to drive a car any more than our students need to know how to ride horses. But what about math, or grammar, or freaking sex education? Or any form of biology? This is a world where nobody seems to learn the scientific method -- every problem is either solved by a spell or not solved at all, because problem solving is not a skill that is valued enough to be taught. "I swear if you make that wand joke again I'll Leviosa your penis off." Advertisement

We do know they have hospitals -- but only for the magically infirm, which makes us think that Harry Potter's world is one where no one understands the human body or how it functions, because they've never had to learn. No one knows the mathematics behind building houses, because math isn't a thing. Appropriate Conflict Resolution 101. Advertisement



You could argue that the wizard world gets along just fine without this knowledge base, since they seem to live comfortably and magic clearly picks up the slack for whatever they don't know. But that's actually shown to not be true, because as we've seen ... Advertisement

3 There Are No Career Options In the books and movies, every job in the wizard world looks like fun. There are the Aurors (the awesome wizard police who track down dark wizards), the teachers at the school, the owners of the wacky shops in Diagon Alley and the people who work for the Ministry of Magic. Who basically look like the sort of people you pretend you're out of the house for. Advertisement Advertisement



And, um ... The Horrific Implications: Yeah, there appear to only be like five careers in the wizard world. When questioned about his aspirations after graduation, Harry's response amounts to a big shrug and contains the word "maybe": "'Well, I thought of, maybe, being an Auror,' Harry mumbled." You can understand his reaction -- the career options available to wizard graduates aren't exactly giving them the world on a silver platter. "My golly yes, my ambition is to be a heavily disfigured psychological wreck of a man."



Remember, you have to get a magic-related job -- you can't just take a job at some muggle business, since the school system hasn't even taught you enough to work fast food or operate a photocopier in an office. So every career that Harry knew from non-wizard society is pretty much out of the question: engineer, architect, doctor, data processor, plumber, telemarketer, etc. And no, there are no equivalent jobs in the wizard world. Why would they need them? "So apparently you've contracted Ebola. I have no goddamn idea what that is, so here's some magic flowers." Advertisement Advertisement



In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, muggle-born Hermione explains that her parents are dentists to a room full of people who have no idea what dentists are (because wizards magic their teeth into perfection every day). Likewise, their world needs no carpenters or painters -- in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, some wizards accidentally destroy a wall in a muggle's home and repair it with a flick of the wand -- brick, plaster, paint, all in an instant. Hell, even the reporter in the series has a magical quill that automatically creates prose for her articles. You can't even get a job working in wizard finance -- a race of goblins owns the entire banking system. It's probably a horrible racist metaphor. Advertisement



So, yeah, we hope they like teaching or working in civil service, or can get a job working in one of the magic stores that exist in the only two all-wizard neighborhoods in England.

2 Harry's Magical Map, and Magical Invasion of Privacy Advertisement The Marauder's Map is an enchanted map of Hogwarts, one that shows every inch of the castle and surrounding grounds. If that sounds just like a regular map, the "magical" part is that you can see where everyone is at all times, since all the people on campus are marked with black footprints with their name under them. Advertisement It's a hugely valuable object for a young hero who doesn't play by anyone's rules (the main purpose of the map was to let Harry run around on school grounds while avoiding teachers or bad guys). And some of the potential for abuse was mentioned in the movies -- a teacher does angrily ask Harry if he's considered what the villains could do with such a map, since it would tell them where all of the security is. "Does it need to make a note every time he pops a boner? That seems ... terrible."



But that's just the beginning. The Horrific Implications: You already have thought of the invasion of privacy the map entails. It doesn't tell you what the people are doing, but you can pretty much guess. If the two feet are standing with their heels to the toilet, that person is probably taking a dump. There's even an Easter egg at the end of Prisoner of Azkaban where two students are clearly fucking in the corner: Reddit Advertisement Advertisement

The possessor of the map can see their crush sitting too close to a member of the opposite sex, or they can see their professors sneaking around with each other, feet entangled at the foot of a bed. Then they could just kind of walk in on them for fun, if they were so inclined. Either way, they'd know everything. Now let's give one example where things get really disturbing: At the beginning of the story, the owners of the map were Fred and George Weasley, the brothers of Harry's best friend, Ron. They had the thing for years, which means that they had to overlook some serious shit, such as their little brother's love affair with a middle-aged man. This man couldn't look anything more like a pedophile. Advertisement



In the third book, we discover that an evil wizard named Peter Pettigrew has been in disguise as Ron's rat, Scabbers, for 12 years. We discover this because Harry saw Pettigrew's name show up when he had the map in his possession, despite Pettigrew's disguise as a rodent. So even though Ron thought he was just sleeping with his pet rat, Fred and George saw Ron bedding some guy named Peter every single night. "That explains why he didn't burrow into my eyes at night." Advertisement



Oh, and even better: Scabbers was once their older brother Percy's pet until he gave it to Ron. So from Fred and George's perspective, Ron inherited Percy's lover. Advertisement But really, all of this just leads us to a larger point ...
Its hard out there for a murderer. Between DNA testing, cameras all over the place and electronic trails of everyones every movement, if the cops dont get you, a podcaster will. Thats fine for those chasing their 15 episodes of Netflix fame, but traditionally, murderers dont want to be caught. Its enough to make you long for the days when

4 Poison Was Everywhere Arsenic has been used as a dye and medicine for thousands of years, but it really had its heyday during the Industrial Revolution, when it was burned out of coal in mass quantities and discovered to be useful for all kinds of stuff as long as you didnt mind a tiny chance of painful death. Pretty much anything that needed to be colored green, including food, contained arsenic, and it was also used as a cheap alternative to tallow in candles and to preserve dead bodies. That last one maybe should have given people reservations about eating it, but they were probably just glad the dead bodies had stopped stinking up the place long enough that they could eat. People were constantly dying back then. This gave potential murderers several advantages. One, it was super easy to get arsenic. These days, if you want to buy a poisonous dose of a poisonous substance, you have to fill out a bunch of paperwork so a bunch of government agencies know who to call if someone turns up dead from that substance. Not so in Queen Victorias reign. Two, it was damn near undetectable. The symptoms of arsenic poisoning are really similar to perfectly innocent gastrointestinal illnesses, and this was before modern sanitation, so just about everyone had a tummy ache all the time. With enough patience, an arsenic poisoning could look just like your everyday cholera death. Three, even if someone did figure it out, arsenic was so ubiquitous that people were accidentally poisoning themselves all the time, so how could anyone tell it was intentional? Advertisement Not that it was likely anyone would figure it out, because

3 Autopsies Werent Standard Procedure Its not always hard to tell how someone died. If their head is missing, for example, or their body mostly consists of gunshot wounds, its a pretty safe bet that it wasnt natural causes that got em. Not all methods of murder are so obvious, though, which is where autopsies come in handy, but good luck convincing a medieval peasant of that. Desecrating a corpse was considered extremely taboo in Western societies from the Middle Ages to the Victorian era, even in the service of avenging the corpse in question. Advertisement Advertisement As a result, autopsies didnt become routine until around World War II, and its not hard to figure out why that was great for murderers. If they could control themselves enough not to commit super-obvious levels of murder, it was likely no one would ever know their victims had been murdered at all. Remember, these were times when it wasnt at all uncommon for someone to get a headache, go have a lie-down and never get up again. One of historys most prolific serial killers  an old Serbian woman who sold poison to unhappy wives  got away with it for so long because her customers simply declined autopsies for their husbands, who had apparently died of living in the 1800s. It helped that

2 Women Werent Thought Capable of Murder Being a wealthy white woman throughout Western history was often a double-edged sword: You had almost no freedom, but you were also more coddled than a hairless cat, at least legally. Right through the mid-1900s, American women couldnt even serve on juries for fear that exposure to such sordid matters would irretrievably corrupt them (and considering todays true-crime boom, they may have had a point). In fact, women were so infantilized that trying them for murder was considered about as silly as trying a toddler and only slightly less sticky. Advertisement Advertisement Inconveniently, women absolutely did murder, sometimes in front of witnesses or in a manner that left little room for doubt (like one woman who insisted her boyfriend shot himself with his gun still in his pocket), but they were often acquitted just because it was believed that a woman had to be seriously mistreated to stoop to such a manly level as violence. In the case of the self-holstering gun, the prosecutor concluded that no jury would unanimously believe that such a sweet young thing could commit so brutal a crime. You better believe all this legal sympathy ended once women won the right to vote  if they wanted equality, they were gonna get it  but it was fun while it lasted.
A hallmark of art house cinema is asking hard questions of its audience. Having the viewer dig deep inside can unbury dark and emotionally uncomfortable truths theyre not ready to confront. In the cold December of 1994, a Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels film did, uh, none of that. Instead, we were asked a very straightforward, earnest and hilarious question: Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world?

Play

Now, wanna read trivia tidbits about Dumb and Dumber revealed straight from the movies co-screenwriter Bennett Yellin?

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15 It All Started With John Hughes  Yes, THAT John Hughes Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly and I had written the sequel to Dragnet with Dan Aykroyd, Yellin begins. Play It was a really good script, and John Hughes heard about it somehow. He read it and called us into his office and said he liked our writing. Then he told us about this idea hed had about two idiots at a ski resort. Then he told us, Come back and pitch me a movie, and it was John Hughes, so, of course, we did it.

14 But They Couldnt Use Hughes Name We came back and pitched John Hughes the whole plot of Dumb and Dumber, and he said, Go and write it, and if I like it, Ill let you direct it, Yellin explains. We wrote it, but then his production deal at Universal ended, and the project disappeared. Two years later, we contacted John and said, Could we get Dumb and Dumber and take it around? He gave us permission to do that, which was very generous of him, but he said, You cant attach me as the producer. If you do, you have to pay me a million dollars. So we saved a million dollars right from the beginning by never mentioning John.

13 Harry and Lloyds Friendship Was Inspired By Bob Hope And Bing Crosby Movies I love the Road movies with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, Yellin says, referring to films like Road to Rio and Road to Morocco, a series of comedies released primarily during the 1940s. The dynamic between them was always the same: Bob Hope and Big Crosby were both after Dorothy Lamour, and theyre stabbing each other in the back to get to her. That is exactly the dynamic in Dumb and Dumber, and Dumb and Dumber is also a road movie.

12 The Alternate Titles Yellin cant recall the origin of the title Dumb and Dumber. Still, he says that, early on, every studio rejected it, so they decided to re-circulate it under two different alternate titles, including Go West and A Power Tool Is Not a Toy, a song by the Young Adults. The original title, Dumb and Dumber, eventually won out. Advertisement Advertisement

11 How Harry and Lloyd Got Their Names Harry Dunne was a journalist we knew, so we phoned him up and asked him if we could use his name, Yellin says. As for Lloyd Christmas, the origin of his name was meant as a joke. Because Lloyds love interest is named Mary, we thought itd be funny to have him daydream about the name Mary Christmas.

10 Another Significant Name In the hot tub scene, Harry mentions his ex-girlfriend Fraida Felcher. Yellin says, My sister is named Fraida, and Fraida Felcher is a generous homage to my sister. Back then, though, nobody knew what felching meant, but we did. We couldnt believe that no one ever brought it up. Play Advertisement Advertisement

9 Ace Ventura Scared Yellin Things went over great with Jim Carrey and The Mask at New Line, Yellin says. So someone at New Line gave him the script for Dumb and Dumber, and he liked it. Peter, Bobby and I were set to meet him, so I decided to go see Ace Ventura, which was in theaters at the time. I saw it and got really worried. The character is so extreme. Theres not one line in that movie that isnt delivered in some weird way. I stumbled out of there and went to go meet him. The first thing he said was, I just want to assure you, this is not Ace Ventura; I will not be doing that character in this. Inside, I let out a huge sigh of relief. Play

8 Daniels Was Yellin and the Farrellys First Choice Peter and Bobby loved Jeff Daniels from Something Wild, and I loved him from Terms of Endearment and The Purple Rose of Cairo, says Yellin. So when we were thinking about who could play opposite Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels was first in our minds. Jim was known for having a lot of energy, and he was so wild that we thought that Jeff Daniels, being a great actor, would pull him more to the acting side and less to the shtick side. Advertisement Advertisement

7 New Line Didnt Want Daniels to Do It, and Neither Did Daniels Agents New Line wanted another comedian, says Yellin. They wanted an already-established comedy actor. Also, none of Jeffs management wanted him to do it. Later on, during the rough cut, Jeffs managers were watching the bathroom scene, which was much longer. One of them taps me on the shoulder and says, Youre cutting that, arent you? I said, Yeah, thats out. We did cut it in half, but we definitely didnt cut it. Play

6 How Daniels Gets into Character Before every take, Jeff Daniels would just shake his head really hard, emptying it of any thoughts or intelligence. Thats how he got into character as Harry, recalls Yellin. Advertisement Advertisement

5 Yellin Knew Dumb and Dumber Would Be A Hit from the Trailer Dumb and Dumber was filmed after Ace Ventura was released but before The Mask came out in theaters, says Yellin. New Line put a Dumb and Dumber trailer before The Mask, and I remember going to a bunch of theaters to watch it and see the audiences reaction. I would watch the trailer and see the audience roaring. I said to myself, This is going to be a hit. Play

4 Yellins Favorite Review Generally speaking, Dumb and Dumber wasnt a critics darling. However, one negative review still sticks with Yellin. Of anything Ive ever done, my mom only ever stuck one review to her refrigerator. It was a review for Dumb and Dumber that said, The writers mothers should be ashamed! I always loved seeing that on her refrigerator. Advertisement Advertisement

3 How the Sequel, Dumb and Dumber To Came About Pete got a call from Jim Carrey. Jim was in Hawaii, and he turned on the TV in the hotel and Dumb and Dumber was on, and he watched it again. Then he called up Pete and said, That movies hilarious, lets make another one, Yellin recalls.

2 Bobby Farrelly Still Has a Mutt Cutts Van Bobby held onto one of the Mutt Cutts vans, and we got it out of storage for Dumber and Dumber To, says Yellin. We used it for the movie, but it wasnt the one that was destroyed in Dumb and Dumber To. That was a mock-up. Play Advertisement Advertisement
Just two decades ago, anyone looking at Gusheng village, Guizhou province, would have seen a despairing sight. The wells were almost dry in the desolate rural community surrounded by the soaring karst hills of the Wumeng Mountains, and the rainwater that trickled down from the rooftops was a more reliable source of water. Soil erosion caused rocks to poke out of the barren land, so farmers often tripped over them. Crop yields were barely sufficient to feed the local people. They dressed in rags, and their thatched dwellings built from sun-dried tree branches were crumbling and in need of repair. The grim scenes that were outlined in a poem passed down via word-of-mouth by Gusheng's various generations. The four-line rhyme, written to describe the area, now serves as the introduction to a permanent exhibition sited in a row of bungalows near the village entrance. The display records the transformation that has unfolded in the community, where ethnic Han residents live alongside members of the Miao group. Outside the bungalows, lush mountains and concrete driveways form a stark contrast to the grainy, black-and-white photos on display inside the buildings. In one photo, a teenage girl, her hair tied in a ponytail, leans forward under the weight of a giant bamboo basket on her back as she searches for food for pigs. In another, an emaciated cow strains to pull a plow propped up by an old farmer on a rocky slope where the soil is barely visible. The environmental degradation that once beset Gusheng was the result of local people's struggle to survive in a region unfit for intensive farming, said Qiu Qian, a local Party official. To reverse widespread poverty, the only way out for impoverished farmers seemed to be to open up more farmland, mostly cornfields, all the way up the steep hillsides, said Qiu, who was born and bred in the area, as he showed a group of visitors around the exhibition. However, the undertaking destroyed the already scarce vegetation coverage, which started a downward spiral of environmental deterioration dubbed "stony desertification" by environmentalists, he added, referring to the process by which the vegetation- and soil-covered karst areas degenerate into landscapes of bare rocks because of human activities. "The bald mountainsides were everywhere," Qiu recalled. "Downpours washed more than 3,500 metric tons of soil and sand into the Wujiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River in its upper reaches." A new look Now, in place of the once-bare mountain slopes, different cash crops, such as dense walnut forests, are being grown on the lower hillsides. Moreover, sturdy species of tree, such as cypress, are being planted higher up, where the soil is thinner, in an attempt to help restore the environment. "The soil on the hilltops was too thin to cultivate any trees, and as a result, those areas were left to recover on their own," said Feng Changshu, Gusheng's Party chief. At age 16, Feng started his career as a carpenter. He later married, and like many other young people he moved to Guiyang, the provincial capital, where he and his new wife worked a range of jobs, including running a small eatery, working in a coal mine and at an orchard. After more than two decades of the migrant life, Feng returned to his hometown in 2005, and was elected as its Party chief. The following year, Gusheng, once home to some of the country's most intractable poverty, was chosen as an experimental ground to foster environmentally friendly farming methods. The decision was made by a panel of experts funded by the United Front Work Department  a permanent agency of the Communist Party of China Central Committee that oversees ethnic unity affairs and has a huge presence in places where different ethnic groups intermingle  and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Over about a decade, development strategists from establishments such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Beijing Forestry University worked out a plan to return the farmland to forests. To generate much-needed income, they suggested planting fruit trees, which proved to be more financially rewarding and less environmentally demanding than grain crops. The project has proved a success, though the greening efforts were not without missteps. As the top village official, Feng witnessed how tree saplings were planted, died and then replaced by new ones in the program's early years. Figures provided by the local authorities show that the per capita income in Gusheng rose from less than 1,500 yuan in 2005 to 10,800 yuan ($1,507) in 2019. Over the same period, the village's forest coverage rose from less than 20 percent to almost 90 percent. The success also blazed a trail toward prosperity for environmentally fragile regions in Southwest China and beyond. Green development Gusheng showcases the achievements of a national rural reform pilot zone created in Bijie, Guizhou province, 35 years ago. The zone, established in 1988, was the first of its kind, focusing on both curbing poverty and restoring the environment. In July 2018  the 30th anniversary of the zone's establishment  President Xi Jinping ordered Bijie to focus on green development, to explore human resources and improve the program's system and mechanism. Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also called for efforts to build Bijie into a poster child for implementing new development concepts, which are in essence innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development. Ecotourism success Another example of the zone's success is Qianxi, a formerly poverty-stricken county in Bijie that is home to people from several ethnic groups, such as the Miao and the Yi. One of its main success stories is Huaduli, or Floral Capital, a "tent hotel" resort in the county's Xinren township. Local authorities have invested some 42 million yuan and created a holiday resort covering 6.7 hectares on the edge of the mountains, where 22 white tent suites are perched. "It is the largest campsite in Guizhou, with some of the best facilities and views on offer," said Jin Li, vice-president of Guizhou Shanshui Culture and Tourism, a company that has invested in the project and oversees its day-to-day operations. The resort's operators have ensured that urban facilities abound: tents are available with smart toilets, automatic mahjong tables, walnut furniture, barbecue grills and an exclusive sightseeing stand that provides views of the majestic, red-painted Yachi River Bridge several kilometers away. The bridge, opened in 2016 as part of a broader effort to curb isolation-induced impoverishment, stretches more than 1.2 kilometers from east to west above the river 434 meters below. It is the fifth-highest bridge in the world and a major tourist draw. Opened to the public during this year's May Day holiday, the resort was constructed by Guizhou Shanshui Culture and Tourism in partnership with Huawu village, a formerly impoverished Miao community, which holds a stake of about 10 percent. Official data show that the village once had a poverty headcount ratio of 63.6 percent, but it was lifted out of poverty as a whole in 2017. Before the nationwide anti-poverty drive started about a decade ago, Huawa had no roads, tap water or electricity supply. Jin said the project has helped enrich local farmers by creating jobs and bringing in visitors keen to buy local farm produce and traditional handicraft items. Located 70 kilometers from Guizhou and 115 kilometers from Bijie's urban area, the spot is now served by a bullet train station and a highway, and is a popular destination for short-distance tours. In February 2021, Xi made a house call on villagers in Huawu. He checked living conditions and joined a family to make a traditional snack for festivals. Also during his trip, Xi visited a stretch of the Wujiang. After checking the ecological environment and water quality of the river, he emphasized the need for communities to forge a new path that prioritizes environmental conservation and green development. He said that the excellent ecological environment is Guizhou's biggest developmental strength and competitive edge, and he reiterated the role of environmental conservation and green development.
The BBC got in a tangle last week as it struggled to work out how to cover the Huw Edwards story. That probably explains why BBC Radio Scotlands Breaking the News, a version of Radio 4s News Quiz, avoided it. Host Des Clarke mentioned Edwards at the start of Fridays show before telling his panel of comics that the story was off-limits. The allegations were widely known among staff and had prompted Victoria Derbyshire to begin researching a Newsnight expose of her colleague. She wasnt telling too many people about it, possibly aware that it might never have seen the light of day. In 2011 a Newsnight investigation into Jimmy Savile was axed so it wouldnt spoil tribute programmes the BBC had lined-up to mark his death. Even today, says my source, some at the Beeb are regarded as untouchable.

Margaret Thatchers biographer Charles Moore celebrates a quaint link between the late Jane Birkin and the Iron Lady. Birkins actress mum, Judy, of Grantham like Margaret, was much admired by the future PM. I had assumed that this divergence of lifestyles would have ended any link between the two families, writes his lordship, but once, in the 1990s, I turned on the television in my Paris hotel room and caught by chance a celebrity news report of a glamorous Jane Birkin party at which Denis and Margaret Thatcher were in smiling attendance. It is pleasing to think of those two provincial neighbours both producing great stars.

The BBC got in a tangle as it struggled to work out how to cover the Huw Edwards story

News that SNP luvvie Brian Cox is making guest appearances alongside Alex Salmond during the politicians Edinburgh Festival shows next month, brings back awkward memories of the Succession stars involvement in the 2014 referendum campaign. During then First Minister Salmonds big Edinburgh speech just days before the big vote, Cox was embarrassingly seen in the audience...falling asleep.

Love Island host Maya Jama, pictured, tells Vogue she would never appear as a contestant on the show, saying: I would not be able to, at any age, strut out of the house in a bikini in front of men that are judging me based on just one sentence and what you look like. Ms Jama, 28, adds that being half-Swedish she has learned only three phrases in the language, including Can I stroke your dog? Form a queue, hound lovers!

Love Island host Maya Jama, pictured, told Vogue she would never appear as a contestant on the show

Addressing Forests pro-smoking freedom lunch at Boisdales yesterday, comedian Simon Evans, urging that pensioners should be given a euthanasia starter pack of Swan Vestas to help pay for the NHS, adds: I was a fan of the Pipesmoker of the Year when Eric Morecambe and CS Lewis were winners. But when Stephen Fry won, it was the beginning of the end.

One OF the late film critic Derek Malcolms happiest memories was, as a 14-year-old schoolboy, having tea with Laurel and Hardy after their 1947 London Coliseum show. Oliver Hardy took a bun, placed it on his chair and sat on it. Recalled Derek: Laurel looked horrified, especially when Hardy offered the flat bun to me.
What was it Henry II called his Archbishop of Canterbury? This meddlesome priest: a phrase that neatly sums up Dr Rowan Williams, who has bizarrely waded into the controversy over restrictions on cars in London.

The former archbishop retired from his role as leader of the Church of England in 2012 and was rewarded with a life peerage  reason enough, he seems to think, for him to weigh in with his views on air pollution.

In a letter co-written with Zara Mohammed, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg of the New North London Synagogue, Dr Williams claims that by, embracing measures like Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone [Ulez], we are... living in alignment with the key teachings of our faith.

Well, you learn something new every day: I wasnt aware that Jesus ever said: Blessed are those who charge drivers 12.50 a day for using the capitals streets in a vehicle that doesnt comply with the latest green regulations.

Its ridiculous to pretend the Ulez scheme has the faintest connection to religious tenets. Perhaps Williams should go back to the Gospels and think about the inequality Christ was really opposing.

The former archbishop retired from his role as leader of the Church of England in 2012 and was rewarded with a life peerage

Most small tradespeople working in London simply cant afford simply to buy a new car or van that complies with Ulez

Jesus spoke up for the poor and downtrodden  I doubt he would have defended the Ulez scheme, which amounts to a money grab by modern-day Pharisees and Sadducees, the wealthy ruling classes who spent their days dreaming up new forms of taxation and used religion to rip off the poor.

Im sure Dr Williams will be appalled to be compared to a Pharisee or money-grabbing priest. Its not an accusation I make lightly, but one that is based on a lot of Bible study.

As a deeply religious young woman, I attended a convent school and studied philosophy and theology at A-level. I was especially interested in the crossover between Church and State, and the way that priests so easily forget their principles when they get involved in politics.

Dr Williams must consider the damage Ulez is doing and why expanding it will hurt so many more people by wrecking their businesses.

Most small tradespeople working in London simply cant afford simply to buy a new car or van that complies with Ulez. But they have no option but to use their own vehicle.

Carrying tools, ladders and heavy equipment on public transport is completely impractical. Most deliveries cant be done by electric scooter or moped. No bricklayer wants to trudge across the city with a full hod and it is not hygienic to cart perishable food in a trailer behind a bicycle.

As a deeply religious young woman, Nana Akua (pictured) attended a convent school and studied philosophy and theology at A-level

The same goes for our current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who has made numerous outbursts against the Illegal Migration Bill in the House of Lords

The problem with meddlesome priests is that they are completely detached from reality, insulated by the wealth of their institutions.

The same goes for our current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who has made numerous outbursts against the Illegal Migration Bill in the House of Lords.

In opposing the Rwanda plan, he is effectively standing by as criminal gangs continue to profit from families who are risking their lives on journeys in unsafe boats  and refusing to acknowledge the members of his own congregation who are feeling the devastating effects of uncontrolled illegal immigration.

According a Church of England report, the number of people regularly attending a Sunday morning church have dropped from around 1.2 million in 1987 to 679,000 in 2019. Numbers have continued to fall since the pandemic.

Instead of making these overtly political and divisive interventions, archbishops should instead focus on boosting congregation numbers and reflect on the difficulties people face going about their daily lives  difficulties such as those caused by the expansion of Ulez and uncontrolled immigration.
When I first visited the mad Panmunjom border between North and South Korea, I felt a strong, irrational urge to dash across it.

I believe some people have similar impulses on cliff tops and high buildings. But for me, it is frontiers that do it.

Fortunately, so far, I have been able to keep this urge under control. So I  sort of  understand the crazy behaviour of the American soldier Travis King, who on Tuesday scuttled across the Korean demarcation line, allegedly cackling as he did so. I have been there twice, and have seen it from both sides  events separated by decades because of the extreme difficulty of getting into North Korea if you are known to be a journalist.

My determination to approach it from the north was born on the day in 1986 when, in the press party following Margaret Thatcher around the Far East, I was taken to the oddest place in the world  the southern side of the border.

In those days you approached it through lots of U.S. Army posts and emplacements, plastered with boastful slogans. In this case the words In front of them all! were emblazoned all over the place. Because of a treaty limit on the carrying of weapons by either side, unarmed South Korean troops trained in martial arts stood near the yellow-painted borderline in tense, menacing postures.

Barricades are placed near the Unification Bridge, which leads to the Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea

When Peter Hitchens (pictured) first visited the Panmunjom border between North and South Korea, he felt a strong, irrational urge to dash across it

The tension was quite justified. A few years before, in a dispute about cutting down a tree on the frontier, North Koreans, wielding axes, had murdered two U.S. Army officers.

You could never tell what might happen in such a place. That is probably why Ronald Reagan decided not to make the trip when he visited Seoul in 1983.

But the Iron Lady was made of tougher stuff than the Teflon President. The whole place was more or less insane. Both sides had built rather ludicrous viewing pavilions overlooking the small paved area where the Communist and Capitalist worlds (in those days) began and ended.

Baby blue sheds, for discussions about details of the armistice, straddled the demarcation line. You could enter them, if the North Koreans were not occupying them, and cross a few yards into North Korea. Mrs Thatcher did this, and we went with her, while North Korean guards glared at her through the windows.

But if you tried to do that outside the sheds, in the open air, heaven knows what might happen to you. It looked so easy, just as it used to in Berlin, where the hideous Wall briefly flattened out just in front of the Brandenburg Gate, the other end of the Evil Empire.

This was what was so disturbing. On this painted line began thousands of miles of what was, in those days, a different planet in which utterly different ideas about good and evil, right and wrong, just and unjust, applied.

South Korean soldiers stand guard at the Joint Security Area (JSA) on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the border village

South Korean army soldiers pass by a military guard post at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea

READ MORE: Who is US soldier Travis King? Everything you need to know about private who crossed border into North Korea Travis King crossed into North Korea shortly after being released from prison in South Korea Advertisement

All around were forested hills, a paradise for wildlife as few humans went there. For among the thick trees, lethal fences  full of tripwires, booby traps and minefields  lay hidden. And they still do.

Yet it was crazier than that. Just south of the death zone, South Korea maintains a village, Daeseong-Dong (I think our guides in 1986 may have referred to it as Freedom Village) where a few rather privileged citizens dwell. From it flies an enormous South Korean flag. Easily visible to the north lies its (sort of) northern twin, Kijong-Dong, which our guides definitely dismissed as Propaganda Village.

This sinister, creepy sight is supposedly inhabited by 200 people. The fields around it are tilled. But close surveillance over many years has shown no sign of any real inhabitants, and, although lights come on after dark, its smart buildings are believed to be no more than an elaborate ghost town, a concrete stage-set, supposed to demonstrate the prosperity of the North Korean economy and people.

In 1986, I remember plinky-plonky happy music drifting from its loudspeakers towards the south, one of the most haunting and upsetting sounds I have ever heard. Like its southern equivalent, it flies a gigantic national flag. A contest between the two ended when the North built a flagpole more than 500ft high, so dwarfing the southern mast, a mere 327ft high.

Both sides deployed monstrous flags, the Norths at one point weighing a quarter of a ton. But the contest has grown harder to maintain, as such huge standards are ripped to pieces in the high winds at these altitudes.

It took me 21 years to reach Panmunjom from the north. The final stage in the visa process involved dancing with the beautiful and charming female staff of the North Korean consulate in Shenyang in China.

Then there was a worrying trip in a Soviet aircraft dating from the Khrushchev era, regarded by the Chinese as so dangerous they wouldnt let it near their airport buildings. And then at last, I was belting down the deserted highway to the border from Pyongyang the North Korean capital, a wonderfully green city thanks to its almost total absence of traffic and strictly rationed electricity.

If you want to know what Net Zero will be like, North Korea is the place to go. But I am not sure Private King, the runaway soldier, will be enjoying it much. As far as I could tell during my brief visit, North Korea only survives as a state because its people are allowed to get hopelessly drunk on rice spirit, for a lot of the time.

As on the other side, we approached the line through elaborate fortifications including tunnels designed to be collapsed by pre-positioned explosives.

And as on the other side, we were given lengthy briefings on the evils of the rival Korea.

And then, all of a sudden there it was again, the blue huts, the paved zone, the lurking soldiers, the rival pavilions (the southern one much bigger than before), and the wild desire to sprint across, because it looked as if I could. I nearly did. But I didnt.
A British man revealed to Why Sharks Attack viewers of the 'horrifying' moment he saw a man's calf ripped off during a dive.

The documentary, which aired on BBC1 last night, explored why the creatures may choose to attack humans, with experts suggesting hungry sharks are hunting for prey they would not normally eat.

During the film, British scuba diver Dan White recalled the moment he was diving in Egypt when he saw a member of his group being bitten in a ferocious attack.

After the shark grabbed hold of the diver's leg, Dan recalled: 'There was a big plume of blood in the water...Another diver started screaming. You could hear her screaming. It was horrifying to listen to.'

However many viewers confessed they were less than sympathetic towards the divers, with one saying: 'Sometimes humans aren't meant to be so adventurous, we don't need to see and explore everything or dive to depths or even go snorkelling or scuba diving because we think it's exciting.

Viewers of BBC's Why Sharks Attack were left defending the animals as they slammed humans for 'invading' the ocean

'We're not entitled to every thrill we want.'

Another added: 'I have a lot of respect for sharks. If I was a shark I would probably attack and eat scuba divers too.

'They are invading their territory.'

A fourth commented: 'I'm really angry on behalf of the sharks now. Anyone else?'

Another added: 'Afraid I have little/no sympathy for any people who get in the water and into the sharks home.'

'#WhySharksAttack...because we're invading their bloody space. Leave them alone,' another wrote.

'People and divers thinking they can just enter the water in droves and not get attacked,' one commented. 'Not sharks fault at all.'

During the episode, British diver Dan explained his attraction to diving with the animals.

He explained: 'For thrill seekers like myself, it's a big attraction. Seeing something you know could do potential damage and being one to one with that creature in the water...

However many viewers confessed they were less than sympathetic towards the divers and defended the sharks

'It's like you are there in the partnership, seeing something in its natural habitat.'

In 2018, he and his fiancee were diving with a tour group south of Hurghada.

Dan said: 'We were only around 5 metres deep, swimming around and seeing what we could find.

'Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a dark shadow and I turned to see what it was and it was an oceanic white tipped shark.

'That's when I pulled up the go-pro and started filming.'

Dan's footage showed the shark swimming above the group, before he moved closer to a number of divers not far from Dan.

He explained: 'The shark was pretty placid, chilled and then his behaviour completely flipped.

'He came down to the diver's level and started investigating.

During the film, British scuba diver Dan White recalled the moment he was diving in Egypt when he saw a member of his group being bitten in a ferocious attack

'It took a great interest in the male diver. It was trying to bite fins, the diver was kicking it off.

'The shark disengaged from the male diver in one group and took his interest in another diver.'

Dan explained: 'He bit onto the divers leg, latched on and they ended up going end to end, almost like a cartwheel.

'It was crazy, it wouldn't let go for what felt like forever and it ended up tearing off his calf muscle in the leg.'

After the incident, a terrified Dan said he was keen to 'get out of the water quickly'.

The victim was given emergency first aid on the dive boat and taken to hospital where his leg was saved.

Elsewhere in the documentary, experts suggested the attacks may be happening as hungry sharks are hunting for prey they would not normally eat.

Despite shark numbers declining in many parts of the world, attacks aren't going down. Scientists believe this is because of an increasing number of people in the water.

Dan explained how he had seen a shark approaching his group while diving off the coast of Egypt in 2018

Laura Ryan explained: 'There's a few different reasons why sharks would bite humans.

'It can be aggression or a human invading their space or in a more exploratory nature.

'If they're not sure what something is, this could be how they investigate the object.

'There's also this idea of mistaken identity, where sharks can identity objects as something different, like seals.'

If a person encounters a shark when in the water, experts recommend remaining still still and not to swim away.

If the shark does attack, experts recommend punching the shark with all their might in the nose, due to their sensitivity. In most cases, experts says, that will drive the shark away.

After the shark grabbed hold of the diver's leg, Dan recalled: there was a big plume of blood in the water

They also advise that if a shark is circling around someone in the water and does not seem to be of immediate threat, they key is to remain still and vigilant until it swims away.

Just last month, Egypt put its beaches in lockdown following the brutal shark attack that killed a 23-year-old in front of his desperate father.

Authorities have cracked down on snorkeling, swimming and watersports after Vladimir Popov was mauled to death by a tiger shark at the Hurghada resort in Egypt.

Witnesses say the victim's now mourning girlfriend had been in the water at the time of the attack, while his helpless father watched from ashore.

The ban will last until tomorrow, with beaches from the northern El-Gouna Resort to the south border of Abu Souma Bay affected.

In a statement, Egypt's Environment Ministry said: 'Dr. Yasmin Fouad, the Minister of the Environment, directed the staff specialized in managing the shark attack incident on a pioneer of Hurghada beaches, to apply all policies applied globally to achieve maximum levels of safety for Red Sea shores and to take all possible measures to avoid the repetition of the shark attack incident again.

'In light of abnormal shark behaviour causing the incident and previous fact that there have been incidents of attacks on humans by this species in the past, the fishing team examined the fish that caused the incident to examine it to find out possible causes for the attack and whether it was. Same fish that caused previous accidents.'
A leading men's fashion writer has penned a forensic Twitter thread detailing where formal tailoring goes wrong for so many famous faces - but says King Felipe VI of Spain frequently offers a masterclass in 'perfect proportions'.

California-based Derek Guy, who writes the Die, Workwear fashion blog, examined photos of the Spanish monarch at the Men's Singles final at Wimbledon this weekend, saying the 55-year-old royal looked 'great' and that it was 'very rare to see this level of tailoring nowadays, even on the wealthy'.

King Felipe, who watched his countryman Carlos Alcaraz come through a five-set thriller with Novak Djokovic on Centre Court, was spotted wearing a light grey suit jacket over a white checked shirt, paired with black tailored trousers and a navy and white patterned tie.

Clearly a fan of the Spanish king's collection of suits, Guy's thread explained exactly what Felipe, who stands at 6ft 5' tall, gets right.

King of tailoring! King Felipe VI received high praise from menswear blogger Derek Guy after his appearance watching the Men's Singles Final on

Why does it work so well? Guy says there are three things that the king's tailor sticks to with his suits; the collar always hugs the neck, there's no pulling anywhere and his suit jacket lapels end about halfway from collar to shoulder bone

In the same thread, he also pointed out, illustrating with photos, some of the major suit fails that high profile stars have made including Daniel Craig - whose apparent fondness for a short coat can leave him looking like his suits are 'sausage casing'.

The vast majority of world leaders at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last week also suffered trouser fails, according to Guy, who said many of the male presidents pictured in a group photograph had trousers on that were cut way too long for them.

The sartorial guru pointed out all of the ways in which King Felipe's tailoring sings, discussing precise proportions, lapel rolls and sweeping 'quarters'.

The Spanish royal used the same tailor, Jaime Gallo, until the artisan's death in 2015 - having been dressed by him since he was an 11-year-old boy, according to Guy.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain pictured in April this year at the Royal Palace in Madrid: Guy says the king's 'coat's lines flow into the trousers, making the outfit a coherent whole'

He wrote: 'King Felipe consistently looks great, and it seems that all of his suits are cut by the same tailor.

'Some basic points: 1. Collar always hugs the neck 2. No pulling anywhere. Things hang cleanly 3. Lapels end about halfway from collar to shoulder bone (nice proportion).'

A rolling lapel also helps Felipe's look, says Guy, saying a slight curvature to a jacket's lapel suggests 'very fine tailoring'.

He praised his jacket 'quarters', referring to how the front of a jacket, below the buttons, sits, saying the King's quarters 'sweep away, creating a more dynamic line.'

However, Daniel Craig didn't fare so well, with Guy saying the star often wears jackets that are too short and tight, saying they leave sleeves riding up

Sleeve appraisal: Guy said of Craig's ensembles: 'His right sleeve is often two inches too short. I suspect this is because his bicep is too tight and he is right-handed.'

The world of politics got short shrift too, with NATO leaders meeting in Lithuania on July 11 falling foul of trousers that are too long, says Guy

The writer added that his jackets have 'a very classic and flattering proportion', with the coats ending 'halfway from the collar to the floor'.

Turning his gaze to those who haven't quite got the same tailoring prowess, he said many male stars wear jackets that are too short, publishing a photo of Daniel Craig at the 2012 Skyfall premiere, and in the striking velour pink jacket he donned at the No Time to Die premiere.

He wrote: 'Craig often wears clothes that are too tight for his body. This causes the buttoning point to strain across his waist, the lapels to buckle away from the chest, and the coat's collar to lift off his neck.

'His right sleeve is often two inches too short. I suspect this is because his bicep is too tight and he is right-handed. When he waves or shakes people's hands, his tight sleeve is prone to riding up on him, leaving him with too much shirt cuff. Happens often at press events.'
Viewers of The Sixth Commandment were left in floods of tears last night by Anne Reid's performance as a retired teacher seduced by a psychopathic church warden.

Anne Moore-Martin suffered a campaign of gaslighting and physical and mental torture at the hands of 32-year-old church warden Benjamin Field, telling friends she 'loved' him and giving him a key to her house.

In the second episode of the BBC drama last night, Anne, played by Anne Reid, is shown falling in love with Field and changing her will into his favour.

However her neice Ann-Marie, played by Annabel Scoley, grows suspicious of Field and manages to change the will back shortly before Anne suffers a stroke and passes away.

Many of those watching confessed they were in awe over the performances in the programme, with one saying: 'Anne Reid is magnificent as always.'

Viewers of The Sixth Commandment were left in floods of tears last night by Anne Reid's performance as a retired teacher seduced by a psychopathic church warden

Another wrote: 'Such a harrowing story. Timothy Spall gave such a strong performance last night.

'Anne Reid off the scale tonight. Unmissable drama. A must see for everyone involved in adult safeguarding.'

A third added: 'Tears tonight. Astonishing piece of work. I binged all 4. RIP Peter Farquahar and Ann Moore-Martin.'

A fourth said: 'Both episodes have made me angry and brought me to tears. The performances are absolutely superb. Timothy Spall, Anne Reid and Annabel Scholey were heart wrenching.'

'Anne Reid in The Sixth Commandment...What a tour de force...magnificent!' another commented.

One added: 'Anne Reid is absolutely brilliant in every single thing she does.'

Another commented: 'Every award going please to Timothy Spall, Anne Reid, Eanna Hardwicke and all the cast, plus PhelpsieSarah for the phenomenal Sixth Commandment.

'A terrible story but it gave the victims their humanity and dignity. A brilliant watch.'

Many of those watching confessed they were in awe over the performances in the programme (pictured)

The episode began with Peter's funeral, at which Field gave his eulogy.

Meanwhile at the wake, Field tells Peter's sister-in-law that he hopes to sell Peter's house so that he can buy a new flat.

And it's not long before Field begins growing closer to Peter's elderly neighbour Anne.

He tells her that it's Ian who wants to sell the house, which is leaving him homeless, and he has nowhere to live.

Over a series of visits, he is shown to be growing closer to Anne, asking her about why she is single, kissing her cheek and bonding with her over religion.

But her niece Ann-Marie quickly grows concerned as Field starts spending more time with the older woman.

When Anne raises these concerns with Field, he tells her: 'Ann-Marie won't understand how it is for us.

'How we know each other so deeply, as if we've met before. Unjudged by anyone but God.'

Anne Moore-Martin, 83, was Field's second victim. She too was seduced by the criminal. She is portrayed in the drama by Anne Reid, 88

The episode began with Peter's funeral, at which Field gave his eulogy in front of his friends and family

Over a series of visits, Field is shown to be growing closer to Anne, asking her about why she is single, kissing her cheek and bonding with her over religion

He then kisses her, before offering to bring her a cups of tea, and reading Bible passages to her in bed.

Ann-Marie asks her husband if she is being overly suspicious of the man, but he assures her he is being a 'decent human being.'

However, just like Peter did in the final months of his life, Anne is shown growing weaker, more frail, and more confused.

Field gives Anne a framed photograph with the words: 'I am always with you' printed on the bottom.

Meanwhile he begins scrawling messages on mirrors in her home, with Anne telling Field: 'I think God spoke to me.'

The two are also shown changing Anne's will to be in Field's favour.

Ann-Marie is horrified when Anne tells her Field has become 'more than friend', saying: 'He loves me, he loves me so much. He makes me so special. He's asked me to marry him and I'm going to say yes.'

She says: 'I'd have to be off my head that this young man I don't know is saying he wants to marry you.'

The two argue, as Anne tells Ann-Marie she thinks she is a 'silly old woman, waiting to die', saying: 'You have really upset me, you have really hurt me.'

Ann-Marie tries desperately to get in touch with Anne, but Field deletes her messages.

Field tells her they have a special bond as though they had known each other in another life (pictured)

Anne is shown growing weaker, more frail, and more confused and Field begins scrawling messages on mirrors in her home

Terrified her aunt is in danger, Ann-Marie travels to the older woman's home, where she finds Anne has suffered a fall and quickly takes her to hospital.

Field tries to visit Anne's house, but Ann-Marie confronts him, and tells him to leave, as well as leaving his key to the property.

She speaks to the police, saying: 'He's been trying to get into the hospital and saying he's her nephew. He's taken her folder with everything important in.'

Ann-Marie removes all of Field's possessions from Anne's house and leaves them on the pavement, before confronting him.

She says: 'Do you think you're in love with her? Do you think you need some help?'

Police came to visit Anne, where she tells them she saw Field putting white powder into her drinks.

She tells Ann-Marie: 'The thing is, he didn't ask me for anything. I just seemed to want to give it to him. All of it.

'I just feel so ashamed. I've always prided myself on being intelligent. To think a young man was in love with me...I don't know what's happened to me.'

Ann-Marie is horrified when Anne tells her Field has become 'more than friend' and the two women fight

After Anne suffers a fall at home, she is moved into a hospice and police begin to investigate Field's behaviour

But tragically, overnight before the investigation can go any further, Anne dies.

As Ann-Marie collects Anne's possessions from the hospital, she tells the police she is now questioning Peter's death, saying: 'What is Aunty Anne wasn't the only one?'

In reality, Mr Farquhar, who had struggled with his sexuality for years, had taught English at the private Manchester Grammar School before moving to the prestigious Stowe in 1983.

He was head of English there for 21 years, before deciding to retire in 2004 so he could write novels.

Field was a 20-year-old undergraduate student when he first met Mr Farquhar.

READ MORE: Who was Peter Farquhar? The shocking true story behind his murder Advertisement

On discovering that both he and his neighbour were wealthy, Field decided to seduce them to get his hands on their money.

Pretending to be in love first with Mr Farquhar and then Miss Moore-Martin, he was sexually intimate with both, despite dismissing his male partner as a 'faggot' and having feelings of 'indifference' towards his female victim.

Once he had gained their trust, Field carried out sinister mind games and plied the pair with alcohol and drugs.

Mr Farquhar's health deteriorated to the point where he was at times rambling, incoherent and suffering from hallucinations.

In the mornings he would often find himself covered in bruises and his prized possessions missing, with no memory of what had happened.

'I am finding more joy in life now than ever before in my swift 23 years,' Field wrote as he began his campaign of abuse.

After his arrest, police uncovered a list of potential future victims which included his own parents and grandparents.

He also fantasised in notebooks about a nighttime murder rampage, predicting he could kill up to 50 people in a single spree.

When Mr Farquhar was found dead by his cleaner in October 2015, the first person she called after the emergency services was Field, who everyone believed was his loyal partner.

In March the previous year, the pair had pledged themselves to one another in a London church service.

Timothy Spall, who is portraying murdered retired teacher Peter Farquhar (right) in new drama the Sixth Commandment, has told how the victim was outwardly 'vivacious' but suffered from 'loneliness' and a 'desire for affection'

Mr Farquhar suffered a campaign of gaslighting and physical and mental torture at the hands of 32-year-old Field (right), who is serving a minimum 36-year prison sentence for his murder. Field is portrayed by 26-year-old Irish star Eanna Hardwicke (left)

Undated handout photo issued by Thames Valley Police of Peter Farqhuar (right) and Benjamin Field

The day was particularly special for Mr Farquhar, who wrote in his journal: 'It is one of the happiest moments of my life. Gone are the fears of dying alone.'

Describing his initial encounter with Mr Farquhar, who was a guest lecturer at his university, Field boasted of the pair's 'vulgarly commercial' relationship.

'He gives me things, and he gets me for a length of time,' he wrote.

He explained the relationship in even cruder terms to a friend, writing:

'He and I have struck a deal which is I pay for nothing and will hang out with him until his eventual death win/win... I'm p [pretty] comfortable w/death.'

Field and a university friend moved into Mr Farquhar's home as lodgers in 2013.

At the time, he was working in the bakery section at Tesco and as a carer at a nearby nursing home.

Retired English teacher Peter Farquhar (left) was murdered by Benjamin Field in 2019 in a case that shocked the nation. New BBC drama the Sixth Commandment sees Timothy Spall (right, in character) portray him

There he filmed himself tormenting a resident, telling her she didn't 'have any friends and you have never married'.

In 2014, the same month as his and Mr Farquhar's church ceremony, Field began a relationship with another woman, Setara Pracha, an admissions tutor at Buckingham Universtiy, where he had been a student.

He went on to become a deputy church warden at St Mary's Church in Stowe and boasted to a friend how he was going to become a vicar.

The abuse he subjected Mr Farquhar to included torturing a pet chihuahua he had given him and making him believe he had dementia.

After his will had been changed in Field's favour, Mr Farquhar was murdered. He was found to have consumed prescription sedatives and alcohol, and police believe he may also have been suffocated with a pillow.

Field initially avoided suspicion and pocketed 20,000 from his victim's will. When Mr Farquhar's house was sold by his brother, Field got a further 142,000.

He then moved on to his second victim, Ms Moore-Martin, who he had been introduced to by Mr Farquhar.

The retired teacher and devout Catholic quickly fell under his spell, giving him a key to her house and telling friends she loved him.

Above her dressing table she even hung a framed photograph of him bearing the words: 'I am always with you'.

In 2016, she gave him 4,000 to buy a car. Having no intention of actually purchasing a vehicle with the money, Field hired a car for a day to dupe her.

He then conned the woman out of 27,000 telling her ne needed the money to help his brother, who he claimed was desperately ill.

On mirrors in her home, he would scrawl messages in white marker. One read: 'Ben makes you whole, Give the whole to him.'

Another stated: 'All that you give him will be returned tenfold.'

Convinced by his act, Ms Moore-Martin changed her will in Field's favour at the end of 2016.

In February 2017 she suffered a seizure and ended up in hospital.

It remains unclear what caused the decline, but she did tell friends days earlier that Field had given her 'some powder' which helped her sleep.

Field was however cleared of attempting to kill her.

Once his victim was in hospital, Field was unable to get access to her and the pensioner's niece, Anne-Marie Blake, became suspicious.

As police began an investigation, Ms Blake changed her aunt's will to write Field out.

In March 2017, Field was arrested for the first time, but two months later, Ms Moore-Martin died for a massive stroke.

Her niece said in evidence to the jury at Field's trial: 'She was tortured by it and found it very difficult to get her head around the betrayal.

'She said to me, "I am such an intelligent woman. How could I let this happen to myself?"

At his trial, former Stowe School secretary, Ms Zettl, then 101, became the oldest witness in a British murder case.

Field's co-accused, Martyn Smith, who was cleared of involvement in the deaths of both Mr Farquhar and Ms Moore-Martin, had lived as a lodger with Ms Zettl.

In January 2022, Field began a second bid to have his conviction overturned. The Court of Appeal dismissed a previous challenge in 2021.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark has sailed off on her summer holiday in what is likely to be a much-needed break for the 83-year-old monarch.

The Danish Queen was pretty in pink with a dress, jacket and hat as she arrived in Sonderborg and stepped off the royal ship, Dannebrog, to be greeted by Sonderborg mayor Erik Lauritzen.

She will be spending the summer holiday in the royal residence of Graasten Castle in the south of the country.

The Queen's summer break, which began yesterday, comes after a difficult year for her family, which was at loggerheads when the monarch announced she was stripping her youngest son Prince Joachim's children of their princely titles.

The family has since resolved its dispute, however Prince Joachim has announced he will be moving to Washington, US, in August to take up a post at the Danish Embassy to the USA.

Goodbye for the summer! Queen Margrethe began her summer holiday as she arrived in Sonderborg yesterday afternoon

Last September, the Danish Royal Palace announced that Prince Joachim's four children Nikolai and Felix - born from his first marriage - and Henrik and Athena, would no longer be princes and princess, and instead would be counts and countess.

Explaining her decision, the Queen said the new titles would allow her four grandchildren from her second son to live more normal lives.

At the time, Prince Joachim publicly spoke out against his mother's decision - claiming that his children had been 'harmed' in the process.

The Queen, 83, was welcomed by mayor of Sonderborg Erik Lauritzen after the royal ship docked at the harbour

The Queen's much-needed vacation comes after a difficult year for her family in which she was involved in a conflict with her youngest son Prince Joachim (right) over his four children and their princely titles

He told Danish publication B.T: 'I can say that my children are sad. My kids don't know which leg to stand on. What they should believe. Why should their identity be removed? Why must they be punished in that way?'

He also claimed that he had only been told the news five days before it was made public - despite the Royal Household insisting the decision 'has been a long time coming'.

'I don't want to engage in speculation and mudslinging,' said Joachim. 'I am telling the truth... I was given five days notice... I was given five days' notice of this. To tell my children that on New Year's their identity will be taken from them.'

He added that in May 2022, he was presented with a plan that his 'children's identity should be taken from them when each of them turned 25', to which he asked 'to be allowed to come back with my proposal'.

But he said he was given just five days notice that the decision was to be accelerated, adding: 'I am so sorry for my children. I just demand the truth.'

The Prince's candid comments led to the Danish Royal Household issuing an unprecedented statement in which Queen Margrethe apologised for any hurt caused by the announcement.

It read: 'In recent days, there have been strong reactions to my decision on the future use of titles for Prince Joachim's four children. It obviously affects me.

'My decision has been a long time coming. With my 50 years on the throne, it is natural both to look back and to look forward.

'It is my duty and my wish as Queen to ensure that the monarchy continues to shape itself in keeping with the times.

'It sometimes requires difficult decisions to be made, and it will always be difficult to find the right moment.

After conducting crisis talks, the Danish royals reunited on the balcony of the Palace to celebrate the Queen's 83rd birthday

'Carrying a royal title entails a number of obligations and duties, which will in future be the responsibility of fewer members of the royal family.

'This adaptation, which I see as a necessary safeguard for the future of the monarchy, I want to make in my time.'

She continued: 'I have made my decision as Queen, mother and grandmother, but as a mother and grandmother I have underestimated how much my youngest son and his family feel affected. It makes a big impression, and I'm sorry for that.

'No one should be in doubt that my children, children-in-law and grandchildren are my great joy and pride.

'I now hope that we as a family can find the peace to find our way through this situation ourselves.'

After the conflict was played out in public, the family got together for behind-the-scenes crisis talks to resolve their differences.

The Palace later told B.T: 'The Queen and Prince Joachim have spoken together at Fredensborg. Everyone agrees to look forward, and as the Queen herself has expressed, she and Prince Joachim want calm to find their way through this situation.'

Since then, the family has put on a united front, with the Queen and Prince Joachim having worked out their differences.

In April, Prince Joachim and his children joined with his brother and heir apparent, Crown Prince Frederik and his family to appear with their mother on the balcony of the Royal Palace to celebrate her 83rd birthday.

The Prince has also announced in recent months that he is heading to the US with his family to take up a post in the Danish Embassy in Washington DC - which is expected to begin later this summer.
The mother of two women who were murdered in a London park - and whose bodies were later photographed by two serving police officers, who shared the images on Whatsapp - says she's urged Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to 'change his mind' and accept that institutional racism exists in his force.

Speaking on Woman's Hour ahead of the launch of a new police accountability pressure group, Alliance for Police Accountability (APA), on Thursday, Mina Smallman, 66, who was the Church of England's first black female archdeacon, told the BBC Radio 4 programme that 'many women are too frightened to call the police' and officers can 'inflame' stop and search situations.

In 2020, Smallman's daughters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were murdered in a Wembley park in June 2020 by 19-year-old devil worshipper, Danyal Hussein. The women had been celebrating Ms Henry's birthday in Fryent Country Park when they were set upon in the early hours.

Two officers, Deniz Jaffer, 49, and Jamie Lewis, 34, who were assigned to protect the cordon of the murder scene were jailed in 2021 for taking photos of the sisters and sharing them with colleagues.

Both men were released early from prison in April this year after serving less than 17 months each.

Mina Smallman, 66, appeared on Woman's Hour ahead of a keynote address to launch a new police pressure group Alliance for Police Accountability (APA), and told the programme that people's 'lived experience' of encounters with the police was key to improving the force

She told the programme that many women still felt fearful about going to the police

The new APA coalition will see groups from across the UK working collaboratively to fight racist, misogynistic and homophobic policing.

When asked what her key message would be, Smallman told the programme: 'Hope. Because I think there are many people in communities who no longer trust the police. I know certainly a large proportion of women are frightened to call the police.'

She said that the force's current approach to 'stop and search' was that officers were often 'rude and aggressive and trying to inflame the people they're speaking to'.

Smallman told Woman's Hour host Nuala McGovern that Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley must accept that institutional racism is a term that should be applied to his force.

After Baroness Casey's report into Scotland Yard's culture and practices following the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by PC Wayne Couzens in March 2021, Sir Mark said he felt 'upset, embarrassed and humbled' after reading the report - but has refused to apply the term 'institutionally racist' to the Met.

In 2020, Smallman's daughters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, were murdered in a Wembley park in June 2020 by 19-year-old devil worshipper, Danyal Hussein - two police officers, Deniz Jaffer, 49, and Jamie Lewis, 34, guarding the crime scene took photos of their bodies, and were later jailed

Smallman says she's had conversations with Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about using the term 'institutional racism' to describe the culture within the Met - and says it's not about police officers 'throwing colleagues under the bus'

Ms Smallman said: 'It's not about throwing colleagues under the bus or suggesting everybody in the police force is racist. What you are saying is "I now see and understand your lived experience".'

'Everyone should welcome strides forward. However, unless it impacts the community and people see the change and know the change... people coming out with an experience and how they've been treated by the police is what is going to change attitudes.'

She said the expertise of the new alliance should be seen as 'part of the cure' not as 'a fly in the ointment' by police officers.

Ex officers Deniz Jaffer, 49, and Jamie Lewis, 34, were jailed for two years and nine months in December 2021 for misconduct in public office but were released automatically after serving half of their sentence earlier this year.

The two former police officers jailed for taking photos of the murdered sisters were released early despite one of them offering to share the sickening images again. Pictured: ex-officer Deniz Jaffer, 49, left, and Ex-officer Jamie Lewis (pictured), 34

The two officers took six photographs of the bodies of Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, which were sent on WhatsApp to a group of police officers and members of the public including a doctor and a dentist.

As they stood at an inner cordon, Lewis messaged colleagues saying: 'Unfortunately I am sat next to the two dead birds with stab wounds.'

Jaffer then risked contaminating the crime scene as he crept beyond the cordon to take more photographs on his phone. The duo were reported by a colleague who received the shocking messages and witnessed them prowling around the scene.

When they were caught, Jaffer insisted that the images had been deleted. But Ms Smallman said in May that she feared one of the men had kept a copy.

She has requested the pair be banned from discussing or sharing the appalling photos as part of their licence conditions.

'There are some conditions  they can't get in touch with us  and I've actually requested that they put an additional clause that if they attempt to show any images of our girls then they go straight back in,' she said at the time.

The police officers were assigned to protect the cordon of a murder scene after Nicole Smallman (right), 27, and Bibaa Henry (left), 46, were stabbed to death in a Wembley park in June 2020

'One of them said they had deleted the picture and they hadn't. The IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) got in touch with us because one of them had been heard offering to show the image.

'He could have sent it to anybody. He was called in and made to delete it again. Will one day those pictures suddenly appear?

'That's my biggest worry. That's the one thing Chris [her husband] and I could not do. We couldn't see the bodies. I want to remember the girls as they were, not get images of them after.

'That's a cause of great concern and anxiety.'

Officials failed to inform the family when the pair were released on Friday, April 21, waiting until the following week to notify them.

'I knew the day would come. I choose not to look at the calendar. They're unimportant to me. They're a lost cause.

'When I got the call I was on my own and it's not a nice thing,' Mrs Smallman said.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'These offenders' crimes were grossly offensive and our thoughts remain with the family of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.

'Lewis and Jaffer are subject to strict licence conditions and can be returned to prison at any time if the rules are broken.'
A mother who was called a 'monster' for treating her five-month-old son's port wine birthmark with laser therapy has revealed he has reached a major health milestone.

Brooke Atkins, from the Gold Coast, shared a video of now 18-month-old Kingsley in June to celebrate him going an entire month without a seizure.

'This is the longest he has gone seizure-free since September last year,' Ms Atkins wrote.

'We know it won't last forever but will take the small wins as they come!'

Kingsley was born in January last year with a large port wine birthmark on half his face.

After learning the possibly detrimental effects of the stain, Ms Atkins said she and her partner Kewene Wallace made the difficult decision for their baby to undergo laser treatment.

Port wine birthmarks are usually considered harmless but if on the face - as in 65 per cent of cases - they can be linked glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome.

A glaucoma can cause vision problems and headaches while Sturge Weber Syndrome impairs brain function and can cause seizures.

Kingsley (pictured during laser treatment) was born with a port wine birthmark over half his face

Gold Coast mum Brooke Atkins (pictured holding Kingsley during his laser treatment) has said her 18-month-old son went a whole month without suffering a seizure in June

Kingsley has been diagnosed with both.

The unique birthmarks are also known to change over time.

They can darken, create bumps or cause vascular blebs - abnormal blood vessels that can be dangerous if they bleed.

'The only way to treat a port wine stain is through laser treatments and the most effective laser for a it is called a Pulsed Dye Laser,' Ms Atkins explained last year.

'When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children's Hospital dermatology and vascular department where they organised the first treatment and explain in further details why laser would be important.

'The purpose of the laser treatments are not to "remove" the birthmark but instead keep the skin healthy, to prevent any further damage to the area.'

Kingsley's original birthmark (left) was light but laser treatment from when he was five-months-old has almost completely erased it (right)

Kingsley's birthmark looked light in colour when he was first born and darkened as he proceeded with laser treatment.

Now, at 18 months old, the stain is almost completely gone and Kingsley is at a much lower risk of future complications.

Ms Atkins and her partner often questioned whether they were making the right choice during Kingsley's treatment but said they're grateful they saw it through.

'The whole thing was difficult but would we regret it? Absolutely not,' she told Truly in June.

'We didn't want to wait [until Kingsley was older], we wanted to do it then and there and he won't remember.

'It would be a lot more stressful when he's older than when he's a baby.

'He was fine afterwards, he was happy.'

Mum Brooke Atkins and dad Kewene Wallace (pictured holding Kingsley during laser treatment) decided their son would undergo laser treatment after hearing about the possible effects of a port wine birthmark

Ms Atkins said she was Kingsley (above) was referred to the Queensland Children's Hospital dermatology and vascular department shortly after birth

However, Ms Atkins received massive amounts of hate online for baby Kingsley's laser treatments with many accusing her of only during the procedure for looks and branding her a 'monster'.

Another commented: 'That birthmark is barely visible, what you're doing to him is horrible, it's more for you than him.'

One person said: 'Don't think I could laser my baby.'

Another commented: 'That birthmark is barely visible, what you're doing to him is horrible, it's more for you than him.'

'Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb,' commented another user.

'Why is everyone supporting this,' commented someone else.

Other commenters were quick to offer their support.

'Thank you for spreading awareness and sharing your story! All the love for your family!,' one wrote.

'I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision to make but he will thank you for it when he's older and you did it out of love and wanting a better life for your son,' another said.

'Mothers know and do what is best for their children,' a third person wrote.

Port wine birthmarks are usually considered harmless but if on the face they can be linked glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome - Kingsley (pictured with Ms Atkins) suffers from both

Ms Atkins said one concern was Kingsley's (above) birthmark could later darken, create bumps or cause vascular blebs - abnormal blood vessels that can be dangerous if they bleed
I've been a fan since Taylor Swift launched her first album 18 years ago, so I knew all too well that snagging tickets to her UK tour would be carnage.

My best friend and I tried to get seats to the US leg of her Eras tour and were victims of the Ticketmaster queuegate that left thousands fans ticketless. But like all true Swifties we ultimately caved, bought resale tickets and I flew across the pond for the weekend just to see her show.

However, with Ticketmaster having declared the UK tour as a lead booker event, resale wasn't an option, so today I joined the AXS general sale queue in hopes that our wildest dreams of seeing Taylor play in London next summer would come true.

I knew AXS was trouble before I logged on. I had seen the horror stories on Twitter of the website crashing, falsely thinking real fans were bots and only allowing people to purchase VIP tickets costing upwards of 660 each.

So I am genuinely shocked that we actually managed to get three tickets for a total of 519 - but it wasn't an easy journey. How'd we do it? Long story short, sheer luck.

Today I joined the virtual AXS queue in a bid to snag tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which comes to London next year. Long story short, I actually managed to get three tickets - but it wasn't an easy journey

I logged into the AXS waiting room promptly at 10.30am, as my Swift-obsessed best friend Teresa tuned in from her home in Florida for moral support

Seats to Taylor's European gigs were released in waves in an attempt to prevent online bots from snagging all the tickets. The first round were released last week in a pre-sale to fans who had pre-ordered her Midnights album.

Then this week the launched the so-called general sale which gave select fans, who had pre-registered online, the opportunity to queue for tickets.

After failing to get pre-sale tickets and seeing how tickets with a face value of 170 were being resold for nearly 3,000 on StubHub and Viagogo (despite the lead booker situation) I fully expected to be disappointed again today.

I logged into the AXS waiting room promptly at 10.30am, as my Swift-obsessed best friend Teresa tuned in from her home in Florida for moral support. At first I was prompted to input the email address I used during registration.

Last night, we - along with my little sister Sarah - had devised a plan to get tickets: Join the waiting room, enter the queue, buy whatever seats you can that are less than 300.

At 11am, the waiting room countdown struck 0 seconds and the AXS website redirected us to a queue.

At first I panicked because it didn't indicate what my position was in the queue. When I tried to buy pre-sale tickets to the US tour I had used Ticketmaster, which indicated that more than 2,000 people were ahead of me.

Teresa (left at Taylor's show in June) and I (right) went to the Eras Tour in Detroit, Michigan last month after buying overpriced resale tickets. This time we had devised a plan to get tickets during today's general sale. Our strategy was simple: Join the waiting room, enter the queue, buy whatever seats you can that are less than 300

After I moved to join the waiting room, I was prompted to input the email address I used during registration. The AXS website them redirected me to the virtual queue

At 11.12am the blue loading bar that indicated my place in the queue filled up and I was redirected into the ticket selling platform. I was instructed to input my unique access code and then had just five minutes to complete my purchase

READ MORE: The expert guide to getting Taylor Swift tickets - from waitlists to resale sites, and how not to get scammed Taylor Swift pictured performing All Too Well (10 Minute Version) at her Eras Tour show in Denver, Colorado earlier this month Advertisement

Teresa, who was well-researched on the virtual queueing and received a series of text updates throughout the process this morning, reiterated: 'I've heard the blue bar will update.'

She added: 'I've heard not to refresh the page after this point.' And sure enough, the bar started to move - slowly at first and then very swiftly.

At 11.12am the blue loading bar had filled and I was redirected into the ticket selling platform.

I was instructed to input my unique access code and then had just five minutes to complete my purchase.

I selected different levels of seated ticket options, general admission standing and the front standing sections but every time I went to add them to my cart, I was met with an error message reading: 'Oh No! There are currently no tickets available. Please try again.'

Wondering if tickets were really sold out or if the website was experiencing a glitch, I tried adding the 662 'It's Been A Long Time Coming' VIP package into my cart. Of course, I was able to check out with those.

Being unable to justify spending such an exuberant amount on tickets, I decided to release them. Discouraged and accepting I would just try again in this afternoon's general sale, I was about to leave the queue.

Once it was my turn to buy tickets, I selected different levels of seated ticket options, general admission standing and the front standing sections but every time I went to add them to my cart, I was met with an error message reading: 'Oh No! There are currently no tickets available. Please try again'

Wondering if tickets were really sold out or if the website was experiencing a glitch, I tried adding the 662 'It's Been A Long Time Coming' VIP package into my cart. Of course, I was able to check out with those

Being unable to justify spending such an exuberant amount on tickets, I decided to release them. Discouraged and accepting I would just try again in this afternoon's general sale, I was about to leave the queue. However, I am someone who never likes to give up so I figured I would try adding to my cart one last time. I selected 'best available' and somehow was offered three floor seats. Pictured: Teresa and I (left) at the Eras Tour in Detroit (right) last month

However, I am someone who never likes to give up so I figured I would try adding to my cart one last time. I selected 'best available' and somehow was offered three floor seats.

I texted Teresa and was met with a simple response: 'Do it.'

I hastily checked out, snapped what ended up being a really blurry picture of the terms and conditions, bought our tickets for about 173 each and received a confirmation email just minutes later.

I have no idea how this happened. Teresa would like to say it's because I'm a mastermind, but I think there was no rhyme or reason to it. We just got lucky.

The ticketing system may also be faulty. A colleague who also managed to get tickets today said the same thing happened to her.

'That was soooo stress,' she texted me after the sale. 'At first it said the only tickets available were like 1,000 ones. Then we managed to get them for 75 but they are really high up.'

She explained that just like me, she kept trying until she found an option that worked for her: 'We were like, "do we risk releasing them and losing them and not finding anything better?"'

I hastily checked out, snapped what ended up being a really blurry picture of the terms and conditions, bought our tickets for about 173 each and received a confirmation email (pictured) just minutes later

The battle to snag Eras tickets has been dubbed by fans as The Great War, a play on a song off her Midnights album. Taylor is pictured in June during her Cincinnati, Ohio show

While none of us will have a cruel summer next year - because we will all be at Wembley on June 23 - I do have wonder if there was a better way for Taylor's team to go about this whole process.

The battle to snag Eras tickets has been dubbed by fans as The Great War, a play on a song off her Midnights album.

I found the actual process of getting tickets today to be relatively easy, but the days leading up to it were not. I was unable to add my payment information to AXS in advance, despite the ticket firm advising I do so.

Loads of fans were left outraged yesterday after learning Ticketmaster declared the tour a lead booker event, meaning anyone with resold ticket or gifted seat will likely be denied entry at the door.

Swifties have complained since the pre-sale of technical difficulties that have seen the system kick them out with tickets in their carts. It's been absolute madness.

I think Taylor should go back to the verified fan system she used for her reputation tour, which I was lucky to attend in the US back in 2018.

While today's process was relatively easy for me, I think Taylor and Ticketmaster need to find a better way to go about getting tickets into the hands of fans. Pictured: Natasha, 15, at the Red Tour in Cleveland, Ohio in 2013

Basically, fans were given a code to buy tickets during pre-sale based on the amount of merchandise and albums they purchased. The more you spent, the further ahead you were in the tiered ticket release.

Getting reputation tickets was easy and relatively affordable because of the steps taken to deter scalping. We spent around $100 each for floor tickets with physical seats - not standing room.

But getting tickets to Eras was a lot like getting tickets to her previous shows. Most tickets were bought up by bots and fans are left empty-handed.

Many fans then bank on being able to get resale tickets on third-party sites (which I did for the Red tour and Eras US) so they can actually attend the show. Now that isn't even an option.

Ticket selling sites need to do better - Taylor herself has said it. Because if they don't find a way to improve the online buying system, live music will continue to be inaccessible to so many people.
A two Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of London's shopping district has announced it's upping its single supplement for diners eating without a companion - to a wallet-busting 390.

The highly revered independent-owned Alex Dilling at Hotel Cafe Royal, overlooking Regent Street, currently charges 350 to diners who want to eat alone during the restaurant's dinner service - the same price that a couple would pay for the 175 tasting menu.

The lunch service works the same way, one person currently pays 170, while two would pay 85 each.

The 34-seat, 11 table restaurant, serving modern French cuisine, will increase the dinner charge from August 18th, making a tasting menu for one in the evening 390.

The restaurant's owners, Victoria Sheppard and top chef Alex Dilling, say an increase from suppliers has forced the planned increase.

Sheppard, who is the youngest woman at 33 to own a two Michelin-starred restaurant, told MailOnline the solo supplement 'has been recently implemented.'

Solo diners will feel the brunt of rising supplier and staff costs at top London restaurant Alex Dilling at Hotel Cafe Royal - with a minimum spend already enforced and rising next month to 390

The independent-owned restaurant has a coveted two Michelin-stars. Single diners currently pay twice the price that those arriving in twos or larger groups pay

She said: 'We have a very high demand for solo dining and only 11 tables and a very maximum of 34 covers in our restaurant, to date we dont turn our tables.

'We procure amongst the highest quality ingredients possibly available to provide the highest level of gastronomic experience.

She added: 'I can confirm our prices are increasing by 11% for dinner tasting menus despite an increase in staff costs of 30% and our average cost increase from our suppliers being 25%.'

Shepperd said should solo diners not want to pay the minimum spend, the restaurant would try to accommodate without it, if availability allowed.

While single supplements in the travel industry are commonplace - tourists have long been charged an additional fee for sole occupancy of hotel rooms, they're still rare in the restaurant industry.

Two Michelin-star restaurant Alex Dilling at London's Hotel Cafe Royal will charge solo diners 390 from August 18th, twice the price of

High-end London restaurants including three Michelin-starred Sketch and Helen Darroze at The Connaught and two Michelin-starred Ikoyi don't charge single supplements although they do only serve tasting menus, with Sketch charging 190pp, Helen Darroze 195pp and Ikoyi 300pp.

Earlier this month, the Observer revealed how some of the UK's top restaurants are charging hundreds of pounds to guests that cancel their reservations.

This means some customers have been left with hefty bills despite not getting anything to eat.

The Ledbury in London, which has two Michelin stars, charges 195 for guests that cancel within 48 hours of their booking.

Meanwhile, Core by Clare Smyth, which has three Michelin stars, has a similar policy charging 150 per head for guests that cancel.

And it's not just the country's fanciest restaurants that are charging fees.

An analysis by the Observer found that 90 of the UK's top 100 restaurants - named in the - charge for cancellations and no shows, with some charging a fee for up to two weeks in advance.

The highest fee is Ynyshir, (pronounced inish-eer), in Machynlleth, Wales.

Voted the best restaurant in the UK, it charges customers 375 a head for dinner, with sales 'final and non-refundable'.

Guests who can't make the date can reschedule but need to give a minimum of two weeks notice.

Core by Clare Smyth, which has three Michelin stars, has a similar policy charging 150 per head for guests that cancel

Chefs have previously spoken of the difficulties with last minute cancellations and no shows, with many saying it can crumble the restaurant industry - which is already fragile post-Covid.

Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge previously berated customers who failed to show up at his London restaurant.

He wrote: 'To the 27 people that booked @kerridgesbandg and then failed to turn up on a Saturday night...This industry, like many others is on the verge of collapse.

'Your behaviour is disgraceful, shortsighted and down right unhelpful...all of you 'no shows' in all restaurants up and down the country and adding to the issues already being faced...YOU are putting peoples jobs more at risk...

'We put staff levels to the number of covers booked and when you fail to turn up, it now costs us, which in turn will force very uncomfortable and hard decisions about staffing levels.

'You are the worst kind of guest, and that is 'selfish.' I hope you have a good look at yourselves...'

James Snowdon, co-founder of the Palmerston in Edinburgh told the Observer that they once charged 10 per head but 'no one blinked an eyelid', so increased it to 20 each.

One customer told the paper they cancelled at a restaurant five hours in advanced after being delayed on her way there from the Cotswolds, only to be charged 125.

'I did cancel on the same day, but I would never not turn up. I figured I would be giving them some time to fill the space,' she said.

Other restaurants include Salt in Stratford-upon-Avon, who charge 55 for their tasting menu.

'If someone cancels midweek within 48 hours, we struggle to resell the table,' he says. 'It is dead money. With that table being open, food has been ordered, prep has begun and staff have been scheduled. I'm very strict with it, and we have lost customers from it in the past,' he said.

Other less exclusive restaurants also charge for no shows. The Tamil Prince in Islington charges 35-a-head for late cancellation up to six-hours before booking.
The six-year-old dedicated the speech to her, saying: 'She will always be with me'

A six-year-old boy has brought audience members to tears with his emotional kindergarten graduation speech, paying tribute to his 'beautiful' late mother.

Jaxon Carter lost his mom, Taryn Marier Gainey, in an apartment fire last July, leaving the boy's dad, Justin, to care for the little one alone.

Soon after his mother's tragic death, the six-year-old was enrolled at New Dawn Academy, a public STEM charter school in Michigan.

Jaxon recently graduated and honored his mom at the ceremony with a four-minute speech, where he said he dedicated his 'good grades, school awards, and kindergarten graduation' to her.

Jaxon Carter, six, brought audience members to tears while delivering his kindergarten graduation speech, where he paid tribute to his 'beautiful mommy' who had died last year

Soon after his mother's tragic death, the six-year-old was enrolled at New Dawn Academy, a public STEM charter school in Michigan

Jaxon recently graduated and honored his mom at the ceremony with a four-minute speech, where he said he dedicated his 'good grades, and school awards' to her

In his speech, Jaxon began by recalling his first day of school.

'When I started kindergarten at New Dawn Academy in August 2022, I was a little five-year-old who had lost my beautiful mother a month before,' he said.

'I learned to play with other kids, read books, answer or ask questions like how or why, use correct grammar, and use my school tablet.

'My kindergarten year helped me grow braver, smarter, kind-hearted, and more grateful.'

He then thanked his school teacher, adding that she had a 'big heart' and would always help him feel better when he was 'sad.'

Next, the six-year-old touched the hearts of his family as he thanked his grandparents and his dad for their support.

He gave a 'special thank you' to his dad, adding: 'You are the best daddy ever, and I love you so very much.'

Jaxon ended his speech by dedicating it to his late mom and noted that she was the reason for his success.

Jaxon ended his speech by dedicating it to his late mom and noted that she was the reason for his success

He gave a 'special thank you' to his dad, adding: 'You are the best daddy ever, and I love you so very much.' Pictured with his father

'I dedicate my speech, good grades, all school awards, and my kindergarten graduation to my beautiful mommy, who I will always love and miss so very much. I know she will always be with me in my heart,' he said.

Speaking to Good Morning America, Jaxon's dad Justin said he was 'shocked and speechless' when listening to his son deliver the speech, which he had memorized.

'The expressions, the words, everything that he was saying, you could see that he meant every word of it. He didn't fumble... it was remarkable,' he said.

Justin revealed that he helps keep Marie's memory alive by talking about her to Jaxon every day.

'He has a nice village where he has someone he can talk to at all times,' he added.

In addition to paying tribute to his mom through his speech, he also kept her memory alive with photos of him and her on his graduation cap

He explained that his parents and Marie's parents had been a huge help.

Jaxon's grandmother helped him work on the four-minute speech before the graduation.

The young boy didn't allow his dad to hear or read the speech prior to the graduation.

In addition to paying tribute to his mom through his speech, he also kept her memory alive with photos of him and her on his graduation cap.
The Duchess enjoyed a fun day out at the Driffield Society Agricultural Show

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked sophisticated in a check blazer as she attended the Driffield Society Agricultural Show today.

Sophie, 58, visited the Driffield Showground in Yorkshire, for one of the country's most prominent agricultural shows.

The royal - who is patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations - stepped out for a day of wholesome fun at the occasion, which celebrated its 147th event.

Mother-of-two Sophie, dressed in a fitted tweed blazer that perfectly matched the day's outing, was all smiles as she greeted the event's organisers.

She matched the statement jacket with a loosely fitted black shirt with sophisticated gold button embellishments.

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked sophisticated in a check blazer as she attended the Driffield Society Agricultural Show today

The royal decided to accessorise her ensemble with a simple chain and miniature gold hoop earrings, adding a feminine touch to the outfit.

Sophie kept her hair clipped back for the busy day in a classic circular hair clip. A bronzed smokey eye completed her makeup look, paired with sophisticated dusky pink lipstick.

The Duchess met Mr Richard Dee of the Driffield Show committee during the Agricultural Society Show. The pair shook hands before enjoying some light conversation.

During the day, Sophie also spoke with key contributors to the show, including Alan Glover, a representative from the Leicester Long Wools Sheep Organisation.

The busy day had a whole host of fun activities that visitors enjoyed, including an entertaining dog show, a horticulture section, and dancing diggers.

Agriculture is one of the many causes Sophie is passionate about and she has also served at the patron for the Border Union Agricultural Society since 2012.

What's more, Sophie is also patron of The Addington Fund, a charity which helps struggling farmers, and visited a dairy farm in Gloucestershire earlier this year.

Sophie, 58, visited the Driffield Showground in Yorkshire, for one of the country's most prominent agricultural shows

Beaming Sophie couldn't help but smile as she took part in today's activities at the event

What a laugh! Sophie could be seen with a smile on her face as she watched today's event

Lending a hand! Sophie helps a child with some artwork during today's occasion

The Duchess (pictured right) hands out an award to a winning cow and their owner (pictured centre)

In recent years, she has also worked on the 'Campaign for Wool' campaign, which promotes the use of British wool in the fashion industry and was spear-headed by her brother-in-law King Charles.

The Duchess has had a busy past couple of days, as last night, she attended a reception that marked 400 years since William Shakespeare's plays were collectively published.

Sophie appeared as elegant as ever in a sophisticated blue outfit while attending the event hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle in Berkshire.

Charles, 74, and Camilla, 76 were accompanied by the Duchess of Edinburgh, 58, and the Duchess of Gloucester, 77, at the Berkshire residence as they mixed with several famous faces, from Helena Bonham Carter to Dame Judi Dench.

The royal decided to accessorise her ensemble with a simple chain and miniature gold hoop earrings, adding a feminine touch to the outfit

Sophie kept her hair clipped back for the busy day in a classic circular hair clip. A bronzed smokey eye completed her makeup look, paired with sophisticated dusky pink lipstick

The Duchess of Edinburgh meets Mr Richard Dee of the Driffield Show Committee

The mother-of-two donned a sophisticated tweed blazer with her blonde locks kept back in an elegant circular clip

Sophie also met with contributors to the Agricultural Show, including Alan Glover, a representative of the Leicester Long Wools Sheep Organisation

British A-listers Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson and David Oyelowo also attended the occasion, where actors performed extracts from Julius Caesar and The Tempest.

It was to Shakespeare who Charles turned to in his first speech as King, the day after his mother Queen Elizabeth II died, quoting from Hamlet to round off his tribute to her devotion and duty: 'May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'

Charles's interest in Shakespeare dates back to boarding school when he played the title role in Macbeth in 1965.
Clare, from London, lost income from the hours spent dedicated to her cause

Clare Page was both incredulous and wearily resigned when the email finally dropped into her inbox.

From her solicitor, it contained what Clare hoped would be a vital legal milestone giving her  and, by extension, other parents  the right to receive copies of exactly what their children are being taught at school.

Their lesson plans, she hoped, would be as readily available as, say, attendance records or textbooks.

You might think this would already be the case  government guidance certainly suggests it should be  but as Clare had discovered, it isnt.

Concerned by her 15-year-old daughters reports that contentious theories were being taught as fact in sex education lessons  among them the suggestion that we are living in an unacceptable heteronormative society (a world where heterosexual relationships are promoted as the norm)  Clare had asked the school for copies of the slides on which the lessons were based.

Clare Page, from London, was accused not only of harassment, but of being anti-homosexuality, anti-trans and anti-equality all because she asked for transparency

As the Mail reported last year, she was refused time and again, leading to a near two-year long fight which ultimately took Clare to court.

But in a decision that has consequences for all parents, the email Clare received that morning set out the judges ruling that the school was entitled both to refuse to publish the lesson slides in order to protect commercial interests and to refuse to give the identity of the teacher, due to data protection concerns.

In essence, she was prioritising the commercial interest of a third-party education provider over the public interest of parents to know what their children are being taught  and the privacy of a teacher over safeguarding concerns, as Clare puts it.

So yes, incredulity was the 47-year-old mother of twos instinctive response. But so, too, was a sense of weary resignation after a battle in which she was accused not only of harassment, but of being anti-homosexuality, anti-trans and anti-equality.

All because she asked for transparency.

Little wonder she remains anxious about what she sees as a creeping authoritarian attitude in teaching and a corresponding erosion of parental rights.

I think the majority of parents are in the dark about how radical the culture has become in some schools, she says.

It is the reason she is speaking out today, determined to continue her battle  one thats arguably becoming ever more crucial with emerging stories about the way in which gender politics are creeping into education.

It is also a fight that has come at no little personal cost.

She was invited to an uncomfortable meeting where she says the CEO suddenly pushed a laptop towards her and invited her to look at the lesson slides

A self-employed product designer from South London, Clare has lost income from the hours spent dedicated to her cause.

Clares husband is a university lecturer and their daughters  whom we will call Isla and Natasha, to preserve their anonymity  are now 16 and 13.

The last two years have not been easy for anyone  especially for Isla, their eldest, who moved to a new school after her GSCEs. Natasha was already enrolled at a separate school.

It was hugely disruptive and very upsetting for Isla. But once your school has passed on an accusation of harassment without an attempt to hear your side of the story, the relationship is over; there is a fundamental lack of trust, Clare says, adding: She had a strong sense she couldnt speak her mind in class.

As the Mail revealed last summer, Clare  who describes herself as something of an accidental activist  found herself on the frontline of this battle in the autumn of 2021.

At the time Isla attended Haberdashers Hatcham College, a state secondary in South-East London.

After a lesson given by an outside provider called the School of Sexuality Education (SSE), the then 15-year-old told her parents that she had been told to be sex positive (a phrase embodying the attitude that all consensual sexual activities are fundamentally healthy and pleasurable, but which at its extreme end questions the age of consent) and that heteronormativity was a bad thing.

This seemed to be outside what I would consider appropriate in a school setting, says Clare.

Alarmed, she contacted the school, but was repeatedly told she could not see the lesson plans because of copyright issues.

After about the third request, the school issued me with a four-point bullet summary of what had been taught. But that isnt what I had asked for, she says.

By now, Clare had deeper concerns. After accessing the SSEs website, she was horrified to discover they had links to material about fetishes and sex toys, and introductory guides to rough anonymous sex.

At the time Clare's daughter Isla attended Haberdashers Hatcham College, a state secondary in South-East London (pictured)

Any child curious enough to log onto their website following a lesson would have been able to access this material, she says.

Clare called the charity  a conversation she remembers as polite  though her request was again refused. She then received a lengthy email from the head of Hatcham telling her the SSE alleged she had harassed them.

Months later, having requested to view the email exchanges between the school and the SSE, she discovered that her request to see the lesson plan had been labelled strange by the school, while the director of the SSE had suggested Clare was effectively prejudiced against LGBT teaching.

From what has been communicated to me, Im unsure that any amount of information will pacify this parent who ultimately seems to be upset that our work is LGBTQIA+, the director wrote in one message.

Clare says: I was shocked to see that the whole tone of the emails from the school were apologetic  so sorry about this  as if I was asking for something outrageous.

Horrified, she contacted the CEO of the schools ruling multi-academy trust to express alarm that she was being accused of harassment.

She was invited to an uncomfortable meeting where she says the CEO suddenly pushed a laptop towards her and invited her to look at the lesson slides.

It took me aback, as the meeting was meant to be about me being accused of harassment, she says.

They meant well, but it was an ineffective gesture because the material was protected by commercial secrecy, which meant I could not share my concerns with others.

She saw enough to spot the phrase sex positivity, which had not featured in the four-point bullet plan she had previously been given.

Thats the phrase my daughter had used and was enough to show me they were promoting partisan ideas, she recalls.

Backed by her husband, she then launched a formal complaint about the lesson, followed, in December 2021, by a Freedom of Information request and a Subject Access Request.

The former was another attempt to see the entire lesson plan, the latter to get communications pertaining to her, whether internally among school staff or with the SSE.

She only received the results of her Subject Access Request on April 29 last year, one working day before her complaint hearing was due to be heard.

In messages I could see that the headmistress and the multi-academy trust CEO were discussing whether my complaint constituted harassment, she says.

A self-employed product designer from South London, Clare has lost income from the hours spent dedicated to her cause

So instead of me getting to have my complaint tested, it felt like I was going to some sort of kangaroo court. And if the governors found in favour of that, then they could ban me from ever talking to the school again.

It was Kafkaesque, but I had no choice but to go because they were going to do it without me anyway.

The subsequent hearing was attended by two school governors and an independent adjudicator, which in Clares case was a Department for Education (DfE) employee.

She was pleasant, but alarm bells rang as I had started to realise that the Department for Education is ideological itself and that this is where much of the drive in schools is coming from.

At that meeting, it was agreed that the school would no longer use the SSE for sex education provision.

So in that sense my complaint was upheld, although they refused to address whether the lesson plan was or wasnt appropriate and they said their hands were tied in terms of my right to have access to it, Clare says.

The governors did state there was no evidence of harassment on my part, which was a great relief.

However, in the subsequent report into the complaint, Clare discovered the panel had written: Ms Page did graciously acknowledge that her views were not in line with much modern thinking, including that of the DfE.

Those arent my views and I didnt say anything of the sort, she insists. Effectively, she seemed to be suggesting my views were backward.

With the crucial part of her Freedom of Information request denied on the basis of confidentiality, Clare then took her bid to get copies of the lessons to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), which also rejected her request.

They gave this woolly response which effectively suggested that perhaps the school and I could come to a private arrangement, she says.

But we need to be able to discuss these things openly with governors and fellow parents. Thats when I realised that the key decision wasnt whether I could see it; it was whether the public at large could see what schools teach.

It prompted her to launch a fundraising drive for the 20,000 needed to appeal the ICOs decision at tribunal, which took place in May.

A month later she received the email rejecting her claim  with one caveat.

In her judgment the judge said it would have been enough to see it in confidential circumstances or to sign a non-disclosure agreement. But why would any parent in their right mind do that? she asks. It can potentially open you up to legal ramifications.

It is one reason she is launching an appeal against the decision.

This isnt just about sex education, she says. Theres a lot of ideological ideas creeping into other subjects as well, be it climate change, or social justice ideology.

Recently, Miriam Cates, the Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge  who has previously warned that sex education provision has become a Wild West  introduced a Private Members Bill urging the Government to put parents rights to see lessons plans on a statutory footing.

We desperately need it, because whats frightening is that people are worried to stand up to this creeping authoritarianism, Clare says.

I was lucky because I am self-employed, so I wasnt risking my job by speaking out. But its absurd that should be the case when it comes to safeguarding our children. And at the end of the day, safeguarding is at the heart of this.

Like Clare, many are bewildered that it is taking a legal battle to try to achieve something many previously assumed was their right

Happily, both her daughters are supportive of their mums campaign. Im sure at the outset they were a bit doubtful, but now I think they are quietly proud, because they can see that this dialogue has opened right up: people in politics are talking about it, she says.

Clare has also found huge support from fellow parents.

Its really mushrooming, she adds with a smile. And its a huge cross-section. The parents Im speaking to are on the Left and the Right; they are Christian, Muslim, firmly atheist. Its a universal issue.

Like Clare, many are bewildered that it is taking a legal battle to try to achieve something many previously assumed was their right. There is a sense of, However did we get here?  she says.

A spokeswoman for Hatcham College said that Ms Pages complaint of indoctrination was not upheld following a full investigation which the Education and Skills Funding Agency determined had been properly conducted.

She added that the school regularly reviews its Personal, Social Health and Economic teaching, which adheres to statutory guidance and recommended best practice.

With respect to Ms Pages Freedom of Information request, she said: The school did all it could within the bounds of the law to comply with Ms Pages requests, as endorsed during recent rulings in the Information Commissioners Office hearings.

The school has a policy of only using organisations which are prepared to allow the materials to be shown to parents and no longer uses the School of Sexuality Education.
The chocolate company have axed a classic option for all UK buyers

Cadbury has discontinued its individual Dairy Milk Treatsize Buttons - leaving some UK customers gutted.

The bitesize sweets have long been a favourite among buyers, but fans of the popular chocolate treat are set to be disappointed as they will no longer be available across the nation.

Cadburys Dairy Milk Treatsize buttons are often regarded as one of the companys most suitable options for children, but won't be an option to purchase individually for much longer.

While the change might come as a surprise, the confectionary company has said the shake-up is designed to meet the changing tastes of the population.

As the treatsize chocolate buttons disappear off our shelves, the Giant Buttons will be the closest alternative.

Cadbury has discontinued its individual Dairy Milk Treatsize Buttons - leaving some UK customers gutted

For some consumers, the news has created upset; one father has purchased three months' worth of the chocolate button mini packs for his autistic son.

In conversation with The Sun, he said: Thats the only chocolate he will eat, so I buy it in bulk. I started to notice that I was struggling to find it via online retailers.

'I got in touch with Cadbury just to see if it was a temporary outage, as I was nervous it was going to be discontinued, and it was.

'Ive been speaking to other parents and people with smaller kids are gutted because the larger size packs aren't appropriate for larger tots.'

A Cadburys spokesperson from Mondelez International told Femail: We continuously adapt our product range to ensure it meets changing tastes whilst supporting growth for our customers and our business.

'Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons are available in a variety of pack sizes including 40g and 119g bags.

The classic buttons will no longer be available on our shelves individually, and for some consumers, the news has created upset

'Our Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Treatsize packs (14.4g) will no longer be as individual bags, but will continue to be available in multipack format and will also be part of our Christmas range.

'This enables us to focus on our most popular product ranges that consumers love the most and be even more flexible in meeting changing consumer demand.'

It comes after Cadbury revealed they will not be changing the flavours of Roses in the UK - after Australians were left distressed they were ditching some of the fan favourites Down Under.

Cadbury Roses boxes in Australia are getting a shake up with flavours Peppermint Creme Crunch, Hazelnut Creme Crisp, White Raspberry and Dark Mocha Nougat getting the axe.

Four exciting new varieties Orange Creme, Strawberry Creme, Peppermint Creme and Passionfruit Delight are getting added to the line up.

However, there will be no change to UK boxes, Cadbury's confirmed to FEMAIL.

This means boxes will remain the same with Hazel Whirl, Golden Barrel, Hazel in Caramel, Strawberry Dream, Caramel, Country Fudge, Signature Truffle, Cadbury Dairy Milk Chunk and Tangy Orange Creme.

Three iconic chocolate flavours are returning to Cadbury Roses boxes however four popular varieties are getting the axe to make way in Australia

In comes after foodies in Australia were left split over the decision.

Some were abuzz over the announcement and keen to try the new flavours in the updated Cadbury Roses box which will drop in stores across the country in mid-July.

Cadbury made the change after listening to customer feedback and is replacing the 'hard' varieties wit- h 'soft centre' chocolatesChocolate lovers can enjoy the familiar Strawberry creme, Orange creme and Peppermint Creme and try the brand new Passionfruit Delight.

Passionfruit Delight has a soft passionfruit flavoured centre covered in Cadbury Old Gold dark chocolate.

Sweet-tooth Aussies have been sharing their excitement after Cadbury announced the new Roses boxes on Friday, which is World Chocolate Day.

'Finally I'll look forward to trying them,' one woman said.

'Now you're talking! The people have spoken and cream centres have triumphed,' a second wrote.

'Yes! Yes! Yes! I have missed the peppermint and the strawberry ones so much. They are my favourites,' added a third.

Cadbury Senior Marketing Manager - Gifting and Seasonal Kathy De Lullo said she is excited to launch the new Cadbury Roses box.

'We know that the timelessness of the classic Cadbury Roses is something that is revered by all, and that everyone has a nostalgic story to tell when it comes to gifting these treats to family and friends,' she said.

'Through this new mix, it is so special to be able to honour the iconic soft centres and flavours like Strawberry Creme and Peppermint Creme loved by so many Roses fans, as well as to create and deliver a new flavour experience through soft-centred Passionfruit Delight.'
Prince William is to undertake a major foreign visit to New York in the autumn as part of his ground-breaking Earthshot environmental awards.

The Prince of Wales will attend the second Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit on September 19, where this years 15 trailblazing finalists will be unveiled.

He will also undertake a number of engagements in New York City on September 18, details of which will be released at a later date.

The prince will not be accompanied by his wife, the Princess of Wales, but she is expected to join him in Singapore for the finals in November.

The New York Summit, held during New York Climate Week and the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, will convene previous Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists with policymakers, global business leaders, philanthropists and climate activists to scale their innovative solutions.

Prince William (pictured with Kate in Boston in December 2022) is to undertake a major foreign visit to New York in the autumn as part of his ground-breaking Earthshot environmental awards

The prizes global advisor, Michael R. Bloomberg, will also address the assembled guests.

Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental prize to discover and develop ground-breaking solutions to solve the climate crisis.

Five winners each year over the next decade will be given 1 million each in prize money, as well as specialised mentoring, to accelerate their ambitions.

The Prize recognises Finalists and Winners across five challenges, or Earthshots: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-free World, and Fix our Climate.

The Prince of Wales (pictured) will attend the second Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit on September 19, where this years 15 trailblazing finalists will be unveiled

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards: Celebrating Generations of Progress & Power at Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 16, 2023 in New York City

The event will put William on the same continent as his estranged brother, Prince Harry, for the first time since the former working royal made a whistle-stop visit to the UK for their fathers coronation in May.

The pair did not meet at the time, however, and are are not believed to have spoken since the death of their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, last September.

Since then Harry has released his vitriolic memoir, Spare, in which he claimed to have had a physical fight with his elder brother during the breakdown of their relationship.

He and Meghan, who are based in California, also brought out their eponymous Netflix documentary which they used to make further hurtful attacks against the Royal Family.

Meanwhile, Prince William was due to attend the inaugural summit, held last year in New York, but was unable to travel as the royal family were observing royal mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Singapore will host the third awards ceremony in November, after prize-giving events were staged in Boston last year and London's Alexandra Palace in 2021.
Two hotel guests learned the hard way why it's important to keep your balcony doors shut after cockatoos invaded their room leaving a huge mess.

Ellie-May was staying with a friend at the Reef View Hotel on Queensland's Hamilton Island which is home to flocks of mischievous sulphur-crested cockatoos.

The pair made the mistake of leaving their balcony door open, despite the hotel posting numerous warnings, allowing the birds to enter the room and wreak havoc.

The animals broke into the Aussie mates' mini fridge and ate snacks, defecated all over their beds and even flew away with clothing.

Ellie and her friend were horrified when they returned to their room but asked housekeeping staff for cleaning supplies to undo the damage the cockatoos had done.

Scroll down for video

Two hotel guests were given the shock of their life when they returned to their room to find it trashed after cockatoos got in when they left their balcony door open

Ellie and her friend (pictured) were horrified when they returned to their room but asked housekeeping staff for cleaning supplies to undo the damage the cockatoos had done

'They said don't leave your doors open because the birds are going to come in and s*** on everything and guess what we did? We left the f***ing doors open,' Ellie said in a TikTok clip.

She panned the camera around the room revealing the devastation the cheeky cockatoos had caused.

They had broken into the mini fridge and eaten food the two guests would have to pay for.

Their beds, the floors, the furniture and the balcony were covered in black bird poo and their clothes were strewn across the floor.

'Our beds and everything we own is f***ed,' Ellie said.

'They also thought, 'Hey, I'm going to take your bikini bottoms', I don't f***ing know where they are. They took my beach ball. Is this a joke? I think this is some sick joke right?'

The animals broke into the friends' mini fridge and ate snacks, defecated all over their beds and even flew away with Ellie's bikini bottoms

Elli was staying with a friend at the Reef View Hotel on Queensland 's Hamilton Island which is home to flocks of mischievous sulphur-crested cockatoos (stock image)

Ellie's video has been seen more than 1.1million times and sent thousands into hysterics while others hoped the pair learned a valuable lesson.

'That's going to be an expensive mistake,' one viewer laughed and another joked: 'They had big fun in that room.'

'It clearly says in the rooms don't leave the doors open and yet we did the same thing and they ransacked our room as well. It happens, holiday mode,' one man added.

Others say they had also seen the havoc cockatoos can cause after leaving their own hotel room doors open.

'We left our door slightly open while having a nap and woke up to one flying out with our keys,' one woman recalled.

In a follow-up clip, Ellie (pictured) explained she and her friend asked staff for supplies to clean the room which they did before housekeeping changed the bed sheets and cleaned the floors

Ellie added in the comments she did not know how much she would be charged for the mistake but praised hotel staff for their help and found her bathers on the roof next door (pictured)

'I also did this a couple of months back.. they came into the kitchen ate a whole loaf of bread and the coffee sachets,' a second added.

In a follow-up clip, Ellie explained she and her friend asked staff for supplies to clean the room which they did before housekeeping changed the bed sheets and cleaned the floors.

She added in the comments she did not know how much she would be charged for the mistake but praised hotel staff for their help and said she will incur a fee for what the birds took from their mini bar.

'I appreciate the staff so much because it's our fault we left the door open, we're stupid enough to do that,' Ellie laughed.

'They send out a warning everyday about it to remind people, people like us.'

Ellie also managed to find her bikini bottoms which one cockatoo had taken and left on the roof across from their room.
A British woman living in Australia has shared the three things she 'loves' about life Down Under.

Sophie, from the UK, moved to Cairns a week ago and has already identified several culture shocks she's noticed as an expat.

The traveller praised Australians for being morning people and was overjoyed by the abundance of chocolate.

In a surprising twist, Sophie also revealed that Aussie supermarkets were 'cheaper' than what she expected, and claimed petrol was 'half the price' compared to the UK.

'Australia has been amazing so far, I love it,' Sophie said in a video. 'Maybe I'll move here!'

Sophie, from the UK, moved to Cairns a week ago and has already identified several culture shocks she's noticed as an expat

Surprising differences between Australia and the UK Australians wake up earlier

There is a wider selection of chocolate in Aussie supermarkets

The cost of living is lower in Australia than the UK Advertisement

1. Everyone is up early

As an early bird herself, Sophie was glad to discover most Aussies are similarly 'out and about' in the mornings.

'I went on a run at 7am, and everyone was also out running by the beach,' she said.

The expat also revealed that she previously wandered down to the shore at 6am to watch the sunrise in the quiet, but found several other people also waiting for the sun to come up.

'Everyone's up all the time really early, and I'm so here for it,' she said.

2. Selection of chocolate

Sophie was shocked when she went to the supermarket and laid eyes on the 'unimaginable' selection of chocolate.

'Australia has every chocolate flavour you could ever imagine,' she noted in awe.

'I don't know why Britain doesn't have the same amount of Cadbury chocolates.'

She added, 'They have all the old stuff, all the new stuff, and pineapple flavoured Cadbury!'

3. Cost of living

Another surprising perk of moving Down Under turned out to be 'cheap' prices.

Sophie was prepared for the cost of living in Australia to rival or surpass the amount she was used to back home in the UK - but a trip to the shops proved otherwise.

'It's actually less expensive than I thought it would be,' she said. 'I expected food at the supermarket to be double the price of the UK, but everything is similar or a bit cheaper.'

'Petrol is also half the price of the UK, and even stuff at Kmart is so cheap to get.'

A British woman living in Australia has shared the three things she 'loves' about life Down Under

Many Australians shared their experiences of travelling abroad.

'I'm from the Gold Coast and I'm in Europe at the moment - I had no idea the rest of the world wakes up so late!' a woman said.

She added, 'I've been walking around empty streets at 6am, wondering why nothing opens before 10:30.'

'I was so sad when I went to the UK and couldn't get any of the chocolate flavours that I liked,' another wrote.

Others disagreed with Sophie's finds.

'The cost of living is out of control here,' a woman wrote.'

'I'm guessing you're from London, because the prices here are about 3-4x more than in Scotland,' a man revealed. 'I sh*t the bed after my first groceries purchase.'
A woman has claimed she wouldn't let her dog stay at 'hellhole' Pontins after a disastrous visit to the holiday camp.

Becky Swiers, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, visited the Pontins Prestatyn Sands site in North Wales for a weekend away with her partner and two friends.

But she decided to leave the 195 break early after discovering the site was 'littered with broken glass' and had 'vomit everywhere' and 'stained beds'.

Speaking to the Rhyl Journal, the holidaymaker questioned how the site was 'still trading' and branded it a 'hellhole'.

'There were marks on the walls; the curtains were hanging off the rails it was just an absolute dive. I wouldn't let my dog stay there' she said.

She went on to describe how no one was working at reception when they went to complain about their chalet, which she thought had 'never been cleaned'

Becky Swiers, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, visited the Pontins Prestatyn Sands (pictured) site in North Wales for a weekend away with her partner and two friends

'I just wanted to bring this (experience) to everyone's attention; in this day and age, not to have a clean room or site, and unkept grounds with litter, vomit and broken glass everywhere, I just don't know how they're allowed to get away with it.'

Becky is now hoping to get a formal apology from Pontins, but hasn't managed to connect with them.

It comes after Pontins was rated the worst holiday park in the UK, but Which? due to 'dingy campsites, sticky furniture and stained mattresses'.

In August a British family were left horrified after going on holiday to find mould and rust in bathroom, insects in the fridge and apparent faeces on the living room wall.

Kirsty Smith, 37, from West Yorkshire, and her partner Kayleigh Eastwood, 33, booked a weekend stay at Pontins Southport Resort.

But after checking in with their two daughters, both nine, they were left 'distraught' - comparing the holiday accommodation to 'something out of a horror movie'.

The mum claims the room had insects in the fridge, a bathtub covered in mould and other guests' hair as well as what she believes to be faeces on the living room wall.

It comes after Pontins was rated the worst holiday park in the UK, but Which? due to 'dingy campsites, sticky furniture and stained mattresses

Another woman, from Exeter, visited the Brean Sands Holiday Park, Burnham-On-Sea, which her mother kindly booked for her as a special birthday treat.

The woman was set to stay in one of the park's luxury Club Apartments in 2021 for four nights along with her partner and 14-month old baby.

However, the family say they left after just four short hours as the apartment was allegedly 'absolutely filthy.'

The holidaymaker claims she found dead flies and pubic hairs in the bathroom, a crumb-covered toaster and stains - including dried blood during her nightmare stay.

In 2020, another woman claimed her toddler was so traumatised by a Pontins 'holiday from hell' he cries if she suggested another trip - after discovering a maggot-infested room and an 'open cesspit filled with human waste'.

Julie Bowyer, 38, had booked a week-long break at Pontins' Camber Sands Holiday Park in Rye, East Sussex, earlier this month but had to cut it short after branding it an 'absolute shambles'.

Footage shows Ms Bowyer and partner Nathan Wilson, 41, arrive with their two youngest children to find 'stinking' rubbish left by previous guests, rotten food in the microwave and dirty beds.

After asking to move rooms, cleaner Ms Bowyer claims they were offered two other apartments which were both equally unclean and dangerous.

Images show what she claims was an open drain full of 'human faeces' that her youngest son Declan, four, almost fell into - leaving them with no choice but to leave the park.

FEMAIL has contact Pontins for comment.
Other patients have also heaped praise on the drug for treating the disease

Jim Sirois and his wife Sue. Jim was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's more than three years ago and, since starting donanemab, his disease 'really hasn't progressed'

Patients and families involved in trials of a blockbuster new dementia drug say it finally offers sufferers a sliver of 'hope'.

Jim Sirois, now 67, from Connecticut, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2020 after struggling to speak and becoming so forgetful he couldn't remember where he had been the day before.

An early Alzheimer's diagnosis usually signals that rapid deterioration is to come. Memory, thinking, judgment, language, problem-solving, personality and movement all begin to be affected by the disease as it progresses and, until now, no drugs have been able to stop it.

Patients normally deteriorate rapidly at this point  with no drugs having been available to halt the decline for decades. But Mr Sirois was enrolled in the drug arm of a clinical trial of the groundbreaking new drug donanemab, which his wife says has effectively halted the condition over the past year.

Sue Sirois, 64, said: 'I compare Jim's decline to a friend I know who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 56. She died recently, and only lasted six years, whereas Jim is now over three years in and he is now still pretty much the same as what he was.'

Trials of donanemab showed it slows the progression of Alzheimer's by up to 60 percent compared to a placebo, giving patients months of precious extra healthy life.

But some doctors have struck a cautious tone, saying that the gains for most patients are marginal - for example, it only delays the worsening of symptoms for just over half a year on average.

However, Mrs Sirois said after decades of failed trials and no new drugs, donanemab finally gives patients 'hope'.

She told DailyMail.com: 'I would say those who have an opportunity to get this drug should go for it and get it because what else do you have? What other hope do you have? This drug is the only hope that people have right now - there is no other hope for the disease.'

Myra Garcia, from southern California, pictured above with her husband Richard, was also put on the drug after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. She told DailyMail.com that everyone who gets the chance should take the drug

Mary Daniel, from Florida, struck a more cautious tone, however. She said drug companies were pushing the treatment because it was the 'best available' but for many she feared it would not be of much use

She added: 'Jim really hasn't progressed very much in a year and a half now. There has been only a slight decline from this summer to last summer.'

He is still able to wash himself, get dressed and get his food  although he might need reminding, she told this website.

Other patients in trials of the drug hailed it as helping them to keep doing 'normal things' like going to classes and doing the laundry.

The drug  made by Eli Lilly  becomes the second ever shown to help slow the decline of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

It is a monoclonal antibody that works by latching on to amyloid-beta proteins in the brain that have formed plaques.

This prompts white blood cells to come and clear the proteins. It is given as a monthly infusion.

Mr Sirois was enrolled in the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 4 trial of the drug and began to receive infusions every month in November 2021.

Talking about how his disease has developed over the last year in her husband, Mrs Sirois said: 'I don't see a big decline in his disease right now, my care-giving is really just reminding him to do things, reminding him to take his pills, but he still can do it on his own.'

Myra Garcia, 64, from southern California, is also receiving donanemab after being enrolled in a separate trial.

She told DailyMail.com: 'I would get this drug approved tomorrow if I could.

'I can imagine that I would be step-by-step losing my abilities if I wasn't on this drug.

'What I remember from my mother's sisters [who had Alzheimer's], was that at first you don't even know what is going on, but then they just start losing and losing and losing, and that is the hard thing.'

Mrs Garcia  who told DailyMail.com she was taking a French lesson before our interview  added: 'I am one of the lucky ones to be on this trial and to have access to the drug.

'I am in three choirs, my church choir, the Hillcrest choir and a Bach choir.

'I also exercise with my husband, we do something together every morning, but then I do cooking and laundry and the things that everybody does.'

She added: 'For me, it has worked. I think it has worked beautifully.'

Eli Lilly and Company said it had already sought approval from US regulators the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The US pharmaceutical giant said it expected to apply to UK regulators within six months. It means patients could start being treated with the drug in as little as 18 months.

Donanemab was found to halt mental decline for more than a year in around half of patients. It was most effective in under-75s in the earliest stages of disease, the new results showed.

Sue said that there had been little decline in her husband since he started taking donanemab

Ms Daniel had to get a job washing dishes in her husband's care home during the pandemic in order to be allowed to see him. She was instrumental in lifting the ban on visits to care homes

Researchers examined almost 1,800 people with early-stage Alzheimer's with patients given either donanemab or a dummy drug over 18 months.

Those at the very earliest stage of disease, known as mild cognitive impairment, had the greatest benefit, with a 60 percent slowing of decline compared to placebo.

Among patients with early Alzheimer's whose brain scans showed low or medium levels of a protein called tau, the drug was found to slow clinical decline by 35 percent.

Levels of tau are a marker of how far the disease has progressed. When the results were combined to include people who had higher levels of that protein, there was a 22 percent slowing in disease progression.

Researchers said some patients were taken off the drugs after as little as six months because scans showed the amyloid in their brains had completely disappeared.

Likening it to radiation treatment for cancer, they said treatment could then stop  with early indications suggesting the plaques, which were decades in the making, would take several years to return.

The drug works by using the immune system to remove amyloid  toxic plaque build-ups in the brain that stop brain cells communicating.

Consequently, it is only effective for people with early-stage Alzheimer's and not other forms of the disease, such as vascular or frontotemporal dementia.

Mary Daniel, a 60-year-old patient advocate in Florida, lost her husband Steve to early-onset Alzheimer's in December 2022 after a decade-long battle with the disease.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, she said she was not convinced the drug would work.

Ms Daniel said: 'I don't think this drug is what they say it is. When you dig deep down into it, I think they almost sell it to you because they are hopeful and they want you to buy it.

'This is not going to significantly improve anybody's life. I hope I am wrong. I hope my jaded attitude is wrong, but I don't think that it will.'

Ms Daniel explained how her husband had been in clinical trials for the drug solanezumab  another monoclonal antibody that attaches to a different area of amyloid proteins in the brain.

The trials were launched in 2014 and lasted until 2017, when they were cut after the treatment showed no notable improvement for sufferers.

Ms Daniel only found out about this, however, while reading the newspaper  rather than receiving contact from the drug company.

When she called Eli Lilly, who developed the drug, to complain, the company explained its first order of business was to inform shareholders rather than the patients that had been traveling to get the drug.
Xylazine, also known as 'tranq' or 'zombie drug,' is a potent animal tranquilizer

If you've lived - or spent considerable time - in a major American city recently, you've probably witnessed the 'dope lean'.

The sight of drug users hunched over in a lifeless state, seemingly unaware of what's happening around them, has become increasingly common in recent years.

Many experts point to the influx of an animal tranquilizer that has begun to flood the US illicit drug supply - being mixed with everything from fentanyl to cocaine.

Xylazine - known on the street as 'tranq' - is a potent sedative used to put large animals to sleep before procedures.

However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has said dealers are buying the drug from China and using it as a cutting agent to make opioids more potent and extend users' 'high'.

Experts have speculated whether this cocktail of xylazine - a sedative that shuts the body down - and stimulants like cocaine and meth that keep the brain wired awake, are what is causing the 'dope lean' phenomenon.

What happens when Xylazine enters the body?

Xylazine depresses the central nervous system, causing users, such as these in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, to exhibit a zombie-like appearance

Xylazine binds to and blocks adrenergic receptors in the brain, which release the stress hormones norepinephrine and dopamine, effectively slowing brain activity.

The result is a reduction in pain and stress, as well as a sense of euphoria similar to that of opioids.

Because xylazine is usually fixed with fentanyl or heroin, it is commonly injected - but can also be swallowed, smoked, or snorted.

'When xylazine is injected, it's going to start having effects within minutes,' Dr Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist with the National Capital Poison Center, told DailyMail.com.

'The effects can last for hours, or longer in some cases.'

If xylazine is injected, it immediately travels to the bloodstream and begins to kick in for most people in under 10 minutes.

However, if it's swallowed, it has to travel through the digestive tract and be broken down, which can take over an hour.

Smoking drugs laced with xylazine is also a fast way for the sedative to enter the bloodstream. It is easily absorbed in the lungs, which are covered in tiny blood vessels.

At first, someone might notice a sense of euphoria and calmness as the drug suppresses the release of stress hormones in the brain.

'But as time goes on, especially at larger doses [and when mixed with other drugs], people might become very disoriented and confused, and even comatose,' Dr Johnson-Arbor said.

'They might develop shallow breathing, or their breathing might stop. They might have urinary incontinence, they might have muscle relaxation.'

The drug has spread across the country, from Los Angeles (left) to New York City (right), with news crews capturing people hunched over and on the ground, strung out on the drug

This is because while xylazine has an effect on the brain, it also shuts down the body, forcing muscles to relax and organs to slow down to the level they would operate at while we sleep.

Physical symptoms often include a plunge in blood pressure, a slower heart rate, and depression of the lungs.

However, Dr Johnson-Arbor stressed that these symptoms depend on the person, the quality of the drug, what it's mixed with, and the dosage.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved doses of 20 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml in animals, which are injected into the muscle.

Because illicit xylazine is often mixed with other substances and in varying amounts, it's difficult to know how much someone has taken.

'That's one of the very frightening things about the illicit drug supply in this country is you just never know what you're getting,' Dr Johnson-Arbor said.

In animals, this is used to calm them down and help them sleep.

According to the DEA, it usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes to kick in for animals, helping them drift off into a sleep-like state and numbing them to pain.

'When combined with other opioids, including fentanyl, it depresses the central nervous system to a point where there can be little movement,' Pat Aussem, a vice president with the nonprofit Partnership to End Addiction, told DailyMail.com.

These sedative effects, along with being mixed with drugs that act as stimulants, could explain why users turn into human statues rather than falling over completely.

The zombie-like state can leave users completely unaware of what's going on around them, making them vulnerable to dangerous situations.

'Individuals using Xylazine may black out or experience a loss of memory, placing them at a greater risk of sexual assault or robbery,' Ms Aussem said.

What actually is xylazine?

Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer developed in the 1960s to help vets working to treat cows, horses and sheep among other animals.

It is commonly sold under brand names including Rompun and Anased. Xylazine is not approved for human consumption.

Xylazine is currently sweeping across the country and is readily available online for as little as $6

Xylazine first emerged in illicit drug supply during the early 2000s in Puerto Rico. It was dubbed Anestesia de Caballo (Horse Anesthetic).

But it was not until around 2018 that tranq was found on the streets of US cities primarily on the East Coast. It has often been mixed with other substances, such as heroin and fentanyl, to prolong those drugs' effects.

The incredibly cheap adulterant  available online for as little as $6  has cropped up with alarming frequency.

In 2015, xylazine was involved in less than one percent of drug overdoses in 10 US cities but increased to seven percent in 2020. That year, xylazine was involved in nearly 26 percent of fatal overdoses in Philadelphia alone.

It's also been found in 90 percent of the city's heroin supply. The Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia is known as 'ground zero' for the city's drug crisis.

Xylazine's true prevalence is unknown, as hospitals don't test for it. But the DEA has said that in 2022, approximately 23 percent of all fentanyl powder and seven percent of fentanyl pills contained the tranquilizer.

Anne Milgram, head of the federal DEA, said earlier this year: Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier.

A March safety alert from the DEA stated that xylazine and fentanyl mixtures have been detected in 48 out of 50 states.

What is the other major side effect?

The above graph shows the cumulative annual figure for the number of drug overdose deaths reported in the US by month. It also shows that they are continuing to trend upwards

Xylazine has also been shown to rot users' skin from the inside.

Doctors stress that more research is needed as to why this happens. One theory is that xylazine constricts blood vessels, slowing down or blocking oxygenated blood flow throughout the body.

'You could have minor traumatic wounds that can enlarge significantly because the blood vessels that go to the skin are not carrying a significant amount of oxygen and are very narrow,' Dr Johnson-Arbor said.

Additionally, even if there are no wounds at the time someone uses the drug, it could make someone more susceptible to them.

If your blood vessels are constricted and you bump your knee on a table, for example, the bruise that would normally heal on its own could grow to a larger wound.

While the drug still works as a sedative in animals, it's largely a mystery as to why the effects of xylazine are so extreme in humans compared to animals.

'It was initially developed as a drug for potential use in humans, but those effects were abandoned because of basically the drug's side effects,' Dr Johnson-Arbor said. 'It was found to not safe for use in humans.'

'Human bodies are not exactly the same as horse bodies or cat bodies or dog bodies.'

How is xylazine overdose treated?

There are no FDA-approved treatments specifically for xylazine withdrawal.

Philip Moore, chief medical officer for the nonprofit treatment provider Gaudenzia, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that weaning people off xylazine is a complicated procedure.

'We'll start treating for opioid withdrawal, and they should be getting better  but we'll see chills, sweating, restlessness, anxiety, agitation,' he said.

'They're very, very unpleasant symptoms. That's what triggers us that we're dealing with a more complicated withdrawal, that there's more xylazine in the mix.'

The FDA issued a warning about xylazine in November after the drug began to show up in a growing number of toxicology reports after fatal overdoses.

'The risk of overdose is amplified when combined with other substances like fentanyl,' Ms Aussem said.

A record nearly 107,000 Americans died from overdoses from August 2021 to August 2022, with 66 percent of them involving a synthetic opioid such as fentanyl.

Estimates on how many fatalities are down to xylazine are not available because this data is not routinely collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Because xylazine is a sedative mixed with opioids, such as fentanyl, it resists standard opioid treatment methods like naloxone, also known as Narcan. However, Narcan could mitigate fentanyl or other opioids in the system.

'One hundred percent I would give Narcan to a patient who comes in with decreased respiratory status and altered mentation because this is an illicit drug,' Dr Johnson-Arbor said. 'You don't know exactly what the person used.'

'Even if you highly suspect that the individual overdosed on xylazine, we can't prove that there's no other opioid there.'

Wound care is also a priority. Ms Aussem recommends keeping the area clean, moist, and covered. This can be done with soap and water, or even medications like Vaseline spread on a clean t-shirt in a pinch.
Another case of locally contracted malaria has been detected in Florida, bringing the national tally to eight.

Health officials said the patient was diagnosed last week in Sarasota County, southwest Florida, where the other cases in the state were also detected.

It brings Florida's tally to seven  with five detected last month and one in May  alongside a case in Texas revealed in June in a 21-year-old National Guardsman.

They mark the first cases of domestically-transmitted malaria spotted in the US for more than two decades, in a sign the disease may be gaining a foothold here.

The whole of Florida is under a malaria warning. There is also a malaria warning in Sarasota County  where all seven cases have been detected  and its neighbor Manatee County

Experts warn that mosquitoes are becoming more common in the US and there is a risk another mosquito-borne disease could reach the country within the decade (stock image)

The Florida Department of Health revealed the latest case detected in its weekly surveillance report.

It did not give any other details including the patient's age, gender or whether or not they were homeless.

Doctors at Sarasota Memorial Hospital  which has treated at least four of Florida's locally acquired malaria patients  said the majority of patients were homeless.

Dr Manuel Gordillo, an infectious diseases expert at the hospital, previously told NBC News the patients had come to wards with symptoms including fever and dehydration.

He added that the homeless patients had waited to come to hospital until the later stages of infection.

He said: 'Some of the cases were sort of neglecting the symptoms and they presented way later with other complications.'

Experts fear that malaria arrived in the US in a person who had become infected in another country.

They were then bitten by a local mosquito, which acquired the infection, and then bit another person  transmitting the disease on US soil.

Other theories suggest that mosquitoes that were infected with malaria may have arrived in the US via a plane.

In Texas, the patient who caught malaria has been revealed as a 21-year-old National Guardsman who works on the Texas-Mexico border.

Christopher Shingler, who was stationed on the Rio Grande near Brownsville, woke up trembling one night in late May, which quickly turned into a fever and vomiting.

Doctors initially dismissed his illness as a viral infection, but when medications did not clear up the disease by early June he was given further tests.

Mr Shingler had not recently traveled outside of the US, which led doctors not to initially consider another disease like malaria.

But then, to the shock of everyone, swabs revealed that he had been infected with the pathogen.

Mr Shingler said: 'I would wake up really early in the morning and I would start shaking.

'It was a lot of just trying my best to make myself eat something, as small as I could, which usually I was unsuccessful.'

He had to be hospitalized for at least ten days before the infection cleared but was discharged in June. He has made a full recovery.

Christopher Shingler, who was stationed on the Rio Grande, is one of America's first malaria patients in two decades. The 21-year-old started to suffer shakes, fever and vomiting in late May because of his infection

Mr Shingler is not sure where he caught malaria, but says he was often on duty at night  where he would get 'torn up' by mosquitoes.

'We were getting torn up by mosquitoes, chiggers, whatever you can think of, you can name,' he said.

'We were getting torn up the entire time we were out there, especially that first night.'

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite spread to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito.

Dr Manuel Gordillo, from Sarasota Memorial Hospital, treated four of the six malaria patients in Florida

Early warning signs of the disease include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and nausea.

Without treatment, these can progress into complications such as anemia  a low red blood cell count  and organ failure, which can be fatal.

Malaria kills hundreds of thousands of people globally every year, with 619,000 deaths recorded in 2021. With treatment, most cases are not fatal, but should they progress to the severe stage, the disease almost always leads to death.

About 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States every year, but these are always linked back to foreign travel to countries in areas including Africa and South and Central America.

Malaria was eradicated in the United States in the 1950s in a comprehensive program that saw insecticides sprayed from planes.

But there are still many mosquitoes in the US that can carry malaria, raising the possibility of the pathogen returning.

Since 1992, there have been 11 outbreaks involving malaria from mosquitoes in the US. The last occurred in 2003 in Palm Beach County, Florida, where eight cases were reported.

Experts suggest that malaria likely returned to Florida after mosquitoes bit someone returning from abroad who had the infection.

The insects then contracted the disease and transmitted it to other humans when they bit them, triggering local cases.
Controversial study was funded by a 500,000 grant funded by the UK taxpayer

Pregnant transmen shouldn't be pressured to stop taking testosterone despite the risks it poses to babies, researchers have controversially claimed in a Government-funded study.

Current maternity care guidance for transmen  biological women who identify as the opposite gender  recommends they stop hormone treatment in pregnancy.

The NHS warns it could 'affect the baby's development', with some studies linking exposure to the male sex hormone in the womb to genital abnormalities.

Testosterone is listed as a 'category X' substance in pregnancy in the US because of the dangers it poses to a foetus.

But a panel of experts, including three from Britain, said the current advice centres too heavily on preventing babies from developing birth defects.

Transgender man Caleb Bolden, 27, (left) from Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, stopped taking testosterone and had a baby after his partner discovered she was unable to have children

Objections against the use of testosterone in pregnancy are too focused on creating 'normal' babies, they argued.

Instead, the team  given a 500,000 grant by a subsidiary of Britain's UK Research and Innovation to conduct research on trans male experiences  suggested NHS guidelines should be shifted to better support trans men to live out their gender identity.

The three British experts were sociologists hailing from the universities of Sheffield, Westminster and Glasgow.

American bioethicists Jennifer Lahl and Kallie Fell called the findings 'insane'.

Writing for the website Realitys Last Stand, they said: 'Abiding by their papers guidance would land us in a vacuum devoid of medical ethics and a seismic shift away from the importance of scientific research and medical evidence in favor of activist directed healthcare.'

Testosterone is considered teratogenic, meaning that it has been linked to birth abnormalities.

Female foetuses are particularly vulnerable to the effects, scientists believe.

High levels of the hormone in the mother's body have been linked to problems with genital development, a process called masculinisation.

Studies suggest this can lead to incontinence and infertility, and trigger subsequent psychological consequences later in life.

Writing in the journal SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, the researchers, which consisted of experts from the US, Australia and Italy, argued such concerns should take a backseat compared to the harms trans men might experience from not taking their hormones.

'Both patients and providers tend to pursue precautionary, offspring-focused treatment approaches,' they wrote.

'These approaches reinscribe binarized notions of sex, resulting in social control in their attempts to safeguard against non-normative potential future outcomes for offspring.

'These offspring-focused risk-avoidance strategies and approaches are, we argue, part of the gendered precautionary labour of pregnancy and pregnancy care itself, and not without potentially-harmful consequences for trans people.'

Healthy baby Isla-Rae Bolden was born in May at West Suffolk hospital

Caleb (right) started transitioning six years ago - at the same time as he began trying to have a child via sperm donor with partner Niamh Bolden, 25 (left)

They based their arguments on a survey of 70 trans people, as well as answers from 22 health care providers who worked with trans people.

Most trans men they quizzed had fears about ceasing testosterone treatment during pregnancy, it was claimed.

Worries included the fear of losing facial hair, change in voice and being mistaken for a woman.

Other feared being misgendered, which could result in 'increased levels of body dysphoria and depression'.

Some volunteers described their opposition to ceasing testosterone while pregnant, explicitly stating they had wanted to be a 'pregnant man'.

Healthcare providers offered mixed answers in what guidance they provided.

But most offered a 'precautionary' approach, warning trans men about the potential risk testosterone posed to their baby.

The authors were critical of this approach, writing stating such advice 'may not take into full consideration the degree to which some trans peoples sense of self and wellbeing is linked to continuing testosterone therapy'.

A UK Research and Innovation spokesperson told the MailOnline the project was funded by its its Economic and Social Research Council.

They added: 'The Economic and Social Research Council invests in a diverse research and innovation portfolio. Decisions to fund the research projects we support are made via a rigorous peer review process by relevant independent experts from across academia and business.'

Trans men are biological females who identify as men. They can still get pregnant  provided necessary organs, like the womb, haven't already been removed.

Rather than pay an estimated 70k for Niamh to have private fertility treatment, Caleb stopped his daily testosterone injections and used a sperm donor. Six months later he got pregnant

Many take an artificial version of testosterone, which can shrink breast tissue, stop their periods and trigger facial hair to grow on their face, to help them live out their new gender identity.

This helps address feelings of gender dysphoria, the distress they experience from being in a body that doesn't match their gender identity.

The medical community is still uncertain over the full extent of the risk testosterone poses to a developing foetus and how factors like dosage, or levels of other natural hormone levels are involved.

This is partly due to the relatively rarity of trans men having children, with little known about the long term impacts of children whose parents took testosterone during pregnancy.

The NHS advises that taking testosterone during pregnancy isn't recommended as it 'may affect the baby's development'.

However, it adds that trans men should speak to their doctor before stopping as 'you may find being pregnant triggers feelings of gender dysphoria'.

In its controversial 'chestfeeding advice' section, officials also caution that the hormone can enter breastmilk but doesn't go as far as recommending against it.

'It is unclear what, if any, effect this could have on your baby,' it states.

The US Food and Drug Administration classifies testosterone as a 'Category X' while pregnant.

In summary, this means there is evidence it poses a danger to a foetus and that 'the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits'.

Testosterone can also make it more difficult for trans men to get pregnant in the first place.

This leads to many opting to pause their treatments while trying to conceive.

Such was the case for trans man Caleb Bolden, from Chatteris, who decided to become pregnant with a sperm donor after his partner discovered she couldn't have children.

READ MORE: How trans women use a powerful mix of hormones, drugs and pumps to 'breastfeed' babies - but how safe is it really? And does it actually nourish a child? Writing on Twitter Mika Minio-Paluello said: 'Here's me on the bus to hospital for the 1st chemo round, feeding my child for the last time' Advertisement

Mr Bolden, 27, started transitioning six years ago  at the same time as he began trying to have a child via sperm donor with his partner Niamh Bolden, 25.

But Ms Bolden suffered three miscarriages and a stillbirth of twins at 23 weeks and 27 weeks before being told she'd likely never have kids.

While private fertility treatments were an option, the couple were told it could cost 70,000.

Instead, Mr Bolden stepped up halting his daily testosterone treatments to help the couple achieve their dream of starting a family.

Six months later he got pregnant using a sperm donor he found on social media and Isla-Rae Bolden was born in May.

Despite enduring nasty comments from strangers and suffering gender dysphoria while pregnant, the store manager said he loves being a dad  and plans to do it again.

'Coming off testosterone was a rocky road as I had so many hormones going around my body,' he said.

'It was soul destroying. Transitioning was something I knew I wanted to do from a young age.

'But I knew for myself and my partner it was something we had always wanted and I wanted to give it a shot.

'When it's age appropriate, I will tell her the things that are relevant. I want other trans people to know it's OK to carry a child.

'We're no different to any other person, just because we were born a biologically different sex, it doesn't mean we should have to worry or lock ourselves away.'

Trans women, people who are biologically male but identify as a woman, cannot get pregnant, though some scientists claim it's only matter of time before this becomes possible.

The topic of trans women taking hormones during breastfeeding was recently thrust into the spotlight after Mika Minio-Paluello, a former Labour special adviser, shared a photo of her breastfeeding her child on a bus.
Another breakthrough Alzheimer's drug is in the pipeline  and it could trump the two other 'game-changers'.

Early trial results of remternetug are 'very promising', experts say.

The drug clears the brain of amyloid, a protein that clumps together and is thought to be responsible for the memory-robbing disease.

But remternetug is nowhere near human approval yet, unlike rivals donanemab and lencanemab, which work in the same fashion.

Leading experts claim the pair of drugs, given as an infusion, are the 'turning point' in the decades-long fight against Alzheimer's.

Researchers unveiled that donanemab, made by Eli Lilly (pictured), slowed cognitive decline in Alzheimer's by 35 per cent by removing toxic plaques in the brain

Trials are ongoing into remternetug, also made by Eli Lilly. Full results won't be ready until 2025, however. But early data suggests remternetug  given through an injection, not IV drip  is set to outperform donanemab. Some 75 per cent of patients on remternetug for six months saw amyloid plaques cleared from their brains, Eli Lilly announced at a medical conference in Sweden in March

Donanemab was found to slow the progression of the disease by up to 60 per cent, according to trial results paraded this week.

US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, which manufactures the drug, has applied to get it approved in the US. It aims to seek the green light in Britain in the next six months, meaning it could be on the NHS by 2025.

Lecanemab, on the other hand, was also found to be effective in halting the onslaught of Alzheimer's. Trial results released by Biogen and Eisai earlier this year showed it slowed the rate of cognitive decline by 27 per cent over 18 months.

It was last month approved in the US.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which decides if a drug is safe and effective enough to be rolled out in the UK, is currently looking into the medication.

READ MORE: 'I've got my independence back': How game-changing new Alzheimer's drug has transformed life of ex-teacher, 65, robbed of ability to drive and read by cruel disease Lori Weiss, 65, a retired teacher from Oregon, said she has reclaimed her independence thanks to the new Alzheimers drug Advertisement

Trials are ongoing into remternetug, also made by Eli Lilly. Full results won't be ready until 2025, however.

But early data suggests remternetug  given through an injection, not IV drip  is set to outperform donanemab.

Some 75 per cent of patients on remternetug for six months saw amyloid plaques cleared from their brains, Eli Lilly announced at a medical conference in Sweden in March.

For comparison, it took 18 months until a similar proportion of donanemab patients saw the same benefit.

Charities hope the injection will be similar to insulin pens used for diabetes, binning the need for patients to be hooked up to a drip for up to an hour in hospital.

All three drugs are monoclonal antibodies  man-made versions of proteins made by the body to fight-off harmful substances.

Once they reach the brain, the drugs bind to amyloid plaques. This prompts immune cells, known as microglia, to clear them.

However, serious safety concerns have already been raised about the drugs.

Side effects such as brain swelling and bleeds have been logged among some of the patients. At least six patients have died after taking the medication.

Ten of 24 patients given remternetug in the latest human trial suffered brain swelling.

Professor Giles Hardingham, interim director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, told MailOnline it is 'too early to say' whether remternetug will surpass donanemab on amyloid plaque clearance and clinical benefit for patients.

'However, their interim phase 1 data was very promising and prompted their much wider phase 3 study that commenced late last year.

'It illustrates the commitment to further improve treatment options and outcomes over the initial ground-breaking drugs like lecanemab and donanemab.'

Donanemab is given to Alzheimer's patients through an IV infusion once a month. The monoclonal antibody  a man-made version of proteins produced by the body to fight-off harmful substances  travels to the brain . Once inside the organ, donanemab binds to toxic build-ups of amyloid plaque  a hallmark sign of the memory-robbing disease. This prompts immune cells, known as microglia, to clear them

From 1906 when clinical psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer first reported a 'severe disease of the cerebral cortex' to uncovering the mechanics of the disease in the 1980s-90s to today's 'breakthrough' drug lecanemab, scientists have spent over a century trying to grapple with the brutal disease that robs people of their cognition and independence

Less than a year ago, another drug, called lecanemab (pictured), was found to slash cognitive decline among those with the memory-robbing condition by 27 per cent

Vaccines and antibodies, brain zapping helmets, oxygen therapy and stem cells are just some of the areas experts are exploring in the hunt for a cure for Alzheimer's

Dr Ivan Koychev, a senior clinical researcher and consultant neuropsychiatrist at Oxford University's Dementia Platform UK, told MailOnline: 'There is some early data showing that it can clear amyloid effectively.

'While this is a positive sign, the release of the full trial data is required to see if this translates into meaningful benefits for patients.

'This caution is necessary as through factors we do not fully understand, not every amyloid clearing therapy associated with significant impact on symptoms.

'In addition, we need to see how likely it is that such rapid removal of amyloid associated with brain oedema which is one of the main concerns around the safety of these drugs.

'In any case, I expect that over the next 5-10 years we will continue to see continued improvement to the amyloid clearance drug class and remternetug is likely to be part of this trend.'

However, leading experts have warned Britain is not ready to dish out the resource-intensive drugs.

Others have cautioned they could be too expensive to garner approval, with price tags of around 20,000/year being floated around the US, where the original drugs are already available.

Experts also suggested that latest trial results show donanemab's effects may not even be noticeable to patients or their families.
A mother has revealed the tell-tale signs of her six-year-old daughter's arthritis that she didn't spot.

Leeanne Taggart, from Glasgow, had never heard of a child having arthritis until her daughter, Keavagh, was diagnosed.

Keavagh, who loved to dance, swim and take part in gymnastics, was left in pain and with a swollen joint seemingly after a small stumble, which the 43-year-old believes was the first sign of the condition.

As her condition deteriorated, Keavagh also went off food and lost weight  another tell-tale symptom of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, the mother-of-two said.

The six-year-old was eventually diagnosed in October 2022.

Keavagh, 6, pictured, was diagnosed with the rare condition that is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in October 2022 after a fall at a friends birthday party

Mrs Taggart: 'It was a lonely place to be because I'd never heard of a child having arthritis before.

'It's something you just automatically associate with older people, not kids.'

The condition  which affects just one in 1,000 children in the UK  can cause pain, stiff, tender or warm joints, fatigue, blurry vision, loss of appetite, rash and fever.

Keavagh showed no obvious signs of the crippling condition until she had a fall at a friend's birthday party in August 2022.

The six-year-old stumbled to the floor while dancing with friends.

But she got straight back up and carried on dancing with her friends, so Mrs Taggart says she 'didn't think much of it'.

What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and what are the symptoms? Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common type of arthritis in kids and teens. It is an autoimmune disease which means the immune system which is supposed to fight invaders like germs and viruses, gets confused and attacks the bodys cells and tissues. This then causes the body to release inflammatory chemicals that attack the tissue lining around the joint (synovium). It produces a fluid that cushions the joints, but this can cause pain and make the joint tender, red, swollen or difficult to move. Symptoms include: Joint pain or stiffness; may get worse after waking up or staying in one position too long.

Red, swollen, tender or warm joints.

Feeling very tired or rundown (fatigue).

Blurry vision or dry, gritty eyes.

Rash.

Appetite loss.

High fever. Source: Arthritis Foundation Advertisement

But the next day she was still in pain and her knee was swollen  a tell-tale sign of the autoimmune disease.

Assuming Keavagh's knee was sprained or twisted, Mrs Taggart took her to A&E where she had an X-ray.

Doctors found fluid around her knee, gave her painkillers and told Mrs Taggart a physio would be in touch.

But within two weeks Keavagh took a turn for the worse.

She couldn't walk and was not eating, so she started to lose weight  another sign of the condition.

After a lot of visits to hospital, Keavagh eventually had an MRI scan and a face-to-face appointment with a physiotherapist who referred to her rheumatology.

The next day Keavagh was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis.

There is no suggestion that the bump triggered Keavagh's arthritis.

Scientists are still clueless as to what causes the condition.

But falls can trigger another form of arthritis, which is usually temporary.

Mrs Taggart said: 'We couldn't get our heads around it at all  it was completely devastating... It is more common than you think.

'All I could think was, how can my six-year-old have arthritis? I made the mistake of googling it and came across lots of horror stories. It was terrifying.

'However, to begin with, Keavagh was oblivious to how bad it could be.

'She was given crutches and had to stay off school because she couldn't walk.'

Mrs Taggart says Keavagh left the hospital 'practically skipping' after she started treatment, which included getting cortisone injections into her knees and ankles.

However, her treatment later changed to a weekly injection at the top of her thigh which she found 'traumatic'.

'She would cry, scream, and hide because she hated it so much.

'It was horrendous to see,' Mrs Taggert said.

Keavagh, (pictured left) who loved to dance, swim and take part in gymnastics was left unable to walk without crutches and in pain. The six-year-old was in pain, her knee was swollen (pictured right) and she started to lose weight, which are all tell-tale signs of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Keavagh struggled with the different treatments and medicine caused her to be anxious and sick

The Taggart family struggled with Keavagh's diagnosis, but Keavagh is now back at school enjoying dance and gymnastics again. Pictured left to right Jayden 13, Andrew Taggart, 45, Keavagh, 6, and Leeanne Taggart, 43

Her treatment was changed for a third time after another medicine caused her to be anxious and sick.

Mrs Taggart said: 'Luckily, she is now on a liquid form of medication which she takes herself every day, and it's fine at the moment.

'As a result of her arthritis, Keavagh also suffers from uveitis which can cause eye pain, changes to your vision and lead to glaucoma or even blindness in some cases.

'So she has to go to the hospital every six weeks for transfusions to try and prevent her from developing these issues.'

Mrs Taggart also has a 13-year-old son, Jayden, who hates to see his little sister in pain.

She said: 'It's been hard on the family. It's awful for us to see Keavagh like that, and for her to be going through it.

'I had to take some time off work last month because it all just got too much to cope with.

'We're just taking each day as it comes.'

Now Keavagh is back at school Mrs Taggart is relieved and admits she didn't 'realise at the time how bad it was'.

She said: 'It's like night and day compared to how she is now.

'I think Keavagh was lucky to have had the fall when she did because now she has a diagnosis. It could have gone on for longer and her symptoms could have become much worse.'
When Sylvia Halcrow's bra scratched her boob, she thought nothing of it.

Little did she know it would lead to a flesh-eating disease bug that left her on the brink of death.

The 53-year-old, who lives in the Shetland Islands, had to flown to the mainland by helicopter for emergency surgery.

She spent eight days in a coma, before waking to discover some of her breast had been removed and a 15-inch scar running from her ribs to her arms.

Now 'alive and here to tell the tale', Ms Harlow said has since 'totally chucked bras with underwire'.

Sylvia, from Lerwick, Shetland, had a huge shock last year when her boob became infected with a flesh-eating bug

Although she doesn't know for sure, Sylvia believes the underwire in her bra caused the abscess and has now opted for a different style of underwear

'I came very close to not surviving it at all so Im very grateful indeed,' she said.

'Its scary to think this was caused by my bra.'

Her ordeal began in May 2022, when Ms Harlow noticed a lump on her breast that quickly turned into a 'painful abscess.'

Seeking help from her GP, the civil servant was given painkillers and antibiotics to help her manage.

However, a few days later and with her condition deteriorating, she rushed to the island's only A&E at Gilbert Bain Hospital.

'I just knew something wasnt right and so I took myself to A&E, I was in so much pain,' she said.

'When I walked in the nurse looked at me and rushed me straight though.

'I was totally grey in the face. It was really scary.'

She said that medics carried out an array of tests and gave her medication and pain relief but her condition didn't improve.

The 53-year-old civil servant was put into an induced coma and had to have two operations to remove the flesh eating bug.

Sylvia has since raised 2,000 for the Lee Spark foundation, a necrotising fasciitis charity

'The doctors were stumped for a few days, I didnt know what was going to happen,' she said.

Ms Halcrow was eventually diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a dangerous illness nicknamed the 'flesh-eating disease'.

It is caused when bacteria, such as strep, enter the skin through a scrape or cut.

Toxins made by these bacteria destroy the tissue they infect, causing it to die. When this happens, the infection is very serious and can result in loss of limbs or death.

Ms Halcrow recalled how medics then delivered the terrifying news that her internal organs had begun to shut down from fighting the infection.

She was then rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for an emergency op to remove the infected tissue.

'They put me into an induced coma, and I had two operations to remove the flesh-eating bug while I was out cold,' she said.

'Looking back, Im actually glad I was unconscious as I think Id have been really traumatised.'

She awoke from her medically induced coma eight days later with an 15in scar running from her ribs to under her arm and significant portion of her boob cut away.

But she would have to remain in hospital for another three weeks before being well enough to return home.

Ms Halcrow said while she's mostly recovered the incident has left her with more than just physical scars.

'It's hard having so much of my breast removed, it doesn't always look very nice, especially in summery dresses,' she said.

'But the main thing is that I'm alive and here to tell the tale.'

She added that the experience led to her throwing out all her old underwire bras.

Sylvia awoke from the eight-day induced coma and returned to work four months later. Since recovering she has found difficulties wearing certain clothes

'I've totally chucked bras with underwire, although we don't know for sure, I'm certain that's what caused this whole thing,' she said.

'It's just not worth the risk.'

Ms Halcrow has also raised 2,000 for necrotising fasciitis charity the Lee Spark Foundation, in thanks for the support she received after leaving hospital.

She told the charity last year: 'I decided to do something because I found the foundation so helpful when I first came home from the hospital.

'The medical professionals can get your body better, but it's only once youre home and in your own head space that you need someone to help get your head around what happened.

'It's an awful condition to endure and they helped me get my head round what had happened.'

There are about 500 cases of necrotising fasciitis recorded in the UK each year with up to about 1,000 each year in the US.

The first sign is often an intense pain or loss of feeling near to a recent cut or wound, disproportionate to the size of the injury.

Other symptoms include swelling of the skin around the affected area and general flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headache and tiredness.

Effective treatment requires rapid diagnosis followed by antibiotics and surgery to remove the infected area.

It can lead to sepsis and organ failure with on average one in five people with the disease dying even after treatment.
Up to one in 35 people in parts of England are thought to have dementia, according to data crunched into an interactive map by MailOnline.

Charities estimate approximately 950,000 people across the country suffer with the memory-robbing disorder. Yet experts believe the figure will rocket to an estimated 2million by 2050 as Brits live longer.

It comes as scientists have urged officials to hurry in approving game-changing new drugs for Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia.

Dementia prevalence rates vary massively across England, with the cruel, incurable disease most rife among over-80s. Up to one in six people of this age will be struck down.

As a result, England's dementia hotspots tend to be in seaside towns across Dorset, Hampshire, Norfolk, Essex and Sussex.

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The graph shows how the number of people diagnosed in the UK has soared from around 340,000 in 2011 to nearly 550,000 in 2019 (graph). Alzheimer's Research UK estimates that just 63.1 per cent of people in England with dementia have been diagnosed (bottom left). Forecasts suggest that 2million people in the UK will have dementia by 2050 (bottom right)

Figures from Alzheimer's Research UK show 2.81 per cent of people in Christchurch, Dorset, are living with the disease.

New Forest West (2.65 per cent), North Norfolk (2.44 per cent) and Clacton (2.43 per cent) are also among the worst affected.

Alzheimer's Research UK calculated the prevalence of the disease using population estimates data from the Office for National Statistics for 2020.

It applied the risk of developing dementia among the over-65s, which stands at 7.14 per cent, to the number of people in all 650 constituencies in that age group.

Results showed that rates were high in Worthing West, where 2.42 per cent of locals are thought to be living with the disease.

READ MORE: Another Alzheimer's drug is in the pipeline - and it looks even better than donanemab Researchers today unveiled that donanemab slowed cognitive decline in Alzheimer's by 35 per cent by removing toxic plaques in the brain Advertisement

Meanwhile, Poplar and Limehouse (0.38 per cent) and West Ham (0.48 per cent) in London had the lowest dementia rates in England, along with Manchester Central (0.5 per cent).

The variation between areas is down to differing demographics. Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia.

In Christchurch, where dementia rates are highest, a third of residents are over 65.

For comparison, the figure is just 6.2 per cent Poplar and Limehouse.

The number of people suffering from the memory-robbing condition  which can also cause difficulties with thinking, problem-solving and language  is on the rise because people are living longer.

Experts believe more than 1million people in the UK will have dementia by 2025, rising above 2million by 2050.

There are an array of different diseases that cause dementia, many of which are linked with an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain, called amyloid and tau.

As well as age, a person's risk of getting dementia can be increased by their sex, ethnicity, underlying health conditions, lifestyle factors and exposure to pollution.

Around four in 10 dementia cases are thought to be caused be caused by avoidable factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and being overweight and inactive.

The charity Alzheimer's Society estimated that dementia costs the UK 26.3billion a year, which is more than cancer, heart disease and strokes.

Trials are ongoing into remternetug, also made by Eli Lilly. Full results won't be ready until 2025, however. But early data suggests remternetug  given through an injection, not IV drip  is set to outperform donanemab. Some 75 per cent of patients on remternetug for six months saw amyloid plaques cleared from their brains, Eli Lilly announced at a medical conference in Sweden in March

From 1906 when clinical psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer first reported a 'severe disease of the cerebral cortex' to uncovering the mechanics of the disease in the 1980s-90s to today's 'breakthrough' drug lecanemab, scientists have spent over a century trying to grapple with the brutal disease that robs people of their cognition and independence

David Thomas, head of policy at Alzheimer's Research UK, told MailOnline: 'Dementia has a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of people across the UK today, as these figures reveal.

'If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia, either by caring for a loved one with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both.

'This is the reality we face. The healthcare crisis caused by dementia will continue to grow unless we act now. We need to find ways to stop dementia.'

It comes as landmark trial findings published this week revealed that a new drug, called donanemab, slowed the decline of Alzheimer's by up to 60 per cent.

Pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, which owns the drug, announced it had already sought regulatory approval in the US. It expects to apply for the same green light in the UK within six months.

READ MORE: 'I've got my independence back': How game-changing new Alzheimer's drug has transformed life of ex-teacher, 65, robbed of ability to drive and read by cruel disease Lori Weiss, 65, a retired teacher from Oregon, said she has reclaimed her independence thanks to the new Alzheimers drug Advertisement

Some scientists have already called for 'rapid regulatory decisions' for the 'potentially life-changing' Alzheimer's drug so patients can benefit.

Eli Lilly, which owns the drug, said it will apply to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for approval.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) would then need to consider the cost-effectiveness of the medication before it could be rolled out on the NHS. This process could take a couple of years.

Mr Thomas said: 'The promising news this week about the Alzheimer's drug donanemab has proved what we've always known, that research will deliver the breakthroughs people affected by dementia desperately need.

'Now we must capitalise on these discoveries and invest more, to develop these drugs further and bring us closer towards a cure for dementia.'

Donanemab is given to Alzheimer's patients through an IV drip once a month.

The monoclonal antibody  a man-made version of proteins produced by the body to fight-off harmful substances  travels to the brain.

Once inside the organ, donanemab binds to toxic build-ups of amyloid plaque  a hallmark sign of the memory-robbing disease. This prompts immune cells, known as microglia, to clear them.

While scientists have hailed the 'fantastic news' of the Alzheimer's treatment, others have warned Britain is not ready to dish out the resource-intensive drugs.

Serious concerns have also been raised about side effects, which are designed to clear a toxic protein that builds up in the brain and is thought to cripple it from the inside out.

Additionally, some have cautioned they could be too expensive to garner approval, with price tags of around 20,000/year being floated around the US.

Experts also suggested that latest trial results show donanemab's effects may not even be noticeable to patients or their families.
Johnson & Johnson must pay nearly $19million to a California man who says the firm's baby powder caused his rare and deadly cancer, a court has ruled.

Emory Hernandez Valadez, a 24-year-old from Oakland, claims heavy exposure to J&J's talcum products from childhood caused his mesothelioma, a cancer around his heart that is caused by inhaling toxic asbestos.

On Tuesday, a jury ruled that Valadez was entitled to $18.8m in damages for his medical bills, pain and suffering, though Valadez is unlikely to live long enough to see any of that compensation.

Most mesothelioma patients don't live more than four to 18 months and a bankruptcy filing by J&J has frozen most talc-related litigation and payouts, meaning it could be years before plaintiffs see payouts.

While mesothelioma is already uncommon, affecting just 3,000 Americans each year, Valadez was diagnosed with an extremely rare form, making his case different from a majority against J&J

Jurors heard from Valadez's mother, Anna Camacho, who said she used large amounts of J&J's baby powder on her son when he was a baby and throughout his childhood

U.S. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan let Valadez's trial proceed due to his terminal illness.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that absorbs moisture and reduces friction, making it useful for keeping skin dry and helping prevent rashes. It is commonly used in consumer products such as baby powder and eye shadows.

The mineral is mined from the Earth and in its natural form can contain small amounts of asbestos, a carcinogen known to cause some cancers when repeatedly inhaled.

Once asbestos fibers enter the body, they can lodge in soft tissue permanently, causing severe cellular damage and inflammation over time.

J&J maintains that its talc products are not harmful and do not contain cancer-causing asbestos.

But Valadez is one of tens of thousands of patients suing J&J over claims its talc-based products caused their cancers.

J&J agreed in April to pay nearly $9 billion to settle roughly 40,000 lawsuits, thought to be the biggest in pharmaceutical company payout history.

While mesothelioma is already uncommon, affecting just 3,000 Americans each year, Valadez was diagnosed with an extremely rare form, making his case different from a majority against J&J.

It has been dubbed a silent killer because symptoms can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to present and, due to its long latency period, it is often misdiagnosed until the disease's later stages when it becomes incurable.

Just one in 10 patients survive longer than five years after the devastating diagnosis and most die within 18 months.

Valadez testified in June, telling jurors he would have avoided J&J's talc products if he had been warned they contained asbestos.

Jurors heard from Valadez's mother, Anna Camacho, who said she used large amounts of J&J's baby powder on her son when he was a baby and throughout his childhood.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that absorbs moisture and reduces friction, making it useful for keeping skin dry and helping prevent rashes

Valadez's lawyers during closing arguments accused J&J of a 'despicable' decades-long coverup of asbestos contamination.

A lawyer for Valadez could not immediately be reached for comment.

His case is the first trial over talc products the New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company has faced in almost two years.

Erik Haas, J&J's vice president of litigation, said in a statement the company would appeal the verdict, calling it 'irreconcilable with the decades of independent scientific evaluations confirming [J&J's] Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer.'

In closing arguments, J&J's lawyers said there was no evidence linking either Valadez's kind of mesothelioma to asbestos or proving that Valadez was ever exposed to tainted talc.

The company announced last year it would transition to a cornstarch-based baby powder product, with talc-based baby powder to be discontinued globally this year.

While newer products on store shelves may be safe, the talc at issue in the mountain of lawsuits was sold and used over the past six decades.

In the 1950s, an Ohio lab tasked with testing Johnson & Johnsons talcum powder described contaminants in the product from J&Js Italian supplier as fibrous and found a crystalline needle-like compound called tremolite, a heat-resistant form of asbestos that can easily be inhaled or ingested.

In 1976, while the FDA was considering imposing limits on asbestos content in cosmetics, J&J insisted that no asbestos was detected in any sample of talc produced between December 1972 and October 1973.'

But in reality, at least three tests by three different labs from 1972 to 1975 had found asbestos in its talc, including a rather high amount in one sample.

In the years leading up to the 2000s, outside labs testing J&Js powder had yielded similar results, according to a 2018 bombshell investigation into the companys practices.
Nebraska native Lukas Caldwell enjoyed a happy, carefree early childhood alongside his twin brother Ben, but everything changed when the boys turned six.

Lukas Caldwell, now 19, began meeting with a cadre of doctors at that age after his parents noticed 'worrying' discoloration on his face. A year later, he was diagnosed with a rare condition in which the soft tissues in the face slowly waste away.

His diagnosis, Parry-Romberg syndrome, only affects one in 250,000 people. Over time, muscle and fat in the face shrinks while the bones may become thin and change shape.

The condition may not shorten one's life, but it can be painful as Mr Caldwell attested, saying he experienced facial pain, cramps, poor vision, and migraines, on top of ridicule from class mates who teased him and called him 'half face.'

Lukas Caldwell has undergone four different surgeries to remedy the damage to his face, while also communicating with his nearly three million Tik Tok followers about rare diseases and the value of self-acceptance.

Lukas Caldwell, now 19, was diagnosed with the rare Parry-Romberg syndrome when he was seven after his parents noticed a large portion of his face was discolored. He endured relentless teasing as a child from both classmates and even adults

PRS may have some basis in genetics, but scientists are not sure. Lukas' twin brother Ben does not have PRS, suggesting that a genetic link may not be that strong

Mr Caldwell's ordeal began in the first decade of his life, the window in which a Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS) diagosis is most common. His pediatrician assumed the noticable discoloration on the right side of his face was superficial.

But a dermatologist familiar with the condition knew what to look for, conducted a biopsy, and handed down the diagnosis.

It kicked off years of medical treatments and surgeries that disrupted what would have been a normal childhood with his twin who did not share the condition.

Mr Caldwell said: 'I have received numerous different treatments for PRS. When I was in third grade, I had to leave school twice a week to revive UV therapy at a dermatology clinic.

'Around this same time, I left school several times a week to receive IV steroid infusions.'

He has also undergone two reconstructive procedures, a jaw surgery 'to correct the level of my jaw and allow me to chew on both sides of my mouth,' Mr Caldwell said, and a fat transfer surgery that aimed to restore symmetry to his face.

The whole time, his confidence had been severely shaken.

Mr Caldwell said: 'I struggled with severe anxiety and low self esteem due to my condition. These were issues that were not as impactful prior to my diagnosis.

'I have outgrown these tendencies to some degree, and I try to stay positive. However, it is not always easy.'

And while Mr Caldwell was receiving the medical care he needed, he often felt alienated by his classmates who bullied him.

He said: 'I was often bullied when I was younger, the other kids would call me names like "half face." They would also insult my appearance and call me ugly, causing me to develop anxiety and insecurities which I still deal with today.'

But the bullying was not confined to the classroom. Mr Caldwell recounted a time when he was nine and in the check-out line of a Walmart, when the cashier 'started laughing at me.'

Lukas Caldwell has undergone several surgeries to repair the atrophied tissue and bone in his face. One of the surgeries was on his jaw to make it possible for him to chew food on the right side of his face.

The scan of Mr Caldwell's face highlights the malformation there caused by the deterioration of soft tissue and muscles there

He added: 'She said my face looked funny and she asked me what happened. I didn't really know how to handle this situation at the time, so I didn't say anything to her.'

Sharing his journey with over 2.9 million Tik Tok fans have given him comfort, Mr Caldwell said, along with his brother Ben who he dubbed 'one of my strongest supporters'.

And far from inspiring jealousy for being spared the rare condition, Mr Caldwell said Ben's unaffected face gives him some comfort because it 'serves as a reminder for what I could have looked like if I did not have PRS.'

PRS typically afflicts the left side of a person's face, and more often than not affects girls. But Mr Caldwell's case has stricken the right side of his face, making it difficult to chew food on that side.

In still rarer cases, PRS can affect both sides of the face.

The cause of the condition is shrouded in mystery. Some in the medical field believe the condition is a product of the immune system attacking itself, damaging soft tissues in the face.

The condition could also be genetic, though the fact that Lukas' twin brother does not share the diagnosis suggests that may not be the strongest determining factor.

Doctors have also posited that the facial atrophy could be due to reduced blood flow to the tissues on one side of the face, leading to their degeneration.
MPs have called for heavier restrictions on the packaging and marketing of vapes to 'tackle an alarming trend' in the number of children using them.

The Health and Social Care Committee said the Government should consider bringing in plain packaging for e-cigarettes in line with other tobacco products.

It said it believes the messaging around vaping as a tool to help smokers quit can be maintained, but more should be done on education, enforcement and regulations to keep them out of the reach of children.

It also called for a review of the enforcement powers of trading standards to stop vapes being sold to children.

Steve Brine, chairman of the Health and Social Care Committee, said 'decisive action is needed' from Government and industry to 'tackle an alarming trend in the number of children vaping and to protect them from its harmful effects'.

Steve Brine, chairman of the Health and Social Care Committee, said 'decisive action is needed' from Government and industry to 'tackle an alarming trend in the number of children vaping and to protect them from its harmful effects'

The brightly coloured displays are seen in shops on Oxford Street labelled as toy, sweet and gift shops

He added: 'It's clear to us that the vaping industry has not gone far enough to ensure that its products don't appeal to children.

'When you have brightly-coloured and branded vapes with flavours that name unicorns, sweets and popular fizzy drinks displayed in locations ranging from newsagents to chicken shops, it's disingenuous for the industry to claim otherwise.

'We heard a wake-up call from a headteacher who told us that hydraulic oil and antifreeze, along with other extremely concerning chemicals, were found in a vape confiscated at her school.

READ MORE: Doctors warn of health impacts of second-hand VAPING: Study finds e-cigarettes spew out 22-TIMES the safe level of microscopic toxins Authors of the report said their findings suggested that e-cigarette vapor, which seems innocuous compared to cigarette smoke, could pose health risks to more than just the vape user Advertisement

'Ministers need to focus, across government, on the impact vaping is having in our schools, whether that be setting off smoke alarms in toilets or restricting access to them entirely for young people. We've heard this issue is really impacting on the delivery of education in schools and, post-pandemic in particular, this is the last thing we can afford.'

The call from MPs comes after the British Medical Association (BMA) said it would review the dangers of vaping.

A motion was passed at the organisation's annual representative meeting in Liverpool earlier in July which also said vapes should be sold in plain packaging.

At the time, Dr Ryan Devlin from the BMA's Lothian division, said the number of young people using vapes is 'staggering' as they 'should not have access to them'.

In June, NHS figures revealed 40 children and young people were admitted to hospital in England last year for 'vaping-related disorders', up from 11 two years earlier.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) also warned e-cigarettes 'are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so, than traditional cigarettes'.

On Saturday, local authorities joined the call for an outright ban on disposable vapes.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said single-use e-cigarettes should be banned by 2024 on environmental and health grounds.

France is considering a ban by the end of 2023, with the European Union expected to follow suit in 2026.
Lotto boss: Andria Vidler is to the head Allwyn's British operations

The UKs incoming National Lottery operator has hired renowned media executive Andria Vidler to head its British operations as it prepares to take over the licence next February.

Vidler, the former boss of music label EMI in the UK and Ireland and a board director at William Hill owner 888, will take over in the post on October 1.

She succeeds Allwyn group chief executive Robert Chvatal, who has been acting in the role on an interim basis.

Allwyn beat Camelot last year, winning a five-year licence to run the National Lottery.

The Czech company also runs lotteries in Austria, Italy and Greece.

Allwyn acquired Camelot UK earlier this year, closing a bitter legal wrangle between the firms after the Gambling Commission awarded Allwyn the licence, although the two companies are continuing to operate separately.
Magic circle law firm Clifford Chance said it was focused on 'steady and confident growth' in its US business

One of London's 'magic circle' law firms has ruled out following a major rival in pursuing a merger.

Clifford Chance said it was focused on 'steady and confident growth' in its US business.

It distanced itself from taking the same approach as Allen & Overy, which announced plans for a 3.4buillion merger with the US law firm Shearman & Sterling in May.

Charles Adams, global managing partner, said: 'We are not pursuing a deal and are still confident the right strategy is the one that we're pursuing.'

He cited a new office in Houston, Texas, as an example, as Clifford Chance reported more than 2billion of revenue for the first time.

In the 12 months to the end of April it was 5 per cent higher than the 1.97billion it generated the year before.

But profit slid 2million to 781million while partners' pay on average dipped slightly to 2m from 2.04million.

Allen & Overy, which last week reported revenues of more than 2billion for the first time, said its top lawyers took a pay cut of 130,000 as average salaries fell to 1.82million from 1.95million.
University student Annabelle Ham was reported missing after attending a bachelorette party hundreds of miles away from her hometown in Atlanta.

Her older sister Alexandria updated her Facebook feed saying that she had last seen Annabelle walking along a pier, worrying that she may have fallen.

It was later announced that the lifestyle influencer had died after suffering from an epileptic seizure, shortly after being reported to authorities in Fairhope, Alabama, sending shockwaves through her university campus.

The popular student was a part of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia where she built up an impressive online profile consisting of over 147,000 followers across YouTube and Instagram.

She started her YouTube journey in 2015, debuting with a 10 Facts About Me video but eventually this evolved to lifestyle content including fashion try-on hauls, Christmas vlogs, as well as talking her fans through her beauty procedures.

The 22-year-old blonde beauty who suffered from a sudden epileptic shock after being reported missing hundreds of miles away from home, last seen on a pier after a bachelorette party. Facebook tributes from her 'heartbroken' sorority Alpha Omicron Pi have poured in

Annabelle Ham filled with joy as she poses for a wholesome family photograph with her two sisters, mother and father, clutching each other tightly, before the university student and lifestyle influencer tragically died after suffering from an epileptic seizure

Her family have now announced that communications student Annabelle, who led a vibrant life and brought smiles into every situation, had secretly suffered with the chronic neurological disorder epilepsy for years, having previously warned of fans speculating her cause of death.

'Please dont post or spread speculation or details that are unfounded. There will be a time to share more details and to go deeper into her life,' they wrote.

'Unnecessary comments only serve to hurt us all, this is a time for remembrance and mourning. Thank you.'

'Were writing this with heavy, heavy hearts. Annabelle experienced an epileptic event and has gone on to the gates of heaven,' her family announced.

'She struggled with this for a long time and wanted to raise awareness for it, which we will do in honor of her.'

The communications student with 78,000 YouTube subscribers looking pretty in pink holding on to her sunglasses while posing for a poolside picture in a sunny resort

The young adult was often sighted out and about, here she is fashionably pairing her pink snowboard with a matching fleece, ready for the slopes

The influencer was also well-loved by her peers, and fans have since taken to YouTube to send their condolences to her grieving family.

'Alpha Omicron Pi is mourning the loss of Annabelle Ham, Beta Zeta,' her sorority posted in a Facebook tribute.

'Annabelle was cherished by all who knew her.

'Our sisterhood is completely heartbroken for the Ham family and for a beautiful life tragically cut short'.

Annabelles family will honour her legacy by campaigning for epilepsy awareness.
A flood of fresh evidence after the arrest of suspected killer Rex Heuermann could link the 'Eastbound Strangler' and 'Gilgo Beach Serial Killer' as disturbing details of the Long Island case begin to surface.

Heuermann, 59, was arrested Thursday and charged with the murder of three of the 'Gilgo Four' - a group of four women whose remains were unearthed near the island's Gilgo Beach in 2010.

He has pleaded not guilty to the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Police have said he is also the prime suspect Maureen Brainard-Barnes murder.

The compelling theory was first presented in Lifetime's latest movie The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice.

Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann (pictured), 59, is charged with three murders connected to the Gilgo Beach serial killer, and is the prime suspect in a fourth victim's murder. Theories have swirled that the Long Island killer could be connected to a string of murders near Atlantic City

In the case, which took place in a township known as Egg Harbor, about 20 minutes west of Atlantic City all four victims were female sex workers killed by strangling.

In the Long Island case, most of the victims were also female sex workers, and several of them were strangled.

The documentary chronicles the search for the person who murdered at least 10 people whose bodies were found on Gilgo and Oak beaches in Suffolk County, New York, between 2010 and 2011.

The Long Island Serial Killer case began in May 2010 with the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker who vanished after leaving a client's house on foot near Gilgo Beach.

A police officer and his cadaver dog were searching for Gilbert's body in a thicket near the beach 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 - eight women, a man and a toddler.

The first four bodies found were those of women in their 20s who worked as prostitutes, according to police.

Maureen Brainard Barnes, 25, went missing on July 9, 2007. Her remains were found on December 13, 2010.

Megan Waterman, 22, who had a daughter, went missing on June 6, 2010. Her body was also found on December 13, 2010.

Four years before the first Long Island victim was found, police found four women strangled in a drainage ditch behind a motel in Egg Harbor township on November 20, 2006. The victims were (clockwise from top left): Kim Raffo, 35; Tracy Ann Roberts, 23; Molly Jean Dilts, 20; and Barbara V Breidor, 42

The remains of Melissa Barthelemy, 24, who had been living in the Bronx at the time, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, were also found on December 13, 2010.

Barthelemy's body was the first to be found. She went missing on July 12, 2009. Costello disappeared on September 2, 2010.

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 Heuermann's DNA: They tailed him and sifted through his garbage to pluck 11 bottles from his home bin and grab partially eaten pizza crusts that he'd tossed into a trash can on a Manhattan sidewalk.

The DNA from the pizza matched a hair found on burlap wrapped around one victim, and other hairs matched a relative of Heuermann's who isn't a suspect, investigators said. They believe he got the other person's hair on him at home.

Speaking to CNN Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said they're 'confident' they'll charge Heuermann for the fourth murder of Brainard-Barnes.

The Long Island Serial Killer case began in May 2010 with the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert (pictured), a 24-year-old sex worker who vanished after leaving a client's house on foot near Gilgo Beach

'We're also confident that we're going to be able to eventually charge that fourth murder,' Tierney said.

'We have a description of the last individual who saw the final victim, Amber Costello, alive that matches that of this defendant, who has a rather unique physical appearance,' Tierney said.

'We have phone evidence, and we also have that DNA evidence.'

In March 2011, police discovered the skull of a 20-year-old prostitute identified as Jessica Taylor.

Five more remains were discovered at Gilgo Beach over the next two weeks.

Gilbert's body was later found in the marsh in the community of Oak Beach in December 2011, about three miles east of where the other 10 sets were discovered.

Police have long maintained that Gilbert's death was accidental and excluded her from the 10 other bodies found during the case.

They said at the time that she drowned in a drug-induced haze after wandering into the wetland, but her relatives have long disputed that determination.

An independent autopsy results commissioned by Gilbert's mother indicated she too may have been strangled like the other victims.

Four years before the first Long Island victim was found, police were faced with their own gruesome mystery.

On November 20, 2006, two women came across the body of 35-year-old Kim Raffo in a drainage ditch behind the Golden Key Motel in Egg Harbor Township.

Police arrived to discover the bodies of three other women - Barbara V Breidor, 42; Molly Jean Dilts, 20; and Tracy Ann Roberts, 23 - a few yards away from Raffo.

The bodies were each in different stages of decomposition, suggesting that they were killed at different times. Their bodies were displayed in the same manner - face down, pointing east, and barefoot.

The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice chronicles the search for the person who murdered at least 10 people whose bodies were found on Gilgo and Oak beaches in Suffolk County, New York, between 2010 and 2011. Pictured: The first four victims found in the Long Island Serial Killer case

Jessica Taylor (left) and Valerie Mack (right) were found dead on Suffolk County beaches during the Long Island Serial Killer investigation

Police believe all four women, who were sex workers, were strangled.

Unlike the Long Island case, the Eastbound Strangler still hasn't been identified nearly 15 years later.

While Lifetime's flick drew several comparisons between the two mysteries, investigators are yet to connect the two cases.

New Jersey criminal profiler John Kelly first heard about the murders near Atlantic City on November 20 2006.

Three of the bodies were in a cluster, each placed within 50 to 60 feet of each other, Kelly said. The last woman murdered was found directly behind the motel.

'The way he took the women and propped them up in the ditch, the way he posed the women, spaced them out  he is a very sophisticated killer,' Kelly told DailyMail.com in an earlier interview.

Kelly's team immediately crafted a criminal profile of the killer, which Kelly said local authorities used to search for suspects.

Police search the beach in Suffolk County in April 2011 after the remains of 10 people were found nearby - launching a hunt for a serial killer that still hasn't been solved 10 years later

Suffolk County divers search Hemlock Cove in Babylon amid serial killer case in April 2011

The initial profile read:

'This lethal predator is a local male, who is very familiar with the area around Atlantic City, and the disposal site of his victims.'

'He has a very organized personality, which influences his personal and everyday activities, including his work.

'He is very rigid and structured in his everyday life. A place for everything and everything in its place' would be his motto.

'He has read (and reads) books on serial killers and he has some knowledge of crime scenes and crime investigations.'

'He has an extreme foot fetish and has a collection of women's shoes and the shoes of his victims.'

'He has not killed every prostitute he has come in contact with. There are prostitutes who know him for the sexual gratification he gets from their feet.'

'He is nonsocial and likes to keep to himself. He is narcissistic (everything revolves around him), and he is also very concerned with making himself look good in all aspects.'

Pictured: The drainage ditch where the four women were found on November 20, 2006

Three crosses are seen near the site where the four victims were found in Egg Harbor Township

'He is also extremely opinionated. If criticized or disagreed with, he would become extremely angry or agitated. Although at times, when he wants to, he can be very charming.'

'In his post-offense mode, he would say things like 'They got what they deserved' or 'Good riddance.''

'He follows the news of his killings in the media.'

'His hobbies would include art and photography, and his obsessive fantasies would compel him to search for sexually graphic and/or violent pictures in all media.'

'He probably has a prior record of sexual or physical abuse or sexual harassment toward women. He may have recently suffered a setback in his work or in a relationship.'

'This predator is probably detached from his father and was abused as a child.'

'This person has also killed before these recent victims were found, and he will be compelled to continue his murderous ways in the future.'

New York state police removed a massive haul of weapons from suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann's Long Island home a day after scouring the property to determine whether he had any 'trophies' from his alleged victims

DailyMail.com has put this profile to Suffolk County Police Department and the Gilgo Beach Killings taskforce for comment. Kelly did not believe there to be a link at the time.

Some of the Long Island victims families were also not sold on the theory, but are yet to make comment since Heuermann's arrest - including Melissa Cann, whose sister Maureen Brainard Barnes was one of the first women found dead on Long Island.

'I do not believe the murder victims near Atlantic City are related to my sister's murder,' Cann said.

'It has never been told to me that they are or were linked. From my understanding, they are not.'

The Lifetime film leaves open the possibility of a connection, however, and ended with a call for justice for victims in both cases.

On Sunday, New York state police removed a massive haul of weapons from the house, a day after scouring the property to determine whether Heuermann had any 'trophies' from three victims he is charged with murdering.

Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show officers carrying out at least four long-barreled firearms from the architect's 'dungeon'-like house as well as several blue plastic boxes with weapons in them.

Despite Heuermann's arrest in connection to three of the Gilgo Beach homicides, the cases of several other human remains uncovered in the area around the same time are still unsolved.

Though prosecutors have said in court documents that Heuermann is also the 'prime suspect' in the killing of Brainard-Barnes, the last of the Gilgo Four, no charges have been made in the case. The investigation is 'expected to be resolved soon,' according to prosecutors' bail application.
He charged at a camera crew after they confronted him

A doctor who sliced his wife's neck open under the belief she was choking and waited three hours to call an ambulance, has charged at a camera crew as they questioned him over her death.

Melbourne Sleep physician Dr Peter Spencer has been referred to prosecutors for suspected negligent manslaughter over the death of his wife Mayumi, 29, in January 2015.

He was suspended by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) last Tuesday.

A camera crew from A Current Affair confronted Dr Spencer over his wife's death while he was working out at a park.

Reporter Sam Cucchiara asks him if he killed her, why he waited three hours to call an ambulance, if he injected her with cocaine and if he wanted to say anything to his wife's loved ones.

Dr Peter Spencer (pictured) has charged at a camera crew from A Current Affair after they confronted the sleep physician over his wife's death in 2015

As he was questioned, Dr Spencer charged the camera man and rushed to his car before driving off.

Japanese-born Ms Spencer, 29, was found dead at her apartment in Caravel Lane, Docklands on January 17, 2015 with high levels of cocaine in her system.

Her husband told a coronial inquest into her death that he attempted to resuscitate her about 4am that morning when she had a fit and began vomiting.

The court was told he believed there was a blockage in her throat and unsuccessfully attempted to perform a cricothyroidotomy - an emergency procedure to open up the airway - with a knife and a pen.

Dr Spencer then phoned emergency services at 7.38am that morning - some three hours after she allegedly started choking.

'Her temperature was taken and noted to be 33.2C, which suggested that she had been deceased for a considerable amount of time,' Victorian Coroner Judge John Cain stated.

'The available evidence indicates there was a significant delay between when Dr Spencer reportedly noticed that Ms Spencer required medical attention...and when he contacted emergency services.'

Japanese-born Mayumi Spencer (pictured), 29, was found dead at her apartment in Caravel Lane, Docklands on January 17, 2015 with high levels of cocaine in her system

A Current Affair asked Dr Spencer if he killed his wife, why he waited three hours to call an ambulance, if he injected her with cocaine and if he wanted to say anything to his wife's loved ones before he ran to his car and drove off

In his published findings, Judge Cain found there was a history of family violence between the couple, including suggestions of psychological abuse and coercive, controlling behaviour.

The court was told Ms Spencer had disclosed to friends her husband had kicked her out of the house on occasions, punched, slapped and pushed her, and sent her abusive messages calling her a 'piece of s***' and a 'whore'.

Judge Cain said one alleged incident involved her being injected with cocaine 'against her wishes'.

'On at least one occasion, Ms Spencer advised a friend that she was scared of Dr Spencer,' he said.

Dr Spencer has been referred to prosecutors for suspected negligent manslaughter over the death of his wife and was suspended by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) last Tuesday

The court was told Ms Spencer had disclosed to friends her husband had kicked her out of the house on occasions, punched, slapped and pushed her, and sent her abusive messages

Judge Cain found in 2012, Ms Spencer moved out and told her husband she wanted a divorce.

She told friends and family she could not return home as she had no money and Dr Spencer had her passport.

The pair eventually reconciled and family violence proceedings in court were withdrawn.

'On November 28, 2022, Dr Spencer provided a number of statements ... (which) purport to indicate observations of the couple being happy in the 18 months leading up to the fatal incident and that Mrs Spencer reported a desire to have children,' Judge Cain said.

Judge Cain ultimately found Ms Spencer died from cocaine toxicity.

No-one has been charged over Ms Spencer's death and Judge Cain said he could not determine if she could have been saved had emergency services been called sooner.

Dr Spencer has not been charged with any offence over Mayumi's death and has not admitted any wrongdoing

However, he stated an indictable offence may still have been committed.

'The indictable offence I have formed the belief to the requisite standard is negligent manslaughter due to the delays in seeking urgent medical assistance and Dr Spencer's duty of care to Mrs Spencer upon discovering her in a state requiring urgent medical assistance,' he said.

'Accordingly...I direct that the principal registrar notify the Director of Public Prosecutions that I believe an indictable offence may have been committed in connection with Mrs Spencer's death.'

Dr Spencer has not been charged with any offence over Mayumi's death and has not admitted any wrongdoing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse or family violence contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
READ MORE: Long Island cop who bungled Gilgo Beach investigation was a CROSS DRESSER who had a love child with prostitute

He tells DailyMail.com he was eager to help solve the case by ruling himself out

A detective tried to schedule three interviews with him before he lawyered up

Fred Hart, 56, was named to police by his ex-wife Rebecca in July 2021

When Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann was arrested last Thursday, the families of the women he is accused of murdering breathed a sigh of relief.

But they weren't alone in their quiet celebration.

The news was also welcomed by Fred Hart, a 56-year-old wedding DJ from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, who once found himself in the frame for the gruesome crimes.

Now, in the wake of Heuermann's arrest, Fred is telling his story for the first time to DailyMail.com.

'It's a funny story now and I make a joke of it but maybe I should have been more scared. Luckily, I knew I was beyond reproach,' he told DailyMail.com in an interview on Tuesday.

In 2021, Fred's ex-wife reported him to the NYPD Special Victims Unit as a candidate for the killings.

Frederick Hart, 56, from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was named as the serial killer to police by his ex-wife in 2021. A detective from the NYPD's SVU tried to sit down with him three times before he lawyered up

Plagued with what he calls an 'overactive imagination', she leaped to the conclusion that Fred was capable of mass murder after watching him dart between their home in New Jersey to Brooklyn, where he was helping an elderly aunt in a real estate deal.

After she had reported him, Fred was contacted by an NYPD detective three times to set up an interview.

He was willing to sit down with investigators to help them solve the case, he says, but was cautioned by an attorney not to do so alone. Once he lawyered up, the detectives backed off.

Fred and his ex-wife Rebecca, a psychology PhD student and former college professor, met in Hawaii while he was on vacation.

She lived in Honolulu with a daughter who was eight when they met, and was serving in the Navy at Pearl Harbor. The pair married in Las Vegas and later moved to New Jersey together, where Fred says he supported her academic career.

Fred with his ex-wife Rebecca. He says she was not vindictive but has an 'overactive imagination'

They were married happily for four years before they separated, then spent the next 14 years living apart before divorcing.

Between 2018 and 2020, Fred began traveling into New York City to help his ailing aunt in the sale of an apartment building.

'You know how if you have an aunt who's old and poor they're crazy and if they're rich they're eccentric? I had an eccentric aunt whose husband left her with a lot of money and an apartment building.

'I was representing her in the sale of it, so was traveling to and from Brooklyn often from New Jersey,' he explained.

The aunt, he added, had been married to a 'Gambino crime family associate' and the vague mafia connection piqued his ex-wife Rebecca's curiosity.

Coupled with Fred's own passion for sharp shooting and target practice, it led her to conclude that he 'must' have been an assassin or trained killer.

On July 7, 2021, he received a voicemail from Detective Lauren Liebhauser of the NYPD's Special Victims' Unit asking whether he was free for an interview.

He'd had some forewarning from his stepdaughter what was coming.

'She said "hey Fred, I feel bad and wanted you to know, mom told the cops you were the serial killer.'

Fred, his ex and her daughter, Mary, who warned him that she'd phoned the cops calling him a serial killer

Until then, he was unaware of the case. He believes his wife must have heard about it on the news.

'She leaped to a conclusion that Evel Knievel would have had a hard time jumping across to. I got on Wikipedia and started reading all about these girls who'd gone missing after setting up meetings on Craigslist and how they were from New York.

'I called the detective back immediately and said "I am not the guy but I am happy to talk to you and help."'

Three meetings were scheduled and re-arranged by the detective.

In a voicemail obtained by DailyMail.com, she said there were other 'big cases' that had come up that needed more immediate attention.

'I wasn't worried. I'm squeaky clean!' said Fred.

Eager to receive some advice, he spoke with his divorce attorney who advised him against the sit-down.

'He said "absolutely not, no, no, no". They were going to come and interview me at my house at that point, but he got in touch with them and instead asked to do it at his office. At that point, they couldn't talk to me.

'I felt like such a cad because I really did want to help.'

Rex Heuermann was arrested last Thursday after being watched for a year by police. He was traced to the killings by his car

Crime lab units continue to work at Heuermann's home in Massapequa Park, New York

It was the last he heard of the case or from the SVU.

Rebecca did not respond to inquiries regarding her ex-husband's claims.

Her adult daughter, Mary, declined to comment when reached by DailyMail.com on Tuesday afternoon, as did Detective Liebhauser.

The NYPD did not immediately respond to inquiries about how many men were questioned before Heuermann's arrest.

'I imagine they pursue every tip they get. They didn't seem to be taking me too seriously.

'I hate to think they expended too much energy on me and weren't looking for the right guy.'

There are growing questions over why it took police so long to put Heuermann in the frame.

His name first emerged in a vehicle database search for men who owned first generation Chevrolet Avalanches at the time of the murders. A witness to one of the girls' disappearances had seen such a car at her home the night before she vanished.

'I hope he is the one who is responsible for all the murders,' Fred added, referring to the other deaths Heuermann is yet to be charged over.

He remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance.
A mother-of-eight from Pennsylvania who used a battering ram to break into the U.S. Capitol and a bullhorn to direct other rioters was convicted on Tuesday of charges that she joined the mob in an attempt to keep President Joe Biden out of the White House.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth heard testimony without a jury before he convicted Rachel Marie Powell of felony charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, siege.

Powell, 41, who was convicted of all nine counts in her indictment, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17.

Wearing a distinctive pink hat and fur-lined jacket hoodie, Powell joined a mob of rioters who confronted police officers at bike rack barriers on the west side of the Capitol. She used her back to push against the police line, prosecutors said.

A video captured Powell using a bullhorn to encourage other rioters to 'coordinate together if you're going to take this building'.

Powell, wearing a distinctive pink hat and fur-lined jacket hoodie, joined a mob of rioters who confronted police officers at bike rack barriers on the west side of the Capitol

Insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump breach the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021 (File photo)

She also gave them 'very detailed instructions' about the layout of the Capitol, according to an FBI agent's affidavit.

Powell told rioters they had 'another window to break'. She used an ice-axe and a large pipe to break a window, according to prosecutors.

Powell of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, waived her right to a jury trial.

The judge convicted her of charges that she interfered with police and obstructed the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying Biden's 2020 electoral victory over Donald Trump.

Prosecutors asked Lamberth to jail Powell until her sentencing, but the judge agreed to let her remain free until the hearing.

A lawyer for Powell had no comment on the verdict.

Powell played a 'leading role' during the riot, a prosecutor said at a February 2021 hearing.

'She is front and center in the incursion,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Aloi added.

Powell, 41, who was convicted of all nine counts in her indictment, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17

A video captured Powell using a bullhorn to encourage other rioters to 'coordinate together if you're going to take this building'

Powell was arrested nearly a month after the riot. FBI agents found several smashed cellular telephones, gun paraphernalia and other weapons when they searched her home.

Powell and her ex-husband shared custody of six minor children in 2021. She left her children at home when she went to Washington to attend the 'Stop the Steal' rally, according to prosecutors.

Shortly before her arrest, The New Yorker interviewed Powell for an article headlined, A Pennsylvania Mother's Path to Insurrection.

'Listen, if somebody doesn't help and direct people, then do more people die?' she asked her interviewer.

Prosecutors said Powell 'showed an inclination towards violence' before the Jan. 6 riot. She posted on Facebook in October 2020 that she agreed 'with the possibility of civil war happening.'

'Unfortunately, the only way this is probably capable of being fixed is bloodshed because I'm not so sure our government can be fixed the political way anymore either,' she wrote.

Powell described her 'surveillance' of an unidentified public official's home in a November 2020 message to somebody who replied that they were 'afraid to ask why' she was there, prosecutors added.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot. Around 100 of them have been convicted by juries or judges. More than 600 others have pleaded guilty.
Tucker Carlson slammed Hunter Biden for 'degrading' himself with sex and drugs - and also took a vicious pot shot at Jill Biden, while discussing his own past alcoholism.

The former Fox News host pulled no punches in Chadwick Moore's new biography, Tucker, set to be released on August 1, which sees the fired Fox News star interviewed about his life and views.

Carlson said: 'Look at Hunter, no matter what you now think of him or the family as public figures, the guy really hurt his daughters and his wonderful wife, totally wrecked her life, humiliated his father, whom he really loves.

'That's real. And his dad really loves him. He hurt all these people, hurt himself, degraded himself.'

Turning his ire on Hunter's stepmom Jill Biden, Carlson continued: 'Jill Biden - excuse me, Dr. Jill - was a nasty person. Famously small-minded and dumb.

'If Dr. Jill didn't want to go on foreign trips, Kathleen would go, just to be a good daughter-in-law. The family was very clannish that way, which I admired. I like clannishness. They would think as a group.'

And there were barbs for the president himself, with Carlson attacking both Biden's views and appearance.

He said: 'Not that there was every much depth to Joe Biden. He was famously stupid. Everyone always said he was stupid, and he'd say anything. So that hasn't changed - he was always skin-deep, fake, and shallow, with the hair plugs, and face lifts, and the pat-you-on-the-back stuff. But he was always very friendly.'

Moore spent 1,000 hours interviewing Carlson at his homes in Maine and Florida.

In a new biography, Tucker Carlson describes the depths of his alcoholism and revealing he had four vodkas with breakfast at one point

Carlson refers to First Lady Jill Biden as 'small-minded and dumb' while also calling the president 'stupid' and the family 'not liberal'

But Carlson had nothing but warm words for Hunter's ex-wife Kathleen.

He said: 'I love Hunter's wife, Kathleen, I thought she was so impressive. Kathleen was always setting aside her own interests and duties to be the dutiful daughter-in-law.'

Hunter and Kathleen were married between 1993 and 2017 but split after she discovered his affairs - including with his late brother Beau's widow Hallie.

Hunter married second wife Melissa Cohen in 2019.

Speaking about his own battle with alcoholism, Carlson says that at his worst he was drinking four vodkas in the shape of two double screwdrivers for breakfast. He said he had sympathy for people who battle addiction - but remains unimpressed with Hunter's behavior.

The ex-Fox News host describes becoming sober in August 2002 aged 33, just as his wife was due to give birth to their fourth child. He says he found withdrawal very tough - and that it left him suffering from the shakes for a considerable period of time afterwards.

Hunter has battled issues with crack and casual sex, with photos and texts found on his laptop drive showing him taking drugs, having sex and even flashing his filed-down teeth while being fitted with crowns.

He is father to four daughters - Naomi, Finnegan and Maisy by Kathleen. Hunter also fathered four-year-old Navy Joan Roberts by Arkansas stripper Lunden Roberts.

'I love Hunter's wife, Kathleen, I thought she was so impressive,' Carlson gushed about Hunter's ex-wife, pictured here with actor Woody Harrelson in 2009

He recently agreed to welcome Navy into his life after an ugly court battle with the youngster's mom. President Biden's refusal to acknowledge the youngster has sparked a furious backlash in recent weeks - including from normally supportive outlets including the New York Times.

Hunter now claims to be clean, has established himself as an artist and struck a sweetheart deal with prosecutors over tax and gun charges.

Carlson, who spent hours on his Fox News show slamming his former friend Hunter, told Moore that the president's son and his wife would stay with his family in Maine.

'Our wives are very close, they were running partners.'

Carlson went on to allege that the Biden family were not liberal.

The book, simply titled, Tucker, is written by journalist Chadwick Moore who spent 1,000 hours interviewing Carlson at his homes in Maine and Florida

'Hunter Biden was not liberal in any sense that I recognized. Biden has since become a trans activist and all that, but his family, they were pretty darn Catholic.

'They weren't anti-gun at all. Hunter and Kathleen weren't for abortion. They're old Democratic party, the white working-class Democratic party, that does not exist anymore. Biden was about the last relic of that.'

Moore told the Wall Street Journal earlier this year that he was finished with the book in March but had to do rewrites when Carlson was fired by NewsCorp in April.

'Carlson wants to be his own boss,' Moore told WSJ.

Moore said that the biography is not an authorized biography because Carlson had no role in the editorial process or in selecting the writer.

Another Hunter biography, titled Hated by the All the Right People, is also set to be released although a firm date has not been established.

Carlson previously touched upon his alcoholism in other interviews.

In 2008, he told The Hill that his drinking was so bad he once accidentally boarded a flight to Cleveland when he was supposed to be going to Dallas during his time covering the 2000 Republican presidential primaries.

'Ive got four children. I just have such a happy life, it wasnt adding anything. I work in journalism. There was real drinking. I wasnt waking up outside or anything,' Carlson told the website.

'I'm quite judgmental. I don't drink or smoke weed. I'm like the most sober person you've ever met. I try to restrain myself, but I can be a little judgey about other people. I think the whole country is on drugs, and it really bothers me,' he said in a 2021 interview.

DailyMail.com revealed in December 2021 that Hunter and Carlson shared a close bond.

Emails from the president's son's laptop showed that Carlson wrote a recommendation for his son's Georgetown application, and even intervened in a story on Hunter's behalf.

Other emails show the former Fox anchor and Hunter were close until around 2015  revealing Carlson failed to disclose the true extent of his friendship throughout his extensive coverage of the scandals surrounding Hunter's business and personal transgressions revealed by his abandoned computer.

In emails Hunter professed his 'love' for Carlson and his family, called him 'buddy' and told him 'you're a friend.'

Since leaving Fox News, Carlson has taken his talents to Twitter where he presents a similar program to his hugely popular cable news show

Carlson has since been replaced by long time Fox News staffer Jesse Watters

Hunter Biden pictured at a state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2023

Other emails revealed that Carlson intervened on behalf of Hunter with regard DailyMail.com publishing a story on his alleged use of the adultery website, Ashley Madison, in 2015.

'Just lost my s**t on the editor over there. He claims the London office forced him to do it. He's a pig either way, and I told him so,' he said.

'This whole thing is disgusting and awful and it breaks my heart that you all have to go through it. I'm really sorry. Let me know if there's anything [Carlson's wife] Susie and I can do to help.'

Hunter wrote back: 'I'm sorry for even calling you. I know I put you in a difficult position- and upon reflection as you're [a] friend I should have never done that.

'I was just so upset that they went to my house and confronted Finnegan. I've been in DE [Delaware] the last two months sleeping in my nephew's bed, and it's hard to even get up in the morning sometimes.'

At the time, Hunter publicly denied using Ashley Madison, although embarrassing and shocking videos and communications recovered from his laptop by DailyMail.com in 2021 revealed the extent of his infidelity with prostitutes and prolific drug use.

In an email exchange in 2014 further evidenced the close relationship between Hunter and Carlson, the anchor thanked Hunter profusely for writing a letter of recommendation for his son's Georgetown University application  Hunter's alma mater.

'Hunter! I can't thank you enough for writing that letter to Georgetown on Buckley's behalf. So nice of you. I know it'll help. Hope you're great and we can all get dinner soon,' Carlson wrote on November 12, 2014.

'Hey buddy- I need Buckley's CV if you have one handy- Thanks,' Hunter replied.

'Of course. Getting on a plane now but I'll ask Susie to send it right away. Thanks again. It's really nice of you to do this,' Carlson wrote.

Carlson declined to comment on his emails about Georgetown.

Buckley ended up majoring in government and political science at the University of Virginia, graduating in 2019.

Shockingly in April 2023, Fox said that the network and Carlson had 'agreed to part ways,' but offered no explanation for the stunning move, saying that the last broadcast of 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' aired the previous Friday.

Carlson ended the show by saying, 'We'll be back on Monday.'

Yet on Monday night, viewers tuned in to morning anchor Brian Kilmeade, who said that Carlson was gone, 'as you may have heard.'

'I wish Tucker the best,' Kilmeade said. 'I'm great friends with Tucker and always will be.'
He did not speak, but was there to support the high school English teacher whose lesson on his book prompted complaints from students

Author Ta-Nehisi Coates has crashed a South Carolina School Board meeting to protest the banning of his book on racism.

Coates - who is black - sat beside Chapin High School teacher Mary Wood to show solidarity with her high school English class a lesson centered on an essay from Coates' 2015 best-selling memoir 'Between the World and Me.'

District officials banned the class after it sparked complaints from students who wrote that it made them 'uncomfortable' and 'ashamed' to be white.

The acclaimed author did not speak during the meeting.

The decision in February to halt the teaching of Coates' essay about racism drew criticism from state and national educator groups, who claimed Wood was censored.

But the Lexington County Republican party says there should be even stricter policies around what materials can and can't be taught in public school classrooms.

Ta-Nehisi Coates and Mary Wood, a teacher at Chapin High School, speak with supporters before a meeting of the Lexington-Richland 5 school board on Monday

Currently in South Carolina, there is a state budget provision prohibiting the use of state money for teaching some ideas about race and gender. Concern about that law seemingly led to the decision to stop Wood's lesson plan.

During the board's Sunday meeting, members said they were generally content with the school district's current policies pertaining to academic freedom and guardrails around teaching controversial materials.

According to local outlets, about 12 of the meeting's attendees, including a current high schooler, spoke to the board in favor of teaching Coates' book and against the move to halt the lesson.

Many in the audience wore blue, Chapin's school color, as a show of support for Wood.

The chairwoman of Chapin High's English department, Tess Pratt, told the board she personally ordered copies of Coates' book for the class and recalled having to take the books away from students after district officials halted the lesson.

'I became a high school English teacher 30 years ago because I believe that every human being has a story...I have dedicated my entire life to sharing such stories, both fiction and non-fiction with my students,' an emotional Pratt said.

'I have shared my own stories with my students throughout these years and invited them to do the same with me.

'On the day that I took Ta-Nehisi Coates books out of the hands of Ms. Woods students, I silenced his story. Even though this was a decision that was not mine, I will regret that moment in front of those students for the rest of my life, because it was wrong.'

The educator added her English Department does not teach Critical Race Theory, which some speakers had previously alleged at a meeting last month.

'Every time that a member of our community addresses the board and supports the narrative that teachers are teaching CRT or indoctrinating our students, our hearts grow so heavy,' she said.

'Between the World and Me' is Coates' nonfiction book presented as a letter to his then-teenage son about growing up in inner-city Baltimore and the realities of life as a black American.

Former teacher Patrick Funk high-fives another supporter of Wood, who had a lesson based on Coates' essay banned

Supporters Wood, a teacher at Chapin High School in South Carolina, wear blue at a board meeting of the Lexington-Richland 5 school board

Tess Pratt is applauded by other Wood supporters who objected to the banning of the lesson after some student complained

Chapin High School in South Carolina - where the canceled lesson on Coates' book was taught

Coates became a famous American author for his perspective on race divides in the country

'Between the World and Me' is Coates' nonfiction book presented as a letter to his then-teenage son about growing up in inner-city Baltimore and the realities of life as black American

During the June meeting, speakers included members of the SC Freedom Caucus that sued two state school districts last year over claims they were violating the same budget law.

On Sunday, the chair of the school board, Rebecca Hines, emphasized the community should express concerns about school lessons through the appropriate channels - by contacting the students' school first and not the board.

Chapin students had emailed complaints about the Coates lesson to a school board member. Some in their complaints said the book made them feel 'guilty for being white.'

'If something happens in the classroom that upsets you about your child, talk to your teacher,' she said.

The district's superintendent, Akil Ross, underscored the need for academic freedom so that future generations may be able to resolve their differences more effectively than current ones.

'Academic freedom says, even if you disagree with it, therell be another opinion presented to our children. Our democracy needs that. We cant handle differences, and I need academic freedom so that the next generation can,' he said.
Two IRS whistleblowers will publicly detail how they were prevented from conducting a fair investigation into Hunter Biden's shady business accounts during a House hearing today.

IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley is testifying on Wednesday alongside another 13-year IRS agent only identified by the Oversight panel so far as a 'criminal investigator' known as Whistleblower X.

According to an excerpt of Whistleblower X's opening statement obtained by DailyMail.com, he self identifies as a 'gay Democrat married to a man' and wants the American people 'to know the truth' about Hunter Biden's special treatment.

While Shapley has appeared publicly to make his claims against the Bidens already, Whistleblower X has remained anonymous. The identity of the second whistleblower will be revealed for the first time during the hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., will describe findings in thousands of pages of Biden family financial records as 'astonishing,' according to excerpts from his opening statement obtained by DailyMail.com.

The House Oversight Committee, chaired by James Comer (pictured), will hear from two IRS whistleblowers in a hearing on Wednesday afternoon

The Oversight probe is looking into whether Hunter Biden received preferential treatment in the investigation into his wrongdoings because of his father's position. Comer insists: 'We need to know whether Joe Biden is compromised by these schemes and if our national security is threatened'

'What were the Bidens selling? Nothing but influence and access to the Biden network. This is an influence peddling scheme to enrich the Bidens,' Comer will say. 'We need to know whether Joe Biden is compromised by these schemes and if our national security is threatened.'

'I'm no more credible than this man sitting next to me due to my sexual orientation or my political beliefs,' Whistleblower X will continue.

'The American people deserve to know the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may be for either political party or those in power.'

Shapley claims that Hunter, 53, was given special treatment because of his father.

The new whistleblower who came forward to the Oversight panel agrees, and confirmed allegations that the Justice Department tried to 'cover up' Biden misdoings.

One of the whistleblowers testifying is IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley (pictured), the other is only identified as 'Whistleblower X' and their identity will be revealed for the first time at the hearing

The new revelations detailed that a lawyer for the FBI told an agent investigating Hunter to dodge questions from the Oversight Committee regarding the First Son.

The agent, whose name was redacted, received the letter from FBI Counsel Jason Jones on Sunday  the day before they were set to testify before the Oversight Committee.

Jones told the agent to tell Oversight to 'instead refer such questions to the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs.'

'The Department expects that you will decline to respond to questions seeking non-public information likely covered by one or more components of executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests, in particular information about deliberations or ongoing investigative activity in law enforcement matters,' the lawyer added

'The agent's testimony is sickening and reveals the lengths to which the DOJ is willing to go to cover up for the Bidens,' the Oversight Committee tweeted on Monday.

FBI Counsel Jason Jones sent a letter Sunday to an agent - who's name has been redacted - just hours before they were set to testify before the committee telling them to dodge questions regarding the First Son

Shapley will reiterate in his opening remarks to the Committee on Wednesday his claim that the handling of the probe into Hunter Biden was unusual and sullied with special treatment.

'I am here to tell you that the Delaware USAO (U.S. Attorneys Office) and Department of Justice handling of the Hunter Biden tax investigation was very different from any other case in my 14 years at IRS,' Shapley will say.

Additionally, the FBI agent told Republicans running the Oversight Committee's investigation that Joe Biden's presidential transition team was tipped off the night before Hunter's interview with investigators.

'This was not the original plan by the career agents, which frustrated their investigative efforts because people found out who didn't need to know,' the committee stated.

Democrats were quick to dismiss the agent's claim  and said it's common for the FBI and DOJ to disagree about how to proceed with an investigation.

The Oversight and Accountability Committee is looking into the handling of probes into President Biden, his son Hunter and the rest of the Biden family.

Republicans have long claimed the Bidens are corrupt and insist that the president was involved, or at least aware, that his son and other family members were using his position for their financial gain and business enrichment.

At the center of GOP probes into the Bidens are the shady foreign business deals of Hunter Biden.
The Long Island architect accused of carrying out a string of murders near his home was 'traumatized' by his arrest, his attorney has said - adding he fears the immense publicity surrounding the Gilgo Beach killings will deny his client a fair trial.

Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested Thursday on charges of murdering three sex workers in 2010 along the New York coast, and on Friday appeared in court.

His defense attorney, Michael Brown, told ABC News he believed his client was 'traumatized' by the accusations when he was brought before the judge.

Heuermann, a married father of two who ran a Manhattan architectural firm, pleaded not guilty. Brown spoke to his client in a jail cell.

'Nothing struck me as unusual about him. He was articulate, he was intelligent, he was soft spoken,' the lawyer said.

Alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann, 59, reportedly asked wardens whether his arrest was on the news when he arrived at jail. His attorney, Michael Brown, said his client was composed and 'articulate'

Brown said he feared his client would not get a fair trial due to the publicity around the case

Heuermann is currently being held without bail at the Suffolk County Jail based on what the judge called the 'extreme depravity of the allegations'

Heuermann reportedly asked wardens when he arrived at Suffolk County Jail after his arrest: 'Is it in the news?'

He has been placed on suicide watch, according to Vicki DiStefano, a spokesperson for the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office.

She added the decision, which was made by the jail's medical staff, is not uncommon in cases similar to Heuermann's.

Brown said he was worried about a fair trial, because Heuermann has 'been convicted in the media already and the media public opinion.'

Brown continued: 'When you have a high profile case like this, initially you have to be concerned about getting a jury that hasn't been biased, that hasn't convicted him, just based on what they've read in the newspapers and what they've heard on social media.

'So that's going to be a challenge.'

Brown said the arrest was based on 'circumstantial evidence', noting there were no eyewitnesses and his client insists he is innocent.

Heuermann has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, and has been called the 'prime suspect' in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

The first victim, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, was discovered by Suffolk County Police on December 11, 2010. The body of Megan Waterman, 22, was found two days later

Maureen Brainard-Barnes was 25 years old when she went missing (left). Amber Lynn Costello was 27 years old. Their bodies were found near Barthelemy's the same day

All four women were found strangled in the same area of the beach on New York's Long Island, bound in the same fashion, according to police.

However, their cases went cold for more than a decade and no arrest was made - until Heuermann was charged last week.

Over the weekend, police removed over 200 guns from the house, which was likened to a dungeon due to its run-down appearance.

Heuermann had lived at the Massapequa Park, Long Island, property since the 1980s with his wife, Asa Ellerup, and their two children.

He was tracked down thanks to DNA discovered on a hair, wrapped alongside one of the bodies.

Police began tracking him last year.

In documents filed in a Suffolk County court, it was revealed in March 2022 that investigators looking into the murders linked a Chevrolet Avalanche to the murder of Costello after a witness saw the car in the area.

From there, police were able to link that car to Heuermann's cellphone records, which tied him to locations related to the murders, which eventually led to the DNA sample.

Heuermann is shown buying additional minutes for another burner cellphone in May this year. He paid cash

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

Evidence is removed from Heuermann's home on Tuesday

Investigators have been combing through the house since Friday. They are pictured at the property on Tuesday

Curious locals are pictured on Tuesday watching the investigators at work inside Heuermann's house

Media crews are seen outside the Heuermann home on Tuesday

In addition to his cluttered home, Heuermann kept two storage units in Amityville that were searched

Police say Heuermann used Melissa Barthelemy's phone to make taunting phone calls to her family - calls that were made steps from his swanky Manhattan office.

How cops FINALLY snared Gilgo Beach 'serial killer': Police tracked murders through burner phones, fake email addresses, twisted Tinder profiles, DNA found on the victims' bodies and a leftover pizza Rex Heuermann, 59, is accused of slaughtering sex workers in 2009 and 2010 Advertisement

Following the identification of Heuermann as the owner of the Chevrolet, police issued over 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain further evidence.

Colleagues of Heuermann's expressed shock at his arrest, with most describing him as quiet and unremarkable.

But one, interior designer Katherine Shepherd, who worked on projects with Heuermann, recalled how he once refused to let her into a locked room in his basement when she was assessing the property in 2005.

Heuermann was planning to renovate the kitchen but also wanted precise measurements of the rest of the house, for which he enlisted Shepherd.

She went room to room taking measurements and he followed her downstairs.

'In the basement, there was this one room that was locked, and he said I couldn't go into that room,' she told DailyMail.com.

'I was like  what the hell? That's weird. And he was kind of joking, like, oh you can't go in there because there's things in there. And then he said, ''I've got a bunch of guns.''

'He was weird about it, and I was like okay, fine,' Shepherd told DailyMail.com. 'I could measure around it.'

She remembers finding his reaction odd at the time and now wonders what else he might have been hiding in the 12-feet by 15-feet space.

'I didn't understand why he was being so weird about it, and now I'm thinking 'What was he hiding?' ' Shepherd said.

'It was a big room. What was happening in that room? Is that where he took the women?'

Shepherd described how she had developed a friendly, working relationship with the architect who even once took her to a firing range in the Bronx where he taught her how to fire a 9mm handgun.

On another occasion when she slipped on ice, Heuermann accompanied her to a hospital and then back to her apartment in Manhattan where he gave her meds.

Shepherd worked with Heuermann, off and on, from 2002 to 2007 and shared office space with him for two of those years in Manhattan.

She would regularly travel with him to job sites as a freelance interior designer.

At the time she found him smart and mostly friendly, and like his other colleagues called him 'socially awkward'.
Karl Stefanovic has called out Commonwealth Bank's decision to open new 'cashless' branches where withdrawals and deposits are not available over the counter.

The bank has opened new 'specialist centre' branches, located in metropolitan areas, where access to cash is only available via ATMs.

'Don't worry there's just no cash in this bank... is there a glitch in matrix or something going on at the moment?' No cash in the bank?' Stefanovic said on the program on Wednesday morning.

In-person teller transactions are not available at the specialist centres, which focus on 'complex' banking including business customers and loan products.

Today show host Karl Stefanovic questioned whether some bank branches going cashless was a 'glitch in the matrix'

'Commonwealth Bank has created a very small number of Specialist Centres in major metropolitan areas, which are designed to support personal and business customers with more complex banking needs,' a spokesperson said.

'These Specialist Centres provide customers with face-to-face access to specialist home and business lenders, and also offer the latest self-service technologies.'

'All of our Specialist Centres are very nearby to full-service branches.'

'We continue to maintain Australia's largest branch network for customers.'

But the move towards digital money, which is also being pursued by other 'big four' banks such as ANZ and NAB has raised concerns especially for older Australians and those in regional areas.

Chief operating officer of National Seniors Australia, Chris Grace, told the program there appeared to be a 'deliberate play' to get people off cash.

'By 2030 cheques will be removed from circulation so there is a big shift to digital transactions,' he said.

'It's not as easy and tap-and-go for some, especially those in regional communities where there could be issues with internet access.'

'If you're a gray nomad for example travelling the length and breadth of the country, if you're in inland Australia and want to pay for fuel you're goin to need cash with you.'

Mr Grace also noted there are often fees added onto digital transactions.

'We're seeing more and more transaction fees added onto accounts particularly if people want to access their cash through ATMs that aren't provided by the big banks.'

Commonwealth Bank has opened specialist centres where cash is not available over-the-counter and only through ATMs

Mr Grace has called for more education and advertising to be done by financial institutions to raise awareness of digital apps and how to use them, especially for seniors.

But moving to digital money in favour of cash also brings with it more risks.

In June, the CommBank app experienced an outage that lasted hours which prevented customers from accessing their money at all.

'We know how much customers depend on us and are very sorry for the intermittent service issues experienced by many people today,' CBA chief information officer Gavin Munroe said.

The outage was due to an application that connected CBA's in-house systems, and was not connected to a cybersecurity incident.
Fox News' Jesse Watters' first primetime show fell well short of the traditional viewership pulled in by fired host Tucker Carlson in the coveted 8pm timeslot.

Watters, 45, Fox's choice to replace the firebrand Carlson in the pivotal slot, had 800,000 fewer viewers than his predecessor.

Jesse Watters Primetime, which aired for the first time Monday evening, attracted 2.4 million viewers compared to Carlson's usual 3.2 million.

Watters, who already hosts popular weekday show The Five, used his first night to discuss Hunter Biden, cocaine traces being discovered at the White House and transgender rights.

It was Watters' first 8pm show since Carlson, 54, was fired by the network in April, days after Fox settled its legal fight with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million over defamation allegations related to the 2020 presidential election.

Despite Carlson's loyal following not all tuning in to Watters' show his figures easily bested his rivals on CNN and MSNBC, according to the ratings data compiled by Nielsen.

MSNBCs All In with Chris Hayes had 1.222 million viewers on Monday, and CNNs Anderson Cooper 360 had 668,222 viewers.

Watters debut in the 8pm slot also saw ratings rise by 60 percent compared to the weeks since Carlson was fired in April and a series of temporary hosts were used.

At one point Watters mother called into the show to warn her son against falling into 'conspiracy rabbit holes.'

'Do not tumble into any conspiracy rabbit holes. We do not want to lose you and we want no lawsuits,' his clinical psychologist mother Anne said.

'In keeping with the Hippocratic Oath, do no harm. We need you to be kind and respectful.

'Use your voice responsibly to promote conversation that maintains a narrative thread. There really has been enough Biden-bashing and the laptop is old. Perhaps you could suggest that your people take less interest, for example, in other people's bodies and talk about that' she added.

Jesse Watters Primetime, which aired for the first time yesterday evening, attracted 2.4 million viewers compared to Carlson's usual 3.2 million

The former star recently announced that he is launching a new version of his show on Twitter

The 8pm slot is traditionally the most sought after in cable news and has caused something of a headache for Fox News since Carlson's exit.

The former star has since launched a new version of his show on Twitter, despite a contract with Fox that runs until 2025.

In a three-minute video announcing his new show and captioned 'We're back,' posted to his own Twitter page in May, the controversial cable star slammed the mainstream media and said anyone who tries to tell the truth will be disposed of.

Before the announcement, Carlson's powerful attorneys sent an aggressive letter to Fox arguing that the $25million noncompete provision in his contract is no longer valid, which would, in turn, allow him to launch a competing show or media entity.

In the video, Carlson, 53, told his followers: 'Starting soon we'll be bringing a new version of the show we've been doing for the last six and a half years to Twitter.'

'We bring some other things too, which we'll tell you about. But for now we're just grateful to be here. Free speech is the main right that you have. Without it, you have no others.'

'The best you can hope for in the news business at this point is the freedom to tell the fullest truth that you can, but there are always limits,' Carlson told his fans.

'If you bump up against those limits often enough you will be fired for it. That's not a guess, it's guaranteed.'

It has also been reported that Carlson is looking to start his own media organization.

Carlson is planning the venture with Neil Patel, a former policy adviser to Dick Cheney, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

The pair, who met as roommates at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, want to adopt longer versions of the free videos the social media platform offers.

Carlson's team met with Twitter representatives in recent weeks to discuss their plans, the Journal reported.

Conservative commentators, including other former Fox News hosts Megyn Kelly and Bill O'Reilly, have increasingly sought subscriber-funded long-form video as a lucrative business opportunity.
A plea deal could see him face a lighter prison sentence than if he'd been convicted

Disgraced former ABC investigative journalist James Gordon Meek is reportedly set to plead guilty to federal child pornography offenses, which could have put him behind bars for decades.

Meek, 53, is expected to change his plea to guilty at an appearance in a federal courtroom in Virginia on Friday.

The move to change his plea comes after his attorney filed a motion in June to delay his July trial, The Daily Beast reported.

The filing argued a delay would allow Meek's team and prosecutors to 'engage in discussions regarding the possible resolution of the case.'

A plea deal could allow Meek to receive a shorter sentence than the minimum five years and maximum 20 years he would have faced if convicted at trial.

Disgraced former ABC investigative journalist James Gordon Meek is reportedly set to plead guilty to child pornography offenses during an upcoming hearing in federal court

The disgraced producer, 53, was indicted on three child pornography counts in April, including the possession and distribution of images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

After an FBI raid at the Emmy Award-winning producer's Virginia home in April 2022, evidence was discovered allegedly showing that Meek sent explicit images of himself to minors, impersonated an underage girl in order to engage with minors online and partook in conversations where participants expressed desire to abuse children, federal prosecutors said.

Meek's lawyer, Eugene Gorokhov, is now seeking a conditional plea that would allow his client to withdraw a guilty or no contest plea if an appeals court later rules in his favor or the evidence in the case changes.

The defense attorney alleged in pre-trial motions that the FBI raid on Meek's Arlington property illegally obtained evidence.

Although these arguments were dismissed by the judge, any later appeal may bring those allegations back into focus.

The former producer initially pleaded not guilty in the case, but court records indicate he plans to change that plea during Friday's hearing.

Meek is currently in federal custody awaiting trial after a judge revoked his bail and declared he posed a risk to the community.

Meek's alleged predatory behavior was first exposed when Dropbox alerted authorities to child porn stored in his account in March 2021, the New York Post reported.

Meek has been indicted on three child phonography counts and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted at trial

Meek pictured in a photo from his Twitter account - which is no longer active

In the April 27, 2022, raid agents seized a laptop, external hard drive and multiple iPhones that reportedly contained child porn.

In the wake of the search, Meek abruptly resigned from the network and disappeared from public view.

Following the raid, the department obtained a search warrant for Meek's iCloud account on November 14.

They allegedly contained backups of two of his devices and included a screenshot of one of the explicit discussions. Investigators also uncovered an Apple laptop that contained 'approximately 90 images and videos of child pornography.'

Meek, 53, was spotted by DailyMail.com last October after keeping a low profile following the raid of his apartment in Arlington, Virginia

Meek built his reputation at the New York Daily News, where his five-year investigation forced military brass to admit that Army Private First Class David Sharrett II was shot by his own commanding officer

Meek was a 2022 Foley Freedom Awardee

Meek's apartment building, where he lived until April in Arlington, Virginia

Snapchat and Instagram accounts were also uncovered that allegedly contained conversations and images of unidentified females alleged to be minors.

Meek was arrested the following January and formally arraigned in April.

Federal investigators unsealed a series of letters in April in which federal investigators and attorneys describe how Meek and others had 'pressured' a 16-year-old girl to sext them, despite the minor sharing her age with Meek, the Daily Beast reported.

Before his downfall, Meek had built up a reputation for trailblazing journalism, which had exposed shocking military cover-ups, friendly fire deaths, and foiled terror plots.

In 2017 he won an Emmy Award for his work on the Pulse nightclub shooting.
University students will soon be allowed to fail half of their subjects without having access removed to government subsidies and loans.

The changes were announced on Wednesday in an interim report from the Australian Universities Accord Panel, which has been tasked with remodelling the Australian higher education system.

The previous rule, which meant that any student that failed more than half of their subject was no longer applicable for student loans, was implemented by the Liberal government in the job-ready graduates' scheme.

Undoing the 50 per cent failure rule is just one of five major actions the panel recommends education minister, Jason Clare, enact before they publish their final report.

The panel has told the government that Australian universities are currently 'too unequal', also recommending guaranteed grants for Indigenous Australians at university and funding university hubs in regional and suburban areas.

A rule change from the Albanese Government will mean University students will soon be able to fail half of their subjects without losing their student loans (pictured, Sydney University)

The removal of the 50 per cent pass rule was supported by Universities Australia, peak body in the industry, who described it as a 'punitive measure that is widely regarded as being unnecessarily harsh'.

'Universities are reporting that the students most likely to fall afoul of the 50 per cent pass rule are first-year students from low socio-economic status backgrounds,' a review submission from Universities Australia to the panel reads.

'The 50 per cent pass rule is, therefore, not only ineffectual, but also at odds with the equity goals shared by government and universities.'

The interim review agreed with the rule's impact on lower socioeconomic students, finding it 'disproportionately [disadvantaged] students from equity background'.

'The review believes that bold, long-term change is required to fulfil the mission of higher education in Australia.

'Change in the sector must be significant. Complacency cannot be tolerated'

Mr Clare announced the Albanese Government would be pledging $66.9million to build 34 university hubs in regional and suburban areas across the nation to give a larger number of young Aussies a 'crack' at higher education.

'When you drive around Western Sydney, you see a lot of McDonald's logos and KFC logos, you don't see a lot of university logos. If you can't see it, you can't be it,' Mr Clare said at a conference on Tuesday.

The 50 per cent failure rule was implemented by then Liberal minister of education, Dan Tehan, and was found to have 'disproportionately' affected poorer students (stock image)

Current minister for education, Jason Clare (pictured), said the government will pledge $66.9million to build university hubs in rural and suburban areas to give potential students a 'crack at university'

'Too often someone's postcode is a brick wall that stops Australians going to university.

'I want more young people from the outer suburbs and the regions to get a crack at going to university, and this will help.'

The hubs will also help alleviate pressure on universities as an estimated doubling of both international and domestic students by 2050.

They will also help educate a generation of students who will require a degree in order to apply for a job.

'More and more jobs require a university degree,' Mr Clare said.

'That means we will need more people with university qualifications in the years ahead.'

'This can't just be people that live within 10km of the CBD. It also means more Australians from the outer suburbs and the regions getting that chance.'
This is the terrifying moment tourists run for cover when a gunman fires towards a restaurant in the Costa del Sol holiday resort of Puerto Banus.

Police were last night said to be hunting at least two people including a man who appeared to have used a sub-machine gun in the dramatic incident.

Footage of the moment before the shooting showed two bare-chested men who looked like tourists making a run for it as the gunman, thought to have got out of a car driven by an accomplice, appears on the scene.

Local reports said three shots were heard ringing out.

The drama happened in broad daylight around 6pm in the vicinity of the Cristamar shopping centre, home to shops, offices, and restaurants, in the heart of Puerto Banus which at this time of the year is thronging with tourists from the UK and Ireland.

Police were last night said to be hunting at least two people including a man who appeared to have used a sub-machine gun (pictured) following the dramatic incident

The gunman (pictured) was seen firing towards a restaurant in the Costa del Sol holiday resort of Puerto Banus

Tourists are seen fleeing the drama which happened in broad daylight around 6pm

The shots are said to have been fired into an eatery which has not been named.

Miraculously no-one was injured. There are no reports of any arrests so far.

Unconfirmed reports say the getaway vehicle used in the shooting may be a BMW which was found gutted nearby.

Investigators are understood to be trying to determine whether it was set alight deliberately and caused a wildfire which emergency responders were called to put out around 7.30pm yesterday.

Police sources said last night no arrests had yet been made and an investigation into the shooting was ongoing.

They did not confirm initial local reports the gunman fired at unidentified targets sitting on the terrace of an eatery, although it has been confirmed the shooting happened in the vicinity of the Cristamar shopping centre.

The fire emergency responders were called to tackle, which is being linked locally to the apparent deliberate setting-alight of a getaway vehicle thought to have been used after the shooting, started shortly after the incident.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 7.30pm.

One unconfirmed local report said the vehicle was a BMW X3 with number plates registered to a motorbike.

On May 17 two men dressed in black entered a cafe in San Pedro Alcantara a short drive from the scene of todays (TUE) incident and fired at two others sat on the terrace before fleeing. No-one was injured in the incident.

The car the gunman used as a getaway vehicle, described at the time as a dark blue BMW, was set on fire near the scene.

Six British men were held at the start of February following the attempted murders of three Irishmen at a lake called Turtle Lake near Marbella in September last year.

One of the Irish targets, a 24-year-old who has been described as a pal of a Dublin gang boss known as Mr Flashy, was shot in the leg. The other two were unharmed.

Police described the crime at the time as the work of a criminal gang specialising in settling scores.

The shocking incident occurred in an area home to shops, offices, and restaurants, in the heart of Puerto Banus which at this time of the year is thronging with tourists from the UK and Ireland

One of the six Brits detained was an unnamed 32-year-old who was bailed and then held again in April following the death of a doorman at former Towie star Elliott Wrights Costa del Sol restaurant.

There is no suggestion at this stage the shooting incident is linked to the tussle at Elliott Wrights restaurant which led to the doorman's death or the earlier shooting at Turtle Lake.

In July last year a man was stabbed and four people shot at Opium Beach Club in Marbella A 40-year-old Dutch national was arrested after the early-hours July 18 drama.

One of the most seriously-injured victims was a 32-year-old Irishman who after hospital treatment was arrested on suspicion of being involved in an altercation moments before the shooting in a VIP area of the stage where South African DJ Black Coffee was playing to a packed crowd.
As 1944 ended and 1945 began, Winston Churchill was busy leading Britain to victory in the Second World War.

But as the Allies advanced through Europe after D-Day, it may come as a surprise to learn that the then-prime minister was being bombarded in No 10  by letters and memos about electing a new provost of Eton.

A Cabinet Office file released by the National Archives contains more than 110 pages of papers generated over four months by the rather arcane issue.

The deluge of documents was caused because the provost, or chairman of the governors, is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister. The procedure is down to a quirk of history dating back to the schools foundation in 1440 by Henry VI. Churchills involvement began when 75-year-old Hugh Cecil, 1st Baron Quickswood, wrote to him on September 26, 1944, to say he was resigning as provost because of his age, worsening hearing and eyesight.

Churchill may have been a little preoccupied. It was the day that the Battle of Arnhem ended in defeat for the Allies.

While in the midst of World War II, Winston Churchill was deluged with letters about electing a new provost at Eton

Eton's provost, or chairman of the governors, is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister

Lord Quickswood, who was appointed provost in 1936, left the date he was leaving unfixed as it was convenient to the college for there not to be a long interval before his successor took office  and also convenient to himself as the house in Bournemouth to which he was retiring was not quite ready under the rather difficult conditions of wartime.

Churchill replied to Lord Quickswood  best man at his wedding in 1908  saying he was sorry to hear he was resigning, hoped he was not leaving public life entirely, and that he was seeking the necessary approval for his resignation from George VI.

Churchill then gave aides instructions to consult about the new provost.

The files also contain memos on potential successors, on Old Etonian gossip about who the new provost should be, and discussion of proposed amendments to Etons statutes.

Eventually Henry Marten, who was vice provost and had been a private tutor to the then Princess Elizabeth, was appointed in January 1945. He held the post until he died aged 76 in 1948.
Tony Blair was warned that Ukraine felt the West had too rosy a view of Vladimir Putin early in his presidency.

It came as Kyiv was pitching for a closer relationship with the EU, and the UK was formulating a plan for enhanced relations with Ukraine.

Reporting on a meeting with then-Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchmas people in 2001, Roger Liddle, one of the Labour prime ministers advisers, said the Ukrainians were depressed that most of Europe and the US were running them down.

He added: We have too rosy a view of Putin, who according to them is a clever, presentable power politician, but no democratic hero.

Mr Liddle said the Ukrainians thought Putins main motive in seeking closer relations with the West was fear of Chinas growing power, the newly-released Cabinet Office files reveal.

Tony Blair was warned in a meeting with then Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, that the West had 'too rosy a view of Putin'

Tony Blair meets then Russian prime minister, now president Vladimir Putin in Moscow in 2008

Cabinet office files also show that Blair was praised by Margaret Thatcher for his support for the US after the September 11 attacks

But Britain recognised the importance of stability on the EUs eastern borders, which would act as a formidable barrier to any resurgence of Russian imperialism.

The files also tell how then-foreign secretary Jack Straw suggested a special neighbour status for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova which would reward them for reform and economic growth. But Roland Smith, Britains ambassador to Kyiv, warned that Belarus is Europes last dictatorship.

He wrote: It could sound as though the ultimate eastern boundary of the EU is being finally fixed, and special neighbour status is for those on the wrong side.

The files also reveal that Margaret Thatcher privately praised Blair for his support for the US after the September 11 attacks. In a note dated April 4 2002, she wrote: I greatly admire the resolve you are showing. You have ensured Britain is known as a staunch defender of liberty.
A young driver at the centre of a wild road rage attack that involved an axe being brandished from a moving vehicle on a busy motorway has been spared jail.

21-year-old David Nassir pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving in the right hand lane at the Downing Centre Local Court, Sydney, on Tuesday.

Nassir was driving his ute with another passenger when they got involved in a spat with another driver on the M1 Motorway on November 19, 2022.

The pair were heading to Newcastle from Sydney at the time.

According to court documents, Nassir was seen swerving his white Nissan Navarra ute from one side of the road to the other.

A motorist captured the shocking scenes on their phone of a dramatic high-speed encounter when Nassir and the driver of a dark grey ute locked horns.

Both vehicles took turns changing lanes on both sides of the road on the motorway.

The careless driving went up a notch when a passenger of Mr Nassir's ute was seen leaning out the window and swinging an axe at the driver of the other ute.

Mr Nassir is not alleged to have been seen brandishing the axe. The court heard it was the passenger of the vehicle who was waving the blade.

A driver was heard in the footage telling the passenger who is filming the incident to 'just make sure you keep videoing'.

'They're slowing down  is that a hammer or something?' the passenger said when noticing an object being swung from Nassir's ute.

'F**k, it's an axe,' another person said.

Police charged Nassir a few days later, after they tracked the vehicle down to a relative of the man.

A passenger in a car was caught swinging an axe at another driver on the M1 Motorway as the drivers of both cars got into a spat

Mr Nassir's solicitor Javid Faiz told the court that Nasir is remorseful for his actions.

'He understands his actions were not acceptable and he put peoples lives in danger on that day' he said.

'This has been a massive embarrassment to him'.

Magistrate John Arms berated Nassir for allowing 'the behavior of the passenger' to swing the axe.

'It's very dangerous, it takes your attention away from the road. I know they don't suggest you were speeding, but they do suggest you were driving badly,' he said.

'He was driving a vehicle that can kill someone as much as someone who's 60 (years old) can kill someone.

'It was very immature.'

Nassir was convicted on both charges, had his license disqualified and was fined $500.
Anthony Albanese's Government today announced a massive shake-up of the higher education sector, unveiling an affirmative action plan to double the number of Indigenous students at university over the next decade.

A raft of recommendations the Government will adopt includes universities guaranteeing funding for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who achieve the grades required, help for failing students and a push for more young people to get degrees.

'More and more jobs require a university degree,' said Education Minister Jason Clare.

'That means we will need more people with university qualifications in the years ahead.'

Education Minister Jason Clare (pictured) said Indigenous Australians were more likely t go to prison than university

The Government's $34 million plan will see double the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students going to university over the next decade (stock image)

At the moment, only Indigenous students in rural and remote areas are guaranteed funded spots, which the Government says disadvantages those living in urban areas.

Mr Clare estimated the measure will cost $34 million over the next four years, representing a 'pretty good investment'.

'If you're a young Indigenous person today you are more likely to go to jail than you are to university,' Mr Clare told ABC Radio.

'The cost of having somebody in jail every year is about $120,000. The cost of a university place is $11,000.'

He added: 'This is not about lowering standards: you need to get the marks and qualify for the course.

'If you do qualify for the course, you're guaranteed to get access to a Commonwealth-supported place.'

Nearly 50 per cent of people under 25 are enrolled in a bachelor degree in Australia, while only about seven per cent of Indigenous people in their 20s and 30s have a university degree, according to Productivity Commission data.

The new affirmative action scheme could double the number of Indigenous students entering university by 2034  from 5,000 to 10,000.

The Universities Accord, which will make more than 70 interim recommendations later on Wednesday, will also see the Albanese Government invest $66.9 million to double the number of university study hubs across the country.

The Morrison Government's 50 per cent pass funding rule will also be scrapped

This is designed to tackle a major barrier to study for many young Australians: the cost of moving closer to a campus or a long and expensive commute.

The report calls for greater certainty in university funding by extending the Commonwealth Grant Scheme, guaranteed to December 2023, into 2024.

It will also extend tertiary education access to rural and regional students and abolish the 50 per cent pass funding rule, which sees students lose government funding if they failed more than half of their subjects.

The rule was introduced as part of the Morrison government's job-ready graduates scheme and requires students to pass at least 50 per cent of total attempted units to remain eligible for fee assistance.

It's estimated more than 13,000 students had been forced to quit due to the rule - the majority of whom were from poorer backgrounds.

Mr Clare said he would look to introduce legislation to abolish the 50 per cent pass rate rule when parliament resumes.

'We shouldn't be forcing students to quit we should be helping them to pass and universities should be putting those supports in to help students who need that assistance,' he said.
When a new Poet Laureate had to be chosen in 1972, WH Auden was widely seen as the obvious choice.

Many academics regarded Auden  known for works including September 1, 1939, and Stop All The Clocks, which featured in Four Weddings and a Funeral  as the most important living poet, and the bookmakers made him 5-4 favourite.

But television personality Ross McWhirter was so alarmed at the prospect that he contacted Buckingham Palace to draw its attention to a little-known but hardcore pornographic poem published under Audens name in an underground magazine, government files released today reveal.

Fearing Audens appointment would lead to embarrassment for the Queen, Mr McWhirter, who co-founded the Guinness World Records with his twin brother Norris, wrote to the most senior officer of the Royal Household to alert him to the potential scandal.

Many academics regarded Auden  known for works including September 1, 1939, and Stop All The Clocks, as the most important living poet

Mr McWhirter, a former Tory parliamentary candidate, told the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Maclean: My concern is simply that should this candidate be appointed either in ignorance of this or without his first being given a chance to disprove authorship, then the subversive underground press are almost certain to republish this pornographic poem under the byline by the Poet Laureate to the enormous potential embarrassment of Her Majestys Household and of decent-minded citizens.

He said he could not legally send the offending matter  a poem published in 1969  by post, but could meet in person to show it to them.

Mr McWhirter, who appeared regularly on BBC show Record Breakers with his twin, said simple duty had motivated him to act.

The Palace replied that as the Poet Laureate was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister, Mr McWhirter should contact Sir John Hewitt, the civil servant who led the appointment of public figures on behalf of then-prime minister Ted Heath. Mr McWhirter met Sir John and showed him the poem.

Afterwards, Sir John said in a memo the poem, which describes a sex act in great detail, ran to about 30 verses of an utterly revolting character.

Television personality Ross McWhirter feared Audens appointment would lead to embarrassment for the Queen

The memo added: Mr McWhirter said there was no evidence that Auden had in fact written the poem but there was equally no evidence that he had denied authorship.

Sir John told Mr McWhirter, who was murdered by the IRA outside his London home in 1975, that Auden had in any case been effectively ruled out as a candidate as he had moved to America and in the 1940s become a US citizen, making him ineligible.

Auden said in an interview at the time that he had no interest in becoming Poet Laureate and had no intention of changing his nationality back to British so he would be eligible. The post went instead to Sir John Betjeman  and Auden died of heart failure the following year.

Scholars regard the poem as the work of Auden in the 1940s, when he had told friends he was writing a purely pornographic poem.
The Biden administration has finally halted funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology which is at the center of a potential Covid lab leak cover-up.

Biden - who called Donald Trump 'nakedly xenophobic' for suggesting the virus may have leaked from the Chinese research institute - pulled the plug on all future grants after a month-long review that found the WIV.

The review, carried out by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), concluded that the lab 'is not compliant with federal regulations and is not presently responsible.'

Millions in US taxpayer money were funnelled to the research institute through a third-party research group to fund risky experiments involving bat coronaviruses in the years leading up to the pandemic, with little oversight.

One of the earliest suspected Covid patients was a scientist who worked at the lab and was funded by the US National Institutes for Health (NIH), which was headed by Dr Fauci until 2022. The lab received federal money as recently as July 2020  months into the pandemic.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology has long been suspected as the source of the COVID pandemic, but the CIA has been unable to confirm the reports. The FBI and Department of Energy have already concluded that the 'lab leak' theory is most likely

Virologist Shi Zheng-li, left, works with her colleague in the P4 lab of Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2017

The HHS told the Wuhan lab on Monday of their decision to suspend the grants, and told the directors that they were looking to make the temporary suspension permanent.

Many have pointed to the lab, which is located at the epicenter of the original outbreak in Wuhan, as the source for the virus that killed 7 million people and led to global shutdowns.

The Biden administration began a review of the site in September, and concluded it did not comply with federal regulations and so should not receive federal funding.

'This action will ensure the [Wuhan Institute of Virology] does not receive another dollar of federal funding,' a federal spokesperson stated in an emailed statement to Bloomberg.

In March, President Joe Biden signed into law a bill to declassify intelligence on the origins of COVID-19.

A 10-page report, released on June 23, showed how multiple US agencies now believe the lab leak is the most likely origin of the pandemic.

The Department of Energy, which oversees biological research labs in the U.S., concluded with 'low confidence' in February the virus most likely came from a lab in Wuhan. The FBI concluded the same with moderate confidence.

The National Intelligence Council, however, and four other agencies disagreed and stated the pandemic likely began naturally.

The CIA, meanwhile, is on the fence and has been unable to say with certainty how it started, given repeated blocks imposed by the Chinese authorities.

'The Central Intelligence Agency and another agency remain unable to determine the precise origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, as both hypotheses rely on significant assumptions or face challenges with conflicting reporting,' the report stated.

While the lab leak theory was initially dismissed as conspiracy and xenophobic, a growing number of scientists have come around to the idea the virus may have escaped during an accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

The research facility is less than 10 miles from an animal slaughter market where the first series of human cases were clustered. Some experts also claim Covid's unique spike protein, which it uses to infect people, shows hallmarks of engineering.

Last week it emerged that the world's top infectious disease experts thought the lab leak was 'highly likely' and not 'some fringe theory' as early as January 2020.

The group of experts agreed to denounce it for 'political' reasons because they feared pinning the blame on the Chinese lab would cause a s***show and threaten future funding of virus manipulation research, leaked communications show.

An official US watchdog concluded earlier this year that Dr Anthony Fauci's former office, the National Institute for Health, failed to keep tabs on US-sponsored virus experiments feared to have started the pandemic in Wuhan.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology (pictured) launched a secret research initiative that saw them fuse coronaviruses in a series of risky experiments

The report by the US Office of Inspector General found the country's medical research agency did not properly review whether the tests in Wuhan involved dangerous pathogens with pandemic potential.

EcoHealth Alliance- a New York research group - was awarded $8million in NIH grants between 2014 and 2021, which it subcontracted to research facilities.

The WIV got more than $3million of that money for a project titled: Understanding The Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence'.

The report said oversight was crucial for grants given to foreign entities that may become uncooperative with investigators - like the WIV has in recent years.

'Although WIV cooperated with EcoHealths monitoring for several years, WIVs lack of cooperation following the COVID-19 outbreak limited EcoHealths ability to monitor its subrecipient,' the audit added.
Anthony Albanese has promised Australians a Voice to Parliament is not the first step toward reparations or 'paying the rent' - dismissing calls from several leading 'Yes' campaigners.

Radio 2GB host Ben Fordham confronted the Prime Minister over those historic comments by leading Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo during a fiery radio interview on Wednesday.

He was also asked about apparent sagging support for the upcoming referendum about the creation of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament; a constitutionally enshrined body that will be consulted about all proposed laws that affect Aboriginal people.

Mr Albanese was asked if he agreed with comments made by Voice architect Mr Mayo about 'paying the rent' and 'punishing politicians who disagree'.

Daily Mail Australia revealed Mr Mayo said a 'guaranteed representative body' was 'needed [to]... properly pursue the rent that is owed and an abolishment of systems that harm us'.

He listed 'all the things we imagine when we demand' a Voice, including 'reparations, land back, abolishing harmful colonial institutions'.

Mr Albanese fired back at Mr Fordham: 'Can I make this point, you're reading from the No pamphlet-'

Fordham snapped back: 'Excuse me Prime Minister, I'm not reading from the No pamphlet, I'm reading from my own questions. Excuse me.'

Daily Mail Australia revealed tweets last month where Mr Mayo said a 'guaranteed representative body' was 'needed [to]... properly pursue the rent that is owed and an abolishment of systems that harm us'

Mr Albanese said the Voice was not about reparations and argued 'this is not about treaty'.

But Mr Albanese has agreed to executing the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, which includes a Makarrata Commission with an end goal of moving toward a treaty between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

'This is not about a treaty,' he said four times. 'I can't say it any clearer, compensation has nothing to do with what people will vote on later this year.'

Mr Fordham asked: 'I'm talking about after that. There are three stages, after we go through the Voice is it natural to assume after we go through the Voice?'

Mr Albanese said: 'No, it's not natural.'

Mr Fordham said: 'So Thomas Mayo is wrong?'

Unearthed tweets written by Mr Mayo between 2018 and 2021 reveal he hoped the Voice would be 'an appropriate body, with appropriate authority to discuss an appropriate date' for Australia Day rather than the current date which marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Harbour.

In January 2021, he tweeted: 'Celebrating 26 Jan is disgusting... prioritise the campaign for a First Nations Voice referendum. Twitter and Facebook warriors, and peaceful demonstrators without coordination... is changing f**k all.'

In a 2022 opinion piece, Mr Mayo suggested the date on which the Voice to Parliament referendum passes could be the new date for Australia Day.

Mr Mayo has since told Daily Mail Australia that he does not 'share that particular view about Australia Day anymore'.

'These comments are from number of years ago, with many of them around the time of reporting about Indigenous deaths in custody,' he said.

'I support celebrating our nation, Im a proud Australian and I believe our democracy is important, and it will be enhanced when Indigenous people are given a say on the matters that affect them such as health and education.'

Mr Mayo has long advocated for a Voice to Parliament, insisting it would be the best way to shore up a date change

Mr Mayo said in January 2021: 'The 26 Jan debate is useless without a Voice'

Mr Albanese said he did not believe in reparations and argued 'this is not about treaty'

Mr Fordham also said his listeners are upset that the PM appears to be putting too much of the government's focus on the Voice when the nation is in the grips of a cost-of-living crisis.

'Everyone says stop talking about the Voice. As important as Indigenous recognition is, we need to do something about this (cost of living) now,' he said.

'It's really tough for people at the moment.'

The Prime Minister said his government 'is absolutely focused on cost of living as a first priority'.

He also acknowledged that polling indicates support for the Voice is falling, but he remains hopeful Australians will vote Yes later this year.

'I am very confident people will come to the view of if not now, when,' he said.

A prominent 'Yes' campaigner described his vision for life with a Voice to Parliament - detailing ambitions for reparations to Indigenous people, 'rent' being paid to live on Australian land and the abolishment of 'harmful colonial institutions'

Fordham noted all polls show support for the Voice has fallen this year. 'You know about polls, PM, this is trending down,' he said.

Fordham suggested splitting his proposal into two separate matters - refocusing the referendum on constitutional recognition and instead legislating a Voice to Parliament.

'Why be so stubborn and keep the two of them together when you could be pragmatic and get a win-win,' Fordham asked.

'It is a win win, but if you keep continuing on this current path and keep the two tied together you may end up with a lose lose.'

Fordham said he understands the PM is concerned about future governments dismantling the body if it's not protected in the constitution, but he argued that is the sign of a healthy democracy.

Mr Albanese has no intention to separate his proposal, but he wanted to reassure the public that the Voice is a 'modest' suggestion which will help inform the government of the day.

He said the government will not be required to implement recommendations made by the committee.

Giving an example of Australia Day, Mr Albanese said if the committee were to suggest a date change, his government would say: 'We would say we have no plans to change Australia Day. Absolutely. Of course we will [say no] if we don't agree with them.'

Meanwhile Mr Albanese warned Fordham that he had a responsibility to use his platform wisely and not raise 'red herrings' with listeners.

In March, Mr Mayo stood shoulder to shoulder with a tearful Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the official wording of the referendum question was announced

'Get on board Ben. Guess what - you're in a position to make a difference and (fight) to help it succeed, as (are) other people in the media, by talking about what it's about, not by raising things that are not going to be relevant.'

The Prime Minister has repeatedly hosed down calls to shelve the Voice, with its ill-defined role and operation, and instead focus on a simpler constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people as the original owners of the continent.

Mr Albanese said to do so was the 'definition of being dumb'.

'If we just keep doing things the same way, we need to do things better, we need to listen to Indigenous Australians about matters that affect them,' he said.

The government has faced a barrage of questions from the opposition about the extent of influence the Voice will have, should Australians agree to establish the body.

Mr Fordham took up the issue again on Wednesday, quoting Professor Megan Davis  one of the architects of the Voice  who said the body would be able to talk directly to cabinet and the Reserve Bank.

'I wonder if you agree with them on some of the following points  yes or no, will the Voice be able to speak directly to the RBA?' the radio host asked.

Mr Albanese said: 'I can't talk directly to the RBA board and I'm the Prime Minister.'

The interview comes after the Australian Electoral Commission published essays from politicians aligned with the yes and no campaigns online.

The pamphlets will be mailed out to all households several weeks before the referendum takes place.
John Betjeman was discounted as a lightweight by Harold Wilsons government as they sought a new Poet Laureate in 1967, newly-released files reveal.

The beloved poet missed out to Cecil Day-Lewis  but the post came up again five years later, when Ted Heath was in No 10, and Betjeman was picked.

Government documents released today by the National Archives shed fascinating light on the cut-throat process by which a secret list of candidates is drawn up by No 10 aides.

Whitehall officials seek the opinions  often scathing  of literary experts about contenders before the PM recommends a poet for the monarch to appoint.

After the post became available in 1967 when John Masefield died, appointments secretary Sir John Hewitt advised Wilson that Betjeman was a lightweight.

John Betjeman was discounted as a lightweight by Harold Wilsons government as they sought a new Poet Laureate in 1967, newly-released files reveal

The beloved poet missed out to Cecil Day-Lewis (Pictured: Cecil Day-Lewis at his home in Greenwich, London)

He warned his appointment would be seen as backward-looking and that his work was not on the same level as that of Day-Lewis  a searing take on a man now regarded as one of the nations favourite poets.

But he got away lightly compared to poet Hugh MacDiarmid, who was turned down for being heavily in the bottle.

And Betjemans age  he was then in his 60s  at least counted in his favour. One critic said: It is important to appoint a sound, traditional figure and not one of the younger lunatics.
A dog which knew '300 commands in Latin' has escaped being put down after it savaged a policeman by biting his bottom.

PC Michael Obern screamed out in agony as the large Carpathian Shepherd Dog chomped straight through his trousers and underwear and into his left buttock, a court heard.

Gemma Sankey, owner of the female dog called Shroom, was convicted of failing to control a dangerous animal after the incident and a separate attack on a woman at a glamping site.

Magistrates previously found her guilty of two counts after hearing Sankey's bizarre defence in which she said the dog was very intelligent and knew 'more than 300 commands in Latin', while also claiming both the victims' injuries were 'self inflicted'.

The Crown Prosecution Service submitted an application for the 40kg dog to be destroyed.

CCTV footage shows the scene before PC Obern was bittne by the large Carpathian Shepherd Dog

Pictured is Gemma Sankey with the Carpathian Shepherd by the police van after the bite

PC Michael Obern screamed out in agony as the large Carpathian Shepherd Dog chomped straight through his trousers and underwear and into his left buttock, a court heard

But now, as Sankey was sentenced at court, magistrates said the dog should not be destroyed and ordered it to be muzzled in public instead.

Sankey, 51, sobbed in the dock at Salisbury Magistrates' Court, Wilts, as magistrates told her they would spare her dog from being put down.

Shroom must wear a 'sufficient' muzzle and if it is caught not wearing it then police can have the dog destroyed.

Telling her 'the future of Shroom is in your hands', the magistrates ordered Sankey to keep the six-stone Romanian dog muzzled whenever it is in public.

Magistrates sentenced Sankey to a 12-month community order in which she must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She must also pay 1,974, which includes a fine of 60, 1250 kennel fees, compensation of 50 to both victims, a surcharge of 114 to fund victim services and 450 court costs.

Carpathian Shepherd Dogs originate from Romania where they were bred for their size and strength to guard livestock from bears and wolves. They are said to be 'fearless' and to make excellent guard dogs.

Sankey told the court she had worked as a dog psychologist with a special knowledge of 'canine aggression' for over 35 years, but prosecutors said she had no formal qualifications, and should not be considered 'an expert'.

In October 2021, PC Obern was helping Sankey move some items into a Travelodge in Devizes, Wilts, when the dog turned on him, prosecutors said.

The officer revealed he had been warned by Sankey in a previous meeting not to wear high-vis clothing as this would make the dog 'react'.

The Wiltshire Police officer, who knew Sankey from his time as a community support officer, told magistrates he therefore chose to wear a black police vest in a bid to appease the animal.

But, he told Salisbury Magistrates Court that when he approached the dog it almost immediately attacked him: 'I managed to pet her but she then bit my left buttock.

'It ripped my trousers, ripped my boxer shorts and broke the skin. The dog was on a lead but it was quite a long one. I then told Ms Sankey to take the dog inside.

'I had a bruise for a week, but I had been bitten by a human in another incident a few months before so I'd already had a tetanus injection.'

The court was shown bodycam footage captured by PC Obern in which he could be seen petting the dog.

Pictured is Gemma Sankey at Salisbury Law Courts - where she sobbed as magistrates told her they would spare her dog from being put down

In October 2021, PC Obern was helping Sankey move some items into a Travelodge in Devizes, Wilts, when the dog turned on him, prosecutors said

Sankey must also pay 1,974, which includes a fine of 60, 1250 kennel fees, compensation of 50 to both victims, a surcharge of 114 to fund victim services and 450 court costs

PC Obern told Salisbury Magistrates Court that when he approached the dog it almost immediately attacked him: 'I managed to pet her but she then bit my left buttock'

Moments later, the police officer was heard screaming in pain as the dog bit him in the buttock off camera.

Magistrates heard that two months previously, in July 2021, Sankey had been staying in a tent on a 'glamping site' when Shroom bit a woman who was cleaning tents.

Michelle Vincent, who lived on her parents' glamping site in the village of Seend, near Melksham, Wilts, told the court: 'I went down to help my mum get a tent ready for a new arrival later that day.

'Gemma came out with her dog on a lead and was talking to my mum.

'Shroom lunged at me and bit the back of my left thigh - she pulled Gemma off her stance. I told Gemma 'your dog's just bitten me'. She was a very big dog.

'She said 'no it hasn't, there's no hole in your trousers'.

'Gemma said 'show me your leg,' but I didn't want to take my trousers off in the middle of a field and show a stranger my thigh.

'When I looked later I had red circles along where the knicker line is. I knew Shroom has bitten through two leads in the past while tied up to a picnic bench.

'I don't blame Shroom at all - being tied up continually is not conducive to good behaviour. Had it been a small child it could have been a really serious injury.'

Sankey, of Amesbury, Wilts, denied both offences and said her dog did not bite PC Obern or Ms Vincent.

She told the court: 'When Shroom gets terribly excited she jumps up occasionally.

'She knows over 300 commands in Latin, so you could say she's very long in the tooth.

'The picture of Mrs Vincent's injury looks like a 'spotty bum,' not like a dog bite.

'PC Obern gave Shroom a slap hit and then he turned away. His injuries were not caused by a bite from Shroom - a Chihuahua would have made more bite marks.'

She told the hearing she was an expert in animal behaviour and had previously owned 'four dogs and 15 horses'.

However prosecutor Natalie Cheesman told the court there was no evidence Sankey was an expert in canine aggression, and that she had no relevant qualifications.
Lawyers for 21-year-old Teixeira argue that he should be allowed to leave jail ahead of his trial, pointing to Donald Trump's pre-trial release

The National Guard member who stands accused of leaking secret military papers challenged a judge's decision to keep him behind bars, arguing he is a much lower flight risk than former President Donald Trump, who is currently on pretrial release for an allegedly similar crime.

A Massachusetts magistrate judge ruled in May that Jack Teixeira, 21, must remain in jail while his case plays out, citing the Air National Guardsmen as a potential flight risk.

Teixeira's attorneys have asked a second judge to reverse that decision.

In court papers, lawyers said Teixeira has no financial means or ability to flee, and argued that the government 'greatly overexaggerates Mr. Teixeiras risk to national security.'

That is in contrast to Trump who remains free despite facing 37 felony charges in his case and continues to campaign for president with the threat of trials looming.

Jack Teixeira, 21, has been charged with leaking classified military documents online. His attorneys have asked that he be allowed to leave jail ahead of his trial

An artist depiction shows Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Teixeira, right, appearing in U.S. District Court in Boston

Teixeira's legal team noted prosecutors did not seek to detain Trump or his co-defendant, Walt Nauta, despite the politician possessing 'extraordinary means to flee the United States.'

'Former President Trump and The Trump Organization own properties in multiple foreign countries, and former President Trump has access to a private plane. Yet, the risk of flight posed by their knowledge of national security information, and their abnormal ability to flee, didn't even result in a request that either surrender their passport,' they wrote.

The guardsman's attorneys wrote the 'disparate approach' taken in these two cases - both of which are charged under the Espionage Act - shows the government's 'argument for Mr. Teixeira's detention on this basis is illusory.'

The judge's decision to detain Teixeira came after DOJ lawyers revealed he had a history of making threatening comments online.

Last November, he wrote that he would 'kill a (expletive) ton of people' if he had his way, because it would be 'culling the weak minded.'

Prosecutors have also said Teixeira may still be in possession of classified material he hasn't released that could be of 'tremendous value to hostile nation states that could offer him safe harbor and attempt to facilitate his escape from the United States.'

His attorneys argued there is no evidence their client has ever 'carried his online conversations into reality or ever endangered any person in his community.'

They added there is no real evidence suggesting Teixeira is valuable enough to any given foreign adversary that he would be smuggled out of the country.

In June, Teixeira pleaded not guilty to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. Each count he is charged with is punishable by up to a decade in prison.

Former President Donald Trump is flanked by supporters following his June appearance in federal court in Florida

Former U.S. President Donald Trump visits the Versailles restaurant in the Little Havana neighborhood after being arraigned. A judge allowed him to leave without bail in his case

The National Guardsman allegedly posted secret memos in an Internet chat room that touched upon the war in Ukraine. Teixeira's attorneys argued he is being held in jail while Trump remains free on similar accusations

The former president has also pleaded not guilty to dozens of felony counts accusing him of keeping classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and refusing to hand them back to the government.

Trump was not asked to hand over his passport, though the judge ordered him not to discuss the case. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has publicly attacked the prosecution as politically motivated.

Teixeira, a Massachusetts native, has been behind bars since April when he was arrested on charges pertaining to one of the most shocking intelligence leaks in years.

His attorneys have recommended he be released to his father and primarily confined to his home with location monitoring and no access to the internet.

The leak allegedly perpetrated by Teixeira was of classified military documents about Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine and other highly sensitive matters of national security.

These are two of the leaked documents which have been shared by the New York Times

This document appears to show the state of Ukraine's air defenses in February and in May, when it is anticipated they'll be badly depleted

Teixeira is accused of sharing the secrets on the social media platform Discord, a platform popular with online gamers.

Authorities said Teixeira began sharing military secrets in January. He allegedly shared information from classified documents and eventually posted pictures off filed that had 'SECRET' and 'TOP SECRET' markings on them.

The young guardsman, who enlisted in 2019, worked as a 'cyber transport systems specialist,' - a sort of IT specialist responsible for military communications networks.

Teixeira's motive remains unclear and authorities have not shared many details, though Discord conversations reportedly imply that the young man was more motivated by a sense of grandiosity than ideology.
Russia has upped the maximum age for its soldiers by up to ten years as it readies another 100,000 men for a new battle in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin is building a new force of soldiers to attack the area around Kupyansk in the northern sector of the frontline in Ukraine, military chiefs in Kyiv believe.

Under a recently approved law, reservists with the highest rank can be called back into service up to the age of 70, instead of the former age of 65.

Men who have also completed their compulsory service can re-enter the army up to the age of 55 rather than 45.

It comes after hundreds of thousands of men fled the country in September when Putin ordered mobilisation without warning.

Russian troops move through territory on an armoured vehicle. They could soon be joined by fellow Russians aged up to 70

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a statement about Wagner's action on TV in Moscow,

With birth rates at their lowest in 23 years, a recent report revealed that at least 47,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the start of the war in Ukraine.

This is in stark comparison to the reported 6,000 soldiers that died during the decade-long war between Russia and Afghanistan.

Col Serhi Cherevaty, a Ukrainian army spokesman, said that Russia had ordered Storm-Z ex-convict battalions to prepare for battle and was firing more than 500 shells per day around Kupyansk.

READ MORE: Secret Ukrainian tank unit hidden deep within a forest near the Russian border repelling the enemy Advertisement

He said: 'The enemy has concentrated a very powerful group. More than 100,000 personnel, more than 900 tanks, more than 550 artillery systems and 370 rocket salvo systems.'

Russian news agencies claimed their forces had advance around a mile towards Kupyansk.

Kyiv's rhetoric has softened since the start of the counter-offensive against Russia, with commanders now alluding to 'slow but steady' progress against the invaders instead of a lightning push towards the Sea of Azov.

In April it was revealed that Putin was planning to clamp down on draft dodgers by creating a new digital conscription system.

Currently, draft notices have to be delivered in person in Russia, which many Russian men have managed to doge by refusing to pick up the enlistment orders and fleeing the country.

Last month, Putin delivered a rallying cry to Russia's military and security services telling them they halted a slide into civil war when Wagner mercenaries rebelled and marched on Moscow, and held a minute's silence for those killed in the brief clash.

A Ukrainian soldier gestures as he fires toward Russian position on the frontline in Zaporizhzhia region

Addressing some 2,500 members of Russia's security forces, National Guard and military units, he said the people and the armed forces had stood together in opposition to rebel mercenaries.

Out-going UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace yesterday put the number of dead or injured Russian casualties at up to a quarter of a million.

He told the Tony Blair Institute's Future of Britain conference: 'The casualty rates are horrendous.

'It would not be wrong to say at least 230,000 to 250,000 dead or injured Russians.'

Mr Wallace compared that with the 15,000 Russian troops killed in Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989, saying: 'That is the mindset of Putin.'

His comments yesterday came as Ukraine said its forces had shot down Russian drones and cruise missiles targeting the Black Sea port of Odesa in what Moscow admitted was retaliation for an attack that damaged the bridge to the Crimean peninsula.

The Russians first sought to wear down Ukraine's air defences by firing 25 exploding drones and then targeted Odesa with six Kalibr cruise missiles, Kyiv's southern command claimed.

It added that all six missiles and the drones were shot down by air defences in the Odesa region and other areas in the south.

Meanwhile in a possible sign that Russia needs to increase its birth rate, Putin's health minister yesterday told the nation's women it was their duty to put having children ahead of eductaion or having a career.
Qantas passengers have unleashed on the airline for a 'lack of care' after their plane was turned around mid-flight and they were forced to spend 24 hours in an airport.

Flight QF2 from London's Heathrow Airport to Changi Airport in Singapore was forced to return just two hours into its journey on Friday evening.

The pilot told passengers the Airbus A380 had suffered technical issues while flying over Hungary at the start of the 13 hour and 20 minute course.

He said two of the aircraft's three navigational systems failed and that he felt uncomfortable flying over the Middle East where GPS was unreliable.

Passengers were told they would be returning to London, where the plane sat on the tarmac for two hours before anyone was allowed to disembark.

When travellers finally returned to the terminal they were told not to collect their bags from the carousel as they would be spending the night in a hotel.

A Sydney man on the flight returned to the airport at 11am the following morning after receiving a text saying it had been rescheduled.

Qantas passengers have unleashed on the airline for a 'lack of care' after their plane was turned around mid-flight and they were forced to spend 24 hours in an airport

Flight QF2 from London's Heathrow Airport to Changi Airport in Singapore was forced to turn around just two hours into its journey on Friday evening (pictured, the flight path)

However, he was informed the flight would be delayed until 9.55pm that night.

He asked to speak to the manager, who didn't offer any food vouchers and said passengers should keep receipts from their hotels.

When he returned to the airport at 3pm, he was told there would be further delays.

Fed-up travellers, some who had been waiting at the terminal for up to 24 hours, began to boo and heckle after hearing the announcement.

'I yelled out 'do your f**king jobs', the mob mentality was starting to kick in. How many delays can there be for people you've already put out for this long?' the Sydney man told news.com.au.

'There were people there who spent 24 hours plus in the terminal. Some people have lounge access, but not everyone obviously so they were literally just sitting on seats and trying to charge their phones.'

The man said that while he understands delays happen, it was the 'lack of care' exhibited by staff that made him feel the angriest he's ever been.

'I was pretty p*ssed off, it was just like there was no level of support,' he said.

The man decided to pay $500 to pass the remaining hours in a hotel.

Passengers were eventually able to board their flight from London to Singapore, with the Sydney man returning home on Monday.

Passengers, some who had been waiting at the terminal for up to 24 hours, began to boo and heckle after hearing their plane had been delayed until the following evening (stock image)

Several vented about their experience on Twitter.

'Terminal of customers absolutely furious, tempers flaring. Lack of Qantas support and comms on the ground is the worst seen,' one wrote.

'We're still stuck here. After the first full day delay, tonight's attempt has faced an hour delay due to no catering and now they've just realised they forgot to fuel the plane  Was mayhem in the terminal,' another said.

Qantas has confirmed the flight was returned to London after experiencing a mechanical issue that was checked by engineers.

The pilots returned to Heathrow Airport due to the engineering support available.

Passengers were provided hotel accommodation or offered reimbursement if they booked their own flights.

It's understood Qantas for meals and reasonable expenses, including transportation between the airport terminal and accommodation.

The plane was checked over by engineers and was able to take off the next day.
Sir Keir Starmer last night refused to bow down to demands from his MPs to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Despite a backlash, the Labour leader insisted that he had to make tough decisions to ensure his party is in a good place to fight the next election.

A furious row erupted among his MPs after Sir Keir said he would retain the Conservatives cap, which critics say pushes families into poverty.

It prevents parents from claiming universal credit or child tax credit for a third or additional child born after April 2017.

Responding to the criticism yesterday, Sir Keir said his party was having to make tough decisions ahead of the next election.

The Labour leader insisted that he had to make tough decisions to ensure his party is in a good place to fight the next election

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair (left) and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer discussed politics during the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change's Future of Britain Conference yesterday

In a conversation with former prime minister Sir Tony Blair at the Future of Britain conference, he said: My first reaction is we keep saying collectively as a party that we have to make tough decisions.

And in the abstract, everyone says, Thats right Keir.

But then we get into the tough decision, weve been in one of those for the last few days, and they say, We dont like that, can we just not make that one, Im sure there is another tough decision somewhere else we can make. But we have to take the tough decisions.

He later said the party has had to make really ruthless decisions since he took the reins to ensure Labour was in a good place to contest the next election.

A host of party figures yesterday called on the Labour leader to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Backbench MP Stella Creasy said it is fuelling child poverty and may cost more than it saves.

The argument that many of us are making is that the evidence in and of itself is this policy is costing us more than it is saving, might it not be better to deal with policy and also get the savings we can put into investing in the economy, she told the BBC.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham urged Sir Keir to put scrapping the two-child limit at the front of the queue when there is enough money.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham urged Sir Keir to put scrapping the two-child limit at the front of the queue when there is enough money

He said he understood that at this point in the electoral cycle, making any commitments that are unfunded would cause issues for any Labour opposition.

But he added: I think [it would be] a good thing to do, to indicate, to develop the position further to say that as and when resources will allow this would be a priority. I think that would reassure people who want to see this issue addressed.

And yesterday former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, now an independent MP, said he had spoken to many MPs who are seething with anger, particularly as commitments have been made regularly by the party that we would take children out of poverty.

Even the Blair government, which Keir Starmer often quotes, did do a great deal to lift children out of poverty by not having a two-child policy, he told LBC radio.

Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell conceded that Labour may not be able to afford to reverse lots of bad policies as there is no money left for all the reforms it wants to do.

The Child Poverty Action Group says abolishing the two-child limit would lift 250,000 children out of poverty, at a cost of 1.3 billion.

Ms Powell told Sky News: Weve opposed this policy, this is not a good policy. Weve opposed it for many years through Parliament, but were now in a very different economic situation.

As a famous phrase would go, there is no money left, the Government has absolutely tanked the economy. I dont know [if] it is dividing the shadow cabinet.
New laws are being considered to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland from 12 to 18  sparking a fresh row over soft touch justice.

Campaigners want a hike in the age at which offenders can get a criminal record to prevent stigmatisation.

The SNP Government has set up an advisory group including council chiefs, social workers and education leaders and is looking at a possible increase to 18.

Any such move would make Scotlands justice system one of the most lenient in the world for juveniles.

It prompted anger that serious offenders could avoid convictions or be let off with softer punishments.

Aaron Campbell was 16 when he was jailed for life for murder and rape but may have avoided conviction had the age of criminal responsibility been 18

Campbell was convicted for killing Alesha MacPhail (pictured), 6

Scottish Tory deputy justice spokesman Sharon Dowey said: The public will be rightly concerned by these plans.

Killer, 16, could have been ruled too young Aaron Campbell was 16 when he was jailed for life for the abduction, rape and murder of six-year-old Alesha MacPhail  but he may have avoided conviction if the age of criminal responsibility had been 18. Alesha was visiting family in Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, in July 2018 when Campbell entered her home and took her from her bed before savagely killing her and dumping her body in the grounds of a former hotel. Trial judge Lord Matthews said Campbell had shown a staggering lack of remorse and that his account of the killing had been cold-blooded and horrific. He gave the teenager the heaviest juvenile sentence imposed in modern Scottish history  27 years. However, the jail term was later cut to 24 years after his lawyers argued at the Court of Criminal Appeal, in Edinburgh, that the initial sentence was excessive because of his age. Appeal judges Lady Dorrian, Lord Menzies and Lord Drummond Young also ruled the initial punishment failed to take into account the possibility that he could become rehabilitated. Alesha, who lived in Airdrie with her mother Georgina Lochrane, was just a few days into her holiday when Campbell abducted her in the middle of the night. The childs body was found the following morning. A post-mortem examination later revealed she had suffered 117 injuries. Advertisement

If these changes were already in place, horrific criminals like murderer Aaron Campbell may have been let off the hook completely, which would have been utter lunacy. The SNP need to be upfront about what proposals they are planning and the impact on victims.

The age of criminal responsibility was raised from eight to 12 in Scotland two years ago after ministers said there was overwhelming support from police, victim support organisations and charities that help vulnerable children.

The law that brought in the increase committed ministers to a further review.

The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is ten. The threshold varies around the world. It is 15 in Denmark, 16 in Spain and 18 in Brazil and Chile.

The work of the advisory group features in minutes for the executive board of the Crown Office. Its officials are representatives to the group and members of a subgroup on the operational implications of any further increase.

Official figures contained in a legal analysis published by the Children and Young Peoples Commissioner in 2020 showed that 4,555 children up to the age of 17 were convicted in Scottish courts between 2016-17 and 2018-19.

There were 28 High Court prosecutions for children aged 16-17 between 2016 and 2019 for a range of crimes, including nine for violence and 16 for sex crimes.

The Independent Care Review  commissioned by the SNP Government  has recommended that the age of minimum criminal responsibility be brought in line with the most progressive global governments.

Last night a spokesman for the review said the impact of early criminalisation is lifelong and can make it profoundly difficult for young people to access future opportunities, adding: The negative consequences of this are borne not only by the children and young people themselves, but by Scotland as a whole.

Gina Wilson, head of strategy for the Children and Young Peoples Commissioner, suggested the age of criminal responsibility should be raised immediately to 14 and welcomed discussions to raise it to at least 16.

She said: The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights both raised serious concerns about Scotlands approach and have made clear that an age of criminal responsibility below 14 is unacceptable.

Earlier this year, Dr Brian Plastow, Scotlands biometrics commissioner, voiced concern over police retaining DNA and other information from vulnerable children.

A Scottish Government spokesman said ministers had a duty to review the operation of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 within three years of its commencement in December 2021 and that recommendations from the advisory group were expected by next year.
Muslim parents in Maryland ripped Justin Trudeau saying much of the fear over LGBTQ themes in schools was fueled by American right-wing extremists, with one mother saying Trudeau effectively called her a bigot.

Last week, Trudeau spoke to parents at a mosque in Calgary after hundreds of Muslim parents gathered in Ottawa on June 9 and 13 to protest against LGBTQ education in schools.

Trudeau told the Calgary crowd that 'people on social media, particularly fueled by the American right wing' were stirring up the protests and said they were pursuing their own interests.

The Canadian leader said that LGBTQ issues were being weaponized and what is shared in the media is not accurate.

However, a family in Maryland took exception to his comments saying: 'When we spoke, we were categorized as the right wing. We were categorized as bigots.'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen last week meeting Muslims in a Calgary mosque to hear their concerns about LGBTQ issues in the curriculum. He said that many of the claims made on social media were disinformation, amplified by the far right in the United States

Trudeau said those complaining on social media about LGBTQ issues in schools were 'spreading a lot of untruths about what's actually in provincial curriculums.'

He added: 'They are weaponizing the issue of LGBT, which is something that, yes, Islam has strong opinions on.

'This is not what is being said out there about aggressive teaching or conversion of kids to being LGBT.

'That is something that is being weaponized by people who are not doing it because of their interest in supporting the Muslim community.'

However, in America, at least one set of Muslim parents told Fox News Tuesday they were offended by Trudeau's remarks.

'I take much offense to what he said,' Binnish Mustafa, mother to a seven-year-old special needs child. 'This is something that really affected us here in Montgomery County.'

She said Trudeau was ignorant about the reality in US schools, saying he 'really needs to go to the public school classroom and sit there and see the discussions that follow certain classroom books that are being discussed.'

She accused Trudeau of being intolerant of views different to his.

'I would say, Mr. Trudeau, how accepting and tolerating are you of views that are different than yours?' she added.

'I mean, you don't seem like the nicest guy when it comes to that.'

Binnish Mustafa, a Maryland mother, said she was offended by Trudeau's blaming of their fears on right-wing disinformation

Kareem Monib, who has children at school in Montgomery County, Maryland, said it was 'sad' that Trudeau cited their concerns to 'right-wing manipulation'

Trudeau, speaking on June 8 at a Pride event in Ottawa, defended schools featuring stories that had LGBTQ characters and themes

Another parent, Kareem Monib, told Fox he felt Trudeau was ill-informed about what was happening in US schools and was simply parroting what his fellow liberals said in defense of a 'woke' curriculum.

'It's shocking that Trudeau would use the same kind of silly arguments that are being used in the United States,' he said.

'I'm surprised that they don't have anything else to say other than to accuse parents who are truly concerned and want to pass on their religious teachings to their kids - to say that that's right-wing manipulation.

'It's just sad,' Monib added.

'He's either lying or he's misinformed. The curriculum is there. Everyone can read it.'

Montgomery County, which lies northwest of Washington, DC, has itself become something of a hotbed of Muslim protest against LGBTQ topics at schools.

In June, hundreds of Muslim parents demonstrated outside the Montgomery County Board of Education's meeting demanding that Maryland's largest school district allow them to shield their children from books and lessons that contain LGBTQ+ characters.

The books that feature LGBTQ+ characters are a part of a supplemental curriculum the school system launched this academic year, with new books for every grade level, including kindergarten to fifth grade.

The Muslim parents have argued that the school system is violating their religious rights protected under the First Amendment by not providing an opt-out, and three families have filed a lawsuit against the school system.

Under Maryland law, the only opt-out available is for a specific unit on sexuality and family life in the health education curriculum.
The grieving mum of missing teen Zac Barnes has broken down in tears as she vowed to continue fighting for answers after friends shared more harrowing details about the days leading up to his baffling disappearance.

Zac, 18, was last seen getting out of a friend's car heading into bushland in a panicked state near Thornton train station in the NSW Hunter region on the night of Sunday November 13, 2016.

The teenager didn't have his phone or wallet and hasn't been seen or heard from since. His phone and social media accounts remain inactive since that time.

His disappearance and suspected death was the subject of a three day coronial inquest in Sydney this week.

A number of witnesses gave evidence, including Zac's best mate, his boss and several friends who saw him on the weekend he vanished.

The inquest also heard confronting details about Zac's drug use and alcohol consumption.

After three days of confronting evidence, Zac's mother Karen Gudelj bravely took to the stand to share an emotional tribute - revealing that if her son was indeed dead, she just wanted to bury him.

Her powerful address began with a photo slideshow of Zac at various stages of his short life as a loving son, stepson, brother and friend camping, in the pool, at brithday parties and other family celebrations.

A coroner's inquest into Zac Barnes' disappearance was held in Sydney this week

'I wanted to show how Zac really was,' she told the court

'We're here and we're talking a lot about the last days ... but he was so much more than that.'

'Zac respected everybody and he deserves to be respected. If Zac has lost his life, we deserve to be able to bury him and remember him.'

Ms Gudelj described Zac as a bright bubby boy who was her 'little protector', particularly when she first introduced him and his brothers to her husband Michael.

Zac was also a doting big brother to younger sisters Makayla and Mia, where he would change their nappies and read them stories at just 10-years-old.

He had big dreams of becoming a doctor until year 10 when he changed schools and his grades slipped as he found a social life.

He wanted to leave school to join the workforce and considered joining the armed forces once he turned 17.

He later arranged his own work experience and became an apprentice bricklayer.

Zac's mum Karen Gudelj, stepfather Michael and two younger sisters (pictured leaving the inquest on Wednesday) spent three days listening to harrowing evidence

The inquest heard how Zac Barnes would change his sisters' nappies and would read them stories to them

Zac vanished two weeks prior to a big milestone for his mum.

'2016 was meant to be a big year for us as Zac had turned 18, Cody (an older brother) just turned 21 and I was about to have my 50th,' she said.

'Zac and I were going to have our first legal drink together. But it didn't happen.'

Some of Zac's friends and their parents remain in touch with his family seven years ago.

Ms Gudelj thanked all the witnesses who gave evidence at the inquest.

The inquest previously heard Zac used illicit drugs and was known to drink and party with friends.

Zac's best friend Thomas Aubrey revealed the pair faced a number of personal issues in the months leading up to his disappearance.

'We both shared some struggles at the time,' he told the court on Wednesday.

Due to his own issues, Mr Aubrey moved to Muswellbrook, where he was living at the time of Zac's disappearance.

He last heard from Zac three days before he disappeared on November 10. There was no contact in the five days prior.

Mr Aubrey was also working weekends, which meant he wasn't going out as much.

'We had stopping hanging out as I was working, so we weren't seeing (each other) as much at the time,' Mr Aubrey told the court.

He also told the court he'd previously never heard of the two friends who were the last to see Zac when he got out of their car near Thornton train station, crossed the street and headed into bushland.

'I found out Zac was missing after a friend came up to see me,' Zac said.

'I'd never heard of the last people to see him until after Zac went missing.'

Zac's former boss Alan Kirby employed him 10 months earlier in January 2016 and described the apprentice bricklayer as a typical 18-year-old.

Zac was working for Alan Kirby (pictured at the inquest) as an apprentice bricklayer

Michael and Karen Gudelj will continue to keep fighting for answers

Zac (top left) was last seen leaving a friend's car and running into bushland near Thornton train station

The court heard from several witnesses that Zac had an altercation with a labourer on the job while intoxicated at work on the Friday prior, two days before he disappeared

Mr Kirby told the court he doesn't recall firing Zac that despite this being in his police statement in 2017.

Another mate recalled he heard that Zac got into another argument with another friend he'd been spending the weekend on the afternoon of his disappearance.

Ms Gudelj attended every day of the inquest, supported by husband Michael, son Cody and two young daughters.

She revealed the evidence heard took an emotional toll, especially the last hour when she took to the stand.

'It was heartbreaking putting the photos together, I havent looked at the photos for a long time, it really reminded me how much is still hurt,' she told reporters afterwards

'It was hard (sitting through the evidence) but we've been fighting for this day for so long so I'd mentally prepared myself.

'I'm really appreciative of the witnesses who stepped forward and were open, honest and vulnerable. I can't thank them enough as we really needed to hear it so we can go forward to the next steps.'

Karen Gudelj (right) descibed Zac (left as a boy) as her little protector

The inquest was shown a photo slidehow to show who Zac really was. He's pictured with one of his sisters

Ms Gudelj thanked everyone across Australia and around the world who have sent messages of support during their harrowing long journey so far.

'Without the support of the community, I don't think we could have got throught this,' she said.

'There was many times a random stranger would say 'we're with you, we're behind you, keep going.'

'That was enough to get up and going the next day.'

Zac would be 25 if he was still alive today.

He was last seen wearing a faded blue singlet, blue board shorts and work boots.

Deputy state coroner Carmel Forbes will hand down her findings at a later date about whether Zac has died and how, along with any recommedations.

The response from emergency services regarding Zac's disappearance will also be examined.

'With all the information that has come out in the last few days, there will be a direction and we look forward to that,' Ms Gudelj said.

'We're going to fight this and we're going to find him.'

For confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue 1300 22 4636.

Zac Barnes vanished without a trace in November 2016. This is the one of the last photos taken of the teen a month earlier
A mother accused of murdering her two children and stuffing their bodies in suitcases can be identified for the first time.

Hakyung Lee, 42, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder, after the bodies were found in suitcases in an abandoned storage unit in Auckland, New Zealand, last August.

The unit was auctioned off to a family who made the grisly discovery when they opened the unit up last year.

Ms Lee appeared in court in April where she insisted: 'I didn't do it, it's the truth'.

Hakyung Lee (pictured), 42, has pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder, after the bodies were found in suitcases in an abandoned storage unit in Auckland, New Zealand, last August

The grisly discovery of the boy and girl, thought to be aged between five and 10 when they died four years before being found on August 11 in Auckland, has led to headlines around the world

A bid to suppress her name had previously been denied by the High Court, but the decision was appealed.

The Court of Appeal on Wednesday also upheld the decision, meaning her name can be published by media.

Ms Lee's lawyer Chris Wilkinson-Smith had argued publication of her name would endanger her safety.

Justice Anne Hinton in her judgement noted there must be a 'real and appreciable' risk to the mother's safety.

Ms Lee has been in custody since she was extradited from South Korea to New Zealand late last year after the horrifying discovery of her childrens remains

'While it sounds harsh, that is the relevant test,' she wrote.

'I have not been provided with evidence showing that [the defendant] would likely be severely affected by the publication of her name or that her safety would be endangered.'

At the time the suitcases were found, police said the children were aged between five and 10-years-old.

Their bodies are believed to have been stuffed in the suitcases for years before they were discovered.

Ms Lee has pleaded not guilty and is set to face trial in April 2024.
Comes after woman mauled by the wild dogs

Campers at a popular Australian tourist destination have spent the night fending off dingoes near where a woman was viciously mauled while jogging just hours earlier.

Campers at Orchid Beach on K'gari, formerly Fraser Island, were forced to use poles 'every 10 minutes' to ward off dingoes on Monday night.

Holidaymaker Andrew James was with his family, including a mother with a newborn, at Waddy Point when a pack of the wild dogs repeatedly crept into their camp.

The family was part of a 20-strong group from NSW's Central Coast staying on the island.

Mr James said the group had a sleepless night warding off the dingoes, which were searching for food in their camp.

Campers at Orchid Beach on K'gari, formerly Fraser Island, were forced to use poles 'every 10 minutes' to ward off dingoes repeatedly creeping into the campsite, searching for food scraps

'Every 10 minutes they were coming at us, we spent four hours with them coming in,' Mr James told the Courier Mail.

'We had them within four metres of us yesterday and today, they're not overly worried about humans.'

The worried camper said parks and wildlife rangers spent Monday and Tuesday warning people on the island about the dangers of dingoes.

Earlier on Monday, a woman was mauled by four dingoes and bitten up to 30 times while out jogging on the beach.

Sarah Peet, from Brisbane, was forced to run into the water after the dogs repeatedly bit her.

It's understood she was given emergency first-aid by her mother, a nurse who was also on the island, after two male bystanders stopped the brutal attack.

Two men who'd been four-wheel driving in a ute along the beach saw Ms Peet and managed to swerve their car towards the dingoes to scare them off.

They reportedly had to punch the animals in a desperate bid to get them off the woman, before placing her in the back of their ute and driving her to safety.

On the same day, Sarah Peet was forced to run into the water after four dingoes bit her up to 30 times while she was out jogging on the beach

The 23-year-old suffered several bite wounds to her arms and torso, plus a deep laceration to her upper arm and was taken to hospital in a stable condition

The 23-year-old suffered several bite wounds to her arms and torso, and a deep laceration to her upper arm.

She was flown in a stable condition to Hervey Bay Hospital and will undergo further treatment for her injuries.

Paramedic Matthew Steer said the woman had been 'corralled and harassed' by the dingoes, with between three and four involved in the attack.

One of the dingoes believed to be involved in the attack aggressively approached another tourist on Tuesday.

Damien Hansen said he was 'walking by himself on a K'gari beach when he was 'intercepted' by the dingo.

'I was really surprised by the level of aggression,' Hansen told 7News.

Mr Hansen believes if he dropped his shovel or stick and ran, the dingo would have attacked him 'because it's had the taste of blood'.

A 'concerned' ranger came to Mr Hansen's aid after witnessing the 'very threatening' dingo.

Mr Hansen said he believes it is one of the dingoes involved in the attack on the woman as it was a large male fitted with a GPS tracking collar.

Only three dogs on the island are fitted with GPS tracking collars for high risk mitigation after the dingoes bit or lunged at people.

Only three dogs on the island are fitted with GPS tracking collars for high risk mitigation after the dingoes bit or lunged at people. Despite the growing number of attacks, rangers have rejected calls to cull the island's 200-strong dingo population

Late on Tuesday, rangers were seen moving a dingo away from fishermen north of Orchid Beach.

The dingo, which is believed to be the 'alpha' dog, stealthily approached the fishermen before the ranger intervened.

The vicious attack is the latest in a string of incidents on the island in recent months.

A dingo had to be euthanised following several attacks on humans, including the biting of a French tourist as she sunbathed on the eastern side of the island.

Earlier this month, an eight-year-old boy was attacked by a dingo while being held by his father.

The dingo jumped up and bit the boy on the buttocks, leaving him with puncture wounds and scratches down his back.

While weeks earlier, a 10-year-old boy was bitten on the shoulder by a dingo before being dragged underwater near a campsite in June.

Also in June, rangers took footage of a boy and a man running from a dingo - which has since been euthanised - close to where the attack on the young boy occurred.

A dingo was euthanised following several attacks on humans, including the biting of a French tourist as she sunbathed on the eastern side of the island (pictured)

A man and a boy filmed by wildlife rangers running from a dingo, which has since been euthanised (pictured)

Despite the growing number of attacks, rangers have rejected calls to cull the island's 200-strong dingo population.

'Culling in the situation on K'gari is not an option - culling for the sake of culling,' ranger-in-charge Linda Behrendorff said.

'Our job is to mitigate risk.

'You need to know the individuals, you need to work with the individual dingoes and you also need to work with the situation that those dingoes are in.'

The dingo or wongari is considered native wildlife under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and is protected in national parks.

K'gari is a World Heritage-listed island along Queensland's southeastern coast and is part of the Great Sandy National Park, known for its long beaches, forests and pristine freshwater lakes.
An SNP minister made a humiliating apology yesterday after sending a series of toxic messages mocking senior party colleagues.

In the texts, Elena Whitham attacked Cabinet members including Deputy First Minister Shona Robison and Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson.

In the foul-mouthed messages, posted in an internal WhatsApp group, she also criticised her partys handling of harassment complaints about former Westminster chief whip Patrick Grady, and branded the Queens Jubilee celebrations royalist b******s.

Ms Whitham, who was appointed by Humza Yousaf as his drugs and alcohol policy minister in his first reshuffle, yesterday issued a public apology for the comments.

But the SNP leader failed to commit to a probe of either the comments or the leak of them to a national newspaper.

Ms Whitham, who was appointed by Humza Yousaf as his drugs and alcohol policy minister in his first reshuffle, yesterday issued a public apology for the comments

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: These damning leaked messages sum up the chaos that is now engulfing the SNP. They are fighting like Nats in a sack, with another SNP representative happy to undermine their ministerial colleagues.

The feuds among the SNP are becoming increasingly bitter and the party looks deeply divided. Humza Yousaf clearly doesnt have the leadership authority to crack down on these disputes, otherwise these eye-opening messages wouldnt have seen the light of day.

As the SNP spend more time throwing insults at each other, the real priorities of Scotland are being completely ignored.

In the scathing private messages, leaked to the Daily Record, Ms Whitham said in June 2021 that Ms Robison was a bit of a cold fish. Mocking the then-social justice secretarys delivery style when giving a statement about poverty, she said: Shona needing to find her stride here. She is struggling.

It is a great statement and we are doing so much amazing work but she isnt selling it as well as she could. She is a bit of a cold fish. She is like an automaton.

Responding to a later statement by Ms Robison she said: Gosh... I find Shona R painful to listen to.

She also criticised the appointment of Mr Robertson in 2021, saying: Angus in Cabinet (rolling eyes emoji) the ego has landed.

In the foul-mouthed messages Whitham criticised her partys handling of harassment complaints about Patrick Grady (left) and attacked Cabinet members including Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson

Ms Whitham was appointed by Humza Yousaf (pictured) as his drugs and alcohol policy minister in his first reshuffle but the SNP leader failed to commit to a probe of either the comments or the leak of them to a national newspaper

After an ex-SNP staff member who was sexually harassed by Mr Grady condemned the partys handling of the case, she said in June 2022: Honestly, why didnt we act?

When the Mail revealed a secret recording in June 2022 showing that then-SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford urged colleagues to give Mr Grady their full support, Ms Whitham said: Wtf. Who is recording group meetings?! And why are we supporting Grady?? Honestly.

Ms Whitham also attacked others outside the party. During a Holyrood debate on a motion praising the late Queen on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, she said: Give me the strength to get through this royalist b******s. She also said of Conservative MSP Brian Whittle: F*** me. Whittle is a p****.

In a statement issued after the messages were published yesterday, Ms Whitham said: These comments were not acceptable and I apologise sincerely.

Mr Yousaf said: These comments were obviously made in private and then leaked, but nonetheless she was right to apologise.

In the texts, Elena Whitham attacked Cabinet members including Deputy First Minister Shona Robison (left) and slammed Ian Blackford 's appeal to colleagues to give Patrick Grady their full support

During a Holyrood debate on a motion praising the late Queen on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Whitham branded the celebrations as royalist b******s

I spoke to Elena yesterday and shes right to apologise to her colleagues that were affected.

I have absolute full confidence in Elena. Shes doing an excellent job in a really challenging portfolio. It came on the day that Dr Philippa Whitford become the eighth Nationalist MP to say they would quit at the next election.

And, in further turmoil for the SNP, veteran nationalist Fergus Ewing said that he could quit the party unless it delivers on the dualling of the A9.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: What these leaks go to show is that the SNP is in disarray  with a Scottish Government minister slagging off colleagues right, left and centre.

This is a party out of ideas, out of control and out of time.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this story is that one of her SNP colleagues has leaked these messages to discredit her. Discipline has collapsed into open warfare. Its over for them.

The SNP has been embroiled in a series of spats in recent months.

Veteran nationalist and former rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said that he could quit the party unless it delivers on the dualling of the A9

Former rural economy secretary Mr Ewing faces the threat of disciplinary action after he defied the SNP whip and backed a motion of no confidence in Green minister Lorna Slater last month.

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil was also suspended after a bust-up with chief whip Brendan OHara, which was then extended indefinitely after he called the partys leadership utterly clueless.

Earlier this week, Nationalist MP Joanna Cherry said there must be an open and honest analysis of whats gone wrong in recent years and a plan to put it right.

Asked if Mr Yousaf would consider any disciplinary action against Ms Whitham or launch an investigation into the leak of the messages, an SNP spokesman said: We do not comment on leaked messages, however we remind all of our parliamentarians of the courtesy and respect they should show each other.

Ex-SNP councillor Mhairi Hunter said: The Elena Whitham story is a reminder to be cautious in group chats because you never know when someone is a treacherous backstabbing piece of s***.
Former President Donald Trump went on the attack on Tuesday evening, slamming the 'deranged prosecutor' who is threatening a new set of charges related to the 2020 elections and who has already charged him over his handling of classified documents.

It came as the federal judge overseeing the documents case in Florida signaled she could delay the trial until 2024 after hearing from the former president's lawyers that they needed more time to prepare for such complex legal proceedings.

Judge Aileen Cannon told Trump's team to set out a concrete timetable for her, but added that she understood they needed more time to review evidence.

She also quizzed prosecutors about why they were pushing for a speedy trial.

She ended the hearing at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, by saying she would enter a written order at a later date.

Former President Donald Trump spent an hour talking to Fox News host Sean Hannity in Iowa on Tuesday, and he railed against the prosecutor pursuing him in two cases

Special Counsel Jack Smith has already charged Trump in the documents case. On Tuesday, Trump revealed he feared charges were coming in a case related to the 2020 election

For his part, Trump spent the day focused on his legal woes.

Earlier he revealed that he feared arrest and indictment in another case being pursued by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

And in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, he railed against Smith who also led the documents investigation.

'This guy is a deranged prosecutor who's had tremendous failures all over the place,' he said. 'He's that nasty, horrible human being.

'They come after me.'

Trump and his aide Walt Nauta, who returned to court on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to a 38-count indictment accusing them of conspiring to hide classified documents from investigators.

Some of the files were recovered during an FBI search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.

However, Trump is furious that President Joe Biden has not been treated the same way even though government files were found at his office and home.

Trump's aide Walt Nauta returned to court for the hearing in Florida on Tuesday

Trump himself appeared in Miami's federal court last month to plead not guilty

Legal experts have pointed out that Biden, like former Vice President Mike Pence, returned any documents that had been accidentally retained as soon as their presence was discovered.

But Trump told Hannity it was a case of double standards.

'It was a big story for about one day and then you don't hear about it anymore,' he said of the documents found at Biden's home.

'It's incredible. But when you look at the documents all over the place, whatever happened to that one?'

He also pointed out that Biden's documents had reportedly been kept at a storage facility in Washington's Chinatown.

'And maybe worst of all, he's got documents in Chinatown, in Chinatown, many, many documents, boxes of documents,' he said. 'You don't ever hear about this. All you hear about is Trump and I'm totally covered by the Presidential Records Act.'

Trump departs after a visit with campaign volunteers at the Elks Lodge in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Tuesday brought a fresh twist in the cases against Trump. He revealed that he had received a letter from the Justice Department indicating that he was a target of its Jan. 6 investigation, covering the violence at the Capitol and his efforts to stay in power.

Such letters are generally an indication that the target will face charges.

'Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter  stating that I am a target of the January 6th grand jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the grand jury, which almost always means an arrest and an indictment,' he posted on his Truth Social site.

Once again, the former president managed to blow up the news cycle and his 2024 rivals' plans by revealing the latest legal twist himself.

He added in all caps: 'This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement.'
North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

It comes just two days after White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he's 'been concerned for some time' about more tests even though there are no 'indications' of an impending launch.

The launches happened as a U.S.-led United Nations Command tried to secure the release of a U.S. soldier who fled to North Korea from the South Korean side of a border village Tuesday afternoon.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, in his early 20s, had just been released from a South Korean prison where he was held on assault charges.

Instead of getting on a plane to be taken back to Fort Bliss, Texas, he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border, U.S. officials say.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades

The Japan Ministry of Defense posted this map of where two ballistic missiles fell

Travis King crossed into North Korea shortly after being released from prison in South Korea

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that from 3:30am to 3:46am North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area near capital Pyongyang that flew about 341 miles before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

Those flight details were similar to the assessment of the Japanese military, which said the missiles landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone and that there were no immediate reports of damage from ships or aircraft in affected areas.

The flight distance of the North Korean missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that the North Korean missiles traveled on a low trajectory, with their maximum altitude reaching about 31 miles, and possibly demonstrated 'irregular maneuver' in flight.

Japan has previously used similar language to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modeled after Russia's Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North Korean launches as 'major provocation' that threatens peace and stability in the region and said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring the North for further weapons activities.

Wednesday's launches marked the North's first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea

Wednesday's launches marked the North's first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland.

That launch was supervised by the country's authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to further bolster his country's nuclear fighting capabilities in the face of expanding U.S.-South Korean military activities, which he blamed for worsening the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have risen in the region in recent months as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and U.S.-South Korean joint military drills have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles while attempting to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on both South Korea and the continental United States.

The allies have stepped up their joint military training and agreed to increase the deployments of U.S. strategic assets like long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to the region.

Periodic visits by U.S. nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April in response to North Koreas expanding nuclear threat.

They also agreed to further expand combined military exercises, strengthen joint planning for nuclear contingencies and establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, which held its inaugural meeting in Seoul Tuesday.

The steps were meant to ease South Korean concerns about North Korea's growing nuclear weapons arsenal and suppress voices within the South calling for the country to pursue its own nuclear weapons program.

U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement the Kentucky's arrival in Busan reflects the United States' 'ironclad' commitment to 'extended deterrence,' referring to an assurance to defend its ally with its full military capabilities, including nuclear ones.

The Ohio-class submarine can be equipped with about 20 Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 7,456 miles, according to South Korea's military.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin answers questions during a press briefing after participating in a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on July 18

'From this submarine, the U.S. can launch attacks (on North Korea) from anywhere in the world,' said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert who teaches at Kyonggi University in South Korea. 'But there will likely be backlashes from North Korea and China because its like the worlds most covert and threatening nuclear weapons forces being deployed on their doorsteps.'

While some South Korean conservatives have expressed disappointment that the Biden-Yoon meeting in April came short of agreeing to station U.S. nuclear weapons or strategic assets in the South, placing nuclear weapons offshore and on submarines is 'actually a stronger deterrent in many ways,' said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at Washingtons Center for a New American Security.

'Deterrence is strengthened when the location of American strategic assets is unknown to the adversary as long as the adversary knows that these weapons exist,' said Kim.

Still, Seoul and Washington will need to find the 'sweet spot' when it comes to the visibility of Americas extended deterrent.

'Too much visibility of strategic assets could actually undermine the deterrent effect while too little could raise questions in Seoul about commitment,' Kim said.
A US soldier who had been locked up for two months in a South Korean prison fled across the heavily armed border into North Korea Tuesday, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.

Private 2nd Class Travis King - who has served in the Army for more than two years - had been held on assault charges and was released on July 10 after serving his time.

Instead of getting on a plane to be taken back to Fort Bliss, Texas, he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border, U.S. officials say.

The Pentagon is now scrambling to find out where the private has been taken amid ratcheting tensions in the Pacific. King's motivations for his high-stakes gambit remain unclear.

His mother has spoken out, denying claims that he was fleeing and saying she desperately wants her son to return.

'I'm so proud of him. I just want him to come home, come back to America,' Claudine Gates told ABC News.

Travis King crossed into North Korea shortly after being released from prison in South Korea

King's detainment came ahead of North Korea firing two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

The events have been part of a whirlwind day along the Korea peninsula, including King fleeing into North Korea.

Gates, who lives in Racine, Wisconsin, added she couldn't see her son fleeing and entering North Korea on purpose.

'I cant see Travis doing anything like that,' Claudine Gates said.

According to officials, King, 23, was taken to the airport and escorted as far as customs. He was set to return to Fort Bliss to face military action after completing his South Korean sentence.

He was being held in jail for allegedly kicking a South Korean police squad car.

But instead of getting on the plane, King left the airport and later joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists.

The Army released his name and limited information after King's family was notified of the incident.

But a number of U.S. officials provided additional details on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

It wasn't clear how he got to the border or how he spent the hours between leaving the airport on Monday and crossing the border a day later.

King's mother has spoken out, denying claims that he was fleeing and saying she desperately wants her son to return

King's mother, Claudine Gates, just wants her son to return to their Wisconsin home (pictured)

At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody

King bolted across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists, on Tuesday afternoon local time in Korea

At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody.

'We're closely monitoring and investigating the situation,' Austin said, noting he was foremost concerned about the troop's wellbeing. 'This will develop in the next several days and hours, and we'll keep you posted.'

According to Army spokesman Bryce Dubee, King is a cavalry scout who joined the service in January 2021. He was in Korea as part of the 1st Armored Division.

The American-led U.N. Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. North Koreas state media didnt immediately report on the border crossing.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The war has been at a standstill for decades, though hostilities remain. Hours after King fled into North Korea, the 'hermit kingdom' launched missiles that also came in the wake of a US sub docking in South Korea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said from 3:30am to 3:46am, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area near capital Pyongyang that flew about 341 miles before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

Those flight details were similar to the assessment of the Japanese military, which said the missiles landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone and that there were no immediate reports of damage from ships or aircraft in affected areas.

The flight distance of the North Korean missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a US nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin speaks during a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on July 18

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that the North Korean missiles traveled on a low trajectory, with their maximum altitude reaching about 31 miles, and possibly demonstrated 'irregular maneuver' in flight.

Japan has previously used similar language to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modeled after Russia's Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North Korean launches as 'major provocation' that threatens peace and stability in the region and said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring the North for further weapons activities.

A U.S. nuclear-armed submarine visited South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in four decades in deterrence against North Korea.

Wednesday's launches marked the North's first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland.

The United States, South Korea and others have accused North Korea of using foreign detainees to wrest diplomatic concessions. Some foreigners have said after their release that their declarations of guilt were coerced while in North Korean custody.
A transgender man in Michigan says he was the victim of a transphobic attack in which he was shot in a pellet-gun attack while traveling along the sidewalk in a wheelchair.

Andrew Blake-Newton, 30, said he was shot five times over the weekend from a car full of people who mocked the disabled man and yelled anti-transgender slurs before laughing as they drove away.

Blake-Newton told a local NBC affiliate: 'No one should have to go through this. No one.'

Police are now hunting for the suspects and are offering a $1,000 reward in the case.

Andrew Blake-Newton (right), a transgender man, said he was shot five times by a pellet gun on his way to a local gas station Saturday night

The alleged attack occurred right after midnight on Saturday as Blake-Newton made his way from his home in Pontiac - outside of Detroit - to a gas station to get a snack.

He was traveling in his wheelchair on the sidewalk at the time of the attack, which allegedly came from passersby in a small, tan sedan.

'It is reprehensible that someone would do such a cowardly and despicable thing to an individual in a wheelchair, and they need to be held accountable,' Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.

He said a reward of $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the offenders.

In an interview, Blake-Newton displayed what looked like pellet-gun marks on several parts of his body, including his legs.

'It was so bad I was leaking fluid, and puddles of fluid were around my legs at the hospital. Since this happened, I cant get comfortable. I have barely been able to sleep due to the pain,' Blake-Newton said.

'No one should have to go through this. No one,' Blake-Newton said

The suburban Detroit gas station, near where the alleged assault occurred

Andrew Blake-Newton (right) with his husband Gareth Newton (right) recount the attack

Blake-Newton, who is in a wheelchair, showed his pellet wounds

'It was so bad I was leaking fluid, and puddles of fluid were around my legs at the hospital. Since this happened, I cant get comfortable. I have barely been able to sleep due to the pain,' Blake-Newton said

'It is reprehensible that someone would do such a cowardly and despicable thing to an individual in a wheelchair, and they need to be held accountable,' Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said

Gareth Newton, Blake's husband, said he is relieved that his partner wasn't more grievously injured.

'Im glad hes still with me. I would have been heartbroken if Id lost him,' he said, adding that he was grateful that the weapon used was 'just a pellet gun.'

'I have seen trans people of color on social media being gunned down,' he said.

This year, the Human Rights Campaign, which keeps track of fatal violence against trans individuals, has reported the violent deaths of at least 14 trans and gender-nonconforming people.
A former Sydney teacher has been jailed for at least six months, after he came undone when a teenage girl knocked a whiteboard and found his secretly recording phone.

Eric Wong, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts of filming a person's private parts without consent.

Wong's sentencing in May was delayed for a report on the possibility that he has autism spectrum disorder, which could have impacted on his sentencing.

Barrister Peter Givorshner told a local court two eminent doctors had agreed.

'He needs treatment, and he's not going to get it in jail,' Mr Givorshner said on Wednesday.

But Wong can get treatment after he's released, Magistrate Alexander Mijovich said - describing his behaviour as 'high-level betrayal'.

Physics teacher Eric Wong (pictured) was jailed for at least six months

He jailed Wong for at least six months with a total sentence of 14 months.

The court was satisfied imprisonment was the only suitable punishment, with Mr Mijovich saying 'the threshold is well and truly crossed'.

'You abused a position of trust and authority of multiple victims,' he told Wong.

'These occurred in the confines of a school, where the victims and families are entitled to feel safe from any predatory or other behaviour,' Mr Mijovich said.

While Wong may have autism with Asperger's syndrome according to the medical reports, he was also described as having above average intelligence.

'You would have had a full understanding this was completely inappropriate conduct,' Mr Mijovich told Wong in Hornsby Local Court.

How plot unravelled

The teacher breached his position of authority and trust, preying on girls he taught by photographing and filming their pelvic and chest areas under their school uniforms in a 'brazen, predatory and opportunist' way, agreed facts filed with the court state.

A 16-year-old student, asked to stay behind after class to complete a survey, bumped into a smartboard at Cammeraygal High School on Sydney's lower north shore and revealed a hidden phone strategically placed to film.

Police found photos and videos taken by Wong of students

The teacher secretly filmed up the skirts of female students at Cammeraygal High School (pictured) on Sydney's north shore.

Wong immediately leant down to pick up the phone, said he left it there before class, and changed the topic when the girl questioned him.

Police later found 90 videos and 300 photos of uniformed students, including images taken up skirts and down shirts when they searched his home.

The files were found on two computers, showing him 'randomly walking around' his classroom recording on his phone, targeting only the girls.

He walks up next to or behind them, and while supervising their schoolwork, discreetly films their private parts under their school uniforms.

Some videos show him glancing towards the phone before repositioning it, which the magistrate said showed a degree of planning in his offending, occurring over a duration of time.

Wong is eligible for parole in January 2024.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
An El Nino weather pattern has led to heatwaves and wildfires in Europe, the US and Asia, and Australians are worried about what may be heading their way in summer.

Italy is bracing for an expected high of 48C - potentially the hottest ever in Europe - while China has already recorded its highest ever temperature of 52.2C in Sanbao.

The dread in Australia is particularly acute with the devastating bushfire summer of 2019-2020 still fresh in people's minds, as are the three wet La Nina summers that followed.

'If we have an El Nino supercharged by climate change, then we could be in for a very bad summer,' Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick of UNSW Canberra said.

An El Nino weather pattern 'brings a higher chance of hot, dry weather in much of Australia,' climate expert Andrew King of the University of Melbourne wrote on The Conversation website.

An El Nino weather pattern in the northern hemisphere has led to temperatures in the 40s in Europe and the US. A woman is pictured cooling off in a fountain during an ongoing heat wave with temperatures reaching 44 degrees, at the Spanish Steps on July 17, 2023 in Rome, Italy

The heatwave has also brought wildfires across two continents. A forest fire is pictured near the village of Makrimalli on the Greek island of Evia

Dr Perkins-Kirkpatrick told Guardian Australia she is 'very concerned (with the heatwaves in Europe and the US) because these events are just persisting for so long'.

What is the El Nino weather pattern? El Nino historically leads to reduced rain through winter and spring across much of northern and eastern Australia. Temperatures generally remain warmer than normal from winter, through spring and into summer. Advertisement

Dr King said it's still too early to say whether Australia is in for a scorching summer, but that 'global warming will bring more record-high temperatures in Australia'.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) agrees with him and has yet to call call an El Nino for Australia as it has stricter criteria for doing so than the World Meteorological Organization, which has already declared El Nino.

The BOM requires a full atmospheric response to changes in the Pacific Ocean, known as coupling.

The Pacific is showing an El Nino state with warm water along the equator, but the weather patterns are still not displaying a typical El Nino state, with trade winds and pressure patterns, for example, currently near normal.

Meteorologist Dr Adam Morgan told ABC's News Breakfast that 'How much El Nino or El Nino-like conditions are playing into what we are seeing around the world right now is a little hard to say.

'What we do know is that oceans are warm everywhere right now.

'We have got really warm oceans off of Europe, really warm oceans off of places like Korea where we are seeing lots of monsoonal rains, so that gives us the ability to have higher temperatures,' he said.

Tourists are refreshed by a fan spraying nebulized water at near the Colosseum in Rome on July 18, 2023

Health personnel attend to a tourist struck ill by high temperatures in Rome, Italy as the temperature reached 45C

The BOM is on 'alert' for an El Nino summer, saying models indicate further warming is likely, with sea surface temperatures remaining above El Nino thresholds until at least the end of the year.

And though the bureau has not called an El Nino, it has issued a long-range forecast of warmer and drier conditions across much of Australia for August to October.

But many, including ABC meteorologist Tom Saunders, believe it may just a matter of time before the BOM calls an El Nino for Australia.

'Major bushfires are certainly possible for the first time in four years due to the vegetation growth, but it will also come down to weather patterns during the spring and summer,' Saunders said.

'If we see the right combination of a dry spring/summer and bursts of strong westerly winds then yes, major bushfires are likely.'

About 200 firefighters, army, police and other partners worked alongside helicopters to douse the flames in the canton of Valais, Switzerland (pictured)

The World Meteorological Organization has warned that temperature records may be broken and urged people to stay safe and follow advice

Dr King said there's one factor working in Australia's favour in the slim hope of avoiding an El Nino summer.

'The particular atmospheric pattern bringing extremes to the Northern Hemisphere isn't replicated in the Southern Hemisphere, because we have more ocean and less land,' he said.

But he added that 'Australia does experience its own ... high pressure patterns which also bring major heatwaves and extreme rain events'.

One way or another, Australia is probably in for a hot and dry summer of 2023-2024.
A 12-year-old boy has captured the incredible moment a whale appears to teach its calf how to breathe.

Western Australian boy Zac Humski was with his family on a boat about 10km off the coast of Yanchep, north of Perth's CBD, when they heard the spray of whales.

The accredited drone pilot quickly launched his drone and found a mother humpback whale with her calf.

Zac followed the pair and caught the beautiful interaction between a mother and her baby.

Footage shows the mother calf carrying her calf on her nose as they swim just under the surface of the water.

Zac Humski, 12, captured the incredible moment a humpback whale teaches her calf how to breathe

The whale is seen breaking the surface and letting out air creating a cloud of mist known as a blow before using its nose to gently push its calf to the surface.

The calf is then seen taking in air through its blowhole before diving back down into the water.

Zac's dad, Steven, was piloting the boat and told Daily Mail Australia the day turned into something 'very special' when they spotted the whales.

'A quiet day of fishing turned into something very special when we heard the spray of the whales,' Mr Humski said.

'We kept our distance and Zac excitedly launched the drone... no fish were caught but Zac was overcome with joy and will never forget this experience.'

Zac's mum, Kim said she and her son believe the calf was very young and was being taught how to breathe and swim.

'The mother and baby hung around for ages,' she told PerthNow.

'The mother was carrying the baby on her nose, so we believe it was a very young baby learning to breathe and swim.'

Footage captured by the accredited drone pilot shows the mum humpback whale use her nose to gently push her calf through the water

Kim said her son followed the whales with his drone and was overcome with emotion.

'Zac said that he doesn't often get emotional about nature, but he was overcome seeing the whales!' she said.

Zac shared his incredible footage on his Droning DownUnder Facebook and Instagram accounts, garnering more than 1,300 likes on his photographs.

Humpback whales are able to swim from the moment they are born, with most mothers pushing their calf to the surface for its first breaths.

Mothers will spend months or even years raising their young, remaining close by as their calves learn to move through the water.

Approximately 40,000 whales travel the 'Humpback Highway' off the coast of Western Australia between June and November

The largest humpback migration in the southern hemisphere happens in Western Australia between June and November.

The annual migration sees approximately 40,000 whales travel the 'Humpback Highway' from summer feeding grounds in Antarctica to breeding grounds in the nearshore waters of the Kimberley region.

Humpback whales can grow up to around 18 metres long and weigh up to 36 metric tons, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.

A female humpback has a calf every two to three years and has a year-long gestation period, with a newborn humpback already three metres long at birth.
Claims to have never made 'critical' comments on 'Lawyer X' case

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has gotten into a stoush with an ABC journalist over comments he made that some deemed critical of a former High Court judge.

In May, Mr Andrews suggested at a press conference that former High Court Justice Geoffrey Nettle had become too close to the 'Lawyer X' case after he was appointed as special prosecutor to investigate whether charges should be laid in 2021.

ABC 7.30's Rhiana Whitson asked Mr Andrews if he would apologise for his comments at a press conference on Tuesday.

Despite a group 38 Victorian senior counsellors and barristers condemning Mr Andrews' comments, the Premier insisted to Ms Whitson that what he said did not amount to criticism of Mr Nettle.

Mr Andrews said: 'I said no such thing'.

Ms Whitson replied: 'Well you did, you said investigators...'

The Premier fired back: 'I think I'm uniquely placed to know what I said, given I said it.'

When pressed further by Ms Whitson - saying she listened to his press conference - the premier said what the journalist 'might have done is had a look at what was reported about the press conference'.

'I didn't say it so I won't be apologising for something I did not say.'

Mr Andrews' initial comments at the centre of the dispute were at press conference on May 28, where he announced the office of the special investigator, Mr Nettle, would be closed.

'Investigators don't make good prosecutors, there needs to be a separation,' Mr Andrews told the media at the press conference.

'If you have investigated the matter, you are altogether too close to it to be making decisions about whether a conviction is likely.

'The only thing ... that should guide that is the considered judgment of the Director of Public Prosecutions.'

Victorian barrister and spokesperson for the group of Victorian legal experts, Darryl Burnett, called Mr Andrews' comments 'belittling' to Mr Nettle's investigation.

'It's important to have a separation of powers between the executive government, which of course the premier leads, and the judicial and prosecutorial process,' he told the ABC.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) has shut down a female journalist over his comments that some deemed critical of a former Justice of High Court of Australia

After being questioned by the ABC's Rhiana Whitson (pictured) Mr Andrews claimed he never made the comments despite them being on record at a press conference in May

Mr Nettle had threatened to quit from the role just a week prior to Mr Andrews' initial comments, feeling frustrated that the job had been a 'waste of time'.

He was tasked with investigating whether charges should be laid against several people regarding the use of so-called 'Lawyer X', Nicola Gobbo, as a police source during Victoria's gangland war.

Mr Nettle could not press charges without the approval of Director of Public Prosecutions, Kerri Judd, who queried if they had enough evidence to file charges against several people.

Mr Judd had also questioned if it was in the public's interest to lay charges if it was more than likely those charged would most likely face a non-custodial sentence if found guilty.

'I no longer think it is realistic to suppose the director could be persuaded to approve any charge of relevant offence,' Mr Nettle said in a report to the Victorian parliament.

'I consider that there is no longer any point in (the special investigator's office) persisting with investigating and determining whether there is sufficient evidence to establish the commission of relevant offences.

'I consider it to be pointless for (the office) to continue.'
Stan Grant has addressed the racism levelled against him which sparked his decision to retreat from the public eye - empathising with an embattled Indigenous Voice to Parliament architect who claimed there's been an 'uptick' in racially-motivated abuse.

More than 1,000 Sydneysiders turned out to hear pitches from a star studded line up of Voice campaigners including Thomas Mayo, Noel Pearson and Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney.

Grant moderated the CityTalks discussion in Sydney's CBD, marking the first time he has fronted a public event since the Sydney Writers Festival in May, the same month he stepped away from the public eye back on the back of incessant 'racism' and a disenchantment with the media landscape.

He told the crowd he personally had noticed a significant increase in 'polarisation and division', lamenting living 'in an era of untruth, where even the truth is debated'.

Addressing Mayo directly, he said there was no doubt 'First Nations people have reported an increase in racism' amid the ongoing Voice debate.

Stan Grant (pictured) has addressed the racism levelled against him which sparked his decision to retreat from the public eye - empathising with an embattled Indigenous Voice to Parliament architect who claimed there's been an 'uptick' in racially-motivated abuse

'I have a personal view on this, and a personal experience with this,' he said.

Grant revealed when he stepped down as host of ABC's Q+A indefinitely that racist attacks toward him had reached a fever pitch after his coverage of the King's coronation that he was receiving death threats.

Mayo revealed he'd also been subjected to racist trolling which had taken its toll on him.

'It's been a marked increase in racism. It has been really difficult,' he said:

'This is an attack on Aboriginal people in this country, we cannot let them stop us. That is what they're trying to do.

'Like myself, like Stan, don't let this stop us.'

In a significant about face on his historic comments, in which Daily Mail Australia revealed Mr Mayo saw a Voice to Parliament as a direct path to treaty, the union delegate and Referendum Working Commission member explained his reasoning for seeking a Voice.

He said treaty making processes will take decades to negotiate 'due to their complexity' and that the priority should be in making practical changes to the community in ways that are already available.

'There are issues in our communities that are urgent, right now,' he said. 'If treaty is going to take decades, why would we wait?'

'We should be taking these issues to Canberra now.'

Mayo also appeared to provide an indication as to when the referendum will be held, telling the crowd they must 'urgently, systematically, reach out to anybody they could possibly influence'.

'Call someone tonight do this respectfully, finish the conversation on a positive note and revisit in a few weeks,' he said.

'This is urgent. There is only about 13 weeks left,' he said, before hastily adding: 'if it (the referendum) is in mid-October.'

Thomas Mayo revealed he'd also been subjected to racist trolling which had taken its toll on him

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not yet confirmed when the referendum will take place, beyond confirming it will be in the last quarter of 2023.

It was revealed early this week the Yes campaign had spent a whopping $300,000 on advertisements for the Voice. Mr Mayo said t they 'need more money'.

He urged supporters to 'dig deep and help us with that'.

'We need you to donate, to contribute,' he said.

Both Mayo and Grant were treated with raucous applause at various stages of the night.

The crowd were particularly fond of Grant, who welcomed the sold out audience with a video from 2017, when the Uluru Statement from the Heart was forged.

The clip prominently featured Noel Pearson; who said it's the 'hope of our people that the voice will lead to the Makarrata Commission' - which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously said will make representations in favour of a treaty.

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore was the first official speaker of the evening, describing the event as 'the official launch of our campaign to support the Voice'.

Meanwhile Minister Burney used her allocated time to lash the No campaign, saying: 'No campaign is more of the same, offering no solutions.'

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney delivers an address during a Voice To Parliament panel, in Sydney

She avoided using the word 'treaty', opting instead for 'agreement' when maintaining she hopes to see the Uluru Statement in full, which calls for Voice, Treaty and Truth.

The Minister reheated plenty of her statement to the National Press Club last week, acknowledging the four priority areas she mentioned at the time would not be the only concerns for an advisory body.

'Health, education, jobs and housing,' she said. 'Of course, there will be more.'

The first few rows of Centennial Hall were reserved for invited guests, and 10 minutes before the event was due to start ticket holders were already fighting for a smattering of individual seats.

When asked how they intended to Vote, the crowd shouted a deafening Yes. They laughed along with jokes made at the expense of the Opposition - at legal experts who questioned the scope of the Voice.

Grant, at one stage during the Q&A portion of the evening, quoted concerns about whether the Voice would be entitled to make representations to the Reserve Bank of Australia.

'If they could bring the rates down, that'd be nice,' he quipped. The crowd cheered along.

He said: 'This is a seminal moment for our country. You don't want to leave here uninformed, or misinformed.'

One of the most profound revelations of the night came from Professor Anne Twomey, who offered a thorough, in depth analysis of what might happen if the referendum is successful, but the advisory body which is borne out of that does not live up to expectations.

She reiterated what has been laid out as a primary concern from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and the wider No campaign: once it is written into the Constitution, it is here to stay.

'The referendum guarantees the Voice exists, you can't take that away,' she said.

But, there will be a 'fire escape aspect' which could provide future governments a 'get out' clause to revamp the Voice 'if it is not functioning well, losing authority or not focusing on things that actually matter'.

This loophole is because the Constitution will only state that a Voice must exist and have the right to make representations to parliament.

But Professor Twomey said the government of the day can legislate 'how the Voice is comprised, the relationship to Parliament and to reconfigure things to get a better Voice if they realise it is not functioning right'.

'Parliament can regulate to make it more efficient to decide when and if MPs should take representations into consideration.'

These amendments can all be made so long as the primary function of the Voice - which is for it to exist and for it to speak to government - are not abolished.

But Professor Twomey also noted she does not expect there to be any issues with the scope of the Voice. Given committee members will be elected in their communities, she said it is in their best interests to ensure they're directly reflecting the wishes of everyday First Nations people.

'If Voice is focusing on parking tickets and subs, the community won't be too happy. They'll be turfed pretty quickly,' she said.

'The Voice also simply won't have the resources to be making submissions on irrelevant things. They will have to be focused.'

Noel Pearson spoke at the Voice To Parliament panel, in Sydney where 1000 people attended

In promotional material for the hotly anticipated event, Ms Moore said the City of Sydney has had its own 'Voice' to Council since 2008 - the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel.

The panel is comprised of Indigenous organisations and leaders to provide advice for consideration when policies are formed.

Wednesday's panel was promoted as a 'chance to hear directly from community leaders, Voice experts, and constitutional specialists on what the Voice to Parliament will mean for our nation's future'.

The talk is just the latest in a whirlwind campaigning tour to promote the Voice. Thomas Mayo has attended events across Australia promoting his book explaining the referendum, while Ms Burney is visiting regional towns to garner support for the proposal.

She was invited to appear on Ben Fordham's breakfast program to debate Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, but declined.

She said: 'No, this is about Australians not politicians. It's always been about politics for the Liberals and Nationals. That's why they want a Canberra debate.

'We want an honest and open conversation with Australia about a path to a better future. They want typical political conflict and obstruction.'
A former escort who dated Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann has revealed how he got 'excited' by talking about the case - and her own narrow escape.

Nicole Brass, 34, said she met the alleged murderer at a seafood place in Port Jefferson, Long Island, at some time between 2014 and 2016.

The sex worker said that conversation quickly turned to true crime documentaries and Heuermann asked if she knew about the 11 unsolved Gilgo Beach killings.

Heuermann was arrested last week and charged with three of the murders - detectives say he is the prime suspect in a fourth killing.

Brass said he revealed details - including another death - which had not been reported on the news and that she was 'weirded out' by how thrilled he seemed. The escort claimed that Heuermann indicated that others participated in the murders.

After dinner, Heuermann told her 'get in my car' and invited her back to his Massapequa home. Detectives believe some of the prostitutes were killed at the Manhattan architect's property before being dumped on the beach.

Recounting their date on TikTok, Brass said: 'I was like, "I don't feel comfortable getting in the car with you. I don't know you." And he was like almost agitated and angry that I wouldn't go in the car with him and that made me even more like, "I gotta get outta here." So I ended up leaving, thank God I trusted my gut, I left when that check came.'

Former escort Nicole Brass, 34, discussed her date with accused Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann, who excitedly told her details about the mysterious murders in 2015

Heuermann, 59, is accused of killing three of the 11 Gilgo Beach victims. He is currently being held in Suffolk County Jail without bail

Earlier she said that their date began with 'normal formal talk' over a drink.

Brass said: 'He brought up true crime ... And he was like, "Well do you know about the Gilgo Beach killer" and I was like, "Of course, everybody on Long Island does, we're all following that case" ... and he started to say things that first of all led me to believe that it was not just him - there were other people involved, he is taking the fall though for all of them and I think he will because I think he'll probably be taken care of out of that deal.

'He was very detailed and it didn't seem like somebody who was just a true crime fan. It seemed like somebody who, as they talked about it, they were reliving it in their head.

'Like he seemed excited, like it piqued his interest. He sat up straighter, he relaxed his body, he seemed really excited to talk about it. And what got me was he mentioned a body that wasn't announced on the news yet, it wasn't in papers, I never, nothing - and I would have known. So that really weirded me out.

'At the end he was like, "Do you wanna go back to my place?" And I was like, "I don't know, I'd have to follow you in my car," and he was like, "No, no, get in my car with me, leave your car here ... it will be fine just come with me."'

Huermann has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges and remains in custody in Suffolk County.

Brass told Insider that she met Heuermann through a website similar to BackPage - a site for escorts. He wanted to meet her in a hotel room near Massapequa Park.

'At the time, I was in my early 20s and I was an addict and I wasnt really thinking about safety. I was thinking about getting money. So I would go on dates with wealthy guys and have them pay me for my time.'

Brass said that a meeting just the two of them sat wrong with her, so she asked to go to dinner instead.

'He said he would get a room. I didnt feel comfortable not meeting in public or an area I didnt know, so I convinced him to meet me in Port Jeff,' she said.

They met at Steamroom in Port Jefferson where they made small talk at the table.

'In the beginning, he seemed totally normal. He talked about his job and just seemed really normal - until he brought up the Gilgo Beach murders,' she said.

Nicole Brass, 34, said she met the alleged murderer at the Steamroom in Port Jefferson, Long Island, at some time between 2014 and 2016

Suffolk County Police and police recruits search an area of beach near where human remains were found more than a decade ago

A general view of Gilgo Beach on July 18, 2023, in Babylon, New York

An aerial shot of Heuermann's Massapequa house, where box trucks and investigators have been planted over the last few days as evidence is collected

Brass spoke about being incredibly disturbed by the conversation she had with Heuermann in 2015. 'It didnt seem like somebody who feels bad when he talked about the victims. It seemed like somebody who really wanted to brag about what they did, but couldnt,' she said

'He brought [the Gilgo Beach murders] up on his own.'

She recounted the accused killer becoming more animated talking about the mysterious murders, bringing up several details that Brass, who had been following the cases, had not heard.

'I was following the case, and he mentioned one of the girls I hadnt heard about yet. It seemed like he was talking about it from experience, not a point of view,' she said.

She added the Manhattan architect appeared to lack empathy for the dead women and was nearly enthusiastic about their deaths.

'It didnt seem like somebody who feels bad when he talked about the victims. It seemed like somebody who really wanted to brag about what they did, but couldnt,' said Brass.

'When he spoke, something about it his body language changed, the look in his eyes changed, and it seemed like talking about the victims was enjoyable for him.

'When he spoke about it, it was almost like he was visualizing it in his head and getting off to what he was saying.'

The former escort said she found the experience to be extremely unsettling and moved to end dinner as fast as possible.

'The way he talked about it was really weird, and it gave me the worst gut feeling. I was so scared at the end of it. I didnt try to keep the dinner going long after that,' she recalled.

After the meal, Heuermann tried to convince Brass to leave her car in the parking lot and join him in the room he'd booked. She said he was upset when she refused.

'He was like, leave your car; come in mine. He was very adamant about me leaving my car. Looking back, he didnt want to have to kill somebody and get rid of their car,' she said.

An entrance to Gilgo Beach captured on July 18, 2023. Nearby, Rex Heuermann allegedly buried close to a dozen victims over the years

Crime scene investigators continue to work nearly round-the-clock at the Long Island home of Heuermann

New York State Police troopers stand guard as law enforcement searches Heuermann's home

Several years later, Brass told a friend of her fiance's about the off-putting encounter.

The friend, Francis Donoghue, confirmed Brass's story to the Daily News and said Heuermann's arrest last week was 'pretty shocking.'

'To have it verified like that, thats actually a pretty amazing thing.'

Brass said she never contacted the authorities about her suspicions about Heuermann because she was on parole at the time for a felony drug charge.

'Im a felon and had a history and didnt want to get involved with cops. I think he went after girls who were addicts or had a record, or anyone less likely to talk to police.

'When I saw he got arrested I felt almost relieved, but I was also like - holy s***, I was right,' she said. 'Maybe I should have spoken to the cops, but I knew they wouldnt listen to me.'
A lawyer for the FBI told an agent who investigated Hunter Biden to avoid answering questions from the House Oversight Committee, as news continues to leak out about the criminal investigations into the First Son.

The committee is probing whether the officers looking into Biden's tax affairs and drug use on a gun permit gave the 53-year-old preferential treatment.

FBI Counsel Jason Jones sent a letter Sunday to the agent - who's name has been redacted - just hours before they were set to testify before the committee, telling them to dodge questions about 'ongoing investigative activity'.

'The Department expects that you will decline to respond to questions seeking non-public information likely covered by one or more components of executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests, in particular information about deliberations or ongoing investigative activity in law enforcement matters,' he wrote.

He told the agent to 'instead refer such questions to the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs.'

A lawyer for the FBI told an agent who investigated Hunter Biden to avoid answering questions from the House Oversight Committee as news continues to leak out regarding the investigations into the First Son

FBI Counsel Jason Jones sent a letter Sunday to the agent - who's name has been redacted - just hours before they were set to testify before the committee

It comes after two IRS whistleblowers - one anonymous, the other named Gary Shapley - said in recent days that Hunter Biden was treated more leniently than ordinary Americans.

Jones said deferring answers would 'afford the Department the full opportunity to consider particular questions and possible accommodations that may fulfill the Committee's legitimate need for information while protecting Executive Branch confidentiality interests.'

The FBI lawyer described the investigation as 'ongoing' and confirmed that Biden's legal team was told about an interview in December 2020 in advance.

He added Congress wanted him to 'specifically' answer to those allegations and defer.

'Department officials, including those who have left the Department, are obligated to protect non-public information they learned in the course of their work,' Jones continued. 'Such information could be subject to various privileges, including law enforcement, deliberative process, attorney work product, and attorney-client privileges, and privacy interests.'

'These are called authorization letters and are standard practice,' an FBI spokesperson said in a statement.

On Monday, the Committee said in a lengthy tweet that an FBI agent who worked on the case agreed with Shapley that Hunter was given favorable treatment.

'The agent's testimony is sickening and reveals the lengths to which the DOJ is willing to go to cover up for the Bidens,' the Committee tweeted.

The special agent, who worked in the FBI's Wilmington field office, told committee staff in a transcribed interview Monday that the Biden transition team were tipped off the night before the planned interview of Hunter Biden.

The Committee is looking into whether officers delving into Biden's tax affairs and his lying about drug use on a gun permit gave the 53-year-old preferential treatment

Jones told the agent to 'instead refer such questions to the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs'

Hunter Biden, seen on July 4, has been investigated over his tax affairs and a gun permit, in which he claimed he did not use drugs

'This was not the original plan by the career agents, which frustrated their investigative efforts because people found out who didn't need to know,' the committee said.

Democrats were quick to dismiss the agent's claim, saying it was common for the FBI and DOJ to disagree about how to proceed with an investigation.

Shapley and his colleague said there had been a pattern of 'slow-walking investigative steps' and delaying enforcement actions in the months before the 2020 election, won by Joe Biden.

It is unclear whether the conflict they describe amounts to internal disagreement about how to pursue the investigation or a pattern of interference and preferential treatment.

Department policy has long warned prosecutors to take care in charging cases with potential political overtones around the time of an election, to avoid influencing the outcome.

Shapley is set to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.

Shapley has already told the House Ways and Means Committee that U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who has overseen the years-long Hunter Biden probe, said he doesn't make the ultimate decision on charges.

Weiss, according to Shapley, also said he had been denied special counsel authority.

But Weiss denied Shapley's claims, saying he was given free rein to do what he wanted, and he never sought special counsel powers.

Gary Shapley has claimed that Hunter Biden was given preferential treatment by the Justice Department when they investigated him on tax fraud and gun permit crimes

James Comer, a Republican representative for Kentucky, chairs the House Oversight Committee

The House Oversight Committee, led by James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, said the FBI agent's testimony was shocking.

They said the Biden transition team was given advance warning that Hunter Biden was about to be interviewed regarding his tax affairs and the gun charge, and Hunter then refused to speak to them.

He was charged with possessing a handgun, a Colt Cobra .38 Special, for 11 days in October 2018 despite knowing he was a drug user.

Last month Hunter agreed a plea deal on both separate charges, and will appear in court at the end of this month.

'Today, our committee staff conducted a transcribed interview with a former FBI supervisory special agent assigned to the FBI's Wilmington office and the Biden criminal investigation,' the Committee tweeted.

'The agent CONFIRMED key portions of the IRS whistleblowers' testimony, including that both Secret Service headquarters and the Biden transition team were TIPPED OFF about the planned Hunter Biden interview.

'In fact, on the day of the Hunter Biden interview, FEDERAL AGENTS WERE TOLD TO STAND BY AND TO NOT APPROACH HUNTER BIDEN they had to wait for his call. As a result of the change in plans, IRS and FBI criminal investigators never got to interview Hunter Biden as part of the investigation.

'The former FBI supervisory special agent told committee investigators he had never been told to wait outside to be contacted by the subject of an investigation.

'The agent's testimony is sickening and reveals the lengths to which the DOJ is willing to go to cover up for the Bidens. The Oversight Committee, along with the @JudiciaryGOP and @WaysandMeansGOP, will continue to seek the answers, transparency, and accountability that the American people demand and deserve.'

Joe Biden is seen with his son, Hunter, on June 24. The president has always said, when asked about Hunter, that he is proud of him

A Democrat source told DailyMail.com that the FBI agent's complaint was neither surprising nor revelatory, as FBI agents often disagreed with DOJ decisions.

'Based on a decade of experience with the Delaware U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI agent never knew the Assistant US Attorneys in the office or U.S. Attorney Weiss to allow any political considerations to influence their prosecutorial decisions in any case,' the source said.

'The FBI agent acknowledged that it is routine for FBI agents and DOJ prosecutors to disagree about investigative steps and charging decisions, and in his 20 year career, he witnessed this happen frequently.

'The FBI agent expressed that in determining whether to seek a warrant, it is proper for prosecutors to consider additional considerations beyond whether probable cause exists in executing certain search warrants involving political figures, attorneys, or raising election year sensitivities, per DOJ policy.'

Joe Biden, asked about his son, repeatedly replies that he is proud of him and his efforts to overcome his drug addiction.
A federal government body that focuses on Chinese national security threats is quietly disappearing from the internet stirring fears Australia could kowtow to Beijing.

The Foreign Investment Review Board name no longer features on the Treasury website, except to redirect web traffic.

'Treasury's Foreign Investment website has replaced firb.gov.au,' it said.

Instead, there is a link to a new 'Foreign Investment' website which went live this month with the FIRB name absent.

'Australia welcomes foreign investment,' it said in big font.

A federal government body that focuses on Chinese national security threats is quietly disappearing (pictured is Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, left in November 2022, with Chinese President Xi Jinping)

Clive Hamilton, the author of Silent Invasion: China's Influence in Australia, said the small change to a Treasury website was a sign Australia was trying to be nice with China.

Australia's biggest export markets 1. CHINA: Down $4.332billion or two per cent to $184.721billion 2. JAPAN: Up $54.648billion or 84 per cent to $119.733billion 3. SOUTH KOREA: Up $16.022billion or 42 per cent to $53.875billion 4. INDIA: Up $10.27billion or 42 per cent to $34.847billion 5. UNITED STATES: Up $6.644billion or 28 per cent to $30.69billion Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics international trade data Advertisement

'I think it is,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'Certain government ministers have signalled that the new government is unlike the old one, which botched the relationship and we are going to be more accommodating and mature in our approach to China.'

A spokesman for Treasurer Jim Chalmers denied the website changes were about appeasing China.

'The Foreign Investment Review Board's foreigninvestment.gov.au website was launched last month to provide simpler and clearer access to information on Australia's foreign investment rules and requirements,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

But Professor Hamilton, a Canberra-based lecturer in public ethics at Charles Sturt University, said the Chinese Communist Party was likely to exploit any weakness from Australia.

'The Labor government has attempted to put on a friendlier face towards China and Chinese companies,' he said.

'Beijing is extremely cynical, so we can be sure if Labor's sending the optics that we're friendly and open to Chinese investors, Beijing is going to test that.'

Michael Shoebridge, an analyst with Strategic Analysis Australia, told Daily Mail Australia the change was a subtle sign FIRB 'and the supporting bureaucracy is being re-engineered'.

FIRB's former chairman David Irvine, who died in March 2022, was previously the director-general of both the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.

Before that, he was Australia's ambassador to China and he took over FIRB after it had, in 2015, allowed the Northern Territory's former Country Liberal Party government to sign a 99-year lease on the Port of Darwin with Chinese company Landbridge Group.

His 2017 appointment heading FIRB, after a career as a diplomat and a leader of Australia's spy agencies, signalled a willingness by the previous Coalition government to be alert to security threats from Chinese investment.

Former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg in April 2022, a month before the federal election, appointed Australia's former ambassador to Japan, Bruce Miller as FIRB's new chairman with a five-year term.

But under Mr Frydenberg's leadership, Treasury in 2020 announced a new Foreign Investment website would be created for overseas residents looking to invest in Australia outside of residential property.

It would also feature a new guide on navigating foreign investment rules.

Professor Hamilton said the FIRB, under the previous government, had been beefed up with more resources to examine security threats from potential Chinese investment in critical infrastructure, as Huawei was banned from installing 5G mobile networks in Australia.

'However, the FIRB did allow through a number of highly questionable foreign investments in important Australian infrastructure and in my opinion, at times didn't do its job properly in protecting Australia's national security,' he said.

The Foreign Investment Review Board, which continues to operate, was established in April 1976 as a non-statutory body to advise the government on foreign investment proposals, acquisitions and new investment projects.

The Foreign Investment Review Board name no longer features on the Treasury website, except to redirect web traffic (pictured is Treasurer Jim Chalmers with his wife Laura)

FIRB's former chairman David Irvine, who died in March 2022, was previously the director-general of both the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (he is pictured in 2014)

A 'Foreign Investment' website has replaced the Foreign Investment Review Board

It wasn't established as an Act of Parliament under former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser, which means it can be more easily abolished or downgraded.

China is Australia's biggest buyer of residential real estate, with $2.3billion spent in the nine months to March 2023, buying 1,775 properties, Treasury data showed without reference to FIRB.

That equated to $8.4million a day from Chinese investors.

Since coming to power in May 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor government has taken a more conciliatory approach to China diplomacy, in a bid to undo trade sanctions imposed in a range of Australian exports during the Covid pandemic.

He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Bali in November last year, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong this month met with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Jakarta.

China is Australia's biggest two-way trading partner, with exports there worth $184.7billion in 2022.

But they fell by two per cent, following a series of trade sanctions, as exports volumes rose over the year in Japan, South Korea, India and the United States.
The Aboriginal name for a creek in central Victoria has been officially reinstated, prompting an outpouring of emotion from Indigenous leader Rodney Clarke, who was moved to tears.

Jim Crow Creek in Hepburn Shire Council, north-west of Melbourne, was renamed to Larni Barramal Yaluk which translates to 'the creek that flows through the home or dreaming place of the emu'.

About 50 locals gathered at the creek this week to perform a smoking ceremony to celebrate the name change, which was voted on by council in 2022 and cemented in Geographic Names Victoria in May this year.

'The reality is that Jim Crow stems from racial segregation and anti-black racism and is therefore unacceptable,' Mayor Brian Hood said.

'Renaming the creek back to Indigenous language is a way of reconnecting this beautiful landscape with the culture and language of Dja Dja Wurrung.'

Local Dja Dja Wurrung people perform a smoking ceremony at the creek in country Victoria

Local Indigenous leader Rodney Clarke was moved to tears while addressing the crowd

Dja Dja Wurrung Group chief executive Rodney Carter said the former name, originating in the US as a derogatory name for black people, indicated the area was not a safe place for Indigenous people.

'The former name memorialised a sorry chapter in our shared history. It was offensive to my people, and I think, to others,' he told those gathered.

Mr Clarke had tears in his eyes as he addressed the crowd, reported the ABC.

There is a growing trend in Australia of reverting to Indigenous names for landmarks.

The Queensland government recently changed the name of Fraser Island back to K'gari, the name used by its traditional owners.

The Butchulla people also celebrated that name-change - which mean's 'paradise' - for the UNESCO World Heritage Area.

Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the government has renamed a number of places already, including Naree Budjong Djara National Park on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and Gheebulum Kunungai National Park Mulgumpin (Moreton Island).

'The Palaszczuk government recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island heritage and cultures, which represent an enduring and ongoing connection to Country,' she said.

A group of about 50 people gathered this week to celebrate the name change of the creek to Larni Barramal Yaluk which translates to 'the creek that flows through the home or dreaming place of the emu'

K'gari was originally known by Europeans as Great Sandy Island before it was changed to Fraser Island after Scotswoman Eliza Fraser was shipwrecked there in 1836.

Ms Fraser was eventually rescued by an escaped convict and taken back to Moreton Bay, now Brisbane.

She initially claimed she was mistreated by the local Indigenous people on the island, but later changed her account.
The Met Police has apologised to the family of murdered private detective Daniel Morgan and agreed to pay them a six-figure sum after they were 'repeatedly and inexcusably let down' by the force's botched investigation.

The out-of-court agreement, approved by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, will see the family receive the 'significant' payment after Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted liability for the conduct of officers in response to the murder.

It comes two years after a bombshell report into the case branded the force 'institutionally corrupt' and accused it of more than three decades of cover-ups and incompetence.

The 16million independent panel report in June 2021 found that former Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick personally placed hurdles in the way of the search for the truth about the murder of Mr Morgan, who was found with an axe in his head in south-east London in 1987.

The damning verdict found the police force was more interested in protecting its reputation than solving what was dubbed the most investigated unsolved murder in the history of the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Morgan was found with an axe in his head in south-east London in 1987

Sir Mark Rowley, the Met's commissioner, apologised to the family of Daniel Morgan this morning

The Met agreed to pay compensation to the Morgan family  led by the victims campaigning brother Alastair (pictured)  18 months after they announced plans to sue the force

Sir Mark said this morning that Mr Morgan's family were given 'empty promises and false hope' as a number of investigations failed. He said 'the Metropolitan Police prioritised its reputation at the expense of transparency and effectiveness'.

He added: 'This case has been marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence, and defensiveness that has repeated itself over and over again. Daniel Morgan's family were given empty promises and false hope as successive investigations failed and the Metropolitan Police prioritised its reputation at the expense of transparency and effectiveness.

'No words can do justice to the pain and suffering that has been a feature of the family's lives for more than three decades as they have fought for justice, a fight which no family should have to endure. Their tenacious campaigning has exposed multiple and systemic failings in this organisation.

'I have met with the family and listened to vivid and moving accounts of the devastating impact those failings have had on their lives. They have explained how their trust in policing has been eroded. The personal commitment I made to tackling corruption in this organisation when I took over as Commissioner has never been stronger.'

The Met agreed to pay compensation to the Morgan family  led by the victims campaigning brother Alastair  18 months after they announced plans to sue the force, alleging that the 30-year-long cover-up of corruption was ongoing.

Despite the findings against former commissioner Dame Cressida, the Mayors Office for Policing and Crime (Mopac) - the body that oversees the Met - decided she would not face disciplinary action.
McDonald's has come under further pressure this morning with 100 more former and current staff members coming forward claiming they were groped, sexually harassed and even witnessed managers taking cocaine while working.

Workers, some as young as 17, slammed the 'toxic' culture at the fast-food chain, voicing allegations of racism, homophobia and abuses of power.

The probe carried out by the BBC has forced the UK equality watchdog to launch a new email hotline after becoming 'concerned' by the findings.

Emily, who worked in a branch of McDonald's in the North West when she was 17, told the broadcaster: 'The environment was really toxic - I was constantly being asked inappropriate things by other, male, crew members.

'At one point a manager groped me, and hit me on the bottom, and then laughed.'

Are you a victim of assault, racism or bullying? Share your story by emailing eirian.prosser@dailymail.co.uk

A further 100 McDonald's staff have come forward today, with some as young as 17 saying they have been harassed regularly

Alistair Macrow, McDonald's boss in the UK, issued an apology after the BBC found that more than 100 current and former staff at the fast food chain alleged they had been harassed

'I didn't know who to go to,' she added.' Everyone would have stuck up for the manager, so there was no one I could report to.'

Caspar, who worked at McDonald's in the West of England, alleged that a manager tried to kiss him when he was 17. He 'backed away' but the manager reportedly put his hand on the back of Caspar's head and kissed him 'on the lips'.

Other claims included managers dealing drugs to employees, managers smoking cannabis and taking cocaine in offices while at work and even one manager threatening a staffer with a knife.

One recalled an older female manager forcing a younger worker's hand down her trousers and smacking his bum, while others said punching and unwanted physical contact was passed off as 'banter'.

Name calling and slurs were also said to be commonplace.

The allegations were branded 'deeply concerning' by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last night, with other government officials and MPs also expressing their anger.

Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said the claims were 'horrific' and were about abuses of power where 'older managers exploiting what is, at McDonald's, a very young workforce'.

Former worker from a Berkshire franchise Shelby, 16, told the BBC she thought that McDonald's 'don't really think about their staff at all'

Darren Jones, a Labour MP and chairman of the Commons business committee, said the claims were some of the most appalling he had seen.

He added that McDonald's should terminate franchise deals if branches were not following labour law correctly.

Around 200 employees or former employees have now come forward with allegations.

Yesterday one teenage employee in Cheshire alleged that a colleague 20 years her senior called her a racial slur word, asked to show her his genitals and said he wanted to make a 'black and white' baby with her.

Meanwhile it was reported that a manager at a branch in Hampshire suggested a 16-year-old male worker perform sexual acts in exchange for vapes.

Out of the initial 100 allegations the BBC investigated, the broadcaster said 31 related to sexual assault and 78 related to sexual assault. It also heard 18 allegations of racism and six of homophobia.

A current worker in Nottingham alleged she was seen as 'fresh meat' by male colleagues, while others claim managers forced them to wear uniforms that were too tight.

One former worker, Emily, 22, told the BBC: 'It's the expectation that if you work at McDonald's, you will be harassed.'

She left her branch in Brighton last year after a male colleague in his 60s continually stroked her hair in a sexual manner, making her feel uncomfortable.

McDonald's has been accused of creating a toxic work culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying, with more than 100 current and recent UK staff speaking out. Pictured: General view of a McDonald's store

Lucy, 22, who previously worked in Norwich added: 'There is a saying at McDonald's, 'tits on tills' - boys in the kitchen, girls on the counter. The idea is to put attractive people at the front.'

McDonald's employs more than 170,000 people in the UK across 1,450 restaurants. It has one of the country's youngest workforces with 75 per cent of its employees being between 16 and 25 years old.

Those who spoke out said that more often than not senior managers failed to act after workers made complaints about behaviour.

One worker told the BBC: 'They don't really think about their staff at all.'

Another 16-year-old worker called Shelby, who left a Berkshire restaurant last year, claimed older male colleagues would 'grope' female staff.

She added: 'Every shift I worked, there would be at least a comment being made, or I'd be brushed, a hand brushed across me, or it would be a more severe thing, like having my bum grabbed, hips grabbed.'

Speaking on BBC Breakfast yesterday, Shelby explained the affect the alleged behaviour had on her wellbeing.

She said: 'It really started to affect me especially towards the end of me working there.

'I was calling in sick for pretty much all my shifts and then I left suddenly without giving them notice and I never heard back from them. I did send an email explaining why I left but they never got back to me.'

Chinyere, 17, who worked at a branch in Cheshire, told reporters she was sexually and racially harassed by a much older male colleague. She raised the concerns with a female employee who allegedly told her to ignore it and get back to work.

But after months of harassment, her stepfather wrote to the franchise, the corporate headquarters and the police, resulting in the man being fired.

The young employee believes nothing would have been done if her family did not intervene.

One worker in Oxfordshire, originally from India, claimed staff spoke in 'gibberish' to imitate her while another crew member called a colleague from Pakistan a terrorist.

At one branch in Northern Ireland an outbreak of gonorrhoea is said to have broken out where sexual relationships between team members happened regularly.

The complaints come just months after the chain signed a legal agreement with the equality watchdog amid concerns over how it handled sexual harassment complaints made by UK staff.

It made the legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in February, meaning the restaurant group needed to commit to a number of measures to better protect workers.

At the time, it was unknown the true scale of sexual harassment complaints at McDonalds, but the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) claimed in 2019 that more than 1,000 UK cases have been reported.

The complaints come just months after the chain signed a legal agreement with the equality watchdog amid concerns over how it handled sexual harassment complaints made by UK staff.

It made the legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in February, meaning the restaurant group needed to commit to a number of measures to better protect workers.

Alistair Macrow, chief executive of McDonald's UK & Ireland, said yesterday there was 'no placement for harassment, abuse or discrimination' at the company.

He apologised for the claims and admitted there were 'clearly instances' where the company had 'fallen short'.

Mr Macrow added: 'In February this year McDonald's UK committed with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to a zero-tolerance approach to any kind of harassment. This is supported by a companywide programme of training, the roll out of new policies and strict reporting processes, all aimed at offering the highest possible level of workplace protection for all our employees.

'Already over 2,000 of our managers have completed full awareness training and nearly all of our restaurant teams are now working within these new protections aimed at creating a safe and respectful workplace.

'All of this is backed by McDonald's Global Standards, a set of stringent and non-negotiable guardrails to ensure safe and respectful workplaces, which we expect of all colleagues and Franchisees across the world.'

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the EHRC, said: 'There should be zero tolerance of sexual harassment in every organisation. I'm concerned at these new reports of harassment at McDonald's, where we have an existing legal agreement in place to ensure their restaurants are safe places to work.

'McDonald's have committed to make improvements to set an example for others to follow, in the hospitality industry and elsewhere.

'Every employer, no matter how big or small, is responsible for protecting its workforce. We're determined to continue to crack down on illegal harassment at places of work.'

Anyone who is concerned about incidents of harassment in McDonald's can report it to mcdonalds@equalityhumanrights.com.

MailOnline has contacted McDonald's over the new claims.
Sky Sports' Chris Kamara was caught up in Just Stop Oil chaos this morning

Just Stop Oil have launched another disruptive protest in London this morning by targeting five locations resulting in pedestrians pushing them into the road and Sky Sports' Chris Kamara being delayed for a TV appearance.

The day began with activists targeting the Department for Energy Security for Net Zero with with orange fire extinguishers resulting in the eco-zealots being arrested.

So far, the Metropolitan Police have have been called to four other events in the capital at Marylebone Road, Westminster Bridge, Victoria Street and on Vauxhall Bridge Road - and in all cases police issued section 12 notices to demonstrators.

Amongst those caught in the traffic chaos was former Sky Sports commentator Chris Kamara who tweeted: 'Been stuck in traffic on the Vauxhall Bridge in London with the Oil Protesters doing their stuff. Missed my 9am call time.'

An activist was also seen being punched and kicked to the floor after activists blocked a road in South Kensington 'causing a pregnant woman to crash her car.'

Sky Sports' Chris Kamara was caught up in Just Stop Oil chaos this morning

The pundit tweeted that due to the disruption he had missed his TV call time

A woman who claims to be pregnant first remonstrates with activists

In the video a furious man can then be seen leaving a stranded car and attacking activists

The man is then seen punching an activist to the ground and kicking him

In the graphic clip, a silver Mercedes can be seen pulled halfway across Cromwell Road in West London having apparently crashed.

A woman is then seen leaving the car and screaming 'Stop now, I'm pregnant', before another man gets out and angrily confronts the protesters, screaming: 'Stop now, stop recording, you little s***.'

The man is then seen to violently punch one activist in the face before stamping and kicking him while he lies prone on the ground.

MailOnline has approached the Metropolitan Police for more information on the incident.

In response to the incident, Just Stop Oil said: 'Daniel was assaulted while marching this morning, and remained nonviolent throughout. Disruption is difficult, but it's necessary.'

An eyewitness to the incident told MailOnline: 'The protest was just like so many others we've seen in London with a string of people in orange bibs blocking two lanes of the street and marching slowly.

'The two lanes on the other side of the road weren't blocked but were going slowly as people looked at what was happening. A silver car I think must have been trying to switch lanes and he got hit at low speed by a van behind them on its driver side.

'A woman got out of the car and she was shouting at the protesters and then a man got out too and he just rushed over and started attacking the guy who seemed to be leading the Just Stop Oil group.

'He punched him to the ground and then kicked him when it was on the ground. It was quite shockingly violent. It happened really quickly.

'I'm not sure why they were so angry but I suspect they blamed the protest for causing the prang - and the one who got attacked had his own phone out so they may have thought he was filming them.

'As I had been filming myself I didn't want to stick around myself in case he turned on me so I didn't see how it ended beyond the man in the red hat then talking to the van driver,, presumably to pass on insurance details.

'The whole episode was insane.'

In ugly scenes in London a pedestrian was seen pushing protesters out of the road

The scuffle caused two protesters to topple over in the middle of the busy highway

Elsewhere, a driver at the end of his tether was recorded pushing two activists into each other on a busy London road after the group deployed another slow march.

Two activists from the eco-mob were also seen dousing a building in Whitehall with the orange spray as a protest against the government's use of fossil fuels.

After their messy protest, the two demonstrators sat down in front of the paint splattered glass building.

Pictures then showed police officers swooping in to detain the two activists, who have been identified as Matthew Cunningham, 25, and Imogen May, 24.

In a short statement, the group said: 'This morning, 2 supporters of Just Stop Oil have painted the department responsible for issuing over 100 new oil and gas licences in the UK.'

EXCLUSIVE Just Stop Oil activist is punched to the floor and kicked on the ground by boyfriend of pregnant woman Advertisement

As spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Met Police were called to reports of two people spraying paint on a building on Victoria Street at 07:34hrs and were on the scene at about 07:38hrs.

'Two people were arrested for causing criminal damage.'

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps then accused Just Stop Oil protesters of 'illegal criminal damage'

Mr Shapps, responding to questions about the paint protest on LBC during a round of broadcast interviews, said: 'It is illegal criminal damage and I will leave that to the authorities.'

Mr Cunningham, in another video posted by JSO, said: 'This department oversees our energy policy and we know from last month that the Climate Change Committee, the Government's independent watchdog for climate change policy, denounced the Government's efforts against climate change.

'They said that they were far less sure that the Government would achieve net zero than it had been just one year ago.

'And they specifically said that the Government needs to stop issuing new oil and gas licences because it is not compatible with a net zero future.'

Ms May said the department is 'failing on their only purpose' and that the climate situation is 'getting really dangerous'.

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands, posting a picture on social media of Westminster Bridge being blocked by JSO supporters, called the demonstration 'unacceptable'.

Two Just Stop Oil supporters have painted the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

The activists (pictured being detained) are demanding that the UK government immediately halt all new licences and consents for new oil, gas and coal projects

Following the stunt officers were seen removing the detritus from the scene of the Whitehall building

The march was met with fury from a skateboarder who began swinging at the eco-campaigners with his board

The stunts are just the latest example of the group's antics in London - in a week that has already seen members of the public lose their patience and confront them.

The self-satisfied group- who have been causing chaos on the streets of London for over 10 weeks - has said that this week will be 'its biggest protest ever.'

Yesterday, a slow march on London's Blackfriars Bridge was, however, met with fury from a skateboarder who began swinging at the eco-campaigners with his board.

The skateboarder was filmed repeatedly swinging his board at protestors wearing luminous orange jackets, in a furious confrontation on Blackfriars Bridge.

The man, wearing a burgundy cap and matching shorts, attempted to hit the protestors before throwing a bag at them.

The incident was part of the group's wider campaign to 'paralyse London' on a day that saw them slow march across 15 separate locations.

Undeterred by the groups efforts, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday said he would not be giving in to the 'eco zealots' threatening to disrupt the 'British summer'.

He instead claimed the UK would 'transition to net zero' in a 'sensible, practical way' as he argued Just Stop Oil's protests are not a 'constructive way to tackle climate change'.

A Just Stop Oil climate activist (L) is detained by a police officer as members of the group marched slowly in Parliament Square today

Just Stop Oil protestors comply with Police and leave Kennington Road today

Just Stop Oil hold a slow march protest on Kennington Road this morning

The environmental group has repeatedly hit the headlines this summer after protesters campaigning under Just Stop Oil's banner halted play at Wimbledon and interrupted a live Channel 4 recording.

Just Stop Oil's demonstrations have repeatedly caused clashes with furious members of the public who have been seen ripping up the protesters signs and throwing them off the road.

The eco-mob's protests see them block traffic by walking slowly down main roads in luminous orange vests.

MailOnline has approached the Metropolitan Police for more information.
A boy who went missing eight years ago sent his mother a text saying 'you don't deserve my love' moments before he vanished.

Mike Zhao-Beckenridge's stepfather John Beckenridge picked the then-11-year-old up from his Invercargill school, on New Zealand's southern tip, on March 13, 2015.

The pair were quickly reported missing to police and their fingerprints were found at a campsite in nearby Haldane Estuary.

On March 22, personal items belonging to Mike and Mr Beckenridge, including clothes and car parts, were found washed ashore in the Curio Bay area.

The car Mr Beckenridge was driving was found submerged soon after at the bottom of an 88-metre cliff.

Mike Zhao-Beckenridge (above) disappeared with his stepfather John Beckenridge on March 13, 2015 - the car they were driving was later found at the bottom of an 88m cliff

Ms Lu received text messages from Mike in the days before his disappearance

However, a recent inquiry into the pair's disappearance and possible death - which concluded in late June - heard it would be 'dangerous' to assume they are dead, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Mike's mother, Fiona Lu, has also repeatedly said international sightings of the pair and the mysterious circumstances of their disappearance, have led her to 'firmly believe' they are still alive.

Some of the last words Ms Lu heard from Mike came in the form of scathing messages following their move to Invercargill.

One read: 'You do not deserve to be my mum or to be called Fiona and you certainly do not deserve my love. From Mike.'

Mr Beckenridge and Ms Lu met in 2006 and moved to Lake Hayes, about 15km east of Queenstown, where Chinese-born Mike was looked after by Ms Lu's parents.

However, their relationship broke down and Ms Lu moved with Mike and her new partner to Invercargill in 2014.

Mike's mother Fiona Lu (above) believes the pair are still alive and fled the country on a yacht to live with new identities overseas

Despite his mother being given full custody, Mike sent several messages to Mr Beckenridge pleading to let him move back in to his home at Lake Hayes.

Five emails from February, 2015, read: 'How my life is s***. I hate my mom in fact she is not even my mom she f***ed my life up so bad I hate her I have no love for [her]. I hope she dies painfully.

'I do not want to be here answer Dad please I am begging I cry everyday for u I miss u so much Dad.

'Remember u said u will kill. Well me too.

'Find me dad and u said we can do that thing.

'I have so much to ask u dad but mum never will never let me talk to u I wanna kill myself from Mike much love to u.'

Mr Beckenridge's car was retrieved from the Curio Bay cliff almost two months after they went missing on May 6.

Private investigator Mark Templeman told a recent inquiry the family believe Mike and Mr Beckenridge (above) faked their deaths

There were no signs of either of their bodies inside.

If alive, Mike would now be 18 years old.

Private investigator Mark Templeman told the inquiry the family believe Mike and Mr Beckenridge faked their deaths and used a yacht to travel overseas with new identities.

He flagged several international sightings of the pair and the fact they camped before supposedly driving off the cliff as evidence they could be alive.

'It would be dangerous to conclude that John and Mike Beckenridge are deceased as all international monitoring would cease - which is exactly what John wanted to happen,' he said, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Mr Templeman also pointed to a 'countdown calendar' found at Mr Beckenridge's estate after they went missing.

'I submit it is far more likely that you would count down on a calendar for an escape as opposed to committing suicide,' he said.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Temperature records have been smashed across the world as extreme heat was experienced from China to California - with brutal weather expected to ravage the globe again Wednesday.

Wildfires raged and health warnings were in place today in parts of Asia, Europe, and North America, as experts warned again that the world needs to prepare for more 'intense heatwaves'.

Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands while Spain issued heat alerts and some children in Italy's Sardinia were told to stay away from sports.

From California to China, authorities warned of the health dangers brought by searing temperatures, urging people to drink water and shelter from the sun.

As fresh highs were also recorded in France, scientists warned that the target to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius of pre-industrial levels is moving beyond reach.

A heat map made shows the devastating temperatures across the world as further brutal weather is expected to ravage the globe on Wednesday.

Three children attempt to cool off in a fountain in Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles

Tourists bask in the heat as they spend the summer at the Golden Beach in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province

Beijing broke a 23-year-old record with 27 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), forecasters said.

Phoenix broke a similar record, in place for 49 years, with its 19th consecutive day of temperatures of 43.3 Celsius (109.9 Fahrenheit) or higher, weather officials said.

In southern France, a record 29.5C was recorded in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, while 40.6C (85.1F) had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

In a stark reminder of the effects of global warming, the UN's World Meteorological Agency (WMO) said the trend showed 'no signs of decreasing'.

'These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves,' John Nairn, a senior extreme heat adviser at the WMO told reporters in Geneva.

Northwest of the Greek capital Athens, columns of smoke loomed over the forest of Dervenohoria, where one of several fires around the capital and beyond was still burning.

Fire spokesman Yannis Artopios called it 'a difficult day', with another heatwave on the horizon for Thursday, with expected temperatures of 44C (111.2F).

A forest fire by the seaside resort of Loutraki, where the mayor said 1,200 children had been evacuated Monday from holiday camps, was still burning.

A man puts his head in the water to cool off at the fountain in Piazza del Popolo in Rome yesterday

A fireman douses flames on a wildfire at Panorama settlement near Agioi Theodori, some 70 kms west of Athens, yesterday

A firefighting helicopter drops water as a wildfire hits at Panorama settlement near Agioi Theodori in Greece

A policeman evacuates a child from wildfire at the village of Agios Charalampos in Greece

A Phoenix Fire Department firefighter uses a hose line to extinguish a Ford F150 pickup truck that caught fire during a record heat wave in Arizona yesterday

A resident splashes water to cool off on a sweltering day at an urban waterway in Beijing

A woman wearing a sun protection clothing cools herself with an electric fan as visitors line up to visit the Panda enclosure on a sweltering day at a zoo in Beijing

In the Canary Islands, some 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has ravaged 3,500 hectares of forest and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate, with authorities warning residents to wear face masks outside due to poor air quality.

Temperatures were unforgiving in Italy and in Spain, where three regions were put under hot weather red alerts.

'You can't be in the street, it's horrible,' said Lidia Rodriguez, 27, in Madrid.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to possibly surpass a continent-wide record of 48.8C recorded in Sicily in August 2021.

At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca told AFP.

In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms.

'They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low,' Angioni said.

Many throughout Italy sought escape by the sea, including outside Rome, where the midday heat hit 40C.

Pine trees burn during a wild fire in Agia Sotira, east near Athens, as Europe braced for new high temperatures

A man puts dogs in the car to evacuate the area as a wildfire burns, in the village of Agios Charalampos

Smoke from a wildfire rises in the background as a major fire burns west of Athens

A billboard displays a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit during a record heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday

Sweat drips from a person as they grasp at their head covering while walking in the sun through a vast homeless encampment during a record heat wave in Phoenix

People sit under the shade of tents at a cafe after officials maintain alert level 2 as temperatures above 40 degrees in Madrid yesterday

'Certainly it's better at the beach, you can at least get a little wind from the sea. It's not even possible to remain in the city, too hot,' said Virginia Cesario, 30, at the Focene beach near the capital.

Tens of millions of Americans experienced dangerous heat levels on Tuesday.

In the town of San Angelo, Texas, where temperatures were expected to reach 104-108F (40-42C), the National Weather Service said it was 'running out of ways to say that it's gonna be hot out there today.'

'With temperatures across the area likely topping the 105 mark yet again, we implore you to continue to practice heat safety and try to stay cool,' the agency said on Twitter.

And in Arizona, the mercury at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport again reached 110F on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 18 consecutive days at or above that temperature, set in 1974.

A Canadair CL-415 sprays water during a wildfire in the village of Pournari, near Athens, yesterday

A Phoenix Fire Department firefighter uses a hose line to extinguish a Ford F150 pickup truck that caught fire during a record heat wave in Phoenix

A man walks at his family shipyard damaged from the fire in Mandra west of Athens

A Canadair CL-415 sprays water during a wildfire in the village of Pournari, near Athens

The heat waves across Europe and the globe are 'not one single phenomenon but several acting at the same time', said Robert Vautard, director of France's Pierre-Simon Laplace climate institute.

'But they are all strengthened by one factor: climate change.'

The record-setting heat came as US climate envoy John Kerry met with Chinese officials in Beijing, with the world's two largest polluters reviving stalled diplomacy on reducing planet-warming emissions.

Speaking Tuesday at Beijing's Great Hall of the People with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Kerry called for 'global leadership' on climate issues.
The bodies of two Wagner Group mercenaries have been found in Ukraine, allegedly summarily executed for failing to back Prigozhin's June mutiny against the army.

The corpses, found in military fatigues and without identification documents, were discovered near the Voronezh-Luhansk highway, having been shot dead.

A military jeep with a Kalashnikov-style weapon inside was found close to the scene in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.

A suspected assassin named Yaroslav Shekhovtsov, 35, has been detained, according to reports.

The identities of the two dead fighters has not been established.

A military jeep with a weapon inside was found close to the scene in the Voronezh region

The vehicle was found near the scene with a Kalashnikov-style rifle in the cabin

BAZA media outlet reported that Shekhovtsov confessed to shooting the men because they did not back the armed uprising on 24 June.

Shekhovtsov alleged that the two men found dead had disobeyed orders.

If true, it highlights the lawlessness in a military force supposedly loyal to the Kremlin.

The suspect has been detained and a murder case has now been opened, according to reports.

Wagner has been previously accused of using a sledgehammer to kill 'traitors' who showed support for Ukraine.

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Last month, Wagner Group mercenaries marched towards Moscow on the orders of the private military company's head, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The armed revolt was ostensibly against defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the Russian armed forces General Valery Gerasimov.

The push at the end of June made quick progress, seizing Rostov and crossing into Russian regions.

Six Russian army helicopters and a plane were reportedly shot down in the clashes.

But the mutiny did not succeed in its objectives, as Prigozhin negotiated peace via Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko before reaching Moscow.

It halted amid the likelihood of a blood bath on the outskirts of Moscow where the authorities had positioned thousands of special forces troops.

A pact was brokered by Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

Under it, Wagner forces - including Prigozhin - would go to Belarus.

All charges against the Wagner Group leader were ultimately dropped to facilitate the move.

Finally, three weeks later, substantial numbers of Wagner mercenaries are arriving in Belarus.

Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin apparently moved to Belarus after the June mutiny

Boxes, military equipment and a Soviet-era light machine gun were seen in the vehicle

Billionaire Prigozhin - who faced treason charges until withdrawn by Putin - appears free to move without hindrance between Belarus and Russia.

He was formerly seen as close to the dictator after staging lavish Kremlin banquets for Putin, and running internet troll factories supporting the Russian leader.
Police impounded a 240,000 Ferrari during a series of dawn raids on so-called 'Botox cowboys' who are suspected of illegally selling black market products.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested three people after finding 10,000 vials of botulinum toxin, dermal fillers and numbing agents which are believed to have been lined up for sale on social media and direct to salons.

The Ferrari, an F12 Berlinetta, was found at an address in Bolton, along with 50,000 in cash and expensive Rolex watches during the raid on Thursday, July 13.

It was one of seven searches to take place in the Bolton and Wigan areas as police work with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in Operation Stryker.

The agency wants to hit back at the black market for unlicensed beauty products which are not guaranteed to be safe, with those found in this haul believed to have been imported from South Korea, The Sun reports.

The red and black Ferrari F12 Berlinetta was seized by police at an address in Bolton during an early morning raid

Officers also seized 50,000 in cash while investigating people suspected of importing illicit beauty products

Andy Morling, MHRA head of enforcement, told the paper the criminal gangs exploit people's concerns about how they look to make 'huge' profits, with no regard for safety.

He said: 'If we have not licensed these products for use there's no guarantee they are safe.

'At best, it's a genuine product that hasn't been through UK quality checks.

'At worst, however, it could be anything. Sticking that under your skin is a Russian roulette.'

'They [criminal gangs] don't give a monkey's about the harm they cause.'

Botulinum toxin is often injected into the skin by people looking to smooth lines and wrinkles.

READ MORE HERE: Calls to close 'loophole' that lets OnlyFans stars get tax breaks on breast enhancement surgery after one unnamed performer received concession by claiming it as a legitimate business expense Advertisement

However, if done incorrectly or given the wrong dose, it can cause a frozen look with users having difficulty moving muscles in their face. It can also cause eyelids or eyebrows to droop if the toxin moves to these areas.

Detective Inspector James Coles from GMP's Economic Crime Unit, added that the criminals make 'hundreds, thousands, millions' of pounds in untaxed revenue from the black market for these products.

Police said a 34-year-old man and two women between the ages of 36 and 53 were taken into custody on suspicion of money laundering and offences under human medicines legislation.

Speaking after the raids, DI Coles said: 'This morning's action showcases a really good example of partners working together to combat issues that are prevalent in our communities, we are determined to tackle money laundering in Greater Manchester and endeavour to make it as hard as possible for individuals to conceal illicit finance.

'Whilst we have 3 in custody, an investigation remains ongoing, and we will continue to investigate and eradicate this type of criminal activity from the area.'

Mr Morling added: 'Medicines like these are powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands, potentially leading to serious adverse health consequences. The criminals trading in these products are not only breaking the law, they also have no regard for your safety.

'It is illegal to advertise, sell or supply medicines such as these without the appropriate authorisation. If you see these products, or any other powerful medicines, being sold on social media or elsewhere online, think. It's unlikely to be legitimate. You can help the MHRA take action by reporting concerns to us through our Yellow Card scheme.

'Our Criminal Enforcement Unit will continue working to protect your health by disrupting this harmful and illegal trade. We're grateful to our partners in Greater Manchester Police, for helping in our efforts to do this today.'
A mother who smothered her three daughters struggled to fall pregnant and battled severe depression after having a miscarriage, a court heard.

Lauren Anne Dickason, 42, has been charged with murdering her three young daughters - Liane, 6, and twins Maya and Karla, both 2 - who were found dead at their home in Timaru on New Zealand's South Island on September 16, 2021.

Dickason has admitted to killing her children but denies it was murder. She has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, reports the New Zealand Herald.

The opening day of the trial began at Christchurch High Court on Monday, where Dickason's phone records showed a series of unsettling messages the mother had sent friends about 'hitting' her daughters.

New text messages have since emerged where she spoke about 'killing or hurting' her children.

Lauren Anne Dickason (pictured above with husband Graham and their children), 42, has been charged with the murder of her three daughters Liane, 6, twins Maya and Karla, both 2, who were found dead at the family's Timaru home on September 16, 2021

She sent a message to a friend about spending two weeks in isolation with her family after arriving in New Zealand from South Africa during the Covid pandemic.

'God knows we probably might commit murder in that small room and those two weeks,' Dickason said.

In another message, she told a friend a Netflix show she was watching was 'very good - otherwise I'm just trying not to murder the twins'.

She complained that one of her daughters 'moans all the f***ing time' before making a reference to strangling her.

'It feels like my fuse is so short...I want to explode over the smallest things,' she said in a text.

'I regularly want to smack mine but Graham stops me.'

During a discussion about a couple she knew who had divorced, Dickason said she 'would rather divorce my children', the messages tendered to the court show.

'I wish I could give them back and start over, I would decide differently,' she wrote.

Mr Dickason - who moved back to South Africa and appeared in court via videolink - claimed his wife had a 'satirical' sense of humour while other times she was only 'venting' her frustrations with their kids in her messages.

He said that he would also make the same jokes with his wife over text.

In one message he wrote to her: 'It seems so fun to spend time with your daughter. Now I'm glad I stopped you from killing her last night.'

Dickason sent this text message to a friend upon realising she would have to spend two weeks in isolation with her children after the family arrived in New Zealand during the pandemic

The Dickason family moved to New Zealand from South Africa during the Covid pandemic and arrived about a month before the children were killed

A series of unsettling text messages Dickason had sent to her friends about her daughters were revealed during the opening day of the trial

Mr Dickason broke down his wife's arduous path to have children and her struggles with depression and anxiety - which she had battled for several years.

The court was told the mother had to go through 17 rounds of IVF before using donor eggs to fall pregnant.

The couple were focused on having children after getting married in 2006. But according to Mr Dickason, they struggled to conceive and went to fertility specialists for help.

Dickason, who was a doctor, prescribed herself antidepressants during this time, the court heard.

She went through seven rounds of IVF and fell pregnant with a daughter in 2013. But health complications forced her to give birth to her baby at 18 weeks.

The baby, who was to be named Sarah, died soon after birth. The death was ruled a miscarriage.

Dickason cried 'every single day for two months' following her daughter's death, the court heard.

She then went through more rounds of IVF. When that failed, she opted for donor eggs and fell pregnant with Liane.

Mr Dickason described his wife as a 'nervous wreck' during her pregnancy.

After giving birth to Liane, Dickason went to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with major depressive disorder and postpartum depression, the court was told.

He also told her that she had 'underlying anxiety', the jury heard.

Mr Dickason (pictured right) spoke about his wife's difficult pregnancy journey and her struggles with severe depression and anxiety in court

Mr Dickason described his wife as a 'loving mother' and said she 'never expressed any feeling that the girls were anything other than hers'

When she was pregnant with the couple's twins, Mr Dickason said his wife was stressed as one of the twins was found to have a cleft palate in a scan.

He told the court that she was generally stressed over the general health of her children.

The family hired a nanny to help them but Dickason became more relaxed once her daughter was born as her condition was not as bad as the family previously thought.

Months before the family moved overseas, she was attended a wellness programme and saw a psychologist. She never informed her husband about the latter.

Mr Dickason described his wife as a 'loving mother' and said she 'never expressed any feeling that the girls were anything other than hers'.

He said the she took 'meticulous care' of their children, was 'very attentive' to what they were doing and 'worried about their wellbeing all of the time'.

The Dickason family moved to New Zealand after Mr Dickason accepted a job at Timaru Hospital.

They migrated to the country about a month before the couple's three children were died.

The three daughters were killed only 20 minutes after Mr Dickason left to go to a dinner with work colleagues.

Dickason killed her three daughters while Mr Dickason (pictured with the couple's daughters) left to go to a dinner with work colleagues. He later returned home to find his children's bodies in their beds

Dickason tried to suffocate her children using cable ties before smothering them with blankets. She then tucked them into their beds with their toys and tried to take her own life.

Mr Dickason later returned home to find his children's bodies in their beds.

She was remanded in custody to a hospital's psychiatric unit and has remained there since.

Dickason claims she was extremely mentally disturbed and did not know what she was doing at the time of the killings.

Crown Prosecutor Andrew McRae claimed her text messages to her friends was evidence she 'had thoughts about killing her children'.

Defence lawyer Kerryn Beaton KC said her act of putting her kids to bed with their toys after killing them was evidence of her disturbed mental state.

Dickason's defence also told the court that the mother told her husband and doctors that she had previously thoughts of killing her daughters.

The trial is scheduled to run for three weeks and will hear from other family members - some of whom have travelled to New Zealand from South Africa.

Dickason's parents and brother have arrived in the country and were in attendance at the trial to support her.

Experts will also share whether they believe Dickason was insane.
Young female staff at McDonald's have come forward with more claims of sexual misconduct including allegations they were groped, given nicknames like 'McBike', and were rated on their appearance at work on scoreboards.

MailOnline has been contacted by dozens of current and former workers from the fast-food giant, some as young as 16, who have claimed to have been put through horrendous ordeals at the hands of branch managers.

Some claimed how managers would have a 'scoreboard' where they would rate female workers, and they would tally up the number of sexual conquests they had with staff members.

Others claimed that the phrase 'boobs sell burgers' would be flung around to justify only hiring 'pretty young girls' while men were kept working in the back.

Another added that girls were labelled 'the McBike' if they appeared to have dated or had sexual relationships with members of staff.

Concerned parents of teens working in the franchises up and down the country claimed that those with autism or disabilities were treated differently or spoken to in a derogatory manner.

One mother said her son, who still works at the chain, was referred to 'as the retard' and would be 'sent home as soon as any higher managers visited the store'.

Another concerned mother whose child worked at a different branch was forced to make a complaint after she claimed a teenage transgender girl was bullied by a staff member, telling her 'it's not natural'.

The fresh allegations come after the BBC launched an investigation into McDonald's with 200 staff members, both former and present, launching allegations of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying.

Are you a victim of assault, racism or bullying? Share your story by emailing eirian.prosser@dailymail.co.uk

New allegations made to MailOnline include:

One staffer with autism was referred to 'as the re***d'

Managers groping younger female workers by 'their waist or bum'

Instances of homophobia, transphobia and racism

Young female employees told to serve customers as 'boobs sells burgers'

Staff member told working at McDonald's is like 'being raped up the a** everyday'

Managers having a 'scoreboard' count 'sexual conquests' they had with staff

Ilana Cole, 18, alleged that she was 'groped' by a manager and saw other young women also sexually harassed

One victim, a 16-year-old worker called Shelby who left a Berkshire restaurant last year, spoke out on BBC Breakfast, claiming to have had similar experiences of older male colleagues groping female staff

Hundreds of former and current staff members, as well as worried parents, have come forward to voice concerns about the culture at McDonald's

Ilana Cole, 18, is just one of around 200 staff members who has spoken out in recent days.

She began working at the chain when she was 16 and was transferred from one branch in Berkshire to another. Upon starting her new role underwent an interview with a manager.

'He started telling me about the differences between this branch and my last branch and said 'Here we're a lot busier, it's like you're getting raped up the a** everyday',' she told MailOnline.

'I was completely shocked that he had just said that but being 16 and naive, I continued to accept the job offer.'

When she started working at the restaurant, she claimed matters only got worse. She alleged that she was 'groped' by a manager and saw other young women also sexually harassed. She claimed managers discriminated against staff with disabilities and, in her opinion, treating some crew differently because of their nationality.

She said the manager 'would get really close behind the younger girls almost pressed right against their back, constantly getting close to the girls and deliberately brushing his hand against their waist or bum, which he did to me too.'

At other points, she spoke to other unhappy staff members, including a man from Romania who she claimed only ever worked on the 'fries station' and 'was completely covered in burns and scars that were never reported'. Ms Cole believes he was treated differently because of his nationality.

She added: 'I never complained about the behaviour as all of the managers were best friends with each other, so a complaint wouldn't get very far.

McDonald's employs more than 170,000 people in the UK across 1,450 restaurants. It has one of the country's youngest workforces with 75 per cent of its employees being between 16 and 25 years old

'When I saw the story on the news, I wasn't even a little bit surprised. If anything, I was surprised it took so long for people to come out about the abuse as this has been going on for years.'

McDonald's employs more than 170,000 people in the UK across 1,450 restaurants. It has one of the country's youngest workforces with 75 per cent of its employees being between 16 and 25 years old.

Others who decided to come forward with complaints about sexual harassment felt their concerns were completely ignored by management teams.

One young female worker, who asked to remain anonymous, recently worked in two branches in Kent. She told MailOnline: 'Myself and many of the other girls, some as young as 16, told mangers and made reports that drivers made sexual comments towards us and were harassing.

'Managers dismissed these claims and did not follow up on reports. When I spoke up about feeling unheard, unprotected and lied to, as they said they would follow up and nothing happened, the main manager of a few branches called me into his office.

'I was fired because I spoke up and said I felt harassed and targeted. McDonald's do not deal with situations correctly.'

Former staff claimed the 'toxic' culture at the food giant 'has been embedded for a long time'.

One woman who started working at a branch when she was 16-year-old appearances and would tally up 'the number of sexual conquests they had with staff members'.

Another staffer, who worked at a branch in Portsmouth, Hampshire, for a decade, said on her first day a girl was 'bawling her eyes out' after a shift manager had called her a 'fat sl**'.

She said the term 'boobs sell burgers' was bounced around to justify only hiring 'pretty young girls', usually school leaders, and scheduling them only for customer facing roles, with the men and boys generally kept out of sight in the kitchen.

The woman added that girls were labelled 'the McBike' if they appeared to have relationships with members of staff.

A former worker corroborated this, adding: 'Girls were always put on the tills to entice men to come in and the guys were put in the kitchen  it was all about attractiveness and getting more customers in the door.'

Parents of youngsters working at the chain have also voiced their concerns.

One concerned mother whose son has autism still works at McDonald's. She alleged that her son is a 'good worker' but he used to be referred to as 'the re***d' and get sent home as soon as any higher managers visited the store.

A second parent, whose son has Asperger's and still works at the restaurant, claims that he is constantly sworn at and called derogatory names by managers, adding that there is a 'total bullying culture' within the store.

Alistair Macrow, McDonald's boss in the UK, issued an apology after the BBC found that more than 100 current and former staff at the fast food chain alleged they had been harassed

Some staff members claimed how managers would have a 'scoreboard' in staff rooms where they would rate female workers appearances, and they would tally up the number of sexual conquests they had with staff members. Pictured: General view of McDonald's store

Another worker said a colleague with Downs Syndrome was 'never given any other tasks than to pick up litter and take out the bins'.

One parent of a 17-year-old said her son quit working in the store because even though they paid well, he could no longer work in such a 'toxic environment.'

At the branch he worked in, staff members were allegedly racist towards members of the public, telling junior staff members ''you can deal with them, I'm not' when black people walked in'.

The mother said that a transgender girl was also bullied by a staff member, telling her 'it's not natural' and claimed there were instances of homophobia. She eventually made a complaint to the franchise owner over the bullying she witnessed.

She told MailOnline: 'He got someone to investigate after about a year of nothing, she didn't even interview or talk to any of the witnesses she emailed to say the investigation is all finished after interviewing all witnesses, which is untrue, apparently using their external legal team.

'No apology, no explanation of findings. Nothing.'

Alistair Macrow, CEO of McDonald's for UK and Ireland told MailOnline 'there are clearly instances where we have fallen short and for that we deeply apologise'.

He added: 'Every one of the 177,000 employees in McDonald's UK deserves to work in a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace. There are clearly instances where we have fallen short and for that we deeply apologise.

'There is simply no place for harassment, abuse, or discrimination of any kind at McDonald's  and we will investigate all allegations brought to us, and all proven breaches of our code of conduct will be met with the most severe measures we can legally impose, up to and including dismissal.

'In February this year McDonald's UK committed with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to a zero-tolerance approach to any kind of harassment. This is supported by a company-wide programme of training, the roll out of new policies and strict reporting processes, all aimed at offering the highest possible level of workplace protection for all our employees.

'Already over 2,000 of our managers have completed full awareness training and nearly all of our restaurant teams are now working within these new protections aimed at creating a safe and respectful workplace.

'All of this is backed by McDonald's Global Standards, a set of stringent and non-negotiable guardrails to ensure safe and respectful workplaces, which we expect of all colleagues and Franchisees across the world.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the allegations from McDonald's staff were 'deeply concerning'

Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said the claims were 'horrific'

In regards to the specific allegations brought to this news site, he said: 'We take all allegations extremely seriously and will investigate any that are brought to us thoroughly. All proven breaches of our code of conduct will be met with the most severe measures we can legally impose, up to and including dismissal.'

The BBC released details of its investigation yesterday, documenting appalling claims of harassment and bullying.

One victim, a 16-year-old worker called Shelby who left a Berkshire restaurant last year, spoke out on BBC Breakfast, claiming to have had similar experiences of older male colleagues groping female staff.

She added: 'Every shift I worked, there would be at least a comment being made, or I'd be brushed, a hand brushed across me, or it would be a more severe thing, like having my bum grabbed, hips grabbed.'

Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, Shelby explained the affect the alleged behaviour had on her wellbeing.

She said: 'It really started to affect me especially towards the end of me working there.

'I was calling in sick for pretty much all my shifts and then I left suddenly without giving them notice and I never heard back from them. I did send an email explaining why I left but they never got back to me.'

Another worker, 17, who worked at a branch in Cheshire, told the BBC she was sexually and racially harassed by a much older male colleague. She raised the concerns with a female employee who allegedly told her to ignore it and get back to work.

But after months of harassment, her stepfather wrote to the franchise, the corporate headquarters and the police, resulting in the man being fired.

The young employee believes nothing would have been done if her family did not intervene.

The probe forced the UK equality watchdog to launch a new email hotline after it became 'concerned' by the findings, which also documented abuse of power.

Allegations from the broadcaster's initial investigation were branded 'deeply concerning' by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last night, with other government officials and MPs also expressing their anger.

Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said the claims were 'horrific' and were about abuses of power where 'older managers exploiting what is, at McDonald's, a very young workforce'.

Darren Jones, a Labour MP and chairman of the Commons business committee, said the claims were 'some of the most appalling' he had seen.

He added that McDonald's should terminate franchise deals if branches were not following labour law correctly.

The complaints come just months after the chain signed a legal agreement with the equality watchdog amid concerns over how it handled sexual harassment complaints made by UK staff.

It made the legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in February, meaning the restaurant group needed to commit to a number of measures to better protect workers.

At the time, it was unknown the true scale of sexual harassment complaints at McDonalds, but the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) claimed in 2019 that more than 1,000 UK cases have been reported.

The complaints come just months after the chain signed a legal agreement with the equality watchdog amid concerns over how it handled sexual harassment complaints made by UK staff.

It made the legally binding agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in February, meaning the restaurant group needed to commit to a number of measures to better protect workers.

At the time, it was unknown the true scale of sexual harassment complaints at McDonalds, but the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) claimed in 2019 that more than 1,000 UK cases have been reported.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chairwoman of the EHRC, said: 'There should be zero tolerance of sexual harassment in every organisation. I'm concerned at these new reports of harassment at McDonald's, where we have an existing legal agreement in place to ensure their restaurants are safe places to work.

'McDonald's have committed to make improvements to set an example for others to follow, in the hospitality industry and elsewhere.

'Every employer, no matter how big or small, is responsible for protecting its workforce. We're determined to continue to crack down on illegal harassment at places of work.'

Anyone who is concerned about incidents of harassment in McDonald's can report it to mcdonalds@equalityhumanrights.com.
The Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann acted 'like road rage without the car' when he blew up at an ex-cop on a train before laying in wait for him and launching a second verbal assault days before his arrest, it is claimed.

The suspected murderer, who is six foot four inches tall, 'was a bully and seemed to be the kind of person who felt he could get away with doing things because he was big', an ex-police officer told The Ops Desk podcast.

'It was my impression he felt it was almost his kind of right to be able to confront people and voice his opinion on whatever was going on around him  unsolicited,' the unnamed former cop added.

Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, was arrested Thursday after cops used cell phone data and DNA evidence to nail him to the murders of Megan Waterman, Amber Costello and Melissa Barthelemy in 2010. He has pleaded not guilty.

He is also considered the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and because he roamed free for over a decade, police fear he may also be responsible for other unsolved crimes.

Heuermann, 59, was taken into custody dramatically in the street on Thursday night at around 8.30pm on suspicion of some of New York state's most horrific and prolific unsolved murders

On Thursday night, Long Island serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann walked carefree through the street in Midtown Manhattan before he was arrested

Now new revelations have been made about his character, with the former policeman claiming on the security podcast that Heuermann's behavior towards him was 'off-color', Fox News reports.

The ex-cop said he was traveling between Massapequa Park, where Heuermann lives, and Penn Station in Manhattan, when the murder suspect launched a minor tirade at him.

He said he hoped the confrontation ended there, but when he got off the train he found Heuermann waiting for him at the top of he escalator, where he launched a further verbal attack.

The man said he decided to walk away, concluding 'It was a bit odd... But listen, this is New York.'

He said while the verbal altercation had nothing to do with the Gligo case, 'It would give you an insight into a mindset.'

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, 25, whose body was bound and hidden in thick underbrush along a remote beach highway

He added that he knew it was Heuermann who had been confrontational towards him due to his 'missing left front tooth' and 'very distinctive voice', and that he 'immediately recognized him when he saw his name in the media.

The anonymous man said he had the confrontation with Heuermann just two weeks ago, just over a week before the murder suspect was arrested.

An account from a former girlfriend of the murder suspect has painted a picture of his obsession with true crime.

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Nicole Brass, 34, said about a decade ago, when she would 'date' Heuermann, he would make small talk about the recent and unsolved murders.

'He asked me if Im a true crime fan... We talked briefly about other serial killers, then he said, "Have you heard of the Gilgo Beach murders? Thats when he got real weird."'

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.

'We would cross the street. He was somebody you don't want to approach,' neighbor Nicholas Ferchaw, 24, told the New York Times.

Heuermann was under 24-hour surveillance leading up to his arrest at around 8.30pm last Thursday, on suspicion of some of New York state's most horrific and prolific unsolved murders.

New York State Troopers removed hundreds of guns from a 'walled off vault' inside Heuermann's home over the weekend

He was arrested close to his Manhattan office, with police saying this was done to avoid a standoff at his Long Island home where he kept an 'arsenal' of 200 weapons.

While he was legally registered to own 92 guns, police found over 200 firearms and other weapons in the small house.

They were kept in a walled-off vault that could only be accessed through a metal door, according to sources cited by CNN.

In an interview on Good Morning America on Tuesday, former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said the reason Heuermann was apprehended on the streets of Manhattan and not at his Long Island home was because he had so many weapons.

Heuermann's arrest occurred steps from where investigators say he made the phones calls in which he arranged to meet the victims for sex and also where he called and taunted the families of the deceased women.

Prosecutors have laid out how Heuermann was driving the same car that was seen by a witness to one of the killings back in 2009.

Investigators were then able to link that car to Heuermann's cellphone records, which tied him to locations related to the murders.

He allegedly conducted at least 200 searches for information about the investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders, and searched compulsively for the victims and their families.

Eventually, cops were able to match his DNA from an uneaten piece of pizza to one of the bodies.

Heuermann's rare first-generation Chevy Avalanche was seized by cops in rural South Carolina and is now making its way back to New York

Cops say that Heuermann also 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 a Chevrolet, cops issued over 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain further evidence.

Prosecutors hope evidence found in the rare first-generation Chevy Avalanche will help them make an airtight case agains him.

Heuermann has been charged with three murders and police say could soon be charged with the murder of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, whose body was bound and hidden in thick underbrush along a remote beach highway.

The murders have remained unsolved for more than ten years after police first discovered murder victims' bodies along Ocean Parkway, a barren stretch of shoreline east of New York City.
A major Russian ammunition depot has exploded triggering an 'apocalyptic' mushroom cloud after suspected Ukrainian strikes early today.

Huge fireballs and smoke clouds erupted at the site in the eastern part of the annexed Crimean peninsula. The incessant explosions could be heard from at least 13 miles away.

There were many dead and wounded at the military training ground epicentre of the explosions, reported Ukrainian channel Crimean Wind, but swiftly denied by Moscow-appointed head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov.

Unconfirmed local reports suggested up to three aerial strikes on a 'warehouse' at the military training zone, after which the explosions and flames spread.

The attack may have been conducted by UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, suggested The Moscow Times.

Smoke and flames rise from an explosion during a fire at a military training ground in the Kirovske district, Crimea

Huge fireballs and smoke clouds erupted at the site in the eastern part of the annexed Crimean peninsula

An 'apocalyptic' mushroom cloud rose over a Russian ammunition depot after suspected Ukrainian strikes early today

There were many dead and wounded at the military training ground epicentre of the explosions, reported Ukrainian channel Crimean Wind

The main Tavrida Highway - linking to the Crimean Bridge hit on Monday by Ukrainian marine drones - was closed by the occupying Russian army.

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Some 2,250 people from four settlements near the Starokrymsky military training ground were evacuated. The villages were named as Krynichki, Aivazovskoye, Abrikosovka and Privetnoye.

Spectacular explosions continued for more than four hours after starting at around 4.30am in Kirovsky district. Thick smoke was seen billowing into the sky.

'It's scene from the apocalypse,' said a passing driver.

The Russian authorities controlling Crimea did not elaborate on the cause of the inferno.

Aksyonov said: 'The causes of the fire at the training ground in the Kirovsky district will be established by the investigating authorities.

'There were no casualties,' he tried to claim. 'The evacuees are provided with assistance.

'People in temporary accommodation centres will be provided with everything necessary.

'The liquidation of the consequences [of the explosions] will be carried out as soon as possible... Please keep calm and trust only official sources of information.'

The explosions came as Russia launched a blistering attack on Odessa for the second consecutive night.

Unconfirmed local reports suggested up to three aerial strikes on a 'warehouse' at the military training zone as fire balls plumed into the air

A explosion erupts in fireball in the distance due to strikes that could be heard from at least 13 miles away

Smoke covers the sky after a Russian ammunition depot exploded after suspected Ukrainian strikes at Starokrymsky military training ground

The attack on the Russian munitions depot may have conducted by UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, suggested The Moscow Times

A video showed a launch of an Onyx missile - with a range of up to 500 miles - from Cossack Bay in Sevastopol. Reports said around ten missiles were launched.

The Ukrainian General Staff reported that at night the country was attacked by 6 Kalibr cruise missiles and 35 drones. Capital city Kyiv was also targeted by the Russians.

Footage a day earlier showed Russia's devastating cruise missile attacks on Odessa for the second night in succession.

The blitz on the city was seen as 'revenge' for Ukraine humiliating Putin by striking his 3 billion Crimean Bridge with kamikaze marine drones on Monday.

Video shows the huge blasts as Kh-22 and Onyx missiles strike the port. Drones were also used in the attack.

Reports suggest Moscow has destroyed warehouses used to supply grain to the most needy countries in the world.

Putin has blocked renewal of an agreement between the warring states that allowed exports to travel across the Black Sea and out to the world.

A view shows a crater made during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa

A firefighter works at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa

A firefighter works at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine, yesterday

A port grain loader burns after has been damaged during Russian missile and drone strikes

'The Kh-22 and Onyx missile launches were aimed at infrastructure in the Odessa region,' said the Ukrainian Air Force .

'It was a hellish night,' said Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for the regional military administration. The attack was 'very powerful, truly massive'.

Warehouses with tobacco, fireworks, tourist bases, and hotels were hit, said the regional military administration. Six people sought medical assistance.

Russian military blogger Vladimir Romanov said Putin's forces hit port infrastructure, a military unit in Usatovo - including air defence systems, and tank warehouses.
A burger bar chef will inherit a 5m fortune left to him by an eccentric businessman after the millionaire's 'conniving' sister failed to have the will nullified in the courts.

Sam Jones met David Turner while serving him a burger at a mobile catering site in Chertsey, Surrey, in the year 2000, the High Court in London heard.

They instantly bonded over a mutual passion for guitars and classic cars, and remained friends for almost two decades, before Mr Turner's death from an aggressive brain tumour at the age of 71 in 2017.

He had treated Mr Jones 'like a son', the court was told, but described his own sister Linda Cano, who he lost contact with in 2008, as a 'conniving b***h'.

He decided to cut Mrs Cano and his ex-partner out of his will in 2013, creating a new document that left everything to Mr Jones and his other close friends.

In order for Mr Jones (pictured) to collect the inheritance left to him, he had to fight a ten year legal battle with Mr Turner's sister Linda Cano

The late David Turner, 71 also left Mr Jones his half share in a 14-acre plot near the M25, which if granted planning permission for development could have a price tag of up to 10million

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Mr Turner ran a skip hire business and owned a family pig farm at Woodside Farm in Bittams Lane, Chertsey, which had been in his family for 70 years.

He also owned half a share in a 14-acre plot near the M25, which if granted planning permission for development could have a price tag of up to 10m.

In the new will, the multi-millionaire left his younger friend both the farm and the share in the mammoth 14-acre plot.

Additional lesser legacies went to other pals - including his musical instruments - while 5,000 was left to the British Polio Fellowship, as Mr Turner had been stricken by polio as a child.

But the new will ended up being challenged in court by his sister Mrs Cano, because a copy of his original testament had never been found.

Lawyers for Mrs Cano, who lives in Spain, argued that it couldn't be proved that her brother had not destroyed his original will after changing his mind about who he wanted to inherit his fortune.

She asked the judge to nullify the 2013 will, which would have left her free to inherit under the laws of intestacy, because no other will existed and she stood in line as next of kin.

But the judge, Master Matthew Marsh, ruled against Mrs Cano at the High Court, leaving Mr Jones to inherit his friend's fortune.

During the trial, Rose Fetherstonhaugh - Mr Jones' barrister - said there was ample evidence that Mr Turner wanted his longtime pal to inherit his wealth, pointing out how he cared for him in his final months and organised both his funeral and his wake.

Not only was his sister excluded from benefiting under his 2013 will, she told the judge, but Mr Turner was adamant that she should not get a penny.

Mr Turner was described by the judge as a 'highly gregarious' character with a passion for shooting, classic cars and music, who kept an 'open house' at his ramshackle farmhouse home, socialising with a close group of friends in an outbuilding they 'perhaps rather grandly called the music room'.

He and Mr Jones were inseparable and went on regular day trips to France and Belgium, while Mr Turner was also close to Mr Jones' own family, said the judge.

Ms Fetherstonhaugh told the court: 'Mr Turner, who had no children of his own, treated Mr Jones like a son and was very close to his family.

'Mr Jones looked to him as a father figure and he was a grandfather figure to Mr Jones' children.

Burger bar chef Sam Jones, pictured outside court, was left a 5million fortune by an eccentric businessman who befriended him at his roadside snackbar

'Mr Turner grew closer and closer to Mr Jones, and Mr Jones would be around the deceased regularly and up at the farm in the evenings.

'By contrast, Mr Turner had a very poor relationship with his sister. This was well known amongst the deceased's friends; for example, one friend's evidence is that he 'never heard Mr Turner say a good word about Mrs Cano he spoke in language that I wouldn't repeat... he did not like her and did not want to talk about her'.'

The siblings had been estranged for nearly a decade, said Ms Fetherstonhaugh, and there was evidence that Mr Turner had a grievance against his sister after she sold her half share in the 14-acre roadside plot to a property development company.

Ms Fetherstonhaugh also highlighted a document recording his instructions around the time of his will, in which he stated that neither his sister nor his ex-partner should have 'any beneficial interest in my money, property or chattels - the reason for this is the way I have been treated by two conniving b*****s'.

Mrs Cano accepted she had had little contact with her brother since 2008, but claimed he had a habit of making and changing his will.

But Mr Jones insisted his friend had consistently shown that he wanted him to inherit most of his fortune, even assembling his band of pals together after making his 2013 will when he 'announced to his friends that Mr Jones was to be treated as the owner of the farm'.

Mrs Cano had previously sold her half share in the 14-acre roadside plot to a property development company

The court heard that both Mr Jones and the executors of Mr Turner's estate have hunted high and low throughout the 14 outbuildings and internal rooms of Woodhill Farm in a vain search for Mr Turner's original will

Much of the debate in the case hinged around whether Mr Turner may have deliberately destroyed his original will, although Mr Jones rejected this notion.

The court heard that both Mr Jones and the executors of Mr Turner's estate have hunted high and low throughout the 14 outbuildings and internal rooms of Woodhill Farm in a vain search for the original.

The search was made all the harder because Mr Turner, although a sharp businessman, had a reputation as a 'hoarder' and one witness said his office 'looked as if it had been through two world wars'.

Four copies of the original will survived Mr Turner's death, the judge noted, and there was no evidence that he ever tried to make a new will or tore up the original.

Mrs Cano suggested that in the past her brother had made several wills but always ended up changing them when he 'fell out with a particular beneficiary.'

But the judge said her claim was 'unsupported' by the evidence.

Mrs Cano, who gave evidence via a video link, claimed her brother also had 'a tendency to lie and would be selective with the truth', but the judge dismissed her comments as 'general assertions'.

'I don't find her evidence to be of any assistance to me,' he said.

Finding in favour of Mr Jones, he concluded: 'It's clear from the evidence that Mr Turner expressed a strong dislike for his sister. His intentions were clear in 2013 that he wanted Mr Jones to benefit as his friend and that he didn't want any part of his estate to go to Mrs Cano.

'There's no evidence of any kind to suggest that Mr Turner's intentions changed from the date he made his will in 2013, and he remained estranged from his sister.

'There is clear, unchallenged evidence that Mr Jones was a daily visitor to the farm. Mr Jones and others helped care for Mr Turner when his illness became debilitating shortly before his death, showing the strong bond and connections between them.

'There's no evidence that Mr Turner attempted to make a new will.'

The judge's ruling means that the 2013 will stands in favour of Mr Jones.
Italian hospitals are struggling to cope with influx of patients suffering from heat

Germany is considering whether to follow Spain's suit and bring in siestas to deal with a searing heatwave that is sending temperatures soaring across Europe.

A public health group recommended Germans adopt Spain's traditional afternoon nap during excessively high temperatures so that workers can be more 'efficient' - and to reduce any health risks.

German health minister Karl Lauterbach said a siesta was 'certainly no bad proposal', while the BDA employers association said it was open to the idea to deal with Europe's scorching temperatures.

It comes as hospitals across Italy are struggling to cope with an influx of patients seeking emergency care for heat-related illnesses as the unrelenting heatwave continues to bake the Mediterranean.

Tourists have collapsed and fainted on a daily basis over the past few days across the Mediterranean including Italy and Greece as temperatures soared past 42C yesterday.

Italian medics were seen treating holidaymakers, including children, who had collapsed from heatstroke while visiting the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, where temperatures hit a record 41.8C.

As a result, some Italian hospitals have reported a 25 per cent increase in the number of people arriving at emergency units suffering from dehydration or heatstroke, reports Repubblica.

It comes as the sweltering heat across southern Europe is set to soar even higher in the coming days, with another heatwave set to strike Greece tomorrow.

Germany is considering whether to follow Spain's suit and bring in siestas to deal with a searing heatwave that is sending temperatures soaring across Europe. Pictured: A man cools himself with water from a fountain in Berlin on Monday

Germany is considering whether to follow Spain's suit and bring in siestas to deal with a searing heatwave that is sending temperatures soaring across Europe. Pictured: Tourists sunbathe in the Lustgarten park at the Museum Island in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday

Italian medics were seen treating holidaymakers, including children, who had collapsed from heatstroke while visiting the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, where temperatures hit a record 41.8C

Tourists pour water on themselves to cool off in front of the Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti (Spanish Steps) in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday

Tourists sit in the shade and use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun in Rome on Tuesday

Beach-goers enjoy Barceloneta's beach in Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday

Meteorologists are now warning that the worst is still to come for tourists and locals across Greece, where firefighters have been battling wildfires that have been ripping through holiday homes close to the capital Athens.

Temperatures are set to exceed 43C in Greece on Sunday, raising the risk of more wildfires across the country, forecasters said.

'Although the winds will recede from Thursday, this doesn't mean that the dangers of fires will lessen,' Greek meteorologist Theodoros Yiannaros told broadcaster ERT. 'There will be a drop in danger perhaps tomorrow but during the weekend, the risk will be very high. Difficult times are ahead of us.'

Temperatures have also been unforgiving in Spain, where officials have put three regions under hot weather red alerts. Temperatures are expected to soar to 41C in Malaga today - slightly cooler than 44C recorded in Zaragoza, southern Spain, yesterday.

And coastal waters around Spain have hit a record high for the first time this year at an average of 24.6C in July - 2.2C higher than the average for the season, accordng to the national weather office AEMET.

The figure 'far exceeds' the previous records of 24 degrees Celsius hit in 2015 and 23.7 degrees Celsius in 2022, and it is 'unprecedented' for mid-July since current records began in 1940, it added.

This situation is even more worrying since the summer is far from over, said Aemet spokesman Ruben del Campo.

'There is still room for the sea to warm even more,' he added, referring to both Spain's southern Mediterranean and northern Atlantic waters. Temperatures in some spots of Spain's Mediterranean southeastern waters have already hit 28C

Meanwhile, the UN weather agency warned temperatures in southern Europe could even break the 48.8C record set in Sicily in 2021 as it told tourists across the Mediterranean to stay indoors and avoid the beach due to the life-threatening dangers of the blazing sun.

In Italy, hospitals are now under pressure as the heatwave has seen 25 per cent more holidaymakers being pushed through their emergency room doors with heat-related illnesses. The relentless nature of the heatwave, which has lasted for weeks, has made the situation worse, medics say.

Doctor Giulio Ricciuto told Repubblica today: 'Until tomorrow we expect the worst, given that there will be three consecutive days of heat. Already today we see a clear increases in accesses due to the heat.'

Ricciuto pointed to how dozens of tourists in Rome are risking heatstroke by travelling to the Colosseum. Indeed, yesterday, medics were seen treating holidaymakers inside ambulances that were parked in front of the historic landmark.

Medics speak to a tourist who became ill from the heat at the Colosseum in Rome on Tuesday

Medics treat a family of tourists who became ill from the unbearable temperatures in Rome on Tuesday

A man puts his head in the water to cool off at the fountain in Piazza del Popolo in Rome on Tuesday

An elderly man rests on a bench in the shade with a small fan hanging around his neck during a heat wave in Valencia, Spain, on Tuesday

British tourists ride mobility scooters along the promenade in Benidorm, Spain, on Tuesday

As a sweltering heatwave sweeps across Europe threatening to break the record books for Europe's 'hottest ever week' - it appears these Benidorm Brits are having the time of their lives!

'Those who have problems directly or indirectly related to high temperatures are a quarter of patients in the emergency room,' he said.

Concerns are growing that the heat, which has already claimed lives in Italy, will cause a spike in deaths.

'Heatwaves are really an invisible killer,' Panu Saaristo, emergency health unit team leader for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said yesterday. 'We are experiencing hotter and hotter temperatures for longer stretches of time every single summer here in Europe.'

In response to the heatwave, the German BVOeGD public health officers association has recommended the introduction of siestas in Germany.

While Germany has escaped the kind of temperatures that hit southern Europe this week, it has sweltered in the mid-30s Celsius, with Bavaria seeing the country's record high so far at 38.8 degrees Celsius.

Niessen, the head of the BVOeGD, said Germans should follow the habits of people in the hotter climes of southern Europe.

'Get up early, work productively in the morning, and take a siesta at midday,' he said in an interview published by the RND media network on Tuesday.

'People are not as efficient in strong heat as they are otherwise,' Niessen said. 'Moreover bad sleep in the absence of cooling in the night leads to concentration problems.'

German health minister Karl Lauterbach said a siesta was 'certainly no bad proposal' but employers and workers should negotiate this together.

On holiday in Italy, Lauterbach tweeted that high temperatures had stopped him going on a day trip to Rome.

'My daughter would rather stay in the pool while I will read. Next try tomorrow.'

The BDA employers association was open to the siesta proposal, saying that more flexible working hours could enable employees to take longer midday breaks if it suited both parties.

Niessen also called for 'sufficient fans and lighter clothing, even if the attire rules for an office don't allow it.'

'A cold footbath under the desk would be another option to stay cool while working from home,' he said.

Meanwhile, the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to possibly surpass a continent-wide record of 48.8C recorded in Sicily in August 2021.

At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca said.

In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms.

'They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low,' Angioni said.

At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca told AFP.

In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms.

'They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low,' Angioni said.

Health officials have issued red weather alert warnings for 23 out of 27 cities across Italy, including Rome and Florence. A red alert warning means that the heat is so intense that it poses a health risk to the whole population - not just vulnerable groups like the elderly and very young children.

People swim in a swimming pool in Barcelona on Tuesday

People sunbath at a swimming pool in Barcelona on Tuesday amid soaring temperatures

Tourists drink water as they stand in the shade of a tree near Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona on Tuesday

A man drinks water at the Barcaccia Fountain during a sultry day in Rome on Tuesday

Britons who have travelled to the Mediterranean have told how the heat is so intense that they have suffered sunstroke and been forced to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day.

A NASA scientist yesterday warned that this 'will be the coolest summer for the rest of people's lives' due to climate change amid fears that temperatures could break the 48.8C record.

NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus warned: 'Most people still don't know what peril they are in. This will be the coolest summer for the rest of your life, and that shouldn't be just a meme - it should be actually terrifying. The only path out of this heat nightmare is to end fossil fuels as soon as possible'.

The UN weather agency said overnight minimum temperatures are expected to reach new highs, creating the increased risk of heart attacks and deaths.

'Whilst most of the attention focuses on daytime maximum temperatures, it is the overnight temperatures which have the biggest health risks, especially for vulnerable populations,' it said.

In response to the potentially record-breaking heat, Red Cross teams in Italy are checking on the elderly by phone while in Italy they took to social media to tell people not to leave pets or children in parked cars.

In Greece, volunteers handed out drinking water, while in Spain they reminded people to reminded people to protect themselves from breathing in smoke from wildfires that are ripping through the country.

Wildfires are still burning near Athens for a third day in a row today, as authorities braced for a new heatwave stoking tinderbox conditions across the country.

At first light, air water bombers resumed operations over the towns of Mandra, west of Athens, and Loutraki, close to the Corinth canal which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese. Firefighters worked throughout the night to keep flames at bay and away from a complex of coastal refineries.

The fire brigade reported that a third fire had broken out on the island of Rhodes.

Wildfires are still burning near Athens for a third day in a row today, as authorities braced for a new heatwave stoking tinderbox conditions across the country

A fireman douses flames on a wildfire at Panorama settlement near Agioi Theodori, near Athens, on Tuesday

People stand in front of a forest fire in New Peramos, near Athens, on Wednesday

Hundreds of British tourists and locals have been forced to flee their holiday homes as the wildfires ripped through tourist hotspots - and there is no end in sight to the dangerous blazes.

Officials said the fire risk hazard will remain high throughout the country in the coming days as a second heatwave is set to strike tomorrow. 'We remain on a level of high alert,' said fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis.

'Conditions are extreme, and are likely to be so for another week,' Kostas Tsigas, head of the fire brigade officers association, told Greece's SKAI TV.

The blaze, which broke out on Monday in the region of Dervenochoria, about 30 km north of Athens, spread fast as it was fanned by erratic winds and reached Mandra on Tuesday, burning houses and forcing people to flee.

Not everyone went willingly. Footage released by Greek police showed officers imploring a reluctant group of nuns chanting hymns to evacuate a convent, and another of police screaming 'lets go' as towering flames closed in at a timber yard.

'We put all our effort into making this, we built this, and now it's all gone,' said Andreas Theodosiadis, a resident of Mandra, standing near debris and cars hollowed out by fire.

In the Canary Islands, some 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has ravaged 3,500 hectares of forest and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate, with authorities warning residents to wear face masks outside due to poor air quality.

Scientists have relentlessly warned of the damaging effects of climate change. As well as withering crops, melting glaciers and raising the risk of wildfires, higher-than-normal temperatures also cause health problems ranging from heatstroke and dehydration to cardiovascular stress.

Heat records are being shattered all over the world and scientists say there is a good chance that 2023 will go down as the hottest year on record, with measurements going back to the middle of the 19th century.

June saw the warmest global average temperature, according to Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service, and the UN's World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) predicted that a number of heat records are set to fall this summer.

The WMO said unprecedented sea surface temperatures and low Arctic sea-ice levels are largely to blame.

Human-caused climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is making the world hotter and is being amplified by the naturally occurring El Nino weather phenomenon, which warms the surface waters in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean.

People rest in the shade of a tree as temperatures soar above 40C in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday

A man carries an umbrella as he walks along the Barceloneta's beach in Barcelona on Tuesday

El Nino events, which occur every two to seven years, are marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific near the Equator, and last about nine to 12 months.

But the current El Nino only started a few months ago, is still weak to moderate and is not expected to peak until winter.

Research published on Monday found that more than 61,000 people died due to the heat during Europe's record-breaking summer last year.

The majority of deaths were in people over the age of 80 and about 63 percent of those who died due to the heat were women, according to the research published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The world has warmed an average of nearly 1.2C since the mid-1800s, unleashing extreme weather including more intense heatwaves, more severe droughts and storms made fiercer by rising seas.

Oceans absorb most of the heat generated by planet-warming gases, causing heatwaves that harm aquatic life, altering weather patterns and disrupting crucial planet-regulating systems.

In June, global sea surface temperatures hit unprecedented levels. Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest extent for the month since satellite observations began, at 17 per cent below average, breaking the previous June record by a substantial margin.

While sea surface temperatures normally recede relatively quickly from annual peaks, this year they stayed high, with scientists warning that this underscores an underappreciated but grave impact of climate change.

'If the oceans are warming considerably, that has a knock-on effect on the atmosphere, on sea and ice worldwide,' said Michael Sparrow, chief of World Climate Research Programme at the WMO.

'There's a lot of concerns from the scientific community and a lot of catch-up from the scientific community trying to understand the incredible changes that we're seeing at the moment.'
New University Challenge host Amol Rajan, 40, has said his French is so rusty, camera crews are forced to reshoot questions featuring the language.

The presenter this week made his debut on the BBC Two show, in taking over from Jeremy Paxman who stepped down from his job as quizmaster after 29 years.

Mr Rajan admitted he was 'worrying' about his French pronunciations before starting his new job due to never having studied the language himself.

The former newspaper editor has now revealed he was 'right to be worrying' as he claimed camera crews are forced to 're-take' questions in French.

The ex-BBC Media Editor also said he felt 'very humbled' to have been chosen as Paxman's successor, who stepped down in May due to ill health.

Amol Rajan, 40, (pictured) said he was 'right to be worrying' about his French language skills in his new job hosting University Challenge

Mr Rajan's debut show saw a team from Trinity College, Cambridge face a team from the University of Manchester.

Speaking on the Headliners podcast, Mr Rajan said: 'It's a big moment in my life and a new era for an amazing programme, which I feel, honestly, very humbled to be a part of.

'I think there was a long process of what happens in a world after Jeremy Paxman steps down as he's got Parkinson's and spoken very publicly about it.

'There was going to be a natural end to his incredibly successful and brilliant 29 year reign so I think they'd been thinking about it for a little while.

'And for some reason they thought this mischievous little tyke who pretends to be cleverer than he actually is would be well suited and we'll find out if they were right.'

Asked if he had to go through questions beforehand to confirm pronunciation of words in Latin or Greek, the father of three answered: 'It's so funny you say that, the one I was worrying about was the French.

'And I was right to be worrying about it.

Amol Rajan made his debut on University Challenge this week after taking over from Jeremy Paxman

'I'm not going to pretend for a minute I can speak German, but I studied German up to GCSE level and I love German culture and German philosophy is a favourite subject of mine.

'So, the German stuff I'm absolutely fine with, the Italian stuff you do it with a certain twang, the French is both the one I find hardest - because I never studied French - and also the one I think most people watching BBC 2 at 8.30pm on a Monday night care about.

'So, we do do the odd re-take for the French one.'

In 2013, Rajan became the youngest editor of a broadsheet newspaper after taking up the top job at The Independent at the age of 29.

He took up a job as the BBC's first Media Editor in 2016 before he was named as Paxman's successor on University Challenge.

Rajan appeared on a celebrity Christmas special edition of University Challenge in 2020 with a team from Downing College, Cambridge.
Small businesses will have the chance to open rent-free shops on Oxford Street in units vacated by illicit candy stores.

Westminster City Council officials are trying to rid London's iconic shopping street of the tacky shops, which have replaced household names and blighted the area.

Now, a new 10million scheme aims to transform the area - branded a 'national embarrassment' by the boss of a top British retailer last week - by allowing small business owners to open stores rent free and lower business rates by 70 per cent.

The plan, called 'Meanwhile On: Oxford Street' will offer nine units to businesses trying to launch their first store, with some expected to open next month.

The scheme, which is intended to prevent candy shops opening, is also offering the new occupants marketing help, business support and a fit-out of the new stores.

It comes after reports that London's famous Trocadero complex in Piccadilly Circus is being turned into a giant mosque and Islamic centre for up to 390 worshippers.

Meanwhile, the council is working with Trading Standards on an investigation into sweet shops amid allegations some have evaded 8million worth of business rates.

The council has seized 1million worth of illegal and counterfeit goods from candy stores and souvenir shops on Oxford Street since operations began in late 2021.

MailOnline has led the charge to reclaim Oxford Street from nearly 30 American candy stores  and this website's reporting today attracted praise from the council.

Will you apply to use a rent-free store? Email: tips@dailymail.com

Two people stand outside an American candy store yesterday on London's Oxford Street

A raid on American candy stores on Oxford Street in October 2022 saw the council seize 215,000 worth of fake Gucci phone cases, vapes and counterfeit rucksacks in a crackdown

People walk past an American candy store near Piccadilly Circus in London yesterday

The council seized a haul of fake Wonka chocolate bars worth 22,000 which were among counterfeit products totalling 100,000 seized from three Oxford Street stores in June 2022

Geoff Barraclough, the council's cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: 'MailOnline's reporting has raised the profile the issue of dirty money highlighted by the US candy stores on Oxford Street.

'The launch of Meanwhile On: Oxford Street will help future-proof the nation's high street by offering innovative local businesses as alternatives to low quality occupiers and candy stores.'

In one set of raids on the shops in March, the council worked with Trading Standards and the Metropolitan Police to target two shops and confiscated 7,000 items with a total value of 145,000.

These included 2,381 vape pens which had double the UK limit of nicotine and over 15 times over the legal tank size  which were originally hidden from officers to avoid detection but were recovered from five suitcases displayed on the shopfloor.

Other seized goods included 1,723 counterfeit mobile phone cases, 1,602 unsafe charging leads, 372 power banks with no safety labelling or UK company details, 273 unsafe travel adapters and 182 counterfeit EarPods sold at different price points depending on who the customer was.

Now, as the council tries to rebuild the look of the high street with its new scheme, officials are 'inviting applications from innovative, cutting-edge and up-and-coming brands who will offer something exciting and new' to the street.

They added that the businesses can 'use this high-profile space to bring their brand's story to life, for example through new technologies such as virtual or augmented reality'.

Officials also said the businesses could bring 'the production process to the customer by installing machines in store, opening visitor's eyes to how clothes and other materials are made'.

The campaign is aimed at businesses looking to launch their first store or physical space, with selected brands getting a prime store location for an initial six-month period.

'We need the new Economic Crime Bill to help clamp down on these loopholes and to provide Government agencies such as Companies House and HMRC with the powers and funding they need.

 Slide me  Music retailer HMV is to reopen its flagship Oxford Street store (left, pictured in 2018), which was turned into an American candy outlet (right) after the firm's departure in 2019

 Slide me  BEFORE and AFTER: 'Candylicious London' on Oxford Street (right) was a Schuh shop (left)

 Slide me  BEFORE and AFTER: A Coast store on Oxford Street (left) is now Kingdom of Sweets (right)

 Slide me  BEFORE and AFTER: 'American Sweet Dreams' (right) is on the site of a smaller Holland and Barrett next to an Ann Summers (left)

 Slide me  BEFORE and AFTER: A Boots store (left) used to occupy the space of a candy store (right)

These opportunities will be 100 per cent rent-free for brands, with a minimum reduction of business rates of 70 per cent.

The stores will either be available for single occupancy or as a themed concept store shared between multiple brands.

Companies will also get support in design, management and marketing from independent retail consultants Someday Studios.

The council said the scheme is expected to support around 35 brands over three years, with the first store opening in autumn 2023.

Mr Barraclough added: 'The West End has recovered quickly from the pandemic but there are still too many vacant units and poor-quality occupants.

'That's why we've set up Meanwhile On: Oxford Street to help fill the gaps with upcoming brands showcasing their innovative new ideas.

'I am excited to welcome new brands to one of the most famous streets in Europe, and support them with free rent, reduced business rates and help with promoting their businesses.'

Dee Corsi, chief executive of business group New West End Company, which is also involved in the project, said: 'The West End is internationally recognised as one of the world's most iconic retail and leisure destinations.

'As a result, it has always been at the forefront for brands looking to engage with consumers in new and innovative ways  businesses that come here, do so to put their best foot forward.

'The addition of pioneering brands, through the Meanwhile On programme, is just one of many indicators of the district's wider growth, and we look forward to welcoming the successful applicants to the area.'

Small businesses will get the chance to open rent-free shops on Oxford Street, pictured today

Souvenir and sweet shops are a common sight along Oxford Street in London's West End

A boarded-up shopfront on London's Oxford Street, pictured today

Souvenir shops can be seen along Oxford Street in London's West End, pictured today

A woman walks past a souvenir and luggage shop on Oxford Street in London today

Souvenir shops are a common sight along Oxford Street in London's West End, pictured today

Geoff Barraclough (picture today), Westminster City Council's cabinet member for planning, has praised MailOnline's reporting on the issue of American candy stores on Oxford Street

And James Watkins, head of policy at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told MailOnline: 'Oxford Street is emblematic of London as a global city.

'That is why, we strongly back this great initiative by Westminster City Council to ensure that the capital's premier shopping thoroughfare continues to flourish with innovative and forward-looking brands.

'This would increase footfall and provide tourists from across the UK and around the world with the ultimate London shopping experience they are looking for.

'During this cost-of-living crisis, it is critical that there are initiatives to help small businesses not just survive but thrive by providing rent-free facilities, reduced business rates plus mentoring support.

'Businesses have taken a hammering during the Covid lockdown - this initiative will provide cutting-edge enterprises a platform to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas- not just to Londoners but to the world.'

In addition, a spokesman for Someday Studios told MailOnline: 'Westminster City Council have appointed Someday Studios to deliver the three-year project.

'Someday Studios is a retail placemaking consultancy that helps landlords transform underused spaces into vibrant destinations that support local start-ups and creatives, and was founded earlier this year by Aoife Byrne and Becky Jones.'

It comes after Brian Duffy, the chief executive of leading British retailer Watches of Switzerland, last week branded Oxford Street a 'national embarrassment'.

He said there was 'no question that more needs to be done' to revive the area, adding: 'Oxford Street is a problem. I would almost describe it as a bit of a national embarrassment.

'In terms of importance, it's probably the biggest victim of lockdown and what happened in retail, the demise of Arcadia group and department stores like Debenhams.'

Watches of Switzerland owns a showroom on Oxford Street across the road from department store Selfridges. Mr Duffy said action should be taken to bring a 'higher standard' of businesses to the area.

On nearby Regent Street - which is owned by the Crown Estate - there has been 'more aggressive and successful landlord behaviour', he said.

Although Oxford Street is still 'hugely popular', its range of stores is 'not optimising the status of the street and traffic', Mr Duffy added.

Topshop's flagship store near Oxford Circus station closed in early 2021 after the demise of Sir Philip Green's Arcadia retail empire.

People pass souvenir shops in London's West End yesterday amid plans to regenerate the area

A Charles figurine is displayed alongside sweets in a souvenir shop on Oxford Street yesterday

An American candy shop on Oxford Street in London

People view items on sale at a souvenir shop on Oxford Street in London yesterday

People gather near souvenir, vape and candy shops in London's Leicester Square yesterday

A worker adjusts the display in an American-style candy shop on Oxford Street yesterday

Tourists pass a souvenir shop in Leicester Square in London's West End yesterday

A woman passes a snack and vape shop near Piccadilly Circus in London yesterday

A woman tries on a pair of glasses in a souvenir shop in London's Leicester Square yesterday

People visit a souvenir shop on Oxford Street in London yesterday as the probe continues

A picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II on a souvenir shop in Leicester Square yesterday

Sweets are displayed in a candy shop on Oxford Street in London's West End yesterday

House of Fraser's department store also shut shop in January 2022 after more than a century at the location.

READ MORE New Look set to shut down more shops in weeks - is yours among those facing closure? Advertisement

Some big names are set to move into the area soon - Ikea will open up at the former Topshop site while HMV will reopen its old flagship store on Oxford Street after a four-year absence later this year.

Mr Duffy is not the first leading retail chief to lambast the state of Oxford Street.

In April, Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin said London was losing its competitive edge to rival cities.

Mr Machin blamed a government move to axe VAT-free shopping and a 'proliferation of tacky candy stores'.

He said: 'The high street which is meant to be the jewel in London's crown today is a national embarrassment, with a proliferation of tacky candy stores, antisocial behaviour and footfall remaining in the doldrums, 11 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels.'

He added: 'It pains me to see our great city like this. For too long now it has been on life support.'

Oxford Street will also be given a facelift from next autumn with plans to inject 100million into pedestrian access, greenery and better lighting.

Work on the project, which is a joint effort between the council and New West End Company, is expected to finish in spring 2026.

** Will you apply to use a rent-free store? Please email tips@dailymail.com **

Small businesses wanting to apply for a place can do so by visiting the Meanwhile On: Oxford Street programme website by clicking here
More than two years after she was allegedly abducted, Majesty Williams, now six, was reunited with her father in Atlanta this weekend after police officers found her safe and well with her mother in Mexico.

Majesty was four when her mother, Andrea McCord, 34, allegedly abducted her from her father's home in Smyrna, Georgia, on April 1, 2021.

After an extensive investigation that took more than two years and caused heartbreak for her family, Majesty shared a loving embrace with her father, James Williams, at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on Sunday.

A break in the case finally came on Saturday when McCord and her boyfriend, Custodio Guerra, were located in San Luis Potosi, an eastern and central Mexican state, where they were living with Majesty.

The couple were arrested on warrants for Interstate Interference with Child Custody and have been extradited to the United States to face charges.

Majesty was four when her mother, Andrea McCord, now 34, allegedly abducted her from her father's home in Smyrna, Georgia, on April 1, 2021

Majesty was reunited with her father, James Williams, at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday

Williams said: 'I am incredibly grateful and overjoyed to be reunited with my daughter.

'Words cannot express how happy I am to have my daughter back home. Majesty is doing well, and I kindly ask the media for privacy at this time.'

According to Williams, on April 1, 2021, his estranged wife, McCord, was living elsewhere and visiting Majesty at his home in Smyrna, Georgia.

Williams said he was outside working in his yard while Majesty spent time with her mother in the house. At some point, he realized McCord and Majesty were gone.

Williams said McCord later sent a phone text, telling him that his car was at a nearby grocery store and the keys were under the seat.

Williams reported Majesty missing to Smyrna Police. After an investigation, police were able to obtain a felony warrant for McCord's arrest for Interstate Interference with Custody.

With the possibility that Majesty could be anywhere, NCMEC wanted to elevate her case to a national level.

In their partnership with the REELZ television show On Patrol: Live, NCMEC featured Majesty's case on March 11, 2023.

Majesty's mom, Andrea McCord, 34. A break in the case finally came on Saturday when McCord and her boyfriend, Custodio Guerra, were located in San Luis Potosi, an eastern and central Mexican state, where they were living with Majesty

'The Smyrna Police Department is honored to have partnered with NCMEC in the search for Majesty. The Smyrna Police Department used several resources to gain information in locating Majesty, but once we connected with NCMEC our resources grew exponentially,' said Lieutenant Meredith Holt, Public Information Officer at Smyrna Police Department.

'Our detective team worked diligently and strategically to continue the search and keep Majesty at the forefront of everyone's mind. We are truly grateful for our partnership with NCMEC and proud of our own detectives for not giving up. We wish Majesty and her father the best as they move forward together.'

The investigation was conducted jointly by Smyrna Police Department, NCMEC and the U.S. Marshals Service.

'We know that it can sometimes be tough to get media attention when it comes to missing children related to family custody situations,' said Angeline Hartmann, Director of Communications at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

'We shared home videos of Majesty and that helped viewers connect with this sweet child. People across the country wanted to help her Dad. We're thrilled that Majesty is now back home safe.'

The National Crime Information Center had 30,522 active records of missing children aged 18 or younger by the end of 2022, according to a report published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Fewer than half of the total missing person records included information on the circumstances regarding the case, but of those with circumstances provided, 2,386 children had been abducted by a non-custodial parent, the FBI said.

According to Hartmann, these types of cases can be particularly difficult to raise awareness about.
He denies two public order offences and a trial has been set for November 3

The former British Army officer was charged following an incident in December

Tory MP Bob Stewart has pleaded not guilty to racially abusing a man after he allegedly told him to 'go back to Bahrain'.

The 74-year-old, who is the MP for Beckenham in south-east London, denied two public order offences when appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning.

The former British Army officer, who was seen walking into court ahead of the hearing with two companions, was charged following an incident outside the Foreign Office's Lancaster House after an event hosted by the Bahraini embassy on December 14, last year.

Mr Stewart was reported to police by Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei who has said he is living in exile after being tortured in the Gulf state.

The politician was later charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour and the offence was racially aggravated and an alternative charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Tory MP Bob Stewart has arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court after being charged with a racially motivated public order offence

The MP for Beckenham, pictured centre, was charged after an incident outside the Foreign Office on December 14

Wearing a black suit, blue shirt and light blue tie Stewart spoke to confirm his name and date of birth when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, before pleading not guilty to both charges.

The second charge is to allow the court discretion on the racial element of the allegation and does not relate to a separate incident, the Met said.

A one-day trial has been fixed for November 3 at the same court.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told the Conservative MP: 'Mr Stewart you plead not guilty, that means there needs to be a trial.

'It will take place at this court on November 3, this year, you will need to be at court for 9:30am for an approximately 10 o'clock start.'

The judge did not give Stewart unconditional bail but 'simply' adjourned the hearing, which means that if the politician does not attend court in November the trial will go ahead in his absence.

The defendant said: 'I will be here, judge.'

Mr Stewart, who has represented Beckenham since 2010, kept the Tory whip following the authorisation of the charges.

Activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, pictured here outside Westminster Magistrates' Court today, reported the incident between himself and Mr Stewart to the police

Mr Alwadaei, who said he was tortured after taking part in anti-government protests in Bahrain, reported the incident with Mr Stewart to the Met Police and the Conservative Party.

The 37-year-old said in a statement issued at the time: 'I don't believe I would have been told to 'go back' to the country that violently tortured me if it weren't for the colour of my skin.'

Stewart, a former British Army officer who was stationed in Bahrain in 1969 and has represented Beckenham since 2010, is the chair of the all-parliamentary group on Bahrain.

Following the incident, he apologised and issued a statement in which he said: 'I meant go back to Bahrain, which is a perfectly safe place, and protest there.

'If anyone thinks I've been racist I honestly didn't mean to be, and I apologise if they think that, and I wasn't.'

Mr Alwadaei fled to the UK in 2012 and was granted political asylum by the Home Office.

He later co-founded the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and is an advocate for human rights in the Middle Eastern state.

Mr Stewart previously worked as a British Army officer and was a United Nations commander in Bosnia. This post earned him the nickname 'Bosnia Bob'.

He was privately educated at Chigwell School, later attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Does YOUR street have confusing signage or parking? Email eleanor.dye@mailonline.co.uk

White 'H' bars across spaces mean residents are confused if they can park

Locals of Denmark Road in Bath say there is not enough space to drive through

Residents have been left baffled by new bendy parking spaces and rules which say they cannot leave their car in them.

Locals of Denmark Road in Oldfield Park, Bath, say the contradictory spaces - introduced as part of the council's new Residents Parking Zones - mean there is not enough space left to drive down the road.

The parking spots also extend to cover the entrances to driveways - leaving people fearing they will block neighbours in their homes.

Photos of the street show how one small car parking space is 'curved' around a corner.

White 'H bars' are painted into the bays themselves, telling people not to park there - which locals say is confusing.

Residents have been left baffled by new bendy parking spaces and rules which say they cannot even leave their car in them

The spaces on Denmark Road in Oldfield Park, Bath, have 'H bars' painted through them, meaning residents are confused whether they can park there

Fixing the errors will take a traffic regulation order from the council costing 4,500 and is likely to take months.

READ MORE: Baffled drivers slam 'bonkers' wiggly line road safety markings in seaside town Advertisement

However the problem is only set to get worse when students return to the city in September.

There is a car park at the end of the road, but a separate permit has been introduced for the area, costing 547 a year, and as a result it mainly stays empty.

Residents had previously been able to park there for free.

A residents' permit for the street itself, by contrast, varies depending on the make and model of a car, but is likely to fall between 100-200 per annum.

Bath and North East Somerset Council say the road markings are part of a wider scheme to install road parking for local residents that have improved other areas of the city.

Councillor Manda Rigby, council cabinet member for transport, says the difficulty road planners are facing is that some of the residential roads are too narrow.

She told Somerset Live: 'One of the issues which a zone tries to address is pavement parking particularly in narrow streets like Denmark Road.

Residents argue that the spaces are too small for the cars and are too curvy to fit their vehicles in

The parking spaces extended over the front of driveways, meaning locals are worried they will be blocked in

The new layout - introduced as part of the council's new Residents Parking Zones, mean there is not much space left to actually drive down the road

'Specifically with Denmark Road we have talked to residents and explained how the markings work.

'The curved bay is only suitable for smaller vehicles but does provide an additional parking space and we would take a commonsense approach to enforcement.'

One local said: 'I'm worried I'm going to wake up and not be able to get out of my house.'

The Oldfield and Westmoreland Residents Parking Zone is due to come into effect from July 31.

The council say an annual review of the zones will help them address any 'minor' issues. Other amendments are yet to be confirmed.

Other councils in the UK have also been met with backlash after introducing 'bonkers' road markings.

Changes costing 700,000 introduced to the Hill Road Clevedon seafront were scorned as looking like a 'yellow brick road' from the Wizard of Oz due to the wiggly lines.

Cyclists and drivers alike were left confused about where to go.

MailOnline has contacted Bath and North East Somerset Council for comment.

A car park at the end of the road - which used to be free - now charges 547 for an annual pass

The problem is only set to get worse when students return to the city in September
Extraordinary new footage has emerged showing an Australian castaway overcome with emotion as rescuers reached his stranded catamaran off the coast of Mexico.

Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, 54, put his hand over his heart and his voice cracked with emotion as he said 'thank you' to rescuers when they approached his ramshackle yacht in the Pacific.

The Australian set sail from Mexico in April bound for tropical French Polynesia, but was crippled by bad weather weeks into the 3,700-mile journey.

When a trawler reached his vessel on Monday, crew found the sailor looking forlorn with overgrown hair and beard alongside his dog Bella, whose tail was wagging. Both had survived by eating raw tuna and drinking rainwater.

With a hand over his heart, Shaddock thanks the man identified as Andres, but is promptly told: 'We need to know if you have any drugs or weapons aboard.'

Nodding to acknowledge he understood and then shaking his head, Shaddock replies: 'No, I have no drugs or weapons... you can check everything.'

Before his safe return to Manzanillo, Mexico on Tuesday, the fishermen asked him to hand over his knife and climbed aboard to ensure their safety.

Rescuers arrive at Shaddock's disabled catamaran, where the sailor spent three months adrift after a storm disabled the vessel

The raw footage shows the moment a speedboat approached the catamaran off the coast of Mexico.

Shaddock's vessel is seen bobbing up and down on the water with its captain motionless at the stern.

The rescuers circle the catamaran and close in on Shaddock, with Bella coming into view nearby.

His dog is seen wagging her tail as the boat approaches.

Shaddock stands with a hand over his heart and a knife holster around his neck as the boat closes in.

'Hi sir, do you speak English,' they ask.

Shaddock is seen happy, relieved, nodding along as they ask how he is.

The catamaran is covered in Shaddock's survival gear and buckets.

He stands with palms open as he tells his rescuers he does not have any drugs or weapons aboard.

'I've just got fishing gear, survival gear...'

His saviours then spot and ask for the knife around his neck, asking for it in its holster.

The interaction is stern and professional as they look to ensure their own safety.

Shaddock complies, handing over the knife and inviting the men aboard.

They tell him they would like to check for drugs and weapons, before asking his name.

Shaddock, seen confused and with a large beard, seems to understand the men are recording him as they interview him about where he is from and when he left Mexico.

He struggles to remember when he left Mexico, but tells them he sailed from La Paz before the camera cuts back to the men approaching the boat.

Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, 54, revealed he survived on 'a lot of sushi' after disembarking on Tuesday in the Mexican city of Manzanillo from the fishing boat that rescued him

Shaddock said he had been well-provisioned, but a storm knocked out his electronics and ability to cook. He and Bella survived on raw fish

Shaddock told reporters after his safe delivery to Manzanillo that he was 'grateful' to be alive.

He joked that he survived on 'a lot of sushi' but admitted he 'didn't think he'd make it' after disembarking from the fishing boat that rescued him, the Maria Delia.

'I'm feeling alright. I'm feeling a lot better than I was, I tell ya,' Shaddock, smiling, bearded and thin, said on the dock in the port city about 210 miles west of Mexico City.

'To the captain and fishing company that saved my life, I'm just so grateful. I'm alive and I didn't really think I'd make it,' Shaddock said, adding that he and his 'amazing' dog Bella are both doing well.

He said the last time he saw land was in early May as he sailed out of the Sea of Cortez and into the Pacific. There was a full moon.

Shaddock described himself as a quiet person who loves being alone on the ocean.

Asked why he had set out from Mexico's Baja Peninsula to cross the Pacific Ocean, Shaddock struggled to give an explanation.

'I'm not sure I have the answer to that, but I very much enjoy sailing and I love the people of the sea,' he said.

'It's the people of the sea that make us all come together. The ocean is in us. We are the ocean.'

Shaddock said he had been well-provisioned, but a storm knocked out his electronics and ability to cook. He and Bella survived on raw fish.

'It was a lot of chewing of 'sushi',' he joked, and pointed out how 'skinny' he had become.

Shaddock recounted there were 'many, many, many bad days' at sea, but also good ones.

'The energy, the fatigue is the hardest part,' he said. He passed the time fixing things and stayed positive by going into the water to 'just enjoy being in the water.'

'I would try and find the happiness inside myself, and I found that a lot alone at sea. I would go in the water too, and just enjoy being in the water.'

Shaddock and his dog Bella are seen being rescued by the crew of a Mexican tuna vessel on Monday

Shaddock and his dog Bella are seen aboard the fishing boat that rescued them at sea

Shaddock said the tuna boat became his land and that Bella was an immediate hit with the crew. The dog is seen playing on the deck after rescue

When the tuna boat's helicopter spotted Shaddocks catamaran about 1,200 miles from land, it was the first sign of humans he had seen in three months, Shaddock said.

The pilot tossed him a drink and then flew away, returning later with a speed boat from the Maria Delia, he said.

Grupomar, which operates the fishing fleet, didn't specify when the rescue occurred.

But it said in a statement that Shaddock and his dog were in a 'precarious' state when found, lacking provisions and shelter, and that the tuna boat's crew gave them medical attention, food and hydration.

Shaddock said the tuna boat became his land and that Bella was an immediate hit with the crew. He also explained how he and the dog met.

'Bella sort of found me in the middle of Mexico. She's Mexican,' he said.

'Shes the spirit of the middle of the country and she wouldnt let me go.

'I tried to find a home for her three times and she just kept following me onto the water. Shes a lot braver than I am, that's for sure.'

Australian sailor Tim Shaddock smiles after arriving at the port of Manzanillo on Tuesday

Shaddock smiles after receiving a temporary visa to regularise his situation in Mexico

The crew of the Mexican tuna boat 'Maria Delia' pose for photos with Bella, the dog of Australian Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, both of whom they rescued at sea

A crew member from the fishing boat will adopt Bella from Shaddock on the condition that he will take good care of the dog

Perhaps for that reason, Bella did not leave the boat until Shaddock had driven away Tuesday.

He had already chosen Genaro Rosales, a crew member from Mazatlan, to adopt her on the condition that he would take good care of the dog.

Shaddock said he'll be going back to Australia soon and that he's looking forward to seeing his family.

Antonio Suarez, Grupomar's president, said this could be the Maria Delias final trip because he is modernizing the companys fleet and the boat is its smallest and is more than 50 years old.

If so, it would be a 'marvelous farewell, saving human lives,' Suarez said.
Susan Hall today vowed to 'expose Sadiq Khan for who he really is' after she was chosen as the Tory candidate for London mayor to take on the Labour incumbent.

The London Assembly member and local councillor will attempt to prevent Mr Khan winning a third term as the capital's mayor in next May's election.

She beat rival Tory candidate Moz Hossain to win the Conservative nomination - with Ms Hall securing 57 per cent of the vote compared to Mr Hossain's 43 per cent.

Ms Hall's victory was announced at an event at the Battle of Britain Bunker at RAF Uxbridge this morning.

Conservative members in London had been voting over the past two weeks for their preferred candidate.

Ms Hall, 68, promised to 'work tirelessly' over the next 10 months to defeat Mr Khan - who she claimed 'only cares about himself' - and expose the London mayor 'for who he really is'.

Susan Hall has been chosen as the Tory candidate for London mayor to take on Labour's Sadiq Khan next year

Ms Hall beat rival Tory candidate Moz Hossain to win the Conservative nomination, with Ms Hall securing 57 per cent of the vote compared to Mr Hossain's 43 per cent

The London Assembly member and local councillor will attempt to prevent Mr Khan winning a third term as the capital's mayor in next May's election

Speaking after this morning's result was announced, Ms Hall vowed to 'work tirelessly' over the next 10 months to defeat Mr Khan

Who is Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall? Susan Hall, 68, is a member of the London Assembly and a local councillor in Harrow, where she lives. Ms Hall, a mother-of-two and a grandmother, started her working life at her father's garage where she had been taught how to strip down car engines. According to the Evening Standard, Ms Hall opened a salon with her hairdresser husband after they married, which employed up to 20 people at one stage. In 2006, she was elected as a Harrow borough councillor and has represented Hatch End ward on the London council ever since. Ms Hall was the council's leader between 2013 and 2014. She joined the London Assembly in 2017 when she replaced Kemi Badenoch, the now Business Secretary who was elected to Parliament at that year's general election. Ms Hall led the Tory group at City Hall from 2019 until May this year. She is a keen user of Twitter but her tweeting has previously drawn criticism from her political opponents. Ahead of the 2020 US presidential election, she tweeted her support for Donald Trump to 'wipe the smile' off Sadiq Khan's face. Ms Hall last year backed Home Secretary Suella Braverman's description of Channel migrant crossings as an 'invasion'. Advertisement

Speaking after the result of the Tory contest was announced, Ms Hall said: 'It's a huge honour to be your candidate to be the mayor of London.

'It leaves me with an important responsibility; I will work tirelessly to defeat Sadiq Khan and offer Londoners the change they desperately need.

'We need a safer city where women and girls don't have to fear walking down the street at night.

'We need an inclusive city where you can afford to buy a home and raise a family.

'We need a kinder city where we can celebrate our cultural diversity and focus on what unites us and not what divides us.

'We need a cleaner city that is serious about tackling climate change and air pollution but without taxing the poorest.'

Ms Hall claimed Mr Khan has 'no interest in helping others' and 'only cares about himself'.

'That is why he is failing Londoners. He goes on trips to cannabis factories while young people are getting stabbed on our streets.

'He's more interested in selling his book than he is in helping Londoners with the cost of living.

'And when things go wrong, he hires an army of spin doctors to convince you that it's actually not his fault. Londoners deserve so much better.'

Ms Hall vowed to use the next 10 months to 'expose Sadiq Khan for who he really is'.

'It isn't about fame or glory for me... I'm not interested in the perks of the job, I am focused on the job itself,' she added.

'I want to sort things, not pass the buck, and there is a lot to do.'

Having based her campaign on a 'Safer With Susan' slogan, she promised to 'fix' the Metropolitan Police with a 200million investment to help crackdown on burglaries, robberies and thefts.

Ms Hall also set out her plans to build 'beautiful, high-density, low-rise family homes in London', to 'champion' the city's nightlife and end Transport for London funding for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

'I pledge I will stop the ULEZ expansion on day one,' Ms Hall added to cheers, as she renewed her promise to scrap Mr Khan's controversial move to enforce the Ultra Low Emission Zone in all of the capital's boroughs.

Ms Hall and Mr Hossain were left as the final two remaining candidates after former Downing Street aide Daniel Korski withdrew from the contest last month.

He continued to 'categorically deny' an allegation by a TV producer that he groped her a decade ago, but cited 'pressure on my family' for his decision to drop out the race.

Ms Hall has served as a member of the London Assembly since 2017 and is also a local councillor in Harrow.

She led the Conservative group at City Hall from 2019 until May this year, and is also a former leader of Harrow Council.

Mr Hossain was born in Bangladesh and has spoken of how he did not own a pair of shoes until he was 16.

He moved to the UK at the age of 21 and studied law before, in 2019, becoming the first Bangladeshi-born criminal barrister ever to be appointed a Queen's Counsel.

Mr Korski congratulated Ms Hall this morning, posting on Twitter: 'London needs a new start.

'Susan has the tenacity and experience to beat Sadiq Khan and turn the city around.'

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands said: 'Huge congratulations to Susan Hall, who will be the brilliant Conservative candidate for Mayor of London.

'I know she has the vision and vigour to take the fight to Sadiq Khan at the next Mayoral Election in May 2024.

'Both candidates ran excellent campaigns and I want to thank them for their hard work and dedication to the people of London.

'Now we unite behind Susan, working together to get this incredible city back on track.'

London Labour branded Ms Hall a 'hard-right politician' who does not 'stand up for women'.

'The Conservative candidate for mayor is a hard-right politician who couldn't be more out of touch with our city and its values,' a spokesperson said.

'She's an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and a hard Brexit; she cheered Liz Truss's mini-budget, which sent mortgages and rents soaring.

'She doesn't stand up for women and she hates London's diversity.

'Londoners deserve better than a candidate who represents the worst of the Tory failure and incompetence over the last 13 years.

'The London election next year will be a two-horse race and the choice is clear  a Labour mayor with a positive vision who will continue to build a fairer, greener and safer London for everyone.

'Or the extreme Tory candidate, who stands for cuts to London's public services, inequality and division.'
Dramatic footage shows the moment a have-a-go-hero chased off armed robbers from a shop in Leeds by throwing a crate of beer at them.

The man threw the crate of beer at Jeffrey Chikosha, 25, and Brandon Jarrett, 23, and a third unknown accomplice as they held up a Londis store with Samurai swords.

In the CCTV footage released by West Yorkshire Police, Jarrett can be heard threatening a lone female shop worker telling her: 'Open the till or you're gonna get hurt.'

When she struggled to open the till, the masked thug held his weapon up and shouted: 'Open it or I'm gonna hit you with it.'

The heroic customer, who was being kept at bay on the shopfloor by one of the knife-wielding robbers, challenged Jarrett, who stormed over to threaten him.

Pictured: Brandon Jarrett, 23, was sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment for three armed robberies and three counts of possession of Samurai swords

Pictured: Jeffrey Chikosha, 25, was sentenced to nine years in prison for three armed robberies and three counts of possession of Samurai swords

Chikosha, who was loading cigarettes into a duvet cover, can then be seen shoving the woman away from the counter as she tried to press the panic alarm.

He then forced open the till with his hands and the pair stole cash and cigarettes while the third man continued to stand guard on the shopfloor.

The customer continued to bravely challenge the trio, telling them: 'Make it quick and leave.'

He warned them he would start to retaliate by throwing things.

When Jarrett charged over to remonstrate with him again, the man picked up a box of beer bottles above his head and poised to launch it at them.

He can be heard repeatedly shouting at the men to leave before launching the box at them and chasing them from the shop armed with another heavy box.

Despite outnumbering him and being armed with large blades, the three robbers fled from the shop.

The female shop worker was left badly shaken but uninjured after the raid at the store on Wetherby Road, on December 23, 2021.

Pictured top left corner is the local hero who is about to hurl a box of beers at the armed robbers who were threatening the shop keeper at a Londis in Leeds

In footage released by West Yorkshire Police, an unidentified robber can be seen threatening the local hero with a Samurai swords as his accomplices make their way to the till

Police have described Jarrett and Chikosha as 'prolific criminals'.

Due to his knowledge of local criminals, Detective Constable Alan Andrews, of West Yorkshire Police, was able to recognise Chikosha from his walk.

He had also recognised Chikosha's voice on the CCTV audio at the Londis robbery.

This was later backed up by a specialist voice recognition expert who compared it with a recording from the taxi booking and previous police custody audio.

Jarrett pleaded guilty to the charges and Chikosha was convicted following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Chikosha, of Leeds, was jailed for nine years while Jarrett, of Halifax, was sentenced to six years and nine months by Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

The terrifying raid was the third time the gang had held up stores in the city in the space of a few weeks.

At 6.20pm on December 13, 2021, they burst into Skelton Wood Post Office and convenience store in White Laithe Approach, Whinmoor.

The lone female shop keeper was threatened by the armed robber repeatedly and shoved by Chikosha. Police have said was left badly shaken but uninjured after the raid at the store on Wetherby Road, on December 23, 2021

Chikosha can be seen shoving the woman away from the counter as she tried to press the panic alarm

They climbed over the counter and threatened frightened staff before escaping in a waiting car with cash from the tills and cigarettes and alcohol.

The robbers struck again at about the same time of day on December 23, 2021, when they targeted the Londis store.

And at 6.45pm on December 29, 2021, the gang struck at the Co-op in Selby Road again masked and armed with swords.

Jarrett stood guard at the entrance wielding a sword while Chikosha and a third man took cash from the tills and emptied the shelves of cigarettes and tobacco.

Police discovered Jarrett and Chikosha had called a taxi from a nearby location ten minutes after the offence, which dropped Chikosha off close to his address.

Jarrett had worn a distinctive coat during the crime spree which was recovered at a family address following his arrest, a police spokesman said.

They denied any involvement when interviewed by police, but both were charged with the three armed robberies and three counts of possession of Samurai swords.

Chikosha forced open the till with his hands after the shop keeper was left in a state of panic and unable to comply with his demands

The masked-pair stole cash and cigarettes while the third man continued to stand guard

The pair had previously been jailed in May 2021 for their role in stealing vehicles in Leeds using software to overcome their security systems.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Inspector Vicky Vessey praised the bravery of the customer.

She said: 'While we always advise people caught up in such potentially dangerous situations to put their safety first, his actions clearly made the difference in bringing this incident to a conclusion before anyone was seriously hurt.

'We will be making sure that his courage is formally recognised through our awards process.

'Jarrett and Chikosha are prolific criminals who were responsible for this series of armed robberies that saw the victims put through really frightening ordeals.

'They were masked and armed with Samurai swords during these incidents and the victims were put in genuine fear that they could get seriously hurt.

'We do not underestimate the traumatic impact that these incidents will have had on them.

'The footage from the robbery at the Londis store shows very starkly what a terrifying experience this was for those involved.

'We know that offenders like them brag about "no face, no case" if they wear masks while committing offences, but DC Andrews' detailed knowledge of local criminals and investigative skills have shown them that their arrogance is misplaced.'
An early morning Uber ride turned into a violent nightmare as a passenger exploded in rage and traded blows with the driver in the middle the road before slamming his fist four times into the bonnet.

The frightening incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning after UberPool driver Abdul picked up a passenger travelling over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Chatswood in the city's north.

However, the man was not impressed when Abdul picked up another passenger, Liam, as part of the normal UberPool practice of collecting passengers heading roughly in the same direction to reduce the fare.

Abdul's dashcam recorded audio of the man in the back seat getting increasingly agitated.

'Can we get to Chatswood bro that's what I paid for?' he demanded.

A furious UberPool passenger has been caught on dashcam slamming his fist into the car's bonnet after he grew angry the driver picked up another passenger

'You were running around being d*** head when I paid for you to go to Chatswood. You dumb a**e I am trying to get home.'

Abdul tried to explain the situation to him.

'This is Uber Pool. That's how it works,' he said.

Eventually Abdul runs out of patience and pulls over roadside demanding the abusive passenger get out but he refuses.

'Listen d*** head I chose not to hit you then right,' the man says.

'You know how easy it is for me? I have done nothing but try to get home.'

Abdul can be heard shouting: 'Leave my car otherwise I am calling the cops.'

Liam who was in the front seat was caught in an awkward situation.

'I looked around and he (the first passenger) starts looking at me and I thought 'oh s**t I don't want to get into this',' Liam told Channel Nine's A Current Affair on Wednesday night.

'The guy just started to get real arced up and angry.'

In the dashcam recording the man can be heard yelling: 'Do you want to have a fight? Do you want to punch me? Go call the cops you fat little ... You want to f**k with me?'

There was an altercation in the car leading Abdul to get out.

The man followed him and dashcam footage shows the pair scuffling while standing in the middle of the road.

Abdul said he had 'no option' but to fight back.

'I was pushing him back but he was continuously attacking me,' he said.

UberPool driver Abdul (pictured right rear) traded blows with the man (pictured centre) while watched by second passenger Liam (left forward)

'He punched me on the back of my neck, on my back on my head. My dashcam footage doesn't lie.'

'I was thinking about my family because if anything happens to me it has no impact on anyone's life except my family.'

Liam stood watching for a few moments but intervened to convince him to get back into the car, which they both did.

'He (Liam) was also a very big help. He was calming me down,' Abdul said.

However, this only served to further infuriate the initial passenger who was filmed smashing his fist repeatedly into the car bonnet, with a dent clearly visible the next day.

After driving off Abdul reported the incident to police, who he said did not respond.

He eventually went to a police station to file a report and called on them to bring the man 'to justice'.

A Current Affair tracked down the passenger at his Chatswood home and surprised him with a reporter and cameras waiting when he answered the door.

The man refused to talk about the incident other than saying Abdul had 'assaulted him as well'.

He pulling up his sleeve to display a bruise on his left forearm, which he claimed was an injury from the altercation.

After initially suspending Abdul while they investigated the incident, Uber has allowed him to resume driving after an intervention from the TV program.

Uber has reportedly banned the aggressive passenger for life.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted police for comment.
Rachel McAdams and the stars of Succession joined Bridgerton costume-clad strikers on the picket lines outside Netflix and Warner Bros on Tuesday, using the walkout to promote unions' 'reasonable' demands around payment and AI.

Star-studded picket lines came out for the fifth day of the SAG-AFTRA strikes and 79th day of industrial action by the Writers' Guild of America, in what is the largest industry strike for 60 years.

McAdams, who plays Regina George in Mean Girls, told Deadline: 'I'm out here to support the unions. I think what they're asking for is totally within reason, nothing over-reaching.'

TV and film workers turned out at Netflix's headquarters for 'Bridgerton day' as they dressed in Regency-style costume to draw attention to the cause.

Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe, who play Connor and Willa in HBO's Succession, said AI and health insurance were major concerns for actors and writers as they joined the picket outside Warner Bros Studios.

Rachel McAdams, who plays Regina George in Mean Girls, said what the unions are striking for is 'totally within reason'

Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe, who play Connor and Willa in HBO's Succession, said AI and health insurance were major concerns for actors and writers as they joined the picket outside Warner Bros Studios

TV and film workers turned out at Netflix's headquarters for 'Bridgerton day' as they dressed in Regency-style costume to draw attention to the cause

Striking workers brought out Bridgerton-themed placards as they went on strike outside Netflix

Bridgerton beat records as the most-viewed English language series on Netflix - now striking workers are dressing in its costume to make a point to the streamer

Dozens of striking movie and TV industry workers took to the picket lines outside Netflix's headquarters

Members and supporters of the WGA strike turned out at studios across Hollywood on Tuesday

Ruck said: 'No AI, proper payment, and it's just corporatocracy. They're like 'more work for less pay

'It's like you used to have a writers room of a dozen people, and they're like 'no, we're going to hire four people and then occassionally hire a few other people and they expect the same amount of work. It's wrong.'

Justine Lupe said: 'The fact that such a high percentage of our union can't even get insurance because we just can't make a living like that.

'There's people that used to be character actors or people that could come on for a few episodes a year and make a decent living and feel like they could kind of like float through a year and make their insurance now can't make enough money to just get basic health care.

'So it tells you a lot about how dismal the situation is and how many actors are getting iced out of being able to be in this business.

Others who turned out included Golden Globe-winning actress Mira Sorvino, with her family in tow, and movie and music director Mike Mills.

Actress Chaley Rose, who is best known for her role as Zoey in the ABC drama series Nashville, also took to the picket line outside Netflix's studios

Scores of people turned out to picket lines outside Netflix's studios. Bridgerton beat records as the most-viewed English language series on Netflix - now striking workers are dressing in its costume to make a point to the streamer.

Actress Chaley Rose, who is best known for her role as Zoey in the ABC drama series Nashville, took to the picket line outside Netflix's studios

Kathleen Wilhoite, Justine Bateman, Noah Wyle and Harold Perrineau Jr. attend the WGA Strike 'Bridgerton Day' Picket Line

Members and Supporters attend WGA Strike 'Bridgerton Day' Picket Line

Inventing Anna actress Katie Lowes and singer Mandy Moore walked the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike

Another picket outside Disney saw actors and writers from medical shows turn out.

They included Fame and Grey's Anatomy star Debbie Allen said she was striking to improve health insurance availability and help increase job protection surround AI.

'Things change, innovation happens, we have to keep moving with the times and our union is guiding us in a way that I think is correct and we need to stand up for everyone. Not just for our individual selves, but for everyone,' she told Deadline.

'We know studios have their agenda and God bless them and I think they're good people but right now this is a real situation that needs to change.'

Famous actors also turned out in New York to show their support for the strikes, with Bette Midler pictured on the picket line.

Crossroads star Anson Mount was also seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike outside the Paramount building in Times Square.

Alan Ruck described a range of issues affecting actors and writers as he went on strike at Warner Bros studios in LA

Succession actress Justine Lupe said low pay and the fact that most actors cannot afford health insurance is a key reason for the strikes

Director Mike Mills outside outside the picket line on 'Bridgerton Day'

Mira Sorvino, from second right, her children Lucia Backus and Mattea Backus, Jeff Astrof, left, and Adam Zastrow, right, carry signs on a picket line outside Warner Bros studios

Woody Allen movie star Mira Sorvino was among those striking outside Warner Bros studios

Bette Midler is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike picket line on Tuesday

Hollywood's screen and television writers have been on strike since May 2 after their union authorized the strike amid concerns over the use of artificial intelligence, streaming residuals, and other pressing issues.

Strikes also took place outside major studios, including Warner Bros, Disney, Paramount, and Netflix in Los Angeles on Monday, though two were cut short due to 'extreme heat'.

Busy Philipps, Awkwafina, Nina Dobrev and David Boreanaz were pictured wielding placards and marching in solidarity alongside other working actors and writers.

Kevin Bacon filmed himself amid the protest in a chorus exclaiming: 'Actors and writers unite. We've got to win this fight.'

Bacon, who starred in the 1984 hit movie Footloose, was pictured in New York, where actors also picketed the offices of HBO, Amazon, Warner Bros, Netflix, Paramount and NBC Universal on Monday.

Anson Mount is seen at the SAG-AFTRA strike outside the Paramount building in Times Square

Hollywood actors, writers and their supporters walk the picket line July 18, 2023 outside Disney Studios, in Burbank, California

'Walking the line in solidarity with my fellow SAG-AFTRA members,' he wrote on Twitter, sharing a video of himself chanting with other union members.

Action began on Friday morning after contract negotiations between actors' union Sag-Aftra (Screen Actor's Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) broke down.

Lizzie McGuire star Duff, 35, was pictured out picketing in LA on Monday, later posting a selection of pictures from outside Paramount Pictures studios.

'Out there... with my girls. We stand with our union! Let's gooooooo,' she captioned the post, as her How I Met Your Father co-star Francia Raisa, 34, also attended.

Community star Danny Pudi was also outside Paramount studios, following in the footsteps of his co-star Jim Rash, who attended on Friday.

'We are here supporting the union in working on a fair contract,' he said, adding: '(There's) a lot of issues on the table, it's good to be out here to support the union.'

Award-winning Better Call Saul actor Bob Odenkirk shared a photo of himself outside Warner Bros studios, with Kids actress Rosario Dawson also making an appearance at Paramount.

Odenkirk said: 'I've been a member of Sag-Aftra since 1988, and we have to do this now, and we have to do this right so that we don't have to do this for another 20 years. Let's do it right, hang in there.'
The 33-year-old was last seen in Bishopsgate, London on Thursday, June 29

Patrick 'Paddy' White appeared on First Dates in 2016 with Keegan Hirst

Police are urgently hunting a missing Celebrity First Dates star who was last seen 20 days ago.

Patrick 'Paddy' White, 33, from Gloucestershire, was last seen in Bishopsgate in central London on June 29 and his family are 'increasingly concerned' about his welfare.

He had previously been seen in the Deptford Park area of the city on the same day.

He is still missing as of Wednesday morning, meaning it has been 20 days since he was last sighted.

Mr White, who is considered 'vulnerable', featured on Channel 4's Celebrity First Dates in 2016, where he was matched up with Batley Bulldogs rugby player Keegan Hirst.

Patrick 'Paddy' White, 33, from Gloucestershire, was last seen in Bishopsgate, London on June 29

Mr White (left), who is considered 'vulnerable', featured on Channel 4's Celebrity First Dates in 2016, where he was matched up with Batley Bulldogs rugby player Keegan Hirst (right)

Gloucestershire Police described him as 5ft 11ins tall, white and of slim build with short, blond, wavy hair.

Paddy's friend, Callum MacLeod, took to Facebook to issue an emotional appeal for his whereabouts, admitting his 'heart is breaking' as the search continues.

Callum said: 'Hi all. I can't believe I'm having to write/share this, but my friend Paddy has gone missing.

'Please if anyone of the people I know in London know or have seen him please contact me or the link or both. My heart is breaking please help if you know anything. Can you please share this.'

Mr White, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, often travels long distances by train and is known to visit Brighton and London, police said.

On his First Dates stint, online fitness guru Paddy, then 28, became nervous when he was sent on a date with celebrity rugby player Keegan, having recognised him as he walked in.

Paddy became increasingly chatty as they sat down for a meal, admitting afterwards that he was talking for around '70 percent' of the time on the Channel 4 show date.

In his introductory clip, Paddy said: 'I probably take about ten selfies a day. I update people when Im making a sandwich. I update people when Im putting the kettle on.'

A police statement said that family members are becoming 'increasingly concerned' for Paddy's welfare

Gloucestershire Police described him as 5ft 11ins tall, white and of slim build with short, blond, wavy hair

Paddy's friend, Callum MacLeod, took to Facebook to issue an emotional appeal for his whereabouts

Despite having a few serious moments as well as some laughs, the two ultimately decided not to see each other again.

A police statement said that members of his family were 'increasingly concerned' about his welfare.

It added: 'Officers ask anyone who is with Patrick at the time, or think he is in immediate danger, to call 999 quote incident 532 of 8 July.

'If you saw him recently and don't consider him to be in immediate danger, call 101 and ask for Gloucestershire Constabulary.'
The head of MI6 today appealed for Russians appalled by the invasion of Ukraine to defect and 'join hands' with his intelligence service to bring the bloodshed to an end.

Sir Richard Moore said there appeared to be little prospect of Moscow regaining momentum in Ukraine, as the Kremlin struggles with growing domestic dissent.

Speaking at the British embassy in Prague, his second speech since taking the role in 2020, he compared the situation to the Prague Spring, in which the USSR clamped down on liberalising reforms.

He said: 'As they witness the venality, infighting and callous incompetence of their leaders - the human factor at its worst - many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas as their predecessors did in 1968.

'I invite them to do what others have done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open... Their secrets will be safe with us and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.'

Sir Richard Moore gives his first public speech as head of MI6 at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, November 30, 2021. On Wednesday he gave his second public speech in Prague, urging Russians to come and work for the intelligence service as spies

Russia faced a mutiny from Wagner Group mercenaries last month and growing dissent. Pictured: smoke and flames rise from an explosion at a training ground in Crimea, July 19

In the speech, he also described Iran's decision to supply Moscow with suicide drones for the Ukraine conflict as 'unconscionable' and it had provoked internal quarrels at the highest level of the regime in Tehran.

Russia and Iran have found mutual interests through the invasion of Ukraine, and US defence officials warn they are now working together to force allies out of Syria.

An anonymous official warns that there is now a 'qualitative difference' due to the greater collaboration between the countries.

Sir Moore also warned on Wednesday that China and Russia were racing to master technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

He returned to the subject saying AI would complement the work of intelligence agencies - and not replace humans who could uncover secrets beyond technology's reach.

He urged that AI will emphasise the importance of spy missions in uncovering secrets machines cannot reach.

The chief of the Secret Intelligence Service predicts that AI will put a premium on organisations such as MI6, whose agents can be tasked to uncover plots and conspiracies, infiltrate a terrorist group or influence decisions inside a government, to answer questions in a way no computer can.

AI has long been used by spy agencies to assist their missions.

In 2021, GCHQ announced that it intended to use the technology to tackle issues ranging from child sexual abuse to disinformation and human trafficking.

In a paper titled Ethics of AI: Pioneering a New National Security, the intelligence agency said AI can help analysts spot fake online messages used by other states spreading disinformation.

It may also assist in mapping international networks engaged in human or drug trafficking, and can find child sex abusers hiding their identities online.

But GCHQ warned that the technology cannot predict human behaviour such as an extremist moving towards executing a terrorist attack.

Ukrainian soldiers take part in a military training in southern Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on July 18

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with the Saratov region governor at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 18, 2023

Support within Russia for Putin's devastating invasion of Ukraine has been hard to measure.

Polls conducted by the Khroniki project suggest support remains higher in regions closer to the front. The national average remains as high as 60 per cent.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace explains the trend, writing: 'The obvious explanation is the psychology of the civilian population during a conflict: to back the side that appears stronger and is nearby.

READ MORE: Daily Mail reporters come under fire from Russian artillery in Ukraine Advertisement

'In addition, the more victims of shelling, the stronger the previously absent feeling of hatred for the 'enemy,' i.e., the Ukrainian armed forces.'

Russia has also managed a significant public awareness campaign about 'threats from across the border'.

Surveys by three independent polling groups, shared by the Wilson Center, shows support for the war in Russia rise in spring 2022, fall as the invaders made less ground in the summer and autumn, and then rise again slightly in early 2023.

The Wilson Center noted limitations to the polls, as every third respondent said they were afraid to talk about their attitude towards the actions of the country's leadership.

They observed that Russian loyalists were also more likely to agree to be surveyed than regime opponents.

Last March, Russia introduced new laws making factual war reporting and anti-war protests punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The government detains individuals who publicly oppose the war and has censored online sources providing 'unbiased' information, according to the US embassy in Georgia.

Ukrainian soldiers of the 4th Brigade take part in a military training in southern Donetsk Oblast on July 18, 2023

A soldier embraces his beloved after receiving roses at the Kramatorsk train station in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion on July 18, 2023

Russian State Duma Deputy Vasily Piskarev stated on July 18 that he and several other deputies had submitted a bill for consideration to the Duma on 'liability for propaganda and justification of the ideology of extremism'.

If passed, the bill would introduce a 300,000 ruble fine (2,546.29) and up to five years in prison for breaches.
A bus carrying 41 migrants from Brownsville, Texas, arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening, the fourth bus of this type that has been sent to the city in recent weeks.

There were six children among the passengers on board, aged from one to 15 years old.

Texas Governor Greg Abbot's administration has sent more than 25,000 migrants to cities across the US, including Chicago, New York City and Washington D.C., since starting the migrant busing strategy last spring due to small border towns being overwhelmed by thousands of people illegally crossing over from Mexico.

More than 80 migrants had been sent to Los Angeles, he said in a July 10 tweet.

It comes as Texas has installed giant buoys across the Rio Grande, creating a floating barrier in a desperate effort to stem migrant crossings.

A bus carrying 41 migrants from Brownsville, Texas, arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening

Buoy barriers in the middle of the Rio Grande river on July 18, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas

Construction of the 1,000-foot-long barrier began on July 7 in the town of Eagle Pass.

The four-foot-wide orange buoys are chained together to make the barrier, with netting placed underneath to prevent people from swimming below it.

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles believes the bus carrying migrants was funded by Texas state officials.

It said that around half of the migrants are from Venezuela and the others are from countries such as China, Chile, Brazil Colombia, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras.

Migrants were first sent from Texas to Los Angeles on June 14 by Governor Abbott, a move that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said was a 'political stunt'.

Governor Abbott said last month: 'Texas' small border towns remain overwhelmed and overrun by the thousands of people illegally crossing into Texas from Mexico because of President Biden's refusal to secure the border.

'Los Angeles is a major city that migrants seek to go to, particularly now that its city leaders approved its self-declared sanctuary city status.

'Our border communities are on the frontlines of President Biden's border crisis, and Texas will continue providing this much-needed relief until he steps up to do his job and secure the border.'

The migrants arriving on Tuesday, who were met by the immigration coalition and other community groups, were provided with food, clothes, hygiene kits and consultations with legal immigration attorneys.

They will be connected with loved ones or sponsors across the West Coast of the US, the coalition said.

'We will do what we must to protect the dignity and safety of these families whenever they arrive,' the coalition's executive director Angelica Salas said in a statement.

'We will work together with other like-minded people and entities in Los Angeles to receive these asylum seekers with compassion and respect.'

Salas urged the Biden administration to provide protection to asylum seekers and increase funding for to nonprofits and community groups helping migrants 'as we watch more and more buses arrive in California and other states'.

Migrants seeking asylum walk through an island while attempting to cross the Rio Grande river into the United States on July 18, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas

'We do not mistake these busing episodes as well-intentioned,' Salas said.

'Texas and Florida have shown a callous disregard to the human experience, especially as it relates to asylum seekers with black and brown skin.'

'Busing migrants anywhere in the middle of a scorching summer is not kind, it is cruel and unjustified,' Salas added.

Governor Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety have ignored the federal government's requests for information about the floating buoy wall in Eagle Pass, according to federal officials.

Texas did not consult the federal government before using the barriers and has not responded to official requests for more information about them, even after worries were expressed that they may violate international agreements with Mexico, a State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Mexico's top diplomat said on Friday that the nation had sent a diplomatic note to the US federal government about the floating barrier, arguing it could contravene treaties from 1944 and 1970 that govern the usage of the river.

'The real problem is that President Biden's open border policies have unleashed chaos on the border that's unsustainable,' said Governor Abbott's press secretary Andrew Mahaleris.

'We have a constitutional duty to do what President Biden is failing to do, and that is to respond to this unprecedented crisis.'

The migrant crossings come after Title 42 ended in May - causing an influx of people moving into the US over the border.

The Title 42 rules had been in place since March 2020.

The restrictions allowed border officials to quickly return asylum seekers back over the border on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

US authorities have unveiled strict new measures to replace Title 42, which crack down on illegal crossings while also setting up legal pathways for migrants who apply online, seek a sponsor and undergo background checks.

The Biden administration has opened up new ways for migrants to enter the US legally as part of a broader strategy to discourage people from crossing the US-Mexico border illegally.

Migrants waiting in Mexico can apply for US entry on a smartphone app and later request asylum, but slots on the app fill up quickly.

Under another Biden program, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans can request to enter the US by air if they have US sponsors.

But those routes do not provide the same benefits available to refugees or a direct path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship.

In April, the Biden administration said it aimed to admit 40,000 refugees from Latin America and the Caribbean in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, doubling a previous target.

As of May 31, about 3,400 had arrived, showing that the pace would need to greatly accelerate to reach that goal.

Some refugee backers are concerned the focus on Latin America could slow processing from other parts of the world, including refugees already waiting for approval.

The initiative under discussion would be a 'Priority Two' refugee program, the sources said, similar to one opened for Afghans in 2021.

Such programs allow certain groups of people to apply for refugee status directly without needing a referral from the United Nations
A healthcare worker has been awarded more than 25,000 after she was fired by bosses only days after arriving in the UK when they found out she was pregnant.

Felicity Khupe dreamed of 'becoming a better version of herself' when she left Zimbabwe for Britain last year while expecting her second child after a UK firm sponsored her to come.

However, she had not told them she was pregnant, and when the 30-year-old revealed on her second day in the country that she was six months along, bosses told her this made things 'a bit tricky', an employment tribunal heard.

It was told this was followed by higher-ups saying they would cancel her sponsorship and she should go back to Zimbabwe 'as soon as possible' - with Mrs Khupe likely having to go back in August.

Now Mrs Khupe has won compensation after successfully suing Comforting Hands Recruitment for unfair dismissal and maternity discrimination, with the tribunal finding she 'missed out on the excitement of being a mother' and now 'lives in fear of being deported'.

Felicity Khupe, pictured here with her son Nhlanhla Dlamini, was sacked after bosses found out she was six months pregnant on her second day in the UK

The 30-year-old, pictured here with her son, had travelled from Zimbabwe to start a job as a healthcare worker

The company, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, trains staff for deployment to residential homes and nursing homes across Yorkshire, East Riding and the North East.

On its website, it boasts being the provider of 'talented' nurses, care assistants and support workers to private, public sectors and within the community.

The tribunal, held in Leeds, heard Mrs Khupe arrived in the city from Zimbabwe on Friday, July 1, last year and the company had 'promised' to provide her with accommodation for her first two months in the country.

She arrived with five other women and each was given her own room in a house.

However, after mandatory training over the weekend, the women were required to fill in a health questionnaire, where bosses discovered Mrs Khupe to be six months pregnant.

Giving evidence to the tribunal, she said: 'I said 'yes I am six months pregnant' and that's when [the care coordinator] said it was a bit tricky and she needed to talk to the director about it.'

The director visited Mrs Khupe the next day, telling her that 'unfortunately' because of her pregnancy she could not continue working there.

Mrs Khupe told the hearing: '[She told me] she was cancelling her Course of Sponsorship so I have to go to back to Zimbabwe and I have to do it as soon as possible as I would be given 30 days by the Home Office after which my visa would be cancelled.'

The tribunal heard Mrs Khupe left company accommodation the following Saturday, just one week after arriving from Zimbabwe.

She said she would have taken six months unpaid maternity leave if she had been able to keep her job, from October 2022 until April this year.

Mrs Khupe, pictured with her son, was told by bosses they would cancel her sponsorship as she was pregnant, leaving her in fear of being deported

Mrs Khupe was awarded more than 25,000 by an employment tribunal after it found she was the victim of maternity discrimination and unfair dismissal. Pictured: Nhlanhla Dlamini, who was born in October last year

However, on May 25, she was told by the Home Office she could only stay in the country legally for another 60 days unless she finds other work.

Mrs Khupe will have to return to Zimbabwe by August 10, it was heard.

Employment Judge Sophie Buckley said: 'Mrs Khupe lost a job for which she had travelled from Africa with hopes of becoming what she termed "a better version of herself".

'The treatment by [her employers] led to her feeling isolated. She has lost her confidence.

'She is living with her mother and has no social life.

'She missed out on the excitement of becoming a new mother - she has been living in fear of being deported.

'She knows that she will will probably have to go home, and she feels that her hopes of becoming a better version of herself in a first world country have collapsed.

'I find that it is very difficult for her to find work because she needs an employer to provide her with sponsorship and employers are extremely unlikely to sponsor individuals already in the United Kingdom unless they already have at least six months experience working with the employer who brought them here.

'Mrs Khupe states that she will not find work at home - that is the reason why she came to the United Kingdom.

'She thinks that she will not return to the United Kingdom.'

Mrs Khupe was awarded 10,000 compensation for injury to feelings as well as 14,790 for loss of past and future earnings.

Including interest, Mrs Khupe's total compensation awarded was 25,810.

Speaking after the ruling about winning her claims, Mrs Khupe said: 'It was really exciting.

'But I was really relieved as well.

'The whole situation made me feel like I was wrong to come to this country for a job while I pregnant.

'So, it was a relief to know nothing was wrong with me.'

Mrs Khupe, who is married and has another eight year old son, gave birth to healthy baby Nhlanhla Dlamini in October last year.
A judge told a court he feared for the safety of his family after a defendant put him through a 'Cape Fear' stalking ideal.

Christopher Searle, 40, followed Judge Jeremy Jenkins, 63, after he drove from one courthouse to another in south Wales, calling him corrupt and an 'evil man'.

Searle also filmed himself abusing prosecuting barrister Andrew Jones after he left his chambers to meet his family for dinner.

Searle - who had been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs - later posted footage of both incidents on TikTok, claiming he was angry about the court proceedings he had faced.

In the 1991 movie Cape Fear - a remake of the 1962 film - Robert De Niro plays a convicted rapist who stalks the family of his own attorney, played by Nick Nolte, after he is released from serving a 14-year sentence.

Christopher Searle (pictured), 40, followed Judge Jeremy Jenkins, 63, after he drove from one courthouse to another in south Wales and called him corrupt and an 'evil man'

Searle, of Tondu Road, Bridgend, was convicted of stalking Judge Jenkins, without fear of alarm and distress, between 8 September and 13 September last year, which he had denied.

He has been bailed ahead of sentencing on August 25.

Barrister Mr Jones meanwhile had offered no evidence against Searle on a charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs when he appeared in front of Judge Jenkins on September 8.

In the latest trial, giving evidence via video-link, the judge said that the day after the court appearance, he drove his black Mercedes C220 from Newport Crown Court and parked in the carpark at Cardiff Crown Court.

The real Cape Fear: How Robert De Niro terrorised family in Scorsese thriller Cape Fear (1991) is a remake of the 1962 film which is based on the novel The Executioners. Robert De Niro plays a convicted rapist (Max) who stalks the family of his own attorney Sam, played by Nick Nolte, after he is released from a 14 year sentence. In the film, Sam hid evidence during the defence that could have led to a reduction in Max's sentence or an acquittal. As Max is illiterate during the trial, Sam believes he will never find out but he teaches himself to read and studies law while in prison. Max begins to terrorise Sam's family. including loitering near their property and seducing his daughter. Sam hires a private investigator to keep an eye on his stalker. The American psychological thriller is directed by Martin Scorsese. Cape Fear (1991) is a remake of the 1962 film which is based on the novel The Executioners Advertisement

He then walked into the town centre to buy his wife a birthday present then returned to the carpark.

Judge Jenkins told Westminster Magistrates' Court: 'I put the present into the passenger side and as I was closing the door, I hear a voice from behind me. As I turned around, I saw a man abusing me and filming me.

'He was walking towards me although there were railings separating us, he was pointing at me whilst filming and calling me names, he was saying I was an evil man, that I had in fact no business sitting, that I was corrupt and that I would ruin his life.'

Another circuit judge was in the carpark at the time and he accompanied Judge Jenkins into the court building.

Judge Jenkins told the court Searle was 'very threatening, [he] was abusive and it caused me great concern.

'It was only by chance that I stopped off at Cardiff Crown Court, if I had travelled from Newport Crown Court to my home then obviously from that he would've followed me there.

'I was very concerned that I would have put my family, my wife, my grandchildren at some sort of jeopardy.'

Searle also followed Mr Jones to Park Place Chambers in Cardiff, the court heard.

Mr Jones had returned from Newport Crown Court to Park Place Chambers where he had a conference scheduled for 2pm.

He then left his chambers at around 4.30pm as he was due to meet his family for dinner.

Mr Jones told the court via video-link: 'I walked out of chambers, I came out [via] the security system at the back.

'I saw my vehicle was there and parked in front was another member of chambers' car, as I walked out, I immediately became aware of shouting and the person that was shouting was Christopher [Searle].

'He was very angry... I came out and I saw that he was in the chambers carpark he had his phone... and he was berating me in regard to my conduct in the case against him.

'He was stood very close to the front of the building and my vehicle which means I immediately turned around and walked back into chambers, I was in such a panic I couldn't access my chamber security fob.

'The best cause of action was to take out my phone, and, in order to protect myself, to film him.

'He was shouting at me, calling me a "disgusting vile individual" and that I should get my tongue out of Judge Jenkins' backside.

'I was distressed, I was worried, I was concerned, I was on my own at the back of chambers, it was half past four on a Friday afternoon, I had no idea how long he had been there.

'He had clearly been waiting for me, it was a targeted approach... I don't know how he knew I was in the building.'

One of Mr Jones's colleagues arrived in the carpark shortly after and dialled 999, the court heard.

Searle, who represented himself, said of his encounter with Judge Jenkins: 'I waited. I did not follow him into town. I waited until he was in a safe place.'

In the 1991 movie Cape Fear - a remake of the 1962 film - Robert De Niro plays a convicted rapist who stalks the family of his own attorney

'You may think that if I was stalking him I would have followed him into town.

'Jenkins's address is online, it can be seen by anyone. I could have gone to his address.

'I had no intention of stalking him and I don't believe that the evidence shows that I was stalking him.'

He said of Mr Jones: 'He says he was distressed. He decided to walk towards me and kept going, getting to around ten feet or less.

'I had no intention to cause fear, alarm or distress to Mr Jones or Mr Jenkins.

'I went there to express my feelings about the way my family had been treated.'

District Judge Tanweer Ikram found Searle guilty of stalking the judge and harassing the barrister.

He said of Judge Jenkins: 'He is paid to do his job. Judges and barristers know where these things can end up.

'Judges and prosecutors have to be able to get on with it and not worry about the consequences of doing their job.'

Referring to Mr Jones, Judge Ikram said: 'He was clearly shocked and worried by you. He says that a consequence of that was that he cancelled a celebration he was due to have, he took his profile photo off his chambers website and has gone as far as installing security at his home address.

'I am sure you caused him harassment. I am absolutely sure of that.'

Judge Ikram warned Searle: 'I have to think about a prison sentence to send the message I need to send. I think it is that serious.'

Searle was bailed on condition he does not approach either man, does not enter the Park Place area and 'does not post any content on social media relating to Mr Jones, Judge Jenkins, or the proceedings.'
Wildfire smoke is shrouding the Big Apple once again as tens of millions of people across the eastern seaboard are now breathing potentially dangerous air.

The New York City region was listed among the top 10 cities with the most polluted air, due to plumes of smoke moving eastwards from record-breaking fires still tearing through Canada.

Some 235 wildfires began burning in Canada in just the last seven days, adding to 1,183 blazes which have destroyed 3,986 square kilometers of the country since April 1 this year.

New Yorkers woke up to hazy skies on Wednesday morning with an air quality index (AQI) of 124 - placing it in the 'orange' category, meaning the air is 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' like asthmatics.

'Good' quality air in the 'green' category has an AQI of 0 to 50, and 'Moderate' quality shown as 'yellow' has an AQI of between 51 and 100.

New Yorkers woke up to hazy skies on Wednesday morning with an air quality index (AQI) of 124 - placing it in the 'orange' category, meaning the air is 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' like asthmatics. Pictured: the Manhattan skyline seen from New Jersey on Tuesday

Smog clouds the skies above One World Trade Center on Wednesday July 19

Another snap taken on Wednesday morning shows the Bronx covered in a yellow-ish haze, as the Big Apple continues to feel the effects of Canadian wildfire smoke

Tens of millions of people across the eastern half of America are now breathing potentially dangerous air

Some New Yorkers wore coronavirus-style face masks to protect themselves from the polluted air in the Big Apple on Wednesday

'Orange' ranked air has an AQI of 101 to 150, while 'red' category air, which is 'unhealthy' for everyone, has an AQI of 151 to 200.

There are issues on the West Coast too. On Wednesday morning the Oregon city of Portland and neighboring Vancouver in Washington already had a red ranking of 168.

Along with the New York City region, many more cities were ranked in the orange category, including Albany, GA, Philadelphia, PA, Greater New Castle County, DE, and Yosemite National Park, CA.

'Wildfires burning in Canada are affecting air quality across New York State,' the Health Department warned.

'As long as wildfires continue, conditions can change with wind direction and weather so check latest air quality at airnow.gov and follow the tips below when air quality is unhealthy.'

Wildfires have already burned a record amount of area in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the situation will probably get worse due to more hot, dry weather, government officials have warned.

The fires are responsible for at least two deaths in the province and, combined with a severe drought, will impact farmers and cattle producers.

Bowinn Ma, B.C.s minister of emergency management, told a news conference 391 wildfires are currently active in the province with over half of them out of control.

'We know that the road ahead of us is long, complex and challenging,' said Ma.

Pictured: Haze from the Canadian wild fires blankets New York City on Wednesday

Smog hung in the air across the Big Apple and many more cities in America due to the ongoing devastation across Canada

Along with the New York City region, many more cities were ranked in the orange category, including Albany, GA, Philadelphia, PA, Greater New Castle County, DE, and Yosemite National Park, CA

The sky in New York turned orange last month due to the extent of the Canadian wildfires. Pictured: the Big Apple enveloped in smog on June 7 this year

The BC Wildfire Service website said since April 1, 1,183 wildfires have burned 13986 square kilometers (5,400 square miles).

That surpasses the previous full-year record of 13,543 square kilometers (5,228 square miles) set in 2018.

Cliff Chapman, director of operations for the B.C. Wildfire Service, said the province is just entering the 'core fire season' of July and August.

'The models dont look great for the rest of the summer,' said Chapman.

'With the amount of lightning we saw in this province over the course of the last 10 days coupled with the drought that we are experiencing, we have high potential for holdover fires.'

On Monday, the B.C. Coroners office posted a public safety bulletin confirming it is investigating the death of a 9-year-old boy who died from asthma exacerbated by wildfire smoke.

'The loss of that boy . . . I cant imagine a worse situation for a family to go through,' said Ma.

Last week a 19-year-old firefighter died after a tree fell on her near Revelstoke, British Columbia.

Another firefighter, Adam Yeadon, 25, died Saturday while fighting a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, N.W.T.

B.C.s drought bulletin shows 18 of the provinces 34 water basins are at drought Level 4, meaning harm to ecosystems and communities is likely. A further four are at the highest Level 5, when all efforts should be made to conserve water and protect critical environmental flows.

Ma said officials are concerned about long-term drought conditions, with potential impacts being forecast for the 2024 wildfire season.

'If we do not get significant precipitation over the winter and into the spring, those reservoirs might not recharge the way that they normally expect them to and that could mean earlier drought conditions (and) another wildfire season that is like what weve seen this year, she said. 'We are attempting to assess and understand what those long-term

Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis said the fires have resulted in a need for hay and grain to feed animals.

Pictured: wildfire smoke engulfing a forest in the northern zone of Canada's Quebec Province

Some small-scale farmers are 'wrestling with hard decisions' about selling some of their cattle, she said.

In Ontario, there are currently 39 active wildfires in the provinces northwestern region, with six out of control, two being held, two under control and 29 being observed, according to the provincial government.

Quebec officials reported 101 active fires Tuesday afternoon, 22 of them in the more-populated southern half of the province. Much of the Saint Lawrence River Valley, including the Montreal area, and regions to its west and north, are subject to smog warnings as smoke from the fires in Western Canada drifted across the continent.

Environment Canada is meanwhile reporting that parts of the Northwest Territories are seeing record-breaking temperatures as heat waves sweep the country. Air-quality advisories have been issued for several communities across the territory due to wildfire smoke.
Rishi Sunak today issued an apology in the House of Commons for Britain's 'appalling failure' in banning LGBT people from the Armed Forces until the turn of the century.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the 'horrific' treatment of LGBT people in the military until they were allowed to serve openly from 2000.

Mr Sunak's formal apology on behalf of the Government followed the publication of an independent review into the experience of LGBT veterans.

The 268-page report found 'shocking evidence' of homophobia, bullying, blackmail, sexual assaults and 'abusive investigations' into sexual orientation and sexual preference.

It noted how many victims of the 'overt homophobic policy' had taken their own lives, while 'many of those still living have attempted to die by suicide or have thought about doing so'.

The review called for an 'appropriate financial award' to be made to veterans affected by the pre-2000 ban, but Downing Street this afternoon refused to immediately commit to compensation payouts.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the 'horrific' treatment of LGBT people in the military until they were allowed to serve openly from 2000

Rishi Sunak's formal apology on behalf of the Government followed the publication of an independent review into the experience of LGBT veterans. (Stock image)

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hailed an independent review for having 'shone a much needed light on a shameful and unacceptable historical chapter'

Speaking at the start of Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon, Mr Sunak said: 'The ban on LGBT people serving in our military until the year 2000 was an appalling failure of the British state decades behind the law of this land.

'As today's report makes clear, in that period many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment, all while bravely serving this country.

'Today, on behalf of the British state, I apologise.'

He added: 'I hope all those affected will be able to feel proud parts of the veteran community that has done so much to keep our country safe.'

The Government-commissioned independent review, carried out by Lord Etherton, had recommended the PM offer a formal apology in Parliament.

It looked into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served in the Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000.

An 'appropriate financial award' should be made to veterans affected by the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces, the review said.

Lord Etherton's report recommended: 'An appropriate financial award should be made to affected veterans notwithstanding the expiry of litigation time limits.

'The Government's overall exposure should be capped at 50 million.'

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: 'I am pleased that this review has shone a much needed light on a shameful and unacceptable historical chapter in our Armed Forces history.

'It is heart breaking that the very tolerance and values that we expected our soldiers, sailors and aviators to fight for, were denied to many of them.

'I am pleased we now have the opportunity to right those historic wrongs so that LGBT Veterans can once again take pride in their service.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party was 'proud to repeal the ban' on LGBT personnel serving in the Armed Forces when it was in office.

'Today, we strongly welcome this apology from the Prime Minister as a recognition of their historic mistreatment,' he said.
Comedian John Bird has left almost 1.2million to his two stepsons following his death in December 2022, it has been revealed in his will.

Bird, who became famous for his satirical television appearances, was best known for the Channel 4 sketch show Bremner, Bird and Fortune.

The comedian, whose will has just been published, died aged 86 at a care home near his home in Midhurst, West Sussex, on Christmas Eve last year.

He asked for his body to be cremated but left no specific details in the will as to what should be done with his ashes.

Bird left a 10,000 legacy to King's College, Cambridge, where he took an English degree after leaving school and left the remainder of his fortune to his stepsons.

John Bird (pictured) has left the majority of his 1.2 million fortune to his two stepsons Daniel and Josh Crandon

The comedian rose to fame for appearing on Channel 4's Bremmer, Bird, and Fortune alongside impressionist and comic Rory Bremner and fellow satirist John Fortune.

The bulk 1.2million fortune has now been left to his two stepsons Daniel and Josh Crandon, the children of his third wife Libby Crandon, a concert pianist who died in 2012.

Bird was most famous for his double act with John Fortune where one would be the interviewer and the other would play an interviewee whose increasingly ridiculous position would rapidly unravel during the interrogation.

Rory Bremner said in the wake of Mr Bird's death: 'It's an irony that one of our greatest satirists, so brilliant at portraying ministers, civil servants or high-ranking officials who exuded self-satisfaction, was himself so modest and self-effacing.

'John Bird was, to the end, never pleased with himself, always feeling he should have done better, been less lazy, had a late period like Brahms, 'where everything was spare and abstract'.

John Bird (left) rose to fame for starring in Bremmer, Bird and Fortune alongside Rory Bremmer (centre) and John Fortune (right)

'The reality was that he and his friend and collaborator John Fortune, together with Peter Cook, were pillars of the anti-establishment.'

Bird and Fortune were nominated for four Baftas, winning one in 1997. Bird, Bremmer and Fortune also collaborated on BBC shows Now Something Else and The Rory Bremner Show.

Bird appeared in the film Jabberwocky and in comedy shows including Yes, Prime Minister and One Foot in the Grave.

Bremner added: 'They realised that true satire lay not in ad hominem attacks on politicians but in exposing the cant behind the 'discipline of the market' and the culture of privatisation where chief executives were rewarded for success and equally compensated for failure.'
Firefighters battled a huge blaze after a suspected arsonist set fire to more than 50 vehicles in Sheffield last night.

Dramatic photos show the scorched remains of cars, vans and motorbikes in a scene of utter devastation at the South Yorkshire pound.

Ten fire engines were needed to douse the flames, which police believe were started deliberately.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said they were called to a vehicle compound in Parkway Drive at 11.15pm on Tuesday night.

The service had urged local residents to keep their windows and doors shut before the burn was finally extinguished at 1.45am today (Wed).

Was your car torched or know the culprit? E-mail: john.james@mailonline.co.uk

More than 50 cars have been torched in a suspected arson attack overnight

Dramatic photos show the scorched remains of cars, vans and motorbikes in a scene of utter devastation at the South Yorkshire pound

Fire crews were called to the vehicle compound on Parkway Drive, in Sheffield

The suspected arsonist is still at large and is being hunted by police

A spokesman for the service said: 'Firefighters were called shortly after 11.15pm last night (Tuesday 18 July) to a fire involving a number of vehicles off Parkway Drive, Sheffield.

'At its height, 10 fire service vehicles were in attendance at this incident, including a turntable ladder.

'More than 50 cars and two motorbikes were involved in the fire. No one was injured.

'The incident had been dealt with by 1.44am and the fire is believed to have been set deliberately.'

South Yorkshire Police said it was investigating the blaze as a suspected arson.
The US soldier who has been detained in North Korea after he sprinted across the border was photographed moments before the incident as he enjoyed a tour of the ultra high-security area.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, is seen wearing a black t-shirt and hat purchased from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone as he peers across the border into the secretive communist country.

Witnesses said he laughed hysterically as he made the mad dash on Tuesday after fleeing his military superiors and joining the tour. The picture surfaced as it emerged King had a string of run-ins with police in South Korea for offences which included battering a man in a night club and damaging a police car.

Fears grew for King's welfare on Wednesday morning as North Korea had still not produced the soldier or acknowledged his arrest. Unconfirmed reports have said King 'defected' and his mother spoke out overnight on Tuesday to say she couldn't fathom her son doing 'anything like that'.

Court documents reveal that months earlier, King had faced two assault allegations and was fined by a South Korean court for damaging a police car.

US Army Private 2nd Class Travis King, circled, is pictured during the tour moments before his dash across the border into North Korea. His hat was purchased from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone

Travis King crossed into North Korea shortly after being released from prison in South Korea

North Korea has still not produced the 23-year-old Private 2nd Class or acknowledged his arrest

He had served two months in prison for assault before his release in July and had been escorted to an airport by US Army officials to return home for military disciplinary proceedings. But after they left him at airport security, King left the terminal and went on to the tour.

The U.S. military was scrambling to establish the fate of King, whose actions have thrown Washington into a new crisis in its dealing with the nuclear-armed state. US officials said on Tuesday that King crossed 'willfully and without authorization'.

His motive for his high-stakes gambit remains unclear.

The tourist who witnessed King's crossing and took the photo of the soldier, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'.

Leslie and her father, tourists from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea.

King was among the group of 43 tourists, although he was casually dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt and she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

Leslie said her tour group went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held.

To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didn't seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running 'really fast'.

'I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do,' Leslie said. 'But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, 'Get that guy.''

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

A tourist who witnessed King's stunt, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'

Former President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on June 30, 2019 - the spot where King made his crossing

King crossed the border at Panmunjom, during a tour of the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone

But the soldiers didn't have time to respond. She said that after running about 10 meters (30 feet) down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Leslie said she didn't see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadn't seen King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

'People couldn't really quite believe what had happened,' Leslie said.

'Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other.'

King's mother, Claudine Gates, said last night she was 'so proud' of her son and added: 'I just want him to come home, come back to America.'

Gates, from Racine, Wisconsin, said: 'I can't see Travis doing anything like that.'

King's mother, Claudine Gates, just wants her son to return to their Wisconsin home (pictured)

At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody

The border between North Korea and South Korea is heavily guarded

Court records reveal King pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public goods stemming from an October incident, and on February 8 the Seoul Western District Court fined him 5 million won ($4,000), according to a copy of the ruling reviewed by Reuters.

Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldier had been due to face disciplinary action by the U.S. military. It's not clear whether the disciplinary action was linked to his conviction over damaging the police vehicle.

The Seoul court said on September 25 last year King punched a man in the face at a club several times but the case was settled.

Two weeks later, on October 8, police officers responded to a report of another altercation involving King, and tried to question him. He continued with his 'aggressive behavior' without answering questions from police, according to the court document.

Police placed him in the backseat of their patrol car where he shouted expletives and insults against Koreans, the Korean army, and the Korean police, the ruling said.

During his tirade, he kicked the vehicle's door several times, causing about 584,000 won ($461) in damages, the ruling said.

The court said the defendant had admitted to the charges, had no previous criminal record, and paid 1 million won ($790) to fix the vehicle, citing reasons in favor of him in the sentencing.
Two men have died in the space of three days at a leisure centre in a double tragedy that has left staff 'shocked and saddened'.

The men both died in unrelated incidents at the Launceston Community Leisure Centre in Cornwall.

The first death happened on Sunday when a male swimmer suffered a medical episode while in the pool.

Lifeguards and a nurse at the facility rushed to help him before he was flown to a hospital in Plymouth. But he died later that day.

Tragedy struck once more on Tuesday, when a second man working in the park near the building collapsed and was found unconscious.

The men both died in unrelated incidents at the Launceston Community Leisure Centre in Cornwall (pictured)

The first man died while swimming on Sunday. A second man died on Tuesday in an unrelated incident. The male was found collapsed outside the leisure centre. Pictured is the facility's pool

Staff desperately attempted to revive the man, performing CPR and using a defibrillator before emergency services arrive.

But despite their valiant efforts, the male was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards.

The exact causes of both deaths are not known.

Bosses at the leisure centre praised all those who helped during the emergencies and said their thoughts are with the two families.

In a statement on Facebook, Launceston Community Leisure Centre said: 'Many of you are already aware that there have been two occasions in recent days where the emergency services and air ambulance have attended the leisure centre in Coronation Park.

'We can confirm that the first incident on Sunday, July 16, involved a leisure centre member who suffered a medical episode following his swim.

'The lifeguards, along with a nurse who was using the facility at the time, were able to assist him until the emergency services arrived. He was flown by Cornwall Air Ambulance to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

'We were shocked and saddened to hear the news that his condition deteriorated later that day and he passed away in hospital.

'On Tuesday, July 18, leisure centre staff went to assist where a gentleman working in the park had been found collapsed and unresponsive.

The leisure centre posted a statement about the double tragedies in which it said staff were 'shocked and saddened' by the deaths of the two men

'The leisure centre's AED defibrillator was used and lifeguards performed manual CPR, along with assistance from a member of the public, until the emergency services arrived.

'Distressingly he was confirmed deceased by the emergency services attending the scene.

'We would like to thank Cornwall Air Ambulance, Devon & Cornwall Police and South Western Ambulance Service for all their support, including checking on the welfare of the staff involved.

'We would also like to say how proud we are of the emergency response from the centre staff and, in particular, the lifeguards who assisted directly with these two extremely distressing incidents.

'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two gentlemen involved at this very difficult time.'

Residents have since praised staff for their attempts to save the two males.

One person said: 'Launceston leisure staff acted amazingly and did all they could. I hope they get aftercare and support after these incidents.'

Another added: 'The staff at Launceston Leisure are consummate professionals who will have worked tirelessly to give the people involved the best possible chance. This will hit them hard.'

The leisure centre was one of four sites previously at risk of closure after its former operator GLL said it could no longer afford to run it.

But it reopened in February following a community campaign to save it.
America's friendly neighbor to the north is pioneering new ways to relieve the suffering of its citizens  by helping them die.

That sentence is jarring to write. It must be terrifying to read it.

Canada has long been a world leader in the practice of euthanasia, also known as assisted dying.

The country's MAiD or 'medical assistance in dying' program, was first legalized in 2016 for people with terminal illnesses, and by 2021, it accounted for 3.3 percent of all Canadian deaths.

That year Canada recorded 10,029 euthanasia deaths. The number is estimated to have reached 13,500 in 2022. The official tally hasn't yet been released.

But now, the MAiD program is set to be grow yet again. In March 2024, the right to die will be expanded to include those suffering from 'mental health conditions'.

Obviously, the debate over the morality of assisted dying is incredibly sensitive. I don't wade into this topic without apprehension.

My father died from a terminal brain cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme stage 5, which is considered to be one of the most lethal diseases in existence.

The average length of survival is 12-18 months and only 25 percent of patients live more than a year. But never once did he or my family consider euthanasia.

My father died from a terminal brain cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme stage 5, which is considered to be one of the most lethal diseases in existence.

That year Canada recorded 10,029 medically assisted suicides. The number is estimated to have reached 13,500 in 2022. The official tally hasn't yet been released.

Dad survived 14 months from the date of his diagnosis. And I can tell you that the experience of watching someone you love die from a vicious cancer is a specific type of hell.

Those months were the most painful of my life.

They were also among the most important.

I, along with my siblings and mother, had the privilege of being a caregiver to my father. We looked after him physically, emotionally and spiritually, as best we could.

I would not give back a single second.

But that's not to say that I don't have sympathy and understanding for those who make a different decision.

I remember the life of Brittany Maynard, who was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in 2014.

She chose to end her life by assisted suicide and even advocated for its wider legalization in the United States.

'My glioblastoma is going to kill me and that's out of my control,' she told PEOPLE Magazine in 2017.

'I've discussed with many experts how I would die from it and it's a terrible, terrible way to die. So being able to choose to go with dignity is less terrifying,' she said.

I do not question her decision. But as Canada expands the practice of state-sponsored assisted dying to those who are not facing terminal illness, I must ask: Is this the path that the Western world wants to take?

Lisa Pauli, a 47-year-old Canadian woman, who lives with anorexia has now gained international attention for declaring that she will choose medically assisted suicide as soon as it is made available to her.

'Every day is hell,' Pauli told Reuters this week. 'I'm so tired. I'm done. I've tried everything. I feel like I've lived my life.'

Lisa Pauli, a 47-year-old Canadian woman, who lives with anorexia has now gained international attention for declaring that she will choose medically assisted suicide as soon as it is made available to her.

At 92 pounds, she looks unimaginably thin. She can clearly articulate her rationale for wanting to die, but it's deeply unsettling, nonetheless.

'Other people may think, like, 'my God, you're 47. You still have your whole life ahead of you. You can change,' she said. 'I, personally, I am too tired. I am not going to change. I don't want to recover, meaning, I don't want to gain weight. Because to recover is to gain weight  and I don't want to.'

I cannot imagine the suffering that Pauli must endure. And this column is in no way a condemnation of her.

Though, I am profoundly alarmed by the policy of granting this power to individuals, who are  by definition  mentally ill.

Certainly, America is trending toward more permissive attitudes when it comes to euthanasia.

Over the past five years, the number of U.S. states allowing the terminally ill to end their lives has more than tripled.

Ten states and the District of Columbia have elected to allow doctor-assisted suicide. In Oregon and Vermont, patients no longer need to be state residents.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation removing requirements that patients sign a final attestation declaring their desire to die, after activists complained that some may lose the ability to consent.

But now, as mental health crisis explodes, is the West really making it easier for struggling people to die?

More than one in five American adults lived with mental illness in 2021, according to the National Institutes of Health.

That's nearly 58 million people.

A new large-scale study out of the UK that involved more than 63,000 participants in 16 different countries found that three in 10 girls under the age of 18 suffer from an eating disorder.

What message is being sent to them? That there is valid, state-approved way to stop their suffering? That they don't have to fight any longer?

How will this law impact government and medical establishments? Does it signal to them that if it is too difficult to treat their citizens, they can opt for an alternative?

Shockingly, that may already be happening in Canada.

In 2022, Christine Gauthier, a disabled army veteran, testified to the Canadian Parliament that the Department of Veterans Affairs offered her medically assisted suicide in lieu of a home wheelchair ramp that she sought for five years.

Gauthier served her country and competed under its flag in the 2016 Paralympics and the Invictus Games.

To suggest that she would consider death is nothing short of an appalling insult.

Finally, doesn't the inclusion of the mentally ill among those eligible for assisted suicide raise the prospect that fatal mistakes may be made?

In 2022, Christine Gauthier (above), a disabled army veteran, testified to the Canadian Parliament that the Department of Veterans Affairs offered her medically assisted suicide in lieu of a home wheelchair ramp that she sought for five years.

Gauthier served her country and competed under its flag in the 2016 Paralympics and the Invictus Games. To suggest that she would consider death is nothing short of an appalling insult.

In 2019, a 61-year-old Canadian man named Alan Nichols (above), over the objections of his family, ended his life through assisted suicide.

Again, there is evidence that it's happening.

In 2019, a 61-year-old Canadian man named Alan Nichols, over the objections of his family, ended his life through assisted suicide.

Nichols reportedly had a history of depression and was hospitalized over concerns that he was suicidal.

Less than a month after he was put under the care of medical staff, he requested euthanasia. And it was granted.

The only health condition listed on his application was hearing loss.

'Alan was basically put to death,' his brother told the Associated Press in 2022.

In the name of compassion, we have lost our minds.

Human life is precious and the decision to end it should never be taken lightly.

I can only hope that my countrymen will look to Canada and see a system that has spun wildly out of control.

For their sake, and for the sake of us all, I pray they reconsider.
Desperate migrants are feared to be risking their lives by using longer alternative routes to reach the UK by small boat to evade capture, it has been revealed.

Asylum seekers making the perilous journey to Britain from France in inflatable dinghies or other small craft typically cross at the narrowest point of the Channel between Calais and Dover.

While the Dover Strait poses a significant risk to those travelling in unsuitable vessels, the stretch of water is the most direct route from continental Europe to the UK at just 21-miles wide. Almost 600 migrants made the journey on Tuesday alone.

But concerns have been raised that migrants are now opting for longer passages in an attempt to go undetected by the authorities, after the UK and France joined forces to disrupt crossings and dismantle organised crime groups earlier this year.

According to government figures, by the end of June last year, 12,716 migrants had crossed the Channel in 369 boats - an average of 34 people per vessel.

Members of RNLI escort migrants into Dover Docks, Kent on Wednesday, before Border Force helped them ashore

READ MORE Dozens of migrants desperately clamber onto dinghy trying to reach Britain before French police intercept them Advertisement

At the end of last month, the running total stood at 11,483 in 255 boats - which would mean an average of 45 people crammed into each vessel.

But Lucy Moreton, professional officer at Border Force union the ISU, said there is 'reasonable suspicion' to believe the reduced number of boats is due to vessels taking alternative routes across the Channel and going undetected.

She said: 'We're getting a slow trickle of migrants reaching the UK at the moment  we're at a similar number as we were at this point last year.

'Although there have been fewer boats crossing this year, those boats now hold more people. We also know the French are more active in the seizure of vessels.

'But what we don't know is whether the reduced number of boats is because the migrants are risking their lives using a different route.

'We're not sure of the extent of small boat traffic which has gone unnoticed, or how many people are arriving in areas other than the Kent coast.

'There is reasonable suspicion for this, based on previous experience, because when you make a route more difficult, organised crime always finds a different route.

'For example, every time new fencing is put up in areas of the French coast where migrants tend to cross, they just move on to somewhere else.'

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel launched a crackdown on illegal entry into the UK with the Nationality and Borders Bill, which received royal assent in April 2022.

In an attempt to deter people smugglers, the Bill increased the maximum penalty for people caught trafficking migrants into the country to life imprisonment.

The same month the Royal Navy took over operations in the Channel, but the leadership of the response to small boat crossings returned to the Home Office on January 31 this year.

Concerns have been raised that migrants are now opting for longer passages in an attempt to go undetected by the authorities, after the UK and France joined forces to disrupt crossings and dismantle organised crime groups earlier this year (Pictured: Migrants arriving to Dover on Wednesday after being saved in the Channel)

Almost 600 migrants cross Channel in ONE day this week Nearly 600 migrants crossed the Channel in one day as the Government hailed its sweeping migrant reforms passing through Parliament. The Home Office said 574 people were detected on Tuesday in 12 boats, just hours after a dramatic night of voting on the Illegal Migration Bill on Monday, which is now poised to become law. This is the second highest number of arrivals on a single day this year and takes the provisional total for 2023 so far to 13,774. While ministers trumpeted the flagship legislation, central to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to 'stop the boats' crossing the Channel, the United Nations denounced the plans. It came as the Bibby Stockholm barge - which will house 500 asylum seekers - was met by protesters as it arrived into Dorset's Portland Port. But two other cruise ships set to house migrants have reportedly been unable to find a berth. Advertisement

The Government department has since launched a dedicated Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC), with an additional 730 staff recruited to oversee operational activity with France and tackle Channel crossings.

Ms Moreton believes the majority of migrants are still using the conventional route between Calais and Dover, but she suggested there could be up to 1,000 people landing on beaches elsewhere along the south coast.

She added: 'Small boat migration across the narrow part of the Channel remains a successful and cheap route for organised crime  not just in terms of people-trafficking but for other crimes too.

'If that route is becoming more difficult due to the British and French improving monitoring, then organised crime will just find another route.

'We're not talking about a group of 40 Albanian men sitting on a beach somewhere waiting to be picked up, that would not go unnoticed, but if it's groups of twos or threes, we wouldn't see them.

'And if it's truly a case of organised crime, they will have arranged for them to be picked up and facilitated further inland before they're spotted.

'We believe we are aware of every vessel in the stretch between the Northern French coast and the Kent coast, but that's a very narrow space. There's so much traffic in the Channel, it's not practicable to look at every single vessel.

'The majority of migrants will use the regular route, but there could be hundreds or perhaps even up to a thousand using a different route.

'We strongly suspect it has always happened, but we just haven't been able to catch them.'

Earlier this month, the National Crime Agency appealed for information from the public after eight men were arrested in Devon following a people-smuggling attempt on July 4.

NCA investigators believe an organised crime group brought a number of migrants across the Channel from France on a 30ft yacht.

The vessel was seen moored off Mothecombe Beach, and the migrants were transported to shore in a dinghy, before being picked up in a black Mercedes 180 at some point between 9am and 1pm.

Six men, aged between 28 and 41, were arrested on suspicion of facilitation of illegal migration in the vehicle seen leaving the beach.

The yacht was then stopped by Border Force officers as it sailed towards Plymouth.

A 24-year-old man from Putney and the boat's captain, a 58-year-old man from Devon, were also arrested on suspicion of facilitation of illegal migration.

They were released on bail after being questioned by NCA officers.

Speaking on July 10, NCA Branch Commander Matt Rivers said: 'Tackling people smuggling is a priority for the National Crime Agency.

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman visits Bwiza Riverside Houses in Kigali, Rwanda on March 18 this year

'An organised crime group will have been behind this smuggling attempt. Criminals do not care about those they transport  they will be exploiting them for profit.

'Our investigation into this group continues, but we would also like to hear from any witnesses who were at the beach at the time of this incident.'

In September 2020, 14 migrants were intercepted by Border Force officials after they were spotted in the water approaching a beach in Harwich, Essex.

And in October of the following year, two migrants travelling in a dinghy in the North Sea were rescued off the Harwich coast.

There were further concerns for the safety of migrants crossing the Channel when a 20ft RHIB was discovered on the beach in Walton, Essex in December last year.

Likewise, asylum seekers were intercepted off the coast of Hastings, East Sussex on two separate occasions in August and September 2022. Migrants have been landing on beaches in the fishing town since 2019.

Last month, dozens of the migrants intercepted by the French coastguard were found much further west than Calais, suggesting they may have departed from regions of the coast not being patrolled by authorities.

June 10 saw the regional operational surveillance and rescue centre (CROSS) in Gris-Nez spot a boat in difficulty off the coast of Sainte-Cecile - around 35 miles from Calais.

The same day, more asylum seekers were spotted in Berck, a commune in northern France, meaning they would have to make a 60 mile crossing to reach the UK.

While on June 11, the CROSS was alerted to another boat in difficulty off the coast of Le Touquet - around 40 miles west of Calais.

In September 2020, 14 migrants were intercepted by Border Force officials after they were spotted in the water approaching a beach in Harwich, Essex (Pictured: Migrants in Dover)

Last year saw a record 45,755 people detected arriving in the UK by small boats - 60 per cent higher than 2021 when 28,526 migrants reached the country.

Some 51 per cent of those people arrived in the three months of August, September and October, with 8,631 people making the perilous journey in August alone - the highest number of small boat arrivals of any month since data has been collected.

The number of migrants being crammed into rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) and dinghies by people-smugglers has gradually increased each year.

Overall in 2022, there was an average of 41 people per small boat. By comparison 2021 saw just 28 people per vessel, and in 2020 there was an average of 13 people on each boat.

A spokesman for refugee charity Care4Calais said: 'Studies have shown that policies that focus on security and deterrence often result in refugees taking greater risks and more dangerous routes, and force people underground.

'If the Government wants to stop small boats crossing the Channel the most effective solution would be to give safe passage to those with viable asylum claims.

'This would put people smugglers out of business overnight and save lives.'

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said: 'We know whether lorry, boat or container, some people will do anything to break into Britain. That's why it's vital to remain vigilant. Anyone living by the sea who sees suspicious activity should immediately report it to the Police.'
A triumph of policing?

More like a travesty.

The arrest of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann last week has been hailed as a resounding victory, the result of over a decade of dogged police work. And that makes for a great story  a Hollywood ending, if you will.

In truth, it appears this case was sabotaged by former Suffolk County police chief James Burke, who had much in common with the serial killer he was hunting: The use and abuse of sex workers, a penchant for violent pornography, and a years-long reign of terror culminating in his own arrest.

The Gilgo Beach case was always worrisome. Its not that Long Islanders, myself among them, lived in fear. There was, instead, a pervasive dread that attends cases like these  the fear that, given the victim profiles, it might never be solved.

Six of the ten bodies recovered from Gilgo Beach were female prostitutes. The remains of two other women, a toddler and an adult male are still unidentified.

Those known victims belonged to an extremely vulnerable cohort. The stigma surrounding prostitution often means theres little urgency when such women go missing or meet violent ends.

Multiple dead prostitutes found buried along the same Long Island beach, the same distance apart, wrapped in burlap?

The arrest of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann (pictured) last week has been hailed as a resounding victory, the result of over a decade of dogged police work. And that makes for a great story  a Hollywood ending, if you will.

In truth, it appears this case was sabotaged by former Suffolk County police chief James Burke (pictured, center), who had much in common with the serial killer he was hunting: The abuse of sex workers, a penchant for violent porn, and a reign of terror culminating in his own arrest.

That these women were clearly victims of a serial killer didnt seem to set this police investigation alight.

Nor did the witness who told officers back in 2010 that a first-generation Chevy Avalanche drove up to first victim Amber Costello's house on or around the last time she was seen alive.

That same make of Chevy  a rare vehicle  has been parked outside Heuermann's home this entire time.

That's policework 101: Identify the vehicle, run the plates, knock on the owner's front door.

It seems insane that none of that happened for more than a decade.

Other witnesses in the original case described the suspect to police as an 'ogre', a 'large, white male, approximately 6' 4" to 6' 6", in his mid-40s, with dark, bushy hair and big oval-style-1970s-type-eyeglasses.'

So we had a distinctive-looking suspect driving a distinctive-looking vehicle, who lived 15 minutes away from Gilgo Beach.

This case wasn't just bungled. It was minimized and dismissed.

Here was Melissa Cann, sister of Gilgo victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, to New York magazine in 2011. (Heuermann has not been charged with Brainard-Barness murder, though investigators suspect him of it.)

Ive been driving myself crazy for four years trying to figure out what happened to my sister, Cann said. She had gone to the police to report her sister missing and said as soon as she told the cop that Maureen was a sex worker, it was like he didnt care.

Brainard-Barnes disappeared on July 9, 2007. She was advertising on Craigslist, the same site where Heuermann was, we are now told, looking for prostitutes.

But it was her sister who went through her emails and phone logs and text messages, trying to piece together a timeline and identify possible suspects.

This case wasn't just bungled. It was minimized and dismissed. Here was Melissa Cann, sister of victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes, in 2011: Ive been driving myself crazy for four years trying to figure out what happened to [her]... it was like [they] didnt care. (Pictured: Burke this week)

The cops, Cann told New York magazine, never treated Maureen as high priority, not even when her cell phone pinged off a tower on Long Island in 2008.

Someone was trying to access Maureens cell-phone voicemail, Cann said. I drove myself to the point where I didnt want to get up in the morning to brush my teeth. I didnt want to go to sleep. I just wanted to figure out where my sister was. I got fired from my job. I was like, I can find another job, but I cant find another sister.

Still, the cops did little. Now we know why.

James Burke was promoted to chief of the Suffolk County Police Department a few months after the first four bodies were found in 2010, Brainard-Barnes among them.

James Burke was promoted to chief of the Suffolk County Police Department a few months after the first four bodies were found.

Burkes first order of business: Get rid of the FBI, who had launched their own investigation into the murders.

Burke never wanted us involved, an FBI source said in 2015, because he knew we were investigating him.

Oh, yes. A serial killer was on the loose, at times calling and taunting the victims families, but Burke was most concerned with finding and arresting whoever had stolen a bag out of his car  a bag containing torture porn and sex toys.

Once that suspect, a young heroin addict named Christopher Loeb, was arrested, Burke savagely beat and threatened to kill him in his own police station.

That led to the FBIs investigation of Burke, and there was much more to uncover. Such as: A 1993 incident in which Burke, then a uniformed police officer, was caught having sex with a prostitute in his squad car. For that, he got a reprimand.

Clearly emboldened, Burke continued to patronize sex workers. He allegedly fathered a child with one prostitute and attended sex parties in Nassau Countys Long Beach. One woman, who went by Lee Ann, said she saw Burke engage in rough sex with another prostitute and grab a girl by her hair and drag her around.

Sex workers talk to each other as a means of staying safe. If Burke was a known entity to them, how could he not have been a known entity to other cops? Detectives?

What kind of moral rot allowed Burke to remain in charge of the investigation?

Theres more: Burke allegedly smoked crack. His office at the end of each workday became an open bar. He enjoyed cigars dipped in brandy, palled around with disgraced officials, and had his underlings conduct surveillance on his girlfriend and her ex-lovers. Sounds more like stalking.

Psychopath was how former colleagues described him.

Finally, in 2016, Burke was sentenced to 46 months for battering Loeb  a slap on the wrist.

One woman said she saw Burke engage in rough sex with a prostitute and grab a girl by her hair and drag her around. What kind of moral rot allowed him to remain in charge of the investigation? (Pictured: First four Gilgo victims, from top left going clockwise, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes).

Now that Heuermann is in custody and the case has renewed momentum, its time to open another investigation: How was Burke able to wield so much power for so long? And how was the FBI so easily sidelined by him from this local but awful case?

Would Rex Heuermann have been arrested sooner if not for James Burke?

Well, consider that within one month of Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison forming a new task force in February 2022  one that included the local police department, the Sheriff's Office, the New York State Police and the FBI  Heuermann was identified as a suspect.

One month.

The victims of Gilgo Beach arent limited to those who were murdered. Their families are also victims of a corrupt police force, led by its own kind of monster.

Remember that when you see the prosecutor in this case preening for the media or investigators patting themselves on the back.

Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks amongst us, a predator that ruins families, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison said at a press conference Friday. The same could be said of Burke.

Yes, it was very good police work over the past 18 months that led to Heuermann's capture. But for all the advances in DNA technology that the cops are citing, its clear they could have arrested him much sooner.

This case should never have taken so long. All the victims are owed a reckoning.
A friend of Stockton Rush has claimed the OceanGate CEO designed a 'mouse trap for billionaires' and accused him of murdering his clients.

Submarine operator Karl Stanley was a close friend of Rush and one of the first passengers to go on the Titan.

The experimental submersible imploded last month on its way to the Titanic wreck, killing all five men onboard including the CEO.

Speaking to 60 Minutes Australia, Stanley said Rush 'definitely knew it was going to end like this' as he recalled hearing concerning noises during his dive.

'He quite literally and figuratively went out with the biggest bang in human history that you could go out with,' he said.

'Who was the last person to murder two billionaires at once, and have them pay for the privilege?'

Submarine operator Karl Stanley said OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush designed a 'mouse trap for billionaires'

Rush's friend claimed he warned the CEO about an area of the vessel that was cracking

Stanley shared the frantic emails he sent Rush warning him about the hull

Stanley also suggested Rush was willing to risk his and his clients' lives in order to 'go down in history'.

He shared how he heard 'loud gunshot-like noises' during his descent on the Titan with Rush in 2019 in the Bahamas.

'Thats a heck of a sound to hear when youre that far under the ocean in a craft that has only been down that deep once before,' Stanley told 60 Minutes.

The submersible expert recalled telling Rush that he believed there was an area of the hull that was breaking down.

Stanley shared the frantic emails he sent Rush warning him about the hull, and said that he even 'painted a picture of his wrecked sub at the bottom'.

Even that wasnt enough' to convince his friend that the vessel was not safe.

Stanley said he is shifting between grief and anger, because the tragedy, he explained, was both preventable and inevitable.

He has 'no doubt' that the implosion was caused by the 'the carbon fiber tube' - the area he warned Rush about.

Tourists Hamish Harding, 58, Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, French Navy pilot Paul-Henry (PH) Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush all died on the submersible after it imploded in the middle of the Atlantic on June 18.

The five passengers started to descend as Rush piloted the vessel. At 9:45am it lost contact with its mothership, the Polar Prince.

He shared how he heard 'loud gunshot-like noises' during his descent on the Titan with Rush in 2019 in the Bahamas

Stanley also suggested Rush was willing to risk his and his clients' lives in order to 'go down in history'

OceanGate Expeditions took eight hours to report the missing sub to the US Coast Guard after it lost contact.

That led to a massive international response to rescue the five passengers. Ships from across the globe started to make the trek to help search for the missing sub while the hours and estimated oxygen ticked down.

Days later, it was announced the five people aboard the sub were believed to have been killed in a likely implosion.

It was also revealed that a US Navy monitoring system picked up a possible sound of the implosion in the descent - but search efforts continued.

After announcing the death of the five passengers, it was later revealed that debris form the imploded sub was found near the site of the Titanic.

Their investigation started at the end of June, a day after it emerged human remains were found during the recovery mission and segments of the vessel were brought ashore.

French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) was on the sub along with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate Expedition

Five people had been on board, including British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding (left) and Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19

Superintendent Kent Osmond, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said a team of investigators has been established with the 'sole purpose' of determining whether a criminal investigation would be warranted.

'Such an investigation will proceed only if our examination of the circumstances indicate criminal, federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken,' he said.

'Following the US Coast Guard's announcement earlier this week that debris from the submersible was located and all five on board were presumed dead, we will now look at the circumstances that led to those deaths.

'Our investigators are engaged and active in this matter as of this morning. Once a determination has been made as to whether or not a full investigation will be launched, we will provide an update at that time.'
Kevin Spacey exploited the 'enormous power imbalance' between himself and his victims to make them feel worthless, a court heard.

Oscar winning Spacey, 63, is accused of assaulting four men 'for his own sexual gratification' between 2001 and 2013.

Jurors have heard the House of Cards star is a 'sexual bully' who delighted in making his assault victims feel 'powerless and uncomfortable'.

In her closing speech prosecutor Christine Agnew KC told jurors: 'What we say is this is not simply a strength in numbers case.

'What this is are four separate men who have firstly told their friends and family, then gone to the police to say what happened to them and then come to court to give their accounts... You will have to decide why each has come in individually.'

Kevin Spacey (pictured arriving at his trial today) exploited the 'enormous power imbalance' between himself and his victims to make them feel worthless, a court heard

Oscar winning Spacey, 63, is accused of assaulting four men 'for his own sexual gratification' between 2001 and 2013 (pictured is a court sketch of Spacey)

Ms Agnew said: 'Are they all motivated by "money, money and money" as you were rather dramatically told by this defendant? Or have they simply had enough?

'Have they decided they are no longer prepared to be the secret-keeper for someone who treated them so badly, someone who sexually abused them, all those years ago?'

Ms Agnew reminded jurors the 'glare of the spotlight' remained present throughout this case. She said: 'It is the defendant on trial and not the complainants.

'Consider the position they have put themselves in in coming to police and appearing in court.

'It is, you might think, no small or trifling matter for someone to come to court.

'Reporting this type of crime is difficult for all parties involved. The glare of the spotlight, you might think, places an additional burden upon them.

'And it is not only them who give their evidence, but their friends and family - they are placed under the same spotlight.

'Their shame or embarrassment in not having encouraged a loved one to speak up.'

With the alleged offences having all occurred before the MeToo movement, Ms Agnew said: 'It was, even up until 2013, a different time.

Spacey (right) arrives at Southwark Crown Court as the prosecution gave its closing speech today in his trial

Jurors have heard the House of Cards star (pictured right) is a 'sexual bully' who delighted in making his assault victims feel 'powerless and uncomfortable'

'Mr Spacey Fowler was and is a powerful man. He was so famous, who would believe them?

'You've heard a number of witnesses say it would have, at the time they considered it, ruined their lives.

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'You've heard that it might just have been a fleeting grab of the crotch.

'It's not. It's a violation of their bodily autonomy, it made them feel small, it made them feel diminished, it made them feel worthless.'

Ms Agnew went on: 'Mr Spacey Fowler returned to this country to face trial - you may think he had little choice.

'The allegations were brought, he had to essentially put up or shut up.

'I told you at the beginning not to be star-struck. I hope you would come to agree with us, coming to the court everyday becomes like going to work.

'You are here to weigh up the evidence in this case.

'It doesn't matter who that person is, who steps up into the witness box, you will decide what to make of the defendant, just as you decide what to make of the complainants.'

The prosecutor said Spacey was a 'patron of the arts' and 'very celebrated and lauded actor' who was 'kind to those he chooses to be kind to'. But she added: 'History is littered with those who choose to be kind to some and not to others.'

Prosecutor Christine Agnew KC was giving her closing speech in the trial of US actor Kevin Spacey (pictured arriving at court on Wednesday)

Referring to Spacey's evidence, Ms Agnew told the jury the actor was 'essentially trying to tell you how you should do the job that you have in this courtroom.

'You will decide whether these men jumped on a bandwagon, if such a bandwagon existed, whether that crotch grab was just a coincidence or if that is what happened.

'It's a hell of a coincidence that [all the complainants] talk about it in such a distinctive way.

'I asked him (Spacey) if he felt that [crotch grabbing] was an appropriate first move. He conceded it was not.

'How could it ever be an appropriate first move? It's just not.'

She added: 'Four men unknown to each other, each make a series of allegations against another.

'And you will have to decide, ladies and gentlemen, why and how.'

Earlier, Judge Mr Justice Wall directed the jury to 'strike through' four charges of indecent assault against Spacey's first accuser for technical reasons.

It now means the Hollywood star denies five sexual offences against his first accuser.

Justice Wall told jurors: 'You will not be asked to return verdicts on any of those counts.'

Earlier, Judge Mr Justice Wall directed the jury to 'strike through' four charges of indecent assault against Spacey's first accuser for technical reasons. It now means the Hollywood star (centre) denies five sexual offences against his first accuser

The man claims he was assaulted 'a good dozen times' by Spacey and alleges one incident occurred in a car on the way to one of Elton John's 1million 'White Tie and Tiara' balls in the early 2000s.

Spacey now denies three counts of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent against the first accuser, between 1 January 2001 and 24 June 2005.

The double Oscar winner, 63, also denies two counts of sexual assault against a second man during a dress rehearsal for a charity event on March 20 2005.

He further denies sexual assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity against an aspiring actor at his Waterloo apartment between 1 August 2008 and 31 August 2008.

Spacey denies sexually assaulting the fourth complainant at his luxury holiday home in the Cotswolds on 1 April 2013.

He is said to have assaulted four men 'for his own sexual gratification' between 2001 and 2013.

Jurors have heard the star is a 'sexual bully' who delighted in making his assault victims feel 'powerless and uncomfortable'.

Spacey carried out offences involving grabbing, squeezing, and touching of his four victims' genitals and buttocks over their clothing, Southwark Crown Court has heard.

He now denies nine charges in total: seven of sexual assault, one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and one of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

Spacey starred in Glengarry Glen Ross, Seven, LA Confidential and Baby Driver. He also had the lead role in the Netflix series House of Cards.

The trial continues.
Scott Morrison was made to wait 30 minutes for a ferry during Greece's scorching 41C heatwave before lugging his family's suitcases aboard the cramped boat.

The former prime minister, who was sporting a healthy tan, was seen waiting patiently for the Seajets ferry to arrive on Sifnos, in the Cyclades islands, before travelling to Athens on Wednesday.

The packed ferry, which took two-and-a-half hours to reach the Greek capital, is a far cry from Mr Morrison's preferred mode of travel on his beloved 'Shark One' - a $250million specially-converted RAAF jet which he used to roam the world as PM.

Mr Morrison was spotted aboard the ferry with his wife Jenny and teenage daughters Abbey and Lily at about 12.15pm local time as they enjoyed the latest leg of their European holiday.

They sat in a cramped area with other passengers and their luggage under the hot sun for about 30 minutes as he waited to board. The trip costs around 65 ($107 AUD) per person.

The Member for Cook donned a navy blue polo, beige shorts, Ray-Ban sunglasses and had a white cap laying on top of his luggage while he listened to audio on his AirPods.

Scott Morrison has been pictured seated in a cramped area waiting for a ferry in scorching temperatures on the Greek island of Sifnos

A passenger who was on the same ferry told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Morrison appeared to not want to be recognised as he put his head down and kept his attention on his phone

The ferry trip, which has ticket prices starting from 65 ($107 AUD), takes travellers on a two-and-a-half journey from Sifnos (pictured) to Athens, with stops at a few Greek islands en route

One of the passengers on the boat told Daily Mail Australia the former PM appeared to not want to be recognised.

'At first it was hard to recognise him as he kept his head down a lot,' the person said.

'He was very aware of the people around him, perhaps not wanting to be recognised as the islands are popular with Australian travellers.

'ScoMo had his AirPods in, not really saying much to his family. Mostly he had his head in his phone, perhaps to help keep his head down.'

The traveller noticed that his demeanour was completely different to his wife's.

'Mrs Morrison was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the ferry and was in high spirits - engaging with the other passengers and giving them advice on where the ferry would be stopping,' they said.

'Mr Morrison was somewhat more reserved, with an anxious disposition and only muttered a few words to his family.'

The former prime minister and his family were waiting to board with their luggage, as they sat amongst other passengers

He wore a navy blue polo, beige shorts, Ray-Ban sunglasses and had a white cap laying on top of his luggage while he listened to audio on his AirPods

The passenger added that the Morrisons 'made a dash to store their luggage below deck' as soon as passengers were allowed aboard the ferry.

They then queued to take their seats in a smaller premium class cabin that featured fewer than 20 seats.

'The family were all sporting healthy tans and looked as though this was not the first stop on their European summer holiday,' the person said.

'It appears theyre traveling modestly given theyre catching a commercial ferry.'

The Morrisons proceeded to get off at Athens to continue their family holiday.

It's not clear what the next stop on their holiday is or whether they will stay in Athens, however a horrific heatwave has led authorities to close historic sites in the city, including the Acropolis.

The traveller noticed that the former PM's demeanour was completely different to his wife's. While she was 'in high spirits' and 'engaging with the other passengers', he was 'more reserved, with an anxious disposition and only muttered a few words to his family'

They added that the Morrisons 'made a dash to store their luggage below deck' as soon as passengers were allowed onboard the ferry

The scene was a far cry from when Mr Morrison would board Royal Australian Air Force VIP Jets or be driven around in chauffeured cars flanked by security

It comes weeks after the release of the scathing Robodebt royal commission report, which criticised Mr Morrison's involvement in the 'incompetent and cowardly' scheme.

The former PM was in Italy on an earlier leg of the his family's holiday when the report was released.

The Morrison family were spotted dining in Rome in late June, and pictures later emerged of the ex-prime minister on the Italian coast.

A spokesman for Mr Morrison said he was 'on a private vacation overseas, during the parliamentary break and school holiday period'.

Robodebt was an automated method of calculating welfare recipients' alleged debts by matching their reported pay with their supposed annual incomes, which were estimated by averaging data from the Australian Taxation Office.

Operating from 2015 to 2019, Robodebt was discontinued after being found to be unlawful.

But by then it had unlawfully claimed nearly $2billion from more than 400,000 people and had been linked to several suicides.

Commissioner Catherine Holmes handed down her findings on how the welfare debt recovery scheme was conducted by the former government after a mammoth nine-week inquiry which analysed more than one million documents and interviewed more than 100 witnesses.

The former prime minister, who was sporting a healthy tan, was seen waiting patiently for the Seajets ferry (similar boat pictured)

She determined Mr Morrison had 'allowed Cabinet to be misled' and gave 'untrue' evidence to the Commission about income averaging, one of the most controversial and ultimately illegal aspects of the now infamous scheme.

As Social Services Minister, Mr Morrison was 'responsible for administering the Social Security Act according to law' at the time Robodebt was established.

The report found: 'Ministers are expected to take full responsibility for the content, quality and accuracy of advice provided to the Cabinet under their name.

'Mr Morrison contributed to a certain atmosphere' through his 'powerful language' which put pressure on public servants to 'get on and deliver' the program.

'The policy direction set by Mr Morrison in the Social Services portfolio, which was publicly communicated by him, was one of ''ensuring welfare integrity''... Inadvertent non-compliance was often mentioned in the same breath as cases of fraud, and no pains were taken to emphasise any distinction.'

The taxpayer was billed $477,528 for Mr Morrison's legal representation during the Commission's hearings.

Mr Morrison is pictured dining in Rome while on holidays with his family in late June weeks before the royal commission report was handed down

Mr Morrison was criticsed during his tenure as prime minister for taking his family on a holiday to Hawaii during Australia's worst bushfire season.

After losing the federal election, Mr Morrison retained his position as MP for the Sutherland Shire electorate of Cook - replete with a $211,250 per annum pay packet.

The former PM now spends his time sitting in the far corner of the backbench - about as far from the action as can be for a federal MP, slouched over his iPad next to his friend, Alex Hawke.

He has spoken just a handful of times since losing the 2022 election - most recently on June 13 to clarify his prior knowledge of Brittany Higgins' sexual assault allegations in Parliament House.
A California 'Vanlord' with at least two dozen illegal RVs parked on her LA property has been ordered to vacate by Monday after residents complained about an unbearable stench of feces and urine.

The campsite, located on private property in Sylmar, California, is managed by Cruz Godoy - dubbed 'Vanlord' by locals - who rents out the RVs to individuals without alternative housing options, making up to $20,000 a month.

After years of complaints from furious residents calling for officials to intervene, authorities have finally taken action to shut down the setup which lacks the necessary permits and proper facilities to function legally.

Godoy appeared in court on Wednesday, where the judge ordered her home, including more than 20 RVs located on her property, to be vacated by Sunday.

The encampment in Sylmar is similar to others which have sprung up across the Democrat-run state as desperate South American families seek cheap places to live while they work in cities such as Los Angeles and Palo Alto.

Maria Macias, whose backyard faces Cruz's lot expressed sympathy for the people living in the RVs but decried the unbearable stench emanating from the illegal campers that has plagued residents for years, making life 'unbearable.'

Residents are furious after at least two dozen illegal camper vans parked on their suburban California street have been oozing human feces and urine onto their property, making life 'unbearable'

Cruz Godoy pictured arriving back home from the Court today

Many of the RV residents, who neighbors say are mainly South American immigrants searching for a better life, are forced to dump their sewage in the streets

'I don't have peace, not even in my own house,' she told CBS. 'My son got sick, all of us got nauseous the ambulance came because my son was vomiting at night.'

Many of the RV residents, who neighbors say are mainly immigrants searching for a better life, are forced to dump their sewage in the streets.

Macias said the RVs have had a distressing impact on her and her neighbors' health, as they believe the unhygienic conditions have contributed to recent illnesses.

The use of potent chemicals during early morning cleaning efforts to mitigate the odor has also raised concerns about potential health risks.

'It's been so stressful,' Macias told The New York Post in tears. 'I just wish someone could help. We have all gotten sick because of all the feces is everywhere. And then we see them trying to clean early in the morning with really strong chemicals to get rid of the smell, but we don't know what's in the chemicals.'

Another Neighbor Alberto Caino, originally from Argentina who lives across street from Godoy for over 20 years, told Dailymail.com that his wife went to Court this morning with Macias, who filed the complaint.

Caino said his family feels bad for those living in the RVs, since there are many children, some with special needs, but Godoy is not very friendly with the neighbors since the complaints started.

Neighbors say the campsite is also a fire hazard and an eye soar

Neighbor Alberto Caino (pictured), originally from Argentina who lives across street from Godoy for over 20 years, told Dailymail.com that his wife went to Court this morning with Macias, who filed the complaint

The campsite, located on private property in Sylmar, California, is managed by 'vanlord' Cruz Godoy (pictured) who rents out the RVs to individuals without alternative housing options, making up to $20k a month

Neighbors say the campsite is also a fire hazard and an eye soar, according to CBS.

Amid California's 100 degree heatwave on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department officers and officials from the city's Department of Water and Power disconnected the camp's electricity.

Curt Cabrera-Miller, Sylmar Neighborhood Council President said the electricity had to be shut off as a safety precaution due to the heatwave.

'With this heat and potential for sparks, electrical damage, propane tanks, and proximity of the RVs, we have to avoid any explosions and traumas we can,' Miller said to CBS.

The LA City Attorney's Office has now also intervened, filing criminal charges against Godoy for not complying with building and safety codes, including lacking the necessary permits and proper facilities.

Neighbors last week begged the local city council to take action and included over 100 signatures to present to San Fernando and Los Angeles officials, according to the New York Post.

Amid California's 100 degree heatwave on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department officers and officials from the city's Department of Water and Power disconnected the camp's electricity

Neighbors have claimed their family members have contracted mysterious illnesses since the illegal RVs

The people who are renting campers are paying anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per month, with the landlord making up to $20,000 a month. Godoy appeared in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday

After two weeks of silence, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez has finally responded to the biohazardous RV campsite.

Rodriguez said in a statement: 'The City family continues to work with great urgency to mitigate the impacts for both the individuals living on the property and neighboring residents.'

'As previously shared, we are working with all resources at our disposal to address the public health and safety concerns and place those residing in the RVs with emergency shelters,' she continued.

'The conditions on this private property is an exploitation of vulnerable people seeking housing, and I'm hopeful that the City Attorney will be successful in representing this case in court tomorrow.'

Godoy appeared in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday, just one day after electricity was cut from the property.

The judge ordered Godoy's home, including more than 20 RVs located on her property, to be vacated by Sunday.

In court, a city attorney argued that parts of the property have already been red-tagged, and that it is uninhabitable and dangerous due to illegal electrical usage and improper sewage disposal, according to ABC.

The homeowner, Godoy, has been charged with misdemeanors related to zoning and permit violations and is scheduled to appear in the pre-trial hearing on August 3.

The move comes as a response to the long-standing source of distress for local residents and aims to address the lack of compliance with regulations.

Miller said Cruz has been cited several times over the past decade by the LA Department of Building and Safety.

The move comes as a response to the long-standing source of distress for local residents and aims to address the lack of compliance with regulations

The use of potent chemicals during early morning cleaning efforts to mitigate the odor has raised concerns about potential health risks

Maria Macias, whose backyard faces Cruz's lot expressed sympathy for the people living in the RVs but decried the unbearable stench emanating from the illegal campers that has plagued residents for years

Curt Cabrera-Miller, Sylmar Neighborhood Council President said the electricity had to be shut off as a safety precaution due to the heat and 'potential for sparks, electrical damage, propane tanks, and proximity of the RVs, we have to avoid any explosions and traumas we can'

'As far as I know, the first case that I saw was filed in 2010 and a lien was put on the property in 2016 on that case,' Miller told the Post.

'Since then there has been 41 violations  open and closed cases of building and safety violations. It's been an ongoing thing. She fixes one thing, and then something else happens,' he added.

Neighbors said many of the RV residents are South American immigrants looking for a better life.

There are at least 27 RVs and 50 formerly homeless residents living on the lot, including children living on the lot who will now be displaced.

The people who are renting campers are paying anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per month, with the landlord making up to $20,000 a month, according to Miller.

Hector Rivera, who lives nearby has claimed the Godoy not only rents out RVs but also garages and sheds, according to the Post.

The LA City Attorney's Office has filed criminal charges against Godoy for not complying with building and safety codes, including lacking the necessary permits and proper facilities, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez (pictured)

After two weeks of silence, Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez has finally responded to the biohazardous RV campsite with a statement

Neighbors last week begged the local city council to take action and included over 100 signatures to present to San Fernando and Los Angeles officials

'The smell is so bad, the flies  and there are unsavory people running around the neighborhood,' Rivera said to the Post. 'People have been sick and we think it might be the fumes (from the house).'

Another neighbor, Carmen Cisneros, who has lived in the area for the last 30 years, has said the stench permeates her home and neighborhood, even with her chain-linked fence separating her property from Godoy.

'The feces and urine runs down the street and the smell is unbelievable,' Cisneros told the Post. 'Cruz used to have a shop at the swap meet, but when that shut down during the pandemic, she brought it to her house. Then I started seeing RVs about three years ago.

'At first I saw three and all of a sudden both sides (of the property) became full. I didn't care so much at first as longs as they stayed on their side, but then the wind would blow the smell over.'

Others have said their family members have contracted mysterious illnesses since the illegal RVs.

'My husband has been sick for three years and the doctors just can't figure it out,' one neighbor told the Post.

The move comes as a response to the long-standing source of distress for local residents and aims to address the lack of compliance with regulations

'We used to call it the 'Big House' with the previous owners. It was gorgeous. Then right before COVID, this started  the smell. It's awful. When you drive down sometimes you see liquid and you gotta figure, 'Where is this coming from?''

But many also expressed sympathy toward the families who are stuck without electricity and being pushed out of their homes.

Manny Femat used to live in one of the RVs and still visits Godoy, who he claims is a 'great person,' to clean the property.

'There's a child living there who is handicapped,' Femat told The Post. 'It's not right! They didn't have to do that. If anything happens to that child  God bless America!'

Femat, who paid Godoy $500 when he rented an RV, said she should be rewarded for helping the homeless.

'I was living in my car and she gave me a place to live in,' Femat told the Post. 'She's a great person and she doesn't deserve to be treated this way. She's not making millions. She deserves an award, if anything.'

PALO ALTO: A line of RVs is parked near the entrance to Stanford University along El Camino Real, which has long been a popular spot for people living in mobile homes in March 2019

LOS ANGELES: The city's iconic palm trees and distant mountains form the backdrop for a string of camper vans on the streets of the West Rancho Dominguez/Compton area of the City of Angels in March 2019

Above, a map that shows where RVs in Palo Alto were lining up in 2019 along El Camino Real, near the entrance to Stanford University

Similar communities have formed across the US from New England to California where people have chosen a nomadic lifestyle amid a national cost of living crisis.

Rising costs across all sectors have caused pain for Americans in every state, particularly those living in rural areas, over the past 12 months.

Rental prices continue have risen eight percent compared against the same time last year.
Nearly half of US voters see the prosecution of Donald Trump for mishandling classified documents as an effort to derail the former president's 2024 election bid, a DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll shows.

Our polling reveals that 47 percent of adults see his indictment as 'election interference,' including most Republicans and many Democrats. Another 40 percent disagreed, and 13 percent said they were not sure.

The results come after Trump's lawyers asked a US federal judge to delay his trial for unlawfully retaining national defense documents and obstructing efforts to retrieve them until after the 2024 election.

They also come as Trump says he's bracing for a third indictment and imminent arrest after revealing he has received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith over his role in the assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Donald Trump alleges 'election interference,' and a surprising number of Americans agree

Regular Americans do not appear to be convinced that the charges are fair, with nearly half of people in all parts of the country and from all age groups saying they amount to election interference.

GOP voters are more likely to see the documents probe as political than are Democrats, but by a slim margin. Some 54 percent of Republicans eye election interference, compared to 46 percent of Democrats.

The survey of 1,341 adults was conducted earlier this month.

Trump has derided the various charges against him as a political witch hunt, and speaking in early-voting state Iowa on Tuesday spoke out against an expected prosecution over his role in the January 6 Capitol riot.

'They're in a rush because they want to interfere,' he told a pro-Trump crowd.

'It's interference with the election. It's election interference. Never been done like this in the history of our country, and it's a disgrace.'

In a dramatic post on his Truth Social account on Tuesday, Trump said he had received a target letter while having dinner on Sunday night, saying he is the subject of a criminal investigation into the Capitol riot and his bid to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump said he would 'almost certainly' be arrested and indicted and had been given four days to respond.

Large numbers of Americans also want Trump sent down over the classified files

Boxes of records stored on the stage in the ballroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida

Special Counsel Jack Smith already charged Trump on 37 felony counts alleging he illegally kept classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate

Jared Kushner (left), Trump's son-in-law who served as a White House adviser, and Rudy Giuliani (right), Trump's personal lawyer, have spoken with prosecutors

In the post, he ripped into Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, claimed the investigation is 'election interference' and accused President Joe Biden of 'going after his 'number one political opponent.'

Trump still dominates the polls in the race to be the Republican nominee in the 2024 election, but could now be facing three criminal trials during the campaign.

He could face charges of obstructing an official proceeding  related to Congress' electoral college count on January 6  and defrauding the government over an alleged 'fake electors' scheme.

A target letter means investigators have gathered substantial evidence linking the recipient to a crime, indicating that an indictment is near. Usually, such letters invite the recipient to appear before a grand jury to offer evidence.

Trump was indicted last month on 37 felony counts alleging he illegally kept classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and refused government demands to give them back.

He and his valet, Walt Nauta, who was also charged, have both pleaded not guilty.

Trump's angry response to the looming charges over the January 6 insurrection

Trump added another post on his Truth Social account reiterating that he is the victim of a witch hunt, and the prosecution amounts to election interference

Those charges against Trump include violations of the Espionage Act, which criminalizes unauthorized possession of defense information. Trump, 77, would face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The trial was initially set to start in August, but at a hearing in Florida this week, Trump's lawyer Christopher Kise asked US District Judge Aileen Cannon to consider the election schedule in deciding a new trial start date.

Kise said that because Biden's US Justice Department brought the charges, the case could be seen as the 'two leading contenders for president of the United States squaring off in court.'

Prosecutor David Harbach called suggestions of political interference 'flat out false.'

He noted that US Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith as special counsel to distance the investigation from politics.

The former president also is under criminal investigation by a Georgia state prosecutor for his attempt to get election officials there to reverse his loss to Biden in that state.

The prosecutor in Georgia said she plans to present criminal charges in August.

And he was indicted in the state of New York in early April by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
Lidia Thorpe has unleashed on King Charles labelling him a 'violent invader' whose wealth comes from 'slavery, stolen children and massacres'.

The firebrand Indigenous Senator also restated her opposition to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament saying she would settle for nothing less than a treaty which recognised the sovereignty of First Nations peoples over Australia.

When asked by The Project interviewer Hamish Macdonald whether she recognised the British Monarch as Australia's sovereign Senator Thorpe replied: 'Not at all'.

'I recognise him as an invader. A violent invader,' she said on Wednesday's episode .

'Yes, he wasn't personally responsible, but he's certainly relishes in the wealth that has been created on the backs of slavery, on the backs of massacres and murders and stolen children.'

Outspoken Indigenous independent Senator Lidia Thorpe says she does not accept King Charles as sovereign over Australia

She added that reparations should be paid from the Royal family.

'His coronation saw millions of dollars put into crowns and jewels that are all stolen from an Indigenous community somewhere in the world,' Senator Thorpe said.

She continued to reject the Voice that her former political party, the Greens, support.

'To me an advisory body that has no power is not good enough,' she said.

'It has nothing to do with giving our people the power they need to make the real change that is needed.

'We want power in this country. We want land back. We want peace, we want the end of the war that was declared on us.

'A treaty is about having equal power.'

Known for her controversial stunts and outspoken opinions, she revealed it has made her the target of serious death threats requiring her to be flanked by 'formal protection'.

Senator Thorpe accused the British monarch of relishing wealth derived from slavery and massacres

Senator Thorpe (pictured giving the black power salute in the Senate) oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament saying it is not enough

'There are a lot of people out there that don't want me in that role or in this role that don't want me in parliament. That don't want me alive,' Senator Thorpe said.

'I've felt very unsafe over the last few weeks. Until things are resolved then I continue to feel unsafe and it is s***.'

But she remains unapologetic about her confrontational style.

'Politics are hard,' she said.

'Blak politics are harder and rougher. I do come out with what's on my mind and it doesn't always come out right. It doesn't always come out nice.'

In June she stunned parliament by accusing Liberal Senator David Van of sexually assaulting her.

One of her fierce critics Senator Pauline Hanson accused Senator Thorpe of displaying 'crocodile tears' when she made the emotional accusations in the Senate.

Senator Thorpe said revealed on the program what she said to the One Nation leader.

'I told her to f*** off because she was being outright rude and nasty and she was baiting me the whole time I was doing my speech,' Senator Thorpe said.

'The only comeback with how she responded to me, was to f*** off, Pauline.'

Senator Van, who was expelled from the Liberal party room and has since quit the party, has denied Senator Thorpe's accusation.
A 13-year IRS agent known as 'Whistleblower X,' whose identity will be revealed for the first time today during a House hearing, will say that he personally witnessed abuses of power during the Hunter Biden criminal investigation.

According to an excerpt of Whistleblower X's opening statement obtained by DailyMail.com, he self identifies as a 'gay Democrat married to a man' and wants the American people 'to know the truth' about Hunter Biden's special treatment.

'I had recently heard an elected official say that I must be more credible, because I am a gay Democrat married to a man,' Whistleblower X will say according to prepared remarks obtained by DailyMail.com.

'I'm no more credible than this man sitting next to me due to my sexual orientation or my political beliefs,' he will continue.

'The American people deserve to know the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may be for either political party or those in power.'

The identity of a 13-year IRS agent known as 'Whistleblower X' will be revealed for the first time today during a House hearing

The Oversight probe is looking into whether Hunter Biden received preferential treatment in the investigation into his wrongdoings because of his father's position. Comer insists: 'We need to know whether Joe Biden is compromised by these schemes and if our national security is threatened'

IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley is also testifying on Wednesday alongside the unnamed whistleblower. The two IRS whistleblowers will publicly detail how they were prevented from conducting a fair investigation into Hunter Biden's shady business accounts before the House Oversight Committee.

'I have witnessed the corrosion of ethical standards and the abuse of power that threaten our nation,' Whistleblower X will say.

'It is within this context that I have chosen to shed light on these actions and expose those responsible.'

He will go on to accuse Hunter Biden of not reporting 'any of the money he earned from Burisma for the 2014 tax year.'

The whistleblower says that he and Shapley raised their concerns with Hunter's 2014 and 2015 taxes to U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who is overseeing the probe, in August or September 2022.

Weiss told them that 'he agreed' with them regarding recommending misdemeanor and felony charges, 'but that this could somehow affect the later year misdemeanor and felony charges which he conveyed were so much stronger.'

The president's son eventually reached a deal with Weiss to avoid jail time by pleading guilty to tax crimes and dispense with a gun charge. Republicans have criticized it as a 'sweetheart deal.'

The unnamed whistleblower will also raise the WhatsApp messages between Hunter Biden and a Chinese energy official.

House Republicans released WhatsApp messages last month first raised to their attention by Gary Shapley that they say were written by Hunter Biden in 2017.

The president's son was staying at the guest house of Biden's Delaware home when he wrote to Communist Party official Henry Zhao on July 30, 2017, threatening him to follow his 'orders'.

'I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled.' Hunter wrote in 2017 according to testimony by Shapley released by the GOP.

Hunter then said, according to the testimony: 'Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight.

According to the conversation from 2017, Zang also said he 'wants to convey 'his best regards to you, Jim and VP.''

Whistleblower X says that those WhatsApp messages 'may be direct contradiction to what President Biden was saying about not being involved in Hunter's overseas business dealings.'

'My hope is that as the American people and their representatives as they weigh and consider this matter and listen to my testimony today will bear in mind that I am coming forward at significant risk to my career, risk to my family,' he will conclude.

Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., is also expected to describe findings in thousands of pages of Biden family financial records as 'astonishing,' according to excerpts from his opening statement obtained by DailyMail.com.

'What were the Bidens' selling? Nothing but influence and access to the Biden network. This is an influence peddling scheme to enrich the Bidens,' Comer will say.

'We need to know whether Joe Biden is compromised by these schemes and if our national security is threatened.'

An FBI agent assigned to President Joe Biden 's son's probe has also confirmed whistleblower allegations that the Justice Department tried to 'cover up' Biden misdoings, the committee revealed.

The new revelations detailed that a lawyer for the FBI told an agent investigating Hunter to dodge questions from the Oversight Committee regarding the First Son.

The House Oversight Committee, chaired by James Comer (pictured), will hear from two IRS whistleblowers in a hearing on Wednesday afternoon

IRS Whistleblower Gary Shapley

The agent, whose name was redacted, received the letter from FBI Counsel Jason Jones on Sunday  the day before they were set to testify before the Oversight Committee.

Jones told the agent to tell Oversight to 'instead refer such questions to the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs.'

'The Department expects that you will decline to respond to questions seeking non-public information likely covered by one or more components of executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests, in particular information about deliberations or ongoing investigative activity in law enforcement matters,' the lawyer added

'The agent's testimony is sickening and reveals the lengths to which the DOJ is willing to go to cover up for the Bidens,' the Oversight Committee tweeted on Monday.
Israel's President Isaac Herzog addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday while several members of the so-called Squad of progressive lawmakers are skipping out on his remarks.

The protest of Herzog's remarks continues the blatant anti-Semitism displayed by some Democratic members of Congress  and comes on the heels of Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., calling Israel a 'racist State.'

Palestinian Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a member of the 'squad,' tweeted on Sunday that she will be skipping Herzog's remarks.

Also noticeably absent from the House chamber on Wednesday was Reps. Jayapal, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday on the heels of a trip to the U.S. where he met with a series of politicians on both sides of the aisle  and President Joe Biden

Tlaib posted an image on the Capitol stairs on Sunday announcing she would boycott Herzog's remarks to Congress

Herzog called the relationship with the U.S. 'mutually beneficial' and shared his concerns that the 'new generations' of Americans becoming leaders in Congress are not 'privy to the hardship of Israel's formative years' and 'less engaged in the roots that connect our peoples.'

'When the United States is strong, Israel is stronger. And when Israel is strong, the United States is more secure,' Herzog said.

Tlaib wrote on Twitter Sunday: 'In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israel's apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzog's joint address to Congress. I urge all Members of Congress who stand for human rights for all to join me.'

'In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israel's apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzog's joint address to Congress,' she wrote. 'I urge all Members of Congress who stand for human rights for all to join me.'

Included in the tweet is an image of Tlaib standing on the steps of the Capitol with a sign reading: 'Boycott Apartheid.'

Noticeably absent from the House Chamber on Wednesday were members of the progressive 'squad,' including Reps. AOC, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Pramila Jayapal

Democrats are clearly split on their support of the Jewish State. Rep. Jerry Nadler was waving a miniature Israeli flag from his seat for Herzog while other members of his party didn't even attend the remarks.

Also on display in the chamber are the continuing chasms of the Republican Party, with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Lauren Boebert, R-Col., situated nearly on complete opposite ends of their Party's side of the Chamber.

Herzog met with a series of lawmakers and leaders in Washington, D.C. during a trip to the U.S. this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

Before his remarks, Herzog met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and on Tuesday met with President Joe Biden.

Meanwhile, progressive Jayapal was forced over the weekend to walkback on comments claiming Israel is a 'racist' state after intense backlash from even members of her own Party.

Herzog asserted that Iran is one of the biggest threats to the Middle East and national security of the world order, saying: 'Let there be no doubt  Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes'

Herzog asserted that Iran is one of the biggest threats to the Middle East and national security of the world order, saying: 'Let there be no doubt  Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes'

In a statement Monday, 43 congressional Democrats condemned her comments.

'We are deeply concerned about Representative Pramila Jayapal's unacceptable comments regarding our historic, democratic ally Israel, and we appreciate her retraction,' they wrote. 'Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people and efforts to delegitimize and demonize it are not only dangerous and antisemitic, but they also undermine America's national security.'

Herzog struck a chord with both sides of the Chamber on Wednesday when he asserted: 'Mr. Speaker, perhaps the greatest challenge Israel and the United States face at this time is the Iranian nuclear program.'

'Let there be no doubt  Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,' he added to a roaring standing ovation from lawmakers.

On Sunday, Jaypal issued a lengthy statement that still defended the sentiment behind her comments by claiming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racist.

'Words do matter and so it is important that I clarify my statement,' the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus wrote. 'I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist.'

'I do, however, believe that Netanyahu's extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists driving that policy within the leadership of the current government,' she added.

She apologized 'to those who I have hurt with my words' and said she was only trying to 'defuse a tense situation' with her comments at the progressive Netroots Nation conference over the weekend.

Jayapal made her comments while trying to calm a group holding Palestinian flags at the conference last week who were saying Democrats in Congress aren't doing enough to help Palestinians gain autonomy from Israel.

Rep. Jayapal was forced to walk-back on comments she made at the progressive Netroots Nation conference where she called Israel a 'racist state'

'Hey guys, Can I say something as somebody that's been in the streets and has participated in a lot of demonstrations? I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us, that it does not even feel possible,' she said.

'While you may have arguments with whether or not some of us onstage are fighting hard enough, I do want you to know that there is an organized opposition on the other side, and it isn't the people that are on this stage,' Jayapal added.

No. 3 House Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik tweeted: 'Israel is NOT a racist state.'

'House Republicans condemn the blatantly anti-Semitic and anti-Israel remarks made by Rep. Jayapal and condemn House Democrats' inaction to address the deep-rooted anti-Semitism in the Democrat Caucus,' the New York lawmaker added.
The father of a young American who died after he was detained in North Korea has said the US soldier held by the communist dictatorship deserves 'the benefit of the doubt' and fears he is now 'hostage, political prisoner and a pawn'.

Fred Warmbier also said the US government should work to 'resolve' the crisis after Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, sprinted across the border with South Korea on Tuesday.

Warmbier's son, Otto Warmbier, died aged 22 after he was detained in North Korea in January 2016 while visiting the country with a tour group. Otto was convicted on charges of stealing a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

Officials in the Trump administration helped secure Otto's release in June 2017 but he was brought home in a vegetative state and died days later. His family and the US have said he suffered brain damage while being tortured by North Korea.

Warmbier, who campaigns with his wife, Cindy, to expose human rights abuses by North Korea, spoke out about King on Wednesday as fears grew for the soldier. Pyongyang has still not produced him or acknowledged the incident.

Otto Warmbier spent 17 months in detention in North Korea before he was returned to the US in a vegetative state. He died days later. Pictured: Otto is carried off of an airplane at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati

Otto Warmbier, died aged 22 after he was detained in North Korea in January 2016 while visiting the country with a tour group. He was returned to the US in a coma in June 2017 and died soon after. North Korea was accused of torturing Otto

Fred Warmbier said the US government should work to 'resolve' the crisis after Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, sprinted across with border with South Korea on Tuesday

Travis King crossed into North Korea shortly after being released from prison in South Korea

'We must give this young man the benefit of the doubt,' Warmbier told DailyMail.com

'We empathize with him and his family, no matter what the circumstances. North Korea is going to manipulate this situation, he is now a hostage, political prisoner and a pawn for the regime.

'Our government has levers in place to resolve these situations, let's hope they decide to take action,' he added.

Otto, a University of Virginia student, had entered North Korea on December 29, 2015, during a trip organized by Young Pioneer Tours.

The group had stayed at the Yanggakdo International Hotel in Pyongyang and celebrated New Year's Eve in Kim Il-sung Square. The country's authorities alleged that after the celebrations, Otto attempted to steal a propaganda poster from a staff-only area of the hotel.

The poster said 'let's arm ourselves strongly with Kim Jong-il's patriotism!'

He was convicted by North Korea on charges of trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

Otto's father said previously that his son was 'curious' about North Korea's culture and 'wanted to meet the people'.

While not providing a clear reason for Otto's brain damage, North Korea denied that he was tortured and insisted that it had provided him medical care with 'all sincerity'.

The North accused the United States of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the 'biggest victim' in his death.

The mystery was compounded by reports that Otto may have attempted suicide while he was imprisoned in the country.

North Korean authorities paraded Otto Warmbier after his arrest and he was made to issue a forced confession

Otto (pictured in North Korea), a University of Virginia student, had entered the country on December 29, 2015, during a trip organized by Young Pioneer Tours

In 2022, a U.S. federal judge in New York ruled that Warmbier's parents  Fred and Cindy Warmbier  should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501 million they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.

King was photographed moments before the crossing as he enjoyed a tour of the ultra high-security area.

He was pictured wearing a black t-shirt and hat purchased from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone as he peers across the border into the secretive communist country.

Witnesses said he laughed hysterically as he made the mad dash on Tuesday after fleeing his military superiors and joining the tour. The picture surfaced as it emerged King had a string of run-ins with police in South Korea for offences which included battering a man in a night club and damaging a police car.

Unconfirmed reports have said King 'defected' and his mother spoke out overnight on Tuesday to say she couldn't fathom her son doing 'anything like that'.

Court documents reveal that months earlier, King had faced two assault allegations and was fined by a South Korean court for damaging a police car.

He had also been troubled by the tragic death of his seven-year-old cousin from a rare genetic condition months before the incident, his uncle said.

He had served two months in prison for assault before his release in July and had been escorted to an airport by US Army officials to return home for military disciplinary proceedings.

US Army Private 2nd Class Travis King, circled, is pictured during the tour moments before his dash across the border into North Korea. His hat was purchased from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone

North Korea has still not produced the 23-year-old Private 2nd Class or acknowledged his arrest

But after they left him at airport security, King left the terminal and went on to the tour.

The U.S. military was scrambling to establish the fate of King, whose actions have thrown Washington into a new crisis in its dealing with the nuclear-armed state. US officials said on Tuesday that King crossed 'willfully and without authorization'.

His motive for his high-stakes gambit remains unclear.

The tourist who witnessed King's crossing and took the photo of the soldier, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'.

Leslie and her father, tourists from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea.

King was among the group of 43 tourists, although he was casually dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt and she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

Leslie said her tour group went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held.

To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didn't seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

A tourist who witnessed King's stunt, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'

Former President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on June 30, 2019 - the spot where King made his crossing

King crossed the border at Panmunjom, during a tour of the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running 'really fast'.

'I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do,' Leslie said. 'But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, 'Get that guy.''

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

But the soldiers didn't have time to respond. She said that after running about 10 meters (30 feet) down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Leslie said she didn't see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadn't seen King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

'People couldn't really quite believe what had happened,' Leslie said.

'Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other.'

King's mother, Claudine Gates, said last night she was 'so proud' of her son and added: 'I just want him to come home, come back to America.'

Gates, from Racine, Wisconsin, said: 'I can't see Travis doing anything like that.'
A college student in Florida has opened up about his horrifying shark attack ordeal, after nearly losing his foot to a fearsome fish while surfing.

Chris Pospisil was chasing waves on Friday when he was attacked in the waters of Volusia County's New Smyrna Beach, widely regarded as the shark attack capital of the world.

'The shark came from under me, on my board and tipped me backwards off my board, and I was falling backwards, I saw my foot in his mouth, and it dragged me under,' Pospisil told WOFL-TV from his hospital bed.

Fortunately for the University of Central Florida student, his good surfing buddy Reece Redish was close at hand, and jumped into action to save him.

'Immediately when I resurfaced, Reece was already there, already on top of me, got me by my shirt, and pulled me on the board,' recalled Pospisil.

Chris Pospisil was chasing waves on Friday when he was attacked in the waters of Volusia County's New Smyrna Beach, widely regarded as the shark attack capital of the world

The University of Central Florida student is on his school's surf team, and luckily a good friend was close at hand to pull him from the water and back to shore

Redish told the local Fox affiliate that he didn't think twice about rushing to the rescue, saying: 'I'm not going to leave my friend in the water. I'm willing to put myself at risk to help out anyone.'

Pospisil suffered serious injuries, but surgeons managed to save his foot, and he believes the outcome could have been far worse if his friend had failed to act.

'Reece really made the difference. You know, if he wasn't there, I think it could have been way worse, and I think I definitely wouldn't have gotten to the shore in time and probably would have passed out in the water,' he said.

Once Redish got his buddy back to shore, lifeguards rushed over to help stop the bleeding.

'I remember asking the lifeguard, 'Am I going to lose my foot?' He was like, 'I don't know man,' Pospilsil told WKMG-TV.

Following the attack, Pospisil was rushed to an area hospital, where he underwent a four-hour emergency surgery, during which doctors found pieces of a shark's tooth lodged in his ankle, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser to pay his recovery costs.

Surgeons repaired repaired seven tendons and several blood vessels and had to make a large skin graft to wrap around Pospisil's wound.

Pospisil, seen surfing above, was chasing waves on Friday when he was attacked in the waters of New Smyrna Beach, widely regarded as the shark attack capital of the world

Pospisil's surfing buddy Reece Redish (above) was close at hand, and jumped into action to save him from the shark attack

Pospisil, seen surfing above, suffered serious injuries, but surgeons managed to save his foot, and he believes the outcome could have been far worse if his friend had failed to act

'It hasn't changed anything. I'm definitely going to keep surfing. It's my lifestyle, and it's something I love to do,' said Pospisil

New Smyrna Beach (seen in 2019) is popular for its white sand beaches, pristine waters, and surfable waves, but the area is also known for its high concentration of shark attacks

The student has now been discharged from the hospital and is moving around on crutches, but will have to stay off the injured foot for six to eight weeks.

Pospisil also faces about six months of physical therapy and says he may not regain full function of the injured foot.

'The top of my foot is going to be numb in some areas for the rest of my life, and my foot might be stiff because they had to repair all seven tendons,' he told WOFL.

Despite the traumatic ordeal, both Pospisil and Redish say they plan to return to surfing, the sport that first brought them together as friends during the COVID pandemic.

'It hasn't changed anything. I'm definitely going to keep surfing. It's my lifestyle, and it's something I love to do,' said Pospisil, who is on his university's surf team.

It wasn't immediately clear what kind of shark attacked the surfer, but the most common sharks in the area include lemon sharks and blacktip sharks.

New Smyrna Beach is popular for its white sand beaches, pristine waters, and surfable waves, but the area is also known for its high concentration of shark attacks.

The attack on Pospisil marked the second shark attack in the area this year, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Earlier this year, New Smyrna Beach topped a list of America's 10 'deadliest' beaches from online travel publication Travel Lens.
A Mississippi sheriff has been accused of coercing multiple woman into having sex with him after they were arrested.

One local woman, Amber Jones, came forward and alleged that Eddie Scott, Sheriff of Clay County, Mississippi repeatedly forced her into sex during a stint in jail in 2017.

In a previous filing against the sheriff, seen by the New York Times, he is also accused of coercing a woman into a sexual relationship to avoid jail.

Another woman, Caitlyn Wilson, who previously worked at the Sheriff's Office in Clay County, has also filed a suit against Scott, claiming he frequently sexually harassed her.

Speaking to Mississippi Today, Scott has slammed claims against him, saying they are 'absolutely false' and that he 'welcomes any investigation'.

Sheriff of Clay County Eddie Scott, pictured here, has been accused by numerous woman of using his position to coerce them into sexual relationships

Amber Jones said Scott offered her home passes to arrange sexual encounters during her eight months in jail starting in 2017. pic.twitter.com/kRBzyErxs9  Mississippi Today (@MSTODAYnews) July 19, 2023

Scott became a full-time deputy for the Clay County Sheriffs Office in 1999, and was appointed Sheriff in 2012 after winning the 2011 election.

Amber Jones had been arrested for violating her probation in May 2017 and in that summer the then 21-year-old was called down to Scott's office.

Jones claims Scott asked if she would like help to fill out paperwork, to which she agreed - becoming an inmate with special privileges, working for the jail administrator.

Jones told the Times that one day while in the office, Scott asked her: 'If you take this splinter out of my finger, I'll give you an eight-hour home pass.'

Wanting to see her family, she says she agreed and after signing her out of the jail himself he drove a mile down the road when he stopped the car and told her she had to change.

Jones claims she was then taken to his home and led to a bedroom where he gave her clothes to change into.

She alleges that he then came up behind her and began touching her, before pulling her to a bed and forcing her to have sex with him.

Jones said: 'I felt like I was worthless, like I didnt have any control over my own body. There was nothing I could do to stop it.'

Over the next eight months of her time in jail, Jones claimed this became a regular pattern - being offered home passes for sexual encounters.

Amber Jones, pictured here, came forward and alleged that Scott repeatedly forced her into sex during a stint in jail in 2017

Jones alleges that Scott, pictured on the right, came up behind her and began touching her, before pulling her to a bed and forcing her to have sex with him

Her accusations have also been detailed in a lawsuit filed by former employee of Clay County Sheriff's Office Caitlyn Wilson.

Wilson's suit claims that Scott sexually harassed Wilson and it cites Jones's allegations as evidence of his mistreatment of women.

But in a video interview, Scott said: 'Amber is a sweet likeable girl on the face, but we learned she is one of the biggest con artists that ever walked the face of the Earth.'

When questioned about her allegations, he said: 'Well that is absolutely false, I welcome any investigation.

'A couple times she had come by up here, she was dealing with family issues. She would come back, she would send text messages.'

Scott said that had he taken her out of jail he would have been recorded on video and in sign-out sheets.

When reporters asked him about these materials, he said that the computer system that logged such information was broken.

Jones also told the Times that after she left jail, Scott sent her a friend request on social media Snapchat

Scott, pictured on the right, had denied the allegations against him and called Jones a con-artist

She claims on this app, he would ask her for 'updates', his codeword for nude photographs of her.

Scott denied this, saying he couldn't remember what he had meant by 'update' and that it did not involve nude pictures.

A further two women also claimed they had been taken to the house for sex and ordered to remove their clothes before being given boxer shorts to put on.

One woman said in a state circuit court that Scott had promised to keep her out of prison, before driving her to a hog farm and having sex in his patrol car.

An inappropriate letter he is alleged to have penned to her in 2011, he said: 'Hey sexy.

'Got my blood pumping hard after reading the last two letters. Cant stop thinking of how tight it is. I want all of that and more if you can.'

At the time, Judge Jim Kitchens ruled against the woman, and there is no record of any internal investigation or disciplinary review.

In Wilson's suit, she describes an alleged group chat in which Sheriff Scott is claimed to have sent employees a stream of sexually explicit messages.

A review of the messages by the Times is said to have referred to women as 'hookers, 'heifers' and 'hos'.

Miss Wilson said that she decided to file a complaint after she said Scott rubbed his crotch against her.

She said: 'I felt very violated. I was just so shocked and surprised because he was my boss.'

Several weeks following her complaint being filed, she said she was isolated in the Sheriff's office and her boyfriend, Captain Jeremy Bell, was then suspended.

Due to her mentioning Jones in her complaint, Jones is said to have been pulled over by a narcotics officer who discovered needles filled with meth in her vehicle.

Jones claims that a former deputy who worked for Scott planted the drugs so she would end up back in jail.

A cellphone recording allegedly captures the former deputy, Kyle Eaves, seemingly admit to this.

The case against Scott filed by Wilson is set to go to the trial next year.

DailyMail.com has approached the Sheriff's Office in Clay County, Mississippi, for comment.
A prison English teacher has been jailed after starting a romantic relationship with a prisoner and smuggling in five phones for him.

Rhian Carpenter, 45, placed her prison colleagues at risk by providing the phones to the inmate with whom she proceeded to exchange flirtatious messages, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Mother-of-three Carpenter began teaching at Bridgend's HMP Parc, which is a men's private prison and Young Offenders Institution, in May last year.

Soon after she started the role, one of her students applied to be her teaching assistant.

The man, who was in prison for drug offences, subsequently asked her to smuggle a phone in for him, which she did.

Over the next few months the two swapped romantic text messages and kissed when others were not around.

Rhian Carpenter, 45, has been sentenced to a total of 12 months for smuggling phones into a Bridgend prison

Mother-of-three Carpenter began teaching at Bridgend's HMP Parc (pictured), which is a men's private prison and Young Offenders Institution, in May last year

Prosecutor Gareth James said the relationship did not go further than kissing.

However, it led to Carpenter smuggling a further four phones into the prison in October and November 2022.

Carpenter claimed she was under 'emotional pressure' from the inmate and at the time she thought he had feelings for her, something she no longer believes.

She had recently gone through a divorce and was 'vulnerable', her lawyer said on Tuesday.

The court heard that the prisoner 'exploited' his relationship with Carpenter and threatened to tell guards about it.

He transferred Carpenter money for some of the phones and on multiple occasions he told her he had 'lost' his phone and needed another, the court heard.

Carpenter had received anti-corruption training when she was hired, warning her not to start bringing items in for prisoners who asked.

She was spoken to by the prison's corruption team but did not disclose any concerns about her professionalism or wellbeing.

Carpenter claimed she was under 'emotional pressure' from the inmate and at the time she thought he had feelings for her, something she no longer believes. Pictured: HMP Parc

She was eventually discovered when the prison used a device to detect a signal from a prohibited phone, on which Carpenter's phone number was stored.

She then made a 'full and frank admission' and was arrested.

The defendant was charged with three counts of bringing List B items - the five phones - into prison and one count of misconduct in public office.

The court heard that she had no previous convictions, was genuinely remorseful and admitted to more offences than she was questioned over and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Having been a teacher in primary schools and adult learning for 21 years, Carpenter's barrister said she was of 'good character personally and professionally', adding that there were risks to her mental wellbeing if she is imprisoned.

Her daughter's complex medical needs, which require Carpenter to be at home to help, were also detailed.

Her lawyer added that she was at a very low risk of harm or re-offending and would never work as a teacher again.

While Mr Recorder Andrew Hammond recognised these mitigating factors, he pointed out the 'significant risk of harm' Carpenter created for colleagues by smuggling the phones.

He said they could be used to organise intimidation of prison staff or engage in criminal activity.

Mr Hammond also acknowledged the 'strong public interest in deterrent sentencing'.

He told Carpenter: '[You engaged in] deliberate behaviour in full knowledge that what you were doing was harmful and wrong, clearly targeted by an inmate who wanted to exploit you.'

He added: 'It is clear that you knew what you were doing when you entered into a relationship... the criminality of your actions was obvious to you.'

Carpenter pleaded guilty to all four charges.

Taking into account the mitigating factors and guilty plea, Mr Hammond sentenced her to four months imprisonment for the misconduct and eight months for the phone offences.

The sentences for misconduct offence and smuggling the first phone will be served consecutively to reflect the gravity of Carpenter's initial actions.

The subsequent sentences for smuggling the phones will be served concurrently to reflect the 'subsequent level of pressure' the defendant was under.

In total, Carpenter was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and will serve the first six in custody.
The websites of two major British airports have gone down amid claims they have been targeted by Russian hackers.

Birmingham Airport and London City Airport were affected by technical issues this afternoon, with visitors struggling to access their websites.

Those trying to get on to the websites are instead being redirected to error pages that say they cannot connect due to 'bad gateways' and indicating there are issues with the sites' servers.

Two Russian hacker groups - UserSec and Anonymous Russia - have claimed responsibility for the outages in what appears to be retaliation for Nato's support of Ukraine.

On its Telegram page UserSec, which has previously targeted Swedish airline SAS, wrote: 'We decided to put one of the largest airports in the UK to sleep. Glory to Russia!'

The hacking group UserSec also shared a post by Anonymous Russia in which it took responsibility for taking down Birmingham Airport's website

Pro-Russia hacking collective UserSec posted on Wednesday that it had taken down the website for London City Airport

Users trying to access Birmingham Airport's website were sent to an error page saying there was a 'gateway time-out'

Those trying to get onto London City Airport's website received a similar message warning there was an error with the host

It also shared a post by Anonymous Russia which said: 'Anonymous Russia joins the attack on UK airports! Before your eyes, the sleeping international British airport Birmingham! Glory to Russia!'

According to Check-Host, a tool that monitors websites and their availability, both Birmingham and London City suffered server errors on Wednesday afternoon.

The causes for this have not yet been confirmed, with Birmingham Airport saying it is looking into the issues, and there is no indication it is affecting normal operations at the airports.

A spokesman for Birmingham Airport said: 'Some people have reported our website has been loading slowly this afternoon. We are investigating.'

A London City Airport spokesman said: 'London City Airport is currently operating as normal.

'London City Airports website is up and running, but access was briefly restricted this afternoon. Our IT team is investigating the issue.'

Russian hacker groups have targeted western nations since Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in revenge for their support of Kyiv.

UserSec first came to prominence in February this year when it worked with another Russian hacker collective, KillNet, to target multiple hospitals and medical providers in the United States.

The same month it took part in an attack on Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) which took its website offline.
Police have been scrambled to clear a rabble of climate change campaigners blockading two key oil sites.

Activists from This is Rigged are causing chaos at the Ineos refinery in Grangemouth, Fife, and the Nustar Clydebank oil terminal in West Dunbartonshire today as they seek to 'shut down the Scottish oil industry'.

Police with climbing equipment moved in to tackle the eco clowns after several protesters blocked the front gate of the Grangemouth facility while others scaled oil tankers or occupied pipework within the facility.

The action comes as This is Rigged threatened further protests in a 'sustained' effort to disrupt Scottish oil supplies, with the group warning: 'We have no plans to stop.'

They added: 'We are shutting down the oil industry in Scotland to demand that the Scottish government steps up and says no new oil, and implements a fair transition for workers.'

Protesters from This Is Rigged scaled an oil tanker during a demonstration in Scotland today

Activists blockaded the entrance to the Ineos refinery in Grangemouth (pictured), Fife, and the Nustar Clydebank oil terminal in West Dunbartonshire today as they seek to 'shut down the Scottish oil industry'

Police were scrambled to tackle the protesters, who had targeted two sites

It is unclear if This is Rigged will target facilities elsewhere in the UK. MailOnline has approached the group for comment.

Oil firm Ineos insisted production at its site near Falkirk had been unaffected by the protesters' actions, despite the This is Rigged claiming to have 'immobilised a car park full of tankers',

However, Ineos did say that its tanker terminal had been shut down as a precaution.

Taking to Twitter, This is Rigged wrote: 'Grangemouth supplies 90% of Scotland's oil. We have stopped oil leaving this site, as well as Nustar Terminal in Clydebank. We have no plans to stop.

'Groups of people are currently occupying pipework and a fuel silo and blockading terminal gates, while another group has immobilised a car park full of tankers at the Grangemouth facility. No fuel can leave the sites while they are occupied.

'The action is the first in a sustained series of actions, in which the group has vowed to shut down the Scottish oil industry.'

The eco mob called on the Scottish Government to implement a just transition for oil and gas workers 'instead of assisting billionaires like (Ineos owner) Jim Ratcliffe'.

They added: 'Dinnae fash yersel (don't worry), Jim, we're not going anywhere.'

Police Scotland confirmed five people people had been arrested following the demonstrations today.

Climate change activists climbed onto to tankers, with police needing to be deployed with specialist climbing equipment to remove them

Police are pictured speaking to some of the protesters who were involved in today's blockade

A police van is pictured aat the Ineos refinery in Grangemouth, Fife in Scotland

Activists sprayed 'stop oil' onto the side of a tanker as they staged a day of protests

Others, armed with signs and flags, climbed on top of the oil tankers during the demonstration

Grangemouth releases about 2.4million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year, according to figures campaigners obtained from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

An Ineos official said emissions had declined by more than 40 per cent since it bought the site in 2005.

The spokesperson said: 'We have a robust roadmap in place that will deliver on our commitments to be a net zero manufacturer by 2045.

'Our products and their applications are helping others to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions too.'

Nustar has been contacted for comment.
A federal judge on Wednesday said that a jury had found Donald Trump guilty of raping writer E. Jean Carroll in the normal sense of the word, rejecting his claim that a jury had vindicated him and throwing out his request for a new trial.

It comes after a New York Jury in May found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the writer and awarded her $5m in damages.

Carroll, 79, accused Trump, 77, of raping her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. He dismissed the accusation as a hoax.

His lawyers tried to argue that the damages award was 'excessive' because the jury found he had not raped her.

But U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan dismissed the argument, saying the jury was acting on a very narrow, legalistic definition of the term 'rape.'

A federal judge on Wednesday said that a jury had found Donald Trump guilty of raping writer E. Jean Carroll in the normal sense of the word, rejecting his claim that a jury had vindicated him and throwing out his request for a new trial

E. Jean Carroll (C) is seen here leaving a Manhattan federal court house in May after the jury found that former president Donald J. Trump was liable for sexually abusing her

'The finding that Ms. Carroll failed to prove that she was "raped" within the meaning of the New York Penal Law does not mean that she failed to prove that Mr. Trump "raped" her as many people commonly understand the word "rape,"' he wrote in a 59-page decision.

'Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that.'

His finding is the latest legal blow to Trump. He has been charged in two criminal cases since leaving office  involving a hush money payment to a porn star, and his handling of classified documents  and on Tuesday revealed that he may soon face charges in a federal probe into the 2020 election.

He has denied wrongdoing in all three, and claims to be the victim of a political witch hunt.

Wednesday's ruling leaves May's verdicts and damages award in place.

'The jury's unanimous verdict in Carroll II was almost entirely in favor of Ms. Carroll,' wrote Kaplan.

'The only point on which Ms. Carroll did not prevail was whether she had proved that Mr. Trump had "raped" her within the narrow, technical meaning of a particular section of the New York Penal Law  a section that provides that the label "rape" as used in criminal prosecutions in New York applies only to vaginal penetration by a penis,' said Kaplan.

'Forcible, unconsented-to penetration of the vagina or of other bodily orifices by fingers, other body parts, or other articles or materials is not called "rape" under the New York Penal Law. It instead is labeled "sexual abuse."'

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan dismissed the argument put forward by Trump's lawyers, saying the jury was acting on a very narrow, legalistic definition of the term 'rape'

Kaplan's ruling came down to a discussion of the definition of the term 'rape'

He dismissed the Trump team's argument that he had groped 'her breasts through her clothing.'

'Instead, the proof convincingly established, and the jury implicitly found, that Mr. Trump deliberately and forcibly penetrated Ms. Carrolls vagina with his fingers, causing immediate pain and long lasting emotional and psychological harm.'

In a footnote, he added that the U.S. Attorney General introduced a broader definition of rape in 2012: 'Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.'

Lawyers for Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, did not immediately comment after the judge's ruling.

Carroll's attorney welcomed the outcome.

'Now that the court has denied Trump's motion for a new trial or to decrease the amount of the verdict, E Jean Carroll looks forward to receiving the $5 million in damages that the jury awarded her,' said Robbie Kaplan, who is not related to the judge.
A Tory MP has been blasted for incorrectly spelling the name of a village where she plans to meet her constituents.

Katherine Fletcher also printed the wrong postcode for the venue where she plans to listen to any problems raised by local residents.

A flier distributed by her office contained two glaring errors  much to the anger of residents who also complained that the only time she has set aside for the meeting is in the middle of the afternoon when many are at work.

Staff working for the MP for South Ribble in Lancashire sent out the error strewn flier to local residents to publicise a chance to meet and talk with her about local concerns.

The hour-long session is being held at the Caffe Manna in the village of Eccleston, near Chorley.

Katherine Fletcher was blasted by constituents for misspelling the name of a village she was planning to meet them in and providing the wrong postcode

But on the colour flier - featuring a picture of the MP working at her desk - the village is spelled with an extra e as Ecclestone.

Its postcode is given as PR5 5SZ  a location that is seven miles from the Cafe. The correct postcode is PR7 5SZ.

One resident said: I have just received a leaflet from Katherine Fletcher MPs office inviting the local village to a local cafe to have one hour to raise any questions with her and meet her.

The only problem is, she has spelt the name of the village wrong and has put a postcode on it which is a location 7 miles away from the cafe!

She has no regard for our village or the people in it and cant even spell its name correctly.

Fletcher,46, was elected for the first time to Parliament in 2019.

She was appointed Minister for Women during Liz Trusss short lived tenure as Prime Minister and has served as under secretary of state in the Department of Transport.

Her constituency includes three borough councils, South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancs comprising a population of 74,000.

The planned meeting with residents in Eccleston is due to take place on July 26th  but there are complaints at its timing.

One resident said: She is very, very difficult to contact since she was elected in 2019 so I am sure many people will wish to see her.

She is only making herself available for one hour at 3-4pm on a Wednesday when most people are still at work. It is ludicrous!

Fletcher, the MP for South Ribble, Lancashire, made the error on a flier advertising an hour-long session at Caffe Manna

In response to the poster errors Katherine Fletcher told Mail Online: It was a printing error on one poster and it has now been changed.

I have had a great response from local people about my Meet Your MP events taking place across South Ribble in locations like Higher and Lower Penwortham, Eccleston, Longton, Croston, Rufford, Mawdesley and Tarleton over the coming week.

I am certainly looking forward to meeting residents to hear their thoughts and concerns. That is a big part of being a visible MP.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to set up every meeting at a time that will be convenient for everyone.

For those residents who cannot make the meeting, I hold surgeries at my office in Leyland nearly every Friday and I can also offer virtual surgeries.
The 60-year-old transferred funds to account of a man she met on dating site

An ex-police officer wo stole 1m from her employer to hand over to a man she believed 'wanted to marry her' has been jailed for two years.

Manjit Singh secretly made eight transactions from her solicitor employer's account to the bank account of a man she met on a dating website who requested financial help.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the 60-year-old former Malaysian police officer believed the man would repay her, but both he and the money have 'vanished' and are yet to be traced by police.

Singh, of Warwick Street, Toxteth, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to eight offences of fraud by abuse of position between September 23 and October 5, 2021.

Peter Killen, prosecuting, told the court Singh had been employed by Lei Dat & Baig solicitors, based on Renshaw Street in the city centre, from 2014 where she initially worked as a volunteer on IT systems.

She became a full time employee in 2017 and by 2019, was working on cases and had been trained to transfer money between client and office amounts, and make payments under the supervision of Mr Baig.

On the evening of October 6, 2021, Mr Baig checked his business account and found just 40,000, having expected to see a balance of 800,000.

Manjit Singh secretly made eight transactions from her solicitor employer's account to the bank account of a man she met on a dating website who requested financial help

He found there had been eight transactions made, the first for 1,000 on September 23, followed by transfers of 5,000 and 14,200 the next day.

Thereafter came deposits of 47,000 on September 27, 87,700 on September 29 and 155,080 on September 30. The transactions finally rose to 388,200 on October 4 and 260,000 on October 5, bringing the total to 958,180.

He called Singh, who said the transfers had been properly made and said she would check the following day. The next morning, she sent him a message saying she had identified the problem and that she would resolve it, alongside an image of a cheque for 945,000 purportedly payable to the firm.

Mr Baig contacted the bank and found the transfers had gone to an account in Ireland in the name of Patricia Flannery. Singh told him she had mistakenly made transfers from the firm instead of her own account, and falsely claimed to have 2million in a Malaysian account.

'She sent to Mr Baig the image of a cheque was coming from her partner Ravi Jani', Mr Killen told the court. 'The defendant said that Mr Jani had funds to repay the firm and showed screenshots of a bank account containing $2,361,500.'

She then rang the number she had for Mr Jani and gave the phone to Mr Baig, who spoke to man claiming to be Mr Jani, who said the funds would be repaid that day.

But Mr Baig opted to suspend his bank account out of caution.

'The defendant sent a further images of a Barclays transfer to Mr Baig', Mr Killen added. 'This transfer was not made and Mr Baig realized his firm was in jeopardy and called the police and the defendant was arrested.

'Mr Baig gave the police emails from the defendant purportedly to parties engaged in the shipping of equipment to Ravi Jani. The emails also contained details of payments required for release of materials for shipping.'

Singh, of Warwick Street, Toxteth, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to eight offences of fraud by abuse of position between September 23 and October 5, 2021

When interviewed by police, Singh admitted making the transfers and said: 'It's just a stupid thing that I have done thinking that I was helping someone and then I end up getting myself caught, thinking the money would come back to the account you know and all would be ok'.

'She explained the transfers were for a man called Ravi she had met online', Mr Killen said. 'She believed that Ravi wanted to marry her, she believed he was currently in Dubai working.

'She met him on a site called Asian.Shaadi.com which is a site for people interested in getting married,' said Mr Killen.

Singh explained that she initially denied his request for a few thousand pounds, but then agreed. He asked for larger and larger payments on the basis he would be able to travel from Dubai once equipment was shipped.

Singh, who divorced in 2019, previously said she had hoped to marry Mr Jani.

She said they had numerous phone calls a day and she saw him once or twice on FaceTime.

When her bank accounts were examined there was no evidence of any financial benefit to her.

Police attempted to identify Mr Jani through an Interflora delivery Singh has received in work two weeks previously, which was linked to an IP address in Cape Town, South Africa, but the customer was not found.

The funds sent to Ireland were immediately transferred to two further untraceable separate accounts, believed to be in Spain.

Mr Killen said that analysis of her phone showed hundreds of messages over a month long chat log.

Mr Jani, who claimed to be on a rig, kept coming up with reasons as to why he needed money and why he had not come to the UK.

The court heard that Singh understood the transfers were wrong. On September 20 she messaged Ravi saying, 'You have or do not have the money is not the issue it's just me putting my years of working at stake' and she added that she was 'putting my whole life at stake here.'

The 60-year-old former Malaysian police officer believed the man would repay her, but both he and the money have 'vanished' and are yet to be traced by police

Mr Jani kept assuring her the money would be repaid but, on the evening of October 7, he stopped answering messages.

The court heard that the solicitor's firm has since been reimbursed by its insurers, but that it now faces higher charges. Mr Baig is now on anti-depressants, and has been forced to put forward his personal assets to guarantee payments.

Gwen Renshaw, defending, said the messages between Singh and Mr Jani were illuminating and shows she was extremely vulnerable.

'He repeatedly told her she was beautiful, that he cared for her and would look after her and they were in love', she said.

'She was told she was beautiful, he would care for her and look after her and they were in love. She is at a loss as to how she could have been so naive.

'At the time, she was going through a very difficult period. It would seem she was ripe for exploitation as a result of a number of factors.

'She clearly believed the line Ravi Jani was spinning her. She believed she was helping a man she loved and the money would be returned.

'The defendant clearly bitterly regrets her involvement in this offence. Ms Singh feels incredibly stupid for having been taken in and acted as she did.'

She added that Singh, who has long standing mental health problems, was going through a difficult time.

The court heard that Singh's father, who had been shot, was a police officer. Her siblings were also in the force.

Singh left the force after her father's death and came to the UK, where she worked for charities including Women's Aid.

Singh was sentenced to two years behind bars at Liverpool Crown Court

She married someone from a different faith, who was unfaithful and left her while she was suffering from cancer, Ms Henshaw said.

Her ex-partner then had a child in a new relationship. Singh was unable to have children due to her cancer.

Judge David Aubrey, KC, said that only an immediate jail sentence was appropriate and put her behind bars for two years.

'This is not an easy sentencing exercise because not only were you a fraudster, you were also a victim of a fraud and what has rightly been called a romance fraud,' the judge said to her.

'You were duped and were yourself subject of a classic online con. You did not receive one penny for that which you did dishonestly and at the time is is quite apparent you had been exploited.'

He told Singh that before Mr Jani came into her life, she was a woman of impeccable character.

'The amount stolen by her 'is in truth quite staggering - 958,180 - which is just short of 1m', he added.

'You had gone on a site for those who wish to get married and there you 'met' the devious and so-called Ravi Jani. He inveigled his way into your life, you were accommodating. Indeed in my judgement you were in awe.

'You were under his spell while he spun a yarn to you because you were seeking marriage. There was never going to be any sailing into the sunset with him.'

'He sought to build up a relationship with you. He groomed you, he was manipulative and exploited you, reading out to your heart, promising to come to the UK and marry you.

'The stories he told you got more and more fanciful and the transfers were higher and higher. He had your vulnerability in the palms of his hands and you were in his clutches.'
Villagers living near Britains newest ghost town have told of their anger that developers have caused their prized local services to become overwhelmed by building the sprawling development back to front.

Residents of Northstowe  a 10,000-home development near Cambridge which has no medical facility, no shops, no library, no pub, no library and just one bus an hour - must rely on the services of the surrounding rural communities.

But patients at the nearby doctors surgeries have told how they are forced to wait up to four weeks for an appointment and fear the situation will become dramatically worse as the town reaches its 26,000 capacity population.

The nearby village of Willingham has a population of 4,500.

But the medical practice now caters for some 11,000 patients  with more than half coming from Northstowe  causing weeks of delay in appointments.

Villagers living near Britains newest ghost town have told of their anger that developers have caused their prized local services to become overwhelmed by building the sprawling development back to front

The 10,000-home development in Northstowe near Cambridge has no medical facility, no shops, no library, no pub, no library and just one bus an hour

Retired civil servant Richard Hart told MailOnline, pictured with his wife Alyson: Northstowe is putting a huge pressure on our GPs surgery'

Retired district nurse Margaret Blackburn told how she needs regular check-ups to monitor her diabetes. But she has been forced to wait a week after changing her appointment

Patient representative Chris Thornhill told MailOnline: The Willingham Medical Practice is completely overwhelmed. It is a well-run practice with about eight doctors, but they can hardly cope with demand.

READ MORE: Why we love living in Cambridge's 'ghost town' Northstowe near Cambridge has been ridiculed over its lack of facilities more than six years after households first started moving in Advertisement

Some 4,500 people live in the village but now the practice has about 11,000 patients. And many of them live in Northstowe.

This is causing huge delays in appointments. It now takes about four weeks to get an appointment.

Student Mia Parker added: I had to wait four weeks for an appointment. Its pretty obvious its because of all the new houses down the road in Northstowe.

Mr Thornhill, a retired civil engineer, blames the developers for man of the problems blighting surrounding communities.

He told MailOnline: The whole development has been done back to front.

The doctors surgery and the shops should have opened in Northstowe when the people started moving in.

But for some reason the developers have not done so.

They have opened up the schools but nothing else.

And because there are hardly any transport links everyone has to drive, which is causing problems with the traffic.

Meanwhile some three miles away at another GPs practice in the village of Swavesey patients are experiencing similar delays with appointments and a growing problem with traffic.

Retired civil servant Richard Hart told MailOnline: Northstowe is putting a huge pressure on our GPs surgery.

It already takes four weeks to get an appointment and thats before all of the houses at Northstowe have been built and the residents moved in.

So its going to get even more difficult. And some people cant even get on the doctors list. Our facilities are simply being overwhelmed.

Mr Hart, 66, added: Weve lived in Swavesey for 35 years and it has changed dramatically over the past two years since Northstowe has been built.

Traffic has become terrible. In the morning there are tail-backs to the A14!

Everyone cuts through the village to get to Northstowe. Its down-right dangerous.

Retired district nurse Margaret Blackburn told how she needs regular check-ups to monitor her diabetes.

But she has been forced to wait a week after changing her appointment.

Margaret, 93, told MailOnline: All the new people moving to the area are putting a huge strain on the facilities.

I have diabetes and I need regular check-ups. And when I had to change my appointment I couldnt get another booking for a week!

I dont know why they have built that new town without providing any facilities.

Local businessman Mark Squires claimed that local service  including a doctors surgery, shops and other facilities  were supposed to have been put in place in Northstowe before residents moved in.

Mr Squires, who restores arcade games, told MailOnline: Ive seen the building plans and the contractor was supposed to put in all the facilities before the residents moved into Northstowe.

But they claim everything got delayed because of Covid. They got the schools open and there is a community centre. But there are no shops and no doctors surgery.

So it is putting pressure on our GPs here in Swavesey. They are very good doctors but they are overwhelmed!

Other residents of this quiet part of Cambridgeshire have told how Northstowe has ruined their country idyl.

A general view of houses in the new town of Northstowe which is gradually being built near Cambridge

Mr Hart, 66, added: Weve lived in Swavesey for 35 years and it has changed dramatically over the past two years since Northstowe has been built

Local businessman Mark Squires claimed that local service  including a doctors surgery, shops and other facilities  were supposed to have been put in place in Northstowe before residents moved in

One elderly resident who gave her name as Elizabeth, 68, said: Theyve already completed the first development at Northstowe and they are starting on the second plot. Once they finish that me and my husband are leaving.

These 10,000 new homes have ruined the area. Longstanton was once a really peaceful area. But now its getting far to busy and no longer has the same atmosphere.

The GPs is already overrun. The current infrastructure just cant cope.

A young mum from Swavesey added: The traffic passing through Swavesey has completely ruined the village.

I cant let my two-year-old walk down the road because there are cars thundering down the road all day long. Its not on!

The closest dentist to Northstowe is in nearby Longstanton but it is not accepting any new NHS patients.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that U.S. lawmakers who question the right of the Jewish State are 'anti-Semitic.'

In a fiery speech to a joint session of Congress, Herzog acknowledge criticism of Israel, but said the 'new generation' of leaders in the U.S. need to realize the importance of the bond between the two countries.

Progressive Democrats continue to criticize the Jewish State and several members of the so-called 'squad' skipped out on his remarks on Wednesday.

'I am not oblivious to criticism among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House,' Herzog said in his remarks. 'I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it.'

'But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the State of Israel's right to exist. Questioning the Jewish people's right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is anti-semitism,' he insisted.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog slammed members of Congress for crossing the line of criticism to 'anti-Semitism' toward the Jewish State

Immediately backing-up Herzog's claim was the noticeable absence of members of Congress critical of Israel's existence, which puts on display the blatant anti-Semitism they have been accused of espousing in the past.

Herzog's remarks come on the heels of Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., calling Israel a 'racist State.'

Palestinian Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a member of the 'squad,' tweeted on Sunday that she will be skipping Herzog's remarks.

Also noticeably absent from the House chamber on Wednesday was Reps. Jayapal, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

Herzog called the relationship with the U.S. 'mutually beneficial' and shared his concerns that the 'new generations' of Americans becoming leaders in Congress are not 'privy to the hardship of Israel's formative years' and 'less engaged in the roots that connect our peoples.'

'When the United States is strong, Israel is stronger. And when Israel is strong, the United States is more secure,' Herzog said.

Noticeably absent from the House Chamber on Wednesday were members of the progressive 'squad,' including Reps. AOC, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Pramila Jayapal, who have all been accused in the past of anti-Semitism

Tlaib posted an image on the Capitol stairs on Sunday announcing she would boycott Herzog's remarks to Congress

Tlaib wrote on Twitter Sunday: 'In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israel's apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzog's joint address to Congress. I urge all Members of Congress who stand for human rights for all to join me.'

'In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israel's apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzog's joint address to Congress,' she wrote. 'I urge all Members of Congress who stand for human rights for all to join me.'

Included in the tweet is an image of Tlaib standing on the steps of the Capitol with a sign reading: 'Boycott Apartheid.'

Democrats are clearly split on their support of the Jewish State. Rep. Jerry Nadler was waving a miniature Israeli flag from his seat for Herzog while other members of his party didn't even attend the remarks.

Also on display in the chamber are the continuing chasms of the Republican Party, with Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Lauren Boebert, R-Col., situated nearly on complete opposite ends of their Party's side of the Chamber.

Herzog met with a series of lawmakers and leaders in Washington, D.C. during a trip to the U.S. this week to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

Before his remarks, Herzog met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and on Tuesday met with President Joe Biden.

Meanwhile, progressive Jayapal was forced over the weekend to walkback on comments claiming Israel is a 'racist' state after intense backlash from even members of her own Party.

Herzog asserted that Iran is one of the biggest threats to the Middle East and national security of the world order, saying: 'Let there be no doubt  Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes'

In a statement Monday, 43 congressional Democrats condemned her comments.

'We are deeply concerned about Representative Pramila Jayapal's unacceptable comments regarding our historic, democratic ally Israel, and we appreciate her retraction,' they wrote. 'Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people and efforts to delegitimize and demonize it are not only dangerous and antisemitic, but they also undermine America's national security.'

Herzog struck a chord with both sides of the Chamber on Wednesday when he asserted: 'Mr. Speaker, perhaps the greatest challenge Israel and the United States face at this time is the Iranian nuclear program.'

'Let there be no doubt  Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,' he added to a roaring standing ovation from lawmakers.

On Sunday, Jaypal issued a lengthy statement that still defended the sentiment behind her comments by claiming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racist.

'Words do matter and so it is important that I clarify my statement,' the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus wrote. 'I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist.'

'I do, however, believe that Netanyahu's extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists driving that policy within the leadership of the current government,' she added.

She apologized 'to those who I have hurt with my words' and said she was only trying to 'defuse a tense situation' with her comments at the progressive Netroots Nation conference over the weekend.

Jayapal made her comments while trying to calm a group holding Palestinian flags at the conference last week who were saying Democrats in Congress aren't doing enough to help Palestinians gain autonomy from Israel.

Rep. Jayapal was forced to walk-back on comments she made at the progressive Netroots Nation conference where she called Israel a 'racist state'

'Hey guys, Can I say something as somebody that's been in the streets and has participated in a lot of demonstrations? I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us, that it does not even feel possible,' she said.

'While you may have arguments with whether or not some of us onstage are fighting hard enough, I do want you to know that there is an organized opposition on the other side, and it isn't the people that are on this stage,' Jayapal added.

No. 3 House Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik tweeted: 'Israel is NOT a racist state.'

'House Republicans condemn the blatantly anti-Semitic and anti-Israel remarks made by Rep. Jayapal and condemn House Democrats' inaction to address the deep-rooted anti-Semitism in the Democrat Caucus,' the New York lawmaker added.
Honduras is planning to build a prison on a remote Caribbean island to send some of its most feared cartel bosses to.

President Xiomara Castro is organizing the plan to construct the 'new Devil's Island' - the only penal colony in the Western Hemisphere.

The project aims to isolate and detain the most feared gang leaders - including 2,000 members of the notorious MS-13 cartel - on the Swan Islands (Islas del Cisne) archipelago, situated 155 miles off the coast of Honduras.

The decision to build the remote prison comes in response to a harrowing incident where 46 women were tragically killed during a gang-related massacre inside one of the existing prisons.

Castro said she would 'take drastic measures' in response and crackdown on MS-13 gangs that have terrorized the Central American country for years.

Honduras is planning to build a prison in the Caribbean to send some of its most feared criminals to - including 2,000 MS-13 gang members - as the nation battles organized crime

This unprecedented project aims to isolate and detain the most-feared gang leaders on the Islas del Cisne archipelago, situated 155 miles off the coast

A prison agent guards a gang member as he is processed at his arrival after 2,000 gang members were transferred to the Terrorism Confinement Center, according to El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on February 24, 2023

While the president initially promised to address gang violence through comprehensive reforms to the criminal justice system, she is now focused on this new strategy.

Historically, island prisons were not uncommon in Latin America, with various facilities across countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and Peru.

The prisons on these isolated islands were notorious for their deadly riots, harsh conditions, and daring escapes, attracting the attention of filmmakers and authors - but the last island prison in Mexico closed its doors in 2019.

While Honduran authorities believe that revisiting this approach may help curb the wave of violence, others argue that such measures are merely superficial and fail to address the root causes of the endemic violence plaguing the nation.

Some experts, like Tiziano Breda, a Latin America specialist at Italy's Instituto Affari Internazionali, said that a new prison alone is insufficient without first regaining control of the existing penitentiaries - as criminal gangs can adapt to the changes.

President Xiomara Castro is organizing the plan to construct the 'new Devil's Island' - the only island prison colony in the Western Hemisphere

At least 2,000 members were forced to sit half naked at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in February

Several hundred male inmates were lined up half naked in the courtyard at the Francisco Morazan National Penitentiary in Tamara, Honduras in June

'A new prison is quite useless if you don't first regain control of the others you already have,' Breda said. 'Criminal gangs have shown throughout their history that they can adapt.'

There is only one way to communicate to the Islas del Cisne and that is by satellite, Jose Jorge Fortin, the head the Honduras' armed forces, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Officials hope that this will deter the criminals from running their gang operations from inside the prisons.

Escape would also also be a challenge as the island takes about a day to reach by boat from the mainland.

'It's the farthest away they can possibly be, so these gang leaders feel the pressure once they're on the island,' Fortin said. 'The idea is that they lose contact with everything, contact with all of society ... and they can really pay for their crimes.'

The cost of the project or when officials expect it to be done, is still unclear, but Castro reportedly ordered the facility to be built as quickly as possible.

At least 46 women were burned, shot or hacked to death with machetes in a massacre at a Honduras female prison in June, where clashes between rival gangs sparked a fire.

Members of the military police remove inmates from the yard at a prison in Tamara, Honduras after the military took over the control of the jails across the country

Inmates at Honduras' only prison for women are lined up moments before a full search of the facility took place in the town of Tamara in June

Inmates at a prison in Tamara, Honduras, were rounded up and forced to sit half naked in the courtyard after the military police took control of the country jail system on June 26. The move was ordered by President Xiomara Castro almost a week after 46 detainees were massacred at in the nation's only penitentiary for women, which is also located in Tamara

President Xiomara Castro said the riot in the town of Tamara, about 30 miles north-west of Honduras' capital, was 'planned by maras (street gangs) with the knowledge and acquiescence of security authorities'.

Castro pledged to take 'drastic measures' at the time but did not explain how inmates identified as members of the Barrio 18 gang were able to get guns and machetes into the prison, or move into an adjoining cell block and slaughter all prisoners there.

The former director of the Honduran jail later said guards were bribed to look the other way so prisoners can smuggle in grenades, guns, rifles and other contraband.

Rene Cruz, who was once in charge of the Women's Center for Social Adaptation in the northwestern city of Tamara, said inmates pay up to $3,000 to sneak in grenades and between $3,200 to $3,500 for rifles.

'It generates wealth that is illegal and quite high,' Cruz said, according to La Tribuna.

The tragedy has brought the issue of prison conditions and security to the forefront, prompting discussions about strategies to combat gang-related violence in Honduras.

The incident has also spurred a broader crackdown on criminal organizations in the country.

Hundreds of guns and rifles are displayed on the grounds of the Francisco Morazan National Penitentiary in Tamara, Honduras, after the military took control of security

A grenade was found by the military police during a full search of the cellblocks at a men's prison in Tamara, Honduras

An inmate is escorted through Hondura's only penitentiary for women in the municipality of Tamara in June

Since the bloodshed, Castro has been posting images of weapons seizures and men with gang tattoos sitting spread-legged, half-naked and hunched together on the ground surrounded by heavily armed police.

The images mirror those from neighboring El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has imprisoned one in every 100 people in the country, throwing thousands into a 'mega-prison'.

Bukele emphasized that inmates will never be free but human rights group Cristosal estimates that only 30 percent of prisoners have clear ties with gangs, sparking allegations of human rights abuses and democratic decay.

At the same time, the decrease in violence in El Salvador has garnered support for Bukele across Latin America.

'If another country has done something well, why not copy it?' Fortin said. 'We're not going to let this ... atmosphere of terror go on.'

But Breda disagrees and said the move is inching the country away from policies such as stamping out corruption, demilitarizing and community policing that could make a longterm difference in addressing the roots causes of gang violence.

Honduras's security policy 'has become even more reactive and short-sighted, mimicking what's going on in El Salvador to contain damage to their public image,' Breda said
Everything we know so far about Travis King's trip over the North Korean border

For the first time in decades a US soldier is believed to be detained in North Korea.

Travis King is being held in North Korea after crossing the border from South Korea 'willfully and without authorization' on Tuesday during a sightseers tour of the Joint Security Area, the US military has confirmed.

The incident happened a day after King was escorted to a South Korean airport after his release from prison, where he had been jailed for an altercation with locals.

He was due to fly back to the US and report to his base in Fort Bliss, Texas, but was only taken as far as security and was left alone as he was unable to pass through without a ticket.

Instead of getting on the plane at Incheon International Airport, he managed to leave the airport, then joined a tourist tour of the North Korean border.

Witnesses said King, 23, shouted 'ha ha ha' as he sprinted away from the tour group and over the heavily patrolled border.

But who is Travis King? And what do we know about his trip over the border? Here is everything we know so far.

Travis King crossed into North Korea shortly after being released from prison in South Korea

North Korea has still not produced the 23-year-old Private 2nd Class or acknowledged his arrest

King crossed the border at Panmunjom, during a tour of the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone, which he joined with 43 other tourists

Who is Travis King?

King is a cavalry scout who joined the military in January 2021.

At the time of his rotation in South Korea, King was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, according to Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee.

US officials did not confirm how long King had been in South Korea, but said the scout has faced disciplinary action for assault and spent 50 days in a detention facility.

Court documents reveal that months earlier, King had faced two assault allegations and was fined by a South Korean court for damaging a police car.

It is unknown whether King spent his time in custody in South Korea or the US, but according to US officials he was escorted to an airport for a flight back to the United States after his release.

Currently, King is believed to be the first soldier to cross the border into North Korea since 1982.

His mother, Claudine Gates, said she had heard from her son just days before and he told her that he would return to his base in Fort Bliss, Texas.

She said she was 'shocked' by the news, adding: 'I can't see Travis doing anything like that.'

Why was Travis King detained in North Korea?

King's motive for his high-stakes trip across the border remains unclear.

Sarah Leslie, a New Zealand tourist who witnessed King's crossing, and captured a photo of the soldier , said she initially believed he pulled the stunt for TikTok.

She was among a group of 43 tourists on the trip, and said she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

'I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do,' Leslie said. 'But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, 'Get that guy.''

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

But the soldiers didn't have time to respond. She said that after running about 30 feet down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight.

A tourist who witnessed King's stunt, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'

What crimes has he been accused of?

Aside from crossing the border into uncharted territory, King has faced a series of other allegations.

Court records reveal that King pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public goods after an incident in October.

In addition, on February 8, the Seoul Western District Court fined him 5 million, according to a copy of the ruling reviewed by Reuters, of which they only won $4,000.

Two anonymous U.S officials, said the soldier had been due to face disciplinary action by the U.S. military. It's not clear whether the disciplinary action was linked to his conviction over damaging the police vehicle.

Last September, the Seoul court said King punched a man several times in the face but the case was settled.

During his arrest police placed him in the back seat of a patrol car, where he shouted insults against Korean officials and kicked the vehicle's door several times, causing about 584,000 won ($461) in damages, the ruling said.

The court said the defendant had admitted to the charges, had no previous criminal record, and paid 1 million won ($790) to fix the vehicle, citing reasons in favor of him in the sentencing.

What could happen next to Travis King?

North Korea has still not produced the 23-year-old Private 2nd Class or acknowledged his arrest.

At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody

The United Nations Command, which oversees operations in the DMZ, said it was 'working with our (North) Korean People's Army counterparts to resolve this incident.' What North Korea might demand to return King back to US custody is unknown.

'We're closely monitoring and investigating the situation,' US defence chief Lloyd Austin told a Pentagon news conference, noting he was foremost concerned about the troop's wellbeing. 'This will develop in the next several days and hours, and we'll keep you posted.'

It is not yet known how or if the US and North Korea, who have no diplomatic relations, would hold talks .

In previous years, Sweden, which has an embassy in Pyongyang, provided services for other US nationals detained in North Korea.

Former President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on June 30, 2019 - the spot where King made his crossing

The border between North Korea and South Korea is heavily guarded

Yet its embassys diplomatic staff reportedly have not returned to North Korea since the country imposed a COVID-19 lockdown and ordered all foreigners out

Tuesday's border crossing happened amid high tensions over North Korea's barrage of missile tests since the start of last year.

Some observers say King's case could be used as a leverage and suggest North Korea 'obviously have the upper hand.'

Lawrence Korb, former US assistant secretary of defence, told Al Jazeera: 'They could use this as a bargaining chip and say If you want him back you gonna have to take more troops out of South Korea or get rid of this nuclear consultative group or something like that.'

The last American known to be detained in North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who was held for a month after he illegally entered the country from China.

King's mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC she was 'so proud' of her son and added: 'I just want him to come home, come back to America.'
A self-styled empress and serial squatter has been evicted from a North Carolina home where she kept a witches cauldron in the backyard and terrorized neighbors.

Ninti El Bey was forced out of the home in Charlotte last week. In the process, she punched a police officer in the eye. El Bey was previously forced out of a mansion in another part of the city.

Ninti El Bey was forced out of the home in Charlotte last week. In the process, she punched a police officer in the eye. El Bey was previously forced out of a mansion in another part of the city

The $300,000 home in Charlotte, North Carolina, which the woman was evicted from

The 50-year-old is a member of a Moorish sovereign citizens movement, whose followers believe they are above the law.

She sells 'diplomatic' passports to other followers of the movement online for over $300.

The 50-year-old is a member of a Moorish sovereign citizens movement, whose followers believe they are above the law

Some of those who have purchased the passports say they were ripped off without ever receiving them.

El Bey, who is a mother, had been terrorizing neighbors with a 'blow horn' and frightening them with her 'cauldron', they said.

'Shes gone around the neighborhood a few times with a blow horn yelling at people to get off her indigenous property.

'She had a big witchs cauldron in the back she would burn.'

On other occasions, she sprayed their homes with oil.

'She said Im going to burn you alive if you dont get away from me,' neighbor Katy Ascencio Flores told WSOCTV.

El Bey was previously forced out of a mansion in another part of the city.

She was previously evicted from another property in Charlotte in 2015.

That house had a value of $800,000. The home she was squatting in more recently is estimated to be worth around $300,000.

El Bey remains in custody on charges of trespassing and assaulting a government official.
The couple's daughter Lesley Cawthorne said she is 'not feeling very optimistic'

Former miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice

The daughter of a British expat accused of murdering his terminally-ill wife is hoping for the best but 'fearing the worst' as a Cypriot court prepares to deliver its verdict.

Former miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation in December 2021 at the couple's retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos.

The 76-year-old denies murder and told a court his wife, who was 74, was suffering with blood cancer and 'begged him' to end her life.

On Friday a three-judge panel will deliver its verdict on whether Hunter committed premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.

The couple's daughter Lesley Cawthorne said she is 'not feeling very optimistic' ahead of the court's decision.

David Hunter, pictured with his wife Janice (centre) and daughter Leslie Cawthorne (left), is on trial for killing Janice who died of asphyxiation in December 2021

David Hunter (left) smothered his wife, Janice, in 2021 at their retirement home in Cyprus

Ms Cawthorne, pictured with her mother, said she is 'not feeling very optimistic' ahead of the court's decision

She said her father is 'anxious, tired and lonely' and the past '19 months has taken a huge toll on him'.

'I think the hope has been crushed out of him,' she said.

'He would probably tell other people he's keeping his chin up but I see how much he's struggling.'

Ms Cawthorne said the family has been 'worn down' by the long trial and the court's previous ruling that a confession Hunter made when he was arrested could be used as evidence against him.

'He was very clearly not in his right mind when they took it,' she said.

The pensioner's defence team argued his confession should have been inadmissible during the trial, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time, but a judge found Hunter was lucid and dismissed the application.

Giving evidence in May, Hunter told the District Court in Paphos he would 'never in a million years' have taken Janice's life unless she had asked him to, adding: 'She wasn't just my wife, she was my best friend.'

Hunter demonstrated to the court how he held his hands over Janice's mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wife's wish after she became 'hysterical'.

Hunter, from Ashington in Northumberland, said: 'For five or six weeks before she died she was asking me to help her. She was asking me more every day.

'In the last week she was crying and begging me. Every day she asked me a bit more intensely to do it.'

Hunter told the court he tried to kill himself after his wife's death.

When the police arrived to quiz him after his suicide bid failed, he said he 'was interested in nothing'.

She said her father is 'anxious, tired and lonely' and the past '19 months has taken a huge toll on him'

On Friday, a three-judge panel will deliver its verdict on whether Hunter committed premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. Pictured: David and Janice Hunter seen on their wedding day

Ms Cawthorne said the family has been 'worn down' by the long trial. Pictured: David Hunter (right) arriving at Paphos District Court in Cyprus

During closing speeches in June, Hunter's defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter 'acted spontaneously' to end Mrs Hunter's life 'upon her begging him to do so'.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, told reporters: 'This remains a tragic case. Janice and David were loving partners for over 50 years and enjoyed their retirement together in Cyprus until she became ill and was in excruciating pain.

'We remain hopeful that David will receive a verdict that does not deny him a chance of leaving prison and returning home.'
He had reportedly attempted 'something similar' a few weeks ago

A 91-year-old who plunged to his death from the 17th floor of a luxury Manhattan building has been identified as a former U.S. Marine.

Harold 'Harry' Tekel's body was found early on Wednesday outside the 35-story residential building, which overlooks Central Park.

His daughter confirmed his identity to DailyMail.com.

Tekel, who lived in the building, was still married to Terry's mother Rochelle, 88. They shared two other daughters.

Harold Tekel's body was found early on Wednesday outside the 35-story residential building, which overlooks Central Park

Tekel was still married to Terry's mother Rochelle, 88. They shared two other daughters

A white tarp, covering a body, was seen on the sidewalk outside 200 Central Park South

He was declared dead at the scene, police told DailyMail.com.

Officials said they don't suspect foul play.

A neighbor claimed the senior had attempted 'something similar' a couple of weeks ago, The New York Post reported.

Tekel's daughter said she was still at the hospital with her mother as they dealt with the tragedy on Wednesday afternoon.

Terry often posted tributes about their parents in her Facebook account.

The images show the veteran posing happily alongside his longtime wife.

On one Veteran's Day, Terry wrote: 'I am thinking of my dad on Veterans Day and the pride he and all who have served, share to this day.

'Love you Dad.'

She described him as 'always compassionate, optimistic and always kind with an incredible sense of the humorous.'

A white tarp covering the body was seen on the sidewalk on Seventh Avenue.

Crews were seen on the block clearing the pathway and putting out a police cordon - as commuters made their way to work on the busy Manhattan street.

The building, 200 Central Park South, is one of the most desired residences in Manhattan, as it impressively faces all of the park to the north with Columbus Circle one block to the west.

Tekel was a lieutenant in the U.S. Marines. is daughter described him as 'always compassionate, optimistic and always kind with an incredible sense of the humorous'

Officials said they don't suspect foul play in the death

Authorities are seen inspecting the Manhattan building on Wednesday

It was built in 1963, and is home to 309 residences.

On top of the 34 floors is a rooftop observatory - where people who live in the building can enjoy 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline.

Some apartments in the building - with six bedrooms and three bathrooms - are on the market for a staggering $11,500,000.

Other units, with two bedrooms, rent for $14,500 a month.

The building also has notable former residents - including actresses Raquel Welch, Doris Roberts, and television host Durward Kirby.
A man fatally shot his young daughter before turning the gun on himself, cops have revealed - saying in a statement the crime was one of passion that occurred days after the girls mother filed a restraining order.

The update to the July 12 case was aired by the Modesto Police Department this week, several days after 50-year-old Donovan Halstead is said to have killed his eight-year-old daughter in their Central California home.

Halstead's Facebook was filled with pictures of his daughter. The father posted at length in August of last year about his lifelong struggle with 'unrelenting and immovable' clinical depression.

In a statement, cops elected to not name the minor, but said they came into contact with a still-armed Halstead upon arrival moments before he carried out the deed.

After receiving a call about a suicidal person on the premises, they said they confronted the father as he waved a gun through one of the Havenhurst Court home's window, and that he told them he was going to come out unarmed.

However, within minutes, police heard gunshots from inside the residence, and went inside to find a still-alive Halstead suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Donovan Halstead, 50, shot his eight-year-old daughter in a fit of emotional rage at his home in Modesto before turning the gun on himself, cops revealed - saying in a statement the crime was one of passion that occurred after the girls mother filed a restraining order

the slain girls mother, Kristin Halstead, divorced Halstead in April, and filed a restraining order on July 10. The order was approved by a judge days later, only hours before the murder

Also found in the home was the man's daughter, cops said, who was also suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures being immediately performed, the release revealed she died on the scene.

The department wrote of the encounter: 'Officers were dispatched to the 3700 Block of Havenhurst Court in response to a report of a suicidal subject.

'Upon arrival, officers saw the subject inside the home through a window, armed with a firearm.

'Officers immediately attempted to communicate with him, and the subject stated he was going to come out unarmed. However, before he did so, officers heard gunshots from inside the home.

'After hearing the gunshots, officers entered the residence and located the subject suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

'Tragically, Halstead's 8-year-old daughter was also found in the home, seriously injured from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures, she sadly did not survive.'

As for Halstead, cops revealed he died this past Friday after being 'transported to a local hospital for treatment.'

He had been hospitalized since this past Wednesday after sustaining the self-inflicted gunshot wound, which cops at the time said was so severe that the suspect was 'not expected to survive.'

The police force went on to reveal that its Violent Crimes Unit has since taken over the investigation - as both court records and social media posts from the deceased have shed some light on what may have been the murderer's motive.

According to a report from The Modesto Bee Friday, the slain girls mother, Kristin Halstead - who divorced Halstead in April - filed a restraining order against her ex on July 10, two days before he committed the murder.

In their statement, cops revealed Halstead died two days after shooting himself. They also said they came into contact with a still-armed Halstead upon arriving at the residence, shortly before he carried out the deed

'Tragically, Halstead's 8-year-old daughter was also found in the home, seriously injured from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving measures, she sadly did not survive,' cops said

The murder suicide happened this past Wednesday at the family's home in Modesto, days after Kristin filed for a restraining order

Revealing the girl had been a student in the Sylvan Union School District, The Bee further reported a judge approved that order on July 12 - just three hours before the violence occurred.

Friends of Kristin, who was not home at the time of shooting, have since erected a GoFundMe to help cover the funeral costs of the slain youngster.

A tribute to the girl remembered her as 'a child full of life, radiating joy and curiosity to everyone around her.

'Her laughter, innocence, and limitless potential were abruptly taken away, leaving a void that can never be filled.'

Slamming her slaying as an 'unthinkable act of violence,' the online fundraiser - posted just four days ago - has already raised more than $21,100, and is close to its $25,000 goal.

In it, organizers further remarked how 'Kirstin now faces the daunting task of not only grieving the loss of her beloved child but also navigating the complex emotional and financial burdens that accompany such a tragedy'.

They said any 'kindness and generosity will make a tangible difference in Kirstin's life.'

Meanwhile, posts on social media paint a markedly different emotional picture of the suspect, who in the months before the horrific incident detailed an alleged struggle with depression.

Others, such as one from this past Father's Day, express self-professed devotion to his now dead daughter and even his ex-wife - before he was hit with the restraining order less than a month later.

A tribute to the girl, whom DailyMail.com has also elected to not name due to her age, remembered her as 'a child full of life, radiating joy and curiosity to everyone around her.

A memorial was seen outside the home on Friday, as cops continue to investigate the incident

'Happy Fathers Day to me and all the hard working, dedicated fathers who often sacrifice their own wants to show up every day for our children,' the self-touting June 18 post reads.

'Being a father is a challenging endeavor. It is however ultimately rewarding. There is no greater gift we will receive in our life than the love of our kids.'

It continues: 'Even when they sleep through the morning and get up late. We still love them more than words can express.'

After thanking the child for 'allowing me to be your father,' Halstead parlayed: '[and] also Kirstin Normark Halstead for being the other half of this little miracle.'

In another longwinded post the month before - shortly after Kirstin filed for divorce - Halstead claimed his duty as a father was to ensure his daughter would one day grow up to be a 'strong... independent' woman.

'My child,' the May 1 post begins. 'My job as your father is to teach you and give you the tools to eventually go out into this world alone. To be a strong and independent self sufficient woman.

'To live without fear, although making smart decisions is always recommended. And to create your own path based on what I have taught you and what you have learned.'

It continues: 'You are brilliant and well equipped to be an indipendent[sic] thinker. You are otherworldly beautiful. You are loving and compassionate and thoughtful. Also sometimes a challenge. But that is also something of a summation of the amazing attributes you possess.

'Its my job to prepare you to let go of me and continue on making yourself what you want to be. An endeavor which I willingly and eagerly dedicate myself to the fulfillment of. The one single task that a father MUST NOT fail at.'

A particularly troubling excerpt adds: 'l do in some ways dread this all too quickly approaching day. You by the simple act of just being you.

'Ill see you soon.'

Another post, published about ten months earlier, detailed the introspective killer's diminishing mental health, laid bare in yet another longwinded caption along with a pensive photo of him meditating at California's Mono Lake.

'I'm going to throw something out here that I wouldn't normally make public and I'm certainly not comfortable discussing openly,' the post begins - specifying the father's woes as 'Depression, and anxiety.

'Clinical depression to be less vague,' it continues. 'An affliction I have struggled with most of my life.

'I have memories of being a boy and feeling like something was wrong. A dark and looming feeling ever-present regardless of the actual situation.'

Pointing to his alleged struggles with anxiety - or as he put it, 'Worrying about every aspect of everything and how it could go wrong or what they would think of me - Halstead declared he was 'Irrationally critical of himself, and regularly suffered from prevailing feelings of doubt and mistrust.

'This isnt the general sadness one may feel from something getting crapped up in their life, or something going wrong,' he goes on to explain.

'It isnt being afraid of messing up on a test or missing a deadline at work.

'Its real, unrelenting, immovable, stifling, soul crushing, all defeating long term feeling of everything sucks.'

Towards the end of the spiel, the eventual murderer looked to suggest he was particularly troubled at the time, and was even prone to outbursts of rage.

'I'm tired. I get worn out, the post, published on August 12 of last year, reads. 'I get quiet and I get frustrated. I can lash out irrationally or just implode into silence. Awesome coping mechanisms yeah?'

In an ensuing sentence, however Halstead assured his followers that he is 'OK'.

'I'll be OK. I take responsibility for decisions and actions in my life and hopefully can apply them to future decisions. Probably not, I am who I am and that's cool. With me anyway.'

Meanwhile, court documents viewed by the Bee - including an abandoned restraining order in 2016 - claimed the two had a toxic relationship, and that the mother was regularly subject to verbal and physical abuse throughout.

In the 2016 petition, Kristin reportedly wrote, [Halstead] has told me he attempted suicide in the past and I fear that he will harm us, and himself, given his erratic behavior.

A spokesperson confirmed both restraining orders are now part of their ongoing investigation.

It remains unclear how Halstead obtained the gun used in the murder. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Modesto Police Department for comment.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration is touting reparations payouts as a solution to the wealth gap between blacks and whites, the latest sign of interest in a policy that voters reject by wide margins.

A report from the city's Department of Health and the Federal Reserve Bank says Washington-led reparations payments to the descendants of slaves are the 'best' way to end inequality.

Conservatives have jumped on the proposal for reparations, which are deeply unpopular among white voters, saying health chiefs are overstepping their mandate and 'sowing racial divisiveness.'

Angry social media users dubbed the plan a 'cash grab for the lazy,' and said the city health team was led by 'communists.'

Others said payouts to African Americans were long overdue.

Mayor Eric Adams' administration is pushing for reparations even as it struggles to cover the cost of housing asylum seekers

Various studies have shown that white Americans have amassed many times more wealth than their black and Hispanic counterparts

The report comes as New York Gov Kathy Hochul weighs whether to sign a bill that would start work on a state reparations scheme, as other US states and cities roll out their own efforts that may cost billions.

The 40-page document calls for reversing America's deep-rooted inequalities, saying the average white family holds nearly eight times the wealth of black families, and more than five times that of Hispanics.

Poll Do you support a federal reparation policy directed at the descendants of slaves? Yes No Do you support a federal reparation policy directed at the descendants of slaves? Yes 143 votes

No 4304 votes Now share your opinion





Researchers called for 'bold' policies to reverse this and looked at expanding Medicaid, universal health care, writing off student and medical debts, and baby bonds.

But reparations, they concluded, were the best answer.

The word 'reparations' is mentioned no less than 17 times in their report.

Federal payouts to the black descendants of slaves are 'best poised to directly impact the racial wealth gap,' the document says.

To work, payouts should be 'predicated on the average difference in black and white wealth'  meaning they would have to reverse the nearly eightfold advantage that whites currently enjoy, they said.

Such a federal reparations program 'would eliminate the black-white wealth gap,' the report said.

It would also 'seek acknowledgment, redress, and closure for America's complicity in federal, state, and local policies  including slavery, Jim Crow, and ongoing systemic racism  that have deprived black Americans of equitable access to wealth.'

Los Angeles resident Walter Foster, 80, holds up a sign at a task force meeting on reparations at the California Science Center in Los Angeles in September

Six in ten respondents opposed payouts to the descendants of slaves, while four in ten said the federal government should 'definitely should not pursue' such a policy

Researchers did not state how much African Americans are owed, but proposals from reparations plans elsewhere in the US have dreamed up sky-high sums costing billions or even trillions of dollars.

A San Francisco proposal for $5 million payouts to each eligible black adult could total more than $100 billion for the city. A California-wide plan has been costed at roughly $800 billion.

Those plans far exceed current state and city budgets. New York's Mayor Adams has already complained that the $8 million spent each day housing an influx of asylum seekers is overstretching the city.

All plans face the same conundrum  how to fairly calculate the losses that black people have incurred over the centuries, and what might be required to prove eligibility for any payout.

Republicans and conservatives pounced on the report as being unrealistic.

Council Republican Minority Leader Joe Borelli said reparations would worsen 'racial divisiveness' in one of America's most diverse cities, which is roughly 40 percent white, 29 percent Hispanic, and 23 percent black.

State Conservative Party chairman Gerard Kassar said New York already had generous schemes to cover medical bills for poor families and said the health department was 'going way far afield.'

A reparations campaigner seeking payouts in California

From California to Massachusetts, panels are grappling with what a reparations scheme should look like

'I don't see a health issue associated with reparations,' Kassar said.

'It's also difficult to hold current generations for mistakes of the past. We're not living in the past.'

New York lawmakers last month voted to create a commission to consider reparations to address the lingering, negative effects of slavery.

Gov Hochul has not spoken about the bill, but is expected to sign it.

State assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said the reparations plan was 'about beginning the process of healing our communities' and overcoming the 'generational trauma that people are experiencing.'

Plans to compensate black Americans for slavery-era sins have been around for centuries. They've gained traction in recent months as ever more left-leaning states and cities launch local inquiries into their own atonement schemes.

There is no agreed framework for what a scheme would look like.

Ideas range from cash payouts to scholarships, land giveaways, money for special banks and investment funds, bespoke grants for housing, or just statues and street names.

Cash payout schemes are popular with 77 percent of the black Americans, who could benefit from payouts, according to Pew Research Center polling.

But only 18 percent of whites  who would shoulder an extra tax burden  support them.
Podcaster Joe Rogan has suggested that Jeffrey Epstein was blackmailing Bill Clinton by displaying a massive painting of the former president wearing a dress in his New York home.

In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan brought up the painting first revealed by DailyMail.com in 2018, that hung in the foyer of Epstein's Manhattan apartment before he was found dead by suicide in a jail cell after being accused of running a sex trafficking ring of underage girls.

Flight logs have shown that Clinton was aboard the financier's Boeing 727 jet a total of 26 times between 2001 and 2003. Clinton has denied being on Epstein's 'pedophile island,' Little St. James, and his spokesperson Angel Urena said the former president knows nothing about Epstein's 'terrible crimes.'

The painting depicting Clinton lounging on a chair in the Oval Office, wearing red heels and posing suggestively in a blue dress redolent of Monica Lewinsky was in a room off the stairway of the Upper East Side townhouse.

'That painting is like: 'I got you b*tch,' Rogan said about Epstein keeping the painting in his home, adding: 'You know he knows about it.'

Clinton has denied being on Epstein's 'pedophile island,' Little St. James, in U.S. Virgin Islands

The painting depicting Clinton lounging on a chair in the Oval Office, wearing red heels and posing suggestively in a blue dress redolent of Monica Lewinsky was in a room off the stairway of the Upper East Side townhouse

Rogan continued: 'Imagine if I knew some horrible dark secrets about you and you came over to my house and I have a giant painting of you. Right when you walk into the front door of you in a dress and I'm like, "Hey buddy."'

Rogan and his guest, comedian Duncan Trussell, commented that displaying the painting was a way of 'controlling' the former president.

Clinton's spokesperson confirmed that in 2002 and 2003, the former president took four trips on the financier's private plane with multiple stops and that staff and his Secret Service detail traveled on every leg.

One of Epstein's former sex slaves, Virginia Roberts, claimed she saw Clinton on the island for a dinner held in his honor shortly after he left office, and stood by the claim when questioned under oath.

The original painting is called 'Parsing Bill' and is by Australian-American artist Petrina Ryan-Kleid, although it is unclear if Epstein had bought the canvas or had a print mounted. Ryan-Kleid exhibited it for her degree show when she graduated with an MFA in 2012 from the New York Academy of Art.

The painting was secretly snapped inside his lavish $56 million home in October 2012, four years after Epstein completed his sweetheart deal for prostitution of a minor and seven years before he was accused of running a sex trafficking ring of underage girls.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous, was visiting Epstein to present a business proposal.

She told DailyMailTV at the time: 'It was absolutely Bill Clinton. It was shocking - it was definitely a painting of him. It was a very provocative, sexual picture. He was wearing heels, a blue dress and his hand was in a weird position.

The color of the dress seemed to be a pointed reference to Clinton's former intern Monica Lewinsky, who a blue dress during their infamous sexual encounter in the White House.

The dress is also strikingly similar to one worn by Hillary Clinton at the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors.

Inspiration? The dress is also strikingly similar to one worn by Hillary Clinton at the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors

The source told DailyMailTV: 'It was absolutely Bill Clinton. It was shocking - it was definitely a painting of him. It was a very provocative, sexual picture. He was wearing heels, a blue dress and his hand was in a weird position'. Pictured: Clinton and Lewinsky in 1997

'Clinton' has his legs crossed over the arm of a chair, with blood red heels hovering over a rug that seems to bear the presidential seal.

The shoulder of the blue dress hangs off to the side as 'Clinton' seems to point a finger towards the viewer.

That image is apparently inspired by the famous image of Uncle Sam used in James Montgomery Flagg's World War I recruiting poster.

The source who spotted the painting said she saw it while 'being led from the office to his personal quarters when we saw the portrait.

'It was through a door that had been left temporarily open by his housekeeper or butler.

'I thought, ''Why in the world would Epstein have that up?'' I didn't even know that they knew each other.'

Although she was stunned by the painting, her business partner managed to take a snap of the painting.

She said: 'He took a picture. I was mortified because there were cameras everywhere.'

The source added that she was inside Epstein's home for around an hour and a half for the meeting, which had been arranged by his then-assistant Lesley Groff.

The blonde was named as a possible accomplice and granted immunity in Epstein's controversial plea deal in 2008.

Epstein and Clinton were once friends, with the now 72-year-old flying on the now deceased financier's private plane, dubbed the Lolita Express, several times and on his own account vising the town house once - making it possible he could have seen the bizarre painting

Epstein committed suicide at age 66 in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell, while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

Last month, the U.S. government urged an appeals court to uphold Ghislaine Maxwell's conviction and 20-year prison sentence for helping the disgraced late financier sexually abuse teenage girls.

Maxwell, 61, is behind bars in Tallahassee, Florida, after a Manhattan jury convicted her in December 2021 on five charges for recruiting and grooming four girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004.

Her accusers have said she and Epstein at first made them feel welcome in their orbit, before Epstein began demanding sexualized massages. Hundreds of women have said he abused them.

In her appeal, Maxwell, daughter of late British media mogul Robert Maxwell, accused prosecutors of making her a scapegoat because Epstein was dead and 'public outrage' demanded that someone else absorb the blame.

Maxwell is eligible for release in July 2037, with credit for good behavior and the two years she spent in jail before being imprisoned

Prosecutors rejected her claims that they waited too long to bring charges, and that Epstein's 2007 non-prosecution agreement arising from alleged abuse at his Palm Beach, Florida mansion also immunized her.

They also said the trial judge had discretion to conclude that Maxwell's jury was fair and impartial, though one juror failed to disclose during pre-trial questioning that he had been sexually abused as a child.

Maxwell is eligible for release in July 2037, with credit for good behavior and the two years she spent in jail before being imprisoned.

Others who were friendly with Epstein have seen their reputations tarred or ruined, among them Britain's Prince Andrew and former JPMorgan Chase executive and Barclays chief executive Jes Staley.

JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank, which both had Epstein as a client, are paying a combined $365 million to Epstein's accusers over their work for him. The U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein had a home, is also suing JPMorgan.
An Irishman and his ten-year-old son who died in a moped accident in Turkey were carrying out a final errand before coming back to Ireland when they were knocked down and killed.

Eoin Fitzpatrick, 36, and his son Dylan died after a bus crashed into them in the tourist area of Alanya on Monday afternoon.

Eoins other son, a 15-year-old boy, remains in Turkey with his fathers partner and her children.

The mother of the boys is currently on her way to Turkey to help with the repatriation of her child and former partners bodies. According to Turkish media, the father and sons moped collided with a bus on the D-400 highway in the Kargicak District which was travelling from Alanya to Mersin.

Tributes have been paid to the father and son by those who knew them.

Eoin Fitzpatrick and his son Dylan both died in a moped accident after a bus crashed into them while on holiday in Turkey

Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley, who is a neighbour of Eoins in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, said he was devastated to hear the news of the sudden deaths.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail, Mr Stanley said: Obviously theres shock and devastation at the loss of these two people. [Dylan] would have been very popular in the neighbourhood... (people) would have seen him mixing with the kids here.

My heartfelt sympathies go to the mother of the boy and also to the parents of the deceased man and the grandparents on both sides.

In the days and weeks ahead, the community in Portlaoise will rally around both families and hopefully be able to give them some support and comfort.

Mr Stanley also revealed they were due to fly home from their holiday on the day of tragedy.

It looks like they were carrying out a final errand before making their way to the airport when the crash happened.

My heartfelt sympathies go to their mam and to the grand-parents on both sides.

You have grandparents on one side who have lost a son and a grandson. I spoke with them this morning and they are devastated. The crash was a last-minute thing. They were using a moped and then this happened, he said.

This is the latest tragedy to happen to Irish people while holidaying abroad this summer. Earlier this month, former St Michaels College students Andrew ODonnell, 18, and Max Wall, 18, who were on holiday on the island Greek of Ios, died while on a post-Leaving Cert holiday.

Andrew died after apparently falling while making his way home to his holiday accommodation after a night out. According to his school principal, Andrew suffered an accident while taking a shortcut after making the sensible decision to go home early.

The popular teenagers friend and schoolmate Max, who had a history of heart problems, died later that day after collapsing at the port while waiting for a ferry to leave the island.

At the end of June, tributes were paid to a young Irish student who was found dead in a swimming pool in Greece.

It is understood the Limerick-based student was found unresponsive in the pool by a friend and, despite efforts at resuscitation, he was pronounced dead. He is a past pupil of Colaiste Mhuire in Johnstown and was a student at the Technological University of Shannon in Limerick city.

The father and son were holidaying in the Turkish resort of Alanya

Rory Deegan, 22, from Culohill in Co. Laois was found unresponsive in a swimming pool on the Greek island of Zakynthos when the tragedy occurred.

In another incident earlier this month, Irish mother Kirsty Ward was strangled to death in the Spanish tourist town of Salou.

The mother-of-two was found dead at the Hotel Magnolia in the Costa Dorada resort on the evening of Sunday, July 2. A man has denied murdering a 36-year-old Irish woman in a Spanish hotel in a video filmed in a prison cell.

Spanish police confirmed they arrested a 30-year-old man on the night of Ms Wards death after rushing to a hotel in the Costa Dorada resort of Salou, 110km south of Barcelona. When they arrived they reportedly found Ms Ward lying lifeless in a corridor.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was aware of the incident.
An American rapper has sparked outrage after she launched a foul-mouthed sexual tirade outside Buckingham Palace while on a trip to the UK.

Sukihana, who boasts over 700,000 followers on Twitter and 410,000 on Instagram, was filmed saying that she was seeking certain explicit sexual acts while on the streets around King Charles' official residence.

The Atlanta, Georgia-based rapper was in the UK for her first international show, and she proudly posted a snippet as she sung to crowds of her fans.

But in the controversial clip, filmed outside of the monarch's home in England's capital, she said: 'I'm trying to get my c*****e scratched.

The Atlanta, Georgia-based rapper sparked outrage after she launched a foul-mouthed sexual tirade outside Buckingham Palace while on a trip to the UK

Sukihana wore a pink, red, and green long-sleeved flowy dress during the ordeal, and clutched a champagne glass. It's unclear what liquid was inside. While walking past a group of women, who looked bamboozled by the encounter, she repeated: 'I'm trying to get this c*****e scratched!'

'I'm trying to get my c*****e scratched.

'And eat a n****'s a**, we'd be eating n****'s a** today in London, period.'

While walking past a group of women, who looked bamboozled by the encounter, she repeated: 'I'm trying to get this c*****e scratched!'

Sukihana wore a pink, red, and green long-sleeved flowy dress during the ordeal, and clutched a champagne glass. It's unclear what liquid was inside.

She was joined with a companion, another woman wearing a khaki bodycon dress and white boots, who seemed to enjoy the profanities as she stood with her hands in the air.

The 18-second clip caused some controversy on social media after she posted it, along with the caption: 'Suki takes London.'

One person wrote: 'Degeneracy. This is why we need to bring back public shaming.'

Another added: 'She had the poor ladies scared. This is so embarrassing.'

A third concurred: 'I think the severe calmness of this part of London is the perfect backdrop for you to see how truly absurd some of these peoples behavior and manner of speech really is.'

On Twitter and Instagram, she says her full name is 'Suki WITH THE GOOD C*****e'

The 18-second clip caused some controversy on social media after she posted it, along with the caption: 'Suki takes London'

In response, she said: 'I love making Karens uncomfortable'

Her most popular hit, EATING, has over one million streams on Spotify. She has 204,200 monthly listeners on the app

In response, the rapper said: 'I started a whole political debate on twitter ? And the video has over 20 million views.

'Looks like I have a power I never knew about anyways Is there anything I should bring attention right now while Im trending??? Comment please. Ill bring awareness.'

She then followed up with: 'Them white folks that was in front of King Charles house acting like they better then folks but yall couldnt get in either.

'I love making Karens uncomfortable.'

On Twitter and Instagram, she says her full name is 'Suki WITH THE GOOD C*****e.'

The rapper also posed for photos during her trip to London, as well as doing the rounds on local radio stations, including Capital Xtra.

Her most popular hit, EATING, has over one million streams on Spotify. She has 204,200 monthly listeners on the app.
The IRS agent known as Whistleblower X - now revealed as gay Democrat Joseph Ziegler, who has worked with the service since 2010 - testified to Congress that Hunter Biden's tax charges should have been a felony, but that political pressures led to the first son's 'sweetheart deal' instead.

The mystery surrounding the identity of the unknown whistleblower ended Wednesday when Joseph Ziegler, who has worked with the IRS since 2010, appeared before Congress to claim that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment in the investigation into his financial dealings.

Ziegler, a 13-year veteran of the IRS who was the main case agent on the Hunter probe, claimed the federal tax investigation into the president's son 'supported felony and misdemeanor tax charges' - rather than just the misdemeanor charges Hunter is scheduled to plead guilty to next week as part of a deal that allows him to avoid prosecution for a separate gun charge.

Ziegler and IRS Supervisory Agent Gary Shapley testified under oath before the House Oversight Committee that US Attorney David Weiss, the lead Hunter Biden prosecutor, asked U.S. Attorney for DC Matthew Graves to bring those charges.

IRS Criminal Investigator Joseph Ziegler showed his face for the first time Wednesday after blowing the whistle on preferential treatment in the Hunter Biden case  and previously only being identified as Whistleblower X

But after Graves refused, Weiss threw out the potential felony charges and struck a plea deal with the president's son.

'I watched U.S. Attorney [David] Weiss tell a room full of senior FBI and IRS senior leaders on October 7, 2022, that he was not the deciding person on whether charges were filed,' Shapley said, contradicting Weiss' previous public statements.

'If the Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss followed DOJ policy as he stated in his most recent letter, Hunter Biden should have been charged with a tax felony, and not only the tax misdemeanor charge,' said Ziegler.

'We need to treat each taxpayer the same under the law.'

Weiss recently sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee attempting to clarify his role in the probe and insisted that he actually holds the 'ultimate authority' in the criminal gun and tax case against the president's son.

He explained that as the U.S. attorney for Delaware, his charging authority is normally 'geographically limited' to that district - but said that Attorney General Merrick Garland had promised to grant him special attorney status to bring charges anywhere.

However, Garland said last month that Weiss was free 'to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to.'

A spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Graves told DailyMail.com Thursday that Weiss did 'not need' approval from Graves to bring charges in D.C.

'As the Attorney General has said, U.S. Attorney Weiss was given full authority to bring charges in any jurisdiction he deemed appropriate. He did not need approval from this office or the U.S. Attorney to bring charges in the District of Columbia,' said the spokesperson.

A pre-recorded interview by CBS's Catherine Herridge with Ziegler, released to coincide with his testimony, also revealed that anytime the IRS tried to look into President Joe Biden, agents were told 'we can't ask those questions.'

The whistleblower said that he was told he would get in 'hot water' if he tried to speak with President Joe Biden's adult children and grandchildren and was prevented from carrying out those interviews in his investigation.

'Roadblock after roadblock was put up in front of me,' Ziegler said.

He also said that Hunter improperly wrote off hotels, payments to escorts and no-show employees as 'business expenses.'

EXCLUSIVE: Hunter Biden IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler tells @CBS_Herridge that anytime IRS investigators potentially wanted to ask questions related to President Biden, they were told "That's gonna take too much approvals. We can't ask those questions." https://t.co/nW1F5u3Ez5 pic.twitter.com/6xQCBhixGA  CBS News (@CBSNews) July 19, 2023

Ziegler added that the Justice Department had 'concerns' with evidence related to Hunter's substance abuse that may come out during a jury trial and impact their opinion.

'I've never been told that we could not approach someone to interview them as a part of an investigation,' he told Congress.

Ziegler testified that he and Shapley wanted to probe further into President Biden's connection - but were shut down due to the 'optics' of executing a search warrant at the president's Delaware beach house.

'There were multiple instances in this investigation where there were references to the father of the subject, President Biden,' Shapley added.

He said that 'in the course of any normal investigation, when the subject's father is somehow related to the finances of the subject,' he would have had the ability to investigate that further.

In the Hunter probe, he was prevented from doing just that.

Ziegler also confirmed that the Biden family has accepted over $17 million in foreign payments.

'This brings the total amount of foreign income streams received to approximately $17 million, correct?' asked Chairman Comer.

'That is correct,' replied the whistleblower.

In his testimony to the Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Ziegler identified himself as a 'gay Democrat married to a man,' and said his coming forward was not politically motivated.

He 'equated the experience' of becoming a whistleblower to 'feelings I encountered when coming out.'

'It was honestly one of the hardest things I ever had to go through, a contemplative scenario, so it would have been highly regrettable,' he said.

Ziegler works in the international tax and financial crimes division and was the lead agent on the Hunter Biden investigation. He acknowledged that he was 'risking my career' by coming forward and said he had been called a 'traitor to the Democratic Party.'

Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said: 'I know it was not easy to see - their testimony about the DOJ-FBI investigation confirms that there's nothing normal about the Biden family.'

Comer invited Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., to speak at the top of the hearing and share what his panel learned in their investigation into Hunter Biden's tax records.

'The president only believes in making taxpayers pay their fair share if they don't share his last name,' Smith claimed. 'These two courageous whistleblowers provided my committee with devastating testimony showing that the government is not treating all taxpayers equally in the DOJ and the IRS gave preferential treatment to the president's son.'

The Republican lawmaker insisted: 'Americans should not have to accept two tiers of judgments  one if your last name is Biden and one for everybody else.'

Ways and Means is tasked with ensuring all taxpayers are treated fairly by the IRS, including the wealthy, well-connected and influential.

Smith slammed President Joe Biden and his allies for a 'vicious smear campaign' against the two whistleblowers coming forward  even though it's now known that one of the whistleblowers is a Democrat.

The congressman said it's a dangerous game to do anything that would discourage other whistleblowers from coming forward in the future to expose federal government wrongdoing.

'This is a disgrace,' the Missouri representative said. 'I urge any IRS employee watching today, if you know of misconduct, talk to the Ways and Means Committee so we can hold accountable those who are responsible.'

Ziegler (right) joined fellow IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley (left) to present their testimony on how they were prevented from carrying out usual procedure when investigating Hunter Biden

Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (left) invited Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (right) to his hearing Wednesday to present what he found in his probe into whether the IRS is treating all Americans fairly

Ahead of Wednesday, Ziegler was only identified by the panel as a 'criminal investigator' and was referred to as 'Whistleblower X.'

Ziegler insisted in his opening statement that he just wants American people 'to know the truth' about Hunter Biden's special treatment.

While Shapley has appeared publicly to make his claims against the Bidens already, Ziegler remained anonymous until revealing his name and face for the first time on Capitol Hill Wednesday afternoon.

Oversight Chairman Comer described the findings in thousands of pages of Biden family financial records as 'astonishing.'

'What were the Bidens selling? Nothing but influence and access to the Biden network. This is an influence peddling scheme to enrich the Bidens,' Comer said. 'We need to know whether Joe Biden is compromised by these schemes and if our national security is threatened.'

Ziegler said he is 'no more credible than this man sitting next to me due to my sexual orientation or my political beliefs,' when people claimed he is more credible because he is a gay Democrat.

'The American people deserve to know the truth, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may be for either political party or those in power.'

The Oversight probe is looking into whether Hunter Biden received preferential treatment because of his father's position

One of the whistleblowers testifying is IRS Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley

New revelations this week detailed that a lawyer for the FBI told an agent investigating Hunter to dodge questions from the Oversight Committee regarding the First Son.

The agent, whose name was redacted, received the letter from FBI Counsel Jason Jones on Sunday  the day before they were set to testify before the Oversight Committee.

Jones told the agent to tell Oversight to 'instead refer such questions to the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs.'

'The Department expects that you will decline to respond to questions seeking non-public information likely covered by one or more components of executive privilege or other significant confidentiality interests, in particular information about deliberations or ongoing investigative activity in law enforcement matters,' the lawyer added

'The agent's testimony is sickening and reveals the lengths to which the DOJ is willing to go to cover up for the Bidens,' the Oversight Committee tweeted on Monday.

FBI Counsel Jason Jones sent a letter Sunday to an agent - whose name has been redacted - just hours before they were set to testify before the committee telling them to dodge questions regarding the First Son

Shapley will reiterate in his opening remarks to the Committee on Wednesday his claim that the handling of the probe into Hunter Biden was unusual and sullied with special treatment.

'I am here to tell you that the Delaware USAO (U.S. Attorneys Office) and Department of Justice handling of the Hunter Biden tax investigation was very different from any other case in my 14 years at IRS,' Shapley will say.

Additionally, the FBI agent told Republicans running the Oversight Committee's investigation that Joe Biden's presidential transition team was tipped off the night before Hunter's interview with investigators.

'This was not the original plan by the career agents, which frustrated their investigative efforts because people found out who didn't need to know,' the committee stated.

Democrats were quick to dismiss the agent's claim  and said it's common for the FBI and DOJ to disagree about how to proceed with an investigation.

The Oversight and Accountability Committee is looking into the handling of probes into President Biden, his son Hunter and the rest of the Biden family.

Republicans have long claimed the Bidens are corrupt and insist that the president was involved, or at least aware, that his son and other family members were using his position for their financial gain and business enrichment.

At the center of GOP probes into the Bidens are the shady foreign business deals of Hunter Biden.
Bill de Blasio's estranged lesbian wife Chirlane McCray has been seen out and about for the first time since her cringe-worthy separation announcement from husband.

McCray, 68, was all-smiles as she enjoyed a lunch date in Brooklyn with her friend Karen Baicker, 62, who is a publisher at Scholastic.

The duo met Bar ToTo in Park Slope on Tuesday - where diners can enjoy chicken Caesar paninis for $20 and brunch cocktails for $13.

McCray left the restaurant with a to-go box of food and her tote bag. The smiling friends hugged as they went their separate ways following the lunchtime rendezvous.

The outing comes just a fortnight after former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced their separation after 27 years of marriage in a fawning New York Times interview.

McCray, 68, was all-smiles as she enjoyed a lunch date in Brooklyn with her friend Karen Baicker, 62, who is a publisher at Scholastic

On Tuesday, McCray wore a brown-patterned blouse with blue jeans and black sneakers. The publisher placed a white helmet on her head following the lunch - as she supposedly rode off on her bicycle

Her companion Baicker opted for a white skirt, open-toed shoes and a green raincoat

On Tuesday, McCray wore a brown-patterned blouse with blue jeans and black sneakers, while her companion Baicker opted for a white skirt, open-toed shoes and a green raincoat.

The publisher placed a white helmet on her head following the lunch - as she supposedly rode off on her bicycle.

De Blasio, 62, and McCray, 68, divulged a variety of causes for their split - from Covid to the pressure of her previously-declared homosexuality.

But the couple - who were married in 1994 by two gay officiators, and who are parents to Chiara, 25 and Dante, 26 - are still going to live together in Brooklyn while seeing other people.

The couple's choice to split came two months ago, on what the Times described as 'another stale Saturday night of binge-watching television at their Brooklyn home', when the former mayor asked his wife: 'Why aren't you lovey-dovey anymore?'

De Blasio's question sparked a reconsideration of their relationship, and the pair determined they would part ways that very same evening.

The friends hugged before parting ways after having lunch together. This comes two weeks after she announced her split from Bill De Blasio

The duo met Bar ToTo in Park Slope on Tuesday - where diners can enjoy chicken Caesar paninis for $20 and brunch cocktails for $13

The friends can be seen enjoying their meeting while sitting inside at the restaurant

McCray left the establishment with a to-go box

De Blasio, 62, and McCray, 68, divulged a variety of causes for their split - from Covid to the pressure of her previously-declared homosexuality

However, they conceded the cracks in their marriage began showing years before - especially during the then-mayor's disastrous 2020 run for the White House.

De Blasio's dalliance with the long-shot run to become the Democratic presidential candidate made him deeply unpopular at home, as he pursued what critics called a vanity project while ignoring his obligations in the Big Apple.

During an interview with the New York Times, where they asked to disclose details of their non-divorce, de Blasio also spoke of his recent decision to start dyeing his hair.

The couple has made headlines in recent years amid financial scandals - including de Blasio being fined almost $475,000 last month for misusing his personal police detail during his failed 2020 presidential bid - a punishment he has appealed.

De Blasio, 62, and Chirlane McCray, 68, divulged a variety of causes for their split - from Covid to the pressure of her previously declared sexuality

The couple tied the knot in 1994 in a Prospect Park ceremony officiated by two gay men - but have announced their split after 27 years of marriage

The couple added that now, four years on, they have decided not to divorce but will start dating other people - while still living in their Park Slope townhouse in Brooklyn, New York.

McCray identified as gay before they met, and has never described her sexuality in any other way. She did describe de Blasio as her soulmate.

In the emotional 1979 essay, McCray wrote: 'I survived the tears, the isolation and the feeling that something was terribly wrong with me for loving another woman'.

'Coming to terms with my life as a lesbian has been easier for me than it has been for many.

'Since I don't look or dress like the typical bulldagger, (masculine lesbian) I have a choice as to whether my sexual preference is known.'

The pair became one of the most high-profile bi-racial couples in American politics when they tied the knot in 1994, and the partnership helped fuel de Blasio's progressive campaign for the mayorship in 2014.

After their split announcement, McCray told reporters: 'It was a big change for us, but Bill and I are still very much in love. We came to this decision together and I think it's the right decision for us to start this new chapter in our lives.

'I hope that we can be a model for how couples can communicate honestly about what their needs are and how to conduct themselves when they find it's a time to move in a different direction, I think that's important.

'There's a very deep bond between us, we've been together for nearly 32 years - serving shoulder to shoulder in City Hall and even before that.

'We've raised a beautiful family - our family comes first. We just want to continue our lives as public people.'
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced Wednesday that he would not seek reelection in 2024.

The popular Republican governor was first elected in 2016 and will retire after serving four terms.

He previously said he would not run for the White House in 2024.

'Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state,' Sununu said Wednesday in a series of tweets. 'This was no easy decision as I truly love serving as Governor.'

Shortly after Sununu's announcement, New Hampshire's former Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte teased that she could get in the race.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced Wednesday that he would not seek reelection in 2024

'Our next governor must be a tough and tested conservative who will fight to ensure that New Hampshire remains safe, prosperous, and free,' Ayotte said in a tweet. 'I look forward to announcing some big news in the coming days.'

Sununu looked like a bright spot for moderate Republicans as he flirted with jumping in the 2024 race.

He was willing to criticize former President Donald Trump - memorably joking that the ex-president was 'f***ing crazy,' during the annual Gridiron Dinner in Washington in 2022.

In a June op-ed for The Washington Post, Sununu took himself out of the running for the White House, but still pushed to Republicans that it was important for Trump to go.

'We must not be complacent, and candidates should not get into this race to further a vanity campaign, to sell books or to audition to serve as Donald Trump's vice president,' he wrote.

'Since 2017, the national Republican Party has lost up and down the ballot, in red states and in blue states, and in elections spanning the House, Senate and presidency,' he continued. 'That will happen again unless we Republicans undergo a course correction.'

Pointing out that most polling shows the former president far ahead of the other GOP hopefuls, Sununu warned that if Trump is the nominee 'Republicans will lose again.'

Former Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who served one term before being ousted by Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan, hinted she would run for New Hampshire governor in 2024

'Just as we did in 2018, 2020 and 2022,' Trump said. 'This is indisputable, and I am not willing to let it happen without a fight.'

Sununu vowed to do everything he could as New Hampshire governor to influence the state's Republican primary, which is the first in the nation.

'I plan to endorse, campaign and support the candidate I believe has the best chance of winning in November 2024,' Sununu said.

The New Hampshire governor's new term doesn't start until January 2025 - after the presidential election.

Ayotte, also a moderate, had her own issues with Trump.

She served one term in the U.S. Senate before getting ousted in the 2016 election by Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan, the state's former governor.

Ayotte held her nose and tepidly supported former President Donald Trump's first run for the White House, but withdrew her support after the infamous Access Hollywood tape was released just weeks before the November 2016 presidential election.

She said she would write-in now former Vice President Mike Pence.

While Ayotte hasn't confirmed she'll jump in the race, former Senate President Chuck Morse, another Republican, has announced he'll run.

Education Commissioner Frank Edleblut also suggested he would run.

On the Democratic side, Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington had already announced their candidacies.
Some of the world's leading authors are demanding a payout from big tech companies like OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, Stability AI, IBM, and Microsoft which they say are 'feeding' their works to AI and putting their entire industry at risk.

In an open letter this week that was published by The Authors Guild, more than 9,000 authors said it's unfair for the companies to be developing world-shaping technology that will boost their profits while ripping off their oeuvres.

Among those who signed it are legendary crime fiction novelist James Patterson, Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown, Canadian author and poet Margaret Atwood, Jodi Picoult and others.

Actor Gabriel Byrne, who is also a memoirist and author, signed the letter this morning.

The letter is addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Legendary authors including James Patterson and Dan Brown were among the first to sign the open letter demanding compensation from the tech companies

The letter is addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI CEO Sam Altmam, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

It begs them to stop the 'inherent injustice' of their life's works being fed to the robots to 'regurgitate' and reproduce.

Actor Gabriel Byrne, who is also an author, signed the letter today

'Generative AI technologies built on large language models owe their existence to our writings.

'These technologies mimic and regurgitate our language, stories, style, and ideas. Millions of copyrighted books, articles, essays, and poetry provide the food for AI systems, endless meals for which there has been no bill.

'Youre spending billions of dollars to develop AI technology. It is only fair that you compensate us for using our writings, without which AI would be banal and extremely limited,' the letter reads.

It's unclear how much exactly they are asking for, or whether they have received any kind of response from the tech companies they are appealing to.

According to the letter, the median income for writers today is $23,000.

The development of generative AI programs like ChatGPT and others threatens to drive that figure even lower, the authors argued.

'AI threatens to damage our profession by flooding the market with mediocre, machine-written books, stories, and journalism based on our work.

'In the past decade or so, authors have experienced a forty percent decline in income, and the current median income for full-time writers in 2022 was only $23,000.

'The introduction of AI threatens to tip the scale to make it even more difficult, if not impossible, for writersespecially young writers and voices from under-represented communitiesto earn a living from their profession.'

The writers are demanding that the companies start obtaining permission for the copyrighted material in their AI programs, and payouts for past, present and future works.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is among those named in the letter. Meta's AI plans are not yet as well known as others

The Guild's leaders also recently met with Washington DC lawmakers to determine a fair path forward.

'We are still awaiting a response from AI industry leaders.

'In the meantime, we just are about to submit our testimony on AI issues to the Senate IP Subcommittee in connection with its 7/12 hearing.

'So we are forging ahead on pushing for legislative regulations of AI,' a spokeswoman for the Guild told DailyMail.com.

The letter is not the only demand - or threat - to big tech or its leaders.

Earlier this year, comedian Sarah Silverman sued Meta and ChatGPT owner OpenAI for copyright infringement.

She joined a class action lawsuit that blamed the tech companies for developing programs that scraped 'shadow libraries' - illegal, pirated versions of books - and regurgitated them online.

The Authors Guild, in its letter, said that the companies would still be responsible for copyright infringement if AI obtained their works from such libraries.
An NHS worker was killed by a falling branch from a rotten tree while on FaceTime with her sister, an inquest heard.

Shannon Owen, 22, had been on a walk with her best friend Sinead, Sinead's teenage brother Harrison and her pet dog in Hartslock Wood near Whitchurch-on-Thames, South Oxfordshire, on March 11 when the freak accident happened.

She was on a video phone call to her sister Georgia at the exact moment the 18ft branch suddenly crashed to the ground, hitting her in the chest and causing fatal injuries.

Georgia saw the phone knocked out of her sister's hand and heard Sinead screaming in the background while Harrison picked up Shannon's phone and told her that she needed to call an ambulance.

NHS worker Shannon Owen, 22, was killed by a falling branch from a rotten tree and was on FaceTime with her sister when the freak accident happened

Oxfordshire senior coroner, Darren Salter, recorded an accidental death verdict, saying that people would refer to Shannon's death as a 'freak accident'.

The inquest was told that Shannon had gone on a walk alongside the River Thames with her best friend and her 19-year-old brother.

Mr Salter heard that the three of them had walked off the path down a hill into a woodland to use a rope swing tied around a tree.

Sinead had been using the swing for around 20 minutes while Shannon sat opposite her, perched on a tree stump with Harrison in between them.

Georgia had then video called Shannon after a letter came through the door marked as private and confidential.

In a statement read out at Oxford Coroners' Court, Georgia wrote: 'Shannon was not just my older sister but she was also my best friend.

'At around 3.30pm I noticed that a letter had been posted through the door for Shannon saying it was private and confidential.

'I FaceTimed her at 3.41pm and whilst speaking to her on the phone she was struck by the tree. It all happened so quickly. All I saw was her phone rolling down the hill, I was so, so confused.'

In the minutes that followed, Georgia made desperate attempts to find her sister's location on Snapchat maps and scramble to the scene.

Meanwhile, Harrison was doing CPR on Shannon, who was laying motionless in the muddy woods.

Mr Salter heard that a huge bough, around a metre in diameter and from the tree next to the one with the rope swing, had snapped off and hit Shannon, who lived in High Street, Theale, Berkshire.

Firefighters using boats, paramedics, police officers and air ambulance crews all arrived in 40 minutes to try to save Shannon's life but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shannon had been on a walk in the woods with her best friend Sinead, Sinead's teenage brother Harrison and her pet dog

Investigations showed that the tree trunk was probably rotten and had hit Shannon when it was 20 metres long but split in half and rolled down the hill towards the river.

A Detective constable called to the scene, told the coroner: 'We had difficulty accessing the area as it was a steep embankment.

'When I got there it was raining heavily and was muddy and it was no longer possible to walk to the area without falling over so the fire and rescue service had to tie ropes between the trees so emergency crews could abseil down the hill instead.'

He said he spoke to the owner of the woodland, an elderly man aged in his 80s and told him what had happened.

Shannon's mother, Lisa Owen, made it clear at the inquest that she wanted a fence put around the woodland to stop a freak accident happening again.

She said: 'To prevent anyone else going through this heartache and suffering, I really do believe that there should be fencing around the woodland.'

However, in a statement to the coroner, the owner said: 'It is not practical or desirable to put in a fence around the woodland. It's expensive and will be undermined anyway so will be pointless.

'I have purchased 24 private woodland signs saying "keep out" and "do not enter" which have been placed at 100m intervals either side of the footpath.'

He confirmed that the tree, which was rotting away, had since been cut down but not the tree with the rope swing.

Although the family were disappointed that the tree has only been cut down in the last month, despite the anniversary of Shannon's death coming up to five months.

Mr Salter concluded: 'The loss of Shannon in these circumstances is sad, and almost unbelievable. A large tree trunk fell just at a time where someone is underneath it. Some people may refer to this as a freak accident.

'There is no third party involvement and there were no suspicious circumstances.

'This is just so, so unfortunate that Shannon was there when this happened. The coroner's conclusion should be one of accident.'

He then gave a final statement which will be put on a record of inquest stating: 'Shannon was in the Hartslock wood near to Whitchurch-on-Thames with her friends on March 11 for a dog walk.

'At approximately 15.45 hours Shannon was struck by a branch which broke off and fell from a nearby tree causing multiple injuries and a very rapid death.'
A man has pleaded not guilty to a public order offence after he was arrested following protests outside Tate Britain over a drag queen story-telling event for children.

Lance O'Connor, of Plaistow, east London, denied using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

The 59-year-old entered the not guilty plea during an appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

It is an alternative charge to two other public order offences, to which O'Connor has previously pleaded not guilty.

The charges allege that he used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The Tate, in Millbank, central London, had been hosting Drag Queen Story Hour UK on February 11 when protests broke out.

The pop up event involved drag queen and activist Aida H Dee reading stories to children

Aida H Dee's story telling event went ahead (pictured) despite the large police presence outside

Sab Samuel (pictured)  performing as his flamboyant alter ego 'Aida H Dee', a play on the neurological disorder ADHD

The Tate hired Aida H Dee to read stories to children. The gallery's website described the performer as 'the first drag artist in Europe to read stories to children in a nursery.'

On the day of the event, around 30 far-right protesters clashed with similar numbers of counter-protesters who appeared in support of the story-telling.

Protesters gathered outside wearing T-shirts with slogans such as 'groom dogs not children', while placards such as 'Don't let the far-right divide us. Defend LGBTQ+ communities' were held by counter-demonstrators.

Drag queen Dee tweeted at the time that that five protesters had made it into the gallery while Met Police confirmed one person was arrested outside for hate speech.

OConnor was granted conditional bail ahead of trial on August 7.
Longshot GOP 2024 hopeful Will Hurd called former President Donald Trump a 'threat to our national security' on Wednesday and told the hosts of The View that the ex-president needed to lose the Republican primary to end his political career.

Hurd, a former congressman from Texas who entered the 2024 race last month, dismissed that the former president's large lead in the polls was insurmountable.

In national polls currently, Trump's support stands at 53.7 percent of GOP primary voters, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average, while Hurd has yet to register at 1 percent.

'Campaigns are not complicated they're just hard,' Hurd said. 'And there are more people in the Republican Party that dislike Donald Trump than like Donald Trump and we have to activate those folks.'

Host Sunny Hostin challenged Hurd on his numbers: 'Where are they?' she asked.

Longshot GOP 2024 hopeful Will Hurd called former President Donald Trump a 'threat to our national security' on Wednesday and told the hosts of The View that the ex-president needed to lose the Republican primary

'They exist. They exist,' he answered.

Hurd mocked the majority of 2024 Republican hopefuls, who have been reluctant to split with Trump, especially on issues related to his legal troubles.

Trump looks poised to be indicted for a third time this year.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and several other candidates polling above 1 percent have suggested Trump's legal troubles are thanks to a politicized Justice Department.

'You don't win by kissing your opponent's butt,' Hurd complained.

Some of the GOP hopefuls have also tiptoed around Trump's false 2020 election fraud claims.

'The election in 2020 wasn't stolen. He lost,' Hurd said.

Hurd, former Gov. Asa Hutchinson and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are the three mainstream GOP candidates who have been critical of Trump.

Christie is currently polling at 2.4 percent, whereas Hutchinson is at .7 percent.

At the Turning Point Action Conference over the weekend in West Palm Beach, Florida, Hutchinson got greeted with boos and a 'TRUMP!' chant.

'Here's what I think is important,' Hurd continued. 'If we want to be rid of Donald Trump, we have to beat him in the Republican primary, full stop.'

'And that's going to require folks that care about the country, that are not afraid to get attacked by online trolls, that are going to go out there and fight,' he added.

He suggested he could be the one to break through because he's won difficult races in the past.

'I'm a black Republican that represented a 72 percent a Latino district. In Texas. Nobody thought I had a chance,' Hurd said.

He argued Trump needed to be gone so he could have a 'real competition of ideas with Joe Biden on the debate stage about issues that we face, because we face serious challenges.'
Newly emerged video footage appears the show the moment an inflatable emergency slide fell to earth from a commercial plane landing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

No one was injured in the incident on Monday, when the slide fell from United Airlines Flight 12 into a Chicago home's back yard before the plane landed safely on a flight from Switzerland.

Video from a home surveillance camera obtained by DailyMail.com shows the Boeing 767 pass briefly through the frame before an object comes fluttering down toward the ground.

The slide landed in the back yard of Patrick Devitt's home on the 4700 block of North Chester, a quiet tree-lined residential street of single-family homes.

Devitt said he was driving home to his home on the city's far northwest edge when his son and father-in-law, who were home at the time, 'heard a loud boom hit the side of the house' around noon.

Newly emerged video footage appears the show the stunning moment an inflatable emergency slide fell to earth from a commercial plane landing at Chicago O'Hare

Devitt told WLS-TV the pair initially didn't think much of the noise until his father-in-law went outside and discovered the silver slide crumpled in the yard.

Neither one of them could not immediately identify what the slide was other than 'obviously something that should not be there' and called 911 after noticing fuel caps on the sides of the object.

Devitt dragged the slide from his backyard to the front. He said the slide hit part of the house, damaging the roof, downspout and a window screen.

'When it's all stretched out, like it's a little jumbled up I'm sure in the picture from when we dragged it out, its larger than a small car. It's a very, very big piece of equipment,' Devitt said.

Following the incident, United said it had immediately contacted the Federal Aviation Administration and was working to better understand what had happened.

A United spokesman told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that the company had nothing new to share on the investigation.

The FAA said in a statement that it is investigating the matter, but offered no new updates beyond what was shared Monday.

Investigators and members of the Chicago PD inspect the slide found in a local yard

A map shows the proximity of the backyard where the missing slide was found relative to Chicago's O'Hare airport, where the United flight safely landed

A fully inflated emergency slide is shown deployed from the side of a plane

After the flight from Zurich landed without incident at O'Hare, maintenance workers discovered an emergency evacuation slide was missing.

United said the Boeing in question was manned by 10 crew members and had 155 passengers on board.

Patrick said the Chicago Police Department 'were great, they were here right away,' and that other units joined them soon after. The slide was eventually cleared away at around 3.45pm.

Devitt said his house sustained 'slight damage,' but 'nothing too crazy' in the freak incident.
The US soldier who crossed into North Korea had been acting 'reckless and crazy' for several months following the tragic death of his seven-year-old cousin from a rare genetic disorder, a relative has revealed.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, suffered a breakdown after King'Nazir Gates passed away in February 2023.

Before the border dash, King had also been jailed in South Korea for two months after attacking a man in a night club and damaging a police car. He was also facing disciplinary action from his Army superiors.

King'Nazir's father, Carl Gates, who is the brother of Travis King's mom, said it seemed like the soldier was 'breaking down' as his cousin's condition deteriorated.

'It affected Travis a lot because he couldn't be here. He was in the Army, overseas,' said Gates.

Travis King, who bolted into North Korea on Tuesday, had been acting 'reckless and crazy' for several months following the tragic death of his cousin, King'Nazir Gates, from a rare genetic disorder

King'Nazir's father, Carl Gates, who is Travis King's uncle, said: 'The pain came from my son and it escalated to this'

'When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away Travis started [being] reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die,' he told the Daily Beast.

'I know it was related to what he did.'

King'Nazir suffered from an extremely rare disorder called SPTLC-2, which caused his muscles to deteriorate. The little boy went through extensive treatment for the condition, but he deteriorated rapidly several weeks before his death.

His family said he was 'always in good spirits' despite his illness and described him as an 'animal lover' and 'outdoor lover'.

Gates said King 'loved and cherished' his cousin, adding: 'Picture yourself being in the Army and your baby cousin from your favorite, my only child, he's struggling and going through pain.

'And he's crying like a baby, and now you're in the service and you can't do nothing about it. And then you're crying like a baby. The pain came from my son, and it escalated to this s***.'

Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, suffered a breakdown after King'Nazir Gates (pictured) passed away in February 2023, the soldier's uncle said

Fears were growing for King on Wednesday as North Korea was still yet to produce the soldier or acknowledge the incident

A sightseer on the border tour captured King in a photograph moments before he bolted into the secretive communist state.

King is seen wearing a black t-shirt and hat purchased from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone as he peers across the border into the secretive communist country.

Witnesses said he laughed hysterically as he made the mad dash after fleeing his military superiors and joining the tour.

The tourist who witnessed King's crossing and took the photo of the soldier, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'.

Leslie and her father, tourists from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea.

King was among the group of 43 tourists, although he was casually dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt and she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

A tourist who witnessed King's stunt, Sarah Leslie from New Zealand, said she initially believed it was a stunt 'for TikTok'

Leslie said her tour group went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held.

To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didn't seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running 'really fast'.

'I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do,' Leslie said. 'But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, 'Get that guy.''

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

Former President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on June 30, 2019 - the spot where King made his crossing

King crossed the border at Panmunjom, during a tour of the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone

But the soldiers didn't have time to respond. She said that after running about 10 meters (30 feet) down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Leslie said she didn't see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadn't seen King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

'People couldn't really quite believe what had happened,' Leslie said.

'Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other.'

King's mother, Claudine Gates, said last night she was 'so proud' of her son and added: 'I just want him to come home, come back to America.'

Gates, from Racine, Wisconsin, said: 'I can't see Travis doing anything like that.'

The picture surfaced as it emerged King had a string of run-ins with police in South Korea for offences which included battering a man in a night club and damaging a police car.

Court documents reveal that months earlier, King had faced two assault allegations and was fined by a South Korean court for damaging a police car.

King's mother, Claudine Gates, just wants her son to return to their Wisconsin home (pictured)

At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody

The border between North Korea and South Korea is heavily guarded

Court records reveal King pleaded guilty to assault and destruction of public goods stemming from an October incident, and on February 8 the Seoul Western District Court fined him 5 million won ($4,000), according to a copy of the ruling reviewed by Reuters.

Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldier had been due to face disciplinary action by the U.S. military. It's not clear whether the disciplinary action was linked to his conviction over damaging the police vehicle.

The Seoul court said on September 25 last year King punched a man in the face at a club several times but the case was settled.

Two weeks later, on October 8, police officers responded to a report of another altercation involving King, and tried to question him. He continued with his 'aggressive behavior' without answering questions from police, according to the court document.

Police placed him in the backseat of their patrol car where he shouted expletives and insults against Koreans, the Korean army, and the Korean police, the ruling said.

During his tirade, he kicked the vehicle's door several times, causing about 584,000 won ($461) in damages, the ruling said.

The court said the defendant had admitted to the charges, had no previous criminal record, and paid 1 million won ($790) to fix the vehicle, citing reasons in favor of him in the sentencing.
But customers complained last month they could not access their savings

Tech giant launched its savings account to much fanfare thanks to its competitive 4.15% yield

Apple customers claim they have been credited $100 'goodwill payments' after complaining firm had kept their life savings 'hostage'

Apple has quietly credited some of its savings account customers with $100 - after they accused the tech giant of holding their money 'hostage.'

More than 240,000 savers are believed to have flocked to Apple's new account when it launched in April with a competitive 4.15 percent yield - more than 10 times the average rate offered by US banks.

But the firm - which partnered with Goldman Sachs on the venture - was mired in controversy after savers complained they were unable to access their funds.

Now reports state the corporation is handing out $100 'goodwill payments' to those who complained about the error.

In an email to customers published on the forum MacRumors reads: 'The experience we provided for a withdrawal request you made for your savings account in May did not meet our standards.

Apple has quietly credited some of its savings account customers with a $100 'goodwill payment,' according to emails posted in online forums

More than 240,000 savers are believed to have flocked to Apple's new account when it launched in April with a competitive 4.15 percent yield

'Thank you for your patience while we completed internal reviews. We are making a one-time goodwill credit of $100 to your Savings account as a courtesy to you for this experience.'

Neither Apple nor Goldman Sachs responded to Dailymail.com's requests for comment.

It is not clear how many Apple Savings users benefited from the payment.

But in June, dozens of customers complained about the glitch with the product.

Saver Nathan Thacker, who lives outside Atlanta, told the Wall Street Journal he had been trying and failing to transfer $1,700 from his Apple account to JPMorgan Chase since May 15.

Each time he contacted Goldman Sachs' customer service department, he was told to wait a few days. He only received the funds after the WSJ intervened.

Social media was also littered with similar stories of savers unable to get their hands on their money.

Kevin Smyth, from Minnesota, tweeted Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook last week and wrote: 'Was your plan to partner with a bank that holds peoples life savings hostage?'

Another Twitter user wrote: 'Do not setup direct deposit using savings account by Apple.

'You may not see that money for 3-4 weeks based on my experience. Let them have the nickels and dimes and nothing else.'

At the time, Goldman Sachs said the difficulties were being faced by a 'limited' number of customers. It added delays were often due to rigorous processes designed to protect users.

A spokesman said: 'The customer response to the new Savings account for Apple Card users has been excellent and beyond our expectations.

'While the vast majority of customers see no delays in transferring their funds, in a limited number of cases, a user may experience a delayed transfer due to processes in place designed to help protect their accounts.'

The spokesman added: 'We take our obligation to protect our customers deposits very seriously and work to create a balance between a seamless customer experience and that protection.'

Apple's savings account is only available to those who use its credit card, Apple Card.

Customers can open one in less than a minute directly from their iPhone and there is no minimum balance requirement.

The yield on Apple's savings account is more than ten times the average US savings rate, which is currently a paltry 0.39 percent

It is also fee-free and offers a maximum balance of $250,000. And savers are free to access their money at any time - unlike many mainstream accounts which limit customers to six cash withdrawals a year.

When it launched in April, it immediately garnered a great deal of attention due to its competitive rate. Sources told Forbes around 240,000 accounts were opened within the first week of business.

And two sources revealed that the offering drew in nearly $400 million deposits on its first day.

Savings rates have remained pitifully low compared to the cost of borrowing, with the average U.S yield now 0.39 percent, according to data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

It falls well below the Federal Reserve's funds rate which is currently hovering between 5 and 5.25 percent. In theory, this figure should loosely determine saving rates offered by banks.

But Apple's competitive deal means users can earn up to 10 times more over the course of a year.

For example, if a customer put $1,000 into a savings account which offered the Fed's average yield of 0.39 percent and left it alone, they would earn just $3.90 interest in 12 months.

However with the Apple account, they would make $41.50 on their savings - a difference of $37.60.
The body of YouTube star Annabelle Ham was pulled from an Alabama bay on Saturday, authorities have revealed.

The 22-year-old died after suffering an epileptic event in Fairhope, where she was celebrating a bachelorette party.

She was reported missing by her sister just hours before her body wad discovered in the waters of Mobile Bay - a few miles from the pier where she was last seen.

An official cause of death has not been released.

The college student's family confirmed her death in a heartbreaking post to her Instagram on Tuesday.

YouTube star Annabelle Ham has died suddenly at the age of 22. Her body was pulled out of the Alabama bay on Saturday

The YouTuber was last seen walking on a pier at the end of Molokai Lane in Fairhope, per police

'Were writing this with heavy, heavy hearts. Annabelle experienced an epileptic event and has gone on to the gates of heaven,' her family said

'Were writing this with heavy, heavy hearts. Annabelle experienced an epileptic event and has gone on to the gates of heaven,' her family wrote.

'She struggled with this for a long time and wanted to raise awareness for it, which we will do in honor of her.'

Annabelle was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Baldwin County Coroners Office report obtained by The New York Post.

Her body was taken to the Alabama Department of Forensics in Mobile for an autopsy.

The vlogger's older sister Alexandria had previously said on Facebook that Annabelle was last seen walking along a pier.

'My sister is missing. We have her phone. She might have fallen off pier,' read her post on Saturday.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Fairhope Police Department for additional comment on this story.

Following speculation surrounding Annabelle's death, her family asked for privacy as they mourn the student.

'Please dont post or spread speculation or details that are unfounded. There will be a time to share more details and to go deeper into her life,' they wrote.

'Unnecessary comments only serve to hurt us all, this is a time for remembrance and mourning. Thank you.'

Annabelle was studying communicat6ions at Kennesaw State University in Georgia

The influencer had struggled with epilepsy for a while, according to her family

Annabelle's sorority at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, where she was studying communications, also paid tribute to the social media star.

Alpha Omicron Pi is mourning the loss of Annabelle Ham, Beta Zeta,' the group wrote on Facebook.

'Annabelle lived a vibrant life, brought smiles into every situation, and was cherished by all who knew her.

'Our sisterhood is completely heartbroken for the Ham family and for a beautiful life tragically cut short.'

The content creator had more than 70,000 followers on Instagram and over 77,000 YouTube subscribers.

She started her following on YouTube, where she began posting videos about her lifestyle in 2014.

Annabelle often vlogged about her daily life as a college student and gave makeup and beauty advice.

Fans have been honoring her in the comments section of her social media since the tragic news emerged.

'Rest in peace to the most caring beautiful soul, youre in a better place,' read one comment under her last Instagram post, uploaded on July 9 from Savannah.

Another follower wrote: 'Heart is broken. I love you so much Annabelle.'

'There will never be words for how heartbroken my family and I are. Annabelle was such a light to the world. A spark-plug,' her sister Alexandria wrote on Monday.

'If you knew Annabelle, you loved her and loved being around her. She loved others so well too. Please keep my family in your prayers.'

Amelia Ham, Annabelle's other sister, also took to Instagram to honor 'sweet and pretty' Annabelle.

She wrote: 'i dont understand why god does things but, i cant even put into words how hard this is. you would never think something like this would or could happen to you until it does.

'Annabelle was such a good sister to alexandria, and me. she was amazing, she has gone to so many places seen and done so many things. she was always happy and lighted up every room. but god was ready for her.

'I know she always wanted to live life to the fullest, thats what we have to do now. and i know she is dancing around in heaven right now. i cant wait to give u a big hug one day.'
A US Marine veteran who claimed his unit saw a secret military UFO in 2009 has said he is now living in fear for his life as he believes dark forces want him silenced.

Former rifleman Michael Herrera, 33, has said he doesn't want to end up like disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein - who he suggests was killed, despite his August 2019 death being ruled a suicide.

Last month, Denver-born Herrera sensationally claimed that while he was serving in Indonesia in 2009, his six-man unit stumbled across a flying saucer being loaded with weapons.

Herrera was then a 20-year-old rifleman sent on a Navy humanitarian mission during the 2009 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami that devastated the region.

He told the Mail that while guarding an airdrop of aid supplies outside the city of Padang in October that year, his six-man unit stumbled across a hovering octagonal craft in apparent use by clandestine US forces.

He claims that his six-man unit stumbled across a hovering octagonal craft and they were threatened at gunpoint by unmarked US forces at the scene. A rendering of the scene is above

Herrera claims an Air Force lieutenant colonel told him: 'You're not allowed to talk about what happened. You will go to prison, or you will die'

Speaking at length with podcaster Shawn Ryan, Herrera said he is worried that he will one day be killed by the sinister forces which he believes are trying to cover up UFO secrets

'I could see something moving and rotating. It was changing colors between a very light matte gray to a very dark matte black,' he said. 'It stuck out like a sore thumb.'

They were then threatened at gunpoint by unmarked US forces at the scene who told him not to disclose his sighting of the 'flying saucer' to anyone, according to Herrera, and his camera was seized by some mysterious 'men in black'.

Herrera, 33, said he doesn't want to suffer the same fate as Jeffrey Epstein - who he suggests was killed registered as a suicide

Now, the former Marine claims the threat continues to hover over him - quite literally, as he says black helicopters have been circling his Denver home.

People who say they've had alien encounters often complain about being stalked by black helicopters - a common trope which skeptics claim is just an urban myth.

Speaking at length with podcaster Shawn Ryan, he said he is worried that he will one day be killed by the sinister forces which he believes are trying to cover up the Pentagon's UFO secrets.

'I don't feel like harming myself everybody makes the joke Epstein didn't kill himself... so the same goes here,' Herrera said.

'I don't have any reason to harm myself so if anything happens  it's not from me.

'I've had numerous encounters with f***ing helicopters hovering over my house,' he added. 'They were hovering over my dad's house too.

'They get so low, where they rattle the walls [and] scare the sh*t out of the animals that we've got.

'[My dad's] dogs were going f***ing crazy at that point and he was concerned because he was home and he was like I've never heard anything like that.'

Herrera added that he believes other UFO whistleblowers have been subjected to similar intimidation tactics.

Former Marine Michael Herrera tells DailyMail.com that he saw a UFO being loaded with weapons while serving in Indonesia in 2009. He was just 20 at the time

'There's just a kind of hysterical factor to this how much money they're f***ing spending on this to happen to try to either intimidate me or anybody else for that matter,' he said.

Herrera says he was emboldened to break his 14-year silence by new UFO whistleblower protections and in April testified under oath about his wild story

'There's some elected officials, and even some government officials I know they're having the same thing happen to them because they've told me about it personally.'

Herrera's claim about seeing the UFO in Indonesia came after 14 years of silence.

He felt emboldened by new UFO whistleblower protections, and in April testified under oath to the government's UFO investigation team, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), as well as a Senate committee.

The veteran provided his unblemished four-year service record, and texts about the incident with an alleged fellow witness  who refused to talk, saying it was 'not worth my life or jeopardizing my family'.

Peripheral aspects of his account were verified by DailyMail.com using military sources. But Herrera, 33, does not have documentation or photos of the incident itself.
The Biden administration is still trying to find out the health and whereabouts of an American soldier who crossed into North Korea, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday.

Private Travis King was last seen a day earlier, sprinting across the border as members of his tour group looked on in shock.

North Korea has offered no details of its apparent detention of the 23-year-old cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division.

At her daily briefing, Jean-Pierre was asked if the U.S. knew where he was being held and his health status.

'The White House, Department of Defence, the State Department and the U.N. are all continuing to work together on this matter to ascertain the information ... the questions that you just asked me about his well being and the whereabouts of private King,' she said.

'We are still gathering all the facts. It is still very early on.'

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said officials had 'reached out' to Sweden, which has diplomatic relations with North Korea, for help in bringing home Private Travis King

King was last seen on Tuesday as he ran from a tour group in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. Tourists thought it was some kind of prank

King signed up in 2021 but was due to return to the U.S. under a cloud. He had recently been released from local detention after an altercation last year.

On Monday he was supposed to fly back to Texas. He was escorted to Seoul's international airport but left without boarding his plane.

Experts on North Korea said that he could either hand the secretive nation a propaganda coup if he claims to be defecting, or represent a valuable bargaining chip for its leader Kim Jong-un.

Jean-Pierre added: 'We're gathering all the facts. But I want to be very clear that the administration has and will continue to actively work to ensure his safety and the return of private King, to us and to his family, obviously.'

She said that included working with Sweden, which maintains diplomatic relations with North Korea, as well as with South Korea.

However, Swedish embassy staff are reportedly yet to return to the country after they were ordered out during the COVID-19 pandemic, further complicating matters.

US Army Private 2nd Class Travis King, circled, is pictured during the tour moments before his dash across the border into North Korea. His hat was purchased from a gift shop at the demilitarized zone

A woman who was on the tour with King said she initially thought his dash was some kind of stunt.

'I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a Tiktok, the most stupid thing you could do,' tourist Sarah Leslie told the Associated Press.

'But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, "Get that guy."'

She said that after running about 30 feet down a passageway between distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and disappeared from sight.

Leslie, from New Zealand, said he was part of a 43-strong group that left Tuesday morning from the South Korean capital Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides north and south.

King is the first known American soldier held in North Korea for nearly five years.

The Japan Ministry of Defense posted this map of where two ballistic missiles fell

The episode comes amid heightened tensions. On Tuesday night North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in what was said to be a test just as a U.S. nuclear armed submarine was arriving off South Korea.

The distance traveled by the missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first such visit since the 1980s.

Meanwhile King's mother, Claudine Gates, said she had heard from her son just days before and he told her that he would return to his base in Fort Bliss, Texas.

She said she was 'shocked' by the news, adding: 'I can't see Travis doing anything like that.'
A kayaker inadvertently filmed his own drowning death with a GoPro camera that had been mounted to his head, police have revealed.

Alaska State Troopers made the announcement on Tuesday, after discovering the harrowing footage during their search for still-missing Paul Rodriguez Jr, 43, in a glacial lake.

Last seen on July 10 by his roommate, the avid outdoorsman is believed to have set out on the ill-fated excursion on July 11, posting to social media pictures of a kayak on a beach near Nugget Falls, an area set along the lake.

Cops said they discovered the same kayak floating unattended on the lake - where sea temperatures are around 50 degrees Fahrenheit this time of year - on Monday, leading to the recent search effort.

Despite launching helicopters and specially trained sea dogs to scan the sprawling, 200-foot-deep lake, it was eventually a passing 'good Samaritan' who found the missing man's camera-fitted helmet on the lakeshore Monday, officials said - with officers now revealing the footage contained inside captured his death in full.

Paul Rodriguez Jr, 43, is believed to have disappeared on July 11, when he set out with his kayak to Alaska's Mendenhall Lake (seen here). The boat was found overturned, spurring a search effort. On Monday, a resident found the adventurer's GoPro, which cops said showed his death

Cops said they discovered the same kayak floating unattended on the lake - where Rodriguez would regularly fish and boat - on Monday, leading to the three-day search effort

'A review of the video determined Rodriguez had drowned on July 11 when his kayak overturned, and he went into the glacial water,' a daily dispatch noted of the day the small craft was found.

'The recording continued showing that the kayak overturned due to a strong current coming from the glacier,' Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain further confirmed in a Tuesday statement by email.

'It also showed he was not wearing a life jacket 'or appropriate protective clothing for glacial water sports,' troopers also noted.

Relatives of Rodriguez - an intrepid adventurer who regularly posted about his kayaking and hiking exploits in the Mendenhall Glacier area - have been told he has been declared dead based on the footage, they said.

'Teams will continue to search the lake to recover the body,' officials added.

The search effort started on Sunday, after workers at the US Forest Service noticed a vehicle had been parked at the center's lot since July 11.

The vehicle was later confirmed to belong to Rodriguez, and that same day, someone towed an empty kayak to shore and alerted Alaska State Troopers.

Staffers with the Forest Service also said they had seen a man 'believed to be associated with the vehicle, walking towards the glacier wearing a t-shirt and carrying an ice axe and climbing helmet,' Juneau police later said.

A resident of Juneau, Rodriguez was an intrepid adventurer, and regularly ventured out into the recreational area near Mendenhall Glacier where the lake (seen here) is set

Authorities who recovered the camera have not yet found his body, but confirmed it contained footage showing him drown

Troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS launched the search. on Monday, after speaking with Rodriguez's roommate and being informed that a kayak that looked like the one Rodriguez had been posted on social media (seen here)

A dry bag was attached to the found kayak, but nothing that identified its owner, investigators said.

'The complainant reported towing the kayak to shore after finding it unoccupied and no one around it in the lake in distress. AST took possession of the items for safekeeping as there was no identifying markings on the kayak,' the statement said.

Troopers went on to stash the boat for safekeeping.

Then, on Monday, after speaking with Rodriguez's roommate and being informed that a kayak that looked like the one Rodriguez had posted on social media, troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS launched the search.

An unnamed Juneau resident went on to find the helmet washed up at the lakes edge the next day, Juneau police spokesman DeSpain confirmed Tuesday.

The search for the deceased, meanwhile, continued Wednesday, as officials seek to give closure to the Juneau residents family.

Relatives such as his teenage son, Jaden, are now recalling how he loved fishing, paddle boarding, snowboarding, and the great outdoors in general, and that he had at some point took up religion to better his life.

'He was a good person, his son said Wednesday as the search continued.

Relatives such as his son, Jaden, are now recalling how he loved fishing, paddle boarding, snowboarding, and the great outdoors in general, and that he had at some point taken up religion to better his life. His final Facebook post read: 'Headed up to the glacier!'

He added that his father was kindhearted and enjoyed taking photographs of his outdoor exploits.

His final Facebook post, which friends presented to authorities to help launch the search, showed he and his kayak with a heart wrenching caption.

'Headed up to the glacier!' it read.

As of Wednesday afternoon, his body has yet to be found. The search is currently focused along a recreational area of the glacial area.

The footage of Rodriguez's drowning will not be released.
Shoppers flocked to the opening of a Babies R Us store in New Jersey on Wednesday - five years after its owner Toys R Us went into liquidation.

The new location - which spans 10,000 square feet and sits in the city's American Dream Mall - has been orchestrated by management firm WHP Global after it snapped up the chain in 2021.

It comes as most bricks-and-mortar stores fall victim to a so-called 'retail apocalypse' - with rival Buy Buy Baby set to shutter all 120 of its stores and continue as an online operation.

On Instagram, Babies R Us uploaded several shots of its grand comeback - with dozens of shoppers appearing to line up outside.

The firm captioned the post: 'The rebirth of Babies R Us. Welcoming the new U.S. flagship store to the American Dream family.'

Shoppers flocked to the opening of a Babies R Us store in New Jersey on Wednesday

The new location spans 10,000 square feet and sits in the city's American Dream Mall

Babies R Us shut down completely in 2018 along with its sister stores Toys R Us.

At the time, it was bought by retailing company Tru Kids which attempted to resurrect the brand with two new store locations in New Jersey and Texas in late 2019.

However both locations shut again in 2021, with the firm blaming the pandemic for the closures. In the same year, WHP Global bought the rights to both brands.

It has since relaunched Toys R Us through a partnership with Macy's. All 452 of the department store's locations now stock products from the children's brand.

And a flagship Toys R Us store was opened in the American Dream Mall - the same location as the new Babies R Us - in December 2021.

WHP Global CEO Yehuda Shmidman told CNN that the comeback of Babies R Us would 'mimic' that of its sister store.

He added that stores would now focus on being more experiential to entice customers.

The store's owner WHP Global said it was hoping to 'mimic' the success of its parent company Toys R Us which has also undergone an ambitious comeback

Yehuda Shmidman, CEO of WHP Global which now owns Babies R Us, said the store was a 'modern' version of the old chain

'Todays store formats are smaller and more engaging. For instance, we have created different terrains in the store, such as cement and grass, for people to test strollers.' Shmidman said.

'We like to think that the new stores will be a modern version of the Babies R Us stores of the past, but with the same DNA,'

Fans of the store expressed excitement at the reopening on Instagram.

One follower wrote on the Babies R Us page: 'Wow!! I hope they bring more back.

'I'm a fourth time mom and it's so sad that moms don't have a place to go and look at product before purchasing anymore.'

Another wrote: 'I spent so much money in Babies R Us when my kids were little. Was sad to see it good.

'One stop shop for babies! Welcome back, hope they are here to stay. Plenty of more new moms and babies to benefit from this.'

Beleaguered retailer Buybuy Baby is set to shut down all its 120 stores after finally being sold for $15.5 million

Parents were recently left bereft following the closure of 115 Buy Buy Baby stores which was caught up in the liquidation of its parent company Bed Bath and Beyond.

Last week it was announced the firm had been bought by New Jersey-based babywear designer Dream on Me Industries - which has one small store and an e-commerce site.

But the sale only included the intellectual rights to the company - meaning Buybuy Baby's bricks and mortar locations will close.

The deal brings to a close a tumultuous sales period which saw the brand almost bought by Go Global Retail, the owner of rival Janie and Jack.

The deal would have meant saving Buybuy Baby's physical stores but the negotiations fell through when the two companies failed to agree a purchase price.
A mother-of-one has revealed she was attacked by a dog when she was 17, only for her friend's stepfather, the owner, to yell that he would let the animal loose on her again if she rang the police.

Crystal Bates was hospitalised for nine days and underwent two surgeries after the savage attack in 2018 left her with holes in her leg and nerve damage.

The now-22-year-old, from Northamptonshire, had just arrived at her friend's house when the family's English Bulldog sunk its teeth into her leg as she turned to shut the front door.

'Everyone just froze and was screaming,' she told The Mirror. 'I don't think anyone knew what to do.'

And directly following the attack, Ms Bates said her friend's stepfather made her sit in the shed, before shouting: 'If you ring the police or an ambulance I will let this dog outside and it'll get you again.'

Ms Bates now struggles to be around dogs, especially since having her four-month-old son, and is campaigning for dog owners to require a license.

Crystal Bates, from Northamptonshire, had just arrived at her friend's house when the family's English Bulldog sunk its teeth into her leg as she turned to shut the front door

After arriving at her friend's in June 2018, the dog lunged at her leg.

Ms Bates said: 'There was no way he was getting off. He did lock his jaw. But luckily, in the end, I think my friends mum had to put her hand into the dogs mouth and pry the jaw open.'

Her friend's stepfather turned 'nasty' and said she could not phone the police or an ambulance and that she had to leave the house.

'Having just been attacked by that dog, thats very traumatising,' she said.

Ms Bates said that she just wanted to get home to see her mother so asked her friend to open the back gate so she could walk back to her house.

But her friend replied: 'I am ringing the police. You need help.'

Ms Bates said she was not immediately aware of the damage done to her leg as the adrenaline masked the pain and her leggings barely had a hole in them.

But she started to feel a bit of pain when she went outside and on rolling up her trousers saw that 'flesh was just there and bleeding a lot'.

On the phone to an ambulance call handler, Ms Bates was told that the longer exposed flesh was met by air, it 'just dies' and can't be brought back. Her friend and her mother then covered Ms Bates's leg in a 'dirty jumper they found outside' until the police arrived.

Following two surgeries on her leg, Ms Bates spent several weeks on crutched and had to rebuild the muscle.

But the attack left her leg covered in scars.

As she was a teenager at the time, she said body image was important and she felt self-conscious so wanted them gone. After a couple of years, she said she learned the scars are 'part of who I am, I can't really hide it.'

However, the 'mental scars' from the attack have stayed with her, and are getting worse as she gets older.

She was hospitalised for nine days and underwent two surgeries after the savage attack in 2018 left her with holes in her leg and nerve damage

Ms Bates is now wary around all dogs and says she will never get her own. If she takes her baby son for a walk, she said she often needs somebody to accompany her.

The dog was taken away from the family and put down around six months later. Ms Bates said her friend's stepfather continued to lash out when she came out of hospital, smashing her father's car just a week later.

Ms Bates did not want the dog to be put down as she believes it was 'the owner's fault, not the dog'.

'I had built love for that dog myself,' she said. 'I kept fighting and fighting for them to give it rehab and training and then re-home it.'

But she was told that the dog could attack again and a woman alter revealed her toddler was bit on the lip by the animal but she had not reported it.

Ms Bates is now calling for a licenese to be introduced for owners, to guarantee they meet a certain standard.

Dog licenses wewre compulsory under the Dog Licenses Act 1959 but the requirement was widely ignored. The requirement was abolised in England, Wales and Scotland by the Local Government Act 1988.
Rishi Sunak is under pressure to toughen up transgender guidance for schools despite being warned by government lawyers that it could be unlawful.

The Prime Minister admitted that the long-awaited advice for teachers is still being worked on despite previously promising it would be issued before the end of the summer term this week.

He is facing calls from some Tory MPs and campaigners to ensure that the guidance stops schoolchildren changing their names, pronouns, hairstyles and uniforms to match their preferred gender.

But it has emerged that No10 received legal advice from Attorney General Victoria Prentis that such a ban on so-called social transitioning would breach the Equalities Act.

According to The Times she said the Government would have to change the anti-discrimination law  which protects people of any age who are undergoing 'gender reassignment'  if it wanted to stop children assuming a different gender in school.

Government lawyers have also raised concerns about proposals to include a free speech defence so that teachers would not be 'compelled' to use a pupil's chosen pronouns, according to The Times.

The Prime Minister admitted that the long-awaited advice for teachers is still being worked on despite previously promising it would be issued before the end of the summer term this week

No10 received legal advice from Attorney General Victoria Prentis that such a ban on so-called social transitioning would breach the Equalities Act

READ MORE: Tory MP Miriam Cates demands ban on schools allowing pupils to 'social transition' as Government faces backlash over new trans guidance Prominent Tory backbencher Miriam Cates claimed that 'anything other than a ban' on schools allowing children to social transition would be 'wrong' Advertisement

In addition, the Department of Health is said to have warned that the NHS would not have enough doctors to provide advice on whether or not children should be able to socially transition, as suggested by Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch.

It comes after the Mail revealed that the contentious guidance may be delayed until the new school year in September amid a Cabinet row over Mrs Badenoch's objections to social transitioning.

On a visit on Wednesday, the PM told broadcasters: 'This is a really complex and sensitive issue because it affects the wellbeing of our children.

'And it's important that we get it right, given those complexities and sensitivities.

'I'm committed to bringing forward that guidance but I want to make sure that we take the time to go through it properly.'

Prominent backbencher Miriam Cates admitted she was 'disappointed' by the delay but agreed: 'I do think that it's more important to get it right than to get it out quickly, because we are talking about the safeguarding of children.'

She told Times Radio: 'It's quite a disturbing phenomenon, and we really need to get it right, both legally and morally and from the point of view of workability for schools. So it's better to not release it than to release a bad version.'

But she said a 'lawful and safeguarding-first' way forward could be found.

'It has to be statutory because it is not fair on schools to have to make these decisions without the backup of the Government.

'The indoctrination at play here is quite serious, is well beyond the head's remit to be able to make these decisions safely and fairly. So this isn't the school's job, theirs is obviously teaching and learning. The Government needs to be the backstop for this.'
The poet W. H. Auden once observed that the only way to spend New Years Eve is either quietly with friends or in a brothel.

Startling as the latter suggestion seems, its entirely in accordance with the colourful life led by the man best known today for his poem Funeral Blues (with its opening line Stop all the clocks).

Popularised in the classic 1994 romcom Four Weddings And A Funeral, the work has become a popular reading at memorial services across the country. Not so a far less well-known poem by Auden.

Tellingly entitled A Day For A Lay, it describes, in eye-popping detail, Audens casual encounter with a denim-clad young man he picked up on the streets of New York.

With lines like I glanced as I advanced, and I shook at the touch of his fresh flesh, it was no more than a bit of silly, erotic doggerel which Auden never intended for publication.

W.H. Auden, Stephen Spender and Christopher Isherwood, photographed at the beach on Fire Island, New York, in 1947, by their friend Lincoln Kirstein

But, as shown in papers revealed by The National Archives earlier this week, it had a major impact on his career, being the main reason he was deemed unsuitable for the role of Poet Laureate following the death of the previous incumbent Cecil Day Lewis  father of Hollywood actor Daniel  in the summer of 1972.

That honour went instead to Sir John Betjeman  with whom Auden claimed to have been caught in bed when the two of them were students at Oxford. Legend had it that Auden had to bribe his college servant with 5 for keeping quiet about it.

While Betjeman always denied the story, later threatening to sue a biographer who planned to include it in his book, Auden tacitly admitted it, joking that it wasnt worth the 5.

Such indiscretion and levity were at odds with his image as a stuffy, donnish man of letters, as were his many dalliances in cosmopolitan, inter-war Berlin, where he moved in circles which included author Christopher Isherwood, his great friend and occasional lover.

As depicted in the film Cabaret  based on Isherwoods semi-autobiographical novel Goodbye To Berlin  the Weimar capital was known for its sexual liberation and, in particular, its acceptance of homosexuality.

Or, as Auden bluntly put it in a letter to a friend, it was a b***ers daydream.

There are 170 male brothels under police control, he wrote.

In the same letter, Auden, who lived near the Cosy Corner, a working-class gay bar in a rundown part of the city, described his current boy as a cross between a rugger hearty and Josephine Baker, an erotic cabaret star known for her semi-naked dance routines.

READ MORE: An obscene poem in an underground magazine and why WH Auden missed out as Poet Laureate despite many believing he was the most important wordsmith of his age Advertisement

They were apparently in some kind of sadomasochistic relationship, with Auden cheerfully admitting to his friend that he was a mass of bruises after a night with the young man.

Convinced that gratifying his homosexual desires would somehow enable him to outgrow them, he appears to have given full rein to his lust  a contrast to the selfdenial of his earlier years.

Born in York, in 1907, to a father who was a doctor and a mother who was a nurse, Wystan Hugh Auden began writing poems when he was 15, among them a homoerotic work dedicated to school friend Robert Medley.

Coming across this one day, his mother passed it to his father who lectured the two boys about such intimacy and destroyed the poem.

At Oxford, he repeatedly fell for sturdily heterosexual athletes who did not return his interest.

He made fruitless efforts to change his sexual inclination through psychoanalysis, even embarking on several relationships with women.

By the time he went to live in Berlin in 1928, 21-year-old Auden was engaged to be married.

But the relationship did not last long as he gave rein to the desires expressed in a series of love poems written in German. In one, he talks of becoming another mans menial [worker] without a moan . . . Give me the heavy work.

Ill hump your stuff, Ill wash and clean for you. If Im allowed to do your bidding, that will be enough.

Returning to England in 1929, he broke off his engagement and began teaching in a prep school while working on his first book, Poems, which was published in 1930 and brought him to wide public attention.

He went back to Berlin occasionally to see Isherwood and a young man called Willi with whom he had begun a new affair.

It was on these visits that he met Erika Mann, daughter of the German novelist Thomas Mann.

She was a lesbian cabaret artiste who was concerned for her safety after satirising the Nazis persecution of homosexuals in her act.

The poem was popularised in the classic 1994 romcom Four Weddings And A Funeral (pictured), the work has become a popular reading at memorial services across the country

In 1935, they married purely so that she could flee to England, but they never lived together and, in 1939, he and Isherwood  by then both celebrated literary figures of the day  moved to New York.

There, Auden met his lifelong companion Chester Kallman, an opera librettist who was 14 years his junior. Kallman seduced Auden by sitting in the front row at one of his readings and winking at him as he recited his verse.

They embarked on a relationship fraught with acrimony and separations as Kallman insisted on continuing to sleep with other men while Auden wanted to remain monogamous. In the end, he settled for what he could get.

Were a funny pair, you and I? he concluded in one love letter to Kallman. But the relationship somehow seemed to work, even if the mores of the day meant that they could never go public as a couple.

Indeed, none of the many poems celebrating Audens love for Kallman mentioned his gender, and much of his work was informed by the strong Anglican faith whose doctrines forbade such same-sex relationships.

This spirituality did not make him pious. Using amphetamines to fuel his literary output, he smoked and drank heavily but insisted to his friend Oliver Sacks, the New York neurologist and celebrated author, that he was a drunk rather than an alcoholic.

I once asked him what the difference was, and he said: An alcoholic has a personality change after a drink or two, but a drunk can drink as much as he wants. 

He was famously untidy in appearance, turning up to one poetry reading in later life in what an attendee described as a stained and ash-spattered suit and battered carpet slippers, before rising to the microphone with his fly undone.

In an interview at the time of Cecil Day Lewiss death he insisted that he had no interest in the post of Poet Laureate.

And that was just as well given that a copy of A Day For A Lay, originally intended to be circulated only among Audens friends, had been leaked in the 1960s, with all 34 unexpurgated verses of it subsequently published in an underground magazine.

When it came to selecting a successor to Day Lewis, various officials described Auden as the best poet alive and the bookmakers made him 5-4 favourite.

But then came a tip-off from Ross McWhirter, co-founder of the Guinness World Records and a prospective Tory parliamentary candidate.

He reported the existence of the offending verses to John Hewitt, the Downing Street appointments secretary who outlined the pros and cons of various appointees to Prime Minister Edward Heath before he made his final recommendation to the Queen.

H Auden (right) and Erika Mann pictured in the year of their marriage

One obstacle to appointing Auden was that he had taken American citizenship at the beginning of the war. That issue could have been solved by the poet becoming a British citizen once again, and Hewitt was clear as to his real objection.

I have had representations that there has been published under his name pornographic poems of so filthy a character that his appointment would bring disgrace upon the office, he wrote.

In the event, Auden would not have been in the post long even if appointed. The following year, he died unexpectedly of heart failure in a Viennese hotel, a few hours after giving a reading of his work.

Two years later, his memorial stone in Westminster Abbey was unveiled by John Betjeman  a final twist in the story of how the man regarded as one of the foremost writers of the 20th century became the Poet Laureate who never was.
The lead dingo in a pack of four that attacked on a 23-year-old woman jogging on K'gari has been captured and humanely euthanised.

Rangers captured the animal, which was about two-years-old, on Wednesday afternoon following Monday's incident in which Brisbane woman Sarah Peet was chased into the water at Orchid Beach.

Two fellow visitors in a four-wheel-drive rushed to her aid, Sarah and Shane Moffat who punched the dingoes off her, and she was taken to hospital by helicopter with numerous bites.

The lead dingo in a pack of four that attacked a jogger on K'gari has been put down

Brisbane woman Sarah Peet (above) was mauled by a pack of four dingoes on K'gari, formerly Fraser Island, on Monday morning.

Shane and Sarah Moffat rushed into the water when they heard Ms Peet yelling for help

Paramedic Matthew Steer said the woman had been 'corralled and harassed' by the dingoes in the attack.

Shane Moffat said he heard the woman screaming and rushed to help her, acting on instinct.

'We heard her yell help and we both just jumped out of the car ran straight towards her,' he told Today on Thursday.

'She was holding her hands up and two dogs were on both sides of her.'

'I got to the water and pulled one of the dingoes off her and another had just taken off when I got there.'

'The dingo kept going after her as she was walking out of the water and then it launched at me so I had to protect myself.'

A Queensland Department of Environment and Science spokesman said the dingo had been responsible for other recent threatening and biting incidents, including one involving a six-year-old girl.

Taking the 'significant step' to put down the animal was a decision for K'gari's rangers and traditional owners.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and rangers are attempting to identify the other dingoes involved.

'Should the other animals be identified, we will consider our management options,' the department spokesman said.

The euthanised dingo had been wearing a tracking collar since April, which had allowed Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers to track the animal and its behaviour, as well as monitor human behaviour around it.

When the animal was collared, it weighed more than 17kg, which is heavy for a dingo and a clear indication it had been fed.

The spokesman said it was also clear from its behaviour it had become habituated and had lost its natural wariness, either by being fed or from people interacting with it for videos and selfies.

Environment Minister Leanne Linard acknowledged the difficulty of deciding the future of problem dingoes on K'gari after she arrived on the island on Wednesday.

Euthanising an animal was considered an option of last resort, with the decision made by rangers in consultation with traditional owners, the Butchulla people.

'That would have been a tremendously traumatic experience for that young woman and we all hope that she makes a full recovery,' Ms Linard told reporters on K'gari on Wednesday.

Ms Peet (above) was airlifted to nearby Hervey Bay hospital with as many as 30 bites and a deep laceration on her upper arm

'Decisions in regard to the future of any particular individual dingo ... are made by the people they should be made by, and that's our rangers in conjunction with the traditional owners here on the island.

'It's not something that I involve myself in, but I deeply respect that it is a real balancing act and a difficult one.'

Files are kept on animals that display concerning behaviour as part of detailed incident reporting, the minister said.

A dingo was humanly put down in June after a string of incidents earlier this year including biting a seven-year-old boy and a 42-year-old woman on separate occasions.

'Euthanising a high-risk dingo is a last resort, but this decision is in line with the Fraser Island Dingo Conservation and Risk Management Strategy and part of (Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service's) commitment to ensuring the safety of everyone who visits or lives on the island,' the environment department said at the time.

The management of dingoes on the island, communication with visitors and whether anything needs to be done differently were due to be discussed on Wednesday.

While most people do the right thing, there have been examples on social media of people trying to interact with or even pat the animals, Ms Linard said.

'We still have a job to do I think for that small number of people who aren't aware or aren't heeding those messages,' she said.

'We need to keep people safe on this beautiful island, and we need to respect that dingoes are on this island and it's their home as well.

'And I think that important balance is best served by education.'
The head of MI6 delivered a stark message to Vladimir Putin yesterday, telling him pull out of Ukraine or risk being overthrown.

Sir Richard Moore said the only way the Russian leader could ensure his career stability and save his own skin from the chaos replaying itself into the Russian body politic was to withdraw Russian troops.

In a rare public address, he issued an extraordinary appeal to Russians to spy for MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service. He compared the fate of their country to Shakespeares doomed Hamlet.

Putin cannot live through an experience where one of his closest proteges turns upon primarily on his defence minister and his chief of general staff, you have a massive blow-up in the Kremlin that leads to troops, heavily armed troops, advancing within 125km (77 miles) of Moscow.

He has to realise, Im sure, that something is deeply wrong in the state of Denmark, to quote Hamlet. It was pretty humiliating  he had to go and cut a deal to save his own skin.

Sir Richard Moore (left) said the only way the Russian leader could ensure his career stability and save his own skin from the chaos replaying itself into the Russian body politic was to withdraw Russian troops

The head of MI6 delivered a stark message to Vladimir Putin (pictured) yesterday, telling him pull out of Ukraine or risk being overthrown

Sir Richard was referring to the failed coup by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin last month and Prigozhins criticisms of Putins chief of general staff Valery Gerasimov and defence minister Sergei Shoigu.

Sir Richard said the episode had exposed the inexorable decay of the unstable autocracy as well as the venality, infighting, and callous incompetence of Russian leadership.

When asked whether Putin will be overthrown by his people, Sir Richard said it was up to the Russians, adding: The answer to these conundrums is very clear  it is to remove troops from Ukraine.

Prigozhin was driven to do what he was driven to do by what was happening on the battlefield in Ukraine.

READ MORE: Head of MI6 appeals for Russians to join them as spies if they want to end the war in Ukraine Advertisement

So if you are sitting in the Kremlin, you must take notice of the way in which that chaos and carnage on the battlefield is now replaying itself into the Russian body politic. The best way of ensuring greater career stability is to pull yourself out.

He added: If you look at Putins behaviour on that day, Prigozhin started off as a traitor at breakfast, hed been pardoned by supper and two days later hed been invited for tea... I dont think youd need all the resources of MI6 to conclude there are deep fractures in the Russian elite around Putin.

The spymaster, known as C, revealed many Russians had already defected to help MI6 since the invasion. Come and talk to us, he urged.

There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children.

We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us.

Speaking at the British ambassadors residence in Prague, Sir Richard condemned the new Russia imperialism, whereby Putin hawks out Wagner mercenaries to African nations in a 21st-century Faustian pact for valuable rights to their mineral wealth.

He warned those nations: If Russian mercenaries can betray Putin, who else might they betray? If they can advance on Moscow, what other capitals might they threaten?

Sir Richard Moore chose to wear marmite cuff links (pictured) yesterday at a rare public address at the British Ambassador's residence in Prague. When asked when he was wearing the links, he smiled: 'I'm not trying to tell you anything...We have this particular yeast extract paste...and you either love it or you hate it'.

He added that he remained optimistic Ukraine could win the war.

Within hours of the speech, the Russian foreign ministry warned that defectors could face the same fate as Sergei Skripal, the agent poisoned in Salisbury.

Sir Richard was forced to deny that MI6 has gone a bit woke. He said: MI6 doesnt do culture wars.

What I do want is for my service to better represent the country it serves. Thats a noble aim, but its also an intensely practical aim. Diversity brings greater creativity [and] better problem solving.
With her unconventional appearance, Reverend Wendy Dalrymple was bound to take the traditional world of the church by surprise.

But Canterbury's newly-appointed cleric has had to brave a slew of abuse after online trolls attacked her for her heavily tattooed arms.

Reverend Dalrymple, 47, has become the subject of a Twitter storm as critics accused her of being 'prideful' and 'vain'.

Celebrating her new role, Canterbury Cathedral tweeted a photo of Reverend Dalrymple in a shortsleeved dog-collared dress that revealed her religious tattoos.

The photo sent Twitter trolls into uproar, blasting the Anglican as 'vain' for 'the peacock display', despite the drawings being related to her faith.

With her unconventional appearance, Reverend Wendy Dalrymple (pictured) was bound to take the traditional world of the church by surprise

Reverend Dalrymple is pictured with fewer tattoos as Chair of the House of Clergy in the Diocese of Leicester (left) and as rector of All Saints with Holy Trinity in Loughborough (right)

One tattoo is what is known as a 'Jerusalem cross', a symbol that was part of the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem of 1099-1203 AD.

The tattoo shows a cross of equal lengths, with a similar cross in each of its quarters. Beneath it are two branches joined by a bow, one, an olive branch symbolising life and hope, and the other, a palm branch for joy and happiness.

The writing below it reads 'Irvs Alem', meaning Jerusalem. Another tattoo features a dove of peace in front of a red rose. There also appears to be a large drawing of the Virgin Mary.

A troll wrote: 'Why does the residentiary canon of Canterbury Cathedral think it's so necessary to make her tatts [sic] the most important thing about her, and in some way, her job?

Reverend Wendy Dalrymple outside a tattoo parlour in Jerusalem during a visit last November

Reverend Wendy Dalrymple has posted photographs of her tattoos on social media

'No problem with the tatts in private, but the peacock display here, in her official photo, suggests both pride and vanity.'

Her latest tattoo, which she had done earlier this year, shows a skull with red roses and what looks like a nail rammed through it as well as a sun to the side, with the writing 'Biblical Womanhood'.

The new precentor, residentiary canon designate, and head of worship and events responded with a tweet writing: 'So not actually resharing but the thread that follows from this charming feedback accuses me of pride, narcissism, mental illness, being an idiot, not believing in God oh and having a top too tight that will distract men.

'How's your day going?'

Reverend Dalrymple has said the 'negativity' she has received 'was not a complete surprise'

The newly-appointed cleric at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent has had to brave a slew of abuse

The Dean of Canterbury, David Monteith spoke out in support, saying he was 'saddened by the abuse she has received'.

'Determined to shape a cathedral which addresses misogyny, entitled power and prejudice because the love of Jesus requires that.'

Meanwhile Reverend Alan Moss, a priest at St Mary's Church Walthamstow in East London, tweeted: 'I am a priest in East London covered from neck to hands and whole upper body in tattoos and the comments from Christians are ridiculous.

'The peeps on estates I work with love them. Tattoos have been around for thousands of years and tell stories of culture. #tattoos #vicars.'

Reverend Dalrymple has become the subject of a Twitter storm - including from this user

Dean of Canterbury, David Monteith spoke out in support of Reverend Wendy Dalrymple

A Canterbury Cathedral spokesman said: 'Canterbury Cathedral is delighted by Wendy's appointment, and we can't wait to welcome her to our community.

'Whilst the overwhelming majority of feedback to Wendy's appointment has been extremely positive, unfortunately there has been some online abuse about her appearance from a small number of individuals  sadly, a common experience for many women.

'This is unacceptable. As the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, tweeted in support of Wendy, we are 'determined to shape a cathedral which addresses misogyny, entitled power and prejudice because the love of Jesus requires that'.'

And, speaking about the negative reaction she has experienced, Reverend Dalrymple told the Independent: 'Sadly, the negativity was not a complete surprise as the online world can bring out the worst in people but it can also bring out the best.

Reverend Wendy Dalrymple responded to the criticism of her tattoos with a tweet

Reverend Alan Moss, a priest in East London, tweeted that he is 'covered from neck to hands and whole upper body in tattoos and the comments from Christians are ridiculous'

'I don't tend to engage directly with those who hurl abuse from behind a keyboard but I think there are times when it is good to shine a light on the comments that people make.

'The many hundreds of messages I received of support including that of the Dean of Canterbury and my future colleagues more than make up for the silliness of the few.

'The best response was hearing from someone who said, on showing my picture to their tattooed daughter and son-in-law, 'they didn't know people like them were allowed in church, and now they do'.

'If I can go just a little way to help people from all backgrounds know that they have a place at the table that makes me happy.'
On Wednesday, the White House warned the Russian military is preparing for possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea

Days after Russia suspended participation in a wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries around the world, the White House on Wednesday warned the Russian military is preparing for possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea.

Since leaving the Black Sea Grain Deal this week, Russia has already struck Ukraine's grain export ports in Odesa with missile and drone attacks. Some 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed in the attacks.

'Our information indicates that Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports,' White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said in a statement.

'We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks.'

The Russian Defense Ministry has declared international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea 'temporarily dangerous' for shipping.

The White House warned on Wednesday that Russia may expand its targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea

That followed Ukraines pledge to continue grain shipments despite the Russian pullout from the deal.

The ministry warned it would see any incoming vessel as laden with military cargo.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday made clear Russia was not continuing the grain deal allowing Ukraine to export food to the world's most needy countries.

Both Odesa and Mykolaiv - targeted overnight by Russia - are the ports used to export grain.

A senior Russian politician said Monday that Russia should not renew the Black Sea deal that would allow the safe export of Ukrainian grain in light of the attack on the Crimean bridge.

Sergei Mironov, leader of the A Just Russia party in Russia's parliament, said Moscow should instead respond by destroying Ukrainian infrastructure.

'That is what we need to do, and not discuss a grain deal that helps Kyiv's rulers and their Western masters line their pockets. There can be no grain deal after another terrorist attack,' he said on Telegram.

And Russia today refused to extend the agreement that has enabled Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports for the past year, complaining that promises to free up its own shipments of food and fertilizers had not been kept.

Adam Hodge, White House National Security Council spokesperson, said U.S. officials have information indicating Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports. Pictured: US President Joe Biden with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday made clear that Russia was not continuing the grain deal allowing Ukraine to export food to the world's most needy countries

It comes amid what Kyiv has called a 'complicated' situation on the frontline of its counteroffensive in the east, while there has been some successes in the south.

'The situation is complicated but under control (in the east),' General Oleksander Syrskyi, commander of Ukrainian ground forces, said on the Telegram messaging app.

He said Russia had concentrated forces in the direction of Kupiansk in the northeastern region of Kharkiv, but that Ukrainian troops were holding them back.

Since Kyiv launched its counteroffensive in early June, aided by weapons supplied by its Western allies, it has taken back more than 81 square miles of land, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on Monday.

But Russia still holds vast swathes of territory following its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and Ukrainian troops have encountered heavily defended positions and minefields.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the counteroffensive is 'not succeeding', and Moscow is also carrying out frequent air strikes across Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have increasingly pointed to an intensification of Russian military activity near Kupiansk and nearby Lyman in the northeast. Both cities were retaken by Ukraine late last year.
Aled Jones has been robbed of his 17,000 Rolex after he was threatened by a man wielding a machete while walking with his son.

The 52-year-old Songs of Praise star was confronted by a robber on Chiswick Road, west London, at around 5:30pm on Friday.

A source told The Sun the attacker demanded Jones hand over his Rolex Daytona watch as he waved the weapon in the faces of the singer and his 18-year-old son Lucas.

The former choirboy reportedly did 'not put up a fight' and gave the watch to the thug to prevent him or his son from being harmed.

Jones reported the incident to the police, who have since charged a 16-year-old on one count of robbery.

Jones is the latest victim of a spate of watch crimes in the capital over the last 18 months involving celebrities.

Aled Jones has been robbed of his 17,000 Rolex after he was threatened by a man wielding a machete during a walk with his son. He is pictured here wearing a Bremont watch in 2016

The Songs of Praise star, 52, was strolling around Chiswick in west London with his son Lucas, 18, when they were confronted at around 5:30pm on Friday (father and son pictured in Notting Hill earlier this year)

A source told the paper Jones was 'totally shocked' and 'shaken' after the ordeal which 'all happened so fast' when the attacker 'came out of nowhere'.

How much is a Rolex Daytona? The Rolex Daytona is one of the most desirable Rolex designs. It was first introduced in 1963 to 'meet the demands of professional racing drivers'. Its 'highly reliable' chronograph and bezel with tachymetric scale allows it to perfectly measure average speeds of up to 400 kilometres per hour. It was named after the Florida City of Daytona which was home to the first stock car race, held on Daytona Beach Road Course in 1958. Today there are a number of variations of the watch ranging in prices from around 17,000 to just under 40,000. It's dial carries 'Daytona' in red letters. Aled's watch, the Rolex Daytona, is worth around 17,000 Advertisement

They added that the singer was 'relieved' that he and his son were not hurt and that they were able to 'get home safely'.

The source said: 'You can replace a watch and everyone realised it could have been a lot worse.'

Jones's wife of 22 years, Claire and their daughter Emilia, 21, an actress who starred in the Academy Award-winning 2021 film CODA, were not with the pair at the time of the robbery.

The Metropolitan Police said: 'A 16-year-old was charged with one count of robbery. The charge follows a robbery on Friday July 7 on Chiswick Road.

'At about 17.40hrs a 52-year-old man reported he had been approached by a male who threatened him with a machete and demanded his watch.'

The 16-year-old is set to face a trial next month.

Jones has a love of watches and in 2016 spoke about his then-favourite, a Bremont.

He said: 'It's a Codebreaker watch that has part of the Enigma in it. It incorporates wood from hut six in Bletchley Park where Alan Turing helped shorten the Second World War.

'So it's a huge part of history and it beats a Rolex or Cartier any day.'

Other celebrities have been hit by recent watch thefts. In April last year, former professional boxer Amir Khan had his diamond-encrusted watch - worth around 72,000, stolen in east London in a separate, unrelated incident.

The 2004 Olympic silver medallist, 36, was targeted as he and his wife Faryal Makhdoom, 31, left the Sahara Grill restaurant in Leyton, east London, on April 18 last year.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how gunman Dante Campbell, 20, forced Khan to hand over his bespoke rose gold, diamond-encrusted Franck Muller watch worth between 60,000 to 70,000 that was gifted to him following a boxing match.

Campbell, from Hornsey in north London, and getaway driver Ahmed Bana, 25, from Tottenham, admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. They will be sentenced at a later date.

Aled Jones is seen wearing a luxury Bremont watch on two ITV programmes in 2016

Former boxer Amir Khan, pictured with his wife Faryal Makhdoom, was robbed of his diamond-encrusted watch in east London last year

Khan was robbed of this diamond-encrusted Franck Muller Vanguard Chronograph watch worth between 60,000 and 70,000

Mark Cavendish wearing the 2million watch, before it was stolen, in August 2021

The Bolton-born boxer had told the court the robber pointed a gun in his face and said: 'Take off the watch.'

In a separate incident, F1 driver Lando Norris had his 140,000 Richard Mille watch, one of only 500, stolen after Wembley's Euro 2020 final. It was ripped from his wrist by another man while he walking to his sports car on July 11, 2021.

Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish had his 2million Richard Mille blue sapphire watch taken when robbers raided his home in Essex in 2021, in a different case.

The Metropolitan Police has repeatedly warned Londoners not to flaunt expensive watches in public to avoid getting mugged.

Figures have shown in the last year alone 6,109 luxury watches were stolen in London, with 15,068 grabbed nationally.

The former choirboy reportedly did 'not put up a fight' and gave the watch to the robber to prevent him or his son (pictured in Notting Hill earlier this month) from being harmed

Earlier days: The pair pictured in 2015 at the premiere of Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie

Earlier this year, a gang responsible for a spate of terrifying robberies at knife point in south-west London were convicted after the Met's Flying Squad found a phone filled with photos of the members posing with stolen Rolex watches.

The group had stolen a BMW with false number plates to carry out their crimes, threatened victims with large knives and machetes before stealing

Jones's mugging happened in the same area targeted by a watch-grabbing gang who were targeting high-end watches when operating 18 months ago.

Days earlier, Jones had been seen out shopping with Lucas in Notting Hill. Jones was casual in trainers, jeans and a hoodie while his son wore a more formal jumper with trousers and loafers. The teenager now towers over his 5ft 10in father.

Jones, who is from Bangor in north Wales, made his name with the song Walking in the Air from The Snowman film in 1985 and made 16 albums before his voice broke at 16. He has sold six million records and sang in front of the Queen, Charles and Diana and the Pope.

He was made an MBE 10 years ago for services to music broadcasting and charitable services.
A Pfizer factory in North Carolina was destroyed by a tornado on Wednesday, leaving 50,000 pallets of medicines strewn across the site in the rain and the roof crumpled and twisted by 150mph winds.

Officials in two counties say 16 people were injured - including two with life-threatening wounds - and 89 buildings were damaged as storms passed through North Carolina.

The tornado started near Nashville, North Carolina, around 12:35pm, and swept northeast through Rocky Mount, 60 miles east of Raleigh, where it devastated the Pfizer facility.

It ran out of steam in Scotland Neck, 40 miles from where it began.

Homes lost their roofs and power lines were downed in Nash County, North Carolina.

Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said the warehouse bore the brunt of the damage, adding: 'I've got reports of 50,000 pallets of medicine that are strewn across the facility and damaged through the rain and the wind.'

The Pfizer facility in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, was devastated by a tornado on Wednesday

The National Weather Service described the tornado as an EF-3. Pictured: Locals film the storm as it passes near Rocky Mount, North Carolina

A Pfizer employee told ABC 11 that they all rushed into the safety zone on hearing of the impending storm.

He said the lights flickered inside the facility, and then came a sound 'like a bomb went off.'

The noise lasted only around a minute or 90 seconds.

Pfizer said the 250 acre site, with 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing space, 'is one of the largest sterile injectable facilities in the world'.

Nearly 25 percent of all sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals are produced at the site, and 400 million units leave the site annually.

It also produces vials, syringes, IV bags and bottles of anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives and neuromuscular blockers.

'We are assessing the situation to determine the impact on production,' the company said.

'Our thoughts are with our colleagues, our patients, and the community as we rebuild from this weather incident.'

No one was injured in the tornado, with workers running to shelters as the winds howled overhead

Aerial photos give a sense of the scale of the damage, showing parked cars in front of the site

Trees were knocked down and led to road closures as a result of the tornado

The National Weather Service described the tornado as an EF-3, according to WITN. The damage assessment is ongoing throughout Nash County,

The EF (Enhance Fujita) scale is a way to measure tornados based on windspeed. An EF-3 has winds speed up to 165 mph. The scale goes up to EF-5. The tornado that leveled Joplin, Missouri, was classified as an EF-5 storm.

Videos posted on social media and shared by locals showed the Nash County, North Carolina, twister churning and kicking up debris in the area.

'I never want to see another one like it again, because It went from sunshine to pitch black, and this storm lasted probably less than a minute - and you can see what it's done,' Dortches Mayor Jackie Vick told WITN.

'It's devastation, but the main thing as far as we've heard so far, there's not been any loss of life, some bumps and scrapes and that type thing, but no loss of life, so the rest of it we can deal with.'

The storm also lead to road closures along I-95 in North Carolina as trees came down during the tornado.

According to WRAL, in Nash County 13 people were injured and 89 structures were damaged by the storm.

'We want to thank our municipalities, Nash County volunteer fire departments, surrounding counties, North Carolina Highway Patrol, NCDOT, and North Carolina Emergency Management for their assistance during the emergency response,' said Emergency Services Director Tony Cameron. 'It takes a big team to recover from an event like this. We are also fortunate that the number of injured individuals remained very low despite the amount of damage we are seeing.'

In Edgecombe County, three people were injured, including two with severe injuries.
Brexit has allowed Britain to steal a march on European rivals and secure a new 4billion electric car battery factory that will bring thousands of jobs.

Rishi Sunak hailed the decision by the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to pick Somerset over Spain as a fantastic vote of confidence in the UK.

Government sources said being out of the EU had allowed Britain to offer a quicker, fairer and simpler way of providing state funding for the gigafactory.

The Indian conglomerate Tata Group said the site in South West England was selected ahead of a rival location in Spain and production will begin in 2026.

The firm is planning to invest 4billion into the gigafactory, which is expected to create 4,000 jobs, while the Government is also expected to provide subsidies worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

This is a fantastic vote of confidence in the UK and the UK economy, the Prime Minister said. Its one of the largest ever investments in the UKs auto sector that weve seen  its getting us ready for the future and the transition to electric vehicles.

Mr Sunak added that the UK as a whole is going to benefit, highlighting that the new factory would also create jobs along its supply chain.

The announcement comes after long-running talks between Whitehall officials and the firm as well as a private discussion in May between Mr Sunak and Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of parent company Tata Sons

The announcement comes after long-running talks between Whitehall officials and the firm as well as a private discussion in May between Mr Sunak and Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of parent company Tata Sons.

It may also provide some relief for beleaguered Tory election candidates as voters head to the polls today in three by-elections. One of the constituencies up for grabs is Somerton and Frome, which is located close to the proposed site of the new gigafactory.

Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said the Government had fought very hard to secure the factory and admitted the incentive offered to Tata was large.

I make no bones about that, he told the BBC, but refused to say exactly how much was offered in subsidies.

It was previously reported that up to 500million could be given in Government grants to help the company construct the site close to the M5 motorway in Bridgwater and cover future energy costs.

It is also understood lower electricity prices in the UK compared with Europe may have influenced the decision.

The deal, which is the most significant investment in Britains automotive industry since Nissan came to Sunderland in the 1980s, will mark a huge turnaround for the sector.

A model of the proposed new electric battery factory is seen during Mr Sunak's and Mr Chandrasekaran's visit to Land Rover in Warwick

Rishi Sunak hailed the decision by the owner of Jaguar Land Rover to pick Somerset over Spain as a fantastic vote of confidence in the UK

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) hailed it as a shot in the arm. It came at a critical moment and UK battery production was essential if we are to anchor vehicle production here for the long term, SMMT boss Mike Hawes said.

Colin Walker, of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said the new factory is vital if the UKs car industry is to move with the times.

It comes after new rules on providing state subsidies to businesses came into force in January as part of Government efforts to simplify the process and move away from more restrictive EU rules.

Under the previous system, most state subsidies were subject to drawn-out bureaucratic processes and required approval from the European Commission in advance.

But post-Brexit rules allow public authorities to award subsidies through streamlined routes that are pre-assessed by the Government to speed up the process.

Labour MP Darren Jones, chairman of the cross-party business and trade committee, welcomed the investment in UK battery production but said: We will want to reflect on the subsidy that was required to secure this deal.

The Government must set out if this type of support is available to the wider UK automotive sector.

Tatas new site in Somerset is set to be the UKs second gigafactory, joining the Envision plant in Sunderland that supplies Japanese carmaker Nissan.

But Britain still remains behind many European nations, with Germany estimated to have around 14 gigafactories planned or in operation while Hungary has five.
Russia unleashed a series of intense drone and missile attacks on ports in southern Ukraine yesterday.

The bombardment crippled parts of the grain and oil export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, destroying 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines farms ministry. At least 12 people were wounded, officials said.

It came days after president Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

It also followed a vow by Putin to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014.

Such attacks by Russian terrorists are not only affecting our country but also global stability, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said.

A firefighter works at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa

Smoke billows from a fire at a site of storage facilities

A view shows a grain terminal in a sea port damaged during the attack

Russian 152-mm self-propelled artillery mounts (SAU) 2S19 "Msta-S" fire at Ukrainian military position near Lyman in Donetsk Oblast in Ukraine in undated footage

Mr Zelensky said his government was trying to find a way to the keep the grain export corridor open, despite Russias decision to abandon the deal brokered with the UN and Turkey.

The corridor must be secure. In fact, knowing Russia, it wont be safe unless the UN starts working very clearly and firmly at the level of the secretary-general, he said.

Oniks cruise missiles and Kh-22 anti-ship missiles were used to hit grain and oil terminals, Ukrainian officials said.

Debris from those that were shot down struck apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people. Video from warehouses in Odesa showed firefighters extinguishing blazes.

Eight Iranian-made Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

The attacks were part of what Russias defence ministry described as a strike of retribution after Mondays attack on the Kerch Bridge, a key route for military and civilian supplies.

In Crimea Russian emergency officials said more than 2,200 residents had to be evacuated from four villages after a fire triggered hours of explosions at a nearby ammunition depot.

Officials did not explain the cause of the fire near the city of Staryi Krim. But unconfirmed reports on social media spoke of three Ukrainian strikes.
Calls for a tourist tax to be scrapped will make it to a Commons debate amid signs the Chancellor could finally be listening to businesses.

In a partial victory for the hundreds of prominent companies who have urged the Government to change tack, MPs will discuss the issue in a 90-minute debate after the summer recess.

It means the Treasury will have to formally respond to a campaign to reintroduce VAT-free shopping, after bosses have said absence of such a scheme is making the UK less internationally competitive.

It comes after officials working for Jeremy Hunt were asked to find evidence of the wider economic impact of the 2021 shift that meant tourists could no longer claim back a 20 per cent VAT rate charged on their purchases.

Dozens of cross-party MPs and peers have backed the Mails Scrap the Tourist Tax campaign, including former home secretary Priti Patel, as have firms such as Harrods.

Businesses have argued the Government had not fully assessed what taking away the scheme would mean for the wider tourist ecosystem.

It comes after officials working for Jeremy Hunt were asked to find evidence of the wider economic impact of the 2021 shift that meant tourists could no longer claim back a 20 per cent VAT rate charged on their purchases

It is really important that this subject is thoroughly debated in Parliament, which will hopefully send a strong message to the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Statement, said Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, treasurer of the 1922 Committee, who pushed for the debate, scheduled for September 7.

Shoppers are thought to be heading to rival cities such as Paris and shunning the chance to splash their cash in the UK.

Dee Corsi, chairman of the Association of International Retail and chief executive of the New West End Company, said the debate was a sign of how serious this issue is for Britains economy. She added: The tourist tax has already had a negative effect on many businesses in the West End and beyond, as retailers, hospitality, and leisure providers grapple with the loss of spend being diverted across the Channel.

Rishi Sunak has claimed scrapping the scheme saved the countrys coffers 2billion but business leaders have suggested there could be a net gain of 350million.
A United Nations panel has warned that brain chip technology being pioneered by Elon Musk could be abused for 'neurosurveillance' violating 'mental privacy,' or 'even to implement forms of forced re-education,' threatening human rights worldwide.

The UN's agency for science and culture (UNESCO) said neurotechnology like Musk's Neuralink, if left unregulated, will lead to 'new possibilities of monitoring and manipulating the human mind through neuroimaging' and 'personality-altering' tech.

UNESCO is now strategizing on a worldwide 'ethical framework' to protect humanity from the potential abuses of the technology  which they fear will be accelerated by advances in AI.

'We are on a path to a world in which algorithms will enable us to decode people's mental processes,' said UNESCO's assistant director-general for social and human sciences, Gabriela Ramos.

The implications are 'far-reaching and potentially harmful,' Ramos said, given breakthroughs in neurotechnology that could 'directly manipulate the brain mechanisms' in humans, 'underlying their intentions, emotions and decisions.'

The committee's warnings come less than two months after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Elon Musk's brain-chip implant company Neuralink federal approval to conduct trials on humans.

UNESCO's assistant director-general for social and human sciences, Gabriela Ramos, told a 1000-participant bioethics conference last Thursday that the convergence of neurotech and AI 'decode people's mental processes and directly manipulate the brain'

Above, Emily Cross, a professor of Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the public research university ETH Zurich presented the UN bioethics committee's key findings of the risks, promises, legal and ethical issues surrounding the new advances in neurotechnology

Neurotechnology like Musk's Neuralink implants will connect the brain to computing power via thread-like electrodes sewn into to certain areas of the brain.

Neuralink's electrodes will communicate with a chip to read signals produced by special cells in the brain called neurons, which transmit messages to other cells in the body, like our muscles and nerves.

Because neuron signals become directly translated into motor controls, Neuralink could allow humans to could control external technologies, such as computers or smartphones, or lost bodily functions or muscle movements, with their mind.

'It's like replacing a piece of the skull with a smartwatch,' Musk has said.

But those communications pathways, as the UNESCO panel warned, cut both ways.

This May, scientists at the University of Texas at Austin revealed they were able to train an AI to effectively read people's minds, converting brain data from test subjects taken via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) into written words.

UNESCO economist Mariagrazia Squicciarini, who specializes in artificial intelligence issues, noted that the capacity for machine learning algorithms to rapidly pull patterns out of complex data, like fMRI brain scans, will accelerate brain chips' access to the human mind.

'It's like putting neurotech on steroids,' Squicciarini said.

UNESCO convened a 1000-participant conference of its International Bioethics Committee (IBC) in Paris last Thursday and released recommendations Tuesday.

'The spectacular development of neurotechnology as well as new biotechnologies, nanotechnologies and ICTs makes machines more and more humanoid,' the IBC said in their report, 'and people are becoming more connected to machines and AI.'

The IBC weighed numerous dystopian scenarios seemingly out of science fiction last week in their effort to get ahead of rapidly advancing threats to human 'neurorights' which have yet to even be codified under international law.

'It is necessary to anticipate the effects of implementing neurotechnology,' the UN panel noted. 'There is a direct connection between freedom of thought, the rule of law and democracy.'

Among the IBC's myriad of recommendations in its 91-page report, the committee called for wider transparency on neurotech research from industry and academia; as well as the drafting of 'neurorights' for inclusion into international human rights law.

The IBC report described the new tech in stark terms as a challenge to 'some basic aspects of human dignity, such as privacy of mental life or individual agency.'

But UNESCO's assistant director-general for social and human sciences, Gabriela Ramos, put the converging power of neurotechnology and AI into even starker terms.

Neuralink co-founder Elon Musk has likened the surgical procedure to 'replacing a piece of the skull with a smartwatch,' as the device connects to the brain, but rests on the scalp. Above, images from a primate experiment made public at a November2022 Neuralink Show and Tell

While Elon Musk (pictured) has voiced plans for Neuralink that have focused on the device's potential health benefits  helping to curing a range of conditions from obesity and autism, to depression and schizophrenia  US federal regulators have focused on its capacity for harm

Reuters reported last December that the United States Department of Agriculture's Inspector General has been investigating potential violations of the Animal Welfare Act at Neuralink, which governs how researchers are permitted to treat certain types of animals during tests

While Elon Musk's plans for Neuralink have focused on the device's potential health benefits  helping to cure a range of conditions from obesity and autism to depression and schizophrenia  US federal regulators have focused instead on its capacity for harm.

As reported by Reuters last December, the United States Department of Agriculture's Inspector General has been investigating, at the request of a federal prosecutor, potential violations of the Animal Welfare Act at Neuralink.

The federal law governs how researchers are permitted to treat certain types of animals, within medical studies and other kinds of scientific experiments.

Neuralink has been the subject of congressional scrutiny as well, with US lawmakers urging regulators this past May to investigate whether the panel that oversees animal testing at Neuralink has contributed to botched and rushed experiments.

Neuralink's recent FDA approval came after Musk has previously boasted that his medical device company would begin human trials for a human brain implant on at least four occasions since 2019.

Over the course of those four years, the FDA had rejected several Neuralink applications for human experimentation approval, most recently in early 2022, according to seven current and former employees who spoke to Reuters.

Musk has emphasized Neuralink's potential to treat severe conditions such as paralysis and blindness, and occasionally more trivial applications, such as web browsing or telepathy.

But UNESCO's IBC drew specific attention to the threat posed by 'dual use' AI brain chip technologies, which could easily be reprogrammed or retooled for less than benevolent applications on the human mind.

Amandeep Singh Gill, the Envoy on Technology for the United Nation's Secretary-General, told UNESCO's International Bioethics Committee on Thursday that industry must be 'brought into this discussion early' to reduce the potential for abuse of neurotech 'into the future'

'The dual-use argument, which was generally brought up by bio-conservatives to emphasize risks,' the committee noted in their report, 'is now being used by bio-progressives to justify some development methods.'

'Measures must be in place to protect against neurotechnologies being open to dual use,' according to the IBC, so the medically beneficial neurotech from becoming twisted by hackers, corporate profiteers or even authoritarian regimes.

'Neurotechnology has the potential for tremendous benefits in health, education and social relationships, but also holds the potential to deepen social inequities, to harm individuals' privacy and to provide methods of manipulating individuals,' they said.

Most of the UNESCO conference's speakers voiced strong support for the creation of an actionable framework on neurotech similar to UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

As Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, put it, 'Groundbreaking developments in neurotechnology offer unprecedented potential. But we should remain aware of its negative impact if it is employed for malicious purposes.'

'We must act now,' she said, 'to ensure it is not misused and does not threaten our societies and democracies.'
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Britain may not be basking in the scorching heat that Europe is right now.

But tomorrow marks exactly a year since the UK recorded its hottest day in history, when the mercury hit 40.3C (104.5F) in Coningsby, Lincolnshire and the entire country wilted in the searing sun.

Now, new heat maps from that day - July 19, 2022 - have captured for the first time how certain areas of English cities can be up to 5C warmer because of a lack of trees or greenery.

The analysis, put together by environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) and mapping experts TerraSulis, found that neighbourhoods with more tree cover, green space, or both were much cooler than those lacking such vegetation.

It is the first time that the cooling abilities of trees and green spaces in built-up areas has been modelled, according to FOE.

Roasting: New heat maps from Britain's hottest day in history on July 19 last year have captured for the first time how certain areas of English cities can be up to 5C warmer because of a lack of trees or greenery. On the maps, the hottest areas of each city appear dark red, while the coolest, most nature-dense spots are light blue. This one shows the city of London

Red hot: The cities where the difference is most pronounced are Birmingham (pictured) and Manchester

The analysis, put together by environmental group Friends of the Earth (FOE) and mapping experts TerraSulis, found that neighbourhoods with more tree cover, green space, or both were much cooler than those lacking such vegetation. Manchester is pictured

THE AREAS IN ENGLAND MOST AT RISK TO HEATWAVES Local authority Number of neighbourhoods at risk from heatwaves in area Birmingham 210 Newham 154 Tower Hamlets 117 Hackney 111 Nottingham 101 Southwark 91 Leicester 85 Enfield 81 Ealing 79 Haringey 79 Waltham Forest 75 Lambeth 72 Brent 71 Coventry 69 Bristol 68 Peterborough 61 Croydon 60 Barking and Dagenham 59 Lewisham 57 Islington 47 Southampton 46 Luton 45 Greenwich 44 West Northamptonshire 44 Hounslow 41 Wandsworth 38 Westminster 34 Slough 32 Reading 29 Camden 28

The research covered five English cities  London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Manchester.

On the maps, the hottest areas of each city appear dark red, while the coolest, most nature-dense spots are light blue.

The cities where the difference is most pronounced are Birmingham and Manchester.

However, London's major parks, plus the tree cover and green space to the north of Bristol city centre illustrates how much cooler those areas are in comparison to the concrete jungles of other areas of the two cities.

The analysis found that people of colour make up 65 per cent of the population in neighbourhoods with the least cooling, while those on lower incomes are also disproportionately affected by a lack of tree cover near their homes.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, there were 2,803 excess deaths during the summer of 2022.

Hot weather puts older people, very young children and those with pre-existing medical conditions particularly at risk.

Chris Kilby, 70, an FOE Hackney and Tower Hamlets member, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, said: 'When the weather is extremely hot, it completely knocks me sideways.

'Last year, I believed I had overcome the worst of it, but this year's hot weather has made it nearly impossible for me to leave my house.

'Even little things like doing my regular exercises on my balcony have become really difficult.'

Rowha Mohid, founder of GuiltlessThreads, a social impact company that runs events like workshops for communities of colour on addressing eco-anxiety, said: 'Historically, people living in low-income, urban areas have had to suffer from soaring pollution levels due to badly regulated factories and roads.

'Now, we are being robbed of green spaces by luxury developments that do nothing to benefit the people living in our communities.

'As we experience more extreme heat during summers, people have nowhere cool to shelter, which leaves the most vulnerable at risk of serious health complications. Working-class communities have as much of a right to clean air, green space and a healthy environment as wealthy ones.'

It follows previous FOE research last year which found that people of colour are four times more likely to live in areas at high risk of dangerous levels of heat.

That analysis also found that nearly half (48 per cent) of neighbourhoods  or 28 million people  in England will be exposed to 'very hot weather' at 2.7F (1.5C) of warming.

This increases significantly if global temperatures rise by 3.6F (2C) and 5.4F (3C) to affect 60 per cent (34 million people) and 81 per cent (46 million people) of neighbourhoods, respectively.

A global temperature rise of 5.4F (3C) would put 50 per cent of neighbourhoods  or 30 million people  at risk of 'dangerously hot weather' where temperatures hit 86F (30C) or more for five or more days during summer.

There has been a big emphasis placed on improving green space in urban areas in recent years, with initiatives such as the Government's Levelling Up Parks Fund, London Mayor Sadiq Khan's push for more urban greening and Birmingham's plan to double green spaces by 2040.

But just last month the Climate Change Committee's annual report to Parliament warned that there had been 'worryingly slow' progress on tackling climate change.

It is the first time that the cooling abilities of trees and green spaces in built-up areas has been modelled, according to FOE. Tree cover and green space to the north of Bristol city centre (pictured) illustrates how much cooler those areas are in comparison to the concrete jungles of other areas

The analysis found that people of colour make up 65 per cent of the population in neighbourhoods with the least cooling, while those on lower incomes are also disproportionately affected by a lack of tree cover near their homes. The city of Newcastle is pictured

There has been a big emphasis placed on improving green space in urban areas in recent years, with initiatives such as the Government's Levelling Up Parks Fund, London Mayor Sadiq Khan's push for more urban greening and Birmingham's plan to double green spaces by 2040 (stock)

FOE is calling for a commitment of no less than 20 per cent tree cover across urban areas as part of the Government's upcoming Urban Trees Standard.

Campaigners want more than 3,000 of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods to be prioritised as part of a council-led, street-by-street insulation programme to help keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter.

Mike Childs, FOE's head of science, policy and research, said: 'It's remarkable to see such a striking visual representation of the cooling power of trees and green spaces in our towns and cities.

'We know that extreme weather, including heatwaves, is become more frequent and severe due to the climate crisis. But not everyone is affected equally, with the most marginalised communities the hardest hit in the UK and overseas.

'Boosting tree numbers is such a clear win for our communities and our planet, not just because of their ability to cool urban areas, but because they capture planet-warming carbon too.'
It is every parent's worst nightmare - an image or video of your child you posted to social media ends up on a sexually explicit website.

DailyMail.com spoke with several mothers who experienced first-hand the dark side of 'sharenting' - the term for parents who share lots of kiddy content online.

Some had their children preyed on by pedophiles - who are becoming well-versed with tech like AI - turned into cruel memes by trolls or had their children digitally kidnapped.

Recent studies show the average child has their picture shared online 1,300 times before the age of 13, and a new advertisement suggests that it takes just one photo and AI to recreate innocent children in ways most parents could never imagine.

The terrifying ad created to inform parents about the dangers of oversharing on social media was released last week, laying bare the sophisticated techniques being used.

The ad revealed it takes just one photo and AI to ruin a child's future. It used a nine-year-old girl named Ella as an example. This photo was manipulated with AI to make her into an adult to warn about the dangers of 'sharenting'

Leah Plunkett, author of SHARENTHOOD and faculty at Harvard Law School, told DailyMail.com: 'AI tools that are now flooding the digital world to re-work photos and videos and create animations are extremely exciting and fun.

'They also heighten the risk that bad actors will repurpose a child's image to hurt and threaten.

'More children are uniquely vulnerable to digital privacy abuses and harms because they have their whole lives ahead of them. They are in a unique developmental stage.'

Meredith Steele, from Maine, shared with DailyMail.com how her two children, a boy and a girl, were 'digitally kidnapped' in 2021.

'I did not intend to be an internet public figure at the beginning of the pandemic,' said Steele.

Meredith Steele discovered her children were digitally kidnapped in 2021. An Instagram account stole photos from hers and paraded her children around like they were theirs

'I posted a bunch of videos, and they blew up.'

Like most parents, Steele said she was not well versed in safely dealing with people interested in her life.

'In the first year that I was posting online, I would share videos of what my family was doing,' she shared.

'You know, my kids in the kitchen cooking or just normal stuff, they weren't even really a part of my actual social media content.

'It was just pictures here and there of what we were doing in our day-to-day life.'

However, the loving posts Steele shared turned into a nightmare for her and her family when she was notified about an Instagram account with 5,000 followers that was filled with pictures of her children.

'I had posted a video of my family going out to dinner, and I had tagged the restaurant that we were at,' Steele said.

'The next day, the restaurant manager sent me a message. And she said, "There's a page with photos and videos of you and your kids having dinner at the restaurant. And they tagged the restaurant, but it's not your page."'

Steele found the account and saw about six months' worth of images of her family filled the person's page.

'They had either screen recorded from my Instagram stories or saved the photos, and they gave my kids new names and new identities that we were doing all these things, which scared me so much,' she said.

A daycare worker taught Vitaly and Anastasia Zhadina Burshteyn's son to say profanity, which the worker then recorded and shared online. The video went viral, turning their then-two-year-old into a meme

Natusha Zahm told DailyMail.com how her son, aged seven at the time, believed he was speaking to a six-year-old girl on Telegram, but it ended up being an adult who asked her son for topless photos

'It freaked me out to think that a complete stranger somewhere had a bunch of images of my children saved on their phone and that they had sort of built this entire identity around them.'

Steele has since stopped sharing content featuring her children and now advocates for the dangers of doing so.

Parents in New Jersey also experienced their own horror brought on by a video of their son, who was two years old at the time of the incident - but they did not post the content in this case.

Anastasia Zhadina Burshteyn told DailyMail.com: 'My son attended a local Hoboken daycare that closed two years ago.

'We expressly denied permission to post pictures of him online, but the assistant director at the time took a video of herself teaching him to say 'F*** you' and posted it on her personal social media page.

'This video was picked up by third parties and shared everywhere, which is how the daycare found out.'

The video, shared in October 2020, was picked up by satire accounts, turning her infant into a viral meme.

'She was fired right away, and the daycare worked with us to remove the videos being re-shared (my husband actually contacted people to remove the videos from Twitter).'

The advert of the dark warnings has taken off on social media, showing how photos might be memories to parents, but they can fall into the wrong hands

The parents of Ella appear to participate in a social experiment - they go to a movie and are baffled to see their daughter's picture manipulated using artificial intelligence

While these unfortunate events occurred because of posts on social media, one Ukrainian mother's story is a warning to parents about monitoring what their children are doing online.

Natusha Zahm told DailyMail.com how her son, aged seven at the time, believed he was speaking to a six-year-old girl on Telegram.

'One day, he said he joined the Telegram channel of that blogger. I didn't like the idea  thought it was too early for him - but all his friends were joining that chat,' Zahm told DailyMail.com.

'There were about 1,000 kids chatting in the channel, so I thought it was just his friends and he was socializing.

I was sitting in the room, and he came in and took his shirt off. He was taking pictures of himself and I asked him, "What are you doing?"'

Her son explained that he met a girl on the channel who asked him for a topless photo.

'[The profile picture] was of a six-year-old girl, shown from the waist up and topless, said Zahm.

'I could tell by the style and grammar that this was not a child but an adult.'

She told her son to stop talking to the individual, but not before an explicit image was sent to his phone.

Zahm said the adult must have stolen that girl's photo or was chatting with the girl to get her photos.

Hackers can steal your child's identity with a photo you share of them online

The adult Ella tells her parents her future can be ruined by the pictures. 'A future where my identity is stolen, where I can go to prison for things I would never do,' Ella said

'This pedophile sent a picture of that girl completely naked with her legs wide open,' said Zahm.

'They must have been chatting with that girl and got her naked pictures.

My son was next to me and saw that pic and I didnt realize it would impact him the way he did. He felt like he was vomiting. I blocked that user. I deleted everything.'

An incident where AI was used to blackmail a teenage boy was shared with DailyMail.com by Yaron Litwin, who works at Canopy - a digital parenting app that detects and blocks pornography on every single website on the internet.

The boy, who loved going to the gym, shared a picture of himself bare-chested on a workout page.

'Someone was able to take that image, then edit it [with AI] and come back and blackmail this teen,' Litwin said.

'And when that happens, it's so shocking, and it's just so devastating for that young teen. Often they won't even go to their parents. They try and deal with it on their own.

However, the last warning Ella gives her parents, who are watching in horror in the crowd, is that she does not want her photos to be used as child pornography

'Often, the blackmailing is actually to send additional explicit or naked photos.

'There are three things that one really needs to be thinking about.

'One is the amount of time they might use [a social media platform.] Two is the content they're exposed to, and three is who's on the other side, and Canopy helps manage and protect and is in power.'

The advertisement, Without Consent, was created by T-Mobile's Dutch subsidiary Deutsche Telekom and details the story of Ella, whose parents shared her entire life on social media.

READ MORE: Almost half of teenagers around the world say their parents share too much about them online The survey found 42 percent of teens said they had a problem with what their parents posted about them on social media, and more than one in ten teens described it 'a big problem.' Advertisement

The parents appear to participate in a social experiment - they go to a movie and are baffled to see their daughter's picture manipulated using artificial intelligence.

'Using just one photo and AI, we created a grown-up Ella' that appeared on the theater's big screen.

An AI system then altered the image of young Ella to create the young girl as an adult.

'Hey mom, hey dad, it's me, Ella,' the digital adult Ella said.

She continues to explain how the pictures her parents shared on social media can be taken and used by anyone to create a horrible future for her.

'A future where my identity is stolen, where I can go to prison for things I would never do,' Ella said.

'Imagine my credit score being destroyed dad, or my voice copied to scare you mom.

'I don't want to become a meme, humiliated by everyone at school.'

The clip then shows Ella's body with a different person's face who says, 'You should go kill yourself, you f**cking loser.'

However, the last warning Ella gives her parents, who are watching in horror in the crowd, is that she does not want her photos to be used as child pornography.

The movie screen shows a blurred image of young Ella that her parents uploaded of her at the beach.

The innocent image is of her frolicking through the water, but a predator took it from her parents' social media page and uploaded it to an explicit site that was then downloaded more than 7,800 times.

'What you share online is like a digital footprint that will follow me around for the rest of my life, ' Ella shared.

'Please, mom, please, dad, protect my virtual privacy.'

While nine-year-old Ella may not have been impacted in the real world, many parents have.
Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality and augmented reality risk creating a 'very significant redesign of love and relationships,' according to one former Google exec.

'Let's just say this is a very significant redesign of society,' said Mo Gawdat, the former chief business officer at Google's secretive R&D wing, Google X.

The convergence of these technologies, as Gawdat explained on a recent podcast interview, may lead to sex dolls that seem 'alive' or dating apps filled with AI 'avatars.'

'If we think a few years further and think of Neuralink and other ways of connecting directly to your nervous system,' Gawdat speculated, 'why would you need another being in the first place?'

He spoke after DailyMail.com exclusively revealed the world's first 'autobiography' written by AI technology - and its depressing contents.

Advances in artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality risk creating a 'very significant redesign of love and relationships,' according to Mo Gawdat, the former chief business officer at Google's secretive R&D wing, Google X. Above, a $7000 sex doll from Texas

Speaking on Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, Gawdat pointed out that, when it comes to AI, technologists, policymakers and society at large often focus too tightly on philosophical questions that big business interests will not

Speaking on the YouTube channel for the show Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, Gawdat pointed out that technologists, policymakers and society at large often focus too tightly on philosophical questions that big business interests will not.

'We get lost in those conversations of 'Are they alive? Are they sentient?'' Gawdat said. 'Doesn't matter: If my brain believes they are, they are.'

'Just think about all of the illusions that we're now unable to decipher,' he noted.

'Does it really matter if the Morgan Freeman talking to you on the screen is actually Morgan Freeman or an AI generated avatar, if you're convinced that it is Morgan Freeman?'

Gawdat unpacked for Bilyeu and his listeners the biochemistry of how sex registers inside the human brain, suggesting that the physical side of human sexual intimacy would be easy to simulate with today's technology.

Some people might only need Apple's Vision Pro or Meta's Quest 3 virtual reality headset to experience satisfying sex.

'If we can convince you that this sex robot is alive, or that sex experience in a virtual reality headset or an augmented reality headset is alive,' Gawdat argued, 'it's real. Then, there you go.'

'It's all signals in your brain that you enjoy companionship, and sexuality,' he added, 'and if you really want to take the magic out of it, it can be simulated.'

'Just like we can now simulate very, very easily how to move muscles. There are so many ways where you can copy the brain signals that would move your hand in a certain way and just give it back to your hand and it will move the same way.'

Envisioning the future of the dating app business under these circumstances, Gawdat drew comparisons to the AI chatbot app Replika, which learns its users' texting styles to further mimic and bond with them.

'There are more than two million people on Replika,' Gawdat noted.

'And because there is money in it, what would what would prevent the next dating app from giving you avatars to date?' he asked. 'A lot of people will try it.'
Stargazers may have the chance to view an aurora in northern Britain tonight

Lucky Britons will have the chance to view the Northern Lights tonight, in the midst of a 'cannibal' solar storm.

Stargazers across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of England could be in store for the aurora, following a 'dark eruption' of the sun's surface.

While coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are quite common, scientists are less familiar with the scary-sounding 'cannibal' plasma wave which launched towards our planet last week.

This emerged when an initial CME was rapidly followed by another - sweeping it up to form a huge ball of energetic and highly magnetised gas.

Although power blackouts and outages may result from this, scientists suggest a spectacle of the Northern Lights is an upside.

Stargazers may have the chance to view an aurora in northern Britain tonight. Pictured: Scottish Highlands in March this year

WHAT ARE CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS? Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are large clouds of plasma and magnetic field that erupt from the sun. These clouds can erupt in any direction, and then continue on in that direction, plowing through solar wind. They only cause impacts to Earth when they're aimed at Earth. They tend to be much slower than solar flares, as they move a greater amount of matter. CMEs can be triggered when a storm on the surface of the sun causes a whirlwind to form at the base of plasma loops from the surface. These loops are called prominences and when they become unstable they can break, releasing the CME. Advertisement

Sean Elvidge, an associate professor of space environment at the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline: 'These storms manifest as major disturbances in Earth's magnetic field, potentially causing various space weather effects.

'On one hand, they can result in radio blackouts, disrupting communication systems on our planet.

'On the other hand, these storms can produce awe-inspiring displays of natural beauty known as auroras.'

The Met Office expects geomagnetic activity to ramp up to 'minor/moderate' this evening.

Forecasts show the CME may blow into Earth in daylight hours of July 20, with auroras likely between 9pm GMT and midnight.

It's possible the Northern Lights will be visible from some regions of Northern England as well as throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland.

But thanks to overnight cloud and less hours of darkness, the Met Office has said it is difficult to pinpoint specific cities.

After that, geomagnetic activity is likely to fade but there's a chance auroras could still be witnessed in the most northerly areas of the UK on Saturday evening.

Forecasts show that a CME may blow into Earth during the daylight hours of July 20, with auroras likely between 9pm GMT and midnight (pictured at 12am July 21)

Four days ago a so-called 'dark eruption' was launched alongside a CME. Then, 24 hours later, a second, faster CME erupted from a separate, much bigger sunspot (pictured)

When and where to see the Northern Lights Met Office forecasts suggest a CME may blow into Earth during the daylight hours of July 20, with auroras likely between 9pm GMT and midnight. They may be visible from Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of Northern England. However, it's difficult to pinpoint specific cities due to the influence of overnight cloud. After tonight, geomagnetic activity is likely to fade but there's a chance auroras could still be witnessed in the most northerly areas of the UK on Saturday evening. Advertisement

Professor Don Pollacco, Department of Physics, University of Warwick, told MailOnline: 'To predict exactly where you can see the northern lights is difficult as conditions can change quickly.

'However, one thing is for sure, and that is that you are unlikely to see them from a brightly lit city environment  you need to go somewhere dark and look towards the northern horizon (look for the North Star).

'So, you would preferably be in the countryside away from street lights. Of course it also needs to clear!'

To catch sight of an aurora, it doesn't need to be directly overhead, and can be observed from as far away as 620 miles (1,000km), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

But those in the south of the globe in Australia and New Zealand are unlikely to see the aurora.

This is quite common, as auroras are most likely to be seen from the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.

This is because the energy and small particles from solar activity travel down the magnetic field lines towards the Earth's poles, so they appear most strongly there.

The phenomena is only seen from further away when this activity is especially strong.
Holidaymakers might tempted to take extra caution this summer following a spate of shark attacks, including the death of a young Russian man in Egypt last month.

The 23-year-old, Yury Popov, was mauled to death by a 'meat grinder' tiger shark at the Egyptian resort of Hurghada on June 9 as his father looked on in horror.

Earlier in the year, another man was decapitated by a great white shark near San Jose Beach in Tobari Bay on the western coast of Mexico.

But are sharks really getting hungrier for humans?

MailOnline spoke to the scientists to find out, following the series of fatal attacks.

They say that, in fact, the trend for shark attacks is basically unchanged, and that the number of incidents this year is on track to be consistent with previous years.

A spate of shark attacks have made the headlines in recent months, but are they increasing globally? MailOnline spoke to the experts

READ MORE: Father describes how he was forced to watch as tiger shark killed son Tourists watched in horror from the shore Advertisement

Professor Gavin Naylor, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Florida, said that shark attacks are not rising, at least in the short term.

'The trend for shark attacks is not going up and up, or down,' he said in a new BBC documentary Why Sharks Attack.

'In fact it's somewhat surprising to me as a scientist how consistent they have been over time.

'We generally get between 80 and 110  110 is a bad year and 80 is a good year.'

As of July 17 this year, there have been 38 'unprovoked' shark attacks worldwide, including seven that have been fatal, according to trackingsharks.com.

For comparison, there were 57 unprovoked attacks in 2022, including five that proved fatal, according to the latest annual report from Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File (ISAF).

The number of provoked and unprovoked global attacks combined for last year, meanwhile, is 79.

Since 2013, there has been an average of 74 unprovoked bites per year, although 2020 brought the average down due to the Covid lockdowns.

Paul Cox, managing director of UK organisation Shark Trust, said shark attack numbers are currently 'fairly steady overall with some years better than others'.

Terrifying: A massive great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in ocean water (file photo)

READ MORE: Here's how to survive a shark attack Marine biologists have offered their advice on how to avoid a shark attack Advertisement

'Data suggests that 2022 showed a decline on the five-year average in unprovoked shark bites globally but with some notable hotspots,' Cox told MailOnline.

Experts  including Cox, Professor Naylor and the World Wildlife Fund  are in agreement that shark populations around the world are in decline overall.

But out of the 500 or so different species of sharks globally, only a few are prone to attacking humans, including the Oceanic white tip and the great white.

'A recent assessment classed a third of species as threatened,' Cox told MailOnline.

'But only a few species are likely to encounter humans, much less approach them.

'So comparing global shark numbers with bite incidents is a bit like comparing apples and Bentley's.'

Looking at the picture longer term, the number of reported unprovoked shark attacks have increased globally since 1960, Florida Museum stats show.

There seems to be a spike starting in the late 1980s  in other words, in the last 35 years or so there have been significantly more attacks compared with 1960-1990.

Why the long-term increase?

Unprovoked shark attacks have increased globally since 1960, Florida Museum stats show

A 23-year-old Russian man was mauled to death in June by a tiger shark at the Egyptian resort of Hurghada. Pictured, a tiger shark (file photo)

READ MORE: Man was decapitated by 19ft great white shark while diving in Mexico Manuel Lopez was killed by a shark while fishing for molluscs off the coast of western Mexico on January 5 Advertisement

Cox said there could be increased 'contact opportunities' through rising human population and changes in behaviour.

It's also worth bearing in mind that databases recording numbers of shark attacks rely on reports, and these were likely less commonplace previously than they are now.

'A greater focus on reporting and research could explain the increase in reported incidents in the period from 1960-1990,' Cox said.

Professor Catherine Macdonald, program director of shark research and conservation at the University of Miami, said there 'are vastly more people in the water today than there were 50 years ago'.

Any increase in reported shark attacks would most likely involve the 'continuing growth of human beach and ocean recreation', she said.

Another reason for somewhat of a lull in shark attacks in the 1970s and 1980s could be what's known as the 'Jaws effect'. The term was coined by Christopher Neff, a public policy professor at the University of Sydney, in reference to the 1975 film.

It's thought people became more aware of the dangers of the water due to the film, but since the 1990s, attack figures have shot back up.

'The socio-psychological saturation of the film as both a summer blockbuster and a psychological meme is widespread,' said Neff in a 2015 study.

'Importantly, many modern representations of sharks mirror elements from Jaws in ways that suggest humans are on the menu.'

Professor Naylor said it is 'not true' that sharks are moving towards the coast more, so this is not a factor that should be affecting shark attack numbers.

'[Attacks] have always been in relatively shallow water,' he told MailOnline. 'This should not be surprising because humans rarely venture far off shore.'

Russian Vladimir Popov, 23, was named as the victim of the shark attack in Hurghada, Egypt, last month

Locations of recorded unprovoked shark attacks dating back to 1900, according to Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File (ISAF)

Professor Naylor also said we are not more at danger in the water this summer than we used to be.

Shark attacks are very rare  you're more likely to be struck by lightning  and most of them happen in the US, especially in waters surrounding the state of Florida.

For decades, Florida has topped global charts in the number of shark bites, according to the ISAF. This was the case in 2022.

After the US, Australia is next on the list of most unprovoked attacks, followed by Egypt and South Africa, the data for last year shows.
From Star Trek to Passengers, sex in space has been depicted in science fiction blockbusters for years.

And while NASA categorically insists that 'no humans have had sex in space', that could soon change with the proliferation of space tourism.

Private space firms including Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic are now offering civilians the chance to venture into space, albeit for a hefty price.

With this new era of spaceflight, David Cullen, Professor of Bioanalytical Technology at Cranfield University, is calling for urgent research into the consequences of sex in space.

'My colleagues and I believe that space tourism companies haven't adequately prepared for the consequences of people joining what we could call the "Karman line club",' he wrote in an article for The Conversation.

The Karman line is a boundary 62 miles above sea level that marks the beginning of space.

While NASA categorically insists that 'no humans have had sex in space', that could change very soon with the arrival of space tourism (stock image)

READ MORE: Virgin Galactic reveals its first space tourism crew Galactic 02 crew: (L-R) Anastasia Mayers, Jon Goodwin and Keisha Schahaff are set to launch aboard Virgin Galactic's spaceplane on August 10 Advertisement

While NASA doesn't explicitly ban sex in space, its astronaut code of conduct calls for 'relationships of trust' and 'professional standards' to be maintained at all times.

The space agency has also banned any married couples from going into space together  although this is mostly due to group dynamics, rather than worries of them having sex.

Despite this, Professor Cullen claims that sex in space will happen within the next decade.

'Considering that space travel is no longer reserved for professional astronauts, the various motivations of space tourists and upcoming spacecraft developments, we concluded that in-space sex will probably happen within the next ten years,' he wrote.

But sex in space won't be straightforward.

The main issue would be the microgravity, which would make it tricky for the astronauts to remain in physical proximity.

Lack of gravity not only affects physical movement, but it can also cause issues within the body.

From Star Trek to Passengers (pictured), sex in space has been depicted in science fiction blockbusters for years

Sex in space won't be straightforward The main issue to contend with in space would be the lack of gravity. This would make it difficult for partners to stay in close proximity, and they would quickly drift away. Bodily fluids would also quickly float away which could be messy. Blood circulation in space is also affected by the lack of gravity, and could make it difficult for a man to get an erection. In an article for Nasa, Lori Meggs, from AI Signal Research, said: 'There's no gravity to pull blood into the lower part of the body. 'Instead, blood goes to the chest and head, causing astronauts have puffy faces and bulging blood vessels in their necks.' Advertisement

Blood circulation in space is affected and could make it difficult for a man to get an erection, according to Lori Meggs, from AI Signal Research.

In an article for NASA, she said: 'There's no gravity to pull blood into the lower part of the body. Instead, blood goes to the chest and head, causing astronauts to have puffy faces and bulging blood vessels in their necks.'

While sex in space is yet to happen, Professor Cullen claims that the sexual interactions themselves aren't the real concern.

Instead, he says research is needed into the impacts of human conception in space.

'Early orbital space tourism flights are expected to last for days to weeks, so only the early stages of human reproduction could happen in space,' he explained.

'Passengers will not be allowed to board if they are already known to be pregnant, although the space tourism industry does not appear to have considered concealed or unknown pregnancies. Sometimes women don't realise they are pregnant until they go into labour.'

Research has shown that spaceflight can have a profound impact on the human body.

For example, previous studies have revealed how astronauts who spend long periods in space can experience weaker bones and muscles, blurred vision, and are even at higher risk of cancer.

In 2016, Chinese scientists grew mouse embryos in space, and found that some successfully developed into balls of cells called blastocysts.

However, it remains unclear whether or not it's safe to grow human embryos in space.

'There is an unknown potential for developmental abnormalities in human embryos conceived in space,' Professor Cullen said.

'Additionally, there could be an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy in weightlessness conditions (when the embryo attaches outside the uterus, for example in the fallopian tubes).'

While you might think that the obvious fix would be to provide astronauts with contraception, Professor Cullen says that this isn't a fail-safe solution.

'Even if space tourists use contraception, we can't be sure it will be as effective outside planet Earth,' he added.

'There have been no studies on how contraceptives will be affected by space environments.'

Amid the rise in space tourism, Professor Cullen suggests that private space firms should urgently come together to develop a strategy.

'A simple solution could be a combination of pre-spaceflight counselling with all space tourists about the risks of human conception in space,' he said.

'Legal waivers absolving the space tourism operators of liability if human conception was still to occur could also be considered.'
It likely belonged to a steppe mammoth which existed during the Pleistocene

Fossil hunters made a mammoth discovery in Cambridgeshire last week - unearthing an enormous 450,000-year-old tusk.

A gravel quarry was at the unlikely centre of the major discovery when a pair of history lovers came across the remains of an ancient giant.

Found just beneath the surface of the sand, the well-preserved relic is 4ft in length and may have belonged to a male 'steppe mammoth' that roamed the Earth during the Ice Age.

Scientists believe this Pleistocene species was one of the largest mammoths in history, reaching heights of 13ft and weighing 14 tons.

'I could not believe my eyes. It was sticking out like a sore thumb,' Jamie Jordan, the founder and curator of Fossils Galore, said.

Fossils Galore's 'fossil hunting Beagle' Crystal pictured with the 4ft tusk found at the quarry

STEPPE MAMMOTH VERSUS THE WOOLLY MAMMOTH STEPPE MAMMOTH Era: Early to Mid Pleistocene epoch, approximately between 1.8 million-200,000 years ago Height: Around 13ft Weight: 14 tons Woolly?: Thin coat WOOLLY MAMMOTH Era: Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, approximately between 300,000 and 10,000 years ago Height: Around 13ft Weight: 6 tons Woolly?: Heavy coat Advertisement

'They normally get broken up when they are quarried  but this one was in one piece. It was just on top of the ground  it was very heavy to pick up.'

Mr Jordan and his colleague Sarah Moore have previously discovered mammoth teeth and bones at the same quarry.

Their 'fossil hunting Beagle', Crystal, usually joins them too but missed out this time.

'She is trained to hunt out fossils with us,' Mr Jordan told MailOnline.

'Unfortunately on this occasion she was not with us but was excited to see the tusk and made a great scale for size.'

While the pair have found a woolly mammoth tusk in this area before, it hadn't been preserved quite as well as this one.

After unearthing the latest tusk, they carefully wrapped it up and took it back to the lab in the village of March, Cambridgeshire.

Fossils Galore are now exploring what may have happened in the mammal's lifetime - with the creature surviving alongside cave lions, bears and even hippos.

Believe it or not, all of these species once roamed the land near Peterborough.

'We will be spending the next few months working to preserve the tusk  it can take up to six months to do that,' Mr Jordan said.

Lying just beneath the sand, this relic is a whopping 4ft in length and may have belonged to a male 'steppe mammoth' from the Ice Age period

Mr Jordan (left) and his colleague Sarah Moore (right) found the tusk at a quarry where they've previously picked up mammoth teeth and bones

After spotting the tusk, it was carefully wrapped and taken back to the lab in the village of March, Cambridgeshire

Scientists believe steppe mammoths were one of the largest to ever walk the planet

READ MORE: Scientists grow mammoth flesh in a lab to make a prehistoric meatball Unusual: Scientists have grown mammoth flesh in a lab to make a prehistoric meatball (shown) Advertisement

'You can learn a lot about the animal by looking at the rings of the tusk  like looking at a tree trunk.

'If the rings are tight, then it shows the habitat was not good, and the food supply was poor. But if the rings are thick, then it shows it had a good habitat.

'We will also look for signs of predation  whether from early humans or other animals.'

While this is a huge achievement for Fossils Galore, Mr Jordan told MailOnline that it is not his favourite discovery.

'It is one of our most exciting finds but our best find to date is still the Iguanodon skeleton that we found back in 2017,' he said.

This extremely rare find - believed to be 132million years old - was discovered at a brick factory in Surrey.

The herbivore, nicknamed Indie, would have been 10ft tall, 30ft long and 4.5 tons in weight - much like an African elephant.

'Indie was hidden inside huge compacted clay blocks and was on a slope, making the process difficult at times,' Mr Jordan said previously.

'However, due to the hard work of the Fossils Galore volunteers, we were able to extract and transport the remains to our preparation lab.'
They are known as the 'unicorns' of the astronomy world.

But scientists have now uncovered the strongest evidence yet that two exoplanets really can share the same orbit.

These so-called Trojan or co-orbital planets have been hypothesised for 20 years but never detected.

Named after the rocky bodies in the same orbit as a planet that are common in our own Solar System - the most famous of which are the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter - confirmation of their existence would be an exciting moment for astronomers.

An international team of researchers has detected a cloud of debris that they say could be the 'sibling' of a planet orbiting a distant star 400 light-years away.

Discovery: Scientists have uncovered the strongest evidence yet that two exoplanets can share the same orbit. This image shows the planetary system PDS 70, which is 400 light-years from Earth. It has a star at its centre, around which the planet PDS 70 b is orbiting (both shown with a solid yellow circle). In the same orbit as PDS 70b, is a cloud of debris (circled by a dotted line) which could be the building blocks of a new planet or the remnants of one already formed

WHAT ARE TROJAN OR CO-ORBITAL PLANETS? So-called Trojan or co-orbital planets have been hypothesised for 20 years but never detected. They are named after the rocky bodies in the same orbit as a planet that are common in our own Solar System - the most famous of which are the Trojan asteroids of Jupiter. An international team of scientists has now detected a cloud of debris in the PDS 70 system 400 light-years away from Earth. In this system, a young star is known to host two giant Jupiter-like planets called PDS 70b and PDS 70c. The debris is sitting in an area of PDS 70b's orbit where Trojans are expected to exist, known as the Lagrangian zone. There are two of these regions in a planet's orbit where the combined gravitational pull of the star and the planet can trap material, hence why it is the ideal location for hunting 'sibling' exoplanets. The team of scientists detected a faint signal in one of the planet's Lagrangian zones which suggested that a cloud of debris might be hiding there. They think it is either a Trojan world itself or a planet that is currently forming. It had been suggested that the reason co-orbital exoplanets hadn't been spotted was because they may not be detectable with current techniques. There is also a school of thought that Trojans are removed from their systems quite quickly compared to the relative age of the universe, meaning they would be harder to spot. Essentially, they would be thrown out of their path thanks to gravitational forces from a nearby star, then collide with either a star or another planet before they could be detected. Advertisement

It may be the building blocks of a new planet or the remnants of one already formed, the experts say.

If confirmed, the discovery would be the most convincing proof yet that two exoplanets can share one orbit.

'Two decades ago it was predicted in theory that pairs of planets of similar mass may share the same orbit around their star, the so-called Trojan or co-orbital planets,' said lead researcher Olga Balsalobre-Ruza, of the Centre for Astrobiology in Madrid.

'For the first time, we have found evidence in favour of that idea.'

The team of astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile to make their observations.

Co-author Jorge Lillo-Box, a senior researcher at the Centre for Astrobiology, said: 'Exotrojans [Trojan planets outside the Solar System] have so far been like unicorns: they are allowed to exist by theory but no one has ever detected them.'

Until now, perhaps.

The researchers say a Trojan exoplanet and its sibling may exist in the PDS 70 system, where a young star is known to host two giant Jupiter-like planets called PDS 70b and PDS 70c.

They detected the cloud of debris in an area of PDS 70b's orbit where Trojans are expected to exist, known as the Lagrangian zone.

There are two of these regions in a planet's orbit where the combined gravitational pull of the star and the planet can trap material, hence why it is the ideal location for hunting 'sibling' exoplanets.

The team of scientists detected a faint signal in one of the planet's Lagrangian zones which suggested that a cloud of debris might be hiding there.

They think it is either a Trojan world itself or a planet that is currently forming.

'Who could imagine two worlds that share the duration of the year and the habitability conditions? Our work is the first evidence that this kind of world could exist,' said Balsalobre-Ruza.

'We can imagine that a planet can share its orbit with thousands of asteroids as in the case of Jupiter, but it is mind blowing to me that planets could share the same orbit.'

Telescope: The team of astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope (pictured) in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile for their research

Itziar De Gregorio-Monsalvo, of the European Southern Observatory, who also contributed to the research, said: 'It opens up new questions on the formation of Trojans, how they evolve and how frequent they are in different planetary systems.'

To confirm their detection, the researchers will need to wait until after 2026, when they will use ALMA to see if both PDS 70b and its sibling cloud of debris move significantly along their orbit together around the star.

'This would be a breakthrough in the exoplanetary field,' said Balsalobre-Ruza.

De Gregorio-Monsalvo added: 'The future of this topic is very exciting and we look forward to the extended ALMA capabilities, planned for 2030, which will dramatically improve the array's ability to characterise Trojans in many other stars.'

It had been suggested that the reason co-orbital exoplanets hadn't been spotted was because they may not be detectable with current techniques.

Analysis: Researchers detected the cloud of debris in an area of PDS 70b's orbit where Trojans are expected to exist, known as the Lagrangian zone

There are two of these regions in a planet's orbit where the combined gravitational pull of the star and the planet can trap material, hence why it is the ideal location for hunting 'sibling' exoplanets. This graphic shows prediction for the positions of the planets and their Lagrangian points at different epochs

There is also a school of thought that Trojans are removed from their systems quite quickly compared to the relative age of the universe, meaning they would be harder to spot.

Essentially, they would be thrown out of their path thanks to gravitational forces from a nearby star, then collide with either a star or another planet before they could be detected.

The Trojan asteroids of Jupiter are more than 12,000 rocky bodies that circle the sun in the same orbit as the gas giant.

In 2021, the so-called Lucy probe blasted into space ahead of its journey to Jupiter.

Once there, it will study two groups of asteroids that run in swarms ahead of, and behind, the gas giant as part of a 12-year mission.

In total Lucy will study seven Trojans, which NASA says are 'the fossils' of the Solar System and hold important clues about its early evolution.

The research has been published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
If aliens were to contact Earth, what would it sound like?

Such a scenario has been imagined countless times in science fiction but in reality we have no proof extraterrestrials even exist.

That hasn't dampened the excitement that an advanced civilisation might be out there, however, and the discovery of a mysterious stellar object which emits a five-minute pulse every 22 minutes will only serve to intensify that.

What's more, the scientists who detected it aren't 100 per cent sure what it is.

An international team of astronomers led by Australia's Curtin University think it could be an ultra-long period magnetar  a rare type of star with the most powerful known magnetic fields in the universe.

Strange: Scientists have discovered a mysterious stellar object that emits a five-minute pulse every 22 minutes. They think it could be an ultra-long period magnetar (pictured in an artist's impression)

WHAT IS A MAGNETAR? Magnetars are a type of neutron star, an incredibly dense object mainly made up of tightly packed neutron, which forms from the collapsed core of a massive star during a supernova. What sets magnetars apart from other neutron stars is that they also have the most powerful known magnetic fields in the universe. For context, the strength of our planets magnetic field has a value of about one Gauss, while a refrigerator magnet measures about 100 Gauss. Magnetars, on the other hand, have magnetic fields of about a million billion Gauss. If a magnetar was located a sixth of the way to the Moon (about 40,000 miles), it would wipe the data from all of the credit cards on Earth. Source: NASA Advertisement

This allows them to produce extremely powerful bursts of energy at intervals ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes.

What is so unusual about the new discovery, however, is that it emits radio waves every 22 minutes.

This makes it the longest period magnetar ever detected.

It has been doing that for at least 33 years, leading to speculation that it may have some sort of link with extraterrestrials.

'Whatever mechanism is behind this is extraordinary,' said lead author Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker.

Magnetars are a type of neutron star - an incredibly dense object mainly made up of tightly packed neutron, which forms from the collapsed core of a massive star during a supernova.

Dr Hurley-Walker said the magnetar in question, named GPM J183910, was 15,000 light-years away from Earth in the Scutum constellation.

'This remarkable object challenges our understanding of neutron stars and magnetars, which are some of the most exotic and extreme objects in the universe,' she added.

The stellar object is only the second of its kind ever detected.

Its discovery came about because of the first sighting of an ultra-long period magnetar, which produced a giant burst of energy three times an hour and was unlike anything astronomers had seen before.

Discovered by Curtin University undergraduate research student Tyrone O'Doherty - and made public last year - it left scientists at the institution 'stumped'.

'We started searching for similar objects to find out if it was an isolated event or just the tip of the iceberg,' Dr Hurley-Walker said.

Between July and September 2022, the team scanned the skies using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a radio telescope on Wajarri Yamaji Country in outback Western Australia.

It wasn't long before they spotted GPM J183910.

Unusual: A magnetar is a rare type of star with extremely strong magnetic fields which can produce powerful bursts of energy

Scouring space: Astronomers discovered the object using the Murchison Widefield Array (shown), a radio telescope on Wajarri Yamaji Country in outback Western Australia

Other telescopes, including three CSIRO radio telescopes in Australia, the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, the Grantecan (GTC) 10m telescope, and the XMM-Newton space telescope, helped confirm the discovery.

The team also scoured the archives of the world's premier radio telescopes and found that the signal from GPM J183910 had been detected as far back as 1988.

'That was quite an incredible moment for me,' said Dr Hurley-Walker.

'I was five years old when our telescopes first recorded pulses from this object, but no one noticed it, and it stayed hidden in the data for 33 years.

'They missed it because they hadn't expected to find anything like it.'

Team: Other facilities around the world joined in to confirm the discovery and study the object

Researchers say their discovery raises new questions about the formation of magnetars, and could even shed light on the origin of mysterious phenomena such as fast radio bursts.

These oddly bright flashes of light, registering in the radio band of the electromagnetic spectrum, appear temporarily and randomly from space.

They were first detected just 15 years ago but scientists have never known where they originate from.

Researchers now want to carry out further observations to see if they can discover similar stellar objects as GPM J183910.

This might help them confirm once and for all if these mysterious things are ultra-long period magnetars, or perhaps something even more phenomenal.

Maybe even with a link to extraterrestrials.

The new discovery has been published in the journal Nature.
READ MORE: Netflix password sharing is now BANNED in the US

There are about five million customers worldwide using the $10 Basic tier

The only plans available are the Standard with or without ads and Premium

Netflix has axed its $10 (6.99) Basic tier option Tuesday in the US and UK.

Current ad-free Basic plan users can keep their membership until they cancel, but new and rejoining users will not have the option.

There is now just a $6.99 (4.99) Standard plan with ads playing five times during each hour of viewing, a $15.49 (10.99) Standard account without commercials and which allows two streams, or the $19.99 (15.99) Premium option that allows four streams.

The move comes as Netflix launched ad-supported plans in 2022 that have not taken off among the public - less than one in five new customers sign up for the membership.

Netflix's website shows at least five million customers are using the Basic plan globally - but the amount in the US and UK is unknown.

Netflix has axed its $10 (6.99) Basic tier option Tuesday in the US and UK

DailyMail.com has contacted Netflix for comment.

The streaming platform first pulled the Basic plan in Canada last month without an official announcement.

But the move appears to be a way to entice users to opt for the ad-based options, a recent addition and revenue stream for Netflix. This is despite the company once vowing it would never include ads on the platform.

Data shows that only one in five new subscribers is signing up for the plan with advertisements.

The ad-supported tier rolled out in 2022 with an average of four to five minutes of adverts per hour, with each advert 15 or 30 seconds long.

The ads play before and during the content, which could infuriate viewers if they interrupt a particularly dramatic or suspenseful moment in the show.

But at the time of the rollout, Netflix assured its users that it had no plans to remove any of the three subscription plans - Basic, Standard and Premium.

Current ad-free Basic plan users can keep their membership until they cancel, but new and rejoining users will not have the option

While this is a blow to new customers, Netflix's password ban has had a larger impact.

On May 23, the streaming giant cracked down on password sharing in the US by limiting viewership of its platform to users living in the same household.

Customers paying for standard or premium plans can share their login credentials with someone for an additional $8 (6.21) per month, a $2 (1.55) discount from the company's standard stand-alone plan.

Without providing details on how it authenticates subscriber identities or accounts, Netflix assured that everyone living in the same household will still be able to stream TV series and movies 'wherever they are - at home, on the go, on holiday.'

The long-anticipated move had been looming over the US since it was revealed by Netflix in 2021 to end lost revenues - Citi Bank estimated the company lost $6 billion (4.5 billion) annually from password sharing.
Below Deck Down Under chief stew Aesha Scott has revealed what she really thinks about Captain Jason Chambers  and how her friendship with OG Below Deck Mediterranean star Hannah Ferrier got off to a rocky start.

As the second series of the popular Bravo series hits Hayu, it's clear that viewers are set for more sex, drama and some explosive scenes as the new yacht, Northern Star, sets sail from Cairns  which is of course the gateway to the stunning Great Barrier Reef.

It's been an almost unbelievably busy 12 months for the globetrotting Scott since the first season of Below Deck Down Under wrapped up last year.

She's conquered the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle  coming within a whisker of winning  and filmed the upcoming Below Deck Down Under season, as well as enjoying a couple of long European holidays with partner, Scott.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia from the set of a glamorous photoshoot in Sydney, the relentlessly energetic star gushed that she's well and truly living her dream despite the intense workload.

Effervescent Below Deck favourite Aesha Scott, pictured in an exclusive photo shoot for Daily Mail Australia, is preparing to return to the high seas for the second season of Below Deck Down Under

The reality TV star has been with partner Scott Dobson for the past three years

Aesha is setting sail for the latest season of Below Deck Down Under, which premiered on Hayu in Australia on Tuesday, July 18

'This life is so suited to me. I've always been so high energy and I don't like to stop,' Aesha said.

'I love being busy and growing up, every second I was always out of the house with friends and doing things. So I'm literally living my dreams and I'm just so happy,' she continued.

'I love airports. I love planes. I just love travel and I just I love change. If I'm somewhere for a month, I get so antsy. I'm like, okay, what's the next thing? It's like a drug.

Despite her love of travel, the Kiwi-born star said that she plans to head back home to New Zealand once she starts a family with partner Scott.

'When we start having kids and stuff, I'll probably go back there full-time; but for now there's too much to do everywhere else,' she said.

She's back on Below Deck Down Under this season as Chief Stewardess alongside the popular Captain Jason, who has been a hit with fans thanks to his calm nature that is directly at odds with his fiery counterpart in the Mediterranean, Captain Sandy Yawn.

Aesha is clearly having a whale of a time working alongside the experienced skipper, who she now considered a close friend.

Aesha, pictured with Jason Chambers at last year's Bravo5Con, said the popular captain is now a very 'loving and supportive friend'

'[Jason] is so lovely. I feel like he's like a 14-year-old boy in an adult man's body. He's so naughty and so silly,' she said.

'He's always got my back. He's just a really loving and supportive friend.'

After Chambers clashed with bosun Jamie Sayed and deckhand Ben Crawley in the first season, Aesha explained that she respected the Captain for not 'taking the easy way out' by impulsively firing problematic crew members  though it appears he may have to do so in season two if the trailer is anything to go by.

'Jason as a captain, the thing that I love about him you can see in season one, when Jamie went to Jason about Benny, for example, instead of taking Jamie's word for it and just reprimanding him, he actually sat with Benny and tried to understand,' she said.

'He sits with people and he's like, "I want to understand where you're coming from. What have you been going through? Let's talk about this".

'And he never comes out with force. He comes with understanding and wants to have a discussion, which I think is a really beautiful adult way to deal with things.

'If it's being talked through and nothing comes of it, then yes, you'll get fired. But it's always a really gentle approach, which I really respect.'

It's an approach slightly different to the more heavy-handed approach that close friend Hannah went through on season five of Below Deck Mediterranean.

Aesha (right) and Hannah Ferrier (left) might be best friends now - but they got off to a very rocky start

Aesha, after appearing on season four of the Mediterranean spin-off, was asked back after Hannah was unceremoniously dumped by Captain Sandy  who dismissed the Aussie for having undeclared prescription drugs onboard, leaving fans everywhere fuming.

The pair remain besties after meeting almost five years ago on the Sirocco in season four  but their friendship got off to a very rocky start.

'When I first started, [Hannah] didn't like me. We were supposed to be sharing a cabin together and she shifted me to a different cabin because she thought that I was being fake because I was so happy and so excited,' Aesha explained.

'She was like "No one is like this all the time", and thought I was only putting it on for the cameras.

'And then four days later, she came to me and said: "Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I have to confess, I thought you were putting this on, but it hasn't stopped. And I can see that it's actually just you".

'Then she said "Now I've fallen in love with you". And then we became really, really close. And we've been besties ever since. I f**king love her. She was so good to me and always did right by me.'

Being a chief stew is certainly no walk in the park, though you'd assume being a captain is the toughest job on the boat, given the huge responsibility.

Being a chief stew like Aesha or a captain like Jason might be tough, but the star says it is nothing compared to being a chef

But after having to work with such infamous chefs like Ryan McKeown (season one of Below Deck Down Under) and Mila (Below Deck Mediterranean season four), Aesha has through painful personal experience seen which job first-time yachties find hardest.

It might look glamorous, but being a chef on a super yacht with high-profile and demanding guests certainly sorts out the men from the boys, so to speak, when it comes to just who can really cook.

'What chefs don't understand about yachting is if you're working in a restaurant and you've got like a set menu and all of your sous chefs and stuff, [the diners] can only pick from these options and you've prepped for it,' she explained.

'Whereas when you're on the boat, it's like every single meal has to be this different new creation, and usually you've got so many preferences, one might be gluten free, one's vegan, one's Fodmap, you've got all these different things,' she continued.

'It's way harder to be a chef on a yacht. It's not glamorous at all. Usually your boat's moving. You've got you've no cupboard space and you can't get provisions straight away. And you have to be able to make anything at any time, and you never know when it's going to come.

'It's so tough. I think the chef is the hardest job. I've got so much respect for them.'

Unfortunately Aesha has seen her fair share of drama on Below Deck when it comes to chefs.

Ryan McKeown was fired in the first season of Down Under for the way he dealt with both staff and guests in shocking scenes, with Aesha labelling him a narcissist

Last season in Below Deck Down Under, viewers were left shocked by the behaviour of Chef Ryan towards both Aesha and Captain Jason, as well as the guests.

He is perhaps only rivalled by the infamous Mila Kolomeitseva from Mediterranean season four, who memorably made pancakes via packet mix and Mexican food from an Old El Paso box.

'Mila was so deluded that she thought that was okay, but Ryan was so narcissistic and arrogant. He genuinely thought he was great and right, so that's the problem,' said a candid Aesha.

'I just don't ever want to give someone like him the power to rat on me because he's not worth it. It was just hard to know how to react, because I've never worked with someone that bad before.'

But while there have certainly been some bad eggs in the kitchen during Aesha's time, there's also been some absolute superstars who nailed it.

Ben Robinson saved the day in season four of Below Deck Mediterranean, quickly becoming a fan favourite on the series. Aesha said she was in awe of what he did on the Bravo series.

Aesha cuts a stunning figure after her recent stint in the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle

The relentlessly energetic Aesha is preparing to don the yachting uniform again, with Below Deck Down Under season two airing now on Hayu

'Chef Ben, was the best chef I've ever worked with, he was amazing and I absolutely loved him,' she said.

'If I would go to him and there was a change, he would never lose his cool and when you see how quickly he could come up with an alternative and not blink, I'm like, "How the f**k do you do that? It's art."

For now, Aesha will look to lead the way as viewers lap up the newest series of Down Under  though she will hopefully have a better introduction for her first line in the first episode.

Last season she walked onto the boat saying: 'I feel like I stink a bit'  though she is sure it is a touch better this time around.

'It was so stinking hot, and I was so naive that I didn't think about what kind of bag to bring on with me, so I had a huge backpack to lug around,' Aesha laughed.

'I was sweating balls and I was like, "Oh, s**t, I'm walking on here and I stink. So the next time I had a roller bag, so I don't think I said I smell like a bag. I hope my next line is a bit better!"'

Stream brand new Below Deck Down Under the same day as the USA, only on Hayu.
Timothee Chalamet made a young fan's day Tuesday in New York.

The Wonka star, 27, was low key, in an oversized long sleeve black T-shirt, knee-length black cargo shorts and blue Converse sneakers and keeping to himself as he walked through the NoHo area of Manhattan.

The Oscar nominee wore dark sunglasses, a blue billed hat and noise cancelling earphones.

A young woman who recognized Timothee almost immediately, approached him and seemed to ask for a photo with the Don't Look Up actor.

Another woman, who appeared to be the fan's mother was there, and snapped the photo of the two.

Low key: Timothee Chalamet was low key Tuesday in New York wearing an oversized long sleeve black T-shirt, knee-length black cargo shorts and blue Converse sneakers, and kept to himself with dark sunglasses and noise cancelling earphones

Afterward, the accommodating actor continued on his way.

This was not the only interaction in which the Lady Bird star helped out a fan hoping for a photo.

The Little Women star posed with an employee from Laced Up Manhattan, after stopping by the store to make a purchase.

'Thank you @tchalemet for stopping by and hangin out with us,' was posted next to the photo on the store's Instagram account.

Timothee thrilled his 18.3 million fans when he shared the first trailer from the upcoming Wonka on social media last week.

'This and Dune I am shook,' commented Mindy Kaling.

'CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEART' penned Sharon Stone.

'Never wanted to be an oompa loompa so bad,' wrote another.

Recognized: A young woman who recognized Timothee almost immediately, approached him and seemed to ask for a photo with the Don't Look Up actor

Snap: Another woman, who appeared to be the fan's mother was there, and snapped the photo of the two. Afterward, the accommodating actor continued on his way

Thanks: Timothee posed for another pictures with an employee from Laced Up Manhattan, after stopping by the store to make a purchase. 'Thank you @tchalemet for stopping by and hangin out with us,' was posted next to the photo on the store's Instagram account

Two films: Timothee has two big projects being released later this year, Dune Part Two in November, and Wonka on Christmas day

The fantasy film focuses on the back story of the famous chocolate maker.

The role required the Call Me By Your Name star to not only act, but sing and dance as well.

'It's really a tour de force for him there,' Wonka director Paul King told People.

"I think what's so remarkable about his performance is not only that he is funny and mischievous and quite mysterious, as well  just like the Willy Wonka that people will know but also, he brings such heart to the role and he's a brilliant actor.'

Wonka will open in theaters Christmas Day. Dune Part Two will debut November 3.
Travis Barker's ex-wife Shanna Moakler has revealed that she still harbors some distaste for the Kardashians.

Last year Travis tied the knot with Kourtney Kardashian, who joyously announced this June that she is pregnant at 44 with his baby.

Shanna publicly carried on a seething feud with the Kardashians during the early stages of Kourtney's romantic involvement with Travis.

At that time, Shanna accused the Kardashians of 'destroying my family' and leaving her 'alienated' from the two children she shares with Travis.

Now, however, the 48-year-old has told Page Six: 'I have my own personal reasons for not liking the Kardashians, which I won't get into, but as long as he's happy [and] as long as they are good to my kids, that's all I care about.'

Unfiltered: Travis Barker's ex-wife Shanna Moakler has revealed that she still harbors some distaste for the Kardashians

Dynamic duo: Last year Travis tied the knot with Kourtney Kardashian, who joyously announced this June that she is pregnant at 44 with his baby; the couple are pictured last year

Her new evenhanded attitude marks a profound shift from two years ago, when she blamed the Kardashians for her estrangement from her children.

Travis and Shanna, who were married from 2004 until 2008, share a 19-year-old son called Landon and a 17-year-old daughter called Alabama.

Along with his biological children, Travis also helped raise Shanna's now 24-year-old Atiana De La Hoya, whom she had by Oscar De La Hoya.

Shanna - who has alleged that she and Travis broke up because he had an affair with Kourtney's sister Kim - furiously hit out at the Kardashian family in 2021.

Asked by TMZ if she had anything she wanted to tell Kourtney and Kim, Shanna replied, 'thanks for destroying my family, twice.'

She added: 'My family's broken because of this family and now my kids and I are alienated from each other because of another sister in the family, so yay for me.'

Shanna claimed: 'We just had dinner with our kids and all their friends three weeks ago. So, you know, this has all started since my ex started dating a certain person.'

She was accompanied by her drastically younger on-again boyfriend Matthew Rondeau, a then 28-year-old model, while chatting with TMZ.

The way they were: Travis and Shanna, who were married from 2004 until 2008, share a 19-year-old son called Landon and a 17-year-old daughter called Alabama; pictured 2007

Wild claims: Shanna has alleged that she and Travis broke up because he had an affair with Kourtney's sister Kim; Kourtney (left) and Kim (right) are pictured together in 2019

During the interview she also doubled down on her claim that Travis had an affair with Kim during their marriage - an allegation that Kim's camp has denied.

'I divorced for a reason. I'm confident in what my reasons were. People just don't divorce and, you know, break up their families for no reason at all,' she said.

At the time of Shanna's outburst to TMZ, she had recently been fiercely denounced by Alabama, who accused her of being an absent mother and claimed to have 'gone seven months without seeing my mom and her not calling me once.'

That broadside was not the first time Alabama publicly slammed her mother on social media, where she also took aim at Matthew.

'Matthew is nothing but awful to her. Not only that, but he cheats on her. My mom has never completely been in my life. Can you guys stop painting her out to be an amazing mom?' Alabama sensationally claimed.

The teenager continued: 'Did your moms ask to see you on Mother's Day cause mine didn't? I'm done keeping it a secret, reality shows.'

'Co-parenting is hard,' Shanna responded to People: 'but I have always and will continue to prioritize my children's happiness and well-being.'

She pointed to a 'vindictive parenting competition' and said the 'claims of being absent from my children's lives are false and incredibly hurtful.'

Trio: Shanna has accused the Kardashians of 'destroying my family' and leaving her 'alienated' from her children; Travis is pictured with Alabama and Landon in 2009

Shanna, who has appeared on Hollywood Exes, said: 'I know one day my children will see through the fame and money machine they have been thrust into and realize their mother loves and will always be there for them.'

Meanwhile Matthew insisted to Life & Style that he has 'never' been unfaithful and said: 'She's an amazing mother, and I am with her because she loves and cares so much about her family. That's just one of the reasons why I love her so much.'

Shanna and Matthew have conducted an infamously turbulent on-off relationship, which last year briefly went up in flames in a dramatic altercation that got him arrested on domestic battery charges.

By late last year, however, Matthew and Shanna were back together and the domestic battery charges against him were dismissed.

During an Instagram Q&A years ago, Shanna was asked why her children were spending more time at Travis' home than at hers.

'Because he lives behind two gates, has a mega mansion and is cooler than me,' she dished. 'LOL, we have shared custody but our kids are older. We are very close.'

Shanna has previously claimed on social media: 'I divorced Travis because I caught him having an affair with Kim!' prompting a source in Kim's camp to insist to Page Six that there was 'zero truth' to the allegation.
When they tied the knot in 2015, soon-to-be exes Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello reportedly signed a $100 million prenup to protect their multi-million dollar fortunes.

The Modern Family actress, 50, is said to have a whopping $180million net worth, while the Magic Mike hunk, 46, comes in second at a reported $40million.

Though much has been hidden from the public, Sofia has made it clear over the years that she and her now-estranged husband have kept their finances separate  seemingly ensuring them a clean split.

She also previously dished that Joe had no issue with a prenuptial agreement, telling Howard Stern in 2015: 'He said, 'Do whatever you want. I'll sign whatever you want.''

And now, with news that the couple are divorcing after nearly eight years of marriage, DailyMail.com is taking a look at just what that 'iron-clad' prenup protects and what may still be up in the air...

When they tied the knot in 2015, soon-to-be exes Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello reportedly signed a $100 million prenup to protect their multi-million dollar fortunes; seen in 2020

Sofia Vergara's $180million fortune  from an 11-season run on Modern Family to her very own beauty brand.

The Colombian-born beauty started as a model after being scouted by a photographer in her home country. She landed a Pepsi commercial at just 17-years-old.

Though she appeared in a number of films, it was not until she landed the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC's hit sitcom Modern Family that she'd be catapulted to superstardom.

The series  which also starred the likes of Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Ariel Winter  premiered in September 2009 and wrapped in May 2020 after 11 seasons.

At the height of the show's success Forbes reported that she was earning '$500,000 per episode'  with each season averaging 22 episodes.

She was named the 'highest paid TV actress' by Forbes in 2020 after raking in a reported $43million.

The years before Modern Family wrapped, Sofia began negotiations with NBC to judge America's Got Talent alongside Simon Cowell, Howie Madel and Heidi Klum.

With a reported salary of $10million per season  $70,000 per episode  Sofia joined the talent competition show in its fifteenth season.

She remains on the judging panel with the show's 18th season currently in full swing.

Model: The Colombian-born beauty started as a model after being scouted by a photographer in her home country

Career-defining: Though she appeared in a number of films, it was not until she landed the role of Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on ABC's hit sitcom Modern Family that she'd be catapulted to superstardom

In 2019, Sofia entered the fashion world when it was announced that she'd partnered with Walmart on an affordable and 'size-inclusive' clothing line for women.

She's also partnered with Foster Grant on her own collection of reading glasses and sunglasses.

In June of this year, Sofia launched her very own beauty brand 'Toty,' which currently offers a line of 'multi-benefit suncare solutions.'

She partnered with Cantabria Labs on the venture, according to Harper's Bazaar.

Despite having over 30 million followers on Instagram, Sofia appears to steer away from sponsored posts and, instead, uses her massive reach to tout her own products.

With so many collaborations, entrance into the beauty space and lucrative TV deals, it's no wonder that Sofia has racked up an impressive net worth over the span of her career.

Judging: With a reported salary of $10million per season  $70,000 per episode  Sofia joined the talent competition show in its fifteenth season

Beauty: In June of this year, Sofia launched her very own beauty brand 'Toty,' which currently offers a line of 'multi-benefit suncare solutions'

Joe Manganiello's $40million fortune

The 46-year-old actor has become the ultimate multi-hyphenate since appearing in the swoon-worthy blockbuster Magic Mike in 2012 along fellow hunk Channing Tatum.

He also starred in the film's subsequent sequels, the most recent being Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023).

You can also catch Joe in the first Tobey Maguire-led Spider-Man (2002), Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Rampage (2018, among other popular movies.

But Joe first entered the public consciousness during his stint on HBO's True Blood  deemed one of TV's sexiest shows  as the werewolf Alcide Herveaux. It aired from 2008 to 2014.

He's had television roles in shows such as ER, One Tree Hill and How I Met Your Mother.

Career: The 46-year-old actor has become the ultimate multi-hyphenate since appearing in the swoon-worthy blockbuster Magic Mike in 2012 along fellow hunk Channing Tatum; seen in 2022

He also starred in the film's subsequent sequels, the most recent being Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023); Joe (center) seen in Magic Mike XXL

Along with being a force on screen, Joe has also worked behind the camera as a director, producer and writer.

He made his directional debut in 2014 with the documentary film La Bare. It explores 'the history, lives and culture of the most popular male strip club in the world, La Bare Dallas,' as per IMDb.

A self pro-claimed 'nerd,' Joe has also associated himself with the popular Dungeons & Dragons franchise.

His vast knowledge of the beloved game led to him become a D&D writer, consultant, and ambassador.

Earlier this year, Joe confirmed to Comicbook that he is developing a D&D documentary and a television show, but didn't not divulge details.

Sofia and Joe's $10million Beverly Hills abode

Sofia and Joe re-listed their Beverly Hills home in June for $18million  less than two months before announcing their split.

They originally listed it last summer for $19.6 million after a remodel but took it off market.

The Italian-style villa is co-listed with Barry Peele of Sotheby's International Realty and Santiago Arana of The Agency.

It was previously alleged by TMZ that Sofia had forked over the original $10.4million needed to snap up the seven-bedroom, 11-bathroom home in 2015.

The sprawling 11,000 square foot mansion comes with a 10-seat movie theater, full size gym with sauna and 3,000 bottle wine cellar.

It is located in the highly exclusive and desirable neighborhood of Beverly Park.

Sofia and Joe reportedly purchased a nearby residence that is still under-construction but details about the deal and state of the property are unknown.

Sofia and Joe re-listed their Beverly Hills home in June for $18million  less than two months before announcing their split; Joe and Sofia seen in the home's backyard

Who will get custody of Bubbles?

Despite having no children together, it's been speculated that the couple may battle it out over their shared Chihuahua, Bubbles.

The pair have famously argued over the 10-year-old pooch on social media, often joking that Bubbles likes Joe more.

According to California law, a judge can weigh in on who should get pets in a divorce.

In January 2019, a new California law changed the way pet custody is handled in divorce cases.

This new law gives judges the power to consider the care and the best interest of the pet when making decisions in separation or divorce matters.

Dog parents: Despite having no children together, it's been speculated that the couple may battle it out over their shared Chihuahua, Bubbles

The pair have famously argued over the 10-year-old pooch on social media, often joking that Bubbles likes Joe more

Before 2019, California courts treated pets like property. The pet would be considered a part of the property to be divided when the marriage ended.

Often judges would base their decision on which party purchased or adopted the animal. Judges had a lot of say in who got the dog and who would just visit.

Pets are still technically classified as personal property, but this new law takes more into consideration.

There is an Animal Legal Defense Fund that can guide Sofia and Joe on animal protection laws.

What's at stake for Hollywood's former power couple?

Divorce attorney Frederic J. Siegel of the Siegel, Colin & Kaufman law firm  who has no affiliation with Sofia, Joe or their divorce proceedings  offered his legal opinion to Page Six regarding their prenup.

He theorized that Sofia and Joe's prenup 'probably had what is called a walkaway.'

This means that Sofia 'keeps what she has and what she earns, and [Joe] keeps what he has and what he's earned.

'So with a prenup  and without kids [together]  it becomes a much simpler case.'

What's in store? Divorce attorney Frederic J. Siegel of the Siegel, Colin & Kaufman law firm  who has no affiliation to Sofia or Joe  offered his legal opinion to Page Six regarding their prenup

Siegel told the outlet that he believes Sofia and Joe are 'probably at a more advanced stage [in their divorce] than people would think' seen in 2015

Siegel told the outlet that he believes Sofia and Joe are probably 'at a more advanced stage [in their divorce] than people would think.'

He believes this because 'usually when people make the announcement like they made yesterday, they've already done some of the preliminary work.

Siegel also stated that the split doesn't appear 'messy' and that the pair 'recognize the fact that if it's a bad divorce, their careers can be put in jeopardy.

'It really doesn't serve anybody. They've got very nice careers. They don't want to be airing their dirty laundry in public.'
PETA has raised concerns about the use of live animals on the set of director Ridley Scott's Gladiator 2 after whistleblowers spoke out about horses and monkeys on the set of the highly-anticipated sequel.

In a statement obtained by DailyMail.com, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claimed they had been informed that a horse's leg had given out on set after allegedly working in 'dire conditions' and that the film had been 'exploiting' real macaque monkeys.

'PETA and Animal Liberation Malta are not entertained after receiving whistleblower reports that Gladiator 2 is exploiting real macaque monkeys and forcing horses to work in direct sun, apparently in conditions so dire that one horses leg gave out on set,' the organization said.

'We urge director Ridley Scott to stop turning animal suffering into a spectacle as the ancient Romans did, and for stars Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington to do their part to bring Scott back into the 21st century.'

It comes amid a TMZ report alleging Scott had been sent several letters from the animal rights organization asking him to stop using the animals for his movie.

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Mr. Scott, his production company working on the film, Scott Free Productions, and Paramount Pictures for comment.

Raising concerns: PETA is imploring director Ridley Scott to cease using live animals for the making of Gladiator 2 after whistleblower reports raised concerns about horses and monkeys on the set of the highly-anticipated sequel

The letter re-iterated fears about the monkeys and horses being used for the film, speculating the heat led to the horse collapsing on set.

It also asked them to 'immediately cancel plans' to use the real animals in the movie.

In addition, PETA said they have been made aware of Mr. Scott's plans to continue filming for the next few days despite the SAG-AFTRA strike that recently went into effect.

'PETA and Animal Liberation Malta continue to receive complaints about animal use from the set of the Gladiator 2 production in Malta. Another whistleblower report just came in that a horses leg gave out on set, presumably due to the heat, with concerns that the horses (who are in costume) are being exposed to hot temperatures and sometimes forced to stand in direct sunlight during and between takes.

'Scorching summer heat and oppressive costumes are a dangerous mix for horses, who are naturally skittish animals, prone to flight and injury, and vulnerable to the stresses of a film set. The film and TV industries have a past riddled with on-set horse injuries and even deaths. We sincerely hope Gladiator 2 avoids adding another death to that list.

'In addition to the concerns we have already addressed in our previous letter, we wanted to make sure you were aware that macaques can be unpredictable and that its within a monkeys nature to solve problems with aggression, so they can and will attack and bite humans. Their teeth are sharp, their jaws are strong, and their bites are often severe. Macaques commonly carry the herpes B virus, which can be deadly to humans, so keeping them in the vicinity of humans results in public health risks as well.

'Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, were told that production plans to continue Tuesday through Saturday next week. We urge you to immediately cancel plans to use real animals for the film.'

The Los Angeles Times spoke with a source close to production who said 'there have not been any animal injuries or incidents' on the set of the film, and that certified animal safety representatives working on behalf of the American Humane Society have been in attendance during filming.

Hitting back: In a statement obtained by DailyMail.com, PETA claimed they had been informed by a whistleblower that a horse's leg had given out on set after allegedly working in dire conditions and that the film had been 'exploiting' real macaque monkeys

Lights, camera, action: The Malta set of Gladiator 2, pictured earlier this month

TMZ reports a similar letter was sent to the cast of the film. Gladiator 2 stars Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.

In addition to the leading stars, the website claims Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, Lior Raz, Joseph Quinn, Matt Lucas, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah, Chi Lewis-Parry and Mike Parish were among those sent letters.

It comes a month after crew members were reportedly injured in an explosion on the set of Gladiator.

Six crew members had to be rushed to a hospital after they were engulfed in a fireball, The Sun reported last month.

The highly anticipated sequel has been shooting in Morocco and the neighboring Sahara desert.

There are still few details available about the incident, but it appears to have been a special effects shot that went wrong, causing the dangerous explosion.

Iconic: The upcoming film is a sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 film Gladiator, which was a critical and commercial hit

One on-set source shared their hopes that the injured crew members would make a full recovery, though their condition is unclear.

'It was terrifying  a huge ball of fire flew up and caught several crew members in its path,' the source recalled. 'In years of filming Ive never seen an accident so scary.'

The explosion is reportedly being investigated, and witnesses to the explosion have reportedly speculated that it may have been caused by a gas pipe rupture on set.

'Six production staff had to be rushed to hospital for treatment,' they said, and it appears that no actors on the film were injured in the inferno.

'Hopefully everyone will be OK, but it was a serious accident,' the source added. 'Everyone involved, from the lowliest runners to the star names, has been shaken up by this.'

Acclaimed: Gladiator won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe

The upcoming film is a sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 film Gladiator, which was a critical and commercial hit.

The historical epic grossed five times its budget, and it helped cement the stardom of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.

Gladiator won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Crowe.

While the new film brings back director Ridley Scott, Crowe won't be featured, as his character died at the end of the original film.

Paul Mescal will be leading the new film as Lucius, the nephew of the emperor Commodus (Phoenix) and the secret son of Crowe's character Maximus, who was saved in the original film by his father.

He was played as a child in the first film by Spencer Treat Clark, but the Irish actor will be taking over the part.

Connie Neilsen will reprise her role as Lucilla, his mother, while Derek Jacobi will also return as a Roman senator and Djimon Hounsou will be back playing a former gladiator and friend of Maximus.

Denzel Washington has joined the cast in an important role, though his character has not yet been revealed.

Pedro Pascal and Matt Lucas are among the new cast members, and Stranger Things' breakout star Joseph Quinn will play Emperor Caracalla, who has often been painted as a tyrant in histories of the era.

Gladiator 2 is expected to debut in theaters in late 2024.
Gwyneth Paltrow has made an unusual promise to Australian radio star Kyle Sandilands ahead of her trip Down Under.

The American entrepreneur, 50, will visit Sydney in October to help Sandilands' co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, 48, launch her new events business Besties.

Appearing on The Kyle And Jackie O Show on Wednesday, Paltrow expressed her excitement at the collaboration, however things took turn when she started talking about her Goop Wellness sex toy brand.

The conversation led to Paltrow promising Sandilands, 52, that she would gift him some of her dildos when she visits Australia.

Henderson said she was a huge fan of the vibrators, telling Paltrow: 'I went to your store and got the vibrator when I was in LA, by the way, and it's the best vibrator you could buy.'

Gwyneth Paltrow, 48, (left) has promised to give Kyle Sandilands, 52, (right) some sex toys from her Goop Wellness brand ahead of her trip Down Under for Jackie 'O' Henderson's new events business Bestie

The former actress explained why she loves selling products that are usually considered taboo.

'So many of us have been made to feel shame about [female sexuality] and we shouldn't because it really is a pillar of, of wellness and knowing yourself,' Paltrow explained.

'I totally agree, there's no better way for me to get to know a woman,' Sandilands replied.

The former actress explained why she loves selling products that are usually considered taboo. 'So many of us have been made to feel shame about [female sexuality] and we shouldn't because it really is a pillar of, of wellness and knowing yourself,' Paltrow explained

The Hollywood star has released two luxury sex toys, the Double-Sided Wand Vibrator (pictured) and the Heartthrob Vibrator - each available for $98 via her Goop website

Paltrow then offered to bring some sex toys for Sandilands as a gift, telling him: 'Don't worry.'

She also roasted the radio star's sexual prowess, telling Kyle, 'We give [your women] our vibrators after you're done with them.'

The comment elicited big laughs from both Kyle and Jackie.

The Hollywood star has released two luxury sex toys, the Double-Sided Wand Vibrator and the Heartthrob Vibrator - each available for $98 via her Goop website.

She previously headlines for releasing a vagina-scented candle named 'This Smells Like My Vagina.'

Henderson (pictured) said she was a huge fan of the vibrators, telling Paltrow: 'I went to your store and got the vibrator when I was in LA, by the way, and it's the best vibrator you could buy'

It comes after Henderson announced that Paltrow was the first high profile speaker for her new events business.

In a post to Henderson's official Instagram account on Tuesday, Henderson wrote that the Oscar winner was 'coming to Sydney this October for an exclusive visit to the @bestiesau stage.'

Sandilands revealed he played a part in landing the A-lister, by 'charming' Paltrow during a dinner in New York.

She previously headlines for releasing a vagina-scented candle named 'This Smells Like My Vagina (pictured)

'Did she remember the dinner we had with her in New York?' asked Kyle after his co-host's bombshell announcement.

'She did. It was one of the reasons she said yes [to Besties] actually,' Henderson revealed.

'Because of my charm?' asked Kyle, to laughter from Henderson.

It comes after Henderson announced that Paltrow was the first high profile speaker for her new events business

'She knew we'd have a good time on stage together,' Henderson said, before saying their conversation would cover topics including her Goop business, Hollywood career, and sex.

She went on to detail just how much fans could expect to pay to hear the Shakespeare In Love star speak live.

'We want to start [ticket prices] at $100,' said Henderson.

In a post to Henderson's official Instagram account on Tuesday, Henderson wrote that the Oscar winner was 'coming to Sydney this October for an exclusive visit to the @bestiesau stage'

She then revealed that those who wanted to get up close and personal with Gwyneth could expect to pay $2500 for a 'VIP' experience.

'For $2500 you'll get a photo with her and you'll be at the cocktail party with us,' Henderson explained.

The event will take place on Friday, October 27 and pre-sale tickets will be available from Thursday, July 27.

The radio queen launched a new business with her close friend Gemma O'Neill (right) which 'celebrates the most important relationship in your life - your best friend'. Besties appears to be an event-based business which sells experiences for 'best friends'

The radio queen launched the new business with her close friend Gemma O'Neill which 'celebrates the most important relationship in your life - your best friend'.

Besties appears to be an event-based business which sells experiences for 'best friends' to create memories together.

The website said: 'Besties is a space that gives you and your BFF the perfect opportunity to spend more time with each other and create additional memories together.'

'Besties will bring you closer to extraordinary people at engaging events where we will welcome some of the most talked about and high-profile guest speakers to the stage, take you to the most breathtaking and exclusive destinations on group holiday adventures, plus spoil you with ranges of luxe products specifically and personally curated by us for you.'

Henderson's new business venture comes just a few days after it was revealed she pocketed a whopping $13million from the sale of her Woollahra mansion

Henderson announced the launch on Instagram as well, saying she was 'thrilled' to be starting a new 'side hustle' with her best friend of 20 years.

Alongside a reel of stunning professional photos the pair took on a beach, Henderson said she and Gemma have been through every huge milestone together.

'Like any best friend duo, we've always dreamed of starting our own side hustle, and we're so thrilled to share the news of our newest venture, Besties,' she said.

Henderson's new business venture comes just a few days after it was revealed she pocketed a whopping $13million from the sale of her Woollahra mansion.

The media personality secured David and Dalia Schnabl as off-market buyers in January, according to Realestate.com.au on Sunday.

Paperwork for the sale was filed this month with Henderson having paid $11 million for the eastern suburbs mansion in June 2020.

The home was the first she purchased after she left the property she shared with ex-husband, Lee Henderson, in Vaucluse.
Jackson Warne is still keeping to his 'year of health' pledge while on holiday in Europe.

The 24-year-old son of Shane Warne decided to turn his life around in 2023 after his father tragically died from a heart attack last year.

He has given up alcohol and is working out in the gym more, and although he's enjoying a sun-soaked holiday in Marbella, Spain, that hasn't stopped him from smashing his goals.

On Tuesday, Jackson posted a jaw-dropping photo in a Spanish gym as he flaunted his muscular physique.

In the snap, he wore a yellow singlet as he showed off his bulging biceps.

Jackson Warne (pictured) is still keeping to his 'year of health' pledge while on holiday in Europe. On Tuesday, Jackson posted a jaw-dropping photo in a Spanish gym as he flaunted his muscly physique

Friends and fans of the SAS Australia star congratulated him on his dedication to getting fitter and healthier.

One person said: 'Bro this is unreal! Love your progress! Cant believe this is what dedication is all about, your old boy is with you every step of the way and every step after that! You make me proud. He makes me proud! Agh unreal'.

While another wrote: 'As you grow older, you are looking more and more like Daddy King Shane.'

Jackson is currently enjoying a European summer holiday with his girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith (pictured). Along with his gym selfie, the former reality star shared a snap of himself and his model girlfriend looking all loved-up

And a third commented: 'Hats off to you mate. You look awesome and happy'.

Jackson is currently enjoying a European summer holiday with his girlfriend Kiah Broadsmith.

Along with his gym selfie, the former reality star shared a snap of himself and his model girlfriend looking all loved-up.

The happy couple posed in front of a marina in Puerto Banus as they enjoyed the late sun set.

After his father tragically lost his life after suffering a heart attack in Thailand last year, Jackson said he could've let his grief ruin him.

But instead, he decided to focus on his health, and to channel his trauma into 'energy for life'.

It's now halfway through 2023 and Jackson, 24, is continuing to share his gruelling workout routines online

Taking to Instagram in February of this year, he wrote: 'This year I could've easily gone down hill. I could've drank a lot of alcohol, gambled too much, quit the gym, ate shit food and not socialised. Be miserable.

'But I didn't.

'I didn't because I used this trauma as energy for life. I surrounded myself with good people, went to the gym EVERY DAY, drank water, swam, laughed a lot and was consistent. 1 day at a time.'

The 24-year-old said he has never felt happier and healthier, and encouraged his almost 100k followers to do the same.

'Health is wealth,' he added.

On Tuesday, the only son of Warnie showed off his jaw-dropping physique in a short clip

The former reality star also decided to give up alcohol for the whole year, and has been documenting his daily process

'It cost's $0 to exercise, laugh, drink water and go outside. If you do this I promise you'll be the happiest and healthiest you can be.'

The former reality star also decided to give up alcohol for the whole year, and has been documenting his daily process.

At the end of January, he posted a gym selfie with the caption: '30/365. No alcohol, best I've ever felt. Mentally feel great.

'Strongest I've ever been. I feel it's going to be a good year for everyone.
The Sixth Commandment

Rating:

Why Sharks Attack

Rating:

An extra layer of chill lies over The Sixth Commandment (BBC1). Somehow its made even creepier by the fact that each of its victims is so immediately recognisable.

Bad enough to murder Timothy Spall, a much admired character actor since the days of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Far worse to target the magnificent Anne Reid, whose credentials go all the way back to Hancocks Half Hour and the dawn of Coronation Street.

But now the clerical killer in this true crime drama has Sheila Hancock, grande dame of the English stage, in his sights. Is no one safe? Please could someone go round and check on Dame Judi Dench?

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT: An extra layer of chill lies over The Sixth Commandment (BBC1). Somehow its made even creepier by the fact that each of its victims is so immediately recognisable

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Bad enough to murder Timothy Spall, a much admired character actor since the days of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT: But now the clerical killer in this true crime drama has Sheila Hancock, grande dame of the English stage, in his sights

With this calibre of stars and an exceptional supporting cast, Ben Fields cold-hearted plots and manipulation are all the more shocking because we feel as though we know his victims so well  were personally involved.

Each of the first two episodes this week has centred on one death. In the first, Spall as retired English teacher and amateur novelist Peter Farquhar sailed just this side of caricature, relishing the typical eccentricities and pomposities of a public schoolmaster.

Reunions of the week Animal detective Lisa Dean told Live: Lost Dogs With Clare Balding (Ch5) how she tracks down stolen pets. Thefts are on the rise, fuelled by the high price of puppies. Lisas phone footage of dogs reunited with their owners was heart-melting. Advertisement

He was fussy, repressed, vain and self-centred, but Spall saved him from becoming ridiculous by constantly revealing the inner sadness of the man. He was desperately lonely, and always had been, but with encroaching age he was no longer able to hide it.

The love of his brother Ian and his wife (Adrian Rawlins and Amanda Root) only emphasised what he did not have: a partner.

When Field (Eanna Hardwicke) befriended him, declared his love and moved in with him, Peters self-delusion was forgivable, even understandable.

Part of me was irrationally glad for the old fellow, to see him snatch some happiness.

So far the story, based in the Buckinghamshire village of Maids Moreton and carefully faithful to the real events, had echoes of an Agatha Christie. Perhaps it was this that attracted screenwriter Sarah Phelps, who has adapted several Christies for television.

But Fields machinations shifted to the stuff of horror movies in the second episode. Reid played another retired teacher, Ann Moore-Martin, equally eager to believe this young man was besotted with her... unaware he had broken into her house and searched through her papers, looking for evidence of wealth.

Both Peter and Ann were churchgoers, a trait Field exploited ruthlessly. We knew the plots were carried out in the same way because the camera gave us visual clues: a hand grasping dizzily at a bannister post, dark dregs in a teacup.

WHY SHARKS ATTACK: The killing machines in Why Sharks Attack (BBC1) seemed almost benign by comparison, as scientists explained that, when humans become prey, the motive is either desperation or a mistake

WHY SHARKS ATTACK: Phone video footage of two deaths in the water at beach resorts was alarmingly graphic for a documentary airing at 8pm

But the method was not made explicit until Ann chirped up to her niece, Ben made me a smoothie  banana, yoghurt and blueberries. It was delicious. Who would have thought that a smoothie recipe could sound so ominous?

By the end of the second hour, we  like Anns niece  saw Field as satanic. Hardwicke captured the weirdness of the man, making puns in a funeral eulogy and unable to hide his excitement at the thought of killing.

The killing machines in Why Sharks Attack (BBC1) seemed almost benign by comparison, as scientists explained that, when humans become prey, the motive is either desperation or a mistake.

Phone video footage of two deaths in the water at beach resorts was alarmingly graphic for a documentary airing at 8pm. So too was gory film of an attack on a young woman in Florida, who survived only because her brother fought off the shark.

We were repeatedly told that death by shark is rare  not much comfort to the holidaymaker who becomes fish food.
Barbara 'Palvin' Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse have shared details from their beautiful wedding this past weekend, including the three designer dresses the bride wore and the Hungarian tradition she honored for their special day.

Speaking with Vogue, the bride, 29, and groom, 30, reflected on their engagement, tying the knot at the same church Barbara's parents wed at 34 years ago, and all the fun that was had at their reception.

The couple plan holding a larger ceremony in California in the autumn, but first exchanged vows in front of 115 guests this past Saturday a property owned by Barbara's parents called Harlekin Birtok.

'Its gonna take some time for me to get used to being called Mrs. Sprouse,' Hungarian model Barbara said.

'Dylans been calling me his wife for three years now, so there's not a lot of adjusting on his end. We're excited to go back to L.A. to our pets and rest a bitbefore we start planning the American wedding.'

I do! Barbara 'Palvin' Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse have shared details from their intimate wedding this past weekend, including the three designer dresses the bride wore and the Hungarian traditions she honored for their special day; pictured April 2023

For her special day, Barbara wore three different dresses - a custom strapless number from Vivienne Westwood, followed by a shorter dress made by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini which she says made her 'feel like a modern princess.'

In keeping with Hungarian tradition, she ended the evening in a red dress that she changed into at midnight. She selected Hungarian designer MERO to create the look that would help signify her transition into wife.

'Its called "menyecske ruha,"' Barbara explained of the tradition.

'I have to change my wedding dress at midnight, because Im not a bride anymore, but a wife,' she added.

She wore a custom 90's inspired choker by Tiffany & Co. and pairs of Jimmy Choo footwear which coordinated with the colors of her three different dresses.

As for Dylan, he insisted on a 'very traditional tuxedo' and didn't forget to shave.

The nuptials were planned by Barbara and her sister Anita Palvin, who both have a background in wedding planning as their parents have often hosted weddings on their property.

'We didnt have a planner so Barbara and her sister planned most of it,' Dylan said. 'They told me my only job is to show up and say the right name.'

Doing the honors! The nuptials were planned by Barbara and her sister Anita Palvin, who both have a background in wedding planning as their parents have often hosted weddings on their property

Forever and ever: For her special day, Barbara wore three different dresses - a custom strapless number from Vivienne Westwood, followed by a shorter dress made by Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini which she says 'made me feel like a modern princess'; pictured 2022

The couple first said 'I do' at the same church where Barbara's parents became man and wife in 1989, and then again in a civil ceremony on 'a small island within a reserve on Barbara's parents property,' writes Vogue.

'All the people we love and care for were there,' Barbara said of the church ceremony. 'We all cried a little.'

As for their civil ceremony, she said: 'It was a beautiful moment that we will never forget.'

Dylan said their nerves had cooled down by the time the second ceremony rolled around: 'Since we were already done with the ceremony in the church we were a little calmer for the second part.

'Before walking down the aisle we were nervous, but as soon as we laid eyes on each other we just started laughing, and this calmed our nerves. Of course we both ended up crying.'

'It was very romantic': Dylan proposed at a spot where Barbara's favorite animals, sea otters, could be found

Celebrate good times! The reception saw the newlyweds unwind with shots of palinka, traditional Hungarian music, and some fun wedding games; pictured 2020

Thumbs up: Upon his return to Los Angeles, Dylan posted an Instagram selfie promising his fans more details about the wedding in the near future

The reception saw the newlyweds unwind with shots of palinka, traditional Hungarian music, and some fun wedding games.

Photos obtained by Vogue show the newlyweds looking all loved-up as they posed together, exchanged vows, and partied the night away with their friends and family.

Barbara's exquisite Vivienne Westwood dress cinched into her trim waist and unfurled in romantic fashion for the skirt.

Her veil, pinned to the top of her head, cascaded down to the floor and matched her long sheer gloves.

Upon his return to Los Angeles, Dylan posted an Instagram selfie promising his fans more details about the wedding in the near future.

'Just touched down in LA from flight,' he wrote: 'thanks for all the kind messages and will be posting lots of images tomorrow :)'.

The couple became betrothed during a camping trip with their friends in September 2022 but only confirmed their engagement last month.

Dylan proposed at a spot where Barbara's favorite animals, sea otters, could be found.

'It was very romantic,' she said. 'I was suspicious and thought he might pop the question because he packed a shirt that was too nice for camping.'
Kim Kardashian put on a smoldering display on Tuesday as she posed in a thong bodysuit for her successful undergarment line SKIMS.

The 42-year-old mogul - who just launched her recycled nylon collection - showed off her famous backside in a SKIMS Instagram post.

A bare-faced Kardashian looked stoic and effortlessly beautiful for the minimalistic shoot.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians alum stood barefoot in front of a solid white wall, keeping the focus on the garment.

The caption teased, 'Bodysuits for summer days just dropped and your wardrobe wants in.'

Sizzling: Kim Kardashian put on a smoldering display on Tuesday as she posed in a thong bodysuit for her successful undergarment line SKIMS

Voluptuous: The 42-year-old mogul showed off her pert backside in a SKIMS Instagram post

The photos were snapped during the reality television personality's platinum blonde era.

The long, frosty strands flowed down her back, arranged in a center part and styled in a sleek texture.

The caption alerted fans to exactly what the founder was wearing as it noted, '@kimkardashian wears the Recycled Nylon High Cut Bodysuit, size XXS/XS, in Oxide.'

The post quickly racked up thousands of likes from SKIMS' loyal following of five million.

Previous posts from the retailer described the pieces 'curve-enhancing' and a 'summer staple.'

Consumers are offered various silhouettes including tube tops, leggings, onesies, and short-sleeved shirts.

'Smooth and seamless seven days a week,' another recent Instagram post from SKIMS read.

SKIMS was recently lauded by a consumer who said her undergarment from the brand saved her life after she was shot.

Curvy: A promotional ad described the pieces as 'versatile' and 'accentuating'

Close-up look: The American Horror Story star's toned backside was perfectly displayed in the onyx Recycled Nylon mid-thigh onesie

At the beginning of a TikTok video, the shooting victim, Angelina Wiley, stated, 'Kim Kardashian saved my life.'

She explained, 'This New Year's I got shot four times. The night I got shot, under my dress, I was wearing a SKIMS shaping bodysuit. It was so tight on me that it literally kept me from bleeding out.'

The fan then said, 'I recommend it. I'm definitely gonna buy some more. I mean, I should wear it every day. It's like body armor for women.'

'Call it fate or Jesus, but, Imma call it Kim. Imma call it Kim for sure,' she added at the end of the seconds-long clip.

Kim reshared the content on her Instagram page and wrote, 'wowww,' followed by a praying hands emoji.

Angelina was shot a total of four times, and seven months later, still has a bullet in her stomach.

According to a separate TikTok shared by Angelina, she revealed that the night of the shooting she was wearing the Seamless Sculpt Thong bodysuit, which retails for $68.

The piece is made from 78% nylon and 22% spandex, and gives 'extra compression at the core and waist.'

Hot! Kim was active over on her personal Instagram account on Tuesday, sharing two sexy photos in a swimsuit

Phenomenal: The beauty showed off her sizzling figure in a tiny mix-matched bikini

Kim was active over on her personal Instagram account on Tuesday, sharing two sexy photos in a two-piece swimsuit.

The mother-of-four posed on a white, geometric lounge chair that was set poolside.

Her long, raven locks appeared damp and wavy as they cascaded down her back.

Kim wrote in the caption of the sultry snapshots: 'Risk and you shall receive.'

Kardashian teamed a busty, black triangle top with lighter colored string-tie bikini bottoms.

She went makeup-free during the mini photo shoot and the post has so far collected over one million likes from her 362 million followers.

The entrepreneur went with her usual understated style - skipping jewelry and flaunting a nude manicure and pedicure.
Barbie struck a high note with critics, who called the upcoming film 'dazzling' in early reviews.

Critics who viewed the flick have shared their thoughts on Rotten Tomatoes, with one describing the highly-anticipated Margot Robbie film as 'one of the most entertaining movies of the year.'

The Barbie movie is set to land in theaters on July 21, with Margot, 33, leading the cast as the eponymous Barbie doll alongside her boyfriend Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, 42.

Critics also praised director Greta Gerwig, 39, for achieving 'a pleasing balance between the silly and the serious.'

'This is a truly original work - one of the smartest, funniest, sweetest, most insightful and just plain flat-out entertaining movies of the year,' Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gushed.

Critic pleaser: Barbie struck a high note with critics, who called the upcoming film 'dazzling' and 'one of the most entertaining movies of the year' in early reviews

Meanwhile Coleman Spilde from The Daily Beast was dazzled by the film.

'In Gerwig's capable hands, even a movie about the one of most popular toys of all time eludes expectations at every turn. Barbie is her mainstream masterpiece, a dazzling dream that will touch the souls of everyone who sees it.'

Chandler Levack of Globe and Mail called the film 'both a masters thesis on feminism and an Austin Powers-esque romp.'

'The zaniness of Barbie, combined with Gerwigs interest in skewering the patriarchy, sometimes makes the movie a baggy, tonally dissonant viewing experience. But for the most part, she achieves a pleasing balance between the silly and the serious,' Ann Hornaday from the Washington Post wrote.

Katie Walsh from Tribune News Service called the film a 'barbed statement wrapped in a visually sumptuous & sublimely silly cinematic confection.'

Others praised the film for being soulful, including TheWrap's Tomris Laffly.

'A soulful film underneath all the persistent fuchsia. One that has heart and ambition as well as abundant beauty, inside and out.'

Many also praised the cast for their dynamic performances.

Barbie world: The Barbie movie is set to land in theaters on July 21, with Margot, 33, leading the cast as the eponymous Barbie doll alongside her boyfriend Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, 42

'Thesis on feminism': Critics who viewed the flick have shared their thoughts. Chandler Levack called the film 'both a masters thesis on feminism and an Austin Powers-esque romp'

Dynamic pair: Many also commended the actors, including Robbie and Gosling (pictured 2022). 'This is the funniest cast Ive seen in some time,' Peter Howell of the Toronto Star wrote

Dream team: Critics applauded director Greta Gerwig, 39 (pictured center) for achieving 'a pleasing balance between the silly and the serious'; The trio pictured on June 25 in Los Angeles

'What really makes this comedy click are the stellar performances, from the lead role on down. This is the funniest cast Ive seen in some time,' Peter Howell of the Toronto Star wrote.

'This is a wonderfully fun watch that somehow manages to simultaneously celebrate and satirise the Barbie brand, its feminism and girliness pairing like gorpcore sandals with a floaty pink skirt,' Alice Saville from Time Out wrote.

Justin Chang from the Los Angeles Times praised Robbie in his review.

'Robbie takes an archetype long dismissed as an airheaded caricature and, moment by deeply felt moment, teases and fleshes her out,' he wrote.

Aside from Robbie and Gosling, other members of the cast include Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Ariana Greenblatt, Ana Cruz Kayne, Alexandra Shipp, Ritu Arya, Sharon Rooney, Connor Swindells, Scott Evans and Jamie Demetriou.

IMDB synopsis of the movie reads: 'A doll living in 'Barbieland' is expelled for not being perfect enough and sets off on an adventure in the real world. A Live-action feature film based on the popular line of Barbie toys.'

For the Australian actress, bringing the beloved children's toy to life was slightly daunting due to mixed feelings about what the doll represents.

Speaking on a pre-recorded interview with Good Morning America on Tuesday, the actress explained: 'I was both scared and excited by the idea that people were gonna come into this movie already feeling very strongly about the protagonist.'

Robbie promised the film would be far from 'surface level' thanks to the script and direction by Greta Gerwig.

The actress continued: 'I think in a lot of other hands, a Barbie movie would remain surface level.

Apprehensive: Margot recently shared her initial fears when signing on to take on the role of iconic doll, but promised the film would be far from 'surface level'; Pictured July 12 in London

Competition: Barbie will see stiff competition from Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer  with both movies being released on Friday  which critics have hailed as a 'total knockout'

'But I knew Greta was gonna have a lot to say, and I knew she was gonna Trojan Horse a lot of - big issues within a very fun world.'

Revealing her hopes for the movie, the Wolf of Wall Street star stated: 'I hope people walk away... I hope that they feel good about themselves watching it.

'I feel like there's some sorta relief in this movie and that the message ultimately is, "You're good. You're good as you are."'

Barbie will hit the theaters on July 21 and will see stiff competition from Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer  set to be released on the same day  which critics have hailed as a 'total knockout' and 'spectacular achievement' following its premiere in Paris.

Oppenheimer features an all-star cast and is led by Cillian Murphy, who plays the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer., also known as the father of the Atomic bomb.
Jennifer Lopez looked stunning while stepping out in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 53-year-old songstress put on a glamorous display in a bright red maxi dress with a halter style neckline that billowed behind her as she took a stroll.

She was spotted heading to meet a friend for lunch at The Ivy before going shopping for furniture in Beverly Hills.

The Marry Me star  who recently shared heartfelt lyrics to an upcoming song dedicated to her husband, Ben Affleck, 50  was also spotted toting around a crimson, crocodile-embossed leather handbag.

She also shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of oversized shades with a silver frame and brown-tinted lenses.

Eye-catching: Jennifer Lopez looked stunning while stepping out in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The 53-year-old songstress put on a glamorous display in a bright red maxi dress with a halter style neckline that billowed behind her as she took a stroll

Monochromatic red: The Marry Me star  who recently shared heartfelt lyrics to an upcoming song dedicated to her husband, Ben Affleck, 50  was also spotted toting around a crimson, crocodile-embossed leather handbag

She also added a few inches to her height by sporting a pair of espadrille platform heels.

Her eye-catching dress featured metal grommets and details that she matched with classic silver jewelry choices.

For her daytime outing, the actress modeled a pair of large hoop earrings as well as her dazzling wedding ring.

She also matched her bold and bright ensemble with a studded leather bracelet in red.

To keep cool, the Jenny From The Block hitmaker threw up her brunette tresses in a sleek and polished low bun at the nape of her neck.

She also appeared to be sporting a minimal makeup look to showcase her natural beauty during the hot summer day in California.

The day before, the Bronx native shared stunning selfies showcasing her date night look from an evening out with her husband to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary.

In her caption, she promoted her newsletter, On The JLo  in which she shared the lyrics to a not-yet-released song about secretly tying the knot with Affleck in Las Vegas last year.

Sunny day: She also shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of oversized shades with a silver frame and brown-tinted lenses. She also added a few inches to her height by sporting a pair of espadrille platform heels

Silver accessories: Her eye-catching dress featured metal grommets and details that she matched with classic silver jewelry choices

Chic jewelry: For her daytime outing, the actress modeled a pair of large hoop earrings as well as her dazzling wedding ring

Radiant beauty: She also appeared to be sporting a minimal makeup look to showcase her natural beauty during the hot summer day in California

Prim and polished: To keep cool, the Jenny From The Block hitmaker threw up her brunette tresses in a sleek and polished low bun at the nape of her neck

Her caption implied that she was sharing the lyrics from a new track  titled Midnight Trip to Vegas  as part of her upcoming ninth studio album, This Is Me... Now.

Her soon-to-be-released music is a follow-up to her 2002 LP, This Is Me... Then  which she released when she and Affleck were together two decades ago.

According to the lyrics, she gushed as she recalled that special day when the couple took a 'midnight trip to Vegas' and changed in the bathroom before their spontaneous nuptials.

She also recalled how they 'didn't tell a soul 'bout how it's goin' down tonight' as they brought with them 'the kids in the back of the pink Cadillac'.
Chris Hemsworth shared a sweet birthday tribute to wife Elsa Pataky on Wednesday, as she marked her 47th birthday.

The Thor star, 39, shared a gushing post on Instagram dedicated to his wife of 13 years.

The pair, who have been holidaying together with family and friends in her home country of Spain, can be seen in a series of photographs and a video tucking into some birthday cake as they celebrated her big day.

'Happy birthday to my partner in crime, love you always, here's to many more,' Chris wrote, alongside kiss emojis.

Chris and friends sang Elsa happy birthday before she blew out some candles on a cake.

Chris Hemsworth shared a sweet birthday tribute to wife Elsa Pataky on Wednesday, as she marked her 47th birthday

Elsa looked incredible showing off her trim figure in a pink floral dress, with her long locks out and over her shoulders.

Chris meanwhile looked relaxed in a white singlet and a dark, open shirt.

The pair gazed at each other adoringly in the video and wore matching gold watches.

The pair, who have been holidaying together with family and friends in her home country of Spain , can be seen in a series of photographs and a video tucking into some birthday cake as they celebrated her big day

The Thor star, 39, shared a gushing post on Instagram dedicated to his wife of 13 years

'Happy birthday to my partner in crime, love you always, here's to many more,' Chris wrote, alongside kiss emojis

Last week, the pair were seen stepping out in Ibiza and enjoying a meal with friends.

Chris posted a series of images to Instagram in which he and the Spanish actress were partying aboard a boat.

'A little fun in the sun in Spain,' Chris wrote in the caption alongside the photos, which showed the genetically blessed couple in swimwear.

Last week, the pair were seen stepping out in Ibiza and enjoying a meal with friends. Chris posted a series of images to Instagram in which he and the Spanish actress were partying aboard a boat

Chris showed off his famously fit physique in a pair of black boardshorts as he hammed it up on the vessel.

Elsa looked stunning in a green bikini, squealing with delight as she and her hunky husband dived off the bough of the boat into the crisp ocean.

The family travelled to Ibiza after celebrating Chris's father Craig's 68th birthday in Greece.

The Hollywood hunk also partied alongside his parents and best pal Matt Damon on the Greek island of Mykonos.

Guests travelled far and wide to attend the exclusive destination-soiree.

The exclusive guest list included Matt and his wife Luciana Barroso, Chris and Australian model Gabriella Brooks - girlfriend of Liam - radio personality Lauren Phillips and her partner, AVMIN air boss Paul O'Brien.
Keanu Reeves was spotted enjoying a ride on his motorcycle in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The 58-year-old movie star - who was also seen on the bike a month ago - wore a protective red and black helmet and dark sunglasses.

The longtime actor was suited up in a black motocross jacket and gloves as he zoomed through Southern California.

The Matrix sensation teamed them with a pair of olive green pants and brown utilitarian boots.

He carried his belongings in a black backpack, attaching a trucker hat to the bag.

Cruising: Keanu Reeves was spotted enjoying a ride on his motorcycle in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Gear: The 58-year-old actor wore a protective red and black helmet and dark sunglasses

The outing comes after Keanu reunited with ex-girlfriend Sofia Coppola at a House of Suntory event last month.

The affair celebrated 100 years of the legendary brand's whisky and it was held at The Londoner Hotel in England.

Keanu was there for the premiere of a short film directed by Sofia, 52, that honored the legendary company.

The John Wick actor looked great in a dark, tailored suit with a gray shirt and brown boots.

He wore his dark hair in a center part and rocked a full, graying beard.

Meanwhile, Sofia looked great in a cream three-quarter sleeve blouse with black trousers.

She wore a gold watch on her left wrist and rounded out the look with silver slingback flats with a black toe.

The filmmaker wore her light brown shoulder-length hair in an off-center part and tousled waves.

Reunion: Keanu's outing comes after he reunited with ex-girlfriend Sofia Coppola at a House of Suntory event last month

Past love: The former couple dated each other in the early 1990s

Reeves stars in The Suntory Anniversary Tribute, the short film directed by Sofia, and The Nature and Spirit of Japan, a docuseries directed by her brother Roman Coppola. Both were created in partnership with Suntory.

He previously starred in a 1992 commercial for the brand.

According to a press release, the docuseries 'explores Japanese whisky culture inspired by harmony with nature (Wa), elevated by Japanese craftsmanship (Monozukuri) and enjoyed as an authentic Japanese cultural experience (Omotenashi).'

Speaking of the two new projects with Suntory, Keanu said: 'It's very special to collaborate in honor of this milestone anniversary. My admiration for the whisky goes beyond tasting the whisky.

'It is the elevated Japanese craftsmanship and attention to every detail that makes Suntory Whisky so special. As an actor honing and perfecting my own craft, sharing this process in a docuseries is a thrill.'
Jessel Taank and Sai De Silva turned heads on Tuesday night at a red carpet event for The Real Housewives Of New York City reboot.

Taank, 43, and her co-star De Silva, 42, wowed in patterned dresses as they led stars at the NYC event.

Jessel looked regal in a light blue gown with a brown, beaded accoutrement that wrapped around her neck.

She wore her rich, dark hair in a high bun with an abbreviated center part.

Meanwhile, Sai opted for an asymmetric mini dress with a muted gray, navy, and light blue paisley-like pattern.

Looking great: Jessel Taank and Sai De Silva turned heads on Tuesday night at a red carpet event for The Real Housewives Of New York City reboot

Wow! Taank, 43, and her co-star De Silva, 42, wowed in patterned dresses as they led stars at the NYC event

Jessel rocked a pair of dangling gold earrings with black stone accents in the center.

And she rounded out her eye-catching look with a pair of metallic gold open-toe heels with bubble straps.

She flaunted a long, milky white manicure and looked gorgeous in a full face of flattering makeup.

Sai looked equally stunning in her one-shoulder mini dress, which was created with big ruffled tiers.

For the star-studded occasion she pulled her dark tresses back into a sleek low bun with a center part.

The outfit was rounded out with a pair of beige heels with a braided strap at the front and tie straps that wrapped around her ankles.

She carried a chic and tiny handbag and wore a glinting watch on her left wrist.

The beauty put on a glowy display in a face of soft makeup that included light blush and a matte lipstick.

L-R: Castmates Jessel, Ubah Hassan, and Sai gathered for a photo

Snapshot: Jessel posed for a picture with Isolde Brielmaier

Her look: Jessel wore her rich, dark hair in a high bun with an abbreviated center part

The women were joined at the soiree by costar Ubah Hassan, who dazzled in a festive green mini dress.

The thigh-grazing number featured fringe detailing at the hemline and the fashionista teamed it with silver open-toe heels.

The 39-year-old Somalian model showed off her toned legs in the look and wore her hair in long braids.

She accentuated her visage with long, fluttery eyelashes and silver highlighter on the inner corners of her eyes.

The makeup look was completed with a matte pink lipstick that drew attention to her plump pout.

Missing from the scene were the other RHONY castmates Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, and Brynn Whitfield.

The rebooted Bravo TV series premiered on the network this past Sunday, July 1 6.

Executive producer Andy Cohen recently said about the new cast members that the network 'found the right group of women.'

Cute: Taank flashed a smile as she posed with Monika Sharma Abbas

L-R: Maneesh Goyal, Jessel, Anjula Acharia and Furhan Ahmed

Festive: Ubah was fashion-forward in a shimmering green mini dress with fringe

Joyful: The star flashed a megawatt smile, showing off a pink lipstick

The cast for the of The Real Housewives of New York City reboot was first revealed in October 2022.

Cohen announced the six new ladies who would be taking over RHONY during the final night of the 2022 BravoCon.

He surprised fans with the news during a taping of Watch What Happens Live, with the women unexpectedly walking onstage.

The new cast is more diverse, with Taank being the first Indian housewife, after Cohen previously stated that he wanted a cast that more accurately reflected New York City.

Jessel is a wife, mother to twin boys, and a fashion publicist who grew up in London.

Jenna famously served as President and Executive Creative Director of J.Crew Group before co-founding the direct-to-consumer beauty brand LoveSeen.

Sai is a content creator with a focus on fashion and lifestyle and has worked with Dior, Fendi, Audemar Piguet, Bentley and Vogue.

Lichy has been married to successful attorney Abraham Lichy for more than ten years and they share three children.

Flirty look: Monika commanded attention in a plunging turquoise mini dress

Accessory: Monika, who is a doctor, carried a beaded gold clutch for Tuesday's event

Guests: Reena Roy and Palak Gupta were among the attendees at the gathering

Eye-popping: Eriya Agarwan wore a long-sleeved pink top with a billowing yellow skirt with ornate detail

Style: Shilpa Maniar looked elegant in a long gold skirt and white, beaded crop top

Following negative reviews after season 13 of RHONY, showrunners opted to completely recast the series.

Lizzy Savetsky was originally set to join the new cast, but in November 2022 took to Instagram to reveal that she had quit the series following online bullying as well as 'anti-Semitic threats.'

At the time, she said in a statement, 'I will not be continuing on the Real Housewives of NYC.

As a proud orthodox Jewish woman, I thought participating in this series would be a great chance to represent people like me and share my experience.'

'Unfortunately, from the time of my announcement in the cast, I was on the receiving end of a torrent of antisemitic attacks. As this continued, I realized, that this path was no longer right for me and my family.'
Christopher Nolan said it was 'bittersweet' to see Oppenheimer cast members walk out at the film's London premiere last week amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

'It was a bittersweet moment,' the Oscar-nominated filmmaker, 52, said while appearing on the Today show Tuesday to promote the motion picture, which arrives in theaters Friday.

Nolan appeared on the show five days after actors including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Florence Pugh departed at the July 13 screening of the summer blockbuster.

'We were all there,' the London native said. 'We were very fortunate.'

The Oppenheimer director said he was satisfied that the cast was able to support the film, then stand in solidarity with their fellow performers amid a contentious time in the industry.

The latest: Christopher Nolan, 52, said on the Today show Tuesday that it was 'bittersweet' to see Oppenheimer cast members walk out at the film's London premiere last week amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike

Taking a stand: The Oppenheimer cast walked out of UK premiere in 'solidarity' with the actors' strike July 13 (L-R: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, and Florence Pugh)

'We had the opportunity to somewhat celebrate the film and the actors were all there to support, but then when the time came had to down tools and go off in support of all of their fellow actors and then support the writers as well,' he said.

In the interview with the show's Savannah Guthrie, Nolan said that the labor dispute marked 'an important moment in the industry.'

Nolan said that 'the business models have been rewritten by the companies we work for, and it's time to rewrite the deals.'

He said that he hoped that actors joining writers on the picket line helps expedite agreements for both groups seeking better pay, streaming royalties and restrictions on the implementation of artificial intelligence.

'Hopefully, with everybody unified, that can happen quickly as possible,' he said.

At the London debut, Murphy, Pugh, Damon, Blunt and Rami Malek 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 SAG-AFTRA announced it had voted in favor of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed.

Nolan told the cinema's audience: 'You've seen them here earlier on the red carpet.

His take: Nolan said, 'We had the opportunity to somewhat celebrate the film and the actors were all there to support, but then when the time came had to down tools and go off in support of all of their fellow actors and then support the writers as well'

Critical: In the interview with the show's Savannah Guthrie, Nolan said that the labor dispute marked 'an important moment in the industry'

Looking ahead: Nolan said of the strike, 'The business models have been rewritten by the companies we work for, and it's time to rewrite the deals'

'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.

According to Deadline, he told the audience: 'They are here in spirit, and you'll get to see their incredible work and the reason we value these talented people so much and need to care for them and make sure they're looked after.'

'Thanks so much for being here and we hope you enjoy the film,' he added as the audience applauded his supportive words.

In a red-carpet interview with Variety on the night, Damon revealed that 'once the strike is officially called', the cast is 'going to walk obviously in solidarity'.

'That's why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second it's called, we're going home,' he said.

Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet earlier, Emily added: 'I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to celebrate this movie.

'And if they call [a strike], we'll be leaving together as cast in unity with everyone.  We are gonna have to. We are gonna have to. We will see what happens. Right now it's the joy to be together.'

Nolan told the cinema's audience at the event: '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 favor 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)

Support: 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

Christopher Nolan introduces a second premiere screening of #Oppenheimer in London and repeats his casts support for the SAG strike. He received a round of applause from the audience that included directors Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newall, artist-filmmaker Tacita Dean and several pic.twitter.com/FoYxJA7dhB  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023

SAG-AFTRA is expected to rule in favor of a picket line after its negotiating committee had unanimously voted to recommend its 160,000 members go on strike on June 12.

The decision has the potential of bringing a simultaneous strike from actors and writers for the first time in 60 years.

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb' and, after the Paris premiere earlier this week, critics have tipped it to win big.

Emily takes on the role of physicist Oppenheimer's wife Kitty, while Florence plays Jean Tatlock, a psychiatrist, Communist Party member, and close friend of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Plan: In a red-carpet interview with Variety on the night, Damon revealed that 'once the strike is officially called', the cast is 'going to walk obviously in solidarity'

Words: Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet earlier, Emily added: 'I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to celebrate this movie'

United: Before the strike action was announced, the Oppenheimer cast had put on a united display while arriving at the premiere

Leading man: Cillian, 47, joined his co-stars Emily, 40, and Florence, 27, on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square to avoid a clash

Braless: Florence Pugh put on a daring display in a plunging burnt orange gown as she joined Emily on the black carpet

Playful: Florence ensured all eyes were on her as she posed with the cast

Looking good: Undeterred by the earlier start time, the cast were dressed to the nines

Stunning: Florence wowed in a racy dress as she posed at the Oppenheimer London Premiere

Plunging: She had her ample assets on display in the dress

Show-stopping: She was every inch the red carpet queen

Having a laugh: Emily and Florence shared a laugh at the premiere

Gorgeous: Emily wowed in a black sequin gown with skirt fringing and a cut-out section at the midriff

Making a statement: The dress was backless and had a dramatic train

Bringing the fire: She posed up a storm for the cameras in the dress, which was a nod to the film plot

The actress starred alongside Cillian in A Quiet Place Part 2 and the duo hugged on the black carpet.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

The film has already been hailed as a contender to scoop multiple awards.

Journalists have taken to Twitter to share their glowing reviews of the movie, with one critic describing how the film 'split my brain open' and 'left me sobbing through the end credits'.

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote: 'Am torn between being all coy and mysterious about Oppenheimer and just coming out and saying it's a total knockout'

Elsa Keslassy of Variety added: 'A sign that French audiences loved #Oppenheimer is that they stayed in front of the Grand Rex theater long after the film ended to debate about it!'

A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years.

Thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America have downed tools after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over pay fell apart.

At the center of the row is the rise of streaming - with the guild claiming that even as budgets have increased, writers' share of that cash has consistently shrunk.

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, he said many actors need a fair contract to survive.

'We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins,' Damon told the AP.

'And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold.

'And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And thats absolutely unacceptable. We cant have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.'

Crowds: The Oppenheimer cast and crew all looked united as they smiled for pictures ahead of the walkout

Support: The leading stars of Oppenheimer all showed their support for the strikes both while speaking on the carpet and later with their walkout

Celebrating: The stars, including Emily and Florence, all smiled and showed their close friendships as they celebrated the release of Oppenheimer

Fun: The girls put on an animated display as they walked the black carpet

Say cheese: Florence posed for selfies with fans

It is the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.

The provisions the studios had agreed to The highest percentage increase in minimums in 35 years

76% increase in High Budget SVOD foreign residuals

Substantial increases in pension and health contribution caps

AI proposal which protects performers digital likenesses, including a requirement for performers consent for the creation and use of digital replicas or for digital alterations of a performance

58% increase in salaries for major role (guest star) performers wages on High Budget SVOD Programs

Limitation of self-tape requests, including page, time and tech requirements. Options for virtual or in-person auditions

11% pay increase in year 1 for background actors, stand-ins and photo doubles, an additional 17% increase for background actors required to do extensive self-styling, and an additional 62% increase for stand-ins required to deliver lines during a run-through and photo doubles required to memorize and deliver lines on camera.

First-time-ever fixed residuals for Stunt Coordinators on television and High Budget SVOD programs

Shortened option periods for series regulars earning less than $65,000 per episode on a half-hour series or less than $70,000 per episode on a one-hour series

Dancers will now receive the on-camera rate for rehearsal days. Advertisement

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced early Thursday morning that negotiations for higher wages from studios had ended without a deal.

By Thursday afternoon, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced the union leadership officially voted for a work stoppage to begin at midnight after their demands for higher wages and protections against artificial intelligence were not met.

Under the rules of a strike, SAG-AFTRA members would not be able to film any movie or TV series, take part in any press or film premieres or promote anything at this month's San Diego Comic-Con.

The pending strike will affect Disney's Avatar and Lion King sequels, as well as shows that were scheduled to return to television in the fall, like The Simpsons.

Announcing the strike Thursday afternoon, actress Fran Drescher, who serves as the president of SAG-AFTRA, said 'We demand respect! You cannot exist without us!'

'What happens to us is important,' The Nanny star said. 'Whats happening to us is happening across all fields of labor.

'When employers make Wall Street and greed their priority and they forget about the essential contributors who make the machine run, we have a problem.'

'The jig is up, we demand respect,' she said.

Almost immediately afterwards, picketing screenwriters outside Netflix's Hollywood offices started chanting 'Pay Your Actors!'

A spokesperson for SAG said: 'After more than four weeks of bargaining, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)  the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery  remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to Sag-Aftra members.

'The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us.

'Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

'We have no choice but to move forward in unity, and on behalf of our membership, with a strike recommendation to our national board.

Glam: Undeterred by the earlier start time, the cast were dressed to the nines on the red carpet with Florence bringing the drama in a plunging burnt orange dress

A-list talent: Cillian Murphy, who plays the leading role of J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Emily Blunt both graced the red carpet

Thriller: Oppenheimer has already been hailed as a contender to scoop multiple awards and the stars have all been busy promoting its release

Early: The actors, including Florence Pugh, walked the black carpet at 5.45pm at Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square as the event kicked off an hour early

Premiere: The glitzy premiere saw the stars - including Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Cillian Murphy and Christopher Nolan - pose for pictures before the walkout

Couple: Christopher Nolan was joined by his wife Emma Thomas as they celebrated his new movie Oppenheimer

Having a blast: Robert Downey Jr appeared in high spirits

Amorous: Rami Malek gave Robert a kiss on the cheek

Pickets: Meanwhile, the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since their own talks collapsed and their contract expired on May 2

'The board will discuss the issue this morning and will make its decision.'

SAG-AFTRA represents more than 160,000 screen actors, broadcast journalists, announcers, hosts and stunt performers.

The walkout affects only the union's 65,000 actors from television and film productions.

Meanwhile, the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since their own talks collapsed and their contract expired on May 2. The stoppage has showed no signs of a solution, with no negotiations even planned.
Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly expert Graeme Hall has blamed owners for their chaotic canines ahead of the show's Ten premiere.

The series is based on the popular UK show with the same name, which also stars Graeme, who is known as 'The Dogfather'.

Graeme, who is promoting the Australian version of the show, made the comments to TV Reload.

'Technically speaking it isn't really the dogs behaving badly. It's because the humans made them that way,' he said.

He joking went on to suggest a title change for the show 'humans behaving badly'.

Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly expert Graeme Hall has blamed owners for their chaotic canines ahead of the show's Ten premiere

The TV star said it was widely understood you need to educate owners in order to solve a dog's problematic behaviour.

'You can only fix the dogs through their people. You've got to get the people side of it,' he added.

Graeme said it was a 'logical' solution to create a more harmonious pet.

'You just look at him [a dog] and you say ''mate, I get it. You just need a little help'' and then the logic kicks in,' he said.

'Technically speaking it isn't really the dogs behaving badly. It's because the humans made them that way,' he explained

The show's premiere comes amid objections to the show from the Pet Professional Guild Australia, according to the Herald Sun.

The Pet Professional Guild Australia has accused the show of using ''out-of-date' methods to retrain dogs on the show.

The RSPCA also contacted the network in January to express its concern over the language used in relation to the show.

'The RSPCA opposes the use and promotion of aversive dog training techniques and methods, which have been associated with this show,' a spokesperson said.

'We're also concerned with the language used in relation to this show, which places blame inappropriately on dogs who display certain behaviours.'

The animal welfare charity said they encourage all dog owners to use 'reward-based training' to promote good behaviour.

Channel 10 told the publication it takes animal welfare seriously and all the training techniques used on the show are 'reward-based'.

The TV star said it was widely understood you need to educate owners in order to solve a dog's problematic behaviour

The network also said an 'animal consultant' has been working on the set to ensure positive training methods were used at all times.

The series is based on the popular UK show with the same name, which also stars Graeme, who is known as 'The Dogfather'.

The Channel Ten show will be narrated by I'm A Celebrity host Julia Morris.
Heidi Klum's daughter Leni, 19, posted a modeling shot of herself Tuesday wearing lingerie and sheer netted trousers by Bella Venice.

Leni has followed her world-famous mother's footsteps into the fashion industry, provoking allegations of being a 'nepo baby.'

Over the past year Heidi, 50, has been deluged with backlash more than once for posing with Leni in lingerie shoots for Intimissimi.

During the second controversy, which unfolded this May, the blowback grew so intense that Heidi turned off her Instagram comments.

Shortly after she uploaded her latest modeling shot this Tuesday, Leni let her followers in on a 'devastating' mishap she stumbled into with her Canon camera.

Work: Heidi Klum's daughter Leni, 19, posted a modeling shot of herself Tuesday wearing lingerie and sheer netted trousers by Bella Venice

Fashionista: Leni, pictured modeling for Dior, has followed her world-famous mother's footsteps into the fashion industry, provoking allegations of being a 'nepo baby'

Whoops: Shortly after she uploaded her latest modeling shot this Tuesday, Leni let her followers in on a mishap she stumbled into with her Canon camera

She posted an Insta Stories shot of the camera partly submerged in rice, a trick used to try and salvage electronics that have suffered water damage.

Leni and Heidi posed in underwear together for Intimissimi last October, just four months after the teen model turned 18.

The campaign faced a barrage of negative attention, including from Howard Stern, who branded the photo-shoot 'so f***ing out of line' and 'so inappropriate.'

Leni, however, responded to the furor by airily remarking to Page Six: 'I honestly didnt look at a lot of the reactions.'

She declared: 'I am overall happy with the campaign and I had an amazing day with my mom. I think the photos turned out great, and we had an amazing time.'

At the beginning of this May, Heidi fired up her Instagram and posted an Intimissimi lingerie shot with Leni - prompting another round of backlash.

Leni's latest Instagram update came months after the showbiz legacy responded to a the online allegations she is a 'nepo baby.'

'It's just a fact. My parents are famous,' said Leni, who was adopted by her mother's ex-husband Seal during the marriage.

Doppelgangers: Over the past year Heidi, 50, has been deluged with backlash more than once for posing with Leni in lingerie shoots for for Intimissimi

'It's just a fact': 'My parents are famous,' said Leni, who was adopted by her mother's ex-husband Seal during the marriage; Seal and Leni are pictured last August at the US Open

Meanwhile: Leni resulted from Heidi's previous relationship with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, but in 2009 Seal legally adopted her as well; Heidi and Flavio are pictured in 2003

However she insisted to People magazine that she is 'doing the work and putting in the time' to carve out a career for herself.

'I did get help starting off, and I know that people would dream to start off with what I had,' said Leni, who walked for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week a year ago with her mother proudly filming her from the audience.

'I'm so grateful that I've been able to take what was gifted to me by my mom. But I am doing the work and putting in the time,' she maintained.

'Now I'm working on my own, traveling alone, going to school. My mom and I just have the same love for the same thing.'

Leni made her modeling debut at the age of 16 with her mother on the cover of Vogue Germany - a publication out of Heidi's native country.

Heidi and Seal were married from 2005 until 2014 and they welcomed three children together biologically - Henry, 17, Johan, 16, and Lou, 13.

Meanwhile Leni resulted from Heidi's previous relationship with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, but in 2009 Seal legally adopted her as well.
Mandy Moore said she's received residuals as low as 81 cents at a time, illustrating the uphill battle performers face amid SAG-AFTRA's strike for better wages and working conditions.

Moore, 39, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter as she marched with her colleagues on the SAG-AFTRA picket line outside Disney Studios in Burbank, California on Tuesday.

'The residual issue is a huge issue,' the Emmy-nominated actress told the outlet, noting that she's been sent 'very tiny, like, 81-cent checks' for streaming residuals for her work on the hit series.

The Nashua, New Hampshire native added, 'I was talking with my business manager who said he's received a residual for a penny and two pennies.'

Moore, who played the role of Rebecca Pearson in 106 episodes of the NBC hit series from 2016 thru 2022, explained how essential residuals are amid what can be a rocky road for entertainers.

The latest: Mandy Moore said she's received residuals as low as 81 cents at a time, illustrating the uphill battle performers face amid SAG-AFTRA's strike. Pictured on the picket line outside Disney Studios in Burbank, California on Tuesday

'We're in incredibly fortunate positions as working actors having been on shows that found tremendous success in one way or another,' Moore told the outlet. 'But many actors in our position for years before us were able to live off of residuals or at least pay their bills.'

The streaming rights for the show, which also starred Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley, were picked up by Hulu in May of 2017, amid competition with Amazon and Netflix.

The arrangement granted the service joint digital rights for streaming the series with its original network, NBC.

The SAG-AFTRA strike is aimed on getting actors better pay, transparent streaming royalties and restrictions on the implementation of artificial intelligence.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher spoke about the urgency for the strike, which comes after the Writers Guild of America (WGA) hit the picket lines in May.

'It's a very serious thing that impacts thousands, if not millions of people all across this country and around the world,' Drescher, 65, said in a news conference on Thursday amid stalled negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Drescher said that the union had 'no choice' but to hit the picket line, amid unprecedented levels of lowballing and financial exploitation actors face under the current arrangement.

'We are the victims here,' she said. 'We are being victimized by a very greedy entity.'

Moore played the role of Rebecca Pearson in 106 episodes of the NBC hit series from 2016 thru 2022

The Nashua, New Hampshire native added, 'I was talking with my business manager who said he's received a residual for a penny and two pennies'

Moore previously hit the picket line Friday, where she was seen with This Is Us castmates Chrissy Metz and Jon Huertas

Moore previously hit the picket line Friday, where she was seen with This Is Us castmates Metz and Jon Huertas. She called them 'my forever family' in an accompanying Instagram Stories post.

Moore is one of a number of performers to vent their frustrations with the current working conditions, which they say are outdated, while critical numbers are shrouded in secrecy.

Actor Sean Gunn, who played Kirk Gleason on 137 episodes of Gilmore Girls from 2000-2007, explained to The Wrap on Sunday his frustrations with Netflix's refusal to declare the streaming numbers for that show and other ones they have on their platform.

He called the streaming giant's unwillingness to release official numbers 'utter nonsense' and 'also unconscionable,' used as play to avoid paying their fair share of residuals to performers.

'You can rest assured that when a corporation is saying, "We're keeping this information secret,' it's because they're screwing somebody over,' Gunn said.

He added, 'The old model used to be that when a show went into syndication, you get a little bit of money for all of the viewings, for all the revenue that's pulled in, and that is totally changed.

'We see such a small percentage of that. Instead, that money now goes to bonuses for those CEOs and studio heads, and I just think it's [a] shame.'
Kaley Cuoco shared an adorable photo of herself with her daughter, Matilda Pelphrey, on Tuesday.

In the snap, the 37-year-old actress imitated her 15-week-old daughter's expression as they both opened their eyes widely in curiosity and stared at something fascinating off-screen.

Accompanying the sweet selfie on her Instagram Story, the Meet Cute star added a cursive text sticker that read: 'Mini me'.

The Big Bang Theory alum  who recently revealed it took her two months to figure out the reason her dog was 'violently ill' was because of a plant 

The infant is Cuoco's first child  whom she shares with her boyfriend, Tom Pelphrey, 40.

'Mini me': Kaley Cuoco shared an adorable photo of herself with her daughter, Matilda Pelphrey, on Tuesday. In the snap, the 37-year-old actress imitated her 15-week-old daughter's expression as they both opened their eyes widely in curiosity and stared at something fascinating off-screen

The mother-daughter duo appeared to be sitting on the couch together watching television.

Earlier this year, Cuoco welcomed Matilda with Ozark actor on March 30.

About a year ago, the couple started dating in early 2022 and publicly confirmed their relationship in May.

The couple went Instagram official several months after Cuoco's divorce from her ex, Karl Cook, was finalized in September 2021.

Cuoco and the 32-year-old equestrian were previously married for about three years before they called it quits.

Since then, she has gushed about her romance with Pelphrey.

In an interview with USA Today that was published in May 2022, Cuoco talked about how it was 'love at first sight' when they met through the introduction of their manager, Andrea Pett-Joseph, at the Ozark premiere the previous month.

'We have the same manager, and we were set up by [her], which is so Hollywood,' she explained. 'She's like, "Oh my God, I think you guys are perfect for each other".'

Happy family: The infant is Cuoco's first child  whom she shares with her boyfriend, Tom Pelphrey, 40

Cuties: The pair announced that they were expecting in October 2022 and welcomed their baby girl on March 30, 2023

In love: In an interview with USA Today that was published in May 2022, Cuoco talked about how it was 'love at first sight' when they met through the introduction of their manager, Andrea Pett-Joseph, at the Ozark premiere the previous month

'I heard his voice, and then I turned around, and it was like my life was over, or just starting,' she recalled. 'It hit me. It was love at first sight.

'We were immediately connected,' she continued. 'I do feel like I've known him my whole life, but I wasn't ready for him.'

Finally, she added: 'We're ready to build a life together.'

Then, the pair announced that they were expecting their first child together in October 2022 and welcomed their baby girl on March 30, 2023.
Married At First Sight bride Amanda Micallef is hoping to launch her career as an actress.

The personal trainer, 38, recently uploaded a show reel of her performing a variety of famous monologues to the showbiz site Casting Networks.

The raven-haired beauty begins by reciting Sharon Stone's infamous interrogation scene from the soft-core thriller Basic Instinct.

Amanda looks every inch the serious thespian as she effortlessly tells the camera, 'I like men like that, men who give me pleasure'.

She then flaunts her comedic chops by effortlessly performing a scene from the dark comedy Weeds and then a scene from the classis mafia movie The Godfather.

Married At First Sight bride Amanda Micallef (pictured) is hoping to launch her career as an actress

The Melbourne native exudes confidence and style as she effortlessly moves from one scene to the next to demonstrate she is ready to make her acting debut.

Her profile lists her acting skills as 'improvisation, method and stand up' and her interests as 'astrology'.

Back in 2022, Amanda responded to criticisms she doesn't show enough skin on OnlyFans to justify her monthly subscription fee.

The personal trainer, 38, recently uploaded a show reel of her performing a variety of famous monologues to the showbiz site Casting Networks. The raven-haired beauty begins by reciting Sharon Stone's infamous interrogation scene from the soft-core thriller Basic Instinct

She charges $10 per month to view her OnlyFans content, but some have complained her photos are similar to what she shows for free on social media.

One disgruntled subscriber posted a bad review on Instagram, which prompted the personal trainer to defend her business model.

The unhappy customer said she was 'just showing [on OnlyFans] what she shows on Instagram with a little less clothing'.

Amanda looks every inch the serious thespian as she effortlessly tells the camera, 'I like men like that, men who give me pleasure'

Amanda, who is a lesbian, replied the subscriber needed to pay extra for explicit content because she 'won't sell [her] naked body for $10 a month'.

She said her OnlyFans subscribers had to be prepared to spend a lot of money to get the premium product and her monthly subscription covered 'just the basic stuff'.

Amanda joined the adult website in December 2021, after previously vowing not to do it.

She also works as a podcaster, having interviewed Australia's biggest OnlyFans star Renee Gracie just weeks before deciding to join the raunchy platform herself.
NeNe Leakes' son Bryson Bryant was arrested for felony possession of fentanyl earlier this month.

Court documents revealed that Bryson, 33, was taken into custody on July 3, Radar Online reported on Tuesday.

Multiple charges were brought against the 55-year-old Real Housewives Of Atlanta star's troubled son, including possession of a scheduled II controlled substance, violation of probation, loitering and giving a false name, address or birthdate.

A criminal warrant stated that Bryant was arrested at a home in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

It was also written that he 'evaded police and claimed he knew the people that lived at the residence, which was false.'

Trouble: NeNe Leakes' son Bryson Bryant was arrested for felony possession of fentanyl earlier this month, Radar Online reported on Tuesday

Bryant, who has a history of run-ins with the law, reportedly gave police his 24-year-old brother Brentt Leakes' name instead of his own.

He also allegedly gave the address of a home his mother sold years ago.

Jail records show that Bryant was booked at Gwinnett County Jail with a bond set at $3,700.

The booking led Bryson to also be charged with violating probation in another case.

His younger brother Brentt took to Instagram on Tuesday to seemingly respond to the breaking news.

He shared a meme of his mother with her hands on her head, appearing to be in distress.

Leakes, who has 100,000 followers on the app, also shared a throwback outtake from an old RHOA reunion featuring his beloved mother.

In the snippet NeNe is sitting on a couch, dressed in a white pantsuit as she asks about a conflict, 'Now why am I in it?'

Details: Bryson reportedly evaded police by giving them his younger brother Brentt's name instead of his own; NeNe pictured with her sons at her 2013 wedding

Reaction: Brentt took to Instagram on Tuesday to seemingly respond to the breaking news as he shared a meme of his mother with her hands on her head, appearing to be in distress

Bryant's latest arrest comes after he was arrested for a DUI in 2011 when he failed to stay in his lane.

Then, in 2012, he was detained for driving with a suspended license.

In 2015 he was also arrested after giving cops a false name during a McDonald's raid in Georgia.

Bryson had been among a group of suspects who reportedly intended to print counterfeit checks at the local fast-food business.

A RHOA season 5 episode that aired in 2012 documented when Bryson was arrested for allegedly stealing razors from a Walmart.

Because it wasn't the first time he had been to jail, NeNe chose to let him stay there to sit with his decisions.

'Hes had a really easy life, so now Im gonna show him what a hard life is,' she said during the episode.

Not his first transgression: A RHOA season 5 episode that aired in 2012 documented when Bryson was arrested for allegedly stealing razors from a Walmart

She added, 'Hes gonna stay in jail. Im not getting him out, and he can figure it out from behind bars.'

NeNe shares Bryson with her ex Calvin Bryant, and she shared Brentt with her late husband Gregg Leakes, who died of cancer last summer.

A hearing for Bryson is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, at 1:30pm ET.
Bella Thorne set pulces racing once more as she posed for a series of sizzling bikini snaps she shared on Tuesday.

The actress, 25, showcased her enviable figure in a yellow patterned bikini top which highlighted her toned midriff.

The Chick Fight star put on a leggy display in a pair of denim shorts as she struck a playful pose in her room.

Adding to her look with an eye-catching gold necklace, Bella showeed off some of her shoe collection in the snaps.

Letting her locks fall loose down her shoulders, the film star complimented her look with a pair of gold hoop earrings.

Looking good: Bella Thorne set pulces racing once more as she posed for a series of sizzling bikini snaps she shared on Tuesday

Flawless: The actress, 25, showcased her enviable figure in a yellow patterned bikini top which highlighted her toned midriff

The Time Is Up actress announced her engagement to Mark Emms, an entrepreneur and producer, in late May.

The couple met last year on the beach in Ibiza at Cara Delevigne's birthday party.

'It was love at first sight as the sun rose,' the American Horror Stories star told Vogue Weddings.

The Imagen Foundation Award winner and her fiance also posed together in a sweet photo announcing the news on social media.

The couple had been keeping the secret for a while.

Mark, who also owns the New York City hotspot The Mulberry, actually popped the questions at Bella's house in California on Mother's Day.

The Divinity star told the publication she'd like to have the wedding at a country manor in the United Kingdom, but has not announced a wedding date.

Outfit: The Chick Fight star put on a leggy display in a pair of denim shorts as she struck a playful pose in her room

Style: Adding to her look with an eye-catching gold necklace, Bella showeed off some of her shoe collection in the snaps

Sensational: The film star complimented her look with a pair of hoop earrings

Stunning: Bella let her auburn locks fall loose down her shoulders

Career: The busy actress has a slate of projects on her roster, including the upcoming Saint Clare

The bride-to-be did reveal that she is looking for more than one look for the big day, with an eye toward vintage Schiaparelli or Dior.

'Every bride does not need one gown,' she said hinting at multiple wardrobe changes, 'but four!'

The busy actress has a slate of projects on her roster, including the upcoming Saint Clare.

The horror-comedy focuses on a quiet college student with a 'divine vocation for killing.'
Former Bake Off winner Candice Brown has warned viewers may switch off if the show continues to stray from its 'traditional format', amid claims tasks have become 'too complicated.'

Richard McKerrow, Chief Executive of Love Productions who make the show, admitted the recent series 'was not our strongest' as the Channel 4 favourite was accused of 'cultural appropriation' after a Mexican-themed episode.

Plus, some viewers complained judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith had become 'too harsh' with their feedback.

Candice, 38, told MailOnline diehard fans tune into see 'real home style baking' and producers should avoid 'deviating' from the classic challenges that are synonymous with the show.

In an exclusive interview, Candice, who was crowned winner of the Bake Off in 2016 during the last series on the BBC, insists that 'people start to worry' when changes are made, and she hopes the show will keep its 'innocence.'

Candice Brown has warned viewers may switch off if the show continues to stray from its 'traditional format', amid claims tasks have become 'too complicated'

Richard McKerrow, Chief Executive of Love Productions who make the show, admitted the recent series 'was not our strongest' as the Channel 4 favourite was accused of 'cultural appropriation' after a Mexican-themed episode

Candice, who was crowned winner of the Bake Off in 2016 during the last series on the BBC, insists that 'people start to worry' when changes are made, and she hopes the show will keep its 'innocence'

She said: 'The show can't stray too far from traditional baking.

'Bake Off is like a warm hug, people are staunch followers and staunch fans and when you start to change things too much that's when people start to worry and people love the traditional side of things.

'They need to try not to lose that real home baking style of things because that's what people love and that's what makes the show so special.

'The show is special because of that complete and utter love of baking and everything surrounding that.

'I'd like to think it will keep its innocence with regards to that and not deviate too much from the traditional format.'

The Mexican-themed episode saw hosts Noel Fielding, 50, and Matt Lucas, 49, wear sombreros and contestants relied on cuisine cliches such as tacos and tequila, sparking complaints for being culturally insensitive.

But despite many being offended, Candice believes it's still positive viewers were engaging in conversation about the show.

She added: 'Of course, it is important to mess it up a bit and throw a curve ball and I know everyone had a bit of a moan about Mexican week last year, but it meant that everyone was talking about it people might not have agreed with Mexican week, but it got people talking.'

Candice earned one of Paul Hollywood's famous handshakes during her time on the show after impressing the judge with one of her bakes

Candice won the show in 2016, which was the last series to feature Mary Berry and air on the BBC

The former Dancing On Ice contestant says new co-host Alison Hammond will be a hit with viewers and contestants this year are 'lucky to have her'

Speaking in February, McKerrow insisted producers had listened to audience feedback and were looking to put things right for the next series, as some viewers also accused the show of being over-reliant on 'stunts and gimmicks.'

He said: 'I'd be the first to hold up our hands and say that I feel that the last series was not our strongest.

'You've got to take a look at it and go, 'S***, [are] the challenges too complicated?' We're looking very, very, very hard at making sure that it's as good a series as it can be.'

Love Productions announced in March Alison Hammond would take over from Matt Lucas as co-host alongside Noel Fielding.

Candice believes the This Morning star will be a hit with viewers and says contestants this year are 'lucky to have her.'

When Candice battled it out in the famous tent the show was fronted by Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc alongside judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

In 2016, the BBC show was outbid by Channel 4, and Marry left, leaving Paul the last remaining original on the long-running series.

Candice said: 'She will just bring such energy and that hug that you need through the process because my goodness you need a hug sometimes when things aren't quite going right or you're not sure how you're going to get on and you need half a second to breathe.

'When it is being filmed and they say 'go', you go and when they shout 'stop' you stop there is no extra time or leniencies.

'She will bring just the lightheartedness and the giggle that you so, so need at times and the hug you need as well. She is a really, really great addition to the team and I think it's going to be a lot of fun for the new contestants. They're really lucky to have her.'

Seven years after moving from its home on the BBC, Candice says the show no longer misses Mary Berry, now favouring Prue Leith instead.

She said: 'It's been going so long now on Channel 4 that I think Prue is just such an incredible woman. She is an incredible chef, baker, everything. I did the New Year's Eve version with her, so I got to see both sides. Mary Berry is a national treasure but so is Prue and in completely different ways.'

Seven years after moving from its home on the BBC, Candice says the show no longer misses Mary Berry, now favouring Prue Leith instead

The TV star turned up the glamour this week as she celebrated London Luton Airport's 85th anniversary

She raised a pint of specially brewed 'Lift Off 85' and baked one of her famous cakes to mark the occasion

Candice, who owns pub The Green Man in Bedfordshire, is often visited by Bake Off fans and says they expect to find a glamorous landlady wearing her signature lipstick but when she's at home she prefers to kickback in dungarees and crocs.

She said: 'I try as much as I can to meet people and talk to them, it's a really great thing to be able to share.

'Sometimes I am in a onesie and popping downstairs to grab a drink I'll still go and chat to people, the staff have more than likely seen me in a onesie or my pyjamas because that's where I live.

'When I'm baking my standard uniform is dungarees and crocs sometimes they want the more glamorous version of me, but I run a pub, this is the version you've got!'

However, the TV star turned up the glamour this week as she celebrated London Luton Airport's 85th anniversary.

She raised a pint of specially brewed 'Lift Off 85' and baked one of her famous cakes to mark the occasion, which she says is significant after using the airport since she was a child.

Candice also recreated actress Lorraine Chase's iconic 1979 Campari & Lemonade 'Luton Airport' advert wearing a lilac dress and sunhat while toasting the milestone.

She said: 'I have been using this airport since I was small and it's an airport I still use now and to part of the birthday celebrations knowing my own pub is just down the road is quite special and a real circular moment.

'Making the cake for the airport and pulling a pint there too while having my own pub things do go full circle.'

And her three-tier cake was one to remember, consisting of a Victoria Sponge filled with apricot jam, fresh strawberries and vanilla Swiss meringue buttercream, and featuring the London Luton Airport's logo in fondant.

Candice added: 'It wouldn't be a birthday without cake, and I hope I've captured the essence of the airport in every delicious bite.'
John Travolta cut a smart figure in a navy blazer and blue denim jeans as he stepped out of the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris on Wednesday morning.

The actor, 69, seemed in high spirits as he headed to the airport in the ensemble which he completed with a plain black round neck T-shirt.

The Grease star sported dark facial hair as he carried his phone to the waiting car while being escorted by his security team.

It comes after John took to Instagram last month to document the process as he and his daughter Ella sought to recreate the coconut bundt cake Tom Cruise sends his famous friends every holiday season.

The Oscar-nominated star and his daughter Ella Bleu, 23, were seen in the family kitchen with all eyes on the cake.

Out and about: John Travolta cut a smart figure in a navy blazer and blue denim jeans as he stepped out of the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris on Wednesday morning

Smart: The actor, 69, seemed in high spirits as he headed to the airport in the ensemble which he completed with a plain black round neck T-shirt

Travolta captioned the Instagram clip, 'Re-creating the famous Tom Cruise gift cake,' in reference to the $126 bundt cake put out by Doan's Bakery in Woodland Hills, California that Cruise sends annually.

In the clip, Ella Bleu said she was working on a 'remake of the Tom Cruise cake,' while Travolta said he was 'watching' intently.

The New Jersey-born actor didn't hold back in complimenting his daughter's culinary creation.

'Oh my God, this is delicious, oh my goodness, oh my goodness,' the Oscar-nominated actor said as he took bites of the dessert.

Ella Bleu's brother Ben, 12, also chimed in with a positive review, saying the cake 'was really good.'

The Grease actor is father to three kids with late wife Kelly Preston, including late son Jett, who tragically died in January 2009 at 16 in the Bahamas from a seizure.

The Pulp Fiction star and Preston were wed for more than 28 years prior to her death at 57 on July 12, 2020 at the family's Clearwater, Florida home after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
Lana Jenkins looked incredible in a skimpy black bikini on Tuesday as she enjoyed a dip in the pool during a sunny getaway to The Cotswolds.

The Love Island star, 25, was joined by her fellow islanders Sanam Harrinanan and Jessie Wynter during the fun-filled press trip, with the trio flaunting their toned bodies while promoting a tanning range.

And despite Lana splitting from beau Ron Hall earlier this month, she showed no sign of heartbreak as she posed up her storm in a pool.

The make-up artist wowed in the string two-piece which she teamed with gold earrings and oversized dark shades.

She was joined in the pool by Love Island winner Sanam, who looked flawless in a cobalt blue bikini as they posed together.

Hot stuff: Lana Jenkins looked incredible in a skimpy black bikini on Tuesday as she enjoyed a dip in the pool during a sunny getaway to The Cotswolds

Trio: The Love Island star, 25, was joined by her fellow islanders Sanam Harrinanan and Jessie Wynter during the fun-filled press trip, with the trio flaunting their toned bodies while promoting a tanning range

Meanwhile, Australian beauty Jessie came along for the ride, with the TV star sharing a plethora of snaps on her own Instagram.

The three ladies looked in fine form as they displayed their trim physiques in form-fitting gym gear as they posed for snaps.

It comes after Lana split from boyfriend Ron Hall after three months together.

The couple, who met on the winter season of the show earlier this year, ended their romance after struggling with the distance between them, plus their increasingly hectic work schedules.

Lana is Manchester based while Ron lives in Essex and despite their efforts, they couldn't find a way of making their relationship work long term.

Ron became the first partially sighted contestant to star on Love Island and told MailOnline ahead of his appearance on the ITV dating show that he hoped to find a partner that could also be his best friend.

They finished second place during the show's final in March after being beaten to the 50,000 prize by winners Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan, who are still in a relationship.

A source told MailOnline: 'Lana and Ron really put everything into their romance and have tried to make things work for some time now.

Moving on: Despite Lana splitting from beau Ron Hall earlier this month, she showed no sign of heartbreak as she posed up her storm in a pool

Work it: She was joined in the pool by Love Island winner Sanam, who looked flawless in a cobalt blue bikini as they posed together

Kiss kiss: The Love Island ladies were in a great mood as they larked baout in the pool together

Racy: The pair flaunted their figures in skimpy bikinis as they posed during the fun getaway

Stunners: The three ladies looked in fine form as they displayed their trim physiques in form-fitting gym gear as they posed for snaps

'Unfortunately, they have decided to separate, which is a decision they have made amicably and of course, they still remain good friends.

'Commuting from Manchester to Essex and back again whenever they wanted to spend time together, as well as managing their work commitments just proved too difficult.'

Lana and Ron, 25, met on the winter series of Love Island, which was the first season presented by Maya Jama.

Over: Lana and Ron, who met on the winter season of the show earlier this year, ended their romance after struggling with the distance between them, plus their hectic work schedules

They were coupled up from the beginning and despite having their heads turned by new arrivals at the villa, the pair would always gravitate back to each other.

Ron shared a photo of him on holiday with Lana this month, captioning the upload 'Te Amo', meaning I love you in Spanish.

Lana responded by posting a love heart emoji but behind the scenes the couple were struggling to make their romance work.

It was reported back in March that Lana and Ron's romance was already 'on the rocks' after they had a huge argument on the plane flying home from South Africa.

The couple confirmed on Aftersun with Maya that their tiff was down to Ron having 'too much to drink' and Lana had to look after him.
First look images for Jenna Coleman's upcoming psychological thriller, Wilderness, were released on Wednesday.

The actress, 37, who plays Liv in the 'twisted love story,' could been seen wearing a floral mini dress as she walked through one of America's national parks.

She topped her look off with a cropped yellow cardigan and tied a satin scarf into her hair as she got into character.

Joined by Oliver Jackson-Cohen as her husband Will, the couple posed for a selfie over looking a cliff edge.

Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson and Eric Balfour also star in the series as Cara and Garth, Will's colleague, who the couple run into on their trip.

Coming soon: First look images for Jenna Coleman's upcoming psychological thriller, Wilderness, were released on Wednesday

Thriller: The actress, 37, who plays Liv in the 'twisted love story,' could been seen wearing a floral mini dress as she walked through one of America's National Parks

Other teaser photos show Jenna and Oliver's characters driving through a country road in a vintage blue car and the group together in the forest .

The series follows Liv, who upon finding out about her husband Will's affair, decides to seek revenge in one of America's secluded national parks.

They travel from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon and then Yosemite before ending up with a wild weekend in Las Vegas.

The official synopsis reads: 'A novel by B.E. Jones, Wilderness is the story of British couple Liv and Will who seem to have it all.

'A rock-solid marriage and a glamorous new life in New York thousands of miles from their provincial hometown, yet who are still young enough to feel that their whole lives are ahead of them'.

'Until Liv learns about Wills affair. Heartbreak is swiftly followed by another emotion: fury. Revenge is her only option, and when Will proposes a trip around America's epic National Parks to give their relationship a fresh start, Liv knows just how to get it.'

Writer Marnie Dickens told Deadline: 'Who doesnt know someone whos been cheated on? That gut punch on discovery, the trail of paranoia and suspicion it leaves behind, the difficulty of trusting again.

'Its enough to tip anyone over the edge. And thats where we meet our heroine, Liv, as shes lied to over and over by the man she loves.'

Impending doom: Joined by Oliver Jackson-Cohen as her husband Will, the couple posed for a selfie over looking a cliff edge

On screen: Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson also stars in the series as Cara

In the woods: Eric Balfour joins the cast Cara's partner Garth and Will's colleague, who the couple run into on their trip

Other teaser photos show Jenna and Oliver's characters driving through a country road in a vintage blue car

Drama: The series follows Liv, who upon finding out about her husband Will's affair, decides to seek revenge in one of America's secluded national parks

Trip: They travel from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon and then Yosemite before ending up with a wild weekend in Las Vegas

She added: 'Of course she wants revenge, and I, for one, hope she gets it.'

The show also stars Sherwood actress Claire Rushbrook as Caryl and Marsha Stephanie Blake as a Detective Rawlings.

The series is expected to debut on Prime Video later this year.
Pregnant Paris Fury made a second dash to medical services in a day when her son, Prince Tyson II, fell ill with a temperature on Wednesday.

Paris, 32, shared an Instagram picture of herself taking her boy, six, to the doctors, writing: 'Doctors for him now with a temperature. If it ain't one, it's another.'

The post came just hours after she was had to take daughter Venezuela, 13, to hospital at 3am.

The worried mother-of-six took to social media while she was in hospital with her eldest child and revealed Venezuela's finger had become painfully swollen after the teenager got her ring stuck.

She wrote: 'The joys of having kids. 3am in A&E because Venezuela put her ring on the wrong finger.'

Busy mother: Pregnant Paris Fury made a second trip to medical services in a day after son Prince Tyson II, 6, fell ill - hours after rushing daughter Venezuela, 13, to A&E

Late night drama: At 3am, Paris rushed her daughter Venezuela, 13, to A&E at 3am on Wednesday morning after her finger became painfully swollen when her ring got stuck

Venezuela and a make-up free Paris looked exhausted as they waited for the gold band to be removed.

After the middle of the night dash, a tired Paris shared a snap of herself making an expresso at home alongside the caption: '100% need'.

She also uploaded a clip dipping a biscuit into the coffee and wrote: 'Sharing is caring I suppose. Send help this morning lol.'

Paris and her boxer husband Tyson, 34, certainly have their hands full with six children - and another is on the way.

The couple are proud parents to their three sons (all named Prince): Prince John James, ten, Prince Tyson Fury II, six, and Prince Adonis Amaziah, four, and three daughters; Venezuela, Valencia Amber, five, and Athena, two.

In March they announced they are expecting their seventh child.

The boxing champ took to Instagram to make the announcement alongside a picture from his date night with Paris.

He wrote: 'All is not lost! I get to date night with my beautiful pregnant wife @ParisFury1. God is great!'

'What a woman. 7th incoming. Fantastic news to cheer me up!'

Late night: She wrote: 'The joys of having kids. 3am in A&E because Venezuela put her ring on the wrong finger' (pictured last year)

Ouch: Paris revealed the teen's finger had become painfully swollen after Venezuela got her ring stuck

That's better! Paris later shared that the ring had been cut off her daughter's finger and all was now well

Caffeine kick: After the middle of the night dash, an exhausted Paris shared a snap of herself making an expresso at home alongside the caption: '100% need'

Energy boost She also uploaded a clip dipping a biscuit into the coffee and wrote: 'Sharing is caring I suppose. Send help this morning lol'

Special bond: Venezuela is Paris and Tyson's eldest child

Congratulations! Paris and her boxer husband Tyson, 34, certainly have their hands full with six children - and another is on the way

Family: The couple have three sons: Prince John James, ten, Prince Tyson Fury II, six, and Prince Adonis Amaziah, four, and three daughters; Venezuela, Valencia Amber, five, and Athena, two

The self-titled Gypsy King previously spoke about how he always wanted a big family.

According to The Sun, he said: 'My wife has been at home waiting for me for ten years, we have six kids and I am going to put another bun in her oven.

'Number seven is going to pop out anytime soon.

'I am going to be a family man and a big fat pig, fatter than I already am.'
Lindsay Lohan's mother Dina has shared her joy that her daughter has welcomed her first child with husband Bader Shammas.

The Mean Girls actress, 37, welcomed her first child - a son named Luai - this week in Dubai, where she currently lives.

And evidently her family are chuffed with the new arrival as Dina Lohan, 60, reportedly told US Weekly: 'We are so blessed and overjoyed and filled with so much love.'

The TV personality went on to say that the baby arrived before she could make it to Dubai to be by her daughter's side as the tot was born 'two days early'.

She added to the publication: 'He decided to come early to join us sooner'.

Thrilled: Lindsay Lohan's mother Dina has shared her joy that her daughter has welcomed her first child with husband Bader Shammas

Congratulations: The Mean Girls actress, 37, welcomed her first child - a son named Luai - this week in Dubai, where she currently lives

MailOnline have contacted representatives of Dina for comment.

It comes after it was said that the Lohan family was 'over the moon in love' following the arrival of the new baby.

Her representative told DailyMail.com: 'Lindsay Lohan and her financier husband , Bader Shammas welcomed a beautiful , healthy son named Luai. The family is over the moon in love.'

The baby was born in Dubai, where the couple lives, and he is believed to have arrived on Monday.

Luai is an Arabic name that means 'shield or protector.'

TMZ reports members of Lindsay's family will soon travel to Dubai to meet Luai.

The announcement marks a rare inside look into into Lohan's personal life, as she rarely posts or comments publicly about her and her husband's relationship, which began in 2020, on social media.

Most notably, when media outlets reported in July 2022 that Lohan and Shammas got married, Lohan confirmed that milestone moment happened months later when she appeared on The Tonight Show in November of that year.

Lovely: Evidently her family are chuffed with the new arrival as Dina Lohan, 60, reportedly told US Weekly : 'We are so blessed and overjoyed and filled with so much love'

Family: The TV personality went on to say that the baby arrived before she could make it to Dubai to be by her daughter's side as the tot was born 'two days early' (Lindsay pictured with Dina and dad Michael in 2003)

The 38-year-old even stated that wedding took place in April 2022.

In March 2023, the Georgia Rule star announced that she was expected her first child with Bader.

She shared a snap of white baby grow with the words 'coming soon' written on it, alongside the caption 'we are blessed and excited'.

After revealing news of her first pregnancy on Instagram, the petite star told US Weekly, 'We are very excited for our new family member to arrive and we are looking forward to this next chapter of our lives.'

New mum: It comes after it was said that the Lohan family was 'over the moon in love' following the arrival of the new baby

Look of love: The star, 36, who wed Shammas in 2022, has named her son Luai and the family are 'in love' with their new addition

Baby joy: In March 2023, the Georgia Rule star announced that she was expected her first child with Bader

One of the reigning millennial teen queens of the 90s/early 2000s, Lindsay skyrocketed to fame with her roles in beloved films like The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday, and Mean Girls.

However, the redheaded beauty's quick rise to the top of the A-list came with a price.

She experienced very public battles with addiction, partying, and issues with her parents, Michael and Dina Lohan.

However, the Herbie: Fully Loaded star managed to turn her life around on her own after years of drama and court-ordered rehab visits.
Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper's band, The Hollywood Vampires, cancelled their Budapest concert at the last minute on Tuesday.

The supergroup - also comprising Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen - suddenly pulled out of the gig at Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarenadue to 'unforeseen circumstances'.

Fans queuing at the venue were concerned by the sudden cancellation and frustrated the band gave no further explanation as to why they couldn't perform.

The statement, which was also shared by Johnny, 60, on his Instagram, read: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Vampires will be canceling tonight's show in Budapest.

'All tickets (general and VIP, including meet and greet) will be refunded in full. We love and appreciate all of the fans who traveled from near and far to see us rise, and we're truly sorry. Sincere apologies, The Hollywood Vampires.'

Change: Johnny Depp (pictured last week in Scotland) and Alice Cooper's band, The Hollywood Vampires, cancelled their Budapest concert at the last minute on Tuesday

Statement: The supergroup - also comprising Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen - suddenly pulled out of the gig at Papp Laszlo Budapest Sportarenadue

Though it didn't state whether it was a medical issue, fans expressed their concern and sent well-wishes.

One wrote: 'Ohhh no I hope everybody is okay. (sic)'

Another said: 'They wouldn't cancel if it wasn't something important. Hope everyone is in good health.'

'Please only let it be huge technical issues or whatever, no one from the Vampires or the team. I'm really really worried...'

Others were frustrated for the lack of reasoning behind the sudden cancellation.

One fan wrote: 'This is a lousy announcement. I think those that have travelled fare away maybe booked hotel to see you. The fans deserve a better reason.'

'It would be nice to know why when communicating something of this magnitude', another added.

MailOnline has contacted Hollywood Vampires and Johnny's representative for comment.

Last minute: The statement read: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Vampires will be canceling tonight's show in Budapest' ( pictured Alice Cooper)

Worried: Fans queuing at the venue were concerned by the sudden cancellation and frustrated the band gave no further explanation as to why they couldn't perform

Rock stars: The group play songs in tribute to the 'great lost heroes of music' and also perform original material from their two album releases

The group play songs in tribute to the 'great lost heroes of music' and also perform original material from their two album releases.

Johnny returned to the world of music following his high-profile court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard last year.

As he awaited the verdict on his US defamation case - which ultimately went in his favour - the Pirates of the Caribbean actor performed shows with late rock legend and close pal Jeff Beck, who is among the fallen rock stars they paid tribute to in the show.

The group are next due to play in Slovakia at Olympic Fields on Thursday.
Amy Hart has revealed she rushed her baby son Stanley to the hospital while on her birthday holiday in Portugal with her boyfriend Sam Rason.

The couple became concerned when they noticed four-month-old Stanley developing 'symptoms' which the former Love Island star, 31, did not specify.

Speaking in an Instagram Stories clip she shared on Tuesday evening, Amy told how the pair took the tot to the hospital after receiving little help in a local pharmacy.

She said: 'We started to get a little bit worried about some stuff with Stanley so we took him to hospital. He's all fine now.

'It was a bit scary because we went to triage and they were like, only one of you can come through so I had to go in on my own, but he's fine now.'

Health scare: Amy Hart has revealed she rushed her baby son Stanley to the hospital while on her birthday holiday in Portugal with her boyfriend Sam Rason

Family: The couple became concerned when they noticed four-month-old Stanley developing 'symptoms' which the former Love Island star, 31, did not specify

Amy reassured fans that Stanley is 'completely fine' but she and Sam wanted to 'err on the side of caution' and so took him to be looked at.

She said: 'The symptoms he had could be something normal but could've been something serious.

'We took him to the pharmacy the day before. They didn't really look at him and they were like, yeah that's fine.

'Then we were speaking to people back in the UK and as soon as we heard something that wasn't run of the mill, we thought OK let's take him.

Amy added: 'He's fine, happy, sleeping, eating, laughing, total Stanley.'

It comes after Amy, who welcomed Stanley in March, admitted she is finding it much 'harder' to love her body since giving birth while bemoaning her 'cellulite'.

Sharing a selfie with her 1.1million followers, Amy posed in a black bikini as she revealed she was holding herself 'accountable'.

The star looked stunning in the black two-piece, which featured a bandeau top and matching high rise bottoms.

Ordeal: Speaking in an Instagram Stories clip she shared on Tuesday evening, Amy told how the couple took the tot to the hospital after receiving little help in a local pharmacy

Honest: It comes after Amy, who welcomed Stanley in March, admitted she is finding it much 'harder' to love her body since giving birth while bemoaning her 'cellulite'

Speaking behind the camera, she said: 'Okay bikini number one of the holiday.

'See, I'm just holding myself accountable by posting. Like I have to post my bikinis on. So you know I do that if I want to feel better.

Later in the day, Amy returned to her social media to give fans an update on her post.

She began: 'In regards to my bikini post this morning - thank you for all your lovely messages. I didn't do it so people are like "Oh no you look amazing!"

'I do it and I've done this my whole life is because if I say the negative thing first, then if anyone else does it they're just agreeing with me, they're not being nasty. Like they don't have that ownership and say "Oh I was really nasty to her".

'Like because I've already said it. So if I've said it then it's OK, hun. Like yesterday when I put that video up and said "oh I'm not Instagrammable" Sam, actually sent me like these eyes.

'And it must be really hard going out with someone who is so like down all the time about their body.

'But I loved my body when I was pregnant. I literally was in love with my belly. I wore spandex exclusively for nine months. It's just a bit harder now. But yeah, I'll try and be less negative.'

New parents: The former Love Island star welcomed baby son Stanley with her boyfriend Sam Rason in March

Amy, who starred in the 2019 series of the Love Island, shared a sweet Instagram post in March after welcoming her bundle of joy.

She wrote: 'Well. 4 days of contractions at home (which everyone told us were braxton hicksthey weren't), 4 very short hours in the delivery suite and 5 long days in hospital later, we are home with our dreamy baby boy!

'Born at 3.31am on 3/3/23 weighing 8lbs with the most beautiful head of hair (Amy would take the 9 months of reflux again) and we are so so in love. Proper introductions to come but now we're home safe and sound.'

She continued: 'Thank you to everyone who sent their well wishes. We really appreciated it over the last few days. [here's a few delivery room snaps, can't wait to show you his beautiful, non post birth swollen face!'
EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley has revealed she's got engaged to her partner of nine years Mark Perez.

The actress, 47, took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal the happy news and shared a picture of herself with Mark.

Lorraine - who plays Karen Taylor in EastEnders - can be seen smiling at Mark as she poses with her arm around him.

She wrote: 'Love you baby #Engaged,' along with some emojis including a love heart and an engagement ring.

Lorraine has previously shared photos of herself and Mark celebrating their eighth anniversary.

Congratulations! EastEnders star Lorraine Stanley took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal she has got engaged to her boyfriend Mark Perez after nine years of dating

Iconic: Lorraine i s best known for playing Karen Taylor in EastEnders

Special man in her life: Lorraine previously shared this picture with Mark - her love - on social media while celebrating their eighth anniversary the year before

Lorraine appeared in a Krays biopic starring Tom Hardy before landing her role in the BBC soap EastEnders.

The movie - released in 2015 - saw Tom play twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray, two of London's most dreaded gangsters during their 1960s heyday.

She first made her Albert Square appearance in 2017, alongside her two children, Bernie and Keanu. 

She was seen in a number of roles prior to her big break - including Call the Midwife, Holby City and The Bill.

Her EastEnders character is known for her scruffy ensembles and looking a bit rough around the edges.

However, Lorraine has shown countless times at red carpets event that she can work a glam ensemble, proving she is far from her on-screen persona.

In January 2020, Lorraine shared a handful of black and white snaps to her Twitter from the set of Legend.

Lorraine beamed beside Tom - who was dressed as Reggie Kray - while she donned her barmaid costume.

Her tresses were styled in a short up-do, looking completely opposite from her long blonde locks now.

The actress oozed sophistication in an old fashioned dress, styled with a cardigan and heels while posing in front of a retro car.

Star: Lorraine was seen in a number of roles prior to her big break - including Call the Midwife, Holby City and The Bill (picture from Call the Midwife)

Stunning: Lorraine has shown countless times at red carpets event that she can work a glam ensemble, proving she is far from her on-screen persona
Love Island's Georgia Steel sizzled as she joined her bikini-clad pals Ellie Brown and Joanna Chimonides on a yacht trip in Ibiza on Wednesday.

The former reality TV star, 25, put on a racy display in a very skimpy bikini as she joined by a whole host of her friends for a day out on the swanky vessel.

She was joined by former Love Island stars Ellie, 25, and Joanna, 26, as well as Siannise Fudge and Too Hot To Handle's Emily Faye Miller, both 29.

Georgia showed off her incredible figure in a pink two-piece with straps that wrapped around her midriff as she relaxed on the yacht.

She was seen putting on an animated display as she snapped gorgeous pictures of her pals Ellie and Joanna as they drenched themselves under an outdoor shower.

Wow! Love Island's Georgia Steel sizzled as she took pictures of her pals Ellie Brown and Joanna Chimonides on a yacht trip in Ibiza on Wednesday

Sizzling: She was joined by former Love Island stars Ellie, 25, and Joanna, 26, who playfully posed underneath an outdoor shower

Stunner: They were also joined by Siannise Fudge, who looked equally as stunning in her two-piece

Ellie looked equally as stunning in a hot pink bikini while Joanna flaunted her enviable figure in a black two-piece with off-the-shoulder straps.

The pair appeared to be having a great time as they posed underneath the outdoor shower while enjoying the lavish day out with Color Wow Hair.

Siannise was also on the trip and put on a sizzling display in a patterned beige two-piece as she soaked up the sun and enjoyed a dip in the sea.

She was also seen chatting to reality TV star Emily, best known for appearing on Netflix show Too Hot Too Handle, who looked incredible in a black thong bikini.

Former Love Island star Mary Bedford, who appeared on its seventh series, was also among the guests and also opted for a black two-piece for the occasion.

The pals were joined by a whole host of other guests and were seen having the time of their lives as they enjoyed some food and drink on the yacht.

They took to Instagram to document the sun-soaked day out, with Siannese sharing a group shot of them all posing on the back of the boat.

Glam: Georgia, 25, put on a racy display in a very skimpy bikini as she joined by a whole host of her friends for a day out on the swanky vessel

All smiles: She snapped gorgeous pictures of her pals Ellie and Joanna as they drenched themselves under an outdoor shower

Bikini-clad: Ellie looked equally as stunning in a hot pink bikini while Joanna flaunted her enviable figure in a black two-piece with off-the-shoulder straps

Photographer: Georgia was seen showing her pals the final pictures as they both giggled

Posing: Ellie and Joanna cooled off with a dip under the outdoor shower as they both posed for pictures

Peachy: Ellie was seen carrying a towel as she headed to sun-bathe after cooling off in the shower

Glam: Georgia was also seen chatting to Mary Bedford as the pair looked very glamorous after arriving back from the boat trip

Stylish: Georgia sported a white shirt and a sarong over her bikini, while Mary opted for a blue dress and Ellie looked stylish in a striped co-ord

Posers: Georgia was seen posing with her hand up against the side of the boat as she and Joanna snapped sizzling pictures

Stylish: Joanna looked incredible in a bikini with waterfall sleeves as she enjoyed the trip

Pals: Siannise was also on the trip and put on a sizzling display in a patterned beige two-piece as she soaked up the sun and chatted to Emily Faye Miller

Racy: She was also seen chatting to reality TV star Emily, best known for appearing on Netflix show Too Hot Too Handle, who looked incredible in a black thong bikini

Say cheese! Emily was seen posing for snaps under the shower while her friend took pictures

Lavish: Emily and Siannise appeared to have a great time on the very lavish day out

Cheers! Siannise was seen enjoying a drink as she soaked up the sun on the boat with some pals

She also shared a snap alongside Ellie, Emily and pal Jourdan Riane after they all got glammed-up for a night out at Lio, which hosts cabaret-style performances.

They all showed off their eye-popping ensembles as they put their arms around each other and pouted at the camera for the short video.

Their latest trip comes after Georgia recently returned from a sun-soaked getaway to Dubai, where she shared a whole host of stunning snaps.

In one shot, the bombshell looked nothing short than sensational as she slipped into a white and red print bikini with ruched straps.

She sported a white sarong around her waist - as she flaunted her taut abs and toned legs while posing in the sexy co-ord.

Georgia struck a number of poses while sheltering from the heat, as she showcased her glowing tan.

She penned the Instagram post: 'In my soft girl era.'

Stunner: Emily looked incredible as she showed off her enviable figure in her very skimpy two-piece

Gorgeous: Siannise showered herself with cold water as she posed for an array of bikini-clad snaps

Beach ready: Siannise was seen snapping shots of her pals as they enjoyed the day out

Good look: Former Love Island star Mary Bedford, who appeared on its seventh series, was also among the guests and wore a lifejacket before heading on a jet ski

Social: Mary opted for a black two-piece for the occasion as she chatted with her pals

Activities: Mary was seen being given a helping hand as she prepared to head out

She's off! Mary flashed a while as she got on to what appeared to be a type of paddleboard

Activities: Mary appeared to be having a great time as she grinned while driving a jet ski on the trip

Good times: Mary was seen checking her phone as she dried off with a towel

Partying! The group all flocked to take snaps of the sea as they enjoyed drinks on the front of the boat

Sunbathing: Emily and Siannise were both seen grinning as they sat in the sunshine

Glam: They did not fail to make the most of the photo opportunities as they snapped away on the yacht

Day out: The group all relaxed on the yacht and soaked up the sun as they made the most of it

Getaways: Their latest trip comes after Georgia recently returned from a sun-soaked getaway to Dubai, where she shared a whole host of stunning snaps

Georgia rose to fame on the fourth series of Love Island in 2018, where she became known for her catchphrase: 'I'm loyal'.

She spoke about how she was 'loyal' a whole host of times on the show, and once again used the word during the Casa Amor recoupling.

She was left completely fuming when her then-partner Josh Denzel returned from the house with new girl Kaz Crossley.

The moment became one of the most iconic Casa Amor recouplings, and Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham went on to win the series.
This Morning fans were left in stitches after a caller made some very expressive noises during Wednesday's phone-in.

Viewers questioned if the caller was having an orgasm live on air as she made loud moaning exclamations when Vanessa Feltz dished up some advice about a feud.

During the agony aunt segment, the woman, called Jane, rang in to speak about a brewing clash between her sister and niece.

Jane explained the fall-out was over a handbag they didn't want her to wear to her niece's wedding as it clashed with the bridesmaids' dresses.

But once Vanessa started dishing out her advice, Jane started moaning 'mmmm' and viewers soon took to Twitter to comment on what they had heard, while Dermot O'Leary stifled his laughter by biting his lip.

This Morning fans were left in stitches after a caller made some very expressive noises during Wednesday's phone-in

Awkward: Viewers questioned if the caller was having an orgasm live on air as she made loud moaning exclamations when Vanessa Feltz dished up some advice about a feud

One wrote: 'Did Jane just have an orgasm live on TV? What was with the sex noises over a handbag?'

'Glad I'm not the only one hearing Jane moaning down the phone'.

'Jane just orgasmed live on telly,' said another.

Other viewers asked: 'Is Jane the caller having an orgasm?' and 'Is Jane doing something???'

'What were those strange sounds Jane was doing over the phone?!'

It comes after Alison and Dermot were forced to apologise during Tuesday's episode of This Morning when a guest swore live on-air.

Sitting down to discuss the countries favourite cocktails, the presenters were joined by Scottish television host Isla Traquair.

The group sipped on margaritas, which had come out in the top spot, but things soon took a turn when Alison and Isla pulled disgusted faces.

Entertained: Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond looked a little awkward as they listened to the loud exclamations on the phone

This Moaning! Once Vanessa started dishing out her advice, Jane started moaning 'mmmm' and viewers soon took to Twitter to comment on what they had heard.

'Has that actually got alcohol in it? I can't be drinking this I'm working!,' Alison laughed.

'I asked for a non-alcoholic one!' she exclaimed.

'I'm not a drinker, but I have had one sip and Im clearly p****d already,' Isla joked.

After realising the slip-up Dermot said: 'Sorry about Isla, that's the last time we run that item.'

Laughing at the mishap, Alison added: 'Thanks Isla, you dropped us in that one.'
Jenna Coleman looked chic as she made a rare public appearance with her boyfriend Jamie Childs in London on Tuesday.

The actress, 37, slipped into a stunning floral tea dress with a dramatic collar as she departed Chiltern Firehouse with the director.

She topped off her vintage-inspired outfit with a pair of red heels and sported a subtle makeup look.

The couple, who met when he directed her on Netflix series The Sandman, were beaming as they hopped into a waiting car.

Jamie looked smart in a black turtle neck top that he teamed with a charcoal blazer and matching, loose fitting trousers.

Couple: Jenna Coleman, 37, looked chic as she made a rare public appearance with her boyfriend Jamie Childs in London on Tuesday

Adorable: The actress slipped into a stunning floral tea dress with a dramatic collar as she departed Chiltern Firehouse with the director

It comes after the first look images for Jenna's upcoming psychological thriller, Wilderness, were released on Wednesday.

The actress, who plays Liv in the 'twisted love story,' could been seen wearing a floral mini dress as she walked through one of America's national parks.

She topped her look off with a cropped yellow cardigan and tied a satin scarf into her hair as she got into character.

Joined by Oliver Jackson-Cohen as her husband Will, the couple posed for a selfie over looking a cliff edge.

Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson and Eric Balfour also star in the series as Cara and Garth, Will's colleague, who the couple run into on their trip.

Other teaser photos show Jenna and Oliver's characters driving through a country road in a vintage blue car and the group together in the forest .

The series follows Liv, who upon finding out about her husband Will's affair, decides to seek revenge in one of America's secluded national parks.

They travel from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon and then Yosemite before ending up with a wild weekend in Las Vegas.

Stylish: She topped off her vintage-inspired outfit with a pair of red heels and sported a subtle makeup look

Jamie looked smart in a black turtle neck top that he teamed with a charcoal blazer and matching, loose fitting trousers

Smart: Jamie added a charcoal blazer and matching, loose fitting trousers

Coming soon: It comes after the first look images for Jenna's upcoming psychological thriller, Wilderness, were released on Wednesday

The official synopsis reads: 'A novel by B.E. Jones, Wilderness is the story of British couple Liv and Will who seem to have it all.

'A rock-solid marriage and a glamorous new life in New York thousands of miles from their provincial hometown, yet who are still young enough to feel that their whole lives are ahead of them'.

'Until Liv learns about Wills affair. Heartbreak is swiftly followed by another emotion: fury. Revenge is her only option, and when Will proposes a trip around America's epic National Parks to give their relationship a fresh start, Liv knows just how to get it.'

The series is expected to debut on Prime Video later this year.
Alessandra Ambrosio showcased her incredible supermodel figure in a glittering lilac bikini as she hit the beach in Ibiza.

The fashionista, 42, looked tanned and toned in the skimpy tie string two-piece during her family outing on Tuesday.

Alessandra has flown out to Ibiza, Spain with her son Noah, 10, and daughter Anja, 14.

And the Victoria Secret's model appeared to be letting her hair down as she enjoyed a swim, went paddleboarding and larked around in the sea.

Donning a large straw sun hat, Alessandra made the most of her time off as she enjoyed a chilli infused cocktail in the sea.

Alessandra Ambrosio showcased her incredible supermodel figure in a glittering purple bikini as she hit the beach in Ibiza

Bronzed: The fashionista, 42, looked tanned and toned in the skimpy tie string two-piece during her family outing on Tuesday

Alessandra played some water games as she got on the shoulders of a pal and later her son to knock off her opponent which was her daughter.

After the fun, she headed to her sun lounger and put on a white beach cover up.

The holiday is a welcome break for Alessandra who hit Paris Fashion Week earlier the month and attended the Giorgio Armani show.

Back in 2000, Alessandra was discovered by Victoria's Secret, walking in the famous Victoria's Secret Fashion Show from 2004 to 2017.

The Ale by Alessandra founder was also the first model hired to pose for the Victoria's Secret PINK line.

While she's best known for her modeling work with Victoria's Secret, Alessandra has also posed in campaigns for global brands like Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, and Armani, among many others.

Before she retired her Victoria's Secret Angel wings for good in 2017, Alessandra founded her own fashion line  ale by Alessandra.

Although the hard-working model hasn't rested on her laurels once over the span of her decades-long modeling career, she makes sure that her daughter, Anja Louise and son, Noah Phoenix are her top priorities.

Supermodel: Alessandra showed off her washboard abs in the balconette bikini top while the tie-string bottoms highlighted her long legs

Cool: Alessandra shielded her eyes from the sun with some aviators

Time to relax: The model appeared to be letting her hair down as she enjoyed a swim

Competitive: Alessandra played some water games as she got on the shoulders of a pal to knock off her opponent, her daughter

Making memories: Alessandra laughed as she played with her daughter

Adventurous: The group all gathered round to watch the Victoria's Secret star go paddleboarding

Catwalk: Alessandra looked every inch of her supermodel status as she walked down the beach barefoot

Off she goes: Alessandra gave the thumbs up after putting on a life jacket to try the paddleboard

Good core strength: Alessandra couldn't believe it when she managed to stand upright on a the paddleboard. But before she knew it she lost her balance

Out at sea: Alessandra sat as boats cruised around her

Beach babe: Alessandra wore a sun hat and a white beach cover up as she headed to her sun lounger

Holiday: It is a welcome break for Alessandra who hit Paris Fashion Week earlier the month and attended the Giorgio Armani show

Cheers! Alessandra enjoyed a chilli infused cocktail in the water

Travelling the world: It is a welcome break for Alessandra who hit Paris Fashion Week earlier the month and attended the Giorgio Armani show

Topping up her tan: Alessandra appeared in high spirits as she made the most of the sunshine

Hilarious: Alessandra laughter as she balanced on the shoulders of her son

Bottoms up: With a cocktail in hand, a friend helped her over the rocky terrain

She shares custody of her two children with her ex-fiance, RE/DONE Jeans founder Jamie Mazur.

The couple broke off their engagement in 2018, ten years after Jamie initially popped the question in 2008.

The top model also dedicates her time to charitable causes, serving as an ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Molly-Mae Hague cut a casual figure in a stylish cropped oversized blazer as she headed out on a shopping trip in Manchester on Wednesday.

The Love Island star, 24, tucked a plain white T-shirt into a pair of washed blue denim jeans.

The influencer kept comfortable in a pair of coordinated beige Prada trainers and toted her belongings in a large Chanel black bag.

Molly-Mae wore her blonde hair in a neat bun and accessorised her daytime ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings.

The reality star kept hydrated during her shopping spree by carrying a bottle of water as well as her phone.

Out and about: Molly-Mae Hague cut a casual figure in a stylish cropped oversized blazer as she headed out on a shopping trip in Manchester on Wednesday

Shop 'til you drop: The Love Island star, 24, tucked a plain white T-shirt into a pair of washed blue denim jeans

Molly made a solo appearance on the outing without six-month-old daughter Bambi and boyfriend Tommy Fury, also 24.

It comes after the boxer recently surprised Molly for their four-year anniversary, while she was on a work trip in Paris.

Tommy flew out to Paris with Bambi on a secret trip before spoiling her with a fancy hotel room and red roses.

Molly shared the sweet moment on her Instagram Story as she sat with friends in a cafe completely unaware of what was about to happen.

A pal opposite her filmed the moment as Tommy approached behind her with little Bambi in her pram.

As they walked round in front of her she then clocked them and looked completely shocked before composing herself and getting up to hug him.

While the family were in Paris, they took Bambi to her first ever theme park ride in Disneyland.

Captioning her post, Molly-Mae wrote: 'Bambi did her first ride. Heart exploded many times yesterday.'

Casual: The influencer kept comfortable in a pair of coordinated beige Prada trainers and toted her belongings in a large Chanel black bag

Retail therapy: Molly-Mae wore her blonde hair in a neat bun and accessorised her daytime ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings

Busy day: The reality star kept hydrated during her shopping spree by carrying a bottle of water as well as her phone

While visiting Disneyland Paris, Molly and Tommy sparked engagement rumours once again after sharing their plans for a fairytale themed wedding.

During their trip fans were convinced they are at the theme park to get engaged or source inspiration for their 'extravagant Disney' nuptials.

Sharing photos for their trip to Instagram, Molly-Mae wrote: 'When you wish upon a star.'

One follower commented: 'Where is the proposal I was sure when he arrived in Paris it was happening.'

'I thought the same,' another added, while someone else commented: 'They're both wearing rings though.'

It comes following reports that Molly-Mae and Tommy are planning 'an extravagant Disney-themed wedding within the grounds of a British castle' - with baby Bambi playing a key role.

The couple, who met on ITV2 series Love Island in 2019, confirmed the birth of their first child in January, but are yet to announce an official engagement - despite fans claiming Fury has already proposed.
After flaunting her slim slim 5ft7in frame on a beach, Uncut Gems alum Julia Fox covered up in a bizarre blue ensemble as she strutted down a New York City street on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old ex-flame of Kanye 'Ye' West - who relies on stylist Briana Andalore - restrained her arms in a double-sleeved shirt-dress, which she paired with a big black bag and matching peep-toe wedges.

Julia styled her Manic Panic-dyed red locks down for her outing and she wore glasses, pencil-thin brows, and brown lip liner.

Missing from Fox's side on Tuesday was her two-year-old son Valentino from her three-year marriage to Brooklyn private pilot Peter Artemiev, which ended in 2020.

Later that same day - the Italian-born, Manhattan-raised provocateur - who boasts 3.2M Instagram/TikTok followers - Instastoried a snap of her rear end captioned: 'This one goes out to all my haters that said I lost my a**. It's still there... just not as big LOL!'

Eccentric attire! Uncut Gems alum Julia Fox covered up in a bizarre blue ensemble as she strutted down a New York City street on Tuesday

Tied up! The 33-year-old ex-flame of Kanye 'Ye' West - who relies on stylist Briana Andalore - restrained her arms in a double-sleeved shirt-dress, which she paired with a big black bag and matching peep-toe wedges

The swimsuit snap was taken on Monday when Julia wore a $19.20 PrettyLittleThing 'White Cross Front Halterneck Cut Out Bodysuit' to splash around at a local New York beach.

Fox is an executive producer on Luis De Filippis' feature directorial debut Something You Said Last Night, which screens this Saturday at 4:45pm at Outfest LA Film Festival inside the Directors Guild of America's Theater 2 in Los Angeles.

The indie dramedy centers on Ren (Carmen Madonia), 'a trans girl out of a job struggling to make ends meet, on a trip with her family to a Canadian-Italian beach resort.'

Simon & Schuster will publish the Isamaya Ffrench brand ambassador's 336-page 'masterpiece' memoir Down the Drain on October 10.

On the acting front, Julia has a mystery role opposite Steven Van Zandt and Vito Schnabel in Tony Kaye's upcoming crime comedy The Trainer.

The 36-year-old son of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julian Schnabel co-wrote and co-produced the dark comedy about 'a down-on-his-luck fitness expert, who takes a maniacal swing at fame and fortune, trying to realize his version of the American dream.'

Specs appeal: Julia styled her Manic Panic-dyed red locks down for her outing and she wore glasses, pencil-thin brows, and brown lip liner

Divorcee: Missing from Fox's side on Tuesday was her two-year-old son Valentino from her three-year marriage to Brooklyn private pilot Peter Artemiev, which ended in 2020

Later that same day - the Italian-born, Manhattan-raised provocateur - who boasts 3.2M Instagram/TikTok followers - Instastoried a snap of her rear end captioned: 'This one goes out to all my haters that said I lost my a**. It's still there... just not as big LOL!'

Brand ambassador: The swimsuit snap was taken on Monday when Julia wore a $19.20 PrettyLittleThing 'White Cross Front Halterneck Cut Out Bodysuit' to splash around at a local New York beach

New gig! Fox is an executive producer on Luis De Filippis' (R, pictured July 8) feature directorial debut Something You Said Last Night, which screens this Saturday at 4:45pm at Outfest LA Film Festival inside the Directors Guild of America's Theater 2 in Los Angeles

Tell all: Simon & Schuster will publish the Isamaya Ffrench brand ambassador's 336-page 'masterpiece' memoir Down the Drain on October 10
Love Island fans were hit by a quadruple dumping in Tuesday's show, as two couples were sent packing in an explosive twist.

And the dumped Islanders have already returned to the UK, pictured jetting back from Spain on Wednesday.

Kady McDermot, Amber Wise and Josh Brockleba nk were seen at the airport, showing off their tans after their weeks in the villa.

There was no sign of Kady's beau Ouzy See though, after the couple vowed to continue thier romance outside of the villa.

Home sweet home: Love Island fans were hit by a quadruple dumping in Tuesday's show, and Kady McDermot, Amber Wise and Josh Brocklebank have already returned to the UK

She's back! There was no sign of Kady's beau Ouzy See on the flight though after they were both dumped from the villa in Spain

Kady, who returned to the villa for a second stint, looked delighted to be home, smiling and laughing as she strolled through arrivals with Amber.

She showed off her tan in a cropped white t-shirt and loose black trousers and could't resist keeping her shades on despite the less than sunny UK weather.

Amber meanwhile dressed down in a pair of denim shorts and a hoodie as she walked arm in arm with Kady.

Kady shared a kiss and hug goodbye with Josh after flying home together as the trio prepared to reunite with their families.

The trio, along with Ouzy, were dumped from the villa in scenes aired on Tuesday night after host Maya Jama announced that viewers had chosen Whitney and Lochan as their favourite couple.

The popularity came at a huge price, as it was then revealed the pair would have to choose which couple they'd like to stay in the villa, out of Mitch and Ella B and Kady and Ouzy.

This twist was on top of it being revealed that friendship couple Josh and Amber would be dumped from the show after receiving the fewest public votes.

The decision was a difficult one as Whitney and Lochan debated whether to send Mitch packing, given the ample chances he'd had to find love in the villa.

Say cheese! The trio posed for a final snap before going their separate ways at the airport

Goodbye! Kady shared a kiss and hug goodbye with Josh after flying home together as the trio prepared to reunite with their families

Happy to be home: Kady, who returned to the villa for a second stint, looked delighted to be home, smiling and laughing as she strolled through arrivals

Catching up: The three were engrossed in their phone after being separated from them for weeks

Whirlwind trip: Amber dressed down in a pair of denim shorts and a hoodie

Looking fab: She showed off her tan in a cropped white t-shirt and loose black trousers and could't resist keeping her shades on despite the less than sunny UK weather

Tanned! Amber beamed as she put on a leggy display in shorts after a few weeks in bikinis

Exit: The trio, along with Ouzy, were dumped from the villa in scenes aired on Tuesday night

Love Island veteran: It was Kady's second stint in the Love Island villa after she made her shock return to the ITV2 show in another attempt to find love

Walking her through it: Kady kept close to Amber as they walked through the busy arrivals hall

Baggage: Kady was engrossed in her phone as a staff member pushed her over flowing luggage trolley

See you soon! The Love Island cast will be reunited for the final in two weeks time

But eventually the couple decided he and Ella B would be worth saving, meaning Kady and Ouzy were sent packing.

Speaking after her exit, Kady said she was still keen to pursue things with Ouzy on the outside, saying: 'I'm excited to go on dates with him and experience everyday things.

'I've never been to Edinburgh so I'm definitely going to go to Edinburgh. He's got five beautiful sisters and he said they'll all love me. He's going to come down to my house and meet my dog.'

Reflecting on returning to the show for the second time, she added: 'It was so different but there were so many aspects that were the same like the Beach Hut!'

Ouzy agreed, adding: 'Kady was really the one that I felt like there could be a connection on a deeper level so I'm glad it worked out the way it did.'

'It was a rollercoaster but I loved it. There were such good people in there - people that I never would have met in the real world.'

Off they go! Love Island fans were hit by a quadruple dumping in Tuesday's show, as two couples were sent packing in an explosive twist

They're gone! Josh and Amber were dumped from the show after receiving the fewest public votes, before it was revealed another pair would be leaving the show
John Amos' son Kelly 'K.C.' Christopher has been arrested for allegedly sending numerous threatening texts to his sister Shannon.

The 83-year-old Good Times actor's son, 52, was taken into custody last weekend after his sister, 56, reported that his set of texts - which reportedly included a video of him firing a gun in an open field - made her feel as if her life was in danger.

The daughter of the actor, who last month accused her of 'elderly abuse', said her brother sent her texts about his alleged connections to various gangs and also showed off several firearms while sending his slew of messages.

Shannon also claimed that K.C. also sent her a video showing him firing a pistol in a field and sent her a message reading 'Gonna sleep much better tonight big sis'.

She has since sent her brother a cease and desist letter, which was issued in response to his various online statements about her - and claims he 'no longer has authority to make medical decisions for their father John.'

Arrest: John Amos' son Kelly 'K.C.' Christopher has been arrested for allegedly sending numerous threatening texts to his sister Shannon; he is seen right with his father in 2015

Harsh words: It was also reported that his son was taken into custody last weekend after his sister Shannon (pictured with Amos) claimed that his latest set of texts made her feel as if her life was in danger

Mugshot: K.C. Amos was arrested last weekend

According to Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Robert Florida, Shannon stated that K.C. was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past.

She also expressed that her brother believes she hired a hit man to kill him and fears that her sibling may act on his suspicions according to documents obtained by TMZ.

Last month Amos accused his daughter of abusing him just a week after she went public asking for $500,000, claiming he was being taken advantage of by a 'caregiver'.

Amos, who starred in Good Times, Coming to America and The West Wing, released a video on his son's TikTok account - it showed him lying in a hospital gown with K.C. standing next to his bed.

Amos was on the phone with a man believed to be an elderly abuse lawyer.

In the video he tells him: 'I am very capable. And I am very confident in the doctors that I have here in the medical staff that my son has assembled around me. I feel very good about that.

'My main issues are that prior to entering the hospital, I had some ongoing issues with my daughter, who I feel has taken advantage of me. She would be the primary suspect if you would. I don't know if that's the right term or not.

'She is the one I would attribute my elderly abuse to. It's definitely a case of elderly abuse.'

No laughing matter: In a video uploaded on his son K.C's TikTok account, Amos tells a lawyer over the phone that his daughter, Shannon, 56, is the person who 'elderly abused him'

He explained he was recently hospitalized with water retention and 'a couple of other issues', but said all had been 'corrected or at least addressed.'

Last week Shannon sparked concern for the beloved TV star when she claimed in an Instagram post that he was the victim of elderly abuse at the hands of a caregiver.

'The past two weeks shattered our world. My dad, a victim of elder abuse and financial exploitation.

'We are collaborating with the Colorado Bureau of Investigations and local authorities, determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.

'Legal assistance is crucial to ensure their prosecution and protect my father's future. His home, stripped bare, necessitates a safe space for his return,' she said.

She launched a GoFundMe page seeking $500,000 in donations, and told followers: 'Every donation will be directed to a trust for my dad's care, legal fees, and aftercare.

'Help us win this battle, send love, and kindle hope for the day we can dance together again'.

It's unclear how much was raised before the fundraising page was deactivated.

Family rift: Shannon Amos with her father John. Amos told the attorney on the phone she 'definitely' took advantage of him

In the past: Amos with his two kids, Shannon and KC (right) and granddaughter Quiera Williams in 2008

Three days later, Amos himself released a statement through his long-term rep to confirm that all was well.

He told TMZ he was not 'fighting for his life', as his daughter had claimed and said he would release more information at a later date.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigations, which Shannon said she had reported her concerns to, confirmed it had received a complaint and was investigating whether any crime had been committed.

Shannon has not yet responded to her father's claims.

She and her brother, KC, are Amos' children from his marriage to Noel J. Mickelson.

Questionable action: Shannon set up the GoFundMe on June 7, claiming her father was the victim of abuse

Over and done with: The page has now been taken down by GoFundMe. Amos says his daughter is 'the suspect' of any elderly abuse

Receiving care: Amos, shown in 2016, said he was recently hospitalized with water retention but all his health issues had been 'corrected, or at least addressed'

In better days: Amos is best known for his role in the 70s hit show Good Times

Amos was stunned to learn about the GoFundMe his daughter set up, saying: 'These are his exact words.

'To all of my fans, I want you to know that I am doing well. I am not in ICU, nor was I ever fighting for my life.

'First, I want the GoFundMe campaign about me to stop immediately and the funds subsequently returned to those who made donations.

'My son and I will reveal more information at the appropriate time,' he told People earlier this week.
Kendall Jenner glowed in a new photo from her L'Oreal campaign.

The TV star wore a strapless white top with a belted leather skirt and silver hoop earrings as she looked made up for a night on the town.

Also on Wednesday, fellow L'Oreal spokesperson Elle Fanning also welcomed the top model to the brand.

'Welcome to the family,' wrote the 25-year-old The Great actress.

Kendall then responded with 'honored to do it next to you' as she added a red heart emoji.

Earlier Kendall said she was happy to be with the 'LOreal Paris family.'

Fresh look: Kendall Jenner glowed in a new photo from her L'Oreal campaign. The TV star wore a strapless white top with a belted leather skirt and silver hoop earrings as she looked made up for a night on the town

Sweet gal: Also on Wednesday, fellow L'Oreal spokesperson Elle Fanning also welcomed the top model to the brand. 'Welcome to the family,' wrote the 25-year-old The Great actress. Kendall then responded with 'honored to do it next to you' as she added a red heart emoji

'Im honored to be part of a new sisterhood of strong, powerful women and to be able to say those iconic words, Im worth it,' said Kendall in a statement shared to DailyMail.com.

'Joining the LOreal Paris family and having the opportunity to embody everything the brand stands for feels like a true full-circle moment,' she added.

And L'Oreal seems thrilled to have hired the Keeping Up With The Kardashians veteran.

According to the company's press release she was chosen because she is a 'powerful, successful, and talented young woman.'

Worth it! Kendall Jenner was seen on Tuesday in new ads for L'Oreal

Pretty in hot pink: 'Im honored to be part of a new sisterhood of strong, powerful women and to be able to say those iconic words, Im worth it,' said Kendall in a statement shared to DailyMail.com

It was added she 'continues to captivate audiences around her' and is a 'constant figure in the fashion industry, an entrepreneur, and a media icon.'

'Kendall Jenner has become a role model for her generation, and the brand is thrilled to welcome her to the LOreal Paris family,' the company added.

Kendall will be the lead of the brands makeup campaigns starting September 2023.

The entrepreneur is joining Beyonce, Helen Mirren and Penelope Cruz, all of whom have promoted the brand in the past.

The news about the 27-year-old reality television personality joining L'Oreal was first leaked on Sunday by The Sun.

The outlet added she is getting $11 million for the gig.

The social media powerhouse previously garnered much attention for wearing several of the brand's products to the 2023 Met Gala.

L'Oreal first teased that it had brought a new spokesperson into the fold with a short video that was shared on its Instagram account on Saturday.

Circle of beauty: 'Joining the LOreal Paris family and having the opportunity to embody everything the brand stands for feels like a true full-circle moment,' she added

New job: According to the company's press release she was chosen because she is a 'powerful, successful, and talented young woman.' It was added she 'continues to captivate audiences around her' and is a 'constant figure in the fashion industry, an entrepreneur, and a media icon'

A fresh look: Here she was seen in a sparkly dress as she had on dewy lips gloss

In the clip, an unseen figure stated the cosmetic company's slogan, 'I'm worth it' before adding, 'and it feels so good.'

Many of the model's fans took to the video's comments section to assert that Jenner had provided the voiceover.

The company also shared an image showing an individual, whose face was obscured, sitting down for an interview.

New venture: Kendall Jenner has become one of the new faces of the cosmetics giant L'Oreal, according to The Sun; she is seen in May

Just a tease: The company also shared an image showing an individual, whose face was obscured, sitting down for an interview

The social media powerhouse has previously served as a spokesmodel for numerous brands in the past.

The model has been featured in campaigns for companies such as Calvin Klein, Fendi and Marc Jacobs, among numerous others.

She has also collaborated with her younger sister Kylie on several projects for Kylie Cosmetics.
Olivia Culpo showcased her flat midriff in a high-cut crop top with low-slung bottoms as she stepped out in New York City on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old star highlighted her incredibly toned stomach in the eye catching look, adding a mini Hermes Kelly bag, statement gold earrings and matching bracelets.

The brunette beauty, who got engaged to Christian McCaffrey, 27, of the San Francisco 49ers in April, pulled her hair back for a striking ponytail.

Olivia's fashionable Big Apple outing comes just one week after she and Christian had their engagement party in her home state of Rhode Island.

Olivia revealed on her social media page that she chose to have her engagement party in Rhode Island because the state means so much to her.

Gorgeous: Olivia Culpo showcased her flat midriff in a high-cut crop top with low-slung bottoms as she stepped out in New York City on Tuesday

Stunning: The 31-year-old star highlighted her incredibly toned stomach in the eye catching look, adding a mini Hermes Kelly bag, statement gold earrings and matching bracelets

Gorgeous: The brunette beauty, who got engaged to Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers in April, pulled her hair back for a striking ponytail

She shared a video of her engagement party to her Instagram earlier in the week - which took place on July 2.

The video featured a montage from their bash, as well as a heartfelt note on why they chose that location.

'Rhode Island is family. When I started planning my engagement party I knew every vendor would either be a high school friend or someone I knew through a brother, sister, or cousin,' she wrote.

'I knew they would go above and beyond and they really did. I can't really put into words what the community of our tiny state means but I wanted to shout out everyone who went above and beyond for this party,' Olivia added.

'We are small but mighty! I love Rhode Island so much,' she said.

Olivia also posted shots of her and Christian cuddling up at their engagement party, writing: 'Thank you God for the love of my life.'

Olivia and Christian got engaged on April 2, 2023 while on vacation in Utah at Amangiri.

The former Miss Universe shared the clip to her Instagram, which was in black and white.

Soon to be Mr and Mrs: She shared a video of her engagement part to her Instagram earlier in the week

Happiness: The video featured a montage from their bash, as well as a heartfelt note on why they chose that location

Weeks after her engagement, Olivia spoke out about the happy news: 'I'm so excited. It's been a thrill of a lifetime honestly,' she told People magazine.

She also revealed that she plans on getting married 'sooner rather than later' because she wants to have kids.

The model said planning a wedding 'is so much work,' and that she isn't sure about the location of her nuptials.

Olivia and Christian started dating in May 2019.

He is a running back for the San Francisco 49ers.
Emergency services rushed to the home of Brigitte Bardot on Wednesday after she suffered some difficulties breathing.

The French actress's husband, Bernard d'Ormale, confirmed the news and clarified what happened shortly after the incident occurred at their Saint-Tropez residence.

He told Var-matin: 'It was around 9 a.m. when Brigitte had trouble breathing,' noting that ambulances in the south of France initially 'got the wrong' address.

He continued: '[Her breathing] was stronger than usual but she did not lose consciousness. Let's call it a moment of respiratory distraction.'

Bernard confirmed that once emergency services, arrived, they put Bardot, 88, on oxygen 'and stayed to watch her' for a while.

Worries: Brigitte Bardot, 88, suffered breathing issues as emergency services rushed to her home in St Tropez on Wednesday, her husband confirmed (stock image)

All is well! The French actress's husband, Bernard d'Ormale, confirmed the news and clarified what happened shortly after the incident occurred at their Saint-Tropez residence

He said: 'Like all people of a certain age, she can no longer bear the heat. It happens at 88 years old. She must not make useless efforts.'

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Brigitte for further information.

Bardot starred in 47 films before she quit the movie industry in 1973.

Born and raised in Paris, she was an aspiring ballerina before she started working as a fashion model and actress.

Bardot was just 15 when she graced the cover of Elle magazine in 1950, which launched her acting career. Shortly after, she met her first husband, filmmaker Roger Vadim, at an audition.

She didn't get the role, but she and Vadim fell madly in love. Despite the initial disapproval of her family, they married in 1952, when she was 18 and he was 24.

Bardot shot to fame and became an international sex symbol after playing a sexually liberated young woman in the 1956 film And God Created Woman.

She and Vadim divorced the following year, but they went on to work together in the 1958 movie The Night Heaven Fell.

All change: Bardot quit the movie industry in 1973 and now runs an animal sanctuary in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez

Stunning: The star was just 15 when she graced the cover of Elle magazine in 1950, which launched her acting career, and starred in 47 films before her retirement

In 1959, she tied the knot with Jacques Charrier, and they had a son, Nicolas, together before splitting up in 1962. Four years later, she wed Sachs, but they divorced in 1969.

Since retiring from acting, she has devoted herself to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, which is dedicated to animal protection.

Bardot launched the organization in Saint-Tropez, a coastal town on the French Riviera, in 1986 with money raised from selling off her jewelry.

The actress-turned-animal rights activist has been married to far-right political aide d'Ormale since 1992.

Bardot has become a controversial figure in recent years and has been fined six times for 'inciting racial hatred' with her writings about animal abuse.

In 2019, she launched a rambling attack against the inhabitants of La Reunion, one of France's overseas territories spread across the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean, in response to what she saw as their mistreatment of animals.

Bardot called the Indian Ocean islanders 'savages' and was later fined 20,000, about $23,000, by a French court in 2021.

Her spokesman Bruno Jacquelin was also fined by the court in the main town of Saint-Denis de la Reunion 4,000 euros (3,400) for his role in sending the statement to several media outlets at her request.

'The natives have kept their savage genes,' the animal rights campaigner wrote in an open letter attacking the islanders for their treatment of animals, describing locals as 'degenerate savages'.

She took aim at the island's Hindu Tamil population for sacrificing goats, evoking the 'cannibalism of past centuries' as she lashed 'a degenerate population still soaked in barbarous ancestral traditions'.

Bardot, who shot to fame in the 1956 film '...And God Created Woman', has become a controversial figure, and has also been convicted in the past over her comments about Muslims.

France's then overseas territories minister Annick Girardin told her in a letter at the time after her comments on Le Reunion 'that racism is not an opinion, it's an offence'.

Didier Robert, President of the Reunion region, previously described Bardot as 'irresponsible, outrageous and contemptuous'.

He said her letter contained deeply racist terms that were 'absolutely unacceptable'.

On the mend: Bernard confirmed that once emergency services, arrived, they put Bardot, 88, on oxygen 'and stayed to watch her' for a while

During previous court appearances in France, Bardot has also received substantial fines and been forced to apologise for her bigotry.

Bardot is a close friend of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the FN, who has been convicted for anti-Semitism, racism and Holocaust denial. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, now runs the party.

Bardot quit the movie industry in 1973 and now runs an animal sanctuary in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez, where she first shot to stardom in the 1950s.

Animal rights activists say abuse of animals is common on the island and that animal sacrifice is tolerated in some religious ceremonies.
Richard Madeley had a busy Thursday as he dropped off two huge bin bags of items at Oxfam in London.

The TV presenter cut a casual figure for the outing in a crisp white short sleeved T-shirt and a pair of blue denim jeans.

Good Morning Britain host Richard kept comfy in a pair of grey trainers and clutched onto a crossbody leather brown bag.

Richard was spotted climbing out of his cream Beetle convertible donning a pair of dark sunglasses and pulled out the two bags of goods from the back seat.

The star carried the heavy bags into the charity shop before departing a few minutes later beaming.

Good deed: Richard Madeley had a busy Thursday as he dropped off two huge bin bags of items at Oxfam in London

Wow: The TV presenter cut a casual figure for the outing in a crisp white short sleeved T-shirt and a pair of blue denim jeans

It comes after Richard revealed his wife Judy Finnigan is sleeping in the spare room on Good Morning Britain.

The TV presenter explained how Judy, 74, was forced to leave their bedroom because of a mouse.

Speaking to co-host Charlotte Hawkins about the pest problem, Richard said: 'I was saying earlier that Judy is now sleeping in the spare room because we have got this mouse in the bedroom now.

'It comes out from the bed at about 11pm every night on the dot, virtually to the second.

'I've set traps and I have put boxes out and a lot of people are saying peanut butter. 'But I have tried peanut butter and it stinks.'

Charlotte then revealed Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, brought his cat to Downing Street to scare off the mice.

She explained: 'He's brought his cat, Attlee, down to do this. The speaker said Attlee has been going around to check there were not any mice around, and there were absolutely none.

'So you need to have a word with Sir Lindsay Hoyle and say can you borrow Attlee for the day.'

Richard quipped: 'Apparently he's an ace mouser, thank you very much indeed.'

Looking good: He kept comfy in a pair of grey trainers and clutched onto a crossbody leather brown bag and a newspaper

Amazing: Richard was spotted climbing out of his cream convertible donning a pair of dark sunglasses

Good deed: The star carried the heavy bags into the charity shop before departing a few minutes later beaming.

Casual: He headed to the other side of the vehicle and pulled out the two bags of goods from the back seat

Home time: The TV star later tucked his sunglasses into his white T-shirt as he returned to his car

Out and about: Richard made the outing solo without his wife Judy Finnigan
Oppenheimer (15, 180 mins)

Verdict: Jaw-dropping

Rating:

At the London premiere of Oppenheimer, writer-director Christopher Nolan, prior to walking out in solidarity with the strike by Hollywood actors and writers, told the audience that he expected people to be blown away by his film.

It was a worthy sentiment, clumsily expressed. Nolans keenly awaited picture tells the riveting story of J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the brilliant theoretical physicist who ran the top-secret Los Alamos compound in New Mexico spearheading Americas Manhattan Project. That was the name given to the development of atomic weapons and most notably the devastating bombs dropped on Japan in 1945.

Yet three hours after rolling my eyes at the English directors choice of words, they were wide with wonder at the scale of his accomplishment.

Oppenheimer is a stunningly well-made film, with one scene (you can guess which) that is genuinely jaw dropping in its intensity. Nolan received an Academy Award nomination for Dunkirk (2017) but must surely now be favourite to go one better. Lets just hope that the current turmoil doesnt scupper next years awards season, because Oppenheimer is the kind of achievement for which glittering statuettes exist.

Cillian Murphy leads an all-star cast in Christopher Nolan's biopic Oppenheimer

It tells the riveting story of J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the brilliant theoretical physicist who ran the top-secret Los Alamos compound in New Mexico

Nolan adapted his screenplay from a 2005 biography, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, which won a Pulitzer Prize for its authors Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin. I cant speak for the book but on screen the story really has four components: the race to create atomic weapons ahead of the Nazis; the attempt to stop nuclear secrets falling into the hands of Americas wartime ally, Soviet Russia; the post-war campaign to besmirch Oppenheimer for his own alleged Communist affiliations; and finally, his messy private life.

Its a complicated tale that Nolan doesnt particularly try to simplify. Whisking us forward and backward in time, from Oppys time as a student at Cambridge University in the 1930s to the 1954 security hearing in Washington DC where he is effectively on trial, the director trusts his audience to grasp what is going on.

Its not always easy. I confess that my own understanding of quantum mechanics, nuclear fission and related topics is approximately the breadth of an atom, maybe even a split atom, but I didnt mind being occasionally baffled. This is grown-up storytelling of the highest quality.

The acting is commensurately wonderful, led by Murphy, who inhabits the title role as completely as he does that of Tommy Shelby in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders. Robert Downey Jr is similarly excellent as Lewis Strauss, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and arguably, apart from the unseen Nazis and a Soviet spy, the nearest thing this film has to a villain.

Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock and Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer, which opens in cinemas tomorrow

The acting is commensurately wonderful, led by Murphy, who inhabits the title role as completely as he does that of Tommy Shelby in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders

But everywhere you look there are terrific actors at the top of their game, including Matt Damon as the army officer who recruits Oppenheimer to set up Los Alamos, Gary Oldman (as President Truman), Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, Casey Affleck and, perfectly convincing as Albert Einstein, dear old Tom Conti.

If the film has a flaw, it is perhaps that the female parts are underwritten. But Emily Blunt makes the most of her screen time as Oppenheimers wife, Kitty; ditto Florence Pugh as his emotionally fragile mistress, Jean Tatlock. Both women are former card-carrying members of the American Communist Party, and Oppenheimers own leftist sympathies are scrutinised after the war, understandably so even in the febrile McCarthyite era.

Nolan, however, doesnt mind showing his own cards. He plainly sees Oppenheimer as a flawed hero, absolved by this film of being anything other than an American patriot who understands better than anyone the murky ethics around the development of a nuclear arsenal. I dont know if we can be trusted with such a weapon, he says. But I know the Nazis cant.

The scene in which we see the weapon detonated, in a test in the desert near the Los Alamos laboratory, is, I dont mind asserting, one of the most thunderously powerful pieces of cinema in the entire history of the medium.

But beyond that virtuoso moment, much of Oppenheimer unfolds like a thriller, while not swerving profound questions about the morality of laying Hiroshima and Nagasaki to nuclear waste. I despair at the inordinate length of many films these days, yet even at three hours this one never seems unreasonably long. There is an awful lot of story to tell, and Nolan tells it magnificently.
Emily Ratajkowski showed off her new scarlet locks as she stepped out in New York City wearing a cleavage-boosting green dress on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old DNA Model flaunted her ample assets and phenomenal 5ft7in figure in the skintight rock, which she paired with nude stilettos - with the outing coming a day after Benny Safdie broke his silence on sexual assault claims against her ex Sebastian Bear-McClard.

Emily was glued to her iPhone while listening to something on old-school Apple EarPod headphones.

Ratajkowski - who boasts 41.1M social media followers - first revealed she decided to go 'red for summer' in a since-deleted TikTok video of herself riding the subway on Tuesday.

'It's something Emily hasn't done before,' hairstylist Jenna Perry told InStyle on Wednesday.

New look: Emily Ratajkowski showed off her new scarlet locks as she stepped out in New York City wearing a cleavage-boosting green dress on Wednesday

'Because I know this is a temporary thing for Emily, I didn't want to do anything too permanent and high maintenance if she goes back to her classic brunette shade. Now that it's summer, this color is hard to maintain. It can oxidize in the sun or through washing [many times].'

The outing comes after Safdie addressed the sexual misconduct and grooming allegations against Emily's estranged husband Bear-McClard, whom his production company Elara Pictures fired a year ago.

'It's disgusting, and when you find out something about somebody that you didn't realize, you just have to be much more careful,' the 37-year-old filmmaker told GQ Hype on Tuesday.

'It's a lot, and it's not something that you want to have happen to anybody. And when you find it out, the one thing that you can do is really just take control.'

On September 8, Ratajkowski filed for divorce from the Independent Spirit Award-nominated producer, with whom she co-parents two-year-old son Sylvester Apollo Bear.

Sebastian allegedly destroyed their four-year marriage by being a 'serial cheater.'

Babe: The 32-year-old DNA Model flaunted her ample assets and phenomenal 5ft7in figure in the skintight knee-length frock, which she paired with a chainmail purse and nude stilettos

Out and about! Emily was glued to her iPhone while listening to something on old-school Apple EarPod headphones

'Sometimes you just need a change you know?' Ratajkowski - who boasts 41.1M social media followers - first revealed she decided to go 'red for summer' in a since-deleted TikTok video of herself riding the subway on Tuesday

'It's disgusting': Oppenheimer actor Benny Safdie (2-R, pictured in 2020) just addressed the sexual misconduct and grooming allegations against Emily's estranged husband Sebastian Bear-McClard (2-L), whom his production company Elara Pictures fired a year ago

The 37-year-old filmmaker (pictured in 2022) told GQ Hype on Tuesday: 'When you find out something about somebody that you didn't realize, you just have to be much more careful. It's a lot, and it's not something that you want to have happen to anybody. And when you find it out, the one thing that you can do is really just take control'

Final family portrait in May 2022: On September 8, Ratajkowski filed for divorce from the Independent Spirit Award-nominated producer, with whom she co-parents two-year-old son Sylvester Apollo Bear

Now streaming! On Tuesday, The History of the World: Part II actress dropped her High Low podcast episode featuring Grammy-nominated Brazilian songstress Anitta (L, pictured June 14)

The History of the World: Part II actress famously wed Bear-McClard at a New York City courthouse in February 2018 - just two months after she ended her three-year, live-in relationship with music producer Jeff Magid.

These days, Emily has been enjoying the single life having been pictured on 'situationship' dates with DJ Orazio Rispo, comedian Eric Andre, SNL alum Pete Davidson, and artist Jack Greer.

On Tuesday, Ratajkowski dropped her High Low podcast episode featuring Grammy-nominated Brazilian songstress Anitta.

The Courreges FW/23 catwalker also keeps busy running her six-year-old bikini brand Inamorata with her BFF/co-founder Kat Mendenhall.

But Emily first found fame as a topless model in Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams' 2013 music video for Blurred Lines.
Gwyneth Paltrow has touched on how difficult it can be for a woman to age in the United States.

The 50-year-old Oscar-winning actress maintained that most women 'want' to grow older naturally without the held of cosmetic surgery.

Her mother, film and stage actress Blythe Danner, 80, is a great example of that.

But the wife of Brad Falchuk added that often women feel they cannot let nature take its course as there is a 'culture problem' where women are made to feel bad if they look older.

The Iron Man actress made her comments to British Vogue to plug her brand GOOP.

Still hot: Gwyneth Paltrow has touched on how difficult it can be for a woman to age in the United States. The Oscar-winning actress maintained that most women 'want' to grow older naturally without the held of cosmetic surgery. Her mother, film and stage actress Bylthe Danner, is a great example of that

Natural woman: But the wife of Brad Falchuk added that often women feel they cannot like nature take its course as there is a 'culture problem' in America where women are made to feel bad if they look older while men are not

'I think it's culture's problem. It's not ours!' she claimed.

'As women, we want to be healthy, we want to be aging. This idea that we're supposed to be frozen in time is so weird.'

And she named a Hollywood star who has aged beautifully without the nips and tucks.

'I love it when I hear somebody like Andie MacDowell, with her beautiful grey curls, talking about embracing aging and the difference between how we handle a George Clooney [compared to how most women are perceived],' she said.

'It's handsome to go grey [as a man], but for women it's like, "What do you plan to do about your wrinkles and your aging skin?"'

She quickly added, 'But again, we want to be aging! I think we want to be setting examples of how you can age.'

Paltrow was also careful to not shame women who prefer to get help with surgery.

'They should do it how they want to do it,' said the mother of two - she shares Apple and Moses with ex-husband Chris Martin.

'Some women want to address every single thing aesthetically, and some women want to be a fabulous French grandmother who doesn't ever do anything,' shared the fitness expert.

She doesn't want wrinkles: The Iron Man actress made her comments to British Vogue to plug her brand GOOP. Here the icon posed with 'eye masks' to 'lift + depuff'

She does all she can do: She puts balm on her face, left, and the red carpet fixture uses a sleep mask for her beauty sleep

'Everybody should be empowered to do it how they want to,' she explained.

But clearly she does care about looking youthful.

She recently chatted up Goop's Youth Boost Peptide Serum.

On her website it says: 'For youthful, healthy-looking skin, this powerful, clinically tested all-in-one serum takes a 360-degree approach to target key signs of agingwrinkles, hyperpigmentation, texture, firmness, elasticity, radiance, barrier support, and more.

The results surprised even plastic surgeon Dr. Julius Few, who conducted the clinical trials.

'These are some of the most powerful results weve ever seen with a topical treatment,' said Few.

Gwyneth also said. 'I saw a noticeable difference in my skin after trying it for a week, and the results only got better from there. The before-and-afters are pretty amazing to look atthe way it works for every skin typeand along with all the visible benefits, I love how moisturizing it is.'

New product: She recently chatted up Goop's Youth Boost Peptide Serum. On her website it says: 'For youthful, healthy-looking skin, this powerful, clinically tested all-in-one serum takes a 360-degree approach to target key signs of agingwrinkles, hyperpigmentation, texture, firmness, elasticity, radiance, barrier support, and more

Made with peptides to address the look of wrinkles, ceramides and bifidus postbiotics for barrier support, phytoactive paracress and astaxanthin-rich microalgae for firming and lifting, and black tea ferment and niacinamide for glow and a more even complexion, along with safflower oleosomes and dragons blood to moisturize, the serum 'works beautifully for all ages, all skin tones, and all skin types (including sensitive),' it was added.

'It was about asking how we age, naturally and beautifully, and without being afraid, but still preserving ourselves as best as possible,' she told British Vogue.

'I don't want to erase time from the life I've lived, and I don't have to be wrinkle free. But I do think that trying to maintain skin texture and luminosity is great,' she continued. 'This serum has all kinds of amazing things in it, including super peptides.'
Ahead of the highly-anticipated Barbie movie release this week, Greta Gerwig has explained how she hopes the film challenges existing stereotypes.

The actor-writer-director, 39, spoke about her new film while posing for the front cover of ELLE UK magazine.

Speaking on how she hopes that Barbie subverts sexist stereotypes, Greta said: '[Barbie is] literally plastic. She's unchanging. If you threw [her] out, she just wouldn't disintegrate. If I could give that persona some humanity, some falling-apart-ness, that  in and of itself  would be meaningful.

'In this sort of double mirror of the movie, Margot Robbie is also a person we expect to be perfect. What does that mean that we also do that? Is she allowed to fall apart and be vulnerable?'

On how Barbie was a very personal project: 'Even though it's about Barbie, it felt incredibly personal. Just as personal as anything else I've made. It starts off in a place where there is no aging, no death, no shame, no separation.

Opening up: Ahead of the highly-anticipated Barbie movie release this week, Greta Gerwig has explained how she hopes the film challenges existing stereotypes

Stunning: The actor-writer-director, 39, spoke about her new film while posing for the front cover of ELLE UK magazine

'That's an oldie but a goodie. Because I went to Catholic school, that story of Eve and Adam suddenly realising they are naked really stuck with me.

'My mom wasn't crazy about Barbie. It wasn't something that felt, necessarily, approved, which made it more intriguing. Part of the reason I think I was so intrigued [by this project] is because, not even intellectually, but from deep inside, I understand the counter-arguments. That feels rich.'

Opening up about her current stage of life, Greta added: 'I'm about to be 40 and there's something about that where you're like: 'Oh! I'm properly middle aged now.' All parts of life feel extremely activated.'

Barbie struck a high note with critics, who called the upcoming film 'dazzling' in early reviews.

Critics who viewed the flick have shared their thoughts on Rotten Tomatoes , with one describing the highly-anticipated Margot Robbie film as 'one of the most entertaining movies of the year.'

The Barbie movie is set to land in theaters on July 21, with Margot, 33, leading the cast as the eponymous Barbie doll alongside her boyfriend Ken, played by Ryan Gosling , 42.

Critics also praised director Greta Gerwig, 39, for achieving 'a pleasing balance between the silly and the serious.'

'This is a truly original work - one of the smartest, funniest, sweetest, most insightful and just plain flat-out entertaining movies of the year,' Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gushed.

On how Barbie was a very personal project: 'Even though it's about Barbie, it felt incredibly personal. Just as personal as anything else I've made'

Opening up about her current stage of life, Greta added: 'I'm about to be 40 and there's something about that where you're like: 'Oh! I'm properly middle aged now.' All parts of life feel extremely activated'

Aside from Robbie and Gosling, other members of the cast include Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Ariana Greenblatt, Ana Cruz Kayne, Alexandra Shipp, Ritu Arya, Sharon Rooney, Connor Swindells, Scott Evans and Jamie Demetriou.

New: The full interview is included in the new copy of Elle UK

IMDB synopsis of the movie reads: 'A doll living in 'Barbieland' is expelled for not being perfect enough and sets off on an adventure in the real world. A Live-action feature film based on the popular line of Barbie toys.'

For the Australian actress, bringing the beloved children's toy to life was slightly daunting due to mixed feelings about what the doll represents .

Speaking on a pre-recorded interview with Good Morning America on Tuesday, the actress explained: 'I was both scared and excited by the idea that people were gonna come into this movie already feeling very strongly about the protagonist.'

Robbie promised the film would be far from 'surface level' thanks to the script and direction by Greta Gerwig.

The actress continued: 'I think in a lot of other hands, a Barbie movie would remain surface level.

'But I knew Greta was gonna have a lot to say, and I knew she was gonna Trojan Horse a lot of - big issues within a very fun world.'

Dream team: Critics applauded director Greta Gerwig, 39 (pictured center) for achieving 'a pleasing balance between the silly and the serious'; The trio pictured on June 25 in Los Angeles

Barbie world: The Barbie movie is set to land in theaters on July 21, with Margot, 33, leading the cast as the eponymous Barbie doll alongside her boyfriend Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, 42

Revealing her hopes for the movie, the Wolf of Wall Street star stated: 'I hope people walk away... I hope that they feel good about themselves watching it.

'I feel like there's some sorta relief in this movie and that the message ultimately is, 'You're good. You're good as you are.''

Barbie will hit the theaters on July 21 and will see stiff competition from Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer  set to be released on the same day  which critics have hailed as a 'total knockout' and 'spectacular achievement' following its premiere in Paris.

Oppenheimer features an all-star cast and is led by Cillian Murphy, who plays the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer., also known as the father of the Atomic bomb.
Jodie Kidd reunited with her famous godfather George Lazenby in a sweet snap on Wednesday.

The model, 44, took to Instagram to share the cute picture of her 007 godfather, 83, kissing her on the cheek.

George was the second actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond in the film series.

The TV presenter jetted off to Los Angeles to shoot her new film and while she was around, she visited the Australian actor.

George looked to be in good health and spirits as he kissed his godchild on the cheek for their sweet snap.

Cute! Jodie Kidd reunited with her famous godfather George Lazenby in a sweet snap on Wednesday

She captioned her post: 'What a whirlwind of a trip to LA, cant wait to show you my new film.'

'And then the cherry on the cake is I got to hang out with my most wonderful Godfather. The love I have for this man is otherworldly, planning Christmas Georgy.'

Fans gushed to the comments after they recognised the famous actor to praise him and wrote: 'My joint favourite Bond with Daniel.'

'Love George and love that film. One of the greatest Bond films made. Cannot ski down a slope without hearing that incredible soundtrack'

'What a great picture. Becoming Bond is one of our favourite films of late. Actually brought a tear to my eye. @georgelazenbyofficial'

'Please give him a handshake from me, one of my favourite Bond films, wish he'd made more'

'Im in the minority, but believe his is the best Bond film.'

'Thought he was great as Bond and OHMSS is still my favourite'

007: The 83-year-old star played 007 in the 1969 movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Amazed: Fans gushed to the comments of Jodie's post to praise her Australian Godfather

Dapper: Australian actor George was seen working a dark pinstriped three-piece suit in March when he hit a pre Oscar bash in Los Angeles

Upcoming: The TV presenter jetted off to LA to film her new film and while she was around, she visited the Australian actor (pictured in June)

George was last seen in March working a dark pinstriped three-piece suit when he hit a pre Oscar bash in Los Angeles.

The model previously revealed returning to a quiet life in the countryside helped her 'curb' her anxiety' after quitting the modelling industry to to protect her mental health.

Jodie burst onto the fashion scene when she was just 16, after being spotted on a beach in Barbados by photographer Terry O'Neil, and fronted campaigns for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Chloe.

Three years after suffering a horrific panic attack during a catwalk at 19, Jodie quit the industry all together, eventually moving from London to her hometown in West Sussex.

She now lives near Kirdford with son Indio, 11, and told the Mirror that after going through some 'very dark times' she's managed to 'get on top of' her anxiety.

'Back then, no one really talked about mental health but now everyone's a lot more open about it, which is really important,' she said.

Jodie has put 'blood, sweat and tears' into The Half Moon, and admitted that while there have been challenges due to the pandemic, purchasing the pub was one of the best decisions she's made.
Love Island's Lana Jenkins flaunted her figure in a blue mesh dress as she attended the ITV Summer Party at The Mandrake Hotel in London on Wednesday.

The reality star, 25, put on a very leggy display as she styled a gorgeous long dress with plunging neckline and ruffled detailing.

Mixed in with flashes of yellow, green and orange, the makeup artist flashed her left leg while complementing the dress with a pair of silver shiny heels.

Lana, who was smiling from to ear, as she completed the summery look with a simple black leather handbag.

Sharing the look with her Instagram followers prior to the event, Lana posed for a mirror selfie as she showed off her finished look.

Stunning: Love Island's Lana Jenkins flaunted her figure in a blue mesh dress as she attended the ITV Summer Party at The Mandrake Hotel in London on Wednesday

Beaming: The reality star, 25, put on a very leggy display as she styled a gorgeous long dress with plunging neckline and ruffled detailing

The snaps come after Lana recently showcased her toned figure in some stunning social media snaps while on holiday in the Cotswolds.

Donning a skimpy black bikini she enjoyed a dip in the pool as she posed in an oversized pair of shades.

Joking about the British summer climate, she captioned the snap 'Thank god it was a heated pool'.

Perhaps showing her ex what he's missing the star showed no sign of heartbreak after it was revealed earlier in July that she has split from her boyfriend Ron Hall after three months together.

The couple met on the winter season of the show earlier this year however they sadly ended their romance after struggling with the distance between them, plus their increasingly hectic work schedules.

Lana is Manchester based while Ron lives in Essex and despite their efforts, they couldn't find a way of making their relationship work long term.

Ron became the first partially sighted contestant to star on Love Island and told MailOnline ahead of his appearance on the ITV dating show that he hoped to find a partner that could also be his best friend.

They finished in second place during the show's final in March after being beaten to the 50,000 prize by winners Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan, who are still in a relationship.

All glammed up: The star completed the look with a pair of silver heels and black leather hand bag

From behind: Lana turned around to reveal cut out detailing in the back of the summery number

Cheeky pout: Lana shared her look with her Instagram followers as she posed for a mirror selfie, drawing attention to her ample cleavage

Hot stuff: Lana looked incredible in a skimpy black bikini on Tuesday as she enjoyed a dip in the pool during a sunny getaway to The Cotswolds

Shock split: Lana met Ron (pictured) on the winter season of the show earlier this year however they sadly ended their romance after struggling with the distance between them (pictured in April)

A source told MailOnline: 'Lana and Ron really put everything into their romance and have tried to make things work for some time now.

'Unfortunately, they have decided to separate, which is a decision they have made amicably and of course, they still remain good friends.

'Commuting from Manchester to Essex and back again whenever they wanted to spend time together, as well as managing their work commitments just proved too difficult.'

They were coupled up from the beginning and despite having their heads turned by new arrivals at the villa, the pair would always gravitate back to each other.
She rose to fame through her stint in the Love Island villa in 207.

And Georgia Harrison proudly showed off her figure in a vamped-up look at the ITV Summer Party in London on Wednesday.

The reality star, 28, put on a leggy display in a daring black mini dress with a sheer skirt and plunging bustier front as she arrived for the occasion.

Georgia flaunted her incredible cleavage in the dress, which boasted a skintight bustier front and a frilled sheer skirt.

Her dress was covered with delicate pearl sequins and floral embroidery, and finished her look with a matching clutch bag.

Sexy! Georgia Harrison vamped it up in a busty black embroidered mini dress with a sheer skirt as she arrived for ITV's Summer Party in London on Wednesday

Revealing! The reality star put on a leggy display in a daring black mini dress with a sheer skirt and plunging bustier front as she arrived for the occasion

Daring! Georgia flaunted her incredible cleavage in the dress, which boasted a skintight bustier front and a frilled sheer skirt

A slew of ITV stars headed to the channel's annual summer party, with names including Lorraine Kelly, Robert Rinder, Richard Madeley and AJ Odudu in attendance.

It comes after Georgia admitted she will never be the 'same person' again after her horrific Stephen Bear revenge porn ordeal.

She was left devastated when her ex Stephen, 33, uploaded footage of them having sex to his OnlyFans account without her consent.

Former Celebrity Big Brother star Stephen made 2,000 from it and was jailed for 21 months in March for voyeurism and two counts of 'revenge porn'.

Now, Georgia has told how she has been forever 'changed' by the ordeal and said she will never be the same person that she was before.

She told how the experience has made her more 'resilient' and that she has been rebuilding her confidence after the ordeal took a toll on her mental health.

She told The Sun: 'I'll never be the same person as I was before, these things definitely do change you.

'But humans are constantly evolving at each stages in their life, no matter what sort of pushes them to be a new version of themselves, so I definitely don't feel I'm the same person as I was but I feel really really confident and happy in myself and happy with the stage in my life that I'm in.'

Glam: A slew of ITV stars headed to the channel's annual summer party, including Lorraine Kelly, Robert Rinder, Richard Madeley and AJ Odudu

Say cheese! On her way to the party, Georgia posed for a beaming selfie with a fan

Tough time: It comes after Georgia admitted she will never be the 'same person' again after her horrific Stephen Bear revenge porn ordeal

Scary: She was left devastated when her ex Stephen Bear uploaded footage of them having sex to his OnlyFans account without her consent

Georgia compared the revenge porn ordeal to grieving and said her emotions have come in 'waves' and that she has had to be 'patient' with herself.

'I always say victims of image-based sexual abuse, it's very similar to a grieving process, as if you lose a friend or family member,' she said.

The reality TV star said she has gone to therapy after the ordeal took a toll on her mentally, but told how she generally uses more holistic methods of healing.

She also explained how victims of sexual abuse can struggle with trust issues and told how it is has a 'knock-on effect' on her dating life, leaving her fearing that people will think of her 'differently'.

Georgia confessed that she has struggled with those thoughts but told how if the situation was reversed, she wouldn't 'judge' anyone for a revenge porn ordeal.

Amid her struggles with the horrific experience, Georgia also admitted she has been trolled online and has had to grow a thick skin to deal with the cruel comments.

After her own revenge porn ordeal, Georgia was among those to call for a change to government legislation, which was finally passed at the end of June.
Kristina Rihanoff put on a cosy display with fiance Ben Cohen during a rare appearance together on Wednesday evening as they left the ITV Summer Party.

The couple, who became engaged in November last year, looked more loved up than ever as they made their way out of the star-studded bash at London's The Mandrake Hotel.

Rugby ace Ben was seen wrapping a protective arm around his wife-to-be's shoulders before the pair then held hands as they made their way down the street.

Earlier in the evening as they arrived for the party, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina, 45, put on an animated display as she showcased her a plunging black dress.

The Russian beauty commanded attention as she posed up a storm for the cameras before heading into the event.

Loved up: Kristina Rihanoff put on a cosy display with fiance Ben Cohen during a rare appearance together on Wednesday evening as they left the ITV Summer Party

Cute: The couple, who became engaged in November last year, looked more loved up than ever as they made their way out of the star-studded bash at London's The Mandrake Hotel

She showed off her curves in her skater dress as she lifted one leg up with her hands in the air.

The dancer beamed next to her fiance Ben, 44, who donned a casual outfit for the party.

He wore a plain white T-shirt with a pair of black trousers and matched his ensemble with a white trainers.

Kristina added height to her frame with a pair of towering black platform heels.

The mum-of-one, turned heads in her black mesh organza that had a patterned sequin detailing on her midriff.

The former rugby star fell in love with the ballroom pro after they were partnered up on the 2013 series of Strictly, despite Ben being married at the time.

The couple, who share daughter Mila, six, are now looking forward to a lavish wedding in Tuscany or Oxfordshire, after years of non stop work.

He told Hello! Magazine: 'Over the last nine years we've been through the wringer'.

Devoted: Rugby ace Ben, 44, was seen wrapping a protective arm around his wife-to-be's shoulders before the pair then held hands as they made their way down the street

Happy: The pair held hands and smiled as they made their way home following the party

Gorgeous: Earlier in the evening as they arrived for the party, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina, 45, put on an animated display as she showcased her a plunging black dress

Wow! She posed up a storm in her skater dress as she lifted one leg up with her hands in the air

Stunning: The former Strictly professional commanded attention as she posed up a storm for the cameras before heading into the event

'To support each other through difficult times in business is the ultimate test in a relationship. I've watched her flourish, from her becoming a mum to growing as a businesswoman, and it has strengthened our bond.'

They told the magazine that they plan to make the big day a family affair with Mila and Ben's twin daughters from a previous relationship, Harriette and Isabelle, 15, as bridesmaids.

Kristina said: 'Mila can't wait, She's already told me what she's going to wear. 'I want this kind of dress, Mummy, with a long train like you will have,' she tells me. She certainly knows her own mind.'

It comes after the pair revealed they gotten engaged during a sun-soaked Maldives getaway last year.

Releasing a picture of the big moment, Kristina said Ben getting down on one knee was 'the biggest surprise of my life'.

They had taken a boat trip to a neighbouring island, when Kristina saw a heart made up of lit lanterns and the words 'Will you marry me?' written in the sand.

Loved-up: The dancer beamed next to her fiance Ben, who donned a casual outfit for the party

Doting: He wore a plain white T-shirt with a pair of black trousers and matched his ensemble with a white trainers

Sensational: The mum-of-one, turned heads in her black mesh organza that had a patterned sequin detailing on her midriff

Ready to tie the knot: The couple, who share daughter Mila, six, are now looking forward to a lavish wedding in Tuscany or Oxfordshire

Ben and Kristina struggled during the pandemic, with their SooYoga holistic wellbeing business suffering due to lockdown.

They previously revealed that they had not gotten any financial support from the government at the time, meaning their mental health also took a hit.

Referring to the problems they encountered, Kristina said: 'It's easy to love someone when everything's rosy but it's a different story when life becomes a challenge.'

Ben added: 'Every love story has its honeymoon period but that eventually goes.

'Love has different meanings and for me, that's a relationship with a partner who's been through difficult times with me and together we move forward. She's the person I want in my life forever.'
Ekin-Su Culculoglu risked another awkward run-in with her ex Davide Sanclimenti as they both attended the ITV Summer Party on Wednesday.

Just a week after the former couple's toe-curling reunion at the Barbie premiere, the pair were seen departing the glitzy TV bash just minutes apart.

Ekin-Su and Davide's romance came to a dramatic end in June when Davide, 28, announced they had split after 11 months together amid continued speculation over his behaviour throughout their relationship.

The Turkish beauty, 28, slipped into a gorgeous blue one-shouldered mini dress and put on a defiant display as she threw her fists into the air upon leaving.

To complete her look, Ekin-Su teamed her dress with silver strapped heels and a nude leather clutch bag.

Oh no! Ekin-Su Culculoglu risked another awkward run-in with her ex Davide Sanclimenti as they both attended the ITV Summer Party on Wednesday

Success: The Turkish beauty, 28, slipped into a gorgeous blue one-shouldered mini dress and put on a defiant display as she threw her fists into the air upon leaving

Meanwhile Davide, also solo, donned a plunging nude shirt and black trousers for the evening.

Last week, the couple endured a painfully awkward reunion when they both walked the pink carpet for the Barbie premiere.

The former couple clapped eyes on each other at the A-list event just meters away from the film's big star Margot Robbie before Ekin mouthed 'oh wow' and warned Davide with a glaring stare not to come any closer.

In a TikTok video, the pair came face to face as they soaked up the atmosphere but avoided speaking before Davide quickly turned his back on his ex-partner.

Following their breakup, which Davide announced on Instagram last month, the Italian was captured on video 'sniffing a white suspicious powder' in Ibiza, later telling his fanbase that the past few weeks have been 'difficult'.

A source told MailOnline: 'Davide spent the beginning of the week moving out of the London flat he shared with Ekin.

'He's had a terrible time since their split from having to find a new place to live back in Manchester and the added stress of being betrayed by someone he trusted while on holiday.

'Davide and Ekin have always loved the excitement of film premieres and attending them together, so it was a sad moment to be at the Barbie opening but not as a couple.

Drama! Ekin-Su and Davide's romance came to a dramatic end in June when Davide announced they had split after 11 months together

Stunning: To complete her look, Ekin-Su teamed her dress with silver strapped heels

Beaming: Ekin-Su appeared unfazed by recent drama as she flashed a huge smile

Here she is! The Love Island stat playfully pulled a fun pose

Fun night: Ekin-Su was glowing as she made her way home

Alone: Arriving at the event Davide, solo, donned a plunging nude shirt and black trousers

'He's now gone home to Italy to spend some much-needed time with his family.'

The former couple were repeatedly rocked by rumours that Davide was unfaithful, but Ekin stood by him until the bitter end when he allegedly 'blindsided' her by announcing their breakup on social media.

Following their separation, Davide jetted to Ibiza on holiday, where he was filmed 'sniffing a suspicious white powder'.

On Tuesday, Davide released a statement admitting that he found himself in an 'awkward situation' and a 'vulnerable state'.

He said: 'You have seen some stories about me over my trip in Ibiza. It was no secret that the last few weeks have been difficult for me.

'There was speculation about my behaviour and a video which was questionable. However, below the surface of this I did something that's not nice to see and was not acting like myself.'

Oh dear! Last week, the couple endured a painfully awkward reunion when they both walked the pink carpet for the Barbie premiere (Ekin-Su pictured arriviing)

Keep away! In a TikTok video, the pair came face to face as they soaked up the atmosphere but avoided speaking before Davide quickly turned his back on his ex-partner
Kyle Sandilands' emotional argument about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament has been censored by network bosses.

The KIIS FM presenter was in full flight on Thursday morning, clashing dramatically with newsreader Brooklyn Ross on air over funding for Indigenous Australians.

'We have to actually give [Indigenous Australians] money and look after them,' said Ross.

'Nah, bulls**t!' exclaimed Sandilands, before launching into an argument about how funds should be allocated.

'How about educating people and giving people the chance to build their own life like the rest of us did?' he said.

Kyle Sandilands' (pictured) emotional argument about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament was censored by radio network bosses on Thursday morning

The on-air clash came just moments after large portions of Sandilands' comments were censored.

Sandilands strenuously objected to an alleged $34billion being allocated to Indigenous Australians and demanded to know why the money wasn't having a more positive impact.

'No one's really putting all that $34billion into fixing the real problem. They're painting houses and giving them this and that [without fixing the real problems].

'We'll rename Fraser Island!' Sandilands mocked, referring to the island reverting to its traditional name K'gari, before attacking Welcome to Country traditions.

In particular, he singled out Channel Ten's left-leaning current affairs show The Project for acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land during broadcasts.

'Look, The Project's thanking people from the past [for] using their land,' before declaring, 'These things, they're s**t!'

Sandilands strenuously objected to an alleged $34billion being allocated to Indigenous Australians and demanded to know why the money wasn't having a more positive impact. (Pictured: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)

'No one's better than anyone else. If they're treated worse, that's an issue,' Sandilands continued.

'Yep, I agree with that,' said co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, who had largely remained silent amid Sandilands' outburst.

'Thank you, Jackie,' said Sandilands sarcastically. 'Jackie's finally popped up.'

'I understand you don't want to get involved in it,' conceded the 52-year-old father-of-one. '[An] angry man and a gay man [Ross] arguing.'

'And both of us white!' he added, to laughter from Henderson.

Earlier in the show, Kyle asked his co-stars, 'What's going on in the Voice to Parliament?'

'Anyone else got an idea what the Yes/No thing is?'

When the conversation turned to Australian independent politician and outspoken Voice critic Lidia Thorpe's concerns with the referendum, Kyle became audibly irritated.

Ross claimed Thorpe wanted Australia 'becoming a Republic' as part of the proposal, causing Sandilands to erupt.

'We're not going to be changing everyone's way of life for one politician!' exclaimed Kyle.

'It's all turned into a very hard-to-follow situation.'

Later, Sandilands began to say 'I want the Aboriginals to be happy, I'm not paying their--' before he was cut off by censors for five seconds.

He returned to the air saying, 'That's what this country is about. An Indian family can migrate here 30 years ago and they're running very successful businesses.'

'Cause when you try, and you're educated, and you have some sort of path of life, then that's up to you to succeed, no matter what colour it is you are, no matter which country you come from, that's what a free country does,' he continued after the interruption.

The discussion comes amid fierce debate about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, with Australians expected to case their vote in a referendum between October and December.

Both sides of the debate have been heavily campaigning in recent weeks, with controversial Senator Lidia Thorpe pushing for a No vote.

She has said she will settle for nothing less than a treaty which recognised the sovereignty of First Nations peoples over Australia.

The on-air clash came just moments after large portions of Sandilands' comments were censored. (Pictured: KIIS FM newsreader Brooklyn Ross)

What is the Voice? An elected body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals who would give advice to the federal government. Only Australians of Indigenous heritage would be able decide the representatives. To be established, a referendum would be held and would require a majority of votes in a majority of states. Unlike the old Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission - formally abolished in 2005 with bipartisan support - the Voice would be enshrined in the Constitution. While Parliament would decide the make-up of the Voice, it would not have the power to abolish it without taking the issue to another referendum. The Voice would give advice to the cabinet and executive government about legislation, particularly proposed laws that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The Uluru Statement from the Heart - based on the input of 250 Aboriginal leaders - in 2017 called for a the 'establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution'. The Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final Report was given to former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison's government in 2021. It was co-authored by Tom Calma, a human rights activist, and Marcia Langton, an academic. Advertisement

Sandilands' comments come just one week after KIIS FM bosses heavily censored celebrity chef Pete Evans during an interview on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Evans, who destroyed his own media career by peddling misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic and sharing a 'racist' meme, appeared on KIIS FM's top-rating breakfast show last Thursday in an attempt to clear his name.

Calling into the show from his remote property in north-eastern NSW, the former My Kitchen Rules star doubled-down on his opposition to Covid vaccines, masks and social distancing.

He also cast doubt upon Covid rapid antigen tests and defended his claims about the 'healing' abilities of the $15,000 BioCharger lamps he was fined for promoting in 2020.

However most of what he said was beeped out by the station's censor.

Listeners later called into the show to weigh in on whether Evans should be censored by mainstream media, with the vast majority declaring it was time to 'un-cancel' him.

One fan said Evans should be un-cancelled because he is a 'real man' who 'stands up' for his beliefs.

Another alleged that Evans had 'gone and done the research' and 'wasn't just talking s**t', and therefore shouldn't be barred from sharing his opinions publicly, even if they are viewed as scientifically incorrect.
The Only Way Is Essex's most glamorous stars were out in force on Wendesday night, as they headed to the glitzy ITV Summer Party in London.

Leading the pack was Chloe Meadows, who flaunted her toned abs in daring black cut-out dress as she arrived for the evening.

Joining Chloe were her glam co-stars Courtney Green and Ella Rae Wise, who were equally dressed to impress for the event.

A slew of ITV stars headed to the channel's annual summer party, with names including Lorraine Kelly, Robert Rinder, Richard Madeley and AJ Odudu in attendance.

Chloe set pulses racing in a daring black dress with ab-flashing cut-outs and a sexy lace front.

Here they come! TOWIE star Chloe Meadows set pulses racing in a daring black cut-out dress, while Courtney Green opted for a daring leather look at the ITV Summer Party on Wednesday

Sensational: Ella Rae Wise put on a flirty display in a black puffball dress with an embellished halterneck, teamed with velvet platform heels

She accessorised her gorgeous dress with a gold metallic clutch bag and fun feathered heels.

Meanwhile, Ella put on a flirty display in a black puffball dress with an embellished halterneck, teamed with velvet platform heels.

Her dress boasted a fun floral neckpiece as she arrived with her pal Harry Derbidge.

Courtney opted for a sexy leather mini dress with a gorgeous feathered neckline, teamed with white platform heels.

Georgia Kousoulou cut a glamorous figure in a Barbie pink dress as she arrived with her fiance Tommy Mallet.

TOWIE's season 32 is set to air on ITVBe later on this year with 'juicy gossip, major LOL's and serious drama' being teased.

It comes after long-standing cast member Pete Wicks quit the show after seven years, MailOnline exclusively revealed.

After seven years on the show, which has seen the long-haired hunk rise to fame thanks to his relationships with former cast mates Megan McKenna, 30, Chloe Sims, 41, and Ella, 22, Pete is looking to explore fresh opportunities away from the world of reality TV.

Legs for days: Her flirty satin dress accentuated her slender pins as she posed on her way to the ITV event

Wow! Her platforms boasted colourful heels decorated with butterflies, adding a colourful twist to her outfit

Besties! Her dress boasted a fun floral neckpiece as she arrived with her pal Harry Derbidge

Date night! Georgia Kousoulou cut a glamorous figure in a Barbie pink dress as she arrived with her fiance Tommy Mallet

A source told MailOnline that Pete's departure has been a huge blow for ITVBe executives.

The show has already suffered the loss of longstanding cast member Chloe Sims, as well as her sisters Demi and Frankie, last year.

An insider revealed: 'Pete is a hugely loved member of TOWIE both among viewers and the cast.

'But it's time for him to move on now, he's slightly older than the rest of the cast, and he's hoping to achieve more in his career after being on the show for such a long time.
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The trailer for the film A Haunting in Venice premiered on Wednesday.

The supernatural mystery is based on the an Agatha Christie novel called Hallowe'en Party, released in 1969.

Kenneth Branagh plays Detective Hercule Poirot who attends a seance held by psychic Mrs. Reynolds, played by Michelle Yeoh, at a decaying palazzo in Venice post World War II - which ends up going horribly wrong.

Tina Fey's character Ariadne Oliver convinced the Detective to watch the seance with her to 'spot the con I can't,' because she did not believe in psychics.

'I've seen a million of these so-called psychics. Each one are fake,' Ariadne tells the Detective during a meet up.

Creepy: The trailer for the film A Haunting in Venice premiered on Wednesday. The supernatural mystery is based on the an Agatha Christie novel called Hallowe'en Party, released in 1969

Ominous: Kenneth Branagh plays Detective Hercule Poirot who attends a seance held by psychic Mrs. Reynolds, played by Michelle Yeoh, at a decaying palazzo in Venice post World War II - which ends up going horribly wrong

'I do not believe in psychics,' he tells her, before she asks him to join her during one as a viewer.

The seance is held for one of the attendees to talk to her dead daughter Alicia.

Mrs. Reynolds tells him: 'Detective, you are here to discredit me but I can talk to the dead.'

'I'd give all I had to hear my daughter's voice,' one of the attendees said at the seance.

'If someone wants to be heard, we are here. Listening,' Mrs. Reynolds says in the seance.

A chandelier breaks and a number of other spooky things occur before Mrs. Reynolds opens her mouth and is heard talking in a young girl's voice the word 'Mama' to the shock of the grieving parent.

'Alicia? What is happening?' the parent says, as the Detective looks on in shock.

Mrs. Reynolds appears to be possessed by the dead child, as she starts spinning in a circle on her chair screaming 'murderer!'

Spooky: Tina Fey's character Ariadne Oliver convinces the Detective to watch the seance with her to 'spot the con I can't,' because she did not believe in psychics

Pulled into the chaos: 'I've seen a million of these so-called psychics. Each one are fake,' Ariadne tells the Detective during a meet up

Begin: The seance is held for one of the attendees to talk to her dead daughter Alicia

Shock: 'I'd give all I had to hear my daughter's voice,' one of the attendees said at the seance

Ask and you shall receive: A chandelier breaks and a number of other spooky things occur before Mrs. Reynolds opens her mouth and is heard talking in a young girl's voice the word 'Mama' to the shock of the grieving parent

Moments later, a women's body appears to be drowning as chaos unfolds and Ariadne screams in utter terror.

'Somebody's dead,' the Detective proclaims.

'No one shall leave this place until I know who did it,' he adds ominously.

One attendee says 'A ghost killed her.'

'There must be a rational answer for all of this,' the Detective says.

A masked individual of a boat is pictured.

'Just admit that your up against something bigger than you,' Ariadne says.

The detective is seen looking closely at a water facet before he is then pushed into a sink full of water and unable to breathe.

It turns out that water was a hallucination but as he lifts his heads up from peering at the faucet he sees a girl with wet hair standing behind him in the mirror, who disappears when he turns around.

Fear: Moments later, a women's body appears to be drowning as chaos unfolds and Ariadne screams in utter terror

Hidden: A masked individual of a boat is pictured

Eerie: Alicia's mom is seen terrified standing in the rain looking at something with a ghostly figure behind her

Terrifying: The detective is seen looking closely at a water facet before he is then pushed into a sink full of water and unable to breathe. It turns out that water was a hallucination but as he lifts his heads up from peering at the faucet he sees a girl with wet hair standing behind him in the mirror, who disappears when he turns around

Who is it: He spots a young girl behind a doorway, to which he tells her 'You have been hiding here all this time'

Mysterious: Ariadne comes up behind him and says, 'Who are you talking to?' turning back around and seeing the girl had disappeared

'You were saying?' Mrs. Reynolds says.

'Something in this house tried to kill me,' the Detective is heard saying, as Ariadne tells him not to look at her at the culprit - 'we're old friends.'

'Every murderer is someone's old friend,' he says.

Alicia's mom is seen terrified standing in the rain looking at something with a ghostly figure behind her.

'No one shall leave until I found if the living has been killed by the dead,' Detective Poirot added.

He spots a young girl behind a doorway, to which he tells her 'You have been hiding here all this time.'

Ariadne comes up behind him and says, 'Who are you talking to?' turning back around and seeing the girl had disappeared.

Kenneth has starred in three Agatha Christie adapted films as Detective Hercule Poirot: Murder on the Orient Express in 2017, Death of the Nile in 2022 and now A Haunting in Venice.

A Haunting in Venice is set to be released on September 15; it also stars Jamie Dornan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly and Camille Cottin.
Leni Klum shared a look into her summer getaway by posting an image on her Instagram Story on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old fashion industry figure posed for a photo while on a boating trip, during which she proudly held a fish for the cameras.

The daughter of Heidi Klum, who recently wore form-hugging lingerie in a sultry snap, showed off her toned figure in a form-revealing brown bikini top.

Leni paired her top with a matching bottom that showed off her svelte thighs during her time on the water.

The model wore a pair of goggles with an attached snorkel, and had her blonde locks cascading down her back.

On the water: Leni Klum, 19, shared a look into her summer getaway by sharing an image on her Instagram Story on Wednesday

The media personality is no stranger to publicly showing off her toned form, as she has embarked on a modeling career over the past few years.

Leni made her debut as a model in 2020, when she appeared alongside her mother on the cover of Vogue Germany at the age of 16.

She has since appeared in promotional campaigns for various brands, including Dior Beauty, Fila and Intimissi, among others.

The fashion industry personality's mother previously spoke to People and voiced her approval of her child's career choice.

The America's Got Talent Judge told the media outlet that 'I'm very proud of my daughter and her modeling' during her sit-down.

Leni's stepfather Seal has also expressed his support for his stepdaughter and recently told E! News that he was 'so proud of everything that Leni has done.'

The media figure spoke about her first modeling gig during an interview with People, where she discussed her introduction to the fashion world.

'I've always gone to work with my mom and thought, "This looks so fun. She looks so happy while she's working,"' she said.

Starting off strong: Leni made her debut as a model in 2020, when she appeared alongside her mother on the cover of Vogue Germany at the age of 16

Working hard: She has since appeared in promotional campaigns for various brands, including Dior Beauty, Fila and Intimissi, among others

Speaking her mind: The media figure spoke about her first modeling gig during an interview with People, where she discussed her introduction to the fashion world; she is seen in 2021

Three beauties: Last month Leni was pictured with Heidi and her grandmother Erna in a snap shared by her supermodel mom to Instagram

Leni then spoke about her time on set with her mother and told the media outlet that she thoroughly enjoyed her time in front of the cameras.

'It was just such a good day. I wasn't nervous at all. I was just so excited,' she recalled.

The social media personality also expressed that she was happy to have her mother with her during her modeling debut.

'My mom and I are just completely comfortable around each other and we were dancing around the whole day,' she said.
He's best known for appearing on Married At First Sight three years ago.

And Seb Guilhaus, 35, is vying for a second chance at reality TV fame by auditioning for the reboot of classic Australian series Gladiators.

The show, made popular in 1995 and 1996, features a group of male and female athletes known as 'Gladiators' competing in challenges to test their physical and mental endurance.

Seb, who is a bodybuilder and works as an OnlyFans porn star, announced on Wednesday that he'd thrown his hat in the ring to join the new cast.

Sharing a screenshot to Instagram Stories of the Warner Bros. casting website, Seb wrote: 'I had a lot of fun just then creating my audition video, FYI.'

Married At First Sight groom turned OnlyFans star Seb Guilhaus, 35, (pictured) announced on Wednesday that he has auditioned for Australia's upcoming Gladiators reboot

Gladiators will film through September and October.

According to a report by TV Tonight on Wednesday, the series will not air on Seven, as has been the case previously, with insiders suggesting it could air on Ten.

The show previously had a reboot in 2008 but was cancelled after failing to find a steady audience.

Sharing a screenshot to Instagram Stories of the Warner Bros. casting website, Seb wrote: 'I had a lot of fun just then creating my audition video, FYI'

The show, made popular in 1995 and 1996, features a group of male and female athletes known as 'Gladiators' competing in challenges to test their physical and mental endurance. Pictured: The cast of Gladiators (2008)

Seb's reality TV punt came hours after he announced that his TikTok page had been removed

Seb's reality TV punt came hours after he announced that his TikTok page had been removed.

Addressing fans in a selfie-style video, the adults actor explained that he'd breached the app's guidelines by advertising his OnlyFans page in his account bio.

'Everybody, just a little tip for TikTok. If you have a private website, which which has links to banished realms, make sure you do not put it in your bio, OK?' he warned.

Addressing fans in a selfie-style video, the adults actor explained that he'd breached the app's guidelines by advertising his OnlyFans page in his account bio

'Because your account will be annihilated instantly. I've just lost 12,000 followers,' Seb added.

He finished his video on a more optimistic note, reminding his fans that 'life happens for us, not to us.'

'My TikTok sucked and now is an opportunity to create a magic page,' he added.

It comes as Seb continues to expand his repertoire in the adult film industry.

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Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin are planning to hold a second, bigger wedding ceremony in California in the upcoming fall.

After tying the knot in her home country of Hungary on July 15, the pair confirmed that they will soon be holding another wedding in the place where the actor, 30, grew up.

'We're excited to go back to [Los Angeles] to our pets and rest a bit  before we start planning the American wedding,' the 29-year-old model told Vogue.

The star also spoke about their vows  which they exchanged just one month after confirming their engagement.

'[This past weekend] was supposed to be an intimate event,' she explained to the publication.

'But we ended up having 115 guests because there are a lot of people we care about and we wanted them all to be there,' the former Victoria's Secret Angel continued.

Married! Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin are planning to hold a second, bigger wedding ceremony in California in the upcoming fall (pictured August 2022)

The couple officially married during a church ceremony on Saturday before heading over to a small island on Barbara's parents' property for a civil ceremony.

The pair also shared several behind-the-scenes photos of Barbara getting her makeup done and then getting dressed in her Vivienne Westwood wedding gown with Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Over the weekend, Bors Online reported the couple said 'I do' nearby the Hungarian capitol of Budapest over the weekend.

The outlet also published photos a fan had taken of the beautiful bride in her wedding dress.

The photos show the Hungarian supermodel in an exquisite white wedding dress with a flowing veil, sheer gloves, and a huge smile on her face.

Before tying the knot, the couple had been dating for the last five years, after the actor first contacted her via DM in 2017.

Just married! 'We're excited to go back to [Los Angeles] to our pets and rest a bit  before we start planning the American wedding,' the 29-year-old model told Vogue. The couple reportedly tied the knot in Hungary, just one month after confirming their engagement; pictured March 2022

The couple confirmed their betrothal in last month's issue of V Magazine, following months of speculation.

In March, Palvin flashed a diamond engagement ring at the Mammoth Film Festival but did not confirm she was ready to wed.

Confirming their engagement to V, the model posted to her Instagram account: 'With the power invested in V I am a Sprouse to be, @dylansprouse.' In a video she is seen in a wedding dress as she holds the face of her groom.

She told the magazine she is thrilled with the news.

'I knew we were building this story up,' Barbara told the outlet. 'So, I'm very happy that we ended up doing it our way.'

The pair have been one of Hollywood's few stable couples.

She raved about him in 2019. 'I feel like I found the perfect guy,' she told Vogue Australia.

'He's very kind and gentleThat's what I do on my day off: I spend it with the people I love and I'm very much in love right now.'

In March a source told ET that the Hungarian supermodel was engaged and had 'been showing off her ring to people.'

The insider continued: 'They're always very in love with one another and by each other's sides, but they're even happier than usual.

Cheers to the newlyweds! Palvin and Dylan had been dating for five years before saying 'I do'

Going to the chapel! They confirmed their betrothal in last month's issue of V Magazine, following months of speculation

Too cute: The Hungarian model smooched her love on the cheek back in March

'They can't wait to start this new chapter together.'

Speaking to W Magazine in 2019, Dylan talked about how they met.

He recalled messaging the beauty on Instagram after she randomly followed him on the app.

'She followed me, so I was like, I guess I'll give her something. And I slid into her DMs,' he told the outlet.

He tried to organize a meetup with the Victoria's Secret model but it took longer than expected for her to respond.

'I was like, "Hey, I don't know if you're in New York for very long, but we should hang out if you want to. Here's my number." And she didn't message me for six months,' he recalled.

But Barbara made a major move by flying out to China in 2018, where Dylan was having six-month movie shoot, in order to have their first official date.

She told PEOPLE that Dylan was instantly ready to go steady, but that she had some reservations.

'And then I was like, "OK, let's do it."  I just sat down, took a deep breath, and I'm like, "What am I waiting for? There's no other guy I would love more than I love him, and he's got everything that I need,"' she recalled to the outlet.

Barbara later admitted to PEOPLE that she knew she was in love with Dylan the 'first minute we met.'

They made their relationship Instagram official in August 2018 and made their red carpet debut during New York Fashion Week that September.

I do! Confirming their engagement to V back in June, the model posted to her Instagram account: 'With the power invested in V I am a Sprouse to be, @dylansprouse'

Love story: Palvin and Sprouse pictured together in September 2022

They reportedly moved in together in January 2019 and Barbara was introduced to Dylan's twin brother Cole the following month.

Barbara and Dylan have not been shy about showing their love for one another on social media, as well as at the number of events they've attended together over the years.

The Disney Channel alum has also been an avid supporter of Barbara's modeling career, which included being crowned a Victoria's Secret Angel in March 2019.

He sat front row as she walked the runway for the lingerie brand in 2018 and even brought her a post-show treat.

'He is bringing Shake Shack burgers for me,' Barbara revealed to PEOPLE as she hung out backstage with her fellow models.

Suspicious bling! In March, Palvin flashed a diamond engagement ring at the Mammoth Film Festival but did not confirm she was ready to wed

Prior to dating Barbara, Dylan was in a longterm relationship with Dayna Frazer - who is also a model.

The former couple were together from approximately 2013 until 2017. It was reportedly an on/off romance.

As for Barbara, the runway maven has only been in a few public romances over the span of her decade-long career.

She is said to have been romantically linked to One Direction alum Niall Horan and musician Julian Perretta.

Barbara told Vogue Australia in November 2018 that she's never been much of dater and that it's actually 'not normal for me to have a boyfriend.'

'I was single for six years,' she confessed to the outlet.
Three-time Oscar winner James Cameron has cast doubt on artificial intelligence's ability to write 'a good story' or film script.

While reflecting on AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, helping people write emails, resumes, and, even, works of fiction, the 68-year-old filmmaker, best known for writing and directing Titanic in 1997, said he doesn't 'know anyone thats even thinking about having AI write a screenplay.'

'I just dont personally believe that a disembodied mind thats just regurgitating what other embodied minds have said  about the life that theyve had, about love, about lying, about fear, about mortality  and just put it all together into a word salad and then regurgitate it[is] ever going to have something thats going to move an audience,' he told CTV News.

The father-of-four continued: 'You have to be human to write that.'

'Lets wait 20 years, and if an AI wins an Oscar for best screenplay, I think weve got to take them seriously,' the Ontario native quipped.

Speaking up: Three-time Oscar winner James Cameron has cast doubt on artificial intelligence's ability to write 'a good story' or film script; seen in 2022

After stating he was not concerned about AI taking over his job, Cameron expressed concern that the it will lead to a nuclear holocaust.

'I think the weaponization of AI is the biggest danger,' he told viewers. 'I think that we will get into the equivalent of a nuclear arms race with AI, and if we dont build it, the other guys are for sure going to build it, and so then itll escalate.'

'You could imagine an AI in a combat theatre, the whole thing just being fought by the computers at a speed humans can no longer intercede, and you have no ability to deescalate,' he continued.

Referencing his film, The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the screenwriter said: 'I warned you guys in 1984... and you didnt listen.'

The Terminator followed a human soldier, sent from 2029, to '1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation,' according to IMBD.

In a similar sentiment about AI, Schwarzenegger warned the public that The Terminator has become a reality.'

'Today, everyone is frightened of it, of where this is gonna go,' the actor, 75, said. 'And in this movie, in Terminator, we talk about the machines becoming self-aware and they take over. Now, over the course of decades, it has become a reality.'

'Now over the course of decades, it has become a reality. So its not any more fantasy or kind of futuristic. It is here today. And so this is the extraordinary writing of Jim Cameron,' he added.

Ahead of its time: Referencing his film, The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (seen above in character), the screenwriter said: 'I warned you guys in 1984... and you didnt listen'

No longer just fiction? In a similar sentiment about AI, Schwarzenegger warned the public that The Terminator has become a reality'

The former Governor of California went on to call Cameron 'such an extraordinary writer' and 'unbelievable director.'

'I can only take credit of the character that I played and the way I played it. But I mean, he has created this character. He has written it so well, hes written the movie so well, and thats why he is, you know, the number one director in the world,' he concluded.

Earlier this month, SAG union president Fran Drescher revealed that she actors fear they will be replaced by robots.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she stated that new technology is one of the key reasons behind the strike, because 'the digital age is cannibalizing' her industry.

Drescher was likely referring to powerful technology that can 'de-age' actors - with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny recently using the software to make its star Harrison Ford look 40 years younger. It has been feared the same tech could be used to replace human actors completely.

Drescher's comments came as her union, which represents around 160,00 entertainers including some of the most famous A-listers in the world, announced its historic strike in a row over wages and artificial intelligence.
Described as the PR woman 'who helped turn Prince Charles into a human being', Colleen Harris has returned to work for him now he's King.

I can disclose that the respected public relations consultant, who quit as Charles's press secretary in 2003 after five years to 'spend more time with my family', was appointed on Tuesday as a director of the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation. It has awarded 70million in grants to a host of good causes since it was established by the King in 1979.

Harris, 67, who attended the King's Coronation in May, was the most senior black member of the Royal Household. She previously worked for the civil service and has spoken about the challenges she faced.

Explaining that she was the 'only black person working in PR across the entire British Government', she said: 'A senior civil servant asked me to fetch more milk for the tea, assuming I worked in catering. It wasn't an isolated incident.'

Guru: Described as the PR woman 'who helped turn Prince Charles into a human being', Colleen Harris has returned to work for him now he's King

King: Harris, 67, who attended the King Charles' Coronation in May, was the most senior black member of the Royal Household

After Ms Harris began working as the Charles' press secretary in 1998, she claimed some of the Palace 'old guard' struggled to cope with the appearance of a black woman from South London.

'I was one of the first black members of the Royal Household,' she wrote.

'The Queen recognised immediately that the Royal Family can exist only with the consent of the people and that listening to their views was vital. That acknowledgment was key to a marked shift in attitude.'

After Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, Ms Harris celebrated the presence of a mixed-race Duchess, predicting the Palace would warmly embrace the new royal.

'Mixed-race people are the fastest growing ethnic group in the country but can sometimes feel marginalised and misunderstood, and having someone like Meghan talk about these issues could be just what's required,' she wrote.
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Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Tuesday, July 18th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be paid a dividend of 0.4504 per share by the bank on Tuesday, July 25th. This represents a yield of 20.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 19th.

Banco Macro has a payout ratio of 2.2% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Banco Macro to earn $1.26 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 6.3%.

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Banco Macro Stock Performance

Shares of BMA stock traded up $0.03 on Tuesday, hitting $26.16. The stock had a trading volume of 227,733 shares, compared to its average volume of 270,678. The stocks 50 day moving average is $22.05 and its 200-day moving average is $20.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.72. Banco Macro has a 52-week low of $9.72 and a 52-week high of $27.96.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Banco Macro ( NYSE:BMA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results 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 net margin of 5.15% and a return on equity of 8.14%. The business had revenue of $913.72 million during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Banco Macro will post 2.27 EPS for the current year.

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Banco Macro in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Macro

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Eaton Vance Management bought a new position in shares of Banco Macro during the 1st quarter valued at about $3,724,000. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Banco Macro by 147.0% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 336,389 shares of the banks stock valued at $5,524,000 after purchasing an additional 200,175 shares in the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Macro during the 1st quarter valued at about $2,595,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in shares of Banco Macro by 77.1% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 163,609 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,830,000 after purchasing an additional 71,205 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP bought a new position in shares of Banco Macro during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,061,000.

About Banco Macro

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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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Celadon Group, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CGIP  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,000 shares, a decrease of 44.4% from the June 15th total of 10,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 43,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Celadon Group Price Performance

Celadon Group has a 1 year low of $0.00 and a 1 year high of $0.01.

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Celadon Group Company Profile

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Celadon Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides transportation services between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: Asset-Based, Asset-Light, and Equipment Leasing and Services. The Asset-Based segment offers dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed services; cross-border services between the United States and each of Mexico and Canada; intra-Mexico and intra-Canada services; contract services; regional and specialized short haul services; and rail intermodal services.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of China Pharma (NYSE:CPHI  Free Report) in a report published on Saturday. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

China Pharma Price Performance

NYSE:CPHI opened at $0.33 on Friday. China Pharma has a 52 week low of $0.27 and a 52 week high of $2.60. The firms fifty day moving average price is $0.35.

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China Pharma (NYSE:CPHI  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 12th. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter. China Pharma had a negative return on equity of 86.48% and a negative net margin of 40.43%. The company had revenue of $1.96 million during the quarter.

China Pharma Company Profile

China Pharma Holdings, Inc develops, manufactures, and markets generic and branded pharmaceutical, and biochemical products primarily to hospitals and private retailers in the People's Republic of China. The company offers products in the form of dry powder injectables, liquid injectables, tablets, capsules, and cephalosporin oral solutions.

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NEXT (OTCMKTS:NXGPF  Get Free Report) and Tillys (NYSE:TLYS  Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares NEXT and Tillys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NEXT N/A N/A N/A Tillys -0.41% -1.56% -0.55%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings for NEXT and Tillys, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NEXT 2 3 3 0 2.13 Tillys 0 2 2 0 2.50

Valuation & Earnings

NEXT presently has a consensus target price of $6,791.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7,975.70%. Tillys has a consensus target price of $9.00, suggesting a potential upside of 13.49%. Given NEXTs higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe NEXT is more favorable than Tillys.

This table compares NEXT and Tillys top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio NEXT N/A N/A N/A $3.87 21.71 Tillys $672.28 million 0.35 $9.68 million ($0.09) -88.10

Tillys has higher revenue and earnings than NEXT. Tillys is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than NEXT, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

47.2% of NEXT shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.9% of Tillys shares are owned by institutional investors. 28.0% of Tillys shares are owned by company 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.

Summary

NEXT beats Tillys on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About NEXT

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NEXT plc engages in the retail of clothing, beauty, footwear, and home products in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through NEXT Retail; NEXT Online; NEXT Finance; Total Platform; Joules; Property Management; and International Retail, Sourcing, and other segments. It operates through retail stores, online retail platform, and franchise stores. The company also offers consumer credit; NEXT branded products; and women's, men's, children's, homeware, and beauty products under the LABEL brand, and other third-party brands. In addition, it provides property management services, including holding and lease of properties. The company was formerly known as J Hepworth & Son and changed its name to NEXT plc in 1986. NEXT plc was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Enderby, the United Kingdom.

About Tillys

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Tilly's, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer of casual apparel, footwear, accessories, and hardgoods for young men and women, and boys and girls in the United States. Its apparel merchandise includes tops, outerwear, bottoms, swim, and dresses; and accessories merchandise comprises backpacks, hydration bottles, hats, sunglasses, small electronics and accessories, handbags, watches, jewelry, and others, as well as hardgoods consists of skateboards, longboards, and related equipment for skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing. The company also provides third-party merchandise assortment across its various product categories. The company also sells its merchandise through its e-commerce website, tillys.com. Tilly's, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

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Jones Soda Co. (OTCMKTS:JSDA  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 14,200 shares, an increase of 73.2% from the June 15th total of 8,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 176,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Jones Soda

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Jones Soda stock. Private Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in Jones Soda Co. (OTCMKTS:JSDA  Free Report) by 84.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 153,000 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 70,000 shares during the period. Private Capital Advisors Inc. owned approximately 0.16% of Jones Soda worth $41,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Jones Soda Price Performance

OTCMKTS JSDA remained flat at $0.20 during trading on Tuesday. 29,688 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 134,311. The stock has a market cap of $20.11 million, a PE ratio of -2.86 and a beta of 1.26. Jones Soda has a twelve month low of $0.18 and a twelve month high of $0.48. The firms 50 day moving average price is $0.21 and its 200 day moving average price is $0.23.

About Jones Soda

Jones Soda ( OTCMKTS:JSDA Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.87 million for the quarter. Jones Soda had a negative return on equity of 49.19% and a negative net margin of 33.11%.

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Jones Soda Co, together with its subsidiaries, engages in development, production, marketing, and distribution of beverages primarily in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company provides craft sodas under the Jones Soda and Lemoncocco brands; and cannabis products under the Mary Jones brand.

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Luxottica Group SpA (OTCMKTS:LUXTY  Get Free Report) shares traded up 0.4% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $55.90 and last traded at $55.80. 2,900 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 14,259 shares. The stock had previously closed at $55.60.

Luxottica Group Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $27.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.37 and a beta of 0.27. The stocks 50 day moving average is $55.80 and its 200 day moving average is $55.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Luxottica Group Company Profile

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Luxottica Group S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides fashion, luxury, sports, and performance eyewear worldwide. It operates through two segments, Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution, and Retail Distribution. The Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution segment engages in the design, manufacture, distribution, and marketing of proprietary and designer lines of prescription frames and sunglasses.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Navios Maritime (NYSE:NM  Free Report) in a report issued on Sunday. The firm issued a buy rating on the shipping companys stock.

Navios Maritime Stock Performance

NYSE NM opened at $1.71 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.04 million, a P/E ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.61. Navios Maritime has a 1-year low of $1.53 and a 1-year high of $2.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.10, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $1.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.89.

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Navios Maritime (NYSE:NM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 24th. The shipping company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $65.41 million for the quarter. Navios Maritime had a return on equity of 97.48% and a net margin of 31.38%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Navios Maritime

About Navios Maritime

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in Navios Maritime by 83.4% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 908,070 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $3,296,000 after purchasing an additional 412,836 shares during the last quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP increased its holdings in shares of Navios Maritime by 155.5% in the 1st quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 112,258 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $407,000 after acquiring an additional 68,324 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Navios Maritime in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $328,000. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Navios Maritime in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $202,000. Finally, Privium Fund Management UK Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Navios Maritime in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $72,000. 12.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

Navios Maritime Holdings Inc operates as a seaborne shipping and logistics company in North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, South America, and internationally. It focuses on the transportation and transshipment of dry bulk commodities, including iron ores, coal, and grains. The company operates in two segments, Dry Bulk Vessel Operations and Logistics Business.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM  Free Report) (NYSE:AEM)  Analysts at Raymond James dropped their Q1 2024 EPS estimates for Agnico Eagle Mines in a report issued on Thursday, July 13th. Raymond James analyst F. Hamed now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $0.59 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.62. Raymond James currently has a Outperform rating and a $66.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for Agnico Eagle Mines current full-year earnings is $2.71 per share. Raymond James also issued estimates for Agnico Eagle Mines Q2 2024 earnings at $0.59 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $0.59 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $0.61 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $2.38 EPS.

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Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported C$0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.68 by C$0.09. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 39.97% and a return on equity of 13.14%. The business had revenue of C$2.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$1.76 billion.

Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Up 2.2 %

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on AEM. National Bank Financial boosted their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$95.00 to C$98.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$89.00 to C$91.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$95.00 to C$98.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$79.31.

Shares of TSE AEM opened at C$70.92 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of C$35.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.64 and a beta of 0.80. Agnico Eagle Mines has a 52-week low of C$48.88 and a 52-week high of C$82.90. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$69.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$70.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 12.70.

Agnico Eagle Mines Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.541 per share. This is a positive change from Agnico Eagle Miness previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.75%.

About Agnico Eagle Mines

(Get 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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Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research raised their Q2 2024 EPS estimates for shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, July 12th. Zacks Research analyst S. Goswami now forecasts that the airline will earn $1.11 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.07. The consensus estimate for Southwest Airlines current full-year earnings is $2.64 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Southwest Airlines Q4 2024 earnings at $0.91 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $3.45 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.80 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $4.12 EPS.

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A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $39.00 to $45.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $32.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Southwest Airlines from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $64.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, 22nd Century Group restated a maintains rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Monday, June 26th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $44.53.

Southwest Airlines Stock Up 1.3 %

LUV stock opened at $36.74 on Monday. Southwest Airlines has a 12-month low of $28.40 and a 12-month high of $41.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The company has a market cap of $21.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.74, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a 50 day moving average of $32.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $33.12.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $5.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.73 billion. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 6.99% and a net margin of 2.65%. The companys revenue was up 21.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.32) earnings per share.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Southwest Airlines

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 9.4% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 13,926 shares of the airlines stock worth $504,000 after purchasing an additional 1,195 shares in the last quarter. ARS Wealth Advisors Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.3% in the second quarter. ARS Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 27,136 shares of the airlines stock worth $983,000 after acquiring an additional 857 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK boosted its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 22.1% during the second quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 13,717 shares of the airlines stock valued at $497,000 after buying an additional 2,481 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment Corp IL purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines during the second quarter valued at $215,000. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board boosted its position in shares of Southwest Airlines by 5.1% during the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 28,904 shares of the airlines stock valued at $1,047,000 after buying an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. 75.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Ryan C. Green sold 4,936 shares of Southwest Airlines stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.94, for a total value of $147,783.84. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 26,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $789,248.34. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 21st were issued a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 20th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 72.00%.

Southwest Airlines Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provide scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated a total fleet of 770 Boeing 737 aircrafts; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

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Reaves Utility Income Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:UTG  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Tuesday, July 18th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Friday, July 21st will be paid a dividend of 0.19 per share by the closed-end fund on Monday, July 31st. This represents a yield of 8.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 20th.

Reaves Utility Income Fund has raised its dividend by an average of 2.3% annually over the last three years.

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Reaves Utility Income Fund Stock Performance

NYSEAMERICAN:UTG traded down $0.11 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $27.71. 293,521 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 212,403. Reaves Utility Income Fund has a 12 month low of $24.55 and a 12 month high of $34.02.

Institutional Trading of Reaves Utility Income Fund

About Reaves Utility Income Fund

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 4.5% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 302,543 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $8,592,000 after purchasing an additional 12,956 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 264.5% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,509 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 1,095 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc. raised its position in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 13.7% during the first quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 19,644 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $557,000 after buying an additional 2,363 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC raised its position in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 7.8% during the first quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 16,892 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $479,000 after buying an additional 1,220 shares during the period. Finally, Snowden Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in Reaves Utility Income Fund by 28.7% during the first quarter. Snowden Capital Advisors LLC now owns 16,343 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $464,000 after buying an additional 3,640 shares during the period.

(Get Free Report)

Reaves Utility Income Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched and managed by W. H. Reaves & Company, Inc The fund invests in public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in securities of companies operating in the Utilities sector. The fund primarily invests in dividend paying stocks and debt instruments of companies operating across all market capitalizations.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Phoenix New Media (NYSE:FENG  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the information services providers stock.

Phoenix New Media Price Performance

Phoenix New Media stock opened at $1.75 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.31. The company has a current ratio of 2.51, a quick ratio of 2.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Phoenix New Media has a 12-month low of $1.68 and a 12-month high of $5.49.

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Phoenix New Media (NYSE:FENG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The information services provider reported ($0.69) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Phoenix New Media had a negative net margin of 12.10% and a negative return on equity of 7.46%. The company had revenue of $21.31 million for the quarter.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Phoenix New Media

About Phoenix New Media

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Phoenix New Media stock. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Phoenix New Media Limited ( NYSE:FENG Free Report ) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 21,805 shares of the information services providers stock, valued at approximately $58,000.

(Get Free Report)

Phoenix New Media Limited provides content on an integrated Internet platform in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through two segments, Net Advertising Services and Paid Services. It offers content and services through PC channel, mobile channel, and telecom operators, as well as transmits content to TV viewers, primarily through Phoenix TV.

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Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 466,400 shares, a decrease of 28.7% from the June 15th total of 654,000 shares. Currently, 2.7% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 109,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.3 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Christopher John Killoy sold 10,105 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.02, for a total value of $535,767.10. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 50,827 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,694,847.54. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Stock Performance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of RGR. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 65.6% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 10,952 shares of the companys stock worth $762,000 after acquiring an additional 4,339 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 37.0% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 15,661 shares of the companys stock worth $1,090,000 after purchasing an additional 4,233 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 2.5% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 366,955 shares of the companys stock worth $25,548,000 after purchasing an additional 8,850 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 14.6% in the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 5,864 shares of the companys stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 745 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. by 53.6% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 9,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $662,000 after purchasing an additional 3,317 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.94% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE:RGR traded down $0.21 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $53.19. 71,379 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 112,846. The firms 50-day moving average price is $52.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $54.93. The firm has a market cap of $941.99 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.07 and a beta of 0.50. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has a 12-month low of $49.50 and a 12-month high of $67.00.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE:RGR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.97 by ($0.16). Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. had a net margin of 12.52% and a return on equity of 20.35%. The business had revenue of $149.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $138.80 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.70 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 10.3% on a year-over-year basis.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were issued a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.41%. Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.s dividend payout ratio is currently 31.45%.

About Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc.

(Get Free Report)

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells firearms under the Ruger name and trademark in the United States. It operates through two segments, Firearms and Castings. The company provides single-shot, autoloading, bolt-action, and sporting rifles; rimfire and centerfire autoloading pistols; single-action and double-action revolvers; and firearms accessories and replacement parts, as well as manufactures lever-action rifles under the Marlin name and trademark.

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Alamos Gold Inc. (TSE:AGI  Get Free Report) (NYSE:AGI)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$15.85 and traded as high as C$16.85. Alamos Gold shares last traded at C$16.80, with a volume of 364,911 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on AGI. CIBC raised their target price on shares of Alamos Gold from C$22.00 to C$24.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. National Bank Financial raised their target price on shares of Alamos Gold from C$18.25 to C$21.50 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Alamos Gold from C$12.00 to C$13.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. National Bankshares raised their target price on shares of Alamos Gold from C$18.25 to C$21.50 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, TD Securities downgraded shares of Alamos Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating and raised their target price for the company from C$19.00 to C$21.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 19th.

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Alamos Gold Trading Down 0.8 %

The stock has a market capitalization of C$6.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.57, a PEG ratio of -2.10 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 2.47 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$16.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$15.88.

Alamos Gold Increases Dividend

Alamos Gold ( TSE:AGI Get Free Report ) (NYSE:AGI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.11 by C$0.05. The company had revenue of C$340.10 million for the quarter. Alamos Gold had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 3.42%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Alamos Gold Inc. will post 0.6371291 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were paid a dividend of $0.034 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $0.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. This is a positive change from Alamos Golds previous quarterly dividend of $0.03. Alamos Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.33%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Monique Mercier sold 14,456 shares of Alamos Gold stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$16.59, for a total value of C$239,832.27. Insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock.

About Alamos Gold

(Get Free Report)

Alamos Gold Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and extraction of precious metals in Canada and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Young-Davidson mine and Island Gold mine located in the Ontario, Canada; Mulatos mine located in the Sonora, Mexico; and Lynn Lake project situated in the Manitoba, Canada.

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The North American Income Trust plc (LON:NAIT  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Monday, June 12th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be given a dividend of GBX 2.60 ($0.03) per share on Friday, August 4th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

The North American Income Trust Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of LON:NAIT opened at GBX 277.60 ($3.63) on Wednesday. The North American Income Trust has a 12-month low of GBX 262 ($3.43) and a 12-month high of GBX 324 ($4.24). The company has a market cap of 388.81 million, a PE ratio of 937.93 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 272.49 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 286.31. The company has a current ratio of 10.20, a quick ratio of 7.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.57.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Susannah Nicklin acquired 534 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 278 ($3.63) per share, for a total transaction of 1,484.52 ($1,941.06). Company insiders own 1.83% of the companys stock.

About The North American Income Trust

The North American Income Trust plc is an exchange traded fund launched and managed by Aberdeen Fund Managers Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in the stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund invests in the stocks of large-cap companies, within the market capitalization range of S&P 500 Index.

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Dalhousies 13th president will be familiar to many within the university  someone known for her inspiring approach to leadership, community building and positive change.

This morning (Wednesday, July 19), the Dalhousie Board of Governors announced the appointment of the universitys own Dr. Kim Brooks for a five-year term as president and vice-chancellor set to begin August 14.

Dr. Brooks, who has been supporting the current leadership transition as acting provost and vice-president academic, has the rare distinction of having served as dean of two different Dalhousie faculties: the Schulich School of Law and the Faculty of Management. She is a 3M Teaching Fellow and an accomplished tax scholar and lawyer who has held research chairs at multiple top Canadian universities. Her extensive leadership and service reaches into the public sector and the local community with organizations such as Halifax Public Libraries, where she is the current Board Chair.

I am excited about the difference the Dalhousie community makes to the province, country, and world and Im humbled by the opportunity to serve as president, says Dr. Brooks. Weve been deeply integrated into the fabric of Nova Scotia for over 200 years and yet it feels like were entering a new era of possibilities and opportunities.

Im looking forward to connecting and re-connecting with all who support our vital work as we hold tight to our sense of purpose and possibility; grow a culture of inclusive excellence, curiosity and exploration; and strengthen Dalhousies engagement with communities across Nova Scotia and around the world.

Video: Message from New President Kim Brooks

&amp;nbsp;

Dr. Brookss appointment is on recommendation of a presidential search committee that included representatives from the Board, Senate, students and administration. Board Chair Cheryl Fraser, who chaired the search committee, says Dr. Brookss impressive skills and qualifications distinguished her amongst an incredibly competitive field of candidates from across Canada and around the world.

We were seeking a president with the energy, passion, and commitment to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities ahead for our university, says Fraser.

Anyone who has gotten to know Dr. Brooks during her 13 years at Dalhousie has been witness to her exceptional leadership that puts integrity and empathy first, with a steadfast commitment to inclusion and community. For Dr. Brooks to now bring that same leadership to the Presidents Office represents an incredible opportunity for Dalhousie, for Nova Scotia, and for fulfilling the potential and possibility at the heart of our Third Century Promise.

Fraser also notes that while Dalhousie has a proud history of accomplished leaders who have brought a variety of different backgrounds and experiences to bear in their work, Dr. Brooks is both the first woman and first openly queer person to be permanently appointed university president. These are overdue milestones, she adds, but ones worth recognizing.

Frank Harvey, currently serving as acting president, says he is thrilled by Dr. Brookss appointment and excited about working with her and the rest of the senior leadership team as he returns to the Provosts Office.

I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Kim for many years now and have witnessed and directly benefited from the many extraordinary results of her visionary, inspiring, transformative, and compassionate leadership, says Dr. Harvey. I have never been more confident in Dalhousie's future or more optimistic about the prospects for fulfilling our third-century promises.

Kim is exactly the kind of leader Dalhousie needs right now."



Dr. Brooks speaks at Dals annual Progress Report update last month.

Being the best versions of ourselves



Dr. Brooks is an energetic conversationalist and devoted Bruce Springsteen fan who says shes up for trying almost anything at least once. In other words: she might not be the type of person you picture when you hear tax law expert. That she has become so well known for supporting vital conversations around equity and inclusion  including as co-chair of the committee that produced Dalhousies 2015 Belong report  may also be surprising in that context, but it makes plenty of sense to her.

Tax intersects in all kinds of equity-informing and inequity-creating ways that are fascinating, says Dr. Brooks. And so, while Im far from an expert on equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and decolonization, those are commitments I hold close to my heart. I appreciate and am delighted to see the work so many people at Dalhousie have been doing to help us move more closely toward inclusive excellence in all that we do. I dont think theres a magic formula; ultimately, it takes attention, care, and thoughtfulness.

Following time as a practising lawyer and academic appointments at Queens, UBC and McGill  where she was the H. Heward Stikeman Chair in the Law of Taxation at McGill University  Dr. Brooks first arrived at Dalhousie in 2010 to serve as dean of the Schulich School of Law. She helped lead the school through a noted period of evolution and impact under its new name and powered by a transformative investment from Seymour Schulich. She remained in Law following the completion of her term, serving as the Purdy Crawford Chair in Business Law, until 2020 when she crossed to the other side of University Avenue to serve as dean of the Faculty of Management. Her primary assignment: bring together a wide range of views, perspectives and interests to determine a new structure and strategy for the Faculty.

The Faculty had broad agreement that they were due for change, but not a lot of consensus on the way forward, she explains. And thats how I got to be part of one of the most amazing reform processes Ive ever seen at a university.

It took two years of tough discussions  through a pandemic no less  but as the Management community worked through myriad wrinkles and challenges in considering its future, a direction began to crystalize, one powered by the willingness of colleagues to engage with one another and work collaboratively. The resulting plan has been embraced with incredible enthusiasm from all corners  a remarkable turn considering where the process started.

What Im always most proud of is being able to work with people  not necessarily getting it right all the time but figuring out how we can be the best versions of ourselves under the circumstances and then taking action on bringing that vision to life, says Dr. Brooks.

A university that belongs to everyone



Dr. Brooks says she sees the presidents role as holding tight to the purpose, magic and possibility of the university.

To me, that means cultivating the value of learning and the acquisition, preservation, and production of new knowledge, she explains. It means inspiring curiosity and exploration. Its enabling students to chart directions for their lives and promoting their personal and professional growth. Its supporting informed citizenry and effective democracy. Its accelerating innovation and responsiveness to societys challenges. And I think the president should be a relentless cheerleader for Dalhousie, our people and our communities  whether were thinking in terms of Halifax or Truro, Nova Scotia or Mi'kma'ki.

Those community connections have always been an essential part of Dr. Brookss work as a teacher, researcher and administrator. Shes served on key committees with the Canada Revenue Agency and the Tax Court of Canada and has chaired organizations like Halifax Public Libraries and the Canadian Centre for Legal Innovation in Sexual Assault Response. Now, as president, shes eager to see Dalhousie grow and strengthen partnerships with communities across Nova Scotia on everything from health-care solutions and inspiring future-ready leaders to playing a role in the provinces ambitious growth strategy.

Dalhousie should feel like it belongs to all corners of our province, she says. Truly extraordinary universities are understood as communally-owned institutions. That will happen when our students families, alumni, donors, employer-partners, governments, Indigenous nations, private sector contributors, and community organizations see themselves as reflected in and responsible for Dals success. These external stakeholders should be able to look to Dalhousie as a partner in generating new possibilities to address the challenges we collectively face.

As for Dals students, faculty and staff, what can they expect when Dr. Brooks moves into the Presidents Office next month?

We have a lot of good work to do to realize the potential of the Third Century Promise plan, so I expect my focus wont be all that different on August 14 than it is today: championing our work to progress our shared goals in the strategic plan, she says.

But I also hope to connect with everyone across the university to start to better understand who we are. In my time at Dal, Ive been able to work very closely with colleagues in the Schulich School of Law, Faculty of Management, and units within central administration, but I have a lot to learn about the challenges, aspirations, and dreams of folks in other parts of the university. So as a starting place, I am very much looking forward to developing a richer understanding of who we are and where we see ourselves headed, collectively. As a university we have an incredible amount to offer our province and I think were just getting started.

Its about finding that shared sense of purpose and meaning together.
Daytonthe nation's first official "Certified Welcoming" cityhas earned renewal of the status. Dayton was first awarded the nation's first municipal certification in 2017.

Dayton earns renewed "Certified Welcoming" status

Daytonthe nations first official Certified Welcoming cityhas earned renewal of the status in recognition of ongoing work in support of immigrants and refugees.

Certified Welcoming is a formal designation granted by the national non-profit Welcoming America for cities and counties that have created policies and programs reflecting their values and commitment to immigrant inclusion.

As the first city to become Certified Welcoming in 2017, Dayton is now one of 18 cities of counties in the U.S. (including Ohio's Toledo and Lucas County) that carry the designation.

While local governments are the lead entity on Certified Welcoming designations, they must work with a broad group of community-based organizations to achieve certification.

A certificate marking Daytons renewed status will be presented at the July 19 City Commission meeting (beginning at 6 p.m.), with remarks by Melissa Bertolo, senior director of the Certified Welcoming program and a Dayton resident.

It is commendable that Dayton has been recertified as a Certified Welcoming city, Mayor Jeffrey Mims said. This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to create a more welcoming community in Dayton. Our city is a great place to work, play, and raise a family, and we are committed to maintaining this welcoming environment.

"Welcoming America is thrilled to congratulate the City of Dayton for its redesignation as a Certified Welcoming city, said Welcoming America Executive Director Rachel Peric. As a pioneer in the welcoming movement, Dayton has shown what is possible when communities work together to bring neighbors together to create a place where all people, new and long-time, can thrive, belong and prosper together."

Commissioner Matt Joseph added: I am very proud that weve been recognized as a Certified Welcoming city by Welcoming America. We have worked hard to make Dayton a more welcoming place for all, and one in which everyone has a chance to live up to their potential and contribute to the community. This recertification is both an endorsement of our efforts so far, and a useful tool for the work ahead of us.

As of 2019, Dayton was home to 6,900 immigrants, a number that increased by 25.9% during the preceding five years. Recently, the city joined others across the U.S. in welcoming people fleeing conflict in Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Welcome Dayton, launched in 2011, supports integration of immigrants into the Dayton community by encouraging business and economic development, providing access to education, government, health and social services, ensuring equity in the justice system, and promoting arts and culture. The program is operated by the Community Engagement Division of the City of Dayton Department of Planning, Neighborhoods & Development.

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization leading a movement of inclusive communities in becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs, with a belief that all people, including immigrants, are valued and vital contributors.
Party state vice-president Kasam Venkateswarulu said that since the scheme was launched in 2015, the state government has only distributed 23,000 houses so far and claimed that another 70,000 were under construction. (Image: DC)

Hyderabad: The Telangana state BJP on Wednesday said it will hold public hearings with applicants of the state governments two-bedroom housing scheme and also launch an agitation, highlighting the BRS governments failure to deliver on its promise of housing for the poor.

Party state vice-president Kasam Venkateswarulu and former Khairatabad MLA Chintala Ramachandra Reddy told reporters that the Telangana government indulged in massive corruption in implementing the scheme and BRS leaders swindled around 9,000 crore in the process.

Venkateswarulu said that since the scheme was launched in 2015, the state government has only distributed 23,000 houses so far and claimed that another 70,000 were under construction. Many that have been built have not been given to the beneficiaries, he said, adding that on Thursday, party state president G. Kishan Reddy and other BJP leaders will visit Batasingaram, where houses were built but not handed over, currently lying in a dilapidated condition.

Ramachandra Reddy said the Central government gave 17,000 crore to the state for constructing houses for the poor and the state government must explain what happened to these funds.
Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was around 12 noon on August 4, 2011. Excise Minister K Babu got a call from the chief minister's office land line asking him to rush to his chamber immediately.

Babu who was known to be a close confidante of the then chief minister Oommen Chandy, headed straight to the chamber. To his shock and surprise, the minister found a man sitting on the CM's chair and dialing from his official land line.

Hey ! who are you ? asked the minister sternly. Pat came the reply from the intruder; "I am the prime minister." Since the chief minister's office was on live webcast at that time, a person from the Gulf rang up Chandy and informed him that a stranger had occupied his official chair.

The chief minister also rushed to his chamber and found the man, identified as Chela Chandra Jose, 40, a native of the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram, merrily sitting on his chair. He immediately directed his staff and security personnel not to harm the person and not to treat it as a security breach at all.

Oommen Chandy's office was usually more crowded than a railway platform as there were no restrictions on the visitors who were mainly from the poor sections of society. The accessibility was such that anyone could pull his shirt and hand over a memorandum in the corridor. That was his style of functioning - always among the people, one among the masses."

"Crowds have never been a problem for me. Its not an issue at all. I have grown up amid crowds, its a habit. This is my style of functioning," he often used to say. However, this style of functioning landed him in serious trouble later. Many unwanted elements gained access to the chief ministers office and his personal staff for their ulterior motives. Later the infamous solar case came up to haunt Chandy.

A 24/7 CM

Jana Samparka Paripadi or Mass Contact Programme

Oommen Chandy broke all records during the mass contact programmes he held as chief minister during the initial phase of his 2011-16 tenure. He used to spend over 15 to 20 hours at a stretch at a venue, most of the time standing amidst people, hearing out their pleas , accepting their petitions. "We used to wonder how a man can spend so many hours without food and that too working without a break. Party workers and officials used to forcibly feed him tender coconut water. He used to directly engage with people, a majority of them belonging to the socially and financially backward sections," recollected senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Adoor Prakash. His efforts went on to attract international recognition. In 2013, Chandy was bestowed with the United National Public Service Award for his popular mass contact programme.

Architect of major development projects

Oommen Chandy was the architect of Kerala's biggest infrastructure projects including Kochi Metro, Vizhinjam International Seaport -Transhipment Terminal, Kannur International Airport, Kochi-Mangalore GAIL pipeline. Most of these projects were taken forward by the successive LDF governments and implemented thus maintaining continuity in infrastructure and development projects.
As of Wednesday night, the state logged a 30-hour spell of incessant rainfall with rare pauses, bringing the entire state under what IMD termed was a vigorous southwest monsoon over the state of Telangana. (DC Image)

HYDERABAD: A 52-year-old man was electrocuted to death upon coming in contact with a live wire, while trying to save children playing near an electric pole in Sulaimanagar of Attapur, during a spell of heavy rain late on Tuesday evening.

The police identified the victim as Shaik Khadeer and said the incident took place when he rushed towards the children with a stick to direct them away from the pole.

Khadeer, who knew that a live wire was loose, tried to move the wire using the stick during the heavy rain but came in contact with the live wire and fell unconscious. After the kids raised the alarm, Khadeer was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The police registered a case of death due to negligence and started a probe after shifting the victims body to the Osmania General Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

As of Wednesday night, the state logged a 30-hour spell of incessant rainfall with rare pauses, bringing the entire state under what IMD termed was a "vigorous southwest monsoon over the state of Telangana."

The rains were mostly moderate in the state, as logged in Hyderabad, Jagtial, Jangaon, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Mahbubabad, Medak, Medchal Malkajgiri, Nizamabad, Peddapally, Rajanna Sircilla, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Wanaparthy, Jogulamba Gadwal, Narayanpet and Jayashankar Bhupalapally, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Three districts, namely Siddipet, Jangaon and Kamareddy, recorded heavy rainfall in the state on the day, with Kamareddy recording the highest rainfall, at 106.5 mm, followed by Jangaon, at 102.8 mm, and Siddipet, at 96.8 mm, according to the Telangana State Development and Planning Society records.

In the GHMC limits, the highest rainfall was recorded at Shaikpet, at 28.5 mm, followed by Golconda, at 22.3 mm, and Serilingampally, at 21 mm.

The IMD said that light to moderate rains or thundershowers will continue statewide for the next six to seven days due to multiple cyclonic circulations in the Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of the northern Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha region. They said it is extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southward, which will cause a low-pressure area in the next 24 hours and another cyclonic circulation over Chhattisgarh continued to persist and extended 1.5 km above mean sea level. In addition, the shear zone was presently running along latitude 20 degree north between 3.1 and 7.6 km above mean sea level, tilting southwards with height.

A yellow alert was issued for the next two days for the districts of Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Karimnagar, Peddapally and Jayashankar Bhupalapally, with heavy rainfall predicted.

An orange alert, for heavy to very heavy rains, was issued for Siddipet, Sangareddy, Medak and Kamareddy.

For the next 48 hours, the city will have a generally cloudy sky and continue to experience light to moderate intermittent rains, interspersed with intense spells.

The mercury is also predicted to dip, with maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 27 degrees Celsius (C) and 22C, with westerly surface winds at a speed of around 10 kmph and an increased humidity level of 93 per cent.
(AFP Photo)

Hyderabad: Former President of United States of America, George W. Bush slipped up during a speech on Russias invasion of Ukraine, condemning instead the "unjustified and brutal" invasion of Iraq.

"The decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq," Bush said.

"I mean, of Ukraine," he said, before adding, "Iraq, too. Anyway"

Bush admitted his mistake by making a joke about his age. "Im 75," he said, which prompted laughter from the audience.

The video has gone viral on some social media platforms.

George W. Bushs decision to invade Iraq in 2003 in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) has been widely condemned by critics for being an unjustified invasion.
Two days later, on July 12, Hadid and her pal were formally charged during a court appearance, where they pleaded guilty and were both fined $1,000, according to Cayman Marl Road. They are not facing any charges now.
"Both of them admitted that they had an affair, which started after the General Election of 2020, but that it had stopped some time ago," Singh said, adding that Perera and Seah had previously informed the party that there was no truth to the allegations when they surfaced in 2021.
Nitish not angry at all, asserts JD(U) president who accompanied him to Bengaluru

'Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry', asserted Lalan.
MP HC quashes rape case against man, says a year is sufficient for a woman to realise if marriage promise is false

The HC said that the woman was in a relationship with the petitioner for a long time and that her consent could not have been obtained by 'misconception of facts'.
It said two terrorists were eliminated while four AK rifles and six hand grenades were among the war-like stores recovered from the scene of the gun battle.
Sibal said from 2002 to 2022, they have not said anything and no one has said that, and that itself is enough and the problem arises in form of Rais Khan, a prime witness, who was working with Setalvad and she terminated his services and since then, he has been filing complaint after complaint against her and his complaint forms basis of all this. Khan was a former close aide of Setalvad who later fell out with her in 2008.
Congress lawmakers, including ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and BS Suresha (Byrathi) took the Marshalls to task. What were you doing when papers were being thrown at (Lamanis) face? Gowda said. Suresha said the Marshalls should be suspended. You allowed this to happen to a Dalit who was on the chair, he said.
Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:AIPUY  Get Free Report) traded up 0.9% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $21.29 and last traded at $20.18. 573 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 81% from the average session volume of 2,954 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.00.

Airports of Thailand Public Trading Up 0.9 %

The company has a 50-day moving average price of $20.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $20.80.

Airports of Thailand Public Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the airport business in Thailand. The company operates through Airport Management Business, Hotel Business, Ground Aviation Services, Security Business, and Project on Perishable Goods Business segments. It operates 6 international airports, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Phuket International Airport and Mae Fah Luang  Chiang Rai International Airport.

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Aspiriant LLC boosted its position in Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 0.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 26,556 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 247 shares during the quarter. Aspiriant LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $2,912,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 17.4% in the 1st quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,909 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $680,000 after purchasing an additional 1,173 shares during the last quarter. Retirement Income Solutions Inc acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil in the 1st quarter worth $275,000. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 318.8% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 17,163 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,417,000 after purchasing an additional 13,065 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 95.6% in the 1st quarter. Ergoteles LLC now owns 15,843 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,308,000 after purchasing an additional 7,744 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil in the 1st quarter worth $237,000. 58.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Exxon Mobil from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $125.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Exxon Mobil from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $140.00 to $135.00 in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $145.00 to $127.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Exxon Mobil in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $125.00 to $144.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Exxon Mobil presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $124.66.

Exxon Mobil Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE XOM opened at $100.87 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $407.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.83, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.08. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 52-week low of $83.89 and a 52-week high of $119.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.46. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $105.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $109.41.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.65 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $86.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.07 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 15.06% and a return on equity of 31.48%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.07 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.45 EPS for the current year.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th were paid a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 15th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.61%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.64%.

Insider Activity at Exxon Mobil

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.11, for a total transaction of $290,275.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,272 shares in the company, valued at $3,398,771.92. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.06% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) and Coronado Global Resources (OTC:CODQL  Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Arch Resources and Coronado Global Resources net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Arch Resources 33.74% 96.62% 52.94% Coronado Global Resources N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Arch Resources and Coronado Global Resources, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Arch Resources 0 0 1 0 3.00 Coronado Global Resources 0 0 0 0 N/A

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Arch Resources presently has a consensus target price of $197.50, suggesting a potential upside of 76.43%. Given Arch Resources higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Arch Resources is more favorable than Coronado Global Resources.

82.2% of Arch Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.4% of Arch Resources shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Arch Resources and Coronado Global Resources gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Arch Resources $3.72 billion 0.56 $1.33 billion $61.18 1.83 Coronado Global Resources N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Arch Resources has higher revenue and earnings than Coronado Global Resources.

Summary

Arch Resources beats Coronado Global Resources on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Arch Resources

(Get Free Report)

Arch Resources, Inc. produces and sells metallurgical products. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated seven active mines. It also owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases approximately 28,292 acres of coal land in Ohio; 952 acres of coal land in Maryland; 10,095 acres of coal land in Virginia; 306,263 acres of coal land in West Virginia; 81,450 acres of coal land in Wyoming; 234,087 acres of coal land in Illinois; 33,047 acres of coal land in Kentucky; 362 acres of coal land in Montana; 248 acres of coal land in Pennsylvania; and 19,018 acres of coal land in Colorado, as well as smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas. The company sells its products to utility, industrial, and steel producers in the United States and internationally. Arch Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

About Coronado Global Resources

(Get Free Report)

Coronado Global Resources Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and exports metallurgical coal. The company owns a portfolio of operating mines and development projects in Queensland, Australia; and Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania in the United States. It also holds interest in the Buchanan, Logan, Greenbrier, Mon Valley, and Russell County mining properties located in the Central Appalachian region of the United States. The company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. Coronado Global Resources Inc. is a subsidiary of Coronado Group LLC.

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Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD  Get Free Report) and AMTD Digital (NYSE:HKD  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Walker & Dunlop and AMTD Digital, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Walker & Dunlop 0 2 0 0 2.00 AMTD Digital 0 0 0 0 N/A

Walker & Dunlop presently has a consensus target price of $100.00, suggesting a potential upside of 8.52%. Given Walker & Dunlops higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Walker & Dunlop is more favorable than AMTD Digital.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Earnings and Valuation

75.8% of Walker & Dunlop shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.5% of Walker & Dunlop shares are owned by company 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.

This table compares Walker & Dunlop and AMTD Digitals gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Walker & Dunlop $1.26 billion 2.44 $213.82 million $5.04 18.28 AMTD Digital $25.28 million 48.42 $27.51 million N/A N/A

Walker & Dunlop has higher revenue and earnings than AMTD Digital.

Profitability

This table compares Walker & Dunlop and AMTD Digitals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Walker & Dunlop 14.22% 10.96% 3.90% AMTD Digital N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Walker & Dunlop beats AMTD Digital on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Walker & Dunlop

(Get Free Report)

Walker & Dunlop, Inc., through its subsidiaries, originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products and services for owners and developers of real estate in the United States. The company offers first mortgage, second trust, supplemental, construction, mezzanine, preferred equity, and small-balance loans. It also provides finance for multifamily, manufactured housing communities, student housing, affordable housing, and senior housing properties under the Fannie Mae's DUS program; and construction and permanent loans to developers and owners of multifamily housing, affordable housing, senior housing, and healthcare facilities. In addition, the company acts as a debt broker to work with life insurance companies, banks, and other institutional lenders to find debt and/or equity solution for the borrowers' needs; and offers property sales brokerage services to owners and developers of multifamily properties, and commercial real estate and multifamily property appraisals for various investors. Further, it provides appraisal and valuation services; and real estate-related investment banking and advisory services, including housing market research. Additionally, the company offers servicing and asset-managing the portfolio of loans; originates loans through its principal lending and investing activities; and manages third-party capital invested in tax credit equity funds focused on the affordable housing and other commercial real estate sectors. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

About AMTD Digital

(Get Free Report)

AMTD Digital Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs and develops a digital platform to provide financial, media, content and marketing, and investment solutions in Asia. It operates through three segments: SpiderNet Ecosystem Solutions, Digital Financial Services, and Corporate. The company offers digital banking and insurance technology platforms for consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises; and SpiderNet ecosystem, a platform to enhance their investor communication, investor relations, and corporate communication to enhance their valuation. Its platform monitors portfolio companies, such as tracking of business and technology development, competitive landscape, latest technological trends, risk exposure, and financial analysis. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is based in Central, Hong Kong. AMTD Digital Inc. is a subsidiary of AMTD IDEA Group.

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SCB X Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:SMUUY  Get Free Report) shares fell 24.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $1.72 and last traded at $1.75. 3,500 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 73% from the average session volume of 2,022 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.31.

SCB X Public Stock Down 24.3 %

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $1.75 and its 200 day moving average price is $1.75.

SCB X Public Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

SCB X Public Company Limited operates as a holding company for The Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited that provides various financial products and services. The company offers various personal banking products and services, including savings, current, fixed deposit, and long term deposit accounts; payroll solutions; home, car, and personal loans; accident, savings, health expense, and other insurance services; debit, credit, prepaid, and gift cards; mutual funds, bonds, debentures, and other investment products; and payment, digital banking, and other services.

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A Derry nursery school has ended the academic year on a high after being awarded the prestigious School of Sanctuary status.

Academy Nursery School has become the latest recipient of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Education Authoritys Intercultural Education Service-backed scheme that was introduced in pilot form in the Urban Villages areas of Derry and Belfast in 2017.

With guidance from the City of Sanctuary group, the aim of the programme is to help schools further develop the concept that their environment is a welcoming space for pupils and their families, and where every child feels safe and fully accepted.

A spokesperson for the school said: We are very proud to have been awarded this status. The School of Sanctuary is a safe haven of acceptance, tolerance, patience, kindness and understanding, offering support, not just to pupils, but parents and guardians alike.

On days of doubt, fear or worry, where tears may fall and tantrums may rise, the Academy Nursery School of Sanctuary will offer solace to the same pupils, parents and guardians.

On days of hope, joy and contentment the Academy Nursery School of Sanctuary will share the happiness and the all-embracing eagerness of three-year-olds to listen to, look at and learn from one another.

At the heart of the School of Sanctuary initiative is the ethos that schools can create an opportunity to celebrate not only the cultures of the children who join the school as newcomers but also to celebrate and learn about the cultures of children who live in the community.

Academy Nursery, situated on Academy Road, joins a number of Derry-based schools who have been awarded the status, including the nearby Model Primary School.

Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan was in attendance at the joy-filled award ceremony held at the school, situated on Academy Road, along with representatives from the Education Authority, Urban Villages and City of Sanctuary Belfast.

There were beaming smiles from pupils, staff and governors as the schools efforts to promote and value cultural diversity was recognised with the granting of the highly-esteemed sanctuary status.

We are absolutely delighted, the spokesperson said. It has been a real team effort from children, parents, staff, governors and the wider community.

We are a very welcoming and inclusive nursery school. We strive to ensure children, staff and families feel safe and accepted regardless of what they believe, where they are from or what they look like and where cultural diversity is valued and celebrated.
The North-West Ireland City Region has been selected for the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) 2023-25 edition, a support programme spearheaded by the European Commission.

A spokesperson for ICC said the city region, which consists of Derry / Strabane and Donegal, will now start its "two-year journey to create an impactful strategy and develop innovative solutions that will place the city region at the forefront of the green and digital twin transition through Local Green Deals".

"The ICC programme will help cities to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies, while improving their economic competitiveness, social resilience, and the European citizens quality of life.

"They will receive high quality, tailored guidance, expert support, access to advisory and city peer networks, and capacity building tools, to drive their city closer towards the twin transition."

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Conor Heaney (Sinn Fein) and vice chair of ERNACT (European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology) said: I welcome this opportunity for the City Region to continue on the Intelligent Cities Challenge journey, to access expert guidance for green-digital transition and to learn from other EU cities.

"These supports will help us to face increasing constraints on resources and progress our desire to provide attractive, enjoyable places to live, work and visit, in an inclusive, sustainable way.

Commenting on the announcement, Donegal County Council Cllr Rena Donaghey (Fianna Fail), chair of ERNACT, said: "We look forward to being part of the ICC and boosting our progress towards a sustainable and low carbon region guided by our Local Green Deal, the North West Regional Energy Strategy of Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council."

The previous ICC edition (2020-2022) saw 1.9 billion earmarked for ICC cities actions and 247 million in public funding from EU, national and regional sources was leveraged which helped facilitate 336 actions planned by the 136 Core cities.

This new edition will build on the success of the previous ICC programme (2020-22) and Digital Cities Challenge (2018-20) and provide an extensive high-profile network, solid methodology framework and strong support mechanisms.

Dana Eleftheriadou, Head Cities and Proximity Team, DG GROW at the European Commission, said: "Cities are the beating heart of Europes economy.

"The new phase of the Intelligent Cities Challenge offers cities with the prime opportunity to put themselves on the map as a European Intelligent City and to turn their sustainability and technological ambitions into action, especially by launching their own Local Green Deals across city departments and with the local businesses.

"These will put your cities firmly on the path towards making the European Green Deal and the Green Deal Industrial Plan a reality, while scaling-up Europe's net-zero industry.

For the latest developments and more information, visit intelligentcitieschallenge.eu.
The redevelopment of a County Derry estate has been halted until an agreement with local bonfire builders has been achieved.

Mid Ulster District Councils environment committee made the decision at a meeting at the beginning of the month.

Members were asked to grant Councils Chief Executive, Adrian McCreesh, delegated authority to award capital contracts in August for a number of small settlement projects.

The small redevelopment projects, including one in the Riverside estate in Castledawson, were set to get the go ahead next month.

Other villages due to benefit from the small settlement scheme include Castlecaulfield, Moneymore and Moy.

If it were to be given the green light, The Riverside project would see the creation of a trim trail around the perimeter of the existing pitch, low level lighting, a pocket park area, designated natural area with the work to integrate with the current play park leaving a grass space area for locals to enjoy and remedial works to the car park.

However, permission for the project at Riverside was not granted, as it is currently used as a bonfire site.

Councils deputy chief executive, Anne Marie Campbell, told the committee the project is yet to go out to procurement.

Ms Campbell also said that the committee had been "working very closely with the local community in that area" and are "hopeful they will go down a beacon route, possibly next year but it is work in progress."

Ms Campbell added: In terms of this project there have been proposals, in terms of modification, that would facilitate a beacon approach as opposed to a bonfire approach on site and that is where the project is at the moment.

Ms Campbell also strongly advised that the other projects go ahead as the funding for several of the applications is time bound.

We have deadlines to meet, she said. In Pomeroy for example we have to have the arts trail delivered on site by December, so I would caution against stopping that project

It would put the whole funding package we have for Pomeroy in danger and the other small settlement schemes have a funding deadline of March 2024.

The committee approved the proposal to grant delegated authority to Councils chief executive to award contracts in relation to Connecting Pomeroy and other small settlement schemes during August.
The absence of a functioning government in Northern Ireland means that it is the only part of the UK to have lacked a proper policy response to the cost-of-living crisis, a think tank has said.

The new report by the Centre for Progressive Policy has examined the impact of soaring costs across the region, as well as Scotland and Wales.

It pointed out that Northern Ireland has faced deepening hardship with record numbers receiving universal credit as well as housing support.

The report said: The absence of a functioning government in Northern Ireland means that it is the only part of the UK to have lacked a proper policy response to the cost-of-living crisis.

The lack of political representation in the UK Government has further contributed to this challenge, masking the potential severity of the crisis in Northern Ireland from dominant political and media narratives.

Few in and around Westminster have been aware that the energy price cap has never applied to Northern Ireland, while the countrys huge dependency on home heating oil has also gone largely unnoticed.

Many will also be unaware that because of this, Northern Irelands principal winter crisis was arguably not over the winter of 2022-23 like Great Britain, but the preceding year, 2021-2022, as oil prices began climbing significantly with zero financial support provided to households to absorb costs.

The Stormont powersharing institutions have been dormant for more than 16 months due to a boycott by the DUP in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

The Centre for Progressive Policy report continued: Evidence of deepening hardship taking place on a mass scale can be seen in the record levels of households now receiving universal credit (UC), which has more than doubled since 2020 due to pressures from rising bills and prices.

This hardship is also seen through the rapidly increasing number of households receiving support for housing costs, with the total number having tripled since the end of 2019, now encompassing roughly one in six households, and notably, one in four within the private rented sector.

The lack of resilience to rising prices in Northern Ireland has been reinforced by a lack of governance to help build household and community resilience to economic shocks.

Northern Irelands Fuel Poverty Strategy is over a decade old, having been published in 2011, while local area fuel poverty statistics have not been published since 2016.

Local leaders fighting this crisis on the ground have often had to do so with few resources, little strategic oversight and limited data-led insight about the situation as it confronts them.

The report noted the fact that 68% of households in Northern Ireland are reliant on home heating oil, with the number rising to 82% in rural areas.

It added: The market for home heating oil is highly unregulated and is unprotected from any price mechanisms.

Although every household in Northern Ireland received an additional 200 of support given their high dependency on heating oil, this came months after prices for heating oil peaked.

Northern Irelands significant dependency on home heating oil and the lack of regulation of the market meant that most households in Northern Ireland had already endured months of drastic and persistent price increases.

With the Northern Ireland Assembly not sitting, and a seeming lack of awareness or real interest in mainstream UK policy circles about the situation in Northern Ireland, its citizens experience of the energy crisis has gone largely unnoticed outside of its borders.

While heating oil prices have fallen to a level far closer to what they were prior to the energy crisis, the continued lack of regulation in the market, or longer-term plans to make Northern Ireland more energy secure, means that it remains uniquely vulnerable to future price shocks.

The think tank called on the devolved governments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to provide more discretionary funding for councils, similar to the Household Support Fund available to English local authorities, to support their residents.

Report author Ross Mudie said: Rising living costs are adding pressure to virtually all households in the devolved nations, but our analysis reveals significantly different pressures in different places within them.

Households in large cities across the three nations are more likely to face pressure from high housing costs, both private renters and those with recent mortgages being particularly at risk.

For remote and rural communities, fuel poverty is a significant threat, particularly for those households in Scotland and Northern Ireland that rely on heating fuel.
Samsung Mobile head TM Roh has hinted at the products that we could get to see at the Galaxy Unpacked event. This includes the new Samsung foldables, wearables, and tablets. So, we may not see a new regular phone, laptop, or anything other than the things he mentioned.

But, since the things he talks about are more than enough to make this event star-studded, no complaints. Moreover, we know a fair bit about these products. Come on, have a look.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023: What to expect

He starts the blog by talking about innovative design and then highlights how the company has  raised the standards for foldable smartphone ergonomics. He emboldens how the upcoming foldables are thinner and lighter than the predecessors.

Samsung foldables are not necessarily bestowed with the latest and greatest specs since design takes priority.

Still, the book-shaped Galaxy Z Fold 5 5G could be coming with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, UFS 4.0 storage, a new 12MP telephoto camera, and updated connectivity options like WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.

The Z Flip 5, meanwhile, is expected to come with a bigger cover screen and software features utilising that enlarged space. It is said to benefit from the same Snapdragon chip as the Fold 5. It could be very similar to its precursor in other areas.

Both phones are likely to get better hinge mechanisms, which should be able to close them flatter and when opened the crease is likely to be more concealed.

Also Read: Images of Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra leak

The new Samsung tablets could be Tab S9, Tab S9 Plus, Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9 FE, and Tab S9 FE Plus. The latter could launch a little after the Unpacked event.

The Tab S9 series (at least the non-FE variants) could feature IP67 dust and water protection and OLED displays.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series, meanwhile, is rumoured to launch in Galaxy Watch 6, Watch 6 Classic, and maybe even a Galaxy Watch 6 Business model.

Also Read: I used the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for 5 weeks and here is my experience

The Galaxy Watch 6 is speculated to ship in 40mm and 44mm dial sizes, while the Watch 6 Classic could be available in 43mm and 47mm sizes. The bezels could be rotating. Both watches could be engined by an Exynos W930 SoC, have the latest WearOS out of the box, a temperature sensor, Sapphire glass shield, IP68 ingress protection and more.
Realme has launched its fourth tablet in the country which they are calling Realme Pad 2 along with Realme C53. Previously, Realme launched Realme Pad, Pad Mini and Pad X. Now the Realme Pad 2 will be the successor of Realme Pad. This year, the Chinese company has made some changes in their latest tablet. Realme Pad 2 rolls out with a better display, improved performance and obviously increased prices.

Lets get to the specifications of Realme Pad 2.

Realme Pad 2 comes with an 11.5-inch IPS LCD display with 10 bit colours and maximum 120Hz refresh rate. This tablet comes with a 2K display as well.

Also read: Realme C53 coming on early bird sale on the launch day

Realme has also upgraded the processor to Mediatek Helio G99 which is paired with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. It is packed with a 8360mAh battery with 33-watt fast charging support.

Realme Pad 2 features an 8-megapixel camera on the back and the same on the front.

The Realme Pad 2 is launched in India at a starting price of 17,999. It will be available for pre-booking on Realmes official website from July 26 to July 31. On pre-booking the tablet, you will get a 500 off coupon. The company will also offer some bank discounts on the tablet such as:

A 1500 instant discount on ICICI Bank Credit Cards, Net banking & EMIs, SBI Credit Cards and HDFC Credit Cards.

Students can get a 2000 off by availing a 1500 bank offer and a 500 coupon.

Also read: Realme Pad 2 confirmed, could feature a 120 Hz display

Realme Pad 2 could be a decent tablet as the company has improved the configurations of the tablet compared to its predecessor. It has a faster processor, bigger battery and an upgraded camera sensor. From what we know and think, Realme Pad 2 could be a killer in this price segment.
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Local elected representatives need a security allowance after a county councillors house had a brick thrown through a window, according to an independent senator.

Senator Sharon Keogan has repeated her calls for councillors to be given a security allowance following a targeted attack on en elected representative's home.

She said the measure is necessary following a threatening act of vandalism at independent councillor Hugh Lewiss family home. The local politicians 78-year-old father was sitting at home when a rock with an anti-refugee message came through the window.

Speaking after the incident, Senator Keogan said: As a Duleek Councillor, I was subject to an arson attack by drug dealers for speaking out against the recruitment and grooming of children as young as 12.

Councillor Vincent Jackson was also subject to an attack earlier this year. The government cannot delay. Security for our local representatives needs to be prioritised by Minister Darragh OBrien and Minister Michael McGrath in September, she said.

In May and June earlier this year, I called for councillors to be given a security allowance similar to those of TDs. They do many of the same duties, and their salaries are insufficient to cover security costs, Senator Keogan said.

Whether someone is a conservative or on the left of the political spectrum - no one deserves to be subjected to a violent attack, she said.

Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell also seconded her call saying: The government seeks to attract new blood into politics whether they be women or people of colour. The government cant do this without giving them the means to guarantee their security. Grand words must result in action.
A plebiscite to extend Dundalk BIDS (Business Improvement District Scheme) is currently underway with local ratepayers having until 17th August to submit their ballots and decide on whether to give the company another five-year term.

In 2009 Dundalk was the first town in Ireland to vote for such a scheme and over the past fifteen years it has worked to bring a range of initiatives to the town including, the Facades Operation Town transformation, SEEK Urban Arts Festival and the annual Frostival Carnival Of Light Parade.

The BIDs model has been so successful in Dundalk that both Newry and Drogheda have voted for its application in their districts in the recent years that have followed.

Since its inception, the scheme has overseen 3 million of investment in the town and since 2015 Dundalk has invested in projects with a commercial value of 1.5 million that enhance the visual perception of Dundalk.

Town Centre Commercial Manager with BIDS, Martin McElligott is hopeful ratepayers will continue to invest in the companys efforts to make Dundalk the leading destination in the north east by voting Yes:

Hopefully people will feel that we are doing our job. The town centre is a very important place and weve been very visual over the past six or seven years. I like to think that Ive put the money where people can see it, through the changes being added and the results they have brought.

Martin says one of the highlights of the last term has been the success of the SEEK Urban Arts Festival.

The SEEK Festival was something that we started back in 2019 and it was one of the tools that we used to help refocus the perception of Dundalk. Its five years on now, and the success of it is speaking for itself and is now internationally recognised and winning awards.

This project and the many projects that are closely linked are a concerted effort to rebrand Dundalk and demonstrates our commitment to improving the towns image and creating a more appealing environment for our visitors, investors and our residents.

Rebranding and enhancing the image of our town has had a successful impact on the perception of our area.

By collaborating with our various partners, we have leveraged their strengths and resources, which have elevated our destination proposition.

Part of the plan for the next term, Martin says, is to extend their work further out to areas adjacent to the town centre.

We started where we felt we needed to start. As you can see, Dundalk still has plenty of places that need to be addressed and the next five years will be spent trying to balance that visual perception across the town, not just in the core historic area.

To date, the Facades project has transformed large parts of the town centre and has aided business owners with maintenance and upkeep of their buildings.

Martin revealed that some of his new plans will include putting more staff on the ground, which he hopes will get projects moving quicker and also hopes to bring forward some new initiatives over the next five years, which are already taking shape behind the scenes.

We want to develop the SEEK Festival and we definitely want to accelerate the facades project.

Elevating Dundalks national profile even further in the next term is my top priority, this is a constant pressure that I seem to thrive on! And I feel its our time and that its now or never for me.

Its all about keeping Dundalks image. When I took up office, there was a lot of dereliction and a lot of issues visually and thats a hard place to sell sometimes even though we know that we have great business people and great independent strong businesses.

One of the core pillars of the BIDS strategy has been to use art, culture and heritage as ways to regenerate the town centre and not just make it a better place to do business, but also to live, as Martin explains:

Town Centres are no longer places that are measured by commercial activity alone, and that can sound like a contradiction to our existence, but to the contrary our core strategy is to protect the core retail and night time economy providers that we have here at the moment, and to do that we need to make Dundalk more liveable, more vibrant, a more attractive place to visit, work and live.

This is equally important in attracting new business investment into the centre of our town.

Projects like SEEK and Facades have been tools that have allowed us to do that and were never going to let go of that strategy.. Its going to be a pillar in our program of work for the foreseeable future.

Its important to not distill it down to what does it do for me. Its about what it can do for my area and that can then really benefit business and the overall quality of life within Dundalk.

Weve a lot of great people, a very strong Chamber of Commerce and a very strong local development office in the local LEO.

But the town centre management agencys sole charge at the moment is to work in partnership with Louth County Council on the visual perception and attraction of our town as a whole.

Thats been my core focus as a manager and Ive no intention of changing direction on that. In this term, I want to change gear and reach more people and have a much wider influence as we move outwards over the next five years. I am confident that Dundalk can stand firm and further enhance its new public image.

The challenge over the next term will be to align everybody under this umbrella as rebranding an image that has been slowly eroded over the last number of decades takes time, forging strong partnerships will be crucial, tapping into the expertise, networks and resources of other organisations and individuals.

These partnerships will bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and additional supports to help transcend Dundalks current destination proposition.

Ultimately the success of this challenge will depend heavily on collective collaboration, strategic planning and most importantly consistent execution.

I would like to thank my own staff, board of directors, councillors and the senior management team in Louth County Council for their incredible support over the last number of years.

Partners like Creative Spark and Dundalk Tidy Towns that have really helped us on our journey, their efforts should never go unnoticed and are to be highly commended.
Uisce Eireann and Louth County Council crews are working to repair a large burst to a water main impacting customers on the Castleblayney Road.

The burst occurred as a result of works not related to Uisce Eireann which damaged the water main.

Every effort is being made to maintain supply to as many customers as possible, however, the burst is causing outages and low pressure for customers in the following areas: Castleblayney Road, Greyacres Road, Mill Road, Fatima, Oldbridge, Saltown, Bellews Bridge, Kilcurry and surrounding areas.

Repairs are expected to be completed later tonight.

Typically, it takes two to three hours following repairs for water to refill the network and normal supply to restore to all customers, the company said.

Speaking about the repair works Michael Cunniffe, Uisce Eireann, said: The repairs in the Dundalk area are being conducted as quickly as possible to minimise disruption to the community and restore water for all customers.

We understand the inconvenience unplanned outages can have on customers and we appreciate their patience as we work to repair the burst and return normal water supply.

Vulnerable customers who have registered with Irish Water receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.

Uisce Eireann said it understands the inconvenience when an unplanned outage occurs and thanks customers for their patience while we work to restore normal supply to impacted customers.

The Uisce Eireann customer care helpline is open 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries.



For updates, please visit the Water Supply Updates section of the Uisce Eireann website and include the ref. LOU00065709.
THE chairperson of Cork City Councils finance committee has called for the Noonans Road and St Finbarrs Road social housing complexes to be flattened and rebuilt.

Shocking living conditions in local authority housing in the two neighbouring developments, which date back to the 1960s, have been highlighted in The Echo in recent weeks.

In both flat complexes, social housing tenants say they have been abandoned by Cork City Council, leaving them in dilapidated and dangerous homes which are prone to dampness and mould and which regularly suffer from infestation by rats and mice.

Fianna Fail councillor Sean Martin has said he favours the demolition of both flat complexes, with residents moved to new accommodation and, once their former homes are rebuilt, given the option of moving back in.

If you level the two blocks down there, Noonans Road and Finbarrs Road, you have a big site there, including the big tarmacadam area there in the front. I think we could do a very good development there, a model one, that would fit the purpose and actually house more people going forward as well, Mr Martin said.

Asked for a timeline on such a redevelopment, Mr Martin said he could see no reason the work could not be under way by this time next year.

Theres two developments on Barrack Street and then Roches Cross, and theres a few other availabilities in the area as well.

Mould due to dampness on interior walls and ceilings. Pic: Larry Cummins.

If were going to decant people, then theres no reason that we cant start on one or two sites up there and show that were real about this, we mean what were saying, and lets get this done, he said.

There are other developments around the place, if vacancies became available around the place, we should be offering them to people if they have an interest in moving out, if we are sincerely deciding that the road to go to is to knock them and bring in a new development, Mr Martin added.

Mr Martin, who was co-opted onto Cork City Council in 1997, replacing his brother Micheal, who is currently Tanaiste, said he had put through a motion calling for an examination of options for the area, and he was hoping to get a reply from the executive in September.

Well see what the report says in September. My understanding is council management will walk the site next week, a number of the key people down there, and theyre going to have the councillors meet onsite to have a look at what can be done.

He said that he and fellow councillors were blue in the face from putting through motions attempting to improve the area around Noonans Road and St Finbarrs Road.

Look at the area, St Fin Barres Cathedral, UCC, its a beautiful area, but these are eyesores in that area. Theres no reason we cant move, when you have the money, use it or lose it...and I think theres a need to drive on now, Mr Martin said.

Horizontal cracks in the walls of a vacant City Council-owned property on St Finbarr's Road, Cork City at the rear of the premises. Pic: Larry Cummins.

Personally, I think [the flats] should be knocked, thats in my motion. I think you ask people what they want, whats the best fix for them, weve done it in the north-west ward for decades now, and theres no reason we cant mirror it in Noonans Road and Finbarrs Road, its a much smaller development than what weve done up in Knocknaheeny. This is the way to go, he said.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said its housing directorate had recently undertaken a detailed survey and assessment of the housing units in the Noonans Road area, which includes Saint Finbarrs Road, with a view to the progression of their refurbishment/upgrade (to include deep energy retrofit).

The council is currently reviewing the survey findings in order to consider the next steps to the progression of sustainable and appropriate solutions to the housing development in the area, the council spokesperson said.

Residents and elected representatives will be advised of progress in this regard in due course.
A WOMAN suffering from a devastating Lyme disease diagnosis is taking extreme measures to ensure she can receive care after running out of funds to cover her treatment.

Aneta Kubicka, who lives in Passage West, opened up about how a seemingly innocuous bite from a house spider altered her life dramatically.

In a bid to reclaim her life, she has now opened a GoFundMe campaign to help her to seek out the treatment she needs.

Aneta had presented at a hospitals emergency medicine department after falling extremely ill.

However, her symptoms were put down to fatigue and the effects of a fever.

It later transpired that Lyme disease had been lying dormant in her body for years before the spider bite activated its symptoms.

The 37-year-olds nightmare began in 2018 with her symptoms taking on a number of forms.

Severe pain in her heart, as well as kidney and liver issues, are just a few of the many problems she has been experiencing since contracting the illness.

Aneta told The Echo how she previously travelled to Poland in order to receive a diagnosis and specialist treatment.

We used up all our savings and we no longer have funds left, she explained.

Im reaching out to the public for support.

I thought I would be able to manage the illness in a holistic way using whatever I could bring from Poland, but it is difficult when there is no dedicated clinic or unit for this.

There is only one doctor in Ireland who specialises in this and he has a huge waiting list.

Aneta also spoke about the knock-on effect of the illness.

Lupus is a side effect, so its not just the Lyme disease.

Its literally everything, she said, explaining how difficult symptoms are to predict.

It changes every month, and the disease is always transforming.

This has been a long journey. Im trying to work as often as I can.

Im trying to work as much as I can but its not always possible.

The company I work for has been very understanding, but I realise its very difficult for them when my illness stops me working.

Navigating this new way of living has been difficult for Aneta.

I am just trying to mind everything as best I can, she said.

There are so many problems that come with this.

I have kidney problems, problems with the eyes and ears, and digestive issues.

This will be on and off every so often. All I can do is mind the situation.

Aneta penned a poignant account of her experience with the disease on her GoFundMe page.

Lyme disease has woven its way into the very fabric of my existence, altering my life in unimaginable ways, she said.

For years, I have battled this persistent illness, enduring physical and emotional torment that has shaken me to my core.

It has not only robbed me of my vitality, but also challenged my mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Yet, despite the hardships, I refuse to let this disease define me or steal my hope.

She also reiterated the significance of the fundraiser.

This fundraising endeavour holds immense significance to me, as it represents a glimmer of light amidst the darkness, she said.

It is a ray of hope that can potentially transform my life and restore the vibrant, resilient person I once was.

The support I receive from every one of you will not only assist me in accessing vital treatment, but also serve as a testament to the strength of the community and the boundless power of compassion.

To find out more or to donate to Anetas campaign, visit GoFundMe.

All funds raised will be divided to fund treatment, rehabilitation, and physical therapy as well as counselling supports.
THERE was a 53.8% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels in Macroom town following tests carried out before and after the Macroom bypass was completed, an official with Cork County Council has said.

Senior executive officer Ted OLeary told councillors at a recent Southern Committee meeting that the monitoring of the air quality in Macroom was instigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

We undertook some air monitoring in Macroom both before and after the opening of the bypass, he said. The results of it showed over a 50% reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels in the town.

Mr OLeary explained the process in more detail in a report to the councillors.

In October last year, the Environment Directorate undertook NO2 monitoring at several locations in Macroom using passive diffusion tube samplers, he said.

With the assistance of the EPA Air Quality Unit, and An Taisce, diffusion tubes were deployed at seven locations in Macroom to estimate the level of NO2 in the town for a period prior to and after the opening of the bypass.

The results clearly show that after the bypass opened, there was a significant reduction in average concentrations of NO2 at all six town sites, with a combined average 53.8% reduction in NO2 measurements overall.

We will be talking to the EPA to see if they would partner with us on expanding air-quality monitoring in Macroom.

This outcome has clear air-quality benefits for Macroom. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,300 premature deaths annually in Ireland due to poor air quality. Such emissions can also significantly compromise the quality of life for people suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Fianna Fail councillor Gobnait Moynihan welcomed the findings.

A 53% decrease is massive, she said.

It is down to cars not being stopped in the town for an amount of time. It is obvious the impact on it.

Her party colleague, councillor Seamus McGrath, echoed her sentiments, saying: The figures in relation to the air quality in Macroom are very encouraging.
A MAN, aged 26, charged with the robbery of an off-licence, has now been charged with the additional count of carrying a knife during the raid.

Sergeant Pat Lyons told Judge Olann Kelleher that the Director of Public Prosecutions had indicated that the case should proceed by indictment and that it was a matter for trial by judge and jury or for a signed plea of guilty.

As soon as the second charge was brought against the accused, his solicitor, Shane Collins-Daly, indicated that Trevor Doyle would be pleading guilty to both counts.

Doyle, with addresses at Elm Grove, Midleton, Co Cork, and Redforge Road, Blackpool, Cork, appeared at Cork District Court.

He faced charges that on January 11, 2023, at ODonovans off-licence, Blackpool, Cork, he robbed 250 in cash, and of producing a knife during the robbery.

The accused man signed pleas of guilty to both charges.

Judge Kelleher sent the case forward for sentencing at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court, commencing on October 23.

Sgt Lyons said the accused was currently in custody.

Mr Collins-Daly said there was no application for bail pending sentence.

Judge Kelleher then sent him forward in custody for sentencing in October.

There was one summary charge for the district court to which he also pleaded guilty.

That was of failing to appear in court as required on June 28, when a bench warrant had to be issued for his arrest.

Sgt Lyons said the same man had two previous convictions for failing to appear in court.

Mr Collins-Daly said the accused had been in hospital that day after self-harming.

Judge Kelleher imposed a two-month prison sentence on the man for his failure to appear in June.

When he was first charged with robbery of the off-licence in January, his reply after caution was: I apologise.
The new Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn, has refused to rule out the possibility of running for the Dail if the situation ever arose in the future.

The Fianna Fail councillor, who represents the Fermoy Municipal District and has been a member of Cork County Council since 1999, told The Echo he would love to run for the Dail if the opportunity ever presented itself.

I would love to run for the Dail, but there was never an opportunity there. As Shakespeare said, what is man without ambition?

Of course, I would love to run for the Dail, he said.

Maybe the opportunity might arise. I am overwhelmed by the many people who have been asking me about it since I became the County Mayor.

His immediate electoral target however remains next Junes local elections.

Local elections

I want to continue the work I am doing supporting the communities and the people out there. I want to give a commitment that I will work hard and enjoy my year. I had a very good local election in 2019.

I am looking forward to calling to people next spring and asking them for their support again so I can continue to work for them in the community for the next five years.

Mr OFlynn hopes Fianna Fail will return as many councillors as possible in next Junes local elections.

Fianna Fail had great success in the Fermoy MD in 2019. We returned three seats out of six. We would be hoping to have three councillors elected again next June.

I hope in the next local elections that Fianna Fail will return as many councillors as possible. There is an opening for an extra seat in both the Cobh and Midleton electoral areas.

Cllr Sheila OCallaghan and Cllr Ann Marie Ahern are great workers, and they might bring colleagues back in with them.

Fianna Fail has gone through difficult times. The polls dont seem to be favourable at the moment. We will keep ploughing on.

However, Mr OFlynn said it is a tremendous honour and privilege to serve as the new County Mayor.

Becoming County Mayor

I am the first mayor in the Fermoy MD area since Dick Fitzgerald back in 1981. I will do the job to the best of my ability.

I am grateful to the members of Cork County Council and Fianna Fail for nominating me. I am grateful to my family, especially my wife Mary and my son Frances John. I am a proud Cork man.

I recognise the greatness of our beloved county. Cork County has long been a place of tremendous growth and will continue to be.

The new mayor has had a very busy schedule since he was elected on Friday, June 23 with a plethora of engagements throughout the county which he thoroughly enjoys.

It has been very busy, but very enjoyable. I love meeting people.

I love visiting communities and seeing the great amount of voluntary effort that is out there. I love meeting the businesspeople and seeing what is happening in our county. I look forward to working with people.

We are lucky in Cork that we are a growing county. We have a well-educated workforce. We have a very good education system.

We have a very good community, and we have an exceptional quality of life. People are continuing to shop local. We came out of covid on the right side. I can see our villages and towns coming back to life. I can see our shops and bars doing very well, he added.

Mr OFlynn, who lives in Glanworth, has been a member of Cork County Council since he was first elected in 1999.

He says he loves his role as a political representative.

I did Dairy and Food Science in UCC. I was a creamery manager with Dairygold Co-Op for many years. I am now a full-time politician.

I was first elected to the council in June 1999. I took over from Carey Joyce who retired.

I am grateful to the electorate who have returned me with a massive vote of confidence in every election since. I work extremely hard. I am there to help every single member of the public and I will be a listening mayor.

Community means an awful lot. I am a very strong community person and a strong supporter of the community.

Priorities as Mayor

The new County Mayor said he has several key priorities he wants to prioritise during his tenure.

Housing is a key priority for him. He has called for the fast-tracking of derelict houses and vacant buildings in towns and villages throughout the county.

The County Mayor also emphasised the importance of continuing to build up communities throughout the county to breathe new life into areas and help businesses.

The biggest issue at the moment is housing. 99% of the calls I get are about housing.

It is imperative we as a county address the urgent need for social and affordable houses.

I will be utilising all possible avenues to ensure we provide more houses. We are making a start.

We have beautiful towns and villages with derelict sites and vacant buildings for the last 20 or 30 years and nothing happening.

We need to bring them back into use. We need a fast-track system.

We must get people back living in our towns and put life back into our towns. This will help support businesses and local family businesses.

We have to get rid of the red tape, the County Mayor said, in relation to the fast-tracking of derelict sites and vacant buildings.

You have the footpaths there, road network, sewerage, water, and broadband.

You have bus services and in some places train services and Local Link. If you move out to a greenfield site, you must provide all those facilities.

I cant understand why it takes so long to get those vacant sites back. You could have shops in the bottom and people living overhead.

There are too many laws and it is frustrating for people. We eased the rules during covid with outdoor dining and it worked.

We need to keep building our communities up. We need good strong sporting organisations, Tidy Towns groups and community councils in each area. We are lucky in Cork that we have such strong voluntary organisations. I am very big on community.

Leader and Tidy Towns groups are doing great work. Climate action is very important, and I am a strong supporter of the arts, culture, and heritage. I will also advocate strongly for a fair share of funding for our road network in Cork, he added.
Youre some f***ing hero  that was the comment made by a man to a member of An Garda Siochana in Cork city during an incident where he disputed the claim that he was in any way harassing a group of young women.

Craig Bowles of Wilton, Cork, whose address on the charge sheet was of Sallybrook, Glanmire, said he had about six pints in town that night and was on his way home when he saw a good-looking young woman at a bus stop on Washington St.

He denied allegations that he harassed anyone male or female and appeared at Cork District to contest the case against him.

Mr Bowles said that at one stage during the incident, he called out to another guard  not involved in dealing with him  to come to his assistance.

They searched me unjustly. I tried to call the guard who was driving the paddy wagon in the hope he might have a bit more cop-on, Craig Bowles testified.

Sgt Gearoid Davis asked, were you calling the guards names? The defendant replied, I might have said, you are not doing a good job.

Sgt Davis asked the accused if he had referred to the guards as pricks and pigs? He said he had not.

He said he was in distress after the handcuffs were put on him as he said they were too tight.

He also complained in court: I was trying to prevent my shoulder from being dislocated.

The disputed incident occurred after midnight on December 29, 2022.

The accused said he was making his way home to Wilton after about six pints and said he met a young woman and started talking to her  she was good looking and I said Id chat her up.

He claimed that without any discussion with gardai, they came from behind him and with no warning they began to handcuff him.

Judge Olann Kelleher said this was the one aspect of the defendants evidence that he could not accept.

Solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said of the 32-year-old following his conviction for being drunk and a danger and engaging in threatening behaviour: He is someone who is somewhat respectable and easy to deal with.

He added that Mr Bowles went out that night around Christmas and had no intention of getting into any difficulty.

Judge Kelleher said he would finalise the matter with a 400 fine for threatening behaviour and 200 for being drunk and a danger.

Garda Michael Fehilly testified that a group of young women in the area told them that the defendant had harassed them.

Garda Fehilly said when he was dealing with Craig Bowles, the defendant said to him:

Youre some f***ing hero.

Mr Collins-Daly said the defendant spoke to one young woman and she had no problem with him but that another woman in this group took issue with him.

Craig Bowles said: It was no big deal  just a social interaction. But the guards came up behind me and grabbed me, pushed me against the wall and handcuffed me immediately.
Certificates were recently presented to 60 students who successfully completed courses at the Cork Academy of Music.

The presentation of certificates to the students who completed various courses and the Jazz Summer School was held at the Cork Academy of Music in the North Monastery Campus.

Bob Seward, who established the Cork Academy of Music 29 years ago and now serves as the chairman, paid tribute to the successful students. Every year we have a summer school. It is a comprehensive school, where people come in for a week of intensive work.

It is a very intensive course held over five days where the students learn all instruments such as piano, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and guitar, Mr Seward said.

We presented the certificates to the successful students at the North Monastery campus. A total of 60 students were rewarded with certificates.

The students were comprised of people of all ages. It was a great day. The course started on Monday and finished on Friday.

There was a lovely atmosphere. It is always a huge day for the school. A lot of parents and relations were also at the graduation ceremony.

After we presented the certs, the students put on a lovely musical show. They demonstrated all that they learned throughout the week, he continued.

Bob Seward, chairman of the Cork Academy of Music plays the drums during a tour of the school on July 7. Picture: Cian O'Regan.

Mr Seward said there are many benefits upon completion of the course.

It is a very useful course for them to complete as some of them will be going on to college.

This course is of great benefit to them because it is taught by very efficient tutors who are well-versed in the music industry.

We also have other courses. Each course has about eight or nine modules they go through over the two years.

A lot of courses will now finish at the end of August. Most of these people will go into the music industry or go on to third level education.

We run a course through the Community Employment (CE) scheme. We are running that for 29 years now. It is very successful.

It is a scheme where people of all ages come in. We also have a foundation access course to third level.

This year now we have eight people going on to college. About 2,500 people have gone through here and it has changed their lives completely.

It can be a life-changing experience for most of them. We use music as a tool for social inclusion, he added.

The chairman of Cork Academy of Music said he sees a change in students within weeks of them starting courses with the academy.

There is a very happy and a lovely atmosphere here. I always see a change in self-esteem in the students within weeks.

We have great facilities. We have very good equipment and very comfortable classrooms.

We have renovated new toilets. We are setting up a recording studio here now, he said.

Cork Academy of Music is going extremely well.

We are getting great results in all instruments. Anything related to music is taught here. All our examinations are external.

Theory is a big one. We have done up the building in the North Monastery Campus. We are doing the inside at the moment. The Cork Academy of Music has a great history and a very bright future.
There is very strong support for the view that Nora Sheehan, who went missing 42 years ago before her body was found dumped in dense undergrowth, had previously been in a car driven by murder accused Noel Long, a forensic scientist has told a cold case trial.

The Central Criminal Court jury also heard that fibres recovered from the mother of threes clothing and nail scrapings matched those taken from a carpet inside the interior of a car associated with the accused.

Evidence was also given that paint fragments removed from the deceaseds clothing matched paint taken from the same motorcar in both colour and composition.

Noel Long, 74, with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981 at an unknown place within the State. Her body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork six days after she went missing.

Retired forensic scientist Dr Maureen Smith yesterday told Mr Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that she had worked in the biology department of Forensic Science Ireland from 1979 to 2014. Her work entailed examining body fluids and textile fibres from crime scenes and individuals to determine if there were any possible links between them.

Dr Smith said she received Mrs Sheehans navy overcoat with a white trim, a navy pinafore dress, and brown tights on June 17, 1981. She also received a sellotape lift from a shoe belonging to the deceased.

The trial has heard that when the victim was found in undergrowth at Shippool Woods her dress, slip, and bra was pulled up covering her head and there was a pair of tights on her right foot. Her navy coat was lying in briars about 20 yards from the road.

Dr Smith told Mr Grehan that she also received sellotape lifts taken from a light blue Opel Kadett car by retired Detective Inspector Colm Dardis on June 18, 1981. The witness said her examination was to see if there were any links between Mrs Sheehans clothing and the sellotape lifts from the Kadett.

Any loose debris from the surface of Mrs Sheehans clothing was removed on sellotape lifts, she added.

Mr Dardis, 86, has already testified that he examined the Kadett on June 16 1981, and took 44 surface lifts from the inside of the vehicle and its boot.

The trial has also heard from retired Superintendent Matthew Thorne, 91, that he stopped Mr Long driving a blue Opel Kadett with registration plate OZF 426 on the Curraheen Road in Bishopstown in Cork on the morning of June 16, 1981. Mr Thorne said he sat into the front passenger seat of the car and directed the accused to drive to the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork city. The Kadett was put into the station yard to be examined.

Asked by Mr Grehan what she had recovered from Mrs Sheehans navy overcoat that was of significance, Dr Smith said she removed nine black viscose fibres which matched fibres from black carpet taken from the interior of the Kadett.

The former scientist said she also found four black viscose fibres on Mrs Sheehans navy pinafore-type dress, 20 black viscose fibres on the deceaseds brown tights and two black viscose fibres on nail scrapings taken from the victims right hand, all of which matched the fibres taken from the carpet inside the Kadett.

Dr Smith said she also found fragments of blue metallic paint on the sellotape lifts taken from Mrs Sheehans coat, dress, and shoe, which matched metallic paint from the Kadett.

Asked by Mr Grehan whether there was any other matter on Mrs Sheehans tights, Dr Smith said she found 26 fragments of green paint on them, which matched green paint fragments recovered in debris from the Kadett. The witness said she also found two fragments of light blue paint on the tights, which matched fragments of blue and white paint taken from debris in the motor vehicle.

Dr Smith said she had removed a flake of yellow and grey paint from the tights, which she passed on to her colleague Dr Sheila Willis.

Dr Smith said she removed a number of fragments of red foam from the dress and tights, which matched numerous items of red foam found in the Kadett.

Next witness

The next witness, retired forensic scientist Dr Sheila Willis told Mr Grehan that she worked in the chemistry section of Forensic Science Ireland and examined materials that might form an association between victims and suspects.

Dr Willis said the fragments of blue paint found on Mrs Sheehans shoe consisted of three layers  metallic blue, grey, and dark grey  which matched the control paint from the Kadett in both colour and composition.

In those days most car paints consisted of three layers and it was possible to slice it in such a way that you could see the individual layers, check the individual colour and check how they compared with fragments received from the clothes, she explained.

The former director of Forensic Science Ireland also said the fragment of yellow and grey paint recovered from the tights matched a fragment of yellow paint recovered from the Kadett. It had the same layer structure and infrared system, she added.

She said the deceaseds tights contained numerous prills and small circular pieces of metal and that similar prills and metal were plentiful in the metal of the motorcar.

'Very strong support'

Yesterday afternoon, forensic scientist Amanda Lennon, also from Forensic Science Ireland, agreed with Mr Grehan that her job was to review the reports on trace evidence in the case which she had previously received from Dr Smith and Dr Willis. She also agreed that she was particularly doing so to assist with the query as to whether or not Mrs Sheehan was in the Kadett car. She further agreed that she had access to the slides of the fibres and paint samples in relation to the Kadett car, the deceaseds clothing and the nail scrapings.

Ms Lennon said her conclusion from the findings was that there is very strong support for the view that Mrs Sheehan was in the Kadett car rather than she was not.

Search warrant

Also yesterday, the court heard that Detective Inspector Eamonn Brady, from Macroom Garda Station, who is the senior investigating officer in the case, executed a search warrant on Mr Longs home at midday on November 30, 2021. When he arrived at Passage West the witness said he was met by Mr Longs partner and that the accused man joined them in the living room. A pair of black biker boots, a pair of black socks, and a black beanie hat  all items which the accused was wearing at the time  were seized from him. Mr Longs razor and toothbrush were also taken by gardai.

On Tuesday, Ms Kristen OConnor from Forensic Science Ireland testified that she received these five items for DNA profiling on December 1, 2021.

At the conclusion of yesterdays proceedings, Mr Grehan told the judge he was optimistic that by Friday of this week the prosecution will have called all the evidence in the case.

The trial continues today in front of Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and four women.
The Mayor of the County of Cork has called for an emergency meeting with SouthDoc management regarding the Red Eye (overnight) service in Fermoy.

Local representatives and residents have claimed that the Red Eye service which provides overnight care at SouthDoc Fermoy ceased at 10pm on Tuesday night.

A public meeting on the issue was called on Monday night by Labour TD Sean Sherlock, and a vigil was held outside SouthDoc Fermoy on Tuesday night.

However, in a statement issued to The Echo, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) said it wished to reassure people that there is no reduction of service in the North Cork region, Red Eye or otherwise.

We can confirm that SouthDoc is engaging with staff and their union representatives, Siptu. A consultation process has commenced in line with IR (Industrial Relations) procedures. SouthDoc has vacant positions within the organisation and these have been offered to staff and obviously engagement is continuing. It is not appropriate to comment any further on this process as it is still underway with the relevant parties.

We reiterate that there is no reduction of out-of-hours care in the North Cork region, Red Eye or otherwise. SouthDoc continues to provide service from 6pm to 8am each weekday and 24-hour cover at weekends and public holidays, the CKCH statement added.

If an individual in the catchment area requires care, that care can be provided by appointment in the Fermoy Treatment Centre, or via home visit, depending on the clinical condition of the patient as assessed by the consulting doctor.

However, speaking to The Echo, Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn, the mayor of Co Cork, said serious concerns remain about the level of service provision at SouthDoc in Fermoy.

Im calling on the HSE and SouthDoc to outline to us exactly what service there is, he said.

We want full retention of the existing services. Its a very large area and theres a lot of concern and hurt in the area over this. I am concerned for older people and for mothers with babies and young children. A child doesnt just get sick until 10pm at night. What do you do after 10pm?Its absolutely unbelievable. Were not going to take this lying down.

Im calling on the staff and the management of SouthDoc and the HSE to come out and meet us, the public representatives. Were looking for that meeting since last Monday week and we looked for it again last Monday and again after the public meeting in Fermoy.

He complimented the organisers of a vigil that took place outside SouthDoc Fermoy on Tuesday night, which he said was very well attended.

A joint statement issued on Tuesday by SouthDoc and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare stated: It is important to emphasise that if an individual in Fermoy requires care, that care can be provided by appointment in the Fermoy Treatment Centre, or via home visit, depending on the clinical condition of the patient as assessed by the consulting doctor. There is no reduction in service to North Cork.

It is also important to note that SouthDocs Red Eye service of 10pm to 8am is capable of dealing with approximately 500 patients. This is far in excess of the current demand, which is, on average, 100 patients per night. It is therefore well resourced to meet current and any potential increase in this demand.

A march highlighting the issue is due to take place in Fermoy at 12pm on Friday and will start from the Town Park gates and finish at Fermoy Courthouse.
By David Young, PA, in Kyiv

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

A post on Twitter shared the image and stated that the drone was shot down over the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, near the Black Sea.

Asked about the issue during a press conference in Kyiv, the Taoiseach said: We are aware of that, and we are investigating it at the moment.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy (right) during a meeting at Horodetskyi House in Kyiv. Photo: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA

We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Former foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan called it a matter of some concern.

Under EU sanctions imposed on Russia, there is a ban on the sale, supply or export of drone engines and electronic components, along with other items, that may contribute to Moscows military or the development of its defence and security sector.

The list of restricted items also includes toy drones and various technologies.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is to hold a fresh round of talks with party leaders this week in a bid to break the Stormont stalemate.

The bilateral meetings will take place over coming days in Belfast and London and will also focus on budget pressures facing Stormont departments.

Mr Heaton-Harris is expected to press the parties on their plans for a costed programme for government for any incoming Executive.

The Stormont Assembly has been in flux for more than a year amid DUP protest action over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Windsor Framework was agreed by the EU and UK earlier this year as a way to reduce red tape on trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.

The powersharing institutions at Stormont have not been functioning for more than a year (Liam McBurney/PA)

But the DUP has insisted it will not return to Stormont until the Government provides further legislative assurances around Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Senior civil servants have been left running Stormont departments and face having to make substantial cuts following a budget set by Mr Heaton-Harris.

It is understood that Mr Heaton-Harris has also received the first batch of replies from civil servants examining potential revenue-raising options for Northern Ireland.

Last month, the Northern Ireland Secretary wrote to Stormont permanent secretaries seeking more information about measures that could otherwise improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland.

These included introducing domestic water charges and drug prescription charges, and raising tuition fees.

Officials at the Northern Ireland Office are expected to meet the head of the Northern Ireland civil service in the near future to discuss the responses.
A cybercrime campaign has been targeting students seeking jobs since March, a cybersecurity company reported Wednesday.

Scammers, posing as bioscience and health companies, are enticing students to attend a video call about a job with the intention of getting them to pay bogus fees as a condition of employment, according to Proofpoint researchers Timothy Kromphardt and Selena Larson.

Proofpoint has previously observed threat actors targeting colleges and university users with fraudulent jobs, but this one was interesting because the companies the attacker was spoofing all appear to be related, with the same type of lures and job descriptions used, and all were in bioscience, scientific research or health care, Larson told TechNewsWorld.

The researchers explained in a company blog that targets received email messages inviting them to a video or chat interview for remote data entry jobs.

Bogus Upfront Fee

While Proofpoint was not able to confirm the requests made in a video interview, researchers assess with high confidence based on previous related activity that the actor likely told the recipient they would need to pay an advance fee for equipment before receiving it, which the threat actor would collect, the researchers wrote.

In their findings, Kromphardt and Larson noted that each message sent to a target included a PDF attachment containing hardware and software requirements for the offered position, which totaled up to $7,000.

While the researchers couldnt confirm what transpired during the interviews with the targets, they wrote that the scammers likely asked the students to pay for the equipment to meet the job requirements upfront, with the understanding that the student would be reimbursed with their first paycheck.

Alternatively, the students may have been given a check to deposit into their bank accounts to be used to purchase equipment from a bogus supplier, who would drain the money from the student accounts, leaving the students to pick up the tab when the check bounced.

These are typical behaviors for threat actors perpetrating employment fraud, the researchers wrote. In some cases, the actor may also ask for cryptocurrency payments to cover the shipping expenses of items they are supposed to purchase.

Ripe Targets

According to an article that appeared Tuesday in Inside Higher Ed, student scams have again gained momentum after a brief hiatus at the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. At California State University, Long Beach, the article noted, every email sent between students contains a banner warning recipients to be wary of messages for job offers and password reset requests.

The article by Johanna Alonso noted that scammers commonly offer students jobs, often with better pay and more flexibility than they could find on campus. After assigning a student some menial tasks, it continued, the scammers generally send their victims fraudulent paychecks before claiming to have overpaid them and demanding the money be returned.

Students can be ripe targets for threat actors, according to cybersecurity experts.

Many students do not have experience with scams, phishing, and spear phishing, making them an excellent target for criminals, observed Dror Liwer, co-founder of Coro, a cloud-based cybersecurity company based in Tel Aviv, Israel.

It is easier to communicate authority with an inexperienced student and convince them to take action such as providing information or sending a payment, he told TechNewsWorld.

Students often face financial challenges, such as tuition fees, student loans, and living expenses that can make them vulnerable to claims that offer the opportunity to alleviate some of their financial burdens, added George Jones, chief information security officer at Critical Start, a national cybersecurity services company. The trusting nature of students can make them more willing to believe promises made by bad actors, especially when they appear to come from reputable sources or offer enticing benefits, he told TechNewsWorld.

Network Ties

Students might be more willing to click on links that promise freebies and steep discounts, said Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate at Comparitech, a reviews, advice, and information website for consumer security products.

Theyre also tied into their university network, he told TechNewsWorld. If hackers can use a students account to break into a university network, that could be the foothold needed to escalate privileges and launch more devastating attacks on the entire network, such as ransomware.

Those networks contain information highly prized by hackers, explained Darren Guccione, CEO of Keeper Security, a password management and online storage company in Chicago.

Schools store sensitive data about employees and students ranging from personally identifiable information to psychological records that can earn cybercriminals a pretty penny on the dark web, he told TechNewsWorld.

Sean McNee, vice president of research and data at DomainTools, an internet intelligence company in Seattle, maintained that universities have seen increased attacks from bad actors due to their porous nature and bias for information sharing, along with continued budget concerns and tight resources.

It is saddening, but not surprising, to see bad actors now pivoting from colleges and universities themselves to now targeting students attending those institutions, he told TechNewsWorld.

How Students Can Avoid Scams

To avoid the kinds of scams identified by Proofpoint and Inside Higher Ed, Jones advises students to verify the legitimacy of job postings and employment opportunities before applying or sharing any information.

He also recommends researching a potential employer. Check for contact information, he said, and look for reviews and reports of fraudulent activities, as well as checking known review sites such as LinkedIn or Glassdoor for company information.

Seek guidance, he added, by consulting trusted advisors, such as career counselors, professors, or mentors, when evaluating job offers or financial opportunities. They can provide valuable advice, and a second set of eyes can help identify potential scams, he said.

Proofpoint reminded student job seekers that legitimate employers will never send paychecks before an employees first day of work, nor will they ask employees to send money to purchase items prior to work beginning.

Some key components of fraudulent job offers identified by Proofpoint included:

An unexpected job offer received from a freemail account such as Gmail or Hotmail spoofing a legitimate organization;

A job offer from an email address that uses a domain different from the official company website;

Nonexistent or overly simplistic interview questions with little to no information about the job duties;

PDFs or other documentation that includes grammar and spelling mistakes and includes generic content about organizations and roles; and

Receiving a paycheck almost immediately after beginning a discussion with a sender.

By staying informed and adopting these cautious, common-sense approaches, students can help protect themselves from fraudulent job offers and other online scams.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

President Joe Biden has decided against imposing an embargo on products from Mexico after the country was sanctioned by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for failing to protect vaquitas by curbing illegal totoaba fishing.

Vaquitas are critically endangered porpoises with only about 10 individuals left in the population. They have faced threats from illegal fishers, who use gillnets to trap totoaba, a type of fish whose swim bladder is used in traditional medicines and foods and can sell for thousands of dollars per pound. It is illegal to fish for totoaba, but people have continued illegally fishing for them in protected areas. The vaquitas can die from entanglements in the gillnets.

CITES sanctioned Mexico in March 2023 for failing to stop illegal totoaba fishing and thereby failing to protect the few remaining vaquitas left.

In May of this year, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland certified that Mexico was involved in trade or taking that diminishes the effectiveness of any international program for the conservation of endangered or threatened species, under the U.S. Pelly Amendment.

Haaland cited that Mexico has failed to abide by CITES Appendix I, which makes trade of both totoaba and vaquita parts illegal.

With this certification, Biden was given until July to decide whether or not to take action against Mexico, the Animal Welfare Institute reported.

Mexico has failed the vaquita and ignored its obligations under international law, so this step is crucial, Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. No one relishes painful trade sanctions, but without strong, immediate pressure from the international community, theres a good chance well lose this shy little porpoise forever.

Biden announced on July 17 that he would not move forward with a trade embargo, instead noting that other actions  such as having executive department and agencies carry a dialogue with Mexico about next steps to reduce illegal fishing, assisting Mexico in complying with CITES measures, and having the Department of the Interior develop an assessment over the next year on Mexicos actions to enforce the CITES Compliance Action Plan  were sufficient.

The President noted he will reassess the situation in one year and said potential trade restrictions may be possible next July without improvements on curbing illegal fishing.

Im disappointed in the U.S. government for doing so little to save vaquitas from extinction, Uhlemann said in a statement. These are the rarest marine mammals in the world, and yet the United States has let the Mexican government off the hook again. Mexico has a long, painful history of failed promises on protecting these little porpoises. The United States needs to apply the strongest pressure and ban seafood from Mexico until theres real enforcement on illegal fishing in their habitat. The last 10 vaquitas are at stake.
Manxman will begin service with daytime-only sailings

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is confirming details around its new flagship Manxmans entry into service with it set to begin by commencing daytime-only sailings.

The new vessel, built as a replacement for the Companys Ben-my-Chree, will eventually take over the Douglas-Heysham-Douglas route entirely, but initially will only operate the 08:45 sailing from Douglas to Heysham, and the return sailing at 14:15.

Ben-my-Chree will continue to operate on the 19:45 sailing from Douglas and its 02:15 return sailing for the first four weeks of operation. This is to give Manxmans crew greater opportunity to maximize training and familiarisation as well as to implement operational learnings as they get to know the vessel and its systems.

A date for the first service sailing is yet to be confirmed, with the Company committed to ensuring Manxman complies with all safety, passenger comfort and regulatory requirements.

The Companys staff and crew are working closely with officials from the Isle of Man Ship Registry to achieve Passenger Ship Safety Certification.

Passengers booked to travel with the Company over the Summer months may see Ben-my-Chree or Manxman as the vessel named on their tickets, however, as previously confirmed, due to the complex and not entirely predictable nature of commissioning and readying for service a brand new vessel there is no guarantee that Manxman will operate any particular sailing, and there may be last minute changes of vessel with no notice.

In order to provide more certainty for customers, the Company has taken the decision to enable the purchase of full on board facilities for all sailings to Ben-my-Chree capacity limits up to 31st August. Additional capacity will be released to Manxman limits as soon as the first sailing date is confirmed.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Managing Director Brian Thomson stated Weve always been clear Manxman will only enter service when her crew, the shoreside team and regulators are happy she is ready. Getting a brand new vessel up to the exacting standards of safety needed for daily passenger service in the Irish Sea is a complicated task and there are no shortcuts.

He added: Weve got a great team working literally around the clock to have Manxman ready for service, but were not going to push for an artificial date. Manxman will be in service when Manxman is ready for service. We fully appreciate the travelling publics interest in Manxman, and we are just as keen to have her in regular use, welcoming passengers on board. Let me reassure everyone that every effort is being made, but its also important to remember Manxman is due to serve the island for the next twenty-plus years so it is worth taking a little time to get everything right at this stage.
In the 1990 fantasy drama Truly, Madly, Deeply, lead character Nina (Juliet Stevenson), is grieving the recent death of her boyfriend Jamie (Alan Rickman). Sensing her profound sadness, Jamie returns as a ghost to help her process her loss. If youve seen the film, youll know that his reappearance forces her to question her memory of him and, in turn, accept that maybe he wasnt as perfect as shed remembered. Here in 2023, a new wave of AI-based grief tech offers us all the chance to spend time with loved ones after their death  in varying forms. But unlike Jamie (who benevolently misleads Nina), were being asked to let artificial intelligence serve up a version of those we survive. What could possibly go wrong?

While generative tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are dominating the AI conversation, were broadly ignoring the larger ethical questions around topics like grief and mourning. The Pope in a puffa is cool, after all, but thinking about your loved ones after death? Not so much. If you believe generative AI avatars for the dead are still a way out, youd be wrong. At least one company is offering digital immortality already  and its as costly as it is eerie.

Re;memory, for example, is a service offered by Deepbrain AI, a company whose main business includes those virtual assistant type interactive screens along with AI news anchors. The Korean firm took its experience with marrying chatbots and generative AI video to its ultimate, macabre conclusion. For just $10,000 dollars and a few hours in a studio, you can create an avatar of yourself that your family can visit (an additional cost) at an offsite facility. Deepbrain is based in Korea, and Korean mourning traditions include Jesa, an annual visit to the departeds resting place.

Right now, even by the companys own admission, the service doesnt claim to replicate their personality with too much depth; the training set only really affords the avatar to have one mood. Michael Jung, Business Development and Strategy Lead at Deepbrain told Engadget If I want to be a very entertaining Michael, then I have to read very hyper voices or entertaining voices for 300 lines. Then every time when I input the text [to the avatar] I'm going to have a very exciting Michael. Re;memory isnt currently trying to create a true facsimile of the subject  its something you can visit occasionally and have basic interactions with  but one hopes there's a little more character to them than a virtual hotel receptionis.

While Re;memory has the added benefit of being a video avatar that can respond to your questions, audio-based HereAfter AI tries to capture a little more of your personality with a series of questions.The result is an audio chatbot that friends and family can interact with, receiving verbal answers and even stories and anecdotes from the past. By all accounts, the pre-trained chatbots provide convincing answers in their owners voices  until the illusion is unceremoniously broken when it robotically responds Sorry, I didnt understand that. You can try asking another way, or move onto another topic to any query it doesn't have an answer for.

Whether these technologies create a realistic avatar or not isnt the primary concern  AI is moving at such a clip that it will certainly improve. The trickier questions revolve around who owns this avatar once youre gone? Or are your memories and data safe and secure? And what impact can all this have on those we leave behind anyway?

Joanna Bryson, Professor of Ethics and Technology at Hertie School of Governance, likens the current wave of grief tech to when Facebook was more popular with young people. Back then, it was a common destination to memorialize friends that had passed and the emotional impact of this was striking. It was such a new, immediate form of communication, that kids couldn't believe they were gone. And they seriously believe that they're dead friends were reading it. And they're like, I know, you're seeing this.

OLIVIER DOULIERY via Getty Images

The inherent extra dimension that AI avatars bring only adds fuel to the concern about the impact these creations might have on our grieving brains. What does it do to your life, that you're spending your time remembering [] maybe it's good to have some time to process it for a while. But it can turn into an unhealthy obsession.

Bryson also thinks this same technology could start being used in ways it wasnt originally intended. What if youre a teenager or preteen and you spend all your time on the phone with your best friend? And then you figure out you prefer, like a [AI] synthesis of your best friend and Justin Bieber or something. And you stop talking to your actual best friend, she said.

Of course, that scenario is beyond current capabilities. Not least because to create an AI version of our best, living friend wed need so much data that wed need their participation/consent in the process. But this might not be the case for much longer. The recent spate of fake AI songs in the style of famous artists is already possible, and it wont be long before you wont need to be a celebrity for there to be enough publicly available input to feed a generative AI. Microsofts VALL-E, for example, can already do a decent job of cloning a voice with just three seconds of source material.

If you have ever had the misfortune of sorting through the possessions of a dead relative, you often learn things about them you never knew. Maybe it was their fondness for a certain type of poetry via their underlinings in a book. Or maybe something more sinister, like bank statements that showed crippling debt. We all have details that make us complex, complete human beings. Details that, often intentionally, remain hidden from our public persona. This throws up another time-honored ethical conundrum.

The internet is awash with stories of parents and loved ones seeking access to their deceaseds email or messaging accounts to remember them by. For better or worse we may not feel comfortable telling our immediate family about our sexuality or our politics, or that our spouse was having an affair - all things that our private digital messages might reveal. And if were not careful, this could be data we inadvertently give over to AI for training, only for it to burp that secret out posthumously.

Even with the consent of the person being recreated in AI there are no assurances someone else cant get their hands on the digital version of you and abuse it. And right now, that broadly falls into the same crime bucket as someone stealing your credit card details. Until they do something public with it, at which point other laws, such as right to publicity may apply  but usually, these protections are only for the living.

Bryson suggests that the logical answer for data protection might be something were already familiar with  like the locally stored biometric data we use to unlock our phones. Apple has never trusted anyone. So they really are very privacy oriented. So I tend to think that, that's the kind of organization that will come up with stuff, because they want it themselves. (The main issue this way, as Bryson points out, is that if your house burns down you risk losing grandma forever.)

AntonioGuillem via Getty Images

Data will always be at risk, no matter where or how its stored. Its a peril of modern day living. And all those concerns about privacy might feel like a tomorrow problem (in the same way we tend to worry about online fraud only once its happened to us). The cost, accuracy and just general creepiness that AI and our future digital avatars create might be scary, but its also a crushing inevitability. But that doesnt mean our future is doomed to be an ocean of Max Headrooms spouting our innermost secrets to any hacker that will listen.

It will be a problem in the immediate, there probably is a problem already, Bryson said. But I would hope that a good high-quality version would have transparency, and you'd be able to check it. And I'm sure that Bing and Google are working on this now, for being able to verify where chat programs get their ideas from. Until that time, though, were at risk of finding out the hard way.

Bryson is keen to point out that there are some positive takeaways, and theyre available to the living. If you make it too much about death, you aren't thinking correctly about it, she said. This technology forces us to confront our mortality in a new, albeit curious way and that can only help us think about the relationships we have right here in the world of the living. An AI version of someone will always be a poor facsimile, so, as Bryson suggests, why not get to know the real person better while you can? I wish people would rehearse conversations with a chatbot and then talk to a real person and find out what the differences are.

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Microsoft is taking another turn at testing its HoloLens-based combat goggles with the US military. The company has confirmed to Engadget that it's delivering improved IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System) 1.2 devices to the Army before the end of July. These updated augmented reality models are "slimmer, lighter and more balanced" than before, Microsoft says. That, in turn, should make them more comfortable and improve soldiers' performance.

The Army tells Bloomberg two squads will test 20 prototype IVAS goggles in late August. They'll gauge low-light functionality, reliability and whether or not they make soldiers feel ill. Some testers complained last year of nausea, headaches and eye strain, while others weren't happy with the bulk, narrow field of view and a display glow that could give away a soldier's presence at night. Key features also failed relatively frequently.

The HoloLens tech is meant to improve battlefield awareness. Infantry can see each other's positions, get vital health stats and use night vision that's less conspicuous. They can better coordinate assaults and warn if there are signs of injury or fatigue. The technology might reach the field within a few years if the August test is successful. The Army would award a contract between July and September 2024 for a second field study, and could move to an operational combat test as soon as April 2025. The Army could deploy IVAS months afterward.

Much is riding on this test, however. While the Army could spend as much as $21.9 billion in ten years for up to 121,000 IVAS units, Congress blocked further orders of the earlier goggles in January following reports of problems. Politicians instead gave Microsoft $40 million to rework the hardware. If there are still issues, the Army could cancel the program. It would not only cost Microsoft a lucrative contract, but would cast further doubt on HoloLens itself. The team lost lead developer Alex Kipman last year following misconduct allegations, and layoffs early this year dealt a serious blow to the mixed reality division.
Netflix has removed its $10 Basic tier option  the service's most affordable one that doesn't come with ads  in the US and the UK. The company has updated its Plans and Pricing page to say that new and rejoining members in the US and the UK will no longer be able to sign up for the Basic tier. Meanwhile, those already on the plan can keep their membership as is (and pay $10 a month) until they cancel or change their subscription. The streaming giant initially axed the tier in Canada, where users are typically the first to experience changes to the service. It was also one of the countries where Netflix started its password-sharing crackdown, which the company eventually implemented across the globe.

As Cord Busters notes, Netflix has been steering its audiences towards the Standard Ad-Supported plan for a while now and has previously made the Basic plan virtually invisible during sign-up. Now, the Basic plan truly no longer exists as a sign-up option in some regions. Without it, new and rejoining users in the US and UK will have to pay at least $15.49 and 11 a month, respectively, if they don't want their streaming experience to be interrupted by ads. The Standard plan supports streaming on two devices at a time and can stream content in Full HD. It also allows users to download content for offline viewing on two devices and gives them the ability to add an extra member who doesn't live with them for an additional fee.

Still, the Basic option worked just fine for those who don't mind HD streaming on a single device, only want to download content on one phone or tablet and don't need to add an extra person to their account. If new members don't want to pay over $5 more for a Standard plan, they now have to make do with the Standard Ad-Supported tier that costs $7 a month in the US and 5 in the UK. It supports Full HD streams and viewing on two devices at a time like the no-ads Standard plan, but it doesn't have offline viewing and the option to add a member. Subscribers can expect to see an average of 4 minutes of ads an hour at around 15 to 30 seconds each, which, of course, they cannot skip.
La Rioja

Guardia Civil y Policia Local frustran un vuelco de marihuana en la localidad riojana de Santo Domingo de La Calzada
Not 'time to slow down' helping Ukraine, US defense chief says

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is seeing progress in Ukraine's counter-offensive and that this is 'no time to slow down.'
An American soldier facing disciplinary action fled across the inter-Korean border into North Korea and was believed to be in North Korean custody, US officials said.
Hollywood, CAHeadlines are filled with news about the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann, who was arrested and charged last week for the murders of three women. A resident of Massapequa Park, Long Island, not far from where the remains of 11 bodies were found at Gilgo Beach, he will probably be charged for a fourth murder as investigations continue. A 2010 cold case that was revisited by a dedicated task force, it turned out a 2011 law enforcement "possible suspect" profile hit the mark in many ways.

Vonda Pelto, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and co-author of Without Redemption, a historical biography of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, was struck by how some of Rex Heuermann's personality traits matched up to Bonin, and other serial killers she dealt with. Pelto, who had many sessions with Bonin at LA Men's Central Jail, was not surprised by Heuermann's ability to "hide in plain sight" for over a decade.

"Like Bonin, and other serial killers, he was able mask his true personality, keeping it in a walled off space in his mind. After committing horrible crimes, they can still be all things to all people, Bill Bonin was a master at being this type of chameleon," Pelto commented. "Heuermann did the same thing, he used his veneer of success and intensity, combined with being physically intimidating, to keep people at arm's length and seal up his secrets."



While Bonin's reign of terror was short compared with that of Heuermann, they both preyed on a vulnerable set of people who might not be missed: sex workers. For Bonin it was hustlers on the streets of Hollywood, for Heuermann the shady world of on call female escorts in New York.

During the Bonin murder sequences in Without Remorse: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Who Escaped Justice, his absolute and total contempt for hustlers was on full display. Pelto, who dealt with over a dozen of the worst serial killers in history, is sure that Heuermann feels the same about the women he murdered, not viewing them as worthy of the time of day let alone being allowed to live!

More news of Heuermann is going to flow out as friends, neighbors, associates and maybe family members talk about their dealings with him.

Without Redemption is currently a best seller on Amazon in three True Crime categories: Forensics Biographies & Memoirs, Biographies of Serial Killers and Biographies & Memoirs of Criminals. It has sold copies throughout Europe and in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and all over the United States.

Without Redemption Book Trailer





Without Redemption is currently a best seller on Amazon in three True Crime categories: Forensics Biographies & Memoirs, Biographies of Serial Killers and Biographies & Memoirs of Criminals. It has sold copies throughout Europe and in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and all over the United States.

Here is UK True Crime writer Paul Cheston's complete review of Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Who Escaped Justice.

Unique & Amazing Serial Killer Biography

I would unreservedly recommend 'Without Redemption' as the most profound analysis of a serial killer I have read.

It is based on unprecedented access to probation, medical, psychiatric reports, police statements and court documents, and, as an author and journalist, I know how difficult, nay impossible, it is to gain access to such a treasure trove of detail and insight.

But most importantly it has the unique perspective of Vonda Pelto's own interviews with Bonin and his accomplices and the mass killer's own handwritten diaries.

The authors spare no one in exposing how Bonin was allowed to game the system and names of those professionals and institutions which put their own vested interests ahead of their duty to have him locked up long before he even started his killing spree.

Michael Butler has a light writing style which keeps the pace moving briskly and never loses the balance between explaining why Bonin killed and the devastating impact of this need to kill on the victims and their families.

Without Redemption is currently available on Amazon, Kobo and Google Play and has found interested readers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe.

Below are eight Kindle E-Gift Links.

Here are Eight FREE E-Gift Kindle Links for Without Redemption:

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GSG5F3RWGAQTNFB

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Vonda Pelto, Ph.D. on Gary Nolan Show





Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Escaped Justice, Paperback ISBN: 979-8841931249, Hard Cover ISBN: 979-8844477775. For more info go to www.WithoutRedemption.com and purchase copies at Amazon, Google Play or Kobo.

Media Contact: For interviews or to request review copies contact Flotsam PR at 319-504-3788 or flotsampr@pm.me.
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HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today received the 2023 Fire Season Outlook Briefing from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and Northern Rockies Coordinating Group (NRCG), according to a press release from Gianforte's office.

With dry, warm weather ahead, its incredibly important we each do our part to prevent wildfire, Gov. Gianforte said. Together, we can reduce the burden on our firefighters and protect our homes, communities, and treasured natural resources from wildfire.

During the briefing, fire management professionals described a relatively slow ramp up to the peak of the fire year, with rainfall this spring and early summer across much of the state.

Through the end of the month and into the fall, officials anticipate dry, warm weather, with an above normal fire season expected in western and northwest Montana.

According to NRCG, smoke is also expected to continue, whether from Canada or fires in Montana or other states.

With 87 percent of fires in Montana this year being human caused, the governor joined DNRC to emphasize the need for fire prevention.

Fire prevention tips include:

Staying current on weather conditions and fire restrictions in your area.

Always using an established ring fire and never leaving campfires unattended.

Ensuring trailer chains are properly secured and not dragging on the pavement.

Properly maintaining and cleaning farm and lawn equipment.

Avoiding driving or parking your vehicle, including all-terrain and utility vehicles, on dry grass.

Using caution when burning debris and never burning piles when its hot, windy, or when fire restrictions are in place.

For current fire information and additional tips on preventing human-caused wildfire, visit https://www.mtfireinfo.org/.
Northern Rockies Predictive Services Fire Weather Meteorologist Dan Borsum outlines the fire outlook for the rest of the 2023 season at a meeting with the governor and DNRC members on July 18, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

A fire weather meteorologist told Gov. Greg Gianforte and other state agency officials Tuesday that Montana should prepare for a shift to a warmer and drier back half of the summer and expect wildfires beginning in drought-stricken northwestern Montana and moving further south and east as the state dries out into the fall.

The El Nino pattern that is all but certain to develop and last into next year could prolong the warmer and drier weather in Montana, and thus the fire season, and smoke from wildfires in Canada and the Pacific Northwest could also persist through the next few months, Northern Rockies Predictive Services Fire Weather Meteorologist Dan Borsum told the governor and others from state and federal agencies at Tuesdays fire outlook meeting.

Weve been getting up to a point where were almost seeing a cascading increase in fire activity. Were not there yet. And then weve got a heat wave coming in, so thats going to change shortly, Borsum said. So thats one thing we really want to stress is the message be prepared for big change.

DNRC Fire Protection Bureau Chief Matt Hall said 705 wildfires have burned 1,217 acres in Montana so far this year. He and Gianforte said firefighters had been extremely successful in their initial attack on the fires to keep them small and under control.

But 87% of them so far this year have been human caused, backing new research that shows the vast majority of wildfires in the West are caused by humans. The governor and Hall both said Montanans needed to remain vigilant as the state heads into the peak of the fire season by having evacuation plans and go-bags ready, limiting fuels outside of their homes, and limiting their activities that are prone to causing wildfires.

As Montanans, we all play a role in preventing wildfires, Gianforte said. Its critical that we all stay informed so we can protect our firefighters and communities this fire season.

Gianforte and Hall each said Montanas strategy to fight wildfires when they happen is to have an aggressive initial attack and more aggressive firefighting to follow. The state has trained more than 3,000 firefighters for this year and is staffing 46 engines, six helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft for firefighting efforts.

Along with prevention strategies both among firefighters and Montana citizens, the goal is to put fires out as quickly and safely as possible while preventing them from spreading, the officials said. Gianforte said firefighters kept 95% of Montana fires to 10 acres or less last year during a mild fire season.

Borsum provided the bulk of the presentation, digging into data on drought, snowpack, current soil and fuels moisture levels and forecasts and how those factors could affect Montanas fire season over the next four months.

He said the initial concerns will be in northwest Montana, particularly Glacier, Flathead and Lincoln counties, which he said were drier currently than in 97% of other years because of a year-long drought. He said those counties are missing 20 inches or more of moisture that they should have received over the past couple of years.

The snowpack in northwestern Montana was below average in most places this past winter, and most of it melted well ahead of normal after record heat in May  in some areas the fastest it has in up to 50 years, Borsum said.

That caused the fastest growing season in the area from mid-April through part of May that meteorologists have seen, he said, putting vegetation there on a quicker path to growth and then drying out.

The dry conditions are expected to spread south into areas like the Bitterroot and Helena valleys and along the Front Range in coming weeks and months, as medium and long-term forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation across most of Montana in the coming weeks and months, Borsum said.

The real critical thing for everybody to be aware of is that we are just getting to the cusp ,and were going to see heatwaves through the end of the month, and thats going to cause our problems, Borsum said.

He said Montanans should expect the Canadian wildfire smoke that has moved in on and off since May to persist into September, but it could be replaced or worsened by smoke from other wildfires in the also-drying Pacific Northwest.

And Borsum added that El Nino could push warm and dry weather into Montana into October, which he said would only exacerbate the drought across the state and could make for an even worse snowpack next year  something officials discussing Flathead Lake levels also voiced concerns about last week.

We would be worried that whatever we set in place now may be something that we continue to live with as we go into next year, he said.

The post Montana fire outlook: Be prepared for big change appeared first on Daily Montanan.
The Great Seal of the State of Montana in the Supreme Court (Photo by Eric Seidle/ For the Daily Montanan).

Coalitions of powerful Montana organizations representing public employees, local governments and business interests are joining Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen in arguing that a proposal to limit property taxes violates the constitution and would have sweeping negative financial effects.

The attorney behind the constitutional amendment ballot measure, Bozeman-based Matthew Monforton, argues that Knudsens office in June improperly found the proposal, Ballot Issue No. 2, was not legally sufficient for the 2024 ballot.

He also told the Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon that the Attorney Generals Offices filing this week opposing his request for a court review of the decision contained new arguments the original insufficiency finding did not.

But in three separate amicus, or friend of the court, briefs filed in recent days, some of the states most powerful organizations backed the Attorney Generals Offices latest arguments that the proposed ballot measure amends multiple parts of the constitution in violation of a requirement that constitutional changes be separate ballot issues. They also argued the proposal contains ambiguous language.

The groups said the proposal, if approved for the ballot and then by voters, would create financial challenges on multiple levels, citing a fiscal analysis that says the proposal could cost both local governments and the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

A coalition of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, Montana Association of Counties, and Montana Quality Education Coalition said the proposal threatens the very fabric of local government because of the language and potential financial impacts. The Montana Federation of Public Employees said in a separate brief that if the proposal makes the ballot next year, it would have drastic implications for the revenues of the State of Montana, counties, cities, and schools.

A business group composed of the Montana Association of Realtors, Montana Bankers Association, Montana Building Industry Association and Montana Chamber of Commerce, said in the third filing that it would cost them significant resources to oppose if it makes the ballot and would result in serious financial uncertainty for communities and schools in Montana.

Meanwhile, Knudsen continues to argue that he was correct in deeming the proposal insufficient for the 2024 ballot, according to his offices response in the case on Monday. The proposal aims to limit property taxes for those that have not recently been sold or upgraded.

The proposed measure seeks to shift values of older, non-improved residential property back to the same values as Tax Year 2019, allow for annual reassessments, limit annual taxable value increases to 2% unless the property changes owners, and limit the total tax rate to 1% of the propertys value in most instances if there are not factors that decreased the value. Monforton submitted the constitutional amendment proposal in April, then agreed to changes offered by the Legislative Services Division in May. On June 5, Deputy Attorney General David Ortley deemed the measure insufficient for the ballot.

Deputy Attorney General David Ortley wrote in June that the proposal violated the separate-vote requirement in Article XIV, Section 11 of the Montana Constitution because the property tax equation variables it seeks to change would have differing fiscal impacts and because of the measures alleged ambiguous language.

The fiscal note for the measure found it would decrease the statewide property tax that could be levied by 88%, would cost the state more than $450 million in annual revenue starting in 2027, and would decrease local revenues by $1.5 billion.

Monforton protested the denial in mid-June, arguing a nearly identical measure was approved in 2021 though it failed to make the ballot. He also argued the attorney general does not have the power to stop a ballot issue because of the constitutional separation of powers, and that the attorney general should not be allowed to attach fiscal notes to ballot proposals under the constitution. Monforton said the fiscal notes were additional burdens to Montanans seeking to circulate petitions.

He asked the Supreme Court to overrule the Attorney Generals Offices finding of legal insufficiency for the ballot issue and to order the fiscal statement invalid.

The Supreme Court on June 16 allowed Monfortons challenges of the insufficiency determination and fiscal statement to move forward.

Monday, the Attorney Generals Offices said in its new response that Monfortons argument about whether the attorney general has the authority to halt proposed ballot measures is patently absurd. It said that rather, the attorney general has unquestioned authority to withhold measures failing to satisfy constitutional criteria before they are sent to voters.

Second, the office said it believes Ballot Issue No. 2 violates the state constitutions separate-vote requirement, which involves a test as to whether the initiative would make more than a single change to constitutional provisions that are not closely related.

In the offices original finding of insufficiency, it found there was a close question whether the proposal violated the separate-vote requirement. It also stated that the proposal amends a single section of the Montana Constitution.

But in the most recent filing, the Attorney Generals Office argued that the proposal would amend at least four sections of the constitution, and said since it believes that is the case, the proposals should be broken up into separate initiatives before they can be considered for signature gathering.

Monforton said in a Tuesday filing that the provisions the office cited in its latest brief would not be affected by the proposal and that the Attorney Generals Office made new arguments in its latest filing  from initially saying in June the proposal amended one section of the constitution to arguing it changes at least four.

The Attorney Generals Office also argued in Mondays response that Monfortons proposal remains ambiguous and could deceive voters.

The Supreme Court will now decide whether to rule on the petition from Monforton, to uphold the Attorney Generals finding, or to provide Monforton the opportunity to file a short reply to the offices latest filing.

The post Three powerful groups join Montana Attorney General in opposing property tax ballot proposal appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Livestock farmers have been told to pay attention to their grass and pasture utilisation for the rest of the year, after the Met Office confirmed that June was the hottest on record.

An average mean temperature of 15.8C eclipsed the previous record by 0.9C and was 2.5C warmer than average  with Warwickshire, Surrey, Somerset and Cornwall all recording their warmest June ever.

Rainfall was also in short supply for much of June, creating drier than average conditions. The UK had just 68% of its average rainfall for the month, with only 52.5mm falling.

Responding to the record, grass variety breeders Barenbrug said there were concerns that the dry spell came at a time when grass growth was at its highest, because of the long hours of sunlight and high temperatures.

Janet Montgomery, who works at Barenburg, warned: Both on grazing and forage amounts, this could really catch people out, because pastures havent been pumping out the amounts of grass that wed normally expect.

However, she said  given recent rainfall events  that pastures were probably in a better position than last year, when the dryness continued: Weve a lot of growing days still ahead of us," she said.

Her advice to growers depends on what system theyre using: Its important to remember that while the dryness wont affect the growth stage of grass, it will have an impact on the amount of biomass produced per unit area of pasture.

On a set-stocking system, this will necessitate a decrease in the stocking rate, while rotational grazers will need to go for a bigger allocation each time.

Thats especially important for dairy farmers to observe, because both milk quality and output will be affected if steps arent taken to manage that drop-off in biomass.

Sheep and beef farmers, meanwhile, would likely see slower growth rates and a longer time to finishing, Ms Montgomery suggested.

While its important to manage current production objectives, she also highlighted the importance of pasture preservation during dry conditions.

We need to manage the dry, so as not to do lasting damage to the pasture," she said, "This means not grazing too short; allowing sufficient time between grazing and re-grazing; and, overall, trying to prevent too much damage to the sward."

While topping might seem counterintuitive in the face of less biomass, she pointed out that by taking off seed heads, not only would pastures become more palatable by removing stemmy material, it would also encourage the plant to divert energy into vegetative growth, rather than the intensive demands of reproductive growth.

Keep a track of soil moisture levels, too," Ms Montgomery said, "With consistent periods of dry, youll need a decision-support process to help you introduce supplementary feeds at the right time.

With last years dry period still fresh in many farmers minds, she said many would be wondering how they could make pastures and swards more resilient in the face of a changing climate.

Changing species can be an effective strategy for areas with consistent summer dry, she explained.

Unless your fields are of an age when theyd benefit from a full reseed, then autumn overseeding can prove a cost-effective route to help mitigate the effects of future dry periods.

Consider species that are a little higher in root biomass, such as tall fescue, which will help preserve pastures during dry periods.

And although cocksfoot and tall fescue have a reputation for being clumpy, coarse and unpalatable, modern varieties make that a largely undeserved reputation. These species are deep-rooting, giving better access to moisture lower down in the soil profile.

Finally, she added a word of reassurance for farmers concerned about balancing pasture health with livestock welfare.

While pasture health is at greater risk the longer the dry period continues  the grass isnt able to refill its carbohydrate reserves in time to prevent damage  with time and correct management, it will come back.

Its easier to allow plants to recover than to put animals welfare at risk.
Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin are planning a second wedding.

Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse are planning a second wedding

The 30-year-old actor tied the knot with longtime girlfriend Barbara, 29, over the weekend in her native Hungary but she has now revealed that even though they planned an "intimate" wedding, that was not the case in the end and she is "excited" to head home to L.A with her husband to plan an additional ceremony.

She told Vogue: "[This past weekend] was supposed to be an intimate event. But we ended up having 115 guests because there are a lot of people we care about and we wanted them all to be there. Were excited to go back to L.A. to our pets and rest a bit  before we start planning the American wedding."

The model shared pictures on Instagram from her stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Budapest, admitting she experienced the "best hospitality" there.

And she shared snaps of a "family field trip" in the capital, with 30-year-old Cole and others.

The former Disney Channel star - who shot to fame alongside his twin brother Cole when they took on the title roles in 'The Suite Life of Zack and Cody' before starring in its spin-off series 'The Suite Life On Deck - confirmed in June that he and Barbara had been engaged since September, after months of speculation about their relationship status.

He told V magazine: "Theres a lot of demand from the general public for full transparency. Which is funny to me because no relationship is fully transparent. This article, particularly, is timed up to the release of our engagement announcement, right? But we got engaged now, how many months ago?"

Barbara then confirmed: "We got engaged in September."
Mindy Kaling's daughter "loves" make-up.

Mindy Kaling and her daughter share a passion for make-up

The 44-year-old actress has a five-year-old daughter called Katherine, and Mindy has revealed that she shares her passion for make-up.

Speaking to Allure magazine, Mindy explained: "She's five so obviously shes not on social media and she doesn't look at Instagram or TikTok or anything like that. And I'm amazed at how much creativity in terms of how she wants to dress every day just comes from within. It's not from any outside sources.

"She loves beauty and make-up. And it's out of pure love. It's painting her face - literally painting her face is what she thinks of it as. It's not for the gaze of other people; she thinks it looks fabulous.

"For her birthday she was like, 'Can I paint my face with your make-up?' And I'm like, 'Okay, sure. You can do that on your birthday.' I don't want people [reading] Allure to be like, 'Wait a second, Mindy lets her five-year-old...' She does not [wear make-up]. She plays with make-up at home sometimes. She'll play with make-up and we will just wipe her face off before we go out."

Mindy feels she can really relate to her daughter's love of make-up.

The actress said: "I just love how much she loves it. And it's not [because of] peer pressure or anything else, it's just because she thinks it's so fun. And I really relate to that and I really try to emulate that."

In June, Mindy took to social media to acknowledge that she's happier than she's been for a long time.

The actress - who turned 44 last month - wrote on Instagram: "Im usually kind of low-level anxious, so Im just gonna take one minute on my birthday to acknowledge that I am happy. Man, there are ups and downs in this life!! But my ups seem to be the most important ones right now. Thanks for my birthday love. (Also maybe I will buy myself that trendy Dior bag that looks like a kidney bean). [heart emoji] (sic)"
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

Gigi's representatives said in a statement, "Gigi was travelling with marijuana purchased legally in NYC with a medical license. It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island."

Gigi Hadid was detained for marijuana possession. The supermodel was detained last week after customs officials discovered the narcotic in her suitcase as she was returning from vacation. Later, she was freed on bond.Following the announcement, Gigi posted a cryptic message on Instagram regarding the arrest. She posted pictures and videos from her vacation to the Cayman Islands, where she was detained, along with the caption "All's well that ends well."The post began with a video of Gigi and a friend, clad in bikinis and enjoying the sun by the sea. She followed it up with an image of herself enjoying the sun in a yellow bikini. In the third, she included a plate of oysters and pictures of her friends.According to local media, Gigi Hadid and a friend arrived in the Cayman Islands on a private plane. They were detained on suspicion of importing marijuana after customs authorities allegedly discovered marijuana along with related things in their luggage.They were brought to the Prisoner Detention Centre and then freed on bail. They were sentenced to $1,000 in fines apiece and appeared in court two days later, on July 12. They will not face any further charges.
Janhvi Kapoor Bawaal Screening: Janhvi Kapoor is one of the most beautiful and hottest divas in Bollywood. She never fails to mesmerise her fans with her acting and fashion statements. The actress will next be seen in Nitesh Tiwari's romantic drama Bawaal.

On Tuesday night, a special screening for the film was held in Mumbai, which was attended by several film stars, including its lead actress, Janhvi Kapoor. For the screening, Janhvi slipped into a stunning shimmery gown with a deep, plunging neckline and stunned everyone.

Janhvi Kapoor flaunts her hourglass figure in a bold sequin gown at Bawaal screening

Janhvi Kapoor made a sizzling appearance at her upcoming movie Bawaal screening in a shimmery silver-hued gown featuring strappy sleeves, a long dramatic trail, and a bold plunge neckline. As she graced the red carpet, the diva flaunted her sultry hourglass figure and posed for the paparazzi.

She left her hair open in loose waves and accentuated her look with smokey eyes, glossy lips, and lots of blush on her cheeks. She ditched accessories and let her stunning figure take centre stage.

Shraddha Kapoor Jets Off To Chanderi For The Shoot Of Her Much-Awaited Stree 2; Check Out Her Video

Janhvi also shared a few photos on her Instagram page in the same outfit and captioned them, #Bawaal."

Trollers call Janhvi Kapoor plastic

As soon as the video made its way on the internet, netizens started to flock to the comment section to react to Janhvi's look. The viral video showed the actress arriving for the screening in her sexy avatar, however, she got trolled for the bold outfit.

One of the trollers commented, "Ye Foilpapaer me plastic kisne Bhara, another one called her, "Plastic Kapoor". One user said, "Lip fillers, nose surgery, boob job, butt lift, botox. Brand ambassador of plastic surgery."

One said, "Not even a percent like mother." While another troller said, "Aage plastic pichhe plastic munh pe plastic everything is made of plastic." "Plastic surgery beauty," commented one user.

Netizens MOCK Janhvi Kapoor For Carrying Big Pillow At Airport, Say: Takiya Chura Ke Bhag Rahi Hai; See VIDEO

About Bawaal

Starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles, Bawaal is a tragic romantic movie about a married couple dealing with their troubled marriage. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features disturbing scenes set against the backdrop of the Second World War.

The film will premiere on July 21 on Amazon Prime Video.

DISCLAIMER: The particular article is a compilation of thoughts shared by social media users on the subject. Ideas expressed do not reflect the view of Filmibeat.
Christopher Nolan's OTT Films: Christopher Nolan has left an indelible impact on the world of cinema. His unique approach to storytelling has garnered widespread recognition. And Now the ace filmmaker is set to thrill movie enthusiasts with Oppenheimer.

A biographical thriller, Oppenheimer, is centered around the brilliant physicist Robert Oppenheimer who developed the world's first atomic bomb. The anticipation around the film that is set to release in theatres on July 21 is reaching a fever pitch. The internet is abuzz with excitement as enthusiasts eagerly await the release of this highly hyped film.

Now, as we eagerly await Nolan's upcoming epic biographical drama, let's delve into some of his greatest cinematic masterpieces available on various OTT platforms.

Interstellar: Set in the future, Interstellar portrays a world on the brink of destruction, leading a farmer and former pilot on a space journey to find a new habitable planet. This epic adventure film is available on Netflix until 31 July and can be rented on Prime Video.

The Dark Knight: In The Dark Knight, Gordon, Dent, and Batman team up to eradicate crime in Gotham City, facing opposition from those who wish to eliminate Batman. To achieve their goal, they seek the help of the Joker, a psychopathic criminal mastermind. You can catch this beloved film on Jio Cinema.

The Prestige: Released in 2006, The Prestige revolves around two friends turned enemies, both professional magicians seeking fame at a great cost. This acclaimed film received numerous awards and is available for streaming on Netflix.

Inception: Highly praised worldwide and winner of four Oscars, Inception was released in 2010. The film follows a man who steals valuable information by infiltrating the dreams of others. However, a dangerous mission puts his life at risk. You can watch this mind-bending thriller on Netflix.

Tenet: A gripping tale of an officer determined to save his country from people wielding advanced weapons for widespread destruction, Tenet was released in December 2020. Bollywood actress Dimple Kapadia made her Hollywood debut with this film. The film is available for streaming on Netflix.
Kunchacko Boban Gets Support From Azad Kannadikkal: Production Controller Azad Kannadikkal comes to Kunchacko Boban's defence against allegations that the actor skipped film promotions despite receiving a hefty remuneration of two and a half crore rupees.

Rana Daggubati Teams Up With Sophia Paul For Minnal Murali Comic Launch; Takes On Role As Hiranyakashyap!

According to Azad, Kunchacko Boban is the epitome of punctuality, always being the first to arrive at the shooting location among the lead actors.

Azad admires Kunchacko Boban for consistently being the first to arrive at shooting locations on time, even shocking colleagues by showing up at 4 o'clock in the morning for the movie Chaaver's shooting.

Azad Kannadikkal's Words:

Recent social media news discusses a film producer's complaint about Kunchacko Boban not participating in the film's promotion and choosing a family tour instead.

When a producer hires an actor for a film, the payment is determined by the actor's value and commercial potential. Additionally, the producer is confident in receiving returns on the investment made in the actor.

One aspect these individuals should consider is Kunchako Boban's extensive 25-year career in Malayalam cinema. When he commits to acting in your film, you can rest assured that he will arrive promptly at the designated location. Even if asked about the matter, Kunchacko Boban will refrain from accusing anyone; it's a testament to his character.

Punctuality is the foremost expectation of producers and directors from their actors. In the film "Chaaver," in which I was involved, Kunchacko Boban played a significant role. Throughout the shoot, which included more than 35 days of full-night shoots, I developed a deep admiration for Kunchako Boban. Whenever he was asked to be at the shooting location, he would arrive at least 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled time.

After the shoot concluded at 12:30 AM one night, we faced a dilemma. The next day's scene was scheduled for dawn, and applying the makeup alone would take an hour and a half if we aimed to start shooting at 6 AM. To accommodate this, Kunchacko Boban had to arrive at the location by 4 a.m. Hesitantly, I approached him and shared this concern. Without any hesitation, he asked, 'Azad bhai, what time should I be there? Just tell me, and I will be there.'

Navya Nair's Hot Makeover Stirs Derogatory Comments: Trolls Resort To Slut-Shaming And Cyberbullying!

True to his promise, he arrived at 4 o'clock, while the rest of the crew reached the location 5 minutes late. Despite this, he didn't complain. As the shoot began at 6 a.m., he didn't even retreat to the caravan until the scene was wrapped up. That's the essence of Chakochan. In today's Malayalam cinema, Kunchacko Boban shines as a role model for timely professionalism among actors.
Navya Nair Faces Cyberbullying Over Hot Makeover: Navya Nair, the adored actress of the Malayali audience, has left a lasting impression with her iconic role as Balamani in 'Nandanam'. Despite time passing, she remains etched in the hearts of fans as a beloved character.

Amritha Suresh And Gopi Sundar Breakup Rumours: Abhaya Hiranmayi's Cryptic Post Gains Attention

Navya's stardom in Malayalam cinema skyrocketed after her performance in 'Nandanam', and she later shined as the leading lady in numerous hits. Her rustic beauty became synonymous with the charm of Malayalam cinema.

After a hiatus post-marriage, Navya made a triumphant comeback to the film industry with the movie 'Oruthee', directed by V. K. Prakash. The film was well received by the audience, and Navya's performance garnered applause, proving her mettle as a versatile actress.

Beyond her acting prowess, Navya Nair has showcased her talent in dance and remains active in the dance arena. She often delights her fans with pictures and videos of her captivating dance performances on social media, where she shares intriguing moments of her life.

Recently, Navya shared a video featuring her new look, wearing a shirt and pants, a departure from her usual rustic appearance. The video quickly went viral, receiving much praise for her makeover. However, as is common on social media, trolls and miscreants emerged to criticise and slut-shame the actress for her new look.

Lintu Rony's Joyful Journey To Motherhood: Watch The Heartwarming Delivery Video!

Commenters resorted to misogynistic remarks, unable to accept Navya's transformation. Some of these comments included derogatory statements like "Take it off and show it all, lady," "Balamani became modern after the wedding; now it is on full display," and "were you frustrated to not be able to show anything in the past?" These comments reflect the unfortunate reality of moral policing and cyberbullying that celebrities often face.

Handling Criticism With Grace: Navya's Resilience Shines

Despite the negativity, Navya has chosen not to respond to the comments, as she typically ignores such moral policing. However, her fans have rallied around her, offering support and apt responses to counter the disparaging remarks.

Gouri G. Kishan Stuns Fans With Striking New Tattoo - Reveals The Intriguing 'Rib Tattoo'!

Apart from her acting career, Navya Nair is also active in the television industry, where she hosts reality shows. Despite her latest film, 'Janaki Jaane', not receiving the expected success, Navya has an exciting lineup of films ahead, keeping her busy with various projects.

Navya's resilience and grace in the face of criticism continue to win hearts, making her a strong role model for her fans and fellow actors alike.
Minnal Murali: From Silver Screen to Comic World!: Minnal Murali, the beloved Malayalam superhero film produced by Weekend Blockbusters, is set to make waves in the comic world.

Rajinikanth's Exciting Lineup: Updates Unveiled On 'Thalaivar 171' Directed By Lokesh Kanagaraj

An exciting new comic character inspired by the Minnal Murali movie will be launched in the highly popular Indian comic magazine, Tinkle.

According to reports, the spotlight at the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) is shining brightly on Rana Daggubati, the dynamic Tollywood star. While extending his support for Prabhas' epic venture, Project K, Rana has made thrilling announcements of his own. He is all set to launch an impressive content slate through his production house, Spirit Media, fueling the excitement of fans.

According to an India Today report, Rana shared his elation, stating, "We're thrilled to make our first appearance at Comic-Con, a haven for storytelling and fandom. Our vision is to captivate audiences worldwide with boundary-breaking tales that ignite the imagination. Comic-Con serves as the perfect platform to connect with passionate film and comic enthusiasts who inspire us."

In a remarkable collaboration, Rana joins forces with Sophia Paul's Weekend Blockbusters, the production house behind Minnal Murali. Their first joint venture will be to launch Minnal Murali as a comic book character in the Indian comic magazine Tinkle.

According to a report by Variety, Sophia Paul expressed her excitement, saying, "Joining hands with Rana's Spirit Media, who share our love for superheroes, is a dream come true. Minnal Murali was born out of deep love and passion, and we're thrilled to present this iconic character in a fresh comic avatar to the fans."

Rana Daggubati Takes On Role As Hiranyakashyap

Stepping into another legendary role, Rana will star in a film inspired by one of Amar Chitra Katha's comics, portraying the formidable Hiranyakashyap, a powerful demon intent on challenging the faith of Lord Vishnu's followers.

Suriya's 'Kanguva': A Colossal Warrior Movie, Reveals Co-Artist; Glimpse Locked And Loaded To Unveil Soon

The narrative is in the capable hands of renowned Tollywood writer-director Trivikram, who expressed his honour in bringing these timeless legends to today's audiences. The meticulous crafting of this enthralling tale has already commenced, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its grand translation onto the silver screen.
Kaithi 2 Dropped? Karthi is currently acting in the film Japan directed by Raju Murugan. The film is releasing on Diwali and Karthi's fans are in high anticipation.

Following this, Karthi was about to act in the second part of Kaithi directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. But now there are reports that Kaithi 2 is going to be dropped.

LCU Started From Kaithi

Lokesh's second film Kaithi was released in 2019. The film became a super hit for Karthi and also brought Lokesh to the top of the Tamil film industry. Karthi, Naren, George Mariyan, Arjun Das and others acted in the film. Lokesh, who directed Vijay's Master and Kamal Haasan's Vikram, is currently busy with Leo.

Leo will be released on October 19. After the release of Leo, Lokesh was going to direct Karthi's Kaithi 2. It is notable that Lokesh's idea of LCU originated from the film Kaithi. So, the fans were waiting for the release of its 2nd part. It was said that Suriya may also act in this film.

Thalaivar 171 Is The Reason

Lokesh Kanagaraj has now suddenly backed out of the decision. Superstar Rajinikanth is said to be the reason for this. It is said that Rajinikanth's 171st film will be directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Recent reports confirm that Lokesh is all set to start the Thalaivar 171 jobs after the release of Leo.

On the other hand, it is also said that Karthi, who had given the call sheet for the second part of Kaithi, is shocked by Lokesh's decision. Karthi, who was waiting to join Kaithi 2 after completing Japan, is expected to act in Sardar 2 on those dates. But, it seems doubtful whether Sardar 2 pre-production work can be completed by then.

In a recent event, Lokesh Knagaraj was questioned about working with Ajith Kumar and update about Kaithi 2. He replied "I'm definitely ready to work with Ajith if I get the opportunity. I'm going to direct another film after 'Leo'. After completing it, I will direct the film Kaithi 2."
Kolai First Review: Producer Dhananjeyan posted a tweet about Vijay Antony's investigation thriller film Kolai. He said that his wife Lalitha watched the film and said "An engaging & intelligent crime thriller with awesome BGM & stylish making."

The trailer of Vijay Antony starrer 'Kolai' has been released and has attracted the attention of fans. Vijay Antony, Ritika Singh, Meenakshi Chowdhury and many others acted in the film 'Kolai'. Produced by Infinity Film Ventures, Lotus Pictures, this film is directed by Balaji Kumar. Sivakumar Vijayan has done the cinematography.

Two Trailers For Kolai

Starring Radhika Sarathkumar, Murali Sharma, Siddhartha Shankar, Kishore Kumar, John Vijay, Arjun Chidambaram and Samkit Bohra in pivotal roles. The trailer of the film was released in August last year. Now that the release date of the film is nearing, the film team has released a new trailer.

The very first shot of the trailer impresses with its stunning cinematography. The trailer moves from the point of view of a model as the dialogue goes 'No matter how much we win in life, we will die in death'. Vijay Antony is introduced as the detective. The CG and making of the film gets attention.

Vijay Antony has acted in Salt and Pepper Look. Cinematography and music reflects the quality of the film. The trailer has increased the interest for the film. The film will hit theaters on July 21.

Vijay Antony Speaks About Kolai Heroines

The press meet of 'Kolai' was held in Chennai yesterday. Participating in the event, actor Vijay Antony said, "It is a happy thing that Balaji Kumar is directing a film in Tamil after many years. The film has come out well. When telling the story, first he said three heroines.

Then it became two. In it, Meenakshi was paired with another actor. Ritika is like a sister to me. They said I have only one wife. That character always fights with me. They keep me away from getting much romance in every film. I want justice. But, the film was a fun experience.

I have given a little break to music director Vijay Antony. I wish to introduce 20 music directors before I end my career. That's why I have stayed away from music. I will go and stand as clay before the directors. I will do whatever they say."
Aishwarya Sharma, who became a household name with her stint in Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, is currently making headlines for her stint in Khatron Ke Khiladi 13. The actress was seen shooting for the popular adventure based reality show in Cape Town.

And now that the show has gone on air, Aishwarya is seen winning hearts with her impressive performance during the breath-taking stunts. Needless to say, she has been as tough competition to other contestants like Shiv Thakare, Archana Gautam, Arjit Taneja and others.

In fact, there are reports about Aishwarya making it as a finalist on the show. And while, fans are going gaga over Aishwarya's journey on the show, recently her arch rival Ayesha Singh was quizzed about the same. This happened during her interview with India Forums wherein a fan asked her about Aishwarya's journey on KKK13.

However, Ayesha dodged the question and said, "Pass". It was evident that Ayesha wasn't comfortable talking about her arch rival and her journey.

Talking about Ayesha and Aishwarya's rivalry, it started on the sets of Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin which also featured Neil Bhatt in the lead. It has been reported that the actresses weren't on talking terms before Aishwarya quit the show and continue to be at loggerheads even now.

This isn't the first time Ayesha has dodged the question regarding her tiff with Aishwarya. Earlier, when she was asked to comment on it an event, Ayesha said, "I am absolutely not commenting on this. Maine us cheez ko read bhi nahi kia and main us cheez ko fuel bhi nahi de rahi hu". She also stated that she doesn't pay heed to the negativity around and is happy in her space.

Talking about the work front, there have been speculations about Ayesha participating in Bigg Boss 17. However, the actress cleared the air that Bigg Boss is not on the cards for her as of now as she is busy polishing her acting skills. Meanwhile, Ayesha is yet to announce her next project.
Project k Big Reveal: Prabhas and Rana Daggubati have reached the US to attend the much talked about first glimpse event of their upcoming sci-fi film action film 'Project K' at the San Diego Comic-Con, which will be held in the early hours of the morning on 21st July.

PRABHAS & RANA DAGGUBATI TAKE A STROLL ON US STREETS WEARING PROJECT K MERCHANDISED HOODIES

Both the actors were seen donning the merchandised hoodies of their anticipated release. Vyjayanthi Movies, the production house behind the film, took to Twitter to share the picture of the actors along with the caption, "The Men have landed in the USA. See you in San Diego on July 20th."

As the release date for the highly anticipated sci-fi film approaches, the creators are steadily revealing exciting new assets. Recently, fans were treated to the first look of Deepika Padukone's character from the movie.

Adding to the buzz, the film's poster adorned the iconic Times Square in New York, generating even more excitement among movie enthusiasts. Directed by the acclaimed National Award winner Nag Ashwin, the film is all set to make its debut at San Diego Comic-Con's prestigious H Hall.

ABOUT PROJECT K

'Project K' boasts an ensemble cast comprising some of the biggest stars in the industry, including Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani.

The celebration at San Diego Comic-Con will kick off with a thrilling panel on July 20, featuring special guests such as Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika, and director Nag Ashwin. During this much-anticipated panel, the creators of 'Project K' will unveil the film's title, trailer, and official release date, promising an immersive and unforgettable experience for the audience on Comic-Con's grandest stage.

'Project K,' a multi-lingual sci-fi film, is backed by Vyjayanthi Movies and is slated to hit theaters on January 12, 2024. Fans can't wait to explore the futuristic world that the talented team has in store for them.
AB "Klaipedos nafta" (hereinafter - the Company) informs that on 08-03-2023 the Company received the Letter of expectations of the shareholder of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter - ENMIN), which owns 72.47 percent of the Company's shares (hereinafter - the Letter of Expectations).

Taking into account the changes that took place at the political and economic level globally and Company's aim to adapt to these changes by diversifying its activities, the Letter of Expectations presented by ENMIN confirms the direction of the changes sought by the Company and enables the Company to purposefully create and implement a long-term strategy.

ENMIN's main expectations for the activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to as the Group) and potential directions for diversification of activities:

I. Objectives of ensuring Lithuania's energy independence:

- to ensure that the LNG floating storage and regasification unit "Independence" is acquired into ownership by December 31, 2024 and also ensure smooth long-term operation of the Klaipeda LNG terminal until 2044;

- to make maximum efforts ensuring the physical and cyber security of the Company's managed facilities important for the national security;

- to allocate long-term and short-term capacities of the LNG terminal taking into account the national needs of natural gas supply and ensuring national security;

- to ensure the smooth operation of managed oil terminals and appropriate technical condition of the infrastructure;

- to ensure the conditions for the long-term storage of state oil product reserves.

II. Transformation and international development goals:

- to have a long-term strategy, the implementation of which would ensure consistent growth and competitiveness of the Company in a climate-neutral economy, adapting to the transformation of the European Union's green course. In the strategy, the period up to 2030 should be planned in detail, and the period 2030-2050 should be planned by providing priority directions and business development goals and indicators pursued by the Company;

- to participate in the transformation of the Lithuanian energy sector as Lithuania transitions to green energy and seek to establish itself in the value chain of clean energy;

- the Company must continue to strive to use the available potential - the unique experience and knowledge accumulated during the development of the Klaipeda LNG terminal project and subsequent management of the terminal.

III. Financial expectations:

- the profitability of the Company's activities must not be lower than the indicators set by the Government;

- the Company must maintain a consistent implementation of the dividend policy, and the level of dividends paid by the Company must at least EUR 5 million in the medium term, starting from 2026, and in the long term, as part of the implementation of the Company's long-term strategy, for an annual dividend level of at least EUR 12 million from 2030.

- to seek benefits for the shareholders in the execution of contracts for the transshipment of oil products;

- the Company must ensure consistent and sustainable development of Company's activities, developing existing and new return-generating activities and acquiring the necessary competences.

IV. Group activity principles:

- the Group must conduct its activities according to the highest standards of transparency, governance, ethics and social responsibility. The Company must ensure the efficient operation of the Group, effective supervision and control of the Group's companies;

- the activities of the Group's companies must be based on transparency, operational efficiency, sustainable development, responsibility and values, and the development of the culture of employee health and safety.

V. Accountability:

- in accordance with the good governance practices, accountability is also foreseen, ensuring cooperation between the Shareholder, the chairmen of the Company's collegial bodies and the Chief Executive Officer, by initiative of meetings regarding essential events that took place during the reference period, the implementation of expectations and the progress of the implementation of strategic goals, and other issues of fundamental importance to the continuity of Company's activities; as well as collegial bodies self evaluation of their activities.

The full text of the Letter of Expectation can be found in the attached document.

Annex: Letter on the expectations set by the state for the AB Klaipedos nafta.

Chief Financial Officer Mindaugas Kveksas, +370 46 391 772

Attachment
OCALA, Fla., July 18, 2023promoting misinformation related to AIM's ongoing clinical activities, and the profile purports to be linked to the organization Clavinvest. The unauthorized and unaffiliated profile uses AIM's logo and copyrighted imagery to provide the impression that it has a formal relationship with AIM concerning AIM's activities with Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands and Prof. C.H.J. van Eijck. Among other things, the LinkedIn profile promotes inaccurate information on its relationship with AIM related to the ongoing clinical efforts in pancreatic cancer, refers the reader to an entity that could falsely be interpreted to be AIM's European subsidiary and implies that this entity will be raising funds.



The Company has no association whatsoever with the unauthorized third party or any related profiles associated with Clavinvest. AIM is taking all of the necessary actions to remove and eliminate this unauthorized activity.

About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.



AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders and viral diseases, including COVID-19. The Company's lead product is a first-in-class investigational drug called Ampligenand connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among other things, for those statements, the company claims the protection of safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof.
National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) partners with World Cloud Show to drive cloud adoption and digital transformation in Manila.

The 21st global edition of World Cloud Show is scheduled to take place on 17th August 2023 atEdsa Shangri-La in Manila, Philippines.

Join the event to explore the latest trends and innovations in the Philippine cloud market and get closer to achieving seamless cloud migration.

MANILA, July 19, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - The National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) has joined forces with World Cloud Show, the leading global event focused on cloud technologies and digital transformation. The partnership aims to drive cloud adoption and foster digital innovation in the Philippines. The 21st edition of World Cloud Show, organised by Trescon, is scheduled to take place on 17th August 2023 atEdsa Shangri-La in Manila, Philippines.

World Cloud Show is a thought-leadership-driven event that brings together industry experts, decision-makers, and technology enthusiasts to explore the latest trends and advancements in cloud computing. With a focus on cloud adoption and digital transformation, the event provides a platform for enterprises and governments to exchange ideas, share best practices, and leveragethe power of cloud technologies.

The Manila edition of World Cloud Show offers a unique opportunity to witness the latest trends andinnovations in the Philippine cloud market. Pre-qualified CIOs, CEOs, CTOs, Heads of Research, Industry Practitioners, IT Decision Makers, and Cloud Computing Experts from various industries across the regionwill gather to discuss key topics such as Cloud Native, Intelligent Cloud, Collaborative Leadership, Data Visualisation & Management, Smart Data Centres, Sustainable Cloud, and Cloud Transformation.

Confirmed speakers at the event include industry leaders and visionaries shaping the future of cloud adoption and digital transformation in the region. Among the notable speakers are Tr Mon Gutierrez, Chiefof Staff for the Office of E-Government, DICT

Mary Joy Abueg, President, National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP)

Gemma Rose Dublan, Chief Information Officer, Cybersecurity Philippines

Hector Melencio, Assistant Vice President of the Information Technology Department and Deputy DataProtection Officer, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)

Mark Rivera, Country Chief Information Officer, Sodexo

Charlie Valerio, Chief Information Officer, Aboitiz Power Corporation

Alex Ustaris, Chief Technology Officer, PHINMA Education Holdings Inc.

Marlon Sorongon, Chief Information Security Officer, Maybank

Carlos Tengkiat, Chief Information Security Officer, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation

The event is officially supported by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines , the Asia Cloud Computing Association and Data Centre Association of the Philippines . Additionally, the event is excited tohave Cybersecurity Philippines CERT join as its community partner.

Mohammed Saleem, Founding Chairman of Trescon, expressed his enthusiasm about the event and the partnership with NICP, saying, "We are delighted to have the National ICT Confederation of thePhilippines join us for the Manila edition of World Cloud Show.

Together, we aim to create a platform that enables enterprises and governments to harness the potential ofcloud technologies and drive digital transformation."

NICP's involvement in World Cloud Show signifies a shared commitment to promoting foreign and localinvestments, balanced development, and the transformation of the

Philippines into a competitive provider for global services. By aligning with NICP's vision, World Cloud Show aims to contribute significantly to inclusive countryside development through the use of cloudtechnologies.

"NICP's partnership with World Cloud Show marks a significant step towards accelerating cloud migrationand digital transformation in Manila," said Naveen Bharadwaj, CEO of Trescon. "We are privileged to collaborate with NICP and bring together key stakeholders to drive innovation and foster sustainable growthin the cloud computing landscape."

Registration for World Cloud Show Manila is now open. To secure your place and learn more about the event,please visit: https://worldcloudshow.com/manila/

About Trescon

Trescon is a pioneering force in the global business events and services sector, driving the adoption of emerging technologies while promoting sustainability and inclusive leadership. Its summits, expos, and conferences create real economic impact by connecting and empowering key stakeholders, including government organizations, regulators, enterprises, corporates, and more. With a team of over 250 employees across offices in 6 countries, Trescon has helped clients achieve exponential growth, acceleratemarket entry, and build valuable partnerships. For more information about Trescon, visit:www.tresconglobal.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Nupur Aswani

Head - Media, PR and Corporate Communications, Trescon

+91 95559 15156 | media@tresconglobal.com

Source: tresconCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2023 / TriplePundit

Originally published by TriplePundit

"Ancient wisdom meets futuristic technology" sounds like the concept for a new Hollywood blockbuster. But it's the here-and-now direction of sustainable agriculture, supporting not only the planet and its people, but also the profitability of every entity in the food production chain -from farmers to agribusinesses to brands in the consumer goods industry.

Thousands of years ago, civilizations leveraged cyclical flooding for irrigation, let the land "rest" (lay fallow) every seventh year, and used terraced farming to produce food sustainably for their people, as well as external trade and philanthropic support of the poor. In modern times, this wisdom of the ages took a back seat to mechanization and industrialization - with short-term positive output effects and long-term catastrophic ones, such as the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

Over the last several decades, that same windswept stretch of country - Kansas, parts of Oklahoma and Colorado - has been among the regions reaping the benefits of sustainable agriculture, as are the companies reliant on farm products. Crop rotation, improved tillage and threshing techniques, as well as water-scarcity management advancements, make for better soil health and greater yield.

At the same time, climate change presents new challenges, such as water scarcity and increasingly severe and frequent extreme weather events. The good news is: Every region and every stakeholder in the agrarian economic system has an opportunity to be part of the global solution.

Environmental and economic solutions come together

Starting in 2013 and now operating in 14 countries, Indigo Ag set out to help the agriculture industry improve sustainability and profitability through the combination of science and technology - first with the use of microbes to improve soil and plant resiliency and soon adding project development and impact quantification of regenerative farming practices.

Indigo Ag's Market+ Source program in particular links up farmers, agribusinesses, and food and apparel companies to source sustainable crops and quantify impact throughout the entire supply chain.

For corporations, this program enables them to score a win in improving the accuracy of their carbon footprints and in making progress toward their climate targets; and it does so while aligning to standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) and Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Market+ Source captures the measurements corporations need to support their Scope 3 claims for marketing, investment decision-making, and evolving industry standards, while supporting farmers to employ and scale the use of the practices that deliver these results.

Meeting any of these standards is a lot like detangling a fishing line: A company has to trace and document its suppliers' practices and quantify what emissions are reduced. In agriculture, data science and technology are must-haves to accomplish this feat.

Rigorous data science, resourceful diplomacy

Jyoti Shankar, a principal data scientist at Indigo Ag, spoke with TriplePundit about both sides of the sustainable agriculture "adventure." One is the complex data process, and the other is the human side of bringing related but separate types of companies and people together to collaborate.

On the data side, Indigo Ag avails itself of remote sensing data like satellite capture, as well as passive sensors and soil samples at farm sites, transaction and market data from various sources, and field experiments. Shankar analyzes and models the data to project the beneficial good of what is happening in the field, along the way looking for inconsistencies and missing data, so a love of sleuthing comes in handy. The data and analyses have to be scrupulously accurate to give multi-billion dollar global consumer brands the level of confidence required for use in Scope 3 emissions accounting, as Indigo Ag has been doing since 2019.

"We can simulate scenarios of potential regenerative farming practices or combinations of practices for farmers in our programs," Shankar said. "Our goal is to determine the realistic impact of encouraging farmers to adopt more practices each year and/or increase their acreage of these practices. By managing the portfolio of practices adopted by farmers within our program, we can shape it to effectively reduce emissions and water used per unit of crop produced."

The detective work is also needed when data comes from agribusinesses that still use manual or outdated technical systems, but it has to be coupled with a respect for the small companies that have vital information. Indigo strives for collaboration with such firms, becoming a technology provider to support their way of doing business, Shankar said.

"Scope 3 programs cannot succeed without the partnership of many supply chain partners. It's a very fragmented industry, and the data is non-trivial," she told us. "They are folks who have been in it for a long time, who have survived the longest with the least amount of margins.

How consumer brands benefit from sustainable agriculture

With consumers now highly tuned in to climate change and other environmental issues, many have demonstrated that their purchasing dollars will go to the brands that prove their commitment to sustainability through best practices. Increasingly, investors are seeking the same. Meanwhile, extreme weather and natural resource scarcity threaten the long-term viability of agricultural supply chains - making a clear business case for companies to push climate solutions forward. Therefore, data science and technology have a central role in providing that proof.

Post Holdings, known for its iconic cereal, snack and pet food brands, works with Indigo to quantify the climate impact of the sustainably grown wheat used in Airly crackers, a brand devoted to removing greenhouse gases. Airly is able to post its carbon reduction numbers on its website, thanks to the data Indigo provides.

"What we've seen is a real hunger from our growers for, 'What else can I do?'" said Jennifer McKnight, Airly's chief marketing officer. "With Indigo Ag, we've been bringing together world-leading scientists directly with the farmers to help answer that question. Every single year, we're getting better. The growers are learning from the scientists, the scientists are learning from the growers, and it creates that virtuous loop."

McKnight's last comment captures a sentiment numerous members of Indigo Ag's team voiced as well: The partnership with farmers and agribusinesses is crucial.

What "tinkering" can teach us about sustainability

Shankar gets animated when talking about what Indigo Ag's data scientists learned about sustainable approaches out in Kansas fields. While Indigo Ag has a set of practices that are part of its programs, the company runs trials and pilots in partnership with farmers and various corporate brands. The successful ones become candidates for the toolbox.

Jeff Murphy, whose family has been farming in southeastern Kansas since the late 1800s, started a transition to manage the farm after graduating from Kansas State in 2015. With his management comes an interest in farming more economically while building soil health and stewarding the land. Currently 90 percent of the farm's acres of corn, beans, soybeans, wheat, and cattle are raised with practices such as reduced tillage and cover crops - two core regenerative approaches that deliver positive environmental impact.

"I really want to reduce the input costs to increase profitability, as well as improve our soil and leave the land better than I found it for future generations," Murphy said. Last year, he experimented with a field where he applied no herbicide. "If there is a way that we could get away from these chemicals, I think it would be good for everybody."

All of Murphy's land is dryland - meaning they do not irrigate - which can be challenging in a region that has suffered drought conditions in recent years.

To gain the benefits of natural weed suppression and increased water retention, Murphy began using cover crops three years ago on just 30 acres. He now has cover crops across 75 percent of his acres.

"The main thing I can say is, we had crops to harvest. A lot of my neighbors had zero. They had no moisture left and couldn't plant at all," Murphy said.

Less tillage, more cover crops, fewer chemicals or lesser quantities of them - all of these translate to fewer carbon emissions and greater water conservation. Further, such natural methodologies can encourage the return of native wildlife species to revive ecosystems.

"What we notice with farmers like Jeff is that they're constantly experimenting," Shankar said. "He's not playing with his livelihood. He's a businessman. But he's also tinkering. That tinkering is what we have to dial into."

The data capture and analysis Indigo Ag conducts, along with its multi-pronged approach to assisting the sustainable agriculture supply chain, means less risk and greater resilience for farmers, agribusinesses, corporate brands, hungry people and animals, and a planet in need of climate relief from all quarters.

Based on these possibilities, the next "Field of Dreams" may be an entirely different movie.

Learn more from Indigo Ag about the progress being made to make agriculture more sustainable for people and the planet.

This article series is sponsored by Indigo Ag and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from TriplePundit on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: TriplePundit

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/triplepundit

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: TriplePundit

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768674/Sustainable-Agriculture-Comes-Full-Circle-With-Data-Science
HOHHOT, China, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 14, Yili held its 2023 Investor Day, and its management sat down with hundreds of investors and analysts from the world's top investment institutions for in-depth exchanges.

Pan Gang, Chairman of Yili Group, said in his speech that Yili will continue to be a pioneer of a new-type supply chain, a pioneer in digitalization and a practitioner of sustainable development, and make more contributions and create greater value for consumers, investors, and human health and well-being.

In the post-pandemic era, pro-health functional products that serve the whole population will become the core driver of the development of dairy products.

Yili is an early entrant in health sector. In recent years, Yili has launched functional pro-health nutrition products such as A2. This year it launched the world's first functional milk product capable of blood sugar regulation, and the world's first room-temperature organic pure milk with active lactoferrin, among other subdivided functional pro-health dairy products.

The launch of new pro-health products one after another was enabled by Yili's input and breakthrough in forward-looking innovative technology. Yili was the first to break the technological barriers and increase the retention rate of lactoferrin in room-temperature pure milk from 10% to more than 90%. In addition, Yili has started the construction of its lactoferrin factory in New Zealand, and after it is completed and put into operation, Yili will rank among the top three lactoferrin producers in the world, which will greatly enhance Yili's global influence in the industry.

Yili is making multiple breakthroughs in similar cutting-edge technologies, with the expectation of opening up new space for performance growth.

At the conference, Yili also introduced the latest development and growth potential of five of its brands: Satine, AMBPOMIAL, Jinlingguan, Chocliz and XinHuo.

Among them, Satine, the world's No.1 organic milk brand, bucked the trend and ranked first in the market share of the segment; China's No.1 yogurt brand AMBPOMIAL continued to innovate, with a market share of 66%; the infant powder brand Jinlingguan saw the fastest market share growth primarily driven by its high-quality products; XinHuo, the No.1 milk powder brand for the middle-aged and elderly, continued to expand the silver economy and grabbed a market share of 35%; China's No.1 ice brand Chocliz continued to grow, becoming China's first ice brand with sales of more than 5 billion yuan.

Based on high-performing sub-brands like these, Yili has become a household brand of considerable size and competitiveness. It always sits top of BrandZ's brand value ranking in China, and ranked second in the food and beverage sector and again first in the global dairy industry in 2022.

At the conference, Yili shared how digital and intelligent technologies had improved its overall efficiency. Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley is so far the most digital and intelligent manufacturing base in the dairy industry. Its filling production line of liquid milk at this global model base of intelligent manufacturing produces 40,000 packs of milk per hour, nearly twice as many than before.

Through the digital and intelligent transformation of the entire industry chain, Yili's end-to-end product innovation cycle has been shortened by 20%, indirect procurement efficiency increased by 40%, procurement costs reduced by 10%, and the overall procurement cost has maintained about 7% less than the industry average.

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Caption: Scene of the 2023 Investor Day

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An Ontario-based media agency introduces a new way for businesses to acquire leads online without resorting to traditional digital marketing strategies.

Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2023) - Bruno Auger Marketing launches turnkey lead generation solutions for businesses that are looking to acquire pre-built and pre-ranked assets for their digital marketing. The media agency based in Thunder Bay, Ontario specializes in producing web properties, which are intended for use by various types of enterprises within and outside the province.

More information can be found at https://brunoauger.com.





Bruno Auger Marketing Launches Web Assets For Digital Marketing Lead Generation

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/172904_8cefd39344ad9a67_001full.jpg

The Thunder Bay area is home to businesses of all sizes, national companies, and other well-respected names from diverse industries. The agency's newest launch endeavors to provide these brands with a fail-safe strategy for finding new leads amid a saturated and volatile market.

Similar to SEO services, Bruno Auger aims to assist its clients in securing high rankings on Google and other search engines so they can drive a steady stream of traffic to their websites. The agency offers off-the-shelf solutions that have been pre-set to target high-value leads.

The assets, which can either be individual pages or full websites, are designed to attract prospects who are ready to make a purchase decision. Targeting leads who are already at this stage of the buyer's journey improves the chances of conversion for the businesses that will eventually own the assets.

Developing these web properties is the first step in the agency's signature work process.

After the websites and pages have been deployed, Bruno Auger implements a series of steps to validate them. Bruno Auger explains, "Upon deploying the asset, it is important to validate that the properties associated with the asset are in a position to stand above the crowd when highly motivated prospects are looking for the services and solutions related to its industry/location."

Bruno Auger Marketing introduces a new way for businesses to acquire leads online without resorting to traditional digital marketing strategies. The companies that manage to secure the assets get exclusive access to all the leads that the web properties generate.

As Bruno Auger reassures its clients, "Our assets are 100% exclusive to one business per category and location."

Interested parties may learn more by clicking on the above URL.

Contact Info:

Name: Bruno Auger

Email: bruno@brunoauger.com

Organization: Bruno Auger Marketing

Address: 101-110 Castlegreen Dr, Thunder Bay, Ontario p7a 7t9, Canada

Website: https://brunoauger.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172904
PRESS RELEASE

Technicolor Creative Studios

Completion of the Technicolor Creative Studios' reverse share split

Reverse share split through the exchange of one hundred (100) existing shares with a par value of one euro cent (0.01) for one (1) new share with a par value of one euro (1).

Effective date of reverse share split (listing of the new shares): July 18, 2023

Paris (FRANCE), July 19, 2023 - Technicolor Creative Studios (Euronext Paris: symbol TCHCS) (the "Company") announces the completion on July 18, 2023 of the reverse share split of all outstanding shares of the Company, as decided by decision of the Chief Executive Officer on May 30, 2023, following sub-delegation by the Board of Directors on May 15, 2023, taken in accordance with the twenty-sixth extraordinary resolution of the Shareholders' Meeting of May 15, 2023.

The reverse share split involved the exchange of one hundred (100) old shares with a par value of one euro cent (0.01) (the "Existing Shares") for one (1) new share with a par value of one euro (1) (a "New Share").

The main features of this reverse share split, as detailed in the notice of reverse share split published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) on May 31, 2023 and in the press release published by the Company on the same date, are as follows:

Number of Existing Shares subject to the reverse share split : two billion five hundred and fifty-one million one hundred and eighty-two thousand two hundred and seventy (2,551,182,270) shares, each with a par value of one euro cent (0.01).

: two billion five hundred and fifty-one million one hundred and eighty-two thousand two hundred and seventy (2,551,182,270) shares, each with a par value of one euro cent (0.01). Number of New shares resulting from the reverse share split : twenty-five million five hundred and eleven thousand eight hundred and twenty-two (25,511,822) shares, each with a par value of one euro (1).

: twenty-five million five hundred and eleven thousand eight hundred and twenty-two (25,511,822) shares, each with a par value of one euro (1). Listing of the New Shares: the New Shares resulting from the reverse share split have been admitted to trading on the Euronext regulated market in Paris, with effect from July 18, 2023, the first day of trading, and have been assigned a new ISIN code (FR001400I939).

A shareholder who was unable to obtain a number of shares that is a multiple of 100 will be compensated for any remaining fractional shares (rompus) within 30 days by his/her financial intermediary.

The next steps of the reverse share split will take place according to the following indicative timetable:

July 18, 2023 Listing of the New Shares July 19, 2023 Book-entry of the New Shares (Record Date) July 20, 2023 Payment Date of the New Shares and start of the period of compensation for fractional shares (rompus) by the financial intermediaries August 20, 2023 Deadline for compensation of fractional shares (rompus) by financial intermediaries

Adjustment of the conversion ratio of convertible bonds and of the exercise parity of warrants:

As a result of the reverse share split, and by decision of the Chief Executive Officer on July 18, 2023, the conversion ratio of the convertible bonds ("OCA") and the exercise parity of the warrants ("New Money Warrants") are adjusted in accordance with the following terms, detailed in the twenty-sixth resolution of the Shareholders' Meeting and set out in the notice of reverse share split published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires:

Adjustment of the conversion ratio of the OCA : the new conversion ratio of the OCA will be equal to 20 OCA for 1 New Share;

: the new conversion ratio of the OCA will be equal to 20 OCA for 1 New Share; Adjustment of the exercise parity of the New Money Warrants: the new exercise parity of the New Money Warrants will be equal to 100 New Money Warrants for 1 New Share.

***

ABOUT TECHNICOLOR CREATIVE STUDIOS

Technicolor Creative Studios shares are admitted to trading on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (TCHCS)

Technicolor Creative Studios is a creative technology company providing world-class production expertise driven by one purpose: The realization of ambitious and extraordinary ideas. Home to a network of award-winning studios, MPC, The Mill, Mikros Animation and Technicolor Games, we inspire creative companies across the world to produce their most iconic work.

Our global teams of artists and technologists partner with the creative community across film, television, animation, gaming, brand experience and advertising to bring the universal art of storytelling to audiences everywhere.

www.technicolorcreative.com

***

Investor Relations Contact:

investor.relations@technicolor.com

Corporate press:

Image 7: Technicolorcreative@image7.fr

Attachment
DUBLIN, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Irish payroll software specialist Intelligo, which was acquired by European HR leader SD Worx in November 2022, has reported that its brand transition to SD Worx Ireland will be completed by October. The maker of award-winning payroll solution MegaPay can now be found online at www.sdworx.ie, or at the company's original offices just south of Dublin.

The enterprise payroll software firm recently reported strong 2022 financial results, buoyed by the growth of MegaPay On-Cloud, and has been readying to deliver an expanded HCM and HR offering as part of SD Worx.

Eimear Byrne, Country Lead and former Intelligo Finance Director, spoke highly of the support Intelligo has received from SD Worx' headquarters in Brussels, and the efforts of her team in realising a successful organisational transition:

"Our objectives during this period included maintaining seamless payroll delivery for our clients, continuing the sales momentum of MegaPay On-Cloud and MegaPay Outsourced, and becoming an integral part of SD Worx' Europe-wide sales proposition."

"With the help of SD Worx CEO Kobe Verdonck, SD Worx Excom, and our own fabulous team here in Ireland, we have achieved these objectives and more."

"Major business transitions are always challenging, and we have successfully demonstrated to our people, clients and the marketplace that Intelligo and MegaPay are even stronger as part of the SD Worx organisation."

"Importantly, have we maintained our original Intelligo team, and have increased our headcount to support the growth of MegaPay On-Cloud and the onboarding of new HCM and HR solutions."

Gary Hayes, now Head of Operations and Client Services, was excited by the product roadmap for MegaPay, a solution he has been involved with since Intelligo's founding in 1996:

"MegaPay is favoured by scale enterprises with complex payrolls and advanced security, privacy and workforce needs. Our clients include global firms right across industry, including the Big 4 accounting firms and businesses looking to drive ERP and HCM platforms with a performance payroll engine."

"We are excited about building on our success as part of SD Worx. With gender pay gap reporting and statutory sick leave provisions recently introduced in Ireland, and pension auto-enrolment looming, we remain focused on helping businesses navigate the rapidly evolving compliance, DEIB, ESG and distributed work landscape."

Media Contact:

Fiona Cullinane

00353 1 272 4600

fiona.cullinane@sdworx.com

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BWA Group Plc - Findings of Testwork at the Nkoteng 1 Heavy Mineral Sands Project

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 19

Findings of Orientation Mineral Separation Testwork at the Nkoteng 1 Heavy Mineral Sands Project, Cameroon

19 July 2023

BWA Group PLC

("BWA", or the "Company") (AQSE: BWAP)

Findings of Orientation Mineral Separation Testwork at the Nkoteng 1 Heavy Mineral Sands Project, Cameroon

BWA Group plc [AQSE: BWAP], which has mineral exploration licences in both Cameroon and Canada and is quoted on London's AQSE Growth Market, provides an update on its recently completed orientation separation testwork, carried out on 20 low-grade primary samples from the mechanised auger programme, from within the Nkoteng 1 Licence, Central Cameroon ("Nkoteng 1" or the "Nkoteng Project").

Through its subsidiary, BWA Resources Ltd ("BWAR"), BWA currently has five heavy mineral sands ("HMS") licences across two project areas in Cameroon, totalling 1,267 km2, all of which are at an early stage of exploration. The Nkoteng 1 Licence covers an area of 343 km2 and the contiguous Nkoteng 2 Licence covers an area of 500 km2, located 60 km to the northeast of Yaounde with easy transport links to the port of Douala. The Nkoteng Licences cover a significant part of the HMS-prospective Sanaga river system. The Dehane 1, 2 and 3 Licences ("Dehane" or the "Dehane Project") cover an area of 430 km2 comprising part of the prospective Nyong river system, estuary, and coastal zone, located approximately 166 km to the west of the capital, Yaounde and 70 km from the deep seaport and industrial zone of Kribi.

A version of this announcement including maps and photographs can be viewed on the Company's website, http://www.bwagroupplc.com/bwa-announcements.html

BWA is pleased to announce the findings of the preliminary orientation mineral separation testwork on selected low-grade samples taken from the closed barrel mechanised auger sampling programme on the Nkoteng 1 Project, reported in accordance with JORC (2012). The short shallow auger sampling programme completed in June 2022 drilled 107 holes for 193.30 metres and 171 primary samples (announcement dated 29 June 2022). The programme targeted the central sector of the licence where pitting and hand auger sampling (announcement dated 29 June 2022) identified an area of anomalous Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon and Kyanite alluvial HMS.

The orientation analytical testwork was completed by Dipl. Ing. Uwe Bruder of Bruder Consulting Germany and comprised processing of 20 low-grade auger drill cores, composited for test work (Table 1) using simple process methods and equipment including gravity, sluice, heavy liquid and magnetic separation. A primary objective of the work to determine suitable process design and procedures for use in Cameroon, to be used for the next round of exploration drilling, planned in H2 2023. This work follows on from the granulometric and size fractioning studies on half-cores from the same samples, completed by BWA (announcement dated 7 September 2022).

The scope of works entailed:

Compositing auger samples into 3 similar unit types (clay, sand, weathered clay).

Orientation mineral separation processing and analytical testwork.

Approximate recovery of heavy minerals using simple process equipment.

Proposals for simple methods to determine the preferred analytical method for in-country analysis of heavy minerals from drill cores (equipment and test procedure).

Highlights and Commentary

Although the samples were low-grade and from areas that BWA consider to be of lower prospectivity and priority, the samples have returned positive and anomalous results. The testwork methodology and subsequent analytical flowsheet was the important aspect and deliverable of the testwork which will lead into onsite laboratory design and Standard Operating Procedures.

Test work demonstrated good recovery (>80%) of heavy minerals by simple gravity, DMS and magnetic separation within the sand size samples of the material provided. As expected, the sand composite sample contain the greatest quantity of HMS. However significant heavy minerals do occur within clay size samples, and not unexpectedly these are less easily separated, requiring additional sluice processing.

A breakdown of total heavy mineral ("THM") content from the composite samples are as follows:

>0.063 mm sample fraction (sand particle size and above):

Clay composite sample - 0.35% THM

Sand composite sample - 0.824% THM

Weathering clay composite sample - 0.639% THM

<0.063 mm sample fraction (clay particle size):

Clay composite sample - 0.408% THM

Sand composite sample - 1.350% THM

Weathering clay composite sample - 0.245% THM

It should be noted, the highly prospective coarse basal gravels primary target unit have not been encountered or tested as part of this study.

Outlook

The Company are processing the orientation testwork results to understand the implications. Furthermore, the results will be combined with the size fractioning studies completed in September 2022 to identify the relationships and add more information to improve the knowledge of the depositional characteristics for Nkoteng and associated licences.

This orientation testwork will lead into onsite laboratory design and Standard Operating Procedures with work in progress to source suppliers and equipment, in preparation for the planned exploration programme.

The THM% content from the samples is encouraging from low-grade areas and is reasonable from within the sand size fractions. Furthermore, recovery appears to be good from observations by Bruder Consulting from the shaking table and sluices, with recoveries indicated around 80%.

James Butterfield, interim Non-executive Chairman of BWA, commented:

"This round of orientation testwork has given BWA a clear process to follow in order to set up an in-country laboratory, as well as working towards a set of Standard Operating Procedures with which to work within, ensuring accurate and reliable analysis.BWA are also pleased with the early indications of recovery using lab-scale methods. More work is required in the future.BWA is excited about the positive outcome and is planning further exploration from the Nkoteng and Dehane sites".

Summary of Orientation Mineral Separation Testwork

In accordance with JORC (2012) reporting guidelines, a summary of the material information used is set out below. For further details, please refer to the JORC (2012) Table 1, located in the Appendix to this announcement.

The exploration programme from which the 20 primary samples were selected, consisted of 107 holes for 193.30 metres and 171 primary samples, collected within the current and paleo Sanaga river floodplain (Figure 2). The holes were mechanically drilled using a Van Walt windowless percussion sampling system with half core samples split for analysis, with the remaining half core stored in bags for reference and duplicate samples as necessary.

The 20 primary samples were composited into three lithological groups: clay, sand, and weathering clay which were tested separately, as presented in the table below and in Figure 3. The colours denominate the composite, those without colours were excluded and deemed outliers to primary lithology types. The test steps are outlined below and illustrated in Figure 3:

PSD (particle size distribution) work on 100 grams of sample (Table 2).

Crushing down to <6.0mm.

Agitation of each sample in water until the clayey agglomerates had dissolved.

Gravity sorting by shaking table (> 0.063 mm fractions) and sluice (< 0063 mm) (Figure 4 and 5). Although possible to recover below 0.063 mm, it would likely not be economic on an industrial scale.

Drying of preconcentrates for dry magnetic separation.

Magnetic separation for magnetic minerals, i.e., ilmenite and non-magnetic minerals, i.e., rutile and zirconium

Heavy liquid separation (2.82 g/cm) of magnetic and non-magnetic separation products.

Reporting (Figure 6 and 7 and Table 2).

Geology and Geological Interpretation

The prospective Sanaga river is the main river which runs through the BWA Nkoteng 1 and 2 licence area and accommodates approximately 100 km of the river floodplain system and associated tributaries, and an even larger paleo-floodplain area, observed in satellite imagery, although this has yet to be fully ground-truthed through fieldwork.

The geological sequence generally consists of a cover of clays, overlying the target deposit layer consisting of sands and gravels, generally laying directly on the bedrock.

Surficial geology encountered during the auger programme comprised of 0.2 m of surface organic rich soil, alluvial clays and sandy clays ranging from 0 m to 4 m with an average thickness of approximately 1.3 m thick, and basal sand and gravels ranging from 0 m to 3 m thick in places.

The Nkoteng deposit is likely to be a trap placer (native) deposit. The entire stratigraphic column of the Sanaga alluvial deposits is considered potentially mineralised.

Nkoteng is located within the Yaounde Domain of the Pan African Belt, a large nappe unit that has been thrusted southward onto the Congo Craton and is characterised by low-grade to high-grade garnet bearing metamorphosed schists, gneiss and orthogneisses.

Implications for Future Exploration

The recovery of heavy minerals in the sampled areas has yielded positive results, which is highly encouraging. The mineralisation seems to be continuing positively over a distance of 8 km. BWA is satisfied with the grade and extent of all the target minerals and is planning to conduct follow-up work in the near future across the licence holding.

Competent Person's Statement

The information in this report which relates to exploration results for the Nkoteng Project is based upon and fairly represents information collected and compiled by Mr Emmanuel Simo, MSc., Senior Geologist and Chief Geologist for BWA, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.

The results were reviewed by Mr J.N. Hogg, MSc. MAIG, Principal Geologist for Addison Mining Services (AMS) and Non-executive Director of BWAR.

Mr Simo and Mr Hogg have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation, the type of deposit under consideration and to the activity undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.

Mr Hogg has reviewed and verified the technical information that forms the basis of and has been used in the preparation of this announcement, including all sampling and analytical data, and analytical techniques. Mr Hogg consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on the information, in the form and context in which it appears.

Forward Looking Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. These statements reflect current expectations, intentions or strategies regarding the future and assumptions based on currently available information. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary from the expectations, intentions and strategies described in this announcement. No obligation is assumed to update forward looking statements if these beliefs, opinions and estimates should change or to reflect other future developments.

For further information on the Company, please visit http://www.bwagroupplc.com/index.html or contact:

BWA Group PLC James Butterfield Interim Chairman +44 (0) 7770 225 253 enquiries@bwagroupplc.com Allenby Capital Limited Corporate Adviser Nick Harriss/Lauren Wright +44 (0)20 3328 5656

Glossary of Technical Terms:

"%" percent; Al2O3 Aluminium Oxide; "ALS" Australian Laboratory Services; "AMS" Addison Mining Services; "BRGM" Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minie (French Geological Survey); "BWA" BWA Group PLC; "DTM" Digital Terrain Model. Computerised topographic model; "DUP" Decret d'Utilite Publique (Public Utility Decree); "HMS" Heavy Mineral Sands; "km" Kilometre; "TiO2" Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium (IV) oxide. Generally sourced from ilmenite, rutile, and anatase; "Zr" Zircon or Zirconium; "JORC (2012)" the 2012 edition of the JORC code; "JORC" the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, as published by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia; "m" metre; "ME-XRF11bE" Analysis by Fusion/XRF; "QA/QC" Quality assurance/quality control. "m" micrometre or micron, unit of length equalling 110-6 metre

Table 1: Sample details.

Hole ID From To Sample ID Lith NKA_163 0.10 1.60 26435 Plastic Clay NKA_078 0.00 1.90 26285 Plastic Clay NKA_124 0.10 1.90 26367 Plastic Clay NKA_148 0.10 2.30 26409 Plastic Clay NKA_119 0.65 1.35 26359 Plastic Clay + Saprolite NKA_163 1.60 2.60 26436 Sand NKA_078 1.90 4.00 26286 Sand NKA_124 1.90 3.55 26368 Sand NKA_148 2.30 3.30 26410 Sand NKA_119 0.00 0.65 26358 Sand (Secondary alluvial deposits) NKA_146 0.20 1.00 26407 Sand (Secondary alluvial deposits) NKA_166 0.00 1.20 26440 Sand (Weathering Sand) NKA_140 0.05 0.90 26394 Weathering Clay NKA_121 0.10 0.70 26362 Weathering Clay NKA_085 0.00 0.90 26297 Weathering Clay NKA_159 0.10 1.80 26428 Weathering Clay NKA_166 1.20 2.00 26442 Weathering Clay + Sand + Gravel + Saprolite NKA_140 0.90 1.40 26395 Weathering Clay + Saprolite NKA_121 0.70 1.20 26364 Weathering Clay +Ferruginous concretion NKA_085 0.90 1.40 26298 Weathering Clay +Ferruginous concretion +Saprolite Composite 1 - Plastic clay Composite 2 - Sand Composite 3 - Weathering clay

The table below presents the results of the testwork. Additional work is required to understand the implications for continuing exploration, as well comparing this mineral separation work to the granulometric work.

Table 2: Results of PSD and analytical results of the THM%.

Composite Size Fraction PSD (passing %) THM% dComposite 1 - Plastic clay > 0.5 mm 97.3 No heavy minerals 0.25 - 0.5 mm 92.8 0.04m% 0.063 - 0025 mm 74.4 0.31 m% < 0.063 mm 49.4 0.41 m% Total 100 0.76 m% Composite 2 - Sand > 1 mm 92.4 No heavy minerals 0.5 - 1 mm 81.4 0.08 m% 0.25 - 0.5 mm 68.9 0.20 m% 0.063 - 0025 mm 41.4 0.54 m% < 0.063 mm 20.7 1.35 m% Total 100 2.17 m% Composite 3 - Weathering clay > 1 mm 88.9 No heavy minerals 0.25 - 1 mm 68.2 0.36 m% 0.063 - 0025 mm 51.5 0.28 m% < 0.063 mm 33.0 0.25 m% Total 100 0.89 m%

APPENDIX: Table 1 (JORC 2012)

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation AMS Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Samples were generated using a mechanised windowless soil percussion machine to a maximum depth of 4.0 m.

Samples were halved to accommodate duplicate samples.

The locations varied between active and paleo island and riverbank channels.

The sampling methods are sufficient for early-stage exploration.

No handheld XRF instruments were used. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used Sampling was supervised by the senior BWA geologist.

Samples are considered representative of the surface and are sufficient for early exploration geochemical surveys. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. Crushing down to <6.0mm

Agitation of each sample in water until the clayey agglomerates had dissolved.

Gravity sorting by shaking table (> 0.063 mm fractions) and sluice (< 0063 mm).

Drying of preconcentrates for dry magnetic separation.

Heavy liquid separation (2.82 g/cm) of magnetic separation products.

Reporting. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. 107 holes for 193.30 metres to a maximum depth of 4.0 m to obtain 171 lithologically controlled samples of approximately 2 kg each.

The sample was split in half and samples were generally between 50 - 100 cm in length and lithologically controlled.

The primary sample will be sent for analysis and the remaining half is stored in plastic bags under lock and key for duplicate analysis and future reference.

Samples have not been submitted for heavy mineral separation testwork to date. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Closed barrel (windowless) soil sampling percussion style handheld drilling rig was employed to drill the holes.

The core barrel is 63mm. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Core was measured by run length.

Recovery review is ongoing. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Specialist core lifters were employed, designed for sands and gravels.

Recovery was reviewed after each run by the geologist.

Holes were re-drilled when recovery was deemed insufficient.

Recovery review is ongoing. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. No recovery vs grade work has been completed yet. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. No mineral resources are being reported.

However, logging data is sufficient to support input into estimation.

Recovery review is ongoing. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. Geological logging is qualitative. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. All intersections were geologically logged. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. Half the hole is sampled.

The remaining halves are used as duplicates for repeat analysis or reference. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. N/A For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Samples were be submitted for HMS preparation and separation, which is considered appropriate for the deposit type. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Duplicate samples were taken during the drilling and a percentage will be submitted for HMS separation.

No duplicate analysis has been completed on separation testwork to date. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. However, duplicate samples have been taken to test for representativity.

No duplicate analysis has been completed on separation testwork to date. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Granulometric studies were performed on previous sample, and preliminary analysis shows that samples are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.

Updated granulometric studies have been performed.

More statistical work is required in this area. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. Samples were submitted for HMS preparation and separation, which is considered appropriate for the deposit type.

XRD is required to further delineate the types of THM within the final sample. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. No geophysical tools, spectrometers or handheld XRF instruments were used in the exploration work. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Sample stream included, duplicate, blank and CRM material. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. Results not verified by external independent person at this time. The use of twinned holes. N/A. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Sample data is hand inputted into Excel and imported into Micromine for validation and 3D display. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. No adjustment to assay data is required. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Drillholes were surveyed using a DGPS. Specification of the grid system used. Data was captured and located using a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM).

The geographic coordinate reference system is WGS84 Zone 32N (UTM32N).

Elevations are reported in metres above sea level. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. There is no topographic DTM at present.

As part of the collar survey, additional points were collected in order to create an accurate topographic surface.

DTM creation is ongoing. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. No exploration results are being reported. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. N/A. Whether sample compositing has been applied. N/A. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. N/A. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. N/A. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Samples were transported from site to Yaounde in secure polyweave bags by the BWA geologist.

Samples were taken to Afrigeolabs for granulometric studies by BWA geologists.

Samples were sent to Germany via DHL for heavy mineral separation testwork. Samples arrived in Germany intact and without tampering. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Lewis Harvey (AMS Director and Senior Geologist) completed a site visit between the 23rd and 29th of May, 2022.

All findings of the visit are considered satisfactory.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation AMS Comments Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. BWA has been awarded Permit No. 672, an exploration licence covering 343 km2 of Central Cameroon in an area known as Nkoteng, for researching the viability of commercial exploitation of rutile sands and other minerals including gold, kyanite, ilmenite, and other related minerals.

The permit is for three years and there is a requirement for a financial commitment of 260,000 in year 1 to be followed by 195,000 in each of years 2 and 3.

The licence was renewed on the 23rd of September 2022 for a period of two years. (Confers article 37 of Law 2016/017 of 14 Dec 2010 on the Cameroonian Mining Code).[LH1] The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. All tenements are in good standing.

BWA are unaware of any impediments that may affect the licences. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Rutile was discovered in Cameroon at the beginning of the century, but it was only exploited between 1935 and 1955. The total recorded production of rutile is approximately 15,000 tonnes, with a maximum of 3,320 tonnes in 1944; exploitation remained essentially artisanal.

Historical exploration was carried out by the BRGM in 1980 and continued until 1991.

On 28th February 1988, the Ministry of Mines, Water and Energy (MINMEE) and BRGM set up the Societe d'Etude du Rutile d'Akonolinga (SERAK) with a capital of 460 million CFA francs held by a 100% subsidiary of BRGM (SEREM) and the State of Cameroon in proportions of 52% and 48% respectively.

The evaluation of rutile resources in the Akonolinga region by SERAK has given the Djaa River some 290,000 tonnes ( 50,000 tonnes) and the Yo River some 240,000 tonnes ( 40,000 tonnes).

During the same period, reconnaissance was carried out on the Sele and Tede rivers in the Nanga Eboko region. The campaign enabled resources to be estimated at: SELE River: 723,000 tonnes of rutile; TEDE River: 175,000 tonnes of rutile.

At the moment the Akonolinga area is being developed by the French mining company ERAMET which is active in the field, while the TEDE and SELE rivers in the Nanga Eboko area are under licence from Archidona. The latter company is inactive in the field.

No recent data on these two areas is available.

Results are not reported in accordance with JORC (2012) and have not been independently verified by either BWA or AMS. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation Rutile, as an important component in alluvial or eluvial heavy mineral deposits, is known in southern Cameroon.

Cameroon was the world's third largest producer of rutile from 1944 to 1950 (16,417 t).

With an estimated potential of nearly three million tons, Cameroon has the world's second-largest supply of rutile after Sierra Leone.

Nkoteng is located within the Yaounde Domain of the Pan African Belt, which is a large nappe unit that has been thrusted southward onto the Congo Craton and is characterised by low-grade to high-grade garnet bearing metamorphosed schists, gneiss and orthogneisses

Main minerals are garnet, rutile, kyanite, ilmenite and zircon. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

Collar coordinates and details of the holes are presented in the table below. Heading Count Min Max EAST 107 815514 822514 NORTH 107 492007 496992 RL 107 526 581 EOH 107 0.6 4.0 If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. N/A. Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. N/A. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. N/A. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. N/A. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. Mineralisation is a river placer deposit, and the extents and geometry are unknown at this time.

Surface sampling is early stage and designed to confirm the presence and indication of HMS mineralisation for targeting further exploration. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. The holes are vertical, and the mineralisation is assumed to sub-horizontal at this time. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g. 'down hole length, true width not known'). The relationship between interval and true width is not yet know.

However, the mineralisation is sub-horizontal and interval widths are likely a reasonable reflection of true width. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. Appropriate scaled diagrams are attached to the RNS. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All available exploration data for the Nkoteng Project has been collected and reported.

The full implications for the data are unknown at this time. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. No geophysical works have been completed.

Limited mapping works have been completed.

No additional surface sampling works have been completed.

No metallurgical testing or bulk density work have been completed. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Additional drilling in prospective areas to delineate lateral extents.

Bulk density and granulometric studies.

Metallurgical and recovery testwork. Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive Further work programmes are being developed and as such, no diagrams are available at this time.

However, exploration is planned over the whole licence area.

[LH1]Emanuel to confirm
CIBC Innovation Banking announced today that it has provided 12m in debt financing to Phrase, a global cloud-based localisation software provider, headquartered in Prague, that helps brands localise and translate content more efficiently and manage the end-to-end process at scale. Phrase will use the funds to further develop the next generation of AI-driven language technology.

Launched in 2010 to provide translation and localisation technology to global businesses, Phrase has developed a unique platform that enables companies to connect, manage and automate every task involved in translating and localising content or software across an organisation in a centralised hub.

The system provides workflows and automation to manage projects with language service vendors, internal linguistic resources and harnesses the latest in machine translation depending on the sensitivity of the work. Backed by the Carlyle Group, Phrase's market leading software provides a platform to coordinate and track the progress of any localisation or translation activity across the business from start to finish, providing quality assessments and analytics along the way.

Phrase has more than 300 employees and over 4,500 customers across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America, which is a major growth market for the company.

Georg Ell, Phrase CEO, said: "CIBC Innovation Banking's financing will help us take our localization technology to the next level as the latest innovations in AI and machine learning continue to take off. Our business has seen tremendous growth as we've delivered on supporting our global clients at scale via the ease of use and connectivity our platform provides, and this investment will allow us to capitalise on the high-growth AI market."

Sean Duffy, Managing Director of CIBC Innovation Banking's European office, said: "We are delighted to be supporting Phrase as their software platform continues to evolve. They saw a clear need from global businesses for localisation services and have capitalised by creating a platform that makes the entire process easier and more seamless. The CIBC Innovation Banking team is looking forward to supporting Phrase on their next stage of growth."

About CIBC Innovation Banking

CIBC Innovation Banking delivers strategic advice, cash management and funding to innovation companies across North America, the UK, and select European countries at each stage of their business cycle, from startup to IPO and beyond. With offices in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Durham, London, Menlo Park, Montreal, New York, Reston, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver, the team has extensive experience and a strong, collaborative approach that extends across CIBC's commercial banking, private banking, wealth management and capital markets businesses.

About Phrase

Phrase is a global leader in cloud-based localization solutions that enables organizations of all sizes to open the door to global business through advanced automation and a broad variety of integrations. The Phrase Localization Suite is equipped with the leading translation management system, a specialized platform for software and digital products, and it supports 500+ languages, 50+ file types, 30+ machine translation engines, and 50+ integrations. The enterprise-grade suite enables users to drive growth with a connected ecosystem of tools. Organizations like Uber, Shopify, Volkswagen, and thousands of others trust in Phrase and accelerate their global growth by giving people the content they need, in the language they speak. For further information visit www.phrase.com.

Connect with Phrase: LinkedIn

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719105130/en/

Contacts:

Katarina Milicevic, katarina.milicevic@cibc.com, 416-784-6108
Despite the current global financial challenges and geo-political risks, and the ongoing issues of staff shortages within the travel sector, the eagerness to travel among individuals remains strong. International SOS traveller tracking data shows international travel is now at 83% of pre-COVID volumes, but travellers are twice as likely to call for advice or assistance1

The peak travel season in the Northern Hemisphere is fast approaching and with record-breaking temperatures projected globally this summer2, International SOS encourages organisations to ensure that their workforce take the necessary precautions to stay safe and healthy this season.

James Wood, Regional Security Director at International SOS comments "As we gear up for the expected surge in travel this summer, it is crucial for organisations to place employee safety at the forefront of their travel policies, in line with the ISO 31030 guidelines. The guidance document provides organisations with a framework for managing travel risks and promotes a culture in which travel-related risk is taken seriously, resourced adequately, and managed effectively.

"Navigating through crowded tourist spots and ensuring individual safety may pose significant challenges, but appropriate planning and guidance will provide travelling employees with peace of mind. This season presents an opportunity for employers to truly fulfil their Duty of Care obligations by offering timely and pertinent travel advice to their employees. This empowers travelling workforce to make thoughtful and safe choices when planning and embarking on travel in the forthcoming months."

Dr Kate O'Reilly, Medical Director at International SOS comments "Summer is a great time to travel and enjoy the great outdoors. However, the risks of heat-related illnesses shouldn't be ignored. By equipping employees with knowledge of heat-related symptoms and measures to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion, employers can ensure the health and safety of their workforce. Some measures to prevent heat-related illnesses include staying cool, hydrated, and informed by staying indoors during times of peak heat, wearing cool clothing, drinking plenty of liquids and checking local news for extreme heat alerts.

"Organisations should also ensure that employees understand the health and safety risks at their travel destination. They should arrange a travel health consultation at least four to six weeks before they travel to ensure enough time to have travel vaccinations and arrange malaria chemoprophylaxis if required. Mosquito-borne illnesses and food and water borne infections also affect travellers. It is important for travellers to know about the health threats at their destination and take recommended precautions."

International SOS provides top guidance for organisations and their workforce to stay healthy and safe whilst travelling this summer:

Inform travellers about travel restrictions. Monitor the situation and requirements of the destination country. Stay connected to official sources of information such as government websites and reputable travel advisories.

Monitor the situation and requirements of the destination country. Stay connected to official sources of information such as government websites and reputable travel advisories. Remind travellers to remain up to date with the latest developments and risks in the destination country , including information relating to political, environmental, and social unrest.

, including information relating to political, environmental, and social unrest. Plan ahead and choose safe accommodation . When selecting a place to stay, use credible booking sites, pick the location carefully and consider checking reviews from other travellers.

. When selecting a place to stay, use credible booking sites, pick the location carefully and consider checking reviews from other travellers. Highlight the importance of understanding traveller targeted risks in the country they will be visiting as international visitors can be common targets for pickpocketing and scams. Be careful with valuables, be vigilant in crowded places and use authorised operators to book activities.

in the country they will be visiting as international visitors can be common targets for pickpocketing and scams. Be careful with valuables, be vigilant in crowded places and use authorised operators to book activities. Ensure awareness of road safety . If driving to travel destination, check the car's general condition, cooling system, fluids and tyres before leaving. Plan travel ahead of time and be aware of any local events which may cause additional traffic or delays/ crowding on public transport.

. If driving to travel destination, check the car's general condition, cooling system, fluids and tyres before leaving. Plan travel ahead of time and be aware of any local events which may cause additional traffic or delays/ crowding on public transport. Encourage employees to take precautions to prevent heatstroke . Wear clothing that is lightweight, light-coloured, and loose-fitting. If you must be outdoors, slow down, take breaks in a shaded or cool area, and drink cool fluids regularly.

. Wear clothing that is lightweight, light-coloured, and loose-fitting. If you must be outdoors, slow down, take breaks in a shaded or cool area, and drink cool fluids regularly. Inform employees on food safety risks whilst travelling . Food poisoning peaks during summer months due to warmer temperatures.

. Food poisoning peaks during summer months due to warmer temperatures. Remind travellers to cater to their healthcare needs in advance. Keep up to date with relevant vaccinations and prescriptions. Also prepare travellers with information on accessing healthcare in the country they are visiting; in case it is needed.

ENDS

About the International SOS Group of Companies

The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives, protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology, and medical, security and logistics expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, your organisation's reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity, and sustainability.

Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group, headquartered in London Singapore, is trusted by 9,500 organisations, including the majority of the Fortune Global 500 as well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions, and NGOs. 13,000 multi-cultural security, medical, logistics experts stand with you to provide support assistance from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days.

1. International SOS Risk Outlook 2023

2. World Meteorological Organization Global temperatures set to reach new records in next five years

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719939299/en/

Contacts:

For further information contact:

Indira Illianti

Group Marketing PR Executive, London

indira.illianti@internationalsos.com
EQS-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): Rating

CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Moody's Baa3 Rating Affirmed



19.07.2023 / 10:22 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





CPI Property Group

(societe anonyme)

40, rue de la Vallee

L-2661 Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg: B 102 254



Press Release - Corporate News



Luxembourg, 19 July 2023



CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Moody's Baa3 Rating Affirmed



CPI Property Group ("CPIPG", or together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") has prepared a brief statement following the decision by Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") to affirm the Group's Baa3 investment grade credit rating while revising the outlook from stable to negative.



"Considering the downgrade actions taken by credit rating agencies against many other real estate owners, Moody's affirmation of our ratings is positive and follows a successful S&P review completed in May," said David Greenbaum, CFO. "Maintaining investment grade ratings is important to CPIPG's business."



CPIPG is proud that the Group regularly receives positive feedback from investors about the quality and detail of our public disclosure and investor relations coverage. Our dialogue with the rating agencies goes even deeper, with regular contact and granular transparency about the Group's plans.



Based on our recent detailed interactions with Moody's and S&P, CPIPG believes we have a clear roadmap to maintain our investment grade ratings with both agencies. The Group is working hard to achieve our desired outcome and will continue to update our stakeholders on our progress.



For further information, please contact:



Investor Relations



David Greenbaum Moritz Mayer

Chief Financial Officer Manager, Capital Markets

d.greenbaum@cpipg.com m.mayer@cpipg.com



For more on CPI Property Group, visit our website: www.cpipg.com



Follow us on Twitter (CPIPG_SA) and LinkedIn

19.07.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


MONTREAL, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) ("Osisko Development" or the "Company") is pleased to announce underground infill and exploration diamond drilling ("DD") and chip sampling results from new development areas as part of its ongoing exploration program at its 100%-owned Trixie test mine ("Trixie"), within the Company's wider Tintic Project ("Tintic" or the "Tintic Project"), located in the historic East Tintic Mining District in central Utah, U.S.A.



Chris Lodder, President of Osisko Development, commented, "The new underground drill results at Trixie have identified several previously unknown mineralized structures that extend existing zones. This enables us to start to plan underground development in those areas for future resource delineation and category conversion. Underground face chip sample results continue to define mineralized zones, namely below the main 625 level, down to and below the 750 level, as well as further to the south of the deposit approaching the Sioux Ajax fault, within our current drill areas."

DRILL ASSAY HIGHLIGHTS

This news release includes assays from 14 DD holes (refer to Table 1). Select assay highlights include:

65.00 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold ("Au") and 344.39 g/t silver (" Ag ") over 4.57 meters (" m ") in TRXU-DD-23-026 (1.90 troy ounce per short ton (" oz/t ") Au and 10.04 oz/t Ag over 15.00 feet (" ft. "))

and 344.39 g/t silver (" ") over 4.57 meters (" ") in TRXU-DD-23-026 (1.90 troy ounce per short ton (" ") Au and 10.04 oz/t Ag over 15.00 feet (" ")) 5.09 g/t Au and 132.85 g/t Ag over 5.33 m in TRXU-DD-23-027 (0.15 oz/t Au and 3.87 oz/t Ag over 17.50 ft.)

and 132.85 g/t Ag over 5.33 m in TRXU-DD-23-027 (0.15 oz/t Au and 3.87 oz/t Ag over 17.50 ft.) 15.91 g/t Au and 368.00 g/t Ag over 1.07 m in TRXU-DD-23-030 (0.46 oz/t Au and 10.73 oz/t Ag over 3.50 ft.)

and 368.00 g/t Ag over 1.07 m in TRXU-DD-23-030 (0.46 oz/t Au and 10.73 oz/t Ag over 3.50 ft.) 18.91 g/t Au and 300.00 g/t Ag over 0.91 m in TRXU-DD-23-030 (0.55 oz/t Au and 8.75 oz/t Ag over 3.00 ft.)

and 300.00 g/t Ag over 0.91 m in TRXU-DD-23-030 (0.55 oz/t Au and 8.75 oz/t Ag over 3.00 ft.) 19.01 g/t Au and 124.00 g/t Ag over 1.22 m in TRXU-DD-23-033 (0.55 oz/t Au and 3.62 oz/t Ag over 4.00 ft.)



UNDERGROUND CHIP SAMPLE ASSAY HIGHLIGHTS

This news release includes assays from 55 underground exploration face, back and rib chip samples from 20 chip strings in development at Trixie (refer to Table 2). Selected assay highlights include:

23.30 g/t Au and 54.38 g/t Ag over 1.65 m in CH01519 (0.68 oz/t Au and 1.59 oz/t Ag over 5.40 ft.) including 51.22 g/t Au and 79.81 g/t Ag over 0.64 m in CH01519 (1.49 oz/t Au and 2.33 oz/t Ag over 2.10 ft.)

and 54.38 g/t Ag over 1.65 m in CH01519 (0.68 oz/t Au and 1.59 oz/t Ag over 5.40 ft.) including 30.17 g/t Au and 62.76 g/t Ag over 1.34 m in CH01527 (0.88 oz/t Au and 1.83 oz/t Ag over 4.40 ft.)

and 62.76 g/t Ag over 1.34 m in CH01527 (0.88 oz/t Au and 1.83 oz/t Ag over 4.40 ft.) 16.29 g/t Au and 128.34 g/t Ag over 1.01 m in CH01529 (0.48 oz/t Au and 3.74 oz/t Ag over 3.30 ft.)

and 128.34 g/t Ag over 1.01 m in CH01529 (0.48 oz/t Au and 3.74 oz/t Ag over 3.30 ft.) 7.50 g/t Au and 158.58 g/t Ag over 2.01 m in CH01530 (0.22 oz/t Au and 4.63 oz/t Ag over 6.60 ft.)



DRILL RESULTS SUMMARY

In 2023, the Company has drilled 60 holes for a total of 5,180 m (17,000 ft.) at Trixie.

Approximately 25% of the drilling to date consists of delineation of domains within the area of the current Trixie Mineral Resource Estimate (" Trixie MRE ") and 75% is exploration drilling adjacent to the area of the current Trixie MRE, including step outs down dip, down plunge and along strike testing for mineralized structures.

") and 75% is exploration drilling adjacent to the area of the current Trixie MRE, including step outs down dip, down plunge and along strike testing for mineralized structures. Visible gold and disseminated pyrite in fault breccia was observed in TRXU-DD-23-026 and assayed 65.00 g/t Au and 344.39 g/t Ag over 4.57 m within the 75-85 structure (Figures 1 and 3).

Figure 1: Photos of visible gold in TRXU-DD-23-026 (field of view 1 cm diameter with hand lens)





The 75-85 domain consists of a discrete, north-south striking moderate to steeply west-dipping structure in the footwall of the T4 that was historically mined prior to the discovery of the T2. See Figure 3 for domain geometry and relationships.

The T1 domain consists of Tintic Quartzite-hosted disseminated mineralization interpreted as a lower-grade halo to the T2. TRXU-DD-23-030 assayed 18.91 g/t Au and 300.00 g/t Ag over 0.91 m.

and 300.00 g/t Ag over 0.91 m. These drilling results will provide valuable infill data to improve our understanding and the confidence level of the mineralized zones defined in the Trixie MRE and to support a future mineral resource update.

The exploration results will indicate the extent of the mineralized structures and will assist in the direction of future underground exploration development.

CHIP SAMPLE RESULTS SUMMARY

Chip samples were collected from the T2 structure and T4 stockwork on the 625 level (See Figures 4 and 5)

Sampling on the 625 level focussed on development to the north towards the Trixie fault and the 756 vein. Assays in this area include 30.17 g/t Au and 62.76 g/t Ag over 1.34 m in CH01527.

The sampling and drilling results provide support that our target areas to the north of Trixie and to the south down plunge of the T2 are mineralized and warrant further follow up drilling and sampling.

These sampling results will provide valuable data to improve our understanding and the confidence level of the mineralized zones defined in the area of the Trixie MRE and support a future mineral resource estimate update.



Face Sampling Methodology

As most structures at Trixie are steeply dipping to the east or west, current sampling procedures are designed to sample the structure. Chip samples are collected and do not exceed 1.0 m (3 ft.) in length. The face is washed for safety, and for better identification of mineralization, alteration and structures. The hanging wall and footwall of the structures are marked up on the face and back, samples intervals are marked up and follow lithological contacts.

Samples are collected in feet and assays are reported in grams per tonne and troy ounce per short ton gold and silver. Conversions to metric and imperial measurements are rounded to two decimal places.

About Trixie

The Trixie test mine is one of several gold and base metal targets within the larger Tintic Project consisting of >17,000 acres of patented mining claims and mineral leases within the historic East Tintic Mining District of Central Utah, U.S.A. The T2 and T4 structures at Trixie show multi-ounce gold grades associated with high sulphidation epithermal mineralization, structurally controlled and hosted within quartzites. The T2 structure mineralization consists of native Au, and rare Au-Ag - rich telluride minerals with quartz. The T4 is a mineralized stockwork zone is located in the hanging wall of the T2 and is comprised of Au-Ag rich mineralization in host rock quartzite with quartz-barite-sulphosalt stockwork veining. Mineralization reports consistent multi-ounce gold grades along the entire strike length.

A 3D model and virtual site tour of Trixie and the wider Tintic Project is accessible on the Company's VRIFY page at: https://vrify.com/decks/12801.

Information relating to the Tintic Project and the Trixie MRE is supported by the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Trixie Deposit, Tintic Project, Utah, United States of America", dated January 27, 2023 (with an effective date of January 10, 2023) prepared for the Company by independent representatives of Micon International Limited (the "Tintic Technical Report"). Reference should be made to the full text of the Tintic Technical Report, which was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is available electronically on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the Company's website at www.osiskodev.com.





Figure 2: Trixie Project Area









Figure 3: Trixie Cross Section Looking North









Figure 4: Trixie Long Section









Figure 5: Trixie Long Section Sample Highlights





Table 1: Drilling Length Weighted Assay Composites at Trixie

METRIC IMPERIAL Hole ID Depth

from (m) Depth to

(m) Length

(m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Depth

from (ft.) Depth to

(ft.) Length

(ft.) Au (oz/t) Ag (oz/t) Comments TRXU-DD-23-004 No significant assays Exploration + infill TRXU-DD-23-021 No significant assays Exploration + infill TRXU-DD-23-022 61.72 63.09 1.37 5.77 64.43 202.50 207.00 4.50 0.17 1.88 Infill -75-85 TRXU-DD-23-023 12.19 13.11 0.91 0.62 84.13 40.00 43.00 3.00 0.02 2.45 Infill T4 TRXU-DD-23-023 45.11 46.63 1.52 1.77 176.00 148.00 153.00 5.00 0.05 5.13 Infill -75-85 TRXU-DD-23-023 48.16 49.38 1.22 4.75 34.69 158.00 162.00 4.00 0.14 1.01 Infill -75-85 TRXU-DD-23-024 41.61 43.28 1.68 4.98 60.98 136.50 142.00 5.50 0.15 1.78 Infill -75-85 TRXU-DD-23-024 46.48 47.85 1.37 2.70 168.00 152.50 157.00 4.50 0.08 4.90 Infill -75-85 TRXU-DD-23-024 59.74 60.96 1.22 3.14 62.19 196.00 200.00 4.00 0.09 1.81 Infill -75-85 TRXU-DD-23-025 19.81 20.42 0.61 0.36 85.85 65.00 67.00 2.00 0.01 2.50 Exploration TRXU-DD-23-025 75.29 76.81 1.52 3.10 5.14 247.00 252.00 5.00 0.09 0.15 Infill T1 TRXU-DD-23-025 143.71 144.93 1.22 0.40 100.00 471.50 475.50 4.00 0.01 2.92 Exploration TRXU-DD-23-026 45.72 50.29 4.57 65.00 344.39 150.00 165.00 15.00 1.90 10.04 Infill 75-85 TRXU-DD-23-027 66.90 68.12 1.22 2.22 25.77 219.50 223.50 4.00 0.06 0.75 Exploration TRXU-DD-23-027 74.37 79.71 5.33 5.09 132.85 244.00 261.50 17.50 0.15 3.87 Exploration TRXU-DD-23-028 124.82 129.84 5.03 0.87 190.82 409.50 426.00 16.50 0.03 5.57 Infill T1 TRXU-DD-23-028 155.75 156.67 0.91 0.02 200.00 511.00 514.00 3.00 0.00 5.83 Exploration TRXU-DD-23-029 Hole abandoned TRXU-DD-23-030 57.30 58.37 1.07 15.91 368.00 188.00 191.50 3.50 0.46 10.73 Exploration TRXU-DD-23-030 94.49 95.40 0.91 18.91 300.00 310.00 313.00 3.00 0.55 8.75 Exploration TRXU-DD-23-032 No significant assays Infill T4 TRXU-DD-23-033 42.98 44.20 1.22 19.01 124.00 141.00 145.00 4.00 0.55 3.62 Infill 75-85 TRXU-DD-23-034 No significant assays Exploration + Infill





Table 2: Chip Length Weighted Assay Composites at Trixie

METRIC IMPERIAL Hole ID Depth

from (m) Depth to

(m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Depth from

(ft.) Depth to

(ft.) Length (ft.) Au (oz/t) Ag (oz/t) Target CH01512 No significant assays CH01513 No significant assays CH01514 0.00 1.71 1.71 3.05 7.56 0.00 5.60 5.60 0.09 0.22 T4 CH01518 0.52 1.65 1.13 12.17 16.01 1.70 5.40 3.70 0.36 0.47 T4 CH01518 Including 1.34 1.65 0.30 29.86 39.80 4.40 5.40 1.00 0.87 1.16 T4 CH01519 0.00 1.65 1.65 23.30 54.38 0.00 5.40 5.40 0.68 1.59 T4 CH01519 Including 0.00 0.64 0.64 51.22 79.81 0.00 2.10 2.10 1.49 2.33 T4 CH01519 and 0.64 0.94 0.30 15.74 77.03 2.10 3.10 1.00 0.46 2.25 T4 CH01520 0.00 0.82 0.82 8.88 8.91 0.00 2.70 2.70 0.26 0.26 T4 CH01521 0.61 1.71 1.10 4.51 7.10 2.00 5.60 3.60 0.13 0.21 T4 CH01522 0.00 0.91 0.91 3.29 4.77 0.00 3.00 3.00 0.10 0.14 T4 CH01523 No significant assays CH01524 No significant assays CH01525 No significant assays CH01526 0.00 0.91 0.91 21.25 96.57 0.00 3.00 3.00 0.62 2.82 T4 CH01527 0.00 1.34 1.34 30.17 62.76 0.00 4.40 4.40 0.88 1.83 T2 CH01528 0.55 0.76 0.21 13.71 91.33 1.80 2.50 0.70 0.40 2.66 T2 CH01529 0.00 1.01 1.01 16.29 128.34 0.00 3.30 3.30 0.48 3.74 T4 CH01530 0.00 2.01 2.01 7.50 158.58 0.00 6.60 6.60 0.22 4.63 T2 CH01530 Including 0.00 0.30 0.30 30.68 86.29 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.89 2.52 T2 CH01531 0.82 1.13 0.30 2.81 39.80 2.70 3.70 1.00 0.08 1.16 T2 CH01531 1.65 2.16 0.52 2.61 34.01 5.40 7.10 1.70 0.08 0.99 T2 CH01532 1.49 2.01 0.52 3.63 782.38 4.90 6.60 1.70 0.11 22.82 T2 CH01533 0.82 1.83 1.01 2.63 114.17 2.70 6.00 3.30 0.08 3.33 T2 CH01534 0.00 1.04 1.04 2.92 61.69 0.00 3.40 3.40 0.09 1.80 T2





Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maggie Layman, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Osisko Development, and a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101.

Quality Assurance (QA) - Quality Control (QC)

All drill core and exploration samples are dispatched to SGS Laboratory for offsite sample preparation and analysis. Samples are assigned a unique sample ID. All geological and sampling information is entered into Datamine Fusion database. Core is sawn in half and half is sampled. Certified standards and blanks are inserted into all sample dispatches. Samples are collected by Old Dominion Transportation and dispatched to SGS's Laboratory in Burnaby. Sample submission forms accompany the samples, and digital copies are emailed to SGS.

All core sample preparation is completed by SGS, including drying, crushing, and pulverizing of samples. Analytical assays include gold by 30 gram fire assay with AAS finish (GO_FAA30V10), and gold overlimits by fire assay with gravimetric finish (GO_FAG30V). Multielement analysis (including silver) is by four-acid digest with ICP-AES/ICP-MS finish (GE_ICM40Q12). The pulps are returned to Osisko Development and coarse rejects are disposed after 90 days. Assays are reported to Osisko Development and then loaded into Datamine Fusion. Quality Assurance-Quality Control ("QA/QC") samples are checked, and assays are merged with sample information for future reporting.

Underground face samples are collected by Company geologists from each of the active mining faces, with samples transported by the geologists from Trixie to the on-site Company laboratory located at the Burgin administrative complex. Underground samples are dried, crushed to <10 mm and a 250 g split is taken. The split is pulverized, and a 30 g Fire Assay with gravimetric finish is completed to determine gold and silver grades, reported in oz/short ton and g/t.

The Company's Burgin laboratory is not a certified analytical laboratory, but the facility is managed by a qualified laboratory manager with annual auditing by technical staff. Inter-laboratory check assays using ALS Laboratory as a third-party independent analysis of samples is routinely carried out as part of ongoing QA/QC work. Certified OREAS QC standards and blanks are inserted at regular intervals in the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance.

True width determination is estimated to be approximately 0.3 m to 2.4 m (1 to 8 ft.) wide for the T2 structure and approximately 3 m to 25 m (10 to 80 ft.) for the T4 mineralized stockwork zone located in the hanging wall of the T2 structure.

About Osisko Development Corp.

Osisko Development Corp. is a premier North American gold development company focused on high-quality past-producing properties located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company's objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada, the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company's project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company's strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources.

For further information, please contact Osisko Development Corp.:

Sean Roosen Philip Rabenok Chairman and CEO Director, Investor Relations Email: sroosen@osiskodev.com Email: prabenok@osiskodev.com Tel: +1-514-940-0685 Tel: +1-437-423-3644

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Cautionary Statement Regarding Test Mining Without Feasibility Study

The Company cautions that its prior decision to commence small-scale underground mining activities and batch vat leaching at the Trixie test mine was made without the benefit of a feasibility study, or reported mineral resources or mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result there may be increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of material or the cost of such recovery. The Company cautions that historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. Small scale test-mining at Trixie was suspended in December 2022, if and when test mining re-commences there is no guarantee that production will continue as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved. The failure to continue production may have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs may have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and potential profitability. In continuing current operations at Trixie after closing, the Company will not be basing its decision to continue such operations on a feasibility study, or reported mineral resources or mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability.

Cautionary Statement to U.S. Investors

The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the applicable Canadian securities laws and, as a result, reports information regarding mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, including the information in its technical reports, financial statements, MD&A and this news release, in accordance with Canadian reporting requirements, which are governed by NI 43-101. As such, such information concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, including the information in its technical reports, financial statements, MD&A and this news release, is not comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; the utility and significance of historic data, including the significance of the district hosting past producing mines; future mining activities; the unique mineralization at Trixie; the potential of high-grade gold mineralization on Trixie; the potential for unknown mineralized structures to extend existing zones of mineralization; category conversion; the results (if any) of further exploration work to define and expand mineral resources; the ability of exploration work (including drilling and chip sample assays, and face sampling methodologies) to accurately predict mineralization; the ability to generate additional drill targets; the ability of management to understand the geology and potential of Trixie; the ability of the Company to expand mineral resources beyond current mineral resource estimates at Trixie; the timing and ability of the Company to complete upgrades to the Trixie MRE (or any subsequent MRE) (if at all); the timing and resumption of test mining activities at Trixie (if at all); the ability of the Company to complete its exploration objectives in 2023 in the timing contemplated (if at all); the ongoing advancement of the Trixie decline; the deposit remaining open for expansion at depth and down plunge; the ability to realize upon any mineralization in a manner that is economic; as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances, and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward looking information". Material assumptions also include, management's perceptions of historical trends, the ability of exploration (including drilling and chip sample assays, and face sampling) to accurately predict mineralization, budget constraints and access to capital on terms acceptable to the Company, current conditions and expected future developments, results of further exploration work to define or expand any mineral resources, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Osisko Development considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Osisko Development, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect Osisko Development and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks relating to capital market conditions and the Company's ability to access capital on terms acceptable to the Company for the contemplated exploration and development at Tintic; the ability to continue current operations and exploration; regulatory framework and presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; the ability of exploration activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management's geological modelling; the ability to expand operations or complete further exploration activities, including drilling and chip sample assays and face sampling; property and stream interests in the Tintic Project; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals and permits; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; metal and commodity prices; fluctuations in the currency markets; dilution; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions. Readers are urged to consult the disclosure provided under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as the financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, which have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the SEC's EDGAR website (www.sec.gov), for further information regarding the risks and other factors applicable to the exploration results. Although the Company's believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

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The 27th China Textile Apparel Trade Show (Paris), along with Apparel Sourcing Paris and Texworld Evolution (altogether referred to as the "Paris Show"), was held at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Hall 1 from July 3rd to 5th, 2023.

As the largest international fashion sourcing platform featuring diversified fabrics and apparel in Europe, the exhibition regained its momentum after the Pandemic and immediately attracted the attention of European buyers by combining the upstream and downstream resources. A total of 1,366 companies from 27 countries and regions participated in the Paris Show. Specifically, a total of 503 companies from 14 countries and regions participated in the Apparel Sourcing Paris, with 401 of them being Chinese companies, accounting for 79.7%, while Texworld Evolution Paris was attended by 760 companies from 20 countries and regions, with 517 of them being Chinese companies, accounting for 68%. As the largest pavilion, the Chinese pavilion had 975 fabric and apparel companies, accounting for 71.3% of the entire show.

As the implementation platform for the Ministry of Commerce's "Independent Brand Export Growth Action Plan", the Paris Show has been building a unified image for independent Chinese clothing brands in Europe for the past five years. This year's Paris Show continued to create a friendly ecosystem for Chinese brands on the platform with a dedicated area to promote the 17 Chinese apparel brands that were selected to represent the Chinese brands' image this year. Meanwhile, state-owned and provincial-level, large-scale foreign trade enterprises, as well as large manufacturing enterprises, navigated themselves on this Paris Show and continued to expand their European business networks.

China's textile and apparel industry holds a significant position within the global textile sector. China and Europe, as each other's important trading partner, have forged ever-deeper ties in their collaborative efforts in the textile and apparel sector in recent years. Data from China Customs show that China's textile and apparel exports to the EU reached 44.31 billion in 2022, a year-on-year growth of 11.4%. Meanwhile, Eurostat's data reveal a 19.4% increase in textile and apparel imports from China during the same period, constituting approximately 32.3% of the EU's total imports from non-EU nations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719893727/en/

Contacts:

Shi Pei

651538233@qq.com
Discover SK-II's best-kept secrets and embark on a transformational journey towards Crystal Clear Skin* with SK-II's biggest, never-seen-before exhibition of PITERA

TOKYO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This World PITERA Month, global prestige skincare brand SK-II hands you the keys to a never-seen-before exhibition "SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE" to unlock its best-kept secrets behind PITERA, the Secret Key to Crystal Clear Skin*.

For decades, SK-II iconic and exclusive skincare ingredient PITERA has transformed the skin of millions of women, including some of the world's most renowned ones. It has empowered women to choose their skin destinies. Yet, after many years, PITERA remains elusive to many. Until now.

Following last year's global-scale, one-day celebration of PITERA at 'World PITERA Day' in Tokyo, Japan, SK-II is taking things to a whole new level by launching "SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE" exhibition as part of its World PITERA Month, a month-long transformational journey powered by PITERA,The Secret Key to Crystal Clear Skin*.

Located in STANDBY, BA-TSU ART GALLERY in Tokyo, the 'SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE' will hold ten of SK-II's best-kept secrets which visitors can unlock by immersing themselves into multi-sensorial impactful artistic installations of PITERA.

The SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE will be joined by some of the world's biggest names in beauty, featuring exclusive appearances from SK-II's global celebrity ambassadors including Japanese actress Haruka Ayase, award-winning Chinese actress Tang Wei, MINA of global girl group TWICE and Chinese actress Qiu Tian.

"I am looking forward to unlocking new secrets about SK-II and PITERA at SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE that even after more than 10 years with the brand I don't know about," said Haruka Ayase, "I'm always excited to discover more about PITERA and how it can transform skin to Crystal Clear."

"I'm particularly eager about joining the SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE because it marks the first time that I'll be meeting and interacting with PITERA fans in-person as SK-II's ambassador," said MINA. "I can't wait to share the story of my transformational skin journey - I might even include more secrets of my own!"

"PITERA has remained unchanged for over 40 years. Yet, its miracles on skin continue to unfold and its secrets are endless. For the first time in SK-II's history, we will be handing our consumers the keys to unlock the biggest, most closely guarded secrets behind SK-II and our iconic PITERA," shared Sue Kyung Lee, CEO, Global SK-II. "We hope to continue inspiring women to choose their skin destiny by embarking on their own journey to unlock Crystal Clear Skin transformation with PITERA, The Secret Key."

The SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE will be open to the public for 2 days only on July 29th and July 30th 2023 with limited access.

SK-II SECRET KEY HOUSE:

Saturday July 29th and Sunday July 30th

11:00am to 10:00pm

5-chome-11-5 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

*With regular use

About SK-II

For more than 40 years, SK-II has touched the lives of millions of women around the world through skin and life transformation. The fascinating story behind SK-II began with a quest to understand why elderly sake brewers had wrinkled faces, but extraordinarily soft and youthful-looking hands. These hands were in constant contact with the sake fermentation process. It took years of research for scientists to isolate SK-II's iconic ingredient PITERA, a naturally-derived skincare ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process exclusive to SK-II. Since then, SK-II with PITERA has become a special secret shared by celebrities all over the world such as Haruka Ayase, Tangwei, and MINA of global girl group TWICE. For the latest news and in-depth information, please visit http://www.sk-ii.com.

About PITERA

Iconic and exclusive to SK-II, PITERA is a naturally derived "miracle" skincare ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process that only SK-II owns. Packed with over 50 micro-nutrients - vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids - the unique composition of PITERA harnesses the vital force of nature and is one that can't be achieved artificially or synthetically. PITERA resembles skin's Natural Moisturizing Factors. Skin recognizes and welcomes it, allowing it to be absorbed quickly and deeply[1] into your skin delivering all goodness[2].

[1] Within stratum corneum

[2] Over 50 micro-nutrients

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NEW YORK and LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenCorporates, the world's largest source of open legal-entity data, is proud to announce the launch of the Legal-Entity Data Principles to address a company-data trust and quality gap that risks undermining prosperity, sustainability and fairness in society.

The pace, complexity and automation of the corporate world has exposed a significant and growing gap in company-data quality between legacy company data and what's required in today's world to provide the insight and trust that business, governments and society need. This is especially important in a world where AI and the data used to train it, play an ever more central role.

"Legal entities are the fundamental atomic elements behind the entire business world. Yet legal-entity data is still largely built on obfuscation, proprietary identifiers, opaque data models, hidden bias and restrictive access. The Legal-Entity Data Principles provide a rigorous, well-thought out set of principles that redress this." said OpenCorporates' CEO and Co-Founder Chris Taggart.

With the introduction of the Legal-Entity Data Principles, OpenCorporates aims to set new standards in data integrity and trust, and is releasing the Principles under an open licence so they can be adopted by anyone using, producing or regulating legal entity data.

Taggart added: "We believe the Principles provide a framework of verifiable trust and create new benchmarks for foundational data in this domain. Users and regulators now have a tool by which they can judge what good looks like, and data producers have a standard to which they can work towards.."

Since its conception in 2010, OpenCorporates has worked with government agencies, NGOs and public-benefit groups to improve the quality and accessibility of legal-entity data. Its database covers over 220 million companies sourced directly from over 1400 state registries. The company has been instrumental in supporting high profile investigations such as the Panama Papers and is used by leading banks, businesses, regulators, financial-crime agencies, journalists, NGOs and technology companies across the world..

The company's thoughtful and transparent data processes have consistently garnered praise from industry leaders and stakeholders.

Hicham Outghiri, CEO at Enigma, a leading data-analytics company, commended OpenCorporates' approach: "Open Corporates has once again set itself apart with the release of its Legal Entity Data Principles."

"Their data process is consistently thoughtful & transparent, and it shows in the quality of their data. It is inspiring to see them innovate and at the same time maintain a principled approach to tackling massive challenges in the supply chain of data."

The Legal Entity Data Principles establish a robust framework for accuracy, dependability and trustworthiness. They comprise seven tenets:

Foundational data should be sourced from official primary sources Hidden bias is a silent killer and should be minimized by ensuring all decisions made in data collection and curation are transparent Full end-to-end audit trails are essential - only full audit trails give the trust and utility users need Standards reduce friction for users; open and established standards should be used wherever possible Data should be collected and made available in functionally real-time Data quality needs a dataset perspective - you can't identify bias, systematic quality issues or key insights by looking at individual records. Open is an essential component of data quality; in contrast, proprietary IDs, opaque data models, and limited feedback loops are highly damaging

The company's ongoing commitment to data integrity and transparency strengthens its position as the trusted authority in legal-entity data, empowering businesses, researchers, and policymakers worldwide.

To learn more about Open Corporates' Legal Entity Data Principles, please visit https://opencorporates.com/legal-entity-data-principles/

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For more information

For more information on OpenCorporates visit https://opencorporates.com

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THUNDER BAY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Wolfden Resources Corporation (WLF.V) ("Wolfden" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Maine Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has completed additional crucial steps toward a public hearing and a final decision for the Company's Pickett Project rezoning application. The application proposes to rezone a 374 acre parcel of Wolfden's wholly owned 7,135 acre land holdings in the township of T6 R6 Northern Maine, from a General Management (M-GN) designation to Planned Development (D-PD) to allow for the construction, operation and reclamation of a state of the art, small foot print underground metallic mineral mine in a manner that is fully protective of the environment.

All third party reviews, including other state agencies and independent consultants hired by the LUPC have now been completed and submitted. In addition, the LUPC has received and accepted two intervenor applications; one is a proponent and the other an opponent. The LUPC has scheduled a pre-hearing conference with Wolfden and the intervenors (next week) in order to discuss the public hearing process and topics.

"We are very pleased with the continued and steady progress of the rezoning process and the current timeline that could see a final decision by year end," stated Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development for Wolfden. "We will respond to the recent third party questions and comments within the LUPC's defined timeframe."

The Project represents a significant opportunity for new economic growth in an area of the State where much of the economy is based on timber harvesting. Wolfden has been working with residents and businesses in the region via public meetings and information sessions to ensure that the Project is responsive to the needs of the region and will benefit the people who live and work there. The Project will be developed, operated, and reclaimed in accordance with the States strict and modern mining regulations that ensure full protection of the surrounding environment.

Many of the neighboring communities including Hersey, Moro Plantation, Patten, Sherman and Stacyville have already held their own town meetings and passed by a public vote , ordinances or resolutions in support of the Project (see map below). The proponent intervenor is also from the area and is significant employer in the Timber industry. As a lead up to the LUPC public hearing, the Company plans to continue to host public information sessions and anyone looking for more information is welcome to stop by the Patten office during normal business hours.

The proposed Project, is a 1200 tonne per day underground mining operation with a 10-15 year mine life, located several miles off of State Route 11, in an area of very low population density, north of the Town of Patten. The mine and other supporting infrastructure will require a steady-state work force of roughly 272 direct employees and contractors. The mined ore from the Project will be processed at a different location (not in T6 R6) and therefore is outside of the scope of the LUPC rezoning application. Moreover, the technical analysis for each component of the Project and each aspect for the protection of natural resources demonstrate that the Project is feasible and consistent with the values prioritized by the LUPC.

Next Steps

Upon completion of the rezoning process, Wolfden plans to commence a feasibility study including the collection of additional environmental baseline data, a drill program to convert inferred to indicated mineral resources, design of the various operational components and a complete estimate of costs. This data will all be used as input to a mine permit application to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for review and approval under Maine's Chapter 200 regulations.

The rezoning application is subject to and will be reviewed under the Commission's Chapter 10 and Chapter 12 rules. Chapter 12 requires a public hearing to be held by the Commission in the area of the project before a final decision on the application.

A copy of the petition along with related correspondence with LUPC, and more information about the process is available for download from the LUPC project-specific webpage and the Company's website.

Pickett Mountain Mineral Resource Estimate

NOVEMBER 17, 2021 - MINERAL RESOURCE STATEMENT Category Tonnes % Zn % Pb % Cu g/t Ag g/t Au Density % ZnEq Indicated 2,724,000 8.91 3.83 1.22 97.2 0.8 3.84 17.72 Inferred 3,593,600 9.27 3.83 1.00 105.4 0.7 3.81 17.65

Metal prices used for the estimate: US$1.20/lb Zn, $2.50/lb Cu, $1.00/lb Pb, $16.00/oz Ag, and $1,200/oz/Au, using a 7% cutoff grade that equates to an approximate NSR cut-off of $139/tonne at the same metal prices. An average recovery of 75% for all metals was assumed based on preliminary metallurgical testing. The deposit remains open at depth and into the footwall (north) where continued expansion and infill diamond drilling has the potential to further upgrade and expand the mineral resource

About Wolfden

Wolfden is an exploration and development company focused on high-margin metallic mineral deposits including base, precious and strategic metals. Its wholly owned Pickett Mountain Project is one of the highest-grade polymetallic projects in North America (Zn, Pb, Cu, Ag, Au) and its two nickel sulphide deposits in Manitoba represent significant development projects with the potential to be domestic sources of ethically produced base and critical metals for the expansion of renewable energy in North America.

For further information please contact Ron Little, President & CEO, at (807) 624-1136 or Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development, at (807) 624-1134.

The information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jeremy Ouellette, VP Project Development, Don Dudek, P. Geo., VP Exploration and Ron Little, P.Eng., President and CEO, all of whom are Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101. The mineral resource estimate has been prepared, supervised, and reviewed by an Independent qualified person ("QP") Finley Bakker, P. Geo. of A-Z Mining Consultants and has an effective date of November 17, 2021. The Mineral Resource estimate was classified into indicated and inferred categories in accordance with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves adopted by the CIM Council on May 10, 2014.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events, including the expected use of the net proceeds of the Financing. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, and include, without limitation, metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, rezoning, permitting, community and other regulatory approvals, and the timing and completion of exploration programs in Manitoba, Maine, New Brunswick and the respective drill results. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, the following risks and uncertainties: (i) risks inherent in the mining industry; (ii) regulatory and environmental risks; (iii) results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; (iv) risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; (v) stock market volatility and capital market fluctuations; and (vi) general market and industry conditions. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law.

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.

Maine Township Map near Pickett Project (each Township approx. 36 sq miles)

SOURCE: Wolfden Resources Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768933/Wolfden-Reports-Progress-Update-on-Pickett-Rezoning-Application
Saab's GlobalEye is an Airborne Early Warning & Control solution based on Bombardier's Global family of aircraft that supports military and civil authorities with all-domain situational awareness in real-time.

Bombardier Defense provides an array of flexible, trusted and customizable aircraft, that serve as the ultimate platform for the most demanding missions around the world.



MONTREAL, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Defense recently celebrated the sixth delivery of a Global 6000 aircraft to Swedish defense supplier Saab, ready to be transformed by Saab into their Airborne Early Warning and Control solution known as GlobalEye. This aircraft will join the Swedish Air Force once Saab completes the transformation, further highlighting the illustrious capabilities of both companies in providing forward-looking solutions for nations across the globe.

Bringing together the best of Canadian and Swedish innovation, Saab's GlobalEye program integrates their renowned radar, command, control and communication systems into a multi-domain airborne surveillance solution using Bombardier's class-leading Global 6000 aircraft. The highly efficient and agile Global family of aircraft is valued for its ultimate combination of speed, range, and endurance - making it the platform of choice for government defense needs worldwide.

"Our jets are internationally recognized as modern, go-to platforms by some of the world's largest defense contractors, such as Saab," said Jean-Christopher Gallagher, Executive Vice-President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Defense. "The Global aircraft family represents the right-sized solution for multi-mission, surveillance and VIP transport. Time and time again, it has met customers' expectations for their most demanding mission needs. The Bombardier team is proud to associate its aircraft with strong partners to create the next-generation defense solutions around the world."

This latest addition to the Swedish Air Force fleet is yet another example of Bombardier's long-standing experience in adapting its platforms to specific characteristics of a variety of military services' individually unique requirements.

Bombardier Defense has dedicated in-house engineering and support teams with the ability to incorporate customer-requested modifications and provide comprehensive integration solutions with full certification capabilities across the full spectrum of civilian, military and hybrid operations. Recognized around the world for its diverse portfolio of proven and versatile specialized aircraft platforms, Bombardier cumulates decades of experience working with hundreds of special mission operators and renowned mission systems integrators.

The Canadian company is committed on expanding its highly successful track record delivering multiple specialized business aircraft across the globe and has announced earlier this year a partnership with General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canadato deliver the next-generation Multi-Mission and Anti-Submarine Warfare. The proposed state-of-the-art platform will meet the requirements published by the Government of Canada for the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) program, while providing a forward-looking solution to the country's defense needs.

About Bombardier

Bombardier (BBD-B.TO) is a global leader in aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing, and servicing the world's most exceptional business jets. Bombardier's Challenger and Global aircraft families are renowned for their cutting-edge innovation, cabin design, performance, and reliability. Bombardier has a worldwide fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments, and private individuals. Bombardier aircraft are also trusted around the world in government and military special-mission roles leveraging Bombardier Defense's proven expertise.

Headquartered in Greater Montreal, Quebec, Bombardier operates aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The company's robust customer support network services the Learjet, Challenger and Global families of aircraft, and includes facilities in strategic locations in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, the UAE, Singapore, China and Australia.

For corporate news and information, including Bombardier's Environmental, Social and Governance report, as well as the company's plans to cover all its flight operations with Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Learn more about Bombardier's industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com. Follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Bombardier, Global and Global 6000, are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

For information

Marie-Andree Charron

Bombardier

+1-514-447-2598

Marie-andree.charron@aero.bombardier.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Torq Resources Inc. (TSX-V:TORQ)(OTCQX:TRBMF) ("Torq" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from its rock sampling program from the eastern region of the Santa Cecilia gold - copper project located in the world-class Maricunga belt in northern Chile, approximately 100 kilometres (km) east of the city of Copiapo. The project is located immediately adjacent to the Norte Abierto project, held by Newmont and Barrick, which is comprised of the Caspiche and Cerro Casale gold - copper porphyry deposits (Figure 1).

The rock sampling program in the largely unexplored eastern region of the Santa Cecilia project consisted of a total of 196 samples. The program was designed to follow up on new soil anomalies identified during Torq's 2023 surface exploration program, with the aim of identifying either outcropping or shallow porphyry targets in the eastern region of the project. The Company's technical team has found that the results from the rock sampling program positively corroborate the soil geochemistry targets from both the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte target areas. These areas will be prioritized for the next phase of drilling, anticipated to begin in Q4 2023.

Both the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte targets demonstrate surface porphyry-style mineralization, where gold-bearing sheeted quartz-magnetite-pyrite veinlets are encountered within dioritic and dacitic porphyry bodies, respectively (Figures 1-3). The Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte target areas are covered by extensive colluvium and have dimensions of 750 metres (m) by 700 m and 700 m by 500 m, respectively.

At Pircas Norte, highlights from selective rock sampling targeting porphyry-style veining include gold grades of 0.3 g/t to 0.83 g/t in banded quartz-magnetite-pyrite veinlets with copper grades ranging from 438 parts per million (ppm) to 0.44%. At the Gemelos Norte target, highlights from the selective rock sampling targeting porphyry style veining include gold grades of 0.13 g/t to 1.49 g/t. In addition, at Gemelos Norte, two epithermal veins sampled on the southwestern edge of the target area had gold grades of 12.05 g/t and 3.36 g/t and 2.3% copper and 285 ppm copper, respectively. Collectively, the rock sampling results from both Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte demonstrate mineralized gold - copper and gold porphyry systems that have not been drill tested. A summary of these results is presented below in Table 1.

A Message from Shawn Wallace, CEO & Chair:

"This is an exciting advancement at our flagship Santa Cecilia project where we have just recently completed our inaugural drill program. Results are forthcoming from the two completed drill holes, which stepped out from a historical discovery, and we now have further refined additional targets on the project to prioritize in our planned drill program later this year. In addition to this, we are currently preparing to commence our third drill program at our Margarita IOCG project at the end of this month, where we have a new discovery to follow-up on as well as multiple undrilled targets with discovery potential."

A Message from Michael Henrichsen, Chief Geological Officer:

"The recognition of outcropping porphyry mineralization at both Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte, which are adjacent to Newmont and Barrick's Caspiche deposit, has been a significant advancement for the Company in the largely unexplored eastern half of the property. We view both targets as high priority for our planned drilling in Q4 of this year as we believe they represent the potential for a discovery, similar in nature to the Caspiche deposit."

New Target Area: Filo Gemelos

A new target area has been identified in the southeast corner of the project area based on the final results of the property wide soil survey that was conducted on a 70 m by 70 m offset grid. The Filo Gemelos target measures 450 m by 300 m and is characterized by both elevated gold and molybdenum values showing a clear porphyry style signature (Figures 4 & 5). Initial rock samples taken from Filo Gemelos that show porphyry style quartz banded veinlets have gold grades of 0.11 g/t and 0.26 g/t. The soil survey results in conjunction with the initial rock sampling results demonstrate further work is warranted at the target area to advance it to drill stage.

Table 1: Highlights of rock samples targeting porphyry style veining

Figure 1:Illustrates the location of the Santa Cecilia project and the surrounding Caspiche and Cerro Casale deposits, held by Newmont and Barrick in the Norte Abierto joint venture, within the Maricunga belt.

Figure 2: Illustrates rock results from outcropping porphyry targets in the eastern region of the Santa Cecilia project within 1 - 2 km of the Caspiche deposit. These targets areas will be prioritized for the upcoming drill program, which is expected to begin in Q4 of this year.

Figure 3: Illustrates depicts typical banded quartz - magnetite - pyrite veinlets hosted within dacite and diorite porphyries from the Gemelos Norte and Pircas Norte target areas, respectively.

Figure 4: Illustrates gold-in-soil anomalies from the completed soil survey at the Santa Cecilia property. Importantly, in the southeast corner of the property, Filo Gemelos represents a new gold-in-soils anomaly that is coincident with molybdenum. This signature in the soil survey is similar to that observed at the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte porphyry targets.

Figure 5: Illustrates molybdenum-in-soils anomalies from the completed soil survey at the Santa Cecilia property. Importantly, in the southeast corner of the property, Filo Gemelos represents a new molybdenum-in-soils anomaly that is coincident with gold. This signature in the soil survey is similar to that observed at the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte porphyry targets.

Michael Henrichsen, P.Geo. (the Company's Chief Geological Officer), is the qualified person who assumes responsibility for the technical contents of this press release.

Torq also announces that on April 3, 2023, it engaged an arms-length securities dealer, Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud") to provide market making services at a cost of $15,000 per quarter, payable in advance, under an agreement which is cancellable at any time with 30 days' notice. Two quarters have already been paid for. Red Cloud uses its own funds for the market making activities. No securities are involved in the arrangement; however, Red Cloud did act as an agent in the Company's March 2023 private placement financing, receiving 210,362 broker warrants, exercisable at $0.60 until March 10, 2025.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Shawn Wallace

CEO & Chair

For further information on Torq Resources, please contact Natasha Frakes, VP, Communications, at (778) 729-0500 or info@torqresources.com.

About Torq Resources

Torq is a Vancouver-based copper and gold exploration company with a portfolio of premium holdings in Chile. The Company is establishing itself as a leader of new exploration in prominent mining belts, guided by responsible, respectful and sustainable practices. The Company was built by a management team with prior success in monetizing exploration assets and its specialized technical team is recognized for their extensive experience working with major mining companies, supported by robust safety standards and technical proficiency. The technical team includes Chile-based geologists with invaluable local expertise and a noteworthy track record for major discovery in the country. Torq is committed to operating at the highest standards of applicable environmental, social and governance practices in the pursuit of a landmark discovery. For more information, visit www.torqresources.com.

Rock Sampling

Approximately 2-4 kg of material was collected for analysis and sent to ALS Lab in Copiapo, Chile or La Serena, Chile for preparation and then to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for analysis. All samples are assayed using 30 g nominal weight fire assay with AAS finish (Au-AA23) and multi-element using four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS61). Where Au-AA23 results were greater than 10 ppm Au the assay were repeated with 30 g nominal weight fire assay with gravimetric finish (Au-GRA21). Where MS61 results were greater or near 10,000 ppm Cu the assay were repeated with ore grade four acid digest method (Cu-OG62). QA/QC programs for 2022-23 rock samples using internal standard samples and duplicates, lab duplicates, standards and blanks indicate good accuracy and precision in a large majority of standards assayed.

Soil Sampling

Approximately 1-3 kg of soil material was collected on a 70 m x 70 m grid and sent to ALS Lab in Copiapo, Chile or La Serena, Chile for preparation and then to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for analysis. All samples are assayed using 30 g nominal weight fire assay with AAS finish (Au-AA23) and multi-element super trace four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS61L). QA/QC programs for 2022-2023 soil samples using internal standard samples and duplicates, lab duplicates, standards and blanks indicate good accuracy and precision in a large majority of standards assayed.

Forward Looking Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking information in this release are statements that relate to plans for future exploration programs. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by some of the principal forward-looking statements. See Torq's Annual Information Form filed March 27, 2023 at www.sedar.com for disclosure of the risks and uncertainties faced in this business.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Torq Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768943/Torq-Identifies-Mineralized-Surface-Porphyry-Targets-Adjacent-to-Caspiche-Deposit-at-its-Santa-Cecilia-Gold-Copper-Project
Atlanta BeltLine Inc., The Center by Lendistry, and CVM Worldwide, to help grow local businesses along the Atlanta BeltLine

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2023 / The Center by Lendistry has announced a partnership with Atlanta BeltLine Inc. (ABI) and CVM Worldwide to launch BeltLine Business Ventures, a new small business accelerator aimed at helping local businesses grow, create jobs, and generate wealth in communities along the Atlanta BeltLine. The nation's largest redevelopment project, the Atlanta BeltLine, is revitalizing unused rail corridors into vibrant transit systems, greenways, and mixed-use centers.

Managed by The Center by Lendistry and led by CVM Worldwide, BeltLine Business Ventures will have three cohorts of up to 25 businesses taking place in Fall 2023, Winter/Spring 2024, and Summer/Fall 2024. Priority will be given to local BIPOC-owned businesses with a presence in the BeltLine planning areas. Each cohort will offer:

Three months of virtual and in-person learning sessions on business topics, including Business Model Development, Market Feasibility, Business Resiliency, Workforce Development & Job Quality Improvement Support, and Operational Excellence

Up to 10 hours of tailored one-on-one business advising with experienced entrepreneurs and business consultants

Monthly peer-learning and networking opportunities

Culminating pitch competition

Connections with other resources aimed at preparing businesses for brick-and-mortar opportunities in the Atlanta BeltLine area

Applications will be accepted through August 18th. Business owners who are interested in applying are encouraged to register for an information session at https://beltline.org/businessventures.

"As a champion of equitable economic development, The Center is excited to partner with ABI to help ensure that this revitalization effort is inclusive for local businesses," said Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President and CEO of The Center by Lendistry. "We know that with the right support and access to resources, small businesses thrive. We look forward to working with local entrepreneurs and preparing them for long-term success along the BeltLine."

"The Atlanta BeltLine is a project for the people, and helping local, small businesses succeed is one of our top priorities," said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. "The goal of this office is to fill market gaps and meet community needs for business support, especially in underserved areas."

"From growing my business over the past decade in Atlanta to helping over 1,500 minority-owned businesses grow, I'm honored to bring my experience and expertise to BeltLine Business Ventures. There is tremendous potential for economic transformation by bringing marketplace awareness to the BeltLine along with thriving businesses that help meet the needs of local neighborhoods," said Candace Mitchell Harris, Executive Director, CVM Worldwide.

To support the success of this accelerator, The Center is partnering with small businesses, developers, commercial brokers, property managers, business associations, business development organizations, and other local partners interested in economic development and supporting local small businesses. If you are interested in becoming a partner and would like more information, email BeltLineVentures@atlbeltline.org.

###

The Center by Lendistry is a national nonprofit organization that supports diverse small businesses through education, technical assistance, and access to competitive financing. We are committed to closing the racial wealth gap and accelerating economic development by anchoring small businesses and the communities where they do business. Learn more at www.thecenterbylendistry.org.

CVM Worldwide is an Atlanta-based, technology-focused social enterprise that tackles the world's toughest problems by creating and investing in people, products, and initiatives that improve the human experience. Our mission is to provide business expertise and technical talent to help entrepreneurs build profitable and impactful businesses that transform the world. For more information, visit www.cvmworldwide.com.

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.'s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org.

Press contact:

Pricila Novoa (310) 803-9004

pnovoa@pivotalstrategies.com

Contact Information

Pricila Novoa

Pivotal Strategies

pnovoa@pivotalstrategies.com

(310) 803-9004

SOURCE: The Center by Lendistry

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768404/BeltLine-Business-Ventures-Launches-for-Small-Businesses
TORONTO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xanadu Mines Ltd (ASX: XAM, TSX: XAM) (Xanadu, XAM or the Company) and its joint venture partner Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd. (Zijin) are pleased to provide an update on recent infill drilling at the Kharmagtai Project in Mongolia. Infill drilling has defined a new zone (core) of high-grade copper and gold mineralisation at the White Hill deposit and results continue to validate the total mineral resource model.



Highlights

Approximately 27,000m of Phase One diamond drilling has been completed (out of 30,000m total) at both the Stockwork Hill and White Hill deposits, at Kharmagtai.

Exceptional highlights from an additional fourteen drill holes demonstrate a new high-grade zone (core) is emerging at White Hill and extending below the currently optimised pit.

Best drilling results include: KHDDH638 - 544m @ 0.4% eCu (0.34% Cu & 0.12g/t Au) from 273.4m

Including 63m @ 1.03% eCu (0.92% Cu & 0.23g/t Au) from 634m

Including 28m @ 1.45% eCu (1.45% Cu & 0.32g/t Au) from 645m KHDDH634 - 654m @ 0.34% eCu (0.28% Cu & 0.11g/t Au) from 172m

Including 32m @ 0.61% eCu (0.48% Cu & 0.25g/t Au) from 512m

And 58m @ 0.71% eCu (0.59% Cu & 0.23g/t Au) from 617m

Including 8m @ 1.45% eCu (1.17% Cu & 0.50g/t Au) from 651m

Newly identified high-grade (>1% eCu) core at White Hill demonstrates potential to enhance the 2021 Mineral Resource Estimate MRE (3Mt copper and 8Moz gold [1.98Mt CuEq Indicated, 2.33Mt eCu Inferred]).

Kharmagtai JV is funding US$35M PFS completion and discovery exploration, aiming towards decision to mine in Q4 CY2024

Xanadu's Executive Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Colin Moorhead, said "I'm particularly proud of our hardworking geology team making steady progress at Kharmagtai, better defining the White Hill deposit. Both drill holes KHDDH638 and KHDDH634 have effectively intercepted the top of a previously undefined high-grade core at White Hill. Both Stockwork Hill and Copper Hill deposits feature these higher-grade zones (core), and previous drilling at White Hill has suggested such a zone may be present there also. However, this is the first time we have observed significant intervals spanning greater than 50m of mineralisation at grades greater than 1% eCu at White Hill. We see this as a very positive result, with strong potential to impact PFS pit optimisation and very encouraging for higher grade mineralisation to be uncovered at depth."





Figure 1: Kharmagtai copper-gold district showing currently defined mineral deposits and planned Phase One Resource infill drill holes.

Infill Drilling Intercepts High-Grade Core at White Hill

Approximately 27,000m of infill drilling has been completed, as part of the 30,000m Phase One infill drilling program. Assay results have been returned for fourteen additional drill holes, with results generally better than, or in line with, 2021 MRE grades (Figures 1 and 2; Appendix 1).

Several drill holes have encountered materially better grade relative to the White Hill MRE resource grade. Drill hole KHDDH638, located on the southern margin of the White Hill deposit, targeted a mineralised and resource controlling fault, intersecting a significantly higher-grade zone of copper and gold mineralisation that is located below the current optimised pit design (Figures 2, 3 and 4).

Hole ID Deposit From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) eCu (%) eAu (g/t) KHDDH638 White Hill 203.8 208 4.2 0.02 0.11 0.12 0.24 and 273.4 817.4 544 0.12 0.34 0.40 0.79 including 360 364 4 0.12 0.28 0.34 0.67 including 422 525 103 0.16 0.32 0.40 0.78 including 541.1 588 46.9 0.12 0.27 0.33 0.65 including 600 815 215 0.15 0.52 0.60 1.17 including 634 697 63 0.23 0.92 1.03 2.02 including 645 673 28 0.32 1.45 1.61 3.15 including 711 723 12 0.19 0.44 0.54 1.05 including 736.5 747.8 11.3 0.16 0.66 0.74 1.45

Drill hole KHDDH634 targeted definition and expansion of mineralisation at White Hill within the current Mineral Resource Estimate. It intersected the top of a new high-grade zone and returned the following interval along the edge and outside of the current open pit optimisation (Figure 2):

Hole ID Deposit From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) eCu (%) eAu (g/t) KHDDH634 White Hill 126 160 34 0.03 0.11 0.12 0.24 and 172 826.5 654.5 0.11 0.28 0.34 0.67 including 352 360.09 8.09 0.14 0.25 0.32 0.63 including 392 410.32 18.32 0.14 0.27 0.34 0.67 including 426 567.5 141.5 0.18 0.39 0.48 0.94 including 494 502 8 0.29 0.63 0.78 1.53 including 512 544 32 0.25 0.48 0.61 1.19 including 556 567.5 11.5 0.19 0.54 0.63 1.24 including 617 675 58 0.23 0.59 0.71 1.38 including 651 659 8 0.50 1.17 1.43 2.79







Figure 2: Cross section 591800mE through the White Hill deposit.





Figure 3: Core photos from KHDDH638.





Figure 4: Core photos from KHDDH634.

About the Infill Drilling Program

Four diamond drill rigs are currently focussed on Kharmagtai infill drilling, with the objective to target areas with potential for future Mineral Resource to Ore Reserve conversion. Totalling ~30,000 metres, the infill drilling program is planned to specifically increase the Resource confidence category from Inferred to Indicated. As such, the planned drill holes aim to remove any mineralisation knowledge gaps around the edges of existing deposits.

Kharmagtai currently has an Inferred and Indicated Resource of 1.1Bt containing 3Mt Cu and 8Moz Au1. As part of the Kharmagtai PFS, the Resource will be upgraded to Indicated classification, enabling a maiden, JORC compliant Ore Reserve to be reported. To achieve this, the infill drilling program is designed to upgrade and extend strike length of the shallow open pit Resource areas and selected deeper high-grade zones (Figure 1), including investigation of near-mine, higher-grade extensions.

About Xanadu Mines

Xanadu is an ASX and TSX listed Exploration company operating in Mongolia. We give investors exposure to globally significant, large-scale copper-gold discoveries and low-cost inventory growth. Xanadu maintains a portfolio of exploration projects and remains one of the few junior explorers on the ASX or TSX who jointly control a globally significant copper-gold deposit in our flagship Kharmagtai project. Xanadu is the Operator of a 50-50 JV with Zijin Mining Group in Khuiten Metals Pte Ltd, which controls 76.5% of the Kharmagtai project.

For further information on Xanadu, please visit: www.xanadumines.com or contact:

Colin Moorhead

Executive Chairman & Managing Director

E: colin.moorhead@xanadumines.com

P: +61 2 8280 7497

This Announcement was authorised for release by Xanadu's Board of Directors.

Appendix 1: Drilling Results

Note that true widths will generally be narrower than those reported. See disclosure in JORC explanatory statement attached.

Table 1: Drill hole collar

Hole ID Prospect East North RL Azimuth () Inc () Depth (m) KHDDH624 White Hill 591626 4877247 1306 0 -60 423.6 KHDDH626 White Hill 591626 4877149 1306 0 -60 596.0 KHDDH627 White Hill 591626 4877051 1308 0 -60 672.8 KHDDH628 Stockwork Hill 592250 4878102 1289 0 -60 125.0 KHDDH629 Stockwork Hill 592126 4877950 1291 0 -60 125.0 KHDDH631 White Hill 591626 4876953 1310 0 -60 705.6 KHDDH632 White Hill 592819 4877517 1274 160 -60 350.0 KHDDH633 White Hill 591751 4877477 1302 0 -60 375.6 KHDDH634 White Hill 591751 4876901 1310 0 -60 826.5 KHDDH637 White Hill 591751 4877255 1303 0 -60 360.1 KHDDH638 White Hill 591751 4876800 1313 0 -60 817.4 KHDDH639 White Hill 591751 4877080 1307 0 -60 600.5 KHDDH642 White Hill 591877 4877030 1307 0 -60 625.0 KHDDH644 White Hill 591876 4877532 1301 0 -60 200.0 KHDDH645 White Hill 591876 4876849 1310 0 -60 715.6 KHDDH647 Stockwork Hill 592432 4877696 1289 0 -60 564.5 KHDDH649 Stockwork Hill 592535 4877686 1287 0 -60 560.0 KHDDH650 Stockwork Hill 592533 4877777 1287 0 -60 460.1 KHDDH651 White Hill 592006 4877113 1304 180 -60 415.0 KHDDH652 Stockwork Hill 593000 4877670 1284 0 -60 350.0 KHDDH653 Stockwork Hill 593063 4877630 1284 0 -60 275.0 KHDDH654 Stockwork Hill 592854 4877599 1285 0 -60 522.5 KHDDH655 Stockwork Hill 592647 4877603 1288 0 -60 735.0 KHDDH656 White Hill 591876 4876747 1311 0 -60 420.6 KHDDH657 White Hill 592000 4877501 1301 0 -60 250.4 KHDDH658 White Hill 592126 4877404 1303 0 -60 550.0 KHDDH659 White Hill 592001 4876900 1305 0 -60 721.6 KHDDH660 Stockwork Hill 592535 4877686 1287 357 -60 576.6 KHDDH661 White Hill 592001 4876800 1310 0 -60 775.0 KHDDH662 White Hill 592500 4877122 1300 90 -60 250.0 KHDDH663 White Hill 592126 4877501 1299 0 -60 305.5 KHDDH664 White Hill 592039 4876821 1307 170 -70 350.0 KHDDH665 White Hill 592126 4876908 1303 0 -60 700.0 KHDDH666 White Hill 592126 4876785 1307 0 -60 473.6 KHDDH667 White Hill 592250 4876867 1304 0 -65 450.0 KHDDH668 White Hill 591561 4877271 1309 270 -60 225.0 KHDDH669 White Hill 592250 4877166 1301 0 -65 525.0 KHDDH670 White Hill 592250 4877036 1301 0 -65 625.0

Table 2: Significant drill results

Hole ID Prospect From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) CuEq (%) AuEq (g/t) KHDDH624 White Hill 0 397 397 0.10 0.18 0.24 0.46 including 85 139.2 54.2 0.15 0.26 0.33 0.65 including 149 166.7 17.7 0.17 0.24 0.32 0.63 including 183 212.6 29.6 0.22 0.31 0.42 0.82 including 229 238.1 9.1 0.14 0.27 0.35 0.68 including 321.6 330 8.4 0.18 0.32 0.41 0.81 including 340 362.7 22.7 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.79 and 411 423.6 12.6 0.08 0.14 0.18 0.35 KHDDH626 White Hill 3 596 593 0.14 0.25 0.32 0.63 including 119 241 122 0.16 0.30 0.38 0.75 including 256.9 400 143.1 0.17 0.28 0.37 0.72 including 364 370 6 0.23 0.43 0.55 1.07 including 412 501.98 89.98 0.16 0.25 0.33 0.64 including 512 596 84 0.18 0.32 0.41 0.80 KHDDH627 White Hill 13 672.8 659.8 0.11 0.21 0.26 0.52 including 37 42.7 5.7 0.12 0.38 0.45 0.87 including 65 71 6 0.06 0.25 0.28 0.54 including 201 222 21 0.12 0.25 0.31 0.60 including 232 294.6 62.6 0.23 0.43 0.55 1.07 including 246 272 26 0.29 0.57 0.71 1.40 including 331 337 6 0.16 0.26 0.34 0.67 including 347 376 29 0.17 0.27 0.36 0.70 including 426 464 38 0.15 0.26 0.34 0.66 including 523 546 23 0.13 0.21 0.27 0.53 including 577 599 22 0.12 0.23 0.29 0.58 including 629 645.4 16.4 0.13 0.27 0.33 0.65 including 663 667 4 0.16 0.30 0.38 0.73 KHDDH628 Stockwork Hill 10 22 12 0.67 0.06 0.40 0.79 including 10 18 8 0.93 0.07 0.55 1.07 and 32 50 18 0.15 0.03 0.10 0.20 KHDDH629 Stockwork Hill 3.3 125 121.7 0.07 0.14 0.17 0.34 including 3.3 13 9.7 0.18 0.14 0.24 0.47 including 49 53 4 0.16 0.44 0.51 1.01 including 111 121 10 0.09 0.29 0.34 0.66 KHDDH631 White Hill 97 705.6 608.6 0.09 0.20 0.24 0.48 including 270.9 281 10.1 0.15 0.38 0.46 0.90 including 339 407.5 68.5 0.13 0.28 0.35 0.68 including 357 361 4 0.22 0.66 0.77 1.51 including 432.4 516.4 84 0.14 0.26 0.33 0.64 including 527 544.6 17.6 0.12 0.28 0.34 0.66 including 554.8 575 20.2 0.12 0.24 0.30 0.59 including 609 613 4 0.19 0.36 0.45 0.88 including 639 655 16 0.13 0.30 0.36 0.71 including 669 673 4 0.11 0.26 0.32 0.62 including 685 705.6 20.6 0.12 0.31 0.37 0.72 KHDDH632 White Hill 255 259 4 0.06 0.27 0.30 0.58 KHDDH633 White Hill 0 271 271 0.08 0.16 0.20 0.39 including 4 15.4 11.4 0.26 0.38 0.51 1.00 including 4 13 9 0.25 0.37 0.50 0.98 including 35 68 33 0.11 0.24 0.29 0.57 including 88 98.5 10.5 0.07 0.24 0.27 0.54 and 283.3 321 37.7 0.03 0.09 0.11 0.21 and 333 375.6 42.6 0.04 0.09 0.11 0.21 KHDDH634 White Hill 126 160 34 0.03 0.11 0.12 0.24 and 172 826.5 654.5 0.11 0.28 0.34 0.67 including 352 360.09 8.09 0.14 0.25 0.32 0.63 including 392 410.32 18.32 0.14 0.27 0.34 0.67 including 426 567.5 141.5 0.18 0.39 0.48 0.94 including 494 502 8 0.29 0.63 0.78 1.53 including 512 544 32 0.25 0.48 0.61 1.19 including 556 567.5 11.5 0.19 0.54 0.63 1.24 including 617 675 58 0.23 0.59 0.71 1.38 including 651 659 8 0.50 1.17 1.43 2.79 KHDDH637 White Hill 2.7 360.1 357.4 0.13 0.24 0.31 0.61 including 25 31 6 0.20 0.31 0.41 0.80 including 42 186 144 0.15 0.30 0.38 0.74 including 123 129 6 0.33 0.46 0.63 1.23 including 222.6 359 136.4 0.14 0.25 0.32 0.62 KHDDH638 White Hill 203.8 208 4.2 0.02 0.11 0.12 0.24 and 273.4 817.4 544 0.12 0.34 0.40 0.79 including 360 364 4 0.12 0.28 0.34 0.67 including 422 525 103 0.16 0.32 0.40 0.78 including 541.1 588 46.9 0.12 0.27 0.33 0.65 including 600 815 215 0.15 0.52 0.60 1.17 including 634 697 63 0.23 0.92 1.03 2.02 including 645 673 28 0.32 1.45 1.61 3.15 including 711 723 12 0.19 0.44 0.54 1.05 including 736.5 747.8 11.3 0.16 0.66 0.74 1.45 KHDDH639 White Hill 8 600.5 592.5 0.09 0.20 0.25 0.49 including 30 36 6 0.12 0.33 0.39 0.77 including 48 58.4 10.4 0.16 0.33 0.41 0.81 including 72.4 94 21.6 0.15 0.21 0.29 0.56 including 168 177.4 9.4 0.11 0.24 0.30 0.58 including 195.7 304 108.3 0.13 0.29 0.36 0.71 including 314.4 354 39.6 0.10 0.23 0.29 0.56 including 480.7 487.2 6.5 0.13 0.25 0.32 0.62 including 497 511 14 0.14 0.25 0.33 0.64 including 558 599 41 0.12 0.26 0.32 0.62 KHDDH645 White Hill 75 79 4 0.09 0.06 0.11 0.21 and 153.8 171 17.2 0.04 0.09 0.11 0.21 and 180.6 279 98.4 0.05 0.16 0.19 0.37 and 313 715.6 402.6 0.14 0.32 0.40 0.77 including 337 580 243 0.15 0.32 0.40 0.78 including 512 536 24 0.21 0.57 0.68 1.33 including 592 658 66 0.19 0.45 0.55 1.07 including 609 615.1 6.1 0.26 0.53 0.67 1.31 including 625 658 33 0.23 0.54 0.66 1.28 including 668.3 706 37.7 0.14 0.37 0.44 0.86 including 668.3 682 13.7 0.24 0.54 0.66 1.29 Assays pending KHDDH647 Stockwork Hill 5 21 16 0.18 0.05 0.15 0.28 and 94 104 10 0.11 0.07 0.13 0.25 and 142 164 22 0.08 0.07 0.11 0.22 and 174 211 37 0.18 0.15 0.24 0.46 including 184 211 27 0.20 0.16 0.26 0.52 and 258 367 109 0.12 0.25 0.31 0.61 including 258 278 20 0.23 0.43 0.55 1.07 including 258 274 16 0.24 0.47 0.59 1.16 including 290 304 14 0.12 0.21 0.28 0.54 including 317 332 15 0.12 0.33 0.39 0.76 including 349 363 14 0.15 0.25 0.33 0.65 and 381 389 8 0.04 0.20 0.22 0.44 and 403 409 6 0.07 0.16 0.20 0.38 and 423 435 12 0.09 0.12 0.17 0.33 and 467 560 93 0.23 0.12 0.23 0.46 including 471 485.7 14.7 0.19 0.18 0.28 0.55 including 534 546 12 1.04 0.17 0.70 1.38 KHDDH649 Stockwork Hill Assays pending KHDDH650 Stockwork Hill Assays pending KHDDH651 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH652 Stockwork Hill Assays pending KHDDH653 Stockwork Hill Assays pending KHDDH654 Stockwork Hill Assays pending KHDDH655 Stockwork Hill Assays pending KHDDH656 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH657 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH658 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH659 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH660 Stockwork Hill Assays pending KHDDH661 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH662 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH663 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH664 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH665 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH666 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH667 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH668 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH669 White Hill Assays pending KHDDH670 White Hill Assays pending

Appendix 2: Statements and Disclaimers

Competent Person Statement

The information in this announcement that relates to Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Mr Robert Spiers, who is responsible for the Mineral Resource estimate. Mr Spiers is a full time Principal Geologist employed by Spiers Geological Consultants (SGC) and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. He has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as the Qualified Person as defined in the CIM Guidelines and National Instrument 43-101 and as a Competent Person under JORC Code 2012. Mr Spiers consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to exploration results is based on information compiled by Dr Andrew Stewart, who is responsible for the exploration data, comments on exploration target sizes, QA/QC and geological interpretation and information. Dr Stewart, who is an employee of Xanadu and is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists, has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as the Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and the National Instrument 43-101. Dr Stewart consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.

Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Reporting Requirements

The 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code 2012) sets out minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines for Public Reporting in Australasia of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. The Information contained in this Announcement has been presented in accordance with the JORC Code 2012.

The information in this Announcement relates to the exploration results previously reported in ASX Announcements which are available on the Xanadu website at:

https://www.xanadumines.com/site/investor-centre/asx-announcements

The Company is not aware of any new, material information or data that is not included in those market announcements.

Copper Equivalent Calculations

The copper equivalent (CuEq) calculation represents the total metal value for each metal, multiplied by the conversion factor, summed and expressed in equivalent copper percentage with a metallurgical recovery factor applied.

Copper equivalent (CuEq) grade values were calculated using the formula: CuEq = Cu + Au * 0.60049 * 0.86667.

Where Cu - copper grade (%); Au - gold grade (g/t); 0.60049 - conversion factor (gold to copper); 0.86667 - relative recovery of gold to copper (86.67%).

The copper equivalent formula was based on the following parameters (prices are in USD): Copper price 3.4 $/lb; Gold price 1400 $/oz; Copper recovery 90%; Gold recovery 78%; Relative recovery of gold to copper = 78% / 90% = 86.67%.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Announcement, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Xanadu and its projects may also include statements which are 'forward-looking statements' that may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions. These 'forward-looking statements' are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Xanadu, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forward-looking statements.

Xanadu disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after the date of this Announcement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than required by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The words 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'indicate', 'contemplate', 'target', 'plan', 'intends', 'continue', 'budget', 'estimate', 'may', 'will', 'schedule' and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

All 'forward-looking statements' made in this Announcement are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that 'forward-looking statements' are not guarantee of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on 'forward-looking statements' due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

For further information please visit the Xanadu Mines' Website at www.xanadumines.com.

Appendix 2: Kharmagtai Table 1 (JORC 2012)

Set out below is Section 1 and Section 2 of Table 1 under the JORC Code, 2012 Edition for the Kharmagtai project. Data provided by Xanadu. This Table 1 updates the JORC Table 1 disclosure dated 8 December 2021.

JORC TABLE 1 - SECTION 1 - SAMPLING TECHNIQUES AND DATA

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections).

Criteria Commentary Sampling techniques Representative  core samples were split from PQ, HQ & NQ diameter diamond drill core on site using rock saws, on a routine 2m sample interval that also honours lithological/intrusive contacts.

The orientation of the cut line is controlled using the core orientation line ensuring uniformity of core splitting wherever the core has been successfully oriented.

Sample intervals are defined and subsequently checked by geologists, and sample tags are attached (stapled) to the plastic core trays for every sample interval.

Reverse Circulation ( RC ) chip samples are  splits from one meter ( 1m ) intervals using a 75%:25% riffle splitter to obtain a 3kg sample

) chip samples are  splits from one meter ( ) intervals using a 75%:25% riffle splitter to obtain a 3kg sample RC samples are uniform 2m samples formed from the combination of two  split 1m samples. Drilling techniques The Mineral Resource Estimation has been based upon diamond drilling of PQ, HQ and NQ diameters with both standard and triple tube core recovery configurations, RC drilling and surface trenching with channel sampling.

All drill core drilled by Xanadu has been oriented using the "Reflex Ace" tool. Drill sample recovery Diamond drill core recoveries were assessed using the standard industry (best) practice which involves removing the core from core trays; reassembling multiple core runs in a v-rail; measuring core lengths with a tape measure, assessing recovery against core block depth measurements and recording any measured core loss for each core run.

Diamond core recoveries average 97% through mineralisation.

Overall, core quality is good, with minimal core loss. Where there is localised faulting and or fracturing core recoveries decrease, however, this is a very small percentage of the mineralised intersections.

RC recoveries are measured using whole weight of each 1m intercept measured before splitting

Analysis of recovery results vs grade shows no significant trends that might indicate sampling bias introduced by variable recovery in fault/fracture zones. Logging All drill core is geologically logged by well-trained geologists using a modified "Anaconda-style" logging system methodology. The Anaconda method of logging and mapping is specifically designed for porphyry Cu-Au mineral systems and is entirely appropriate to support Mineral Resource Estimation, mining and metallurgical studies.

Logging of lithology, alteration and mineralogy is intrinsically qualitative in nature. However, the logging is subsequently supported by 4 Acid ICP-MS (48 element) geochemistry and SWIR spectral mineralogy (facilitating semi-quantitative/calculated mineralogical, lithological and alteration classification) which is integrated with the logging to improve cross section interpretation and 3D geological model development.

Drill core is also systematically logged for both geotechnical features and geological structures. Where drill core has been successfully oriented, the orientation of structures and geotechnical features are also routinely measured.

Both wet and dry core photos are taken after core has been logged and marked-up but before drill core has been cut. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation All drill core samples are  core splits from either PQ, HQ or NQ diameter cores. A routine 2m sample interval is used, but this is varied locally to honour lithological/intrusive contacts. The minimum allowed sample length is 30cm.

Core is appropriately split (onsite) using diamond core saws with the cut line routinely located relative to the core orientation line (where present) to provide consistency of sample split selection.

The diamond saws are regularly flushed with water to minimize potential contamination.

A field duplicate  core sample is collected every 30 th sample to ensure the "representivity of the in-situ material collected". The performance of these field duplicates is routinely analysed as part of Xanadu's sample QC process.

sample to ensure the "representivity of the in-situ material collected". The performance of these field duplicates is routinely analysed as part of Xanadu's sample QC process. Routine sample preparation and analyses of DDH samples were carried out by ALS Mongolia LLC ( ALS Mongolia ), who operates an independent sample preparation and analytical laboratory in Ulaanbaatar.

), who operates an independent sample preparation and analytical laboratory in Ulaanbaatar. All samples were prepared to meet standard quality control procedures as follows: Crushed to 75% passing 2mm, split to 1kg, pulverised to 85% passing 200 mesh (75 microns) and split to 150g sample pulp.

ALS Mongolia Geochemistry labs quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2008.

The sample support (sub-sample mass and comminution) is appropriate for the grainsize and Cu-Au distribution of the porphyry Cu-Au mineralization and associated host rocks. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests All samples were routinely assayed by ALS Mongolia for gold

Au is determined using a 25g fire assay fusion, cupelled to obtain a bead, and digested with Aqua Regia, followed by an atomic absorption spectroscopy ( AAS ) finish, with a lower detection (LDL) of 0.01 ppm.

) finish, with a lower detection (LDL) of 0.01 ppm. All samples were also submitted to ALS Mongolia for the 48-element package ME-ICP61 using a four-acid digest (considered to be an effective total digest for the elements relevant to the Mineral Resource Estimate ( MRE )). Where copper is over-range (>1% Cu), it is analysed by a second analytical technique (Cu-OG62), which has a higher upper detection limit ( UDL ) of 5% copper.

)). Where copper is over-range (>1% Cu), it is analysed by a second analytical technique (Cu-OG62), which has a higher upper detection limit ( ) of 5% copper. Quality assurance has been managed by insertion of appropriate Standards (1:30 samples - suitable Ore Research Pty Ltd certified standards), Blanks (1:30 samples), Duplicates (1:30 samples -  core duplicate) by XAM.

Assay results outside the optimal range for methods were re-analysed by appropriate methods.

Ore Research Pty Ltd certified copper and gold standards have been implemented as a part of QC procedures, as well as coarse and pulp blanks, and certified matrix matched copper-gold standards.

QC monitoring is an active and ongoing processes on batch by batch basis by which unacceptable results are re-assayed as soon as practicable.

Prior to 2014: Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn, As and Mo were routinely determined using a three-acid-digestion of a 0.3g sub-sample followed by an AAS finish (AAS21R) at SGS Mongolia. Samples were digested with nitric, hydrochloric and perchloric acids to dryness before leaching with hydrochloric acid to dissolve soluble salts and made to 15ml volume with distilled water. The LDL for copper using this technique was 2ppm. Where copper was over-range (>1% Cu), it was analysed by a second analytical technique (AAS22S), which has a higher upper detection limit (UDL) of 5% copper. Gold analysis method was essentially unchanged. Verification of sampling and assaying All assay data QA/QC is checked prior to loading into XAM's Geobank data base.

The data is managed by XAM geologists.

The data base and geological interpretation is managed by XAM.

Check assays are submitted to an umpire lab (SGS Mongolia) for duplicate analysis.

No twinned drill holes exist.

There have been no adjustments to any of the assay data. Location of data points Diamond drill holes have been surveyed with a differential global positioning system ( DGPS ) to within 10cm accuracy.

) to within 10cm accuracy. The grid system used for the project is UTM WGS-84 Zone 48N

Historically, Eastman Kodak and Flexit electronic multi-shot downhole survey tools have been used at Kharmagtai to collect down hole azimuth and inclination information for the majority of the diamond drill holes. Single shots were typically taken every 30m to 50m during the drilling process, and a multi-shot survey with readings every 3-5m are conducted at the completion of the drill hole. As these tools rely on the earth's magnetic field to measure azimuth, there is some localised interference/inaccuracy introduced by the presence of magnetite in some parts of the Kharmagtai mineral system. The extent of this interference cannot be quantified on a reading-by-reading basis.

More recently (since September 2017), a north-seeking gyro has been employed by the drilling crews on site (rented and operated by the drilling contractor), providing accurate downhole orientation measurements unaffected by magnetic effects. Xanadu have a permanent calibration station setup for the gyro tool, which is routinely calibrated every 2 weeks (calibration records are maintained and were sighted)

The project Digital Terrain Model (DTM) is based on 1m contours from satellite imagery with an accuracy of 0.1 m. Data spacing and distribution Holes spacings range from <50m spacings within the core of mineralization to +500m spacings for exploration drilling. Hole spacings can be determined using the sections and drill plans provided.

Holes range from vertical to an inclination of -60 degrees depending on the attitude of the target and the drilling method.

The data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish anomalism and targeting for porphyry Cu-Au, tourmaline breccia and epithermal target types.

Holes have been drilled to a maximum of 1,304m vertical depth.

The data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish geological and grade continuity, and to support the Mineral Resource classification. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Drilling is conducted in a predominantly regular grid to allow unbiased interpretation and targeting.

Scissor drilling, as well as some vertical and oblique drilling, has been used in key mineralised zones to achieve unbiased sampling of interpreted structures and mineralised zones, and in particular to assist in constraining the geometry of the mineralised hydrothermal tourmaline-sulphide breccia domains. Sample security Samples are delivered from the drill rig to the core shed twice daily and are never left unattended at the rig.

Samples are dispatched from site in locked boxes transported on XAM company vehicles to ALS lab in Ulaanbaatar.

Sample shipment receipt is signed off at the Laboratory with additional email confirmation of receipt.

Samples are then stored at the lab and returned to a locked storage site. Audits or reviews Internal audits of sampling techniques and data management are undertaken on a regular basis, to ensure industry best practice is employed at all times.

External reviews and audits have been conducted by the following groups:

2012: AMC Consultants Pty Ltd. was engaged to conduct an Independent Technical Report which reviewed drilling and sampling procedures. It was concluded that sampling and data record was to an appropriate standard.

2013: Mining Associates Ltd. was engaged to conduct an Independent Technical Report to review drilling, sampling techniques and QAQC. Methods were found to conform to international best practice.

2018: CSA Global reviewed the entire drilling, logging, sampling, sample shipping and laboratory processes during the competent persons site visit for the 2018 MRE and found the systems and adherence to protocols to be to an appropriate standard.

JORC TABLE 1 - SECTION 2 - REPORTING OF EXPLORATION RESULTS

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections).

Criteria Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status The Project comprises 2 Mining Licences (MV-17129A Oyut Ulaan and (MV-17387A Kharmagtai): Xanadu now owns 90% of Vantage LLC, the 100% owner of the Oyut Ulaan mining licence. The Kharmagtai mining license MV-17387A is 100% owned by Oyut Ulaan LLC. Xanadu has an 85% interest in Mongol Metals LLC, which has 90% interest in Oyut Ulaan LLC. The remaining 10% in Oyut Ulaan LLC is owned by Quincunx (BVI) Ltd ("Quincunx").

The Mongolian Minerals Law (2006) and Mongolian Land Law (2002) govern exploration, mining and land use rights for the project. Exploration done by other parties Previous exploration at Kharmagtai was conducted by Quincunx Ltd, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd and Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd including extensive drilling, surface geochemistry, geophysics, mapping.

Previous exploration at Red Mountain (Oyut Ulaan) was conducted by Ivanhoe Mines. Geology

The mineralisation is characterised as porphyry copper-gold type.

Porphyry copper-gold deposits are formed from magmatic hydrothermal fluids typically associated with felsic intrusive stocks that have deposited metals as sulphides both within the intrusive and the intruded host rocks. Quartz stockwork veining is typically associated with sulphides occurring both within the quartz veinlets and disseminated thought out the wall rock. Porphyry deposits are typically large tonnage deposits ranging from low to high grade and are generally mined by large scale open pit or underground bulk mining methods. The deposits at Kharmagtai are atypical in that they are associated with intermediate intrusions of diorite to quartz diorite composition; however, the deposits are in terms of contained gold significant, and similar gold-rich porphyry deposits. Drill hole Information Diamond drill holes are the principal source of geological and grade data for the Project.

See figures in this ASX/TSX Announcement. Data Aggregation methods The CSAMT data was converted into 2D line data using the Zonge CSAMT processing software and then converted into 3D space using a UBC inversion process. Inversion fit was acceptable, and error was generally low.

A nominal cut-off of 0.1% CuEq is used in copper dominant systems for identification of potentially significant intercepts for reporting purposes. Higher grade cut-offs are 0.3%, 0.6% and 1% CuEq.

A nominal cut-off of 0.1g/t eAu is used in gold dominant systems like Golden Eagle for identification of potentially significant intercepts for reporting purposes. Higher grade cut-offs are 0.3g/t, 0.6g/t and 1g/t eAu.

Maximum contiguous dilution within each intercept is 9m for 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 1% CuEq.

Most of the reported intercepts are shown in sufficient detail, including maxima and subintervals, to allow the reader to make an assessment of the balance of high and low grades in the intercept.

Informing samples have been composited to two metre lengths honouring the geological domains and adjusted where necessary to ensure that no residual sample lengths have been excluded (best fit). The copper equivalent (CuEq) calculation represents the total metal value for each metal, multiplied by the conversion factor, summed and expressed in equivalent copper percentage with a metallurgical recovery factor applied. The copper equivalent calculation used is based off the CuEq calculation defined by CSA Global in the 2018 Mineral Resource Upgrade.



Copper equivalent (CuEq) grade values were calculated using the following formula:



CuEq = Cu + Au * 0.62097 * 0.8235,



Gold Equivalent (eAu) grade values were calculated using the following formula:



eAu = Au + Cu / 0.62097 * 0.8235.



Where:



Cu - copper grade (%)



Au - gold grade (g/t)



0.62097 - conversion factor (gold to copper)



0.8235 - relative recovery of gold to copper (82.35%)



The copper equivalent formula was based on the following parameters (prices are in USD): Copper price - 3.1 $/lb (or 6834 $/t)

Gold price - 1320 $/oz

Copper recovery - 85%

Gold recovery - 70%

Relative recovery of gold to copper = 70% / 85% = 82.35%. Relationship between mineralisation on widths and intercept lengths Mineralised structures are variable in orientation, and therefore drill orientations have been adjusted from place to place in order to allow intersection angles as close as possible to true widths.

Exploration results have been reported as an interval with 'from' and 'to' stated in tables of significant economic intercepts. Tables clearly indicate that true widths will generally be narrower than those reported. Diagrams See figures in the body of this ASX/TSX Announcement. Balanced reporting Resources have been reported at a range of cut-off grades, above a minimum suitable for open pit mining, and above a minimum suitable for underground mining. Other substantive exploration data Extensive work in this area has been done and is reported separately. Further Work The mineralisation is open at depth and along strike.

Current estimates are restricted to those expected to be reasonable for open pit mining. Limited drilling below this depth (-300m RL) shows widths and grades potentially suitable for underground extraction.

Exploration on going.

JORC TABLE 1 - SECTION 3 - ESTIMATION AND REPORTING OF MINERAL RESOURCES

Mineral Resources are not reported so this is not applicable to this Announcement. Please refer to the Company's ASX Announcement dated 1 December 2021 for Xanadu's most recent reported Mineral Resource Estimate and applicable Table 1, Section 3.

JORC TABLE 1 - SECTION 4 - ESTIMATION AND REPORTING OF ORE RESERVES

Ore Reserves are not reported so this is not applicable to this Announcement.

1 ASX/TSX Announcement 08 December 2021 - Kharmagtai resource grows to 1.1 billion tonnes, containing 3Mt Cu and 8Moz Au



Photos accompanying this announcement are available at



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TORONTO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lithium Ionic Corp. (TSXV: LTH; OTCQB: LTHCF; FSE: H3N) ("Lithium Ionic" or the "Company") reports that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with the State Economic Department of Minas Gerais (SEDE) and the Minas Gerais Integrated Development Institute (INDI), together referred to as Invest Minas, granting the Itinga and Salinas Lithium Projects priority status in the state, potentially streamlining and accelerating the regulatory approval process for environmental licensing, project development and operation.



MOU Highlights:

Lithium Ionic signs MOU with Invest Minas (State Economic Department of Minas Gerais and the Minas Gerais Integrated Development Institute), mutually supporting the development of the battery materials sector in the region.

Lithium Ionic's Itinga and Salinas lithium projects have been granted priority status by the state of Minas Gerais regional government bodies, facilitating support and acceleration of approvals and licensing through the development process.

Invest Minas to support and prioritize Lithium Ionic through the exploration to operational stages, including environmental licensing and other required regulatory approvals to advance the Itinga Lithium Project.

Lithium Ionic commits to supporting regional employment by using local suppliers and talent wherever possible throughout the exploration, construction, development and operational phases of the projects.

Blake Hylands, P.Geo., Chief Executive Officer of Lithium Ionic, commented, "We are very pleased to solidify our existing partnership with the State of Minas Gerais with an agreement that highlights our mutual desire to cooperate on all levels to advance the battery materials industry in the region, fostering economic prosperity that will attract future investments in the state. With Itinga and Salinas now being considered a "priority projects" within the State of Minas Gerais government, we believe we can look forward to a more efficient and accelerated approval process as we advance towards our goal of quickly becoming a lithium producer."

Invest Minas Chief Executive Officer, Joao Paulo Braga, commented, "Minas Gerais is emerging as a globally significant lithium district, and we are very pleased to partner with Lithium Ionic in our efforts to support the battery materials sector supply chain investment in the region. We are committed to supporting and facilitating the development of sustainable companies such as Lithium Ionic operating in our state, in order elevate the local economy and create a favourable environment for future business development."

Lithium Ionic is advancing its Itinga and Salinas lithium projects, covering 14,182 hectares in the lithium-rich Aracuai district in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In June 2023, the Company announced a maiden National Instrument 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate on the Itinga Lithium Project of 7.57 million tonnes ("Mt") grading 1.40% lithium oxide ("Li2O") of Measured and Indicated and 11.86Mt grading 1.44% Li2O of Inferred resources. A 50,000-metre expansion and definition drilling program is underway in H2 2023, in parallel with a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") expected in Q3 2023. Applications for initial environmental and social licenses are expected to be made by year-end following the completion of ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment studies.

With the MOU in place and the status of the Itinga and Salinas lithium projects as priority projects for the Minas Gerais State government, the Company expects a streamlined regulatory approval process as it advances its projects towards production.

About Lithium Ionic Corp.

Lithium Ionic is a Canadian mining company exploring and developing its lithium properties in Brazil. Its flagship Itinga and Salinas projects cover 14,182 hectares in the northeastern part of Minas Gerais state, a mining-friendly jurisdiction that is quickly emerging as a world-class hard-rock lithium district. The Itinga Project is situated in the same region as CBL's Cachoeira lithium mine, which has produced lithium for +30 years, as well as Sigma Lithium Corp.'s Grota do Cirilo project, which hosts the largest hard-rock lithium deposit in the Americas.

Qualified Persons

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Carlos Costa, Vice President Exploration of Lithium Ionic and Blake Hylands, CEO and director of Lithium Ionic, and both are "qualified persons" as defined in NI 43-101.

Investor and Media Inquiries:

+1 647.316.2500

info@lithiumionic.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the prospectivity of the Company's mineral properties, the Company's ability to produce a NI 43-101 compliant PEA, the mineralization and development of the Company's mineral properties, the MoU and the impact on the Company's operations, the Company's ability to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals and permits, the Company's exploration program and other mining projects and prospects thereof, and the Company's future plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Information and links in this press release relating to other mineral resource companies are from their sources believed to be reliable, but that have not been independently verified by the Company.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Renegade Gold Inc. (TSXV: RAGE) (OTCQX: TGLDD) (FSE: 070) ("Renegade" or the "Company") advises that Krisztian Toth has resigned as a director of the Company.

About Renegade Gold Inc.

Renegade Gold Inc. is a growth focused company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. As part of its regional-scale consolidation strategy, the Company has assembled one of the largest prospective land packages in and around the Red Lake mining district in proximity to major mines and deposits, as well as along the Confederation Lake and Birch-Uchi greenstone belts. The recent completion of the acquisition of Pacton Gold Inc. extends Trillium's ownership in Red Lake to over 89,600 hectares of prospective and diversified exploration properties with significant potential for gold and critical minerals on trend with the major structures hosting known gold occurrences in the Red Lake mining district today. A portfolio of prospective projects in Western Australia has also been acquired.

For further information, please contact:

Renegade Gold Inc.

Nav Dhaliwal

President, CEO and Director

info@renegadegold.com

Tel: 604-678-5308

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174041
SHANGHAI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- YuanTech Solar, a new PV manufacturer in China, announced that the company signed a supply agreement with Suntrans New Energy BV, a Belgian solar solution provider. CEO of Suntrans, Mr. Jan Claesen and General manager of YuanTech Solar, Mr. Cao Mingjing attended the signing ceremony. A total of 40MW PV modules will be supplied in the coming year. According to the order, the company will recently complete the delivery of the first 2.4MW all-black N-type TOPCon modules.

On July 19, Mr. Jan Claesen and team visited YuanTech Solar's production base in Chuzhou, and highly recognized the intelligent production line and fully automatic and efficient production. Mr. Jan Claesen said that the company has further deepened its confidence in cooperation with YuanTech Solar, and also hopes that the two sides can continue to work together in the future and achieve win-win results.

Belgium is located in Western Europe, with a highly developed economy and a high dependence on foreign resources. In the face of rapid economic development and the continuous release of demand for electricity, the local government actively formulated exclusive policies to promote the development of clean energy industry. Driven by the market and policies, the local installed PV capacity exceeded 1GW as early as 2020, and according to the latest statistics of the IRENA, by the end of 2022, Belgium's total renewable energy capacity reached 13.0GW, of which photovoltaic accounted for more than half, up to 6.9GW.

Suntrans specializes in providing solar energy solutions to customers across the globe and the design, prototyping, production and logistics of solar mounting systems and storage solutions for solar energy installations. The cooperative relationship between YuanTech Solar and Suntrans is another milestone in YuanTech Solar's expansion of overseas market, which will enable the company to continue to enhance its overseas brand influence.

About YuanTech Solar

YuanTech Solar is a technology company focusing on the R&D, manufacturing, sales and services of new-generation N-type TOPCon photovoltaic products. The company was established in January 2022, and plans to invest 1.5 billion yuan (approx. US$224 million) to build a 5GW PV module production facility in Chuzhou, Anhui Province. The company is committed to becoming a world-class clean energy provider, by adhering to a market-oriented approach and taking technological innovation as its driving force, in an effort to boost the transformation towards clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1960403/YT_logo_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/yuantech-solar-signed-a-40mw-module-supply-agreement-with-belgian-distributor-suntrans-301880844.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - European Energy Metals (TSXV: FIN) (FSE: W28) ("European Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Mike Basha as a member of the Company's Advisory Board.

Mr. Basha is a professional engineer and geologist with over 35 years experience working for major and junior exploration and mining companies in Canada, USA, Mexico, Ecuador and Finland. He has generated and worked on many grassroots to advanced exploration projects for a variety of mineral commodities. He was co-discoverer of the Hammerdown gold deposit in Newfoundland early in his career. As former VP Exploration of Cornerstone Resources Ltd (recently acquired by Solgold Plc), he was instrumental in helping establish them in Ecuador. He is also the founder and former CEO and President of Aurion Resources Ltd. ("Aurion"), with assets in Northern Finland. While at Aurion, Mr. Basha staked the core of Aurion's holdings in Finland and, under Mr. Basha's direction, the Aurion exploration teams made multiple discoveries including the high-grade Aamurusko, Launi and Notches gold prospects among others. Mr. Basha holds degrees in geology and engineering and, in addition to his exploration experience, has previously worked as a consulting geotechnical and environmental engineer.

"We are very pleased to welcome Mike as a member of our Advisory Board," commented, European Energy Metals CEO, Jeremy Poirier. "His in-country experience in Finland and significant exploration experience will be appreciated as we move forward with our exploration program at the Finnish Pegmatite Project," he continued.

About European Energy Metals Corp.

European Energy Metals Corp. is a junior mining company currently focussed on the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Finnish Pegmatite Project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE and, specifically, lithium. The company concessions are located within 11 miles of Keliber mine being constructed which is expected to begin production H2 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Jeremy Poirier, CEO

Telephone: 604-722-9842

Email: info@europeanenergymetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the presence of lithium mineralization at, and the exploration and development potential of, the Finland Pegmatite Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include the costs of any anticipated work programs and the ability to fund such costs, required approvals in connection with any work programs and the ability to obtain such approvals, risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173979
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. (TSXV: ELE) (OTCQX: ELEMF) ("Elemental Altus" or "the Company") notes that Lundin Mining Corporation ("Lundin Mining") (TSX: LUN) has closed the acquisition of 51% of the Caserones copper-molybdenum mine ("Caserones") in Chile. Additionally, Lundin Mining have announced H1 2023 production results, released an updated NI 43-101 technical report at Caserones, and highlighted the optimisation and exploration potential at the mine. Elemental Altus holds an effective 0.473% NSR on the project.

Acquisition Highlights

Caserones produced approximately 69,700 metric tonnes of copper and 2,400 metric tonnes of molybdenum in the first half of 2023 and has guided 60,000 tonnes to 65,000 tonnes of copper and 1,500 tonnes to 2,000 tonnes of molybdenum in the second half of 2023

Production guidance for Caserones for both 2024 and 2025 is 110,000 to 120,000 tonnes of copper and 1,500 to 2,500 tonnes of molybdenum

Reserves include 850 million tonnes of material grading 0.30% total copper and 0.014% molybdenum containing 2.55 million tonnes of total copper and 76,000 tonnes molybdenum

Measured and Indicated Resources 1 include 1,023 million tonnes of material grading 0.31% copper and 0.010% molybdenum containing 3.15 million tonnes of total copper and 105,000 tonnes of molybdenum

The currently reported Mineral Resource only includes drilling up to the end of 2017, with over 20,000m of subsequent drilling not yet included

Outlined in the initial purchase agreement, provisions have also been made for Lundin Mining to potentially draw an additional $400 million (non-committed) to be used towards the purchase of an additional 19% interest in Caserones

Royalty Highlights

On July 12, 2023 Elemental Altus announced the acquisition of an additional 0.030% NSR royalty on Caserones resulting in the Company now holding an effective 0.473% NSR on the project

The royalty area covers 170 square kilometres and includes all current reserves and resources and many regional targets.

The company recognises the benefits of having Lundin Mining as partners given their strong community engagement and expertise in the region.

Lundin Mining has noted that many opportunities exist to improve upon the life-of-mine plan which includes the regions significant exploration potential.

Frederick Bell, CEO of Elemental Altus, commented:

"The acquisition of a majority interest in Caserones by Lundin Mining and strong first half performance confirms Caserones as a cornerstone long-life revenue generating asset in our portfolio. The operating company generated approximately US$120 million in the first six months of the year with significant exploration potential remaining to be unlocked across the licence package. We look forward to seeing the synergies the nearby Lundin infrastructure may provide for future exploration and optimisation at Caserones."

Caserones Mine Overview

The Caserones mine is a large, open-pit porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit, located within a 170km2 land package at an elevation of approximately 4,300m above sea level in the borough of Tierra Amarilla, in the Atacama region of northern Chile. The mine is approximately 15km from the border with Argentina, 162km southeast of the city of Copiapo and 800km north of the capital, Santiago.

Located at the southern end of the well-documented Maricunga mineral belt, the geology of Caserones comprises an Early-Miocene porphyry system associated with a cluster of dacite porphyries and breccias intruding Palaeozoic granitic, volcanic, and metamorphic rocks. Caserones has a well-developed supergene enrichment profile of oxide copper and secondary chalcocite that overlies hypogene sulfide (chalcopyrite-molybdenite) mineralisation. The mine produces copper and molybdenum concentrates from a conventional crusher, mill and flotation plant, as well as copper cathodes from a dump leach, solvent extraction and electrowinning plant and has been in operation since 2014.

Elemental Altus Royalties Corp.

Elemental Altus is a revenue generating precious metals royalty company with 10 producing royalties and a diversified portfolio of pre-production and discovery stage assets. The Company is focused on acquiring uncapped royalties and streams over producing, or near-producing, mines operated by established counterparties, as well as generating royalties on new discoveries. The vision of Elemental Altus is to build a global gold royalty company, offering investors superior exposure to gold with reduced risk and a strong growth profile.

On behalf of Elemental Altus Royalties Corp.

Frederick Bell

CEO and Director

Corporate & Media Inquiries:

Jacy Zerb, VP Investor Relations

Direct: +1 604-243-6511 ext. 2700

j.zerb@elementalaltus.com

Elemental Altus is a proud member of Discovery Group. For more information please visit: www.discoverygroup.ca or contact 604-653-9464.

TSXV: ELE | OTCQX: ELEMF | ISIN: CA28619K1093 | CUSIP: 28619K109

1 The Caserones Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates quoted are those published in Lundin Mining's recent NI 43-101 report: "Technical Report on the Caserones Mining Operation" dated 13 July, 2023, effective as at 31 December 2022; and they are reported to 2014 CIM Definition Standards, assuming open pit mining.

Qualified Person

Richard Evans, FAusIMM, is Senior Vice President Technical for Elemental Altus, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this press release.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology.

Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the date that the name change is expected to become effective, whether shareholders will be required by their broker to exchange their issued certificate for a new certificate or take any other action in connection to the name change, the Company's ability to deliver a materially increased revenue profile with a lower cost of capital, the future growth, development and focus of the Company, and the acquisition of new royalties and streams. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.

Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Elemental Altus to control or predict, that may cause Elemental Altus' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions, the absence of control over the mining operations from which Elemental Altus will receive royalties, risks related to international operations, government relations and environmental regulation, the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties; the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration data; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with Elemental Altus' expectations; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; fluctuating metal prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations; currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of important factors which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, refer to the annual information form of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2022. Elemental Altus undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking statements and information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement or information can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173992
Leading Irish bank demonstrates tangible, strong connection between engaged employees and customer satisfaction

Medallia, Inc., the global leader in customer and employee experience, today announced that it has been selected to deliver Permanent TSB's Voice of the Customer (VoC) and employee experience programs.

A continuation of a four-year partnership, Medallia's enterprise experience platform will support the retail bank in further embedding customer and employee engagement initiatives to promote organizational change through the power of positive experiences.

Permanent TSB (PTSB) has been supporting communities in the Republic of Ireland for over 200 years, with 3,000 employees serving more than 1.2 million customers. The bank is constantly striving to improve its customers' financial wellbeing, attract and retain talent, and enhance the bank's trustworthiness with all stakeholders. Central to this is actively evolving company culture, improving its customer and employee experience in tandem.

PTSB initially selected Medallia to reimagine its customer experience strategy in 2019, recognizing the need for a more robust strategy to fully understand customer pain points. After seeing the power of Medallia, a year later PTSB chose Medallia to deliver its new employee experience program, 'Every Voice Counts.' At a time of great turbulence in the Irish financial market and pandemic-induced societal change, PTSB realized that a fresh approach to how employee experience data was collected, understood, and actioned would allow it to better support employees through all stages of their journey.

"Permanent TSB's purpose is to build trust with our customers we are a community serving the community. We have a responsibility to understand the sentiment and feedback our customers share with us, and take meaningful actions to improve our customer experience. Having the ability to quickly identify pain-points through our customer's feedback and prioritize improvements to remove friction for them has been transformational," says Sarah Cashman, Customer Experience Manager at PTSB. "Customer experience is the golden thread that weaves through the entire organization. Team members at all levels of the organization are now looking at the same dashboards from customer-facing teams to senior leaders, drawing on the insights in weekly 'Customer Experience Task Force' meetings. We are excited to see where our partnership takes us next."

With Medallia powering PTSB's employee experience program, all employee engagement metrics are trending upwards. Between 2020 and 2022, employee net promoter scores (eNPS) have increased by 19 points, culture by eight, engagement by seven and trust by 10. The organization has taken action on more than 1,000 positive changes based on employee feedback, all of which have contributed to the bank's strategic priorities and sense of community. With the help of Medallia, PTSB is now expanding its employee listening to new touchpoints, such as onboarding, to further enhance its Every Voice Counts program. This continues to play a central role in improving the bank's culture proposition, DEI initiatives, recognition, belonging and wellbeing strategies.

"Prior to our partnership with Medallia, our approach was rooted in traditional employee surveys that did not provide the actionable insights and enable the organizational change we were looking for," explains Karen Hackett, Head of People Experience at PTSB. "Crucially, we realized this was a fantastic opportunity to go beyond employee engagement excellence, and demonstrate to our leadership what we already intuitively knew: that customer and employee experience are inherently interlinked. We couldn't have done this without the support of Medallia, and the results were extremely validating."

Medallia was able to conduct linkage analysis on PTSB's data to uncover a strong connection between engaged employees and customer satisfaction. Notably, it showed a 30-point difference in customer Net Promoter Score (NPS) between branches with lower employee engagement and higher employee engagement.

"Permanent TSB is a shining example of what organizations can achieve when they decide to connect the dots between their customer and employee experience data and create strong stakeholder engagement around the results," said Gabe Benavides, EVP of Global Sales at Medallia. "To stay competitive in a highly-regulated and critically important industry that is financial services, organizations must prioritize innovating on the basis of customer and employee feedback. PTSB recognizes this, and we're excited to support the company on this journey of continuous improvement."

About Permanent TSB

Permanent TSB (PTSB) is the longest-established financial services institution in the Republic of Ireland it has been around in one form or another since 1816. PTSB is a significant provider of retail financial services in the Irish domestic banking market. PTSB operates through a network of 100 branches and seven admin centers across the country. PTSB serves c.1.2 million customers. As of 2023, PTSB had total assets of c. 19.1 billion and 3,000 colleagues. For more information, visit www.permanenttsb.ie

About Medallia

Medallia is the pioneer and market leader in customer, employee, citizen, and patient experience. As the leading enterprise experience platform, Medallia Experience Cloud is the mission-critical system of record that makes all other applications customer and employee aware. The platform captures billions of experience signals across interactions including all voice, video, digital, IoT, social media, and corporate-messaging tools. Medallia uses proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to automatically reveal predictive insights that drive powerful business actions and outcomes. Medallia customers reduce churn, turn detractors into promoters and buyers, create in-the-moment cross-sell and up-sell opportunities, and drive revenue-impacting business decisions, providing clear and potent returns on investment. For more information, visit www.medallia.com.

2023 Medallia, Inc. All rights reserved. Medallia, the Medallia logo, and the names and marks associated with Medallia's products are trademarks of Medallia. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719462021/en/

Contacts:

Jenny Zehentner

press@medallia.com
RESTON, VA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / CACI International Inc's (NYSE:CACI) SkyTracker Technology Suite protects the nation from evolving counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) threats, and recently, local high school students caught a rare glimpse into how the company's drone technology achieves its mission.

As part of CACI's philanthropic efforts to spark a passion for STEM among younger people, the company proudly sponsored Techstravaganza, which was hosted by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. During the event, CACI volunteers Patrick Poling, systems engineer, and Parker Agan, engineering intern, demonstrated how the company's C-UAS technology helps to secure the nation. This presentation, featuring the SkyTracker Technology Suite, offered a unique experience to the attending students who learned how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) contribute to national security.

"Investing in the next generation of talent is a rewarding venture that CACI strongly supports," said Todd Probert, CACI President of National Security and Innovative Solutions. "We are helping to drive and inspire younger talent to discover a path into national security by exposing them to potential careers in STEM, which is a critical need for our business and our customers."

Techstravaganza is a free, hands-on STEM activity fair that is open to the public and attracts thousands of students from the greater Washington area each year. Students and their families interact with more than 50 different labs and demonstrations that cover a wide range of STEM concepts. This year, more than 3,000 students attended from over 100 different elementary and middle schools.

CACI opens doors for the next generation of talent through its internship program and early career opportunities. Recruitment for CACI's Summer 2024 Internship Program will begin in September 2023.

Learn more about CACI's early career and internship opportunities.

Learn more about CACI's philanthropy program, CACI Cares.

ABOUT CACI

CACI's approximately 22,000 talented employees are ever vigilant in providing the unique expertise and distinctive technology that address our customers' greatest enterprise and mission challenges. Our culture of good character, innovation, and excellence drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World's Most Admired Company. As a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index, we consistently deliver strong shareholder value. Visit us at www.caci.com.

Corporate Communications and Media:

Lorraine Corcoran

Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications

(703) 434-4165, lorraine.corcoran@caci.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CACI on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CACI

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/caci

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CACI

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769013/CACI-Offers-Rare-Glimpse-Into-Its-C-UAS-Technology-at-Thomas-Jefferson-High-School-for-Science-and-Technology-During-Techstravaganza
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Transition Metals Corp. (TSXV: XTM) ("Transition", "the Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive ground fixed loop electromagnetic (EM) survey on its Maude Lake Property ("the Property") near Schreiber, Ontario. Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that Transition has received an Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) grant from the Ontario Government to support our ongoing exploration efforts.

Through the OJEP program, Transition has been selected to receive up to $200,000 to cover 50% of eligible explorations costs on the project, aimed at facilitating the exploration of Critical Minerals within Ontario. The receipt of grant funding represents a meaningful milestone, leveraging government support towards advancing the exploration of this high tenor magmatic nickel project.

The ground fixed loop electromagnetic survey was designed to provide detailed information on the subsurface geology and potential mineralization at the Property. The EM survey covered 174 hectares over portions of a strongly magnetic trend associated with mineralization tested in 2022 (see company press releases dated November 22, 2022), where drilling interested 20.01 metres averaging 0.33% Ni, 0.28% Cu and 0.13 g/t PGM*, including 4.00 metres averaging 0.61% Ni, 0.53% Cu and 0.23 g/t PGM* in hole ML-22-01, and with 1.17 metres averaging 2.16% Ni, 0.52% Cu and 0.27 g/t PGM* in Hole ML-22-02 (*PGM is reported as combined Pt + Pd + Au). The most compelling conductive feature is also coincident with an off-hole borehole electromagnetic anomaly detected in hole ML-22-03 (see Company news release dated April 24, 2023).

CEO of Transition Metals Corp, Scott McLean commented, "Results from the EM survey confirm the presence of a large conductive target situated down dip from the mineralization we intersected at Maude Lake last fall. We are excited to move forward with the next phase of exploration with financial support of the OJEP funding to further define the scale and extent of the mineralization."

About the Maude Lake Property

The Property is located approximately 10 kilometres north of the community of Schreiber, Ontario, within the traditional territory of the Pays Plat First Nation (PPFN). It is composed of 74 contiguous mining claims on crown land, covering an area measuring approximately 1,398 hectares in the Pays Plat Lake, Lower Aguasabon Lake, and Priske township areas. The Property is subject to an underlying combined 3.0% Net Smelter Return royalty (NSR), with Transition retaining the right to buy back 1.5% NSR for $2.0 million (see company press releases dated September 20, 2020, and January 19, 2019).

Qualified Person

The technical elements of this press release have been approved by Mr. Benjamin Williams, P.Geo. (PGO), who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Transition Metals Corp.

Transition Metals Corp. (TSXV: XTM) is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity explorer. Its award-winning team of geoscientists has extensive exploration experience which actively develops and tests new ideas for discovering mineralization in places that others have not looked, often allowing the company to acquire properties inexpensively. Joint venture partners earn an interest in the projects by funding a portion of higher-risk drilling and exploration, allowing Transition to conserve capital and minimize shareholder's equity dilution.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further information is available at www.transitionmetalscorp.com or by contacting:

Scott McLean

President and CEO

Transition Metals Corp.

Tel: (705) 669-1777

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174048
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Business remains the most trusted institution globally, according to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer. With this trust comes increased expectations to do the right thing on key societal issues. Companies who embrace this responsibility are a source of hope for driving positive change on the most challenging issues we face - whether that's racial inequity and injustice or an intensifying climate crisis.

The good news is that as the world expected and demanded more from businesses in the past few years, many readily answered the call. When stakeholders explicitly told them they needed to step up, be vocal and take a stand, they used their power and platform for good. From supporting frontline workers, vulnerable populations and low-income countries that lacked vaccine access in the face of COVID-19, to making public commitments and acting to further racial justice and equity for Black, Indigenous and Asian people who were impacted by devastating events of racial hate, corporations proved they could be counted on in times of crisis. And those who meaningfully showed up were met with great accolades and allegiances, but also - in some cases - backlash, embroiling business in yet another threat to progress: polarization.

In this economically turbulent period, it's become more difficult to decouple today's societal issues from political undercurrents. In a time rife with rollbacks around access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare for women and LGBTQ people and an ongoing war in Ukraine, many companies are now finding themselves in a double bind: Avoid action and risk impeding much-needed progress and alienating a socially driven population. Or veer too deep into issues deemed political, tip into polarization and face negativity.

Regardless of where businesses stand on when, how or even if they will show up publicly on divisive yet important societal issues, employees remain invested in the idea that a company's role is to help their people grow and evolve through consciousness raising, continuous learning and opportunities to make a positive impact.

The role of business in bettering employees

As corporate purpose programs mature and increase in importance, companies are recognizing their role is not only bettering the communities in which they operate but supporting their people in becoming better humans. What better actually looks like will vary from company to company.

In 2023, companies are left contemplating how they will straddle the seemingly impossible expectation to make progress on major issues, better their people and act as a unifying force for society in the face of politicization - all while the pressure of profits looms. It's unsurprising that tension prevails among CSR leaders.

As companies consider balancing competing corporate and societal needs without adding to further division, every business will need to reflect on what better looks like for them and then use it as a North Star to guide them through the next period of uncertainty.

The question remains: How do you do this in a practical way that meaningfully represents your company's mission and the values of your stakeholders?

Discover the top five emerging societal and industry trends shaping the future of CSR, DEI and ESG in The State of Corporate Purpose 2023.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Benevity on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Benevity

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/benevity

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Benevity

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769012/The-State-of-Corporate-Purpose-2023-Trend-1-Purpose-and-Polarization-Are-Going-Head-to-Head
Novem Group S.A.

Societe anonyme Registered office: 19, rue Edmond Reuter

L-5326 Contern R.C.S. Luxembourg B 162537 (the "Company") CONVENING NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to the holders of shares of Novem Group S.A. that an ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

of shareholders will be held on 24 August 2023 at 10:00 (CEST) at Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg, 6, Rue du Fort Niedergruenewald, 2226 Kirchberg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (the "AGM"). Shareholders wishing to participate at the AGM shall either (i) provide a proxy or voting form (in accordance with sections "Right to Participate at the AGM", "Registration for the AGM", "Voting Forms" and "Representation") or (ii) physically attend in person and vote at the AGM (in accordance with sections "Right to Participate at the AGM" and "Attendance in-Person"). At the AGM, the shareholders shall deliberate and vote on the following agenda: AGENDA 1. Presentation of the combined consolidated Management Report regarding the annual accounts of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 2. Presentation of the report of the Supervisory Board of the Company regarding the annual accounts of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 3. Presentation of the reports of the independent auditor (cabinet de revision agree) of the Company regarding the annual accounts of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 4. Approval of the annual accounts of the Company for the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 5. Acknowledgement of the profit of the Company made with respect to the financial year ended 31 March 2023, and resolution concerning the allocation of the results of the Company for the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 6. Approval of the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 7. Presentation of and advisory vote on the Remuneration Report for the members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board in the financial year ending 31 March 2023. 8. Discharge (quitus) to Dr. Stephan Kessel, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 9. Discharge (quitus) to Mark Wilhelms, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 10. Discharge (quitus) to Natalie C. Hayday, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of her duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 11. Discharge (quitus) to Florian Schick, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 12. Discharge (quitus) to Philipp Struth, as member of the Supervisory Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 13. Discharge (quitus) to Gunter Brenner, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 14. Discharge (quitus) to Dr. Johannes Burtscher, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 15. Discharge (quitus) to Christine Hollmann, as former member of the Management Board, for the performance of her duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 16. Discharge (quitus) to Mathias Rieger, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 17. Discharge (quitus) to Frank Schmitt, as member of the Management Board, for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for and in connection with the financial year ended 31 March 2023. 18. Appointment of KPMG Audit S.a r.l. as the independent auditor (cabinet de revision agree) of the Company, represented by partner Yves Thorn, in relation to the annual accounts and the consolidated financial statements for the financial year ending on 31 March 2024.

Quorum and Majorities Pursuant to the Company's articles of association and the Luxembourg law dated 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended, resolutions regarding items 4 through 6, as well as 8 through 18 of the agenda will be passed at a simple majority of the votes validly cast, regardless of the proportion of the capital represented. Item 7 constitutes an advisory vote only. Items 1 through 3 do not require any votes from the shareholders of the Company. Right to Amend the Content of the Agenda Pursuant to the Company's articles of association and the Luxembourg law of 24 May 2011 on certain rights of shareholders in listed companies, as amended (the "Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law"), one or several shareholders representing at least five per cent (5%) of the Company's share capital may request the addition of one or several items to the agenda of the AGM, provided that the request is accompanied by a justification or draft resolution(s). Pursuant to Article 4 of the Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law and the Company's articles of association, such request and justification of or draft resolution(s) must be received at the Company's registered office by registered letter or by e-mail (to the attention of the Management Board, 19, rue Edmond Reuter, L-5326 Contern) or electronic means (to: anmeldestelle@computershare.de) at least twenty-two (22) days prior to the date of the relevant general meeting of shareholders, i.e. by 2 August 2023 accompanied by a proof of the shareholding of such shareholder(s) and the address or e-mail address which the Company may use in order to deliver the acknowledgement of receipt of such request. The Company must acknowledge reception of such request within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt of such request. In case such request entails a modification of the agenda of the relevant general shareholders' meeting, the Company will make an amended agenda available at the latest fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the relevant general meeting, i.e. by 9 August 2023. Documents The following documents are available for inspection by the shareholders on the Company's website (https://ir.novem.com/websites/novem/English/5000/corporate-governance.html) and at the registered office of the Company as from 19. July 2023: - The proposed resolutions of the AGM; - The respective Management, Supervisory Board and auditor's reports regarding the annual accounts of the Company and the consolidated financial statements of the Group for the financial year ended 31 March 2023; and - The Remuneration Report.

Upon request to the centralising agent of the Company (the "Centralising Agent"), being: Computershare Operations Center

80249 Munich, Germany

Fax: +49 (0)89 - 30903-74675 E-mail: anmeldestelle@computershare.de

copies of the above-mentioned documents are going to be mailed to the shareholders. Share Capital of the Company The Company's share capital is set at four hundred thirty thousand three hundred three Euro and three Euro cent (EUR 430,303.03), consisting of forty-three million thirty thousand three hundred three (43,030,303) shares without nominal value. Each share entitles the holder thereof to one vote. Right to Participate at the AGM Shareholders wishing to participate at the AGM without attending in person, shall provide a proxy or voting form (in accordance with sections "Voting Forms" and "Representation" respectively). According to Article 5 of the Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law, the record date for general meetings of shareholders of listed companies incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has been set at fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the corresponding general shareholders' meeting. Therefore, any shareholder who holds one or more shares of the Company on 10 August 2023 at 24:00 (midnight) (CEST) (the "Record Date") and registers for the AGM, where applicable, (please see below section "Registration for the AGM") and provides the certificate specified below, shall be admitted to participate and vote at the AGM in person, by proxy or by way of written vote. Registration for the AGM The Management Board of the Company considers that shareholders who provide proof of their shareholding on the Record Date and submit their voting form or provide a proxy as set forth in the below section "Representation", do not have to undertake other formalities to comply with the obligation set out in Article 5 (3) of the Luxembourg Shareholders' Rights Law. Proof of shareholding being a prerequisite for a shareholder to participate and vote in the AGM, shareholders whose shares are held in book-entry form through the operator of a securities settlement system or with a professional depositary or sub-depositary designated by such depositary must submit proof certifying the number of shares held on the Record Date to the Centralising Agent in the period from 10 August 2023 at 24:00 (midnight) CEST until 18 August 2023 at 18:00 CEST. Attendance in-Person In case of participation in person and notwithstanding the foregoing, the intention to participate in person shall be indicated in writing by post or electronic means (the "In-Person Attendance Declaration") at the postal or electronic address referred to below and in particular by any other electronic means made available by the Company by 10 August 2023 at 24:00 (midnight) (CEST) at the following address: Novem Group S.A.

c/o Computershare Operations Center

80249 Munich, Germany

Fax: +49 (0)89 - 30903-74675

E-mail: anmeldestelle@computershare.de

In-Person Attendance Declarations are provided on the Company's website (https://ir.novem.com/websites/novem/English/5000/corporate-governance.html) which may be used. Any shareholder or proxyholder participating in the AGM in person shall carry proof of identity. Shareholders who do not wish to attend in person the AGM must provide a voting form or proxy form in case they do wish to vote in the AGM by 18 August 2023 at 18:00 (CEST) (see below section "Voting Form" and "Representation" respectively). Voting Forms Shareholders who do not wish to participate in person in the AGM or appoint a proxy may cast their votes by sending a voting form to the Company by mail, e-mail or in any other form, and in particular by any other electronic means made available by the Company no later than on 18 August 2023 at 18:00 (CEST) (see above sections "Registration for the AGM" and "Right to Participate at the AGM" for requirements to participate at the AGM). Voting forms provided by the Company on its website (https://ir.novem.com/websites/novem/English/5000/corporate-governance.html) may be used and if used, only signed voting forms will be taken into account (including for the avoidance of doubt, signed pursuant to a valid, legal and binding power of attorney and/or signed electronically). Shareholders having submitted a voting form but who wish to revoke such voting form may do so by timely providing a later dated voting or proxy form or cancelling the voting form in writing to the Company at the address referred to above. Only the last voting or proxy form received by the Company before 18 August 2023 at 18:00 (CEST) will be considered. Representation In the event that any shareholder appoints another person as proxy to vote on their behalf, the completed and executed proxy form must be submitted by mail, e-mail or in any other form, and in particular by any other electronic means made available by the Company, to the Centralising Agent of the Company no later than on 18 August 2023 at 18:00 (CEST) (for further requirements see above sections "Right to Participate at the AGM" and "Registrationfor the AGM"). Proxy forms provided on the website of the Company (https://ir.novem.com/websites/novem/English/5000/corporate-governance.html) may be used and if used, only signed proxy forms will be taken into account (including for the avoidance of doubt, signed pursuant to a valid, legal and binding power of attorney and/or signed electronically). One person may represent more than one shareholder. Shareholders having submitted a proxy form but who wish to revoke such proxy form may do so by timely providing a later dated proxy or voting form or by cancelling the proxy form in writing to the Centralising Agent of the Company at the address referred to above. If the Company and/or the Centralising Agent receives more than one different voting document from a shareholder, only the last voting or proxy form received by the Centralising Agent and/or the Company before 18 August 2023 at 18:00 CEST will be considered. Any voting document provided will be disregarded should the shareholder attend the AGM in person and collect a voting card. If, pursuant to a signed proxy form as described above, shareholders appoint a person other than the person appointed by the Company as their proxyholder, please note that the proxyholder will need to provide a new voting form in accordance with section "Voting Forms" in the name and on behalf of the shareholder. Shareholder Questions Shareholders, the proxyholder appointed by the Company and individually appointed proxyholders that have correctly submitted their proof of shareholding (see above sections "Registration for the AGM" and "Right to Participate at the AGM") and carry proof of identity at the AGM, shall have the opportunity to ask questions to the Company at the AGM. The questions will be answered at the reasonable discretion of the Company and the Company is not required to answer all questions. In particular, questions may be summarised, combined or separated. Reasonable questions may be selected in the interest of the other shareholders, and questions from shareholders' associations and institutional investors with significant voting interests may be given preference. Language The AGM will be held in English language. Luxembourg, 19. July 2023 The Management Board of the Company
New threat intelligence report demonstrates how cybercriminals persistently target financial institutions

Searchlight Cyber, the dark web intelligence company, has released its new report, Dark Web Threats Against the Banking Sector, which outlines the tactics of cybercriminal reconnaissance against banking institutions. The report highlights the most prominent threats visible on the dark web including Initial Access Broker posts on dark web forums, insider threats, and supply chain attacks and explains how banks can use this intelligence to improve their cyber defense.

The research found that:

Initial Access Broker posts are the most commonly observed activity on the dark web.

The report explains how threat actors sell vulnerabilities such as remote network access, web shells, remote code execution, and SQL injection on dark web forums for other cybercriminals including ransomware operators to exploit.

The report explains how threat actors sell vulnerabilities such as remote network access, web shells, remote code execution, and SQL injection on dark web forums for other cybercriminals including ransomware operators to exploit. "Insider threats" pose a challenge for banks.

Searchlight analysts observed cases of employees proactively advertising their ability to undermine the security of their organization, as well as cybercriminals trying to recruit employees at banks.

Searchlight analysts observed cases of employees proactively advertising their ability to undermine the security of their organization, as well as cybercriminals trying to recruit employees at banks. Reconnaissance against banks' supply chains can be observed on the dark web.

With criminals identifying the banks that can be impacted in posts targeting their suppliers.

The research includes posts from cybercriminals on dark web sites such as XSS, Exploit, and BreachForums targeting banks around the world, with examples from the United States, UK, France, Spain, South America, and Asia.

The report also explains how this type of dark web intelligence can be used by banks in security practices such as threat hunting, internal investigations, and gathering intelligence on the tactics of specific cybercriminals.

Commenting on the findings, Jim Simpson, Director of Threat Intelligence at Searchlight Cyber said:

"While a lot of the cybercriminal activity described in this report sounds alarming, the point of this research is not to scare banks. In fact, it is to demonstrate the opportunity that the dark web provides to identify threats earlier. Banks are always going to be a target for threat actors, but monitoring the dark web allows them a chance to spot criminal activity in the "pre-attack" or planning stage and gives security teams valuable time to adjust their defenses.

"For example, we have observed threat actors that are known to be associated with ransomware groups interacting with some of the Initial Access Broker posts in this report. Knowledge is power, and identifying vulnerabilities being sold before the ransomware operator is able to successfully breach their organization would be a huge win for defenders. These are the proactive defense opportunities that dark web intelligence provides."

Click here to read the full report

ENDS

About Searchlight Cyber

Searchlight Cyber provides organizations with relevant and actionable dark web intelligence, to help them identify and prevent criminal activity. Founded in 2017 with a mission to stop criminals acting with impunity on the dark web, we have been involved in some of the world's largest dark web investigations and have the most comprehensive dataset based on proprietary techniques and ground-breaking academic research. Today we help government and law enforcement, enterprises, and managed security services providers around the world to illuminate deep and dark web threats and prevent attacks. To find out more visit slcyber.io or follow Searchlight Cyber on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719396043/en/

Contacts:

searchlightuk@axicom.com
CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Atlas Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, is proud to continue a 10+ year tradition of supporting Mobility Worldwide with a donation of steel tubing, enabling production of Mobility Carts that provide the gift of movement to those in need. Each quarterly donation allows the Columbia, Missouri branch of Mobility Worldwide to build 400 Mobility Carts, totaling 1,600 per year, and more than 16,000 carts during the past decade.

"When Zekelman Industries acquired the assets of EXLTUBE based in North Kansas City, Missouri in November 2022, we were well aware of their long history of making charitable donations to the Missouri branch of Mobility Worldwide," said Jeff Cole, president of Atlas Tube. "Mobility Carts are a critical, life-changing tool for those who need it most, and it is truly an honor to continue our support for this great organization."

Since 1994, Mobility Worldwide has been building sturdy, hand-cranked Mobility Carts to give away to disabled individuals around the world. The Mobility Cart is designed to go where conventional wheelchairs can't. They're functional for both indoor and outdoor environments, especially in rural areas where roads are non-existent or in disrepair.

Mobility Worldwide is approaching 100,000 units donated in its history through its 21 worldwide locations and surpassed 30,000 carts built at its Columbia, Missouri facility earlier this year, more than half of which were made possible by the Atlas Tube donations.

"Our work would not be possible without structural steel tubes and the support of Atlas Tube in Kansas City, which has allowed us to make more than 16,000 mobility carts in their 10 years of making donations," Gary Moreau, executive director of Mobility Worldwide MO-Columbia. "Atlas Tube likely will never meet the recipient of these donations, but that person will certainly feel God's love and the love of everyone involved in helping to bring them mobility."

The 14-gauge tubing from Atlas Tube is cut and welded to make the main support frame and front fork of the Mobility Carts. Additionally, the steel tubes are used to make brake handles and pull tongues, ensuring that the entire bundle is put to good use.

About Zekelman Industries

Zekelman Industries includes the operating divisions of Atlas Tube, Picoma, Sharon Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube and Z Modular. It is the largest independent manufacturer of hollow structural sections (HSS) and steel pipe, and the top producer of electrical conduit and elbows, couplings and nipples in North America. Zekelman Industries delivers a broad range of pipe and tube solutions that build its customers' success. For more information, visit zekelman.com

Media Contacts:

Owen Serey

Sr. Account Supervisor, Mower

513.639.7455

oserey@mower.com

Rick Sebok

Chief Marketing Officer, Zekelman Industries

312.275.1585

rick.sebok@zekelman.com

SOURCE: Mower Agency

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768382/Atlas-Tube-Donates-Tubing-to-Give-Mobility-to-Thousands
Serve You Rx's ConfirmRx delivers real-time prescription cost information and enhanced efficiency, empowering healthcare providers and patients.

MILWAUKEE,WI / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Serve You Rx, an innovative, privately owned Pharmacy Benefit Management company since 1987, is pleased to announce the launch of ConfirmRx, an enhancement built into Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems that saves time and money.

ConfirmRx provides accurate and up-to-date prescription benefit coverage, cost information, and other insights at the point of prescribing.

Already integrated with over 35 EMR systems, ConfirmRx enables healthcare providers to see drug costs and coverage information in real-time, eliminating unwelcome surprises for the patient at the pharmacy counter.

This service is available to all Serve You Rx clients and their members at no additional cost.

"We are pleased to offer this service to our clients and their members. Not only will it improve satisfaction and outcomes by reducing the number of abandoned prescriptions, but it also represents an added layer of insights and transparency that will help our clients contain costs," said Serve You Rx President Ted Boylan.

Using ConfirmRx, prescribers can obtain copay, coinsurance, and deductible information before the prescription is sent electronically to the pharmacy. They can also check a medication's formulary status and identify lower-cost alternatives and preferred pharmacy options, including home delivery, and Prior Authorization requirements, if applicable.

That enables cost transparency as Serve You Rx members will know exactly what the new medications will cost, promoting the use of lower-cost options and pharmacies. ConfirmRx also imparts greater efficiency by removing the need for follow-up calls between healthcare providers and pharmacists. For members, this results in minimized uncertainty, anxiety, and delays with pharmacy pickup.

Perhaps more importantly, ConfirmRx's insights reduce prescription abandonment rates, increase adherence to therapy, and drive beneficial health outcomes and member satisfaction. In a pilot study conducted by Serve You Rx earlier this year, members saved an average of $32 per patient per prescription.

"There is often a lot of mystery and anxiety associated with the price at the pharmacy counter. ConfirmRx gives members peace of mind knowing how much they will be paying at the counter before they leave the doctor's office. This is one of the many ways we ensure a best-in-class experience for our clients and members," said Serve You Rx CEO Justin Jasniewski.

About Serve You Rx

Serve You Rx is a full-service pharmacy solutions provider based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that specializes in pharmacy benefit management, mail order services, and specialty medication management. For more than 36 years, Serve You Rx has been collaborating with benefit advisors, third-party administrators, and employer groups to design and deliver strategies that reduce prescription drug costs and ensure appropriate utilization of and access to affordable and clinically appropriate medication therapies.

Contact Information

Nancy Fleming

Markting Director

nfleming@serveyourx.com

414-410-8164

SOURCE: Serve You Rx

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767185/Serve-You-Rx-Introduces-ConfirmRx-Revolutionizing-Prescription-Cost-Transparency-for-Healthcare-Providers-and-Patients
Oscillate Plc - Investment Disposal: Igraine Plc

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, July 19

Oscillate Plc announces that, on 14 July 2023, the Company disposed of its entire holding of 21,312,460 ordinary shares in Igraine Plc for gross cash consideration of 66,068.

This disposal is in line with the strategic options for the Company as explained in the announcement of 22 May 2023.

Oscillate will shortly post a circular to shareholders ("Circular") convening the Company's Annual General Meeting ("AGM"). Inter-alia, the Circular will contain a resolution to be proposed at the AGM to place the Company into Members Voluntary Liquidation ('MVL'). ). The MVL is being proposed with a view to distributing the entirety of the cash and assets of the Company to shareholders in the most efficient manner. If that resolution approving the MVL is not passed at the AGM, the Directors will assume that shareholders wish the Company to continue to seek a reverse takeover transaction.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

-ENDS-

Enquiries

Oscillate plc:

John Treacy

ir@oscillateplc.com

https://oscillateplc.com

Corporate Adviser:

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Guy Miller & Heena Karani

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7220 9796

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation EU 596/2014 as it forms part of retained EU law (as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
COLLINGWOOD, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / The Limestone Boat Company Limited ("Limestone" or the "Company") (TSXV:BOAT) - is pleased to announce that the Company received approval from the holders of its 10% convertible subordinated debentures due May 14, 2024 (the "Convertible Debentures") at a meeting of debentureholders held on July 18th, of certain amendments to the terms of the Convertible Debentures which, among other things, provide the Company with the right to convert the outstanding principal and interest under the Convertible Debentures into common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a conversion price of $0.071 per Common Share. The amendments were unanimously approved by all debentureholders represented at the meeting.

Recommencement of Manufacturing Operations

In addition to the foregoing, the Company also wishes to provide an update on the status of the proposed commencement manufacturing operations in New Brunswick, Canada. Based on management's current expectations, it is anticipated that manufacturing operations will recommence in Q1 2024, with a particular focus on producing the Limestone L200 Centre Console and Runabout models, along with the Company's new L290 Dual Console model. Initial shipments of the Company's L270 Dual Console model, presently in development, are also expected to follow in FY 2025, furher expanding the Company's outboard offering.

"Given the unanimous approval by all debentureholders represented at the meeting July 18th, the Company will now turn its focus to executing its plan to ensure the successful recommencement of manufacturing in the Maritimes in Q1 2024 following the onboarding and employee training phase commencing this fall. The strategy afoot is expected to position the Company well to start satisfying the continued backlog in market demand for Limestone boats, while also leading to improved production efficiency, consistent product quality, throughput, revenue, and profitability in the coming years", said Limestone CEO Scott Hanson

With the anticipated recommencement of manufacturing operations in Q1 2024, the Company also plans to establish temporary operating facilities for the purposes of onboarding and training its manufacturing staff in collaboration with the NBCC, St. Andrews Campus to be held at the College and the Company's transitionary manufacturing facilities in the Port of Bayside complex. The Company also intends to move forward with executing a commercial lease associated with the construction of its 100,000 square foot purpose-built, state-of-the-art closed molding and vacuum infusion boatbuilding facility located in Bayside, New Brunswick near the Port of Bayside Industrial Park. The Company expects the construction of this new facility to be completed in Q3 2024

The Company also plans to make tooling modifications to its L200R to accommodate Vision Marine Technologies' E-Motion fully integrated, high-performance electric powertrain system and outboard motor. The Company has re-confirmed its order for 25 electric powertrain engine systems and expects that initial shipments will commence in FY 2025. Limestone will also be partnering with Vision Marine to provide EV training expertise as part of the Company's formal onboarding and training program in collaboration with New Brunswick Community College (the "NBCC").

Alex Mongeon, co-founder and CEO of Vision Marine, stated, "We at Vision Marine express profound enthusiasm for this contract and collaboration with Limestone. Supporting Limestone and boat manufactures lies at the core of the company. As CEO, I am wholeheartedly committed to empowering our partners in the marine industry with cutting-edge electric propulsion solutions. Our top priority is to collaborate closely with boat manufactures, including Limestone, driving sustainable practices and fostering innovation, as we collectively shape a greener, more promising future for boating enthusiasts worldwide."

The Company continues to have strong dealer support throughout the Northeaster US, including New England, the Canadian and US Great Lakes region, and the mid-Atlantic states. The Company believes it can effectively service these markets from Atlantic Canada.

In connection with the relocation of its manufacturing operations to New Brunswick, Canada, Limestone anticipates participating in certain Provincial and Federal development support initiatives including those offered by Opportunities New Brunswick and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

About The Limestone Boat Company Limited

The Limestone Boat Company Limited- owner and builder of Limestone Boats - is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "BOAT". They are headquartered in Collingwood, Ontario.

For more information, please contact:

Bill Mitoulas | Investor Relations

800-720-2395

bill@limestoneboats.com

www.limestoneboatcompany.com

Scott Hanson | CEO of The Limestone Boat Company Limited

800-720-2395

info@limestoneboatcompany.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release, and other publicly available documents including the documents referenced herein, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information)". These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "believe", "could" "should", "would", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "indicate", "intend", "likely, "may", "plan", "potential", "project", "outlook", "seek", "target", "trend" or "will" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the parties' current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Examples of such forward-looking information include, without limitation, the timing and ability of the Company to recommence manufacturing operations (if at all); the Company's projections regarding future manufacturing operations; the timing of initial shipments of the Company's L270 Dual Console Models; management's expectations regarding strong dealer support; the Company's ability to effectively service certain markets from Atlantic Canada; the Company's participation in certain Provincial and Federal development support initiatives; the timing and ability (if at all) of the Company to establish temporary operating facilities; the Company's ability to finalize and enter into (if at all) a commercial lease in respect of its proposed new boatbuilding facility; the timing for the construction of the new boatbuilding facility; the proposed terms and timing of the proposed Private Placement; and the Company's ability to obtain the TSXV's approval of the Private Placement. Actual future results may differ materially. The Company is subject to a number of risks relating to integration and go-forward operations, certain of which are more particularly described in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR including, without limitation, the filing statement filed by the Company on February 23, 2021, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the parties are not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

Many factors could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. All the forward-looking information made in this press release is qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors in this press release. There can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Unless required by applicable securities law, the Company does not intend and does not assume any obligation to update this forward-looking information.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: The Limestone Boat Company Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769037/Limestone-Announces-Approval-of-Debentureholders-to-Convert-Its-10-Unsecured-Convertible-Debentures-into-Common-Shares-and-Provides-Other-Corporate-Updates-Regarding-the-Recommencement-of-Manufacturing-Activities
INDUSTRY VETERAN MARY HENEEN JOINS AS ROADPASS CEO AND TECHNEXUS VENTURE COLLABORATIVE BECOMES CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER

CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Roadpass Digital, operator of the leading technology platform for road travel and RVing experiences, announced the appointment of industry veteran Mary Heneen as the CEO of Roadpass. The announcement comes as TechNexus Venture Collaborative becomes the controlling shareholder in Roadpass.

Roadpass Digital

Roadpass Digital logo

"We're incredibly excited to welcome Mary Heneen to the team as CEO of Roadpass," said Terry Howerton, CEO of TechNexus and newly appointed Chairman of the Board for Roadpass. Howerton continued, "Our portfolio includes some of the most ambitious and innovative ventures in the outdoor and rectech space, and it became clear that our experience and operating model could direct the next chapter of growth for Roadpass, particularly under Mary's leadership."

Mary Heneen most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at Roamly, an RV insurtech. Prior to Roamly (an Outdoorsy company), she spent 6 years at Camping World as the Senior Vice President and GM of membership products where she was responsible for $214M of P&L management. Heneen previously worked in strategic revenue growth and marketing at several Fortune 500 companies, including DIRECTV, Amazon, Comcast, Dish, and Nordstrom.

Roadpass Digital operates consumer technology products under the Roadtrippers, Campendium, and Togo RV brands as well as a Roadpass PRO membership. The Roadpass leadership and stakeholder changes will accelerate growth and innovation initiatives at Roadpass, as well as include new partnership opportunities with TechNexus portfolio companies. The changes also mark the beginning of new embedded trip-planning technology opportunities for Roadpass partners.

ABOUT ROADPASS DIGITAL

Roadpass Digital is focused on making it easier to experience, own, and maintain recreational vehicles and more easily discover, book, and navigate road trips. Learn more about Roadpass Digital's industry-leading products at roadpass.com.

ABOUT TECHNEXUS VENTURE COLLABORATIVE



TechNexus Venture Collaborative partners with leading corporations to curate an ecosystem of ambitious entrepreneurs and help them work together to create new business models, new revenue streams, new products, and markets. Learn more at technexus.com.

Contact Information

Steven Hileman

media@roadpass.com

SOURCE: Roadpass Digital

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768869/Roadpass-Digital-Announces-New-Shareholder-and-Appoints-New-CEO
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Teachers, event facilitators and guests smiled broadly when they heard a student say, "I want to do this forever, for many, many years into my future - like for my actual career!"

Molly, a junior public school student within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in grade five made the claim excitedly in a 25th-floor conference room crowded with about 60 students from grades four to 10. The moment came as the 2023 TDSB Go Innovate Together (goIT) program culmination was drawing to a close on June 7, 2023, at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Pace Port innovation center in downtown Toronto.

goIT is TCS' flagship digital innovation and career readiness program for young people. It leverages the expertise of TCS employees who volunteer to judge competitions and more, and that of teachers and community partners, who help the students connect the activities with the needs of their communities, both local and global.

"It's just this kind of enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that goIT seeks to build," said Adrienne Britten, goIT Liaison at TCS Canada. "We created the program's curricula, experiences and opportunities with the TDSB specifically to empower teachers so they can introduce youth to digital innovation as a means to eventually closing the skills gap and drawing them into careers of the future."

Molly's excitement and confidence is proof that the program is working.

The skills gap refers to the difference between the number of available and projected future jobs in science and technology and the number of young people - especially girls - being appropriately encouraged and prepared to take them. It's a particular concern in Canada where a 2022 study by the C.D. Howe Institute revealed a severe shortage in employees with digital and STEM skills against the rising demand for digital-oriented jobs. Researchers highlighted, among many other things, education-based solutions including:

Raising students' performance in STEM subjects to eventually increase STEM enrolment and graduation numbers

Closing the STEM gender divide by helping students make better study and career choices

Encouraging underrepresented groups to continue education in STEM fields by identifying and addressing their specific needs

Working with educational institutions to develop and expand digital skills learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and data science courses and programs

TCS and TDSB have been using goIT to approach these solutions together strategically for almost a decade.

According to Peter Singh, Executive Officer, and IT Services and Chief Technology Officer for TDSB, administrators saw the ways goIT benefited both students and teachers and embraced the program wholeheartedly. After two successful years sharing goIT with students, they decided to raise the bar on collaboration. Rather than just bring plug-and-play tools into the classroom for two days each year, they synchronized the program with District learning outcomes and made goIT a year-round offering with full and constant support. To spearhead success, the TDSB developed a team of Digital Lead Learners, more than 300 teachers who focus on helping build teacher capacity for STEM learning and embedding deep learning about technology into the district's program. TCS supported the initiative by hiring a TDSB teacher to manage collaboration on the business side. Singh applauds the decision, describing how TCS' deep understanding of pedagogy has boosted the program and its results.

"It takes years to build a strong practice and we did it; we have a program that is really thriving," said Singh. "The kids love goIT and come back year after year," he added, noting how he has enjoyed watching returning students' development in digital literacy and as thinkers and presenters.

At the end of every goIT program, students compete with peers in their age group, sharing their concepts for digital innovations with volunteer TCS judges. TCS employee-judges look for ingenuity, creative and innovative design, and empathy. Establishing a strong link between digital innovation and global citizenship, goIT competitions require all young innovators to address one of the U.N.'s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and to design their app concepts in a way that promises to make the world a better place. For most students, it is their first experience with corporate social responsibility (CSR).

"Judging goIT culmination events and using the time to mentor students in their projects has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me," said TCS associate Himanshu Rao, Technical Lead for BFSI Canada and a regular goIT volunteer. "It's an opportunity to enjoy the students' creativity, as well as guide and support these young minds as they explore scientific concepts, develop hypotheses, conduct experiments, and analyze data. Most importantly, it's an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, both big and small."

The TDSB goIT culmination brought a total of 60 students between grades 4 - 10 to TCS Pace Port Toronto for a full day of digital exploration. Supported by eight teachers, a few parents and eight TCS volunteers, they were separated into two groups comprised of 32 senior students aged 13 to 18 and all of the juniors under the age of 12. The groups took turns presenting their concepts for digital innovations to judges. When not presenting, they gazed out at their spectacular 25th-floor view of the city, marveled at their new perspective on what it might be like to work in an office and meet in conference rooms, and took part in workshops about machine learning and AI. They even had the opportunity to teach visual and audio recognition skills to a computer.

"The students are so proud and gain so much confidence from these experiences," said Singh. "But the rest of us get a lot out of it, too; participating in goIT brings me back to our purpose in education and the reason I come to work every day," said Singh.

Learn more about goIT at https://tcsempowers.tcsapps.com/amer/goIT.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/tata-consultancy-services-tcs

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769055/Toronto-Area-Youth-Get-a-Glimpse-of-the-City-Corporate-Culture-CSR-and-Their-Future
Neurovations Research proud to be a part of study that released first positive results to slow Alzheimer's Disease

NAPA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Neurovations, a leading medical research and innovation company, is proud to have collaborated on a groundbreaking study investigating the effects of the monoclonal antibody, donanemab, on patients with the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease.





Dr. Eric Grigsby



Neurovations began enrolling patients in 2021 in advance of Eli Lilly's recent announcement of positive results from the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Phase 3 trial. This study demonstrated that donanemab significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline in individuals with early Alzheimer's Disease.

"We are thrilled to be part of this vital research. Alzheimer's Disease affects nearly 1 million people in my home state of California," said Dr. Eric Grigsby. "This is a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer's, and we are optimistic about the impact this treatment may have on the members of my community with this condition."

Neurovations was founded in Napa in 1992 by Dr. Eric Grigsby and is a national leader in clinical research for pain and neurologic diseases, treatment for chronic pain, molecular diagnostics testing, and education programs focused on pain and neuroscience.

The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, evaluated the safety and efficacy of donanemab, an investigational, amyloid-targeting therapy. Participants with early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease were enrolled in the study, and those with confirmed presence of AD neuropathology completed their course of treatment with donanemab.

Neurovations Research was selected as a study site in 2021 and worked with Eli Lilly to contribute to this groundbreaking research. Dr. Grigsby's expertise and passion for advancing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain have been instrumental in the success of this collaboration.

Key findings from the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study include:

? Nearly half (47%) of participants on donanemab showed no clinical progression at one year, defined as no decline in Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB), compared to 29% of participants on placebo.

? Donanemab treatment slowed clinical decline by 35% compared to placebo, leading to a 40% reduction in the decline of activities of daily living.

These results have significant implications for the treatment of early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease and have prompted Lilly to move forward with FDA approval and global regulatory submissions. Neurovations and Dr. Eric Grigsby's involvement in this study have further enhanced the research community's understanding of the potential benefits of donanemab in Alzheimer's disease management.

"Alzheimer's Disease affects an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older. This first step is monumental on the path to a cure. We are thrilled to have been part of the study and sincerely hope to begin offering the treatment as soon as possible," stated Dr Grigsby.

Contact Information

Krista Clark

Marketing Director

krista@neurovations.com

707-252-9665

SOURCE: Neurovations

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/768886/Dr-Eric-Grigsby-Collaborates-on-Groundbreaking-Study-of-Donanemabs-Impact-on-Alzheimers-Disease
Columbus, Ohio--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Better For You Wellness, Inc. (OTCQB: BFYW) (the "Company"), a leading Ohio plant-based and science-focused wellness company operating in the rapidly-growing $1.5 trillion wellness industry, is pleased to announce the reduction of $526,103 of debt, representing over 30.55% of the Company's total liabilities as of the Company's 2023 fiscal year ended February 28, 2023 (the "Debt Reduction"). The Debt Reduction was facilitated via the issuance of 14,219,002 restricted common shares at $0.037 per share, representing a conversion price that is a significant premium to the last traded price per share.

The Company's Board of Directors unanimously authorized the Debt Reduction, demonstrating their confidence that its common shares are currently undervalued.

During the Company's 2023 Fiscal Year, Independent Board Member and Audit Committee Chair David Deming extended a short-term loan of $195,000 to the Company. Additionally, Chairman and CEO Ian James and Chief Branding Officer Stephen Letourneau accumulated deferred compensation of $186,096, and $145,007, respectively. Deming, James, and Letourneau converted the entirety of their loan and deferred compensation amounts. These conversions resulted in the elimination of $526,103 in liabilities from the Company's balance sheet.

The Debt Reduction strengthens the Company's balance sheet and allows the Company to focus on growth initiatives, including its skincare production, marketing, and implementation of operational efficiencies while preparing for highly anticipated upcoming acquisitions.

"Retiring debt and investing in the growth of our brands is pivotal for enhancing shareholder value. The decision to convert a substantial portion of the Company's debt into restricted Common Shares at approximately 300% of the current per-share price showcases our leadership's commitment to the Company and its shareholders. We believe this benefits the Company tremendously, enhances shareholder value, and sends a powerful message to the market as we grow our wellness portfolio."

Furthermore, the Company anticipates the closing of its previously announced acquisition of The Ideation Lab, which includes incubated wellness brands such as its functional beverage line, Stephen James Curated Coffee Collection, which recently announced the beginning of sales in select Kroger Co. stores.

-30-

About Better For You Wellness:

Better For You Wellness, Inc. (OTCQB: BFYW) is an Ohio headquartered plant-based and science-focused wellness company dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative products that enhance well-being and promote a balanced lifestyle. Better For You Wellness is leading the way in the wellness industry with a solid commitment to clean beauty and natural ingredients. Learn more at https://BFYW.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could," "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results may vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions, or other future performance suggested in this press release. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed with SEC (https://www.sec.gov/).

Contact:

Better For You Wellness, Inc.

Ian James, CEO

investors@bfyw.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173949
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / The Home Depot:

Originally published on Built from Scratch

The Home Depot and our associates remember and honor Faye Wilson, an industry trailblazer who was instrumental in our company's expansion, a champion of The Home Depot's culture, and our first female board director. She passed away Monday, July 10.

"Wilson is a reserved, unassuming woman who doesn't look like a powerhouse, but she speaks with great passion," said Home Depot founders Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus in their book, "Built from Scratch". "She is an articulate woman who is not afraid to stand up and be heard."

Wilson, who had a 21-year career with Bank of America, secured funding to grow The Home Depot from 19 stores to 100 stores with Blank and Marcus. When banks began dropping out of an early financing round, Wilson worked around the clock and put her job on the line to convince her bank's loan officer to fund the company's expansion. In "Built from Scratch", Blank and Marcus say, "she literally saved our company. " They would commonly refer to Wilson as their "tower of strength."

When Marcus and Blank set their sights on a 500-store expansion, they knew they needed Wilson as a member of the team. They asked her to join the board of directors, where she served from 1992 through 2001. Wilson joined The Home Depot as senior vice president (SVP) of value initiatives in 1998 and later became SVP of risk management. During her tenure, she created The Home Depot's values wheel, which today appears on every Home Depot apron, throughout our buildings and facilities, and is a critical representation of the company's culture.

"She understood who we were, how we ran our business, the culture - she understood everything about The Home Depot," said Blank in "Built from Scratch". "She also loved to be in our stores. This was a woman who loved The Home Depot as much as we did."

Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! Subscribe to our bi-weekly news update and get the top "Built from Scratch" stories delivered straight to your inbox.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Home Depot on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: The Home Depot

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/home-depot

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: The Home Depot

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769064/Tower-of-Strength-The-Home-Depot-Celebrates-the-Legacy-of-Faye-Wilson
KNIME Analytics Platform Version 5.1 accelerates upskilling and enables users to augment workflows with AI.

KNIME, the data science company focused on making analytics accessible to all, today announced the latest release of the open source KNIME Analytics Platform. The new version 5.1 features a modern interface, improved product onboarding, and a more intuitive way to build analytical workflows. With this release, KNIME also unveiled its first generative AI capabilities, including a new chatbot that answers questions and builds workflows, as well as an AI extension to empower users to augment their workflows using a series of nodes wrapping state-of-the-art LLM capabilities.

KNIME is distinct in its free and open approach to data science, ensuring that there is virtually no barrier to entry for getting started with no-code/low-code analytics. The KNIME Analytics Platform has always been available for free with full functionality, offering users from all backgrounds choice because of its integrative and extensible platform. To this end, the newly released KNIME Analytics Platform Version 5.1 with a significantly improved UX further reduces the learning curve for new users, as well as accelerates the upskilling of experienced users looking to advance their data skills. K-AI, the new AI assistant from KNIME helps onboard new users by answering questions or by automatically building workflows for users, just based on their directions. The first prototype, available as early release, already demonstrates how generative AI can accelerate upskilling and work side-by-side with humans to increase time-to-value for any data solution.

In addition to K-AI, KNIME Analytics Platform features several notable UX improvements include:

Improved navigation search that allows users to quickly find the functionality they need to build their workflows. Users can now rapidly search through the 4000+ available nodes and identify the ones that serve their distinct use case.

that allows users to quickly find the functionality they need to build their workflows. Users can now rapidly search through the 4000+ available nodes and identify the ones that serve their distinct use case. Starter Perspective , designed to help beginners and spreadsheet users ease into building workflows. The Starter Perspective recommends a select set of nodes commonly used for data manipulation tasks like reading and writing data to spreadsheets, cleaning, merging, aggregating, filtering and more.

, designed to help beginners and spreadsheet users ease into building workflows. The Starter Perspective recommends a select set of nodes commonly used for data manipulation tasks like reading and writing data to spreadsheets, cleaning, merging, aggregating, filtering and more. Improved workflow annotations to help teams document and explain what they've built, improving transparency, explainability, and knowledge sharing within and across teams. This further advances the collaborative nature of KNIME as a lingua franca across disciplines.

to help teams document and explain what they've built, improving transparency, explainability, and knowledge sharing within and across teams. This further advances the collaborative nature of KNIME as a lingua franca across disciplines. Enhanced visualization capabilities to make exploring and interacting with data more efficient and to improve how insights are shared with stakeholders.

The release is designed to help spreadsheet users transition to the no-code/low-code approach to analytics and includes a new set of data wrangling features to enable users to easily automate and augment the work they typically do in spreadsheets.

"Today, with the rapid rise of ChatGPT and colleagues, we're seeing even faster innovation in the data science landscape. It has never been more important-both for individuals and organizations-to keep up and adopt new techniques and approaches to making sense of their data. This is only possible with an open platform that can integrate and quickly embrace community innovations," says Michael Berthold, co-founder and CEO of KNIME.

In addition to a new look-and-feel and streamlined onboarding, KNIME Analytics Platform 5.1 also includes a new AI extension in early release mode, for advanced users. Designed to enable users to build their own AI assistant or to augment their workflows with AI, the extension supports both state-of-the-art OpenAI models as well as open source Large Language Models (LLMs) from Hugging Face Hub.

Continuously investing in analytic depth as well as ease of use and onboarding ensures that KNIME Analytics Platform can be used by anyone to make sense of data, irrespective of their background or level of experience. Users interested in learning more about KNIME Analytics Platform Version 5.1 can download it for free here, or register for the following webinar:

Exploring KNIME Analytics Platform 5.1: Modern UX and Generative AI Unveiled on August 1, 2023 4:00PM 5:00PM (UTC+2) interested participants can register to attend the webinar here.

For more information about KNIME Analytics Platform v. 5.1, please visit www.knime.com.

About KNIME

KNIME helps individuals and organizations make sense of their data. KNIME bridges the worlds of dashboards and advanced analytics through an intuitive interface, appropriate for anybody working with data. It empowers more business experts to be self-sufficient and more data experts to push the business to the bleeding edge of modern data science, integrating the latest AI and Machine Learning techniques. KNIME is distinct in its open approach, which ensures easy adoption and future-proof access to new technologies. Headquartered in Zurich, KNIME has offices in Austin, TX, Konstanz and Berlin. Learn more at www.knime.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719073386/en/

Contacts:

For media inquiries, please contact:

Marissa Pasillas

Walker Sands for KNIME

knime@walkersands.com
The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032

LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the business research company's food flavors global market report 2023, the global food flavors market size is expected to grow from $12.8 billion in 2022 to $13.6 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 6%. The food flavors market size is expected to grow to $17.3 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of more than 6%.

The increasing demand for food flavors from the fast-food industry is expected to support the growth of the food flavors market in the forecast period. A typical flavor enhancer for fast food meats is an amino acid called cysteine, which is produced by bacteria and microorganisms. The food flavor market is anticipated to see growth due to a rise in demand from the fast-food industry. For example, according to Yoonpak, a US-based manufacturer, supplying the food service industry, the fast-food restaurant sector is expected to expand at a rate of more than 10% year through 2027. Therefore, the increasing demand from the fast-food industry will drive the food flavors market going forward.

Learn More On The Food Flavors Market Report - https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/food-flavors-global-market-report

Major players in the food flavors market are Firmenich SA, Sensient Technologies Corporation, Givaudan, Kerry Group, Archer Daniels Midland, Symrise AG, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Bell Flavors and Fragrances, Huabao International Holdings Limited, Robertet Group, International Flavors and Fragrances, McCormick & Company, Flavorchem, Treatt PLC, and Takasago International Corporation.

Food flavors manufacturers are focusing on launching innovative snack food flavors to strengthen their product portfolio. For example, in March 2023, Kate's Real Food, a US-based company that provides a variety of food flavors, introduced new mini 24-pack mini snack bars and new almond butter and peanut butter variety packs. The mini bars have the same soft and chewy texture, 3-4 grams of protein, and less than 150 calories per serving as Kate's full-sized bars, while packing the same mouthwatering flavor. The 24-packs come in a variety of flavors that are popular with customers, including Lemon Coconut, Oatmeal Cranberry & Almond, Dark Chocolate Cherry & Almond and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate.

Request A Free Sample Of The Food Flavors Market Report - https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=8043&type=smp

The global food flavors market is segmented -

1) By Type: Chocolate And Brown, Vanilla, Fruit And Nut, Dairy, Spices And Savory, Other Types

2) By Origin: Natural, Natural Identical, Synthetic

3) By Form: Powder, Liquid

4) By Application: Dairy, Bakery, Confectionery, Snack, Beverage, Other Applications

According to the food flavors market analysis, the top opportunities in the food flavors market segmented by form will arise in the liquid segment, which will gain $2.6 billion of global annual sales by 2027. The food flavors market size will gain the most in China at $1.1 billion.

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Flavoring Syrup And Concentrate Global Market Report 2023

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Under the "Oman's Vision 2040" program, the government focuses on diversifying the economy, which depends on the oil & gas sector. In 2021, the government announced 130 projects mainly enabling manufacturing, tourism, logistics, labor market, business environment, fisheries, energy, and mining sectors. Oman's government is investing in infrastructure development projects, including expanding airports, railway lines, roadways, and highways across the country. The surge in infrastructure development projects is expected to drive the growth of the Oman construction equipment market during the forecast period.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CoinShares Digital Securities Limited / Key word(s): Annual Results

CoinShares Digital Securities Limited: Annual Financial Report



19-Jul-2023 / 18:09 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





July 19, 2023

CoinShares Digital Securities Limited

LEI: 549300DR7967WVLR3P83

CoinShares Digital Securities Limited Publishes Updated 2022 Audited Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2022

Jersey - July 19, 2023 - The board of CoinShares Digital Securities Limited (the "Issuer") announces the publication of its updated audited financial report for the financial year ending December 31, 2022. This version cancels and replaces the previous publication from April 28, 2023.

The updated audited financial report includes an amendment to the Directors' Reports (pages 2-7) to bring the Directors' Report in line with the AMF General Regulation and the Commercial Code. The following sections have been revised/added and reviewed by the Company's auditor:

? Activities & Review of Operations: This section has been enhanced to provide more detailed information about the Issuer's activities and a comprehensive review of its operations.

? Group Structure: A new section has been included to provide an overview of the organisational structure of the Issuer.

? Key Performance Indicators: A new section has been added to highlight the specific metrics or indicators used to assess the Issuer's performance.

? Future Developments: A new section has been included to discuss the Issuer's plans, strategies, and expected developments in the future.

? Risk & Uncertainties, including climate risk: A new section has been added to address the potential risks (including Climate Risk) and uncertainties faced by the Issuer.

? Company and Group Corporate Governance: A new section on the Issuer and its Group Corporate Governance has been included to provide information about the company's governance structure and practices.

The former and updated 2022 annual financial reports can be found here: https://etp.coinshares.com/documents

For further information, please contact:

CoinShares Digital Securities Limited

2 Hill Street

St. Helier, Jersey,

JE2 4UA

Channel Islands

ir@coinshares.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / MetLife, Inc.

Read the full MetLife 2022 Sustainability Report

MetLife Creating Value as an Investor

Our Approach

MetLife's General Account is a key to living up to our promises and our purpose. MetLife's General Account, which totals over $400 billion dollars, is invested responsibly for the long term. The investments in MetLife's General Account help us keep the financial promises we have made to our customers all over the world. That's why we seek out investments that are diverse, stable, secure and offer competitive, risk-adjusted returns. That includes evaluating risks, including financially material ESG factors, that we believe have an impact on investment performance. These factors are important considerations to effectively manage risk and achieve MetLife's investment objectives.

Governance

MetLife's Chief Investment Officer also serves as the President of MetLife Investment Management (MIM), our institutional investment management business, which manages most of MetLife's General Account portfolio. The Chief Investment Officer oversees ESG integration efforts for MetLife's General Account, with MetLife's ESG and sustainability-related investment initiatives reported to the Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee of MetLife's Board of Directors at least annually.

MIM is a well-established global investment manager with specialist investment teams who incorporate relevant, financially material ESG factors into their risk management-focused investment processes. In 2019, MIM was proud to become a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), committing to adopt and implement PRI's six principles across our investment portfolio. As investment experts, MIM plays a key role in delivering the investment objectives of MetLife's General Account. This includes, among other things, embedding ESG integration principles in decision-making and being a responsible investor as a means to a long-term, value-driven portfolio.

Net Zero by 2050 or Sooner7-MetLife's General Account

In support of MetLife's Net Zero commitment, we have established 2030 Net Zero interim targets for MetLife's General Account investment portfolio:

Engage emitters responsible for at least 50% of public corporate portfolio financed emissions on climate annually; 8 and

and Reduce GHG emissions for managed real estate equity investments 50% by 2030.9

Read more about MetLife's Net Zero commitment.

1 Represents responsible investments managed by MIM at estimated fair value as of December 31, 2022.

2 For definitions of responsible investments, impact investments and green investments, please see pages 96 and 97 of the Sustainability Report PDF. MIM may periodically refine or otherwise modify its definitions and the components thereof based on data availability or other factors.

3 Annual investments in 2022.

4 Represents 2022 production toward MIM's $1 billion DEI goal.

5 In April 2022, MIM sourced, on behalf of clients, approximately $200 million in financing to support the decommissioning of the last two coal-fired plants in New Jersey.

6 Represents percentage of MIM-managed and -controlled real estate equity investments as of November 30, 2022.

7 The Net Zero commitment applies to GHG emissions from MetLife, Inc.'s global owned and leased offices and vehicle fleets, employee business travel, supply chain and assets in MetLife's General Account investment portfolio, which includes the general accounts of MetLife, Inc.'s wholly owned insurance company subsidiaries, where reliable data and methodologies are available. While reliable methodologies and data sets pertaining to certain GHG emissions are not available at this time, MetLife is committed to identifying and measuring relevant climate data as methodologies and standards evolve. Emissions are tracked in accordance with the GHG Protocol, unless otherwise directed by regulators. Additional information about MetLife's General Account investment portfolio is available here.

8 Applies to MetLife, Inc.'s financed GHG emissions associated with its General Account public corporate portfolio (Scope 3 Category 15), where reliable data and methodologies are available. Emissions are tracked in accordance with the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials standards, unless otherwise directed by regulators. While reliable methodologies and data sets pertaining to certain GHG emissions are not available at this time, MetLife is committed to identifying and measuring relevant climate data as methodologies and standards evolve. Additional information about MetLife's General Account investment portfolio is available here.

9 Applies to GHG emissions directly generated and associated with power consumed on site (including Scope 1 and 2 emissions and excluding Scope 3 tenant emissions) for owned and controlled real estate investments within MetLife, Inc.'s General Account (Scope 3 Category 15), where reliable data and methodologies are available. Excludes emissions from the operation of leased assets (Scope 3 Category 13). Target has a base year of 2019 and target year of 2030. Emissions are tracked in accordance with the GHG Protocol, unless otherwise directed by regulators. While reliable methodologies and data sets pertaining to certain GHG emissions are not available at this time, MetLife is committed to identifying and measuring relevant climate data as methodologies and standards evolve. Additional information about MetLife's General Account investment portfolio is available here.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from MetLife, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: MetLife, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/metlife-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: MetLife, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769024/MetLife-2022-Sustainability-Report-Creating-Value-as-an-Investor
All matters presented for shareholder approval were approved

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSX.V:CERT)(OTCQX:CRDOF) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that at its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders ("Meeting") held earlier today all matters presented to shareholders were approved. Details of the voting results are set out below.

Meeting Voting Results

A total of 33,633,502 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing 34.67% of the votes attached to all outstanding common shares of the Company. All matters presented for shareholder approval at the Meeting were duly authorized and approved as follows.

Election of Directors

The shareholders elected each of the nine nominees listed in the Company's Management Proxy Circular. Details of the voting results are as follows:

Name Votes For % Votes Withheld % Maria Virginia Anzola 29,581,824 99.949% 15,119 0.051% Mark Brennan 29,595,432 99.995% 1,511 0.005% Robert Campbell 29,595,432 99.995% 1,511 0.005% Christopher Jones 29,595,490 99.995% 1,453 0.005% Kurt Menchen 29,595,432 99.995% 1,511 0.005% Elmer Prata Salomao 29,595,490 99.995% 1,453 0.005% Jad Salomao 29,595,432 99.995% 1,511 0.005% Robert Sellars 29,595,490 99.995% 1,453 0.005%

Appointment of Auditor

KPMG LLP was appointed auditor of the Corporation and the directors of the Corporation were authorized to fix the auditor's remuneration. Details of the voting results are as follows:

Total Votes % of Votes Cast Votes in Favour 33,631,409 99.994% Votes Withheld 2,093 0.006% Total Votes Cast 33,633,502 100%

Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan

A ballot was conducted with respect to the Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Corporation. According to the proxies received and ballots cast by disinterested shareholders, the resolution to approve the Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Corporation was approved.

Total Votes % of Votes Cast Votes in Favour 15,241,375 76.925% Votes Against 4,571,940 23.075% Total Votes Cast 19,813,315 100%

Grant of Stock Options

A ballot was conducted with respect to ratifying a previous grant of stock options issued pursuant to the Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Corporation in connection with the acquisition of Voyager Metals Inc. According to the proxies received and ballots cast by disinterested shareholders, the resolution to approve the Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan of the Corporation was approved.

Total Votes % of Votes Cast Votes in Favour 15,775,867 77.531% Votes Against 4,572,023 22.469% Total Votes Cast 20,347,890 100%

About Cerrado

Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company focused on gold projects in South America. The Company is the 100% owner of both the producing Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and the highly prospective Monte Do Carmo development project, located in Tocantins State, Brazil. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing it's 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec.

In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias Heap Leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.

In Brazil, Cerrado is rapidly advancing the Serra Alta deposit at its Monte Do Carmo Project, through feasibility and into production. Serra Alta is expected to be a high-margin and high-return project with significant exploration potential on an extensive and highly prospective 82,542 hectare land package.

In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium Project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron ore concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces contributing to the decarbonisation of the industry and the achievement of SDG goals.

For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

For further information, contact:

Mark Brennan

CEO and Chairman

Mike McAllister

Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1-647-805-5662

mmcallister@cerradogold.com

SOURCE: Cerrado Gold Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769126/Cerrado-Gold-Announces-Successful-Results-of-Annual-and-Special-Meeting-of-Shareholders
LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Wine Challenge, the world's most influential, impartial, and rigorously judged global wine competition, has announced the highest scoring wines of its 2023 competition along with its five Winemakers of the Year.

Following a series of intensive blind tastings by an international panel of experts, wines from nine countries earnt themselves a spot on the coveted list, which is comprised of International Trophy winners (wines named the best example of that variety) as well as the competition's five Champion wines (the ultimate accolade reserved for those wines deemed the absolute finest in their category).

New Zealand's Natalie Christensen named IWC's White Winemaker of the Year

-Natalie Christensen, chief winemaker at Yealands Wine Group, has been awarded the prestigious title of IWC White Winemaker of the Year. Yealands Wine Group also won 12 medals as well as the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy for its Yealands Estate Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc 2022.

- Marlborough producer Giesen Group also shone, achieving 20 medals as well as the International Syrah Trophy for its Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Syrah 2021.

- The Organic Trophy went to Greystone Wines in Waipara for its Greystone Chardonnay 2021

Chile claims Red Winemaker of the Year for the first time

An impressive first came for Chile, which claimed the Red Winemaker of the Year award.

- This title went to Rafael Urrejola, chief winemaker at Vina Undurraga. In total, the Maipo Valley winery claimed twelve medals as well as all three of the country's regional trophies plus the Chilean Red Trophy. This went to its T.H. Carignan Maule 2021 which judges described as "Fruity with plums, bramble fruit, forest and mulberries."

Argentinian Malbec named as world's best

Argentina's reputation for world-class Malbec was left in no doubt as the nation reclaimed the International Malbec Trophy, which it last won in 2018.

- This title went to Huentala Wines for its "incredibly vibrant and intense" Huentala Calizo Carmin Block 3 2020 which also won the Argentinian Red Trophy and the Mendoza Malbec Trophy.

- Argentinian producer Bodega Argento won the IWC Fairtrade Award with Artesano de Argento Organic Fairtrade Malbec 2021, which judges described as "aromatic with rose petals and cooked fruit."

IWC Co-Chair Helen McGinn commented: "It's wonderful to see the Red Winemaker of the Year go to a Chilean producer for the first time. Vina Undurraga had a spectacular year and beating all other nations to claim this prestigious title proves that Rafael's exceptional talent can stand up to the expertise of Old World producers."

Wines judged "best in show" at the International Wine Challenge 2023:

France Rare Champagne Millesime 2008 IWC Champion Sparkling Wine 2023 - Daniel Thibault Trophy, Champagne Trophy, Vintage Classic Blend Champagne Trophy France Edouard Delaunay Chambertin Grand Cru Rouge 2020 IWC Champion Red Wine 2023, International Pinot Noir Trophy, French Red Trophy, Chambertin Trophy, Burgundy Red Trophy France Michel Tissot & Fils Chateau-Chalon Vin Jaune 2015 IWC Champion White Wine 2023, French White Trophy, Jura White Trophy Germany Weingut Hans Wirsching Iphofer Julius-Echter-Berg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2021 IWC Champion Sweet Wine 2023 - Alois Kracher Trophy, German Sweet Trophy Spain Bodegas Fernando De Castilla Oloroso Singular IWC Champion Fortified Wine 2023 - Manuel Lozano Trophy, Sherry Trophy, Oloroso Trophy Argentina Huentala Calizo Carmin Block 3 2020 International Malbec Trophy, Argentinian Red Trophy, Mendoza Malbec Trophy Australia Paragon Wine Estates Riddoch The Pastoralist Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 International Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy, Australian Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy Austria Winzer Krems Eg Kremser Kreuzberg Riesling Kremstal Dac Reserve 2021 International Riesling Trophy, Austrian White Trophy, Austrian Riesling Trophy Austria Weingut Schneeberger Sauvignon Blanc Kittenberg Sudsteiermark 2021 International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy, Austrian Sauvignon Blanc Trophy New Zealand Giesen Single Vineyard Clayvin Syrah 2021 International Syrah Trophy, New Zealand Red Trophy, New Zealand Syrah Trophy New Zealand Greystone Wines, Greystone Chardonnay 2021 Organic Trophy, New Zealand White Trophy, New Zealand Chardonnay Trophy South Africa Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021 Sustainable Trophy, International Chardonnay Trophy, South African White Trophy England Lympstone Manor Estate Triassic Pinot Noir 2020 Best Wine in First Year of Production, English Red Trophy

IWC Winemakers of the Year 2023:

France Sparkling Winemaker of the Year Emilien Boutillat, Rare Champagne Chile Red Winemaker of the Year Rafael Urrejola, Vina Undurraga New Zealand White Winemaker of the Year Natalie Christensen, Yealands Wine Group Austria Sweet Winemaker of the Year Hans Tschida, Angerhof Tschida Spain Fortified Winemaker of the Year Marcos Alguacil, Bodegas Osborne

The full list of Trophy and Champion award winners at the 2023 International Wine Challenge released on 4th July can be found here.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

In its 39th year, the International Wine Challenge is widely acknowledged as the world's most rigorous, impartial, influential and global wine competition. The IWC assesses every wine 'blind' and judges each for its faithfulness to style, region and vintage. Awards include medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and Commended awards. Trophies are awarded to the very best wines in each category. The International Wine Challenge is committed to helping consumers discover great wine, and the medals offer a trusted guarantee of quality.

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Over the past two decades, the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party has constructed operations across Europe to recruit thousands of individuals from premier semiconductor and technology companies to PRC-based firms to advance its integrated circuit industry

SALT LAKE CITY, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Strider Technologies, Inc. today released a new report detailing the People's Republic of China's (PRC) recruitment of leading scientists, technologists, and executives from European companies to develop advanced semiconductors domestically in China. These activities are part of the PRC's strategic initiative to modernize its military and become the global technology leader.

"The PRC is relentless in its concerted, systematic pursuit to acquire the advanced technology and know-how needed to fulfill its military and economic ambitions," said Greg Levesque, CEO, and Co-Founder of Strider. "Our data demonstrates that European technology companies, especially semiconductor firms, have been, and will continue to be, in the crosshairs of a geopolitical battle for intellectual property and talent. European governments and semiconductor companies are rising to the challenge, but more must be done to protect their talent and industrial competitiveness with the reemergence of great power competition."

Strider's report highlights the role of the United Front Work Department (United Front) in identifying and recruiting talent around the world to advance China's industrial strategies, an effort referred to as the PRC's Talent Superpower Strategy. Two United Front-backed organizations play central roles in targeting European semiconductor technology and talent: the Federation of Chinese Professional Associations in Europe (FCPAE) and one of its subsidiary organizations, the European Chinese Microelectronics Professional Forum-or the IC-Forum.

Strider's Global Intelligence Team uncovered a systematic effort by the United Front via the FCPAE and IC-Forum to target the European technology industry, relying upon three primary methods:

1)Recruiting International Talent

Strider's global talent flow data shows that during the past 20 years, more than 30,000 individuals have left top European technology companies, including premier semiconductor firms, and moved to PRC-headquartered companies.

PRC economic statecraft actors leverage government-backed talent programs, overseas alumni associations, and industry events to encourage overseas experts to relocate.

The IC-Forum is a prime example of this talent recruitment program. At its peak, the IC-Forum boasted nearly 200 members. By 2019, 101 members had returned to the PRC where more than 15 percent were inducted into the Thousand Talents Program (TTP), one of the PRC's elite talent recruitment initiatives.

2)Expanding International Research Collaboration

Strider's global publication data shows there have been more than 3,000 instances of collaboration between top European semiconductor companies and PRC organizations over the past 20 years, including those linked to the PRC government and military.

International collaboration allows PRC government organizations to build relationships with overseas experts and facilitate their travel to China for technical exchanges and recruitment into talent programs.

3)Acquiring Leading Global Companies

The PRC government is also funding the acquisition of leading global technology companies. Strider's global investment data shows that over the past 20 years more than 200 instances of PRC organizations, including several state-owned enterprises, investing in European semiconductor companies.

To read the full report visit https://www.striderintel.com/resources/europe-in-the-crosshairs/.

About Strider

Strider is revolutionizing the way companies, government agencies, universities, and research institutions secure their IP and technology and compete in a new era of global strategic competition. Our trailblazing technology and strategic intelligence solutions enable clients to proactively identify, manage, and respond to state-sponsored IP theft and supply chain vulnerabilities. Strider has operations in Salt Lake City, UT, Washington, D.C., and London, U.K.

Media Contact: Dan Palumbo, Dan@vrge.us , +13018752356

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Enbridge

In the heart of Houston, where diversity thrives, the Montrose Center stands as a beacon of hope and support for the LGBTQ community.

Established in 1978 under the name Montrose Counseling Center, the facility's service and program offerings have expanded far beyond counselling and therapy over the years.

"The center was first created to provide a safe space for our LGBTQ community through culturally competent mental health services," says Alex Torres, Volunteer Manager at the Montrose Center. "As the community has grown and changed in the past years, we've come to encompass different services."

The center and its team of trained clinicians, therapists and volunteers provide support to the community through substance use treatment, senior and youth services, rehousing services, and an anti-violence program that serves survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and hate crimes, to name a few.

Hatch Youth Services is one of four key initiatives run by the Montrose Center. The youth group is for LGBTQ youth, ages 13 to 20, through which the center offer plenty of resources, including a tri-weekly drop-in session that incorporates educational seminars with social events.

"Providing a safe space for our youth is really going to help them develop in their future years," says Torres. "In addition to the educational programming, it's important for these kids to have a place to just blow off some steam and hang out with their friends."

"Speaking from personal experience, I would have loved something like this growing up," says Torres. "I feel like it would have shaped me a little bit better and given me a more positive outlook on the world."

Enbridge's Fueling Futures corporate citizenship program supports safe, vibrant and sustainable communities. In 2023, a Fueling Futures grant of $10,000 to the Montrose Center has directly supported programming within Hatch Youth Services such as educational sessions, mental health counseling, rehousing services, and social events.

In 2021, 62% of clients were making less than $20,000 per year, 52% were uninsured for health and 70% were people of color.

People can support not only the Montrose Center but the 2SLGBTQ+ community at large by finding their local community center and supporting through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness so others know about their presence and support available.

"We're here for to empower LGBTQ Houston," says Torres. "This is a safe, affirming place where you can be you."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Enbridge

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Enbridge

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769199/Providing-Safe-Spaces-Empowerment-LGBTQ-Youth


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - In a bid to capture a larger share of the thriving global luxury goods market, French parent company Kering has announced a leadership overhaul that will see the president and CEO of Gucci, Marco Bizzarri, step down later this year. According to a statement released by Kering on Tuesday, Bizzarri, who has been leading Gucci since 2015, will officially leave his position on September 23. Jean-Francois Palus, the current managing director of Kering, will take over in a transitional role.



Kering, which also owns renowned fashion houses Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, stated that Palus has been entrusted with the responsibility of strengthening Gucci's teams and operations, with the aim of revitalizing the Italian brand's influence and momentum. Francois-Henri Pinault, the chairman and CEO of Kering, expressed confidence in Palus, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring the optimal performance of their largest asset.



Last year, Gucci accounted for slightly over half of Kering's euro 20 billion or $22 billion in revenue. Following the announcement, Kering's shares experienced a surge, with the stock trading 7.2 percent higher later in the day. This positive market response was accompanied by the disclosure of additional executive appointments in brand development, operations, and finance functions within the company.



Pinault highlighted the objective of building a more robust organization to fully capitalize on the growth potential of the global luxury market. The luxury sector has witnessed remarkable success this year, with designer brands reporting impressive earnings, partially fueled by the reopening of China's economy after a series of pandemic-related lockdowns.



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Top 3 Energie-Dividendenaktien Im neuen Energieboom von kontinuierlichen Ertragen profitieren. Wir zeigen hier, von welche drei Aktien Sie profitieren konnen. Hier klicken
Founder & CEO Akshay Chaturvedi said that the UK PM's decision to scrap 'rip-off' courses will encourage over a million students from India to study there.

Enhanced transparency will ensure more students head to the UK for further studies.

NEW DELHI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Study Abroad Platform Leverage Edu, that helps students from India, Nigeria & Nepal land higher education opportunities abroad on Tuesday said that the UK PM's decision to scrap 'rip-off' courses will encourage over a million students from India to study there. Leverage Edu is on track to be the largest student mobility driver between India & UK over the next year post this decision by UK PM Rishi Sunak.

Appreciating the UK PM's decision, Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder & CEO, Leverage Edu & Fly said, "We have been at the forefront of this practise of providing university options to our students that deliver a certain career goal or outcome for them. Over the years we have helped students make informed decisions and made sure they don't apply to courses that will leave them with debt and no stable employment. This move by the UK government bolsters our views on 'rip-off' courses."

One of the key highlights of the announcement is the reduction of maximum fees of foundation year courses, on which Akshay said, "This new 'crackdown' is a milestone movement and will benefit the industry further. It reduces the maximum fee universities can charge for classroom-based foundation year courses to 5,760 - down from 9,250 currently. It provides access to more transparent apprenticeships & T Levels to Skills Bootcamps/essential skills courses which makes it easier for employers to take on apprentices."

Akshay also welcomes the government's efforts to enhance transparency in higher education by providing students with tools to assess the quality and earnings potential of each course. He said, "We already offer students on our platform, the AI University Course Finder that has till date helped 10Mn+ students find courses best suited for employment & their career growth."

About Leverage Edu:

Founded in April 2017 by Akshay Chaturvedi, Leverage Edu is a Global Study Abroad Platform that helps students from India, Nigeria & Nepal land higher education opportunities abroad. It operates multiple products for students and universities. The company is backed by institutions ETS, Shorelight, Blume Ventures, Kaizenvest PE, DSG Consumer Partners, DSP Mutual Fund, Tomorrow Capital; family offices Mankind Pharma, Capri Global, Indorama Ventures, Vicco, Singularity Ventures; & individual operators like Binny Bansal, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Kunal Shah, Ashish Hemrajani, Peyush Bansal, Ankur Warikoo, Karan Khemka, Ash Lilani, Vishal Gondal & Amrish Rau amongst others. Leverage Edu enrolls over 6000 students every month, and offers them dedicated counseling, application support, college admissions services, education loans, international money transfer services and student accommodation assistance.

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TORONTO and GATINEAU, QC, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF), a services-led, software-enabled, IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions, announced today that it will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2023 results on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 8:00 am EST. The call will be hosted by the Converge leadership team, followed by a question-and-answer period. Converge will report its financial results in the morning prior to the call.

Conference Call Details:

Date: Wednesday, Aug 9th, 2023

Time: 8:00 AM Eastern Time

Participant Webcast Link:

Webcast Link - https://app.webinar.net/gkXqYQ1YE8v

Participant Dial-in Details with Operator Assistance:

Conference ID: 70789128

Toronto: 416-764-8609

North American Toll Free: 888-390-0605

International Toll-Free Numbers:

Germany: 08007240293

Ireland: 1800939111

Spain: 900834776

Switzerland: 0800312635

United Kingdom: 08006522435

You may register and enter your phone number to receive an instant automated call back via https://emportal.ink/3OgdiaZ

Recording Playback:

Webcast Link - https://app.webinar.net/gkXqYQ1YE8v

Toronto: 416-764-8677

North American Toll Free: 1-888-390-0541

Replay Code: 789128 #

Expiry Date: August 16th, 2023

Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be required to access the webcast. A live audio webcast accompanied by presentation slides and archive of the conference call and webcast will be available by visiting the Company's website at https://convergetp.com/investor-relations/ .

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a services-led, software-enabled, IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions. Converge's global approach delivers advanced analytics, application modernization, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and digital workplace offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with advisory, implementation, and managed services expertise across all major IT vendors in the marketplace. This multi-faceted approach enables Converge to address the unique business and technology requirements for all clients in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit convergetp.com.

CONTACT: Converge Technology Solutions Corp., Email: investors@convergetp.com, Phone: 416-360-1495

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/converge-to-host-second-quarter-fiscal-2023-conference-call-301881434.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Onyx Gold Corp. ("Onyx Gold" or the "Company) is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated July 11, 2023, the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") has approved the Company's application to list as a Tier 2 issuer on the TSXV. The Onyx Gold Shares will commence trading on the TSXV under the symbol "TSXV: ONYX" at the opening of market on July 24, 2023.

For further details, please refer to the Form 2B - Listing Application dated July 13, 2023 available on the Company's SEDAR profile available at www.sedar.com (the "Listing Application").

Appointment of New Management Team

Effective July 13, 2023, Onyx Gold's management team is comprised of:

Brock Colterjohn Chief Executive Officer Darwin Green Executive Chairman Aris Morfopoulos Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Ian Cunningham-Dunlop Executive Vice-President Conor McKinley Vice-President Exploration Nicole Hoeller Vice-President Corporate Communications

Onyx Gold's board of directors is comprised of Brock Colterjohn, Darwin Green, Michael Cinnamond, Gwen Preston and Kiran Patankar. Effective July 13, 2023, Mr. Colterjohn was appointed as director in place of Mr. Morfopoulos, who was previously a director of the Company.

Issuance of Stock Options and RSUs

Onyx Gold also announces that a total of 2,350,000 stock options (the "Options") and 1,150,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") have been granted to certain officers, directors and employees of the Company pursuant to the Company's omnibus incentive plan.

The Options are each exercisable at an exercise price of $0.50 per Onyx Share for a period of five years. 2,200,000 of the Options will vest over three years from the date of grant, with 1/3 vesting each year. The remaining 150,000 Options will vest over two years from the date of grant, with 1/6 vesting on the date that is three months following the date of grant, 1/6 on the date that is six months from the date of grant, 1/3 on the date that is one year following the date of grant and 1/3 on the date that is two years following the date of grant.

Each RSU, upon vesting, will be settled by cash payment, or at the sole discretion of the board of directors of Onyx Gold, by the issuance of a common share of Onyx Gold. The RSUs will vest over a three year period, with 1/3 vesting each year.

For further details regarding the grants outlined above, please refer to the Listing Application.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South. Onyx Gold also controls four properties in Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to recent discoveries in the area. Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration.

On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp.

"Darwin Green"

Executive Chairman & Director

Darwin Green, Executive Chairman & Director

Phone: 1-604-629-1165

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, the first trading date of the Onyx Gold Shares on the TSXV and the listing of the Onyx Gold Shares on the TSXV are forward-looking statements that involve various 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. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include, among other things, the delay of the first trading date of the Onyx Gold Shares on the TSXV. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174139
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSX: SOIL) (FSE: SMKA) (OTCQX: OILSF) ("Saturn" or the "Company") announces that the majority of the Company's outstanding warrants expired between June 3, 2023 and July 7, 2023, and the Company's largest shareholder GMT Capital Corp. ("GMT"), and certain of GMT's affiliates, recently announced the acquisition of an additional 6,994,049 common shares ("Common Shares") of Saturn resulting in holdings as of June 30, 2023 of an aggregate of 34,531,029 Common Shares, representing approximately 24.91% of Saturn's issued and outstanding Common Shares.

Warrant Expiry

The July 7, 2023 expiry of the SOIL.WT.B warrants, together with the previously announced June 3, 2023 expiries and associated brokers warrants, has resulted in the cancellation of an aggregate of 30,536,134 dilutive warrants and options, as outlined in the table below:

Warrant Group: Number of Warrants: Number of Common Shares Exchangeable to: Exchange Traded: SOIL.WT 268,333,333 13,416,666 Yes SOIL.WT.B 13,663,717 13,663,717 Yes Broker options 2,132,866 3,455,751 No Total

30,536,134



About GMT Capital Corp.

GMT Capital Corp. is the manager of the Bay Resource Partners Funds. Founded by Tom Claugus in 1993, GMT Capital is based in Atlanta, GA. The firm allocates assets both long and short across all markets and sectors.

About Saturn Oil & Gas Inc.

Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. is a growing Canadian energy company focused on generating positive shareholder returns through the continued responsible development of high-quality, light oil weighted assets, supported by an acquisition strategy that targets highly accretive, complementary opportunities. Saturn has assembled an attractive portfolio of free-cash flowing, low-decline operated assets in Southeastern Saskatchewan, West Central Saskatchewan and Central Alberta that provide a deep inventory of long-term economic drilling opportunities across multiple zones. With an unwavering commitment to building an ESG-focused culture, Saturn's goal is to increase reserves, production and cash flows at an attractive return on invested capital. Saturn's shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under ticker 'SOIL', on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under symbol 'SMKA' and on the OTCQX under the ticker 'OILSF'.

For additional information, please contact:

John Jeffrey, MBA - Chief Executive Officer

or

Kevin Smith, MBA - VP Corporate Development

Tel: +1 (587) 392-7900

www.saturnoil.com

info@saturnoil.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174147
PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn"), the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, today announced an exclusive advertising deal between Libsyn's AdvertiseCast, the industry's premier podcast advertising marketplace that connects advertisers with podcasters, and podcast production company Big IP Media. The new exclusive ad partner's roster of podcasts will leverage AdvertiseCast's host-read and Automatic Ads solutions to augment host-read programs with programmatic ad revenues.

Big IP Media's roster of shows include "The John Campea Show," "Star Wars Explained," "Dan Murrell Podcast," "Happy Sad Confused," "Sean Chandler Talks About," and "Film Speak." "No Filter with Zack Peter," which covers reality TV and had its two biggest months ever in May and June covering Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules," will join Big IP Media and AdvertiseCast in August.

Rick Selah, Senior Vice President of Content Partnerships at Libsyn's AdvertiseCast, said, "We look forward to working closely with Big IP Media and their compelling stable of podcasts. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to delivering exceptional podcast experiences and maximizing advertising opportunities."

Scott Porch, Founder of Big IP Media, added, "I am thrilled with the opportunity to collaborate with Libsyn's AdvertiseCast and their dedicated sales team to effectively monetize our shows. Their expertise in the podcast advertising industry, combined with their proactive approach, makes them the ideal partner to help us drive the revenue potential of our content."

Libsyn's AdvertiseCast empowers brands to effectively target and reach a fast growing and coveted podcast audience and helps creators to monetize their audio and video content. The marketplace combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that makes it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns, while providing maximum return for creators.

For more information or to advertise on Big IP Media podcasts, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com.

About Liberated Syndication

Founded in 2004, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio content. In 2022, the Company hosted over 75,000 shows and delivered over 8 billion downloads to listeners globally. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast marketplace combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that make it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns on over 3,000 shows. Based in Munich, Germany, Libsyn's Julep Media platform is the leading podcasting hosting platform and advertising marketplace in Europe. Libsyn also powers podcast membership platform, Glow, and web hosting platform, Pair Networks. Visit libsyn.com or investor.libsyn.com for more Company information.

# # #

Media Contacts: Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary | ray@relev8.co + nancy@relev8.co

Investor Contact: investor@libsyn.com

SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769266/Libsyns-AdvertiseCast-Signs-New-Exclusive-Ad-Partnership-with-Big-IP-Media
BRUSSELS, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Union's new investment strategy can strengthen the role of Latin America and the Caribbean as a key part of the solution to regional and global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity and food insecurity, IDB President Ilan Goldfajn said at a historic summit between the two regions, which brought together governments from the European Union and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States for the first time in eight years.

The "New Agenda to strengthen the EU's partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean," lays out Europe's goals for reinvigorating political and economic ties. The Agenda includes boosting investment though the EU's Global Gateway program to narrow the existing gaps.

"Latin America is now perfectly positioned to be part of the solution to the world's biggest challenges, including climate change, food insecurity and biodiversity protection. By working closer together, the public and private sectors of Europe and of our region can make this opportunity a reality," President Goldfajn said.

Latin America is key to the clean energy transition. 30% of LAC's total energy supply is from renewable sources - double the world average - and if properly harnessed, this number could grow exponentially. It is home to two-thirds of the world's lithium and 38% of its copper, both of which are critical to producing clean energy and electric vehicles, including those manufactured by European automakers. The region is also the world's top net-exporter of food but could produce eight times more food with right reforms and investment, alleviating food insecurity.

In addition, the region is home to 40% of the world's biodiversity. The Amazon alone absorbs a quarter of the world's carbon emissions, so protecting it is key to achieving global climate goals. For this reason, the IDB is launching the holistic umbrella program Amazonia Forever.

Europe's new agenda comes as foreign direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean is rising. Last year, it hit a record $225 billion, according to a new report from the United Nations. Europe's own direct investment in the region now surpasses its direct investment in India, China and Japan combined.

"This investment benefits not only Latin America and the Caribbean, but also the European Union, at a time of many shared priorities. The IDB has been the partner of choice of Europe and European companies to scale financing and maximize impact, including through our new and innovative financial tools," said President Goldfajn.

To promote closer ties and investment in the region, the IDB co-organized a Business Roundtable at the summit, attended by private and public-sector leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and CAF Executive President Sergio Diaz-Granados.

While in Brussels, the IDB delegation met with leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe, including from key private-sector companies such as Nokia and Siemens. President Goldfajn also met with heads of state from the region and with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, who has been promoting stronger, more strategic ties between the two regions. He also met with Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

Thirteen European Union countries have been members of the IDB for almost half a century. They have partnered with the Bank on a vast array of projects, ranging from digitalization to climate adaptation and mitigation, gender equality, water and sanitation, infrastructure, community development and trade, all aimed at promoting sustainable development.

Over the past decade, the IDB and the EU have collaborated on regional policy dialogues, co-financed projects, and implemented 49 joint initiatives.

The collaboration includes examples such as Spain's contribution to a water and sanitation fund that has directly benefited over 3 million people. The IDB has also partnered with the French Development Agency to jointly finance $6.3 billion in social, climate, infrastructure and digitalization projects. And Germany helped the IDB launch the Green Bond Transparency Platform, which now covers well over three-fourths of the region's green bond issuances.

Over the past year alone, the European Commission has allocated $35.5 million in grants for IDB projects, from health to trade. European countries are also key contributors to the IDB's new Amazonia Forever program, which will protect this extraordinary natural space and facilitate investment in sustainable development.

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. It helps to improve lives by providing financial solutions and development expertise to public- and private-sector clients. The Group comprises the IDB, which has worked with governments for more than 60 years; IDB Invest, which serves the private sector; and IDB Lab, which tests innovative ways to enable more inclusive growth. Take our virtual tour.

Contact: David Roman, davidrom@iadb.org, +34695594646

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GGWP, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a AI-based game moderation platform, raised $10M in funding.

Backers included Samsung Ventures and SK Telecom Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the growth of the platform and to continue working with teams on large AAA titles, as well as startups accelerating the next wave of games.

Founded by Dennis Thresh Fong, Kun Gao, and Dr. George Ng, GGWP is an artificial intelligence-based platform to help combat toxicity in online games. It works to holistically combat harmful and disruptive player behavior through a variety of solutions which can be used together or separately:

Player Reports by automatically validating, triaging, and prioritizing reports and improving the response rate.

Usernames by catching the unnatural language, l33tspeak, and workarounds that gamers use to create inappropriate usernames.

Chat by using contextual AI to identify and respond to difficult-to-detect behaviors like sarcasm, gameplay criticism, bullying, hate speech, child grooming, and more.

Player Behavior by using AI to automatically detect behaviors such as intentional AFK, leaving a match early in a team-based game, friendly fire, feeding, griefing, trolling, and more.

Discord bot that leverages the same chat and reputation models to help moderate Discord servers and brings Discord incidents into the same view on the platform.

Game-specific Context via a system that takes into account additional factors to help determine player intention and context for every incident.

FinSMEs

19/07/2023
o9 Solutions, a Dallas, TX-based enterprise AI software platform provider, raised additional $116M in funding at a valuation of $3.7 Billion.

The round was led by General Atlantics BeyondNetZero, with participation from KKR and Generation Investment Management. In conjunction with the transaction, o9 also announced that General Atlantic Operating Partner and tenured business executive Gary Reiner has joined the Companys Board of Directors, bringing deep expertise at the intersection of technology, strategy and operations.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Led by CEO Chakri Gottemukkala, o9 Solutions is an AI-powered platform for integrated business planning and decision-making for the enterprise, whether it is driving demand, aligning demand and supply, or optimizing commercial initiatives. To this end, the company has brought together technology innovationssuch as graph-based enterprise modeling, big data analytics, advanced algorithms for scenario planning, collaborative portals, interfaces and cloud-based delivery.

The investment follows a period of continued outperformance by o9, including 55% year-over-year growth in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) as of Q223. The company also reported 67% year-over-year ARR growth as of Q123 and 65% growth in 2022.

FinSMEs

19/07/2023
Super7, a San Francisco, CA-based pop-culture design house, received an up to $25M investment from The Newcastle Network.

Newcastle made an initial investment of $12M with plans to invest more in support of Super7s long-term strategy. The company intends to use the funds to invest more in its long-term strategy.

Founded in 2001 and led by designer Brian Flynn, Super7 is a premier pop-culture design house and producer of lifestyle-oriented collectibles, toys and apparel. Since launching, it has achieved success with product genres including 80s & 90s pop culture, from designer vinyl to deluxe action figures inspired by comics, animation, video games, Hollywood, horror, music, monsters and more. In addition to its owned branded products, Super7 also designed, manufactured and distributed officially licensed programs for G.I. Joe, Transformers, Disney, Powell-Peralta and Peanuts as well as for music groups like Iron Maiden, the Misfits, O.D.B, Beastie Boys, and more.

The announcement is being made in conjunction with the start of San Diego Comic-Con where the collectibles producer will release 18 exclusive toys and launch a crowdfunded ThunderCats Cats Lair Playset campaign.

FinSMEs

19/07/2023
No matter how many films are made, nothing beats the classic cult cinema experience provided by Sholay. Director Ramesh Sippys Sholay is still the all-time favourite entertainer for many. The remarkable films witty dialogues, catchy songs, and dramatic twists have led it to mark an irreplaceable place in every cinemagoers heart. As the film, till now, is the most popular when it comes to reworking or making comical content out of it, an AI artist has imagined the cast of the movie if it were to be made in Hollywood. He posted a video on Reddit that showcases famous international celebrities as the iconic characters of the Bollywood film. The video has now garnered massive traction and is being applauded by users.

AI Reimagines Hollywood Version Of Sholay

The video made using artificial intelligence shows the faces of the original cast morphed by the fabricated ones. In the new cast, Robert De Niro plays Amitabh Bachchans character Jai and Al Pacino replaced Dharmendras character Veeru. Julia Roberts can be seen riding Dhanno instead of Hema Malinis character Basanti, while Jack Nicholson is wrongly credited in the video as Anthony Hopkins. He takes the place of the most iconic character of Gabbar. Not only this, actor Kevin Spacey replaced Thakur Baldev Singh in the Hollywood version of Sholay.

The title of the posted by the Reddit user read, What if Sholay was made in Hollywood.

Viral Video Invites Epic Responses

The viral video has invited interesting responses from social media users. While some expressed that the video was brilliantly made, others seemingly did not approve of the idea to replace the original cast. A user reacted saying, This is so spot-on characterisation and casting. Epic, wish it had audio. Another expressed that the filmmaker Martin Scorsese should be the director of the project.

Meanwhile, a user also commented saying, Original cast is still (fire emoticon). One more who didnt happen to have liked the AI-generated video said, I guess AI really wont steal jobs because the people behind using it can have terrible ideas.

Sholay unravels the life of two ex-convict best friends who are hired by a retired policeman to catch a notorious dacoit.
Certain things become an indistinguishable part of peoples identities. Just like the highly controversial drama reality show, Bigg Boss, which is known largely for superstar Salman Khans appearance as host. Celebrities like Arshad Warsi, Shilpa Shetty, Farah Khan, and director Karan Johar took the mic to be the shows presenters in the past. However, no one could take the Dabangg stars place. Now, with Bigg Boss OTT 2 in full swing, the rumours were ripe with the actor quitting the show in-between. The news gained traction after the actor was telecast live during the show while holding a cigarette between his fingers.

Not just this, Twitter users also slammed him for using the F-word on national television. The incident unfolded after Salman warned comedian and now ex-contestant Cyrus Broacha about regretting the missed opportunity provided to him by the Bigg Boss platform.

Further adding to the speculations, the latest Weekend ka Vaar saw comedians Bharti Singh and Abhishek Krushna as hosts after Salman Khan was unavailable. But to clear the air around his exit, Bollywoods Bhaijaan had earlier declared in one of the episodes associated with the shows opening. In addition, a report by The Times of India cited sources close to the show for dismissing rumours about his exit.

An extension of life.

During the launch of the shows OTT version, Salman Khan made it clear what the reality show meant to him. Calling it an extension of his life, the show host added, Bigg Boss is an emotion for me; I always say mai attachment se door rehta hoon but Bigg Boss is different! I have hosted it for so many years that it feels like an extension of my life!

The drama-based reality show Bigg Boss is the Indian version of the Dutch reality show, Big Brother. Originally started in Hindi, it has since been extended into six other languages spoken in the Indian subcontinent. These languages include Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu.

He first joined as a host in 2010, during the shows fourth season where Shweta Tiwari emerged as the winner. Since then, he has presented Bigg Boss for 13 seasons and is the current host of the OTT version of Bigg Boss OTT 2.

The show premieres on Jio Cinema and Voot.
You need to pick a side, says Henry Czerny as IMF Director Eugene Kittridge to Tom Cruises superspy Ethan Hunt early on in Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One. The deeper message of global political allegiance leaves a sombre note before the films spectacular action agenda kicks in. At a time when the world, more so the western political block, is still coming to terms with Russias military strike on Ukraine since last year, Kittridges preceding words (aimed at Hunt within the films fictional reality, of course) sound ominous, too: You are fighting to save an ideal that doesnt exist, never did.

Cruise, whose 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick climaxed with air strikes by US jets in an unnamed landscape vaguely appearing to be a country in eastern Europe, has chosen not to avoid specifics in Dead Reckoning, a film he co-produces with director Christopher McQuarrie. The seventh in the line of Mission: Impossible films opens with shots of a state-of-the-art Russian submarine named Sevastopol being blown up under water by an artificial intelligence (AI) strike, while the vehicle was testing a complex new navigation system. The conflict that buoys the films plot soon becomes evident: The destroyer of the submarine was an experimental AI program on board the vehicle, and it went rogue. The AI power, called The Entity, can hack into top-security systems, alter digital reality and duplicate human identity.

In short, The Entity is recipe for paranoia at a time when bots of various types are rapidly threatening to turn human workforce redundant in real life. The programs relevance in areas of espionage and military operations would seem unparalleled, too, so every nation is secretly after it. Owning The Entity could instantly turn a nation into a superpower, far more than owning nuclear muscle ever did. As Rebecca Ferguson disavowed MI6 agent Ilsa Faust delivers another message of the film: The world is changing. Truth is vanishing. A war is coming.

Fergusons line might seem like drama to amp suspense in the film, but cinema does have a way of spinning socio-political message into the fibre of fiction that unfolds on the marquee. Hollywood has always doled out political message and agenda in films, but those were mostly niche films that stuck to the genre of political drama or biopics about politicians. Over the years, there have been films ranging from The Matrix to The Lord Of The Rings to DC superhero adventures among many more that used symbolism to deliver undercurrent political message. The difference now is more and more all-out entertainers seem to be doing so, and more directly.

Only a few weeks before Cruises latest Mission: Impossible film, Vin Diesels new release Fast X had this dialogue: The days where one man behind the wheel of a car can make a difference are over. Its time to prepare for whats coming. You might wanna buckle up. Neatly fitting into the screenplay as part of a high-octane stunt among the entertainers unending chain of set-pieces, the words would also seem to attain wider relevance when perceived in a general context.

It isnt just about the politics of nations or technology. Hollywood has lately engaged in commentative re-look over the political disparity of gender and colour, too. Of particular interest right now is the propensity to analyse all that was wrong with Hollywood of the past, an industry that tended to scuttle cultures, skin colour and gender beyond the White male stereotype. In Bullet Train, Brad Pitt wittily describes himself as the the new-improved me, the reference being to the typical White males willingness to comply with redefined social norms that vanquish sexism.

The streak of commentary over the past extends to political history, too. In Christopher Nolans new biopic Oppenheimer, the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, known as the Father of the Atomic Bomb (and played by Cillian Murphy in the film), is described as the man who gave them the power to destroy themselves, and the world wasnt prepared, in a line that highlights critical analysis of an icon.

There have been comic book entertainers, too, particularly ones that DC made in recent times, which have been undeniably political in tone. The trend of using pop culture to focus on the political fibre of a nation was notably used by Zack Snyder in his 2016 release, Batman V Superman in recent times. The film bluntly summarises its motive in the line: On this Earth, every act is a political act. In the film, Superman, an alien, is akin to immigrants settling in the United States from abroad while Batman, whose alter ego is the wealthy millionaire Bruce Wayne, represents the native White American. Various sources have drawn diverse symbolism for the two superheroes in the film. Supermans battle with the villainous Zod results in the Wayne Enterprises skyscraper being razed to dust, in what many saw was a direct reference to 9/11. A March 2016 article in The New Yorker likened Batman V Superman to Americas familiar battle of the Democrats versus the Republicans. More recently, you almost find a resonance of that films synthesis of fiction and reality in Ben Afflecks line as Bruce Wayne in The Flash: These scars we have make us who we are. Were not meant to go back and fix them.

Hollywood has several other films lined up, where contemporary socio-political and geopolitical credos will find voice through fictional drama as well as dialogues on the screen. Expend4bles, the fourth film of The Expendables franchise, has the heroes being assigned a mission of stopping a terrorist from smuggling nuclear warheads that could trigger tension between the United States and Russia, setting off the threat of World War III in a rapidly polarising world. The Scott Waugh directorial has an ensemble star cast that includes Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais and Andy Garcia.

Vinayak Chakravorty is a critic, columnist and journalist who loves to write on popular culture.
First 2023 recorded the hottest June, which was followed by an early July that features ten of the warmest days ever recorded. The majority of the world is now experiencing high heat. All of this is enough to put 2023 on track to be the warmest year on record.

According to scientists, human-made climate change is on the rise and is supercharging natural weather phenomena to fuel heatwaves searing Asia, Europe, and North America, potentially making 2023 the hottest year on record.

Some affected regions have never experienced such high temperatures, and people living there arent used to the heat; they have also seen a significant increase in the death toll.

But how did 2023 become so hot? Why do experts warn that even if humanity drastically reduces its greenhouse-gas emissions, these record temperatures will worsen.

The return of El Nino

After a record hot summer in 2022, this year, the Pacific warming phenomenon known as El Nino has returned, heating up the oceans.

This may have provided some additional warmth to the North Atlantic, though because the El Nino event is only just beginning, this is likely only a small portion of the effect, Robert Rohde of US temperature monitoring group Berkeley Earth wrote in an analysis.

Also Read: The Deadly Summer of 2023: Why long heatwaves are here to stay

The group calculated that there was an 81 per cent chance that 2023 would become the warmest year since thermometer records began in the mid-19th Century.

Dust and sulphur

The warming of the Atlantic may also have been sharpened by a decrease of two substances that typically reflect sunlight away from the ocean: dust blowing off the Sahara Desert and sulphur aerosols from shipping fuel.

Rohdes analysis of temperatures in the North Atlantic region noted exceptionally low levels of dust coming off the Sahara in recent months.

This was due to unusually weak Atlantic trade winds, said Karsten Haustein of Germanys federal Climate Service Centre.

Meanwhile new shipping restrictions in 2020 slashed toxic sulphur emissions. This would not explain all of the present North Atlantic spike, but may have added to its severity, Rohde noted.

Stagnant anticyclones

Warming oceans affect land weather patterns, prompting heatwaves and droughts in some places and storms in others. The hotter atmosphere sucks up moisture and dumps it elsewhere, said Richard Allan, professor of climate science at the University of Reading.

Scientists highlighted the length and intensity of the lingering anticyclone systems bringing the heatwaves.

Also read: Cerberus, Charon, Xenia: Why are some heatwaves now being named?

Where stagnant high-pressure areas persist over continents, the air sinks and warms, melting away clouds, causing intense summer sunshine to parch the soils, heating the ground and air above, with heatwaves lodged in place for weeks, Allan said.

In Europe, the hot air which pushed in from Africa is now staying put, with settled high pressure conditions meaning that heat in warm sea, land and air continues to build, added Hannah Cloke, a climate scientist at the University of Reading.

The role of climate change

Scientists at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said in their global summary report this year that climate change had made deadly heatwaves more frequent and more intense across most land regions since the 1950s.

This months heatwaves are not one single phenomenon but several acting at the same time, said Robert Vautard, director of Frances Pierre-Simon Laplace climate institute. But they are all strengthened by one factor: climate change.

Higher global temperatures make heatwaves longer and more intense. Despite being the main driver, climate change is one variable that humans can influence by reducing emissions from fossil fuels.

Take a look: The countries battling deadly heatwaves

We are moving out of the usual and well-known natural oscillations of the climate to unchartered and more extreme territory, said Melissa Lazenby, senior lecturer in climate change at the University of Sussex.

However, we have the ability to reduce our human influence on the climate and weather and to not create more extreme and long-lasting heatwaves.

Severe heatwaves for future

Berkeley Earth warned the current El Nino could make Earth even hotter in 2024.

The IPCC has said heatwaves risk getting more frequent and intense, though governments can limit climate change by reducing countries greenhouse gas emissions.

Also Read: What is the deadly Cerberus heatwave sweeping across Europe?

This is just the beginning, said Simon Lewis, chair of global change science at University College London.

Deep, rapid and sustained cuts in carbon emissions to net zero can halt the warming, but humanity will have to adapt to even more severe heatwaves in the future.

With inputs from AFP
China is seeing a new trend  the rise of full-time children.

These young people spend their days looking after their parents.

But what are full-time children exactly? And what does this say about Chinas economy?

Lets take a closer look:

What are full-time children?

Full-time children are people in their 20s or even 30s who are either burned out or unemployed.

These young men and women now spend their days caring for their aged parents  preparing meals, washing dishes and doing chores  in exchange for an allowance, rent, or a place to live.

Speaking to BBC, 29-year-old Julie said she lived life like a walking corpse.

Julie quit her game developer job in April  where she worked 16-hour days  in order to look after her parents.

Julie, whose parents pay her daily expenses, now spends her time doing their household chores.

However, she has drawn the line at their offer of a monthly wage of 2,000 yuan (Rs 22,000).

Speaking to The China Project, 33-year-old Huang  a former project manager at a big ecommerce company  explained his reasons for becoming a full-time adult son.

Theres this societal expectation of me going down the path of buying an apartment, getting married, having kids, and living this typical upper-middle-class lifestyle, he said.

Its like playing a video game and there are a string of bosses to defeat. Whenever I wanted to pat myself on the back for how much Ive achieved, I couldnt stop thinking about how much more I still needed to do. To hit those milestones, I have to work harder and probably still need financial support from my parents.

Julie and Huangs stories arent surprising given Chinas work culture  known as 996 where working 9 am to 9 pm six days a week is very much normal  disregards the concept of a work-life balance.

But others are far more sanguine.

Angela Qian told the website said she returned to her parents home in Panzhihua after leaving her position as a human resources assistant.

Angela said she was helping around the house while trying to get a government job.

Im not just mooching off of my mom and dad. I run errands for my family and satisfy my parents emotional needs. Its like a real profession.

But not everyone is as lucky as Julie, Huang and Angela.

The website Sixth Tone quoted the story of a woman who returned to China after completing her masters degree in Australia.

Unable to find work, she moved back into her parents home and became a full-time daughter.

While things were fine initially, the relationship soon deteriorated.

When she asked if her parents wanted her help, they replied, Do you think we need you to clean the house, buy groceries, and wash the pots? We pay you 3,000 yuan a month so you dont feel embarrassed. Full-time daughter? More like a deadbeat daughter.

Others are just plain embarrassed.

These three years I am either taking my father or mother to see the doctor. I am not earning any money and I rely on my parents. It is quite shameful and therefore I dont have any social life apart from chatting online, an internet user wrote on a forum according to SCMP.

What does this say about Chinas economy?

That this highlights Chinas twin problems of unemployment and an increasingly aging population.

The development comes amid youth unemployment hitting eye-watering highs in China.

Chinas National Bureau of Statistics on Monday said unemployment hit a record-high of 21.3 per cent.

This is the third straight month that figure remained over 20 per cent.

According to the BBC, more than 1 in 5 between the 16-24 age group are unemployed in China.

Some experts say this ought to send warning bells to the establishment.

Speaking to SCMP, Liu Yuanchun, president of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, warned that youth unemployment has become a structural problem that needs to be addressed now or it may turn into a political problem.

Dan Wang, chief economist at Chinas Hang Seng Bank, earlier told BBC these developments demand more direct policy responses, because this group of the population is quite vocal online.

Others think worries are overblown.

This phenomenon itself is not new, Biao Xiang, a professor of social anthropology at the University of Oxford, told The China Project.

Reversed inter-generational asset transfer (from elderly parents to adult children) in both savings and labor contributions (e.g., grandparents looking after grandchildren) has been very important for young adults to form their own families.

Angela told the website that there are others like her.

I had this one childhood friend who was always at the top of her class and eventually got admitted to Tongji University, Qian said. When I met up with her at a local hotpot restaurant earlier this year, she told me she was sort of doing the same thing. I was genuinely shocked to hear that.

Meanwhile, the jobs numbers are likely to get even more dire.

Bloomberg quoted NBS spokesman Fu Linghui as saying the July number would likely be even higher. Fu said this is because youth are wrapping up their education and searching for jobs. Beijing says around 12 million students  a record  are expected to graduate this year.

Fu said Beijing is focusing on youth employment and is making efforts to put young people in a more prominent position  particularly on recent graduates and those starting their own businesses.

Fu added that China needs to make efforts to stabilise the situation and that the rate will likely begin declining post-August.

It remains to be seen whether the trend of full-time children catches on.

With inputs from agencies
Many places across Europe and the United States have been scorched by record heat, with no relief in sight in the near future. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WHO) has warned of a heightened risk of deaths as heatwaves hitting countries across the Northern Hemisphere intensified on Tuesday (18 July).

Southern Europe was gripped by a second heatwave, named Charon, on Sunday (16 July). From California to Florida, several US states are reeling from extreme heat, affecting millions of people.

Lets take a look at how heatwaves are boiling parts of Europe and the US and when they can expect relief.

Fiery heatwaves in Europe

Nations across the Mediterranean, including tourist hotspots like Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia, are the worst hit by the heatwaves coming from northern Africa.

On 18 July, Licata city in Italys Sicily reported the highest temperature in Europe at 46.3 degrees Celsius. Italy has issued red alert heat advisories for 23 cities as temperatures soar.

The peak of the current heatwave is likely to hit Sicily and Sardinia islands in Italy.

As per the WMOs forecast, heat is likely to worsen further from today (19 July) in parts of the Mediterranean, including Greece and Turkey.

Two wildfires swept the coastal towns near the Greek capital Athens amid strong winds on Monday, forcing residents to evacuate their homes, reported Reuters.

Last week, southern Europe was hit by another heatwave named Cerberus after a three-headed dog that guarded the underworld in Greek mythology. Forecasters have predicted the second anticyclone, Charon, could smash Europes highest temperature record of 48.8 degrees Celsius recorded close to Siracusa in Sicily in 2021, reported Euronews.

In Spain, the mercury rose to 45.3 degrees Celsius in Figueres, Catalonia, on Tuesday. The countrys weather agency has warned that the mercury could touch 45 degrees Celsius in southeastern areas of the Iberian Peninsula. As per Euronews, the temperature of the ground in some parts of Spain has already gone above 60 degrees Celsius.

Sweltering heat hits US

At over 43.3 degrees Celsius, Phoenix, the capital of Arizona state, witnessed a 19th straight day of record temperature on Tuesday. The mercury surged to 47.2 degrees Celsius at 3 pm in the city, reported Associated Press (AP).

The heat is taking a major toll, Frank LoVecchio, an emergency room doctor at Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix, was quoted as saying by CNN. The hospital has not been this busy with overflow since a few peaks in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extreme heat has also boiled El Paso, Texas, for 32 consecutive days.

Several parts of Florida, including Miami city, have been affected by a persistent, record-breaking heatwave. As per WMO, a temperature sensor at Furnace Creek in Californias Death Valley National Park recorded 53.3 degrees Celsius on 16 July.

Death Valley has been reporting over 43.3 degrees Celsius temperatures for 84 days, reported AP.

ALSO READ: 2023 is heading to be the hottest year on record: Whats behind the intense heat?

When will this end?

As per Euronews, Western European countries, including Spain and Portugal, may get some respite from record heat in the coming days. But this will not be the case for other regions.

The WMO believes the hot weather in the Mediterranean region and the Balkans could continue into August.

Ele Hands, the deputy chief meteorologist at United Kingdoms Met Office, told The Independent the unrelenting heatwave across southern Europe and northern Africa is likely persist and slowly intensify over the coming week.

The Met Office predicted temperatures around 8-12 degrees Celsius above normal will continue into August. However, the mercury may not be as high as seen in the previous weeks.

According to Fox Weather, high pressure will likely advance over large parts of the Southwest and the Gulf Coast in the US for the rest of July. The high pressure traps air inside in a heat dome, leading to extreme temperatures, as per CNN.

Only the Southern Plains and Gulf Coast could see some relief in the coming days as the heat dome shifts back to the west and a cold front advances across the area, according to the CNN report.

Oklahoma City and Arkansas capital Little Rock are expected to report some relief from the hot weather on Friday, the report added.

High temperatures will continue to bake Desert Southwest and Texas this week and this will probably continue till August.

While scattered rainfall is likely to bring temporary relief for the Southwest, the altogether temperature pattern will continue to be hot, reported CNN.

Meanwhile, the WMO has sounded the alarm and asked the world to be prepared for highly intense heatwaves. These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves, John Nairn, a senior extreme heat advisor at WMO, told reporters on Tuesday, as per AFP.

With inputs from agencies
We are all aware of the deadly toll of COVID-19 on humans across the globe. Now, it seems that a feline coronavirus is wreaking havoc in Cyprus and also raising fears in the United Kingdom.

Last week, Dinos Ayiomamitis, the head of the Cat Protection and Welfare Society (PAWS) Cyprus, made the dramatic assertion that around 3,00,000 cats  both domestic and stray  have died of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), owing to the virus in Cyprus, also known as the island of cats.

His assertion has raised concerns in the UK and vets in Lebanon, Turkey and Israel, which also have large stray cat populations, have also anecdotally reported similar increases.

But what is this COVID virus that is killing the cats? Can it be transmitted to humans too? Heres what we know?

What is the disease that is killing cats?

FIP is a disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). FCoV is a common and contagious virus in cats that spreads through their faeces. Most cats dont show symptoms of this sickness and in most cases, if they do, it is limited to diarrhoea.

However, if the virus mutates into FIP, it is almost always fatal. The symptoms of FIP include fever, abdominal swelling, weakness, and sometimes even aggressiveness in felines. An animal expert has said those felines between six months and two years old are most vulnerable to FIP.

Dr Jo Lewis, a feline veterinary surgeon, told Sky News, Infection rates tend to be highest in cats living in close quarters and sharing toileting facilities, like catteries and rescue centres, for example.

She added that the virus could be transmitted mechanically on grooming brushes, cat litter scoops and even on human feet and hands and that could be the reason why many domesticated cats in Cyprus have contracted the virus and died.

Roisin Bolger, veterinary research and standards lead at charity Blue Cross was also quoted as telling Channel 4 that many other diseases show similar signs, so if you notice any of these in your cat, it is advised to see your vet.

She added: FIP is not easy to diagnose, your vet may need to take blood tests or perform ultrasound scans and take fluid samples from your cat.

How bad is this outbreak?

In Cyprus, veterinarians noted that the number of FIP cases had risen from three and four PCR-confirmed cases in 2021 and 2022 to 98 cases in January.

However, Ayiomamitis argued the real number is much higher. Speaking to AFP, he was quoted as saying, We have lost 300,000 cats since January from FIP. He later told the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation that the figure was a rough calculation based on an estimate of a 20-30 per cent mortality rate among the islands approximately one million cats.

According to vets, this outbreak began in the capital city of Nicosia in January and spread throughout the whole island within three to four months.

But why Cyprus? For years and years, Cyprus has been known as the island of cats. Felines roam everywhere, with some experts saying that the islands cat population is equal to or even exceeds the human population.

This makes the spread of the virus easier and some suspect that there also may be a mutation in the FCoV, causing the number of cases to rise exponentially.

Martha Canon, feline specialist and co-owner of Oxford Cat Clinic, told Times Radio that in Cyprus perhaps the virus has developed a new variant which is much more transmissible and much more frequently causing this deadly condition.

But, she clarified that there was no definite evidence on the matter.

Besides Cyprus, the outbreak has also raised concern in the UK, with animal experts ringing the alarm on the matter. This is because several Britons travel to Cyprus each year and also theres a large number of expats who travel back and forth between the two areas.

Dr Jo Lewis added that the UK needed to screen cats leaving Cyprus and nearby affected countries. She added that cats leaving the island should be examined and blood tested for FCoV antibody levels, and any cat with symptoms shouldnt travel.

Can humans contract it?

The short answer to this is no. Feline Coronavirus only infects animals and not humans. According to Cornells Feline Health Centre, To our knowledge, coronaviruses cannot be passed from infected cats to humans.

AFP too reported that the virus is not transmissible to humans.

However, while the COVID-19 pandemic was on, there were cases of some cats contracting the COVID-19 virus. A study at the time had also revealed that cats were more prone to contracting the virus than their canine counterparts. The research had also revealed that the more time cats spent with their human companion, the more likely they were to be infected. In particular, cats who slept on their owners bed had a higher risk of infection. However, this was not the same for dogs.

Is there a cure for FIP?

Presently, there is no vaccine for it and there are only two treatment options being considered  A drug called remdesivir, used for COVID-19, and molnupiravir, a antiviral drug used to treat the illness in humans.

Remdesivir is approved for use in animals in the UK, but sending it to Cyprus would be an expensive affair  costing 2,500-6,000 (Rs 2.65 lakh-6.37 lakh) per cat.

On the other hand, molnupiravir has not been licensed for feline use in Cyprus.

With inputs from agencies
It is Narendra Modi vs INDIA for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Opposition parties have been huddling over the past two days in Bengaluru and declared on Tuesday that the group which would take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would be called INDIA.

INDIA is an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. A renamed version of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), it is an Opposition front comprising 26 parties.

We take a look at what happened at the Bengaluru conclave and how they arrived at the name INDIA after much debate.

Also read: Opposition unites in I.N.D.I.A: Why BJP cant rely solely on Modi wave but must fix organisational woes

Who suggested the name INDIA?

For months, talks were on to put up a united fight against PM Modi and the NDA. At the conclave in Bengaluru, which was attended by leaders of the 26 Opposition parties, there were plenty of deliberations, among which was a discussion on the name.

There are contrasting reports on who came up with the name but senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee were actively involved.

Some reports suggest it was Gandhi who came up with the idea of calling the new front INDIA. According to The Indian Express, he wanted Congress general secretary KC Venugopal to get approval from Banerjee.

The Gandhi scion suggested INDIA as the name for the Opposition groups big aim is to defeat the NDA, which he feels is against the idea of India as a nation.

Nationalist Congress Party leader Jitendra Awhad in a tweet said the name was Gandhis idea. In the ongoing meeting of opposition parties in Bangalore, Rahul Gandhi put forward a proposal to name this alliance as INDIA. His creativity was greatly appreciated. All the parties approved it and decided to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections under the name INDIA, he said.

However, other reports say that it was Banerjee who proposed the name first and it was seconded by Tamil Nadu CM and Dravida Munetra Kazhagam chief MK Stalin.

What about the acronym?

I.N.D.I.A. is an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. However, after the first announcement on Tuesday, confusion prevailed.

"We have come together and discussed various points. With one voice, people supported the resolution adopted today. Our alliance will be called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)," said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in the joint press conference.

Did they get it wrong at first, many wondered. Did the D in INDIA stand for development or democracy?

A Congress tweet said it was developmental and not democracy.

But Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar added to the confusion when he first tweeted, United We stand with I - Indian N - National D - Democratic I - Inclusive A  Alliance. He later edited the tweet and wrote D was for Developmental.

Confusion arose as there were reportedly informal talks on whether the letter D should stand for democratic or developmental. However, the D was not the only subject of discussion. While coming up with the name, Banerjee had earlier suggested that N should stand for new instead of national.

Also read: INDIA vs NDA in 2024: Why the Opposition alliance changed its name

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah had suggested that the letter N should be dropped entirely as he thought the word national was not required. He wanted it to be called Indian Democratic Inclusive Alliance (IDIA), according to a report in News18.

Other leaders also made suggestions. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar proposed that the alliance should be called India Main Front (IMF). He was not convinced that a political alliance should be called INDIA.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury came up with the name We for India or Victory for India. But it was turned down as many leaders felt it sounded more like a campaign slogan than the name of a bloc.

Some other names doing the rounds were Indian Peoples Alliance, Save India Alliance or Secular India Alliance, Save Democracy Alliance or just plain Save India. However, the decision to go with INDIA was arrived at after some debate.

Addressing the media, Gandhi explained the idea behind INDIA. According to him, not only was the new name apt for the new platform of Opposition parties but it also reflected the idea of India is being attacked by the BJP, the wealth of India is being snatched from the people and handed over to a few businessmen, who are close to the Prime Minister and the BJP.

Our fight is not between two political formations, but to fight for the idea of India historically and globally, nobody has been able to defeat India and the idea of India. This is a fight between the idea of India and the idea of the BJP. This is a fight between India and the BJP. It is a fight between India and Mr Narendra Modi, he added.

Hitting out at the BJP, Banerjee said in the media interaction, BJP, can you challenge INDIA? We love our motherland, we are the patriotic people of the country, we are for farmers, Dalits, we are for the country, for the world INDIA will win, our country will win and BJP will lose.

What comes next for INDIA?

The road ahead is not easy. The first big challenge will be to decide on seat-sharing.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party chief stressed at the Bengaluru conclave that more than giving the alliance a name, deciding a seat-sharing arrangement was important. Yechury agreed and said that seat-sharing was the key issue, asking the question of how accommodative the Congress would be, especially in states like Kerala and West Bengal.

Kharge and Rahul both said that the party is not eyeing the prime ministers post in the alliance if it wins in 2024.

For now talks on seat-sharing have been put on hold along with the decision to appoint a convenor at the alliance. These big discussions are likely to be held at the next Opposition conclave in Mumbai in the second half of August.

The Mumbai meeting will be hosted by Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray and there is a possibility that the Opposition parties will hold their first joint conference then.

In Bengaluru, the 26 parties decided to set up an 11-member coordination committee and a secretariat in Delhi to manage the INDIA campaign. The Opposition camp issued a joint statement in which they zeroed in on common issues on which they can challenge the BJP.

We promise to transform both the substance and style of governance that will be more consultative, democratic and participative, read the Saamuhik Sankalp (joint statement) issued by the alliance.

We have come together to defeat the hatred and violence being manufactured against minorities; stop the rising crimes against women, Dalits, Adivasis and Kashmiri Pandits; demand a fair hearing for all socially, educationally and economically backward communities; and, as a first step, implement the Caste Census, it added.

With inputs from agencies
Its a love story that has got everyone fascinated and asking, Is this a case of cross-border love or is she a Pakistani spy?

Seema Haider, the woman who illegally entered India in May, has not only captured the attention of the common man but also the authorities. On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Polices Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) questioned her, her partner  Sachin Meena and even her partners father, Netrapal Singh for over nine hours, trying to ascertain if she is in fact just a woman crazy in love or as some believe a Pakistani spy.

Tuesdays round of questioning by the UP ATS was the second day in a row that they were interrogated, with an UP ATS officer saying that the couple may or may not be arrested after the interrogation, depending on the outcome of the inquiry in the sensitive matter that pertains to national security.

As the suspense deepens, we take a closer look at her possible connections with the Pakistan Army and the countrys intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The Seema Haider love story

Before diving into whether shes a spy or not, heres a quick recap of who she is. The 27-year-old, believed to be a resident of Pakistans Gulistan-e-Jauhar in Karachi, grabbed the headlines when she was arrested earlier this month for illegally entering the country.

She revealed she had fallen in love with 22-year-old Sachin Meena, who lives in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida. Seema said that the two had first got in touch in 2019 through the popular game PUBG.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, she revealed, I used to talk to many strangers online while playing PUBG because I kept the mic on. Thats how I met Sachin, and we started chatting on the chatbox. We used to play for hours on end, even four hours and never stopped talking. After about four months, we exchanged phone numbers and began communicating via voice and video. We confessed our love for each other by January 2021.

The loved-up couple then met in Nepal in March this year and according to an NDTV report, they even tied the knot. Seema then went back to Pakistan where she sold a plot of land and bought flight tickets and a Nepal visa for herself and her children. Seema then reached Nepals Pokhara city from Dubai in May. Later, she travelled to Delhi from Kathmandu. She and her children reached Greater Noida on 13 May, where Sachin had made living arrangements for them, NDTV reported.

As per News18, Seema entered India illegally on 13 May. Seema and Meena were then arrested after a lawyer they approached regarding getting married alerted the police.

Also read: Five crucial but unanswered questions in Seema Haiders love story

The spy angle

After being arrested, the security agencies have been trying to determine if Seema is, in fact, who she claims to be or is this case of a Pakistani spy. Suspicions about her being a spy have been compounded by several reasons. First is her Pakistani identity card. The ID card, which is typically obtained at birth, was issued on 20 September 2022. The Uttar Pradesh ATS is investigating the delay in obtaining her Pakistani citizenship ID card.

Moreover, she has two passports, as per a Business Today report, and some details on them are suspicious.

Concerns have also arisen about her family and their links to the Pakistan Army. Her husband, Ghulam Haider, who lives in Pakistan, has made some startling revelations about her family members.

An IndiaToday report has quoted him as saying that Seemas brother Asif and her uncle Ghulam Akbar are in the Pakistan Army. He said that he had met Seemas brother Asif, who is posted in Karachi, and they often talked. Ghulam also said that Seemas uncle holds a high-ranking position in the Pakistan Army and is based in Islamabad.

Moreover, authorities are also wary about her impeccable English-speaking skills. According to a report, when Seema was asked by the ATS to read a couple of lines, she read them out perfectly.

Investigating agencies have sent Seemas identity card to the Indian High Commission in Pakistan for verification.

While theres no official statement from Islamabad about Seema Haider, some media reports have quoted Pakistani agencies as saying that love was the only factor that caused her to sneak into India.

Threats and an uncertain future

The questioning by the police comes at a time when a little-known right-wing fringe group in Greater Noida has threatened a protest if Seema, who illegally entered India with her four children, is not evicted from the country within 72 hours.

In a purported video posted on social media that surfaced Monday, a man who identified himself as the national president of the group claimed that Seema is a spy and part of some conspiracy against the country.

Earlier too, the Mumbai Police had received a threatening phone call warning of a 26/11-like terror attack if Seema Haider did not return to her country. According to the authorities, the caller, an unidentified person, had spoken in Urdu and threatened that a terror attack like the 26 November 2008 attack would take place in the Maharashtra capital and the Uttar Pradesh government will be responsible for it.

And when it comes to her future, Seema is adamant that she wants to stay in India. She revealed to the media that she did not wish to go back to Pakistan and wanted to live with Meena in Noida. Interestingly, her family back in Pakistan also doesnt want her home.

Not the first time

While Seema Haiders case is grabbing headlines, its not the first time that a woman has crossed over the border for the sake of love. Earlier, there was Pakistans Iqra who met her love during an online game of Ludo.

Iqra then met 25-year-old Mulayam Singh Yadav in Nepal for the first time and got married at a temple in Kathmandu. Following their wedding, Iqra and Mulayam moved to Bengaluru, where she changed her name to Rawa Yadav. They were arrested in January and on 19 February, Iqra was handed over to Pakistani authorities along the Wagah border.

Theres also the famous case of Chanda Khan who managed to sneak into India in 2015. She had crossed the border on the Samjhauta Express and travelled until Jalandhar in Punjab without any ticket or passport before she was arrested.

When she was interrogated, she claimed that she came to India to visit dargahs and meet actors Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Chanda Khan could speak Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi and claimed to be a resident of Karachi. Chanda Khan was sentenced to two years imprisonment, and was sent back to Pakistan in 2018 after completing her sentence.

With inputs from agencies
For 80 long years, the famous Pentagon building held the record for the largest office space in the world.

This record, however, will now be surpassed by a diamond exchange built in Surat, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where nearly 90 per cent of the worlds diamonds are cut.

By housing its enormous industry, the recently constructed Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) has broken the previous record.

In response to the news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that it showcases the dynamism and growth of Surats diamond industry and is a testament to Indias entrepreneurial spirit.

Surat Diamond Bourse showcases the dynamism and growth of Surats diamond industry. It is also a testament to Indias entrepreneurial spirit. It will serve as a hub for trade, innovation and collaboration, further boosting our economy and creating employment opportunities. https://t.co/rBkvYdBhXv  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 19, 2023

Lets take a closer look.

Also read: PM Modi inaugurates Indias first international bullion exchange: What is it? How does it work?

To be Worlds largest office

According to Times Now, the then Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel received assurances from more than 4,000 office holders of the Surat Diamond Association by expressing this demand that this project will be the apex of the diamond industry not just in the nation but also globally.

Looks like its true!

According to CNN, the massive 15-story Surat Diamond Bourse has been constructed over more than 35 acres of land and is marketed as a one-stop destination for over 65,000 diamond professionals, including cutters, polishers, and traders.

It has nine rectangular structures that are arranged in a row and joined by a central spine. According to the trading centres architects, it has more than 7.1 million square feet of floor space, making it the largest office structure in the world, surpassing the Pentagon.

Each buildings office hallways will be eight feet wide, with a floor that is 13 feet high and 19 feet high at ground level. A total of 125 lifts will operate, travelling at a speed of three metres per second, reported Times Now.

After four years of construction, of which two were plagued by COVID-related delays, the property is expected to welcome its first tenants in November. PM Modi, who was born in Gujarat, will be inaugurating the office later this year.

The complex is 20 lakh square feet in size and has a recreation space and parking area, according to the SDB website.

This non-profit organisation is supported by SDB Diamond Bourse. It was created to advertise the Surat, Gujarat, Diamond Bourse and is registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Project CEO Mahesh Gadhavi claims that the Surat Diamond Bourse will prevent thousands of people from having to travel frequently by train to Mumbai in order to conduct business.

Its difficult  (some) people have to spend three and a half to four hours, daily, to come from their homes to their offices and back home again, he told CNN, describing the move to relocate businesses to Surat as a better option.

Also read: Explained: How Russia-Ukraine war has taken the sheen off for many in Gujarat

Meeting the needs of the market

The Indian architectural firm Morphogenesis, which won an international design competition, has designed the building.

Gadhavi claims that the demand for the project, rather than the competition brief, was what led to the decision to surpass the Pentagons size. This implies that there were no constraints on the project, allowing it to be scaled up to suit market demands.

Morphogenesis described its design provides as a level playing field for both small and large firms.

Sonali Rastogi, the co-founder of the architecture company, called the layout democratic, with workplaces connected by a large central corridor, giving residents access to services and facilities in a manner reminiscent of an airport terminal, as per CNN.

No office is more than seven minutes away from any of the buildings access gates, she added, saying that working there is designed to be exactly the same for everyone.

Moreover, Gadhavi also claimed that a lottery mechanism was employed to choose which companies received which offices.

Morphogenesis investigation into the workings of the Indian diamond trade also had an impact on the design. Rastogi talked about the collection of nine 1.5-acre courtyards that are equipped with seats and water elements that may be used by dealers as informal gathering spots.

She compared the landscaped areas to a traditional bazaar, noting that the firm was influenced by the fact that a lot of unofficial business is conducted outside of the office setting.

She explained, Email orders are probably taken inside, but human-to-human transactions are almost all outside, further describing the courtyards like public parks where we are assuming all these activities will take place.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surat Diamond Bourse (@surat_diamond_bourse)

Also read: Losing its Shine: Why has the UK banned Russias diamonds? Will G7 countries follow suit?

Sustainable design

According to Gadhavi, the new diamond hub would act as an anchor tenant for the neighbourhood.

Rastogi claimed that her company is also in discussions with potential customers about more projects in the area, such as a convention centre.

Although Surat lacks a very remarkable architectural language of its own, the architect expressed hope that sustainable design may influence the citys development in the future.

Summer temperatures in Surat can reach above 43 degrees Celsius. According to Morphogenesis, its design uses up to 50 per cent less energy than what is necessary to receive a platinum designation from the Indian Green Building Council. She told CNN its plan for the building was based on environmental and sustainable design more than a particular architectural language.

All of the offices are centrally air-conditioned through chilled water-cooling systems, and each one has a view of the exquisitely designed landscape courts that are nearly 200 feet wide and 300 feet long, explained Times Now. They were created using the Panchtatva (five elements of Nature, Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Sky) design concept.

Microclimate, which regulates temperature in confined spaces, Solar Control, which reduces direct solar heating, Wind Analysis, Orientation in accordance with the direction of the sun and wind, Energy Performance, energy efficiency, and WWR are some of the factors taken into consideration for the same.

The architects explained that the flared shape of the central spine was intended to direct prevailing breezes through the building while radiant cooling circulates cold water under its floors to lower interior temperatures. Rastogi estimates that about half of the building is cooled using natural airflow, and communal areas are powered by solar energy, even if individual offices will use conventional air conditioning.

With inputs from agencies
At a time when tensions between North Korea and the United States are a high, Pyongyang has detained an American soldier, who crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea without permission.

Identified as Private 2nd Class Travis King, he becomes the first American in nearly five years to be detained by North Korea for crossing the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that separates the country from South Korea.

King, as per an Associated Press report, had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison on assault charges. He was released on 10 July after serving his time and was being sent home to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday, where he could have faced additional military disciplinary actions and discharge from the service.

According to officials, 32-year-old King was taken to the airport and escorted as far as customs. But instead of getting on the plane, he left the airport and later joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. He bolted across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists, on Tuesday afternoon local time in Korea. According to a report by CBS News, the soldier gave out a loud ha ha ha, and just ran in between some buildings.

Americas defense secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that a service member was likely now in North Korean custody. Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation, Austin told the media in Washington.

Heres a better look at the area where the soldier was reportedly detained from and its history.

The DMZ, explained

The Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) is a buffer zone between North and South Korea. It was established in 1953 as part of the Korean Armistice Agreement between the United Nations, North Korea, and China to end the Korean War.

It is 248 kilometres (154 miles) long and four kilometres (2.5 miles) wide and interestingly, Seoul  the capital of South Korea  lies only 60 km away from here.

Inside this area, neither country can fire weapons, build up military personnel or equipment, or start any act of aggression. However, along either side of the border is a different story; it is heavily fortified, with some even calling it the scariest place on Earth.

The area is entirely marked with barbed wire fencing and is littered with scores of mines, making it probably the most difficult place to pass. It also has several watch stations patrolling soldiers along its entire length.

Notably, the DMZ has become an unexpected wildlife sanctuary. According to South Koreas National Institute of Ecology, almost 6,200 wildlife species now call the DMZ home. In particular, 38 per cent of the endangered species of the Korean peninsula live in the zone. These include golden eagles, musk deer, and mountain goats, among others.

Truce village of Panmunjom

Inside the DMZ lies the Joint Security Area (JSA), which houses the so-called peace village of Panmunjom, where the armistice was signed in 1953. Known for its blue huts, this village draws visitors from both sides who want to see the Cold Wars last frontier.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the Joint Security Area for a chance to see North Korean soldiers standing at attention just dozens of feet away. They are made to sign UNC REG 551-1, which states, The visit to the Joint Security Area at Panmunjom will entail entry into a hostile area and possibility of injury or death as a direct result of enemy action.

In 2018, South Korea also launched DMZ peace trails to the public, with the then second Vice Minister of Tourism Cho Yong-man saying, Now is the time to overcome the situation of division. The peace trails allow visitors to walk and explore areas where nature has thrived in the absence of people, including in Ganghwa County, a group of islands that border North Korea and lie just 45 km (28 miles) from the South Korean capital Seoul.

Action along the DMZ

The American soldier crossing the DMZ is not a lone incident. The buffer zone has seen some skirmishes and violence in the past. In fact, as USAToday reports, it has been the site of several dramatic events over the decades since the war ended with a truce but not a peace agreement.

One of the first instances of an American crossing the DMZ was in 1965. Born in Rich Square, North Carolina, Charles Jenkins was one of the few Cold War-era US soldiers who fled to North Korea while serving in the South. He deserted his post and fled across the Demilitarised Zone separating the two Koreas. North Korea treated Jenkins as a propaganda asset, showcasing him in leaflets and films.

In 1980, Jenkins married 21-year-old Hitomi Soga, a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978. Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002. In 2004, Jenkins was allowed to leave North Korea and rejoin his wife in Japan, where he surrendered to the US military authorities and faced charges that he abandoned his unit and defected to North Korea. He was dishonourably discharged and sentenced to 25 days in a US military jail in Japan. He died in Japan in 2017.

In 1984, a Soviet interpreter visiting from the North ran across the military demarcation line, drawing North Korean soldiers across in pursuit. A firefight ensued, killing three North Koreans and one South Korean soldier.

Perhaps, the most notorious encounter at the DMZ came in 1976. The incident took place when a group of North Korean soldiers attacked a group of South Korean and US soldiers who were pruning a poplar tree on 18 August 1976. The North killed American Captain Arthur Bonifas and Lt Mark Barrett with axes and wounded several others. Then American president Gerald Ford had called the attack, a vicious and unprovoked murder, and brought tensions between the two nations to a dangerous high.

The most recent incident at the DMZ came in 2017. A North Korean soldier drove a vehicle, then ran by foot across the military demarcation line, South Korea said at the time. The soldier was shot at 40 times, but survived.

Backdrop for presidential visits

The DMZ has not only seen skirmishes and violence but is also politically significant, serving as the background for several presidential visits.

In 1993, US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom when the North Korean nuclear crisis first flared. He had described the place as the scariest place on earth. Years later, in 2002, US president George W Bush visited the DMZ after he had labelled North Korea part of an axis of evil.

After Kim Jong-un took power in North Korea, he travelled to Panmunjom and met front-line North Korean troops in March 2012, his first ever visit. In the same month, US president Barack Obama also made his first visit to the demilitarised zone and told the troops over there, You guys are at freedoms frontier.

In 2019, Donald Trump, the then American president, made history by becoming the first serving US leader to step foot in North Korea after crossing the demarcation line. In June of that year, Trump shook hands with North Koreas Kim Jong-un and held a meeting with him. While Kim had said their meeting was a symbol of their excellent friendship, Trump had said it was a great day for the world.

With inputs from agencies
Who said, Love has no boundaries, the truth is entirely different.

The romance between Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman, and Sachin Meena, a resident of Greater Noida in the state of Uttar Pradesh, has grabbed headlines for weeks now.

According to reports, Seema Ghulam Haider crossed the border into India from Nepal in order to join Sachin, whom she met through the online game PUBG.

The Pakistani woman was taken into custody by Indias Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), who also began an investigation into the dispute.

Seema allegedly refused to respond to inquiries about her reasons for entering India illegally while being questioned by UP ATS on Tuesday. During the interrogation, representatives from the Intelligence Bureau were also present.

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the main organisation in charge of policing the Nepal-India border in UP and Bihar, has also been asked to provide a report to the IB.

Well, this isnt the first case of cross-border love. Lets take a look.

Also read: Is Seema Haider a spy? Does she have any links to the Pakistan Army?

India-Pakistan (2023)

Iqra Jeevani, a Pakistani woman who fled Hyderabad and married an Indian named Mulayam Singh Yadav, reportedly returned to her home in February of this year. Iqra Jeevani had fled from Hyderabad in the southern Pakistani province of Sindh.

The young girl was detained in Bengaluru in January after crossing the porous border between India and Nepal in September. Through a gaming app, she met the 25-year-old security guard from UP with whom she got married.

According to PTI, her uncle revealed she sold her jewellery and borrowed money from friends to buy air tickets to Dubai and onwards to Kathmandu from where she crossed into India.

India-Pakistan (2022)

Three persons, including a Pakistani woman, were detained by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in August last year while attempting to enter India illegally in Bihar near the Indo-Nepal border with the help of a man from Hyderabad.

According to the Times of India, Ahmed, a Hyderabad-based man, was the love of Pakistani woman Kalija Noors life as she attempted to enter India. Both of them fell in love after meeting online. According to reports, Ahmed worked as a hotel employee in Saudi Arabia and set up Noors entry into the nation via Nepal and subsequent travel to Hyderabad with the aid of his brother.

India-Pakistan (2022)

In June last year, a Madhya Pradesh woman who was trying to cross into the adjacent country to meet her lover was apprehended at the Attari border in Amritsar.

From MPs Rewa district, Fiza Khan, a private school teacher, had vanished. She connected with Pakistani man Dilshad through social media, and the two later fell in love, according to Tribune India.

Also read: 26/11-like attack if Seema Haider doesnt return: Who is Pakistani woman in the headlines?

India-Pakistan (2020)

In July 2020, members of the Border Security Force (BSF) prevented a lovelorn man from fleeing to Pakistan. Siddiqui Mohammad Zishan was stopped by the BSF just 1.5 kilometres from the India-Pakistan International Border when he attempted to enter Pakistan through Gujarats Rann of Kutch.

Zishan, according to India Today, was much in love with Samra, a young woman from the Shah Faisal area in Karachi, Pakistan. According to reports, he met her online and they communicated on Facebook and WhatsApp.

He was using Google Maps to find his way, but when his parents reported him missing, the Maharashtra Police Crime Branch gave Gujarat Police his information, preventing him from crossing the border. A 20-year-old boy was then located close to Dhoiavira thanks to mobile tracking technology.

India-Bangladesh (2023)

Just weeks after Seema Haiders case, another case involving a man from Moradabad and a Bangladeshi woman came to light.

According to a DNA report, Julie, who hails from Bangladesh travelled to India to meet her purported lover named Ajay, a taxi driver from UPs Moradabad. The two had fallen in love on Facebook. She, with her 11-year-old daughter Halima, travelled to India, got converted to Hinduism, and got married to Ajay.

After spending a year of marital bliss in India, Julie took Ajay to Bangladesh to meet her parents. According to the report, Ajays mother Sunita alleged that marrying her son was a conspiracy and she illegally took Ajay across the border to her home country.

When Sunita lost communication with her son four days ago, things took a nasty turn. Later, she received a picture of him covered in blood. The image sparked a panic, and soon after, Ajay called his sister to seek for money since he was in danger.

Additionally, Julie allegedly wanted to squander the family funds and had no intention of returning to India with her kid by taking all the jewellery that had been given to her during the wedding to Bangladesh. This accusation was made by Ajays mother.

India-Bangladesh (2018)

Police in the Bangladeshi city of Dhaka detained Mousumi Das of Karimganj in the Barak Valley of southern Assam for entering India without legitimate travel permits. The Hindu claims that she fell in love after meeting Numan Badshad of Dhaka at an Assam trade expo.

After she went missing in March, her parents reportedly called the police and reported a kidnapping. Later, a video on social media that was posted a week earlier showed that she was in Bangladesh. To marry Badshah, she had fled with him and embraced Islam. According to the Karimganj police, the pair entered Bangladesh through Tripura.

With inputs from agencies
Christopher Nolans much-awaited new film Oppenheimer opens on Friday.

The blockbuster, starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr and Matt Damon, traces the rise of American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer  the man who oversaw the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project.

But who was the man known as the father of the atomic bomb? And what was his connection to Hinduism?

Who was he?

Early years

As per Britannica, Oppenheimer was born on 22 April,1904 in New York.

His father was a German immigrant who made money in the textile business

His family, German-American Jews, had links to Felix Adlers Society for Ethical Culture.

As a boy, Oppenheimer attended the societys school in New York  where his father was on the board of directors.

The school abandoned the spiritual and supernatural aspects propagated by religion, and rather focused on teaching students the importance of human welfare based on rationality and moral principles.

It also provided quality training in science and literature.

Oppenheimer did his undergraduate studies from Harvard University, as per Britannica.

Here, he aced Latin, Greek, physics, and chemistry, published poetry, and even studied Eastern philosophy.

Oppenheimer graduated from Harvard with a major in Chemistry.

He then went to English to study at the Cavendish Lab at Cambridge University.

It was here that Oppenheimer first worked with British scientists in the field of atomic research.

Oppenheimer was then invited by Max Born to the University of Gottingen  from which he received his doctorate in 1927.

Oppenheimer then returned to the United States to teach physics at Berkley.

The bomb

Oppenheimer had been following the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany with unease.

While Albert Einstein and other scientists warned the US government of the dangers of the Nazis developing the bomb first, Washington was slow to act.

It was only in 1942 that the US government finally appointed Oppenheimer as well as other prominent scientists to look into developing nuclear weapons.

Oppenheimer headed up the secret Los Alamos Laboratory, established under President Franklin D Roosevelt as part of the Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb.

He oversaw the first atomic bomb detonation in the New Mexico desert, code-named Trinity, before the weapons were used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

However, Oppenheimers views changed after the successful test and the deployment of the weapon.

Oppenheimer in 1945 told President Truman about the bombings, I feel I have blood on my hands.

To which the president responded, I told him the blood was on my hands  to let me worry about that.

Soon, Oppenheimer became an ardent supporter of pacifism and began speaking out.

However, there would be one last tragic twist in the tale.

During the Red Scare in America led by Senator Joe McCarthy, Oppenheimer was accused of having communist sympathies.

His security clearance was revoked following a four-week, closed-door hearing.

Ironically, some argue Oppenheimer was picked to head up the Manhattan Project because of his dubious background.

As David Cassidy, a physicist and historian emeritus at Hofstra University, told Science.Org,  [Lt. Gen. Leslie] Groves picked him specifically. First of all, because of Oppenheimers grasp of the physics and his ability to explain it to him. Also, because Oppenheimer was highly respected by the other physicists. But the main reason was Groves knew that Oppenheimer would be permanently vulnerable because of his political associations. Groves suppressed a lot of the security agents reports on him and said, I want this man for the job. So, Oppenheimer knew he was there only because he was under Grovess protection.

Oppenheimer passed away in 1967.

Interestingly, the Biden administration in December reversed the decision to revoke his security clearance.

US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm said the 1954 decision by the Atomic Energy Commission was made using a flawed process that violated the commissions own regulations.

As time has passed, more evidence has come to light of the bias and unfairness of the process that Dr. Oppenheimer was subjected to while the evidence of his loyalty and love of country have only been further affirmed, Granholm added.

What was his connection to Hinduism?

Oppenheimer had an interest in Hinduism  particularly the Bhagavad Gita.

While Oppenheimer was never an adherent of Hinduism, he was entranced by the Bhagavad Gita which he called the most beautiful philosophical song existing in any known tongue.

As per BBC, Oppenheimer first discovered the book in the early 1930s and even learned Sanskrit in order to be able to read its untranslated version.

In a letter to his brother in 1932, Oppenheimer cited the Gita.

I believe that through discipline we can achieve serenity I believe that through discipline we learn to preserve what is essential to our happiness in more and more adverse circumstances Therefore I think that all things which evoke discipline: study, and our duties to men and to the commonwealth, war ought to be greeted by us with profound gratitude; for only through them can we attain to the least detachment; and only so can we know peace.

Oppenheimer used the Bhagavad Gita as a means of understanding his own life and his actions.

He kept a well-worn copy of the Bhagavad Gita close by his desk, and even distributed copies among his friends, including once at the memorial service of president Franklin D Roosevelt.

Throughout his career, he made several references to the Bhagavad Gita.

None more famous than the quote now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds which he said came to mind in the aftermath of the Atomic bomb test.

The Gita continued to influence Oppenheimer even later in life.

When asked which books influenced his philosophy of life, Oppenheimer listed the Gita alongside Eliots The Waste Land, which was itself inspired by the Upanishads, and Shakespeares Hamlet, among the ten books that most shaped his life.

We knew the world would not be the samefew people laughedfew criedmost people were silentI remembered the line from the Hindu scripture the Bhagavad GitaVishnu is trying to persuade the prince that he should do his duty and to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds, Oppenheimer recalled in the 1965 NBC news documentary The Decision to Drop the Bomb.

Interestingly, Murphy, the star of the movie, also read the Bhagavad Gita in preparation for his role.

I did read the Bhagavad Gita in preparation, and I thought it was an absolutely beautiful text, very inspiring. I think it was a consolation to him, he kind of needed it and it provided him a lot of consolation, all his life, Murphy said.

With inputs from agencies
Around 15 people including a police sub-inspector and five home guards have died. Investigation is underway. Prima facie it appears there was current on the railing and the investigation will reveal the further details, said V Murugesan, Additional Director General of Police, Uttarakhand.

Around 15 people including a police sub-inspector & five home guards have died. Investigation is underway. Prima Facie reveals that there was current on the railing and the investigation will reveal the further details, says Additional Director General of Police, Uttarakhand, V pic.twitter.com/ucNI2tFzZq  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Officials said people injured due to electrocution are being air lifted to AIIMS Rishikesh by helicopter for treatment.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: People injured due to electrocution at the under-construction Namami Gange project on the banks of the Alaknanda River in Chamoli are being air lifted to AIIMS Rishikesh by helicopter for treatment. So far 15 people have died in this incident. pic.twitter.com/IdE7cN1JtP  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who left for Dehradun to visit the spot in Chamoli, has ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami left for Dehradun to visit the spot in Chamoli, where 15 people died due to electrocution at the under-construction Namami Gange project on the banks of the Alaknanda River. pic.twitter.com/udnsa6Re11  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

It is a sad incident. District administration, police, and SDRF have reached the spot. The injured are being referred to higher centre and are being shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh via helicopter. Orders have been given to conduct a magisterial inquiry, said Dhami.

With inputs from agencies
Bengaluru, the IT capital of India is often in the limelight for its two major concerns, firstly for perennial traffic woes and secondly, for troublesome house-hunting. Twitter users sometimes laugh at the citys never-ending despondency. Bringing attention to one such peak-Bengaluru moment, a Twitter user named Neeraj Menta shared that one of the owners wanted to interview him before offering him the lease. He further added that his house-hunting experience was longer and more gruelling than my seed round pitch. Furthermore, he shared a thread of all the questions he had to face during the interview.

As per the tweets, Menta was asked to send a small list comprising data points based on their (he and his wifes) background. Not just this, they were also requested to attach the duos LinkedIn profiles details through the broker. It was only after getting shortlisted that the broker set up a call with the owner. This, as he mentioned, was done before the actual interview as a preparation for the final blow.

Check out the post:

Pre-interview  we had to send out a small list of data points about our background along with my wife and my LinkedIn profiles through the broker. Then once we got shortlisted the broker wanted to set up a call.  Neeraj Menta (@neerajmnt) July 12, 2023

The post garnered over 12,000 views.

Once called up for the interview, the potential tenant and the interviewee were asked extended details surrounding his background, members of his immediate family. They were also asked questions about his start-up. Not just the superficial details, the owner wanted to know all about the persons business model, burn rate, last-round investors among others. Menta also added how the interviewer had already checked Crunchbase and pulled all the data in advance.

Crunchbase provides business information on private and public companies.

Interview  he asked me detailed questions about my background, family size, etc., then moved to my startup. He asked me questions about the business model, burn rate, last-round investors, etc (he had already checked Crunchbase and pulled all the data)  Neeraj Menta (@neerajmnt) July 12, 2023

The interviewer inquired if the Menta family had enough runway to continue paying rent. To which, the owner responded saying that he preferred to give his flat to high-pedigree folks.

He also wanted to ensure we had enough runway to continue paying rent! I said my wife pays rent and he then moved to her LinkedIn profile which wasn't updated with the latest role. Then mentioned that he preferred to give his flat to high-pedigree folks.  Neeraj Menta (@neerajmnt) July 12, 2023

Later, he advised the interviewee on how to be alert while running a business. Menta expressed surprise at how long the interview lasted.

Check out the details below:

He then proceeded to advise me on how to be careful in running a business and ensure good unit economics and a sound operating model. He was well-meaning and said reasonable things, but I was surprised at how long the conversation went.  Neeraj Menta (@neerajmnt) July 12, 2023

The owner is yet to declare him the ideal candidate after all this, but he will get back to him in a few days after checking on other candidates of a similar nature.

Added flavour to the charged up moment, Menta wrote that his wife thought he was in a fundraising pitch and asked, how it turned out? To which, he replied, Everything turned out well, fingers crossed.

And after all this, he said that he will come back to me in a day or two after having calls with a few other candidates who were interested to take the house 

My wife thought I was in a fundraising pitch and asked how it went  I said "It went well, fingers crossed"   Neeraj Menta (@neerajmnt) July 12, 2023

Check out some of the responses to the thread:

One user asked: Is that an interview or intrusion?

Is that an Interview or Intrusion?  Rajendra Zore (@rajendrazore) July 13, 2023

This is the funniest Ive seen on Blr rents till now, said another

This is the funniest Ive seen on Blr rents till now.  Rajesh Reddy (@rajeshcarlos) July 13, 2023

As per Neeraj Mentas Twitter bio, he is a 2x entrepreneur, building Superk Stores, a new generation of retailers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns of India. In addition, he worked at HungerBox, Flipkart and Directi.
In the Chhattisgarh assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led government on Wednesday, expressing grave concern over a protest staged by a group of nude men in the capital city of Raipur.

Demanding action against people who allegedly got government jobs using fake caste certificates, the BJP alleged that the incident had inflicted irreparable damage to the states reputation.

The police arrested 29 protesters as they marched towards the state legislative assembly.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, when members can raise Issues of urgent public importance, Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel and many opposition members called the nude protest has brought infamy to the state in the country as well as abroad.

BJPs Ajay Chandrakar, Shivratan Sharma and Brijmohan Agrawal and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members Indu Banjare and Keshav Chandra were among those who raised the issue.

They said the protesters had been seeking action for a long time but the state government did not pay heed to their demands which compelled them to stage a demonstration without clothes, the BJP members said.

Instead of taking action against people holding caste certificates, the state government jailed the protesters who were fighting for their rights, they said, demanding discussion on the issue by moving an adjournment motion notice.

The BJP demanded that a high-powered committee be formed to look into the issue of getting jobs on the basis of bogus certificates.

Some treasury bench members countered the opposition members, claiming that people with fake caste certificates were appointed during the previous BJP government.

Amid pandemonium, the chair adjourned the proceeding for five minutes. After the proceedings resumed, Chandel again raised the issue and claimed more than 1,000 people holding fake caste certificates have been working in government departments.

The protesters had already informed the administration about the nude protest. The government should have at least thought about why they were compelled to hold such a demonstration. The CM has no morality to remain on the post and he should immediately resign, Chandel said.

Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu informed the House about the protest and the action taken against the protestors.

Speaker Charan Das Mahant then rejected the adjournment motion notice following which BJP members, dissatisfied with the reply of the home minister, trooped into the well of the House sloganeering against the government.

The BJP MLAs were automatically suspended as per the assembly rules. However, their suspension was revoked within a few minutes by the Speaker.

With inputs from PTI.
We cannot say Vande Mataram because we believe in Allah, said Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi in Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday.

Azmis statement has sparked a major controversy as he went on to say that he wont recite Vande Mataram, Indias national song, as it is similar to bowing to the nation and that his religion (Islam) does not allow him to bow before anyone, not even his mother.

On March 29 at 5 pm, three people arrived near the Ram temple in Aurangabad. I got the wrong answer this time. Slogans were given that if you want to stay in this country, you have to say Vande Mataram. However, we cannot say Vande Mataram because we believe in Allah, Azmi said.

His statement led to a ruckus in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha with the BJP MLAs taking a strong exception to the statement.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi says, I respect Vande Mantram but I cant read it because my religion says we cant bow down to anyone except Allah. pic.twitter.com/uYJmkR7GWj  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Speaker Rahul Narwekar appealed to the legislators to calm down. Azmis comments are irrelevant to the topic. He should focus on the issue listed for the discussion, Narwekar said.

"Is desh me rahna hoga to Vande Mataram kehna hoga (If you want to stay in this country, you have to recite Vande Mataram)," slogans were given in state Assembly.

"My request to Abu Azmi is that in this country, millions of people have faith in Vande Mataram. The statement made by him is not appropriate. No religion would suggest not respecting one's mother. This is not a religious song. Vande Mataram is our national song," BJP leader and Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Not the first time

It is, however, not the first time singing of Vande Mataram sparked a political controversy in Maharashtra. In 2017, Azmi along with Waris Pathan of Owaisi brothers-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen said it cannot be forced on others to prove their sense of nationalism.

Back then, Azmi had said the BJP-Shiv Sena government was toeing the line of RSS and polarising the society.

I am a true follower of Islam and singing Vande Mataram is against my religion and also against the constitution. A true Muslim will never sing, Azmi had said.

"I dont care whether you throw me out of the country or shoot me, the SP MLA had said.

Pathan had said, Even at knife point at my throat or gun on my head, I am not going to sing Vande Mataram...we believe in Constitution."

With inputs from agencies
The Centre on Wednesday said that its ready to discuss the situation in violence-hit Manipur, in the Parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was ready for a discussion during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. He, however, termed the oppositions demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue a caveat for disruption.

Speaking to reporters after a customary all-party meeting before the commencement of the session on Thursday, Joshi made it clear the Union Home Ministry was the nodal ministry on the issue of the northeastern state.

Since 3 May, over 150 people have been killed in the ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Violence first broke out after tribal groups launched protests over Manipur High Courts direction to the state government to consider granting the ST status to the majority Meitei community.

Discussion on Manipur non-negotiable: Congress

Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told PTI that the Oppositions demand for discussion on issues such as Manipur and price rise during the Monsoon Session is non-negotiable. He added that the government must shun its my way or the highway approach and follow a middle path for smooth functioning of Parliament.

Speaking further on Manipur, Ramesh said, prime minister Modi has been silent, it is unprecedentedit is a sensitive state and what has happened is shocking and brutal and a complete failure of governance of double engine governance.

Meanwhile, officials have warned that over six lakh bullets and around 3,000 weapons are still with the warring communities in the state, sparking fears over resurgence of banned terror groups in the state.

Quoting data collected from various sources, officials closely monitoring the situation here said that .303 rifles, Medium Machine Guns (MMG) and AK assault rifles, carbines, Insas Light Machine Guns (LMG), Insas rifles, M-16 and MP5 rifles were reported to be missing from the armouries of the police in May.

Besides these, around 6 lakh bullets have been found missing during the waves of attacks carried out on police and other security officials since 3 May.

With inputs from agencies
A Kannada lecturer at a pre-university (PU) college in Malleswaram, Karnataka, has been asked to provide an explanation for his alleged attempt to ridicule Indias Chandrayaan 3 mission.

The lecturer, Hulikunte Murthy, who is known for his activism for Dalit community, allegedly posted a tweet in Kannada expressing doubt over the success of Chandrayaan-3.

In his tweet, he used the phrase Tirupati nama and suggested that the upcoming moon mission would meet the same fate as its predecessor.

A group of scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had offered prayers at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh before the launch of Chandrayaan-3.

The deputy director of PU (Bengaluru North) stated, I became aware of Murthys social media post about Chandrayaan-3 on Monday. We have requested an explanation from the lecturer regarding the reason behind his message. He is expected to provide his response by Wednesday, following which appropriate action will be taken.

Former education minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S Suresh Kumar has also written to the newly appointed School Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, seeking clarification on the lecturers behavior.

In his letter, Kumar expressed concern about the lecturers conduct, questioning how such an individual could inspire and guide students.

He emphasized the need for clarification from Hulikunte Murthy and urged the lecturer to exercise caution and refrain from repeating such irresponsible actions in the future.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena in a bid to reach a consensus on the name of a retired judge to head the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).

The Supreme Court had on July 17 asked the two constitutional functionaries to rise above political bickering and discuss who could head the national capitals power regulator. The court will take up the issue for consideration again on July 20.

The meeting between the LG and the chief minister could not take place so far as Kejriwal was in Bengaluru to attend a meeting of non-BJP opposition parties.

The post of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman assumes significance since the regulator decides the power tariff in the national capital.

The post has been lying vacant since January amid the differences between the AAP dispensation and the LG office over the new appointment. The post of the DERC chairman assumes significance since the regulator decides the power tariff in the national capital.

Kejriwal in January recommended the name of retired High Court judge Rajeev Kumar Srivastava for the post. However, Srivastava in June excused himself from taking charge citing personal reasons.

The chief minister on June 21 recommended the name of Justice (retd) Sangeet Lodha as the new DERC chairperson. Meanwhile, the Centre through a notification appointed Justice (retd) Umesh Kumar to the post.

The AAP dispensation opposed the appointment as illegal and unconstitutional, saying electricity is a transferred subject falling under the jurisdiction of the elected government of a state or Union Territory.

The Aam Aadm Party (AAP) later moved the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of Justice (retd) Kumar.

With inputs from PTI.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that the Oppositions demand for discussion on Manipur and price rise during the Monsoon Session is non-negotiable and that the government must abandon its my way or the highway approach and take a middle course for the smooth operation of Parliament.

The Congress general secretary in-charge communications also said his party will oppose the bill that would be brought in to replace the Delhi ordinance, which he alleged curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government.

#WATCH | Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, We want to have a discussion on the Manipur situation in the upcoming session of Parliament. The second issue is the assault on democratically elected state governments through Governors and LGs, Delhi ordinance is one such example. The pic.twitter.com/HEXLVOrRp3  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

We want to have a discussion on the Manipur situation in the upcoming session of Parliament. The second issue is the assault on democratically elected state governments through Governors and LGs, Delhi ordinance is one such example, said Ramesh.

The third issue is the price rise And of course, the JPC issue on the Adani scam. We will oppose the Forest Conservation Act amendment bill and amendments to the Biological Diversity Act. We will oppose the Delhi ordinance, he added.

Ramesh said opposition parties are going into the Monsoon Session, starting Thursday, with a positive mindset but asserted that the primary responsibility of getting Parliament to function is that of the government of the day. The session is scheduled to end on 11 August.

In a parliamentary democracy, the opposition must have its say and the government will have its way, he said.

During a Parliament session, all opposition parties come together and decide the strategy, and after the Bengaluru meeting, their enthusiasm has increased, the Congress leader said.

A new enthusiasm has come, a new name has been found. We are not the opposition party, we are the India Party now, he said.

Asked if it will be the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) versus the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Parliament session also, Ramesh said, Every morning (during Parliament sessions) all opposition parties meet in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. So every session we coordinate our strategy, and this session is not going to be any different.

Yesterday, we had a meeting of 26 parties that make up the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)  they all agreed on the issues that are going to be taken up in Parliament. Manipur is number one. Hundreds of people have been killed, thousands have been displaced, lakhs are living in relief camps, the prime minster is silent, the home minister (Amit Shah) has been ineffective, the chief minister (N Biren Singh) has been a disaster, the double engine government has completely destroyed Manipur, he said.

The Congress has been seeking a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue, which is facing ethnic violence since May 3 and has seen many fatalities.

Attacking the prime minister over the Manipur issue, Ramesh said he is taking a meeting on the eight cheetah deaths but there is no expression of concern from him on the situation in the northeastern state.

Ramesh stressed that the prime minister should participate in the debate on Manipur.

We call ourselves the mother of democracy, what sort of mother of democracy we have when the prime minister is not speaking, when he is not even attending (Parliament), when issues of public concern are not allowed to be raised, when issues of public concern are not being allowed to be raised, when remarks are being expunged, the Congress leader said.

He said the other issues on which the Opposition wants a discussion on in Parliament include the continued assault on democratically-elected state governments, directly and through governors and lieutenant governors, the use of Enforcement Directorate and CBI to break politicial parties and the politics of vendetta.

Continued price rise of essential commodities, growing joblessness, the clean chit given to China, the demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani matter, will continue to be on the agenda, he said.

The Congress will oppose the amendments to the Forest Conservation Act and the Biological Diversity Act, Ramesh said, stressing that those are terrible amendments which will destroy forests that are so very essential for ecological and other purposes.

We will oppose of course the Delhi ordinance which curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government, he said.

Wherever bills need to be supported like the bills to expand the list of scheduled tribes in Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, we will support them. We are going in with a positive mindset, we want Parliament to function but the primary responsibility of getting Parliament to function is that of the government of the day, he said.

So I am hopeful but parties must be allowed to raise issues, there must be a debate and discussion, Ramesh said.

Asked about the oppositions demand for a debate on Manipur, Ramesh said, That is a non-negotiable demand. Prime Minister Modi has been silent, it is unprecedentedit is a sensitive state and what has happened is shocking and brutal and a complete failure of governance of double engine governance.

Our demand (for discussion on Manipur) is non-negotiable. Our demand for JPC into Modani scam is non-negotiable, our demand for discussion on price rise is non-negotiable, our demand for a discussion on assaults on the federal structure of the constitution (is non-negotiable), he said.

On the forthcoming parliamentary session, he said there are heavy clouds over Delhi and Parliament is no exception.

The policy of this government and the policy of this prime minister is its my way or the highway. Cant be my way or the highway. You have to have a compromise, you have to have a middle path. We compromise, the government compromises, we have a discussion, he said.

He recalled how during Manmohan Singhs prime ministership there was discussion on all issues. I can recall that during Mr (Atal Bihari) Vajpayees prime ministership, during Narasimha Raos prime ministership, there was a debate on whatever issue by ruling party or the opposition, Ramesh added.

He claimed that the approach taken by the government is take it or leave it.

Our approach is we will cooperate with you but the primary responsibility for ensuring the functioning of the House is yours, it is not ours. The job of the opposition is to raise issues of public concern and we are raising issues of public concern, Ramesh asserted.

He stressed that the opposition does not come with a negative mindset. I turn it around and say the government comes with a dictatorial mindset, the Congress leader added.

On whether a united INDIA opposition bloc will be seen in Parliament on the issue of Delhi ordinance, Ramesh said, Judega Bharat, Jeetega India.

The Centre had on 19 May promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi. The AAP government has termed it as a deception with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services.

With inputs from agencies
As many as 11 persons including a few employees of the Tata Memorial Hospital in the city have been arrested for allegedly referring cancer patients to private laboratories for commission, police said on Wednesday.

The hospital, which comes under the purview of the Department of Atomic Energy, is known for advanced cancer treatment and research and gets patients from across the country.

Some employees asked the patients to get diagnostic scans done at private imaging centres and laboratories, telling them that there was a long waiting period for scans in the hospital, said a police official. The accused included an assistant administrative officer, wardboy, aaya, servant and cleaning staff.

They allegedly received commission from the private labs whose rates are higher than those at the hospital, the official said.

The accused, thus, cheated the patients as well as the government to the tune of lakhs of rupees, he said.

Based on a complaint filed by a hospital official, a First Information Report was registered against 21 persons including an employee of a private laboratory on July 16 at Bhoiwada police station and 11 persons were arrested.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence to frame innocent people in the 2002 Gujarat riots cases.

A three-judge bench of Justices B R Gavai, A S Bopanna and Dipankar Datta set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court rejecting her plea for regular bail.

The top court said a charge sheet has been filed in the case against Setalvad and her custodial interrogation is not necessary.

The passport of the appellant already surrendered will be in custody of session court. The appellant shall not make any attempt to influence witnesses and shall stay away from them, the bench said.

The bench also granted the Gujarat Police liberty to directly move the apex court if attempt is made to influence witnesses in the case.

Earlier this month, the top court granted interim protection from arrest to Setalvad after the HC rejected her bail plea.

Setalvad was taken into custody on June 25 last year along with former Gujarat Director General of Police R B Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt in a case registered by the Ahmedabad crime branch police for allegedly fabricating evidence to frame innocent people in the post-Godhra riots cases.

An Ahmedabad sessions court had on 30 July 2022 rejected the bail applications of Setalvad and Sreekumar, saying their release will send a message to wrongdoers that a person can level allegations with impunity and get away with it.

The High Court had on 3 August 2022, issued a notice to the state government on the bail plea of Setalvad and fixed the matter for hearing on 19 September.

Meanwhile, she moved the Supreme Court (SC) for interim bail after the high court refused to consider her plea.

The apex court, on 2 September last year, granted her interim bail and asked her to surrender her passport with the trial court till the time the Gujarat High Court decided her regular bail plea.

With inputs from PTI
In yet another bizarre food combination, making rounds on the internet for its absurdity, the clip shows a street vendor selling a never-heard-before pairing of hot gulab jamuns fitted nicely in hot buns or pav and cut into four tiny portions. The viral video was uploaded on the microblogging site by a user Aakriti Khanna. Expressing her disgust at the unusual arrangement, she captioned the post: Utha le re bhagwan, meaning Kindly pick me up, God. The smart one-liner is commonly used in India to refer to things difficult to grasp when looking at their prospects.

Check out the post:

Utha le re bhagwan pic.twitter.com/0quBgFLJoL  Aakriti Khanna (@Khannajikiladki) July 18, 2023

The post has amassed over 2.4 lakh views and garnered over 1,000 likes.

Several users took two different sides to the matter. Check out some of the reactions below:

One user wrote: It wont taste terrible to be honest. Come on, a bun with a bit of sugar syrup tastes really yummy.

It won't taste bad tbh c'mon,bun with a little sugar syrup tastes really good  Gokul (@okok_coolcool) July 18, 2023

Ye toh kitne time se milra hai Kasauli mein. (This one has been sold in Kasauli for a long time)

Ye toh kitne time se milra hai Kasauli mein   Elon Mast (@clumsyninja0905) July 18, 2023

A third user wrote: Gulab jamun paka dia wo bhi paav k andar. Aur yeh khane wale log kon hain yaar? Yeh log mere favourite food items ko barbaad kr rhe hain. (Baked Gulab Jamun inside a pav. And who are these people carrying out such acts? These people worsen my favourite food experience.)

Gulab jamun paka dia wo bhi paav k andar Or ye khane wale log kon h yarr Ye log mere favourite food items ko barbaad kr rhe  Avijeet |Content & Growth Consultant |UPSC Talk (@avijeet_writes) July 19, 2023

Aree yaar. This is horrible! Why? Why?, questioned another user.

Aree yaar. This is horrible!

Why ??? Why ?  Dr Ameya Kale (@DrAmeyaKale) July 19, 2023

However, this is not the first time culinary experiments have been targeted by Twitter users. In the past, Pasta-biryani, biryani stuffed in a samosa, Nutella biryani have all played their part and they didnt seem to settle down well with the internet users. Not just this, with street vendors donning the apron like masterchefs on their stalls, they have come up with all sorts of weird tea combos and maggi pastries in the past.

In one of the latest mischiefs, pani puri, one of the most popular street dishes in India was prepared using bananas instead of potatoes. Mohammed Futurewala, a Twitter user, shared the video where a Gujarat-based street vendor could be seen serving banana pani puri to customers.
India and Bangladesh discussed issues such as the Taka-Rupee exchange system between Bangladesh and India, connectivity, and ongoing projects under the Indian Line of Credits and grants.

A senior official said on Tuesday that Bangladesh is set to launch three major infrastructure projects, including a power plant, under Indias financial assistance in September. Indian High Commissioner called on the countrys Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed these issues, he said.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma called on Prime Minister Hasina at her Ganobhaban official residence and discussed issues such as the Taka-Rupee exchange system between Bangladesh and India, connectivity, and ongoing projects under the Indian Line of Credits and grants.

During the meeting, both the Bangladesh prime minister and the Indian envoy expressed satisfaction over the state of the bilateral relations, Bangladesh premiers press secretary Ihsanul Karim said.

Sheikh Hasina wished India will raise voice, particularly for the Global South alongside the entire world, during the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, Karim said.

A spokesman at Bangladesh premiers office said Verma informed Hasina that two types of credit cards, one Rupee and the other Taka card, will be issued so the people of the two countries can use the cards for their payments.

He told Hasina that a large number of Bangladeshis visit India for various purposes and they can use the card.

The official said Bangladesh is set to launch three major infrastructure projects, including a power plant, under Indias financial assistance in September.

The spokesman said the work on the 660-megawatt superthermal power plant and two railway lines would coincide with Prime Minister Hasinas planned visit to India in September for the G20 Summit.

The power plant would be the second unit of the Rampal power plant in southwestern Bangladesh while the two other infrastructure projects are 65-kilometre-long Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link, Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link.

Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 has been built as a 50:50 joint venture project, while the first unit of the project, also having a 660 MW capacity, was commissioned in December last year, the official said.

The official said the power plant and the Khulna-Mongla Port railway track were constructed under an Indian Line of Credit while the Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link was built under an Indian grant.

Bangladesh and India last week launched a trade transaction in local currency in their bid to reduce dependence on the US dollar and strengthen regional currency and trade.

It was the first time Bangladesh started bilateral trade with a foreign country in any other currency other than the US dollar, although the two countries stage frontier trading in certain areas called border hut in a semi-formal manner where both currencies are exchanged on a limited scale.

Under the formal arrangement from now on, initially, the trade would be transacted in rupee and then gradually in Bangladeshi currency Taka.

According to the latest official data from Dhaka, exports from Bangladesh to India amount to USD 2 billion, while Bangladeshs imports from India are worth USD 13.69 billion.

With inputs from PTI
Political slugfest started in Rajasthan as unknown assailants in Jodhpur mercilessly killed a family of four, including a six-month-old infant, by gruesomely slitting their throats. To compound the horror, the assailants then callously gathered the bodies and set them alight.

Chandra Prakash Joshi, State President of BJP Rajasthan said that these incidents are taking place in the region of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. It clearly shows that the situation of law and order is weak in the state. No one is safe in the city. Be it children or be it, women, he said.

He termed the incident very unfortunate and demanded resignation of the Chief Minister.

#WATCH | Jaipur: These incidents are taking place in the region of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. It clearly shows that the situation of law and order is weak in the state. No one is safe in the city. Be it children or be it, women. All this is very unfortunate. The pic.twitter.com/VTui0PISU9  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 19, 2023

Senior Congress leader Divya Madrena said that the law and order situation is deeply concerning in Rajasthan.

#WATCH | Jaipur: The law and order situation is deeply concerning in Rajasthan. The police is inefficient. If something so gruesome can happen to the people in a village then the IG should be sacked and held responsible: Divya Madrena, Congress leader on Jodhpur police team pic.twitter.com/jyMksXvLFq  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 19, 2023

This incident is deeply saddening. In the last four and a half years, the criminals have become fearless in the state, the government is only busy saving the chair and bringing back the chair. There should be a thorough investigation and the accused should be given harsh punishment, said Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

#WATCH | Jodhpur: This incident is deeply saddening. In the last four and a half years, the criminals have become fearless in the state, the government is only busy saving the chair and bringing back the chair. There should be a thorough investigation and the accused should be pic.twitter.com/sTsaJRDYJu  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 19, 2023

The incident came to light early Wednesday morning after neighbours saw smoke coming out from the courtyard of the house in Chaurai village.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 3 AM, when the family members were sleeping out in the courtyard.

The accused reportedly entered the house and slit their throats with a sharp weapon, before dragging all bodies together and setting them on fire.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed chaotic and unruly scenes as angry BJP legislators tore copies of bills and the agenda, and threw them at the Deputy Speaker, who was presiding, following which Speaker U T Khader suspended 10 of them for the remainder of the session.

In turn, MLAS of the opposition BJP and JD(S) gave notice of no confidence against Speaker Khader to the Assembly Secretary.

The turn of events unfolded following both the opposition parties staging a protest in the assembly against the Congress government for allegedly misusing IAS officers to work for the meeting of leaders of 26 opposition parties, which was held in Bengaluru in the past two days.

The 10 BJP legislators who have been suspended for the reminder of the session for their indecent and disrespectful conduct in the House are  C N Ashwath Narayan, V Sunil Kumar, R Ashoka, Araga Jnanendra (all former ministers), D Vedavyasa Kamath, Yashpal Suvarna, Dheeraj Muniraj, A Umanath Kotian, Arvind Bellad and Y Bharath Shetty.

They were suspended after the House adopted a motion to this effect.

The assembly session began on July 3 and is slated to end on July 21.

A few of the suspended BJP MLAs were forcibly taken out of the assembly chambers by marshals.

#WATCH | This is the black day for Democracy. There was a murder of democracy today. They (10 BJP MLAs) have been suspended for their small agitation. We will fight for the right of the suspended MLAs: Former Karnataka CM Bommai on the suspension of 10 BJP MLAs from the Karnataka pic.twitter.com/SIhNAQjlHH  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

BJP legislators staged a protest against the Speakers decision to suspend the 10 party MLAs, first outside his office and then at the Vidhana Soudha west gate. They were shortly joined by JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Senior BJP member Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was taken to hospital after he fell ill during the protest. He is stable and doing fine, BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan said after visiting him in hospital.

The protesting BJP MLAs, including former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, were detained and taken away by police.

Bommai and Kumaraswamy are among the BJP and JD(S) MLAs who signed the joint notice of no confidence against Speaker Khader.

As the Speaker who has been elected by all members of the Karnataka Assembly has lost the trust of the House, to remove him from the post, we request for an opportunity to move the motion as per rule 169 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, the notice addressed to the Assembly Secretary read.

Things went out of control in the Assembly as opposition BJP and JD(S) members protested from the well of the House, accusing the Congress government of deputing 30 IAS officers to serve its alliance leaders, who had met in the city on Monday and Tuesday in the city, to strategise for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

BJP members gave vent to their anger as Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani was conducting the proceedings, after Speaker Khader left stating that the House would not break for lunch and the discussion on the Budget and demands would continue. He said that those members who want to go for lunch could do so and return to the discussions.

The Speakers decision not to break for lunch was seen as an attempt to put the agitating BJP MLAs in a fix, as they now had to decide whether or not to continue their protest.

Upset by this, the BJP members went into a huddle for a brief period and then, all of a sudden, threw papers at the Chair and the Deputy Speaker stating that the House cannot be run like this.

House is being run, bills are being passed without order.Under which rule had the lunch break been cancelled, they demanded to know.

Earlier in the day, amid protest by BJP and JD(S) members from the well, Speaker Khader allowed Home Minister G Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make separate statements. He also allowed five bills to be passed, without any discussions.

The BJP members also repeatedly raised the issue of Speaker Khader attending the dinner hosted for opposition leaders by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Monday and also meeting senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi there.

As several members repeatedly threw papers at the Deputy Speaker, objecting to the way in which the House was being conducted, assembly marshals surrounded the Chair and tried to protect Lamani.

At one point, Lamani ordered the marshalls to send the unruly BJP MLAs out, and said their behaviour was unbecoming.

The Congress MLAs too strongly objected to the unruly behaviour of the BJP MLAs, resulting in chaos. The Deputy Speaker then adjourned the house for the later part of the day.

After the House was adjourned, some Congress lawmakers, including ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and B S Suresha (Byrathi Suresh), took the marshalls to task, and questioned What were you doing when papers were being thrown at the Deputy Speaker? They said the marshalls should be suspended for not acting sooner.

A few Congress MLAs even purported that the BJPs attack on Lamani was motivated, because he is a Dalit.

As the House met for the day in the morning, the BJP accused the government of using IAS officers for political purposes in violation of protocols. They partys MLAs alleged that the government used the officers to serve those who have been in jail and are now out on bail  at a time when the assembly session is on.

BJP MLAs R Ashoka, S Suresh Kumar and V Sunil Kumar alleged that the government used the IAS officers to host political leaders who are not covered under any state protocol, for two days, instead of sending them to work in drought-hit areas.

Suresh Kumar also blamed the chief secretary for it. CS should not have allowed officers to be used for political purposes You give protection, but using officers for protocol purposes to those out on bail is shameful. Hitting back, Law Minister H K Patil said that the protocol involving state guests was followed, and claimed that the opposition was making such allegations because they are unable to digest that 26 opposition parties came together.

Attacking the government, Basavaraj Bommai said for the first time such a large number of officials had been used in the name of protocol for a non-official event. An official of the rank of Principal Secretary was used as a clerk to welcome someone not covered under protocol, he said.

Reading out the list of political leaders of unheard small parties to whom IAS officers were deployed to serve as gatekeepers citing protocol, he said discretionary power has been misused for political gains.

Protocols were extended to so-called heads of political parties who are not taken seriously in their respective states. Reacting to this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that protocol used for state guests has been followed, and political leaders were treated as per the same protocol during all governments in the past.

We wont fear your (opposition) threats For politics such issues are being raised, he said, claiming that during Kumaraswamys swearing in as CM in 2018 such a protocol was followed in hosting leaders of a number of political parties who attended the event.

The late BJP leader (H N) Ananth Kumar had requested state guest status for Executive Committee Members in the past and was granted by him as he was the then CM, Siddaramaiah added.

Kumaraswamy too slammed the Congress government for deputing IAS officers for a political event. He also hit back at Siddaramaiah stating that his swearing-in was a government function and not an event organised by a political party.
In a bizarre incident, a resident of Mangalore made local cops search for his pair of shoes after they were reportedly stolen from outside a community hall.

Taking their duty seriously, the officers at Mangaluru North police station swiftly identified the perpetrator responsible for the theft, although the footwear and the thief is still to be found.

According to police, the clogs in question are traditional wooden shoes that originated in the Netherlands during the 13th century. Over time, they gained popularity as a fashionable accessory.

Reportedly, price of these shoes range from Rs 515 to Rs 1,600, approximately.

According to the police, the complainant had attended an event at a local hall and had left his shoes outside.

After finishing his meal, he discovered that his footwear had vanished. Frustrated by the situation, he promptly dialed emergency services, claiming that his shoes had been stolen.

The call was redirected to the Mangaluru North police station, prompting them to take immediate action.

A team was dispatched to the scene to review the CCTV footage, which revealed that a laborer working at the premises had indeed taken the footwear.

Efforts to locate the culprit are ongoing, although the police have been unable to determine the value of the stolen clogs due to the complainants inability to provide a purchase receipt.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Wednesday said that her party will fight elections alone in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana and forge an alliance with regional parties in Punjab and Haryana provided they dont have an understanding with the NDA or the new Opposition front.

BSP will go it alone in the Assembly elections of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. In Punjab and Haryana, it can form an alliance with regional parties provided they dont have an understanding with NDA or the changed UPA, said the BSP chief.

VIDEO | BSP will go it alone in the assembly elections of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh. In Punjab and Haryana, it can form an alliance with regional parties provided they dont have an understanding with NDA or the changed UPA, says Bahujan Samaj Party chief pic.twitter.com/JaoqAu41CE  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 19, 2023

Hitting out at the Congress and the BJP, she said that both the parties are anti-Dalit and anti-Muslim.

Congress party is forging alliance with like-minded casteist and capitalist parties to come into power. BJP is also strengthening NDA But their policies are anti-Dalit and anti-Muslim, said the BSP chief.

She added that these parties havent done anything for the welfare of people and they forget their promises after they come into power.

These parties dont work for the welfare of the people. They have not done anything for Dalits, Muslims, and minorities. All are the same. When they come to power, they forget their promises. They have not fulfilled a single promise made to be the people. Be it Congress or be it BJP. This is the biggest reason why BSP has not joined hands with the Opposition, said Mayawati.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed dissatisfaction with the use of the acronym INDIA to replace United Progressive Alliance (UPA) during a significant meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru on Tuesday, sources said.

Sources in the party said that Bihar CM raised concerns about the alliance being named INDIA because it has the letters, NDA in it. They further mentioned that while Nitish Kumar played a crucial role in uniting all the opposition parties, there is a sense of shock among leaders of JD(U) and RJD due to the perceived dominance of Congress in the alliance.

More than two dozen Indian opposition parties said on Tuesday that they had formed an alliance called INDIA to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in parliamentary elections next year.

Naming the alliance INDIA is seen as an attempt to challenge the BJPs nationalist platform in elections due by May 2024.

PM Modi and BJP criticised the alliance members as opportunists and the corrupt who defamed India globally but were now trying to save their existence and their families.

The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. After a long discussion, it was decided to be called as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, VCK chief told ANI.

On the other hand, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that Rahul Gandhi justified why it should be INDIA during the discussion in the meeting. It is a collective effort. We all sat together, and we all decided on names. Rahul ji spearheaded this, he justified why it should be INDIA.

He argued for it, Srinate told ANI. It should also be noted that Nitish Kumar and Lalu Yadav were not present in the press conference following the Bengaluru opposition meet because the weather department predicted bad weather conditions and Nitish Kumar was getting late for a conference.

Moreover, it needs to be mentioned that several opposition leaders like Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Kumar were not present at the press conference.

The representatives of the 26 parties who met for the brainstorming meeting in Bengaluru also decided to set up an 11-member coordination committee, including all the major parties, and a secretariat in Delhi for campaign management and for coordinating the working of various sub-committees, which will take up specific issues.

The next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai; the date will be announced soon. An 11-member coordination committee will be set up. Names of committee members will be announced in Mumbai, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

With inputs from agencies.
Mumbai and its suburbs which have been lashed by incessant heavy rains leading to waterlogging, will see no respite and instead experience heavy to very heavy rainfall on Wednesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Raigad and Palghar districts predicting the regions to witness extremely heavy rainfall.

The weather office has issued an orange alert for parts of Mumbai and its suburbs.

The IMD has predicted moderate rainfall in parts of Sindhduurg, Nandurbar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Sambhajinagar, Ahmednagar, Pune, Nasik, Solapur and Beed districts.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: High tide waves hit Mumbais Marine Drive. IMD has issued a Red alert for Palghar, and Raigad districts and an Orange alert for Thane, Mumbai and Ratnagiri today. pic.twitter.com/RjJQZcjarY  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

The weather office has also forecast the possibility of moderate to intense rainfall in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Palghar districts.

As per the IMD, an orange alert is issued when the rainfall ranges between 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm within a day and red alert is issued when the rainfall within a day is likely to be over 204.5 mm.

A yellow alert has been issued for Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Nasik, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg and Dhule districts of Maharashtra.

Situation getting worse in Northern Suburbs -Virar- Bhiwandi- Kalyan

Virar has started flooding and reports of watter logging coming in from Kalyan. No respite in Rains. Visuals from Kalyan

#MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/Us5jlCPeZM  Mumbai Nowcast (@MumbaiNowcast) July 19, 2023

Mumbai, eastern suburbs and western suburbs received 47.42mm, 50.04 mm and 50.99mm rainfall respectively in the last 24 hours.

The weather office said a low-pressure area is developing in the Bay of Bengal, which will strengthen the offshore monsoon trough near Maharashtra. "When this system moves closer toward the shore or inland around July 18, Mumbai and adjacent parts of the Konkan will see a monsoon revival, an IMD scientist said.

Meanwhile, NDRF has deployed 12 teams across the state amid heavy rainfall.

Schools, colleges closed in Maharashtra

Due to heavy rain showers, schools and colleges in several districts of Maharashtra have been shut down on Wednesday.

In Raigad district, heavy downpour led to waterlogging, resulting in the Rasayani police station being flooded with water. Reportedly, a village on the river bank was also flooded due to heavy rainfall and the locals had to be shifted to safer areas.

Overnight heavy rains bring floods #Nagothane Raigad getting battered as forecasted. Rains to reduce only after 24 hours#Mumbairains pic.twitter.com/3kzNJDyhbR  Abizer Kachwala (@KachwalaAbizer) July 19, 2023

"Rasayani police station premises has been inundated. Apta village on the river bank has been inundated and people have been shifted to safer places. Situation under control," Raigad Superintendent of Police (SP), Somnath Gharge told ANI.

Rains bring Mumbai locals to halt

Water-logging following the incessant rains have affected local train services on suburban section. Trains between Badlapur and Ambarnath section in Maharashtra's Thane district adjoining Mumbai came to a halt on Wednesday, officials said.

#MumbaiRains

Ambernath east #NisargGreen

Trains delay Ambernath to karjat due to heavy rains pic.twitter.com/rp9TKVObM3  Lawrence Samuel Bing (@lawrencebing) July 19, 2023

Rail tracks between Badlapur and Ambarnath stations got inundated around 10.30 am, train services on the Panvel-Belapur Harbour Line were also affected by a "point failure" at Panvel around 9.40 am.

With inputs from agencies
No solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives, Indias permanent representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj during the United Nations General Assembly annual debate on Ukraine said, adding that escalation of hostilities and violence is in no ones interest.

Kamboj conveyed Indias profound concern regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis. Emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions, she underscored that the current era should not be defined by war.

In her statement, Ruchira Kamboj highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict on human lives, especially for vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. India continued to express worry over the situation in Ukraine and its repercussions on the affected population.

We are concerned about recent developments in the region which have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability, she added.

We have urged that all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. The global order that we all subscribe to is based on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States.

These principles must be upheld without exception, she said while addressing the UNGA annual debate on Ukraine.

Speaking on Indias attempts to maintain peace in the region, Kamboj said, In light of my Prime Ministers repeated engagements with both, it is essential to emphasize that we firmly believe that this is not an era of war. It is with this understanding and spirit that India actively participates in this debate.

The permanent representative further added, We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever arrive at the cost of human lives. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no ones interest.

Kamboj emphasised again that however daunting that may appear dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes. The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open.

She also mentioned how the war has affected the entire global south region. It is also unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict unfolds, the entire global south has suffered substantial collateral damage. It is thus critical that the voice of the global south be heard and that their legitimate concerns be duly addressed, she said.

She also mentioned that Indias approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric.

Indias approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric. We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the global south under economic distress, even as they stare at the escalating cost of food, fuel and fertilizers, which has been a consequential fallout of the ongoing conflict, she said.

She also said that India has given all the support to the Black Sea Green Initiative. India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse, she added.

According to United Nations.org, The Black Sea Green Initiative is the UN plan linked to efforts to ensure Russian food and fertilizer reach global markets, supports the stabilization of spiralling food prices worldwide and staves off famine, affecting millions.

The Initiative specifically allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea  Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.

The resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea amid the ongoing war is a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the signing ceremony on 27 July in Istanbul, Turkiye.

With inputs from ANI.
Meanwhile, spokesman Peskov has confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia at the summit in-person, as per TASS.

The Russian News Agency TASS, abbreviated TASS, is a Russian state-owned news agency founded in 1904.

The meeting itself will be attended by Minister Lavrov, the spokesman added.

The BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The BRICS summit will take place between August 22 and 24 in South Africas Johannesburg, TASS reported.

Earlier in the day, the office of South African President, Cyril Ramaphose had announced that Putin will not attend the BRICS nations summit.

This will be the first summit hosted in person since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent global restrictions. The Summit will be attended by the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said earlier on Wednesday, By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

President Ramaphosa has in recent months and weeks held a number of consultations on the hosting of the Summit. The Presidents most recent consultation in this regard took place last night, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the BRICS Political Party Dialogue in Gauteng.

In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the Summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued.

President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe.
Security forces on Wednesday foiled an infiltration bid after they eliminated two terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The operation was jointly conducted the Indian Army, BSF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, said the army.

In a Joint Operation launched by Indian Army, BSF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, an infiltration bid was foiled today morning by alert troops along LOC in Macchal Sector, Kupwara, Armys Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a tweet.

02 x Terrorists eliminated & 04 x AK Rifles, 06 x Hand Grenades & other war-like stores have been recovered. Ops in progress, added the tweet.

This comes after four heavily-armed foreign terrorists were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Tuesday.

Earlier, on the intervening night of July 16 and 17, security forces had foiled a major infiltration bid along the LoC in the Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch.

Talking about the killing of four foreign terrorists in Poonch , the Army said that the successful operation scuttled possible terror strikes in the region.

On Tuesday, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu zone, Mukesh Singh confirmed the killing of four terrorists in the Sindarah top area of Surankote.

Four foreign terrorists were neutralised in a forest area during the ongoing operation Trinetra II. The presence of such heavily-armed terrorists in hinterland is indicative of attempts to destabilise the region, and if not neutralised on time, these terrorists could have carried out major terrorist-initiated incidents in coming days, Commander, 6 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, Brigadier M P Singh told reporters in Poonch.

Operation Trinetra was launched by the Army in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist ambush on security forces vehicles in the Mendhar area of Poonch that left five soldiers dead on 20 April.

With inputs from agencies
Serial blasts were been averted in Bengaluru after the five terror suspects were arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Wednesday. A huge consignment of explosives and firearms, including pistols, live cartridges, and materials used for explosives were seized from them.

Those arrested have been identified as Syed Sohail, Umar, Junaid, Mudasir and Jahid. CCB said the suspects have made meticulous plan to carry out blasts in Bengaluru.

Owing to information a team traced the location and arrested the suspected terrorists, the crime branch said.

According to PTI, the five suspects were nabbed near a place of worship in the Kanakanagar area of Sultanpalya locality while planning a major conspiracy.

It is suspected that the team had planned to carry out a blast in Bengaluru, CCB said, adding that all five were accused in a 2017 murder case and were in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail where they came in contact with the terrorists.

There were 21 people arrested in connection with 2017 murder case.

It is being said that the five terror suspects arrested on Wednesday received training on handling explosives when they came in contact with the terrorists in the prison.

4 walkie-talkies, 7 country-made pistols, 42 live bullets, 2 daggers, 2 satellite phones and 4 grenades recovered from the 5 suspected terrorists arrested by Central Crime Branch (CCB), Karnataka. https://t.co/qqDJb06lOw pic.twitter.com/HTOMHXmkof  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Meanwhile, BJP leader and former chief minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai said, "There is a big conspiracy. They wanted to do serial bomb blasts in Bengaluru. This case should be handed over to NIA."

#WATCH | There is a big conspiracy. They wanted to do serial bomb blasts in Bengaluru. This case should be handed over to NIA, says former Karnataka CM Bommai pic.twitter.com/D7n0Xm8Mkx  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

As per a report by India Today, CCB is searching for five more individuals who are suspected to be involved in the scheming.

With inputs from agencies
Two migrant labourers were shot at by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday, police said.

The injured men were rushed to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be stable, they added.

According to a Times Now report, citing sources, the victims have been identified as Akshay and Saurav, both residents of Maharashtra, who were working at a jewellery shop in Anantnag.

#Terrorists fired upon two outside labourers in #Anantnag. Both the injured #civilians have been shifted to hospital, where they are stated to be stable. Area being cordoned off for search #operation. Further details shall follow, the Kashmir Zone Police informed on Twitter.

#Terrorists fired upon two outside labourers in #Anantnag. Both the injured #civilians have been shifted to hospital, where they are stated to be stable. Area being cordoned off for search #operation. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) July 18, 2023

Police said that by targeting innocent civilians terrorists cant deter the efforts of security forces to bring peace in the Valley.

By targeting innocent civilians including women & kids, unarmed policemen & outside labourers, terrorists cant deter our efforts to bring peace in valley. Our CT operations will continue simultaneously in all 3 regions of Kashmir specially against foreign terrorists, said IGP Kashmir.

Three migrant labourers were injured on Thursday when terrorists fired upon them in the Gagren area of Shopian district.

With inputs from agencies
The heavy rainfall in the past few days has caused a lot of trouble for people living in the northern region of India. Be it Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand or Delhi; the constant rain has wreaked havoc in these states causing flash floods and landslides. Amidst this, a new scare has been witnessed in the Laksar and Khanpur regions of Uttarakhands Haridwar district. In a shocking development, crocodiles have started making their way into residential areas already experiencing complications due to the floodwaters of the Ganges and its tributaries.

According to an official of the forest department, a team of 25 employees has been deployed in the Laksar and Khanpur regions of Uttarakhand to capture crocodiles. They are working around the clock to ensure that no crocodile is left in the areas. It was also informed that till now, a dozen crocodiles have been caught from the populated areas. Notably, the forest department is catching the reptiles and releasing them back into the rivers.

Neeraj Sharma, the Divisional Forest Officer of Haridwar, while speaking to PTI informed that a significant number of crocodiles are found in the Banganga and Sonali rivers, which have reached the populated areas along with the floodwaters.

Amberish Garg, the chairman of the Laksar Municipality, also said that crocodiles mostly enter the drains and ponds of rural areas through the Sonali and Ban Ganga rivers. He added that this year witnessed a several incidents of crocodiles entering populated areas.

The reports of crocodiles making their way into populated areas emerged a week after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached villages affected by floods for inspection.

A dramatic rise has reportedly been witnessed in the water level of the Ganga in the last few weeks due to the heavy rainfall. Additionally, what has worsened the situation in the state is a breach in a dam on the Sonali River. While on Monday, it was reported that the water level has declined in some areas of Laksar, the heavy rainfall on Tuesday led to the rise of the water level again.
Monsoon mayhem has resulted in devastating consequences across India, leading to the tragic loss of over 150 lives.

Himachal Pradesh has been severely affected, with 125 reported deaths caused by flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides. The state has incurred extensive damages amounting to Rs 4,691 crore, and currently, 682 roads remain blocked.

The local meteorological office has issued a yellow alert and predicted heavy rains at isolated places in the state till July 22.

Tragically, on Tuesday, three individuals lost their lives when their vehicle plunged into a stream as a section of the road collapsed in the Nankneri region of Dharamshala.

In the Indora sub-division of Kangra district, a rescue operation spanning nine hours took place to save 55 individuals, including children. The operation concluded around 5 am on Tuesday.

Simultaneously, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur appealed to the state government on Tuesday to expedite road clearance efforts in regions known for apple and other fruit cultivation. This measure is aimed at minimizing losses for the growers in these areas.

Many regions are still awaiting relief assistance even after 10 days since the calamity occurred. The affected people are enduring immense difficulties as they continue to face challenges such as water scarcity, power outages, limited communication, and inadequate medical facilities, the chief minister said in a statement.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Uttarakhand has issued a yellow alert, indicating the possibility of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms accompanied by intense precipitation in all 13 districts on Wednesday. Additionally, the weather department has issued an orange alert for Friday (July 21), advising people to avoid approaching rivulets, rivers, and rain drains.

Against the backdrop of continuous rainfall in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the State Disaster Control Room on Tuesday to assess the situation. He instructed officials to remain vigilant and prepared for any contingencies.

Several roads, including national highways, were closed due to landslides due to incessant rains in the state.

Maharashtra has been severely affected with incessant rainfall. IMD has issued red alert for the state.

In view of heavy rains in the state, NDRF has deployed a total of 12 teams across Maharashtra.

5 teams have been deployed in Mumbai, 1 team each in Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nagpur, and Thane districts of the state.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan has accused the so-called secular parties of treating his party like political untouchables after they were not invited for the two-day Opposition meeting that ended in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

#WATCH | Mumbai | On the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru, AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan, says They did not call us, we are political untouchables for them. There are leaders who were once with BJP including Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray and Mehbooba Mufti. We saw pic.twitter.com/zkIMbOjuXd  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

The AIMIM national spokesperson also questioned how can someone ignore Asaduddin Owaisis party.

The so called secular parties did not call us, we are political untouchables for them. There are leaders who were once with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray and Mehbooba Mufti. We saw Arvind Kejriwal abusing Congress during the Gujarat Assembly elections, but even he is sitting in Bengaluru. Even we (AIMIM) are putting efforts to defeat BJP in 2024, but they (Opposition parties) are ignoring Asaduddin Owaisi and our party, he said.

The two-day joint meeting came to an end on Tuesday with the 26 parties agreeing to come up under one name  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA.

On Tuesday, while addressing the media after the meeting, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, Earlier, we were UPA and now all the 26 parties have given a name to the Opposition and that is  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Everybody has agreed upon this, and the resolution for the name was passed unanimously.

The development came as top leaders of 26 Opposition parties from across the country met in Bengaluru on Tuesday to discuss a united strategy to take on the ruling NDA alliance at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan said that the name was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. After a long discussion, it was decided to be called as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, VCK chief told ANI.

On the other hand, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said that Rahul Gandhi justified why it should be INDIA during the discussion in the meeting.

It is a collective effort. We all sat together, and we all decided on names. Rahul ji spearheaded this, he justified why it should be INDIA. He argued for it, Srinate told ANI.

The representatives of the 26 parties 10 more than the 16 parties which had met in Patna on June 23  also decided to set up an 11-member coordination committee, including all the major parties, and a secretariat in Delhi for campaign management and for coordinating the working of various sub-committees, which will take up specific issues.

The next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai; the date will be announced soon. An 11-member coordination committee will be set up. Names of committee members will be announced in Mumbai, Kharge said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the Lok Sabha elections next year a fight between India and PM Modi.

This fight is not between 2 political formations but the fight is to defend the idea of India. If you will see history, you will find that nobody has been able to fight the idea of India. Its a fight between the idea of India and Narendra Modi, Gandhi said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while warning the ruling party at the centre said, NDA, BJP, can you challenge INDIA?

We love our motherland. We are the patriotic people of the country. We are for the country, the world, farmers, for all, she said, adding that people  Hindus, Dalits, minorities, farmers, in Bengal, and Manipur  are under threat from the BJP, whose only job is buying and selling governments.

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, while addressing the press conference said that the leaders of the like-minded parties came to Karnatakas Bengaluru to save the country from hatred.

In the last 9 years, PM Modi could have done a lot of things but he destroyed all the sectors. We have gathered here not for ourselves but to save the country from hatred Arvind Kejriwal said.

With inputs from agencies
Oppenheimer  Christopher Nolans $100m epic is expected to put the nuclear bomb question back on the table. In the early 1940s, at his Los Alamos home, when Robert Oppenheimer raised a toast with his favourite signature martini  four ounces of gin and a dash of vermouth in a glass rimmed in honey and lime juice vowing to make a bomb that could stop Nazi Germany, any dilemma on the outcome of the bomb may have been far from his mind.

On the back of Nolans genius and the mysterious allure of Oppenheimer (the protagonist), the film, based on a Pulitzer winning book, promises a retelling of important history through the filmmakers distinctive, layered style. The subject stirs interest about a man who was at the centre of a project that changed the way nations approached self-preservation. There is a lesser known fact around the race for the atom bomb that Nolans film doesnt discuss. The role of Xinjiang and the great game that was being played in the region to Indias north is another absorbing and mystifying story.

Lets get back to the film first.

The Film and the Manhattan Project

The film is about Julius Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan project  a scientific exercise that created the first atom bomb in the world. Oppenheimer, an American physicist, was the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II. He is known to have been the brains behind the project and is referred to as the father of the atom bomb.

In 1939, American intelligence discovered that a research program on uranium had secretly begun in Germany. That October, Albert Einstein would meet with Alexander Sachs, an economist and advisor to American President Roosevelt to explain that the German governments research on fission chain reactions using uranium could produce large amount of power which could, in turn, be harnessed to make powerful bombs.

Paranoid that Hitler was about to possess the bomb, the Americans began an expensive project to deter him. In August, 1943, Oppenheimer would join the this Manhattan project. On the other hand, German scientists on their project, including Heisenberg were morally opposed to it. Finally, Hitler and Nazi Germany could not develop a bomb. But with Roosevelts support to the Manhattan project and Oppenheimers role, America did develop the bomb and use it.

The unseen game in the East

The Manhattan project was kept a top secret since the Americans were always wary of Soviet agents. Though they were allies in the world war during the 1940s, the Soviets were trying to acquire intelligence about a special American research project they had heard about. The Soviet Union had also begun to eye the possibility of developing its own bomb. The path to the bomb, unlike the American Manhattan project lay in faraway Xinjiang. The Russian empire had historically identified Xinjiang as a crucible for minerals and was planning to gain greater political control over the region so that the resources could be directed towards the one mission the then global powers were chasing. The atom bomb.

By the start of the Second World War, the Soviet consul in Xinjiang became its de facto ruler. In his book Red Fear, Iqbal Malhotra writes in detail about the race for the resources in the region of Xinjiang that involved Russia and Britain, and the role of the local warlord Shen Shicai who leveraged his pro-Soviet connections to rule the region. During the early 1940s, Shicai gave the Soviets the rights to the region to mine the resources.

What was an American spy and a Russian miner doing in Xinjiang, China?

The Soviets sent large scale exploration expeditions that discovered deposits of uranium, beryllium and other minerals used in making a nuclear bomb. Xinjiang had become an important destination for Moscow. The Russians threatened the Xinjiang administration and desired mining rights for 50 years. In Delhi, the British government was alarmed by the information that the Russians had found uranium deposits in Xinjiang.

Together, history and geography had hitched Xinjiangs legacy to Soviet ambitions. The Russian empire once thought to acquire it. The Soviets were interested in the region, given the vast potential for minerals. In the 20th century, as uranium was discovered in the region, Soviets began mining here to develop an atom bomb. In response, a concerned and curious British government in Delhi sprung into action. In his book Contested Lands, Maroof Raza writes how the British built a network of couriers to bring back excavated minerals from Kashgar and carry them across the border to Gilgit, to be transported to the US for tests.

In the north, Gilgit was placed under Colonel Roger Bacon who ran a spy network alongwith the US consulate in Xinjiang to obtain information about the Soviets, uranium mining and the atom bomb. OSS, the American wartime predecessor of the CIA, set up a base ahead of Ladakh to spy on the Soviet plan. At that time, when the focus of the world was on Nazi Germany and the Manhattan project, there was a secret atom bomb project underway in Xinjiang. It involved the Soviets with their mines and the Americans and the British with their spies.

Truman and Stalin: Ace of the race

The race to the bomb was not restricted to Germany alone. The allies had seen a competition coming, once the war was over. The Xinjiang project was a post-war bomb making project that was planned ahead of its time  while the world was obsessed with Hitler. America believed it was leading the race, while the British aspired to follow them as the second nation to build the bomb. Incidentally, the fear was that the Soviets could upstage both of them and lead the world.

Once President Harry Truman told Stalin that he had a new weapon of unusual destructive force. Apparently, according to Trumans memoirs, Stalin is said to have said that he hoped it was used against the Japanese. Winston Churchill, who was an earshot away believed that Stalin hadnt quite understood that Truman was referring to the atom bomb. Given the fact that the Soviets were already working on a bomb, Stalins sarcasm was probably lost on Truman. In fact Harry Truman, who was Vice President to President Roosevelt earlier, had no idea about the project on the bomb till he became president. When he did learn about the bomb, he used it within four months.

After the war, Oppenheimer had changed his stance on nuclear weapons and believed that they were instruments of aggression and terror. He abhorred the weapons industry that a new America had excitedly founded and began to thrive on. At a meeting in October 1945, he famously told President Truman: I feel I have blood on my hands.

Whether the use of the bomb was the actual trigger for a nuclear race between nations is always up for debate but the incontestable truth is that hundreds of thousands Japanese citizens were killed as an outcome of the Manhattan project. However, on the other hand, it is quite certain that the Soviets were on their way to developing a bomb of their own, which they ultimately did. Xinjiang became a crucial ground of control as Mao and Chiang Kai-Shek jostled to control political power in Beijing after the war. Soviets who were controlling Xinjiang during the war, later helped Maos rural China develop the knowhow for a bomb, even as millions in China died of hunger. The Asian connect to the bomb would begin with China. India would follow soon after in 1974 with its first test.

Robert Oppenheimer, a student of Sanskrit, quoted lines from the Gita after testing the worlds first atom bomb, Now I am death, the destroyer of worlds. A cruel irony of advent of peace and the end of war was that the atom bomb became the wars greatest discovery. The discovery, in turn, birthed the growth of a nuclearized region that used destructive capability both in the form of a neutralizing tool and a deterrent security blanket. Oppenheimer may have turned away from the bomb after the war, but alongside sparking Christopher Nolans curiosity, he triggered an unending nuclear race which began with the mining and spying in Xinjiang while Oppenheimer ran his Manhattan project.

The writer is the author of Watershed 1967: Indias Forgotten Victory over China. His fortnightly column for FirstPost  Beyond The Lines  covers military history, strategic issues, international affairs and policy-business challenges. He tweets @iProbal.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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On Saturday, 19 July 1969, without warning prime minister Indira Gandhi nationalised 14 Indian banks by special presidential ordinance, without consulting the Cabinet and the Planning Commission. Three days earlier, she had dismissed the finance minister Moraji Desai and had taken the finance portfolio for herself. Desai had been vehemently opposed to nationalisation and preferred his own policy of social control for banks without actually owning the institutions. In relation to his dismissal, Desai was later to lament to Indira, You have behaved towards me in a manner in which no one would behave even with a clerk.

Indira had nationalised 14 leading banks, the biggest was the Central Bank, controlled by the Tatas with deposits of over Rs 4 billion, and the smallest was the Bank of Maharashtra with deposits totalling Rs 700 million. Indira had struck a severe blow to other big business houses too such as the Birlas who were running United Commercial Bank, the Dalmia-Jains with Bharat Bank and its 292 branch offices, the Punjab National Bank set up by Dyal Singh Majithia, Lala Harkishan Lal, Lala Lajpat Rai and others, and some Gujarati entrepreneurs who had big stakes in Dena Bank. An economic survey of 20 leading banks of that era showed that 188 people who served as directors were also directors of 1,452 companies.

Indira Gandhis left leanings were more radical than those of her father Nehru. Indira favoured a more aggressive brand of socialism and greatly admired the Soviet model of political centralization. Her justification for nationalisation was to provide bank financing for the countrys marginalized classes, particularly the agrarian class, as farmer distress was as prevalent then as it is now. She had the fullest support from all the Left parties who along with the public welcomed the move.

For the opposition parties, Gandhis move was seen as a populist one, taken for political expediency. The Congress had not done well in the 1967 elections two years previously, and Gandhi was heading a minority government. The Swatantra Party, founded by Independent Indias first Governor-General C Rajagopalachari in 1959 to counteract the socialist policies of Nehru, was now the single largest party in the Lok Sabha, and most of its members were ideologically aligned and on a first-name basis with Morajibhai. One of Desais close friends was RC Cooper, the then General Secretary of the Swatantra Party who was holding a dinner party in his south-Mumbai home on the night of 19 July, when news of nationalisation was announced on the radio much to the shock of all those present. One of Coopers guests from the Congress party, who he does not name, but refers to as a very senior official of the Government, seeing Coopers visible agitation urged him to contest bank nationalisation and the next morning, a Sunday, Cooper rushed to Delhi.

In a first-person account  Why I Moved The Supreme Court  published in the 20 February, 1970 issue of Himmat Weekly, Cooper wrote, It was only about eight months before the actual step of bank nationalisation was taken that we had the social control legislation. Those of us who have taken pains to study the measure of social control in great detail came to the conclusion that there is nothing more in bank nationalisation which would promote social objectives better than would be done under the social control legislation. Therefore it would be incorrect for a socialist or anyone else to suggest that bank nationalisation is a step calculated to promote social objective.

Arriving in Delhi, Cooper found that noted jurist Nani Palkhiwalla was co-incidentally also in the city. He immediately engaged Palkhiwalla as counsel and Coopers petition was framed. Cooper had all the right qualifications to petition the Supreme Court. A leading chartered accountant of Mumbai, with a PhD in Economics, Cooper was an early proponent of Free Market Economies and was vicepresident of the influential Forum of Free Enterprise. But it was in his capacity as shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of India, that he challenged bank nationalisation.

Cooper wrote, I have felt that not only certain political parties but even individuals in the highest places in the political sphere have started regarding the Constitution as something which can easily be played about with. My main objective in taking the matter to the Supreme Court was to establish the sanctity of the Constitution, the rule of law and the fundamental rights of the individual, particularly the small man and the small shareholder.

Even as RC Cooper v. The Union of India was being heard, the Congress government went ahead with its plans to formalise the bank nationalisation ordinance. It introduced the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act of 1969. During the court proceedings, it was alleged by the government that powerful big business interests were behind Cooper and financing the case. But Cooper made it clear that Palkhiwalla, his solicitor Jimmy Dadachanji and the entire team of young lawyers and economists who had volunteered their services, were in fact acting pro-bono.

On 10 February 1970, the verdict was finally out and an 11-judge bench of the Supreme Court gave a 10-1 majority verdict in Coopers favour and declared the 1969 Act to be invalid and unconstitutional. On 14 February 1970, the President of India, VV Giri was forced to pass another Presidential Ordinance to provide for compensation. This became an Act on 31 March 1970 and by its provisions, a total of Rs 87.40 crore was to be paid out to the 14 banks and their shareholders.

Fifty-four years of the debate on the merits and demerits of privatizing the banking sector rages on. It was the Gujarati and Parsi lobby at the time that was most strident and vocal in their call for an independent and unfettered banking industry. It will be interesting to see whether, in his second or ensuing third term, Indias second Gujarati Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his all-power number two in the government, Amit Shah will take steps to dismantle what could arguably be Indira Gandhis most controversial political legacy.

The writer is a Visiting Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. A well-known political analyst, he has written several books, including 24 Akbar Road and Sonia: A Biography. 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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Apple is expanding its AFib History feature for Apple Watch users in India. This feature, initially introduced last year with watchOS 9 after approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, is now available in India. AFib History has the potential to benefit users diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm condition. By tracking health metrics, this feature can assist doctors in monitoring users health during regular check-ups.

To use AFib History, users need an Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 9 and an iPhone with iOS 16. It is important to note that AFib History is strictly for users aged 22 and above who have been diagnosed with AFib. If users experience any discomfort, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

AFib is characterized by irregular heart rhythm, where the upper chambers of the heart beat out of sync with the lower chambers. Common symptoms include rapid heartbeat, palpitations, fatigue, or shortness of breath. However, some individuals with AFib may not experience any symptoms. Therefore, having a device that can track AFib and store its history can be valuable for monitoring and managing the condition.

How to set up AFib History

To access the AFib History feature in the Health app on your iPhone, follow these steps:

Ensure that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS and your Apple Watch has been updated to the latest version of watchOS.

Open the Health app on your iPhone.

Navigate to Browse. Tap on Heart to access heart-related features.

Look for and select AFib History from the available options.

Tap Set Up and then proceed by tapping Get Started.

Enter your Date of Birth when prompted.

When asked if you have been diagnosed with AFib by a doctor, choose Yes, and tap Continue.

You may choose to tap Continue again to gain further information about AFib History, including its results and associated life factors.

Once you have reviewed the details, tap Done to complete the setup process.

How it works

The Health app on the iPhone displays AFib History estimates as a percentage. A lower percentage indicates less frequent AFib episodes, while a higher percentage means more frequent episodes. The AFib History will never show as 0%, instead displaying as 2% or less. Users can also compare AFib History with Life Factors by tapping Show Life Factors.

Users have the option to export their AFib History data to a PDF for sharing. By selecting Export PDF from the Options menu within AFib History, users can generate a PDF file that can be shared with others.

It is important to note that AFib History serves as a reference point for doctors and does not provide real-time notifications of AFib episodes. Enabling Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch will disable background heart measurements and may result in no AFib History estimates.

Overall, the expansion of the AFib History feature for Apple Watch users in India provides a valuable tool for individuals diagnosed with AFib and can assist in the monitoring and management of their condition.
AI has generated an enormous amount of excitement, attracting billions of dollars in investment as entrepreneurs seek to capitalize on the next major technological trend. However, not everyone shares the belief that this trend will endure.

Emad Mostaque, the CEO of Stability AI, an open-source AI company responsible for the highly popular image generator Stable Diffusion, expresses concerns that the industry may crumble like a fragile house of cards.

During a recent call with banking analysts, Mostaque referred to the current state of AI as the biggest bubble of all time, stating that it is not yet ready for the financial sector. He labeled it the dot AI bubble, emphasizing that it has yet to reach its peak.

A repeat of the Dot Com bubble?

Nevertheless, we should approach Mostaques statements with caution. It seems contradictory for a CEO of his stature to warn investors about an AI bubble. Furthermore, just three months ago, Mostaque confidently asserted at a conference that AI is not a bubble and is even more significant than 5G or self-driving cars.

Mostaques credibility has come under scrutiny, with Forbes publishing a profile last month that exposed misleading claims made by the CEO. These include the revelation that he did not earn a masters degree from Oxford, contrary to his previous statements. The article also accused him of embellishing his achievements and misleading investors with dubious claims.

Although Mostaque has denied these allegations, it is crucial to consider this context when evaluating his latest prediction. Even if there is some misunderstanding regarding his academic credentials, should we rely on the insights of a CEO who admits to neglecting the necessary paperwork to obtain his Oxford diploma?

Ironically, Mostaque has managed to secure over $100 million in investment, indicating that he himself is a significant contributor to the expanding AI bubble. This raises the question of why he continues to raise funds for an industry that he believes may eventually collapse.

A challenging position

It is challenging to reconcile Mostaques assertion that AI represents the biggest bubble of all time with his recent plea for a $1 trillion investment in AI as essential knowledge infrastructure surpassing even the significance of 5G.

So, are we on the brink of a monumental opportunity or the largest financial disaster in history?

It is possible that Mostaque is hedging his bets to appease investors. By maintaining that any outcome is possible, he avoids being proven wrong.

However, he isnt the only one to say that we are living in an AI bubble. This is a perspective that is shared by some prominent economists as well.

Economists too say that this is an AI bubble

In their essay, Gary N. Smith, the Fletcher Jones Professor of Economics at Pomona College, and Jeffrey Lee Funk, an independent technology consultant, highlight the captivating nature of human-like conversations generated by GPT. They argue that this magic has led to the promotion of a false narrative, wherein computers are portrayed as being smarter than humans and capable of making decisions on our behalf.

However, they assert that this hype surrounding chatbot AIs is destined to become a bubble, a phenomenon that investors fear the most. Once this bubble bursts, they claim that the truth behind Large Language Model (LLM)-powered systems will be revealed, showing them to be far less revolutionary than initially believed and more akin to smoke and mirrors.

Smith and Funk further state that the AI bubble is rapidly expanding. Their essay is rooted in the argument that many investors seem to misunderstand the fundamental technology underlying these language models, which can easily be anthropomorphized. While chatbots like ChatGPT and the OpenAI-powered Bing Search may sound impressively human, they actually lack the ability to synthesize information effectively. As a result, they fail to provide thoughtful, analytical, and often accurate responses.
The leaks preceding the launch of the iPhone 15 series have revealed some major information about the upcoming devices. Of particular interest is the iPhone 15 Pro Max, expected to be the most expensive phone from Apple this year.

It is rumoured to receive over 7 major upgrades this year in terms of hardware and software features, most of which will be exclusive to the Pro and the Pro Max devcies. Apple is anticipated to hold an event in September to unveil the iPhone 15 series.

A new action button

According to leaks, the iPhone 15 Pro Max may introduce a new customizable Action button, as depicted in renderings. This button would replace the long-standing Ring/Silent switch found on every iPhone since 2007.

Similar to the Apple Watch Ultra, this button could be personalized to perform various phone functions. The specific functions it may support are unknown at this time, but Apple is likely to offer users the option to choose which smartphone function they can quickly access using this button.

USB Type-C

Another notable upgrade for the iPhone 15 Pro Max could be the inclusion of a USB-Type C port. This move would mark a departure from Apples Lightning port, seen on previous models, in favor of a port more commonly found on Android devices.

Ultra-thin bezels

Leaks have also suggested that the upcoming iPhone may feature the thinnest bezels to date, providing users with more screen space and an enhanced content-viewing experience. The device might also have a slightly rounded frame for improved grip, and the latest Dynamic Island feature is expected to be present on the 2023 iPhones.

An upgraded camera array

Furthermore, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is speculated to have a more prominent camera module, housing a triple rear camera setup. Among the anticipated upgrades is the inclusion of a new periscope lens, enabling optical zoom of up to 5-6x, along with additional sensors. These enhancements are expected to result in improved portrait photography capabilities.

SoC, battery and storage upgrades

Reports suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro models will offer storage options of up to 1TB. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is rumoured to feature a larger 4,852mAh battery, surpassing the 4,323mAh variant found in the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Under the hood, the new iPhone model is expected to utilize Apples latest A17 Bionic chipset. The 2023 iPhones will likely come with the latest iOS 17 software pre-installed. However, with these significant upgrades, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also expected to come with a higher price tag.

A massively upgraded price tag

It is speculated that the iPhone 15 Pro models will see a price increase of approximately $200. In India, this would equate to roughly Rs 16,490. To provide context, the iPhone 14 Pro Max was launched at $1,099, equivalent to around Rs 90,626. With the potential $200 hike, the iPhone 15 Pro Max could be priced at $1,299 (approximately Rs 1,07,090). However, its important to note that prices may vary in different regions. In India, the iPhone 14 Pro Max was available for Rs 1,39,900, resulting in a price difference of Rs 32,800 compared to the US market.

Its crucial to approach these details with caution as they are based on leaks and rumours. Users are advised to wait for official information from Apple or reputable sources for accurate and confirmed details about the iPhone 15 series.
Former US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he anticipates being charged with a crime in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January, which would further worsen his legal problems as he considers running for president again.

Special counsel Jack Smith has already filed criminal charges against Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, for handling top-secret government papers after leaving office.

Trump claimed to have gotten a letter from Smith on Sunday informing him that he is a subject of the investigation into what happened on 6 January, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed Congress in an effort to block the certification of Democrat Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election.

Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter stating that I am a TARGET of the Jan 6 grand jury investigation, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The 77-year-old Trump said he was given four days to report to a grand jury, which almost always means an arrest and indictment.

This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponisation of law enforcement, he said. It is a very sad and dark period for our nation!

It was not immediately clear what charges Trump may face, and a target letter does not always result in an indictment.

Before the Capitol attack, Trump delivered a fiery speech nearby urging the crowd to fight like hell, and Smith has spent months looking into Jan 6 and Trumps other efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

An unnamed adviser to Trump told the Post the former president would decline to appear before the Jan 6 grand jury, which has already heard testimony from a number of close Trump associates.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested for taking part in what prosecutors have called an insurrection intended to keep Trump in the White House.

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Most of them face charges of illegally entering the Capitol or causing property damage, but some 350 have been charged with assaulting law enforcement officers or resisting arrest.

Others, including members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, have been convicted of the more serious charge of seditious conspiracy.

Distraction

Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who is also vying for the 2024 Republican nomination, told Fox News another Trump indictment would be a distraction.

We cant keep dealing with this drama, Haley said. And thats why Im running. We need a new generational leader.

Kevin McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, accused Biden, who is running for reelection, of using the justice system to go after their number one opponent.

Democratic Representative Adam Schiff denounced McCarthys remarks as a shameful attempt to provide cover for a corrupt former president.

Trump was indicted by Smith in June for allegedly stashing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida  the first former US president to face criminal charges.

Trump is charged with willful retention of national defence information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements and other offenses.

Prosecutors have asked US district judge Aileen Cannon for a December trial date, while Trumps defense attorneys have asked for it to begin after the November 2024 White House vote.

At a hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Tuesday, Cannon was sceptical about delaying the trial until after the 2024 election but also appeared doubtful it could be held in December, The Washington Post reported.

She said she would issue a decision on a trial date promptly.

Georgia probe

Georgia prosecutors are also investigating whether Trump illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome in the southern state.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said he has the right to protest an election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen and he was being targeted because of the upcoming vote.

The Justice Department has effectively issued a third indictment and arrest of Joe Bidens NUMBER ONE POLITICAL OPPONENT, who is largely dominating him in the race for the Presidency, Trump said.

Nothing like this has ever happened in our country before.

Asked about Trumps potential indictment, White House spokesman Karine Jean-Pierre said, the president respects the Department of Justice, their independence.

Trump pleaded not guilty in New York earlier this year in a case involving election-eve hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who said she had an affair with him.

Trump was impeached by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives in 2019 for seeking political dirt on Biden from Ukraine, and again after the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol, but was acquitted by the Senate both times.

With inputs from agencies
In one of the latest sightings common to the USA states, a ringing doorbell camera in Louisiana became a medium to capture the unusual green-coloured fireball marking its presence across the night sky. As per several reports, the event unfolded in the early hours of 14 July at around 4:30 am in Gretna, a city in Louisiana. The incident has left the knowers of the cosmic world baffled. It has also proposed a range of conspiracy theories about the presence of some Unidentified flying object (UFO) or the ball being symbolic of otherworldly activities.

Several residents of the southeastern US state witnessed the peculiar sky phenomenon, adding to speculations. A few Twitter users also shared the clip on the microblogging site. The video shows a bright fireball of green light flashing across the sky, casting an extraterrestrial glow over a street. One such user JVARTS, The Fine Arts Club or Meta Homeboy for Alien Arts shared the doorbell recording.

Check out the Twitter post:

As per the users Twitter bio, he has been an Unidentified Flying Object researcher for more than two decades. The post has amassed over 900 views.

Check out some of the responses to the post:

The person who lives in the area where the goofy object hit shared an update. He wrote: Was reported as a meteorite in the local news here in the local area. As far as I know, nobody got out and tried locating or checking it out.

Was reported as a meteorite in the local news here in the local area. As far as I know, nobody went and tried locating or checking it out.  HavelTheRock (@BurntheBolo) July 18, 2023

Another user suggested: Maybe its Kryptonite!

Maybe it's Kryptonite!  Manthan (@iBhumikaDash) July 19, 2023

Interestingly, Kryptonite is a fictional material appearing in Superman stories published by DC Comics. It is known for its green, crystalline material and emits a unique, poisonous radiation that can weaken and even kill Kryptonians.

A user said: Looks like a classic bolide. Bolides are large meteors or fiery balls that explode.

Looks like a classic bolide.  UFO/UAP News (@uap_news) July 18, 2023

Meteorological Service investigates the unusual sighting

New York Post while quoting Jam Press said that the American Meteorological Society is now investigating the latest fireball clip from Louisiana. While officials call it a meteor, similar sightings have been reported in six US states recently, bringing the total to 29.
Nita Ambani, Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, said Indian youth are leading the change where there is so much global interest in Indian culture and the countrys values.

Ambani, who is in New York to support an art exhibit  The Tree and the Serpent at Metropolitan Museum of Art, said, The exhibit has Buddhist art from 2nd century BC to 4th Century AD, about 140 pieces. India is the cradle of Buddhism and Buddhism is intertwined with Indian ethos.

#WATCH | I am in New York on behalf of Reliance Foundation, the foundation is supporting an exhibit The Tree and the Serpent at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit has Buddhist art from 2nd century BC to 4th Century AD, about 140 pieces. India is the cradle of Buddhism pic.twitter.com/H9tKRLjoww  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Elaborating on the work, she said it is the fourth exhibition at the MET (museum), which was started in 2016 with Nasreen Mohamedi. At NMACC (Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre), we have the vision of bringing best of the world to India. So I am kind of delighted to be here and be part of this exhibit.

Ambani also said her foundation is looking for collaboration with different museums of the word to bring art to India. She stressed that NMACC has seen the footfall of 5,000-6,000 every day in the last three months since it was opened.

India is at the right place and time now. So much of Indian culture that is interesting to people around the globe, she added.

#WATCH | There is so much global interest in Indian culture and so much appreciation for what India holds. I think young Indians are leading the way for this change. I met the Indian diaspora at the White House (during PM Modis state visit to the US) and the excitement of pic.twitter.com/C3wOnm8pml  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

When asked about Indias influence on the West, and how it has changed over the past few years, Ambani said, I came here first as a young bride at 21 and today I sit here as a very proud Indian. There has been so much of global interest in Indianness and Indian culture and so much appreciation for what India holds. I think our young Indians are leading the way for this change. I met the Indian diaspora at the White House and the excitement of meeting them was palpable. They are doing so well in healthcare, at NASA, at culture, at media and at businesses, she said

#WATCH | It was wonderful to experience the deepening of friendship between the oldest democracy and the largest democracy. It was a historic visit. I think this century will belong to the youth of our nation: Nita Ambani, Chairperson, Reliance Foundation in New York on PM Modis pic.twitter.com/IhgB5UV930  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

On Prime Minister Narendra Modis State visit to the US last month, she said, It was wonderful to experience the deepening of friendship between the oldest democracy and the largest democracy. It was a historic visit. I think this century will belong to the youth of our nation.
In a shocking turn of events, a Jack Russell Terrier was found by a Scottish mountain rescue team after falling 60 meters down into one of the UKs largest waterfalls. Based on The Metros report, the tiny dog was saved from the vast depths before 3 pm on 16 July. The incident unfolded after the Terrier lost its footing at Grey Mares Tail Waterfall near Moffatt, Dumfriesshire in Scotland. One of the UKs largest waterfalls, it is a popular Scottish beauty spot near Loch Skeen.

The rescue effort

As luck would have it, Louis, belonging to the British Terrier breed, miraculously survived the huge fall. In the end, it took three volunteers from the 15-strong local Moffat Mountain Rescue Team to save the small dog. Scotland-based Moffat Mountain Rescue Team posted the details of the management to Facebook. They revealed that the team was contacted by Police Scotland Dumfries & Galloway to accompany them in the search and rescue of Louie. This was after the dog was seen tumbling down the hillside before finally disappearing.

Check out the Facebook post:

The post has amassed over 572 reactions and over 166 shares.

Check out some of the responses below:

One user wrote: Lovely to see the equipment being used. Massive thanks to everyone at Lost Dogs Dumfries & Galloway who helped fundraise for this back in 2021.

What a lucky dog to survive that. Well done, replied another user.

A user added: Holy moly!! What a fall, what a rescue, total legends of Moffat Mountain Rescue Team.

Several others also echoed well-done and applauded the rescue team by saying: brilliant work by MMRT.

According to MMRTs detailed account on their website, out of the 15-member team, three members were deployed for locating the dog and planning out the most efficient way to access the canine safely. Once Louie was visible to them lying in one of the lower pools, the team set up a rope system. This helped them lower a single team member with their specialised Lyon Equipment Ltd. animal rescue bag. Fortunately, as they say, alls well that ends well, the dog was secured and placed in the bag and returned to its worried owner.

A British breed of small terrier, the dogs are majorly white-bodied and smooth, rough or broken-coated, and can be of any colour.
Just hours after a US nuclear-armed submarine made its first appearance in a South Korean port in forty years, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles eastward early on Wednesday, said the militaries of Japan and South Korea.

According to the Japanese Defence Ministry, both missiles looked to have landed outside of Japans exclusive economic zone.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) condemned the launches as grave provocative acts.

We strongly condemn North Koreas successive ballistic missile launches as grave provocative acts that undermine the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as well as the international community, and are a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions, Reuters quoted the JCS as saying in a statement.

The US military said it was aware of the missile launches and was consulting closely with its allies and partners.

The launches do not appear to pose an immediate threat to the United States or to its allies, but the events highlight the destabilising impact of North Koreas illicit weapons programme, the US Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement.

The first missile reached an altitude of 50 km (31 miles) and covered a range of 550 km, while the second one rose as high as 50 km and flew 600 km, Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters.

Japan lodged a protest against the missile launches through diplomatic channels, he said.

The firing comes nearly a week after North Korea tested its latest Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, a launch Pyongyang said was a warning to the United States and other adversaries.

Also on Tuesday, a US soldier facing disciplinary action fled across the inter-Korean border into North Korea. The soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody, Washington said, creating a fresh crisis between the two foes.

North Koreas latest firing of ballistic missiles is probably unrelated to an American soldier crossing the inter-Korean border, but such an incident doesnt help matters either, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

North Korea undoubtedly opposes a new US-South Korea nuclear war planning group that met for the first time on Tuesday, as well as the visit of the US nuclear ballistic missile submarine, he said.

With inputs from agencies
A fire broke out Wednesday at a military training field in annexed Crimea, the Russian-installed governor said, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of more than 2,000 civilians.

Authorities did not specify the cause of the blaze, but some Russian media reported that detonations were heard in the area and footage showed columns of black smoke in the sky.

The news comes days after Ukraine used waterborne drones to attack the Kerch bridge, a key military supply artery from mainland Russia to annexed Crimea.

The temporary evacuation of residents of four localities adjacent to the military field in the Kirovsky district is planned. Thats more than 2,000 people, said the Moscow-installed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov.

A section of the Tavrida highway that crosses the peninsula had been closed due to the fire.

Authorities were carrying out temporary evacuation of residents from four settlements, he added, which would see more than 2,000 people moved.

Footage posted on the Telegram account of state-backed Izvestia newspaper purporting to show footage of the fire showed plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.

Two Russian online media outlets reported that detonations had been audible in the area for over two hours.

Kyiv has repeatedly said it plans to take back the peninsula.

Bus traffic on interregional routes had been temporarily redirected, Nikolay Lukashenko from Crimeas transport ministry wote on Telegram.

The Tavrida highway connects the eastern Crimean port of Kerch to Sevastopol on the peninsulas Black Sea coast in the west, according to Russias TASS news agency.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move not recognised by the international community.
Russian President Valdimir Putin will not participate in BRICS nations summit scheduled for next month in South Africa, the countrys presidency said on Wednesday, ending months of speculation.

Putins potential visit has been a thorny diplomatic issue for South Africa.

The Russian leader is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant  a provision that Pretoria as an ICC member would be expected to implement were he to set foot in the country.

By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr (Sergei) Lavrov, Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said in a statement.

The decision comes after a number of consultations held by Ramaphosa in recent months, the most recent of which took place last night, Magwenya said.

South Africa is the current host of the BRICS group,which consists of influential countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China, considers itself a counterbalance to Western economic dominance.

Putin was formally invited to BRICS summit due to take place in Johannesburg between August 22 and 24, but Pretoria has been under heavy domestic and international pressure not to host him.

President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe, Magwenya said.

Putin is sought by the ICC over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.

With inputs from agencies
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) conducted its inaugural meeting on artificial intelligence on Tuesday. During the gathering, China emphasized the importance of preventing the technology from becoming a runaway horse, while the United States cautioned against its potential for censorship and repression.

The 15-member council was briefed by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jack Clark, co-founder of high-profile AI startup Anthropic, and Professor Zeng Yi, co-director of the China-UK Research Center for AI Ethics and Governance.

AI will profoundly transform every aspect of human life, said Britains Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who chaired the meeting under Britains July presidency of the body.

We urgently need to shape the global governance of transformative technologies because AI knows no borders, he added after saying that AI could help address climate change and boost economies. But he also warned that the technology fuels disinformation and could aid both state and non-state actors in a quest for weapons.

Both military and non-military applications of AI could have very serious consequences for global peace and security, Guterres said.

Guterres backs calls by some states for the creation of a new U.N. body to support collective efforts to govern this extraordinary technology, modeled on the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Chinas U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun described AI as a double-edged sword and said Beijing supports a central coordinating role of the U.N. on establishing guiding principles for AI.

Whether it is good or bad, good or evil, depends on how mankind utilizes it, regulates it and how we balance scientific development with security, Zhang said, adding that there should be a focus on people and AI for good to regulate development and to prevent this technology from becoming a runaway horse.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Jeffrey DeLaurentis, also said there was a need for countries to also work together on AI and other emerging technologies to address human rights risks that threaten to undermine peace and security.

No member states should use AI to censor, constrain, repress or disempower people, he told the council.

Russia questioned whether the council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, should be discussing AI.

What is necessary is a professional, scientific, expertise-based discussion that can take several years and this discussion is already underway at specialized platforms, said Russias Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy.

With inputs from agencies.
An 18-year-old female recruit has accused the US military for forcing her to shower with transgender soldiers and making her sleep between two individuals who were supposedly changing from male to female.

Showering with biological males who were allegedly in the process of transitioning to women caused her significant distress to the point she is now considering quitting the military to escape, US Senator Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) said in an interview to Fox News interview.

She, however, has declined to speak out in public as she fears of ruining her military career, the lawmaker said.

Rounds said the incident was brought to his attention by the attorney general of the South Dakota National Guard, who he said was very concerned about the issue.

She could have basically resigned or stepped away, Rounds said, adding that She could have started over again. But nonetheless, it was an extremely uncomfortable position, and I think this is one of the reasons why were not meeting our recruitment goals now.

The lawmaker said the transgender soldiers in question had not undergone any medical gender reassignment surgeries.

The respect that this young recruit should have received and the privacy that she should have had, she was being deprived of, Rounds said.

Woman slams Biden administration

The female military recruit even slammed Biden administration policies for putting her in an extremely uncomfortable position.

The issue comes about two years after President Joe Biden reversed his predecessor, Donald Trumps ban on transgender individuals entering the military.

Meanwhile, Rounds said the transgender individuals in the armed forces have begun chemical interventions to change genders, but neither have started reassignment surgery and both still have biologically male genitalia.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, defended its approach and said it was its policy that all service members must be treated with dignity and respect, Fox News said.

We would encourage any troop whos feeling uncomfortable or has concerns about privacy in shared spaces to work through their chain of command, the Pentagon told Fox News in a statement.

With inputs from agencies
The US government has cut off funding for the controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has long been scrutinised as the possible origin of COVID-19, after the facility failed to provide documents about safety and security, according to a report.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing a memo, the Department of Health and Human Services notified the institute about the suspension on Monday and told the lab its seeking to cut it off permanently.

An HHS review that started in September raised concern that the facility based in Wuhan, where Covid first emerged, is violating biosafety protocols and isnt complying with US regulations, added the report.

This action will ensure the [Wuhan Institute of Virology] does not receive another dollar of federal funding, the report quoted department spokesperson as saying in a statement.

The Biden administration has repeatedly accused the Chinese facility, where researchers conducted coronavirus research in the city were the first documented cases of COVID-19 were recorded, of hampering its investigation into the origins of the pandemic.

The deadly virus has killed 7 million people across the globe.

According to the Bloomberg report, the US spokesperson said on Monday the Wuhan lab has not responded to federal officials yet since the US decided to cut future funding that would include new contracts, grants and other transactions.

The Wuhan Institute has not received a penny from the National Institutes of Health since 2020, Bloomberg reported.

With inputs from agencies
Ahead of the general elections in Pakistan, the United States said it is ready to work with any government elected by the Pakistani people.

This comes as the tenure of the incumbent government nears end  with the National Assembly expected to be dissolved ahead of its constitutional term next month, Geo News reported.

We do not have any position on any political candidate or party, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Horst said on future of Pakistan-US relations.

Horst heads the Pakistan bureau at the US State Department.

The US supports democratic principles, freedom of speech, and the rule of law, she added.

Recently, PML-N and PPP decided that Pakistans National Assembly will be dissolved prematurely  at least three days before its stipulated term. However, no date has been finalised yet, said Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Meanwhile, relations between Pakistan and the US reportedly deteriorated when former prime minister Imran Khan was in power. After his exit, he blamed the US for his ouster, specifically Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu, Geo News reported.

Horst said allegations against Donald Lu were categorically false. Further Horst noted that the US stance was conveyed to Pakistani officials on numerous occasions.

(With inputs from agencies)
A US Solider who served nearly two months in a South Korean jail on assault charges was reported to be in North Korean custody Wednesday after crossing the heavily guarded border without authorisation.

The soldier, identified as as Travis King, a private second class in the army since 2021, entered the border willfully and without authorisation, according to US Forces Korea spokesperson Colonel Isaac Taylor.

The United Nations Command said he had been on a Joint Security Area (JSA) orientation tour, adding he was believed to be in North Korean custody and that it was working with Pyongyangs military to resolve this incident.

King was released on July 10 after serving around two months in a South Korean prison for assault charges, a Seoul official told AFP.

South Korean police told AFP that King had been investigated for assault in September 2022, but was not detained at the time.

CBS News, citing US officials, reported that the low-ranking soldier was being escorted home to the United States for disciplinary reasons, but managed to leave the airport and join the tour group.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told journalists that Washington was closely monitoring and investigating the situation.

North and South Korea remain technically at war as the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, with a Demilitarised Zone running along the border.

Soldiers from both sides face off at the JSA north of Seoul, which is overseen by the United Nations Command. It is also a popular tourist site, and hundreds of visitors tour the South Korean side each day.

Former US president Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Panmunjom Truce Village in 2019 and even stood on North Korean soil after stepping across the demarcation line there.

An eyewitness who said they were on the same JSA tour told CBS News the group had visited one of the buildings at the site when this man gives out a loud ha ha ha and just runs in between some buildings.

I thought it was a bad joke at first but, when he didnt come back, I realised it wasnt a joke and then everybody reacted and things got crazy, they said.

 No North Korean soldiers 

Hours later, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, according to the South Korean military  an apparent response to the arrival of an American nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea on Tuesday, the first such visit since 1981.

The ballistic missile launches were likely unrelated to the American soldier crossing the border, but such an incident doesnt help matters, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

The Kim regime is likely to treat a border crosser as a military, intelligence and public health threat even though it is more likely that such an individual is mentally distressed and acting impulsively due to personal issues.

North Korea sealed its borders at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and has yet to reopen them. Its security presence on its side of the border at the JSA has also been scaled back significantly.

When AFP toured the JSA earlier this year, no North Korean guards were visible in the area. Even so, under armistice protocols, South Korean or US personnel could not cross the border to retrieve the US national.

The incident comes as relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points, with diplomacy stalled and Kim calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nuclear warheads.

Seoul and Washington have ramped up defence cooperation in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and US strategic assets.

 JSA 

The JSA in Panmunjom is typically peaceful despite ongoing hostility between the two sides.

In 1976, two American soldiers were killed in the JSA by North Koreans with axes in a dispute over a tree.

The last time there was a defection at the JSA was in 2017, when a North Korean soldier drove a military jeep and then ran on foot across the demarcation line at Panmunjom.

He was shot multiple times by his fellow North Korean soldiers but survived.

In general, defections between the two Koreas are rare but far more common in the other direction, when North Koreans seek to escape grinding poverty and repression by fleeing, typically across the northern land border into China.

With inputs from AFP
Another incident of vandalism has occurred at the renowned Colosseum in Rome, marking the second occurrence in less than a month. In a viral video, a Swiss teenager can be seen defacing the ancient amphitheater by carving her name into its walls.

Although the identity of the teenage tourist has not been disclosed, footage of the incident has gone viral.

Watch:

The act was recorded by a local tour guide named David Battaglino, who expressed his shock at witnessing such vandalism. After a few seconds my group applauded me. To her, in English, I said, Do you want applause? The young girl understood that she had ended up in the crosshairs of those who protect art and turned away to go toward her family, Battaglino told the Italian newspaper La Republica.

This incident follows a similar occurrence a few weeks ago when a fitness instructor from Bristol inscribed his name on the Colosseum wall. The individual, named Ivan Dimitrov, later wrote a letter of apology to Romes mayor, acknowledging the gravity of his actions.

Also Read: WATCH Vandalism in name of love: Italy outraged as tourist defaces Romes Colosseum with fiancees name

In the video capturing the incident in June, Dimitrov used a key to carve Ivan + Hayley 23, which represented his and his girlfriends names, into the 2,000-year-old structure. The footage drew widespread criticism, prompting Dimitrov to seek forgiveness from Italian authorities.

With inputs from agencies
Meta has released the next version of Llama 2 as open source and is offering it for free for both research and commercial purposes. In addition, Microsoft and Meta are strengthening their existing partnership, with Microsoft being the preferred partner for Llama 2 and increasing its focus on generative AI.

Collaboration and Advancements in AI

Meta and Microsofts partnership has brought notable advantages to individuals and businesses. They have created an open ecosystem for AI frameworks, collaborated on research papers to push AI forward, and promoted PyTorch adoption on Azure.

Their involvement in the PyTorch Foundation and endorsement of the Partnership on AIs framework further demonstrate their commitment to collective action in synthetic media development. Moreover, their collaboration extends into the metaverse, unlocking immersive experiences for work and play.

Democratizing Access to AI Technologies with Llama 2

Microsoft and Meta, supported by a diverse global community, are dedicated to democratizing access to AI models. Their shared vision focuses on making foundational AI technologies more accessible to businesses worldwide.

The support for Llama 2 extends to various stakeholders, including companies providing feedback and creating innovative products, cloud providers integrating Llama 2 into their services, research institutions collaborating on responsible deployment, and individuals in the tech, academia, and policy sectors who acknowledge its advantages.

Responsibility at the Core

Meta states that responsibility is a key focus of their open-source approach. They prioritize transparency and have implemented measures to responsibly develop Llama 2. These measures include:

1. Red-Teaming Exercises: Meta conducts rigorous internal and external safety testing, including adversarial prompts and third-party assessments. They continuously invest in safety, fine-tuning, and benchmarking to improve performance.

2. Transparency Schematic: Meta provides a transparency schematic in their research papers, sharing details of fine-tuning, evaluation methods, challenges, and mitigation strategies. This showcases their ongoing efforts to address shortcomings.

3. Responsible Use Guide: Meta has developed a comprehensive guide outlining best practices for responsible development and safety evaluations. It incorporates insights from the industry and AI research community on responsible generative AI.

4. Acceptable Use Policy: Meta has implemented an Acceptable Use Policy to ensure fair and responsible use of the models by prohibiting certain use cases.

Fostering Collaboration and Innovation

Meta has introduced new initiatives to engage the global community in enhancing the performance and impact of Llama 2.

Open Innovation AI Research Community: Meta has launched a partnership program for academic researchers to deepen understanding of responsible development and sharing of large language models. This community of practitioners will share learnings and collaborate on future research agendas.

Llama Impact Challenge: Meta aims to leverage the creativity and expertise of innovators worldwide by initiating a challenge that encourages public, non-profit, and for-profit entities to address environmental, education, and other important challenges using Llama 2. The challenge rules will be provided before its commencement.

Qualcomm Technologies and Meta Collaborate to Optimize On-Device AI Execution

Qualcomm Technologies and Meta are partnering to enhance the execution of Metas Llama 2 large language models directly on devices, eliminating the need for heavy reliance on cloud services.

This enables the deployment of generative AI models like Llama 2 on smartphones, PCs, VR/AR headsets, and vehicles, resulting in cost savings, enhanced privacy, reliability, and personalized user experiences.

On-Device Llama 2-based AI Implementations for New Applications

Qualcomm Technologies plans to offer on-device AI implementations using Llama 2, enabling the creation of groundbreaking AI applications. This empowers customers, partners, and developers to develop intelligent virtual assistants, productivity tools, content creation software, and entertaining experiences, among others.

The AI capabilities of Snapdragon can function without an internet connection or even in airplane mode. Qualcomm Technologies uses its knowledge of on-device AI and its strong position in the edge computing market to support the growth of the Llama ecosystem through their continued partnership.

Availability and Development Opportunities

Starting in 2024, Qualcomm Technologies aims to provide Llama 2-based AI implementations on Snapdragon devices. Developers can already optimize their applications for on-device AI using the Qualcomm AI Stack, a specialized toolkit that improves AI processing efficiency on Snapdragon chips. This enables the deployment of on-device AI capabilities, even on compact and lightweight devices.

Availability

Starting today, developers utilizing Microsoft Azure can access Llama 2 through the Azure AI model catalog. This integration enables seamless utilization of Llama 2s content filtering and safety features using Microsoft Azures cloud-native tools.

It has also been optimized to run locally on Windows, providing a smooth workflow for developers as they deliver generative AI experiences to customers on various platforms.

Additionally, Llama 2 can be accessed through Amazon Web Services (AWS), Hugging Face, and other providers.

Announcing the updates, Meta shared:
Threads, the Twitter rival launched by Instagram two weeks ago, has received an update introducing new features. The apps developer, Cameron Roth, shared a post on Threads, announcing the latest additions to the iOS app.

This update follows the recent announcement of implementing rate limits on the Threads app, similar to Twitter, to combat bot activity on its platform.

Threads Follows Tab: Not Exactly a Following-Only Feed

One of the new features is the follows tab, although its not the following-only feed that users have been requesting. This tab can be found on the apps activity page and allows users to view a list of accounts that have recently followed them.

Previously, Threads displayed recent followers in the all tab on the activity page, so this change simply makes it easier to locate new followers. Moreover, the app offers two additional filters, quotes and reposts, which allow users to sort their recent activity by those who have quoted or reposted their threads.

Translations for Improved Accessibility

Threads is also introducing translations, which can be useful for users who follow people from different countries. Although the option may not be visible to all users yet, according to Roth, the feature will appear below a post, alongside the like, reply, repost, and share buttons.

Other Minor Changes and Platform Limitations

Threads still lacks several key features such as a chronological feed, direct messaging, and hashtags. Additionally, users cannot remove themselves from Threads without deleting their Instagram account, and there is no web version yet.

Despite these limitations, Meta is taking steps to address concerns. However, Threads is currently unavailable in Europe due to data privacy regulations, and the company has announced that it is blocking Europeans from accessing Threads via VPN.

Availability

At present, it seems like the update is being rolled out to Threads iOS app. If these changes are not immediately visible, Roth suggests restarting the app or waiting until the end of the day. There is no clear timeline for when these updates will be available for Android users.
Londons consumer tech brand, Nothing, today said the Nothing Phone (2) has received over 1 crore Notify Me requests on Flipkart. It added that it has received an overwhelming response to its pre-order sale, with initial stocks running out.

The company swiftly scaled up its production to meet the soaring customer interest. Nothing held the Phone (2) Drops for the first time ever in India, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 eager customers who patiently queued up to experience and possess Nothing Phone (2). Several fans also pre-ordered it at the Bengaluru Nothing Drop location.

The Nothing Phone (2) will go on open sale in India on Friday, 21 July, 12 PM onwards priced starting at 44,999. There is also an exclusive launch offer price of 39,999* on Flipkart (inclusive of bank, exchange, and EMI offers).

Regarding the response, Manu Sharma, VP & GM of Nothing, expressed his excitement, said:

The tremendous response by Indian customers towards Nothing Phone (2), fills us with immense gratitude. It motivates us to persistently create refined and innovative products that provide audiences with immersive experiences and iconic style statements in the times ahead.
The Rwanda Bridge Builders (RBB) designate the Rwandan Patriotic Front as a terrorist organisation and urges the Rwandan citizens to resist

terrorist acts are carried out by state-sponsored groups and institutions such as

Noting that those violent activities are committed by a State in violation of The Universal Declaration of human rights and other human rights instruments including the International covenant on civil and political rights, the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, the International convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance,

Noting that those violent activities are committed by a State in violation of The Universal Declaration of human rights and other human rights instruments including the International covenant on civil and political rights, the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, the International convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance,

Noting that those violent activities are committed by a State in violation of The Universal Declaration of human rights and other human rights instruments including the International covenant on civil and political rights, the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, the International convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance,

Noting that those violent activities are committed by a State in violation of The Universal Declaration of human rights and other human rights instruments including the International covenant on civil and political rights, the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, the International convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance,

Noting that those violent activities are committed by a State in violation of The Universal Declaration of human rights and other human rights instruments including the International covenant on civil and political rights, the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, the International convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance,

Noting that those violent activities are committed by a State in violation of The Universal Declaration of human rights and other human rights instruments including the International covenant on civil and political rights, the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments, the International convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance,

Noting that the RPFs regime violent activities including assassination, kidnapping or abduction, disappearance, tortures and threats acts go beyond Rwanda to neighboring countries and far-away in Africa, Europe, and America, thus posing a threat to regional and global security and stability,

Noting that the RPFs regime violent activities including assassination, kidnapping or abduction, disappearance, tortures and threats acts go beyond Rwanda to neighboring countries and far-away in Africa, Europe, and America, thus posing a threat to regional and global security and stability,

Noting that the RPFs regime violent activities including assassination, kidnapping or abduction, disappearance, tortures and threats acts go beyond Rwanda to neighboring countries and far-away in Africa, Europe, and America, thus posing a threat to regional and global security and stability,

Noting that the RPFs regime violent activities including assassination, kidnapping or abduction, disappearance, tortures and threats acts go beyond Rwanda to neighboring countries and far-away in Africa, Europe, and America, thus posing a threat to regional and global security and stability,

Noting that the RPFs regime violent activities including assassination, kidnapping or abduction, disappearance, tortures and threats acts go beyond Rwanda to neighboring countries and far-away in Africa, Europe, and America, thus posing a threat to regional and global security and stability,

Noting that the RPFs regime violent activities including assassination, kidnapping or abduction, disappearance, tortures and threats acts go beyond Rwanda to neighboring countries and far-away in Africa, Europe, and America, thus posing a threat to regional and global security and stability,

Having carefully and thoroughly examined all the reliable information and facts on the scale, intention and severity of RPF s crimes, violent activities and threats of

We, the RBB members participating in the Fourth General Assembly, Gathered on 1 st and 2 nd April 2023

We, the RBB members participating in the Fourth General Assembly, Gathered on 1 st and 2 nd April 2023

We, the RBB members participating in the Fourth General Assembly, Gathered on 1 st and 2 nd April 2023

We, the RBB members participating in the Fourth General Assembly, Gathered on 1 st and 2 nd April 2023

We, the RBB members participating in the Fourth General Assembly, Gathered on 1 st and 2 nd April 2023

Recalling that RDF leadership is a predominantly Tutsi, virulently and extremely racist organization which lies and rejects democracy with a record of serious human rights violations, that has used lies and continues to use lies and violence to consolidate a fascist monoethnic state in Rwanda and in the Great Lakes Region,

Having considered the authoritative definition of act of terrorism in the proscription context as the use or threat of action which: involves serious violence against a person; involves serious damage to property; endangers a persons life (other than that of the person committing the act); creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or section of the public or is designed seriously to interfere with or seriously to disrupt an electronic system.

Noting from the available information and facts that RPFs uses or threat to use the above stated violent activities are designed to maintain the current Rwandan dictatorial regime of President Kagame and to advance its ethnic discriminatory and supremacist ideology,

Considering that the ongoing RDFs invasion of DR Congo and the continued support to a proscribed organisation M23 in direct contravention of international laws namely t he UN Charter and et the AU Constitutive Act, and international communitys call to withdraw, destabilize the great lakes regions long-term stability,

Considering the last report of UN group of Experts and the reports of HRW on crimes and other human rights violations by RDF and M23 in DRC,

Recalling that RDF regularly uses terrorist tactics and works together with armed groups they have created to carry out attacks against civilian targets both in Rwanda and outside Rwanda including assassinations and kidnappings.

Noting that RPF claimed responsibilities for assassinating two sitting heads of state , for killing a score of journalists, political and human right activists inside and outside Rwanda, and for kidnapping many more living in exile,

Recalling that RPFs propagandists and leaders speeches disseminated via social media , frequently feature extremely violent language and threats of violence against innocent civilians and frequently condone and glorify those who have killed or used extreme violence for political or ideological ends,

Conclude that the RPF, being a parent organization that owns and controls many groups that commit and participate in terrorism, is a terrorist organization and thus becomes proscribed (or untrustworthy) to run the country affairs .

Believe that this Declaration is a further important step forward for the recognition, promotion and protection of the rights and freedoms of oppressed Rwandan people as we struggle for freedoms.

Condemn the invasions of RDF and the support of M23 by the Rwandan State,

Recommend to the States and institutions that support the Rwandan State financially or by other means to freeze their aid,

Recommend States that support the Rwandan State to condemn those acts against Rwandan people and adopt measures that force the government of Rwanda to open the democratic and civic space and to stop their invasion and support to M23; to ask for and sanction Rwandan authorities implicated in those acts.
Motorola Edge 40 next sale in India starts today at 12 noon via Flipkart News oi -Carlsen Martin

The Motorola Edge 40 will be available for purchase once again through Flipkart later today. The Motorola Edge 40 was announced back in May and is arguably one of the best smartphones under 30,000 INR in India.

The Motorola Edge 40 arrive with a 5G MediaTek chipset, a vibrant and smooth OLED display, a sizeable battery with fast charging, a dual-camera setup, and an IP rating for water resistance.

Motorola Edge 40 Price in India

The Motorola Edge 40 price in India is set at Rs 29,999 for the sole 8GB/256GB model. The Edge 40 arrives in Eclipse Black, Lunar Blue, Viva Magenta, and Nebula Green colourways.

It is worth noting that the Lunar Blue model features a PMMA Acrylic Glass back, while the other models opt for a vegan leather back panel. Now, let's move on to the Motorola Edge 40 specifications.

Motorola Edge 40 Specs

The Motorola Edge 40 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8020 SoC paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The handset also packs a 4,400 mAh battery with 68W fast charging support.

It is also the first phone in the segment to support 15W wireless charging. The Edge 40 runs on Android 13 with Motorola's MyUX skin on top. The Motorola Edge 40 is its 6.55-inch FHD+ 3D curved pOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate.

The panel boasts a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, 100% DCI-P3 colours, HDR10+ support, and an in-display fingerprint reader. The Moto Edge 40 also packs stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

For optics, the Motorola Edge 40 gets a dual-camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor that supports OIS and a wide f/1.4 aperture. The phone also has a 13 MP ultrawide lens with doubles as a macro shooter. Up front, the Edge 40 opts for a 32 MP selfie camera.

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London Tribunal Grants Microsoft Two-Month Pause in Appeal Over Activision Deal Block Tech Biz oi -Kabir Jain

In a bid to acquire Activision Blizzard for a staggering $68.7 billion, Microsoft faced a significant hurdle when the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the acquisition. However, recent developments have led to a temporary halt in the proceedings, allowing for further negotiations to resolve the dispute.

The British Block and Request for Delay

Following the CMA's decision to block the acquisition of Activision Blizzard in April, concerns were raised regarding the potential impact on competition in cloud gaming. The CMA's final report is usually considered definitive, leaving companies with no option but to appeal to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).

Initial Schedule for Microsoft's Appeal

The full hearing for Microsoft's appeal was initially slated for July 28. However, both Microsoft and Activision, along with the CMA, requested a two-month delay in the proceedings to allow for further negotiations.

The CAT's Ruling for Adjournment

On Monday, the CAT ruled that the hearing should be adjourned, giving the parties involved additional time for discussions. Judge Marcus Smith stated that a valid explanation from the CMA regarding the changed circumstances or special reasons for the adjournment request would be considered.

CMA's Willingness to Consider Revised Proposal

Despite the usual finality of the CMA's report, the organization expressed a willingness to reassess a modified proposal from Microsoft after a federal court in the United States allowed the deal to proceed. This shift in stance signaled the possibility of addressing the CMA's concerns through a restructured agreement, pending a new investigation.

The Need for Clarity

Judge Marcus Smith requested the CMA to outline any new consultation process to ensure transparency in its functioning. This step aimed to provide clarity and understanding regarding the modified proposal and its implications.

Two-Month Pause and Constructive Engagement

All parties involved, including Microsoft, Activision, and the CMA, applied for a two-month pause in the proceedings at the CAT. This pause aimed to facilitate swift and constructive engagement between the parties, allowing for a thorough discussion of Microsoft's proposals.

Confidence in Addressing Concerns

Representing the CMA, lawyer David Bailey assured the tribunal that both Microsoft and the CMA were confident that a restructured transaction could effectively address the concerns raised by the CMA in its initial report.

Urgency of Closing the Deal

Microsoft's lawyer, Daniel Beard, emphasized the urgency of closing the deal and highlighted the UK as the only obstacle. Time was deemed crucial in moving forward with the acquisition.

Source

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Army Expeditionary Civilian Workforce adds extra firepower to 405th AFSB capabilities

By Cameron Porter, 405th AFSB Public Affairs Officer July 18, 2023

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- The 405th Army Field Support Brigade is taking full advantage of a program designed for Army civilians who are interested in being assigned to Europe in a temporary duty status for six, nine, or 12 months.

The Army Expeditionary Civilian Workforce program has deployment opportunities in a TDY status available for Army civilians worldwide - to include many with the 405th AFSB - and the brigade has gone out of its way to ensure those who sign up are well taken care of and provided a rewarding, career broadening experience.

At the Coleman Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Germany, the 405th AFSB's Mannheim battalion recently funded improvements to the billeting facilities supporting AECW personnel. Upgrades include new kitchens and laundry rooms, new appliances such as washers and dryers, new furniture for the individual rooms, and a recreation room and library. Plus, AECW personnel at the Coleman APS-2 worksite have access to a government transportation motor pool as well as rental vehicles for offsite travel.

Kevin Grimm is an AECW employee deployed to the Coleman APS-2 worksite from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. He said Mannheim battalion and the 405th AFSB are committed to ensuring AECW personnel are comfortable, and their experiences while serving as AECW employees are rewarding.

"The AECW program offers career broadening experiences at a level and scope difficult to match in any non-deployed setting," said Grimm, who is normally assigned to U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command in the U.S. "During my time as an AECW Army civilian at the Coleman APS-2 worksite I've worked in quality assurance and plans and operations, which has allowed me to see the entire realm of APS-2 operations, from equipment induction through care of supplies of storage, sustainment maintenance, supply, property and associated equipment modification work orders, product fieldings, and more."

"The AECW program is a chance of a lifetime to truly make a difference and to contribute in a meaningful way in direct support of our Soldiers," Grimm said. "I would recommend the AECW program to anyone."

And it works both ways. The leadership at the 405th AFSB has been nothing but impressed with the AECW program and the personnel who have been assigned to the brigade.

"The AECW program has provided the 405th AFSB with outstanding talent," said Joseph Scheff, the deputy to the brigade commander. "These volunteer deployers are bringing a wealth of experience and serving a critical mission at the same time."

"The 405th AFSB welcomes all our Army civilian deployers, and we make sure they have a rewarding and comfortable experience while serving with us," Scheff added.

Shawn D. Yarberough is an AECW employee assigned to the brigade headquarters as the new transportation officer in support operations. Yarberough comes from Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, where he is assigned as a logistics management specialist with U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command's Fleet Maintenance Expansion team. He said he thinks the AECW program is a great opportunity for a lot of Army civilians to learn new skills as well as refresh some older ones they haven't been able to use in a few years.

"As AECW employees, we're able to deploy to Europe and augment the current manpower within the brigade, working side-by side-with our counterparts in uniform. As an old Soldier myself, I enjoy working with my fellow Soldiers to complete the mission," Yarberough said.

The AECW program offers overseas assignments at a variety of locations with no change to an employee's permanent grade or position of record. The grade level listed for an AECW position is suggested, and employees can be plus or minus one grade interval from what is listed.

Assignments under the AECW program are available to permanent and term Army civilians. Individuals on overseas assignments must have at least 18 months remaining prior to their Date of Return from Overseas Station, or DEROS. Army civilians who are in the Army Reserve must be in a retired or standby status. They cannot be in the Ready Reserve, as this would be a dual obligation for deployment. Army civilians must have or be able to obtain a security clearance at the interim secret level, at a minimum. Some positions may require higher clearances.

According to the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service the program provides interested personnel with extraordinary opportunities to support operations of national interest. Deployments under the program offer opportunities to work and live in foreign countries, opportunities to experience work challenges not found at their day-to-day jobs, and opportunities to make a difference working alongside Soldiers supporting America's mission around the globe.

Army civilians who are interested in applying for the AECW program may submit a resume, recent SF-50, DD214 (if former military) and a signed request for deployment form through their supervisory chain and human resources department. For more information, contact the AECW program office by email.

The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and under the operational control of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The brigade is headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. Forces throughout Europe and Africa - providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command's materiel enterprise to support joint forces.

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July 18, 2023

Release

Readout of the Defense Innovation Board Summer Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Today, the Department of Defense hosted the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) in the Pentagon. The DIB conducted sessions with senior leaders to explore and evaluate defense innovation issues.

Following the board's public meeting, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with the DIB members to discuss their findings and recommendations on the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy and approaches to Strategic Investment Capital, related to the Office of Strategic Capital.

The DIB provides Department leaders independent advice and strategic insights on commercial- sector approaches to innovation that will enable the Department to build enduring advantages in a technology-driven environment.

For more information on the DIB or today's meeting, please visit: https://innovation.defense.gov/.

About USD(R&E)

The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E) is the Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Defense. The USD(R&E) champions research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain the United States military's technological advantage.

Learn more at www.cto.mil, follow us on Twitter @DoDCTO, or visit us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ousdre.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3462891/

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July 18, 2023

By Matthew Sablan, Defense Acquisition University and Matthew Howard, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition & Sustainment)

DOD Renews PEO Summit to Improve Acquisition Collaboration

Program Executive Offices from across the military departments and other DOD acquisition entities  including the Defense Innovation Unit, U.S. Special Operations Command and the Defense Health Agency  recently came together with OSD and Service acquisition leaders to discuss common challenges and solutions in delivering capability at speed and scale.

"The 2022 National Defense Strategy is a call to action for the acquisition community," said William LaPlante, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. "As we leverage the full range of authorities and tools Congress has given us in recent years, it's critical that we're sharing best practices and implementing lessons learned from broad, service-agnostic challenges."

The PEO Summit, facilitated by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and DAU, was held at DAU's Fort Belvoir campus. The summit provided attendees the opportunity to network and "share perspectives on a daunting list of important and evolving problems," DAU President Jim Woolsey said.

Four panel discussions aligned with the National Defense Strategy shaped the day:

Using Middle Tier Acquisitions (MTAs) and transitioning to production

Implementing lessons learned from DOD's support to Ukraine

Applying flexible contracting authorities

Delivering software at speed and scale

MTAs have provided a mechanism for the acquisition community to rapidly prototype or field capabilities within five years. In emphasizing the importance of getting to capability production at a scale that is meaningful on the battlefield, discussion highlighted several programs, such as the Army's M10 Booker Combat Vehicle and Space Development Agency's low earth orbit satellites, that have leveraged MTAs to accelerate acquisition timelines. In continuing to build on progress made since MTA authority was granted to DOD in the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, PEOs focused on best practices for incorporating sustainment, test, and evaluation earlier within accelerated timelines.

From the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the acquisition community is observing the first high-volume fight in years  something that requires DOD to organize for speed and scale while shifting from business as usual. The Senior Integration Group  Ukraine was lauded as a model for teamwork and rapid decision-making for contracting, requirements development and funding alignment.

PEOs also discussed working with industry at all levels of the supply chain, as well as with allies and partners, to alleviate production bottlenecks and increase flexibility and resilience for future surge requirements. Several attendees noted that mobilization for World War II actually began years before U.S. entry into the war, with efforts like the Lend Lease Act positioning industry to more easily shift into wartime production. In addition to examining the impacts of acquisition lead times, the discussion focused on sustainment  both projecting support capabilities to theater and increasing opportunities for collaboration with allies and partners.

Service Procurement Executives likewise discussed the application of different contracting authorities, including how to inform and bring contracting into discussions earlier in the acquisition life cycle. While the range of available contracting authorities provide PEOs with flexibility to meet a program's unique needs and requirements, the panelists highlighted that one of the most important practices is determining the right contracting tool for the job. Examples from both the interagency response to COVID-19 and U.S. security assistance to Ukraine illustrated successful approaches for executing contracting actions more rapidlyoften in only days or a few weeks.

Software delivery was the center of discussion during the event's final panel. PEOs shared their experiences incorporating agile design and updating existing waterfall-style software acquisitions. DOD's focus is shifting to a more iterative process designed to get capabilities into the hands of warfighters as quickly as possible. Topics addressed included the use of digital twins and how to quantify earned value from software acquisitions. There was a general agreement that DOD, collectively, needs to focus on upskilling the workforce with digital literacy on concepts beyond Agile, such as gaining a better understanding of cloud computing, networks and cybersecurity-related topics.

"What you all do as PEOs will be important for the next 50 years," LaPlante told attendees. "Today's wars and future wars are won and lost in program offices, and the teams you lead are vital to pacing the threat."

This was the first DOD-wide PEO Summit in several years, and LaPlante expressed that it will be a recurring event moving forward to maintain open dialogue, facilitate development of cross-service relationships, and ultimately improve acquisition outcomes.

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July 18, 2023

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

Milley Touts Successes of Guard's State Partnership Program

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff called on all nations involved in the National Guard's State Partnership Program to recommit themselves to continue training and if necessary, fighting together for the ideals that are foundational to the freedom of mankind.

"We are stronger together than we will ever be by ourselves," Army Gen. Mark A. Milley said at an event marking to 30th Anniversary of the program that now comprises 100 nations in all parts of the globe.

The hall at National Harbor, Maryland, was packed with defense ministers, chiefs of defense, ambassadors, U.S. combatant commanders, senior NCOs and all 54 adjutant generals.

The State Partnership Program matches the militaries of nations with State National Guard establishments. These matches allow for close contacts via training, military education, exercises and personal contacts. The program started in 1993 to help newly freed nations throw off the remnants of the Soviet Union and build democratic institutions  including their militaries. It has expanded to all parts of the globe.

Ukraine was a member of that first tranche of nations that applied for the program and the nation was matched with California.

The relationship between Ukraine and California has become a touchstone for how the program works. Milley noted the presence of Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova in the room. "Your country has been an inspiration to all of us," the chairman said.

Ukraine has shown incredible grit, resilience and resourcefulness in fighting a war "against a country that's nine times your size," Milley said to Markarova. "Ukraine has fought with bravery for over 500 days now. It's up to you and your people, and to all the soldiers that are in the Ukrainian army today. Fighting the fight, fighting the fight for freedom for all of us."

While the State Partnership Program may have started as a way to engage with former Soviet republics or nations in the Warsaw Pact, it now spans the globe. It has expanded to now more than half the nations in the world that "are working together for the democratic ideals, self-determination and for the rule of law," Milley said.

The program allows the United States to build relationships with these countries. It is a network of nations with common values. "These relationships are critical to all of us, to our organizations, to our militaries," he said. "This is not only in times of peace, but most importantly, in times of crisis."

When a crisis hits, "you can surge people, but you can't surge trust," the general said. "You can surge equipment, but you can't surge trust. You can surge all kinds of things, but you can't surge trust, that trust is built over years."

Trust is built through shared experiences that sometimes involve great hardships, he said. "Because when you pick up a phone and call someone that ... you have trust in  built up over the years  that will make the difference ... between chaos and order, and sometimes the difference between war and peace," the chairman said. "We've seen the richness of these relationships develop through the state partnership program, and they play a very large role in world crisis."

Crisis struck Ukraine when Russia invaded February 24, 2022. "Russian leadership expected a swift Russian victory," Milley said. "The men and women of the California National Guard knew better. Ukraine developed close working relationships with those California Guardsmen. Within 30 minutes literally of the Russian invasion, Ukrainian military officials phone their friends  not in the Pentagon, but at the California National Guard. These soldiers had not spent hours and days together. They had spent decades together, careers together, and they had advanced from platoon leader and leading small units company command up to commanding general of the Ukrainian army."

"The California Guardsmen worked with the Ukrainian military, trained with them, shared successes and failures with them and became good friends," he said. "Over those decades. Ukrainians receive training and small unit tactics and the ability to shoot, move, communicate, conduct logistics and sustainment. The California Air National Guard flew F-16s alongside Ukrainian Su-27s and MiG-29s and taught them the foundations of air tactics and superiority. The California Guard trained operators in defending and launching cyber operations. They worked with Ukrainians to develop junior officers and build an NCO Corps."

Over the decades, the Guardsmen helped the Ukrainians ditch the deeply ingrained military culture, inherited from the Soviet Union. "Through the years of shared learning together, Ukraine advanced from the legacy of a centrally controlled operation to a force capable of maneuver warfare," Milley said. "And in fact, that army defeated the Russian invasion within a few weeks. Because of this training, they were better equipped when the crisis struck, and Russia began its unprovoked war of choice. Ukraine's military has performed admirably  even brilliantly. They defended their sovereignty with bravery and honor halting the Russian advances at every single turn, and now they're on the counter offensive and very methodically, slowly, taking back their own territory."

"The war in Ukraine demonstrates that when crisis hits, you call the people you know, and that you trust, first," he said.

Milley said these relationships are important to the stability of the rules-based order that has kept great power peace since the end of World War II. "That order has suffered a frontal attack from Vladimir Putin," Milley said. "That order is under stress from the rising and assertive China, and the partnerships built on democracy and sovereignty will become even more critical in the years ahead."

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Russia fully respects Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity: Lavrov on Persian Gulf islands

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 6:13 PM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has underlined in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart that Moscow has "no doubts" about the Islamic Republic's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and fully respects them.

The phone call was made between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Lavrov on Tuesday as the two diplomats exchanged views on bilateral and regional relations as well as the need to respect the territorial integrity of the countries in the region.

The clarification by Lavrov came a week after Russia endorsed a statement by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that seemed to challenge Iran's sovereignty over the trio islands of the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa.

The statement also 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."

The move drew a strong protest from Tehran. The Foreign Ministry summoned Russia's ambassador to Tehran, Alexey Dedov, and voiced the Islamic Republic's objection to the joint statement.

The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that the three islands are an integral part of Iran and called on Russia to revise its stance vis-a-vis the issue.

During the phone conversation on Tuesday, Amir-Abdollahian expressed his "surprise" at the provisions of the joint statement by Russia and the GCC about the three Iranian islands and underscored Iran's "historical and eternal" ownership of the islands.

"The independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran have never been and will not be open to negotiations," Amir-Abdollahian told Lavrov.

Stressing that the relations between Iran and Russia have solid foundations, the top diplomat said, "Nothing should be done to harm the deep relations between the two countries."

Amir-Abdollahian also hailed the growing ties between Tehran and Moscow, and highlighted the determination of the two countries' presidents to develop bilateral relations as much as possible.

Lavrov, for his part, emphasized Russia's adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including the principles pertaining to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.

"The Russian Federation has no doubts about the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and has fully respected it and will continue to do so," IRNA quoted Lavrov as saying.

The two top diplomats underlined the need to respect, maintain and strengthen the friendly relations between their countries, also exchanging views on the final stages of drafting a strategic agreement between Iran and Russia.

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 claims 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.

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Hamas calls on ICC to probe Israeli crimes against Palestinians

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 4:44 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite an investigation into the crimes and violations of the Tel Aviv regime and bring perpetrators to justice.

Hamas's legal department, in a statement on Tuesday, emphasized the urgent need for immediate action to stop Israeli violations against Palestinian civilians.

"Such intervention is crucial for activating international accountability mechanisms, primarily through the International Criminal Court (ICC), to guarantee the rights of all Palestinian victims' access to effective remedies," the statement read.

"Israel's attempts to avoid accountability must not impede its leaders' appearance before international courts," It added.

The resistance group pointed out that nine years have passed since Palestine's accession to the Rome Statute and the ICC's declaration of extending jurisdiction over the occupied Palestinian territories.

"Despite this, little progress has been made in terms of implementing measures to address the situation in Palestine."

Hamas further stated that the lack of progress is deeply concerning for Palestinian victims who "suffer from the Israeli apartheid regime's acts of terrorism in occupied al-Quds, the West Bank, and the besieged Gaza Strip."

The double standards of the ICC's prosecutor hinder the application of international justice and contradict the principles outlined in the court and the United Nations charter, it said.

Elsewhere in the statement, Hamas urged the ICC's prosecutor to continue prosecution and judicial accountability by identifying the perpetrators and accomplices in crimes against the Palestinian people.

In December last year, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki handed over to the ICC's prosecutor a file on the Israeli crimes committed against Palestinian people, saying the state of Palestine continues to cooperate with the World Court and the staff of the prosecutor's office to prove that Israeli military and civilian officials have perpetrated serious and continuous crimes against Palestinians.

The Palestinian foreign ministry earlier this year called on the ICC to complete its ongoing investigations into Israeli crimes against Palestinians and hold the occupying regime to account for its decades of violations of international law.

Israeli forces launch raids on various cities of the occupied West Bank almost on a daily basis under the pretext of detaining what they call "wanted" Palestinians. The raids usually lead to violent confrontations with residents.

Over the past months, Israel has ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and cities throughout the occupied territories. As a result of these attacks, dozens of Palestinians have lost their lives and many others have been arrested.

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US deploys nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 3:49 PM

The US military has deployed a nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to a port in South Korea for the first time in decades, a move that is likely to heighten tensions with North Korea.

The USS Kentucky, an Ohio-class submarine, arrived in the port of Busan on Tuesday, according to South Korea's defense ministry.

The 170-meter-long USS Kentucky is one of the largest SSBNs in the world and is capable of carrying over 20 Trident-II ballistic missiles.

Docking a US SSBN in a South Korean port is a rare incidence. It marked the first visit by a US SSBN to the country in almost 44 years.

"As we speak, an American nuclear submarine is making port in Busan today. That's the first visit of [an] American nuclear submarine in decades," White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell told reporters at a briefing in Seoul, where he was attending the first Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) discussion with South Korean officials.

It is one of several recent agreements reached by the two countries in April in a flux of muscles against North Korea's growing military might.

US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed on the periodic deployment to the peninsula of strategic assets. They had also agreed to establish a bilateral NCG and to expand military exercises.

South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup claimed the submarine's visit to the country was an important military move and "shows the allies' overwhelming capability and posture against North Korea."

"This deployment of a US SSBN to the Korean Peninsula demonstrates by action that the US extended deterrence (commitment) to the Republic of Korea will be firmly implemented," Lee was quoted as saying, using South Korea's official name.

The US commitment to using "extended deterrence" refers to the American forces' willingness to use the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to attack North Korea in case of war.

Meanwhile, US and South Korean officials took part in the first NCG meeting in Seoul on Tuesday.

In the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen themselves against North Korea's nuclear advancements.

"Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime," the two countries said in a joint statement after the meeting.

The "regular deployment [to the peninsula] of strategic assets" had been expected after it was announced in a joint declaration during the summit between Yoon and Biden in Washington, DC in April.

North Korea condemns US provocation

Meanwhile, North Korea strongly condemned the agreement to deploy US nuclear assets in South Korea as the two sides start talks to coordinate their responses in the event of a nuclear war with the North.

The deployment of a US SSBN to the Korean Peninsula "may incite the worst crisis of nuclear conflict in practice," a North Korean defense ministry spokesperson warned last week, denouncing the US nuclear missile submarine's planned visit.

North Korea has vowed to respond proportionally to the agreement reached recently between the South and the United States allowing the deployment of American nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula.

The agreement would "only result in making peace and security of Northeast Asia and the world be exposed to more serious danger, and it is an act that can thus never be welcome," North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong warned, saying that Pyongyang would strive towards "further perfection" of its nuclear deterrent.

The North issued the warning in April, less than a week after Yoon and Biden made the announcement.

Meanwhile, tensions are running high on the Korean Peninsula after North Korea test-fired a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile last Wednesday.

North Korea has been under harsh sanctions by the United States and the United Nations Security Council for years over its deterrent nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

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US deploying F-35s to Persian Gulf despite stern warning from Iran

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 8:01 AM

Pentagon says it plans to send additional fighter jets and naval assets to the Persian Gulf region to increase US military presence in the region, a move that comes against the backdrop of Iran's stern warning.

Addressing a briefing on Monday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh claimed the deployment would be an effort to counter Iran, citing a number of "alarming" events in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month.

On July 10, an Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) commander announced that the US made "unprofessional and risky" attempts to impede the seizure of a foreign oil tanker smuggling Iranian fuel in the Persian Gulf last week, but the IRGC successfully confiscated the vessel.

According to IRGC's Rear Admiral Ramazan Zir-Rahi, the vessel carrying contraband fuel had arranged military backing from US military forces in the area but was still seized by Iran's naval forces.

He further elaborated that the US Navy attempted to intervene as IRGC naval forces moved in to intercept the oil tanker involved in smuggling one million liters of Iranian oil and gas.

Singh, however, alleged that Iran is conducting destabilizing activities that "threaten the free flow of commerce" through the strategic Strait of Hormuz "of which the world depends on for more than one-fifth of the world's oil supply."

"The Secretary of Defense has ordered the deployment of the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters and F-16 fighters to ... defend US interests and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region," she told reporters.

She did not give details about the date the fighter jets and guided-missile destroyer would be sent to the region, or how long the new deployment would last but emphasized that the move would help to monitor and secure "vital waterways."

On Friday, an unnamed senior American defense official also said the US will send F-16 fighter jets to the Persian Gulf region this weekend in a bid to "protect ships" from "Iranian seizures."

The official claimed that the F-16s will give air cover to the ships moving through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and increase the US military's visibility in the area, the Associated Press reported.

Iran says it views US military vessels lurking in the waters of the Persian Gulf as a threat to its security and a source of tensions and instability in the region.

On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani warned the United States to refrain from any "provocative" moves in the region, especially close to the country's borders.

The spokesman further said that Tehran reserves the right to take "deterrent measures" under international law.

"Iran monitors with sensitivity and accuracy any illegal and unconstructive act that affects the security of the region, and it will ... pay special attention to any provocative and illegal moves, especially near its borders," he added.

Kan'ani said the US government's role regarding the issue of regional security has never been peaceful and constructive.

Over the past years, the US navy has several times seized Iranian-controlled tankers and shipments of oil en route to other countries, citing its own sanctions on Iran's oil exports.

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Israel recognizes Morocco's sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 7:02 AM

The Israeli regime has said it recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, according to the Moroccan government and a statement by the Israeli prime minister's office.

The Moroccan Royal Court, citing a letter from the Israeli prime minister, announced in a statement on Monday that Benjamin Netanyahu had informed Morocco's King Mohammed VI of "the decision to recognize Morocco's sovereignty" over Western Sahara.

Netanyahu said in the letter that Israel would register its decision with the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as all the states Israel has diplomatic relations with, the statement added.

It also said that the Tel Aviv regime is considering opening a consulate in the town of Dakhla, located in the Moroccan part of Western Sahara.

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen also claimed that backing the separatist move will "deepen regional peace and stability."

Israeli officials said in June they were debating Morocco's rule over Western Sahara, but later in July they linked the move to Rabat hosting a repeatedly postponed meeting between Israeli officials and foreign ministers from four Arab states involved in the US-brokered normalization deals.

Morocco postponed the forum last month, citing Israel's crackdown and vicious actions against Palestinians.

The so-called Negev Forum was created out of a summit organized in March 2022 by former top Israeli diplomat Yair Lapid at the Kibbutz of Sde Boker in the Negev desert.

The forum's goal is to enhance cooperation among Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States.

These are the countries involved in the Abraham Accords, US-brokered agreements between Israel and Arab countries to normalize diplomatic relations.

Morocco became the fourth Arab country  after the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan  to reach a normalization agreement with Israel, which was brokered by the administration of ex-US President Donald Trump during its final days in office.

As part of the contentious deal, Trump agreed to recognize Morocco's authority in Western Sahara.

US President Joe Biden has not carried out actions to make the recognition of Morocco's sovereignty announced by his predecessor effective on the ground.

Morocco annexed the vast Western Sahara region, a former Spanish colony, in 1975 and has since been in conflict with the Algeria-backed Polisario Front  a movement that seeks to establish an independent state in the territory and end Morocco's presence there.

It is currently in control of 80 percent of the region, including its phosphate deposits and fishing waters. It has built an approximately 2,700-kilometer (1,700-mile) -long wall running through the disputed territory to keep Sahrawis out of the resource-rich area.

Western Sahara's indigenous population is firmly opposed to Moroccan control and has been calling for independence from the North African country and for a referendum on their self-determination, something that has been pledged to the region in UN resolutions.

The UN has deployed the peacekeeping mission MINURSO to the region to monitor a 1991 ceasefire and to supposedly organize a referendum on the region's status.

However, the world body's envoys have failed to set the stage for a referendum on Western Sahara's future.

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Hundreds Protest Possible Criminalization Of Defamation In Republika Srpska Draft Law

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service July 18, 2023

Hundreds of journalists and rights activists marched to the parliament in Banja Luka, the capital of Republika Srpska on July 18 to protest possible amendments to the criminal code of Bosnia-Herzegovina's majority Serb entity that they say that would criminalize defamation and stifle free speech.

The Republika Srpska Assembly has put on its July 18 legislative agenda discussing amendments that would criminalize defamation despite months of protests by domestic and international organizations as well as journalists who have called on the lawmakers to scrap the changes.

The amendments to the Criminal Code were introduced by Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, a divisive figure who is also the leader of the ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD).

"This is not a political issue. This is a matter of freedom of speech for every individual in Republika Srpska," Sinisa Vukelic, the president of the Banja Luka Journalists' Club, told the protesters.

Under the amendments, making malicious or untrue statements about a person is amount to defamation and be punishable with fines.

Legislators adopted the changes in a draft amendment in March that was then subject to a two-month period to allow public debate.

Following turbulent discussions during which journalists and organizations representing civil society accused lawmakers of attempting to bring the media under control, fines for defamation were reduced in the final draft of the law from an initial maximum of 60,000 euros to between 1,000 and 3,000 euros.

The bill foresees fines for public mockery for belonging to a certain race, religion, nationality, or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Higher fines are possible in situations where defamation appears in the media, on social networks, or at a public gathering.

After the acrimonious debate, the definition of insult was changed to a misdemeanor in a revised version of the draft bill.

However, the provision referring to the "unauthorized publication of other people's files, image, and recordings" which can attract a fine or imprisonment of up to two years, remains.

Dodik, a veteran of Bosnian Serb politics, has been pursuing increasingly nationalist and secessionist policies and has been criticized for policies seen as authoritarian while seeking closer ties with Serbia and Russia.

He has said the aim of the legislation is to protect the interests of Republika Srpska and its government in the face of "special warfare" involving journalists.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hundreds-protest- criminalization-defamation-republika-srpska-/32508774.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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Deaths, Mass Protests As Nagorno-Karabakh Blockade Tightens

By Amos Chapple July 18, 2023

After Azerbaijan tightened its blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and two ethnic Armenian children died, locals say the situation is reaching a critical point.

"I don't want to sound pathetic, but all I have in my kitchen right now is some buckwheat," says journalist Marut Vanian, who shared with RFE/RL photos from his Nagorno-Karabakh apartment shot on July 18.

Vanian is one of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians effectively under siege inside the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians.

A blockade of the region that has been in place since December was dramatically ramped up by Baku over the past month, pushing the region to the brink of a massive humanitarian crisis.

Gas has been shut off, and since June 15 no supplies are being allowed past a checkpoint that Azerbaijan recently set up on the Lachin Corridor, the primary road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia.

Previously, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was permitted to carry some essential supplies, and transport seriously ill medical patients through the blockade.

Baku has justified shutting the road by saying "various types of contraband," including mobile phones, cigarettes, and gasoline had been discovered in Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia.

In a statement, the aid organization responded that "no unauthorized material has been found in any vehicle belonging to the ICRC," but added, "we regret that without our knowledge four hired drivers tried to transport some commercial goods in their own vehicles which were temporarily displaying the ICRC emblem."

"The last week has been the most difficult time of the blockade," Vanian says. "There is nothing but alcohol in the supermarkets and small businesses and shops just closed and [the owners] went home."

"Bread, which should be on the table of every Armenian three times a day, is hard to buy. You have to stand in line for hours in front of the bakery in order to buy two loaves."

On July 8, the bodies of two children were discovered inside a car in the north of Nagorno-Karabakh after their single mother walked to a nearby town to receive an allowance of cooking oil and sugar. The young siblings -- a girl aged 6 and her 3-year-old brother -- apparently went looking for their mother before seeking refuge in an unlocked car during the hot summer evening. The cause of their deaths inside the vehicle has not yet been determined.

At a rally in Stepanakert on July 14, thousands of people gathered to protest the blockade amid an increasing sense of despair. "What are you waiting for?" one speaker rhetorically asked the international community during the rally. "Do you need to see corpses in this square every day before you respond?"

Baku sees the de facto government of Nagorno-Karabakh as illegal occupants of its internationally recognized territory and has called for the Stepanakert leadership to step down.

Azerbaijan says Armenians in the mountainous region will be afforded the rights of all other Azerbaijani citizens if Baku establishes control. But several brutal murders of ethnic Armenians blamed on Azerbaijani soldiers has left some observers fearing the worst if control of the region is handed back to Baku.

Vanian says Karabakh Armenians are not yet openly talking about leaving the region for Armenia, "but many understand that they cannot take care of a child in such conditions. After all, [children] need vitamins and a happy life." But, the journalist says, "others say they are prepared to eat only greens, as long as they live in their own houses, as long as there is no war," in the hope the situation can be resolved.

Nagorno-Karabakh's de facto President Arayik Harutyunian said on July 17, while using the Armenian name for the region, that, "if the situation for the people of Artsakh does not return to a more or less stable and normal course within a week with international intervention, we will resort to tougher actions both in Artsakh and beyond."

It is unclear what actions the official is vowing to take.



Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nagorno-karabakh- blockade-azerbaijan-armenia-critical/32508788.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Naval Forces Complete Annual Maritime Exercise with Lebanon

US Navy

18 July 2023

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Naval forces from Lebanon, the United States and regional partners completed a nine-day maritime exercise ashore and near the coast of Lebanon, July 18.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) concluded exercise Resolute Union 2023 with counterparts from Egypt, France, Iraq, Jordan and the United Kingdom. This year's iteration of the annual exercise focused on maritime awareness, operations, command and control, force protection and infrastructure defense.

More 100 international personnel participated, including nearly 20 service members from the United States. The NAVCENT cohort included experts on explosive ordnance disposal, civil affairs, maritime security, maritime law, joint planning and amphibious operations.

U.S. personnel solely participated in Resolute Union as observers and trainers this year, enabling LAF partners to carry out training drills as a team and enhance their maritime capabilities in key areas.

"We have conducted Resolute Union many years in the past, but this year the U.S. supported in an observer and trainer capacity," said Lt. Cmdr. Antoni Wyszynski from U.S. 5th Fleet's task force for expeditionary combat operations, Task Force 56. "It is good to see how other partner nations are coming together to support Lebanese forces to develop interoperability and support maritime security."

Resolute Union exercises have fostered collaboration between Lebanese and U.S. armed forces for 23 years. In 2022, 60 U.S. service members conducted drills alongside their LAF counterparts on maritime security operations, mine countermeasures and explosive ordnance disposal.

NAVCENT is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain and includes U.S. forces operating in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandeb.

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US Nuclear Submarine Visits South Korea in Show of Force

By Jeff Seldin July 18, 2023

The United States is backing tough talk on provocations and saber-rattling by North Korea with a show of force, sending a nuclear-armed submarine on a visit to South Korea.

The Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday in the South Korean port of Busan, escorted by two, U.S. guided missile destroyers.

A statement from U.S. Forces Korea said the visit "reflects the United States' ironclad commitment to the Republic of Korea," and also "demonstrates the flexibility, survivability, readiness, resolve, and capability of the U.S. Navy submarine forces."

The visit comes as high-level talks are underway in Seoul between U.S. and South Korean officials aimed at coordinating a nuclear response should war break out with North Korea.

White House Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell, who is leading the U.S. delegation, confirmed the visit by the USS Kentucky, calling it the first visit by a nuclear armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

Earlier this year, during a visit to Seoul by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the two allies agreed to increase the pace and scope of military exercises and to expand intelligence sharing in response to the growing threat from North Korea.

The U.S. military would employ "the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including our conventional, nuclear, and missile-defense capabilities," to defend Seoul, Austin said at the time.

The USS Kentucky is capable of launching nuclear-capable Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers.

In addition to the visit by the USS Kentucky, the U.S. currently has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea.

Just last month, North Korea test fired two short-range missiles while top U.S. officials were meeting Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Tokyo. And there are ongoing

"I have been concerned for some time that North Korea would conduct what would be its seventh nuclear test," White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CBS's "Face the Nation" this past Sunday.

"I don't see any immediate indications that's going to happen, but it would not come as a surprise if North Korea moves forward with another test with respect to its intercontinental ballistic missile capability," he added.

Both U.S. and South Korean officials have repeatedly said that should North Korean use nuclear weapons against them or their allies that it would "result in the end of that regime."

Eunice Kim contributed to this report from Seoul.

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Afghanistan, Pakistan to Hold Key Talks as Cross-Border Terrorism Strains Ties

By Ayaz Gul July 18, 2023

A senior Pakistani envoy will travel to Afghanistan on Wednesday for bilateral talks with Taliban leaders amid growing allegations Afghan-based fugitive militants have stepped up cross-border terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Asif Durrani, Islamabad's newly appointed special representative on Afghanistan, will hold meetings in Kabul, focusing on mutual trade and economic and security cooperation, said a Pakistani official Tuesday. He spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to interact publicly with the media.

Durrani told VOA in the run-up to his Kabul visit that Pakistan's trade with and through landlocked Afghanistan had increased since the Taliban reclaimed control of the country two years ago. Bilateral trade currently stands at more than $2 billion, according to official data.

The Pakistani envoy also hailed the growth of Afghanistan's trade with other neighbors, including China and Iran. Durrani said that "the relative Afghan peace" has enabled Pakistan to increase its trade with landlocked Central Asian countries through Afghan transit routes to nearly $200 million from $55 million two years ago.

"It is good for Afghanistan and will help address many issues; especially it will reduce the poverty rate, which is close to 95% per the U.N. estimates. It is a promising process, but it will take a while," Durrani said.

"An increase in economic activity will also help deal with the humanitarian crisis amid reports that international donors may reduce their aid contribution for Afghanistan. So, the coming winters are likely to be much harsher for Afghans," the Pakistani envoy said.

Durrani's visit coincides with a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, particularly in districts adjacent to the country's nearly 2,600-kilometer Afghan border. The violence has killed more than 400 people this year, mostly security forces, with the Pakistani military losing 12 soldiers in a single day on July 12.

The violence is mainly claimed by or blamed on an alliance of outlawed groups, known as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, conducting attacks against the Pakistani state from sanctuaries in Afghanistan, according to officials in Islamabad.

Pakistan has urged the Taliban to adhere to their February 2020 agreement with the United States and prevent terrorists from using Afghan soil to threaten other countries.

On Monday, Washington joined Islamabad in calling on the Taliban to meet their counterterrorism commitments.

We have made very clear that we believe the Taliban has the responsibility to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a safe haven for launching terrorist attacks," U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

Last week, the Pakistani military sternly warned the Taliban against allowing the TTP and other terrorist groups on their soil to threaten the country.

"The armed forces of Pakistan have serious concerns on the safe havens and liberty of action available to TTP in Afghanistan," a military statement said on Friday. "Such attacks are intolerable and would elicit an effective response from the security forces of Pakistan."

Pakistani security officials have also confirmed seizing U.S. military weapons from militants killed in recent counterterrorism operations, saying members of the Afghan Taliban also took part in last week's terrorist attacks in southwestern Baluchistan province.

The Geneva-based independent Small Arms Survey published a report earlier this month warning that the TTP and other militants continue to have access to weapons of now defunct Afghan security forces that were trained and equipped by the U.S. military.

Taliban authorities rejected Pakistani allegations that the TTP or other groups were using Afghan soil for cross-border terrorism. Chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid urged Islamabad on Saturday to share the evidence with Kabul so they could investigate the claims.

On Monday, the White House National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, ruled out the possibility of Afghan refugees participating in terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

"We've seen no indication that Afghan refugees in Pakistan or along that border are guilty of acts of terrorism...And we'll continue to work with Pakistan, as we have on their legitimate terrorism threats and their challenges in counterterrorism," Kirby told reporters in Washington.

Pakistan hosts more than three million Afghan refugees and economic migrants fleeing decades of conflicts and poverty in their country.

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Cameroon Military, Separatists Trade Accusations of Civilian Killings

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka July 18, 2023

Cameroon's military says it has arrested scores of rebels suspected in the shooting deaths of 10 civilians Sunday in the northwest town of Bamenda. The military says separatists disguised themselves as government troops to try to frame them for the killings, which a rebel spokesperson denies.

Bamenda city mayor Achombong Paul, who visited Bamenda Regional Hospital on Tuesday morning, said residents of the city are living in fear after Sunday's brutal killings.

"Every human life has value. Every human being has a right to live and nobody for whatever reason has a right to take away the life of an individual," he said. "We cannot live in a town where there is chaos, fear and all the kinds of atrocities going on at the same time. We will never move forward with this attitude. No, we won't. People can't go to work, nothing works in this town because people are scared to be killed."

Hospital director Nsame Denis said at least 600 people have visited the hospital since Sunday's killings to find out if their family or friends are among the victims.

"We received in total 12 victims of firearm injuries. Out of this 12, one is in the intensive care, one took treatment and went home, and at the level of the mortuary, we have 10 corpses amongst whom three are female and seven are males ranging from 24 to 56 years," Nsame said.

Cameroon's military, in a July 17 statement, said about 12 heavily armed fighters dressed in military gear similar to that of the central African state's military shot indiscriminately at civilians at Nacho Junction in Bamenda.

The military said scores of suspects have been arrested in a crackdown operation less than 48 hours after the killings.

Deben Tchoffo, governor of the Northwest region, said fighters want to create panic among civilians who collaborate with the military by reporting suspected separatists.

"I would like, on behalf of the head of state, to assure the population that measures are being taken by the security services to locate the authors of that barbaric act and sanction them. I would like to strongly condemn those attacks by a terrorist group," he said.

Separatists on social media, including Facebook and WhatsApp, denied responsibility for the killings. They said government troops were responsible, asserting that the military wants to give separatists a bad image to the international community.

The Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa reports that Sunday's killing comes two days after Cameroon's military was said to have raided Awing Quarter, another neighborhood in Bamenda, and killed at least five people.

Northwest Region Governor Tchoffo acknowledges that civilians were killed in Awing Quarter but blames fighters for the killings.

The Cameroon government said people wounded in both attacks are being treated free of charge in hospitals in Bamenda.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and the Center for Human Rights and Democracy, accuse both the military and rebels of abuses, including rape, torture and killings.

Cameroon's Northwest and Southwest regions have seen years of deadly battles between government troops and separatists fighting to carve out an English-speaking state from French-speaking majority Cameroon.

The conflict has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced more than 760,000 others, according to the International Crisis Group.

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Solomon Islands Accuse West of Pulling Funding

By Phil Mercer July 18, 2023

The leader of the Solomon Islands - a strategic archipelago in the Pacific - has accused Australia and other Western nations of withdrawing financial support after the country confirmed a controversial policing pact with China.

Last year, Solomon Island's Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said the policing deal with China would offer protection from "external or internal threats" but it would not alter existing security arrangements with Australia.

Earlier this month, Sogavare confirmed the pact during a visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss the new bilateral "comprehensive strategic partnership".

Sogavare has accused Australia and its allies of using a "coercive diplomatic approach" to target China-Solomon Islands relations. He has also alleged that Australia and other western countries are withdrawing some of their financial support for the islands.

He told a press conference in the capital, Honiara, Monday, that China had agreed to make up the shortfall.

"I am glad and really delighted to announce that the Peoples' Republic of China stepped up and committed itself to meet this shortfall by providing the budgetary support that is needed for 2023," Sogavare said.

Australia is increasingly anxious about China's ambitions in the Pacific, a region Australia and New Zealand have considered to be their traditional sphere of influence.

In a statement Monday, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) denied the Canberra government had reneged on any formal financial commitments.

Meg Keen, the director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based research organization, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Tuesday that she believes that Canberra has not cut financial support to Sogavare's government in the Solomon Islands.

"He is making a claim that the gap being left is because Australia has withdrawn its budget support and there is no evidence that that has occurred. And talking with people at DFAT it does not seem there is any indication that that has happened, nor has there been a cut to the aid program."

Analysts have said that Australia has announced several multi-million-dollar packages of financial support for the Solomon Islands in the past two years, including aid to help run elections in 2024, and for the Pacific Games in November.

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Tight funding forces WFP to reduce food assistance for Syrian refugees in Jordan, including in camps

World Food Programme

18 July 2023

CAIRO -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today that further reductions in food assistance for refugees in Jordan have become unavoidable as funds run precariously low. The food agency is compelled to reduce by one-third the monthly cash assistance for all 119,000 Syrian refugees in Zaatari and Azraq camps.

Starting in August, Syrian refugees in the camps will receive a reduced cash allowance of US$21 (JOD 15) per person per month, down from the previous amount of US$32 (JOD 23). Syrian refugees living in both camps have limited income sources with only 30 percent of adults working - mainly in temporary or seasonal jobs - while 57 percent of camp residents say cash assistance is their only source of income.

"We are deeply concerned about the potential deterioration of families' food security but as funding dries up, our hands are tied," said WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan Alberto Correia Mendes. "These reductions are likely to lead to increased negative coping strategies."

Negative coping strategies, including child labour, withdrawal of children from school, child marriage, and accumulating more debt, have already increased among refugees in camps by 25 percent compared to last year.

The reduction in the level of assistance highlights the urgent challenges faced by WFP in providing crucial support to vulnerable refugees in Jordan. Despite reducing the value of its cash assistance for all refugees living outside camps and gradually excluding approximately 50,000 individuals from the assistance to prioritize the poorest families, WFP still faces a critical funding shortfall of US$41 million until the end of 2023.

Since the onset of the Syria crisis, WFP has steadfastly provided life-saving support to vulnerable Syrian refugees in Jordan, ensuring their access to basic food needs. However, with mounting funding challenges, WFP has been compelled to scale down its response to stretch the limited available resources.

WFP acknowledges the unwavering support of the Jordanian government and its people in hosting Syrian refugees over the years. As the situation evolves, WFP is keenly aware of the shared responsibility to safeguard the well-being of refugees and will continue to work diligently with partners and donors to explore sustainable solutions.

Across the region, funding constraints have forced WFP to scale back assistance in Syria and in Palestine as low funding left the food agency with little room to continue providing assistance at previous levels.

WFP is grateful for the generous support from donors and appeals to the entire international community to support our critical lifesaving and life-changing operations - big or small - to ensure that no hungry families are left behind.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Joint Readout of the Inaugural U.S.-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group Meeting

July 18, 2023

In line with the April 2023 Washington Declaration and the historic decision by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and President Yoon Suk Yeol to establish the bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), the national security authorities of the United States (U.S.) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) launched the inaugural meeting of the NCG on July 18, 2023, in Seoul. The NCG will be an enduring mechanism for strengthening the U.S.-ROK Alliance and enhancing our combined deterrence and response posture. As a result, the collective strength of our two nations will directly contribute to the continued peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific region.

The inaugural NCG meeting was convened by Dr. Kim Tae-hyo, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor of the ROK; Dr. Kurt Campbell, Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC); and Ms. Cara Abercrombie, Coordinator for Defense Policy and Arms Control at the NSC. ROK and U.S. defense officials led at the assistant secretary-level, and foreign affairs officials took part in the meeting.

This inaugural NCG meeting afforded the United States an opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the U.S. commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, including nuclear. Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime, and the U.S. and ROK sides highlighted that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response. Both sides affirmed that the NCG will play an integral role in discussing and advancing bilateral approaches, including guidelines, to nuclear and strategic planning and responses to DPRK aggression. To that end, both sides established a range of workstreams to bolster nuclear deterrence and response capabilities on the Korean Peninsula, including the development of security and information sharing protocols; nuclear consultation and communication processes in crises and contingencies; as well as coordination and development of relevant planning, operations, exercises, simulations, trainings, and investment activities. In particular, the U.S. and ROK discussed joint planning and execution of ROK conventional support to U.S. nuclear operations as well as how to enhance visibility of U.S. strategic asset deployments around the Korean Peninsula.

Both sides committed to promptly executing these workstreams and other efforts within the NCG, and to report progress up to the ROK and U.S. presidents through their respective chains-of-command in the coming months. The NCG will be held quarterly at appropriate levels, and the next principal-level meeting will take place later this year in the United States.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 19 July 2023 - Day 511

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that since the start of July 2023, there has highly likely been an increase in fighting around the lower reaches of the Dnipro River.

As well as intense combat on the eastern bank around the small Ukrainian bridgehead near the ruined Antonivsky Bridge, small units of Russian and Ukrainian troops have also been contesting islands in the Dnipro delta.

Both sides are using small, fast motorboats, and Ukraine has successfully used tactical one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles to destroy some Russian boats.

Russia faces a dilemma in deciding whether to respond to these threats by strengthening its Dnipro Group of Forces at the expense of the stretched units facing the Ukrainian counter-offensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day July 19, the Russian occupiers launched another massive air and missile attack at Ukraine, using 16x Caliber sea-based cruise missiles, 8x Kh-22 cruise missiles, 6x Onyx cruise missiles, 1x Kh-59 guided air missile and 32x strike UAVs of the "Shahed" type.

Due to successful actions of the Ukrainian Air Force and other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine destroyed 13x Caliber cruise missiles, 1x Kh-59 guided air missile and 23x Shahed-type attack UAVs. Moreover, Russian forces carried out 66x airstrikes and launched about 30x MLRS attacks.

The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the Kup'yans'k, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mar'inka axes, heavy battles continue. About 19x combat clashes took place during the day.

Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected. There are no signs of the formation of Russian offensive groupings. Armed Forces of Belarus continue to perform tasks in the Ukrainian border.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces maintain an enhanced military presence. They shelled with mortars and artillery more than 20x settlements, in particular, Girs'k, Yeline, Leonivka, Chernihiv Oblast; Seredyna-Buda, Bachivsk of Sumy Oblast and Uda, Kozacha Lopan', Strelecha, Vovchans'k, Mala Vovcha, Budarky of Kharkiv Oblast.

Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers are firmly holding the defense. Russian forces launched an air strike at Kislivka. Dvorichna, Zapadne, Sinkivka, Kislivka, Berestov in Kharkiv Oblast were shelled by artillery and mortars.

Lyman axis: the Russian forces carried out airstrikes in the areas of Bilogorivka, Luhansk Oblast, and Serebryanka, Donetsk Oblast. The settlements of Nevs'ke, Bilogorivka in the Luhansk Oblast and Tors'ke, Verkhn'yokam'ians'ke, Berestov, and Rozdolivka in the Donetsk Oblast were shelled artillery.

Bakhmut axis: under heavy Russian artillery fire, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian attacks in the Bohdanivka area of the Donetsk Oblast. More than 10x settlements, including Vasyukivka, Markove, Bogdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivs'ke, Stupochki, Oleksandro-Shultine of the Donetsk Oblast, were shelled by Russian artillery.

Avdiivka axis: despite heavy fire from the Russian aircraft and artillery, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled the attacks of Russian troops at Nevelsky. The Russian forces launched missile and air strikes in the vicinities of Avdiivka. Artillery bombarded more than 10X settlements, such as Lastochkina, Avdiivka, Karlivka and Nevel's'ke of the Donetsk Oblast.

Mar'inka axis: Defense Forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the areas of Mar'inka and Krasnohorivka. Russian forces shelled more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Georgiivka, and Pobeda of the Donetsk Oblast.

Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces shelled more than 10x settlements, in particular, Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, Vugledar and Blagodatne of the Donetsk Oblast got under fire.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia is concentrating forces to prevent further advance of Ukrainian troops. They made unsuccessful attempts to restore his lost position in the area north of Priyutny, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. More than 20x settlements, including Novodarivka, Olgivs'ke, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Biloghirya, Lobkovo of the Zaporizhia Oblast, were shelled by artillery; Dudchany, Kozats'ke, Lviv, Ivanivka, Antonivka, Berehove, Kizomys of the Kherson Oblast and Kherson.

Defense Forces of Ukraine continue offensive operations on the Melitopol' and Berdyansk axes, are equipping captured positions, shell with artillery identified Russian targets, and carry out counter-battery measures.

Russian forces continue to turn the civil infrastructure of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine for their own needs. For example, in the cultural center in Kalanchatka council of the Kherson Oblast, the Russian occupiers set up a military hospital, where more than 50 Russian invaders are currently being treated for injuries of varying degrees and undergoing rehabilitation.

Ukrainian Air Force conducted 5x strikes on manpower concentrations.

Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 2x operational-tactical reconnaissance UAVs.

Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 3x manpower, weapons and military equipment concentrations, 9x artillery units at firing positions, 2x air defense systems and the Russian EW station.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a group strike with sea- and air-based precision weapons against military industry facilities, fuel infrastructure and ammunition depots of the AFU close to Odessa and also against enemy Kanatovo airbase of the Ukrainian Air Force in Kirovograd region.

All the assigned targets have been neutralised. The goal of the attack has been reached.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces continue successful offensive operations in the area of responsibility.

Over the course of the day, Russian troops advanced more than a kilometre in depth and up to two kilometres along the front. The advancing units seized Molchanovo railway station (Kharkov region).

In addition, as a result of aviation and artillery attacks, AFU units have been hit close to Sinkovka, Kislovka and Berestovoye (Kharkov region) and Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

One ammunition depot of the AFU 103th Brigade of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine has been destroyed near Peschanoye (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 70 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and self-propelled artillery systems: Polish-manufactured Krab and Gvozdika, as well as one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

The AFU continued to attempt offensive actions in Donetsk, Krasny Liman and South Donetsk directions.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of concerted action by units of the Yug Group of Forces, aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems, 25 enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Belogorovka, Pervomayskoye, Nevelskoye, Maryinka, Severnoye and north-west of Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Seversk, Chasov Yar, Toretsk and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

One ammunition depot of the AFU 110th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed near Avdeevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 340 Ukrainian servicemen, two tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, one German-manufactured Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, two Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and two D-30 howitzers.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, artillery, and Operational-Tactical and Army aviation have repelled four enemy attacks close to Karmazinovka, Shipilovka, Kremennaya and Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

AFU units have been hit close to Novosadovoye, Yampolovka and Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The actions of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been disrupted close to Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

One ammunition depot of the AFU 100th Territorial Defence Brigade has been destroyed near Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 100 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and two D-30 howitzers.

In South Donetsk direction, as a result of active actions by Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery by the Vostok Group of Forces, an enemy attack has been repelled close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

AFU manpower and hardware have been hit near Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region), Makarovka and Rovnopol (Donetsk People's Republic).

The actions of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been disrupted close to Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

In Zaporozhye direction, manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU have been hit close to Novopokrovka and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

The actions of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed near Marfopol (Zaporozhye region).

Seven ammunition depots of the 23rd, 33rd mechanised, 128th mountain assault and 44th artillery brigades of the AFU have been destroyed near Berezovoye (Dnepropetrovsk region), Malaya Tokmachka, Rabotino, Preobrazhenka, Uspenovka and Novoyakovlevka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen, two tanks, nine armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, three D-20 guns, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

In Kherson direction, as a result of complex fire, the enemy losses were up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, three pickup trucks and one D-30 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 92 artillery units of the AFU at their firing positions, manpower and military hardware at 106 areas.

An AFU fuel and lubricants base has been destroyed near Zaporozhye.

Fighter Aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces have shot down one AFU Su-25 aircraft near Razdolnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence facilities have shot down one Mi-8 helicopter near Kutkovka (Kharkov region).

5 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles have also been intercepted.

18 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Kremennaya, Berestovoye, Privolye (Lugansk People's Republic), Krasnaya Gora, Opytnoye, Pokrovskoye, Staromlynovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Pologi, Lyubimovka and Fedorovka (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 456 airplanes, 243 helicopters, 5,108 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,761 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,139 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,522 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,752 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Trump expects to be indicted in Capitol riot probe

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 5:59 PM

Former US president Donald Trump says he has been notified by the Department of Justice that he could face criminal charges for his role in the January 6, 2021 riot at Capitol Hill.

Trump, who has announced to make another White House bid, has been under federal investigation over his role in the January 6 violent protest, when his supporters stormed Congress in a bid to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. The protesters contended that Biden was not the legitimate winner of the election.

Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that special counsel Jack Smith had notified him via a letter on Sunday about the development.

"Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter... stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6 Grand Jury investigation," Trump wrote.

Trump has criticized the Department of Justice probe into his role in the Capitol riots and called it a "continuation of the greatest Witch Hunt in American History."

It was not immediately clear what specific charges Trump may face.

Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican party's presidential nomination, said he was given "a very short four days" to report to a grand jury, "which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment."

"This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement," he said. "It is a very sad and dark period for our Nation!"

Candidates in the Republican Party primary field have given their initial reaction to the news, with South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley reiterating the need for a generational change in the party to move on from what she described as the distractions of the Trump era.

"The rest of this primary election is going to be in reference to Trump, is going to be about lawsuits, is going to be about legal fees, it's going to be about judges and it's going to continue to be a further and further distraction," she said.

"And that is why I am running. It's because we need a new generational leader. We can't keep dealing with this drama. We can't keep dealing with the negativity," Haley added.

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson also reiterated his call for Trump to suspend his 2024 campaign.

"I have said from the beginning that Donald Trump's actions on January 6 should disqualify him from ever being President again," he said.

An advisor to Trump told The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity that the former president would decline the invitation to testify before the grand jury investigating the Capitol riots.

The former president is already facing criminal charges brought by for mishandling top secret government documents after leaving the White House.

He is charged with 31 counts of "willful retention of national defense information," each punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

He also faces charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements and other offenses.

Trump, however, proclaimed his innocence, saying the "baseless indictment of me by the Biden administration's weaponized department of injustice will go down as among the most horrific abuses of power in the history of our country."

He is the first former or current president to face criminal charges.

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The United States Adds Foreign Companies to Entity List for Malicious Cyber Activities

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

July 18, 2023

Today, the U.S. government added four foreign commercial spyware entities to the Entity List for engaging in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.

Intellexa S.A. in Greece, Intellexa Limited in Ireland, Cytrox AD in North Macedonia, and Cytrox Holdings Crt in Hungary were added to the Entity List based on a determination that the companies engaged in trafficking in cyber exploits used to gain access to information systems, threatening the privacy and security of individuals and organizations worldwide.

The proliferation of commercial spyware poses distinct and growing counterintelligence and security risks to the United States, including to the safety and security of U.S. government personnel and their families. The misuse of these tools globally has also facilitated repression and enabled human rights abuses, including to intimidate political opponents and curb dissent, limit freedom of expression, and monitor and target activists and journalists.

Today's action is part of a government-wide effort to counter the risks posed by commercial spyware. It is consistent with steps announced in March around the Summit for Democracy including the issuance of an Executive Order to Prohibit U.S. Government Use of Commercial Spyware that Poses Risks to National Security; the Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware; and Guiding Principles on Government Use of Surveillance Technologies. The addition of these entities builds on past U.S. government listings of commercial spyware companies.

Together, these actions demonstrate the United States' continued commitment to and leadership on countering the misuse of commercial spyware and other surveillance technology. They complement bipartisan legislation by the U.S. Congress aimed at stemming the proliferation and misuse of these tools. As part of its commitment to put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy, the United States is working to counter the proliferation and misuse of digital tools used for repression. This effort is aimed at improving citizens' digital security, combating cyber threats, and mitigating unlawful surveillance.

For more information about these designations, please see the Department of Commerce's press release.

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Guantanamo Prison Set to Remain Open as Congress Debates New Year of Funding

By Katherine Gypson July 18, 2023

The U.S. Senate is set to begin debate on the annual massive military spending bill this week. As in years past, the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, will include language prohibiting the use of funds to close Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. military prison established in 2002 during the War on Terror.

The Senate version of the NDAA currently being debated not only extends the restrictions on closing or modifying the facility; it bans the transfer of detainees to Afghanistan, Libya, the United States, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen. It also directs the Department of Defense to begin planning for the medical needs of the aging population at Guantanamo.

The White House told VOA Tuesday it strongly opposes the prohibitions.

"These provisions would interfere with the President's ability to determine the appropriate disposition of GTMO detainees and to make important foreign policy and national security determinations regarding whether and under what circumstances to transfer detainees to the custody or effective control of foreign countries," a spokesperson said.

In February 2021, then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said it was "certainly our goal and our intention" to close the facility by the end of U.S. President Joe Biden's term. To date, the Biden administration has released 10 detainees.

According to a New York Times estimate in March 2022, 30 people were currently being detained at Guantanamo Bay. In the 20 years it has existed, nine people have died while in custody and 741 people have been transferred out of the facility.

Last year, 69 members of the Senate and House of Representatives urged the Armed Services committees to include closure of Guantanamo Bay in that year's NDAA.

"With an astronomical cost of $500 million annually, the indefinite detention of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay without charges or trials violates our Constitution, betrays our values, and undermines America's credibility as an advocate for democratic values and the rule of law abroad," the lawmakers wrote.

But many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have argued the facility is necessary. In 2009, when then-President Barack Obama attempted to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer detainees to facilities in the United States, the Senate voted 90-6 to keep it open.

"The American people don't want these men walking the streets of America's neighborhoods. The American people don't want these detainees held at a military base or federal prison in their backyard, either," Republican Senator John Thune said at the time of that vote.

Guantanamo Bay has been the subject of extensive litigation. In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court found that detainees were entitled to minimal protections under the Geneva Conventions, despite the assertions of the George W. Bush administration. The United Nations has demanded the closure of Guantanamo Bay, as has Amnesty International, which found in 2005 that the facility "has become the gulag of our times, entrenching the notion that people can be detained without any recourse to the law."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has used Guantanamo Bay as an example when asked to defend his human rights record. In a June 2021 press conference, he said, "It is still working and doesn't come under any kind of law. International, American, nothing. But it still exists."

Biden's immediate predecessor, Donald Trump, signed an executive order keeping the facility open indefinitely.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on July 18, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

People's Daily: It is reported that the resolution on "the contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights" submitted by China was adopted again at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council. Could you share more information with us?a

Mao Ning: The 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recently adopted again the resolution on "the contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights" submitted by China and co-sponsored by 62 countries. The resolution reaffirms development's contribution to the enjoyment of all human rights by all and calls for efforts to find new approaches to new challenges in attaining the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" during post-COVID recovery and to promote and protect human rights through high-quality development by strengthening global sustainable development partnership and global cooperation. In their statements, representatives of Pakistan, the UAE, Sudan, Honduras, and some other countries commended China for submitting the draft of this important resolution and expressed appreciation for China's leadership. They said that the adoption of the resolution fully showed the aspiration and voice widely shared by developing countries.

Development is an eternalatheme for humanity. Only with better development can human rights be better advanced and protected. The draft resolution from China and the co-sponsors is aimed at encouraging the world to adopt a people-centered approach in efforts to address inequalities in the interests of high-quality, inclusive, and equitable development. This is the fourth resolution with the same title that has been submitted by China and adopted by the UNHRC, and yet another contribution China has made to global sustainable development and human rights governance. The adoption of the resolution reflects the broad support for promoting human rights through developmentaan approach advocated by Chinaaand will help give developing countries more voice and say in global human rights affairs.a

China Daily: Since armed conflict broke out in Sudan on April 15 this year, the humanitarian situation in the country has been deteriorating. What humanitarian assistance has China provided to Sudan?

Mao Ning: Sudan is having a difficult time. The country is in dire need of international support and assistance. As Sudan's good friend and partner, the Chinese government will aid Sudan with emergency humanitarian supplies worth RMB 10 million to alleviate the humanitarian distress. Among those supplies, medical materials have already been on their way since July 15, and over 900 tonnes of grains are expected to be shipped in mid-August. In addition, the Red Cross Society of China has provided daily necessities to the Red Crescent Society of Sudan, which have arrived on July 14. China will continue to provide Sudan humanitarian support in light of its need to help ease the humanitarian situation.

Dragon TV: It was reported that torrential rain has recently hit the ROK, triggering secondary disasters, including dam failures, landslides and mudslides. 41 people have died and nine are missing. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: We noted the reports about the deadly torrential rain in some parts of the ROK. China extends deep condolences over the loss of lives and sincere sympathies to the victims' families and the people in the affected areas. China hopes they will get through this difficult time and rebuild their home soon.

TASS: The Black Sea grain deal, which had been extended for several times by Russia, ceased to be valid yesterday. Moscow refused to extend the deal this time because the part of the deal concerning Russia, which involves the removal of restrictions on its agricultural export, has not been fulfilled. Moscow said that although the deal allows the Ukrainian grain to be shipped to the world's poorest countries, most of the shipment has gone to western developed countries. What's your comment on the termination of the Black Sea grain deal? Will this affect China's food security?a

Mao Ning: We hope that parties concerned will properly resolve the international food security issue through dialogue and consultation. China stands ready to step up communication and cooperation with other parties to facilitate more international common understandings and contribute to world food security.a

Sky News: Sky News just released a series of exclusive reports from within Myanmar where the team there witnessed some of the horrors of the terrible civil war that's playing out. The Myanmar military junta seized power and there's overwhelming evidence that it's acting violence against its citizens, including directly targeting and killing civilians. Despite this, China is investing in its trade links with Myanmar and there have been meetings between top officials, including Qin Gang. And according to the UN, China sold Myanmar arms. The accusation is that China is bankrolling the military junta despite its terrible crimes. What do you say to that accusation? And how does China justify its support for this regime?

Mao Ning: I did not read the reports you mentioned. Nor do I know whether their source is accurate. As to the issue of Myanmar, China's position is consistent and clear-cut. As a friendly neighbor, China believes that all parties and factions in Myanmar need to proceed from the long-term interests of the nation and people, find a proper way to resolve the problems through political dialogue under the constitutional and legal framework and restore nationwide social stability at an early date. We believe that any action taken by the international community needs to contribute to Myanmar's political and social stability, promote its peace and reconciliation, and avoid escalating the conflict. This is what China's approach has been.a

If the report that you referred to is the one issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, I'd like to point out that the Special Rapporteur actually overstepped his mandate. The report contained smears against normal arms trade between sovereign countries and misrepresentation of facts. China firmly opposes it. We have asked the Special Rapporteur to stay objective and fair and strictly follow his mandate and stop serving any political agenda so as not to hurt the credibility of the Special Procedures.

Bloomberg: The Biden administration's plan to restrict investments in China will be focused on cutting-edge technology and only new investments and likely won't go into effect until next year, according to people familiar with the matter. The officials are aiming to wrap up a proposal by the end of August, which could possibly prohibit investment in China's semiconductor, quantum computing and artificial intelligence sectors. Other sectors, such as biotechnology and energy sectors, are not expected to be part of the restrictions. Does the foreign ministry have any comments on these investment restrictions?a

Mao Ning: China opposes US politicizing and weaponizing of trade and tech issues. It is in no one's interest to place arbitrary curbs on normal technology cooperation and trade, violate the market economy principles and destabilize global industrial and supply chains.

We hope that the US will follow through on President Biden's commitment of not seeking to "decouple" from China, halt China's economic development or contain China and create a sound environment for China-US economic cooperation and trade.a

TASS: The information center of the National Antiterrorism Committee of Russia noted that overnight on Monday two Ukrainian surface drones carried out a terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge, which killed two adults and injured one child. Russian President Putin stressed that this attack made no sense, since for a long time, the Crimean Bridge is not used for military transportation. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We hope all parties will be committed to a political settlement of the crisis and jointly help deescalate the situation. China believes that relevant parties need to avoid attacking civilian facilities and objects, protect the safety of civilians and observe international humanitarian law.

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US bill would punish enablers of Uyghur human rights violations in China

Proposed law expands scope of past law to target companies who do business with sanctioned entities.

By Bing Xiao 2023.07.18 -- A bill re-introduced to Congress by two lawmakers on Tuesday would expand U.S. sanctions to include foreign companies that do business with entities identified as contributing to human rights violations against ethnic Uyghurs in China's Far West.

The proposed law, the Sanctioning Supporters of Slave Labor Act, would authorize U.S. government agencies to impose secondary sanctions on companies or individuals that have transactions with sanctioned entities, such as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, or XPCC, the biggest state-owned enterprise in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

If it passes, any non-U.S. company that enters transactions with such entities would be banned from working with American companies and their assets in U.S. bank accounts would be frozen, according to the office of Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, one of the two sponsors of the bill.

Companies would be forced to choose between keeping sanctioned suppliers in Xinjiang or continuing to sell their products in the United States, his office said.

"Further actions must be taken to hold accountable those individuals and entities benefiting from the forced labor of Uyghurs," Rubio said in a statement. "Not only should China's genocidal regime answer for the crimes they are committing but also the companies that profit from these atrocities."

The bill expands on a previous law, the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, passed in 2020, that imposes sanctions against entities determined to be supporting the Chinese Communist Party's violations of Uyghur and other ethnic minority rights.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, a Republican from Indiana, introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

The bill had initially been introduced in 2022, during the last congressional session, but wasn't passed, so the lawmakers have re-introduced it.

International condemnation

China has come under harsh international criticism in recent years for its severe rights abuses of the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs, including forced labor.

The U.S. government and several Western parliaments, including the German Bundestag, have declared that the abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the far western part of China amount to genocide or crimes against humanity.

The United States has passed two pieces of legislation to address these grave abuses.

Congress passed a law that took effect In December 2021 called the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, or the UFLPA, that directed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to support enforcement of the prohibition on the import of goods into the U.S. manufactured wholly or in part with forced labor in China, especially from Xinjiang.

And in late May, a bipartisan piece of legislation, the Uyghur Genocide Accountability and Sanctions Act was introduced, which further reinforces the two existing laws by mandating new sanctions on Chinese entities and requiring companies to disclose any ties they have to supply chains that touch Xinjiang.

Rubio was one of the sponsors to introduce these bills, and has been sanctioned by Chinese authorities.

Some lawmakers have accused American companies of aiding and abetting the Chinese Communist Party in their human rights violations.

A 2020 New York Times report revealed that major corporations such as Nike and Coca-Cola had invested heavily in lobbying Congress to weaken the UFLPA.

"Prior experience with the effort to get UFLPA passed shows that corporate America is willing to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses and even genocide, if it means maximizing their profit margins," said a spokesperson for Rubio, requesting anonymity.

"This will only increase pressure on the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) to stop its senseless attacks on Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and the other peoples living in Xinjiang," the spokesperson said.

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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Investors wanted: China's economy loses its swagger

China became a powerhouse on the back of foreign investment; today that investment is far more cautious.

Chris Taylor for RFA 2023.07.18 -- As President Joe Biden's top aides fly into Beijing one by one, China appears to be facing an unprecedented slowdown of its formerly spectacular GDP growth machine, leading some to conjecture that China may consider injecting some pragmatism into its foreign policy.

Foreign direct investment is calculated to have fallen to U.S.$20 billion in the first quarter of this year, compared with $100 billion in last year's first quarter, when China was in lockdown, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Initial bounce-back growth in the aftermath of long lockdowns due to COVID-19 is fading as consumers draw back from spending and exports slump. Compounding the pinch is the slow collapse of China's all-important real estate sector as well as the ongoing problem of accumulated local-government debt.

Beijing has stated it has no money to bail out local government debt due to overspending on COVID-19 mitigation. A massive infrastructure spending spree on the heels of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 saw the construction of roads to nowhere, ghost cities, unoccupied tower blocks and unfinished theme parks.

Local governments have to deal with a debt hangover from years of profligate spending compounded by what is believed to be an 18% jump in health expenditure during COVID-19 and a 23% fall in revenue due to the real estate sector slump.

In the meantime, 2023 was supposed to be the "Year of Investing in China," as Beijing has hailed it, but foreign investors aren't buying it, not least because President Xi Jinping's administration has shown every sign of being determined to make it harder to do business in China, not easier.

Following the implementation of a new counter-espionage law last month, the U.S. State Department advised Americans to reconsider travel to China due to "arbitrary enforcement of local law," "exit bans" and "wrongful detentions."

China's economy grew just 0.8% in the second quarter compared with the first three months of the year, and more than a fifth of Chinese aged 16 to 24 are out of work.

Open for business?

Li Qiang, China's premier and second-highest official, has repeatedly reassured the foreign business community that China is "open for business" at the China Development Forum in March and again more recently in Tianjin at the World Economic Forum.

Reality suggests otherwise. The U.S. and China are at loggerheads over transfers of high technology and the materials used to manufacture semiconductor chips.

Meanwhile, China's financial regulators have reportedly invited some of the world's biggest investors to a rare symposium this week, three sources said, with the aim of encouraging investment into the world's second largest economy.

The meeting, which is due to be held in Beijing on Friday, will focus on the current situation and challenges faced by U.S. dollar-denominated investment firms in China, Reuters reported.

"China's decision making is as hidden from our view as it has ever been, but China's economic weakness is obvious for all to see, even China's leaders, which can't help but be one source of the recent moderation in foreign policy and willingness to engage Washington," Scott Kennedy, a China specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told the New York Times.

"The Chinese economy is clearly sputtering," said Eswar Prasad, professor of trade policy and economics at Cornell University who suggested that China required further stimulus and policy reform. The latter is unlikely to happen in any meaningful way, while Beijing has repeatedly hinted that it is unwilling to throw the kind of stimulus at the economy it has in the past.

"What we all expected was a consumption and service-led recovery. If that is sputtering, then there's no engine left for the recovery," said Louis Kuijs, chief economist for Asia Pacific at S&P Global Ratings.

'Targeted actions'

There are some signs that the U.S. is pressuring China to open up and talk at a time of economic weakness, perhaps sensing a vulnerability.

But on her visit to Beijing earlier this month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was largely pragmatic, voicing concerns over market barriers for American firms operating in China.

She said Washington would "in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security," but disagreements over such moves should not jeopardize the broader relationship.

"We seek healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time," she said.

Nationalist state tabloid the Global Times, in an uncharacteristically positive turn, editorialized at the time of Yellen's visit that even though U.S. officials were downplaying any expectations from Yellen's visit, "Chinese experts believe that one major point of significance of Yellen's trip is to keep high-level communication channels open, which may help bilateral relations walk out of their downward spiral."

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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US Lawmakers Focus on Containing China's Missile Expansion

By Xiaoshan Xue July 18, 2023

U.S. lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would require the secretary of defense to develop a strategy for building "Rings of Fire" in the Indo-Pacific region to shrink the missile gap with China in concert with allies.

Republican Representatives Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa introduced the Rings of Fire Act of 2023 on Friday.

"China's aggression is growing, and a strong deterrence strategy is needed to confront the Chinese Communist Party. As China's rocket force has taken the lead in the Indo-Pacific, the shocking gap in America's missile capabilities calls deterrence into question," Ernst said.

"The Chinese Communist Party has spent years building a rocket force that can push American ships out of a fight and target American forces further out across the Indo-Pacific -- reaching our own borders," Gallagher said in a press release.

The bill includes a list of potential locations to place missile systems in the region, the designation of a specific commander tasked with overseeing the effort, and a list of allies with which Washington could develop a strategy, according to Gallagher's office.

Geologically, the "ring of fire" refers to a 40,000-kilometer-long zone marked by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions extending in a horseshoe shape around the Pacific Ocean.

A report titled "Rings of Fire: A Conventional Missile Strategy for a Post-INF Treaty World," released last August by the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, says the most appropriate set of rings corresponds to the ranges of the existing classes of conventional missiles: short-, medium- and intermediate-range.

One of the report's authors, Tyler Hacker, told VOA Mandarin via email on July 13 that a "rings of fire" strategy would optimally match different ground-based missile systems with potential operating locations, as it can "take advantage of the plethora of existing allied missile capabilities in the first island chain (inner ring) and maximize the utility of strategic geography in the middle and outer rings."

The bill's sponsors wrote in an op-ed for Fox News that "Japan and the Philippines could host shorter-range systems, while longer-range systems could be deployed to northern Australia, the Pacific Islands and Alaska."

The op-ed also mentioned that according to a Pentagon report, China has deployed more than 1,250 ground-launched theater-range ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 km that can strike U.S. targets in the Indo-Pacific region.

When asked during a hearing before the Senate Armed Forces Committee on April 20 whether the U.S. deployed land-based theater missiles with the same range, Admiral John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said it did not. Asked if the U.S. is developing the missiles with a range at 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers, Aquilino responded it was not.

The commander of U.S. Strategic Command, Anthony Cotton, who oversees nuclear forces, told both House and Senate Armed Services committees on January 26 via letter that China has more land-based fixed and mobile Intercontinental ballistic missile launchers than the U.S.

Bryan Clark, director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute, told VOA Mandarin via email on July 12 that the U.S. and allied forces will have far too few air defense missiles to counter China's growing inventory of ballistic and cruise missiles.

According to research compiled by the Federation of American Scientists, China has had more than 450 launchers as of October 2022, while the U.S. Air Force has 400 silos with missiles and another 50 empty silos that could be loaded if necessary.

"As we see in Ukraine, missile defenses can be effective but are depleted quickly in even a relatively small conflict," Clark said. "U.S. forces will have to withdraw to longer ranges from China to reduce the number of Chinese missiles they face and use long-range anti-ship missiles of their own to attack Chinese forces invading Taiwan. These longer-range U.S. anti-ship missiles are expensive and in limited supply. They are, therefore, likely to run out before even the initial fighting has subsided."

Clark suggests a better approach "has been to prioritize shorter-range cruise missiles that can be carried by submarines or aircraft flying from U.S. carriers or land bases to attack Chinese ships and targets ashore. By using stealth aircraft or ships, these missiles can be launched closer to Chinese territory and, therefore, be smaller and less expensive. They can, therefore, be more numerous."

Kyle Bass, the founder and chief investment officer of Hayman Capital Management, is on the China Center Advisory Board at the Hudson Institute. At a July 12 event there, "China Prepares for War: A Timeline," he told VOA Mandarin he thinks the U.S. has the best submarine fleet in the world and doesn't need to encircle China with conventional missiles.

"I don't think encircling China with our missiles is necessarily even a good idea on the land base. But I do think that we have all the firepower we need at the moment. And I don't think the basic missile counts matter," Bass said.

He said the U.S. should cripple China economically by disconnecting it from SWIFT, the international financial transaction settlement system. That, he suggested, would quickly bring China's economy to a halt.

He said the U.S. should get "Treasury and OFAC [the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control] to socialize the concept of pressing this economic nuclear button. But if we really want to be effective, we press that button."

Clark believes the reliance of the "Rings of Fire" on expensive ballistic missiles and host nation basing makes it ill-suited as a primary strategy for countering China, as "U.S. allies may not want to host them, where they would be a clear provocation to China."

He suggested the U.S. strategy should prioritize the use of expendable uncrewed air and surface vehicles. For example, he said, U.S. forces could field uncrewed surface vessels to Taiwan and the Southwest Islands of Japan, where they could be quickly employed as suicide boats or launch loitering munitions and small missiles against Chinese ships.

"This approach has worked for Ukraine against the Russian Navy in the Black Sea," he said, "and in the constrained waters around Taiwan, it could be an effective counter to a Chinese invasion force."

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.

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US Army soldier reportedly flees to North Korea

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 6:18 PM

A US Army soldier has reportedly fled from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to North Korea.

Local media reported on Tuesday that the United Nations Command, a military force that operates in the DMZ and Joint Security Area (JSA) dividing the Korean Peninsula, announced that a US national had crossed the border.

"A US National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," the UN Command tweeted. "We believe he is currently in DPRK custody."

The man is a private in the US Army, South Korea's Dong-a Ilbo newspaper reported.

The Washington Post cited anonymous government sources reporting that the man who fled is a US Army soldier.

The man was recently scheduled to get on a flight to the US, but he never boarded the plane, one of the sources told the newspaper, adding, "This was a deliberate decision on the part of the service member to cross."

The US military is determining the fleeing soldier's whereabouts and his condition, reports said.

An eyewitness on the same JSA orientation tour saw a male member of her group run across the border as they visited the Joint Security Area, NK News reported.

"To our right, we hear a loud HA-HA-HA and one guy from OUR GROUP that has been with us all day- runs in between two of the buildings and over to the other side!!" Mikaela Johansson of Sweden wrote.

"It took everybody a second to react and grasp what had actually happened, then we were ordered into and through Freedom House and running back to our military bus." Johansson had reportedly said that the visitors to the JSA were advised by authorities not to share images of the incident.

The JSA, also known as the "Truce Village," is the border village inside the DMZ where soldiers from the North and South stand facing the opposite side.

The DMZ is also the place where diplomatic negotiations between the two sides' representatives take place.

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US Soldier in North Korean Custody After Crossing North at Border Town

By Eunice Kim, Carla Babb July 18, 2023

An American soldier facing disciplinary action by the U.S. military is believed to be in North Korean custody after illegally crossing the border dividing the two Koreas at the Joint Security Area, or JSA, on Tuesday.

"What we do know is that one of our service members who was on a tour, willfully and without authorization, crossed the Military Demarcation Line, or MDL. We believe he is in DPRK custody," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a briefing on Tuesday.

"And so, we are closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin," he said. "I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troops. And so, we will remain focused on this."

The soldier, who the Army identified at Private Second Class Travis T. King, had been in a detention facility for about a month and a half for disciplinary measures, a U.S. official told VOA, adding that he was taken to the airport to return to the U.S. but never got on the plane.

Another official told VOA that the soldier was supposed to be heading to the U.S. for pending administrative separation from the U.S. military.

Officials say the soldier joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he fled across the border.

The United Nations Command, a multinational military force stationed at the border village to maintain the pause to the Korean War, said it is working with North Korea's military to "resolve the incident.

The soldier in question suddenly crossed north of the military demarcation line, the official border, at around 3:27 p.m. local time on Tuesday afternoon, according to South Korean daily The Chosun Ilbo, citing unnamed sources.

No fire appeared to have been exchanged at the high-tension border town, where soldiers from the two Koreas stand guard around the clock, facing each other.

The incident occurred as South Korea's military remains on high alert for possible provocations from North Korea after a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine arrived in port in the southern city of Busan on the same day.

Arrival of the USS Kentucky, capable of launching Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers, is a highly symbolic move that Washington will stand with South Korea in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack.

It is the first visit of a U.S. nuclear submarine in decades, said the White House Indo-Pacific coordinator, Kurt Campbell, during a press conference in Seoul Tuesday.

Campbell is leading a 30-person delegation to officially launch the Nuclear Consultative Group, or NCG, with Seoul. South Korea says the initiative will strengthen their alliance to one that is nuclear based. It is the realization of a commitment made by U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April, as outlined in the Washington Declaration.

A joint statement following the inaugural meeting of the NCG noted that any North Korean nuclear attack against the United States or its allies would "result in the end of that regime," and that a nuclear attack against South Korea would "be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response."

VOA's Korean Service contributed to this report.

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Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh & his Argentine counterpart Mr Jorge Enrique Taiana hold talks in New Delhi to deepen defence ties

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Focus on enhancing defence industrial cooperation

Posted On: 18 JUL 2023 5:31PM by PIB Delhi

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held talks with the visiting Minister of Defence of Argentine Republic Mr Jorge Enrique Taiana in New Delhi on July 18, 2023. Both Ministers discussed the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives, including measures to enhance defence industrial partnership.

Earlier in the day, the Argentine Defence Minister visited the National War Memorial and laid a wreath while paying homage to the fallen heroes. A Tri-service Guard of Honour was also presented to the visiting dignitary before the talks with the Raksha Mantri.

Mr Jorge Enrique Taiana arrived in New Delhi on July 17, 2023 on a four-day visit to India. He is accompanied by Secretary International Affairs, Argentine Ministry of Defence Mr Francisco Cafiero.

The Argentine Defence Minister visited BrahMos Aerospace and is scheduled to interact with leading think-tanks in Delhi. He will also travel to Bengaluru and visit the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) facilities and separately interact with the defence start-ups in an event organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).

India-Argentina relations were elevated to the level of Strategic Partnership in 2019. An MoU on defence cooperation too has been in force since 2019 while both sides are engaged to conclude further instruments to deepen the engagement. India and Argentina are working closely together to make defence engagements an important facet of their Strategic Partnership.

****

ABB/Savvy



(Release ID: 1940518)

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US Official Calls Religious Intolerance in India 'Frightening'

By Akmal Dawi July 18, 2023

Religious discrimination in India, the world's largest democracy, has reached a "frightening" level, and some experts warn that the country must change its course or face targeted sanctions from the U.S. government.

"India has done better in the past and has to change course because the cycle of downward spiral in a country of that importance and the number of people who are involved. It is quite frightening," Rabbi Abraham Cooper, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, told lawmakers on Tuesday.

"Religious discrimination should not be a matter of national pride," he said.

The USCIRF has recommended that India, along with Afghanistan, Syria, Nigeria and Vietnam, be added to the U.S. government's list of Countries of Particular Concern, or CPC, because of the worsening limits on religious freedom in these countries.

It also has called for targeted economic and travel sanctions against Indian government agencies and officials that are allegedly involved in violation of religious freedom.

The scathing criticism comes only weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the White House and addressed a joint session of Congress.

In 2005, the U.S. State Department revoked Modi's tourist/business visa because of his alleged role in religious and communal violence in the Indian Gujarat state in 2002.

"So, we're hoping that now that the trip has taken place and the victory lap has been earned and taken, there will be a serious review," Cooper said.

Human rights groups have accused Modi's government of fostering discriminatory religious nationalism targeting Muslim, Christian and Sikh religious minorities.

Amid recurrent incidents of religiously inspired violence, 12 out of 28 states in India have passed legislation criminalizing religious conversion.

Under review

Known for his disdain for news conferences, Modi nonetheless appeared at a joint news conference with President Joe Biden at the White House on June 22 where he was asked about discrimination against religious minorities by his government.

"I'm actually really surprised that people say so," Modi responded, adding that India is governed under a constitutional democratic order.

"There's absolutely no space for discrimination," he emphasized.

Last year, the U.S. government did not list India as a country of particular concern despite a USCIRF recommendation to do so.

"We are beginning our process for determining [CPC] designations this year," Rashad Hussain, ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom at the U.S. State Department, told the congressional hearing on Tuesday.

Hussain did not specifically say whether India would be designated a CPC this year.

The United States and India, both considering China as a strategic challenge, have expanded bilateral economic, military and political relations. With $120 billion in trade in 2022, the United States has become India's largest trading partner.

Global concerns

U.S. lawmakers express concerns about the worsening state of religious freedom worldwide, ranging from China to Nicaragua.

"Today, I am more concerned than ever about the further deterioration of religious freedom," said Representative Christopher Smith, pointing out that about half of the world's population is unable to practice faith freely.

Some lawmakers accused China of committing "genocide" against religious minorities, particularly the Uyghur Muslims a allegations the Chinese government has repeatedly denied.

While lawmakers called on the State Department to hold the perpetrator regimes accountable, experts said the U.S. should adopt a holistic approach and avoid worsening the plight of vulnerable religious communities in different parts of the world.

"It's critical [for] the U.S. to support vulnerable communities ... Uyghurs in China, atheists in Pakistan and BahAEAs in Iran," said Susan Hayward, associate director of religion and public life at Harvard Divinity School.

"U.S. advocacy for religious freedom must be conflict-sensitive, so as not to render already vulnerable communities more vulnerable nor exacerbate religious dimensions of conflict," Hayward said.

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Enemies dropped military option rhetoric thanks to Iran's 'sustainable deterrence': Top general

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 10:59 AM

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the enemies have dropped the military option rhetoric against Iran in recent years owing to the Islamic Republic's "sustainable deterrence."

"The enemy stopped talking about the military option [against Iran] for years," Baqeri said on Tuesday.

The United States, the Israeli regime and other enemies have realized that the ground battle against Iran would have no outcome but defeat and damage, he added.

Baqeri said the change in the enemies' policies is because of Iran's success in achieving "sustainable and efficient deterrence power" which is being constantly overseen by armed forces.

He added that Iran is also monitoring the enemies' movements and trying to make up for the shortcomings so as to maintain the country's deterrence power.

On Wednesday, the chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the US is resorting to waging proxy attacks on Iran since they are well aware that direct military action against us would spell a "major suicide" for them.

Salami further said that the Iranian armed forces have succeeded in establishing a deterrent power against enemies.

He said Iran's deterrent power is not limited to just missiles and drones, adding that the enemy has become increasingly disappointed due to the formation of an "endless [defensive] power" in the country against any hostile forces.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made substantial headway in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sector.

Homegrown Iranian military products have also found many clients in the world.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities which are entirely meant for defense.

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Iranian Women's Rights Official Says Gender Justice No Longer Needed In Policy Plan

July 18, 2023

Iran has removed gender justice from the country's latest development program, sparking an outcry among activists who say the Islamic regime continues to marginalize women's rights even as widespread unrest over their suppression rocks the country.

The vice president for women and family affairs, Ensieh Khazali, said in an interview with the Tehran-based ISNA state news agency on July 18 that "the Iranian government had deemed gender justice as already implemented and, therefore, unnecessary to be included in the upcoming program."

The Islamic leadership's development plan, now in its seventh edition, previously mentioned protecting the "well-being of families and integrity along with women's social, political, and economic empowerment and aimed at creating a balance among the multiple roles played by women to help with their effectiveness in the family and society."

Despite the stated policy, Iran's ranking in the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report placed the country 143rd out of 146 countries.

The annual report by the World Economic Forum measures equality between men and women using a variety of indicators, from access to education and public health to participation in economic and political affairs.

Khazali disputed the ranking claiming the statistics are flawed.

But women's rights activists have pointed to it as evidence of their claims during recent nationwide protests that fundamental amendments to the country's constitution to guarantee equal rights and diversity are needed.

They have also called for the implementation of a proposed Women's Legal Bill to ensure an "accurate and concise reflection of women's struggles and demands throughout history" and in future legal regulations, such as any new constitution that may be drawn up.

Anger over the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody has prompted thousands of Iranians to take to the streets nationwide to demand more freedoms and women's rights. The widespread unrest represents the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution.

Amini's death, which officials blamed on a heart attack while witnesses and her family say it was the result of being beaten by police, touched off a wave of anti-government protests in cities across the country.

The authorities have responded to the unrest with a harsh crackdown that rights groups say has killed more than 500 people, including 71 children.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-womens-rights- gender-justice-policy/32508930.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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Biden finally offers Netanyahu US invite after snubbing hawkish Israeli PM for months

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 10:55 AM

US President Joe Biden has finally invited widely unpopular Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington for later this year after daring to snub a top Israeli official for months amid persisting political unrest challenging Netanyahu's regime and surging atrocities against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu's office declared that Biden had extended the invitation during a telephone conversation between the two sides on Monday, a day ahead of a visit to Washington by the Israeli regime's president Isaac Herzong, who is due to address the US Congress in a largely ceremonial event intended to show support for the regime, since most American lawmakers receive campaign contribution and other perks and bribes from powerful pro-Israel lobby groups across the United States.

Biden had held off extending the invitation to Netanyahu out of concerns over his right-wing cabinet's judicial overhaul bid and as well as the regime's expansion of settlements on the occupied West Bank, according to local press reports.

The reports further cited a senior Biden administration official as saying that the two leaders had agreed to meet "later this year in the United States," noting that whether the meeting would take place at the White House was unclear.

The development comes amid escalating violence against native Palestinians in the West Bank, the regime's illegal measures authorizing settler outposts as well as inflammatory remarks from a member of Netanyahu's cabinet, drawing rare criticism of Tel Aviv by some US officials.

This is while White House national security spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that Biden remains concerned about the judicial overhaul and "some of the extremist activities and behavior by some members of the Netanyahu cabinet."

"Those concerns are still valid. They're disturbing," he further underlined.

The Israeli statement said the two leaders shared a "long and warm" conversation, focused on curbing "threats from Iran," and strengthening the alliance between the two countries.

Recently, Biden accused members of Netanyahu's coalition of exacerbating tensions with the Palestinians, calling it "one of the most extreme" cabinets he has seen in his decades in politics.

Biden's criticism prompted strong reaction by hawkish members of Netanyahu's regime, with Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mockingly declaring, "President Biden must internalize that Israel is no longer another star in the American flag."

He added, "In what way am I an extremist? By handing out weapons to Israeli people so that they can defend themselves? In that, I give full backing to our soldiers and officers. I invite Biden to tour Jerusalem (al-Quds) and Hebron (al-Khalil) to see that our extremism is extreme."

US 'no longer our closest ally': Ex-Israeli PM

Meanwhile, Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has expressed concerns that Israeli relations with the US have deteriorated so much under the leadership Netanyahu, that Washington is "no longer our closest ally."

He was further cited by Israeli media outlets as adding on Monday that Netanyahu's cabinet is destroying the alliance with the US by trying to pass controversial judicial reforms.

"The Israeli government is leading us into this crisis, making the biggest and most dramatic changes to the regime in our history, without holding a single discussion - not even one - about the economic, security, social and political consequences of the move," Lapid emphasized, insisting that Israeli is being "torn in two."

"The Americans say they have no shared values with this government. It affects every aspect of US-Israel relations - their attention and their willingness to leave their comfort zone for Israeli interests. They will not do it for the most extreme government in the country's history," Lapid added, describing relations with the US as being at a historic low.

US lawmaker call Israel 'racist state'

The development came just ahead of Herzog's visit to Washington and plans by a group of US lawmakers to boycott his speech before a joint session of Congress due to escalating Israeli atrocities and rights violations against local Palestinians.

Herzog's speech a scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday a is putting a focus on the divide over the Israeli regime within the Democratic Party, as some lawmakers plan to boycott the remarks.

Chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington State, described the Israeli regime as a "racist state" amid continuing efforts by a number of Democratic legislators to boycott Herzog's address despite heavy pressure on them by Congress' leadership.

Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib , Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman plan to boycott Herzog's speech amid reports that other legislators may join the boycott.

Bush said in a tweet that Congress should not be giving a platform to the president of a regime "responsible for enforcing an apartheid state and rampantly abusing the rights of Palestinians."

Meanwhile, Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal faction of the pro-Israel lobby in the US called J Street, said Biden should set conditions on the US's large military aid to Tel Aviv to ensure it is not used "in any way that deepens the occupation that protects the settlements."

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Biden Says US Relationship With Israel 'Simply Unbreakable'

By Anita Powell July 18, 2023

President Joe Biden on Tuesday assured Israel's president that the friendship between their countries is "just simply unbreakable," amid Washington's concerns over events in Israel, including the leadership's push to amend the judicial system and recent settler violence in the West Bank.

Those words came during President Isaac Herzog's second visit to Biden's White House, an honor not yet accorded to the nation's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who began his sixth term in December.

"As I affirmed to Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, America's commitment to Israel is firm," Biden said. "And it is ironclad. And we're committed, as well, to assure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. So we've got a lot to talk about."

After the meeting, the White House said the two also discussed Tehran's growing defense partnership with Moscow.

Herzog also addressed Biden's concerns over Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the country's judiciary, which has sparked 28 straight weeks of massive street protests by Israelis who say the plan pushes the nation toward autocracy.

"It's a heated debate, but it's also a virtue and a tribute to the greatness of Israeli democracy," he said. "And let me reiterate, clear, crystal clear: Israeli democracy is sound, strong, is resilient. We are going through pains. We are going through heated debates. We are going through challenging moments. But I truly, truly believe and I will say to you, Mr. President, as I've said it as head of state to the people of Israel, we should always seek to find amicable consensus."

Millions of Americans with ties to Israel are watching.

They include those who support conservative American politics and policies and tend to also support Netanyahu.

But the majority of Jewish Americans lean left.

And on Tuesday, as protests in Tel Aviv turned violent, a clutch of about a dozen protesters also stood outside the White House, bearing signs critical of Netanyahu.

"We stand in solidarity with the protesters," said Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of the largest Jewish denomination in the U.S., Reform Judaism. He spoke to VOA via Zoom from his office near Washington.

"It is the best, greatest hope for Israel to continue to thrive as an inclusive democracy. There are so many issues at stake: everything from women's rights to LGBTQIA equality, to the rights of different forms of Jewish expression, and frankly, other faith groups that would seek to have their rights protected in Israel," he said.

On recent violence in the West Bank, he said: "We need to end the violence. And this coalition government led by this prime minister and his incredibly problematic partners a Itamar Ben-Gvir, [Bezalel Yoel] Smotrich and the like, who have normalized violence by settlers and by vigilantes against Palestinians a is anti-Jewish, it's inhuman, and it needs to end."

Other Jewish groups, like the more conservative American Israel Public Affairs Committee, disagree. In an email, AIPAC declined to give VOA an interview.

That group blames Palestinian leaders for violence in the West Bank and seeks a more forceful response.

"The United States must continue its efforts to persuade and enable the Palestinian Authority to act responsibly and regain control of the areas now controlled by Iranian-backed terror groups," the group said in a recent memo.

Some Republicans are demanding the Biden administration stay out of Israel's affairs.

"What this Biden administration has done, I think, has been disgraceful," said Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is running for president, at this week's Christians United for Israel summit near Washington. "The way they treat a strong ally like Prime Minister Netanyahu has been disgraceful. What they're trying to do, to shoehorn Israel into bad policies has been disgraceful. You have different things that go on in Israel, like with this judicial reform. Biden needs to butt out of that and let Israel govern itself."

The White House said this week that the two leaders a Biden and Netanyahu a will meet in coming months but did not say when or where. After leaving the White House, Herzog speaks before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.

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Kazakh Police Chief Kudebaev, Imprisoned Over January 2022 Unrest, Gets Additional Sentence

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service July 18, 2023

The former chief of police of Kazakhstan's southern region of Almaty, Serik Kudebaev, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in April in a case related to the deadly mass unrest that rocked the nation in January last year, has been handed an additional six-month prison term for illegal border crossing.

The Kegen district court ruled on July 18 that part of Kudebaev's new six-month prison term will be served concurrently with his original prison term, meaning his sentence will total 10 years and three months.

Kudebaev was arrested in May 2022 and later released but ordered not to leave Almaty as investigations into the case against him were under way.

Kazakh authorities issued an international arrest warrant for Kudebaev after he failed to show up at his trial in March.

Almaty regional police said then that Kudebaev might have illegally crossed the Kazakh-Kyrgyz border late that month and left Kyrgyzstan for Turkey.

In late April, the Kazakh Prosecutor-General's Office said Kudebaev had been apprehended in Turkey and extradited to Kazakhstan.

Kudebaev is one of dozens of former law enforcement officials and individuals close to former President Nursultan Nazarbaev to face various charges following January 2022 antigovernment protests that were violently dispersed, leaving at least 238 people dead.

President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has taken a series of moves since the unrest to push Nazarbaev, who ruled the tightly controlled former Soviet republic with an iron fist for almost three decades, further into the background following his resignation in 2019.

Though he officially stepped down as president, Nazarbaev retained sweeping powers as head of the country's powerful Security Council. He also enjoyed substantial powers by holding the title of elbasy -- the leader of the nation.

In the wake of the deadly unrest last year, Toqaev stripped Nazarbaev of his Security Council role, taking it over himself. Since then, several of Nazarbaev's relatives and allies have been pushed out of their positions or resigned. Some relatives faced criminal charges.

In mid-February, Toqaev signed a law that canceled Nazarbaev's elbasy title.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakh-police-kudebaev-- imprisoned-january-2022-unrest/32508854.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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Imprisoned Former Kazakh Security Chief Added To List Of Sponsors Of Terrorism

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service July 18, 2023

ASTANA -- The imprisoned former chief of Kazakhstan's National Security Committee (KNB), Karim Masimov, has been added to the Central Asian nation's list of sponsors of terrorism.

Kazakhstan's Agency of Financial Monitoring said on July 17 that Masimov's two former deputies, Anuar Sadyqulov and Daulet Erghozhin, were also added to the list.

Masimov, once a close ally of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in April over his role in the deadly events that followed unprecedented anti-government protests in the former Soviet republic in January 2022.

Sadyqulov and Erghozhin were sentenced to 16 years and 15 years in prison, respectively, at the time. A court in Astana found all three men guilty of high treason, attempting to seize power by force, and abuse of office and power.

Another former deputy of Masimov, Marat Osipov, was sentenced to three years in prison on a charge of abuse of office at the same trial.

The court also deprived all of the defendants of their military ranks of general and all state awards. The trial was held behind closed doors as it contained classified materials, the court said.

The 58-year-old Masimov was arrested along with Erghozhin and Sadyqulov days after the protests turned into mass unrest, leaving at least 238 people -- including 19 law enforcement officers -- dead.

Osipov was arrested in February 2022.

Masimov's first deputy, Samat Abish, a nephew of Nazarbaev, was sacked from his post but did not face any charges.

The protests began in the southwestern town of Zhanaozen in January 2022 over a sudden fuel price hike. But the demonstrations quickly grew into broader unrest against corruption, political stagnation, and widespread injustice.

Much of the protesters' anger appeared directed at Nazarbaev, who ruled Kazakhstan from 1989 until March 2019, when he handed power to Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev. However, Nazarbaev was widely believed to remain in control behind the scenes.

The protests were violently dispersed by police and military personnel, including troops of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization that Toqaev invited into the country after claiming that "20,000 extremists who were trained in terrorist camps abroad" had attacked Almaty.

The authorities have provided no evidence proving Toqaev's claim about foreign terrorists.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-masimov-knb- terrorism-sponsor/32508449.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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Conflict in Myanmar's Kayah state traps hundreds in town

Aid workers say 6 people were shot dead as they returned from the Thai border.

By RFA Burmese 2023.07.18 -- A three-week battle has left six people dead and around 600 civilians trapped in Kayah state's Ywathit township, local aid groups told RFA Tuesday.

Banyar, director of the Karenni Human Rights Organization, told RFA that junta troops detained some villagers in a monastery and wouldn't let them leave.

"According to the list we received, there are more than 1,200 people in Ywathit town," said Banyar, who goes by one name.

"Because of the battle, more than 600 people were able to flee.

"There are still roughly 600 people. No one is allowed to leave the town. Six people were shot dead," said Banyar, adding that the killings happened on June 27.

He said Ywathit had been under junta control since June 27 and the town's exit roads had been closed.

A member of the aid group told RFA that the victims were killed after being turned back at the Thai border.

"A woman was killed. The rest were men from ... Hpasaung township and Ywathit township who escaped to the Thai border during the fighting," said the aid worker, who didn't want to be named for security reasons.

"However, the Thai side rejected them. Many of them were detained and killed while they were returning. Some people are also missing."

Junta media have not mentioned the three-week battle and Kayah state's junta spokesperson Aung Win Oo didn't return RFA's calls.

The combined Karenni National People's Liberation Front and Karenni People's Defense Forces said on June 13 they captured a junta outpost on the Thai border.

However, the junta announced on June 27 that the military base had been taken back.

According to Banyar, there are about 2,000 people seeking shelter near the border and another 9,000 people who have fled to Thailand as a result of the ongoing conflict.

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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Seoul Seeks Reset With Beijing Amid US-China Engagement

By Christy Lee July 18, 2023

Experts say South Korea can be expected to follow up on fence-mending talks with China initiated at last week's ASEAN summit in Jakarta, but few expect a significant reduction in the diplomatic and strategic pressures that are driving them apart.

The renewed diplomatic engagement was aimed at easing bilateral tensions prompted by Beijing's dissatisfaction over Seoul's tightening ties with Washington. Their talks also came amid Washington's diplomatic overtures to Beijing aimed at managing risks in their competition.

South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Wang Yi, the head of Chinese Communist Party's Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met on the sidelines of the ASEAN regional forum in Jakarta last Friday.

In a 45-minute meeting, the two "agreed on the importance of high-level exchanges" and "decided to promote bilateral exchanges and communications at various levels," said a statement released Tuesday by the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

Their meeting came after Xing Haiming, Chinese ambassador to South Korea, warned Seoul against placing a "wrong bet" in Sino-U.S. rivalry and urging Seoul to stop "decoupling" from China.

Analysts said Seoul's effort to reset its relations with China might be difficult as long as Beijing supports Pyongyang.

"Although the Republic of Korea has made a 'strategic tilt' away from its previous relationship with the PRC, Seoul continues to have an interest in maintaining proper, balanced relations with China," said Evans Revere, a former State Department official with extensive experience negotiating with North Korea.

"Towards that end, I expect the ROK will continue to seek good ties with Beijing, even as South Korea pursues closer, stronger and more cooperative ties with those countries with which it shares interests and values including the United States, Japan, Australia, and the member countries of the EU and NATO."

South Korea's official name is the Republic of Korea (ROK). China uses the People's Republic of China (PRC) as its official name.

VOA's Korean Service contacted the Chinese Embassy in Washington for comments on the Park-Wang meeting in Jakarta and was referred to an article in the Beijing-affiliated Global Times.

The article reported last Saturday that Wang suggested to Park at the meeting that the two sides should "restart exchanges at all levels" and that Seoul "should not be influenced by third parties."

Seoul has been moving closer to Washington and other Western countries in recent months.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in May held a series of bilateral meetings with several leaders at the G-7 summit in Hiroshima. At the meeting, the seven wealthiest countries announced they would take unified steps to de-risk their economies away from China, which they consider to be engaged in "malign practices."

Joseph DeTrani, the special envoy for the six-party denuclearization talks with North Korea during the George W. Bush administration, said China wants to improve its relations with South Korea because it realizes driving a wedge between Seoul and Washington is difficult as "the Yoon administration is determined to work with the U.S. on extended deterrence and enhanced joint military exercises."

South Korea and the U.S. began holding their first Nuclear Consultative Group meeting in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss joint nuclear responses against North Korea's missile and nuclear threats a a policy known as "extended deterrence." The establishment of the joint nuclear body was announced during Yoon's state visit to Washington in April.

The U.S. and South Korea held trilateral missile defense exercises with Japan on Sunday.

The joint drills followed North Korea's launch of a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 12.

The U.S. sent a nuclear ballistic submarine to South Korea as a show of force on Tuesday.

On Wednesday local time, North Korea test fired two ballistic missiles, according to South Korea's and Japan's militaries.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting held last week to discuss North Korea's latest ICBM launch, China supported Pyongyang's long-held position on conducting missile tests. Beijing said North Korea is threatened by U.S.-South Korea military exercises.

Robert Rapson, who served as charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018-2019, said it would be good if Seoul and Beijing held regular talks after their Jakarta meeting.

However, he said he remains skeptical whether they would take "follow-up actions" to "achieve what both sides claim they want," which is to "reset [their] bilateral relations to a more positive trajectory."

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US, South Korea Kick Off Nuclear Consultative Group in Seoul

By Eunice Kim July 18, 2023

A day that was supposed to celebrate strengthened nuclear coordination between the United States and South Korea was complicated by an American soldier who crossed into North Korea at the border, apparently on his own volition.

The highly unusual move occurred as senior U.S. and South Korean officials were set to face the media Tuesday afternoon in Seoul to discuss the inaugural meeting of the long-lauded Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).

The establishment of the group was first announced in April as part of the Washington Declaration, in which the leaders of the two countries laid out plans to strengthen U.S. extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threats.

White House Indo-Pacific National Security Coordinator Kurt Campbell characterized the efforts going into the NCG as unequaled since "the early periods of the Cold War."

He led a 30-person delegation, which included nuclear experts, to engage with his South Korean counterpart, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo, on the scope of the consultative relationship.

Creating workstreams on nuclear consultation in crises and contingencies, integrating the U.S. nuclear military capability with South Korea's conventional capability, and security and information-sharing protocols were among agenda items discussed during the five-hour meeting. It was also attended by the two countries' foreign affairs officials and defense officials at the assistant secretary level, according to a joint statement.

The statement reiterated that any North Korean nuclear attack against the U.S. or its allies would "result in the end of that regime," and that a nuclear attack against South Korea would "be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response."

Kim told reporters the meeting convinced him that Seoul need not pursue its own nuclear weapons development, as the NCG offered "sufficient and assured extended deterrence."

The two sides agreed to hold quarterly meetings at the working group and principal levels, with the next principal meeting planned for later this year. A trilateral summit among the U.S., South Korea and Japan is being planned for August.

Indicating it was crucial to send a clear warning to Pyongyang, Campbell described the arrival of the USS Kentucky, the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to visit South Korea since the 1980s, as a manifestation of U.S. commitments.

Message from North Korea

North Korea last Wednesday fired its new solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-18, for a second time, even as its state media churned out a string of aggressive statements against Washington, accusing it of flying illegal reconnaissance missions and warning it against the dispatch of a nuclear missile submarine.

In confirming the arrival Tuesday of the USS Kentucky at the port city of Busan, the U.S. military described it as a "launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles [which provides] the United States with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad," given its ability to operate anywhere in the world.

The submarine can carry 20 Trident II ballistic missiles, the South Korean military explained in a separate release, boasting a range of some 12,000 kilometers.

"Ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) are the most powerful nuclear assets in the world," said Park Won Gon, professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "North Korea's solid-fuel Hwasong-18 ICBM is no match to the SSBN. ... North Korea is going to realize the imbalance between its nuclear capabilities and the U.S.'"

North Korea ready to talk?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong, widely viewed as his top spokesperson, issued a statement on the eve of the strategic nuclear submarine's arrival, citing the impending deployment among a laundry list of "realities" Pyongyang faced to justify its nuclear weapons program.

Kim Yo Jong said the Korean peninsula was at a state "far beyond the acute confrontation between [North Korea] and the U.S. in 2017," adding that the "worry the U.S. witnessed" was just the start of North Korea's "already-launched military offensive."

The detailed, lengthy statement published on state media KCNA a which lamented the temporary nature of U.S. commitments a nevertheless featured a wish list of actions that could indicate North Korea's first suggestion of an interest in rekindling talks with Washington, analysts say.

Among those mentioned were a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Korean peninsula, a suspension of joint military exercises and sanctions relief.

"This is the first time in three years that North Korea has come up with very clear conditions, agendas, that they want to discuss with the U.S.," Park said, explaining the statements must be read between the lines.

"The Hwasong-18 ICBM could serve in a similar way as did the Hwasong-15 launched in November 2017," Park said, referring to the peak of a crisis year that saw Kim Jong Un and then-U.S. President Donald Trump engage in rhetorical escalation ("mentally deranged U.S. dotard" to Trump's "fire and fury"), only for Pyongyang to reverse course and send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics by early 2018.

"This appears to be a deja vu situation that North Korea is trying to create," Park said.

Lee Juhyun contributed to this report.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

18 July 2023 16:20

1450-18-07-2023

On July 18, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the initiative of the Iranian side.

The ministers discussed topical issues of the Russian-Iranian agenda, and had a trust-based exchange of views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, including in the context of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council Strategic Dialogue, held in Moscow on July 10. The sides reaffirmed their commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, formalised in the UN Charter, in their entirety and interdependence, including respect for the sovereignty of states and their territorial integrity.

Mutual interest in closely coordinating approaches, including within the framework of upcoming contacts at various levels, was reaffirmed.

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of TArkiye Hakan Fidan

18 July 2023 14:11

1447-18-07-2023

On July 18, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Republic of TArkiye Hakan Fidan at the latter's initiative.

The ministers exchanged views on the regional agenda with emphasis on the recent events around Ukraine. They discussed the results of joint work on the Black Sea Initiative. Mr Lavrov said implementation of the grain deal was stopped on July 18 due to the failure to fulfil the Russian part of the package agreements in the Russia-UN Memorandum: Russian bank payments, insurance and transport logistics continue to be blocked, and our foreign assets and supplies of Russian agricultural products and fertilisers to world markets remain frozen, while the humanitarian character of the deal was lost when Kiev began overtly commercialising it. In practical terms, this means rescinding safe navigation guarantees, restoring temporary danger area status in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, dismantling the humanitarian sea corridor in the zone covered by the agreement, and disbanding the Joint Coordination Centre in Istanbul.

As an alternative to the Black Sea Initiative, the ministers discussed other options for grain supplies to the poorest nations that are not vulnerable to subversive actions by Kiev and its Western patrons.

The ministers exchanged views on a number of bilateral issues and agreed to continue contacts.

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Pacific Fleet's vessels left Vladivostok for joint Russian-Chinese naval drills Sever/Vzaimodeistviye-2023

18.07.2023

The Pacific Fleet's ship detachment left Vladivostok for joint Russian-Chinese naval drills Sever/Vzaimodeistviye-2023, which begin in June, in the Sea of Japan waters.

Russian destroyers Admiral Tribunts and Admiral Panteleev, corvettes Gremyashy and Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov will participate in the drills. Commander of the Primorskaya flotilla of the Pacific Fleet joint forces Rear Admiral Valery Kazakov will supervise actions of the detachment at sea.

A few days back, four combatant vessels and one logistics ship of People's Liberation Army Navy left Zindao port and entered the drills area.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Minister confirms plans to buy NASAMS 2 air defense system from U.S.

ROC Central News Agency

07/18/2023 10:47 PM

Taipei, July 18 (CNA) Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng () on Tuesday confirmed that Taiwan has plans to purchase a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System 2 (NASAMS 2) from the United States.

Speaking on the sidelines of a legislative session, Chiu said media reports about the acquisition were correct but that the military had not yet received an official notification regarding a timeline for the purchase.

Chiu said the effectiveness of NASAMS had been demonstrated by its performance in Ukraine, where U.S. defense officials claim it has had a 100 percent success rate in intercepting Russian missiles.

Chieh Chung (), an associate research fellow with the National Policy Foundation in Taipei, told CNA that part of the NASAM 2's attractiveness was the system's ability to use Link 16, a standardized military communications protocol providing tactical data links between North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.

NASAM 2 can also be integrated with other systems as a highly adaptable mid-range air defense solution and improve engagement efficiency, Chieh added.

An unnamed expert who spoke with CNA described NASAM 2 as a powerful short- to medium-range, ground-based air defense system that can protect against a variety of aerial threats, including drone, missile, helicopter and aircraft attacks within 40-50 kilometers.

According to the expert, the system integrates U.S.-built MPQ-64 Sentinel air defense radar, as well as multiple short- and medium-range air defense missile systems.

In addition, the expert said, AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air (AMRAAM), AMRAAM Extended Range, short-range AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder and the German-made IRIS-T short-range anti-aircraft missiles are all compatible with the system.

A separate military source told CNA that the system Taiwan plans to acquire is a distributed and networked air defense system.

The source said that after an initial assessment, the system is expected to be used in combination with two air defense systems developed by the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, military expert Chen Kuo-ming () said that the system could be refitted into a medium-range air defense system and would likely be the first choice for repelling cruise missiles.

(By Matt Yu and Evleyn Kao)

Enditem/ASG

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Taipei rejects 'one China' framework advocated by Terry Gou

ROC Central News Agency

07/18/2023 07:52 PM

Taipei, July 18 (CNA) Taiwan's government on Tuesday dismissed a proposal by Terry Gou (), a potential presidential contender, that Taiwan and China should agree on a "one China framework" to ensure peace and stability.

In an op-ed published in the Washington Post on Monday, Gou said the rejection of the "one China framework" by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government has led to cross-strait stalemate and increased tensions.

Gou said the "one China framework" is based on the so-called "1992 consensus," which, according to the Kuomintang's (KMT) definition, means that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge there is "one China," with each having its own interpretation of what constitutes China.

There has been some speculation that Gou, founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., could seek to run as an independent in the Jan. 13, 2024 election, having failed to secure the KMT nomination in May.

Gou said he has long advocated the immediate resumption of direct cross-strait negotiations between Taiwan and China as the only way to truly ease tensions and preserve Taiwan's democracy, freedom and rule of law.

Working with China directly on the basis of the "one China framework" is the only way Taiwan can benefit itself, the region, and the globe, he argued.

Approached by reporters for a comment Tuesday, Premier Chen Chien-jen () said that the people of Taiwan find it difficult to accept China's so-called "1992 consensus" and the "one China policy."

Taiwan hopes that China and all sectors of its society will respect the opinion of the Taiwanese people, Chen told reporters at the Legislative Yuan.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued Tuesday, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said that the so-called "one China, respective interpretations framework" has never existed on either side of the Taiwan Strait.

The only framework in existence is the "one China principle" unilaterally established by the Chinese Communist Party with the intention of eliminating the Republic of China (ROC) and annexing Taiwan, the MAC said.

Gou's proposal shows that he either lacks a comprehensive understanding of the political ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party toward Taiwan or deliberately portrays them in a favorable light, the MAC said.

Given China's positions that the "1992 consensus" embodies the "one China principle" and that the ROC government is a local government, acceptance of the so-called "1992 consensus" as a prerequisite for cross-strait dialogue is to position Taiwan as a Chinese "local government," it added.

Separately, DPP Legislator Wang Ting-yu () said that an assertion of "one China" would lock Taiwan into the People's Republic of China and make it part of China's internal affairs, which he characterized as "extremely dangerous" for the people of Taiwan and future generations.

In contrast, KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen () said Gou's proposal represents a feasible formula for the resumption of cross-strait dialogue.

Any candidate who is not from the DPP camp and shows a willingness to seek peaceful interaction with China faces "irrational criticism," Chen said.

The people of Taiwan are deeply concerned about ensuring the next generation is able to grow up with peaceful cross-strait relations and without the threat of war, that is the wish of the majority, she said.

(By Wang Yang-yu, Lee Ya-wen, Lin Chin-yin, Wang Cheng-chung and Shih Hsiu-chuan)

Enditem/AW

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China slams Taiwan presidential hopeful's planned 'sneaky visit' to US, vows 'forceful' reaction

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 9:01 AM

China has reacted angrily to a "sneaky visit" to the United States next month by Taiwan's "separatist" top presidential candidate, vowing "forceful measures" in response to protect its territorial integrity.

"China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the United States and Chinese Taipei, resolutely opposes sneaky visits by Taiwan independence separatists in any name or for any reason, and resolutely opposes any form of connivance by the United States to support Taiwan independence separatists," said Beijing's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning during her daily press briefing on Monday.

Mao further underline that the Chinese government will take "resolute and forceful measures" in order to "protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity," noting that Beijing had already filed a diplomatic complaint with Washington concerning the upcoming visit by Taipei's vice-president and presidential hopeful William Lai.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, however, insisted during a press briefing on Monday that Lai's transit visit to the United States - prior to traveling to Paraguay to attend a presidential inauguration event in the Latin American country -- was "routine" and consistent with past practice, given that 10 Taiwanese vice presidents, including Lai himself, have traveled via the US.

"There is no reason for the PRC to use this transit as a pretext for provocative actions," Blinken further claimed, referring to the People's Republic of China.

This is while a State Department spokesperson announced that Washington was also expecting Taipei's other presidential candidate of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Party, Hou Yu-ih, to visit sometime in the early fall.

Speaking to reporters, Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yui declined to offer details on Lai's US transit visits, saying they would come later.

This upcoming US visit by Lai, however, has extra significance as he is running to succeed the self-ruled island's standing President Tsai Ing-wen at the territory's next election in January.

Taiwan's presidential office said Lai would arrive in Paraguay on August 14, the day before Santiago Pena is due to be sworn in as the country's next president.

Taiwanese presidential candidates generally visit the US ahead of their election to discuss their plans with officials in Washington.

Such transit visits enrage Beijing, which regards them as covert support by the US for the island territory claimed by China and a challenge to the mainland's territorial sovereignty.

In April, China waged massive military drills around Taiwan after Tsai met US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles while on her way back from Central America in a move widely viewed as a deliberate bid intended to undermine Beijing.

China has sovereignty over the Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. According to the principle, Chinese Taipei is subject to Chinese sovereignty and Beijing is the sole representative of all China.

China prohibits its own diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei and now Taiwan has legal diplomatic relations with only 13 countries, mostly small US client states in Central America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

The Chinese government strongly opposes other countries pursuing official and diplomatic ties with the Chinese Taipei and has consistently warned the US and other states against engaging with the self-proclaimed government in Taipei.

Washington has no formal diplomatic relations with Taipei by law, but remains the island's largest weapons supplier and an avid backer of Taiwan's secessionist President Tsai Ing-wen, generating increasing tensions with Beijing over trade and a host of other issues.

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Defence Secretary Oral Statement - Defence Command Paper 2023

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace's statement to Parliament on the refreshed Defence Command Paper.

18 July 2023

With permission I would like to make a statement on the publication of our refreshed Defence Command Paper.

It's just over two years since we published the original command paper in March 2021.

Two years in which our security has been challenged in so many ways and this is the Defence response to a more contested and volatile world.

In the last four years that I've been Defence Secretary, I've been consistent about the reform I have sought to implement

I want Defence to be threat-led, understanding and acting on the threats facing our nation as our sole-mission not protecting force structures, cap badges or much-loved equipment, but on making sure we are challenging the threats.

I want MOD to be a campaigning department - adopting a more proactive posture, our forces more forward and present in the world, with a return to campaigning assertively and constantly.

Pushing back those threats and our adversaries. And I want Defence to be sustainable in every sense. For too long Defence was hollowed-out by both Labour and Conservative Governments, that left our forces overstretched and under-equipped.

But we must match our ambitions to our resources, our equipment plans to our budget and take care of our people to sustain them in their duties.

We must never forget the travesty that was snatch Land Rovers in Afghanistan.

The 2021 Defence Command Paper was true to those principles and with some tough choices presented an honest plan for what we can and will do.

A credible force capable of protecting the nation, ready to meet the threats of today but also investing heavily to modernise those of the future.

A force in which every major platform would be renewed by 2035, from armoured vehicles to Dreadnought submarines, frigates to satellites. And we did not plan on issuing a new Command Paper just two years on.

Many of the conclusions of that Command Paper remain right - Russia was and is the greatest threat to European security. China's rapid military modernisation and growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific and beyond do pose an increasing challenge to us all.

But I have always said as the situation changes, we must change with it. And since the first DCP was released, the world has shifted once more - from a competitive age to a contested and volatile world.a

The technology advances we predicted materialised. The threats and challenges we feared have manifested. And there is no more immediate threat than Russia.

Its full-scale invasion of Ukraine was not simply an assault on a proud and sovereign nation. It was an attack on all our values, on European security, and the open international order on which stability and prosperity have depended for over three quarters of a century.

Today right now, the people of Ukraine are suffering the tragic consequences of President Putin's illegal, unprovoked invasion; his naked aggression and imperial ambitions played out in a tragedy of epic human suffering.

The brave citizens and soldiers of the armed forces of Ukraine are protecting their own nation and people, quite heroically, taking on the once mighty Russian forces. And the whole House recognises that they fight not just for their freedom, but for ours.

They are not just liberating their homeland but defending the rules-based system. As Defence Secretary, to import the lessons learnt from this conflict to our own forces is important. And while I wish such lessons were generated in a different way this conflict has become an incubator of new ways of war.

They are proving the way for warfare in the 2020s. Which is a whole-of-nation, internationally partnered, innovative, digitised and operating with a tempo, precision and range requirement. And a recognition that there is a trade-off between assurance levels and operational impact.

I'm proud too of the role the UK is playing in supporting Ukraine. Whether providing equipment, training or political support. Or galvanising European and international allies and industrial partners to do likewise.

But the return of war to the continent of Europe - alongside growing threats elsewhere in the world - has meant we must sharpen our approach.

The Integrated Review Refresh, published in March of this year outlined how we would do this. It would shape the global strategic environment; increase our focus on deterrence and defence; address vulnerabilities that leave our nations exposed; and invest in the UK's unique strengths.

Defence is central to all of these efforts. Which is why, after three decades of which all parties have continued drawing the post-covid war 'peace dividend' this Prime Minister reversed that trend and provided Defence an extra A24 billion over 4 years.

He and the Chancellor have gone further in response to the war in Ukraine. Next year, we will spend over A50 billion on defence for the first-time in our history. That is nearly a A12 billion of cash investment a year higher than 2019 when I started.

That's more than 10% increase in real terms. And this government has committed to increase spending yet further over the longer-term of 2.5% of GDP as we improve the fiscal position and grow our economy.

Because our Defence plans and the Armed Forces to deliver them must be robust and credible, not fantasy force designs, not unfunded gimmicks and not top trump numbers.

As Russia has so effectively proven, there is no point in having parade ground Armies, mass ranks of men and machines if they cannot be integrated as a single full spectrum force, sustained in the field under all demands of modern warfighting.

That takes professional forces, well-equipped and rapidly adaptable, supported by critical enablers and vast stockpiles of munitions. And that is why in this document you won't find a shiny new announcement, comms-led policy driving, unsustainable force designs or any major new platforms for military enthusiasts to put up on their charts of their bedroom wall.

We stand by the Command Paper that we published in 2021 but we must get there faster, doing defence differently and getting ourselves onto a campaign footing to protect the nation and help it prosper.

As I said, standing here when DCP21 was announced, we owe it to the men and women of our Armed Forces to make policy reality and the work was just beginning. So in this refresh we are focused on how to drive the lessons of Ukraine into our core business on how to recover the warfighting resilience needed to generate credible conventional deterrence.

And the great advantage of having served in Defence for some time is that my ministerial team and I have taken a proper look under the bonnet. Consequently, we are clear that our strategic advantage derives from four key sources which require urgent prioritisation.

First and foremost our first-class people. Our men and women are not just brave and committed but talented and incredibly skilled. They are our real battle-winning capability and it is our duty to ensure that they are well supported, prepared and equipped as possible. So we are going to invest in them.

Last year I commissioned Richard Haythornthwaite to conduct the first review of workforce incentivisation for almost thirty years. It's such good work that we are incorporating the response into our Command Paper. And today I am unveiling a new employment model and skills framework for our Armed Forces.

It will offer our people a Spectrum of Service that allows far greater career flexibility. Making it easier for military personnel to 'zig-zag' between different roles whether regular or reserve or between the Civil Service and industry.

We are transforming our forces overall employment offer by adopting a Total Reward Approach to provide a more compelling and competitive incentive package.

And, since all our Armed Forces personnel deserve the best quality accommodation, we are injecting a further A400 million to improve our service accommodation in the next two years.

Many of us over Christmas would have been frustrated by the poor support our service personnel and the families received from those tasked with looking after their accommodation. It is for that reason I withheld their profit and used the money to freeze - for one year only - the rent increases our personnel were due to pay.

Taken together alongside such initiatives as wrap-around childcare they are intended to enrich careers and enhance the ability of our most talented people to keep protecting the British people and to ensure they are rewarded and fulfilled while they do so.

Our second priority is further strengthening our scientific and technological base. We are already world leaders in specific area. But to continue outmatching our adversaries we must stay ahead of the curve in digital, in data, and in emerging scientific fields. In 2021 we said we would invest A6.6 billion in advanced Research and Development.

In fact, we are now investing significantly more to stay ahead in the technologies proving themselves vital on the battlefields of Ukraine, such as AI, quantum and robotics.

And we are enabling a culture of innovation across Defence, pulling through those R&D breakthroughs to the front-line. Following in Ukraine's footsteps, we are increasing sourcing those A100 solutions that can stop 100 million threats in their track. Winning both the kinetic and economic exchange of modern warfare.

Of course, our ability to do that depends on the quality of our relationship with the industry, which is our third priority.

I'm pushing the MOD to form a closer alliance with our industrial partners - a genuine partnership to sustain our defence will mean doing things differently.

Ukraine reminds us that time waits for no one. It's no good holding out for the 100% solution that is obsolete by the time it is launched. 80% is often good enough. Especially if it means swiftly putting kit into the hands of our service personnel. Capabilities that can be rapidly upgraded, spiral developed for the relentless cycles of battlefield adoption to win the innovation battle.

And instead of sticking to acquisition programmes that drag on for decades, we're setting maximum delivery periods - five years for hardware and three years for digital programmes.

Our fourth priority is productivity and campaigning. In order to face this increasingly contested and volatile world we need to make major changes to the machinery of the Department and its methods.

We are emphasising an ethos focused ruthlessly on the delivery of real-world effect, increasing the bang for buck in everything we do. This approached reaches into every part of the Defence enterprise - from the front line to the back office. And involves a major re-design of the Department of state.

We must shift our whole organisational culture away from the previous peace-time mentality to one where we live and operate as we would fight. Focusing more on outputs than inputs. And achieving a better balance between risk and reward.

That means empowering people to live and operate alongside partners and sometimes to be enabled by them when in lower threat environments.

That means ensuring our equipment whether Type 31, Challenger 3 or Typhoons has the infrastructure and supplies needed to sustain operations more of the time and deliver real world effect wherever and whenever it's needed.

And it means working with the relevant regulatory authorities - for example the Military Aviation Authority - to accelerate the experimentation, testing and innovation of new technologies while remaining within legal bounds.

But want to emphasise one final aspect of the Command Paper refresh. Namely, the development of a global campaigning approach. We started with a review of our head office where we had broken out campaign delivery from policy formation and have established integrated campaign teams.

They have adversary not geographic focuses and will drive our enduring campaigns in the same way operational commanders lead our forces on deployed operations.

And the indivisibility of operational theatres in today's world means Defence must constantly be ready to respond globally to safeguard our interests and those of our allies.

Sometimes it will be to evacuate our citizens in moments of crisis like Sudan, other times it will be to deter an adversary or reassure a friend. And as we've shown through our support for Ukraine, the UK government has not only the political will but only matters if it is matched by the military agility. So today we are establishing Defence's Global Response Force.

Ready, integrated and lethal it will better cohere existing forces from across land, sea and air, space and cyber, to get there first in response to unpredictable events around the world.

Critically, today's paper also recognises that is in the interconnected world, the UK is unlikely to act alone. Partnerships are critical to our security and prosperity. So, in future, we will be allied by design and national by exception. Our support for NATO will remain ironclad. But we will continue to prioritise our core relationships. We will invest in deepening relationships with new partners. And it's why we invested to expand our global defence network improving their communications and coordinating defence attaches within our intelligence functions.

None of this is headline grabbing stuff, but it is the fine details that makes a difference to our national security.

To conclude, I would like to add the paper is the result of having several years in the Department and is understood where it needs most attention. For the continuity in office is improving and I'm incredibly grateful to the long-serving Minister of the Armed Forces Mr Heappey, whose experience in uniform and public office has provided the basis for this paper.

And we are grateful to the hundreds of individuals and groups who contributed to the first challenge phase of its drafting - from academics, to serving personnel to industry representatives. Not to mention the many Members in this House. Most of what we learnt from you is encapsulated in this document.

Madame Deputy Speaker, this is likely to be one of my last appearances at this despatch box. It has been the greatest privilege to have served as Secretary of State for Defence for the last four years. I want to thank my team, civil servants, special advisers and members of this House for their support and their challenge.

All of us here have the common interest in defending this fine country, its values and its freedoms. Of all of the many functions of Government, Defence is the most important and more important than ever as the next 10 years will be more unstable and insecure. The men and women of our Armed Forces are second-to-none and Britain's place in the world is anchored in their professionalism and sacrifice.

I believe we will increasingly call upon them in the years ahead, and we must ensure they are ready to answer that call. I wish them and whoever replaces me well.

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July 18, 2023

Transcript

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark A. Milley Hold Press Conference Following Virtual Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting

STAFF: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks for being here today.

It is my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. The secretary and chairman will deliver opening remarks, and then have time to take a few questions. Please note, I will moderate those questions and call on journalists. Given our tight schedule, I'd ask that you please limit your follow-ups to give your colleagues a chance to ask their questions, and appreciate your assistance with that. So with that, I will turn it over to Secretary Austin.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Thanks, Chris, and good afternoon, everyone, and thanks for being here.

We've just concluded our 14th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, held virtually this time, and I'm especially grateful to Ukraine's Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov for joining us again today and highlighting Ukraine's most urgent battlefield needs. I also want to thank General Milley for his leadership and his deep commitment to the self-defense of Ukraine.

Now, today's meeting of the Contact Group comes at a critical time. We're following on the heels of a highly-successful NATO Summit in Vilnius last week, where many of our closest allies announced significant security packages for Ukraine's defense, and Ukraine is continuing its critical counteroffensive to regain its sovereign.

Now, we're all -- we're seeing Ukraine make progress, and Russia loses -- Russia's losses continue to mount. The Ukrainian people have shown outstanding courage as they fight for their country. As we saw again today, this Contact Group stands united behind them. Today, we recommitted to supporting Ukraine during its crucial counteroffensive and for the long haul, and this is no time to slow down. The United States and our allies and partners have moved mountains to provide Ukraine with critical air defense systems, munitions and more.

And so coming out of today's meeting, I'm grateful to all of our allies and partners for their commitment and their clarity of purpose, and I've asked our friends to continue to dig deep into their military stocks because we're going to do what it takes to support Ukraine's sovereign right to live free today and for the future.

Now, during today's meeting, we talked about Ukraine's ongoing requirements including, as I've said, its urgent need for ammunition. We also discussed plans to ramp up production at both the national level and the multinational level through the European Union's important initiative to produce more ammunition.

We heard from the co-leads of the F-16 Training Coalition, Denmark and the Netherlands. They continue to make progress on a cohesive training plan and to help some very eager Ukrainian pilots learn to fly fourth-generation aircraft. I'd like to thank Minister Poulsen and Minister Ollongren for their leadership, and such initiatives clearly show that members of this Contact Group continue to meet Ukraine's near-term needs, while also working to get Ukraine what it needs for the long-term. In other words, we're going to continue to walk and chew gum at the same time.

For example, Sweden and France have both signed bilateral agreements with Ukraine for defense procurements and more, and that's going to help Ukraine get even more advanced systems, and it will foster deeper cooperation going forward. And both of these agreements demonstrate our long-term focus on building up Ukraine's enduring strength.

And these commitments underscore how badly Putin miscalculated when he invaded Ukraine last year, and three of his blunders are especially clear today. First, Putin thought that he could take Kyiv in days, enforce a new government of Russian puppets on a Ukrainian people. But Ukraine chose to fight back, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces have defended their country with courage and skill.

Second, the Kremlin bet that the world would just live with its cruel assault on Ukraine, but Russia's aggression and atrocities have shocked the world, including even Moscow's long-term partners.

And that brings me to Putin's final miscalculation. He thought that Ukraine's friends would waiver or flee. Instead, nations of goodwill from around the world have stood up for Ukraine's sovereign right to defend itself. And by joining together, we have achieved something extraordinary, and today, this Contact Group stands as united and firm as ever. So make no mistake: We are determined to support Ukraine's fight for freedom for as long as it takes.

And with that, let me turn it over to General Milley.

GENERAL MARK A. MILLEY: Thanks, Secretary. I appreciate that, and good afternoon, everyone, and thanks for being here.

I want to start by thanking Secretary Austin for his unwavering commitment and leadership to the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group, in support of Ukraine in their time of need. This is our 14th meeting, and month after month, Secretary Austin keeps the direction of this 50 nation-plus strong coalition focused on the strategic objectives.

And I also want to express my deep appreciation to the various ministers and chiefs of defense who participated today, whose unfaltering support to Ukraine has been a beacon of solidarity since Russia began its vicious war of choice.

For more than 500 days, Russia has continued their illegal war while Ukrainians have stood strong in the face of Russia's unprovoked attacks and are an inspiration to all free nations. Russia's war of choice, Russia's war of aggression is a frontal assault on the rules-based international order that has prevented great power war for the last eight consecutive decades.

It is not only an illegal war of aggression, it's also an unnecessary war against a country that presented no military threat to Russia, an unnecessary, unjust, illegal war of aggression for more than 500 days, and yet the Ukrainian people have demonstrated their extraordinary determination to remain free, a freedom they have known for the last 30 years. They fight with grit and tenacity, exhibiting a profound spirit of resistance and resilience.

As Ukraine continues its counteroffensive, we are reminded that real war is not war on paper. Real war is unpredictable, it's filled with fear and fog and friction. Real war is brutal. The crucible of combat has enormous costs, in terms of killed, wounded, displaced persons and refugees, and yet despite the enormous costs, the Ukrainians are advancing steadily and deliberately, braving brutal and bloody battles to reclaim their homeland.

As we publicly said weeks ago, this offensive will be slow, it'll be difficult, and it'll come at a high cost. This battle continues as the Ukrainians fight through dense minefields and obstacles while a robust Ukrainian reserve force lies in wait to be committed at the optimal time and place of Ukrainian choosing.

The Ukrainian Contact Group's assistance to Ukraine goes beyond mere words or symbolic gestures. We are committed to helping them where it matters most.

Collectively, the coalition has trained 17 brigade combat teams for this offensive and more than 63,000 troops, and the United States alone has trained 15,000 of those, with more training ongoing. Training has included individual non-commissioned officers and officers and staff training, along with artillery, air defense artillery, engineers, logistics, medical, and of course, putting it altogether in combined arms maneuver at night. This training has developed tangible skills that have helped create capable Ukrainian leaders and units that are having a measurable impact on the battlefield today.

The United States additionally recently announced an additional security package of up to $800 million. This latest security assistance package includes substantial provision of additional artillery munitions, to include HIMARS and air defense weapons, such as Patriot missiles. It also includes a broad range of artillery systems and munitions, anti-armor munitions, precision aerial munitions, demolitions, and various other supplies that are necessary to keep Ukraine in the fight.

In combination, this training and equipment enables Ukraine to have the capacity and the capability to defend itself. U.S. security assistance to Ukraine now totals over $40 million -- $40 billion, which sends a very clear message.

As President Biden, Secretary Austin, and the various heads of all of the nation states in support of Ukraine at Vilnius stated, we stand firm in our ironclad commitment to provide practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The Vilnius Summit communique said, quote, "we reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the government and the people of Ukraine in the heroic defense of their nation, their land, and our shared values." As President Biden said, quote, "our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes," end quote.

Ukraine's fight is not merely a battle against an aggressive invader, it is a fight for the principles that bind us as a free world -- sovereignty, self-determination, and the rule of law versus the rule of force. Today's gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group underlines our global commitment.

Thank you and I look forward to your questions.

STAFF: All right, thank you both. We'll go to questions now. The first will go to Lita Baldor with Associated Press.

Q: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, good afternoon. As you both know, a U.S. soldier crossed the border into North Korea today after having been released from a South Korea prison. Can you tell us what you know about this case right now? Are the North Koreans forcibly detaining this soldier? Are you concerned about what security breach this could represent?

And for General Milley, there have been a recent increase in the number of very aggressive incidents over Syria involving Russia. What do you think has caused this? Is this a result, do you think, of the Ukraine war pressure on Russia? And does the U.S. need to send more assets to that area?

SEC. AUSTIN: Well, thanks, Lita. Good afternoon. Yeah, what I can confirm -- and I would say upfront that, you know, we're very early in this event, and so there's a lot that -- that we're still trying to learn -- but what we do know is that one of our service members who was on a tour, willfully and without authorization, crossed the military demarcation line. We believe that he is in DPRK custody. And so we're closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin and engaging to address this incident.

In terms of my concerns, I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop. And so we will remain focused on this, and again, this will develop in the next several days and hours and we'll keep you posted, so.

GEN. MILLEY: And Lita, on the Syria piece, there is a bit of an uptick but I wouldn't overstate it too much. I think that our forces have adequate rules of engagement and authorities provided to defend themselves.

And the second thing is that we have a deconfliction channel -- I think you're aware of that -- we have a deconfliction channel that CENTCOM operates on a day-to-day basis in order to prevent any sort of incident or escalation. We're monitoring it very closely.

As to reason why there's a little bit of an uptick, I'm not really certain. We've got analysts trying to figure that out. I don't know if it's connected to Ukraine or not. Right now, there's nothing to suggest that it is. But we are adequately protected and our focus is always on our own force protection.

Q: So does the U.S. need to put more forces in that region, considering a lot have been shifted to Asia?

GEN. MILLEY: We've got adequate capabilities to defend ourselves.

STAFF: All right, thank you. The second question will go to Idrees Ali with Reuters.

Q: Thank you. Chairman Milley, we're now entering the fifth week of the counteroffensive, so going into the sixth week. And you publicly have talked about, as have others in the U.S. government, about how the counteroffensive is going slower than expected. I appreciate the realities of the front lines, the mines and the situation there, but has the counteroffensive stalled? And how is this not a failure so far?

And, Secretary Austin, you talked about the alliance and the contact group being together. But publicly, there seems to be a bit of fraying. Defense Minister Wallace last week said that he had told his Ukrainian counterparts that, quote/unquote, "We are not Amazon, and that they should show us some appreciation."

Do you agree with the sentiments that Secretary Wallace expressed?

And what exactly do the Ukrainians need to, sort of, break the front lines and the security zone and make the progress that you had expected them to make?

SEC. AUSTIN: Well, first, thanks, Idrees. And I'll answer first, and then the chairman can chime in. You know, we're just off of -- just back from the summit in Vilnius, and what I witnessed in Vilnius was indeed unity and cohesion, in every meeting that I sat in.

And so I would -- it's the same thing that I witnessed today as I talked to ministers of defense and chiefs of defense. That unity is still there. There's no question that we have provided Ukraine a lot, we, the international coalition. Ukraine is in a fight, and we have to remember that, when you're in a fight, you want everything that you can get your hands on. And so that's to be expected.

Ben Wallace and I have worked along with coalition partners over the last year or so on this particular issue, and Ben has done a lot to enable and to help the Ukrainian military. And so he's been a great partner. But, again, I continue to see unity and cohesion. I continue to hear ministers say that we're going to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

And I heard their leaders say the same thing in Vilnius last week. This is more -- much -- this is about much more than just Ukraine. This is about the rules-based international order. And I think people realize that. People around the globe realize that. And, you know, it's about the ability of a country to protect its sovereign territory. And so there's an interest across the -- around the globe to ensure that Ukraine can be successful in defending its sovereign territory.

GEN. MILLEY: So, just, I would say a couple things. First of all, the Russians have had several months to put in a very complex defense in depth, the linear defense in depth. It's not quite connected trench lines like World War I, but it's not dissimilar from that, either -- lots of complex minefields, dragons' teeth, barbed wire, trenches, et cetera. They've got a very extensive security zone in depth, and then they've got at least two, perhaps even three main defensive belts.

So they've had a long time to prepare that. Now, they suffered a lot of casualties, the Russians did, to date. So they've also done that mobilization, you know, from months ago. So the troops that are manning those Russian lines are poorly trained, poorly equipped. Their sustainment and logistics is not high. Their morale is low. And now, recently, because of the Prigozhin mutiny, the command-and-control apparatus at the strategic level is certainly confusing at best and probably challenging in many, many other ways.

At the operational, tactical level, they've had significant casualties among their officer corps. But in addition to that, the recent events of Prigozhin has also led to, and you're reporting it in the media, about various folks being replaced.

So the Russian situation is not very good, even though they've been fighting a fight because of the minefields. What the Ukrainians have, though, is a significant amount of combat power not yet committed. And I will not say what's going to happen in the future because that's going to be a Ukrainian decision to -- as to where and when they commit their reserve, et cetera.

Right now, they are preserving their combat power and they are slowly and deliberately and steadily working their way through all these minefields. And it's a tough fight. It's a very difficult fight.

It started about five or six weeks ago. And the various wargames that were done ahead of time have predicted certain levels of advance. And that has slowed down. Why? Because that's the difference between war on paper and real war. These are real people in real machines that are out there really clearing real minefields and they're really dying.

So, when that happens units tend to slow down and that's rightly so, in order to survive, in order to get through these minefields. So, they're working their way through it. It is far from a failure, in my view. I think that it's way too early to make that kind of call. I think there's a lot of fighting left to go.

And I'll stay with the what we've said before, this is going to be long, it's going to be hard, it's going to be bloody. And at the end of the day, we'll see where the Ukrainians end up, vis-a-vis the Russians.

SEC. AUSTIN: And Idrees let me just tag onto what he Chairman said. I absolutely agree with everything the Chairman said. What I would remind you that we -- this is not over. We continue to generate combat power. We're training three -- training and equipping three brigades in Germany right now and there's other training ongoing around the region, as the Chairman pointed out earlier.

Countries continue to provide platforms. And, you know, we talked about the additional Leopards and infantry fighting vehicles that are on the horizon, as well as artillery pieces. And so, we're going to continue to generate combat power. We're going to continue to push in additional Bradley fighting vehicles, and also Strykers and artillery pieces. And you heard the Chairman mention that earlier. So, our work continues. And we're going to do everything we can to make sure that Ukrainians can be a success.

STAFF: All right, thank you. Third question will go to Missy Ryan at The Washington Post.

Q: I have two Ukraine related questions, following up on Idrees'.

First, Secretary Austin, for you. I wanted to follow up on the G7 statement that came out last week regarding that framework for providing security assurances to Ukraine. President Biden has publicly referenced the Israel MOU model. Do you believe that -- is there a possibility that the United States could help Ukraine achieve or secure some sort of parallel qualitative military edge? Or could the United States provide a mutual defense agreement to Ukraine as part of that security assurance? And do you expect that it's politically feasible to have the kind of agreement that we have with Israel for Ukraine?

And then for you, Chairman Milley, you know, Ukrainian military leaders have said how grateful they are for U.S. support. But at the same time, the various leaders, including General Zaluzhny, who you talk to regularly, have said that they don't think it's reasonable for the United States to be -- for Ukraine, excuse me, to be conducting this kind of major offensive, and especially, do combined arms maneuvers without the ability to have greater air power and provide air support to the troops.

And they say, you know, NATO would never dream of asking its forces to do that, even given the Russian air defense system that's there. What is your response to that? And can you help us, sort of walk us through your thinking about why Ukraine is able and should be able to conduct this offensive without the greater air power that some of the Ukrainian leaders are asking for. Thank you.

SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, Missy. I counted about 12 questions. But we'll do our best to get to --

First, on the agreement with Ukraine, we can expect -- and you saw evidence of this with the G7 announcement at the end of the Vilnius Summit -- we can expect that countries will execute bilateral agreements with Ukraine going forward, and certainly we will as well, and that's a work in progress. But I would tell you, our part of that, the chairman and I are focused on not only making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to be successful today, but we also have to make sure that they have a capability to defend themselves in the future and to deter aggression in the future. So while we're doing what's necessary to make sure that they can be successful today, we're also going to have to work with allies and partners to do -- to build a future force.

And so that's the hard work that's got to happen, and right now, we're kind of at that -- at that point where we're doing both simultaneously. So you see that in some cases, we've invested in some things that because they have to be produced, they won't materialize until a couple of months down the road, or in some cases, a year down the road. But those kinds of things help provide the capability that Ukraine's going to need in the future.

So the core of any agreement will be their ability to defend themselves and deter aggression, and they've got to have the combat power to do that, and that's what we're focused on. And then around that, you know, the bilateral agreement will certainly be formed and this is going to have to be work that nations take on together, not one nation alone. And so I look forward to working with my colleagues and working with State and other foreign ministers to develop the way ahead for Ukraine, so --

GEN. MILLEY: So Missy, the -- I'd offer two things. One is, you know, what's the military problem to solve here with the air power? And it's control of the airspace, and you can do that two ways. You can do that air-to-air or you can do that from the ground to the air.

In terms of the most effective and efficient and cost-effective way to do that right now for the Ukrainians is from ground to air through air defense systems, and that's what they've been provided from the beginning if this war 'til now. And that's important, because what you want to do is protect those assault forces from Russian close-air support and/or attack-helicopter support, and they've got air defense systems, the Ru- -- Ukrainians do, that can do that.

The casualties that the Ukrainians are suffering on this offensive are not so much from Russian airpower; they're from minefields, minefields that are covered with direct fire from anti-tank hunter-killer teams, that sort of thing. So it's minefields. So the problem to solve is minefields, not the air piece right this minute. And that's what the coalition is trying to provide them: additional mine clearing, MICLICs, line charges, Bangalores -- that sort of thing, in order to continue to work their way through the minefields.

So I'm confident that they can do this, and especially if they execute the tactics, techniques and procedures that they've been taught, which they are doing, and execute these operations at night, which would deny the Russians the ability to use any of their airpower anyway. So the real problem is the minefields. It's not right now the airpower.

Now, having said that, just do a quick math drill here. Ten F-16s are $2 billion, so the Russians have hundreds of fourth- and fifth-generation airframes. So if they're going to try to match the Russians one for one, or even, you know, two-to-one, you're talking about a large number of aircraft. That's going to take years to train the pilots, years to do the maintenance and sustainment, years to generate that degree of financial support to do that. You're talking way more billions of dollars than has already been generated.

So the key thing is to focus on air defense, focus on the blocking-and-tackling sort of offensive combined arms maneuver, which is artillery, as both long-range and short-range artillery, and then get in your engineers and your mine-breaching equipment. That's the kind of stuff they need. That's what they want. That's what they're asking for. When I talk to Zaluzhny, that's what he's asking for, so --

STAFF: Final question, I'll go to Jennifer Griffin with Fox News.

Q: Thank you. Defense Secretary Austin, I'd like to ask you about Senator Tuberville's hold on military nominations. Are you prepared to meet him halfway? And isn't the current policy in violation of the spirit of the Hyde Amendment, even if technically, you're not paying for abortions, you're paying for travel for potential abortions?

And General Milley, you say that you have enough assets in the Middle East to counter Russia, to deter Russia. But last week, Russian planes loitered over the At-Tanf Base, where U.S. military personnel are based. And just today, almost daily, they're countering U.S. military aircraft, including a manned aircraft today. Why can't you deter Russia in the Middle East?

GEN. MILLEY: Well, like I -- oh, go ahead, Secretary. You can answer the first one. I'll take the second one.

SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, Chairman.

(Laughter.)

SEC. AUSTIN: Jennifer, I think we have to keep things in perspective. One in five of my troops, our troops, are women. They don't get a chance to pick where they're assigned. They're serving our country. They're sacrificing each and every day, and they deserve, in my view and in the view of our leadership, they deserve to have access to noncovered reproductive healthcare, and that's what this policy does. And it focuses on healthcare, non-nonreproductive healthcare, which includes other things like IVF and some other things.

So it's important that our troops, our women understand that we care about them, that, you know, we understand that they don't get a chance to choose where they're assigned. And so this policy helps them maintain access to that healthcare. And you know, the importance of the health and welfare of my troops is really, really important to me, and we're going to continue to do what's necessary to ensure that they have that access.

And there's -- I know Senator Tuberville has said that it's illegal. It's not illegal, and we've made that point a number of times, and we point to the fact that there's a -- an opinion that's posted on the DOJ's public-facing website that really details this issue.

And so this is a readiness issue. The fact that Senator Tuberville is -- maintains this whole -- on the promotions of our senior officers, it cascades, it creates friction throughout the entire chain. It disadvantages families. We've talked -- you've heard us talk about the impact of that. And so I would ask Senator Tuberville to lift his hold.

And you know, as you think about this, Jennifer, I would imagine our adversaries would look at something like this and be pretty happy that we create this kind of turbulence within our force, so --

GEN. MILLEY: So Jennifer, as I said before, we have rules of engagement. Our pilots are extraordinarily-well-trained. They're empowered to change -- the commander empowered. The secretary has granted the authorities necessary for them to defend themselves. If at any point in time any of our troops sense that it's a hostile act, a hostile intent, they will protect themselves. So that's point one.

Secondly, if there's unsafe or unprofessional acts, that's a different issue, and we try to work that out through the deconfliction channel that's done at the tactical level so that we don't have an inadvertent air-to-air accident or incident.

But I am quite confident that General Kurilla and all of the forces in CENTCOM know how to protect themselves and will protect themselves.

Q: But it doesn't seem to be stopping the Russians.

GEN. MILLEY: Well, it's not going to stop them from flying in the airspace, that's for sure, but if they're a hostile act, hostile intent, or if they're acting unsafely or unprofessionally, then we'll work through that, but we will protect ourselves if there's any sort of challenge in that regard.

STAFF: All right. Thank you, Secretary Austin and General Milley. That's all of the time we have. Thanks, ladies and gentlemen.

SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, everybody.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3462659/

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July 18, 2023

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

Ukraine Defense Contact Group Members Remain Unified in Support to Kyiv

There is no lessening of the solidarity of members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said at the conclusion of the 14th meeting of the group, today.

Austin and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke to the press about the virtual meeting of 50 nations committed to supporting Ukraine as the country seeks to drive Russian forces from its soil.

The group meeting comes after the successful NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Austin said, where the allies discussed their determination to support Ukraine in its counteroffensive.

"Today, we recommitted to supporting Ukraine during this crucial counteroffensive and for the long haul," Austin said. "This is no time to slow down. The United States and our allies and partners have moved mountains to provide Ukraine with critical air defense systems, munitions and more. Coming out of today's meeting, I'm grateful to all of our allies and partners for their commitment and their clarity."

The secretary said contact group members have dug deep in their military stocks to provide Ukraine critical military equipment and ammunition. These capabilities support "Ukraine's sovereign right to live free today and for the future," he said.

The contact group members discussed plans to ramp up production at both national levels and at the multinational level through the European Union's important initiative to produce more ammunition, Austin said. The group also heard from representatives from Denmark and the Netherlands who lead the effort to train and supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter capability.

These moves and commitments underscore just how badly Russian President Vladimir Putin miscalculated when he invaded Ukraine last year. Austin said three of his blunders are especially clear today. "First, Putin thought that he could take Kyiv in days and force a new government of Russian puppets on the Ukrainian people," he said. "But Ukraine chose to fight back. Ukrainian armed forces have defended their country with courage and skill."

Second, Putin bet that the world would just live with his cruel assault on Ukraine. "But Russia's aggression and atrocities have shocked the world including even Moscow's long-term partners," Austin said. "Putin's final miscalculation [is] he thought that Ukraine's friends would waver or flee. Instead, nations of goodwill from around the world have stood up for Ukraine's sovereign right to defend itself. And by joining together, we have achieved something extraordinary. And today this contact group stands as united and firm as ever."

Milley discussed Ukraine's counteroffensive. Many critics are concerned that Ukraine's military operations are not successful enough and worry that a stalemate might be developing. "We are reminded that real war is not war on paper: Real war is unpredictable," the general said. "It's filled with fear, fog and friction. Real war is brutal."

Combat causes enormous costs in terms of those killed or wounded, he said. Ukraine has had millions of its citizens driven from their homes, and "yet despite the enormous costs, Ukrainians are advancing steadily and deliberately, braving brutal and bloody battles to reclaim their homeland," Milley said.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive will be slow, the chairman said. Ukrainian service members are fighting their way through dense Russian minefields and obstacles.

Meanwhile, there are robust Ukrainian reserve forces waiting to be committed at the optimal time in a place of Ukraine's choosing, the general said. "The Ukraine contact group's assistance goes beyond mere words or symbolic gestures," Milley said. "We are committed to helping them where it matters most."

The group has trained 17 brigade combat teams, 63,000 Ukrainian troops and training continues. The training includes "individual non-commissioned officers and officers and staff training along with artillery, air defense, artillery, engineers, logistics, medical and of course putting it all together in combined arms maneuver at night," Milley said. "This training has developed tangible skills that have helped create capable Ukrainian leaders and units that are having a measurable impact on the battlefield today."

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Lithuania assembles demining coalition in assistance to Ukraine

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-07-18

Lithuania is assembling a coalition for demining Ukraine and invites countries to contribute demining personnel training or equipment need to that end for the Ukrainian military. Minister of National Defence Arvydas AnuAauskas announced the plan on June 18 at the distance meeting of the Ramstein-format Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

"We are rallying a coalition for demining efforts with an aim to consolidate and coordinate the ongoing as well as planned assistance to Ukraine in this area. The coalition is being assembled according to the 'train and equip' principle used in the training assistance for the Ukrainians carried out Lithuania with Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and soon - Denmark. We invite other countries to join us with their instructors and equipment," said Minister.

A.AnuAauskas underscored at the meeting that there was a need for a more rapid and extensive Western assistance to Ukraine's counteroffensive so that Ukraine's victory would cut the war was short sooner. Ministers of Defence introduced their respective packages of assistance to Ukraine. LIThuania's contribution in July is worth of EUR 24 million.

The Defence Materiel Agency under the MOD signed a contract on NASAMS launchers with Norway's Kongsberg on June 27. The assistance will be delivered to Ukraine this fall.

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Secretary General to Ukraine Defense Contact Group: NATO support will continue for as long as it takes

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

18 Jul. 2023

Participating in a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on Tuesday (18 July 2023) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg outlined the major decisions taken at the Vilnius Summit to support Ukraine for the long haul.

At the Summit, Allies agreed a package of three elements bringing Ukraine closer to NATO membership. First, they agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan, changing Ukraine's membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process. Second, Allies established the NATO-Ukraine Council, a joint body of equals for consultation and decision-making. The Secretary General chaired the inaugural meeting with the participation of President Zelenskyy in Vilnius. Third, Allies agreed a multi-year support programme for Ukraine, covering critical needs like demining equipment, fuel, and medical supplies. Mr. Stoltenberg said that the NATO programme will also focus on building interoperability and ensuring that Ukraine transitions from Soviet equipment and doctrine to NATO standards.

Looking ahead, Mr Stoltenberg said that Allies and partners will need to continue providing Ukraine with the military assistance it needs to prevail, and that NATO will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

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Russia strikes Ukraine in retaliation for Crimea attack: Defense Ministry

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 9:51 AM

The Russian military conducted retaliatory strikes against Ukrainian facilities used to prepare terrorist attacks on Crimea, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry said the Russian forces launched retaliatory strikes at objects in the Odessa region using high-precision sea-based weapons, Russian media outlets reported.

The attack targeted facilities that were used to prepare "terrorist acts" against Russia involving unmanned drones, as well as the shipyard in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa that produced them, it said.

The statement added that the targets were hit, as fires and detonations were recorded after the strikes.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said it had thwarted an attempt by Kiev to carry out a terrorist attack on Crimea using 28 drones.

It came a day after an attack on the Crimean Bridge, which claimed two civilian lives and left one child injured.

Moscow blamed Ukraine for the attack, saying the assault took place under the auspices of the United States and Britain.

"Today's attack on the Crimean bridge was carried out by the Kiev regime. This regime is terrorist and has all the hallmarks of an international organized crime group," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Monday.

"Decisions are made by Ukrainian officials and the military with the direct participation of American and British intelligence agencies and politicians. The US and Britain are in charge of a terrorist state structure," she added.

Last October, Russia blamed Ukraine for a similar attack on the bridge, saying it was organized by Ukrainian military intelligence and its director, Kyrylo Budanov.

Ukraine, however, admitted only indirectly to the attack months later.

Russian President Vladimir Putin then ordered repairs to the Crimea bridge, and later, he even drove a vehicle across it.

The bridge, constructed on the orders of Putin, had been inaugurated in 2018, four years after Crimea voted in a referendum to become part of Russia.

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NATO's Open-Door Rhetoric On Ukraine Is Running Up Against Harsh Realities

By Vazha Tavberidze July 18, 2023

Nikolas Gvosdev is a professor of national security studies at the U.S. Naval War College who focuses in part on Russia and U.S. foreign policy. In a recent interview with Vazha Tavberidze of RFE/RL's Georgian Service, Gvosdev argues that the recent summit in Vilnius showed NATO's failure to forge a "shared strategic outlook" on Ukraine and that the military alliance is just kicking the can down the road.

RFE/RL: What have we learned in Vilnius at the recently concluded NATO summit?

Nikolas Gvosdev: What we've learned at Vilnius is that NATO is an unwieldy alliance of 31 members. It is difficult to get consensus and what we ended up with was a lowest-common-denominator approach to many of the issues including the contentious question of Ukrainian membership in NATO, and under what conditions Ukraine might be invited to join the alliance.

And it was not only just simply the Central and Eastern European states of Poland, the Baltic republics, that were pushing for an invitation to Ukraine, and the traditional opponents in Germany and France that might have been opposed, but also [there was] this very ambivalent approach of the United States, which I think really caught a number of observers by surprise.

When we think about the Bucharest summit in 2008, the United States was pushing very hard for Membership Action Plans (which spell out steps and conditions for NATO membership) for both Ukraine and Georgia at the time. And in 2023, at Vilnius, the United States was not full-fledged in its support for moving Ukraine immediately toward getting an invitation.

And in some ways, it's a worse situation, I might add...by removing the Membership Action Plan requirements, [because] at least Ukraine would have an understanding of what they would have to fulfill. Now we have this very vague formulation that says, well, Ukraine will join when conditions warrant and the allies agree. And that doesn't give us a lot of clarity as to what are the conditions? When will they be met? Who will evaluate whether the conditions have been met? And what does it mean for the allies to agree?

So, in some ways, this summit worsens Ukraine's position in that Ukraine doesn't have a clear invitation, it doesn't have a timeline, but it also doesn't have, at least from the alliance, concrete security guarantees. And now what is going to happen in the aftermath of Vilnius, which is going to be critical, is whether or not individual countries, starting with the United States, are going to extend clearer, firmer guarantees of support to Ukraine, [which] the alliance -- as the alliance -- was unwilling to do in Vilnius.

The point, again, is the alliance does not have a shared strategic outlook on Ukraine beyond the agreement that everyone agrees Ukraine should be supported against the Russian invasion.... And, of course, the other part of the summit, which [concerned] NATO's role in the greater Indo-Pacific region. Should NATO as NATO be involved vis-a-vis China? And, of course, the perennial issue of NATO versus the European Union -- what should the European states be doing in terms of defense? Because the other elephant in the room is the recognition that, sooner or later, the United States' focus is going to be drawn to the Pacific region. And is Europe capable of holding the security situation in the absence of a major American commitment?

RFE/RL: Let's make a quick detour, a very brief detour to Sweden. It's been greenlighted for NATO membership by Turkey at last and I think the most obvious question is: What is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan getting out of it? Because, if his record is anything to go by, he's not doing this out of kindness of his heart or the lofty ideals of empowering NATO and the proverbial West. So, what's the deal? What did he haggle over?

Gvosdev: I think he's haggling over suspended U.S. military assistance, after his decision to acquire the [Russian] S-400 [missile system]. I think he's looking for an end to efforts in the U.S. Congress to sanction Turkey for a wide variety of its activities, including its economic activities with Russia. I think that Erdogan is saying, "I will move forward on Sweden, I want F-16s (U.S. fighter jets), perhaps a return to the F-35 (U.S.-led fighter jet) program. But I also don't want to see talk about sanctioning Turkey for its business relations with Russia" -- [which] is part of this as well. And again, for all the people saying, "Well, Turkey has now approved Sweden," all that Erdogan is committed to is submitting the documents for ratification [in the Turkish parliament] and that could be a prolonged process. And the interesting test will be who ratifies first. Will he ratify first, or will he want to see if the Biden administration can convince a skeptical U.S. Congress to move on some of these issues vis-a-vis Turkey?

Obviously, [Erdogan's] European Union [membership] bid was more for grandstanding. It's clear that Turkey is not going to necessarily move forward on its EU bid. So, you're right. This isn't about altruism, or about a greater strategic vision. Erdogan has some pretty clear deliverables he's expecting for moving forward on Swedish membership.

RFE/RL: Another quickfire question -- let's talk about the U.S. reluctance. How much of a role does uncertainty ahead of the 2024 presidential election play in all this?

Gvosdev: It plays a great deal. And this has to do with assumptions that the [U.S. President Joe] Biden administration made about the timeline. If you look back eight, nine months ago, the U.S. hope was that by the time Vilnius happened, Ukraine would have had made substantial gains in a counteroffensive; that they would -- if not have retaken Crimea and Donbas -- they would have seriously damaged the Russian position. This was supposed to then allow for a discussion at Vilnius about security guarantees for Ukraine, where the fighting would essentially stalemate on terms that would be favorable to Ukraine.

What you now have is a U.S. administration that is faced with an unpleasant dichotomy, which is: If you offer security guarantees to Ukraine, including a pathway to NATO membership, you are doing so at a time when Ukraine has not succeeded in regaining control of most of the lost territory. And so, you're either asking Ukraine to freeze the boundaries, the lines of control, as they exist now. Or Ukraine says we need more time to engage in counteroffensive operations.

But then, of course, the worry in the U.S. is that this is going to draw the United States more directly into the conflict, which the Biden administration does not want on the eve of an election.

The polling data in the U.S. is quite clear: there's strong support for supporting Ukraine; there's not a lot of support for direct U.S. engagement or involvement in the conflict.

And as you move into an election year, you don't want to essentially be saying you are committing the United States to a military or greater military role.... Greater involvement by the U.S. is not something that is a political winner. And I think that the initial hope for Vilnius was that Ukraine was largely back in control of most of its territory by this point, [so] you could then say: "As we did with [U.S. miliary support for] Korea, as we did with Germany, we can bring you into NATO, because you control most of your territory." And that can be done. But it's that dichotomy, [because] Ukraine really isn't ready...to concede permanent loss of Crimea or Donbas. And therefore, the United States isn't going to offer security guarantees, as long as Ukraine itself is not happy with the current disposition of forces where they happen to be aligned.

RFE/RL: The adopted NATO communique says: "We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met." What are these conditions?

Gvosdev: We don't know. We don't know what the conditions are.

RFE/RL: Due to this, I've seen this summit dubbed as Bucharest revisited. Is that a deserved, justifiable moniker?

Gvosdev: Unless in the days following Vilnius, the alliance clarifies what that [statement] means, then it has very much these echoes of Bucharest (at the 2008 NATO summit). Because right now, one could say, "Well, as long as we don't know what the conditions are, they can never be met." There'll never be time for Ukraine.

RFE/RL: Let's delve deeper into the NATO lingo a little bit. Let's discuss some of its more classical tenets that we've been listening to for more than a decade now. Let's start with: "NATO has an open-door policy." Does it really? How come it's open and Ukraine and Georgia are shuffling their feet at the doorstep for so long?

Gvosdev: That's a great point. It's an open-door policy where, in many cases, NATO countries are very, very eager for people not to voluntarily [go through] the door. And so, "Yes, the door is open, but please don't. It would be really wonderful if you didn't actually take us up on it." And I think you've seen that particularly with Ukraine and Georgia over the last 10 years, which is: "Yes, the door is open, but really, we don't want to close the door, but it'd be really wonderful if you don't come through it." And then of course, what we've seen in Georgia is some politicians saying, "Fine, we're not going to. If we're not going to come in, then we're not going to do any of the things that you would like, because we know that we're not going to [go through] the door." And that I think, again, is a disingenuous political statement to try to get around the fact that nobody wanted to say that Russia gets a veto.

RFE/RL: Which is another one I was going to ask you about.

Gvosdev: Russia doesn't get a veto. But we really like it if you didn't actually enter the alliance. And this actually hits on another point from NATO-speak, which is important. And it's not NATO-speak as much as its members, politicians, who then say -- and you saw this at Vilnius -- "Well, Ukraine is virtually a member of NATO." And you've heard that about Georgia.

But there's no virtual membership. There's no such concept. There is membership and there's nonmembership. Now the third option, which would be -- and which we did not see at Vilnius -- is NATO could start to conceive of associations; that the alliance has associations with countries. We have these partnerships and the Partnership for Peace [program]. But I'm talking about associations that would have binding guarantees and commitments. But we saw no move in Vilnius. And I can understand from the Ukrainian perspective the worry is, "Well, this is a way not to get full membership, because you're going to give us this association status."

RFE/RL: On this view, "The door is open, but please don't come in," there have been so many pop culture references popping up on the Ukraine war and one of them has been from Lord of the Rings with Russians portrayed as orcs. And I don't know if you're a fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's work, but this very much sounds like hobbit politeness. When hobbits say good day, they actually mean goodbye.

Gvosdev: I think that's a great analogy. It is a hobbit politeness...because so much of what [NATO] -- particularly the U.S. government -- wants to avoid saying is "No." They don't want to say to Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova: "We don't really want to bring you into NATO." They don't want to say, "No." So, they say, "The door is open." But it is this hobbit approach. And it is complicated by the fact that there are people certainly within the U.S. government, in the Congress, that do want to bring these countries in. But there is enough of this reluctance that it creates this impression. Then the problem when you say, "Open door, you're virtually a member of NATO," is we've seen how Russia uses this in its own information warfare to say, "Well, see, Ukraine is virtually a member of NATO, so we had to do the special operation." We saw that from Dmitry Medvedev (former Russian president and now deputy head of the powerful Security Council) and others who said, "Well, NATO already says they're effectively in, so we had to go in."

And so, it doesn't really help the countries to say, "The door is open but don't come in, you're virtually a member." And then for them to be left holding the bag, as Georgia was in 2008, as Ukraine has been in 2014, and again, after 2022, where you get hopes and prayers...[and] in the case of Ukraine, certainly a lot of military equipment and financial assistance, but no guarantee that the alliance is committed to reversing the Russian invasion.

RFE/RL: Should the bottom-line reading on this be that the West is still unsure about a security structure of Europe centered against Russia, and it still might be entertaining hopes to bring Russia back to the fold?

Gvosdev: I think those hopes are diminishing. I think even in Germany, which has been sort of the epicenter of that approach, about [how] Russia needs to be part of any European security structure -- that's diminishing. But I think what it's being replaced by is a hope that, "Well, there'll be a new line and...we can have a settlement with Russia [where] maybe Ukraine doesn't control all of its territory."

We saw right after 2008, Europe, particularly under [former French] President [Nicolas] Sarkozy, was perfectly happy for a settlement that would leave Georgia detached [from] 20 percent of its territory as well. By the way, I don't think that France or Germany would consent to have 20 percent of their territory detached and then just simply say, "Well, that's the price you have to pay."

And so I think, again, some of this open-door rhetoric is running up against an unwillingness to pay some of the costs and we're seeing it [now]. What Vilnius, by the way, has done is again, it kicks these issues down the road. So, the Wales summit in 2014, Madrid last year, to which Vilnius was supposed to build on. And now we're seeing that, well, Vilnius kind of repeats Madrid, and now [on to] the next summit.

RFE/RL: An unending source of tomorrows.

Gvosdev: Yes, the unending sources of tomorrow, and so it's next year's NATO summit (in Washington, D.C.) that will have to be different. But the problem with this for Europeans is that the United States pivoted back to Europe after the Russian invasion. Next time, that may not happen.

RFE/RL: And if you're sitting in the Kremlin, how do you look at it, what's the perspective? Could one argue that these half measures serve as the incentive for Russia to never end the war?

Gvosdev: Precisely right. Because the way that so many Western leaders coming into Vilnius said, "Well, Ukraine is only in when the war is over, then we'll move." Then you've signaled to Moscow that the war never needs to be over and the war can continue. This is why the Korea precedent is so important. Technically, there is still a state of war on the Korean Peninsula. And so it doesn't mean that you have to have active military operations every day. Essentially, you've signaled to Moscow: don't settle, just keep this going. The Russians have shown that they can sustain a level of operations in Ukraine. And, by the way, to continue to wreck Ukraine in a way that makes the bill for reconstruction go up and up. And to make Ukraine even less attractive as a partner two, three, four years down the road.

RFE/RL: I know you're a very staunch believer that this eventual U.S. shift and pivot to the Indo-Pacific region is something that is irreversible and inevitable. Right?

Gvosdev: Yes.

RFE/RL: Let me ask you then a quick question from that perspective. Isn't it in the U.S. interest to leave Moscow in a state that it's of no concern, security-wise, in case there really is a future confrontation with China?

Gvosdev: Well, part of that is the idea [of whether you want] to focus so much on Russia over the next several years [now] that China has made some irreversible, irrevocable gains in the Indo-Pacific region that become a lot harder to dislodge versus a Russia that has been sufficiently weakened, which is still a problem but not an overwhelming threat....

But the question here is that the United States needs to be able to focus time to really rebuild and strengthen relationships that do not just simply dissipate once there's a crisis in Europe. This is the problem. The United States approach in Asia can't be episodic, where there's a problem and we pivot away and then we say, "OK, but we're going to come back."

We're at a critical point where key partners of the U.S. are prepared to really line up with the U.S. in much greater security arrangements. Not like NATO, because NATO is not a template for the Far East, but to really deepen those commitments. But they want to see that the United States is going to be able to see through those commitments. And that has to do also with the defense industrial base: what you can provide, what number of forces are available, where the attention is going to be. And so again, I think the [Biden] administration had this sense that really by Vilnius, the Ukraine question was largely going to be wrapped-up, settled, not necessarily 100 percent.

RFE/RL: Would that have been wishful thinking considering that they did not supply Ukraine, apparently, with enough to achieve that objective?

Gvosdev: Well, because I think over last year, they overweighted the impact of the sanctions on Russia. That they really thought that the Russian economy could not sustain sanctions pressure. It was going to collapse in on itself, which it has not. It doesn't mean that there aren't economic problems in Russia. But the Russian defense industry has been more resilient than I think the West assumed, with its ability to continue to supply the Russians with equipment and, therefore, as you said, not enough supplied [by the West to Ukraine] at the beginning; a pipeline that is slower than expected to get this [done] and Russia's ability to continue to keep the campaign going.

RFE/RL: Your thinking implies that there is no day-to-day thinking in the Pentagon or in Washington, that they think a year ahead and then they go to hibernate and wake up half a year later. Could they not see that this is not working out as intended? Why did we not see any adjustments?

Gvosdev: One of the weaknesses of the U.S. strategic approach is: "We like to work on our timelines, we establish a timeline, and then we expect reality to conform to the timeline that we've established." We saw this in Iraq; we saw this in Afghanistan.

RFE/RL: Don't you check up on the timeline?

Gvosdev: You do check up, but this is confirmation bias. You look for the signs that confirm that your preferred timeline is working, and you ignore the signs that they aren't. How many times over the last year were we told that Russia was out of missiles? It's been like clockwork. Every two weeks, we get a report: "Russia has exhausted its missile supplies, it's done." And maybe Russia is more adaptable.... I think we're now beginning to realize that we overestimated their vulnerability to sanctions. We underestimated their ability to repurpose old military equipment and use it in Ukraine to some degree of effectiveness. And that has implications down the road for how much to [send to] Europe and how much to Asia?

RFE/RL: How did that thinking occur, to realistically think that Ukraine would be liberating territories, including Donetsk and Crimea, by the time of the Vilnius summit?

Gvosdev: It's the outgrowth of Ukraine's successful operations last August. So, the assumption was that when Ukraine regained control of Kherson, when they cleared the Kharkiv area, that this was the template moving forward.... The military has this expression: "The enemy gets a vote." And the Russians, [Sergei] Surovikin (deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine) exercised that vote, which was to spend the next six months building very robust defensive lines all across southeastern Ukraine.

There was also a sense that, "Well, the Russian political system is fragile, the military is not going to fight, the sanctions are going to work." All of our best-case scenario options were then assumed to be that: "Well, that's what's going to happen." Because I'm much more of a pessimist, I always assume that the worst case is what's likely to happen. So, I'm not surprised. And now this again, this opens up a very big question moving forward after Vilnius, which is, in the absence of NATO moving on Ukraine, the individual, bilateral security guarantees -- what's going to come from that?

RFE/RL: On the sidelines of the Vilnius NATO summit, interesting things were transpiring. A so-called G7 security pact, heralded by former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff. According to Rasmussen, "It includes transfer of NATO standard weapons, enhanced intelligence-sharing, a major expansion of training and exercises with Ukrainian forces, and support to develop Ukraine's military-industrial base." What do you make of this? Could this be the prelude to the much-discussed "Porcupine" scenario, where Ukraine is turned into a fortress packed with modern weaponry?

Gvosdev: Yes, look, the first thing is that doing this under the umbrella of the G7 is quite interesting. The G7 [Group of Seven leading industrialized nations] is traditionally an economic forum. It's odd to have a major security initiative like this come through the G7. It reflects that you could not get it through NATO. And that in and of itself is a telling sign.

The second question is: How much of this is already things that are already being done? Is this going to be something substantially different than previous waves of intelligence-sharing, military equipment provision, training? Is it going to be substantively different? Is it going to be connected to the sense that, "Well, Ukraine will also get guarantees, that as these things are being delivered, they will be protected"?.... You know, it's great to say you're going to provide it, but does that imply any new sets of commitments? How much of this is the G7 also committing to not just the military side but to rehabilitating the Ukrainian economy? Because that's going to be the critical test moving forward.

I understand, look, Ukraine needs all the help it can get. This is probably better than nothing. But the fact that it's being discussed as a G7 initiative after a NATO summit is not, in my opinion, particularly reassuring. The United States has the ability to do certain things bilaterally, including...the president can designate Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally of the United States. [This] still has not occurred. The United States could pass bilateral security guarantees -- it hasn't. The Biden administration really wants to work through some sort of multilateral framework. I think, again, the administration is aware that doing things bilaterally with Ukraine may not be the image that they're looking for. And so then we see this effort, well, this is a G7 effort, not a U.S. one.

RFE/RL: Also, we heard that France is open to discussing this, the U.K. is open to discussing it, the U.S. apparently is open to discussion.... If France, the U.S. and the U.K. are open to doing this, why is it not under the NATO umbrella? Because we are talking about three major states in NATO, right?

Gvosdev: Yes, these are three major states [in] NATO. They are three members of the United Nations Security Council. You would think that then they would have the heft. But the question is: Are these discussions to have discussions, while we give more time for the battlefield situation to resolve itself? The other question, again, is also what is going to be committed to?

Because if I'm a Ukrainian government official, I'm not going to trust statements, unless I know that they're backed up by treaty agreement legislation. Just as a point of comparison, the United States, by law, is obligated to assist Taiwan in the event that China attacks. It's not a matter of, "Well, do I feel like it would be nice?" It's written into U.S. law. NATO obligations to NATO members are a matter of treaty. And so, if I'm a Ukrainian official, as much as I may welcome these discussions, I'm going to want to know what is it that you're prepared to commit?

RFE/RL: Still, on the second part of the question, if this porcupine scenario ever were to occur, what would constitute the quills that the porcupine is defending itself with?

Gvosdev: This is where quantity matters. You need a quantity of equipment -- so air defense missiles, anti-ship missiles, better electronic warfare -- so that you can have a complete electronic fence, so to speak, so that any drone that crosses it is severed from communication by its controller. You want to have complete control [so] that no aircraft or cruise missile can transit your territory without a good chance of it being shot down. You want to -- as the Ukrainians, by the way, have been doing already in the Black Sea -- you want to be able to push naval power as far away from your shores as possible.

That's all part of these quills...and it's a quantity issue. You need to have such a quantity of the quills that you can essentially create this barrier -- an electronic barrier, a military, artillery, missile barrier -- that very few things can get through, and the things that do get through, you have a better chance of deflecting.... And this gets back to your earlier question. We should have seen this when people were saying this as of the summer of last year. We're going to run into the supply issues. You need it, you want to be able to ramp up production. So, Ukraine still has this problem, and it has shortages. It has to essentially ration its artillery pieces that it's using. And the Russians are able to take advantage of the gaps to continue to strike into Ukraine....

It doesn't have to be high-tech; it doesn't have to be the most expensive. It's the idea that, when you look at a porcupine, each individual quill isn't what stops you. It's that they're all together. If I put my hand on one quill, it might hurt, but I'm not going to put my hand on an entire collection of them. There's lots of them. And that's what creates deterrence. And what happens is that NATO needs to be able to construct, both for Ukraine, but along Ukraine's periphery, so Romania, Poland, you want to have coverage over Ukrainian airspace and maritime space, where even from within a NATO country, you have essentially a line of launchers and equipment that can then cover Ukrainian territory.

That's part of the security guarantees that also need to be discussed. And again, we're 500 days into this war. I don't have access to classified material. Maybe it's happening quietly, but I'm just not seeing the industrial base moving along to, you know, we think of where we were in World War II by this point. The United States 500 days after Pearl Harbor, and you looked at what U.S. industry was able to [produce]. And I think because there's this reluctance of saying, "Well, if we've started up and then the war is over, and we've lost all that money and product. So, let's just keep running the stockpiles down." And the decision on cluster munitions, that's the canary in the coal mine. We're sending these cluster munitions because we don't have other things and [U.S. national-security adviser] Jake Sullivan [came out and said] very openly, "Well, this is the bridge, we need to send cluster munitions because we need to give industry time to build up the stockpiles." And it's 500 days. Why wasn't this decision taken at day 100?

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-summit-open-door-rhetoric- interview-gvosdev-tavberidzed/32509033.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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From Logistics To Psychology, Effects Of Crimea Bridge Blast Will Linger

By Robert Coalson July 18, 2023

Officials in Moscow and in occupied Crimea have been quick to say that the July 17 explosion that damaged the only bridge linking Russia to the Black Sea peninsula was not serious and that rail and road traffic over the bridge would be quickly restored. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin asserted that the structure's supporting pylons had not been damaged and that the bridge would be completely repaired by November 1.

Nonetheless, the attack struck a key logistical route supplying Russian military forces not only on the Crimean Peninsula but across southern Ukraine, where Kyiv is carrying out a counteroffensive to claw back territory that Russia has occupied since the first weeks of its unprovoked full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"The Crimea Bridge is the main logistical link," said Pavlo Lakiychuk, a military analyst at the Kyiv-based think tank Strategy XXI. "Even if the railroad bridge was, say, closed for six hours or so and shipping traffic was shut down for a similar period of time, that is a six-hour break for our troops who will have fewer shells raining down on them. That is a plus."

Lakiychuk dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim on July 17 that the bridge "has long not been used" for military transport.

"The bridge has been and remains one of the main supply arteries for supplying Russian forces across southern Ukraine, including in Crimea," he said. "Including those who are defending themselves from the attacks of our forces in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions."

The bridge, he said, is used to supply heavy equipment, ammunition such as artillery shells, fuel, and other crucial, ongoing needs of Russian forces in Ukraine.

"Delaying [these supplies] for an hour or two or three or six or 12 is a vital matter for our troops, who are engaged in heavy fighting," Lakiychuk said.

"The river of military supplies for Russia has slowed to a trickle," he concluded.

Andriy Yusov, the spokesman for Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), offered a similar assessment on July 17, saying: "Any logistical problems are one more complication for the occupiers that creates a potential advantage for Ukrainian defense forces."

Khusnullin, the Russian deputy prime minister who was put in charge of the repair works, wrote on Telegram early on July 18 that one lane of the bridge had been reopened for vehicle traffic.

Immediate Impact

The damage to the bridge also had an immediate impact for civilians in Crimea. Supplies of food and other essentials via the bridge were halted at least temporarily, and Russian occupation authorities warned that it could be days before truck traffic is restored. Trucks were being diverted to ferries, which can be unpredictable due to frequent high winds on the strait. This month, before the attack, truckers were already reporting that inspections and the ferry transit took around three hours.

When explosions were heard in the city of Kerch at the Crimea end of the bridge on July 9, de facto officials had to quickly calm people by reporting that the bridge was not targeted.

"People in Crimea are right to worry about the Kerch bridge because transit through Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory is not safe," Lakiychuk said.

The news outlet Kerch.fm reported in June that truck drivers were refusing to travel between Russia and Crimea via the occupied parts of southern Ukraine along the Sea of Azov coast out of safety concerns and were insisting on higher pay for coping with the delays at the ferries.

"Because of the hours-long waits in line for the ferry, they are demanding 'waiting fees,'" the website quoted an employee at a Crimean butcher shop as saying. "Drivers either do not want to go to Crimea or they are charging double to do so."

Increasingly, Crimea resembles a war zone, and the peninsula has been targeted by a mounting number of drone and other attacks in 2023. The occupation authorities have undertaken a massive program of building trenches and other fortifications. However, Ukrainian military analyst Mykhaylo Prytula, a retired army colonel, told RFE/RL that Kyiv's strategy is to isolate the peninsula as much as possible.

"At some point, Crimea will simply be an island without any connection to the mainland or via the Kerch bridge," he said. "Imagine a Crimea without water. Without military supplies.... All that will be working will be the airports and the ports. Car traffic will be closed, and people will not be able to evacuate their possessions."

"At that point, the only choice will be to surrender or to flee," Prytula said.

The 19-kilometer Crimea Bridge, which facilitates both automotive and rail traffic, was completed in May 2018 at a cost of some $4 billion. It was a significant prestige project intended to bolster Moscow's claim to Ukraine's Crimea region that was inaugurated by Putin in person.

Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the blast -- the second attack to do substantial damage to the bridge in 10 months -- but Ukrainian media reported that security services had deployed two maritime drones to carry out the operation.

Lakiychuk said that could signal a significant technological breakthrough for Kyiv. Ukraine, he said, only began developing sea-based drones after Russia's February 2022 invasion and the work has been carried out "under wartime conditions."

"If this is so, the Russian side wasn't ready for the Ukrainian military's capability of using such drones so far away from its military bases," he said.

Crimea Becoming A Frontline Zone?

He added that such operations generate valuable information for Ukrainian intelligence services that makes future operations more likely to succeed.

"Intelligence will have a lot of work now," Laviychuk said.

The July 17 blast followed a major explosion and fire in October 2022 that prevented the full operation of the bridge for months. Lakiychuk said the fact that bridge spans collapsed in both cases could indicate that the foundation of the structure has vulnerabilities.

"If the spans are falling, that means that the supports beneath them are shifting," he said.

The explosion, which Russia said killed a married couple in a car and injured their 14-year-old daughter, will likely reinforce the growing impression that Crimea is a "frontline zone," to use the formulation of Refat Chubarov, the Kyiv-based president of the Worldwide Congress of Crimean Tatars and chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, a self-governing body that Russia declared illegal after occupying the peninsula in 2014.

After the October 2022 explosion on the bridge, Russia was forced to intensify security checks and other measures for traffic moving in both directions, Chubarov told RFE/RL on June 30, before the most recent blast, causing alarm and frustration for travelers.

"These measures will continue as long as the bridge stands, until it is destroyed by Ukrainian rockets," he said. "I think that will happen soon."

Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RL's Crimea.Realities, RFE/RL's Russian Service, and Current Time.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/crimea-bridge-explosion- effects-logistics-psychology/32508853.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. General: Ukrainian Forces Making Progress Despite Minefields, Other Obstacles In 'Tough Fight'

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 18, 2023

The United States believes Ukraine is making progress in its counteroffensive against Russian forces and still has "significant" reserves it has yet to commit, said U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.

"Despite the enormous costs, Ukrainians are advancing steadily and deliberately, braving brutal and bloody battles to reclaim their homeland," Milley told reporters on July 18 after a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Asked if the counteroffensive had stalled, Milley said Russian land mines are slowing the counteroffensive as Kyiv's forces face heavily fortified positions that include minefields, tank obstacles, barbed wire, and trenches.

"Right now, they are preserving their combat power, and they are slowly and deliberately and steadily working their way through all these minefields, and it's a tough fight."

It is "way too early" to judge the offensive a failure, he said, adding that the war "is going to be long, it's going be hard, it's going be bloody."

He noted that three brigades currently are being trained and equipped in Germany and other training is ongoing around the region.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the counteroffensive is a "key moment of this tragic war" as he opened the 14th meeting of the contact group, which was formed to coordinate military assistance from Ukraine's allies.

Austin reiterated that the United States will support Ukraine as long as necessary.

"We supply Ukraine with such critical equipment as air defense and ammunition. And we are not going to give up. We will continue to provide Ukraine with what it needs, when it needs it," he said.

The United States has spearheaded the push for international support for Ukraine, joining European allies in forming the contact group backing Kyiv.

Indiscriminate shelling by Russian troops troops earlier on July 18 killed at least four civilians in eastern and southern Ukraine, regional officials reported on July 18, as the Ukrainian military said the situation is difficult but under control in some parts of the eastern front, while in the south, incremental advances are being made.

Russia also kept up the pressure on Ukraine's air defenses, launching a fresh wave of drone strikes early on July 18 that was largely repelled, but drone debris damaged infrastructure in the Black Sea port of Odesa.

In the northern part of the Donetsk region, three civilians -- a 52-year-old woman and two men, aged 49 and 52 -- were killed by Russian shelling, regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported.

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said fighting continues in the Kupyansk area of the eastern Kharkiv region.

"The enemy offensive in the Kupyansk direction is currently unsuccessful. The fighting continues, but the initiative is already on our side," she said on Telegram.

Fighting continued on the northern flank as Russian forces try to regain lost positions, she said, noting that Ukrainian fighters "have to deal with dense mines and intense enemy fire."

General Oleksandr Syrskiy, commander of Ukrainian ground forces, said on the Telegram messaging app on July 18 that the situation was "complicated" in the Kupyansk area of the eastern Kharkiv region but that Ukrainian forces continued to register successes in parts of the south, where it pressed on with its counteroffensive.

"The situation is complicated, but under control. The enemy is transferring reserves to the Bakhmut area [of Donetsk], trying to stop our advance," Syrskiy said. "At the same time, the enemy concentrates its main forces in the Kupyansk direction, where Ukrainian soldiers are on the defense."

Early on July 18, Serhiy Bratchuk, a spokesman for the military administration of the Odesa region, said Ukraine's air defenses had repelled a Russian air attack on the port city.

Ukraine's Operational Command South later said in a statement that "debris from the destroyed missiles and the blast wave from the downing damaged the port infrastructure facilities."

The strike on Odesa, which is crucial for Ukraine's grain exports, came a day after Moscow pulled out of a UN-brokered deal to allow the transit of the grain, refusing to extend it after it expired on July 17.

Russia overnight also launched an attack on Mykolayiv region, using Iranian-made drones that caused a fire, regional Governor Vitaliy Kim, said on Telegram.

Russia's Defense Ministry and the Moscow-installed head of annexed Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said on July 18 that Russian forces repelled an attack by 28 Ukrainian drones on the eastern part of region.

The ministry said in a statement that 17 drones were destroyed and 11 were disabled by electronic means. Both the ministry and Aksyonov said the attack caused no casualties or damages.

The report, which could not be independently verified, came a day after an attack by seaborne drones on the bridge that links Crimea with Russia that killed two people and caused major damage and a disruption to traffic. Russia has blamed Ukraine for the attack.

Kyiv did not claim responsibility, but Ukrainian media quoted sources as saying security services had deployed maritime drones.

In a statement quoted by the TASS news agency, Russia's Defense Ministry said on July 18 that it had carried out "revenge" strikes in Odesa and Mykolayiv against sites that Moscow claimed were used by Ukraine to prepare seaborne drones of the type suspected to have hit the Crimea bridge.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war- drones-crimea-attacks-donetsk/32508155.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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Russia's war is impacting energy security: UK statement to the OSCE

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) says Russia's brutal and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused disaster and devastation, with significant impacts on energy security.

18 July 2023

The theme of today's meeting is energy networks' protection from natural and man-made disasters. Russia's brutal and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused disaster and devastation across our region, with significant impacts on energy security.

Ukrainian thermal and renewable power stations have suffered massive damage as a result of Russia's war of aggression. Ukraine is now getting the equipment and financing needed to make the repairs for the next winter. The UK Government is making efforts to mobilise the UK power equipment industry to help.

Ukraine has learned the hard way about the urgent need for a more decentralised electricity grid, with an emphasis on small modular reactors and renewables. Ukraine's existing grid is highly centralised, making it vulnerable to the Russian attempts last winter to bring about total grid collapse by targeting long-distance, high voltage transmission lines and key nodal substations in a ruthlessly systematic manner. Russia then turned its attention to power generation, attacking every type of generation, except nuclear. Of course, Europe's biggest nuclear power station is under utterly reckless Russian military occupation. This is a lesson to be learned for all countries in the region with similar systems.

Putin's invasion exposed mainland Europe's over-dependence on Russian gas, with implications for affordability and security. The long-term solution is to address our underlying vulnerability to international fossil fuel prices by reducing our dependence on imported oil and gas. That is why the UK has worked with international partners to ban imports of Russian coal, oil, and liquefied natural gas. Reducing exposure to volatile oil and gas prices and Russian energy market manipulation depends on a faster transition to renewables and nuclear.

The UK has committed almost A140 million since the start of the conflict to help Ukraine respond to attacks on its energy infrastructure and support recovery efforts in the energy sector. This includes support from a A62 million, multi-year, energy resilience programme.

In the UK, the Government's Powering Up Britain strategy, published in March, sets out how the government will enhance the UK's energy security and seize the economic opportunities of the clean energy transition through a clear and consistent set of strategic objectives and a long-term policy framework.

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Special international tribunal should become an effective way to punish Russia for its aggression against Ukraine - Andriy Smyrnov

President of Ukraine

18 July 2023 - 21:25

The Special International Tribunal should become an effective and fair way to punish Russia for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and one of its options is to establish an "internationalized court". This was stated by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Smyrnov during a briefing at the Office of the President.

"Over the past 70 years, after the Nuremberg Trials, the crime of aggression has been committed all over the world. And the world has been quietly watching all this time, as if there was no UN General Assembly resolution on aggression. Unfortunately, the doctrine of international law does not work, so the bloodiest crime of aggression in the last 70 years, committed by Russia in the center of Europe, may also go unpunished. Justice demands punishment for perpetrators, and our tribunal is the only way to do it," said Andriy Smyrnov.

According to him, the Core Group on the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine will meet again in September in The Hague. The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office noted that among the new options to be considered during the Core Group meeting is the possibility of creating an "internationalized court."

"One of the compromises we are considering is the possibility of creating an "internationalized tribunal", but not in Ukraine and not as part of the Ukrainian judicial system. This is necessary in order to find a way to establish the tribunal supported by all partners," emphasized Andriy Smyrnov.

The Deputy Head of the President's Office noted that the establishment of an internationalized tribunal could later be supported by the UN General Assembly.

"In this case, the UN General Assembly will support the establishment of a tribunal in an internationally reputable jurisdiction," added Smyrnov.

According to him, Ukraine does not agree with the so-called hybrid form of the tribunal, when it is created under Ukrainian law and then recognized by other countries.

"Establishing such a tribunal - a hybrid tribunal - as part of the Ukrainian system will require amendments to the Constitution, which is impossible under martial law. The creation of a "hybrid" tribunal carries a high risk that the crime of aggression will be classified as an interstate conflict between two countries. In the end, we do not need a tribunal's decision in the name of Ukraine, we need a tribunal's decision in the name of the civilized world," emphasized Andriy Smyrnov.

For his part, Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, member of the working group on the establishment of the tribunal under the President of Ukraine, noted that the internationalized tribunal envisages the involvement of international prosecutors, investigators, and international judges with citizenships other than that of the state that is the victim of aggression.

Anton Korynevych also emphasized that it is possible that in the future the special tribunal will be able to punish the leadership of other states for their participation in the war against Ukraine and for committing acts of aggression. He drew attention to the fact that the actions of the leadership of some third countries fall under the international definition of an act of aggression.

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Andriy Yermak had a phone call with Jake Sullivan

President of Ukraine

18 July 2023 - 18:36

As part of the ongoing dialogue with allies, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan.

Andriy Yermak informed the interlocutor about the current situation at the front and the actions of the defense forces to de-occupy Ukrainian territories.

The interlocutors also summarized the results of the NATO Summit held last week in Vilnius.

The Head of the President's Office commended the approval of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine in the margins of the Summit, which envisages security commitments for our country. The document was backed by the G7 countries and nine other states. Andriy Yermak and Jake Sullivan discussed the start of negotiations on the conclusion of bilateral MOUs on commitments for Ukraine in the framework of this declaration.

In addition, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine briefed Jake Sullivan on the preparations for a follow up meeting to the one held in June in Copenhagen on key principles of peace.

Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to the United States, personally to President Joseph Biden, the Presidential Administration, both houses of Congress and the entire American people for their continued strong support of Ukraine in the fight against Russian tyranny and for their powerful leadership in consolidating the world around our country's aspirations for a just end to the war.

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Ihor Zhovkva had a conversation with the Assistant Secretary for the EU and International Division at the Department of the Taoiseach of Ireland

President of Ukraine

18 July 2023 - 15:43

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held an online conversation with Helen Blake, Assistant Secretary for the EU and International Division at the Department of the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Ihor Zhovkva briefed the Irish side on the security situation in Ukraine in the context of countering Russian armed aggression against our country.

The interlocutors focused on the Ukrainian side's vision of the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula.

"We are open to proposals from other countries on the implementation of the Peace Formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, provided that these countries respect international law and the UN Charter and preserve the Ukrainian vision of the Peace Formula as the basis for its implementation," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.

The parties paid special attention to the implementation of the "Grain from Ukraine" humanitarian initiative, which is extremely important for many countries of the Global South. Ihor Zhovkva emphasized the intention of the Ukrainian side to continue implementing this initiative given the high dependence of many countries on Ukrainian food.

Ihor Zhovkva and Helen Blake separately discussed Ukraine's further steps towards accession to the EU and the state of adaptation of EU law.

"Ukraine is successfully fulfilling its part of the work on the rapprochement with the EU. We count on Ireland's support for the European Council's decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession this year based on the positive final assessment of the European Commission," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office said.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on the EU sanctions policy and ways to increase sanctions pressure on the aggressor state. In particular, they discussed the need to further expand sanctions on dual-use goods.

The parties coordinated a schedule of contacts at the highest level for the near future.

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TORONTO, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Becker Milk Company Limited (the Company) (TSX-BEK.B) is pleased to report the results for the year ended April 30, 2023.



HIGHLIGHTS

Total revenues for the year ended April 30, 2023 were $2,860,435 compared to $2,670,042 for the same period in 2022;

Net operating income for the year was $2,294,028 compared to $2,121,894 in 2022;

There was a net loss of $0.43 per share for the year, compared to $3.13 net income per share in 2022.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Net operating income for the year ended April 30, 2023 increased $172,134 to $2,294,028 as compared with the previous year, primarily as a result of a non-recurring increase in total property revenue related to completion of negotiations with Macs Convenience Stores Inc. regarding base rents for most of its locations. In addition, property operating expenses were lower in the year ended April 30, 2023.

Year ended April 30 2023 2022 Property revenue $2,712,093 $2,630,175 Finance income 148,342 39,867 Total revenues $2,860,435 $2,670,042 Net income (loss) attributable to common and special

shareholders ($778,354) $5,665,984 Average common and special shares outstanding 1,808,360 1,808,360 Income (loss) per share ($0.43) $3.13





Year ended April 30 2023 2022 Property revenue $2,712,093 $2,630,175 Property operating expenses (418,065) (508,281) Net operating income $2,294,028 $2,121,894

Components of the $6,444,338 decrease in net income for the year ended April 30, 2023 compared to the year ended April 30, 2022 are:

Changes in Net Income - Year ended April 30, 2023 compared to year ended April 30, 2022 Increase in recovery of deferred income taxes $968,366 Increase in net operating income 172,134 Increase in finance income 108,475 Decrease in administrative expenses 74,463 Decrease in expenses related to strategic review 62,110 Increase in loss on disposal (10,494) Increase in current taxes (136,034) Unfavourable change in fair value adjustment (7,683,358) Decrease in net income ($6,444,338)

The large unfavourable change in the fair value adjustment to investment properties was the result of revised assumptions with respect to capitalization rates as at April 30, 2023.

ADJUSTED FUNDS FROM OPERATIONS

For the year ended April 30, 2023 the Company recorded adjusted funds from operations of $612,280 ($0.34 per share) compared to $553,929 ($0.31 per share) in 2022.

Year ended April 30 2023 2022 Net income (loss) ($778,354) $5,665,984 Add (deduct) items not affecting cash: Adjustment to fair value of investment properties 1,690,358 (5,993,000) Loss (gain) on sale of investment properties 15,077 4,583 Tax on gains from sale of property 54,736 9,065 Deferred income taxes (169,820) 798,546 Expenses related to strategic review 40,641 102,751 Sustaining capital expenditures (240,358) (34,000) Adjusted funds from operations $612,280 $553,929 Adjusted funds from operations per share $0.34 $0.31



STRATEGIC REVIEW

The Board of Directors continually evaluates strategic directions for the Company and has engaged in discussions with potential acquirers. While the Company has engaged in some discussions within the last year, none of those discussions are active at this time. The Company continues to review its strategic alternatives and will update the market as appropriate, and as required.

The Companys annual financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2023, along with the Managements Discussion and Analysis and Annual Information Form will be filed with SEDAR at www.sedar.com .

Readers are cautioned that although the terms Net Operating Income, and Funds From Operations are commonly used to measure, compare and explain the operating and financial performance of Canadian real estate companies and such terms are defined in the Managements Discussion and Analysis, such terms are not recognized terms under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Such terms do not necessarily have a standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by the other publicly traded entities.

For the Board of Directors

G.W.J. Pottow, President

Tel: 416-698-2591
Washington, D.C., July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Kansas state law egregiously authorizes warrantless searches of dog training and handling businesses and forces owners to be available for government inspections of their kennels at the drop of a hat or risk possible fines and losing their required license. The New Civil Liberties Alliance has filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in the case of Johnson v. Smith, asking the Court to overturn this aspect of state law as an infringement on the Appellants Fourth Amendment rights to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Married couple Scott Johnson and Harlene Hoyt of Winfield, Kansas, own and operate the dog training and handling business Covey Find Kennel, LCC, out of a facility adjacent to their home. To maintain the businesss license under the Kansas Pet Animal Act, either Johnson or Hoyt must be present at the property for an unannounced physical search within 30 minutes of an inspectors notice, or potentially receive a no-contact fee.

The Acts inspection requirement permits the Kansas Department of Agriculture to trespass on peoples property and invade their privacy without first showing probable cause to a judge. This licensing and warrantless search regime violates the Fourth Amendment, as well as the fundamental right to free travel and movement.

Strangely, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas dismissed Johnson and Hoyts lawsuit in May, incorrectly ruling that precedent excepting closely regulated businesses from Fourth Amendment protection against warrantless, privacy-invading searches applies to their dog training and handling business. Under that decisions broad application of what is supposed to be a narrow exception, such intrusions would become commonplace across a wide range of Kansas industries, as long as they face some regulationswhich nearly every industry does. NCLA is asking the Tenth Circuit to reverse the decision below and clarify that the closely regulated business exception does not apply to property searches or to the dog handling and training industry.

NCLA released the following statements:

Im not sure which is worse here, the Kansas state legislature going overboard when it expanded this law several years back to authorize truly unreasonable searches, or the district court in this case, which bizarrely concluded that dog training and handling is a closely regulated industry that receives lesser Fourth Amendment protection.

 Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel, NCLA

If this district court ruling is upheld, businesses in the many industries where state licenses are required could lose an important Fourth Amendment protection: the venerable requirement that government must obtain a search warrant before it searches a property, whether a home or a business. By reversing the district court, the court of appeals can prevent Kansas from using licensing requirements to eliminate this crucial constitutional protection.

 Andrew Morris, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the amicus page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

###
NEW ORLEANS, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 Companys securities between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.



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.
NEWARK, Del, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Confectionery Market is predicted to develop at an impressive 7.3% CAGR from 2023 to 2033, exceeding the lower 2.6% CAGR witnessed between 2018 and 2022. This significant rise shows the use and demand of sugar-free products, increasing the market value from US$ 237,788.2 million in 2023 to US$ 483,214.7 million by 2033.



Confectionery products come in a wide variety and are sold worldwide because of their rich flavors and high caloric content. Even though confectionery products typically include few micronutrients, they are frequently consumed in developed and poor nations. Due to steady growth trends in recent years, the Asia-Pacific region, particularly South East Asia, is anticipated to expand significantly in the confectionery industry.

Due to the rising demand for sugar-free candies and chocolates, the confectionery sector is expanding significantly. Sugar-free goods are becoming increasingly popular as consumers become more aware of the health advantages of low-calorie options. Global producers are adjusting by substituting sweeteners for sugar in their confectionery products. This trend has also inspired new packaging tactics. The industry is also supported by the shifting lifestyles of customers, with time-pressed people looking for portable confectionery goods. The number of working women is increasing, which helps the market expand.

The significant market share held by North America in the confectionary sector is mostly due to technical improvements, product innovations, and rising consumption patterns. Manufacturer investments, partnerships, and increasing disposable incomes all help to fuel the region's expansion in the confectionery sector.

Explore the Leading Factors Driving Growth in the Confectionery Market by Downloading the Sample Report. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-as-420

Key Takeaways From Confectionery Market Research Report:

India's confectionary market is projected to grow steadily, with a CAGR of 8.5% due to increased demand for sugar-free candies.

The confectionery market is expected to experience moderate growth with a CAGR of 6.1% by 2033.

China's confectionery market is forecast to show robust growth with a CAGR of 7.8%.

Australia's confectionery market is anticipated to display modest growth with a CAGR of 2.3% in 2023

Moderate growth with a CAGR of 4.4% in 2023 is to be witnessed in Japan.



To save Up To 30%, you can tailor your report by choosing particular countries or regions. https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-as-420

Competitive Landscape and Recent Development in Confectionery Market:

The candy market is fiercely competitive, with many national and international companies contending for market dominance. Mars, Mondelez International, Nestle, and Ferrero Group, among other large multinational corporations, dominate the industry thanks to their well-known brands and huge distribution systems.

Healthy and useful candy solutions have emerged due to trends in the health-conscious market that have impacted the confectionery industry. To appeal to health-conscious consumers, businesses add natural and organic ingredients, lower sugar, and develop sugar-free or lower-calorie alternatives.

Additionally, elements like shifting consumer tastes, legal restrictions, and the growing emphasis on sustainability impact the competitive environment. To meet customer expectations and strengthen their competitive position, businesses are implementing environmentally friendly activities, decreasing packaging waste, and embracing sustainable sourcing practices.

Lily's brand introduced its new Lily's Sweet Fruity Gummy Bear Friends and Lily's Tart and Tasty Sour Gummy Worms in May 2022. These fun little snacks add flavor to your healthier snacking routine and contain no added sugar.

Jet-Puffed release two new lines of snacking marshmallows in April 2021. Regular, miniature, and strawberry-flavored marshmallows are now available from Jet-Puffed in a stand-up resealable packet. Every marshmallow bite is as excellent as the last, thanks to the quality packaging and resealable feature that keeps Jet-Puffed marshmallows' soft and fluffy texture.

Nestle has been trying to lower sugar in its confectionery goods. In response to the growing demand from consumers for healthier options, they have introduced new iterations of well-known brands with lower sugar content.



Key Companies in Confectionery Market

Ferraro Foods Hershey's Lindt Marsbar Inc. Nestle S.A. Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. Kraft Foods Cadbury Brookside Foods Crown Confectionery Petra Foods Perfetti Van Melle

Market Share Analysis: The Top Key Players in the Confectionery Industry. Purchase Now at Discounted Price! https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/420

Key Segments Profiled in the Confectionery Industry Survey

By Type:

Sugar-based Hard-Boiled Sweets Caramels & Toffees Gums & Jellies Medicated Mints Others (Marshmallows, Nougat, Lollipops, and Liquorice)

Chocolate White Milk Dark





By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East and Africa



Explore FMIs related ongoing Coverage in Food and Beverage Domain:

Confectionery Ingredients Market Size: The confectionery ingredients are estimated at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. The market is likely to be valued at US$ 86,607.0 million in 2023 and likely to be secured at US$ 1,35,319.3 million by 2033. are estimated at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. The market is likely to be valued at US$ 86,607.0 million in 2023, and likely to be secured at US$ 1,35,319.3 million by 2033.

Confectionery Fillings Market Share: The global confectionary fillings market is projected to have a moderate-paced CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. The current valuation of the market is US$ 1,200 million in 2022. The market value of the global confectionary fillings market is anticipated to reach a high of US$ 1,917.8 million by the year 2032.

Confectionery Coating Market Trends: Global demand for confectionery coatings is expected to reach a market valuation of US$ 3.83 billion by the end of the year 2023, accelerating at a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period (2023 to 2033). By the end of the said forecast period, a valuation of US$ 6.36 billion is expected.

Liquor Confectionery Market Growth: The liquor confectionery market size is projected to be valued at US$ 603.0 million in 2023 and is expected to rise to US$ 1,002.0 million by 2033. The sales of liquor confectionery are projected to expand at a significant CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period.

Sugar Confectionery Market Forecast: The global sugar confectionery market is expected to be valued at US$ 53.21 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 81.07 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 4.3% from 2023 to 2033.

Cocoa Liquor Market Types: The cocoa liquor market value is expected to total US$ 7,021 million in 2023, according to Future Market Insights (FMI). The entire market value is expected to reach US$ 12,229.3 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6% from 2023 to 2033.

Liquor Flavored Ice Cream Market Analysis: The liquor flavored ice cream market is likely to register a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period, and is anticipated to reach a market share of US$ 2.77 Bn in 2032, from US$ 1.29 Bn in 2021, as consumer interest increases and higher the sales of the liquor flavored ice cream.

Sugarless Chocolate Market Outlook: The global sugarless chocolate market is projected to record a CAGR of 6% from 2022-2032.

Sugar Beet Juice Extract Market Overview: Global Sugar Beet Juice Extract Market demand is anticipated to be valued at US$ 5.09 in 2022, forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% to be valued at US$ 8.8 Billion from 2022 to 2032.

Sugar Free Cookies Market Demand: The sugar-free cookies market is estimated to secure a valuation of US$ 4.7 Billion in 2023 and is estimated to rise to US$ 8.5 Billion by 2033. The market is anticipated at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period.

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Westford, USA, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, the automotive active purge pump market is anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period, primarily due to the constant imposition of strict regulations and standards by governments worldwide on the automotive and transportation industries. The focus of these regulations is to curb and limit the rate of carbon emissions produced by diesel or gasoline-powered vehicles.

Browse in-depth TOC on the "Automotive Active Purge Pump Market"

Pages - 209

Tables - 62

Figures  75

The growth of the automotive active purge pump market is further fueled by the increased popularity and desire to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years. Many consumers are shifting towards more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options, such as EVs, with growing concerns about emissions and their environmental impact.

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Report Scope & Segmentation:

Attributes Details Market Size in 2022 USD 3370.81 Million 2030 Value Projection USD 5874.47 Million CAGR 7.19% Forecast Period 2023-2030 Segments Covered Vehicle Type

Component Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Prominent Players in the Automotive Active Purge Pump Market

Robert Bosch GmbH

Continental AG

Denso Corporation

Delphi Technologies

Johnson Matthey

Cummins Inc.

BorgWarner Inc.

Aisan Industry Co. Ltd.

Rheinmetall Automotive AG

Marelli Corporation

Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd.

Sogefi S.p.A.

Mahle GmbH

Stackpole International

Eberspaecher Group

Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

Trelleborg AB

Haldex AB

Ningbo Tuopu Group Co. Ltd.

DiSanzo Technologies, Inc.

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Passenger Vehicles Segment is Expected to Grow in the Market Due to the Strong Adoption of Automotive Vehicles

The passenger vehicles segment plays a dominant role in driving the growth of the global automotive active purge pump market, accounting for the largest share. With passenger vehicles surpassing commercial vehicles in sales, comprising over 75% of total vehicle sales, they maintain their strong market position during the forecast period.

The markets in North America are poised to hold a substantial share in the global automotive active purge pump market, primarily due to the region's strong adoption of automotive vehicles. The continent has a well-established automotive industry and a high rate of vehicle ownership, leading to heightened demand for emissions control technologies such as active purge pumps.

DC Motors Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to its Efficiency and Reliability

DC motors are anticipated to experience rapid growth in the coming years in the automotive active purge pump market. These motors play a crucial role in powering the operation of active purge pumps in vehicles. The brushless DC motor is essential for its efficiency and reliability among the different types of DC motors used in automotive applications.

Regional markets in the Asia Pacific emerged as the fastest-growing market for automotive active purge pumps, with China playing a prominent role in driving this growth. China's rapidly expanding population has resulted in a surge in vehicle production and subsequent demand for emissions control technologies, including automotive active purge pumps.

A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the automotive active purge pump market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand.

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Key Developments in the Automotive Active Purge Pump Market

Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc. recently significantly reduced emissions by launching an advanced purge pump technology for gasoline vehicles. This innovative technology is designed to minimize emissions and improve fuel efficiency by effectively reducing the number of hydrocarbons escaping from the fuel tank and entering the atmosphere. Bosch aims to play a vital role in promoting environmentally sustainable automotive solutions and mitigating the impact of vehicle emissions on the environment by implementing this advanced purge pump system.

Continental AG recently made noteworthy progress in emissions reduction by introducing an advanced active purge pump system for gasoline engines. This cutting-edge system can significantly reduce CO 2 emissions by up to 15%. It achieves this by leveraging a combination of advanced sensors, control algorithms, and electric actuators to optimize the purging process and ensure a more efficient emissions control mechanism.

. Key Questions Answered in Automotive Active Purge Pump Market Report

What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period?

List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence.

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth?

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Net revenue1 of 0.9 million for the second quarter of 2023



Cash position of 19.0 million, with a 12-month cash runway, as of June 30, 2023



NCX 470 Denali Phase 3 clinical trial ~55% randomized



July 19, 2023  release at 7:30 am CET

Sophia Antipolis, France







Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, ALCOX), an international ophthalmology company, today provided financial and business highlights for the second quarter 2023 for Nicox SA and its subsidiaries (the Nicox Group).







We are pleased to be able to report the continued progress in recruitment in the Denali Phase 3 trial, which remains on track for results expected in 2025, and also to have been able to announce the over $300 million annual global net sales potential for NCX 470, along with the additional Mont Blanc trial sub-group analysis, showing superiority over latanoprost in certain patient groups, presented by leading ophthalmologists at the World Glaucoma Congress a few weeks ago. said Andreas Segerros, Chief Executive Officer of Nicox. In the last few months, we got the good news that our Chinese partner, Ocumension Therapeutics, received Priority Review Status for the ZERVIATE New Drug Application in China. We look forward to the expected launch of this in 2024, bringing an additional revenue stream to Nicox. Our development team remains focused on delivering the Denali trial, and we continue to review opportunities to expand our pipeline with additional programs.



Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights







Net revenue1 for the second quarter of 2023 was 0.9 million (consisting entirely of net royalty payments). This compares to net revenue for the second quarter of 2022 of 0.7 million (consisting entirely of net royalty payments).







As of June 30, 2023, the Nicox Group had cash and cash equivalents of 19.0 million as compared with 21.4 million as of March 31, 2023 and 27.7 million as of December 31, 2022. The Company estimates it is financed until June 2024, based exclusively on the development of NCX 470. The Company is evaluating all possible options to extend the companys cash runway, including through business development and licensing activities and potential additional financing associated with acquiring new pipeline assets.



As of June 30, 2023, the Nicox Group had financial debt of  21.6 million, consisting of (i) 18.8 million in the form of a bond financing agreement with Kreos Capital signed in January 2019, (ii) a 1.6 million credit agreement guaranteed by the French State, and granted in August 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and (iii) 1.2 million of present value attributed to the put option2 granted in the November 2022 equity financing. The payment of this latter debt would only occur if the put option was exercised, subject to the conditions set out in footnote 2 below.



VYZULTA (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024% U.S. prescriptions3 increased by 26.2% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. VYZULTA, exclusively licensed worldwide to Bausch + Lomb, is commercialized in more than 15 countries, including the U.S., and is also approved in a number of other countries. VYZULTA is indicated for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.



Post Q2 2023 Events



Around 55% of the number of patients targeted to be included in NCX 470 Denali Phase 3 clinical trial have been randomized.



Laboratorios Grin, Nicoxs exclusive partner for ZERVIATE (cetirizine ophthalmic solution), 0.24% in Mexico, has provided notice to Nicox of the termination of this agreement, effective July 23, 2023. The termination has no financial impact on Nicox. Key Future Milestones



Denali Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating NCX 470 in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension: The trial is on track with topline results expected in 2025. This date is based on current recruitment rates.



Initiation of two new Phase 3b clinical trials investigating NCX 470s dual mechanism of action (nitric oxide and prostaglandin analog) in IOP lowering and potential benefits on the retina : The trial, named Whistler, evaluating NCX 470s dual mechanism of action in IOP lowering is expected to be initiated in the next few months. Planning is continuing for the trial exploring retinal benefits however it is now expected to start in 2024. Each trial is expected to take approximately one year to complete.

The trial, named Whistler, evaluating NCX 470s dual mechanism of action in IOP lowering is expected to be initiated in the next few months. Planning is continuing for the trial exploring retinal benefits however it is now expected to start in 2024. Each trial is expected to take approximately one year to complete. Approval and launch of ZERVIATE in China by Ocumension: expected in 2024. Only the December 31, 2022 cash figure is audited. All other figures in this press release are non-audited.
Pune, India, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global nicotine gum market size was valued at USD 1.49 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 2.17 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. Rising health awareness and prevalence of illnesses are expected to enhance market growth.

Fortune Business Insights presents this information in its report titled Nicotine Gum Market, 2022-2029.

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List of Key Players Profiled in the Nicotine Gum Market Report

GlaxoSmithKline plc (U.K.)

Johnson & Johnson (U.S.)

Novartis Consumer Health (Germany)

ITC Limited (India)

Cipla Health Limited (India)

Perrigo Company Plc (Ireland)

Fertin Pharma (Denmark)

Alchem International (India)

Revolymer (U.K.)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Attributes Details Forecast Period 2022-2029 Forecast CAGR 4.8% 2029 Value Projection USD 2.17 Billion Nicotine Gum Market Size in 2021 USD 1.49 Billion Historical Data 2018-2020 No. of Pages 150 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Type

By Distribution Channel

By Region Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa Nicotine Gum Market Growth Drivers Increasing Anti-Smoking Campaigns to Boost Industry Progress

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COVID-19 Pandemic

Restrictions on Manufacturing to Hinder Industry Progress

This market may be negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictions on manufacturing. The sudden spike in COVID-19 infections restricted manufacturing activities globally, thereby disrupting the supply chain. Furthermore, restrictions on transportation led to the lack of ingredient availability required for the production of the gum. However, adopting automated production techniques and resumption of lockdown may facilitate this market's growth.

Segmentation

2MG Segment to Dominate Attributable to its Easy Availability Worldwide

By product type, the market is segmented into 2mg, 4mg, and 6mg.

The 6mg segment may dominate the market share because of its easy availability globally. The product's availability in a variety of flavors may boost the adoption of the product. It reduces nicotine withdrawal capability and craving.

Pharmaceutical Sector to Hold Largest Share Owing to Rising Consumer Preferences for Purchasing in Nearby Stores

By distributional channel, it is classified into supermarkets and hypermarkets, pharmacies, and online.

The pharmacies segment may hold the largest market share due to product trust and consumer trust. The sales and marketing of these products may experience a huge spike because of general practitioners and well-trained pharmaceuticals.

Geographically, the market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Report Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and the latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players.

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Driving Factors

Increasing Anti-Smoking Campaigns to Boost Industry Progress

Nicotine gum is a medicine that helps people quit smoking and is used every 2 hours to eliminate smoking cravings. Rising research and development and the promotion of the product by government and non-government firms are expected to enhance the demand for the product. Further, manufacturers focus on promoting anti-smoking campaigns and launch novel products that counter smoking cravings, such as lozenges, gums, and others. Moreover, the rising smoking-related illnesses, such as lung cancers, are expected to enhance the demand for nicotine gums. These factors may incite nicotine gum market growth.

However, the side effects of nicotine gum are anticipated to hinder the market growth during the projected years.

Regional Insights

Increasing Number of Health Conscious Consumers to Foster Industry Growth in North America

North America is expected to dominate the nicotine gum market share because of the rising number of health-conscious consumers. The market in North America stood at USD 650.47 in 2022 and is expected to gain a large portion of the global market share. Furthermore, major brands focusing on innovations are expected to propel market growth.

In Europe, robust gum product sales in Italy, Germany, France, and the U.K. boost sales of nicotine gums. Further, a rising focus on implementing strategies for quitting smoking may enhance demand.

In Asia Pacific, strong demand for innovative products may bolster product demand. Further, increasing competition between companies may elevate industry progress.

Competitive Landscape

Companies Launch Novel Products to Boost Brand Image

The prominent companies operating in the market announce novel products to boost their brand presence. For example, Nicorette launched its ice mint lozenge nicotine gum in May 2019. This product offers a punch of mint flavor and a smooth texture to help avoid smoking cravings. This development may allow the company to boost sales and enhance its brand presence globally. Further, companies devise mergers, acquisitions, expansion, and partnerships to enhance their market position.

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Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends

Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Industry SWOT Analysis Supply Chain and Regulatory Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, New Product Launches, and Mergers & Acquisitions Qualitative Analysis Related to COVID-19 Impact of COVID-19 on the Market Supply Chain Challenges amidst Pandemic Potential Opportunities due to this Global Crisis

Global Nicotine Gum Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2018-2029 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Type 2 MG 4 MG Hymenoptera Orthopetra 6 MG By Distribution Channel Supermarkets & Hypermarkets Pharmacy Online Retail By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa



To Be Continued!

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Key Industry Development

July 2021: Philip Morris International acquired a developer and producer of well-being and pharmaceutical products, Fertin Pharma. It offers intra-oral and oral delivery systems to help consumers reduce smoking

Read Related Insights:

Nicotine Replacement Therapy Market Size 2021 | Is Projected to Reach USD 3.92 Billion by 2028, Exhibiting a CAGR of 4.3%

Wine Market Size Worth USD 456.76 Billion by 2028 | Fortune Business Insights

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Reference is made to the stock exchange release by Havila Kystruten AS (the "Company") on 18 July 2023 regarding completion of a private placement (the "Private Placement") of new shares in the Company and that the Company is considering a subsequent offering of up to 60,000,000 new shares at the same subscription price as in the Private Placement (the "Subsequent Offering").



Date on which the terms and conditions of the Subsequent Offering were announced: 18 July 2023



Last day including right: 18 July 2023

Ex-date: 19 July 2023

Record date: 20 July 2023

Maximum number of new shares: 60,000,000

Subscription price: NOK 1.00 per share



Other information: The Subsequent Offering is subject to



i) the resolution by the Company's extraordinary general meeting, expected to be held on 20 July 2023,

ii) the publication of a prospectus in appropriate form and

iii) the prevailing market price of the Company's shares following the Private Placement.



The Board may decide that the Subsequent Offering will not be carried out in the event that the Company's shares trade below the subscription price in the Subsequent Offering at adequate volumes.

The Subsequent Offering will not be available for shareholders resident in a jurisdiction where such offering would be unlawful, or for jurisdictions other than Norway, would require any filing, registration or similar action.



This information is published in accordance with the requirements of the Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book and published by Arne Johan Dale, CFO of Havila Kystruten AS, on 19 July 2023 at 09:00 CEST.



Contacts:

CEO Bent Martini, + 47 905 99 650

CFO Arne Johan Dale, +47 909 87 706




TORONTO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toubani Resources, Inc (ASX: TRE) (Toubani Resources or the Company) is pleased to provide a summary of its Phase 1 exploration program in 2023 proximal to its Kobada gold deposit (Kobada, Project) in southern Mali, following receipt of final assays. The Kobada Project hosts 3.1 Moz1 in Mineral Resources which occurs over a 4.5km strike length and is predominantly oxide and open pittable.



HIGHLIGHTS

Exploration drilling successfully extends the strike of gold mineralisation to 11km, up from 5km, with shallow, open pittable gold mineralisation intersected at all targets tested in the first phase of drilling for 2023

Significant exploration upside remains with approximately 40km of the 50km+ regional-scale shear zones yet to be drill tested  Toubani has the dominant land position in the region controlling the footprint of these structures

Drilling results support Toubanis overall strategy of an oxide-dominant project of scale at Kobada by providing a pipeline of new oxide prospects for drill testing Significant discovery at Kobada West with continuous, near surface oxide gold mineralisation delineated in maiden drilling, located 1km north-west from the Kobada Main Deposit Significant strike extension to drill-defined mineralisation at Kobada North, Kobada South and Gosso Confirmation of a new discovery at Kobada East, confirming maiden auger intercepts from 2022

Review of fresh rock potential below current oxide resource at the Kobada Main deposit supports potential for significant resource growth with mineralisation open down dip and along the entire strike extent below the current average drill depth of 110m

Drill programs planned for 2H 2023 to include both resource and regional drilling campaigns to convert Inferred Resources to Indicated and to advance regional discoveries towards maiden resources

Toubanis dual-track strategy to unlock Kobada to continue with drill programs in 2H 2023 to form an integral part of the Companys DFS Update due later this year



Toubani Chief Executive Officer, Phil Russo, commented: Our Phase 1 drilling campaign provides us the confidence that with systematic exploration, a portfolio of projects providing supplementary resources to the Kobada Main Deposit can be defined. With almost all of the historical drilling to date being focused at Kobada Main, we are only in the early stages of unlocking the significant regional potential of our ground with 11km of drill-tested strike extent now defined over the 50km of interpreted structures. To intersect areas of mineralisation where there was no previous drilling is a fantastic result and demonstrates the exciting potential to grow our oxide resource base over time.

We also have an enormous opportunity below Kobada, where free milling, fresh rock mineralisation is yet to be targeted beyond 100m vertical depth, with the deposit open at depth across the entire 4.5km strike extent. We believe that significant untapped value lies in optimising and growing Kobada and this is why we announced the commencement of the DFS Update workstream earlier this month. We are excited to be pursuing that potential while also commencing a supporting parallel drilling program shortly. We remain focused on continuing to derisk Kobada as it advances rapidly along the development path and positions itself as a project of significance in the region.

Summary of Phase 1 Program Results

Table 1: Summary of 1H 2023 drill program by target area

Target Holes

drilled Metres

drilled Increase in known

mineralisation (m)2 Key Intersections Gosso 13 1,793 650 1m at 5.78g/t (GO22_P024),

3m at 1.34g/t & 2m at 0.98g/t

(GO22_P029) Kobada East 15 2,073 400 6m at 0.85g/t incl. 2m at 1.70g/t

(KE22_P013),

1m at 3.58g/t (KE22_P007) Kobada North 1 11 1,540 650 9m at 1.32g/t incl. 4m at 2.64g/t

(KN1/22_P009),

14m at 1.02g/t (KN1/22_P008) Kobada North 2 6 840 1,450 1m at 8.51g/t (KN2/22_P003) Kobada West 15 2,073 600 9m at 1.72g/t incl. 2m at 6.26g/t

(KW1/22_P003), 1m at 11.3g/t &

5m at 1.26g/t (KW22_P003) Kobada South 26 3,203 650 3m at 1.81g/t & 3m at 1.20g/t

(KS22_P003) Junction / Foroko 19 2,600 1,000 1m at 24.8g/t (KN22_P014),

3m at 1.21g/t (KN22_P012) Total 105 14,122 5,400

As shown in Table 1 the first phase of drilling in 2023 has successfully extended the extent of drill-defined mineralisation at Kobada by over 5km to 11km. The exploration strategy for this phase planned to step out from the known mineralisation at Kobada and test the potential of regional structures. While the presence and potential of these structures is well known there has only been limited historical testing.

Over 50km of regional-scale shear zones fall within the Kobada Project area, with the results from this drilling demonstrating the potential of these structures to host gold mineralisation, illustrating the exploration upside present at Kobada. These shear zones host Mineral Resources on neighbouring tenure and results to date indicate that there is the opportunity to discover and delineate further Mineral Resources within the Kobada Project.

Increasing the quantity of near-surface oxide mineralisation is significant given the Companys belief that a bulk tonnage oxide mining and processing operation represents a lower overall technical risk profile for an initial Project (refer ASX Announcement 11th July 2023). The forthcoming Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") Update will focus on maximising and de-risking the oxide mining and processing phase of Kobada and the exploration potential of the broader Project represents an opportunity to generate a portfolio of targets to increase and expand the oxide phase.





Figure 1: Plan showing 2023 drill targets within the Kobada Gold Project

Planned Resource Conversion Drilling to Support DFS Update

As detailed in the ASX Announcement dated 11 July 2023, the principle focus for the next phase of drilling at Kobada will be centred on converting material currently classed as Inferred within the DFS pit shell to Indicated. The Company has engaged an independent consultant to assist in a detailed review of the current Mineral Resource for Kobada and define priority target areas for resource conversion drilling.

Detailed drill planning will commence once the resource review has been completed shortly with the aim to commence drilling immediately following the wet season, in August or September. The program will focus on increasing confidence in near surface oxide material likely to be mined in the first 5  10 years of the Project.

In addition, initial geological modelling is planned for Gosso, Kobada West and Kobada East to evaluate the potential of these prospects to provide mill feed during the Project's life. Infill drilling at one or more of these prospects may also be carried out later in 2023 or early 2024.

Results of both of these drill programs will be fed directly into the DFS Update with the potential for both programs to add substantial value to the Kobada Project which already presents as a robust, near-term development opportunity.

Auger drilling is currently in progress on site testing the extensions of the Kobada Main Shear as well as the interpreted Faraba Shear some 5 kilometres along strike from the Kobada Main Deposit. Artisanal mining in this area is in progress and auger drilling is being used as a first pass technique to test below thin transported cover and laterite platforms.

Potential Future Growth in Fresh Rock Resources

The resource review will also focus on potential controls to mineralisation at Kobada, especially primary controls in the fresh mineralisation. As previously outlined, the interplay of deep-seated regional scale bounding structures with localised cross-cutting structures is the key control on higher-grade mineralisation at Kobada and surrounds, with intense shearing resulting in the concentration of high-grade quartz veins.

The average depth of drilling at Kobada to date is 110 metres which has tested the deposit down to an average vertical depth of 97 metres. With the depth to fresh rock averaging 65 metres across the deposit, and increasing to over 100 metres in places, only limited penetration into fresh rock has occurred in historical drilling.

Where drilling has extended into fresh rock, this drilling has not been targeted at discrete zones below the Kobada Main deposit. Despite this, fresh rock mineralisation has been confirmed to be present by drilling and remains open down-dip along the strike length of the deposit.

The substantial near surface gold endowment of the Kobada Main Deposit provides encouragement of the potential for a complimentary quantity of fresh rock mineralisation below or adjacent. Significant intersections in fresh rock at Kobada include3:

9m at 21.0g/t from 114m (KBRC12-066)

3m at 33.9g/t from 135m (KBRC12-066)

32.4m at 1.70g/t from 246.3m (KB07-67)

8.5m at 6.40g/t from 112m (KB07-78)

The Company anticipates that analysis of the substantial drill data as part of the resource review will yield targets within the fresh rock for future drilling.





Figure 2: Plan showing targets and Toubani drilling adjacent to the Kobada Main Deposit

Target Summaries

Kobada West is located on a parallel structure just 1km north-west of the Kobada Main Deposit (Figure 1). The target area was identified by the presence of artisanal workings as well as historical surface sampling. The number of holes drilled at this target was increased during the drill program due to recent artisanal activity observed by Toubanis geologists as well as logging of the initial drill holes.

Drilling was carried out on four sections spaced 200 metres apart as shown on Figure 3. Shallow oxide gold mineralisation was intersected on every section, over a strike length of 600m with good continuity section to section, and consistent grade and thickness. Gold mineralisation remains open along strike and depth. Results were released to the ASX on 17 May 2023 and include:

9m at 1.72g/t from 63m incl. 2m at 6.26g/t from 63m (KW1/22_P003)

1m at 11.3g/t from 129m and 5m at 1.26g/t from 116m (KW22_P003)

5m at 1.24g/t from 78m, 4m at 0.67g/t from 88m and 3m at 0.93g/t from 106m (KW22_P009)

11m at 0.55g/t from 16m, 2m at 2.66g/t from 58m and 3m at 1.12g/t from 63m (KW22_P002)

2m at 0.51g/t from 92m and 2m at 3.22g/t from 124m (KW1/22_P006)

1m at 5.50g/t from 103m (KW1/22_P001)





Figure 3: Plan showing Kobada West RC drilling locations and results

At Kobada North 1, two fences of drilling were completed stepping out 400 metres and 650 metres, respectively, north of the last fence of drilling within the Kobada Main resource. The drilling tested below and adjacent to artisanal workings. Results were released to the ASX on 8 March 2023 and are shown on Figure 4 with key intersections including:

9m at 1.32g/t from 112 metres including 4m at 2.64g/t (KN1/22_P009)

14m at 1.02g/t from 81 metres including 1m at 2.28g/t and 1m at 3.75g/t (KN1/22_P008)

1m at 7.86g/t from 59 metres (KN1/22_P007)



Further north at Kobada North 2, two fences of drilling were completed stepping out 1,500 metres and 2,100 metres, respectively, north of the last fence of drilling within the Kobada Main resource. The drilling tested below and adjacent to artisanal workings. Extensive artisanal workings can be found along strike and along trend from Kobada Main, yet almost no drilling has been undertaken. Drilling successfully confirmed the continuation of the system as shown on Figure 4 and detailed in the ASX Announcement of 11 April 2023 with intersections of:

1m at 8.51g/t from 48 metres (KN2/22_P003 = 1,500m north of Kobada)

1m at 0.64g/t from 137 metres (KN1/22_P010 = 2,100m north of Kobada)

Inspection of drill chips and field mapping indicates that shearing is less intense in the area of the Kobada North 2 target vs the Kobada North 1 target. Results confirm the mineralisation model of regional scale shear zones providing the first order control on mineralisation with localised cross-cutting structures providing the second order control and, importantly, controlling the higher-grade mineralisation.

With drilling successfully confirming the continuity of the mineralised system to the north, follow up drilling was carried out in the Kobada North 1 area and to test along trend back towards Kobada Main, to the west of previous drilling. This area represents the intersection of the Kobada Main shear with the Foroko Shear and has been named the Junction prospect. Results from this drilling were recently received and are detailed in Appendix 1 as well as shown on Figure 4, with intersections includes:

1m at 24.8g/t from 59 metres (KN22_P014)

1m at 9.62g/t from 82 metres and 2m at 3.38g/t from 134m (KN22_P003)

1m at 6.09g/t from 119 metres (KN22_P007)

7m at 0.70g/t from 133 metres (EOH) including 3m at 1.21g/t from 134 metres (KN22_P012)

Encouragingly the results from KN22_P014 and KN22_P007 are on trend from each other as well as along strike from the Kobada Main Deposit. A more extensive program is required to fully test the Junction target to delineate the mineralised structures present and identify areas where they are concentrated.

Auger drilling is currently underway a further 3km along strike from the Kobada North 2 Deposit, at the Faraba Prospect, where artisanal mining is currently in progress.





Figure 4: Plan showing Kobada North RC drilling locations and results

At Gosso, drilling aimed to test the northern and southern extents of the deposit as well as a line of drilling through the centre of the target. Mineralisation at Gosso is hosted on a parallel structure to the Kobada Main Deposit, which has had relatively little drill testing compared to the Kobada Shear. Previous drilling at Gosso4 returned results including:

36m at 1.64 g/t from 72m (KBRC11-140)

3.1m at 4.25 g/t from 34.6m (G20_PH3A_20)

3m at 2.59 g/t from 30m (KBRC11-144)

5m at 1.90 g/t from 133m (KBRC11-142)

Toubanis drilling successfully extended the known strike of mineralisation at Gosso from 1,600m to 2,100m with mineralisation remaining open to the north and south. Results have confirmed the shallow, oxide nature of mineralisation with several higher-grade zones intersected. Mineralisation is hosted in a similar structural setting to the Kobada Shear, with multiple intersections on each section likely indicative of the influence of cross-cutting E-W structures. Results were detailed in the ASX Announcement of 11 April 2023 and are shown on Figure 5 with key intersections:

1m at 5.78g/t from 134 metres (GO22_P024 = central line)

9m at 0.42g/t from 8 metres (includes 2m void from artisanal mining, GO22_P026 = central line)

2m at 1.44g/t from 49 metres and 1m at 3.16g/t from 80 metres (GO22_P027 = central line)

3m at 1.34g/t from 32 metres and 2m at 0.98g/t from 25 metres (GO22_P029 = central line)

1m at 1.81g/t from 110 metres (GO22_P032 = southern line)

7m at 0.67g/t from 15 metres, including 3m at 1.17g/t from 19 metres, and 2m at 1.15g/t from 45 metres (GO22_P039 = northern line)





Figure 5: Plan showing Gosso target drilling locations and results

At Kobada East, two fences of RC drilling were completed across an auger anomaly defined during a regional programme in 20225. High grade results were previously received from the Kobada East target (earlier denoted as Target E), including:

20.69 g/t Au over 8.0 m from 2.0 m to 10.0 m (Auger hole E-423) including 78.9 g/t Au over 2.0 m including 3.14 g/t Au over 2.0 m

1.81 g/t Au over 8.0 m from 10.0 m to 18.0 m (Auger hole E-412) including 3.94 g/t Au over 2.0 m

2.42 g/t Au over 2.0 m from 0.0 m to 2.0 m (Drill hole E-417)

Drilling at Kobada East was carried out on sections spaced 400 metres apart within the 800m long anomaly as shown on Figure 6. Results are detailed in the ASX Announcement of 26 April 2023 and include:

6m at 0.85g/t from 79m incl. 2m at 1.70g/t (KE22_P013  southern section)

1m at 3.58g/t from 9m (KE22_P007  northern section)

1m at 3.35g/t from 26m (KE22_P008  northern section)

4m at 0.41g/t from 86m (KE22_P006  northern section)

Confirmation of sub surface mineralisation at Kobada East, below the auger anomalism, is a significant milestone. The tenor of mineralisation indicates that a continuous mineralised system is present at Kobada East, with similar results documented from early drill programs at the Kobada Main deposit. All intersections reported occur in oxide mineralisation, improving the viability of the mineralisation.





Figure 6: Plan showing Kobada East (Target E) RC and auger drilling locations and results

At Kobada South, three fences of drilling were completed. The most southerly of these stepped out 250 metres south from the last fence of drilling within the Kobada Main resource and successfully intersected mineralisation, including:

3m at 1.81g/t from 50m and 3m at 1.20g/t from 61m (KS22_P003)



Drilling was also carried out to infill a 500m gap in drilling at the southern end of the Mineral Resource with results to inform a resource update planned for later in 2023. Key results included:

1m at 8.35g/t from 68m (KS22_P012) and 3m at 1.80g/t from 82m (KS22_P014)



In addition, drilling was completed to test extensions to mineralisation on a parallel lode to the Kobada Main lode. Intersections of 2m at 0.75g/t from 6m and 4m at 0.52g/t from 40m (KS22_P025) were returned, demonstrating continuity of mineralisation on this eastern lode for a further 200m. Further work is planned in future programs to test the potential of this parallel lode.

All results are shown on Figure 7 and detailed in the ASX Announcement of 8 March 2023.





Figure 7: Kobada South target showing Toubani drilling locations and results

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Toubani Resources.

Phil Russo Jane Morgan Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Investor and Media Relations

+61 (0) 478 138 627 +61 (0) 405 555 618

phil.russo@toubaniresources.com jm@janemorganmanagement.com.au

About Toubani Resources Inc

Toubani Resources (ASX: TRE) is an exploration and development Company with a focus on becoming Africas next gold producer with its advanced Kobada Gold Project. The Company has a highly experienced Board and management team with a proven African track record in advancing projects through exploration, development and into production.

For more information regarding Toubani Resources visit our website at www.toubaniresources.com.

Competent Persons Statement

The information in this press release relating to geology and Exploration Results is based on information compiled, reviewed and assessed by Mr. Bill Oliver, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr. Oliver is a consultant to the Company and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined by the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code). Mr. Oliver consents to the inclusion of the information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this press release relating to the Mineral Resources at the Kobada Deposit is extracted from Company's prospectus dated 12 September 2022 and released on ASX on 25 November 2022 (Prospectus) which is available on the ASX announcements platform. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information relating to the Mineral Resources at the Kobada Deposit included in the Prospectus and all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resources estimate in the Prospectus continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Cautionary statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the expansion of mineral resources and reserves, and drilling and exploration plans of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt of necessary approvals from Canadian and Australian regulatory authorities; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of mineral prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; available infrastructure and supplies; the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks of the mining industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.



Appendix 1. Kobada RC Drilling Data and Results

Hole ID Target Easting Northing RL Dip Azi Depth From

(m) To

(m) Length Au

(g/t) KN22-P001 Kobada

North 548,070 1,293,721 378 55 295 140 63 64 1 0.44 KN22-P002 Kobada

North 548,020 1,293,740 372 55 295 140 95 98 3 0.36 KN22-P003 Kobada

North 548,005 1,293,306 391 55 295 140 82 83 1 9.62 134 136 2 3.38 KN22-P004 Kobada

North 547,963 1,293,327 384 55 295 140 53 54 1 0.39 KN22-P006 Kobada

North 547,859 1,293,365 388 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P007 Kobada

North 547,819 1,293,390 385 55 295 140 24 25 1 0.65 119 120 1 6.09 125 126 1 0.44 KN22-P008 Kobada

North 547,809 1,292,744 394 55 295 140 30 33 3 0.31 68 69 1 0.43 139 140* 1 1.41 KN22-P010 Junction 547,689 1,292,795 399 55 295 140 6 7 1 0.46 101 102 1 0.37 KN22-P011 Junction 547,630 1,292,820 394 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P012 Junction 547,575 1,292,840 399 55 295 140 9 10 1 0.38 133 140* 7 0.70 incl. 134 137 3 1.21 KN22-P013 Junction 547,519 1,292,862 389 55 295 140 51 52 1 0.59 57 58 1 0.95 KN22-P014 Junction 547,461 1,292,883 398 55 295 140 41 43 2 0.42 52 53 1 0.32 59 60 1 24.8 63 64 1 0.47 KN22-P015 Junction 547,409 1,292,904 386 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P016 Junction 547,350 1,292,922 390 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P017 Junction 547,295 1,292,958 389 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P021 Junction 547,577 1,292,407 389 55 295 140 68 69 1 0.33 KN22-P022 Junction 547,527 1,292,433 393 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P025 Junction 547,353 1,292,495 378 55 295 140 0 1 1 1.35 KN22-P026 Junction 547,303 1,292,526 392 55 295 140 115 116 1 1.00 KN22-P027 Junction 547,242 1,292,547 373 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P028 Junction 547,196 1,292,575 366 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P029 Junction 547,143 1,292,593 374 55 295 140 NSI KN22-P030 Foroko 547,654 1,291,293 370 55 295 120 NSI KN22-P031 Foroko 547,720 1,291,309 373 55 295 120 NSI KN22-P032 Foroko 547,778 1,291,308 384 55 295 120 NSI

NSI  No Significant Intersection

* denotes sample at end of hole



Appendix 2. The following tables are provided to ensure compliance with JORC Code requirements for the reporting of Exploration Results from the Kobada Project

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g., reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases, more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g., submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Drilling samples collected using reverse circulation (RC) percussion drilling.



The entire sample is collected, homogenised and split to achieve a sample of approximately 2kg which is submitted for analysis.



Analysis is carried out in an independent commercial laboratory using fire assay. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g., core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g., core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.). Reverse Circulation drilling using 127mm face sampling hammer Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. RC samples are weighed to quantify recovery.



Recovery is also noted in the sampling sheet. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Geological logging of RC drilling is completed to an acceptable standard for use in Mineral Resource estimation.



Logging is both qualitative (weathering, colour, lithology, alteration) and quantitative (% veining, sulphides)



All drilling reported (100%) has been logged.



Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc. and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. All RC samples are split using a riffle splitter with one split (approximately 1 to 2 kg) collected for laboratory testing and the remaining amount after splitting is retained in the bulk bag for future reference. All samples were sampled dry.



Sample moisture is noted in the sampling sheet.



Appropriate sampling procedures are used to ensure representivity.



It is believed that the sample size is in line with standard practice and is appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.



Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. Samples were submitted to the SANAS and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited SGS Laboratory in Bamako. Samples were tested by fire assay with an AAS finish. Samples < 3.0 kg were dried in trays, crushed to a nominal 2 mm using a jaw crusher, and then < 1.5 kg were split using a Jones-type riffle splitter. Reject sample was retained in the original bag and stored. The sample was pulverised in an LM2 pulveriser to a nominal 85 % passing 75 m. An approximately 200 g subsample was taken for assay, with the pulverised residue retained in a plastic bag. All the preparation equipment was flushed with barren material prior to the commencement of the job. A 50 g subsample was fused with a litharge-based flux, cupelled, and the prill is dissolved in aqua regia, and gold is determined by flame AAS (Detection Limit 0.01 ppm).



Every 10th sample is a CRM, blank or duplicate. It is believed that acceptable levels of accuracy and precision have been achieved based on the control samples.



Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Significant intersections have been estimated by consultants to the company and cross checked.



Twinned holes are not being used in the current programme which aims to test for mineralisation away from previously drilled areas.



All data is entered into logging templates using codes on site and validated in appropriate software.



No adjustment to assay data has been carried out. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. The drillhole collars have been located with a Garmin handheld GPS with a  5 m accuracy



Co-ordinates presented are in UTM format using the WGS84 datum (zone 29N)



A high-definition stereo satellite survey was conducted in 2020 over the main mineralised body to assist with the updated topography for the geological modelling and to improve the accuracy of artisanal mining depletions. This survey is deemed of sufficient quality to utilise in the Mineral Resource estimation. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. Drillholes are being drilled at spacings between 50 and 100m on section, with sections 200  400 metres apart.



Drill spacing is intended to provide an initial test for mineralisation and may not be sufficiently close spaced for inclusion in a Mineral Resource estimation.



Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. Drilling orientation is planned perpendicular to the regional structural trend (NNE).



No sampling bias is expected. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Industry best practice has been applied to the drilling sampling processes carried out. Drilled samples were transported in a manner to prevent loss or cross-contamination. All samples were stored in a secure storage facility pending dispatch to laboratory in Bamako. In line with protocol, two people were used to transport the samples directly to the laboratory. Once at the laboratory, the samples were subject to the standard security measures of the laboratory. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. No audits have been completed.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. African Gold Group Mali SARL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TRE, holds a mining permit No. PE 15/22 encompassing an area of 135.7 km for the Kobada project area valid to 30 July 2045. Two adjacent exploration permits are also held, namely Kobada-Est (No. PR 18/957 over 77 km valid to 15 August 2024 for three years) and Faraba (for which renewal was granted under Arrete No. 2021-3226/MMP-SG effective 6 April 2021 for a further three years.



An environmental permit No. 2021-0045 MEADD-SG was issued on 18 October 2021 relating to the oxides project. An ESIA amendment is underway development and mining of the sulphides portion of the Project.



Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Bureau de Recherches Geologiques et Minieres conducted historical exploration in 1982 to 1988, which respectively identified and delineated the Kobada Shear Zone through geochemistry surveys and latter diamond drilling. La Source undertook RC drilling in 1996, followed in 2002 and 2004 respectively by RC and air core drilling by Cominor. IAMGold completed diamond and RC drilling in 2009.



Previous exploration by Toubani Resources is detailed in the Company's prospectus dated 12 September 2022 and released on ASX on 25 November 2022 Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. The Project is located in the Bagoe Formation on the north-central edge of the Birimian rock units that form part of the Leo Rise in the southern part of the West African Craton. The Project is situated on the western flank of the Bougouni Basin, composed primarily of sedimentary rocks with minor tholeiitic volcano-sedimentary intercalations.



The Kobada gold deposit is a quartz-carbonate veined mesothermal orogenic gold deposit hosted within a greenstone belt. Gold is present in the laterite, saprolite, unaltered rock as sulphides, and in the quartz veins. Placer-style deposits occur and have largely been exploited by artisanal miners.



Mineralisation extends for a minimum strike of 4 km and is associated with narrow, irregular, high-angle quartz veins and with disseminated sulphides in the wall rock and vein selvages. Mineralisation occurs as free gold, whereas in sulphides mineralisation includes the occurrence of arsenopyrite, pyrite and rarely chalcopyrite. Arsenopyrite is localised near vein selvages and as fine-grained disseminated patches within the host rock. Pyrite occurs in finely disseminated patches within the host rocks, generally as traces up to 3 % by volume with up to 10 % locally in the wall rock at centimetre-scale intervals adjacent to the quartz veins. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level  elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Refer Appendix 1.







Previous Toubani drilling referred to in this release has been detailed in ASX Announcements released 8th March 2023, 11th April 2023, 26th April 2023 and 17th May 2023



Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Averaging is weighted based on length, with all samples 1m in downhole length.



All results > 0.3g/t are reported in Appendix 1 with high grade intervals (> 1g/t) reported separately.



No metal equivalent results are reported. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg down hole length, true width not known). Downhole lengths are presented in Appendix 1. True widths have not been calculated.



Drillholes are designed to intersect the mineralised shear zones as close to perpendicular as is possible. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views.  Refer to figures within this report.



Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All meaningful information has been included in the body of the text and all results are presented in Appendix 1.



Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples  size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. All material data and information is detailed in the Company's prospectus dated 12 September 2022 and released on ASX on 25 November 2022.



Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. As detailed in the text  drilling is ongoing at the project and further drilling will be planned to follow up these results.





_______________________________

1 Combined Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 103.57Mt at 0.94g/t.

Refer to the Company's prospectus dated 12 September 2022 and released on ASX on 25 November 2022

2 Extension to Mineralisation is based on strike length of mineralisation defined by drilling and measured from last historical drill result to furthest new intersection along strike. Where no historical drilling has occurred the measurement is of strike extent defined by Toubanis drilling in this program.

3 Refer ASX Announcement 31 May 2023

4 Refer to the Company's prospectus dated 12 September 2022 and released on ASX on 25 November 2022

5 Refer Auger Drilling Confirms Further Gold Mineralization on the Kobada Est Permit, published 2nd August 2022

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffd41c05-d862-432c-8c7c-9163fd168066

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb613924-50c4-433d-b873-5f23a90f2e12

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/414d3ea8-8b8f-44c6-9134-e54546dda40d

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e40fcd73-57ea-40d6-be11-baba2a6345df

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/536cbec1-c0a6-4cea-bc0a-a7d03524eb12

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c944aa89-ac53-40a4-a9d9-1df2160476e0

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67f44adc-4810-4f60-b62b-e391471af46e
Dublin, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia Pacific Elevator and Escalator - Market Size & Growth Forecast 2023-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market is poised for significant growth to 2029

With a size of 941.1 thousand units in 2022, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.90% during the forecast period. Leading manufacturers such as Otis, Schindler, TK Elevator, and KONE hold a combined market share of over 55%, reflecting their dominance in the region.

The Asia Pacific region has been attracting multinational enterprises (MNEs) and investments due to the increasing number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). In line with this trend, Singapore has established the Southeast Asia Manufacturing Alliance to encourage manufacturers to invest in the country and other ASEAN nations. The Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore, and various manufacturers in the business sector are collaborating to foster this partnership.

In Japan, Hitachi and Nissan Motor have conducted an innovative experiment to power an elevator using energy harnessed from a mini electric vehicle (EV) called Nissan Sakura. By connecting a 20 kWh battery to the building through a specially developed adapter, the elevator successfully operated for nearly 15 hours and made approximately 416 trips. Hitachi Building Systems aims to introduce this system to apartment buildings in April 2023, providing a reliable solution for continuous elevator operation during power outages.

China, at the national level, has recommended the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in elevators and escalators through regulation GB/T 24476-2017. Additionally, provincial government regulations in cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen provide more specific guidelines on data and services related to IoT-enabled lifts. Compliance with these regulations is becoming obligatory in certain cases, highlighting the increasing importance of IoT in the elevator industry.

With these developments and regulatory advancements, the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market is poised for growth and innovation.

Affordable Housing Schemes and Ascending Ultra High Net Worth Individuals to Hike Elevator Demand

Thailand's National Housing Authority (NHA) will provide financial assistance to about one-third of the targeted group of 2.27 million households (approximately 650,000) that cannot access housing financing from regular financial institutions. During the next five years (2022-2026), the NHA plans to raise B134 billion (about USD 4 billion) to fund 16 national projects.

Hyundai Elevator agreed with LG Electronics for Robotic Synchronization and Smart Building Solution Supply in August 2021. This will enable it to expand its elevator market through home networks applied with IoT, AI, contactless technologies, and connections with automatic driving robots.

Green Building and Certifications in the Building sector lead to the adoption of Energy Efficient Vertical transportation installations in the Asia Pacific Elevator And Escalator Market.

Adopting green building strategies and obtaining green certifications have been crucial in the building sector. These green certifications mandate the region's adoption of green or energy-efficient elevators. Furthermore, this leads to reducing of carbon emissions in the building sector. New regulations in China require that 70% of new urban buildings be certified green buildings by 2022. Major municipalities, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, plan to exceed that goal, requiring all new commercial buildings to be green. This also includes plans to renovate schools, hospitals, and public buildings to be more energy efficient.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, 13 urban renewal projects have been authorized (12MP). Under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, all of these projects are at varying levels of planning and execution. Increasing competition among township developers in Malaysia and their major focus on increasing property value has pushed them towards undertaking various multifunctional development projects in residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare facilities.

Elevators Over Their Average Life Expectancy to Create Demand for Maintenance and Upgradation of Components in the Asia Pacific Elevator and Escalator Market

The Ministry of Construction of Vietnam issued Circular 03/2021/TT-BXD, establishing national standards for apartment buildings due to numerous major accidents using lifts in apartment complexes. By July 2021, there will be more specifications for lifts in residential buildings.

The Malaysian context can be adjusted with a similar creative approach. Some nations, like Malaysia, also promoted the elderly using elevators rather than escalators. It was witnessed that elderly people were responsible for 30% of accidents on moving walkways, escalators, and elevators.

In 2019, Hitachi introduced an advanced lift remote monitoring and maintenance service in Singapore, providing real-time operational data about the lifts and implementation of preventive maintenance.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How big is the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

What will be the growth rate of the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

What will be the number of installed bases in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market in 2029?

What are the key opportunities in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

Which are the key players in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 152 Forecast Period 2022 - 2029 Estimated Market Value in 2022 941.1 Thousand Units Forecasted Market Value by 2029 1315.5 Thousand Units Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.9% Regions Covered Asia Pacific

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Key Vendors

Otis

KONE

Schindler

Hitachi

TK Elevator

Mitsubishi Electric

Fujitec

Hyundai Elevator

Other Prominent Vendors

Shanghai SANEI Elevator Co., Ltd.

SANYO YUSOKI KOGYO

Johnson Lifts Pvt. Ltd.

Cibes Lift Group

Kalea Lifts

Wittur Elevator Components

Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation (TELC)

Sigma Elevators

HANDOK ELEVATOR Co., Ltd

Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd

HM Elevator

Japan Fuji International

Hualong Elevator Co., ltd.

SJEC

Analogue Holdings Limited

SUZHOU JIUDE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Shenyang Yuanda Intellectual Industry Group Co., Ltd

IFE Elevators

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS



Machine Type

Hydraulic and Pneumatic

Machine Room Traction

Machine Room Less Traction

Others

Climbing

Elevators

Industrial Elevators

Carriage Type

Passenger

Freight

Capacity

2-15 Persons

16-24 Persons

25-33 Persons

34 Persons and Above

End-User

Commercial

Residential

Industrial

Others

Public Transit

Institutional

Infrastructural

Escalator Market Segmentation by

Product Type

Parallel

Multi Parallel

Walkway

Crisscross

End-User

Public Transit

Commercial

Others

Institutional Sector

Infrastructure

Industrial

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MILAN, Italy, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Focus on the rebound of businesses after the pandemic in Intesa Sanpaolo's "Economy and Finance of Industrial Districts 2022" Report, now in its 15th edition. It was presented by the Intesa Sanpaolo Chairman Gian Maria Gros-Pietro, the Chief Economist Gregorio De Felice and the Head of Industry & Banking Research Fabrizio Guelpa. The Report illustrates the speed of the districts' recovery after the 2020 crash. It goes on to describe the actions taken to counter energy price rises and quantifies the effects of the energy crisis on business margins. Finally, the Report focuses on priorities: a combined mix of technology, innovation and human capital, which are among the key elements to return to growth in 2024, when demand will recover. The analysis of the balance sheets of more than 90,000 enterprises shows the post-pandemic recovery of 22,302 enterprises belonging to 159 industrial districts, compared to 68,377 non-district enterprises specialising in district production. A better dynamics of district enterprises emerges, which in median terms already in 2021 recorded a turnover 5.2% above 2019 levels, two percentage points higher than in non-district areas. Profitability also strengthened: the EBITDA margin in the districts rose to 7.7%, three-tenths of a point higher than in 2019.



In 2022, district enterprises register a turnover dynamic of +16.7%, better than the manufacturing sector as a whole. For 2023-24, nominal turnover growth is estimated to be even higher than in manufacturing (+3.3% vs. +0.9%), in a context of virtually unchanged producer prices. And exports are also set to reach a record high of EUR 153 billion.

"The companies in the industrial districts have shown that they are capable of bouncing back very well from the pandemic and surviving even this war, which has caused a disruption of supply flows, a sudden increase in the cost of energy and other fundamental elements for production," highlighted the Chairman Gros-Pietro.



And then there was the ability to react to the energy crisis. "There are already many companies in the industrial districts that are active in the self-production of energy: for a quarter, the energy bill paid to the utilities has dropped between 2019 and 2022," explained Gregorio De Felice Chief Economist Intesa Sanpaolo.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45d3fb7b-48e6-4157-aa53-d55c5324685f
Jersey City, NJ, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Smart Pharmaceutical Factory Technologies Market is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 20.24% during the forecast period.

Pharmaceutical production processes can be greatly streamlined by using automated technologies and robotics. They can complete repetitive activities quickly, precisely, and efficiently, which lowers human error and boosts productivity. Material handling, medicine formulation, packaging, labeling, and quality control can all be done using automated methods. The manufacturing process for pharmaceuticals produces enormous volumes of data.



Pharmaceutical firms can gain useful insights from this data thanks to cutting-edge data analytics and AI solutions, which improve decision-making, process optimization, and R&D activities. Governments all over the world are putting policies into place and launching efforts to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to use smart manufacturing technologies. These programs are designed to boost competition, raise healthcare quality, and bolster regulatory observance. Government incentives and support may have a big impact on the market expansion for smart pharmaceutical industrial technology.





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Moreover, cost-effectiveness, quality assurance, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance are the driving forces behind the market for smart pharmaceutical manufacturing technology. Pharmaceutical firms are able to optimize their processes, raise the quality of their products, and maintain their competitiveness in a changing market owing to the implementation of these technologies.

Recent Developments:

In June 2021, Two new PolyJet 3D printers, the Stratasys J35 Pro and the Stratasys J55 Prime, as well as new software for research and packaging prototyping, was introduced by Stratasys Ltd. Additionally; it unveiled a medical 3D printer that, by integrating numerous applications into a single system, raises the bar for healthcare organizations and manufacturers of medical devices.

List of Prominent Players in the Smart Pharmaceutical Factory Technologies Market:

Siemens AG

Schneider Electric SE

Honeywell International Inc.

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Emerson Electric Co.

ABB Ltd.

General Electric Company

Yokogawa Electric Corporation

Werum IT Solutions GmbH (part of Korber AG)

Optel Group

Smart Pharmaceutical Factory Technologies Market Report Scope:

Report Attribute Specifications Growth Rate CAGR CAGR of 20.24 % from 2023 to 2031 Quantitative Units Representation of revenue in US$ Bn and CAGR from 2023 to 2031 Historic Year 2019 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2031 Report Coverage The forecast of revenue, the position of the company, the competitive market structure, growth prospects, and trends Segments Covered Product Type, Technology Type, Application, And End-User Regional Scope North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa Country Scope U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Mexico; The UK; France; Italy; Spain; China; Japan; India; South Korea; Southeast Asia; South Korea; South East Asia





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Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

To remain competitive in the market, pharmaceutical firms have to increase their operational effectiveness. Automation, robots, and digital solutions made possible by smart factory technologies streamline processes, cut down on manual labor, and boost production as a whole. The adoption of smart pharmaceutical factory technologies is facilitated by these technologies' ability to streamline production processes, cut costs, and reduce downtime.

Pharmaceutical production has undergone a transformation thanks to the ongoing developments in technologies like automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics. To meet the changing industrial needs, which are what is driving the use of smart technologies, it is essential to be able to automate and integrate various processes, monitor vital metrics, and assure traceability.

Challenges:

The cost of implementing smart pharmaceutical industry technology might be high both at the outset and over time. Companies need to invest in robotics, data analytics tools, advanced automation systems, and infrastructure enhancements. Some businesses, particularly smaller ones, may be discouraged from implementing these technologies due to the hefty upfront expenses. Additionally, organizations frequently need to undergo a considerable culture shift in order to implement smart industrial technologies.

The adoption process can be hampered by resistance to change, ignorance of new technology, and concern about them. Moreover, it can be challenging and complicated to integrate smart manufacturing technology with current legacy systems and machinery.

Regional Trends:

The North America Smart Pharmaceutical Factory Technologies Market is expected to register a major market share in terms of revenue and is projected to grow at a high CAGR in the near future. The region focuses a great emphasis on innovation and technological breakthroughs in addition to having a well-established pharmaceutical industry. The market has grown steadily as a result of factors like the requirement for operational effectiveness, quality assurance, and legal compliance.

Companies in the area make significant investments in R&D projects to create novel treatments, manufacturing techniques, and pharmaceuticals. Governments in North America offer encouragement and support for the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in a variety of sectors, including the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical businesses are encouraged to invest in smart manufacturing technology through funding programs, tax incentives, and grants, which stimulate market expansion.





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Segmentation of Smart Pharmaceutical Factory Technologies Market-

By Product Type

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Automation Systems

Analytical and Monitoring Systems

Others

By Technology Type-

IoT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Big Data Analytics

Robotics and Automation

Others

By Application-

Drug Discovery and Development

Manufacturing and Production

Quality Control and Compliance

Others

By End-User-

Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies

CMOs

Research Institutes and Academia

By Region-

North America-

The US

Canada

Mexico

Europe-

Germany

The UK

France

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific-

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America-

Brazil

Argentina

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa-

GCC Countries

South Africa

Rest of the Middle East and Africa

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Culture Biosciences is excited to welcome Eliana Clark, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Intellia Therapeutics, Inc., to the companys Advisory Board. The group of seasoned industry leaders provides Cultures leadership with insights and recommendations as the company establishes new partnerships and pursues new growth opportunities in biotech and biopharma.

We are thrilled that Eliana lends her experience to help Culture drive innovation that can overcome persistent bottlenecks in upstream bioprocess development, said Will Patrick, Chief Executive Officer of Culture Biosciences. We believe that state-of-the-art technologies such as cloud software and data-driven modeling will accelerate the development of new treatments for patients, especially as impressive pipelines of new gene and cell therapies emerge.

Eliana Clark brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in process, analytical and technology development, CMC strategy, regulatory and operations, internal and external manufacturing, and supply chain in the biopharmaceutical industry.

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Advisory Board to help Culture Biosciences implement much-needed innovation in upstream bioprocess development, said Eliana Clark, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. Manufacturing processes that can be scaled faster and more reliably will go a long way in helping innovator companies reduce the time to market for their new therapies and to increase cost-effectiveness.

More about Eliana Clark

Prior to her current role at Intellia, Eliana Clark was the companys Senior Vice President, Technical Operations and Quality. Before she joined Intellia, Eliana held leading roles in Product and Portfolio Management, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Sciences, Process Development and CMC-Regulatory, at Biogen and Sanofi/Genzyme, respectively.

Prior to joining industry, she was a professor at Tufts University in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department. Eliana held post-doc roles in Biochemical Engineering at the University of Delaware and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She has a PhD and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Nacional del Litoral in Santa Fe, Argentina, and has graduated from the Greater Boston Executive Program at MIT Sloan.

About Culture Biosciences propriety upstream bioprocess development platform

Customers design and monitor their experiments, collaborate on projects, and access and analyze data on a fully integrated platform that offers a wide and flexible range of capacity:

250mL bioreactors and 5L bioreactors, each with single-use vessels for mammalian cell lines or microbial fermentation. The 250mL reactors are mounted in mobile cart modules of four units. Customers can use up to 300 250mL reactors and either complement in-house experiments or outsource them completely.

Dedicated and proprietary, cloud-based software to design and monitor experiments remotely, and to integrate and analyze data in one place. Remote, hybrid or multi-location teams can collaborate virtually on this platform.

A suite of proprietary tools for process design and data analysis. These tools include a dynamic data analysis suite that enables rapid analysis and understanding of process and offline analytical data.

More than 70 client companies have trusted Culture Biosciences platform with their upstream bioprocess development in the 5 years since beginning operations in 2018. Customers include large, top-10 biopharma companies, leading CDMOs, and emerging and growing biotech clients.

About Culture Biosciences

Culture Biosciences is dedicated to innovation in upstream bioprocess development. Cultures goal is to build new tools and services that improve the performance, time-to-develop, and cost-efficiency of therapeutic manufacturing processes. The companys proprietary, fully integrated platform combines bioreactors, cloud-based software, and services to offer client companies around the world access to predictable, and scalable bioprocess development. Culture Biosciences was founded in 2016 and is based in South San Francisco, CA. www.culturebiosciences.com
Dublin, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Paint Additives Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Rheology Modifiers, Biocides), By Application (Architectural, Automotive), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global paint additives market size is expected to reach USD 12,168.98 million by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 3.8%

The industry is driven by growing demand from industrial and architectural segments. Paints and coatings are used in a wide range of applications in industries such as oil and gas, marine, aerospace, cookware and household, furniture, machinery, and automotive.



Currently, an increasing number of industry participants are moving toward manufacturing "green paints" - environment-friendly paints with zero volatile organic compound. This trend is primarily owing to a shift in consumer preferences, influenced by stringent regulatory policies. These aspects are expected to positively influence the market over the forecast period.



Paints and coatings product range is very versatile, including protective, decorative, industrial, architectural, specialty and high temperature coatings and paints. Each type of coating and paint has their own function and the advantages depending on the type of additives used and the required function in various end-use industries, which in turn is expected to boost demand for these products from various industries and regions.



Increase in construction spending in emerging economies is expected to boost demand for various types of paints and coatings in the buildings and construction segment, consequently driving demand for paint additives. Surge in demand for paints and coatings, particularly powder-based coatings, is expected to benefit the overall product sector.



The growth of paint and coating market is highly dependent on the region as its applications depend on the pace at which an economy is growing. The mature markets for paint and coating are U.S., Japan and Europe. The fastest growing market for this segment is in Asia-pacific region. Production in Asian region accounts for approximately 55.0% of the total global production. This is turn expected to positively impact the paint additive industry in the region.



The global market is regulated by different regulatory agencies with policies and norms from environmental to economic policies. Key regulatory policymakers that command dynamics of industry include council of European Union, Occupational Health and Safety Associations (OSHA), and other regional regulatory agencies.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 86 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $9056.03 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $12168.98 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.8% Regions Covered Global

Paint Additives Market Report Highlights

The architectural application segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030, on account of growing construction activities in developing countries, particularly in Asia Pacific and Central and South America

The Rheology modifiers is the fastest growing product segment by revenue with a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2030. The growth is mainly triggered by its high usage to reduce spattering and dripping of paints during brush application

The industry in Asia Pacific is projected to account the fastest growth by revenue with a CAGR of 4.1% from 2023 to 2030, owing to thriving construction, automotive, and marine industries

Companies Mentioned

AkzoNobel N.V.

Arkema

BASF SE

Evonik Industries

Ashalnd Global Holdings Inc.

ANGUS Chemical Company

Buckman Laboratories International Inc.

Cabot Corporation

DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd.

Eastman Chemical Company

Elementis Specialties, Inc.

Dynea Oy

The Lubrizol Corporation

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2 Executive Summary



Chapter 3 Paint Additives Market Variables and Trends

3.1 Market Lineage Outlook

3.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.2.1 Raw Material Outlook

3.2.2 Manufacturing Trends

3.2.3 Sales Channel Analysis

3.3 Price Trend Analysis

3.3.1 Factors Affecting Prices

3.4 Regulatory Framework

3.5 Market Dynamics

3.5.1 Market Driver Impact Analysis

3.5.1.1 Significance Increase of Demand from End-Use Industry Growth

3.5.1.2 Increased Demand of Paints and Coatings in Specific Regions

3.5.1.3 Increased Growth of Paints and Coatings in Aerospace Sector

3.5.2 Market Restraint Impact Analysis

3.5.2.1 Stringent Regulations Regarding Toxic Solvents

3.5.3 Industry Challenges

3.5.4 Industry opportunities

3.6 Industry Analysis Tools

3.6.1 Porter's Analysis

3.6.2 Macroeconomic Analysis



Chapter 4 Paint Additives Market: Supplier Portfolio Analysis

4.1 List of Raw Material Suppliers

4.2 Portfolio Analysis/Kraljic Matrix

4.3 Engagement Model

4.4 Negotiation Strategies

4.5 Sourcing Best Practices



Chapter 5 Paint Additives Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis

5.1 Product Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2022 & 2030

5.2 Paint Additives Market Estimates & Forecast, By Product (Kilotons) (USD Million)

5.2.1 Rheology Modifiers

5.2.2 Biocides

5.2.3 Anti-Foamers

5.2.4 Wet & Dispersion Agents

5.2.5 Other Product



Chapter 6 Paint Additives Market: Application Estimates & Trend Analysis

6.1 Application Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2022 & 2030

6.2 Paint Additives Market Estimates & Forecast, By Application (Kilotons) (USD Million)

6.2.1 Architectural

6.2.2 Industrial

6.2.3 Wood & Furniture

6.2.4 Automotive

6.2.5 Other Application

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ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Volvo Cars Richmondformerly Volvo of Vancouverhas opened its doors in a new, state-of-the-art, LEED-Certified location at 338-10700 Cambie Road in Richmond, British Columbia.

As North Americas first VRSE facility, Volvo Cars Richmond runs on renewable energy, and was built according to industry-leading environmental standards, with features including rooftop solar panels, an integrated green exterior wall, and eco-friendly building materials.

VRSE locations are designed to be smart, resilient sites that are able to handle changing weather conditions while lowering energy costs and reducing environmental impacts throughout the production and construction processes.



RICHMOND HILL, Ontario, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volvo Car Canada Ltd., the leader in automotive safety and sustainability, and Dilawri, Canadas largest automotive group, are proud to announce the opening of North Americas first Volvo Retail Sustainable Experience (VRSE) facility, Volvo Cars Richmond, at 338-10700 Cambie Road in Richmond, BC.

Formerly Volvo of Vancouver, the new location reflects the brands shared commitment to sustainability: it is LEED-certified, runs on renewable energy sources, and includes a wide array of environmentally friendly features, from rooftop solar panels to sustainable building materials. The 20,383.4 sq-ft store is situated on a prominent 2.1-acre site, just off the Vancouver-Blaine Highway (Highway 99) and a ten-minute drive from Vancouver International Airport.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, said Matt Girgis, Managing Director, Volvo Car Canada Ltd. This new retail facility is a true reflection of the ambitious steps we are taking to support a greener, electrified future for all. Congratulations to Ajay and team on the opening of this beautiful, eco-friendly facility.

In line with VRSE standards, Volvo Cars Richmond is fully equipped to serve electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) customers, with AC and DC fast-charging charging stations. Like the rest of the facility, the chargers are powered by a combination of hydro-electric energy from the grid and solar energy, which is generated directly on site.

We could not be more pleased to have opened North Americas first Volvo Retail Sustainable Experience facility, said Ajay Dilawri, Dilawri Co-founder. At every stage, we met or exceeded provincial standards for environmental sustainability, and have built a store that reflects our ongoing commitment to deliver unparalleled customer satisfaction through continuous innovation.

On the sales side, visitors will be able to browse the latest lineup in the full-service, six-vehicle showroom, and will take possession in a dedicated new-vehicle delivery bay. Nine cutting-edge service bays and two wash bays will ensure thorough, efficient service appointments. In addition, the dealership is ready to welcome visitors in sustainable comfort, with furniture and flooring made from recycled, non-toxic materials and a VRSE clean water and coffee bar that provides beverages in ways that eliminate the use of single-use plastics.

The new Volvo Cars Richmond location reflects the commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation that resonates so deeply with our customers, said Jesse Parker, General Manager of Volvo Cars Richmond. Were looking forward to welcoming visitors to this impressive new facility, which boasts a warm design as well as a broad array of environmentally friendly features, from EV chargers and a living exterior green wall, to our clean water and coffee bar.

Other sustainability highlights include permeable pavers, to help control water runoff, Solera insulated curtain wall panels, automated building systems (i.e., lighting and HVAC), and LED lighting.

About Volvo Retail Sustainable Experience Locations

Volvo Retail Sustainable Experience (VRSE) locations reflect the automotive brands commitment to improving the sustainability of its products and retail locations. This holistic approach takes into consideration production and optimization of resources (e.g., energy, water, and electricity), as well as the conditions under which products and materials are created and their quality and lifecycle. The overall goal of the VRSE approach is to make it as easy as possible to choose to invest in and create sites that are able to handle changing weather, while lowering energy costs.

Aesthetically, VRSE facilities reflect the brands Scandinavian heritage through the quality of materials used, as well as with look and feel.

About Volvo Car Canada Ltd.

Volvo Car Canada Ltd. is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Group of Gothenburg, Sweden. VCCL provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology, and training support to the 38 Volvo automobile retailers across Canada. For more information, please refer to the VCCL media site: media.volvocars.com/ca.

About Dilawri

Privately owned and operated since 1985, today Dilawri continues to build on its history of excellence as Canadas largest automotive group. The company is proud to offer exceptional products and customer service, delivered by more than 3,500 employees. Dilawris national network represents more than 35 of the worlds most beloved automotive brands at over 75 franchised dealerships in Canada and the United States.

Dilawri is committed to leadership in the communities it serves as well as in business. Since 2002, the Dilawri Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to a wide range of charitable causes.

To learn more about Dilawri, visit dilawri.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Lucas Dias, Corporate Communications Manager, Volvo Car Canada lucas.dias@volvocars.com

Virginie Aubert, VP, Marketing & Communications, Dilawri, vaubert@dilawri.ca

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dc1d013e-7b39-4e73-8ecc-660a931c4649




Basseterre, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- St Kitts and Nevis has yet again strengthened the administration of its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, announcing that all main applicants are to partake in a mandatory interview as part of the application process to its investment migration programme.

The twin-island Federation becomes one of the first Caribbean nations to introduce the soon-to-be industry standard. Instituted by regulations published on July 19, 2023, the new policy applies to all applications, including those already received but not yet approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). The new regulations also provide that dependants may be asked to be interviewed.

This new step in St Kitts and Nevis CBI application process confirms that St Kitts and Nevis has now fully implemented the six principles agreed between the United States of America and governments of the five Caribbean nations with Citizenship by Investment Programmes in a roundtable meeting held on February 25, 2023. That meeting was convened to discuss and agree on common ways to deal with threats to international communities in the investment migration ecosystem.

The five Caribbean participating governments are Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia. Their Prime Ministers and other senior state officials met with a USA delegation led by Anna Morris, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the USA Department of Treasury.

The group collectively committed to six CBI principles proposed by the USA, several of which were already adopted by the five Caribbean participating governments of their own volition as part of their risk management framework to strengthen and safeguard the integrity of their CBI programmes.

The six principles agreed were:

Treatment of denials: Not to process applications from persons whose applications have been denied in another CBI jurisdiction, by proactively sharing information on denials. Interviews: Conduct interviews with applicants, whether virtual or in-person. Additional checks: Each jurisdiction will run checks on each application with the Financial Intelligence Unit of its respective country. Audits: Audit the Programme annually or every two years in accordance with internationally accepted standards. Retrieval of passports: Request law enforcement assistance to retrieve revoked/recalled passports. Treatment of Russians and Belarusians: Suspend processing applications from Russians and Belarusians.

A delegation from St Kitts and Nevis, headed by the countrys Prime Minister, Terrance Drew, also attended this years annual European Union-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Summit (EU-CELAC) Summit in Brussels.

During the Summit, St Kitts and Nevis, along with the other Caribbean CBI islands, met with the European Commission and agreed to establish a joint task group to engage the stakeholders and keep both regions abreast of ongoing developments and find a common ground to work from.

We are very happy about how the meeting went in Brussels. There is definitely a spirit of cooperation between ourselves and the European Commission, and we will continue to make our efforts in mitigating international security risk very clear so all our international partners are confident of the integrity of our programme, noted Prime Minister Drew.

The third edition of EU-CELAC was held from July 17 to July 18, 2023, and aims to discuss key matters of interest that impact the Caribbean and the European Union and effective resolutions.

From July 19, 2023, main applicants, 16 years and older, for St Kitts and Nevis CBI programme will be required to be interviewed  virtually or in person  as part of the application process.

Head of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit, Michael Martin, commented that St Kitts and Nevis remains committed to cooperating with our international stakeholders and takes the safety and integrity of our Citizenship by Investment Programme extremely seriously.

Due diligence and risk mitigation remain a very important aspect of how St Kitts and Nevis approaches its CBI programme.

The country has one of the best regulated programmes in the world. St Kitts and Nevis is the only country with a CBI Board of Governors responsible for providing general oversight of the operations their CBI Unit; developing and implementing policies and procedures; ensuring that application processing is completed within the timeframes advertised without compromising the integrity of the programme; and constantly monitoring the global investor immigration industry to ensure that the countrys CBI Regulations align with international market forces.

The country is the also the only one with a CBI Technical Committee charged with ensuring all due diligence background checks are comprehensive in keeping with the countrys multi-sectoral good governance transformation into a sustainable island-state.

Caribbean CBI nations remain at the pinnacle of due diligence excellence and St Kitts and Nevis continues as a trailblazer for many CBI nations across the world.

The due diligence for the St Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme is conducted by highly respected international due diligence agencies from the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom, and vetted by the CBI Unit, Financial Intelligence Unit and international policing authorities. These agencies work together to facilitate a multi-layer due diligence investigation online and on-the-ground.

St Kitts and Nevis boasts the oldest CBI programme in the Caribbean, established in 1984, and continues to be a firm favourite among international investors across the world.
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TORONTO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Tag Resources Ltd. (Golden Tag or the Company) (TSX.V: GOG) is pleased to provide the following update regarding its proposed acquisition of the La Parrilla Silver Mine Complex (La Parrilla) in Durango, Mexico (the Transaction) from First Majestic Silver Corp (First Majestic) pursuant to an asset purchase agreement entered into between First Majestic, First Majestic Plata, S.A. DE C.V., and Golden Tag, dated December 7, 2022 (the Asset Purchase Agreement) and as previously announced in the Companys news release dated December 7, 2022.

Transaction Update

The Transaction is proceeding as previously announced in the Companys news releases dated May 30 and April 14, 2023, and is expected to close in August. Completion of the Transaction remains subject to a number of conditions including, but not limited to the approval by the Golden Tag shareholders of the creation of a new Control Person (as such term is defined under the policies of the TSXV), and receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. For further details of the Transaction, please refer to a copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement, which can be found on the Companys SEDAR profile.

On May 25, 2023 the Company received approval from Mexicos antitrust agency, the Comision Federal de Competencia Economica (COFECE) for the acquisition of La Parrilla.

Financing

As disclosed on May 30, 2023, Golden Tag and First Majestic amended the Asset Purchase Agreement to reduce Golden Tags minimum required financing to $7.2 million from $9 million.

As previously announced, Golden Tag has closed on two tranches of its non-brokered private placement financing of subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $6.9 million. The Company has received further subscription commitments, which when combined with the first two tranches, total in excess of $7.2 million.

About Golden Tag Resources

Golden Tag Resources Ltd. is a Toronto based mineral resource exploration company. The Company holds a 100% interest, subject to a 2% NSR, in the San Diego Project, in Durango, Mexico. The San Diego property is among the largest undeveloped silver assets in Mexico and is located within the prolific Velardena Mining District. Velardena hosts several mines having produced silver, zinc, lead and gold for over 100 years. For more information regarding the San Diego property please visit our website at www.goldentag.ca.

For additional information, please contact:

Greg McKenzie, President & CEO

Ph: 416-504-2024

greg.mckenzie@goldentag.ca

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of the phrase forward-looking information in the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 51-102  Continuous Disclosure Obligations. Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the completion of Transaction and the private placement on the terms described herein (or if at all), the ability to obtain requisite corporate and regulatory approvals, including, but not limited to, the approval from the TSXV for the Transaction and the private placement and the completion of subscription of subscription commitments under the private placement.

In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Companys financial condition and development plans do not change because of unforeseen events, that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for metals will remain stable or improve, managements ability to execute its business strategy, the receipt of all necessary approvals, the satisfaction of all closing conditions of the Transaction, the closing of the Offering, and no unexpected or adverse regulatory changes with respect to La Parrilla. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk that the Company is not able to complete the Transaction or the Offering on the terms anticipated by the Company (or at all), the risk that the Company is unable to obtain requisite corporate and regulatory approvals, including but not limited to the approval of the TSXV, the Mexican government, and shareholder approval, the risk that the assumptions referred to above prove not to be valid or reliable, market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions including increased volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued or escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic, risk of delay and/or cessation in planned work or changes in the Companys financial condition and development plans; risks associated with the interpretation of data (including in respect of third party mineralized material) regarding the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the uncertainty of the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; risks related to gold, silver and other commodity price fluctuations; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; risks relating to environmental regulation and liability; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Companys expectations.

Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
SAN FRANCISCO and TEL AVIV, Israel, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Israeli-American cybersecurity seed stage venture capital firm YL Ventures , the seed investor behind Orca Security and Axonius, today announced that Dave Reed , former CFO and CCO of PowerPlant Partners, is joining the YL Ventures team as Chief Financial Officer.



Reed will serve dual roles as both CFO of the firms $800 million AUM and as strategic advisor to its portfolio companies. His move to YL Ventures follows 20 years of accumulated experience in startup financial strategy.

Dave has previously worked as auditor for notable investment funds, including Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Babcock & Brown, among others. He has gained comprehensive knowledge in M&A transactions and various fund strategies in addition to accounting, reporting, financial and tax planning. His most recent experience also saw him effectively lead vendor management initiatives and ensure regulatory compliance.

Having operated as a financial executive throughout different market climates, including the 2008 financial crisis, Reed will lend his experience to founders in overcoming todays market challengesfrom fundraising to achieving healthy and sustainable growth. Given the cross-border nature of Israeli enterprise cybersecurity sales, Reed will also play an essential role in helping the funds Israeli founders navigate U.S. financial regulations, tax obligations, reporting requirements and other compliance tasks.

The unique market position of cybersecurity companies is what initially drew Dave to work with YL Ventures. A market slowdown doesnt mean fewer threats. In fact, it usually means the opposite for the cybersphere, said Reed. Im greatly inspired by YL Ventures ongoing bullish approach to cybersecurity and the innovative, hands-on way they are working with their portfolio companies to weather this market storm and maintain a competitive edge. I intend to continue this legacy of value-add by leading its finance initiatives and lending my experience to YL Ventures portfolio companies across their company-building journeys.

For the last decade, YL Ventures has expanded into a wide, multidisciplinary team of experts in ideation, business development, marketing and human resources. They are complemented by an Advisory Board totaling more than 100 cybersecurity decision-makers in Fortune 1000 companies. Every member of our team specializes in their own brand of hands-on support, said YL Ventures Managing Partner Yoav Leitersdorf. Were greatly looking forward to what Daves impressive experience and expertise will bring to the table. In addition to his management of the firms finances, Reed will work closely with the firms executive and investment teams on both value-add efforts and supporting portfolio founders on their budgets, pricing strategies and audits.

About YL Ventures

YL Ventures funds and supports brilliant Israeli cybersecurity entrepreneurs from seed to lead. Based in Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv, YL Ventures manages five funds with $800M in total assets under management. The firm accelerates the evolution of portfolio companies via a powerful network of Chief Information Security Officers, global industry leaders and a dedicated team of experts, providing tailored guidance and hands-on support on all critical company-building domains. The firm's track record includes investments in Israeli cybersecurity unicorns such as Axonius and Orca Security, as well as successful, high-profile portfolio company acquisitions by major corporations including Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft, CA and Proofpoint.

Media Contact:

Montner Tech PR

Deb Montner

dmontner@montner.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46e19bbe-693f-4486-8c90-66a62b33efd3
Yale Assure Lock 2 Gets a Bold Viva Magenta Finish, Bringing Pantones Color of the Year 2023 to Your Front Door



To Celebrate, Maximalist Designer Dani Dazey Teams Up with Yale to Host One Lucky Winner at Her Dazey Desert House in Palm Springs  Plus a Front Door Revamp & More Prizes!

NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After partnering with Pantone earlier this year, Yale Home , a leader in smart home security, is thrilled to announce the release of its Yale x Pantone Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition in PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta, available for purchase in the United States starting today.

Perfect for trendsetters, trailblazers, or anyone who wants an inspired entryway, the Yale x Pantone Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition is the first and only smart lock to feature the Pantone Color of the Year 2023 . The one-of-a-kind Viva Magenta smart lock empowers design enthusiasts to bring the right amount of flair to their front door, while benefiting from the best-in-class security and convenience that Yale offers.

To celebrate the launch, Yale has teamed up with renowned interior designer, Dani Dazey , to host a contest for the ultimate vacation at her dreamy Dazey Desert House in Palm Springs, California over Labor Day Weekend. Starting today through August 2, 2023, fans can enter for the chance to win by visiting this link . The winner will receive:

A $4K prepaid gift card to cover travel expenses for a trip to the Dazey Desert House in Palm Springs on August 31 through September 5, 2023.

for a trip to the Dazey Desert House in Palm Springs on August 31 through September 5, 2023. A $5K prepaid gift card to revamp their front entryway, inspired by the Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition in PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta.

to revamp their front entryway, inspired by the Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition in PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta. Expert design tips from Dani Dazey , who will share personalized recommendations for the front entryway revamp, including how to bring maximalism and color to the home.

, who will share personalized recommendations for the front entryway revamp, including how to bring maximalism and color to the home. Best-in-class smart lock technology from Yale, including the new Yale x Pantone Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition in PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta.

Im thrilled to partner with Yale Home for the release of their new PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta smart lock, said Dani Dazey, interior designer and owner of Dazey Desert House. Ive been using Yale for years, so to say that Im obsessed with this collaboration is an understatement. In fact, I already have the Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition installed on my Dazey Desert House! Its the perfect addition to my front door, especially as a vacation rental host, and I cant wait for our lucky winner to experience my beloved getaway and this fun new product firsthand.

Celebrated for her signature maximalist style, Danis work pairs perfectly with the bold, vibrant hue of the Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition in PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta, offering an exciting opportunity to engage with fearless homeowners who are seeking brighter, more adventurous options for their home.

Partnering with Pantone, the worlds leading color authority, and now with maximalist designer Dani Dazey, speaks volumes about our dedication to creating products that fit both your lifestyle and your home, said Garrett Lovejoy, Vice President of Product, Yale and August. Weve taken a unique, eye-catching hue like PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta and applied it to a traditionally understated, discreet device  creating a stunning, one-of-a-kind smart lock that makes a powerful first impression of the home.

Yale x Pantone Assure Lock 2 Limited Edition in PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta is now available as a touchscreen, key-free model with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth onboard for $259.99 while supplies last. To purchase, please visit ShopYaleHome.com and Amazon, with additional retail availability coming soon.

About Yale Home

Yale Home is a leader in smart home security that protects the people, places and things we love most. We secure homes throughout the United States and Canada with our innovative smart locks and smart storage solutions to protect front doors, interior doors, cabinets, package deliveries and more. Yale is part of Fortune Brands Innovations, a brand, innovation and channel leader within the home and security markets. For more information, visit ShopYaleHome.com .

About Pantone

Pantone provides the universal language of color that enables color-critical decisions through every stage of the workflow for brands and manufacturers. More than 10 million designers and producers around the world rely on Pantone Products and Services to help define, communicate, and control color from inspiration to realization  leveraging advanced X-Rite technology to achieve color consistency across various materials and finishes for graphics, fashion, and product design. Pantone Standards feature digital and physical color specification and workflow tools. The Pantone Color Institute provides customized color standards, brand identity, and product color consulting as well as trend forecasting inclusive of Pantone Color of the Year, Fashion Runway Colour Trend Reports, color psychology, and more. Pantone B2B Licensing incorporates the Pantone Colour System into different products and services, enabling licensees to communicate and reproduce certified Pantone Values and improve efficiencies for their users. Pantone Lifestyle brings color and design together across apparel, home, and accessories. Learn more at pantone.com and connect with Pantone on Instagram , Facebook , Pinterest , and LinkedIn .

About Dani Dazey

Dani Dazey is a Los Angeles-based artist and designer known for her vibrant and colorful aesthetic. She is the founder and designer behind her brand Dazey LA , and her vast history of work has been featured in top publications such as Forbes and Apartment Therapy . Dani launched her first furniture line in collaboration with Joybird this spring and has partnered with a variety of brands including Hidden Valley Ranch, BEHR, and Kettle One, and she recently made her TV debut as designer of the Trixie Motel. Learn more about dazeyla.com .

Media contacts:

yale@praytellagency.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f8197459-2494-4ddd-a4fd-37b15055b9ba

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/88c1f5ed-4837-4398-ad74-243d6aef9fe3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/55e143c2-9ce1-442f-b1fc-a7045ee660f0
New York, NY, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Museum of the City of New York, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, today announced the appointment of Stephanie Hill Wilchfort as the new Ronay Menschel Director and President of the Museum. She begins at MCNY on September 11, 2023, taking the Director reins from Sarah Henry, the Robert A. and Elizabeth Rohn Jeffe Chief Curator, who has been leading the institution as Interim Director since the departure of Whitney Donhauser in late 2022. Dr. Henry continues her work as the Museums Chief Curator and Deputy Director, roles that she has held since 2005.



We are so pleased to have found such an accomplished and well-respected museum professional to lead the Museum of the City of New York into this next phase, said William Vrattos, Chairman of the Museums Board of Trustees. Stephanie has a stellar track record for cultivating community and garnering essential support from corporations, institutions, and individuals alike. Her energy and innovative perspectives will undoubtedly complement our already strong MCNY team, ensuring the institutions continued positive trajectory and helping us envision the Museums next 100 years. We welcome Stephanie to MCNY, and thank Sarah Henry for her dual role over the last few months and for her longtime service to the institution.



Wilchfort joins MCNY from her role as President & CEO at Brooklyn Childrens Museum (BCM), the oldest childrens museum in the world. During her eight-year tenure, BCM realized a 30 percent growth in visitorship, a 44 percent increase in revenue from admissions, and a 50 percent increase in annual contributed revenue, including funding from private, city, state, and federal sources. Under Wilchforts leadership, the Museum raised $45 million in capital support, and completed four major capital projects. In addition, she led BCMs re-opening in September 2020, following the pandemic-related closure, bringing staff back to work on the Museums floor; and safely welcoming thousands of visitors for in-person social experiences. Her efforts helped to further cement the Museums role as a trusted community resource.



A proud Brooklyn native, Stephanie Hill Wilchfort has worked in arts and culture for two decades. Prior to her role at Brooklyn Childrens Museum, Wilchfort was Vice President of Development for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Under her leadership, individual giving at the Tenement Museum nearly doubled; the Museum held its first $1 million gala; and more than $11 million was raised towards the Museum's capital campaign. Prior to the Tenement Museum, Wilchfort was Assistant Vice President and Senior Project Director at Sesame Workshop, where she oversaw programs, business development, fundraising, and marketing activities in the United States, Israel, and Latin America. She has also held senior roles at New York Public Radio/WNYC, New York Public Media/WNET, and Lincoln Center.



Wilchfort is the current Executive Vice-Chair for the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) of the City of New York. She has been a panelist and speaker for the American Alliance of Museums; the Association of Childrens Museums; the Institute for Museum and Library Services; the National Endowment for the Arts; and Lincoln Center Cultural Innovation Fund, among many others. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MPA in economic policy from Columbias School of International and Public Affairs, and a BA from Binghamton University (SUNY). She and her husband Benjamin live in Park Slope, Brooklyn and are parents to three boys, ages 10, 13, and 16.



I am deeply honored to be joining the Museum of the City of New York, particularly during its centennial year  truly a milestone moment, said Stephanie Hill Wilchfort. As a native New Yorker and through my leadership role in the CIG, I have seen firsthand the great work that the Museum does. The institution is a powerful cultural force in the life of the city, and I am excited to help to advance its profile and role in the citys cultural life as the countrys first city museum. Fostering community, in particular, is a passion of mine and I look forward to working with the entire MCNY team to extend the institutions reach, to continue to build its audiences, and to present exhibitions reflective of NYCs unique diversity and dynamism.



The six-month national search for MCNYs new director was conducted by PBR Executive Search Firm and included hundreds of candidates from across the for-profit, non-profit, and academia sectors.



ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023, the Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the worlds most influential metropolis. Winner of "Best Museum" in Time Out New York's "Best of the City 2021" and multiple American Alliance of Museums (AAM) awards, MCNY engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the citys past, present, and future. To connect with the Museums award-winning digital content, visit www.mcny.org; or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @MuseumofCityNY and on Facebook at Facebook.com/MuseumofCityNY.

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PURCHASE, N.Y., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas Air Worldwide was honored in the Air Cargo Leadership category of the 2023 Airline Strategy Awards in London on July 16 by an independent judging panel for its market performance and leadership in serving the growing needs of the global supply chain.



The completion of the transaction to bring Atlas into private ownership was an important milestone for the company. The transaction delivered immediate value to Atlas Air Worldwide shareholders and further positions the business to serve the growing needs of the global supply chain, said Lewis Harper, Editor of Airline Business.

Earlier this year, an investor group led by Apollo funds together with investment affiliates of J.F. Lehman & Company and Hill City Capital completed its previously announced acquisition of Atlas.

In recent years, the Atlas leadership team has continued its diversification into areas such as express, e-commerce and passenger services, and the aircraft leasing business, alongside excelling in traditional air cargo functions, Mr. Harper said.

Mr. Harper continued: Judges were hugely impressed with the companys story, noting that it had deployed an impressive diversification strategy, outpaced the market and taken significant share in recent years. This together with the strong ownership of Apollo, J.F. Lehman and Hill City Partners provides confidence that Atlas is on a path to future success.

Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide, accepted the award on behalf of the Atlas team.





We are very proud to receive this prestigious award in Air Cargo Leadership, and thank Airline Business, Flight Global, Korn Ferry and the judges of the Airline Strategy Awards for recognizing Atlas. This was a very pivotal year for the company and our team, and we are very excited by the opportunities that lie ahead in partnership with our new investor group, Mr. Steen said. Over the past 30 years, and especially most recently as weve navigated the pandemic, we have worked hard to serve the growing needs of the global supply chain, and to deliver safe and efficient service to our valued customers. Id like to thank our nearly 5,000 employees who are the strength of Atlas and have helped build our reputation as a world leader in global airfreight.

About Airline Business

As the premier title for airline boardrooms worldwide, Airline Business covers the key strategic and business issues in the air transport industry. It was established in 1985 and has editorial offices in London, Washington DC and Singapore. Aside from four print and digital publications per year, Airline Business also produces a weekly newsletter, a regular podcast and data snapshots for FlightGlobal Premium.

About FlightGlobal

FlightGlobal provides information, news, conferences and recruitment to help people and businesses to learn more, network and grow in the aviation industry. With 110 years of aviation publishing, FlightGlobal is one of the industrys leading news sources, including respected brands FlightGlobal Premium, Airline Business, Flight International, aviation event dailies and flightglobal.com. A conferences and webinar program within the FlightGlobal portfolio is addressing key market issues and questions in aviation, and FlightJobs supports individuals throughout their career and enables organizations to find the best aviation talent. FlightGlobal has been owned by DVV Media International since mid-2019.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. It works with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. Korn Ferry helps them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. And, it helps professionals navigate and advance their careers. Korn Ferrys colleagues serve clients in more than 50 countries across five core solutions: Organizational Strategy; Assessment and Succession; Talent Acquisition; Leadership Development; and Rewards and Benefits.

About Atlas Air Worldwide

Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc., and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Our companies operate the worlds largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations.







A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ca1c166-6db4-434d-86f3-3845fcf6e0b5
WASHINGTON, DC, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Three AmeriCorps members serving in the State and National program supporting environmental preservation and climate resilience projects received the Presidents Volunteer Service Award, signed by President Biden, on Monday, July 17. All three serve in AmeriCorps State and National at the Student Conservation Association in New York and New Hampshire, the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation service programs for youth and adults.

The Student Conservation Association received seven AmeriCorps grants in fiscal year 2023 competitions, totaling nearly $4.5 million to recruit more than 1,200 AmeriCorps members across multiple states. These members will protect, restore and enhance public lands, waters, natural, cultural and historical resources in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands.

Dedicated individuals like Aurelia, Zarria, and Alexandria are what AmeriCorps is all aboutimproving communities and leaving America better for the next generation, said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. I am thrilled to honor these three leaders for their hard work and commitment to conserving our environment.

The Student Conservation Associations new AmeriCorps members will participate in service activities spanning improving parks, public lands, and waterways; maintaining trails; conducting biological surveys; removing invasive species; providing environmental education; restoring historic public buildings; and leveraging volunteers to engage in conservation stewardship service.

The Student Conservation Association is grateful for the support from AmeriCorps. Energized by our longstanding relationship, together, we can continue enhancing communities through conservation, climate action, equity and workforce development, said Lidia Soto-Harmon, president and CEO, Student Conservation Association. We look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead as we remain committed to fostering equity in the outdoors while building the next generation of conservation leaders.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, brings more than 16,000 members and volunteers together every year to conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, protect clean air and water, and help mitigate the effects of climate change. AmeriCorps programs help preserve more than 400,000 acres of public land yearly.

Presidents Volunteer Service Award Recipients:

Aurelia Casey dedicated 750 hours to protecting and managing the Hudson River Estuarine Sanctuary in New York City while improving awareness and understanding of the Hudson River through education and outreach. Along with her educational activities, Casey monitored oyster cages, eel mops--a structure designed to hold juvenile eelsand tested water quality.

Zarria Brown served 2,150 hours with AmeriCorps State and national at the New York Student Conservation Association, where she taught environmental sciences. During her time with Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley, N.Y., she created engaging and exciting educational activities for the public. With Bighorn National Forest, Brown engaged the public and provided education around the geology, paleontology, flora, fauna, and other displays set up in the visitor center and other natural displays found in the local forest.

Alexandra Ratliff spent 2,150 hours over the past 10 years and in four states engaging the community and corporate partners in conservation efforts. As a restoration management assistant, she helped to restore prairie and oak barrens/savanna areas at the Kankakee Sands Macrosite in Illinois. At Student Conservation Association in New Hampshire, Ratliff collaborated to engage Manchester-area high school students in year-round service-learning opportunities, including weekly educational activities, community service projects during the school year and conservation projects in the summer.

###

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nations most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.

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New York, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Middle East Military Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Growth Opportunities" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06476356/?utm_source=GNW

This study examines the military counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) market in the Middle East in light of the rapid evolution of drone technology and the dynamic nature of modern warfare.



With regional aerial threats intensifying in the Middle East, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members and Israel, with the support of the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Central Command (CENTCOM), are looking to incorporate robust military solutions in their defense systems.



The demand for such systems is also being intensified by the RussoUkrainian war, which has demonstrated the urgent need to acquire C-UAS capabilities to ensure a holistic missile concept of operation and acquire regional military capabilities that enhance deterrence in the face of advanced adversarial aerial attacks.



C-UAS is becoming more pervasive and can be of several different types, encompassing a range of technologies.



Large traditional defense companies, both regional and global, along with long-standing boutique C-UAS firms, are expected to continue to receive large contracts in the Middle East to develop, test, and manufacture multi-sensor C-UAS systems, including commercial technologies that address specific C-UAS operational needs.



This study identifies trends in the military C-UAS market in the Middle East and includes a broad discussion of the factors driving and restraining growth in this space.



The report also provides an overview of the competitive landscape, main domain programs, and leading contracts in the region.



The study concludes by identifying and analyzing the growth opportunities arising from the changes in this space, including emerging areas to focus on and relevant business models and technologies for market players and stakeholders to leverage.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06476356/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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MIDLAND, Texas, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Era Helium Corp. (New Era Helium or the Company) is pleased to announce that Arjae Design Solutions of Nisku, Alberta, Canada has begun construction of its Pecos Slope Plant, a 20,000 MCF/D natural gas and helium processing plant. To date, New Eras gas has been processed by a third-party to produce helium and natural gas. The Company is building its own natural gas processing plant to process its gas produced from the Pecos Slope Field. The Pecos Slope Plant, which will be located approximately 20 miles north of Roswell, New Mexico will produce approximately 2.7 million standard cubic feet (MMscf) of gaseous helium per month or an estimated 32 MMscf per year. The Pecos Slope Plant, which is expected to commence operations on June 1, 2024, will also produce 477,000 MCF per month of methane and 32,545 bbls per month of natural gas liquids.

The estimates for the various products that the Pecos Slope Plant will produce were developed by Arjae Design Solutions based on Pecos Slope Field Gas Composition samples. A helium sampling audit performed on 303 company-owned wells measured helium concentration levels ranging from 0.167 to 1.513 MOL%. The average helium concentration level was 0.486 MOL%.

NOTE: [In a prior press release, the Company misstated the estimate of helium production from the Pecos Slope Plant and associated pricing for helium due to a typographical error in the units of measure.]

In addition, New Era Helium recently completed a successful RFQ process, and the Company expects to finalize a 10-year helium sales agreement with a major global industrial gas company and a foreign Tier 2 gas company within the next 30  60 days. Helium pricing in these agreements will be consistent with recent transactions for comparable quantities.

New Eras CEO, Will Gray stated, With estimated annual helium production of approximately 32,000 Mcf, New Era Helium is poised to capture approximately 1% of the North American Helium Market. The Company has over 772 proved, probable, and possible drilling locations on its approximate 137,000 gross acres located within the Pecos Slope Field. This substantial inventory of drilling locations and associated reserves will provide the Pecos Slope Plant a daily inlet source of gas for an estimated 53 years. Once operational, the free cash flow generated from the Pecos Slope Plant will provide a foundation for New Era Heliums aggregation strategy of both helium production and exploration opportunities. Mr. Gray continued, Given the large number of small exploration start-ups in the southwestern United States and Canada, we expect to see an increase in M&A activity as companies seek to increase scale to provide greater access to capital. This is necessary to attain critical mass required for new liquefaction capacity and allow early investors to monetize their investments. New Era aims to be an active participant in this potential merger trend.

For more information please contact:

CEO Investor Relations - US Will Gray Jody Kane will@newerahelium.com Jody.Kane@Harbor-Access.com +1 475 477 9402

About New Era Helium Corp.

New Era Helium Corp. is an exploration and production company that sources helium produced in association with the production of natural gas reserves in North America. The company currently owns and operates over 137,000 acres in Southeast New Mexico and has over 2.5 BCF of proved, probable, and possible helium reserves. More information can be found at www.newerahelium.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release may be forward-looking statements or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will the Company and its affiliates be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or for any related damages.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan African Resources (OTCQX:PAFRF/PAFRY), based in South Africa, focused on gold mining, today announced that Mr Cobus Loots, CEO, will present live at the Metals and Mining Virtual Investor Conference, hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on July 26th and 27th , 2023.



DATE: July 27th

TIME: 9:30am ET

LINK: https://bit.ly/3Ne25Hz

Available for 1x1 meetings: July 27, 28

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Pan African to commence construction at Mintails in July 2023

Project will be commissioned within 12 to 18 months

Mintails will add 50,000 ounces per year to Group gold production, with a life of mine of 20 years

AISC estimated at below US$1,000/oz

About Pan African Resources

Pan African Resources is a mid-tier gold producer with a production capacity of over 200,000 ounces of gold per year and mineral resources of over 30 million ounces. The Company has long life underground and surface gold mining operations and is focused on responsible mining, including land rehabilitation through surface re-mining and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the increased use of renewable energy. The Mintails project to be commissioned in 2024 will add 50 000 ounces per year of low cost gold production to the Companys portfolio for the next 20 years.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

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Ottawa, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Precedence Research, the North America compound management market size was estimated at USD 148.64 million in 2022. The compound management industry is increasing significantly and is predicted to do so in the years to come. The handling, storing, and distribution of chemical compounds used in drug discovery, research, and development procedures are referred to as compound management. It plays a significant role in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries by guaranteeing the effective and secure administration of compounds for diverse scientific applications.



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The demand for new therapeutic entities and the rising number of drug discovery activities are what are driving the global market for compound management. These factors have increased the demand for effective compound management systems. Workflows for compound management have also been greatly enhanced by automation and robotics technology. High-throughput screening, effective sample tracking, and precise compound storage and retrieval are all made possible by automated compound management systems. With fewer errors and more production, these technological developments have streamlined the compound management process.





The products section includes a variety of instruments, equipment, and consumables used in the handling, distribution, and storage of chemical substances. The integrity, security, and effective management of compound libraries for the purposes of drug discovery, research, and development are ensured by these items. Manufacturers have concentrated on creating sophisticated automation capabilities, integrated software solutions, and improved sample tracking technologies, which are what define the products' ongoing innovation. The objective is to enhance compound management processes' accuracy, throughput, and dependability to support effective drug development and research activities.

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Scope of the report

Coverage Details Market Size in 2030 USD 1,521.27 Million CAGR 15.2% from 2022 to 2030 Product Revenue Share 61.9% in 2032 Chemical Compounds Segment 52% in 2032 Key Players Brooks Automation (US), Hamilton Company (US), TTP Group (US), Labcyte (US), Biosero (US), SPT Labtech LTD., Tecan Trading AG, LiCONiC AG, Titian Service Limited, Wuxi Apptec, Evotec and Others

Compound management provides the infrastructure and logistics needed to manage research compounds. The logistics of storing, producing, and analysing compounds for testing as well as dispensing them over the course of the drug discovery process are included in compound management, which assists in the creation of novel medications. Compound management must be done correctly and painstakingly in order to minimize large ripple effects that might obstruct the introduction of medicines that are practicable and successful. The desire for effective and affordable procedures in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors is driving important trends and advances in the compound management industry. Automation and robots are being used more often in compound management procedures. Automation reduces human error and improves efficiency by streamlining sample processing, storing, and retrieval. Robotics speed up drug development by enabling high-throughput screening, compound cherry-picking, and sample preparation.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are turning to specialized service providers to handle their compound management needs. Benefits of outsourcing include cost savings, access to cutting-edge technology, and knowledge of compound handling and storage. This trend enables businesses to use external expertise while concentrating on their core competencies. Workflows for compound management are incorporating informatics solutions, such as laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Compound libraries benefit from effective data administration, tracking, and inventory control provided by LIMS. Additionally, they offer real-time data and analytics, which aid in decision-making and the optimization of compound management procedures. Maintaining sample quality and integrity is more important now than ever before since compound libraries are becoming more and more valuable.

COVID-19 Impact on Compound Management Industry

The compound management market was increasing steadily before the COVID-19 epidemic and was anticipated to do so going forward. Compound management services were becoming increasingly popular as a result of significant investments being made in medication discovery and development by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. These services included high-throughput screening services and the maintenance of large compound libraries. In order to increase productivity, accuracy, and efficiency in compound management, automation and robots are being used more and more. Operations were being streamlined by using robotic liquid handling platforms, Modern inventory management software and automated compound storage and retrieval systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic had an effect on a number of healthcare institutions. The market for compound management also suffered significantly. Lockdowns hindered logistics and transportation.

Governments across the world put in place a number of laws to address the problems the compound management market was facing during the COVID-19 epidemic. Implementing stringent health and safety standards for compound management facilities was one important strategy. Governments mandated that businesses take steps to safeguard employees and stop the spread of the virus, including social seclusion, routine sanitization, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). These rules assisted in preserving operational continuity and protecting workers' health. Governments also took action to help the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Companies engaged in compound management received financial aid packages, tax breaks, and subsidies to protect their survival throughout the pandemic. These programs had three major objectives: to keep up research and development work, hasten the identification and creation of promising treatments, and increase the efficiency of compound management facilities. Governments also made it easier for regulators, businesses, and academic institutions to work together to speed up the production and dissemination of COVID-19-related substances. To speed up the examination and approval processes for prospective therapies and vaccinations, fast- track regulatory approvals and regulatory flexibility were implemented.

Future healthcare advancements will mostly be driven by cost reduction, technological innovation, and increased access. The importance of remote diagnosis, care, and consultation is under stress as a result of COVID-19. But because so many healthcare professionals do their business by phone and video conferencing, this industry is anticipated to develop significantly over the next few years. The online consultation of individuals with mild symptoms has greatly reduced the strain on hospitals, which were already overburdened with COVID-19 patients. Medical IoT devices are already being utilized to streamline outpatient care and reduce unnecessary follow-up visits. These tools can also be applied in emergency situations. In addition to their storage location, each chemical in the storage bank needs to have its shelf life, amount, purity, and other properties preserved. The chemicals utilized in some sectors may also include biological components like purified proteins or nucleic acids. In order to achieve significant growth, manufacturers are introducing the newest treatments and medications, advancing digitalization, and ongoing management changes. The compound management market is also predicted to expand significantly in the coming years in pharmaceutical research because the significance of COVID-19 immunizations has grown dramatically despite a decline in COVID-19 frequencies. Concern over the emergence of novel variants has increased demand for these immunizations. As a result, a large number of pharmaceutical firms are developing innovative vaccines. As of May 31st, 2022, over 1,112 vaccines were being tested, according to Clinicaltrials.gov. The demand for COVID-19 vaccine compound management will likely rise as a result.

Growth of Biopharmaceutical Industry

The compound management market has expanded significantly in recent years as a result of the biopharmaceutical industry's notable growth. There has been a significant increase in research and development activity within the biopharmaceutical sector. Pharmaceutical businesses and research institutions need a lot of chemical compounds for screening and testing as they work to create novel cures and medications. Compound management is essential for preserving and organizing these enormous compound libraries and ensuring easy access to the necessary chemicals. The demand for compound management services is expanding as a result of the requirement to optimize and streamline the compound handling procedure so that researchers may concentrate on their primary tasks. Furthermore, the compound management market has expanded as a result of the increase of drug discovery outsourcing. Today, a lot of pharmaceutical corporations outsource different phases of the drug discovery process to university institutions and contract research organizations (CROs). To aid in their study, these external partners need trustworthy compound management services.

The demand for specialized compound management providers is increased by organizations ability to utilize specialized knowledge, cutting-edge technology, and cost savings by outsourcing compound management. The landscape of compound management has changed as a result of improvements in automation and robotics technology. Sample retrieval, and compound storage can all be handled more quickly, more precisely, and with fewer errors by automated methods. These technologies make it possible to manage compounds effectively, lowering human error and increasing production. The implementation of automation in compound management is necessitated by the need to manage compound libraries' expanding volume and complexity, which is directly related to the growth of the biopharmaceutical business.

Product Insight

The contract research organizations (CROs), pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations, and academic institutions are the intended customers for compound management products. Compound storage systems are made to safely store chemical compounds, samples, and libraries in carefully regulated environments. Various storage alternatives, including ambient, chilled, and cryogenic storage, may be included in these systems. For effective inventory management and retrieval, they frequently have barcode or RFID tracking systems. Further, Compound management procedures are streamlined and automated using automated compound handling systems. In order to promote precise and effective compound handling, including weighing, dilution, and reformatting, these systems use robotics and automation technology. They assist in reducing human error, boosting throughput, and enhancing overall workflow effectiveness.

To automate compound storage and retrieval procedures, sophisticated robotic systems have also been developed. These devices effectively handle and store complex plates or tubes in high-density storage spaces using robotic arms and clever algorithms. In order to transfer compounds without making physical touch, the Labcyte Access system, for instance, uses sonic droplet ejection technology. This enables precise and quick chemical handling. High-density sample storage systems have also been created to maximize available space and accommodate the growing quantity of substances. These systems store more samples in a smaller amount of space by utilizing specialized racks and plates with small well sizes. Examples include microplates with 384 and 1536 wells and microtube racks, which enable the effective storage and retrieval of numerous substances.

High-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns frequently use compound management solutions, such as automated compound handling systems and high-density sample storage systems. In order to find prospective therapeutic candidates, HTS comprises the quick screening of sizable chemical libraries against biological targets or assay systems.

By facilitating effective compound dilution, reformatting, and dispensing, these compound management solutions streamline the HTS procedure and boost throughput. Compound handling and preparation operations involve the use of automated compound handling systems and liquid handling systems. These products make it possible to weigh, dilute, reformat, and aliquot compounds precisely and accurately. They do so by removing manual handling errors, lowering contamination hazards, and ensuring consistent compound concentrations and volumesall of which are crucial for dependable experimental outcomes and subsequent uses.

COMPOUND MANAGEMENT MARKET, BY Type 2020-2032 ($MILLION)

Type 2022 2023 2031 2032 CAGR Products 223.90 257.83 813.21 941.14 15.5 % Services 145.32 166.49 503.90 580.12 14.9 %

Chemical Compounds Insights

The rich information content is provided by chemical substances as each substance contains beneficial details regarding its composition, physicochemical characteristics, biological functions, and future applications. Compound profiling, lead optimization, and target identification depend on this data.

Additionally, chemical compounds make it easier to conduct SAR analyses, which examine the connection between a compound's chemical structure and biological activity. Researchers can learn more about the molecular interactions and mechanisms of action by methodically changing the structure of substances and observing the accompanying changes in activity. The optimization of compounds with desired characteristics is guided by SAR analysis.

Further, High-throughput screening (HTS) campaigns use screening libraries based on chemical compounds. These libraries are made up of sizable collections of various substances examined in biological tests or against specific targets to find potential hits or lead compounds. Chemical compound libraries must be accessible for effective and thorough drug discovery activities.

Drug development and medical chemistry both depend on chemical molecules. For identifying lead compounds with the requisite activity, selectivity, and drug-like characteristics, medicinal chemists synthesize and optimize chemical libraries. Further optimization is performed on these lead molecules to enhance formulation, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy. The efficient selection and advancement of compounds in the drug development pipeline are made possible by the systematic management of chemical compounds.

Additionally, the screening and optimizing minute chemical fragments as a starting point for drug development is a component of fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD). Low molecular weight drugs from fragment libraries are tested against the desired target. The development of effective medication candidates begins with the elaboration and optimization of fragments that bind to the target. Building blocks for fragment expansion and optimization are chemical substances.

Nevertheless, Prodrugs are biologically inert substances that, when taken orally, become drugs. Prodrugs that enhance drug transport, solubility, bioavailability, and tissue targeting are created using chemical compounds. Prodrugs can improve a compound's pharmacokinetics and therapeutic index, resulting in increased efficacy and patient compliance.

COMPOUND MANAGEMENT MARKET, BY Sample Type 2020-2032 ($MILLION)

Sample Type 2022 2023 2031 2032 CAGR Chemical Compounds 198.18 227.08 688.12 792.39 14.9 % Biosamples 171.03 197.24 628.99 728.87 15.6 %

Biopharma Companies

Large compound libraries with thousands or even millions of tiny compounds or biological samples are maintained by biopharmaceutical businesses. Compound management ensures these libraries are adequately arranged, saved, and retrieved. It entails classifying substances, monitoring their whereabouts, and maintaining databases with pertinent data, including chemical characteristics, synthesis details, and related assay findings. Scientists can effectively access and screen molecules for drug discovery programs because of their excellent management.

A large variety of samples, including chemicals, biological components, and reagents, are handled by biopharmaceutical enterprises. Compound management ensures these samples are handled, labeled, and tracked correctly. To assure the stability and integrity of the samples, it involves developing standardized processes for sample collection, storage, preservation, and transportation. The quality and reliability of the sample are maintained by careful treatment, which prevents sample degradation, cross-contamination, or misidentification.

Researchers frequently work together with numerous internal teams, outside partners, or contract research organizations (CROs) while discovering and developing new drugs. The efficient distribution of compounds or samples to different stakeholders is made possible by compound management. It entails overseeing compound shipment logistics, paperwork, and tracking, assuring precise delivery, and maintaining the necessary sample integrity while in transit. An efficient distribution system guarantees prompt access to chemicals for various research tasks, fostering collaboration and expediting attempts to develop new drugs.

Repurposing existing medications or chemicals for new therapeutic indications is a common research area for biopharmaceutical companies. Compound management aids in finding and locating compounds in the library for investigations, including repurposing. Additionally, it could entail reformatting substances into various assay-ready formats, such as cherry-picking substances from bigger plates or setting up substances for particular screening assays on compound plates.

To simplify data administration, compound management systems frequently link with various informatics platforms and databases. Compound management makes it easier to analyze and interpret data by tying compound inventories to assay findings, chemical structures, and biological information. During the discovery and development of new drugs, it enables researchers to acquire pertinent compound information, monitor compound performance in assays, and make appropriate conclusions.

COMPOUND MANAGEMENT MARKET, BY END USER 2020-2032 ($MILLION)

End User 2022 2027 2031 2032 CAGR Biopharma Companies 111.21 226.43 403.91 467.45 15.5 % Biobanks 55.94 115.61 208.71 242.26 15.8 % Pharma Companies 128.71 256.87 450.95 519.80 15.0 % CRO 73.36 145.37 253.54 291.74 14.8 %

North America Insights

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are well-established in the North American region, which includes the United States and Canada, making it an important center for compound management activities. The development of the compound management sector in North America has been facilitated by the rising need for innovative treatments, the rise of contract research organizations (CROs), and the requirement for effective compound storage and distribution systems.

Compound management companies provide controlled, safe storage areas that are furnished with specialized infrastructure like automated storage systems, temperature-controlled settings, and high-security guards. Chemical substances are kept intact and preserved by these facilities. Furthermore, to keep track of and manage compound stocks, compound management companies use sophisticated software systems. These technologies make it possible to retrieve compounds quickly, accurately manage inventories, and monitor compound availability and usage in real-time.

Additionally, a significant number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies operate in the North American region and are engaged in drug discovery. Consequently, there is a rising need for services in this area. A further factor driving this sector's growth is the increase in disease-related morbidity and death, which has led to the creation of more medication candidates. Favorable efforts by government organizations in the areas of drug creation and research are helping the regional market expand.

COMPOUND MANAGEMENT MARKET, BY REGION 2020-2032 ($MILLION)

Region 2021 2022 2031 2032 CAGR North America 129.79 148.64 516.09 594.29 14.9 % Europe 70.79 81.39 292.97 338.72 15.4 % APAC 84.16 97.34 369.76 430.06 16.0 % LAMEA 36.70 41.84 138.29 158.19 14.2 %

Market Segmentation

By Type

Products

Services

By Sample Type

Chemical Compounds

Bio Samples

By End-User

Biopharma Companies,

Biobank

Pharma Companies

CRO

By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)





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NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plus Company announces today an expanded partnership with data and analytics consultancy Brooklyn Data Co. (a Velir company ), strategically expanding their existing relationship to launch the new Data Team as a Service (DTaaS) offering for its network of agencies and clients. Led by the Plus Intelligence group, DTaaS will aid clients in their data management and assist with building strong data foundations to enable more efficiencies in workflow and customer predictive analytics and intelligence.

Since the introduction of ChatGPT in late 2022, the race is on for brands and agencies to incorporate AI in their content creation and processes. The services and partnership expansion with Brooklyn Data will bolster Plus Companys commitment to the intersection of technology and creativity and continue its focus on harnessing the power of AI to maximize marketing investment and ROI for its extensive client roster.

"To be successful with AI, organizations must have an innovation mindset, leaders with the curiosity to embrace new technologies, and a solid data foundation," says Michael Cohen, Chief Data Analytics Officer, Plus Company. "Cleaner and more cohesive data, results in stronger predictive data - and ultimately better marketing decisions using AI. But its easy to feel overwhelmed, and this is where the partnership with Brooklyn Data comes in. With our new DTaaS offering, we can ensure the right data is being collected, organized, cleaned and available so that our clients can efficiently meet their marketing and business goals."

With DTaaS, Plus Company and Brooklyn Data will help clients adapt for the quickly evolving marketplace by easily identifying gaps in data strategy and the required technologies to execute against those goals, and developing innovative solutions to aid in attribution and campaign performance. DTaaS support will help clients achieve this competitive advantage through services including:

Optimizing tech usage via data-centric software such as consumer data platforms (CDP), CRMs, Financial reporting, Marketing optimization and ROI measurement.

Train and empower teams to supercharge clients understanding of their customers, and how to serve those customers in the most efficient and innovative ways via data.

Implement secure end-to-end solutions for data ingestion, warehousing, modeling, and business intelligence.



By now, most marketers have dabbled in AI and introduced AI-fuelled creative tools to their organizations, but it has also revealed the need for strong data health, data management and data governance, says Scott Breitenother, Founder and CEO, Brooklyn Data. Our tech and cloud agnostic delivery model is perfectly suited to helping client marketing organizations build a robust data foundation and move up the data maturity curve, one step at a time, ensuring value is realized at each step.

The DTaaS approach includes the development of a data strategy and vision, a plan to transition out of legacy business intelligence systems, the creation of a data infrastructure roadmap, and an implementation plan. While every client will require a customized plan, the data centric approach has already proven successful with Plus Company client Landrys. With over 85+ IT and channel systems, multiple vendors and data streams, DTaaS supports the multi-brand hospitality and gaming corporation to integrate its data streams and achieve a 360-degree customer view and unlock growth through improved customer acquisition, retention and loyalty program usage.

Beyond the partnership, Plus Company will continue to build modern data platforms and tools within its own agency network, and develop solutions and scalable capabilities for its clients. To help lead the charge for AI and predictive data, Plus Company has also released its AI and Data Report . Learn more about how CMOs can champion AI innovation in their organizations and about Plus Company and its network of agencies by visiting PlusCompany.com , @PlusCompany_ on Twitter and Plus Company on LinkedIn.

About Plus Company

Plus Company, founded in 2021, is an entrepreneurial network of forward-thinking creative agencies, each bringing its own expertise and empowered by the collective capabilities of the network. Brought together by the unabashed belief that anything is possible, the unique partnership of and limitless drive of the over 24 agencies deliver creative magic fueled by an innate understanding of culture, technology, and data. Plus Company agency brands include: We Are Social and its partner practices Socialize, Hello, Kobe and Metta; fuseproject; All Inclusive Marketing (AIM), Aperture1, Camp Jefferson, Citizen Relations, Cossette, Cossette Media, Impact Research, Jungle Media, K72, Level Eleven, Magic Circle Workshop, Magnet, Mekanism, Middle Child, PathIQ, Septieme and The Narrative Group (TNG). Plus Company has more than 3,000 employees, across 12 countries in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Built on collaboration, not competition. We are Partners In Possibility.

About Brooklyn Data

Brooklyn Data Co. (a Velir company) is a full-service data and analytics consultancy that helps organizations build lasting data capabilities. The company helps clients optimize tool usage, train and empower teams, and implement secure end-to-end solutions for data ingestion, warehousing, modeling, and business intelligence. Learn more at brooklyndata.co.

Niki Javdan

niki.javdan@citizenrelations.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b7638de-3a55-486f-9a18-0ac8f2d15c27
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against First Horizon Corporation (FHN) (NYSE: FHN), The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries, including wholly owned subsidiary TD Bank US Holding Company (collectively, TD Bank and, together with FHN, the Companies), and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and docketed under 23-cv-03024, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired FHN securities between February 28, 2022 and May 3, 2023, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), to recover damages from the Defendants for their violations of the federal securities laws under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, as detailed below.



If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired FHN securities during the Class Period, you have until July 21, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

FHN is a bank holding company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee that, as of December 31, 2022, had consolidated assets of $79 billion. FHN provides consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage lending and other financial services primarily through its principal subsidiary, First Horizon Bank. As of December 31, 2022, FHN operated 414 banking centers in twelve states.

TD Bank is a Canadian financial institution with U.S. headquarters in New Jersey. As of October 31, 2022, TD Bank had $1.9 trillion in assets. Since 2004, TD Bank has expanded its retail banking presence in the U.S. through acquisitions of regional banks.

On February 28, 2022, FHN and TD Bank jointly announced that TD Bank had agreed to acquire FHN for $25.00 per share in cash (Transaction), which represented a 37% premium to FHNs share price from its close on the prior trading day.

With respect to the timeline for closing the Transaction, a joint press release (Feb 2022 Press Release) issued by TD Bank and FHN on February 28, 2022, announcing the deal explained that the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of TDs 2023 fiscal year, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approvals from First Horizons shareholders and U.S. and Canadian regulatory authorities. The Feb 2022 Press Release further advised that (i) if the transaction does not close prior to November 27, 2022 [i.e., within 9 months], First Horizon shareholders will receive, at closing, an additional US$0.65 per share on an annualized basis for the period from November 27, 2022 through the day immediately prior to the closing, and (ii) [t]he transaction will terminate, unless otherwise extended, if it does not close by February 27, 2023.

On a conference call to discuss the Transaction held on February 28, 2022, an analyst observed that theres a lot of sensitivity around regulatory approval process for M&A in the U.S., and then asked TD Banks senior management about their comfort level on getting deal closing done within the timeline announced.

The Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and omissions concerning the risks to regulatory approval of the Transaction posed by TD Banks materially deficient anti-money laundering (AML) policies and procedures, which caused Plaintiff and other Class members to suffer significant losses when these undisclosed regulatory risks materialized and caused the market value of FHNs securities to decline precipitously.

On August 25, 2022, on TD Banks Q3 2022 earnings call, TD Banks Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Defendant Bharat B. Masrani (Masrani), reiterated that he expected the Transaction to close in the first fiscal quarter of 2023. When asked about any risks that may delay the Transaction from closing, Defendant Masrani responded, [o]ur deal continues to progress in the normal course, there is nothing out there to suggest that, that is different this time around.

Defendant Masrani was not the only TD Bank executive to reassure analysts concerning the timeline for closing the Transaction. On September 14, 2022, at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference, when asked for an update on the timeline for the Transaction, Defendant Leo Salom (Salom), Group Head, U.S. Retail, TD Bank Group and President and CEO, TD Bank, advised that [w]e do expect to close the transaction at the end of the fiscal first quarter. And were tracking well against that. Defendant Salom then added: [O]n August 18th we had the public hearing, the OCC, the Fed hosted. That is the normal part of the application process. But to your point, I'm sure theres going to be a lot of questions about how confident are we? Were extremely confident. We believe this transaction does not represent any financial stability or competitive consolidation risk. Weve already announced that we will protect all the front-line staff, we will be retaining all the retail and commercial bankers. Likewise, we wont be closing any stores. So, if you look at the strength of the application, were quite excited about getting this done in short order.

Based on the repeated reassurances provided by Defendants Masrani and Salom that there were no regulatory risks that could delay the closing of the Transaction, FHN shareholders had no reason to believe that TD Bank was concealing any regulatory risks that could derail the Transaction. Unbeknownst to FHN shareholders, however, (i) TD Bank had materially deficient policies and procedures for detecting and reporting suspected money laundering, (ii) regulators at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Reserve were refusing to approve the Transaction because of TD Banks materially deficient AML policies and procedures, and (iii) TD Banks materially deficient AML policies and procedures thus constituted a concealed regulatory risk to the closing of the Transaction.

TD Banks public statements concerning its risk management practices in general, and AML compliance in particular, gave no indication that TD Banks AML policies and procedures were materially deficient. To the contrary, an investor presentation made available by TD Bank to FHN shareholders on Schedule 14A on February 28, 2022, advised that TD Bank has a disciplined risk culture. That disciplined risk culture was documented in part in TD Banks Code of Conduct and Ethics for Employees and Directors (TD Bank Code), which was filed on Form 6-K with the SEC on February 7, 2022. With respect to AML compliance, the TD Bank Code stated:

TD is committed to taking all reasonable and appropriate steps to detect and deter persons engaged in money laundering from utilizing TD products or services to do so. Making the proceeds of criminal activity appear as if they came from legitimate sources is a criminal offence, and so is knowingly failing to report transactions or activities where it is suspected they relate to money laundering. We must not knowingly initiate or be party to money laundering and must promptly report suspected money laundering situations in accordance with the TD Bank Group Enterprise Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Policy and the escalation procedures established for our business or region.

Subsequently, in March 2022, TD Bank published its TD Bank Statement on Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Sanctions (AML Statement), which represented that TD Banks commitment to detect and deter persons engaged in money laundering was formalized through the establishment of an enterprise-wide Anti-Money Laundering/Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF) and Sanctions risk and compliance management program (Global AML Program) that is designed to detect and report suspected money laundering and terrorist financing and activity prohibited by sanctions. The AML Statement further represented that among the requirements of the Global AML Program were (i) ongoing monitoring to detect and report suspicious transactions or activities, (ii) regulatory reporting of prescribed transactions, and (iii) independent testing of control effectiveness.

The first inkling that regulatory issues may derail approval of the Transaction surfaced on TD Banks Q4 2022 earnings call on December 1, 2022. Defendant Masrani advised that TD Bank was planning to close the [Transaction] in the first half of fiscal 2023 subject to customary closing conditions, including approvals from U.S. and Canadian regulatory authorities. After observing that Defendant Masrani had previously guided on the Q3 2022 earnings call that the Transaction would close in Q1 2023, and that the timing had now slipped to the first half of 2023, an analyst inquired [w]hats prompting the delayed expectation of closing? Defendant Masrani responded, so we dont control the timing of all the regulatory approvals, but we are confident that we will get closing within the time line that weve put out. When the analyst pressed for specificsare they taking a closer look at anything? Are you anticipating having to make any adjustments to your product going up or your schedule in advance of the close?Defendant Masrani advised, No, Im not aware of anything of the sort youre mentioning.

Yet, just over two months later, on February 9, 2023, the Companies issued a joint press release (Feb 2023 Press Release) announcing that they had mutually agreed to extend the deadline to close the Transaction from February 27, 2023, to May 27, 2023. The Feb 2023 Press Release further stated that [c]ustomary closing conditions, including approvals from regulatory authorities in the U.S. and Canada, are required to close the transaction. The generic disclosure, however, was insufficient to alert FHN shareholders to the existence of regulatory risks since it failed to disclose the specific risk that TD Banks materially deficient AML policies and procedures were posing to regulatory approval of the Transaction.

On March 1, 2023, in its 2022 Form 10-K, FHN advised that (i) receipt of regulatory approval of the Transaction was taking longer than originally anticipated, (ii) TD Bank had recently informed FHN that TD Bank did not expect to receive the necessary regulatory approvals in time to close the Transaction by a new deadline of May 27, 2023, and (iii) TD Bank had initiated discussions with FHN regarding a potential further extension of the new May 27, 2023 deadline. The 2022 Form 10-K also noted that TD cannot provide a new projected closing date at this time.

On this news, FHNs stock price fell $2.63 per share, or 10.62%, to close at $22.14 per share on May 1, 2023.

On May 3, 2023, according to a Capital Forum report being circulated among traders, Defendant Masrani had a meeting with officials of the OCC concerning the Transaction on March 9, 2023, that was also attended by TD Banks outside counsel.

On this news, FHNs stock price fell $1.14 per share, or 7.04%, to close at $15.05 per share on May 3, 2023.

On May 4, 2023, before the markets opened, TD Bank and FHN announced that they had mutually agreed to terminate the Transaction because TD Bank does not have a timetable for regulatory approvals to be obtained for reasons unrelated to First Horizon, and there is uncertainty as to when and if these regulatory approvals can be obtained. TD Bank and FHN, however, failed to disclose that TD Banks materially deficient AML policies and procedures had derailed regulatory approval of the Transaction.

Upon news of the termination of the Transaction, FHNs stock price fell $4.99 per share, or 33.16%, to close at $10.06 per share on May 4, 2023.

The concealed regulatory risk that derailed the Transaction was finally revealed on May 8, 2023, when The Wall Street Journal (the WSJ) published an article citing sources alleging that TD Banks handling of suspicious customer transactions was behind regulators refusal to bless the Transaction, and that the Transaction was terminated because regulators were unwilling to give TD a clean bill of health on its anti-money laundering practices. The articles sources alleged that regulators concerns stemmed from the way TD handled unusual transactions in recent years, and the speed at which some of them were brought to the attention of U.S. authorities. According to the WSJ, in recent years, TD Bank had only flagged 28 customer transactions as suspicious. For these reasons, the OCC and the Federal Reserve refused to approve the Transaction within the necessary time frames.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .
New York, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Electric Commercial Vehicle Market by Propulsion, Vehicle Type, Range, Battery Type, Power Output, Battery Capacity, Component, End User, Body Construction and Region - Global Forecast to 2030" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05382300/?utm_source=GNW

Growing research of EV batteries and EV charging systems will drive the electric commercial vehicle market. Electric vehicle charging stations, battery swapping stations and fleet stations are required to be installed globally for growing the demand for electric commercial vehicles.



Less Than 150 Miles is expected to be the largest market in the forecast period.

Low performance and affordable electric commercial vehicles usually have a range of less than 150 miles.Several OEMs offer electric vans with low-cost batteries with a restricted range of 100-150 miles.



OEMs have been providing trucks and vans for this segment over the years.For instance, in 2023, Rizon, a brand of Daimler, launched the e18L, e16L, and the e16M medium duty electric trucks with a range of 110-160 miles.



Furthermore, Bollinger Motors launched a medium duty all-electric truck Bollinger B4 in September 2022, which is an all-wheel-drive aluminum body vehicle.It has a range of 100  200 miles.



Municipalities use low range electric vans and trucks for a variety of services, including waste collection, street sweeping, and maintenance tasks. Electric vehicles are an excellent choice for these tasks because they produce no emissions and are much quieter than gas or diesel-powered vehicles. In 2021, Irizar Group received order for 10 electric trucks which will be used for refuse services.



NMC will be the largest segment in the forecast period by battery type

Nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide batteries (NMC) are composed of several materials with different properties, high density, and efficiency.These batteries are ideal for use in electric commercial vehicles as they have a low self-heating rate while in operation.



The chemical composition of the NMC batteries comprises lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide as the cathode and graphite as the anode.The NMC batteries are very expensive and toxic due to the presence of cobalt.



OEMs have now started to shift towards the adoption of higher content of nickel in cathodes.Compared to cobalt, nickel cells have a lower cost and higher life cycle.



NMC batteries are preferable for a longer range and in colder climate conditions in Europe and North America. The NMC batteries are generally used because cobalt and nickel cells have a lower cost, higher life cycle, more stability, and higher energy density. NMC batteries are preferable for long-range and colder climate conditions in Europe and North America. NMC batteries offer high-density packs within the same dimension and same weight, due to which their demand is expected to significantly grow in upcoming years. In 2021, BHP announced the signing of a nickel supply agreement with Tesla, Inc. In addition to the supply agreement, BHP and Tesla Inc will collaborate on ways to make the battery supply chain more sustainable. In January 2022, GODI (India) announced the manufacturing of the first batch of commercial-grade NMC batteries. These factors are expected to fuel the growth of NMC batteries in electric commercial vehicles.



Asia Pacific shows high growth potential for electric commercial vehicle market

Asia Pacific is home to many OEMs, such as Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (India), BYD (China), King Long (China), Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan), and Nissan Motor Corporation (Japan). The Asia Pacific market is dominated by China, which has large sales volumes for electric commercial vehicles. Japan also plays a vital role in automotive technology in Asia Pacific. With advancements in technologies, the Japanese electric commercial vehicle market is expected to grow. In July 2022, Toyota Motor Corporation announced to work with Allied Motors to develop fuel cell electric vans. The rising demand of customers for faster deliveries is the key factor driving the growth of the last mile delivery market in Asia Pacific. Governments of these countries have encouraged installing EV charging stations, formulated emission norms, and set deadlines for shifting to full or hybrid EVs from ICE vehicles. India is also working on increasing its electric vans and trucks in the market. The new vehicle scrappage policy in which old vehicles can be scrapped off for changing to low emission zones and other upcoming policies will help the country become a lucrative market for electric commercial vehicle in the coming years.



Last Mile Delivery is expected to be largest in market in the forecast period.

The rise of e-commerce has significantly increased the demand for last-mile delivery services, leading to various developments in the commercial vehicle sector.Companies are adding electric commercial vehicles, such as electric vans, electric trucks and pickup trucks, to their fleets to reduce expenses and reduce vehicle emissions.



In May 2022, Terrago (India) used a fleet of 65 Mahindra Treo Zor cargo vehicles for delivery purpose in India. The electric commercial market will grow due to the increasing investments by governments across the globe.



In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in this market.

 By Company Type: OEMs - 50% Tier I - 33%, Tier 2 - 17%, and

 By Designation: CXOs-45% , Directors-35% , Others*- 20%

 By Region: North America - 22%, Europe - 42% and Asia Pacific - 36%

The electric commercial vehicle market is dominated by established players such as BYD (China), Mercedes Benz Group AG (Germany), AB Volvo (Sweden), Tesla, Inc (US), and PACCAR Inc (US).The market ranking has been derived by considering ECV sales and a certain percentage of segmental revenue for each of the companies mentioned above.



These companies also offer extensive products and solutions for the automotive industry. These companies have strong distribution networks at the global level, and they invest heavily in R&D to develop new products.



Research Coverage:

Electric Commercial Vehicle Market by Propulsion (BEV, FCEV), Vehicle Type (Pickup Truck, Truck, Van), Range, Battery Type, Power Output, Battery Capacity, Component, End User, by Body Construction and Region.It also covers the competitive landscape and company profiles of the major players in the electric commercial vehicle market ecosystem.



The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.



Reasons to buy the Report:

 The report will help market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of revenue numbers for the overall electric commercial vehicle market and its subsegments.

 This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and plan suitable go-to-market strategies.

 The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05382300/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (19 July 2023)  IMCD N.V. ("IMCD" or "Company"), a global leading distribution partner, formulator of speciality chemicals and ingredients, and solutions provider, today announces that it signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of REPRESENTACIONES DE MATERIAS PRIMAS INDUSTRIALES LIMITADA (MAPRIN).

Our two companies joining forces is an important step in strengthening IMCDs presence in this continuously developing LATAM country. MAPRINs portfolio bolsters our capabilities in delivering effective solutions to customers and creates opportunities for developing IMCDs core markets, said Nicolas Kaufmann, Americas President, IMCD.

Established in 1975 and headquartered in Santiago, Chile, MAPRIN is a leading raw materials distributor for the beauty and personal care industry. It is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company that demonstrates responsibility in adopting high regulatory and quality standards to serve the Chilean market. It is privately owned and features a diverse portfolio of products from leading global manufacturers of raw materials for use in a variety of applications in the beauty and personal care industries.

IMCDs multinational presence was important in making the decision to further progress our business through this acquisition, said Jorge Croxatto, General Manager and Co-Founder, MAPRIN. Its global reputation as a reliable solutions provider and experience in successfully working with acquired distributors has accelerated growth throughout LATAM. IMCDs global reach, sustainability motives and path to digitalization are future focused. We are pleased to soon offer these capabilities to maintain the confidence our customers and partners have in our team to further drive marketplace innovation.

MAPRIN generated a revenue of approximately USD $8 million in 2022. IMCD welcomes MAPRINs 20 employees to its LATAM organization.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to take place in August 2023.

Attached, the press release in pdf format, the main visual, and the photo caption.

Attachments
New York, NY, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This year, an impressive nine New York Film Academy (NYFA) students and alums were accepted into the prestigious Academy GOLD Production Track for the Summer of 2023. The Academy GOLD Rising Program is a talent development, diversity, and inclusion initiative created by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)--the same organization that hosts the Oscars. The GOLD Rising program is available to students with interests in cinematography, costume design, film editing, production design, sound, and visual effects.

Each year, hundreds of students compete to place within a limited number of available slots. This year, NYFA will be represented in all six categories. Last year, the GOLD Rising program included NYFA students and alums in all categories but sound. The NYFA students and alums selected for this year, 2023, include:

Martin Lalanne (Sound)

Richard Townsley (Editing)

Kaihan Huang (Editing)

Shoaib Shawl (Production Design)

Sarah Maue (Costume Design)

Alejandra Rubiera (Cinematography)

Niccolo Azzuro (Cinematography)

Srivathsan Selvarajan (Cinematography)

Yuri Loveyko (VFX)

We are proud to have so many students and alums whose hard work was recognized in this years Production Track program. This is an incredibly competitive program, and their acceptance is a testament to their talent and the preparation they receive at NYFA, says Barbara Weintraub, Senior Director of Career Development and Industry Outreach at NYFA.

Participants will be given the chance to experience a film shoot on a professional sound stage and shadow an active production set with industry professionals. After participants complete the program, they will be assigned a mentor to guide their professional career paths. The particpants are considered Academy GOLD alums for life, which comes with exciting benefits such as the chance to attend the Academy Awards and network with professionals who have won or been nominated for the Academy Awards.

The Academy GOLD Rising program was developed to induct and nurture the next generation of artists. The program strives to include creatives across diverse backgrounds and grant them access to resources to support their careers in filmmaking. The program includes professional and creative development opportunities for film-related career pursuits. The Academy GOLD Rising program is parent to the following programs: GOLD Rising, GOLD Fellowship for Women, the Student Academy Awards, and the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting.

The Academy has led the advancement of film as art since its inception in 1927, comprising seventeen branches and over nine thousand members, and has supported some of the worlds greatest filmmakers.

Director of Marvels feature film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Destin Daniel Cretton, is an alum of The Academy GOLD program. You can watch his conversation with NYFA in a Q&A-List Series online event about his life after winning the Academys Nicholls Fellowship Award. NYFAs own 1-Year Certificate program alum Rodrigo Gomez Davila, a professional editor at Netflix with professional crew and assistant editor credits including Heaven Cant Wait and Muted, is an Academy GOLD Rising member and Fulbright scholar.

Be sure to read about the students selected for last years 2022 Academy GOLD Rising program.

NYFA congratulates the chosen students and alums for their incredible accomplishment in being accepted to The Academys GOLD Rising program!

About NYFA

New York Film Academy (NYFA) is a leading film, media, and performing arts college that offers intensive undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and workshops across a multitude of areas of study in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Gold Coast (Australia), Florence (Italy), Beijing (China), and more. NYFA also offers online programs to provide unparalleled "Hands-Online" education experiences that allow aspiring storytellers across the world to access valuable industry knowledge from anywhere.

For more information, please visit nyfa.edu.

Attachments
Protaras, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protaras, Cyprus -

La Mer Homes would like to invite travellers to spend their vacations at the companys beautiful beach villas in Cyprus. The company is accustomed to helping tourists and other parties make the most of their visit, and they look forward to welcoming new guests during the summer. With holiday villas and apartments in every major tourist city along the east coast, including Protaras, Ayia Napa, Larnaca, and more, La Mer Homes has helped create many magical summer holidays in Cyprus. All La Mer rentals can be found in prime locations, and there are great deals available for every one of their 150+ exclusive rental properties.

From modern, luxury villas with luxury pools to family homes and apartments, La Mer has something for everyone. Making sure their guests have the best stay possible is the primary goal at La Mer, and this is why they make it a point to provide their full support and assistance with any booking. Guests will find they have a full team of knowledgeable assistants to help them pick out the right place for their budget and needs (and generally help with the holiday booking process) when they work with La Mer Homes.

Each La Mer premium holiday booking also includes add-on services that guests can discuss with the concierge team. These include boat hire, airport transfers, car hire, welcome food baskets, and much more all  with the intention of creating the best holiday experience possible.

The companys main focus, however, lies in helping people find beautiful seaview holiday villas in Cyprus. La Mer Homes excels at this, and they have a strong reputation for guiding countless people towards the perfect summer island holiday.

At La Mer Homes, you can discover the very best of Cyprus beautiful landscapes, sandy beaches and sunny climate, says La Mer Homes. Whether youre holidaying as a couple, with family or friends, our exclusive beach villa selection has something for everyone. Booking your stay with our travel experts ensures that you will find the best possible price and experience when you stay in one of our many villas by the beach.



In addition to helping holiday makers find beachfront properties, La Mer Homes offers a range of property management services. Owning property can be incredibly lucrative, but it can also be very stressful. Getting to the point where a piece of property produces steady, reliable income takes a lot of time and effort. It can also be quite costly, initially.

Fortunately, La Mer Homes provides the knowledge and resources needed to make owning property and making money from it far less challenging. Property management is an ever-changing field that requires owners or managers to keep on top of changes in the market at all times. To accommodate this requirement, La Mer has a team of experts in a variety of fields who work to provide a hassle-free, cost-effective property management service.

Additionally, the company offers assistance to those who wish to find the best properties for purchase in Cyprus. As an independent registered estate agency with a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping their guests find the ideal property, La Mer provides its clientele with access to the best listings in the region.

Cyprus is a popular holiday destination, thanks to the islands vibrant culture and natural beauty. What the island is best known for, however, is its world class beaches. Holiday makers come from far and wide to experience Cyprus and its white sandy beaches. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and has a deep and interesting history which has led to the creation of a culture and society that has enchanted visitors for centuries. Every year, millions of tourists visit the island, particularly in the summer where they go on to have memorable experiences on what many consider to be the most beautiful island in the world.

La Mer Homes has made it a mission to help people experience the best of Cyprus in hundreds of unique ways. Whether they intend to visit once, visit occasionally or stay forever, La Mer Homes is there to help make sure every aspect of a guests stay goes according to plan.

Travellers may get in touch with the company today to start planning a trip to Cyprus with La Mer Homes. More information on La Mer Homes and their services can be found at the following here.

###

For more information about La Mer Homes, contact the company here:



La Mer Homes

Emilios Kafas

+357 23740053

info@lamerhomes.com

7-8, 259 Protaras Ave 5291, Paralimni, Cyprus
SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.



Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/xpof

Contact An Attorney Now: XPOF@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Xponential Fitness, Inc. (XPOF) Investigation:

The investigation focuses on Xponential Fitness past claims that [t]he foundation of our business is built on strong partnerships with franchisees and [w]e are highly focused on providing franchisees with extensive support to help maximize their performance and enhance their return on investment.

But, on June 26, 2023, analyst Fuzzy Panda Research published a scathing report based in part on interviews with former business partners, franchisees, and employees of Xponential Fitness CEO (Anthony Geisler), concluding the XPOF house of cards is beginning to fall.

With respect to Geisler, Fuzzy Panda's research reveals: (1) Geisler was previously CEO of a reverse merger, pink sheets, pump & dump called Interactive Solutions (INSC) that used Bangkok boiler rooms and (2) former franchisees, and colleagues of Geislers described him as a crook and detailed his many scams and illegal business practices[.]

Fuzzy Panda also found that over 50% of the companys average studios are losing money, 80% of its brands have unprofitable business models, franchisees are giving their studios back to XPOF for $1, more of the worst loss-making transition studios are on XPOFs balance sheet and they have become harder for XPOF to re-sell, and XPOF has closed lots of studios despite managements claim to never closed a single studio.

In response, the price of Xponential shares crashed as much as 42% lower on June 27, 2023.

Were focused on investors losses and whether Xponential lied about its business model and financial metrics, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Xponential Fitness and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Xponential Fitness should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email XPOF@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Xponential Fitness, Inc. (Xponential or the Company) (NYSE: XPOF). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.



The investigation concerns whether Xponential and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 26, 2023, Fuzzy Panda Research (FPR) published a report on Xponential entitled Abusive Franchisor That Is A House Of Cards. Citing interviews with franchisees and disclosure documents, the FPR report alleged that Xponentials Founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Geisler, has a long history of misleading investors and business partners and that Xponential is hiding the fact that many of [the Companys] brands and franchisees are struggling.

On this news, Xponentials stock price fell $9.38 per share, or 37.36%, to close at $15.73 per share on June 27, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com .




OTTAWA, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royal LePage Team Realty, an award-winning brokerage with locations across the entire National Capital Region, raised over $65,000 at their annual Denim Day auction on Tuesday, May 16th at The Brookstreet Hotel. The funds will be donated to Queensway Carleton Hospitals (QCH) 4K technology updates for their operating rooms as well as to the CHEO cancer wing and the Perley Health Centre.



Thanks to the remarkable generosity of the REALTORS and staff at Royal LePage Team Realty, this donation will help QCH get closer to their goal of bringing cutting-edge technology into all of their operating rooms. With these advancements, the surgical suites will be fitted with the latest smart software and hardware innovations that will revolutionize patient care.

Denim Day is an annual auction fundraiser held internally at Royal LePage Team Realty. It started 22 years ago when a REALTOR bought a tie for $250 at a company breakfast. The money was donated to a cancer charity and the annual event was born. Each year, that same tie is the first item to be sold. The agents and staff also donate a wide range of items or experiences and then bid generously. This year, 350 agents attended and bid on 47 live auction items and 87 silent auction items. Since 2001, Royal LePage Team Realtys Denim Day has raised over $765,000 for local charities with a focus on breast cancer support.

The agents are always incredibly creative with their auction donations. We see everything from a plate of fudge that has sold for over $400 to a sunrise boat ride on the St. Lawrence that went for $1800 this year, says Kent Browne, Broker and Founder of Royal LePage Team Realty. Our company is very much family oriented and giving back to the community is very important to all of us.

The generosity of Royal LePage Team Realty doesnt end with Denim Day. They also donate approximately $300,000 every year to local womens shelters through the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation as well as support over 100 charities that are close to the hearts of their REALTORS.

Our REALTORS and staff donate generously whenever theres a need. I think its a true reflection of our name. You can feel that energy in the room when everybody comes together as a team. It is our culture to be generous, says Jason Ralph, Broker of Record and President of Royal LePage Team Realty.

About Royal LePage Team Realty:

Royal LePage Team Realty is the leading provider of real estate services in the National Capital Region, with over 22 offices through Ottawa, the Ottawa Valley, from Barrys Bay to Prescott and the 401 to our flagship office on Carling Avenue. With a dedicated team of over 540 professionals, they are committed to delivering exceptional service to assist clients in achieving their real estate goals.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e568626-91e3-4407-b394-b92c1fbffd17
HOUSTON, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Archrock, Inc. (NYSE:AROC) (Archrock) will host a conference call on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, to discuss its second quarter 2023 financial and operating results. The call will begin at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Archrock will release its second quarter 2023 earnings report prior to the conference call.



To listen to the call via a live webcast, please visit Archrocks website at www.archrock.com. The call will also be available by dialing 1 (888) 440-5667 in the United States and Canada, or 1 (646) 960-0476 for international calls. The access code is 4749623. A replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days on Archrocks website shortly after the call.

About Archrock

Archrock is an energy infrastructure company with a primary focus on midstream natural gas compression and a commitment to helping its customers produce, compress and transport natural gas in a safe and environmentally responsible way. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Archrock is the leading provider of natural gas compression services to customers in the energy industry throughout the U.S. and a leading supplier of aftermarket services to customers that own compression equipment. For more information on how the Company embodies its purpose, WE POWER A CLEANER AMERICA, visit www.archrock.com .

SOURCE: Archrock, Inc.

For information, contact:

Megan Repine

Vice President, Investor Relations

(281) 836-8360

investor.relations@archrock.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newcore Gold Ltd. ("Newcore" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NCAU, OTCQX: NCAUF) is pleased to report the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on July 19, 2023. Shareholders voted in favour of all resolutions set out in the Companys Notice of Meeting and Information Circular, dated June 15, 2023.



Shareholders voted in favour of setting the number of directors at nine and the following incumbent directors were re-elected as directors for the ensuing year: Douglas B. Forster, Blayne Johnson, Luke Alexander, Omaya Elguindi, Edward Farrauto, Douglas Hurst, Ryan King, George Salamis, and Michael Vint. The shareholders also approved the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors. A total of 61,206,747 common shares were voted, representing 44% of the Companys total shares issued and outstanding as at the record date of the meeting.

About Newcore Gold Ltd.

Newcore Gold is advancing its Enchi Gold Project located in Ghana, Africas largest gold producer (1). Newcore Gold offers investors a unique combination of top-tier leadership, who are aligned with shareholders through their 21% equity ownership, and prime district scale exploration opportunities. Enchis 216 km2 land package covers 40 kilometres of Ghanas prolific Bibiani Shear Zone, a gold belt which hosts several 5 million-ounce gold deposits, including the Chirano mine 50 kilometers to the north. Newcores vision is to build a responsive, creative and powerful gold enterprise that maximizes returns for shareholders.

(1) Source: Production volumes for 2022 as sourced from the World Gold Council

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Newcore Gold Ltd.

Luke Alexander

President, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

+1 604 484 4399

info@newcoregold.com

www.newcoregold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) today issued a quarterly Fleet Status Report that provides the current status of, and contract information for, the companys fleet of offshore drilling rigs.



This quarters report includes the following updates:

Seventh Generation Ultra-Deepwater Drillship (Deepwater Invictus, Deepwater Thalassa, or Deepwater Proteus)  Awarded a 1,080-day contract in Mexico at a rate of $480,000.

Transocean Equinox  Awarded a five-well contract, plus a one-well option in Australia at a rate of $455,000.

Transocean Equinox  Awarded a sixteen-well contract in Australia at a rate of $485,000, plus 21 one-well options at rates between $485,000 and $540,000.

Transocean Endurance  Awarded a two-well contract in Norway at a rate of $385,000.

Transocean Barents  Awarded a one-well contract in Lebanon at a rate of $365,000, plus 3 one-well options at rates that may vary between $350,000 and $390,000.

Transocean Encourage  Customer exercised six one-well options in Norway at a current rate of $464,000.

Transocean Norge  Customer exercised a one-well option in Norway at a current rate of $365,000 and 3 one-well options at a current rate of $420,000.

Transocean Barents  Customer exercised a one-well option in the East Mediterranean Sea at a rate of $370,000.

The aggregate incremental backlog associated with these fixtures is approximately $1.2 billion. As of July 19, 2023, the companys total backlog is approximately $9.2 billion. Assuming all contract options are exercised, the potential incremental backlog associated with the contract options is approximately $480 million to $500 million.

The report can be accessed on the companys website: www.deepwater.com.

About Transocean

Transocean is a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells. Transocean specializes in technically demanding sectors of the global offshore drilling business with a particular focus on deepwater and harsh environment drilling services and operates the highest specification floating offshore drilling fleet in the world.

Transocean owns or has partial ownership interests in and operates a fleet of 37 mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of 28 ultra-deepwater floaters and nine harsh environment floaters. In addition, Transocean holds a noncontrolling ownership interest in a company that is constructing one ultra-deepwater drillship.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements described herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements could contain words such as "possible," "intend," "will," "if," "expect," or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations and assumptions, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, estimated duration of customer contracts, contract dayrate amounts, future contract commencement dates and locations, planned shipyard projects and other out-of-service time, sales of drilling units, timing of the companys newbuild deliveries, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, actions by customers and other third parties, the fluctuation of current and future prices of oil and gas, the global and regional supply and demand for oil and gas, the intention to scrap certain drilling rigs, the success of our business following prior acquisitions, the effects of the spread of and mitigation efforts by governments, businesses and individuals related to contagious illnesses, such as COVID-19, and other factors, including those and other risks discussed in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and in the company's other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC's website at: www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize (or the other consequences of such a development worsen), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the company or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or which we become aware of, after the date hereof, except as otherwise may be required by law. All non-GAAP financial measure reconciliations to the most comparative GAAP measure are displayed in quantitative schedules on the companys website at: www.deepwater.com.

This press release, or referenced documents, do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and do not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA) or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of Transocean and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of Transocean.

Analyst Contact:

Alison Johnson

+1 713-232-7214

Media Contact:

Pam Easton

+1 713-232-7647
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues its investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE: WLY, WLYB) resulting from allegations that Wiley may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.



SO WHAT: If you purchased Wiley securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17186 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On March 9, 2023, Wiley announced its Q3 2023 financial results, in which it disclosed issues at Hindawi, one of its subsidiaries. The Companys CEO stated Our third quarter results and revised full year outlook are clearly below our expectations and While our core business and markets are strong, weve been challenged this year by unpredictable market headwinds and an unplanned publishing pause at Hindawi. It was further announced that Research was down 4% as reported, or down 2% at constant currency and excluding acquisitions, primarily due to a pause in the Hindawi special issues publishing program. The program was suspended temporarily due to the presence in certain special issues of compromised articles. As a result, Hindawi revenue declined $9 million vs. prior year, offsetting growth in other open access publishing programs.

On this news, the price of Wiley Class A stock price declined by $7.55, or 17.35%, to close at $35.96 per share on March 9, 2023.

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. 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

pkim@rosenlegal.com

cases@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
GUELPH, Ontario, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hammond Power Solutions Inc. (HPS or the Company) (TSX: HPS.A) today announced that it will release its financial results for the Second Quarter ended July 1, 2023 on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, HPS will hold a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

This call can be accessed by registration through participant links:

Date/Time: August 2, 2023/ 9 a.m. ET

Live Call Participant Registration Link:

https://register.vevent.com/register/BIf5fcd9593eca4a6eab826607fa087f70

Audio-Only Webcast:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/v6ky5kb5

A webcast replay will be available for 12 months.

ABOUT HAMMOND POWER SOLUTIONS INC.

Hammond Power Solutions Inc. (HPS or the Company) enables electrification through its broad range of dry-type transformers, power quality products and related magnetics. HPS standard and custom-designed products are essential and ubiquitous in electrical distribution networks through an extensive range of end-user applications. The company has manufacturing plants in Canada, the United States (U.S.), Mexico and India and sells its products around the globe. HPS shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol HPS.A.

Hammond Power Solutions  passionate people energizing a better world
Duluth, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duluth, Georgia -

The Atlanta Institute of Music and Media (AIMM) is thrilled to announce its highly-anticipated Summer Open House event on Saturday, August 12th, beginning promptly at noon. All future music superstars and tech enthusiasts are invited to step inside AIMM's hub of creativity and learning located at 2875 Breckinridge Blvd, Suite 700, Duluth, GA 30096.

This unique open house is a vibrant platform to explore AIMM's modern campus, engage with faculty, and mingle with like-minded students. Attendees of this event will have the opportunity to experience AIMM's immersive, hands-on training through captivating live performances and engaging sample classes.

Sample classes will cover a wide range of music disciplines, from music production to instrument performance, showcasing cutting-edge music and technology. Guitar, bass, vocals, drums, and keyboard classes will also be featured at the open house.

AIMM is committed to success, as demonstrated by the achievements of music production alums like Kesha Lee (Childish Gambino, Gucci Mane), KEYZBABY (Beyonce, Cardi B, Wiz Khalifa), Stephen Freeman (Tyrese, Method Man, Mary J. Blige), and Turbo the Great (Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert). AIMM's success stories highlight the bright future that awaits students who choose AIMM for their music and technology education.

For someone considering attending a music production school or music performance school, AIMM provides a wealth of certificate and degree programs. Known as one of the best music colleges in the region, AIMM offers certificates in Music Production, Music and Technology, as well as Performance Certificates for Voice, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, and Drums. These programs can be completed in 12 to 18 months.

For a more in-depth industry education, AIMM also offers a degree in Music Production and Audio for Media. For those wanting to focus on vocals or instrument performance, AIMM offers a Music and Technology degree, where students will learn to blend instrument performance with recording and engineering skills. Both programs can be completed in 18 to 36 months, depending on a student's commitment.

For those who value convenience and flexibility, this Georgia school also offers Online Certificates in Music Production, Music and Technology with a Guitar Concentration, and Music and Technology with a Bass Concentration.

Nite Driscoll, president of AIMM, explains what sets the school and its diverse educational offerings apart from other music institutions. "Our school stands in a class of its own. Atlanta is renowned for its vibrant music scene, where our students can establish invaluable industry connections. We offer comprehensive music performance programs for voice, guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums. Our music performance majors can collaborate with our music production students and explore specialized music production courses not typically found in other performance-based curriculums."

AIMM is an Atlanta institution that prides itself on exceptional programs, advanced facilities, and invaluable industry connections in music and technology.

AIMM asks that all interested attendees secure their spot by August 11th.

For more information and to RSVP, visit their website.

About Atlanta Institute of Music and Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcuwKYjfLgo

Atlanta Institute of Music and Media (AIMM) has distinguished itself as a premier institution committed to fostering the talent of aspiring musicians and technology enthusiasts. AIMM provides an immersive, hands-on learning experience, utilizing cutting-edge facilities and staffed by dedicated industry professionals. AIMM strives to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and industry connections necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

###

For more information about Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, contact the company here:



Atlanta Institute of Music and Media

Nite Driscoll

(770) 242-7717

admissions@aimm.edu

2875 Breckinridge Blvd #700,

Duluth, Georgia 30096
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: "We built further momentum in our Pilbara iron ore business for the quarter, and now expect to deliver shipments in the upper half of our guidance range for the year. The ramp-up of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine progressed ahead of plan, and we remain on track to more than triple its copper production by the end of the decade. Production downgrades during the quarter highlight that we still have much more to do elsewhere, as we roll out the Safe Production System to create stability and achieve excellence across our global portfolio.

"We continued to take disciplined measures to grow in the materials the world needs for the energy transition, with investments to expand our low carbon aluminium production and increase our underground copper production at Kennecott.

"We are taking practical steps and making investments to decarbonise, being the first to convert an open pit mine to renewable diesel at our Boron operations, signing a memorandum of understanding with Baowu to explore decarbonisation of the steel value chain and delivering first production from our ground-breaking BlueSmelting demonstration plant at Sorel-Tracy in Quebec in July."

Production* Quarter 2

2023 vs Q2

2022 vs Q1

2023 H1

2023 vs HY

2022 Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis) (Mt) 79.1 -1% -4% 161.7 +7% Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis) (Mt) 81.3 +3% +2% 160.5 +7% Bauxite (Mt) 13.5 -5% +12% 25.6 -8% Aluminium (kt) 814 +11% +4% 1,598 +9% Mined Copper (consolidated basis) (kt) 145 -1% 0% 290 -1% Titanium dioxide slag (kt) 303 +4% +6% 589 +4% IOC** iron ore pellets & concentrate (Mt) 2.1 -21% -18% 4.6 -8% *Rio Tinto share unless otherwise stated **Iron Ore Company of Canada

Q2 2023 operational highlights and other key announcements

Our all-injury frequency rate of 0.36 was a small increase from the second quarter of 2022 (0.35), and from the prior quarter (0.35). Investigations are underway following significant process safety incidents. There were two incidents at our Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium (RTIT) Sorel-Tracy complex which did not result in injuries. The Kennecott operation experienced an escape of furnace gas during the maintenance shut, where all treated people have been cleared. We are heightening our focus on managing these risks and continue to prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of our workforce, and communities where we operate.

Pilbara operations produced 81.3 million tonnes (100% basis) in the second quarter, 3% higher than the second quarter of 2022 as Gudai-Darri achieved sustained nameplate capacity during the period. ?Shipments were 79.1 million tonnes (100% basis), 1% lower than the corresponding period of 2022, reflecting the impact of planned major maintenance at the Dampier port and a train derailment. With continued operational improvements across the Pilbara system, and the implementation of the Safe Production System, full year shipments are now expected to be in the upper half of the original 320 to 335 million tonne range.

Bauxite production of 13.5 million tonnes was 5% lower than the second quarter of 2022 as our Weipa operations were impacted by the higher-than-average first quarter rainfall, which continued to reduce pit access and led to longer haul distances. Production was further affected by equipment downtime at both Weipa and Gove. As a result, our bauxite full year production is expected to be at the lower end of our 54 to 57 million tonne range, as we implement plans to recover lost production at both operations through the remainder of the year.

Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 11% higher than the second quarter of 2022 as we benefited from the continued ramp-up of the Kitimat smelter. Recovery at the Boyne and Kitimat smelters is progressing to plan with full ramp-up expected to be completed later in the year. All our other smelters continued to demonstrate stable performance during the quarter.

On 12 June, we announced an investment of $1.1 billion to expand our AP60 aluminium smelter equipped with low-carbon technology at Complexe Jonquiere in Canada. The total investment includes up to $113 million of financial support from the Quebec government. This expansion will coincide with the gradual closure of potrooms at the Arvida smelter on the same site. While at our Alma smelter in Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, we commenced construction to increase our capacity to cast low-carbon, high-value aluminium billets.

Mined copper production of 145 thousand tonnes (on a consolidated basis), was 1% lower than the second quarter of 2022. We benefited from the continued ramp-up of the high grade underground mine at Oyu Tolgoi. However, this benefit was more than offset by the continued operation of Kennecott's concentrator at reduced rates, as we recovered from a conveyor failure in March 2023, and unplanned maintenance, and lower crusher and conveyor availability, at Escondida.

Refined copper guidance has been reduced to 160 to 190 thousand tonnes (previously 180 to 210 thousand tonnes) and our copper C1 unit cost guidance has been raised to 180 to 200 US cents/lb (from 160 to 180 US cents/lb) as completion of the rebuild of the Kennecott smelter is now expected in September 2023 (previously August 2023). The extension of the rebuild is due to the addition of a full rebuild of the flash converting furnace to the scope, which is expected to further improve asset stability and process safety management.

On 20 June, we announced $498 million of funding to deliver underground development and infrastructure for an area known as the North Rim Skarn1 (NRS) at Kennecott. Production from the NRS will commence in 2024 and is expected to ramp up over two years, to deliver ~250 thousand tonnes of additional mined copper over the next 10 years2 alongside open cut operations.

Titanium dioxide slag production of 303 thousand tonnes was 4% higher than the second quarter of 2022, due to improved operational performance at our smelters. Notwithstanding, our RTIT Quebec Operations experienced two incidents in separate furnaces in June and July which we are investigating. Given these investigations and weaker market conditions, our full year production is expected to be at the lower end of the 1.1 to 1.4 million tonne range.

IOC production was 21% lower than the second quarter of 2022 as we lost ~3.5 weeks of production in June, primarily due to wildfires in Northern Quebec, together with a slightly extended shutdown. Operations have resumed, however our full year production guidance has been reduced to 10.0 to 11.0 million tonnes (previously 10.5 to 11.5 million tonnes), and remains subject to further disruption from fire conditions.

At our Rincon lithium project in Argentina, our $140 million estimate and schedule to develop the starter plant remains under review in response to cost escalation.

In the second quarter, we commenced deployment of the Safe Production System at a further two sites, taking the total to 20 sites. The Safe Production System focuses on continuously improving safety, strengthening employee engagement and sustainably lifting operational performance across our global portfolio. While we still have a lot to do to see sustainable improvement, site deployments are rolling out according to plan and we expect to be at the upper end of our range of four to eight new sites in 2023.

On 13 June, we announced that Ivan Vella, Chief Executive, Aluminium, has accepted a new position outside of Rio Tinto and will leave in December 2023. He will continue to lead Aluminium while a robust process to identify his successor is undertaken but has stepped down from the Group's executive committee.

We saw a cash outflow from an increase in working capital of circa $0.9 billion in the first half of 2023, reflecting a build in blasted and mine stocks in the Pilbara to support overall system health, and higher spares and stores (including seasonality due to the Diavik winter road). Payables were also lower due to the timing of spend, and normal volatility in amounts due to JV partners and employees. Operating cash flow was also impacted by lower dividends from Escondida during the first half ($0.3 billion in H1 2023; $0.6 billion in H1 2022).

All figures in this report are unaudited. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tinto's share of production, unless otherwise stated.

The full second quarter production results are available here

1The NRS Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, together with the Lower Commercial Skarn (LCS) Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, form the Underground Skarns Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.

2This production target for 2023 to 2033 is underpinned 25% by Probable Ore Reserves, 9% by Indicated Resources, and 66% by Inferred Resources. Mined copper is reported as total recoverable metal. These estimates of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves were reported in a release dated 20 June 2023 titled "Rio Tinto Kennecott Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (Table 1 Release) which is available on Rio Tinto's website at resources & reserves (riotinto.com) and have been prepared by Competent Persons in accordance with the requirements of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, 2012 (JORC Code) and the ASX Listing Rules.

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Steve Allen, Rio Tinto's Group Company Secretary.

LEI: 213800YOEO5OQ72G2R82

Classification: 3.1 Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718852495/en/

Contact

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, United Kingdom

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough

M +61 436 653 412

Alyesha Anderson

M +61 434 868 118

Media Relations, Americas

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Investor Relations, United Kingdom

Menno Sanderse

M +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Danielle Smith

M +44 7788 190 672

Investor Relations, Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Amar Jambaa

M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto Plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Ltd.

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: General
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, DISSEMINATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES/

VANCOUVER, July 18, 2023 - Kainantu Resources Ltd. (TSXV: KRL) (FSE: 6J0) ("KRL" or the "Company"), the Asia-Pacific focused gold mining company, is pleased to announce that it has closed a further C$0.3 million second tranche of its private placement financing of C$1.8 million (the "Offering"), originally announced on May 30, 2023.

In the first tranche of the Offering, the Company has issued an aggregate of 6,289,551 senior convertible debentures (the "Debentures") at a price of C$0.08 per Debenture to raise gross proceeds of C$503,164.06 originally announced on June 22, 2023.

Under the second tranche of the Offering, the Company has issued an aggregate of 3,710,449 senior convertible debentures (the "Debentures") at a price of C$0.08 per Debenture to raise gross proceeds of C$296,835.94.

The Debentures, which will be issued pursuant to the Private Placement, will have a conversion price of C$0.08 per common share of the Company (the "Conversion Price"), provided that if the Company does not complete a consolidation of its outstanding common shares (the "Consolidation") that would result in a conversion price of at least $0.10 on a post-Consolidation basis is prior to the date that is 12 months from the date of issuance of the convertible notes, the Conversion Price shall thereafter be $0.10.

Closing of the Private Placement and the Consolidation remain subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The Debentures and the common shares of the Company issuable upon conversion of the Debentures are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day ending on November 19, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities law.

A final tranche of the Offering of up to an additional approximately C$1.0 million remains open and is expected to close on or before August 11, 2023 with further updates provided in due course.

Use of Proceeds

The net proceeds from the Offering are intended to be used, but are not limited to, the potential completion of the acquisition of the Kili Teke Project (which requires a further payment to Harmony Gold (PNG) Exploration Limited of US$400,000 as a condition of closing). In addition, proceeds will be used to advance exploration programmes focusing on specific high-grade potential drilling targets at KRL North (adjacent to K92), KRL South (focusing on the Ontenu target) and May River (primarily at the Mountain Gate prospect). Proceeds will also be used for general working capital purposes.

Use of Proceeds Amount Weighting Completion of Kili Teke Acquisition C$530,000 38 % Exploration activities C$420,000 30 % General Working Capital & Investor Relations C$450,000 32 % TOTAL C$ 1,400,000 100 %

Finder's Fees

No finders' fees are payable on funds raised in this tranche of the private placement.

Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Related Party Transaction

Snowfields Wealth Management Limited ("Snowfields") and Season Cove Limited ("Season Cove") are both insiders of the Company by virtue of:

(a) in the case of Snowfields, it is controlled by Geoffrey Lawrence, director, and holds 19.99% of the Common Shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis; and (b) in the case of Season Cove, holding 12.09% of the Common Shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis.

Snowfields Wealth Management Limited and Season Cove participated in the first and second tranches of the Offering by purchasing 3,639,236 Units, and 1,955,816 Units, respectively, for an aggregate subscription price of C$291,138.88 and C$156,465.28, respectively and accordingly, the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" for the Company within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval under MI 61-101 as the fair market value of Axis' and Season Cove's participation in the Offering does not exceed more than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as set forth in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The Company will not file a material change report more than twenty-one (21) days before the expected closing date of the Offering, as the Company wished to close the Offering as soon as practicable. A copy of the early warning reports to be filed by the Company in connection with the Offering will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and may also be obtained by contacting the Company at info@krl.com.sg. This news release is issued under the early warning provisions of the Canadian securities legislation.

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.

About Kainantu Resources (KRL)

Kainantu Resources 'KRL' is an Asia-Pacific focused gold mining company with four highly prospective gold-copper projects, the Kili Teke Project, KRL South, KRL North and the May River Project. All projects are located in premier mining regions in PNG.

Both KRL North and KRL South show potential to host high-grade epithermal and porphyry mineralisation, as seen elsewhere in the high-grade Kainantu Gold District. The May River project is in close proximity to the world-renowned Frieda River Copper-Gold Project, with historical drilling indicating the potential for significant copper-gold projects. KRL has a highly experienced board and management team with a proven track record of working together in the region; and an established in-country partner.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Information

This release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the expected closing of a second tranche of the Offering and use of proceeds from the closing of the first tranche of the Offering the Conversion Price and the potential Consolidation. These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include; success of the Company's projects; prices for gold remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Company's projects; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mineral exploration; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mineral exploration; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the availability of additional capital; title matters and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com). Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described, or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

SOURCE Kainantu Resources Ltd.
VANCOUVER, July 19, 2023 - Alaska Energy Metals Corp. (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) ("Alaska Energy Metals" or the "Company") reports that the brokered private placement announced in its news release of July 6, 2023 ("Brokered Private Placement") has been increased to 21,250,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.40 per Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $8,500,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase an additional Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.80 for a term of two (2) years from the date of issuance. The Company engaged Emerging Equities Inc. as lead agent (the "Lead Agent"), on behalf of a syndicate of agents including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners, Red Cloud Securities Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. (together with the Lead Agent, the "Agents"), to raise a minimum of $4,000,000 on a commercially reasonable best efforts basis. Under the amended engagement letter with Emerging Equities the syndicate may raise up to $8,500,000 on a commercially reasonable best efforts basis.

A portion or all of the Brokered Private Placement may be completed pursuant to Multilateral CSA Notice 45-313 - Prospectus Exemption for Distributions to Existing Security Holders ("CSA 45-313") and the corresponding blanket orders and rules implementing CSA 45-313 in the participating jurisdictions in respect thereof (collectively with CSA 45-313, the "Existing Security Holder Exemption"). As at the date hereof, the Existing Security Holder Exemption is available in each of the offering jurisdictions (being, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan) (the "Offering Jurisdictions"). Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company will permit each person or company who, as of July 14, 2023 (being the record date set by the Company pursuant to CSA 45-313), holds Common Shares as of that date to subscribe for up to $15,000 (or 37,500 Units) in Units that will be distributed pursuant to the Brokered Private Placement, provided that the Existing Security Holder Exemption is available to such person or company. Qualifying shareholders who wish to participate in the Brokered Private Placement should contact the Company at the contact information set forth below.

In addition to the Existing Security Holder Exemption, a portion or all of the Brokered Private Placement may be completed pursuant to Multilateral CSA Notice 45-318 - Prospectus Exemption for Certain Distributions through an Investment Dealer ("CSA 45-318") and the corresponding blanket orders and rule implementing CSA 45- 318 in the participating jurisdictions in respect thereof (collectively with CSA 45-318, the "Investment Dealer Exemption"). As at the date hereof, of the Offering Jurisdictions, the Investment Dealer Exemption is available in each of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Pursuant to CSA 45-318, each subscriber relying on the Investment Dealer Exemption must obtain advice regarding the suitability of the investment from a registered investment dealer.

In accordance with the Investment Dealer Exemption, the Company advises that there is no material fact or material change of the Company that has not been disclosed.

The Company also announces a concurrent non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 by the issuance of up to 2,500,000 Units (the "Non-Brokered Private Placement, and with the Brokered Private Placement, the "Offerings"). The Non-Brokered Private Placement shall be on the same terms as the Brokered Private Placement. Units will be sold at a price of $0.40 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Common Share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase a Warrant Share at an exercise price of $0.80, for a term of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Insiders may participate in the Non-Brokered Private Placement.

Assuming the Offerings are fully subscribed, the Company intends to allocate the net proceeds as follows: drilling at the Eureka Zone of the Nikolai project in Alaska ($4,500,000), metallurgical studies ($500,000), marketing ($1,500,000), property acquisitions ($1,000,000) and the remainder of the proceeds will be used towards general corporate purposes. Actual allocation of the net proceeds may vary from the foregoing and if the Offering is not fully subscribed, the Company may allocate the net proceeds of the Offerings in such priority and proportions as the board of directors or management of the Company determines is in the best interests of the Company.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offerings will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance. Completion of the Offerings remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

It is anticipated that the Offerings will close on or about July 26, 2023.

About Alaska Energy Metals

Alaska Energy Metals Corp. is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, palladium and gold. Located in development-friendly central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Gregory Beischer"

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164



Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the completion of the Offerings and the intended use of proceeds therefrom. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This news release does not constitute an offer for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, in the United States or to any "U.S Person" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act")) of any equity or other securities of the Company. The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom.
DESIGNATED NEWS RELEASE

VANCOUVER, July 19, 2023 - Gold Royalty Corp. ("Gold Royalty" or the "Company") (NYSE American: GROY) will release its quarterly financial and operating results for the three months ending June 30, 2023 on Thursday, August 10, 2023, after market close.

An investor webcast will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023 starting at 10:00 am ET (7:00 am PT) to discuss these results. Management will be providing an update to interested stakeholders on the Company's quarterly results including key recent catalysts that have been announced on the assets underlying the Company's royalties. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session where participants will be able to ask any questions they may have of management.

To register for the investor webcast, please click the link below: https://www.bigmarker.com/vid-conferences/GoldRoyaltyCorp-TownHallForum-Q2Results

About Gold Royalty Corp.

Gold Royalty Corp. is a gold-focused royalty company offering creative financing solutions to the metals and mining industry. Its mission is to invest in high-quality, sustainable, and responsible mining operations to build a diversified portfolio of precious metals royalty and streaming interests that generate superior long-term returns for our shareholders. Gold Royalty's diversified portfolio currently consists primarily of net smelter return royalties on gold properties located in the Americas.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information:

Certain of the information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws ("forward-looking statements") which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Such statements can be generally identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "believe", "plans", "anticipate" or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, other important factors, and subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and other factors set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F and its other publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, 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. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gold-royalty-to-release-quarterly-operating-and-financial-results-on-august-10-2023-301880367.html

SOURCE Gold Royalty Corp.
July 19 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. (TSXV:HPY) ("Happy Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the detailed voting results from the Annual General Meeting held on July 18, 2023 (the "Meeting").

A total of 43,320,772 common shares of the 132,641,955 common shares outstanding at the record date were voted at the Meeting, representing 32.66% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company at the record date.

Election of Directors

Each of the following nominees set forth in the Company's management information circular dated June 14, 2023, was elected as a director of the Company to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed:

Nominee % Votes For % Votes Withheld Michael Cathro 99.92 0.08 David Blann 99.92 0.08 Rodger Gray 99.80 0.20 Walter Segsworth 100 0.00 Sarah Weber 99.80 0.20 Kent Pearson 99.76 0.24

At the Meeting the shareholders also approved the reappointment of DeVisser Gray LLP as the auditors of the Company, 79.00% For and 21.00% Withheld.

The shareholders also approved the change of the Company's name to "South Valley Copper Inc." with 100% For and 0.02% Against and ratified and approved the Company's 10% rolling Stock Option Plan with 99.80% For and 0.20% Against.

After the Meeting the following officers were appointed:

Walter Segsworth - Chairman

Michael Cathro - President and Chief Executive Officer

Richard Lee - Chief Financial Officer

On a corporate level, the Company has taken additional measures to conserve cash and the Board of Directors have increased efforts to identify funding and/or transactions to advance the Company's high-value package of 100% critical element properties in infrastructure-rich southern British Columbia.

Happy Creek continues to advance its projects through low-cost, prudent and important work, including permitting, community relations, technical compilation and targeting studies. In addition, the difficult markets are starting to present potential acquisition opportunities and these will be evaluated carefully.

On our expansive Highland Valley copper-molybdenum, project near Merritt, two Multi-Year Area-Based (MYAB) permits are good through 2026. The permits allow for over 100 drill pads and related access trails or trenches. To date, several dozen sites have also received archaeological clearance allowing testing of brand-new targets, and/or expansion of known deposits at Zones 1 and 2. Additional areas will be reviewed by the Company's archaeological consultants in August 2023, which should clear other areas for drilling and provide important flexibility for future drill programs.

The Company, its exploration lead, David Blann, P.Eng. and its advisors and consultants are excited to begin testing numerous, new, high-priority porphyry copper-gold-silver targets at Highland Valley including the large and underexplored Billy Road, Mystery Corridor, and Zone 2 Extensions targets among others. Happy Creek's exploration team is conducting field-based prospecting and geological refinement of drill targets, in conjunction with geophysical and geochemical interpretations.

MYAB permits are also under review by government agencies for the Fox Tungsten, Silverboss, Hen-Art-DL and Hawk projects in the Cariboo. Company representatives have regularly engaged with local First Nations. On the high-grade Fox Tungsten property, up to 570 drill pads and related trenches and access trails are proposed. The intent of this work plan is to conduct resource expansion drilling using low-impact, track-mounted surface drills. Due to the shallow and flat-dipping nature of the tungsten mineralization and very large-scale mineral system at Fox, many short vertical holes are planned needed to properly define additional resources.

About Happy Creek Minerals Ltd.

Happy Creek is focused on making new discoveries and building resources in proximity to infrastructure on the Company's 100%-owned portfolio of diversified metals projects in British Columbia. The Company's Management, Board of Directors and Technical Advisors have solid expertise and depth in the mineral resource sector and capital markets.

More information on the Company's projects can be found on the website at www.happycreekminerals.com.

Indigenous Communities

Happy Creek Minerals is committed to responsible mineral resource development. Our priority is to build and sustain mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous Communities in the territories in which the Company explores.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Michael Cathro"

President and Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Richard Lee, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: 604-590-1525

Email: manninglee32@gmail.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
A vacation bible school at Transformation Church during the local group's trip to Zambia in June. - submitted photos

A local group made it their mission last month to teach people in Zambia how to put on what many in this country grew up taking for granted: Vacation Bible School.

The team of 15 from the Coulee Dam/Almira Community Church left for Lusaka, Zambia June 13, led by Mike and Michele Dowlen and Danny Stone, and included Ethan and Rachel Harris, Derrick Johnson, Isaiah Marconi, Pepper Magoon, Kosumi Carson, Rachael Dowlen, Billie Wheeler, Megan Dowlen, Shawna Dowlen, Cassy Douglas and Kenia Orth.

They'd led a VBS on past trips to the country, but after talking with local missionaries there decided that training other adults in how to plan and implement one would "allow for more long-term growth of their children's programs."

They put on a full-day seminar, training 35 children ministry leaders.

By the end of the seminar, the participants could participate in skits, crafts, songs and games. Over the next few days, the group led four VBSs at four different churches, with the seminar trainees working with them.

One of those four churches they'd visited in 2019 and had a large turnout for the VBS, with 520 attending.

Other newer churches also had good turnouts. "Harvest" church, where 102 children in attended, was just started eight months earlier. "Transformation," started over two years ago, had 86 children attend and has a regular Saturday children ministry. "Destiny" was started three months ago, where 58 children attended on day one, and about 75 the next day.

The group also:

 preached at four churches: Livingstone, Missio, Dei, Transformation, and Destiny,

The group in one of the classrooms they painted in a school in the Missio Dei church compound.

 led four adult bible studies,

 taught six children's Sunday school classes,

 one session of children's church,

 Danny Stone spent four days teaching at the Bible college,

 eight team members spoke at Chapel giving their testimonies, and

 they painted three rooms in Hope school in the Missio Dei church compound.

"We would like to thank everyone in our local communities that have supported us through prayers, donated supplies, and support of our fundraising efforts," read a statement from the group. "This opportunity would not have been possible without our community supporting us."

The group in one of the classrooms they painted in a school in the Missio Dei church compound.
De Vries manager slams fake comments

Nyck de Vries' management has slammed what it is describing as "fake" comments attributed to the axed Alpha Tauri driver.

Nyck de Vries, Australian GP 2023

 Red Bull

Various German-language media, including newspapers Kronen Zeitung, Kurier and Kolner Express, and portals such as sport.de and Laola1, this week published quotes as having apparently been made by de Vries to the Italian press.

The 28-year-old rookie was quoted as having been promised the second Red Bull seat in 2025 , whilst also admitting that Red Bull's decision to oust him was not surprising after the company stole the eighth title from Lewis Hamilton .

But de Vries' manager Guillaume Le Goff told f1-insider.com: "Nyck has spoken to absolutely no one, including any Italian media, since the news from Red Bull.

The news is fake and defamatory.

Further, Le Goff added: "Apparently someone wanted to distinguish themselves. We reserve the right to take this further with legal action.
F1 concerned about F1 bidder's Russian link

Formula 1 is reportedly "concerned" about a link between one of the prospective new team entrants for 2025-2026 and Russia.

Nikita Mazepin, Russian GP 2021

 Haas F1 Team / LAT

Auto Motor und Sport believes the governing FIA could be set to give the green-light not only to Andretti-Cadillac but also the Formula 2 and F3 entrant Hitech.

Hitech boss Oliver Oakes has told Formula Scout that, if welcomed into F1, the outfit would remain in the two support categories as well.

But the F1 bid comes amid a 25 percent team sale to Kazakh mining billionaire Vladimir Kim.

Hitech will always be doing what it's doing (in F2 and F3), said Oakes. That's always been the vision.

However, earlier backing by axed Haas driver Nikita and his billionaire father Dmitry - both of whom were named in western anti-Russian sanctions - reportedly has F1 owner Liberty media concerned .

Formula 1 is concerned that the old owner Dmitry Mazepin might still be behind the Kazakh financiers, reports Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt.
Three F1 teams risk budget cap overspend

Three Formula 1 teams are reportedly at risk of breaching the sport's budget cap rules.

Start, British GP 2023

 Red Bull

Last year, Red Bull and Aston Martin fell afoul of the spending limit - but F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali thinks the penalties should be harsher in future.

I would like the penalties to be sporting, Motorsport Italia quotes him as saying.

It is worth moving in that direction rather than the other.

Recently, it emerged that the FIA is putting a closer eye on top teams Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin for supposed clever staff accounting between their F1 operations and non-racing subsidiaries.

It's so complex, said Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer, "that inevitably there are loopholes.

What we need to do, going forward on the operational side, is close some of those loopholes, he explained. "The only reason to close them is so that the playing field is level.

"Once we have that level playing field and those who have more financial ability can't spend it, then the field will get a little bit closer.

That's good for the fans and it's good for motor racing, said Szafnauer.

At the same time, some teams - including Alpine but also Williams - are pushing for a relaxing of the budget cap rules in the area of capital expenditure like wind tunnels and other facilities.
Access Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank sign acquisition deal

Daily Graphic Business News Jul - 19 - 2023 , 06:47

Access Bank Plc (Access) and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) have entered into agreements for the acquisition of Standard Chartereds shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia and Sierra Leone, and its Consumer, Private and Business Banking business in Tanzania.

Each transaction remains subject to the approval of the respective local regulators and the banking regulator in Nigeria.

The transaction does not include Standard Chartereds operations in Ghana.

The Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Standard Chartered, Africa and Middle East, Sunil Kaushal, signed the agreement on behalf of SCB, while the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, signed on behalf of Access Bank.

A release issued by Access Bank said the agreement for the sale of the SCBs business in Sub-Saharan Africa was in line with Standard Chartereds global strategy, aimed at achieving operational efficiencies, reducing complexity and driving scale.

The release said Access Bank would provide a full range of banking services and continuity for key stakeholders, including employees and clients in the Standard Chartered businesses across the five aforementioned countries.

It said the two banks would work closely together in the coming months to ensure a seamless transition, with the transaction expected to be completed over the next 12 months.

Project completed

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Kaushal, said this strategic decision allows Access Bank to redirect resources within the Africa and Middle East 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, the Regional CEO of Standard Chartered Bank stated.

For his part, Mr Ogbonna said the strategic transaction represented 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.

The Access Bank Group MD said that would be anchored by a robust capital base; a relentless focus on execution; and best-in-class customer service and governance structures.

At Access Bank, we are committed to reshaping the global perception of Africa and African businesses, even as we continue to build towards our vision to be the World's Most Respected African Bank, Mr Ogbonna stated.
10 Civilians killed in Burkina Faso; Locals say 'terrorists attacked'

International News Jul - 19 - 2023 , 10:57

Burkina Faso's junta leader on Tuesday lashed out at the "cowardice" of the country's jihadist rebels after local and security sources reported at least 10 civilian deaths in two attacks.

Residents of Nouna, the local capital of Kossi province in the west, contacted by telephone, said shells hit the town late Monday.

"The toll is six dead and four wounded," one resident said.

Nouna has in recent months become a refuge for thousands of people who have fled repeated jihadist assaults on their homes.

A security source confirmed the attack on Nouna to AFP, saying "fragments of rockets were found in the area."

The same evening some 400 kilometres (250 miles) to the south, Tondoura, near the border with Ivory Coast, also came under attack, a local official told AFP asking not to be named.

"Terrorists attacked the village," he said. "Some villagers, armed with rifles, tried to intervene but were quickly overrun. "We have at least four dead, some wounded and various physical damage."

Locals hide from suspected jihadists

Several locals said that, for more than a month, people have been forced to seek shelter from suspected jihadists in the nearby towns of Niangoloko and Banfora.

Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in a coup in September last year, denounced the jihadists for their "cowardice" and admitted "increasingly frequent attacks against civilians."

Speaking during a meeting with representatives of women's associations from across the West African country, Traore also lashed out at the "imperialists" he said, "imposed this war."

An economic structural adjustment program by the International Monetary Fund, implemented in the 1990s, was "a way of weakening our armies. They succeeded," he said.

Junta faces insurgency

Burkina Faso's ruling military junta faces a jihadist insurgency that swept in from neighbouring Mali in 2015.

Anger within the military at failures to roll back the insurgency sparked two coups last year.

More than 10,000 civilians, troops and police have died in the violence, according to an NGO count, while at least 2 million people have been displaced.

Source: VOA
UG, KNUST run unapproved courses - Authorities move to rectify anomaly

Daniel Kenu Education Jul - 19 - 2023 , 08:56

The 2021 Auditor General's Report has revealed that the University of Ghana, Legon, is running 371 unaccredited programmes, including 80 undergraduate courses.

The unaccredited programmes also include 213 postgraduate and 67 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) courses.

Similarly, officials of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) also appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and admitted that KNUST was running a number of unaccredited programmes.

But the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Mrs Emelia Agyei-Mensah, told the committee in Accra yesterday that 60 of the undergraduate programmes of the institution had been fully accredited, while the university had put in place systems to ensure that all outstanding unaccredited courses went through the accreditation process successfully.

In an answer to a question as to whether students were examined and issued with certificates on such unaccredited programmes, she said: "Once the programmes are rolled out, certificates are issued".

She, however, stressed that measures had been adopted to ensure that all unaccredited programmes went through the accreditation process successfully.

When the KNUST took its turn, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, said: A lot of effort has gone into accreditation.

Ghana Tertiary Education Commission is working closely with us, and almost on a weekly basis we are exchanging data. We have moved on. The challenge is not as it used to be in 2018 and 2019. I am sorry, but my assurance is that we are doing everything we can, and we are using technology to solve the problem. We want to make sure that technology is working for us, she said.

The regulator is also working on an electronic app to stop this manual way of doing things, she added.

The 2021 Auditor Generals Report also identified that more than GH1.23 million of the University of Ghana's Research and Development Fund had been locked up in a private investment firm, among other infractions.

Contrary to a circular issued by the Vice-Chancellor that such investments should only be done at a commercial bank with a certain threshold, the Director of Finance at the time is said to have gone contrary to the directive and invested the money with NDK Financial Services.

Currently, only GH100,000 has been redeemed.

Explaining the situation to the committee, the current Director of Finance, Bernice B. Agudu, said the investment was done in 2017 when she was not in office, and that the VC's directive came four years later.

She said NDK Financial Services had liquidity challenges, and that the universitys lawyers were working to retrieve the amount still in arrears.



Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor, KNUST, answering questions at the Public Accounts Committee sitting in Accra. With her are Andrews Kwasi Boateng (left), Registrar, KNUST, and Gifty Twum Ampofo (right), a Deputy Minister of Education

Facilities

The report also identified challenges at the university's learning centres across the country.

The Registrar of the university, however, said all the learning centres apart from Wa, which was about 50 per cent complete, and the Bolgatanga centre, all the others were functioning properly.

The Bolgatanga centre has been awarded to a contractor to come to speed with the rest, she said.

Encroachment

The report also said a private developer had taken over parts of the university land in the Volta Region.

However, the Director of Finance said the private developer had been evicted and all the proper documentation on all the universitys lands across the country had been done and secured.

Hostel

Ms Agudu announced that the University of Ghana, through its internally generated funds, was building a 1,000-bed hostel facility to accommodate more students.

Asked whether the university had a hand in fixing accommodation prices for facilities built by private companies, the Vice-Chancellor said no.

A member of the committee and Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South, Clement Apaak, said the prices of hostel facilities were skyrocketing, with some charging as high as GH24,000 per year. He said the situation called for a national dialogue to address it.

Prosecution

Another member of the committee and MP for South Dayi, Rockson- Nelson Dafeamekpor, advocated the prosecution of leaders of public institutions, especially universities, for financial infractions.
17 Defunct state enterprises to be sold

Emelia Ennin Abbey Jul - 19 - 2023 , 08:18

Seventeen defunct state-owned entities (SOEs) have been earmarked for disposal as part of efforts to clean up and improve the public enterprises' portfolio.

The entities billed for disposal include the Aboso Glass Factory, Ghana Food Distribution Corporation, Ghana Food Production Corporation, Bolgatanga Meat Factory, Bonsa Tyres Company Limited and Ghana Consolidated Diamonds Company Limited.

They have ceased operations for years with some running into decades but their assets, made up of landed and movable properties and their names continue to exist in the public enterprises list.

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, told journalists that the ministry was seeking to clean the public enterprises' portfolio with the disposal of the defunct firms and expunging of their names from the list.

He made the disclosure when he took his turn at the minister's meet the press series last Wednesday in Accra on the theme Improving public enterprises portfolio.

The minister, who declined to mention the names of all the 17 enterprises earmarked for disposal, later explained to the Daily Graphic that the full list had been presented to Cabinet and some of the names might be struck out.

Mr Cudjoe, however, indicated that the government had approved the implementation of the plan and processes such as valuation, advertisement and others, which needed to be followed in line with the liquidation of the SOEs, adding that the process would be done transparently.

State of defunct enterprises

He said the decision was taken to prevent situations of the entities "just siphoning money from the government's purse as they have become liabilities instead of assets".

Showing pictures of some buildings of some of the public enterprises in dilapidated states, he said disposing of them would help clean up the portfolio and enable the government to invest in active public enterprises to grow and create jobs for the citizenry.

Some of the pictures shown included the central stores of the Aboso Glass Factory, a bungalow which was supposed to house an employee of the Bolgatanga Meat Factory, a clinic of the Bonsa Tyre factory, a guest house of the State Construction Company and a property of the Ghana food Production Company, which were all in deplorable states.

Restructuring

The Ministry for Public Enterprises with support from the Public Enterprises Secretariat, established in 2021, has a mandate to ensure the effective oversight of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) and deliver profitable, efficient and effective outcomes for the SOEs, Joint Venture Companies (JVCs) and Other State Entities (OSEs), collectively referred to as Specified Entities (SEs).

Currently, Mr Cudjoe said there were 175 specified entities operating in various sectors of the economy, including 53 SOEs, 47 JVCs, of which the government was part shareholder, and 75 OSEs, including public regulation authorities and commissions.

Apart from the planned disposal, he said the ministry intends to restructure some of the active public enterprises through liquidation, listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and undertaking strategic investments.

League table

He said the second edition of the Public Enterprises League Table (PELT), a ranking tool for the assessment of the performance of the specified entities would soon be released.

The PELT is an annual ranking tool for assessing the performance of specified entities based on the performance contract signed between SIGA and the entities.

The number of entities that sign performance contract with SIGA have also increased from 16 in 2016 to 73 this year while 95 entities had prepared audited accounts compared to only two in 2016.

Many more entities, he said, were contributing to the whole of government consolidated accounts, which captured all sources and uses of public funds across central and local government.
Dr Afriyie Akoto to give public lecture Friday

Timothy Gobah Jul - 19 - 2023 , 07:35

A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, will on Friday, July 21, 2023, deliver a public lecture at the University of Ghana.

The lecture is being organised by the Mensah Sarbah Hall Alumni Association on the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebration of the Mensah Sarbah Hall and as part of the Vikings Alumni Celebrity Platform Lecture.

It is on the Exploiting Agriculture Diversification to Fund Economic Development in Ghana.

The event will be chaired by former Head of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, with Dr Grace Bediako, former Government Statistician and Board Chairman of the Ghana Statistical Service, as Guest of Honour.

Also expected to attend the lecture is the Alumni President, His Eminence Francis Albert Seth Nyonyo.

Expectations

The former minister of agriculture in his lecture will demonstrate how Ghana can leverage agricultural diversification for the country's economic success.

Dr Owusu Afriyie will demonstrate how the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), which he initiated while in office and now being implemented as one major policy, can turn around the economic fortunes of the country.

The TCDA has the mandate to promote six tree crops, including cashew, mango, rubber, shea, coffee, and coconut.

These six tree crops have the potential of generating $ 12 billion annually for the country.

According to the former Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, several other initiatives, such as Poultry Development Authority, Grains Development Authority, which are under consideration in Parliament; the Horticultural Development Authority currently at the Cabinet level; when properly structured and the right investments are made, will give Ghana the economic freedom that it badly needs.

Context

Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto revealed that Ghana has 3.1 million professional farmers, a few of them being into mechanised farming, with the majority being small-holder farmers.

The Agricultural Economist, who served in the UN systems for 18 years, believes Ghana can achieve more, if the country prioritises public funding in the agriculture sector, with a special focus on mechanised farming.

He is also expected to brief the gathering on how the policies that he will introduce can serve as a breakthrough for small-holder farmers, the majority of whom are women.

Presently, these small-holder farmers lack incentives and farm inputs to execute their work.

Dr Afriyie Akoto, while in office as the Minister of Food and Agriculture, prioritised small-holder farmers in the government's flagship programme, Planting for Food and Jobs, which he spearheaded.

The result of this action improved the standard of living of the small-holder farmers and enhanced food security while the surpluses from the Planting for Food and Jobs programme were exported to neighbouring countries.

Dr Afriyie Akoto is, therefore, expected to shed more light on where he left off with the small-holder farmers in his scheme of things.

He is also expected to shed light on the policies that he will introduce to enhance the operations of players in the agriculture value chain.
Hasten slowly on large cultivation of wee in Ghana  Prof Akwasi Osei

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Jul - 19 - 2023 , 13:52

A former Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority (MHA), Professor Akwasi Osei has urged the government to hasten slowly on the legal cultivation of cannabis in large quantities.

To him, if care is not taken, people will cultivate the dangerous cannabis along side the one needed for medicinal purposes due to lack of education on the types of cannabis.

Prof Osei said proper public education and sensitisation should have gone ahead of the announcement to help curtail the challenges the move is likely to cause.

His call followed the Minister of the Interior regaining the power to grant licence for the cultivation of small quantities of cannabis, commonly referred to as "wee" in Ghana for industrial and medicinal purposes.

Parliament last week [Wednesday, July 12, 2023] passed the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023.

The new bill amends the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).

The new one, which substitutes section 43, now empowers the Minister of the Interior to grant licence for the cultivation of cannabis commonly known in Ghana as "wee" but in slang referred to as "weed".

But this has to be not more than 0.3 per cent of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fibre or seed or for medicinal purposes.

It further prohibits a person who has been granted a licence under the Bill from cultivating cannabis for recreational use.

The empowerment of the Minister of the Interior came after the Bill was reintroduced in Parliament as the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023 to amend the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).

The new section 43 provided an opportunity for Parliament to debate the policy rationale of the provision in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution and the ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue.

Hasten slowly

Prof Akwasi Osei

But in a radio discussion programme - Focus - on GBC's Uniiq Radio monitored by Graphic Online, Professor Akwasi Osei, a psychiatrist with many years experience in mental health, who recently retired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Mental Health Authority said proper public education should have gone ahead of the announcement.

This, he said, could have helped to curtail the challenges the move is likely to cause.

To him, if care is not taken, people will cultivate the dangerous cannabis along side the one needed for medicinal purposes due to lack of education on the types of cannabis.

There are different types of cannabis, many types, but broadly, three, but even now we are down to two, Prof Osei said.

There is cannabis indica, cannabis sativa and cannabis ruderalis.

Prof Osei said: "Now the difference between the sativa and the indica is that, the cannabis sativa contains the high chemical called the THC - Tetrahydrocannabinol."

He said "it is the THC that makes one high when people want to smoke for recreational purposes. The indica contains only little of the THC, up to 0.3 percent.

He said in fairness to Parliament, it is the cannabis indica that they have legalized because that contains up to 0.3%.

Supreme courts ruling

The Bill has been necessitated due to the ruling of the Supreme Court in the case between Ezuame vrs the Attorney-General and the Speaker of Parliament on July 27, 2022.

Read also: Cannabis [Wee] law in Ghana - Supreme Court dismisses review application

In the said ruling, the apex court declared section 43 of Act 1019 as unconstitutional and therefore null and void.

In a 4-3 majority decision on July 28, 2022, a seven-member panel of the apex court held that Section 43 of Act 1019 violated Article 106 of the Constitution, which details the processes a bill must go through before it is passed into law by Parliament, and was therefore null and void.

In the view of the court, the lack of debate on section 43 of Act 1019 amounted to not only a direct violation of the letter of Article 106 of the Constitution but also a violation of the spirit of the law.

There was conspicuously no debate over such a critical and mode of policy by Parliament. Needlessly to say, this conduct and mode of lawmaking defeat transparency and accountability enjoined by the Constitution.

The dictates of constitutional fidelity, in our view, require that such a shift in policy, which is intended to result in a novel exception, ought to be debated to satisfy the purpose of Article 106.

The apex court said failing that, the process adopted by Parliament offended the letter and the spirit of the constitution.

This conclusion does not, in any way, derogate from Parliaments power and independence in the conduct of its proceedings but in accordance with our supreme Constitution, the court held.

Section 43 of Act 1019 stipulates that the Minister on the recommendation of the Commission, may grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis popularly referred to as "wee" in Ghana, which is not more than 0.3 % THC content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fibre or seed for medicinal purposes.

Urgency of the Bill

Moving a motion for the House to adopt the report of the Defence and Interior Committee which considered the bill, the Vice Chairperson of the committee, Ophelia Mensah, said the committee met and determined that the bill was of an urgent nature and should therefore be taken under a certificate of urgency.

She said the urgency emanated from the numerous benefits Ghana stood to gain by empowering the Minister of the Interior to regulate the cultivation of cannabis which had not more than 0.3 per cent THC content on a dry weight basis.

It came to the attention of the Committee, prior to the Ruling of the Supreme Court, the Narcotic Control Commission and the Ministry of the Interior had held pre-laying engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the Draft Regulations of Act 1019, including provisions for operationalising section 43 of the Act.

The reintroduction of the said section which was struck down as unconstitutional, will therefore restore the Act to its full original provisions and accordingly pave the way for the regulations to be laid in Parliament in accordance with Article 11 (7) of the Constitution and Order 77 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, she said.

The MP for Mfantseman said additionally, information gathered by the committee indicated that prior to the Supreme Court ruling, foreign investors had initiated preparations to commence investment in the cultivation of cannabis including entering into agreements with local partners and joint venture companies.

Some urgency is therefore required in the passage of the Bill to minimise potential losses to these interested investors, Mrs Ophelia added.

Supreme Court Judgment

In July last year, the apex court struck out as unconstitutional Section 43 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019).

Section 43 of Act 1019 allows the Minister of the Interior, upon the recommendation of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), to grant an entity the licence to cultivate cannabis of not more than 0.3 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content for industrial and medicinal purposes.

The court held that the law was unconstitutional because there was no debate in Parliament on it before its passage into law, as stipulated by Article 106 (5) (6) of the 1992 Constitution.

Again, the apex court was of the considered opinion that the explanatory memorandum attached to the bill placed before Parliament did not set out in details the policy change, the defects in the existing law and the necessity to introduce a law to license the cultivation of cannabis.

Such an omission, it held, was a violation of Article 106 (2) of the 1992 Constitution.

Writer's email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Impacting communities: BOST will continue to invest in education  Antwi-Dadzie

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jul - 19 - 2023 , 07:03

The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) will continue to roll out educational interventions to positively impact children in communities within its operational areas in the country.

This will include the award of scholarships to students to pursue various disciplines in engineering, as well as the distribution of various educational materials to children in public basic schools, to help improve their education.

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Protocol Manager, BOST, Yaw Antwi-Dadzie, said this when he led a team from the company to donate 10,000 exercise books to public basic schools in the Bolgatanga Municipality last Monday.

The beneficiary schools were Tindonsobligo 31st December Kindergarten, Anglican Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High School (JHS), Kalbeo-Tindonsobligo Kindergarten, Primary and JHS respectively.

Free distribution

He noted that already more than 50,000 exercise books had been distributed to pupils in public basic schools in northern Ghana, saying this gesture formed part of a 100,000 exercise books donation project for pupils nationwide.

Scholarship

Additionally, he mentioned that as part of the companys CSR, a scholarship programme had been instituted, out of which 50 students were currently pursuing engineering related courses in the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa.

It involved a GH375,000 package a year for four years for all the students at a total cost of GH1.5 million.

He added that the company would focus on other areas such as health, infrastructural development and environmental support with an assurance that when BOST became more profitable, it would move into other areas.

The Manager in charge of Corporate Communications, BOST, Salifu Nat Acheampong, said the support was a mark of corporate citizenship to fulfil a pledge the company made to assist schools close to their operational areas.

Gratitude

The Headmistress of the Anglican JHS, Paulina Abem, thanked BOST for the support and said the pupils would now have books to use for some of the subjects, thereby reducing the burden on their parents.
MoH commended for introduction of CHPS initiative

Doreen Andoh Jul - 19 - 2023 , 06:10

The Ministry of Health has been commended for the introduction of the Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) policy initiative in the country.

The CHPS policy is aimed at bringing health care closer to the people, particularly those in rural and hard-to-reach communities to enhance primary health care and ensure the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

Some African American youth leaders who gave the commendation, said the initiative was helping bridge access gaps in health care and, therefore, stressed the need for the programme to be well resourced and sustained.

The 15 youth leaders are from an establishment called Word is Bond, a Black-led nonprofit organisation established in 2017 in Portland, US, to empower young men of African descent as they transition from boys into adulthood.

They were speaking at a meeting with the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Accra last Monday, where the sector Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, was represented by the Director of Technical Coordination at the MoH, Dr Baffour Awuah.

They are being hosted by an NGO, Travel Time Africa, where Mordecai Quaye and Frank Saka are Director and Manager respectively.

Travel Time Africa is a tour organisation based in Accra that promotes arts, culture and investment through tourism.

Advocates

Dr Awuah asked the young men to be advocates of CHPS by soliciting support for the programme to ensure better outcomes, and gave an assurance that the initiative would be sustained by the government.

He took them through the structure of the countrys health system and how the practice of both traditional and orthodox medicines had evolved and improved over time.

Responding to a question on why the government had placed high taxes on sanitary towels that was making it expensive beyond the reach of many young girls, Dr Awuah explained that it was meant to discourage its importation to boost local manufacturing.

I am told that if the taxes on imported sanitary pads are removed, the local manufacturers businesses could collapse.

The country is trying to move away from the situation where the economy is driven by importation to manufacturing.

The locally produced ones are less expensive and we want to boost the sector to, among others, create more jobs and make sanitary pads accessible to everyone who needs it at very affordable prices, he said.

Dr Awuah entreated the young Diasporans to consider coming back to the country to set up businesses, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Rationale

The Founder of the group, Lakayana Drury, said: The purpose of the trip is to connect our young men with their ancestral homeland, learn more about the history and impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, build bridges with Ghanaian students in high schools and universities, learn about the social and political structures of Ghana, and engage local leaders to discuss socio-economic policies, partnerships and collaborations.

We are on a two-week leadership trip and are seeking to meet with local leaders in politics, business and education.

The ages of the young men who are distinguished youth ambassadors from high schools and colleges, range from 17 to 25 years, he said.

Mr Drury expressed gratitude to the ministry for the reception, the capacity-building and information sharing.
Support our quest to transform economy - President Akufo-Addo to Portugal

Donald Ato Dapatem Jul - 19 - 2023 , 06:39

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the developed world, especially Portugal, to assist Ghana to turn back on its old economy which is dependent on the production, export of raw materials and aid.

He said Ghana wanted to build a value-added and industrialised economy with modernised agriculture, which was neither a victim nor a pawn of the world economic order.

The President added that his country also wanted its relations with Portugal and the rest of the world to be characterised by an increase in trade and investment co-operation.

President Akufo-Addo made the call when he and his Portuguese counterpart, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, signed bilateral instruments of cooperation in the areas of defence, political consultation and trade in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.

Engagement

President Akufo-Addo said the latest engagement would go a long way to strengthen the ties of friendship and the bonds of cooperation between Ghana and Portugal.

He added that that was the way to develop healthy relations between the two countries, and put Ghana at the high end of the value chain in the global market place.

That would also facilitate job creation for the teeming Ghanaians, particularly the youth.

The President pointed out that the discussions also focused on boosting further political, cultural, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation at the multilateral level.

It was also on the need to promote a better world by addressing global issues relating to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Business Forum

President Akufo-Addo said Ghana had noted with satisfaction the value that the Ghana-Portugal Business Forum scheduled to be held today would add to their investment initiatives.

The President further disclosed that the President of Portugal had also resolved to give voice to Ghanas cause and interests within the European Union.

We, on the other hand, will also help to facilitate the provision of a platform for enhanced economic engagement between Portugal and the member countries of ECOWAS, he said.

This should boost the trade volumes and help bring prosperity to our peoples, the President added.

Global security

President Akufo-Addo said with President Joe Biden of the United States and President Emmanuel Macron of France calling publicly for reforms at the UN Security Council in line with the Ezulwini consensus, the leaders of the three other Permanent Members must throw their support behind the reform process.

President Akufo-Addo assured President De Sousa that Ghana would collaborate with Portugal to find solutions to challenges such as the eradication of widespread poverty, elimination of irregular migration, insecurity and human rights violations, terrorism and violent extremism, human and drug trafficking, piracy, as well as climate change and its attendant, negative impact on the environment and livelihoods.

Honour

At the Lisbon City Council, President Akufo-Addo was given the keys to the city of Lisbon by the Deputy Mayor, Filipe Anacoreta Correia.

In his address, President Akufo-Addo stated that history held ample lessons that showed that a rich trading partner, operating within a fair, trading system brings prosperity to both sides, far more than the exploitation of a poor partner.

He said he had come to Lisbon to advocate increased investment and trade between both nations.

Trade relations between Ghana and Portugal have evolved through history, and it is clear that a new paradigm has to be defined, he added.

That, President Akufo-Addo said, must be dependent on the structural transformation of the Ghanaian economy from a raw material producing and exporting economy to a value-adding industrialising economy.

He expressed the confidence that doing so would enable Ghana to trade at the high end of the global value chain, dealing in products it made.

Out of this, a robust trading system between Portugal and Ghana will be created, which will generate mutual prosperity for the peoples of the two countries, President Akufo-Addo stated.

Those observations, he stressed, were based on the fact that, we, in Africa, agreed that we have to be self-reliant and shed the image of beggars living on charity, aid and handouts, and make better and more intelligent use of our abundant natural resources in order to pull ourselves out of poverty and attain prosperity.
Supreme Court throws out injunction against anti-LGBTQ bill

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jul - 19 - 2023 , 12:08

The Supreme Court has dismissed an injunction application which sought to stop the Speaker of Parliament from allowing a bill that criminalises LGBTQ to proceed in Parliament.

In a unanimous decision Wednesday, a nine-member panel of the apex court, presided over by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, held that the applicant failed to convince the court to grant the injunction.

Reading the decision of the court, Justice Torkornoo held that the court was not convinced to put an injunction on an uncompleted work of Parliament, especially when the substantive case challenging the bill would address the issues raised by the applicant.

Contempt application withdrawn

Due to the court dismissing the application for injunction, lawyers for the applicant - Dr Amanda Odoi, withdrew an application for contempt against the Speaker.

Dr Odoi wanted the court to cite the Speaker of Parliament - Alban Bagbin, for contempt, due to his decision to allow Parliament to proceed to hear the bill in spite of the injunction application.

After the withdrawal of the contempt application, the apex court dismiss the application as withdrawn.

Case

Dr Odoi- an academic researcher is challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill which is seeking to outlaw the practice of LGBTQ and any activity promoting it in the country.

It is her case that the Speaker of Parliament breached Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution by not giving an opinion whether the bill when implemented could lead to financial consequences on the country through a charge on the consolidated fund.

The applicant is therefore seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that the action of the Speaker of Parliament violates Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution, and an order for the Speaker or his deputies from violating the said constitutional provision.
I have instructed my supporters not to insult during campaigning - Bawumia

GraphicOnline Politics Jul - 19 - 2023 , 07:34

The Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has underscored the significance of conducting a clean and respectful campaign as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) intensifies its flagbearership race.

Dr Bawumia stressed the need for unity within the party after the contest, as it would be essential to prevent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from regaining power.

In an address to party supporters in the Ashanti Region, Dr Bawumia expressed his stance on avoiding acrimony during the internal election. He revealed that he had instructed his supporters and spokespersons not to engage in responses to attacks from fellow aspirants.

The Vice President emphasized the importance of recognizing the NDC as the "main enemy" and urged all factions within the NPP to unite for the greater cause.

"As a family, it is crucial for all factions to recognize that a united front is necessary to confront the NDC," Dr Bawumia stated. He further added, "I have instructed all my supporters and spokespersons that we must conduct a clean campaign, avoiding any form of insults."

Highlighting the unity among party members, he affirmed that once the contest concludes, they would come together as a cohesive force to ensure the NDC does not regain power.

The NPP is scheduled to elect its flagbearer for the 2024 elections on November 4. Ten flagbearer hopefuls have been cleared to participate in the upcoming elections.
Ill recapture Ablekuma Central  Jefferson Sackey

Donald Ato Dapatem Politics Jul - 19 - 2023 , 07:10

An aspiring parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ablekuma Central, Jefferson Kwamena Sackey, has given an assurance that he will recapture the seat from the National Democratic Congress when given the mandate.

Mr Sackey, who is campaigning on the motto New Energy, New Face, New Hope for Ablekuma Central, said he had reinvigorated the base of the party, mended broken bridges, whipped up interest of even non-party members and supported the party members in various forms.

Mr Sackey, who is a Deputy Director of Communications at the Office of the President, was speaking at his office at Russia in the constituency after receiving the nomination forms from members of the NPP Volunteers of Abossey Okai.

The group out of their love and support for Mr Sackey mobilised funds and bought the forms for him.

The group presented the forms to the Jefferson Sackey Campaign Manager, Mr Okuley Nortey, who is a three-time Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency.

Swing

Mr Sackey described as not factual claims that the constituency was a swing one, because at least the NPP had occupied it more than four times and indicated that this coupled with hard work, great campaign through energising the structures of the party would lead to victory for the NPP.

The whole concept of the policy, the New Energy Agenda, is to re-energise the base of the NPP party in the Ablekuma Central Constituency, revive the interest, through a decent internal campaign that would culminate in snatching the seat from the NDC, he said.

He gave an assurance that the Ablekuma primaries would be one of the most peaceful and incident-free because the most important thing is the unity and interest of the NPP and that at the end of the primaries, we have to come out stronger because he and his supporters consider the race as an internal family process.

Support

Asked about some of the things he had embarked on in the constituency, he mentioned the rolling out of the GH100,000 interest-free Jefferson Care Women Empowerment Fund which had so far benefited 107 women, and the donation of 200 chairs to the electoral areas to be used for party gatherings.

The Jefferson Sackey Education Support programme initially provided 3,000 exercise books and supported the party faithful to secure valid national health insurance cards.

Others were the donation of GH10,000 to each of the seven electoral areas making it a welfare support programme and helped in the payment of rents, school fees of polling station executives and wards of some known party people.

Mr Sackey said he had also presented welfare cards to be presented to all Polling Station Executives across the seven Electoral Areas as well as an amount of GH5,000 to some NPP volunteer groups in the constituency to augment their efforts.
Mahama calls on Haruna Iddrisu in Tamale

Mohammed Fugu Politics Jul - 19 - 2023 , 07:21

The flag bearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, last weekend visited the former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, at his residence in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, for a closed door meeting.

The visit seemed to have put to rest perceptions that there was some misunderstanding between the former President and the Member of Parliamnent for Tamale South following a sequence of events in the past.

Context

It would be recalled that in 2012 while setting up his government after winning the election, then President Mahama left out Mr Iddrisu, who is a party stalwart.

This development, however, sparked chaos as some supporters of the party fiercely protested and destroyed party properties, compelling the President to offer him a ministerial appointment.

In another development, the recent shocking reshuffling of the leadership of the Minority in Parliament by the NDC leadership affirmed the public perception about the seeming tension between the camps of the two party stalwarts.

Many thought the seeming wrangling between the two camps after the recent presidential primary could deepen to create sharp division within the party.

But, latest indications point to the contrary.

While many thought the political opponents could ride on such development to make more advances in the 2024 general election, others held the view that it could have had an impact on the partys flag bearer contest.

Visit

The Daily Graphic gathered that the two NDC stalwarts met last Sunday when the former President arrived in Tamale for some private engagement in the region.

Beaming with smiles, Mr Mahama, Mr Iddrisu and former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, are captured in a video, which has since gone viral on social media, seated in the private residence of Mr Iddrisu.

The former President visited Mr Iddrisu at home on his return from Busunu that evening.

The element of surprise was the fact that the two of them were together at Mandari for the installation of Gilbert Iddi, a former Minister under the previous NDC administration, a highly placed source to the meeting told the Daily Graphic.

It said there had never been any difference between Mr Iddrisu and the former President.

It may be perceived wrongly out there that that exist but whatever it is.

The visit cements the bond and gives terminal kiss to the vicious and despicable lies out there that the two of them don't see eye to eye.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu has always been a JDM person and indeed a principal architect of his presidency, the source stated.

Remember in 2016 he got his highest vote from Tamale South and 2023 he gave him 100 per cent, it added.
A few days ago we heard that the OnePlus 12 would land in December, and today we can start counting down to that point since a new rumor has exposed all of its most important specs. While it is definitely an iterative upgrade to the OnePlus 11, some of those iterations are quite substantial - the battery capacity, for example, but also the presence of the first ever periscope telephoto camera on a OnePlus device.

So let's dive in. According to usually reliable sources, the OnePlus 12 will have a 6.7-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED touchscreen with 120 Hz refresh rate. At the helm will sit the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 by Qualcomm, which is due to be unveiled in October. Complementing it will be up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage.

The triple camera system on the rear consists of a 50 MP main, a 50 MP ultrawide, and a 64 MP periscope telephoto. Weirdly, though, today's rumor claims this will only be capable of 3x optical zoom, but so far we've only seen 5x and 10x periscopes so we'll have to take this one with a larger than usual dose of salt.

Anyway, moving on, the selfie camera will be 32 MP, and the software, of course, OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. The alert slider is still in, as will be an in-display fingerprint sensor.

The OnePlus 12 will boast a whopping 5,400 mAh battery, with support for 100W fast wired charging and 50W fast wireless charging, and it will still have a charger in the box. All in all, it's shaping up to be quite the contender for next year.

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The federal government is asking for public comment on a plan to designate 125 acres on Guam and 180 acres in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as critical habitat for green sea turtles.

The turtles, known as haggan and wong mool, are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act because they face threats from habitat loss and climate change.

Critical habitat designation is used to guide cooperation within the federal government and inform landowners and the public of areas that are important to species conservation and recovery, according to an announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Areas within the proposed critical habitat include federal, territorial, commonwealth, private, and uncategorized lands on Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Agrihan and Pagan.

The proposal would require federal agencies to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries if actions they authorize, fund or carry out may affect critical habitat.

Federal agencies have to make sure any activities they are involved with dont damage or destroy critical habitat.

The announcement says the proposal does not affect private landowners unless there is federal funding, permitting or licensing involved.

Critical habitat does not prevent all development or other activities that occur in a designated area. Critical habitat does not affect private land ownership or activities if there is no federal nexus, the announcement stated, and it does not establish a refuge, wilderness reserve, preserve, or other special conservation area.

Public comment will be accepted until Oct. 17.

You can review the proposal and submit comments electronically at www.regulations.gov. In the search box, enter FWS-R4ES20220164, which is the docket number. Then, click on the search button. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the document type heading, check the proposed rule box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on Comment.

You can mail comments to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS- R4ES20220164, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 220413803.

There will also be a meeting from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 21 at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. After a presentation and question and answer period, comments will be accepted.
Thomas Benavente comes from Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. He enjoys talking to the public to share the island spirit. He can be reached through (671) 483-1440 or tbenavente@guampdn.com.
Environmental groups on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Navy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect endangered birds, butterflies, trees and other species from the construction and operation of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz in Guam.

The Center for Biological Diversity and Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian filed the lawsuit in federal court.

The lawsuit seeks to hold the Navy accountable for its 2017 promise to mitigate harm to Guams endangered species by clearing hundreds of acres for the base.

The 4,000-acre Marine base officially opened in January.

According to the environmental groups, the base threatens the following:

The last individual of a tree species known as hayun lagu on Guam

Three extirpated bird species called Guam kingfisher (sihek), Mariana crow (aga), and Guam rail (koko)

Mariana fruit bats (fanihi)

Mariana eight-spot butterflies (ababang)

Several more of Guams disappearing plants and animals.

It would be impossible for me to overstate the devastating harm from the U.S. military to Guams native forests, wildlife and people, Maxx Phillips, Pacific Islands director and staff attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement.

She said, There are literally no birds singing in Guams forests anymore after 10 species went extinct.

Were going to court because even more of Guams precious and irreplaceable trees, birds and bats are sure to be lost if the Navy keeps ignoring its commitments, she said.

Most severe harmSome of the most severe harm to endangered species are from construction of a live-fire training range complex on the northern tip of Guam, in an area known as Ritidian Point, the groups said.

The complex includes a multi-purpose machine gun range that the groups said resulted in clearing forest adjacent to the last hayun lagu tree with only a 100-foot buffer.

With the tree exposed, winds from Typhoon Mawar on May 24 severely damaged the tree and it is unclear if it will survive.

The lawsuit alleges the Navy has failed to protect and conserve more than a dozen endangered and threatened species at imminent risk of extinction in Guam from the construction and operation of Camp Blaz in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

Over six years ago, before clearing hundreds of acres of land to build the new base and live firing range complex, the Navy agreed to take certain measures to ensure the survival of several native animals and plants, attorney Leevin T. Camacho, of the Camacho & Taitano Law Group, said in a statement. This lawsuit is to ensure that the Navy fulfills all, not just some, of the promises it made.

Camp Blaz is the first new Marine base built since 1952 and is intended to support relocation of 5,000 marines and their dependents from Okinawa, Japan.

Destroyed forestsAccording to the environmental groups, base construction destroyed more than 1,200 acres of some of Guams last remaining limestone forests, the habitat for some of the most critically endangered species in the world.

Many of these acres were supposed to have been protected as mitigation for habitat loss and disturbance by the U.S. Air Force and are designated as the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, they said.

The U.S. military has a long history of taking our land and destroying our native species, Monaeka Flores, a core member of Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian, said in a statement. If the U.S. government and military are serious about environmental protection and addressing climate change, they need to start by addressing the devastating environmental effects of their own activities.

To mitigate the ongoing harm to endangered species from Camp Blaz, the Navy in 2017 agreed to carry out extensive mitigation measures.

In particular, the Navy was supposed to eradicate the highly predacious brown tree snake, which was introduced to Guam after World War II, likely as a stowaway in military cargo, the groups said.

Along with habitat destruction, the snake is a primary reason the kingfisher, crow and rail no longer live on Guam.

More than six years since the Navy made that commitment, it has failed to even start landscape control of the snakes despite a proven and safe method for doing so, the groups also said.

Ancestral landsIn addition to bulldozing essential habitat for Guams endangered species, the firing range complex will involve soldiers shooting millions of rounds of ammunition every year. The groups said this will bar access to ancestral lands and fishing grounds for large portions of the year.

The clearing of land and loss of access will also harm cultural ecological knowledge and the survival of indigenous healing practices, they said.

Frances Meno, a member of Prutehi Litekyan and an indigenous CHamoru woman and traditional healer, or yoamte, regularly harvests a variety of native plants to make amot, or traditional medicine. She hopes the lawsuit will help protect the plants the CHamoru people have depended on for centuries.

For me, its the medicines that we need to help heal our people and continue our practice of traditional healing, she said in a statement. We have already lost access to so many places to gather our medicines because concrete jungles have been built. Western medicine does not always help our people and we need to return to our natural and spiritual ways of healing.

The groups are asking a judge to order the Navy to mitigate the damage from base construction and reinitiate consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop additional measures to protect Guams imperiled plants and animals.
Running for governor of Guam and then keeping the job for a second term entails raising and spending millions of dollars in campaign funds, based on reports from the Guam Election Commission from the 1994 to the 2022 gubernatorial polls.

In 2022 and earlier years, election results came mostly from the votes of older people, or those at least 67 years old, as well as those in the 53-59 and 60-66 age brackets.

The older citizens remain the largest voting bloc, according to GECs newly released 2022 election comparative analysis report.

The youngest ones, aged 18 to 24, mostly stayed away from the voting booths last year, even with the age groups supposed wide access to social media and other online information.

But the most concerning among all these data, according to GEC Executive Director Maria Pangelinan, is the record-low voter turnout in 2022.

The 56% voter turnout in 2022 was the lowest in all gubernatorial elections since 1950.

Ron McNinch, chair of public administration and legal studies at the University of Guam, said the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the associated fear of crowds, was a likely factor in the record-low 2022 voter turnout.

A secondary factor was the very low energy levels of both major political candidates. There was simply very little driving interest, McNinch, an associate professor of public administration at UOG and an expert in Guam elections, said.

The low energy, he said, was compounded by the non-participation in debates of both candidate teams.

Since the candidates refused to talk, the public really wasnt engaged at all levels, McNinch said.

The 2022 election was the first time since 1994 that the Democrat and Republican gubernatorial candidates didnt engage in a debate that UOG organizes every campaign season, called the Great Debate.

The record-low voter turnout also came at a time when the number of registered voters exceeded 60,000 for only the second time since 1950.

There were 60,462 registered voters in 2022, mostly through the motor voter process or when voters renewed their vehicle registration, while 2002 saw 61,052.

As for the elderly remaining as the largest voting bloc in 2022, McNinch said many elders took advantage of early voting.

As the trend to early and alternative voting continues, this will likely start infusing other levels and age groups, he said. Property ownership and having children make most people vote, he said earlier.

The most number of voters who went to the polls in the 2022 general election came from Dededo, the largest village in terms of population. There were 7,260 who voted in Dededo, out of 15,039 who registered there.

But Dededo had the lowest voter turnout, at 48%. This means more than half or 52% of registered voters didnt actually come out to vote in 2022.

The highest voter turnout was in Sinajana in 2022, with 69% of registered voters in the village actually casting their vote, followed by Agana Heights with 67%.

Millionaires clubThe political team that raised the most money during the gubernatorial campaign season was, most of the time, the one to take Adelup, based on GEC reports.

There were only a few times when the losers raised and spent more campaign funds than the winners, and the funding gap was narrow.

McNinch, however, said any person can run a viable race for governor for less than $50,000.

It is a myth that it takes over one million to run. The age of high cost elections has likely passed, he said. A well designed media plan coupled with critical in person event scheduling can suffice. Someone should audit where monies go.

Former Republican Gov. Eddie Calvo and Lt. Gov. Ray Tenorio raised and spent the most to get elected and reelected, at $6.1 million, in 2010 and 2014. Calvo is from a prominent family of businesspeople. Tenorio later on lost his bid to become governor.

Democrat Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, from a family that owns Bank of Guam, and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, spent a total of $4.635 million in the 2018 and 2022 campaigns. Tenorio is believed to be running for governor in 2024.

Former Democrat Gov. Carl Gutierrez and his running mates spent a combined total of over $3.3 million for successful campaigns in 1994 and 1998. Gutierrez ran again for governor a few times but lost to other candidates.

Many senatorial candidates in 1994 raised and spent more for their campaigns compared to their counterparts in 2022, based on a review of GEC reports.

In the 1994 primary and general elections for senator, three of the candidates raised $100,000, $160,000, and $191,337.

The most spent in the 2022 senatorial campaign was $111,260, by Sen. Amanda Shelton, while newcomer Sen. Thomas Fisher spent $103,846.

Republican or Democrat?For the most part, Guams political parties hold open primaries. The Democrats, however, want to pursue a closed primary in the 2024 gubernatorial elections.

This means only those registered as Democrats get to choose their candidates for governor, delegate and senator. Republicans said they will maintain an open primary.

GECs voter data as of May 25 shows only 2,858 identifying themselves as Democrats and 1,628 as Republicans, out of more than 52,000 registered voters.

Even in the 1994 general election, only 6,195 registered voters indicated their political affiliation as either Democrat or Republican, out of 45,142 affidavits of registration that GEC reviewed.

Guam laws requiring primaries likely would not hold up in court, McNinch said.

He said if a recognized party puts forward a slate to GEC, such as for senators and a delegate in 2024, that should suffice.

Otherwise, the government is interfering in the association interests of the party. I dont believe a primary of delegate or governor would stand up in court either, he said. Among U.S. territories, American Samoa and the CNMI may have primaries for delegate. Guam and the US Virgin Islands have a general election and runoff standard. I dont think primaries for delegate are kosher.

Eyeing changes GEC once again asked senators to consider updating Guams election code, as of June 30.

These include changing the closure of voter registration from 10 to 21 days prior to any election.

GEC also seeks to clarify that the election commission is responsible for determining and marking the 100-foot mark or other boundaries of any polling place, and that the Guam Police Department shall promptly assist in the enforcement upon the request of the commission or any election official at the polling place.

Some are technical amendments, such as changing the word precinct and replacing it with district.
The University of Guam has not paid out any illegal money, according to UOGs legal counsel Anthony Camacho.

UOG sent out its response July 14 to the Office of the Attorney General of Guam in receipt of AG Douglas Moylans letter on July 11.

Within the letter, the AG requested to know if the university has paid out any money for indemnification of criminal defendants, which may have been permitted by the Board of Regents according to UOGs Resolution 23-20, Article Four, Section 12. Moylans letter to the board and outgoing president, Thomas Krise, noted that this action is prohibited.

Numerous provisions found in Guam law prohibit the passage and implementation of such a rule or regulation, and especially for any expenditures of government funds to such ends, stated Moylan. Moreover, there is no statutory budget authorization by the Guam Legislature, or otherwise, for you as stewards of the public trust and public coffers to use UOG monies to fund or reimburse any criminal costs or attorneys fees for anyone.

The AG further noted that UOGs Resolution 23-20 was illegal and contrary to Guam law.

Our office is concerned why UOG decided to pass this type resolution that interferes with the people of Guams ability to maintain its fiscal responsibility, and is so clearly not authorized by any laws, added Moylan.

In his letter to the university, the AG further requested that the Board of Regents promptly meet to rescind the resolution.

As of July 19, the attorney general will have to wait months before he sees any other action performed to the resolution.

On Wednesday, Camacho informed the AG that the Board of Regents will consider the issues he raised at their regular meeting on November 16 this year.

Camacho also informed Moylan that he will be present at the meeting, so he has provided consent to the AG or a designee from the Office of the Attorney General to discuss the issues with the Board of Regents at the meeting.
Sen. Telo Taitague is part of the 37th Guam Legislature and the Vice Chair on General Government Operations & Appropriations.
Ron McNinch is a longstanding member of the Guam community and frequently gives his opinion on a wide range of topics.
Good News Club Wins Equal Access in RI School District

NEWS PROVIDED BY

July 19, 2023



PROVIDENCE, R.I., July 19, 2023 / Christian Newswire / -- In a victory for equal access, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Rhode Island and its Good News Clubs prevailed in Liberty Counsel's lawsuit against the Providence Public School District and its superintendent, Dr. Javier Montanez. The Good News Clubs are now free to hold after school Bible clubs. Today, a federal district court approved a Consent Decree that prevents the school district from discriminating against CEF, declaring the Christian clubs are entitled to equal access "on the same terms" as other after school clubs.

In March 2023, Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit on behalf of CEF Rhode Island after the school district discriminated against them by repeatedly ignoring their applications and not allowing its Good News Clubs on campuses while allowing other clubs to meet. As a result of the victory, the Providence Public School District is permanently mandated to treat the Good News Clubs "on an equal basis with similarly situated organizations, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Girls on the Run."

The school district previously allowed CEF Rhode Island to run a Good News Club at D'Abate Elementary School for the 20192020 school year before COVID caused the cancelation of all clubs in Spring 2020. When CEF Rhode Island requested to resume the Good News Club, as well as start a new club at Leviton Elementary for the 20212022 school year, district officials failed to respond to repeated facilities use applications by CEF Rhode Island. For nearly two years, the district continued to block CEF Rhode Island from hosting its elementary school Good News Clubs on district school facilities. Yet other organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Girls on the Run were given free use of school facilities for after school programs.

Liberty Counsel has represented approximately 200 CEF cases nationally and has never lost a case involving Good News Clubs.

CEF Rhode Island is a Christian non-profit organization and a subsidiary of Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc., an international non-profit worldwide children's ministry. CEF Good News Clubs positively impact the lives of children and their families. Good News Clubs typically meet once per week, immediately after school, and are led by trained and vetted local community volunteers. The clubs provide religious and other teaching and activities to encourage learning, spiritual growth, and service to others, as well as social, emotional, character, and leadership development.

Good News Clubs do not charge a fee and welcome children with written permission from parents. There are currently more than 4,800 Good News Clubs in public elementary and middle schools across the United States, including in other Rhode Island school districts.

In June 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court in Good News Club v. Milford Central School ruled that public schools violate the First Amendment by not providing equal access and equal treatment to Christian clubs when the school has opened the forum to secular clubs, as in this case.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "This is a great victory for Child Evangelism Fellowship and the students and parents of the Providence School District. Public schools cannot discriminate against Christian viewpoints regarding use of school facilities. Child Evangelism Fellowship gives children a biblically based education that includes moral and character development. Good News Clubs should be in every public elementary school."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.

SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org


Published on 2023/07/18 | Source

"My Lovely Boxer" Kim Jinwoo plays the role of the deputy head of the 'face genius' kindergarten.

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KBS 2TV's new Monday-Tuesday drama "My Lovely Boxer" (written by Kim Min-joo-IV, directed by Choi Sang-yeol, Hong Eun-mi, produced by Ace Maker Movie Works, Cornerstone, Blade ENT) is based on the novel of the same name by the second winner of the Kyobo Bookstore Story Contest. It is a match-fixing escape game for the life of a missing genius boxer Lee Kwon-sook and cold-blooded agent Kim Tae-yeong.

Kim Jinwoo visits viewers as Han Jae-min, a face genius and hobby-rich kindergarten vice president. He is in charge of promoting kindergartens with his natural speech and unrivaled appearance at a kindergarten run by his mother, but he is secretly hated by teachers for his brazenness and indifference.

Han Jae-min, who's never achieved anything on his own, opens his eyes to a new world when he meets Lee Kwon-sook, a genius boxer.

Kim Jinwoo's face with a soft smile contains both playful relaxation and a cool mood with icy eyes.

The production team of "My Lovely Boxer" said, "Kim Jinwoo digested Han Jae-min's charm, which varies from moment to moment from the first shooting, in his own style. Through the character Han Jae-min, we will color Kim Jinwoo's own color with the temperature difference between kindness and coolness".

"My Lovely Boxer" will premiere at 9:45 PM on August 21st, following "Heartbeat - Drama".
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Published on 2023/07/18 | Source

New poster added for the upcoming Korean movie "Ransomed" (2022)

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Directed by Kim Seong-hun

With Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Park Hyuk-kwon, Kim Eung-soo,...

Formerly known as "Ransomed" (, pi-rab)

Synopsis

In Beirut 1986, during the Lebanese civil war a Korean diplomat is taken hostage without a trace. Two years pass and long forgotten, a young diplomat Min-joon receives a phone call proving that the hostage is still alive. With the given mission, Min-joon is sent to Beirut to save the hostage with a bag of ransom money. However, Min-joon gets into trouble as soon as he sets foot in Beirut. As luck would have it, Min-joon manages to flee from the airport with help from a local taxi driver Pan-soo who he stumbles across. Despite the distrust toward Pan-soo of his obvious mischievousness, the two unlikely allies must navigate the demolished, war-raging streets of Beirut to bring the long-awaited hostage back home.

Release date in Korea : 2023/08/02
Published on 2023/07/18 | Source

New posters added for the upcoming Korean movie "Smugglers" (2023)

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Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan

With Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Zo In-sung, Park Jung-min, Go Min-si, Kim Jong-soo,...

Synopsis

n 1970s, at Guncheon(a small village near sea), there were Haenyeos(women divers who are able to dive w/o equipments), including two best friends Chun-ja and Jin-sook, Jin-sook`s brother and Jangdori. They always collected seafood under water for living. But, as few factories started to be built near beach, Haenyeos started to have trouble with what they were doing for living. Without any choice, the ship crews decided to join smuggling business in water to seek a way for their living. But smuggling business in their village got too big for Jin-sook`s family to handle and the peaceful village was gradually broken.

Release date in Korea : 2023/07/26
Published on 2023/07/18 | Source

New stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "A Man of Reason" (2021)

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Directed by Jung Woo-sung

With Jung Woo-sung, Kim Nam-gil, Park Sung-woong, Kim Jun-han, Park Yoo-na, Lee Elijah,...

Formerly known as "The Protector" on HanCinema

Synopsis

After 10 years in the prison on behalf of his boss, Soo-hyeok is released, but the boss doubts his loyalty. When Soo-hyeok visits his long-abandoned girlfriend, he finds out that he, now, is a father of young girl. He wants to cut ties with the gang, but the boss is not ready to release him, and hires a notorious killer. The killer takes the daughter as hostage, and Soo-hyeok decides to take revenge in a way that he`s best at; a violence.

Release date in Korea : 2023/08/15
Published on 2023/07/18 | Source

Actor Son Sukku will appear in public after making fake acting remarks.

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The production presentation of the Netflix series "D.P - Season 2" will be held at Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam-gu, Seoul at 11 PM on the 18th. On this day, Son Sukku will attend as the leading actor.

Earlier, Son Sukku was embroiled in controversy over his so-called 'fake acting' remarks. At a press conference for the play "Army on the Tree", he said, "I was told to whisper love while acting, but I didn't understand why you had to put a microphone on me or something to make me do fake acting. So I quit and went to movies", he said.

In response, actor Nam Myung-ryul said on social media, "I just laugh. That arrogance. Just say you're better with media. There are several actors who can reach up to 350 seats with sound even if they whisper", he said. "All acting is to play a fictional character, but it is absurd to define what real acting is".
Finnish Customs has once again brought to light a distressing case of dog smuggling, revealing an illegal operation that has led to substantial financial gains for the perpetrators. The investigation has uncovered a web of deceit and evasion involving the illegal import of dogs from various European countries to Finland. This illicit trade has caused animal welfare concerns and economic strain on society.

Finnish Customs' relentless efforts have shed light on the issue and emphasized the importance of stringent checks for potential pet buyers to prevent such unlawful practices.

The smuggler behind the operation had cunningly evaded the necessary vaccinations and treatments required for the import of dogs into Finland. It is suspected that this illegal activity has amassed profits totaling approximately 200,000 euros. The dogs were illegally brought in from countries such as Ukraine, Hungary, Spain, Poland, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Over the past few years, around 80 dogs have been smuggled into Finland, with a significant spike occurring in 2022. To mask the commercial nature of the import, the smuggler orchestrated multiple private individuals to import the dogs, presenting them as pets rather than for resale.

Upon investigation, Finnish Customs uncovered that the smuggled dogs were being sold for a staggering sum of about 375,000 euros. However, discrepancies in the seller's bookkeeping entries and the absence of records for two years raised further suspicions. A house search in 2022 led to the discovery of numerous documents related to the dogs, accounting material, sale contracts, and illegally imported veterinary medicines.

Even more alarming was the revelation that some of the imported dogs had not received adequate vaccinations against rabies and lacked proper treatment for echinococcosis. The pet passports of these dogs contained incorrect information, and none of them possessed the required TRACES animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian in the country of origin. Such negligence has grave implications for the welfare of the animals involved.

The import requirements put in place by Finnish Customs are designed to protect Finland from the spread of rabies and echinococcosis, ensure animal welfare, and ensure that taxes are appropriately paid. Smuggling animals not only perpetuates the shadow economy but also poses significant risks to animal health. As a result of these illegal activities, animals suffer, and the costs for society escalate.

Finnish Customs urges potential dog buyers to exercise utmost caution when acquiring a new pet. Due to the complexity of identifying illegally imported animals, it is essential to thoroughly check the background of any prospective pet. For dogs imported from within the EU territory, buyers should insist on seeing the TRACES certificate and thoroughly examine the pet passport for vaccination details. If the dog is imported from outside the EU, it should have a certificate of veterinary border inspection (CHED certificate). Failure to adhere to these precautions could result in unwittingly participating in the unlawful dealing of imported goods, in this case, illegally imported dogs.

Finnish Customs has brought forth allegations against one individual involved in the smuggling operation, including charges of smuggling, aggravated tax fraud, and aggravated accounting offenses, among others. The preliminary investigation of the case is set to conclude in early autumn 2023, following which the case will be forwarded to the prosecutor for consideration of charges.

The recent case of dog smuggling uncovered by Finnish Customs highlights the importance of maintaining vigilance against illegal activities that exploit innocent animals and pose significant risks to society. This incident serves as a stark reminder to potential pet buyers to conduct thorough background checks and ensure compliance with import requirements when acquiring dogs. Only through collective efforts can we protect animals, uphold their welfare, and create a society that values responsible pet ownership.

HT
If you go on Twitter and look at the activity of various researchers, social media activists and even journalists, you dont have to look too long to find these kinds of cases, he alleged on YLE A-studio on Monday.

MINISTER of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman (PS) has stated that some actors are feeding false claims about the Finnish government to the international media.

Rydman declined to mention anyone by name, citing a desire not to be accused again of targeting after facing such accusations over his comments about a journalist at Iltalehti.

This government has been branded with one inappropriate and unjustified claim after another. Weve seen things as crazy as claims that someones tie choice could convey some kind of crazy message to a secret audience. If you look at this through a slightly more critical lens, these kinds of interpretations dont withstand any kind of critical evaluation. Itd be good if also the media demonstrated some self-criticism, he stated to the public broadcasting company.

He argued that such claims compare mostly to peculiar conspiracy theories that have spread also among established researchers and media outlets. As an example of a newspaper that has published such stories he pointed to Suddeutsche Zeitung, a daily newspaper published in Munich, Germany.

Rydman was referring to reporting concerning former Minister of Economic Affairs Vilhelm Junnila (PS) and Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS).

Junnila received publicity for wearing a tie with a raccoon print on the day that he received the confidence of the parliament and a talking-to from Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). The choice of attire prompted speculation about a possible nod to far-right circles due to, for example, the fact that raccoons were introduced to Europe under the Third Reich.

The raccoon is defined as an invasive species in Europe. In the US, where the mammal is indigenous, the name is sometimes shortened to 'coon,' an offensive word for a black person.

Junnila rejected the speculation, saying the tie was a gift from his better half who happens to like raccoons. It isnt a covert message. I wanted to go into the toughest spot of my life with a tie I got from my partner, he wrote on Facebook on 30 June.

Helsingin Sanomat, though, argued in its report that he has tweeted enough about the animal to suggest it has some significance to him.

Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS) sparked similar speculation by comparing the honey badger, an aggressive mammal found in Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East, to herself and the Finns Party. Honey badger is the mascot of Breitbart News, the US alt-right news and commentary site co-founded by Steve Bannon, one-time advisor to Donald Trump.

Bannon characterised Trumps brazen performance in an election debate against Hilary Clinton as classic honey badger.

Purra has denied engaging in any kind of doublespeak: Ive told before the elections that the honey badger is one of my favourite animals. Weve watched as a family a video that has received millions of views on Youtube. I didnt have the slightest knowledge that someone else has used it inappropriately or for politically dubious purposes, she retorted to Helsingin Sanomat on 12 July.

Johanna Vuorelma, a political scientist at the University of Helsinki, on Tuesday denied the allegation made by Rydman.

Now its been hinted that researchers are actively contacting international journalists. I havent met a single colleague who has done so. On the contrary, Ive had to turn down quite a few interviews because this is such a rapidly moving news event, she stated to STT.

Vuorelma estimated that international news outlets may be interested in Finnish politics because of the contrast between the current government and that of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP).

Many journalists have pointed to that they cant understand how such a major change can have taken place in Finnish politics, she said. You can no longer think that you could control what kind of story youre telling about us internationally. Lies are also spreading, but journalists at international media houses dont publish anything that hasnt been confirmed and verified. The picture they paint reflects the current reality in Finland.

Martin Scheinin, a Finnish research professor of law at the British Academy, on Tuesday argued that Rydman himself appears to be presenting a conspiracy theory and owes an apology.

Rydman seems to have presented a conspiracy theory according to which various professors are spreading false information thats harmful to Finland to international media, Scheinin commented on Twitter.

Scheinin said he has responded carefully and truthfully to questions from Suddeutsche Zeitung.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Henderson County Sports Honeycrisps finish 27-13 in second season The Hendersonville Honeycrisps wrapped up their 2023 season as Old North State League Western Division Champions and lose in the semifinals of the league playoffs to a hot Clayton Clovers team. Read Story 

Henderson County News State, county on track to name U.S. 64 bridge for Deputy Ryan Hendrix Henderson County commissioners are expected on Monday to take one of the final steps to name the most heavily traveled interstate overpass bridge for Henderson County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan P. Hendrix, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 10, 2020. Read Story 
Daily Horoscope Prediction says, You love adventures Resolve disagreements today to have a happy love life. Professionally you are good. The accurate daily horoscope also suggests a smart financial plan today. Capricorn Daily Horoscope Today, July 20, 2023. Resolve the issues in the relationship to stay happy. Manage wealth smartly today for a better tomorrow.

Resolve the issues in the relationship to stay happy. Manage wealth smartly today for a better tomorrow. Minor health issues may exist and be vigilant throughout the day. Professionally, you will handle crucial tasks today.

Also Read Horoscope Today

Capricorn Love Horoscope Today

You will see changes in your love life today. Some relationships will bloom while a few may also face setbacks. Be sincere in your love and attempt every way to make the relationship a success. You need to be cautious to not insult the partner of the family. Ensure your words do not cross the limits and always pamper the lover. Your partner prefers attention. Provide it to make the affair fabulous. Some Capricorns will also find their first love today.

Also Read Love Horoscope Today

Capricorn Career Horoscope Today

Your day at the office will be busy today as youll don multiple hats. Your discipline will work in your favor while leading a team on crucial assignments. Junior team members will have opportunities to prove their mettle today. Do not say no to any responsibility as every new task will ensure future career growth. Some businessmen will have issues associated with licenses and policies. This needs to be resolved today. Those who want to go abroad will also find an option today.



Also Read Career Horoscope Today

Capricorn Money Horoscope Today

You are good in terms of finance. There will be wealth all around and today is auspicious to plan safer and larger investments. Today, you can renovate the home or do basic repairs. You can also invest in property, gold, or stock. But learn the secrets of the trade before you make any major and crucial financial decision. Some Capricorn natives will provide financial help to siblings today.

Capricorn Health Horoscope Today

Be careful today as minor health issues will trouble you. A sibling will be admitted today and this would need your financial assistance. Stay healthy by avoiding junk food and aerated drinks. Those who have breath-related problems must consult a doctor today. Female Capricorns may also complain about uneasiness and nausea today. Some people may develop coughing and viral fever that may impact their routine life.

Capricorn Sign Attributes

Strength: Intelligent, Practical, Trustworthy, Generous, Optimistic

Intelligent, Practical, Trustworthy, Generous, Optimistic Weakness: Persistent, Stubborn, Suspicious

Persistent, Stubborn, Suspicious Symbol: Goat

Goat Element: Earth

Earth Body Part: Bones & Skin

Bones & Skin Sign Ruler: Saturn

Saturn Lucky Day: Saturday

Saturday Lucky Color : Grey

: Grey Lucky Number : 4

: 4 Lucky Stone: Amethyst

Capricorn Sign Compatibility Chart

Natural affinity: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces

Good compatibility: Cancer, Capricorn

Fair compatibility: Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius

Less compatibility: Aries, Libra

By: Dr. J. N. Pandey

Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert

Website: https://www.cyberastro.com

E-mail: caresponse@cyberastro.com

Phone: 9717199568, 9958780857

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Lucknow-based BFC Publications, a distinguished self-publishing house, is poised to embark on an exciting new chapter as it ventures into traditional publishing. Founded by the visionary mythologist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Sharad Bindal, BFC Publications has consistently served as a catalyst for aspiring writers, amplifying their voices through self-book publishing.

The genesis of BFC Publications traces back to 2020 when Sharad Bindal's Amazon bestseller, "Clash of Singularity," emerged amidst the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-induced lockdown. Throughout his arduous journey in publishing the book, Sharad confronted numerous bottlenecks and hurdles, unveiling the manifold obstacles faced by budding authors. Driven by an unwavering commitment to addressing these issues, he founded BFC Publications, determined to be the voice of passionate storytellers yearning to be heard.

Since its establishment, BFC Publications has thrived as a leading force in the realm of self-book publishing. Fostering creativity and embracing innovation, the company has brought to life over 5,000 original book titles, empowering authors to showcase their distinctive narratives. Notably, 107 of these publications achieved remarkable success, attaining the coveted status of bestsellers. Additionally, BFC Publications has warmly welcomed more than 2,500 talented authors into its vibrant community, enabling them to share their stories with readers far and wide. This collective effort has resulted in the sale of over 200,000 book copies, solidifying BFC Publications' position as a trailblazer in the Indian publishing landscape.

In a groundbreaking milestone, BFC Publications cemented its influence by organizing the Koshala Literature Festival in November 2022. This historic event marked the first-ever literature festival hosted by a self-publishing house in India, further underscoring BFC Publications' commitment to promoting its authors. The festival witnessed the participation of literary heavyweights such as Anand Neelakantan, Ashwin Sanghi, Devdutt Patnaik, Hindol Sengupta, Malini Awasthi, Manish Tewari, Muzaffar Ali, Shobhaa De, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Vikram Sampath, and Yatindra Mishra, among others, showcasing the company's remarkable ability to attract renowned talents.

While BFC Publications has carved a niche as ebook publisher in India, the foray into traditional publishing represents a significant expansion of its endeavours. Recognizing the evolving literary landscape, the company embraces the importance of print-on-demand book publishing, seamlessly merging the convenience of digital platforms with the enduring allure of physical books. Through this strategic move, BFC Publications aims to provide authors with enhanced opportunities to connect with a wider audience, catering to the growing demand for both electronic and print formats.

As BFC Publications sets its sights on traditional publishing, the company remains unwavering in its commitment to empowering authors and revolutionizing the Indian publishing industry. By bridging the gap between aspiring writers and their readers, BFC Publications continues to foster creativity, literary excellence, and an unwavering passion for storytelling.

These remarkable achievements serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of BFC Publications and Sharad Bindal, earning them recognition not only within the industry. With an unwavering dedication to nurturing talent and fostering literary endeavors, the company stands poised to shape the future of publishing, one compelling story at a time.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
The Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress is a roll packed mattress and will be available online across all platforms

The new Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress will be available in the price range of Rs. 8999-20,000 New Delhi (India), July 19: Expanding its foam mattress portfolio, Indias leading mattress brand, Centuary Mattress, has launched its latest range of sleepable, Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress. The mattress is designed in a way that it is soft on one side and firm on the other. People can use it as per their preference by simply reversing it.

The Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress boasts a range of impressive features that make it stand out from other offerings on the market. The mattress is crafted using breathable and stretchable designer knitted fabric, guaranteeing a comfortable sleeping experience throughout the night. Its bouncy yet stable structure ensures excellent back support, allowing sleepers to wake up feeling rejuvenated.

The mattress is crafted using high-resilience foam and is conveniently packaged in a roll-packed format, making it easy to transport and set up in any room. With the mattress's reversible functionality, i.e. one side firm and the other side soft, individuals have the flexibility to choose their desired level of firmness based on personal comfort and changing needs. It is available exclusively online, ensuring that customers can conveniently access the product. The Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress comes with a 7-year warranty, CertiPUR-US certification and is covered with the protection layer of Centuary Protect, an Anti-Microbial shield which is recommended by the National Health Academy. The certification underscores Centuary Mattress's dedication to delivering products prioritising health and safety.

The mattress is engineered to provide optimal support and comfort while accommodating individual preferences. With a foam-based construction and a thickness of 5 inches, the Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress is suitable for a wide range of sleeping preferences. Furthermore, the mattress comes with Centuary Protect treatment, an antimicrobial treatment recommended by the NHA, ensuring the mattress remains fresh and free from harmful microbes, providing hygienic and safe sleep solutions.

Mr. UttamMalani, Executive Director, CentuaryFibre Plates Pvt. Ltd. said, "At Centuary, our utmost priority is the comfort of our customers. We continuously strive to innovate and create products that cater to the unique needs of individuals. The Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional sleep solutions that are both comfortable and hygienic. We are confident that this mattress will redefine the way people experience sleep and wake up refreshed."

The new Reversible Dual Comfort Mattress consists of multiple layers, including a premium knitted fabric on the top, a hypersoft foam layer for added softness, a high resilience foam layer for enhanced support, and premium knitted fabric on the bottom with a zipper enclosure for easy cleaning and washing. The brand is offering a free max fiber pillow set on the Centuary Website.

Product link - https://www.centuaryindia.com/product/sleepables-reversible-dual-comfort-firm-and-soft-high-resilience-foam-mattress/

About Centuary Mattress:

With a legacy spanning over 3 decades, Centuary Mattress, popularly known as Indias Sleep Specialist, is Indias fastest-growing mattress brand and the veritable pioneer of the comfort & bedding industry in India. With its roots in Hyderabad; Centuary brand has constantly innovated and established itself as a front-runner in the mattress space while exponentially expanding its product range and geographical footprint. Today, the brand offers a comprehensive range of sleep solutions such as spring mattresses, foam mattresses, coir mattresses, memory foam mattresses and orthopaedic mattresses. Centuary has a separate product range for the online customers under the brand name Sleepables by Centuary.

Apart from this, understanding that the needs of a growing babys body are different from adults, Centuary launched a special baby mattress collection under the brand name BeddyByCentuary. Centuary Mattresses is the first ISO-certified mattress brand in India. Centuary Mattress, has secured the CertiPUR-US certification for developing high-quality products and complying with the global agency CertiPUR-USs quality standards and environmental norms. The company has become one of the few Indian brands to get the CertiPUR-US certification. Shree Malani foams, (part of the Centuary group) is also one of the largest exporters of Mattresses and is recognized as a Star Export House by the Ministry of commerce and industry. The company has pioneered many innovative technologies in the country such as Copper Gel; Micro Springs; and more recently Centuary Protect  an Anti-Microbial shield on all its mattresses (which is recommended by the National Health Academy).

Centuary Mattresses has established a strong presence in the country across 18 states with 4500+ dealers and 450+ exclusive brand stores. It has manufacturing plants located in Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar, company-operated sales depots in Pune, Bangalore, Warangal, Vizag, Vijayawada, Kurnool, Sambalpur and sales offices across South, East, and West India.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India  Business Wire India

In an era where education has been commercialized and commoditized, Notopedia, India's largest non-profit free learning initiative, is reshaping the landscape by its commitment to providing equal and unconditional access to a plethora of educational resources without cost. Notopedia's mission is rooted in empowering students without any commercial gain, bridging the vast educational divide across the country.



"Notopedia embodies the audacious dream of democratizing education and providing equal access to learning aids, quotes founder Amand Shukla, the visionary architecting Notopedia's educational revolution. "By shattering the chains of financial limitations and providing comprehensive content across hundreds of domains, we hope to nurture a level playing field that equips students with the knowledge and skills to realise their dreams."



Standing tall as a beacon of educational empowerment, the platform's primary focus is to provide free access to educational resources and ensure that every student, regardless of their financial means, can benefit from comprehensive learning materials. In a true game-changing fashion, by adopting a completely free non-profit model, Notopedia is spearheading an educational movement that places students' needs and aspirations above all else.



Notopedia has a remarkable repertoire of study material available on its website www.notopedia.com. With thousands of study aids, students can access textbooks, hundreds of online tests and practice papers, sample question banks, topic-wise notes, videos and reference materials that cover school boards, entrance examinations for jobs like SSC, UPSC, banking, railways and professional courses like engineering, medical, management, law etc, information about colleges, competitive exams for government jobs and other aids, all without any financial obligation.



Moreover, the platform goes beyond mere study materials offering a comprehensive suite of services to address the various challenges faced by students. From career counseling, scholarships and guidance to job search, college listings and current affairs, Notopedia aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate their educational and professional journeys successfully.



Notopedia's vast collection of free educational content is carefully curated to ensure relevance and accuracy. The platform collaborates with subject matter experts, educators, and professionals from different fields to develop and curate content, a community dedicated to making education accessible to all.



Continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of students and educators, Notopedia actively seeks feedback and suggestions from its users, encouraging collaboration and co-creation of content. This dynamic approach ensures that the content remains pertinent, up-to-date, and aligned with the latest educational trends and advancements.



Notopedia's adherence to innovation is also evident in its upcoming features, including dedicated sections for scholarships and loans, counseling and degree courses along with a host of features for employment services.



With its resolute commitment to inclusivity, the platform has been developed with an intuitive user interface, designed to make the learning and browsing experience easy, even for the most inexperienced beginners. The forthcoming mobile app will galvanize learning nationwide by providing offline access to resources, ensuring that students in remote areas or with limited internet connectivity can continue their educational pursuits uninterrupted.



Recognizing the barriers caused by the linguistic limitations in India, Notopedia offers its vast repository of content in a choice of both English and Hindi. With regional languages being added, enabling Notopedia to truly penetrate and serve the underprivileged segments of society, ensuring that language is not a barrier to accessing educational resources.



As the world moves towards a digital era, Notopedia stands at the forefront, redefining education and online learning. With the aim to deliver to the needs of over 500 crore Indian students, it serves as a testament to the power of technology, compassion, and a collective vision to transform lives through knowledge.



About Notopedia

Notopedia is India's largest non-profit free learning initiative, dedicated to providing equitable access to quality educational resources. With a vast repository of content covering school boards, college entrance and government exams, job listings, and news articles, Notopedia aims to empower students and bridge the educational divide in India. For more information, visit www.notopedia.com.
India has come out strong from the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic but the momentum needs to be maintained, World Bank President Ajay Banga said on Wednesday. World Bank president Ajay Banga at the G20 finance ministers' and central bank governors' meeting in Gujarat on Tuesday. (Reuters photo)(HT_PRINT)

Talking to reporters at a skill centre in Dwarka, the first-ever Indian-American to head the top global financial institution said India is doing a lot of things which are helping it to stay ahead during times of a global slowdown.

"India is doing a lot of things which are helping it to stay ahead in times of a global slowdown. One thing that is in India's favour is the very high percentage of GDP that comes domestically... India has come out strong from the challenges posed by the pandemic but the momentum needs to be maintained," he said.

"The best way to maintain this momentum is growth and more jobs. India is focussed on growing more and more and generating more jobs," he added.

Asked about India's potential growth in high income jobs, Banga said, "We need to understand where are these jobs. They are in technology, which are very few...then they are in manufacturing. India's opportunity currently is to cash in on the China plus strategy. This opportunity won't stay open for 10 years, it is a three to five years opportunity when supply chains start relocating or add another location that is going to need work."

Banga, 63, took over as the president of the World Bank last month, becoming the first person of colour to head either of the two global financial institutions -- the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Banga is on his first visit to India after taking over the charge of the global lender.

He visited the GMR Varalakshmi Centre for Empowerment and Livelihoods and interacted with students here.

The World Bank President said he is preparing to pitch for private capital and corporate social responsibility funds to augment current sources of financing.

"The money we need for renewable energy resources is in a trillion dollars. We cannot pool such a huge amount with the government's help. We need to involve the private sector," he said.

Banga further said that the gains made on poverty over the last three to four decades across the world took a hit due to the pandemic, climate change and higher debt in some countries.

"The best way to drive a nail in the coffin of poverty is growth. You have to provide jobs to people...you have to provide education and skilling for those jobs. You have to provide healthcare for people," he said.

Noting that India is focused on both growth and jobs, Banga said, "I am actually more optimistic with all the infrastructure investment...both digital and physical infrastructure in India".
On Thursday, Infosys will announce its earnings results for the first quarter (Q1) ended June 30 for the financial year (FY) 2023-24. The earnings declaration will be followed by a press conference and an earnings call. Representational Image (REUTERS)

Time

The result announcement will be made at around 3:45pm, according to a company release. The press conference is scheduled for 4:30pm, and the earnings call, 6pm.

Where to track?

The Bengaluru-based software giant will issue a press statement (newsroom link here) detailing the results, while the figures will be available here as well. Information can be accessed from its Twitter handle too.

Expectations

A CNBC TV18 poll expects Infosys' revenue to be at 4591.5 (in million dollars) and 37,716 (crore; in Rs), an increase of 0.8% and 0.7% respectively from the previous March quarter. Also, the company is expected to make a net profit of 6193.5 crore, 1.1% higher than that from the preceding quarter.

What were the results for Q1FY23?

Meanwhile, in the first quarter of the previous financial year (FY 2022-23), Infosys made a consolidated net profit of  5360 crore, up 3.2% from 5195 crore from the year-ago period. Consolidated revenue, on the other hand, grew 23.6% to 34,470 crore from 27,896 crore.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
The Tata Group, India's largest conglomerate, will be setting up a new electric vehicle battery plant in Britain, the company announced on Wednesday. Tata's first gigafactory outside India will be a major boost for the car industry which is in need of domestic battery production and will help in future in the long term. The statement said that, The gigafactory will secure UK-produced batteries for another Tata Sons investment, Jaguar Land Rover, as well as other manufacturers in the UK and Europe. (Reuters/File)

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran said, Today, I am delighted to announce the Tata Group will be setting up one of Europes largest battery cell manufacturing facilities in the UK. Our multi-billion-pound investment will bring state-of-the-art technology to the country, helping to power the automotive sectors transition to electric mobility, anchored by our own business, JLR. With this strategic investment, the Tata Group further strengthens its commitment to the UK, alongside our many companies operating here across technology, consumer, hospitality, steel, chemicals, and automotive.

As per a statement by the British government, the factory will be offering almost half of the battery production required by 2030, which will be turbocharging UKs switch to zero emissions vehicles.

The factory

Announcing the news, Tata said that the company will invest 4 billion pounds ($5.2 billion) in the plant, which is one of the largest investments ever made in the UK automotive sector.

The statement said, The gigafactory will secure UK-produced batteries for another Tata Sons investment, Jaguar Land Rover, as well as other manufacturers in the UK and Europe.

At 40GWh, this will be one of the largest factories in Europe. Other than, 4,000 skilled jobs that it is set to generate, the factory is expected to create thousands of jobs in supply chain for battery materials and raw minerals, helping the UK economy to grow.

Rishi Sunak on Tata's investment

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement on Wednesday, Tata Group's multi-billion-pound investment in a new battery factory in the UK is testament to the strength of our car manufacturing industry and its skilled workers.

Stating that he was proud that Tata chose Britain as home to set up its first gigafactory outside India, Sunak said that UK would now be one of the most attractive places to build electric vehicles.

He added, With the global transition to zero emission vehicles well underway, this will help grow our economy by driving forward our lead in battery technology whilst creating as many as 4,000 jobs, and thousands more in the supply chain.

As reported by Reuters, the British government did not offer any details as to how it will be supporting the company as a part of the deal.

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Bengaluru: While acknowledging the efforts of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bommai emphasised on the necessity of NIAs involvement, considering the international implications of the case (ANI)

In the wake of the recent arrest of five suspected terrorists in Bengaluru, several prominent leaders from the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday launched criticism against the Congress-led state government, citing a concerning decline in law and order.

Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai called for the immediate transfer of the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and said, Recent developments indicate a clear deterioration of the law and order situation in Bengaluru. Incidents of murder and dacoity are on the rise, and there are reports of unregistered cases due to pressure from higher authorities. To make matters worse, the city has become a safe haven for terrorists, with individuals with criminal backgrounds being reactivated and connected to international terror organizations, including ISI.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bommai emphasised on the necessity of NIAs involvement, considering the international implications of the case. Terror-related incidents demand NIAs expertise and attention. Senior police officers must take immediate action to ensure Bengalurus safety. The gravity of this situation cannot be underestimated, as the accused had plans to place bombs in the city. The government must treat this matter with utmost seriousness, he asserted.

Adding to the concerns raised, former home minister Araga Jnanendra highlighted the resurgence of previously inactive anti-social elements over the past two months. Individuals with criminal backgrounds who were dormant have suddenly become active again. We find ourselves in a perilous situation. It is crucial for the government to send a strong message to these anti-social elements, Jnanendra urged.

BJP leader and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil joined the chorus of criticism and called upon the government to not sympathise with the arrested individuals, while emphasising the importance of upholding the law and ensuring justice is served. Bengaluru CCB has arrested 5 suspected terrorists. They have been identified as Syed Suhel, Umar, Janid, Mudasir and Zahid. It is suspected that the team had planned to carry out a blast in Bengaluru. Where is that fact-check thief? Now dont call them Son of a teacher, poor students or Brothers!, he said in a tweet.

Responding to the demand for the NIA probe and the BJPs allegations, home minister G Parameshwara said: Let the police investigate the matter and come with its finding. Based on their findings, we can take a decision of the NIA probe. The police department has done a commendable job and with the proactive steps prevented the crime before it happened, he said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday announced a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into the brutal murder of a Jain monk in Belagavi district earlier this month. Opposition BJP and a section of Jain community had demand for a CBI probe. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. (PTI)

ALSO READ | Karnataka monk murder: Jain community protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, seeks CBI probe

"As the case is sensitive and following public requests the investigation into this case will be transferred to CID," Siddaramaiah said, making a statement in the Legislative Assembly and sharing details of the incident and probe so far.

Jain monk Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj from Nandi Parvat Ashram at Hirekodi village in Chikkodi taluk was allegedly murdered and his body dumped in a borewell pit at Khatakbhavi village in Raibag taluk.

ALSO READ | Karnataka Jain monks murder: Tight vigil after accused threatens suicide in jail

Police have arrested Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath in connection with the case. The Opposition BJP had staged protests both inside and outside the Assembly demanding a CBI probe into the murder, and had also petitioned the Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot in this regard.

The chairman of the National Commission for Minorities had recently written to the Chief Minister asking him to entrust the investigation into the murder to a very senior officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police, to unearth the conspiracy and arrest the "real criminals".
Karnataka assembly speaker UT Khader suspended ten MLAs of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for creating ruckus inside the assembly hall on Wednesday. The BJP MLAs demanded a discussion on the government deploying IAS officers to receive leaders for the opposition meeting that was held on Monday and Tuesday at Bengaluru. Ten Karnataka BJP MLAs suspended for creating ruckus inside the Assembly

Also Read - 300 counterfeit, expired passes to enter Karnataka assembly seized: Police

While shouting slogans against the Congress government, a few MLAs threw papers on deputy speaker Rudrappa Ramani who allowed the discussion on the state budget. Responding to the act, speaker UT Khader reportedly suspended BJP MLAs Dheeraj Muniraj, Umanath Kotian, Aravind Bellad, Yashpal Suvarna, Vedvyasa Kamath, R Ashok, Sunil Kumar, Araga Jnanendra, Bharat Shetty and Ashwathnarayan. All ten MLAs were suspended till the end of this assembly session.

Former chief ministers Basavaraj Bommai and HD Kumarswamy too slammed the Karnataka government for using IAS officers for a non-government(Opposition meeting) event in Bengaluru. JDS leader Kumarswamy in assembly alleged that the same government failed to send public servants to console farmer families when farmers died by suicide.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah clarified that the Karnataka government has no part in the opposition meeting. He said, Chief Ministers of various states and former central ministers who arrived in Bangalore were considered as state guests. Officials were assigned only to welcome all the dignitaries as per etiquette. Apart from this, the state government has no role in this event. This kind of etiquette was observed in all previous governments.

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The persistent call to grant official language status to Tulu in the state of Karnataka resurfaced during the ongoing assembly session. Coastal Karnatakas MLAs on Tuesday demanded the recognition of Tulu as the second official language in the state, citing its immense popularity and widespread influence among over one crore people, people familiar with the matter said. The call to make Tulu the second official language received widespread support from several other MLAs, with Speaker UT Khader endorsing the proposal (ANI)

Congress MLA from Puttur, Ashok Kumar Rai, reminded the assembly of the report submitted by Mohan Alvas committee to the government, proposing Tulus inclusion as an official language. Rai emphasized the significance of Tulu academies established by both the Union and state governments, further bolstering the case for official recognition.

More than one crore people in Karnataka speak Tulu language. Not only within Karnataka but neighbouring Kerala also boasts a Tulu academy. Even in the United States, several universities offer forms in the Tulu language. The report by Mohan Alvas committee has been submitted, and this is the right time to declare Tulu as one of Karnatakas official languages, Rai said addressing the assembly.

The call to make Tulu the second official language received widespread support from several other MLAs, with Speaker UT Khader endorsing the proposal, emphasizing the need to preserve and celebrate the linguistic diversity of Karnataka.

In response to the discussion, Kannada and culture minister Shivaraj Tangadi assured the assembly that a decision would be made after consultations with relevant departments. A committee was already established to assess the feasibility of granting official status to Tulu, and their report had been submitted a few months ago. The committee recommended seeking opinions from concerned departments before reaching a final decision, he said.

The Tulu language, spoken by over 1.8 million people in the state, has been a point of contention for activists who argue that it has not received the recognition it deserves. Despite being one of the Pancha Dravida Bhashas-- the five prominent languages of South India--Tulu has not been included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution as an official language, unlike Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu.

Tulu, primarily spoken in the Tulunadu region, encompassing coastal Karnataka and parts of Kerala, is considered a vulnerable language according to the Atlas of the Worlds Languages in Danger, published by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Dayanand Kattalsar, president of Tulu Sahithya Academy, stressed that Tulu should not be mischaracterized as a dialect but recognized for its distinct script and language. He asserted that official status would help preserve the identity and literature of the Tulu-speaking community. The script and the language are different. One of the reasons why we are demanding official status is so that we are able to preserve our identity and our literature, he said.

Efforts to promote Tulu within the region have gained momentum, with the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy actively endorsing Tulu as the third optional language in over 200 schools across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in coastal Karnataka.

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People living near the banks of the Ujh and Ravi rivers and low-lying areas in Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts were evacuated to safer places on Wednesday after 2.60 lakh cusecs were released in the Ujh. Around 2.8 lakh cusecs of water has been released in the Ujh river in Jammu posing threat to three Punjab districts. (HT Photo)

The Ujh river comes from Jammu and after crossing Pathankot, merges into the Ravi in Makora Patan of Gurdaspur district. As a result of the heavy rains in hilly areas, 2.60 lakh cusecs water was released in the Ujh river, Gurdaspur deputy commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said.

The administration also evacuated people living near low-lying areas and on the banks of the Ravi river, he said, adding that a holiday was declared in some schools. The administrations of three border districtsPathankot, Gurdaspur and Amritsaron Wednesday issued advisories asking people living near Ujh and Ravi rivers to stay alert after 2.8 lakh cusecs of water was released due to heavy rain in hilly areas.

According to deputy commissioner (DC) Pathankot, Harbir Singh, around 2.8 lakh cusecs of water has been released in the Ujh river in Jammu. The small river merges into the Ravi River at Makora Patan village in Gurdaspur district after crossing Pathankot.

In Pathankot, the Ujh water entered in Pathankot districts Bamiyal town, and Samrala and Danwal village. Some government buildings and schools have been submerged in the river water in the town and the two villages. Besides, the water has submerged the area falling under the Border Security Force (BSF)s Khudaipur, Yedpur, Bamiyal and old Bamiyal posts on the India-Pakistan border.

The DC along with Pathannot senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh visited the Bamiyal area and took stock of the situation. We have evacuated around 100 people and over 450 animals living in the low laying area of Ujh river. Though the level of the water has started receding, but we are still on alert as there are reports of heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir. More water is likely to come in the river, the DC said. He said they have already made announcements using gurdwaras asking people living in the low lying area to reach to the administrations flood relief camps. Our teams are working round the clock and we have adequate arrangements to deal with any kind of situation, he added. SSP Khakh said NDRF and army teams have been asked to remain alert in the district. In Pathankot, holidays have been declared in some schools vulnerable to the flood.

NDRF and army teams have been deployed in the district and strict watch is being kept using drones. Aggarwal said the situation was under control and they have evacuated some Gujjar families living along the Ravi River. People have been asked not to go close to Ravi and Ujh rivers, the DC added.

In Amritsar districts border areas, the district administration has issued an advisory alerting people, using speakers of gurdwaras, that the water level in Ravi may increase. Amritsar DC Amit Talwar said people have been asked not to cross Ravi river and not to take their animals near the river. Water of Ravi has submerged some areas of BSF posts in Amritsar district on the international border. ( With inputs from PTI)

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The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who had been making extortion calls to affluent businessmen in Chandigarh, Mohali and adjoining areas. Mohali police have also recovered a country made pistol, along with two live cartridges, from the accuseds possession. (Getty image)

The accused, identified as Kashmir Singh, alias Bobby Shooter, 24, is a native of Ghangroli village, Patiala, and was working as a taxi driver. Police have also recovered a country made pistol, along with two live cartridges, from his possession.

SSOC AIG Ashwani Kapur said following several reports of extortion attempts and threat calls made by an individual claiming affiliation with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police teams launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter. With the assistance of advanced intelligence gathering, police were able to apprehend Bobby from Khanna, Ludhiana, he added.

Divulging details about the modus operandi, AIG Kapur said Bobby used to make extortion calls to affluent persons, including owners of night clubs and bars.

He added that an Arms Act case was already registered against the accused at the SSOC police station in Mohali on June 24.

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Warning revenue officers against shirking work, deputy commissioner (DC) Aashika Jain on Wednesday implemented a performance-based criterion during the monthly review meeting at the District Administrative Complex. The Mohali DC directed revenue officers to maintain punctuality and disclose their availability outside the office, especially for those holding additional charges. (HT File)

As per the DC, performance below average will result in issuance of a yellow card, while no significant improvement will lead to a red card that will be recorded in their annual confidential report (ACR).

Yellow card means warning, while the red card indicates an official show-cause notice to employees.

The DC directed revenue officers to maintain punctuality and disclose their availability outside the office, especially for those holding additional charges. She further instructed them to expedite court proceedings, ensuring that all cases older than one year should be decided by August 15 and those pending for over six months must be resolved by September 15. Officers demonstrating good performance will receive appreciation.

Jan set ambitious targets for reducing mutation pending cases and resolving all remaining pending cases. She highlighted significant progress in demarcation case resolution, with all cases being disposed of within the designated timeline. She urged officers to maintain efficiency in handling demarcation cases and reject applications where the demarcation is not feasible due to crop sowing.

The DC also asked sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to submit utilisation certificates for crop compensation disbursed to beneficiaries before the next meeting. Additionally, she directed revenue officers to develop a weekly plan for patwaris to initiate mutations and address any public issues that may arise.

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Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that the state government will contribute 5 crore to the Himachal Pradesh chief ministers relief fund for carrying out flood relief operations. At a press briefing, the chief minister said 35 flood-related deaths have been reported so far and compensation to the kin of deceased will be given as per the provision of disaster funds. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said that the state government will contribute  5 crore to the Himachal Pradesh chief ministers relief fund for carrying out flood relief operations. (ANI File Photo)

For loss of human lives, a compensation of 4 lakh per person will be given. In case of loss of limbs, the compensation will be 74,000 per person when the disability is between 40% to 60%. An amount of 2.50 lakh per person, when the disability is more than 60%, Khattar said.

Proposal to build dam beyond Hathnikund Barrage

The chief minister said that a proposal to construct a dam 500 metres beyond the Hathnikund Barrage in Yamunanagar is being taken up with the Himachal Pradesh government. Due to floods caused by excessive rains, there has been a loss of about 500 crore in Haryana as per the initial estimate. A sum of 281 crore has been received from the Central government as disaster relief amount. An additional amount will also be demanded by the state from the Central government for flood relief, Khattar said.

Over 1,300 villages in 12 districts flood-hit

The chief minister said that 125 houses were fully damaged in the floods and 615 houses partially damaged. The CM said that the livestock also got affected in this flood and the state government has decided to give a compensation of 37, 500 in case of buffalo/cow/camel/yak/ mithun, etc, 4,000 in case of sheep/ goat/pig, 32,000 in case of camel /horse/bullock etc., 20, 000 in case of calf/ donkey/ pony/mule/ heifers, and 100 per bird for poultry.

He said that heavy to extremely during July 8 to 12 rains, states cumulative rainfall was 110 mm against the normal rainfall of 28.4 mm which shows 287 % excess rainfall.

The CM said 1,353 villages and four municipal areas in 12 districts in Ambala, Fatehabad, Faridabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sonepat, Sirsa and Yamunanagar have been declared as flood affected in the state.

Khattar said that 6,629 persons have been evacuated and 41 relief camps set up. Around 1,774 people are currently housed in these camps. Food and other civil supplies arrangements have been made for the public residing in marooned areas. Army, Air Force, NDRF and SDRF, civil society organisations, and NGOs have assisted the district administrations in search, rescue and relief operations. Khattar said that the state government organised 2,878 special medical camps for the general public to treat the affected persons and to prevent possible epidemic diseases in the flood-affected areas. So far, more than 37,500 people have been given treatment in these camps.

Cotton, vegetable farmers worst-hit

The CM said that the assessment of crop damaged due to floods will be done after July 31. The areas where water will not recede will be considered separately. But we have already made a provision for compensation at the rate of 15,000 per acre for 100% loss. Some financial aid also comes from the Centre. Not much damage has been reported to the sugarcane crop, he said. The chief minister said that vegetables and cotton-growing farmers have suffered the maximum loss. Besides, maize, pulses, fodder etc have also been damaged. The total damage including these crops has been reported in an area of 18,000 acres.

Regarding the report of the fact-finding committee for five gates at ITO barrage, the CM the committee has sought time till Sunday to submit the report.
A joint team from various UT administration departments conducted raids at 12 cigarette-selling shops on Wednesday and got illegal cigarettes worth 94,000 destroyed. Chandigarh health and family welfare director Dr Suman Singh said such raids will continue in future by the permanent task force constituted by the UT administration. (Getty image)

The joint team led by officers of the department of health and family welfare, and comprising officials of the police, health, excise and taxation and legal metrology departments, along with food safety and drug control wing, also imposed fines totalling 56,000 on the shopkeepers.

Illegal imported cigarettes were seized by the excise and taxation department, and illegal tobacco advertisements and hoardings were removed.

The shops raided included five in Sector 9-D  Kewal Store, BK Store, Punjab Store, ABN Store and Mira Devi Karyana Store, five in Sector 8-B  Rama Provision Store, Amethi Pan House, Partap Confectionery, Ram Sumer Confectionery and a vendor in front of liquor, wine and beer shop in SCO 8, and two in Sector 11  Arora Confectionery and Bhatia Confectionery.

The joint team found that these shops were not maintaining purchase record and not having appropriate signage as mandated under Section 6-A of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003.

UT health and family welfare director Dr Suman Singh said such raids will continue in future by the permanent task force constituted by the UT administration.
Police have busted a gang of vehicle lifters active for the past nine months with the arrest of four members, including a juvenile, solving over two dozen cases. The accused and the recovered motorcycles in the custody of Chandigarh Police. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

As many as 25 stolen motorcycles, stolen from across the tricity, have been recovered from the accused, identified as Makhan Singh, 22, who is the gangs kingpin, Baljinder Singh, 24, and Gurwinder Singh, 23, all residents of Ferozepur, Punjab. Their juvenile accomplice is 17 years old.

While Makhan and Gurwinder are Class 10 pass-outs, Baljinder has completed an ITI course. All accused were earlier working at a hotel in Ludhiana and were residing in a rented accommodation there.

The gang mostly stole motorcycles from Chandigarh and Nayagaon in Mohali.

Giving details about the arrests at a press conference on Wednesday, Chandigarh senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur said the accused were arrested by a team led by SP (City) Mridul, DSP Gurmukh Singh and Sarangpur SHO inspector Harminderjit Singh.

They were nabbed from a check post installed near the Khuda Lahora gurdwara on Sunday. Since then, police recovered 25 stolen motorcycles from different parts of Punjab. Owners of 11 of the total recovered motorcycles have been traced.

Out of the total 11 traced cases, six cases were registered in July this year. Chandigarh has a strong network of CCTV cameras, so no criminal committing street crime can evade arrest for long. The accused were seen in a few CCTV cameras, following which they were nabbed using human and technical intelligence, the SSP added.

She said the gang had been operational for the past nine months and police were working to ascertain if they were involved in other crimes.

The accused have been booked under Section 380 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code at the Sarangpur police station.

Arrived in Chandigarh for kins treatment at PGI

As per police, Makhan arrived in Chandigarh several months ago as one of his relatives was admitted at PGIMER, Chandigarh and formed a gang with the other accused to steal vehicles from the tricity.

They used a master key to unlock the motorcycles and steal them. They mostly stole vehicles parked in Khuda Lahora, Khuda Jassu, Dhanas and Nayagaon. They would drive the vehicles to Ferozepur, where they would sell them off to labourers for 4,000 to 10,000 after changing the number plates. They even kept a few for their personal use, said the SSP.

The gang would take a train from Ludhiana to Chandigarh and after having food at Night Food Street outside PGIMER, they would head out to steal motorcycles in the wee hours.

Some of their customers were aware that they bought stolen motorcycles and will be interrogated too, said the SSP.

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Punjab education department on Wednesday issued showcause notices to six Centre Head Teachers (CHTs) of the government schools in Bathinda to give an explanation for poorly failing to achieve the 10% enrolment target. The notice issued by Bathindas Sangat block primary education officer read that the education department has started a campaign to increase enrolment in government schools. (Representational Photo)

CHTs in Sangat Block of Bathinda district Kulwinder Kaur, Hardeep Kumar, Sumit Kumar, Jagdish Kumar, Pawan Kumar of Malwala and Tanuj Kumar have been asked to submit a reply within 21 days.

The notice issued by Bathindas Sangat block primary education officer read that the education department has started a campaign to increase enrolment in government schools. A target of 10% has been fixed for enrolment in pre-primary classes. A meeting was conducted by the district education officer with other officials last month, in which enrolment data was discussed. After the pursual of record, it has been found that you have not shown any interest or did any positive activity to increase the enrolment in pre-primary classes under your block. You have been negligent in duty, it reads.

In February, Punjab school education minister Harjot Singh Bains had launched an enrolment campaign for 2023 to increase the registration of students in government schools from class 1 to class 5. The data regarding this was also discussed and it was found that enrolment of the cluster is less than the given target. This shows you have been negligent in your duty, it reads. In the notice dated July 18, the education department directed the principals to complete the target within 10 days after issuing this notice. If you fail to complete the target, action will be taken against you as per the rules. After completing the target if data is updated on the system it will be automatically considered as a reply to this show cause notice, it added. Despite repeated attempts, Punjab education minister Harjot Bains was not available for his comment.

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Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) on Wednesday arrested a station house officer (SHO) of Killiawali police station in Muktsar district while accepting a bribe of 10,000. The arrested SHO has been identified as Iqbal Singh. A case was registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Bathinda Range Police Station of VB. (Representational Photo)

Divulging details, the official spokesperson of the VB said that the accused SHO has been arrested on the complaint lodged by Bhim Singh, a resident of village in Sirsa, Haryana.

He said that the complainant Bhim Singh approached the VB, alleging that the accused SHO had demanded 20,000 as a bribe to abolish the false complaint against his son. The deal was settled at 15,000, he said. He said that following the preliminary investigation, the VB Bathinda Unit laid a trap and arrested the accused SHO red-handed while accepting a bribe of 10,000 in the presence of two official witnesses. A case was registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Bathinda Range Police Station of VB.

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Security forces on Tuesday killed four heavily-armed terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan, in a joint operation following a tip-off about their presence at Sindhara in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district. Teams recovered four AK series assault rifles, eight magazines, 196 rounds, two 9 mm pistols and ammunition from the spot in Poonchs Surankote (PTI)

Speaking to media at Potha in Surankote, Brigadier MP Singh, 6 sector commander Rashtriya Rifles said, Acting on a tip-off, security forces had laid a cordon since Monday. Troops kept retaliating to the terrorists fire while pinning them down in the Sindhara general area. The intermittent continued through the night and lasted till 5.30 am on Tuesday.

The army officer informed that the troops were at the highest alert to prevent the terrorists breaking the cordon.

This morning, a detailed search was carried out that resulted in recovery of a large quantity of arms and ammunition that included four AK series assault rifles, eight magazines, 196 rounds, two 9 mm pistols with three magazines and 24 rounds. Bodies of the four slain terrorists were also found in the area, he said.

Singh informed that the weapons found with terrorists had Chinese markings on the rifles, while the pistols had Pakistani markings.

He said the presence of such heavily-armed terrorists in the hinterland is indicative of Pakistans attempts to destabilise the region, adding, Had they not been neutralised in time, they would have carried out major terror attacks in the coming days. The relentless operations by the security forces will be continued and its being seen that they have started giving results. Army along with police and other sister agencies will continue their operations with renewed vigour to flush out the remaining terrorists in the area.

The officer also referred to recent intrusion bids on the Line of Control (LoC) at Sarla Battalion area and in Nowshera saying, They allude to the bigger plan of Pakistan of spreading instability in the region.

Poonch senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vinay Kumar, meanwhile, said, The present operation was a live example of a top level synergy between the security forces. We were getting inputs for the past many days about the movement of terrorists in the area and acting upon one specific input led to this operation and elimination of four terrorists.

Kumar said the security forces will soon free Poonch from militancy.

Notably, Sindhara, around 20 km from the LoC, is a hill that can be spotted from Poonch town. It has remained a traditional transit route for Pakistan-based terrorists, who use it to reach Gursai and enter Rajouri district.

Official sources said the four terrorists eliminated in Sindhara could be one of the groups responsible for April 20 and May 5 ambushes of the soldiers in Tota Gali and Kandi forests in Poonch and Rajouri districts respectively. The army had lost 10 men, five each in the two ambushes.

Intelligence agencies confided to HT that around 16 to 18 terrorists were believed to be present south of Pir Panjal range in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

On Monday, the army pressed into service surveillance drones along with other night vision devices to locate the terrorists at Sindhara.

On January 1 and 2, terrorists had killed seven Hindus in targeted attacks in Rajouris Dhangri. The perpetrators of the three attacks remained on the run

Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammad, released a 2.5-minute video clip of the April 20 ambush on social media on May 8, showing a terrorist with a body camera purportedly shooting a soldier multiple times. The outfit also released a video of the May 5 ambush. Later on June 2, security forces gunned down a Pakistani terrorist in Dasal Gujran in Rajouri.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ravi Krishnan Khajuria A principal correspondent, Ravi Krishnan Khajuria is the bureau chief at Jammu. He covers politics, defence, crime, health and civic issues for Jammu city. ...view detail
Parteek Singh Mahal Instead of waiting for government help to arrive or cursing their fate, the villagers in Punjab took the initiative of plugging the breaches. (HT Photo)

parteek.singh@htlive.com

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Villagers in Sardulgarh sub-division in Punjabs Mansa district exemplified the spirit to survive as the gushing waters of the Ghaggar river breached its banks at five places over the past week.

After a fresh breach at Phus Mandi on Tuesday afternoon, the water reached outskirts of Sardulgarh town, a few metres from the Sirsa-Mansa highway connecting the town with Haryanas Fatehabad district. While the authorities were still assessing the situation at Sardulgarh, local residents, most of them villagers, gathered in large numbers and brought along tractor-trailers and a JCB machine to build a temporary embankment on the highway to Haryana to stop the water from entering the town. The embankment, built on a 2km stretch, has prevented the water from entering Sardulgarh, but diverted the flow on Ratia road, which is an open area. Though people managed to stop water from entering the area for more than a day, flood water entered low-lying areas of the town on Wednesday evening. The water level inside the city is not that high and the embankment is holding up.

Harpreet Singh (42), a farmer of Sardulgarh, driving a tractor to level the embankment, said: Our plan has worked. The excess water will flow towards Ratia road without entering the city. The administration did provide us with some fuel but most of the spending is being done by ourselves. The local residents of Sardulgarh and surrounding villages came together after getting the news of a breach in the Phus Mandi embankment. They held a discussion and started the work of making temporary embankments to divert the flow.

Hundreds of people had gathered at the state highway on Tuesday and more than 40 tractor-trailers were working on the highway to make the embankment. The residents of the town provided food to people who were working to stop the water.

Villagers are also strengthening the Ghaggars embankments in north-west of Sardulgarh to prevent a new breach.

Gurjant Singh (26), a local resident, who is a student, said despite breaches in neighbouring Rorki and Chandpura, the rivers water level is not going down. We are trying to strengthen the embankment by putting up more sand bags. Water is already moving towards Sardulgarh from the east and another breach will mean destruction, he said.

Even before the breach in Chandpura Bundh, the villagers of surrounding villages were camping at the site to tackle the situation.

On Saturday morning, the Ghaggar breached Chandpura Bundh and locals attempted to plug it even before the administration stepped in. Babbu Kulrian, who is a farmer, said after the breach at Chandpura, his native village was the first to be affected. We tried our best to prevent the breach but in vain. The administration did nothing to help, he said.

Despite repeated attempts, officials refrained from commenting on public efforts.
A youth, who was arrested in connection with an attempt to murder case in 2020 and had been in judicial custody at Model Jail, Sector 51, for over three years, has now been declared as a juvenile at the time of the incident by a local court. On March 17, 2020, the accused with his accomplice had allegedly broken into the house of advocate Amit Singh Sethi in Sector 9 and tried to steal the dish antenna installed on the roof of his house. (Getty Images/Purestock)

The youth, a resident of Nayagaon, was arrested on May 10, 2020. On the day of the incident, he was 17 years, 11 months and 27 days old. He had applied for bail that was rejected.

On March 17, 2020, the accused with his accomplice had allegedly broken into the house of advocate Amit Singh Sethi in Sector 9 and tried to steal the dish antenna installed on the roof of his house. When Sethi confronted them, they allegedly attacked him. In the spat, the victim suffered injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

A case under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 379 (theft), 452 (house-trespass) and 511 (attempting to commit offences) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at the Sector 3 police station. Two Sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 397 (robbery) of the IPC were added later.

After the accuseds case was taken up by advocates Prakul Kashyap and Amandeep Singh, they submitted an application in March this year that the accused be treated as a juvenile, a fact which was overlooked at the time of his arrest.

Meanwhile, the police, in their reply, said considering the grievous nature of the crime the accused may not be considered as a juvenile.

The application filed by the accused has now been accepted by the court of the additional sessions judge in the ongoing trial. The court has directed that the accused be sent to a juvenile home for now. The maximum sentence imposed on a juvenile is three years that the convict has already gone through.

The next date of hearing is August 8 and will now be taken up by the Juvenile Justice Board, as per the accuseds counsels.

They added that they will now again file for bail as he continues to be locked up in Model Jail.

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The Union ministry of culture will organise a two-day event, Festival of Libraries, at Pragati Maidan next month . The festival will comprise activities ranging from exhibitions and book-author sessions to workshops for children. (HT FILE)

The festival will be held on August 5 and 6. Entry will be free and open to all, the ministry announced on Wednesday, and said that the festival will comprise activities ranging from exhibitions and book-author sessions to workshops for children.

Speaking at a press conference, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union minister of state for law & justice, parliamentary affairs and culture, said, The Festival of Libraries 2023 celebrates knowledge and imagination. Libraries preserve manuscripts and bridge the gap between history and the limitless future. Our digital library initiative breaks barriers, empowering all citizens with access to knowledge...

He said that libraries serve as a connection between younger and older generations, and that physical libraries will never stop being important.

Joint Secretary, ministry of culture, Mugdha Sinha, said that their long-term goal is to make libraries the drawing rooms of community.

At the event, there will be four zones or drawing rooms  book-author sessions, digital displays, podcasts, and the Human Library Project. In addition, a dedicated childrens zone will provide hands-on activities to foster a love for reading among children, officials said. It will also conduct storytelling, origami, zine making, and read-along sessions in the zone, they added.

Sinha said that the ministry has invited 46 central universities and all CBSE-affiliated schools in the city to the event. The festival will also have 10 exhibitions showcasing cartography, calligraphy, cursive writing, and tribal fonts and scripts. There will also be panel discussions on the digitisation of libraries, Sinha said.

Other highlights of the festival will include a crowd-sourced directory of libraries, signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between three prominent libraries in the country, and the commencement of the celebration of 250 years of the Rampur Raza library in Uttar Pradesh, which is known for being a repository of Indo-Islamic cultural heritage.

The festival also aims to bring together stakeholders such as librarians, academics and directors of model libraries in order to develop a roadmap on revival of libraries and encourage people to read more, officials said.

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Tarana laments that her children feel that their house has drowned. When water started entering their home in Anna Nagar, the 36-year-old mother of two could not think of anything else but save her children. She kept her childrens schoolbooks and bags on top of a cupboard in their one-room house, but that has now been ruined, she said. Classes, which last around 2.5 hours a day, focus on subjects such as mindfullness, arts and crafts, mathematics and English. (HT Photo)

But a week later, Tarana feels that her children have a more positive outlook. On Tuesday morning, her three-year-old son Taimur was among the 40 children who were absorbed in the special classes organised by the teachers of Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya Zeenat Mahal in Ajmeri Gate, which is currently functioning as a relief camp for those impacted by the flood in areas such as Anna Nagar.

It is good that the children have something to look forward to. Taimur seems to be enjoying the class, Tarana said.

The idea was brought up by the central district administration, after which the school decided to take it forward.

Since teachers were available at this moment, they thought of the initiative in order to encourage community participation, said an official, who did not wish to be named.

Mohammad Iqbal, the school principal, said that there were a lot of children who had nothing to keep them occupied following the floods.

The aim was to ensure that children have a routine and something to look forward to. Losing your home to a flood can deeply impact the children, he said.

Since schools in the city have been shut since the flood, some teachers volunteered to hold these classes. At least five teachers from the school held different sessions  starting with a 10-minute mindfulness class to sessions on subjects like mathematics and English taught through interactive methods. The classes usually last for around two-and-a-half-hours a day.

In the mindfulness session, a teacher asks students to close their eyes and imagine their favourite items. When asked what he had imagined, a child said, I thought about eating an apple. The teacher then questioned the students on what colour an apple was, to which they replied red in unison.

Preeti Gagneja, a nursery schoolteacher, then steered the activities from crafts and dance to questions about English and mathematics. The children stayed invested throughout the class, but the parts that they enjoyed the most were when they were allowed to perform dances, Gagneja said.

The challenge was coming up with activities and questions that can engage everyone, she added.

Around 40 children, aged anywhere between 3 and 15, attended the classes which started on Monday. Most of the children go to schools in Anna Nagar, while some have dropped out and others are even too young to go to school. I like this school as much as my regular school, said nine-year-old Chahat.

Around 300 people, including children, have been staying in the relief camp. Many of the men and women step out for work during the day, which is when the children attend the classes.

Siblings Mazida, 10, and Ayaan, 6, said that their favourite part of the class was when they were shown how to make an origami flower, stick it to their notebooks and then draw a flowerpot around it. After the class, the siblings meet their mother Raveena Khatoon, who had just returned from their home. She said that most of their home had been ruined  things were still muddy and in shambles.

I am sad that our TV is gone, said Ayaan, who loves watching cartoons on the television. Raveena added that the siblings books and school bags have been ruined too.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Hussain said that the session made him realise how much he missed school. I had dropped out of school five or six years ago. I went to class after very long, he said flaunting his drawing.

In the last few years, schoolteachers were engaged in various additional responsibilities such as delivering ration during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We have done a lot of extra work in the last few years. But we were not forced to do this. We cannot even imagine what these children are going through so we wanted to help as much as we could, said a teacher, who did not wish to be named.

Meanwhile, there is no clarity over when the school will restart in earnest as several government schools continue to function as relief camps. Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya principal Mohammad Iqbal said, We should be able to continue these classes as we have two buildings and only one of them is functioning as the relief camp.

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The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said that one gate of the Rajiv Chowk Metro station on its blue line service will remain closed Wednesday due to renovation work. The public transport body requested commuters to use Gate No 7 for entry/or exit. Rajiv Chowk Metro stations serves as an interchanging point between the Blue and Yellow line metro services.(HT_PRINT)

Service Update - Entry/exit from Gate No 8 at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station will remain closed from 19/07/2023 (Wednesday) for civil renovation work. The passengers can use Gate No 7 for entry/exit, a tweet by the DMRC read.

Rajiv Chowk Metro station is a vital underground station, with a total of eight entry and exit gates. The station's gate number 8 leads to Connaught Place's Radial Road-3, at its A block on Panchkuian Road. The station acts as of the interchanging points for the metro's Blue and Yellow line services, linking Delhi-Gurugram and Noida.

The transport body boasts a 391 km long network, serving as the lifeline of Delhi. During the recent flooding situation due to overflowing of the Yamuna river, the DMRC recorded high demand amid traffic woes in Delhi, with close to 6 million people opting for metro services for consecutively three days in the past week, an official notification read. In the past two weeks, during weekdays in July, Delhi Metro has registered over 60 lakh passenger journeys on multiple days, especially the last three days (11, 12, 13 July) of this week, a press release by DMRC had read.

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A day after the Delhi Police said they had solved the robbery of 10 gold bars from two employees of a jeweller in northwest Delhi, officers on Wednesday said that they had recovered all the gold from prime accused Sushil Kumar alias Toppi, 42. Police had earlier said they had recovered only eight of the gold bars. Officers had said that the main suspect Sushil Kumar was arrested from Punjab, and they had recovered eight of the stolen gold bars, weighing a kilogram each. (Representational image)

The robbery occurred on July 10, when Ludhiana-based jeweller Ravinder Kumar sent two of his employees to Delhi to purchase 10 gold bars. The two were robbed at Pitampura by at least four men impersonating officers of the central good and services tax (CGST) department, and officers said one of the employees, identified as Rajan Bawa, 35, was involved in the conspiracy, which was planned with Sushil Kumar, the jewellers friend.

Officers had said that Sushil Kumar was arrested from Punjab, and they had recovered eight of the stolen gold bars, weighing a kilogram each.

On Wednesday, police said that they have recovered the remaining two bars.

In continuation of the investigation of the case, we secured three days of police custody of Kumar, who was arrested from Khanna in Punjab, for further interrogation. He was interrogated regarding the remaining 2kg gold. Raids were conducted in Ludhiana, and the two gold bars were also recovered. Efforts are on to nab the remaining suspects who are still absconding, said deputy commissioner of police (outer) Harendra Kumar Singh.

Police said Bawa, who is run on the run, is the son a Shiv Sena (Punjab) leader from Ludhiana who was arrested in 2021 for allegedly faking an attack on himself in order to get additional security cover for himself and his son.
A man was arrested as he attacked three people with a knife following an argument near New Delhis Sunlight Colony late on Tuesday. One of the three later succumbed to his injuries. (HT)

Police said that three policemen patrolling near Macchi Market caught Harsh, a resident of Sunlight Colony, around 11.15pm while he was attacking the three. They overpowered and disarmed him.

The three Sajid, Sahil, and Mayank, all 22, were rushed to All India Institute Of Medical Science. Sajid, a resident of Sangam Vihar, later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators said that Harsh was drunk when he pulled out the knife and started stabbing the three. A case of murder has been registered against Harsh at the Sunlight Colony police station.
The water level of the Yamuna inched past the danger mark of 205.33m to 205.8m on Wednesday, just 11hours after falling below that point, prompting authorities in Delhi to urge people who have moved back into their homes along the rivers floodplains to vacate and take shelter in rescue camps. Officials said the river was swelling due to rain in its catchment area in northern states. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo)

Officials, however, insisted that there was no immediate cause for concern and said the Yamuna was swelling largely due to rain in the rivers catchment areas in northern states.

In pics | As Yamuna water recedes, a look at aftermath of floods in Delhi

The Capital also received only trace amounts of rain on Wednesday, allowing more parts of the city to dry up and authorities to clean up sludge-caked streets.

The Yamunas water fell below the danger mark to 205.3m at 10pm on Tuesday  the first time in eight days that the river had gone below the danger mark. However, after the water level increased on Wednesday, Delhi government officials asked district-level authorities to ensure that people living along the rivers embankments are advised to move to relief camps.

Also Read | Gautam Budh Nagar sounds alert as Yamuna breaches danger level in Delhi

A senior government official said, If people moved back into their homes and are at risk, they should be shifted back to safer places. The police and flood control department have been asked to patrol the riverbanks.

Meanwhile, Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials said they have deployed teams in the affected areas to clear colonies and internal roads of sludge, which coated several streets across the city as the floodwaters receded.

PWD minister Atishi inspected cleaning work in the Rajghat and Shanti Van memorials on Wednesday, and said that all agencies of central government, Delhi government, and MCD are working together to drain stagnant water from the area.

A government official who asked not to be named said waterlogging near ITO flyover has been cleared, and the road was opened for traffic.

A Central Water Commission official said the Yamuna continued to be in a severe situation and its water levels inched up throughout much of Wednesday.

The quantum of water discharge from the Hathnikund barrage (in Haryana) is normal. The rise in Yamuna level can be attributed to rainfall in its catchment areas. The rise appears to be temporary and levels are likely to stabilise by the evening, said a Delhi revenue department official. The rise has not led to flooding in any area... But, we are exercising caution and are continuously monitoring the situation, the official added.

At 11pm on Wednesday, the river was flowing at 205.71 metres.

According to a Delhi government report, the hourly water discharge from the Hathinikund barrage, which touched a peak of 360,000 cusecs on July 11, was at 45,031 cusecs as of July 18.

In the non-monsoon season, the normal hourly discharge of water from Hathinikund is around 350 cusecs. The discharge at 10pm on Wednesday was 29,629 cusecs.

Meanwhile, Delhi minister Gopal Rai inspected flood relief camps near the Old Yamuna Bridge, one of the areas hit worst by the floods.

Adequate healthcare services, nourishment, water, extra shelters, sanitation arrangements have been put in place in the camps for the flood victims. Rugs and mattresses have also been arranged for the comfort of the individuals in these camps, he said.

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Union minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday slammed the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan over the law and order situation in the state.



The minister tweeted a video of Congress MLA Divya Maderna, who is heard claiming she feels unsafe and her convoy has been attacked.



I am not safe here. The accused have not been arrested yet. My car has been attacked at 20 places despite the fact that I travelled under police protection. Two days ago, I received a threat. Several police personnel were deployed for my protection. I had stopped my car three kilometres away from the spot and told the SP that I might be attacked. But the SP assured me saying there were proper arrangements. Still I was attacked, the Congress MLA is heard saying in the video. Union minister Piyush Goyal.

Goyal tweeted,"Shameful! Forget the safety of other women in Congress' Jungleraj in Rajasthan, even its woman MLA is unsafe".

Earlier in the day, four members of a family were allegedly killed by a relative who hacked them with an axe and later set the bodies on fire in Jodhpur on Wednesday. The deceased included a six-month-old child.

The assailant, identified as Pappuram (19), a nephew of the head of the victim family, has been arrested, Superintendent of Police (Jodhpur Rural) Dharemndra Singh Yadav told PTI.

Pappuram allegedly entered the victims' house on a farm at around 4 am and killed head of family Poonaram (60), his wife Bhanwari (55) and their daughter-in-law Dahpu (23).

"He killed three members one by one in their sleep by hitting them at their throats with an axe. He then gathered the bodies near the kitchen and set them ablaze," Yadav said.



Divya Maderna, who is the local MLA of the area where the crime took place, told ANI,"The law and order situation is deeply concerning in Rajasthan. The police is inefficient. If something so gruesome can happen to the people in a village then the IG should be sacked and held responsible".



(With PTI, ANI inputs)

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When a school in West Bengals North 24 Parganas closed for panchayat polls reopened after four days on July 10, it bore witness to the violence that marred the election. The furniture and at least 10 ceiling fans at the school, where polling booths were set up, were severely damaged. Violence marred the Panchayat election. (PTI)

An 11-year-old student said he was having a tough time in the absence of a blackboard during mathematics classes in a makeshift classroom they were forced to move to since the school reopened. I could not follow the fractions and geometry, which the maths teacher was explaining. Usually, the maths teacher writes and draws on the blackboard to explain concepts to us, said the student.

A 12-year-old class 6 student at the same school faced the same problem during English classes. The teacher writes things on the board while teaching. Without a blackboard, it is difficult to follow what he is teaching. The new classroom we are using now is too hot as it is on the top floor of a cyclone shelter.

At least 18 people were killed on the day of the three-tier panchayat polls on July 8 amid allegations of rigging and booth capturing. Many schools, where polling booths were set up, were attacked.

Sukhendu Sekhar Ghosh, the North 24 Parganas school headmaster, said the classes were last held before the polls on July 6. The school reopened on July 10 after the polling. Two rooms of our school were used as polling booths. When we returned we saw that the furniture...a table, a chair, and at least five benches were broken. At least 10 ceiling fans were damaged.

The damage caused to the school forced it to shift classes 5 and 6 to the cyclone shelter on the school premises which at least has fans.

Saju Ahmed Sarkar, in charge of a school at Dinhata in Cooch Behar which was also attacked on the polling day, said they lost four chairs, two tables, one bench, and two ceiling fans. The blades of the ceiling fan were twisted. We somehow managed to straighten them. We have brought in chairs and benches from other classrooms.

Similar reports of attacks on polling booths set up in schools and colleges have been pouring in.

Ahsanul Hoque, the teacher in charge of a primary school in Malda district, said two windows and furniture of their institute were broken. We have rearranged the seats so that no students sit close to the windows. This is the monsoon season and if it rains, they will get wet as the windows cannot be bolted.

At a school in Murshidabads Raghunathganj, the doors of toilets, windows, a classroom, and bulbs were damaged when supporters of two parties attacked each other with stones and rods at the polling station set up there.

The in charge of a school in Howrah that was attacked said depending on the number of students and how big the schools are, the state government provides only around 25,000 to 50,000 annually as composite funds to meet their expenses. How will we manage if the entire money is drained out to repair fans and furniture after polls?

The Calcutta high court on July 12 directed the state government and state election commission to restore and repair the schools damaged in the violence. The state government will meet the costs until the people involved in the damage are identified and asked to pay for the damages. Officials said they have started collecting information on schools that need assistance.

An official said district school inspectors have asked school authorities to provide information about the damage. He added the cost would be huge as multiple schools were attacked.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joydeep Thakur Joydeep Thakur is a Special Correspondent based in Kolkata. He focuses on science, environment, wildlife, agriculture and other related issues. ...view detail
LUCKNOW An arrested youth from UPs Firozabad, Akash Solanki, 21, who was working as an electrical artificer radio apprentice (EAC) at the Naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam, was on Wednesday charge sheeted along with a suspected absconding Pakistani national by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Andhra Pradesh in a case of espionage. An official said the investigations revealed that the youth had been receiving monetary compensation from a suspected Pakistani operative, Meer Balaj Khan, through crypto channels in exchange for the information. (Pic for representation)

The arrested accused Solanki was passing on classified information related to Indian Navy warships and submarines to Pakistani agents. He was sharing the information with a suspected Pakistani intelligence operative functioning under the assumed identity of Aditi Chouhan, as well as other unidentified individuals, confirmed NIA officials.

An official said the investigations further revealed that Solanki had been receiving monetary compensation from another suspected Pakistani operative, Meer Balaj Khan, through crypto channels in exchange for the information.

Khans credentials obtained from Binance (leading Crypto-currency Exchange) disclosed a Pakistan ID card. Solanki and Khan were charge-sheeted under relevant sections of the IPC and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the NIA Special Court, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, he said.

The duo, along with other Pakistan Intelligence agents, was involved in leaking sensitive information pertaining to the Indian Navy. Initially, the case had been registered at the Counter-Intelligence Cell of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, and was subsequently re-registered by the NIA on June 5, 2023. Further investigations in the case were still on.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rohit Kumar Singh Rohit K Singh is a Principal Correspondent. He writes on crime, police and social issues ...view detail
In another Seema Haider-like case, a woman named Julie from Bangladesh travelled to Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh to marry her lover, Ajay, whom she had initially met on Facebook. However, the duo fled back to Bangladesh after Julie allegedly lured Ajay under the guise of renewing her visa, news agency ANI reported. The man's mother has written to SSP Moradabad requesting him to ensure his son's safety and bring him back to India.(Representative image)

As per the mans mother, after reaching Bangladesh, Julie sent her Ajays haunting photographs, depicting him soaked in blood, sparking panic after which she submitted an application to Moradabad police, requesting to ensure her sons safety. Moradabad Police is investigating the matter. Ajay's mother gave an application to SSP Moradabad requesting him to save his son and bring him back. An investigation is being done in this regard, the Moradabad police said, as quoted by ANI.

Seema Haider-like case

The case is partly similar to another UP incident involving a Pakistani national Seema Haider, who crossed the border to live with her partner Sachin Meena in Greater Noida. She, along with her four children, allegedly smuggled themselves into India in May after meeting Sachin via the online game PUBG.

She was arrested by the Gautam Budh Nagar police on July 4, for illegally entering India without a visa via Nepal with her four children. On Monday, the couple and two of the children were quizzed by UP anti-terrorism squad (UP-ATS) over national security concerns. The duo was questioned for hours on Tuesday. Haider was asked about her kin in Pakistan and claims that her uncle and brother were in the Pakistan army. She denied the claims, and said her brother was preparing for recruitment to the army, said an ATS source, asking not to be named. The identity and other documents are being verified and an investigation is being conducted to ascertain the possibility of Haider being a spy.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nisha Anand Trainee Content Producer for Hindustan Times Digital Streams. I read about feminism, late modern history, and globalisation of Korean music. ...view detail
LUCKNOW Amethi was rocked by two murders, including the lynching of a BJP booth in-charge Dinesh Singh, 40, near Bhithari village and the killing of a youth Bharat Shukla, 20, by three bike-borne assailants near Kakwa road railway crossing, on Tuesday evening. A youth Bharat Shukla, 20, was killed by three bike-borne assailants near Kakwa road railway crossing. (Pic for representation)

Dinesh Singh was beaten to death with sticks by six unidentified assailants when he was riding a motorcycle on his way back home in Daurahera village. The incident took place near Bhithari village, SP (Amethi) Elamaran G informed media persons.

He said locals informed that they rushed to the rescue of Singh and took him to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to injuries during treatment. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination and probe was on after an FIR was registered under IPC Section 302 (murder).

In the second incident, motorcycle-borne assailants shot Bharat Shukla from point-blank range when he was returning to his home near Reserve Police Lines on Kakwa road around 6pm on Tuesday. It happened when he stopped at the railway crossing, barely a few meters from his house. His father Rakesh Kumar Shukla lodged an FIR of murder against unknown assailants, said police.

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Mumbai: A committee of MLAs will be formed to take policy decisions on rehabilitation of the project affected people (PAP) in Mumbai City, the state government informed the legislative council on Wednesday. HT Image

On Wednesday, Sunil Shinde, Sena (UBT) MLC, raised the issue of rehabilitation of the affected families due to widening of three roads Ganpatrao Kadam road, Keshav Rao Khade road and E Moses road  in Worli.

Industry minister Uday Samant said that the work on widening of the roads in Worli will not start without the rehabilitation of the PAP.

He added that a committee of MLAs will be formed to take policy decisions on the rehabilitation of people affected by the three road widening projects and other projects in Mumbai City.

I assure you that the government will not start these projects without rehabilitation of the affected people. Also, the government will form a committee of MLAs from Mumbai City to take policy decisions on the rehabilitation, said Samant.

Shinde said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued notices to the residents and non-resident tenants of cess buildings on these roads.

Shinde also demanded that people should be rehabilitated in the same zone of the BMC and the government should order a stay on the notice issued by the civic body to the affected people.

Shinde asked the government to reduce the proposed width of the Ganpatrao Kadam road. The proposed width of the road after its widening is 100 feet. But if the government changes it to 90 feet, it will benefit the people in cess buildings. said Shinde.

Samant said, There are around 786 people affected by the widening of Ganpatrao Kadam road. Though the BMC has issued notices to them, only a few of them have been responded to it.

Samant refused to order a stay on the notice given to the PAP. I have given an assurance that the project will start only after the rehabilitation of the PAP. It will take about one and a half years to two years to start the work on this project.

So, there is no need to give a stay on the notice issued to the people. By the time work starts, the government will finalise the policy and the rehabilitation process, said Samant.

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MUMBAI: The fallen number plate of a vehicle led the police to its driver, who was involved in a hit and run incident in which a 55-year-old cyclist was killed early on Tuesday. HT Image

The accused, Shahbaz Abdulkadir Shaikh, 32, was nabbed from Marol by the MIDC police on Wednesday and booked for causing death by negligence. The deceased has been identified as Hazarilal Patel, a milk delivery man and a resident of Jogeshwari.

The accident took place around 5.30 am on Marol Maroshi Road when Patel was on his way to deliver milk as per his routine. Sheikh had fled the scene after the accident. The police took Patel to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

While assessing the crime scene, the investigators found the number plate of a car and based on their findings, registered a case against the unknown driver of the said car.

The police learnt that the car in question had been sold a year ago, but the registration of the vehicle had not been transferred to the new owner as the previous owner had misplaced the RC book.

With the help of agents who had helped with the sale of the car, the police identified Sheikh, a resident of Marol, as the driver they were looking for. On Wednesday afternoon, they arrested him.

The accused ran away after the accident. When we visited his residence, family members told us he had not returned home since the morning, said an officer from MIDC police. He added that Sheikhs phone was switched off throughout the day.

The police then circulated Sheikhs picture among their network of informants, who led them to his location, not far from his residence in Marol. Sheikh will be produced in court on Thursday, said the officer.

Patel was from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and had been living in Mumbai for the last 20 years, his roommate Subhash Yadav told the police.

He would start at 5 am every day from our house in Jogeshwari East to pick up milk from a stable nearby and deliver it to various houses in Andheri East, said Yadav.

The officer said that the Sheikh has been booked under sections 279 (rash driving) and 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code along with relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act.

The accused made things worse for himself by running away from the accident spot instead of helping the victim and informing the police. He further complicated things by running away from his home when he knew that we would be looking for him, said the officer.
All schools in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar will remain shut tomorrow due to heavy rains, chief minister Eknath Shinde announced on Wednesday. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning predicting heavy rainfall in certain areas of the city. An orange alert has also been issued for parts of Mumbai for tomorrow.

In view of the continuous rains in Mumbai, considering the safety of the students, the Municipal Corporation has declared a holiday for tomorrow, 20th July, for primary, secondary and higher secondary schools (Nursery to Class 12) of all management in the Mumbai Metropolis, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said.

An "orange alert," indicating a high level of rainfall, has been issued for several parts of the western state.

In response to the ongoing floods in several districts of Maharashtra, Shinde visited the disaster management department's control room to take stock of the situation. During the visit, he closely monitored the flood-prone areas, including Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Satara, and Gadchiroli.

In a meeting with emergency agencies, including the national disaster response force (NDRF), state disaster response force (SDRF), and municipal corporations, the chief minister ensured that all units were on high alert and actively engaged in rescue operations.

Mumbai rain woes: 4-month-old baby washed away in river

In a tragic incident, a 4-month-old baby was swept away by the swift-flowing river near Kalyan district in Mumbai. The unfortunate event occurred at approximately 2:55 pm, while passengers were standing between the Thakurli and Kalyan stations, enduring a two-hour delay due to heavy rains.

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MUMBAI: The Railway board on Wednesday informed the Bombay high court that it has received a proposal to convert one of the luggage compartments in the local trains into a dedicated compartment for senior citizens and is considering the cost and feasibility. HT Image

The HC has sought the Railways response to the proposal by the next hearing on August 23.

The submissions of the board were made in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a retired private secretary of a judge, wherein he had sought directions to the Ministry of Railways to dedicate a separate compartment for senior citizens like the one earmarked for persons with disabilities and cancer patients.

The division bench of acting chief justice Nitin Jamdar and justice Arif Doctor, while hearing the PIL filed by K P Purushothaman Nair, 66, a lawyer and retired HC official, was informed that at least 50,000 senior citizens like him travel daily on suburban trains and during peak hours it is difficult for them to enter the compartments.

The petition had further stated that the seats reserved for senior citizens in compartments are mostly occupied by younger commuters during peak hours and as a result it is difficult for people like him to board the train and find a place to sit and then alight from the train as well. Hence, Nair has sought a separate compartment for senior citizens in each local train.

The HC had in 2015 directed the Railways to reserve seats for senior citizens after which 14 seats in the second-class general compartment were reserved in local trains in the city.

During the hearing on Wednesday, advocate D P Singh submitted that the Railway Board had asked both the Central and Western railways to give their suggestions on the proposal and the issue of cost and feasibility of converting a luggage compartment into a dedicated compartment for senior citizens.

The bench was informed that each local train of 12-15 rakes has three to four luggage compartments, having six seats that could be modified to add more seats.

The court was further told that surveys by both Central and Western railways showed that the luggage compartments were occupied by general commuters and vendors ferrying goods constituted only 10% of the occupancy.

The bench was told that hile general class compartments comprise 71% of the 12-rake train and carry 90% of the commuters, the luggage compartments carry only 0.32% of the passenger load, hence rather than converting a general compartment for senior citizens, modifying a luggage compartment would be a better option.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday transferred Noida authority chief executive officer Ritu Maheshwari as Agra division commissioner, four years after she assumed office. New CEO Lokesh M is likely to visit Lucknow on Thursday and may join Noida authority on Friday, said sources.

Kanpur division commissioner Lokesh M, a 2005 batch IAS officer, will be the new CEO of Noida authority, while Agra commissioner Amit Gupta has been appointed as Kanpur division commissioner, said a state government spokesperson, adding that these transfers were a routine matter.

The move comes two weeks after 3.9 crore was fraudulently transferred by a con man from the authoritys bank account using fake documents.

The Uttar Pradesh government has transferred Noida CEO Ritu Maheshwari to Agra as division commissioner. Agra division commissioner Amit Gupta will replace Kanpur commissioner Lokesh M, who will be joining the Noida authority. There are no other changes in postings in the state, said SP Goyal, additional chief secretary, Uttar Pradesh government.

On being asked whether there is any reason for the sudden transfer -- Kanpur commissioner Lokesh M joined his only a month ago from Saharanpur -- Goyal said, No it is a routine affair. It happens that officers at times get transferred in a month as well.

The government had on July 14, 2019, appointed 2003 IAS officer Ritu Maheshwari as CEO of the Noida authority. Before becoming Noida CEO in 2019, she was the district magisrtate of neighbouring Ghaziabad.

New CEO Lokesh M is likely to visit Lucknow on Thursday and may join Noida authority on Friday, said sources.

We will follow the state government instructions and carry out the government directions in resolving issues faced by Noida, said Lokesh M.

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Azad Adhikar Sena president and former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur was prevented by the police from meeting students protesting at the Allahabad University (AU) Union building on Wednesday. The AU union building gate was locked and the policemen surrounded Amitabh Thakur outside it. Amitabh Thakur being prevented from entering AU campus on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

Upset over the presence of a large number of policemen at the university gate, Thakur then staged a sit-in at the Union Hall gate of AU itself. During his protest, he was accompanied by Ganesh Dubey, father of the deceased student Ashutosh Dubey who recently died after collapsing near the AU Union Hall on July 11.

Amitabh Thakur alleged that an undeclared emergency had been put in place at AU and said that he would move court soon and ask why so much force was needed in AU.

The former IPS officer also visited other gates of AUs Arts faculty campus to gain entry but all the gates were locked.

AU PRO Prof Jaya Kapoor said that statements given by Amitabh Thakur in the media had raised apprehensions that his decision to come to the campus was related to elements creating unrest and anarchy in the university. In view of the strong possibility of disturbance due to his arrival on the campus, he was not allowed to enter the campus, she said.
A man arrested in Tripuras Belonia last week in connection to a human trafficking case has been sent to Assams Silchar on transit demand on Tuesday, police said. The person was booked by Silchar police in 2022. (Representative file image)

The arrest was made by Assam police along with Belonia police on July 12.

The accused identified as Partha Sen was charged with various sections of the Passport and Foreigners Act and human trafficking of Rohingyas in Silchar last year.

Also Read: UP ATS arrests two from Mumbai with ISI links

The person was booked by Silchar police in 2022. He was arrested in Belonia along with a Bangladeshi woman on July 12. We took a case against him under trafficking of human, criminal conspiracy and few others along with Passport Act, said officer in-charge of Belonia police station Paritosh Das.

Though he got interim bail, he was arrested by Assam police again on July 17 and taken to Silchar on transit remand on Tuesday.

The Bangladeshi woman is currently in judicial custody.
LUCKNOW Two days after U.P. ATS took Pakistani national Seema Ghulam Haider and her Greater Noida-based partner Sachin Meena into custody for interrogation, it has surfaced that the woman, along with her four minor kids, was trying to enter India since January 2022. Finally, on May 12, 2023, she was able to sneak into the country through the porous India-Nepal border from Rupaindeeh-Khunwa point of Siddharthnagar district, said senior U.P. Police officials here on Wednesday. No spying evidence found against Seema; ATS to send its report to U.P. home dept (PTI)

The officials added that Seema and her four children are likely to be deported to Pakistan even as the U.P. ATS, after questioning her for multiple hours, failed to find any evidence suggesting that she came here to spy. They further said that a detailed report will be sent to the states home department and thereafter, U.P. government authorities will decide over the deportation of Seema and her children.

Sharing further details, U.P. Police Special Director General (Law and Order), Prashant Kumar, said that Seema Ghulam Haider, along with her four children, all aged between 3 and 7 years, reached Gautam Buddha Nagar on May 13 via Lucknow and Agra.

The senior cop added that Seemas love interest Sachin Meena accompanied her on the journey from Nepal to Gautam Buddha Nagar. Police had earlier registered an FIR under Indian Penal Code section 120-B (for criminal conspiracy) and section 14 of Foreigners Act 1947 at Rabupura police station in connection with her illegal visit to India. Currently, police are taking the legal proceedings forward, he added.

The investigation has also confirmed that she sold her house under the Jhekhmabad police station limits of Pakistans Sindh province in January 2022, only three months after purchasing it, said Kumar. He added that she purchased the house for 12 lakh Pakistani rupees and sold it for the same amount. Besides, she would save 4-5 lakh Pakistani rupees every year from the amount that her husband, Ghulam Haider, who worked in Dubai, used to send her, he added.

Another police official privy to the development said the ATS initially had a suspicion about her as she spoke Hindi fluently in an accent akin to that of a person from the Hindi heartland. Also, her awareness of Hindu culture and dressing style was immaculate. Therefore, it was suspected that she had been trained for her visit to India.

U.P. police officials have also confirmed that Seema Ghulam Haider and Sachin Meena got acquainted through an online gaming platform in 2020. After playing online games for about 15 days, the two exchanged numbers in July 2020. Eventually, their friendship turned into love.

They said she first met Sachin in Kathmandu (Nepal) on March 10 this year but she returned to Pakistan on March 17. The two stayed together in a hotel during their Nepal sojourn. She returned to Nepal on May 11, this time with her children, and finally sneaked into India on May 12.

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Tripura CPM legislator Samsul Haque died of a cardiac arrest at state-run Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) hospital in Agartala late on Tuesday. Diagnosed with a heart condition two years ago, Haque suffered multiple heart attacks on Tuesday, one of them in the hospital. For representational purposes only. (File Photo)

A senior party leader, Haque contested and won Assembly polls from Boxanagar constituency in Sepahijala district this year for the first time, a seat held by veteran CPM MLA Shahid Chowdhury.

Haque had served as Boxanagar panchayat samiti chairperson before contesting the Assembly polls.

His body was taken to state assembly and CPM party headquarters where legislators and party leaders paid floral tributes. Following that, it was taken to Sonamura sub divisional party office.

He will be cremated at Boxanagars Kulubari village at 5:30 pm on Wednesday.

Chief minister Manik Saha condoled his demise and cancelled all government programmes for the day.

I have decided to cancel all my government programmes today following the demise of Honble member of Tripura Legislative Assembly Samsul Haque Ji, Saha tweeted.

The CPM won 11 seats in the last assembly elections, including Haque.

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Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Wednesday dismissed Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's clarification on why the latter did not attend the press conference of opposition leaders in Bengaluru on Tuesday.



Addressing a public meeting in Rajgir, the chief minister had explained why he returned to Patna soon after the meeting. I had attended the opposition parties meeting in Bengaluru. People are asking why I did not attend the press conference. All my suggestions were accepted. I wanted to come to Rajgir. All of us are united.



Rejecting Kumar's clarification, Sushil Modi, who served as his deputy in the then BJP-JDU coalition government in the past, told ANI,"Rajgir is just an excuse...We know him for a long time. He was angry and this is why he did not attend the press conference". Former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi.(Santosh Kumar/HT File Photo)

Earlier in the day, Janata Dal (United) president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh had rejected speculations about Nitish Kumar returning to Patna without attending the opposition leaders' presser in Bengaluru because he was upset with some of the decisions taken there. The man who initiated the exercise for uniting opposition cannot be upset over small things", he said.



According to reports, Nitish Kumar was not convinced that INDIA, which stands for Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance, was the best name for the opposition front and had suggested some alternative names. But he eventually went with the majority view but returned to Patna along with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav without attending the presser.



Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, too denied reports of the Bihar chief minister being upset with the alliance name. I would not even like to repeat the kind of bad language the BJP uses about Nitish Babu. Now they are talking nonsense. We are all united. No matter how hard the BJP and Modi ji try to create a rift in Team India, they will not succeed, he was quoted by PTI as saying.

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Pune - Mudit Sachdeva, IIIT Pune placement officer informed that more than 90 percent of students who completed their studies in the recently concluded academic year have been placed in multinational companies. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

A new campus of the national education institute - Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Pune is being set up at Nanoli village near Talegaon-Dabhade. The courses at the new campus will commence in the academic year 2024-25. Spread across 100 acres of land with new modern educational amenities, the institute is funded by the Central government.

At present, an educational building, three hostels, and faculty quarters are being constructed on the site at Nanoli. IIIT Pune, which has the status of national importance by the Central government, began its functions in 2016 on the Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) model, said IIIT Pune registrar H N Sahu.

However, as the campus does not have its own space, the academic classes and administrative functions are being conducted from the transit campus. Now, for the construction of a new campus, the state government has allotted 100 acres of separate land in Nanoli village. The Union government has granted a fund of 128 crore rupees for the construction of the buildings, he added.

Mudit Sachdeva, IIIT Pune placement officer informed that more than 90 percent of students who completed their studies in the recently concluded academic year have been placed in multinational companies.

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PUNE Yunus Khan and Yakub Saki were arrested from the Kothrud area during night patrolling and produced before the court of judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) A C Birajdar in the afternoon. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

The Pune police have seized a live cartridge, two holsters, four mobile phones, white coloured pills, parts used to make a drone, a copy of Aadhar, and a laptop from two suspects arrested early Wednesday morning, officials said. The duo - identified as Mohammad Imran Mohammad Yunus Khan, 23, and Mohammad Yunus Mohammad Yakub Saki, 24  are on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

According to officials, Yunus Khan and Yakub Saki hail from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and are graphic designers with a bounty of 5 lakh each on their head. Yunus Khan and Yakub Saki were arrested from the Kothrud area during night patrolling and produced before the court of judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) A C Birajdar in the afternoon. The court remanded them to police custody till July 25.

According to the police, three suspects were intercepted while patrolling in the Kothrud area at around 2.45 am on Tuesday. Police constables Pradeep Chavan and Amol Nazan caught the trio. When they were taken for house search, they tried to escape but the police team managed to nab two of them while the third fled the scene.

Retesh Kumaar, Pune city police commissioner said, During night patrolling in the Kothrud area, two of our constables arrested two persons wanted by the NIA who have a reward of 5 lakh each on their head. The hunt is on for their accomplice and we will soon arrest him.

According to Kumaar, the accused were residing in the Kondhwa area of Pune city since the last 15 to 16 months and further investigation is underway.

While seeking police custody of Yunus Khan and Yakub Saki, Kothrud police station in-charge, Hemant Patil, in his remand application before the court, said that the police have recovered a live round and a pistol pouch among other things from the duo. The police are investigating the drone box and drone material kept inside it. As the drone has not been found, an interrogation is necessary to find out where the same has been hidden by the suspects, Patil said.

Patil submitted that details of the third (absconding) accused can be found only by interrogating the arrested accused who have been staying in the city for the past one-and-a-half years, and a detailed investigation of their mobile phones and electronic equipment is essential to find out who they contacted.

Defence counsel Yashpal Purohit and advocate Saurabh More said that the present case is different from the NIA case. The police have already seized 42 articles and there is no need for further interrogation, More argued.

However, the court observed that the police custody of Yunus Khan and Yakub Saki is required as they have been booked for serious crimes under the UAPA Act. They have been found to be associated with SUFA, a terrorist organisation based in MP and inspired by ISIS and allegedly hatched a bomb blast conspiracy in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Whereas the Pule police have recovered significant evidence including a live round, four mobile phones and a laptop from Yunus Khan and Yakub Saki. A case has been registered at the Kothrud police station under sections 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 379 (punishment for theft), 511 (attempting to carry out offences) and 34 (criminal act carried out by several persons) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC); sections 3 (25) and 4 (25) of the Arms Act; and sections 37 (1), 37 (3) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act. The police are on the lookout for the third suspect who is absconding.

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Local Self Government Department, Rajasthan has extended the registration date for Rajasthan Safai Karamchari Recruitment 2023. The last date to apply for 13184 posts is till August 4, 2023. Candidates can apply online through the official site of Local Self Government Department, Rajasthan at lsg.urban.rajasthan.gov.in. Rajasthan Safai Karamchari Jobs 2023: Registration date extended till August 4 (Shutterstock/ Representative photo)

The correction window will open on August 5 and will close on August 9, 2023. Candidates can make changes in the application form within this period.

Rajasthan Safai Karamchari Jobs 2023: How to apply

To apply for the same, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official site of Local Self Government Department, Rajasthan at lsg.urban.rajasthan.gov.in.

Click on Safai Karamchari apply link available on the home page.

Enter the login details and click on submit or register yourself.

Fill in the application form and make the payment of application fees.

Once done click on submit.

Your application has been submitted.

Download the page and keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The application fees for general category candidates is 600/-, for SC/ST category is 400/- and for PwD is 400/- as well. The fees should be paid through online mode. For more related details candidates can check the official site of Local Self Government Department, Rajasthan.

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When a student is pursuing a degree, he or she should already be thinking about career prospects. It is my firm belief that when you attend university/college doors to many valuable resources open that you should make use of to build a satisfying and successful career path. While we all know that prior work experience is beneficial it is not the only way to improve employability. There are many ways to ensure that when you graduate you are industry ready, you just need to show some initiative. A few things that will go a long way in helping you build the career of your dreams are: Accessing employability options while studying abroad

Craft a perfect CV!

The first thing any student should do is to identify what kind of job they want to do and figure out how it relates to the careers/courses they are pursuing. The most basic thing would be to keep adding relevant projects they do during the course to their CV. This way they can keep a log of what theyre doing to increase the chances of their employability which can be really helpful as it becomes almost like a clear pathway for students to understand which direction they are heading towards from a professional point of view. Noting down the projects they are doing in various classes, extracurricular activities etc all adds towards their employability by making a CV impressive.

Build Resources

Employers prefer hiring people who are resourceful and independent. Hence, we strongly recommend students leverage n number of resources at their disposal and work independently to skill themselves better.

Participate in every opportunity coming your way

Students should be taking part in all opportunities that come their way, be it joining a student group or club or society or even starting a club by themselves. In doing so they work towards their employability indirectly. This way they expose themselves to different skills that theyre not going to get from their program of study by any means. These skills are actually what will come in handy when the students step out into the real world as they would be the practical knowledge students have gained over the years through their peers and by themselves. There are times when these societies or clubs are in a crisis and how the students running them come up with innovative solutions to tackle the crisis is an ideal situation where students can learn a lot. Something they wouldnt learn inside a closed classroom.

Talk to your personal tutor

Developing a potential relationship between a tutor and a student plays a key role in a students life. Personal tutoring embodies the students relationship with the university, suggesting that

it has the potential to provide insights beyond that specific relationship to the institution and higher education context. Students need to understand that talking to their personal tutor is really important. Whenever they see something that interests them, speak to the Academics and see what comes out of that conversation. Having a bond with your personal tutor is no less than having a golden ticket to employability, Employers and a great Network. If a student is interested in a career in chemical engineering, no one is better for them to ask about that career than the tutor who is teaching the module on chemical engineering. The students dont seek a career advisor blindly although they should talk to the people who are already doing the job or are in the same field they want to enter!

Forge a network

Having a strong network can be a huge plus when it comes to employability. Students should think about forging a network at the university level because it is the key time to do that. University is the best exposure a student can get to start building a network. Their peers at the university, if youre moving into accommodation the people they are meeting there, and they go out, talk to people, try to build up a network. It is not just about adding people on LinkedIn, it is about having conversations, meeting people and forging those relationships can go a long way and one never knows who might pop back up with an amazing opportunity career-wise. Understand that every reaction is transactional so reach out to as many people as possible while on campus and work on creating their network!

The author is Head of Student Experience and Wellbeing, University of Birmingham, Dubai
Actor Deepika Padukone will not be a part of the launch of her upcoming film Project K at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in wake of the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) in the US. The actor is a member of SAG-AFTRA, and will, therefore, give the eagerly-awaited Project K event a miss. Project K's first glimpse will be unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday. Also read: Kamal Haasan joins Prabhas, Rana Daggubati in US ahead of Project K's first glimpse at San Diego Comic-Con Deepika Padukone will be seen in Project K alongside Prabhas for the first time.

Deepika Padukone in Hollywood

She made her Hollywood debut with XXX: Return of Xander Cage opposite Vin Diesel in 2017. Earlier this year at the 95th Academy Awards, Deepika had introduced Naatu Naatu, the Best Original Song Oscar-winner from SS Rajamouli's blockbuster RRR.

Deepika Padukone to miss Project K event in US

According to news agency PTI, which quoted an industry insider, Deepika will miss the event and will adhere to SAG-AFTRA guidelines for actors amid the strike, which came into effect last week.

"With the SAG-AFTRA strike underway, the union has specified that actors cannot provide promotional or publicity services. That extends to appearances at conventions, such as the San Diego Comic-Con. Accordingly, as a member of SAG-AFTRA and in line with their membership regulations, Deepika Padukone will not be attending," the insider told PTI.

Priyanka Chopra supports SAG-AFTRA strike

Deepika is not the first Indian celebrity to express solidarity with the Hollywood actors union. Recently, actor Priyanka Chopra had also lent her support to the strike.

Amid the ongoing actors and writers strike in Hollywood, Priyanka had shared a post on Instagram. She shared a poster that said SAG-AFTRA strong and captioned it, I stand with my union and colleagues. In solidarity, we build a better tomorrow.

About SAG-AFTRA strike rules

On July 14, Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) officially declared a strike against studios and streamers.

The actors' union, which reportedly represents around 160,000 performers, including film and television actors, worldwide, also issued an order laying out the rules its members must follow. During the strike, SAG-AFTRA members cannot participate in a number of activities  film tours and promotions to festivals, premieres and award shows.

About Project K's SDCC launch

On the first day of the SDCC on July 20, Project K co-stars Prabhas and Kamal Haasan will unveil the film's official title, trailer, and release date. At the Comic-Con, the film's production banner Vyjayanthi Movies will also host conversations and performances, providing audiences with a glimpse into 'India's vibrant culture and awe-inspiring world of science fiction'.

Project K, directed by Nag Ashwin, will be the first-ever Indian film to debut at the SDCC. Along with Deepika, Prabhas and Kamal Haasan, it also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rana Daggubati and Disha Patani, among others.

With PTI inputs

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Raj Kundra was arrested by Mumbai Police on July 19, 2021 for his alleged involvement in the production and distribution of pornographic content via an app called Hotshots. Two years later, a new report has said that a film based on Raj Kundra's 63 days in jail is in the works. (Also read: Raj Kundra reacts for 1st time on his arrest in porn case, thanks 'trollers' one year after release from jail) A film based on the Raj Kundra's arrest is in the works, according to reports. (File Photo)

About Raj Kundra's arrest

Raj, who is the husband of actor Shilpa Shetty had earlier broken his silence on the arrest and said in his social media posts last year, "One year today released from Arthur Road. It's a matter of time. Justice will be served! The truth will be out soon! Thank you well-wishers and a bigger thank you to the trollers you make me stronger (folded hands emoji)."

Film on Raj Kundra

Now, as per a report by Pinkvilla, sources have said that a film on Raj's arrest and his time in jail is in the works and an announcement will be made soon. The source also added that Raj Kundra will be acting in the film himself.

The film will present an account of all that Raj Kundra experienced through his tenure in one of most over-crowded Jail  Arthur Road Jail. The directors name has been kept under wraps for now, but Raj Kundra will be creatively involved in all aspects  from production to script, the source added.

The film is expected to go on floors soon. It will trace the entire journey of Raj Kundra  from the first reports of the allegations to the media reporting, time spent in jail to the bail. Its more of a story from Kundra and familys point of view, the source also added.

What Shilpa Shetty had said on Raj Kundra's arrest

Earlier in 2021, Shilpa Shetty had also reacted to her husband's arrest and wrote a statement on Instagram. Yes! The past few days have been challenging, on every front. There have been a lot of rumours and accusations. A lot of unwarranted aspersions on me cast by the media and (not so) well wishers as well. A lot of trolling/questions posed not only to me but also to my family, she wrote.

MY STAND I HAVE NOT COMMENTED YET and will continue to refrain from doing so on this case as it is subjudice, so please stop attributing false quotes on my behalf. Reiterating my philosophy of, as a celebrity Never complain, never explain. All I will say is, as its an ongoing investigation, I have full faith in the Mumbai Police & the Indian judiciary, she had added.

Raj has been keeping a low profile ever since his bail. Shilpa and Raj have been married since 2009 and have two children together  son Viaan and daughter Samisha. Viaan was born on May 21, while Samisha was born in 2020 via surrogacy.

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Bawaal garnered interest from the trailer itself, where many were left wondering how the concept of World War II would fit into the love story of the lead characters. Now, according to a new report, it has been revealed that producer Sajid Nadiadwala has received requests from Japan to dub the Nitesh Tiwari film in the Japanese language due to historical relevance. (Also read: Nitesh Tiwari on Bawaal: 'Had to remove Jallianwala Bagh reference because of Sardar Udham') According to a report, Japan has requested producer Sajid Nadiadwala to dub Bawaal in Japanese language.

About Bawaal

Bawaal stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead. Varun is seen as a small-town guy who marries Janhvi Kapoor. The two have nothing in common. In the trailer, they are seen to embark on a trip to Europe and explore places like Paris and other spots that were at the centre of World War II. The historical event is used as a recurring reference in the trailer, as the characters speak of a world war within.

Special request from Japan

Now, according to a report by Pinkvilla, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has received a special request from Japan. The source said, The requests have come in from the Japanese audience. They have expressed their interest to dub it in the local language as due to the World War 2 connection, the film has the potential to resonate with the audience in Japan. There are conversations in Japan taking Bawaal as the subject matter of the film touches upon the themes and events surrounding World War 2, which also forms a part of Japans history.

Moreover, the spokesperson from the production team has also confirmed the report, although no more details about the matter has been revealed yet. Earlier, at the trailer launch of the film a few weeks ago, Nitesh had clarified, "World War II is humongous. Theres so much that had happened and you cant take everything. Youve to pick and choose things which would probably impact the journey of the characters and thats precisely why it [World War II as a backdrop] has been taken. Hitler also happens to be a part of it and you cant not have him in World War II."

Nitesh will premiere on Prime Video India on July 21.

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Randeep helps flood victims

The actor shared a video on Tuesday, which showed him gearing up for the relief work. He sat inside his car and wore a headgear before stepping out and joining some relief works. The video showed him walking to houses surrounded by knee-deep water and delivering the ration kits.

Randeep also stood near a relief camp and handed out cooking oil bottles and packages to flood-hit victims. His girlfriend, actor Lin Laishram, was also seen in the video. She also shared the video on Instagram Stories.

Fans praise Randeep

Randeep captioned his post, Seva (service)... urging others to come out and join hands in helping each other. Randeep's fans flooded the comments section with their appreciation and love for him.

One of them wrote, Respect. Another one commented, The only person in Bollywood, who always comes forward for the general public of his country. One of his fans also wrote, Ek hi to dil hai randeep bhai kitni baar jeetoge (I only have one heart, how many times are you going to win it over)? Another one wrote, Real man Mr Randeep Hooda.

Flood relief work

Meanwhile, reportedly a total of 73 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in flood-affected areas across the states of Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi for rescue and relief work.

The teams are working in coordination with state administrations and have reportedly rescued 1600 people all over the country; they have also evacuated 7241 people, along with 956 livestock to safer places.

Randeep's new film

Randeep has completed the shooting for his upcoming biopic  Swatantra Veer Savarkar. The film revolves around the life of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who is also known as Veer Savarkar. Randeep makes his directorial debut with the film that he co-wrote with Utkarsh Naithani.

Veer Savarkar is produced by Anand Pandit Motion Pictures and Randeep Hooda Films with Legend Studios and Avak Films. The film also features Ankita Lokhande.

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Congratulations are in order for actor Dylan Sprouse and model Barbara Palvin. The couple tied the knot in Hungary  Barbara's home country  on July 15, according to a new report. Their official wedding photos were shared on Wednesday, and give a glimpse of their special day. Also read: Jennifer Lopez shares new pics from her wedding with Ben Affleck, talks about perfect timing Model Barbara Palvin and actor Dylan Sprouse married on July 15 in her home country of Hungary on her parents property. (Instagram Dylan Sprouse)

Dylan Sprouse, Barbara Palvin's wedding ceremony

Dylan's twin brother Cole Sprouse served as his brother's best man, while his girlfriend Ari Fournier was one of Barbara's bridesmaids. The newlyweds are reportedly also planning a bigger wedding ceremony later this year, which will take place in the US.

Dylan and Palvin exchanged their vows in the same church that Barbara's parents got married in 34 years ago, Vogue reported in an exclusive story highlighting the couple's big day. They reportedly hosted their wedding ceremony in front of 115 guests at her parents' property in Hungary.

"This past weekend was supposed to be an intimate event, but we ended up having 115 guests in the end because there are a lot of people we care about, and we wanted them all to be there," Barbara told Vogue in the new interview.

Dylan and Barbara got engaged last year

Last month, the couple confirmed the engagement in an interview with V magazine. Dylan and Barbara said that they had actually gotten engaged in September 2022. Dylan had said, "We didn't necessarily feel the need to be fully transparent with the public about that aspect of our engagement." To which, Barbara had added, "We just want to do it on our time."

In the same interview, the two had opened up about their then-forthcoming nuptials in Hungary, though they didn't disclose the date of their wedding at the time. Barbara had said, "I'm excited to show that side of me and introduce my culture, the places I grew up, and the places I went to. I know there was no way we would have not had a wedding in Hungary because my parents would have killed me."

Dylan and Barbara's relationship

They first got together in June 2018, after the actor slid into the model's DMs on Instagram. They went Instagram official months later, and have offered glimpses at their relationship on social media ever since. Over the last few years, they've made numerous red carpet appearances together.

Dylan's career

Dylan Sprouse is an American actor, best known for his role as Zack Martin on the Disney series, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and its spin-off, The Suite Life on Deck, where he starred alongside his twin brother Cole Sprouse.

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Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One sees Tom Cruise perform a death-defying motorcycle stunt in which he rides a motorcycle off a cliff, free falls into the valley below and opens his parachute after getting separated from the vehicle. In a new BTS video, his castmates are seen reacting to stunt being performed live and expressing shock. (Also read: Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One box office: Tom Cruise film earns 72.8 crore in India in first week) Tom Cruise performing the motorcycle stunt in Mission Impossible 7.

Cast members react to the motorbike scene

In a video shared on the official Instagram handle of the film, Tom Cruise is seen performing that motorcycle stunt in real time as his cast mates express shock from the sidelines. In the video, Tom is seen riding his bike with a set of cameras attached in front, while another camera follows him from the back, which is attached to a helicopter used for filming the shot. As Tom jets off the valley, the cast and crew look back in awe. "Jesus Christ!" says one. Another cast member is seen asking actor Simon Pegg, "Are you crying Simon?" To this he says, "A little bit." He further says, "It's terrifying. Every f*cking film we go through this!"

Tom talks about filming the motorbike scene

Earlier, Tom Cruise had shared that it was the first-ever scene filmed for the movie. "Well, we know either we're gonna continue with the film or we're not. Let's know day one... Do we all continue, or is it a major rewrite? It was years preparing. I mean, I've been riding motorcycles since I was a little kid, raced cars and spent a lot of time just with aerobatics, airplanes, helicopters and parachutes... It all kind of came to that moment. You have to be razor sharp when you do something like that, so it was very important as we were prepping the film that that actually was the first thing [to shoot], because I don't want to drop that and go shoot other things and then have my mind somewhere else. Everyone was prepped, let's just get it done," said the actor in an interview with ET.

The film had released in India across 3500 plus screens last Wednesday, and opened at 12 crore nett. It now stands at a total collection of 72.85 crore in its first week in India.

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Sweet Magnolias is coming back on Netflix this week, and fans are excited to know when it will be back. The show takes place in a lovely made-up town called Serenity, South Carolina, with lots of drama, romance, and gossip. Season 3 of the hit series Sweet Magnolias will soon premiere, but what time does it drop on Netflix? Heres everything to know. (Pic: Netflix)

The official synopsis for Sweet Magnolias Season reads: Following the fight at Sullivans, Maddie wrestles with the best way to help Cal and works to clear her emotional path. Helen faces difficult decisions about the men in her life. And Dana Sue searches for a way to use an unexpected check to help the community without upending her family.

When is the release time for Sweet Magnolias season 3?

Season 3 of Sweet Magnolias will be on Netflix on Thursday, July 20, 2023. You will not have to wait for weekly releases because all ten episodes will be available on the same day. , so you can know when to start watching:

Date Sweet Mangolias Season 3 Exact Releasing Time PT CT ET CET IST July, 20 2023 12:00 AM 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:30 PM

What is Sweet Magnolias Season 3 about?

Following the fight at Sullivans, Maddie is trying to figure out how to help Cal and deal with her own emotions. Helen has to make tough choices about the men in her life. Dana Sue is trying to figure out how to use an unexpected check to help the community without upsetting her family.

Sweet Magnolias Season 2 Recap

Ty and Annie's boyfriend's sister survive a dramatic incident, but Ty injures his ACL, causing uncertainty about his plans. Helen discovers she's pregnant but unfortunately experiences a miscarriage. She faces a decision between reuniting with her ex or pursuing a genuine relationship with Erik. Dana Sue and her ex officially reconcile and get back together. Meanwhile, Maddie and Cal's relationship faces challenges as his past anger issues resurface, leading to his firing and later arrest. Isaac successfully finds his birth mother and learns that his birth father is Bill. Speaking of Bill, he and Noreen have a baby girl. Towards the end of the season, a mysterious woman from the Magnolias' past arrives, ready to stir things up. Who is she? The answers will be revealed in Season 3.
Gigi Hadid was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia after she flew to the Cayman Islands from the US recently. Amid recent reports of her arrest and subsequent bail, the model looked radiant in new pictures from her Cayman Islands trip. On Wednesday, Gigi took to Instagram to share a series of sun-kissed photos and videos of her holiday. Also read: Gigi Hadid arrested for marijuana possession while vacationing in Cayman Islands Gigi Hadid shared holiday photos with her friends on Instagram.

Gigi Hadid's first Instagram post since arrest

The model shared an Instagram post spotlighting her many vacation looks from the Cayman Islands. She also shared a glimpse of the food she gorged on during her holiday with friends. In some of the solo and group pictures she posted, Gigi soaked up the sun in bright swimsuits.

This is Gigi's first Instagram post after reports of her arrest surfaced on Tuesday. Seemingly reacting to the buzz around her recent trip, she wrote in her caption, Alls well that ends well (sunset emoji).

Reactions to her post

Many said Gigi was unbothered after making headlines on drug charges. One commented on her post, "She couldnt care less (laughing emoji)." Another wrote, "Girl after being arrested for drugs and released with money." One joked, "My level of recklessness after being arrested and bailed."

Defending Gigi, a fan wrote, "You all, she got the weed legally in New York and with a medical prescription for it. Cayman Islands have allowed medical use of weed since 2017. She only got a fine because her prescription wasnt from there."

Gigi Hadid's arrest

Gigi and one of her friends were charged with drug possession after marijuana was found in their luggage as they arrived in Cayman Islands last week, said a report.

According to the Washington Post, although the marijuana was purchased legally in New York City (and has been legal in the Cayman Islands since 2017), Gigi and her friend Leah Nicole McCarthy were both taken to a detention center before being released on bail.

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Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty on Tuesday penned an emotional note on the death of former Kerala chief minister and senior Congress leader Oommen Chandy. Taking to his Facebook handle, Mammootty shared a picture with ex-CM Oommen Chandy along with a lengthy note written in Malayalam. Also read: Mammoottys mom and Dulquer Salmaans grandmother Fathima Ismail dies at 93 Mammootty pays his tribute to Oommen Chandy in a new Facebook post.

Mammootty's facebook post

Sharing his experience of meeting Oommen Chandy for the first time, the actor wrote, An extraordinary personality who showed that the ordinary has so much power. I have never seen Oommen Chandy except in the middle of a crowd. The last time I saw him, there was a bunch of people with him. He was in the assembly when I was a student. A person who reached heights at a young age. Yet he called me like a friend to the Puthupally church festival and walked with me a shoulder to shoulder."

He further wrote, The weight of actor Mammootty, who is struggling to carry the person I am, has melted away, while I was walking beside him. Among the locals, I was considered as the friend of Kunjkunj. I am Oommen Chandy as he addressed me, and who was my dear friend.

Mammootty says Oommen Chandy was dear to him

He added, He was so dear that he was just one phone call away... a very powerful leader. Once our 'Care and Share' scheme was struggling to meet medical expenses for 600 children. Then Oommen Chandy, who was the leader of the opposition, agreed to sponsor the cost of 100 children's surgeries using CSR funds. When the 100th child recovered and left the hospital, Oommen Chandy, the chief minister, came to see him.

Mammootty added that he shared many memories with the late politician. On the third day after taking the oath, he unexpectedly came to my house in Kochi to have lunch with me. I recorded only one disagreement with him that day. This wandering around without regard to one's own health must be controlled" A smile was the answer. Even my character in the film Pranchiyettan says Oommen Chandy is only one... A lot of memories together. A thousand experiences. Not writing much, his note stated.

The actor concluded by saying, Another experience that had to be written. I was commissioned to write the introduction to his autobiography. Let's write the lines to be written here, 'No one has given a doctorate to Ooman Chandy'. If it is given, it will be for the love of humanity...

Oommen Chandy's death

Oommen Chandy died in the early hours of Tuesday (July 18) at Chinmaya Hospital in Bengaluru. He was 79 and was undergoing treatment for cancer. The news was shared by his son on social media.

"Appa has passed away," his son Chandy Oommen posted on Facebook.

On Wednesday morning, thousands of people came out to accompany the mortal remains of former Kerala CM being taken to his native place in Kottayam City from Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala government on Tuesday announced a two-day state mourning as a mark of respect to the former CM.

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Annabelle Ham, a social media influencer and YouTuber who shared her day-to-day college life with thousands of fans, has died at the age of 22 following an epileptic event. YouTube star Annabelle Ham's tragic demise. (Instagram/ Annabelle Ham)

Her death was revealed on Saturday by her sorority chapter at Kennesaw State University, but no details about the cause of death have been disclosed.

Her sister Amelia confirmed the tragic news on Monday in an emotional Instagram post.

She wrote, Sometimes I dont understand why god does things but, i cant even put into words how hard this is. You would never think something like this would or could happen to you until it does.

She praised Annabelle as amazing, sweet and such a good sister to her and their sister Alexandria, who also posted a tribute online.

She was so sweet, so pretty with the most bluest eyes ever, she was always happy and lighted up every room. but god was ready for her, Amelia wrote. i know she always wanted to live life to the fullest, thats what we have to do now. and i know she is dancing around in heaven right now. i cant wait to give u a big hug one day.

Amelia thanked people for their support and kindness, promising always to remember her late sister.

The family also posted a photo on her Instagram page captioned, Were writing this with heavy, heavy hearts. Annabelle experienced an epileptic event and has gone on to the gates of heaven.

The social media influencer, who lived in Atlanta, had amassed over 77,000 YouTube subscribers and more than 107,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok, where she posted beauty tips, glimpses of her life and more.

Some international outlets are linking the following post from Alabama police authorities to Hams death, but this has not been confirmed yet.

The police departments post, shared on Facebook: Today at 3:32 pm Fairhope Police Department responded to a call for a missing person who was last seen walking on the pier at the end of Molokai Lane, located in Fairhope. Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Daphne Search and Rescue responded to assist. The person was located deceased. Identification has not been released pending family notification. The Fairhope Police are currently investigating and will update when further information is available. At this time no foul play is suspected.

Annabelle was known for her content about the college lifestyle, and her sorority chapter expressed their sorrow online.

Take me out to the Braves game : Annabelle Ham(Instagram/Annabelle Ham)

On Saturday, July 15 we lost a big piece of our hearts, the universitys Alpha Omicron Pi chapter wrote on Instagram. Annabelle Ham was a such a light in our chapter. She had an amazing impact on each and every sister in Beta Zeta.

The post continued, She was caring, selfless and carried so much love inside of her heart. She always had a smile on her face and never failed to put a smile on others. To know her is to love her. She lived everyday to the fullest. We will keep her and her beautiful soul close to our hearts. She will forever be missed by all of us and anyone who was blessed to know her.

The Greek chapter asked viewers of the post to keep the Ham family in their thoughts and prayers, adding that they know her light will continued to shine down on us everyday. On Annabelles latest social media posts, the comments are filled with condolences and sympathy for the grieving family.

ALSO READ| Gigi Hadid arrested for marijuana possession while vacationing in Cayman Islands

Under an Instagram post from a week ago, various followers wrote Rest in peace. On several TikTok videos, fans poured their sadness after hearing the news of her death.

Im so sad to hear about this news. I know you are safe in gods hands now, wrote one follower. Rest easy angel. I love you. Watched u on YouTube during my childhood, said another. Rest in heaven angel.

Rest in peace Annabelle, thank you for creating content I loved through the years, wrote someone else.

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JODHPUR: A 19-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing four members of his uncles family, including a six-month-old toddler, and setting their bodies on fire over an old land dispute in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, police said on Wednesday. Accused Pappuram (HT)

The incident in chief minister Ashok Gehlots home district sparked a political row, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeting the Congress government over deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

According to the police, the incident took place at Ramnagar village in Jodhpur district around 3am on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Pappuram (19), a nephew of the head of the victim family, has been arrested, superintendent of police, Jodhpur Rural, Dharemndra Singh Yadav said.

The incident took place around 3 am when the accused attacked his paternal uncle Poonaram Berad (55), aunt Bhanwari Devi (50), their daughter-in-law Dhapu Devi (24), and her toddler daughter Manisha, the SP said.

The accused attacked Poonaram and his wife, who were sleeping outside their hut, and Dhapu and her daughter inside the house. The assailant slit their throats with an axe and subsequently dragged bodies of Poonaram and his wife inside the hut and set the house on fire, Yadav said.

Dhapus husband Harjiram, who works at a stone quarry during night, was not at home at the time of the incident. Poonarams another son lives with his family in another house in the village, police said.

Villagers spotted the charred bodies inside Poonarams hut and subsequently alerted the Cherai police post, following which senior officers, including SP Yadav, reached at spot.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, the officer said.

The accused, son of Poonarams elder brother Bhairaram, was seen in the vicinity of the house on Tuesday evening, which raised suspicion of his involvement. We immediately detained him, the SP said.

During his interrogation, Pappuram admitted to killing the four members of his uncles family over an old property dispute between his father and uncle. The property in question was owned by two other uncles  one of whom had died while the other was unmarried  of the accused, police said.

The accused told us that he believed his two uncles (Poonaram and Meharam, who was unmarried) would get entire ancestral property, Yadav said, citing it as the prime motive behind the crime. Besides, Pappurams brother had died under suspicious circumstances eight months back in Surat, and he suspected Poonaram of being involved in his death, the officer added.

Details have been sought from the Surat police to find exact reasons behind the death of the brother of the accused to conduct a comprehensive investigation, the SP said.

The Berad family owned about 10 acres of land in the village.

A case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the accused. We are also investigating if someone else was also involved in the crime, the SP said, adding police are trying to recover the weapon used in the crime.

Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP targeted chief minister Gehlot, saying for the third day in a row, a crime has been reported from his home district.

If this is the CMs district one can image the situation in the rest of the state, Rajasthan BJP president CP Joshi said. There is no law and order. Criminals are roaming fearless, crimes against women are rising Rajasthan which was once a peaceful state has become a hub of crime.

Senior Congress leader and states parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal, however, said the culprit was arrested within hours of committing the crime.

Rajasthan DGP Umesh Mishra, SP Dharmendra Singh Yadav, district collector Himangshu Gupta are monitoring the investigation. ADGP (Dinesh MN) and an FSL team were also appointed considering the seriousness of the matter, Dhariwal said. The culprit was arrested within a few hours. 

Meanwhile, the state human rights body has sought a report on the incident from the IG and the SP.

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Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi on Wednesday sparked a controversy over Vande Mataram, prompting a stern reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party.



I respect 'Vande Mantram' but I can't read it because my religion says we can't bow down to anyone except Allah, Azmi, known for his controversial remarks in the past, was quoted by ANI as saying.



BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla hit out at the SP MLA over his statement. Samajwadi party is a part of I.N.D.I.A...& its MLA says in the Maharashtra assembly that I will not say Vande Mataram it is against my religion. They go and bow their heads in front of Aurangzeb but shy away from saying Vande Mataram, those who keep India in their name, why their work is always anti-India? Poonawalla told ANI. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi. (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT photo)

It is not the first time when Azmi has courted controversy over his remark. Last year, he had objected to actor Ranveer Singh's nude photoshoot and had given a political tone to it. If exhibiting your bare body is called art and freedom, then, why, on the other hand, if a girl wants to cover her body with the hijab according to her culture, it is termed as oppression and religious discrimination, Azmi had tweeted in Hindi.



In 2017, Azmi had sparked controversy over his remark over alleged mass molestation of women in Bengaluru. "When few women in half dress come out on streets at late night with their friends, such incidents do occur, he had said.



The same year, Azmi had taken a dig at filmmaker Karan Johar for taking the surrogacy route to become single father of twins. Is he not finding a girl to get married? Is he ill... ? he should clarify. He could have adopted a poor child. This is a joke on poor people, he had said.

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The Haryana governments flagship programme to stop female foeticide has suffered a major blow with the January to June cumulative sex-ratio at birth (SRB) sliding to 906 female births per 1,000 males, the lowest since 2016, when it was 891 (in the same period)  raising the spectre of rampant sex determination tests (these are illegal in India) in the state. According to the civil registration system data up to June 2023, of 22 districts, the SRB of eight districts, including seven districts of the National Capital Region (NCR) were below 900. (Representational Image)(Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

Also Read | Sangrur: Haryana villagers helped Punjab brethren in crisis

According to government data, the SRB of 906 recorded till June compares with 916 in the same period last year. The state, notorious for its skewed gender ratio in the past, showed significant improvement since 2015. Its SRB went from 876 in 2015 to 900 in 2016 to 914 in 2017 and 2018 to 923 in 2019 to 922 in 2020 to 914 in 2021 to 917 in 2022 . Much of the improvement was on account of one scheme. On January 22, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme from Panipat to arrest the declining sex ratio.

Experts associated with the programme admit to lapses in administrative monitoring. They said in the absence of monitoring and accountability the practice of sex selection before birth has become prevalent despite raids being conducted within and outside Haryana to bust sex determination rackets involving touts targeting pregnant women from Haryana. Earlier this year, HT reported the busting of a sex-determination centre in Madhya Pradesh, which primarily serviced women from Haryana.

Also Read | Khattar dedicates development projects worth 2,741 crore for Haryana

Dr Govind Gupta, director health services, pre-natal diagnostic techniques (PNDT), Haryana said he could not comment on the data as he was travelling.

In 2023 we may not even reach the SRB figure of last year as the mid-year SRB is very low, said an expert, who is involved in this programme from the beginning.

But experts also agree that there could be an explanation for at least some of the dip.

There are genuine problems also related to delay and mismatch in birth data compilation in some districts, added the expert quoted above. But he added that there needs to be better monitoring lest we fritter away all the gains of last seven years hard work.

According to the civil registration system data up to June 2023, of 22 districts, the SRB of eight districts, including seven districts of the National Capital Region (NCR) were below 900.

The data indicate that January to June SRB of 10 districts (Jind, Yamunanagar, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Rewari, Ambala, Jhajjar, Panchkula, Faridabad, Mahendergarh) improved in comparison to same months last year. And, the SRB of 12 districts (Sirsa, Fatehabad, Nuh, Palwal, Hisar, Bhiwani, Kaithal, Sonepat, Gurugram, Rohtak, Karnal, Charkhi Dadri) went down drastically in comparison to corresponding months last year.

Experts say that there were enough warnings; indications emerged in 2021 when the ratio dipped to 914 female births per 100 male ones, a fall from 922 the previous year. And the annual SRB of five Haryana districts in 2022 fell below 900 females per 1,000 males for the first time in six years.

According to Dr Virender Yadav, chief medical officer (CMO) Gurugram, where the half yearly SRB has registered a 62-point fall in comparison to same period last year (880 against 942 last year till June), delayed registration of births could be one of the reasons.

We are looking into the causes behind this dip and analysing the total registration of births. There has been a drastic change (in registration of births) in last two months when the SRB slipped below 900. We are evaluating it, Dr Yadav said.

He added that his department was conducting inspections and raids to check sex-determination tests.

In Bhiwani too, SRB till June came down to 897 from 938 recorded during the same period last year.

A state government official, who asked not to be named said Bhiwani was a curious case where the SRB in the first five months was much lower and that it shot up in June. How is this possible? It is intriguing... What explains this unusual rise in SRB data of Bhiwani. In five months Bhiwanis average SRB was 880 and in June it went up.

Dr Raghuvir Shandilya, CMO Bhiwani, said: Undoubtedly, there is a fall in the SRB (of Bhiwani). We have been conducting raids successfully and chasing those involved in gender determination tests. We are dealing with this matter.

The dip in the sex ratio shows that despite government and civil society efforts, the pervasive anti-woman social attitudes continue to persists at the grassroots and hurt schemes and programmes to stop infanticide. The authorities will have to redouble efforts to counteract this.

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5 suspected terrorists arrested over major blast plot in Bengaluru Cops from the Central Crime Branch (CCB) have nabbed five people from Karnataka capital Bengaluru on Wednesday on suspicion of being involved in terror-related activities. The persons have been identified as Sayed Suhel, Umar, Janid, Mudasir, and Jahid, news agency ANI reported. Read more CCB sleuths recovered several explosives and other materials from the suspects.(Twitter/ Representative image)

'On what basis is Vinesh Phogat being sent to Asian Games?': Antim Panghal erupts, drops 'CWG cheating' bombshell

Antim Panghal, the reigning U-20 world champion, lashed out at the decision to exempt Vinesh Phogat from the Asian Games trials, insisting that the star Indian wrestler is beatable and hasn't practiced in the past year. Read more

Gigi Hadid breaks silence on arrest over possessing marijuana, shares beach pics from holiday: Alls well that ends well

Gigi Hadid was arrested and charged with possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia after she flew to the Cayman Islands from the US recently. Amid recent reports of her arrest and subsequent bail, the model looked radiant in new pictures from her Cayman Islands trip. On Wednesday, Gigi took to Instagram to share a series of sun-kissed photos and videos of her holiday. Read more

Superfood combos for wellness boost: Eat these foods together for multiplying health benefits

Nutrition is the foundation of great health. There is nothing in this world that can work for you better than a right mix of nutrients that can fuel and nourish your body in a variety of ways. However, there are many challenges in our daily routine that can prevent us from enjoying our mandatory dose of wellness, especially in the morning. Read more

'Dangerous': Lion and woman share a meal from same plate. Watch

Many videos on the internet show the close interaction between animals and humans. Sometimes an animal may wander into human-dominated spaces and then be rescued. Other times, there are videos of people coming close to animals to pet or take pictures with them. Now, another such clip has gone viral. It shows a woman sharing a meal with a lion. Read more

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All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) National Spokesperson Waris Pathan lashed out on Opposition parties, who met in Bengaluru to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 national elections, for not inviting AIMIM saying that they were political untouchables for the 26 like-minded parties. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (PTI)

He said, They did not call us, we are political untouchables for them.

Twenty-six Opposition parties, which won 134 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and secured a 35 per cent vote share, announced a pre-poll coalition at a Bengaluru meet on Tuesday, marking the first time in a generation that disparate political outfits have come together on the national stage to take on the incumbent government.

Upon not receiving an invitation, Pathan said, You want the votes of the Muslim community but you don't want to represent them politically and then you speak of secularism.

Pathan said that leaders  Nitish Kumar, Uddhav Thackeray and Mehbooba Mufti  who were once with the BJP were also present at the meeting. They have suddenly become secular now.

Taking a jibe at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Pathan said that he once abused Congress during the Gujarat Assembly elections and even he was invited to Bengaluru meet.

The Opposition parties On Tuesday announced that their grouping will be called INDIA, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which rallied 38 parties together in a separate meeting in New Delhi.

Speaking on not receiving an invitation despite having the same motives as the Opposition parties, Pathan said, They are saying that the Constitution and democracy have to saved, and BJP has to be defeated. We want the same things too. Even we [AIMIM] are putting efforts to defeat BJP in 2024 so that Narendra Modi does not become the Prime Minister once again.

Further, stating that AIMIM was with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Pathan accused the Opposition parties of ignoring AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

They (Opposition parties) are ignoring Asaduddin Owaisi, who speaks of saving the Constitution and is standing against the UCC [Uniform Civil Code].

Pathan said that the AIMIM will put in all the efforts and make sure that BJP loses.

AIMIM likely to form third front

AIMIM said on Tuesday that it will form a third front in Bihar ahead of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Election. Bihar party president Akhtarul Iman said on Tuesday that political parties used Muslims as a vote bank but paid no heed to their development.

He added that talks between like-minded parties were being held to create a third front before the Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking at an event in Bihar, he said, We have been forced to form a third front in Bihar as the grand alliance only wants the votes of Muslims, but they are not to be given their rights. They have been used only as a vote bank so far. But people now understand their gameplan.

Further he stated that the Opposition alliance and AIMIM were both anti-BJP and yet the party was not invited to the Bengaluru meet. He said that this showed how the Opposition wanted to tap into Muslim vote bank but not be a part of their struggle.

We will show our strength to both the NDA and the grand alliance.

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Ahead of the monsoon session scheduled to begin on Thursday, the union government convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday. 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the all-party meeting convened by the government for the smooth conduct of the monsoon session which will continue to till August 11 and will have 17 sittings. Defence minister Rajnath Singh chairs all-party meet(ANI)

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Prahlad Joshi said that 31 bills will be taken up in the monsoon session of the Parliament starting on Thursday.

"Opposition parties have given many suggestions and our alliance leaders have also given. All the parties have demanded to have a discussion on the Manipur issue on which government is ready," he added.

"The government is ready to discuss all the issues will be discussed following the rules and regulations and with the permission of the Speaker," he added.

On Tuesday, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a meeting in New Delhi with its 39 member parties. On the other hand, the Opposition consisting of 26 parties were already engaged in a two-day meet in Bengaluru. This meeting aimed to form an "anti-BJP" front and which also called itself as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar called for a similar all-party meeting called on Tuesday but has been deferred due to non-availability of leaders of many parties. The monsoon session will continue till August 11.

The new Parliament building, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, will be the venue for the upcoming monsoon session. Offices have been assigned to most political parties in Parliament, and relevant departments have been instructed to shift to the new facility, as per a report by HT on June 14.

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On Tuesday, around two-and-half months after they launched counter-terror operations, specifically aimed at locating the terrorists responsible for the April 20, and May 5 terror attacks in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir in which 10 Indian Army soldiers were killed, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police gunned down four terrorists, all Pakistani nationals and part of the proscribed Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT) terror group, in Sindarah village in Surankote tehsil of the district, who are believed to be part of the unit that carried out those attacks. According to national security planners, the identity of the killed terrorists is being ascertained through forensics and DNA.(PTI)

Three AK-47 Rifles, a AK-74 rifle, two Glock pistols, five meters of Cordtex used for detonation, eight magazines of 7.62 mm, 196 rounds of AK-ammunition, three magazines of 9mm Glock and 24 rounds of pistol ammunition were recovered . The four slain terrorists are believed to be from a unit of 12 that has been operating in the Poonch-Rajouri forests near Line of Control (LoC) for the past 18 months. Belonging to the Sialkot based LeTs Sajjid Jatt module, the group was responsible for the April 20 and May 5 terror attack in Poonch .

After the twin terror attacks on Indian Army personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah directed top military brass, JK police and Indian intelligence to initiate intense counter-terror action against the foreign terrorists infesting the Poonch-Rajouri axis without any loss of life of Indian troopers. Codenamed Operation Sindarah, a sub-chapter of larger Operation Trinetra II launched by the security forces south of Pir Panjal, the counterstrike was conducted by the Indian Armys 16 Corps, JKPs Special Operations Group, and with actionable intelligence from the central agencies.

On Monday, Indian Army troops deployed in Surakote received accurate intelligence about terrorists near Sindarah and Maidana in Poonch district. A special team of counter-terror commandos of the Indian Army and JKPs SOG launched operations to cordon and search the area. It was only after the cordon was established that the Indian troopers approached Sindarah village. Noticing the movement of troops, the foreign terrorists opened fire. The retaliatory firing pinned down the terrorists. Despite the terrorists seeking to take advantage of the densely forested area to break the cordon, the intermittent firing continued till 530 am on Tuesday morning. The Indian Army cordon continued to be on high alert during the entire firing that went on for nearly 24 hours. The four bodies and a significant cache of weapons and ammunition, which have foreign markings, were recovered on Tuesday morning.

According to national security planners, the identity of the killed terrorists is being ascertained through forensics and DNA but they are believed to be from LeT, which has significant presence in the Sialkot sector and Shakargarh bulge area across the border. While the presence of heavily armed terrorists in the hinterland of Jammu indicates that Pakistan continues with its strategy of spreading violence in the UT, the planners added that the gunning down of the terrorists would boost the morale of the Indian Army and the JKP. The killings ended Operation Sindarah but Operation Trinetra II, aimed at targetting the other Pakistani terrorists in the forests continues.

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An army officer died, while three soldiers were injured in a fire incident in the Siachen glacier during early hours on Wednesday. According to the Indian Army officials, the incident took place around 3:30 am. A file photo of the Siachen glacier.(AP Photo)

In a fire accident in the Siachen glacier today, one officer lost his life while three soldiers were injured. The injured have been safely evacuated from there to hospital. The incident took place around 3.30 AM, the Indian Army statement read.

The injured soldiers, who have suffered smoke inhalation and second-degree burns, are currently stable, said Defence PRO, Leh.

Capt Anshuman Singh, Regimental Medical Officer, succumbed to serious burn injuries sustained during the unfortunate incident, the official added.

More details are awaited.
An army officer was killed and three soldiers suffered burn injures after a fire broke out in an ammunition dump next to the residential bunkers on Siachen Glacier on Wednesday morning, officials said. Captain Anshuman Singh (HT Photo)

The incident took place at around 3am on Wednesday, the officials added.

A fire took place at Siachen Glacier on Wednesday around 0300 hours (3am) Captain Anshuman Singh, regimental medical officer succumbed to severe burn injuries sustained during the incident. Three other personnel suffered second degree burns and smoke inhalation. They have been safely air-evacuated for further treatment. The condition of the injured personnel is said to be stable, defence spokesperson Lt Col PS Sidhu said.

According to officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, an ammunition dump near Captain Singhs bunker caught fire on Wednesday. He saved many lives and went in looking for more survivors..., officials said.

His body will be sent to his home town Lucknow for the final rites, which will be conducted with full military honours.

Captain Singhs father RP Singh, who was a junior commissioned officer in the army, said, I cannot get back what I have lost... but I am proud that he was not a coward, he sacrificed his life like a hero.

#LtGenUpendraDwivedi, #ArmyCdrNC & All Ranks #DhruvaCommand offer deepest condolences & salute the braveheart, Captain Anshuman Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, in #Siachen Sector. #IndianArmy stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, the Northern Command of the Indian Army tweeted.
After Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday took a jibe at the formation of a coalition of the opposition parties, named Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), the Congress responded on Wednesday calling it a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. (PTI Photo)

Sarma said on Tuesday that we should strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies after the British named the country India.

Responding to this, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh wrote on Twitter, Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital Indiaall new names for ongoing programmes. Hes asked CMs of different states to work together as Team India. He even made an appeal to Vote India!

But when 26 political parties call their formation INDIA, he throws a fit and says use of India reflects colonial mentality! He should go tell that to his Boss, Ramesh added.

In another tweet, the Congress leader said, The essential message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra: Judega Bharat The essential message of the Bengaluru conclave of 26 political parties: Jeetega INDIA.

PM Modi reacted to the opposition alliance and said, The people are watching, why these parties are getting together, what is the glue joining them and how for smaller selfish reasons they are compromising... In Kerala, the Left and the Congress are after each others blood, however, in Bengaluru, the leaders of both parties are joining hands. In Bengal, the Trinamool Congress is attacking the workers of the Left and Congress. However, the leaders of these parties are silent on these attacks. This is not a mission but majboori (compulsion).

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The quote about politics making strange bedfellows is attributed to 19th century American essayist Charles Dudley Warner, but is believed to have its origins in Shakespeares Tempest (with politics being replaced by misery). On Tuesday, in Bengaluru, all aspects of the quote played out when 26 parties, some sworn rivals, came together to declare themselves the INDIA alliance. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee interacts with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during Opposition parties meet, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. (ANI)

The day saw several moments that would have been considered impossible just days ago. Some of these were captured on camera; others, happened off it. For instance, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee reserved her warmest reference for former Congress president Rahul Gandhi during her address, terming him our favourite . Banerjee has always shared a special relationship with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi but she never really seemed to warm up to Rahul Gandhi, and as recently as March, was quoted by a colleague as saying, They want to make Rahul Gandhi a hero of the Opposition camp.

As some of the leaders present explained, perhaps this was because everyone at the meeting saw the value of Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra. I think everyone was positive and appreciative of RG. Nothing unexpected, really, said Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary.

But it wasnt just about Gandhi and Banerjee. One of the attendees said on condition of anonymity that Banerjee shared her lunch table with CPMs Sitaram Yechury. This was all the more surprising since the Trinamool Congress, the CPM, and the Congress have just fought a bruising and bitter battle in the local body election in West Bengal.

Yes, the whole thing is extraordinary, admitted CPI(ML)s Dipankar Bhattacharya, but the crisis of democracy has evoked this extraordinary response. Many people may not have thought of this , and the situation does vary in states, but, this is an overarching national campaign which will have to address state level differences . Some we will sort out but some may remain.

That was a recurring theme across comments by various leaders -- there would be differences, but there was also a larger objective.

Sitting at a table next to Banerjee was the delegation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with two chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann flanked by MPs Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh. They seemed visibly more relaxed than they were at the Patna meeting on June 23where they were unsure about the Congresss support in the Upper House to oppose the Delhi ordinance. Now with an assurance of support, they were happy being photographed with all the Congressmen. In fact, Chadha was welcomed with a hug from KC Venugopal (they were apparently working behind the scenes to iron out differences) , while others asked about his impending wedding with actor Parineeti Chopra.

Indeed, the bonhomie may have shocked the Delhi unit of the Congress, especially when the partys social media handle started tweeting Kejriwals soundbite. Lets rewind back to the 70s when Mrs Gandhi was at the peak of her popularity, but in 1977, a political formation was created where even those opposed to each other like the Jan Sangh and Communists came together to defeat the mighty Mrs Gandhi.Today, the people are demanding that a powerful BJP and Modi need to be removed and they need a departure from the current regime to save India. Therefore, even if we have differences in states, people are willing to come together for a larger cause, said Chadha.

Topping everything, though, was Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges assurance about his partys intentions. For years, the grand old party has been talking about the suitability of Rahul Gandhi for the Prime Ministers position, but on Tuesday, Kharge brushed aside the idea. Instead he said: Our intention is not to assume power for ourselves. It is to protect our Constitution, democracy, secularism, and social justice.

But the oppositions idea of INDIA is currently just that, an idea. Much will depend on its translation into election strategies and seat-sharing arrangements as the BJP and its own idea of a new India, potentially face off against a newer INDIA.

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Bengaluru: Five people suspected to be part of a terror module and radicalised to carry out terror attacks were arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru, police said on Wednesday, adding that firearms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects. The suspects were radicalised by T Nazir, an operative of terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), who is an accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts case and currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, officers said (File photo for representation)

The suspects were radicalised by T Nazir, an operative of terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), who is an accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts case and currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, officers said.

The CCB has been successful in pre-empting and preventing a possible subversive activity in Bengaluru city. During preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the accused had planned to carry out subversive activities, Bengaluru city police commissioner B Dayananda told reporters on Wednesday.

Nazirs influence over the suspects has raised concerns over the potential terror plot, however, police have not established if the arrested men have any links with any terror groups.

The suspects have been identified as Syed Suhel Khan (24), Mohammed Umar (29), Zahid Tabarej (25), Syed Mudaseer Pasha (28), and Mohammed Fazil (30), police said.

Seven pistols, 45 live cartridges, a bunch of walkie-talkies, some daggers and 12 mobile phones were seized by the CCB from them, police said, adding that provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were invoked against them.

The suspects, formerly employed as mechanics and drivers, were initially arrested in 2017 by the RT Nagar police in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a businessman identified as Noor Ahmed. While serving time at central prison, they allegedly established connections with Nazir and Junaid, who is absconding and holed up outside the country, police said.

The main accused Junaid is absconding and is likely to be abroad. Junaid, an accused in the murder of one Noor Ahmad of RT Nagar, came in contact with alleged terrorist T Nazir, who is an accused in the 2008 serial blast case, Dayananda said. They radicalised the five accused in the Bengaluru (Parappana Agrahara) central jail. The five accused have spent 18 months in jail in the Noor Ahmad murder case. Junaid activated the module, provided funds through Google Pay and other channels to carry out subversive activities.

A case has been registered in Hebbal police station and the accused have been taken into police custody for 15 days. We have invoked the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and are investigating to ascertain the possible involvement of anti-national and anti-social elements and the motive and magnitude of their game-plan, the commissioner said. We have formed a special team to investigate the case and are in touch with central investigating agencies too.

Authorities revealed that after being released on bail, the accused executed their planned acts of terror by procuring arms, ammunition, and explosive substances. Based on intelligence inputs from central agencies, the CCB was monitoring the suspects closely before their apprehension. Efforts are underway to trace other potential collaborators involved in this case, joint commissioner of police, SD Sharanappa, said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah praised the police for their action. Congratulations to the CCB for averting a major destruction by arresting five suspected terrorists who were conspiring to carry out destructive activities. We are always ready to track down those involved in any kind of anti-national activities including terrorist activities and root out such forces from the state. Our government is committed to provide a safe life to everyone in the state, he tweeted.

States home minister G Parameshwara said the investigation is in progress, and the authorities are determined to interrogate the suspects thoroughly to establish any potential links they may have with terrorist organisations. Police have recovered seven country-made pistols, walkie-talkies and other equipment. During the interrogation, it has been found that they have been plotting some nefarious activities. This could have been a dangerous situation and it has been averted We will interrogate them and identify if they have any connections with the terror groups. Once the interrogation is over, further steps will be taken, the minister said.

We cant announce them as terrorists yet. The investigation has to be complete. That being said weapons have been recovered from them and we have also found that the walkie-talkies they had were modified, he added.

When asked if the case should be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), he said the decision will be taken after all information is collected by the investigators.

Police also said that Junaid and his 20 accomplices had kidnapped a rival Noor Ahmad and hacked him to death in 2017. In 2020, Junaid again landed in jail in another (red sanders) case and came in contact with Nazeer, who has links with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and is an accused in 19 cases including the 2008 Kozhikode serial bomb blast case. Only further interrogation would reveal their possible links with other terror outfits and modules, commissioner Dayananda said.

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RAIPUR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers on Wednesday criticised the arrest of the two-dozen men who were arrested for a nude protest march in Raipur and demanded that the Chhattisgarh government issue orders for their immediate release. Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel came under attack from the BJP. (ANI File Photo)

The lawmakers disrupted proceedings in the assembly, demanding chief minister Bhupesh Baghels resignation over the arrest of the protesters. The BJP lawmakers were also briefly suspended.

Leader of Opposition in the assembly Narayan Chandel raised the issue in the assembly on Wednesday, saying it was wrong to arrest them.

The protesters were only demanding actions against the employees who are in government on the basis of fake caste certificate but the state government did not pay heed to them and compelled them to stage a demonstration without clothes, Chandel said.

The BJP leader said instead of taking action against people holding fake caste certificates, the state government jailed the protesters who were fighting for their rights.

We demand a high-powered committee on this issue, said Chandel and other BJP MLAs.

The protesters had already informed the administration about the nude protest. The government should have at least thought about why they were compelled to hold such a demonstration. The CM has no moral right to continue on the post and he should immediately resign, Chandel said.

On Tuesday, 29 men led the unusual protest in Raipur to seek action against people who they said, got government jobs using fake caste certificates. They were later placed under arrest.

The protesters said a state government committee conducted a probe into fake caste certificate cases and found that 267 government employees used forged SC/ST certificates, but no action had been taken against them so far Earlier, we went on a hunger strike seeking action against them, but our demand remained unheard. Hence, we are now staging a naked protest. one of them said on Tuesday.

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KOLKATA: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been shivering in fear ever since 26 political parties came together to announce a pre-poll coalition named INDIA, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday, responding to continuing attacks from the BJP on her government. West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee presents a cheque to a party supporter injured in the recent state Panchayat election violence in Kolkata on Wednesday. (TMC Twitter)

The BJPs Bengal unit chief Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday predicted that the Trinamool Congress government led by Banerjee in Bengal could collapse anytime in the next five to six months. The legislators may suddenly decide that they wont support this government and instead support some other party. It may happen. Also, they may choose to quit in the face of a massive peoples movement. Possibilities cant be ruled out. he said.

Back in Bengal after the Opposition conclave, Banerjee brushed aside the BJPs prediction.

Let them overturn a bucket first, they can bring down the government later. Their government has already been overthrown. Since yesterday they are shivering out of fear. INDIA will face the battle, she told reporters.

Majumdar responded to her swipe, saying the chief minister was aware that her family members may go to jail and hence making such statements to keep the morale of her party leaders and workers high.

The BJP on Wednesday also organised a rally in Kolkata to protest against the ongoing post-poll violence in the state. The protest comes just two days before the TMC holds the Martyrs Day rally on July 21.

They (TMC) kill people throughout the year and observe Martyrs Day on July 21. We have seen this drama multiple times. They have buried democracy in the state and are going to Bengaluru and Manipur for a change, said Dilip Ghosh, BJP national vice president said at the protest rally.

The BJP announced that it would gherao offices of Block Development Officers at multiple locations in the districts.

Mamata Banerjee said she wasnt surprised at the BJPs plans.

What else will they do? They have nothing to do except spread slander and violence, divide the people and shed blood. The people would take revenge peacefully through ballots, Banerjee said. The chief minister also met people who were injured in post-poll clashes and undergoing treatment at the SSKM hospital in Kolkata.

The government has already announced a job and compensation of 2 lakhs for the family members of people killed in the violence.

At least 55 people have been killed in violent incidents after the panchayat elections were announced

Houses were set on fire while the residents were still inside. There were rape attempts on women. Majority of those who have been killed belong to TMC. The BJP has lost the panchayat polls but unleased terror in Nandigram where they have won, she said.

On Tuesday night, one more TMC worker was shot after fresh clashes broke out at Bhangore in South 24 Parganas.
Officers cannot be made to appear in court as a routine practice as their time is meant for citizens, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday as it came across a case of a Patna high court judge who had issued 142 orders summoning senior Bihar government officials in various cases since October 2021. Supreme Court of India. (PTI File Photo)

Staying a July 13 order passed by the same judge who was part of a bench which issued bailable warrants against Bihar education department additional chief secretary KK Pathak in a contempt case relating to a teachers promotion, a bench of justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala said, In a matter where there is blatant disregard of orders passed by the court, it may be justified in securing personal presence of officers. However, such a practice should not become a routine practice.

The Bihar government, represented by senior advocate ANS Nadkarni, informed the court that this was not a one-off case as one of the judges on the bench, justice PB Bajanthri, had in the past issued similar directions summoning officials of the state. The state compiled a list of 142 similar orders passed by the judge in routine matters over the past 20 months.

Noting this in its order, the bench said, No doubt authorities of state are bound to comply with courts directions, such directions cannot be at the drop of a hat... Officers are supposed to discharge their duty to citizens. Their presence in court will deprive citizens of their precious time.

Nadkarni pointed out that bailable warrants were issued on July 6 despite the state having fully complied with the order issued by the high court.

The matter before the HC pertained to an assistant teacher Ghanshyam Prasad Singh at a Nalanda school who had approached the HC in 2014 challenging refusal of the state government to grant him promotion in graduate trained scale on the basis of Sahitya Alankar degree from Hindi Vidyapeeth, Deoghar.

The HC ruled in his favour on 23 February 2016 and ordered the state to grant him the requisite pay scale from the date his immediate junior in service obtained the same pay scale. The state challenged this order before the Supreme Court but failed to get relief. In 2018, the teacher filed a contempt petition which was taken up in May this year.

The high court asked the state authorities to explain the seven-year delay in implementing its 2016 direction and sought a response from the principal secretary in the state education department. In June, Pathak joined as additional chief secretary and acted with alacrity to grant promotion as per the HC order. On June 20, he filed an affidavit placing this fact before the HC and seeking closure of the contempt case. The contempt petitioner was also satisfied with the state action.

On July 6, the HC bench of justices PB Bajanthri and Jitendra Kumar noted compliance by the state but sought Pathaks personal appearance on July 13. As Pathak failed to turn up on the assigned day, the bench issued bailable warrants against the officer.

It is to be noted that when personal presence is ordered, it was bounden duty of concerned officer to appear in person. If he has got any difficulty in appearing, in that event an application is required to be filed for exemption from his personal appearance. Such an application is not forthcoming as of today. Therefore, his personal presence is warranted, the order said.

As the officer was stated to be in Jehanabad and not Patna on July 13, the court wanted the officer to state so in his affidavit when he appears before the court on July 20.

The state in its appeal drafted by advocate Rishi Awasthi told the top court that within a month of the officer joining the education department, the HC order stood complied. Yet, such a senior officer was made to face contempt proceedings that would harm his reputation.

Nadkarni who appeared for the state further informed the court that the HC had a day later converted the bailable warrants into non-bailable warrant to secure the officers presence. As this order was yet to be challenged, the top court bench said, With todays order, there might be some relief.

The apex court further directed a copy of its order to be sent to the high court Registrar General who shall bring it to the notice of the chief justice there.

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Key amendments to the Mediation Bill, 2021 -- including the removal of a provision that made pre-litigation mediation mandatory before parties could file any suit or proceedings in court, regardless of the existence of a mediation agreement between them -- were cleared by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday, according to people aware of the matter. The mediation bill was first introduced in Rajya Sabha in December 2021.

The Cabinet also cleared the Registration of Press and Periodicals Bill, and both pieces of litigation are likely to be tabled in the Monsoon session of Parliament starting on Thursday, the people added.

The mediation bill, moved by the Union ministry of law and justice, seeks to institutionalise mediation for civil and commercial disputes and establish a Mediation Council of India (MCI). It was first introduced in the Rajya Sabha in December 2021, and was sent to a parliamentary standing committee, which submitted its report in July 2022.

The amended bill makes pre-litigation voluntary, leaving parties with the choice to participate in a pre-litigation mediation process instead of litigating, the people said.

The change is in line with the suggestions of the standing committee, which had said that mediation must remain voluntary, and that restraining parties from approaching courts or tribunals may amount to denial of access to justice.

Another important amendment in the 2021 bill includes reducing the time period of concluding the process, the people cited above bill. While the 2021 draft contemplated a period of 180 days with a further extension for an additional period of 180 days with the consent of parties, the amendment brings this down to 180 days in total. The parliamnetary panel had recommended reducing the time limit from180 days to 90 days, and further an extension period of 60 days.

The proposed law, aiming at introducing the first standalone legislation for mediation in India, envisages setting up an MCI, which will be tasked with registering mediators, and recognising mediation service providers and mediation institutes which train and certify mediators.

The Registration of Press and Periodicals Bill was first drafted in 2019. It was listed during the Monsoon session last year as the Registration of Press and Periodicals Bill, 2022, but did not make it to the floor of the House. The new bill seeks to replace the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867.

The bill has been cleared by the cabinet, an official familiar with the matter said. It will focus on ease of doing business and decriminalise offences introducing monetary penalties instead.

Online news media will not be included in the new bill.

In an interview to HT last year, Union minister for information & broadcasting Anurag Thakur stressed that a focus of the new bill will be on increasing the ease of doing business and decriminalisation some earlier provisions.

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Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas Paswan) Chirag Paswan on Tuesday touched PM Modi's feet at the NDA meet in New Delhi and was hugged by PM Modi. Chirag Paswan shared the photos of the moment and thanked PM Modi for his love and respect. The Congress taunted that PM Modi only hugs foreign leaders on overseas travel, but it is due to the Rahul Gandhi impact that PM Modi 'was forced to hug his own leaders -- a first for him'. PM Modi hugged Chirag Paswan at the NDA meet in New Delhi on Tuesday. (PTI)

"A man who refused to acknowledge his colleagues -- and forcibly hugs only world leaders on overseas travel -- is forced to appear human. But compassion can't be contrived," Congress spokesperson Surpiya Shrinate said.

At the meeting of the NDA constituents, Chirag Paswan earlier believed to be miffed with the BJP extended support to the NDA. This was not the only hug that marked the meet. Chirag hugged estranged uncle Pashupati Paras at the NDA meeting. Both are vying for the Hajipur Lok Sabha seat in Bihar in the 2024 election and BJP making Pasupati Paras a union minister after Ram Vilas Paswan's death riled Chirag.

'Despite being not in the NDA...'

Chirag Paswan met Amit Shah on Monday and announced that his faction would join the NDA. He said all concerns of his party have been addressed by Union home minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda. He claimed that he would be contesting from Hajipur Lok Sabha which is now represented by his estranged uncle Pasupati Paras. He said though he was not with the NDA for the past three years, he never went against PM Modi and Amit Shah. On the other hand, he campaigned for BJP candifates in the recent bypolls.

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A police complaint was registered against 26 Opposition parties at Barakhamba Police Station in Delhi for alleged improper use of the name of INDIA and use of the said name for the undue influence and personation at elections," news agency ANI reported. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, NCP chief Sharad Pawar during addressing the media after the Opposition parties meet. (ANI)

Expressing objection to the name of the alliance, Dr Avinish Mishra, the complainant urged necessary action against the parties as the term 'INDIA' is being used for the undue personation at elections has hurt the sentiments of the people. "26 political parties have misused the name of the country," the complaint read.

The case has been registered under Section 2(c) of the Emblems Act defines "name" to include any abbreviation of a name. Section 5 of the Emblems Act provides for a punishment with a fine of 500 to be imposed on any person who is found to be contravening provisions of Section 3 of the Emblems Act, the report added.

Read here: Bengaluru meet: INDIA secretariat in Delhi, next meeting in Mumbai | Top updates

On Tuesday, Maharashtra BJP leader Ashutosh Dube also filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the name saying that 'INDIA' was used by the Opposition for political gains and it disrespected the dignity of the country.

"I believe that your intervention in this matter will help maintain the dignity of our nation and preserve the democratic principles on which our country stands," the BJP leader said in his complaint.

26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition 'INDIA' (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) to take on the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

The newly formed alliance also released a declaration, Samuhik Sankalp which mentions about various issues ranging from caste census, Manipur violence to role of Governors and LGs, and demonetisation.

The alliance also agreed to set up an 11-member coordination committee but left the decision on its members and convener for their next meeting in Mumbai. The first meeting was held in Patna in Bihar, ruled by the INDIA front parties, while the second one was held in Bengaluru in Karnataka, where the Congress has recently returned to power.

Read here: Caste census, Manipur feature in Opposition Bengaluru declaration. Read full text here

The 26 opposition parties are, the Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, JD(U), RJD, JMM, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), SP, NC, PDP, CPI(M), CPI, RLD, MDMK, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK), VCK, RSP, CPI-ML (Liberation), Forward Bloc, IUML, Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Mani), Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK).

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Here are todays top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Sachin Meena (L) and Seema Haider.(AFP)

4 mobile phones, 5 Pakistani passports: UP Police on how Seema Haider sneaked into India

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday said it had recovered two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five Pakistan-authorised passports, an unused passport containing incomplete name and address and an identity card from Pakistani national Seema Ghulam Haider, who along with her four children illegally crossed over to India via Nepal to be with her partner Sachin Meena. Read more

Asia Cup 2023 schedule finalised: India vs Pakistan blockbuster in Kandy on September 2, final in Colombo on Sep 17

The much-awaited schedule for the men's Asia Cup was announced on Wednesday, with the iconic clash between India and Pakistan taking place on September 2 in Kandy. Read more

Samantha Ruth Prabhu shares pics from meditation session amid acting break: 'Something so simple could be so powerful'

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has taken a break from acting to focus on her health. On Wednesday, the actor took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her recent meditation session. Read more

Reasons why people pleasers struggle to be authentic

When we are brought up in dysfunctional homes where we did not receive the necessary amount of love, care and affection, we tend to become people pleasers in adult lives to avoid facing rejection. Read more

5 lean protein foods for weight loss

Lean protein is protein source that contains low levels of fat, particularly saturated fat. Read more

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Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras on Wednesday ruled out leaving Bihars Hajipur Lok Sabha seat for his estranged nephew, Chirag Paswan, a day after the two met warmly at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting in New Delhi and triggered speculation that their factions Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) could come together. Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras. (PTI/File)

Paswan touched the feet of Paras and the two hugged each other. Paras, who heads Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), underplayed the warmth saying they were on a political platform with nothing to do with their family.

We are a family. He is my nephew. Just because of political differences, our family ties did not end. It is basic human relation.

Paras said his brother, late former Union minister Ramvilas Paswan, asked him to contest the Hajipur seat in 2019 despite his reluctance to go to Delhi. He [Ramvilas Paswan] won [the seat] nine times...on his direction, I agreed to contest after he was elected to Rajya Sabha, said Paras.

He said he asked Ramvilas Paswan to get Chirag Pawan or his mother elected from the seat. But he wanted me. There was great bonding among we three brothers. He said I worked for him in Hajipur, I should contest. He got my nomination filed and I won. At that time Chirag was MP [member of Parliament] from Jamui, he said.

Paras said Chirag has won the Jamui seat twice and he should stick to his constituency. I have remained with NDA all through. Others are new. We have five MPs. Usually, the winning seats are retained. I do not think seat-sharing talks will happen before December. There is plenty of time.

He referred to the talk of the merger between the two LJP factions and said nobody knows what will happen next in politics.

Mehboob Ali Kaiser, an RLJP MP, said there can be nothing better than the two factions coming together, which will also be good for NDA. We have always wanted this. The indications from the Delhi [NDA] meeting are positive that the two are moving closer. After all, they are the same family, and coming together will only add strength to both of them. Our uncertainty will also end.

Chandan Singh, another RLJP MP, said all differences would be resolved. We are all one under NDA. There are no issues. He added the matter over the Hajipur seat will also be sorted out when leaders will sit together. There is no personal animosity.

Bashishth Pandey, a spokesman for Chirag Paswans faction, said the NDA meeting demonstrated the importance of his leader. It was good to see the body language between him and his uncle. This is what is good for the LJP as well as NDA. They might have developed political differences, but when the hearts meet, things can change. Just wait and see.

Bharatiya Janata Party state chief Samrat Choudhary said they have an alliance with both factions of the LJP. At present, they are two different parties. If the family wants to come together, we can only welcome it.

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Wednesday held a meeting in Raj Niwas to decide on the next chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), two days after the Supreme Court asked the constitutional functionaries to sort out what has been a contentious matter between themselves and rise above political bickering. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (left) and Delhi LG VK Saxena (right) (File Photo)

The DERC chiefs appointment is crucial to effectively regulate the citys power sector, but has been at the heart of a tussle between the elected Delhi government and centrally appointed LG, with both groups floating their own names for the position and the former alleging that the latter picked justice (retd) Umesh Kumar for the post unilaterally.

It was not immediately clear if the two reached a consensus on Wednesday, though people aware of the meeting said a few names were put on the table. The Supreme Court is slated to hear the matter again on Thursday, when the government and LG are expected to present before the bench a list of names for the position.

Officials from the CM and LGs offices declined to comment on the meeting.

Usually a routine appointment, the choice of the DERC chairperson has morphed into the latest chapter in the long-running feud among the citys power centres.

Also Read | AAP's yes to Opposition's Bengaluru meet after Congress backs Kejriwal against Centre's ordinance

This protracted tussle snowballed after the Centre on May 19 issued an ordinance reversing a Supreme Court verdict from May 11 that handed control of the states bureaucratic machinery with the elected government in all departments, except those surrounding land, public order and police.

The Delhi government on June 21, recommended justice (retd) Sangeet Lodhafor the position. However, later that day, the Centre appointed Kumar to the position, a move that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government called illegal and unconstitutional.

At the time, the party stressed that electricity was under the state governments jurisdiction and that the aid and advice of the elected administration is binding.

On July 4, the top court allowed the Delhi government not to proceed on administering the oath of office to Kumar.

On that day, the bench also agreed to examine the validity of Section 45D of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Ordinance, 2023, under which the appointment order came to be issued on June 21. Section 45D of the ordinance enables the Centre, acting through the LG, to decide on all appointments to all commissions, bodies and authorities in the Capital.

During the hearing in the case on Monday, the Supreme Court pulled up CM and LG, saying, We want to know if it is possible to break this impasse. Cannot the LG and the CM, as two constitutional functionaries, sit together and give us a name of a consensus candidate for DERC? You either let the institutions work or you dont. They have to rise above political bickering.

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, arguing for the Delhi government, started by contending that it does not seem realistic the two functionaries can arrive at a name unanimously.

But I dont have a problem if they can miraculously agree, he added.

To this, senior lawyer Harish Salve, representing the LG said he accepted the courts suggestion that both the constitutional functionaries must sit across the table and resolve the issue.

Its unfortunate that the Delhi government lawyer starts by saying that he has no hope. The first reaction should be yes, we will do it, said Salve.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, also mooted over referring the Delhi governments separate challenge to the ordinance to a five-judge constitution bench.

DERC was constituted in 1999 to discharge a range of activities, including fixing the tariffs, while working as the electricity regulatory in the Capital. The post has been vacant since January 10, when (retd) justice Shabihul Husnain stepped down after reaching superannuation. The three-member panel currently has only one member.
Guwahati: India top election officials landed in the Assam capital on Wednesday to hold public hearings on the draft delimitation proposal for assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in the state, starting a three-day consultation process as they attempt to finalise significant changes in the electoral map of the region. Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar during a public hearing on the Assam delimitation draft (PTI)

Chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, and election commissioners (ECs) Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel are holding simultaneous sessions in three different halls at the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra. During the public hearing process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will hold discussions with various stakeholders, including political parties and members of civil society, over the draft proposals, officials aware of the matter said.

On the first day, the officials said, suggestions for Kamrup Metropolitan, West Karbi Anglong, Chirang, Baksa, Dima Hasao, Kamrup, Udalguri, Karbi Anglong and Kokrajhar districts, were accepted. Feedback on the draft for Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Sonitpur, Karimganj, Darrang, Hailakandi, Cachar, South Salmara, Nagaon, Morigaon and Dhubri will be heard on Thursday; and on the last day, the districts of Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Golaghat and Majuli will be taken up.

The draft proposals, published June 20, retained the number of assembly seats in Assam at 126 and the Lok Sabha constituencies at 14 but altered the geographical boundaries of most of the constituencies, both assembly and Lok Sabha, eliminating some seats and creating some new ones.

The last delimitation exercise in Assam took place nearly five decades ago in 1976 based on figures from the 1971 census. The country will go through this process after 2026. However, according to ECI officials, they are exercising this in Assam to correct the imbalance due to a sharp differences in the pattern of population growth.

The fresh delimitation exercise in Assam was earlier suspended in 2008 following suggestions by the then Congress government in the state that it might create law and order problems.The process restarted on January 1 this year after the state government gave assurances that the law and order situation in Assam was conducive at present to conduct the exercise.

Following the release of the draft, the EC has invited suggestions and objections from political parties and other groups till July 11. A team from the commission will visit Assam again next month for the public hearing on the draft proposal.

The chief electoral officer of Assam, Anurag Goel, on Tuesday requested all organisations to limit the number of representatives for each group to a maximum of five people.

ECI has faced criticism over the draft proposals from Opposition parties and several social organisations, who have alleged that the newly drawn electoral map heavily favours the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Nine political parties, including Congress and Trinamool Congress,have also knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court against the entire delimitation exercise.

Under the document, the assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes have been increased to nine from eight and for Scheduled Tribes to 19 from 16. For Parliamentary constituencies, two (additional) seats have been proposed under the ST category and one for the SC community.

The redrawing of boundaries has sparked protests in several parts of Assam, especially the Bengali-speaking Barak valley (which includes three districts Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi), where the delimitation proposals can have maximum impact.

Several organisations and individuals in Barak Valley expressed dissatisfaction because the number of assembly seats in this area will be reduced to 1 from 15 if ECI finalises the draft proposal.

Earlier on June 27, at least 600 people were detained in Barak Valley during a 12-hour-bandh against delimitation draft. The bandh initially called by Silchar-based political party Barak Democratic Front (BDF) was supported by other parties such as Congress, TMC and All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

Senior advocate and former member (judge) of Foreigners Tribunal in Silchar, Dharmananda Deb, claimed that the delimitation draft will increase gaps between elected representatives and people.

In 1976 delimitation, Barak Valley had 14 seats which later increased to 15. Four decades later, ECI is reducing seats which is unscientific. This will reduce representation of people in the state assembly, which is not good for democracy, he said.

Apart from reducing assembly seats in Barak Valley, the ECI has proposed to reserve Silchar Lok Sabha seat for Schedule Cast and opened the Karimganj seat, which was an SC reserved seat since the Independence.

Despite strong opposition against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), which later became Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), BJP had won nine out of 14 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 general election. Congress won three seats while AIUDF and independent candidates won one seat each.

In 2021 assembly polls, BJP won 60 out of 126 seats and formed government with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which won nine seats. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after the release of delimitation draft claimed that this exercise will do what Assam movement of 1980s and NRC couldnt do for Assamese people.

Meanwhile, the ECIs hearing started at 2pm on Wednesday but no official reaction came from the ECI officials.

Members of All Assam Students Union (AASU) met the ECI in Guwahati on Wednesday. AASUs advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya said that they are satisfied with the draft and they believe that it will secure the constitutional power of original Indians.

It is a positive sign that 2001 population census is being followed in delimitation process, we have been demanding this since 1986. We have welcomed the delimitation draft with a few minor amendments, Bhattacharyya said.

A day before the ECIs visit, CM Sarma on Tuesday said that the delimitation exercise will increase representation of Assamese people in assembly and Lok Sabha.

The delimitation exercise will pave the way for Assamese people to have a decisive say in 92-93 seats, instead of 75-76 seats. If we fall for Congress conspiracy theory, people of Assam will be at loss for a third consecutive time, after NRC and Assam Accord, he tweeted.

Reacting to Sarmas statements, the general secretary of the United Opposition Forum, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, said that the way, Sarma is making claims, looks like they have interfered in the works of ECI in drafting the proposal.

Himanta is claiming that with delimitation, theyll protect the indigenous people in Assam but the reality is, they are trying to secure more seats for BJP-RSS collaboration and there is a hidden communal agenda, he said.

Gogoi criticised the ECI for drafting the delimitation on 2001 population census which according to him will make ways for illegal migrants who have registered their names between 2001 and 2023, to strengthen their representation.

In 2007, many parties including the BJP demanded that the delimitation should be done after completing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and this was a legitimate demand because we have to know the number of illegal migrants living in Assam, he said.

Veteran RSS leader and senior member of the BJP, Basudev Sharma, however, criticised the delimitation draft and compared it with Cyril Radcliffes border demarcation during the partition.

BJP in Assam started its journey in Barak Valley and the present leaders in Guwahati were in other parties when we were building the base for BJP. Now they are reducing seats in Barak Valley without consent of people here, he said.

He claimed that the BJP failed to protect the Hindus in Assam and now they are taking decisions which will reduce the voices of Hindus.

They failed to implement Citizens Amendment Act which can protect the victims of partition. More than 14 lakhs Hindus were excluded from NRC, and the state leadership is not even bothered about it, he added.

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Fifteen people were electrocuted at a Namami Gange project site on the banks of the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhands Chamoli district on Wednesday, state health minister Dhan Singh Rawat said. Seven people have also been injured. (ANI)

Rawat, who is in Chamoli, said that seven people injured in the incident were being airlifted to the All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Rishikesh. He added that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered.

Rawat said that Ganesh Lal, a security guard on duty at the Namame Ganga sewerage plant site, was first electrocuted around 11.30am. He added that when locals gathered there, they touched a side railing and were also electrocuted.

One police sub-inspector and three home guards were among the dead.

In a tweet, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered his condolences to the families of those killed. Extremely painful news has been received of many casualties due to electrocution in Chamoli. Those injured in the accident have been sent to the nearest hospital for treatment. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into this unfortunate incident. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured.

The Namami Gange project is an integrated conservation scheme that seeks to abate pollution as well as to conserve and rejuvenate the Ganga.
Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, who died at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday, will be laid to rest without official state honours on Thursday as per his last wish. Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, who died at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday, will be laid to rest without official state honours on Thursday as per his last wish (PTI)

The request was communicated to the state government by Mariyamma, Chandys widow, in writing. Only religious rituals would suffice and there was no need for official honours, the former CM had reportedly told his wife before his death.

Chandy Oommen, his son, told a local TV channel, Before leaving for Germany for medical treatment, my father had told my mother that he should not be accorded state honours for his funeral. That was his last wish and we have to fulfill it. My mother has communicated the same to the state government.

Earlier, the state cabinet, while condoling the death of the veteran Congress leader, had decided to accord all official honours for the funeral scheduled to be held at the St George Orthodox Church in Puthupally around 3 pm on Thursday. Later, the CM asked the state chief secretary to speak to the family about it.

Meanwhile, the funeral procession of Chandy, who served as the states CM twice from 2004 to 2006 and then again from 2011 to 2016, slowly wound its way through the heavily congested MC Road from Thiruvananthapuram to Kottayam on Wednesday. Although the mortal remains were expected to reach the Thirunakkara ground in Kottayam by afternoon for public viewing, the procession crawled slowly as thousands of supporters and well-wishers lined up on both sides of the road to pay their tributes. Some held lit candles while others threw flowers as a low-floor AC bus, carrying the remains, passed through. Television visuals showed many, from pregnant women to physically disabled to elderly men and women, waiting for hours to catch a last glimpse of a leader who enjoyed wide support for his genial character and accessible nature.

All arrangements are in place but the schedule is not in our control. Since his life was lived among the masses, the people have thronged in large numbers on the way to pay their respects. Its taking longer than expected, but we believe the bus carrying his body will reach Kottayam by 10 pm. It will be placed in Thirunakkara ground and then later taken to his ancestral house in Puthupally, senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told reporters.

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, the head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, will officiate the funeral rituals. A special grave has been dug within the church compound to erect a monument for the veteran leader.

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New Delhi The Union government hopes to pass 31 pieces of legislation  including those on the control of the bureaucracy in Delhi, data protection, mediation, forest conservation, and reservation laws in Jammu & Kashmir  even as a discussion on the violence in Manipur has emerged at the top of the Opposition agenda, setting the stage for a confrontation during Parliaments Monsoon session. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and other leaders during an all-party meeting on the eve of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delh, on Wednesday (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times)(Sanjeev Verma/HT photo)

At an all-party meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and attended by 34 parties, the Opposition sought a debate on the ethnic violence in the northeastern state that has claimed at least 150 lives, and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the issue. The government responded that it was ready for a discussion on any topic, including Manipur, but would not agree to any specific conditions.

Also Read | Parliament panel holds final meet on draft forest bill ahead of monsoon session

Many parties want to debate Manipur. The government is ready for a debate. As and when the presiding officers give us time, we will debate. But (Union) home ministry is the nodal ministry for Manipur. We feel that they are trying to put a caveat for disrupting the House, said Union parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi.

Joshi underlined that the monsoon session, from July 19 to August 11, was very important, and reiterated that the government listed 31 bills for the session with 17 sittings.

Currently, the government have 31 legislative items which have been identified. What we have to bring and what not we will decide later but at least 31 legislative items are fully ready now, Joshi said.

Also Read | We are political untouchables for them: AIMIM leader on not receiving invitation to Opposition meet

In the all-party meeting, the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Left parties, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and other constituents of the newly formed INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance)  stuck to their demand for a debate on Manipur. A number of Opposition leaders are set to bring adjournment motion in both Houses on the Manipur situation to discuss the issue on priority and set aside scheduled agenda.

The first order of business in both houses has to be a discussion on Manipur with the Prime Minister giving either a statement or a reply. They have to withdraw the (Delhi) ordinance. Why bring the ordinance in the first place when a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court gave an order? asked Congresss Rajya Sabha chief whip Jairam Ramesh after the meeting.

The Monsoon session will be the first opportunity for the new alliance to show its importance and clout. With several issues such as price rise, unemployment, federalism, Manipur and the Odisha railway accident, INDIA is keen to corner the government.

Top Opposition leaders indicated their protest might continue if the PM doesnt speak on the Manipur violence. At the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru over the past two days, the leaders questioned why the PM remained silent on the ethnic violence roiling Manipur.

The last session of Parliament was washed out due to a deadlock between the government and the Opposition, with only 34.9% work transacted in the Lok Sabha and 24.4% in the Rajya Sabha. All parties should ensure that the crucial work of Parliament  deliberation on the laws that govern India  is not disrupted, and find ways to bridge the trust deficit between the treasury and opposition benches.

AAP leader Raghav Chadha attacked the ordinance. This is an anti-national legislation. Every patriot will oppose this when it is introduced in Parliament and all those who oppose will be deemed as anti-nationals. This bill is going to be the semi-final for 2024, said Chadha.

Prominent among the other bills that are slated for introduction is the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, that aims to provide for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognises both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes. Its introduction is being keenly watched as a previous version of the bill was shelved by the government last year.

Also controversial is the Forest (Conservation Amendment) Bill 2023, which has prompted many activists and experts to write to environment minister Bhupender Yadav, urging him to not table it. The bill, which proposes to modify the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, has a number of controversial clauses, which experts say could jeopardise vast tracts of ecologically important forests and leave out several so-called unclassed forests that cover around 15% of Indias total forest cover.

The government will also try to clear the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill and The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill. The other new bills include the Postal Services Bill, 2023 to stipulate fundamental matters on postal services, facilitate the development of the postal sector, protect the rights and interests of users, and promote the socio-economic development of the country through post offices. The National Cooperative University Bill, 2023 will be brought to establish the institution, and The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill will rationalise the prohibited area and other amendments. A bill to repeal the International Monetary Fund and Bank Act, 1945, another one to repeal the provisional collection of taxes, a bill to set up the national dental commission and the national nursing and midwifery commission will also be brought.

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to accommodate progressive changes in the society during the last five decades, making registration process people friendly, and to update other databases at national and state level using database of registered births and deaths, was listed for introduction.

The government also plans to bring a number of bills to amend existing reservation laws in Jammu and Kashmir to change the nomenclature of weak and under-privileged classes to Other Backward Classes, and include the Valmiki community in the list of scheduled castes of the Union Territory. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill to make the process of sanctioning of films for exhibition more effective, the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 for introducing exploration licence and to delist some minerals from list of atomic minerals are also likely to be tabled in the session.
A Kerala court recently said that grabbing a woman's hand and threatening her without any lustful intent does not outrage her modesty and cannot attract Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to the court, there must be a culpable intention on the accused's part to outrage a woman's modesty to be charged with it, reported Bar and Bench. The court has also noted that the SIT officials should not be from Amritsar district.

The court was pronouncing a judgment on a case from 2013 where the accused had caught a woman's hand and threatened to kill her. A criminal case was filed against him alleging that he had committed a crime under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 506(1) (criminal Intimidation) of the IPC.

There is absolutely nothing on record to show that the accused uttered any indecent words or had any intention to use the victim to satisfy his lust. Mere assault or criminal force would not attract the offence under Section 354 IPC, said Judicial First Class Magistrate-II judge at Aluva, Santosh TK, as quoted by Bar and Bench.

Meanwhile, the court pronounced the accused liable to be convicted for criminal intimidation under Section 506 (1) of the IPC for threatening to kill the woman with an intent to cause her alarm.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee on Wednesday questioned the need for the joint opposition to call itself INDIA for next year's Lok Sabha polls, saying that the nation was much greater than any person or entity. Congress leader Sharmistha Mukherjee

Mukherjee, the daughter of late Congress stalwart and former President Pranab, made this observation even as she admitted that INDIA was creative and provocative.

I.N.D.I.A.-Creative & Provocative! But what if d alliance fails/ breaks up? News will be INDIA fails, INDIA breaks up?" she posted on Twitter.

She added: No pol alliance/party/leader shd b made synonymous to the nation  literally or metamorphically! Our country India is much greater than any person or entity.

Incidentally, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar one of the strongest backers of the opposition unity project, too, was reportedly upset over the coalition's name. His party, the Janata Dal (United), however, said there was no way Kumar would be upset over small things.

Joint opposition to be called INDIA

On Tuesday, addressing a press conference after the conclusion of their 2-day conclave in Bengaluru, the capital of Congress-ruled Karnataka, the parties revealed the name INDIA  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance-- to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2024 general elections, when the saffron party, and prime minister Narendra Modi, will seek a third consecutive term at the Centre.

The opposition bloc held its first meeting in Patna on June 23, with Nitish Kumar playing the host. The third round will take place in Mumbai at an unspecified date.

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SEVILLE (SPAIN): Indian Air Force (IAF) crews will carry out acceptance trials of Indias first C295 transport aircraft at the Airbus Defence and Spaces Seville facility in southern Spain in early September before taking delivery of the plane and flying it to the country, setting in motion a crucial Make in India project worth 21,935-crore project to equip the IAF with 56 such aircraft to modernise its transport fleet, Airbus officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. The first C295 aircraft completed its maiden flight in May. The second one is in final assembly at Airbuss Seville facility and will be delivered to IAF in May 2024 (Airbus Photo)

Forty of those planes are to be built in India, and work on domestic production is in full swing, the officials said.

The first aircraft completed its maiden flight in May while the second one is in final assembly at Airbuss Seville facility and will be delivered to IAF in May 2024.

The delivery of the first C295 will come two years after the defence ministry signed the contract with Airbus to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus are jointly executing the programme.

Six IAF pilots and 20 technicians have been trained at the Seville facility, the final assembly line for the transport aircraft, said Jorge Tamarit, head of the C295 India programme.

Another 18 pilots and 60 technicians will be trained at Seville next year, he said.

The first plane will be flown to India by a four-man IAF crew, including the two pilots, and supported by an Airbus pilot and a flight engineer.

The first sixteen C295 aircraft will be delivered to the IAF by Airbus in flyaway condition from Spain, and the remaining 40 will be assembled in India. The indigenous content in the planes is set to gradually increase, peaking with the 32nd aircraft onwards, Tamarit said.

The main constituent assembly for the C295 set up by Tata at Hyderabad will be functional next week, while the final assembly line in Vadodara will be operational in November 2024, said Jorge Madrid, another senior Airbus official associated with the Indian programme. The Hyderabad facility will focus on manufacturing and assembly of C295 parts that will go into the building of the full aircraft at the Vadodara plant. A training centre for C295 crews will be ready in Agra next year, he said.

In October 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the manufacturing facility being set up by the Tata-Airbus consortium at Vadodara. The C295 will be the first military aircraft to be manufactured in India by a private consortium.

The 16 aircraft in flyaway condition will be delivered between September 2023 and August 2025, while the first Made in India C295 will roll out of the Vadodara facility in September 2026 and the remaining 39 by August 2031, officials said.

The delivery schedule is really aggressive, but Airbus is working at full steam to deliver an essential capability to the IAF and strengthen Indias aerospace and defence sector, Tamarit said.

IAF will be the worlds largest operator of the C295. The aircraft was ordered as a replacement for the IAFs fleet of ageing Avro-748 planes that entered service in the early 1960s.

As part of the C295 India project, the manufacture of more than 13,000 parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all major component assemblies will be carried out in the country. Around 3,500 parts are likely to be locally produced in India every year, Tamarit said.

The local content will increase progressively in the aircraft assembled in India as part of the main constituent assembly transfer plan. It covers everything from winglets to fuselage and aerostructures to several control units, Tamarit said.

To be sure, equipment such as engines, landing gear and avionics will be provided by Airbus, and integrated into the aircraft by the consortium. The tactical airlifter is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines.

The final assembly line in India (the first one outside Spain) will have a capacity for 12 aircraft per year and will be operated by Tata with the same standards as the C295 final assembly line in Seville, Tamarit said.

The C295 contract covers performance-based logistics support for five years, supply of spares across 10 operating bases for 10 years, ground support and test equipment, and training, the officials said.

The Avro replacement project was in the works for more than a decade before the C295 contract was signed. The defence acquisition council, Indias apex defence procurement body, gave its acceptance of necessity (AoN) in 2012 to replace the Avro planes with 56 new aircraft. Under Indias defence procurement rules, AoN by the council is the first step towards buying military hardware.

The C295 final assembly line in India is the first concrete, large-scale Make-in-India defence programme in the private sector that will unlock the industrial value chain of design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, delivery, and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft, the officials said.

The C295 can carry up to nine tonnes of payload or 71 personnel or 45 paratroopers and has a maximum speed of 480 kmph. It can also operate from short or unprepared airstrips, has a rear ramp for para dropping troops and cargo, and will strengthen the logistics capabilities of the IAF.

Apart from the 56 planes already ordered, the C295 facility at Vadodara will be capable of meeting the additional requirements of the Indian military and catering to export orders. The Airbus-Tata combine is in talks with the defence ministry for meeting the navy and coast guards requirement for nine and six maritime aircraft respectively, officials said.

All 56 aircraft will be fitted with the indigenous electronic warfare suite developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited. While BEL has supplied the radar warning receiver and the missile approach warning system, BDL has provided the countermeasure dispensing system, the officials said.

After the completion of delivery of 56 aircraft to the IAF, Airbus-Tata combine will be allowed to sell the aircraft manufactured in India to civilian operators and export to countries cleared by New Delhi.

The project will provide a boost to Indias aerospace ecosystem and generate 15,000 highly skilled and 10,000 direct jobs, officials added.

The Airbus-Tata combine has identified more than 125 domestic MSME suppliers spread across seven states.

(The writer is in Spain at the invitation of Airbus Defence and Space)

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JAMMU: An Indian Army officer died and three soldiers suffered burn injuries in a fire incident at Siachen Glacier in the Ladakh region early on Wednesday, officials said Siachen fire: The three troopers injured in the fire incident are in a stable condition (PTI File)

The army said Captain Anshuman Singh of Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow died in the incident.

Leh-based defence spokesperson Lt Col PS Sidhu said the incident took place at about 3am.

Captain Anshuman Singh, Regimental Medical Officer, succumbed to serious burn injuries sustained during the unfortunate incident. Three other personnel suffered smoke inhalation and second-degree burns, Lt Col Sidhu said.

The injured personnel have been safely air-evacuated for further treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable, he added.
The ruling YSR Congress Party and the opposition Telugu Desam Party on Wednesday did not give any categorical assurance to the Muslims that they would oppose the Uniform Civil Code bill proposed to be brought in by the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. Addressing the representatives of various Muslim groups at his camp office, CM Jagan Reddy said there was no need for them to get unduly worried, as the Centre had not yet prepared the draft bill on the UCC and its contents were yet to be disclosed. (ANI)

However, YSRC president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu said they would not take any decision that would hurt the sentiments of Muslim minorities.

Addressing the representatives of various Muslim groups at his camp office, Jagan said there was no need for them to get unduly worried, as the Centre had not yet prepared the draft bill on the UCC and its contents were yet to be disclosed.

He said his government was committed to working for the interests of the weaker sections and minorities and it would not take any decision that hurt their sentiments. Tell me what you would do, if you were to be in my place and give your suggestions, the chief minister said.

Stating that India stood for unity in diversity with various religions, castes and groups following their different traditions and customs, Jagan said different personal law boards were working based on their faiths and religious practices.

If these practices are to be streamlined, that should be done through the personal law boards since they have a fair idea and understanding about these practices and they can only avoid misinterpretation. If these are to be changed, Supreme Court, Law Commission and the central government should together discuss the issues with various personal law boards and work on the proposed changes, he said.

At a different meeting held with the Muslims groups in TDP office at Mangalagiri in Guntur, Naidu said his party would not take any decision that would go against the sentiments of the Muslims.

We shall make a comprehensive study on the suggestions given by the Muslim groups on the UCC and stand by them. The TDP will always give due respect to the religious beliefs of Muslims and strive for their development, Naidu said.

Representatives of the Muslim groups told the TDP chief that the UCC was against the interests of not only Muslims but also various other minority groups and tribals. Naidu said the TDP would respect the feelings of the Muslims on the UCC and would not go against their wishes.

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PATNA: Janata Dal-United president Rajiv Ranjan aka Lalan Singh on Wednesday rebutted speculation that chief minister Nitish Kumar skipped a joint press conference addressed by opposition leaders and returned to Patna because he was upset about the discussions in Bengaluru. BJanata Dal-United president Rajiv Ranjan aka Lalan Singh said the rumour about Nitish Kumar being upset was being spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party (PTI)

Lalan Singh said the rumour about Nitish Kumar was being spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The fact is that Narendra Modis days are numbered. He should now seek a vote for INDIA and leave the field. The name of the convenor will also be announced in Mumbai. There was no talk on convenor in Bangalore, said Singh, the JD-Us first formal reaction to the buzz around Nitish Kumar.

Opposition leaders representing 26 political parties on Tuesday formed a pre-poll coalition at a mega meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday and announced that their grouping will be called INDIA, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Also Read: PM Modi attacks Oppn at 39-party meet, says country trusts NDA

According to reports, Kumar was not convinced that INDIA was the best name for the grouping and had suggested some alternatives. At the meeting, Kumar eventually went along with the majority view but returned to Patna along with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav and his son, Tejashwi Yadav without attending the Press conference. When they reached Patna on Tuesday evening, the chief minister and his deputy also declined to speak to the media.

Singh did not elaborate on the reasons behind Nitish Kumars early return but alluded to Nitish Kumars key role in kickstarting the initiative. The man who initiated the exercise for uniting opposition cannot be upset over small things, added Singh who had also travelled to Bengaluru for the opposition meeting.

Parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary had earlier underlined that there was no need to read too much into Nitish Kumars absence from the Press conference.

Also Read: Congress not interested in post of PM, says Kharge

Everyone goes and leaves at their convenience. Just because Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal left before the Press conference after the first opposition meeting in Patna did not mean he was angry. It was a meeting to unite and small differences dont matter. After all, the entire exercise of uniting all parties was Kumars brainchild. People may have their own reasons, but one should not jump the gun, he added.

Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi, however, insisted that the absence of two Bihar leaders at the joint conference indicated that the Bengaluru meeting was nothing more than a photo op, again.

Nitish ji did not get anything. Once his party projected him as a PM candidate and later there was hope he would at least be the convenor, but he found the Congress taking the reins completely in its hands. During the first meeting in Patna, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal left before the joint Press Conference and now it is Nitish-Lalu, he said.

Bihar BJP unit chief Samrat Choudhary echoed Sushil Modi, saying that the Congress appeared to have taken over the project that Nitish Kumar started. He was hopeful to be the convenor but that also did not happen. He went with his team to discuss seat sharing, but the credit for even the change in the name of alliance to INDIA despite his reported reluctance went to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The stage for his humiliation had been set in the morning itself when posters against him came up, said Bihar BJP president Samrat Choudhary.

Choudhary said the posters which came up in Bengaluru described Nitish Kumar as an unstable PM contender and highlighted the bridge collapse. The BJP leader said it was probably engineered by the Congress which was in power in Karnataka.

Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra debunked Choudharys allegation, saying it was an attempt by the BJP to defame its opponents and create fissures.

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The identity cards recovered from the four terrorists gunned down by Indian Army and JKPs Special Operations Group on Tuesday morning in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district reveal that all the four jihadis of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) group were Pakistani nationals. The four heavily armed terrorists were killed by Indian forces at village Sindarah in the Rajouri-Poonch sector near the Line of Control. The four heavily armed terrorists were killed by Indian forces at village Sindarah in the Rajouri-Poonch sector.

According to documents recovered from the slain jihadis, their identities are Mehmood Ahmed, Abdul Hameed, Mohammed Shareef and the fourth one name is unknown except he belongs to Khurshidabad in Occupied Kashmir, right across the site of the encounter after crossing the LoC.

The four belong to a group of 12 LeT terrorists led by Sajjid Jutt, who operate between Kotli in PoK and Sialkot across the international border. All of them are around 23-25 years of age and are hardened veterans of jihad and may have operated across the Durand Line in Afghanistan as part of Lashkars on Pakistans western front. The 12 member group has been operating in the Rajouri -Poonch sector for the past 18 months as per intelligence inputs and provide safe cover to jihadists infiltrating and exfiltrating from the south of Pir Panjal as well as South Kashmir areas.

Taking advantage of the thickly forested area in the hinterland of Rajouri-Poonch sector, the LeT has wreaked mayhem and violence in this area at the behest of its political master in Islamabad and have inflicted around 24 civilian and military casualties since 2020. They are responsible for the April 20 and May 5 attack in Poonch sector with the design to derail the May 24 G-20 event on Tourism in Kashmir.

The identities of the four killed terrorists clearly indicates that the terror factory in Pakistan is alive and kicking with the sole design to target India in the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu hinterland. It is precisely for this very reason that the Narendra Modi government has ruled out any formal or informal dialogue with Pakistan till the terror factories are shut down in the Islamic Republic.

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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
A lack of communication between government agencies despite red flags, the restoration of electricity without identifying the root cause of a fault, and lack of accountability seem to have caused the death of 16 people and injuries to 11 others, all of whom were electrocuted at Namami Gange Sewerage Treatment Plant at Gopeshwar in Chamoli on Wednesday morning. The site of the Namami Gange project in Chamoli. (PTI)

The sewerage treatment plant (STP) with a capacity of 0.5 megalitres per day was set up under the Namami Gange project in 2019 and handed over to the Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan in 2021, with electricity provided to it by the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited.

Also Read | Workers at Delhi hospital electrocution site not given safety gloves: FIR

Local residents in Chamoli, a small town in Uttarakhand, around 240 km away from Dehradun, said the first inkling of something going wrong was on Tuesday night, when the lone security guard at the STP, Ganesh Lal, stopped picking up his mobile phone.

Kranti Bhatt, a resident of Chamoli, said when Lal continued to be incommunicado till Wednesday morning, his colleagues along with his father and brother (both eventually among the deceased) went to the STP site around 8.30 am. They found him dead, and it looked like he had been electrocuted. They informed the police around 9 am, and the police team reached there by 9.30 am. A crowd had gathered, and while inquest proceedings were on, electricity passed through the entire structure, including the iron railing most were clutching that rings the complex. Everyone got electrocuted, Bhatt said.

Also Read | Two die of electrocution in Lucknow

Those familiar with the area said it seemed clear that Lal had been electrocuted, also because it was not the first time this problem had emerged, even if there were no fatalities before.

It is not the first time such an incident has taken place. There were labourers that had felt shocks here during the Corona period. A few months ago, a nomadic community that had erected tents near the STP had also complained of electric shocks, Kuldeep Varma, BJP Chamoli general secretary said. We asked the officials concerned to address the issue, but they had taken no action.

Between 9.30 and 11.35 am, when the panchnama was being prepared by the police with villagers milling around, there was no electricity in the STP, Varma said. But suddenly it was restored. The machines used in the treatment plant blew, and live electricity spread, which led to the incident, he added.

Senior officials of the UPCL said they were given no intimation by either the police, or the Jal Sansthan, the government body that looks after the STP, that there had been a possible electrocution death discovered in the morning.

A UPCL statement said, According to preliminary reports, there is a 20 KV transformer for the Namami Gange project near the Chamoli bridge. During routine patrolling, our linesman found that a jumper of a 11 KV feeder (part of the electrical circuit) on a pole near the STP had been disturbed. Of the three phases, two phases were operational. To fix the issue, the electricity was shut down at 11.15 am, and restored at 11.35 am. After the line was restored, we received information that there has been an incident at the STP because of electrocution.

Amit Saxena, executive engineer of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, said that around the same time, as the police and other people had gathered at the STP for legal formalities of the deceased, a Jal Santhan operator also turned on the main switch at the site. The incident happened because there was an internal leakage of electricity current at the STP, he added.

Government officials said they were looking at reasons why electricity was coursing through the structure, which likely caused both the deaths of Lal and the 15 others after him. It is likely there was a problem in the internal wiring, but we are investigating, a government official said.

A senior UPCL official, who declined to be named, however, admitted there was a basic error in restoring electricity, without understanding why one phase had blown in the first place. We generally identify the fault which has caused the jumper or the feeder in the circuit to be disturbed. If the linesman had checked the transformer or the meter, he would have discovered the leakage of the current, and not switched it on, the official said.

Praveen Kumar Saini, superintendent engineer of the Jal Sansthan, said while the organisation was going to hold an internal enquiry, he believed the UPCL had some culpability. We will ask the UPCL why they didnt snap the line despite the first electrocution incident, Saini said.

Director general of police (DGP) Ashok Kumar said they have thus far not registered a case in the matter. We have not received a complaint in this regard from anyone. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered. If anyone approaches the police with a complaint, we will look at it, Kumar said.
A video of two women, who were paraded naked by a mob, assaulted and gangraped two months ago in Manipur was widely circulated on social media groups on Wednesday. While no senior police officer commented on the video, mid-level police officials confirmed the incident and said that the incident is of May 4. Two family members of the women were also murdered by the mob that numbered around 800-1000, according to the FIR seen by HT. Manipur Police personnel inspecting vehicles at a checkpoint.(Twitter/Manipur Police.)

A police officer aware of the case details. The complaint was filed with us at Saikul police station in Kangpokpi district by the chief of that village. A zero FIR was filed when the complaint came to us last month. The incident had happened under the Nongpok Sekma police station of Thoubal so the case was transferred to them.



ALSO READ: 12-hr shutdown observed after womans death in Manipur

On Wednesday evening as the horrific assault video was widely circulated, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) issued a press release, in which they condemned the incident and requested the National Commission for Women and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to take cognisance of the incident. The members of the ITLF said they were many such incidents that had happened in Manipur in the first few days of the violence. HT could not immediately authenticate if there were other similar cases.

According to a copy of the FIR seen by HT, the incident happened at the B Phainom village on May 4.

At around 3 pm on May 4, around 800-1,000 miscreants carrying weapons had entered the B Phainom village in Kangpokpi district. May 4 was the second day of the ethnic clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups that started in the valley the previous day. The clashes have left at least 150 dead and around 40000 displaced till date.

'The violent mob vandalised all the houses and burnt them to the ground after looting all the moveable properties and cash including furnitures, electronic items, utensils, clothes, grains, cattles, domestic animals etc. leaving all of us homeless, the complaint filed by the village head said.

The complaint said that five villagers(name withheld) from one family had fled to a forest and were rescued by a police team from Nongpok Sekmai Police team. The five along with police team were on their way to Nongpok Sekmai PS. However, they were blocked on the way by a mob and snatched from the custody of police team by the mob near Toubul (Sekmai khunou) about 2 km from Nongpok Sekmai PS.

The complaint said that one of the villagers, a 56-year-old man was killed on the spot while three women were disrobed and paraded naked.



ALSO READ: Protect lives in Manipur, act on suggestions: SC over deploying army in state

A 21-year-old woman, among the five, was also allegedly gangraped by the mob. A 19-year-old man(brother of the woman and son of the man who was murdered) too was murdered when he tried to stop the mob from sexually assaulting his sister.

The three women managed to escape from the spot with the help of some people from the area who were known to them, said the FIR.

The village head had filed the complaint on June 21. Police have mentioned in the FIR that due to communal tension the case could not be reported in time.

An activist who has been working on the case said that the surviving members along with other villagers abandoned their villages and shifted to a government camp in Churachandpur.

HT contacted Manipur police director of general Rajiv Singh for a comment but despite many phone calls and text message there was no response.

Since May 3, the northeastern state has been gripped by ethnic clashes  primarily between the tribal Kukis, which mostly reside in the hill districts, and majority Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley  in which at least 150 people have died and over 50,000 have been displaced.

Clashes first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community.

Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders. Internet is still not back in the state while columns of Indian Army, Assam Rifles and different battalions of CRPF and BSF are posted in the state to bring normalcy back to the state.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prawesh Lama Prawesh Lama covers crime, policing, and issues of security in Delhi. Raised in Darjeeling, educated in Mumbai, he also looks at special features on social welfare in the National Capital. ...view detail
LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati announced on Wednesday that her party would not align with either the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati speaks with the media on Wednesday (PTI)

She made the announcement in New Delhi on Wednesday, a day after several political parties announced their preference by aligning with either formation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Mayawatis move indicated that talks about a possible pre-poll Congress-BSP pact had fallen apart.

The BSP leader urged her cadres to be prepared to contest the forthcoming assembly polls in Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi-ruled Telangana.

She also appealed to her loyalists to ensure that neither NDA nor INDIA came to power with a full majority at the Centre.

We should ensure that none of these two alliances are able to form a mazboot (strong) government and when that happens, it would mean them forming a majboor (weak) government which will guard the poor and the marginalised from exploitation, she said.

To bring credibility to her being equidistant from both BJP and Congress alliances, she said in states like Punjab she was open to alliances with regional parties provided they werent part of either the NDA or INDIA.

Mayawatis announcement comes a day after the BJP and the Congress, along with their alliance partners, put up a parallel show of strength.

Mayawati said her party, like the oppositions 26-party alliance, is working hard to dislodge the BJP.

This claim is significant when seen in the backdrop of the frequent charges levelled at her by some opposition parties, including her arch-rival Samajwadi Party (SP), of being the BJPs B team.

The other parties, apart from the BSP, which were neither present in Bengaluru, the venue of the 26-party opposition meet, or New Delhi, the venue of the 38-party meeting of the BJP and its allies, included Odishas ruling Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (Secular), Akali Dal, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, Indian National Lok Dal, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen and All India United Democratic Front.

While revealing her stand for the 2024 elections, Mayawati criticised the Congress, a major partner of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) which has now been renamed INDIA.

The truth is that had the Congress, during its heydays in power both at the Centre and in most states, cared for the poor and marginalised, then Baba Saheb Ambedkar wouldnt have quit as the law minister in their government. In fact, the formation of the BSP too wouldnt have been required then, Mayawati said.

She said the Congress was dreaming of returning to power by forming an alliance of casteist, capitalist-minded parties. She didnt, however, specifically name the parties which she thought were casteist or whose leaders had a capitalist approach.

Mayawati also targeted the BJP, picking Congresss garibi hatao (abolish poverty) slogan and the BJPs  15 lakh in each bank account promise as proof of the empty boast of these parties, who she said, shared similar views on Muslims and other religious minorities, Dalits and the marginalised.

This is why the BSP has decided to remain equidistant from both the parties and their groups, she said, while flagging the issue of violence and unrest in Manipur towards the end, stating that the issue has now started attracting attention.

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BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced that her party will go it alone in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as in Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. BSP chief Mayawati (HT File Photo)

In a statement here, Mayawati said the BSP was open to tie-ups with regional parties in Punjab and Haryana, provided they have no truck with the ruling NDA alliance or the newly formed opposition coalition 'INDIA'.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister slammed the NDA as well as the newly formed opposition coalition, alleging neither of them was favourable to the Dalits and the oppressed classes.

While the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA alliance were strengthening themselves, BSP too was holding closed-door meetings of party workers across the country, Mayawati said.

She said the oppressed classes has to support the BSP as the Congress adopted a "casteist mindset and ignored their demands".

"Had the Congress kept aside its casteist and capitalist mindset, worked towards the welfare of the poor and the oppressed and listened to B R Ambedkar, the need to form the BSP would not have arisen," Mayawati said.lso

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached two properties of a notorious heroin smuggler in Delhi and Muzzafarnagar in connection with a probe related to smuggling of Afghan heroin via Attari border in Amritsar. Representational image.

Razi Haider Zaidi, 41, is a resident of Jamia Nagar in Delhi. He was arrested in August last year.

His immovable properties, attached on Tuesday, include a residential plot measuring 121.35 square metres in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, which Zaidi had purchased in his own name for 4,00,000. The other property is a residential two storied building at Okhla Vihar, Jamia Nagar, Delhi, purchased for 24,50,000 in the name of his wife.

Both the properties were acquired by the accused Razi Haider Zaidi from the sale proceeds of heroin, the NIA said in a statement on Wednesday.

A charge sheet was already filed against Zaidi in December 2022.

The probe relates to seizure of a heroin consignment of 102.784 kg by the Customs department on April 24 and 26, 2022.

The narcotics, which had reached ICP (integrated check post) Attari on April 22, 2022, were found concealed in a consignment of licorice roots (mulethi). NIA investigations revealed that the accused Razi Haider Zaidi was the receiver of this consignment of licorice roots in which heroin was concealed, the agency said.

The probe revealed that Zaidi was in touch with an accused Shahid Ahmed, who is based in Dubai, and on the latters directions, around 103kg heroin concealed in the consignment of licorice roots were sent by Afghan heroin smuggler Nazir Ahmed Qani, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan, and it was supposed to be delivered to Zaidi who had handed over 11 lakh in cash to another accused as advance payment of the said consignment.

Further investigations revealed that Shahid Ahmed had directed Zaidi to collect and deliver heroin consignments from various places in India from time to time who had delivered them to the different associates of Shahid Ahmed. Further, Zaidi had also collected cash around 2.5 crores (approximately) from various states of India as sale proceeds of heroin. From this, he had taken his share and had channelized some of the drug proceeds into the bank account of Shahid Ahmed. He handed over the rest as cash to Shahids brother Azeem Ahmed and other associates of Shahid Ahmed, the NIA statement said.

Prior to the consignment of heroin recovered in the instant case, in February 2022, accused Zaidi, along with accused Shahid Ahmed and accused Nazir Ahmad Qani, smuggled other consignments of heroin concealed in licorice roots imported from Afghanistan.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had unearthed 50kg of heroin from him and his associates then.

It has come on record that accused Razi Haider Zaidi is a notorious drug smuggler and supplier and in February 2022, he had imported 640 cans of chemicals through Iran for processing heroin at his rented godown in Muzaffarnagar, UP with the assistance of Afghan nationals sent by the Afghan based accused Shahid Ahmed. The said narcotics were later seized by NCB, New Delhi in a joint operation with ant-terrorist squad (ATS) Gujarat, NIA said.

The agency further said that in November 2021, on the instructions of accused Shahid Ahmed, Zaidi and two of his associates  Avtar Singh and Mohammad Imran  had gone to Ahmedabad twice to collect narcotic drugs, which they brought to Delhi and Zaidi supplied them to other associates of accused Shahid Ahmed.

Apart from the above-mentioned instances of drugs smuggling in which Zaidi was arrested by different law enforcement agencies, he had successfully smuggled heroin and collected money derived from its sales from various places of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat etc, NIA said.
After the Congress party indicated it was not interested in bagging the Prime Ministers chair after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool Congress party leader Shatabdi Roy on Tuesday expressed her party's preference for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee as the Prime Ministerial face. CM of Punjab Bhagwant Mann, CM of Karnataka Siddaramaiah, CM of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Khagre, NCP leader Sharad Pawar during two day opposition parties meeting at Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Upon being asked about Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remark on the matter, TMC MP Shatabdi Roy said (In that case) we would like Mamata Banerjee to be. Roy was speaking to reporters in Bengal's Birbhum.

Congress intention not to assume power'

Earlier in the day, Kharge said the Congress' intention is "not to assume power for ourselves. His remarks came during his address to the mega 26-party meet of Opposition leaders, held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, aimed at defeating the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in next general elections. Kharge said the parties may have differences among themselves at the the state level, but they can be put aside for the sake of public.

The Congress is the largest party with a pan-India presence from the newly-formed alliance, named I.N.D.I.A - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. Kharge's words seemed to strike a chord with leaders from non-Congress parties.

Non-Congress leaders happy

It is a welcome speech. The Congress being the largest Opposition party, needs to show generosity and take everyone onboard, said a senior leader from a non-Congress party who asked not to be named.

Another Left leader remarked, "Kharges speech reflects the mood of the meeting. His clarification is very timely as the leadership question or who will be the PM face can ruin the alliance.

Bengaluru meet was the second such gathering of the Opposition parties. The first was held in Patna in June. Various leaders including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal; West Bengal Mamata Banerjee; former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray; Bihar CM Nitish Kumar; Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin; Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren; CPI(M)s Sitaram Yechury; VCKs Tholkappiyan Thirumavalavan; NCP leader Sharad Pawar, MDMKs Vaiko, and CPI(ML)s Dipankar Bhattachary were present at the meeting.

The next meet in the series will be held in Mumbai, Kharge informed. However, the date will be announced sometime later.

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Countering the oft-repeated allegation that the parties in INDIA -- the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance -- are propelled by their own selfish interests, Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale said the differences are like Hyderabad biryani versus Kolkata biryani versus Lucknow biryani -- a 'healthy rivalry'. "Several states have seen conflicts over language where migrants from other states have faced criticism over not learning the local language. Yes -- within our country, we Indians all have differences and disgreement on some issues," the Trinamool MP tweeted. Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale said parties of INDIA have differences but they will put those aside.

"But when INDIA is threatened, we all leave aside our differences & get united. Our Armed Forces dont differentiate on who comes from what state when they all fight to defend INDIA," the Trinamool leader said.

"Ive been repeatedly asked on news channels as to how various parties will overcome their alleged differences & come together," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

INDIA versus NDA

A day after UPA was rechristened as INDIA and 26 opposition parties vowed to fight the NDA together, the slogan of INDIA alliance was revealed. Jeetega Bharat (India will win) and its translations in regional languages.

The first meeting of INDIA will be held on Thursday to brainstorm a joint strategy for the monsoon session of Parliament. Before the rechristening of the UPA at the Bengaluru meeting, the first meeting of the opposition was held in Patna. The 26 parties have a combined strength of about 150 seats in Lok Sabha, as against over 330 of the NDA, and are in power individually or in alliance in Delhi and 10 states.

The 26 opposition parties are --the Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, JD(U), RJD, JMM, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), SP, NC, PDP, CPI(M), CPI, RLD, MDMK, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK), VCK, RSP, CPI-ML (Liberation), Forward Bloc, IUML, Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Mani), Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK).

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
The union government is likely to discuss a total of 31 bills in the monsoon session of Parliament that starts from July 20, including bills that have already been introduced in the lower house and have been referred to joint committees. According to a list accessed by the news agency ANI, the data protection bill is a part of the Centre's agenda. The monsoon session of Parliament will begin on July 20 and conclude on August 11.

However, all eyes will be on the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 bill - which has been severely criticised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

On Wednesday, an all-party meeting was held for the smooth conduct of the monsoon session, with an attendance of 34 parties and 44 leaders, said Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.

The monsoon session of the Parliament will conclude on August 11.

Here is the full list of 31 bills that are likely to be taken up in the Parliament monsoon session:

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (To replace ordinance) The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019 The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 The Mediation Bill, 2021 The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022 The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 (With respect to the state of Himachal Pradesh) The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to the state of Chhattisgarh) The Postal Services Bill, 2023

13. The National Cooperative University Bill, 2023

14. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023

15. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023

16. The International Monetary Fund and Bank Bill, 2023

17. The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023

18. The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023

19. The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023

20. The Drugs, Medical Devices, and Cosmetics Bill, 2023

21. The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023

22. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

23. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023

24. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023

25. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023

26. The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regu

27. The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2023

28. The National Research Foundation Bill, 2023

29. The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023

30. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023

31. The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023
After Pakistani national Seema Haider's cross-border romance with her PubG partner grabbed headlines, there is another love story of two individuals of different nationalities but of a different kind.



A 49-year-old woman from Poland flew to India to live with her Indian lover in Jharkhand's Hazaribag, whom she had befriended on Instagram, Hindustan Times' sister website Live Hindustan reported. Shadab Malik with Barbara Polak.(Live Hindustan )

Barbara Polak, a Polish citizen and a mother of a 6-year-old daughter, became friends with Shadab Malik, 35, of Khutra village in Hazaribag. They both first met on Instagram in 2021 and soon, their friendship blossomed into love.

Polak fell in love with Malik so much that she came to India on a tourist visa that is valid till 2027. Both of them have now decided to tie the nuptial knot and have applied for marriage in the Hazaribag SDM Court. She is divorced from her husband.

Shadab said that after arriving in India, Polak met him and stayed in a hotel for few days. Then she started living in Khutra. However, as soon as she reached the village, the heat bothered her so much that her boyfriend had to get two ACs installed. A new colour TV has also been installed for the foreign guest.

Polak, on the other hand, is helping Malik's family with domestic chores. She cleans the cow dung and garbage while wearing gloves. She says that she loved India and Hazaribagh but she doesnt like to visit overcrowded places. Polak also expressed her thoughts regarding Malik and called him a fantastic and sweet person.

After getting the news of foreign woman reaching the village, DSP Rajeev Kumar of Hazaribagh Headquarters and Inspector Abhishek Kumar visited the village and had a word with Polak. She showed her visa to the police officers and said that she would return to her country in the next few days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the decision of the United States to return 105 artefacts to India, following his official state visit to Washington DC last month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

The antiquities span the time period from 2nd-3rd century CE to the 19th century and belong to diverse parts of the country, with 47 from eastern India, 27 from the south, 22 from central India, six from the north, and three from western India. Many of these were stolen by an American citizen, Subash Kapoor, who is currently in prison in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier this week, the Manhattan district attorneys office handed over the antiques to Indian ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, at an event in New York. The artefacts are made of terracotta, stone, metal and wood.

Hailing the decision, Modi tweeted: This will make every Indian happy. Grateful to USA for this. These precious artefacts hold immense cultural and religious significance. Their homecoming is a testament to our commitment to preserving our heritage and rich history.

Since Modi came to power, getting Indian antiquities back home has been a diplomatic priority. During his 2016 visit to the US, the American side handed over 16 antiques, while in 2021, it handed over 157 Indian artefacts. In the last seven years, the US has now returned 278 antiques to India.

Among the 105 items returned this week, around 50 hold religious significance for Hindus, Jains and Muslims, while the rest are of cultural importance.

Forty-seven terracotta pieces, vases and plaques date back to the 2nd or 3rd century and are from Chandraketugarh, a 2,500-year old archaeological site near Bidyadhari River in present day West Bengal. Among the prominent pieces include a plaque depicting a spiritual figure wearing elaborate headgear and ornaments and a sculpture of Vishnu riding a Garuda from Uttar Pradesh.

Twenty stone pieces, made of marble, sandstone and granite, are from the 10th to 12th century and include images of Vishnu and Lakshmi as well as miniature Jain shrine. In addition, there are 35 metal pieces dating to the 17th to the 19th century and three wood pieces, including a panel depicting a scene from the Samudra Manthan, the churn of the ocean described Hindu religious texts.

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After there was confusion over what the D in 'INDIA' stands for, BJP's Amit Malviya took a swipe at the opposition unity and said it is a joke that those who can't reach a consensus on a name hope to run the country. The D in INDIA, the new name of the UPA, stands for 'Developmental', though many opposition leaders tweeted it to be 'Democratic'. The BJP also made fun of how the opposition leaders scrambled to take the credit for the new name as soon as UPA was rechristened as INDIA. Read | INDIA: How Rahul and Mamata came up with name of Oppn alliance Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee came up with the new name INDIA -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

Confusion over INDIA name: Who gave the name? | 10 points

1. Congress-led United Progressive Alliance which was formed after 2004 general election got a new name on Tuesday -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance -- which is a grouping of 26 opposition parties.

2. At the two-day meeting, there was a detailed discussion over 'Democracy' vs 'Developmental' which went on almost for an hour. Hence, there was some confusion before Developmental was officially announced.

After oppn's INDIA, PM Modi coins new full form of NDA: New India

3. Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee came up with the name INDIA but Nitish Kumar objected to the use of 'Democratic' as NDA's D also stands for 'Democratic'.

4. Other suggestions for a new name included Save India Alliance, Secular India Alliance, Indian People's Front etc.

5. Rahul Gandhi, insiders claimed, liked the name INDIA and it was finalised with D standing for developmental just five minutes before the meeting was over on Tuesday.

6. Congress leader Surpiya Shrinate said the name came up as a collective effort. But Rahul Gandhi argued for the name as he liked it.

7. While the renaming of UPA to INDIA drew flak from the BJP leaders including Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who said the concepts of India and Bharat are different, BJP's Amit Malviya compared UPA with radical organisation SIMI. "SIMI was a radical organisation. Its officials regrouped under a different banner, when it was banned But regrouping under a different banner didnt change the character of the members and that new organisation too, was eventually banned," Malviya wrote.

8. Calling the opposition camp a circus, Malviya said every opposition party is 'planting news with media' on how their leaders had a role in selecting the new name. "RJD upstaged the formal announcement and tweeted, to find later that the name had been changed," the BJP spokesperson wrote.

"Those who cant arrive at a consensus on something as simple and existential as this, are hoping to run the countryThe joke is on those, who take this motley group of self serving political heirlooms seriously," Malviya added.

9. Renaming a donkey as a horse does not make it a horse, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said.

10. The next meeting of INDIA will be held in Mumbai, though the date has not yet been fixed.

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Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut attacking those against the new Opposition alliance name INDIA, a day after the Opposition parties met in Bengaluru to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 national elections, said on Wednesday that those creating a controversy over the name were not patriots. Sanjay Raut (File/Hindustan Times)

Saying that supporters of Narendra Modi used to say that PM Modi is India, Raut said, He is not India. Every citizen of the country is India.

Questioning why people would have an issue with the name, Raut brought up how there were several parties with India's name in them, including the BJP.

Twenty-six Opposition parties, which won 134 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and secured a 35 per cent vote share, announced a pre-poll coalition at a Bengaluru meet on Tuesday, marking the first time in a generation that disparate political outfits came together on the national stage to take on the incumbent government.

He said, Those who are creating a controversy [over the new alliance name INDIA] are not patriots. Otherwise why would they have an issue? Is there no other party with the India's name in it? Bharatiya Janata Party also has Bharat in it.

Raut also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi used Modi's India as a slogan and no one questioned that. He said, What did Modi's India  the slogan that BJP used  mean? Listen to Modi jis speeches, he has often said, Voting for BJP is voting for India.

The new Opposition alliance  INDIA

The Opposition parties on Tuesday announced that their grouping will be called INDIA, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, to take on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced the creation of an 11-member coordination committee and said the constituents of the panel will be declared at the next meeting of the alliance in Mumbai. The parties will also set up a secretariat for campaign management in Delhi, and push for an intense campaign on key issues across states. But thorny issues such as seat-sharing and the leadership of the coalition are yet to be discussed threadbare, and Kharge indicated that these may be taken up in Mumbai.

Uddhav Thackeray on PM Modi's for the family jibe

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday retorted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's for the family jibe at the Opposition unity meeting, saying Yes, the entire country is our family and we are fighting for it - without naming PM Modi in his speech.

Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the opposition meeting in Bengaluru saying that their mantra is - of, by and for family. "

Addressing the media after the mega opposition party meeting, Thackeray said, There is a fear in people's minds about what will happen next... So we want to assure them that don't worry, we are here. Just one person or one party cannot be the country, all people are the country.

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New Delhi The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to social activist Teesta Setalvad, and quashed an order passed by the Gujarat high court on July 1 denying her relief, calling it perverse and contradictory. Social activist Teesta Setalvad gets bail in 2002 Gujarat communal riots case. (HT Photo)

Setalvad has been accused of fabricating evidence and tutoring witnesses to secure the convictions of top officials in Gujarat over the 2002 communal riots cases.

Also Read | Who is Teesta Setalvad and what is the case against her?

Coming down hard on observations made by the single judge of the high court against Setalvad, a three-judge Supreme Court bench headed by justice BR Gavai felt that the state had not made out a logical case for her custodial interrogation, as she was not once called for interrogation after the top court granted her interim bail on September 2.

After release of petitioner on interim bail (on September 2), admittedly she has not been called for investigation. Considering the fact that most of the evidence is documentary evidence and charge sheet has been filed, we do not find that custodial interrogation of the appellant is necessary, the bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna and Dipankar Datta, said.

Also Read | Surrender without delay: Gujarat HC rejects regular bail to Teesta Setalvad

Even the states claim that she was a habitual offender with criminal antecedents was rejected by the court, which asked: Has there been a conviction yet? What are the criminal antecedents? Is she involved in a case of murder?

The court went on to order: The impugned order (of the high court) is quashed and set aside. The appellant is directed to be continued on bail granted on September 2. The passport of the appellant already surrendered shall continue to remain in custody of the sessions court.

Setalvad was arrested on June 25 last year, a day after a Supreme Court gave judgment denied any larger conspiracy behind the 2002 riots. The judgment, which came on a petition filed by Gujarat riots victim Zakia Ehsan Jafri said: All those involved in such abuse of process, need to be in the dock and proceeded with in accordance with law.

This became the basis for the Gujarat police to begin a probe against Setalvad and others, and the judgment was quoted in the FIR lodged against her for forgery (IPC Section 468), giving false evidence with purpose to secure conviction of capital offence (IPC Section 194), and criminal conspiracy (Section 120B), among other provisions of the penal code.

On July 30, Setalvad approached the Gujarat high court after her bail plea was rejected by a city court in Ahmedabad. The Gujarat high court issued a notice on her appeal on August 3, but refused to grant her interim bail till the matter is finally decided, following which the activist approached the Supreme Court where she was granted an interim bail.

This top court bench, on July 1, stayed the high court order passed earlier in the day by convening a sitting late in the evening and protected Setalvad from arrest till her challenge to the order was finally decided.

The bench on Wednesdaysaid it was at pains to note how the high court dealt with the matter. Referring to a portion in the high court order where the single judge held that a prima facie case was found against Setalvad as she had not filed any proceeding before the high court or Supreme Court to quash the FIR, the top court said, If the observation as recorded by the judge is accepted, no application for bail at pre-trial stage could be entertained unless the petitioner files proceedings for quashing of the case under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or moving a petition under Articles 226 or 32 before the high court or Supreme Court. To say the least, the findings are totally perverse.

Finding a contradiction in the high court judgment, the bench said: On one hand, the judge says it is beyond his jurisdiction to find out whether there is a prima facie case unless accused challenges the charge sheet and on the other hand, the judge says there is statements of witnesses such as Rais Khan (a former employee of Setalvad) to come to a prima facie conclusion that she is guilty under Section 194 IPC. The order is self-contradictory.

The court also noted that the conditions that prevailed with the court while granting interim bail on September 2 were still relevant. The top court had given special consideration to the fact she is a woman under Section 437 of CrPC (providing exception for grant of bail to women), most evidence was documentary in nature, and that her custodial interrogation was already over.

Opposing the grant of bail, the Gujarat police, represented by additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju, called Setalvads alleged crimes heinous, arguing that she had attempted to secure the wrongful conviction for offences punishable with death or life imprisonment. He said that the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the top court which probed the riots cases found several witnesses who came with typed statements and confessed that these were given to them by Setalvad.

Noting the fact that the alleged false evidence by witnesses was given to SIT between 2008 and 2011, the bench asked the state: What were you doing till now? What investigation have you done within a day after the judgment (of June 24) that you decided she has done something heinous to warrant her arrest?

The court further asked the ASG if it was fair to rely on the observations made in the Supreme Court judgment of June 24 on the larger conspiracy after Setalvads request to be made a party to defend the allegations against her was vehemently opposed by the state and disallowed by the court.

Arguing for Setalvad, senior advocate Kapil Sibal pointed out flaws in the high court order denying bail. You are turning the entire jurisprudence on bail on its head. Bail is refused on the ground that we have not sought quashing of FIR. It is rejected even when there is no prima facie finding on my guilt.

Taking the court through the evidence gathered by the state police, Sibal said, There is no finding against me (Setalvad) in the June 24 judgment. Who is to plead that the affidavits are fabricated, certainly not the Gujarat police. It has to be a case between the proponent of that affidavit and the court if it is fabricated. How does it become a case between me and the state?

The charge sheet filed by the Gujarat police against Setalvad alleged that she had conspired to implicate the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, now Indias Prime Minister, and other higher officials of the state government and top leaders of the ruling party for the casualties during the riots -- in which over a thousand people died -- and accused her of destabilising an elected government by tutoring witnesses and falsifying evidence. She has denied all charges.
A hotel owner in Nepal capital Kathmandu has claimed that Pakistani national Seema Haider and her boyfriend Sachin Meena stayed at his hotel.



They came here in March and left after staying here for 7-8 days. Most of the time, they used to be inside their room, go out in the evening and return early because our hotel closes by 9.30-10 pm, the hotel owner Ganesh told ANI. Sachin Meena (L) and Seema Haider at their residence in Rabupura village, about 90 km from New Delhi. (AFP)

Sachin came here first and booked the hotel. He told us that his wife will join him the next day. Seema came the next day...At the time of leaving, Seema left first & Sachin left the next day...Only the two had come, they didn't have the children with them...He had entered his name as Shivansh. They had made the payment in cash in Indian currency notes, he added.



ALSO READ: Seema Haider a Pakistani agent? Senior UP police official responds



According to the Uttar Pradesh Police statement released on Wednesday, Sachin Meena had booked a room at New Vinayak Hotel in Kathmandu after reaching there via Gorakhpur on March 10. He had received Seema at Kathmandu airport who had reached the Nepal capital via Sharjah. The UP Police had also mentioned that the couple stayed in the hotel for seven-eight days.

The UP Police had said that Seema had planned to leave Pakistan to be with her lover as early as 2022 when she had sold her home for 12 lakh Pakistani rupees just three months after buying it. After spending a week with Meena at the Nepal hotel, she obtained a tourist visa in May and travelled to Dubai and then to Kathmandu before sneaking into Khunwa border in UP's Siddharthnagar. She later reached Gautambuddhanagar via Lucknow and Agra.



Seema was questioned by ATS over her kin and claims of her uncle and brother serving in the Pakistan Army. She denied the claims but said that her brother was preparing to join the Pakistan Army.

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The Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday said it had recovered two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five Pakistan-authorised passports, an unused passport containing incomplete name and address and an identity card from Pakistani national Seema Ghulam Haider, who along with her four children illegally crossed over to India via Nepal to be with her partner Sachin Meena.



In a statement shared by news agency ANI, the Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) office detailed the inputs gathered by the Anti-Terrorist Squad after investigations. Haider and her partner Sachin Meena were questioned for two consecutive days by the UP ATS, with the Intelligence Bureau officials also present in the grilling.



According to UP ATS, Seema's husband had gone to Saudi Arabia in 2019 for work. He used to send his wife 70-80,000 Pakistani rupees a month to manage household expenses. Through various means, Seema had managed to save some money and through financial help from her father-in-law and husband along with relatives, she managed to buy a house worth 12 lakh Pakistani rupees. However, she sold her house after three months of purchase so that she could come to India to be with her lover.



ALSO READ: Seema Haider a Pakistani agent? Senior UP police official responds



On March 10, Seema flew from Karachi Airport to Sharjah Airport and then to Kathmandu on a tourist visa. Meanwhile, Sachin Meena reached Gorakhpur on March 8 and then to Kathmandu two days later. He checked in at a hotel there and booked a room. He received Seema from airport and the duo spent seven days there.



Two months later, Seema got a tourist visa and reached Dubai with her four children Farhan alias Raj (7  years), Farwah alias Priyanka (6  years), Fariha alias Pari (5 years) and Munni (3 years). A day later, she flew to Kathmandu and reached Pokhra in the Himalayan country on May 11. She spent the night with her kids at a hotel.



The UP ATS said Seema boarded a bus from Pokhra to Khunwa border in Uttar Pradesh's Siddharthnagar and entered India. She travelled to Lucknow, Agra and reached Gautambuddha Nagar on May 13 where Sachin had rented a room in Rabupura. The police has said it is taking action against Seema Haider for illegally entering the Indian borders.

Sachin Meena (left) and Seema Haider. (AFP file)
The mystery around Pakistani national Seema Ghulam Haider, who along with her four children crossed over to India via Nepal to be with her partner Sachin Meena, continues.



The Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) grilled her and Meena for the second consecutive day for eight hours before being allowed to return home.



"All agencies are doing their work. This matter is linked to two nations, it is not right to say anything unless there is sufficient proof. She had once been to jail and is now on bail. Further action is being taken..." Prashant Kumar, special director general (law and order), Uttar Pradesh Police, was quoted by ANI as saying on Wednesday, in response to question whether Seema Haider is a Pakistani agent.



ALSO READ: Who is Seema Haider: Cross-border lover or Pakistani spy? Pakistani national Seema Haider crossed over to India via Nepal to be with her lover she met on PUBG.

"No team is going anywhere," Kumar responded when asked if a UP Police team is going to Nepal.



During the grilling by UP ATS on Tuesday, Haider is said to hbave failed to answer questions regarding her intention behind entering India illegally. The Intelligence Bureau officials were also present during the questioning. The IB has sought a report from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the central force that guards the Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Sources in the UP ATS told HT that Seema Haider was questioned about her kin in Pakistan and claims of her uncle and brother being in the Pakistan Army. Denying the claims, she said her brother was preparing to join the Pakistan army.



Haider claims she met Sachin Meena while playing the online game PubG. The duo began private conversations and fell in love. Both the partners claim they met in Nepal in March this year wherein they got married. Two months later, Haider escaped from Pakistan with her four childeren via Dubai and Nepal to arrive in Greater Noida.



The Indian authorities are probing the possibility of whether she is an agent of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

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Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, days after the latter joined hands with the Eknath Shinde faction of the Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar (right) with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (centre) and party leader Aaditya Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday. (PTI)

Also Read | On Modi's 'for the family' jibe, Uddhav's retort: 'Yes, we are fighting for...'

Uddhav met Ajit after attending the proceedings in the state legislative council for a brief period. The former chief minister, along with his son and MLA Aaditya Thackeray and other leaders, visited Ajit in his office.

I wish him good work in the government. Ajit Pawar worked with me as deputy chief minister when I was the chief minister, Uddhav told reporters after meeting Pawar.

Also Read | Uddhav camp's 'time up' jab after SC notice to Maharashtra speaker on disqualification pleas

Ajit was Uddhavs deputy in the previous Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi government

The people of the state and various sections of society like farmers are facing several problems. I asked Ajit Pawar to work for them and solve their problems. In todays power-hungry politics, the people of Maharashtra can expect Ajit Pawar to work and resolve their problems, he added.

Ajit told reporters that when he learnt about Uddhavs visit to the council, he invited him to his office. Uddhav accepted the invitation, he said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a picture of his mother Sonia Gandhi from an aircraft. In an Instagram post, Gandhi wrote a caption Ma, the epitome of grace under pressure.



The picture was apparently clicked on an aircraft in which the Gandhis were travelling. The flight coming from Bengaluru made an emergency landing in Bhopal on Tuesday. The veteran Congress leader and her son Rahul had attended the two-day mega opposition meeting in Bengaluru.



While returning from Bengaluru, the flight had to make an emergency landing in Bhopal due to technical glitch. In the Instagram post, Sonia Gandhi was photographed wearing an oxygen mask. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. (Instagram/Rahul Gandhi)

Senior Congress leader Shoba Oza told PTI,The chartered plane carrying Sonia ji and Rahul ji made an emergency landing because of some technical snag.



On getting information about the development, senior Congress leaders, including Oza rushed to the airport and met the Gandhis in the lounge.

They also enquired about their well-being. The chartered plane was on its way to New Delhi from Bengaluru, where Rahul and Sonia Gandhi attended a mega meeting of opposition parties earlier in the day, Oza said. Both of them left for New Delhi by an IndiGo flight at around 9.30 pm, she said.



At least 26 opposition parties announced a pre-poll alliance at the grand meeting which took place in Bengaluru, joining hands to fight against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The opposition leaders announced the new grouping will be called I.N.D.I.A, which stands for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

Earlier, we were UPA and now all the 26 parties have given a name to the Opposition and that is  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Everybody has agreed upon this, and the resolution for the name was passed unanimously, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had said.

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Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to Teesta Setalvad in connection with the FIR for allegedly fabricating evidence in the 2002 Gujarat riots cases. The top court quashed the Gujarat high court order denying her bail.



The court further directed that during her bail, Setalvad's passport will remain deposited with the trial court. She will not make any attempt to influence witnesses and will remain away from the witnesses who are mostly in Gujarat. In the event, she is found to violate this condition, the court allowed the Gujarat police to seek cancellation of bail by approaching the top court. Mumbai-based human rights activist Teesta Setalvad (File Photo)

On September 2 last year, the top court had granted her interim bail on the ground that she is a lady and the case pertained to 2002 where most evidence is documentary. These conditions were found to be relevant even today and hence the court directed her to continue to remain out on bail.



On June 25 last year, Setalvad along with ex-Gujarat director general of police RB Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt was taken into custody in a case registered by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch for allegedly fabricating evidence in the 2002 Gujarat riots case.

On July 30, an Ahmedabad sessions court rejected the bail pleas of Setalvad and Sreekumar, saying their release will send a message to wrongdoers that a person can level allegations with impunity and get away with it.

Later, the Gujarat high court on August 3, issued a notice to the state government on the bail plea of Setalvad and fixed the matter for hearing on September 19.

She later moved the Supreme Court (SC) for interim bail after the high court refused to consider her plea.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
Hyderabad Hyderabad: The SC on Tuesday refused to pass any order against the Telangana high courts verdict on May 31, granting anticipatory bail to YSR Congress party MP Y S Avinash Reddy (PTI)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to pass any order against the Telangana high courts verdict on May 31, granting anticipatory bail to YSR Congress party MP from Kadapa Y S Avinash Reddy in the case pertaining to murder of his uncle and former minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy in March 2019, people familiar with the matter said.

Acting on a petition filed by Vivekananda Reddys daughter Narreddy Sunitha Reddy challenging the high court order, a division bench of the Supreme Court comprising justices Sanjay Khanna and Bela M Trivedi said it would not like to pass any adverse order against granting anticipatory bail to the Kadapa MP, without hearing his version and that of the Central Bureau of India (CBI) which is probing the case.

We are not passing any orders today without hearing Avinash Reddy and the CBI. Whatever order has been passed will continue, the bench said.

The SC also directed the CBI authorities to file their counter-affidavit in response to the petition filed by Sunitha Reddy, along with the supplementary charge sheet filed before the local CBI court in Hyderabad on June 30.

The bench also asked the CBI to produce in a sealed cover, all the copies of the original case files, pertaining to the investigation done by it so far in the Vivekananda Reddy murder case. It posted the case to the second week of September for further hearing.

On May 31, Justice Laxman Rao of the Telangana high court granted anticipatory bail to Avinash Reddy, on the ground that the CBI had failed to produce any evidence to prove the interference of Avinash Reddy in the investigation. The judge also said there was no evidence to show that the MP was involved in tampering of evidence and threatening the witnesses, except the allegation that he had tried to destroy the scene of offence.

The gravity of accusation (against the MP) has not yet been clearly brought on record by the CBI so far. The entire case against him rests upon hearsay evidence and assumptive evidence and no direct evidence is available against him to prove his participation in larger conspiracy, the judge said.

The court found fault with the investigating officer for not registering the FIR under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, even after observing multiple injuries over the body of Vivekananda Reddy, but registered under Section 174 of Criminal Procedure Code (suspicious death).

On June 8, Sunitha moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order granting bail to Avinash Reddy. She contended that the HC had virtually accepted the entire case put forth by the MP and disregarded the evidence collected by the CBI.

She brought to the notice of the court that Avinash Reddy had not cooperated with the CBI by evading three notices for appearance. She said granting anticipatory bail to the accused was against the rules laid down by the apex court.

The CBI on June 30 filed the third charge sheet in the Vivekananda Reddy murder case naming Avinash Reddy, who also happens to be the cousin of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, as an accused.

Vivekananda Reddy, brother of the former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was murdered at his residence in Pulivendula in the intervening night of March 14 and 15, 2019, weeks before the general elections in Andhra Pradesh.

The case, which was initially probed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state police, was handed over to the CBI in July 2020, following a direction from the state high court.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Srinivasa Rao is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Hyderabad covering developments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He has over three decades of reporting experience. ...view detail
The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that the petitions regarding the validity of the immunity to husband from marital rape have to be decided, as it agreed to list the matter after hearing in the Constitution bench matter relating to abrogation of Article 370 gets over in August. A five-judge bench is set to begin day-to-day hearings from August 2 on a clutch of petitions pertaining to the nullification of Article 370 of the Constitution. (File photo)

The petitions of marital rape have to be decided... We can take it up after the Constitution bench hearing on Article 370 gets over next month, Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud told senior counsel Indira Jaising and advocate Karuna Nundy.

A five-judge bench is set to begin day-to-day hearings from August 2 on a clutch of petitions pertaining to the nullification of Article 370 of the Constitution.

The matter was mentioned by senior advocate Indira Jaising who claimed that the matter has not come up for hearing since January. Nundy, who is appearing for one of the petitioners in the case, submitted that the point in the marital rape case is a very short one and that the lawyers on her side have already zeroed in on the issues and the duration they need to argue for.

While Jaising would address the court on the law as it presently stands, Nundy said, she would argue on constitutionality. In response, the CJI agreed to list the matter.

The court is seized of a batch of petitions that relate to the exception to section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which exempts forceful sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife from the offence of rape.

While a set of public interest litigations (PILs) have challenged the validity of the immunity clause in the IPC on the grounds of discrimination against married women who were sexually assaulted by their husbands, the split verdict by the Delhi high court in May 2022 is also pending before the top court for a final word.

The judges of the Delhi high court disagreed with each other in their 2022 judgment with one HC judge terming the clause protecting husbands from prosecution for non-consensual sex with their wives as morally repugnant, while the other saying it did not violate any law and could continue to exist.

One petition before the Supreme Court is an appeal by a man whose trial for raping his wife was approved by the Karnataka high court in a March 2022 ruling. In this matter, the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Karnataka government filed its affidavit in November last year, supporting the criminal prosecution of the husband. The Basavaraj Bommai-government claimed that the IPC permits the prosecution of a man for raping his wife and therefore, a husbands trial under section 375 of IPC is valid.

By an order on January 16, the court appointed advocates Pooja Dhar and Jaikriti S Jadeja as nodal counsel in the matter to prepare a common compilation and collaborate with all the lawyers in the matter to facilitate the proceedings.

On that day, the Union government told the court that making marital rape a criminal offence would have social ramifications, which is why it has commenced the process of consultation with states and other stakeholders.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta maintained on January 16 that the subject cannot be looked at only through the prism of legalities and that its social impact will also have to be taken into account. The Centre, however, is yet to file its affidavit in the matter to bring on record its final stand.
Hyderabad : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao is planning to address at least two more public rallies in Maharashtra in August, as part of his partys plans to expand footprints in the neighbouring state, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. As part of his plans, KCR, as the chief minister is called, will travel to Wategaon village of Sangli district on August 1 to take part in the birth anniversary celebrations of Dalit social reformer and author Tukaram Bhaurao Sathe, also known as Annabhau Sathe (ANI)

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, will travel to Wategaon village in Sangli district on August 1 to take part in the birth anniversary celebrations of noted Dalit social reformer and poet Tukaram Bhaurao Sathe, also known as Anna Bhau Sathe, a BRS functionary said.

During his tour, KCR will interact with local political leaders and social activists in Sangli to explain to them the philosophy of the BRS and his plans to bring about a qualitative change in the countrys politics, the functionary said, requesting anonymity.

Several Maharashtra leaders are expected to join the BRS on the same day, he said. From Sangli, KCR will travel to Kolhapur to visit Mahalakshmi temple, where he will perform special prayers, before returning to Hyderabad.

At present, the BRS is focusing more on the preparation for crucial assembly elections in Telangana scheduled for later this year.

Before visiting Sangli, the chief minister was earlier planning to address a big public rally at Sholapur on July 30. However, in view of heavy rains, he deferred the plan, the BRS leader said.

The party is planning to hold big rallies in the subsequent weeks  one at Pune and another at Sholapur  as part of its plan to expand its presence in Maharashtra.

The chief minister is of the view that there is definitely a space for the BRS to make its presence felt in Maharashtra, due to a split in two major parties  the Nationalist Congress Party and the Shiv Sena  and believes the BRS can fill the vacuum, the functionary added.

At the moment, KCR is concentrating on strengthening the organisational network in Maharashtra. The party has established nine committees, including for women, farmers, youth and trade unions, in the neighbouring state.

An official release from the chief ministers office last week said there has been tremendous response to the BRS from various sections of people in Maharashtra, including farmers, professionals and the weaker sections. The BRS membership drive is getting good response in the villages, it said.

As part of his partys plan to expand its footprints, KCR has so far addressed five rallies in Maharashtra, the last being at Solapur on June 27. He has also held rallies at Bhokar of Nanded on February 5, at Kandhar in Loha on March 26, at Aurangabad on April 24 and at Nanded on May 19.

According to party leaders, the BRS has established its network at the grassroots level in 15 districts, covering 27 of the total 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, with an enrolment of nearly 1.5 million members.

The BRS chief is also planning to organise training camps for active members, party leaders said. Several senior leaders besides hundreds of former sarpanches and zilla parishad members have already joined the BRS in Maharashtra. Prominent among them are late NCP MLA Bharat Bhalkes son Bhagirath Bhalke, who unsuccessfully contested the Pandharpur bypoll on an NCP ticket in 2021. Former NCP Chandrapur district unit president Priyadarshan Ajay Ingle, district unit vice-president Nikhil Jagdish Duryodhan, Ghugus city unit president Dilip Oshanna Pittalwar, youth wing secretary Hemant Singh Thakur, as well as minority cell secretary Arif Azmi and Thane district vice-president Maqsood Khan have also joined the KCR-led party.

By next assembly elections scheduled for October-November 2024, KCR wants the BRS to emerge as a powerful political force in Maharashtra, the BRS leader quoted above said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Srinivasa Rao is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Hyderabad covering developments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He has over three decades of reporting experience. ...view detail
As summer intensifies, several countries across the globe are grappling with extreme heatwaves and wildfires. Scientists are attributing these alarming weather conditions to the escalating global temperatures caused, in part, by the burning of fossil fuels. People shelter from the sun as they queue to enter the Saint Peter's Basilica square during a heatwave across Italy, in Vatican.(REUTERS)

Read | Scorching heat waves prompt health warnings for Europe, US

Europe grapples with intense heatwave and fires

Southern Europe is battling an unprecedented heatwave during the peak of the summer tourist season. High temperatures have been recorded in various cities, including Rome, with forecasts warning of an increased risk of fatalities and heart attacks. In response to soaring temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit), Italy has placed 23 cities on red alert.

Adding to the woes, wildfires continue to ravage parts of Greece, with air water bombers and firefighters working tirelessly to protect coastal refineries from the encroaching flames.

Situation in Spain also remains critical with temperatures expected to soar to a scorching 44C in the Guadalquivir Valley near Seville. The soaring heat has exacerbated the already dire wildfire situation on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma, where uncontrollable fires have forced over 4,000 residents to evacuate their homes in search of safety.

Spain's Aemet weather agency said the heatwave this week "will affect a large part of the countries bordering the Mediterranean".

Beijing breaks heat records

China's capital Beijing is facing an ongoing blistering heatwave, with the city recording its highest number of high-temperature days in a year on record. In June, temperatures soared above 41 degrees Celsius, affecting large areas of China. The relentless heatwave is prompting health authorities to urge residents to stay hydrated and seek shelter from the scorching sun.

United States suffers under oppressive heat dome:

In the Western and Southern states of the United States, over 80 million people are under advisories due to a widespread and oppressive heatwave. California's Death Valley, known for being one of the hottest places on Earth, experienced near-record temperatures of 52 degrees Celsius. Phoenix is enduring a staggering 17 consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), with Sunday afternoon reaching 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius).

Additionally, wildfires are spreading across Southern California, with one fire in Riverside County consuming over 7,500 acres (3,000 hectares) and prompting evacuation orders.

Also Read | World must prepare to face increasingly intense heatwaves: UN

Global warming's stark reminder

As health authorities issue warnings across North America, Europe, and Asia, the devastating impacts of global warming are becoming increasingly evident. Authorities in affected regions are urging residents to take necessary precautions, such as staying hydrated, seeking shade, and adhering to evacuation orders to ensure their safety amidst these extreme weather conditions.

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Dhenkanal/Angul The being that was pacing outside the home; they call him Death. So far this year, 103 people in Odisha have been killed due to the conflict between elephants and humans. (Prakash Mardaraj)
Sixteen people, including a police sub-inspector and three home guard jawans were killed, and eleven others were injured after they were electrocuted on the banks of the Alaknanda river at a Namami Gange project site in Chamoli district on Wednesday morning. Of the eleven injured, six people have been airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh, while five others are being treated at the district hospital in Gopeshwar, 10 kilometres away from the accident site. One of the victims being airlifted after the incident in Chamoli on Wednesday. (PTI)

NK Joshi, district disaster management officer, said that the incident took place at 11.35am. Of the 11 injured, the condition of two people is said to be critical while the rest are stable, he said.

Also Read | 5 booked for using cobra to kill 30-yr-old Uttarakhand businessman: Cops

Senior police officials said that the body of a security guard, identified as Ganesh Lal, was found by locals and family members a little short of 9am on Wednesday. Officers said that Lal was likely electrocuted to death at night, as he had stopped responding to phone calls, which in turn led to family members and locals going looking for him. UPCL officials said that Lals death was likely caused by an electricity leak in the wiring of the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP).

The Namami Gange plant, that treats the flow of waste from the town into the Alaknanda, is part of the national integrated conservation mission approved by the Union government in 2014, to prevent pollution at source, and the conservation and the rejuvenation of the Ganga. The Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi unite at Devprayag, 135 kilometres away from Chamoli to form the Ganga.

Also Read | Chamoli accident: Electrocution a regular issue at disaster site, say locals

By 9.30am, a crowd had collected near the spot where Lals body was discovered, that included locals, his family and security personnel. Two hours later, they were still there with the personnel holding inquest proceedings. Around 11.30am, the police and the villagers that were at the site conducting the panchnama (an inquest report) were electrocuted when they touched the side railing, said Chamoli circle officer Pramod Shah.

Among the fifteen that died in the incident, apart from Ganesh Lal who died in the morning, were a sub-inspector, three home guards, one employee of the Namami Gange plant, as well as Ganesh Lals brother Deepu Kumar (33) and father Mahendra Lal (48).

Eyewitnesses said that those who died were in contact with a steel railing that runs alongside the treatment plant and all of them received a huge shock. There was pandemonium. People just collapsed and we thought people had fainted. We never imagined that so many people will die, said Raghu Sharma, a Chamoli resident.

Another shaken eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said that people were screaming as they fainted. Those that were outside the STP had to wait for some time for the electricity supply to be snapped even to go near the victims. Ambulances reached the spot in about 15 minutes, and took away the bodies, the local said.

UPCL officials said that prima facie electricity was leaking through the internal wiring of the STP, coursing through the railing and other equipment and there was no transformer blast. Officials from the agency traded allegations with the Jal Sansthan, the department in charge of the STP, accusing them of not giving them information that an electrocution incident had taken place earlier in the morning. Officials of the Jal Sansthan however said that while they would hold an internal inquiry, it was the UPCL that should have known there was an electrical fault, particularly as Lal had been killed through a likely electric shock before the incident at 11.30am.

Within hours of the accident, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a magisterial inquiry. An official statement by district magistrate, Chamoli, Himanshu Khurana said, According to the information received today on July 19, some people lost their lives due to electrocution at approximately 11.30am at the Namami Gange project in Chamoli. A magisterial inquiry is absolutely necessary, and I nominate Dr Abhishek Tripathi, additional district magistrate, Chamoli, to hold the magisterial investigation.

Dhami, who attempted to reach the spot in Chamoli but was forced to return to Dehradun because inclement weather prevented his chopper from landing near the spot, condoled the loss of lives and said that the district administration, police and SDRF had been deployed. Dhami tweeted, My condolences are with the bereaved families... in this hour of crisis our government stands firmly with the family members of the accident-affected people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah also expressed their grief over the loss of lives. The Prime Minister tweeted that he had been left saddened by the unfortunate incident and that he hoped the injured would recover soon. Shah said he had spoken to Dhami and tweeted, Death of people due to electrocution in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is very sad. I talked to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and inquired about the incident. The administration is engaged in providing treatment to the injured. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

State health minister Dhan Singh Rawat, who was on the ground in Chamoli and is the minister in charge of the district, said that he was coordinating between officials of multiple agencies. Action will be taken against those found responsible for the incident after the inquiry report is received, Rawat said. The state government meanwhile announced compensation of 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased and 1 lakh to those injured.

Congress leaders attacked the government for lapses that led to the deaths, and said that one of those killed, Sumit Atwal, was a member of the NSUI, the Congress student wing. Congress state president Karan Mahara said, When a person has died of electrocution, the power supply should have been immediately stopped. At a time when heavy rains are lashing the state, strict security arrangements should have been made while working on such projects.

Manveer Singh Chouhan, state BJP media in charge, said the Congress should extend support to the government at such a time of tragedy and not indulge in politicking. When we came to know of the incident, party state president Mahendra Bhatt and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami left for the spot by helicopter but had to return due to bad weatherWhoever is guilty will not be spared, he said.

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Kochi: Two people were taken into custody following the murder of a 21-year-old activist of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth outfit of Communist Party of India (Marxist), in Keralas Alappuzha district, police officers said on Wednesday. Police said the victim identified as Ambadi, a member of the Devikulangara regional committee of DYFI, died on Tuesday evening after he was stabbed in the neck by some bike-borne assailants in the middle of the road in Kayamkulam. (HT Arhives)

The victim identified as Ambadi, a member of the Devikulangara regional committee of DYFI, died on Tuesday evening after he was stabbed in the neck by some bike-borne assailants in the middle of the road in Kayamkulam. He was attacked after he reportedly got into an argument with the assailants. Though he was rushed to the taluk hospital in Kayamkulam, where he succumbed to the injuries.

A police officer from the Kayamkulam station said two men, purportedly involved in the crime, have been taken into custody. No arrests have been made yet and the probe is going on.

However, no information related to political motives behind the crime was disclosed by the officer.

A case has been registered under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempted murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, the officer said.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan visited the family of the victim and paid his condolences. In a statement, he claimed that Ambadi was killed by a gang, linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for objecting to their alleged involvement in the drugs trade. For some time, a drug mafia has been operating in Kayamkulam creating obstacles for the smooth conduct of peoples lives here and the DYFI has taken a tough stand against it. They took revenge by claiming the life of Ambadi, he said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishnu Varma Vishnu Varma is Assistant Editor and reports from Kerala for the Hindustan Times. He has 10 years of experience writing for print and digital platforms and has worked at The New York Times, NDTV and The Indian Express in the past. He specialises in longform reportage at the intersections of politics, crime, social commentary and environment. ...view detail
Unidentified assailants killed four members of a family, including a six-month-old baby, by slitting their throats before setting their bodies on fire at Cherai village in Rajasthans Jodhpur district late on Thursday, police said on Wednesday. Investigators said initial probe suggested that the four were killed over personal enmity. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Assistant sub-inspector Amanaram of the jurisdictional Osiya police station said that the unidentified assailants cut the throats of Poonaram, 55, his 50-year-old wife, their 24-year-old daughter-in-law and her six-month-old daughter with a sharp-edged weapon. Subsequently, the killers dragged the bodies to the courtyard of their house and set them on fire, he said

Investigators said that the motive behind the brutal murders was unclear but initial probe suggested that they were killed over possible personal enmity.

People aware of the matter said police were questioning Poonarams brother and nephew as they were involved in a land dispute. They added Poonarams son Revataram was away for work while his second son Harish stays separately with his wife.

Jodhpur (rural) police superintendent Dharmendra Singh Yadav rushed to the scene to oversee the investigation with a forensic team to gather evidence.

The bodies were discovered on Wednesday morning when the neighbours of the family noticed smoke billowing out of their home. Investigators said the six-month-old babys body was completely burnt while those of others partially charred. They added that the family was engaged in farming and that they were attacked while they were asleep.

Divya Maderna, the local legislator, said that police have sealed off the area. We are monitoring the investigation process. It is a barbaric incident. The administration will ensure immediate action.
A traumatic event can cause a person to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that is characterised by signs like anxiety, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks. While therapy and medication are frequently used as traditional PTSD treatments, health experts insist that complementary modalities like Yoga and physiotherapy have shown promise in helping people manage their symptoms. Post traumatic stress disorder: How Yoga and physiotherapy can help in PTSD (Shutterstock)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Amit Deshpande, Founder and Director of Activist, shared, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Fortunately, Yoga and physiotherapy offer promising avenues for healing and managing PTSD symptoms. Yoga provides a holistic approach by combining physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation, helping to regulate the nervous system and reduce anxiety and stress.

He gushed, The mindful movements and deep breathing foster a sense of calmness and self-awareness, enhancing emotional resilience. Physiotherapy, on the other hand, focuses on restoring physical function and mobility through targeted exercises and manual therapy. It can address physical symptoms associated with trauma, such as muscle tension and pain. Additionally, both yoga and physiotherapy offer a safe and supportive environment, fostering a sense of community and connection, which can aid in the recovery process.

Dr Rajeev Rajesh, Chief Yoga Officer at Jindal Naturecure Institute in Banglore, explained, Yoga is a mind-body discipline with its roots in the ancient Indian subcontinent. It combines physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation. It has been discovered to be successful in lowering anxiety, enhancing sleep, and fostering general wellbeing. Yoga can give people with PTSD a safe place to re-connect with their body and process their trauma in a nurturing setting. Yoga's physical asanas and deliberate breathing techniques work to control the autonomic nervous system, lowering hyperarousal and enhancing relaxation. Additionally, yoga's emphasis on mindfulness encourages people to be in the present moment, which helps to lessen intrusive thoughts and improve self-awareness.

He added, On the other hand, physiotherapy focuses on enhancing functional movement and physical rehabilitation. Physiotherapy can help people with PTSD deal with the somatic symptoms, chronic pain, and other physical effects of trauma. Physiotherapy can assist people in releasing tension, restoring proper movement patterns, and improving body awareness through a variety of techniques like manual therapy, exercise, and body awareness training. Physiotherapy can indirectly reduce psychological distress and improve general wellbeing by addressing physical symptoms. Yoga and physiotherapy both provide holistic approaches to healing and can support existing PTSD treatments. It is crucial to remember that these methods might not be appropriate for everyone and should only be used under the supervision of trained experts. However, incorporating yoga and physical therapy into PTSD treatment plans can give patients more coping skills and tools to manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.

Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Sumit Gupta PT, HOD- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Regency Health, highlighted that PTSD can also increase stress and anxiety leading to tension in the body but revealed how Yoga and physiotherapy is very helpful to prevent this condition:

1. So many time patient complaint pain. Physiotherapist set goals. Strengthening exercise, stability exercise, joint mobilisation, needling and motion exercise is help to reduce pain.

2. Breathing exercise - Physiotherapist can give their patient different breathing exercise (deep breathing, chest mobilisation, diaphragmatic breathing) which help to reduce stress or anxiety.

3.Anxiety-regular exercise is an effective method in management anxiety and stress follow a prescribe exercise plan will allow the body to release chemical that can help in reducing stress and anxiety.

He listed the benefits of regular exercise on PTSD symptoms as:

A few positive results physiotherapy can have on your physical health including generate mobility and flexibility increase strength weight loss and improvement in cardiovascular health.

Regular exercise can also have a positive effect on your mental health through the reduce the of depression and anxiety feelings.
A motorcycle expedition by a 25-member tri-services team consisting of only women, who will travel all the way to Dras in Ladakh, was flagged off from Delhi on Tuesday to mark 24 years of India's victory in the Kargil war. Delhi flags off all-women motorcycle expedition to Kargil War Memorial at Dras (Photo by Twitter/PIB_India)

The "Nari Sashaktikaran Women Motorcycle Rally" was flagged off by Army chief General Manoj Pande from the National War Memorial (NWM) here, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The expedition will end at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras.

This is to commemorate 24 years of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil war and highlight the indomitable spirit of women, the ministry said.

Archana Pande, chairperson of the Army Wives Welfare Association, was also present on the occasion.

The 25-member team includes two "Veer Naris", one of whom is a serving officer, 10 serving women officers of the Indian Army, one woman officer each from the Air Force and Navy, three women soldiers of the Army and eight spouses of armed forces personnel, the statement said.

The team will celebrate the decisive victory of the Indian armed forces in the Kargil war and pay tribute to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.

The rally will cover a total distance of approximately 1,000 km, wherein the team will traverse through the plains of Haryana, Punjab and high mountain passes of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to reach the Kargil War Memorial in Dras on July 25, the statement said.

During the course of the rally, the team will interact with NCC cadets, students from various schools and colleges, veterans and "Veer Naris".

For this rally, the Army has partnered with TVS Motor, with the participants riding on TVS Ronin motorcycles.

General Pande complimented the entire team for taking up such a challenging journey that highlights the qualities of determination, "Nari Shakti" and the vital role played by women in nation building.

On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army had announced the successful culmination of "Operation Vijay", declaring victory after a nearly three-month-long battle at the icy heights of Kargil, including super-high-altitude locations, such as Tololing and Tiger Hill.
Earlier this month, one of the pantheons of the Ambedkarite Buddhist movement in India and among the last surviving associates of Dr BR Ambedkar, Lahori Ram Balley, died in Jalandhar. His death marks the passing of an era. The younger generation picks up the baton and marches on. For our ancestors work remains to be completed, and our struggle is multigenerational, inviting joy, sacrifice, and gaining merits. PREMIUM Born in a Dalit family on July 20, 1930, Balley was educated in Arya mission schools. (HT Photo)

Born in a Dalit family on July 20, 1930, Balley was educated in Arya mission schools. A polyglot with a command over Urdu, English, Punjabi, Farsi and Hindi, he got a job as a copyholder who accompanied pre-Independence government servants. Barely in his early 20s then, Balley was introduced to Dr Ambedkar at the latters residence in Delhi, keenly observing and following the man who was to become his messiah. In his late years, Dr Ambedkar would often oblige people visiting his Delhi house, and many scheduled caste employees would frequent his residence. That is how Balley found himself surrounded by senior leaders of the All India Scheduled Caste Federation (SCF), learning the nuances of the politics of newly independent India.

During one such meeting on September 30, 1956, while Balley was taking notes on one of Dr Ambedkars final political decisions, the founding of the Republican Party of India (RPI), he saw the great constitutionalist suffer a sharp bout of chest pain. He was immediately rushed for medical treatment. Seeing the empty chair, Balley embraced it and pondered over it, vowing to dedicate his life to Dr Ambedkars mission.

In three months, Dr Ambedkar was dead. Balley immediately resigned from his government job and chose to focus on steadying the still-nascent RPI, where he was general secretary. In 1958, on Dr Ambedkars birthday on April 14, he started a magazine, Bheem Patrika, among the oldest anti-caste publications in the country, thus cementing his position in the Ambedkarite community for the last six decades. Thus, began the caravan of Ambedkar Mission two pivotal words in the life of Dalits.

Balley was a true Ambedkarite to the corea morally upright and honest missionary. He never flinched nor questioned the prowess of the ideology of his liberator, Dr Ambedkar.

He hailed from a region that holds the largest proportion of Dalit people in the country and also birthed several anti-caste icons. Yet, this is also the land where a third of the population could never realise their potential for political power, and were kept subjugated by a mix of subterfuge, land-ownership laws, and caste assertion by dominant communities. Against this backdrop, the words of Balley often spoke about equity, Ambedkarism and the need for Punjab to rediscover its legacy of anti-caste activism propounded by Buddha and Guru Nanak. He also went to jail on a number of occasions during protests for land rights, and faced a string of police complaints often filed by aggrieved dominant caste groups.

His magazine  which was published in Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi and funded by the community  found a permanent place in the households of many Dalit families and gave space to anti-caste thinkers who found their work squeezed out of the so-called mainstream. A sharp critic of MK Gandhi, Balleys Rangeela Gandhi was one of the earliest statements exposing the bareness of the Mahatma and his sexuality. For this work, he was slapped with 295 cases.

He was devoted to the Ambedkarite cause but not a blind follower. He ably comprehended the nuances needed for the communitys uplift. From December 6, 1956, the date of Dr Ambedkars death, till July 6, 2023, Balley was a household name for the Ambedkarite community worldwide, for 67 years. He remained a lifelong learner who was ever keen on learning new things irrespective of age and give his experiences, knowledge, and wisdom in return.

Like many people who grew up in Ambedkarite households, I heard the name of Balley growing up. Because he was Punjabi, it carried a certain fascination  a Punjabi man speaking fondly of Dr Ambedkar, calling him his own and giving advice on the merits of Buddhas dhamma (path). This was revolutionary.

His impassioned biography of Dr Ambedkar was a warm text that introduced Indias first law minister to the people. Balley wrote in Hindi, which gave him access to a wider audience. Many generations were educated about Dalit history and Ambedkarite ideology through the pages of Bheem Patrika.

I sought an audience with Balley in 2018. His enthusiasm was charming, his energy infectious. He gave time without knowing much about me, sharing anecdotes and memories. I was one of thousands, scholars and ordinary people alike, who would make their way to his house in Jalandhar. This style of being available and welcoming was a trademark of Balley. His house was sought by everyone, from Yashwant Ambedkar and Mark Jurgensmeyer to Anand Teltumbde, among a host of noted writers and activists. His magnetic force made a lasting impression.

In May this year, I again spent some time with him. He remained to many a babbar sher  powerful and commanding. Governments overlooked the work of this great man, but this year, we started an LR Bally National Award to be given on his birthday in Nanded. Work is also ongoing to revive the Samata Sainik Dal, a social organisation that Dr Ambedkar founded and Balley motivated and led for decades. He has left the world, but his work remains with us.

Suraj Yengde, the author of Caste Matters, is a Du Bois Fellow at Harvard University. The views expressed are personal
The Ram temple movement is perhaps the longest-ever campaign built on mass mobilisation in independent India s history. A concerted movement to ensure the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya over the site of a 16th-century mosque, Babri Masjid, lasted about close to four decades and witnessed widespread communal clashes as well as a long-running legal battle in local courts as well as in the topmost court of the country. In fact, the first violent incident was reported in 1853 over the contentious issue. The Babri Masjid, built in 1528 was brought down by kar sevaks and other members of Hindu outfits in December 1992. PREMIUM Ayodhya: Devotees visit at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth, in Ayodhya, (PTI)

Now the stage is set for another emotional upsurge as the temple gets readied to be inaugurated in January. Prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the temple, slated for completion before the year's end, in January 2024  the event will be preceded and followed by religious celebrations in temples across the country. The Sangh Parivar plans to organise Ram dhun (religious tunes dedicated to Ram) performances in village temples for 10 days before the inauguration and the pran pratishtha (consecration) of the Ram idol inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

Champat Rai, senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (appointed by the Centre for the construction and management of the Ram temple in Ayodhya) had told the media that they aimed to organise nama sanskirtan (mass chanting of holy names) in 500,000 temples across the country. The leadup to the inauguration will begin this year on Diwali  2.1 million earthen lamps will be lit in Ayodhya. Once the temple is inaugurated, a large number of pilgrims from all over India are expected to visit it for a glimpse of the new structure and idol. No more will they raise the slogan mandir yahin banayenge (we will build the temple here). Now, Jai Sri Ram will reverberate through the temple city.

At the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas Karyashala run by the VHP, set up around 1.5 kilometres from the temple site, artisans have been at work, carving 1200 stones for the temple. The temple trust is busy giving shape to a plan for the finale early next year.

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Champat Rai has credited the people and sadhus of Ayodhya for the construction of Ram Mandir. They were the ones who were at the forefront of all the Ram temple campaigns as outsiders came and went.

In the early 1990s, even when the Ram Janmabhoomi movement was peaking, few thought it would turn into a reality. The country was divided into a section favouring the maintenance of the status quo. The late VHP leader Ashok Singhal  one of the major forces behind the movement  had once told the media in Karsewakpuram, Yes, Ram temple here at sanctum sanctorum will turn into a reality -- it may not happen in our lifetime. Singhal died in November 2015.

The beginning of mobilisation

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and VHP leaders Dau Dayal Khanna, Dinesh Tyagi, Gulzari Lal Nanda and Rajju Bhaiya were the first to raise this emotive issue at a Muzaffarnagar public function in 1983, under the banner of the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM).

Thereafter, Khanna and Singhal visited Ayodhya where they met Ram Chand Paramhans of the Digamber Akhara, a religious group. At a meeting that comprised 50 saints, a decision was taken to form the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti Yojana Samiti under the chairmanship of Mahant Avaidnath, the spiritual guide of Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradeshs current chief minister. The VHP, constituted in 1964, launched its first formal Rath Yatra in October 1985, with saints in the forefront and with the tacit support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), then a new party.

At first, they demanded the unlocking of what was by then already a disputed structure. In February 1986, a Faizabad sessions judge allowed darshan by opening up the gates that were locked in 1949 after a Ram idol was surreptitiously installed inside the Babri Masjid by a group of Hindus.

Soon after the gates were thrown open for the public in 1986, the VHP and saints intensified public mobilisation in support of building the temple through their various mass mobilisation programmes.

The first was a Ram Shila Puja (foundation ritual) held in villages across the country. Nearly 250,000 consecrated shilas (bricks) were sent to Ayodhya from different parts of the country. These bricks, which were stored in a nearby location, will be used in the temple.

In 1989, a shilanyas (sacred foundation ritual) was performed near the disputed structure, the permission for which was granted by the Congress government in the state. Finding itself in a political dilemma, the Congress wanted to win over the Hindus without losing its Muslim vote bank.

Shortly before the 1989 Lok Sabha election, the then Union home minister Buta Singh flew to Lucknow early one day and drove straight to the then chief minister, Narain Dutt Tiwari at his Mall Avenue residence. Senior VHP leaders were waiting for him. Tiwari, who had by then launched a campaign on a development agenda, walked out in a huff after signing on the memorandum: The permission for shilanayas was conditional, binding VHP to a court ruling.

The late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi also launched his election campaign from Faizabad in 1989about four kilometres from the shilanayas site. He spoke about Ram Rajya, but not the Ram temple. The Congress tally from Uttar Pradesh fell from 15 to five seats, while the BJP won eight of the 85 seats in UP increasing its tally in the Lok Sabha that year.

The Somnath-Ayodhya rath yatra by BJP's national president Lal Krishna Advani in September 1990 was also mired in political turbulence and violence as it whipped religious frenzy across the route. Bihar chief minister Lalu Yadav, as directed by the then Prime Minister VP Singh, stopped the yatra on October 23 and arrested Advani. The following days were marked by crowds of irate kar sevaks marching towards the disputed shrine even as the police opened fire on them.

In 1992, the Sangh Parivar gave a call to its followers to congregate in Ayodhya. This culminated in the demolition of the Masjid on December 6. It also led to large-scale rioting and arson in UP and other parts of the country, which resulted in the deaths of several members of the Muslim community. Kar sevaks were also killed in the police action during the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

The Narasimha Rao government at the Centre swung into action and dismissed the Kalyan Singh government in UP. Through an ordinance in January 1993, the Centre acquired about 67.7 acres of the land which had also included 2.77 acres of the disputed land.

The VHP and its associated saints continued to keep the issue on simmer, celebrating December 6 as Shaurya Diwas, and by organising small and big rallies every year apart from a larger shiladaan programme.

Negotiations proved unfruitful to resolve the matter: all eyes turned to the courts.

A legal battle first began in 1885, when a Hindu priest filed a petition for building a temple next to the mosque but was denied permission. Several court cases dot the history of the Masjid and the Ram Temple. Finally, in November 2019, the Supreme Court directed the UP government to create a trust to build the temple and allot a suitable place for the construction of a mosque. The country will now witness a finale to a long and chequered history.
There are several videos and pictures on the Internet that show the interaction between animals and humans. Some of these videos are cute and might make you chuckle. Some others can turn out to be horrifying. And recently, one such incident was shared by Graham Police Department, United States on Facebook. They reported how a snake had slithered into a person's washroom and how it was later rescued. US police catches snake.(Facebook/@Graham Police Department)

"Last night, officers responded to a home concerning a trespassing call. The caller was unsure how the trespasser had gotten inside and was surprised to discover the slippery suspect in the bathroom. Officers cleared the residence, and after a brief standoff, Sgt. Way made the apprehension. The suspect was removed and relocated without incident," wrote Graham Police Department on Facebook. They also shared a picture of a policeman holding the snake.

Take a look at the post shared by Graham Police Department here:

This post was shared on social media on July 17. Since being posted, the share has been liked more than 500 times. The clip has also received a flurry of comments. Many complimented the police and applauded their courage to take out the snake.

Check out what are people saying about this video here:

An individual joked, "He coulda had the house & everything in it too!." A second added, "Wow! An outstanding guy! Thank you for what you do." A third commented, "Youre the man, Way!!! I would have quit my job immediately!!!" "Youre the man, Way!!! I would have quit my job immediately!!!" expressed a fourth.

Earlier, another incident was reported where a snake was found in the bathroom. Hudson Snake Catching from Australia reported this incident on Facebook and wrote, Carpet python gave a client a spook when they went to the bathroom today. Thanks to Anthony Jackson for relocating this guy from a property in Oxenford.
Arshad Khan, the blue-eyed chaiwala (tea seller) from Pakistan who became an overnight sensation in 2016 after a photo of him went viral online, is once again in the headlines with the opening of his cafe in London. Located on East Londons Ilford Lane, a bustling area mainly inhabited by Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis, the cafe is named Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan and aims to serve the diverse community. Arshad Khan is planning to fly to London to brew Karak Chai for his fans. (Instagram/@chaiwalauk_ak)

The brand, brought exclusively to London by three Asian brothers - Bahadar Durrani, Nadir Durrani and Akbar Durrani, has traditional South Asian elements, from truck art to hand-decorated Vespa, and a modern yet traditional Dhabba-style interior. The trio even plans to expand this business across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East through franchises.

After an overwhelming response from customers, Arshad Khan plans to visit London to brew Karak Chai for his fans and, of course, to meet them. He said, My visit is being planned and I would love to brew tea for my loving fans. I have received thousands of requests for London visit. Our first international Chai shop is now open on Ilford Lane and the response is massive already. With the Durrani brothers, we decided to start from Ilford Lane due to the fact that its home to a large number of Pakistanis and Indians who love Chai. I will be in London soon in person.

Arshad Khans journey to the UK signifies a remarkable transformation. Just seven years back, he was a destitute teenager selling chai on the streets of Islamabad to support his family. However, fate took a turn when a picture of him pouring tea taken by photographer Javeria Ali went viral on social media. Khans striking looks, including his blue eyes and serious demeanour, made him an overnight sensation in India, Pakistan, and beyond. Since then, he has been known as "Chaiwala" and is the inspiration behind the name of the brand.

With the first outlet located on Ilford Lane, Akbar Durrani shared future plans, aiming to establish 50 Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan franchises in the United Kingdom alone. Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan has gone international and London being capital of the world is the beginning. We are planning to make this an international brand. We opened the first outlet in London after a lot of market research and business planning. Hundreds of Indian and Pakistani families daily come to the cafe to drink tea, Akbar said.

While Akbar Durrani handles international affairs for the family's diverse business ventures, Nadir Durrani is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Ilford Lane Cafe Chaiwala. We have demonstrated on the cafes front that this is the only authentic Asian Chaiwala in Britain. Lots of people have been coming in and asking about Chaiwala Arshad Khan and whether this is the same person who had shot to fame while pouring Chai in an Islamabad market. We are selling in the UK everything that Chaiwalas in India and Pakistan sells: traditional desi street food, several kinds of teas including Karak Chai, Gurr Chai, Honey Malai Chai, Badami Chai, Kashmiri Chai, Doodh Patti, fresh in-house Chicken Tikka Paratha, fresh Malai Boti Paratha, fresh Afghani Paratha, special breakfast menu with fresh in house made Mumbai Channay Paratha, Desi Omelette, Sujji Halwa, Papri Chaat, Samosa Chaat, Beef Paratha Roll and Malai Boti, said Nadir.

Although the Durrani brothers had agreed on a contract for international rights with Arshad Khan in 2021, there was a delay in finding the perfect location that aligns with the brands image and potential. We have been into the food business for over 20 years and have enough expertise in scoping a business and having it at the right place. There is no place in London better than Ilford Lane, to start with, and that has already become a unique point for us as its in the centre of an Asian area. Literally, thousands of people will get to see the brand. We are planning to open nearly a dozen cafes across London and work has already begun in this respect, Akbar said.

(With inputs from ANI)
Amid tensions between the United States and North Korea, a small number of Americans have visited the country on organised tours even though a travel warning on the US State Department's website reads, "Do not travel to North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of US nationals. The US government is unable to provide emergency services to US citizens in North Korea." A North Korea flag.(Reuters)

US citizens have been detained in North Korea several times since 1996. These include tourists, scholars and journalists. Here are some of the most notable cases from the last decade.

Otto Warmbier

Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, was arrested while visiting North Korea as part of a tour group in 2016. The visit was organised by a China-based budget tour operator as a five-day trip to experience North Korea during the New Year. His father later told the Washington Post that he was "curious about their culture" and wanted to meet the people of North Korea but was put in detention for two months and sentenced by a North Korean court to 15 years' imprisonment. He was freed 17 months after his arrest, and died in a hospital six days after returning to the US in 2017.

"Otto was systematically tortured and intentionally injured by Kim and his regime. This was no accident," his father had then said.

Bruce Byron Lowrance

In 2018, North Korea announced that Bruce Byron Lowrance - a 60-year-old from Michigan - had been detained while entering the country from China. He was released about a month after being detained. He has not commented publicly on his detention.

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller, a 24-year-old teacher from California, was taken into custody and charged with "hostile" espionage acts while on an organised tour in 2014. North Korean authorities later alleged he admitted to a "wild ambition" of investigating conditions in the country. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with hard labour in September 2014.

I was trying to stay in the country. They wanted me to leave. The very first night they said, 'We want you to leave on the next flight.' But I refused. I just did not leave, Matthew Miller said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
A California couple reportedly brought a baby to police after a woman handed the child over to them while they were at a Hollywood restaurant. The woman simply told the couple she could no longer care for the baby. A California couple reportedly brought a baby to police after a woman handed the child over to them while they were at a Hollywood restaurant (Pixabay - Representational image)

The woman approached the couple after midnight on Tuesday, July 18, at Chris N Eddys on Sunset Boulevard. The woman, who remains unidentified, simply handed over the one-month-old infant and told the couple she could not look after it any longer. The couple brought the baby to the Beverly Hills Police Department to be surrendered shortly after.

The infant seemed to be in good health, police said, according to New York Post. However, it was still taken to an area hospital for a checkup. The case was handed over to the Los Angeles Police Department by the police in Beverly Hills. The LAPD is now trying to determine whether the incident qualifies as a safe surrender.

What is the Safely Surrendered Baby law in California?

According to the California Department of Social Services, The Safely Surrendered Baby law (California Health and Safety Code, section 1255.7) provides a safe alternative for the surrender of a newborn baby in specified circumstances. Under the Safely Surrendered Baby law, a parent or person with lawful custody can safely surrender a baby confidentially, and without fear of prosecution, within 72 hours of birth.

It adds, The Safely Surrendered Baby law requires the baby be taken to a public or private hospital, designated fire station or other safe surrender site, as determined by the local County Board of Supervisors. No questions will be asked and California Penal Code Section 271.5 protects surrendering individuals from prosecution of abandonment.

What is the process?

A bracelet is placed on the baby at the time of surrender. This is done for identification purposes. Additionally, a matching bracelet is given to the parent or lawful guardian, in cases the baby is reclaimed again. A parent or person with lawful custody has up to 14 days from the time of surrender to reclaim their baby, the California Department of Social Services says.

A medical questionnaire must be offered, however it is a voluntary document and can be declined. The questionnaire is offered solely for the purpose of collecting medical information critical to the health and survival of the infant. All identifying information that pertains to a parent or individual who surrenders a child is strictly confidential, it adds.

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A Canadian court has deemed an immigration officer's decision as unreasonable in a case titled Khan v Canada (Citizenship and Immigration). The ruling states that considering an outstanding US residency application as a factor in determining an individual's intention to reside in Canada is unjust. The cover and back page of the newly unveiled Canadian passport, featuring a polycarbonate data page and embedded electronic passport chip, is seen in a design reproduction on its release in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada May 10, 2023.(via REUTERS)

The applicant, Khan, hailing from Bangladesh, had applied for permanent residence in Canada under the Quebec Investor Class. His wife and daughter were included as dependents in the application. However, the immigration officer expressed concerns about Khan's intent to reside in Quebec, which is a requirement according to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

The officer's skepticism stemmed from Khan's inclusion in a 2012 US residency application submitted by his sister-in-law, which was still pending. Despite discussing these concerns with Khan, the officer remained unconvinced of his intentions and refused his application on the grounds of failing to satisfy the requirement to intend to reside in Quebec.

Khan sought a judicial review, asserting that the decision was unreasonable. The court agreed with Khan, highlighting several reasons why the officer's ruling was flawed. Firstly, it was deemed "unintelligible" that the officer concluded that Khan's US residency application from 2012 contradicted his current genuine intention to reside in Quebec. Logically, there is no reason why the two intentions cannot coexist, as the applicant could plan to reside in whichever country granted him residency first.

Secondly, the court emphasized that the two applications were filed five years apart, and by the time of the review, Khan's US application had been pending for a staggering ten years. The officer failed to consider that Khan's interests might have changed over time. In fact, during the interview, Khan explicitly stated his preference to reside in Quebec rather than the US.

Lastly, the officer's inference that Khan's failure to withdraw the US application implied an intention to reside in the US and not Quebec was deemed illogical and unreasonable. The court noted that Khan had no control over the application as it was submitted by his sister-in-law. During the interview, Khan clarified this fact.

This landmark case emphasizes that applicants for Canadian immigration are entitled to maintain a dual intent to reside in both Canada and the United States. Additionally, having the intent to reside in the US does not negate the intention to reside in Canada. The court's ruling declares the officer's decision as unreasonable, setting a precedent that future applicants should not face rejection on similar grounds.

How to immigrate from the US to Canada

For those aspiring to immigrate from the US to Canada, there are various avenues to explore. The recently announced streamlined work permit for H1-B specialty occupation visa holders allows them and their accompanying family members to apply for work permits in Canada. Furthermore, Express Entry remains a popular option for skilled workers, with the US ranking as the fourth most common place of residence for recipients of Invitations To Apply (ITA). The Global Talent Stream, Intra Company Transfer, and Start-Up Visa programs offer additional pathways for those seeking employment or entrepreneurial opportunities in Canada.

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China represents an increasing threat to the US power grid, lawmakers were told Tuesday during a hearing in which they were warned a cyberattack from the nation could plunge military and other sensitive sites into darkness. China's President Xi Jinping (left) and US President Joe Biden meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 14, 2022. (AFP)

The Chinese activities are quite alarming, said Manny Cancel, senior vice president of the North American Electric Reliability Corp., during testimony before a US House subcommittee. Chinese cyber activities are one of the most dynamic cyber threats. China continues to demonstrate increasing sophistication, including new and adaptive techniques to gain access to networks.

The hearing, held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, comes as the nations power grid grows increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, while incidents such as physical attacks and vandalism increased some 77% in 2022, according to the committee.

China is almost certainly capable of launching cyberattacks that would disrupt critical infrastructure services within the US, including oil and gas pipelines and rail systems, according to a report published earlier this year by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The hearing comes amid increasing tensions with China, including reports last week that Chinese hackers breached email accounts of US officials from the State Department, as well as US Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Imagine what is possible if the CCP attacks our grid, said Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Washington Republican who chairs the full committee.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning repeated Beijings line that it is a victim of hacking, and also accused the US of large-scale and indiscriminate cyberattacks on many countries.

We dont think the US should hit out at China for political purposes, she said Wednesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
The Joe Biden administration halted the Wuhan Institute of Virologys access to federal funding after the lab failed to provide documents about safety and security measures, Bloomberg News reported. The Department of Health and Human Services told the lab that its seeking to cut it off permanently after a review that began last September. The facility, based in Wuhan, isnt compliant with federal regulations and it wont receive any more federal funding. The lab hasnt received money from the National Institutes of Health since July 2020.(Reuters)

The lab hasnt received money from the National Institutes of Health since July 2020 but penalising the lab is the most drastic measure that the US has taken over biosafety practices in China amid ongoing investigations into Covid origins.

The institute became a flashpoint in discussions of how the pandemic started. FBI director Christopher Wray suspected that the virus could have originated at the facility even though the US hasnt found any conclusive evidence that the virus emerged either through animal-to-human transmission or a lab accident.

Following the decision, the lab wont be able to conduct any business with US as an agent or representative of others. The Wuhan lab can contest the suspension and proposed debarment. However, this is unlikely, Bloomberg reported.

In 2014, EcoHealth Alliance, a US-based organization focused on preventing infectious diseases was given a grant for understanding the risk of bat coronavirus emergence. The Wuhan Institute of Virology received the grant and EcoHealth Alliance also funneled US Agency for International Development funds to the lab.

Last month, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a declassified report that identified safety and security issues at the institute.

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Former President Donald Trump finds himself under scrutiny once again as he claims to be a target of a federal investigation into the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Trump, through a statement on his new social media platform Truth Social, revealed that he received a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith, giving him four days to report to the grand jury. While the letter does not specify any charges, legal experts have weighed in on the potential role of Trump's Jan. 6 speech in a possible indictment. Insurrections loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.(AP)

What did Trump say on January 6 2021?

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack highlighted key moments from Trump's speech, in which he falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen and urged his supporters to head to the Capitol.

Officials noted that Trump told supporters "youll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated, lawfully slated. . . . And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you dont fight like hell, youre not going to have a country anymore.

He also targeted former Vice President Mike Pence, leading the crowd to believe falsely that Pence could alter the election outcome.

Role of Trump's speech in a possible indictment

Legal experts offer differing opinions on the significance of Trump's speech. Marc Scholl, a former criminal prosecutor, argues that it was the tone of Trump's message that incited the crowd, rather than specific words. He believes that any indictment would consider a range of factors, including the lead-up to the speech and claims of election theft.

On the other hand, Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer, suggests that the speech might not be the focal point of a potential indictment. Moss points to Trump's broader efforts to pressure officials and block the election results as more substantial factors in determining his criminal exposure.

David Super, a constitutional law expert, doubts that Trump's speech will play a central role in the indictment. He emphasizes that if prosecutors can prove a broad conspiracy to steal the election, the specific phrases used in the speech may not carry significant weight.

Complex recipe of prosecution

Legal analysts emphasize that any potential indictment would consider a multitude of factors beyond Trump's speech. The prosecution would likely examine various elements, including the lead-up to the events, claims of election theft, and other actions taken by Trump in the aftermath of the election.

Also read | Former President Donald Trump faces potential arrest, indictment in Jan 6 Capitol investigation. Special counsel reveals

As the investigation unfolds, legal experts anticipate a comprehensive evaluation of the events leading to the Jan. 6 insurrection, with the Jan. 6 speech serving as one piece in a larger puzzle. The ultimate determination of whether Trump will face charges rests on the intricate interplay of these factors and the legal theories pursued by the prosecution.
Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer once reportedly worked as an architect for former president Donald Trump. Rex has been arrested as a suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders. The 59-year-old married dad was caught by plainclothes cops as he strolled down a Midtown sidewalk on Thursday night, July 13. Rex had worked in Midtown for several years at his own company, RH Architecture. Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer once reportedly worked as an architect for former president Donald Trump (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, Suffolk County)

An October 2018 filing with the New York City Department of Buildings reveals that the Trump Organization hired RH Architecture for a plumbing job on the 17th floor of the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street, according to New York Post. The document further reveals that the project at the crown jewel Art Deco-style building was projected to cost $205,017.00

The project names Rex as the applicant. The Trump Organizations VP of Property Management, Steve Lafiosca, is listed as the owner.

Rex Heuermann pleaded not guilty

Rex appeared in court on Friday, July 14, pleading not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and other charges. The charges were related to the deaths of three women over a decade ago. He has also been named the prime suspect in a fourth murder.

Rexs arrest is tied to the Gilgo Four, referring to the four women whose bodies were found within days of each other in 2010. The women in question were Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, Amber Lynn Costello, 27, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25.

Rex reportedly hadan arsenal of over 200 guns stashed at his home in Long Island. He had an arsenal in a vault that he had downstairs, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told Fox News. Its concerning, regarding the guns being registered or legal or not. Thats something were still taking a look at. Rodney added, Anytime somebody has that type of arsenal, we have some concerns. At present, Rex is on suicide watch at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility.
A US woman was left startled after finding a man hiding in the backseat of her car on Monday on a Massachusetts highway. The police have arrested a 36-year-old suspect for breaking and entering into a vehicle at night. File photo of suspect arrested for hiding in a woman's car in Yarmouth, United States. (Yarmouth Police Dept)

The Yarmouth Police Department shared the details of the incident in a press release on Monday and reminded people to make sure they lock their unattended vehicles, especially at night.

A Yarmouth Police Officer was patrolling near the Route 6 exit ramp just before 1 AM when he came upon a vehicle he thought was disabled. As he went to check on the car, he saw a woman standing outside of it attempting to dial 911. She appeared to be scared and upset as she explained to the officer what had just occurred, read the police statement.

According to the police, the woman told the officer that she did not notice anything out of the ordinary after leaving her friends house, but a short time later, a light came on inside her car while driving. As she looked into the back seat, she was surprised to see a man hiding with a coat pulled over his head. The woman was extremely frightened after discovering the intruder and began driving erratically, causing the man to fall out of the open rear door of the car.

Also Read| US woman travels to internship via plane to save rent money in New Jersey

Following a brief investigation, the suspect, identified as Jailton Dos Santos, was arrested by Yarmouth Officers. The police did not share why the man was hiding in the woman's car.
In a bid to create a tobacco-free city, Hong Kongers have been urged by the administration to "stare" at smokers disapprovingly to guilt them into giving up smoking in public areas. Hong Kong's health secretary, Professor Lo, told a meeting of the Legislative Council's health service panel on Friday that smokers are unlikely to "hit back" if everyone stares at them. Hong Kong imposes penalties of HK$1,500 for breaching the non-smoking rules

"Hong Kong can help build a non-smoking culture through stares of disapproval directed at smokers," the health minister was quoted as saying by the country's English daily, South China Morning Post.

"Cigarettes can harm the health of all of us," Lo said. "When the public sees people smoking in non-smoking areas, even if no law enforcement officers can show up immediately, we can stare at the smokers."

Also Read: Tips to manage smoking addiction amid stressful work life

"If someone pulls out a cigarette at a restaurant, the public on the premises should stare at them I don't believe they will hit back as people are simply staring," he added.

The move comes as Hong Kong last week launched a public consultation exercise to build stricter anti-smoking rules.

While the administration promised to strengthen legal measures to tackle the problem, they demanded public cooperation in the matter.

Lo explained public intervention in this manner may help, as law enforcement officers might not always be able to intervene immediately at the scene of a crime since smoking may have already stopped by then.

No one will say it requires the law to compel people to queue at a bus stop. But through culture, the people comply with this rule while waiting for buses similarly, we can build a non-smoking culture," SCMP quoted him as saying.

Hong Kong imposes penalties of HK$1,500 for breaching the non-smoking rules in prohibited areas such as restaurants and workplaces, etc. However, the city has been recently struggling to enforce this rule and curb instances of non-compliance, SCMP said.

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The Illinois Supreme Court delivered a groundbreaking ruling on Tuesday, deeming the state's cash bail system unconstitutional. With this decision, Illinois becomes the first state in the nation to abolish cash bail as a requirement for pretrial release. The move comes as part of the state's comprehensive criminal justice reform, known as the SAFE-T Act, which aims to transform the system in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder and subsequent protests against police violence. Illinois Supreme Court delivered a groundbreaking ruling on Tuesday, deeming the state's cash bail system unconstitutional.

Court Decision Paves the Way for Reform

In a 5-2 decision, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned a lower court's opinion and affirmed the constitutionality of the provision within the SAFE-T Act that eliminates cash bail. The court emphasized that the state constitution does not mandate monetary bail as the sole means to ensure defendants' appearance in court or protect the public.

Implications of the Ruling and its Controversy

While judges will no longer be able to impose cash bail conditions, they retain the authority to detain defendants based on the risk they pose in terms of committing additional offenses or fleeing prosecution.

Advocates of ending cash bail argue that it eliminates disparities in the treatment of individuals within the criminal justice system, as wealth should not dictate pretrial freedom. However, critics express concerns about potential threats to public safety and the likelihood of criminals committing new offenses while awaiting trial.

Addressing Inequality and Consequences of Cash Bail

Supporters of the reform applaud the end of cash bail as a step toward rectifying inequalities in the criminal justice system. They argue that low-income defendants, unable to afford bail, often face additional hardships, such as loss of employment, child custody, and timely access to healthcare. By transitioning to a system focused on the risk a defendant poses rather than their financial means, Illinois aims to create a fairer and more equitable pretrial process.

Remaining Challenges

Illinois' move to eliminate cash bail follows a broader trend of criminal justice reforms across the United States. States like New Jersey, New York, and Alaska have implemented similar measures to address the shortcomings of cash bail systems.

However, Illinois stands as the first state to completely abolish cash bail. While the ruling signifies a significant milestone, it does not encompass all aspects of the SAFE-T Act, which also encompasses police use of force and body-worn camera requirements. The decision is expected to impact the lives of defendants and reshape the state's criminal justice landscape for years to come.

Also read | Americans favor supreme court rulings on student loans and first amendment rights by slim margin, Poll reveals
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin defended his exploration of a third-party presidential campaign during a No Labels forum at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. He assured voters that he had no intention of being a "spoiler" in the 2024 election and expressed his determination to win if he were to enter the race. Committee chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) speaks during an Energy and Natural Resources Senate Committee hearing on the federal response to escalating wildfires and to evaluate reforms to land management and wildland firefighter recruitment and retention on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 8, 2023. REUTERS/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades(REUTERS)

Manchin said, Ive never been in any race Ive ever spoiled. Ive been in races to win. And if I get in a race Im going to win.

Manchin, alongside former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, criticized the divisive bipartisanship in Washington, blaming the business model for the two major parties is better if youre divided.

Manchin emphasized the importance of offering the American people an alternative choice, advocating for unity and cooperation across party lines.

When asked about his future plans, Manchin remained noncommittal, stating that discussions about a potential No Labels ticket were premature and distracting.

West Virginia Sen. Shared that people were, putting the cart ahead of the horse, and that the group was only aiming to make sure the American people have an option.

In an interview with CNN, Manchin refrained from revealing his intention to run for another Senate term, stating, I havent made my decision, nor will I make a decision until the end of the year.

ALSO READ| FBI's bombshell letter exposes directive to Hunter Biden investigator, avoid answering questions

He expressed his belief that President Joe Biden had been pushed too far left but praised Biden has the strength to fight back.

The No Labels forum featured prominent figures such as former US Senator Joe Lieberman and national co-chairs Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. and former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. They highlighted the group's "Common Sense" policy manifesto and warned of the possibility of a Biden-Trump rematch, which could lead to the launch of a third-party candidate.

McCrory emphasized the importance of No Labels' presence on presidential ballot lines across the country as an "insurance policy" against such an outcome. He also warned against efforts to prevent No Labels from being included on the ballot, asserting that these attempts would ultimately fail.

Sadly, we have some operatives out of Washington, DC, who want to just keep status quo as it is who are trying to stop our efforts. But Im telling you right now, it wont work.

The group plans to assess the viability of running a presidential ticket on Super Tuesday, with a focus on winning if the opportunity arises.

The No Labels movement faced criticism from New Hampshire Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley, who accused the group of being a front for right-wing interests.

A bipartisan super PAC called "Citizens to Save Our Republic" also announced its opposition to any third-party campaign, citing the potential impact on the democratic process.

No Labels, operating as a non-profit organization, aims to raise $70 million for a candidate-in-waiting and has already secured ballot access in several states. The group's "Common Sense" policy book presents a moderate agenda that seeks to bridge the divide on various contentious issues.

ALSO READ| California expands travel ban to Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming over transgender student-athlete

While some Democrats view No Labels as a spoiler that could shift votes away from Biden and benefit Trump, former Democratic Representative Joe Cunningham, a national co-chair of the group, dismissed this concern. He asserted that their intention would be to win rather than to spoil the election.

Although third-party efforts have historically faced challenges, the current dissatisfaction with both Trump and Biden has renewed interest in such campaigns. Democrats, mindful of the potential enthusiasm gap facing Biden, are wary of the impact third-party candidates could have on the election outcome.
Las Vegas law enforcement is currently reviewing local cold cases for potential connections to the alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, Rex Heuermann. Rex A. Heuermann, an architect in his late 50s who lived a 20-minute drive from Gilgo Beach in Massapequa Park, appears in a jail booking photo provided by the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office in Yaphank, New York, U.S. July 14, 2023. Suffolk County Sheriff's Office/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.(via REUTERS)

The 59-year-old suspect is now being examined in relation to missing person cases and murders that extend far beyond Long Island, where he is accused of murdering three women and disposing of their bodies in the Gilgo Beach community over a decade ago.

Following his shocking arrest on Friday, it was revealed that Heuermann has ties to both South Carolina and Las Vegas, as he owns properties in both locations.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed that they are looking into the possible connection between Heuermann and unsolved cases in the area.

They quoted to The Independent, "We are aware of Rex Heuermanns connection to Las Vegas. We are currently reviewing our unsolved cases to see if he has any involvement."

ALSO READ| Spine-chilling Google Street View images show Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann chatting with woman

Law enforcement agencies in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as nationwide, are also re-examining cold cases to determine if Heuermann may be linked to any additional crimes.

Former NYPD Chief of Detectives, Robert Boyce told ABCs Good Morning, I made some phone calls yesterday to see what they were doing. Theyre looking at all missing persons who have never been found and see if they can put those together Not just in Suffolk, but throughout the tri-state area to see what they can put together. Theres also the FBI looking at national issues as well.

Heuermann had remained free for many years, living his daily life for 13 years after the initial discovery of the bodies in 2010.

Law enforcement officials are comparing his alleged modus operandi to other cases across New York state during the period in which he is believed to have been active in Gilgo Beach.

The Chester County Sheriffs office in South Carolina announced that they had helped NYPD to gather further evidence.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office was requested by the Gilgo Beach Task Force to assist in gathering evidence in Chester County relevant to their investigation.

Currently, Heuermann is charged with the murders of three women who disappeared between 2007 and 2010, with their bodies discovered along Gilgo Beach. He is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman.

The bodies of these victims were found in December 2010, along with seven other bodies that have yet to be connected to the accused killer.

ALSO READ| Is it: Heres the one chilling question Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann had for his jailkeepers

Heuermann resided in Massapequa Park, Long Island, near Gilgo Beach, but worked in Midtown Manhattan where he ran an architecture firm. Some of the victims were last seen alive in the city. Plus, he had property in South Carolina and Las Vegas. The Chester County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina assisted New York officials in gathering evidence related to Heuermann's case.

The period between the discovery of the bodies in 2010 and his arrest 13 years later remains a mystery, leaving authorities to investigate any potential criminal activity during that time.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did not publicly acknowledge Queen Camilla on her birthday. Camilla turned 76 on Monday, July 17. While she received a heartwarming message from the Prince and Princess of Wales, Meghan and Harry failed to extend their wishes. 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 (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)(AFP)

It is said Prince Harry has a strained relationship with his stepmother. Royal commentator Tom Bower slammed Harry in May for his behaviour towards Camilla, saying it was "appalling, during an interview with GB News. Tom said Harrys multiple attacks on Camilla in his autobiography Spare were "very unnecessary".

He's said some terrible things

"He's said some terrible things and it was unnecessary. And I can believe that she lost her temper with him, lost her cool with him. The sort of thing that Camilla would have said is quite frankly that he has behaved atrociously. And that is of course before she read or heard what he said about her in the book, which was really very unnecessary, Tom said.

Harry wrote in his memoir that he believes Camilla played the long game for the crown, and her marriage to his father. "I have complex feelings about gaining a step-parent who I thought had recently sacrificed me on her personal PR altar, he said of Camilla.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys Emmys snub

Meghan and Harry were snubbed in the nominations for the Primetime Emmys just recently. A royal expert noted that even if Harry and Meghan are devastated due to the Emmys snub, they will not show it." "Meghan and Harry will concentrate in this and make it a positive, however irritated they might be not to be in the Emmy nominations. The series is an intimate look at hardships they faced in their honey-colored, rose-tinted world, she said.

The Emmys snub came days after it was reported that Meghans Spotify podcast will not be renewed for a second season. Insiders close to Spotify have claimed the royal couple failed to meet the productivity benchmark that was needed to receive the full payout, according to Wall Street Journal. Meghan, however, is reportedly planning to create more podcasts.
Meghan Markle would be nothing without Prince Harry, royal biographer and commentator Angela Levin has said. Her remarks come as reports claim the pair is on a trial separation. 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 (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)(AFP)

Without him, shes nothing. I dont think they will split yet, but I think she wants to prove that shes really strong on her own, Angela told Sky News Australia. Angela added that there is no contact between the Sussexes. Whatever they did, they did together, and they were so happy that way. but now theres been no contact. Theres no touching. Theres no helping, she said.

Meghan Markle regrets not taking active role in Prince Harrys memoir

Meanwhile, an insider has claimed that Meghan Markle is left with regrets over Prince Harry's autobiography. Harry released the bombshell book in January 2023, and even participated in various TV interviews to promote it. During its opening week, the book was reportedly a best-seller in the UK.

The memoir, however, comprises several allegations against senior members of the Royal Family. Prince Harry attacked Camilla, Princess Kate, as well as his brother Prince William in the book, Spare. Meghan now regrets not taking a more active role in the memoir, as per a source. Harry and Meghan were called "professional whiners" after the release.

"Meghan can now see that, whether it's fair or not, they are being viewed as these professional whiners and it's not as simple as her distancing herself, because she has to be seen as fully supportive of Harry, the source told Heat.

"She's now regretting that she wasn't more hands-on or involved when he was putting his book together. This theory that she micromanaged what he wrote or had any say in the manuscript is totally wrong  it was Harry's book and she let him get on with it. The same went for his interviews and promo tours  that was evidenced by the fact she let him do those by himself and made a point not to interfere, the source added.
Donald Trump has one of the lowest approval ratings of former US presidents, lagging behind several of his predecessors, according to a survey conducted by Gallup. The survey asked Americans whether they approve of certain former presidents and showed that Donald Trump had an approval rating of just 46 per cent. This comes as Donald Trump continued to campaign ahead of the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Former US president Barack Obama.

This is the first time Donald Trump has been included in Gallup's survey about former presidents. The survey was last conducted in 2018 .

The 2023 Gallup polling was conducted among a random sample of 1,013 adults living in all 50 US states. Donald Trump's retrospective rating is higher than Gallup's average approval rating for the former president when he was in office.

"Not only do retrospective approval ratings tend to improve over time, but they also are generally higher than presidents' average job approval ratings while they were in office," Gallup noted.

Only Richard Nixon's rating is lower than his average during his term, the survey found. Nixon's approval rating stood at just 34 percent in Gallup's survey. Gallup found that former president John F. Kennedy had the highest approval rating of the presidents listed at 90 per cent.

Ronald Reagan, a Republican, came in second place with 69 per cent approval and 28 per cent disapproval. Barack Obama had an approval rating of 63 per cent in the poll, compared to 37 per cent who disapproved of him while George H. W. Bush had 66 percent approval and 32 percent disapproval.

Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were also rated but two former presidents were not included in Gallup's surveyFord and former President Lyndon B. Johnson.

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TWO DECADES ago Yevgeny Prigozhin , the violent ex-convict and restaurateur who heads Wagner, a Russian mercenary group, published an illustrated fairy tale that he had written with his two children. The story concerns a band of friends who rescue an uncontrollably shrinking king by blowing a magic flute. At first he grows too fast, smashing a hole in the palace ceiling, before they bring him back down to size. It is a very dangerous toy, says the king, who takes away the flute. PREMIUM FILE - In this handout image taken from a video released by Prigozhin Press Service on Friday, May 5, 2023, head of Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin stands in front of multiple bodies lying on the ground in an unknown location. The president of Belarus says the mercenary leader who led a short-lived mutiny against the Kremlin is in Russia and his troops are in their field camps. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP, File)(AP)

Mr Prigozhin, a crony of Vladimir Putin, long helped inflate the Russian president, for example by running pro-Kremlin troll farms. Now he has cut him down to size. Last month his soldiers seized a military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and drove towards Moscow, downing several helicopters and a plane along the way. Mr Prigozhin said his march of justice was meant to remove Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, and Valery Gerasimov, the head of the army, or to reverse their decision to integrate Wagner into Russias regular forces. But he added populist anti-corruption slogans borrowed from Alexei Navalny, Russias main opposition leader, pledging to purge Russia of its thieving elite. The failure of security services to attack the Wagner troops and Mr Putins bewildered performance during a television appearance have gravely undermined the Kremlins authority.

Under Russian law Mr Prigozhin should face prison terms of between 12 years and life for mutiny, recruiting mercenaries, illegal arms trading and homicide as part of an organised group. According to the unwritten rules of Mr Putins mafia state he should probably be dead. Instead, on June 29th, five days after Mr Putin vowed on TV to crush the revolt, he met Mr Prigozhin and his top commanders in the Kremlin. He regretted that they had got mixed up in a mutiny and offered to let them keep serving under a new commander. The aim was to show that he still had complete control over the situation.

Nobody has been charged with the deaths of some 13 pilots downed by Wagner. Mr Putin recently denied the group existed (having admitted two weeks earlier that it had been financed by the state). Mr Prigozhins whereabouts are unknown. State television bashes him, but while some websites linked to him have been censored, many of his Telegram channels continue to operate. Senior military officials close to Mr Prigozhin, including General Sergei Surovikin (once in charge of the invasion of Ukraine), are reported to have been detained and questioned. Television shows Wagner arms being taken over by the army and its fighters moving to Belarus. But as Novaya Gazeta, an independent Russian newspaper, writes, it is too early to write off the chef.

Whatever happens to Mr Prigozhin, his mutiny has revealed the erosion of the state and the flimsiness of Mr Putins support base. His dictatorship has so far relied less on mass purges than a consensus between power groups. His political opponents have ended up in jail (like Mr Navalny) or exile. Meanwhile he has sowed rivalries between his loyalists, making himself their arbiter. To forestall a palace coup he prevented consolidation in the army and security services and created parallel structures such as Wagner.

This worked in peacetime but faltered under the stress of war. Mr Prigozhins mutiny was not an under-the-carpet factional squabble but a public split within Mr Putins pro-war constituency. On one side stands the conformist elite, trying to keep up a pretence of normal life. On the other is a group of angry military patriots, most prominently Mr Prigozhin. Most worryingly for Mr Putin, the army itself seems split.

The public is watching: the Levada Centre, an independent pollster, found that 92% of Russians followed the coup to some extent. Almost half sympathised with Mr Prigozhins criticisms of corruption, military incompetence and lies about the war, though only 22% trusted the Wagner boss himself. In the absence of other critical voices, Mr Prigozhin attracted attention beyond his target audience of military patriots. Many of the sympathisers did not support either side, said Denis Volkov, a sociologist at Levada, but stocked up on popcorn for the fight between a toad and a viper .

The mutiny also showed that Telegram, and Mr Prigozhins network of trolls and bloggers on it, have eroded the Kremlins monopoly over information, particularly among young people. While television propagandists awaited instructions from the Kremlin, the mutiny unfolded online. Less than a quarter of young Russians trust TV. Mr Putin staged a parade of uniformed men in the Kremlin, praising them merely for not joining the mutiny, and flew to Dagestan, a Muslim region in the Caucasus, for a show of adoration from his subjects there. An eight-year-old who supposedly cried because she did not get to see the president was flown to the Kremlin and presented with 5bn roubles ($55m) for Dagestans needs.

While it might look like Putin has successfully dealt with the uprisings fallout the strain on the system remains, wrote Alexandra Prokopenko of the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Centre, a think-tank in Berlin. The absence of public retribution against high-ranking military officers who sided with Mr Prigozhin, and the praise showered on security services, which failed to prevent it, suggests that Mr Putin is too worried that purges could create rifts in the army to protect his strongman image.

New cracks appeared on July 13th. Major-General Ivan Popov, commander of the 58th combined-arms army, one of the countrys largest and most capable units, went public after being fired for telling his superiors what was happening at the front: huge losses, inadequate rotation and inferior counter-artillery capabilities. The forces of Ukraine could not break through our army from the front, but our senior commander hit us from the rear, Mr Popov said in an audio message that was posted online. Mr Popovs insubordination made a big impression on pro-war bloggers. Igor Strelkov Girkin, a former intelligence officer who led Russias incursion in Donbas in 2014, wrote that an uncontrolled disintegration of the army was just a stones throw away.

What happens next depends on the battlefield. The bombing of the Kerch road bridge that connects Russia to Crimea, which Russia attributed to Ukrainian naval drones, was another blow. Mr Putin maintains that Ukraine has failed to achieve any progress in its counter-offensive. Russian commanders have defended against Ukraines counter-offensive well ahead of prepared fortifications, instead of falling back to defensive positions established by Mr Surovikinat a significant cost to the Russian forces. This slows the Ukrainians progress, but if they manage to break through, it could have a greater effect on the Kremlins political power. As one foreign military official put it: It is like hitting a brick wall with a sledgehammer. If it crumbles, there may not be much behind it.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Trouble in paradise? Facing public backlash, failed deals, and waging war against their family seems to have caused a rift between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. According to RadarOnline, palace insiders reported that the couple is taking time apart to rebuild their relationship. (FILES) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle struggle with marital woes.(AFP)

"They're trying to figure out what hit them," an insider claimed. "Harry doesn't fit in Meghan's tacky Tinseltown world. Prince Harry needs to find himself, they added.

The Duke is allegedly planning a solo trip to Africa to film a documentary. The anticipated solo trip may be just what Harry needs as he considers the continent his "second home and a place where he feels "most like himself," the source told RadarOnline.

Meanwhile, royal expert Daniela Elser revealed that Meghan Markle is looking to establish her own brand and make millions

For the first time, they are truly on divergent professional paths.

The insider reported to RadarOnline that "The Sussexes are under tremendous financial pressure to fund their lavish California lifestyle, including their $14 million mansion and huge security costs."

That stress, coupled with their emotional issues, has likely made life a living hell.Taking time apart on different continents will hopefully help them find whatever they need to move on, they added.

Also Read | Meghan Markle may work on this project but Prince Harry is going to Africa?

Last month, the royal couples $20 million deal with Spotify abruptly ended before their Archetypes podcast could see a second season. Bill Simmons, one of the most senior Spotify executives called the duo fuc*king grifters.

Furthermore, Meghan Markle was scorned for not having any great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent."

"The hits keep coming for the Sussexes," said RadarOnlines source.

Previously, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received bad PR for claiming to have been victims of a paparazzi-fueled, high-speed car chase. The Dukes controversial autobiography Spare and the couples Netflix documentary have further tarnished their reputation.
Republican leaders in the United States (US) House of Representatives have slammed the Joe Biden administration for pursuing fruitless engagement with China; participating in talks with Beijing on terms, timelines and conditions set by China; displaying weakness and following a policy of appeasement; and delaying and slowing down on competitive actions that the US must pursue in its strategic competition with China. US President Joe Biden, who just announced his re-election campaign for president, delivers remarks at North America's Building Trades Unions Legislative Conference at the Washington Hilton, Washington D.C, U.S., April 25, 2023. (REUTERS)

The administration has rejected the charge and claimed that it has taken unprecedented steps to compete with China. It has also claimed that the engagement with Beijing has happened from a position of strength rather than weakness and on terms set by the US, and Washington DC is not pulling any punches in the strategic competition with China.

In a hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, during a meeting convened by subcommittee on Indo-Pacific affairs of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) to discuss the administrations budgetary request for the region for this year, HFAC chair Michael McCaul and subcommittee chair Kim Young  both Republicans  grilled US assistant Secretary of State for East Asian affairs Daniel Kritenbrink on the administrations China policy.

In recent months, the US, in pursuit of its policy of maintaining open channels of communication, has sought to deepen dialogue with China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, treasury secretary Janet Yellen, and climate envoy John Kerry have travelled to Beijing while national security advisor Jake Sullivan met senior Chinese Communist Party foreign policy figure Wang Yi in Vienna. Biden is expected to speak to Chinas president Xi Jinping in the coming the months.

McCaul, the senior most Republican foreign policy figure in the House, said that he was not against diplomacy but effective diplomacy should shape the adversary, not the other way round. Recent diplomacy has demonstrated weakness. Weakness invites aggression and emboldens dictators such as Xi.

Providing a timeline of events to substantiate his argument, McCaul said that the US discovered a Chinese spy balloon traversing its continental territory on January 28; it was only after Congressional pressure that Blinken, after seven days, cancelled his scheduled trip to China in early February. In the spring, China raided American businesses, yet Sullivan met Wang soon after.

On May 15, China, McCaul said, had hacked the emails of senior officials of state and commerce departments, including that of commerce secretary Gina Raimondo and of Kritenbrink himself. On May 22, it banned Micron from selling chips in China. Yet, on June 2, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin requested a meeting with his Chinese counterpart at Shangrila dialogue. The meeting was rejected and he settled for a handshake.

On June 3, on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, McCaul reminded Kritenbrink that the latter had travelled to Beijing in an astonishing display of appeasement by this administration.

McCaul then pointed out that on June 8, reports said that China had set up a spy base in Cuba, and the following week, Beijing stole tens of thousands of emails, including of nine officials of the East Asia Bureau in State Department. On June 18, Blinken still travelled to China. In early July, the administration, McCaul said, had pulled down a notification to the Congress on support to Taiwan. The price we paid to secure Yellens visit, merely to get a meeting, may have been too much. The HFAC chair added that the Congress had given the President the drawdown authority to provide weapons to Taiwan which the administration hasnt used and weapon sales havent been processed. When I went to Taiwan, the first question President Tsai (Ing-wen) asked where are my weapons I paid for?

McCaul also said that the State Department had delayed controls on Huawei; it had stonewalled enforcing sanctions as a part of the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act; and it had constantly stonewalled requests from the House to submit a competitive actions calendar and related documents vis a vis China, including not responding to a subpoena. The administration is indifferent to CCP hostility. I agree that you need to talk and diplomacy is important. But we are trapped in a cycle where CCP dictates terms, timing and conditions of meetings rather than the other way around. Be at the table through strength and leverage rather than weakness and appeasement. Acknowledge China for what it is, McCaul said.

The subcommittee chair, Young, said that the administration had been chasing fruitless engagements with China even as $19 billion of weapon sales to Taiwan remained pending. She said that as a part of a Congressional delegation to northeast Asia, she had repeatedly heard allies voice concern about how Ukraine today could be Taiwan tomorrow. Allies and partners are also worried about growing economic coercion. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is not enough. We were also disappointed to hear that the Biden administration is not interested in pursuing free trade agreements, Young said, emphasising the importance of concrete economic arrangements.

She also said that the US would not be able to adopt a whole of government approach on China if the State Department did not engage with the Congress and instead chased these fruitless engagements. Young also raised the spy balloon issue and questioned Bidens characterisation of the issue as silly and Blinken terming it as a closed chapter.

In his opening statement, as well as questions from the members, Kritenbrink said that the US was committed to the Indo-Pacific and committed to building the capabilities of allies and partners. While saying that China was a part of the American Indo-Pacific strategy, but did not define it, the assistant secretary said that the strategic competition with China was most pronounced in Indo-Pacific. The US, he said, was engaging with China from a position of confidence, based on American diplomacy with allies and partners in the region and investment in strengths at home.

On the specific concerns raised by the Republican leaders, at different points during the hearing, Kritenbrink said, It is not true that we are pulling our punches in any way. We have taken unprecedented steps in a broad range of areasWe are committed to holding China to account for its ongoing egregious abuses (in Xinjiang) and are absolutely enforcing sanctions..We have taken steps against HuaweiWe took the spy balloon incident very very seriously and raised it with China.

Kritenbrink also claimed that the meetings with China happened on US timeline and conditions, Washington had raised actions taken against American companies with China, and reminded the House of the October 7, 2022 order that imposed severe restrictions on semiconductor-related exports to China.

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The Salvation Army's plans to address homelessness in Billings, Montana, by constructing a tiny home village have left the city divided. The project involves the construction of seven cabins in phase one, with an additional 21 cabins planned for the village. However, some residents have expressed concerns about the chosen site near the city's North Park, citing worries about housing prices and potential increase in crime. The William Booth Village will feature 28 cabins and a community center.(Salvation Army via ktvq)

Alternative Locations Proposed

Amidst the discontent, one local resident suggested that The Salvation Army consider alternative locations outside the city limits of Billings. However, The Salvation Army remains confident in the positive impact the village will have on the community. Lt. Colin Pederson emphasized that the village model has been successful in reducing crime and improving neighborhoods. He also noted that the presence of the tiny homes adds to the overall appearance and safety of the area.

The single-person cabins in the village do not have running water, so residents will use facilities provided by The Salvation Army for showering and laundry. The Gianforte Family Foundation's communications manager, Denise Czuprynski, highlighted the importance of the village in providing residents with an opportunity to socialize while also ensuring their dignity through individual cabins.

Creating a Home for the Homeless

The tiny homes, costing $25,000 each to build, offer temporary housing options for the homeless. Residents can choose to stay for a 90-day period or opt for a two-year tenancy based on their needs. The project is estimated to cost around $1.8 million and will be the second tiny home village in the state. Billings is believed to have up to 1,000 homeless individuals, and addressing this issue has become a priority for local authorities.

Also read | Showdown in Hollywood! WGA strike sparks accusations of forced homelessness, studios respond

The push to address homelessness in Billings comes as lawmakers express concerns about the potential exacerbation of the crisis once federal emergency rental assistance provided during the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end.
Prince Harry was overwhelmed by memories of his mother Diana during his first date with Meghan Markle, a royal biographer claimed. Meghan Markle wore Princess Dianas favorite fragrance at their first meeting to win Harry's heart, Angela Levin claimed. Meghan Markle had an insider advantage in winning Prince Harrys affection. Angela Levin said, The first time they met, she had Dianas perfume on. Of course, Harry was just overwhelmed by that because he was a boy that loved cuddling up to his mother. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle(AFP)

The couple met for their first date at SoHo House in London- a private club. Prince Harry was reportedly half an hour late due to bad traffic, he shared in his memoir Spare. Meghan Markle Meghan excused herself to leave as she had previously made dinner plans.

But speaking of time, ours was up. Poof, she was gone. Compared to her, Cinderella was the queen of long goodbyes," Prince Harry wrote, adding that he was captivated by Meghan Markle at their first meeting.

She was wearing a black sweater, jeans, and heels. I knew nothing about clothes, but I knew she was chic. Then again, she could make anything look chic, Prince Harry wrote, adding, Id seen so many photos of her from fashion shoots and TV sets, all glam and glossy, but here she was, in the flesh, no frills, no filter and even more beautiful. Heart attack, beautiful. I was trying to process this, struggling to understand what was happening to my circulatory and nervous systems, and as a result, my brain couldnt handle any more data. Conversation, pleasantries, the Queens English, all became a challenge."

Angela Levin also said that Prince Harry has changed after marrying Meghan Markle. Its been very sad for me because I spent 15 months with him. I got to know him very well. I adored him and thought he was terrific. He had so many good qualities and was very good with people," the royal biographer said.

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Rent prices in the United Kingdom are soaring, and it seems even the royals are cashing in on the trend. King Charles III, Britain's most famous landlord, has made a whopping $34.3 million from his vast property empire, the Duchy of Lancaster. This amount is 9% over last year's rent collected by the monarchy. Offices of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Duchy, a $1 billion real estate portfolio, is responsible for generating income for whoever sits on the throne.

The Duchy of Lancaster, a $1 billion real estate portfolio, is responsible for generating income for whoever sits on the throne. King Charles inherited this vast estate after the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Spanning 45,000 acres, the Duchy generates significant rental income and is exempt from corporation taxes.

A Profitable Transformation

Under King Charles's reign, the Duchy has seen increased profits, partly driven by rising rents and improved earnings from commercial properties. This year, Charles received 26.2 million in private income from the Duchy, surpassing the earnings of his mother. These funds are separate from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant, which covers official royal expenses.

The Duchy raised rents by 3% in the last fiscal year, contributing an additional 8.2 million to the royal coffers. This increase has sparked debate amid the record-breaking rise in private rents across the UK, causing a cost-of-living crisis for many residents. However, it's important to note that King Charles's financial situation differs significantly from that of the average landlord.

Ascending to the throne during challenging times, King Charles has expressed a vision for a "slimmed-down monarchy." However, the recent Duchy figures show no signs of cost-cutting within his private estate. Operating costs have actually increased by 40%, with more staff hires and a pay rise for the chief executive.

Duchy's Importance in the Royal Family's Finances

While the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall provide private income for the royal family, they represent only a fraction of their estimated $28 billion fortune. The royal family's wealth includes personal assets, properties under the Crown Estate, the Sovereign Grant, and prominent palaces. The family has maintained secrecy around their wealth, with limited transparency regarding investments and spending.

Business-Focused Strategy

King Charles has demonstrated a business-driven strategy throughout his career. This approach extends to his management of the Duchy, with a preference for keeping operations in the hands of trusted insiders. Despite criticisms and questions about the family's wealth, it seems unlikely that Charles will deviate from his strategic mindset as king.

Mysteries of Royal Finance

Royal finances have always been shrouded in secrecy, making them a subject of intrigue. The Duchy's financial investments are managed by Newton Investment Management and Stanhope Capital, with details kept closely guarded. While the royal family is not obligated to disclose how they spend their private income, it is clear that the Duchies play a crucial role in their overall wealth.

Also read | From Diana to Kate: Women outshine King Charles in the royal family drama - Will King Charles ever get his moment?

The Duchies, including the Duchy of Lancaster, serve as vital sources of income for the royal family. However, they are just one piece of the puzzle in their vast fortune. As King Charles III takes the crown, his financial empire and its role in the royal family's wealth continue to captivate observers.
Missiles and drones launched by Russia in an intense series of nation-wide nightime air attacks have damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounded at least 12 people, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday. Firefighters work at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine July 19, 2023. (Reuters)

The air raid targeted the southern port city of Odesa for a second night in a row, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would halt its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled crucial grain exports to reach the world, including many countries facing the threat of hunger.

Meanwhile, Russian emergency officials in Crimea said that more than 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at a military facility. The fire also caused the closure of an important highway, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Russia-appointed head of the peninsula, which was annexed in 2014.

He didn't specify a cause for the fire at the facility in Kirovsky district, which came two days after an attack on a bridge linking Russia to Crimea that the Kremlin has blamed on Ukraine.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said in a statement on Telegram. Ukrainian authorities reported more drones and missiles sent against more parts of Ukraine than in recent days.

Popko said the attacks were especially fierce in Odesa for a second consecutive night. The Ukrainian armys Operational Command South reported that at least 12 civilians sustained injuries in the attack on the Odesa region.

Odesa's regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said the attack included dozens of missiles and strike drones aimed at the port and infrastructure facilities. Debris from missiles and drones that were shot down fell on apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people.

Russia targeted the port and key infrastructure with Oniks and Kh-22 missiles, Kiper said. Grain and oil terminals were hit, damaging storage tanks, loading equipment and causing a fire. Emergency service workers were deployed.

At least six residents of Odesa, including a 9-year-old boy, have sought medical assistance, because of injuries caused by shattered glass and other objects.

The remnants of a downed Kh-59 missile created a large crater in another part of the city, leaving three civilians injured and several buildings damaged.

Eight Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

Russia also attacked Kyiv with Iranian-made Shahed drones but with no result, said Popko. Ukrainian air defense intercepted all the drones aimed at the capital and a preliminary investigation showed there were no casualties.

In Ukraine's Zhytomyr region, Russian drone attacks damaged some infrastructure and private homes, according to regional Gov. Vitalii Bunechko. No casualties were reported.

Officials in the Ukrainian regions of Poltava and Kirovohrad also reported attacks.

The latest barrage came one day after Russia carried out what Moscow's Defense Ministry described as a strike of retribution on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and the coastal city of Mykolaiv, using sea-launched precision weapons.

Russia blames Ukraine for a July 17 strike on the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with the Crimea, and is a key artery for military and civilian supplies.

Ukraines top security agency appeared to tacitly admit to a role in the July 17 attack, but stopped short of directly claiming responsibility, echoing their responses after previous similar attacks on the Kerch Bridge.
If Russian president Vladimir Putin is arrested when he visits South Africa, it will be a declaration of war against Moscow, the country's president warned ahead of an an international meeting in Johannesburg to which the Russian leader is invited. Russian president Vladimir Putin. (AP)

As Vladimir Putin leaves Russian soil, he could be arrested as he will be subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. South Africa is a signatory to the ICC but has earlier refused to furnish on the obligation. The country allowed a safe passage in 2015 to Sudan's then-President Omar al-Bashir who was wanted for war crimes.

Vladimir Putin has been invited to South Africa in August for the BRICS summit owing to which South Africa's biggest opposition party, Democratic Alliance, has gone to court to try to force the authorities to arrest Vladimir Putin.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa told the court that such a move means that national security is at stake, saying in an affidavit, "South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin. Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia."

South Africa is one of several African nations holding talks with Russia and Ukraine "with a view of ending the war altogether", he said, asserting that arresting Vladimir Putin would be counter-productive. Cyril Ramaphosa also said in his affidavit that he was consulting with the leaders of each BRICS country over the issue.

Last month, the South African president joined several African leaders to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and then Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia, to discuss a path to ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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The Institute for the Study of War noted that insubordination which was being displayed by Russia's commanders is now spreading among troops creating a problem for Russian president Vladimir Putin's forces amid Ukraine war. Russian president Vladimir Putin(AP)

The think tank noted that Russian military bloggers had reacted strongly to the dismissal of 58th Combined Arms Army Commander Colonel General Ivan Popov after audio released last week showed Popov complaining directly to Putin about frontline conditions.

There have also been other reported dismissals of Russian top brass which include 106th Guards Airborne (VDV) Division Commander Major General Vladimir Seliverstov, 7th VDV Division Commander Major General Alexander Kornev and 90th Tank Division Commander Major General Ramil Ibatullin.

Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky, "set the precedent for the acts of insubordination that are currently plaguing the Russian MoD," the ISW said.

Troops from the 7th VDV Division have also been warned they would withdraw from occupied Kherson if Mikhail Teplinsky were arrested. ISW said that is showed how "insubordination among commanders appears to be spreading to some of their soldiers."

But changes to Russia's forces "are impossible for Gerasimov or Shoigu to execute given Putin's unrealistic demands for the war effort, constraints on Russian mobilization, and the Russian MoD's persistent incompetence," it said.

The ISW suggested that insubordination was created by Vladimir Putin who had regularly bypassed the established chain of command with the aim of securing quick results.

The crisis will "likely degrade Russian capabilities to conduct tactical offensive operations that are critical to the Russian elastic defense in southern Ukraine," the think tank said as it threatens to demoralize the wider Russian war effort.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a BRICS nations summit in South Africa next month, the country's presidency said on Wednesday, ending months of speculation. Russia's President Vladimir Putin(AFP)

Putin's potential visit has been a thorny diplomatic issue for South Africa.

The Russian leader is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant -- a provision that Pretoria as an ICC member would be expected to implement were he to set foot in the country.

"By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr (Sergei) Lavrov," Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said in a statement.

The decision follows "a number of consultations" held by Ramaphosa in recent months, the most recent of which took place "last night," Magwenya said.

South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group, a gathering of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China, which sees itself as a counterweight to Western economic domination.

Putin was formally invited to BRICS summit due to take place in Johannesburg between August 22 and 24, but Pretoria has been under heavy domestic and international pressure not to host him.

"President Ramaphosa is confident that the Summit will be a success and calls on the nation to extend the necessary hospitality to the many delegates who will arrive from various parts of the continent and the globe," Magwenya said.

Putin is sought by the ICC over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.
The United States on Wednesday announced a new $1.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine featuring air defense systems, anti-tank missiles, drones and other equipment. The aid would feature air defense systems, anti-tank missiles, drones and other equipment.(AFP)

The package is part of US efforts to meet "Ukraine's pressing requirements by committing critical near-term capabilities while also building the enduring capacity of Ukraine's armed forces," the Defense Department said in a statement.
Meghan Markle recently made headlines for a rule she may have broken during her visit to a farmers market. She visited the market accompanied by a security team. One of her pet beagles was also present. Meghan Markle arrives at the Invictus Games venue in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, April 15, 2022 (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)(AP)

People soon pointed out that Meghan took her pet along even though dogs are not allowed at the Montecito market. There is a sign reading, "NO DOGS ALLOWED with the exception of recognised service animals... we thank you for your understanding and cooperation." Since Meghan was pictured with her beagle, it appears as though she broke the rule. However, it is also possible that the rule is no longer in place.

Royal author and commentator Lady Colin Campbell (Lady C) has now taken aim at Meghan, saying the Duchess of Sussex did it purposely. She purposely set out to do it because she wanted to rain on Catherines parade. And she understood that if she broke the rules, she would get more publicity than if she abided by the rules, Lady C told GB News.

Lady C went on to call Meghan incorrigible. The woman is incorrigible, you know? Theres just no way around it. She is incorrigible, Lady C said.

Blows for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Meghan and Harry were snubbed in the nominations for the Primetime Emmys just recently. A royal expert noted that even if Harry and Meghan are devastated due to the Emmys snub, they will not show it." "Meghan and Harry will concentrate in this and make it a positive, however irritated they might be not to be in the Emmy nominations. The series is an intimate look at hardships they faced in their honey-colored, rose-tinted world, she said.

The Emmys snub came days after it was reported that Meghans Spotify podcast will not be renewed for a second season. Insiders close to Spotify have claimed the royal couple failed to meet the productivity benchmark that was needed to receive the full payout, according to Wall Street Journal. Meghan, however, is reportedly planning to create more podcasts.
McDonald's should terminate franchise deals if UK branches are "not following labour law", chair of the Business and Trade Committee said after claims of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying by current and recent staff from the fast food chain, BBC reported. Workers are being groped and harassed almost routinely, the report claimed. McDonald's sign is seen.(Reuters File Photo )

McDonald's deeply apologised admitting that it had fallen short insisting that it had a "strong track record in this area". More than 100 allegations from McDonald's workers relating to sexual assault, harassment, racism and homophobia over the past five months have been made.

Our franchise agreement contains termination provisions should they not comply with these standards. Within our standards we specifically include People Brand Standards to ensure restaurants are operated in accordance with UK law in a manner that creates a safe, respectful, inclusive workplace and includes regular training and monitoring on prevention of harassment, discrimination and workplace violence, the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said the allegations are "deeply concerning".

Darren Jones, a Labour MP, said, I am sure they go in and check the quality of their burgers and whether their marketing standards have been put up properly and whether customers are happy with the quality of their milkshakes. But are they going in and talking to the staff and making sure that they are being treated fairly and in line with the law? It sounds like they are not.

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Ukraine's counter-offensive against Russia is far from a failure, but the fight ahead will be long and bloody, the top US general said on Tuesday, even as casualties on both sides mount and the front lines have moved only incrementally. Since Ukraine began its counteroffensive last month, Kyiv has recaptured some villages in the south and territory around the ruined city of Bakhmut in the east. (AP/File)

The United States and other allies have spent months building Ukraine a "mountain of steel" of weaponry and training Ukrainian forces in combined arms techniques to help Kyiv pierce formidable Russian defenses during its counter-offensive.

Asked whether the counter-offensive was a failure, at least so far, General Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said: "It is far from a failure. I think that it's way too early to make that kind of call.

Speaking after another round of talks on arms for Ukraine in its fight against Russia's now nearly 17-month invasion, Milley said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be slow.

"I think there's a lot of fighting left to go and I'll stay with what we said before: This is going to be long. It's going be hard. It's going to be bloody," Milley told reporters.

Since Ukraine began its counteroffensive last month, Kyiv has recaptured some villages in the south and territory around the ruined city of Bakhmut in the east, but has yet to attempt a major breakthrough across heavily defended Russian lines.

Kyiv says it is deliberately advancing slowly to avoid high casualties on fortified defensive lines strewn with landmines, and is focused for now on degrading Russia's logistics and command. Moscow says the Ukrainian counteroffensive has failed.

Six weeks since Ukraine launched a counteroffensive in the east and south, Russia is mounting a ground offensive of its own in the northeast.

Russia also spent months digging into defensive positions, surrounding them with landmines and building heavily armed fortifications that have made Ukrainian advances in the east and south slow and bloody.

Milley said various war games had predicted certain levels of Ukrainian advances, but conflict on paper was different from the reality of facing complex minefields, barbed wire and Russian trenches.

"Real war is unpredictable. It's filled with fear, fog and friction," Milley said

Russia's defense ministry said its forces had advanced 2 km (1.2 miles) in the vicinity of Kupiansk, a frontline railway hub recaptured by Ukraine in an offensive last year. Kyiv acknowledged a "complicated" situation in the area. Reuters could not independently verify the situation.

Milley said that the group also discussed ramping up ammunition production at both "national levels and at the multinational level" through the European Union and the plans to train and supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter capability.

Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraine defence minister, said after the Tuesday talks that "supply of weapons and equipment urgently needed" is a priority for Ukraine.

"Focus: air defence, ammunition and armour," Reznikov said on Twitter.
Press Release

July 19, 2023 Transcript Senate President Migz Zubiri

The Source Q: Andun po kayo during the signing of the President of the Maharlika. There's a lot of things the President said, allaying fears, sabi niya focus on financial decisions. Earlier, he said saan niyo ba palagay na ilalagay namin itong perang ito? Nanonood daw siya ng TV, akala pa raw ng publiko sa yate or sa magagarang kotse. Senate President, just to be clear, saan ho ba initially planong iinvest itong fund? SP MIGZ: Well, let's put in proper context. He said sabi nga niya nanonood siya ng news, napapakinggan niya po ang kritisismo ng mga ayaw ng Maharlika Investment Fund, na parang kapag itinayo ito bibili sila ng magagandang kotse, bibili sila ng yate. Parang it is so out of this world. According to him, it is so out of this world to misuse this fund for these purposes. Kaya sinasabi niya during debates in the Congress and Senate, the investment in Malaysia kept cropping up, yung One MDB fund nila which was used for buying fancy jewelry, cars ng asawa ng prime minister who are in jail now in Malaysia. This is just an example of one bad fund, for all the other 100 or so investment funds. So sabi niya, hindi mangyayari ito. In fairness, Pinky, naglagay po tayo ng napakaraming penalties para sa misuse ng pondong ito. We actually put two pages of penalties in the law to make sure that the fund will be properly used, or not misused for corruption. Even the selection process for the individuals that will be part of the board and head of the Maharlika Investment Fund naglagay po tayo ng napakaraming safeguards na parang nag-aapply ka ng judge or position sa Supreme Court na you have to go through a fine-toothed comb, butas ng karayom, and then the President will choose, will select among the best of the best on this selection committee. Talagang 'yun ay napakaraming safeguard na inilagay natin doon. Now, ang sabi ng Pangulo sa akin, because in the sideline, he sat beside me, he wants to do big ticket items kung saan may high-impact projects for the economy. For example, toll bridges, toll roads which will employ tens of thousands Filipinos sa construction period. Palagay na natin, I gave it an example, yung Cavite-Bataan bridge, it will be almost as long as the Hong Kong-Macau bridge, pero benefit sa bansa natin ay napakalaki. Bakit? In the construction phase which is gonna be 56 years, we will be employing tens of thousands of construction workers, everything from skilled to non-skilled will be employed there. Imagine niyo yung opportunities ng Metro Manila, kasi Cavitex yan, Cavite po yan or Mega Manila, and Bataan which is Region 3. Tapos kapag naayos po yung tulay na 'yun, it will shorten the travel time from the ports from Manila North Harbor, together with the ICTSI where they bring in 40-foot containers, hindi na po nila kailangang dumaan pa sa North Expressway or NLEX para papunta ng Region 3, dadaan na lang sila ng Cavitex. It will shorten the travel hours from 4 hours, Pinky, to about 45 minutes to 1 hour maximum. Imagine the help in the economy there because it will be easier to bring the food in these areas. That's the third. The fourth, that is where the income will come in. Ang sabi nga ng mga media friends natin kahapon, so paano makikinabang ang tao diyan. So I've mentioned all these. I've mentioned the first two. Of course the third, it will increase the economic growth in these areas, Mega Manila and Region 3. Number 4, yung income sa toll road kasi may income po yan, you can ask, why is MVP group and San Miguel Corporation putting up toll roads everywhere? It's because there's also income to be made in these toll roads. Yung income po na yan, Pinky, babalik po yan sa Maharlika Investment Fund at lalaki at lalaki ang pondo ng Maharlika Investment to fund other major infrastructure projects of the same intensity. Q: That's one example. So you've mentioned MVP and RSA, sila po ang meron pong mga tollways. In a situation like this, tama ho ba, government will be the one building these roads, building these tollways rather, and then government din po ang makikinabang. Government initiative as is. Hindi po siya PPP? SP MIGZ: Hindi naman, Pinky. Pwede naman kasing PPP yan. Of course, the Maharlika Investment Fund cannot fund that project alone. The project that I've mentioned, the Bataan-Cavite bridge, is going to cost trillions of pesos. It's not going to cost just billions of pesos. So definitely hindi makapasok buo ang Maharlika Investment Fund. Magkakaroon po ng PPP yan. So le's say it could be a consortium between the MVP group, Ramon Ang of the San Miguel Group, at kasama po let's say third player ang Maharlika Investment Fund, it could be 30 percent owner. So not necessarily po nathey are not in the business of building things. They are in the business of investing in this project. Hindi po sila ang magtatayo niyan, they have to partner with private companies. Q: Because the President mentioned yesterday this will help us somehow siguro stop the increase in government borrowings. So what happens here is there's a project and Maharlika Investment Council [which] decides, mukhang profitable itong negosyong ito so papasok tayo. So ang tanong, is there any provision in the law that will have, number one, oversight, and number two, profitability in terms of timeline. Ibig sabihin meron ho ba sa batas na sasabihin in two years dapat meron tayong percentage na kita, in four years dapat meron din tayong percentage na kita. Pero kung hindi tayo kumita, what's next? Meron ho ba anything in the law? Please explain, Sir. SP MIGZ: Yes actually meron tayong oversight committee na inilagay sa Maharlika Investment Fund na kung saan ang members ng Senado at Kongreso ay kasama po doon, at of course we will review the projects that are planned to be implemented or even review projects that have been started and are ongoing. Accordingly from the President and the economic team, maglalagay sila ng best of the best finance and economic managers, and they are not going to look just within the Filipinos within the Philippines. They are trying to look at Filipinos abroad, yung mga nagtatrabaho sa mga fund management groups. Actually the plan is to put it in not high risk, but rather medium to low risk investment. Bakit? Kasi pera ng gobyerno yan, ingat na ingat po diyan. It's part of the penalties if it's going to be misused. Imagine, I wouldn't think that they would put the fund in the stock market. With due respect to the stock exchange, I think the stock exchange right now is in the morbid state. Hindi gumagalaw ang stock exchange natin. Walang nag-iinvest. As a matter of fact, I know major companies, Metro Pacific included, that want to delist from Philippine Stock Exchange. So definitely the MIF should not touch these investibles because of the risk involved. So kasi diyan madaling matalo ang pondong yan. Ilalagay po nila yan sa mga proyekto with partnership with private sector that they know concrete projects that are going to be high impact for the economy and of course with steady returns for the Maharlika Investment Fund. So wala po tayong timeline diyan. As I mentioned yesterday, binanggit ko po ito, pinick up po ito ng mga news outlets, the benefits of the Maharlika Investment Fund are not within the next two years. I don't think it will be in the next two years or three years. This could a long term program, and I think ang benepisyo nito will be already in the next administration. Possibly the next generation. I mean pangmatagalan nga ito, and the President mentioned this yesterday in his speech na pangmatagalan nga po ito. Look at Vietnam, ten years ago, Pinky, kapag pumunta ka ng Vietnam, simple lang, puro motorsiklo makikita mo. Ngayon kapag bumisita ka ng Vietnam, nakakaiyak, ako ay nakakaiyak dahil ang dami-dami nilang infrastructure program built by the Vietnamese government. And these are all over the place. Major bridges, connector roads, skyways which really prop up the economy. Skyways are connecting from one ecozone to another. And the port area and airport. So in this case, we can do this now. Pwede po natin yan gawin ngayon na, hindi na natin kailangan mag-utang pa. Pabalik-balik po ang paratang na ang laki-laki na ng utang ng gobyerno, it's P14.1, P14.2 trillion. Everybody owes how many hundreds of thousands, per individual in this country. That's why the President does not want to have to borrow anymore for these major infrastructure projects. And that is one way of being able to jumpstart the economy, we keep our GDP debt ratio lower, hopefully it will come down, and we will be able to jumpstart high-impact investments. Napakahalaga nito, Pinky. For example, I'll give you another example, Pinky, yung Visayas bridge program kung saan ikokonek natin ang Panay Island to Guimaras, that's Iloilo to Guimaras to Negros Occidental, and from Negros Occidental they will pass to the southern part of the Negros Occidental which is Dumaguete, it will go to Santander, in Cebu, going all the way up to Bohol, connecting Cebu to Bohol. Imagine, Pinky, for tourism, you can have breakfast in Tagbilaran and dinner in Boracay. Ang ganda, with your vehicle, with just one car, you are driving to these all beautiful areas of Central and Western Visayas and it will not only bring tourism but goods to each island. Hindi na po kailangan ng ro-ro, and [this can be] one of the projects that the Maharlika Investment Fund [can invest in]. It can fund high-impact, high-value and of course big returns for its investible program. Q: Kailan ho mararamdaman ng tao ang benepisyo ng investment ng Maharlika Investment Fund? SP MIGZ: Well, Pinky, alam mo pangmatagalan ito. So ang aking pakiramdam, I cannot predict the future, it's a long term game. It will take possibly between 3 to 5 years before we actually feel the benefits of the Maharlika Investment Fund. Kasi kung gagamitin po natin yung pondo pang infrastructure program, matagal po ang paggawa ng mga tulay, matagal po ang paggawa ng mga toll roads. But in the short term, dahil ginagawa po natin itong mga tulay, kalsada na ito, I'm just giving one example, magkakaroon po tayo ng general upliftment of the economy dahil siyempre magha-hire po tayo ng maraming tao na magtatrabaho sa mga projects na ito. But the income that will be made by the Maharlika Investment Fund will take a while kasi nga itatayo pa yan, once the toll road is completed, sisingilin natin ang mga tao sa pagdaan sa mga kalsadang iyon. Of course the income will go back to the Maharlika Investment Fund. But again as I've said, in the short term we will be creating a lot of jobs, a lot of opportunites. Other countries will look at us and say ah pwede tayong mag-invest diyan kasi tignan niyo ang infrastructure programs and developments nila. You know that's one of thethese are one of the factors why there's foreign direct investment in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand and other countries where they focus on a lot of infrastructure developments, brand new airports, brand new seaports, widening the [connections] between ecozones. So malaking bagay yan para mas lalong dumami po ang investment sa ating bansa. Both locally sa kapwa Pilipino na negosyante and of course foreign direct investment na mga galing sa Estados Unidos na aalis for example sa China, at naghahanap po sila ng lugar na makainvest dito sa Asya, dito sila pupunta sa atin sa Pilipinas. There's a lot of benefits to be made out of this Maharlika Investment Fund. For the long term, I see of course job generation and the overall positive sentiment of foreign direct investors and other pople who want to invest in the Philippines. Yung kung kapag kumita, when will it earn, that's a bit longer game. It's not going to be earning in the short term because we don't want to put it in the high risk. As I said, we don't want to put itdefinitely not in stocks, definitely not in cryptocurrency. It will never be used in cryptocurrency, you know it's a volatile market. So these are a long-term games for long-term gains. Q: There are already groups planning to question the constitutionality of the Maharlika Investment Fund before the Supreme Court. Are you at all concerned that maybe there could have been some problems by whichin the process by which the enrolled bill was done and transmitted to Malacanan for the President's signature? SP MIGZ: Pinky, for those who are not familiar with the legislative process. I've been a legislator for twenty years now. Almost on my twenty-second year as a legislator. Mahabang proseso po yan, and it was just an honest mistake. Bakit? Inaprub po natin ang measure alas-tres ng umaga, alas-dos ng umaga, bumalik po tayo sa Senado para magkaroon ng meeting with the House of [Representatives] seven hours later, pagod na pagod po yung Secretariat natin. It was just an honest mistake of the Secretariat. I even spoke to our Minority Floor Leader and I told him that there was no intent to malign or malicious intent to change any provision. Because in the legislative process, Pinky, you always go back to the transcript of records. That's why I am not worried about the Supreme Court because we will provide them the transcript of records of what transpired. We only chose the same provision, only one prescription period of ten years. Si Senator Risa proposed for twenty years, Senator Mark said no, we do not accept twenty years, only ten. Very clear on the transcript of records. It was very clear and I said, "Are there any objections to the motion of the sponsor that it will only be ten?" No objections, and then I said okay, the motion of Risa to amend to twenty years is lost. And then we approve subject to style, and when you say subject to style, diyan mo lilinisin yung particular provision, you put the legal content. So the transcript of records is very clear. Nagkamali lang ang Secretariat at nasabihan ko na po sila at masama nga ang loob nila that they missed out a correction. So let's not make a mountain out of a molehill here kasi there was no intent to sabotage or destroy the essence of the bill. Buti sana if we added a provision about allowing Pag-ibig or SSS or whatever, we can't do that. It was just an honest mistake that they were not able to clean that section 50 and 51. The next process, Senator Mark Villar wrote the Secretariat and said no, nagkamali kayo diyan, lagyan niyo ng tamang pinag-usapan sa plenaryo, so they corrected it. That is the process, we do that in the budget, when you pass the budget, Pinky, in third and final reading, even if it is ratified, you have people of Senator Angara and the Chairman of the Committee of Appropriations in the House working at the midnight hour, making sure that all these provisions are correctly placed into the budget of the Philippines. We didn't do anything illegal. The process is sound. When you talked about the process and how it was passed, I stand firm that it is not unconstitutional and it is constitutionally sound. Q: What will happen sakaling mag-issue ng arrest warrant ang ICC? SP MIGZ: Unang-una, what I said yesterday, we have local courts, we have our Secretary of Justice, we have our own Department of Justice, we have our own local courts as I mentioned earlier. Just the same thing that happened to Senator Trillanes, Senator de Lima, unless a local warrant of arrest is issued to a member of the Senate or Secretariat, the Senate will uphold their legal right unless there is a valid warrant of arrest. Why are we duty bound to give up Senator Bato dela Rosa? That was the question asked me by the media, will you give him up when the ICC comes out with warrant of arrest. No, because we have local jurisdiction, local courts [are] supposed [to be the] one that will release the warrant of arrest. Without the local warrant of arrest issued by the courts, then as far as I'm concerned, he is still a working member of the Senate and accorded of course that respect, similar to Senator De Lima and Senator Trillanes. only when the warrant of arrest was issued, then we allowed or we agreed that they may be taken in the custody. The process is the ICC should be filing with the local courts, and the local courts will be the one issuing the warrants of arrest. That should be the process. I'm just stating a fact, a legal fact. Q: If the ICC wants to issue an arrest warrant it has to coordinate with the local court and that local court will issue the warrant of arrest on behalf of the ICC? SP MIGZ: Yes, that is the process/ That's why we are a sovereign nation, Pinky. No outsiderimagine if Russia says we want to arrest whoever in the Philippines, and then all of a sudden they will be arrested without going through due process and then taken away from the country. We are still a sovereign country and they are still a citizen of this country. They do that with many other countries. But however ang delikado diyan, if Senator Bato dela Rosa leaves the country and goes to the country that is friendly to the ICC, then they will act in that country to arrest Senator dela Rosa, but here in the Philippines the process is they must coordinate with the local court. Q: If the local court does that, will the Senate protect Senator dela Rosa? SP MIGZ: Whoever Senator, whoever, as I said whether you are the highest official of the land or lowest official of the land or member, citizen of this country, no one is above the law. If the local court issues a warrant of arrest, we cannot do anything about it. As I said, that is our practice of sovereign in our country. We have our local courts, they must respect that.
Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, was stationed in South Korea when he crossed the heavily fortified inter-Korean border to enter North Korea. It is believed that he is currently detained in North Korea. US soldier Travis King defects to North Korea

Travis Kings mother has recently spoken up as she expressed her shock at her sons unusual behavior. She explained how risky behavior was unlike her son.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Claudine Gates, of Racine, Wisconsin, told ABC News. She said that she last heard from her son a few days ago.

"I'm so proud of him. I just want him to come home, come back to America."

In South Korea, King was facing disciplinary action and served time in prison for assault charges.

The Army Private was set to return to Fort Bliss to face military action after serving his South Korean sentence. However, he failed to make it to his plane back to the US and left the airport instead.

Later, he joined a tour of Panmunjom and the de-militarised zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea.

Recently, tensions between nations have worsened as Kim Jong-Un has been increasingly aggressive towards Washington amid the countrys record missile testing spree.

North Korea launched its banned intercontinental ballistic missiles which are capable of delivering nuclear warheads in American cities.

US Forces Korea spokesman Colonel Isaac Taylor said that King crossed the border willfully and without authorization. He was allegedly laughing as he ran off.

A statement by the UN Command said.A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that Washington was "closely monitoring and investigating the situation".

"There's a lot that we're still trying to learn, he added.

While North Koreans defecting to South Korea is a common occurrence, Americans or South Koreans rarely defect to North Korea.

Authorities have reportedthat we are working with KPA (North Korean Army) counterparts to resolve this incident.

Also Read | North Korea tests two missiles after US nuclear sub sails to South Korea: Report
A large convoy of suspected Wagner fighters has arrived from Russia at a new camp in Belarus, BBC reported citing new satellite images. Dozens of vehicles entering the camp at Tsel- 103km from the capital Minsk- were seen in the images. This comes after an agreement was reached to end Wagner's mutiny against Russian president Vladimir Putin and the country's military. The agreement involved Part of the agreement involved Wagner troops agreeing to relocate to Belarus, it was reported. Russian president Vladimir Putin(AFP)

Russian president Vladimir Putin had then offered Wagner fighters the choice of signing contracts directly with the Russian Defence Ministry, or going to Belarus with their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The latest images showed that Wagner has now begun to move personnel in large numbers in the area where previous satellite had shown about 300 tents.

Wagner-linked channels on Telegram posted footage to show the group's flags being lowered at its main training base at Molkino in Russia, the report claimed.

Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko said Wagner "are currently in their camps" inside the country.

"If Belarus needs them, we will instantly call upon the Wagner private military company to defend the nation," Alexander Lukashenko said.

Long convoys of vehicles with Wagner flags have also been captured on video inside Russia heading towards Belarus. But it is unclear how many troops are relocating to Tsel. Although, Belarusian investigative journalism outlet Hayun estimated that a total of 100 units and about 600 people might have travelled to Tsel.

BBC reported that there were 31 large vehicles in the footage showing the convoy that arrived at Tsel.

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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 Russian politician and former army officer said that Wagner group's repositioning to Belarus puts Russia in a position to quickly strike NATO targets near Poland and Lithuania. Andrey Kartapolov told Russian state television that the private military company could strike the border region of Poland and Lithuania in "a matter of hours" from its new location. Head of Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin.(AP)

The mercenary group is reported to be in Belarus after a failed uprising by its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin last month. Following the brief mutiny against Russian president Vladimir Putin, a deal was brokered between the two sides owing to which Yevgeny Prigozhin agreed to exile in Belarus where Wagner fighters have begun joining him, it was reported.

Belarus sits at a strategically important crossroads of Europe- bordering NATO countries such as Poland, Lithuania and Latvia in addition to Ukraine.

"Should anything happen, we need this Suwalki Corridor very much," Andrey Kartapolov said during his TV appearance, adding, "A strike force [based in Wagner forces in Belarus] is ready to take this corridor in a matter of hours."

Rebekah Koffler, former DIA intelligence officer, told Fox News that the move could be part of Vladimir Putin's plan to open up another front in the Ukraine war.

The repositioning of the Wagner Group was part of Putins plan to open the second front in Belarus, which is now in possession of tactical nuclear weapons. Putin -- under the guise of the so-called 'Prigozhin coup' -- placed Wagner, his best fighting force, in a much more threatening position: within striking distance of both Kyiv, Ukraine and NATOs border - Latvia, Lithuania, Rebekah Koffler said.

Russia's General Staff that does long-term forecasting, assessed a decade ago that a direct war between Russia and the US/NATO is inevitable. Moscow is interpreting every US and NATO move within that prism. Whatever Bidens rationale is for this recent deployment, to Putin it means the US is ready to jump in the fight, Rebekah Koffler continued.

Putin will not wait for the US to strike first. If Russian intelligence assesses that US/NATO forces are about to join the fight, Putin will likely do what Kartapolov warns about, he warned.

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JULY 19: Blacks two-way deal with the Hornets is now official, the team announced.

JUNE 23: The Hornets will use one of their two-way slots in 2023/24 on rookie free agent Leaky Black, reports Adam Smith of Inside Carolina. The two sides have agreed to a two-way deal.

A 68 swingman, Black went undrafted out of North Carolina on Thursday. He spent five seasons with the Tar Heels, averaging 7.3 PPG and 6.5 RPG on .411/.326/.702 shooting in 33 games (32.1 MPG) during his super-senior year in 2022/23.

While Blacks offensive contributions are modest, hes considered an asset on the other end of the floor, having made the ACCs All-Defensive team in both 2022 and 2023.

Prior to attending UNC, Black was born and raised in Concord, North Carolina, so its a local signing for the Hornets.

Xavier Sneed, one of the players who finished the 2022/23 season on a two-way contract with the Hornets, has a deal that covers 23/24 as well. Assuming Charlotte hangs onto him, the team will be able to carry one more two-way player in addition to Sneed and Black.
Ruby Zoe is the 16th hotel in Europe of the Munich group around founder and CEO Michael Struck. The 173 rooms are spread over six floors of a new building with a total area of 6,860 sq ft., directly on Notting Hill Gate, a few minutes' walk from the famous Portobello Road.

The design of Ruby Zoe was inspired by Notting Hill's history as well as its Caribbean heritage. This is especially evident in the decor and interior design, which reflect all the different cultures that have made the neighborhood the vibrant district it is today. In particular, the 1970s, the colors of Portobello Road and the Caribbean islands provided inspiration for the typically cosy Ruby atmosphere, a relaxed and welcoming interior, full of color, weathered surfaces, and musical references. The open and expansive glass fronts on three sides open the entire ground floor to the city.

The newest hotel also follows Ruby's Lean Luxury philosophy: a location in the heart of the city, top design, and high-end amenities with the essentials. And it does so affordably by consistently dispensing with superfluous and non-essentials. For the rooms of the Ruby Zoe, this means the brand-typical elements of an open washstand and glass rain shower, lots of fresh white and wall paneling made of cherry wood. Extra charm is added by the artwork above the bed, which picks up on the colorful houses in Notting Hill.

A highlight is definitely the 455 sq. ft. public area in the ground floor, which includes a bar and a retail space with a vinyl store. The vinyls are curated by Ruby's own resident artists and are available for purchase on site. The open-plan area invites locals, guests, and even the neighborhood to linger, and provides space to work from or even just enjoy a coffee while watching passersby walk by.

In fall 2023, a specially commissioned public artwork for the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea by celebrated British-Trinidadian artist Zak Ove will also be installed on the hotel's facade. This is his first glass mosaic artwork inspired by the traditions, flair and freedom of carnival and masquerade. Ove's installation will consist of eight floor-to-ceiling glass mosaic panels that frame the exterior at the Ruby Zoe's entrance. Together, they form a billowing, vibrant carnival parade that celebrates the area's rich heritage as well as Ove's own heritage and connection to the area.

Ruby Zoe is located in the heart of the colorful Notting Hill neighborhood. The hotel is within walking distance of Kensington Palace, Hyde Park and the popular Portobello Market, known for its antiques and vintage fashion. Notting Hill Gate Underground Station is right outside the door, offering excellent public transport links. London Heathrow Airport is 40 minutes away by car.

Four room categories are available for Ruby guests to choose from, ranging from the friendly NEST Room with about 15 sqm, COSY Rooms with about 17 sqm, LOVELY Rooms for weekends for two, about 18-24 sqm, and WOW Rooms with up to 30 sqm. On average, room rates are around 225 GBP/night.

For more information or to book directly: http://www.ruby-hotels.com/zoe.

Hotel website
In a collaborative endeavor with Agung Sedayu Group, Ennismore is gearing up to introduce 25hours Hotel The Oddbird, housed in the aesthetically compelling building, District 8. The Swedish creative studio, Stylt, in conjunction with the brand team, is dedicated to crafting a hotel design that embodies the idiosyncratic flair of 25hours.

The hotel will feature public spaces designed for both work and leisure, offering a vibrant experience through compelling storytelling and collaborations. 25hours Founder, Christoph Hoffmann, stated, "The Oddbird will be an unrivaled addition to the city's hospitality sector."

Alexander Halim Kusuma, CEO of ASRI, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We are looking forward to introducing novel experiences to Jakarta with the first 25hours hotel in Asia. Globally, 25hours hotel is a space where everyone can feel comfortable and welcome."

"At 25hours hotel Jakarta, everyone will find a warm welcome, as this will be the city's new urban sanctuary. Here at ASRI, we are not just committed to property development, but creating a well-rounded lifestyle destination with holistic experiences to enhance quality of life. The Oddbird Jakarta, a 25hours hotel, embraces diversity and originality, creating a haven of paradoxes."

Adding to the conversation, Cedric Gobilliard, Brand Chief Operating Officer of 25hours Hotels at Ennismore, noted: "We are eager to work with Agung Sedayu Group to not only introduce 25hours Hotels to Asia for the first time but to open the first serviced residences, thereby expanding our globally recognized brand to long-term residents."

"The 'You know one, you know none' philosophy of 25hours will undoubtedly establish it as one of Jakarta's most sought-after destinations for lifestyle, hospitality, culinary, and mixology experiences for both locals and travelers."

Socializing at the scene Upon inauguration, the property will provide accommodation for guests in its 345 guest rooms and serviced residences, catering to both short-term and long-term stays.

The hotel will feature several social venues for eating and drinking, including the COPA restaurant offering South American cuisine, the Monkey Bar which brings a touch of European bar culture to the rooftop, a healthy pool bar, and a vibrant lobby lounge and bar.

The property will also include a ballroom, themed meeting and event spaces like a karaoke lounge, and wellness facilities such as an outdoor swimming pool.

Guests will have the added perk of complimentary drive time to navigate the city, courtesy of a partnership with Mini. This particular 25hours property offers an exclusive feature - guests will have access to other amenities within the mixed-use development, including direct access to the Ashta mall.

Perfectly situated for city exploration, the hotel is in close proximity to landmarks such as the Treasury Tower and vibrant nightlife and culinary areas. The hotel is 28km away from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and merely a 15-minute walk from the Senayan MRT station.

Hotel website
Lucknam Park has appointed Francesca Mannone as Head of Marketing. Mannone brings with her a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality having spent time working and living in Belgium, Germany, Italy and the UK. Mannone gained strong operational skills working for NH Hotel Group as Conference & Banqueting Manager, before transitioning to Sales & Event Manager at Kempinski Hotels where she oversaw the UK, France, Italy Belgium & US markets. Most recently, Mannone founded her own successful enterprise, Social Times London, a strategic digital marketing agency that helps brands to connect with valuable customers and brand advocates. With her finger always on the pulse and a creative entrepreneurial mindset, Mannone is perfectly positioned to head up Lucknam Park's Marketing department.

Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa

Bath

United Kingdom Website
Aaron Losch brings over two decades of culinary knowledge to his new role as Assistant Executive Chef at Durango Casino & Resort supporting resort Executive Chef Danny Ye. With a passion for food, his storied career as a culinary leader includes a variety of local roles, previously serving as director of culinary operations at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino where he oversaw the property's 13 restaurants, three production kitchens and nine hotel amenity locations, and corporate executive chef at Alex Stratta Restaurant Group. Prior to joining Durango, Losch served in roles as executive chef at The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas and T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa.

Durango Casino & Resort

Las Vegas, Nevada

United States Website
David Bone, a Director of Business Development with HVS Austin, has conducted hundreds of consulting and appraisal assignments for limited-, select-, and full-service hotels and resorts in markets across Texas and throughout the U.S. Davids articles on the hotel industry include The Reciprocal Value of City Development, which was republished on multiple independent hospitality websites; he has also been quoted in the New Mexico Business Weekly. Before joining HVS, David gained front-line hotel experience at the Omni Parkwest Hotel in Dallas, where he worked in the rooms division and engaged in all aspects of operations. David earned his bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University. He is a state-certified general appraiser and is based near San Antonio.
The many ways consumers interact with hotels today are vast and diverse. From browsing social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook on smartphones to watching captivating YouTube videos on tablets, or even stumbling upon a hotels website through a search engine query on a desktop computer, the avenues for hotel discovery are ever-expanding.

In this landscape, cultivating a consistent and seamless user experience across all channels has become paramount. Enter omnichannel marketing, a strategic approach that considers all marketing channels to craft the most optimal customer experience. Gone are the days of marketing in isolation; instead, a unified strategy is applied to all marketing channels, irrespective of their distinct functionalities or target audiences.

The rewards of implementing omnichannel marketing correctly can be substantial. A comprehensive analysis conducted by Omni send in 2021, involving over 135,000 marketing campaigns, revealed that marketers who incorporated three or more channels in their campaigns achieved an astounding 494% higher order rate compared to those who solely focused on a single channel.

Industries from business-to-consumer (B2C) to business-to-business (B2B) benefit greatly from effective omnichannel marketing. It can be the defining factor between fostering a loyal base of returning customers or losing their valuable business to the competition.

In essence, by embracing omnichannel marketing and employing a cohesive strategy across multiple touch points, hotels can forge stronger connections with their audience, nurture trust, and ultimately drive superior business outcomes.

The concept of omnichannel marketing in the hotel industry

The concept of omnichannel marketing revolves around prioritizing the customer experience, whereas multichannel marketing focuses on creating individual marketing channels for each platform.

In an omnichannel approach, the focus is on understanding customer personas and their journeys with a hotel across various platforms and devices. The hotel then develops a strategy to deliver an exceptional customer experience throughout the entire journey.

In today's digital landscape, customers expect hotels to be present and attentive across all channels and platforms. Regardless of the specific channel or platform, customers may seek to ask questions, find solutions to their problems, or gain a comprehensive understanding of what sets a hotel apart. Achieving consistency in voice, tone, level of customer service, and the information provided across these various touch points is crucial. This is where an omnichannel marketing strategy becomes invaluable.

By adopting an omnichannel approach, hotels can ensure that their messaging, interactions, and overall customer experience remain consistent across all platforms. This consistency builds trust and reinforces the hotels identity and value proposition. Whether it's through social media, websites, mobile apps, or other channels, an effective omnichannel strategy enables hotels to meet customer expectations and deliver a cohesive and engaging hotel experience at every touchpoint.

Significance of omni-channel marketing in statistics

Omnichannel marketing holds significant importance due to its ability to foster stronger relationships with leads and customers. By engaging customers across multiple channels, hotels can effectively educate them about their offerings, enhance their understanding of the hotel, and subsequently improve their expectations and booking opportunities.

Research from Gartner conducted in 2021, involving a survey of 2,196 customers, highlighted the impact of a value-enhancing service experience. When customers have a positive experience:

There is a 97% probability that they will share their positive experience via word of mouth, potentially amplifying brand awareness and attracting new customers.

There is an 86% probability that they will spend more money, indicating a higher customer lifetime value and increased revenue potential.

There is an 82% probability of customer retention, showcasing the ability to cultivate long-term loyalty and repeat business.

However, it's crucial to recognize that a poor customer experience can have detrimental effects on customer retention. PwC research reveals that even when customers in the U.S. have an initial affinity towards a product or company:

59% of them disengage with the company after experiencing multiple negative encounters, highlighting the importance of consistent positive interactions.

17% of them walk away after just one negative experience, underlining the significance of delivering exceptional service consistently.

These statistics emphasize the vital role of omnichannel marketing in shaping customer perceptions, satisfaction, and ultimately, loyalty. By providing a seamless and exceptional experience across all touch points, hotels can minimize churn, drive positive word of mouth, increase customer spending, and secure long-term customer relationships.

Personalization is vital

Personalization plays a significant role in ensuring a seamless experience wherever customers interact with your hotel. It goes hand in hand with the concept of omnichannel marketing. When customers can receive personalized experiences tailored to their specific needs and preferences, it enhances their overall satisfaction and engagement.

Let's consider an example: A customer initiates a chat with a chatbot on a hotel website seeking assistance with an issue. Later, the customer reaches out to the same hotel on Instagram to follow up. Instead of starting the conversation from scratch, the hotel can provide a seamless experience by referencing the previous interaction and offering the latest information. This cohesive and personalized approach exemplifies the essence of an omnichannel experience.

Personalization holds considerable value for a company's bottomline. According to research conducted by McKinsey & Company in 2021, when businesses fall short in delivering personalized experiences:

76% of consumers become frustrated, highlighting the importance of meeting their expectations for tailored interactions.

Conversely, companies that excel at personalization achieve 40% more revenue from such activities compared to those that provide average-level personalization. This demonstrates the positive impact of personalized experiences on driving growth and profitability.

By leveraging personalization, hotels can create deeper connections with their customers, foster loyalty, and drive increased revenue.The ability to deliver relevant and tailored experiences across multiple channels reinforces the value proposition of the hotel, leading to greater customer satisfaction and long-term success.

Different techniques for hotelsomnichannel marketing

Omnichannel marketing encompasses various techniques that can be applied to hotel strategy, individual marketing campaigns, and the overall customer journey. Here are some examples of omnichannel marketing techniques:

Hotel Strategy:Establishing Hotel Standards

Developing a set of hotel standards and guidelines is crucial for maintaining consistency across all channels. This includes defining the hotels tone of voice, color palette, fonts, imagery, and other visual and verbal elements. By adhering to these standards, customers can easily recognize the hotel regardless of the channel.

ChannelIntegration

Always consider each platform when planning for individual marketing campaigns and how it will do with the overall journey. Providing consistent customer service contact information across all channels ensures a seamless experience. For instance, when launching a new service, hotels may tease the announcement on Facebook, and offer discount codes in exchange for signing up for an email newsletter. On the other hand, the campaign may also feature a YouTube explainer video shared in the email and also added to the hotels website.

Customer JourneyAnalysis: Data-Driven Personalization

Analyzing data analytics can provide valuable insights into the customer journey. By understanding which external websites refer leads and customers, how customers behave after reading a blog or viewing a hotel web page, and what actions they take after coming to the website from social media, hotels can personalize their messaging and interactions across all channels. This data helps improve relevancy and enables the delivery of more targeted and timely information to enhance the overall customer experience.

Tracking andIteration: Continuous Improvement

Omnichannel marketing involves continuous tracking and analysis of customer interactions across channels. By monitoring customer behavior and engagement metrics, hotels can gain insights to inform future omnichannel marketing campaigns. This iterative approach allows hotels to refine their strategies and adapt to changing customer preferences and behaviors.

Incorporating these techniques into an omnichannel marketing approach helps hotels create a cohesive and personalized experience for customers, building stronger connections and fostering long-term loyalty.

Implementing effective omnichannel marketing for hotels

Here are six tips for implementing effective omnichannel marketing:

Create customer personas: Develop detailed buyer personas that outline the characteristics, preferences, and behaviors of your target customers. Identify the channels they use, how they engage with each channel, and their movement across various marketing channels.

Consider customer platform usage: Understand which platforms your target customers use regularly and how they interact with each platform. Determine where they spend their time and what activities they typically engage in on each platform. This knowledge will help you tailor your marketing efforts to align with their behaviors.

Establish hotel guidelines: Develop hotel guidelines that encompass the voice, tone, copy, and imagery to ensure a consistent hotel presence across all digital platforms. This will help unify your messaging and maintain a cohesive hotel image, regardless of the channel.

Identify the pain points and challenges: Anticipate these pain points and provide proactive service on each channel to exceed customer expectations and drive engagement. Have a system in place to track individual customer behavior across channels, enabling personalized service and support.

Connect to an analytics platform: Integrate your website with an analytics platform (ie. Google Analytics 4) that consolidates data from various marketing channels, such as social media, email marketing, and other platforms. Analyze customer behavior across different touch points to gain insights into their interactions, preferences, and engagement levels.

Provide customer service across channels: Ensure that your customer service is available and responsive on all channels where your hotel has a presence. Whether it's through social media platforms or community forums have customer representatives actively monitor and engage with customers, providing consistent support and assistance.

By implementing these omnichannel marketing tips, you can create a seamless and engaging user experience across the customer journey. Building stronger relationships with leads and customers and delivering consistent service across all channels will drive digital marketing success and enhance customer satisfaction.

For information on how we can assist your property in developing an effective omnichannel marketing program, please visit the Lodging Interactive website.

About Lodging Interactive

Since its founding in 2001, Lodging Interactive has provided digital marketing services to hotels worldwide, including select service, full-service, and luxury properties.

The Company's social media marketing and guest reviews response division, CoMMingle:Engage, serves a range of hospitality businesses, including hotels, restaurants, spas, and management companies.

Additionally, the Company provides subscription-based website development and digital marketing services. The subscription-based service is based on a 'pay-as-you-go' model and requires little upfront investment on the part of the hotel.

Lodging Interactive has received numerous awards, including the HSMAI Adrian Award and accolades from the International Academy of Visual Arts, Interactive Media Awards, Horizon Interactive Awards, Web Marketing Association, Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, and Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards.

For more information, email [email protected], call 877-291-4411 ext. 704, or visit the company's website.

DJ Vallauri

President & Founder

+1 877 291 4411

Lodging Interactive

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We know that managing a team remotely is fraught with both technical and interpersonal complications. These days, companies and universities around the world have become accustomed to remote working, kicked off by the COVID-19 pandemic, but how many can say that they are actually successful at it?

The last few years have been transformative, prior to the pandemic just 6% of US employees worked from home. With the pandemic firmly behind us, many managers, business leaders, and CEOs wish they could say the same for remote working. However, it seems the people have spoken, its expected that 25% of professional workers will work remotely by the end of 2023, according to an Upwork study.

The perks are clear for the employee; save on commuting time and costs, greater control over your work environment, get household chores done during work breaks, and so on... However, this dive into the unknown raises a lot of questions for managers across all industries who have not been trained to manage their team members remotely.

To help managers tackle the challenges of managing remote teams, we have identified 5 questions a good manager should ask themself in order to effectively manage a team of home workers.

Managing a team remotely: 5 questions for managers

1. What is the personality make-up of my team?

Managers of remote teams need to make extra efforts to understand the make-up of their team, especially if they never or rarely meet in person. Managers should take into account that each team member is an individual, has different strengths and weaknesses, and different tendancies according to their personality type.

What's more, working from home can affect psychological health. Indeed people who work remotely regularly complain about feeling lonely or isolated from the company. While introverted personalities may thrive in quiet distraction-free isolation and may need very little touch points, the isolation may particularly affect extroverted personalities who like spending time around other people and thus will need more frequent contact to check in and feel connected. In knowing this, efficient leaders will proactively develop multi-layered communication channels that suit each team members needs and also ensure a certain cohesion.

On the other side of the spectrum, many home workers suffer from 'burn-out', which occurs when workers have an inability to switch off at the end of the day. They end up overworking and are left feeling frazzled, exhausted, and in some cases, anxious. Managers of remote teams should look out for the tell-tail signs of workers who seem to be 'always on', and encourage them to take breaks and finish work on time.

To conclude, we can state loud and clear that successful managers are the ones who show empathy, soft skills and emotional support. This can be done for example by asking each employee how they feel and how the remote work situation is working out for them. Managers will also need to add authenticity to their actions by listening carefully when an employee is speaking about their personal issues and by adopting personalized measures to help them succeed in this new work environment.

Remote team management tip #1:

Try getting your team to participate in one of the plethora of personality tests out there and discuss your results as a team. This way, team members and managers alike will be aware of one another's personality traits and can adapt their communication style.

2. Remote team management tools: does my team have the right tools to communicate together?

As mentioned above, some employees may feel lonely and can have difficulties getting the information they need while working remotely. Thus, it is absolutely crucial for managers to install efficient and transparent communication between team members.

To do so, a manager can encourage the use of collaborative platforms and messaging tools such as Asana, Slack, Trello, Teams, Jive, Yammer, etc. This will help team members see the evolution of different projects, to centralize important information and to communicate together.

In addition, it is essential for employees to have video conference tools which enable virtual meetings (Webex, Microsoft Teams, Hangout, etc.) between them. Organizing regular virtual team meetings (at least once a week) will also foster transparent communication which prevents employees from feeling isolated and misinformed about the companys activities.

Not forgetting that both vertical and horizontal communications are required. Needless to say that during those conference calls, managers should create an inclusive environment in which everyone feels seen and heard

Remote team management tip #2:

An effective way to initiate the meeting would be to allow the employee with the least contribution or lowest rank in the hierarchy to speak first.

3. How can I engage a remote team?

Managers often worry about the productivity of their remote employees while they should actually worry more about their team members engagement. Indeed a plethora of studies (here attached is one of them) have shown the positive impacts of home office on productivity. For this to happen, managers need firstly to trust their employees, secondly to establish structured communication habits, and thirdly to increase vertical and transversal forms of communication.

Your role as manager is to establish a routine (while always allowing flexibility). Successful managers plan regular and predictable team conference calls and one-to-one calls at least once a week and if possible always on the same schedule so that employees can organize their agenda accordingly. By instating a routine, employees know when they will be able to ask questions to the team and when they can possibly expect the answers they need to move on with their personal tasks.

Also, after each meeting, managers should send follow-up emails to ensure that all team members are aligned and understand the next steps. Team members should be regularly invited to add and update their activities onto collaborative platforms and shared documents, and to regularly add their colleagues in cc to ensure all people stay in the loop. These follow-ups might seem redundant but they ensure smooth and efficient communication.

Last but not least, managers should ensure that employees remain well aware of what is happening on a company-level. Some news is maybe not relevant for all employees day-to-day work, but it will allow them to follow the big picture, to feel like a member of the community, and to be reminded that their work contributes to the overall missions of their company.

Remote team management tip #3:

It is absolutely crucial that managers increase more vertical and transversal communication. Managers need to proactively and intentionally communicate things that would have been picked up intangibly under regular circumstances.

4. Are my team members deliverables clear and achievable?

Managers need to be prepared to be flexible about the hours in which employees are working and also take into consideration the different time zones they may be located in. Whether managers like it or not, remote workers naturally have more autonomy about how they juggle their work and home life, therefore it's important to do goal setting regularly.

Setting out individual goals and deliverables is the best way to keep employees motivated and to track their productivity and performance. Be sure to give praise and publically acknowledge those who are consistently meeting deadlines and smashing goals in team meetings and communicate it up the chain too.

Employees must feel that they have the full support of their hierarchy and that together, they will succeed no matter the obstacles. The idea behind this approach is to encourage employees to address the challenge with a sense of purpose and thus an even greater commitment toward the company.

Build in regular one-on-one check-ins, perhaps daily depending on the team size and feasibility.

Manager check-in questions can include:

How are you finding your workload at the minute?

Is there anything you need more support with?

Have you spotted any inefficiencies lately that should be tackled?

What challenges are you working through at the moment?

What is working really well at the moment?

Remote team management tip #4:

Forget micromanaging employee time and monitoring working hours with creepy tracking tools, and start thinking about measuring tangible deliverables and goals instead.

5. How to recreate a workplace culture?

Encouraging a positive culture for remote teams can lead to a greater sense of accountability among employees. When individuals understand the importance of their work and how it impacts their team, they are less likely to become apathetic. This purpose-driven mindset can ultimately contribute to the success of the organization as a whole.

The virtual onboarding process of your company sets the tone for how new employees perceive and feel about your organization. It is crucial to provide them with all the necessary tools to succeed and make them feel included as part of the team.

Once onboarded the company culture is disseminated in many ways:

Promoting a health work-life-balance

Stellar communication and collaboration skills

Virtual and in-person team building events

Opportunities for upskilling or career development

Recognition of good work and successes

Creating a safe space to voice a variety of opinions.

On the last bullet point, Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, said: Creating a psychologically safe space means employees have a sense of confidence that the team will not embarrass, reject, or punish someone for speaking up. And lastly, to accompany the managers in their actions, company CEOs and C-level members should be visible and vocal on each aspect that affects employees daily life.

Remote team management tip #5:

Try starting meetings with a round of check-ins is a good initiative in order to recreate a healthy workplace culture and to foster empathy. The concept is simple: at the beginning of the meeting, each employee quickly tells how they are feeling at the moment.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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Amsterdam-Dunstable, Bedfordshire, UK  Katanox, the travel accommodation distribution and fintech platform, announced today its partnership with leading Budget Hotel Brand Premier Inn.

By harnessing Katanoxs streaming distribution solution, Premier Inn gains greater control of its inventory and opens up new distribution opportunities, including selling inventory to next generation travel management companies.

Premier Inn is the UKs largest hotel brand with more than 83,500 rooms and over 800 properties, including its subsidiaries Hub by Premier Inn and Zip by Premier Inn. The accommodation provider has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as;

 Best Budget Hotel Brand, Business Traveller Awards in 2019, 2020 and 2021

 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2019 and a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

 Which? Top Rated Large Hotel Chain in 2022

Were absolutely thrilled to partner with a brand as influential and as large as Premier Inn and help them take control of their distribution and payments, said Mendel Senf, co-founder, Katanox.

Well be able to showcase the power and scale of our product while taking significant strides in our mission to disrupt hotel distribution and payments to create a better ecosystem for all.

Through its partnership with Katanox, Premier Inn will be able to establish direct connections and build relationships with travel sellers. The hotel brand will have complete control over how and to whom its inventory is sold.

Its a great step forward to be able to offer Premier Inn inventory through direct connections and have complete control of our supply. This is a convenient process for both our travel management company partners and our connectivity team, said Aidan Walshe, Senior Manager - Distribution and TMCs at Premier Inn.

Want to access and sell Premier Inn through Katanox? Sign up or login to get access to Premier Inn content

About Katanox

Katanox is a travel accommodation distribution and fintech platform bringing together travel sellers and travel accommodation providers. Katanox facilitates distribution of travel accommodation inventory and payments. The platform aims to unlock the programmatic era for B2B distribution in hospitality. The team is led by Mendel Senf, Georgios Georgiadis, Imre Vogelezang and Paul Beukers and supported by a group of experienced industry professionals.

LinkedIn: Katanox

About Premier Inn

From booking to bed, Premier Inn is here to help its guests rest easy. Whether its a choice of rooms across 800+ hotels, beds guests wont want to leave, super tasty food, flexible rates or our friendly team members who genuinely care, these are just some of the reasons Premier Inn is one of the most-loved hotel chains in the UK and beyond.

Premier Inn is part of Whitbread PLC.

Premierinn.com

Instagram: @Premierinn

TikTok: @premierinn.uk

Facebook: PremierInn

Twitter: @Premierinn

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Italian Travel & Tourism Sector Within 3% of the Pre-Pandemic Peak

The World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTC) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) today reveals Italys Travel & Tourism sector is recovering strongly post-pandemic.



According to the research, the sector is set to contribute 194BN to the Italian economy this year, within 3% of the pre-pandemic peak.



WTTC is also forecasting that the sector will create more than 65,000 jobs this year, recovering almost all of the jobs lost due to the COVID 19 pandemic to reach almost 2.8MN.



A look back on last year



Last year, the Travel & Tourism sectors GDP contribution grew by 33.4% to reach more than 194N, representing 10.2% of the Italian economy, edging closer to the 2019 high of 200.5BN.



Last year the sector also created 315,000 more jobs from the previous year to reach 2.7MN jobs nationally  one in nine jobs across Italy.

The sector has now recovered 334,000 of the 477,000 jobs lost during the pandemic.



Last year also saw the return of international travellers heading to Italy with spending from overseas visitors growing 99.3%to reach over 42BN, just 11% behind 2019 levels.



Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: The Travel & Tourism sector is an important contributor to the Italian economy.



The sectors strong recovery is great news for jobs and prosperity across Italy as international visitors return. Over the next ten years we expect tourism to grow to represent 12 % of the Italian GDP.



What does the next decade look like?



The global tourism body is forecasting that the sector will grow its GDP contribution to nearly 237BN by 2033, almost 12% of the Italian economy and will employ over 3.3MN people across the country, with one in seven Italians working in the sector.



Europe



In 2022, the European Travel & Tourism sector contributed 1.9TN to the regional economy, just 7% below the 2019 peak. WTTC forecasts the regions GDP contribution from the sector will reach 2.04TN in 2023 and be within touching distance of the 2019 highpoint.



The sector employed 34.8MN people across the region in 2022, an increase of 2.9MN from the previous year but still 3.2MN behind the 2019 peak. WTTC forecasts the sector will fully recover the jobs lost during the pandemic by the end of 2024.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reiterated the importance of womens engagement in Travel & Tourism to catapult its growth and achieve a thriving and resilient sector at the Women Deliver Global Conference, in Kigali, Rwanda.



Speaking at the conference today, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, emphasised the importance of promoting women's involvement in the sector and overcoming challenges for success in the business world.



The event served as a platform to address the challenges faced by women in the Travel & Tourism sector and explore strategies to overcome them, aiming to inspire change and promote equal opportunities for women in the sector.



The panel discussions shed light on the challenges faced by women in various aspects of the business, including barriers to entry, operational obstacles, and ecosystem limitations.



The event underscored the vital role of mentorship in empowering young women and girls in business. Through networking, opportunities, and resources, mentorship programs unlock their potential for economic transformation.



During her address, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: It is proven that companies that have 50% women in their leadership make more money. This makes even more sense in travel and tourism where women make the buying decisions on where to go on holiday.



It also makes good sense to employ women in senior roles; why would you exclude access to 50% of global talent.



Rwanda has a great track record with a majority of women MPs in the Parliament. President Kagame addressed the Women Deliver, for the first time held in Africa, with real passion and a track record of gender equality. Putting women centre stage in Travel & Tourism will ensure a better future for the sector and the global economy. Currently, more than half of the sector is made up of women.



By addressing the barriers and inequalities they face, we can unlock immense potential and drive sustainable growth.



The 'Women Deliver event serves as a catalyst for change, bringing together sector leaders, policymakers, and advocates to work collectively towards a more diverse and prosperous future.



According to the global tourism body, women constitute approximately 54% of the workforce. Travel & Tourism provides accessible opportunities for women, but it also faces disparities such as lower pay and job security.



These disparities were reflected in the COVID-19 pandemic's impact, where a majority of the 62 million jobs lost in the travel and tourism sector were women's jobs.



WTTC urges both the public and private sectors to play their part in promoting womens participation in the Travel & Tourism sector. It says governments should adopt policies that promote women in senior management, such as mandatory quotas for publicly listed companies and state-owned enterprises.



The private sector should offer targeted professional development programs for women and create networking and mentoring opportunities.



WTTC remains committed to advocating for gender equality, working closely with its members, governments, and industry partners to foster an environment where women have equal opportunities to excel, lead, and shape the future of the travel and tourism sector.
Rendering of the Meli Halong Bay Hotel

Melia Hotels International has signed an agreement for a new hotel in Ha Long, the entry point to one of Vietnam's most stunning tourist destinations, Ha Long Bay.

Melia Halong Bay is set to debut in 2027 with 240 rooms and 302 serviced apartments spread over two towers. The hotel will feature four restaurants and bars, an indoor swimming pool and an expansive palm-tree lined outdoor swimming space with man made islets dotted throughout, reminiscent of the neighboring UNESCO World Heritage site. The brand's signature YHI Spa will also be part of the new property, along with 2,000 square meters of MICE Space.

The Ha Long announcement is the next milestone on an 18 month-journey of rapid expansion within Vietnam. The growing hotel group has now in total 23 hotels throughout the country including operating and pipeline, being one of the biggest international hotel groups in Vietnam. This summer the group opens Gran Melia Nha Trang, Melia's most luxurious hotel to debut in Vietnam to date. In the next few years they will also open Sol by Melia Cam Ranh Bay, Melia Nha Trang Beach Resort, and Melia Quy Nhon Beach Resort bringing more Spanish passion for service to the country.

"Ha Long Bay, and its archipelago of limestone karsts are one of the natural wonders of the world, and a thrilling vantage for our hotel group," said Ignacio Martin, Melia Hotels International Managing Director for Asia Pacific. "With this addition to our portfolio our guests can visit popular destinations from North to South and know they'll receive the Spanish warmth and hospitality that our brand has become famous for wherever they are in the country."

The new property is the ideal jumping off point to explore Ha Long Bay, where visitors will navigate picturesque waters peppered with more than 1,000 limestone islands.

Melia Halong Bay will be owned by Hanoi Halong Tourism Company, a member of IDS Equity Holdings (IDS). IDS is a Vietnamese-based investment company with a hospitality portfolio across Vietnam.
Accor Plans to Open More Than 400 Movenpick by Accor Hotels in China

Accor, together with Sunmei Group, shared an update of their development progress celebrating the one-year mark of their strategic alliance to debut and develop the Movenpick by Accor brand across China. Together, Sunmei and Accor plan to open more than 400 Movenpick by Accor smart technology hotels, resorts, and extended stay properties across China, representing more than 60,000 guestrooms.

In the first 12 months since the partnership was formed, 10 new hotel projects have signed, more than one hundred project negotiations underway and multiple openings in 2023. Tailored for Chinese travelers, Movenpick by Accor is an extension of the global Movenpick Hotels & Resorts brand, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023.

"As Movenpick marks its 50 year milestone in hospitality, we want to acknowledge our partnership with Sunmei and celebrate the exciting path we are charting together for the brand in China. Movenpick by Accor builds on the brand's longevity, its strong heart and timeless Swiss hospitality," said Gary Rosen, CEO, Accor Greater China. "Movenpick is a brand with huge appeal to Chinese travelers  as well as developers and investors - because it is rooted in the idea of sharing pleasures with others, a concept that aligns with Chinese values. The expertise of Sunmei allows us to further customize our Movenpick by Accor experience, with an emphasis on smart technology and sustainability. As the Chinese hospitality industry continues to gain strength, we are proud to see a strong demand for Movenpick by Accor and we look forward to bringing these hotels to communities all over the country."

Movenpick by Accor leverages the combined expertise of Sunmei and Accor to bring a master franchise model to the premium segment, with advanced technology and an eco-friendly mindset. The brand is already scaling rapidly, with signings that include Movenpick by Accor Nanjing, Movenpick by Accor Qingdao Sunmei, Movenpick by Accor Huangdao Qingdao, Movenpick by Accor Kashgar, Movenpick by Accor Longnan Ganzhou; and more destinations such as Shenzhen, Changsha, Shijiazhuang, Suqian, Xuzhou, Zhangjiagang, and Raoping.

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"As the pace of tourism picks up, we find that high-quality and international hotel brands with strong brand characteristics and unique experiences are attracting more interest than ever before  both from the consumer market and investors," said Ma Yingyao, Chairman and CEO, Sunmei Group. "Movenpick by Accor is meeting this demand with its rich and diverse brand experience elements, bringing global name recognition and a unique Swiss cultural element into the local tourism market. It's a powerful combination and a strong brand positioning that is commanding massive attention in the Chinese market and industry, while steadily advancing our brand expansion plan with Accor."

For 50 years, Movenpick is where guests have come to indulge in vibrant and unforgettable experiences, from culinary to wellbeing. The brand also places strong emphasis on heartfelt service and mindful sustainability. With these beloved Movenpick brand characteristics and Swiss heritage at its foundation, Movenpick by Accor will offer China-specific adaptations tailored to the interests, tastes, culture, and preferences of Chinese guests with a modern and inviting touch. My Movenpick Marketplace will be a signature element anchored in the hotel lobbies  offering a lively, theatrical flow of social experiences and retail opportunities linked to the destination and local community. Smart technology designed specifically for hotels will feature prominently throughout the Movenpick by Accor guest experience and support the brand's holistic sustainability approach to hotel design, operations, and guest hospitality.
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The Classical Beat: Tanglewood + Sevenars = Classical Music Heaven

Ozawa Hall

Tanglewood enters its third week, and the highlights are many; indeed, every concert will be memorable. Two beloved masterworks, "Appalachian Spring" and the "New World" Symphony by Aaron Copland and Antonin Dvo?ak, respectively, top this week's listing of stellar performances of great and amazingly diverse musical offerings.

Wait  there's more: a Handel opera in concert, a regional Americana classic by Duke Ellington, Richard Wagner's poignant "Siegfried Idyll" and a sampling of Mozart's mature symphonies and piano concerto masterworks amply demonstrate that at Tanglewood, the spectrum of musical offerings is both broad and deep.

If, for whatever inexplicable reason the bounteous musical fare at Tanglewood isn't enough to pique your interest, there's also the captivating Sevenars Chamber Music Festival, in South Worthington. This week, expect a rich musical palette showcasing stylistic diversity, with a program of classics by Brahms, Norwegian composer Trygve Madsen, Frederic Duvernoy, and the world premiere of "Triptych for Horn Trio" by Los Angeles film composer Max Mueller.

Both venues present outstanding classic and contemporary music performed at magnificent venues in pristine, bucolic settings by marvelous performers. Read below for the details.

Tanglewood: Concerts in the Shed

 Friday, July 21, 8 p.m.: Xian Zhang, in her seventh season as music director of the New Jersey Symphony, makes her BSO conducting debut leading Copland's "Appalachian Spring"  in a rare collaboration, featuring performers from Nimbus Dance (BSO debut) and local youth dancers  and Dvo?ak's perennial favorite "New World" Symphony No. 9 in E Minor.

 Saturday, July 22, 10:30 a.m.: BSO Youth and Family Concerts conductor Thomas Wilkins leads the orchestra in Tanglewood's annual Family Concert; this year's program is entitled "May I Have Your Attention Please?" The program features music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Rossini, Beethoven, Haydn, Jessie Montgomery, Bartok, and Mendelssohn.

 Saturday, July 22, 8 p.m.: Guest conductor David Afkham leads the BSO in Wagner's sensuously beautiful masterwork "Siegfried Idyll," Mozart's magisterial Symphony ("Jupiter") No. 41, and Mozart's towering masterpiece Piano Concerto No. 25 in C, with returning soloist Martin Helmchen.

 Sunday, July 23, 2:30 p.m.: Thomas Wilkins, who also leads the Family Concert (7/22), conducts Coleridge-Taylor's Ballade in A minor, Jeff Midkiff's Mandolin Concerto, ("From the Blue Ridge")  with the composer (in his BSO debut) as soloist  and the suite from Duke Ellington's ballet score "The River." This concert is designated as "Berkshire Day."

Tanglewood: Opera, Discussion and Music in Ozawa Hall

 Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m.: The Philharmonia Baroque, under the direction of conductor/harpsichordist Richard Egarr, in his Tanglewood debut, presents their production of Handel's opera "Acis and Galatea."

 Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m.: Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson discusses her bestselling non-fiction book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" in a TLI Spotlight Series talk, followed by a book signing.

 Sunday, July 23, 8 p.m.: Xian Zhang and TMC Conducting Fellows lead the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in music of Strauss, Gabriela Lena Frank (co-curator of the 2023 Festival of Contemporary Music), and Prokofiev.

Tanglewood Learning Institute/Linde Center: Studio E

 Wednesday, July 19, 1:30 p.m.: Open percussion workshop with percussionist Daniel Bauch.

 Thursday, July 20, 1:00 p.m.: A conversation with German guest conductor David Afkham.

For tickets for all Tanglewood/BSO concerts (lawn and Shed seating) and for special events call 617- 266-1200 (TDD/TTY: 617-638-9289) or to go tanglewood.org.

'Tanglewood in the City' Celebrates Music and Community at Pittsfield Common

Designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, the 5th annual "Tanglewood in the City" on July 29 offers family-friendly activities including live performances by local artists, food trucks, and vendors and culminates in a screening of a Boston Symphony Orchestra performance on a large video wall. Mill Town Foundation, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the city of Pittsfield have partnered on this free, community event since 2019. Pre-concert activities begin at 5 p.m. and the Tanglewood concert screening begins at 7:30.

Live pre-concert activities include performances by Wandering Dance Society, Kids 4 Harmony, Barrington Stage Company's Celebration of Black Voices, and the Eagles Trombone Ensemble. Berkshire Health Systems will provide a complimentary session of "Yoga on the Lawn." Additional vendors, local organizations, and makers will also be on site including food trucks BB's Hot Spot and La Chalupa y La Enchilada, and ice cream from Cravin's.

The screened concert will feature BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons conducting the orchestra in Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 and Wynton Marsalis' "Herald, Holler, and Hallelujah," with guest soloist the phenomenal Daniil Trifonov performing Prokofiev's exuberant and powerful Piano Concerto No. 3.

Sevenars Music Festival

 Sunday, July 23, 4 p.m.: Sevenars presents the superb MOSSO  Springfield Chamber Players' Horn Trio. Performing artists include violinist Beth Welty, hornist Sarah Sutherland and pianist Elizabeth Skavish. The program will include as the centerpiece Johannes Brahms' masterful Horn Trio, Op. 40, plus the colorful trios of Frederic Duvernoy (1765-1838) and Norwegian composer Trygve Madsen (b. 1940). The Trio will also showcase a commissioned new work for this concert  the premiere of "Triptych for Horn Trio," composed by Max Mueller.

These musicians will bring new, unique, and classic treasures to the magnificent Sevenars venue  this is a program not to be missed!

The Sevenars Academy is located at 15 Ireland St., just off Route 112 in South Worthington. Admission is by donation (suggested $20). Phone: 413-238-5854 (Leave return call phone number). Web: www.sevenars.com. Free refreshments will be available.
Most of the cast members play multiple roles in Minerva Arts Center's production of 'The Lightning Thief,' which runs Friday and Saturday in Adams. Most of the cast members play multiple roles in Minerva Arts Center's production of 'The Lightning Thief,' which runs Friday and Saturday in Adams. PreviousNext

Minerva Arts' 'Lightning Thief' Meaningful to First-Time Director



Minerva Arts Center veteran Ry Goodell directs and stars in the company's production of 'The Lightning Thief.' ADAMS, Mass.  Ry Goodell was a natural choice to play the protagonist in Minerva Arts Center's production of "The Lightning Thief."

He just was not his own first choice.

Goodell, a MAC veteran and now undergraduate at Rhode Island's Roger Williams University, will make his directorial debut when "The Lightning Thief" is presented Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22, at the former St. Mark's Church on River Street.

Initially, he was looking forward to directing someone else in the lead role.

"I wasn't fully anticipating performing, but if I was, I was going to take a smaller role," Goodell said during the show's six-week rehearsal period. "But I had to put myself in the titular role. Most of our cast is female identifying. I'm the only male identifying member."

Goodell said he did reach out to area schools to recruit performers who would be up for auditioning for the role of Percy, but that was not in the cards.

"I was disappointed, but not really at the same time," he said. "It's a great opportunity for me, but I love getting other people involved."

"The Lightning Thief" is a rock musical adaptation of the fantasy novel by Rick Riordan. It tells the story of Percy Jackson, a contemporary adolescent who also is a demigod, the offspring of a mortal parent and a mythological god (Poseidon, in Percy's case).

Goodell said he did not read the Riordan books as a kid, but he did fall in love with the play, which had a 16-week limited run on Broadway in 2019-20, when he saw a touring production.

"I always liked the rock style music, even when I was a kid," Goodell said. "Meeting Percy, who struggles with ADHD and dyslexia  and I struggle with ADHD myself  it was meaningful being able to connect with a character who is a leading role and has some of those mental health issues. Those issues do get representation today but not always in a good light."

His personal connection to the show's main character was one reason why Goodell took on the challenge of both directing and starring in the show.

"I didn't have any second thoughts," he said. "I was totally willing to do it. I would have preferably accepted the role of a sidekick or a friend. But Percy is a person who is on the spectrum of neurodivergent, and I am as well. I think representation works better that way."

Goodell has been a performer, a stage manager and a production manager for student productions at Roger Williams, where this spring he will be directing a production.

It has been an adjustment to be a main player while also steering the production.

"It's still taking some time for me to work through it," Goodell said in June as the company neared the end of its second week of rehearsals. "Usually, the director is sitting there guiding people along the way.

"As an actor, coming with an acting background, I know how important it is for your scene partner to be on stage. So I have to make sure to put myself on there so my scene partner gets what they need. I do struggle sometimes finding the balance in rehearsals, but it's something I've been working on since I went to college."

Like Goodell, who started at Minerva when he was 9 years old, most members of the company for "The Lightning Thief" have experience with the nearly 30-year-old non-profit.

Over the years, MAC has called a lot of places "home." The former church at 2 River St. also was the site of Minerva Arts' production of "Shrek the Musical" in 2021. Goodell said it is complicated putting up a musical in the nontraditional venue.

"Having the audience in pews, you have to think about eyelines," he said. "There are four to six columns that hold the roof up. The stage is raised in two segments so you have to account for the two levels. There's a massive organ that is right on the stage, but we decided to cover everything with blocks."

Another challenge: creating the fantastical world of gods, demigods and monsters without the budget of a Broadway or national touring production.

"This show requires a lot of effects," Goodell said. "This is all magic, so we wanted to try something new and get out of our comfort zone. Pens turn into swords. People have to turn into centaurs.

"We're doing our best to make it look like it's Greek mythology. We're focused on making the effects look good and presenting the story in a proper manner."

That means the show does include loud thunder sounds and flashing lights, and Goodell wants to make sure that audience members with sensitivity are aware of that going in.

He also wants people to know that while "The Lightning Thief's" plot is fantastical, its themes are very real.

"It's just a great story about overcoming the challenges of life, being able to fit in, trying to prove you're a good person to your mom," Goodell said.

"I'd like anybody who is coming to have an open mind, to think about their own kids and the struggles they go through because the struggle is real."
These Are the Tenant Perks When Renting in the Berkshires

In the realm of renting, not all locales are created equal. As any seasoned renter would affirm, the laws, regulations, and rental market conditions can vary widely from one place to another, making some areas notably more appealing to tenants than others. A prominent example of such a desirable rental oasis is the Berkshires.

Nestled in the panoramic landscapes of Western Massachusetts, the Berkshires stand as an emblem of serenity and community, coupled with a rich cultural tapestry. However, beyond its scenic beauty and vibrant lifestyle, the Berkshires extend a suite of unique advantages to those who choose to call it home as renters. These benefits aren't merely circumstantial; they are deeply rooted in the robust tenant laws and conducive rental market conditions the region boasts.

Whether you're a seasoned renter versed in the nuances of tenancy laws or a first-time renter exploring your rights and protections, understanding the advantages offered by the Berkshires' rental landscape can provide invaluable insights. Let's journey together through the rental landscape of the Berkshires, exploring the unique privileges and protections this region offers to its tenants.

1. Tenant-Friendly Laws

Massachusetts, including the Berkshires, boasts some of the most tenant-friendly laws in the country. As a tenant here, you enjoy substantial protections under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) , including the right to a habitable home, the right to withhold rent if necessary repairs aren't made, and the right to certain privacy. Unlike some other states, Massachusetts landlords cannot unilaterally enter your rented premises unless it's an emergency or you've given them permission.

2. Mandatory Security Deposit Receipts

In the Berkshires, landlords must give tenants a receipt within 30 days for any security deposit they take. The receipt must indicate the name and location of the bank where the deposit is being held, as well as the account number. Not all states mandate such transparency, making it a unique benefit for tenants in the Berkshires.

3. Clear Expectations on Renters Insurance

While we're on the topic of renting, let's clear up one important aspect: renters insurance. Although theres no law requiring that you purchase renters insurance in Massachusetts, your individual landlord might specifically require it. This clarity can help prevent misunderstandings down the line. Besides, having renters insurance provides an extra layer of protection for your personal belongings.

4. Legal Protection Against Unfair Eviction

Massachusetts law, which covers Berkshire tenants, protects against retaliatory eviction. This means if you've complained to your landlord or a government agency about your rental unit's conditions, a landlord cannot respond by trying to evict you. This protective measure ensures your right to a comfortable and safe living environment.

5. Rent Control Considerations

Although Massachusetts state law doesn't allow rent control in general, some exceptions may apply, particularly for older tenants and low- or moderate-income housing. This contrasts with many areas in the US where rent prices are solely at the landlord's discretion, providing a possible financial advantage for some Berkshire tenants.

6. The Beauty of the Berkshires

Besides these legal and practical perks, let's not forget the inherent charm of the Berkshires! With an enchanting blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, the region offers a living experience that goes beyond the tangible benefits of tenancy laws.

In Conclusion

Navigating the rental market isn't just about finding the right property; it's also about understanding your rights, responsibilities, and the unique aspects of the local rental landscape. The Berkshires in Massachusetts stands out as a particularly tenant-friendly region, with laws and regulations that provide robust protections and rights for renters.

But the Berkshires' charm extends far beyond legal protections. This region offers an exceptional quality of life, fueled by a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and community warmth. It's this distinctive combination that truly sets the Berkshires apart as a place to live and rent.

So whether you're currently nestled within the tranquil beauty of the Berkshires or simply exploring the spectrum of rental landscapes across the country, understanding the unique appeal of this region offers an invaluable perspective. With its robust tenant protections, vibrant locale , and appealing rental market, the Berkshires indeed carve out a distinctive niche in the realm of renting.

Content supplied by Bazoom Publications.
Pittsfield Parks Commission OKs Summer, Fall Events

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Parks Commission on Tuesday night OK'd a number of summer and fall events on city recreation properties.

After a lightning strike started a fire in the steeple at Price Memorial AME Zion Church last month, the panel voted to allow the congregation to use the Westside Riverway Park for worship services on Sundays until Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.



Park, Open Space and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath explained that the church almost immediately reached out to the city asking to use the space and he worked with the chairman to get approvals in place.



"I think this is really appropriate for us," he said. "The park is in the neighborhood, this really meets a need and on a Sunday morning, the park is not used. We have the space and I think this is an act of generosity."



Berkshire Running Camp was approved for a run at Springside Park on Aug. 17 and from 8:15 to 11:15 a.m. The one-week camp operates out of Camp Taconic in Hinsdale and runs in different locations throughout the county.



A "Fiesta Latina Zumba Masterclass" was approved for The Common on Aug. 2 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Mill Town Foundation program manager Andrew Wrba said this is a free dance initiative through the foundation called the Wandering Dance Society.



"If we get 75 people that would be a great turnout for us," Wrba said.



The Berkshire Summer Waterfront Festival through Berkshire Active and Berkshire Community Rowing was approved for Burbank Park on Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. subject to an alcohol permit for Hot Plate Brewery and a walk-through with the Parks Department.



Representative Samuel Pascual said this is the second year of the festival and that the groups wanted to expand it beyond just rowing to also involve kayaking and swimming.



The vent will have food vendors, a donated beer garden, and demonstrations.

 "Revel in Recovery" celebration by the Living in Recovery at the Common on Sept. 14 from 3 to 7 p.m.

 National Night Out celebration by the Pittsfield Police Department at the Common on Aug. 1 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Jimmy Bernardo Memorial Ride Set Aug. 5

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center hosts the 28th Annual Jimmy's Ride on Saturday, Aug. 5.

The ride starts at Kids' Place, 63 Wendell Ave., with registration at 8:30 a.m. and kickstands going up at 11. Rider registration is $25.

The hourlong ride crosses into New York State via Routes 20 and 22, back into Massachusetts on Routes 2 and 7, and ends at Tavern at the A, 303 Crane Ave., for Jimmy's After Party

The free afterparty starts at noon with live music by Justin and Rizo, The Pug and John Show, and Holly Slade, and a 50/50 raffle, food and drink for purchase. All proceeds support Kids' Place, which has offices in North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The children's advocacy center has for 30 years helped thousands of children and families heal from abuse and domestic violence. All services are free. Visit KidsPlaceOnline.org for more information on keeping kids safe.

For 28 years, Jimmy's parents Mary and Ron Bernardo, brother Rob, countless family members, and friends have kept his memory alive by supporting Kids' Place. Jimmy, a Pittsfield native, was abducted near a movie theater on Oct. 22, 1990. A month later, the 12-year-old's body was found in Ithaca, N.Y.

"It's hard to believe this is the 28th Jimmy's Ride! We remember when we were approached by Kids' Place founders [retired Police Detective] Joe [Collias] and Tim [Shugrue, now Berkshire County district attorney] regarding the idea of creating a centralized location where child victims of violence could receive support and services in a comfortable environment.

"Here we are 30 years later on the 28th ride and Kids' Place is going strong. It has meant so much to us that Kids' Place has allowed Jimmy's memory to live on in so many hearts and allowed his name to be associated with something so positive. Come join us for the ride and after party to benefit all children affected by abuse or domestic violence. Let's keep Kids' Place going for another 30 years," the Bernardo family shared.

This year's lead sponsor is Greylock Federal Credit Union. Additional support is provided by Perri Petricca, LIUNA International, Johnson Dealerships, Adams Community Bank, Injected Solutions, Lee Bank, Paula McLean Realtors, J.H. Maxymillian Inc. General Contracting, East Elm Pediatrics, Stockbridge Police Department and Stockbridge Police Association, Wheeler & Taylor, Inc., Comalli Electric, John's Building Supply Co., Balance Rock Investment Group, Berkshire Dream Home Real Estate, Berkshire Orthopedic Associates, Francis Investment Counseling, Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners, Inc., Lee Police Department, MacFarlane Office Products, Martin Hochberg & Cianflone LLC, MyCom Federal Credit Union, Paul J. Murphy Plumbing and Heating, Dery Funeral Home, and Berkshire Boats.
Fairview Hospital Named Top Critical Access Hospital

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  Fairview Hospital was recently named one of the top 20 critical access hospitals for overall performance in the country.

The top 20 CAHs, including Fairview Hospital, an affiliate of Berkshire Health Systems, scored best as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health for Overall Performance. The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association . An awards ceremony will be held during the association's Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, Mo.

"Fairview Hospital's exceptional service to the South Berkshire community has been repeatedly recognized as a top 20 Critical Access Hospital," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. "Fairview is a key part of our integrated system of care. The Critical Access Hospital designation gives Fairview the ability and resources to provide the highest standard of care in a rural setting."

The top 20 CAHs have achieved success in overall performance based on a composite rating from eight indices of strength: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and finance. This group was selected from the Chartis Center for Rural Health's 2022 top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this year.

The top 20 CAH best practice recipients have achieved success in one of two key areas of performance:

Quality index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across rural-relevant process of care measures.

Patient perspective index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across all 10 HCAHPS domains.

"Fairview Hospital is proud of the efforts of the physicians and staff who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation," said Anthony Rinaldi Jr., executive vice president of Fairview Hospital. "Our results as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital means that all the members of our community can count on us to deliver the care they need close to home."




iciHaiti - Boat people : The Coast Guard repatriated 89 Haitians to Haiti





The US Coast Guard repatriated 89 Haitians in an irregular migration situation to Haiti aboard a dangerously overloaded boat, following an interception at sea.



The Coast Guard, Southeast Partners maintains a presence in the air and on the water to detect and deter migrants attempting to illegally enter the United States by sea.



"These voyages are not only illegal, but also incredibly dangerous," said Coast Guard Seventh District Lt. Matthew Miller, adding, "No one should risk their lives on unsafe rustic vessels, especially during adverse weather conditions in already unpredictable seas."



Since October 1st, 2022, Coast Guard crews have intercepted 5,089 Haitian migrants. Once aboard a Coast Guard vessel, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical care.



IH/ iciHaiti


















 Close Barbie cast turn London Eye pink to celebrate film premiere

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Greta Gerwig has broken the domestic box office record for a female director, with Barbie debuting at $155m in North America and $337m globally.

The film surpassed the $103.3m domestic opening of Patty Jenkins Wonder Woman and the $153m weekend opening of 2019s Captain Marvel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Cinemas around the world were busier than ever over the weekend, thanks to the simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer, with excitement for Gerwig and Christopher Nolans respective blockbusters going into overdrive.

While Oppenheimers critical ratings have blown past Barbie with a near-perfect Rotten Tomato score, the latter, which stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has surpassed the Cillian Murphy-starring biopics box office takings.

In a new interview with The Independent, Nolan described Oppenheimer as the biggest film Ive made. Murphy admitted to struggling to watch the film due to seeing his face projected on the screen, but acknowledged that the film is designed to be watched with an audience.

Meanwhile, Gerwig has spoken about her films mic drop ending, after breaking the record for the biggest box office debut by a female director.
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Greta Gerwigs Barbie has scored an impressive 89 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film which debuted on the review-aggregation website on Wednesday (19 July) stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken.

Other cast members of the much-awaited film include Will Ferrell, Emma Mackey, Simu Liu and Michael Cera.

So far, 96 reviews have been added to the Rotten Tomatoes website, with most of the critics agreeing that Barbie is a must watch.

David Sims from The Atlantic called the film a very charming success, while Tomris Laffly from The Wrap said its a soulful film underneath all the persistent fuchsia.

Kimberley Jones from Austin Chronicle wrote that the film is electric.

There is such visual wit to the film, which ping-pongs between make-believe and real-life, the two-dimensional and three-dimensional. Lest that all sound too hifalutin, there are some punchlines that made me honk with pleasure. she wrote.

Peter Howell from Toronto Star credited the cast for their stellar performances.

(AP)

What really makes this comedy click are the stellar performances, from the lead role on down, Howell wrote in his review. This is the funniest cast Ive seen in some time.

Rolling Stones David Fear wrote: A big movie can still have big ideas in 2023. Even a Barbie movie. Especially a Barbie movie.

Many critics also applauded Gerwigs filmmaking skills.

New York Times Manohla Dargis wrote that the Mattel brand looms large in the film, but Gerwig, whose directorial command is so fluent she seems born to filmmaking, is announcing that shes in control.

( 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

Gerwig has made the kind of family film she surely wishes had been available to her when she was a girl, sneaking a message (several of them, really) inside Barbies hollow hourglass figure, said Varietys Peter Debruge. Thats an admirable achievement.

In her five out of five-star review for The Independent, Clarrise Loughrey hailed the film as one of the most inventive, immaculately crafted and surprising mainstream films in recent memory  a testament to what can be achieved within even the deepest bowels of capitalism.

Barbie is out in cinemas on 21 July. Follow The Independents live blog about the film here.
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A mayor in Norway, who was supposed to destroy motorbikes used in the latest Mission: Impossible movie, has admitted he set out on a cheeky mission of his own  to keep the bikes as mementos.

Mayor Jan Ove Tryggestad has been kept two of the mangled bikes secret for almost three years, after they were used in a death-defying stunt in Dead Reckoning that involved franchise star Tom Cruise riding a motorbike off a cliff, soaring off the bike and parachuting to the ground.

The stunt was filmed on the Helsetkopen mountain in Stranda in September 2020, and used a total of eight motorcycles.

Tryggestad was meant to destroy the bikes after the shoot, but he never did.

A mayor in Stranda cant always be the one who follows rules and regulations, came his mischeivous explanation in an interview.

Cruise reprises the role of ace spy Ethan Hunt in the blockbuster sequel, which is out in cinemas now and also stars Hayley Atwell and Vanessa Kirby.

In a four-star review of the film for The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey mentioned the cliff stunt, writing: The action sequences are consistently dynamic, and always adapted to their environment: a shoot-out in a sandstorm focuses on stealth and precision, while a Vespa chase down Romes many staircases is all cartoon chaos.

It all culminates in an absolutely insane stunt in which Cruise drives a motorcycle off a cliff and then parachutes down onto a moving train.

You will leave Dead Reckoning the same way you always do: wondering how Cruise could possibly outdo himself in the next one  until, inevitably, he does.

Cruise and Atwell in Mission Impossible ( 2023 Paramount Pictures.)

Speaking to The Independent about working with Cruise and director Chris McQuarrie in a recent interview, Atwell described creating her character  a master thief called Grace  as a genuinely collaborative process.

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Even the way they phrased it: Were looking for an actor to work with rather than Weve written this character, she said.

You go, Your language is always giving me back power and agency. You want things for me and not from me? Its beautiful parenting!

She said that Cruise and McQuarrie like to be surrounded by really strong, intelligent women, adding that they love seeing women thrive and be in their own power, so if I ever tried to play small or flirtatious, or play damsel, they would probably be like, What are you doing? Thats not you!
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As the release date for Christopher Nolans new epic Oppenheimer approaches, rumours have begun circulating that the film is banned in Japan.

Oppenheimer follows the life of theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer who developed the first nuclear bomb for the top-secret Manhattan Project.

Nuclear weaponry was, of course, used to reap death and destruction on Japan during the Pacific War in 1945.

The USA detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, killing approximately 200,000 people, most of whom were civilians. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict.

Oppenheimer does not yet have a theatrical release date for Japan, leading some to speculate that the film has been banned in that territory.

However, this theory has been debunked.

A spokesperson for Universal Pictures told Variety in June that plans have not been finalised in all markets. The studio did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment.

Since the films premiere screenings over the last couple of weeks, Nolan has said people are leaving cinemas devastated.

Cillian Murphy is J Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures)

It is an intense experience because its an intense story. I showed it to a filmmaker recently who said its kind of a horror movie. I dont disagree, he said.

Kai Bird, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who co-authored American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer on which Nolans film is based, said in a recent academic talk: I am, at the moment, stunned and emotionally recovering from having seen [Oppenheimer].

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Like it or not, J Robert Oppenheimer is the most important person who ever lived, Nolan said at CinemaCon, the annual convention for cinema owners, earlier this year. He made the world that we live in for better or for worse. His story has to be seen to be believed.

Dr J Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atom bomb (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

A Change.org petition has also been kicked off demanding that Warner Bros and Universal Pictures, the studios behind the Oppenheimer biopic, call a halt to the Barbenheimer hashtag in Japan.

The petition has collected more than 16,000 signatures over three days.

Coincidentally, Greta Gerwigs Barbie, which is released on the same day as Oppenheimer, has been banned in Vietnam over a controversial depiction of the South China Sea.

The film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, reportedly contains a scene depicting a map showing what appears to be the nine-dash line.

The line is a representation of Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam says violates its sovereignty.

China and Vietnam have long been in a stand-off over the region, while Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia all make claims to parts of the sea.

In a statement to Variety, Warner Bros said the doodles shown were intended to depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land.

The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing, a spokesperson said. They added that it was not intended to make any type of statement.

Oppenheimer is released in cinemas on 21 July.
 Close No contracts, no peace: Actors stage demonstration in New York

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Universal Studios has been accused of trimming the trees that lined its studio lot and provided shade for striking actors and writers.

On Monday (17 July), following the first weekend of the historic Hollywood shutdown, comic Chris Stephens tweeted a photo showing the bare trees.

Quick shoutout to the good people at @UniversalPics for trimming the trees that gave our picket line shade right before a 90+ degree week, Stephens wrote.

SAG-AFTRA negotiators unanimously recommended a strike after talks with the AMPTP broke down last week.

Additionally, the Writers Guild of America has been on strike since early May. Both groups demand increases in base pay and residuals in the streaming TV era, plus assurances that their work will not be replaced by AI.

Fran Drescher, former star of The Nanny and SAG president, said studios responses to the actors concerns had been insulting and disrespectful.

In light of the historic double strike, several actors and writers have shared personal horror stories of Hollywood studio greed.

Meanwhile, Disney CEO Bob Iger condemned the threatened strike action as very disruptive at the worst time as well as calling the expectations of writers and actors not realistic.
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Private 2nd Class Travis King had passed through airport security as he was being sent home from South Korea for disciplinary reasons. He still somehow managed to leave the airport and join a civilian tour of the demilitarized zone between South and North Korea.

As he left the tour group behind, he reportedly let out a loud laugh as he ran away. Hes now in North Korean custody, according to US officials.

Mr King had just been released from prison where he had been held on assault charges and was facing additional military disciplinary actions in the US.

Mr King, who is in his early 20s, was escorted to the airport to be returned to Fort Bliss, Texas, but instead of getting on the aircraft he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border.

While crossing the demilitarized zone (DMZ) he gave out a loud ha ha ha, a witness has said.

King crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea

He had joined a group taking a tour of the Joint Security Area  the border village in the DMZ separating the two Koreas, which is heavily guarded by soldiers from both sides.

The UN Command in a statement said: A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Authorities said that we are working with KPA (North Korean army) counterparts to resolve this incident.

A US official told CBS News that the service member was able to return and join the border tour after going through airport security.

According to the local press, a foreign national crossed the border at 1527 local time [0627 GMT].

Colonel Isaac Taylor of United States Forces Korea Public Affairs told The Independent: A U.S. Service member on a JSA orientation tour willfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident.

Bryce Dubee, an Army spokesperson shared the following information about Mr King: PV2 Travis T. King is a 19D (Cavalry Scout) in the Regular Army from January 2021 to present. He has no deployments. During his Korean Force Rotation he was originally assigned to 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and is currently administratively attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.

This man gives out a loud ha ha ha, and just runs in between some buildings

An individual who said they witnessed what took place and was taking part in the tour along with the US soldier told CBS News that they had visited one of the buildings in the area when this man gives out a loud ha ha ha, and just runs in between some buildings.

US soldier crossed into North Korea without authorisation, defence secretary confirms

I thought it was a bad joke at first, but when he didnt come back, I realised it wasnt a joke, and then everybody reacted and things got crazy, they told the outlet.

The witness told the network that no North Korean soldiers could be seen where the man ran, adding that they had been told that there hadnt been any present since the pandemic as North Korea attempted to fully close its borders.

The witness said that after the man had crossed the border, the tour group was taken to Freedom House to give statements and then to be taken to their bus.

We were 43 going in and 42 coming back

Im telling you this because it actually hit me quite hard, the witness told CBS News. It was on the way back in the bus, and we got to one of the checkpoints ... Someone said we were 43 going in and 42 coming back.

An anonymous official told The Washington Post that: This was a deliberate decision on part of the service member to cross.

An anonymous Pentagon official told NPR that the soldier was dressed in civilian clothes when the incident took place and that he was facing disciplinary action in the US.

A woman who said she was part of the tour group said they were at the last stop when she heard the loud ha ha ha and then she saw the man, who had spent the day with the group, running between two of the buildings and over to the other side.

It took everybody a second to react and grasp what had actually happened, she wrote on Facebook in a since-deleted post, according to NPR. Then we were ordered into and through Freedom House and running back to our military bus.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters on Tuesday that Im absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troops.

Area filled with landmines, surrounded by electric and barbed wire fencing and surveillance cameras

The DMZ, one of the most fortified places in the world, is filled with landmines, surrounded by electric and barbed wire fencing and surveillance cameras.

While there are very few cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to the North, more than 30,000 North Koreans are believed to have crossed the border to the South since the 1950s.

Washington has banned American nationals from entering North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of US nationals.

The US government is unable to provide emergency services to US citizens in North Korea as it does not have diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea, the US travel advisory for North Korea reads.

The death of US student Otto Warmbier

The ban was implemented after American college student Otto Warmbier was detained by the North while on a tour of the country in 2015. He died in 2017, days after he was released from prison and returned to the US in a coma.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248km-long (154 miles) DMZ, was created at the close of the Korean War in 1953. The area has been a venue for numerous talks and is a popular tourist spot.

Otto Warmbier in detention (EPA)

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced toward the South. The soldier was hit five times and later rescued from beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom. He is now in South Korea.

Former US president Donald Trump met his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-Un in the DMZ in June 2019.

The arrest comes amid heightened tensions between the US and the North as Pyongyang rushes to fulfil its nuclear aspirations.

Washington deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to its ally, South Korea, for the first time in 40 years as officials from both countries met in Seoul to discuss strengthening their nations deterrence capabilities against the North.

Ohio-class USS Kentucky submarine arrived at the port of Busan on Tuesday afternoon, the Souths defence ministry said. It is the first visit by a US nuclear-armed submarine to the South since the 1980s, it added.

Periodic visits by US nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to the South were one of the agreements reached by both countries in April. They also agreed to establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group and expand military exercises.
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The mother of the American soldier who illegally crossed into North Korea said she was shocked and just wanted him to return home.

Meanwhile, his uncle has said that he was breaking down following the death of his seven-year-old cousin.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, who is in his early 20s, crossed the heavily fortified inter-Korean border to enter North Korea where he is believed to be detained. The incident has threatened a new diplomatic row and a crisis with the nuclear-armed state.

His mother, Claudine Gates, who lives in Racine, Wisconsin, told ABC News that she heard from her son a few days ago.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Ms Gates said, adding that she was taken aback when she was told her son had crossed into North Korea.

She said she received the information that Mr King was being held up in North Korea on Tuesday morning, days after her son told her he would return to his base in Fort Bliss, Texas, soon.

She said she just wants him to come home.

The mothers brother, Carl Gates, told The Daily Beast that he was one of the last people to speak to the 23-year-old before his defection. Mr King had been struggling after the death of Mr Gatess son KingNazir in February of this year from a rare genetic disorder.

His mom came down on a few occasions, and she then talked to him and let him know what was going on with my son. And it seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot, Mr Gates told the outlet. Because he couldnt be here. He was in the Army, overseas.

When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away Travis started [being] reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die, Mr Gates said, adding that hes a father figure to Mr King. I know it was related to what he did.

Picture yourself being in the Army and your baby cousin from your favourite, my only child, hes struggling and going through pain. And hes crying like a baby, and now youre in the service and you cant do nothing about it. And then youre crying like a baby, Mr Gates told The Daily Beast. The pain came from my son, and it escalated to this s***.

Mr King became the first American to be detained in North Korea in nearly five years after crossing the heavily fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ) that separates the country from South Korea.

The illegal crossing by a US soldier has come at a time of renewed and intensified tensions with North Korea under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, who ramped up his fiery rhetoric against Washington amid the countrys record missile testing spree.

North Korea has launched its banned intercontinental ballistic missiles in recent days, flexing its military muscle with its weapon which are capable of delivering nuclear warheads in American cities.

Mr King, who joined the army in 2021, was supposed to return to his base in Texas to face additional military disciplinary action after completing almost two months in a South Korean jail on assault charges, US officials said.

Following his release on 10 July he was transported to the airport by the US army and had passed through the security gates, being escorted as far as customs.

But Mr King did not board the plane and fled to join a civilian tour of the demilitarised zone between South and North Korea.

During some time at the tour, he left the tour group behind and he reportedly let out a loud laugh as he ran away.

The UN Command in a statement said: A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Authorities said that we are working with KPA (North Korean army) counterparts to resolve this incident.

On Wednesday, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles from its capital Pyongyang plunging into the sea off its east coast. Each missile flew 550km and 600km and the missiles landed outside of Japans exclusive economic zone.

It appeared to be in response to the nuclear-armed submarine the US deployed in South Korean wasters for the first time in decades.
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US soldier Travis King was detained in North Korea on Tuesday (18 July) after crossing into the country wilfully and without authorisation, US authorities said.

Colonel Isaac Taylor of the United States Forces Korea Public Affairs told The Independent: A US Service member on a JSA orientation tour wilfully and without authorisation crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA [Korean Peoples Army] counterparts to resolve this incident.

This is, however, not the first time a US national has been arrested in the heavily surveilled country.

Here is a list of US nationals arrested in North Korea

Otto Warmbier

American student Otto Warmbier (centre) escorted at the Supreme Court in Pyongyang, North Korea on 16 March 2016 (AP)

Otto Warmbier, a student at the University of Virginia, was arrested during his visit to North Korea.

Mr Warmbier was visiting the country as part of a group tour organised by a China-based budget tour operator in January 2016.

It was a five-day trip to experience the country during the New Years Eve period, but the trip soon took a turn. Mr Warmbier was seized by North Korean authorities from the tour group and convicted on charges of allegedly trying to steal a propaganda poster.

On 2 January 2016, about two months after this detention, the North Korean court sentenced Mr Warmbier to 15 years of hard labour.

After his initial sentencing, Mr Warmbier suffered from brain damage under circumstances that remain unclear.

In June 2017, Mr Warmbier was released and evacuated from North Korea, accompanied by a medical team due to being seriously ill.

A few days later on 19 June, Mr Warmbier passed away at the age of 22, at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

In a statement, his family said Mr Warmbier was unable to speak, unable to see and unable to react to verbal commands.

Mr Warmbiers family accused North Korea of torturing the student, but the North denied the accusations and insisted it had provided him medical care with all sincerity.

The country also accused the US of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the biggest victim in his death.

In 2022, a federal judge ruled that Mr Warmbiers parents should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501m they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.

Matthew Todd Miller

Matthew Miller, a US citizen, sits on the dock at the Supreme Court during his trial in Pyongyang in September 2014 (AP)

In September 2014, Matthew Todd Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labour for allegedly committing hostile acts as the court claimed Mr Miller tore up his visa upon arriving at Pyongyang airport.

The North Korean Supreme Court also claimed Mr Miller illegally entered the country for spying purposes and said he admitted to a wild ambition of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the countrys human rights conditions.

Mr Miller was freed in November of that year along with another US national, but weeks before his release Mr Miller spoke with The Associated Press, where he claimed he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.

I was trying to stay in the country. They wanted me to leave, Mr Miller told NK News after his release.

The very first night they said, We want you to leave on the next flight. But I refused. I just did not leave.

Kenneth Bae

Kenneth Bae (centre) gives copies of his new book Not Forgotten, to representative Charles Rangel (left) and Ambassador Joseph DeTrani (right) (Getty Images)

Kenneth Bae is a South Korean-US missionary from Lynnwood, Washington who was arrested on the first day of a five-day tour on 3 November 2012 in Ranson  an area along the northeastern coast of North Koreas economic zone.

Almost two weeks after his initial arrest, the countrys official news agency confirmed his arrest and said Mr Bae committed hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town.

Mr Baes family came forward and said he has suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes as well as heart and liver problems.

He returned to the US in November 2014 following a mission by former director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who also helped secure Mr Millers release.

In a pre-taped statement for his tell-all memoir in 2016, Mr Bae said the detainment was an accident.

I was arrested by North Korean authority because I made a terrible mistake by carrying a portable hard drive containing hostile, anti-North Korean material by accident, he said in the YouTube statement.

Jeffrey Edward Fowle

A file photo issued by Moraine, Ohio shows Jeffrey Fowle, one of two detained American tourists who was released by North Korea in 2014 (AFP/City of Moraine)

In May 2014, Jeffrey Edward Fowle, 56 at the time of his arrest, was detained while part of a tour group in North Korea.

Mr Fowle was arrested for six months after leaving a bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin, a country that is allegedly known to be quite strict with organised religion.

North Korea announced Mr Fowles detention and said he has violated the law by acting, contrary to the purpose of tourism.

During his detainment, the tourist also spoke to CNN and said he had no complaints about his treatment.

Its been very good so far, and I hope and pray that it continues, while Im here two more days or two more decades, he said.

The charges are violations of DPRK law, which stems from me trying to leave a Bible, he told CNN at the time.

Its a covert act and a violation of tourists rules. Ive admitted my guilt to the government and signed a statement to that effect and requested forgiveness from the people and the government of the DPRK.

He was released a month before Mr Bae, in October 2014.

Charles Robert Jenkins

Charles Jenkins deserted the US Army and was captive in North Korea for over 39 years (Getty Images)

Charles Robert Jenkins, who passed away at the age of 77, was captive in North Korea for over 39 years.

In January 1965, the US Army sergeant slipped across the demilitarised zone he was supposed to be guarding and went from the South to the North.

His plan was to escape the dangers of getting shot by North Korean border guards or being sent to fight in the Vietnam War  a price he ended up paying for many years.

In 2004, Mr Jenkins made it to Japan and spoke to a US Army Court martial where he revealed the horrors he had to face during his time in detainment.

He spoke about the beatings he faced, along with deprivation and the forced removal of his testicles.

Mr Jenkins said during his arrest, he found himself incarcerated in a single room with three others who had also defected.

In his memoir The Reluctant Communist, he spoke about the decision he made and said, I was not thinking clearly. But at the time my decisions had a logic to them that made my actions seem almost inevitable.

Mr Jenkins said he was also forced to spend 10 hours a day memorising the writings of North Koreas founder and then Supreme Leader Kim Il Sung. If a person failed to correctly recite the words in Korean, it could result in a beating or an increase in their study time.

Those cruel bastards, wrote Mr Jenkins in his memoir, Hated me and the other Americans so deeply they refused to see us as human and enjoyed making our lives hell.

Mr Jenkins was released in 2004 and died in 2017.

Bruce Byron Lowrance

Bruce Byron Lowrance was imprisoned in October 2018 for allegedly illegally entering North Korea from China.

He was imprisoned until November that year and was soon deported back to the US. North Koreas decision to deport Lowrance after only a month of confinement was quick by the countrys standards.

Some might say Mr Lowrance benefitted from the cosy diplomacy between former US president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who had met in a summit in June that year where they discussed goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

As the summit was approaching, North Korea released three US detainees at the time: Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song.

But that diplomacy was shortlived after the second summit in 2019, when the US rejected North Koreas demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

Euna Lee and Laura Ling

Journalists Euna Lee (left) and Laura Ling speak onstage at the The 2009 Women of the Year (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling were shooting a documentary on the Sino-North Korean border about North Korean refugees and the possible practice of human trafficking of young women.

The two journalists were reportedly captured by North Korean state security on March 2009 and taken to Pyongyang.

They were charged with committing hostilities against the Korean national and illegal entry, according to the North Korean mouthpiece news agency KCNA.

They were sentenced to 12 years of reform in a prison camp but were released after 140 days in a detention centre.

Upon their release, Ms Lee said: The past 140 days have been the most difficult, heart-wrenching time of our lives.

We are very grateful that we were granted amnesty by the government of North Korea, and we are so happy to be home.

Kwang Duk Lee

American pastor Kwang Duk Lee was arrested in May 1998 as a suspect spy in North Korea, but he was released three months later.

Mr Lees arrest came while he was trying to get financing for a soybean processing plant, his family had told The Los Angeles Times at the time of his release.

North Korean authorities said Mr Lee was a spy posing as a businessman and demanded $122,000 for his release.

Mr Lee was freed in August that year, three months after his arrest.

What is the Joint Security Area?

The Joint Security Area seen in this photo taken on 9 May 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

The Joint Security Area (JSA), also known as Panmunjeom, is where the Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953 and is located in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). Its a place that has become one of the most visited tourist sites of the DMZ.

The border is also known as the peace or truce village and is made up of bright blue UN buildings.

Both the South and North Korean sides are heavily policed by military officers.

Follow the latest coverage on Travis King - US national detained in North Korea

Can you visit the JSA?

The area is under heavy surveillance, but people can visit through tours.

To enter the JSA, visitors much pass through multiple checkpoints before arriving at Camp Bonifas. Visitors must either be escorted by either US or South Korean Soldiers.

Additional reporting from agencies
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The US soldier who joined a civilian tour only to run across the DMZ into North Korea previously shouted profanities about Koreans and their military.

More information about Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, is emerging after his escape into one of the most isolated countries in the world.

Mr King is in the custody of the North Koreans after running across the border and willfully and without authorization Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.

The young soldier had recently been released from a South Korean jail and he had been taken by the military to the Incheon International Airport outside the capital of Seoul. He was set to possibly face further disciplinary action back in the US.

An administration official told NBC News that instead of heading to his gate, Mr King joined a civilian tour group going to the joint security area and the village of Panmunjom about 90 minutes from the airport.

Its the only part of the DMZ stretching on for more than 155 miles where North and South Korea interact with each other.

New Zealand tourist Sarah Lelie was in the tour group that Mr King joined. She said that the tour group was sort of milling around at the end of the tour watched by both US and South Korean troops as North Korean soldiers seemed to be in a building.

Private 2nd Class Travis King (Screengrab/WISN)

It was at that point that she saw a man running what looked like full gas towards the North Korean side, she told the AP.

The South Korean and US troops ordered the rest of the group to go inside and set off after Mr King, but they were unable to catch him.

Everybody was stunned and shocked, Ms Leslie said. There were some people who hadnt even realized what was going on.

Mr King was reported to the police in South Korea after reportedly punching a Korean national at a Seoul nightclub on 25 September 2022. He wasnt indicted as the victim chose not to press charges.

In February of this year, he was fined almost $4,000 and charged with several violations, including damaging public property, court documents state.

He was accused of kicking a Seoul police vehicle last year, leading to hundreds of dollars in damage. As he was detained by officers, he shouted profanities about Koreans and the countrys military.

The ruling from a South Korean court states that Mr King pled guilty to assault and destruction of public goods in connection to the incident which occurred in October last year, according to Reuters.

He was detained on 8 October following an altercation. When police tried to question him, he behaved aggressively and didnt reply to their queries. After he was placed in a patrol car, he shouted insults and expletives as he kicked the car door, with the ruling saying that he caused around 584,000 won in damage.

The court said that the defendant admitted to the allegations, that he didnt have a criminal record, and that he paid 1 million won to repair the car.

Before fleeing the airport to join the tour group, Mr King had passed through security on his own.

The Korea Times reported that an airport official said that Mr King had said that his passport was missing as an excuse to not get on the flight.

One official told Reuters that DMZ tours are advertised at the airport and Mr King seemed to have joined one but its unclear how he managed to do so as they usually take three days to schedule because of security measures.
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A tourist from New Zealand who was visiting the DMZ between North and South Korea thought it was a stunt when she saw a supposed member of her tour group sprint towards the north.

It quickly became clear that the incident was no prank, but instead a daring escape by a US soldier who had fled a Seoul airport and somehow joined the tour group as he was facing possible disciplinary measures at home.

Sarah Leslie told the AP that Travis King, 23, was out of uniform, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and she had no clue that he was a soldier, or in legal jeopardy.

Mr King, 23, had spent close to two months in a South Korean prison for assault before he was released on 10 July and was set to head back to Fort Bliss in Texas on Monday where he may have been discharged and possibly be the subject of further military discipline.

Ms Leslie told the news agency that her group went further than other tours as they visited the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, meaning that the tourists were essentially stepping onto North Korean soil in one of the buildings which is controlled jointly by the two nations.

She added that to be part of a tour of that kind, they had to submit their passports and get permits ahead of time.

The group left Seoul early in the morning, with Ms Leslie noticing that Mr King was journeying alone and appeared unwilling to speak to others taking the tour. She also noted that he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running really fast.

I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do, Ms Leslie said. But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy.

She said the order came from a US soldier, part of a group of troops patrolling the area alongside South Korean service members.

But the soldiers didnt have time to respond. She said that after running about 10 metres (30 feet) down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, Mr King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Ms Leslie said she couldnt see anyone on the North side  the group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

After Mr King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information centre to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadnt seen Mr King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

People couldnt really quite believe what had happened, Ms Leslie said. Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other.

Ms Leslie, a lawyer from New Zealands capital, Wellington, said shed long had an interest in the Koreas after studying politics at university and seeing South Korean movies.

She said she found it hard to understand why Mr King would head to North Korea.

I just didnt think anyone would ever want to do that, she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
 Close US soldier who fled to North Korea had served time in a South Korean prison

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The family of the US soldier who fled into North Korea say he was grieving the loss of his young cousin and was not acting like himself.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, who was set to board a plane to return to the US, was on a South Korean civilian tour to the border village known as Panmunjom when he darted across the border.

He was pictured wearing jeans, a black shirt and a black hat with the letters DMZ printed on it just moments before he crossed the border to enter the secretive country.

The US army has said he intentionally crossed the border as he was facing disciplinary action on his return to the US after serving nearly two months in detention in South Korea. An investigation is underway to determine if there was prior knowledge of Mr Kings plan in North Korea.

Expressing deep concerns over the well-being of Mr King, his uncle Myron Gates told NBC News that defecting was out of his character.

Ive never seen him get down like that, ever. Somethings going on. This is not his personality.

His mother said she was shocked and just wanted him to return home.
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Indias space agency chief said that the giant metal cylinder that was found washed up at an Australian beach was indeed a part of a rocket but could not confirm if it was from their launch.

The object which was about 2.5m wide and around 3m in height was discovered on the shore by locals at Green Head Beach, north of Pert, over the weekend, who alerted the Western Australia police.

But Indian Space Research Organisation chair S Somnath told BBC there was "no mystery" about the object as it is part of some rocket".

"We cant confirm its ours unless we analyse it," he told the broadcaster.

He said it could be a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) or part of any other launch but they would be only able to confirm it after seeing and analysing it.

The sudden emergence of the giant object sparked a lot of excitement from the locals as well as media attention. It also sparked speculation that it was linked to the missing Malaysian MH370 flight.

In this image made from video, a cylindrical object is seen on beach in Green Head, Australia (AP)

The WA police urged people to stay away from the object as they said they are treating it as hazardous.

We want to reassure the community that we are actively engaged in a collaborative effort with various state and federal agencies to determine the objects origin and nature, WA police said.

But aviation and space experts pointed out that the object could be a part of Indias satellite launch to the moon. It was suspected to be the fuel tank of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket. The latest PSLV mission was the PSLV-55 which was successfully launched in April this year.

The Australian Space Agency, which is also part of the investigation, said it was looking into the possibility that it could be a part of a foreign space launch vehicle.

The agency is working to confirm whether the object could be part of a foreign space launch vehicle that has washed up on shore, and liaising with global counterparts who may be able to provide information about the object, a spokesperson for the agency said.

Mr Somnath confirmed that some of the PSLV parts are known to have fallen in the sea beyond Australias Exclusive Economic Zone.

He said the object may have been floating for a long time and finally reached shore.

There is no danger associated with the debris, he added.
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At least 16 people were killed and six others sustained injuries after a transformer exploded on the banks of a river in India, electrifying a bridge.

A police inspector and three home guards (auxiliary to the police) were among the victims, who died inside a sewage treatment plant along the banks of the Alakananda river in the Chamoli district of Indias Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, officials said.

The electrified bridge near Pipalkoti village was a part of the plant under the federal governments flagship Namami Gange project, which aims to conserve and revive the river Ganges.

The police visited the site to prepare a report on the electrocution of a person working on the spot when electricity circulation on a metal railing caused their deaths, Chamoli district disaster management officer NK Joshi said.

The injured were rushed to a local hospital while two of them were airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh.

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a judicial probe into the incident and left for Chamoli from state capital Dehradun for an inspection of the site.

"This is a very unfortunate incident. Police, SDRF and rescue teams are present at the spot. Strict action will be taken against the guilty," the chief minister said.

The cause of the incident will become clear after a detailed inquiry but it seems, on the surface, to have happened due to electrocution, said Himanshu Khurana, the district magistrate of the area.

The incident took place at an "old 50KLD sewage treatment plant, Times of India quoted a source as saying. The labourers were conducting maintenance work to remove excessive sludge due to monsoon, the source added.

The chief minister has asked officials to provide Rs500,000 (4,714) to the families of the deceased and Rs100,000 (942) to the injured people.

The incident occurred as water levels in most rivers in northern India have risen due to record monsoon rains and heavy rains have killed more than 100 people in north India in the past three weeks.

Between 2011 and 2020, at least 100,000 people lost their lives due to electrocution, according to the data from National Crime Records Bureau. On average, nearly 11,000 electrocutions took place every year, while the number rose to 12,492 in 2022.

Last month, a woman was electrocuted in capital Delhi after she touched an electric pole while trying to walk through a flooded road to board a train.

At least 11 people were electrocuted when their truck touched an overhead power cable during a Hindu festival procession in southern India in April.
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Malaysian authorities have opened an investigation into the alleged abduction of Myanmar pro-democracy activist Thuzar Maung, her husband, and three children.

Ms Maung, 46, her husband Saw Than Tin Win, 43, their 16-year-old daughter and two sons aged 17 and 21, were allegedly abducted "in a planned operation" from their home in the Malaysian state of Selangor earlier this month.

All members of the family are UN refugee card holders, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

Local police have opened a missing persons inquiry after receiving a report on the family's disappearance, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar said. Without providing much details, he said the officers would "investigate any element of crime, including kidnapping".

According to the rights organisation, CCTV footage showed a car entering the gated community where her family lived on 4 July.

The driver told security guards they were police, but authorities later identified the license plate of the car as fake. About two hours later, a friend who was talking to Ms Maung on the phone heard her telling her husband that unknown men were entering her home, HRW said.

The same car and two cars belonging to the family were seen leaving the compound at about 7.10pm. Ms Maung and her family members' phones were also turned off, it added.

The last post on Ms Maug's Facebook account was at 5.07am local time on 4 July.

Ms Maung heads the Myanmar Muslim Refugee Community and has been a staunch critic of general Min Aung Hlaing-led junta that toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a 2021 February coup.

She fled to Malaysia in 2015 from Mandalay in Myanmar to escape the growing violence against Muslims.

The Muslim community in that area were heavily accused. I was frightened and decided to flee the country. Because I had a passport at that time, I was able to book a flight and get to Thailand," she told BenarNews in September 2022.

Thailand granted a visa on arrival, and then she went to Malaysia where she pleaded her case before the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

While Kuala Lumpur has been one of the most vocal nations against the state-sponsored violence against pro-democracy supporters in Myanmar, Malaysia has also been criticised for deporting refugees.

Malaysia has deported more than 1,000 people back to Myanmar, defying a court order and appeals from human rights groups, according to The Irrawaddy.

Malaysia deported 150 Myanmar nationals in October last despite the alarms over military defectors being sent back to the civil-war-torn nation.

We fear that Thuzar Maung and her family were abducted in a planned operation and are at grave risk, Elaine Pearson, Asia director at HRW, said, urging the Malaysian government to urgently investigate the disappearance.

Ms Pearson called on foreign governments to press Malaysian authorities to quickly uncover the location of the family. "Myanmar activists are apparently at risk even when they criticise the military junta from a country where they have sought asylum," she added.

Nearly 1.2 million people have been internally displaced in Myanmar and over 70,000 have left the country in the two years since the coup, the UN estimates.

Nearly 3,000 people have been killed by the military government since it took power and more than 23,700 have been arrested, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a non-governmental organisation that tracks killings and arrests.
German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, affirmed that NATO is a dependable partner for Georgia in advancing through the process that will ultimately lead to Georgia's membership.Fischer highlighted that strong statements in support of Georgia were made during the Vilnius summit. He mentioned, "At the Vilnius summit, a very robust statement supporting Georgia was made, emphasizing that Georgia can rely on NATO to move forward in the process that will lead to its NATO membership."Regarding the implementation of the 12 priorities of the European Union, Fischer explained that some priorities have already been accomplished, while others require further progress. He expressed support for Georgia's aspiration to join the European Union and affirmed that Germany will work alongside Georgia to advance on this path. "We support Georgia's ambition in relation to EU membership, and together with Georgia, we will make progress on this journey," Fischer stated.Former Georgian President, Mikheil Saakashvili, has written a letter to The Times from his hospital, highlighting that Vladimir Putin announced his intention to take over Ukraine nearly two decades ago. According to Saakashvili, the West ignored warnings about Putin's aggressive territorial ambitions.Saakashvili revealed that during their 2004 meeting at the Kremlin, Putin did not conceal his plans to seize territory and openly shared his intentions. According to the former president, after the meeting, he traveled to Berlin to express his concerns about Putin to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, who displayed indifference and reprimanded Saakashvili to Putin.Despite issuing warnings about Putin's actions even after the 2008 war, Saakashvili claims that he was consistently dismissed by the West, being labeled as an unstable and embittered lunatic.
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A bitter battle to name Thailands next prime minister took a major turn on Wednesday as parliament voted to deny Pita Limjaroenrat  whose progressive Move Forward Party won a surprise victory in Mays election  a second chance to be confirmed for the post.

Pita had assembled a coalition of parties holding a majority in the House of Representatives. But his nomination for PM was defeated in a joint vote of the House and Senate last week, with military-appointed senators mostly refusing their support.

A new joint session on Wednesday debated whether he could be nominated for a second time  but then voted to deny the move, dashing the hopes of Pitas millions of supporters.

Experts said Pitas fall was virtually inevitable under the 2017 constitution, enacted under military rule, which gives non-elected senators a role in confirming prime ministers. It was designed to thwart billionaire populist Thaksin Shinawatra, whom the army ousted in a 2006 coup, but has now also been used to stop Pita.

Local reports said his supporters and pro-democracy activists have called for demonstrations.

It was the second blow suffered by Pita on Wednesday, after the constitutional court suspended him from parliament pending its ruling on whether he violated the constitution by running for office while holding shares in a media company, a charge he has denied. The courts announcement would have still allowed Pitas nomination and selection as prime minister.

Pita said he would comply with the courts order to step down from his parliamentary post.I think Thailand has changed, and will never be the same, since 14 May, said Pita, referring to his partys election victory. The people have won half the way. Theres another half left. Although I still wont get to perform my duty, Id like to ask all members to help take care of the people from now on.
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A long-dead California town has returned to its watery grave after briefly reappearing thanks to the state's drought.

Whiskey Flat began as a gold mining town in the 1800s and later was used in the filming of Western movies between the 1930s and early 1950s, according to SFGate. It was once the home to the Big Blue Gold Mine, which operated near the Kern River. Despite its prohibition on alcohol, one man found a way to smuggle drinks to the miners in the town, earning it the name Whiskey Flats.

The town was eventually renamed in 1864 to Old Kernville to distance itself from association with "demon rum," according to Sierra Nevada Geotourism.

Decades later, when the state built the Lake Isabella reservoir in 1953, the abandoned prospector town was submerged.

As drought conditions beginning in 2020 left the state choked for water, Lake Isabella began to empty. By September 2022, the lake's waters had receded enough to reveal the old mining town. At the time of the town's reemergence Lake Isabella was only at eight per cent of its capacity.

Snow covers the shores and surrounding area of Lake Isabella, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002. ((AP Photo/The Bakersfield Californian, Dan Ocampo))

The town's return was short-lived; in a much-needed reprieve from the drought, California experienced a historically wet and cold winter, leaving the state with a substantial snowpack  the snow that accumulates in the mountains and melts to fill lakes and rivers throughout the state.

And melt it did; as the cold waters followed eons-old paths to reservoirs and streams and creeks that fed the state's larger bodies of water, it began to fill Lake Isabella once again.

And once again, Whiskey Flat disappeared beneath the waves.

The town's rapid emergence and subsequent return to the depths reflect the "whiplash" effect created by the state's increasingly extreme climate conditions. Between 2020 and 2023, California has experienced both extreme drought and extreme precipitation, leading to catastrophic flooding in some regions.

In an April press release, Karla Nemeth, the director of the state's department of water resources, pointed to the rapidly changing conditions as evidence that "California's climate is becoming more extreme."

While the states substantial snowpack submerged Whiskey Flat, another California town  this one still very much alive  is afraid a long-dead lake's rebirth may spell its doom.

Allenworth, population 600, sits on the shores of a long-dry lake in the San Joaquin Valley. Tulare Lake, as it was once known, was drained by agricultural canals a century ago. However, much like Lake Isabella, melting snow has been refilling the lake bed, leaving residents fearful that their town may go the way of Whiskey Flat.

The lake bed was formerly home to pistachio and almond groves, many of which are now underwater. Tulare Lake's return threatens both the livelihoods and the homes of tens of thousands who live in the region. Experts believe the lake will exist for at least two years, and is likely to continue to grow as snow continues to melt and fill the basin, according to the Guardian.

State and local officials have tried to stay the rising water through the use of sandbags, plywood, and large rocks. But with a snowpack estimated to hold the equivalent of more than 60 inches of rain, those measures may not be enough to stop Tulare Lake's homecoming.
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Conservationists must act like crime scene investigators to help tackle the illegal trade of species such as sharks and rays, scientists have said.

A team of international experts have been analysing fish dust gathered from factories and processing plants for DNA to see if they belong to rare and highly sought-after creatures.

The team found that by adopting forensic methods, they identified species being traded illegally at these sites at a much faster rate than they otherwise would have if traditional techniques had been applied.

In their findings, published in the journal Conservation Letters, the researchers said their crime scene type methods could become a powerful and cost-effective monitoring tool wherever wildlife is traded.

First author Dr Andhika Prasetyo, from the University of Salford, said: Having the ability to effectively dust a warehouse or a boat for fingerprints is a major weapon in identifying wrongdoing and turning exploitation on a path to sustainability.

It works perfectly, its quicker to sample, and it uncovers twice as many species, in a fraction of the time and effort.

More than 150 species of sharks and rays are currently listed in the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites)  which aims to regulate international trade in wildlife for its protection.

By adopting crime scene type methods, we uncovered evidence of twice as many species in a fraction of the time and effort it would take to sample fish in the factory Stefano Mariani

Experts say global decline of shark and ray populations is down to mostly illegal fishing and demand for certain products such as fins.

The shark fin trade alone is estimated to be worth more than 1.5 billion US dollars (1.2 billion).

Sharks are also often caught incidentally by fishing gear set for other types of fish, contributing to the decline of certain species.

However identifying which shark species the fins come from can be a challenge for staff at ports, trade hubs and international borders because they are processed in different ways, such as freezing, drying or bleaching.

Normally, it is down to inspectors to find remains of these animals and analyse the tissue samples, but the researchers said these method is biased, lengthy, and cumbersome for everyone involved.

So the experts decided sweep the floors of the plants and factories to capture dust and scraps from wildlife.

They sequenced the DNA fragments retrieved from dust and scraps from seven processing plants in Java, Indonesia, the worlds biggest shark landing nation.

Using a technique known as metabarcoding, which allows rapid identification of animals based on DNA, the team identified 61 types of shark and ray species, more more than double the amount identified using traditional sampling methods.

The researchers said more than 80% of these were species listed as outlawed by the Cites.

Study author Stefano Mariani, professor of marine conservation at Liverpool John Moores University, said: By adopting crime scene type methods, we uncovered evidence of twice as many species in a fraction of the time and effort it would take to sample fish in the factory.
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Historic heatwaves are sweeping the planet from China to Europe and the United States, with 2023 on track to become the hottest year on Earth since records began.

Rome and Catalonia on Tuesday recorded their highest temperatures ever, provisional data suggests, as southern Europe is gripped by extreme heat and wildfires.

Meteorologists predict this week Europe can record its highest temperature ever as parts of Italy are forecast to cross 48C (118.4F).

Meanwhile, China has already recorded its highest-ever temperatures with a scorching 52.2C (125.9F) recorded in Sanbao on Sunday as the country is hit by multiple climate disasters at once.

The same day, Death Valley in the US recorded 53C (127.4F), as meteorologists say it is close to setting a new record for the highest temperatures ever recorded on Earth amid blistering heat gripping large parts of the southern states.

This onslaught of heat from Asia to the Americas is just the latest in the series of climate extremes we have witnessed this year with the first week of July being recorded as the hottest days on the planet and ocean temperatures reaching record highs.

So what is causing these extreme temperatures and is there a link between all the heatwaves the planet is currently experiencing?

According to experts, a combination of factors are contributing to these extreme weather events including stagnant weather systems and the El Nino phenomenon. However, the driving forces behind the heatwaves are primarily linked to the climate crisis.

Scientists say high-pressure systems are dominating Europe, central Asia and the southern US, leading to these regions experiencing heatwave conditions. The hotter-than-usual ocean waters are also contributing to rising temperatures over land.

The bubble of hot air that has inflated over southern Europe has turned Italy and surrounding countries into a giant pizza oven, Professor Hannah Cloke of University of Reading, says.

The hot air which pushed in from Africa is now staying put, with settled high pressure conditions meaning that heat in warm sea, land and air continues to build.

Dr Akshay Deoras, meteorologist at the University of Reading, says while it isnt unusual for the northern hemisphere to experience heat at this time of the year, the temperatures seen in Europe are definitely unusual.

Heatwaves are common in the northern hemisphere at this time of year. However, the temperatures we are expecting in parts of southern Europe in the coming days are what we normally get in the tropical deserts or tropical countries such as India, Pakistan or the Middle East during summer, Dr Deoras says.

This image uses data from the Copernicus Sentinel-3 missions radiometer instrument and shows the land surface temperature across Europe and parts of northern Africa (European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery)

The simultaneous occurrence of heatwaves in different regions of the world as well as their forecasted intensity fits well with the anticipated impact of climate change on global temperatures.

Dr Melissa Lazenby, senior lecturer in climate change at the University of Sussex, said the weather extremes being experienced across the globe are exactly what climate scientists have been predicting as a result of the man-made climate crisis.

The northern hemisphere is experiencing a combined effect of both natural and anthropogenic climate change resulting in extreme heat over three NH [northern hemisphere] continents, Dr Lazenby said.

According to the United Nations top science body, the world has become hotter by approximately 1.2C (34.1F) since the 1800s due to the greenhouse gases released by burning fossil fuels.

Scientists say the heat brought by a natural phenomenon like El Nino comes on top of the existing heat the planet is experiencing due to greenhouse gas emissions, hence, raising the temperatures higher than they would have in a world without man-made pollution.

There is a developing El Nino event as well as the additional warming from human emissions, therefore, resulting in abnormally warmer temperatures than without human emissions, Dr Lazenby said.

Locals help firefighters as they try to extinguish a wildfire burning near the village Vlyhada near Athens (Getty Images)

Professor Cloke adds: It is not surprising that different parts of the northern hemisphere have heatwaves during our summer months, but the combined picture is starting to look like climate change impacts all happening at the same time, as scientists have forecast for decades.

We are now living through these impacts, rather than predicting them in a computer simulation of the future climate.

Alarms were raised by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) earlier this year about the unprecedented warming the planet could experience once the El Nino cycle begins.

The WMO said there is a 98 per cent likelihood that at least one of the next five years, and the five-year period as a whole, will be the warmest on record.

However, since then, several heat records have been broken. Even before the weather phenomenon could start in full swing, June was the hottest month recorded for the planet, according to Berkley Earth, an independent organisation that maintains monthly temperature records.

The researchers at the California-based independent organisation have said there is an 80 per cent chance this year could be the hottest on record for the planet.

Map of global ocean temperatures by NOAA shows water around the UK hitting category 5 marine heatwave (NOAA)

Ocean temperatures have also been breaking records with parts of the North Atlantic,. especially waters around the UK and Ireland experiencing an unprecedented marine heat wave, with temperatures up to 5C (41F) hotter than usual.

The El Nino gathered momentum since May this year and its effects have already kicked in with significant anomalies in upper-surface sea temperatures in the Pacific, Dr Malcolm Mistry, assistant professor in climate and geo-spatial modelling, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said.

This in turn is known to disturb wider weather patterns not only in the Pacific, but also globally such as over Eastern US and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia.

El Nino is still in its developing stages and it typically peaks in the months of December to February. Scientists say, there is likely more extreme events and heat to come globally as it kicks in.

As per current seasonal forecasts, the El Nino is expected to strengthen and its effects to remain persistent till the rest of the year, says Dr Mistry.

According to Dr Deoras, El Nino is still weak and in its early stages of development.

Its effect on the global weather patterns will become more robust in the coming months, he adds.

This years heatwave comes as a repeat of the devastation experienced last year in all three continents, when Asia, Europe and the US all suffered through scorching heat.

Scientists say with heatwaves becoming more frequent and prolonged, more immediate measures are needed to protect vulnerable population and cut down planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions immediately.

Scientists have shown that such heatwaves are occurring more often with climate change, and with El Nino conditions this year we are likely to see many more temperatures records broken in the coming months, says Dr Vikki Thompson, climate scientistat the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute.

Heatwaves will continue to increase in intensity, frequency, and duration unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically.
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Visual artist Ai Weiwei says censorship in his homeland of China is suffocating creativity.

Ais work is all about speaking truth to power. This includes the Remembering, an installation dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Sichuan earthquake in 2008; and filling the Tate Moderns main hall with millions of hand-crafted porcelain sunflower seeds in 2010  often interpreted as a symbol of how the people of China are able to stand up against the ruling Communist Party.

An outspoken critic of Chinese authorities, he was arrested at Beijing Capital International Airport in 2011 and detained for 81 days. In 2015 he left China for the last time, and is now based in Lisbon, Portugal.

Living abroad, Ai is free to express himself  something he knows isnt possible for artists in his homeland.

Censorship certainly destroys a new voice, Ai says.

Freedom of expression is the force of creativity. For the authorities, maintaining stability is much more important than so-called creativity.

The 65-year-old suggests those in power sacrifice creativity for order  and he keenly feels the effects of this.

Its suffocating  you dont have fresh air, and its hard to breathe.

Ais work addresses political and social issues in China, and he says this approach is important, [but] also not important when you have a society where honest, frank language has been forbidden, and [there is] strong censorship.

He suggests censorship limits language, meaning writers are less able to express their interior thoughts and feelings.

However, one writer who was able to do this was Wang Xiaobo, a Chinese novelist who died in 1997 at the age of 44.

According to Ai, Wang is still the countrys most popular writer  and his work has never been taken off the shelves in China. You can still buy it in bookstores, Ai reflects. My writing you certainly cant  its not online or in stores.

Wangs work has recently been published in English for the first time  his book of essays called Pleasure Of Thinking, and Golden Age, a satirical novel about life as an educated youth in the Cultural Revolution. This was a 10 year period from 1966 where leader Mao Zedong purged capitalistic and traditional elements from Chinese society, and educated youths were young people sent to work in the countryside.

Discussing Golden Age, Ai says: Normally you dont read things like that. Its a very personal narrative about erotic moments, which was very surprising in a very restricted society like the Cultural Revolution.

He continues: Its very unique because the whole generation was being forced to not review [their] inner feelings  that could be considered a dangerous act.

For Ai, Wangs strength comes from his ability to write about his inner thoughts and emotions.

In a society like China, he says, You cannot really calmly expose yourself very often. Very often, even among writers, they dont have this kind of graceful style under the language [as Wang] His writing is so honest.

While you can still read Wangs work in China today, Ai suggests if he was living and working today, he would likely be censored because his style is still very, very subversive.

Golden Age isnt an outright critique of the Cultural Revolution, but darkness is lurking underneath the humour.

Ai suggests you can sense the reality of what is happening  Wang himself was an educated youth for two years, so the book can be seen as semi-autobiographical  and he successfully shows the mental condition of that time.

In recent years, under the strict censorship of China, one blog writer who caught Ais attention  who saw similarities with Wangs work. But this was only for a few years online, then suddenly his voice disappeared [He was] a very popular blog writer  probably the most popular one, but [he] suddenly disappeared [from the internet], because I guess it became too dangerous.

With the new publications, Western audiences will be able to read Wangs work in full for the first time  and Ai wants readers to see China still has these very liberal and very intelligent writers, but theyre just under this heavy political control. They cannot be introduced, or cannot even be published.

Golden Age and Pleasure Of Thinking by Wang Xiaobo, translated by Yan Yan, are published by Penguin Classics.
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Ambassador Cruise Lines has issued an apology to passengers after one of its ships docked in the Faroe Islands, where dozens of pilot whales were being slaughtered.

The luxury cruise line shared in a statement on Thursday (13 July) that the arrival of their ship, the Ambition, in Torshavn in the Faroe Islands  which is located between Scotland, Iceland, and Norway  coincided with the culmination of a hunt of more than 40 pilot whales, the company said on Twitter.

The British cruise liner acknowledged that witnessing this local event was distressing for the majority of 1,000 passengers onboard the Ambition, some of those being conservationists with ORCA  a UK-based marine life advocacy group that seeks to protect whales and dolphins.

We were incredibly disappointed that this hunt occurred at the time that our ship was in port, they said. 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.

Christian Verhounig, Ambassador CEO, said: We are extremely disappointed that this has happened after weeks of trying to open constructive dialogue with the Faroese government and Visit Faroes on these issues. We continue to educate our guests and crew not to buy or eat any whale or dolphin meat and stand against any profiteering from commercial whaling and dolphin hunts.

Seventy eight long-finned pilot whales, a species of dolphin, were killed near Torshavn on Sunday, Yahoo News Australia reported. The controversial practice, called Grindadrap, saw Faroese locals herding the pilot whales to shore with over 40 small boats and jet-skis. ORCA confirmed that a group of 150 people then hauled the animals ashore with hooks and slaughtered them with lances.

The hunt lasted a total of 20 minutes, while some of the pilot whales, including a calf, took over 30 seconds to die.

Long-finned pilot whales are a type of dolphin that dwell in deep temperate to subpolar oceanic waters, such as the Southern Hemisphere or the North Atlantic. They live in close-knit pods of up to 20 pilot whales. Although theyre not endangered, long-finned pilot whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Whaling in the Faroe Islands  known as grind for short  is a longstanding tradition that has taken place for over 800 years, with multiple hunts occurring each year. The arrival of the Ambassadors Ambition cruise ship in Torshavn coincided with the sixth hunt of 2023, ORCA said.

While the practice has received much criticism from animal rights activists and conservationists, the Faroese government has argued the killings provide food for local communities and are fully regulated by law. The average catch of around 800 whales a year is not considered to have a significant impact on the abundance of pilot whales, which are estimated at around 778,000, the government previously said.

Others have called on cruise ship companies to boycott the Faroe Islands in order to end the killing of whales in the area. Cruise companies need to take a stand in support of ocean wildlife and remove the Faroe Islands from itineraries, Rob Read, the chief operations officer at Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, told Yahoo News Australia. Their continued visits to the Faroe Islands inadvertently supports the abhorrent practice that is the Grindadrap.

In July 2022, nearly 100 bottlenose dolphins were killed in the Faroe Islands, the largest hunt of bottlenose dolphins in more than 120 years.

Meanwhile in September 2021, a record 1,428 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were slaughtered in a single hunt. In response, the government of the Faroe Islands led a review of dolphin hunts and limited the practice to 500 dolphins for the current year.

Conservationists have long been lobbying the UK government to halt trade with the Faroe Islands as the killings continue. However, ministers ignored their calls in February last year when they signed a 5.5m agreement allowing UK and Faroese vessels to fish in areas of each others waters.
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Kim Kardashians shapewear company Skims is now worth US$4bn (approximately 3.09bn) after a new funding round raised US$270m (209m).

This makes Skims a unicorn company four times over. A unicorn company refers to startup companies with a value of more than $1bn.

The company, co-owned by Kardashian, 42, and her business partner Jens Grede, plans to announce its new valuation today (Wednesday 19 July), according to the New York Times. Its previous valuation given by investors was $3.2bn.

The reality TV star, best known for starring in 20 seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians and The Kardashians, said in an interview: It has grown quickly and were so proud of that. Weve had a really good flow of product launches.

Kardashian launched Skims in 2019 as she wanted to create shapewear that fits her own skin tone and body type. The brand has since released numerous ranges, including loungewear, maternity wear and swimwear.

In 2021, the success of the brand increased Kardashians net worth to US$1bn, which earned her a spot on Forbes World Billionaires List.

Last year, when Skims hit its US$3.2bn valuation, it was estimated that Kardashian became US$600m richer. The company secured US$240m in a funding round led by hedge fund Lone Pine Capital, as well as previous investors.

Grede, who is Skimss chief executive, said in an interview that the company was now profitable and on track for US$750 million in sales this year, up from US$500 million in 2022.

Grede said nearly 70 per cent of the companys overall customers are millennials or Gen Zs, while about 15 per cent of the companys online customers come from outside of the US.

Over the last year, he said that 11 million people have joined waiting lists to buy the brands most popular items, which regularly sell out.

Skims bestseller products include its viral seamless sculpt bodysuit, which comes with extra compression at the core and waist areas to create a figure-enhancing look. The product description says the bodysuit will flatter your bust, and rounded butt pockets for a lifted look.

Another bestseller is the soft lounge long slip dress, a basic maxi slip dress with a body-hugging fit.

For a recent collection launched by the brand, British singer-songwriters Raye and PinkPantheress were enlisted to promote it, along with Bronx rapper Ice Spice.

The Kardashian family are also responsible for a myriad of viral beauty and fashion companies. Kim also owns a skincare brand named SKKN BY KIM, which sells a nine-product step-by-step routine for radiant skin.

Kims half-sister, Kylie Kenner, is the founder of beauty brand Kylie Cosmetics, which sells makeup and skincare products. Meanwhile, Khloe Kardashian is the co-founder of Good American, a self-claimed fully inclusive fashion brand and Kendall Jenner owns the alcohol brand 818 Tequila.
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Food can bring people comfort in the darkest times, and for Imad Alarnab, this time came when he was stranded as a refugee in Calais for more than two months.

A hot plate had been donated, people collected leftovers from supermarkets, and having been a successful chef back in Damascus  with three restaurants, and a string of cafes and juice bars  Alarnab did what he did best, night after night, he cooked.

It was just something I felt like I needed to do, because you get to make a lot of people happy. Especially at that time, they needed something to be happy about, says the 45-year-old, who would feed as many as 400 people at a time.

The overcrowded camp that became known as The Jungle was close by, but Alarnab says it was too terrifying and overcrowded, so he and a group of several other Syrians slept on the steps of a church instead. And it was here he cooked the food of home  adapted, of course, depending on what they had.

To have a decent warm meal  for people whose lives have been on hold, they cant cross to safety  was a big deal for all of us, says the father-of-three.

In fact, it was the first time hed cooked for lots of people since all of his businesses were bombed within a week in 2012, in the countrys civil war, and this was the moment hope returned. I think it restored all of the faith that things could, and would, get better, Alarnab writes in his debut cookbook, Imads Syrian Kitchen.

By July 2015, hed made the painful decision to leave his wife and three daughters in Damascus to make the treacherous journey via Lebanon, Greece and North Macedonia, to the UK, where they had relatives. With his children too young to make the journey, the family planned to join once hed been granted asylum.

If I had any other choice, I would have definitely taken it. [Fleeing] wasnt the easiest but it was somehow the safest, he says. When I was in Syria during the war, people were saying, Its not safe to go out of the house because maybe youre going to die. But I needed to feed my family, if I stayed in the house they would die from hunger. Theres no good choice or bad choice, but maybe its the only one you can make.

Alarnab opened Imads Syrian Kitchen in Covent Garden in May 2021 (Rebecca Dickson/PA)

When I was leaving Damascus, my oldest daughter made me promise I would see her within one year. I said, Yes, I promise, but I wasnt really sure if I was going to keep that promise or not.

And during the three months before he reached the UK  walking hundreds of miles on foot, on train, in the back of cars, on push bike, at the mercy of smugglers, with false IDs and the kindness of strangers  there were moments of doubt, like when he was crammed in the back of a lorry in Turkey for seven hours.

There were about 95 of us, I felt it was a stupid decision, risking my life so much. I believe the driver was so scared, or maybe drunk  the speed was absolutely scary. I thought we were not going to make it.

His journey ended eventually by using a fake passport to cross the Channel in October 2015 (the moving, often harrowing, story is weaved through his new cookbook), and first finding work illegally in a car wash, where he also slept as an overnight security guard, sending money home.

After his family were able to emigrate (just under the year hed promised his daughter) someone introduced him to the Cook For Syria scheme  and soon he was hosting super clubs at his house. By May 2021, hed opened his London restaurant, Imads Syrian Kitchen.

His first cookbook is a combination of dishes served up at the restaurant and his late mothers recipes. Almost every single dish is somehow related to my mother  I keep seeking her approval in everything I do in life, but especially with cooking, he says. It was his mum, Summer, who first taught him to cook. Even if you create your own recipes, somehow you will [always] be inspired by your first teacher. She died very suddenly while Alarnab was living alone in a caravan in west London.

Syrian food at its heart is simple, first of all, and affordable for everyone, he says. We use a lot of mild spices, not very hot spices. Theyre mostly things youll know; cumin, mint, garlic, nothing really special about it. [but] you put it together in a special way.

Middle Eastern in identity, much of it might feel familiar; tabbouleh, hummus, baklawa; while traditional dishes include buttered halibut, jaj bailfurn (grilled chicken thighs) and kippeh (lamb and bulgur wheat dumplings). Lunch is typically a feast of many dishes. Were a family of five and we never ever have one dish for lunch, says Alarnab. And we dont throw anything away. Before the war  which began as an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011 but has since involved a complex number of groups fighting one another, including so-called Islamic State, leaving at least 11 million people displaced  Alarnab was one of the lucky ones, he says.

Alarnabs moving, often harrowing, story is weaved through his new cookbook (HQ/PA)

We had a comfortable life, but most people in Syria were suffering. When you have a dictatorship for more than 50 years, of course people will be suffering. You cannot explain life without freedom to someone whos lived all of their life with it.

People keep asking me silly questions  Why did you have to go to 10 different countries to come to the UK? You could just get a plane ticket straight from Lebanon to Heathrow. No, it doesnt work like that. As a Syrian, my passport takes me to three countries  war zone countries. Even if I wanted to go to every country supporting Assad, Id still need a visa.

Once the fighting started, food, that once brought him so much joy, lost all meaning. I dont know how to describe it, but the food tasted like blood. I know its disgusting, but nothing tasted the same. When you live in fear for your family, when your daughters are not safe to go to school, food will taste [bad], nothing can make you happy.

Cooking Syrian food now makes him feel connected to his home country, of course, but it also makes me feel part of this unique community in the UK. Arriving in London, he says: I felt safe, I felt I can be different, I can be myself, no one cares. Everyones so different, it makes all of us lookalike.

Even after starting from scratch in a new country after losing everything, with a highly-acclaimed restaurant and now a cookbook, hes most proud of his daughters. His eldest is studying at Warwick University after gaining straight As, his middle child is a talented artist. The youngest [13] is the naughty one still, he laughs. But you can feel they appreciate their life  they are so happy about it.

Imads Syrian Kitchen by Imad Alarnab (HQ; 26).
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Gwyneth Paltrow has opened up about how shes embracing getting older, as she called out the many societal pressures women face as they age.

In a recent interview with British Vogue, the Goop founder, 50, addressed the double standard that women must maintain their beauty as they get older, while older men are often celebrated for their age  affectionately nicknamed silver foxes.

I think its cultures problem. Its not ours, Paltrow said, reflecting on how women are judged more on getting older than men. As women, we want to be healthy, we want to be ageing. This idea that were supposed to be frozen in time is so weird.

The mother of two went on to praise fellow actor Andie MacDowell, who decided to stop colouring her hair and allowed her natural greys to grow instead. I love it when I hear somebody like Andie MacDowell, with her beautiful grey curls, talking about embracing ageing and the difference between how we handle a George Clooney, Paltrow said.

Its handsome to go grey [as a man], but for women its like, What do you plan to do about your wrinkles and your ageing skin? she continued. Theres definitely a double standard.

The lifestyle guru then expressed that women should be allowed to age however they wish, regardless of beauty standards or what society thinks of them.

I think we want to be setting examples of how you can age. Every woman should do it how they want to do it, Paltrow added. Some women want to address every single thing aesthetically, and some women want to be a fabulous French grandmother who doesnt ever do anything. Everybody should be empowered to do it how they want to.

As for the Oscar-winning actor, she told British Vogue that her favourite skincare treatments include regular facials  facial massages and lymphatic drainage  as opposed to subjecting the skin to laser treatments, noting that shes a little freaked out about using lasers on the face.

However, she maintained that theres no wellness treatment thats too out there for her.

Paltrow, who shares 19-year-old daughter Apple and 17-year-old son Moses with ex-husband Chris Martin, also revealed the beauty lessons shes passing down to her model daughter. I think the most important thing is how you take care of your body, from a nutritional and strength aspect, she explained. These things dont only impact the way that you look as you age, but how you feel as you age.

She continued: I think just to invest in your relationships and be present with the people that you love. Give to them and listen to them, and then they will be present with you. Thats really it. You measure the happiness of your life by the quality of your relationships.

Many fellow celebrities have spoken out against the double standard that women in Hollywood face when it comes to ageing. In May, fans defended Sleepless in Seattle star Meg Ryan after the Daily Mail described her as looking unrecognisable during her first public outing in six months.

She looks fabulous one person tweeted, while another said: Leave Meg Ryan alone.

Its called ageing you remorseless f***ers, tweeted British TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp, And its articles like this which push women in the public eye to extremes. This kind of thing boils my blood!

Fashion designer Victoria Beckham also spoke candidly about ageing in a recent interview with The Sunday Times, in which she admitted that she wouldnt want to experience her twenties again.

I am comfortable with who I am. I accept how I look. I make the best of what I have, she said. I feel, professionally and personally, really accomplished at 49. I consider how I apply my make-up. But I like how it feels being older. I wouldnt want to be 25 again. I was the kind of young woman who would look in the mirror and see what needed to be improved upon, as opposed to what actually looked OK.

Meanwhile, actor and activist Jane Fonda recently shared that shes the happiest [shes] ever been at 85 years old.
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A 47-year-old woman who has struggled with severe anorexia for decades has made the decision to die. Soon, she will be able to under Canadian law.

Lisa Pauli from Toronto, Canada, recently opened up about her debilitating eating disorder in an interview with Reuters. Two years ago, Canada expanded its requirements for medically assisted death to allow incurable conditions of mental illness. The new mental health criteria for legalised assisted death goes into effect in March 2024.

Speaking to Reuters, Pauli admitted that shes had a warped relationship with her body since she was eight years old. She currently weighs 92 pounds, can sometimes go days without eating solid food, and is even too weak to carry groceries home without stopping to rest.

The country first legalised medical assistance in dying (MAID) for people with terminal illnesses in 2016. In 2021, the law was expanded to include people with incurable conditions, such as mental illness. The legal changes will soon make Canada one of the only countries in the world to allow those who are not in the end stages of a terminal illness to opt to end their lives.

The 47-year-old told Reuters that every day for her is hell, adding: Im so tired. Im done. Ive tried everything. I feel like Ive lived my life.

She explained that she has tried various treatments and has been hospitalised twice for her anorexia, until her psychiatrist Justine Dembo first raised the idea of assisted death in April 2021.

Dembo, who served on an expert panel on assisted death and assesses people for MAID, said she treats it as a last resort and tries to determine whether patients have received all available medical and social support available.

However, Pauli maintained that she plans to apply for MAID once she is eligible next year.

The topic of medical assistance in dying has sparked much criticism amongst disability rights and religious advocates, who say that the planned changes will bring additional risks of people opting for MAID because they are unable to access social services, according to Reuters.

Just last month, a quadriplegic woman from Ontario claimed that it would be faster for her to pursue a medically assisted death than it would for her to wait for Canada to provide disability support services. The woman, Rose Finlay, said in a video shared on social media that she can access Canadas MAID program after a 90-day eligibility assessment, but that accessing disability services could take up to eight months.

Finlay applied for the Ontario Disability Support Program, but realised she would have to wait for at least half a year before she would even have her application approved. Even with ODSP support money, she said she would be living in a forced poverty as the most the program pays out is $1,228 a month for all living expenses.

She then explored MAID, even though she does not want to die.

Its not what I want, Finlay told CBC. But if I dont receive the support that I need, the outcome is the same. If I get to a point where I am really sick and basically terminally ill anyways, I would like to have other options.

Meanwhile, proponents of assisted death argue that it is an issue of personal autonomy. In 2021, just over 10,000 people died through medically assisted death  about three per cent of deaths in Canada that year  while more than 30,000 people have died with medical assistance in Canada since 2016, per Reuters.

There are other requirements to be considered eligible for MAID, such as a written application and assessments from two independent medical practitioners. It is also only available to people covered by a Canadian healthcare program.

Medical assistance in dying is legal in several other countries, including New Zealand, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Australia, and the Netherlands. In the US, assisted death is legal in 10 states and Washington, DC for patients suffering terminal illness who have less than six months to live.
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Gemma Atkinson has given birth to her second child with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Gorka Marquez.

The former Emmerdale actor, 38, announced on Instagram that she and her fiance had welcomed a baby son, whom she called utterly wonderful.

Writing on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday morning (19 July), Atkinson told her 1.8m followers: Little man is here! He arrived safe and sound and hes utterly wonderful.

Were all home together soaking up this lovely little bubble before Gorks has to leave for Strictly rehearsals next week.

She added: Thank you for all the lovely well wishes. Our family is complete.

Her partner Marquez shared the same message on his own Instagram page.

The couple, who already share a three-year-old daughter, Mia, met when Atkinson appeared on Strictly Come Dancing as a celebrity contestant in 2017. Though they were not coupled up on the dancefloor, the pair started dating after the show wrapped.

When Atkinson gave birth to their first child, Mia, in 2019, she needed an emergency c-section and suffered a haemorrhage after the birth, losing nearly a litre of blood. Following the experience she said she was initially adamant that she and Marquez would not want another child.

Atkinson said their baby son is utterly wonderful (Instagram via @glouiseatkinson)

All these things were going through my mind, what did I do that caused all that to happen? I was telling myself for weeks and weeks Id failed at childbirth, the actor told Channel 4s Stephs Packed Lunch last year.

I was having horrible dreams that someone was going to take Mia from me. I remember my mum running into my bedroom and I was sat up screaming, sweating.

Atkinson added that a woman approached her and her mum when she was out with Mia one day and said: Oh I believe it [the birth] wasnt a success was it, you know, what happened?

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez in 2019 (Getty Images)

Atkinsons mother replied: It was a huge success, Mias there, Gemmas here, total success.

Something clicked in me then, Atkinson said of the exchange. My body had done me proud because it had recovered and got me through.

Im at the stage where I want a sister or brother for Mia. The first few months of Mias life, I kept saying to my partner, Gorka, Im not going through that again. Ive now come out of it and I feel I could.

According to the Birth Trauma Association (BTA), around 30,000 women per year experience birth trauma in the UK.

The radio presenter said at the time that she met with a psychotherapist to learn more about birth trauma and how women can be helped through it.

It was strangely comforting speaking to the women, it makes you feel like youre not on your own, youre not the only person who had a difficult labour, Atkinson added.
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Maria Menounos and husband Keven Undergaro have welcomed their first baby via surrogate after a decade of fertility issues and Menounos battle with pancreatic cancer.

On Wednesday (19 July), the 45-year-old journalist revealed to Us Weekly the name of their baby girl: Athena Alexandra. Their bundle of joy was born on 23 June in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, via surrogate.

It was the most special moment of my life, Menounos recalled to the outlet. The doctor literally grabbed her and hiked her onto me. I sat with her on my chest, and Keven and I kept looking at each other like, Oh, my God. It was just pure joy.

It was like Christmas morning times a million, she said.

Menounos announced she and her husband Undergaro, 55, were expecting their first child together in February. But just one month prior, she learned she had a 3.9cm mass on her pancreas, later confirmed to be a stage 2 neuroendocrine tumour.

Athena is our miracle baby, Menounos said. Im so grateful for her.

Speaking to Us Weekly, the former E! News correspondent opened up about her 10-year-long fertility journey, and revealed the surprising celebrity who helped her find a surrogate.

Menounos previously did three rounds of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments before she opted to have a baby via surrogate. It wasnt until her first surrogate fell through that her lawyer, Andrew Vorzimer  who Kim Kardashian had connected her to  put her in touch with a surrogate search service.

I give her so much credit, Menounos said about Kim Kardashian. She helped us get started and guided me through the fears and the process. She was the first to know we were pregnant! We were at a gala, and I couldnt resist telling her. Shes such a chill, calm person. Anytime I had questions or needed advice, her responses were instant. I had really leaned on her a lot.

After her pancreatic cancer diagnosis, the TV presenter underwent surgery to remove the tumour on her pancreas, along with parts of her spleen, a fibroid, and 17 lymph nodes. Now, Menounos revealed that she feels amazing after surgery, which left her with a C-section scar, despite not delivering a baby on her own.

Ive had a lot of low moments, so Ive had a lot of practice in overcoming them, she said, when asked how she managed to stay positive battling cancer while preparing for her baby girl. You have to come out of the victim mentality.

Everyone asks, Why me? And my thing is, Why not me? That helps me get out of things faster, she continued. I just beat this tumour because I found it early, and other people dont, so Im lucky. I try to focus on how I want to feel rather than the other stuff. It takes a minute; its not easy.

Not only has Maria Menounos battled  and survived  pancreatic cancer, but she previously underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour in 2017. That same year, she and her husband tied the knot after nearly 20 years of dating.
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Bill Gates has dispelled speculation that hes engaged to Paula Hurd after photos captured his girlfriend wearing a ring on her ring finger.

A representative for the Microsoft billionaire confirmed on Tuesday 18 July that the couple is not engaged and the ring in question has belonged to Hurd for decades. Our office can confirm that the ring Mrs Hurd was seen wearing has belonged to her for decades, the spokesperson told People.

Paula Hurd  the 61-year-old widow of Mark Hurd, the late businessman who died in 2019  was seen sporting the diamond ring in New York City on Monday, in photos obtained by TMZ. Her late husband, with who she shares two daughters, was the CEO of software company Oracle and a former Hewlett-Packard executive.

The engagement speculation came nearly two years after the Microsoft co-founder and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates finalised their divorce in August 2021. The former couple were married for 27 years.

According to People, the 67-year-old entrepreneur confirmed he was dating Paula Hurd in February this year. A source told the outlet that their relationship is widely known but his girlfriend had yet to meet Gates three children: daughters Jennifer, 27, and Phoebe, 20, and son Rory, 23.

Gates and Hurd were seen sitting next to one another at multiple sporting events, including the Laver Cup in London in September 2022 and the Australian Open in January 2023, before they took their romance public.

In May 2021, Bill and Melinda Gates announced they were separating after 27 years of marriage. They finalised their divorce in August 2021. In addition to welcoming three children throughout their decades-long marriage, they continue to run their private charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives, their joint statement read. We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue our work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives.

(Getty Images)

Following the divorce announcement, Gates reportedly admitted to having an affair with a female Microsoft employee in 2000. A spokesperson for the billionaire acknowledged that the affair took place and that it ended amicably.

The former couple have since given insight into their current relationship status after separating. In an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Melinda revealed their divorce came once their marriage got to a point in which she couldnt trust what we had.

Her admission came in response to a question from King about the billionaires admitted infidelity, to which she said: I certainly believe in forgiveness, so I thought we had worked through some of that.

It wasnt one moment or one specific thing that happened, she added. There just came a point in time where there was enough there that I realised it just wasnt healthy and I couldnt trust what we had.

After her wide-ranging interview with Gayle King, Bill Gates said he will always be sorry for the pain he caused his family.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Bill Gates for comment.
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A TikTok video of a dinner party arguing resulted in an internet uproar over how best to split the check at the end of a meal.

Victor Christian (@Viccgotti) shared the controversial ending to a birthday celebration with friends on 17 July that has now reached more than 14.4 million views. In the video, Christian focused the camera on the groups discussion whether or not they should all split the bill. He said: Im only paying for whats on the check, Im not splitting the bill.

Christian, along with one other friend, agreed that everyone should only pay for what they consumed, so no one is left paying for what they didnt have. The longer version of the video, uploaded later that day, revealed that the total amount for the dinner was $4,600.

YALL STORY TIME THIS GIRL WAS MY BEST FRIEND SINCE THE third grade  and she got in front of her other friends and started acting funny with me they call me and our friends broke because we didnt want to pay a $4,600 bill, his caption read.

In Christians second post, he captured a woman saying she shouldnt be forced to pay for dinner because its her birthday. However, the TikToker said he believed that, because he and another friend didnt drink, they should not need to pay for the bottles of liquor that were ordered and consumed by the rest of their party.

Just as the people at the dinner argued over the right way to handle the cost, commenters offered their opinions.

I mean me and my friends split the bill but if its over 200 we pay for what we eat lol, one viewer expressed, while another added: Why pay $500 when I only ate a $20 salad???

One individuals comment received over 20,000 likes, with many agreeing with the sentiment. Yall shouldve had that established before sitting down, they proclaimed.

I wouldve quietly asked for my check separately, paid and left, another viewer candidly noted.

Other TikTok users thought Christians post may have been scripted or staged because of all the strong reactions. I mean was this staged? Cause it seems so embarrassing, one person said.

I dont know, this look staged, another skeptical viewer agreed.

As the Christians views continued to skyrocket, the conversation around what to do with big parties at dinner flooded Twitter. User @Shannonsharpeee reposted Christians video, gaining an additional 17 million views and over 8,900 comments.

Speaking with Insider, Christian admitted the video may have been a bit exaggerated. We probably did maybe over exaggerate a little bit for camera, he said.

The stunned social media user said he couldnt believe how quickly his video had blown up and confessed his friendship with one of the individuals at the dinner was now ruined because he refused to pay any amount more than what his personal meal cost.

According to Christian, he ended up contributing only $24.58 in cash toward the bill at Atlantas MCK Restaurant and Bar.

When it comes to splitting a bill, Eater notes that diners who have strong feelings about how the meal should be paid for should speak up before anyone orders.

Otherwise, your silence implies youre fine with everyones food and drink going on one bill, with each diner being asked to contribute an equal amount to the total, the outlet states.

The Independent has contacted Christian for comment.
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Florence Pugh has revealed why she decided to buzz her hair, with the actor revealing that she chose the hairstyle because she wanted to take vanity out of the picture.

The Oppenheimer star, 27, who first debuted the short hairstyle on the red carpet of the 2023 Met Gala in May, discussed the reasons why she wanted the hairdo during an interview with the Radio Times.

I purposefully chose to look like that. I wanted vanity out of the picture, Pugh said, according to the DailyMail. Hollywood is very glamorous - especially for women - and its hard for an audience to see past that. Whenever Ive not needed to be glam or have a full face of makeup, I fight to keep it that way. It helps the audience.

Vanity is gone, Pugh continued. The only thing that people can look at then is your raw face.

According to Pugh, this is not the first time that she has fought to control [her] image, as she told the outlet that it has been her focus since the beginning of her acting career.

Even at the beginning of my career, I was always fighting to control my image, she said.

In addition to her hair, Pugh said she also considers how makeup will impact her ability to connect with audiences, with the Midsommar star revealing that she prefers minimal makeup because it makes her less of a sparkly thing on screen.

It helps me when Im wearing less makeup because then Im less of a sparkly thing on screen. I feel like Im allowed to do ugly faces, like its more acceptable, she said.

While debuting the buzzed hairstyle at the Met Gala, Pugh told reporters that shed shaved her head for her role in the upcoming film, We Live In Time, and that shed happily agreed to the hairdo.

As for her decision to unveil the hairstyle at the Met Gala, Pugh said: And I thought, what is a better way than to release it at The Met with Pier Paolo, referring to her date to the event, Valentinos creative director Pier Paolo Piccioli.

(AFP via Getty Images)

(Getty Images for Universal Pictu)

(Getty Images for Universal Pictu)

Since debuting the look in May, Pugh has styled the short hairstyle for a number of red carpet appearances. For one Oppenheimer photocall in London last week, the actresss hair was dyed a light pink colour, while Pugh later debuted a copper-coloured hairstyle on the red carpet.
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Campaigners have welcomed Rishi Sunaks apology for the horrific historical treatment of LGBT people who served in the military under the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.

Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, who served in the Army and came out as gay last year, was among those who welcomed the Governments commitment to address the mistreatment faced by veterans.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said he recognised there should be a financial award for affected veterans, some of whom suffered abusive investigations when their sexuality was discovered.

Others faced conversion therapy, peremptory discharges, and appalling consequences in terms of mental health and wellbeing, homelessness, employment, personal relationships and financial hardship, according to a Government-commissioned independent review into the service and experience of LGBT veterans who served in the armed forces between 1967 and 2000.

Speaking to the PA news agency following Mr Wallaces statement in the Commons, Dame Kelly said: It means a huge amount to be here today and to hear it and be part of this with some other veterans that are all part of the review.

From a personal point of view, the ban affected me in terms of who I was and what I couldnt be for 34 years, leading me to do my documentary last year.

Dame Kelly, who spoke about her own experience in the military in an ITV documentary last year, added: I am in the public eye and I get a voice to express this, and I was able to be part of bringing it in, but today their voices got heard with the publication of this.

Craig Jones, executive chairman of the charity Fighting with Pride, said he had confidence the Government would deliver compensation for mistreated LGBT veterans.

Mr Jones said the Defence Secretary had acknowledged the decades of hurt and shame that have been felt by LGBT+ veterans who stepped forward in the service of the United Kingdom but were treated with abject cruelty.

He told PA: The account that he gave gave us great confidence as a campaigning organisation that it is the intent of the Government to acknowledge a watershed moment for LGBT+ veterans and do the right thing, and Fighting with Pride will work with the Government to deliver substantial reparations.

The review, carried out by Lord Etherton, former master of the rolls and head of civil justice, was published on Wednesday and made 49 recommendations to the Government, including making an appropriate financial award to affected veterans.

Mr Wallace said he recognised the need for financial awards for affected veterans, but stopped short of providing details.

He told the Commons: On the financial award, I think first and foremost we recognise there should be a financial award.

Mr Wallace added: I think its important we work with people like Fighting with Pride to work through how we can do it.

Independent MP Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) said: A number of (LGBT veterans) found themselves stripped of their medals. Will these now be returned swiftly? And the ban on LGBT veterans wearing their uniform at ceremonies be lifted?

Mr Wallace said: In answer to both: yes.

He also said LGBT veterans who were told they would not qualify for medals will be able to have their medals from now on.

The report also recommended that commission and rank should be retrospectively restored to what it was immediately before dismissals or discharges related to the pre-2000 ban, that pension rights are clarified, a public memorial be created, and a veterans badge be granted to those who served at the time of the ban.

Mr Wallace said the Government has been working through the reports recommendations, noting it accepts in principle the vast majority of them.

He added: Whilst we agree with the intent behind them, there are a number we may deliver in different ways to (how) theyre described in the report.

Mr Wallace said the Governments full response would be published after the Commons summer recess, which ends in September.
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As Allied forces fought their way into Germany in the closing months of the Second World War, Winston Churchill was forced to take time off from directing Britains war effort to attend to a crucial matter  the appointment of a new provost of Eton College.

Official files newly released to the National Archives show how  in war and in peace  successive prime ministers were required to break off, at least briefly, from the other matters of the day to consider the administration of the UKs most exclusive public school.

Under Etons statute, the provost  who heads the board of governors known as the fellows  is appointed by the sovereign on the advice of the premier of the day.

I have however discussed the matter with the authorities and it seems clear that the King's permission is required Anthony Bevir, No 10

So in October 1944, just than four months after the D-Day landings and less than a month after the failed operation by British airborne troops to secure the Rhine crossing at Arnhem, Churchill found himself presented with a dilemma closer to home  the shock resignation of the incumbent provost, Lord Quickswood.

Anthony Bevir, a No 10 official who advised on appointments, wrote: There is no precedent for a resignation of a provost within recent memory, except that of Dr Warre who was too old and ill, and the resignation had to be arranged by motion of the fellows and the visitor of college.

I have however discussed the matter with the authorities and it seems clear that the Kings permission is required though there need be no formal submission. May I therefore write to Sir Alan Lascelles (George VIs private secretary) and ask for the Kings approval?

That was not the end of it for the prime minister. It seems there was a plan to offer the post  which included a house in the college grounds  to Lord Gowrie, an old soldier and former governor of South Australia, but it had fallen through because he was not a graduate of Oxford or Cambridge.

In January 1945 amid continued heavy fighting in Europe and the Far East, Mr Bevir anxiously asked whether Churchill would be prepared to to allow the name of the vice provost Sir Henry Martens  a former tutor to the future Queen Elizabeth  to go forward instead?.

I think the governing body would take it hard if you pressed them to amend the statute in order to make Lord Gowrie provost, much though they must respect his character, he wrote.

It has always been an academic post till now and to put in a soldier at 72 when he is getting infirm and there is a good deal of business connected with the the estates and with the school which he would have to learn, would not, I feel sure, be at all well-received.

There was a further commotion in 1964, when The Sunday Telegraph reported that the then provost, Sir Claude Elliott, was resigning and that the permanent head of the Foreign Office, Sir Harold Caccia, was lined up to succeed him.

The No 10 appointments secretary John Hewitt informed prime minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home that he had sought to assure Sir Claude that the information had not leaked from Downing Street.

Sir Claude has written to say that he was greatly surprised and annoyed when he saw this article and he agrees that the information must clearly have come from someone who knows a great deal, although he can make no sort of guess as to who it was, he wrote.

Apparently alarmed, Sir Alec replied: Sir H Caccia mentioned it. However occurred to me that he wouldnt accept. Had I better see him?
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A man accused of murdering his teenage sister had abrasions on his knuckles which could have occurred on the night he allegedly killed her, a court has heard.

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow were shown photographs taken by forensic medical examiner Dr Shona Anderson, who examined the injuries of Connor Gibson, 20, following the discovery of his sister Ambers body at Cadzow Glen, Hamilton, on November 28, 2021.

Gibson, who also goes by the surname Niven, is accused of assaulting and sexually assaulting his sister Amber, 16, and repeatedly inflicting blunt force trauma to her head and body in November 2021.

Dr Anderson told the court that Gibson had abrasions and scratches on his legs, elbow area and knuckles which could suggest Friday November 26  the date Ms Gibson was last seen alive  would fit as a possible timeframe for when they were sustained.

She said: Yes, these injuries could have occurred on the Friday night.

Prosecutor Richard Goddard asked if the bruises could have been caused by the knuckles coming into contact with a rough surface or punching something.

Dr Anderson said: Yes, it could have been caused by these mechanisms.

Jurors heard from Peter Benson, of Police Scotlands cyber crime group. He examined a phone found at the Blue Triangle housing unit in Hamilton where Gibson had been living.

It showed on November 27 at about 12.34am, the phones user wrote to a Snapchat group with five recipients: Im really going to need you guys help with something when yous come back. Im being serious.

The court saw evidence that about 40 seconds later the user messaged Amber Gibson on the app: Are you ok?

The user then told the group chat at approximately 1.33am: nvm (never mind) its all good.

Search history obtained from the phone also showed the user searched How to get nosy police officers to stop monitoring your phone at 11.38pm.

Gibson is accused of compressing Ambers neck with his hands and strangling her with the intention to rape her.

He faces further charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of bloodstained clothing and calling the childrens home where his sister lived and pretending she was alive as well as telling police he had argued with his sister on November 26 before going to someones home.

A second man, Stephen Corrigan, 45, is on trial accused of discovering the teenagers body between November 26 and 28 last year but instead of alerting police, he is alleged to have inappropriately touched and concealed her body.

Both men deny all charges against them, with defence agent Rhonda Anderson lodging a special defence of alibi on her clients behalf.

The court heard from forensic biologist Alana Gunn who, while being cross-examined by Ms Anderson, said his widespread DNA could have been present on her body prior to her death.

Ms Anderson said: As I understand it, your position from your evidence is that it could be that Stephen Corrigans DNA deposited on Ms Nivens body could have been deposited before she went to the park (Cadzow Glen).

Should the ladies and gentlemen on the jury understand that you are unable to exclude that his DNA was deposited on Amber Nivens body before she went to the park and before she died?

Ms Gunn replied: We cannot tell you exactly what time the DNA was deposited, before adding evidence did not say whether it existed on her body before or after her death.

Mr Goddard put it to Ms Gunn that Corrigans DNA was a major contributor on multiple parts of the teenagers body, including her buttocks and breasts, while a significant amount of Corrigans DNA would need to be present on the sleeping back for this to be explained as transferring onto this much of her body.

Ms Gunn said: There would have to have been a very large amount of DNA or body fluid to subsequently transfer on Amber Gibsons unclothed body.

The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.
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A mother and father who inflicted horrific injuries on their five-month-old daughter have been found guilty of causing her death.

Ava Mae Collard died on 1 March 2020 after she was taken to hospital and found to have suffered multiple rib, collarbone and femur fractures.

She had also suffered severe trauma to the side of her head, Staffordshire Police said.

Joshua Collard and Rebecca Grocott, her parents, said they did not know how the injuries were sustained and later denied harming her.

The couple was, however, found guilty on Tuesday of causing their daughters death and several other offences, following a five-week trial at Stafford Crown Court.

Emily Hanlon, detective constable of Staffordshire Polices Child Protection and Exploitation Team, said: "This was a truly tragic case in which five-month-old Ava died as a result of the actions of two people who should have protected her.

"I would like to thank all of those involved in securing justice for Ava Mae.

"Our thoughts continue to remain with everyone affected by Ava Maes death."

The trial heard that paramedics were called to the family home in Stone on 27 February 2020, and they then called police to report that Ava Mae was in cardiac arrest.

Paramedics treated the baby in an ambulance but she later died in hospital.

Following an investigation into her death and a post-mortem examination, her parents were arrested on 25 March 2020.

Collard, of Stafford, and Grocott, of Stone, were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child, and two counts of assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting or abandoning a child or young person to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

The pair will be sentenced at the same court on 27 July.
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Conservative MP Bob Stewart has pleaded not guilty to racially abusing a man after he allegedly told him to go back to Bahrain.

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation after a complaint was made by activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, who has said he is living in exile after being tortured in the Gulf state.

The MP for Beckenham in south-east London is alleged to have told Mr Alwadaei during an angry confrontation on December 14 last year to get stuffed and that he is taking money off my country.

The Met charged the 74-year-old politician with a racially aggravated public order offence over the incident outside the Foreign Offices Lancaster House.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday to plead not guilty to the charge.

The MP also denied an alternative count of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The second charge is to allow the court discretion on the racial element of the allegation and does not relate to a separate incident, the Met said.

The politician confirmed his full name as Robert Alexander Stewart and gave the court an address in Bromley.

I will be here, judge Bob Stewart

A one-day trial has been fixed for November 3 at the same court.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring did not give Stewart unconditional bail but simply adjourned the hearing, which means that if the politician does not attend court in November the trial will go ahead in his absence.

The defendant said: I will be here, judge.

Stewart, a former British Army officer, kept the Tory whip following the authorisation of the charges.

He has represented Beckenham since 2010.

Mr Alwadaei, 37, who said he was tortured after taking part in anti-government protests in the country, is the director of advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy.
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Oil giant BP has been fined 650,000 over health and safety failings after a worker fell through an open grating on an offshore platform into the sea and died.

Sean Anderson, 43, suffered fatal injuries when he fell through the grating on the lower deck of BPs Unity installation on 4 September 2014.

BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd was found guilty of a health and safety breach at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 14 July following an eight-day trial.

During the trial, the prosecutor led evidence showing that the company had failed to have suitable and sufficient control measures in place in respect of open gratings on the lower deck.

Speaking after the sentencing, Debbie Carroll, who leads on health and safety investigations for the COPFS (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service), said: Sean Andersons death was entirely foreseeable and could have been avoided if BP had taken all reasonably practicable precautions.

His death and the risk of fatal injury to which others were exposed cannot be understated.

There were serious deficiencies in the safety arrangements adopted around the management of open gratings which BP should have identified.

BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd could have done more to address the risks which is shown by the post-incident changes in procedures.

Our thoughts are with Mr Andersons family at this time.

Mr Anderson was part of a team carrying out routine maintenance on BPs Unity platform which was about 97 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.

He was from the Tyne and Wear area and was employed by the industrial services firm Cape.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: BP failed in their duty to have suitable and sufficient control measures in place in respect to open gratings on the platform.

Ultimately these failures resulted in Mr Andersons death.

Our thoughts remain with Mr Andersons family and friends.

A BP spokeswoman said: We acknowledge the outcome of the court proceedings.

This was a tragic incident. While we know nothing can be said to change the pain felt by Sean Andersons family and friends, our deepest condolences remain firmly with them to this day.
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The Metropolitan Police has admitted liability for a botched investigation into the murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan and agreed to pay substantial damages to his family.

Morgan, who co-founded PI firm Southern Investigations, was found dead on 10 March 1987 in a south London pub car park with an axe through his head. On the night of his death, Morgan had a drink with his partner, Jonathan Rees, at the Golden Lion before heading to his BMW to return home.

Morgans family alleged the police investigation was hampered by corruption.

Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted it "prioritised its reputation at the expense of transparency and effectiveness" while apologising "unequivocally and unreservedly" for failing to bring the killers to justice.

"This case has been marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence, and defensiveness that has repeated itself over and over again.

Daniel Morgans family were given empty promises and false hope as successive investigations failed and the Metropolitan Police prioritised its reputation at the expense of transparency and effectiveness," the statement read.

No words can do justice to the pain and suffering that has been a feature of the familys lives for more than three decades as they have fought for justice, a fight which no family should have to endure."

The family in a statement said that after a mediation process, they reached a mutually satisfactory settlement of the proposed claims, including an admission of liability on behalf of the commissioner in respect of the conduct of his officers in response to the murder.

At the request of the family of Daniel Morgan, all other terms of the settlement are confidential to the parties. Accordingly, the parties will not be making any further comments to the media about the terms of settlement or the mediation.

The commissioner said the campaigning of Morgans family exposed systemic failings in the organisation.

Sir Mark met with the family and listened to vivid and moving accounts of the devastating impact those failings have had on their lives.

The UKs largest police force agreed to pay a sum of 2m, one of the biggest in policing history, which covers family legal fees and avoids the need for civil proceedings, The Times reported earlier this week.

The amount of the settlement was not confirmed in Wednesdays statement, with the Met joining the family in saying the terms were confidential.

An official inquiry ordered by then-home secretary Theresa May found Sir Marks predecessor, Cressida Dick, obstructed the panel appointed by the government to investigate corruption allegations that sabotaged the investigation into Morgans murder.

The Daniel Morgan Independent Panel concluded that the forces first objective was to protect itself against allegations that corrupt officers were involved in the murder.

The report said severe failings in the initial investigation, such as crime scenes not being searched or interviews not properly carried out and suspects being forewarned of their arrests, meant potential evidence had been irretrievably lost.

The Morgan family had brought a civil claim against the Met in December 2021 alleging misfeasance in public office and breaches of the Human Rights Act.
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The daughter of a British expat accused of murdering his terminally-ill wife is hoping for the best but fearing the worst as a Cypriot court prepares to deliver its verdict.

Former miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation in December 2021 at the couples retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos.

The 76-year-old denies murder and told a court his wife, who was 74, was suffering with blood cancer and begged him to end her life.

On Friday, a three-judge panel will deliver its verdict on whether Hunter committed premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence.

The couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said she is not feeling very optimistic ahead of the courts decision.

She told the PA news agency her father is anxious, tired and lonely and the past 19 months has taken a huge toll on him.

I think the hope has been crushed out of him, she said.

He would probably tell other people hes keeping his chin up but I see how much hes struggling.

Ms Cawthorne said the family has been worn down by the long trial and the courts previous ruling that a confession Hunter made when he was arrested could be used as evidence against him.

He was very clearly not in his right mind when they took it, she said.

For five or six weeks before she died she was asking me to help her. She was asking me more every day. In the last week she was crying and begging me. Every day she asked me a bit more intensely to do it David Hunter

The pensioners defence team argued his confession should have been inadmissible during the trial, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time, but a judge found Hunter was lucid and dismissed the application.

Giving evidence in May, Hunter told the District Court in Paphos he would never in a million years have taken Janices life unless she had asked him to, adding: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend.

Hunter demonstrated to the court how he held his hands over Janices mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wifes wish after she became hysterical.

Hunter, from Ashington in Northumberland, said: For five or six weeks before she died she was asking me to help her. She was asking me more every day.

In the last week she was crying and begging me. Every day she asked me a bit more intensely to do it.

Hunter told the court he tried to kill himself after his wifes death.

Janice and David were loving partners for over 50 years and enjoyed their retirement together in Cyprus until she became ill and was in excruciating pain Michael Polak, Justice Abroad

When the police arrived to quiz him after his suicide bid failed, he said he was interested in nothing.

During closing speeches in June, Hunters defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter acted spontaneously to end Mrs Hunters life upon her begging him to do so.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, which is representing Hunter, told reporters: This remains a tragic case. Janice and David were loving partners for over 50 years and enjoyed their retirement together in Cyprus until she became ill and was in excruciating pain.

We remain hopeful that David will receive a verdict that does not deny him a chance of leaving prison and returning home.
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An ex-lover of a former Spanish king has told a London judge that she was the victim of a sinister campaign by an exceptionally ruthless man.

Danish businesswoman Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, 58, who has made a harassment claim against Juan Carlos, 85, and wants damages of more than 126 million, said the impact on her life had been catastrophic.

Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, who has homes in England, has sued Juan Carlos, 85, who abdicated in 2014, and wants damages for personal injury.

She alleges that he caused her great mental pain by harassing her.

He has denied harassment.

Mrs Justice Collins Rice is considering the latest stage of the dispute at a High Court hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice complex in central London.

The hearing is expected to end later this week.

Lawyers representing Juan Carlos have asked her to dismiss Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayns claim.

She says the case should continue.

A barrister leading Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayns legal team on Wednesday said Juan Carlos had begun a sinister campaign to control her.

Jonathan Caplan KC told the judge how Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn had said in a written witness statement: I think he is exceptionally ruthless.

She had described the impact on her life as catastrophic.

Mr Caplan argued that a trial was inevitable.

There are a series of substantial issues of fact here between the parties, he told the judge.

They cannot be decided without hearing evidence.

He added: The applications by the defendant are misconceived.

I think he is exceptionally ruthless Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn

A barrister representing Juan Carlos has told the judge that Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayns case has no realistic prospect of success.

Adam Wolanski KC said evidence simply did not disclose a viable case.

He Juan Carlos emphatically denies ever having harassed the claimant.

A number of other judges have overseen earlier hearings in the litigation.

Judges have been told that Juan Carlos ruled from 1975 until his abdication in 2014 and the succession of his son, King Felipe VI.

They have heard that Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn is Danish, lived in Monaco between 2008 and 2019, and has homes in London and Shropshire.

Mr Wolanski also wants Mrs Justice Collins Rice to rule that judges in England have no jurisdiction to consider some of the allegations.

Juan Carlos won the last round of the case.

Another High Court judge  Mr Justice Nicklin  had ruled that claims could be considered at a trial in England.

But in December, Juan Carlos won an appeal after challenging some of Mr Justice Nicklins conclusions.

Court of Appeal judges in London concluded that the pre-abdication conduct alleged was immune from the jurisdiction of the courts of this country.

A lawyer representing Ms zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn said in December that the appeal court ruling would not affect claims she made about Juan Carloss behaviour after his abdication.
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The British army is trialling battery-powered bikes to gain a tactical advantage on the battlefield, following Ukraines example in its war against Russia.

During the early days of the invasion, Ukrainian troops attacked Russian tanks using Delfast e-bikes that have a range of around 200 kilometres.

Now, British soldiers are experimenting with using Carl Gustaf shoulder-fired rifles from a 6,500 electric bike called the Stealth H-52, that would enable fighters to attack the enemy undetected.

The Stealth H-52 can reach a maximum speed of 80km/h or 50mph, has a range of 60 kilometres, and its handlebars are fitted with gun carriers. Most importantly, these off-road bikes can be recharged on the battlefield

The use of the bike was demonstrated by soldiers last week, during a multi-domain immersive showcase of military equipment and capabilities at Lulworth Range in Dorset.

The Stealth H-52 was reportedly displayed at the Defence and Security Exhibition International arms exhibition in London two years ago, where several off-road, battery-powered combat bikes were presented to special forces clients.

The army has previously also tested the quieter Sur-Ron Firefly electric motorcycle for parachute drops, in a bid to becoming more agile and avoid being detected by the enemy.

The long-awaited Defence Command Paper was published by the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday (18 July), as the government set out how it will reinforce the countrys armed forces.

The Stealth H-52 bike (Stealth Electric Bikes)

The defence ministry said it would invest an additional 2.5bn in our munitions and stockpiles through the coming decade and highlighted the need to prioritise investments in science and technology to modernise forces.

The updated defence command paper also confirmed the ministrys plans to reduce troop numbers from 82,000 to 73,000 by 2025  its smallest size ever.

The Labour has said the outgoing defence secretary Ben Wallaces plans are not a good enough response to war in Europe.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey in parliament said Mr Wallace must explain if he is pledging new money for stockpiles or these are funds already announced.

He added: The British army is being cut to its smallest size since Napoleon and there is still no plan to ensure our Nato obligations are fulfilled in full.

Mr Wallace has defended the cuts, explaining the troops must also be well-equipped with artillery.

If its going to be a battle group, are you going to buy 300 armoured vehicles or am I just going to give them a pitchfork? I mean, thats the choice.
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Jaguar Land Rover is expected to announce plans to build a new electric battery gigafactory in the UK.

The firms owner Tata, an Indian multinational, is set to confirm the news today after weeks of speculation. Up to 9,000 jobs will be created by the expected development in Somerset.

The factory in Bridgwater will initially supply batteries for a new range of electric Jaguar and Land Rover models. The size of the governments incentive package has not been disclosed, although a figure of 500m has been reported.

Jonathan Reynolds, shadow business secretary, said: Labour welcomes any investment in British jobs and industry and decisions like these vindicate Labours advocacy of an industrial strategy in place of scattergun announcements.

In spite of the governments cack-handed approach to industry and our economy this shows the strength of the UK automotive industry. Labour has been clear the public and private sector working together is the only way we can transition industry to keep the jobs of the future on our shores for decades to come.

Thats why a Labour government will go further with a proper industrial strategy, investing in eight gigafactories and delivering clean energy by 2030. Our plans for the car industry will deliver 80,000 additional jobs and billions in economic growth ensuring announcements like this arent a one-off but the basis for a growing economy with good jobs in our industrial heartlands.

Labour MP Darren Jones, who chairs the business and trade committee, said: The decision by JLR to invest in battery production in the UK is very welcome. We will want to reflect, however, on the subsidy package that was required to secure this decision and if this approach is scalable to meet the need for further battery manufacturing sites for other car companies across the UK.

Reports have indicated that the gigafactory will be located at the Gravity business park, a 616-acre site currently under construction near the M5 motorway near Bridgwater. Tata is believed to have considered Spain as a location for the plant.

Quentin Willson, founder of campaign group FairCharge, said: While this is a very significant development for UK battery manufacturing, I truly hope that other companies in the battery, critical minerals, charging and EV supply chains wont be neglected. The government should see this subsidy as the beginning of building a battery ecosystem in this country.

There is a genuine fear in the industry that it could sweep up all available government support, which would be hugely detrimental to the future health of the UK in the race to zero. We have some world class battery and EV talent and we must support them as much as we can to prevent this valuable resource of innovators moving to other more receptive markets.

Greenpeace UKs senior climate campaigner, Paul Morozzo, said: This is a significant moment for the UK car industry and a signal that the government has finally started the engine in the international clean technology race, while others are speeding ahead.

But the government must stick to its laudable commitment to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, sign off on the regulations to deliver it, and ignore attempts by siren voices to derail the EV transition.

Failing to do so would mean waving goodbye to any meaningful electric vehicle manufacturing sector in the UK, regardless of this new gigafactory, which would put domestic car manufacturing as a whole in jeopardy.

Earlier this year Britishvolt, a gigafactory startup, collapsed after securing pledges of 100m in government support.
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The head of MI6 has urged Russians appalled by the war in Ukraine to join hands with his spy service and bring the bloodshed to an end.

In his second speech since becoming chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in 2020, Richard Moore said there appeared little prospect of Vladimir Putins forces regaining momentum in Ukraine  and expressed optimism about Kyivs long-awaited counteroffensive.

Delivering his speech at the British embassy in Prague, the MI6 chief likened the current situation in Ukraine to the Prague Spring in 1968, when the Soviet Union quashed liberalising reforms.

As they witness the venality, infighting and callous incompetence of their leaders  the human factor as its worst  many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas as their predecessors did in 1968, Moore said.

I invite them to do what others have done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open ... Their secrets will be safe with us and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

While Mr Putin has sought to maintain an iron grip on the war narrative since Russias full-scale invasion last February, with the aid of state TV, public opinion of the conflict is likely to have been knocked by Moscows apparent military setbacks and his mobilisation of reservists last Septmeber.

Many fighting age men have fled abroad to escape the draft, while thousands of protesters have been arrested at infrequent demonstrations launched across scores of Russian cities since the war began even despite the prospect of swift state repression.

There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children, said Mr Moore.

Richard Moore, the Chief of Britains Secret Intelligence Service, has appealed to disillusioned Russians to join hands with MI6 (AP)

They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putins case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy.

Appealing for such individuals to work alongside the MI6, he added: We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed.

Despite the best efforts of the Russian state to shield citizens from Moscows military failures, an awareness of several attacks on Russian soil  including two on Mr Putins prized Kerch bridge in Crimea, and the Wagner mercenary groups armed mutiny last month  have filtered through.

The shortlived rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries  whose relative military successes in Ukraine have boosted their popularity within Russia  showed Mr Putin was clearly under pressure, Mr Moore said.

Yevgeny Prigozhin seized the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don last month and began to march on Moscow, before striking an 11th-hour deal apparently brokered by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko (via REUTERS)

Criticising the wave of Russian imperialism in Africa fuelled in recent years by the Wagner group, Mr Moore also claimed Irans unconscionable decision to supply Moscow with suicide drones for the Ukraine war had provoked internal quarrels at the highest level of the regime in Tehran.

Also denouncing the Russian presidents nuclear sabre-rattling as irresponsible and reckless, the spy chief also warned that Moscow and China were racing to master technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

Some of Britains adversaries will try to develop AI in a way which is reckless and dangerous, he told Politico, adding: It will be a significant part of our role going forward into the future, to try and ... detect, uncover, and then disrupt people who would like to develop AI in directions which are dangerous.

But while government and intelligence agencies globally are seeking to harness the power of AI, Mr Moore told those present in Prague that the technology would complement rather replace human agents who can uncover secrets beyond technologys reach.

The unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant, he said.

They are never just passive collectors of information: our agents can be tasked and directed; they can identify new questions we didnt know to ask; and sometimes they can influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

Human intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence will increasingly be defined as those things that machines cannot do, albeit we should expect the frontier of machine capability to advance with startling speed.

Additional reporting by agencies
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Scientists have provided a new theory about what caused the mass whale stranding on a Scottish beach.

A pod of 55 pilot whales died after they washed up on Traigh Mhor beach in North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis last Sunday.

Initial reports suggested that 15 of the animals were still alive when rescuers arrived on the scene early in the morning, but attempts to refloat one of the more active whales resulted in a restranding.

While the cause of the stranding was not immediately known, experts said that pilot whales have strong social ties, so when one gets into difficulty and strands, the rest follow.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) initially stated one of the dead whales had a vaginal prolapse and its currently suspected that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth.

However, researchers from the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) who conducted post-mortem examinations on three of the top priority animals said what was earlier believed to be a prolapse was actually a placenta  highlighting issues with birthing.

This would have caused obvious stress to the individual, and due to the close family ties of this species, could have potential further significance for all of the members of the pod, they wrote in an Instagram post. Further analysis over the next several days will help us to better understand what happened.

A spokesperson for the SMASS said it would be premature to speculate on the cause of the stranding  currently the largest on record in UK waters  until the investigation is completed.

Many things can lead to whales and dolphins coming ashore, with disease, disorientation in complex inshore environments, and underwater noise being examples of factors that could lead to such an event, the spokesperson told The National newspaper.

Researchers from Netherlands will join the SMASS team to complete further post-mortem exams over the coming days to determine whether the animals were suffering from illnesses or injuries that may have caused the stranding.
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The leader of the Conservatives in London has come under fire over comments about race and policing after saying the Black community has a problem with crime.

Susan Hall suggested disproportionate crime rates negate the lack of trust in policing held by many ethnic minority groups.

In remarks during a Police and Crime Committee session at City Hall, she also said: Problems with crime within the Black community is something I have brought up constantly because we need to assist those communities; the problem is, the minute we do we are accused of being racist or as near as damn being racist.

Approached by The Independent about her comments, she said: The Black community often dont think theyre being treated fairly because of stop and search, but youve got to look at the statistics of why police stop and search, such as the likelihood of finding knives.

You are going to get more of a community reaction against the police if they are looking for people in your community  but there are instances, and it is very disproportionate, the crime from the Black community.

The governments own data shows that stop and search is not effective at reducing crime.

Emmanuelle Andrews, policy and campaigns manager at Liberty, said Ms Halls comments were harmful to Londons Black communities. It is no wonder that communities of colour have less trust in the police when people in power feel they can openly express such offensive attitudes, she said.

Young Black men have for years been subject to some of Britains harshest policing, for example misguided interventions like stop and search and the gangs matrix, which Liberty is currently challenging through the courts.

Continually criminalising communities and then blaming them for it only serves to deepen societal divides; the root causes of some social issues can never be solved by increased policing and surveillance. Instead, if the government and those in power really care about the communities they so often express opinions about, they must invest in approaches with participation, fairness and social justice at their heart.

The Metropolitan Police has been plagued by various scandals, some involving racism (PA)

During the Police and Crime Committee session, deputy mayor Sophie Linden gave figures from official surveys showing that Black Londoners have less trust in the Metropolitan Police than white Londoners and are less likely to think the police will treat them fairly.

It follows the recent resignation of Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick after London mayor Sadiq Khan made clear he had no confidence in her plans to reform the service.

However, speaking to The Independent, Ms Hall said: I think the ... Black community in London is 13 or 14 per cent more times likely to be stabbed and to be a perpetrator.

Ive been trying to get Sadiq Khan to look at this because Black mothers are terrified ... there is a real problem, and he really needs to put some help into those communities because they can only have issues like this if there are real problems of poverty or whatever they are.

Ms Hall also said white politicians were scared to say what she has, because they are mindful of being thought racist. The only one that can go near this is Shaun Bailey, because hes Black, and because hes Black he can say what he likes, she continued.

The trouble is, a Black person can say these things without being called racist, but it needs to come from all of us, saying weve got to help this community to see how we can start to make things better.

Barrister Abimbola Johnson, chair of the newly-implemented Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board set up by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), said Ms Hall should focus on knife crime rather than feeding into a narrative that racialises it.

Black people need to be treated as individuals who are multi-faceted beings, with vulnerabilities and concerns like anyone else, rather than being described as a singular community whose members act with some kind of uniquely violent criminal intent, she told The Independent.

Barrister Abimbola Johnson said Ms Hall was feeding into a narrative that racialises knife crime (Supplied)

The lower levels of trust in the police by Black communities cannot simply be explained away by trying to justify the use of stop and search to combat knife crime. For a start, only 2 per cent of stop and search [interventions] result in weapons seizures, and the vast majority result in no further action being taken.

Black communities suffer racial disparities in respect of the use of most police powers, not just stop and search, including taser, arrest, and being remanded in police custody. Those racial disparities persist even in areas where knife crime is low.

Ms Johnson continued: Knife crime is treated like its a Black problem  it is not. It remains an issue in areas with low Black populations. Decades ago it was seen as an Irish problem. Before that a working-class one. The causes of knife crime are the same, whether the perpetrators and victims are Black or white, including socio-economic insecurity, lack of youth provision, fear, and welfare cuts as a result of years of austerity.

Lee Jasper, vice-chair of equalities group African, Caribbean and Asian Lawyers for Justice, described Ms Halls comments as a disgrace and accused her of the racial profiling of an entire community.

We will be requesting the minutes of the meeting and will be filing an official complaint immediately, said Mr Jasper, who was director of policing under former London mayor Ken Livingstone.

Londons Black communities commit no less or more crime than any other community. It is shocking that an elected representative for the most diverse city on the face of the planet can be so ignorant of the facts.

Lee Jasper, vice-chair of an equalities group, described Ms Halls comments as a disgrace (Supplied)

Anyone who suggests we are more likely to commit crime is promoting the falsehoods and propaganda of right-wing fascists.

A spokesperson for Mr Khan said: The mayor is determined to increase the trust and confidence all our communities have in our police, so that every Londoner, regardless of background or postcode, can feel safe, protected and served. Thats why Sadiqs action plan to improve trust and confidence in the Met, particularly from Black communities, was created by the very communities who have been calling for change.

The Conservative Party has been approached for comment.
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The cost of private rent has seen the biggest increase since records began in the 12 months up to June, and the price is predicted to rise even higher in the near term.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), rents across the UK in the 12 months up to June 2023 increased by 5.1 per cent with higher rises recorded in Wales and Scotland.

This is the steepest annual increase in private rent since records began in January 2016. It is also up from an increase of 4.9 per cent in the 12 months up to May 2023.

Michelle Lawson, director at Fareham-based broker Lawson Financial, said: "Rents continuing to rise really is no surprise. With rising mortgage costs, increased regulatory costs and the removal of Section 24, landlords cannot absorb these rises any more and they are naturally having to be passed up the chain.

"One thing that needs to be understood is landlords should not be vilified nor the sector made any more divisive than it is as they do not do this without just cause as a good tenant is worth their weight in gold."

The annual private rental prices increased by 5.1 per cent in England, 5.8 per cent in Wales and 5.5 per cent in Scotland in the 12 months to June 2023.

In England, the highest annual percentage change in private rent was in the West Midlands, at 5.4 per cent, while the North East saw the lowest at 4.4 per cent.

London's rental prices - which accounts for almost a third of UK rental expenditure - increased 5.3 per cent in the 12 months to June 2023, which is up from an increase of 5.1 per cent in the 12 months to May 2023.

This is also the highest percentage change in London since September 2012.

The latest report from the ONS also shows that the annual growth rate of private rental prices in the UK began to increase in the second half of 2021.

Annual growth was seen across all regions except London where prices decreased. This was also during the lockdown when many people who worked from home moved out of the capital to cheaper areas.

The annual percentage change in rents increased across all regions in 2022, including London, and this continued into early 2023.

According to the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) in their June Housing Insight Report, the number of new prospective tenants remained strong in June compared with May, while stock levels remain insufficient.

The mismatch between supply and demand continued to grow in June, with figures showing a 57% increase in the mismatch since June 2022.

This means that pressure on rent prices remains, with a majority of responding agents reporting rents increasing month-on-month on average.

Meanwhile, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reported in their June 2023 UK Residential Market Survey that tenant demand increased in June while new landlord instructions have fallen to the lowest amount since May 2020.

With rising demand still being met with weakening supply, RICS reported that rental prices are expected to rise higher over the near term.

Rhys Schofield, managing director at Derbyshire-based mortgage advisers Peak Mortgages and Protection, said: "It may be politically convenient to kick landlords from time to time but when demand is up 48% on pre-Covid levels, available stock is like hen's teeth and with few viable alternatives to private rental for many, it's clear that we need a healthy buy-to-let market.

"Rents being forced ever upward certainly doesn't do tenants any favours and that is the risk faced if we drive landlords out."

Stuart Crispe, founder at Sunny Avenue, added: "The data is unsurprising. There is a pronounced shortage of rental supply and always has been.

"I am surprised the increases aren't higher given the mortgage rate increases we have had.

"Landlords, currently, will either be deciding to increase their rents or sell up. Either way, this is only going to further increase rents, putting more pressure on tenants."
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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told a Ukrainian actor in Kyiv who was assaulted in Dublin last month that he is sorry for what happened.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel.

The actor required stitches in hospital after what Irelands national theatre called an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

Mr Varadkar then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.

He asked if the actor was doing OK, to which Mr Hrekov replied, through a translator: Yes, everything is fine, everything is perfect.

The Taoiseach said: Im sorry for what happened. Dublin is my home town, but sometimes not 100% safe, unfortunately.

The young actors reply was: All places are like that.

At the time of the attack, the production of Translations in the Abbey Theatre was described by culture minister Catherine Martin as an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine.

Mr Varadkar told the Kyiv theatre company that he hoped the groups performances at the Abbey could continue.

Perhaps we can have an Irish company come here and perform here as well, he told performers at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company.

We were talking about this earlier, but I know from our history theatre and art was a very important part of our national identity, because we were part of the United Kingdom and we were almost overwhelmed by English culture.

Art and music and language and theatre was very important for us in protecting our Irish identity and I know in Ukraine you are fighting now to affirm your identity as a nation, and I think the arts is a very important part of that too.
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Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

A post on Twitter shared the image and stated that the drone was shot down over the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, near the Black Sea.

Asked about the issue during a press conference in Kyiv, the Taoiseach said: We are aware of that, and we are investigating it at the moment.

We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Former foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan called it a matter of some concern.

Under EU sanctions imposed on Russia, there is a ban on the sale, supply or export of drone engines and electronic components, along with other items, that may contribute to Moscows military or the development of its defence and security sector.

The list of restricted items also includes toy drones and various technologies.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said Ireland implements a robust export control policy, which includes the application of relevant EU and international standards for export control.

A spokeswoman said: Any breach of export controls is taken very seriously and the potential use of Irish components in Iranian drones used by the Russian Federation in Ukraine is being investigated, by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Department is also actively working with Conflict Armament Research, which is funded by the EU, to ensure, insofar as possible, that Irish components do not end up, either intentionally or unintentionally, in conflict zones around the world.
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Irelands premier said coming to face to face with the horrors inflicted by Russia has convinced him that Ukraine will ultimately emerge from the war victorious.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

On a day-long unannounced trip to the Ukrainian capital, Mr Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion.

He was taken to the church grounds where a mass grave was found and a bridge where fleeing civilians were bombed and laid a soft toy at a memorial for children killed in the conflict, the youngest just two days old.

The Taoiseach also participated in a number of other wreath and flower-laying ceremonies to commemorate those who have lost their lives defending Ukraine.

I came face to face with the horror that Russias forces have inflicted on civilians here in Ukraine, he said afterwards.

After an hour-long meeting with President Zelensky, Mr Varadkar reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the negotiation process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed to taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine vast swathes of Ukrainian land.

The Taoiseach made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the kakhovka dam and other areas.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

He added: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also revealed that an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

Asked how such a part could potentially have got into Russian hands, Mr Varadkar said: We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression, he said.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

After the engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The Taoiseachs intensive schedule of engagements began in the early morning when he disembarked from an overnight train from Poland to travel to the Kyiv Oblast region on the northern outskirts of the city.

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, 24.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainian fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks from entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.

Later in the day, Mr Varadkar met a Ukrainian actor who was assaulted in Dublin last month.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel. The actor required stitches in hospital.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

The Taoiseach then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.
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Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he has not shirked away from anything found in a report which said the force was institutionally racist.

Following the report, led by Baroness Louise Casey and published in March, Sir Mark said he would not use the term institutional and told reporters that he needed to use language thats unambiguous and is apolitical.

It comes as Mina Smallman, mother to two daughters murdered in Wembley, north London, called for more black officers to be deployed by the Metropolitan Police in local communities.

Ms Smallman also told the PA news agency that it was a huge disappointment that Sir Mark refused to accept institutional racism in the force.

Ms Smallmans daughters, Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry, were stabbed to death while in a park in Wembley in June 2020.

Former Met constables Deniz Jaffer and Jamie Lewis shared photographs of the womens bodies on WhatsApp and were subsequently jailed for two years and nine months each in December 2021.

Asked about Ms Smallmans disappointment, Sir Mark told PA: I completely understand Minas view.

I havent shirked away from anything that Baroness Casey has said.

I completely accept her diagnosis and thats why were on a big reform plan.

On Monday the Met announced plans to overhaul the force with a 366 million two-year scheme, dubbed A New Met for London.

The plan includes a recruitment campaign which Sir Mark says is encouraging diversity through advertisements that showcase ordinary frontline officers.

Sir Mark told PA: The adverts that people will see are ordinary frontline officers, some of our fantastic men and women and what they show is, this is a job with a real purpose, where you can make a massive difference to communities.

Theyre showing how much they enjoy the job and that will attract others in and what people will see is that we are an increasingly diverse organisation.

According to Met Police figures from the end of May, 17.2% of the Mets full time police officers are black, Asian or mixed ethnic heritage, whilst 30.7% of the Mets police officers are female.

The campaign has launched in the same week as the newly formed independent Alliance For Police Accountability (APA) organisation which aims to tackle racist, misogynistic and homophobic policing.
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Evidence given to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry by Matt Hancock has been called into question by local councils, which insisted his former department had far more levers to oversee social care provision than he suggested.

A barrister representing the Local Government Association and Welsh Local Government Association said his clients simply do not understand the evidence the ex-health secretary gave to the inquiry.

Last month, Mr Hancock told inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett that adult social care was in a terrible state of pandemic preparedness, with the Government lacking basic knowledge, including how many care homes were in the UK at the time when the coronavirus struck.

My clients simply do not understand the evidence of former secretary of state for health, Mr Hancock, who stated that only two councils had plans for pandemic flu, a suggestion they do not believe to be accurate at all Robin Allen KC

He said that by January 2020 the department he headed up  which he accepted meant he had responsibility to ensure adequate oversight for planning and preparedness for a health emergency  did not have a plan in place to identify how many people were in the care sector.

But the MP said the responsibility for ensuring pandemic preparedness in the sector formally fell to local authorities  and while he was accountable through his role as secretary of state for health and social care he didnt have the levers to act.

He described the system for running adult social care as flawed and said it was in nowhere near good-enough shape when the pandemic hit.

He also said he asked to see the pandemic preparedness plans he understood local authorities were required to have in place, and that social care minister Helen Whately found that there were only two, which were wholly inadequate.

On the final day of the module one hearings, which are focused on resilience and preparedness, Robin Allen KC suggested his clients disagreed with Mr Hancocks comments.

They (councils) believe the department (of health and social care) had and has far more levers to understand, oversee and to shape social care provision than his evidence suggested Robin Allen KC

During closing statements on Wednesday, he told the inquiry: My clients simply do not understand the evidence of former secretary of state for health, Mr Hancock, who stated that only two councils had plans for pandemic flu, a suggestion they do not believe to be accurate at all.

Mr Allen said: And similarly they believe the department had and has far more levers to understand, oversee and to shape social care provision than his evidence suggested.

To find out the extent of adult social care provision, all he had to do was to speak to the Care Quality Commission with which providers must be registered, or with directors of Adult Social Services, who commissioned care services.

In future, Mr Allen said local government should be at the core of all future resilience planning and must be treated as a trusted and equal partner by central government.

He added: Local government preparedness has been impacted by austerity but this cannot be allowed to occur again.

Anne Studd KC, for the Cabinet Office, told the inquiry significant reforms had been made in terms of resilience, which give new leadership, focus and direction and go well beyond the Cabinet Offices traditional role.

She said: Resilience issues will remain at the top of the agenda and the system will remain accountable to Parliament and to the public.

Concluding the module, Lady Hallett paid tribute to all those involved, from lawyers to the public who attended the hearings, and the bereaved who she said had acted with great dignity.

The report from module one will be published as soon as possible, with an aim for early summer 2024, the chairwoman added.

If we could do it any quicker obviously we will, but given the amount we have to go through well have to see, she said.

Module two hearings, focused on core UK decision-making and political governance, are due to take place in October.
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The Northern Ireland Legacy Bill is difficult and challenging, a peer attempting to pass the legislation has said.

Lord Caine also described the immunity element of the Bill, which has faced opposition in Northern Ireland and in the House of Lords, as contentious.

Lord Caine is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and a former special adviser to six Northern Ireland Secretaries.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would give immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to people who co-operated with a truth recovery body.

It would also put an end to future civil cases and inquests.

The immunity element of the Bill was removed by the House of Lords, but reinstated when the proposed legislation returned to the House of Commons on Tuesday.

What the Government has done is tried to make a realistic assessment of what can be delivered for victims and survivors and families of those whove lost loved ones during the Troubles, bearing in mind that we're now a quarter of a century after the Belfast agreement, nearly 30 years since the ceasefires, and well over 50 years since the outbreak of the Troubles themselves Lord Caine

The Bill is opposed by all major Stormont parties, the Irish Government and victims campaign groups.

However, Lord Caine said it is a realistic assessment of what can be done two decades after the Good Friday Agreement.

What the Government has done is tried to make a realistic assessment of what can be delivered for victims and survivors and families of those whove lost loved ones during the Troubles, bearing in mind that were now a quarter of a century after the Belfast agreement, nearly 30 years since the ceasefires, and well over 50 years since the outbreak of the Troubles themselves, he told the BBC.

So its a realistic assessment of what can be delivered in circumstances where, frankly, the prospects of prosecutions is going to be vanishingly rare.

I do appreciate that this is incredibly difficult and challenging legislation.

Lord Caine said the Bill would not provide a general immunity from prosecution for people who committed crimes during the Troubles, only for those crimes that were dealt with by the Truth Recovery Commission.

Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that an inquiry which follows a suspicious death must be designed to lead to criminal proceedings where appropriate.

It's not a general immunity from prosecution, it's in respect of specific incidents Lord Caine

The contentious element of this, of course, which is very difficult for people, is the conditional immunity model, said Lord Caine.

He added: Under the Governments proposals, the review mechanism thats in the legislation would allow for full Article 2-compliant criminal investigation.

The difference is, if the individual co-operates with the commission fully, and gives an honest and truthful account, which will be validated by the commission, then they will be eligible for immunity in specific circumstances relating to that particular incident.

Its not a general immunity from prosecution, its in respect of specific incidents.

If they dont co-operate to the standard that is expected in legislation with the commission, then the commission wont grant them immunity and they will still be open to prosecution in the normal way.

Despite the opposition to the Bill in Northern Ireland and in the House of Lords, Lord Caine said he has made changes to the legislation to try to make it more acceptable.

When this was going through the House of Lords at committee stage, I did take on board a number of representations from colleagues and also from various groups who argued that the bar was too low, he said.

So what I did was bring forward amendments at report stage of the Bill which were agreed by the Commons yesterday to make the immunity process much more robust.

In particular, to ensure that the commission has to take all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves of the validity and truthfulness of an individuals account.

He added: In circumstances where somebodys account is found to have been untruthful, I again amended the Bill to make sure that, if they had previously been granted immunity, that immunity can be revoked.

Families of victims have taken part on numerous protests opposing the Legacy Bill, saying that it deprives their loved ones of justice.

Lord Caine said those affected by incidents being investigated by the commission would be invited to give evidence.

To raise the point about the views of victims again, I amended the Bill to ensure that one of the provisions thats now included is a victims impact statement, which is something that the Victims Commissioner in particular asked for, so that victims will be able to submit an impact assessment which will form part of the final report.

Victims, as a result of the amendments in the Commons yesterday, will also, when a review/investigation is launched, be able to submit a series of questions about an incident which the commission will be under an obligation to the best of its ability to answer, which will then form part of the final report.

The Bill is not expected to pass before Parliament breaks for summer on Thursday, which Lord Caine said is entirely down to the volume of legislation that weve had to deal with in the House of Lords.

If it is not passed by Thursday, the legislation will be discussed again when Parliament returns from recess in September.
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British voters face a crowded field of 13 candidates in an upcoming special election for a Parliament seat. One, independent Andrew Gray, used artificial intelligence to come up with campaign promises that he says reflect what residents want.

Gray, who says he has no policies of his own, crowdsourced constituents' sentiments and used machine learning to come up with his political manifesto. He calls the technology a faster and fairer way for politicians to widely reflect views of the people they represent.

We can interact with our constituents in a whole new way, Gray said. It doesnt change necessarily the role of the representative. It just means that we kind of know whats going on much more quickly and we can represent them more fairly.

Conservative lawmaker Nigel Adams' abrupt resignation triggered Thursday's parliamentary by-election in Selby and Ainsty, a mixed urban-rural district in northern England. It's expected to be a hotly contested battle between the ruling Conservatives, the opposition Labour party and the rising Liberal Democrats. A host of smaller parties and independents also are running.

Gray's policies, developed with the use of Pol.is software, include a call for higher taxes, a radical overhaul of the state-funded National Health Service and closer ties with the European Union, which Britain left three and half years ago.

Pol.is, developed by a Seattle group a decade ago, has notably been used in Taiwan to find policy solutions to deadlocked issues.

Gray says Pol.is isnt ChatGPT, one of the new generative AI systems that has dazzled users with the ability to produce text, images and video mimicking human work. Its just slightly more sophisticated polling than what is already happening.

The A.I. isnt that clever that it can spit out exactly what the policies are, he says, and still needs human moderation and ... analysis of what would be a sensible policy position.

Gray uses Pol.is to canvas residents on local issues through his website. People can comment on a topic, such as internet speeds. Other users can click agree, disagree or pass/unsure. They can't respond directly but can post their own comments.

As the conversation builds, Pol.is uses machine learning in real time to group the statements, mapping them out to show where there are gaps between viewpoints as well as areas of agreement, which ideally can encourage consensus.

With the election expected to be hard-fought between the main U.K. parties, Gray is realistic about his chances. But if elected, Gray plans to use the technology to take his districts temperature on a weekly basis." If he loses, he'll share the data with whoever wins.

More than 7,500 votes have been cast on Grays platform, though he acknowledges the actual number of voters is likely far smaller because each one typically votes tens of times on multiple statements.

Keegan McBride, an expert on digital transformation and government at the Oxford Internet Institute who has worked with Pol.is, said the technology is useful for building consensus but works better when the more users are involved.

Pol.is could still work with as little as 100 to 200 users, but it raises the question of whether it's sustainable, McBride said.

Do you really want your whole platform to be decided by 100 or 200 people? he said.

Gray bills himself as the first candidate in the U.K. and possibly the world using AI to reflect voters' views, but McBride points to parties across Europe that have used digital platforms to bring democracy to the masses  with mixed results.

You see a whole lot of this techno-utopian type view on democracy," McBride said. But democracy isnt going to be fixed by a new technology or a new digital system or artificial intelligence or anything like that, because its not a technological problem. Its a sociological one."

"And its much more complex than just using a new tool, he added.
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Home secretary Suella Bravermans plans to use cruise ships to house asylum seekers are in trouble after vessels were reportedly turned down by docking sites and local authorities.

It comes as the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge  part of the governments plan to crackdown on illegal arrivals was met by protesters as it arrived into Dorsets Portland Port.

Rishi Sunak announced last month that two more vessels would be used for accommodation as part of efforts to deter small boats and reduce the 6m daily cost of hotel accommodation.

But plans for one of the boats to house migrants near Liverpool have been scrapped after being declined by the port operator, according to Sky News. It is understood another boat was planning to dock near Edinburgh.

No 10 did not deny the report, saying the government was still in talks to open more asylum accommodation sites at docks elsewhere in Britain.

The prime ministers spokesman told reporters: We are continuing discussions both in terms of those who can provide additional accommodation facilities and sites where it can be housed.

It is not yet clear how much the Sunak government paid for the two cruise ships before they were returned to the owner.

The Home Office said it would not comment on arrangements with vessel owners, saying officials had been looking at a range of accommodation options which offer better value for the British taxpayer than expensive hotels.

A spokesperson added: This is why we will be using alternative accommodation options, such as barges, which are more manageable for communities, as our European neighbours are doing.

Protesters in Portland in Dorset after the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge arrived (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire)

Labours shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said the latest development showed the incompetence of this Conservative government knows no limits.

Mr Kinnock said the backlog of asylum cases had grown nine-fold under the Tory government, pushing the costs to 3.6bn. They are now shifting to yet another plan that hasnt been thought through  spending money on boats that have nowhere to dock.

Asylum seekers are not expected to arrive onboard Bibby Stockholm for at least another week as further work is done to make it suitable for habitation.

The Independent understands the vessel must be connected to the Portland Ports fresh water, mains sewage network and other services, after this it will undergo more tests.

An official brochure showed there were only 222 single en-suite bedrooms  meaning that at least two people will have to be crammed into every cabin for the government to achieve its claimed capacity.

Protests at Portland came as the government hailed the passage of the Illegal Migration Bill, aimed at making sure detained people are promptly removed, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda  still the subject of a legal challenge.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk and UN high commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi led outrage at the plans  saying it could violate international law. This new legislation significantly erodes the legal framework that has protected so many, exposing refugees to grave risks in breach of international law.
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The Government could pay the salaries of hundreds of private sector digital experts as it tries to improve its use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data, a minister has said.

Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin said the Government would parachute experts from tech companies into Whitehall departments in a new secondment scheme designed to make the Civil Service more efficient.

In a speech at the Policy Exchange think tank on Wednesday, Mr Quin said: I know that there are people from the best tech firms in the country who believe in public service, who want to help with the biggest challenges facing society today.

So we will create a pathway for them to join the Civil Service through a secondment and empower them to drive real, tangible change.

We must attract and retain the best in digital talent so we can harness the power of digital, data and technology to deliver most efficiently and effectively for the public.

Asked how the Civil Service would attract staff from tech firms, given the disparity in pay between the public and private sectors, Mr Quin said there is scope to be flexible, with secondees remaining on their companies payrolls and having their salaries recharged to the Government.

He added: I know weve got a lot of good colleagues, I know a lot have come from the private sector, but this is such a fast-moving world, to have the experience of people coming in with fresh ideas straight from the private sector on a secondment basis, I think that has more to add.

Existing civil servants could also see their pay increased if they can demonstrate particular skills.

Ive got no problem with paying civil servants more for being more productive Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin

Mr Quin said: Ive got no problem with paying civil servants more for being more productive.

During his speech, the minister announced a series of other measures to improve the efficiency of the Civil Service and its digital capabilities, including using AI confidently and responsibly.

But he could not say how many jobs he expects to be cut from the Civil Service through greater use of AI and automation.

He said: The jury is completely out. What we know is that AI will have a revolutionary impact on a whole range of sectors right the way across the economy, but that doesnt necessarily mean you can draw an analogy in terms of that means we need to have x thousand fewer people by a certain date.

Last month, the former head of human resources for the Civil Service told MPs that AI could see two-thirds of Whitehall jobs under threat.
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Watch as James Cleverly addresses the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday 19 July.

He will reaffirm UK and allied support for Ukraine as part of a visit to the US, which coincides with the UKs presidency of the United Nations Security Council.

Earlier this week, the foreign secretary called for global governance of artificial intelligence as it knows no borders at the first UN meeting on the issue.

Mr Cleverly said the technology would fundamentally alter every aspect of human life and could enhance or disrupt global strategic stability.

The UK chaired the first UN Security Council session on the risks of AI for international peace and security on Tuesday, the centrepiece of its council presidency this month.

Rapid development of the emerging technology has prompted fears about its potential, as well as hope of the possibilities it could offer.

Questions about potential regulation has been a recurring issue in recent months among politicians and policymakers across the world.
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The SNP has accused Sir Keir Starmer of sending a shiver along his frontbench over the plan to uphold the two-child benefit cap.

It came as the Scottish party produced mugs claiming Labours policy was made in China and asking: Whats the point of Labour?

Earlier Rachel Reeves hit back at Labour MPs critical of the plan to uphold the Tories nasty two-child cap.

The shadow chancellor said that dire public finances meant there was not enough money to ditch the policy, despite the fury it has elicited from both the left and normally supportive backbenchers.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn attacked Sir Keir at PMQs in the Commons, saying he could see a shiver running along the Labour frontbench right now, looking for a spine.

He added: Voters in Scotland are used to child poverty under the Tories, they almost expect it. But what they don't expect is child poverty support from the Labour Party.

The SNP has been accused of making crass political jibes steeped in Sinophobia over the anti-Labour mugs and accompanying note handed to journalists in Westminster.

The note from Mr Flynn read: The Labour Party has a new range of mugs in production. Theyre made in China  just like Sir Keir Starmers latest policy.

Chinas one-child policy, implemented nationwide in 1980, sought to limit most Chinese families to one child each to limit population growth. It ended in 2016.

Labours Sarah Owen, the first MP of south-east Asian descent, said: Is it really appropriate for the SNP leader in Westminster to use parliamentary stationery to make crass political jibes steeped in Sinophobia and misogyny?

Earlier, Ms Reeves told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the sad truth is that there were lots of Tory policies a Labour government would not reverse.

Sir Keir Starmer defended making tough decisions during an interview with Tony Blair on Tuesday night  mentioning six other policies Labour government could not afford.

Asked about his remarks, Ms Reeves told the programme: There are more than six things that an incoming Labour government wont be able to do.

The shadow chancellor said: We are going to have the most dire economic inheritance of any incoming government. The level of debt in the UK economy is the same size of everything we produce in the economy on an annual basis.

Keir Starmer and Labours shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves (PA)

She added: Ive lost count of the number of times Ive gone through the division lobbies and vote against what the government have done. Does that mean were going to be able to reverse all of those things? The sad truth is were not going to be able to do that because of the dire economic inheritance.

She also refused to say if Labour would scrap the controversial bedroom tax, introduced by George Osborne. Well set out all of our plans around benefits and taxation and other spending closer to the general election.

She added: It is our duty to get control of the public finances and ensure weve got a stable economy. Its not a nice-to-have. It is the rock of stability upon which all our policies are built. There will be nothing in a Labour manifesto that is not fully costed.

The phrase Sir Kid Starver has been trending on Twitter, while Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and MPs from different wings have spoken out against the terrible decision.

The row is set to explode again at Labours National Policy Forum meeting this weekend, where party figures will meet in Nottingham to form a programme ahead of next years general election.

Recommended Tony Blair gazes into a mirror and finds Keir Starmer seeking approval

But a former Bank of England economist Tony Yates said Labours claim that there was no money left was false. And Jonathan Portes, professor of economics Kings College London, told The Independent that the claim was laughable.

Asked what the point of a Labour government Ms Reeves told Today her party would expand the windfall tax, scrap non-dom tax status and free breakfast clubs in all primary schools. My over ambition is to grow the economy  to get the money we desperately need.
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Newly unsealed government documents reveal that Tony Blair received a chilling warning that Ukraine feared the West was nurturing too rosy a view of Vladimir Putin  two decades before Russias invasion.

At a time when the Labour prime minister argued that Mr Putin should be given a seat at the international top table, having been the first Western leader to visit him in Moscow, files now issued to the National Archives show that Ukrainian officials harboured eerily prescient concerns about the relationship.

In addition to revelations about Mr Blairs fears over Italys Silvio Berlusconi  and admiring letters from Margaret Thatcher to the Labour prime minister  the documents show that Mr Blair was urged by aides not to snuff out Kyivs aspirations to join the EU, arguing that the presence of Ukraine within the alliance could form a formidable barrier to Russian imperialism.

Files issued to the National Archives show Ukrainian officials harboured eerily prescient concerns about the relationship (PA)

Following talks in Crimea in July 2001, Britains ambassador to Kyiv, Roland Smith, warned Mr Blair that British proposals for Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus to receive special neighbour status risked giving the impression of setting a final eastern EU boundary  and excluding countries that were deemed to be on the wrong side.

Noting that foreign secretary Jack Straws proposals appeared to shut off the prospect of full membership for these nations, he questioned whether this was due to a belief that they were incurably infected with the Soviet mentality or that Ukraine ought to go back to Russia where she belongs.

These concerns were in contrast to Ukraines desperate hopes of realising its European vocation, with its president, Leonid Kuchma, adding a handwritten postscript to Mr Blair, saying he pinned great hopes on your personal support in this exceptionally important issue.

Roger Liddle, Mr Blairs main adviser on the matter, later lamented to the PM that the Ukrainians want to build a special relationship with us, if only we would show more interest.

At a follow-up meeting in December at the foreign secretarys grace-and-favour mansion, Chevening, Mr Liddle found the delegation from Kyiv in downbeat mood at their treatment by the West.

The then prime minister argued that Putin should be given a seat at the international top table (PA)

He told Mr Blair: We have too rosy a view of Putin (who according to them is a clever, presentable power politician, but no democratic hero). And we rubbish Ukraine.

Despite the PMs hopes for a new era of integration with Moscow under Mr Putins rule, the Russian presidents relationship with Britain and the West ultimately soured, with foreign policy disagreements becoming marked by increasing bitterness and suspicion.

Since Mr Putins decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, after illegally annexing Crimea in 2014, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has pushed hard for his country to become a member of both the EU and Nato.

But as recently as this month, Ukrainians were again left disappointed as Mr Zelensky departed a summit of the military alliance in Vilnius with only vague promises of future membership.

Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, US president Joe Biden, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky pictured at the recent Nato summit in Vilnius (AP)

Despite risking controversy to court Mr Putin two decades ago  even in the face of Russias brutal war in Chechnya  Mr Blair was desperate to avoid accusations in the British press that he was snuggling up to Italys Berlusconi, according to the documents handed to the National Archives this week.

Although Mr Blair had given a handwritten note to his aides stating that the Eurosceptic Italian prime minister was an essential ally against France and Germany in their ambitions for a more integrated EU, the documents suggest there was concern in No 10 about how to portray a planned summit in Rome.

Downing Street had (unusually) decided not to permit lobby journalists to travel with Mr Blair, as his aides sought to play down the meeting in the British media, noted David Whineray in the Foreign Office, adding: We will want to avoid Blair snuggles up to Berlusconi headlines.

The summit in February 2002 came as Berlusconi  who died earlier this year  was in the headlines following controversial comments about the supposed superiority of Western civilisation, and was embroiled in fresh allegations of corruption  an issue that dogged his political career.

But Britains ambassador, Sir John Shepherd, briefed No 10 that there was a real opportunity for the two men to work together, noting that Berlusconi was determined to cling to power, having spent 50 billion lire (then 15.5m) in 2000 alone on legal fees as the Italian currency was replaced by the euro.

He will spend his last cent (even though he says he has yet to spend any euros!) on ensuring he preserves his Houdini-like ability to avoid conviction. This is a war he has to win, Sir John wrote.

Even if he does come a cropper for whatever reason, we have at least in the short term a real opportunity to exploit and form his governments orientations in Europe in support of UK interests, holding our noses and staying alert to the risks as we do so.

Tony Blair and his wife Cherie during a visit to Silvio Berlusconis Certosa Villa in Sardinia in 2004 (EPA)

The documents also show that Mr Blair received private and heartfelt praise from former Tory and Lib Dem leaders Margaret Thatcher and Paddy Ashdown over his support for Washington in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

I greatly admire the resolve you are showing, wrote Thatcher, in a handwritten letter dated 4 April 2002. You have ensured that Britain is known as a staunch defender of liberty, and as a loyal ally of America. That is the very best reputation our country can have.

She signed off: With all good wishes, Margaret T.

Mr Ashdown, meanwhile, emailed his former adversary to say: Heavens  what a wonderful speech. Just what the country needed. It will have daunted your enemies, thrilled your friends and comforted those who doubt.

The files also include a letter from the Tory defence minister at the time, Sir John Stanley, sent to Mr Blair just days after 9/11, warning of the need to prepare for an imminent terror attack in the UK using weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

He wrote: I wish to urge most strongly that your government bases its security, civil defence and intelligences resourcing and deployment policies on the assumption that a terrorist WMD attack on one or more of the centres of population in the UK will be attempted and attempted in the near and foreseeable future.

The vulnerability of British people, particularly those living in urban areas, to terrorist attack is, I suspect, all too great.

In response, Mr Blair said that while he shared Sir Johns concerns and had ordered a security review, the greatest threat remained a conventional attack.
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Christine Saunders stood outside an estate agents, frowning as she looked at the listed properties in the window.

The disdain on her face grew when I asked her about the by-election. I dont trust any of them, she said. Lie after lie, its ridiculous really.

Ms Saunders has lived in Uxbridge, west London, for more than 50 years. She has seen her fair share of MPs come and go  the latest being the former prime minister Boris Johnson. He triggered a by-election in the seat after quitting the Commons in disgrace over the Partygate report.

He held the seat for eight years and with a majority of more than 7,000 at the last election. But the Conservatives fear that the historically blue constituency could finally change its stripes following years of scandals involving Mr Johnson.

Uxbridge resident Sally, 60, said she cannot bring herself to vote for anyone in the by-election after wasted years under the Tories.

She said: Boris had the perfect scenario going but he blew it.

It doesnt inspire me to vote, in fact, its put me off completely and Im not voting tomorrow. The Tories have wasted 10 years here and now I cant bring myself to vote for anyone.

Steve Brine, chair of the Commons health and social care committee, told BBC Radio 4 he expected the Tories to lose in Uxbridge and South Ruislip because of what he called long Boris, which likens the ex-PMs impact on the party to people who suffer with Covid symptoms for months and even years after contracting the illness.

Maggie, a 66-year-old retiree, said: I was a Boris fan and then he broke the Covid rules, but I forgave him for that. But that was until I saw that smarmy grin on his face and I thought, Youre not sorry.

Christine Saunders has lived in Uxbridge for over 50 years (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

Phillip Harper, a 79-year-old retired truck driver, said the term is very apt because youre stuck with all the crap after hes gone.

He added: Boris dragged the Tories down to the gutter. He was totally dishonest.

Nora Derby, in her sixties, agreed saying: He never really seems to go away. He keeps coming back. But I dont believe in him, hes told too many fibs.

Despite her feelings towards the former PM, Ms Derby said she will vote Tory in Thursdays by-election. Boris is just a man, hes not the whole party, she said, as Mr Harper also said that he would still be open to voting Conservative.

Philip Harper said Boris Johnson had dragged the Tories down to the gutter (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

However, a deeper mistrust was brewing among the locals in Uxbridge, as some people seemed reluctant to stand for any of the mainstream politicians.

Two friends walking down Uxbridge High Street explained why they would not be voting at all in the by-election.

Dont get me started on Boris Johnson, freelancer Derek said, shaking his head as he looked riled up. He did everyone wrong.

Nodding his head, gym instructor Jeremy added: The government doesnt understand what everyone is going through since the lockdown. Theyre all looking out for themselves. Theyre all comfortable, but its us whos struggling.

Charlotte Ayres, a former Tory and Brexit voter, also said she has lost faith in governments and is now leaning towards voting for an independent party.

Speaking about Mr Johnson, she said he came across as really charismatic but turned out to be disappointing.

Martin Hill, an IT contractor, said he voted Tory in the last by-election but would not be giving his vote to the party this time. However, his decision is only partly motivated by the former prime ministers Partygate antics.

The state of the economy, housing, and immigration are more of the overall reason I wont be voting for them this time, he said, adding he would be looking at alternative parties to the mainstream.

He added that the controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) is the biggest issue in this constituency but thinks the town is united by its disapproval of the scheme.

Charlotte Ayres, a former Tory and Brexit voter, said she has lost faith in governments (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

Walking around the town, it was clear Ulez was the hot topic, with people unanimously against the Sadiq Khan-backed scheme  which Tory candidate Steve Tuckwell and the Tories are hoping will be enough to sway voters away from the opposition.

The Labour candidate vying for the seat is Danny Beales, who political forecasting website Electoral Calculus suggests has an 86 per cent chance of winning. The town has only had two Labour MPs since 1885, meaning any change would be bruising for the Conservatives.

Ms Ayres described Ulez as unbearable as she said her partner had racked up thousands of pounds in debt due to charges from driving to London for business.

They slap Ulez on top of everything else: the cost of living crisis, energy bills, house prices, mortgages going up. Its killing people, Iver Hardy, whose wife owns a salon, said, adding he will vote for whoever stops Ulez.

Joan Edwards works in a local charity shop on High Street. She said that everything seems to hinge on Ulez.

Hillingdon is close to Buckinghamshire and Denham is down the road. So, if people want to come here to shop, they have to pay the Ulez, she said.

If youre a nurse that works at Hillingdon hospital on the night shift, you come in at night and pay 12.50 and have to pay 12.50 in the morning when you go home.

Green Party candidate Sarah Green was not surprised at how furious locals are about the Ulez, as she accused the Tories of weaponising the scheme.

Green Party candidate Sarah Green says Uxbridges water supply is one of the most important issues she wants to address (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

The local campaigner, who runs a boat trip business on the Grand Union Canal, said: Theyre running their whole campaign on Ulez. Theyre not mentioning Partygate or the cost of living crisis. Its the same way they fought for Brexit  no information, just slogans.

But there are still plenty of Boris loyalists, with mother of one Fatiya one of many residents who had fond memories of the former prime minister.

Speedwalking through the town centre with her buggy, she said: I liked him. He was there for us during the pandemic and his government gave people who were struggling a lot of help through the furlough scheme.

Uber Eats driver JS Madhan, said people are too harsh on Boris Johnson (Maryam Zakir-Hussain)

Local Uber Eats driver JS Madhan also saw Mr Johnson as a symbol of strength during the pandemic.

He helped us during Covid. Yes, he made a mistake so now people say hes a bad person. But hes not.

A retiree from Hayes whose daughter lives in Uxbridge said: Boris Johnson had a lot to contend with but he did well. I hope he will be back soon.

:: This article previously said Uxbridge has not had a Labour MP since 1885. This has been corrected to say there has been two Labour MPs since 1885. Frank Beswick was elected in 1945 and John Ryan in 1966.
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Rail passengers are being warned of disruption to services from Thursday because of fresh industrial action by train drivers and other workers in long running disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will strike on July 20, 22 and 29 while drivers in Aslef are banning overtime this week.

RMT members including station staff, train managers and catering staff will be involved in the action.

Passengers were advised to check their travel arrangements in advance as the level of service will vary across the country.

The strike action at 14 train companies will see wide variations of services across the country with trains due to start later and finish much earlier than usual.

In some areas only around half of train services will run, while others will have no services at all.

Evening services on some lines are likely to be affected on the days before each strike and on the mornings following the action.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: The upcoming rail strikes called by the RMT union and the overtime ban by Aslef will undoubtedly cause some disruption, affecting not only the daily commute of our passengers but also disrupting the plans of families during the summer holidays.

This will lead to disappointment, frustration, and financial strain for tens of thousands of people. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and understand the impact on individuals and businesses.

While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced services between Monday July 17 and Saturday July 29, so our advice is to check before you travel.

Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.

RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said the strikes would show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry.

My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government, he said.

Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.

The Government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said: Train drivers dont want to be inconveniencing the public.

We want to resolve this dispute.

We have given the Government and rail operators plenty of opportunities to come to the table but it remains clear that they do not want a resolution.

Our members, the drivers who keep the railway running day in, day out, will not accept the Governments attempts to force our industry into decline.

Rail travel is a vital part of the fight against climate change.

Rail connectivity is essential to the countrys economy.

Its time for a fair deal and a resolution so we can grow our railway and improve it for the future.

Passengers were also warned to expect disruption to London Underground services next week because of industrial action by the RMT and Aslef in a separate dispute over jobs, pensions and conditions.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: The Government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform. The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.
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The head of MI6 has urged Russians angry at Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine to spy for the UK.

Sir Richard Moore told them our door is always open and we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

He said that while artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help target the Kremlins war machine, technology will never replace human agents.

In a speech in Prague, Sir Richard said: There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children.

They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putins case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy.

He said many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968 when Soviet tanks crushed the Prague spring uprisings.

I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open, Sir Richard said.

We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us.

And together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

He said Mr Putin is clearly under pressure, as demonstrated by the recent revolt by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner mercenaries.

Asked how far Mr Putin is prepared to go, given his references to nuclear weapons, Sir Richard said: He really didnt fight back against Prigozhin, he cut a deal to save his skin, using the good offices of the leader of Belarus.

Even I cant see inside Putins head, but  the only people who have been talking about escalation and nuclear weapons are Putin and a handful of henchmen around him.

That is irresponsible, its reckless and it is designed to try and weaken our resolve in supporting Ukraine and it will not work.

Sir Richard said AI is being used to disrupt the supply of weapons to Russia but machines will not replace human spies.

As AI trawls the ocean of open source, there will be ever greater value in landing, with a well-cast fly, the secrets that lie beyond the reach of its net, he said.

Human agents are never just passive collectors of information and sometimes they can influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

But he said technology is moving with startling speed.

My teams are now using AI to augment, but not replace, their own judgement about how people might act in various situations, he said.

Theyre combining their skills with AI and bulk data to identify and disrupt the flow of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine.

But Sir Richard said AI may also be used by hostile states in damaging, reckless and unethical ways.

With Rishi Sunaks drive for the UK to play a lead role in AI regulation, Sir Richard offered an olive branch to China over the technology.

I remain hopeful that our common humanity and our shared interest in understanding the power of AI may yet lead to agreement on global co-ordination, on which our Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is leading the way, he said.

Chinas draft AI regulations emphasise the importance of veracity, accuracy, objectivity and diversity. I can only say we agree. Lets make those fine words a reality, not a slogan.
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A lack of guidance for schools in relation to transgender pupils is frustrating, a headteachers union has said.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said schools are having to navigate the complex and sensitive subject of gender identity on their own.

In March, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged that guidance for schools on transgender issues would be published for the summer term.

But, with the end of term approaching, reports have suggested the long-awaited guidance could be delayed further.

Weve been telling the Government that schools and colleges need clear guidance on provision for transgender and gender-questioning pupils for the past five years Geoff Barton, Association of School and College Leaders

Mr Sunak has said it is important to take the time to get the guidance on transgender pupils right as it is a complex and sensitive issue.

On Monday, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan did not put a timeframe on when the guidance would be published.

She told MPs in the Commons that she is working with the equalities minister to bring it forward in the near term.

Reports in The Times have suggested the Attorney General and Government lawyers said plans to strengthen guidance would be unlawful, which could mean the publication of the guidance is delayed.

Mr Barton said: Weve been telling the Government that schools and colleges need clear guidance on provision for transgender and gender-questioning pupils for the past five years, so it is frustrating that it has now got to the point of producing something but appears to be locked in an internal political squabble which is causing a further delay.

At present, schools have to navigate this complex and sensitive subject entirely on their own.

Clear, practical guidance on this matter is important as long as it is genuinely supportive to schools and pupils and does not add to the existing and onerous expectations on schools.

We will be looking very closely at the guidance when it is published and consulting with our members to ensure it is proportionate, fair and deliverable.

A report by centre-right think tank Policy Exchange, published in March, suggested a number of secondary schools are not informing parents as soon as a child questions their gender identity.

It suggested that safeguarding principles are being routinely disregarded in many secondary schools when it comes to gender identity.

Mr Sunak told broadcasters on Wednesday: This is a really complex and sensitive issue because it affects the wellbeing of our children.

And its important that we get it right, given those complexities and sensitivities.

Im committed to bringing forward that guidance but I want to make sure that we take the time to go through it properly Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Im committed to bringing forward that guidance but I want to make sure that we take the time to go through it properly.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said more evidence is needed before publishing the guidance on transgender pupils, but he declined to say whether ministers would change the law alongside the new guidance.

A spokesman for the Attorney Generals office said: By longstanding convention, reflected in the Ministerial Code, whether the law officers have been asked to provide legal advice and the content of any advice is not disclosed outside Government without their explicit consent. That consent is rarely given.
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Roald Dahl has been condemned by his own museum for what the charity called his undeniable racism.

The childrens author behind classics such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and The BFG has long faced scrutiny for offensive lines in his books and his personal comments about Jewish people.

On Wesnesday (19 July), The Roald Dahl Museum  who has previously apologised for comments made by the author  issued a statement saying its staff had received training to prevent antisemitism and will work to combat racism by being more welcoming, inclusive, diverse and equitable.

On its website, the Roald Dahl Museum wrote that it condemns all racism directed at any group or individual.

Roald Dahls racism is undeniable and indelible but what we hope can also endure is the potential of Dahls creative legacy to do some good, its statement read.

The charity said it has been working with several Jewish organisation including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Community Security Trust, and the Antisemitism Policy Trust to develop resources for schools.

This will include free educational materials for primary pupils that will encourage them to look at the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) through Dahls characters.

The Roald Dahl Museum is based in the village of Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, where he lived.

Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl welcomed the museums statements, as well as the placing of the statement on a wall of the building.

Van der Zyl said: The new statements  in their entrance gallery and on their website  are an important starting point with regard to providing the full story about a man whose works are enjoyed by millions.

I look forward to working with the museum more closely to explore further ways to raise awareness on this issue and educate about anti-Jewish hate.

A spokesperson for Antisemitism Policy Trust said: We welcome this action from the museum and are pleased that it intends to pursue anti-racism education.

We trained staff and trustees, working closely with the museum leadership, and have enjoyed positive and constructive conversations.

Dahl, pictured in 1971 (Getty Images)

In February of this year, Puffin UK announced that it would keep Dahls work as intended in print with the current versions following criticism of recent editing of his work to remove potentially offensive language.

The publisher said the Roald Dahl Classic Collection will sit alongside the newly released Puffin Roald Dahl books, which have been rewritten to cater for the sensitivities of modern audiences. Readers will be free to choose which version of Dahls stories they prefer.

Three years ago, the Roald Dahl Story Company said it deeply apologises for the lasting and understandable hurt caused by his antisemitic statements.

Its statement read: Those prejudiced remarks are incomprehensible to us and stand in marked contrast to the man we knew and to the values at the heart of Roald Dahls stories, which have positively impacted young people for generations.

We hope that, just as he did at his best, at his absolute worst, Roald Dahl can help remind us of the lasting impact of words.

The Dahl family also apologised.

Additional reporting by Press Association.
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Margaret Thatcher privately wrote to Labour prime minister Tony Blair to praise his staunch support for the United States in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, according to newly released government files.

For years, Baroness Thatcher was a thorn in the side of her Tory successor, John Major, but she could hardly have been more effusive in her admiration for Mr Blair  who she once described as her greatest achievement for steering Labour away from the left-wing policies of the 1980s.

You will have found, as I did, that just as one international crisis subsides, another soon threatens, she wrote in a handwritten note dated April 4 2002, seven months after al Qaida passenger jet hijackers carried out four co-ordinated suicide attacks, including on the Twin Towers in New York City.

The vulnerability of British people, particularly those living in urban areas, to terrorist attack is, I suspect, all too great Sir John Stanley

I greatly admire the resolve you are showing. You have ensured that Britain is known as a staunch defender of liberty, and as a loyal ally of America. That is the very best reputation our country can have.

She signed off: With all good wishes, Margaret T.

Another admirer of Mr Blairs response to the crisis was former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown, who emailed to say: Heavens  what a wonderful speech. Just what the country needed. It will have daunted your enemies, thrilled your friends and comforted those who doubt.

The files, released to the National Archives at Kew, west London, also include a letter to Mr Blair from Tory former defence minister Sir John Stanley, written just days after 9/11, warning of the need to prepare for an imminent terror attack in the UK using weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

You will have found, as I did, that just as one international crisis subsides, another soon threatens Baroness Thatcher to Tony Blair

He wrote: I wish to urge most strongly that your Government bases its security, civil defence and intelligences resourcing and deployment policies on the assumption that a terrorist WMD attack on one or more of the centres of population in the UK will be attempted and attempted in the near and foreseeable future.

The vulnerability of British people, particularly those living in urban areas, to terrorist attack is, I suspect, all too great.

In response, Mr Blair said that while he shared his concerns and had ordered a security review, the greatest threat remained a conventional attack.
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Tony Blair was desperate to avoid claims he was snuggling up to Silvio Berlusconi while seeking to develop him as an essential ally within the EU, according to newly released official files.

Papers released to the National Archives show No 10 officials were highly nervous as to how a planned summit meeting with the controversial Italian prime minister would be portrayed in the British media.

At the same time, they believed an apparent shift in a more Eurosceptic direction by Mr Berlusconis government offered an offered a chance to counter French and German ambitions for a more integrated EU.

We will want to avoid 'Blair snuggles up to Berlusconi' headlines David Whineray, Foreign Office

Britains ambassador to Rome Sir John Shepherd told No 10 there was a real opportunity to work together while holding our noses and staying alert to the risks as we do so.

The Rome summit, in February 2002, came as Mr Berlusconi  who died earlier this year  was in the headlines following controversial comments on the supposed superiority of Western civilisation.

At the same time, he was embroiled in fresh allegations of corruption, which dogged his political career, while causing dismay in some EU capitals after sacking his pro-EU foreign minister while appointing a former fascist to a convention on the future of Europe.

In the Foreign Office, David Whineray said No 10 had unusually decided not to take the lobby journalists, who normally travel with the prime minister on overseas visits, as they sought to play down the meeting in the British media.

We will want to avoid Blair snuggles up to Berlusconi headlines, he wrote, adding that they were seeking to frame it as an Italy-UK (not Blair-Berlusconi) summit.

He said any media appearances by Europe minister Peter Hain, who was accompanying Mr Blair, should be carefully targeted on programmes where the line of questioning was likely to be soft.

It will be to our advantage to work with Berlusconi, but not to be seen doing so too obviously Stephen Wall, No 10

I recommend against offering Mr Hain to the Today programme (as they are likely only to be interested in Berlusconi), he advised.

In a briefing for No 10 ahead of the summit, Sir John said Mr Berlusconi was determined to hang on, having spent 50 billion lire in 2000 alone on legal fees before the Italian currency was replaced by the euro.

He will spend his last cent (even though he says he has yet to spend any euros!) on ensuring he preserves his Houdini-like ability to avoid conviction. This is a war he has to win, he wrote.

Even if he does come a cropper for whatever reason, we have at least in the short term a real opportunity to exploit and form his governments orientations in Europe in support of UK interests, holding our noses and staying alert to the risks as we do so.

Stephen Wall, Mr Blairs Europe adviser, agreed, noting: It will be to our advantage to work with Berlusconi, but not to be seen doing so too obviously.

Mr Blair concurred, adding in a handwritten note: But he is essential in the alliance against federalism.
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Prime minister Tony Blair was urged not to snuff out Ukraines aspirations to join the EU amid hopes that it could form a formidable barrier to Russian expansionism, according to newly released official papers.

Files from the early 2000s released to the National Archives in Kew show UK officials found the Ukrainians were desperate to realise their European vocation but were depressed at the way they were rubbished in the West.

In what now seems like a highly prescient warning, the Ukrainians expressed concern that the US and the Europeans had too rosy a view of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

In September, Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma wrote directly to Mr Blair appealing for his support in achieving their long-term goal of full-scale European and Euro-Atlantic integration, including the full-fledged EU membership.

The Ukrainians want to build a special relationship with us, if only we would show more interest Roger Liddle, No 10

In a handwritten postscript, he added: Knowing you as a sincere friend of Ukraine, I pin great hopes on your personal support in this exceptionally important issue!

Roger Liddle, Mr Blairs main adviser on the issue, acknowledged that immediate membership of the EU or Nato was not on the cards, but urged the prime minister to engage.

The Ukrainians want to build a special relationship with us, if only we would show more interest, he wrote following talks in Crimea in July 2001.

Strengthening Ukraines shaky democracy and economy increases stability on the EUs future eastern borders and acts as a formidable barrier to any resurgence of Russian imperialism to the west.

The Ukrainians are depressed however that most of Europe and the new US administration is running them down Roger Liddle

At a follow-up meeting at Chevening in December, Mr Liddle found the delegation from Kyiv in downbeat mood at their treatment by the West.

The main Ukrainian pitch is to be given associate membership of the EU, he said.

The Ukrainians are depressed however that most of Europe and the new US administration is running them down.

We have too rosy a view of Putin (who according to them is a clever, presentable power politician, but no democratic hero). And we rubbish Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Britains ambassador to Kyiv, Roland Smith, expressed concern about a proposal by foreign secretary Jack Straw for the EU to offer Ukraine  along with Belarus and Moldova  special neighbour status.

He said the way the proposition was formulated appeared designed to deny them the right to aspire to full EU membership and he questioned why the prospect was being kept open for countries such as Bulgaria and Romania  which had not yet joined  but not Kyiv.

Because the Ukrainians are not really Europeans? Because countries which were part of the Soviet Union for longer than the Baltic States were incurably infected with the Soviet mentality? Because Ukraine is simply too big? Because really we think that Ukraine ought to go back to Russia where she belongs? he asked.

It could sound as though the ultimate eastern boundary of the EU is finally being fixed and special neighbour status is for those on the wrong side.
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Irelands premier has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky on a visit to Kyiv.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital.

After an engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Mr Varadkar also paused for a moments silence at a memorial in central Kyiv for the children who have died in the conflict, placing a toy lamb among the other teddies.

At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

Volodymyr Zelensky, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed in taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine areas.

He made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the Kakhoka dam and other areas.

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

I, first of all, would like to extend words of gratitude to you and to the whole people of Ireland for hosting our nationals in Ireland. This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

Mr Varadkar began an intensive schedule of engagements with a visit north of the city to the Kyiv Oblast region.

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside 24-year-old Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainians fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.
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A beauty spa where nursing student Carlee Russell was working on the night she vanished from the side of an Alabama interstate says it is cooperating with a sensitive police investigation into her disappearance.

Ms Russell, 25, left the Woodhouse Spa in the Summit luxury shopping mall in Birmingham at about 8.20pm on 13 July, according to authorities.

She called 911 at 9.34pm that night to report seeing a toddler wandering on the side of Interstate 459, and when police arrived five minutes Ms Russell had vanished while the engine of her car was still running.

Ms Russell turned up on foot at just over two days later at her parents home in Hoover, and her family has since said she was kidnapped and barely survived.

In a statement to WVTM, Woodhouse Spa owner Stuart Rome said he had turned over everything we uncovered to the Hoover Police Department.

We understand the investigation is in a very sensitive state and do not want to release any details that could jeopardize the investigation, Mr Rome added.

Leaks, both true and untrue, can have a devastating impact on any investigation. We understand there are many posts on social media claiming certain information to be true. Some items are factual while others are not.

Ms Russells wellbeing had always been his greatest concern, Mr Rome added.

Woodhouse Spa employees have been deeply impacted by the events that transpired but are now ecstatic with the news of Carlees return home. Our employees worked extremely hard through very tough times keeping guests happy while dealing with the fact that their co-worker was missing, he said.

We have great confidence in the investigators and expect a resolution soon.

On Wednesday, Hoover Police released a statement to say it had found no evidence that Ms Russell was trying to help a missing toddler when she disappeared.

Carlee Russells family says she was abducted after stopping to help a toddler, but police are yet to confirm key details in their story (Hoover Police Department)

Police have continued to piece together a timeline of the perplexing case, and disclosed on Wednesday that Ms Russell had stopped at a Target to buy snacks shortly before she was reported missing.

Ms Russell also stopped at Tazikis Cafe in Colonnade mall to pick up food for herself and her mother, before driving south onto Interstate 459.

The Jefferson State Community College nursing student reportedly came across a young boy aged three or four in diapers walking along the side of the highway near mile marker 11 a few minutes later.

When police officers arrived, they found her red Mercedes still running and belongings including a wig, phone, Apple Watch and purse, but no sign of her or the toddler.

A desperate search involving local, state and federal law enforcement, and members of Ms Russells family found no confirmed sightings of the missing woman.

Around 49 hours later, Ms Russell turned up at the home she shared with her parents. Police said they had obtained surveillance footage of the moment she returned home.

Hoover police are expected to provide an update on the case on Wednesday afternoon.
 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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Oregon police have identified Jesse Lee Calhoun of Portland as a person of interest in the recent deaths of four area women that officials say are linked, according to the Associated Press, citing law enforcement sources.

On Monday, a group of nine Washington police agencies announced they had identified a person of interest in the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Lynn Perry, 24; Bridget Leann (Ramsay) Webster, 31; and Ashely Real, 22. Police previously said the deaths, which took place between February and May, were unconnected.

Police have not publicly named Calhoun as a person of interest or charged him with any crimes related to the investigation.

Calhoun, whose last address was in Portland, is currently in custody at the Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, Oregon, on unrelated charges, according to state records.

The 38-year-old entered custody there on 6 July, and is scheduled to be released. Records do not indicate why the man is in jail.

The Independent has contacted the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, which is leading the joint investigation into the four deaths, for comment.

In 2019, Calhoun was charged with three counts of unauthorised use of a vehicle, one count of assaulting a public safety officer, and one count of first-degree burglary.

Jesse Lee Calhoun (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

When a SWAT team arrived that year to arrest Calhoun on outstanding warrants, he choked a police dog and kicked an officer, according to court records viewed by KOIN.

Originally set to be released in 2022, Mr Calhouns sentence was conditionally commuted by then-governer Kate Brown, part of a group of 41 Oregon inmates given reduced sentences following their service in prison fire crews battling wildfires in 2020, per Willamette Week. He was released in 2021.

I am absolutely horrified for the victims, their families, and all those who have experienced these losses, Ms Brown told KOIN in a statement.

Calhouns commutation was revoked earlier this month, governor Tina Koteks office told Oregon Public Broadcasting.

The 38-year-old was arrested in 2018 with meth, guns, and numerous rounds of ammunition, an incident that prompted the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office to label Calhoun a prolific thief and career criminal.

At least three of the women found dead were known to frequent the same areas of downtown Portland in the months before their deaths, sources told Oregon Live in June.

Smith, who was reported missing in December of 2022, was found in February in a wooded area near the Pleasant Valley neighbourhood of Portland.

Perry, meanwhile, was discovered on 24 April near Ainsworth State Park, east of the city, according to the Multnomah Sheriffs Office.

Police said the death appeared suspicious at the time.

Perrys mother Diana Allen told KPIC she had been suffering from mental health issues, and that the family wanted her to be remembered for her kindness and positivity.

She always had a smile that could light up the world, Ms Allen told KPIC.

Webster was found less than a week later in northwest Polk County, southwest of Portland, with sheriffs officials labeling the death suspicious.

The following month, Clackamas County Sheriffs deputies found Reals body in a wooded area near Eagle Creek, about 23 miles southeast of Portland.

Bevan Hurley contributed reporting to this story
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A now 6-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped two years ago has been reunited with her father in Atlanta after police found her living with her mother in Mexico.

Majesty Williams was 4-years-old when she was allegedly abducted on 1 April, 2021. The girl's mother, Andrea McCord, now 34, is accused of kidnapping the girl from her father's home in Smyrna, Georgia.

Ms McCord was reportedly visiting Majesty at her father, James Williams house in Georgia on the day of the alleged abduction.

Mr Williams told investigators he went to work on his yard while Ms McCord and Majesty spent time together inside. When he returned, he said, the girl and her mother were gone.

Investigators searched for the girl for more than two years, with a break in the case only recently leading them to the location of Ms McCord and her boyfriend, Custodio Guerra. US Marshals not only found they couple, but they also located Majesty.

Every now and then, we get to replace the word CAPTURED at the end of an investigation with the word RECOVERED. Both words are hard-earned, but RECOVERED holds a special meaning for all of us. We are pleased and proud that we were able to be a part of the team that made this happen, US Marshals Service Southeastern Regional Fugitive Task Force Commander Jim Joyner said in a statement.

Both Ms McCord and Mr Guerra were arrested on 15 July. Ms McCord has been charged with interference with child custody and has been extradited to the US.

The U.S. Marshals will never stop, US Marshal Thomas Brown said in a statement following their arrests. This young victim is now back where she belongs, in the arms of her father. The fugitives are where they belong, behind bars, awaiting their day in court.

Majesty has been reunited with her father in Georgia.

I am incredibly grateful and overjoyed to be reunited with my daughter, Mr Williams said after he was reunited with his daughter. Words cannot express how happy I am to have my daughter back home. Majesty is doing well, and I kindly ask the media for privacy at this time.
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Authorities have reportedly identified a 38-year-old man as a person of interest connected to the suspicious deaths of four women in the Portland metro area, according to anonymous law enforcement officials.

Police have not officially named a person of interest in the case or announced any charges but several news outlets, including the Associated Press, have identified him as Jesse Lee Calhoun.

Officials believe the person of interest has some link to the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Lynn Perry, 24; Bridget Leann (Ramsay) Webster, 31; and Ashely Real, 22.

All four women were found dead within 100 miles of one another either near or on the sides of roads between February and May of this year.

Police have not been able to determine the manners or cause of deaths.

Initially, amid rumours of a possible serial killer, police in Portland denied the four women were connected to a group of six deaths that all appeared to be similar.

However, the Multnomah County District Attorney later contradicted this, announcing in a statement on Monday that police now had reason to believe four of the deaths were linked.

They did not specify how they were connected other than identifying one person of interest. Authorities said they were able to determine the link after talking with multiple people who were connected to some of the victims.

Kristin Smith, 32, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Webster, 31, Ashley Real, 22 (Portland Police Bureau/Multnomah County Sheriffs Office/Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Court records indicated Calhoun has been in trouble with authorities multiple times.

In 2019, Calhoun was sentenced to four years and two months in prison after being convicted of first-degree and second-degree burglary.

The Multnomah County Sheriffs Office accused him of breaking into homes in the neighbourhoods of Troutdale, Fairview and Gresham. Investigators had linked him to a handful of other cases in Clackamas and Clark Counties as well.

When a SWAT team arrived that year to arrest Calhoun on outstanding warrants, he choked a police dog and kicked an officer, according to court records viewed by KOIN.

During his arrest, authorities found modified firearms, more than 500 rounds of ammunition and six grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle.

After his arrest, residents of the neighbourhoods and surrounding areas reported a significant drop in property crimes and burglaries.

Calhoun was originally set to be released in 2022 but served a shortened version of his 2019 sentence. In July of 2021, he was granted a conditional commutation by the then-governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, due to his service as an inmate wildland firefighter the previous year.

Multnomah County senior deputy district attorney Todd Jackson asked Governor Tina Kotek last month to lift Calhouns commutation so he could serve out the rest of his sentence.

In a letter, obtained by The Associated Press, Mr Jackson wrote: Since his release from custody pursuant to this commutation, Mr. Calhoun has been involved in criminal activity currently under investigation by Oregon law enforcement.

He continued: In light of this, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and Multnomah County Department of Community Justice recommends Mr. Calhouns commutation be revoked.

Calhoun was taken back to prison on 7 July and is currently in custody at the Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, Oregon, on unrelated charges, according to state records.

Josh Marcus contributed reporting to this story
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Rex Heuermanns attorney has said that the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer is traumatised by his sudden arrest  as he claims that the 59-year-old married father-of-two has already been convicted by the media.

Attorney Michael Brown told ABC News that he met the accused serial killer for the first time on Friday when he was arraigned on charges for murdering three women and dumping their bodies along the shores of Long Island.

He said that Mr Heuermann seemed normal in the meeting but was traumatised by the fact he had been taken into custody over the unsolved killings.

Nothing struck me as unusual about him. He was articulate, he was intelligent, he was soft-spoken, he said.

Mr Brown dismissed the wealth of evidence against his client, saying that it is only circumstantial evidence  with no witnesses to the murders and no confession from the accused killer.

Court records show that Mr Heuermann was linked to the killings through a pimps tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, sadistic online searches, phone calls taunting victims families, his wifes hair found on the victims bodies  and a pizza crust.

The first piece of the puzzle came when a witness in the Amber Costello case revealed details about a vehicle that a client was driving when she was last seen alive.

Costello, who worked as a sex worker, was seen alive on the evening of 2 September 2010 when she left her home in West Babylon. A witness said she had gone to meet a client who was driving a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche.

Last year, a registration search showed that local man Mr Heuermann owned a first-generation model of the truck at the time of Costellos disappearance. He also matched the witness description of the man believed to be the killer: a large, white ogre-like male in his mid-40s, around 64 to 66 tall, with dark bushy hair, and big oval style 1970s type eyeglasses.

The discovery of the car led investigators to hone in on Mr Heuermann including executing 300 subpoenas, search warrants and other legal processes to obtain evidence to determine his potential involvement in the killings.

Among this was Mr Heuermanns alleged use of burner phones, with prosecutors saying that he used burner phones to contact the three women and arrange to meet them at the time when they went missing.

Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann on Tuesday (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

He also allegedly took two of the victims cellphones  and used one to make taunting phone calls to one of their families where he boasted about her murder, court documents state.

Mr Heuermanns DNA was found on one of the victims, while his wifes hairs were found on three of the four women he is connected to.

He was arrested on the night of 13 July when a team of officers swooped as he left his office in Midtown Manhattan where he ran an architecture business.

He was charged with three counts of murder in the first degree and three in the second degree over the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Costello.

He is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes  who together with the three is known as the Gilgo Beach Four and was last seen alive in early June 2007 in New York City.

The four women were found within one-quarter mile of each other, bound by belts or tape and some wrapped in burlap.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges as he appeared in court on 14 July and was ordered to be held without bond.

Mr Brown went on to say that the high-profile nature of the notorious serial killer case would make it difficult for him to have a fair trial.

When you have a high profile case like this, initially you have to be concerned about getting a jury that hasnt been biased, that hasnt convicted him, just based on what theyve read in the newspapers and what theyve heard on social media. So thats going to be a challenge, he said, adding that he has already been convicted in the media already and the media public opinion.

Rex Heuermann in booking photo (AP)

The horrific serial killer case has captured the nations attention for more than a decade.

The Gilgo Beach murders had long stumped law enforcement officials in Suffolk County who believed it could be the work of one or more serial killers who targeted sex workers and dumped their bodies along the remote beaches on Ocean Parkway.

The case began in May 2010 when Shannan Gilbert vanished after leaving a clients house on foot near Gilgo Beach.

She called 911 for help saying she feared for her life and was never seen alive again.

During a search for Gilbert in dense thicket close to the beach, police discovered the remains of another woman.

Within a matter of days, the remains of three more victims were found close by.

By spring 2011, the remains of a total of 10 victims had been found including eight women, a man, and a toddler. Police have long thought that it could be the work of one or more serial killers.

Gilberts body was then found in December 2011. Her cause of death is widely contested with authorities long claiming that it is not connected to the serial killer or killers but that she died from accidental drowning as she fled from the clients home.

However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation and her mother believes she was murdered.

Like Gilbert, most of the victims targeted were sex workers while some are yet to be identified.

While investigations are continuing into the other Gilgo Beach murders, law enforcement agencies are also looking into unsolved murders and missing persons cases all across America.

A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told The Independent on Tuesday that they are reviewing unsolved murders and missing persons cases around Sin City after becoming aware that the suspect owns a time share property in the area.

We are aware of Rex Heuermanns connection to Las Vegas. We are currently reviewing our unsolved cases to see if he has any involvement, the department said.

Meanwhile, over in South Carolina, Chester County Sheriffs Office said that they were looking for evidence to assist New York officials.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office was requested by the Gilgo Beach Task Force to assist in gathering evidence in Chester County relevant to their investigation, the department tweeted.

Mr Heuermann owns a property in Chester next to his brother Craig. The pickup at the centre of the murder investigation was seized from his brothers home this week.
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A criminology professor who once taught alleged University of Idaho murderer Bryan Kohberger has said she is not surprised that the man arrested in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case led a seemingly normal life.

Rex Heuermanns arrest on 14 July marks a major breakthrough in the investigation into the trail of bodies found on Gilgo Beach, Long Island, more than a decade ago.

Up to 11 bodies could be linked to the case, according to investigators, but Mr Heuermann is so far only facing charges over the deaths of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy.

Mr Heuermann is also the prime suspect in a fourth murder, with Suffolk County investigators saying theyre confident more charges loom ahead. Meanwhile, multi-state law enforcement agencies have also opened reviews into possible ties between Mr Heuermann and other unsolved cold cases across the country.

Prior to his arrest, Mr Heuermann, 59, had outwardly led a normal life, working as an architect in Midtown Manhattan and apparently making very little impression on his neighbours in Massapequa Park.

Renowned forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland, who has interviewed the BTK serial killer Dennis Rader and taught criminal justice graduate Mr Kohberger at DeSales University, said that she wasnt shocked by the suspects lifestyle.

Im not surprised at the kind of person that were looking at, Ms Ramsland told NewsNation on Monday.

More and more were seeing people who are accomplished or holding jobs who have families and they still are doing this kind of thing.

She added: They learn and practise how to pass as a normal person.

Weighing in on the taunting calls that Mr Heuermann is accused of making to victims family members after the murders, Ms Ramland said a small percentage of serial killers sometimes make such calls to relive their crimes and feel in control.

He lives across the bay from [where the victims were found], added Ms Ramsland, the leading academic authority on the BTK killings who co-wrote the book Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer with Rader.

As if he can look across and know that they belong to him.

Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested last week in connection with the brutal murders of Melissa Barthelemy (upper left), Amber Costello (upper right), Megan Waterman (bottom left). He is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes (bottom right) (AP)

Meanwhile, attorney John Ray told The Independent he was not familiar with Mr Heuermann prior to his arrest and was surprised to learn that the alleged murderer appeared to be able to blend into society.

Mr Ray represents the families of Shannan Gilbert, whose missing persons investigation led to the discovery of the Gilgo Beach bodies, and Jessica Taylor, whose remains were among those found during the 2010 probe.

His whole background and purpose and so forth, his lifestyle were all quite surprising, Mr Ray said. Much more needs to be known about that now, because heres a fella who purports to be a successful architect. I doubt very much that he was.

Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told ABCs Good Morning America on Tuesday that the 59-year-old suspect is now being looked at in connection to missing persons cases and murders far beyond the shores of Long Island  across the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and even nationwide.

An NYPD official also told ABC News that the married father-of-twos DNA has been entered into a statewide database and that his alleged MO is being compared to other cases across New York state  including those during the period he was allegedly active in Gilgo Beach.

Mr Heuermann lived close to Gilgo Beach in Massapequa Park, Long Island, but worked in the heart of Midtown Manhattan where he runs an architecture firm. Some of the victims were last seen alive in the city.
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An eerie Google Street View image has appeared to capture Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann chatting to an unidentified woman close to his Midtown Manhattan office.

The photo, captured in June 2022, reveals a man matching the description of the 59-year-old father-of-two on East 36th Street in New York City.

It shows the Massapequa Park architect standing next to a young woman with her arms folded outside a smoke shop.

It was captured merely months before law enforcement turned their focus on him as the prime suspect behind the gruesome deaths of at least three female sex workers whose bodies were found dumped in burlap sacks on Long Island.

The image was first unearthed by online sleuths scouring the internet for any trace of the father of two.

Mr Heuermann, a Manhattan architect who lives in Massapequa Park, was arrested on Thursday and charged with the murders of three women who vanished between 2007 and 2010.

He 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.

Court documents state that Mr Heuermann is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, though he is not facing charges related to her death.

The four women are known as the Gilgo Four  and are among the 11 victims whose bodies were found along a stretch of Ocean Parkway in Long Island in 2010 and 2011.

Michael Brown, an attorney for Mr Heuermann, has said that his client is innocent and that there was nothing about him to suggest his involvement in the murders.

Google street view image appears to show Rex Heuermann chatting to a woman near his office (Google street view)

He has entered a not guilty plea and has indicted he did not commit these crimes. There is nothing about Mr Heuermann that would suggest that he is involved in these incidents, he said.

And while the government has decided to focus on him despite more significant and stronger leads, we are looking forward to defending him in a court of law before a fair and impartial jury of his peers.

But investigators and the victims family members dont agree.

Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us. A predator that ruined families, Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harris told PIX 11.

Lynn Barthelemy, the mother of victim Melissa Barthelemy told NBC News on Friday that she hopes he suffers.

Id like him to suffer at the hands of other inmates. Let him receive what the girls received, she said.

Death is too good for him. Its too easy, she added.
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Authorities in Las Vegas are reviewing local cold cases for potential links to alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann.

Mr Heuermann, 59, is now being looked at in connection to missing person cases and murders far beyond the shores of Long Island, where he stands accused of murdering three women before dumping their bodies across the community of Gilgo Beach more than a decade ago.

His bombshell arrest on Friday was a major breakthrough after a 2010 investigation led to the gruesome discovery of at least 10 bodies now linked to the Gilgo Beach murders case.

In the aftermath of his arrest, it has emerged that Mr Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty to the crimes, has ties to both South Carolina and Las Vegas, owning properties in both locations.

In a statement to The Independent on Tuesday, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the department is probing a link between Mr Heuermann and unsolved cases in the area.

We are aware of Rex Heuermanns connection to Las Vegas. We are currently reviewing our unsolved cases to see if he has any involvement, a spokesperson said.

Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told ABCs Good Morning America that law enforcement agencies across the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and even nationwide are also reviewing cold cases that Mr Heuermann may be tied to.

I made some phone calls yesterday to see what they were doing. Theyre looking at all missing persons who have never been found and see if they can put those together, he said.

Not just in Suffolk, but throughout the tri-state area to see what they can put together. Theres also the FBI looking at national issues as well.

Mr Boyce pointed out that Mr Heuermann had been free for many years  as the accused killer continued his daily life for 13 years after the bodies were first discovered in 2010.

So well keep going in that respect because he was free for many years, he said.

He lived that Manhattan to Massapequa  that was his whole life right there  but it doesnt mean he didnt step out of it. So we have to look all the way around.

Authorities work outside as they search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mr Heuermann stands accused of murdering three women before dumping their bodies across the community of Gilgo Beach more than a decade ago (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

An NYPD official told ABC News that the married father-of-twos DNA has been entered into a statewide database and that his alleged MO is being compared to other cases across New York state  including those during the period he was allegedly active in Gilgo Beach.

So far, Mr Heuermann is charged with the murders of three women who vanished between 2007 and 2010, before their bodies were found dumped along Gilgo Beach.

He is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman.

The bodies were all discovered in December 2010, along with another seven bodies that are yet to be tied to the accused killer.

Mr Heuermann lived close to Gilgo Beach in Massapequa Park, Long Island, but worked in the heart of Midtown Manhattan where he runs an architecture firm. Some of the victims were last seen alive in the city.

Yet, Mr Heuermann also has ties to both South Carolina and Las Vegas, owning properties in both locations.

The Chester County Sheriffs Office in South Carolina revealed that it had helped New York officials gather evidence in its case against Mr Heuermann.

Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested last week in connection with the brutal murders of Melissa Barthelemy (upper left), Amber Costello (upper right), Megan Waterman (bottom left). He is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes (bottom right) (AP)

The Chester County Sheriffs Office was requested by the Gilgo Beach Task Force to assist in gathering evidence in Chester County relevant to their investigation, the department tweeted.

Mr Heuermanns brother Craig Heuermann lives in Chester in rural South Carolina and the suspected killer also owned a plot there.

One neighbour told Fox News Digital that Craig had told them his brother was planning to retire on the secluded property.

[Craig Heuermann] keeps saying his brother is going into retirement, they said.

He told me when I first moved down here that his brother owns that lot across the road, and that his brothers going to retire down here, and when he does, everybodys leaving.

Meanwhile, Mr Heuermann and his wife also bought a timeshare for a condo in Las Vegas in 2005  not long before the murders.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told The Independent on Tuesday: We are aware of Rex Heuermanns connection to Las Vegas. We are currently reviewing our unsolved cases to see if he has any involvement.

Now, questions are being asked as to whether the suspect may have committed any more alleged murders besides the killings of the Gilgo Beach Four.

It is also unclear whether he may have killed in the period between the discovery of the bodies in 2010 and his arrest 13 years later.
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A man who lived next door to Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann has revealed his neighbours alleged creep behaviour.

Mr Heuermann, 59, is charged with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, all sex workers in their 20s who vanished between 2007 and 2010 and whose bodies were found along a stretch of a remote highway in Gilgo Beach. He is also the prime suspect in Maureen Brainard- Barness killing.

The alleged murderer lived in Massapequa Park, near the sites where some of the victims were last seen, with his wife and two adult children. He also worked as the president of his architecture consulting firm located in Midtown Manhattan.

Etienne Devilliers, a longtime neighbour of Mr Heuermann, has since revealed that he had bizarre and strange interactions with Mr Heuermann. The one that jumps out to him the most, Mr Devilliers recalled on Fox & Friends, was the time nearly three decades ago when he confronted the disgraced architect for allegedly leering over the fence as his wife sunbathed.

My wife would sunbathe in the backyard occasionally ... but he would stand over the fence because he was a tall guy.  He would constantly say he was 64, 250 pounds, and he would try to start conversations with her, Mr Devilliers recounted. My wife finally told me a few times that she was getting creeped out a bit by him.

Mr Devilliers said that he had a heated conversation with the accused serial killer, but the latter ultimately stopped trying to make conversation with his wife.

Mr Heuermann had made a similar impression on other neighbours, Mr Devilliers claimed on Fox & Friends.

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)

People would stay away from his house. I mean, they would literally cross the street because the house was such a mess, he said. He tried to buddy up because he wanted some friends. Nobody in the neighbourhood ever talked to the guy.

The house was a mess, but he stayed to himself, pretty much. So, he asked me to play cards and tried to buddy up a couple of times, but I kind of stayed away from him.

But despite his strange interactions with Mr Heuermann, Mr Devilliers said he wasnt expecting his neighbour to be linked to crimes of such a violent nature. Even during that confrontation so many years ago, Mr Devilliers said, Mr Heuermann did not come off as aggressive.

When I had that altercation with him, I basically threatened him to stop leering at my wife. He backed off, Mr Devilliers said. The violence thing I didnt see coming because he didnt come off violent. I mean, he was strange to look at, enormous. But he never became more violent to me or to anybody that I could tell.

Mr Devilliers said he felt very sorry for Mr Heuermanns family, describing the suspects daughter as a nice young girl and his stepson as a sweet kid.

He also claims he was interviewed by detectives, who confided in him that Mr Heuermann had kept a metal safe in his basement in which he stored his guns.

Mr Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all the murder charges against him. The Independent has reached out to his attorneys with the allegations made by Mr Devilliers.

Over the weekend, a trove of 200 to 300 firearms were seized from the suspects home  a home he has lived in his whole life and which is located just a 20-minute drive from Gilgo Beach where the killer dumped the bodies of his victims. He had legal permits for 92 guns, police previously said.

Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park, N.Y (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Police are investigating whether Mr Heuermann is behind the murders of seven other victims whose bodies were found along the shores of Gilgo Beach.

An NYPD official told ABC News the 59-year-old is being looked at in connection to missing persons cases and murders across all five boroughs of New York City.

Investigators further afield are also exploring potential links between the serial killer suspect and other unsolved murders out of state, after it emerged that Mr Heuermann has ties to South Carolina and Las Vegas.

The married father-of-twos DNA has been entered into a statewide database and his alleged MO is being compared to other cases  including those during the period he was allegedly active in Gilgo Beach.
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Neighbours of alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann have described him and his wife as reclusive and enigmatic in the wake of his arrest over the murders of three sex workers more than a decade ago.

Mr Heuermann was charged on 14 July with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, who went missing between 2007 and 2010 and whose bodies were found along the stretch of a roadway in Gilgo Beach. He is also the prime suspect in the killing of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

The 59-year-old architects arrest came as a shock for residents of Massapequa Park, where Mr Heuermann lived with his wife, daughter and stepson. Mr Heeurmanns defence attorney has described his client as a loving husband and devoted father.

But neighbours of Mr Heeurmann told The New York Times they never got to see that side of his personality. Instead, Frankie Musto told the publication, Mr Heuermann and his 59-year-old Asa Ellerup avoided interactions with neighbours and kept to themselves.

I guess people dont expect a serial killer to be married, Ms Musto said. Im friendly with everybody around here but she didnt talk to anyone.

Ms Musto said his daughter grew up with Heuermanns daughter but she never allowed her to go to the familys unkempt house.

I didnt want her in that house, Ms Musto said, adding that she couldnt recall any neighbours ever visiting the Heeurmanns.

The manager of an IGA supermarket where Ms Ellerup shopped with her children also told the Times that she often looked sombre and never visited the store with her husband.

Could he have been a monster who killed those girls and an angel at home? Mery Salmeri said. Or maybe his family was just so scared of him that they were like his prisoners who would never tell anyone, even if they had some idea of what he was capable of.

Forensic analysis revealed that female hairs found in the three crime scene locations belonged to Mr Heuermanns wife. However, authorities have determined through cellphone records that Ms Ellerup was out of state when the murders took place.

Rex Heuermann was charged on 14 July with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, who went missing between 2007 and 2010 (AP)

At the time Barthelemy went missing in July 2009, she was in Iceland. Ms Ellerup visited Maryland around the time Waterman disappeared in June 2010, and also travelled to New Jersey when Costello was last seen in September of that year.

It is likely that the burlap, tape, vehicle(s) or other instrumentalities utilized in furtherance of these murders came from Defendant Heuermanns residence, where his wife also resides, or was transferred from his clothing, prosecutors explained.

Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told CNN on Tuesday that Ms Ellerup and her children reacted with shock to Mr Heuermanns arrest and are now cooperating with the investigation.

They were disgusted. They were embarrassed, Mr Harrison said. So, if you ask me, I dont believe they knew about this double life that Heuermann was living.

Mr Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all the murder charges against him.

Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Over the weekend, a trove of 200 to 300 firearms were seized from the suspects home  a home he has lived in his whole life and which is located just a 20-minute drive from Gilgo Beach where the killer dumped the bodies of his victims. He had legal permits for 92 guns, police previously said.

Police are investigating whether Mr Heuermann is behind the murders of seven other victims whose bodies were found along the shores of Gilgo Beach.

An NYPD official told ABC News the 59-year-old is being looked at in connection to missing person cases and murders across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Investigators further afield are also exploring potential links between the serial killer suspect and other unsolved murders out of state, after it emerged that Mr Heuermann has ties to South Carolina and Las Vegas.

The married father-of-twos DNA has been entered into a statewide database and his alleged MO is being compared to other cases  including those during the period he was allegedly active in Gilgo Beach.
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Internal Revenue Service agent Gary Shapley will testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing about alleged meddling by US president Joe Biden in the Justice Departments investigation of his son, Hunter Biden.

The hearing before the Republican-led panel will feature testimony from Shapley as well as an unnamed IRS investigator who is expected to have his identity revealed at the hearing.

Committee Chairman James Comer said the two witnesses have critical information to share about the panels investigation into what he alleged is the Biden familys influence peddling schemes.

Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement that House Republicans were staging partisan stunts to try to damage the president politically.

This will be the first public testimony from two IRS agents assigned to the federal case into Biden, which was focused on tax and gun charges.

The congressional inquiry into the Justice Departments case against Hunter Biden was launched last month, days after it was announced that the younger Biden will plead guilty to the misdemeanor tax offences as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.
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US Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Harris office said the leaders will announce that both governments intend to spend $70 million over five years to support climate-smart agriculture programs.

Earlier in the day, Herzog became the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address lawmakers in Washington and his speech marked modern Israels celebration of its 75th year.

The appearance aimed to demonstrate what he called the unbreakable bond between the two nations, despite US concerns over Benjamin Netanyahus judicial overhaul and settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.

Herzogs visit comes weeks after Israeli forces carried out one of their most intensive operations in the occupied West Bank in two decades, with a two-day air and ground offensive in Jenin.
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E Jean Carroll has called on Donald Trump to pay up after losing his bid for a new trial in a civil sexual assault lawsuit brought by the advice columnist.

In a decision released on Wednesday, Judge Lewis Kaplan said the jury did not reach a seriously erroneous result when it found the former president liable for sexual assault and defamation and ordered him to pay $5m.

The verdict was not a miscarriage of justice, as Mr Trumps lawyers had claimed, Judge Kaplan wrote.

Ms Carrolls lawyer Robbie Kaplan called for Mr Trump to comply with the jurys multi-million dollar verdict, adding the writer was looking forward to holding him accountable at a second defamation trial in January.

Now that the court has denied Trumps motion for a new trial or to decrease the amount of the verdict, E Jean Carroll looks forward to receiving the $5m in damages that the jury awarded her in Carroll II, Ms Kaplan said in a statement on Wednesday.

In May, a jury in Manhattan found Mr Trump liable for sexually assaulting the former Elle columnist at the luxury Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman in the 1990s, and defaming her by angrily calling the claims a hoax.

The jury ruled Mr Trump was not liable for rape.

Mr Trump appealed the verdict, claiming that $2m in compensatory damages awarded to Ms Carroll for sexual assault was excessive because the jury found he had not raped her.

He claimed the $2.7m award for defamation was based on pure speculation.

Ms Carroll, 79, first revealed details of the sexual assault in a book excerpt that ran in New York magazine in June 2019.

Donald Trump has lost a bid for a retrial (Associated Press)

When Mr Trump denied the claims and attacked her personally, she sued him for defamation in a case that has become known as Carroll I.

Last week, the Department of Justice said it no longer considered Mr Trump immune from the first defamation lawsuit brought by Ms Carroll while he was president.

The case is expected to proceed to trial in January.

Then in 2022, Ms Carroll sued the former president for sexual assault in a separate lawsuit after New York passed a law allowing survivors a one-year window to hold their abusers accountable regardless of when the assault took place.

E Jean Carroll leaves a Manhattan courthouse after a jury found the former president liable for sexual assault and defamation (Associated Press)

That lawsuit, dubbed Carroll II, went to trial earlier this year, where the writer testified that Mr Trump led her to a dressing room on a deserted floor of Bergdorf Goodman, pushed her up against a wall and sexually assaulted her.

Mr Trump declined to testify in his own defence.

Judge Kaplans ruling is the latest setback for Mr Trump, as he battles a series of lawsuits and criminal cases.

In March, Mr Trump became the first former or current president to face criminal charges when a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict him on criminal charges over the hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 presidential election.

He has pleaded not guilty.

In June, Mr Trump was arraigned at a Miami federal courthouse on 37 federal charges over his handling of classified documents, including national defence information, after leaving the White House. He has pleaded not guilty.

This week, Mr Trump revealed he had received a target letter from special prosecutor Jack Smith for a sprawling Justice Department investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
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The White House has said it will make sure Afghan veterans who supported the US are taken care of  while the British government continues to stall in the case of an Afghan pilot who has been threatened with deportation to Rwanda.

The pilot, who risked his life on combat missions in support of coalition forces, has been left in limbo and has been threatened with removal after he arrived in Britain on a small boat because of the lack of safe legal routes.

After the UK rejected his first application to remain, Washington is now considering his case after his US supervisor made a personal recommendation and described him as a true patriot to his nation.

President Joe Bidens spokesperson was asked about the speed at which Afghans were being brought to the US, especially from third countries, in light of The Independents campaign on behalf of Afghan veterans.

Karine Jean-Pierre replied: Our commitment continues to stand. To make sure that we take care of the folks who helped us during the longest war in this country that we have, we have seen that we have supported and the work continues.

The intervention turns up the heat on the UK which has still not removed the threat of deportation to Rwanda, despite the UKs Court of Appeal ruling that the governments agreement is illegal. Without the notice being removed, the pilots application for asylum cannot progress and he is still being refused a safe haven.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said her governments commitment to its Afghan allies still stands (Reuters)

Dozens of military chiefs, politicians, diplomats and celebrities have joined in The Independents call for him to be given safe refuge after the sacrifice he made.

The Afghan air force airman, whose wife and child are still in hiding in Afghanistan, served alongside coalition forces in the run up to the fall of Kabul two years ago. He described how he flew in missions coordinated and supported by British and US commanders to take out terrorists and eliminate drug production networks.

When the coalition troops left in August 2021, the pilot was among those dangerously exposed. The Taliban took over their offices and uncovered every detail about him  his email address, his phone number and where he lived. He waited in hiding in Afghanistan for several months before making the decision to leave his family and find safe refuge.

A long journey over land and sea culminated in a dangerous journey across the Channel last November. Thinking he would be welcomed and thanked for his sacrifice, the pilot was appalled to discover that he was threatened with deportation to Rwanda.

The Afghan pilot says he has been abandoned by the UK (Getty)

He told The Independent: I am really disappointed. We werent carrying out simple tasks in Afghanistan  we were doing your missions. Without our Afghan forces, the UK and US wouldnt have been able to do their activities.

If the UK are abandoning us again, I hope the US may help. Many former Afghan pilots are even flying in the US, they are using their skills, unlike what the UK are doing with me. Maybe if I get to the US, I can work as a pilot again and have a future  which helps my family, who are still in danger in Afghanistan.

The pilot is not allowed to work in the UK while his asylum claim is paused and receives around 8 a week to live on while he is in government-funded hotel accommodation.

He is being considered for possible sanctuary in the US under the P1 resettlement scheme, to which you have to be personally referred by a US official.

His application to the Ministry of Defences Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy was rejected because the government said that his pilot role was not one in which the UKs operations in Afghanistan would have been materially less efficient or materially less successful if a role of that nature had not been performed.

Defence minister James Heappey had said that members of the Afghan air force would not qualify in principle for the scheme because they were not embedded with the British.

Sign The Independents petition calling for UK to support Afghan war heroes who served alongside Britain

He is among thousands of other asylum seekers who have arrived in Britain on small boats, and who could face removal to Rwanda by the UK Home Office.

The notice of intent letter, issued by the government, said his asylum claim was inadmissible because he had travelled through a number of European countries before arriving in Britain.

The 140m deal to deport asylum seekers from UK to Rwanda was ruled unlawful at the end of June, but the Home Office have refused to remove the pilots notice of intent  meaning his asylum claim cannot be processed.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to appeal the courts unlawful ruling in the Supreme Court.

The former head of the British army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has previously described the Rwanda plan as an unpopular policy, and blamed the home secretary Suella Braverman for continuing to run down the remaining political capital of Rishi Sunaks government by pursuing it.

A government spokesperson said: Whilst we dont comment on individual cases, we remain committed to providing protection for vulnerable and at-risk people fleeing Afghanistan and so far have brought around 24,500 people impacted by the situation back to the UK.

We continue to work with like-minded partners and countries neighbouring Afghanistan on resettlement issues, and to support safe passage for eligible Afghans.
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Republican congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida was ridiculed after suggesting that a witness in a congressional hearing read Breitbart News to stay up-to-date on world affairs.

Ms Luna was questioning Dr Ellen Montz, deputy administrator and director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, when she asked whether Dr Montz was aware of the particulars of the relationship between the United States and China.

Are you aware that China does not like the United States and that [it] has engaged in espionage activites against the United States?

When Dr Montz replied that she had neither personal nor professional expertise on the particulars of the US-China relationship, Ms Luna scoffed and responded: Ok, well, I suggest you read Breitbart.

Rep Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat from Texas, was not impressed with Ms Lunas reading suggestion.

It never ceases to amaze me what will come out of some of my colleagues mouths, Ms Crockett said.

Rep Anna Paulina Luna of Florida addresses a witness in the House subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services ( @Acyn/Twitter)

She then read from Wikipedias entry on Breitbart, which notes that the site was founded in 2005 by conservative journalist Andrew Breitbart and that the sites content has been described as misogynistic, xenophobic, and racist by academics and journalists. Breitbart had links to the Donald Trump campaign in 2016, most notably through former Breitbart executive chairman Steve Bannon.

I dont know that thats where I want anybody to take their cues from, especially when theyre trying to run this country, Ms Crockett said.

The indirect clash between the two first-term lawmakers enlivened a House subcommittee hearing titled Why Expanding Medicaid to DACA Recipients Will Exacerbate the Border Crisis.

That was a premise that Democrats on the committee, including Ms Crockett, took issue with. DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a US immigration policy instituted by President Barack Obama that allows people who were brought to the US illegally as children to stay in the country.

In April, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new proposed rule to expand Medicaid coverage to DACA recipients. If approved, the new rule could result in some 129,000 people gaining health insurance. Republicans have largely opposed the potential change.

Every day, nearly 580,000 DACA recipients wake up and serve their communities, often working in essential roles and making tremendous contributions to our country, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said. They deserve access to health care, which will provide them with peace of mind and security.
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Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and a handful of other progressives will boycott Israeli President Isaac Herzogs joint address to Congress on Wednesday.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez toldJewish Insider that she would not attend the joint address. In the same token, Reps Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who is Palestinian-American, will also boycott Mr Herzogs address, Haaretz reported.

There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session address from a President whose country has banned me and denied @RashidaTlaib the ability to see her grandma, Ms Omar tweeted earlier this month.

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 tweeted.

In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those who have been harmed by Israels apartheid government, I will be boycotting President Herzogs joint address to Congress, Ms Tlaib tweeted.

But the vote comes amid a divide within the House Democratic caucus on Israel. During the weekend, at the Netroots Nation conference in Chicago, Ms Jayapal caught the ire of some Democrats for calling Israel a racist state when speaking with some pro-Palestinian protesters.

She later clarified her remarks and said she did not believe Israel as a nation was racist. Still, many pro-Israel Democrats, including the party leadership, condemned the remarks.

Rep Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said he was not concerned about Democrats who boycott the address.

Because I think nearly every single person will be there and were going to show the strong support for the US-Israel relationship, he told The Independent. He also cited leaderships remarks showing how vital the US-Israel relationship is.

Rep Ritchie Torres (D-NY), an ardent supporter of Israel, said he would attend.

It's up to each member to make his or her own decision, he told The Independent. But I've made my decision in favor of attendance.

In response to Ms Jayapals comments, House Republicans held a vote on a resolution that declared Israel was not a racist or apartheid state rejected all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia and reaffirmed US support for Israel. The resolution passed with 412 votes but nine Democrats, including nine progressives who will not attend Mr Herzogs speech, voted against it. Rep Betty McCollum (D-MN), a frequent critic of Israel, voted present.

Mr Bowman condemned the vote held by Republicans.

All they want to do is virtuous virtue signal, and fear monger and theatrics, he told The Independent. This is the second time that the House GOP has held a vote to condemn a woman of color about her remarks about Israel as the House voted to remove Ms Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee for saying that US support for Israel is All about the Benjamins, for which she later apologised.

The vote also comes as House Republicans plan to have Robert F Kennedy Jr, the Democratic presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist, testify before Congress on Thursday despite the fact he said that Covid-19 was ethnically targeted to spare Jewish people.
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At least four protesters were injured in Kenya Wednesday as police clashed with demonstrators who are calling for the government to lower the cost of living.

The opposition has called for three days of countrywide protests starting Wednesday in a new wave of demonstrations aimed at forcing the president to address the rising cost of living.

President William Ruto had vowed that no protests would take place in the country, saying he would take on opposition leader Raila Odinga head-on.

Four protesters were injured in the capital, Nairobis Mathare area, according to a police officer who wished to remain anonymous as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Businesses in Nairobi remained closed on Wednesday as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.

Demonstrations were reported in several other parts of the country including the western counties of Kisumu, Migori and Kisii where the opposition enjoys huge support. Police on Tuesday said the Wednesday protests were illegal as no permit had been issued.

Day schools in Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa were ordered to close by the education minister.

Last weeks protests left more than six people dead and many others injured, including 53 children who went into shock after tear gas was thrown inside their school compound.

Religious leaders have been calling for dialogue between the government and the opposition to end the protests.

Catholic bishops led by Anthony Muheria on Wednesday issued a statement reiterating that no further blood should be shed and urged the president to repeal the newly passed Finance Act that has agitated Kenyans.

The new finance law has raised the price of fuel to its highest as the government implements a doubling of value added tax on petroleum products to 16%. The new prices have taken effect despite a court order suspending the implementation of the controversial new taxes.

Western envoys from 13 countries on Tuesday issued a joint statement calling for dialogue and expressed concern over the loss of lives and destruction of property.

Rights group, Human Rights Watch, on Tuesday urged political leaders to stop labelling protesters as terrorists and respect the right to peaceful protests. The group called out the police for using force and live bullets to confront protesters.

The right to peaceful protests is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution but the opposition has in the past held violent protests that have resulted to deaths.
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The Czech Parliament gave its expected approval Wednesday to a defense treaty signed with the United States in May that would deepen military cooperation and make it easier to deploy U.S. troops on Czech territory.

The lower house of Parliament voted 115-18 in favor of the Defense Cooperation Agreement. The treaty, endorsed by the Czech Senate last week, goes next to President Petr Pavel for his expected approval.

The document would set a legal framework for possible deployment of U.S. troops in the country at a time of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We cant do without a strong alliance with other democratic countries in this situation, Czech Defense Minister Cernochova told lawmakers in the lower house. She said the deal is absolutely in our national interest."

Cernochova signed the treaty together with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington D.C. on May 23. The U.S. has such agreements with 24 other NATO members, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria that form the eastern flank of the alliance.

The lawmakers of the five-party ruling coalition were joined by most of their colleagues from the opposition ANO (YES) movement led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis in supporting the treaty.

It was opposed by the major anti-migrant populist Freedom and Direct Democracy party, which claims the pact compromises the countrys sovereignty and makes possible a permanent presence of U.S. troops on Czech territory.

But any particular deployment of U.S. forces will still need approval by the Czech government and Parliament.
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Hush-money payments. Classified records. And now, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election that led to the Capitol attack. Already facing criminal cases in New York and Florida, Donald Trump faces increasing legal peril as investigations into his struggle to cling to power after his election loss appear to be coming to a head.

A target letter sent to Trump by special counsel Jack Smith suggests he may soon be indicted on new federal charges, adding to the remarkable situation of a former president up against possible prison time while vying to reclaim the White House as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

Smith's wide-ranging probe into the chaotic weeks between Trump's election loss and his supporters' attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, seems to be nearing an end just as another case could be on the horizon. A grand jury that was sworn in this month in Georgia will likely consider whether to charge Trump and his Republican allies for their efforts to reverse his election loss in the state.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in all the cases and dismissed the prosecutions as a malign effort to hurt his 2024 campaign.

Here's a look at the Jan. 6 investigation, Trump's legal cases and what could happen next:

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE JAN. 6 PROBE?

The team led by Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, has questioned a host of former White House officials, Trump allies, lawyers and state election officials both in voluntary interviews and before the grand jury that has been meeting behind closed doors in Washington. Those who have testified before the grand jury  which would ultimately hand down any indictment  include Trump's Vice President Mike Pence, who has spoken extensively in public about the former president's efforts to pressure him into rejecting President Joe Biden's electoral victory.

Smith's team appears to be interested in a late night Dec. 18, 2020, White House meeting one aide has called unhinged in which Trump's private lawyers suggested he order the U.S. military to seize state voting machines in an unprecedented effort to pursue his false claims of voter fraud. In videos shown by the U.S. House Committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack, one White House lawyer said he thought the idea was nuts. Judges  including some appointed by Trump  uniformly rejected his claims of voter fraud.

Smith has also questioned witnesses about schemes by Trump associates to enlist electors in battleground states to sign certificates claiming that Trump  instead of Biden  had won their states. The fake electors' certificates were mailed to the National Archives and Congress, where some Republicans used them to try to justify delaying or blocking certification of the election.

Smith's team has also shown interest in the story of a Georgia election worker, Ruby Freeman, who along with her daughter has recounted living in fear following death threats after Trump and his allies falsely accused them of pulling fraudulent ballots from a suitcase in Georgia. That interest is according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing criminal probe.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

It's unclear when Smith's investigation may wrap up. Trump said he was invited to appear before the grand jury this week, though targets of investigations don't have to testify and rarely agree to do so. The grand jury, which meets in secret, would ultimately vote on whether there is enough evidence to charge him with a crime. Federal grand juries are made up of about 16 to 23 people, and at least 12 must agree in order to hand down an indictment.

Among the potential charges legal experts have said Trump could face are conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding: Congress certification of Biden's electoral victory. Hundreds of the more than 1,000 people accused of federal crimes in the Jan. 6 riot have been charged with the obstruction offense, which carries up to 20 years in prison.

If charged in the Jan. 6 case, Trump could face a challenging jury pool in overwhelmingly Democratic Washington, whose residents  many of whom work on Capitol Hill  had a front-row seat to the chaos that unfolded after Trump urged his supporters to fight like hell.

Many Jan. 6 rioters have tried unsuccessfully to get their trials moved out of the nation's capital, saying Trump supporters can't get a fair trial there. Only two defendants have been acquitted of all charges after trials, and those were trials decided by a judge, not a jury. In the most serious Jan. 6 cases brought so far, juries have convicted the leaders of two far-right extremist groups  the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys  of seditious conspiracy and other charges for what prosecutors described as plots to block the transfer of power from Trump to Biden. More than 600 other Jan. 6 defendants have pleaded guilty to federal crimes.

WHATS GOING ON WITH TRUMPS OTHER CASES?

Trump pleaded not guilty last month to 37 federal felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records at his Florida Mar-a-Lago estate and rejecting government demands to give them back. A judge in that case heard arguments on Tuesday over whether that trial  which would take place in Florida  should happen before or after the 2024 election. While prosecutors are seeking a December trial date, Trump's lawyers have pushed for an indefinite delay, arguing he can't get a fair trial while he's campaigning for president.

In New York state court, a trial is scheduled to begin in March  in the thick of primary season  in another Trump case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg that alleges a scheme to bury allegations of extramarital affairs that arose during his first White House campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty in that case to 34 felony counts of falsifying internal business records at his private company about a hush-money payoff to porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump is trying to get the case moved to federal court, but a judge signaled during court arguments last month that was unlikely to happen.

In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has been investigating Trump and his allies for their efforts to overturn his election loss in that state, is expected to present her case before one of two grand juries seated earlier this month. Willis has suggested that any indictments would likely come in August. A separate special grand jury  which didn't have charging power and dissolved in January  submitted a report with recommendations to Willis. Though most of that report remains under wraps for now, the panels foreperson has said without naming names that the special grand jury recommended charging multiple people.

Meanwhile, in Michigan on Tuesday, the state's attorney general filed felony charges, including forgery against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for Trump in 2020, accusing them of submitting false certificates that said they were legitimate electors despite Bidens victory there.

____

Richer reported from Boston.

More on Donald Trump-related investigations: https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump
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The letter Donald Trump said he had received from special counsel Jack Smith reportedly listed three federal statutes that could constitute charges against him over the Jan 6 riots.

The three federal statutes mentioned in the letter by Mr Smith, according to several reports, are 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.

Mr Trump is the sole individual mentioned in the letter and there are no other names mentioned, according to a source with knowledge of the matter cited by Rolling Stone magazine.

Mr Trump had earlier on Tuesday confirmed he had received a letter from Mr Smith in a Truth Social post.

On Sunday night, while I was with my family...HORRIFYING NEWS for our country was given to me by my attorneys, he wrote.

Deranged Jack Smith...sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.

Meanwhile, Florida representative Matt Gaetz revealed on his podcast that he planned to introduce a bill in the near future to defund Mr Smiths investigation into the former president.

Mr Gaetzs announcement came just hours after Mr Trump gave confirmation of him receiving Mr Smiths letter.

In the coming hours, the coming days, I will be introducing legislation under my name, in the House of Representatives, as a freestanding bill, to defund the Jack Smith investigation, Mr Gaetz said on Tuesday.

And one reason why is the election interference feature. Another reason why: the lack of transparency.

CNN reported that the former president has reached out to House of Representatives speaker Kevin McCarthy and House GOP Conference chair Elise Stefanik for political assistance with the fallout from the probe.

Should Mr Trump face criminal charges related to his efforts to stop Joe Bidens lawful assumption of power following his own failure to prove his countless conspiratorial allegations of election fraud, it would be the third criminal indictment to come down on the ex-presidents shoulders this year.

A source familiar with the special counsels probe and Department of Justice operating procedures told The Independent that the earliest an indictment could be handed down is late Thursday or Friday, after the deadline for Mr Trump to avail himself of the invitation to testify before the grand jury has passed.
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Former president Donald Trump being charged over the January 6 insurrection would mark the end of civilisation  that is, according to his eldest son.

Donald Trump Jr made the comment during an interview with rightwing broadcaster Real Americas Voice, also suggesting that civilisation was actually due to end soon anyway.

This is like the end of the civilisation, he said. And, you know, if you look at the timing, most civilisations last 250 years, were at about 248  so we are in serious trouble if we dont right this ship.

His comments came as the former president took to Truth Social to reveal he had been notified by the Department of Justice of his status as a target of the investigation into the January 6 attack, the first real confirmation that he could face criminal charges for his role in the hourslong siege of Capitol Hill.

On Sunday night, while I was with my family ... HORRIFYING NEWS for our country was given to me by my attorneys, said Mr Trump.

Deranged Jack Smith ... sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.

The exact number of charges Mr Trump may face related to the DoJs January 6 probe is not yet known, nor is the extent of the criminal accusations he may face.

The Houses select committee investigating January 6 previously recommended a handful of charges at the conclusion of their hearings in 2022, including the charge of giving comfort to an insurrection.

Mr Trump Jr shared his fathers statement on Twitter on Tuesday and added his own comment: It never ends! The corrupted bureaucrats of the swamp will do anything to stop my father from fighting for you & putting Americans first. This is a mockery of justice & our constitution. We are a Third World nation in rapid decline, with only one cure. RE-ELECT DONALD J TRUMP!
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One day after French President Emmanuel Macron criticized her appointment because of her nationality, the American candidate to become one of the European Union's chief economists will now not take up the position because of the political controversy it stirred, the bloc announced Wednesday.

In a letter to the EUs executive Commission released early Wednesday, Yale economics professor Fiona Scott Morton wrote that she had determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the Chief Economist position.

EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who had pushed through the decision to appoint an American to such a high-level position, said, I accept this with regret and hope that she will continue to use her extraordinary skillset to push for strong competition enforcement.

Macron had not been the only one to criticize the unusual move to take on an American for such a post but his criticism had the most impact.

On Tuesday, he insisted that if the European Union needed more strategic independence, it was a bad move that the EU head office planned to hire an American expert as its chief competition economist.

Is there really no great European researcher with academic qualifications that could do this job? Macron asked at an EU summit.

In a bloc of some 450 million people, is there no one in the 27 member states that has a researcher good enough to advise the (European) Commission? That is a real question mark, Macron said.

The EUs executive commission announced last week that it had appointed Scott Morton as chief competition economist in its department tasked with ensuring that all companies compete equally and fairly on their merits within the single market, to the benefit of consumers, businesses and the European economy as a whole.

Macron insisted that he has nothing against Scott Morton herself, an economist with multiple diplomas from elite schools.

But the French leader demanded answers from the commission and suggested that hiring a non-EU citizen to such a senior job should not be allowed under EU statutes.
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House Republicans efforts to paint President Joe Biden and his family as corrupt influence peddlers are being undermined by the very people theyve touted as whistleblowers against the Bidens over the first six months of their investigation.

The latest episode in this half-year-long drama was set to air on Wednesday, when a pair of federal law enforcement agents were scheduled to give evidence before the GOP-led House Oversight Committee.

One witness, IRS agent Gary Shapley, has already accused Justice Department and IRS leaders of kneecapping his multi-year probe into Hunter Biden, a lawyer and lobbyist who is set to plead guilty to misdemeanour tax charges in the coming weeks.

Mr Shapley and another still-anonymous law enforcement officer, who the committee is calling Witness X, were set to testify before the panel on Wednesday. But the alleged law enforcement whistleblowers who are claiming that political interference on the Bidens behalf short-circuited their efforts to bring more serious charges against the presidents son, have already undercut the testimony they were expected to deliver before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.

A review of the testimony the witnesses have delivered in transcribed interviews with the House Ways and Means Committee reveals that Department of Justice actions which Mr Shapley attributed to the Biden-era departments desire to protect the president and his son by slow-walking the probe were either made during the Trump administration or were actually run-of-the-mill decisions by attorneys who were applying department rules or making professional judgments based on applicable case law and the evidence available.

Mr Shapley, a 14-year veteran of the IRS Criminal Investigation division who has alleged that he and his team were removed from the Biden probe to punish him for raising concerns about the pace of the investigation, has already admitted that it is typical for investigating agents to disagree with the decisions of IRS Criminal Tax attorneys, who often recommend that charges not be brought when presented with the evidence that has been gathered against a given subject.

In his private interview with Ways and Means in May, he said 90-plus percent of everything that I do in my international tax group was met with a nonconcur recommendation from IRS attorneys, though he added that he and his colleagues often disregard those recommendations either way.

But despite Mr Shapleys claims that the decisions by IRS and DOJ officials seemed calculated to protect the Bidens, it turns out that much of what he claims was political interference on behalf of the president or his son took place long before Mr Bidens January 2021 inauguration, during the administration of then-president Donald Trump.

For example, although he has suggested IRS CI officials decision in October 2020  one month before the 2020 presidential election  not to seek a warrant to search a guest house on Mr Bidens property was meant to protect him, the other GOP whistleblower set to give evidence on Wednesday has said the decision was not only up to the IRS, but also the DOJ tax division, US Attorneys from the Eastern District of Virginia and others.

Mr Shapleys complaint also ignores a 4 September 2020 directive from Richard Donoghue, then the Acting Deputy Attorney General, instructing the department to cease and desist of all overt investigative activities due to the coming election, in keeping with longstanding Justice Department policy prohibiting any overt steps in ongoing investigations within 90 days of a general election if those steps might have an impact on the election.

And even though he repeatedly claimed that political interference was evident in prosecutors decision not to seek the warrant even though, in his view, there was sufficient probable cause to obtain it, a February 2020 memorandum from then-attorney general William Barr instructed prosecutors to ensure that department actions did not unnecessarily advantage or disadvantage a political party or candidate.

He also did not appear to take into account the IRS Criminal Tax manual, which requires prosecutors to consider whether the particular evidence at issue can be secured without a search warrant (i.e., whether a search warrant is the least-intrusive means to obtain the evidence) and whether there is a reasonable need for the evidence (i.e., whether the case can be investigated and prosecuted with other evidence, with no significant delay in completing the investigation and no significant diminution in the likelihood of conviction) in cases involving the property of attorneys, public officials or political candidates.

Whats more, even the anonymous whistleblower who the GOP panel billed as Whistleblower X denied that the decisions cited by Mr Shapley had political motivations when questioned behind closed doors.

In a transcribed interview, he told committee members that the departments approach to the Hunter Biden probe never changed when Mr Trump left office and Mr Biden was sworn in.

I have never seen that, and I would have reason to hope to believe that that wouldnt happen. And I have no indication that it was because of a change of administration, he said.

Instead, Mr X said the slow approach to investigations was typical of the Delaware US Attorneys office, which since 2017 has been headed by Trump appointee David Weiss.

[T]hat U.S. Attorneys Office . . . they love to slow-walk things. Its very common in that office, he said.

In a portion of his opening statement for the Wednesday hearing that was obtained by The Independent, Oversight Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin said he expected both men to testify about apparent confusion and misunderstandings which embittered them toward Mr. Weiss as he reviewed the evidence and then made the ultimate decision about how, when, and where to charge Hunter Biden.

Mr Raskin also pointed out that according to the testimony both witness have already given, the only thing they can credibly allege is disagreements and frustrations with their supervisors, not political interference.

Theres no evidence that President Biden has involved himself in any way in the investigation into his own son, an investigation thats been overseen by Trumps appointed US Attorney. No matter what my GOP colleagues say  there is no evidence that Hunter Biden has received any kind of official favouritism in this prosecution for being Joe Bidens son, he said.

In a statement, White House spokesman Ian Sams slammed the GOP for wasting time on politically-motivated attacks on a Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney, the rule of law, and the independence of our justice system.

There are real issues Americans want us to be spending our time on, and President Biden believes we can work together to make real progress, if House Republicans would make an effort instead of constantly staging partisan stunts to try to damage him politically. President Biden has upheld his commitment that this matter would be handled independently by the Justice Department, under the leadership of a Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney, he said.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a joint address to Congress to large fanfare despite recent divisions within the Democratic Party about Israel.

Mr Herzog acknowledged the fact that some Democrats chose not to attend his joint address.

I respect criticism, especially among friends, although one does not always have to accept it, he said. But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the State of Israels right to exist.

Mr Herzogs address came a day after the House of Representatives passed a resolution 412 to 9 reaffirming US support for Israel and saying that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state as well as rejecting all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia.

The resolution came after Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) called Israel a racist state, which she later clarified. Many of the Democrats who voted against the legislation  such as Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Cori Bush (D-MO)  also elected not to attend Mr Herzogs speech.

Questioning the Jewish peoples right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism, he said to large applause. Vilifying and attacking Jews, whether in Israel, in the United States or anywhere in the world is antisemitism.

Mr Herzog defended Israels record on human rights and minority protections.

Our democracy is also reflected in protesters taking to the streets all across the country to emphatically raise their voices and fervently demonstrate their point of view, he said. Israel is currently facing a series of protests about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus proposed plan to reform the judiciary.

I am well aware of the imperfections of Israeli democracy, and I am conscious of the questions posed by our greatest of friends, he said. The momentous debate in Israel is painful and deeply unnerving, because it highlights the cracks within the whole.

The Israeli president spoke about his familys longstanding ties to the United States, including the fact that his father, Chaim Herzog, was the first president to address a joint session of Congress. He addressed Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who travelled to Israel earlier this year to commemorate Israels 75th anniversary.

Your sincere expression of friendship on behalf of the United States truly resonated with the Israelis, he said. He also thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for her support.

Mr Herzog noted the overwhelming bipartisan support for the state of Israel and the Jewish people going back to Harry Trumans recognition of the state of Israel in 1948. Mr Trumans grandson Clinton Truman Daniel received applause when Mr Herzog mentioned his presence in the chamber.

He also mentioned Abraham Lincoln calling for Jewish people returning to their homeland and the efforts of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in America to support civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr.

The people of Israel are grateful to no end for the ancient promise fulfilled and for the friendship we have formed, he said.

Despite these divides, most of the US Congress filled out the House chamber for the joint address and gave Mr Herzog roaring applause throughout his address, specifically when he spoke about the need to prevent a nuclear Iran.

Let there be no doubt: Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, he said. Iran is building nuclear capabilities that pose a threat to the stability of the Middle and beyond. Every country or region controlled or infiltrated by Iran has experienced utter havoc.

He also called to continue building on peace agreements with Israels Arab neighbours such as Jordan and Egypt, as well as the Abraham Accords, former president Donald Trumps peace agreement with the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Morocco and Bahrain.

This is a peace anchored in trust, hope and prosperity, he said. Each of these historic agreements, which have altered the trajectory of the Middle East, was facilitated by our greatest friend, the United States of America.

He also called for Israel to establish peace with the Palestinians. Many of the progressive Democrats who boycotted Mr Herzogs speech did so because of Israels treatment of Palestinians.

Israel has taken bold steps towards peace and made far reaching proposals to our Palestinian neighbors, he said.

He said that the United States and Israels support for each other was in each others best interest.

When the United States is strong, Israel is stronger, and when Israel is strong, the United States is more secure, he said to applause.
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After an ongoing feud between Republican Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, a Republican lawmaker said the standoff between the two Congress members could result in a fistfight.

A fistfight could break out at any moment, Republican Tennessee Rep Tim Burchett told The Daily Beast.

Mr Burchett told the publication that he was serious, and added he was enjoying the Republicans rivalry as a professional wrestling fan. He told the outlet, I am friends with both of them. Its entertaining to think that a fistfight could break out at any movement. I kind of dig that.

The Tennessee Republican isnt alone in his stance. Another GOP lawmaker close to both Reps Greene and Boebert, who spoke anonymously, told the outlet: You cant have too many of these rifts for too long.

Arizona Republican Congressman Paul Gosar called the battle a two-way sword to The Daily Beast. He continued, I just think that whatever is there, could be utilized both ways, he said, adding that people make decisions that they have to work and live by, and you kind of hate being in their shoes.

The conflict between the congresswomen came to a head recently when Ms Greene was kicked out of the Freedom Caucus after she called Ms Boebert a little b****.

The Georgia Republican claimed last week that she didnt know why she was booted from the Freedom Caucus. She dismissed the move, saying that she didnt have time for the drama club.
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A new report details the depths of Democratic presidential candidate and conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jrs antisemitic and xenophobic views amid his recent remarks that Covid-19 was ethnically targeted in a way that protects Jewish people.

The Congressional Integrity Project, an organisation that has criticised House Republicans investigations into the Biden administration, released a report detailing the depths of Mr Kennedys antisemitic and xenophobic remarks.

Kennedy embraces virtually every conspiracy theory in existence, the report said. His horrific antisemitic and xenophobic views are simply beyond the pale, and he has frequently met with and promoted antisemitic conspiracy theorists.

The report notes how in 2022, Mr Kennedy compared vaccine mandates in the United States to Nazi Germany and said Anne Frank was safer under Nazi rule than an unvaccinated person.

The report also highlighted his longstanding partnership with Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam who has a long history of antisemitism, noting how Mr Farrakhan said he and Mr Kennedy, a son of the late Sen Robert F Kennedy Sr and nephew of former president John F Kennedy, discussed a vaccine that is designed to affect Black males. Mr Kennedy for his part called Mr Farrakhan a truly great partner in this battle.

Similarly, in 2021, Mr Kennedy released a documentary called Medical Racism, which warned communities of colour about supposedly sinister vaccination campaigns. Similarly, in 2017, according to the report, Mr Kennedy said that science and anecdotal evidence suggest that Africans and African Americans may be particularly vulnerable to vaccine injuries including autism, claims that are empircally untrue.

The Guardian first surfaced the report from the Congressional Integrity Project.

Mr Kennedy rose to prominence as one of the leading promoters of the idea that a correlation existed between the Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In that capacity, the report details how he started a debunked conspiracy theory that the Gates Foundation paralyzed 496,000 children in India during a polio vaccine trial.

He also traveled to American Samoa to spread his anti-vaccine propaganda, which led to a measles outbreak and at least 32 deaths.

Named a super-spreader-in-chief of medical misinformation, Kennedy is considered among the most influential anti-vaxx conspiracy theorists, the report said. Before he was temporarily banned from Instagram, one study found his influence exceeded even former President Trumps posts featuring medical misinformation.

The report comes after Mr Kennedy spoke at a press event on 11 July and said that Covid-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people, and added that The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.

Despite video footage of his remarks, Mr Kennedy said in a statement: I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was targeted to spare Jews. 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.

The comments warranted a swift condemnation from many leaders, including members of the Kennedy family such as his sister Kerry Kennedy and his nephew, former congressman Joe Kennedy.

Still, Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH), invited Mr Kennedy to testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government to testify about federal governments role in censoring Americans on Thursday.

Mr Kennedys press team denied that he was antisemitic, citing his interview with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, as well as upcoming event where he will discuss fighting antisemitismn and supporting Israel. They also sent a statement he made in response to the report from The New York Post.

The New York Post story is mistaken, he said. I have never, ever suggested that the COVID-19 virus was engineered to spare Jews, and I unequivocally reject this disgusting and outlandish conspiracy theory.

The Republican invitation comes as Republicans have sought to criticise Democrats on antisemitism after Rep Pramila Jayapal said that Israel was a racist state, which she later clarified.

On Tuesday, the House in response voted on a resolution saying that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, while rejecting all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia and reaffirming US support for Israel. The resolution passed 412 to 9.
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It was an unfortunate reference that Ron DeSantis viewers everywhere picked up on almost immediately.

In response to a question from CNNs Jake Tapper in one of his first mainstream media interviews, the Florida governor said of his electability that the proof is in the pudding.

This immediately recalled a viral story from earlier this year in which The Daily Beast reported that Mr DeSantis once ate a pudding cup with his fingers while on a private jet.

Not only did the story provide fodder for the late-night talk shows, but it also led to a stomach-turning Donald Trump campaign ad mocking the Florida governor in which a lookalike actor eats pudding with his fingers in close-up shots.

The ad was paid for by the Make America Great Again Inc PAC and said Mr DeSantis had dirty fingers.

Ron DeSantis loves sticking his fingers where they dont belong, the advertisement said.

Throughout the video, headlines from publications criticising Mr DeSantis appear over the images of the man eating the pudding. The advertisement accuses Mr DeSantis of cutting Medicare, Social Security, and raising the retirement age.

Tell Ron DeSantis to keep his pudding fingers off his money, the advertisement says. And oh, somebody get this man a spoon.

After the Florida governors choice of phrase in Tuesdays CNN interview, political commentator Keith Olbermann tweeted: His Effing fingers are in the Effing pudding  thats whats in the pudding and called Mr DeSantis Ron DePudding.

Jon Favreau, host of Pod Save America and a former Obama administration speechwriter, said on Twitter: When @jaketapper asked DeSantis about the state of his campaign, his answer actually included the phrase.... The proof is in the pudding.

He included screenshots from the Trump campaign ad for good measure.

In March, Mr DeSantis chose not to outright deny that he ate chocolate pudding with three fingers on a private flight in 2019. The Daily Beast noted that Mr DeSantis sometimes struggles to read the room.

I dont remember ever doing that, the governor told Piers Morgan in an interview on Fox Nation.

Maybe when I was a kid, but its interesting theres a lot of people who when they go at you, sometimes they have really good ammunition like, Youre a crook, you did this, you did that, he added. For me, theyre talking about pudding, and Im like, Is that really the best youve got? OK, bring it on!

Its quite interesting that the governor didnt flat out deny eating pudding with three fingers, an ex-staffer for Mr DeSantis told The Daily Beast earlier this year.

The full proverb the Florida governor intended to use is the proof of the pudding is in the eating, though that wouldnt have made things better.
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In March, unable to legally obtain abortion care in Texas, Samantha Casiano was forced to carry a nonviable pregnancy to term, and gave birth to a three-pound baby who died hours later.

Ms Casiano is among 13 women denied emergency abortion care under state law who are suing the state in a landmark case that is now in front of a Texas judge.

In harrowing, historic courtroom testimony in Austin on 19 July, Ms Casiano and two other plaintiffs described their agony, isolation and heartbreak as they detailed their traumatic, life-threatening pregnancies and the states failure to care for them.

As she described her experience to the court through tears, Ms Casiano vomited from the witness stand.

I watched my baby suffer for four hours, she said in her testimony. I am so sorry I couldnt release you to heaven sooner. There was no mercy for her.

Abortion rights legal advocacy group Center for Reproductive Rights filed the lawsuit on behalf of the women in March to force Texas authorities to clarify emergency medical exceptions to the states overlapping anti-abortion laws, marking the first-ever case brought by women were denied abortions against such laws.

Their testimony has underscored the depth of impacts from Texas laws and similar anti-abortion laws across the country, with abortion access stripped away for millions of Americans who are now exposed to dangerous legal and medical minefields during their pregnancies.

The conflicting exemptions for medical emergencies in Texas have resulted in widespread confusion among providers and hospitals fearing legal blowback or severe criminal penalties, according to abortion rights advocates. Healthcare providers in the state found in violation of those laws could lose their medical license, face tens of thousands of dollars in fines, or receive a sentence of life in prison.

The plaintiffs suffered unimaginable tragedy directly because of the states anti-abortion laws, Center for Reproductive Rights attorney Molly Duane said in her opening arguments.

Texas officials and the states medical board have done nothing to clarify the law, she said.

I feel like my hands are tied, said Houston obstetrician-gynecologist Dr Damla Karsa. I have the skill, training and experience to provide care but Im unable to do so. Its gut-wrenching. I am looking for clarity, for a promise that Im not going to be prosecuted for providing care.

Attorneys for the state have sought to dismiss the case altogether, arguing in court filings that the women lack standing to challenge the law because it is ultimately uncertain they will face similar complications again, that their alleged prospective injuries are purely hypothetical, and that some of the plaintiffs admitted they have since struggled to become pregnant again after their traumatic experiences.

Amanda Zurawski, the lead plaintiff in the case, is still hoping to become pregnant after her life-threatening pregnancy. She called the states argument infuriating and disgusting and ironic.

Do they not realise the reason why I might not be able to get pregnant again is because of what happened to me as a result of the laws that they support? she told the court. Anybody whos been through infertility will tell you it is the most isolating, grueling, lonely, difficult thing a person can go through.

I wished I was dreaming. I knew I wasnt

Ms Casiano, a mother of four, was hoping for a girl. When she visited her physician for a checkup last September, all of a sudden the room went cold and quiet, she testified.

Her daughter was diagnosed with anencephaly, a fatal birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of a brain or skull.

My first thought was  maybe its a surgery, maybe she can be fixed, and then she said, Im sorry, but your daughter is incompatible with life, and she will pass away before or after birth, Ms Casiano said.

I felt cold, she said. I was hurt. I wished I was dreaming. I knew I wasnt. I just felt lost.

A case worker at her obstetricians office gave her a pamphlet with funeral homes. She was prescribed antidepressants. She could not be referred for abortion care anywhere in the state.

Samantha Casiano speaks during a press conference outside the Travis County Courthouse in Austin, Texas on 19 July. (AFP via Getty Images)

Texas was the first to implement a near-total ban on abortion, months before the US Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion last June, a decision that triggered a wave of state laws and legislation from anti-abortion lawmakers and governors to restrict care and threaten providers with criminal penalties.

Amanda Zurawski endured several rounds of fertility treatments, tests, surgeries and misdiagnoses before learning she was pregnant in May of last year.

We were at first in shock  we were over-the-moon excited, Ms Zurawski said.

But her obstetrician discovered that she dilated prematurely, and soon after her membranes ruptured, draining amniotic fluid and endangering the life of her expected child. Doctors informed her there was nothing they could do under what was recently enacted state law, despite knowing with complete certainty we were going to lose our daughter, she said.

The condition led to life-threatening sepsis. Doctors ultimately induced labor. Her daughter, which she named Willow, was not alive when she delivered.

Ms Zurawski and her husband are still trying for pregnancy, but the trauma has closed one of her fallopian tubes, and a doctor had to surgically reconstruct her uterus. They also are considering in vitro fertilization, surrogacy and adoption.

She previously testified to members of Congress about her experience, a story she will continue to tell, even if it is excruciating to do so, she told the Texas courtroom.

I know that what happened to me is happening to people all over the country.  So many people are being hurt by similarly restrictive bans, she said.

She has spoken out because I can, and I know a lot of people who are experiencing or will experience something similar who cant speak out, and its for those people I will, she said.

Amanda Zurawski (AFP via Getty Images)

Healthcare providers caring for pregnant patients in the months after the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v Wade have faced severe obstacles for providing standard medical care in states where abortion is effectively outlawed, leading to delays and worsening and dangerous health outcomes for patients, according to a first-of-its-kind report released earlier this year.

Individual reports from patients and providers like those named in the Texas lawsuit have shed some light on the wide range of harm facing pregnant women in states where access to abortion care is restricted or outright banned.

But reporting from the University of California San Francisco captures examples from across the country, painting a stark picture of how the fall of Roe is impacting healthcare in states that restrict abortion, according to the reports author Dr Daniel Grossman.

More than a dozen states, mostly in the South, have effectively outlawed or severely restricted access to abortion care after the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization last June.

The decision has also opened new legal challenges, ones that could once again reshape the future of abortion access in America, while anti-abortion lawmakers and Republican candidates face a public that is overwhelmingly against such bans.

I dont feel safe to have children in Texas anymore

Ashley Brandt sent a picture of an ultrasound to her husband when she found out she was pregnant with twins. But after her 12-week ultrasound last May, doctors discovered one of the twins had acrania, in which the skull of the fetus is not formed, and brain tissue is exposed to amniotic fluid. The condition is fatal.

Despite no chance of the twins survival, Ms Brandt was not eligible under Texas law for a procedure called a selective fetal reduction; Twin A still had some signs of life, like muscle spasms and cardiac activity.

They traveled to neighbouring Colorado for care, and she returned home the day after the procedure.

She gave birth to her daughter in November.

If I had not gone out of state and just done what was legal in Texas, my daughter  would likely have been in the [neonatal intensive care unit], she said. All of my ultrasounds leading up to labor I would have had to watch twin A  deteriorate more and more, every ultrasound.  I would have to give birth to an identical version of my daughter without a skull, without a brain, and I would have to hold her until she died, and I would have to sign a death certificate, and hold a funeral.

She said the state has failed to account for medical emergencies like hers.

I dont feel safe to have children in Texas anymore, she said. It was very clear that my health didnt really matter, that my daughters health didnt really matter.
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A federal judge has shot down Donald Trumps attempt to move his Manhattan criminal charges into US District Court, sending the case stemming from hush money payments back to state court in New York City.

In June, Manhattan prosecutors charged the former president with 34 counts of falsifying business records, alleging an effort to silence news of Mr Trumps alleged affairs as campaigned for the presidency in 2016. He has pleaded not guilty.

The order from US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein on 19 July argued that the former president failed to show that any of the conduct in the indictment related to his actions as president and remanded the case back to state court.

Evidence presented by prosecutors from Alvin Braggs office overwhelmingly suggests that the matter was a purely a personal item of the President-a cover-up of an embarrassing event, according to the judges ruling.

Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts. It does not reflect in any way the color of the presidents official duties, he added.

Judge Hellerstein also rejected Mr Trumps claims of immunity and his argument that the indictment is politically motivated.

He wrote that there is no reason to believe that the New York judicial system would not be fair and give Trump equal justice under the law, and that Trump fails to make a case of protective jurisdiction in this case.

The next appearance in that case is scheduled for 4 January, 2024.

The judges decision marks the latest blow for the former presidents multiple legal battles, including what appear to be imminent charges connected to a sprawling federal investigation into his attempts to reject the results of the 2020 presidential election.

On Monday, Mr Trump announced that he received a target letter from US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith related to that grand jury probe, indicating that he is the subject of an investigation and likely could be accused of a crime.

That investigation is separate from an investigation in Atlanta into his attempts to reject the results of that election in Georgia.

Last month, he surrendered to authorities in Miami on 37 federal charges stemming from his alleged unlawful retention of national defence information at his Mar-a-Lago property.

Earlier on Wednesday, another judge in New York rejected his request for a new trial after he was found liable of sexual abuse in the wake of a lawsuit from Elle columnist E Jean Carroll.
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Donald Trump is now the subject of three criminal cases  at a time when he is hot on the trail of another stint in the White House.

The former president was indicted, again, by a federal grand jury on 1 August  two months after Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith unveiled charges against him for his alleged retention of classified documents.

Mr Trump was charged this time with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy against rights and obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct, an official proceeding.

The charges are related to Mr Trumps alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election result and the subsequent January 6 attack on the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

In the 45-page unsealed indictment, the Justice Department outlined the ways that Mr Trump and six co-conspirators allegedly attempted to spread false claims of election fraud and obstruct Congresss certification of the election results.

On Thursday 3 August, the ex-president pleaded not guilty to all four charges during his arraignment in DC.

Mr Trump also is at the centre of another Justice Department special counsel indictment surrounding his alleged illegal retention of government papers and showing highly-classified information to unauthorised persons on two separate occasions, among many other allegations.

Earlier this year, he became the first-ever former or current president to face criminal charges when a New York City grand jury voted to indict him on criminal charges over hush money payments allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the days before the 2016 presidential election.

He pleaded not guilty in that case to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal an alleged scheme to illegally influence the national vote by suppressing negative stories about him.

That followed another Manhattan civil jury finding Mr Trump liable for the sexual abuse of Elle magazine columnist E Jean Carroll in a dressing room of the exclusive Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s.

Former president Donald Trump appears in a Manhattan court for his first arraignment of the year on Tuesday 4 April 2023 (AP)

Ms Carroll, 79, sued the former president for assaulting her and then destroying her reputation when he accused of lying about the encounter, claiming that she was not his type.

He also faces a $250m civil lawsuit from New York attorney general Letitia James, whose investigation allegedly reveals years of illegal conduct to inflate his net worth... to deceive banks and the people of the great state of New York.

Mr Trump remains the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination for president and has insisted that he will remain in the race regardless of any outcome in the criminal cases against him. He also has relied on news of the investigations and indictments to raise money for his campaign, which has netted millions of dollars.

But with potential convictions and judgments in both state and federal indictments and with multi-million dollar lawsuits to fight, what will the state of chaos mean for Mr Trumps political future?

Can Trump still run for president?

In short, yes. There are no restrictions in the US constitution to prevent anyone under indictment or convicted of a crime  or even currently serving prison time, for that matter  from running for or winning the presidency.

Even if Mr Trump were to be tried and convicted in one of the so-called speedy trials, he could still run the entirety of his presidential campaign from a prison cell.

What is far less clear is what would happen were he to win in that scenario.

Just as there are no restrictions in the constitution on a person running while under indictment, there is no explanation for what should occur in the event that they win.

There is nothing in the founding document that would automatically grant Mr Trump a reprieve from prison time, save for the likelihood that any charges brought by federal authorities, were they still being litigated at the point when he assumed the presidency for a second time, would be dropped due to the Justice Departments refusal to prosecute a sitting president.

Recommended All the lawsuits and criminal charges involving Trump and where they stand

In Ms Carrolls case, Mr Trump did not face any jail time because it was a civil trial.

State-level charges like the ones filed by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg in the hush money case are far trickier and would fall outside of Mr Trumps prospective presidential pardon power were they to conclude in a conviction.

Were conviction on state charges to occur alongside a Trump election victory, it would likely lead to a massive legal fight to determine whether there was a way for the former president to worm his way out of serving time.

If Mr Trump was unable to avoid that outcome, it would almost certainly lead to his impeachment (for a historic third time) or removal via the 25th Amendment, which allows the Cabinet to remove a president who is unable to perform their duties.

There are many duties and trappings of the presidency that he would simply be unable to fulfill from a prison cell, the viewing of classified materials to name just one.

Any potential conviction of Mr Trump is still a long way off and little more than a distant possibility.

But the conversations he has started with his bid for the presidency, despite facing two indictments and multiple criminal investigations, have already pushed parts of theoretical US constitutional law into a much more real place than many experts ever believed they would live to see.

What has Trump said about the probes?

The former president has repeatedly characterised the multiple investigations against him, including the January 6 probe, as a politically motivated hoax and an attempt to steal the 2024 election from him.

On 1 August, Mr Trump called Mr Smith deranged and the January 6 charges a fake indictment.

The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, the former Soviet Union, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes. President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys, a statement from Mr Trumps campaign read.

On 3 August, the former commander-in-chief left his arraignment in DC after pleading not guilty to the 2020 election charges and told the press: When you look at whats happening this is a persecution of a political opponent.

This was never supposed to happen in America. This is the persecution of the person thats leading by very, very substantial numbers in the Republican primary and leading Joe Biden by a lot so if you cant beat them you persecute them or prosecute em.

This story was updated on 4 August 2023 to reflect new developments
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Hours after former President Donald Trump announced that he was a  target  in Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation into the efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Mr Trump told Sean Hannity that he was bothered by the news but it doesnt frighten him.

In a radio interview in Iowa though, the former president said he thought it would be very dangerous for Mr Smith to jail him prior to any trial because of his tremendously passionate group of voters.

Mr Trump spoke to Mr Hannity in a pre-recorded town hall interview on Fox News. The former president faces a potential third indictment over the events of January 6  on top of other ongoing criminal cases.

He faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the Manhattan District Attorneys case regarding hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The former president already faces a 37-count federal indictment in connection to his handling of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago.

The Fox News host suggested Mr Trump remained untroubled by the investigations: It doesnt seem to bother you like I think it would bother so many other people. What is it about you that it doesnt?

No, it bothers me. It bothers me for everybody in this incredible sold-out audience, the former president disagreed, speaking to the people of Des Moines, Iowa. He added that the ongoing probes into him are an example of election interference, and that the Department of Justice is politicised.

They want to try to demean and diminish and frighten people, Mr Trump said. But they dont frighten us because were going to make America great again. Thats all there is.

Mr Trump had written on Truth Social earlier in the day: Deranged Jack Smith...sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment.

In an interview with The Simon Conway Show on Tuesday after the news of the target letter broke, the former president was asked by host Doug Wagner (filling in for Conway) what his message to supporters would be should Mr Smith imprison Mr Trump ahead of any trial.

Said Wagner: Is it something that concerns you of the people making sure that they dont go out of their right mind if something like that happens, if that, for example, they do say  Jack Smith says, OK, Im going to put Donald Trump in jail?

The former president replied: I think its a very dangerous thing to even talk about because we do have a tremendously passionate group of voters, much more passion than they had in 2020 and much more passion than they had in 2016.

He reiterated: I think it would be very dangerous.

Mr Trump has a record of trying to whip up his supporters ahead of legal action against him, telling supporters before his first indictment in Manhattan over hush money payments to Stormy Daniels to protest and take our nation back.

Later he warned of death and destruction if he were charged. Only a small number of supporters showed up in Lower Manhattan to protest.
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Watch as John Kerry, the US special envoy for climate issues, holds a news conference during his visit to Beijing on Wednesday 19 July.

He is the latest top official to be sent to China from Washington - following visits by Antony Blinken and Janet Yellen - as the US seeks to restart stalled relations with Beijing.

Mr Kerry will meet his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua and other officials on his four-day trip, during which he wants to engage with China on increasing implementation and ambition and ensure a successful Cop28.

The UN climate change conference is scheduled to take place from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai.

On Tuesday, Mr Kerry tweeted after meeting Premier Li Qiang.

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Premier Li Qiang to have an important discussion on how the US and China can accelerate action and work together to keep 1.5 C alive, he wrote.
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Watch a view of border towns in North Korea on Wednesday (19 July), seen from Paju in South Korea, after a US soldier crossed the inter-Korean border during a tour without approval.

The soldier, who is facing disciplinary action, has been identified by the US Army as Private Travis T King, who joined in 2021.

US officials said Mr King was facing disciplinary action after he had been held in South Korea on assault charges.

He was on an orientation tour of Joint Security Area between the Koreas and "wilfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK)," defence secretary Lloyd Austin said.

Mr King is now believed to be in North Korean custody.

"There's a lot that we're still trying to learn," Mr Austin said.

"We believe that he is in custody and so we're closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin."
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An Australian sailor who was rescued after being adrift at sea for months with his dog in a remarkable tale of survival has spoken out for the first time.

Im feeling alright. Im feeling a lot better than I was, I tell ya, he told reporters on a dock in Manzanillo, Mexico, on Tuesday.

Tim Shaddock, a 54-year-old Sydney resident, and his dog Bella survived at sea by eating raw fish and drinking rainwater, local reports said.

Mr Shaddock and Bella were eventually rescued by a tuna trawler before being brought to the Mexican city of Manzanillo on Tuesday.

Mr Shaddock said after stepping foot on dry land: I didnt think I would make it... there were many bad days and many good days. I lost my cooking along the way so it was a lot of tuna sushi... Im still very skinny.

Mr Shaddock added that after he was rescued he was just eating so much food on the Mexican fishing vessel.

Weeks into their voyage from La Paz in Mexico to French Polynesia, their boat  named Aloha Toa  was severely damaged in a storm leading to them having to spend their days waiting for a rescue.

Local media reported that approximately three months later, salvation arrived when a helicopter accompanying a tuna trawler spotted Mr Shaddocks boat.

Earlier, Mr Shaddock told Australias 9News: I have been through a very difficult ordeal at sea. I am just needing rest and good food because I have been alone at sea [for] a long time. Otherwise, I am in very good health.

I did enjoy being at sea, he told reporters on Tuesday. I enjoy being out there. But when things get tough out there, you know, you have to survive. And then when you get saved, you feel like you want to live. So Im very grateful.

He said he was not sure why he had undertaken the nearly 4,000-mile (6437km) journey. I very much enjoy sailing and I love the people of the sea.

The fatigue is the hardest part, he said. Youre always fixing something. And for me, I would try and find happiness inside myself. And I found that a lot, alone at sea. I would go in the water, too, and just enjoy being in the water.

He did a lot of fishing and ate a lot of tuna sushi while at sea. But he still lost a lot of weight and was very hungry for weeks on end, he told the media.

My health was pretty bad for a while, he said.

About Bella, he said she just kept following me onto the water.

Shes a beautiful animal, he said. Im just grateful shes alive. Shes a lot braver than I am, thats for sure.

Meanwhile, the Australian government released a statement saying that its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was providing consular assistance to an Australian man rescued off the coast of Mexico.
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The Belarus Red Cross has sparked international outrage after its chief told Belarusian state television that the organization is actively involved in bringing Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied areas to Belarus.

Both Ukraine and the Belarusian opposition have decried the transfer as unlawful deportations, and there have been calls for international war crimes charges for the authoritarian Belarus leader, similar to the charges against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The actions of the Belarus Red Cross drew stern criticism from the International Federation of Red and Red Crescent Societies.

Belarus has been Moscows closest ally since Russia's invasion started in February 2022, with its leader Alexander Lukashenko allowing the Kremlin to use Belarusian territory to send troops and weapons into Ukraine. Lukashenko has also welcomed a Russian military presence in Belarus and the deployment of Russias tactical nuclear weapons there.

Belarusian opposition figures have accused Lukashenko of facilitating the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Belarus, allegations Minsk angrily rejected.

A report aired Wednesday by the state Belarus 1 TV channel showed Dzmitry Shautsou, the head of the Belarus Red Cross, visiting the Russian-held Ukrainian city of Lysychansk in the Luhansk region.

In the footage, he says the organization was actively involved in bringing Ukrainian children to Belarus for health improvement purposes. The Belarus Red Cross has taken  and is taking, and will be taking  an active part in it, Shautsou said.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant" for Shautsou, saying that he "has publicly confessed to the crime of unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which brings together 191 national organizations, said it contacted the Belarus Red Cross to express its "grave concern and to advise it to stop any similar activity in the future.

Last month, Belarusian opposition activist Pavel Latushka said he has provided the ICC with material allegedly detailing the forced transfer of 2,100 Ukrainian children from at least 15 Russia-occupied Ukrainian cities to Belarus with Lukashenkos approval.

In May, the Ukrainian Prosecutor Generals office announced an investigation into the forced transfers.

Belarusian authorities have confirmed hosting more than 1,000 children, aged 6-15, from Russian-held parts of Ukraine for health reasons. The first group of 350 children arrived in April, officials said, without providing further details.

Shautsou from the Belarus Red Cross said he was working with a state-backed charity foundation to make the children forget the horrors of the war and just rest, feel that there's an island of happiness.

The Belarus Red Cross is the biggest humanitarian organization in Belarus and is part of the international Red Cross movement.

The Geneva-based umbrella organization  the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies  said it had learned about Shautsous visit to Donbas through the media. it said it referred the issue to its compliance committee, which investigates any alleged breaches of integrity.

These actions risk damaging the trust of our work in supporting communities in need, whoever they are, and whichever side of the frontlines they are on, the federation said in a statement sent to The Associated Press.

It stressed that the Belarus Red Cross chief doesnt speak on behalf of the federation and his statements do not represent our views.

Latushka, who used to be a top official in Lukashenko's government, insists that taking Ukrainian children to Belarus is illegal and violates international norms. He has called on the ICC to launch a probe as some of those children are under the guardianship of the Ukrainian state, including orphans, children with disabilities and those whose parents were stripped of parental rights.

We have evidence that after being taken Belarus, some Ukrainian children ended up in Russia, which must become a subject of an international probe, Latushka told the AP, speaking over the phone.

In March, the ICC issued warrants for both Putin and his commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. Judges in The Hague said they found reasonable grounds to believe that the two were responsible for the war crimes of unlawful deportation of children and unlawful transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Moscow has angrily rejected the move.

European Parliament members on Tuesday called on the ICC to consider a similar arrest warrant" for Lukashenk.

___

Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
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Venezuela's former spy chief, retired Maj. Gen. Hugo Carvajal, is being extradited from Spain to New York on Wednesday to face drug trafficking charges, an official with knowledge of the case and his lawyer said.

A person at Spain's National Court with knowledge of the extradition confirmed to The Associated Press that Carvajal had left the country. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

According to his U.S. lawyer, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma, Carvajal is expected to land in New York later on Wednesday.

For more than a decade, Carvajal advised the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez before breaking with his successor Nicolas Maduro. He had been fighting extradition to the U.S. since he was arrested in Spain in April 2019.

Prosecutors in New York allege that Carvajal used his high office to coordinate the smuggling of approximately 5,600 kilograms (12,300 pounds) of cocaine from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006.

Carvajal also allegedly provided weapons to armed FARC guerrillas in Colombia, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, and helped fund the groups activities by facilitating shipments of large amounts of U.S.-bound cocaine through Venezuela.

A close collaborator of Chavez, Carvajal left Venezuela after he broke with Maduro, throwing his support behind the opposition to Maduros Socialist regime.

The man, also known in Venezuela for his nickname Pollo (chicken), has all along denied the charges.

A back-and-forth legal battle that followed Carvajal's first arrest in Spain in 2019 delayed the extradition. The process was also halted for nearly two years, after Carvajal vanished while on bail after being tipped off that the Spanish National Court was about to rule on his extradition.

Recaptured in Sept., 2021, the former general continued delaying extradition on numerous appeals that he ultimately lost. He had also applied for political asylum, which Spain rejected.

___

Associated Press writers Joseph Wilson in Barcelona and Joshua Goodman in Miami contributed to this report.
 Close Huge wildfire rages on La Palma forcing thousands to evacuate

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Firefighters battled a blaze in Rhodes as a new heatwave loomed over Greece, threatening to stoke tinderbox conditions across the country.

Greek meteorological service had warned of a heightened risk of fires from Thursday, as the country recovered from the first major heatwave of the summer.

A second heatwave was forecast to start on Thursday, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas, and rising further on Friday to a maximum of 44C.

Thousands have also been evacuated in the Canary Islands and Switzerland in recent days, as southern Europe is gripped by ongoing wildfires and extreme heat caused by the fossil-fuel-driven climate crisis.

Fires are common in Greece, but hotter, drier and windy summers have turned the Mediterranean into a wildfire hotspot in recent years.

Temperature records were shattered in Rome and Catalonia on Wednesday as most of Italys big cities were placed under a red alert.
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Watch as a wildfire rages northwest of Athens, Greece, on Wednesday (19 July).

Two fires burned uncontrolled through forestland and towns northwest of Athens for on Tuesday, forcing more residents to flee their homes.

Authorities are working to stop the flames reaching an area with oil refineries.

Greek meterorologist Theodoros Yiannaros told state broadcaster ERT that winds will recede on Thursday but risk at the weekend will be very high.

His comments came as temperatures were forecast at more than 43C on Sunday.

The blaze broke out on Monday in Dervenochoria, around 30 km 19 miles) north of Athens.

It quickly spread as it was fanned by winds, burning houses and forcing people to flee as it reached Mandra on Tuesday.

More than 250 firefighters aided by volunteers and 75 fire engines were on standby to tackle the flames through the night.
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Fires are raging across Greece destroying forests on Rhodes and gutting homes close to Athens as a new heatwave loomed and threatened to further stoke tinderbox conditions across the country.

Firefighters backed with air water bombers battled a resurgence of flames west of Athens, fresh evacuation orders were issued on Wednesday for three areas threatened by encroaching flames. On the island of Rhodes, authorities sent reinforcements to combat a fire which erupted in a densely wooded mountainous area and ordered the evacuation of three villages as a precaution.

Four aircraft sent from Italy and France joined firefighting efforts on Wednesday, authorities said. Firefighters across the country, boosted by crews from Romania, Poland and Slovakia, have been deployed to help battle the blazes.

Temperatures could climb to 43C on Thursday, forecasters said, as the fresh another bout of extreme temperatures begins. Conditions are extreme, and are likely to be so for another week, Kostas Tsigas, head of the fire brigade officers association, told Greece's SKAI TV.

Italy has put most of its major cities on red alert some areas hovering around 46C (114F)  as wildfires and flooding wreak havoc from the United States to China.

In China, which was hosting US climate envoy John Kerry for talks, tourists in the western Xinjiang province defied the heat to visit a giant thermometer attraction showing surface temperatures of 80C. In Beijing, which set a new record as temperatures remained above 35C for the 28th day in a row, Mr Kerry expressed hope that cooperation to combat global warming could redefine troubled ties between the two superpowers. The heatwaves that have scorched parts of Europe, Asia and the United States this week has thrown that challenge into sharp relief.

Locals view a wildfire near the village Vlyhada near Athens (Getty)

Back in Italy, the Lazio region  focused on Rome  said it had seen a 20 per cent increase in medical emergencies compared with the same time last year because of the heat.

Temperatures remained high across much of Italy on Wednesday, with 45C to 46C expected on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

The health ministry said it would activate an information hotline and teams of mobile health workers visited the elderly in Rome.

These people are afraid they won't make it, they are afraid they can't go out, said Claudio Consoli, a doctor and director of a health unit.

Carmaker Stellantis said it was monitoring the situation at its Pomigliano plant near Naples on Wednesday, after temporarily halting work on one production line the day before when temperatures peaked.

Tourists cool off near fan as they queue to enter Rome's Colosseum (AP)

Workers at battery-maker Magneti Marelli threatened an eight-hour strike at their central Italian plant in Sulmona. A joint statement by the unions said asphyxiating heat is putting at risk the lives of workers.

In Germany, the heatwave sparked an unlikely discussion on whether workplaces should introduce siestas for workers.

While the current heatwave is expected to last until around 26 July, another period of extreme temperatures may follow if the heat dome persists, explained Florian Pappenberger, director of forecasts at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

In South Korea, heavy rain has pummelled central and southern regions since last week. Fourteen deaths occurred in an underpass in the city of Cheongju, where more than a dozen vehicles were swamped on Saturday when a river levee collapsed. In the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang, 22 people died, many from landslides and swirling torrents.

In northern India, flash floods, landslides and accidents related to heavy rainfall have killed more than 100 people since the onset of the monsoon season at the start of June. Rainfall is 41 per cent above average.

The Yamuna river reached the compound walls of the Taj Mahal in Agra for the first time in 45 years, submerging several other historical monuments, and flooded parts of the Indian capital.

A swollen Yamuna river rises to the periphery of the Taj Mahal (AP)

The Brahmaputra river, which runs through India's Assam state, burst its banks this month, engulfing almost half of the Kaziranga National Park  home to the rare one-horned rhino  in waist-deep water.

A wall collapse from monsoon rains killed at least 11 construction workers in neighbouring Pakistan.

In recent days, parts of Asia, as well as Europe and the United States have shattered temperature records.

On Sunday, a remote township in the Turpan Depression registered a maximum air temperature of 52.2C, smashing China's national record of 50.3C set in 2015, also in the basin.

Extreme heat in parts of the world will likely be exacerbated by the return of the El Nino weather pattern in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, which is expected to push up temperatures.

The unprecedented temperatures have added new urgency for nations around the globe to tackle the climate crisis. Mr Kerry told Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng on Wednesday that the problem is a universal threat that requires the largest nations in the world, the largest economies in the world... to come together in order to do work not just for ourselves, but for all mankind.

Reuters
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Italy has begun removing the names of gay mothers from their childrens birth certificates, as part of the right-wing governments crackdown on same-sex parenting.

The move comes after populist prime minister Giorgia Melonis coalition announced in March that state agencies should no longer register the children of same-sex couples, a move that sparked protests in Milan.

Families have begun receiving letters from the state prosecutor, with PinkNews reporting that 27 parents in the northern city of Padua have been issued notices that they were being removed from their childs birth certificate. Other families have received letters in Milan, Florence and Fiumicino, near Rome.

Michael Leidi and her wife Viola were reportedly among one of the three lesbian couples to be targeted by the crackdown, with Ms Leidi telling LGBTQ+ Nation that she cried for 10 days after receiving the letter.

It informed them that the inclusion of Ms Leidis name was contrary to public order, as she was not the biological mother of the couples daughter Giulia, the site reported.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had campaigned against the LGBT lobby (2023 Getty Images)

The policy means only the recognised biological mother has parenting rights, and if she was to die, her children can be handed to relatives or taken into the states care.

It was as if I did not exist, Ms Leidi told LGBTQ+ Nation. I suspect the government is afraid that a family that looks different, like ours, can be happy - maybe even happier, sometimes - as a traditional family.

On paper, they say Guilia has one mother but we know she has two. We will do everything possible to prove we are a good family.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ms Leidi said that the couple had been together for 11 years and were both teachers of children with special needs. After Viola became pregnant through artificial insemination, their local mayor had signed Giulias birth certificate and had been very supportive.

Despite this, they were recently sent a letter informing them of the changes to the birth certificate. It was followed by an unsuccessful legal attempt to overturn the removal of her name and a rejection by local judges of their bid to take the case to Italys Supreme Court.

Melonis right-wing party have been outspoken against same-sex parenting (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Italys first female prime minister had rallied against the LGBT lobby and gender ideology as part of her successful campaign last year to win power.

Despite Ms Meloni comparing herself to British Conservatives and denying she is homophobic, her party rose to power with tough rhetoric against same-sex parenting and support for traditional families and moral values.

In a recent speech, she said: We want a nation in which  whatever each persons legitimate choices and free inclinations may be  it is no longer a scandal to say we are all born from a man and a woman.

Her coalition partner, Matteo Salvini, of the far-right League party, had previously called gay parents unnatural while the government opposed a Brussels plan for a parenthood certificate that would be valid across the EU.

In 2016, Italys former centre-left government legalised same-sex civil unions, however stopped short from issuing full adoption rights following opposition from the Catholic church.

Gay couples are forced to go abroad if they want children, as they are banned from accessing reproductive medical treatment such as IVF and surrogacy is also prohibited.

Italian law does not rule if same-sex couples can both be recognised as parents on official certification, which meant local mayors were left to make the call based on their own personal views.

However, now the message from the interior ministry to town halls is that such arrangements are illegal. This follows a Supreme Court ruling last December against a male same-sex couple who brought a child obtained through surrogacy into Italy.

Pro-LGBTQ politicians have condemned the move, arguing that it is clearly discriminatory. Elly Scheink, the leader of the centre-Left party, who is also in a same-sex relationship, said: These families are tired of being discriminated against.

Were talking about boys and girls already growing up in our communities and going to schools.

Meanwhile, a poll last month found that two-thirds of Italians hold positive views on same-sex parenting and adoption, demonstrating a surge of support in recent years.
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Vladimir Putin will not attend a summit in South Africa next month  allowing the hosts to avoid a decision whether or not to arrest the Russian leader thanks to an international warrant over war crime allegations.

As a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) which issued the warrant, South Africa would be expected to detain Mr Putin once he sets foot in the country. Although it has refused to honour that obligation in the past, allowing safe passage to Sudans then-president Omar al-Bashir in 2015, who was facing allegations of war crimes against his own people.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Mr Putin and Russias commissioner for childrens rights Maria Lvova-Belova in March in relation to the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.

The announcement that Mr Putin will stay away from the two-day summit in August comes a day after court documents showed South Africas president Cyril Ramaphosa had sought permission from the ICC not to follow through with the arrest, saying it would amount to a declaration of war. South Africas largest opposition party, Democratic Alliance, had gone to court to try and compel authorities to carry out the arrest if Mr Putin arrived, but Mr Ramaphosa appeared dead set against the move.

South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin, he said in an affidavit filed in late June but made public on Tuesday. Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia.

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (AP)

On Wednesday, a statement from South Africas presidency said that by mutual agreement Russia would be represented by its foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, at the summit of Brics nations  Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. The Russian state RIA news agency later said, citing the Kremlin, that Mr Putin will take part in the summit via video call.

Speaking just before the announcement by South Africa, the Kremlins spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, told reporters that everyone understood  without having it explained to them  what an attempt to infringe on Mr Putins rights would mean. But he said that Russia did not tell South Africa that an arrest would mean war. The Kremlin has called the warrant issued against Mr Putin outrageous and legally void, because the country is not a member of the organisation.

No, no such formulations were uttered, no one gave anyone to understand that, Mr Peskov said. It is clear to everyone in this world what an attempt to infringe on the rights of the head of the Russian State means. So there is no need to explain anything to anyone here.

South Africa has been trying to deal with the issue of the arrest for months. It sees Russia has an ally, but clearly does not want to inflame tensions with Western nations either. South Africa has consistently abstained from voting at the United Nations to condemn Russias aggression, calling instead for dialogue to end the war. Claiming neutrality, the country is also part of efforts by a group of at least six African nations who recently embarked on a peace mission to Kyiv and Moscow to meet with both Mr Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

In his court submission, Mr Ramaphosa suggested such efforts might be jeopardised by an attempt to arrest Russias president. An arrest of President Putin would introduce a new complication that would foreclose any peaceful solution, he said.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
 Close Drone footage shows moment Russian ship is attacked

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A new tent city capable of housing some 1,000 Wagner mercenaries is being built in Belarus just 15 miles from the border with Ukraine, a group in Kyiv has claimed.

The Ukrainian National Resistance Centre, which was set up by Kyivs army following Russias invasion, alleges that the new camp at the Zyabrovka airfield will likely be used to simulate subversive activities on the border with the Chernihiv region.

The simulation of a threat to the border and other Nato countries is part of a bid to force European countries to reduce their support for Ukraine by simulating a military threat to them, the group claims.

It comes as Britain announced its largest ever crackdown on third countries aiding Russia  after a dramatic plea from Ukraines first lady in an interview with Independent TV.

Foreign secretary James Cleverly said the 25 new sanctions would give those assisting Moscows illegal invasion nowhere to hide, after The Independent revealed on Monday that the government was hoping to act on the problem imminently.
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It was an extraordinarily public recruitment drive from an MI6 chief  an open invitation to senior officials in Russias security establishment to join those who have defected in disgust over Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Sir Richard Moore wanted to send a direct message to officials and politicians in Moscow: You know the address  come and talk to us our door is always open our loyalty to our agents is lifelong our gratitude eternal Their secrets will always be safe with us.

This was only the second public address by Sir Richard since he had taken over as C, and there was a reason why he chose Prague to raise this theme. It was the crushing of the Prague Spring by Russian tanks 55 years ago which had led to a wave of Soviet officials crossing over to the West.

There have been other defections since then. But, security officers point out, these have been motivated, to a large extent, by other factors such as money, or general unhappiness, or clashes with colleagues.

But the Ukraine war has seen a return to Russian officials agreeing to help Western services in numbers which one officer described as surprising but very, very welcome.

The head of MI6 urged Russians angry at Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine to spy for the UK (PA)

Sir Richard, speaking at the British embassy, said: Many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968.

I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us. We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which our service is famed.

People in the Kremlin hierarchy have seen Putins position become progressively weak, Sir Richard wanted to point out. The fact that Yevgeny Prigozhin is still free and moving around despite marching on Moscow to carry out a coup was an astonishing example of this.

Just remember, in the morning of the coup Prigozhin was a traitor. By the evening he had been pardoned, two days later he was having tea with Putin, said the head of MI6.

A firefighter works at a site of storage facilities hit during Russian missile and drone strikes in Odesa, Ukraine (Reuters)

A security official added later: And of course it was not tea with polonium which is something enemies of President Putin could have expected in the past, but now Putin is in no position to do that.

Ukrainian military and intelligence officials have claimed that they have received information from the Kremlin via Western intelligence services enabling them to carry out attacks inside Russia.

Sir Richard would not be drawn on what role his or other British services may have played in this. He wanted to stress, however, that many in Moscows security apparatus shared Prigozhins scathing assessment of what had unfolded in Ukraine.

One architect of that onslaught, Yevgeny Prigozhin, demolished the whole charade in a single sentence when he said, and I quote Prigozhins own words. The war was needed for Shoigu to receive a hero star ... The oligarchic clan that rules Russia needed the war. The mentally ill scumbags decided: Its OK, well throw in a few thousand more Russian men as cannon fodder. Theyll die under artillery fire, but well get what we want.

The fact remains, however, that Putins Russia has global allies helping in Ukraine. Moore said: Some nations have reduced themselves to being accomplices of the aggressor. Irans decision to supply Russia with the suicide drones that mete out random destruction to Ukraines cities has provoked internal quarrels at the highest level of the regime in Tehran. And so it should, because that decision was unconscionable. Iran seeks cash by selling arms to Russia to enable them to kill Ukrainian civilians.

Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhi (Reuters)

Wagner is no longer active in Ukraine, but its widespread and lucrative operations in Africa have continued. The regimes dealing with them in the continent will, in the long run, suffer, Sir Richard held.

Russia is hawking mercenaries around Africa, and in nations suffering from civil war, poverty and collapsed infrastructure, Moscow is offering a 21st-century version of a Faustian pact.

But the regimes that welcomed Wagner are at risk. Now theyve had to watch the very mercenaries who they are supposed to trust with their lives turning against their ultimate patron, Vladimir Putin, and bearing down on Moscow. If Russian mercenaries can betray Putin, who else might they betray?

Russia has sought ever closer ties with China as international sanctions have begun to bite. But that has come at a cost as China is emerging as the senior partner in the relationship.

Sir Richard ended on his theme of the redemption of Russians by rejecting Vladimir Putin and his war of aggression. They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putins case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy. The message to them is: our door is always open.
I am standing outside a base  concealed by camouflage netting  for soldiers of the air defence units belonging to Ukraines 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. Beside me, the commander, a captain, identified by his war name Kamin (which translates as rock), reels off the impressive amount of Russian hardware his men have shot out of the sky. Eight fighter jets, six helicopters, and more than three dozen drones of varying types  worth tens of millions of pounds.

We talk not far from the front lines around Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, although Kamin has asked for the exact location to remain unsaid. The Brigade  consisting of thousands of men  was moved here last year to face some of the bloodiest, most intense fighting of Russias invasion so far. The job of Kamins four battalions? To protect from overhead assault the men, equipment, trenches and fortifications of the brigade, which stretch out across 20 miles of this key front line, as Ukraine pushes on with its counteroffensive to retake territory occupied by Russian forces.

Top of Kamins wishlist are British-manufactured Starstreak missiles  and preferably Stormer armoured vehicles, which are used as launch platforms. While the UK has been sending both Starstreak missiles and the Stormer vehicles to Ukraine for some time, Kamin says his men are yet to get their hands on them. The commander talks of the missiles innovative targeting system that, once the plane or helicopter has been locked onto, cannot be shaken off easily by manoeuvring or countermeasures.
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Researchers in China have invented a device that can connect peoples brains to a computer via their inner ear.

The SprialE brain-computer interface (BCI), developed by a team from Tsinghua University in Beijing, uses a flexible in-ear material to establish a digital connection to the brain.

It follows recent advances into BCI technology, which has seen companys like Elon Musks Neuralink test brain chips capable of reading the minds of pigs and monkeys. Ultimately, the technology could offer full-bandwidth data streaming to the brain.

Unlike Neuralinks device, the latest invention does not require surgery or other microneedle-based invasive methods to install, which the scientists claim make it suitable for daily use.

Current methods of connecting BCIs via the ear involve support systems like earplugs or 3D printed attachments, however the spiral design means it can be slid in and out without blocking the wearers hearing.

The hollowness of SpiralE ensures that all subjects could hear audio stimuli in the outside world in real time, the researchers noted, adding that its unique structure demonstrates that natural and discreet wearable electronics can be integrated into real-life applications.

The research was detailed in a study, titled Conformal in-ear bioelectronics for visual and auditory brain-computer interfaces, was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

The in-ear brain-computer interface can adaptively expand' (Tsinghua University/ Nature Communications)

The technology could allow applications like translating thoughts into text, control digital objects with thought alone, or even augmenting human memory.

A 2019 report from the Royal Society said the technology had the potential to transform medicine and fundamentally change how we interact with technology and each other, however it warned that BCIs raise critical ethical concerns relating to privacy and human rights.

Neural and brain-computer interfaces may challenge the very essence of what it is to be human, the report stated.

Working out how, and even if we want to use them requires an open and inclusive debate involving many voices and all sectors of society.
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OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is withholding key features of its most powerful artificial intelligence tool over ethical and legal fears.

The company developed its latest GPT-4 chatbot to be multimodal, meaning it can process images as well as text. This allows users to upload photos in order to unlock brand new applications, such as identifying issues with a broken car engine.

It could also help visually impaired users recognise objects, with the next-generation AI being able to vocalise a description of an image. This includes captcha puzzles, which are designed to separate humans from machines.

The feature has already been tested on blind users, who used the visual analysis function to determine which dispensers in a hotel bathroom distributed shampoo or shower gel.

It told me the millilitre capacity of each bottle. It told me about the tiles in the shower, Jonathan Mosen, a chief executive at an employment agency who tested the latest GPT-4, told The New York Times. It described all of this in a way that a blind person needs to hear it. And with one picture, I had exactly the answers that I needed.

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Mr Mosen spotted that certain features had been restricted, with OpenAI reportedly blocking facial recognition over privacy concerns.

The firm feared that using its powerful AI to collect and process information about peoples faces would not be considered acceptable by many users, while certain jurisdictions may also mount legal challenges.

In Europe, for example, companies are required to get peoples consent in order to use their biometric data.

Sandhini Agarwal, a policy researcher at OpenAI, said the companys technology is able to identify public figures after being trained on Wikipedia data sets, however it wants to address safety concerns before releasing the image analysis tool publicly.

We very much want this to be a two-way conversation with the public, she told the publication. If what we hear is like, We actually dont want any of it, thats something were very on board with.
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Scientists have invented a next-generation solar panel capable of healing itself when damaged in space.

The breakthrough technology makes use of the so-called miracle material perovskite, which has previously been used to significantly increase the efficiency of standard silicon solar cells.

A team based at the University of Sydney in Australia discovered that the materials remarkable properties allow solar panels in low-Earth orbit that are damaged by radiation to recover 100 per cent of their original efficiency by using the Sun.

Satellites have used solar panels to deliver electric power since the 1950s, however they have suffered from degradation rates of up to 10 per cent efficiency loss per year as a result of various types of radiation.

In order to combat this, the scientists tested a new design using a microprobe to mimic the proton radiation exposure that solar cells undergo while orbiting the Earth for tens to hundreds of years.

They discovered that degradation caused by this type of radiation could be reversed in perovskite solar cells by using heat treatment in vacuum.

Perovskite has been hailed for its potential to transform industries, ranging from renewable energy to telecommunications.

In 2017, a materials science professor from the University of Utah described it as unbelievable, a miracle material, for its unprecedented ability to convert sunlight into electricity when used with a photovoltaic cell.

The latest solar cell breakthrough could be used in a number of applications, according to the research team, such as within global internet satellite constellations like SpaceXs Starlink.

We hope that the insights generated by this work will help future efforts in developing low-cost lightweight solar cells for future space applications, said Professor Anita Ho-Baillie, an associate investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, who led the project.

The breakthrough was detailed in a study, titled Effect of hole transport materials and their dopants on the stability and recoverability of perovskite solar cells on very this substrates after 7 MeV proton irradiation, published in the scientific journal Advanced Energy Materials.
At the invitation of Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni of South Africa and the governments of Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Turkiye, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will attend the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Johannesburg from July 24 to 25, and visit Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Turkiye before and after the meeting.

Xinhua News Agency: What is Chinas expectation for the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security? Can you share with us the program of Director Wang Yis visit to Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Turkiye? What is Chinas expectation for the visit?

Mao Ning: The Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security is an important platform for BRICS countries to carry out political and security cooperation. China looks forward to having in-depth exchanges of views with BRICS partners on the current international security situation and issues of mutual interest at the meeting, building up consensus and deepening cooperation, so as to provide positive energy for a world that is experiencing turbulence and transformation, and make political preparation for the BRICS Summit to be held in August this year.

Apart from attending the BRICS meeting, Director Wang Yi will be visiting Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Turkiye on this trip. The visit to these countries shows how much China values its relations with these countries. During the visit, Director Wang Yi will have meetings and talks with the leaders of the four countries respectively and exchange views extensively on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest. China will follow the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and its commitment to the greater good and shared interests and act in the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation as we work with Africa to deliver on the outcomes of the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to further boost the growth of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership. China will also work with Turkiye to actively advance Belt and Road cooperation and the China-Turkiye strategic relationship of cooperation.

Yonhap News Agency: The DPRK launched ballistic missiles this morning. The US criticized this move, saying it threatens neighboring countries and the international community. What is Chinas position?

Mao Ning: The crux for the resurgence of tensions on the Korean Peninsula is clear. Relevant party uses the Peninsula issues to seek selfish geopolitical interests, which has escalated tensions in the region and harmed the de-nuclearization process on the Peninsula. Relevant moves have raised concern. We hope relevant parties will keep to the direction of political settlement and address each others legitimate concerns in a balanced way through meaningful dialogue and uphold peace and stability on the Peninsula.

Hubei Media Group: It was reported that the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant, the first large-scale modern sewage treatment facility in Bangladesh, was inaugurated a few days ago. Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other political dignitaries attended the event. They spoke highly of Chinas implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, which helped improve the ecological environment as well as local peoples life in Bangladesh. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: The Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant is the first large-scale modern sewage treatment facility in Bangladesh and the largest monolithic sewage treatment plant in South Asia to date. It can provide sewage treatment service to 5 million people in Dhaka, which can help significantly increase local peoples living standard.

This is yet another example of how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) benefits local population in participating countries. Over the past ten years since its inception, the BRI has created 420,000 jobs and lifted almost 40 million people out of poverty outside China. According to data from the World Bank, by 2030, Belt and Road cooperation is expected to increase trade by between 2.8 and 9.7 percent for participating countries and between 1.7 and 6.2 percent for the world, and this is expected to increase global real income by 0.7 to 2.9 percent.

China stands ready to work with the rest of the world to continue promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, so as to contribute to global economic recovery and sustainable development.

Reuters: Taiwans William Lai will transit the US in August. Does China plan to conduct military exercises or take similar measures in the Taiwan Strait in response to the visit?

Mao Ning: China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region, firmly opposes any visit by Taiwan independence separatists to the US in any name or under whatever pretext, and firmly opposes any form of US connivance and support for Taiwan independence separatists and their separatist activities.

The Taiwan question is the very core of Chinas core interests and the first red line that must not be crossed in the China-US relationship. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, act on its leaders commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence, stop official interaction with Taiwan, stop upgrading its substantive exchanges with the region, and stop sending a wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces. China will continue to closely follow the situation and take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Reuters: Some foreign diplomats and business people have expressed fears that the appointment of Dong Jingwei to head Chinas national security office in Hong Kong signals a tightening of national security regime in the city. Does the foreign ministry have any comment?

Mao Ning: I dont think its related to foreign affairs. Hong Kong is Chinas Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are purely Chinas internal affairs. No foreign country has the right to make unwarranted accusations or meddle in those affairs.

Bloomberg: A US energy executive has told lawmakers in the US that China represents an increasing threat to the US power grid. The executive also called Chinas activities regarding cyber hacking quite alarming. How does the foreign ministry respond?

Mao Ning: China is a victim of cyber attacks. We firmly oppose any form of cyber attacks. The US has carried out indiscriminate, large-scale cyber attacks against other countries over the years. The US Cyber Force Command blatantly declared last year that the critical infrastructure of other countries is a legitimate target for US cyber attacks. Such moves have raised concern.

Cyber security is a global challenge and requires joint response from the international community. Some in the US must not smear other countries with groundless narratives to serve their political agenda. The US needs to stop cyber attacks against other countries.
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Families face having to cancel their summer holidays to Spain and Greece with no compensation, despite the exceptional heatwave subjecting swathes of Europe to extreme temperatures and wildfires.

While the Foreign Office has issued warnings over scorching temperatures in both Spain and Greece, as wildfires rage on La Palma and near Athens, the UK government has so far stopped short of issuing dont travel advice.

As a result, there is no automatic right for families to curtail, cancel or change planned trips, and holiday companies and airlines contacted by The Independent say normal terms and conditions will apply.

A firefighting helicopter flies through smoke as people look on in Mandra, west of Athens (AP/Petros Giannakouris)

While provisional heat records were shattered in Rome and Catalonia on Tuesday 18 July, forecasters are bracing for Charon  the second heatwave in as many weeks, named after the Greek ferryman of the dead  to potentially surpass Europes hottest-ever temperature of 48.8C, set in Sicily two years ago.

The mercury hit 45C near Girona on Tuesday, as tourists and locals across the Mediterranean sweltered in 40C temperatures which had failed to fall below 25C in many places overnight, compounding the risks of fatalities  with 61,000 people estimated to have died last summer in Europe alone.

However, holiday companies argue that soaring temperatures in holiday hotspots are nothing new at this time of year, with some British holidaymakers happy to travel to Dubai and Egypts Red Sea coast in July, where temperatures above 40C are the norm.

Under the Package Travel Regulations, holidaymakers can cancel for a refund if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect the performance of the package or the carriage of passengers to the destination.

But unless authorities issue instructions that make normal holiday activities impossible, it is difficult to see how the rule might apply during the heatwave.

A woman cools off at Fontana della Barcaccia at the Spanish Steps in Rome (Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane)

However, holidaymakers with a travel insurance policy in which a pre-existing health condition has been declared may have grounds to claim for a cancellation if they receive specific medical advice against travel to a very hot location.

The areas in which the European Unions emergency response coordination centre has issued red alerts for high temperatures now include most of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

Approached for comment about the dilemma facing some holidaygoers this week as the majority of schools in England and Wales break for the summer, the Foreign Office pointed The Independent to its official advice for Spain and Greece.

Noting the current extreme temperatures, those visiting both countries are advised to check with your travel provider before travelling and follow the advice of local authorities at all times, while those visiting Greece are told they can sign up to Athens official emergency alert system.

A Greek policeman evacuates a child from wildfire at the village of Agios Charamlabos, near the capital Athens (AFP via Getty)

A Greek mayor in a town affected by the wildfires said residents were living a nightmare on Tuesday, as prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis rushed home early from a Brussels summit while hundreds of firefighters battled blazes stretching across five miles, fanned for a second day by erratic winds.

With hundreds of children forced to flee a summer camp on Monday, dozens of properties near Athens had been ravaged by the flames by the following day  after rescuers freed children and retirees from their homes, monks from a monastery, and horses from a stable.

Standing in the burnt-out house in Ano Lagonissi which had been his home for 32 years, Giorgos Nikolau, 89, told Reuters of how he fled the fire with just the swimming trunks and shirt he was wearing, adding: I have nothing else, I don't even have other shoes. Nothing. I am finished.

Authorities in Switzerland expressed fears on Tuesday that it could take weeks to fully extinguish a fire which engulfed a mountainside, forcing hundreds to flee  as firefighters in the Canary Islands battled the large blaze on La Palma for a fourth day.

A helicopter refills its bucket over the Gibidum dam to extinguish the forest fire above the Switzerland communes of Bitsch and Ried-Moerel (EPA/Jean-Christophe Bott)

The extreme conditions were mirrored around the world, as millions of people in the United States, Asia and Africa also contend with record-breaking heat, in some cases in excess of 50C  conditions scientists warn are becoming more frequent due to the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis.

With 2021 and 2022 having marked Europes hottest summers on record, according to the EUs climate change body, tourism organisations have predicted that the heat could prompt a lasting shift in tourist habits, with more people choosing cooler destinations, or steering clear of summer travel.

The heat has also prompted some tourists to return home early. Anita Elshoy, who left a village north of Rome for Norway a week earlier than planned with her husband, told Reuters: I got a lot of pain in the head, legs and [my] fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy.

Warning that Europe was now experiencing hotter and hotter temperatures for longer stretches of time every single summer, the International Red Crosss emergency health chief Panu Saaristo told reporters in Geneva: Heatwaves are really an invisible killer.
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A British family abandoned their 2,500 Greek holiday three days early because of the unbearable Cerberus heatwave - saying their hotel turned into a "giant oven".

Sally Urwin, 49, and her two teenage sons decided to jet back from Rhodes after temperatures soared above 40C.

The trio landed on the island on 12 July and had been planning to stay for a week.

But the heatwave forced them to spend all day in their hotel, which became boiling hot, said Ms Urwin

Swimming pool at the resort where the family were staying in Rhodes (Sally Urwin / SWNS)

The author and her boys, aged 16 and 13, then returned back to the UK on 16 July to welcome rainfall.

Ms Urwin, from Matfen, Northumberland, said: It was suffocating. Ive worked in Texas and all over the globe, but it was just suffocating.

It made you feel faint and dizzy. It could make you feel unwell and we lost our appetites - we couldnt eat much.

In the future if I went somewhere in southern Europe I would go in May and avoid July and August.

Especially with children, Ill definitely change my plans in the future and avoid places like that this time of year.

Ms Urwin took her two children to the beautiful island of Rhodes while her husband, a farmer, stayed at home.

She says temperatures were above 40C on Sunday, and that the only bearable temperatures during the day were between 6.30am and 8am and after 7pm.

Ms Urwin said: "It was at least 43C by the time we left. The way the hotel was designed was all faux marble and was like giant oven."

After posting about her experience online, she says internet trolls suggested she had never been abroad before or that it was just a normal summer - but Ms Urwin disagrees.

Ms Urwin described being at the beach as 'unbearable' due to the heat (Sally Urwin / SWNS)

She said: When we got there it was hot. Ive been a lot of hot holidays, but it got hotter and hotter.

"We were all covered in sunblock and the only way we could stay cool was sitting in the water.

The kids were so bored because we couldnt do anything.

I felt a bit worried for some of the older British people out there, some were a bit frail and not going outside at all.

It was lovely to be back in the UK - its rainy, wet and cold, its refreshing to be back.

Cerberus is reportedly being caused by high pressure over the southern Mediterranean and unusually high sea surface temperatures, which means that cooler air is not blowing inland off the sea.

It is expected to continue for a few more days - with locals and holidaymakers alike being told to act with caution.
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Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly Charon heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

With forecasters predicting the heatwave could last for up to two weeks, concerns are growing about the risks to health. As The Independent reported this week, 61,000 Europeans are believed to have died as a result of the extreme heat last summer.

For travellers contemplating their options, these are the key questions and answers.

Where are the hottest spots?

Temperatures around the Mediterranean are typically 8-13C above normal  which, at this time of year, means temperatures are very high by UK standards.

On 18 July, holidaymakers heading in the favourite Spanish island destination, Mallorca, faced extreme risk.

Spains state meteorological office, Aemet, reported that temperatures hit 44.8C in Llubi, just north of the Balearic Islands centre, with a thermal sensation of 48C.

The official rating was extreme risk, although that has been downgraded to important risk on 19 July.

However, other Spanish holiday spots on the mainland, including Alicante and Malaga, have been issued with extreme risk warnings today, with 42C temperatures forecast.

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for both Spain and Greece, with specific information under extreme weather, which advises people to keep up to date with the latest developments from the Greek and Spanish authorities.

On Tuesday, Italys health ministry issued red weather alerts for 20 of the countrys 27 cities. This is expected to rise to 23 today. Yesterday, temperatures on Sardinia reached 44C, while Rome hit over 40C.

The Cyprus Department of Meteorology says: The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 41 degrees Celsius over inland areas.

Meanwhile, staff at the Acropolis in Athens, and other ancient sites Greece will stop work for four hours a day from Thursday in protest at working conditions during the heatwave. The country is currently plagued by wildfires that started on Monday in the Dervenochoria region, 30km north of Athens. We are living a nightmare, said Mandra mayor Christos Stathis. Houses and properties are on fire.

Away from the Mediterranean, the landlocked countries of Hungary and Serbia have issued severe heat warnings.

What are the health risks  and how can they be reduced?

Young and old travellers, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (especially cardiovascular and respiratory) are particularly susceptible to excess heat.

The NHS Scotland Fit For Travel website warns: Exposure to high temperatures can result in loss of fluids and salts.

When the body gets overheated, blood is directed away from the centre of the body by relaxation of the blood vessels, this causes sweating and cooling.

Rapid dehydration may occur in hot dry conditions. Humidity can reduce the rate of sweat evaporation making it difficult to regulate the bodys temperature.

More serious disorders include:

heat exhaustion

heat stroke

low sodium in the blood (hyponatremia) as a result of over exertion or exercise.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are related conditions that can have a serious outcome if not treated promptly. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include a body temperature above 38C, fast breathing and pulse, dizziness, headache and confusion.

Sudden fainting in the heat may occur when travellers are not acclimatised. Fainting occurs when the blood vessels relax to increase the circulation and radiate heat from the skin. This also has the effect of lowering the blood pressure and reducing the blood supply to the brain. Consciousness should quickly return once the person is lying flat.

How can I reduce the risks?

Obvious steps include avoiding being outside during the hottest part of the day (typically 11am-3pm); wearing light, loose clothing and a hat; and drinking plenty of water (possibly with hydration salts). Dark urine is a certain indication you need to up you fluid intake.

The NHS say: Limit physical exertion until you have become acclimatised, most travellers will adapt to higher temperatures in approximately 10 days

Clothing should be light and airy  avoid wearing dark or tight-fitted clothing.

A hand-held personal fan may prove invaluable when it is not possible to escape heat.

Age UK offers advice specifically for older people, which includes the possibly disappointing recommendation: Avoid alcohol, and keep eating even if youre not feeling too hungry.

If someone in my party is in a risk group, can I cancel the trip and get a full refund?

Unlikely. If you have booked a package holiday it is always worth talking to the tour operator in case they can offer any flexibility, but there is no legal obligation for them to allow you to switch.

Under the Package Travel Regulations, you can transfer a proper package holiday to someone else for a nominal fee. For Tui, the fee is 25 per person and you have to give a weeks notice; for easyJet Holidays, the limit is two days, again for a per-person fee of 25.

Jet2 allows changes for 50  except within two weeks of departure, when it rises to 150. Changes can be made up to four hours before departure..

Should you have a travel insurance policy in which you have declared a pre-existing medical condition, you may have grounds for a claim  if a doctor advises you not to travel.

Will the extreme heat affect transport?

Quite possibly. In the UK last July, when the country experienced the hottest spell on record, rail services were drastically reduced and many cancellations made  because of concern about the steel rails buckling.

While Mediterranean nations are prepared for significantly higher temperatures, if unprecedented heat is experienced some departures could be interrupted.

Transport providers may also cancel some services to protect their staff.

What about aviation?

Planes are perfectly able to take off in all but the highest temperatures  as they do routinely from airports in the Gulf and the southwestern US. But high air temperatures require a higher take-off speed, which can impact the maximum weight at which an aircraft can be dispatched.

Extreme heat may also increase the risk of thunderstorms in the Mediterranean region, which will certainly impact aviation as pilots avoid them.

Scientists say that as the earth warms, the frequency of clear-air turbulence  in which aircraft are bumped about, sometimes to the point of causing injuries  is set to increase.

Can you recommend an easy, cool escape?

At least until Wednesday 19 July, north winds will keep Iceland at below 15C. Even if the temperature picks up after that, the highest temperature ever recorded in Iceland was 30C, in the summer of 1939.

The US, Canada and the UK have a wide range of flights to Reykjavik, the capital.
Barack Obama has joined a TikTok campaign aiming to increase awareness of library services and promote access to books.

The former US president is seen sitting in the Kankakee Public Library, located in Illinois, drinking out of a library-branded mug and reading through a paperback.

According to the Washington Post, its the first in a series of TikToks that Mr Obama has filmed with libraries across the country, and comes amid a surge in efforts to ban books across some US states.

The words reading can transport you to new worlds appears on-screen after his appearance.
Succession stars Alan Ruck and Justine Lupe have joined picket lines as the Hollywood actors and writers strikes roll on.

Ruck, who played Connor Roy on the HBO show, called the idea of using AI to help write scripts soulless. Striking writers are seeking assurances from studios that their jobs will not be threatened by the technology.

Lupe, who played Willa Ferreyra, said that character and bit-part actors now struggled to make enough money to afford basic healthcare.

Multiple Hollywood stars have been pictured at pickets this week, joining striking writers, who began their industrial action in May.
Joe Bidens commitment to Afghan allies continues to stand, Karine Jean-Pierre said as The Independent questioned the pace at which those who served with the US are being processed to enter the country.

The Independents White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg questioned the press secretary on allies who are still waiting to be granted safe haven, such as the Afghan pilot who served with British forces.

The war veteran, who went on sorties planned and designed by British and US commanders, is among those who have fled to the UK on small boats and are now being threatened with deportation.

The White House has promised to investigate whether the pilot would be eligible for asylum in the US as the UK government continues to stall.

Sign The Independents petition calling for the UK to support Afghan war heroes who served alongside Britain.
The head of MI6 Sir Richard Moore has urged Russians appalled by the horrors of Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine to join hands with us and spy for the UK to help end the bloodshed.

Sir Richard Moore used a rare public speech to reveal that many have already taken this step since Russias full-scale invasion was launched 18 months ago.

Speaking at the British Embassy, he said: There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children.
Activists scaled oil tankers and climbed on pipes at Grangemouth petrochemical plant in Scotland as part of a day of protests on Wednesday 19 July.

The action was staged by This Is Rigged, a group that demands the Scottish government oppose all new fossil fuel projects across the country.

Seven people were arrested after police launched an operation to remove them from the site, which also saw some protesters blocking gates.

Ineos said production at the Grangemouth refinery, near Falkirk, was unaffected.
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Amid all of the concerns about the American right courting antisemites, Republicans should have had a perfect opportunity to turn the tables on Democrats and accuse them of having an antisemitism problem.

Over the weekend, Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) landed in hot water at the Netroots Nation conference when while confronting pro-Palestinian protesters in Chicago, she called the State of Israel racist. She received swift condemnation even from members of her own party even as she later clarified that she did not think Israel as a nation is racist.

Republicans hoped to split Democrats by having a resolution that rejected the idea that Israel is a racist or apartheid state and reaffirmed US support for Israel.

In addition, some of the most outspoken progressive members of the House Democratic Caucus, including Ms Jayapal, Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Ilhan Oman (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) elected not to attend Israeli President Isaac Herzogs address to a joint session of Congress.

While that comprises less than a slice of the House Democratic Caucus, their outspoken nature would allow Republicans to say Democrats have a problem with Israel on the states 75th anniversary.

Instead, the resolution landed with a thud. Only nine Democrats voted against the resolution and one  Rep Betty McCollum (D-MN)  voted present. Similarly, Democrats frequently moved to their feet during Mr Herzogs address and at one point, when Mr Herzog noted that Tel Aviv had one of the largest LGBTQ+ pride parades, most Republicans in the chamber remained in their seats.

Instead, House Republicans have elected to have unimaginable gall  chutzpah, some might say  by inviting noted conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr to testify.

On Thursday, the anti-vaccine activist and Democratic candidate for president will testify before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, the farcical subcommittee that the House GOP set up to avenge perceived slights from the deep state and its sidekick Big Tech against former president Donald Trump and his supporters.

Robert F Kennedy Jr (EPA)

Inviting Mr Kennedy, a longshot primary challenger to President Joe Biden for the Democratic partys nomination for the White House, was always an exercise in owning the libs, a way for Republicans to wink and nod and say that tech companies persecuted and suppressed Democratic as well as Republican voices.

Despite posting not negligible numbers of support among primary voters, Mr Kennedy poses no credible threat to Mr Biden and holds views that are out of line with even the most unorthodox of Democratic Party voters.

But what was initially a move that was too clever by half has now blown up in Republicans face given Mr Kennedys recent outburst of antisemitism. Over the weekend, he revived the baseless, racist and antisemitic conspiracy theory that Covid-19 is targeted to attack Cucasians and Black people, while adding that the people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese.

Under no pretenses are Mr Kennedys words even remotely defensible. But more than that, they completely undermine the House GOPs attempt to box Democrats in a corner. Kennedy will no longer come off as a sympathetic voice who was being silenced or canceled by the intolerant left.

Rather, he will come off as a raving antisemite and conspiracy theorist who probably should not be allowed in polite company, let alone anywhere near the Capitol where his father and uncles once roamed when they served in the Senate.

But Republicans are too deep on their joke for them to admit they screwed up. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise responded coyly about the invitation of Mr Kennedy, saying hes a Democrat thats ... talking about how, youre seeing kind of a selective shutdown of opposing viewpoints, before he tried to say Were talking about our stance against antisemitism and Thats a problem the Democrat Partys got.

This is the statement of someone thinking he is clever rather than someone who actually is clever. This is not pointing out a speck in someones eye when there is a tree; its an entire redwood in the House GOPs eye.

Rather, the testimony will serve as a reminder how far off the House GOP is and how they not only court people like Mr Kennedy but have members of their caucus who meet with Nick Fuentes and talk about Jewish space lasers all while claiming their opponents have an antisemitism problem.
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Last night, I was at an Irish pub in Derry. I hadnt realized it was an Irish pub at first  Im an American first, and a Londoner second if Im anything in these islands  until a man I met corrected me. Youre not in the UK, he told me. Youre in Ireland.

I understood his point immediately. The history of the Troubles drenches every corner of this town like the rain blowing in off the North Atlantic. Peace in Northern Ireland was a long process, but it was undoubtedly sped along by American intervention. My guides on this trip gave much of the credit to George Mitchell, a long-serving senator from Maine whom President Bill Clinton appointed as special envoy for Northern Ireland. He was crucial in securing the Good Friday Agreement, a peace deal which still holds more than a quarter-century later.

I give you this travelogue-cum-history lesson against the backdrop of a divide in our own nation. Since 2016, Americans have been at one anothers throats. While certainly nothing we experienced comes close to the Troubles, we have of late had our fair share of political strife. Divided more than at any point since the end of the Civil War, issues from abortion to gun control to gerrymandering and voting rights have cut to the core of our democracy. It may not be the Troubles, but America is certainly a troubled land.

A surprising voice of reconciliation emerged last night, though. Taking over from Tucker Carlson  ousted by Fox News in April after spreading conspiracy theories and vitriol for years  Jesse Watters debuted his show with, of all things, a conversation with his mom. Mrs Watters did not mince words as she offered her son some motherly advice. Do not tumble into any conspiracy rabbit holes. We do not want to lose you and we do not want lawsuits, OK? she told her son, asking him to seek solutions versus fanning the flames while asserting there really has been enough Biden bashing and encouraging him to suggest that your people take less interestin other peoples bodies.

Jesse Watters, the rightwing firebrand known for parroting his networks talking points, is not known for his conciliatory nature. Indeed, it seems like his mothers words may have fallen on deaf ears; The Guardians Adam Gabbatt writes that in his big debut, Watters essentially performed a Carlson tribute act, complete with unsubstantiated allegations against Hunter Biden, some bashing of Anthony Fauci, and the obligatory attacks on trans people.

Though Watters may not have listened to his mother, the rest of us should. For too long, Americans on both sides of the political divide have been intractable and obtuse. Retreating into our echo chambers on social media and sorting ourselves into red states and blue states, we have lost sight of what the historian Shelby Foote, in an interview for Ken Burns seminal documentary The Civil War, called our true genius  compromise.

I take Footes point, though I would complicate it a bit. Some things I will never compromise on. As a gay man, equal marriage is one of those things. Abortion is another, as I view bodily autonomy as a fundamental right. I will never agree with the right on these things, just as they may well never agree with me on guns or universal healthcare and just as the abolitionists rightly would not compromise on slavery.

Yet Foote is right that compromise is, generally, what makes our system work. Our Constitution is itself a compromise between small states and big states, and our legislative branch was designed to make truly radical changes difficult. Only through compromise can such a diverse and varied society live together in relative harmony.

We cannot compromise with one another if we do not first stop despising one another. A 2020 study by Northwestern University found that Democrats and Republicans alike hate the other party more than they like their own. That is startling. Rather than being passionate about our positions, we are driven by fear and hatred of the other. The problem has been escalating for a while; a 2013 poll found that only a third of Americans felt that others could be trusted. It came to a boil in 2020, when disinformation about the election and the pandemic spread on social media. It boiled over on January 6.

Now, though, the fever seems to be breaking. Something  I cannot explain it  feels different. I first felt this with the collective shrug so many on the right had to Trumps indictment. The crowds he expected to turn up in Miami simply did not. People, regardless of their political persuasion, seem to agree that no one is above the law  not even a former president.

This is not strictly a right-wing phenomenon. In 2016, I wrote my first column for The Independent on how I was disowning my Trump-voting relatives. Last year, I wrote about why that was wrong. In the meantime, I have basically stopped watching cable news in the evening because I simply cannot stomach the animosity. Yes, I am angry about a lot of things happening in our nation. I do not need Lawrence ODonnell to remind me of it before bed, though.

In truth, most Americans are simply good and decent people who  though we are passionate about our beliefs and disagree on much  respect their fellow citizens. Mrs Watters seems to be a prime example of this kind of American: someone proud of her son but who recognizes the damage the media (myself included) can do when we stop arguing about ideas and start demonizing our fellow citizens.

Mrs Watters wants her son to promote conversation that maintains a narrative thread. I want him  and me  to do that, too. I try to put forth my opinion without attacking people. Do I always succeed? No. I am human. But lowering the temperature is something I agree with Mrs Watters that those of us in the media need to lead by example on. So much of the hatred and division within our society stems from the demonization of different groups by the likes of cable news pundits who see not opponents, but enemies.

We cannot be one anothers enemies, though. Like it or not, we all live in the United States. We must share this space accordingly. It is certainly a big enough place that there should be space for everyone.

After all, Northern Ireland is a tiny piece of a small island with far more entrenched divisions than we have, yet they have managed to live in relative peace and harmony for 25 years. That that peace was aided by American involvement should be noted, because again  it shows us the genius for compromise that Shelby Foote was so proud of.

If we could help make peace here, we can help make peace at home. It starts with us, though: you, me, and Mrs Watters.
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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.
The Indo Daily: Ronan Hughes and Mo Robinson  The Northern Ireland people smugglers and their 39 victims
Keanu Reeves, who plays with the band Dogstar (David Davies/PA)

Keanu Reeves will release his first Dogstar album in more than 20 years, the band announced.

The Los Angeles-formed three-piece, featuring The Matrix star Reeves on bass guitar, Bret Domrose on lead vocals and actor and musician Rob Mailhouse on drums, gave their first live performances for more than two decades in May.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Dogstars account said: We are so excited to announce our new album Somewhere Between The Power Lines And Palm Trees out on October 6th on our label Dillon Street Records.

A very limited quantity of signed vinyl is available in the Official Shop  act quick!

Listen to the lead single Everything Turns Around & watch the music video now.

Next month, we kick off our 25+ date headline tour in North America & Japan. Get tickets this Friday at 10am local time.

The lead single Everything Turns Around also features a music video with Reeves.

On Tuesday, the band played at The Roxy in Los Angeles, having featured at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival earlier this year.

The band was active from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, and garnered much media attention due to Reeves involvement.

During this time they released an EP, Quattro Formaggi, and two albums, Our Little Visionary in 1996 and Happy Ending in 2000.
A documentary on the Spanish king full of scandal and deeply unlikeable principal characters

ITS to be hoped Juan Carlos: Downfall of the King (Sky Documentaries, Tuesday; available on demand) came with an on-screen content warning when it aired.

Episode one of this four-part account of the fall from grace of the former Spanish monarch, who was forced to abdicate in 2014 after being engulfed in corruption scandals and fled to exile in Abu Dhabi in 2020, features footage of an African elephant being shot in the head during a safari.

The magnificent creature emits a heartbreaking roar of agony, before keeling over and hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Its a deeply distressing moment  and totally gratuitous.

Even though the shooting of an elephant (a different one) is a key component of the story being told, the footage adds nothing of worth. The dictum show dont tell turns out to be the wrong advice.

Its not the only nauseating element on display, though. Most of the principal characters in this slickly produced documentary are so repulsively self-serving, its difficult to feel anything but contempt for them.

This wasnt always the case. For more than three decades, King Juan Carlos was a respected, even revered, figure and regarded as a shining champion of social reform and democratic values.

He showed his mettle in 1981, when his impassioned words alone were seemingly enough to bring a halt to an attempted coup detat. A unit of the Guardia Civil seized the Spanish Congress (we see the actual footage of them firing machine guns into the ceiling of the chamber as elected representatives cower in terror), claiming they had the support of the king, who was the Captain-General of the Armed Forces.

Dressed in uniform, Juan Carlos went on live television to denounce the coup attempt and call for support of the legitimate democratic government. With the plot snuffed out, Juan Carloss support soared, even among left-wingers who had long believed he was nothing more than Francos stooge. It changed perceptions of him in Spain and abroad.

He was like the new world king, says Selena Scott, the only instantly recognisable contributor in a list made up mostly of Spanish journalists and a handful of men who worked in the Kings inner circle.

But the key contributors are twice-married German aristocrat Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, who was Juan Carloss mistress for years, and her former first husband Philip Adkins, a close friend of the ex-monarch who insisted on proving it to the camera crew by ringing him up for a chat.

The king, says Scott, was a magnet for women  and indeed women were magnets for him. He was a tireless womaniser. His wife, Queen Sofia, knew it. She put up with a lot from him, said one talking head.

He was a tireless womaniser. His wife, Queen Sofia, knew it. She put up with a lot from him, said one talking head.

So did his Secret Service detail, whose main functions were keeping his affairs out of the public eye and letting him use apartments owned by them, and paid for by the taxpayers, for his countless sexual assignations.

The public came to know it too following a 2012 hunting trip to Botswana organised by Juan Carlos for Corinna, Adkins (by then they were long divorced) and her son from her second marriage, who was about to turn 10. Only the decadent rich would consider animal slaughter a suitable birthday present for a kid.

An elephant was shot, says Adkins, which is when that harrowing clip is shown. Who pulled the trigger is unclear, but when a photo of Juan Carlos posing, gun in hand, over the dead beast began to circulate, there was outrage in Spain.

The king fell and broke his hip on the trip, and had to be rushed home to Madrid for emergency surgery. By the time he left hospital, the trickle of scandal had turned into a torrent.

It emerged the hunting trip had cost 44,000, at a time when Spain was deep in economic crisis and unemployment had tripled in two years. It was revealed Corinna had been living for several years in a villa paid for by him  or rather the Spanish people.

I didnt pick this fight, says Corinna, who claims she was scapegoated. Poor her.

Theres more scandal  Saudi kickbacks, dodgy bank accounts, misused charity funds  to come, provided you can endure three more hours of these awful people. Personally, I couldnt stop thinking about the elephant.

On This Day In History - July 19th
A farmer has launched a High Court case over a decision by Meath Co Council to grant planning permission allowing a quarry adjoining his lands to expand its operations.

Kenneth Payne claims the quarry operated by Breedon Cement Ireland Ltd has adversely affected his and his family's health and has contaminated the groundwater on his lands resulting in significant animal deaths on his farm.

Mr Payne owns and farms lands at Cappaboggan, Kinnegad, which is located beside the Breedon limestone quarry at Killaskillen.

The quarry, it is alleged, is part of an integrated manufacturing facilty and is licenced by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The case stems from the company's application to deepen a portion of an existing limestone quarry over an area of 4.13 hectares, which was granted by Meath Co Council last year, with 11 conditions, after an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out.

Mr Payne, represented by Evan O'Donnel Bl instructed by solicitor Gabriel Toolan, claims that the application made for the extension was invalid and did not comply with planning regulations.

He claims that the public notice submitted with the application fails to describe the extent of the development and its relationship with the existing development.

He also claims that the decision, and some of the conditions attached, fails to comply with European Directives on Habitats.

The EIA that was conducted was not in compliance with the conditions set down in EU law.

Arising out of the decision to grant permission Mr Payne has brought judicial review proceedings against Meath Co Council, Ireland and the Attorney General.

Breedon is a notice party.

Mr Payne claims that over the last six years he has endured significant nuisance and damage from the activity, which has had a serious impact on his health, and significant loss of his livestock.

He also claims the development has resulted in the dewatering of his land, loss of an existing well, his water supply being contaminated, and dust and emissions from the quarry coming onto his 97-acre property.

He said that Breedon installed a water treatment system to a well on his lands but it has never worked satisfactorily.

His partner and children have left the property and are living elsewhere, while he has no choice other than to remain on the farm. He has brought a separate legal action in respect of those matters, the court heard.

In his judicial review action Mr Payne seeks an order quashing the council's November 2022 decision.

He also seeks various declarations including that the state has failed to transcribe EU directive into domestic law, namely the 2000 Planning and Development Act.

The matter came before Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who on a one side only represented basis granted Mr Payne permission to bring his challenge.

The matter will return before the court later this year.

On This Day In History - July 19th
A 16-year-old boy who claimed he suffered a severe shoulder injury at birth at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin has settled a High Court action for 1.15m.

The court heard that Bassit Balogun has significant difficulties with his left arm, shoulder and elbow.

His counsel Dr John OMahony SC told the court that liability was vigorously denied in the case and the settlement which was reached after mediation was without an admission of liability.

The Rotunda contended the treatment and care provided to the baby boy and his mother accorded with an appropriate standard of medical care.

Dr OMahony said the boy has had to have surgeries since his birth, the first one when he was four-months-old. He said the Erbs Palsy injury was at the more serious end with several nerve roots involved.

He said it was their case that the mother should have been offered a caesarean section and told that shoulder dystocia was a risk.

Bassit, who now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, had through his mother Bunmi Balogun sued the Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Square, Dublin, over the circumstances of his birth on February 1, 2007.

At the time of the birth, the family lived in Tyrrellstown in Dublin.

It was claimed that there was a failure to manage the babys shoulder dystocia appropriately or at all and that a downward traction had been allegedly employed around the babys head while the shoulder was still impacted.

It was further claimed there was a failure to advise the mother that the baby would be a very large baby and an alleged failure to offer her the option of delivery by caesarean section.

There was an alleged failure to manage the mothers diabetic condition adequately or at all.

The baby after delivery it was claimed was ventilated for 14 hours and it was claimed he suffered severe left Erbs Palsy.

All the claims were denied.

It was contended by the hospital that there was no indication of at any time prior to the onset of labour or during labour itself, to perform a caesarean section. The hospital further contended it was not reasonably possible to predict or prevent the occurrence of shoulder dystocia at the time of delivery and when it did occur it was managed in an appropriate way and to an appropriate standard of medical care.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable and he told the teenager he was delighted the case had been resolved to his satisfaction.

On This Day In History - July 19th
A Laois-based family doctor who prescribed large quantities of highly addictive drugs to patients with a known drug addiction has been found guilty of professional misconduct by an Irish Medical Council inquiry.
A 51-year-old man, who has months to live, has settled his High Court action against the HSE and Beaumont Hospital for a significant undisclosed sum.

The married father-of-four, who lives in the Midlands, first underwent treatment for renal cancer in 2014 when a nodule was noticed in the his lung.

This nodule was reviewed for the following three years until he was discharged from review as the treating physicians believed there had not been a change in the nodule.

However, the man experienced pain and discomfort in his abdomen and returned to hospital in 2022.

Following investigations, the nodule had increased in size and appearance resulting in the man being diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal cancer. The man has undergone multiple treatments and is now in palliative care.

The man, in his claim before the High Court, contended that if he had been diagnosed prior to been discharged from observations in 2017, when it is alleged that his cancer was Stage 1, and had further investigation been carried out in 2017, the mans experts believed that his prognosis, following surgery at that time, would have been positive for survival.

However, because of the defendants delay, it was alleged his condition became terminal, and his life expectancy has been significantly shortened as a consequence.

This position was supported by expert opinions the mans legal team had procured from consultant oncologists and consultant radiologists, sourced in the UK by the mans solicitor, Fiona Baxter, of Baxter Mimnagh Solicitors.

Prior to the diagnosis, he was an active man who worked in construction. His illness has had a devastating impact on his wife and four children, the youngest of whom is just five-years-old.

He now requires care, and his dependency on others will increase over the coming weeks and months.

He issued proceedings two months ago and had asked the High Court to list the matter for an expedited hearing due to his deteriorating condition.

In advance of the hearing date, the parties agreed to go to mediation. The case was struck out following a successful mediation between the parties, without an admission of liability by the defendants.

When asked to comment, Ms Baxter noted that this was an intense and emotional case for all the parties involved.

"The case involved a significant amount of work over a short period," she said.

Ms Baxter said the family was delighted with the outcome so that life can be as comfortable as can be for the man over the months ahead.

On This Day In History - July 19th
Labour TD Duncan Smith said the workers had received pay increases under public sector wage deals until 2008

THE Government has been urged to intervene in a pay dispute involving thousands of health and social care workers after department officials were accused of cancelling a hearing for the fourth time.

Siptu, Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), Forsa and Irish Congress of Trade Unions representatives said they were deeply frustrated over the governments failure to resolve the dispute.

It involves thousands of workers in HSE-funded health and social care organisations, known as section 39 community and voluntary sector bodies.

The workers are not directly employed by public sector organisations but want a link with public service workers to be restored.

This would mean they are entitled to the same pay increases as public servants under successive wage deals.

The unions said department officials cancelled a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) meeting that was due to take place tomorrow at the last minute today.

A Siptu spokesperson said unions suspended strike action in October last year following a commitment from the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that the government would move swiftly to resolve the dispute.

Labour TD Duncan Smith said they received pay increases under public sector wage deals until 2008, but none since then.

Kevin Figgis, Siptu health divisional organiser, said industrial action had only been suspended and members would not be found wanting without a government intervention.

Our members are beyond frustrated at this point, he said.

They want back what was taken from them: the 10pc pay gap to be closed and the pay link with the public service workers restored in full. The strategy of dodge, delay, and deny wont wash with our members and we are demanding that this matter be resolved once and for all.

We have the intolerable situation where members are being paid 2008 rates for work they do in 2023. This is completely unacceptable.

Ashley Connolly, Forsa health national secretary, said the delay is a very frustrating development.

She said it puts additional pressure on employers in the sector while service users continue to endure lengthening waiting lists due to staff shortages.

Ms Connolly said unions will return to the WRC on July 31 and members will expect progress.

Albert Murphy, INMO director of industrial relations, said there will be a firm expectation that there will be a credible proposal from management.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health said this evening in a statement: A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022. While the government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.

"On 17 April, officials from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Tusla met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions' claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers.

Follow up engagements took place at the Workplace Relations Commission on 15 May and 28 June 2023. Further engagement is due to take place at the WRC in the coming weeks. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.

The Department of Health acknowledges the important role that Section 39 organisations and their staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.
The Kevin Bell Trust is assisting with the repatriation of a father and his young son who were killed in a tragic crash in Turkey this week, it has been confirmed.

Eoin Fitzpatrick (36) and his son Dylan (10), of Portlaoise, Co Laois, died when the moped they were on collided with a bus in Alanya on Monday afternoon just hours before they were due to fly home.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust has confirmed it is assisting with the repatriation of their bodies to Ireland.

The charity was set up to help alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families when a loved one has died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances.

Mr Fitzpatrick and his son Dylan were on holiday with family, including Dylans older brother, when the pair were involved in the accident on Monday.

Monsignor John Byrne, the parish priest of Portlaoise, said there was a dark cloud over the community since the news broke.

Both sides of the family are Portlaoise through and through, he told RTEs Drivetime. A great, just wave of shock and sympathy has been extended to them. We know that the family have difficult days ahead now but please God the support of their strong family and community will help.

He said Dylan had been in fourth class in a local school.

He said the loss of the father and son had sent ripples of sadness throughout the community and people are trying to do their best to get their heads around this and support the family.

How a family copes with this is really very, very difficult, he said. There is a strong community here and theyre well embedded in the community and there will be those supports.

Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley, a close neighbour of the Fitzpatricks, said family members were flying out to Turkey in the wake of the tragedy.

He said Mr Fitzpatrick and his sons had been due to fly home to Ireland just hours after the incident.

They would actually be neighbours of mine here in the estate where I live and obviously theres shock and devastation at the loss of these two people, he told RTE Radio 1s News at One.

Mr Stanley said Dylan was very popular here in the neighbourhood, he wouldve played and mixed with all the kids.

Really its an awful situation, and the mother of the boy was here. Shes obviously trying to get to Turkey, to fly out at the moment. So its a really serious situation, he said.

Mr Stanley said he had spoken to Mr Fitzpatricks parents.

Theyve lost a son and a grandson. Its a huge shock. In the last few hours of their holiday. It seems to have been a simple quick trip to pick up something. A last-minute errand and the fatal accident happened.

Portlaoise GAA chairman Eamon Fennelly said it was the second tragedy to befall the community, after the death of 15-year-old David Brown in a quad-bike accident in Laois on Easter Sunday.

This is the second tragedy thats after hitting us now in a number of months, he told the Irish Independent.

Young David Brown was killed and that was horrific. He was a really talented lad. So, this is the second tragedy thats after hitting the club and this is a big shock as well because this is a family that is immersed in the club.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the extended family and well be there to support them in any possible way that we can, he added.

He said Mr Fitzpatrick had been a talented underage hurler.

His loss has been a huge shock for everyone in the club, he said.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has met Ukrainian President Zelenksyy during his visit to pledge solidarity with the people of Ukraine and to see the impacts of the war as he announced 5m in humanitarian funding.

This morning, he visited towns and villages around Kyiv and will also meet with Prime Minister Shmyhal and Parliamentary Speaker Stefanchuk.

The 5m worth of funds will go towards the ongoing emergency response and the attack on the Kakhovka dam.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meets President Zelensky in Ukraine

2 million will be allocated to the United Nations Humanitarian Fund, and 3 million to be spent in Ukraine by the Red Cross.

Mr Varadkar laid wreaths in memory of the children killed in the conflict, in memory of those killed in the Euromaidan protests of 2014, and in the Russian invasion that followed.

Mr Varadkar tweeted this afternoon:

"Today in Ukraine I came face to face with the horror inflicted by Russias forces. I gave a commitment to President Zelensky and to the people of Ukraine, that we will continue to offer our practical as well as political backing.

Ireland will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, vows Leo Varadkar

In a tweet Mr Zelenskyy thanked Ireland for its support during the war.

"Although Ireland is a neutral country, this neutrality does not mean indifference and this is very important. Thank you for all your support, he said.

While in Kyiv, he will visit the Lesya Ukrainka Theatre and meet with cast members of the production of Brian Friels Translations, who recently performed the work in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, as well as Irish people and businesses working in Ukraine.

I am here to express Irelands solidarity with the Government and the people of Ukraine as they endure more than 500 days of Russian attacks, said Mr Varadkar.

We will work with international partners to ensure that those responsible for this crime of aggression are held accountable, and we will work with Ukraine to restore essential civilian infrastructure to meet their needs today and in the future when they have prevailed.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is visiting the war torn region of Bucha in Ukraine.

Photographs from local media outlet Kyiv Post show Mr Varadkar visiting sites of Russian crimes in the city with the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin.

In a post on Telegram, the Office of the Prosecutor General said Mr Kostin told the Taoiseach over 1,400 civilians were killed in the Buchan district, and even more were tortured.

Mr Varadkar was told: The Kremlin regime is a threat to the whole world.

The whole world must act jointly and in a coordinated manner to bring the leaders of the regime and their accomplices to account for all the evil they have committed, said Mr Kostin.

The Taoiseach was told that Bucha is a free and safe town today but that the terrible mass murders of civilians by Russian troops will not be forgotten.

Photographs by the Kiyv Post show Mr Varadkar looking at photographs of war scenes in Bucha and being led around the city by a delegation.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
There is "very strong support" for the view that Nora Sheehan, who went missing 42 years ago before her body was found dumped in dense undergrowth, had previously been in a car driven by murder accused Noel Long, a forensic scientist has told a cold case trial.

The Central Criminal Court jury also heard today that fibres recovered from the mother-of-three's clothing and nail scrapings matched those taken from a carpet inside the interior of a car associated with the accused.

Evidence was also given that paint fragments removed from the deceased's clothing matched paint taken from the same car in both colour and composition.

Noel Long (74) with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 54-year-old Mrs Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981, at an unknown place within the State. Her body was found by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods in Cork six days after she went missing.

Retired forensic scientist Dr Maureen Smith today told Mr Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that she had worked in the biology department of Forensic Science Ireland from 1979 to 2014. Her work entailed examining body fluids and textile fibres from crime scenes and individuals to determine if there were any possible links between them.

Dr Smith said she received Mrs Sheehan's navy overcoat with a white trim, a navy pinafore dress and brown tights on June 17, 1981. She also received a Sellotape lift from a shoe belonging to the deceased.

The trial has heard that when the victim was found in undergrowth at Shippool Woods her dress, slip and bra was pulled up covering her head and there was a pair of tights on her right foot. Her navy coat was lying in briars about 20 yards from the road.

Dr Smith told Mr Grehan that she also received Sellotape lifts taken from a light blue Opel Kadett car by retired Detective Inspector Colm Dardis on June 18 1981. The witness said her examination was to see if there were any links between Mrs Sheehan's clothing and the Sellotape lifts from the Kadett.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th

"Any loose debris from the surface of Mrs Sheehan's clothing was removed on Sellotape lifts," she added.

Mr Dardis (86) has already testified that he examined the Kadett on June 16, 1981, and took 44 surface lifts from the inside of the vehicle and its boot.

The trial has also heard from retired Superintendent Matthew Thorne (91) that he stopped Mr Long driving a blue Opel Kadett with registration plate OZF 426 on the Curraheen Road in Bishopstown in Cork on the morning of June 16, 1981.

Mr Thorne said he sat into the front passenger seat of the car and directed the accused to drive to the Bridewell garda station in Cork city. The Kadett was put into the station yard to be examined.

Asked by Mr Grehan what she had recovered from Mrs Sheehan's navy overcoat that was of significance, Dr Smith said she removed nine black viscose fibres which matched fibres from black carpet taken from the interior of the Kadett.

The former scientist said she also found four black viscose fibres on Mrs Sheehan's navy pinafore type dress, 20 black viscose fibres on the deceased's brown tights and two black viscous fibres on nail scrapings taken from the victim's right hand, all of which matched the fibres taken from the carpet inside the Kadett.

Dr Smith said she also found fragments of blue metallic paint on the Sellotape lifts taken from Mrs Sheehan's coat, dress and shoe, which matched metallic paint from the Kadett.

Asked by Mr Grehan whether there was any other matter on Mrs Sheehan's tights, Dr Smith said she found 26 fragments of green paint on them, which matched green paint fragments recovered in debris from the Kadett. The witness said she also found two fragments of light blue paint on the tights, which matched fragments of blue and white paint taken from debris in the motor vehicle.

Dr Smith said she had removed a flake of yellow and grey paint from the tights, which she passed on to her colleague Dr Sheila Willis.

Dr Smith said she removed a number of fragments of red foam from the dress and tights, which matched numerous items of red foam found in the Kadett.

The next witness, retired forensic scientist Dr Sheila Willis told Mr Grehan that she worked in the chemistry section of Forensic Science Ireland and examined materials that might form an association between victims and suspects.

Dr Willis said the fragments of blue paint found on Mrs Sheehan's shoe consisted of three layers - metallic blue, grey and dark grey - which matched the control paint from the Kadett in both colour and composition.

"In those days most car paints consisted of three layers and it was possible to slice it in such a way that you could see the individual layers, check the individual colour and check how they compared with fragments received from the clothes," she explained.

The former director of Forensic Science Ireland also said the fragment of yellow and grey paint recovered from the tights matched a fragment of yellow paint recovered from the Kadett. It had the same layer structure and infrared system, she added.

She said the deceased's tights contained numerous prills and small circular pieces of metal and that similar prills and metal were "plentiful" in the metal of the motorcar.

This afternoon, forensic scientist Amanda Lennon, also from Forensic Science Ireland, agreed with Mr Grehan that her job was to review the reports on trace evidence in the case which she had previously received from Dr Smith and Dr Willis. She also agreed that she was particularly doing so to assist with the query as to whether or not Mrs Sheehan was in the Kadett car.

She further agreed that she had access to the slides of the fibres and paint samples in relation to the Kadett car, the deceased's clothing and the nail scrapings.

Ms Lennon said her conclusion from the findings was that there is "very strong support" for the view that Mrs Sheehan was in the Kadett car rather than she was not.

The trial continues.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has condemned an attack on the family home of an independent councillor in south Co Dublin.

Independent councillor for Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Hugh Lewis has said a rock was thrown through the window of the house on Monday night.

His father has lived in the home alone since his wife died a few months ago. A note attached to the rock called on Mr Lewis to stop supporting refugees, he said.

Speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland, Mr Varadkar said: I want to condemn, unreservedly, the attack that happened on Councillor Lewiss home.

Whatever views people may have, there is no excuse for attacking any individual or attacking their property.

Thats absolutely wrong and should be condemned by everyone unreservedly.

This comes as Minister for Justice Helen McEntee promised a strong Garda response to the attack on the former home of the Independent councillor.

No individual be it in political life or otherwise should have something like that happen to them, said Ms McEntee on the incident in Ballybrack that involved Cllr Hugh Lewis father and which has been condemned as shocking and vile.

The minister said: I hope that individual and his family are doing well and I wish them well. I have spoken to the Garda Commissioner on this but also the number of incidents that have happened recently in the same area, and just to reassure there will be a strong Garda response.

Anti-asylum protesters converged on nearby Ballybrack village on Tuesday and a premises believed to have been earmarked for housing refugees and asylum seekers, Ridge Hall, was badly damaged.

To suggestions that Ballybrack has been held to ransom by demonstrators, with no shops able to trade, Ms McEntee said her message to people behind the intimidation was: You do not represent the vast majority of people in this country who are extremely welcoming and want to welcome these individuals who are seeking international protection or coming from Ukraine.

There are consequences to actions here. So I notice the Gardai are following up on a number of different incidents and charges have been brought.

Obviously where incidents arise the Gardai are responding as quickly as possible, but as we know, there are small numbers of people and there is no ability to predict what might happen.

Cllr Hugh Lewis talks of attack on home

The Gardai are very much on top of what is happening, but it's also very difficult to predict where these types of people might turn up. She was told that some people were throwing fireworks at a building and Gardai were not doing anything about it.

Minister McEntee said law enforcement had to take a step-by-step approach, but it is important that where there is violence or vandalism that the Gardai respond in the strongest way.

Richard Boyd Barrett, of Cllr Lewiss former party, People Before Profit, said the attack on the Lewis home was clearly related to a number of recent protests in the Ballybrack area against accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees.

Cllr Lewis and others had been attempting to challenge some of the fear-mongering and hostility being directed towards these people, he said.

This attack is clearly part of an attempt to silence and intimidate anyone who expresses any solidarity or compassion for those seeking asylum, he said, adding that it was being stirred up by a small minority, including elements with known associations with far-right political groups.

Mr Boyd Barrett added: It is absolutely shocking and vile that the home of Cllr Hugh Lewiss father was attacked simply because he showed solidarity and compassion.

I would ask anyone taken in by prejudice and misinformation to think again and reject this hate and intimidation.

There is justified anger in many communities over the housing and cost of living crisis but this is not the fault of asylum seekers, he added.

Hatred, division and intimidation will lead us to a bad place, and I hope our entire community will reject this dangerous poison and step away from these misdirected and ugly protests.
Tax Strategy Group fears reversing any rate cut could lead builders to pass their extra costs on to buyers

A Vat reduction for the construction sector costing the taxpayer 580m could eventually lead to house price increases, the Governments Tax Strategy Group (TSG) has warned.

Vat charged on the supply and construction of housing could be cut from 13.5pc to 9pc but it is feared contractors may use the tax cut to make more money.

If the cut is reversed, it could lead to tax hikes being passed on to home-buyers.

It is important to note that any subsequent return to a 13.5pc Vat rate could lead to price increases being passed to consumers as firms sought to preserve their gains from the temporary reduction, the group said.

There is no obligation that any reduction in Vat rate would be passed to consumers. There is a reasonable possibility that it would be used by contractors to improve their cashflow, it said.

If the cut is applied temporarily, it would lead to an administrative burden and confusion in terms of how it can be put in place and who qualifies for it.

The tax cut for private and social homes would cost 400m and it would be a further 180m for retrofitting private and social homes.

The group also strongly pushed back against further tax cuts because previous reports have shown they lead to a property bubble and should not be used as a way of dealing with short-term challenges.

Irelands past experience with tax incentives in the residential property sector strongly suggests the need for a cautionary stance, the group said.

There is strong evidence that the tax system should not be used to respond to short-term or cyclical changes.

No 1,000 tax cut for middle-income earners in Budget tax strategy

Instead, cash injections or more regulation should be considered in light of Budget 2024 before tax cuts since 20bn has been allocated under the Governments flagship housing plan, Housing for All.

Tax reliefs are regressive by nature and as such are not equally available to all taxpayers. This can pose difficulties in the equity of distribution of resources.

It may be prudent, therefore, that non-tax measures, such as direct expenditure or regulation, be considered before the use of any further taxation measures in the residential property market.

Most of the homes bought using Help to Buy cost between 301,000 and 375,000.

So far, the scheme, in which first-time buyers can claim back up to 30,000 of tax towards their home, has cost the taxpayer 819m.

Allowing landlords to deduct their property tax from rental income would not keep landlords in the rental market and instead be a deadweight cost, according to the groups paper on property.

Such a measure would be unlikely to impact on landlords decisions to stay in or enter the rental market as well as its deadweight cost.

A fifth of all vacant properties are rental properties, figures show. More than 20pc of all empty homes, or 35,380, are rental properties.

Meanwhile, taxpayers could be let down by the Budget when it comes to income tax changes.

The tax paper options for changes to income tax in Octobers Budget have not looked at what it would take to give middle-income earners a 1,000 income tax break.

Huge controversy erupted in May when three Fine Gael junior ministers said they wanted to see tax relief of more than 1,000 for full-time workers on an average wage of 52,000.

Junior ministers Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon and Peter Burke included the proposal in an article in the Irish Independent among a number of ways to use the billions in Budget surpluses expected in the coming years.

But options outlined in the tax papers published by the Department of Finance do not look at lowering the income tax burden of middle-income workers by 1,000.

This could mean Finance Minister Michael McGrath is backing away from a full 1,000 tax break for middle-income earners.

The Tax Strategy group is chaired by the Department of Finance and comprises senior officials and advisers from several governmental departments and offices.

The papers the group publishes set out the options for the Budget and the likely costs of the various options.

In the income tax paper, two options for increasing the standard rate income tax band are looked at by officials.

These are to increase the standard rate band by 1,000, with the second option to increase it by 1,500.

Adjusting the standard rate band by 1,500 would mean allowing people to earn an extra 1,500 at the 20pc tax rate, before hitting the 40pc rate.

However, increasing the standard rate tax band by 1,500 would deliver an income tax reduction of only around 300 a year for a single person, a married one-earner couple, or a two-earner couple.

In last years Budget, the standard rate band was increased by 3,200.

This meant that people can now earn 40,000 before they move on to the higher 40pc income tax rate.

The standard rate tax band would need to be increased by around 4,000 in October to deliver anything approaching a 1,000 income tax break, along with 100 increase in the tax credits.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar poses in Kyiv with actors as he visits Lesya Ukrainka Theatre, which staged Brien Friel's Translations in Dublin last month. Photo: Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has apologised to a young Ukrainian actor who was seriously assaulted while in Dublin performing a production of the play Translations in the Abbey Theatre.

While on a surprise trip to Kyiv today, Mr Varadkar asked Oleksandr Hrekov if he was doing OK, to which he replied, through a translator: "Yes, everything is fine, everything is perfect."

The Taoiseach said: "I'm sorry for what happened. Dublin is my home town, but sometimes not 100pc safe, unfortunately."

The young actor's reply was: "All places are like that."

Mr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the city's Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel. The actor required stitches in hospital.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar poses in Kyiv with actors as he visits Lesya Ukrainka Theatre, which staged Brien Friel's Translations in Dublin last month. Photo: Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

Mr Varadkar then spoke with Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and inquiring about his well-being since the assault.

There was widespread condemnation of the random street attack on Eden Quay last month after the shows final performance.

Oleksandr Hrekov. Photo: Matt Shanahan

Culture minister Catherine Martin condemned the "cowardly attack", along with other Irish politicians.

On an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital.

After an engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Mr Varadkar also paused for a moment's silence at a memorial in central Kyiv for the children who have died in the conflict, placing a toy lamb among the other teddies.

At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.

"Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot," he said.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv

"My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

"This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

"We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

"If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraine's friends, including Ireland, well, it's wrong.

"Volodymyr Zelensky, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt."

Mr Varadkar also reiterated Ireland's support for Ukraine's accession to the EU and called for the process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed in taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine areas.

He made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the Kakhoka dam and other areas.

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

"I, first of all, would like to extend words of gratitude to you and to the whole people of Ireland for hosting our nationals in Ireland. This is a significant moral support to our nation," he said.

"You've hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, you've provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important."

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
The sea is roasting, its like getting in a hot tub  Irish couple struggling with Greeces soaring temperatures

Tourists told to be vigilant in the sun as weekend temperatures expected to hit 42C

Dayna OHalloran and her boyfriend Adam Pomphrett are visiting Athens and islands off the Greek coast

Darragh Nolan and Ralph Riegel Wed 19 Jul 2023 at 03:30
Co-managing director of the Buckley Collection, Stephen Buckley, outside the Pembroke Street store. Pic: Gerry Mooney

A Dublin restaurant has been named one of the top 10 steakhouses in the world.

FX Buckley, on Lower Pembroke Street, was voted number six worldwide for its steak, making it the highest climber in Europe in the annual online review.

Parrilla Don Julio, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was named as this years overall winner of the Worlds 101 Best Steak Restaurants.

It was followed by Hawksmoor, in London, and American Cut Tribeca, in New York. FX Buckley came in sixth place and was praised for the quality of its Irish beef. No other Irish steakhouse made the top 101 list this year.

The Worlds 101 Best Steak Restaurants review read: 100pc Irish  100pc quality. The Buckley family has achieved legendary status in Dublin over the last six generations  originally as butchers and purveyors of the finest quality meats, and subsequently as operators of some of the nations favourite steakhouses, gastropubs and bars.

At FX Buckley they source their own Angus and Hereford beef, which means they know exactly whats being served on their restaurant tables.

The steak cuts from heifers only are grazed for at least two years on the finest quality Irish grass, which means theres lots of time for a good layer of marbling to build up  for that extra special flavour.

Although we have known the benefits of Irish beef for a long time, the quality on offer has been very good.

FX Buckley has left a lasting impression with us and is new in our top 10 of our list of the Worlds Best Steak Restaurants.

The Buckley Collection is a group of steakhouses, gastro pubs, bars and a grocery store. They also do business in Moore Street and Monkstown.

Stephen Buckley, Managing Director at The Buckley collection, told Independent.ie: We are absolutely thrilled to be ranked No.6 on the prestigious list of the top 101 steak restaurants in the world.

We are honoured to be placed amongst the best in the world and be the only Irish restaurant to feature on the 2023 list.

As meat experts, we pride ourselves on showcasing the best of Irish beef and serve only 100pc Irish, traditional heritage breeds, he added.

FX Buckley on Pembroke Street was voted one of the top steakhouses in the world

The Buckley Collection posted on Instagram: Out of the top 101 steak restaurants in the world, weve proudly claimed the No. 6 spot, making us the highest climber in Europe and the only Irish restaurant on the 2023 list!

This incredible achievement wouldnt have been possible without the continuous support and appreciation of our amazing patrons. Your love for our exceptional steaks has propelled us to new heights!

A big shout-out and heartfelt thanks to the esteemed team at @worldbeststeakrestaurants for recognizing our commitment to excellence and for including us in this prestigious ranking.

Describing their quality of beef, they added: At FX Buckley, we take immense pride in our commitment to quality and flavour. Our beef boasts distinctive marbling, a result of allowing the cattle to graze for two years or more.

To elevate our beef to unparalleled levels of taste, we dry-age it for 28 days in state-of-the-art meat lockers. This meticulous process intensifies the flavours and tenderness.

Once our beef is ready for the table, our master butcher cuts it to your taste right in your chosen FX Buckley restaurant.

Then, we cook it to perfection at 350C in our high-temperature charcoal ovens. This ensures that every bit of flavour and juiciness is sealed in, resulting in a mouthwatering culinary masterpiece.

On This Day In History - July 18th
Dodie Heath, who has died aged 96, was an actress who arrived in Hollywood in the 1950s by way of Broadway, where she sang in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the musical about immigrants in New York; on the opposite coast she went on to appear in such acclaimed films as Brigadoon and The Diary of Anne Frank.

She was born Rowena Dolores Heath on August 3, 1926, in Seattle, Washington, to her inventor father Wilfred Paul Heath  who designed toys when the invention business faltered  and Alice (nee Alexander).

When she was just six months old, her father sent a photo of her to a goat milk company looking for a baby for an advertising campaign.

She first trod the boards while studying performing arts at her home town university, and upon graduating she joined a touring company of South Pacific, as one of the ensigns. In 1951, she joined the Broadway production of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

She understudied Janet Blair in the short-lived comedy A Girl Can Tell (Royal Theatre, 1953), but left after catching the eye of film director Vincente Minnelli  there was unsubstantiated press gossip of a romance  who took her out to Hollywood and signed her up for Brigadoon, based on the hit Broadway musical about a village that appears every 100 years, and starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse.

She played a local girl, Meg Brickie, though her part was drastically reduced from the one in the stage show (and, as with many of her roles, she was credited as Dody Heath).

She returned to Broadway as the lead in the comedy Oh Men! Oh Women! (1954), at the Henry Miller Theatre, before heading back to Hollywood.

On screen in 1959 she received good notices for The Diary of Anne Frank, playing Miep Gies, the brave employee of Annes father Otto who helped to hide the Frank family.

Despite her early promise, however, Dodie Heaths movie career faltered, and she focused increasingly on television, with guest spots on series including The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, Colt .45, Riverboat and three episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

Among a handful of later films, she joined Shirley MacLaine and David Niven in Ask Any Girl (1959), about a girl who goes to New York in search of a rich husband, and in 1964 she was with Jayne Mansfield in the German crime drama Dog Eat Dog, filmed in Yugoslavia, playing one of several unsavoury types looking to get their hands on a hoard of a million dollars stolen from a US-bound shipment.

In 1966 she was a blink-or-you-miss-her nun in the Billy Wilder black comedy The Fortune Cookie (1966) starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

Then, after a cameo in the strange horror flick Welcome to Arrow Beach (1974, later re-edited and re-released as Tender Flesh), starring Laurence Harvey, suffering from the cancer that killed him not long after the film wrapped, Dodie Heath retired.

For many years, she was in a relationship with the circus owner John Ringling North, though the pair never married (he wrote a song for her, Dody, which was released in 1956).

In 1962 she married the agent-turned-producer Jack Cushingham in Rome. The pair lived in Bel Air, California, for years, until his death in 1985.

She then married Richard Soames, a film financier who in the 1980s bankrolled Platoon, RoboCop and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994).

The pair divorced in the early 2000s, after which Dodie Heath pursued interests in theatre production.
As Ukraine received cluster bombs from the US, Vladimir Putin said in an interview that Russia had a sufficient stockpile of cluster munitions (Aleksey Babushkin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

As if unprovoked and unjustified war on the people of Ukraine was not enough, food has once again been weaponised by the Kremlin. Putin is using the poorest people on our planet as chips in a diabolical poker game with the West.

His invasion had already precipitated the worst food crisis in modern history, as global agricultural systems absorbed another shock.

Even before Russian tanks rolled over its neighbours borders, supply chains had been smashed by the pandemic and extreme weather events, such as the worst drought in almost a century in central and southern Brazil. On top of all this, the record prices for natural gas  a key input to make nitrogen-based fertilisers  had also become a nightmare for farmers.

Then, for five months, all of Ukraines ports were blocked. Ukraine normally supplies about 45 million metric tons of grain to the global market every year.

Together with Russia, it accounted for about one quarter of global wheat exports in 2019. That meant agony for fragile communities already battling hunger.

It also meant the risk of starvation and famine in countries such as Somalia, contending with what the UN describes as a catastrophic food emergency.

Moscows naval superiority has allowed it to disrupt grain shipments from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. The original agreement brokered by Turkey to resume the exports had helped maintain food supplies in developing countries, but it has been on the brink of collapse for months, with Russia insisting that terms of the deal were not being upheld.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the decision to suspend the Black Sea grain export deal a cynical move.

Policy chief Josep Borrell was more blunt, accusing Moscow of using food as a weapon. (It is) completely unjustified, weaponising the hunger of the people.

The Kremlin has insisted the decision to end the deal was not a result of Ukraines attack on the Crimean Bridge. If it wasnt, it seems a remarkable coincidence that it was terminated immediately after it.

A spokesman said as parts of the Black Sea deal were not fulfilled, it was ceasing effect.

Russian exports of food and fertiliser are not subject to Western sanctions, imposed after the war. Yet Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

Putin has claimed that deal was benefiting wealthy European countries rather than poorer ones. But this too is bogus, the agreement brought food to those in dire need. To deny them of it is intolerably cruel.

All it will do, as UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said, is strike a blow to people in need everywhere. As if these people have not suffered enough.

The agronomist Norman Borlaug once said: Food is the moral right of all who are born into this world.

So to deprive those who need it most, is yet another deplorable act in the dismal catalogue of crimes for which the Russian president must be made to pay.
The best way to defend the world's citizens is by promoting international peace. Photo: Getty Images

During the recent one-sided forum debates, we heard lots of flawed reasons why Ireland needs to align itself ever more closely with Nato and EU military defence alliances.

The focus was on defending Irish territory and resources rather than defending the best interests of the Irish people. This raises the question as to who are the people, Irish and otherwise, that need to be defended?

Since a united Ireland is likely within a decade or two, the Irish people should include all the people living on the island of Ireland. It should include all the new Irish who have chosen Ireland as their home.

A small vocal minority use racist and xenophobic arguments to oppose the integration of these new arrivals. As recently as 10,000 years ago, few if any humans lived in Ireland, so we are all recent migrants.

Large numbers of Irish people have migrated out of Ireland, for reasons of colonial persecution, poverty, famine, and incompetent governance since independence. As a result, our Irish diaspora is scattered all over the world. We should defend the best interests of our diaspora or kinfolk.

In this increasingly vulnerable and interdependent world, our kinfolk should be all humankind. The best way to defend all our people is by actively promoting international peace and global justice. All Irish, European, and international politicians should avoid fuelling the dreadful war in Ukraine, and work tirelessly to end all wars.

Edward Horgan

Castletroy, Co Limerick

Abuse of male calves is sickening and action must take place to prevent it

Well done to the RTE Investigates team on the comprehensive expose (again) of the abusive and cruel treatment of hundreds of thousands of young male calves being exported from this country every year.

Shame on the politicians, farm leaders and farmers who turn a blind eye to this scandal.

The Agriculture Minister, the officials in his department and Teagasc advisers can no longer hide behind the promise of an investigation into behaviours caught on camera in the programme. Likewise, similar claptrap coming from farmers and their leaders doesnt cut it anymore.

No animal, young or otherwise should be subjected to such barbarity.

The sickening, distressing and disgusting fallout of the dairy industry in Ireland must stop now.

The onus is on the Government to put in place tough measures, including strict enforcement to deal with the annual dumping of male calves. There must be proper levels of inspection and monitoring of the care of calves from birth on farms to marts and transport to the delivery point on the continent. Heavy fines must be imposed for any breaches. It is no defence to say that these abuses apply only to a few. All dairy farmers have a responsibility to see that such practices are eliminated.

Eileen Brennan

College Square, Kilkenny

Nursing home inspectors have a hard job so lets not make it harder for them

At a time when the governance and inspection of nursing homes is rightfully under scrutiny, spare a thought for the role of the HIQA inspector. To provide some context, HIQA carries out inspections of all nursing homes in Ireland to assess compliance with the regulations and standards.

While inspections are normally unannounced, a centre can expect at least one announced inspection in the three-year registration cycle. It is undoubtedly a critical job to determine whether a residential centre is compliant or not, but the level of guidance provided by HIQA appears mind-boggling. Guidance on each individual regulation is described in immense detail in a 124-page guide with the inspection covering various aspects of capacity, capability, quality and safety.

Interestingly, while individual care plans are a key tenet of personalised care, according to HIQA, nursing homes in Ireland are free to use a variety of different care plan templates. This lack of consistency must make the job of the inspector even more challenging. While I am reluctant to add to the already overburdened inspectors workload, I am surprised that quality of life does not appear to feature in the inspection metrics and is only vaguely referred to in reports.

It might seem a grandiose title, but I think we all know the elements that make us happy  autonomy to get up and go to bed when we choose, receive family and friends whenever we want, have a choice of good food, be empowered to indulge our interests and our hobbies, enjoy a certain level of privacy, and so on. While clinical excellence and infection control are of course important, we cannot forget the importance of living a good life.

In summary, I have a new-found respect for the poor inspector but wonder whether they have been dragged so far down into the minutiae that they cannot possibly see the wood for the trees?

Annette Condon

Cahir, Co Tipperary

Fine Gaels U-turn on rewetting law could turn out to be an own goal

Who would have thought that the rewetting law narrowly passed by the European Parliament less than a week ago would have been so successful in Ireland?

With farmers, tourism operators and local authorities struggling to work in waterlogged fields, activity parks and roads around the country, one wonders if the about-turn by the five Fine Gael MEPs in backing the nature restoration law will be seen as an own goal in due course.

Our little exposed rocky perch on the side of the Atlantic ocean seemingly has its own ideas about nature and what constitutes rewetting, despite the best efforts of science and politics to bend it to their ways.

Maybe the old traditions of our ancestors and St Swithin still have something to offer as we try to plan for tomorrow on the Emerald Isle.

Tom McElligott

Listowel, Co Kerry

Article on Eileen Walsh would not have used same headline if roles reversed

Jim OSullivan rightly takes umbrage with the headline for the interview with Eileen Walsh  Men can be pretty disgusting  on the cover of Saturdays Weekend Magazine. While Im loathe to mention the piece any further, there are just a couple of points to consider.

If you reverse the genders, would an article with the title Women can be pretty disgusting be published? I think not. Mr OSullivan asserts that Eileen Walsh is an actor and should understand the power of words. Quite right, but Ms Walsh can never win an award in that category, although she may have a chance in the actress category, which may go some way to explaining the sexist headline which appeared.

Peter Declan OHalloran

Belturbet, Co Cavan
Fundraiser to help Doneraile man Damian Horgan following his accident raised 115,000

The family of a Doneraile man who lost the battle for his life at the weekend in a Vietnam hospital have expressed their gratitude to the people who donated a total over 115,000 to help meet his medical expenses after he suffered catastrophic injuries in a bike accident earlier this year.

Damien Horgan had been working as a teacher in Vietnam for four years before his accident caused him life-threatening injuries. On Saturday, his niece, Leah Sheehan, posted on the GoFundMe page which had been providing constant updates for his friends and the many people who contributed towards the fund-raising campaign for Damien.

We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Damien has passed away, she wrote.

He lost his fight yesterday and what a fight he put up!

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

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.

Were so glad our grandfather, Frank, took so many pictures of Damien and us growing up and throughout the years, which we will cherish forever!

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who have been so heavily invested in Damiens story. Without all of your help, we wouldnt have gotten those extra weeks to be by Damiens side in Vietnam.

The Go Fund Me campaign has raised a total of 115,400 to date, and donations were still being made this week.

While a death notice has been posted on RIP.ie, no funeral arrangements have been published as yet.
Mayor seeks yes or no answer on medical service in north Cork

A protest march is being organised to take place in Fermoy on Friday as confusion continues over the after-hours service in the local South-doc centre

A protest march is being planned in Fermoy on Friday as confusion continues to reign over whether or not after hours medical services are available between 10pm and 8am on weeknights and 9am-6pm at weekends and holidays.

This was confirmed on Wednesday by County Mayor Cllr Frank OFlynn, as he and other elected representatives sought clear answers from the HSE on whether or not a person who falls ill in Fermoy after 10pm on a weekday evening would be seen in the towns treatment centre by a SouthDoc doctor.

Were planning a protest march to highlight our concerns over these issues and it will take place tomorrow (Friday), Cllr OFlynn told The Corkman on Wednesday.

The demand for clarity was put to the HSE on Tuesday after a joint statement was issued by Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and South West Doctors-on-Call Company Limited by Guarantee in which it was stated: In summary, the SouthDoc out-of-hours service remains available to the patients and full access to the services provided.

The statement had outlined that there was a change in the doctors roster which was necessary due to ever increasing demand against the backdrop of a chronic shortage of doctors.

This will be done through reforming doctor rosters, the statement said. These adjustments relate to the doctors rosters only and will not impact the service provision overnight.

All patients are currently dealt with by appointment only and this will remain unchanged.

Any patients that may require a home visit, due to their clinical condition, will also be treated accordingly.

Cllr Frank OFlynn, the current County Cork Mayor, said there needed to be clarity as to whether the overnight service was available or not.

He said staff at the Fermoy Treatment Centre had been called to a meeting in Mallow on Monday and told that the after hours service would not be continuing out of the Fermoy centre and that the car which had been used by the centre was being re-allocated.

You know and I know that if the staff are not working at the centre after 10pm and that the car has been taken away, that the after hours service, the red eye service, is gone from Fermoy, he said.

The Fermoy Treatment Centre covered an area the size of Limerick City and County, he added.

Mayor OFlynn said that he and other elected representatives had sought a meeting with the HSE over the issue but that no meeting had been arranged with them so far.

The way theyre treating us and the public is a disgrace, he said.

The Corkman sought clarification from Cork/Kerry Community Healthcare arising out of their statement on Tuesday.

In an email sent on Tuesday at 5pm, we asked this question: If someone should fall ill in the Fermoy area this evening and ring SouthDoc will they be able to get an appointment to see a doctor in Fermoy after 10pm?

When this newspaper had not received a response on Wednesday morning to our email, we communicated by text with Cork/Kerry Community Healthcare to be told that the email we had sent the previous evening had not been received by them.

The email was resent to the same address and a confirmation receipt was requested. The email was received on this occasion, this reporter was informed in writing.

This is the response provided to us at the second time of asking.

We wish to reassure people that there is no reduction of service, SouthDoc continues to provide care from 6pm to 8am each weekday and 24-hour cover at weekends and public holidays.

Regarding patients who become unwell, it is the same process that has always been in place. SouthDoc visits are by appointment only, i.e. a person rings SouthDoc - which is all manned through a call centre in Killarney - who will ensure the clinical triage is completed and that people are seen, if deemed necessary.

If an individual in the catchment area requires care, that care can be provided by appointment in the Fermoy Treatment Centre, or via home visit, depending on clinical condition of the patient as assessed by the consulting doctor.

Arising out of this response, this reporter sought clarification on the phrase, care can be provided by appointment in the Fermoy Treatment Centre or via home visit.

This was the query contained in the follow up email sent by the Corkman to Cork Kerry Community Healthcare:

When the statement says, that care can be provided by appointment in the Fermoy Treatment Centre, or via home visit, depending on clinical condition of the patient as assessed by the consulting doctor - does that mean that the care WILL be provided in Fermoy Treatment Centre or that the patient might be required to travel somewhere else because the care isnt available?

There was no response to this email as The Corkman went to press.

Concerned Fermoy residents mounted a vigil outside the towns treatment centre on Tuesday evening as they felt that nights service would be the last after hours service in the town.

In its original joint statement issued on Tuesday, representatives from Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and SouthDoc sought to reassure people there would be no reduction in service in the north Cork town and the catchment area.

SouthDoc Chairman Dr Andrew Crosbie said: In 2006 we had 162,000 patient consultations, whereas last year we had 231,000 patient consultations and yet we have had no increase in GP numbers. So, thats 40% more appointments with the same number of GPs, so the rosters need to be adjusted accordingly. These changes are part and parcel of an operational update and will not affect availability or services to patients.

Head of Primary Care, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Priscilla Lynch said: We understand that changes or updates to services can cause confusion and worry for people. We want to reassure all patients in North Cork that they will get the care they need, where they need it, when they need it. There is no reduction in service with these roster changes. All patients will be triaged as usual and offered appropriate care, by appointment, if required.

Fermoy-based GP Dr Deirdre OGrady said: The public has been brilliantly served by SouthDoc over the years and will continue to be. The speed of access to SouthDoc far exceeds the normal waiting times currently available in general practice. These roster adjustments in North Cork will not challenge that in the slightest.

Dr Gary Stack, Medical Director of SouthDoc said: Patients will continue to be seen in a safe and timely fashion. What we are doing is in the best interest of the patients.

Concerns have been raised in other areas throughout north Cork over the shortage of doctors and, in particular, an after hours service.

In recent weeks Health Minister Stephen Donnelly sent a letter to Cork North West TD Michael Moynihan making assurances that the service until 10pm in Kanturk would remain open.

Concerns have also been expressed about the SouthDoc service in Charleville and Mitchelstown.
The drawing by Ireland's foremost artist, the late Jack Butler Yeats, which will be put on display during the Mallow Arts Festival.

An art exhibition to open next week in Mallow will feature works by two of Irelands most celebrated creative characters, Jack and William Butler Yeats.

The drawings by the brothers, Jack, who is recognised as Irelands greatest artist, and his brother, William, who won a Nobel Prize for Literature for his poetry, will form part of the exhibition of national and international artists to be opened next week as a centrepiece of the Mallow Arts Festival.

The exhibition, curated by local accountant Colman Dalton and his wife Marie, will open at Mallows West End Art Gallery at 6pm on Wednesday, July 26 and will run for 10-days.

It will feature more than 50 works by 40 artists on loan from the private collections of 18 art connoisseurs from across the country.

Among the works on display will lithographs and drawings by internationally renowned artists including Vincent Van Gough, Henri Matisse, Louis Toffoli and Pierre De Belay, and paintings by Rodo Pissarrro, Frank Schneider and Emma Herland.

The exhibition will have distinctly home-grown feel with numerous, predominantly 20th century works, by a number of well-known Irish artists including drawings by brothers Jack & WB Yeats, William Orpen, Walter Osborne and Sean Keating.

It will also feature paintings by Irish artists including Mary Swanzy, Markey Robinson, James OHalloran Sylvia Cooke-Collis, George Campbell, Marrian Jeffares, Muriel Brandt and Alicia Boyle.

Mr Dalton and his wife opened a gallery in Mallows landmark Clock House building for period during the 1990s, which held regular exhibitions.

Hes thrilled to be able to put the works by the Yeats brothers on displays.

Its very rare to get works by the two brothers as William was known as a poet rather than an artist but his work here is of a high quality.

The gallery was something of a hobby for Marie and I. During that time, we got to know other Irish collectors, many of whom have kindly loaned us pieces for the forthcoming exhibition in July, said Mr Dalton.

It will be the second exhibition Mr Dalton and his wife have curated under the umbrella of the Mallow Arts Festival.

This years exhibition will be far more comprehensive as we have had more time to put it together.

We are thrilled to be able to bring a collection of truly top-class Irish and international artworks to Mallow for this exhibition, which I have not doubt prove to be a huge attraction, said Mr Dalton.

Admission to the exhibition will be free and Marie and I have issued an open invitation to the public to come along and enjoy this truly magnificent collection, he added.

Mr Dalton said that two of the works on display, Theresas Flowers by James OHalloran and Mountain Stream County Wicklow by Fergus ORyan, will also be raffled off for charity on the opening night of the exhibition.

The proceeds from the raffle will be split between the homeless charity Focus Ireland and the Cork-based H.A.R.T. animal rescue team. We are hoping that people coming along to the exhibition will enter the raffle and help support these two very worthy causes, said Mr Dalton.

Tickets for the raffle can be purchased in advance from Karen on 087 696 7980, Margaret on 086 696 2577 or Colman (during office hours) on 022 21650 and various outlets in Mallow.
Harbour Court in the city centre, has become a focal point for drug use and prostitution

Harbour Court, off Abbey Street, is to be closed to the public

A laneway scourged by drug use, prostitution and littered with drug paraphernalia in inner city Dublin, will be closed off to the public following requests by local businesses.

Harbour Court, off Abbey Street, has become a focal point for intravenous drug use, according to Dublin City Council.

The narrow lane has been called an indication of how policing is failing in the inner city.

On Wednesday afternoon, drug paraphernalia scattered the laneway while a homeless man searched the ground looking for drugs.

Another homeless man, who wished not to be named, told independent.ie: I spend a lot of time around here walking around the streets. There is a lot of drug use here, prostitution male and female.

The 53-year-old, who has been homeless for 15 years, added: It has been going on since the 1980s. Its so open now [drug use] no one cares anymore. The heroin is gone, now its the crack and crystal meth being sold.

It gets moved on, it was Thomas Street then it was the boardwalk, and now its outside the GPO.

Drugs paraphernalia littering the ground at Harbour Court

You would see them selling it directly right in front of the GPO. They would be using it here.

He said a few people sleep at Harbour Court, but it wouldnt be a great spot for sleeping. Its rough, its too open.

He added that the lane can be dangerous at night with people out of their minds on drugs.

Its everywhere in Dublin. There would be something happening here every day, he said.

I think its a bad thing to cut it off, they are not cutting it off for a public reason, it wont solve the issue.

Dublin City Council has proposed closing off public access to the laneway due to anti-social behaviour.

At a meeting last week, councillor Janet Horner said: It is a real failure I would never walk that way, even though it is a convenient car-free route from Abbey Street to the Quays.

It is a real indication of how much we are failing to deal with the issues around Abbey Street that we are actually having to extinguish what should be positive permeability routes though the inner city.

They are having to be surrendered because we have not adequately dealt with the issues, she said.

Councillor Cieran Perry said there is a lack of policing in the inner city and the lane has become the reality of living in Dublin.

We simply do not have the policing resources to properly police the city, he said.

Harbour Court has become a focal point for intravenous drug use, according to Dublin City Council

Harbour Court is located near the new garda station which opened on OConnell street in March.

Councillor Christy Burke said the lane is a dangerous place to be, however, unfortunately that station closes at 2am when the mayhem usually starts in parts of the city.

Its not a nice sight to see people shooting up in a laneway.

Council official Karl Mitchell said the local authority has spoken with the businesses which open onto the laneway at the back.

Some of the businesses and pubs had previously pushed back on closing off public access, however, have now requested that the council close the public right of way to the lane due to so much difficulty.

At the moment its not a space that is worth opening up, it wont attract people in, he said.

A report from Dublin City Council said: The reason for this extinguishment is due to anti-social behaviour.

It is regularly used for intravenous drug use and is littered with needles and other drug paraphernalia. Also it has become a location for illegal dumping.

The council has a statutory requirement to give public notice of the proposal, of which any objections will be considered.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
Seven Dublin pubs, including Kehoes and The Stags Head, have been nominated for the Traditional Bar of the Year award.

The overall winners of the Bar of the Year Awards will be announced on August 21. Out of the 16 bars nominated for the Traditional Bar award, seven are Dublin pubs.

Kehoes on Annes Street; Lundy Foots in Temple Bar; Murrays Bar on OConnell Street; The Brazen Head on Ushers Quay; The Stags Head on Dame Street; An Poitin Stil in Rathcoole; and K67 Bar and Grill in Swords have all been nominated.

The Black Forge Inn in Drimnagh, owned by UFC fighter Conor McGregor, was nominated for Best Visitor Attraction of the year.

Louis Fitzgerald, who has a family-run pub empire, received a nomination for An Poitin Stil.

An Poitin Stil is among the 16 nominations for Traditional Bar of the Year

We are very pleased to be nominated for a number of awards across our pubs and bars in both Dublin and Galway in this year's Bar of the Year Awards, he said.

Ensuring the best possible experience and service for our customers every day is central to everything we do. The nominations are a credit to our management and teams across our pubs, bars and restaurants.

Meanwhile, David McDermott of the McDermott Group that run K67, said: The McDermott Group is delighted and very proud to have been nominated in three categories for this years Bar of The Year Awards.

Our incredible team has worked tirelessly to have this exceptional venue ready for the summer season. It has been both challenging and fulfilling. We wish everyone nominated the very best of luck in the awards.

A spokesperson for Lundy Foots in Temple Bar added: Were over the moon to find ourselves on the shortlist for Traditional Bar of the Year. At Lundy Foots, were all about keeping the heart and soul of the classic Irish pub alive and kicking.

This is an impressive achievement, especially considering the competition from other notable pubs in Temple Bar.

Murrays Bar on OConnell Street added: At Murrays Bar, were all about that good old-fashioned Irish pub feel, where everyone is like a family.

This nomination is a big tip of the hat to our hardworking team and fantastic customers. Were proud to keep Irish traditions alive, one pint at a time.

Murray's Bar in Dublin praised their dedicated staff and customers

The Bar of the Year Awards said: After careful consideration and rigorous evaluation, our esteemed panel of judges handpicked the top contenders from across Ireland.

These exceptional bars have consistently raised the standards of mixology, hospitality, and overall customer experience.

Their dedication, creativity, and passion for crafting unforgettable moments have made them stand out among their peers.

The other pubs nominated for the Traditional Bar award include Cobblers Bar in Mayo; Gracies Bar in Sligo; J.J Hough's Singing Pub in Offaly; Murphys Galway in Galway; ODonoghue Public House in Kerry; OBriens Bar in Wexford; Peadars Bar Moate in Westmeath; and Thomas Francis Meagher Bar at the Granville Hotel in Waterford.
Cllrs Fionnan Fitzgerald and Charlie Farrelly with members of the Currow Rural Development Group and protest supporters and Chairman Damien Boyle (right) and his children, Selena and Killian at the speed limit sign removal protest on Friday evening. Included are: Eileen OConnor, Noel Reidy, Marie Hillard, Elizabeth OSullivan, Seamus OSullivan, Cllr. Fitzgerald and Cllr.Farrelly, Thresa Walsh, Eleanor Hiley, Ann Kelly and Ulick Walsh. Photo by John Reidy

CONCERNS are mounting in Currow over plans to move speed limit signs closer to town and village centres, with many fearing it will impact everything from safety to the appearance of approach roads.

Cllrs Fionnan Fitzgerald and Charlie Farrelly joined with members of the Currow Rural Development Group and other locals concerned over the plans at a protest this week  held at a section of the Castleisland-Currow road on which three people have been killed and other injured in recent years.

They are protesting a plan which would see the village centre speed limit signs being moved 100 metres closer to the village.

Cllr Farrelly said he fears there are a number of agendas at play in the move: This leads to a diminishing of the responsibility of these authorities to the people of the localities in question.

They dont have to lay footpaths or maintain hedges, lights or place extra signage needed in a longer run into these places by shortening the distances from the speed limit signs to the heart of the affected populations, said Cllr. Farrelly.

Weve been through problems and scenes like this before in places like Cordal, Tullig just outside Castleisland and in Currans also.

There was a public consultation process carried out by the RSA in 2019 but it passed the majority of the people of these places by with all that was happening then and since, said Cllr. Farrelly.

There was uproar when all 949 elected councillors met at a gathering of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) shortly after that process and signatures were collected, he said.

The RSAs own driver attitude and behaviour study in 2020 shows there has been a significant increase in the acceptability of speeding compared to previous years  further fuelling safety fears among the people of Currow; who are protesting at the increase in road traffic speed outside their doors if and when these signs are moved closer to the village.

Currow Rural Development Chairman Damien Boyle said that none of his committee members had been informed of this decision until a neighbour on the stretch of roadway got wind of the change last week.

We met Kerry County Council as a delegation in January of 2022 and there wasnt a word about the moving of the speed limit signs then. We stated our case and made all the serious and tragic events on this piece of road known to them.

Now theyre planning to move these signs closer to the village and ignore the history of this part of the roadway without a word to anyone living along the affected stretch, said Mr. Boyle.
Siamsa Tire are seeking people to take part in a Bavarian themed dance challenge in the Town Park as part of and cultural exchange project between Ireland and Germany.

SIAMSA Tire are seeking people to take part in a German themed social media dance challenge to promote a cultural exchange programme between the national folk theatre and Bayern Tourism.

The twin challenges take place this week, on Wednesday, July 19 and Thursday July 20, and both will be filmed for a social media campaign that will go live in Germany at the end of August.

The first Dance Challenge takes place, tonight (Wednesday, July 19) at 8pm in the theatre of Siamsa Tire.

Bavarian dancer Katharina Mayer is seeking an enthusiastic audience to support her as she takes on the challenge of learning the traditional Irish Munnix dance step unique to Siamsa Tire.

Katharina will take to the stage with National Folk Theatre cast to learn and perform a dance from the production of Fado Fado and anyone who would like to attend should be at the theatre between 7.30 and 7.50pm at the latest.

Those who prefer to get actually get involved, rather than simply can join Katharina for the second dance challenge in the Town Park on Thursday when she will be teaching all who come along how to do a traditional Bavarian dance and then leading the group as they rock their way around the park.

Bavarian dance pays no heed to dress style, age, social class or culture. Together, people from all backgrounds dance, spin, clap, stamp, jump and bow in time to the music. The formula is simple: watch for a while then join in. These smooth couples dances are so easy that everyone can learn how to do them in no time. And experience for themselves an enjoyable piece of Bavarian tradition, said Siamsa Tire PR manager Michelle Murphy.

The aim of this cultural exchange is to show the Irish attitude to life, hospitality and diversity. The first part of the exchange involved sending members of the National Folk Theatre as our Irish ambassadors across to Germany in June to meet colleagues who have a similar creative understanding to their own, Ms Murphy said.

As part of their visit the Irish ambassadors from the National Folk Theatre, Anne ODonnell and Derwin Myers took part in the annual Munich Festival in June and took on a food and dance challenge live in front of festival goers.

Likewise, during Katharinas visit, she too will take on an Irish food challenge and will be learning Irish dance in exchange for teaching her Bavarian dance to locals.

A film of the cultural exchange project will be produced in Germany and it will be promoted on social media and publicity channels by Bayern Tourism and Tourism Ireland.

The exchange that is intended to show how beautiful Ireland, Germany, Europe is to the world and how diverse and creative our countries are, Michelle Murphy said.
An old woman on the Kenmare Road.

A sketch of life in Kerry in Victorian times.

A collection of rare sketches illustrating life in Killarney in the late 1800s have been gifted to the National Gallery of Ireland by Dr Colum Kenny of Dublin City University.

The sketches, entitled Kenmare, High Street Killarney on Market Day, and On the Killarney Road, are the work of English artist Theresa Rose Marrable who may have visited Killarney with her father, George, in the 1880s

Dr Kenny, whose grandmother Annette Murphy hails from Tralee, discovered the sketches in a second-hand bookstore in Shrewsbury, England, some years ago.

An old woman on the Kenmare Road.

The sketches were sourced while researching his latest book, 'Kenmare: History and Society  Fr John OSullivan and the Famine Poor.

The sketches, while not of much value in monetary terms, are very significant from an historical perspective considering they offer a glimpse of life in Victorian Kerry at a time when photography was scarce.

Market Day at High Street in Killarney.

Theresa Rose Marrable was born in London into a well-connected household. In 1882, Marrables father would become paymaster of Queen Victorias household, while her aunt was a major influence on womens painting in London in the late 1800s.

Marrables work was later exhibited across Britain with the Society of Women Artists.
Signing up for a school musical because the girl he fancied was in the show has proved to be the best decision Forrest Bothwell ever made, as the young Louth actor is now starring in the second season of the epic BBC drama World on Fire.

The 22-year-old stars alongside Lesley Manville, Jonah Hauer-King from The Little Mermaid and Blake Harrison from The Inbetweeners, in the six-part series which was filmed in Northern Ireland.

This, however, wasnt his first time rubbing shoulders with big names stars, as he has previously worked with Oscar winner Olivia Coleman and Guy Pearce

Forrest, whose real name is Forrest Campbell, changed his surname to avoid confusion with another actor with the same name so he selected the maiden name of his late grandmother Marjorie from Ballymascanlon, as his stage name.

"I call Dundalk my home, he told The Argus, speaking from the UK where he is working on another project.. We moved to the Old Road, Bellurgan when I was nine but I went to school in the North.

He fell into acting at the age of 17 while studying at The Royal School Armagh. He had decided to audition for the school musical Beauty and the Beast and subsequently landed the role of Lumiere.

He had shown any interest in going on stage before so his mother Heather was surprised by this decision but encouraged him to go for it.

However, he had only auditioned for the part because a girl he fancied was in the show, but Forrest ended up by bitten by the acting bug.

Having originally planned to study civil engineering, he decided that his future lay in acting.

"It all seemed to fall into place very suddenly. I had to do a 180 turn, it was almost a bit embarrassing. I do one school musical and then I want to me an actor, he recalls. It was people like my Mum saying to follow my passion that gave me the strength to start doing so.

He joined The Shelly Lowry Speech and Drama Group and later signed onto the affiliated talent agency, Shelley Lowry Talent.

He got his first profession role when he was just 18, when he played the lead role in the short film The Familiar Sting , directed by the award-winning film and television director Joe McStravick, and more work soon followed.

"Mothering Sunday was my first big job, he said. That saw him acting alongside Olivia Coleman, Colin Firth, and Glenda Jackson.

His next big break came when he appeared alongside Guy Pearce in the action thriller Sunrise which was filmed at Belfasts Titanic Studios.

"That was the job that led me to dropping out of drama school, he says of his decision to quit his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

"It just felt like the right thing to do. Guy Pearce is a legendary actor and it was great to get the opportunity to work with him.

It proved a sound decision as work has flowed in for the young actor, including a part in the second series of the highly acclaimed BBC World War II drama World on Fire.

Its biggest role to date and sees him appearing in five episodes, playing George, a young squaddie from Northern Ireland, .

Although Forrest knew that hed been cast for the part, he got called up for filming about a month sooner than expected as the shooting schedule was changed when another actor contracted Covid.

"It happened very quickly. I just had to get on a plane but it probably made it easier for me as it turned out, as I didnt have too much time to think about it.

The series follows the lives of ordinary people across Europe who are caught up in World War 11.

The second series, which is currently being screened, begins in October 1940 and features the beginning of the The Blitz in Manchester and the North African campaign, while also returning to occupied France and Nazi Germany.

"Im part of Harry Chases squad, Harry is played by Jonah Hauer-King from the Little Mermaid.

Filming the battle scene was an emotional experience, he says.

"You are filming these scenes and you think how scary it must have been. As a character you are afraid, and you think of what it must have been like for those who went through it generations ago.

Since filming World at War Forrest has worked on the Netfix series The Gentleman and next month he is due to travel to Manchester to finish filming on a five-party thriller for Disney+.

Forrest is also making a name for himself as a stage actor and last October appeared in One Saturday before the War', the tale of Glentoran's European triumph in 1914, at Belfasts Sanctuary Theatre.
Friday coffee mornings season at the Marquee in the scenic grounds of St Marys Rectory, Bunclody (Y21 CV 44) have resumed for July and August. So, come along to the Rectory to meet and chat with people.

The Mall Market

The Mall Market is up and running for 2023 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and every Saturday, weather permitting.

The market is a mixture of handmade crafts, baking, jams. flowers, ladies once-off tops, beautiful knitting, crystals, jewellery, bits and pieces, secondhand clothes, flowers, Bunclody honey, handmade cards by Marie in which funds go to cancer care, cushions and handmade toys by Ella a selection of doggy straps and Niall Toner leather, handmade leather bags.

Clohamon Heritage and Vintage Weekend

Clohamon Heritage and Vintage weekend takes place on Saturday and Sunday, July 29, and 30. The event will feature Storytelling Saturday on July 29 at 8 p.m. at the Old Bog Cottage with live music. There will also be a gathering of the Wexford Honda 50 club arriving at 7 p.m.

Fare on offer on Saturday will be a traditionally cooked stew with floury Wexford spuds. It promises to be a great family time out and there is no admission fee.

The festival takes place on the street in Clohamon (Eircode Y21D8P9).

The Old Bog Cottage will be on display, its Irelands only rolling cottage, a true and authentic experience of times past. Music and storytelling at the Old Bog Cottage on Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be displays of a steam engine, stationary engines, vintage cars and tractors, oil engines, machinery, and lots more. Other attractions include: street traders selling their wares, the Brew Box will be serving refreshments, Face painting, Mrs Brown may just make an appearance, Guess the weight of the anvil, and there will be bacon and cabbage cooked outdoors for all to enjoy, a Monster Raffle and lots, lots more.

All proceeds from the weekend are donated to Bunclody Home Care Cancer. For information, contact 087 1345229.

Mens Shed

Bunclody Mens Shed opening times are Monday and Friday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday evening 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

New members always welcome. For more information, phone Peter at 087 6631588 or Jonathan at 089 4972664.

Bunclody Library

The following events are taking place in Bunclody Library in the coming weeks.

Bedtime Storytime with Laura Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m.

Join Laura for a very special Summer Stars Bedtime Storytime where we will be showcasing some of the amazing Bedtime Stories collection available here at the library. Suitable for children aged three to seven years. Sensory toys will be available for the children after the storytime. Children are invited to wear their cosy pjyamas and bring a special teddy with them. To book a space, please ring the library on 053 93 75466.

Join us for a special Summer Stars Storytime. Places limited, booking essential. To book events, please telephone 053 9375466 or book online at wexfordcoco.libcal.com.

Rhymetime for 0-5 years every Wednesday at 11.15 a.m.

Due to overwhelming demand, we are dedicating our Wednesday mornings at 11.15 a.m. to Rhymetime for 0-5 years for the months of July and August. Rhymetime will have lots of fun nursery rhymes and stories suitable for babies and toddlers. No booking required.

Summer Stars Colouring Station every Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Join us here in Bunclody Library every Tuesday for our Summer Stars Colouring Station. This is a fun creative event for all the family. No need to book  all are welcome. Parents are asked to remain in the library for the duration of the event.

Radon Monitors available to borrow from your local library.

Wexford Public Libraries now have Radon monitors available to borrow for all Wexford library members in the county. The monitors can now be requested at your local library. Contact Bunclody Library via email at bunclodylib@wexfordcoco.ie or phone 053 9375466 to arrange your loan of these Radon monitors. The monitors are available to borrow for a four-week period and come with instruction leaflets.

Sensory Friendly Quiet Hour  Every Saturday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sensory Friendly Quiet Hour is observed in the library.

We encourage you to come along and relax in the calm environment of the library.

Contact the library at 053 9375466 or email bunclodylib@wexfordcoco.ie if interested.

Summer Stars Reading Adventure 2023  Children of all ages are invited to join the library and take part in this fun reading adventure over the summer months. Children will be given little rewards when they visit the library and bring back the books they have read. We will have lots of amazing events in the library over the summer to complement the summer Stars Reading Adventure so we hope to see you all soon and help you find some amazing books to read.

Bunclody Swimming Pool

Bunclody Swimming Pool is now open for the summer season from 2 p.m. each day. Adults only session 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Keep an eye on our Facebook age or visit bunclodyswimmingpool.ie.

Annual Patrons

Kilmyshall Patron, Ryland Hill, Friday, July 21, Kilmyshall Churchyard, Saturday, July 22.

Bunclody annual patron will take place on Friday, July 28 at 7 p.m. in the Old Cemetery and 8 p.m. in the New Cemetery. Volunteers to help with parking and direction will be greatly welcome on that date.

Kilrush Patron will take place on Sunday, August 6, at 1 p.m. Mass will be celebrated in the church and broadcast to the two cemeteries.

Kilmyshall Split-the-pot

Kilmyshall split-the-pot envelopes are available from HWH Shop, Steemers, Cahills hardware, D & M Laundrette, Glanbia, Redmonds Bar, Byrnes Hardware Ryland Lower, Kilmyshall parish office and Kilmyshall School.

The pot is split between Kilmyshall School and the parish. Draw takes place every Friday. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

Hot Meals Delivered

Bunclody Meals on Wheels service is looking for volunteers to help deliver a hot dinner to people living in the general Bunclody area. People with availability between 12.30 and 2 p.m. on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday are urgently needed. Please contact Bridget at 087 2699411 if you can help out either on a regular or occasional basis. All help is very much appreciated to deliver this essential service. If you or someone you know is in need of a hot dinner delivered to your home by volunteer drivers three times per week, please contact Brigid at 087 2699411 to discuss eligibility.

Bunclody RC Parish

The weekly envelope contributions to Bunclody Parish are used to pay for insurance, heating, electricity, altar requisites, etc. The Parish Finance Committee appreciate and thank you for your generous support to the upkeep of the church and parish. Weekly envelopes may be left in the church or parish office. For convenience contributions can now be made directly to the bank. Bank Details: Bunclody Parish  IBAN: IE02 BOFI 9065 23111601 22 BIC: BOFIIE2D Please include your name when making a payment through your bank so your contribution may be recorded. Your ongoing support is very much appreciated.

Community Employment

Mount Leinster Community Employment Scheme has the following vacancy for a General Operative with Tidy Towns Bunclody. (Job Reference  228813). A good understanding of English and good spoken English is a requirement. Closing date: August 1.

Please contact Employment Services Bridgepoint Enniscorthy, quoting job reference, to check your eligibility at Local DEAS.P (Intreo) Office Enniscorthy 053 9239300. Garda vetting will apply. DEAS.P eligibility criteria applies.

Free Workplace Safety Course

A QQI Level 4 Workplace Safety course (course code 400696) will take place at Bunclody FET Centre, Ryland Road, Bunclody in September. This free part time course will run on Thursdays from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information and to book a place call 086 0858902 or email celinahayden@wwetb.ie.

Bunclody News

If you have a news item or photo you would like to have included in the Bunclody News page, email bunclodynotes@gmail.com. or call 087-6736966.
The new Toyota C-HR will be here in 2024.

The new Toyota C-HR will be here in 2024.

Toyota Ireland has unveiled the all-new Toyota C-HR, set to launch next year, a progression on the original model which was a landmark vehicle for both Toyota and the C-SUV segment and went on to become Toyotas best-performing model for conquest sales.

The next generation represents a new avantgarde design direction for Toyota and takes the standout quality and status of its predecessor to a higher level, with advanced technologies and a range of electrified hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains with increased power, greater driveability and extended all-electric driving capabilities.

The original Toyota C-HR broke the mould of SUV design with its coupe-like lines which are rendered even more sharply in the new model with its super-coupe profile, a new face similar to all-electric bZ4X and Prius PHEV, and prominent diamond-cut lines along the side of the car. The cars dynamic look features short overhangs and large wheels up to 20-inch diameter. A new style of bi-tone paint design will be available, as well as a concealed tech look, with seamless integration of equipment including cameras, radar and headlight washers.

Toyota has created a seamless and personalised user experience with a fully connected in-car ecosystem with integrated smart phone app control. The Toyota C-HR features a new, 12.3 inch fully digital combi-meter, displaying sharp graphics and easy to read information, and drivers preferred settings for seat position, display and multimedia screen are automatically applied.

Toyota has also developed a new ambient lighting system for the Toyota C-HR, with up to 64 colours for direct and indirect lighting which reflect the environment depending on the time of day. The lighting system reinforces audible and visual alerts from the Safe Exit Assist system, changing to red to warn of a door being opened where there is a risk of collision with traffic or cyclists approaching from the rear.

The Toyota C-HR will be available with a unique automatic parking function, as well as the Toyota Smart Connect multimedia package, including an eight or 12.3-inch touchscreen, on-board voice agent and wireless smartphone connection via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The system also provides EV range information and local charging locations. Drivers will be able to use the MyT smartphone app for remote control of vehicle functions.

All versions of the Toyota C-HR will benefit from the latest Toyota Safety Sense portfolio of active safety and driver assistance features. Future system software updates will be delivered over-the-air, with no need to visit a dealership.

Key developments include new Acceleration Suppression that slows any sudden use of the throttle when risk of a collision with a vehicle is detected ahead. The new Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) works at low speeds, providing smooth deceleration when approaching a slower vehicle or entering a turn.

The new Toyota C-HR will be introduced with a choice of four electrified powertrains, a line-up that demonstrates Toyota Irelands path to carbon neutrality. Toyota Ireland believes diverse options need to be offered to give customers access to affordable and practical vehicles that will accelerate the pace of CO2 reduction and help ensure a successful transition to zero emission mobility.

The range comprises 1.8 and 2.0-litre hybrid electric (HEV) versions and a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) model. All new Toyota C-HR models benefit from the latest, fifth generation Toyota technology which delivers a class-leading balance of increased power and low emissions.

Opel concept shows where its heading

Opel has teased fans by revealing the name of its newest concept car, the Opel Experimental. The German brand will release further details in the coming days and weeks before presenting the Opel Experimental to an international audience at the IAA Mobility in Munich, from September 5 to 10.

Opel CEO, Florian Huettl, said: As the name indicates, the Opel Experimental will give a clear vision for the brand and not just for a car-line. It shows where our brand is heading in the coming years - and will influence all our next-generation production vehicles. It is a symbol for what we want to achieve with the Opel brand.

The Opel Experimental also represents the next stage in the evolution of the critically acclaimed Bold and Pure design philosophy first seen in the GT X Experimental.

The new concept car embodies the further sharpening of the brand within Stellantis, by bringing additional life to the brand pillars Detox, Modern German, and Greenovation.

The latest creation from the Russelsheim Design Centre will be the first Opel to proudly sport the recently revealed new Opel Blitz
IF you are having hot flushes in the summertime, you could be left feeling exhausted, irritable, or drained. They can affect your sleep and cause untold stress as you twist and turn in the night trying to cool down.

A.Vogel Sage tablets is the first supplement I think of for hot flushes and night sweats. Its a one-a-day tablet. It varies from person to person how long it takes to work. Over the years I have seen women where it has worked in a couple of days but others up to 6 weeks. A side benefit of Sage is that there is some research to say that it can help foggy brain and mental sluggishness, another common symptom of the menopausal journey.

Irish Botanica MenoFlash is my first choice if you tell me that you have hot flushes or night sweats, and if you are not sleeping well, and especially if you tell me, you are feeling irritable, stressed, frustrated, or angry. MenoFlash is my first choice in this instance. Its a combination of herbal remedies formulated to support your adrenal glands, and to help feelings of relaxation and calmness with Vitamin B6 which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.

Cleanmarine MenoMin a combination of omega oils from Krill, B vitamins, Vitamin D, and Soya Isoflavones, is a very popular supplement. Many women tell me that they like it because they simply feel better, feel less tired, and have more energy. It can help relieve intimate dryness too. Lorraine Keane, ambassador for MenoMin says that she feels so much better, and highly recommends MenoMin which contains Vitamin B12 which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and biotin which contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membrane.

If you are looking for something more comprehensive, then Meno Active the menopause super supplement from Revive Active is the one for you. Delivered in a single daily sachet and capsule format this supplement contains 31 active ingredients to support multiple systems in the body that are impacted by menopause including the nervous system, hormonal activity, brain function and energy levels. Uniquely this supplement contains 3 strains of live-friendly bacteria and 4 digestive enzymes, as well as 350mg of Omega 3 DHA, 4 plant extracts and 19 vitamins and minerals.

Let us help you decide.

Shop online www.naturalhealthstore.ie
Turner & Hooch (1989) *** (Film4, 6.55pm)

A neat, obsessively organised detective (Tom Hanks) investigates when a local man is murdered by drug smugglers. Unfortunately, theres only one witness to the crime  the victims slobbering, smelly dog. The cop initially hates sharing his home with the canine, but eventually comes to realise that a dog can be mans best friend, especially when you throw an attractive vet into the picture. This comedy would have looked predictable even if James Belushis very similar K-9 hadnt been released in the same year. But what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in sheer likeability. Hanks is charming in the lead role, handling scenes with the dog and his two-legged love interest Mare Wingham with equal ease.

THURSDAY

Sweet Charity (1969) **** (BBC4, 9.00pm)

Legendary choreographer Bob Fosse made an impressive feature-film directorial debut with this fun musical comedy. Shirley MacLaine stars as Charity Hope Valentine, a dancer in a seedy nightclub, who keeps looking for love in all the wrong places. When it finally seems like she has met her Mr Right, she decides to keep her past a secret from him for fear of putting him off, but will the truth come out? The plot matters less than the terrific numbers, which include Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now and Sammy Davis Jrs showstopping The Rhythm of Life, while the supporting cast includes Broadway legends Chita Rivera and Stubby Kaye.

FRIDAY

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) ***** (BBC1, 10.40pm)

Jon Watts slick reboot of the Marvel Comics superhero  the third iteration in 15 years  spins an impressive web of rites-of-passage drama, buddy comedy and bombastic spectacle. Set several months after Tom Holland made his debut as the webslinger in Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker (Holland) has managed to conceal his crime-fighting alter ego from Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) with the help of his mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr). When salvage company owner Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) takes flight as a larcenous winged menace called Vulture, Peter foolishly tries to prove himself to the Avengers by tackling the airborne madman alone.

SATURDAY

Crazy Rich Asians (2018) **** (BBC1, 10.25pm)

New York University lecturer Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is invited by her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) to Singapore to attend the wedding of his good friends Colin (Chris Pang) and Araminta (Sonoya Mizuno). Rachel is blissfully unaware that Nick is the golden boy of Singapores wealthiest dynasty headed by ferocious matriarch Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), who expects her boy to marry into money and is deeply unimpressed with a lowly academic as Nicks choice of partner. Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians is a frothy romantic comedy full of beautiful, privileged people falling in love across the class divide. Jon M Chus crowd-pleasing confection is a sweet and heartfelt frolic through the battlefields of love, which delivers a full complement of uproarious laughter and tugged heartstrings.

SUNDAY

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) ***** (Film4, 6.15pm)

Electrician Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) spots a UFO but has a hard time convincing the authorities to believe him. As his marriage falls apart, his obsession with recreating a mysterious structure in his living room sparks an epic quest to get to the bottom of the alien encounter. He crosses paths with a single mum (Melinda Dillon) whose son has been abducted by extra-terrestrials, and a French expert (Francois Truffaut) orchestrating a secret government project. One of the best offerings from writer/director Steven Spielberg (which is really saying something), Close Encounters of the Third Kind marries stunning special effects and a compelling storyline with John Williams evocative score, to produce a powerhouse of a movie.

MONDAY

Erin Brockovich (2000) **** (GREAT! movies, 9.00pm)

Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is a sassy, twice-divorced single mum who has learned the hard way that there is only one person in this life she can rely upon  herself. So, she talks her way into a junior position at Albert Finneys law office, where she stumbles upon medical records relating to a community ravaged by an abnormally high number of serious illnesses. An Oscar-winning Roberts turns in the best performance of her career, capturing the abrasive, sometimes infuriating, though ultimately courageous spirit of a woman whose desire to fight for the rights of the underdog rewrote American legal history. Director Steven Soderbergh is at the top of his game again here, bringing out the humanity and daring in Erins quest without ever resorting to emotional manipulation to secure the audiences support.

TUESDAY

Detroit (2017) **** (BBC2, 11.15pm)

Kathryn Bigelows slow-burning thriller picks at the fresh wounds of divided race relations in America by reliving one tragic night in a fractured city that resulted in the deaths of three black teenagers. Released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the shootings at the Algiers Motel, Detroit skilfully weaves together multiple character arcs, building to a protracted sequence of gut-wrenching terror that draws uncomfortable parallels with the present day. Screenwriter Mark Boal employs his journalistic training to distil personal accounts into a rich, textured portrait of civil unrest, intimidation and injustice. Hand-held camerawork stokes tension and sweat-drenched performances from a fine ensemble cast, headed by John Boyega, are horribly believable. We have nowhere to hide from the films crushing emotional blows.
Adamstown show. From left; June and David Parnell, TJ Davis and Bridget Cullen from the Mossy Rock crew from Bunclody with Black face Swiss Valley sheep. Photo; Mary Browne

The bumper season of festivals and entertainment this summer and autumn in the New Ross district was welcomed as a boost to the area at the July New Ross Municipal District meeting.

Cllr John Fleming said: Its wonderful to see all of the events. There is a lot going on over the coming weeks in the general area and its what I like to see.

Cllr Bridin Murphy praised the organisers of the Adamstown Show, saying it drew huge crowds this year, with Cllr Pat Barden also praising the event.

Area manager Alan Fitzhenry said the New Ross Summer Sessions takes place this year again in the Library Park, with seven Saturday evening concerts, the first of which, The Nomads, took place last weekend.

"Running until August 26, all of the events will be free to attend, having been significantly funded and supported by the elected members and Wexford County Council. The concerts will feature a variety of artists with something for everyone.

Mr Fitzhenry said the New Ross Guitar Festival takes place over the weekend of August 10 to August 13. Supported by the elected members and Wexford County Council, this exciting new guitar festival brings Irish and International guitarists of the highest calibre to New Ross. The festival will include live performance, workshops and the commencement of the New Ross Guitar Orchestra which is open to all ages, styles and levels of ability. This year will see some Pop-Up Guitar Performances in local cafes on the Saturday afternoon and full details of performers and events can be found at newrossguitarfestival.ie.

The annual Tri the Hook Sprint Triathlon takes place on Saturday, August 19, starting with a 750m swim in Baginbun Bay. This is followed by a 20km cycle and a 5km run along the Baginbun Road to St Mogues GAA in Fethard on Sea. Its the 12th year of this major event on the Hook peninsula, with up to 400 entrants expected and a large number of spectators. We wish the organisers and participants the very best of luck on the day.

He said the organisers of the Kennedy Summer School  the annual Festival of Irish & American History, Culture and Politics which takes place from August 31 to September 2. We wish them every success with this important international event. said Mr Fitzhenry.
Scouts launch day at the boat club. From left; Adam Kavanagh from Campile, Darragh Ryan from New Ross, Evan Rogers from Lacken and Alex Kelly from Mountelliot. Photo; Mary Browne

New Ross Sea Scouts have been very active over recent weeks with an open day at New Ross Boat Club, a weekend trip to Graiguenamanagh and rowing adventures on the Barrow near New Ross.

The open day started with launching of the boats and activities ran for the morning with rowing in the traditional sea scout boats, also used by the Naval Service Reserve, then kayaking followed by a barbecue.

The Boat Club were also out in force training and fine tuning their boats for their next regatta.

The weather cooperated until all the gear was packed away and the sky opened up with thunderstorms. Thanks very much to everyone who came to our launch day and to New Ross Boat Club for facilitating us, said Alex Kelly of New Ross Sea Scouts.

The New Ross Sea Scouts also organised a weekend of camping, rowing, kayaking and a triathlon in Graiguenamanagh with scouting friends from 1st Port of Waterford Sea Scouts, Arklow Sea Scouts and Gorey Scout Group.

The Barrow Valley Activity Hub facilitated the groups stay and all ages participated in the triathlon, which New Ross Sea Scouts run annually in Graiguenamanagh. Meanwhile summer Sunday kayaking has returned on the Barrow.

Last week, New Ross Sea Rover Aoibinn OConnell from Foulksmills headed off on a tall ship voyage from Belfast and up to Scotland and reported the strong winds and rough seas were awesome!

The older sections of the New Ross Sea Scouts (12-15, 15-18, 18-25) are open to new members over the summer so new members can enjoy water activities  contact 086 1070631.
A man who preyed on a seven-year-old girl in a shameful manner and raped her has been jailed for ten years and six months.

The 53-year-old Slovakian man was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 12 counts of sexual assault earlier this year.

The offending occurred on unknown dates between September 21, 2012, and September 6, 2013, when the victim was seven years old, at a house in Co. Wexford.

The defendant was living at the same address as the girls father. The abuse occurred when the girl, now aged 17, visited the house at weekends.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, does not accept the jury's verdict.

Imposing sentence on Tuesday, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor said the man had preyed on a young child in a shameful manner.

She noted the aggravating features of this case include the victim's young age at the time and the age difference of 36 years between the defendant and the girl.

Ms Justice O'Connor said the victim was staying in the place where her father lived, and this should have been a place of safety and security for her.

She said the man had threatened the girl and groomed her in a despicable way using chocolate.

Ms Justice O'Connor noted that the man is entitled not to accept the jury's verdict; however, this means the mitigation of a guilty plea is not available to him. She said the man is using his time in custody well and has limited contact with his family by phone.

She notes that the man has no previous convictions of a sexual nature but does have a conviction for a serious violent offence in another jurisdiction.

She imposed a sentence of ten years and six months on the man in relation to the rape charge and seven years and six months in respect of the sexual assault charges. The sentences are to run concurrently and were backdated to July 18, 2021, when the man went into custody.

At an earlier sentence hearing, a local garda said the girl told her mother about the abuse in 2019 and later made a disclosure to a guidance counsellor. She was interviewed by specialist gardai in December 2020, when she was then aged 15.

She told gardai that the man would touch her inappropriately on a regular basis when they were both upstairs in the house. The girl said she refused his requests, but he continued and would also give her chocolate Kinder Eggs.

The court heard that on one occasion, the man called the girl into his room, where he gave her a Kinder Egg. He then grabbed her and raped her. He also threatened the girl and told her in one incident that something would happen to her if she said anything to her parents.

The girl's victim impact statement was read to the court by the prosecuting counsel. The girl said the man's offending had ruined her childhood and teenage years. She said she has suffered from anxiety, depression and self-harm.

The girl said she is scared of every man who crosses her path in the dark and that it will take many years for her to live her life to the fullest.

The girl said she was scared to say anything to anyone in case things got worse and that she stopped going to her father's house as she was afraid. She said she didn't give him an explanation at that time, and her father thought she didn't want to see him, adding that he was distraught when he was told the real reason.

Ms Justice O'Connor said the girl had presented in court as a person of great strength. The judge said that by making the complaint and following it through, she would help other children who may be in a similar situation by showing them that they are not alone. She wished the victim well for the future.

The man denied any wrongdoing when he was interviewed following his arrest in December 2020. He has been in custody since July 2021, when he was charged. He has one previous conviction for murder from an Eastern European jurisdiction, dating back to 2001, for which he received a prison sentence. The gardai were unable to confirm other details as the file had been destroyed, the court was told.

The investigating garda agreed with Maurice Coffey SC, defending, that his client has no previous convictions of a sexual nature. He also accepted that the man moved to Ireland in 2012 and co-operated with this investigation.

Mr Coffey told the court that his instructions were that a man was stabbed during the course of a dispute, and his client served ten years of a 13-year prison sentence.

Counsel said his client served in the army and took part in peacekeeping missions. He has a good work history in Ireland and is doing well in custody and taking English lessons. Mr Coffey asked the court to take into consideration the difficulties of serving a prison sentence for a foreign national.

The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions places this offending in the more serious category and suggested a sentence of between ten and 15 years due to a number of factors, including the breach of trust and the age disparity between the man and the victim.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
The 'Suppose a Stone sensory walk will take place in Aughrim on Saturday, Jul 22.

The Suppose a Stone community collaboration will host an insightful sensory walk in Aughrim on Saturday, Jul 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This fantastic workshop is an experiment on how the community experience the town of Aughrim through their various senses, to think about accessibility and to consider the experiences of people of different ages and sensory abilities.

Suppose a Stone is a collaboration between Kunstverein Aughrim, Aughrim Tidy Towns CLG, Aughrim Active Retirement Group and architect Jenny OLeary of HOWFF Architects, who are undertaking an all-ages, creative accessibility study of the town of Aughrim.

We want to understand what the town is like when relying on senses other than sight, a spokesperson said.

We want to imagine what Aughrim feels like underfoot and how the ground feels if you have to steady yourself while walking, touching stone walls and railings. We want to understand what its like to rely on the sounds of the park, the traffic, or passing conversations for direction. How does the place smell, and where might your nose lead you?

Join us for a two-hour sensory walk, designed to connect participants with our Granite City through the sounds, smells, tastes and sensations of Aughrim. The workshop is facilitated by architect Jenny OLeary of Howff, choreographer Aoife McAtamney, artist Jackson Byrne and curator Kate Strain.

Everybody is welcome to attend. We will meet at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 22 at the Bandstand at the National Disabled Angling Facility, Rednagh Road, Aughrim. Dress for the weather!

The Suppose a Stone project is supported by Hometown Architect as part of the Irish Architecture Foundations nationwide Reimagine placemaking programme and CoisCeim Broadreach.

For more information please email office@kunstverein.ie
Cost of living getting too much for you? Help is available.

MABS is offering Money Management talks to all local groups.

Please contact Bray MABS at 0818 07 2250 to arrange a talk for your group.

South Leinster Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is the States money advice service, guiding people through dealing with debt and support with money management.

They have offices at 2 The Boulevard, Quinsboro Road, Bray. See mabs.ie. The MABS Helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Beach cleans

Arklow Coastcare, with the help of volunteers from Sunbeam House and the National Learning Centre, cleans Arklow South Beach every Thursday at lunchtime from 1.30 p.m. All are welcome.

For more information about the group or any of their many environmental projects, you can contact Corey Bateman by email at cbateman@wicklowcoco.ie.

Cancer support

Arklow Cancer Support is offering counselling face to face or remotely for cancer patients or family members. It also offers bereavement counselling, plus its volunteers drive patients for their daily radiation therapy

If you are interested in joining the group meetings, you can do so any Thursday night at 7.30 p.m.

Their drop-in Friday events are open to all. Opening hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. You can also reach the team via 0402 23590 or 085 110 0066 or email arklowcancersupport@gmail.com.

Junior Parkrun

Arklow junior parkrun takes place every Sunday morning at 9.30 a.m. at the Duck Pond. This is a 2k event for juniors only, aged between four and 14 years old.

For info, email arklowduckpond-juniors@parkrun.com.

Aughrim Town Market

Check out the Aughrim Town & Country Market every Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in The Pavilion, Rednagh Road, Aughrim.

You can find a full selection of artisan baked breads, biscuits, cakes, hummus, chutneys and savoury eats.

There are also health supplements, candles, jewellery, knitted toys and childrens wear.

For more information, call Dave at 083 0349577.

Grow

Grow Mental Healths Arklow Community Group is holding in-person meetings at a new venue weekly on Mondays at 10 a.m. at the Arus Lorcan community centre in Castle Park.

Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings which will explore positive mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Meetings are free to attend and open to all. For more information about the Grow group, you can call Trish on 086 012 9082.

Autism friendly

Arklow Library has some amazing activities planned

All children with special superpowers are welcome; siblings can come along too.

Just give the library a call on 0402 39977 to book.

Dont forget, you can book the Magic Table at any time, so dont delay.

Family fun at the library

Arklow Library hosts Family Fun Time every Saturday from 12 a.m., with stories, crafts, jigsaws and plenty of other fun and interactive activities. There is also Storytime at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays.

On Fridays, there is a Movie Club for ages three and up at 3.30 p.m. For more information, contact 0402 39977.

Arklow Writers club

Join the Arklow Library Writers Group for a safe environment to share and improve on your writing. All levels welcome and no booking is required.

My Open Library has resumed, meaning those with MOL access cards have access to the library from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Contact arklowlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie for more information on MOL or the writers group.

East Coast Samaritans

East Coast Samaritans, based in Arklow, offer emotional support to their callers through telephone calls and email.

They can be contacted 24/7 by calling 116 123. You can also find more information at www.samaritans.org/branches/arklow/.

The charity would also like to invite anyone who is interested in volunteering to get in touch. For more information, go to samaritans.ie/volunteer.

Arklow Craft Fair

The Arklow Craft Fair takes place in Bridgewater Shopping Centre from noon to 6 p.m. on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. The fair brings crafters/artisans/growers/bakers of all kinds together.

Arklow Tidy Towns

Arklow Tidy Towns mission is to improve the landscape in the town of Arklow for residents and visitors alike. They meet each Tuesday in season to carry out various projects around the town.

Their CE scheme carries out essential landscape maintenance and litter control all over the town on a daily basis.

For more information, or to join the team, email arklowtt@live.com or head to their Facebook page.

New Irish chat group

If you would like to practice your Gaeilge or just learn a few words of Irish, join friendly faces and local linguists at the Ballyraine Cafe every Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

The group will meet every Wednesday (except for school holidays) and all are welcome to attend.

For more info, visit the Ballyraine Cafe Facebook Page.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Bridge Clubs

Arklow 68 Bridge Club is back to in-person bridge every Wednesday at 7.15 p.m. at the Arklow Presbyterian Church Hall, Dublin Road. All are welcome to attend.

The Arklow Bridge Club continues to meet through the summer months and welcome all non-members. We have a Joker system. We meet Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm in the Presbyterian Hall, Dublin Road Arklow.

Mens Shed

Arklow Mens Shed meets at Monument Lane.

Our aim is to create a space where men can meet to share experiences and encourage each other to develop new skills, gain better health and develop friendships.

New members welcome.

For info, call 086 3217860 or email arklowmensshed1@gmail.com.

Arklow Parish Bingo

After a very long absence Arklow Parish Bingo will recommence on Tuesdays, at Arus Lorcain, Castlepark Arklow.

Doors open at 8 p.m. sharp, with play commencing at 8.30 p.m.

Golden Circle trip

The Arklow Golden Circle social group will be going on a group holiday to Galway, from October 1 to 5. Included in the price is the cost of the hotel, evening meals, the bus, meals on the way up and down. The price for twin and double rooms are 500; singles 835.

Conversation Group

Arklow Library are holding a weekly conversation session in English every Thursday at 7 p.m. All adults are welcome.

It is a mixed international group, where anyone can improve their English speaking skills.

All kinds of amazing

If your child has additional needs, this group may be for you. Welcoming and friendly, perfect for sharing experiences.

The group meet between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. every last Wednesday of the month at Arklow Library and have upgraded their selection of books for parents and carers of children with special needs.

For info, contact 0402 3977 or arklowlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie.

MS Support

Arklow MS Support group meet every Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Arklow Bay Hotel and have a Zoom call every Friday at 11 a.m. We meet on the last Sunday of the month for lunch.

We also have a WhatsApp group if anyone with MS would like to join. Call 087 4149229 for further information

Ballyraine market

The Ballyraine Campus in Arklow will host its next public outdoor craft market on Sunday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

House of Stories

The Arklow House of Stories group meet every last Thursday of the month at The Harbour Bar at 8.30 p.m.

All are welcome to attend the evening.
After the recent success of the Africa Day in the town, the Irish Goan Community, which has been active in Ireland since 1996, is organising a Goan Festival, which will take place in Burnaby Park, Greystones, on Saturday, July 22.

The community said its mission is to provide support both financially and emotionally to those who are struggling or vulnerable and since its inception it has raised money for tsunami victims under the Red Cross Guidance, donated food and clothing to the homeless in the community and surrounding areas, raised funds for sick people who were having difficulty paying their hospital bills and purchasing medications, and also visited local nursing homes to provide company and support to the elderly.

With craft markets, games, hair braiding, henna tattoos and yes, Goan curry, the organisers are promising something really unique for the town; while on the music side of things, local acts Robbie Doyle, Dream A Lots Kim Hayden and DJ Xavier are all on the bill, with Victor Evans acting as the MC for the day.

More attractions are being added over the coming days and weeks and there is also a very special raffle taking place, with the first prize being a trip to Goas TP Resort Arambol. Tickets will be available on the day for 10.

Irish Goa Day, takes place from 10am to 7pm at Burnaby Park.
Greystones Plaza Market, which has been a welcome feature down at the harbour every week since it opened on Saturday June 24, has been a huge success for all involved  the stall holders, the browsers, passers-by and earnest shoppers, and of course the Tidy Towns folk who benefit from the funds raised to boost projects around the town.

Organiser Siobhan Stack said that thus far, the market has exceeded expectations.

"The community on the whole has been amazing, she said. And Greystones Tidy Towns are delighted with how its working out for them, as are the traders. Its a busy spot and theyre all doing very well. And the word around the town is that its a great asset to the community and people are wondering why it hasnt been done before.

With everything ranging from photographers and ice cream stalls, to arts and crafts and young entrepreneurs creating their own cards, like young Liam Simpson, Siobhan added that its a great use of the spot and its an area that really needed something.

The market also provides a space for local charities to help promote and fundraise, and has proven a vital avenue for groups to engage with the community.

"We have a community hub area, Siobhan said, we decided that we wanted to make it bigger than just being a fundraiser for Greystones Tidy Towns [stalls are rented for a 25 fee]. So we would like other community groups and clubs in the area to be able to recruit and fundraise and benefit off the back of it, to make it really an inclusive event.

"So a lot of people have taken us up on that and theyre delighted with the response theyre getting. Colette Talbot from Together for Homeless  shes in Dublin every Monday night feeding people on the streets  this has been an amazing fundraiser for her, to allow her to get the funds to feed those people. Dementia Support have taken a place, Wicklow Pride, Greystones Rugby Club are coming, Wicklow Cancer Support, all different local charities and groups.

Siobhan said that the market will finish up at the end of August, with the last event taking place on Sunday 27, and beyond that we have no immediate plans". In the meantime, you can enjoy the freedom to roam around the stalls every Sunday from 11.00am to 5.30pm.
Wicklow TD Simon Harris has promised some 3,695 families in Wicklow that they will receive the Enhanced Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, after Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys increased the rates of payment this year by 100 per child to reflect the ongoing cost-of-living pressures facing families.

It comes after opposition TDs in Wicklow called on the Government to do more for families, with Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore saying people were sick and tired of forking out large sums of money every year.

The Further and Higher Education Minister said the enhancements to the scheme will mean 260 will be paid in respect of children aged 4-11 years old in primary schools, while 385 will be paid out for those aged 12 years and over in secondary.

Overall, payments totalling over 72 million will be made automatically to over 131,000 families, in respect of over 231,000 children, across the country. A notification of the automated payment is sent to customers by post or through their MyWelfare account, he said.

The payment from the Department of Social Protection is designed to support eligible families with the cost of school uniforms and footwear ahead of the upcoming school term.

People will have started to receive the payments in their bank accounts already, with the first tranche having gone out on Monday July 10, but any family that has not yet applied has plenty of time to do so, as applications remain open until September 30.

Mr Harris said: Fine Gael in Government are deeply conscious of the need to continue to support families with the Cost of Living. Thats why last month, we announced an extra 100 per every child in receipt of Child Benefit. The free school books scheme will kick in for primary schools from September.

And Im delighted as well to be able to continue the expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme. The continuing expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme to all DEIS primary schools and special schools will mean by the end of this year, 1,000 schools will have access to hot school meal funding. And from 2024, we will start the roll-out of Hot Meals to all remaining primary schools.

Meanwhile, Wicklow Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore earlier this month called on the Government to address the high cost of schoolbooks for parents of secondary school students.

The Wicklow TD raised this issue with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Dail on behalf of parents in the constituency who are facing what she described as daunting book bills over the summer.

It follows the publication of the results of the Irish League of Credit Unions Annual School Costs survey, tracking the costs and impacts of children returning to school.

I know I speak for many parents of children in secondary school when I say we are sick and tired of forking out large sums of money every year for schoolbooks, Deputy Whitmore said.

It is particularly galling that parents have to recycle perfectly good books at the end of each school term and that siblings are unable to transfer e-codes to each other.

The League of Credit Unions published the results of its annual School Costs survey this week [July 3] and of their respondents 80 per cent of parents have seen an increase to their back to school costs this year. The survey found parents are spending on average 1,288 per secondary school child, and books account for a significant proportion of these costs.

I know of families in Wicklow who are buying multiples of the same books, for two and three years in a row simply because they cannot share the e-codes with their siblings coming up behind them. This is a waste of money and waste of hard copy books, which come with each e-book purchase.

Ideally, I would like to see free schoolbooks extended to secondary schools, as will be the case at primary level from September. Until this happens, the Department of Education needs to bring in the publishing companies and discuss how costs can be reduced for hard-pressed parents. There needs to be a mechanism for families to share e-books, either through parent emails or the schools themselves.

Meanwhile, Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady has called on the Government to do more to support struggling families in Wicklow, adding school transport, uniforms and voluntary contributions to the list of burdens on parents which add up up to hundreds or even thousands of euros.

These costs are unaffordable, he said, and this is particularly the case as families face the cost-of-living crisis. Every day, parents in Wicklow have shared their concerns with me about meeting these costs.

Also alluding to the survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions, Mr Brady said it highlights the huge pressures families are under in Wicklow, with results showing one-third of families are unable to buy new shoes for their children when they go back to school in September.

The figures also show that 72 per cent of parents are finding back to school costs to be a financial burden this year compared to 66 per cent in 2022.

Families in Wicklow need a break from back-to-school costs now. Government must act to ensure that families get this support urgently, as September is approaching quickly. Sinn Fein have a plan to cut back-to-school costs and to end this financial pressure on families. We would introduce affordable school uniforms, expand the school transport scheme, ensure every child has access to a hot meal in school and stop families being pressured into paying voluntary contributions.
TRAFFIC calming measurements put in place at Magheramore and Brittas Bay over the summer season has helped reduce the congestion usually experienced in both areas during busy periods.

Overflow car parks are operating at both locations, while plastic bollards were installed to prevent motorists from parking their vehicles illegally or in an obstructive manner along the side of the road and potentially blocking access for local residents and the emergency services.

The measures were first put in place just prior to the June bank holiday weekend and will remain in place throughout the summer.

Cllr Paul OBrien stated: Landowners in both areas have opened up overflow car parks to take the pressure off over the weekends. Plastic bollards have also been put in place, starting from the south car park in Brittas Bay as far as the overflow car park and past McDaniels. The bollards in Magheramore start from the T-junction all the way to the beach.

The measures are working and since their introduction, the gardai havent received one complaint in Magheramore, which has to be the first summer ever where there havent been major issues. Residents, visitors and the gardai are all very happy with how things are going. The gardai wanted to enforce a zero tolerance policy, especially regarding parking at Magheramore, where in the past parked vehicles have blocked access in and out of Wicklow Hospice.

Unfortunately, some of the bollards seem to have been used as target practice by some motorists. We will also be holding a meeting in September to come up with a more permanent solution, rather than having to place hundreds of bollards around the place each summer.
WICKLOW and District Lions Club have purchased an ambulance which has already been sent to the frontline in Ukraine to help injured soldiers and civilians and to assist with the provision of medical supplies.

The Wicklow lions Ireland logo is printed on both sides of the ambulance, as well as the Irish and Ukrainian flags and the AURI (Ukrainians in Ireland) logo.

The Wicklow Lions have been supporting displaced people from Ukraine since the war started in early 2022.

Sean Olohan of Wicklow and District Lions said: On a daily basis we all see the humanitarian catastrophes taking place in their home country. With the help of the very generous local community throughout the past year Lions members have been in a position to help families and give them some form of normality in every way possible.

The local club has also received financial help from Lions Ireland due to the clubs commitment to the Ukraine crisis. As a result of this and local support the club has purchased a second-hand ambulance to send to Ukraine.

An awful lot of work went into the project. The Ukrainians living in Wicklow have settled in well so the same demands arent being placed on us as during the early stages of the war. The fund was there so we thought about using if for Ukraine and Ukrainian people, only on a larger scale. Whats going on in Ukraine is disastrous and I know a lot of the Ukrainian community living in Wicklow have suffered horrors such as losing family members and seeing their homes destroyed.

The distinctive logos on the fully-fitted out ambulance were carried out by Wicklow Print Solutions.

Lions District Governor Gerard Cashman was on hand to officially launch this exciting project before it headed off to war torn Ukraine to rescue people and save lives.

The ambulance was originally based at Galway Airport before it was purchased by an individual living in Wexford, who also has very kindly donated a large amount of money towards the project.

In recent days the ambulance was shipped from Ireland, firstly to Rotterdam and from there to Amsterdam, before arrived in Krakow in Poland.

Another charity group based in Poland/Ukraine called Jeeps For Peace collected the ambulance from Krakow and brought it in a convoy of rescue vehicles mostly from the UK across the border into Western Ukraine near Lviv.

Jeeps4Peace charity is led by Scottish businessman Stuart McKenzie. Many of the jeeps are donated and some are purchased from the farming communities throughout the UK and now from Ireland. They travel via Poland where they are repaired and sprayed in military colours before they are driven by brave volunteers to the frontline in Ukraine.

Sean added: The Wicklow ambulance will serve along the frontline supplying medical supplies and rescuing the many injured civilians and soldiers and helping to save peoples lives.

The ambulance is being repaired at the moment and has to be in good working condition, for escape purposes as much as anything. Jeeps4Peace will also be keeping in touch and keeping us up to date with what the ambulance is being used for.

It will be manned by Ukrainian soldiers it will carry out its major rescue mission and save valuable Ukrainian lives. It will serve along Ukraine's counter-offensive regions in places like eastern Donetsk and south-eastern Zaporizhzhia areas, and around the city of Bakhmut.

These are places we watch with disbelief on TV news every day and its hard to believe that an ambulance from Wicklow will be serving in the middle of a war zone and that this emergency vehicle is donated and supported by Wicklow Lions Club with the help of the local community back home in Ireland.

A frightening statistic coming from the Ukrainian military is that most ambulances and emergency vehicles are continuously attacked and fired on or bombed and very often destroyed within weeks of arrival. Hopefully the Wicklow rescue ambulance will survive while on its humanitarian mission.
GB News presenter Dan Wootton has admitted errors of judgment but said claims that he used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual material are simply untrue (Gemma Gravett/GB News/PA)

He used his self-titled GB News show to brand claims that he used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual material simply untrue.

The publishers of MailOnline, where he writes a column, and his previous employers at The Sun newspaper said they are looking into allegations made against the New Zealand-born star.

Wootton, 40, said: I, like all fallible human beings, have made errors of judgment in the past but the criminal allegations being made against me are simply untrue.

I would like nothing more than to address those spurious claims, I could actually spend the next two hours doing so, but on the advice of my lawyers I cannot comment further.

He told viewers that highly politicised social media has made him understand the political threats facing this country.

Speaking about GB News on his Dan Wootton Tonight show, he added: What were trying to do here is something different, to give a voice to the long-forgotten people of the United Kingdom.

In his six-minute opening monologue he described social media as a cesspit.

Wootton, who is known for his role in breaking the story of Megxit  the withdrawal of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from royal duties  announced in January 2021 that he would be leaving his job as executive editor at The Sun, where he previously edited the papers Bizarre column.

He has since become a columnist for MailOnline, owned by DMG Media, which also publishes the Daily Mail and Metro newspapers.

He was previously showbiz editor at the News of the World and appeared on ITVs Lorraine as their showbiz correspondent, and was named Showbiz Reporter of the Year at the British Press Awards on three occasions.

A DMG Media spokesman said: We are aware of the allegations and are looking into them.

A spokesman for News UK, publisher of The Sun, said: We are looking into the allegations made in recent days. We are not able to make any further comment at this stage.

Wootton returned to GB News on Monday, telling viewers he took a break last week to see family in New Zealand.

GB News declined to comment.
An American soldier who was being removed from South Korea escaped from the airport and crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea while reportedly laughing out loud.
Irelands premier has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky on a visit to Kyiv. Taosiseach Leo Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital. At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.
An Australian sailor who was rescued by a Mexican tuna boat after being adrift at sea with his dog for three months has said he is grateful to be alive after setting foot on dry land for the first time since their ordeal began.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, claps while watching what North Korea says is the test-firing of a Hwasong-18 ICBM (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deploys a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.
Troops are done with Ukraine war, says Prigozhin

Since Prigozhin was last seen leaving the Russian city of Rostov on June 24, mystery has surrounded his fate

Russias mutinous mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was shown in a video on Wednesday welcoming his fighters to Belarus, telling them they would take no further part in the Ukraine war for now but ordering them to gather their strength for Africa.
Meet the firm behind our content. Visit their website to see how their services can help your business succeed.
The US Federal Reserve has imposed a fine of $186 million on German lender Deutsche Bank for violations related to sanctions and deemed "unsafe and unsound" banking practices at its US subsidiaries, AFP reported.

These fines, announced by the Fed on Wednesday, are part of a series of penalties imposed on the bank in recent years for breaching anti-money laundering regulations.

The Fed stated that the fine was levied on Deutsche Bank's New York branch due to insufficient progress in remedying the issues identified in the 2015 and 2017 consent orders concerning money laundering and sanctions violations.

The bank was also fined for inadequate anti-money laundering controls and governance processes in its dealings with Danske Bank's Estonian branch, through which it processed over $267 billion in transactions between 2007 and 2015, according to the Fed.

In addition to the recent fine, Deutsche Bank had previously paid nearly $630 million in 2017 to settle investigations conducted by the United States and the United Kingdom regarding Russian equity trades.

Furthermore, in the same year, the bank was fined an additional $41 million by the Federal Reserve for non-compliance with anti-money laundering practices.

Deutsche Bank has also been penalized for a host of other failures over the past few years.

Further, Deutsche Bank reached a settlement last year with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in which it agreed to pay $200 million due to electronic record-keeping failures.

In July 2020, the bank agreed to a settlement of $150 million with the New York Department of Financial Services, resolving allegations of compliance failures related to its association with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier.

Additionally, in 2017, Deutsche Bank was fined $7.2 billion in the United States as a resolution to lawsuits stemming from its involvement in the "subprime" mortgage crisis, which played a significant role in the global financial crisis.

These various penalties highlight the bank's history of compliance failures and its legal and financial repercussions resulting from misconduct and inadequate practices.
Image Credit: UNI

Mumbai: Mumbai experienced heavy rainfall on Wednesday, forcing the state government to declare an early closure of government offices in the city.

The weatherman had already sounded an orange alert for Wednesday.

As the rain lashed the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a circular stating that all schools in the city would remain closed on Thursday.

Intermittent moderate to intense spells of rain to continue over parts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar during the next 3-4 hours. Currently intense spells of rain very likely over parts of north eastern suburbs, Thane and Raigad. Occassional gusty winds very likely: IMD  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the BMC's Disaster Management Control Room to assess the situation and gather updates on the ongoing events.

Thane and Palghar districts also experienced heavy showers, resulting in water logging in several localities.

Officials reported that over 250 families residing in low-lying areas of Thane were relocated to safer places.

In Vasai, certain areas were also affected by water-logging, prompting rescue and relief operations by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and the revenue department, as stated by Vivekanand Kadam, chief of the Palghar disaster management cell.

According to a civic official, the IMD Mumbai's daily weather forecast predicted the likelihood of "heavy rainfall in the city and suburbs with a possibility of very heavy rainfall at a few places" over the next 24 hours.
Representative Image | Credit: PIB

New Delhi/UNI: Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the government convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday to deliberate on a host of issues related to Parliament's monsoon session.

The monsoon session will commence on Thursday and continue until August 11.

There will be a total of 17 sittings in this session spread over 23 days.

During the all-party meeting, the government will seek the support of all the parties to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament.

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi had urged all parties to contribute towards productive discussions on legislative business and other items during the Monsoon Session.

According to reports, around 32 bills are expected to be tabled in the monsoon session, beginning on July 20. The bills include the Forest Bill and the Data Protection Bill.

On Tuesday, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), held a meeting in New Delhi with its 39 member parties.

On the other hand, the opposition, consisting of 26 parties, was already engaged in a two-day meeting in Bengaluru.

The meeting aimed to form an "anti-BJP" front called the "Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)".
Image Credit: UNI

Mumbai/UNI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday informed all the farmers of Maharashtra that the central government has given a subsidy of Rs.1,30,000 crore to keep the prices of fertilizers under control.

Informing in the state assembly Pawar said, on behalf of the Agriculture Department, action has been taken regarding the sale of bogus seeds and fertilizers.

He said 164 MT stock of seeds has been seized. 22 police cases have been registered. Licenses of 20 vendors have been cancelled and Licenses of 105 vendors have been suspended.

The quality control department has seized 190 Tonnes of stock regarding fertilizers. 13 police cases have been filed in this regard. The licenses of 52 vendors have been cancelled and licenses of 210 vendors have been suspended.

Apart from this, in the meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister in the previous cabinet, a committee was formed with the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Revenue, Minister of Rural Development and Minister of Water Supply, he said.

Keeping in mind the previous laws of action, strict action was not taken against bogus fertilizer and seed sellers, that is why this committee has been constituted, this has informed by the Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde to house of assembly, a strict law will be introduced before the end of the session and the state government is working to control the bogus fertilizer and seed sellers, Pawar gave this confidence to the farmers.
Image: Pixabay

Pune/UNI: In a major breakthrough, Pune Police on Wednesday arrested two suspected terrorists, who were also wanted by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The names of the two arrested suspected terrorists identified as Imran Khan and Mohammad Yunus Saki.

The police and NIA were looking for both of them for the past several days. A reward of five lakh rupees on each was placed on both of them by NIA, said police.

The search for a third terrorist is on who was with them and managed to escape by taking advantage of the night, police added.

According to Pune police both accused are wanted by the NIA in a terror case in Madhya Pradesh.

The continuous raids were being conducted since then at many places in the country to nab them, police said.

Elaborating further, Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik told UNI.

The Kothrud police patrolling team led by police Constable Pradeep Chavan and Amol Nazan caught 3 suspected Bike thieves.

When they were taken for house search, they tried to escape and a police team managed to nab two of them and one ran away.

In subsequent house searches one live round and 4 mobiles and laptop was seized, said Karnik.

In further investigation it was revealed that the two suspects namely Imran khan and Mohammad Yunus Saki

Are wanted by the NIA and have a reward of 5 lakhs on their arrest. The Further investigation is being done by Pune police commissioner Retesh Kumaarr, said Joint CP Karnik.

The Pune Police also informed Maharashtra ATS and NIA about the arrest of two suspected terrorists. Both will be produced in court today for further remand, said police.

Both arrested suspected terrorists may be handed over to the NIA soon for their interrogation since they were wanted by the Agency in several cases, it added.
New Delhi/IBNS: The BJP-led NDA government is ready to debate on the issue of Manipur violence during the monsoon session of Parliament beginning from Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said here on Wednessday.

Talking to the media after an all-party meeting in the Parliament, Joshi said: "We are ready to discuss the Manipur violence issue in the monsoon session and appealed to the opposition parties for their cooperation on such an important issue"

The Congress party has been seeking a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3.

When asked about Congress' demand that PM Modi has to make a "suo-moto" statement on Manipur, issue Joshi said, "Home Ministry is the nodal agency to take up the matter and we have already told the Congress leaders that the government is ready to discuss the matter pertaining to Manipur".

The Congress earlier said discussions on issues like price rise and Manipur are "non-negotiable".

During the meeting, several opposition leaders raised the demand to discuss the violence in Manipur in the Parliament.

The Parliament Affairs Minister informed that there are 31 legislative items lined up for the session.

The all-party meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in which 34 parties and 44 ministers participated.

While asked about the opposition meeting in Bengaluru, he called it "old wine in a new bottle".

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will continue till August 11.

There will be a total of 17 sittings in this session spread over 23 days.

According to the government, around 31 bills are going to be taken up in this session.

The bills include the Forest Bill, Data Protection Bill, and The Government of National Territory of Delhi Amendment Bill 2022, among others.

On Tuesday, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a meeting in New Delhi with its 39 parties.

On the other hand, the Opposition consisting of 26 parties had already engaged in a two-day meet in Bengaluru.

This meeting aimed to form an "anti-BJP" front which also called itself as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).
Image: Facebook/Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata/IBNS/UNI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been 'shivering with fear' since the time they came to know about the Opposition alliance.

Taking a swipe at the saffron brigade, Banerjee iterated that democracy is at stake during the BJP regime at the Centre.

Stating that the BJPs sole focus is to create unrest, and violence, and divide the society, Banerjee commented, "They have no other job, apart from indulging in destructive politics."

"However, INDIA is ready for the battle, and BJP will get a decisive reply. The people will reply to BJP, and INDIA will face the battle. BJP, which keeps dreaming about toppling state governments, have now realised that their government at the Centre will be toppled by the people of INDIA very soon," thundered Banerjee.

The Chief Minister, who visited state-run SSKM Hospital to meet the Trinamool Party workers, injured in Panchayat election-related violence, said, "I came to SSKM Hospital to meet the victims of those who have faced the brunt of attack from BJP goons in Nandigram and Khejuri. The violence that has been perpetrated by the BJP across the State is condemnable."

"BJP couldnt defeat us electorally and have, therefore, resorted to violence and thrashed our party workers. Some of them are burnt badly too. Our State ministers are in touch with the victims families and we will provide them with all aid necessary, " the Chief Minister said.

"All those raising hue and cry about violence during the Panchayat Elections, should know that the maximum number of casualties are from All India Trinamool Congress. The maximum number of deaths and injuries are from our party," she averred.

"All those whove lost their lives in the violence during the entire Panchayat Elections campaign, be it pre-poll, or post-poll, or during the election day, we are providing their families with Rs 2 lakh compensation from the State governments end, apart from a job to one of the family members," Banerjee announced.

"Those who have suffered injuries in the violence perpetrated by the Opposition during the Panchayat Elections and are hospitalised, we are providing them Rs 50,000 as compensation, " she further announced.

"The remaining amount, we will disburse from our end within the next couple of days. The jobs are also ready, we will start issuing letters to the kin of the deceased soon, " the CM informed.

Accusing the saffron brigade of resorting to "divisive" politics and creating a wedge among the people, Banerjee said," Violence and anarchy are their main weapon. But as long as I'm alive, nobody can do any harm to Bengal."
Image: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

New York: The UN Secretary-General addressed the Security Council on Tuesday, emphasizing the potential of artificial intelligence to accelerate human development while also cautioning against the malicious use of what is revolutionary new technology.

Antonio Guterres said that if AI became primarily a weapon to launch cyberattacks, generate deepfakes, or for spreading disinformation and hate speech, it would have very serious consequences for global peace and security.

Look no further than social media. Tools and platforms that were designed to enhance human connection are now used to undermine elections, spread conspiracy theories, and incite hatred and violence, he said.

Malfunctioning AI systems are another huge area of concern. And the interaction between AI and nuclear weapons, biotechnology, neurotechnology, and robotics, is deeply alarming.

AI governance

Mr. Guterres noted the problematic debate over AI governance, highlighting the need for a universal approach, and citing similar experiences in the past which offer a potential way forward, under UN leadership.

The international community has a long history of responding to new technologies with the potential to disrupt our societies and economies. We have come together at the United Nations to set new international rules, sign new treaties, and establish new global agencies, he added.

The guiding principles on lethal autonomous weapons systems and the recommendations on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, for instance, were discussed and agreed at UN forums.

Similarly, the AI for Good summit, convened in Geneva last month, brought together experts, the private sector, UN agencies, and governments, to help ensure the groundbreaking technology serves the common good, he added.

Huge skills gap

Mr. Guterres pointed to a skills gap around AI within governments and other bureaucracies, which must be addressed at a national and global level.

I therefore welcome calls from some Member States for the creation of a new United Nations entity to support collective efforts to govern this extraordinary technology, inspired by such models as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, he said.

A new UN entity would gather expertise and put it at the disposal of the international community. And it could support collaboration on the research and development of AI tools to accelerate sustainable development.

Policy options

Mr. Guterres announced that he will be convening a high-level meeting for AI, which will report back on the options for global governance, by the end of this year. He is also going to issue a new policy brief on A New Agenda for Peace, which will make recommendations on AI governance to Member States.

The policy brief will call for negotiations to be concluded by 2026 on a legally-binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapons systems that function without human control or oversight, which cannot be used in compliance with international humanitarian law.

Exercise leadership

The Secretary-General called on the Security Council, which is responsible for international peace and security, to exercise leadership on AI and show the way towards common measures for their transparency, accountability, and oversight.

We must work together for AI that bridges social, digital, and economic divides, not one that pushes us further apart. I urge you to join forces and build trust for peace and security, Mr. Guterres concluded.

A first in the Council

The meeting on Tuesday was convened by the United Kingdom in its capacity holding the rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of July.

It was the first-ever meeting of the 15-member Council on the potential threats of artificial intelligence to international peace and security.
Image: Annabelle Ham Instagram page

New York: 22-year-old American social media influencer Annabelle Ham died last week after experiencing an 'epileptic event', her family said.

Her family posted on the official Instagram account of the influencer: "This is Annabelles family. Were writing this with heavy, heavy hearts. Annabelle experienced an epileptic event and has gone on to the gates of heaven. She struggled with this for a long time and wanted to raise awareness for it, which we will do in honor of her."

"Annabelle was beautiful and inspiring and lived life to the fullest. Everyone she met was inspired by her energy and the light inside her soul that shined so bright. She was, and will forever be, so so loved. Were asking for your prayers of peace for her family and friends during this difficult time, and to allow all of us the chance to grieve and work through this as a family," read the statement.

One of Hams sisters, Alexandria, told The New York Post on Tuesday that Ham struggled with epilepsy for a while.

Honestly  she was just all thats good in this world. She was the life of the party, a spark-plug, she loved everyone she met and everyone loved her too, Alexandria said in a message.

She was always so happy and looked for ways to make every day, situation, or outing better. There really arent adequate words for how good she was," she said.

The popularity of the influencer is clear from the fact that she enjoyed 78,000 YouTube subscribers and 108,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by repeated seizures, as per American Association of Neurological surgeons website.

A seizure is usually defined as a sudden alteration of behavior due to a temporary change in the electrical functioning of the brain. Normally, the brain continuously generates tiny electrical impulses in an orderly pattern.

These impulses travel along neurons  the network of nerve cells in the brain  and throughout the whole body via chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, read the website.
Image: WFP/Eloge Mbaihondoum

New York: Nearly 200,000 people were displaced by fighting inside Sudan over the past week, the UN reported on Tuesday, citing new figures released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Overall, more than 2.6 million people have been internally displaced since the start of the conflict on 15 April.

Meanwhile, more than 730,000 people have fled Sudan for neighbouring countries, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.

Top UN officials visit refugee camp

On Tuesday, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and the head of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain, visited a camp in eastern Chad that has taken in Sudanese refugees.

Ms. Mohammed said she was inspired by the courage of those who had fled there, many of whom were women and children, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists in New York.

She said that she also heard stories of unimaginable suffering in Sudan and enormous needs in Chad, he added. More international support is needed for refugees and their host communities, she said.

UN support continues

Back in Sudan, humanitarians continue to provide relief to civilians.

In North Darfur, the UN children's agency (UNICEF) and partners are supporting water trucking to gathering sites for internally displaced people, as well as healthcare facilities. They have also constructed more than two dozen latrines.

Mr. Dujarric said UN health agency WHO is working closely with Sudans Ministry of Health and other partners in states sheltering internally displaced people to provide essential, reproductive, sexual, maternal and pediatric care.

On Monday, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners managed to deliver life-saving supplies, including 3,000 reproductive health kits, to six hospitals in Khartoum state.

He said UNFPA is committed to reaching all women and girls in need in Sudan with urgent health and protection services.
Image Credit: Wallpaper Cave

The presidency of South Africa announced today that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the upcoming BRICS nations summit in South Africa next month, reported AFP.

The decision comes after months of speculation surrounding the possibility of Putin's attendance, which had posed a diplomatic challenge for Pretoria.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated that the absence of President Putin at the summit was mutually agreed upon. Instead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Russia at the gathering of BRICS leaders, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

The decision was reached following extensive consultations conducted by President Ramaphosa, with the most recent discussion held last night.

One of the key factors influencing the decision is the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Putin. South Africa, as an ICC member, would be expected to implement the warrant should Putin set foot in the country. The warrant is related to allegations of Russia unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.

To avoid any potential confrontation or legal complications, both South Africa and Russia decided it would be in the best interest of the summit for President Putin to abstain from attending.

South Africa, as the current chair of the BRICS group, considers itself a counterweight to Western economic dominance. Hosting Putin, who is sought by the ICC, could have had significant implications for the country's domestic and international standing.

The decision to exclude Putin was made under considerable domestic and international pressure.

President Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the success of the upcoming summit and called on the nation to extend hospitality to the attending delegates from various parts of the globe.

The decision to refrain from hosting Putin aligns with South Africa's desire to maintain neutrality in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, critics have accused the country of leaning towards Moscow in the past.

By avoiding Putin's visit, South Africa aims to protect its strong economic and trade relations with the United States and Europe. Although trade ties with Russia are smaller, the historical support of the African National Congress party by the Kremlin during apartheid has fostered a longstanding relationship.

In recent interviews with local media, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile revealed that the government had been actively persuading Putin to reconsider his attendance at the summit.
Image: Pixabay

Dhaka: At least 15 security guards and workers were hurt when Bangladeshi and Chinese workers clashed due to dissatisfaction over salaries and allowances at the under-construction 1,320 MW Rural Power Company Limited power plant in Bangladesh's Dhankhali area, media reports said.

Several vehicles and the power plants office were also vandalised during the clash, reports New Age Bangladesh.

The Kalapara police, along with upazila nirbahi officer, went to the spot and managed to bring the situation under control.

Additional police were deployed to the spot following the clash.

Four Bangladeshi workers, who were seriously injured in the incident, were identified as Obaidul, Shaheen Molla, Rakibul Islam and Zidan.

They were first admitted to Kalapara upazila health complex, and later shifted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital for better treatment, the Bangladeshi newspaper reported.

The injured said that as some of their salary was being deducted in the name of service charge for a long time, they protested about the matter.
OTTAWA, ON - Chief George Ginnish from the Natoaganeg First Nation; Chief Ross Perley from Neqotkuk First Nation; and The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of CrownIndigenous Relations, announced $150,000 in funding provided through the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program.

These funds will support studies being undertaken by Natoaganeg First Nation and Neqotkuk First Nation to determine the need for and feasibility of constructing facilities that will provide culturally safe spaces for membersincluding women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ individualsto gather and connect with their history, culture and language.

Investing in cultural spaces is crucial to addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. The Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program also supports Indigenous Peoples in reclaiming their identity as part of their journey towards self-determination, which is a crucial step in advancing reconciliation and building relationships between Indigenous Peoples, governments, and all Canadians.

Chief Ginnish said, We are excited to have the opportunity to start this initial engagement process to explore a centralized Cultural Space for Natoaganeg. We are thankful that Crown-Indigenous Relations provided this support. We want to thank the Community for their genuine interest and full participation during this process. A facility of this nature would support Natoaganeg culturally, socially and historically while providing great meaning and service to our Community. Natoaganeg was created on traditional Mikmaq territory in 1789 via a Licence of Occupation and has a rich history, language and culture that needs to be shared. We feel this project is a great move towards reconciliation.

In my view, this project represents another exciting step our community is taking towards ensuring all of our kids and families can learn about and celebrate their culture without fear of discrimination, said Chief Ross Perley of the Neqotkuk First Nation.

Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations Marc Miller said, These feasibility studies will provide Natoaganeg First Nation and Neqotkuk First Nation with critical information to advance the design and construction of culturally safe spaces for women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in their communities. This funding is an important step in responding to the MMIWG Calls for Justice, which call upon all governments to prioritize safe and meaningful access to culture and languages for Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Some Facts About The Feasibility Studies

Natoaganeg First Nation is exploring the need for and the feasibility of constructing a new building within the community.

This will be dedicated to re-establishing cultural spaces that foster safe, no-barrier, permanent and meaningful access to culture and language services for Natoaganeg women, girls, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and the community as a whole.

Natoaganeg First Nations project is divided into four phases. During each phase of the project, community engagement is completed to ensure that the future building meets community needs and aligns with community plans.

Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk) is conducting a feasibility study to assess the need for establishing a new traditional longhouse in their community.

This traditional longhouse will showcase artifacts, traditional medicines and crafts for Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people in a non-judgmental, inclusive and welcoming place.

In the space, Neqotkuk plans to offer expanded language classes in the longhouse and have ample space for traditional teachings, gatherings, and healing.

As a result of a call for proposals in the fall of 2021, 66 projects were funded through the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program across Canada for a total of $120 million.

Budget 2021 invested $108.8 million over two years in the Cultural Spaces in Indigenous Communities Program. This investment is part of the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, the Government of Canadas contribution to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.
Deskaheh  Considered First Indigenous Person To Address Indigenous Human Rights

A contingent of Haudenosaunee have arrived in the City of Geneva, Switzerland to mark the 100th anniversary of Cayuga Chief Deskaheh's journey to the League of Nations. Deskaheh  Levi General, is considered the first Indigenous Person to have r...
Several women traders have demanded that the state of Manipur return to its pre-merger status.

Northeast Now

This protest was held to criticise the Prime Minister's silence on the ongoing ethnic violence in the border state, which has surpassed 75 days.



Demand to end Manipur's merger with India

It was through the Merger Agreement signed between the then princely state of Manipur and the Indian Union in 1949 that Manipur was incorporated into India.

The female traders, under the aegis of the Manipur Women Convention, organised the protest at the historic Ima market in Imphal to demand a review of the Merger agreement.

"Enforce the law of the land at Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi," "Deploy state forces at Moreh," "Stop using Indian security forces against the Meiteis," and "Go back Assam Rifles" were some of the demands put forward by the women in the protest.

Dissatisfaction against government

On Monday, hundreds of women took to the streets of Imphal to protest against state's handling of the ongoing ethnic violence.

AFP

The women, who were members of the Thawai Mirel and Meira Paibis organisations, had blocked the NH-2 at Chingamakhong and demanded to meet with Chief Minister N Biren Singh.



Meitei women held fire torches and formed human chains on the streets in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Kakching districts.

They questioned the government's handling of the situation, asking how many more lives had to be lost before the state could achieve peace.

In another protest on Saturday, women vendors had staged a protest at Khwairamband Ima Market, raising the same issue.

One of the protesters, Huirem Binodini Devi, said, "The stoic silence by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah provoked us to feel that we are not a citizens of India. The central leaders should listen to our voice if we are citizens of India. Now, our sense of nationality is in a state of confusion", as quoted by Imphal Free Press.

Manipur violence

Violence in Manipur began in the first week of May 2023 after a rally by the indigenous communities against moves to grant tribal status to the main ethnic group (Meiti) in the State.

It soon spiralled into a serious ethnic clash - leaving at least 140 dead, more than 300 injured, and thousands displaced till now.

With the central government choosing to remain quiet on the issue, there seems to be no solution as yet.

For more on news, sports and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
The request was made by Greece through rescEU, the European program of voluntary assistance to EU member states during natural disasters. Italy and France responded, providing two CL-415 aircraft each.
By David Stockman

July 18, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " - Anti War " -- Americas Brobdingnagian $1.3 trillion national security budget thrives on manufactured threats and falsely demonized foes. And nothing could be more demonstrative of that proposition than the utter villainy now emanating from the NATO summit in Vilnius.

For crying out loud. Since the Munich Security Conference in 2007, the man (Putin) has said over and over, and then over again, that Ukraines accession to NATO is an absolute red line. And anyone with their head screwed on right would have no trouble accepting that declaration by answering one simple question.

To wit, how would Washington react if Russia put missiles and nukes in Mexico, or Cuba, or Nicaragua, or Granada or Venezuela or even Tierra Del Fuego?

Of course, President John F. Kennedy resolved that matter 61 years ago. Yet the whole Vilnius confab amounts to a wink and nod pageant telling the world that exactly what JFK said could not stand on our own doorstep back then, in fact, must stand on Russias now. One day soon the Great Hegemon on the Potomac will plant US/NATO missiles 40 minutes from the Kremlin and the purported "aggressor" domiciled there needs to shut-up and eat his geopolitical spinach.

Holy moly. The very idea is an affront to rationality and is a reckless invitation to permanent friction between two nations holding upwards of 12,000 nukes between them. Yet the miscreants gathered in Vilnius left no room for doubt in their declaration:

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

Ukraines future is in NATO. We reaffirm the commitment we made at the 2008 Summit in Bucharest that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and today we recognize that Ukraines path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan. Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance, and has made substantial progress on its reform path.

So the question recurs. How in the whole fricking big wide world would adding the parts and pieces of Novorossiya, Poland, Lithuania, Rumania, the Cossack Hetmanates, the Crimean Khanate, the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria and many other historical footnotes that were slapped together by the Soviet Tyrants after 1920 to form the current unnatural borders of Ukraine contribute to the Homeland Security of America, way over here on the far sides of the Atlantic and Pacific moats?

The answer of course is that it contributes nothing, as in nichts, nada and nugatory. NATO isnt about security, collective or otherwise, anyway. Its an utterly vestigial relic of the Cold War that was stood-up to contain a totalitarian Soviet Empire which was armed to the teeth, but which has long since disappeared into the dustbin of history. So George Bush the Elder should have parachuted into the Ramstein Germany air base in 1991, declared victory and dismantled NATO then and there.

As it has transpired, however, the bloated now 31-nation NATO of today has actually become an enemy of peace and security. Thats because it exists mainly as a marketing forum for western arms manufacturers and a think tank for generating phony threats and scary stories designed to keep military budgets amply stocked with fiscal wherewithal and vastly oversized military establishments well provisioned with missions, mandates, war games and busy work.

So to repeat what we said in previously, there is no need for Washingtons gigantic military establishment or its extensions in NATO because there are no true threats to the liberty and security of the American homeland anywhere on the planet today that even remotely justify it.

The cold war style mega-threat ended with the Soviet Union. Today, Russias $1.8 trillion GDP is a veritable joke when arrayed against the $45 trillion of GDP resources embedded in the US and the balance of NATO; and its $85 billion defense budget amounts to not even 7% of the $1.25 trillion combined NATO defense budgets.

Stated differently, serious military threats in todays world of advanced weaponry require either an overwhelming nuclear first strike checkmate capacity or the vast industrial might and $50 trillion of GDP that would be necessary to breach the great ocean moats and deliver an invasionary armada of massive conventional forces to the New Jersey shores  backed-up with vast air- and sea-lift capacity and gigantic logistics arrangements that have scarcely been imagined by even the most fervent writers of futuristic war fiction.

As it happens, of course, Russia has no nuclear checkmate capacity at all, and has now thoroughly demonstrated that it doesnt have the industrial and conventional military capacity to conquer and occupy even what has been its own borderlands and vassals  lands with a pre-February 2022 GDP of, well, barely $200 billion.

So what is percolating out of Vilnius, therefore, is not a rational calculation about tangible security threats posed by Russia. Instead, what we have is a witches brew of the standard lies, rationalizations, excuses and hypocrisies which keep the Washington Hegemon busy on a 24/7 basis all around the planet. These groupthink bromides and ideological nostrums include such favorites as the Rule of Law, the Post-War International Order, the Sanctity of Borders, the Responsibility to Protect and Collective Security.

But all are just cover stories for what amounts to the Washington Imperium, and in the current case the alleged sanctity of borders and requirements for "collective security" are especially egregious.

In the first place, it was Washington which violated Ukraines borders when it encouraged, funded and recognized the illegal coup which overthrew the countrys duly elected President in February 2014. This CIA/State/AID/NED intervention essentially blew-up the unstable state of Ukraine, which had never been built to last absent the iron fist of communist rule and which had been at war with itself as between nationalist Ukrainians in the center and west and Russian-speaking populations of the Donbas and Black Sea rim ever since the first post-communist elections after 1991. The Maidan coup was simple the coup de grace, which quickly incited a civil war.

But rather than respect Jeffersons own admonition from the Declaration of Independence and allow the two Donbas republics to secede from the new anti-Russian regime in Kiev, Washington funded a military buildup and brutal campaign to quash the revolt. At length, on the order of 15,000 civilians were killed by the relentless military attacks on the Donbas mounted by Kiev over 2014-2022 with Washingtons dollars and weapons.

It was that assault on Novorussiya (i.e. historical New Russia) and the drumbeat for Ukraines NATO membership that finally provoked Putins so-called invasion. Whether it was ultimately justified or not, the moralists can ascertain. But that it was provoked by Washington is not even remotely in doubt.

Indeed, two weeks after July 4th the irony of the actual cause of the Ukraine war could not be more stark: The triggering attack on the Donbas was surely a case of secession for we, but not for thee:

".whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government."

Likewise, in todays world the ideological platitudes about "collective security"  the ostensible reason for all the tom-tom beating in Vilnius  do not hold water, either. The fact is, absent a massive totalitarian menace, collective security is a bad idea, not an instrument of peace and stability.

Automatic war clauses like article 5 of NATO, which thank heaven has not yet been extended to Ukraine, are as likely to encourage hard-line politicians in smaller countries to provoke their larger neighbors for reasons of electoral opportunism than to deter aggression by the latter. In any event, the run up to World War I tells you all you need to know about automatic war clauses.

The false underlying predicate behind obsolescent institutions like NATO, in fact, holds that the global community is everywhere and always crawling with would be totalitarian monsters like Hitler, Stalin or Mao; that peaceful democracies are always imperiled by weak leaders slouching toward bad appeasement deals and the next Munich; and that nations need to be bound together in defensive entanglements, therefore, in order to keep wanna be hegemons at bay.

Not at all. Todays world is not crawling with would be hegemons, aside from the one astride the banks of the Potomac. Hitler, Stalin and the so-called Cold War were once-in-history aberrations that rose from the carnage of World War I, Woodrow Wilsons folly in taking America into it in 1917 and the punitive "peace" of the victors at Versailles  the nurseries which actually gave birth to the unique totalitarian evils of the 20th century.

Indeed, Americas pointless entry with 4 million fresh doughboys is what actually prevented an early end to the war and a non-vindictive peace of the exhausted and bankrupt nations of old Europe. In that alternative history, Lenins coup would never have been possible and Hitler would have remained an obscure painter of run-of-the-mill water colors.

That is to say, the homes, schools, churches, stores and industry of the long-suffering peoples of Ukraine are being turned into an armaments Demolition Derby in the name of an obsolete collective security arrangement which should have been consigned to the dustbin of history along with the Soviet Union 32 years ago.

The Vilnius confab, of course, was the work of Washington neocons and NATOs institutionalized warmongers. And what they produced was pure villainy because there is nothing relating to American homeland security at stake in the godforsaken nation whose name means "borderlands" in Russian.

Woodrow Wilson opened the gates of hell 106 years ago with an equally threadbare justification. So the Empire never should have been launched then, and the Vilnius Declaration is a reminder  if there ever was one  that the time to dismantle it is now long, long, long overdue.

David Stockman was a two-term Congressman from Michigan. He was also the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan. After leaving the White House, Stockman had a 20-year career on Wall Street. Hes the author of three books, The Triumph of Politics: Why the Reagan Revolution Failed, The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America, TRUMPED! A Nation on the Brink of Ruin And How to Bring It Back, and the recently released Great Money Bubble: Protect Yourself From The Coming Inflation Storm. He also is founder of David Stockmans Contra Corner and David Stockmans Bubble Finance Trader.

Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
July 18, 2023: Information Clearing House -- The Republican and Democratic parties have no intention of allowing independents and third parties into their exclusive club. A series of arcane laws and rules governing elections make it extremely difficult for outsiders to get on the ballot, receive exposure, raise money, comply with regulations that are designed to advance the interests of Republicans and Democrats or participate in public debates. Third parties and independents are effectively disenfranchised, although 44 percent of the voting public identify as independent. This discrimination is euphemistically labeled bipartisanship, but the correct term, as Theresa Amato writes, is political apartheid.

One of the best-kept secrets in American politics is that the two-party system has long been brain dead  kept alive by support systems like state electoral laws that protect the established parties from rivals and by Federal subsidies and so-called Campaign reform, the political scientist Theodore Lowi noted. The two-party system would collapse in an instant if the tubes were pulled and the IVs were cut.

Amato was the national presidential campaign manager and in-house counsel for Ralph Nader in the 2000 and 2004 elections. Her book Grand Illusion: The Myth of Voter Choice in a Two-Party Tyranny is a sobering account of our political apartheid, based on her experience in the Nader campaigns. It chronicles in minute detail the nefarious mechanisms, especially the Byzantine rules that vary from state to state, to even get on the ballot.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

Third parties not already ballot-qualified and independents must collect valid signatures on a petition to run for president. Some states require a fee or a few hundred signatures. Others require tens of thousands of signatures. The Republicans and Democrats set the requirements in state legislatures, and then, flush with corporate cash and teams of lawyers, haul independents and third party candidates into court to challenge the validity of their petition signatures. These lawsuits are used to invalidate signatures to force candidates off the ballot, deprive voters the opportunity of supporting other candidates, as well as drain the campaign budgets of small competitors. Republican and Democratic party state-level officials, either elected or appointed, administer the federal elections to serve their partys advancement.

The requirements to get on the ballot resemble the rules erected during Jim and Jane Crow to prevent African-Americans from being able to register to vote. Ohio, for example, demands that petition signatures be written from only one county on each petition, forcing circulators to carry around stacks of county petitions. The state of Washington requires a 10 day advance notice published in a newspaper before holding a nominating convention. West Virginia mandates that circulators first get credentials from the county clerk, in every county, which must be displayed while collecting signatures. Nevada requires that each petition be notarized.

To complicate matters further, in a Kafkaesque way, many of the election officials are afraid to say exactly what provisions of their state law mean; they do not want to be implicated in a legal battle  so they often claim that they do not know, that they cannot say, and that you cannot rely on anything they say, Amato writes. Alternatively, you may get different opinions, based on whom you ask, or encounter election officials who just dont know the law they are enforcing, even in some of the biggest states, as we found in 2004 in California.

Commissions and boards set up to monitor elections, such as The Federal Election Commission, are also composed almost exclusively of Republicans and Democrats.

Amato describes mastering the Federal Election Commission campaign finance laws as equivalent to learning a foreign language in a few days and then trying to teach it to campaign staff and volunteers who have little or no experience with federal regulations.

The national, state, and local branches of the Republican and Democratic parties contract vendors and political consultants to work on each campaign cycle. This is usually not true for third parties and independents, who lack the resources and funds to build a permanent campaign infrastructure. The two ruling parties can also rely on Super Political Action Committees, or Super PACs, to raise unlimited amounts of cash from wealthy individuals, labor unions, corporations and other political action committees. The Super PACs can make unlimited independent expenditures on behalf of the campaign, although they are not supposed to give directly to the campaign or co-ordinate their activities with federal candidate committees.

Republicans and Democrats, because they raise so much money, have no incentive to participate in the public financing system or create an alternative one that might assist third parties and independents.

What do impoverished third-party and independent candidates have? Amato writes. They get federal financing for the general election only after the fact  if, and only if, they break five percent of the national vote total. The uncertain possibility of getting money after the fact is just about useless to the candidate running in the current election who cannot count on it, though it may be helpful to the party next time around.

If third parties and independents are willing to subject themselves to an automatic and onerous federal audit, as well as meet a variety of precise financing requirements in at least 20 states, and agree to spending limits in all states and overall for their campaigns, they may be eligible to qualify for primary election matching funds.

As the book Third Parties in America, points out, the Federal Election Commission Act is a major party protection act.

Those that attempt to challenge the stranglehold of the Republican and Democratic party duopoly are attacked as spoilers, as being naive or egomaniacs. These attacks have already begun against Cornel West, who is running for The Green Party nomination. The underlying assumption behind these attacks is that we have no right to support a candidate who champions our values and concerns.

In 2016, the Green Party played an outsized role in tipping the election to Donald Trump, wrote David Axelrod, the chief strategist for Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, Now, with Cornel West as their likely nominee, they could easily do it again. Risky business.

This is the same message that was repeatedly delivered by Democratic Party officials, the media and celebrities to discredit Ralph Nader, who received more than 2.8 million votes in the 2000 election, when he was a candidate.

Independents and third parties do not yet pose a serious threat to the duopoly. They usually poll in the single digits, although Ross Perot received nearly 19 percent of the popular vote. They raise only a tiny fraction of the hundreds of millions of dollars available to the Democrats and Republicans. The Biden-Harris campaign, Democratic National Committee and their joint fundraising committees, for example, raised $72 million from April to the end of June. Former President Donald Trump, raised more than $35 million from April to the end of June. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis raised $20 million in the same period. Cornels campaign has raised $83,640.28, according to Jill Stein who is managing Cornels campaign.

Biden raised $1billion to fund his 2020 presidential race. The total cost of the 2020 elections was a staggering $14.4 billion making it, as Open Secrets pointed out, the most expensive election in history and twice as expensive as the previous presidential election cycle.

Third party candidates and independents are nevertheless dangerous to corporate-indentured Republicans and Democrats because they expose the duopolys political bankruptcy, dishonesty and corruption. This exposure, if allowed to persist, will potentially fuel a wider movement to bring down the two party tyranny. The Republican and Democrat parties, for this reason, mount sustained campaigns, amplified by the media, to discredit its third party and independent rivals.

The government directed censorship imposed on social media, as Matt Taibbi exposed, is aimed at shutting down critics from the left and the right who attack the ruling power elite.

You will hear far more truth, for example, about the apartheid state of Israel and the suffering of Palestinians from Cornel than from any Republican or Democratic candidate, including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. who supports the Israeli government.

There are numerous problems with our electoral system: voter suppression, difficulties in registering to vote, the cumbersome process of often casting a ballot, the flawed mechanisms used to count votes, the 30 or 40 incumbents who run in each election cycle for Congress unopposed, redistricting, denying residents of Washington, D.C. voting representation in Congress, denying the right to cast a ballot for president or a voting member of Congress to the peoples of U.S. territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico, the disenfranchisement of over three million ex-felons and the purging of millions of non-felons from the voter rolls, and the absurdity of the Electoral College, which sees candidates such as George W. Bush and Donald Trump lose the popular vote and win the presidency.

But these problems do not compare to the obstacles placed in front of third parties and independents which mount and run campaigns.

The ruling corporate parties are acutely aware that they have little to offer a disillusioned public other than more wars, more austerity, more government control and intrusion into our lives, more tax breaks for Wall Street and corporations and more misery for working men and women. They use their control of the electoral system to force us to choose between mediocrities like Donald Trump  and major Democratic donors such as Lloyd Blankfein said they would back Trump if Bernie Sanders was the Democratic Party candidate  and Joe Biden. The only electorally viable candidates outside the two-party structure are the very rich, such as Ross Perot or Michael Bloomberg, who, as Amato writes, are able to buy their way around the barriers of ballot access restrictions and nonexistent media coverage.

Voters do not vote for who they want. They vote against those they have been conditioned to hate. The oligarchy, meanwhile, is assured its interests are protected.

No Republican or Democratic presidential candidate has any intention of halting corporate pillage. They will not curb the fossil fuel industry or combat ecocide. They will not rebuild our decayed infrastructure and failing educational system. They will not reform our predatory for-profit health care system or restore our right to privacy by halting wholesale government surveillance. They will not institute public financing of elections to curb the legalized bribery that defines elective office. They will not raise the minimum wage. They will not end our permanent wars.

Third parties and independents, even if they poll in the single digits, are a threat to the corporate duopoly because they back reforms, such as increasing tax rates for corporations and the rich, which have broad public support. They expose the corruption of a system that, without funding from billionaires and corporations, would collapse. On nearly every major issue  war, trade policies, militarized police, suppression of the minimum wage, hostility towards unions, revoking of civil liberties, gouging of the public by big banks, credit card companies, big pharma and the healthcare industry  there is little or no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats.

Monolithic power always confuses privilege with moral and intellectual superiority. It silences critics and reformers. It champions bankrupt ideologies, such as neoliberalism, to justify its omnipotence. It fosters intolerance and a craving for autocracy. These closed systems throughout history, whether monarchical or totalitarian, ossify into bastions of greed, plunder, mediocrity and repression. They lead inevitably to tyranny or revolution. There are no other options. Voting for Biden and the Democrats will accelerate the process. Voting for Cornel will defy it.

Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist who was a foreign correspondent for fifteen years for The New York Times, where he served as the Middle East Bureau Chief and Balkan Bureau Chief for the paper. He previously worked overseas for The Dallas Morning News, The Christian Science Monitor, and NPR. He is the host of show The Chris Hedges Report. https://chrishedges.substack.com
By Caitlin Johnstone

July 18, 2023: Information Clearing House -- Professional psychopath John Bolton has an article out with The Hill titled America cant permit Chinese military expansion in Cuba which inadvertently spells out exactly whats wrong with the way the US empire keeps amassing heavily armed proxy forces on the borders of its large Asiatic enemies.

Citing a Wall Street Journal report from last month in which anonymous US officials claim that Havana has entered negotiations with Beijing for a possible future joint military training facility in Cuba, Bolton argues that the US must use any amount of aggression necessary to prevent this facilitys construction, up to and including regime change interventionism.

The potential of significant Chinese facilities in Cuba is a red-flag threat to America, Bolton writes, arguing that such activities could well camouflage offensive weapons, delivery systems or other threatening capabilities.

For example, hypersonic cruise missiles, already harder to detect, track, and destroy than ballistic missiles, are natural candidates for installation in Cuba, a prospect we cannot tolerate, along with many other risks, like a Chinese submarine base, he adds.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

All of which are arguments that could be made pretty much note-for-note by Russia and China about the ways the US has been threatening their security interests with war machinery in their immediate surroundings.

Arguing that the US is bound by no commitment limiting our use of force, Bolton advocates Revoking diplomatic relations with Cuba; increased economic sanctions against both China and Cuba; and far stricter implementation of existing sanctions as an immediate response to this reported development, advocating regime change interventionism as an ultimate solution to Cubas disobedient behavior.

Had Presidents Eisenhower or Kennedy acted more forcefully and effectively against Castro, we might have avoided many perilous Cold War crises, sparing us decades of strategic concern, not to mention the repression of Cubas people, Bolton writes, adding, With Beijings threat rising, we should not miss todays moment without seriously reconsidering how to return this geographically critical island to its own peoples friendlier hands.

Bolton notes that Guantanamo Bay remains fully available to us today for any operations the US should choose to avail itself of to topple Havana.

This would be the same John Bolton who in 2002 falsely accused Cuba of having a biological weapons program in a bid to sweep the island up in the same post-9/11 war push he was helping the US construct against Iraq with extreme aggression.

Any time theres the faintest whisper of a foreign power setting up a military presence in Washingtons neck of the woods, hawks immediately begin pounding the drums of war and exposing the hypocrisy of the US empires insistence on its right to form military alliances and amass proxy forces on the doorstep of its geopolitical rivals. Empire apologists always dismiss Russia and Chinas claims that US military encroachments on their surroundings are an unacceptable security risk and say that no nation has a right to a sphere of influence which its enemies are forbidden to enter, yet we can plainly see that the US reserves a right to its own sphere of influence from its own doctrines and behaviors.

Earlier this year Senator Josh Hawley ominously asked an audience, Imagine a world where Chinese warships patrol Hawaiian waters, and Chinese submarines stalk the California coastline. A world where the Peoples Liberation Army has military bases in Central and South America. A world where Chinese forces operate freely in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Which is exactly what the US military has been doing to China.

The single dumbest thing the US-centralized empire asks us to believe is that the military encirclement of its top two geopolitical rivals is a defensive action, rather than an act of extreme aggression. The idea that the US militarily encircling Russia and China is an act of defense rather than aggression is so in-your-face transparently idiotic that anyone who thinks critically enough about it will immediately dismiss it for the foam-brained nonsense that it is, yet because of propaganda that is the mainstream narrative in the western world, and millions of people accept it as true.

The point of highlighting hypocrisy is not that being a hypocrite is some special crime in and of itself, its to show that the hypocrite is lying about their motives and behavior, and to dismantle their arguments defending their positions. If the US would interpret a Chinese military presence in Cuba as an incendiary provocation, then logically the far greater military presence the US has amassed on the borders of Russia and China is a vastly greater provocation by that same reasoning, and the US knows it. There exists no argument to the contrary that doesnt rely on baseless well its different when we do it assertions.

Demanding that Russia and China tolerate behavior from the US that the US would never tolerate from Russia or China is just demanding that the world subjugate itself to the US empire. Those who argue that Russia should have tolerated Ukraine being made into a NATO asset or that China should just accept US military encirclement because something something freedom and democracy are really just saying the US should be allowed to rule every inch of this planet completely uncontested.

If what you really want is for the US to dominate every inch of this planet completely uncontested, dont try and tell me that your actual concern is for the people of Ukraine or Taiwan or anywhere else. Dont piss on my leg and tell me its raining. Just be honest about what you are and where you stand.

Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has asked Nigerians for prayers against a further increment amidst the current hike in fuel prices.

The National Publicity Secretary of IPMAN, Yakubu Suleiman, disclosed this on Wednesday on an Arise Television Interview.

He noted that if the price of crude oil in the international market continues to rise, the local price will continue to increase.

READ ALSO: Reps Reject Amendment Of Motion To Suspend Fuel Price Increase

According to him, the landing cost of petrol in Nigeria stood at N565 per litre. He stated that oil marketers arrived at N617 per litre after adding other costs.

As of today, the landing cost of petrol into Nigeria is N565 per litre.

Lets pray that prices do not go up the way it is today. If crude prices go up, the local prices will go up. We are praying that the rising crude oil price will not continue, he said.

Earlier, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, had blamed market forces for the price of petrol.
Abdullahi Ganduje, immediate past Governor of Kano State, on Tuesday, said his administration did not obtain N10 billion loan for a Close Circuit Television (CCTV) project in the State.

In a statement issued on his behalf by Muhammad Garba, former Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ganduje described as misleading and untrue the report in some sections of the media that his administration obtained the loan.

He said the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) report, was concocted to discredit his government by ignorantly calling for an investigation into why the money was not spent on the project.

Ganduje however challenged the group to provide evidence that the N10 billion loan was obtained.

To further confirm that they are fake, the so-called organisation knew nothing about the project, and the hastiness with which their paymasters want them to be in the media exposes clearly their intent. We, therefore, challenge them to provide evidence for the 10 billion naira loan, he said.

READ ALSO: Kano Declares Wednesday Work Free Day To Mark Islamic New Year

Ganduje stressed that when the last administration conceived the project, the State Executive Council and the Kano State House of Assembly formally granted approval, bearing in mind the importance of the project in enhancing security in the state.

He furthered that on July 1, 2022, a Federal High Court in Kano granted an injunction restraining the government from obtaining the loan.

The former governor recalled that on July 19, the same court presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman said that it was misled in the case by one Yusuf Isyaku Rabiu, proprietor of another non-existing CSO by the name Kano First Forum, and therefore discharged the restraining order.

While asserting that the facility was not secured before the end of his tenure, he said his administration intended to carry out the project in appreciation of its importance and considering that there is even a bill before the National Assembly, which at that time had passed through second reading, that seeks to compel the compulsory installation of CCTV cameras in private buildings and offices.
A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau, on Tuesday, said intelligence gathered and monitoring done by security agencies is not enough to combat insecurity.

Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, another former COAS described coups in African countries as organised crime.

Information Nigeria reports that the duo spoke at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja as part of an international conference on Organised Crimes hosted by the Tukur Buratai Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs in collaboration with Igbenedion University, Okada in Edo State.

Speaking on Organised Crimes Network as an Emergent Threat to National Security, Dambazzau said it was critical for Nigeria to work with the United States (US) and other African countries to combat organised crime such as terrorism.

He said: For instance, US has two bases in the Niger Republic, and they have the bases there for their own interests. It is also important that we partner with them in order to leverage on whatever technology they have and whatever they deploy, their drone bases and their sources of intelligence.

READ ALSO: We Were Paid N50 Million To Kill Apostle Suleman- Suspect Confesses

If were able to partner with them, well be able to capture actionable intelligence and we will be able to deal with them. Of course, monitoring or having intelligence is not enough, if we dont develop our capacity, because we must be able to have the means moving in terms of emergency.

If you monitor something without getting to that thing, it means nothing to you. Intelligence without action means nothing. We must be able to equip our security agencies, train them on the capacity, they must be able to act. Not just to monitor but they must be able to act on time in order to deal with the situation.

Buratai however said the battle against organised crime required concerted efforts of experts, policymakers and stakeholders from diverse sectors.

The best way is for the military to remain within the constitutional bounds and also encourage the civil administration to do their best to solve the governance challenges or the developmental challenges of our country, he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa says arresting President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of Russia would amount to a declaration of war.

Information Nigeria reports that Putin has been invited to a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit which will take place in Johannesburg in August.

However the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes.

Pretoria, as an ICC member, would be expected to carry out the arrest warrant if the Russian president enters the country.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africas leading opposition party, had gone to court to compel the government to ensure that Putin is handed over.

According to court papers released on Tuesday, responding in an affidavit, Ramaphosa described the DAs application as irresponsible.

READ ALSO: Reps. Adopt Motion Mandating Air Passengers To Undergo BP, Sugar Check Before Boarding Flights

Ramaphosa added that it would be a reckless, unconstitutional and unlawful exercise of the powers conferred upon the government to declare war with Russia by arresting President Putin.

Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war.

It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia. I have constitutional obligations to protect the national sovereignty, peace and security of the republic, and to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights of the people of the republic to life, safety and security, among other rights in the bill of rights, he added.

The South African President said the country is seeking an exemption under ICC rules based on the fact that enacting the arrest could threaten the security, peace and order of the state.

South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group, which sees itself as a counter-balance to Western economic domination.
Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have reacted to the Controller-Generals threat to sanction men of the Service engaging in indiscriminate collection of loans from financial institutions and other loan facilities.

According to men of the Service, they repeatedly collect loans from financial institutions and other facilities to pay for uniforms, buy Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) forms, pay for promotion after attending promotion interviews and a number of things the Service ought to do for them.

Information Nigeria reports that the Controller-General, Haliru Nababa, had in a July 13 circular, directed all Zonal Coordinators, Controllers (I/C Commands), Commandants of Training Colleges/ Schools of the Service across the country to fish out and sanction a few as scapegoats and reprimand them accordingly.

The peak of financial embarrassment is when at the end of the month an officer is left with an insignificant fraction of his salary after all loan deductions from the source is made and is unable to service other loans or left with no substantial balance as take home.

This unhealthy practice is not only telling on the productivity of the officers concerned but also impacting negatively on the image of the service in the eyes of the public, Nababa said.

READ ALSO: How Can A Rich Man Be Resting In His House Fully Dressed, Woman On Full Makeup While Cooking?  Veteran Actor, Kanayo Slams Nollywood Filmmakers (VIDEO)

However, in response to the directive in a statement, some prison staff described NCoS leaders as very shameless set of leaders.

We borrow to see if we can cover up, since the prison authority deducts from our salary monthly to finance prisco (A microfinance bank that cant give us a loan even when we are the ones financing the bank, they said.

We borrow to see if we can meet up to get a new apartment whenever we are on transfer since you recklessly transfer your staff from one state to the other without giving them their due transfer allowances even though you make the transfer claims from the federal government.

We borrow to rent houses since the barracks we live is not even conducive enough to train dogs let alone to be called a residence for officers.

We borrow to buy APER FORM which you people have made a normal mandatory annual purchase from which you people extort from us annually which you dont even use for promotion because you dont even use our APER FORM for promotions..you people only promote those you wish to promote whether they fill APER FORM or not.

READ ALSO: Your Administration Is Yahoo Yahoo Govt  Sowore Slams Tinubu

Please we borrow to see if we can pay in order to be promoted after attending promotion interviews and performing excellently because if we did not pay, you will choose to promote those that paid so we have to borrow and pay as others are paying.

We also borrow to pay for our uniforms which ordinarily were meant to be given free of charge. the officers stated.

They further accused the prison authorities of relegating their staff to the background, saying, Enough is enough Nigeria Prison Authority.

You people think we the staff are fools. Our welfare means nothing to you people. The billions you collect from the annual budget are because your staff are working.

Tell the federal government we are suffering. Every day, you present the inmates welfare to the government because that is where you eat from.

The staff threatened the prison authorities that if they fail to treat their staff well, the inmates will not be safe.

We kept quiet and you think we are fools, they added.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Limited, Mele Kyari, says market forces are responsible for the rising pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol.

The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, disclosed this while speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja.

He said with deregulation of the oil sector, market realities will force the prices of petrol up sometimes and at other times force the prices down.

We have the marketing wing of our company. They adjust prices depending on the market realities.

READ MORE: Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Orders Review Of N8,000 Palliative

This is really what is happening; this is the meaning of making sure that the market regulates itself so that prices will go up and sometimes they will come down also. This is what we have seen, and in reality, this is what (how) the market works, he said.

He added that there is no supply issue as there are enough petroleum products for onward distribution across the country.

When you go to the market, you buy the product; you come to the market, you sell it at the prevailing market prices. Nothing to do with supply. We dont have supply issues. There is a robust supply. We have over 32 days of supply in the country, he said.

Yes, what I know is that the market forces will regulate the market.

Prices will go down sometimes; sometimes, it will go up. But there will be stability of supply, and Im also assuring Nigerians that this is the best way to go forward so that we can adjust prices when market forces come to play.

I dont have the details at this moment, but I know that our marketing wing acts just like every other company in this business. I know that a number of companies have imported petroleum products today. So, many of them are on line.

Im sure my colleague would confirm this. Market forces have started to play; people have started having confidence in the market. Private sector people are importing products, but there is no way they can recover their cost if they cannot take market reflective cost.
The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to submit the report of appointments in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) made between 2015 and 2023.

Information Nigeria reports that the lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion by Paul Nnamchi, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker from Enugu State.

Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari who governed from 2015 to 2023 was accused by critics for alleged lopsidedness in the appointment of people to head government offices, negating the principle of federal character.

At the time, Buhari dismissed the claim, stating that those he appointed earned it.

Paul, while moving the motion, said the essence of the federal character principle was to promote national cohesion and equal opportunities.

Twenty-four years after its constitutional entrenchment, the perception is that there exists brazen domination of the bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels by a section of the country at the expense of the others, the lawmaker said.

READ ALSO: Reps. Adopt Motion Mandating Air Passengers To Undergo BP, Sugar Check Before Boarding Flights

The lawmaker also claimed that there is a clash of interests among the commissioners at the commission.

Federal Character Commission has virtually abdicated its constitutional and statutory responsibilities and degenerated into personality clash of interest among its commissioners as was the case about a year ago, he added.

The motion was however adopted when put to voice vote by Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker and Presiding Officer.

The house resolved to set up an ad hoc committee, to among other things, request the commission to forward the returns on appointments undertaken by ministries, departments and agencies under its jurisdiction between 20152023.

It is worthy of note that section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution mandates government agencies to reflect the federal character principle in the conduct of their affairs to promote national unity.

The section states: The composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.
Executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, says over 137 scholars sponsored abroad by the fund have absconded.

Echono spoke on Tuesday when he appeared before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged abuse of N2.3 trillion tertiary education tax by TETFund.

According to him, the scholars who were sponsored by TETFund for higher education abroad refused to return to the country after completing their programmes.

Some of the scholars that have been sponsored, unpatriotically when they go, they enjoy our scholarship, acquire a higher degree, then refuse to come back. It has become a major crisis.

The scholarship requires that you will come back. It is required that you have a guarantor and in many cases, the guarantor has suffered undue hardship because when you disappear, we hold the guarantor to pay all the money expended on your behalf but that has not been effective, he said.

The executive secretary said TETFund is working with stakeholders for stringent and effective measures to be taken against those who refuse to return to the country for Nigerians to benefit from their expertise.

We believe that in a system where we work with our embassies and the institutions, we can enforce the repayment for those who insist they will not come back, he said.

He furthered that the scholars who dont want to return to the country and refuse to repay the money expended on their programmes, will be declared persona non grata.

We will write to the embassies and they will make it available to those countries and they will not be able to get jobs. They will be seen as fugitives of law from their countries.

We may have to take that hard stand because the numbers are alarming. We just checked about 40 institutions and over 137 absconders and the review is ongoing.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Man Says He Went Blind While Trying To Cry For Seven Days To Break Guinness World Record

It is a huge number that we cannot afford and so we will be seeking your support to strengthen some of the existing regulations to ensure that those who benefit from this programme must come back.

We are not against people looking for greener pastures but do so on your own, not through our scholarship or our sponsorship, Echono said.
The Nigeria Senate has resolved to end age limitations in job advertisements, asked the Federal Government to immediately draw up policies that relate to equality of opportunity and treatment in access to employment at all levels.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Senate urged the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, and other relevant agencies to restrict and discourage public and private employers from depriving job seekers of employment opportunities over meeting age requirements.

READ MORE: NASS: N70bn Palliative For Complex Repairs, Furniture Not Lawmakers  Senate

However, the Senate resolution was sequel to consideration and adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday.

The motion titled Age Requirement Pre-condition for Employment in Nigeria, Urgent Need for Intervention was sponsored by Sen. Abba Moro (PDP- Benue).

The Benue lawmaker, in his debate, said age limit as precondition for employment violates Chapter 4, section 42(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to freedom from discrimination.

He added that the provision of the International Labour Organisation(ILO) had defined employment discrimination in economic terms , as a violation of human rights that entails a waste of human talents with detrimental effects on productivity, economic growth.

He said that it also generated socioeconomic inequalities that undermined social cohesion, solidarity and acted as a brake on the reduction of poverty.

He said it was pathetic for a graduate in Nigeria who could not get a job upon graduation and decided to go back to school with the hope that a higher qualification, vis-a- vis a second or Masters Degree could give him a better employment opportunity.

It is ironical that a graduate in this country can serve in the National Youth Service Corps programme at age 30 but cannot be gainfully employed ,thereafter on the fact that he/ she is now above 30 years, a situation that is a flagrant breach of his fundamental rights.

The circumstances described in the foregoing presents the predicament of the Nigerian youth who has the requisite qualification, knowledge, skills and is ready to work but disqualified or excluded on the sole and unjustifiable ground that he/she is above the age limit by reason of his/ her birth.

Moro said the sad situation had led many to commit age fraud by going all out to falsify their age to remain within the age limit of employability in to the Nigerian Civil Service, and all other employers of labour in the country.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, disclosed he will become a regular visitor at Aso Rock now that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is Chairman, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Recall that on July 9, Tinubu was elected Chairman at the 63rd ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Bissau, the capital city of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

After meeting with Tinubu at the State House, Jonathan said as the head of ECOWAS mediation team to Mali and chair of the West African elders forum, it is expedient to discuss issues bordering on the continent and the subregion with the Nigerian President.

READ ALSO: Mali Referendum: Details Of Jonathans Meeting With Tinubu Emerge

Now that we are lucky our President has been appointed as the chairperson of the authorities of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I will be coming every week.

So Nigerians should not be surprised, because we have a lot of challenges in the sub-region and those are the things we are discussing.

I came to brief the President about some continental and subcontinental bodies. I am the ECOWAS mediator for Mali and Im the chair of the West African elders forum. So, there are certain issues bordering on the continent and the subregion that I discuss with various Presidents, he said
The 2023 African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has described President Bola Tinubus administration as a Yahoo Yahoo government.

The controversial political activist made this known while condemning the subsidy removal and the proposed N8,000 palliative of the Federal Government.

Sowore asked what the Federal Government has done with the money gathered since the removal of fuel subsidy, stressing that no road has been constructed.

READ MORE: Sowore Slams Tinubu Over Service Chiefs Luxurious Retirement Packages

Sowore said: This Tinubus government is Yahoo Yahoo government, his family will be the richest in the world by the time he does four years as president.

This is not our government, and we have accepted to liberate this country.

There is nothing I have said since 2019 that has not come to pass, how can you help somebody to build a refinery and you cant repair your own? The money Dangote used in building his refinery came from the NNPC that they claimed cant manage refineries.

I was the first person to say that Dangote cant complete the refinery when Buhari went to commission it.

Palliatives is an insult on the people, the number of fuel trucks smuggled, the problem with this subsidy is that the people known by the government are the ones stealing the money.

They are all lying that subsidy is not good for Nigerians, subsidy is the only thing that Nigerians enjoy, and they themselves are following it up.

Since they removed subsidy which road have they constructed? They have not even paid the salaries of NYSC members. Nothing has changed in Nigeria, and the only thing subsidy has brought is hardship and suffering.
Laman Ismayilova

Laureate of international competitions, Teymur Kazimov has given a concert at Russian Information and Cultural Center in Baku.

The host and organizer of the event, Doctor of Philosophy in Art History, Senior Lecturer of the Baku Music Academy (BMA) Alena Inyakina welcomed the guests of the event, Azernews reports.

In her speech, she noted that Teymur Kazimov is a graduate of the BMA Studio School. He is a student of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory.

The young musician had already established himself in the international arena, becoming the winner of numerous international competitions in Russia, USA, Georgia and other countries.

One of Teymur's latest outstanding achievements was his participation in the VIII Florida Keys International Music Competition (USA), organized by Parvin Muradova-Dilbazi.

This year, the competition was timed to the 100th anniversary of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

Teymur performed several classical works at the competition, as well as Muslim Magomayev's song "Spring Land, Azerbaijan", which was one of Heydar Aliyev's favorite songs.

Teymur's magnificent performance left no one indifferent at the competition. He became the owner of the Grand Prix.

The performance was also dedicated to the memory of the Baku Music Academy's studio school Tarlan Seyidov.

The head of the Russian House in Baku, Irek Zinnurov, congratulated Teymur on his success, emphasizing the important role of teachers and parents in educating talented youth.

The concert program featured the pearls of world opera art, as well as popular pop songs performed by friends of Teymur Kazimov, among whom were Honored Artist Anton Fershtandt, soloist of the choir of the Azerbaijan State Academic Philharmonic Farkhad Alakbarov, laureate of international competitions Kamilla Imanova, soloist of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater's choir Ruslan Persan. The musicians were accompanied by Dilara Karimova.

Teymur Kazimov's creative evening was held under the applause of the audience. The young talent totally captivated the audience.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.
As a director, Matthew Weil tends toward the serious (think Tennessee Williams Glass Menagerie).

So, when his boss at Haddon Townships Ritz Theatre Co. asked him to take on The SpongeBob Musical, Weil needed to summon a rapid reframing before gulping, Yes, of course.

His theater friends jokingly asked him if, in his version, the happy-go-lucky yellow sponge would meet an untimely demise by curtains close.

Weil, who is associate artistic director at the Ritz, understands why people with serious drama chops might be put off at first by what appears to be a childrens story starring a sponge.

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With the content and the characters, its easy to pooh-pooh it, he said, but its a big, massive golden-age-of-theater kind of show  a lot of showstoppers.

Weve been saying, If you think its not for you, you are probably wrong. Its got big numbers, tap dancing  all the things that make our little theater hearts smile, Weil said.

With an 18-member cast and a lot of technical intricacies, The SpongeBob Musical provides more than enough directorial challenges for Weil. The tremendous energy and attention to detail those challenges demand are perhaps why Bruce A. Curless, Ritz Theatre Companys founder and producing artistic director, tapped Weil for the job.

Curless is an avid SpongeBob fan, Weil said, with plenty of SpongeBob memorabilia at home and at work. He would have directed the show himself, but Curless wanted someone younger who had the stamina to pull it off.

As Weil worked on the script, he developed a growing appreciation for the story of the plucky, optimistic sponge who brings together the Bikini Bottom community deeply divided by the threat of a natural disaster.

At the start, I definitely experienced a Oh my God, I dont know if Im the right person for this job. ... I like to chip away at the human experience, but this felt like a fluff piece.

The job of the director, Weil added, is to find themes of human experience (even in fluff pieces) and allow them to rise to the surface and not be squeezed out by spectacle and fluff.

Musical comedies have a secret intent. Not only do they provide some distance through some larger-than-life or silly characters, but they are disarming.

What feels like a fluff piece for the first 90 minutes or so, loosens you up.... Then, the themes of the show start to present themselves. All that work to disarm you readies you for the message, he said.

The underlying theme of the show, and what the character of SpongeBob brings to the table is indomitable optimism, Weil said. In very polarizing times, the only way out of catastrophe is through community.

Weil cast Nicholas Eldridge, a theater major at Montclair State University as SpongeBob. Hes a bundle of joy. He really epitomizes uninhibited optimism, Weil said.

The SpongeBob Musical caps the 37th season at the Ritz, a gorgeous, lovingly restored theater built in 1927. It started as a vaudeville film house, later transitioning to art and foreign film screenings in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1970s, the movie fare was decidedly adult  XXX-rated pornography. In the 1980s, a group of artists rented the space to perform plays and in 2002, artists bought the building and named themselves the Ritz Theatre Co.

Besides a nine-show season for adults, the company offers Ritz Kidz, a season of theater for children performed by adults. Up next is The Little Mermaid on July 21-22.

Ritz also runs Ritz Stage Starz, year-round educational programming with shows for kids, performed by kids. During the summer, the Ritz organizes the Ritz Stage Starz Summer Camp. The junior campers, in grades one through eight, will present Seussical Jr. Aug. 11-12, and the high school group will stage A Chorus Line: Teen Edition Aug. 18-19.

The SpongeBob Musical, Ritz Theatre Co. runs through July 30 at the Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Twp., 856-288-3500 or ritztheatreco.org. Check with the theater for COVID-19 protocols. For information on other local events, visit inquirer.com/things-to-do-philly
Former Philadelphia homicide detective James Pitts has been accused of wrongdoing for years. Janet Weary said he coerced her statement, which helped lead to her conviction for murder. Read more

A Philadelphia judge on Wednesday overturned a womans decade-old murder conviction after saying he believed that the womans confession had been coerced by former city homicide detective James Pitts, who for years has been accused of abusing witnesses and suspects and is awaiting trial on perjury charges.

Janet Weary cupped her head in her hands as Common Pleas Court Judge Scott DiClaudio issued his decision, and Wearys family and friends in the courtroom applauded.

Still, Wearys case is far from over.

Although the District Attorneys Office is prosecuting Pitts and has successfully moved to overturn several other convictions that were tied to him, prosecutors had opposed Wearys long-running appeal, saying her testimony about her interaction with Pitts had varied over time.

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 READ MORE: Ex-Philly detective James Pitts is charged with perjury, alleging he lied about a coerced confession

She provided two different stories about how [her] statement came to be, Assistant District Attorney Zachary Mattioni said Wednesday.

DiClaudio disagreed, saying he found Weary credible when she described having been roughed up and threatened by Pitts in an interrogation room. And the judge ruled that her 2010 guilty plea to charges including third-degree murder could not stand, given what he viewed as a tainted confession.

Still, prosecutors did not move to drop the charges against Weary, meaning they may seek to try her again. Mattioni did not elaborate on what the office may do with the case. An office spokesperson said prosecutors were weighing their options, including the possibility of appealing Wednesdays decision.

Weary, 53, was sent back to a city jail to await word of what comes next. Her sister, Sidny Ellison, said the hearing had sparked mixed emotions  she was happy that Wearys conviction was tossed, but disappointed that she was not freed.

Were still playing this waiting game, Ellison said.

Pitts had been the subject of lawsuits, complaints, and allegations of abuse for years, and he was arrested last spring and charged with perjury and obstruction. District Attorney Larry Krasners administration accused him of lying under oath about whether he beat a man into signing a confession in another murder case. And Krasner said at the time: I cannot calculate the damage that was done to a public sense of trust in law enforcement by those kinds of tactics.

Pitts lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

At least 10 cases tied to Pitts have been dropped, dismissed, or overturned over the years, and petitions alleging coercion remain pending in a number of others.

 READ MORE: Dozens accused a detective of fabrication and abuse. Many cases he built remain intact.

DiClaudio, the judge, said in court Wednesday that the flurry of litigation has actually made it challenging to assess defendants claims of misconduct. Many people have accused Pitts of similar  and sometimes vague  forms of abuse, the judge said, and much of what has been alleged would have taken place in interrogation rooms without other witnesses, and before police had equipped the rooms with video or audio recording systems.

In Wearys case, DiClaudio said, he put stock in the fact that she raised concerns about Pitts years ago, as her case wound its way through the courts. She was accused of recruiting her brother, Rufus Weary, to a street corner in 2007 to resolve a beef with a drug dealer. Police said at the time that the encounter turned fatal when Rufus Weary accidentally shot his friend, David McCoy, while aiming for the rival dealer.

The prosecution had a complicated history in court, but Weary ultimately pleaded guilty in 2010 to charges including third-degree murder and was sentenced to at least 23 years behind bars. (Her brother was convicted in 2012 and died a few months ago.)

In 2020, Wearys lawyer, Jerome Brown, filed a new appeal centering on Pitts, calling him the Homicide Units hitman when they really needed a confession to clear a case. Weary, in her appeal, accused Pitts of a variety of misdeeds, including grabbing her, shoving her, and spitting at her as he threatened her and told her to sign a false statement regarding the crime.

DiClaudio held an evidentiary hearing a year ago, at which Weary testified. And he said Wednesday that he found her account and demeanor credible, despite prosecutors assertions that they had questions about the consistency and accuracy of her account. One of the issues they raised in court documents was that she said another detective had been in the room with Pitts, even though that detective denied that while on the witness stand.

But DiClaudio said he was certain of his conclusion. I believed her, he said, which caused him to lose faith in the validity of her conviction.
Philadelphias juvenile jail has been in crisis for months, and now for the second time, a Commonwealth Court judge has ordered the state to take custody of children to try to alleviate the facilitys dangerously overcrowded conditions.

The judges order, filed Friday, requires the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to move 26 children out of the city detention center within the next month, and then work to bring the facility down to its licensed capacity within 30 days.

This is just the latest action in a nearly three-year clash between the city and state officials over the growing population and nightmarish conditions at the juvenile center.

Heres what you should know:

What is Philadelphias juvenile jail?

The Juvenile Justice Services Center is a detention center in West Philadelphia that is licensed to hold 184 young people.

The youths held there are either waiting for their cases to be heard, or have been adjudicated delinquent  the juvenile equivalent of being convicted  and are waiting to be assigned placement at a state facility to serve out their sentences.

What were the conditions?

The center was regularly holding more than 50 children over its licensed capacity, according to a petition filed by the city last week. Recently, a record 246 kids were inside the facility, 75 of them adjudicated and awaiting state placement.

Unlike adults, juveniles do not get credit for time served at the city detention center. Some kids were waiting months for the placement, and the delays were sometimes doubling their time behind bars.

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The facility became so overcrowded and understaffed that kids have been sleeping on mattresses on the floors of the centers admissions office and gymnasium. More young people were getting into fights and building makeshift weapons to protect themselves. In the fall, a large altercation broke out, leaving one juvenile severely injured and dozens of staff hurt.

The place was so understaffed that children could not receive non-emergency medical care outside the facility. Kids were often forced to stay in their units  some of which are windowless  all day, sometimes with no schooling, according to two groups supporting young people inside.

Without the courts intervention, the children and staff at the center will continue to suffer serious harm and face the risk of even greater harm, the city said in its petition.

Why did the city sue the state?

The city filed a lawsuit in October after officials said publicly shaming the state over the conditions and placement delays were getting them nowhere. The city hoped a judge would finally force the state to expedited the placement process after a yearslong back and forth.

The city said it was the states responsibility to move adjudicated youth out of the facility within a timely manner, and that it was failing to do so, causing other children harm and leading to deteriorating conditions inside.

In its most recent petition, the city asked the court to force the state to prioritize placements for young people from over-capacity facilities, like Philadelphias; increase the staff-to-youth ratio at state facilities so more young people can be moved there; and direct the state to take custody of two children each day.

What is the states position?

The State DHS has said the issues are complex and could be solved locally if city departments and offices  including the District Attorneys Office, Defender Association, juvenile court judges, and probation officials  worked together to resolve outstanding cases or change kids sentences.

But the biggest issue, the state said, is that its Youth Development Centers are already operating at 110% capacity, and that the city is asking it to abandon its safety and treatment protocols and admit Philadelphia youth at the expense of others from across the Commonwealth.

A state spokesperson said young people are being referred to DHS for periods of time far exceeding the traditional timeframe for treatment, which is stretching resources thin.

Admitting more youth amid a staffing shortage would create unsafe and dangerous conditions at the centers, and more staff would likely resign, further decreasing capacity, the state wrote.

The Citys myopic request is not a solution. Instead, it would create cascading harm that would ultimately negatively impact the City, the youth DHS serves, and the Commonwealths juvenile justice system, DHS wrote.

What did the judge order?

Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler ordered state DHS to take custody of 26 young people in Philadelphia who were adjudicated delinquent and find them placement within the next 30 days.

After that, if the citys juvenile jail remains over capacity, the state must accept as many youths as possible into its treatment facilities within another 30 days until the citys facility is at capacity.

This is the second time Ceisler has intervened. In the fall, she ordered DHS to take custody of 15 children awaiting placement.

She also directed the city to work with local stakeholders  like judges and law enforcement officials  to resolve cases or change sentences to reduce the population. She denied the citys request to increase the state facilities youth-to-staff ratio.

What do community groups say?

Philadelphias juvenile justice groups say city and state officials continue pointing fingers at one another, rather than take action to fix a situation causing lasting harm to children. The groups said the city needs to come up with community-based solutions to support the children, rather than asking officials to ship them across the state.

Marsha Levick, chief legal officer at Juvenile Law Center, called the judges latest order a Band-Aid that merely stops the bleeding.

We owe it to these children to reduce confinement and pursue more creative solutions to holding children responsible and keeping communities safe, she said.

She has called on Family Court judges  who oversee juvenile cases and have far-reaching discretion on kids placement  to stop sending children to the detention center for non-violent offenses at a time when its so crowded.

The judges have the ability in Philadelphia to continuously review placements and bear some responsibility for putting so many kids in there, Levick said. They continue to fill the facility. They need to play a role in emptying the facility.

Kendra Van de Water, of YEAH Philly, said the citys Department of Human Services needs to step up.

They need to be working together to actually invest in services that support young people, she said. They have no opportunities through probation, they have no opportunities when theyre on house arrest. ...Theyre not employed, they dont have vital skills, they dont have anything.

Otherwise, she said, theyll continue to cycle in and out.

What happens next?

The state is working on expanding its facility capacity. A spokesperson said DHS has plans to open a new secure care treatment program in November 2023 and is working to alleviate overcrowding in the meantime.

The state has said the city could use more private facilities, but that comes with other challenges. For example, the city entered an emergency contract with Rite of Passage, based in Texas, and 10 Philadelphia youths were accepted. But the city and District Attorneys Office have opposed six of those placements, citing the facilitys disciplinary tactics and distance from the city, so only four young people have been sent there.

Cesiler has scheduled another hearing for Sept. 8 to check the status of the transfers and conditions inside the facilities.
A Carnegie Mellon University sign is displayed outside Baker Hall on the university's campus in Pittsburgh. Read more

For decades, Carnegie Mellon University viewed whether a student applicant was related to alumni as an important or considered factor in admissions decisions.

But it appears that legacies, as children or relatives of alumni are called, no longer have an edge in admissions decisions at the highly selective university.

In Carnegie Mellon's latest Common Data Set, a collection of campus information that universities produce annually, the school checked "not considered."

In its latest Common Data Set, for 2022-23, the school marked "not considered" in a section detailing how important alumni relations were in admissions decisions. That had not been the case since at least 1999-2000. Earlier Common Data Set reports are not available on the university's website.

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The University of Pittsburgh also has ended its consideration of legacy status.

Asked about the wording change from "considered" to "not considered" that first appeared this year, Pitt spokesman Jared Stonesifer said Thursday that admissions staff actually had stopped considering legacy status in 2020  even though Pitt's Common Data Set said otherwise for several years.

Giving preference to children of alumni is a practice stretching back generations at elite universities across the country. Some critics say it unfairly advantages wealthy applicants, while U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., recently likened it to affirmative action for white people.

Debate over its fairness has intensified since the Supreme Court ruled last month that colleges can no longer consider a student applicant's race.

Officials at Carnegie Mellon declined to directly address questions about why, and over what time period, the school's stance on legacies changed.

"Each applicant is evaluated by the same criteria irrespective of legacy status. CMU does this to ensure equity throughout the admission process for all students," the university said in a statement provided by spokesman Peter Kerwin.

The university declined further comment.

An administrator who headed admissions at Carnegie Mellon for nearly 40 years before retiring June 30 recalls how over time, as the number and quality of applicants rose, the university found less need to give legacies a boost.

"It was more of an evolution than, 'One day we did it, the next day we didn't,' " Dean Emeritus of Admission Mike Steidel told the Tribune-Review.

"I do think there was a time when perhaps legacies needed a boost," he said. "Over time, the quality of the applicant pool increased to the point where we really didn't have to do it."

Steidel said the tipping point came perhaps three or four years ago as standardized testing became optional at many institutions, including Carnegie Mellon.

Steidel said he could not speak for Carnegie Mellon's current position, but noted that during his tenure legacies typically made up less than 10% of incoming classes.

Viewed from an equity and diversity perspective, he said, legacy programs are a harder sell with the public for reasons including the Supreme Court's ban on using affirmative action in admissions decisions.

"It's harder and harder to make the case that legacies even deserve a bump in the admission process. By and large, historically, legacies have been predominantly white," Steidel said. "They are not underrepresented in the applicant pool at all."

Last month's affirmative action ruling sent colleges scrambling to find alternative ways to ensure Blacks and other underrepresented minorities are equitably represented on campuses.

The ruling was followed within days by a civil rights complaint over use of legacy preferences.

Lawyers for Civil Rights, a Boston-based nonprofit, lodged the complaint with the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of Black and Latino community groups in New England. The group contends that Harvard University's legacy preferences violate the Civil Rights Act.

Harvard was one of two schools, along with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, whose affirmative action programs were ruled unconstitutional on June 29 by the Supreme Court.

A National Association for College Admission Counseling report in 2019 suggested that legacy status was a factor in admissions decisions at about half of the nation's colleges and universities.

Education Reform Now, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank opposed to the practice, said in an issue brief that about 100 colleges and universities had ended legacy preferences since 2015, but nearly 800 still consider legacy status.

The issue brief by senior policy analyst James Murphy called the practice "a textbook example of systemic racism, since most beneficiaries of legacy preferences are white, while students of color and students from low- and middle-income households are much more likely to be the first in their families to go to college."

The programs are common at institutions admitting fewer than 25% of applicants, Murphy's issue brief stated. "Many highly ranked universities and colleges enroll more legacies than Black students."

Defenders of legacy preferences say they can encourage alumni loyalty and donor gifts that strengthen an institution.

Shamus Khan, a professor of sociology and American studies at Princeton University, offered another defense of such policies.

In a guest essay for the New York Times, he wrote that students admitted as legacies to leading colleges already were headed for economic success, as they were born into privilege.

"One group, however, got a big economic boost from going to elite schools: poor students, students of color and students whose parents didn't have a college degree," Khan wrote. "And that's because elite colleges connected them to students born into privilege  the very kind of student that legacy preferences admit in such large numbers."

Carnegie Mellon's revised stance on legacies distinguishes it from most, but not all, of the 13 institutions it considers peer institutions.

California Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology do not consider legacy status, while it is considered at Cornell University, Duke University, Emory University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rice University, Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania and Washington University in St. Louis.

Penn State University's Common Data Set reports in each of the past several years indicates that the main campus considers alumni relationships in admissions decisions. The reports say the same for its branch campuses, including Penn State New Kensington in Upper Burrell, Penn State Beaver, Penn State Greater Allegheny on the border of McKeesport and White Oak and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

However, spokesman Wyatt Dubois painted a different picture Friday in a written statement that did not mention those Common Data Set reports, which are posted to the university's website.

Dubois said when undergraduates apply, "evaluation for admission to the university does not include race, ethnicity or legacy status as a factor."

"Once admitted to the university, students are placed at a particular campus. Criteria used in determining campus placement include residency, legacy status, being from an underserved community, race and ethnicity, veteran status, being an adult learner, geographic diversity and special talent."

In light of the Supreme Court decision on the use of race in admissions, Penn State is reviewing its admissions and campus placement procedures, Dubois said.

At Pitt, Stonesifer said the change involving legacy status followed a review of admissions practices following the Varsity Blues scandal that erupted nationally in 2019 over bribery, standardized test cheating and misrepresenting student-athletes to influence admissions decisions at several leading universities.

Pitt wanted to safeguard against such influence, he said. It did not formally announce the change in practice.

"It's important to note that the consideration of (alumni relations) as checked on previous Common Data Set data was not listed as 'important' or 'very important,'" Stonesifer said. "It has never been a primary or 'plus' factor in Pitt admissions of undergraduates."

Pitt declined to say how many legacies are part of its entering classes.

At Carnegie Mellon, the alumni association defines legacies as "students with family members who graduated from CMU, among them parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and other more distant relatives," according to the school's website.

"Love of CMU is genetic. Our community boasts nearly 4,000 legacies among the current students and alumni, including five families who have five generations of CMU graduates," the website said.

Bruce Edelston, a 1976 graduate and association board member, said he does not have strong feelings either way and sees both sides of the argument over legacy preferences.

"The pros are certainly fundraising development. I think people like to think that if they give a lot of money to a university, their children will get special preference," he said. "I can sort of understand the other side saying it's unfair to other applicants."

He said he prefers merit over affirmative action but does not see legacy programs as specifically a race issue.

Steidel is also a Carnegie Mellon alumnus, graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and administration and management science in 1978.

The university is bigger, more competitive and more international in reach than it was when Steidel was a student.

He said he believes that parents of legacies understand what a challenging place Carnegie Mellon has become today for an applicant.

I couldnt get in today, thats for sure, he quipped. The world has changed.
The closed Melrose Diner at 15th Street and West Passyunk Avenue as seen on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Only a small sign at 15th Street and Snyder Avenue was visible. Read more

One diner, to go.

The Melrose Diner in South Philadelphia will come down, bit by bit, as the owner plans to replace the landmark, one-story restaurant with a six-story apartment building with a new Melrose Diner on the ground floor.

Cranes on Tuesday went up at the newly fenced-in property on West Passyunk Avenue as workers dismantled and hauled off the Melroses distinctive outdoor signs, including a white coffee cup.

The Melrose has been closed since a kitchen fire last June.

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In his first interview since plans for a new building were filed with the city last week, owner Michael Petrogiannis told The Inquirer on Wednesday that the demolition would be a slow process.

He said he would put the signs, as well as certain memorabilia from inside the diner, into storage. The signs and decorations will be incorporated into the new Melrose.

He had no timeline for either the demolition or the construction of the new building, and thought it could be two, three years away.

Playfully, Petrogiannis suggested that he would be glad to sell each sign for $1 million, but then Im making a new one, exactly the same thing.

Petrogiannis, reached during a family trip to Greece, disclosed other aspects of the project, cautioning that all plans were tentative. If I go to sleep tonight and I dont get up tomorrow morning, I cannot guarantee you anything, he said.

An underground garage is planned to serve tenants of the 94 apartments that he intends to build over the diner. He said he would be working with developers, whom he would not identify, on the project. While the Melrose is closed, he said intends to keep open his nearby Broad Street Diner. He had obtained a demolition permit for that diner, at Broad and Ellsworth Streets, but now said his plans there were not final. I cant close both places, he said. I have 30, 40 people over there working. I dont want these people to lose their jobs. The new Melroses dining room would be about the same size  accommodating about 100 patrons. But table seating would predominate, since, he said, people are looking for tables more than [counter] stools. They dont like to sit at the stools anymore.

As a 16-year-old in 1973, Petrogiannis was working aboard an oil tanker and jumped ship in Marcus Hook. He found work in the diner business, and now with his brothers owns or operates at least a half-dozen of them, including the Country Club, the Mayfair, and various Michaels Diners. For two decades, he also owned the posh La Veranda on Penns Landing.

Petrogiannis bought the Melrose in 2007 from Richard Kubach, whose father, Dick, opened it on the triangle of West Passyunk Avenue, Snyder Avenue, and 15th Street during the Depression.

 READ MORE: From 2007: The Melrose Diner changes hands

Dick Kubachs story was also an immigrants tale. He was working in the hardware business in Germany, and came to the United States in 1929 to learn English and improve his lot in life, according to a family history. Kubach went to work in a linoleum factory, but after he began to lose his hearing, he quit to work in a diner in North Philadelphia.

In 1935, Kubach took over a 19-stool diner at 1610 W. Passyunk Ave., naming it after a can of Mels tomatoes, which had a picture of a rose on the label. The story goes that Kubach asked a sign painter to start with the word Mel and to add a rose. The painter, though, lacked artistic skills and simply wrote the word.

Farwell and adieu Melrose Diner pic.twitter.com/4lJlEEdMXL  PhillyIrishman (@TGinPhilly) July 18, 2023

In 1956, Kubach moved it a block away into the stainless-steel structure  built around a Paramount diner, in the parlance of diner lore. The senior Kubach died in 1998, just shy of his 91st birthday.

The Melrose was shut down in July 2019 by fire and reopened six weeks later after a renovation of its dining room. (The fire had started in a vent in an exterior-facing wall.)

In summer 2022, Petrogiannis obtained demolition permits for both the Melrose and Broad Street. But only weeks later, an early morning kitchen fire sent workers scrambling to safety.
Doylestown Health will sell Pine Run, shown here in an aerial view, to Presbyterian Senior Living for an estimated $80.6 million. Read more

Doylestown Health executives shared financial details about the sale of Pine Run, a Bucks County continuing-care retirement community, on a call Tuesday with investors.

Presbyterian Senior Living, a not-for-profit with other facilities in the region, agreed to a purchase price of $80.6 million for the 43-acre campus with 272 independent-living cottages and 24 apartments. The community also includes a nearby 90-bed nursing home and 106-bed personal-care home.

The final price will depend on market conditions at the time of closing, said Elizabeth Seeber, Doylestowns chief financial officer.

Doylestown has owned the retirement community since 1992. The decision to sell came earlier this year as part of the systems efforts to recover from pandemic-related losses. Last month, the health system reported low cash reserves.

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Doylestown expects to take in $35.2 million in net proceeds from the sale, Seeber said. Some will pay for Pine Runs staff time off, bonuses, and improvements to facilities that were part of the sale agreement.

The Pine Run transaction will help our liquidity position significantly, she told investors.

 READ MORE: Doylestown Health agrees to sell Pine Run to Presbyterian Senior Living, a not-for-profit

Seeber also shared details about the buyer selection process.

In January, Doylestown contacted 75 potential buyers. Twelve submitted offers. The health system invited six finalists to tour Pine Run and review more data.

Doylestowns board selected Presbyterian Senior Living in March. Both parties approved a sale agreement in June.

The sale terms maintain a relationship between the health system and the retirement community, said Jim Brexler, Doylestowns chief executive officer.

Well have involvement in governance for the Pine Run community, as well as the medical oversight, Brexler said.

Presbyterian Senior Living owns 10 continuing-care retirement communities in Pennsylvania, including Cathedral Village in the Andorra section of Philadelphia, as well as a retirement community in Maryland and another in Delaware.

Presbyterian Senior Living said it will honor the contracts of current residents.

Were really excited about this acquisition, Dan Davis, Presbyterian Senior Livings president and CEO, told investors last month. It fits beautifully within our operational footprint.
The new apartment building planned for 1600 N. Broad St., with the rendering showing the view looking northwest. Read more

A new 245-unit apartment building is being proposed for 1600 N. Broad St. just behind the AMC movie theater.

The building is being developed by Bart Blatsteins Tower Investments of Philadelphia. It will be 15 stories tall and will replace the surface parking lot between the movie theater and the Edge, the 12-story student housing project to the immediate west. Blatstein owns and developed both of those projects as well.

We were looking for something that had a little bit of form and a little bit of character, and we came up with this ribbon design, said Jerry Roller, principal with JKRP Architects of Philadelphia. Its the last piece of open land and it slotted in pretty nicely.

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There wont be any commercial space in the building, although the existing movie theater and the attendant shops in the 102,277-square-foot neighboring structure  which Blatstein also owns  will remain in place.

Although the development is right across the street from Temple University and flanked by another large student-apartment building, Roller said it wouldnt be aimed at undergraduates.

These are conventional apartments. Theyre assuming its going to be graduate students, faculty, people related to Temple, said Roller. But they dont think its going to attract undergrads. Thats not what theyre looking for.

There will be a total of 62 parking spaces included in the project, replacing the 16 that currently exist. However, unlike the existing parking lot, which is open to the general public, the new spaces will be open only to residents.

A community meeting on July 12 revealed that neighborhood sentiment is broadly against the project.

It was a big shock for the community. Everybody was unhappy, said William Harris, president of the United Neighbors Alliance Civic Association. Were getting hit with a lot of large projects. So when you combine them, its like, Oh, my goodness. And theyre not providing much parking with those projects.

Harris said that the development team at the meeting did not provide a price range for the units but that none would be available below market rate. Roller also could not provide a price range.

Not a clue, Roller said. Its going to take a while to get this built.

More than half of the units  181  will be one-bedrooms, with the remainder a mix of studios and two bedrooms.

The biggest red flag was the number of single units, said Harris, which screams potential student housing.

The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority owns the land. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Roller said the building would be composed of concrete, glass, and metal panels. The paneling will be done in blue.

Were assuming this is going to be a concrete building, and that sort of window wall will work well with the materials that we have, said Roller. We want the light color, and then something a little darker. Blue seems a little bit more interesting than dead black. A little friendlier.
Philadelphia police investigate along the Schuylkill River in August 2014, after the bodies of brothers Viet and Vu Huynh were found stabbed and sunk with buckets of cement. A third man, Tan Voong, survived the abduction. Read more

His efforts to collect a drug debt ended in one of the most vicious incidents of gang violence the city has seen in a decade  the 2014 kidnapping and killing of two brothers whose bodies were found stabbed dozens of times, blindfolded with duct tape, weighted down by cement and tossed into the Schuylkill.

But as he was sentenced to more than a decade in federal prison Wednesday for his role in those crimes, Lam Trieu  a onetime ranking member of a Vietnamese gang that terrorized New York City  maintained that it was he whod been stabbed in the back.

Trieu, 51, of New York City, told a federal judge he had no desire to see Viet and Vu Huynh harmed when hed sent three associates to Philadelphia that year to collect $300,000 the brothers owed him and another supplier for fronted drugs.

He was sick, he added, when he later learned that the men hed dispatched had brutally beaten and killed them.

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I never thought that they would do such a thing as they did, he said, speaking to U.S. District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter through a Vietnamese interpreter. But that thing already happened. Theres no way for me to change it.

Pratter, however, remained unswayed. The sentence of 11 years and eight months she imposed fell just shy of similar punishments shes doled out so far to others involved in the plot, including the men who drove in the knives.

You cant just wash your hands of something because you didnt plan on it happening, she said.

In all, six men have been convicted in connection with the Huynh brothers slaying, including their primary captor, Tam Minh Le, who was arrested on state murder charges and sentenced to death in 2016.

It took years, however, for investigators to track down the others involved in the crime, including Trieu.

Prosecutors have described both Le and Trieu as former ranking members of a gang of Vietnamese immigrants named Born to Kill, after a slogan painted on the helmets of some U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Based on Canal Street in Manhattans Chinatown in the 80s and 90s, Born to Kills members were mostly migrants who had fled the political strife the war created in their native country when they were children, only to turn their aggression toward Chinese and other Asian business owners after arriving in New York.

 READ MORE: How the FBI tracked linked a brutal 2014 murder to a gang that terrorized New York City in the '90s

They robbed rival gangs, ran protection rackets and left a string of bodies across New York and New Jersey before a 1993 federal prosecution sent much of the gangs leadership, including Trieu, to prison.

While Born to Kill was believed to have died out after that case, Trieus old gang ties led directly to his involvement in the Huynh brothers deaths.

As he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and to collect debts through extortionate means, Trieu admitted hed reached out to Le, his old BTK associate, to collect on a $300,000 debt the brothers owed his marijuana supplier in California.

But while Trieu insisted Wednesday hed only intended for Le to maybe make some threat to convince the Huynhs to pay, Le and the three men Trieu had sent from New York to help bundled the brothers into a van, drove them back to Les house in Eastwick, tortured them, and then drove them to the river to die.

A third man, taken and attacked with the brothers, managed to climb his way out of the inky depths, flagged down police and survived to later testify against some of his captors at trial.

To do what they did is a terrible thing  to put tape on their mouths, to stab them, to slit their throats and throw them into a river, Trieus lawyer Paul G. Lieber said. Its unimaginable to Mr. Trieu.  Thats pure evil.

Pratter, the judge, showed little sympathy for that argument throughout Wednesdays proceedings. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Livermore Jr. suggested there was likely some truth to what Trieu was saying.

After his 2018 arrest, Trieu assisted investigators and testified at the trial of one of the men hed dispatched to help Le  cooperation that the prosecutor maintained had earned him a break at sentencing. Livermore believed Trieu when he said he didnt send Le to kill the Hunyhs, he said.

Dead drug dealers dont pay debts, and Mr. Trieu wanted his money, he said. When he says that he didnt expect the victims to be killed, I think hes being honest in that regard.

Still, Livermore added: Mr. Trieu didnt lay a hand on the victims, but he was the one who set everything in motion.

For his part, Trieu said all he wanted now was a chance to return to his family.

Before his arrest, hed been living with his wife and two children in Queens, working in a dim sum restaurant. He told Pratter he hoped to find a job as a technician at a nail salon after his release.

I just feel so sorry for my family, he said. I dont even know what to think.

Pratter shot back: Im sure you dont. And for the record I feel sorry for your family, too.
Atco Dragway, which opened in rural Camden County in 1960, abruptly announced on Tuesday that it was shutting down for good.

The announcement was made at 5:49 p.m. on the Facebook page run by Atco Dragway. No explanation was provided and no comments were allowed on the post. The same announcement was made on the tracks Instagram page and comments there were also turned off.

Atco Dragway is permanently closed. We will not be open from this point on. The remainder of our schedule for 2023 will be canceled, the announcement stated.

Thank you all for your patronage and memories over the years, the announcement continued.

Atco Dragway was the first official drag strip in New Jersey, originally opening in the Atco section of Waterford Township in 1960 as Atco Raceway.

In 2020, it was revealed that an Illinois company had submitted an application to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission to redevelop the 180-acre site. According to the application, the paved sections of the site were to be used for an automobile auction facility. The application was co-signed by Leonard Capone Jr., who was Atco Dragways owner.

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Capone could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Officials in Waterford Township also could not be reached for comment.

While comments were turned off on Atco Dragways announcement, they were open at the Facebook page for Dragzine, an online news outlet about drag racing. Dragzine first reported the tracks potential sale in 2020.

Thanks for the memories. ... And starting my life as a devoted Drag Racing Fan ... since the mid sixties! wrote Facebook user Dan MacIsaac.

Live 5 minutes from there, grew up as kid at the track, at least they went out with a bang, they raced well past their curfew this past Saturday night, Frank Balsama wrote.

They dont want people drag racing on the streets and its not safe, but that is what is going to happen. Please, quit closing all the drag strips! Jim Lauer wrote.

Atco Dragways announcement concluded with a special thanks to the participants and fans at the tracks last event, the 29th Annual Chris Miller Racing Pan American Nationals, which ended July 16.

To all of our staff, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sticking it out with us and being the best in the business! the announcement concluded.
Housing advocates gather for a rally outside of the office of the landlord-tenant officer who shot Angel Davis during an eviction in Philadelphia. Read more

Philadelphia courts are suspending eviction lockouts involving the landlord-tenant officer  a court-appointed lawyer who enforces eviction orders using private security contractors  after the third eviction-related shooting episode since March.

The decision came the day after a deputy landlord-tenant officer shot a 33-year-old woman in the leg, less than a month after another deputy shot at (but did not hit) a dog, and four months after another deputy shot a 35-year-old woman in the head. All of these occurred during attempted evictions.

Before the March episode, there had been no reported shooting incidents involving landlord-tenant officer contractors in more than two decades.

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Martin ORourke, a spokesperson for the citys First Judicial District, said that President Judge Patrick Dugan had reached an agreement with the appointed landlord-tenant officer, lawyer Marisa Shuter, to suspend lockouts.

ORourke said the suspension would last until the courts were assured that the LTO and all of her employees and contractors have received the most up-to-date training in the use of force and  de-escalation procedures.

Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Jamie Gauthier released a joint statement Wednesday indicating that they asked the courts to suspend lockouts until additional changes could be made, including the establishment of a formal contract with the office. Shuter is not directly paid by the courts, but turns a profit by collecting fees from landlords.

We cannot think of any other aspect of our justice system that operates as recklessly, opaquely, and dangerously as the landlord-tenant officer and her private security contractors. We owe it to our residents to bring transparency, accountability, and oversight to this government service, the councilmembers statement reads.

On Wednesday evening, the Landlord and Tenant Office of the Municipal Court of Philadelphia issued a statement saying it supported the courts initiative to suspend court-ordered evictions pending the retraining of eviction officers in the use of force and de-escalation procedures. The office said it is cooperating with the police investigation.

Philadelphias arrangement to outsource eviction work to a for-profit law firm is unique. Most municipalities rely on law enforcement agents such as sheriffs, constables, or sworn police officers to carry out court orders on behalf of landlords.

ORourke added that landlords still have the option to contract with the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office. (That office charges a higher fee for lockout services and consequently performs only a fraction of the work in Philadelphia.)

The shooting episodes have drawn scrutiny and calls for change to the obscure office that, unlike ordinary government agencies, is subject to little oversight or public transparency. Unlike when city police discharge their firearms, none of the three deputies involved in the shooting incidents has been identified.

Juan Pablo Garnham, who works with Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab, which studies the topic, said eviction-related violent incidents have been steady since he began tracking them during the pandemic. Based on his analysis of news reports, he said at least 70 people have been killed nationwide during eviction disputes since July 2021.

But he said three shootings  fatal or not  in one city in such a short period was cause for alarm.

Its a good red flag and a good moment for Philadelphia to pay attention to this issue and the way that they do things, Garnham said. Its dangerous for everyone  whether you care about police, or landlords, or tenants. This is something that should worry you.

In two of the three recent Philadelphia eviction shooting cases, tenants are alleged to have assaulted either the landlord-tenant officer or property managers during the lockouts.

With respect to the incident yesterday, a deputy officer was attacked while attempting to evict a tenant pursuant to a court order. The tenant admitted the officer and landlord representatives to the premises and then, without warning, physically assaulted the property manager, the Landlord and Tenant Office said in its statement.

After that assault, the tenant then threatened the officer with a knife, the office alleged. The officer demanded several times that the tenant drop the knife and cease the assault before discharging his weapon, striking the tenant once in the leg. No arrests have been made and the incident remains under review.

Philadelphia imposed an eviction moratorium during the pandemic. As a consequence, the courts have since begun handling a deluge of previously backlogged eviction cases, with thousands more docketed in Philadelphias Municipal Court.

Garnham said the public should be concerned as the potential for future eviction violence puts everyone involved at risk.

Its a civil matter, he said. It shouldnt lead to people dying, or being wounded, or houses being burned, or officers dying over something that could be as simple as handing out a piece of paper.
Daryll Jones inside of his store, The DreamEerie, on the 600 block of South Street. Read more

Meet Daryll Jones, owner of The DreamEerie, a shop for goths and other spooky nerds, on South Street.

 Interactive display: We have a place where people can step inside and take pictures in a coffin.

 Dark humor: Goths live in sarcasm.

When Daryll Jones took the bus to Philly goth shows in the 90s, he didnt put on his makeup until he got to the club, and he removed it before he left for the night.

My life would have been in danger if I went to the club in that state, Jones, 50, of South Philly, said. Us old goths dealt with a time when we got bullied, and when I say bullied, you would literally have to fight people.

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What Jones loved about the goth scene, aside from the music, was exactly what the bullies feared: It was a community very accepting of weird and unusual people, long before accepting weird and unusual people was considered cool.

Jones remained deeply entrenched in the scene for nearly a decade, before turning his attention in 2001 to focus on his marriage, his son, and his business, Atomic City Comics, on South Street.

I wanted to have my American dream of having a family and a business so I gave up on distractions, Jones said.

But when Jess Cyphers  a friend Jones met through a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game at his comic book store  suggested he check out a goth show in 2019, Jones fell right back in.

I was like Oh my God why did I ever leave this? he said. It made me so happy I was like I am never leaving again.

Jones isnt just back in the goth scene, hes investing in it. In May, he opened The DreamEerie, a shop for goths and other spooky nerds, across from his comic book store on the 600 block of South Street, and brought Cyphers on as manager.

The store specializes in furniture and home goods with a dark aesthetic. Theres a coffin coffee table and coffin book shelves; blankets with themes like Witches Going to Their Sabbath; taxidermy bugs and animals; and weapons the disenfranchised used to rise up against oppressors, like cleavers and scythes. Need a Dracula throw pillow or a portrait of a Victorian woman that is probably totally haunted? Then The DreamEerie has got you covered.

Were kind of like your weird goth grandmothers house, Cyphers said.

As members of what they jokingly refer to as the League of Elder Goths, Jones and Cyphers are doing their part to keep alive the culture of the South Street they fell in love with in the 90s.

Back then there were not just like three or four stores like this, there were like 20 of them, Cyphers said. And you would just like wander into these weird doorways and it would smell weird and itd be dark and you never knew what youre gonna find.

With so much culture focused online these days, including goth, Jones hopes The DreamEerie  which has posters and fliers about upcoming shows and hosts events with local DJs  will be a place where people meet in person again.

In the 90s, if you wanted to do something you had to put your clothes on, get out, walk out of your house, and go down where people were hanging out. Now, everythings on the phone, Jones said. Were hoping to be a place where people can come and find out whats going on.

For Jones, whose favorite bands include the Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death, Clan of Xymox, and Selofan, goth has always been about the music.

Growing up in a strict family in Mount Airy, Jones liked that goth was weird, spooky, and dark  a musical rebellion against expected norms. Interested in thrash metal he heard on MTV, Jones went out to industrial clubs and to South Street, where he was introduced to goth music and people in the scene.

Back then, other nightlife areas of Philly hadnt been developed, and South Street was the one lighted place where everyone hung out at night, Jones said. The street was so packed with people, you couldnt walk from one end to the other, he said.

There was a bunch of different people intermingling with each other and thats where I met people my age who were sort of outcasts, Jones said.

He hung out at stores like Zipperhead and Armed & Dangerous, which, while not goth, carried weird items goths loved. Jones always felt guilty going into Armed & Dangerous because he couldnt afford anything, and he knew the owner needed business.

When he closed [in 2017], I was really depressed because I knew a store like that would never come back, Jones said.

But instead of simply bemoaning the void, Jones decided to fill it. With Cyphers knowledge of antiques and Jones business acumen, they developed a plan for the store.

They get many of their items from auctions and online and then collaborate with local artists who rehab lamps, reupholster furniture, and taxidermy bugs, to prepare the goods for retail.

And if we cant find someone, basically well find someone whos willing to learn and say Do the best you can, Jones said.

Cyphers used to think goth culture would die out with his generation, but over the last few years, he and Jones have seen a rise in its popularity in the mainstream, like Tim Burtons recent Netflix series, Wednesday, which came out while they were building the store.

Now, when they go to shows as members of the League of Elder Goths, they try to make young goths they see feel welcome.

We say This is my name, we know you dont want to hang out with all these old people, but were here if you need us, Jones said.

And The DreamEerie is now here for goths  and other spooky nerds  too.

I dont expect to become rich off of the store. Its a labor of love, Jones said. I love the community and I love the content.

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Crime scene tape at a shooting that occurred during an eviction on the 2200 block of East Auburn Street in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Read more

A tenant was shot Tuesday during an eviction by a contractor working for Philadelphias landlord-tenant officer  the third time in four months that a shooting occurred during an eviction-related action.

A police report said a 33-year-old woman was shot one time in her right leg during an eviction at the Grace Townhomes on the 2200 block of East Auburn Street, in Kensington. She was taken to Temple University Hospital, where she was placed in stable condition, while a man was taken into custody and a firearm was recovered from the scene.

A police spokesperson confirmed that the citys court-appointed landlord-tenant officer was handling the eviction.

Unlike other cities, Philadelphia courts appoint a private attorney, known as a landlord-tenant officer, to handle many lockouts. This lawyer, Marisa Shuter, in turn hires security contractors who are deputized by the courts to perform eviction services, in exchange for the right to collect millions in related fees from landlords.

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A lawyer for Shuter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(The Philadelphia Sheriffs Office  which charges a higher fee than the landlord-tenant officer  performs only a fraction of the citys evictions. A spokesperson confirmed that no sheriffs deputies were involved in the Tuesday eviction.)

 READ MORE: Explaining deputy landlord-tenant officers, who carry out evictions in Philly

The Grace Townhomes were built by the not-for-profit Womens Community Revitalization Project as a rent-to-own development supported by affordable-housing vouchers.

Court records show several landlord-tenant disputes filed against tenants at the complex this year  including one in January over about $3,700 in unpaid rent for the unit where the Tuesday shooting took place.

Nora Lichtash, director of Womens Community Revitalization Project, said the agency had unsuccessfully attempted to work with the family in that unit throughout the pandemic to address non-payment of rent.

We lease to very low-income families. Because of that, sometimes families have trouble paying their rent. And, sometimes, families have to be evicted, she said. We spend a lot of time making sure our tenants are sustainably housed. ... But if theyre not able to live up to the terms of a lease, that affects other tenants.

A formal eviction notice was served in May, court records show.

During the Tuesday incident, a staffer who was on hand during the eviction was allegedly assaulted by a tenant, according to Lichtash.

It is my understanding that a staff person who works for our property management firm was also hurt and had to go to the emergency room, she said.

Police could not immediately corroborate that account.

Still, Tuesdays shooting in Kensington will likely amplify scrutiny on the opaque office.

A deputy landlord tenant officer in March shot 35-year-old Angel Davis in the head during a lockout in North Philadelphia, sparking a protest from housing advocates and calls for reform by lawmakers. Last month, another deputy landlord-tenant officer shot at  but did not injure  a dog during a lockout attempt.

Unlike traditional law enforcement agencies, the landlord-tenant officer operates with little oversight and names of its employees are not public  nor is it required to disclose the identity of people involved in shootings. The cases have led to lawsuits, and legislation that seeks to prohibit eviction service by for-profit entities.

The recent eviction-related shootings have also highlighted how few people  even in the law enforcement world  can discern between these court-appointed deputies, a sheriff, or a city police officer.

One witness, who declined to be identified outside Tuesdays shooting, said the officer who shot the woman was dressed in black and wore an official-looking badge.

Looked like a cop, the witness said.
A pedestrian carries food items in a plastic bag in June 2019. Read more

Starting next year, Upper Merion Township businesses will no longer be able to give out plastic bags and utensils.

The townships Board of Supervisors last week unanimously passed the ban on plastic single-use bags, straws, and utensils.

The ordinance also bans polystyrene food service products, which include foam boxes used for takeout food.

Upper Merions ordinance against single-use plastics will include the King of Prussia Mall, among the largest indoor malls in the country.

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The ban on bags, straws, and foam boxes starts Jan. 1, 2024, and the ban on utensils will take effect in July 2024.

According to Penn Environment, a nonprofit advocacy group, the ban in Upper Merion could eliminate 68 tons of plastic every year  equivalent to more than 10 million plastic bags.

 READ MORE: A guide to Philly's ban on plastic bags

Upper Merion joins 19 other towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania that have passed bans on plastic products in an effort to reduce waste.

In June, neighboring Lower Merion Township unanimously adopted an ordinance against single-use plastic carry-out bags.

Narberth  also in Montgomery County  has banned plastic straws and placed a 10-cent charge on plastic bags since 2019. And in March, Radnor Township in Delaware County also implemented a plastic bag ban.

The city of Philadelphia began phasing out plastic bags in 2021, and the full ban went into effect April 2022. The ban has saved 200 million plastic bags since its inception, according to a city-commissioned report.

In New Jersey, single-use bags and foam products are banned statewide.

Scientists say single-use plastic products can harm the environment and health because they can take hundreds of years to break down and release toxic chemicals in the process.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, arriving for a June news conference in the Northeast, has vowed to veto a version of the state budget featuring a school voucher program he had supported. Read more

In a very complicated place like the state Capitol, for once, things are simple. There is no budget impasse. And there was no Great Betrayal. The hyperbolic rhetoric from the Senate over the last few weeks would make you think otherwise and requires that the record be set straight.

As the House majority, our Democratic caucus has had a significant seat at the table during budget negotiations  a responsibility we have not taken lightly. We have been working in good faith with the governor and Senate Republican majority to enact a bipartisan budget that moves Pennsylvania forward.

And we passed a budget  twice, in fact. Unfortunately, this budget process ran off the rails when Senate Republicans attempted to ram through an unagreed-to budget plan at quite literally the 11th hour  including a brand-new private school voucher proposal without time to discuss, analyze, or debate such a controversial policy.

 READ MORE: How the clash over school vouchers left the Pa. budget in a standstill

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Furthermore, this ill-informed plan failed to acknowledge that the Commonwealth Court had just months earlier held that the legislature was not adequately or equitably funding our constitutional responsibility to public education.

We never had to get to this acrimonious point. Senate Republicans knew that there was no deal about school vouchers. They heard it loud and clear multiple times from me and from the governor. First, House Democrats were very clear  we wanted a state budget that included significant investments in our schools and moved forward on some of our biggest policy priorities, including finally raising the minimum wage, and upholding the Senates previous commitment to provide justice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

We also made clear our caucus priorities, including increased funding for our poorest school districts, renewing the very successful whole home repair program to keep families in their homes, and bolstering moneys for the states school construction and remediation programs including Solar for Schools, to improve the facilities where our kids learn and make them energy-efficient to ensure their financial stability long term.

As part of this years budget, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman and I discussed several times that House Democrats would not support vouchers. We considered what a budget with vouchers would look like and, conversely, what a budget without vouchers would look like.

At one point in the conversation, I explained to Leader Pittman that he was asking us to move on a very vital issue for his caucus, and yet he was unwilling to move on issues important to our caucus to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. He looked me directly in the eye and said, Im not asking you for anything.

Time and again, both the governor and I very clearly communicated to Sen. Pittman that without a larger budget agreement, there could be no deal on vouchers.

Nonetheless, without further conversation and without the agreement of the governor or House Democrats, the Senate unilaterally passed a budget that included an unagreed-to $100 million appropriation for private school vouchers and promptly attempted to leave town.

Despite their attempt to short-circuit negotiations, we reached out to the Senate Republicans to discuss next steps. We received a terse reply that there was nothing to talk about and to let them know when we were ready to discuss private school funding.

To avoid a budget impasse and ensure that political gamesmanship did not interfere with funding for our most vulnerable, the governor and House Democrats agreed to move the budget already passed by the Senate forward with the commitment that the governor would line-item veto the private school voucher appropriation.

And now we wait for the Senate to deliver to the governor for his signature the very budget they authored and was already passed by both chambers in a bipartisan fashion.

Everything that occurred during the last few weeks was the result of blind indifference by those who thought they could force a deal upon our chamber. There was no Great Betrayal. No one lied to the Senate Republicans. They chose to not listen.

Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery County) is the majority leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
HARRISBURG  Democrats and Republicans are now tied 101-101 in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, following the resignation of Rep. Sara Innamorato (D., Allegheny) on Wednesday as she pursues higher office.

Innamorato, a progressive Democrat in her third term representing parts of Pittsburgh and the surrounding suburbs, earlier this year won the Democratic primary for Allegheny County executive, which is the top official in the states second-most-populous county.

Innamorato is favored to win the county executive position in Novembers general election, meaning shed need to resign before assuming that role in January. Her early resignation ensures that a special election can take place during the summer recess so that Democrats can regain their one-seat majority before they are scheduled to return to Harrisburg in September.

This is the third time so far this year that Democrats will need to defend their one-seat majority, and they will need to fill the latest vacancy in a Democrat-leaning district amid an ongoing state budget impasse. Their fragile majority was first disrupted at the start of the year, when two members who won higher office had to resign and another member died. Then in May, Democrats had to defend their majority again after former Rep. Mike Zabel (D., Delaware) resigned over allegations that he sexually harassed a lobbyist and a GOP lawmaker.

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At least one other Democrat, Rep. John Galloway (D., Bucks) will need to resign by the start of 2024. Galloway, in his ninth term representing the Fairless Hills area, won a district court judge race in Lower Bucks as a cross-filed candidate in the May primary, making his election in November almost certain.

House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia) scheduled a special election to fill Innamoratos spot for Sept. 19, one week before the House is scheduled to reconvene following its summer recess. As part of reforms to the chambers operating rules, Democrats can maintain the status as the majority party until a special election takes place.

Sara is an unwavering advocate for her neighbors and a strong voice for all working families, McClinton said in a statement. Her tenacity and commitment are admirable, and she will be missed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Innamorato was reelected to represent her district in Pittsburgh with 63% of the vote in 2022, and her seat is likely to stay in Democratic hands. She was one of three Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed candidates elected to the state House in 2018 as part of the midterm election blue wave that year. She could not immediately be reached for comment.

Lawmakers left Harrisburg for the summer without finalizing the state budget, following a controversy over a proposed private-school voucher program. Theyll need to finish the budget and its accompanying code bills  which provide instructions for how the state can spend its approved $45.5 billion spending plan  when they return in September.

Jason Gottesman, a spokesperson for House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, criticized the timing of Innamoratos resignation as having no other purpose than to avoid being in the numeric minority and maintaining the delusion of the House Democratic Caucuss unilateral authority over the House.

Gottesman also suggested that Innamoratos resignation could further hold up the budget. The House isnt scheduled to reconvene until after her special election, and the loss of Democrats majority means its unlikely theyd return to session before then.

School districts, local governments, and nonprofit organizations will be the first to feel the effects of a lengthy budget impasse. Officials told The Inquirer they are already preparing for an extended budget standoff that could delay state payments and force them to take out loans to stay afloat.
Democrats celebrate winning a majority in the state House outside Independence Hall in November, a victory credited in part to their promise to protect reproductive rights in Pennsylvania. Read more

HARRISBURG  In the hours after House Democrats realized theyd flip the state House for the first time in 12 years, they credited their unexpected one-seat majority to their promise to protect reproductive rights in Pennsylvania.

More than six months into their majority, however, they have yet to vote on a single abortion-related bill. Now, abortion rights advocates want the Democrats they helped elect to either put up or shut up.

Our issue is not just an issue they can win on, Signe Espinoza, the executive director of Planned Parenthoods lobbying arm in Pennsylvania, said during a virtual news conference last month. Its an issue where livelihoods are on the line.

Planned Parenthood and other reproductive rights organizations say more must be done to shore up abortion access, especially as surrounding states such as Ohio and West Virginia ban the procedure in most circumstances. A May report from Planned Parenthood estimates a 74% increase in abortion patients in Pennsylvania as a result of abortion bans in nearby states.

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With a Democratic governor and a Democrat-controlled state House  and polling that shows a majority of Pennsylvanians support some form of abortion access  the chamber should have advanced some legislation to expand abortion access in the state, Espinoza said.

The math aint math-ing, Espinoza said in an interview Tuesday. We dont give folks a pass when it comes to this. We know that our health care cant wait, particularly abortion care. It is timely, and it is lifesaving.

Democrats had controlled the state House with a one-seat majority for the last several months, meaning every Democratic member needs to support a bill in order to pass the chamber. But for social issues, such as legislation to add gender and sexual orientation as a protected class under the states antidiscrimination law, Democrats have tapped Republicans from the southeast to vote with them when they were unable to get support from all 102 Democrats.

I certainly understand the frustration, said Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D., Montgomery), who worked for Planned Parenthood as a policy director before her election to the state Senate. But I also understand that we have a really slim majority in the House that we fought for, well into the session cycle, and we are trying to hold it strong.  I know that for Democratic leadership overall, this is a really important issue, and they havent forgotten.

That majority became a tie between Republican and Democratic members on Wednesday, when Sara Innamorato (D., Allegheny) resigned so she could run for another office. The House is out of session, and a special election to fill her seat, which is in a heavily Democratic district, will be held in September before the chamber is scheduled to reconvene.

House Democrats have already had to defend their majority: first when three vacancies at the start of the year put Democrats in the minority until a special election, and again when a Democratic member from Upper Darby resigned over allegations that he sexually harassed a lobbyist and a GOP lawmaker.

This is a time to fight back

Whatever action House Democrats take would likely be symbolic because theres no chance such a measure would pass both chambers. The GOP-controlled Senate is unlikely to consider any legislation that would expand abortion or contraceptive access in Pennsylvania.

But its still a direct way to show voters that their votes matter, Espinoza said.

This is a time to fight back, to push harder, and to really champion this issue, she added. We want to show Pennsylvanians what can be possible, we want to show people that when we win, we can certainly keep our promises.

A spokesperson for House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) said in a statement that House Democrats were fortunate to have Democratic governors to help protect abortion access in the state.

House Democrats have time and time again demonstrated our commitment to protecting a womans access to reproductive health, both by halting dangerous bills and constitutional amendments that would jeopardize that right and moving forward legislation focused on maternal and child health, workplace equity, and other protections, said Beth Rementer, Bradfords press secretary.

As the majority, we, too, are in a strong position to both protect and improve reproductive health for Pennsylvanians and continue our work with advocates on these efforts, Rementer added.

Rementer did not say what, if anything, they plan to do to improve abortion access in the state.

In addition, reproductive health groups want the state to stop sending money to antiabortion clinics known as crisis pregnancy centers. The controversial centers, which can pressure families out of getting an abortion, got a $2 million increase, or a 30% bump, in the stalled state budget.

The abortion bills Democrats hope to pass

Abortion access will continue to be a top issue for House Democrats. And top leaders have said they are working on bills that could be considered after the state budget is finalized.

House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia)  who gained national attention last year for an impassioned speech about abortion rights  spoke last month at a White House conference of state legislators about the issue.

While abortion is safe and legal, we have to continue to make sure that theres bills that pass this chamber to make sure that all health care is not stripped away [under Republican control], McClinton told The Inquirer last month. We have to do the work necessary, in the building and outside the building, to grow our majority ... and make sure that voters know this is one of the issues on the ballot.

At the White House event, McClinton said she heard from lawmakers in Democrat-controlled states such as New York about how lawmakers have shored up access to abortion. For example, she is interested in policies expanding tele-health protections to ensure that in-state doctors providing care out-of-state are protected.

Espinoza said Planned Parenthood has been working with several House Democrats on legislation they hope to see passed in the near future, such as a to-be-introduced bill to allow nurse practitioners and midwives to complete abortion procedures. Currently, state law requires a doctor conduct an abortion procedure.

Both McClinton and Espinoza highlighted House Bill 1140, which would require insurers to cover contraceptives, as a top priority. On July 13, the Federal Drug Administration approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill.
Extreme weather events are increasing and insurers need to be proactive and prepared to respond, said Jones. The last thing people need when theyve lost their home, or their business is to be navigating complex claims processes or waiting months for materials and labourers, he said.
As we saw in 2019 and 2020, there's a hit on tourism, there's a hit with GDP, there's a hit on human health and biodiversity loss as well, Mortlock said. But if we're just talking about pure industry insured losses, they certainly tend to be more concentrated and lower compared to floods and cyclones, for example.
Of course, experts have expertise, and we rely on this in many situations. But it is also important to remember that denying a claim involves more  there are other factors that we expect insurers to consider when weighing up a decision, Ingram said.
Things like multifactor authentication on their devices and dual verification of any payment made to vendors, suppliers, or employees, are two examples of education that we're providing to our clients should they choose not to take out a policy, he said. But every year we inform our clients of changes or case studies around claims as reasons why they should consider it [cyber coverage] in their programs.
There is an urgent need for meaningful change to the current system, the association said. We hope to continue to work with the finance ministers office, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, and the insurance carriers operating in Alberta, to enact sustainable changes to our auto insurance system that will see long lasting benefits to the consumers of Alberta while maintaining a strong competitive marketplace that meets the needs of our drivers.
For example, whether a typhoon or hurricane could blow the roof off a home can be influenced by the materials and condition of the homes windows and doors, Dalyac said. Allowing anyone with a smartphone to assess their home could help them understand the most cost-effective way to reinforce their home and affordably insure it.
Weve found that patiently listening to an injured worker and following an established protocol to advocate for their health gets people back on the job faster and away from the distraction of a legal process, Patel said. The Claims Advocacy Program has helped us resolve claims faster with less litigation and lower payouts, because the patient observes that the insurance company or employer is working with them, rather than against them.
New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles!

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has filed a lawsuit against more than 25 chemical companies for manufacturing, marketing, distributing, and selling products containing dangerous PFAS chemicals, which the suit claims now pollute the Districts natural resources including its water system.

The firms being sued include 3M Co. and DuPont.

The complaint alleges that as early as the 1950s, 3M and DuPont knew the PFAS chemicals they manufactured, commonly used by the U.S. military and at airports to fight fires, posed health and environmental risks, but actively hid that information from the public and government regulators and falsely maintained that their products were safe.

PFAS substances  or per-and polyflouroalkyl substances  have been manufactured and used since the 1940s. PFAS have been used primarily by the military and at airports, for fighting liquid-based fires like those from jet fuel. PFAS have been called forever chemicals because they do not readily break down and once released into the environment can cause widespread contamination.

The suit claims that research has linked human exposure to PFAS with reproductive and developmental defects, Increased cholesterol levels, liver damage, decreases in body vaccine response, lower infant birth weights, and higher risks of kidney and testicular cancer.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that even low levels of the chemicals can be harmful.

The District and its residents will be forced to deal with the adverse impacts of these forever chemicals for years to come. Through this lawsuit, we will hold polluters accountable for the damage their conduct has caused and will continue to cause, Schwalb said.

The District seeks to recover the costs to fully investigate and clean-up PFAS contamination in the Districts natural resources and waterways and to monitor and treat PFAS in the stormwater, drinking water and wastewater.

The District also seeks punitive damages.

Other firms targeted in the D.C. lawsuit include Tyco Fire Products, Chemguard, Carrier Fire & Security, Fire Service Plus, Amerex, Arkema, BASF, ChemDesign Products, Corteva and Dynax.

Chemical firms are facing thousands of lawsuits in the U.S. over PFAS contamination. In June, Chemours, DuPont de Nemours and Corteva said they had reached an agreement to settle claims for $1.19 billion. Also, 3M said it reached its own $10.3 billion settlement. These agreements involve claims made against them by hundreds of water providers across the country. Those lawsuits have been consolidated in South Carolinas federal court.

A number of states have also sued chemical manufacturers over PFAS. They include New Mexico, New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, California and Wisconsin.

Topics Lawsuits Manufacturing Chemicals
It is too early to tell if Britains financial rules post-Brexit will diverge too far from European Union norms to consider giving it access to the blocs markets, a senior EU official said on Tuesday.

Paulina Dejmek Hack, a director in the European Commissions financial services unit, said Britain has been consulting extensively on changing finance regulations, but with few actual changes so far.

A new UK-EU cooperation forum for financial regulators, due to meet for the first time in the autumn, would discuss rule changes, Dejmek Hack told the European Parliaments economic affairs committee.

I think the current UK government has been quite clear that the objective is not deregulation, rather focusing a lot around competitiveness around UKs role as a financial center, Dejmek Hack said.

The UK financial sector was largely cut off from the EU by Brexit and industry officials in Britain hope the new forum can eventually unlock better access.

Brussels has only granted such access, known as equivalence, for UK-based derivatives clearing houses, but this is due to end in June 2025. The bloc is approving a law that will force EU banks to shift some euro clearing from London to Frankfurt.

Dejmek Hack sought to play down the forums role, saying it would focus on technical discussions and not include any joint decision making or joint regulation.

We would always approach the idea of potential equivalence decisions bearing in mind whether its useful for the EU, whether its useful for our industry, Dejmek Hack said, adding the bloc will watch UK rulemaking closely.

If things were to change, the more it would be difficult to consider equivalence in any event because the rules would be too different to allow it, she added.

Britain has said it would uphold international standards.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Christina Fincher)

Topics Europe Uk
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. said it had been subject to a cyber attack that resulted in the disclosure of a small portion of data from our networks.

The worlds fourth-largest iron ore exporter described the attack as a low impact cyber incident that occurred on May 28. The information disclosed was not confidential in nature, the Perth-based company said in an emailed response to inquiries.

We notified the Australian Cyber Security Centre of the incident, and our internal investigation and remediation actions are now complete, Fortescue said.

The Australian newspaper reported on Tuesday [July 18] that Russian ransomware gang C10p  also known as Clop  had claimed via a blog on the dark web that it had stolen customer data from Fortescue in a financially motivated attack. The gang hadnt released the data and was seeking a ransom from Fortescue, the paper said, without saying when the information was posted on the blog.

Photograph: The Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. logo is displayed at the companys headquarters in Perth. Photo credit: Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Australia
Ukraine is pushing for grain exports to continue from key ports following Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. Insurers and shippers arent so sure.

Russias termination of the pact this week means that it will no longer guarantee safe passage through the waterway. Ukraine is calling on other nations to help facilitate shipments from three of its deep-sea ports, which were covered by the agreement.

The US said shipping escorts are not an option, and insurance broker Marsh on Tuesday suspended its program for grain exports from Ukraine, underscoring the challenges ahead.

Ukraine Cargo Insurance Policy Suspended After Russia Quits Grain Deal: Marsh

No sane owners will call there uninsured, said Vasilis Mouyis, joint managing director of Greece-based Doric Shipbrokers SA, which had previously sent vessels through the shipping passage. Without the protection of the safe corridor the Ukraine trade is dead.

Ukraines Black Sea ports are a vital artery for its grain sales abroad  historically accounting for the bulk of shipments  and the harvest season is now underway. The deal helped clear the backlog sparked by the start of the war, but the corridors closure could slow the next crop getting to market.

Russias exit from the pact also takes place as Ukraine makes headway in its counteroffensive in the southern part of the country. Massive drone attacks were reported on Tuesday, following the destruction of the main bridge linking Russia to Crimea. Moscow has warned that shipping hazards also remain.

Attempts to continue the grain deal without the participation of the Russian Federation should take into account the risks associated with the fact that the grain-export route passes near the area of hostilities, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Appeal to Turkey

Ukraine has asked the United Nations and Turkey  which brokered the deal almost a year ago  whether they will continue to back it.

The main task for Ukraine now is to get the support of Turkey, said Dmitry Skornyakov, chief executive officer of HarvEast Holding. He suggested that military escorts from Turkey could be used for ships entering and leaving Ukraines ports.

That would be a highly risky move for Turkey, and the country is unlikely to get involved, according to an official familiar with the matter. Turkey wouldnt jeopardize its naval ships to assist vessels from Ukraine, and it is instead focused on restarting the deal with Russias involvement.

Ukraine can still send crops via land and river, but those routes are more expensive, eating away farmers incomes. Shipments via the European Union are also causing tensions with its neighbors.

The costs of exporting by sea are likely to climb, partly due to higher insurance and freight rates, said Roman Slaston, head of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club. He remained optimistic shipments could happen, but said it may take a few weeks to prepare.

When Russia briefly suspended its involvement in the deal in October, it issued warnings to vessels sailing the corridor. Some insurance coverage was suspended and at least one ship bound for Odesa turned back.

I dont think shipowners will go to the Ukrainian ports until the corridors are reestablished  its not safe to do so, said Paul Markides, marine quality manager at Intercargo, a global trade association for dry-bulk shipowners.

With assistance from Megan Durisin, Lars Mucklejohn, Daryna Krasnolutska and Olesia Safronova.

Photograph: Ships, including those carrying grain from Ukraine and awaiting inspections, are seen anchored off the Istanbul coastline on Nov. 02, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images.

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers Ukraine
Evertas, the Chicago-based dedicated crypto insurance company, announced the acquisition of Bitsure, the worlds first insurer dedicated to coverage for crypto mining operations.

Launched in 2021, Cape Town, South Africa-based Bitsure bound its first mining policy in June of 2022, followed by a year of rapid growth. Today, Bitsure policies insure about 6% of the Bitcoin mining network.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Crypto mining is the computer processor intensive method by which most blockchains, including Bitcoin, verify transactions and issue new coins, Evertas explained in a statement.

Multiple factors combine to make insuring mining equipment significantly more complex than insuring network data centers or other operations with large concentrations of computer hardware. Consequently, property insurance protecting crypto mining operations has been difficult to get.

Bitsure is a product of smart and eager entrepreneurs who built a great company fulfilling a critical yet mostly unmet need. As a result, Bitsure quickly grew to the point where they needed help scalingnot just from an insurance capacity perspective but also from a team and resources perspective. These are all things Evertas has to offer, said Evertas CEO and Co-Founder J. Gdanski. In joining forces, Evertas benefits from the addition of key personnel and their deep understanding of mining, mining risks, and the broader Web3 ecosystem.

Gdanski added that Evertas has authority to write crypto mining policies up to $200 million per location, which is several times higher than any other insurance provider, and 20 times more capacity than Bitsure had access to previously.

Bitsure Co-Founder Thomas Shewchuck joins Evertas as head of underwriting. He started his career as a wholesale insurance broker in 2011 and began mining cryptocurrencies with his partners in 2019.

Not long after launching Bitsure, we collaborated with Evertas on multiple underwriting projects, where it was readily apparent that together, there was real synergy. That realization soon led to conversations about merging our operations, Shewchuck said. The combination of Bitsures expertise and the unmatched insurance capacity Evertas has access to is a game changer for crypto mining operations of all sizes.

Bitsures regulatory compliance expert and lead underwriter, Sarah Leon, will retain that role at Evertas.

The Bitsure team saw the huge insurance gap afflicting a vibrant but poorly understood market and decided to build a solution. Its a very relatable story, because it describes our origin as well, said Evertas Co-Founder and President Raymond Zenkich. Only a handful of people possess the kind of specialized insurance and crypto mining knowledge we saw in abundance at Bitsure, and were fortunate to have them joining our team.

Founded in 2017 by CEO J. Gdanski and President Raymond Zenkich, Evertas Inc. covers crypto risks for institutional holders of cryptoassets, blockchain technology and infrastructure, including exchanges, custodians, traditional financial institutions, funds, family offices, corporations, miners, and ultra-high net worth individuals. Licensed to operate as a Class 3A Insurer by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, Evertas offers the only full life-cycle crypto insurance solution.

Source: Evertas

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Carriers
Europe baked in intense heat, with temperatures reaching almost 46C (115F) on the Italian island of Sardinia on Wednesday, as wildfires continued to rage in Greece.

Authorities warned lives were in danger after the latest blast of Saharan heat saw local records broken in Rome and Catalonia this week. The danger level from wildfires around Athens remains very high amid near-gale force winds, while another blaze on the Greek island of Rhodes forced the evacuation of three villages to nearby beaches.

As US climate envoy John Kerry met with Chinas Vice President Han Zheng on his final day of talks in Beijing, man-made global warming is turbocharging heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere. Following the hottest ever June, temperature records are being broken from Tokyo and Phoenix to Turpan in China, underscoring the threat posed by fossil fuels to a changing climate.

Were in uncharted territory, said Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. But this is here to stay. We expect heat waves to become more intense and more prolonged.

The impact of the heat is being felt particularly hard in Greece. Almost 100 fireman, supported by three jets, are trying to extinguish the Rhodes fire that started late Tuesday evening. Winds across the Aegean islands and the Attica region around Athens will be as strong as 32 to 38 miles per hour on Wednesday, before another blast of Saharan heat hits the country tomorrow.

Firefighters have contained some of the blazes around the Greek capital, but the fires are still burning in the region near Loutraki, a resort 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Athens. The national highway to the town is open again, while the Motor Oil Hellas SA refinery thats in the area is no longer under threat.

Four firefighting planes from France and Italy that were sent by the European Union are already helping Greek authorities, with more jets being dispatched from Israel. Another blaze that spread from Dervenoxoria to Mandra over the past two days is still burning north of Athens, with five fire jets and eight helicopters trying to control it.

We are experiencing a heat wave across southern Europe already causing devastating consequences in Greece, with thousands of hectares burned in a short period of time, the EUs Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic said.

In the Swiss canton of Valais, 150 firefighters are looking to extinguish a forest blaze that forced the evacuation of a number of Alpine villages.

While a fire in Spains La Palma is close to being fully extinguished, Canary Islands authorities are advising residents to stay indoors due to the poor air quality. Most of the country continues to face a high risk of wildfires, while in the capital Madrid municipal trucks are watering the streets to cool them down.

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Halfway through 2023, the average worldwide temperature has set multiple new records, as countries all over the globe suffer through prolonged periods of extreme heat.

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Nine French regions in the southeast of the country have also been put on a heat wave alert. Italys ministry of health warned of emergency conditions in 23 major cities, including Rome, Venice and Palermo.

Temperatures are yet to test Europes record of 48.8C, set in Sicily two years ago, but the heat blast has been prolonged, according to Carlo Spanu, a lieutenant colonel in Italys Air Force.

The extreme heat is due to the African anticyclone which arrives from Africa every year, but this year is different, he said. The wind usually lasts a few days, and it arrived already 10 days ago, and has not faded.

On the streets of Sardinias capital, Cagliari, car temperature gauges are registering above 50C in the intense heat, while mobile phones are dying. Farmers will also have to re-think harvests, according to Valeria Satta, the regional government official in charge of agriculture.

Seasons have changed, completely. We should brace for a very long summer season, she said. Climate is a bit crazy, and the warmer season has lead for about five years to a seasonal invasion of grasshoppers which is directly linked to the heat.

The World Meteorological Organization said that soaring minimum night time temperatures  with parts of Sardinia not dropping below 34C  are putting lives at risk, increasing the chance of heart attacks as the body is unable to recover from the daytime heat.

The minimum temperature is more important for health and failing critical infrastructure during extreme heat waves, said senior WMO extreme heat adviser John Nairn.

The intense heat is affecting sea temperatures too, with parts of the Mediterranean expected to reach over 30C, according to the WMO. Those marine heat waves could impact the migration of species and cause invasive species to arrive into European waters with consequences for fisheries and local fauna.

With assistance from Laura Millan, Paula Doenecke, John Ainger, Flavia Rotondi and Chiara Albanese.

Top photograph: A police officer evacuates a child as a wildfire burns, in the village of Agios Charalampos, near Athens, on July 18. Photo credit: Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe
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China represents an increasing threat to the US power grid, lawmakers were told Tuesday during a hearing in which they were warned a cyberattack from the nation could plunge military and other sensitive sites into darkness.

The Chinese activities are quite alarming, said Manny Cancel, senior vice president of the North American Electric Reliability Corp., during testimony before a US House subcommittee. Chinese cyber activities are one of the most dynamic cyber threats. China continues to demonstrate increasing sophistication, including new and adaptive techniques to gain access to networks.

The hearing, held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, comes as the nations power grid grows increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, while incidents such as physical attacks and vandalism increased some 77% in 2022, according to the committee.

Attacks on U.S. Power Grids Rose to All-Time High in 2022

China is almost certainly capable of launching cyberattacks that would disrupt critical infrastructure services within the US, including oil and gas pipelines and rail systems, according to a report published earlier this year by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The hearing comes amid increasing tensions with China, including reports last week that Chinese hackers breached email accounts of US officials from the State Department, as well as US Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Imagine what is possible if the CCP attacks our grid, said Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Washington Republican who chairs the full committee.

Photograph: Chinese people visit a national flag show at Chaoyang park on Sept. 30, 2006 in Beijing, China. Photo credit: China Photos/Getty Images.

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Legislation USA China
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Destructive wildfires are now an almost routine part of summer in the American West, and electrical utilities have likewise become used to having their power lines and equipment blamed for igniting the blazes.

But a jury verdict last month ordering Warren Buffetts PacifiCorp to pay 17 owners of properties destroyed by a series of 2020 Oregon fires an average of $5 million each  setting up total liability for thousands of others in the billions  took investors by surprise and raised new fears about the scale of exposure utilities may be facing, and whether they will all survive.

At trial, Portland-based PacifiCorp itself estimated its potential liability at $11 billion. Oakland, California-based PG&E Corp., which agreed to settle a much larger group of victim claims over California wildfires for $13.5 billion in 2020, may have gotten off easy by comparison.

Warren Buffetts PacifiCorp Sued by Oregon Wineries Over Fire Damage

PacifiCorp still faces another wildfire trial in January and several other pending suits, including complaints filed last week by Oregon wineries which claimed fires destroyed their grape harvests. And some of the same lawyers who brought the class action against PacifiCorp sued Public Service Co. of Colorado and its parent company, Xcel Energy Inc., last week over the largest wildfire to hit the Rocky Mountain state.

Its not just PacifiCorp, its not just Pacific Gas and Electric, its not just Public Service Company of Colorado, its every utility in every mountain  thats the risk, said Andy DeVries, a utility analyst at CreditSights. He said investors need to understand that utilities in the Western US are operating with significantly more business risk than they have in the past.

PacifiCorp, which denied responsibility for the fires and blamed lightning and climate change instead, said its confident it will get the verdict overturned on appeal. The company stressed that it was committed to operating safely in six states but also said its ability to provide electricity was being threatened by excessive wildfire damages.

Liability on the scale imposed by the Oregon jury presents an existential threat to an industry that faces increasing wildfire risk from more extreme weather fueled by climate change. DeVries said that, by his calculations, if PG&E had been ordered to pay similar amounts to California claimants, its total damages would be $1 trillion.

As a part of Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Energy, PacifiCorp isnt publicly traded, but its bonds have taken the hit from the verdict that its shares might otherwise have. S&P Global downgraded PacifiCorps issuer credit rating two notches, and its outlook for the utility and its parent company to negative from stable.

Berkshire Hathaway Energy is one of the largest US utility owners with 5.2 million customers. The unit, which also owns natural gas pipelines, renewable power plants and a UK utility, booked net income of $3.1 billion last year based on $26.3 billion in revenue  about a fifth of it from PacifiCorp.

Were very concerned about those risks, Gabe Grosberg, an S&P credit analyst, said in an interview. Theres always an assumption that every parent values every asset it has. To the extent that liabilities rise for that asset, theres a level, for every parent, where they just dont view that asset as having value anymore.

The liabilities PacifiCorp faces from both the June verdict and other similar lawsuits led S&P to conclude that it wont, under all foreseeable circumstances, get a lifeline from Berkshire Hathaway Energy. Grosberg said S&P is re-assessing the risks that other utilities face.

PacifiCorp took the calculated risk to go to trial rather than settle claims over the 2020 fires. A central issue was that the company allegedly failed to turn off power in the affected service areas after being warned of hazardous weather conditions.

The jury found the company grossly negligent and voted to compensate 17 test plaintiffs well beyond their property losses, adding millions of dollars more for pain and suffering than their lawyers requested. Collectively, they actually got 15 times as much for emotional distress as they were awarded in economic damages.

Those 17 plaintiffs were awarded $90 million, but damages for as many as 5,000 other residents and business owners will be determined in a later proceeding.

No one on the bond side was looking at the potential for these huge amounts over actual economic damages  it just caught everybody off guard, DeVries said. It woke a lot of people up, looking at their portfolios, wondering whats going on.

PacifiCorps appeal of the verdict could take years. Marisa Miller, a lawyer who has defended companies in wildfire suits but isnt involved in the case, said it will be tough for the utility to persuade an Oregon appeals court to overturn the jurys conclusion that its liable for the fires, but the company has a stronger argument that the case shouldnt have been allowed to proceed as a class action.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says: PacifiCorp has indicated it will appeal the jury verdict, but we assess its likelihood of success as tenuous for now.  Elliott Stein, senior litigation analyst, and Matthew Palazola, senior industry analyst

PG&E filed for Chapter 11 protection in the face of wildfire litigation, emerging from bankruptcy in 2020. If Berkshire doesnt step in, thats a possibility for PacifiCorp as well, according to DeVries and Grosberg.

PacifiCorp said in a statement that, in the face of growing legal liabilities, being part of Berkshire Hathaway Energy offers competitive advantages including flexibility of dividend payments and capital spending. Berkshire Hathaway Energy didnt respond to a request for comment.

The company could also try to pass the cost along to consumers. PacifiCorp has asked the Oregon Public Utility Commission to let it track costs from the litigation so that it can decide later whether to seek reimbursement of the June verdict in its electric bills.

This is outrageous, said Bob Jenks, executive director of the Oregon Citizens Utility Board. Customers should not pay a dime of these costs.

PacifiCorp said it remains open to settling outstanding legal claims. It has resolved  and will continue to resolve  wildfire damage claims when they are reasonable, and the damages were caused by Pacific Power, according to the statement.

Settlement talks in the case going to trial in January have not been fruitful, according to Robert Julian, a lawyer in that case who also represented PG&E fire victims. He said 17 of his clients have died waiting for their cases to go to trial.

Julian said his understanding was that, in the case decided in June, PacifiCorp could have settled for between $300,000 and $500,000 per household, or less than a tenth of what the jury ordered it to pay. He said that amount would be on top of damages for plaintiffs property losses. PacifiCorp didnt respond to requests for comment on settlement talks.

Were going to end up owning this company, and destroying all of Berkshire Hathaway Energys equity in it, if they dont sit down and deal with us, Julian said.

With assistance from James Crombie and Mark Chediak.

Photograph: A door remains standing at Gates Elementary School destroyed by wildfires in Gates, Oregon, in September 2020. Photo credit: Go Nakamura/Bloomberg

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Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Oregon
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Twitter Inc. on Tuesday was hit with the second lawsuit this month to claim that it owes at least $500 million in severance pay to ex-workers, the latest in a series of cases arising from Elon Musks acquisition of the social media company.

The proposed class action filed in Delaware federal court by former Twitter senior engineer Chris Woodfield also alleges that the company targeted older workers for layoffs, a claim that has not been made in the other pending cases.

Woodfield, who worked for Twitter out of Seattle, says the company repeatedly told employees that they would receive two months salary and other payouts if they were laid off, but that he and other workers have not received the money.

Twitter Owes Ex-Employees $500M in Severance, Lawsuit Claims

Twitter laid off more than half of its workforce as a cost-cutting measure after Musk acquired the company last October.

Twitter no longer has a media relations department and the company responded to an email seeking comment with an automatic response containing a poop emoji. The company has said in response to other lawsuits that laid-off workers have been paid in full.

A similar lawsuit was filed last week in California federal court claiming Twitter owes ex-employees more than $500 million in severance.

Twitter has not responded to that lawsuit, which claims it violated a federal law regulating employee benefit plans by failing to abide by the terms of a severance plan established before Musk acquired the company.

Woodfields lawsuit accuses the company of breach of contract and fraud. Woodfield also claims that Twitter targeted him to be laid off because he is an older worker, though the complaint does not state his age.

According to the lawsuit, Woodfield signed an agreement to arbitrate work-related legal disputes that requires Twitter to pay the initial fees to allow individual cases to proceed. He says that he initiated an arbitration against Twitter earlier this year.

But Woodfield claims Twitter has refused to pay the fee in his case, blocking it from going forward. That claim was made by hundreds of ex-employees in a separate case earlier this year. Twitter has said those workers did not submit the necessary paperwork.

Twitter has also been accused in several separate lawsuits of disproportionately laying off women and workers with disabilities, failing to give advance notice of layoffs, and not paying promised bonuses to its remaining employees. The company has denied those claims.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Deepa Babington)

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Topics Lawsuits Twitter
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Tokio Marine HCC today announced it has agree to acquire Gulf Guaranty Employee Benefit Services, Inc., a Jackson, Mississippi-based third-party administrator and managing general underwriter that designs, underwrites and administers group gap medical plans for small and mid-sized businesses.

Tokio Marine HCC said group gap medical is a new and profitable specialty product for the company. The acquired operation produces gross written premium of approximately $60 million annually, according to the announcement.

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.

Gulf Guarantys group gap medical plan, called MedPlus, pays limited benefits for expenses otherwise covered by an employers primary medical plan, but not payable due to the deductible and co-insurance provisions of the primary plan. MedPlus is employer-paid, and every employee enrolled in the employers primary medical plan is automatically enrolled in the product.

Today, Tokio Marine HCC  Stop Loss Group covers over 3,500 self-funded employers and union plans for medical stop loss and another 1,000 groups with organ transplant insurance.

Houston-based Tokio Marine HCC is a member of the Tokio Marine Group.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Mississippi
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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Mississippi woman who says she was hit by a stray police bullet while lying in bed.

Latasha Smith, 49, was in bed on Dec. 11 when an officer from the state-run Capitol Police fired several bullets at a suspect running through her Jackson apartment complex, according to her federal complaint. A stray bullet entered Smith`s apartment and struck her arm. Smith, who said her teenage daughter was home during the episode, was taken to a hospital.

In April, Smith sued Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell and Capitol Police Chief Bo Luckey, arguing that police officers under their watch violated her constitutional rights by acting with deliberate indifference for her life. She also claimed that Tindell and Luckey failed to properly train officers.

In a Wednesday ruling, U.S. District Judge Tom Lee granted Tindell and Luckey`s request to dismiss the lawsuit, writing that they cannot be liable because they are not alleged to have participated in the shooting incident and because state officials cannot be sued for violations of state law in federal court.

Tindell told the news outlet that the officer was initially placed on leave but later returned to active duty after an internal investigation determined the officer did not break any laws.

A spokesperson for Tindell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Smith`s attorney, Dennis Sweet IV, said in a phone interview that he and Smith are considering an appeal.

We`re disappointed, Sweet said. The truth is they went into the community, there was a high-speed chase, a lady in bed got shot, and there is no recourse. And thats going to be the new police force in Jackson.

Officers from the Capitol Police have been patrolling around state government buildings in and near downtown, while the Jackson Police Department patrols the entire city. A new Mississippi law would expand the patrol territory of the Capitol Police department within Jackson. Critics say Capitol Police are aggressive and expanding the territory could endanger lives in the majority Black city.

Smith is Black. Her complaint said the Capitol Police use disproportionate and unnecessary force against African American citizens.

Members of the majority-white and Republican-controlled Legislature said they passed the law to improve safety in Jackson, which has had more than 100 homicides for each of the past three years. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has temporarily blocked the law from taking effect.

On Wednesday, the same day Lee dismissed Smith`s lawsuit, the U.S. Department of Justice said it was seeking to join a federal lawsuit the NAACP filed against the state to block the new law.

Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Legislation Law Enforcement Mississippi
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Federal workplace safety inspectors at two Tampa, Florida-area Dollar General stores said they found the company again exposing employees to fire hazards and other unsafe conditions, continuing the long history of worker safety issues found at one of the nations largest discount retailers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued citations for two repeat violations after a Jan. 18, 2023, inspection at a Brandon store identified exit routes blocked and electrical hazards.

Inspectors also found the store did not have a working employee restroom and left a restroom sewer drain uncovered, which created a tripping hazard.

Two days later in Dade City, OSHA inspectors found an emergency exit blocked by rolling containers and merchandise, exposing workers to fire and entrapment hazards.

After these inspections, OSHA issued citations to Dollar General Corp. for three repeat, two serious and three other-than-serious violations and proposed penalties of $342,282.

Since 2017, the company has faced more than $21 million in fines after more than 243 inspections nationwide., according to OSHA.

Between Feb. 1, 2022 and April 20, 2023  in Alabama, Florida and Georgia alone  inspectors assessed Dollar General nearly $10 million in proposed penalties after more than 30 investigations.

After more than 200 failed inspections, Dollar General cannot claim that they misunderstand federal safety requirements. At this point, we can only conclude that they choose to continue exposing their employees to hazardous conditions, said OSHA Area Director Danelle Jindra in Tampa. Dollar General must make changes to correct these recurring violations before a worker is needlessly injured or worse.

Based in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Dollar General Corp. and Dolgencorp LLC operate about 19,000 stores and 28 distribution centers in 47 states and employ more than 173,000 workers. In fiscal year 2022, the company reported more than $9 billion in net sales.

Dollar General has contested the findings before the OSHA review commission.

Source: OSHA

Photo by Dollar General

Topics Workers' Compensation
A jury has awarded $485 million in damages in a civil case brought on behalf of an 8-year-old girl who was repeatedly sexually assaulted in a New Mexico foster care program.

The verdict came late last week after Rio Arriba County jurors heard nearly two weeks of testimony that focused in part on allegations of corporate negligence.

The program allegedly placed the girl in the home of a foster parent despite knowing that he had been accused of sexual assault, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in 2019. It was one of more than a half-dozen cases arising from sexual assaults of children in the program.

Clarence Garcia, 66, pleaded guilty in January to seven counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and was sentenced to up to 20 years of probation. Court records show Garcia was accused of sexually abusing six children under his care over six years.

In April, probation officers found that Garcia allegedly violated his probation after they searched his property and found bags of stuffed animals, a yoga book with young children in suggestive poses and accessories for firearms.

He faces an Aug. 3 sentencing hearing that could send him to prison for up to 42 years.

The jury awarded $80 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages against Acadia Healthcare, the operator of a now-defunct licensed residential treatment facility in New Mexico, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Acadia said in an email that the victim was not in the direct care of any facility operated by the company but was in a treatment foster care program managed by Familyworks, a nonprofit.

Familyworks and defunct Acadia subsidiary Youth and Family Centered Services of New Mexico Inc. will pay $75 million apiece with $5 million in punitive damages connected to Garcia`s conduct.

I think the jurys award and verdict show the little girl she is valued and that what happened to her shouldnt have happened, Josh Conaway, an attorney who represented the child told the Santa Fe New Mexican.

The state Children, Youth and Families Department revoked a license for Acadia- owned Desert Hills in 2019 amid reports of sexual abuse and violence at the residential treatment facility, which served children with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as behavioral issues.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mexico New Mexico
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - July 19, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) CybeReady, a global leader in security awareness training, has conducted extensive research based on millions of data points, accumulated from training enterprise employees over the past five years. According to CybeReady, the data reveals that new employees regularly show a propensity for higher-risk behaviors compared to veteran employees. The data coming out of CybeReady establishes a direct correlation between employee veterancy within a company and its cybersecurity risk level.

The new findings highlight the significance of the employee learning curve and its impact on cybersecurity risk. The data groups employees into three main clusters according to their risk level (Low, Medium, and High Risk), and assumes every employee engages in continuous and regular training - at least one short training session per employee per month.

According to the data, during the first 0-6 months with an organization, basic training is often provided to new employees in order to establish a risk baseline. As early-stage employees progress to the 6-12 month mark, they are exposed to advanced training simulations and reveal a medium level of risk. However, after the 12-month mark, a breakpoint is observed, indicating a significant decrease in risk.

The research further reveals a stark contrast in behavior between new and veteran employees (Figure 1). On average, new employees (less than six months with the company) are more than twice as likely to click on phishing emails compared to their veteran counterparts, demonstrating increased susceptibility to cyber threats.

Figure 1 - Cyber Behavior by Veterancy (Image attached)

In addition, the study examines the reporting rate of phishing attempts and identifies an "opposite correlation" between employee risk level and their reporting rate (Figure 2). It was observed that low-risk employees tend to report up to 50% more than medium-risk employees, or up to four times more than high-risk employees. This suggests that training not only fosters secure habits and empowers employees to avoid phishing emails, but also encourages a proactive approach to reporting such threats. This behavior change plays a crucial role in protecting organizations from potential consequences caused by employees without the training behind them.

Figure 2 - Phishing Reporting by Risk Group (Image attached)

"Our data demonstrate the crucial role employees play in keeping the organization safe, and how administering effectiveness training can truly change employee behavior," said Eitan Fogel, CEO of CybeReady. "By recognizing the increased vulnerability of new employees and providing targeted training at various stages of veterancy and risk levels, organizations can mitigate cyber risks and thereby strengthen their overall security posture."

CybeReady remains committed to building employee readiness for cyberattacks by developing innovative cybersecurity training that equips employees with the skills to identify and thwart cyber threats. Their research underscores the importance of investing in continuous training programs to strengthen the human element of cybersecurity and minimize organizational risk.

For more information about CybeReady and its innovative cybersecurity training platform, please visit www.cybeready.com.

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CybeReady Case Studies - https://cybeready.com/resource-center/case-studies

CybeReady White Papers - https://cybeready.com/resource-center/white-papers

The Ultimate Guide of Security Awareness Training - https://cybeready.com/complete-guide-cyber-awareness

About CybeReady

CybeReady offers the world's most effective security training solution that evolves organizations from security awareness to cyber readiness with no IT effort. CybeReady's solution engages more employees, more effectively, frequently, and easily. Infused with training expertise and powered by machine learning, CybeReady's adaptive, easy-to-digest security training content program guarantees to reduce your high-risk employee group by 80%. CybeReady's solution has been deployed by hundreds of enterprises worldwide, including Kion Group, Skoda Auto, NatWest, SodaStream, ING, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Avid Technology, and others, CybeReady is fully-managed, making it the security awareness training solution with the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) available today. Founded in 2015, CybeReady is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with offices in the Silicon Valley and London. For more information, please visit www.cybeready.com.

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Source: Sadif Research

July 19, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The Canadian firm's overall score in the 90th percentile warrants a "Good" rating, noted a SADIF Investment Analytics report.

Dolly Varden Silver Corp.'s (DV:TSX.V; DOLLF:OTCQX) stock was upgraded to Good from Above Average by SADIF Investment Analytics, the research firm reported in a July 12 research note.

"The company has a bright prospect, with an overall score of 94/100," SADIF wrote.

This total score reflects how Dolly Varden fared since May 26, 2023, when SADIF last rated it in a dozen categories, using the Summary StockMarks Ratings system, versus the entire population of 2,168 Canada-listed companies rated today. The current scores for the British Columbia-based minerals explorer are based on data as of the market close on July 12, 2023.

Positive Factors

Supporting Dolly Varden's uprating was the increase in the company's Business Quality (score of 64) due to its 1,400% increase in earnings.

The silver company also currently boasts strong financials and favorable technical indicators, estimates, and valuation. Sentiment toward Dolly Varden is bullish. With low operational, information, and market risk, it is safe.

When compared to its second-closest-rated competitor Aftermath Silver, Dolly Varden appears to be more undervalued and more likely to outperform the market.

Down the Line

Looking ahead, SADIF wrote, Dolly Varden is expected to further improve in the Quality category, which encompasses three subcategories: Business, Financials, and Earnings.

On the downside, the company's positive business outlook is expected to weaken, given the recent deterioration in SADIF's estimates. The research firm bases these estimates on the amount of revenue it expects the company to generate in upcoming quarters. For Dolly Varden, this is zero in Q3/23.

"Earnings per share are weakening while the company's book value per share is falling," wrote SADIF. "Our target price has an implicit annual compound annual growth rate of (8.6%), well below that of the analyst consensus."

However, taking a view further out, SADIF expects the Canadian silver company to be a good investment that delivers long-term returns.

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Source: Mike Niehuser

July 19, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This Canadian miner, offering investors a significant potential gain, plans to expand production 75-100% this year, noted a ROTH Capital Markets report.

TRX Gold Corp. (TNX:TSX; TRX:NYSE.American) is pursuing low-cost development of its flagship Buckreef gold project in Tanzania, thereby protecting shareholder value, reported ROTH Capital Markets analyst Mike Niehuser in a June 21 research note.

"TRX's approach has built-in development, operational and financial flexibility to manage growth out of cash flow and minimize dilution," Niehuser wrote.

Significant Potential Gain

As such, ROTH projects a noteworthy gain for investors in TRX of 122%, noted Niehuser. This is reflected in the gap between ROTH's target price on the gold miner of US$1 per share and TRX's current share price of about US$0.45.

TRX is a Buy.

Smartly Building Scale

Niehuser discussed key elements of TRX's low-cost plan for growing Buckreef.

The Canadian company is producing oxidized material on a small scale and paying for it out of cash flow rather than building and using a large plant for processing both oxide and sulfide material.

As for the processing of sulfide ore, recently produced high recoveries on testing bode well for TRX employing a low-cost approach in the future. Recently, the mining company processed a 6,500-ton bulk sample of sulfide ore from Buckreef at its existing mill and recovered 88.7% gold from it. This result was similar to the outcomes of previous metallurgical testing on Buckreef sulfide ore.

"This information will be included in a tradeoff analysis to determine the best approach to process sulfide ore, which comprises approximately 90% of [Buckreef's] 2,000,000 ounce gold resource," Goff wrote.

Production Increase Imminent

TRX intends to expand production in the near term, Niehuser pointed out. By year-end 2023, it aims to increase throughput by 75-100%, using its newly acquired 1,000 tons per day (1 Ktpd) ball mill.

At the current 1 Ktpd production capacity, management's production guidance for this year is 20,000-25,000 ounces of gold. The company has already achieved half of the lower end of this range, having produced 10,400 ounces of gold in H1/23. Of this total, it produced 5,636 ounces (5,636 oz) in Q1/23 and 4,764 oz in Q2/23.

As for sales, in Q1/23, TRX sold 5,505 oz at an average gold price of about US$1,853/oz, and in Q2/23, 4,810 at US$1,963/oz.

Exploration Upside Remains

Buckreef likely hosts more mineralization than what the previous resource estimates indicate, Niehuser purported, specifically in certain targets on the property not fully tested. They include Eastern Porphyry, Tembo, and Bingwa.

Recent surface drill testing of Eastern Porphyry seems to prove this out as it showed high-grade gold mineralization. Hole BMDD298, for instance, returned 3.48 grams per ton (3.48 g/t) gold over 14 meters (14m), including 10.96 g/t over 3m starting at 27m downhole and 1.62 g/t gold over 25.23m starting at 47m downhole.

Niehuser wrote that ROTH considers these areas "to have the potential to expand and extend production from oxides to be processed through the existing plant and significantly extend the life of operations."

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Source: Streetwise Reports

July 19, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This gold explorer has started drilling at its Yukon Territory project, hoping to find the continuity it needs for a resource estimate.

Seabridge Gold Inc. (SEA:TSX; SA:NYSE.MKT) announced it has started a 7,500-meter drilling campaign at its 100%-owned 3 Aces project in the Yukon Territory.

The core and reverse circulation drilling is designed to test the company's comprehensive exploration model at the project, which it acquired in 2020.

Historical drilling at 3 Aces focused on a 13-kilometer-square region known as the Central Core Area. Good widths of high-grade gold were discovered, but not enough of the continuity needed for a resource estimate.

"We are now gunning for our next round of exploration successes at our 3 Aces and Iskut projects," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rudi Fronk said. "The preparatory work has been done. At 3 Aces, we are looking for the continuity that eluded previous operators and which is needed for resource delineation."

Seabridge has high hopes for the project. "Our expectation is that over time, we will be able to deliver a high-grade gold resource with grades significantly higher than our existing gold resources at our other projects," Fronk has said.

The company believes the project could host higher-grade gold than its flagship project, KSM, in British Columbia's Golden Triangle. Jim Rickards, editor of the Strategic Intelligence newsletter, called KSM "one of the most attractive gold-copper acquisition targets in the world."

Seabridge recently announced it had restructured and closed on the sale of a US$150 million secured note to Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. to complete work at KSM to meet the criteria for "substantially started" status to get its environmental assessment certificate (EAC) there extended indefinitely.

When the note matures, Sprott Streaming will use the principal amount repaid to purchase a 1% net smelter royalty (NSR) on all metals produced at the project, the company said.

The Catalyst: Finding the Resource

Four different 3 Aces target areas - Spades, Hearts, Hearts West, and Clubs - will be drill tested to evaluate different settings where the company's model predicts gold continuity.

In last year's drilling at the site, Hole 3A22-355 intersected 3.53 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) over 22.5 meters, Seabridge said, including 11.97 g/t Au over 5.2 meters. The remaining three holes all assayed for less than 1 g/t Au, the best intercept being 0.96 g/t Au over 1.8 meters in hole 3A22-357.

The 35,700-hectare project consisting of more than 1,700 claims is in a readily accessible part of the southeastern Yukon.

The company said it believes the project could be "consistent with some of the biggest and richest gold deposits in the world."

"We are looking forward to executing our first full program at 3 Aces," Fronk said. "Our team has been refining our new model and checking its concepts against field observations. They believe this model will provide the basis to integrate past and current drill results into meaningful zones of mineralization. We expect this program will help us prioritize mineralized zones and take us steps closer to delineating resources."

The project is on the eastern margin of the Selwyn Basin, with sedimentary rocks extending across the Yukon and host to several base metal deposits, the company said.

'A Clear Vision' for Potential Joint Ventures

The Sprott money will be used to complete work at KSM to meet the criteria for "substantially started" status to get its environmental assessment certificate (EAC) there extended indefinitely. It also will enable the company to complete a switching station and work needed to connect to BC Hydro's electricity lines for the construction and operation of the mine.

Proven and probable reserves at KSM's initial mine total 47.3 million ounces gold (Moz Au), 7.3 billion pounds copper (Cu), 160 Moz silver (Ag), and 385 million pounds of molybdenum (Mo), with average production over a 33-year mine life of 1.03 Moz Au, 178 million pounds Cu, 3 Moz Ag, and 4.2 million pounds Mo, a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) found.

The company also released a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for a separate, underground block cave mine with a small open pit. That mine is expected to produce 14.3 billion pounds Cu, 14.3 Moz Au, 68.2 Moz silver, and 13.8 million pounds Mo over 39 years.

Analyst Lucas N. Pipes of B. Riley Securities noted in an April 20 research update that KSM is the world's largest undeveloped gold project by reserves and resources.

Pipes said the company has "a clear vision for a potential partnership agreement" and maintained his Buy rating on the stock with a target price of US$60 per share.

"The market is currently short on development projects, and market interest/M&A is heating up," Pipes wrote. "While the lack of partnership at KSM has been an overhang for the stock, we believe the asset is now ripe for third-party validation."

The company said it had engaged a leading mining industry bank to assist in joint venture discussions with larger companies.

Tunnels Questioned

Seabridge also reported this week that Tudor Gold Corp. (TUD:TSX.V) has requested a license and permit held by Seabridge to construct tunnels between the mine and mill at KSM be canceled. More than a dozen kilometers of the Mitchell Treaty Tunnels (MTT) would pass through mineral claims owned by Tudor.

In a Tuesday update note, analysts David Talbot and Taylor Combaluzier of Red Cloud Securities said they don't see the cancellation happening. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-700]

"Due diligence would have shown that this license and permit were in effect well before Tudor became the owner of the mining claim through which Seabridge has the right to construct the MTT," they wrote. "In our conversation with management, they indicated that this does not impact any plans or ongoing work at KSM, and they indicated that work is continuing."

Ownership and Share Structure

About 36% of the company is held by institutional investors, according to Reuters, including Pan Atlantic Bank and Trust with 7.69% or 6.25 million shares, National Bank of Canada with 5.68% or 4.62 million shares, and FCMI Financial Corp. with 5.11% or 4.16 million shares.

Management, board members, and company insiders own approximately 30%, the company said. Fronk owns 1.49% or 1.21 million shares, according to Reuters. The rest is retail.

It has a market cap of CA$1.47 billion and has about 82.4 million shares outstanding, with 79.95 million free-floating. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$21.78 and CA$13.83.

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The deadline for Microsofts $69bn (60.8bn) acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard has been extended.

The companies are looking to close a deal that has been challenged by regulators in the US, as well as by the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Microsoft believes that pushing back the deadline to October 18 will provide enough time to work through the remaining regulatory issues, said Brad Smith, the companys president.

Popular Activision titles include Call Of Duty (PA)

We are confident about our prospects for getting this deal across the finish line, Mr Smith said.

The extension comes with a bigger termination fee, should the deal be called off, and a number of other new agreements.

Tuesday marked an important deadline for the deal announced 18 months earlier. Both Microsoft and Activision had agreed that either party could walk away from the planned merger if it had not closed by then, triggering Microsoft to potentially have to pay a $3bn (2.6bn) breakup fee unless both sides decided to renegotiate.

That termination fee has been increased to $3.5bn (3.1bn) with the extension. If the deal does not close by September 15, it will increase to $4.5bn (4bn).

I am happy to share that based on our continued confidence in closing our deal, the Activision Blizzard and Microsoft boards have mutually agreed not to terminate the deal until after October 18, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in a note to employees.

He emphasised that it has already been granted approval in 40 countries, which include those in the European Union, and he was confident the UK concerns would be resolved.

Microsoft spent this month working to resolve long-standing legal challenges from anti-trust enforcers in the US and UK who argued the merger would harm competition.

The deal was effectively clear to go in the US this week, especially after the Supreme Court decided against hearing a last-ditch effort to block the takeover from gamers who have described themselves as fans of popular Activision titles Call Of Duty, World Of Warcraft, Overwatch and Diablo.

Justice Elena Kagan rejected the emergency appeal without comment on Tuesday. Ms Kagan handles emergency matters from California and other western states.

But the UK remained an obstacle, though one that is likely to be surmounted.

The CMA initially rejected the deal but later pushed back its final decision so it can consider Microsofts argument that new developments mean its acquisition can go through.

Microsoft will have to pay a larger termination fee if they cannot close the deal by the new deadline (PA)

A judge on Monday conditionally approved a joint request from Microsoft and the CMA to delay upcoming proceedings, enabling both sides to further negotiate.

Daniel Beard, a lawyer representing Microsoft in the UK case, told the judge he was grateful the process is moving quickly because the UK is the only impediment to closing and speed is of the essence.

Among the additional information sought by the judge was Microsofts announcement of a deal addressing concerns from top rival Sony, maker of the PlayStation console that is a competitor to Microsofts Xbox. Microsoft said it signed a deal with Sony to keep Call Of Duty on PlayStation for at least 10 years.

Such a deal would also appear to address at least one of the concerns about loss of competition brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which sued in December to stop the deal.

The FTC has not said if it will continue to fight the takeover after a federal judge and a federal appeals court both denied its attempt to stop the deal from closing. The FTC could still continue a case set for the agencys in-house judge in August, but that would not preclude the two companies from completing the merger beforehand.

Phil Spencer, head of Microsofts Xbox division, said in an email to employees: While we can technically close in the United States due to recent legal developments, this extension gives us additional time to resolve the remaining regulatory concerns in the UK.
Yet another leading meat-exporting nation looking for a big slice of the lucrative EU market has stalled one of the trade deals Brussels is anxious to conclude, as it seeks new partners to reduce trading dependence on China and on Russia.

Trade talks with Australia were halted last week by a dispute over meat quotas.

Australia is in the top two globally for both beef and sheepmeat exports. So it was perhaps not surprising that it could not agree how much of its meat exports will be allowed enter the EU tariff-free.

The EU is reported to have increased its initial offer of an annual beef quota of 24,000 tonnes, but this and the EU sheep meat offer fell far short of what Australia could accept.

EU leaders can turn to their farming populations and say they are putting their interests high on the agenda in the trade negotiations.

However, they may also have their eye on the new legal challenge against the UK government's trade deal with Australia which "has blithely thrown both British farmers and the Paris Agreement under the bus in its futile bid for positive post-Brexit headlines", according to Global Feedback, the UK and Netherlands based environmental lobby group.

The UK's trade agreement came into force on May 31, allowing 20,616 tonnes of Australian beef per year to enter the UK without tariffs, growing to 110,000 tonnes by 2033. Already, June imports were 384 tonnes, compared to an average of 103 tonnes from 2018 to 2022.

June figures show that up to now, only 0.4% of the UKs beef imports came from Australia, compared to 68% from Ireland, long established as the UK's main source of imported beef, by a large margin.

However, Australian beef production is on an upward curve, with the cattle population set to increase 4% this year, taking total beef production to 2.2m tonnes in 2023, from slaughterings of 6.95m head.

A spokesperson for the Rinehart-owned beef company, a big Australian producer, envisaged getting 5% to 10% of their production into the UK. But it will take time for exporters to take advantage of the increased trade access to the UK.

The UK, up to now, was only Australia's 27th biggest export market, taking only 741 tonnes of beef and veal in 2022 (compared to 214,000 tonnes to Japan, Australia's biggest beef customer).

Environmentalists say Australias biggest cattle farmer has suggested the country's beef exports to the UK could rise tenfold.

But the fundamental issue in the legal challenge by Global Feedback is whether the UK government acted lawfully in deciding not to assess the relative carbon intensities of beef produced in the UK and Australia, for the stated reason that available evidence was inconclusive.

The legal challenge adds credence to the often-stated fear of EU farmers that Brussels will ignore environmental considerations in its rush to conclude trade deals with global regions where farming has a much higher carbon footprint.

A similar outcome in the EU may be feared by farmers and politicians in Ireland. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has urged the European Commission to minimise the additional beef and sheepmeat access to be offered to Australia.

More than a year ago, IFA President Tim Cullinan said the UK-Australia trade deal set a "perilous precedent" by undermining a very important market for Irish beef exports.

Every extra tonne of meat from Australia entering the UK will make business tougher for Irish exporters.

Global Feedback says a report for the UK government in 2021 found that the carbon footprint of Australian beef was 50% higher than for UK beef.

Farmers fear that agricultural emissions and deforestation will be glossed over in the EU's rush to conclude trade deals with South Americas Mercosur and with Australia, as it seeks new allies to reduce economic dependencies on China, and to replace its dependency on Russia.

Australia also wants trade deals, in order to reduce its economic dependence on China. And the EU wants better access to Australias vast mineral resources, vital for renewable energy industries and the green transition.

Negotiations will continue in August.
Nature restoration in the EU survived a vote on July 12 by MEPs. However, opposers succeeded in moderating many of the proposals, which will be further discussed in trilogue negotiations.

They have also considerably toned down the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), since it was revised in line with the European Green Deal.

Farmers were shocked last year when the European Commission updated the IED with proposals including every farm with 150 livestock units or more being subject to industrial rules controlling pollution.

This would have made about 13% of the EU's farms (about 1.36m farms) subject to monitoring, and penalties if their emissions were deemed to be too high, from 2027 onwards.

But MEPs came to farmers' rescue on July 11, when they agreed the IED should exclude cattle farms, and the existing definition of "industrial" farms remain (any farm with more than 40,000 poultry, 2,000 pigs, or 750 sows). That will be the European Parliament's negotiating position in trilogue negotiations on the IED.

Agreeing that position on July 11, and voting the day after not to reject nature restoration by only 324 votes to 312 (with 12 abstentions), MEPs made it clear they are out of step with member state governments and the Commission, and on the side of farmers disturbed by the radical European Green Deal proposals. Irish farmers, in particular, who are more environment-friendly than many on the EU mainland, have welcomed the support of their MEPs.

The MEPs' agreement on the IED is seen as a clear win for farmers' groups and their political allies, such as the European People's Party, the biggest in the Parliament, which has vowed to defend farmers' interests.

It is expected that the EPP will also back EU farmers in their opposition to the ambitious Green Deal proposals to slash pesticide use.

IFA President Tim Cullinan said the MEPs' stand on the IED was a victory for common sense.

Farms are already heavily regulated, and they are not industrial units. We have a pasture-based system in this country. This was driven by ideology, not science, and its the thin end of the wedge to force a costly licensing regime on farming, he said.

The IFA leader said including livestock farming within the IED was the completely wrong approach in the first place.

The industrial emissions directive is the main EU instrument regulating pollution from industrial installations and from intensive livestock farms. It requires them to operate in accordance with a pollution permit granted by national authorities.

Since 2010, the IED regulated about 50,000 of the EUs largest industrial installations, from steelworks to meat-processing plants, and the largest farms, requiring them to comply with binding limits for pollutants.

Member states in the upcoming trilogue discussions will seek the pollution permit system for farms with 350 or higher cattle and pig livestock units, 280 poultry livestock units, and 350-plus livestock unit mixed farms. Only extensive (less than two livestock units per hectare for grazing, fodder, or forage) farms would be excluded.

In Ireland, the 350 units threshold would include more than 800 cattle herds (dairy, suckler, and others).

About 340 Irish pig and poultry farms already operate under EPA permits. If a facility exceeds 750 sows and/or 2,000 production pigs (pigs under 30 kg liveweight), it must have an Industrial Emissions Licence. About 120 pig farms operate under these licences.

The EPA requires poultry farms where the capacity exceeds 40,000 places to apply for industrial emissions licences. Bringing the EU threshold to 350 livestock units or higher would require pollution permits for many than the current number of Irish poultry flocks requiring licensing.

The 350 livestock units proposal agreed by member state environment ministers was supported by Italy, Lithuania, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. Ireland wanted a lower threshold, at 250 livestock units. The Netherlands wanted the Commissions proposal of 150 (which, for example, would require pollution licensing for a dairy farm with 100 cows plus young stock). Denmark, Finland, and Luxembourg also wanted less than 350.

The permits would cover emissions to air, water and land, waste generation, use of raw materials, energy efficiency, noise, prevention of environmental accidents, and restoration of the site upon closure.

Following the European Parliament agreeing its position, further negotiation can now take place on the IED proposals between the Parliament, member states, and the Commission.

However, the three sides are so far apart that further political standoffs like that which surrounded the nature restoration proposals are inevitable. Once again, Ireland's pasture-based farmers will depend on the MEPs.
While Im a huge music fan Im not generally a fan of live albums and generally tend to avoid them.

Most are overdubbed and doctored in the studio to make them sound more like studio recordings which kind of defeats the whole purpose.

However, there are a few exceptions, where a genuine attempt is made to capture the essence of the live performance, warts and all.

Ive chosen what I think are the 10 best examples of the genre. Enjoy and feel free to disagree.

1. David Bowie, David Live (1974)

Im a huge Bowie fan so Im biased, but this is probably my favourite live album.

Recorded over two nights in the Tower Philadelphia in 1974 during the Diamond Dogs tour. It came at a difficult time for Bowie.

He was broke and suing his former manager, his personal life was all over the place, the band threatened to strike for more money, and there was cocaine lots of it.

The show itself involved lots of props which didnt always work. The hydraulic chair he used during Space Oddity went out of control during one gig, nearly killing him.

Despite all this, the record is excellent. Musically, hes transitioning into his plastic soul period and there are new arrangements of old songs with a band featuring New York guitarist Earl Slick for the first time.

You can feel the tension and intensity coming through on the record. This period is very well documented in Alan Yentobs Cracked Actor documentary.

2. 1969: The Velvet Underground Live

Recorded live in San Francisco during an extensive US tour using proper recording equipment, which for The Velvets is unusual.

The band, which features Doug Yule replacing recently-departed John Cale are in fine form and deliver great versions of classics such as Pale Blue Eyes and What Goes On, plus some new songs that would later appear on the Loaded album.

When I lived in my parents' house I used to regularly sneak a funny cigarette out the bathroom window before going downstairs to the front room where Id put this on, switch off the lights, and listen to this really loud. It felt like being at the gig.

3. Van Morrison, Its Too Late To Stop Now (1974)

Van Morrison, Its Too Late To Stop Now (1974)

Recorded between California and San Francisco with the 11-piece Caledonia Soul Orchestra, this is Van when he was at the top of his game.

It comes at the end of that amazing creative run that began in 1968 with Astral Weeks, and all those classic albums are represented.

Stand-out tracks are the stunning versions of Caravan and St Dominics Preview, and the incredible rendition of the Ray Charles standard I Believe To My Soul, which he still performs.

Shortly after this tour ended, Morrison sacked the entire Caledonia Soul Orchestra, went and recorded Veedon Fleece and disappeared for three years.

4. James Brown, Live At The Apollo (1963)

James Brown, Live At The Apollo (1963)

Imagine a live album recorded on a shoestring budget almost 60 years ago still having the power and intensity to knock you off your feet when you listen to it. A rare trait in a live album but not in this case.

This album really captures the euphoria, intensity and energy of an early James Brown performance which must have been akin to an evangelical experience.

And thats just offstage. Onstage the energy from the band is electric. Listening to the album today, its still an edge-of-the-seat experience.

For me, the tightness of the musicians and the sudden sharp tempo changes throughout what is a relatively short performance (bereft of the usual hits) is the icing on the cake.

5. Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series Vol.4 Albert Hall (1966)

Bob Dylan, Bootleg Series Vol.4 Albert Hall 1966

Its 1966. The times truly are a-changing and so is Bob Dylan.

In this case, the change which began in 1965 involves Bob going electric and not all the fans are happy.

This is his first return to the UK since transitioning and for the first half of the show, he does an acoustic set which is warmly received.

However, once the amps are switched on for the second half the mood changes, and the booing and heckling begins. Unfazed and unbowed, Dylan goes on to deliver one of the greatest performances of his career.

The version of Ballad Of A Thin Man is the best Ive ever heard. Imagine there are people listening to this today thinking I was there . and I was booing him.

6. Neil Young, Live At Massey Hall (1971)

Neil Young, Live At Massey Hall (1971)

I had to include Neil Young in this list and theres quite a few to choose from. For me, this one is the best.

Recorded in early 1971 in Massey Hall, Toronto, this is basically Neil on his own doing what he does best. Delivering an up-close and personal performance of some of the greatest songs ever written.

Lots of the songs included were new and many would appear on Harvest a year later. Rumour has it producer David Briggs wanted to release these stripped-down versions of the songs instead of the embellished studio versions.

Perhaps he has a point for some, particularly in the case of A Man Needs A Maid which works much better on just the bare piano.

7. Aretha Franklin, Live At Fillmore West (1971)

Aretha Franklin, Live At Fillmore West (1971)

Now for the serious business. The penultimate live album by arguably the finest voice in music.

This is Aretha at the height of her superpowers on the back of a creative run of seven iconic studio albums.

Recorded in San Francisco with the King Curtis band that included Bernard Purdie and Billy Preston, she sails through classics such as Dr Feelgood and Respect, while delivering an incredible Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

The highlight for me vocally is the rendition of Make It With You. Ray Charles joins at the end for Spirit In The Dark.

8. Planxty, Live 2004

Planxty, Live 2004

It began for me in 1993 when Leagus O'Toole did a No Disco special on Planxty on RTE television.

Though I knew of Planxty, I had never actually listened to them until then and I was absolutely blown away, as were half the country.

The documentary regenerated huge interest in the band and thankfully, they subsequently decided to reform for two shows in Vicar Street.

The shows which sold out immediately were amazing. Christy Moore always said he wanted to rerecord the albums and heres the next best thing.

The original line up playing those songs better than ever before. The perfect gateway album for anyone not familiar with their work.

9. The Band, The Last Waltz (1978)

The Band, The Last Waltz (1978)

Widely regarded as the greatest live album and concert film ever, The Last Waltz has retained an elevated status that sets it apart from others within the genre for decades.

The film - featuring an all-star cast - is a celebration of the career of The Band and a farewell as the group go their separate ways.

Closer scrutiny tells a different story. In reality The Band were in tatters, struggling to finish an album. The break wasnt amicable.

Robbie Robertson had had enough and wanted out. The others didnt. Elsewhere, Dylan was at an artistic crossroads and was in the middle of a divorce, while Van Morrison had just returned with an album that wasnt well received.

The performances however remain magnificent, especially those from The Band themselves. Barney Hoskyns book, Across The Great Divide, is an essential read about the group.

10. David Bowie, A Reality Tour (2010)

David Bowie, A Reality Tour (2010)

I know Ive included Bowie already but this one is personal because it was recorded at the Point Depot in 2003.

I was there so technically Im on the album  somewhere. It remains one of the most amazing gigs Ive ever been to.

On what would turn out to be his final tour, Bowie had assembled a band that included Earl Slick and Mike Garson, along with others able to interpret his vast and diverse back catalogue.

They didnt disappoint. For nearly three hours we were treated to classic after classic and an encore featuring three songs from Ziggy. One of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Jim Comet is a Cork-based DJ and music aficionado

Couldve been contenders

Elvis Presley, Thats The Way It Is:

Elvis Presley, Thats The Way It Is: While Elvis made his most important music in the 1950s, his greatest performances were onstage in Las Vegas in 1970 with one of the greatest backing bands ever.

Ministry, In Case You Didnt Feel Like Showing Up: An essential band for a brief period in the early 1990s, this album recorded in Indiana captures them at their best.

Wish they were recorded:

Echo And The Bunnymen, SFX, Dublin, September 1984: On the 1984 Ocean Rain tour one of the best bands ever added a last-minute extra midnight show. I was lucky enough to be there.

The Waterboys, Majestic Ballroom, Mallow, June 1989: A legendary gig in the most unlikely of settings. The amazing version of Old England and about 10 people playing mandolins on This Land Is Your Land. Those of us that were there know.
Crayfish are a funny little animal, more lobster than fish. They are freshwater relatives of the marine lobsters, and like lobsters, Crayfish have a hard outer shell and big front crablike claws.

It is this hard outer shell that means crayfish can only survive in calcium-rich waters, such as where rivers and lakes are underlain by limestone. Calcium is the main component of this outer shell, which they shed and grow afresh throughout their lives  so crayfish dont fare well in acidic rivers or mountain lakes where calcium is on short supply.

There are more than 300 different crayfish species in North America, though in Ireland only one species is considered native  the white-clawed crayfish. Adults measure about 10 centimetres from the tip of their tail to the front of their head. Ranging from deep brown to olive green and pale fawn, their colours generally blend in well with the stony substrate of the rivers and lakebeds where they live. There they graze upon aquatic plants and scout about for crunchy aquatic beetles, water snails, tadpoles, and whatever else is available.

Crayfish, in turn, are a favourite food item for otters. Studies show that crayfish, where they occur, make up the bulk of otter diets. Trout, eel, and perch also eat young crayfish, intriguingly undeterred by the hard outer exoskeleton.

Because a healthy population of crayfish helps sustain healthy populations of otters, white-clawed crayfish are considered a keystone species in these ecosystems. They are classified as a globally-threatened species as populations throughout Europe have been in decline, largely as a result of rapidly spreading crayfish plague. Ireland holds one of the largest surviving populations. If they are wiped out, the effects of their loss would ricochet through freshwater aquatic ecosystems.

This is why there is now huge concern about another outbreak of crayfish plague in Ireland, detected in early July on the River Blackwater. The plague is caused by a fungus-like organism and tends to cause 100% fatality of whiteclawed crayfish where it occurs. One outbreak of crayfish plague on a river in County Cavan in 2015 (the first known outbreak in Ireland) killed the entire crayfish population of that river.

In 2017 when the plague hit the River Suir, 300,000 crayfish were killed off, nearly overnight. The plague probably would have spread further upriver if local authorities and recreational users hadnt responded so quickly. Crayfish plague can be easily spread by canoeists, anglers, and other recreational water users, as spores attach themselves to wellies, wetsuits, fishing rods, nets, boats, oars, waders, and even just wet clothes. When the same gear is then used in another river elsewhere, the plague spreads and can quickly infect a whole new river system.

But in 2017 a rapid and well-coordinated reaction from the council and the community managed to contain the plague. River-based events were cancelled, new procedures adopted by canoeists and anglers, and signs were put up along the affected stretches of river informing people about risks and actions needed to curb the plague. These efforts paid off and the disease was successfully contained in several rivers in the southeast.

One unusual crayfish trait is that females carry their eggs around until they hatch into tiny little crayfish, after which the baby crayfish remain with their mother for several weeks. Now, just as baby crayfish are fledging during July and August, this latest outbreak of crayfish plague will be severe. It is expected to kill all the white-clawed crayfish across the entire Blackwater system, with serious implications for the wildlife who depend on crayfish.

Kayakers, anglers, and other recreational water users are being urged to take precautions across the Munster Blackwater catchment, including thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all boating and other equipment, to stop the plague spreading. Procedures are all outlined in the Check, Clean and Dry protocol.

Everyone fishing, swimming, or using any kind of river boats should be checking all gear for any silt, mud, plant material, or animals before thoroughly cleaning and drying the gear. Disinfectant or hot water (above 40Celsius) should be used to clean all equipment, followed by a minimum 48-hour drying period (preferably several days or up to a week). Because the spores need a wet environment to survive, properly drying gear out for several days is necessary to clear all gear of any spores that might have landed. Without these precautions, the plague will be carried to new sites and wipe out the entirety of white-clawed crayfish population in additional river systems.

Castletownbere, 1913. The man nearest the camera is posing with a crayfish in his right hand. (Spillane Collection with permission of the National Library of Ireland)

Interestingly, there are no records of white-clawed crayfish in Ireland before about 1,100 AD  thus it was assumed that they were brought over by British settlers in the 12th century. However, recent genetic studies have revealed that wild crayfish in Irish streams and rivers are genetically identical to those of western France. It seems likely that crayfish were brought here by French monastics, in particular the Cistercians, prior to the Norman invasion of Ireland.

Before long, the crayfish farmed and contained in specially constructed ponds in abbeys and monastic sites escaped into local streams and rivers. They slotted easily into familiar ecosystems, thriving on a good supply of small aquatic animals and in turn providing sustenance for native wildlife such as otters and herons. Because our ecosystems are similar in many ways to those of Britain and continental Europe, crayfish have not become invasive here nor caused any of the ecological problems that newly introduced species sometimes can.

Check, clean, dry, disinfect. Leave no trace.

Now European populations of crayfish are facing extinction from pollution and crayfish plague, and Ireland, posted out on the edge of Europe, is one of this species' last strongholds. Without them, food webs will be much poorer. Containing the plague is now crucial for the survival of white-clawed crayfish and all who depend on them.
If ever we needed evidence why social media platforms exist, the videos on Twitter parodying the questions by members of the Oireachtas explains it perfectly. Put simply, the Irish are funny feckers.

Nothing has quite gripped the nations attention in recent times like the several heated Oireachtas hearings on financial irregularities in RTE. But what have we really learned from the many hours of questions and answers? Very little.

We already knew the Irish were funny. The indie song that went viral on the Enoch Burke board meeting, Where is John Rogers? confirmed that for us.

Could we say we are any clearer on who knew what, and who did what in relation to the Renault deal at the core of this controversy? Again, no.

I would think those who supported Ryan Tubridy from the start of this chaos, probably believe more in his innocence now, while those who were vocally opposed to him are more polarised against him than ever before. How can that be?

Well, the structure of the hearings left little to be desired. Not only that, but the constant falling over similar questions by each member illuminated just how little they knew of each others questions before the sessions commenced.

Surely, when there is a time limit on each set of questions, youd expect members to divide up questions so they dont trip over each other and waste valuable time. Not so. And then there was the level of questions asked.

Ryan Tubridy arrives at Leinster House, Dublin.

A BIZARRE OPENING GAMBIT

The independent TD from Louth, Peter Fitzpatricks questioning of Ryan Tubridy and Noel Kelly raised the most eyebrows and sent Twitter into some sort of frenzy.

Fitzpatrick commenced his questioning of Tubridy by stating, I dont know all these people who are rubbing your shoulders and rubbing your hand, but I tell you one thing: if you came to County Louth it would be the opposite.

It was a bizarre opening gambit. It seemed so wildly inappropriate for a hearing at that level.

Tubridy struggled to hold his composure. You could tell Ryan was flustered and surprised by what he had just heard.

So, Mr Fitzpatrick was setting out his stall early, perhaps cognisant of all the back-slapping hed get walking down main street in Louth, for taking on those bloody posh D4 heads.

Things didnt really improve from there, though. He clearly hadnt read The Art of War.

You dont expose your bias early in a conversation and you certainly dont make the interlocuter defensive if you want to get the truth from them. Thats, like, the first rule or two in negotiating.

And so things went rapidly downhill from that point. He asked a couple of hypothetical questions: if you had been made aware would you have stayed in your position?

What the hell was he hoping to learn from that question? He teed up Ryan to knock it back down his throat, which Ryan dutifully did, his rebuttal exposing how idiotic the question was: "It is a hypothetical that is unbecoming this committee."

Fitzpatrick also seemed to fundamentally lack insight into what the issue at hand was.

He asked, if RTE were overstating the money they were paying you, where is the balance of the money? Any recipient is obliged to return that overpayment, this is taxpayer money.

He seemed to think the controversy was in relation to RTE overstating their payment to Ryan Tubridy.

The issue, as anyone paying half attention to knows, is about the understatement of payments to Mr Tubridy.

He also informed Ryan that he had a cushy number, and finished by asking, Do you honestly think that people dont think that one and one is two?

Again, it was a surreal moment and the perfect punctuation to a bizarre series of questions.

You should never attempt to intellectualise a stupid question. But poor Ryan was raised better than me and tried his best to make sense of the whole fiasco.

Richard Hogan. Photograph: Moya Nolan

JOYCEAN STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Then we had Mattie McGrath who opened his robust round of questioning by stating he, was delighted to meet (Ryan) upstairs and a cuppa your late grandad was with Liam Lynchand look if you are out of a job Fridayyoud be welcome down to retrace the first steps.

A Joycean stream of consciousness that prompted the Chair to tell him to use his time wisely.

The question I was left with was, who the hell decides who gets to ask questions at hearings, and why isnt there more coherence between speakers?

It made a mockery of the process, and left the taxpayer none the wiser of what happened with their money.

Dave Fanning, picking up on the fact that it was a bit of a Father Ted exhibition, called the performance on Twitter a nonsensical Oireachtas Nuremberg Trial.

He quickly took down his post when he sensed the public's disapproval of the sentiment.

But the whole thing was bizarre, and it was a bit of a show trial. It was a shambles and did little to inform the public about the nuances and intricacies of what happened at the core of this controversy.

Joe Brolly probably summed it all up best when he stated on Twitter, I have been getting very large cheques from a U.K. company Ive never heard of. And in return for that, I was supposed to do six gigs for a different company. And get this. They have never contacted me about doing them. How cool is that.

How cool, indeed! And how unbelievable.

Yet, no one at that committee managed to frame it like Brolly did.

So, it is all coming to a natural conclusion.

The media frenzy has abated. Like every other committee and tribunal the public has tried to put their confidence in, we are left with very few answers to important questions like, Where the hell was John Rogers on the morning of the meeting, and does Ryan Tubridy not think one and one is two?
Irish society does not believe older people can be sexually abused in the same way people in the past did not believe children were being abused in institutions and this must change, the HSEs National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) has warned in a hard-hitting report.

A second report, also published on Wednesday, notes reasonable grounds for concern in relation to physical or sexual abuse of 21 elderly residents in one nursing home were found by a HSE safeguarding team.

The two reports follow the rape of an elderly woman Emily in a HSE nursing home in April 2020, for which a male healthcare assistant was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

On behalf of Emilys family, the HSE asks all commentators to focus on the issues and not her personal circumstances.

HSE chief Bernard Gloster said the HSE failed Emily.

I want to again restate publicly our most sincere apologies to Emilys family. In the place she should have felt most safe she came to the greatest harm, he said.

Bernard Gloster. Picture: Photocall Ireland

Our apology will not take away the trauma and distress both she and they have endured. I am very grateful to them for meeting me recently and allowing me the opportunity to apologise in person on behalf of the HSE.

The NIRP team believe, they said, a key issue in this case was that staff could not believe sexual abuse would occur in their place of work.

This is despite the fact that the NIRP have information from a number of sources that a number of residents on occasions displayed signs and symptoms of possible sexual abuse, they said.

They warned: This issue runs much deeper than just training and speaks to a general societal disbelief that sexual abuse does not happen to older people.

The report goes on to say: This attitude is reminiscent of the early 1980s in Ireland when concerns around the sexual abuse of children were emerging in relation to industrial schools and the Catholic church. At that time, there were strongly held societal beliefs that this simply did not happen.

They said now, 40 years later, there was acceptance that sexual abuse happens to children and they are better protected.

However, they added:

Sadly, the HSE appears to have some way to go in relation to believing older people when they claim to have been sexually abused.

The NIRP report also highlights communication problems at the particular home, stating even the nurse in charge of Emily, when she came back from the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) after being raped, was not told what had happened.

The nursing home said they understood from gardai that information should not be shared, but the NIRP is critical of how little was shared with key people.

The second review was carried out by the local Community Healthcare Office (CHO) Safeguarding Team.

They said the 21 concerns around physical or sexual abuse have been referred to gardai, and the HSE team is investigating two further allegations of psychological abuse at this home alone.

The learning from this review suggests that abuse of older persons should be given greater priority with a specific focus on the recognition and reporting of sexual abuse in older adults, the team said.

They made five recommendations, including that the HSE National Safeguarding Office review the content of its training programmes to focus more on recognition of sexual abuse.

They recommended improved record-keeping and across all community nursing homes said: clear supervision structures were needed.

They also said the development of adult safeguarding legislation and national policy should be progressed. Advocates have long-highlighted delays in this area.

Relatives and residents in nursing homes should be given a proper induction, including information on how to raise complaints.
The Taoiseach has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a visit to Kyiv.

Leo Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital.

At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelenskyy, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed in taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine areas.

He made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional 5m in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the Kakhoka dam and other areas.

The Taoiseach said 3m is to be spent in Ukraine by the Red Cross for its vital work, and 2m will go the UN fund.

Mr Zelenskyy thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

I, first of all, would like to extend words of gratitude to you and to the whole people of Ireland for hosting our nationals in Ireland. This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelenskyy said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelenskyy also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

Mr Varadkar began an intensive schedule of engagements with a visit north of the city to the Kyiv Oblast region.

Before the meeting, Mr Varadkar paid a surprise visit to the site of the Bucha massacre in Ukraine.

He also visited towns and villages around Kyiv to meet with communities and hear first-hand the accounts of the death and destruction wrought by Russian forces.

A Government spokesperson said the Taoiseach is meeting with Mr Zelenskyy, prime minister Denys Shmyhal and parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk to "discuss the current situation, and how Ireland can continue to help Ukraine practically and politically".

On Wednesday he laid wreaths in memory of the children killed in the conflict, in memory of those killed in the Euromaidan protests of 2014, and in the Russian invasion that followed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside 24-year-old Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks entering Kyiv.

Prosecutor of Ukraine Andriy Kostin tweeted he was honoured by Mr Varadkar's visit.

"Over 1,400 peaceful people were killed in the Bucha district, and many more were tortured. The pattern of these crimes indicates that the aggressor is targeting Ukrainian civilians because of their national identity and pro-Ukrainian views, a pattern also observed in other liberated cities.

"Ukraine has two main goals: to stop the war of aggression and to end Russia's impunity for international crimes. The Kremlin regime is a global threat. Therefore, a concerted global effort is required to hold its leaders and their henchmen accountable for all their atrocities."
Everywhere you look in Europe neofascism is on the rise, with taboos dating back to the Second World War being broken down.

As the Scottish writer Irvine Welsh (of Trainspotting fame) said this month, Is it any wonder people dont really know what their place is in the world? Capitalism is on the way out but were not mature enough for socialism, and instead, were sleepwalking towards some kind of fascistic model and pretty much everything is toxic. So, is this statement hyperbolic?

Last week, Cork City councillors urged Garda management to crack down on far-right agitators targeting Cork library staff, but there are mixed views on whether the Irish far-right poses a threat.

In May Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the far right wasnt growing, but the Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said he was genuinely worried about the playbook of the far right with an appalled retired Garda Inspector Tony Gallagher telling this newspaper that it was high time to nip them in the bud.

Yesterday, Fergus Finlay wrote in a piece about the attacks on the libraries that fascism is here, among us. So, which is it? No far-right party has ever returned a councillor or TD here. Also, the calibre of unelected far-right politicians could cause complacency because they come across as a divided, ragtag crew with nobody standing out as obviously intelligent or charismatic enough to sweep the people along.

There is a Life of Brian Peoples Front of Judea and Judean Peoples Front quality about them: so far.

The social media outpourings of The Irish Freedom Party and The National Party are imported directly from abroad and include strong anti-immigration feelings, anti-LGBTQ animus, pro-family, and anti-abortion sentiments with a rump of anti-vaxxers.

The Irish Freedom party last week floated the idea that recent French riots consequent on the murder of a young man by a policeman are to be blamed on uncontrolled immigration in France. The National Party has recently spoken to people in Clones about how it feels to live in a town where the Irish population has become a minority (tapping into nativist fears of outsiders) posing the question If we allow ourselves to be driven to minority status in our own country, can we still call this nation Ireland?

A third party, Ireland First, a relative newbie on the hard-right scene connected to Derek Blighe, who became a prominent anti-immigration campaigner during recent protests outside asylum centres, seems to be relatively quiet apart from the odd flare-up.

But what is happening in Europe should alarm us because far-right ideologies are being mainstreamed. What stands out most is the normalization of ideas previously considered anti-migrant, fascist, or deeply problematic with centrist parties tacking to the right.

Take just a snapshot of the last months headlines.

Last week, it was reported that the co-leader of the Polish Confederation party is on track to hold the balance of power in Polands elections. Slawomir Mentzen is on record as saying his supporters stood against Jews, homosexuals, abortion, taxation, and the European Union. He insists his comments were a joke which is a standard defence of far-right politicians who get hauled up.

Derek Blighe speaking at an Anti asylum seeker protest in Fermoy in January of this year. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

It was also reported that Spaniards are worried that the far-right Vox party is set to enter government in the upcoming elections on 23 July. If they pull it off, they will be the first elected right-wing party since Franco left the stage, and could end up dominating Spains next government. Vox has explicitly launched attacks on gay and feminist movements and in Valencia forced a change to domestic violence law, downgrading it to an intrafamilial issue.

And in the same week, the Finnish coalition was again mired in controversy when blog posts from 2008 by the current Finnish Minister for Finance and leader of the National, anti-immigration Party Riikka Purra resurfaced. If you are muttering that plenty of us couldnt stand over old social media posts, consider the following.

One blog post translation as reported in Euronews was Is anyone up for spitting on beggars and beating n****r children today in Helsinki. A second was If I were given a gun, there would be dead bodies even on the commuter train.

The Finnish government, considered the most right-wing in Finnish history, was forced to issue a statement affirming its commitment to human rights, with Purra while admitting to mistakes saying she wont be resigning.

A fortnight ago, another government minister in the Finnish coalition, Vilhelm Junnila, of the far-right Finns party resigned when it emerged that during a parliamentary question in 2019, he suggested giving climate abortions to African women were the solution to the climate crisis. He has also made jokes about Heil Hitler.

Recently, in late June, German Jews were reeling when the first far-right candidate since the Nazi era was elected at the local level for the Alternative for Deutschland party (AfD). It has been described in Germany as a watershed moment and support for the AfD is thought to run at about 20%.

In June, three far-right parties were elected to the Greek parliament including a newish party called the Spartans, who are backed by the jailed leader of a neo-Nazi party called Golden Dawn with the political narrative shifting to the right in Greece.

Also last month, the far-right Swedish Democrats launched a trenchant attack on the LGTBQ+ community probably because their traditional anti-migrant rhetoric has been mainstreamed in Sweden, so they have tacked harder to the right. At the end of last year, the Swedish Democrats stunned some observers by becoming the second-largest party in Sweden, propping up the current coalition government.

And on the media front, in June French journalists at leading newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche walked out when Geoffroy Lejeune  an editor with a far-right reputation  was appointed ahead of a takeover of the paper by the conservative French billionaire Vincent Bollore. They feared that the paper will be turned into a platform for the far right.

Also, many Hungarian authors left the countrys largest publishing house when it was taken over by a private foundation with close ties to Viktor Orban, with fears of a further crackdown on media freedoms.

In 1920s Germany, Hitler was initially derided and having attempted to seize power in a failed coup d'etat, was jailed. Xenophobic nationalism happened incrementally before a tipping point was reached thereafter, leaving astute political commentators blindsided.

Incremental changes

Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada, (based on a true story) documents the insidious process of ordinary people incrementally giving themselves over to dark, fascistic thinking. A working-class couple in 1946 Berlin resist the Nazi regime in heroic yet everyday ways, paying the ultimate price.

This outstanding book demonstrates how the far-right leverage tough economic conditions and how we always have a moral choice.

The current rise of the far-right in Europe cant be attributed to one cause. An influx of migrants and refugees to Europe has been a big driver. Also, the economic crisis of 2008, and the years of misguided austerity that followed.

Dissatisfaction with neo-liberal globalization, and the increased job insecurity and falling living standards that have accompanied it has contributed. A backlash to cosmopolitan wokeness could be in the mix with fear around the erosion of traditional values.

In reality, an obvious space here has been opened up for far-right actors to leverage. The discontent arising from the governments mishandling of the housing crisis with its nexus to the influx of refugees and asylum seekers makes potentially fertile ground. And theres no clear plan to address either housing or inclusion.

But although it seems relatively quiet on the Western Front here, with no giant billboards as in other European countries attacking migrants, and the LGBTQ+ community, social media continues to connect far-right keyboard warriors and movements.

The local and General elections in 2024 and 2025 will tell us more. In the meantime, lets be careful we dont sleepwalk our way into something awful.
The Governments plan to impose the residential zoned land tax (RZLT) and the proposed land value sharing (LVS) initiative raises the real prospect of trampling on constitutional property rights.

The RZLT is being imposed to penalise farmers wishing to keep their land and the 30% LVS combined with an excessive 33% capital gains tax attempts to penalise them for selling it. This combination of measures amounts to a constructive seizure of the land  taxed if you stay, taxed if you go.

The Government claims it is fighting speculation. Yet speculation only exists because planning risk exists and the State restricts the supply of land through zoning. Ideology about sequential development and compact growth is causing any shortage of land  not farmers exercising their constitutional right to property. Farmers have applied to have their land unzoned, yet councils have refused.

Location is the most important factor in a homes long-term value  buyers are paying the market costs of labour and materials  the notion you shouldnt pay market rate for your location is absurd.

What interventions are the state making to suppress the price of timber or bathroom suites?

In many locations outside Dublin the cost of the land under a new house is less than the Vat being taken by the state on a new home.

Buyers should ask what value they are getting in return for their Vat.

The irony is that the state has no issue allowing homeowners to profit tax free from the sale of their homes  in the end nobody is buying a home in the knowledge it will decrease in value  we are all speculating on it being a sound investment and, crucially, that our right to enjoyment of that property will be maintained  a right that farmers also should expect to enjoy under the same constitution.

Alex Wilsdon, Dublin Rd, Kilkenny

Read More Ibec questions the legality of Government bill to tax rezoned land

An 'Irish Examiner' reader asks if RTE should shed some of the many radio and TV stations it operates to make it more cost-effective. File picture: Liam McBurney/PA Costs outweighing the benefits at RTE Is our public broadcasting service really fit for purpose? Do we really need RTE One, RTE2, RTEjr, RTE News, or even TG4? Why does RTE need so many radio stations in FM and digital like Chill, 2FM, Pulse, Lyric, Gold, etc? Given the brouhaha over payments or secret deals to one presenter would it be better if RTE removed some of those stations so as to make it more cost effective? Some 930,924 sales of the TV licence were conducted by An Post on behalf of the station this year while sadly 14,915 summonses were issued with 9,610 cases brought before the courts. TV licence evasion alone has increased from 3% to 15% and one wonders why? Looking at the financial figures, RTE received 3.7bn in the last 20 years from TV licence fee payers. In 2021 An Post got 9.9m while the BAI got 14.7m and the balance of 196m went to RTE. Does the BAI need this amount of money? RTEs commercial side saw an increase of 12.8% in advertising with revenue increasing from 2020 of 97m to 109.5m in 2021 and a 13.8% increase in overall commercial revenue, less the 50m in discounts over the past decade. The average wage bill for RTE in the years 2021 and 2022 came to 121m. While Virgin Media and other stations rely on a different model to be commercially viable, and doesnt have the advantage of a licence fee, RTE has been in a unique position to have the licence fee payer pay for its extravagant overpaid presenters and executives, even in times of hardship for its customers and employees. Like its programming, RTE has become all too repetitive and very costly. Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Depletion of the Naval Service

Given the continuing decline in Defence Forces members, particularly in the Naval Service, whose efforts to get vessels to sea is extremely hampered by a continuing decline in Naval Service members, you would expect that Defence Minister Micheal Martin and the Government would act expeditiously in order to address this crisis.

Given that both the recent Commission on the Defence Forces and the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy highlighted the importance of protecting vital sub sea infrastructure and interconnectors, the lack of Government action to date to address the crisis is astounding.

If the rate of decline in Naval Service members continues at the current rate, by autumn it is highly probable that the Naval Service will be unable to put any vessels to sea.

The solution is relatively simple and could be implemented if the political will exists. Improved sea going allowances and technical pay which would address the crisis of retention.

Mr Martin and the Government are well aware of the problem and the solution. Unfortunately, time is running out for the Naval Service and you have to wonder does the political will exist to address the crisis.

Conor Hogarty, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Height of hypocrisy The condemnation by Irish politicians of the use of cluster bombs in a war they fully support raises a new level of hypocrisy. In war more than any other human activity if you are in for a penny in are in for a pound. When you decide to totally reject diplomacy as a possible means of resolving this conflict you must fully support whatever it takes for Ukraine to win on the battlefield. Sean English, Naas, Co Kildare

Maths strategy doesnt add up

Why dont we benchmark with other countries in this country?

I recently read the article 'Students fear higher-level maths too time-consuming' [Irish Examiner, July 17].

However, as a foreigner in Ireland, I dont understand why we dont ever benchmark these issues against other EU countries or smaller developers countries.

In your article, it wasnt clear how many students took higher level maths in Ireland this year compared to the previous years.

It wasnt clear why they would go through the trouble.

Is it related to the major they want to study? Most importantly, what possible solutions do we have to improve the situation?

As AI becomes a reality in all industries, having a solid foundation in maths is critical. Do we need to allocate more time in solidifying the childrens maths foundation so the jump between SL and HL is not so huge? What are other countries doing to build such foundation? What is Germany doing? What is Taiwan doing?

Can we please offer some practical steps to change rather than just pointing out problems?

Angela Murphy, Parknisilla, Sneem, Co Kerry

Matters of untruth Memories of my seven-year-old self preparing for my first confession still haunt me. Listing sins committed, but especially how many times, for that first time and years of confessions thereafter was a constant stress. Telling lies, especially due to covering tracks on stealing sweets and biscuits, bugging the dog, and hiding stuff on my siblings frequently ran into double figures. Had untruths been around at the time my childhood sinning would have been far more straightforward. I wonder if there is any way I can now get a credit note for my over-confessing. Michael Gannon, Saint Thomas Sq, Kilkenny
Police in Kenya have opened fire on protesters in clashes that left at least 12 people injured on Wednesday.

Kenyas political opposition had organised demonstrations calling for the government of Kenyan President William Ruto to lower the cost of living.

The opposition called for three days of nationwide protests aimed at forcing the president to repeal a finance law imposing new taxes. Mr Ruto had vowed that no protests would take place, saying he would take opposition leader Raila Odinga head-on.

Four protesters were injured in the Mathare area of the capital, Nairobi, according to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Associated Press witnessed one man shot in the shoulder and two others shot in the leg in Mathare.

In Nairobis Kangemi area, health records worker Alvin Sikuku told the AP that two young men had been brought into the Eagle Nursing Home clinic. Police are using live bullets, he said.

Riot police during clashes with protesters (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

One man was shot in the back and severely wounded and the other was shot in the leg. We dont yet know if they were protesting or just walking by, Mr Sikuku said.

In the city of Nakuru, Nakuru Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent James Waweru confirmed that four people came in with gunshot wounds, two of them shot in the abdomen, one in the chest and another one in the leg. A fifth person had been cut and wounded.

The Interior Ministry said more than 300 people were arrested during Wednesdays protests and that they will be charged with crimes including looting, destroying property and assaulting police.

The opposition condemned the arrests of seven elected leaders and two close associates of Odinga, calling it a desperate attempt by the Ruto administration to paralyse the opposition.

Businesses and schools in Nairobi were closed as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters.

Demonstrations were reported in several other parts of the country including the western counties of Kisumu, Migori and Kisii where the opposition enjoys huge support.

Protesters in the Mathare area of Nairobi, Kenya (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Police had said the protests were illegal as no permit had been issued, but the right to peaceful protests is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution.

The opposition has said protests would continue on Thursday.

Last weeks protests killed at least 10 people, according to watchdogs, with a police officer confirming at least six to the AP. Many others were injured, including 53 children who went into shock after tear gas was thrown inside their school compound.

Religious leaders have called for dialogue between the government and the opposition to end the protests. Catholic bishops issued a statement reiterating that no further blood should be shed and urged the president to repeal the newly-passed Finance Act.

The law has raised the price of fuel to its highest level as the government implements a doubling of value added tax on petroleum products to 16%. The prices have taken effect despite a court order suspending the implementation of the controversial new taxes.

A Nairobi resident, Wycliffe Onyango, said his entire earnings are spent on food. Right now there is no work going on. We are suffering. I plead with the government to deal with the cost of living, he added.

The International Monetary Fund this week called the laws approval a crucial step towards reducing Kenyas debt vulnerabilities.

Western envoys from 13 countries issued a joint statement calling for dialogue and expressed concern over the loss of lives and destruction of property.

The Kenya Medical Association said its members had attended to hundreds of injured Kenyans and witnessed tens of fatalities as a result of protests in recent months, and access to health facilities was limited for patients and workers, leading to increased mortality.

Human Rights Watch urged political leaders to stop labelling protesters as terrorists and respect the right to peaceful protests. The group also called out the police for using force and live bullets to confront protesters.
German authorities have arrested four suspects in the theft of hundreds of ancient gold coins from a museum in Bavaria last year.

Thieves broke into the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching and took 483 Celtic coins that were discovered during an archaeological dig nearby in 1999. The coins dated to around 100 BC.
Thailands Constitutional Court suspended reformist Pita Limjaroenrat on Wednesday, in another blow to his hopes of becoming the nations next leader after a stunning election win.

The court issued its suspension just as Pita was sitting in parliament for another day of deliberations on whether he could become prime minister, after his first attempt fell 51 votes short last week.

Pitas Move Forward Party (MFP) has ridden high on the hopes of young and urban Thais wearied by nearly a decade of army-backed rule, but its efforts to form a government have stumbled since the May polls.

Thailands conservative establishment vehemently opposes the partys economic reform platform and its pledge to soften the kingdoms strict royal defamation laws.

On Wednesday, the countrys Constitutional Court announced it would take up a case on whether Pita should be disqualified from parliament altogether for owning shares in a media company, ordering him to leave the assembly in the meantime.

It was commanded that the respondent must suspend his role from July 19, until the Constitutional Court has made its decision, the court said in a statement.

Lawmakers are forbidden from owning shares in media companies under Thailands constitution, though the television station in question has not broadcast since 2007.

Pita, Harvard-educated and wealthy from a family-run agrifood business, has said the shares were inherited from his father.

Under Thai law, Pita remains eligible to stand as a candidate for prime minister but must leave the lower house and will be unable to vote.

If you vote according to the voice of the people, your name will be engraved in this kingdom with great honor and pride, he said on Twitter in the morning, in a last-ditch call for support.

Few expect his party to have made up last weeks shortfall, and lawmakers aligned with the military immediately forced a debate on whether the law allowed Pita to be considered a second time.

Thailands senate is stacked with military appointees, with only 13 of 249 serving senators voting for Pita last week, and his only likely path to power is to successfully court many more members of that chamber.

I dont think the senate is going to be brave and courageous enough to do that, Napisa Waitoolkiat, a political analyst with Naresuan University, told AFP.

Pita remained in the chamber immediately after the suspension was issued. He has vowed to step aside to make way for a coalition partner to form a government if his second attempt fails.

Personal benefits

Other roadblocks have been thrown in front of Pitas candidacy.

The court has also agreed to hear a case alleging that MFPs campaign promise to amend Thailands royal defamation law is tantamount to a plan to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.

Pitas party has ignored strident opposition to its pledge to revise the law, which can allow convicted critics of the monarchy to be jailed for up to 15 years.

The MFPs reformist platform also poses a threat to family-owned business monopolies that play an outsized role in the kingdoms economy.

Pita conceded Wednesday that lawmakers who gained personal benefits from the present order, including those with stakes in powerful Thai enterprises, would refuse to vote for his party.

Justification for crackdown

If Pita is unable to become premier, the coalition backing him is expected to fall in line behind property tycoon Srettha Thavisin, potentially relegating MFP to serve in opposition.

Sretthas Pheu Thai party is seen as a vehicle for the Shinawatra political clan, whose members include two former prime ministers ousted by military coups in 2006 and 2014.

But as a successful entrepreneur liked by business leaders among the Thai elite, the 60-year-old is seen as a potential compromise that would smooth the way for the coalition to take office.

Prawit Wongsuwan, 77, a former Thai army chief who served as number two in the junta that took power in 2014, has also been floated as a candidate by parliaments military bloc.

Thai voters roundly rejected army-backed parties in Mays election, and political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak said the prospect of a military presence in the next government could spark a backlash in a country that is no stranger to political unrest.

If Move Forward is excluded, there will likely be protests if protesters overreact, a Pheu Thai-led government would have some justification for a crackdown.
Junta fighter jets bombed a village in Chin States Kanpetlet Township on Tuesday morning after a junta convoy heading to Kyin Dwe town in Kanpetlet was ambushed on the border with neighboring Magwe Region, according to the Chinland Defense Force (CDF-Kanpetlet).

The convoy is part of junta preparations for a major offensive in Chin State, said resistance forces.

Some 10 houses and a church in Masatwi village were damaged in Tuesdays bombing raid. The number of civilian casualties is still unknown, CDF-Kanpetlet liaison officer Salai Than Shwe said.

They dropped around 20 bombs. We still cant confirm civilian casualties. We are only able to confirm property damage. I heard that junta troops suffered heavy casualties. One resistance fighter was wounded, Salai Than Shwe told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday.

Military tensions in the area remain high, he added.

The junta convoy of around 27 vehicles including two armored vehicles, soldiers, weapons and food supplies left Laungshey town in Magwe Region on July 13 and is thought to be heading to the juntas base in Kyin Dwe.

The convoy is transporting around 300 junta soldiers from the 88th Light Infantry Division. Resistance forces have been clashing with the convoys vanguard along the road.

The regime has been conducting artillery and air attacks along the Laungshey-Kyin Dwe road since the convoy left Magwe.

A 12-year-old child was killed and a man injured when the junta shelled Yinke village, Saw Township, during an attack by its ground troops on July 14, according to local media outlet Yaw Alin Tan. Nearly all of Yinkes 300 houses, which are located along the Laungshey-Kyin Dwe road, were torched in the attack. Around 2,000 residents of Yinke and two neighboring villages fled their homes.

The regime also conducted an air strike against Swel Lwel Kyin village amid fighting on July 15, according to local resistance forces.

Junta troops have been pinned down between Swel Lel Kyin and Masatwi villages on the border of Chin State and Magwe Region, said resistance groups.

The daily clashes have resulted in casualties on both sides, but neither has released casualty figures. Resistance groups have warned locals against traveling on the Laungshey-Kyin Dwe road.

A separate junta column consisting of around 150 soldiers from Kyaukhtu town has also arrived in Saw Township. This column is thought to be heading to Kanpetlet, said Salai Than Shwe.

The regime is apparently preparing for a massive offensive in Chin. It has been a while since they last attacked here. But large numbers of troops are heading here now. We will do what it takes to protect the people, he said.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Armenia-United States military cooperation has a history of many years and isnt a new thing in principle, and taking into account Defense Minister Suren Papikyans recent visit to France, it is obvious that Yerevan seeks to obtain guarantees from its Western partners regarding both its security system and deepening the cooperation and finding alternative options in the defense area in order to withstand existing challenges, according to military-political analyst Davit Harutyunov.

Harutyunov spoke to ARMENPRESS on the cooperation between Armenia and the United States in the defense area.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan visited Washington D.C., on July 17-18 and participated in the conference dedicated to the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program's 30th Anniversary.

Throughout the event, meetings were held with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel R. Hokanson, the Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, United States European Command, Major General Daniel Lasica, and the Adjutant General, Commander of Kansas National Guard, Brigadier General Michael T. Venerdi.

During the meetings, the current status and prospects for the development of the Armenia-Kansas partnership within the framework of the program and a number of issues related to bilateral cooperation with the United States were discussed.

Its clear what Armenia seeks, because our security system is experiencing a certain crisis in terms of external guarantees due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and Russias preoccupation with it. Nonetheless, cooperation with the United States is still limited due to objective reasons. In general, its a difficult process, and thus far no guarantees that the West could provide are visible. This is more about a diversified cooperation and not a fundamental change of Armenias security system, Harutyunov said.

According to the analyst, the cooperation basically relates to the modification of the security system, encompassing the working experience of the past 20-30 years. Despite the Wests increasing weight in the recent period, Armenia still doesnt have the necessary resources for any fundamental changes, Harutyunov said.

The United States clearly understands that Armenia is closely integrated with the CSTO and has more comprehensive ties with Russia in the security field, therefore changing something at once would be simply impossible. But on the other hand this is a secondary circumstance, because some of the other CSTO members are rather effectively cooperating with the United States itself, and being a member of the CSTO isnt a disruptive factor at all. Nevertheless, South Caucasus isnt a priority region for the United States, and Washington doesnt view South Caucasian countries to be a constituent part of its security system, he added.

Some believe that closer integration with the West could open a new front against Russia in our region, Harutyunov noted.

Furthermore, Harutyunov said that integration would require huge resources which are now scarce because of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and noted other factors such as East Asia and China. Moreover, closer cooperation with Armenia could cause Turkeys discontent because Turkey is in a higher position than Armenia for the United States.

In our case, changing the security system and the military arsenal would definitely imply rather serious resources and funds. In a best case scenario, we could speak about buying limited, individual elements of Western production and integrating them into our system, just like in the case of Indian-made armaments. Theoretically, the American side could provide us with a variety of armaments, but that equipment is very expensive. We dont have the necessary resources for acquiring the kind of systems they have. And after all, the American military industrial complex is first of all supporting its allies, Harutyunov said.

The analyst explained that the Armenian-American military cooperation is generally developing within the framework of the programs as part of NATO, as well as in the context of structural reforms in the Armenian Ministry of Defense, trainings of specialists, partnership between the two militaries, as well as involvement in peacekeeping missions.

Interview by Manvel Margaryan
Myanmars military regime has launched a disinformation campaign to sow division between detained leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the resistance movement, distributing leaflets claiming that she does not support the movement.

Locals in Thabeikkyin and Amarapura townships in Mandalay Region, upper Myanmar, said soldiers and police distributed the leaflets to passersby early this week.

The Irrawaddy has viewed the leaflets, which feature a photo collage of Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under the heading Thai foreign minister reveals at ASEAN foreign ministers retreat that he met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The pictures are accompanied by highlighted text that reads: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has categorically rejected NUG and CRPH members who have used violent means to kill people while ignoring her political stand of nonviolence.

NUG is the acronym for Myanmars civilian shadow National Unity Government (NUG) while CRPH refers to the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the NUGs parliamentary wing. Both bodies were formed with elected lawmakers from Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) party and ethnic allies in the wake of the 2021 military coup, to root out the regime politically. The NUGs Peoples Defense Force (PDF) armed wing has now been fighting junta forces for more than two years. Among Myanmar citizens, the NUG is widely considered to be their legitimate government.

Soldiers and police from Chaung Gyi police outpost in Mandalays Thabeikkyin Township distributed the propaganda leaflets among locals on Monday, residents said.

On Tuesday, regime troops and officials distributed the pamphlets in front of the military officer training school in the same township.

I took one since they were handing them out. But why should I believe whats printed on it? I cut it up with scissors but kept Mother Suus [Daw Aung San Suu Kyis] picture, a resident told The Irrawaddy.

The leaflets were handed to residents of Amarapura Township on the same day.

They were also reportedly distributed in some townships of neighboring Magwe Region.

Observers say the regime has been exploiting the recent meeting between the Thai foreign minister and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in a disinformation campaign designed to drive a wedge between the imprisoned civilian leader, the NUG and the PDF armed resistance.

PanOrient, a news website thought to be on the juntas payroll for the campaign, was the first to disseminate the message that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told Don she neither recognizes nor supports the PDF or the NUG, which is accused by the government of Myanmar of terrorism and the killing of innocent people. It cited anonymous sources.

PanOrients report met with widespread skepticism given that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had declared in December that she was proud of young Burmese people and all those defending and fighting for democracy. The public message, her first since being detained in 2021, was shared by her Australian former economic advisor Sean Turnell after he was released from junta detention.

PanOrients report also contradicted Dons briefing on the meeting to his ASEAN counterparts, in which he said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had voiced support for dialogue but made no mention of her withdrawing support for the NUG and PDF.

NUG foreign minister Daw Zin Mar Aung said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is the NUGs State Counselor and had always said she would never go against the peoples will and would stand with them.

So, for such a person, the question of whether she supports the NUG or the PDFs is totally unnecessary. One thing thats sure is that the junta is desperately trying to spread disinformation, she said.

Unsurprisingly, the leaflet features a screenshot of the PanOrient report captioned the news in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi says she doesnt support NUG and PDF.

Ko Myat Pyue, a spokesperson for Thabeikkyin Townships Wild Elephant Guerrilla Force, said the regime had resorted to propaganda lies after being defeated in the ground battle  referring to the juntas loss of territory in resistance strongholds.

It does not affect our revolution and we are not interested, he told The Irrawaddy.

U Tun Kyi, a former political prisoner and activist, said the junta is trying to destroy the image of Myanmars revolution and sow division between the public and resistance forces because it is facing setbacks in every sector  from diplomacy, administration and military affairs to politics.

The terrorist military council [junta] is in a frenzy. They havent found a new way, he told The Irrawaddy.
Myanmars junta suffered heavy losses during three days of resistance ambushes in Taze Township, Sagaing Region, according to rebel groups.

The groups attacked around 112 troops from July 14 to 17 while traveling between Taze town and Kaduma village in the west of the township, according to Taze News, a revolutionary media site which monitors junta atrocities.

Sniper rifles and landmines were used to ambush troops on a bridge at an irrigation channel last Friday while they were traveling from Taze to Kadumas police station.

At least six regime troops were killed or injured, the groups said. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Another heavy shootout broke out on Saturday when resistance groups ambushed the troops, saying they killed more than 10 and injured many others.

The junta used a Mi-35 helicopter to attack the resistance forces, said Taze Peoples Defense Force that coordinated the attacks.

A resistance member was killed and two were injured.

Resistance groups attacked troops with explosives at Kaduma police station for two nights, said Taze News.

A clash broke out near a monastery on Monday when resistance groups attacked troops returning to Taze from Kaduma.

The Guerilla Warfare group said it used landmines and 80mm mortars to attack regime forces.

It said 10 more junta troops were killed and many others injured, while three resistance fighters were wounded.

The first armed resistance started in Taze in early April 2021 when residents started using traditional hunting rifles and air guns to prevent trucks carrying junta troops from entering the town and dispersing anti-coup demonstrations.

Since then, frequent clashes have occurred in the township.

As of July 11, junta forces had burned and destroyed 4,049 houses during raids on 69 villages in the township, according to Taze News.
The Myanmar junta barred jailed popular leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from attending Wednesdays commemoration of Martyrs Day, which honors of her fatherassassinated independence hero General Aung Sanand his slain colleagues, while continuing to deny the event state-level status, a policy it revived from previous regimes.

Martyrs Day marks an important event on the Myanmar calendar, commemorating the assassinations of Gen. Aung San and eight colleagues on July 19, 1947.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not been allowed to mark the annual event since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021. Nor has junta boss Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs Day commemoration. Last years event was attended by deputy junta chief Soe Win. But this year, the regime downgraded the event, sending only Deputy Prime Minister and Transportation Minister Tin Aung San to attend.

Under the National League for Democracy government, Martyrs Day was celebrated as a national event attended by the head of state. Min Aung Hlaing and then Vice-President Myint Swe (who has been serving as acting president of the regime) joined Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and then President U Win Myint at the annual ceremony from 2016 to 2020.

The NLD revived Martyrs Day as a state-level event in 2016 after winning the general election the previous year. Min Aung Hlaing attended, becoming the first army chief to join the annual ceremony since the student-led uprisings of 1988.

The first Martyrs Day event after the coup was attended by the juntas religious affairs and culture minister. By sending a relatively minor official, the regime downgraded the event, just as its predecessors, the State Law and Order Restoration Council and the State Peace and Development Council, had done.

At the 2021 and 2022 events, a member of the committee for organizing Martyrs Day and a department head of the Yangon City Development Committee laid wreaths at the Martyrs Mausoleum in Yangon for Gen. Aung San on behalf of his family members.

Under former military dictator Than Shwe, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was allowed to attend the Martyrs Day ceremonies though the event was downgraded from state level and only attended by the Yangon mayor or the culture minister.

Though Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not allowed to attend this years event, her elder brother, 80-year-old U Aung San Oo, was present.

While Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was behind bars in Naypyitaw Prison, Myanmars junta-controlled Supreme Court in August last year approved the sale of her family home in Yangon, accepting a petition from her older brother U Aung San Oo to sell the house.

The lakeside villa in Yangon was the source of a bitter family dispute between the siblings for decades. In 2000, U Aung San Oo sued his sister, who was then under house arrest, claiming that the house was his.

The 78-year-old Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is being held in solitary confinement in Naypyitaw Prison, has been sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison.

Resistance forces staged anti-junta protests in Yangon, Mandalay, Monywa, Hpakant, Magwe, Gangaw and elsewhere to mark Martyrs Day.
Myanmars National Unity Government commemorated the 76th Martyrs Day on Wednesday by honoring Independence hero General Aung San and eight colleagues assassinated 76 years ago today, as well as fallen heroes of the ongoing anti-regime Spring Revolution.

I would like to pay my respects to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to free the country and the people from colonialism, NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La said in his memorial speech at a virtual ceremony commemorating Martyrs Day.

He also reminded people to honor the many forgotten heroes, including ethnic martyrs whose heroism has been obscured in official history and those who paid with their lives to ensure the struggle for democracy can continue.

We need to remember that in addition to the great martyr leaders who worked hard to get out from under colonial rule, there are also many martyrs who sacrificed to get out from under the current military dictatorship, Duwa Lashi La said.

Family members of martyrs also spoke at the memorial. They included Kim Aris (also known as Ko Htein Lin), a grandchild of General Aung San and son of detained leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, NUG Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than, a grandchild of martyr Mahn Ba Khaing, U Myat Htoo Razak, a grandson of martyr U Razak, and Dr Sein Win, a son of martyr U Ba Win.

All the martyrs will be proud and support all the ethnic people who are still fighting for freedom, U Myat Htoo Razak said in a video speech at the memorial.

The ceremony drew cabinet members, union, state and regional parliamentarians, members of Chin, Mon, Karenni state national consultative councils, representatives of political parties, and guests from foreign embassies and organizations, according to the NUG.

Various brigades of its armed wing, the Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs), also marked Martyrs Day by holding commemorative ceremonies and paying tribute to the fallen heroes.

Residents from resistance strongholdsincluding Yangon, Sagaing and Tanintharyi regionsalso mourned the death of General Aung San and his colleagues on July 19, 1947 as well as the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the ongoing revolution.

The junta, however, downgraded Martyrs Day from a state-level event and barred jailed civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of General Aung San, from Wednesdays ceremony. She has not been allowed to attend the annual event for the three years since the coup.

Today we honor the martyrs who paid with their lives in the fight for freedom and federal democracy and also vow to finish off the military dogs as long as we are alive, PDF members from Yoma brigade said in a video shared by the NUGs defense ministry.

They were referring to junta forces.
At least 115 Myanmar junta forces as well as five resistance members and three civilians were killed in multiple incidents over the past four days as Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) and an ethnic armed organization (EAO) continued to attack regime targets across the country.

The incidents were reported in Magwe, Sagaing and Bago regions and Mon and Karen states.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from the PDFs and the EAO.

Some military casualties could not be independently verified.

Junta suffers heavy losses in resistance ambushes in Magwe

The Defense Ministry of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG), the PDFs political wing, claimed that at least 80 regime troops were killed in Saw Township, Magwe Region when its PDF groups ambushed a military convoy over two days.

First, several PDF battalions from Gangaw, Magwe and Minbu districts jointly used triggered land mines to ambush the military convoy traveling from Saw Townships Laungshe town to Kyindway town in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State on Sunday, killing 50 soldiers.

After the ambush, two junta fighter jets bombed the resistance forces. Regime forces transported the injured soldiers and the bodies of those killed to Laungshe.

On Tuesday, the resistance groups continued to ambush the military convoy from close range using improvised rocket bombs, killing 30 more regime forces, the NUGs Defense Ministry claimed.

The Irrawaddy was unable to independently confirm the reports.

Five resistance fighters were also killed in the two days of incidents.

Junta base attacked, military vehicle ambushed in Magwe

At least four junta soldiers were killed and another injured in Seikphyu Township, Magwe Region on Tuesday morning when Pakokku District PDF Battalion 4 triggered a cluster of land mines to ambush five junta troops traveling in a vehicle, the NUGs Defense Ministry said.

The vehicle was destroyed. That morning, the PDF group and other resistance units launched three rocket bombs at a junta base in a village in Seikphyu Township. Military casualties were unknown.

The junta forces responded with both heavy explosives and firearms but all PDF troops retreated without casualties, the NUG Defense Ministry said.

Junta suffers heavy losses in three days of resistance ambushes in Sagaing

At least 22 regime forces were reportedly killed in Taze Township, Sagaing Region over the past four days as local resistance groups attacked military units from July 14 to 17, said Taze News, a revolutionary media wing of local PDF groups.

In the incidents, a resistance fighter was killed and five were injured.

Regime forces bombed in Sagaing

Chaung U Revolution Army said its member group the White Warriors used a cluster of five bombs to attack regime forces in Chaung-U Town, Sagaing Region on Tuesday morning.

Four junta soldiers were killed and one was injured. In a PDF video, gunfire can be heard after a blast on a road.

Military checkpoint attacked in Bago

PDF Battalion 3501 said it and other local resistance groups jointly attacked 50 regime troops at a military checkpoint on a bridge crossing the Sittaung River near a village in Yedashe Township, Bago Region early on Monday.

Military casualties were unknown.

Later that morning, resistance snipers again attacked the military checkpoint, killing a soldier and injuring another. After being attacked, regime forces randomly shelled nearby areas with heavy explosives, the PDF group said.

Clash erupts in Karens Myawaddy

An army captain was killed and five other soldiers were injured in Myawaddy Township, Karen State on Tuesday morning when three resistance groups including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), clashed with a military unit in the Lat Khat Taung mountain area, said resistance group Cobra Column, which was involved in the battle.

A weapon and ammunition were seized along with mobile phones from the military unit.

Three junta troops killed in resistance attacks in Mon

Thaton PDF claimed to have killed three junta soldiers and injured 11 others in Kyaikhto Township, Mon State on Sunday when it and other resistance groups including the KNLA and a drone unit clashed with a military unit of 150 troops invading their areas.

After being attacked, the junta troops shot dead three villagers and burned a civilian vehicle, Thaton PDF said.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry continues its disinformation campaign targeting the Armenian military with another false accusation on border shooting, the Armenian Defense Ministry warned on Wednesday.

The [Ministry of Defense] of Azerbaijan continues to come up with the usual kind of disinformation. The statement of the [Ministry of Defense] of Azerbaijan that the units of the Armed Forces of Armenia opened fire on the Azerbaijani combat positions located in the eastern and southwestern parts of the frontier zone between 12:40 a.m. and 1:40 a.m. on July 19, does not correspond to reality, the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 (12:01 am) - Score 4,368

After much delay the UK Government will today publish a draft of their new Online Safety Bill (Online Harms), which among other things hands Ofcom a new legal duty of care that can be used to force websites into removing harmful internet content. Failing to do so may risk being fined or blocked by mobile and broadband ISPs.

The proposed legislation, which is intended to replace the old model of self-regulation that has struggled to keep pace with the changing online environment (i.e. the Government believes too much harmful content is allowed to slip through a fairly weak net), faces the unenviable task of trying to strike the right balance between freedom of expression and outright censorship.

Various examples exist for harmful content (e.g. terrorism, child abuse, self-harm and suicide imagery etc.), such as the rise of the ISIS terrorist group online a few years ago, as well as state sponsored propaganda from hostile countries, online bullying, the spread of COVID-19 related 5G conspiracy theories (encouraging criminal attacks against infrastructure and engineers) and so forth. Social media firms did eventually catch-up, but theyre often late to the party.

The draft Online Safety Bill (OSB), which is to be scrutinised by a joint committee of MPs before a final version is formally introduced to Parliament, is the Governments response to this. Essentially, it proposes to introduce new laws for websites and online content providers that would be enforced by Ofcom through a Code of Practice (CoP).

The key focus is clearly on bigger companies (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube), although theres still a risk that masses of smaller sites (blogs, forums etc.) could face some of the same rules, but in practice that may be unworkable. At the time of writing, we havent yet been able to see the draft, so its difficult to know what has changed since last years outline was published (here).

Summary of Key OSB Proposals  New additions that they claim will strengthen peoples rights to express themselves freely online, while seeking to protect journalism and democratic political debate in the UK.  Further provisions to tackle prolific online scams such as romance fraud, which have seen people manipulated into sending money to fake identities on dating apps.  Social media sites, websites, apps and other services hosting user-generated content or allowing people to talk to others online [i.e. internet messaging services] must remove and limit the spread of illegal and harmful content such as child sexual abuse, terrorist material and suicide content.  Ofcom will be given the power to fine companies failing in a new duty of care up to 18 million or 10% per cent of annual global turnover, whichever is higher, and have the power to block access to sites. But as we know, ISP based website blocks are inherently easy to circumvent and anybody who goes actively looking for such content will no doubt still be able to find it if they want (unless its removed at source when requested).  A new criminal offence for senior managers has been included as a deferred power. This could be introduced at a later date if tech firms dont step up their efforts to improve safety.

One obvious challenge in all this is whether the Government can actually do a better job through legislated regulation than the industry has done via self-regulation. Simply adding new laws doesnt make this any easier. Sadly, trying to police the common public expression of negative human thought, while balancing that against free speech, is often fraught with difficulty.

At present its also unclear whether the Government will still be shopping out their responsibility by expecting commercial companies to define things like legal but harmful content in their terms, which was what they seemed to be suggesting last year. The Government must take responsibility for such a critical aspect themselves.

Digital Secretary, Oliver Dowden MP, said: Today the UK shows global leadership with our groundbreaking laws to usher in a new age of accountability for tech and bring fairness and accountability to the online world. We will protect children on the internet, crack down on racist abuse on social media and through new measures to safeguard our liberties, create a truly democratic digital age.

The announcement expressed an aim to create the most progressive, fair and accountable system in the world, which makes it all sound very positive but perhaps glosses over some looming challenges, particularly when extended to the greyer areas of speech. But first, heres a more detailed summary of the different areas that this bill intends to tackle (directly quoted).

Take note that the bill doesnt extend to fraud via advertising, emails or cloned websites (financial harms), although the Government has pledged to publish a Fraud Action Plan after the 2021 Spending Review and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will consult on online advertising, including the role it can play in enabling online fraud, later this year.

 Duty of care In line with the governments response to the Online Harms White Paper, all companies in scope will have a duty of care towards their users so that what is unacceptable offline will also be unacceptable online. They will need to consider the risks their sites may pose to the youngest and most vulnerable people and act to protect children from inappropriate content and harmful activity. They will need to take robust action to tackle illegal abuse, including swift and effective action against hate crimes, harassment and threats directed at individuals and keep their promises to users about their standards. The largest and most popular social media sites (aka  Category 1 services) will need to act on content that is lawful but still harmful such as abuse that falls below the threshold of a criminal offence, encouragement of self-harm and mis/disinformation. Category 1 platforms will need to state explicitly in their terms and conditions how they will address these legal harms and Ofcom will hold them to account. The draft Bill contains reserved powers for Ofcom to pursue criminal action against named senior managers whose companies do not comply with Ofcoms requests for information. These will be introduced if tech companies fail to live up to their new responsibilities. A review will take place at least 2 years after the new regulatory regime is fully operational. The final legislation, when introduced to Parliament, will contain provisions that require companies to report child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) content identified on their services. This will ensure companies provide law enforcement with the high-quality information they need to safeguard victims and investigate offenders.  Freedom of expression The Bill will ensure people in the UK can express themselves freely online and participate in pluralistic and robust debate. All in-scope companies will need to consider and put in place safeguards for freedom of expression when fulfilling their duties. These safeguards will be set out by Ofcom in codes of practice but, for example, might include having human moderators take decisions in complex cases where context is important. People using their services will need to have access to effective routes of appeal for content removed without good reason and companies must reinstate that content if it has been removed unfairly. Users will also be able to appeal to Ofcom and these complaints will form an essential part of Ofcoms horizon-scanning, research and enforcement activity. Category 1 services will have additional duties. They will need to conduct and publish up-to-date assessments of their impact on freedom of expression and demonstrate they have taken steps to mitigate any adverse effects. These measures remove the risk that online companies adopt restrictive measures or over-remove content in their efforts to meet their new online safety duties. An example of this could be AI moderation technologies falsely flagging innocuous content as harmful, such as satire.  Democratic content Ministers have added new and specific duties to the Bill for Category 1 services to protect content defined as democratically important. This will include content promoting or opposing government policy or a political party ahead of a vote in Parliament, election or referendum, or campaigning on a live political issue. Companies will also be forbidden from discriminating against particular political viewpoints and will need to apply protections equally to a range of political opinions, no matter their affiliation. Policies to protect such content will need to be set out in clear and accessible terms and conditions and firms will need to stick to them or face enforcement action from Ofcom. When moderating content, companies will need to take into account the political context around why the content is being shared and give it a high level of protection if it is democratically important. For example, a major social media company may choose to prohibit all deadly or graphic violence. A campaign group could release violent footage to raise awareness about violence against a specific group. Given its importance to democratic debate, the company might choose to keep that content up, subject to warnings, but it would need to be upfront about the policy and ensure it is applied consistently.  Journalistic content Content on news publishers websites is not in scope. This includes both their own articles and user comments on these articles. Articles by recognised news publishers shared on in-scope services will be exempted and Category 1 companies will now have a statutory duty to safeguard UK users access to journalistic content shared on their platforms. This means they will have to consider the importance of journalism when undertaking content moderation, have a fast-track appeals process for journalists removed content, and will be held to account by Ofcom for the arbitrary removal of journalistic content. Citizen journalists content will have the same protections as professional journalists content.  Online fraud Measures to tackle user-generated fraud will be included in the Bill. It will mean online companies will, for the first time, have to take responsibility for tackling fraudulent user-generated content, such as posts on social media, on their platforms. This includes romance scams and fake investment opportunities posted by users on Facebook groups or sent via Snapchat. Romance fraud occurs when a victim is tricked into thinking that they are striking up a relationship with someone, often through an online dating website or app, when in fact this is a fraudster who will seek money or personal information. Analysis by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau found in 2019/20 there were 5,727 instances of romance fraud in the UK (up 18 per cent year on year). Losses totalled more than 60 million. Fraud via advertising, emails or cloned websites will not be in scope because the Bill focuses on harm committed through user-generated content.

At this stage its probably safe to assume that Category 1 companies will include those such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter etc. However, at the time of writing the government have yet to clarify exactly what measures may be required by smaller organisations under Category 2 etc.

A minefield of legislation

Naturally, for all the positive aspects in the new law, it also seems set to come with a few possible caveats. For example, the threat of huge fines might result in companies trying to reduce their liability for such content by introducing automated filtering systems, which are notorious for being overzealous and unable to understand context (e.g. people joking about blowing up a city in a video game vs actual terrorists). Only bigger sites could actually afford to do this and the end result is usually significant over-blocking of lawful content (mass censorship).

The Government hopes that their provisions will remove the risk that online companies adopt restrictive measures or over-remove content in their efforts to meet their new online safety duties, but it also seems to make it much harder for those systems to function properly and may thus require many more human moderators.

Indeed, its stated that Ofcoms new codes will require having human moderators take decisions in complex cases where context is important, which sounds like something many people would welcome, but it overlooks the reality of how they may be needed for masses of decisions because CONTEXT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

The economic models for internet content are radically different from the offline world. Many websites are written by just one person or a few people and yet can be read by millions, despite running off a shoestring budget (this is how the internet works and remains one of its core appeals). Forcing such sites to implement unaffordable measures, which will also need to work across lots of different software, may thus be unworkable  it remains to be seen if Category 2 will offer some protection.

One of the biggest issues of all is also the age-old problem of how you define things like bullying or hate speech in the first place and then separate that from related content or context, which may include criticism of the same subject, as well as satire, the right to cause offence (allowed under current freedom of speech rules), political free speech and so forth. Automated filters rarely get this stuff right and moderators can also struggle.

Similarly, trying to act against content that is deemed lawful but still harmful sounds like something that will keep the lawyers busy for many years to come, particularly when those same companies are also being asked to put in place safeguards for freedom of expression. The legislation believes it can deliver a balance here, but were not at all convinced itll succeed without causing plenty of its own harm.

A question of encryption

At present, it seems as if the Government, at almost every opportunity, is still trying to find ways of banning end-to-end encryption methods. The OSB announcement clearly states that these rules will apply to any services that are allowing people to talk to others online, which has previously been linked to internet messaging services like WhatsApp and closed social media groups etc.

Such a requirement would be difficult for any service that uses end-to-end encryption because not even the service owner can see whats being said. Some will thus see this as an attempt to ban such encryption on those platforms, which would be somewhat of a double-edged sword as it also makes them less secure (i.e. encryption keys controlled by the company rather than hidden).

Finding a balance on this front is difficult because encryption is not a specific service, its a method that is used all over the place from financial transactions to website communications (HTTPS etc.), and theres absolutely nothing that anybody could do to stop people making their own encryption (this is common). As security experts often warn, you cant allow one state or group to have special access and then expect that not to be abused by others (e.g. hackers or less democratic countries).

Closing thoughts

Like it or not, this is not just about policing online platforms but about policing what YOU all do and say online. Granted some people go to extremes, but those often cross over into more clearly defined aspects of illegality, while what is talked about above extends to the murky area of lawful but still harmful. As such its hardly surprising that the Government has taken so long to piece the draft OSB together, its an absolute minefield.

On this point we cant always assume we will, in the future, be governed by a truly democratic system that protects our freedoms and privacy. Giving a future anti-democratic government such control over what we can access and how we communicate would thus seem to be unwise, which is something worth considering as the OSB debate runs its course over the next couple of years. Future mission creep could easily make it dangerous.

At this point we note how the announcement itself makes no mention of the much-delayed proposals for a new system of Internet Age Verification (here), which was supposed to have been rolled into it. This was originally due to be implemented by commercial websites and apps containing pornographic content (i.e. ISPs would have to block those that failed to comply).

The aforementioned approach faced delays and became beset by concerns over weak privacy controls (e.g. handing passports and payment details to companies linked with porn peddlers), cost, the potential impact upon sex workers (i.e. pushing them off-line and back onto the streets), freedom of expression and technical limitations (easy to circumvent, not least via VPN or DNS over HTTPS etc.). Well update later once weve had a chance to read the OSB.

Meanwhile were still left with plenty of questions, such as how long will such platforms be given to remove such content? A time span of just 1 hour was mentioned before, but that is unworkable on smaller sites (humans need to sleep and take breaks) and on bigger sites would encourage automated filtering.

Likewise, it remains unclear how far the new rules will go toward tackling conspiracy theories and fake news, which some politicians often exploit (e.g. Donald Trump). The announcement merely mentions mis/disinformation. But if speech is only deemed free when it can be found to be objectively and demonstrably true then that carries other problems (consider the case of different religions while you ponder this).

As it stands the Government faces an incredibly difficult balancing act. On the one hand they need to do more to tackle harmful online content, but on the other they have to avoid the risk of creating a draconian censorship regime and harming free speech, even though that might not be their intention.

Finally, the Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, has previously said that the most important provision in the new bill is to make whats illegal on the street, illegal online, which sounds fair except theres no Ofcom for the street, and no street owner duty of care for what pedestrians say to each other.

However, Dowden has agreed that there are cases where anonymity may be required and thus a blanket ban on anonymous posting (the source for a lot of abuse) is unlikely. For example if you are looking to flee domestic violence or if, for example, youre a teenager exploring your sexuality, you dont want others to know about it  there are legitimate grounds for preserving anonymity. So, whilst we continue to keep this under review, Im just a bit concerned about a blanket ban on anonymity.

UPDATE 13th May 2021

The Online Safety Bill is now published and it does not appear, at present, to contain the Age Verification proposal for porn sites. But thats not to say it wont be re-introduced, in some form, as the bill makes it way through parliament.
Wednesday, Jul 19th, 2023 (12:01 am) - Score 768

Hull-based network builder and broadband ISP KCOM, which is currently busy expanding their Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network to more of East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire (England), has this week selected Ricoh UK to help deliver their 17m copper to fibre phone network switchover.

The operators full fibre network already covers c. 300,000 premises, which includes around 200,000 across their main patch of Hull. But in September 2022 they announced a second 100m network expansion and upgrade project (here), which aims to extend across another 50,000 premises by around 2025.

As part of the above work, KCOM also committed 17m to replace their ageing copper phone lines in Hull with their full fibre network. This is more about migrating the 170,000 customers still on copper phone lines (inc. 14,000 on copper broadband products) to the new network. KCOM has already covered their old network patch with FTTP, but a lot of people still havent upgraded from ADSL, FTTC (VDSL2) and phone line-only products etc.

Ricoh UK has now been selected to support KCOM in delivering related adapters to homes and businesses across Hull and East Yorkshire, which will enable customers to make phone calls over the internet instead of ageing copper wires (we assume this means Analogue Terminal Adapters  ATA).

Joanna Parker, Business Development Director at Ricoh UK, said: Ricoh is proud to be able to support KCOMs plan to keep all homes and businesses in the Hull and East Yorkshire area connected with their full fibre network. Weve collaborated with local charitable organisations including This-Ability who help young adults with disabilities get into work, Hull4Heroes, Hull City Council and Hull Job Centre to recruit and hire five members of the local community to fulfil these roles initially on a guaranteed 12-month contract, with a view to long-term employment. Ricoh is also part of the Fair Pay Initiative guaranteeing a fair, overmarket-value wage. Giving back to local communities that we operate in is important to Ricoh. Partnership with KCOM, the local charities and community organisations supports our wider ESG agenda around inclusive recruitment and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

The new partnership will run for 12 months and start at the beginning of July 2023, while KCOM currently expects the migration work itself to finish by the end of 2024.
Wednesday, Jul 19th, 2023 (8:00 am) - Score 1,224

The UK Governments controversial new Online Safety Bill is facing more criticism today after Dan Squires KC and Emma Foubister of Matrix Chambers issued a legal opinion on its prior restraint clause. This suggests that there is likely to be significant interference with freedom of expression that is unforeseeable and which is thus not prescribed by law.

The confusing and ugly mess of legislation that is the OSB was originally designed to clampdown on harmful internet content (i.e. via fines, website blocks by broadband ISPs and other sanctions), such as terrorist content, bullying, racism and hate speech, child abuse, self-harm, suicide imagery and conspiracy theories that incite violence etc. The aim was a noble one and something that most people could generally understand.

However, over the years, the OSB has been repeatedly expanded and now risks placing a massive administrative and legal burden on even smaller sites / content providers, which could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression as such providers move to limit their liability by restricting speech. Not to mention that some of its technical measures may even be outright unworkable for many sites and services.

The latest example of this appears to come from the Open Rights Group (ORG), which has received legal advice from Matrix Chambers on Clause 9(2) of the Bill, which places a duty on online platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter  among many others, to prevent users from encountering certain illegal content.

Whats the problem?

At present the law allows individuals to post without being restricted by the government or tech platforms, but if content is reported as illegal or breaches the sites terms and conditions, the platform would take it down and would not then be liable for the content.

The new Clause turns that premise upside down. Under Clause 9(2(a), tech companies are required to prevent users encountering any illegal content. The only way to ensure that they are prevented, is to stop it ever appearing on the platform in the first place (the economics of the internet mean you can only viably do this via automation / AI). This is said to represent a sea change in the way public communication and debate are regulated in this country.

The online platform is made strictly liable for policing the illegal content, with the threat of large fines and imprisonment of its management, if they fail to do so. This will incentivise companies to err on the side of caution and block content rather than risk sanctions. Such risks have been expressed before, albeit not previously with the backing of a professional legal opinion.

The platform must make its own determinations of what is illegal, creating the risk that a significant number of lawful posts will be censored (i.e. people who arent either the police or the courts, generally dont get this stuff right). The Opinion highlights the particular challenges of identifying whether content that could appear to relate to fraud, terrorism, or immigration crimes is actually illegal.

For example: Assisting unlawful immigration under section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971 is listed in Schedule 7. The government has expressly indicated that this provision may be used to prevent people from posting photos of refugees arriving in the UK by boat if they show that activity in a positive light. It is difficult to predict how an AI algorithm will decide what constitutes showing such an image in a positive light. What if the image was posted without any text? Removing these images prior to publication, without due process to decide whether they are illegal, may have a chilling effect on a debate of public importance.

The Opinion notes that there is a significant risk of interference with freedom of expression which is not prescribed by law. In order to be prescribed by law, the Act must have some basis in domestic law and (b) must be compatible with the rule of law, which means that it should comply with the twin requirements of accessibility and foreseeability.

The law must afford adequate legal protection against arbitrariness and accordingly indicate with sufficient clarity the scope of discretion conferred on the competent authorities and the manner of its exercise. The opinion concludes that Clause 9 (2) (a) fails on all these counts and therefore is not itself lawful.

Dr Monica Horten, Policy Manager at the ORG, said: Its one small clause with a huge impact. It up-ends the existing legal order on tech platforms. This legal opinion confirms that these measures could compel online platforms to remove content before it has even been posted, under threat of fines or imprisonment. There are no provisions for telling users why their content has been blocked. As well as being potentially unlawful, these proposals threaten the free speech of millions of people in the UK. It is yet another example of the government expecting Parliament to pass a law without filling in the detail. This stark warning cannot be ignored. As the Bill reaches its final parliamentary stages, its vital that peers press the government on whether it will require tech companies to pre-screen social media posts, and how, in those circumstances, the Bill could protect online freedom of expression.

In addition, the Bill currently lacks a requirement for individuals to be notified that their content has been blocked, while also offering no timescale to respond to complaints and nor do companies have to provide them with a reason as to why their content has been removed.

The Opinion notes: There do not appear to be any enforcement processes for a failure adequately to address complaints and no entitlement to compensation and that the complaints process is very likely to be ineffective.

However, in fairness, if such provisions did exist then it would probably exasperate the problem by increasing an already intolerable level of liability for many sites  opening them to attack from all sides. Figuring out compensation for not being allowed to post something on a platform that the user doesnt pay to use would be an especially interesting debate.

The ORG has shared their findings with peers in parliament, although it remains to be seen whether either the Government or opposition MPs  most of which have long supported the Bill  will make any significant changes to address these problems.

So far, MPs appear to have only paid lip service to such concerns, while at the same time continuing to extend the Bills powers. As such, we still seem to be heading for a Draconian censorship regime via the backdoor of cost and liability shock. Meanwhile, Ofcom will be hard-pressed to find enough resources to adequately police such a large sector. The only winners in all this seem to be the lawyers.
Today

Windy with a mix of clouds and sun. High 106F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Gusty winds during the evening. Low near 85F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph.

Tomorrow

Wind increasing. A few clouds from time to time. High 106F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has said that Austria is greatly worried about the blockade of the Lachin corridor, describing it as a humanitarian concern.

Schallenberg called for an end to the blockade of Lachin Corridor.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Schallenberg in Vienna on July 18.

The occasion of the meeting was the signing of the implementation protocol on the readmission agreement between Armenia and the EU. Additionally, the regional security situation in the South Caucasus was at the center of their discussions.

During the meeting, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on regional security, particularly the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Austrian foreign ministry said in a readout.

Recently, there have been talks mediated by the EU and the United States between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which the Austrian foreign ministry described as having "raised hopes for an easing of tensions."

Austria has previously advocated strongly for a civilian EU mission in Armenia to support the path towards stability and security. Despite the rightful focus on Ukraine, other potential hotspots must not be overlooked, the Austrian foreign ministry said in the readout.

I am grateful for the strong commitment of the EU and the talks in Washington. It is going in the right direction and I hope that one day there will be a sustainable peace agreement. However, there are still many open questions that need to be discussed. Among them, there is a humanitarian concern that greatly worries us - the blockade of the Lachin corridor. This blockade must end, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said after the meeting.

Furthermore, the relations between Armenia and other neighbouring countries, particularly Russia and Turkey, were also addressed.

He also emphasized that Vienna is of course available as a venue for talks on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

Additionally, Schallenberg highlighted the important role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), based in Vienna, in relation to security in the Caucasus and beyond.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court  the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. French Ambassador to Armenia Anne Louyot has called for a political solution to end the violations of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement and guarantee the rights and security of the residents of Nagorno Karabakh, while France will continue to do whats possible to ensure progress, in coordination with the EU and the United States.

Ambassador Louyot, who is completing her diplomatic mission in Armenia in a few days, told ARMENPRESS in an interview that she will never forget Armenia, whose people impressed her with their resilience and ability to plan the future despite the difficult situation resulting from the 2020 war.

ARMENPRESS: Mrs. Ambassador, what do you consider to be your most significant work and achievement in Armenia during these two years in terms of strengthening and developing the Armenian-French relations?

Ambassador Louyot: As you know, France is fully committed to the peace process, and I have actively supported our special envoy to the South Caucasus, Brice Roquefeuils work, which he carried out at the instructions of President Macron and Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, who visited Armenia in April this year. Theres been significant progress in our bilateral relations in the past two years, thanks to the commitment of the two governments. I am especially glad that we opened the defense mission in the embassy, aimed at deepening defense cooperation. In the economy, the roadmap signed by ministers Mirzoyan and Lemoyne in December 2021 allowed the French side to assume additional commitments, especially through supporting exports and imports in Armenia, particularly in the sector of solar energy. The French Development Agency has allocated a major state policy loan in the size of  100 million and opened a representation in Yerevan, under the roof of the embassy, which allows diversifying and intensifying its activities in the areas of irrigation, energy, agriculture and elsewhere.

Together with the EU, we supported the strengthening of the rule of law through cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice.

There is significant progress in our cooperation in culture and education as well. The French Institute of Armenia, officially launched in 2022, is already preparing a major cultural program and will open its doors for all audiences for French language courses in the beginning of the academic year. The ambitious France-Armenia Heritage program, which the embassy is carrying out jointly with the National Heritage Institute and the Louvre Museum, has enabled to train Armenian heritage experts and launch museum studies and restoration projects with the Erebuni Museum and the Mets Anapat of Tatev (Great Hermitage of Tatev). As a result of intensive contacts with the Armenian education ministry, we will launch an ambitious project in the beginning of the academic year aimed at strengthening the French language education in Armenia. I welcome the involvement of new provinces in the de-centralized cooperation, particularly Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes with Syunik and Hauts-de-France with Vayots Dzor, in addition to the thirty active partnerships which have allowed to develop effective partnerships in vocational education, for example with CEPFA. After all, I have to mention the embassys support to Armenias civil society as well.

ARMENPRESS: What legacy are you leaving behind for the new ambassador, what are some of the unfinished initiatives that your successor must complete?

Ambassador Louyot: New ambassadors always continue their predecessors work, based on the instructions by their ministry, but they also bring their own ideas and energy. I am sure that my successor Olivier Decottignies will continue the projects we started and will launch new ones.

In addition to cooperation areas that need to be strengthened, I would mention the economy, where we need additional efforts from both sides in order to involve many French enterprises who want to start activities in Armenia. Huge work has been done, particularly thanks to the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to improve Armenias business environment, which is commendable. Ive maintained regular contact with French companies that are working here, whose example should encourage other enterprises to benefit from the opportunities that Armenias healthy economic environment has to offer. In this sense, targeted and sectoral promotion actions could be useful.

The French University of Armenia must also be strengthened, whose significant commitment jointly with the universities of Lyon and Toulouse gives the chance to provide high quality education to 2000 Armenian students. I hope that the project to relocate the university will be successful with support of the two governments. And finally, the EU programs aimed at Armenias development can serve to encourage the activities of French organizations in Armenia based on clear, jointly approved strategies. A stronger Armenia is a developed Armenia.

ARMENPRESS: Mrs. Ambassador, you have visited border regions, who have visited the families affected by the Azerbaijani shelling in Syunik, youve personally witnessed the consequences of Azerbaijans aggression. What is your assessment about Azerbaijans conduct, and what kind of a response should the international community give, and are you satisfied with the reaction thus far?

Ambassador Louyot: I have indeed visited the villages affected by Azerbaijans attacks in September 2022, in Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik I was able to witness the sufferings of the peaceful population, whom I wanted to express my solidarity with. France supports the consistent efforts of the EU and the United States in this direction. The EU civilian mission, launched on 23 January, 2023, is contributing to the peace process in border regions through monitoring works. The result of this monitoring contributes to the EUs mediation efforts, but we must further strengthen efforts in order for the territorial sovereignty and human rights to be respected.

The close and permanent consultations between our two governments and President Macron and Prime Minister Pashinyan reflects our commitment and desire to expand the international communitys support for a fair and lasting peace. We are working in this direction.

ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijan has completely blocked the Lachin Corridor and the Armenians of Artsakh are facing a humanitarian crisis for a long time now. Although the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship is factually not functioning today, given the fact that France is a co-chair of this structure, what role could it have for resolving the issue? How do you personally envision the solution to the issue?

Ambassador Louyot: Weve condemned the blockade of Lachin Corridor, which is seriously harming the population of Nagorno Karabakh, since December, and we have called for the implementation of the International Court of Justice ruling on restoring traffic along the corridor. We welcome the ICRC efforts aimed at mitigating the consequences of the humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade, but a political solution must be found to end the violations of the 9 November 2020 statement and to guarantee the rights and security of the residents of Nagorno Karabakh. The global instability resulting from the aggression unleashed by Russia against Ukraine doesnt ease the work, but we continue to be mobilized. Thats why France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, initiated UNSC sessions in September and December of 2022 on Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. France, in coordination with the EU and US, will continue to do whats possible to ensure progress in the negotiations process.

ARMENPRESS: Mrs. Ambassador, summing up your diplomatic mission in Armenia, what has impressed you the most in Armenia during your tenure?

Ambassador Louyot: Being assigned to Armenia has special importance for a French diplomat, due to the ancient ties uniting our two peoples, which, as Anatole France said, belong to the same family. The pantheonization of Missak and Melinee Manouchian, ethnic Armenians who were French by conviction, symbolizes the closeness of our two nations. I was especially impressed by the resilience of the Armenian people, ability to make future plans despite the difficult situation resulting from the 2020 war. I highly appreciate the unique hospitality of Armenians, their ties to their history and wonderful heritage, as well as openness for other cultures and faiths. The Armenian people can be a link even between countries which sometimes have contradicting interests. This is an important ability, which I hope it will remain committed to.

ARMENPRESS: And finally, Mrs. Ambassador, you are completing your diplomatic mission in Armenia sooner than planned, and France has already named a new ambassador. The embassy had explained that your early departure has to do with personal reasons, but since there are various rumors on this issue claiming that you have been recalled, please clarify the reason of your early departure and whether this has been exclusively your personal decision.

Ambassador Louyot: In the atmosphere of instability caused by the aggression unleashed by Russia in Ukraine, disinformation is one of the weapons which is widely used against democratic countries. Frances commitment in Armenia is probably causing discontent, which can explain the generated fake news about our activities, my persona, and representatives of French enterprises in Armenia. The rumors about me are simply defamation, which is criminally liable in conditions of the rule of law. Therefore I have filed a complaint, expecting that justice will be served and a verdict will be issued. I am sad that I have to leave Armenia due to personal and family reasons after very rich and full two years. I am leaving many friends here and I am departing with the best memories. Be sure, I will never forget your country.

Interview by Anna Grigoryan

Photos by Mkhitar Khachatryan
On July 18, at about 21:15, illegal Armenian armed detachments in the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, attempted to install long-term fortification facilities in front of the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of the Aghdam region, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry.

The conducted work was immediately stopped as a result of the urgent measures taken by the Azerbaijan Army Units.

Moreover, starting from 00:40 to 01:40 on July 19, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the directions of the Istisu region, Yukhari Shorzha settlement of the Basarkechar region, and Ajibaj settlement of the Gafan region using small arms periodically subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the directions of the Istisu and Mollabayramli settlements of the Kalbajar region, and Boyahmad settlement of Julfa region of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The Azerbaijan Army Units took retaliatory measures.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. On a daily basis Azerbaijan is proving that it is not even capable of ensuring the narratives it's been formulating in front of the eyes of the international community, Armenias Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan said in a tweet on Wednesday.

On a daily basis Azerbaijan is proving that it is not even capable of ensuring the narratives it's been formulating in front of the eyes of the international community. For instance, Azerbaijan claimed that they want to integrate the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh and that they are their citizens. The international community demanded Azerbaijan to take confidence building measures and start direct talks with the representatives of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh by introducing an international mechanism with guarantees of rights and securities for Nagorno Karabakh Armenians. In response to this, prior to integrating Christian Armenians, Azerbaijan kills them by organizing various sabotage activities, then destroys Christian churches and monuments of Christian heritage, consequently, Azerbaijan has no plan to integrate Christian Armenians. Moreover, for about 7 months, it cuts off the gas and electricity supply, keeps the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh under siege, and cases of children dying of starvation have already been recorded. Naturally, with these steps, Azerbaijan is resorting to an international criminal offense, making clear to everyone that it is not taking measures to build confidence. In the contrary, it shows that the implemented policy is not meant to integrate Armenian people but to subject Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, eventually assuming a piece of land without a people. Under the pressure of these overt evidence, already proven by the circumstances, the institutions of liberal democracy of the international community must either accept that they are the shareholders of the starvation, killings and ethnic cleansing of 120,000 and 30,000 children of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians, or take clear steps in the form of international intervention to stop these crimes against humanity. Otherwise, the 21st century will be marked by yet another massive violation of human rights, more specifically an international criminal offense, which may be still prevented by the international community, Marukyan tweeted.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. The Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Artur Tovmasyan has called on the international community to launch a special criminal tribunal for the leadership of Azerbaijan regarding their unprecedented violence and crimes against humanity in Nagorno Karabakh.

By creating the most sophisticated concentration camp in a territory of nearly 3000 square kilometers, Azerbaijan has been testing the latest achievements of science on the citizens of the Artsakh (NKR) Republic since 12 December 2022, aimed at dehumanizing an entire nation, the population of the Republic of Artsakh, Tovmasyan said in a statement.

The population of 120+30 (forcefully displaced) thousand of a freedom-loving country is being subjected to humiliation, famine and threats of physical extermination every day for eight months, living without electricity, gas, fuel and medication. After WWII, when the international community condemned and stipulated provisions in international law ruling out the Nazi Germanys crimes in the future, it was difficult to imagine that our people would face the threat of physical extermination in the 21st century with new methods, and that it wouldnt even receive an intervention by the international community to prevent a great human tragedy, reads the statement addressed to the international community.

At the same time, taking into account the provisions of international law related to violence and aggression by an aggressor country against self-proclaimed independent countries, we call on responsible and relevant international intergovernmental institutions to launch the process of international recognition of the Artsakh Republic, as the most practical way to prevent genocide and the forced displacement of our people from our homeland, he added.

Tovmasyan called on international intergovernmental institutions to launch a special criminal tribunal to try the Azerbaijani leadership for creating a modern concentration camp in the territory of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and regularly destroying the indigenous people of Nagorno Karabakh.

The Speaker expressed hope that his statement will receive a response and that the international community and intergovernmental organizations will not surrender to aggressors and murderers, but will support the people of Nagorno Karabakh. The only way to avoid the abovementioned dangers is through the recognition of Artsakhs independence based on the principle of Remedial Secession, Tovmasyan said.
STEPANAKERT, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Citizens in Nagorno Karabakh have closed the Askeran-Akna (Aghdam) road with concrete barriers in a move to show that despite the harsh humanitarian situation Nagorno Karabakh is categorically against receiving any supplies of Azerbaijani goods, be it humanitarian aid or "very cheap products".

Demonstrators said that Azerbaijan, by claiming that it wants to send supplies to Artsakh, is actually blackmailing Nagorno Karabakh in an attempt to subjugate it.

Several high-ranking Azerbaijani government officials have been talking about readiness to send what they describe as aid to Artsakh via the Akna (Aghdam) road. The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has spoken about this during a number of meetings. The President of the European Council Charles Michel also mentioned the possibility of using this road during a press briefing after his meeting with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Brussels on July 15.

Weve clearly said that this is a red line for us, Arshak Abrahamyan, a founding member of the Artsakh Security Development Front movement told ARMENPRESS. The Askeran-Akna road is closed by demonstrators from this movements youth wing and others.

Artsakh should maintain its social and economic connections only with Armenia. The removal of the illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint on Hakari Bridge remains a priority in our main demands, he added, noting that they are calling for a humanitarian air corridor to be established as a short-term and urgent solution to the humanitarian disaster.

Their statements claiming to be ready to send supplies are an attempt to blackmail and subjugate us, Abrahamyan added.

Van Novikov
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By Noel Castree, University of Technology Sydney | 

(The Conversation)  It made world news last week when a small lake in Canada was chosen as the Golden Spike  the location where the emergence of the Anthropocene is most clear. The Anthropocene is the proposed new geological epoch defined by humanitys impact on the planet.

It took 14 years of scouring the world before the geoscientists in the Anthropocene Working Group chose Lake Crawford  the still, deep waters of which are exceptionally good at preserving history in the form of sediment layers. Core samples from the lake give us an unusually good record of geological change, including, some scientists believe, the moment we began to change everything. For this group, that date is around 1950.

But what didnt get reported was the resignation of a key member, global ecosystem expert Professor Erle Ellis, who left the working group and published an open letter about his concerns. In short, Ellis believes pinning the start of our sizeable impact on the planet to 1950 is an error, given weve been changing the face of the planet for much longer.

The other working group scientists argue 1950 is well chosen, as its when humans started to really make their presence felt through surging populations, fossil fuel use and deforestation, amongst other things. This phenomenon has been dubbed the Great Acceleration.

The disagreement speaks to something vital to science  the ability to accommodate dissent through debate.



Image by Benita Welter from Pixabay

Whats the debate about?

Would the public embrace the idea that our actions are making the world almost wholly unnatural? The answer, of course, depends on the quality of the science. Since most people arent scientists, we rely on the scientific community to hash out debate and present the best explanations for the data.

Thats why Elliss departure is so interesting. His resignation letter is explosive:

Its [] [im]possible to avoid the reality that narrowly defining the Anthropocene [] has become more than a scholarly concern. The AWGs choice to systematically ignore overwhelming evidence of Earths long-term anthropogenic transformation is not just bad science, its bad for public understanding and action on global change.

Its not that Ellis thinks the way we live is problem-free. The central issue, in his view, is that theres powerful evidence of much earlier global-scale impacts caused by pre- and proto-capitalist societies.

For instance, as Earth systems experts Simon Lewis and Mark Maslin have shown, the violent Portuguese and Spanish colonisation of Central and South America indirectly lowered atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. How? By killing millions of indigenous people and destroying local empires. With the people gone, the trees regrew during the 17th century and covered the villages and cities, expanding the Amazon rainforest.



University of Exeter , CC BY



Why we should welcome honest disagreement in science

Scientists have been debating in recent years over whether the Anthropocene should be deemed an epoch with a specific start date, or else an historically extended event caused by different human practices in different places, such as early agriculture, European colonisation and the spread of European and North American capitalism worldwide.

Ellis resignation stems from this debate. Hes not alone  other group members and experts have also worked to refute the epoch idea.

As philosopher of science Karl Popper and others have argued, productive scientific debate can only occur if theres space for dissent and alternative perspectives. Ellis clearly believes the Anthropocene group has gone from debate to group think, which, if true, would challenge the free exchange at the heart of science.

Longer term, a compromise may well be reached. If the Anthropocene group were to shift tack and label the start of the epoch a multi-century event (a long Anthropocene), wed still benefit from having labels for periods such as our current one where the human impact ramped-up significantly.

One issue with such tensions is what happens when they hit the media. Consider Climategate, the 2009 incident in which an attacker stole emails from a key climate research centre in the United Kingdom. Bad faith actors seized on perceived issues in the emails and used them to claim anthropogenic climate change was fabricated. The scientists at the heart of the controversy were cleared of wrongdoing, but the whole affair helped seed doubt and slow our transition away from fossil fuels.

The risk here is that if the public gets only a glancing, oversimplified view of these debates, they may come to doubt the abundant proof of our impact on Earth. It falls to journalists and science communicators to convey this accurately.

As for our trust in science, the case for declaring the Anthropocene will be subject to very close scrutiny and may not be ratified by the International Commission on Stratigraphy, the body responsible for separating out deep time into specific epochs.

Stratigraphers such as Lucy Edwards have argued that an emerging epoch isnt a fit subject for stratigraphy at all because all the evidence cannot, by definition, be in.

What does this tension mean for the Anthropocene?

The epoch versus event debate doesnt mean were off the hook in terms of our impact on the planet. It is abundantly clear we have become the first species in Earths long history to alter the functioning of the atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and pedosphere (the soil layer) all at once and very quickly. Species such as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae had huge impact by adding oxygen to the atmosphere, but they did not affect all spheres with the speed and severity we have.

While we did not set out to alter the planet, its implications are profound. Humans are not only altering the climate but the entirety of the irreplaceable envelope sustaining life on the only planet known to have life. This is a complex story and we should not expect science to simplify it for political or other reasons.

Noel Castree, Professor of Society & Environment, University of Technology Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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( Middle East Monitor )  The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Monday that 50 per cent of cancer patients do not receive treatment due to the strict Israeli blockade imposed on the enclave.

The 17-year-old Israeli siege imposed on Gaza has led to the death of dozens of patients due to the lack of medicines and medical equipment, said ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra during a press conference in the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital. About 40 per cent of the total number of cancer patients are deprived of getting travel permits to receive treatment outside the besieged Gaza Strip. He also warned of the dangerous consequences of the severe shortage of medicines needed for cancer patients.

There are more than 9,000 cancer patients in Gaza, explained Dr Sobhi Skaik, the Director of the hospital, with deaths from cancer making up 12.5 per cent of the total deaths in the Gaza Strip. This is too much, he added, as he highlighted the issue of the lack of radiotherapy for cancer patients in Gaza, the lack of diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear treatment capabilities and the lack of some important medical tests needed for diagnosing cancer.

He called on the international community to move to save the lives of cancer patients and to provide the treatment and services that the patients deserve.

At the same press conference, the Director General of Pharmacy at the Ministry of Health, Ashraf Abu Mahadi, said: During the past six months, the shortage of medicines for cancer patients has been at a level of around 45 per cent. More than half of cancer patients during that period did not receive their necessary treatment protocols, which increases their psychological and physical suffering.

Most patients with serious diseases in Gaza depend on treatment in Palestinian hospitals in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank, or in Israel.

Middle East Monitor
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has held a meeting with Swiss-Armenian businessman Vahe Gabrash and the AGBU Armenia President Vasken Yacoubian.

Gabrash and Yacoubian presented the project on opening a branch of the Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne - EHL Hospitality Business School of Lausanne  in Gyumri, the Prime Ministers Office said in a readout.

PM Pashinyan commended the initiative and expressed the governments support in effectively implementing the project. The Armenian Prime Minister mentioned that the government is carrying out large-scale reforms in education for improving both physical infrastructures and the content.

A certification process of teachers is underway, and the development of the Academic City is also in process.

The Prime Minister attached importance to establishing a branch of the Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne in Gyumri in terms of ensuring high-quality professional education and development of skills.

Gabrash and Yacoubian thanked the Armenian Prime Minister for supporting their initiative and presented details on the course of the work.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Banyan Gold Corp. (the "Company" or "Banyan") (TSXV:BYN) (OTCQB:BYAGF) is pleased to release the results from twenty-five (25) diamond drill holes from the Company's ongoing 2023 exploration campaign. These drill holes establish that the gold mineralization is continuous between Powerline and Aurex Hill deposits located on the Company's AurMac Property (the "Property"), Yukon Territory.

Assay highlights include:

AX-23-415: 37.4 metres ("m") of 0.82 g/t Au from 103.4 m

from 103.4 m AX-23-429 : 28.0 m of 0.81 g/t Au from 80.5 m

from 80.5 m AX-23-429: 18.5 m of 2.22 g/t Au from 182.0 m

from 182.0 m AX-23-436: 53.8 m of 0.81 g/t Au from 194.5 m

from 194.5 m AX-23-451: 17.7 m of 1.44 g/t Au from 141.1 m

"Confirmation that AurMac gold mineralization is continuous between Powerline and Aurex Hill was an important goal of our Phase 1 drill program," stated Tara Christie, President and CEO, "All these reported drill holes are post the 2023 6.2 Million Ounce Gold Resource update and are additive to the overall mineral resource of the Property validating management's position there remains room to grow this on and near surface deposit.The areal extent of AurMac's interpreted gold mineralization continues to be expanded with each batch of assay results received."

Highlighted results from this set of drill holes are presented in Figures 1-2 and Tables 1-2.

The Powerline and Aurex Hill gold deposits are contained within a metasedimentary package consisting of predominately schists, quartzites and limestones of the Late Proterozoic to Cambrian Hyland Group. Gold mineralization here is chiefly associated with low angle quartz-sulfosalt-arsenopyrite veins seen crosscutting all lithologies and is interpreted to be associated with a large intrusion related gold system typical of the Tombstone Gold Belt and Selwyn Basin gold deposits. A strong bismuth-gold association has been identified at AurMac and is being utilized to establish exploration vectors over the property.

Highlighted instances of visible gold identified from these holes is shown in Image 1.

Image 1: Photographs of visible gold from:

Figure 1: AurMac Drill Hole Locations, showing the location of historic and Banyan completed diamond drill holes used in MRE (grey, black and blue dots) and collar locations of 2023 drilling (red and yellow dots).

Figure 2: Close up view of the AurMac Drill Hole Locations, showing the location of historic and Banyan completed diamond drill holes used in MRE (grey, black and blue dots) and collar locations of 2023 drilling (red and yellow dots).

Table 1: Highlighted Powerline and Aurex Hill Diamond Drill Analytical Results. (Maps, sections and full assay results will be made available on Banyan's website).

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m*) Au (g/t) AX-23-412 21.3 41.5 20.2 0.22 And 61.0 77.0 16.0 0.40 And 103.6 110.0 6.4 0.29 And 169.3 174.5 5.2 0.94 And 228.6 233.2 4.6 0.32 AX-23-413 38.3 45.6 7.3 0.64 And 71.9 105.5 33.6 0.33 And 125.1 142.0 16.9 0.75 And 172.0 184.0 12.0 0.33 AX-23-414 9.1 19.8 10.7 0.42 And 50.3 71.0 20.7 0.50 AX-23-415 22.9 50.3 27.4 0.24 And 64.3 80.3 16.0 0.38 And 103.4 140.8 37.4 0.82 Including 136.4 136.8 0.4 51.60 And 198.1 207.8 9.7 1.00 And 238.5 246.5 8.0 0.24 AX-23-416 And 36.1 38.7 2.6 0.60 And 88.0 102.8 14.8 0.21 AX-23-417 18.3 21.2 2.9 0.49 And 38.0 40.4 2.4 0.37 And 74.7 78.7 4.0 1.67 And 118.1 126.5 8.4 0.37 And 144.5 154.8 10.3 0.26 And 172.2 183.1 10.9 0.60 AX-23-420 31.1 46.6 15.5 0.20 And 79.3 88.4 9.1 0.27 And 108.3 146.7 38.4 0.24 AX-23-421 92.1 95.7 3.6 0.32 And 113.5 123.0 9.5 0.24 And 134.5 162.3 27.8 0.29 And 181.6 189.1 7.5 0.21 AX-23-422 13.7 25.9 12.2 0.55 And 55.3 67.0 11.7 0.23 And 144.8 158.2 13.4 0.32 AX-23-424 16.1 32.0 15.9 0.22 And 39.6 46.9 7.3 0.36 And 82.8 110.6 27.8 0.31 And 138.6 155.5 16.9 0.21 And 166.1 240.9 74.8 0.25 AX-23-426 18.0 86.9 68.9 0.25 And 109.3 121.9 12.6 0.28 And 133.1 142.0 8.9 0.72 And 167.7 172.2 4.5 0.97 AX-23-427 37.5 78.8 41.3 0.21 And 86.8 99.0 12.2 0.21 And 120.4 128.4 8.0 0.52 And 146.6 221.1 74.5 0.38 AX-23-429 36.0 49.5 13.5 0.25 And 80.5 108.5 28.0 0.81 And 126.5 134.5 8.0 0.31 And 151.1 153.8 2.7 0.55 And 182.0 200.5 18.5 2.22 And 240.0 245.0 5.0 0.28 AX-23-431 25.5 31.5 6.0 0.77 And 48.0 60.5 12.5 0.34 And 76.0 129.0 53.0 0.35 And 159.5 163.0 3.5 0.23 And 170.7 173.5 2.8 0.41 And 222.8 228.5 5.7 0.50 AX-23-432 23.9 50.4 26.5 0.26 And 93.4 105.8 12.4 0.83 And 115.3 122.2 6.9 0.21 And 151.4 173.9 22.5 0.53 And 207.7 222.9 15.2 0.29 AX-23-435 63.0 83.3 20.3 0.47 And 139.0 142.0 3.0 1.57 AX-23-436 5.0 11.2 6.2 0.20 And 27.2 39.1 11.9 0.74 And 69.0 71.3 2.3 0.39 And 194.5 248.3 53.8 0.81 AX-23-438 8.4 16.7 8.3 0.34 And 49.0 62.5 13.5 0.14 And 76.2 90.8 14.6 0.70 And 103.2 129.1 25.9 0.35 And 143.3 152.4 9.1 0.47 And 180.8 189.3 8.5 0.25 AX-23-440 10.7 49.5 38.8 0.50 And 66.5 77.0 10.5 1.07 And 100.6 108.5 7.9 1.12 And 139.5 144.0 4.5 0.43 And 177.0 185.5 8.5 0.62 And 199.0 205.0 6.0 0.39 AX-23-441 23.5 56.5 33.0 0.20 And 79.5 87.8 8.3 0.82 And 104.0 128.0 24.0 0.72 And 149.4 153.5 4.1 0.26 AX-23-442 7.3 16.8 9.5 0.31 And 29.0 32.5 3.5 0.29 And 44.9 46.0 1.1 0.32 And 73.0 76.0 3.0 1.05 And 98.6 109.5 10.9 0.57 And 123.5 137.0 13.5 0.91 And 148.5 152.4 3.9 0.89 And 161.5 163.0 1.5 2.18 And 186.0 204.2 18.2 0.34 AX-23-445 18.0 19.5 1.5 1.46 And 39.0 40.5 1.5 0.94 And 50.0 52.0 2.0 0.79 And 71.7 81.8 10.1 0.42 And 113.1 115.1 2.0 15.30 And 138.5 140.7 2.2 1.01 And 164.6 175.3 10.7 0.20 AX-23-448 115.0 129.5 14.5 0.32 And 138.6 167.8 29.2 0.27 And 206.1 207.6 1.5 0.29 And 230.1 231.7 1.6 0.43 And 242.1 243.5 1.4 0.65 And 251.0 257.0 6.0 0.32 And 269.1 273.3 4.2 0.22 AX-23-450 And 21.3 22.9 1.6 1.12 And 97.5 99.0 1.5 1.01 And 151.0 161.5 10.5 1.12 And 177.7 181.7 4.0 0.59 AX-23-451 And 96.6 128.5 31.9 0.27 And 141.1 158.8 17.7 1.44 And 177.4 188.5 11.1 0.20

*True widths are estimated to be approximately 90% of drilled intervals.

Table 2: Drill Collar Location for Released Results

Collar ID East NAD83_Z8 North NAD83_Z8 Elev. (m) Azimuth Dip () Depth (m) AX-23-412 468600 7082803 892 348 -59 235 AX-23-413 468600 7082803 892 292 -60 235 AX-23-414 468498 7082503 893 008 -61 233 AX-23-415 468600 7082803 892 095 -53 313 AX-23-416 468498 7082503 893 089 -59 312 AX-23-417 468703 7082806 899 091 -58 305 AX-23-420 468429 7082502 893 089 -60 205 AX-23-421 468703 7082806 899 003 -55 191 AX-23-422 468429 7082502 893 001 -58 226 AX-23-424 468503 7082809 877 359 -58 244 AX-23-426 468497 7082578 892 001 -60 219 AX-23-427 468399 7082804 866 007 -56 250 AX-23-429 468573 7082615 895 358 -62 323 AX-23-431 468403 7082892 865 003 -56 296 AX-23-432 468604 7082701 896 002 -60 259 AX-23-435 468400 7082703 868 001 -59 213 AX-23-436 468402 7082992 857 004 -55 311 AX-23-438 468501 7082698 884 359 -63 255 AX-23-440 468510 7082897 878 357 -54 209 AX-23-441 468397 7082602 877 004 -60 215 AX-23-442 468604 7082905 885 012 -61 204 AX-23-445 468517 7082993 876 357 -57 206 AX-23-448 468301 7082113 890 001 -60 274 AX-23-450 468293 7082289 881 360 -59 206 AX-23-451 468394 7082102 909 355 -58 223

Upcoming Events

CEM - TSX Venture Growth Capital Event Kelowna - July 21 to 23

Precious Metals Summit Beaver Creek - Sept 12 to 15

2023 Exploration Update

Banyan initiated its 2023 exploration program on March 1, 2023. One-hundred (100) drill holes and over 23,400 m of drilling has been completed to date which together closed the gap between the Powerline Zone and Aurex Hill Zone and extended the Aurex Hill Zone further to the east. The 2023 program will include approximately 80% of exploration drilling focused on Powerline and Aurex Hill deposits, as well as expanding the mineralization at Aurex Hill Zone to the east, and a commiserate ~20% on new targets. The Company is currently planning the Phase II exploration program for 2023.

Analytical Method and Quality Assurance/Quality Control Measures

All drill core splits reported in this news release were analysed by MSA Canada of Langley, BC utilizing the aqua regia digestion ICP-MS 39-element IMS-116 analytical package with FAS-121 50-gram Fire Assay with AAS finish for gold on all samples. All core samples were split on-site at Banyan's core processing facilities. Once split, half samples were placed back in the core boxes with the other half of split samples sealed in poly bags with one part of a three-part sample tag inserted within. Samples were prepped by MSA personnel on site and then shipped to MSA Analytical laboratory in Langley, BC for pulverization and final chemical analysis. A robust system of standards,  core duplicates and blanks was implemented in the 2023 exploration drilling program and was monitored as chemical assay data became available.

About Banyan

Banyan's primary asset, the AurMac Property is comprised of the Aurex and McQuesten properties, as well as claims staked and owned 100% by Banyan, and adjacent to Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine, in Canada's Yukon Territory. The updated resource for the AurMac Property of 6.2 million ounces has an effective date of May 18, 2023.

The 173 square kilometres ("sq km") AurMac Property lies 30 kilometres ("km") from Victoria Gold's Eagle Project and adjacent to Hecla Mining's high grade Keno Hill Silver mine. The property is transected by the main Yukon highway and access road to the Victoria Gold open-pit, heap leach Eagle Gold mine. The AurMac Property benefits from a 3-phase powerline, existing power station and cell phone coverage. Banyan has a right to earn up to a 100% interest, in both the Aurex and McQuesten Properties, subject to certain royalties.

The Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the AurMac Property was prepared on May 18, 2023 and consisted of 6,181,000 ounces of gold (see Table 3) hosted within near surface, road accessible pit constrained Mineral Resources contained in three near/on-surface deposits: the Airstrip, Aurex Hill and Powerline Deposits.

Table 3: Pit-Constrained Inferred Mineral Resources - AurMac Property

Deposit Gold Cut-Off (g/t) Tonnage

(Mt) Average Gold Grade (g/t) Contained Gold (koz) Airstrip 0.25 41.2 0.68 897 Powerline 0.25 197.4 0.61 3,840 Aurex Hill 0.30 74.3 0.60 1,444 Total Combined 0.25 to 0.3 312.9 0.61 6,181

Notes: 

The effective date for the Mineral Resource is May 18, 2023. The updated Resource Estimate for the AurMac Property was prepared by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Principal, Ginto Consulting Inc., an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The technical report supporting the Resource Estimate (the "Technical Report") has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com effective July 7, 2023. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, changes in global gold markets or other relevant issues. The CIM Definition Standards were followed for classification of Mineral Resources. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Mineral Resources as an Indicated Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource category. Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au for the Airstrip and Powerline and 0.3 g/t Au for the Aurex Hill deposits, using a US$/CAN$ exchange rate of 0.75 and constrained within an open pit shell optimized with the Lerchs-Grossman algorithm to constrain the Mineral Resources with the following estimated parameters: gold price of US$1,800/ounce, US$2.50/t mining cost, US$5.50/t processing cost, UD$2.00/t G+A, 80% heap leach recoveries, and 45 pit slope. The number of tonnes was rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. The number of ounces was rounded to the nearest thousand. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects; rounding followed the recommendations as per NI 43-101.

In addition to the AurMac Property, the Company holds the Hyland Gold Project, located 70 km Northeast of Watson Lake, Yukon, along the Southeast end of the Tintina Gold Belt (the "Hyland Project"). The Hyland Project represents a sediment hosted, structurally controlled, intrusion related gold deposit, within a large land package (over 125 sq km), accessible by a network of existing gravel access roads.

Banyan trades on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the symbol "BYN" and is quoted on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "BYAGF". For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.banyangold.com or contact the Company.

Qualified Persons

Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., is a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release. Mr. Gray has verified the data disclosed in this press release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information.

ON BEHALF OF BANYAN GOLD CORPORATION

(signed) "Tara Christie"

Tara Christie

President & CEO

For more information, please contact:

Tara Christie  778 928 0556  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jasmine Sangria  604 312 5610  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking information, which is not comprised of historical facts and is based upon the Company's current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "will", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend(s)", "believe", "potential" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's plans for exploration; and statements regarding exploration expectations, exploration or development plans and timelines; mineral resource estimates; mineral recoveries and anticipated mining costs. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include uncertainties inherent in resource estimates, continuity and extent of mineralization, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, enhanced risks inherent to conducting business in any jurisdiction, and those risks set out in Banyan's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although Banyan believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Banyan disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 18, 2023) - Independence Gold Corp. (TSXV: IGO) (OTCQB: IEGCF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the non-brokered private placement announced June 19, 2023 and increased on July 17, 2023 (the "Offering").

The Company issued 8,535,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.12 per Unit for proceeds of $1,024,200 (the "Unit Proceeds"), and 6,465,000 flow-through common shares ("FT Common Shares"), and together with the Units, the "Securities") at a price of $0.12 per FT Common Share for proceeds of $775,800 (together with the Unit Proceeds, the "Funds"), for total proceeds of $1,800,000 under the Offering.

Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each whole warrant is exercisable into one common share in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.18 per common share for a period of 24 months from the date of issue. The Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $32,969.99 cash and issued an aggregate of 251,416 non-transferable finders compensation warrants ("Finder's Warrants") in connection with the distribution of FT Shares and Units to arm's length subscribers. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.18 per common share until July 18, 2026.

Insiders of the Company participated in the private placement on the same terms and conditions as non-arm's length subscribers, subscribing for a total of 1,108,668 Units for aggregate proceeds of C$133,040.16. The issuance of these securities to the insiders of the Company are "related party transactions" under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on exemptions from the minority shareholder approval and formal valuation requirements applicable to the related party transactions under Sections 5.7(b) and 5.5(b), respectively, of MI 61-101. There has been no prior formal valuation of the common shares and Warrants issued as there has not been any necessity to do so. The Private Placement has been reviewed and unanimously approval by the Company's board of directors, including the independent directors. In accordance with applicable securities legislation, all securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of the completion of the Offering.

The proceeds from the sale of the FT Common Shares will be used by the Company to incur for "Canadian exploration expenses" as defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada) at its 3Ts Property in British Columbia, Canada and the Unit Proceeds will be used for both exploration and general and administrative expenses.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF INDEPENDENCE GOLD CORP.

"Randy Turner"

Randy Turner, President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Suite 580  625 Howe, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2T6

Telephone: 604-687-3959

Facsimile: 604-687-1448

E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Independence within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company's planned drilling and exploration activities. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Independence's public filings under Independence Gold Corp.'s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Independence has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Independence disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

UNITED STATES ADVISORY. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Torq Resources Inc. (TSX-V:TORQ) (OTCQX:TRBMF) ("Torq" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from its rock sampling program from the eastern region of the Santa Cecilia gold - copper project located in the world-class Maricunga belt in northern Chile, approximately 100 kilometres (km) east of the city of Copiapo. The project is located immediately adjacent to the Norte Abierto project, held by Newmont and Barrick, which is comprised of the Caspiche and Cerro Casale gold - copper porphyry deposits (Figure 1).

The rock sampling program in the largely unexplored eastern region of the Santa Cecilia project consisted of a total of 196 samples. The program was designed to follow up on new soil anomalies identified during Torq's 2023 surface exploration program, with the aim of identifying either outcropping or shallow porphyry targets in the eastern region of the project. The Company's technical team has found that the results from the rock sampling program positively corroborate the soil geochemistry targets from both the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte target areas. These areas will be prioritized for the next phase of drilling, anticipated to begin in Q4 2023.

Both the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte targets demonstrate surface porphyry-style mineralization, where gold-bearing sheeted quartz-magnetite-pyrite veinlets are encountered within dioritic and dacitic porphyry bodies, respectively (Figures 1-3). The Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte target areas are covered by extensive colluvium and have dimensions of 750 metres (m) by 700 m and 700 m by 500 m, respectively.

At Pircas Norte, highlights from selective rock sampling targeting porphyry-style veining include gold grades of 0.3 g/t to 0.83 g/t in banded quartz-magnetite-pyrite veinlets with copper grades ranging from 438 parts per million (ppm) to 0.44%. At the Gemelos Norte target, highlights from the selective rock sampling targeting porphyry style veining include gold grades of 0.13 g/t to 1.49 g/t. In addition, at Gemelos Norte, two epithermal veins sampled on the southwestern edge of the target area had gold grades of 12.05 g/t and 3.36 g/t and 2.3% copper and 285 ppm copper, respectively. Collectively, the rock sampling results from both Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte demonstrate mineralized gold - copper and gold porphyry systems that have not been drill tested. A summary of these results is presented below in Table 1.

A Message from Shawn Wallace, CEO & Chair:

"This is an exciting advancement at our flagship Santa Cecilia project where we have just recently completed our inaugural drill program. Results are forthcoming from the two completed drill holes, which stepped out from a historical discovery, and we now have further refined additional targets on the project to prioritize in our planned drill program later this year. In addition to this, we are currently preparing to commence our third drill program at our Margarita IOCG project at the end of this month, where we have a new discovery to follow-up on as well as multiple undrilled targets with discovery potential."

A Message from Michael Henrichsen, Chief Geological Officer:

"The recognition of outcropping porphyry mineralization at both Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte, which are adjacent to Newmont and Barrick's Caspiche deposit, has been a significant advancement for the Company in the largely unexplored eastern half of the property. We view both targets as high priority for our planned drilling in Q4 of this year as we believe they represent the potential for a discovery, similar in nature to the Caspiche deposit."

New Target Area: Filo Gemelos

A new target area has been identified in the southeast corner of the project area based on the final results of the property wide soil survey that was conducted on a 70 m by 70 m offset grid. The Filo Gemelos target measures 450 m by 300 m and is characterized by both elevated gold and molybdenum values showing a clear porphyry style signature (Figures 4 & 5). Initial rock samples taken from Filo Gemelos that show porphyry style quartz banded veinlets have gold grades of 0.11 g/t and 0.26 g/t. The soil survey results in conjunction with the initial rock sampling results demonstrate further work is warranted at the target area to advance it to drill stage.

Table 1: Highlights of rock samples targeting porphyry style veining

Figure 1:Illustrates the location of the Santa Cecilia project and the surrounding Caspiche and Cerro Casale deposits, held by Newmont and Barrick in the Norte Abierto joint venture, within the Maricunga belt.

Figure 2: Illustrates rock results from outcropping porphyry targets in the eastern region of the Santa Cecilia project within 1 - 2 km of the Caspiche deposit. These targets areas will be prioritized for the upcoming drill program, which is expected to begin in Q4 of this year.

Figure 3: Illustrates depicts typical banded quartz - magnetite - pyrite veinlets hosted within dacite and diorite porphyries from the Gemelos Norte and Pircas Norte target areas, respectively.

Figure 4: Illustrates gold-in-soil anomalies from the completed soil survey at the Santa Cecilia property. Importantly, in the southeast corner of the property, Filo Gemelos represents a new gold-in-soils anomaly that is coincident with molybdenum. This signature in the soil survey is similar to that observed at the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte porphyry targets.

Figure 5: Illustrates molybdenum-in-soils anomalies from the completed soil survey at the Santa Cecilia property. Importantly, in the southeast corner of the property, Filo Gemelos represents a new molybdenum-in-soils anomaly that is coincident with gold. This signature in the soil survey is similar to that observed at the Pircas Norte and Gemelos Norte porphyry targets.

Michael Henrichsen, P.Geo. (the Company's Chief Geological Officer), is the qualified person who assumes responsibility for the technical contents of this press release.

Torq also announces that on April 3, 2023, it engaged an arms-length securities dealer, Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud") to provide market making services at a cost of $15,000 per quarter, payable in advance, under an agreement which is cancellable at any time with 30 days' notice. Two quarters have already been paid for. Red Cloud uses its own funds for the market making activities. No securities are involved in the arrangement; however, Red Cloud did act as an agent in the Company's March 2023 private placement financing, receiving 210,362 broker warrants, exercisable at $0.60 until March 10, 2025.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Shawn Wallace

CEO & Chair

For further information on Torq Resources, please contact Natasha Frakes, VP, Communications, at (778) 729-0500 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

About Torq Resources

Torq is a Vancouver-based copper and gold exploration company with a portfolio of premium holdings in Chile. The Company is establishing itself as a leader of new exploration in prominent mining belts, guided by responsible, respectful and sustainable practices. The Company was built by a management team with prior success in monetizing exploration assets and its specialized technical team is recognized for their extensive experience working with major mining companies, supported by robust safety standards and technical proficiency. The technical team includes Chile-based geologists with invaluable local expertise and a noteworthy track record for major discovery in the country. Torq is committed to operating at the highest standards of applicable environmental, social and governance practices in the pursuit of a landmark discovery. For more information, visit www.torqresources.com.

Rock Sampling

Approximately 2-4 kg of material was collected for analysis and sent to ALS Lab in Copiapo, Chile or La Serena, Chile for preparation and then to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for analysis. All samples are assayed using 30 g nominal weight fire assay with AAS finish (Au-AA23) and multi-element using four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS61). Where Au-AA23 results were greater than 10 ppm Au the assay were repeated with 30 g nominal weight fire assay with gravimetric finish (Au-GRA21). Where MS61 results were greater or near 10,000 ppm Cu the assay were repeated with ore grade four acid digest method (Cu-OG62). QA/QC programs for 2022-23 rock samples using internal standard samples and duplicates, lab duplicates, standards and blanks indicate good accuracy and precision in a large majority of standards assayed.

Soil Sampling

Approximately 1-3 kg of soil material was collected on a 70 m x 70 m grid and sent to ALS Lab in Copiapo, Chile or La Serena, Chile for preparation and then to Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for analysis. All samples are assayed using 30 g nominal weight fire assay with AAS finish (Au-AA23) and multi-element super trace four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS61L). QA/QC programs for 2022-2023 soil samples using internal standard samples and duplicates, lab duplicates, standards and blanks indicate good accuracy and precision in a large majority of standards assayed.

Forward Looking Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking information in this release are statements that relate to plans for future exploration programs. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by some of the principal forward-looking statements. See Torq's Annual Information Form filed March 27, 2023 at www.sedar.com for disclosure of the risks and uncertainties faced in this business.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia / Jul 19, 2023 / Business Wire / New Found Gold Corp. (New Found or the Company) (TSX-V: NFG, NYSE-A: NFGC) is pleased to announce the results from seven diamond drill holes that were completed as part of a drill program designed to test the newly discovered Keats West zone, a low-angle thrust fault that dips gently to the south-southwest and is located on the west side of the highly prospective Appleton Fault Zone (AFZ). New Founds 100%-owned Queensway project comprises a 1,662km2 area, accessible via the Trans-Canada Highway, 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Keats West Highlights:

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone NFGC-22-10013 89.30 102.70 13.40 1.61 Keats W NFGC-22-10102 46.00 56.25 10.25 1.54 Keats W Including 55.75 56.25 0.50 10.70 And2 96.85 140.25 43.40 4.43 Including 96.85 98.00 1.15 25.83 Including 102.80 103.75 0.95 16.40 Including 111.00 111.50 0.50 10.50 Including 126.55 127.55 1.00 69.30 NFGC-22-10271 6.70 18.40 11.70 5.05 Keats W Including 15.80 17.05 1.25 13.79

Table 1: Keats West Drilling Highlights

Note host structures are interpreted to be shallowly dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 170% to 95% and 240% to 70% of reported intervals. 3True widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.

5.05 g/t Au over 11.70m in NFGC-22-1027 occurs at surface and increases the total strike length of the Keats West zone to 315m , an increase of 65m . Keats West starts at surface with all intercepts drilled to date occurring above 130m vertical depth and now spans a 305m long x 315m wide area that has a cumulative average thickness of 30m (Figures 1-5).

in NFGC-22-1027 occurs and increases the total strike length of the Keats West zone to , an increase of . Keats West and now spans a area that has a cumulative average (Figures 1-5). 4.43 g/t Au over 43.40m in NFGC-22-1010 is located 120m east of NFGC-22-1027 and provides an excellent example of the calibre of grade and thicknesses, as well as strong continuity of gold mineralization that characterizes Keats West.

in NFGC-22-1010 is located east of NFGC-22-1027 and provides an excellent example of the calibre of grade and thicknesses, as well as strong continuity of gold mineralization that characterizes Keats West. Exploration is ongoing west of the AFZ, with targeted drill programs occurring at Keats West, K2 and Monte Carlo, while a systematic reconnaissance grid drilling program sweeps the area in search of additional, shallow gold-bearing structures.

Greg Matheson, COO of New Found, stated: We are encouraged by the ongoing expansion of Keats West, which continues to demonstrate consistent grades and thicknesses, occurring right at surface. We eagerly await additional results from Keats West in addition to K2, Monte Carlo and the west-side reconnaissance grid program.

Drillhole Details

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Zone NFGC-22-9781 24.50 32.20 7.70 2.25 Keats W NFGC-22-10012 42.00 44.00 2.00 1.08 Keats W And3 89.30 102.70 13.40 1.61 And1 149.00 151.85 2.85 1.89 And1 254.80 261.15 6.35 1.96 Keats N NFGC-22-10102 30.80 34.45 3.65 2.29 Keats W And2 46.00 56.25 10.25 1.54 Including 55.75 56.25 0.50 10.70 And2 96.85 140.25 43.40 4.43 Including 96.85 98.00 1.15 25.83 Including 102.80 103.75 0.95 16.40 Including 111.00 111.50 0.50 10.50 Including 126.55 127.55 1.00 69.30 NFGC-22-10271 6.70 18.40 11.70 5.05 Keats W Including 15.80 17.05 1.25 13.79 And1 34.40 42.10 7.70 2.10 And3 60.70 64.25 3.55 1.19 NFGC-23-1087 No Significant Values Keats W NFGC-23-1126 No Significant Values Keats W NFGC-23-12661 103.00 105.45 2.45 1.43 Keats W And1 110.45 113.20 2.75 1.11 And1 155.10 157.40 2.30 2.21 Keats N And1 174.20 177.70 3.50 2.34

Table 2: Summary of composite results reported in this press release for Keats West

Note host structures are interpreted to be shallowly dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 170% to 95% and 240% to 70% of reported intervals. 3True widths are unknown at this time. Infill veining in secondary structures with multiple orientations crosscutting the primary host structures are commonly observed in drill core which could result in additional uncertainty in true width. Composite intervals reported carry a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au. Grades have not been capped in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness.

Hole No. Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) Easting Northing Prospect NFGC-22-978 116 -50 36 657979 5427948 Keats W NFGC-22-1001 120 -45 351 657990 5427884 Keats W NFGC-22-1010 115 -45 309 657920 5428041 Keats W NFGC-22-1027 115 -45 210 657876 5428065 Keats W NFGC-23-1087 45 -54 266 657934 5427743 Keats W NFGC-23-1126 70 -45 74 657827 5428093 Keats W NFGC-23-1266 83 -45 329 658055 5427906 Keats W

Table 3: Details of drill holes reported in this press release

Queensway 500,000m Drill Program Update

The Company is currently undertaking a 500,000m drill program at Queensway and approximately 50,495m of core is currently pending assay results.

Sampling, Sub-sampling, and Laboratory

Assays are uncut, and composite intervals are calculated using a minimum weighted average of 1 g/t Au diluted over a minimum core length of 2m with a maximum of 4m consecutive dilution. Included high-grade intercepts are reported as any consecutive interval with grades greater than 10 g/t Au.

All drilling recovers HQ core. Drill core is split in half using a diamond saw or a hydraulic splitter for rare intersections with incompetent core.

A geologist examines the drill core and marks out the intervals to be sampled and the cutting line. Sample lengths are mostly 1.0 metre and adjusted to respect lithological and/or mineralogical contacts and isolate narrow (<1.0m) veins or other structures that may yield higher grades.

Technicians saw the core along the defined cutting line. One-half of the core is kept as a witness sample and the other half is submitted for analysis. Individual sample bags are sealed and placed into totes, which are then sealed and marked with the contents.

New Found has submitted samples for gold determination by fire assay to ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) and by photon assay to MSALABS (MSA) since June 2022. ALS and MSA operate under a commercial contract with New Found.

Drill core samples are shipped to ALS for sample preparation in Sudbury, Ontario, Thunder Bay, Ontario, or Moncton, New Brunswick. ALS is an ISO-17025 accredited laboratory for the fire assay method.

Drill core samples are also submitted to MSA in Val-dOr, Quebec. MSA operates numerous laboratories worldwide and maintains ISO-17025 accreditation for many metal determination methods. Accreditation of the photon assay method at the MSA Val DOr laboratory is in progress.

At ALS, the entire sample is crushed to approximately 70% passing 2mm. A 3,000-g split is pulverized. Routine samples do not have visible gold (VG) identified and are not within a mineralized zone. Routine samples are assayed for gold by 30-g fire assay with an inductively-couple plasma spectrometry (ICP) finish. If the initial 30-g fire assay gold result is over 1 g/t, the remainder of the 3,000-g split is screened at 106 microns for screened metallics assay. For the screened metallics assay, the entire coarse fraction (sized greater than 106 microns) is fire assayed and two splits of the fine fraction (sized less than 106 microns) are fire assayed. The three assays are combined on a weight-averaged basis. Samples that have VG identified or fall within a mineralized interval are automatically submitted for screened metallic assay for gold.

At MSA, the entire sample is crushed to approximately 70% passing 2mm. For routine samples that do not have VG identified and are not within a mineralized zone, the samples are riffle split to fill two 450g jars for photon assay. The assays reported from both jars are combined on a weight-averaged basis. If one of the jars assays greater than 1 g/t, the remaining crushed material is weighed into multiple jars and are submitted for photon assay.

For samples that have VG identified or are within a mineralized zone, the entire crushed sample is weighed into multiple jars and are submitted for photon assay. The assays from all jars are combined on a weight-averaged basis.

All samples prepared at ALS or MSA are also analyzed for a multi-element ICP package (ALS method code ME-ICP61) at ALS Vancouver.

Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a rigorous Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with industry best practices. Standards and blanks account for a minimum of 10% of the samples in addition to the laboratorys internal quality assurance programs.

Quality Control data are evaluated on receipt from the laboratories for failures. Appropriate action is taken if assay results for standards and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances. All results stated have passed New Founds quality control protocols.

New Founds quality control program also includes submission of the second half of the core for approximately 5% of the drilled intervals. In addition, approximately 1% of sample pulps for mineralized samples are submitted for re-analysis to a second ISO-accredited laboratory for check assays.

The Company does not recognize any factors of drilling, sampling or recovery that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed.

The assay data disclosed in this news release have been verified by the Companys Qualified Person against the original assay certificates.

The Company notes that it has not completed any economic evaluations of its Queensway Project and that the Queensway Project does not have any resources or reserves.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this press release dated July 19, 2023, by New Found. Mr. Matheson certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release.

About New Found Gold Corp.

New Found holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Project, located 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, and just 18km from Gander International Airport. The project is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway and has logging roads crosscutting the project, high voltage electric power lines running through the project area, and easy access to a highly skilled workforce. The Company is currently undertaking a 500,000m drill program at Queensway and is well funded for this program with cash and marketable securities of approximately $47 million as of July 2023.

Please see the Companys website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Companys SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Acknowledgements

New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contact

To contact the Company, please visit the Companys website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling and mineralization on the Companys Queensway gold project in Newfoundland and Labrador; assay results; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of the drilling program, mineralization and the discovery of zones of high-grade gold mineralization; plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Queensway project; future press releases by the Company; and funding of the drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, interpreted, intends, estimates, projects, aims, suggests, indicate, often, target, future, likely, pending, potential, goal, objective, prospective, possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, can, could or should occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Managements discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.
VACAVILLE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Athena Gold Corporation (OTCQB:AHNR) (CSE:ATHA) ("Athena" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the Company's Spring 2023 reverse circulation ("RC") drill program of nine (9) angle holes (see press release dated June 20, 2023). Total footage was 3,740 feet (1,140 meters) at its Excelsior Springs Project ("Excelsior Springs" or the "ES Project"), located approximately 45 miles southwest of Goldfield in Esmeralda County, Nevada.

Highlights from 2022 RC Drill Programs

DB-23: Intercepted a 33.5 meter intercept of 5.15 g/t Au and 8.9 g/t Ag, including a 16.7- meter intercept of 10.03 g/t Au and 17.3 g/t Ag, and a 10.6 meter intercept of 15.3 g/t Au and 26.5 g/t Ag.

DH 22-01: Intercepted 6.05 g/t Au and 17.4 g/t Ag over 27.4 meters starting at 39.5 meters, including 10.2 g/t Ag and 30.8 g/t Ag over 10.7meters. A deeper zone starting at 77.7 meters intercepted 4.97 g/t Au and 14.4 g/t Ag over 13.7 meters.

DH 22-02: Intercepted 4.49 g/t Au and 27.3 g/t Ag over 15.2 meters starting at 41.1 meters, including 7.29 g/t Au and 44.2 g/t Ag over 9.1 meters. A deeper zone starting at 68.6 meters intercepted 1.20 g/t Au and 7.7 g/t Ag over 7.6 meters.

John Power, President and CEO of Athena, said, "The primary objective of our Spring 2023 RC drill program was to determine continuity of the shallow high-grade gold mineralization encountered in 2022; with step-outs both east and west, this will further define the target zone and set the stage for additional drilling."

"We continue to believe Excelsior Springs is emerging as one of the best advanced gold exploration projects in Nevada's Walker Lane Trend," Power added.

Figure 1 - RC Drilling at Excelsior Springs in June 2023.

Figure 2 - Table of Completed RC Drill Holes.

Developing Additional Exploration Targets

We have identified several robust drill targets at Excelsior Springs and continue to do field work developing additional shallow- and high-grade drill targets. Recent sampling at Contact Gulch is an example of targets being analyzed and developed. Located only 0.5 miles east of the Western Slope Zone, Contact Gulch appears to be a surface expression of a limestone cap over siltstone that could contain mineralized material. Prior sampling done while conducting geologic mapping returned anomalous gold and arsenic in rock chip samples. New rock and soil assays are also pending from this area.

Figure 3 - Contact Gulch (GPS unit at bottom of photograph for scale)

All samples were shipped to American Assay Laboratories, an independent laboratory, in Reno, Nevada on July 7, 2023 for analysis. Assay results are expected in Q3-2023.

About Our Flagship Excelsior Springs Project

The Excelsior Springs Project (the "ES Project") lies within the prolific Walker Lane tectonic trend, a large northwest-trending region in western Nevada of, strike-slip and extensional fault zones. These fault zones are host to numerous gold deposits with strong district and local control of the gold mineralization. The ES Project contains numerous prospect pits, trenches, roads, surface sampling sites and 113 drill holes to date within a 300m by 3,000m wide (1,000 foot-wide and 10,000-foot-long east-west extensional zone of shearing and hydrothermal alteration. Underground workings on the two patented claims within the Project had unverified, historical production of 597,187 grams of gold (19,200 troy ounces) of gold from 18,000 tons averaging 1.2 oz (37.3 grams of gold/ton).

Walker Lane is experiencing a major resurgence of intense and successful exploration projects. Total gold production within the Walker Lane has amounted to 20+ million ounces ("Moz") of gold, including the following deposits at Goldfields (5 Moz), Bullfrog (2 Moz), Tonopah (2 Moz), Borealis (1 Moz), Mineral Ridge (1.5 Moz) and Comstock (8 Moz Au, 200 Moz Ag).

Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any of the above-mentioned properties, other than the ES Project, and that the mineral deposits, and the results of any exploration or mining thereof, on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of potential mineral deposits on the ES Project or any potential exploitation thereof.

Gold mineralization discovered at the ES Project to date occurs in quartz vein stock-works and silicified zones in hornfels and calc-silicate altered country rock in a district known for porphyry dykes. The best (grades and thicknesses) in the recent past were found in oxidized and altered sediments proximal to porphyry dykes. One thick, high grade gold intercept encountered near the bottom of drill hole 22-01 is in underlying sulfide-bearing (pyrite and galena), altered sediments. The gold-mineralized stockwork and vein zones at the ES Project are shallow and each appears to have a relatively flat plunge, a favorable orientation for open pit mining.

Most historical exploration at the Excelsior Springs Project has focused on a 2.5 km (8,200 feet) long section in the central part of the historic Buster Mine zone, where mineralization was mined at or near the surface. Surface mapping in 2021 by Athena and an Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical survey conducted by Zonge International Inc. identified multiple zones of silicification correlating well with known mineralization. Several of the silicified zones defined by the IP (resistivity highs) surveys have not been tested by drilling and remain targets for future exploration.

Based on the excellent results of Athena's two previous drilling programs, the ES Project is at an advanced stage of exploration with significant potential for one or more shallow open-pittable, oxidized gold deposits along with deeper, higher grade feeder zones similar to that encountered in drill hole 22-01 (mentioned above). In the opinion of management and its consultants, the ES Project is very promising and further exploration has the potential to expand the known high-grade oxide and sulfide gold mineralization and establish several additional gold-mineralized zones.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Procedures are being implemented to assure Quality Assurance Quality Control (QA/QC) of drill hole assaying at an ISO Accredited assay laboratory in Reno. All 5-footdrill hole samples are being securely stored for shipment, with chain of custody documentation through delivery to the lab. Mineralized commercial reference standards and coarse blank standards are being inserted every 20th sample in sequence to assure acceptable levels of confidence of the drill hole assays. When laboratory reports of the assays are received, QA/QC protocols are immediately augmented to ensure the precision and accuracy of the drill hole assays.

As the Project advances, additional QA/QC measures will be implemented including selected duplicate check assaying on pulps and coarse rejects at a second accredited assay laboratory.

Qualified Person

Donald G. Strachan, Certified Professional Geologist (CPG #10376 AIPG), is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis of this press release and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Strachan is independent of the Company and was responsible for the site management and technical aspects of Athena's Spring 2022 drill program and the current Fall 2022 drill program.

About Athena Gold Corporation

Athena is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to conduct additional exploration drilling and studies on the Project.

For further information about Athena Gold Corporation and our Excelsior Springs Gold project, please visit www.athenagoldcorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

John Power

Chief Executive Officer and President

Contact:

Phone: John Power, 707-291-6198

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Statement to U.S. Investors

This press release references NI 43-101, which differs from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can legally extract or produce. Pursuant to SEC Industry Guide 7 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves. Currently Athena has not delineated "reserves" on any of its properties. Athena cannot be certain that any deposits at its properties will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 or any successor rule or regulation compliant "reserves". Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the historic Buster Mine gold zone will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that it can be economically or legally extracted.

The SEC has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These amendments became effective February 25, 2019, with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and historical property disclosure requirements for mining registrants that were included in SEC Industry Guide 7, which was rescinded from and after such date and replaced with disclosure requirements known as S-K 1300.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future exploration plans and the completion of a phase 2 drill program at the Project, future results from exploration, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this press release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of the Company's projects in a timely manner, QAQC procedures at the Project were followed, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the exploration and development of the Company's projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and other factors and risks that are discussed in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC and disclosed in the final long form prospectus of the Company dated August 31, 2021.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this press release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.
July 19, 2023  TheNewswire - Vancouver, British Columbia  Radius Gold Inc. (TSXV:RDU) (Radius or the Company) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Geometales del Norte-Geonorte, S.A. de C.V. (Geonorte) has extended the term of its Exclusivity Agreement (the Agreement) with Minera San Julian, S.A. de C.V. (Minera San Julian), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresnillo plc (Fresnillo), for Radius 100% owned Plata Verde Project in Chihuahua, Mexico. The amended Agreement provides Minera San Julian a 6month extension to its Exclusivity Period from July 7, 2023 to January 7, 2024 to negotiate a Definitive Agreement that would include an option agreement to earn a 70% interest in the Plata Verde project. The amended Agreement also provides for interim funding by Minera San Julian of US$206,000. The initial Exclusivity Agreement with Minera San Julian was announced in the Companys News Release dated July 12, 2022.

Bruce Smith, President and CEO of Radius Gold, commented: To date, Fresnillo has been advancing technically and spending significant funds in the field in the last 9 months that included road building, drill pads, geological work and initial metallurgical testing that yielded excellent silver recoveries from Plata Verde. This amended Agreement provides the framework for both parties to negotiate a Definitive Agreement while continuing to fund the project. The Plata Verde project has never been drill-tested, and based on historical work and current data, the Radius team believes that the project has potential for a large scale silver discovery.

Highlights of the Amended Exclusivity Agreement are summarized below:

Geonorte extends the Exclusivity Period with Minera San Julian to evaluate the project and negotiate a right to earn a 70% interest in the Plata Verde as part of a Definitive Agreement

Amended Exclusivity Agreement is in effect from July 7, 2023 until the earlier of January 7, 2024 or the date of signing a Definitive Agreement

Minera San Julian has the right to extend the Exclusivity Period for 6 additional months beyond January 7, 2024, provided that Minera San Julian has made the payment of US$206,000 as mentioned above to Geonorte as well as an additional advance of US$500,000 to fund initial drill testing.

Technical Information

Bruce Smith, M.Sc. (Geology), a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, is Radius Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Smith has 28 years of mineral exploration experience and has prepared and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Radius Gold Inc.

Radius has a portfolio of projects located in Mexico and Guatemala which it continues to advance, utilizing partnerships where appropriate in order to retain the Companys treasury. At the same time, management is seeking out additional investment and project acquisition opportunities across the globe. Radius is a member of the Gold Group of companies, led by Simon Ridgway.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Bruce Smith

President and CEO

Symbol: TSXV-RDU

Contact: Bruce Smith

200 Burrard Street, Suite 650

Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6

Tel: 604-801-5432; Toll free 1-888-627-9378; Fax: 604-662-8829

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.radiusgold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward- looking statements and include, without limitation, statements about the results of exploration work and future plans at the Companys projects. Often, but not always, these forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as estimate, estimates, estimated, potential, open, future, assumed, projected, used, detailed, has been, gain, upgraded, offset, limited, contained, reflecting, containing, remaining, to be, periodically, or statements that events, could or should occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, whether the planned exploration work at the Companys projects will proceed as intended; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; the Company or any joint venture partner not having the financial ability to meet its exploration and development goals; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in the Companys quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to: that the Companys stated goals and the planned exploration and development activities at its properties will be achieved; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (Alaska Energy Metals or the Company) reports that the brokered private placement announced in its news release of July 6, 2023 (Brokered Private Placement) has been increased to 21,250,000 units (the Units) at a price of $0.40 per Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $8,500,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase an additional Common Share (each, a Warrant Share) at a price of $0.80 for a term of two (2) years from the date of issuance. The Company engaged Emerging Equities Inc. as lead agent (the Lead Agent), on behalf of a syndicate of agents including Canaccord Genuity Corp., Echelon Wealth Partners, Red Cloud Securities Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. (together with the Lead Agent, the Agents), to raise a minimum of $4,000,000 on a commercially reasonable best efforts basis. Under the amended engagement letter with Emerging Equities the syndicate may raise up to $8,500,000 on a commercially reasonable best efforts basis.

A portion or all of the Brokered Private Placement may be completed pursuant to Multilateral CSA Notice 45-313  Prospectus Exemption for Distributions to Existing Security Holders (CSA 45-313) and the corresponding blanket orders and rules implementing CSA 45-313 in the participating jurisdictions in respect thereof (collectively with CSA 45-313, the Existing Security Holder Exemption). As at the date hereof, the Existing Security Holder Exemption is available in each of the offering jurisdictions (being, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan) (the Offering Jurisdictions). Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company will permit each person or company who, as of July 14, 2023 (being the record date set by the Company pursuant to CSA 45-313), holds Common Shares as of that date to subscribe for up to $15,000 (or 37,500 Units) in Units that will be distributed pursuant to the Brokered Private Placement, provided that the Existing Security Holder Exemption is available to such person or company. Qualifying shareholders who wish to participate in the Brokered Private Placement should contact the Company at the contact information set forth below.

In addition to the Existing Security Holder Exemption, a portion or all of the Brokered Private Placement may be completed pursuant to Multilateral CSA Notice 45-318  Prospectus Exemption for Certain Distributions through an Investment Dealer (CSA 45-318) and the corresponding blanket orders and rule implementing CSA 45- 318 in the participating jurisdictions in respect thereof (collectively with CSA 45-318, the Investment Dealer Exemption). As at the date hereof, of the Offering Jurisdictions, the Investment Dealer Exemption is available in each of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Pursuant to CSA 45-318, each subscriber relying on the Investment Dealer Exemption must obtain advice regarding the suitability of the investment from a registered investment dealer.

In accordance with the Investment Dealer Exemption, the Company advises that there is no material fact or material change of the Company that has not been disclosed.

The Company also announces a concurrent non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 by the issuance of up to 2,500,000 Units (the Non-Brokered Private Placement, and with the Brokered Private Placement, the Offerings). The Non-Brokered Private Placement shall be on the same terms as the Brokered Private Placement. Units will be sold at a price of $0.40 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Common Share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase a Warrant Share at an exercise price of $0.80, for a term of two (2) years from the date of issuance. Insiders may participate in the Non-Brokered Private Placement.

Assuming the Offerings are fully subscribed, the Company intends to allocate the net proceeds as follows: drilling at the Eureka Zone of the Nikolai project in Alaska ($4,500,000), metallurgical studies ($500,000), marketing ($1,500,000), property acquisitions ($1,000,000) and the remainder of the proceeds will be used towards general corporate purposes. Actual allocation of the net proceeds may vary from the foregoing and if the Offering is not fully subscribed, the Company may allocate the net proceeds of the Offerings in such priority and proportions as the board of directors or management of the Company determines is in the best interests of the Company.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offerings will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance. Completion of the Offerings remain subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

It is anticipated that the Offerings will close on or about July 26, 2023.

About Alaska Energy Metals

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation is focused on delineating and developing a large polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chrome, iron, platinum, palladium and gold. Located in development-friendly central Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source of critical and strategic energy-related metals.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including, without limitation, the completion of the Offerings and the intended use of proceeds therefrom. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This news release does not constitute an offer for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, in the United States or to any U.S Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act)) of any equity or other securities of the Company. The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. Person absent registration under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption therefrom.
706 g/t AgEq over 14.0m including 2.3m of 4,081 g/t AgEq including 0.6m of 9,283 g/t AgEq

HALIFAX, NS, July 19, 2023 /CNW/ - GoGold Resources Inc. (TSX: GGD) (OTCQX: GLGDF) ("GoGold", "the Company") is pleased to announce additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Main area, including a high-grade intercept from hole LRGG-22-280. The hole intercepted 14.0m of 706 g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq"), including 2.3m of 4,081 g/t AgEq which also included a very high-grade interval of 9,283 g/t AgEq over 0.6m.

"We've drilled over 100 additional holes in the Main zone at Los Ricos South since our initial drilling which was included in our July 2020 Mineral Resource Estimate. Our additional drilling has helped us better define the continuity of the high grade ore shoots in the deposit," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We believe this will be invaluable as we complete our mine plan for the upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment and Pre-Feasibility Study at Los Ricos South."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area / Vein From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2 (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGG-22-280 Main area 1.2 16.7 14.0 1.77 573.7 9.42 706.2 including 10.1 12.4 2.3 10.30 3,308.2 54.41 4,080.8 including 10.1 10.7 0.6 22.70 7,580.0 123.77 9,282.5 LRGG-22-241 Main area 53.2 59.6 6.3 0.59 86.0 1.74 130.5 including 54.5 55.5 1.0 1.93 321.0 6.21 465.7 LRGG-22-242 Main area 128.4 144.6 16.2 0.70 72.0 1.66 124.7 including 133.8 136.2 2.4 2.29 94.9 3.56 266.7 LRGG-22-243 Main area 195.4 199.8 4.5 0.76 142.9 2.67 199.9 LRGG-22-245 Main area 79.2 81.8 2.6 0.90 239.8 4.10 307.4 LRGG-22-246 Main area 185.0 199.0 14.0 2.90 84.6 4.03 302.3 including 193.6 194.6 1.0 31.80 261.0 35.28 2,646.0 LRGG-22-247 Main area 167.6 185.0 17.5 0.60 93.1 1.84 138.1 including 175.0 180.0 5.0 1.28 160.0 3.41 255.9 LRGG-22-248 Main area 120.8 122.2 1.4 0.66 78.3 1.70 127.8 LRGG-22-249 Main area 125.4 135.3 9.9 0.95 333.9 5.40 404.9 LRGG-22-250 Main area 151.2 157.5 6.3 1.54 101.5 2.89 217.1 including 152.3 154.1 1.8 3.12 213.0 5.96 447.0 LRGG-22-251 Main area 161.0 162.6 1.6 1.09 128.5 2.80 210.2 LRGG-22-252 Main area 123.6 133.2 7.4 1.39 167.6 3.62 271.6 including 126.1 126.8 0.7 4.81 429.0 10.53 789.7 LRGG-22-253 Main area 210.4 212.4 2.0 0.94 146.2 2.88 216.3 LRGG-22-254 Main area 167.7 179.6 11.9 1.28 183.1 3.72 279.2 including 170.5 171.1 0.6 7.06 1,830.0 31.46 2,359.5 and 189.4 192.9 3.4 0.45 166.1 2.67 200.1 LRGG-22-255 Main area 174.8 184.3 9.5 1.08 185.8 3.55 266.6 including 183.0 184.3 1.3 4.50 727.8 14.20 1,065.3 LRGG-22-256 Main area 135.3 142.0 5.4 1.97 136.1 3.79 284.0 including 138.0 139.0 1.1 5.28 336.0 9.76 732.0 LRGG-22-257 Main area 60.5 72.0 11.6 1.50 164.7 3.69 277.0 including 71.4 72.0 0.7 8.64 261.0 12.12 909.0 LRGG-22-258 Main area 144.8 151.0 6.2 1.14 162.5 3.31 248.3 LRGG-22-260 Main area 115.3 137.7 22.5 1.20 124.1 2.85 213.8 including 119.6 120.1 0.5 11.50 427.0 17.19 1,289.5 LRGG-22-261 Main area 50.6 56.2 5.6 0.67 58.1 1.45 108.6 LRGG-22-262 Main area 135.0 140.9 5.8 2.27 41.6 2.82 211.8 including 135.0 136.0 1.0 7.91 28.2 8.29 621.5 LRGG-22-263 Main area 150.2 155.6 5.4 1.50 85.7 2.64 198.3 including 153.0 153.5 0.5 0.87 472.0 7.16 537.3 LRGG-22-264 Main area 131.6 159.0 24.9 1.01 104.5 2.40 180.3 including 149.5 156.5 7.0 2.46 247.5 5.76 431.8 including 153.0 154.7 1.7 8.78 746.8 18.74 1,405.5 LRGG-22-265 Main area 134.7 141.8 7.1 1.25 416.6 6.81 510.7 including 136.0 139.0 3.0 2.69 905.0 14.76 1,106.7 including 137.1 138.0 0.9 5.70 2,300.0 36.37 2,727.5 and 151.9 156.2 4.3 0.86 215.8 3.73 280.0 LRGG-22-267 Main area 57.0 73.5 16.5 1.32 153.2 3.36 251.9 including 66.0 68.5 2.5 6.44 571.5 14.06 1,054.5 LRGG-22-268 Main area 17.7 20.6 2.9 3.54 264.6 7.07 530.1 LRGG-22-269 Main area 42.1 59.4 17.3 2.53 159.8 4.66 349.5 including 50.2 51.0 0.9 26.70 1,215.0 42.90 3,217.5 LRGG-22-271 Main area 39.5 43.3 3.8 2.19 197.0 4.82 361.5 LRGG-22-272 Main area 79.9 84.4 4.5 1.54 73.5 2.52 188.7 LRGG-22-273 Main area 40.2 49.5 9.3 0.74 92.7 1.98 148.3 LRGG-22-274 Main area 55.6 66.0 8.3 0.63 100.6 1.97 148.1 LRGG-22-275 Main area 67.5 71.8 4.3 0.51 170.4 2.78 208.7 LRGG-22-276 Main area 135.0 148.7 13.7 1.48 213.4 4.32 324.1 including 137.5 140.0 2.5 4.26 439.7 10.13 759.5 LRGG-22-277 Main area 138.0 142.2 4.2 1.45 254.4 4.85 363.4 LRGG-22-278 Main area 170.2 176.3 6.1 1.02 76.7 2.04 153.2 LRGG-22-279 Main area 179.5 185.5 6.0 1.44 199.2 4.09 306.9

1. Not true width 2. AgEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 at recoveries of 100%

The Main area drilling campaign's purposes is to better define the very high-grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining. These holes are in addition to those drilled in 2019 and 2020 which formed part of the initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("Resource") upon which the Los Ricos South Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") was based upon when it was released on January 20, 2021. It is expected that these holes will be included in an updated Resource to be released by the end of the summer.

Figure 2, above, provides a summary of the Los Ricos District, including both the Los Ricos North and Los Ricos South projects. The map includes an outline of the concession areas and a summary of the current Mineral Resource Estimates ("MRE") on the projects, as well as stars locating each of the deposits included within the current MREs.

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGG-22-241 610277 2328012 1285 50 -45 87 LRGG-22-242 610266 2327866 1265 50 -45 180 LRGG-22-243 610484 2327564 1261 50 -51 228 LRGG-22-244 610240 2327843 1249 50 -50 175 LRGG-22-245 610276 2328011 1285 50 -85 112 LRGG-22-246 610392 2327710 1263 50 -63 226 LRGG-22-247 610256 2327791 1247 50 -57 230 LRGG-22-248 610278 2327846 1259 50 -59 171 LRGG-22-249 610589 2327583 1263 50 -51 137 LRGG-22-250 610411 2327725 1266 50 -61 201 LRGG-22-251 610207 2327821 1239 50 -52 216 LRGG-22-252 610578 2327607 1268 50 -53 175 LRGG-22-253 610156 2327906 1274 50 -50 247 LRGG-22-254 610419 2327707 1273 50 -65 213 LRGG-22-255 610283 2327782 1247 50 -59 237 LRGG-22-256 610533 2327604 1260 50 -49 164 LRGG-22-257 610730 2327536 1246 50 -46 77 LRGG-22-258 610556 2327585 1257 50 -53 185 LRGG-22-259 610156 2327906 1275 50 -68 260 LRGG-22-260 610684 2327505 1247 50 -50 167 LRGG-22-261 610812 2327478 1246 50 -56 85 LRGG-22-262 610684 2327505 1247 50 -63 189 LRGG-22-263 610183 2327997 1279 50 -66 198 LRGG-22-264 610651 2327508 1245 50 -50 182 LRGG-22-265 610586 2327550 1252 50 -46 205 LRGG-22-266 610316 2328106 1328 50 -45 101 LRGG-22-267 610250 2328049 1306 50 -45 101 LRGG-22-268 610310 2328071 1312 50 -44 99 LRGG-22-269 610806 2327506 1252 50 -59 90 LRGG-22-270 610823 2327456 1243 50 -56 86 LRGG-22-271 610859 2327485 1264 50 -51 65 LRGG-22-272 610768 2327467 1232 50 -54 112 LRGG-22-273 610282 2328044 1300 50 -45 111 LRGG-22-274 610764 2327510 1242 50 -48 107 LRGG-22-275 610246 2328081 1318 50 -45 114 LRGG-22-276 610524 2327627 1270 50 -44 193 LRGG-22-277 610524 2327627 1270 50 -57 171 LRGG-22-278 610523 2327626 1270 50 -71 179 LRGG-22-279 610591 2327520 1242 50 -61 237 LRGG-22-280 610324 2328087 1321 50 -45 84

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

The VRIFY 3D Slide Deck for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/companies/gogold-resources-inc and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com.

Los Ricos District Exploration Projects

The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos Property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on July 29, 2020, which disclosed a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on January 20, 2021, indicating an NPV 5% of US$295M. The Eagle Concession was acquired in October 2022 and is adjacent to the Main Area which contains the initial Mineral Resource.

The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on December 7, 2021, which disclosed an Indicated Mineral Resource of 87.8 million ounces AgEq grading 122 g/t AgEq contained in 22.3 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 73.2 million ounces AgEq grading 111 g/t AgEq contained in 20.5 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on May 17, 2023, indicating an NPV 5% of US$413M.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ALS Chemex facility in Guadalajara, Mexico. ALS Chemex crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code AA23) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code ME-GRAV21). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code ME-ICP61 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (ME-GRA21).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols.

Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release.

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the intention to undertake further exploration at Los Ricos North, and the prospect of further discoveries there, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.
Germany and France on Wednesday condemned Russian strikes on the Ukrainian port of Odesa, saying they were deliberately targeting grain and would affect the world's poorest people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain", German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted on Wednesday. "Each of his bombs is also hitting the world's poorest."

The French foreign ministry said that Russia was "once again taking an irresponsible risk with food security" with the strikes, which Ukraine says has resulted in the destruction of 60,000 tonnes of grain at export terminals.

"These strikes which deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, notably grain stocks, constitute war crimes," the ministry said in a statement.

On Monday, Russia refused to extend a deal brokered by the UN and Turkey to allow safe passage for grain cargo ships from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Vladimir Putin had "decided to weaponise food, and I think this is a huge mistake."

Russia targeted Odesa with air strikes for the second night in a row overnight, with the Russian defence ministry claiming to have struck fuel and ammunition facilities near the Black Sea port.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Amundi-Acba made an investment from the assets of Balanced and Conservative pension funds in the first EU-Armenia SME private equity fund that invests in the equity capital of companies operating in various sectors of the RA economy.

The fund is managed by Amber Capital Armenia, the assets are about 60 million USD and the investment of Amundi-Acba is 6 million USD making 10% of the fund's assets.

The fund made one of its investments in Walnut farms. Amber Capital Armenia has invested 3 million US dollars in Walnut Farms, Amundi-Acba's share makes about 300,000 US dollars.

The company Walnut Farms has been engaged in walnut processing for 6 years and a new Armenian future brand the Nut is created on 100 hectares of land in Armavir marz.

The founding director of the company, a Lebanese-Armenian Samuel Samuelyan, noted that this is an investment that looks to the future, the result of this business will be visible after years, it is a long-term and prospective work, which will foster the creation of the Armenian industry of nuts and pulses.

Jean Mazejian, the CEO at Amundi-Acba Asset Management, said: We made an indirect investment from the assets of pension funds in Walnut Farms through Amber Capital. Agriculture is a priority for Armenia's economy. The activity carried out by Walnut Farms is an innovation, which will soon create a new industry in the country and the vision of development foresees the products be exported abroad. In addition to creating jobs, developing the local market and economy, Walnut Farms, creates an ecosystem in the country that contributes to Armenia in becoming a part of the global economy by introducing the latest technologies into business processes.

Hrayr Aslanyan, the Deputy Executive Officer at Amundi-Acba Asset Management, fund manager emphasized: The company will have the opportunity to significantly enlarge the walnut orchards and build a new factory with this investment. Besides, it promotes the creation of jobs especially in rural communities. In addition, in the context of investing from pension funds the most important factor is the partner's experience, which meets Amundi-Acbas standards.

The business founders have two sources of financing, one is the loan instruments - the bank, and the other source is the equity capital. The banking sector in Armenia is quite saturated and functions effectively, however, there was a lack of equity capital. Apart from money, Amber Capital was able to provide a number of other advantages to the company, mainly in the field of corporate management. After the investment, a board of directors was established where we have our representative, a financial director was appointed and an external audit institute was introduced. This fosters the culture of the company since it moves from a small institution to a corporate stage. The role of Amundi Acba Asset Management is very important, they have been with us since the first day, the total investment of 60 million AMD would not have been made if it was not for the first investment said Grigor Harutyunyan, the Investment Director at Amber Capital Armenia.

Walnut Farms wants to create a community where all pulse producers can share experiences how to plant orchards, cultivate them and implement technologies.

Amundi-Acba Asset Management was established in Armenia by the French Amundi and ACBA Bank in 2013. Amundi-ACBA asset management manages three pension funds, benefiting from the Amundi advanced know-how, expertise and technical support. As of June 30, 2023, the assets under the management of Amundi-Acba made about 351 billion AMD.

Back in 2020, Amundi-Acba invested a certain part of the pension funds in the EU-Armenia Small and Medium Enterprise Fund managed by Amber Capital Armenia. The fund invests in various companies operating in the real sector of the economy.

Amber Capital Armenia is the first institutional private equity fund manager in Armenia. The fund is registered in Luxembourg and its assets are about 60 million US dollars. The investment in Walnut Farms is 5% of the total fund.

The company Walnut Farms operates in the field of growing high-value agricultural products in Armenia. The company processes and exports walnut from ecological regions of Armenia.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, a consultation was held in the Government, during which issues related to the process of the program of the formation of Digital Society and Economy were discussed, ARMENPRESS was infomred from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Nerses Yeritsyan, Secretary of the Information Systems Council of Armenia, reported on the works carried out in the direction of the implementation of the digitization strategy and the road map. In particular, it was noted that based on the results of the meetings of the Information Systems Management Board, the programs vision and targets were approved, the one and a half year work program was defined, which is implemented according to the guidelines approved by the Board. Work is being done on the introduction and active use of the electronic identification system, analysis on impact assessment and formation of digitalization capabilities in the public sector, formation of national cyber security capabilities, dialogue platforms with the private sector have been launched, and the digital architecture of Armenia has been approved.

Based on the report, an exchange of ideas took place, the participants of the consultation presented their views on issues related to service provision policy, interoperability of information systems, data infrastructures.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to create a developed and safe environment and infrastructure for Armenias transformation into a digital society and digital economy. According to Nikol Pashinyan, it will contribute to increasing the potential and well-being of citizens, support enterprises in improving competitiveness and ensure effective management of public institutions.

Nikol Pashinyan instructed to organize discussions on the issues raised during the consultation and to present the proposed solutions at the next meeting.
Lee Ro Um (Chun Woo Hee) succeeded in escaping from the prosecution office and took a life-threatening step to catch Jay (Kim Tae Hoon) in "Delightfully Deceitful" episode 15.

'Delightfully Deceitful' Episode 15: Lee Ro Um Gets Questioned About Jang Kyung Ja's Murder

In "Delightfully Deceitful" episode 15, Lee Ro Um was arrested as a suspect in Jang Kyung Ja's (Lee Tae Ran) murder and questioned by the prosecution officer. Prosecutor Ryu Jae Hyuk (Choi Young Joon), said that all the evidence and circumstances of Jang's death were pointed to Lee Ro Um.

In response, Lee Ro Um was consistent in playing mind games as she doesn't want to confirm nor deny the questions asked to her. A subtle confrontation between the two arose.

Making matters worse, criticism and suspicion against Han Moo Young (Kim Dong Wook) intensified as the media revealed that his father was a suspect in the Geumseong City murder case, and Jay started to remove the people around Lee Ro Um to take revenge.

At this point, Han Moo Young and the Jeokmok Kids' safety was in danger.

Jung Da Jung & Na Sa Surrender Themselves to Police to Escape From Jay's Cruelty

Han Moo Young devised a plan not to play on board made by Jay. For the first step, Lee Ro Um needed to turn herself into the police. Second, Jung Da Jung (Lee Yeon) and Na Sa (Yu Hee Je) were identified as accomplices, prompting the prosecution to summon them.

The three maintained an attitude of neither admitting nor denying the charges. As this continues, Lee Ro Um has the chance to be discharged. Later on, an arrest warrant was issued for her, and was on her way to a convoy with Ryu Jae Hyuk, and suddenly confessed the whole story when she was with Jang Kyung Ja.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Heartbeat' Episode 7: Ok Taecyeon Reunites With His First Love Yoon So Hee

According to her, in order to meet Jay, she had to kill Jang Kyung Ja, but she gave up. Instead, Jang handed her the evidence of Jay's illegal funds collected.

Lee Ro Um Prepares Evidence to Use Against Jay

After collecting proof from Jang Kyung Ja, Lee Ro Um used it against Jay. She asked Jung Da Jung to prepare in advance for the final negotiation with Jay. After hearing it, Han Moo Young came up with an escape plan to help negotiate with Lee Ro Um and arranged for her to leave the prosecution office.

As a result, Jung Da Jung and Na Sa were arrested urgently on charges of helping Lee Ro Um escape, but it was also to protect their lives from Jay's threat, thinking that it was safer to stay in the prosecution office than outside. Ring Go (Hong Seung Bum) was also able to save his life by escaping the hospital in advance.

Finally, Lee Ro Um made her way to meet Jay.

" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Han Moo Young, on the other hand, is ready to rescue Ro Um as he secretly installed a GPS on her device.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
"King the Land" lead star Lee Junho was seen leaving South Korea on the morning of July 19. For what reason? Keep reading to know.

Lee Junho Leaves Seoul for Solo Promotions in Japan

While dominating the weekend with his comeback drama "King the Land," Lee Junho is diligently working on his othet schedules. On July 19, the idol-actor made his way to Gimpo International Airport.

According to the media, Lee Junho will fly to Japan for his overseas schedule. Before leaving his home country, the actor warmly greeted the fans and members of the press. He also exhibited his bright smile and posed for the camera.

The "Good Manager" star is expected to start working on his promotions for his upcoming solo release in Japan.

On July 7, it was confirmed that Lee Junho is preparing for a special solo release, "Can I," in Japan. This marks his return to the music industry as a solo artist.

It has been said that "Can I" will have three unique versions.

In addition, from July 22 through August 27, the 2PM main vocalist plans to greet his Japanese fans with his 2023 Arena tour.

Lee Junho Makes Back-to-Back Success in 'King the Land'

Maintaining good standing in his career, Lee Junho is rocking both the acting and music industry. As he prepares for his solo, the K-star is also gaining massive support from fans through his drama "King the Land."

Since the series debuted on June 17, Lee Junho, alongside onscreen partner YoonA, consistently top the K-drama Actor popular rankings. The actor maintains his spot at No. 1 for four consecutive weeks already. "King the Land" accumulated 17 million views in its first week of release.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'King the Land' Rises to Top on Popularity Rankings Following Cultural Misrepresentation Controversy

It even ranked first on the Netflix Top 10 Most Watched Shows in Non-English Category.

Adding to the drama's success is its double-digit viewership ratings. As the drama received good responses from the viewers, it is predicted that Lee Junho's first rom-com series will be one of his successful projects.

"King the Land" is already in its second half and expected to conclude on August 6.

2PM's Junho to Possibly Headline Netflix's 'Cashero'

Furthermore, Lee Junho keeps on attracting projects as he made his return to the small screen.

While greeting the viewers every weekend with "King the Land," the idol-actor already received a casting offer to headline Netflix's "Cashero," where he is courted to play a superhero.

Though there's no confirmation yet, if he accepts the role, it will mark his next Netflix project. It presents the story of ordinary superheroes who save the daily lives of ordinary people.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Lee Junho to Become Superhero in His Next K-Drama? Here's What We Know

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
The MoD of Azerbaijan continues to come up with the usual kind of disinformation, Armenia's Defense Ministry reports.

July 19, 2023, 09:46 Units of Armenia's Armed Forces did not open fire in direction of Azerbaijani positions: Ministry of Defense

STEPANAKERT, JULY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: The statement of the MoD of Azerbaijan that the units of the RA Armed Forces opened fire on the Azerbaijani combat positions located in the eastern and southwestern parts of the frontier zone between 12:40 a.m. and 1:40 a.m. on July 19, does not correspond to reality.
With the ongoing tension between Lee Ro Um (Chun Woo Hee) and Jay (Kim Tae Hoon), the ex-convict holds onto her greatest weapon to use against her opponent in "Delightfully Deceitful" episode 16.

'Delightfully Deceitful' Episode 16: Lee Ro Um Threatens Jay About His Secret Account

In "Delightfully Deceitful" episode 16, with the help of Han Moo Young, Lee Ro Um found evidence to arrest Jay, who was the chairman of Nabis Company.

Lee Ro Um escaped from the prosecutor's office, thanks to Han Moo Young's help. She then sent a location to Jay where they should meet. Jay was impressed that Ro Um was able to escape the police.

The two had an intense confrontation, talking about Lee Ro Um's parents' murder case and the manipulation Jay did to the Jeokmok Kids.

As their conversation heated up, Lee Ro Um surprised Jay by showing the evidence she received from Jang Kyung Ja (Lee Tae Ran).

Lee Ro Um brought the documents of Jay's secret account, proving the anomalies that happened in the Nabis company.

Jay did not believe the proof that Lee Ro Um brought. But the ex-convict referred to her conversation with Jang Kyung Ja, saying that whether Jay deposited the money from fraud or not, he would still go to jail once the documents get exposed.

In addition, Lee Ro Um had access to Jay's bank account on her cellphone, making it easier to track all his transactions. She sent evidence to the authorities and immediately took action to arrest Jay.

Han Moo Young Saves Lee Ro Um From Jay

Ahead of his arrest, Jay felt betrayed by Ro Um and strangled her with anger. He even threatened her that he would also kill Han Moo Young, Jung Da Jung (Lee Yeon), Na Sa (Yoo Hee Je), and Ringo (Hong Seung Beom).

Surprisingly, Han Moo Young appeared on time and shot Jay and Lee Ro Um was able to escape the crisis, but still went to prison due to a fraud case.

Jay was arrested for a murder case and other cases related to Nabis. He is sentenced to life in prison.

Lee Ro Um Lives Happily With Han Moo Young & Jeokmok Kids

Meanwhile, Han Moo Young defended the Jeokmok Kids and successfully freed them from their case.

A year later, Lee Ro Um was released from prison and began a new and happy life with Han Moo Young and the rest of the Jeokmok Kids.

Lee Ro Um fulfilled her revenge and gave her parents the justice they deserve.

What can you say in "Delightfully Deceitful" episode 16? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
FILE - A skeleton in sunglasses sits beside a sign reading, "Just waiting for the insurance check," outside the closed Kona Kai Motel on Sanibel Island, Fla., May 11, 2023. AAA wont renew a very small percentage of homeowners and auto insurance policies in Florida, joining other insurance companies in limiting their exposure in the Sunshine State despite efforts by Florida lawmakers to calm the volatile insurance market, the company said Tuesday, July 18. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Canadian Geographic President and CEO John Geiger, left, scientific adviser Joe MacInnis and explorer and filmmaker James Cameron pose for a photo in front of the Deepsea Challenger and a capsule on display at the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, Tuesday, July 18, 2023 in Ottawa. Cameron says the implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five people in June was an extreme outlier. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan held meetings on July 18 with United States Navy Admiral, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Christopher W. Grady and United States Air Force General, Chief of staff of the Air Force Charles Q. Brown Jr. in Washington.

July 19, 2023, 12:02 Armenian army chief meets with U.S. top brass in Washington D.C.

STEPANAKERT, JULY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: The current course of the Armenian-American defense partnership, upcoming programs, joint events, introduction of a professional sergeant system and the Mission Command concept, as well as possibilities for broader cooperation in the air force sector and a number of issues related to regional security were discussed, the ministry of defense said in a readout.
On a hot and humid July afternoon, the white coat ceremony for the class of 2025 at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine was in full swing. As I walked onstage, slipped into my brand-new white coat, and accepted the coveted medical student title I had spent years working for, I thought about why I was embarking on this journey: my family of Vietnam War refugees, my brother who has autism, and my father who suddenly passed away five years ago after dedicating his entire adult life to securing his familys safety and happiness. I was excited but also aware that medical school is not for the faint of heart. However, I still felt ready for the challenge because after all, I had made it this far. What could possibly go wrong?

Within the first week, the excitement I felt at my white coat ceremony quickly faded as I became overwhelmed and fell behind. Even with seemingly endless hours of studying, I was still doing poorly. I was exhausted every day and neglecting my well-being. For the first time in my life, my hard work was not paying off. On top of that, I lived at home with my brother who was prone to sudden behavioral outbursts that my mother and I had to drop everything we were doing for. However, I hesitated to seek help because I had never struggled so much in school before, and it seemed like all my classmates were doing well. I started to believe that I did not deserve to be in medical school. I barely passed my first two classes and kept pushing with the hope that things would improve over time, but unfortunately, I failed my first class at the end of the semester. I spent my entire winter break studying for the remediation exam, which I did not pass by only one question. Consequently, I was called to the promotions committee to explain everything that had led to these failures. I was permitted to stay with my class and eventually reached the first block of the second year.

Finally, it seemed like things were improving. I was not only doing better academically but also fully immersing myself in student life. But underneath the surface, history was repeating itself as I began to fall behind once again, which culminated in a panic attack during a simulation session where it seemed like everyone in my group except me knew everything. I ultimately failed the block by just 1%.

After being notified of this course failure, I continued going to school as if everything were normal while trying to convince the promotions committee to let me continue with my cohort for a second time. I then contracted COVID and had to recover at home while also waiting for a decision and studying for an upcoming midterm. However, the day before I was scheduled to return to school, I was given the devastating news that I would have to start medical school over from the very beginning. I took a leave of absence for the rest of the semester, and within hours of receiving the decision, I was no longer an actively enrolled medical student.

After being told that I would have to repeat my first year, I felt ashamed, alone, and like I had let everyone in my life down. I was angry at myself for allowing myself to hit rock bottom and repeatedly questioned why I was even on this grueling journey. I learned who my real friends were as word and speculation spread about my sudden vanishment. Not only did I start to believe that I would never become a doctor, but I did not know what the future held for me or even who I was anymore. At times, I wanted to simply disappear.

With time, support from my loved ones and upperclassmen who had gone through the same or similar experiences, therapy, and reflection on all my mistakes and whether medicine was still the right path for me, I accepted my fate and started to prepare for my return to medical school. I self-studied for the upcoming block and researched how other medical students who repeated a year overcame their challenges and achieved success in their programs. Before I knew it, summer break was over, and it was time for me to join the class of 2026.

When I first returned to medical school, I was afraid of judgment from both my old and new classmates. Fortunately, I had a few friends in the same situation which helped me feel less alone, and most of my peers were ultimately very accepting and supportive. I created a consistent study plan that allowed me to master the material, prioritized my well-being, and adopted a growth mindset. I also learned how to set clear boundaries with my mother about when I needed to step away from being a daughter and caregiver to study for my classes. Within a few weeks, I was consistently doing well on quizzes and exams, and by the end of the year, I not only passed but excelled in all my classes!

Remediating first year, albeit daunting, allowed me to regain confidence in my ability to succeed in medical school, build a stronger knowledge foundation, enjoy more of what I am learning, and rediscover my love for medicine and why I am on this journey. I now feel like I am thriving instead of just surviving, and that I do belong here after all.

I have also realized that in the class of 2025, I was settling. I thought that I was only capable of barely passing my classes and that I did not have to try to excel in medical school but rather just get through it. As a result, I was not properly learning the material nor living up to my full potential. Now in the class of 2026, I am no longer just scraping by  I have rediscovered that I am truly capable of being great.

Although my medical school journey has been tumultuous, I am now more confident, resilient, compassionate, and prepared to face any additional challenges that may arise throughout my career. I am also committed to sharing my story so that I can help other medical students going through the same experience and reduce the stigma surrounding academic failure in medical education. More than ever, I am sure that I will achieve my dream of becoming Dr. Phan.

Whenever I have a moment of doubt, I remind myself that:

I am strong.

I am going to be OK.

I am making my loved ones proud.

I am going to be a great physician.

But most importantly, I am still here.

Marthena Phan is a medical student.
Government has been urged to involve the private sector when formulating new taxes to ensure fair outcome of tax policies.

The call comes at a time many private business owners are complaining that government has levied taxes without consulting them on how it affects their businesses.

Speaking at the Top 100 mid-sized companies forum in Kampala, Mr Johnson Omollo, the General Manager of NTV Uganda said there must be a broader inclusion of the private sector when government is drafting new taxes.

He also wants government to broaden the tax base through increasing productivity in the economy especially through agriculture instead of drafting new taxes.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Amuriat and his predecessor Dr. Kiiza Besigye will today hold parallel media briefings as an apparent rift in the partys top leadership deepens.

The duo intends to answer varying allegations against each other as the one-time largest opposition party melts down.

Party spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda and allied compatriots on Monday publicly accused the party Secretary-General Nandala Mafabi of working with the state.

This was during a national consultative meeting organized by a group led by Ssemujju and deputy president Erias Lukwago reportedly without approval of the president.

Both the party president and Secretary General are accused of taking money from the ruling party during the 2021 election period, claims they have since denied.

Amuriats press conference is to be held at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, while Dr. Besigye will hold his at Katonga Road, both will be at 11 am.
As Armenia and Azerbaijan continue their intensive negotiations to reach an agreement, tensions grow around the self-proclaimed Nagorno Karabakh Republic.

July 19, 2023, 13:52 Opinion: The EU needs to facilitate a dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT, JULY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: Since April 23, 2023, when Azerbaijan established a checkpoint at the beginning of the Lachin corridor, only a minimal amount of humanitarian cargo has been delivered to Nagorno Karabakh via the Russian peacekeepers and International Red Cross. Azerbaijan shut down the checkpoint for ten days (June 15-25), and limited transfer through the corridor resumed on June 26. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan continues to demand the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh defense army, calling these units either as illegal armed formations or saying that they are in fact part of Armenia's army. On June 28, Azerbaijan launched a punitive action against the Nagorno Karabakh defense army, resulting in four Armenian soldiers being killed. In parallel to this, Azerbaijan issues daily statements about ceasefire violations along the Azerbaijan  Nagorno Karabakh line of contact.



Experts and politicians in Armenia and Azerbaijan argue that Azerbaijan may launch a largescale military operation in Nagorno Karabakh very soon if Armenia and Azerbaijan fail to sign a deal in upcoming months or if Nagorno Karabakh rejects Azerbaijan's call to dissolve the defense army. However, there is a lack of understanding of how to stop this upcoming a disaster. Armenia  Azerbaijan negotiations are still stuck on several fundamental disagreements, including the issue of maps for border delimitation and demarcation, as well as the establishment of a mechanism that would guarantee any signed agreement. However, the critical disagreement is related to the issue of an international presence in Nagorno Karabakh to secure Armenians' rights and establishment of an international mechanism or at least international involvement in the Nagorno Karabakh - Azerbaijan talks. Azerbaijan rejected these demands, stating that it would never accept them and that Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh would have no special rights.



Thus, it is challenging to assess the probability of the signature of the Armenia  Azerbaijan peace agreement by the end of 2023, as probably the Armenian government will not agree to sign a peace agreement without any progress on the issue of the future of Nagorno Karabakh Armenians. Even if Azerbaijan can force Armenia to do that, Nagorno Karabakh will not accept this outcome, claiming that Armenia has no right to decide on the future of the Nagorno Karabakh population.



Thus, regardless of whether Armenia and Azerbaijan will sign an agreement by the end of 2023, there is a danger of military escalation in Nagorno Karabakh. Some experts argue that it is not the problem of the EU, as Russian peacekeepers are deployed there, so it is the responsibility of Russia to prevent such development or, if escalation occurs, to use force to defend Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. However, regardless of what Russian peacekeepers will or will not do in case of a large-scale military flare-up, the EU is interested in the region's long-term stability and not in a short-term solution. In this context, any largescale military activities in Nagorno Karabakh will negatively impact the EU efforts in the South Caucasus.



Perhaps, one of the tangible ways for the EU to prevent Azerbaijan from launching attacks against Nagorno Karabakh or the Nagorno Karabakh defense army could be the threat of sanctions. However, in current circumstances, this is not realistic, as any sanctions require unanimous decisions, and given the growing EU  Azerbaijan economic cooperation, there will always be EU member states which will veto sanctions.



Thus, the only realistic way for the EU to seek to prevent a new crisis is to put efforts to facilitate the talks between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. These cannot be track one talks, as Azerbaijan will never agree to this. However, the EU has accumulated significant experience on track 1.5 and track 2 dialogues, which serve as a valuable platform for exchanging views and exploring the limits of possibilities for the sides. EU was involved in these activities in the Armenia  Azerbaijan conflict before and after the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war, sometimes bringing together participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno Karabakh. Among the vital EU-supported initiatives after the war is the establishment of Armenia  Azerbaijan expert group on confidence-building measures, the Armenia  Azerbaijan economic dialogue series implemented by the Restart initiative and Berlin Hertie school, and some others.



However, the time has arrived for the EU to take a step forward and look for ways to launch bilateral Azerbaijan  Nagorno Karabakh dialogues. Of course, it is a challenging task, given that even the term Nagorno Karabakh raises objections in Azerbaijan, as Baku claims that there is no Nagorno Karabakh territorial - administrative unit in Azerbaijan, only Karabakh economic region. However, the flexibility of Track 1.5 or Track 2 diplomacy may allow us to find an acceptable solution for both sides. Success is not guaranteed, but the EU is uniquely positioned to seek to push forward this initiative, which may prevent the grim scenarios of more cycles of violence from becoming a reality.



source: Benyamin Poghosyan is a Senior Fellow on foreign policy at APRI Armenia and the founder and Chairman of the Centre for Political and Economic Strategic Studies in Yerevan.



The views expressed in opinion pieces and commentaries do not necessarily reflect the position of commonspace.eu or its partners.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Mr. Patrick Amuriat has revealed that errant colleagues will face disciplinary action over false accusations against top party officials.

On Monday, another FDC faction led by the party spokesperson, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda and the deputy president Erias Lukwago accused the party for getting money from President Museveni to finance the 2021 elections.

Addressing journalists at their offices at Najjanakumbi on Wednesday, Amuriat said it is not in order to make accusations against the party without evidence.

According to Amuriat, Ssemujju has failed to keep the image of the organisation and will face disciplinary action together with Lukwago.

As president of the FDC, Im going to move for disciplinary action to be taken against these errant colleagues of ours, Amuriat said.

Similarly, he says that Lukwago, who is the deputy president in charge of Buganda region has failed to implement the party activities in the region, further accusing him of hopping from political party to another for experience.

They have said a lot of things that they cannot prove not knowing that they also have skeletons in their closets that we can prove. The record of the Lord Mayor is clear, he is hopping from one institution to another for political experience, he added.

Without revealing the actions, Amuriat says they will follow the party constitution.

As Amuriat addressed journalists on Monday, Lukwago had joined former FDC president, Kizza Besigye for another parallel presser in Kampala.
By Kevin Githuku

Government, through the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi has distanced itself from claims that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) allegedly sponsored Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party elections in 2021.

The claims have split FDC as top party leaders led by spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda accuse their President Patrick Amuriat and Secretary General Nandala Mafabi of getting money from NRM.

However, minister Baryomunsi says the government constitutionally supports all political parties with representation in Parliament financially to boost their political activities and has nothing to do with conflicts in FDC.

The NRM government believes in a functioning democracy and the democratic space we have provided allows political parties to emerge, grow and function. It cannot be the same NRM or President Yoweri Museveni to wish the collapse or the demise of other political parties, Baryomunsi said.

The minister, who made the remarks while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre earlier today, further urged FDC to sort out their differences without dragging NRM into conflict.
By Daily Nation

Kenya is braced for the latest in a series of opposition protests against the rising cost of living and tax hikes, which have turned violent, with at least 24 people killed in recent months.

The opposition Azimio La Umoja One coalition announced earlier that they would hold protests on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to public demand

The revision of the anti-government demonstration comes after a five-day break by the coalition to mourn those who lost their lives in Wednesdays protests.

Todays protests come as opposition leader Raila Odinga vows to continue peaceful nationwide protests until President William Rutos government listens to the grievances of Kenyans.

According to Daily Nation, the Kenya Private Sector Association estimated earlier that Kenyas economy is losing at least Shs3 billion a day due to the protests.

Meanwhile. the Kenyan government yesterday announced closure of day schools in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu over demos.
The Executive Director of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) David Livingstone Ebiru was on Wednesday sent to the Parliamentary Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) for interrogation after confessing that he provided a bribe of Shs100 million to the Bureau board members.

He says the alleged bribe was aimed at preventing the termination of his contract after a report from the Inspector General of Government (IGG) recommended his sacking from the Bureau due to lack of qualifications and incompetence.

While appearing before Parliaments Committee on Public Accounts, Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) chaired by Joel Ssenyonyi, Ebiru, revealed that he borrowed Shs100 million and handed it over to Mr. Robert Mwanje, one of the board members on behalf of the board chairperson, Charles Musekuura.

I borrowed the 100 million shillingshe [Robert Mwanje] came to my office and picked it, Ebiru told COSASE.

However, the board members denied receiving the money which prompted Ssenyonyi to direct CID officers to interrogate Ebiru further.

Meanwhile, Ebiru was faulted for failing to take action against the Bureau staff who allegedly received bribes of over Shs19 billion from traders to allow them import fake goods into the country.

Musekuura accused Ebiru of mismanaging Shs12.5 billion and causing a financial loss to the national standards body.
The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) is concerned about reports that universities are withholding transcripts of students who studied on government loan scheme.

This was after government delayed remitting tuition for the students as per the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties.

Addressing journalists in Kampala, UPC spokesperson, Sharon Oyat said much as they feel for universities on governments failure to remit the funds in time, it is not proper to target the direct beneficiaries to recover funds.

She noted that the beneficiaries of the loan scheme are students from vulnerable families who are unable to finance their education.

UPC is advising the government and public universities to work out modalities without affecting students and explore ways of temporarily employing such categories of graduates for loan servicing purposes.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Patrick Amuriat has distanced himself from claims that he received money from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party to fund their 2021 elections. Amuriat explained that the party did not receive the money from President Museveni as alleged by top FDC officials led by party spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda.

Ssemujju and other party officials claim that their Secretary-General Nandala Mafabi and Amuriat received the said money and part of it was used to buy brand new vehicles.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Amuriat said the allegations were first made in 2020 by FDC founding president, Dr. Kizza Besigye who said he had intelligence that they were picking money from the junta.

The allegations about President Museveni funding our activities were first made in 2020 by our founding president who said he had intelligence reports that we were picking money from the junta regime. Weve never picked money from Museveni. The only money we got from government was through the Electoral Commission as provided in the Constitution, Amuriat told journalists.

He says the other money came from some of their funders who asked not to be named.
By AFP

Putin and Ramaphosa met in St. Petersburg last month during a peace mission by African presidents (Evgeny Biatov)

Arresting Vladimir Putin would amount to a declaration of war on Russia, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote in court papers released on Tuesday as the country wrangles over hosting the Russian leader.

Putin has been invited to a BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month but is the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant  a provision that Pretoria as an ICC member would be expected to implement were he to attend.

South Africas diplomatic dilemma is playing out in court, where the leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is trying to force the governments hand and ensure the Kremlin leader is held and handed over to the ICC if he steps foot in the country.

But in a responding affidavit, Ramaphosa described the DAs application as irresponsible and said national security was at stake.

Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting President would be a declaration of war, he said.

It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia, he said, adding that this would go against his duty to protect the country.

South Africa is seeking an exemption under ICC rules based on the fact that enacting the arrest could threaten the security, peace and order of the state, he said.

South Africa is the current chair of the BRICS group, a gathering of heavyweights that also includes Brazil, Russia, India and China, which sees itself as a counter-balance to Western economic domination.

Putin is sought by the ICC over accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.

Deputy South African President Paul Mashatile has said in recent interviews with local media the government has been trying to persuade Putin not to come  but so far unsuccessfully.

Signed in June and initially marked as confidential, Ramaphosas affidavit was published on Tuesday, after the court ruled related papers be made public.
Fake news about Moscow and Washington allegedly discussing Ukraine continue to circulate, including, among other means, as a way of destabilizing Russia from within, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Channel One television on Wednesday, Tass informs.

July 19, 2023, 17:19 Russian diplomat decries fake news reports about alleged US-Russia talks on Ukraine

STEPANAKERT, JULY 19, ARTSAKHPRESS: "Lavrov has not had any Track Two or Track Three talks, as US media put it, with anyone on agreements with Ukraine. These are bogus stories, and this was done intentionally. Among other things, <> this topic will be constantly floated for the sole purpose of destabilizing us from within," the Russian diplomat said.
First-ever consular consultations have been held between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry.

They were attended by delegations led by Emil Safarov, head of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, and Faisal Lutfi, Assistant Undersecretary for Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE.

The current state and development prospects of consular cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, an important partner country for Azerbaijan, as well as the possibilities of signing new bilateral documents in the field and digitizing consular services, were reviewed during the consultations.

In addition, the sides exchanged views about the application of a visa-free regime for the citizens of both countries with civil passports based on the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on the exemption from entry visas for persons holding civil, diplomatic and special/service passports", from July 8 of this year.

The parties exchanged experience on the latest innovations in the consular field and emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries in migration, justice, and other fields.

They agreed to hold the next meeting of consular consultations in Baku in 2024.
Commentary

By Matthew Lau

On June 29, the United States Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down affirmative action in university and college admissions, ruling it unconstitutional to use racial preferences in their admissions decisions. The student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual  not on the basis of race, wrote Chief Justice John Roberts. Many universities have for too long done just the opposite. And in doing so, they have concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individuals identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the colour of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice.

One of the offending universities was Harvard. In 2018 The Economist published a chart in its story on Harvards discrimination which made clear its discriminatory approach. The graphic split applicants, excluding legacy admissions and recruiting athletes, into 10 academic deciles (with the first decile representing students in the bottom 10 percent and the 10th decile representing students in the top 10 percent). It showed students in the top decile had a nearly 60 percent rate of admission if they were black but less than 40 percent if Hispanic, less than 20 percent if White, and less than 15 percent if Asian. In fact, an Asian in the 10th decile was less likely to be accepted to Harvard than a black student in the fourth decile. Clearly, Harvards approach was biased against some people and favoured others based on skin colour.

While the Supreme Court in the United States ruled it intolerable to discriminate in university admissions against individuals based on their skin colour, in Canada, the use of racial preferences carries on unabated. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows such discrimination if the stated intention is the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups.

A recent column by Jamie Sarkonak provided examples of racial preferences or quotas in certain programs at Dalhousie University, the University of Calgary, Queens, and even Torontos K-12 public schools. But discriminating against people based on their skin colour is illiberal and wrong, and when public money is involved (as in the case of public universities or government-run schools), it should not be allowed.

One notable thing about public policy debates, including on affirmative action, is the focus on the stated intentions instead of actual results. Proponents of affirmative action say it helps disadvantaged groups of people; opponents say it unfairly disadvantages individuals based on their skin colour. Such points about affirmative action are welcome, but it is also important to look at the results. Thomas Sowell, the famed 93-year-old American economist and author who spent much of his career studying and writing about race and discrimination, lamented that the factual question of what actually happens as a result of affirmative action policies receives remarkably little attention.

Sowells scholarly work paints a devastating picture of the actual results of affirmative action. In an 18,000+ word essay in Commentary in 1989, Sowell identified four patterns of affirmative action programs worldwide:

1. Even when introduced as temporary, they tend to persist and, in fact, expand over time;

2. Within groups receiving preferential treatment, the benefits go disproportionately to the most fortunate members;

3. Group polarization tends to increase as the groups discriminated against or that do not receive preferential treatment react negatively; and

4. There is widespread fraud as people falsely claim to belong to the designated groups receiving preferential treatment.

The second point is particularly important in the current Canadian context, where we have government programs that give exclusive funding, preference in government procurement, or other favourable treatment to people from groups (racial or otherwise) said to be disadvantaged. The reality is that people who are able to get large sums of public money by demonstrating to government officials or university administrators that they are disadvantaged are unlikely to actually be disadvantaged.

Sowell concluded over three decades ago that the starting point for rethinking and reform must be a recognition that affirmative action has been a failure in the United States and a disaster in other countries that have had such policies longer. His Commentary essay, along with his book Affirmative Action Around the World: An Empirical Study, published by Yale University Press in 2004, is full of evidence to support that conclusion.

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision is a good start in reversing the disaster. But in Canada, where the Charter of Rights and Freedoms tolerates affirmative action, political willpower will be needed to end this unfair and disastrous discrimination.

Matthew Lau, a Toronto writer, is a senior fellow with the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy.
SYDNEY, July 19 (Reuters) - Australia's largest landlords have announced a string of downgrades to the values of their office block portfolios over the past month, but not by enough to humour investors.

While publicly traded commercial real estate markets have plunged, the hit to unit prices has not shown up fully in asset valuations, creating a stalemate between relatively upbeat landlords and buyers waiting for deeper discounts.

Office blocks are at the centre of the standoff. Emptied during COVID, workers have been slow to return to offices, while higher rates have hit property values just as debt gets more expensive to service.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) such as Dexus (DXS.AX), one of the country's largest office owners, Charter Hall Group (CHC.AX), and Centuria Office REIT (COF.AX) downgraded portfolios between 4% and 8% in bi-annual independent valuations over June and July.

Added to valuations from December, major REITs, which build, own and operate property assets, have marked down office portfolios by roughly a tenth or less over the past year. Non-office assets have fallen even less.

That's a fraction of the decline in public markets. Dexus shares have fallen 28% since 2022, while Charter Hall has nearly halved. The Australian REIT benchmark is still a fifth off pre-COVID levels despite a 4% rise this year.

While such divergence between public and private valuations isn't uncommon due to prime property owners being unwilling to mark holdings down, the yawning gap reflects broader uncertainty about the sector.

"Buyers aren't willing to pay the price from the last valuations," said Winston Sammut, an investment manager at Sequoia Financial Group and a former executive at Charter Hall. "You can put a value on stuff but if no one's wiling to pay that price, it's not a true value."

REITs argue their portfolios are flush with premium buildings and filled with tenants. In response to questions from Reuters, Centuria said valuations for smaller offices are holding up well and referenced its recent A$23 million sale of a Canberra asset, which was only 1.7% below the December book value. Dexus and Charter Hall did not respond to requests for comment.

Investors are divided about whether unlisted prices will fall as far as public markets, but even optimists are wary. Grant Berry, a REIT portfolio manager at SG Hiscock & Company, calls a 30% drop in prices "heavy handed" but flagged the possibility of 20% fall.

Unlisted valuations are expected to settle at similar levels to public market pricing, with discounts around the 20% to 30%, according to investment bankers.

One recent high-profile sale underscores the downside risks. Dexus last month sold a premium downtown Sydney skyscraper for A$393 million, a 17% discount to the December valuation.

Faced with the prospect of big discounts, owners are pulling sales. U.S. private equity giant Blackstone and Chinese insurer Ping An both paused high-profile Sydney office block sales this year after lowball bids, local media reported. Blackstone declined to comment and Ping An did not respond to a request for comment.

Valuers can justify keeping downgrades modest as long as there are few big sales against which to benchmark prices, according to Amy Pham, a REIT fund manager at Pengana Capital Group.

"Valuers aren't doing themselves any service by being cautious. The more they hold back, the more buyers and investors will hold back."

BREAKING THE DEADLOCK

Growing pressure on owners to pay investors scrambling out of unlisted property funds may ultimately force them to sell buildings to raise cash, effectively breaking the deadlock, Sammut said.

"Money is queuing up to get out before the valuations are fully adjusted for the rate increases," he said. "As more redemptions come through, it creates pressure for more sales."

Charter Hall has already curbed how much investors can withdraw from one of its largest unlisted office funds as it struggles to find buyers at prices it believes are fair.

In the United States, Blackstone has repeatedly limited investor redemptions from its flagship real estate fund since November.

Australia's A$100 billion pension fund Hostplus abruptly closed its standalone property and infrastructure funds in June, citing costs, complexity and the need to manage the overall asset mix and cash flow.

"Hostplus, that's a start," said Pham. "We're looking to see whether the fund managers, the Charter Halls, the Centurias, the Dexus are also getting large redemptions."

($1 = 1.4628 Australian dollars)
LONDON, July 19 (Reuters) - Work has begun on a 2.4 billion pound (2.8 billion euro) project to build the first power cable linking Britain and Germany, said NeuConnect Interconnector, which is leading the move to connect two of Europes largest energy markets for the first time

The new energy link will extend over 725 kilometres (450 miles) in length, mostly under the sea, and will be one of the world's largest interconnector projects.

The cables could transfer up to 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of electricity to flow in either direction between Britain and Germany, NeuConnect said in a statement on Wednesday.

The project will help boost energy security as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian pipeline gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"NeuConnect is a key project to support Germany and the UK in achieving their climate targets and to boost energy security," said Miguel Berger, the German ambassador to the UK.

"It is the largest Anglo-German infrastructure project and will enable us to share excess power  preventing renewable energy from being wasted."

The project is financed by France's Meridiam, Germany's Allianz Capital Partners and Japan's Kansai Electric Power (9503.T) with a consortium of more than 20 banks and financial institutions, including the UK Infrastructure Bank and the European Investment Bank.

NeuConnect, which obtained the financial green light in July 2022, will construct new converter stations on the Isle of Grain, in south east England, and the Wilhelmshaven region, in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, connected by subsea cables travelling through British, Dutch and German waters.

The project is expected to be operational by 2028.
A border official holding a passport (PA Wire)

Residents of Singapore possess the worlds most powerful passport, a new report has revealed, while Britain has jumped from sixth to fourth place.

The yearly ranking by Henley & Partners, a citizenship and planning firm, takes into account how many destinations can be visited without applying for a visa.

Citizens of Singapore can travel to 192 out of a possible 227, while Britons can visit 188 countries.

Germany, Italy and Spain share second place, while Japan, Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden all finished third.

The US, meanwhile, continued to slide down the table after falling from sixth to eighth. Researchers pointed out that while American passport holders can access 184 destinations visa-free, the US only allows residents from 44 other countries to pass through its own borders without a visa.

Afghanistan came bottom with visa-free travel to just 27 nations, followed by Iraq (29) and Syria (30).

The UK occupied the top spot from 2013 to 2015, while Germans had the worlds most powerful passport in 2016 and 2017.

A raft of new visa-waiver agreements catapulted Japan and Singapore to the top of the rankings in recent years, but European countries still dominate the top ten.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Henley Passport Index said: The general trend over the history of the 18-year-old ranking has been towards greater travel freedom, with the average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023.

However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than it has ever been, with top-ranked Singapore able to access 165 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan.

Dr Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, said only eight countries worldwide have less visa-free access than a decade ago.

He added: The UAE has added an impressive 107 destinations to its visa-free score since 2013, resulting in a massive leap of 44 places in the ranking over the past 10 years from 56th to 12th position. This is almost double the next biggest climber, Colombia, which has enjoyed a jump of 28 places in the ranking to sit in 37th spot.

Story continues

Ukraine and China are also among the top 10 countries with the most improved rankings over the past decade.

Far more than just a travel document that defines our freedom of movement, a strong passport also provides significant financial freedoms in terms of international investment and business opportunities.

Global connectivity and access have become indispensable features of wealth creation and preservation, and its value will only grow as geopolitical volatility and regional instability increase.
By Arshreet Singh

July 19 (Reuters) - Major North American copper miners are likely to report a fall in second-quarter profits, as global growth concerns dented realized prices for the red metal and labor costs remained high. Freeport-McMoRan , Southern Copper and Teck Resources are estimated to post a combined adjusted profit of $1.53 billion for the April-June quarter, according to data from Refinitiv, compared with $2.63 billion a year earlier.

The average copper price fell about 11% to $3.85 per pound during the period, as per CFRA Research. "Copper prices fell considerably in the first part of second-quarter before finding a bottom in late May, at which point it was able to regain some lost ground," said Steve Schoffstall of Sprott Asset Management. He blamed fears of slowing global growth, particularly in top consumer China, for the decline in prices.

The drop knocked Freeport-McMoRan's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) by about $110 million, Wolfe Research said in a research note. Freeport, which operates the low-cost, high-grade Grasberg mine in Indonesia, is also awaiting an export permit after the Southeast Asian nation banned raw mineral exports. The company has not shipped its materials since June 10 following the expiry of its export permit.

Bernstein sees labor costs, which account for 28% of site production costs, further decreasing margins for Freeport. Southern Copper, on the other hand, may have the best chance to post a year-on-year rise in adjusted earnings, said Matthew Miller, analyst at CFRA Research, on higher production. Freeport-McMoRan is set to launch the second-quarter earnings season for miners on Thursday, with Southern Copper, First Quantum and Teck scheduled to report next week.

Company Refinitiv Q2 Refinitiv Q2 EPS estimate revenue estimate Freeport-McMoRan 34 cents $5.54 billion Southern Copper 82 cents $2.51 billion Teck Resources C$1.28 C$3.63 billion Company Recommendation Median Price Target Freeport-McMoRan 11 of 22 analysts rate the stock $45.61 "buy" or higher, 10 "hold" and

Quarterly copper production Copper prices fall from 2022 peak Copper prices fall from 2022 peak

(Reporting by Arshreet Singh; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
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(Kitco News) - Zhe Constance Wang, who was the Chief Operating Officer of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, has joined crypto venture firm Sino Global Capital, according to a report from Bloomberg. Wang now leads the gaming division at Sino Global, as confirmed by founder Matthew Graham.

Wang also served as co-CEO of Bahamas-based FTX Digital Markets, where her responsibilities included leading the exchanges global business expansion, overseeing the listing of tokens, and public relations and marketing.

She was among the senior executives who lived in the luxurious FTX Albany compound with founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Since the November bankruptcy filings of FTX, Alameda Research and the other companies in Bankman-Frieds crypto empire, she has been living in China, according to an unnamed source quoted by Bloomberg. Wang did not respond to requests for comment on the new position.

Sino Global had very close ties to FTX from the outset, revealing after the firms implosion that they had been an early investor in the exchange. In late October 2021, exactly one year before FTX went bankrupt, Sino Global launched the $200 million Liquid Value Fund in partnership with FTX. From the very beginning, Matthew and the Sino Global Capital team supported the FTX vision and then worked with us to help make it a reality, Bankman-Fried was quoted as saying at the time.

Wang spent a short time working as a business development manager at Singapore-based crypto exchange Huobi Global, as well as two years as an analyst at Credit Suisse.

The new FTX management team appointed in the wake of the exchanges collapse sought to subpoena Wang and other former senior executives in January, but she has yet to be accused of wrongdoing by the Justice Department.

On Feb. 28, Nishad Singh, the former Director of Engineering for FTX, pleaded guilty to criminal charges and announced he would be cooperating with prosecutors. Singh joined Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison and FTX cofounder Gary Wang as key witnesses in the Justice Departments investigation into the firms and their founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, after Ellison and Wang struck plea deals with the DoJ in December.

On June 14, the criminal charges against Bankman-Fried were split into two separate cases after lawyers for the disgraced crypto mogul attempted to have multiple charges dropped due to the fact that they were filed after he had already been extradited to the U.S.

The trial for the original eight charges will begin on October 2, 2023. These charges relate to various wire, derivatives, and securities fraud and conspiracy allegedly carried out at FTX and Alameda Research, along with accusations of money laundering.

A new trial scheduled to begin in March 2024 will focus on the later charges of bribery conspiracy, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business, bank fraud conspiracy, and derivatives and securities fraud.
July 19 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Western countries of perverting the expired Black Sea grain deal for their own ends, but said Russia would immediately return to the agreement if all its conditions were met.

On Monday, Moscow had quit the deal, under which it had allowed Ukraine a year ago to export grain from its Black Sea ports despite the war to alleviate a global food crisis.

It said a parallel memorandum signed at the same time, intended to facilitate its own grain and fertiliser exports in the face of the Western sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, had been ignored.

"Initially, the essence, the meaning of the grain deal has a colossal humanitarian significance," Putin said.

"The West has completely emasculated and perverted this essence, and instead of helping countries in real need, the West used the grain deal for political blackmail, and in addition ... made it a tool for enriching transnational corporations, speculators in the global grain market."

He restated Moscow's position that it would return to the deal as soon as the West met its five key demands, which Putin enumerated:

- readmission of the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the SWIFT payment system;

- resumption of exports of agricultural machinery and spare parts to Russia;

- removal of restrictions on insurance and access to ports for Russian ships and cargo;

- reinstatement of a now-damaged ammonia export pipeline from Russia's Togliatti to Odesa in Ukraine;

- the unblocking of accounts and financial activities of Russian fertiliser companies.

"If all these conditions are fulfilled, which we previously agreed on - they are not something I have invented now - but as soon as they are fulfilled, we will immediately return to the deal," Putin said.

Earlier, his Defence Ministry said Moscow would now consider all vessels heading to Ukrainian ports as potential carriers of military cargoes.

Moreover, Russia's Foreign Ministry gave the United Nations, which brokered the grain deal along with Turkey, three months to implement the terms of the memorandum if it wanted Russia to return to the grain deal.

Moscow says it mounted a "special military operation" to prevent Ukraine being used by the West to threaten Russia's security, an accusation that Ukraine and its Western allies dismiss as a baseless pretext for a war of conquest.
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(Kitco News) - Gold continues to play an active role in central banks' foreign reserves, according to updated data from the International Monetary Fund, highlighted by the World Gold Council.

Tuesday, in a Twitter post, Krishan Gopaul, senior analyst for the WGC, said that Qatar bought 1.6 tonnes of gold last month. He noted that this is the first increase in the nation's gold reserves since October 2023.

Qatar's central bank now holds 93.4 tonnes of gold in its foreign reserves.

Latest IMF data shows that Qatar Central Bank increased its official #gold reserves by 1.6 tonnes in June, the first increase since October 2022. Its total gold reserves now stand at 93.4 tonnes. pic.twitter.com/PwsrDuVJUQ  Krishan Gopaul (@KrishanGopaul) July 18, 2023

At the same time, Gopaul said that data showed that the National Bank of Kazakhstan sold 3.2 tonnes of gold last month. Kazakhstan said that the central bank has reduced its gold reserves by 42.1 tonnes since February. In January, the central bank bought 3.9 tonnes of gold.

However, in his research, Gopaul has noted that its common for nations like Kazakhstan, which has solid domestic production, to sell its gold.

Although data for June continues to be tabulated, there are early signs that central banks were net buyers of gold last month, with China and Poland leading the market. Turkey, which heavily sold gold for the last three months, skewing the global picture, bought 11 tonnes of gold last month.

In a recent interview with Kitco News, Ryan McIntyre, managing partner at Sprott Inc., said that it is not surprising that central banks continue to buy gold as it remains the ultimate neutral asset.

He added that governments worldwide, led by Western Nations, continue to add to their growing deficits, creating sovereign risks in the marketplace. He said that it makes sense to own some gold in this environment, which has no geopolitical or third-party risk.

"Gold is an island unto itself, he said. "We've long taken for granted governments' ability to pave over economic problems with more debt, but at some point, we are going to reach an end. It's not sustainable.
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(Kitco News) - Bitcoin (BTC) has once again been thrust into the spotlight of financial markets thanks to multiple spot BTC exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications being filed by some of the worlds largest asset managers, including BlackRock and Fidelity, but its price continues to struggle to overcome resistance at $31,500.

While bulls fight to push its price higher, one area of the Bitcoin ecosystem that is firing on all cylinders is the mining sector, which continues to strengthen as evidenced by the recent all-time highs in hash rate and mining difficulty.

According to data provided by Bitinfocharts, the hash rate for the Bitcoin network hit a new record high of 465.015 exahashes on July 8, while data from CoinWarz shows Bitcoin mining difficulty is currently at an all-time high of 53.91 trillion exahashes.

To get more insight into the current state of Bitcoin mining, Kitco Crypto spoke with Phil Harvey, Founder and CEO of Sabre56, a leading hosting provider and digital asset mining consultancy firm that recently announced a deal with Arkon Energy to consult on the Australian data center infrastructure providers newly acquired data center in Hannibal, Ohio.

While many in the crypto industry would like to memory-hole the events of the past two years, Harvey said they were a transformative period for the Bitcoin mining industry despite the fallout from the FTX collapse, which he said amplified the cooling commonly observed after the bull run in crypto markets.

The industry is maturing and consolidating as professional players and institutional money enters the market, he said. The crypto winter accelerated this trend by weeding out unsustainable operations. The casualties were miners such as Core Scientific, Compute North and Celsius, who had bought overpriced machines during the bull run and over-promised on facility delivery.

The companies that remain had well-planned crypto mining operations, which helped provide a buffer to short- and mid-term Bitcoin price fluctuations, he said. Sabre56, for example, has mining profitability data dating back to 2013 that shows revenue is remarkably constant over cycles.

Mining players who are in it for the long haul and being reasonably capitalized did not stop their expansion during the crypto winter, quite the opposite, he added.

Sabre56 is currently focused on building its own hosting facilities across Wyoming, Ohio, and Texas, and Sabre56 has the goal of professionalizing the Bitcoin mining industry wherever it can, he said.

Optimism in the mining industry

When it comes to sentiment within the U.S. Bitcoin mining industry, Harvey said there is a lot of optimism due to the rapid pace of progress. Fortunately, the regulatory skirmishes between the SEC and Binance, Coinbase, and several other crypto companies do not overly impact the mining industry because it relies overwhelmingly on Bitcoin mining, he noted.

If anything, Bitcoin has been strengthened by the woes in other quarters of the crypto economy, since its status as currency is undisputed by the SEC, an opinion it has held for years, he added. Public expressions of Bitcoin bullishness by the likes of BlackRocks Larry Fink fortify this advantage.

As opposed to regulations pertaining to the buying and selling of cryptocurrencies, which are dealt with at the federal level, Harvey pointed out that State and local rules, as well as cooperation with local governments and utility providers, determine whether projects can be implemented successfully. Federal rules are of little relevance to miners operations.

Wyoming and Ohio have been very welcoming towards new mining operations, and this goes from the state level  with ardent supporters like Wyomings Senator Cynthia Lummis (R.)  to stakeholders in city and county governments, he said. And while there have been attempts in the Texas House of Representatives to take a more restrictive stance, the symbiotic relationship between grid provider ERCOT and Bitcoin miners continues to make the state an attractive destination for mining operations.

Since receiving $35 million in project financing to build tier-zero blockchain data centers in Wyoming and Texas, Sabre56 has completed the construction of two facilities in Wyoming, started construction of their Ohio facility, and secured space in Texas.

In May, we finalized a multi-site, multi-year deal with GEM Mining, an institutional grade miner which, like Sabre56, is led by executives with a military background, and have since installed 4,510 of the companys S19 Antminers in one of our new tier-zero blockchain data centers, he said.

Outlook for Bitcoin mining in H2 2023 and beyond

When asked if he sees the trend of rising Bitcoin difficulty continuing, Harvey predicted mining difficulty will continue to break records as more computing power comes online. This is nothing new, he said.

One of the ingenious mechanisms of Bitcoin is to incentivize efficiency gains in mining  making the blockchain more secure in the process  and ensuring mining infrastructure continues to be aligned with Bitcoins growing relevance in the global economy, he said. There really is no hard cap on difficulty and hash rate as chip technology and computing power grows more capacious. It is purely a function of the number of miners employed.

And the number of miners employed will likely continue to increase for the foreseeable future as Institutional investors moving into Bitcoin mining is the trend of the current market, he said.

We have had many conversations with large investors who stood on the sidelines for a while, watching closely how the market went from an amateurish minefield to a promising infrastructure industry, he noted. Now, many of these players are negotiating with proven operators and hosting providers to employ capital towards the construction of more efficient, professionally-led, and greener blockchain data centers.

Harvey emphasized that it's not only institutional money showing interest in Bitcoin mining, as utility providers and governments, particularly in the MENA region, are also moving to take their share in this emerging branch of the economy.

As for the future of Bitcoin mining in the U.S., Harvey said, Blockchain data centers are the infrastructure behind Bitcoin (and some other digital assets), and as long as the crypto economy continues to grow and evolve, there will be demand for these types of data centers.

It is often overlooked how blockchain data centers, while purpose-built for Bitcoin mining computation, are in essence fungible, he said. Computing power is already an important commodity, and its relevance will only increase as we enter the commercialization of AI and high-performance computing applications across industries. With these drivers, solid industry growth is a safe bet for years to come.

Sabre56 looks to support the continued expansion of the industry by offering consulting services to miners and investors, helping them source high-quality mining equipment, providing data center designs from technical drawings to the implementation of advanced heat managing systems, and providing assistance with finding optimal locations to build data centers.

The firm is also focused on developing positive relationships with the communities surrounding mining operations. Through its partnership with Plan C/Plan Capacity, Sabre56 will exclusively hire ex-US military veterans to staff their site operations. We are poised to hire over 150 veterans over the next four months across Texas, Wyoming, Ohio, and other states - enabling them to thrive in their lives after service, Harvey said.
Papua New Guinea map

Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern part of the world's second largest island and is prey to volcanic activity, earthquakes and tidal waves.

Linguistically, it is the world's most diverse country, with more than 800 languages.

Some 80% of the population live in rural areas. Many in the isolated mountainous interior live within a non-monetarised economy dependent on subsistence agriculture.

In 2019, the inhabitants of Bougainville voted to become independent from Papua New Guinea by 2027, but the central government has said it has the final say.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

INDEPENDENT STATE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA: FACTS

Capital: Port Moresby

Area: 462,840 sq km

Population: 8.9 million

Languages: English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin, plus 851 local languages

Life expectancy: 63 years (men) 68 years (women)

LEADERS

Head of state: Charles III, represented by a Governor-General

Prime minister: James Marape

James Marape

Parliament elected James Marape prime minister in May 2019, after the resignation of his predecessor Peter O'Neill.

This followed Mr Marape's own resignation as finance minister in April due to differences over a high-value gas deal.

He was re-elected as prime minister following parliamentary elections in July 2022.

MEDIA

A man sells morning newspapers on a street in Port Moresby

Radio is important in Papua New Guinea, which has scattered, isolated settlements and low levels of literacy.

The government operates a national network and provincial stations. The media operate in a relatively free environment, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Television coverage is limited mainly to Port Moresby and the provincial capitals.

Read full media profile

TIMELINE

Papua New Guinea lies on the "Ring of Fire", an area prone to volcanic eruptions

Some key dates in Papua New Guinea's history:

50,000BC - First settlers are thought to arrive on New Guinea from Asia.

c. 7000BC - Agriculture independently develops in the New Guinea highlands, making it one of the few areas in the world where people independently domesticated plants

500BC - Major migration of Austronesian-speaking peoples to the coastal regions of New Guinea takes place.

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1526 - Portuguese sailor Jorge de Meneses is the first European visitor. He names one of the islands "ilhas dos Papuas" or "land of fuzzy-haired people".

1546 - Spanish explorer Inigo Ortiz de Retes names the other main island New Guinea because the islanders resemble the people of Guinea in Africa.

1800 - Substantial trade networks are active all over New Guinea, with the Kula ring, a ceremonial exchange system, being particularly extensive.

1860s - American and European whalers frequent the Bismarck Archipelago.

1884 - Britain establishes a protectorate over south-east New Guinea, while Germany annexes the northern part of New Guinea.

1884 - Britain establishes a protectorate, British New Guinea (BNG), over south-east New Guinea, while Germany annexes the northern part as German New Guinea.

1895 - Gold is found on the Mambare River. A gold rush leads to hostilities between locals and miners.

1906 - Control of British New Guinea transferred to the newly independent Commonwealth of Australia and renamed the Territory of Papua.

1914 - Australian forces occupy German New Guinea during the World War One.

1921 - The League of Nations grants Australia a mandate to run German New Guinea, which is governed separately from the Territory of Papua.

1920s - A major gold find along the Bulolo river prompts another gold rush.

1942-45 - New Guinea campaign. Japanese forces occupy parts of both territories, pushing east and south. Allied victories in the battles of Milne Bay, along the Kokoda Trail and around Buna and Gona becomes a key turning point of the Pacific War, forcing the Japanese to retreat. Some 216,000 Japanese, Australian, and US servicemen die during the fighting.

1949 - Australia establishes a joint administration over both territories called the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.

1961 - First elections involving indigenous population.

1963 - UN transfers control of West New Guinea (now Papua) to Indonesia.

1964 - A 64-member House of Assembly replaces Legislative Council and for the first time indigenous representatives are elected to the majority of seats in the legislature.

1971 - Country is renamed Papua New Guinea (PNG).

1973 - Indonesia and PNG agree on the position of their border.

1975 - Papua New Guinea attains full independence from Australia.

1975-76 - Separatist revolt on Bougainville island. The constitution is altered so Bougainville and other districts to have quasi-federal status as provinces.

1977 - First parliamentary elections since independence.

1988-98 - Separatist rebels on Bougainville begin prolonged armed struggle against the government. The recently-formed Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA), anxious about environmental destruction and unhappy that profits are leaving the island, forces the closure of the Australian-owned Panguna copper mine. About 20,000 people are killed in the fighting.

1994 - PM Sir Julius Chan signs agreement with several Bougainville secessionist leaders which provides a transitional administration in Bougainville. Bougainville Revolutionary Army leaders are not signatories; they continue to fight for full independence.

1997 - Government hires mercenaries from Sandline International to support government troops in Bougainville, sparking an army mutiny and civil unrest.

1997 - Burnham Truce marks the end of the decade-old armed struggle by Bougainville separatists. Countries in the region establish the Truce Monitoring Group to oversee compliance.

1998 - Permanent ceasefire signed in Bougainville by government representatives and secessionist leaders. Australian-led Peace Monitoring Group takes over from Truce Monitoring Group.

2001 - Bougainville Peace Agreement, guaranteeing a referendum in 10 to 15 years on Bougainville's future political status, is signed in Arawa.

2005 - Bougainville elects its first autonomous government. Former separatist rebel Joseph Kabui becomes president.

2019 - Bougainville overwhelmingly votes for independence in a referendum, to take place by 2027. Talks are continuing between the Bougainville and national governments.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy skies. High 82F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Bob Stewart appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Conservative MP Bob Stewart has pleaded not guilty to making racist and abusive comments to a human rights campaigner outside a Foreign Office building.

The parliamentarian, 74, who represents Beckenham in south London, is accused of telling Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei to go back to Bahrain during an incident on December 14 last year.

Stewart, who retained the Tory whip after being charged, was accompanied by his barrister as he faced press photographers outside Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday morning.

In the dock, Stewart pleaded not guilty to the two charges he faced, and was told he will stand trial on November 3.

Stewart is charged with racially aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and a second allegation of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

His barrister, Paul Cavin KC, said representations have already been made to the Crown Prosecution Service - and rejected - that the MP should not face criminal charges.

We have put all our arguments in formal language out there and we did it at an early stage, particularly our views on whether this can be said to be remotely racially aggravated given the fact Mr Stewart since the 60s has been a friend of the Bahraini people and is a long-standing friend of that country, he said.

We want to know why the Crown say these charges are made out.

The allegations relate to a confrontation with Mr Alwadaei, 36, outside the Foreign Offices Lancaster House building in Belgravia.

It is said he told Mr Alwadaei, the director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, to get stuffed and to go back to Bahrain after he challenged the MP over donations from the Bahraini government.

Mr Alwadaei claims Stewart also said: Now you shut up you stupid man and accused him of taking money off my country.

The alleged victim sat in the public gallery during this mornings hearing.

Mr Stewart, a former NATO military commander who served in Bosnia, was elected in 2010 and serves on a number of parliamentary committees, including the Intelligence and Security Committee.

Story continues

He was charged by post and spoke to confirm his name, home address in Bromley, and date of birth at the start of the hearing, holding on to the metal rail at the front of the dock as he was formally identified.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring decided not to place Stewart on bail at all, but told him the trial could happen without him if he did not show up to court in November.

I will be here Judge, replied the MP.

Stewart has not faced suspension by the Conservative Party as he fights the charges.
Youth theater is a core component of our curriculum. While many schools see theater as extracurricular and optional, at Peachtown we are committed to including all students, prekindergarten through eighth grade, so that everyone can experience the multitude of benefits that theater offers. From building confidence and fostering creativity to enhancing communication skills and improving literacy outcomes, youth theater programs play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of students in many positive ways.

One of the most remarkable benefits of youth theater programs is the way they impact students confidence and self-esteem. We have seen many shy and reluctant students work through anxious feelings to participate in our annual productions. In doing so, they learn to overcome their fears and nervousness, allowing their talents and personalities to shine. With each rehearsal students build trust in others and themselves and gain a sense of accomplishment and pride. The newfound confidence extends beyond the stage and empowers students to tackle new challenges in all aspects of their lives.

Youth theater provides a platform for students to explore their creativity and unlock their imaginations. Through reading and playing characters different from themselves, students can explore different ideas, build empathy and try new ways of interacting with the world. With careful direction, these programs foster a safe and supportive environment where students can freely express their emotions, thoughts and ideas. By encouraging creative thinking and imaginative problem-solving, youth theater programs help students develop a well-rounded approach to life, enhancing their ability to think outside the box and embrace innovation and exploration.

Theater is inherently a collaborative art form and it fosters effective communication skills, teaching students the importance of clear expression and active listening. Students learn to work with their fellow actors, directors and stage crews. At each rehearsal they see firsthand the importance of each individuals contribution to the success of a show. Through shared goals and hard work, students develop strong bonds and a sense of camaraderie that extends beyond the theater walls. These pivotal experiences foster a spirit of communication, respect and understanding, preparing students to work effectively in team settings throughout their lives.

In addition to the numerous personal and social benefits, youth theater programs also play an important role in supporting language arts curricular goals. Theater strengthens literacy skills through script analysis, enhances oral communication abilities through performances and discussions, fosters an appreciation for literature and dramatic texts, promotes collaboration and critical thinking, and connects classroom learning with real-world applications. The dramatic arts provide a dynamic and engaging environment for students to actively apply and develop key skills, supporting their academic growth and fostering a lifelong passion for language and the arts.

Youth theater programs serve as transformative experiences for students, offering them a rich tapestry of benefits that shape their character, skills and perspectives. From nurturing creativity and building confidence to enhancing communication and promoting teamwork, these programs provide a holistic education that extends far beyond the classroom. As young participants embark on this artistic journey, they not only discover their unique talents but also cultivate crucial life skills that empower them to thrive in all aspects of life.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled July 18 that the states historic move to ban cash bail is constitutional, overturning a lower court decision.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks on October 16, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. Sixteen fake electors who signed certificates falsely claiming President Donald Trump won Michigan in the 2020 election have been charged with crimes, state Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.
An OFallon, Illinois home was vandalized and the pool was filled with motor oil causing tens of thousands of dollars in damages.
A discount airline is adding another nonstop route from Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

Breeze Airways will provide seasonal service to Fort Myers, Florida beginning Nov. 17. The flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays in the winter and spring, according to a news release.

With the introduction of the new route, Breeze Airways has a promotion for $59 one-way fares if tickets are purchased by Monday, July 24. The promotion is valid for flights from Nov. 17 through Jan. 9, 2024. However, it will not be available for flights during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons, from Nov. 18 through Nov. 27 and Dec. 21 through Jan. 8, 2024.

"With fall and winter quickly approaching, we know our guests in central New York will be looking to travel to the great beaches and warmer weather Fort Myers has to offer," Breeze Airways founder and CEO David Neeleman said. "This will be our second nonstop route from Syracuse to Florida and we hope that it will allow our guests to more easily and affordably travel to and from the gorgeous Sunshine State."

It is Breeze's fifth nonstop route from Syracuse. The airline has flights to Charleston, South Carolina, Las Vegas, Norfolk, Virginia, and Tampa.

Jason Terreri, executive director of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, welcomed the new route from Syracuse.

"We're thrilled our partner Breeze will further expand their footprint here in Syracuse with the addition of this seasonal service to Fort Myers," Terreri said. "This route restores convenient nonstop connectivity for our Syracuse travelers to this highly sought after southwest Florida destination."
Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne is pictured at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California on May 2, 2022.
A National Park Service study determined the Finger Lakes region, including Cayuga County, meets the criteria for a national heritage area designation.

The feasibility study focused on a 14-county area  Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins Wayne and Yates  and assessed the region's cultural, historic and natural resources. It also gauged whether there is support for national heritage area status and identified a coordinating entity, the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance.

In the report's executive summary, the National Park Service wrote that the region "appears to meet the 10 national heritage area evaluation criteria and is found eligible according to NPS guidelines for potential heritage areas."

A national heritage area differs from a national park. A national heritage area is not considered a unit operated by the National Park Service. According to the agency's website, it will partner with entities and provide technical assistance to heritage areas.

The benefits of a national heritage area, according to the National Park Service, include sustainable economic development, education and stewardship, community engagement, improved quality of life and a healthy environment.

There are 62 national heritage areas, including four in New York  Champlain Valley, Erie Canalway, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley and Niagara Falls.

The effort to pursue a national heritage area designation for the Finger Lakes region began in 2017. U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced a bill that would require the National Park Service to conduct the feasibility study. In 2019, the legislation was included in a natural resources bill that was signed by then-President Donald Trump.

In a statement provided to The Citizen, Gillibrand said she is excited that the National Park Service has "completed the first step in the process" of designating the Finger Lakes as a national heritage area. But, she added, the work isn't over. She will introduce a bill to formally establish the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area. Congress must pass legislation to designate new national heritage areas.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the National Park Service, Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance and other local leaders to get this done and help draw visitors to this world-class destination and highlight the breathtaking beauty and natural resources of the Finger Lakes region," Gillibrand said.




Korea's top industry official on Wednesday asked for Turkmenistan's support for Korean companies in winning major plant construction projects in the central Asian country, the industry ministry said.







Minister Lee Chang-yang made the request during a meeting with Baymyrat Annamammedov, Turkmenistan's deputy prime minister for construction, industry and electric power, in Seoul, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.







Currently, Korean companies are working to win two projects to build fertilizer factories  one in the Balkan region and the other in the city of Turkmenabat. The combined value of the projects is $2.5 billion.







In November, Korea's Hyundai Engineering signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkmenistan for an ammonia and urea fertilizer plant project in the Balkan region.







Lee proposed enhanced cooperation, as the two nations have successfully carried out major construction projects together, including one to build a gas chemical complex in Kiyanly, which was completed in 2018, according to the ministry.







Lee also asked for Turkmenistan's support for Korea in its bid to win the 2030 World Expo in the southeastern port city of Busan, the ministry said.







Turkmenistan has the world's fourth-largest gas reserves and has a high demand for plant construction. (Yonhap)


A tourist takes a picture in front of a pharmacy's sign indicating the current outside temperature near the Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti in Rome, Italy, July 18. AFP-Yonhap



A global pattern of heat waves scorching parts of Europe, Asia and the United States intensified on Tuesday, with the World Meteorological Organization warning of an increased risk of deaths linked to excessively high temperatures.



Americans were facing a medley of extreme weather, from blazing heat from Texas to Southern California to smoke-choked air wafting into the Midwest from Canada's wildfires. Flood warnings were up for Vermont towns that were inundated just last week, while Tropical Storm Calvin was expected to hit the Pacific island state of Hawaii later on Tuesday.



The southwestern city of Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday recorded its 19th consecutive day in which the daily high exceeded 43 degrees Celsius, breaking its all-time record of 18 days.



As temperatures in the Arizona capital climbed to 47C, out-of-state visitor Amit Ghagoji, 40, set out for a hike in the trails of Phoenix's Papago Park.



"It's like you open an oven door and it's the heat wave," Bhagoji said. "If you're, like, making cookies or something and you open the oven door, it's going to hit you right in the face."



Tom Frieders, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Phoenix, said regional high temperatures would range between 46.1C and 48.9C for five to seven more days if not longer.



"It'll take probably some monsoon thunderstorms and cooling rains to come  hopefully, eventually  that will help to cool things down," Frieders said.



In the northeastern state of Vermont, thunderstorms were in the forecast for areas already saturated from recent torrential rainfall, raising the risk of more flooding. Last week, high water in the capital city of Montpelier forced road closures and trapped some residents in their homes.





Visitors to the World War II Memorial cool off by the memorial's pool during hot, humid weather in Washington D.C., U.S., July 17. EPA-Yonhap



Europe scorched



With baking temperatures hitting Europe during the peak summer tourist season, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said the heat wave in the northern hemisphere was set to intensify. An estimated 61,000 people may have died in heat waves last year in Europe alone.



The EU's emergency response coordination center issued red alerts for high temperatures for most of Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.



In Italy, tourists have been trying to keep cool by splashing in Rome's fountains and standing under giant fans set up outside the Colosseum. Some were forced to queue for taxis for more than an hour in the heat outside the central railway station in Rome due to the capital's chronic shortage of cabs.



The Mediterranean island of Sardinia hit 44C and Rome topped out at 40C on Tuesday, as the health ministry issued red weather alerts for 20 of the country's 27 main cities, with the number expected to rise to 23 on Wednesday.



The heat has prompted some travelers to go home early. Anita Elshoy and her husband returned to Norway from their vacation spot of Vasanello, a village north of Rome, a week earlier than planned.



"(I) got a lot of pain in the head, legs and (my) fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy," Elshoy said of her heat-related symptoms.



In Greece, authorities told citizens close to a forest fire in Dervenochoria, north of Athens, to shut doors and windows as smoke approached.



Standing in his burned-out house in Ano Lagonissi that had been his home for 32 years, Giorgos Nikolau, 89, described how he fled the fire with just the swimming trunks and shirt he was wearing.



"I have nothing else, I don't even have other shoes. Nothing. I am finished," he said.





A man drinks water as he sits in the shade to hide from the sun in Madrid, Spain, July 18. AFP-Yonhap
A so-called "election integrity" bill being pushed by House Republicans includes two proposals authored by U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney that seek to repeal an executive order and ban what she has labeled as "Zuckerbucks" from funding election administration.

The American Confidence in Elections Act, which Republicans say is "the most conservative election integrity bill to be seriously considered in the House in over 20 years," cleared the House Administration Committee by a party-line vote last week.

Tenney's bills that are part of the larger legislative package include the End Zuckerbucks Act. The legislation would prohibit nonprofit organizations from donating to election administration agencies.

The proposal is in response to donations made by the Center for Tech and Civic Life ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, and his wife, Priscilla Chan, donated $250 million to the center, which provided grants to election offices across the country.

In New York, 33 county election boards received funding from the Center for Tech and Civic Life. New York City received the most money  more than $19 million  while rural counties received smaller amounts. Cayuga County was awarded $37,125 and used the funds to mail absentee ballots and hire temporary employees.

Tenney has criticized these grants by claiming the Center for Tech and Civic Life "flooded left-leaning county governments" with donations that were used to "influence election administration for their own purposes." But a report released by the organization explained that the funds were mainly used for administrative purposes, such as making voting more accessible or by hiring more staff.

A separate bill authored by Tenney that is part of the GOP election legislation targets an executive order issued by President Joe Biden in 2021. The order requires federal agencies to explore ways to encourage voter participation. Under the order, states could ask federal agencies to serve as voter registration agencies.

Tenney's bill would prevent federal funding from being used to implement the executive order. She has said her legislation would ban federal agencies from "engaging in partisan voter operations at taxpayer expense."

"As the founder and co-chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, I am fighting to stop partisan bureaucrats and big tech oligarchs from interfering in our election process," Tenney said in a statement. "(The American Confidence in Elections Act), which includes two of my bills, is a strong step towards restoring transparency and confidence in our democratic process. The Election Integrity Caucus and House Republicans are committed to making it easier to vote and harder to cheat."

It is unknown when the full House will vote on the GOP election bill, but the recent committee vote is the first step toward that goal. It's unlikely that the Democratic-led Senate would vote on the bill if it's approved by the House.
Move Forward Party Leader Pita Limjaroenrat reacts as he attends a voting session on the day of the second vote for a new prime minister, at the parliament in Bangkok, July 19. Reuters-Yonhap



Thailand's Constitutional Court ordered a temporary suspension of prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat from parliament on Wednesday after accepting a case against him alleging he was unqualified to run in a May 14 election.



Pita, who was due to contest a parliamentary vote on the premiership on Wednesday, has argued his ownership of shares in a media company was not a violation of election rules.



He has 15 days to respond, the court said in a statement.



Pita's election-winning Move Forward Party said the suspension should not affect Pita's nomination for the prime ministerial vote, which rival politicians have been seeking to block him from.



The 42-year-old, U.S.-educated liberal needs the backing of more than half of the bicameral parliament to be endorsed as the next prime minister, but must overcome fierce resistance from a military at odds with his party's anti-establishment ambitions.



He lost his initial bid last week after being blocked by the army-appointed Senate in a joint vote on the premiership. (Reuters)




Albion, IN (46701)

Today

A few thunderstorms this evening. Mostly clear skies late. Low 61F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few thunderstorms this evening. Mostly clear skies late. Low 61F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Angola, IN (46703)

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Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

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Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Amid the rumor that BTS V is the "global superstar" that will appear in NewJeans' upcoming comeback, netizens showed mixed reactions about it for this reason.

NewJeans 'Cool With You' MV To Feature 2 Global Stars  Will BTS V Collab With Group?

On July 17, ADOR, the sub-label of HYBE managing NewJeans, announced that the girl group will release another title song, "Cool With You," and its MV on the 20th.

Following the rave reviews received by their pre-release "Super Shy," there is a high expectation from "Cool With You" after the company teased that the music video will be divided into two parts: A & B.

In addition to this, ADOR raised the anticipation of fans even more by saying:

"Two surprising and unexpected global stars will appear."

"Cool With You" is one of the triple titles of NewJeans' second mini-album, "Get Up."

The other two title tracks were also revealed ahead of NewJeans' official comeback on July 21.

"ETA" was unveiled during the group's fan meeting on July 1, while "Super Shy" was released on the 7th.

Regarding the third title track, the agency hinted that "Cool With You" is based on the UK Garage rhythm and that the members' attractive vocals will be showcased in it.

Meanwhile, following the news that there are two global superstars who will be appearing in NewJeans' upcoming MVs, K-pop fans were quick to speculate and find clues about who they could be.

Among big stars that could have possibly collaborated with the girl group, the name of BTS V is being mentioned the most, along with actress Jung Hoyeon, who became a breakthrough actress through the hit series "Squid Game."

Although nothing is confirmed yet, the rumor of BTS V being featured in NewJeans' new song became stronger after a travel blogger mentioned the two artists in their recent post.

The OP, who claimed to have eaten in the same restaurant as V during his stay in Madrid, Spain, narrated that the place's owner told them that the idols have visited their restaurant three days in a row prior to them.

The boss said that (BTS) V and NewJeans had been here and ate here for 3 days in a row until the day before we came. The boss said Vs bare face was so handsome... Im curious how he looks like in real life."

BTS V's Rumored Appearance in NewJeans MV Receives Mixed Reactions

Following the rumor, ARMYs (BTS fandom) and Bunnies (NewJeans fandom) showed excitement and delight with the possible collaboration of artists from the same parent agency.

Combining the power of V and NewJeans, "Cool With You" is expected to be a hit.

OH MY GOD TAEHYUNG AND NEW JEANS ATE TOGETHER AT A RESTAURANT IN SPAIN FOR THREE DAYS IN A ROW?



New jeans ft V coming ?????  15.9M (@koovarbie) July 18, 2023

OP ate at Madrid Sarangbang in Spain, the owner told her that Taehyung and New Jeans ate at the restaurant for 3 days in a row!



They said V and New Jeans had been here for 3 days in a row until the day before we came. pic.twitter.com/7R8vs5OU8E  KTH FACTS (@KTH_Facts) July 18, 2023

manifesting that its more than a MV appearance and its new jeans ft V      (@yourstrulytkk) July 18, 2023

"newjeans' cool with you m/v will feature renowned global stars"



the unconfirmed rumored global stars: pic.twitter.com/ogXWHRDAsj  mon (@eyhanimon) July 18, 2023

Unfortunately, Korean fans in a popular online community forum are against the possible collab. Some specifically claimed that HYBE would most likely use BTS V for the "clout" and try to hype NewJeans' comeback.

"I hate HYBE."

"Hybe really knows BTS V's power but didn't give him enough opportunity."

"Why would even a global superstar like him appear in a rookie's MV?"

"Instead of giving us his solo album or acting debut, they use V instead to promote other groups."

Some Bunnies were also worried about NewJeans working with V, given that most members are minors.

"Kinda worried about a full-grown male adult appearing in the MV of a group with minors."

"Stay away from NewJeans."

"Ah, so he's the global superstar? It's disappointing."

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.
To fund his reelection bid in 2024, U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams is looking outside of the 22nd Congressional District for financial support.

Federal Election Commission records show that Williams, R-Sennett, received more than 95% of his second-quarter haul from outside of his central New York and Mohawk Valley district.

Williams, whose district includes all of Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties, plus a small portion of Oswego County, raised $539,590 in the second quarter.

The Cayuga County Republican received $178,033 from individual donors, including 66 donations totaling $84,438 from Texas residents. Among the Texans supporting Williams' campaign: Harlan Crow, a leading Republican donor whose relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been scrutinized. He, along with his wife, Katherine, each gave $3,300  the maximum amount allowed under FEC rules.

Williams is a Texas native. He was born and raised in Dallas.

According to the filing, Williams' campaign received 32 donations totaling $19,575 from individuals living in the 22nd district  less than 4% of his total receipts. He raised $31,525 from New York residents, including those living in NY-22.

Williams also collected $167,280 from PACs and other political committees, nearly all of which came from outside of the 22nd district. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's campaign committee donated $2,000. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise's campaign gave $4,000. U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who serves as House GOP conference chair, contributed $4,000 through her campaign.

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House GOP leaders, and the National Republican Congressional Committee each donated $5,000.

Joint fundraising committees transferred $189,027 into Williams' campaign account. Williams has a victory fund to support his reelection bid in NY-22. There are other joint fundraising committees supporting his campaign, including Protect the House  a fund established by GOP leaders to help candidates running in battleground districts.

After spending $204,377 in the second quarter, Williams has $806,720 cash on hand.

Williams was pressed about his fundraising at a town hall meeting in May. When asked why he is seeking financial support from outside of his district, he told the crowd that "there's not a lot of money here, folks."

"If you look at the economics county by county, central New York and upstate New York has fallen behind," Williams said. "That's a lot of the reason that I think we need better leadership here."

Later in the town hall, he addressed the subject again when he discussed the money that was spent against him in the primary and general elections. While outside groups from both parties invested in the general election contest, Williams was outraised by Democratic candidate Francis Conole.

Despite his opponents having financial advantages, he won the primary and general elections.

Williams dismissed the criticism of how he is financing his 2024 reelection campaign. Since taking office in January, he has raised more than $1 million for his reelection bid.

"Frankly, it's pretty empty to be accused of outside money when you see the extraordinary money that flows through our politics, where it comes from and if you're concerned about that issue truly instead of some attack point, then I encourage you to look where all the money comes from for our elections," he said. "I'm actually the cheapest congressman you'll ever get."

NY-22 is a top target for House Democrats hoping to retake the majority in 2024. Three Democrats  Clemmie Harris, Sarah Klee Hood and state Sen. John Mannion  are vying for the party's nomination to challenge Williams next year.
Attorney General Jeff Landry answers questions April 26, 2023, at the PAR gubernatorial candidates forum held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge. (Photo by Matthew Perschall for Louisiana Illuminator)
Cazenovia College in Madison County closed at the end of the 2022-23 academic year, but a new use has been identified for the campus.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday that the shuttered college has been selected as the site for the New York State Police's basic school auxiliary academy. The state will lease space at the college for 275 recruits and 115 instructors.

The first basic school class at Cazenovia College will begin in October.

"With this additional auxiliary academy at Cazenovia College, we can help ensure that the New York State Police is fully staffed with highly trained women and men to keep New Yorkers safe  a top priority for my administration," Hochul said. "This expansion will also create opportunities for more candidates, which will support the state police's mission to diversify and grow its ranks."

The New York State Police Academy usually holds basic school sessions in Albany, but an auxiliary academy was sought as the agency seeks to expand its ranks. The 2023-24 state budget included more than $66 million for two more state police basic school classes.

The most recent basic school class had 238 members, increasing the trooper ranks to 4,781.

"This auxiliary academy is vital to our efforts in growing our ranks and training the most qualified candidates possible to protect the people of New York state," said Steven Nigrelli, acting state police superintendent. "We have traveled across the state over the last seven months, and explored multiple locations, and we feel Cazenovia College campus provides a central location within New York and is best suited to meet the needs of our basic school training."

Applications for the state trooper entrance exam opened on July 1. The exam, which is administered online, can be taken through Oct. 1.

To take the state trooper entrance exam, you must be a U.S. citizen ages 20-34 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. The starting salary for a trooper is $59,612. After one year, the salary increases to $84,331.

With the additional basic school classes, the state police plans to increase the number of community stabilizations from 16 to 25 statewide. More troopers will also participate in federal and local task forces, according to Hochul's office.
The meeting between the Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev and the Head of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani in Munich in February 2023, and the visit of Barzani to Baku in July 2023 strengthens further bilateral ties between two nations - Azerbaijanis and Kurds, which dates back thousands of years. It is worth noting that Kurds are one of the active minority groups in multi-ethnic Azerbaijan and they have played active roles in statehood building in the country. They have been broadly represented in Azerbaijan's state from art to politics.

Moreover, Azerbaijan always has a warm attitude toward Kurds and they have never felt any discrimination against themselves in Azerbaijan like other ethnic minorities. It should be mentioned that when tens of thousands of Muslim Kurds, together with Azerbaijanis were forcibly deported from Armenia where they had lived for thousands of years, Azerbaijan did not discriminate and embraced Kurds as well as Azerbaijanis. Besides, like Azerbaijanis, thousands of Kurds were subjected to ethnic cleansing in Karabakh conducted by Armenia, and those Kurds also found shelter in Azerbaijan. As for 30,000 Yezidi Kurds who were not dispelled are subjected to discrimination in Armenia. Gunning down the Yezidi funeral ceremony in Armenia in August 2017, and the arrest of a Yezidi human rights activist Sashik Sultanyan, are some of the examples of oppression that Yezidi Kurds encounter.

Keeping the historical bilateral ties in mind, the two meetings held in 2023 foreshadow the entering a new level. Strengthening relations between Azerbaijan and the Kurdistan region of Iraq has security and economic foundations.

From security point of view, Iraqi Kurdistan and Azerbaijan have the same enemies, more precisely Armenia and Iran. As is known, Armenian expansionist foreign policy is not limited only to Azerbaijan. It considers roughly all territories where Kurds live as Armenian territory. According to the Armenian claims, Urartu was the first 'Armenian kingdom', where the modern Iraqi Kurdistan is located. In other words, Kurds are supposed by Armenians so-called occupants in "historical hay lands". It also explains the reason of Armenian hatred against Kurds.

As for Iran, it is totally different story. Kurds are the third biggest minority groups after Azerbaijanis in Iran. As is known, no ethnic groups including Persians made up 50 percent of the Iranian population, but Azerbaijanis and Kurds together constitute over 45 percent of the population. So, Iran considers Kurds, like Azerbaijanis as a danger posed against its security. Therefore, the Mullah regime implements the same aggressive foreign policy against Azerbaijan as against Kurdistan. Propping up Christian Armenian terrorist groups against Muslim Kurds in Syria exemplifies our words. It should be mentioned that Iran repeats the same policy in the South Caucasus, more precisely, mullahcracy supports Christian Armenians against Shia segment in Azerbaijan. Besides, 70,000 Iranian Armenians have schools, but neither 35 million Iranian Azerbaijanis, nor 7 million Iranian Kurds have schools in Iran.

In terms of economy, Iraqi Kurdistan and Azerbaijan have great potential. Despite, Azerbaijan and Iraq are not bordered, but the two countries have several leverages to help boost the economy of each other. Iraq can deliver its natural gas to the European market through the TANAP project. By the way, Azerbaijan is interested in it, and even Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry had invited Iraq to join the planned Trans-Anatolia natural gas pipeline in 2014.

On the other hand, Iraq could be the second route to the Arabian Gulf for Azerbaijan. Especially, after opening the Zangazur corridor this route can gather momentum.

It will pave the way to the prosperity of the region and Russia, the Central Asian countries could use the route as well. It is another reason that Iran opposes the corridor and goes the extra mile to destabilize Iraq, because the regime in Tehran does not want to lose its privilege, and leverage over other countries. Kurdistan is the most stable and dynamic region in Iraq and it could be a favorable market for Azerbaijan's growing non-resource industry. So, the region attaches importance to Azerbaijan and we could expect development in bilateral relations.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Geely Galaxy L6 passes six performance tests

With its e-CMA intelligent hybrid architecture and the new-generation NordThor hybrid engine B-Plus, the Geely Galaxy L6 model underwent its first performance test at the IDIADA China Proving Ground in Zhaoyuan, Shandong province. The test covered six major subjects, including acceleration, high-speed stability, and wetland handling.

Galaxy L7; photo credit: Geely

WEY reveals interior images of High Mountain DHT-PHEV MPV

Great Wall Motors WEY brand has released the interior images of its first high-end MPV, the High Mountain DHT-PHEV, which aims to compete with luxury MPV models such as the DENZA D9.

2024 NETA S to hit market on July 20

Chinese new energy vehicle maker NETA Auto will put the 2024 NETA S model onto the market on July 20. The new model will receive upgrades in terms of power and range, while the exterior design remains similar to the previous version.

Dongfeng AEOLUS unveils customized ride-hailing E70 EV

AEOLUS, the wholly-owned passenger vehicle brand of Dongfeng Motor, and Dntu, a ride-share technology company, jointly introduced their first custom-made ride-hailing electric vehicle, the AEOLUS E70 Beijing Dntu Edition, which recently rolled off the assembly line at Dongfeng's passenger car factory.

Huawei-powered AITO ships OTA upgrade with enhanced features

On July 18, AITO, the premium new energy vehicle brand jointly backed by SERES and Huawei, launched an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade for three of its models, namely the M5, the M5 Pure Electric, and the M7. The upgrade includes seven major functional enhancements and over ten experience updates.

Inceptio Technology, Uton Logistics kick off joint autonomous driving operation route

On July 14, Inceptio Technology, a leading autonomous driving commercial vehicle solution developer, and Uton Logistics, a logistics service provider, officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement for green logistics through autonomous driving.

NVH solution provider Vibracoustic inaugurates new factory in Chinas Chongqing

Vibracoustic, a global leading NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) expert for the automotive industry, announced the official opening of its new factory in Chongqing city, China on July 18th, according to the companys press release.

NIO's intelligent mobility subsidiary applies for internet-based map service qualification

According to information disclosed on the website of the Department of Natural Resources of Anhui Province, Anhui NIO Intelligent Mobility ("Zhixing" in Chinese) Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary specializing in intelligent mobility under NIO, recently applied for the Class-A qualification for Internet-based mapping service.

First mass-produced BYD Seal DM-i sedans rolls off line in Zhengzhou city

On July 19, the first batch of the mass-produced BYD Seal DM-i sedans officially rolled off the assembly line at BYD's Zhengzhou plant. This marks the debut of the first new model since BYD established its presence in Zhengzhou city.

100,000th GS6 series engines rolls off line at SAIC Motors Zhengzhou engine plant

Following the successful production of the 3 millionth NSE engine at SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Company's Nanjing base earlier this month, the engine plant at it Zhengzhou base reached a significant milestone on July 17 with the production of the 100,000th GS6 series engine.

Foton Motor, Mogo Auto join hands to deploy autonomous smart city solutions

Foton Motor, the commercial vehicle arm of BAIC Group, and autonomous driving solution provider Mogo Auto, signed a strategic cooperation agreement on July 17 to promote the large-scale development of autonomous driving solutions.

Black Sesame Technologies, HSAE to jointly build autonomous driving domain controller platform

On July 18 Chinese automotive chip provider, Black Sesame Technologies, announced its collaboration with HSAE, a domestic auto component supplier, in a bid to develop a cost-effective integrated autonomous driving domain controller platform based on Black Sesame Technologies' A1000 Series chips.

BMW inaugurates new R&D center in Shanghai

On July 18, 2023, BMW Group inaugurated its new Shanghai R&D Center. With the continuous expansion and upgrading of BMW's research institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Nanjing cities, BMW Group has established the largest and most comprehensive R&D system outside of Germany.
Greta Gerwig's new film has generated a lot of hype. But what is behind the mystique of Barbie  the doll that has always been more than just a toy.There she stands, a monolith in a desert landscape: icon, goddess, superwoman. The first teaser trailer of "Barbie" directed by Greta Gerwig parodied the iconic Dawn of Man opening from director Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film, "2001: A Space Odyssey."

Also Read | G-20 Employment Working Group Meeting Starts in Indore With a Focus on Labour and Jobs.

In this version, young girls sit around playing with old-fashioned baby dolls, who then dump their vintage toys after a towering, statuesque Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) appears in high heels and a striped bathing suit, before winking at viewers over her white-framed, cat-eye sunglasses.

Also Read | Sports News | "I Was Cheated, Fair Trial Should Be Conducted": Antim Panghal Objects to Vinesh Getting Direct Entry for Asian Games.

Set to the instantly recognizable "Space Odyssey" score, the teaser trailer was released by Warner Bros Pictures in December 2022. Not only a sly wink to Kubrick's classic, it also refers to Barbie's founding legend and recipe for success.

Ruth Handler (1916-2002), the "Mother of Barbie," didn't want to produce another doll designed for her daughter and her friends to practice for their future role as mothers. Her doll, which was to become one of the world's best-selling toys, was a young woman who was self-confident, attractive and gainfully employed.

The US American Handler hailed from a Polish-Jewish emigrant family in which everyone, whether male or female, had to contribute to the income. Together with her husband, Elliot, and Harold Matson, she founded the company Mattel in a garage in 1945. The trio manufactured picture frames and dollhouse furniture. Since the doll furniture sold well, they specialized in the production of various toys. It is now one of the world's leading toy companies.

Barbie was modelled to be a career woman. Not just as a secretary, but as a doctor, pilot, astronaut and even the female President of the United States, something that has yet to happen in reality. All this, of course, in appropriately coordinated outfits.

To this day, the toy company says that Barbie "inspires the limitless potential in every girl."

Susan Shapiro, an avowed Barbie fan, describes the message like this: "You don't have to be a mommy taking care of little babies. You don't have to get married. You don't have to have your father or your husband supporting you. You can support yourself. You could do anything you want. You could have one of hundreds of careers."

Barbie has her own house and her own car, in which her ever-loyal companion Ken has been allowed to sit in the passenger seat since 1961. He could never keep up with her glamour, however, and Ryan Gosling as Ken in the Barbie movie even sings a sad song about that. "Doesn't seem to matter what I do. I'm always number two  I'm just Ken."

Feminist icon or toxic beauty ideal?

The fact that Ruth Handler had created a working and financially independent woman out of the doll named after her daughter Barbara was a provocation in the conservative 1950s and early 1960s. Nevertheless, Barbie fell into disrepute in feminist circles. For the US American author and feminist Jill Filipovic, Barbie conveys "a really unhealthy, ideal image of femininity and what it means to be an attractive woman, a good woman, worthy woman."

Endless legs, a wasp waist, a toned body: With Barbie, this ideal was transported into children's rooms: "Young, white, no disabilities, ready for action and performance in a capitalist world," is how cultural scientist Elisabeth Lechner sums it up to DW. A questionable ideal of beauty that can trigger a distorted body image in girls, as studies suggest.

Mattel has reacted to this and expanded the product range and made it more diverse. There are now Barbies with different body shapes, Barbies with prosthetic legs, in wheelchairs, a chemotherapy Barbie and, most recently, one with Down syndrome. For Elisabeth Lechner, who has studied body images and body positivity in depth, that doesn't change the basic problem.

"There are now studies that prove that even forms of objectification that are also meant to be positive, i.e. positive compliments on appearance, remind women that it's always just about their appearance," she says.

Barbie and diversity

The first step towards diversification was already taken in the 1960s, when deep racial conflicts shook the USA. The year Martin Luther King was assassinated, the first Black doll appeared in the Barbie universe. Her name was Christie. In her documentary "Black Barbie," director Lagueria Davis traces the story of its creation.

Working Black women like Lagueria Davis' aunt, Beulah Mae Mitchell, were the ones who convinced Ruth Handler of the idea: "We want a Black toy! We want a Black doll! A doll that African American girls could identify with." But it wasn't until 1980 that this black doll was allowed to be called Barbie.

"Mattel's narrative is one thing where they are very progressive with introducing a Black friend for Barbie through our lens, through the story in which we enter it, you know, the Black woman lens. While that feels progressive for them, it feels less progressive for us in the sense that for 21 years there wasn't a Black fashion doll worthy of the Barbie brand name," Davis told DW.

And yet, for many women of Beulah May Mitchell's generation at the time, it was a triumph: A Black Barbie  proof that African American women were beautiful, that they could be glamorous and successful.

Competition from Africa

Meanwhile, Black Barbie has a serious rival on the African continent. Nigerian entrepreneur Taofick Okoya saw a gap in the market in 2007. The trigger was his young daughter. In a conversation, she had expressed that she would rather be white than black, because white was beautiful. So, he looked for a figure that would show African girls that they could be proud of their skin color and their figure.

This is how the Queens of Africa came into being, who are not simply dark-skinned mirror images of globalized beauty standards. Okoya's dolls are based on the different skin tones of the many Nigerian ethnic groups, their hairstyles and their clothing.

"It's my identity. It's who I am. And that was a message that was behind the Queens of Africa," he told DW.

But is Barbie sustainable?

A doll is more than just a toy. It can be a figure of identification for a child, shaping its future image of normality and beauty. So, it's no wonder that Barbie, probably the world's best-selling doll, is still the subject of debate today: About empowerment, beauty ideals and not least, sustainability. The Conversation reports that American researchers last year quantified what each doll costs the climate. Every 182-gram Barbie causes about 660 grams of carbon emissions, including plastic production, manufacture and transport.

In more than six decades of Barbie history, Mattel has always cleverly adapted its marketing to the spirit of the times and, of course, has now also launched a Barbie made of recycled plastic. Barbie is probably the "wokest doll" ever. There is only thing she's not allowed to do yet: age. No matter her skin color Barbie remains "forever young."

This article was originally written in German.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2023 01:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The year 2023 holds a special significance for Karan Johar as he celebrates 25 remarkable years in the Indian film industry. To make it grand, The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is all set to pay tribute to the filmmaker by celebrating his visionary storytelling, and his unwavering passion for cinema. The festival, taking place from August 11 to 20, will showcase Karan Johar's exceptional contribution to Indian cinema by hosting a series of events and special screenings in his honor. Karan Johar Congratulates Shanaya Kapoor for Making Her South Debut With Mohanlal's Vrushabha (View Post).

Karan Johar, who made his directorial debut in 1998 with the iconic film Kuch Kuch Hota Hain, has captivated audiences with his unique vision and ability to tell larger-than-life stories. Over the years, Karan established himself as a distinguished director, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Not only has Karan Johar achieved tremendous success as a filmmaker, but he has also made significant contributions as a producer. His internationally acclaimed production house, has brought forth groundbreaking films that have garnered global recognition. Moreover, Johar's dedication to nurturing talent, both in front of and behind the camera, has resulted in the launch of numerous budding artists and industry professionals. Check Out Karan Johars Hilarious Answers to Questions About His Sexuality and Regrets in Ask Me Anything Session.

Commenting on this, and his attendance at the festival, Karan said in a statement, I am deeply honoured to be a part of the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. This year holds a special significance for me as I celebrate 25 years as a filmmaker, and I can't think of a better platform than this festival to commemorate this milestone in my career. Returning for the third time at the festival, I am overwhelmed by the love and support I have received from the Australian audience. The festival's curation of a special experience and celebrations to mark this momentous landmark in my journey fills me with a sense of joy and gratitude. It is an opportunity for me to reflect upon the last 25 years as a filmmaker, the challenges, the triumphs, and the learnings that have shaped my artistic vision. I look forward to engaging in a special talk at the festival, where I will share insights and anecdotes from my journey, hoping to inspire and connect with fellow filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts.

Speaking about the upcoming celebration, Festival Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange said, "Karan Johar is a true icon of Indian cinema, and his impact on the industry cannot be overstated. We are privileged to honor his extraordinary career and his invaluable contributions to Indian filmmaking at this year's Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. Karan's remarkable journey as a filmmaker spans 25 years, during which he has created a legacy that will be cherished for generations to come.

After over six years, Karan is returning to directors chair with his upcoming movie Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The film stars Ranveer, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles and is set to hit the theatres on July 28. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani promises to be a wholesome, big-screen entertainer, blending Johar's storytelling finesse with an impressive ensemble cast, grandeur and music. There were also many scenes of the two romancings and fighting, celebrating all kinds of festivals with their families, and possibly a wedding.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 19 (ANI): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Suresh Kumar, has written to Karnataka education minister, Madhubangrappa, demanding a clarification from a Kannada lecturer for allegedly mocking the launch of ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission.

In the letter, dated July 17, the BJP MLA said that Hulikunte Murthy, a Kannada lecturer at Malleswaram Government Pre-Graduate College showed "unhealthy" behaviour by posting against India's ambitious third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3.

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Murthy tweeted in Kannada allegedly claiming that Chandrayaan-3 will be a failure Using the Tirupati nama phrase, he allegedly said that the moon mission will fail this time around as well. It can be recalled that a team of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists offered prayers at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh ahead of the Chandrayaan-3 launch.

Taking note of this, the BJP MLA in his letter said, how a person like him can motivate students.

Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: Man Dials 112 Emergency Number, Sends Cops Into Search for His Missing Footwear in Mangaluru.

"While the entire country wishes and prays for the success of Chandrayaan-3, Hulikunte Murthy has shown unhealthy behaviour by posting on social media that 'this time also Chandrayaan gone case' (e salavu chandrayan -3 tirupati naama ansatte) is being said," it read.

"He has shown his freedom of expression in this way. How can such a person motivate our students? I request you to check on him and warn and warn them not to repeat this kind of irresponsible behaviour by this lecturer," the letter said further.

On July 14, Chandrayan-3 lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradeshs Sriharikota at the scheduled launch time.

The journey from Earth to the moon for the spacecraft is estimated to take about a month and the landing is expected on August 23.

Upon landing, it will operate for one lunar day, which is approximately 14 Earth days. One day on the Moon is equal to 14 days on Earth. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Imphal, Jul 19 (PTI) The Manipur government has removed the daily curfew relaxation in the five valley districts from 5am to 6pm and clamped full curfew in view of a rally on Wednesday.

The government's decision comes after Kwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace, which represents the womenfolk of the main market in Imphal town, appealed to all to make the "Mothers' Protest" rally a roaring success.

Also Read | Mumbai: ISI Agent, Another Person Arrested in Jogeshwari by Maharashtra & Uttar Pradesh ATS.

The committee's co-convenor, K Dhaneshori, urged all mothers in every locality to come out from their homes between 11 am and 1 pm and raise slogans demanding rejection of separate administration, implementation of NRC and immediate convening of an emergency assembly session.

She also appealed to all to support the protest against the continuing violence in the state.

Also Read | Rajasthan: Charred Bodies of Four Family Members Found in Jodhpur; Murder Suspected.

Security measures have been intensified in capital Imphal town as well.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, police have detained 30 persons for their alleged involvement in the attack on IGP (Zone 2) K Kabib and his escort on Monday night at Kwakeithel in Imphal West district during which his vehicle was torched.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thane, Jul 19 (PTI) A fire broke out in the electric meter room of a three-storey civic-run hospital in Maharashtra's Thane city on Wednesday, an official said.

No one was injured in the blaze which erupted at around 1.50 am in the hospital located in Kasarwadavali area on Ghodbunder Road, Thane Municipal Corporation's (TMC) disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said.

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There were patients in the hospital at the time of the incident, but no one was affected, he said.

The fire was caused due to a short-circuit, he said.

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After being alerted, local firemen and the disaster management team rushed to the spot and extinguished the blaze by 2.20 am, the official said.

An additional executive engineer of the TMC said a "change wire" between the generator and the MSEB (Maharashtra State Electricity Board) power supply was damaged due to the fire, while all the meters and the connection wires were intact.

The power supply to the building has been cut off and will be restored after the change wire is replaced by the MSEB personnel, he said.

The ground-plus-three-storey building has an the Out-Patient Department (OPD), as well as dialysis and maternity wards, Tadvi said.

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Panaji, Jul 19 (PTI) Nearly 100 delegates from G20 member countries, special invitees and several international organisations are participating in the fourth Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) meeting which began in Goa on Wednesday.

There are six priority areas outlined under India's G20 Presidency, reflecting India's focus on various aspects of energy transition and building global cooperation toward sustainable and clean energy development, an official said.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh BJP Booth President Dinesh Singh Beaten to Death With Sticks by Bike-Borne Assailants in Amethi.

The two-day meeting, chaired by Pankaj Agarwal, the ETWG chair and secretary of the Union Ministry of Power, is being held at a hotel near Goa's capital Panaji.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy secretary Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Ministry of Mines secretary Vivek Bharadwaj, Ministry of Coal secretary Amrit Lal Meena are also participating in the deliberations, the official said.

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The priority areas for discussions include energy transitions through addressing technology gaps, low-cost financing for energy transitions, energy security and diversified supply chains, energy efficiency, industrial low carbon transitions and responsible consumption, fuels for future, and universal access to clean energy, and just, affordable and inclusive energy transition pathways.

Discussions in the 4th ETWG meeting in Goa will continue to build on the first three meetings held in Bengaluru, Gandhinagar and Mumbai, to identify and promote best practices, policies and innovative approaches that support a just and inclusive energy transition, the official said.

The key highlight of the 4th ETWG meeting will be detailed discussions on the draft Ministerial Communique, which is currently under discussion and will be further firmed up, the official added.

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New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) Germany's Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, is scheduled to arrive in the national capital on Thursday for a three-day visit.

He will be accompanied by a high-ranking official and a business delegation comprising top executives of large and medium-sized German companies, the German embassy said.

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Ahead of the visit, Habeck told German media that as the world's most populous country, India is considered a key growth market, it said.

He affirmed Germany's interest in expanding and deepening its strategic partnership with India, which would also strengthen the resilience and diversification of the German economy.

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In particular, he pointed to untapped cooperation potential in renewable energy and green hydrogen.

Habeck is expected to hold high-level meetings with India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Power Minister R K Singh, the embassy said in a statement.

He will also be inaugurating an Indo-German Business Forum in Delhi titled "Inviting innovation: Transforming the economy for a shared sustainable future".

The business forum will be hosted by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.

"Vice Chancellor Habeck will visit several Indo-German joint ventures in Delhi and Mumbai," the embassy said.

In Mumbai, he is also planning to engage with the government of Maharashtra to visit a non-governmental project supporting sustainable development and to have an exchange with young Indian entrepreneurs.

On the last leg of his visit, Habeck will participate in the G20 Energy Ministers meeting in Goa.

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LOS ANGELESLegacy adult brands CockyBoys and RandyBlue announce that they are set to launch a new joint affiliate program, GayHubNetwork, powered by NATS. Launching tomorrow, July 20, this marks an end to each respective site's individual affiliate programs, CockyBoys' Big Bling and RandyBlue Affiliates. Both programs will remain active for 60 days to access historical data.

Of the new synergy, publicist Davyd Dixon said, Its been a long time coming, giving these two legendary brands the kind of affiliate promotion and network that they deserve. Affiliates will be pleased with GayHubNetwork's speed of payments, regular newsletter updates and plethora of promo materials to promote these high converting and acclaimed studio membership sites to their audiences.

"There are more huge brands that will be added to GayHubNetwork later this year," Dixon added. "We will be a one-stop destination to promote premium, high- converting, and compelling gay membership sites."

Joining the team for the launch of GayHubNetwork is industry veteran Benny Morecock, whos been an influential figure in crafting CockyBoys' online presence. Commented Morecock, This is an exciting moment for the gay industry, it's been a while since a new program of this caliber has launched. Im looking forward to delivering an amazing experience so affiliates can promote these iconic brands with ease."

The launch coincides with the debut of CockyBoys and RandyBlue co-production Boys Will Be Boys. Shot on location in Miami, the big budget project premieres on both membership sites simultaneously tomorrow. Directed by multiple award-winner Jake Jaxson and Rapheal Misccotii, the movie features an all-star cast including CockyBoy exclusives Tristan Hunter, Dan Evans, Lane Colten, Evan Knoxx and Greyson Myles, as well as fan favorites Trevor Brooks, Sean Xavier and Derek Kage, plus RandyBlue legends and gay porn superstars Andrew Stark and Diego Sans. The production will be rolled out over the next eight weeks on both CockyBoys.com and RandyBlue. com.

Affiliates both new and old may contact GayHubNetwork at [email protected]. com.
Eight people were killed in landslides in the upper reaches of Kathua district. (Photo/ANI)

Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 19 (ANI): At least eight people were killed due to floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in the upper reaches of Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, the police said.

According to officials, the incident took place at upper reaches of Bani Tehsil of Kathua district.

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As per police reports five people of a family were buried alive when a heavy landsliding falls on a house at village Surjan of Bani tehsil which is 250 kM from kathua headquarters.

"Five family members inside the house were died," officials said while adding that three other person were killed in Sera.

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Soon after the incident, locals aided the police in launching a rescue operation.

More details are awaited.

Earlier in the day, Kathua police issued an advisory in view of the rainfall in the district. Heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir has caused landslides in several places.

The National Highway-44 in Ramban district was blocked due to shooting stones and mud slush, said an official on Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner Ramban took to his Twitter handle and informed that NH-44 was blocked in several areas due to mud slush and shooting stones and that people should avoid travelling until road clearance works were executed.

Meanwhile, the clearance works are in progress on National Highway-44 in Ramban District amidst rains, said Deputy Commissioner, Ramban. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic caused extreme learning losses, World Bank President Ajay Banga said on Wednesday, underlining the need to devise a mechanism to prevent such situations before the next pandemic hits.

"We have a real challenge for the generation which was undergoing schooling during the pandemic," Banga said, responding to a question by PTI.

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"Developed and developing countries were learning how to deal with it when we were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been extreme learning losses due to prolonged school closures during the period...and dealing with the learning losses is not just India's problem, it is an issue across the globe," he said.

"My view is that we must learn now. We have to fix what we have got, pretty much make sure we learn before the next pandemic, devise a mechanism...or we will make the same mistakes again. The next one (pandemic) will come fore sure. It is a question of how long before it does come? To me that is the bigger issue," he added.

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The World Bank had previously noted the prolonged closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India may cause a loss of over USD 400 billion in the country's future earnings, besides substantial learning losses.

Indian-American Banga, 63, took over as the president of the World Bank last month, becoming the first person of colour to head either of the two global financial institutions -- the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Banga is on his first visit to India after taking over the charge of the global lender. He will attend the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Ahmedabad.

Earlier in the day, he visited the GMR Varalakshmi Centre for Empowerment and Livelihoods, a skill centre in Dwarka, and interacted with students.

According to World Bank estimates, pandemic-related school closures disrupted education for over 1.6 billion children in 188 countries. Globally, from February 2020 until February 2022, education systems were on an average fully closed for in-person schooling about 141 instructional days, with the world's poorest children disproportionately affected.

"Rigorous empirical evidence from various countries, including low, middle and high-income contexts across regions, reveals very steep losses. Each month of school closures led to a full month of lost learning, reflecting the limited effectiveness of remote learning. In some cases, outcomes were even worse," a World Bank report had noted.

The report had warned that since learning is cumulative, the learning losses of the two years, if not addressed quickly, will likely compound over time especially when the losses were in foundational skills, including basic literacy and numeracy.

"Governments, therefore, need to act decisively now. Yet many education systems are bringing students back to advanced curricula that they are not ready for, ignoring the learning losses.

"A student who was in class 2 in 2020 and then experienced two years of school closures is now expected to handle a Class 4 curriculum in 2022. There is a great risk that students will understand little, become disengaged, and keep falling further and further behind, until they drop out,"it had added.

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Bengaluru, Jul 19 (PTI) A 27-year-old man allegedly bludgeoned his aged parents to death in the city and fled the spot after locking up the house from outside, police said on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East Bengaluru) B M Laxmi Prasad said the murders might have taken place between 8:30 pm to 9 pm on Monday. A case of murder was registered and a probe is on.

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Police are on the lookout for accused Sharath, who allegedly killed his parents Bhaskar (61) and Shantha (60) on Monday night in Kodigehalli here.

The sexagenarian couple had apparently cried out for help, but the neighbours thought it was a routine squabble and did not pay attention to it.

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According to police, Sharath lived with his parents while his elder brother Sajith stays nearby at Tindlu.

The matter came to light when Sajith called his parents on phone but there was no response, they said. He rushed home and found the house locked from outside.

Sajith broke open the door only to find his parents lying dead in a pool of blood.

Police said Shantha was a retired government employee while Bhaskar was a cashier at a canteen in Khanija Bhavan, a government office complex.

The family hailed from Ullal in Dakshina Kannada district and had moved to Bengaluru 12 years ago with their children, the police said adding that there used to be frequent quarrels between Sharath and his parents.

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Chandrapur, July 19: A 60-year-old man has been killed in a tiger attack in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district, forest officials said on Wednesday. Besides, a tiger that killed a man in Chandrapur last month was captured by forest officials on Tuesday, they said. Cheetah Deaths at Kuno National Park: Madhya Pradesh Govt Removes Chief Wildlife Warden Javir Singh Chouhan; Aseem Srivastava Appointed New Chief.

In the latest incident of human-animal conflict, a tiger attacked shepherd Rushi Kishan Devtale, belonging to Bamangaon village in Chimur tehsil, on Tuesday when he went to a protected forest area in Kolara range of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), a range forest officer said. The man died on the spot, he said. Leopard Attack in Uttar Pradesh: Woman Mauled to Death by Big Cat in Bijnor, Farmers Stage Protest To Demand Capture of Killer Animal.

Forest personnel later sent the body for postmortem, the official said.

In another development, tiger 'FL-2' that killed a man here on June 15 was captured after being tranquilised by a forest team in Sindewahi range on Tuesday, a forest department release said. The full grown tiger was caged and shifted to a zoo in Nagpur after a medical examination late Tuesday evening, it said.

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New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): A man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a 25-year-old man to death two days ago in the Jafrabad area in New Delhi, officials said on Wednesday.

According to police, the arrested accused has been identified as Manzoor (45), a resident of Chauhan Banger, Jafrabad.

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His minor son has also been apprehended in connection to the case, they said while adding that efforts to nab the third absconding accused are on.

Earlier, police informed that the preliminary enquiry revealed that the deceased was friendly with a girl for the past 2 years and the girls family was opposed to their relationship.

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"Manzoor and his family were opposed to the relationship. The father of the girl had spoken with the deceased a week ago and warned him to not pursue his daughter," said, Joy Tirkey, DCP (northeast).

According to the police, the deceased had been identified as Salman, a resident of Brahmpuri, Jafrabad, New Delhi.

"Two days before the murder, Manzoors minor son and his friends had intercepted Salman and took away the keys of his motorcycle," the DCP said.

"On the day of the murder, Manzoor along with his two sons, Mohsin (21) and his minor son (16) stabbed Salman while riding a motorcycle. He died on the spot," the DCP added.

"During the post-mortem examination, 8 stab injuries were found on his body. The fatal injuries were sustained on the chest and neck region," he said.

"Manzoor has been arrested and his minor son has been apprehended. Efforts are being made to trace Mohsin," the DCP said.

The official said that police had received information that a young man was stabbed to death in Gali No 2, near Kalyan Cinema, Jafrabad on July 17 at about 5.15 pm.

A case of murder was registered on Tuesday, police said.

"Further investigation is in progress on the case," the official added. (ANI)

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New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) Two properties of an alleged prime accused in the seizure of 102 kg of heroin smuggled from Afghanistan via the Attari border in Punjab have been attached, National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Wednesday.

The immovable properties of Razi Haider Zaidi (41), a resident of Okhla Vihar in the Jamia Nagar area of New Delhi, were attached under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the federal agency said.

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It said the assets include a two-storied residential building at Okhla Vihar purchased for Rs 24.50 lakh in the name of the accused's wife and a residential plot measuring 121.35 square metres in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar which Zaidi had purchased for Rs 4 lakh.

The agency said both the properties were acquired by the accused from the proceeds of heroin sale.

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Zaidi was arrested by the NIA on August 24 last year. A charge sheet against him and three other co-accused was filed on December 16, 2022, under the NDPS Act.

The 102-kg drug consignment was seized by the customs department on April 24 and 26 last year after the narcotics reached Integrated Check Post at Attari on April 22 and were found concealed in a shipment of licorice roots (mulethi), the agency said.

Investigations revealed that Zaidi was the receiver of this consignment, it said.

The NIA's probe revealed that on the directions of Dubai-based co-accused Shahid Ahmed, who is absconding, over 102 kg of heroin concealed in the licorice roots consignment had been sent by Afghanistan-based heroin smuggler Nazir Ahmed Qani.

It was supposed to be delivered to Zaidi who had handed over Rs 11 lakh in cash to another accused as advance payment of the said consignment, the probe agency said.

Further investigations revealed that Ahmed alias Qazi Abdul Wadood directed Zaidi to collect and deliver heroin consignments from various places in India from time to time, it said.

The NIA said Zaidi had also collected Rs 2.5 crore cash from various states as proceeds of heroin sale and taken his share. He channelized some of the drug proceeds into the bank account of Ahmed while handing over the rest to his brother Azeem Ahmed and other associates.

In February last year, Zaidi, along with accused Ahmed and Qani smuggled heroin concealed in licorice roots imported from Afghanistan.

About 50 kg of heroin was recovered from Zaidi by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and a case was registered against him and his associates.

The NIA said it has come on record that Zaidi is a "notorious" drug smuggler. In February last year, he imported 640 cans of chemicals through Iran for processing heroin at his rented godown in Muzaffarnagar, it said.

The narcotics were later seized by NCB in a joint operation with Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the agency said.

It said investigations have also unearthed that in November 2021, on Ahmed's instructions, Zaidi and two of his associates -- Avtar Singh and Mohd Imran -- went to Ahmedabad twice for collecting drugs, which they brought to Delhi and Zaidi supplied those to other associates.

The case was initially investigated by the customs department. NIA took over the investigation on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday met the President of the Jana Sena Party Pawan Kalyan and National President of All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Sudesh Mahto here in New Delhi.

Taking to Twitter, Shah shared photographs with the two in separate posts and informed about the meeting.

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Met Shri @PawanKalyan, President of the Jana Sena Party, and exchanged thoughts about the development of Andhra Pradesh and the welfare of its people," read the tweet.

In another tweet, Shah wrote, Had a positive discussion with the National President of All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) @SudeshMahtoAJSU ji on various issues of Jharkhand."

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Earlier in the day Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and enquired about over a dozen deaths due to electrocution in the state's Chamoli district.

Shah took to Twitter to share his feeling about the incident, terming the incident "very sad". In a telephonic conversation with the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, the Home Minister took detailed input about the incident.

"Death of people due to electrocution in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is very sad. I talked to Chief Minister @pushkardhami ji and inquired about the incident. The administration is engaged in providing treatment to the injured. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery," Shah tweeted.

As many as 15 people were electrocuted to death after they came in contact with a railing of an electrified bridge above the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. (ANI)

)

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Chamoli (Uttarakhand) [India], July 19 (ANI): On the orders of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chamoli district administration on Wednesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident in which 15 people died and several others were left injured after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River, an official statement said.

"According to the information received today July 19, Some people lost their lives due to electrocution at approximately 11:30 am at Namami Gange project in Chamoli. A magisterial inquiry is absolutely necessary to get it done. Therefore, I Himanshu Khurana, District Magistrate Chamoli nominate Dr Abhishek Tripathi, Additional District Magistrate, Chamoli for magisterial investigation," an official statement issued by the DM office said.

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CM Dhami condoled the lives lost in the tragic incident and orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry.

"As many as 15 people died due to electrocution at the under-construction Namami Gange project," officials said.

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"It is a sad incident. The district administration, police, and State Disaster and Response Fund (SDRF) have reached the spot," CM Dhami said.

He said that the injured are being referred to a higher centre and shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh via helicopter. "Orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry," he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister and enquired about over a dozen deaths due to electrocution in the state's Chamoli district.

Shah took to Twitter to share his feeling about the incident, terming the incident "very sad".

In a telephonic conversation with the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, the Home Minister took detailed input about the incident.

"Death of people due to electrocution in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is very sad. I talked to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and inquired about the incident. The administration is engaged in providing treatment to the injured. I express my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery," Shah tweeted. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dehradun, July 19: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday announced Rs 5 lakh to the dependents of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the people injured in the incident in which 15 people died and several others were left injured after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River. "Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has given instructions to provide Rs 5 lakh to the dependents of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the injured without any delay," an official statement said.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. "CM Dhami prayed to God to grant peace to the souls of the deceased and patience to their families in this hour of grief," an official statement said. Chamoli Transformer Blast Update: Death Toll Jumps to 15, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Orders Magisterial Probe in Electrocution Deaths.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand State emergency operation centre said that the cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained. Earlier today Chief Minister Dhami said that 15 people have been killed due to electrocution in Chamoli district.

District Magistrate Chamoli has been ordered for a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Rescue teams have reached the spot. "Helicopter services are being taken to refer the injured to higher centres. Relief and rescue works are being done by the government and the administration," an official statement said.

"The permissible assistance amount will be made available soon," it added. In the aftermath of the incident, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and inquired about the Chamoli incident. Giving information about the situation, the Chief Minister said that orders for a magisterial inquiry have been given. Uttarakhand Transformer Blast: Policeman Among 10 Killed After Transformer Explodes on Banks of Alaknanda River in Chamoli District (Watch Video).

"The injured have been brought to AIIMS Rishikesh by helicopter. The Prime Minister's Office has also been given complete information about the incident," an official statement said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed condolences over the incident and prayed for the recovery of those injured in the incident. "The death of many people in this accident in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is very sad. May God give place to the departed souls. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in this unfortunate accident," Delhi CM Kejriwal tweeted.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, July 19: The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi breached the danger mark again on Wednesday morning, less than 12 hours after it dropped below the threshold, amid rains in the national capital and the upper reaches of the river. The Central Water Commission's data showed the water level reached 205.48 metres at 8 am. It is expected to rise to 205.72 metres by 6 pm. Delhi: Yamuna River Continues to Flow Above Danger Mark; Level 205.35 Metres at 7 PM.

The flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage saw a marginal rise on Tuesday afternoon, oscillating between 50,000 and 60,000 cusecs. It dropped to around 39,000 cusecs by 7 am on Wednesday. One cusec is equivalent to 28.32 litres per second. Delhi: River Yamuna Water Level Goes Down Below Danger Mark, Touches 205.25 Meters.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh until July 22 and moderate showers in Delhi on Wednesday.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
PARISFrench prosecutors are pressing for about 17 men to stand trial over crimes allegedly committed in the production of online porn scenes, wire service Agence France-Presse reports. The charges against the men include criminal rape, gang rape, organized human trafficking and aggravated pimping. A set of filings reviewed by the wire service indicates that these accusations relate to the now-taken-down French Bukkake web platform. According to state-owned radio broadcaster Radio France Internationale, initial arrests were made in September 2022 with at least three people being ensnared in a wider criminal probe into systematic human trafficking.

The probe was launched in October 2022, reports Radio France Internationale. At least 12 men already face prosecution and potential prison time in the case against the website, which billed itself as amateur. Currently, according to the AFP report, most of the people accused are either held in custody awaiting trial or are out on supervised release. The owner of French Bukkake, performer and producer Pascal OP, and Mat Hadix were also in reports indicating arrests tied to the case. Over 40 women allege victimization at the hands of the accused. Foundation Des Femmes is one of the central activist groups supporting the victims in the case. On a webpage explaining their activism in this case, the foundation refers to a journalistic investigation conducted by the outlet Le Monde.

Nicolas Chapuis, Lorraine de Foucher, and Samuel Laurentjournalists for Le Mondereported that the French Bukkake affair is emblematic of a human trafficking network supplying France's porn industry. All three were given access to text messages shared between defendants giving a clear indication of illegal activity and behavior that isnt common in the vast majority of studios.

In fact, it is reminiscent of the Girls Do Porn criminal case that was heard in the United States. Both cases reveal a criminal enterprise in many ways, as opposed to the regulated and transparent operation of legitimate porn studios. Vice journalist Samantha Cole reported in October 2019 that to the outside world, the Girls Do Porn scandal was a terrible representation of an actual studio or porn imprint operating in a legal manner. Cole spoke to Alison Boden, then-CEO of Kink.com and now the executive director of the Free Speech Coalition. No legitimate porn company operates the way that Girls Do Porn did, Boden told Vice at the time. This isn't an outlier in porn industry operating procedure, it's a series of despicable crimes that were filmed and exploited for profit. The same could be said of the alleged actions of those in the French Bukkake case.

It is unclear whether the defendents at hand also include French adult brand Jacquie et Michel owner Michel Piron and his wife, who were arrested in June of last year along with three others on similar charges. At the time, Piron's attorney Nicolas Cellupica told AFP, "Michel Piron has always asked to be heard by the investigators and to answer their questions openly. He has always said that he's on the side of the victims if actresses have suffered acts of sexual violence that he was completely unaware of."

Cellupica also drew an explicit distinction between the operations of a legitimate porn outfit and the criminal activities being alleged, noting, "Pornography has never been equated with prostitution: a porn actress is not a prostitute and a director or broadcaster is not a pimp."
The Central African Republic is confident that its July 30 referendum will go ahead. Russia's Wagner mercenaries have been contracted to provide security. Analysts consider this an overt act of political interference.The government of the Central African Republic (CAR) has expressed confidence that an incident-free referendum on a new constitution will take place later this month  with the help of hundreds of fighters from the Russian paramilitary group, Wagner, who arrived back in the country last Sunday.

Also Read | India News | West Bengal CM Mamata Visits Hospital to Meet Panchayat Poll Violence Victims.

Government spokesperson Albert Yaloke Mokpem said the fighters were there to simply secure the constitutional referendum process, as many fear another uptick of violence. However, many analysts have a different take on these developments.

Also Read | Sports News | Asia Cup: India to Open Campaign Against Pakistan in Kandy on Sep 2, Meet Again in Colombo on Sep 10.

Samson Itodo, the founder of Yiaga Africa, an NGO that promotes democracy across the continent, questioned the reasoning behind the continuous deployment of Russian fighters in CAR, warning of serious political implications.

"I think we should be worried as a continent about Russia's increasing influence in shaping domestic politics within the Africa region. And this interference needs to be resisted because CAR is naturally endowed with gold, with diamonds," Itodo told DW.

"So, the big question is, why Wagner forces? Why is Russia deeply interested in the politics of the country?"

The initial Wagner withdrawal

Wagner forces had only recently withdrawn from several towns in the country, sparking safety concern. An anonymous source in the capital Bangui expressed worry about their departure earlier this month, telling DW that "their presence [in the Central African Republic] is a deterrent [to rebels]."

It has since emerged that this initial withdrawal was mainly of a rotational nature, according to government spokesperson Mokpem:

"This is what happens every year. There are some who arrive, there are some who leave," he told DW, adding that it wasn't clear how many Wagner fighters in total were back in the country.

"The main thing for me is that the work is done," Mokpem stressed, referring most immediately to security measures taken ahead of the referendum.

In a statement, the Officers Union for International Security (COSI), which is linked to Wagner, said that conducting a smooth referendum was also its main priority for the time being:

"Russian instructors will continue to help soldiers from the Central African armed forces and CAR law enforcement agencies to provide security, in anticipation of the constitutional referendum scheduled for July 30," the group said, adding that "several hundred experienced professionals from the Wagner company" were joining the COSI team to this end.

Wagner's influence in CAR

The CAR was plunged into turmoil ten years ago after a violent takeover of power. Since then, various armed groups have continued to fight each other while also launching attacks on civilians.

President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who was first elected in 2016, turned to Russia for help to tackle the security issues created by these rebel groups, which one year later resulted in Wagner troops fighting alongside the army to deal against any insurgency.

Since then, Wagner has been a continuuous force in the country, gaining popularity and influence.

Alexander Ivanov, the head of COSI, said in a statement that the work of Wagner mercenaries in Central African Republic is seen as a success:

"We have managed to ensure that the republic turned from one of the most insecure countries in the world, where the government controlled only a few quarters of the capital, into a safe place for the life and development of the local population," Ivanov said. "As a result, most of the armed groups were destroyed or disarmed, former criminals have been integrated into society and moved to a peaceful life."

Jean-Serge Bokassa, a Central African Republic politician meanwhile told DW that those successes, however, come at a cost:

"I could recognize with some that there are results here and there, but all these results are marred by imprescriptible crimes which, unfortunately, will never be punished," he said.

Thierry Georges Vackat, the chairman of the Defense Committee in the CAR's National Assembly, believes the country still needs time to stabilize its security while the Russian mercenaries remain on the ground.

"We cannot use mercenaries to train the Central African army," Vackat told DW.

CAR 'needs saving' from Russia influence

Itodo meanwhile thinks that Russian elements should not be at the forefront of solving CAR's problem:

"We recognize that CAR, is a fragile state, but why do other African countries not provide the necessary support. Why is it just Russia?" he said, adding that in his view, the African Union should step in and prevent Russia from interfering with domestic issues in CAR.

"I don't think that there's any strong message that has come out of there [African Union], to show that they stand in solidarity with with Central African Republic or to ensure that this interference is limited by all means possible," he added.

Opposition to constitutional referendum

Meanwhile President Touadera has launched a campaign on Sunday, urging voters to back the new constitution in the upcoming referendum  without any mention of foreign interference from Russia.

"Today, I want to appeal to the sons and daughters of the country. The referendum vote gives you the opportunity to decide on a better future for the country. So don't let this opportunity to create a new republic through the constitution pass you by," Touadera said.

After his initial 2016 election victory, Touadera won again in 2020 but is up again a constitutional two-term presidential limit. If the new contitution is passed in the referendum this hurdle would be removed, enabling him to run again. Furthermore, the presidential mandate would be extended to years.

The new constitution would also introduce the position of vice-president and abolish the senate, which would turn the parliament into a single chamber.

Other changes in the new constitution include the banning of any citizen from running for president they have dual citizenship, requiring them to renounce the other nationality if they wanted to hold the hightest office in the country.

Whether these measures will indeed spell "a better future" for the country is rather doubtful. The Republican Bloc for the Defence of the Central African constitution (BRDC), a platform of opposition leaders against the new constitution, considers the move to be a putsch  one that is facilitated and supported by Russian elements.

"The regime's option is to continue its constitutional coup d'etat to the end to impose a life-long presidency on the Central African people. And to protect this constitutional coup d'etat, they need armed forces," Martin Ziguele, spokesman for the BRDC, said during a gathering in Bangui, calling the referendum "illegal"

According to Ziguele, it's the Wagner forces that are doing this work; some of them have even been enlisted to protect the president.

Itodo believes that the country isn't ready for such a referendum, and that ensuring peaceful political transition has been a fundamental problem in the Central African Republic which won't be fixed with growing foreign interference.

"This referendum further exposes the vulnerability within CAR. I don't think that they are poised to actually fix the fragile state using referendum as an instrument. I don't think that the country is ready for that," he told DW.

Zigoto Tchaya in Bangui and Eddy Micah Jnr. contributed to this article

Edited by Sertan Sanderson

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2023 08:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kabul [Afghanistan], July 19 (ANI): The Taliban have abolished the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and turned it into the Directorate of Supervision and Prosecution of Decrees and Orders", reported TOLO News on Tuesday.

Moreover, according to the decision of the Taliban leader, some of the AGO's duties have been given to the courts and intelligence services.

Also Read | India at UN Urges Immediate Return to Dialogue, Diplomacy in Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Says 'This Is Not an Era of War'.

Taliban's spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that the purpose of abolishing the AGO is to prevent the congestion of departments, according to TOLO News.

Mujahid said that the "Directorate of Supervision and Prosecution of Decrees and Orders" will monitor the implementation of the Taliban's leader's orders in both public and private institutions.

Also Read | Earthquake in El Salvador: Quake of Magnitude 6.4 Hits Southeast of San Salvador (Watch Video).

"Too much bureaucracy should be avoided, which is why the intelligence agencies also have the authority to monitor and can watch over the implementation of orders. Second, in the courts, if there is a disputed case of the people, it will be handled by lawyers, and if the system has its disputes it will proceed through its own channels in whatever way things can be done best, Mujahid said.

According to some legal experts, justice will not be properly implemented in the nation by restricting the Attorney General's Office's (AGO) authority, reported TOLO News.

Abdul Shukor Dadras, a legal expert said, "The supervision of discovery and investigation has been removed, the litigation has been removed; therefore, the Attorney General's Office as a department for monitoring and prosecuting the orders and directions of the Taliban, has limited authority."

Mujahid added that this institution will have representation in 34 provinces of the country.

"Its structure and methodology both changed but the staff has remained the same. The same force that had been employed at the Attorney Generals Office will be employed at the Directorate of Supervision, he said.

According to the decision, the responsibility and stages of investigation, supervision and prosecution of legal and criminal cases have been entrusted to the courts and the Intelligence Directorate. TOLO News reported.

"The supervision of discovery and investigation has been removed, the litigation has been removed; therefore, the Attorney General's Office as a department for monitoring and prosecuting the orders and directions of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has limited authority," said Abdul Shukor Dadras, a legal expert.

Earlier, members of the Afghan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) claimed that the Taliban had shut down the association's Kabul headquarters and had halted all activities. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], July 19 (ANI): The fourth Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting will focus on finalising the Ministerial Declaration and outcome documents. In this the efforts of all the three meetings will be consolidated in this meeting. The EWG delegate's deliberations will end at the G20 Labour and Ministers' Meeting (LEM), where they will gather to discuss and adopt these results.

This information was given by Arti Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, in a press conference organised on the eve of the fourth Employment Working Group of G20 and the meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers to be held in Indore on Wednesday.

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She said that this meeting will be presided over by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Bhupender Yadav and 24 Ministers from different countries will attend. During this, representatives of G20 members and guest countries, international and regional organizations and groups like Business-20, Labor-20, Startup-20, Think-20 and Youth-20 will participate.

In the press conference, Ahuja told media persons that India is also keeping innovations like e-Shram portal before the working group meetings. Through this portal, complete information about the workers of unorganised sectors is available with the government, which proves helpful for taking steps towards benefitting their and their families interests.

Also Read | Mystery Object That Washed Up on Remote Beach Most Likely a Solid Rocket Motor Casing, Says Australian Space Agency.

Earlier, Rupesh Kumar Thakur, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment informed through a presentation that while 86 delegates are participating in the 4th EWG meeting, 165 delegates including 24 Ministers will participate in the LEM meeting. Heads of international organizations and employers' associations, including the ILO, OECD and the World Bank, will also attend the meeting.

He said that it has been planned to showcase the grand natural, cultural and historical beauty of Indore and Madhya Pradesh during the event. In these, a visit to Mandu Fort and Chappan Dukan, the famous food street of Indore has been planned for the delegates. Apart from this, there will also be a heritage walk and cycle ride to see the important historical places in the city of Indore. He informed that traditional folk performing arts (music and dance) and handicrafts will also be displayed for the visiting dignitaries.

In the press conference, Pawan Kumar Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Indore said that elaborate arrangements have been made to make the event a grand success. Apart from this, a communication plan has been also made. He outlined the measures taken by the District Administration and State Government for organising the meeting. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New York, July 19: India's permanent representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj expressed India's deep concern about the conflict in Ukraine and urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy at United Nations General Assembly Annual Debate on Ukraine. She also emphasized that this is not an era of war.

Mentioning the loss of lives and the misery for the people the conflict has resulted in, particularly for the women, children and elderly, India's permanent representative to the UN said, "India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine. With millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries, reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are indeed deeply worrying." Russia Has 'Sufficient Stockpile' of Cluster Bombs, Says Russian President Vladimir Putin As Ukraine Gets US Cluster Bombs.

"We are concerned about recent developments in the region which have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability," she added. "We have urged that all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. The global order that we all subscribe to is based on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. These principles must be upheld without exception," she said while addressing the UNGA annual debate on Ukraine.

Speaking on India's attempts to maintain peace in the region, Kamboj said, "In light of my Prime Minister's repeated engagements with both, it is essential to emphasize that we firmly believe that this is not an era of war. It is with this understanding and spirit that India actively participates in this debate."

The permanent representative further added, "We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one's interest." Kamboj emphasised again that "however daunting that may appear" dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes. The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open.

She also mentioned how the war has affected the entire global south region.

"It is also unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict unfolds, the entire global south has suffered a substantial collateral damage. It is thus critical that the voice of the global south be heard and that their legitimate concerns be duly addressed," she said. She also mentioned that India's approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric.

"India's approach to the Ukraine conflict will continue to be people-centric. We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the global south under economic distress, even as they stare at the escalating cost of food, fuel and fertilizers, which has been a consequential fallout of the ongoing conflict," she said. She also said that India has given all the support to the Black Sea Green Initiative.

"India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse," she added. According to United Nations.org, The Black Sea Green Initiative is the UN plan linked to efforts to ensure Russian food and fertilizer reach global markets, supports the stabilization of spiralling food prices worldwide and staves off famine, affecting millions. Ukraine To Receive M1 Abrams Tanks? United States Says Tanks To Be Sent to Ukraine 'Definitely Will Be a Game-Changer on the Battlefield'.

The Initiative specifically allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea  Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. The resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea amid the ongoing war is a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the signing ceremony on 27 July in Istanbul, Turkiye.

(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 19 (ANI): Former US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has received a letter from the Justice Department stating that he is the target of the long-running investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, The Washington Post reported.

Trump wrote on social media that special counsel Jack Smith  the prosecutor leading the federal investigation  sent a letter on Sunday.

Also Read | UPI in France: NIPL CEO Ritesh Shukla Says 'UPI Will Be Live in France in About Three to Four Months'.

However, a spokesman for Smith declined to comment on the issue, The Post stated.

Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment, Trump posted on Truth Social.

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Notably, Trump has already been indicted on federal charges in a separate case alleging that he mishandled classified documents.

In March, a Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump on state charges, alleging that he falsified records related to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, The Post reported.

The district attorney in Fulton County, Ga., is leading an ongoing state investigation related to the 2020 election and has said she will make a charging decision in the case next month.

Trump further alleged that he was told in the target letter to report to the grand jury within four days of receiving it on Sunday.

Under the United States Constitution, I have the right to protest an Election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen, just as Democrats have done against me in 2016, and many others have done over the ages, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

As per The Washington Post, a target letter from prosecutors means investigators have gathered substantial evidence linking the recipient to a crime  but it does not necessarily mean charges will ultimately be brought. Often such letters invite the target to appear before a grand jury to offer evidence.

This episode has drawn sharp criticism from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who while reacting to the target letter alleged that President Joe Biden's administration is weaponizing government to go after their number one opponent.

Well, I guess under a Biden administration by America, you'd expect this. If you notice recently, President Trump went up in the polls and was actually surpassing President Biden for reelection. So what do they do now? Weaponize government to go after their number one opponent. It's time and time again," CNN quoted McCarthy as saying.

The Justice Department led by Smith has been examining the events that led up to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.

Investigators have looked at the ads and email messages that sought to fundraise off false claims of election fraud and the decision by Republican electors in some states won by President Biden to send signed statements purporting to affirm Trump as the victor.

During the investigation, prosecutors have asked witnesses hours of detailed questions about meetings Trump led in December 2020 and January 2021, a time when he was falsely insisting that he defeated Biden in the election even as swing states certified Bidens win, people familiar with the questioning have said.

So far, Trump is the only person to publicly say he has received a target letter as part of the Jan. 6 investigation.

Last month, a federal grand jury indicted Trump on 37 charges in a separate case also led by Smith alleging that the former president took classified materials from the White House and improperly kept them at his Florida residence after he left office. Prosecutors allege that the former president then tried to hide some of the classified materials as federal officials demanded them back, The Post reported.

Trump had also received a target letter from Smith in that investigation in the days before he was indicted, but the former President declined to appear in front of the grand jury. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, July 19: A man was stabbed to death allegedly by a labourer in outer Delhi's Shahbad Dairy area after he scolded the latter for asking a beedi from him, police said on Wednesday. The accused has been identified as Satyawan, a resident of Shahbad Dairy. He works at a carpenter's shop, they said.

The matter came to light on Tuesday around 9 am when police received a call about a man's body, with stab injuries, lying in a vacant space near Mahadev Chowk, police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Ravi Kumar Singh said on reaching the spot, a police team recovered the body. Delhi Murder: Man Stabbed to Death for Refusing to Share Beedi in Shahbad Dairy Area, Accused Arrested.

Around five stab injuries were found on the body. The man was later identified as Sanjay Mishra (35), a resident of Shahbad Dairy, he said. A case under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Shahbad Dairy police station and an investigation was taken up, he said. Delhi Crime Horror: Woman Found Dead Near Geeta Colony Flyover, Police Recover Body Chopped Into Several Pieces.

On the basis of a tip-off, Satyawan was apprehended and later arrested in connection with the incident, the DCP said. During interrogation, the accused disclosed to police that on Monday night, he was passing through the vacant area near Mahadev Chowk where he saw Mishra with his friend.

Satyawan asked them for a beedi and the duo scolded him following which, he stabbed them, the DCP said. Mishra's friend sustained minor injuries in the attack, police said. A knife used to commit the crime has been recovered from the accused, police said, adding further investigation is underway.
Mangaluru, July 19: In a bizarre incident in Karnataka, a man in Mangaluru dialed 112 emergency number requesting cops to find his missing footwear. The Mangaluru Police, however, did not disappoint the caller and identified the person who stole his footwear. The accused is yet to be arrested. The stolen clogs were not recovered too.

The complainant visited a hall in Mangaluru to attend a function. He left his clogs outside the hall. When he was leaving, he found out that his footwear was missing. He then dialed 112 emergency number saying that his clogs had been stolen. According to a report of Times of India, responding to the call, cops from Mangaluru North police station, swung into action and visited the hall for further investigation. Mangaluru Shocker: 26-Year-Old Man Arrested for Flashing at Two Women Offering Prayers in Thokkotu.

The cops examined CCTV footages and zeroed in on a man who stole the complainant's clogs. The accused was identified as a labourer who was working on the premises. While the accused was identified, he is yet to be arrested. The police are looking for him. The price of stolen footwear remains unclear as the complainant could not provide the purchase bill. Karnataka Shocker: Drunk Man Kills Wife With Wooden Log After Scuffle Over Petty Issue in Mangaluru; Complaint Filed.

The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) or 112 remains operational 24/7. However, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Kuldeep Kumar R Jain said the service is still underutilised. The police department receives about 45 distress calls on a daily average on the ERSS number. Cops encourage people to use the service in times of need.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2023 08:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Fiona Scott Morton, who served in the US Justice Department during the Obama era, was hired to advise the European Commission on its probes into big tech firms. Her appointment was criticized by EU leaders and lawmakers.A US economist who was selected for a key EU antitrust job has turned down the offer, the European Commission's competition chief Margrethe Vestager announced Wednesday.

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"Professor Fiona Scott Morton has informed me of her decision to not take up the post as Chief Competition Economist," Vestager tweeted. "I accept this with regret and hope that she will continue to use her extraordinary skillset to push for strong competition enforcement."

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh High Court Quashes Rape Case Against Man, Says More Than a Year Is Sufficient for Woman to Realise If Marriage Promise Is False.

Morton is currently a professor at Yale University's School of Management and earlier worked for the US Department of Justice as chief economist during former President Barack Obama's administration.

Macron: Morton's appointment raises many questions

The decision to pick an American for a top EU position drew controversy from EU lawmakers and leaders. If Morton would have assumed the role, she would have assisted with EU probes into big tech giants such as Apple and Google.

French President Emmanuel Macron derided the EU's choice to pick Morton, saying it "raised many questions." Macron said such an important role would not be filled by a foreigner in the United States or China.

"Is there really not great European researcher with academic qualifications that could do this job?" Macron said at a meeting of EU leaders.

Manfred Weber, a German politician in the European Parliament who leads the European People's Party, had also expressed astonishment regarding the appointment.

Morton took money from Amazon, Apple, Microsoft

Yet it wasn't just Morton's nationality that raised questions in Europe but also her past consulting work for big tech companies such as Apple, Amazon and Microsoft. Martin Sonneborn, a German member of the European Parliament, criticized the decision to pick someone with multiple conflicts of interest in the tech industry.

In 2019, Morton wrote an opinion piece for The Washington Post that dismissed breaking up big tech companies as "sloganeering."

In Germany, a similar scandal occurred in 2022, when Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock picked Jennifer Morgan, the chief of Greenpeace International, as Germany's special envoy for international climate policy. Morgan, like Morton, was also a US citizen and had done lobbying work.

Morgan was given German citizenship in an expedited ceremony in order to work for Baerbock, a move that drew criticism from German conservatives.

wd/sms (AFP, Reuters)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2023 03:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Dinesh Singh, 40, was beaten with sticks by the bike-borne assailants on Tuesday. The victim was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment later in the evening.
On 18 July the governments of Chile and Uruguay signed agreements with the European Union (EU) related to raw materials and renewable energy.

Analysis:

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the EU in Brussels, Belgium. Chiles government led by President Gabriel Boric signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the EU on the sustainable development of raw materials, while Uruguays government led by President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou signed an MoU related to green energy. Argentinas government led by President Alberto Fernandez also signed a similar MoU in relation to renewable energy the previous day. These agreements form part of the EUs push to invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable development in the region.

Chile and the EU signed an agreement to deepen cooperation in the sustainable development of the raw materials value chains necessary for the clean energy and digital transition, particularly lithium. According to Ursula von der Leyen , president of the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, the agreement will contribute to EU security of supply and create good jobs in Chile.

, president of the European Commission, the EUs executive branch, the agreement will contribute to EU security of supply and create good jobs in Chile. The European Investment Bank (EIB) also granted a 100m (US$112.4m) loan to support Chiles growing renewable hydrogen industry and to help the country meet its target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Uruguay and the EU signed an MoU on renewable energy, energy efficiency and renewable hydrogen, which von der Leyen said was in line with Uruguays and the EUs ambitious climate goals.

On 17 July, Argentina signed an MoU on climate and green energy with the EU. This agreement focused on renewable energy, hydrogen and methane emissions abatement, as well as ensuring that the clean energy transition is socially just. President Fernandez celebrated the signing of the MoU, tweeting that, for the benefit of our growth and generating employment, we can be reliable suppliers in the transition to clean and renewable energies.

Looking Ahead: The agreements were made as part of the EUs Global Gateway initiative, which was announced on 17 July and through which the EU will invest over 45bn in Latin America and the Caribbean until 2027. Investments will be concentrated on sectors and value chains including clean energy, critical raw materials, health, and education.
PATTAYA, ThailandKim Airs is a sex toy expert, public speaker, blogger, and sex industry writer who incorporates humor with her clear and concise sex education. She is the week's guest on the podcast, "Adult Site Broker Talk."

Airs founded the first female- and couple-friendly sex toy store in New England, Grand Opening, after she quit her position at Harvard in order to sell dildos to women.

Bruce, the show's host, and CEO of Adult Site Broker, said, "This was Kim's second appearance on 'Adult Site Broker Talk.' Always enjoyable to converse with her. I've never encountered someone with such a great sense of humor regarding sex toys and human sexuality."

Adult Site Broker is an adult industry-focused website brokerage.
On 18 July a Panamanian judge sentenced former president(Cambio Democratico, 2009-2014) to ten years and six months and fined him US$19m in relation to the so-called New Business case, involving alleged money laundering linked to the 2010 acquisition of a media conglomerate, Editor Panama America (Epasa).

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On 18 July the national party leadership of Bolivias ruling left-wing Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) announced that it no longer supported the government led by Presidentat this moment in time because of alleged corruption and drug trafficking involving cabinet ministers.

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Former President Donald Trump took to social media to state that he received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith. He did not take it too kindly and blasted Joe Biden.

Trump admitted that he may soon be charged for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the events leading to January 6, saying, "Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter (again, it was Sunday night!) stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment."

The former president's legal team received the target letter last Sunday, and it stated that Donald Trump could face charges in the election overturn attempt investigation, which also includes January 6, his efforts to plant fake electors, and his pressure campaign and intimidation of then-Vice President Mike Pence.

The target letter being sent to Trump made it clear that Jack Smith and his team are focusing on the ex-POTUS' actions in trying to overturn his election loss in 2020, and not just the efforts of his allies to overturn it, according to CNN.

So far, the Trump legal team has not yet responded to the target letter, though Trump is expected to decline the invitation the same way he did with the invitation from the House January 6 Committee previously.

Donald Trump has already faced two historic indictments earlier this year. The first happened in New York, where he is facing charges for paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and not disclosing it; the second is the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case where he hid classified documents he took from the White House inside his Florida home.

READ MORE:Georgia State Supreme Court Rejects Donald Trump Bid To Scrap Georgia Election Probe

What Are Target Letters and Should Donald Trump Comply?

Generally, target letters are sent by the DOJ as a warning to people being investigated for complex crimes that they are about to be charged with. There are two types of these target letters, with the first type usually being sent to somebody who has been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury as a witness and would likely also be charged with a crime related to that testimony.

The second type is sent to a person who has not been subpoenaed as a witness but is still likely to be indicted by a grand jury. The Conversation pointed out that it is still unclear what type of letter Trump received, though it should be noted that Trump has not been subpoenaed for this particular investigation yet.

Donald Trump Still Claims Investigation Is Political

Meanwhile, as Trump faces another possible indictment, he is still trying to appeal to the Court of public opinion and insisted that this is "horrifying news" for the country, claiming that this is an attempt by President Joe Biden to arrest "his number one political opponent."

Trump is also facing a possible indictment in Fulton County, Georgia for his attempts to meddle in the elections in the state. That investigation runs parallel to Jack Smith's investigation.

READ MORE: Judge Tosses Out Donald Trump Lawsuit Vs. New York Times

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Officer wounded during Jan. 6 weighs in on Trump's target letter - CNN
A Texas state trooper-medic blew the whistle on the inhumane treatment of migrants as part of Gov. Greg Abbott's efforts to stop migrants from crossing the US-Mexico border, especially in Eagle Pass, Texas where migrants try to cross the Rio Grande to get to the US side of the river.

CNN obtained emails from the Texas Department of Public Safety, where the Texas state trooper expressed concerns regarding the inhumane treatment of migrants. The trooper-medic stated that they "were given orders to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico" and were also ordered not to give the migrants who managed to cross any water despite the sweltering summer heat.

The email was a report of weekly events and operational concerns from June 24 to July 1. It showed what the state trooper had to deal with over that period, including treating a 4-year-old girl who passed out in 100-degree heat while members of the Texas National Guard pushed the group she was with back to Mexico.

The trooper also mentioned that another man had a significant laceration on his leg after he tried to rescue his child from razor wire that was placed in a buoy to deter crossings. Experts have long warned that these buoys would not deter migrants and would only cause injury and death. A woman who was also trapped on one of the wires suffered a miscarriage while a 15-year-old boy broke his leg while trying to cross a dangerous part of the Rio Grande with no buoys.

Texas State Trooper Says They Were Ordered To Push Exhausted Migrants Back to the Rio Grande

In another account, a Texas State Trooper identified as Nicholas Wingate told his supervisor that he and another trooper were ordered to push back a group of 120 migrants back into the water to go back to Mexico. This happened after they stumbled upon the group on June 25, with the group containing young children and mothers nursing babies.

READ MORE: Illinois Law Will Stop Landlords from Discriminating Tenants for Immigration Status

According to the Associated Press, the trooper said in his email that he found the migrants' treatment to be inhumane.

Texas Department of Safety spokesman Travis Considine stated that they are already investigating the accounts that the trooper provided and said that the department "has no directive or policy that instructs troopers to withhold water from migrants or push them back into the river."

White House, Migrant Groups Condemn Greg Abbott Over the Inhumane Treatment of Migrants

Greg Abbott, whose office denied that his policies endangered the lives of migrants on Tuesday. was blasted by the League of United Latin American Citizens, with national president Domingo Garcia stating that the group "condemns the inhumane treatment of innocent people and denounces the use of razor wire, buoys, and any other barriers that jeopardize the safety of women and children seeking asylum."

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also weighed in, saying that if what the trooper says is true, then she says that it was "abhorrent" and "dangerous."

She added, "We are talking about the bedrock values of who we are as a country and the human indecency that we are seeing."

The Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department are also looking into the incident and is finding out what action can be taken against Texas.

READ NEXT: Florida Could Face Mass Labor Shortage Due to Ron DeSantis' New Immigration Law

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Texas trooper says officials were told to push migrants into river, deny them water - CBS News
Former President Donald Trump is facing more bad news as Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel files charges against 16 of his fake electors in the state. These 16 Donald Trump fake electors were brought in by his allies to help overturn the results of the 2020 elections and hand him victory in Michigan.

Nessel said that the actions of these Donald Trump fake electors "undermined the public's faith" in election integrity. Her office has now charged each of them with eight felony counts, which include forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery. Each of these crimes may land the fake electors up to 14 years in prison.

This would be the first time anybody was charged in connection to Donald Trump's fake electors scheme as the ones in Georgia agreed to help out in the investigation and took immunity deals.

The plot to have fake electors vote for Donald Trump at the state Capitol instead of the real ones voting for the state's true winner, Joe Biden, was called an "orchestrated plan" in the hope of flipping the state's winner, according to BBC News. However, Nessel pointed out that "This was a lie. They weren't duly elected electors and each of the defendants knew it."

"They carried out these actions with the hope and belief that the electoral votes of Michigan's 2020 election would be awarded to the candidate of their choosing, instead of the candidate Michigan voters actually chose," said the Michigan DA.

Top Republican State Officers Among the 16 Donald Trump Fake Electors Charged in Michigan

Some of these 16 fake electors in Michigan are not ordinary Trump supporters, however, as some of them hold high positions in the local Republican Party. Among those charged by DA Nessel includes the head of the Republican National Committee's chapter in Michigan, Kathy Berden.

According to the Associated Press, also charged among the 16 Donald Trump fake electors is Meshawn Maddock, the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, as well as Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.

READ MORE: Investigators Close In On Donald Trump Attorney John Eastman, Who Helped Plot Fake Electors Scheme

One of those charged, John Haggard, 82, believes he did nothing wrong. However, GOP state Sen. Ed McBroom, who served as the chairman of the GOP-led Senate panel to investigate Michigan's 2020 presidential election, stated that he spoke with the fake electors and stated that the effort was organized by "people who put themselves in a position of authority and posing themselves as the ones who knew what they were doing."

Arizona Also Investigating Donald Trump Fake Electors

Michigan is just one of seven key battleground states where Trump and his allies employed the fake electors scheme. One of them is in Arizona where the state is currently holding an inquiry into similar alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election in the state. The investigation includes looking into the state's fake electors.

According to MSNBC. Arizona Republicans signed documents falsely proclaiming themselves to be electors in the state. They were planning to take over and give Arizona's electoral votes to Donald Trump.

However, Arizona AG Kris Mayes assigned a team of prosecutors to the case in May, and investigators have contacted many of the pro-Trump electors and their lawyers."

Much like the ones in Michigan, the fake Arizona electors could face various charges, including forgery, tampering with a public record, and impersonating a public servant.

READ MORE: Georgia State Supreme Court Rejects Donald Trump Bid To Scrap Georgia Election Probe

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: BREAKING: Michigan AG charges 16 people in fake electors scheme - MSNBC
Shannon Sharpe on New Heights. (New Heights on YouTube.)

Shannon Sharpe could land at his former debate partners old home.

Per Front Office Sports, Sharpe has been in talks with ESPNN about joining the company as a contributor. The role would potentially include a spot on First Take opposite Stephen A. Smith, taking the chair once occupied by Skip Bayless, his former colleague on FS1s Undisputed.

If he joins ESPN, Sharpe wouldnt be a full-time debate partner for Smith, instead joining the rotating panel that includes Chris Russo and Michael Irvin, who has been off the air for months following an alleged inappropriate encounter with a female employee of the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix during Super Bowl week. Irvin is suing Marriott for $100 million.

FOS also notes that a deal between ESPN and Sharpe hasnt been completed and that Sharpe has talked with other suitors. Hes expected to make a decision about his future in August.

But the Sharpe-ESPN deal is not finalized, cautioned sources. The three-time Super Bowl champion has talked to several potential employers since leaving FS1. Over the last week, Sharpe and his representatives have had a series of meetings with suitors, one source said. Hes expected to make a move in August before kickoff of the 2023 NFL season.

The ESPN role could also include appearances on ESPNs slate of NFL studio shows, including Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, and NFL Live.

Earlier this year, Sharpe and Fox Sports reached a buyout agreement on his contract. His last on-air appearance came in June after the NBA Finals ended. Sharpe has been teasing his next destination since his departure, with FanDuel also rumored to be in the running for his services.

[Front Office Sports]
Plainfield Township is starting to get some clarity on what sewer and road improvements are needed to accomodate a plan for two warehouses totaling nearly 1 million square feet off Route 512.

CRG Services Management has proposed building two warehouses at 905 Pennsylvania Ave., also known as Route 512. The larger proposed warehouse would be 786,000 square feet with the smaller one targeted for 296,000 sqaure feet.

CRG discussed a review letter from the Plainfield Township engineer regarding the project at the Plainfield Township Planning Commission meeting Monday night.

CRGs land development review by the commission has been tabled each month since November while the company sorted out several issues with neighboring Wind Gap.

The bulk of the developments property is in Plainfield Township, but a private road that will go through the property extends into Wind Gap.

The private road, to be known as Industrial Drive, will access the site from Route 512 across from Waste Managements Grand Central Landfill entrance and extend northeast to North Broadway in Wind Gap, just south of Constitution Avenue.

Alpha Road in Wind Gap will be rerouted from where it intersects with North Broadway.

Currently, Alpha Road and Constitution Avenue are about 550 feet away from each other where they intersect with North Broadway. The new Industrial Drive would intersect with North Broadway between the two existing roads.

Rather than keep the three intersections of Alpha Road, Industrial Drive and Constitution Avenue in close succession, the plan is to reroute the northern part of Alpha Road so it connects to Industrial Drive.

This plan received preliminary approval from Wind Gap Council in April by a 4-2 vote. Council members Jeff Yob, Steve Bender, Alex Cortezzo and Dave Hess voted in favor and Dave Manzo and George Hinton voted against the approval.

The developers plan is to build an on-site pump station and tap into Wind Gaps sewers.

In May, the Wind Gap Sewer Authority unanimously approved issuance of a will-serve letter to CRG for its sewer needs, conditioned on Plainfield Township development approvals.

CRGs engineer Matt Chartrand from Bohler Engineering said the developer has been working with the authority to plan how to tap into the Wind Gap sewer system and also provide improvements for existing sewer lines near the development.

We made a commitment to fix an awful lot of sewer, Chartrand said.

Monday, CRG discussed various issues regarding easements and rights-of-way with the planning commission.

Most of Industrial Drive will be a private road, which means the property owners will be responsible for maintenance and plowing. However, access to the road will be open to the public.

A question remains as to whether the northern part of Industrial Drive in Wind Gap, where Alpha Road will eventually intersect, will be private or dedicated to Wind Gap.

The planning commission is scheduled to continue hearing the matter at its 7 p.m. Aug. 21 meeting at the Plainfield Township Municipal Building.

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The decision by Diageo, the drinks company which brews Guinness, to increase the price of a pint by four cents has been branded as incomprehensible by a Midlands publican.

The global brewer wrote to all publicans in the country advising the price of a pint will increase by four cents (five cents when VAT is included) from August.

Diageo blamed rising costs.

"We continue to experience rising input costs across our business operations in Ireland. We are working to manage and absorb much of this, but to maintain a sustainable business, we have written to our customers in the on-trade to advise them of an increase on draught beer list prices of 4 cent per pint," it said.

John Clendennen is owner of Giltraps Bar and Glamping in Kinnitty, who is the national president of the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

This is incomprehensible both in the need for such an increase and the timing of it. Diageo took a 12-cent increase back in February which, in my memory, is the highest-ever increase imposed. Many of the factors under rising business costs Diageo refer to as justification for the increase were either known back in February and included in that increase or, indeed, have reduced in the meantime.

Mr Clendennen said the price increase is poorly timed and deeply unfair to both consumers and publicans.

The timing is awful. We are in the middle of peak tourist season, businesses in tourist areas that need good summers to see them through the quiet winter period are suffering from the loss of accommodation beds, while the consumer is reeling from increased mortgage and other cost of living increases. I cant think of a more inopportune time for a supplier to even be thinking of increasing prices, let alone doing it.

I believe Diageo are out of tune with both their customers and the consumer. I will be calling on Diageo to review this decision immediately, the VFI President concluded.

Diageo rose prices in February by 12 cent a pint. The latest rise means represents 16 cent a pint increase since costs starting going up.
A bus service due to connect Mountrath and Carlow is under threat due to problems recruiting drivers, a Laois Offaly Minister has claimed.

Minister of State Pippa Hackett made the claim about a new National Transport Authority (NTA) announced earlier in 2023. Under the plan 67 new or enhanced Connecting Ireland bus services are proposed around the country.

One such service proposed linking Mountrath and Carlow. The 822 was due to go into operation in the late summer or early autumn of 2023 providing students and others a means of getting from Laois to Carlow and back.

However, the Green Party politician says there are now questions over it proceeding.

I made enquiries recently about a new route, the 822 from Mountrath to Carlow which will be of great benefit to students of SETU. This route is due to start in the autumn in time for the new college year and is currently on target. But the NTA told me that the shortage of drivers is a risk factor. Government can roll out as many new routes as we like but if we dont have the drivers those routes wont be operating to their full potential," she said.

Minister Hackett commended the work of Laois Offaly ETB who are offering training to meet the shortage.

To drive a bus you need a full Drivers D licence and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). LOETB regularly offer this training to holders of provisional D licences and I see another course starting in August in Tullamore, she said.

The Senator appealed to anyone starting out or thinking of a career change to consider becoming a bus driver. Her call comes as the Government continues to roll out new bus routes across the Midlands.

Bus drivers offer a really important service to our communities and the significance of this will increase as we move to decarbonise the way we travel. Bus drivers are climate action warriors and I hope that more people will consider this possibility for a fulfilling career, she said.

The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, an initiative of the NTA, aims to create a more integrated, accessible and sustainable public transport network for rural Ireland.
A harpist has landed in Tanzania to begin a bid to beat her own Guinness World Record (GWR)  this time on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Siobhan Brady is to take on the hike on Thursday, having previously achieved the GWR for the highest altitude harp performance in 2018 at Singla Pass, India, at more than 16,000ft.

To beat her previous feat, she needs to play the harp for 18 minutes, with a Tanzanian jig which translates as Thank You Tanzania from Swahili on the set list, which was requested by composer Anne-Marie OFarrell.

When I got this message from her, I was like, I have to learn it, the 24-year-old, who lives in Limerick, Ireland, told the PA news agency.

I also need to figure out how to pronounce it because that would be very embarrassing if I butchered the pronunciation of it, but it is a very nice tune.

Another song Ms Brady hopes to play is Ed Sheerans Little Bird, which has a special connection to Caroline Heffernan, a patient advocate at Cystic Fibrosis Ireland  the charity which funds raised from the hike will go to.

Ms Heffernan, who will be accompanying Ms Brady, has cystic fibrosis (CF).

Little Bird pays homage to Triona Priestley, a woman who died from CF in 2014, whose mother Ms Heffernan met.

When (Triona) was sick in hospital and before she passed away, she used to write letters to Ed Sheeran, not necessarily expecting replies, but she got a few, the 52-year-old, who lives in Galway, told PA.

Trionas friends were all texting and trying to get the attention of Ed Sheeran when she was in hospital and the phone rang and Colm (Trionas brother) answered it.

It was Ed and he sang Little Bird, which was her favourite song, and after the song was finished, the doctor put the stethoscope to her chest and said shes passed.

Ms Heffernan said it was important for Ms Priestleys memory to also be honoured as part of the climb as she always wanted CF to stand for cure found.

The duo have been practising for the challenge by taking on monthly hikes, which have been organised by their fitness trainer and photographer Stephen Lappin over the course of 18 months, alongside fellow members of the Kili crew, who will take on the summit with them.

If those accompanying Ms Brady reach the top, they will receive participation GWRs.

Ms Heffernan said: Training has been good  the legs are in good shape, the lungs are in good shape.

And Im just hoping that altitude wont affect us  thats the one thing at the back of my mind.

The group has visited the Altipeak  a high altitude training gym in Dublin, Ireland  to prepare them for the conditions they will face on Kilimanjaro, which Ms Heffernan has been unable to attend due to the sauna type environment which is not advisable for people with CF.

Ms Brady has said that staff at the gym have been lovely.

They brought the whole team up for a private group session and Ive been given an altitude simulator machine, so I can experience altitude.

I hook it up to this giant tent and I sleep at altitude now, which is very odd, but Im getting really good at it.

Im down to about 12%, which is pretty comfy now and the altitude at the summit is about 10%.

She added that the monthly training sessions the group takes on together have been very fun.

We went to Tenerife, which was delightful, and climbed Mount Teide, Ms Brady said.

Ms Heffernan said that one of her favourite moments from training has been reaching the top of Carrauntoohil, the highest mountain in Ireland, in the snow.

That was the big standout for me we were huddling together on our knees, but the friendships made have been a real highlight  weve had giggles all the way through.

The ladies added that they will be stocked up with snacks for the climb, which include jelly babies, lots of cereal bars and, without a doubt, chocolate.

Ms Heffernan will also be bringing some more sentimental items with her, including a bandana with Ed Sheerans Little Bird lyrics on it.

Ill be wearing that, and for me thats a way of bringing all of my friends with me, she said.

I do have a little love heart that Im going to pin to my bag that we got in the hospital when my mother-in-law died (in December 2022) because she was very proud of the fact that we were doing this.

With the days before the group hopefully reaches the summit on July 25 looming, the pair are confident that the 10kg harp and spare harp will make it to the top in one piece.

We have a fake harp which some team members bring up a lot of the time and have tried numerous methods to hike with it, Ms Brady said.

Weve given all that information to the team in Africa who are using that information to figure out the best method.

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said: We at JustGiving are in awe of the Highest Harps team and the extreme lengths theyre going to in order to raise vital funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.

The fundraising link can be accessed here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Highest-Harp
The 21st Mac & Norman Rally is taking place in south Kildare on August 13 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Registration at W91W351 from 11.30am. Leaves there at 1pm heading to Brannockstown 1.05pm to Carnalway turn off for cars, tractors and bikes.

Trucks to keep going towards Two Mile House all turn left.

Trucks will be passing through from Top of Kilcullen past Dunleas garage. Rest of vehicles will come out at Logstown. Through Kilcullen, approx time 1.15pmish. Out the old Carlow Road and turn at OB Lawnmowers, toward MileMill turn right onto Giltown to Dublavin Road and at end of Gilltown Wall turn left, final Destination at W91W351.

Food will be served to all, Sister Act to play a couple of hours and Auction to follow.



Letters have been sent out to our main Sponsors but we believe no address has been given on letters. So to all those who wish to make donations, please address to Peter (Mac) or Ann Sully, Cannycourt, Brannockstown, Naas, Co. Kildare W91W351.



There will be a bucket collection in Brannockstown and also through Kilcullen. All money raised going to the Irish Cancer Society.



Trish will be in the road in August to collect any items where people may wish to donate. Please ring her on 087 3503494 leave message or text if she does not answer. Unless too large please arrange delivery W91W351. Dermot Fitzgerald, John Kennedy and Norman Egar will also be out and about if you wish to contact them. Numbers are available on our Facebook page.



Anyone who wishes to take a sponsorship card, please contact Ann 087 9810555 or Trish 087 3503494.
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Two ships enter the Sulina Canal, one of the Danube's outlets into the Black Sea, at Sulina, in southeastern Romania, on June 8, 2022. DANIEL MIHAILESCU / AFP

Moscow's refusal to extend the Black Sea grain deal came as no surprise to Ukraine. The country has been accustomed to Russia using the agreement for blackmail since its launch a year ago. In Budjak, the Ukrainian part of Bessarabia in southwest Ukraine, a landlocked region between Moldova, Romania and the Black Sea, people have become accustomed to seeing tens of thousands of trucks loaded with corn, wheat and sunflower oil passing by since the start of the war in February 2022.

Over the months, Izmail, a small port town on the banks of the Danube, has become an export hub as an alternative to the major Black Sea ports. Grain shipments arrive by truck and are loaded onto barges that travel down the river to the Romanian port of Constanta, where they are then transshipped onto a large vessel.

"Izmail used to be known as a cul-de-sac," said a cheese seller in the town's covered market. "Now, all this grain business has opened us up to the world." Thrust into the heart of Russia's war with Ukraine, Bulgarian and Moldovan cheese sellers have developed their own geopolitical radar. One of them worried: "The roads in Izmail are potholed by the constant comings and goings of trucks heading for the town's grain terminals. If there are so many trucks here, it means there's no other way of exporting wheat. And that's not a good sign."

Read more What will be the effect of the suspension of the Ukrainian grain deal?

Although they hope to see a complete reopening of the Black Sea ports through which most Ukrainian grain transited before the war, more and more producers and traders are turning to the small ports on the Danube along the Romanian border. Part of the harvest can now flow through this channel, without the risk of Russian controls to which ships were subject under the grain agreement.

Avoid being annihilated

One of the first to grasp the value of the river's route was Oleksiy Vadatursky, the founder of Ukraine's leading grain group, Nibulon, based in Mykolaiv, through which 30% of Ukrainian grain was exported. In May 2022, when the city was under Russian fire and its grain terminal blocked, he went to Izmail to launch the construction of an alternative terminal. It would never be able to compensate for the enormous capacities of the Black Sea ports, but it was an attempt to avoid being annihilated by Russia, which is also waging its war on the economic front. Ukraine is a major competitor of Russia's agricultural sector.

Vadatursky's project never came to fruition. He and his wife were killed on July 31, 2022, the day before the grain agreement came into force and the first ship departed for Lebanon. An S-300 missile hit their house in Mykolaiv at 5 am, in the worst night of bombardment this town near the front line had ever seen.

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Electoral College elector John Haggard reacts after Governor Rick Snyder announced all 16 of Michigan's electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump, December 19, 2016 in Lansing, Michigan. CARLOS OSORIO / AP

Michigans attorney general filed felony charges Tuesday, July 18, against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for then-President Donald Trump in 2020, accusing them of submitting false certificates that confirmed they were legitimate electors despite Joe Bidens victory in the state.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that all 16 people would face eight criminal charges, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery. The top charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

The group includes the head of the Republican National Committees chapter in Michigan, Kathy Berden, as well as the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Meshawn Maddock, and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.

In seven battleground states, including Michigan, supporters of Trump signed certificates that falsely stated he won their states, not Biden. The fake certificates were ignored, but the attempt has been subject to investigations, including by the House committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

Read more Trump: The main investigations threatening the former US president

'Undermined the publics faith'

"The false electors actions undermined the publics faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan," Nessel said in a statement.

The 16 individuals are set to appear for arraignment in Ingham County at a date provided to each by the court, according to Nessel's office. Phone and email messages seeking comment Tuesday from several of the people charged were not immediately returned.

One of those charged, John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix, told The Detroit News on Tuesday that he didnt believe he did anything wrong. "Did I do anything illegal? No," Haggard said.

GOP state Sen. Ed McBroom, who chaired a GOP-led Senate panel to investigate Michigans 2020 presidential election that found no wrongdoing, said he previously spoke with one of the fake electors. It was clear, McBroom said, that the effort was organized by "people who put themselves in a position of authority and posing themselves as the ones who knew what they were doing." "They were wrong," McBroom told The Associated Press. "And other people followed them when they shouldnt have."

Berden and Mayra Rodriguez, a Michigan lawyer who was also charged Tuesday, were both questioned by congressional investigators as part of the US House panels investigation into the January 6 insurrection.

In January of last year, Nessel asked federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation into the 16 Republicans. "Obviously this is part of a much bigger conspiracy," she said at the time.

Electors are people appointed to represent voters in presidential elections. The winner of the popular vote in each state determines which partys electors are sent to the Electoral College, which meets in December after the election to certify the outcome.

Investigations underway in several other states

False Electoral College certificates were also submitted declaring Trump the winner of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Investigations are underway in some other states that submitted fake electors, but not all.

A Georgia prosecutor investigating possible illegal meddling in the 2020 election has agreed to immunity deals with at least eight fake electors. And Arizonas Democratic attorney general is in the very early stages of a probe. Nevadas attorney general, also a Democrat, has said he wont bring charges, while Wisconsin has no active investigation and the attorney general has deferred to the US Justice Department.
Jan 7, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; A detailed view of the San Diego State Aztecs logo at mid court before the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego States awkward few weeks in flux have ended.

Per Yahoo Sports, the Mountain West Conference has told the school that it will remain a member of the conference, weeks after the school notified the conference that it intended to leave. But no offer from another conference (with the Big 12 and Pac-12 frequently mentioned) materialized, leaving the Aztecs in the lurch.

After San Diego State told the Mountain West that it would withdraw, it asked for an extension on a June 30th deadline, which was denied. The school then backpedaled from their intention to depart, but the Mountain West didnt accept their non-withdrawal and withheld money owed to the school.

Heres more on that from the Yahoo story.

SDSU told the Mountain West in a letter last month that it intends to resign from the conference next summer. The school sent that letter before July 1 in order to cut down its exit fee from about $34 million to $17 million. SDSU, however, didnt have any set plans as to where it would go. The school later asked the Mountain West for an extension on the June 30 deadline to figure that out, which the conference denied. Just before the deadline hit, SDSU told the conference it wasnt going to withdraw after all. But the Mountain West wasnt having it. The conference rejected that letter, saying that SDSU had already formally withdrawn and owed the exit fee. Earlier this month, the Mountain West withheld more than $6.6 million it owed SDSU as the first part of that exit fee payment. The Mountain West held a board of directors meeting Monday to discuss the matter, though SDSU was not invited. The $6.6 million payment was returned Tuesday.

San Diego State never got an offer to join another conference. The Pac-12 (STILL!) doesnt have a new media rights agreement and the Big 12 is likely waiting to pounce on schools like Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State before San Diego State. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said earlier this month that the conference was focused on value creation when it came to future expansion. Yormark also said that the conference wanted a team in all four time zones, seemingly opening the door for San Diego State to join.

The door isnt completely closed on San Diego State leaving the Mountain West. ESPN noted that the potential exit fee for the school is $34 million for the next two years before eventually dropping. The Mountain Wests current media rights deals with CBS and Fox run through the 2025-26 season.

While the value of the conferences next deal likely wont come close to what the Big 12 is getting from ESPN and Fox in its new deal (an estimated value of around $32 million per school per season), an improved offer from media partners could keep the Mountain West together in the future.

[Yahoo Sports]
NOT EVEN ruby slippers will enable many of the 122nd Infantry Battalion to return home to the Emerald Isle for the All-Ireland final this Sunday. But when you can't come home to Limerick, you do your best to bring Limerick to you.

Deployed thousands of miles away in Lebanon, the troops longing to be part of the fervent atmosphere back in Limerick has been palpable, but hope is not lost for the contingent as they are determined to bring their county to them, even amidst their duties and responsibilities in the Middle-East.

With hearts firmly rooted in their county, Corporal Seanie Neville shared how their All-Ireland Sunday will unfold in the heart of Lebanon.

The day begins early at 6am with breakfast. The troops then engage in their daily routines, which include patrols, meetings, runs, training, and collaborating with the Lebanese army.

Two to three patrols fill the 24-hour period, a demanding schedule that requires careful time management. However, there's a glimmer of excitement amidst their responsibilities.

The throw-in for the final is scheduled for 5:30pm local time, and many of the troops will have their duties completed by then, meaning that during their well-earned downtime, they will gather to witness their county's favourite sport - hurling.

While members of the Lebanese contingent won't be watching Hannon's men take to Croker, Seanie said that the Irish troops have taken the opportunity to explain the intricacies of hurling to some of their Polish counterparts who serve alongside them.

The corporal pointed out that a number of Limerick men, among them those who actively participate in local clubs back home, made sure to bring their hurleys all the way to the Middle-East, and whenever possible, seize the opportunity to have a puck around and find some sense of home.

Despite being far from the roaring crowds at Croke Park, the Limerick troops stand united in their support for the county's hurling heroes.

In the heart of the excitement surrounding the final, the verdict for Sunday's showdown remains elusive. Seanie laughs, It's always a close game with Kilkenny - but once we come out on the right side of it, I don't care if it's one point or 10 points!

As for the prestigious Hurler of the Year award, Seanie holds a firm belief that Aaron Gillane is the unequivocal choice. If he doesn't win it, there's something wrong, he chuckles.

Amidst a strict dress code, match days offer a delightful contrast for the Battalion, comprised of troops hailing from nearly every county. With pride, they don their jerseys, each soldier contributing a euro to Milford Hospice for the privilege.

As their attention turns to Croke Park, the Limerick troops prove that the spirit of home knows no bounds, and to that, they will raise their Heineken 0.0 to Kiely and his Treaty men.
LA TERRACE at the prestigious 5-star Savoy Hotel Limerick celebrated its first anniversary with an extraordinary and lavish celebration.

Invited guests were treated to a captivating evening of gastronomic delights, enticing prizes and exclusive beverage experiences.

Since its grand opening on July 14, 2022, La Terrace has established itself as a sought-after destination, captivating both locals and visitors with its sophisticated ambiance.

The restaurant has become synonymous with exceptional dining experiences and impeccable service.

The first birthday celebration at La Terrace was a night to remember. The event commenced with a warm welcome by Chef Frederic Duarte, the visionary behind the culinary creations at La Terrace. Chef Duarte shared his insights into the food offerings, highlighting the restaurant's commitment to showcasing the finest ingredients through innovative and tantalizing dishes.

In addition to the exceptional culinary experience, the celebration featured an exciting array of spot prizes.

The evening also included a special wine tasting session by Classic Wines, allowing guests to savour and appreciate a selection of fine wines. The knowledgeable representatives from Classic Wines guided attendees through a journey of flavours and aromas.

Titos Vodka showcased its signature French Mule cocktails while mixologist Blake Rowan expertly crafted the cocktails.

Reflecting on the first year of La Terrace, Ronan Branigan MD of The Savoy Collection, Limerick, commented: "We are immensely proud to celebrate the first anniversary of La Terrace. Chef Frederic Duarte has been instrumental in curating an exceptional food experience. As La Terrace embarks on its second year, guests can anticipate an ongoing commitment to culinary excellence, impeccable service, and a continuation of creating unforgettable experiences.
COMBINING dramatic theatre and installations, a new of event, titled 1960s: A Promenade Through Time, aims to recreate the lively atmosphere of Nicholas St in Limerick during the 1960s.

As part of their ongoing Tiny Little Histories programme, the Gaff, a local arts organisation, announced its partnership with community groups in St Marys Parish to recreate the essence of the area that was known as the beating heart of The Parish during that era.

From 6:30pm to 8:15pm, on July 27-29, audiences will be guided from St Marys Cathedral to Kings Island Community Centre.

Along the promenade, attendees will encounter various stops, including Nicholas St Youth Space and St Marys Alms House, where they will witness portrayals of everyday life within this historically significant part of Limerick city.

Upon reaching the final destination at Kings Island Community Centre, participants and the audience will be treated to refreshments and a jiving workshop, reminiscent of the community gatherings at that time.

The event will also feature storytelling by Bernard Ledger and Joe Ryan, sharing memories of living within the walls of King Johns Castle.

Additionally, scenes from Mike Finns acclaimed play, Field of Dreams, will be performed by John Costelloe, Carmel Duggan, and Mary OSullivan.

While walking and standing is involved, seats will be provided at the four venue settings.

Further information, for those eager to participate, can be found online at thegafflimerick.com
A VIRAL video clip, captured and used on RTE, of a Limerick womans emotional response during the 2018 All-Ireland hurling final has re-ignited passionate memories ahead of this Sunday's showdown.

Patricia Trish ODowd, from Pallaskenry, was caught off guard in the Hogan Stand in 2018 when cameras caught her visibly emotional as a result of Limericks historical win.

Today, the Daly's Hurleys employee is confident that the senior hurlers will do her proud once again as they bid to overcome Kilkenny for their fourth All-Ireland title in-a-row.

The TV shot of me that was captured in 2018 was one of trepidation, tiredness, hope - it was everything rolled into one, Trish said.

I had had about two hours sleep the night before and to give context, it had been an exhausting week in the run up to the final. Those nine minutes of extra time were the longest ever, ever, ever!

Trish travels with her female friends and their children to every match, with a typical match day being described as chaos.

We travel to all of the matches together, she smiled before going on to explain how preparation for the big day out starts about two days beforehand!

Meeting up on the morning of the match, we are all full of excitement and keeping an eye on social media for the latest updates to see whats what.

For this year's final the group are traveling to Croke Park by bus and returning home to the Treaty City by train with Liam!
FANCY heading along to the All-Ireland senior hurling final between Limerick and Kilkenny on Sunday?

In celebration of the All-Ireland senior hurling final, we've teamed up with The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Dublin to give one lucky person the chance to win two suite tickets to the thrilling showdown between Limerick and Kilkenny at Croke Park with complimentary food, plus an overnight stay in The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel with breakfast the following morning!

Located ideally between Dublin City and the southern region, The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel is the perfect choice for those attending matches at Croke Park.

Say goodbye to the stress of driving into Dublin City Centre, as the hotel provides complimentary secure parking and regular shuttle buses to and from Croke Park, ensuring a hassle-free experience for all guests.

In addition to its prime location for attending matches in Croke Park, The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel is also the perfect choice for those attending shows at Dublin's 3Arena and other major events in Dublin.

With the convenience of regular shuttle buses running to and from all of the major shows and being situated in close walking proximity to the LUAS, guests can enjoy easy access to Dublin City while staying at the hotel.

For booking your stay or more information, visit louisfitzgeraldhotel.com or call the hotels dedicated reservations team on 01 403 3315.

To enter this incredible competition, simply answer the question below and email your answer to limerickleadercompetitions@gmail.com.

What team did Limerick play in the 2022 All-Ireland Final?

Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the All-Ireland final in both style and comfort

Terms & Conditions:

*The winner will receive 2 suite tickets to the All-Ireland senior hurling final on Sunday, plus an overnight stay at the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel including breakfast (staying on Saturday 22 July, 2023).

*Winners must not be an employee or associated with the media partner or The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel.

*Prizes are non-refundable, exchangeable, or transferrable. Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash or credit.

*Winner must attend with 1 guest. Prize can not be transferred to any other person.

*Complimentary food applies to Croke Park Suite only

*The prize will be issued in winners name only.

*Entrants must be 18 or over.

*The Hotel reserves the right at any time to validify the entries, entrants and winner(s)

*The Hotel reserves the right for entry to the property at all times based on management decision regardless of the prize.

*The Hotel reserves the right to change/withdraw or amend the prize at any time

*The Hotel bares no responsibility for how the prize winner attends the hotel/Croke Park, however, transfers to Croke Park may be available.

*The winner will be notified before 5pm on Friday

*SPONSORED CONTENT
Tata Motors -owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is set to announce its plans to build a flagship electric car battery plant in the UK, a source familiar with the matter said as reported by Reuters.

Tata had been choosing between a site in Somerset, southwest England, and one in Spain to supply a new range of electric Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. Bloomberg was first to report on Tuesday that the factory was set to be announced this week.

The Gigafactory follows talks with the government on the level of financial support the Tata Group would receive in return for the investment and will be one of the most significant investments in UK automotive for decades.

The BBC said the government would provide subsidies worth hundreds of millions of pounds to Tata.

"The decision by JLR to invest in battery production in the UK is very welcome. We will want to reflect, however, on the subsidy package that was required to secure this decision," Darren Jones, chair of parliament's business committee, said.

Homegrown battery production will also help British automakers comply with post-Brexit trade rules that will require them to source more electric vehicle components locally in order to avoid tariffs on UK-EU trade from 2024. Batteries typically account for more than half of the value of an electric vehicle, so a reliable supply is expected to be vital for the future of the UK car industry.

Moreover, the investment could lead to the creation of up to 9,000 jobs around Bridgwater in Somerset.

However, its significance is pitched as a big boost for the UK's car manufacturing sector as it transitions from petrol and diesel to making electric vehicles.

Tata's choice of Britain would also provide a boost for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government, which has pledged to grow the economy and outlined a series of net zero goals including a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, Reuters has reported.

Earlier in April 2023, JLR Chief Executive Adrian Mardell had told reporters that the Tata Group is clear the new Gigafactory is going to be in Europe. Spain was believed to be the other site under consideration at the time. In April, JLR had also that it would invest 15 billion pounds ($19 billion) over the next five years on EVs. It had also said it would also launch a new all-electric Range Rover SUV in 2025 and order books for that vehicle would open later this year.

(With inputs from Reuters, PTI)
Russia has appointed Chechnyas agriculture minister as the new head of Danones business in the country and tapped a Russian businessman to run Carlsbergs operations there, cementing control of the Western multinationals Russian assets days after they were seized.

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday signed a decree that effectively placed the local operations of the French food company and Danish brewing giant under government management. Russias unexpected seizure of assets belonging to two of the worlds largest consumer-goods companies marked an escalation in economic hostilities with the West amid the war in Ukraine.

The appointment of Yakub Zakriev, who is also Chechnyas deputy prime minister, as head of Danones Russian business was reported late Tuesday by state news agency TASS. A Russian company database also named Zakriev as head of the company. Zakriev is the nephew of Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader and an ally of Putin.

Meanwhile, Baltika Breweries, Carlsbergs Russian business, confirmed the appointment of Taimuraz Bolloev as its new manager. Bolloev previously ran the company for more than a decade, having founded it in 1990. By the time he resigned in 2004, Baltika had become Russias leading brewer. Carlsberg then acquired it in 2008.

Bolloev is also chairman of Russian clothing company BTK Group, a supplier of the Russian army, and a former head of the state company tasked with building facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympics held in the resort city of Sochi.

Carlsberg said Wednesday that it no longer retains control of Baltikas management or operations. The change to the management of Baltika Breweries has consequently been made without the knowledge or approval by Carlsberg Group," the company said.

The recent moves highlight the risks to Western companies still operating in Russia, or looking to leave, as well as the shifts in corporate power in the country more than a year after Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Russia unveiled a decree in April that allows the state to take temporary control of assets of companies or individuals from what the Kremlin calls unfriendly" states. Russian officials have said that the seizures were in retaliation for similar moves by Western countries and that more companies could be targeted.

At that time, Russia took control of utilities owned by Germanys Uniper and Finlands Fortum and appointed managers from oil giant Rosneft, headed by longtime Putin ally Igor Sechin, to run the companies.

Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, has publicly called himself Putins foot soldier and serves as a Kremlin enforcer in Chechnya, a restive republic in Russias North Caucasus. For two decades, Moscow has sent him billions of dollars, which he has used to rule his native region as a personal fief with his own highly trained private army. Kadyrov has also played a role in the Ukraine war and last month offered to help put down a later-abandoned mutiny by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, which he called a stab in the back."

Zakrievs appointment at Danone was hailed by senior Chechen official Akhmed Dudayev as an indication of the success of Kadyrovs team.

At this point, Western businesses remaining in Russia do not have good options left," said Andrius Tursa, Central and Eastern Europe adviser at Teneo, a consulting firm. The window of exiting the market is closing, while the option of staying comes with major operational, regulatory and reputational risks."

The April decree set up new hurdles for foreign companies trying to exit from the country, marking a step up in the economic battle that is taking place in parallel with the kinetic war being fought on the battlefields of Ukraine.

Many Western companies have struggled to wind up their operations in Russia and the latest asset seizuresand now management changesserve as a warning shot to those still looking to exit.

In December, the Kremlin adopted rules requiring the Russian government to conduct an assessment of the market value of any asset for sale by a foreign company. The seller is then required to sell the asset at a 50% discount of that value. Additionally, Moscow is levying an exit tax of 10% of the transaction price as it tries to shore up its significant budget deficit, weighed by the costs of the war in Ukraine.

Now, companies working to broker deals that would allow them to exit Russia appear to face the prospect of Moscow torpedoing their efforts at the last minute.

Carlsberg said in March last year that it planned to exit Russia. The Danish brewer was among the Western companies with the biggest exposure to Russia through Baltika, which has eight breweries and around 8,400 employees in the country, representing more than one in every five members of Carlsbergs total global workforce.

Carlsberg last month said that it had struck a deal to sell its Russia business, adding that the process had been very complicated." At the time, it warned that the deal going through was subject to regulatory approval by the Russian government.

On Sunday, Carlsberg said it would assess the legal and operational consequences and take all necessary actions in response.

Danone, the largest dairy company in Russia, said in October last year that it had begun looking for ways to transfer control of its dairy and plant-based business in the country. On Sunday, the French company said it was investigating the situation and preparing to take all necessary steps to protect its rights as a shareholder of Danone Russia.
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $18.8 million to a California man who claimed that the company's talcum-based powders caused his cancer. This trial was the first in nearly two years over allegations that J&J concealed the health risks of its iconic baby powder.

Jurors in an Oakland state court concluded that J&J's baby powder played a role in Anthony Hernandez Valadez's development of mesothelioma, a cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Valadez's case was cleared for trial despite a court order putting all litigation on hold, as an exception due to Valadezs failing health following J&J attempt to wall off its talc liability in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

J&J intends to appeal the verdict, stating that "erroneous" rulings by the judge prevented them from presenting critical evidence to the jury, showing that Valadez's rare form of mesothelioma was not caused by their baby powder. Erik Haas, J&J's worldwide vice president of litigation, asserted that decades of independent scientific evaluations have confirmed the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder. Without the benefit of that evidence, the verdict is irreconcilable with the decades of independent scientific evaluations confirming Johnsons Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer," Haas stated. While the bankruptcy proceeding continues, he said that the verdict award will not be paid and wont have an impact on that process.

Also read: Johnson & Johnson proposes nearly $9 billion settlement of talc cancer claims

The $18.8 million award to Valadez could complicate J&J's efforts to convince other talc victims to accept an $8.9 billion settlement offered as part of the bankruptcy case filed by its LTL Management unit. This settlement was intended to cover all existing and future lawsuits alleging that J&J knowingly sold talc-based baby powder containing asbestos.

Also read: Bombay HC permits Johnson & Johnson to manufacture and sell its baby powder

According to Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor who teaches about mass torts, the verdict could sway other plaintiffs not to accept the settlement, as they might see greater potential for compensation through individual trials. This development could disrupt settlement negotiations for J&J.

As a result of slipping sales, Johnson & Johnson pulled its talc-based powders from the US and Canada markets in 2020, replacing them with a corn-starch-based version. The company has committed to removing all talcum powder-containing baby powders from the global market by the end of this year.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)
NEW DELHI : Go First must sign fresh lease agreements for 30-35 aircraft since lessors have already terminated the previous ones following its insolvency filing, two people aware of the development said, delaying the low-fare airlines plans for a quick return to skies.

While the airline is making active efforts to relaunch flight operations, it will need to re-enter into fresh lease agreements or get the termination revoked by the lessors in case it wants to operate these 30-35 aircraft whose lease agreements were terminated around the time the airline filed for insolvency," one of the two people said.

Go First filed for insolvency on 2 May and suspended operations with effect from 3 May, leaving a void of 6.8% in the domestic civil aviation market. Following this, its lessors terminated leases and sought to regain control of planes. The airline was operating a fleet of 27 aircraft when it filed for insolvency. The Wadia Group, the airlines former promoters, has blamed engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for its predicament, stating it had to ground 30-50% fleet on average since 2020 due to engine scarcity.

Termination of an aircraft lease is sacrosanct. If the airline has to restart operations, it will have to get lessors on board, as without a lease contract in place, even the insurance of the aircraft comes into question. Lessors will need a promise of payment of pending dues, and some comfort will have to be provided for cooperation in relaunch efforts," the second person added.

The airline has already begun preliminary discussions to bring lessors on board towards an August relaunch, the second person said. Go Firsts lenders, resolution professional (RP), and lessors have had several discussions on its plans to resume with 26 aircraft, the person added.

The lessors are concerned mostly about two aspectsthe condition of the grounded aircraft and the pending payments. During the discussions, they (lessors) were made aware that the airline owes more money to the creditors than the lessors. Pratt & Whitney, too, has given a commitment that they will supply 4-5 aircraft engines every month till December for the aircraft and provide the required maintenance services. And, if the creditors and engine suppliers are comfortable with the plan to resume the operations first and use the cash flows for immediate repayments and lease rentals, the lessors should also come on board. That is in the interest of all stakeholders," a third person aware of the developments said.

In the battle between the lessors and the airline, a division bench of the Delhi high court recently dismissed an appeal filed by Go Firsts RP challenging an earlier order that allowed lessors to inspect the airlines aircraft and their parts regularly. Lessors can now carry out regular inspections. Simultaneously, the civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), was also directed to decide within 15 days to grant approvals to the airline to resume operations.

It is likely that once DGCA gives its approval to the revival plan proposed by the airline, both the creditors and the lessors would be comfortable to restart flight operations. Gradually, as the business picks up, the cash from operations can be used to repay the older debts and lease dues," the person added.

Additionally, the expressions of interest (EoI) floated by the RP are expected to attract potential new owners backed by private equity funds or other deep-pocketed investors as strategic partners.

That will bring in additional funds," said the third person, justifying why the lessors should give their nod to Go Firsts flight resumption plan without any delay.

Last week, the airlines RP, Shailendra Ajmera, invited EoIs for Go First, registered as Go Airlines (India) Ltd. The last date for the submission of EoIs is 9 August, a company advertisement stated. The list of provisional resolution applicants is expected on 19 August.

In its latest plan submitted to DGCA, the airline said it could recommence approximately 160 daily flight operations with 26 aircraft. Out of the 26 aircraft, nearly four aircraft are to be kept in reserve for a backup plan in case there are issues related to technical glitches in any of the operational aircraft.

Comments from the airline were awaited till press time.
NEW DELHI : Multiple specialty chemical manufacturers are staring at weak prospects in the near term, led by weak global demand and destocking of inventory.

Declining chemical prices and increased competition from China post opening of the Chinese economy are putting pressure on their margins. The only solace for now comes from some decline in raw material prices. Nevertheless, there are multiple factors that led to a cautious near-term outlook for many companies even as analysts maintain a structurally positive view on the sector looking at long-term prospects.

Surya Patra, senior analyst at PhillipCapital Institutional Equity Research in a report, said the Indian specialty chemical industry is all set to face one of the worst quarters in Q1.

This is primarily driven by a broad based disruption in global chemical demand caused by visible economic slowdown in the advanced markets of Europe and the US, ongoing inventory rationalisation and enhanced competition from China.

The demand woes in the global arena, especially in developed markets such as Europe and US, is impacting exports of Indian manufacturers even though domestic demand continues to support the downside for volumes.

The increased supplies of chemicals from China post easing of covid-related measures has been a key concern for Indian manufacturers. The production in China caught pace while local demand failed to impress, leading to more export of chemicals out of China, especially after the Chinese new year.

The increased competition through higher Chinese exports and declining global prices of chemicals have further impacted the performance of the Indian manufacturers.

Many companies have resorted to provisioning for high-cost raw material inventories, too, as prices continued to decline further impacting earnings.

ICICI Securities estimated their specialty chemical coverage universes revenue to dip 7% y-o-y in Q1FY24 due to destocking and weak demand. Earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) is expected to decline 16.4% y-o-y on weaker spreads and operating deleveraging, they said.

The key decline in chemical costs remains a positive, however, analysts say that they may not be able to completely mitigate the impact of sharp dip in realisations.

The key input prices, energy cost, freight cost have certainly moderated sequentially in Q1 but those fail to protect the margin performance of the Indian chemical industry as the final product prices corrected faster. This was led by aggressive Chinese competition and the industry suffered negative operating leverage due to weak demand, said Patra.

Analysts expect the weakness to continue and not much respite may be expected soon. Rohit Nagraj, senior vice-president at Centrum Institutional broking, said global players commentary post Q1 calendar year 2023 results, indicated that the inventory destocking is at the fag end and expected to be over soon.

However, demand related challenges persist and recent commentaries from global chemical players suggest that demand recovery is now delayed to end-2023 or early 2024.

Nagraj said during H2 of FY23, chemical companies performance was affected due to lower export demand and believes that in Q1FY24 demand weakness has further exacerbated. Despite growth in the domestic market, significant weakness in exports is expected to take a toll on overall performance in Q1.

Not only does revenue performance remain a concern but deteriorating profitability is taking a toll on earnings, too, said analysts.

Moreover, the likelihood of this situation extending into Q2 and early Q3 makes the near-term earnings outlook bleak, said Patra

Amidst concerns, analysts, however, are recommending that investors make the right picks in the sector looking at structurally positive longer-term prospects. Those at JM Financial Institutional equities said the recent slowdown in the chemicals sector does not bring to an end Indias journey of becoming the next chemicals manufacturing hub.

Although we agree that there is imminent risk of earnings downgrades, especially for non contracted businesses, we highlight that these corrections should be treated as buying opportunities," analysts at JM Financial said.
Credit: WWE.com

WWE reporter Megan Morant made headlines recently after she made an incredibly gracious gesture. The former Boston-area reporter announced on her Instagram that she donated a kidney to save her former boss wifes life.

Morant underwent the procedure on July 11. She explained that her former boss wife, Margrette Mondillo, had kidney failure. So after she unsuccessfully attempted to donate a kidney before to someone, but unfortunately came up without a match, she was going to do this to save her life.

Morant provided an update on her condition after the donation. She expressed that the procedure went perfectly and that shes taking mile repeats around the hospital as part of her recovery process.

Morant captioned the photo with a lengthy update:

Good news! My surgery went perfectly and more importantly, my kidney made its flight. I dont know where it went, but I hope it flew first class  I know this will change my recipients (that is still a stranger at this moment) life forever. Today @margrette.mondillo and I are filled with so much gratitude and hope as she is officially activated in the system and will receive a kidney very soon.

.

As for me Ive been walking laps around the hospital floor every few hours slowly of course, but 4 small laps at a time or mile repeats as I call them, and all things considered, I feel good!

.

Im thankful for the best care at @massgeneral and beyond fortunate to be in this position. Please keep the prayers coming  #kidneydonor #donatelife

Morant previously made appearances on WWE TV before she began a new role hosting its Monday Night Raw Twitchcast. She joined the company in April 2021.

Several WWE talents, wrestlers, interviewers, or otherwise, responded to Morants update on her condition. Adam Pearce, Alexa Bliss, Cathy Kelley, Charles Robinson, Chelsea Green, Maxxine Dupri, Mustafa Ali, Titus ONeil, and Zelina Vega all sent well wishes in the comments of her Instagram post.

Its obviously a touching and gracious gesture that not many people are courageous enough to do. So all the respect in the world to Megan Morant for doing what she did.

[Megan Morant Instagram]
After leading UK-based OnlyFans for two years, CEO Ami Gan announced her resignation on Tuesday. She will be succeeded by the Chief strategy and operations officer Keily Blair as the next CEO of OnlyFans. In her Twitter post announcing her resignation, Ami Gan also announced her new venture Hoxton Projects which she will be launching soon.

Leaving OnlyFans and Launching a new venture. Spending nearly 3 years at OnlyFans while it echoed throughout the cultural zeitgeist, has been beyond rewarding," tweeted Ami Gan on Monday.

OnlyFans is known for providing internet content subscription services. The online platform supports adult content. During her tenure, the company was able to pay around $10 billion to creators.

Also Read: Meta's new tool allows teens to remove 'revealing' photos, videos from Facebook, Instagram

Sharing her two-year-long journey with the company, Ami Gan recalled the goals she had accomplished including building trust around the platform. She said that during her leadership, the platform enhanced its focus on platform safety, and also increased OnlyFans' diverse community of creators and fans.

Also Read: OnlyFans reverses ban on sexually explicit content

Mentioning her major milestone as the company CEO, Ami Gan said that OnlyFans paid out $10 billion in creator earnings, made it on the Financial Time's list of Europe's Fastest Growing Companies two times, the comapny witnessed massive expansion OFTV's creator-led content, launch of the platform's safety & transparency center, etc.

Keily Blair to be the next OnlyFans CEO

The chief strategy and operations officer of OnlyFans, Keily Blair, will serve as the new CEO of the company. Keily Blair has also worked as a lawyer, and business executive. She has also led OnlyFans' trust and saffety operations. She was the leading lady behind the development, execution and communication of OnlyFans' strategic initiatives and future goals to users. Before joining the company in January 2022. Keily Blair had served as partner0head of cyber,privacy and data innovation of firm Orrick. She has also worked at PwC and law firms Morrison & Foerster and Allen & Overy.

Also Read: Did BBC investigation force OnlyFans to ban explicit content?

What is Hoxton Projects?

Ami Gan also announced her new venture, Hoxton Projects. The venture will delve deep into the field of communication and marketing to help founders and growing business to expand their impression.

Hoxton Projects reimagines the agency paradigm to support founders and growing businesses on how to best communicate and market their purpose and competitive advantage," said Ami Gan in her tweet.
A few years ago, this small town on the border with China was a few dusty lanes surrounded by tropical forests. Now, a nearly $6 billion Chinese-built railroad cuts through itand a city is rising.

Dozens of half-constructed office towers and warehouses rise into the skyline. A Chinese developer, Yunnan Haicheng Industrial Group, is pitching the six-square-mile special economic zone where they stand as the gateway between China and Southeast Asia, a place where labor is cheap and exporting is easy, thanks to the new train.

Jackhammers clamor until nightfall, when they give way to the sounds of Chinese pop music blaring from open-air restaurants where transiting businessmen unwind over beer and spicy peanuts.

Theres a Chinese saying that when the whistle blows, its worth 10,000 taels of gold," said He Ming Jia, a senior executive at Yunnan Haicheng. Chinese investment follows the train."

Globally, Chinas now decade-old Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI, has been in retreat, with a number of projects stalled or mired in controversyat times over allegations of incurring unsustainable debts for developing countries. But in this part of Southeast Asia, it is alive and kicking.

Beijing is casting the 262-mile rail line, which launched in late 2021, as a showcase of how its grand vision for regionwide rail connectivity can be transformative for the local economy. The plan imagines a China-backed network stretching through Southeast Asias agricultural and industrial heartlandsdrawing its neighbors into a tighter embrace and binding their economies to its own for decades to come.

To China, this is a key mega project. Completion of this railway will demonstrate that BRI remains on track," said Yu Hong, a senior research fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore. This is very much the message that China wants to convey to the world."

The Laos-China Railway is the first leg of Beijings plan. It runs between the Chinese commercial hub of Kunming and Vientiane, the Lao capital near the border with Thailand. Beijing aims to extend it further south, linking to the Thai and Malaysian capitals, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

China also plans to upgrade a railroad that runs east through Cambodiaand build another running west from Kunming to the coast of Myanmar.

Momentum in Laos, China hopes, will kick-start progress elsewhere. Construction is under way in Thailand and Malaysia, but has faced local skepticism and delays.

Thai transportation officials have said a section from Bangkok to the Lao border will be complete by 2028. Negotiations on upgrading an existing rail link between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur are continuing. A China-built railroad connecting Malaysias coasts is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, after years in limbo.

The World Bank has said the Laos-China Railway could raise the Southeast Asian countrys aggregate income by up to 21% over the long term, if it is managed well. But economists are still at odds over its financial rationale.

Laos was already struggling to pay back lenders when it borrowed $1.54 billion from Chinas Export-Import Bank to fund its share. And it is unlikely to make much revenue from the train itself, owning only a 30% stake while three Chinese companies own the rest. According to the World Bank, the countrys total debt has reached critical levels," around $14.5 billion in 2021, with China accounting for about half of its external debt.

A lot of other investment is needed in order to really make this work," said Mariza Cooray, a senior economist at the Indo-Pacific Development Centre at the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based think tank. Complementary infrastructure such as roads and more capacity to capture tourism revenue will require even more borrowing, she said, adding: Theyre really in a kind of debt spiral."

The countrys growing and unsustainable debt burden" is limiting its ability to invest in vital health and education services, said Ben Bland, the Asia-Pacific program director for Chatham House, a U.K.-based think tank.

These are real and pressing short-term pressures, while the returns from the rail project will only be clear in the long term," Bland said.

But in Laos, Beijing has faced very little resistance. That is in part because Laos, like China, is ruled by an authoritarian communist regime that can act quickly without much scrutinyand also because its development needs are enormous and China was the only game in town. The country of 7.4 millionwith a small workforce and few natural resourceshas been of little interest to investors from the West and Japan, which dont share Chinas strategic imperative here.

It helps Chinas case that the train is popular in Laos. Dangerous 12-hour bus rides through mountain roads can now be made in less than four hours by rail, for about the same price. Students and migrant workers can easily visit their families. One couple said they were taking their baby to a hospital in the capital to see a pediatric specialist that their rural province doesnt have.

More than 2,000 products are now approved for export via the cargo route, the Laos-China Railway Company said. Fruits such as watermelon and durian, cassava flour, rubber and iron are among the products making their way to China. Mechanical equipment, chemical fertilizers, appliances and solar panels are pouring into Laos.

When the train launched, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith said the project would bring prosperity to both sides. Just as North Americas first transcontinental railroad created boomtowns across the countryside, Xi promised a golden route" from which development would spring. Stations were built a few miles outside of towns to make room for urban expansion, with warehouses erected alongside to process cargo.

Chinese firms are snapping up nearby properties to set up farms and factories. About a 30-minute drive from Muang Xai, a town with one of the trains major stations, the hills are covered with crops bound for the border. Chinese firms have been harvesting on the surrounding land for decades, leasing large plantations to grow bananas, rubber trees, soybeans and cassavaand now they are expanding further.

At a mulberry farm, women harvest leaves to feed silkworms that are spinning fibers to be woven into fine Chinese fabrics. A new processing plant opened last year for adlay, a grain used in soupy desserts and traditional Chinese medicine.

Locals have traditionally been subsistence farmers, growing just enough rice and vegetables to feed their families. Saiy Soulivong, 32, said he used to struggle to find shifts on construction sites to earn extra cash. Now he works as a day laborer at a new cluster of warehouses that companies can rent near a train station.

We have more options," he said.

Laos is no stranger to the influence of foreign powers. Its cities are famous for colonial architecture incorporating French elements. The U.S. scarred its countryside during the Vietnam War, dropping more than two million tons of bombs on communist hide-outs. Unexploded ordnance maimed villagers and slowed development for decades, but Lao society is still largely receptive to American engagement.

Since cross-border passenger trains launched in April, arrivals from China have surged. On a recent morning in Luang Prabang, a Unesco World Heritage site popular for its ornate temples and natural attractions such as waterfalls, tourists dropped crisp Chinese bank notes as alms for Buddhist monks at a ceremony. Further north, in Boten, the currency is as common as the local Lao kip and signs are printed in both Lao and Mandarin.

Its becoming more like China than like Laos, but its good because they build things," said Noy Keomanychan, a 43-year-old food vendor who commutes from a nearby village to sell grilled meat and squirrel soup to Lao laborers.

Thats how it is," she said, the Lao people are poor, and the Chinese are rich."
Indian government may delay its decision to sell its stake in Hindustan Zinc until a turnaround in the sector's fortunes, following the advise of merchant bankers, two government sources told Reuters.

However, one of the sources told Reuters that the government is still hoping to complete the long-delayed sale this fiscal year.

The government intends to sell its over 29% stake in instalments, beginning with the sale of around 5% of the total. A 64.9% stake belongs to Vedanta Group.

Due to a steep drop in zinc prices and Vedanta's attempt to sell two units to the miner, Hindustan Zinc's stock price has fallen nearly 16% from its January highs.

According to the Reuters report, the first official stated that the government is waiting for the share price to recover.

"Merchant bankers have advised against a sale offer at the moment as institutional investors are presently not keen to invest in the metals sector," the official said. The advice came after road shows were conducted in June, according to Reuters report.

As they are not authorised to speak to the media, both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity. The news article stated that the Ministry of Finance did not reply to emails from Reuters.

According to a report from rating agency ICRA last month, global macroeconomic uncertainty and a sluggish rebound in Chinese demand have caused a 30% correction in zinc prices over the past six months.

It also stated that this year's expected growth in world consumption of aluminium, copper, and zinc would be modest.

Moreover, the nation's highest court rejected Vedanta's request to pressure the government to sell its interest in Hindustan Zinc last week.

During the previous fiscal year, the government had intended to sell around 5% of its stake in Hindustan Zinc, but it postponed the sale since prices fell after the miner announced in January that it would acquire two of Vedanta's zinc subsidiaries.

The deal was rejected by the government, and it ultimately ended a few months later.

According to a report by Reuters, institutional or big investors told government officials even during roadshows in December that they were not interested in purchasing sizable holdings in Hindustan Zinc.
Semiconductors have become the unsung heroes of the digital age. They silently power the devices that have become essential to our lives.

These tiny wonders are the backbone of everything from smartphones, computers, advanced medical equipment, and transportation systems. Without semiconductors, the modern world as we know it would come to a grinding halt.

And halt it did.

In 2021, the pandemic's impact on the manufacture of semiconductors in South Korea and Taiwan caused a shortage for semiconductors across the world. The constrained supply impacted industries ranging from automotives to gaming.

India too faced issues. In December 2021, Tata Motors announced it was experiencing a semiconductor shortage and that it would impact the deliveries of its cars. Other Indian automakers also expressed the same.

To tackle this shortage, the Indian government announced incentives for semiconductor companies in the same month. These incentives were a part of the 760 bn Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Following this, various companies including large conglomerates such as the Tata group and the Vedanta group expressed their interest in setting up chip facilities in India.

Taking the first step

In February 2022, Vedanta announced its plans to set up a semiconductor plant in a joint venture with Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision). The company was one of the first few participants in the governments PLI scheme.

Later that year, we wrote about how India could be a major semiconductor hub. Some companies like Vedanta were working towards making it a reality.

Heres what we wrote

In its first major step, the Vedanta-Foxconn JV has selected the state of Gujarat for its semiconductor project. The project will include display and semiconductor facilities near the largest city of Ahmedabad in the western state.

It will invest 1.5 tn in Gujarat. It will set up a fabrication plant with 945 bn and a semiconductor fabrication and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test plant with 600 bn.

Vedanta-Foxconn was not the only Indian-international collaboration to take place under the PLI scheme. There were two other applicants for to set up a semiconductor fabrication unit. These were ISMC (International Semiconductor Consortium) and the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre.

The joint venture with Foxconn was Vedantas second attempt to invest in the country's semiconductor and display ecosystem. Nearly five years ago, the company had announced, and later abandoned, its plan to set up a display manufacturing unit with an investment of US$ 10 billion (bn).

The joint venture has recently fallen through. However, the companys commitment to foraying into the semiconductor industry still holds.

Last week, the Vedanta group said it will acquire the semiconductor and display businesses from sister concern Twin Star Technologies ltd. This makes it the countrys first company in the integrated semiconductor and display fab business.

The group also owns AvanStrate, the fourth largest manufacturer of glass substrate in the world. Glass substrate is used in packaging of semiconductors. The diversified natural resources major also has a presence in oil and gas, aluminium, zinc, power, copper, steel, and iron ore.

Foxconn, on the other hand, still has its eyes firmly set on India. The Taiwanese firm has reached out to large Indian business houses seeking a partner for its semiconductor manufacturing ambitions in the country.

Besides Vedanta, the Tata Group too has its hands in the mix.

The Tata Group is expected to begin semiconductor chip manufacturing in India soon. According to a media report, Tata Sons Chairperson, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, said Tata Group has plans to begin chip manufacturing in India through Tata Electronics.

Thats not all. US-based Micron Technology plans to begin construction on a US $ 2.75 bn chip assembly and test facility in Gujarat next month.

This facility will enable the assembly and test manufacturing for both DRAM and MAM products. This will address demand from both the domestic and international markets.

While phase 1 is set to begin operations by the end of 2024, phase 2 of this ambitious project is likely to begin by the end of the decade. Once the facility becomes operational, Microns proposed plant is anticipated to generate nearly 5,000 direct jobs and close to 15,000 community jobs.

Why Indias semiconductor dream could be a reality

The global semiconductor value chain is dominated by the US, followed by Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Netherlands. These nations are more aligned with the US even though China is the biggest customer.

As a part of the US-China trade war, the US had imposed export restrictions on high end chips. Following the US, Japan, and the Netherlands also did the same. Companies such as Intel, Foxconn, TSMC, NXP, and Qualcomm focussed on moving their units out of China.

While this placed pressure on Indian companies, it ultimately highlighted the need for domestic chip manufacturing.

On these lines, the government announced the Semicon India Programme under the India semiconductor Mission (ISM) in December 2021 for the development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. The programme had a financial outlay of 760 bn.

The scheme was, however, later modified in September 2022, considering industry feedback, to enhance its competitiveness, and relaunched as the Modified Semicon India Programme.

Under the scheme, the central government will offer a 50% subsidy on fab units and that state governments would offer a 10-25% subsidy over and above the central grant.

Now as per a report by the Economic Times, the Union Cabinet is expected to approve another 250 bn in schemes for semiconductor manufacturing. This will give a much-needed boost to the sector.

The Indian semiconductor market is expected to reach around US$ 55 bn by 2026 and US$ 85 bn by 2030, a big jump from the current US$ 27 bn.

These investments along with the China +1 policy, where global companies are finding alternate manufacturing locations to reduce their dependence on China, will help drive this growth and ultimately position India as a semiconductor hub.

The challenge ahead

The semiconductor industry in India is growing steadily, but it still faces several challenges that need to be addressed for further expansion and competitiveness on the global stage. Some of the key challenges include:

Lack of skilled workforce - The semiconductor industry demands a highly skilled and specialised workforce. India faces a shortage of experts in semiconductor design, fabrication, and testing. Addressing this talent gap requires focused educational programs and training initiatives.

Inadequate research and development: India has made progress in research and development. But the sector needs more investments as well as collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions to foster innovation.

Infrastructure and investment - Establishing semiconductor fabrication facilities (fabs) needs massive investments in infrastructure. Investments in chip manufacturing run into billions of dollars, while the market size is only around US$ 27 billion.

However, despite these challenges, the Indian government has shown commitment to bolstering the semiconductor industry through initiatives like the National Policy on Electronics and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Addressing these challenges will not only strengthen India's position in the semiconductor market but also drive overall technological and economic growth in the country.

Should you invest in the semiconductor industry?

One of the main reasons to consider investing in semiconductor companies is the industry's potential for robust growth.

As technology continues to advance, the demand for semiconductors is likely to soar, driven by emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. This could lead to substantial revenue growth for semiconductor companies in the long term.

However, the industry is at a nascent stage and could be volatile due to factors such as global supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and cyclical demand patterns. Its also highly competitive, with constant innovation leading to shorter product life cycles.

As with any investment, diversification is crucial. It's best to balance your portfolio with investments in other sectors to spread risk effectively.

In conclusion

The Indian semiconductor industry stands at the cusp of transformation, poised for significant growth and influence on the global stage.

The journey towards self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing will be challenging, but its essential for India's economic resilience and technological sovereignty.

By reducing reliance on imports and nurturing a robust semiconductor ecosystem, India can become a pivotal player in the global semiconductor supply chain.

The Indian semiconductor industry's growth will have far-reaching implications, fostering job creation, technology diffusion, and will enhance India's position in the global tech landscape.

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
Central Crime Branch on Wednesday arrested five terror suspects with a huge consignment of explosives and firearms, including pistols, live cartridges, and materials used for explosives in Bengaluru. According to PTI news agency, the five suspects were caught near a place of worship in the Kanakanagar area of Sultanpalya locality while planning a major conspiracy.

"CCB has succeeded in tracking down the people who planned to commit acts of vandalism in Bangaluru city. Five accused have been arrested....Seven pistols, many live bullets, a walkie-talkie and other items were recovered from them. One of the accused who is absconding provided these weapons to those arrested to carry out certain subversive activities," Bengaluru, Police Commissioner, B Dayananda said. The five suspects have been identified as Syed Suhel, Umar, Janid, Mudasir, and Zahid. It is suspected that the team had planned to carry out a blast in Bengaluru.

The five suspects were among 21 persons arrested in connection with a 2017 murder case and were in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail where they came in contact with the terrorists.

The police has seized 4 walkie-talkies, 7 country-made pistols, 42 live bullets, 2 daggers, 2 satellite phones, and 4 grenades recovered from the 5 suspected terrorists.

According to former Karnata CM Basavaraj Bommai, "There is a big conspiracy. They wanted to do serial bomb blasts in Bengaluru. This case should be handed over to NIA".

(This is a developing story. More details awaited)
The Karnataka Department of Pre-University Education has requested clarification from a Kannada lecturer at a pre-university college in Malleswaram regarding a social media post that purportedly mocks the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

As reported by the Indian Express, Hulikunte Murthy, a Dalit activist and lecturer, reportedly posted a tweet in Kannada expressing his belief that the Chandrayaan-3 mission would be unsuccessful. He allegedly used the phrase "Tirupati nama" to suggest that the moon mission would fail once again.

IE reported that the deputy director of PU (Bengaluru North) said, Murthys social media post on Chandrayaan-3 came to my notice on Monday. We have sought an explanation from the lecturer as to why he posted such a message. He will submit his reply on Wednesday. Based on it, we will take appropriate action."

Prior to the launch of Chandrayaan-3, a group of ISRO scientists visited the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh to offer prayers.

Former education minister and BJP leader S Suresh Kumar has sent a letter to the newly appointed School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, requesting clarification regarding the conduct of the lecturer.

In his letter to Bangarappa, Kumar said, While the whole country was celebrating the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, this lecturer posted this statement on the same day on his social media account. How can such a person motivate our students? I would like to seek clarification from Hulikunte Murthy and to warn this lecturer to be careful and not repeat this kind of irresponsible behaviour again."

Following the Chandrayaan-2 mission, which aimed to achieve a soft landing on the moon's surface, the Chandrayaan-3 mission was launched on last Friday. If successful, this mission will make India the fourth country to accomplish a soft landing on the lunar surface, joining the ranks of the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union.

The Union Minister said Chandrayaan has placed India as the leading global player as far as space technology is concerned, PTI reported. The outcomes are going to be at multiple levels to the benefit of India. It has placed India as the leading global player regarding space technology and the space sector," Jitendra Singh said.
Ahead of the G20 Summit , the Delhi Police is giving special training to women commandos as 'markswomen' that is cheduled to take palce in the national capital in September this year.

According to Delhi Police senior officials 19 women SWAT commandos have successfully completed a one month course from the training team of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Force in Madhya Pradesh so far.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) trained 19 women commandos as 'markswomen' in June and July. These trained women will act as frontline security guard cum sharpshooter during all the events of G-20 summit, officials added.

"Delhi Police will provide utmost security to the visiting delegates. So we are giving training to our women commandos," an official said.

Officials said that the women commandos were also given marks based on their performance. Constable Kiran secured first position and secured 95% marks, Constable Vaishali secured second position with 77.5% marks and constable Kavita came third with 75% marks.

Earlier on Monday, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, PK Mishra chaired the sixth meeting of the Coordination Committee on Indias G20 Presidency and called on all agencies to work in a Whole of Government" approach, to make the G20 Summit a success.

The G20 Summit is slated to be held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10, 2023.
One officer lost his life while three soldiers were injured amid a fire accident at the Siachen glacier on Wednesday. Indian Army officials said that the injured have been safely evacuated from there to hospital. The incident took place around 3.30 am.
Pakistani national Seema Haider had illegally entered India with her children last week, prompting an extensive probe. She and her Indian partner Sachin Meena were arrested by the police on July 4 and have since been questioned extensively by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad. Officials however said that Haider could not be dubbed a Pakistani spy unless we have enough proof".

...Two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five Pakistan-authorised passports, one unused passport with incomplete name and address & ID card recovered from Seema Haider. Investigation of the same is underway. She, along with her four children, entered India illegally and District Police is carrying out an investigation in this regard," the Uttar Pradesh DGP's office said in a brief note.

DGP Prashant Kumar said it was too early to tag Haider as a spy.

"The matter is related to two countries. Till we have enough proof, it would not be appropriate to say anything in this regard," he said.

ALSO READ: Seema Haider's husband reiterates plea for her to return, says still love you

Haider had entered India via Nepal, even staying with her partner for a week in a Kathmandu hotel. According to an ANI report the duo had stayed in the hotel under false names for about seven or eight days in March this year.

Most of the time they used to stay in the room... They used to go out of the Hotel in the morning and evening but they would return within a very short time because our hotel is usually closed after 9:30-10 pm daily and they used to come two hours early... They mostly use to have fruits brought from outside and here in the hotel they only ordered Nepali Veg Thali and didnt go out that frequently," the owner of New Vinayak Rolpa Jaljala Rukmeli Guest House told ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi has sparked a war of words after asserting that Vande Mataram chants were unacceptable to him. The BJP took a swipe at the Opposition over the remarks on Wednesday, linking it to the newly renamed INDIA coalition. Members of 26 Opposition parties had come together earlier this week to chalk out a plan of action for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections . The group announced that the upcoming polls would see the BJP fight against INDIA.

Abu Azmi of SP says: I won't say Vande Mataram, I won't bow my head as my religion doesn't allow it. Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted.

The senior politician claimed that while India was in the name of the opposition parties' alliance, it was not in their agenda. The acronym incidentally stands for Indian National Developmental Inclusive alliance.

Earlier this week Azmi had created quite a stir while raising the Sambhajinagar district riot issue in the Maharashtra Assembly. Outraged BJP lawmakers had taken serious exception to his remarks with the state legislative assembly eventually being adjourned on Wednesday.

"Some people say that if one has to live in India, 'Vande Mataram' must be chanted. We can not do it. We believe only in one god," he had said.

Speaker Rahul Narwekar had appealed for calm, insisting that the comments were irrelevant to the topic. He eventually adjourned the house for ten minutes as the protest continued.

"Earlier SP released terrorists and patronised Yakub (Memon), Afzal (Guru). Congress questioned the surgical strike, Balakot, and 26/11 was blamed on India, not Pakistan. This is their true face. Will Mamata-di, Kharge ji, Rahul ji tell us their stand?" Poonawalla asked.

(With inputs from agencies)
The ballroom of the DoubleTree in Flagstaff was bustling with more than 200 people Tuesday as local and tribal leaders, conservation groups and northern Arizona residents made their voices heard on the proposal to create the new Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.

Speakers had come from across the region -- from as far as Yuma and southern Utah -- to make their voices heard on the proposal, which would designate 1.1 million acres of land around Grand Canyon National Park as a monument.

Although there have been several efforts to create a Grand Canyon national monument in the past, none have garnered the attention of the most recent tribal-led effort.

In April, a coalition of tribes began pushing the Biden administration to create the new monument.

Stuart Chavez, a Havasupai tribal councilmember, was among many who spoke to the panel of gathered federal officials.

The panel listening to comments included Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Laura Daniel-Davis and Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Homer Wilkes.

Chavez said he is hopeful federal officials are listening to tribes and they may finally achieve protections to culturally important lands that tribes have been asking for year after year.

"I really hope that they understand where we're coming from, our point of view as Indigenous people and place keepers, especially with this being our ancestral homes. We want them to respect that, Chavez told the Arizona Daily Sun. As I [told the panel], if we weren't forced out of our homes, we would still be there.

But not all who gathered were in support of the tribes proposal. In particular, residents of Fredonia and Mohave County expressed their opposition to the monument.

Colorado City Mayor Howard Ream was among those who voiced opposition and concern. Ream said he believes the monument proposal represents almost an existential threat to small communities such as Colorado City, depriving them the opportunity to grow and further separating them from the rest of the state.

Why do we have to designate a national monument in order for [the area] to be managed adequately? Its being managed adequately, Ream said. It really limits our ability to grow and be a healthy community. It's such a massive impact to us.

Mohave County Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter said he also feels that residents of Mohave County and the Arizona Strip have been thus far left out of the conversation.

The meeting comes after Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited the region in May to meet with tribal leaders, local elected officials and community members to hear about their visions for the monument.

Chavez and other leaders met with Haaland during that visit, and he said he thinks that visit and the meeting this week are good signs that the monument proposal could move forward.

Being able to reiterate our message on a continuous basis, over and over again, I think that is at least creating some sort of a foundation [for success]. I have my fingers crossed at this point. I think they've done their due diligence, and we've done ours, and just very hopeful that things will actually progress, Chavez said.

Among those speaking in support of the monument proposal were several local leaders, including members of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors and Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett. Both groups have passed resolutions supporting the proposal.

The tribal coalition pushing for the monument includes leadership representatives of the Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Las Vegas Band of Paiute Tribe, Moapa Band of Paiutes, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Pueblo of Zuni, and the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

Advocates say a national monument designation would prevent new mining claims from being issued while maintaining existing uses such as hiking, hunting, fishing, grazing and camping.

Uranium mining is of particular concern for tribes and environmental groups, and has long been controversial. Currently, new mining claims around the Grand Canyon are paused after a 2012 moratorium was implemented by the Obama administration.
Kerala government on Wednesday declared a two-day state mourning following the death of former Kerala chief minister and Congress stalwart Oommen Chandy.

The 79-year-old Congress leader died in a hospital in Bengaluru later the news was announced by his son, Chandy Oommen, in a Facebook post, which said, Appa has passed away."

Chandy, who served as the chief minister of Kerala twice, breathed his last in a private hospital in Bengaluru at 4.25 am. His end came while undergoing treatment for cancer, party sources said. Later, his mortal remains were brought to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru in a special aircraft Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday morning, the mortal remains of Chandy was taken to Kottayam, the stronghold of the Congress stalwart, on Wednesday morning.

The body was taken by road in a specially modified low-floor bus covered in garlands and pictures of Chandy and packed with party leaders and workers.

The bus was sent off around 7.20 am from his residence by a large number of party workers and supporters shouting slogans in support of the departed leader. Chandy's mortal remains were transported from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram via a special aircraft on Tuesday afternoon.

During his decades long political career, he had spent a major chunk of his life in the state capital as legislator, leader of the Congress party and a chief minister.

On Tuesday, mourners gathered at Puthuppally House and the state secretariat's Darbar Hall to pay homage to Chandy, who served the Puthuppally Assembly constituency for 53 years.

People paid their last respects to his mortal remains at these locations, as well as at the St George Orthodox Syrian Cathedral and KPCC headquarters.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his Cabinet colleagues, leaders of various political parties as well as cultural and religious leaders paid homage to Chandy in the state capital on Tuesday.

(With agency inputs)
Two forest department officials were injured on Wednesday as terrorists opened fire in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama region. The officials had been part of a team lying in wait to apprehend timber smugglers at a checkpoint near the Bangender Bridge. Police have now cordoned off the area and launched an intensive search operation.

Senior police officers had arrived at the scene with additional reinforcement after receiving word of the attack. They ascertained the facts and the injured officials - Imran Yousaf Wani and Jahangir Ahmed Chechi - were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Two empty fired cartridges of Ak-47 ammunition and one bullet head were recovered from the spot. An intensive search operation was launched to nab the terrorists," the police said.

ALSO READ: J&K govt terminates job of 3 employees for working with Pakistani terror outfits

While Wani - a resident of Mohnu, Charar-i-Sharief - sustained a bullet injury in the thigh, Chadoora resident Chechi was discharged after receiving first aid.

(With inputs from agencies)
According to Ritesh Shukla, the CEO of NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), he anticipates that it will take approximately three to four months for the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to become operational in France.

As reported by ANI, Ritesh Shukla said that India and France have just signed the agreement and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced it during his visit to France. He said that they are working on creating readiness on both sides with banks in India and merchants in France.

Speaking about the commencement of UPI operations in France, Shukla said, "We are working on creating readiness on both sides with banks in India and with merchants in France and I think it will take about three to four months for us to go live, so we are working towards making that happen."

Indian tourists visiting France will now have the convenience of paying for Eiffel Tower tickets and other attractions in rupees, following an agreement between both countries to utilize the Indian government's Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

Ritesh Shukla also mentioned that UPI-powered apps are already usable in Singapore, Bhutan, and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, they are actively collaborating with several other countries to implement UPI operations. In the next three to four months, UPI is expected to go live in two to three additional countries.

"So, basically, today UPI powered apps Bhim UPI can be used in countries like UAE, Singapore and Bhutan. And in addition to these, we are working with many other countries who are of importance to travellers from India within the region and wherever there is QR-based acceptance," Ritesh Shukla told ANI.

Also Read: India likely to offer digital infra to several countries

The mobile payment method will make it easier for tourists to do away with cumbersome Forex cards and avoid the need to carry cash.

Shukla further stressed that the focus is on the markets where there is good QR acceptance and markets that are important for travellers from India.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and France have reached an agreement to utilize the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment mechanism, starting at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This will enable Indian tourists in France to make payments in rupees.

UPI is India's mobile-based payment system, facilitating round-the-clock payments through a virtual payment address created by customers. Ritesh Shukla emphasized that NPCI plays a crucial role in India's digital landscape, expressing pride in India's participation in the G20 event.

It further said, "Last week, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Frances Lyra Collect executed an agreement to implement UPI in France and Europe. The payment mechanism is in its last phase of production and will go live by September 2023 with the iconic Eiffel Tower, Paris as the first merchant in France to accept UPI."

(With inputs from ANI)
Amid the peak travel season, Europe is witnessing record high temperature and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has predicted that heat wave in the northern hemisphere is set to intensify further in the next few days.

In a typical scene in Italy, where the temperature is expected to top 40C on Wednesday, tourists are seen trying to keep cool by splashing in fountains and standing under giant fans set up outside the Colosseum. Many have cut their travel plans short.

"(I) got a lot of pain in the head, legs and (my) fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy," Anita Elshoy told Reuters about her heat-related symptoms and hence, decided to cut short her trip to Rome

In southern France, a record 29.5C was recorded in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, while 40.6C had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Amid such conditions, is it safe to travel to Europe now?

If you are planning to travel to Europe now, go with the mindset that it is going to be extremely hot and hence, the experience won't be too pleasant.

Red alerts have been issued in Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. In Italy itself, 20 cities were under red alert heat advisories on Tuesday. This will rise to 23 from today

A heatwave red alert is issued when the heat is so intense it poses a threat to the whole population

However, if you still decide to travel, it's important to protect yourself from the heat by using sunscreen, avoiding the hottest parts of the day, and staying hydrated. Drinking alcohol should be avoided as it can increase the risk of dehydration. It's also essential to have travel insurance for medical emergencies.

However, if you have a medical condition, it is advised that you cancel the trip.

Europe travel: Can refunds be claimed citing unprecedented heatwave?

Many travelers are canceling or changing bookings to cooler destinations due to health conditions or vulnerability to heat.

As per a report by EuroNews, despite the extreme temperatures, which indicates flights and package holidays continue as usual, with standard cancellation policies still in place, resulting in high fees for last-minute cancellations (up to 90-100% of the cost).

Travel companies defend this by pointing out that tourists often visit hot countries like Dubai and Egypt where temperatures exceed 40C.

How long will the heat wave will continue?

Forecasters say the period of extremely hot weather is likely to last until around the end of July. But, high temperatures could ease in Western European countries like Spain and Portugal over the next few days.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon has revealed that the company's board of directors is in favour of Solomon's emphasis on the bank's core Wall Street operations and asset management .

As reported by Reuters citing sources, Solomon has been entrusted with the responsibility of revitalizing the bank's stock value, despite facing doubts from certain investors and employees. According to one of the sources, the 12-member board is closely engaged with Solomon's revamped strategy, particularly because Goldman Sachs incurred losses and fell behind its competitor, Morgan Stanley, due to its venture into consumer banking.

Insiders have revealed that the potential addition of Tom Montag, who has been approached by CEO David Solomon, serves as a signal that both Solomon and his turnaround strategies have internal backing from top-level executives.

This assessment, which emerged after Goldman Sachs' recent board meeting in India, has not been previously disclosed. It indicates that those surrounding Solomon have confidence in his capability to revitalize the bank's fortunes.

The bank's shares have fallen about 2% in 2023, lagging competitors Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase where shares have risen 8% and 15%, respectively. Even so, Goldman's stock is still outperforming the S&P banks index, which is down more than 3% this year.

Goldman is trading at a forward price-to-book multiple of 0.99 times compared to JPMorgan, which trades at 1.43 times and Morgan Stanley's 1.53 times, according to Refinitiv's Eikon data.

The bank declined to comment on its share price performance.

David Wagner, a portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors, exited his small position at Goldman Sachs months ago because he was unimpressed with managers' handling of the consumer business.

"The inability to execute on this front has led us to believe that there is a lot of internal strife at the company, which could create employee retention problems in the future as faith in David Solomon could be lost," Wagner said.

Analysts have questioned the banks' reorganization, which the bank argued strengthened its core business.

The firm has been belt-tightening in an ongoing push to cut $1 billion in costs, targeting smaller and smaller line items and contemplating more job cuts, sources previously said.

More bad news is expected on Wednesday when the bank is likely to report an almost 59% drop in earnings per share in its second-quarter results along with a writedown on fintech business GreenSky. Marcus, the consumer business, lost $3 billion in three years, and is being wound down.

Solomon approached former Bank of America Chief Operating Officer Tom Montag after his retirement to discuss a Goldman board seat, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. Montag was recommended by the board's nominating committee to join as an independent director, according to a regulatory filing last month.

Montag previously worked at Goldman for 22 years and served as the co-head of its global securities business. Known as an intense and hands-on boss, he is expected to fortify Solomon's position, according to five senior sources who worked with the executives.

The board's secretary did not respond to direct requests for comment. Several board members did not respond to requests for comment, while others could not be reached for comment.

A Goldman Sachs spokeswoman said in a statement: "David and the leadership team are focused on executing on the strategic goals we laid out at investor day to grow and strengthen our existing businesses, diversify our products and services and operate more efficiently."

Solomon did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Wall Street giant laid off hundreds of staff in the second quarter, adding to a round of cuts in January of about 3,200 employees, the biggest reduction since the 2008 financial crisis.

In response to a question about the departures of senior executives including partners, the spokeswoman added that Goldman partners are staying longer, with their average tenure rising to 8.3 years in 2022 from 6.2 years in 2010.

STILL NO. 1 Solomon took the top job in 2018, leaning into Goldman's consumer business to broaden earnings beyond volatile revenue from trading and dealmaking. The retail operations struggled to gain traction against well-established consumer banks, prompting the bank to set aside billions to cover potential loan losses.

Even after its ill-fated foray in consumer banking, the investment bank still ranked as the top adviser for global mergers and acquisitions in the first half of this year, according to Dealogic.

Goldman's enduring influence was on show at a recent board meeting convened in India last month, which included a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to a source present at the event, Lakshmi Mittal, a board member and billionaire steel magnate, organized a reception at his opulent residence in New Delhi for Goldman Sachs clients and government officials.

However, ArcelorMittal, Mittal's company, did not provide any comment in response to a request for information regarding the gathering, Reuters reported.

"Just got back from an incredible trip to India where our leadership team and I met with our board of directors," Solomon wrote in a LinkedIn post with photos of the group.
Global heat waves scorching Europe, Asia, and the US have worsened, raising the risk of heat-related deaths, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.

Europe

Europe is experiencing scorching temperatures during the busy summer tourist season, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that the heat wave in the northern hemisphere will worsen. The EU's emergency response coordination center has issued red alerts for high temperatures in several regions including Italy, northeastern Spain, Croatia, Serbia, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

In Rome, where topped out at 40C (104F) on Tuesday, tourists were ssen seeking relief by splashing in Rome's fountains and seeking shade under giant fans near the Colosseum The heat has prompted some travelers to go home early.

"(I) got a lot of pain in the head, legs and (my) fingers swelled up and I became more and more dizzy," said Anita Elshoy, who returned to Norway cutting her vacation short, as reported by Reuters. She was visiting Vasanello, a village north of Rome

In Greece, authorities told citizens close to a forest fire in Dervenochoria, north of Athens, to shut doors and windows as smoke approached.

United States

Extreme weather conditions are affecting Americans across the country. From scorching heat in Texas and Southern California to smoke-filled air from Canada's wildfires reaching the Midwest, the situation is dire. Flood warnings are in place for Vermont towns recently inundated, while Tropical Storm Calvin is expected to hit Hawaii.

Phoenix, Arizona, broke its all-time record with 19 consecutive days of temperatures surpassing 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius).

Amit Ghagoji, 40, who had set out for a hike in the trails of Phoenix's Papago Park, said, "It's like you open an oven door and it's the heat wave," Bhagoji said.

"If you're, like, making cookies or something and you open the oven door, it's going to hit you right in the face."

As per the regional weather office, high temperatures would range between 115F and 120F (48.9C) for five to seven more days if not longer.

"It'll take probably some monsoon thunderstorms and cooling rains to come - hopefully, eventually - that will help to cool things down," Tom Frieders, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Phoenix, said.

Heat waves to be more frequent, severe and deadly

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service says 2022 and 2021 were the continent's hottest summers on record. Europe's highest recorded temperature of 48.8C (120F) was registered in Sicily two years ago.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions mainly from burning fossil fuels, will make heat waves more frequent, severe and deadly. They say governments need to take drastically reduce emissions to prevent climate catastrophe.

Heat waves this summer, which saw temperatures climb to 128F (53C) in California's Death Valley and over 52C (126F) in China's northwest, have coincided with wildfires from Greece to the Swiss Alps and deadly flooding in India and South Korea.

(Wih agency inputs)
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Wednesday emphasized that India has made significant progress in advancing its Neighbourhood First and Act East policies during the recently concluded meetings of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC).

"Concluded a visit to Thailand for the BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganga Cooperation meetings. Took forward Neighbourhood First and Act East," Jaishankar said in a tweet.

On July 17, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar participated in the inaugural BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand. The retreat brought together foreign ministers from all seven BIMSTEC member countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, which currently holds the chairmanship of BIMSTEC.

During the meeting, discussions centered around India's foreign policy, which includes the Neighbourhood First and Act East Policy, with a particular focus on strengthening relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the BIMSTEC Retreat, the Foreign Ministers emphasized the significance of engaging in discussions and collaborating on global and United Nations-related matters, such as the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing climate change. Thailand's Foreign Ministry released a statement reflecting this shared perspective.

Various other topics were also addressed during the retreat, including BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection, advancements in agriculture technology, fostering cultural cooperation, promoting youth exchange programs, and enhancing diplomatic training. The participating countries showed unanimous agreement on the importance of establishing crisis response mechanisms to effectively coordinate and manage various contingencies that may arise in the region.

"There was a broad agreement on the importance of creating crisis response mechanisms to coordinate for different contingencies. Food, public health, energy, financial security, as well as trade and economic cooperation, were at the core of the discussions as well," Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement read.

It further said that the meeting also considered establishing digital payment systems and trade settlements, as well as strengthening cooperation in cyber security and prevention of transnational crimes."

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don Pramudwinai, chaired the Retreat, which saw the participation of Foreign Ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

During the Retreat, the Ministers reached a consensus to conduct such gatherings on a regular basis, preferably in the first quarter of each year. Moreover, India extended an invitation to host the next BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2023.

Also Read: India pushes for Asean FTA update on trade gap

On July 16, the External Affairs minister had co-chaired the 12th Mekong Ganga Cooperation meeting in Bangkok along with his Lao PDR counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith.

In the meeting, Jaishankar prioritised the implementation of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.

During the meeting, the decision was made to establish a Mekong Ganga Cooperation Business Council with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation and expanding exchanges in agriculture, science and technology, as well as water resource management.

Additionally, the participants explored new avenues for development partnership, including the implementation of Quick Impact Projects, and furthered cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism. Museum-based collaboration was also discussed as part of their joint initiatives.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, founded in November 2000, consists of six member countries: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The cooperation primarily focuses on areas such as tourism, culture, education, transportation, and museum-based initiatives.

(With inputs from ANI)
Mother of US Army soldier Travis King who illegally crossed into North Korea has said that she could not imagine her son crossing into the country without authorisation.

While speaking to ABC News, Claudine Gates said, I am so proud of him. I just want him to come home, back to America."

Gates lives in Racine city of Wisconsin also told the television network that she last heard from his son just few days ago when he had said that he would be returning to his base in Fort Bliss, Texas.

King had served around two months in a South Korean jail on assault charges was believed to be in North Korean custody on Wednesday after crossing the heavily fortified border without authorisation, officials told AFP.

King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was being sent home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

The United Nations Command said he had been on a Joint Security Area (JSA) orientation tour, adding he was believed to be in North Korean custody and that it was working with Pyongyang's military to "resolve this incident".

Prospects for King's early release are unclear, as some observers say it's likely for North Korea to use him for propaganda or a tool to win diplomatic concessions from the United States.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told journalists that Washington was "closely monitoring and investigating the situation".

North and South Korea remain technically at war as the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, with a Demilitarised Zone running along the border.

Soldiers from both sides face off at the JSA north of Seoul, which is overseen by the United Nations Command. It is also a popular tourist site, and hundreds of visitors tour the South Korean side each day.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248-kilometer-long (154-mile) Demilitarized Zone, has been jointly overseen by the U.N. Command and North Korea since its creation at the close of the Korean War. Bloodshed has occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for diplomacy and tourism.

The last time there was a defection at the Joint Security Area was in 2017, when a North Korean soldier drove a military jeep then ran on foot across the demarcation line at Panmunjom.

He was shot multiple times by his fellow North Korean soldiers as they sought to prevent his escape, but after hours of surgery, he survived.

(With inputs from agencies)
According to a royal biographer, Prince Harry was deeply moved by memories of his late mother, Princess Diana, during his initial outing with Meghan Markle. Angela Levin suggests that Meghan Markle strategically wore Princess Diana's preferred fragrance during their first encounter in an effort to capture Harry's heart.

This insider advantage may have played a role in Meghan Markle successfully winning Prince Harry's affection.

Angela Levin said, The first time they met, she had Dianas perfume on. Of course, Harry was just overwhelmed by that because he was a boy that loved cuddling up to his mother."

Their inaugural rendezvous took place at SoHo House, a members-only club in London. Prince Harry, who disclosed the details in his memoir 'Spare,' was reportedly delayed by approximately thirty minutes due to heavy traffic. Meanwhile, Meghan Markle politely excused herself from the date as she had already made prior dinner arrangements.

But speaking of time, ours was up. Poof, she was gone. Compared to her, Cinderella was the queen of long goodbyes," Prince Harry wrote, adding that he was captivated by Meghan Markle at their first meeting.

She was wearing a black sweater, jeans, and heels. I knew nothing about clothes, but I knew she was chic. Then again, she could make anything look chic," Prince Harry wrote, adding, Id seen so many photos of her from fashion shoots and TV sets, all glam and glossy, but here she was, in the flesh, no frills, no filter and even more beautiful. Heart attack, beautiful. I was trying to process this, struggling to understand what was happening to my circulatory and nervous systems, and as a result, my brain couldnt handle any more data. Conversation, pleasantries, the Queens English, all became a challenge."

According to Angela Levin, Prince Harry's demeanour and behaviour have undergone a transformation following his marriage to Meghan Markle.

Its been very sad for me because I spent 15 months with him. I got to know him very well. I adored him and thought he was terrific. He had so many good qualities and was very good with people," the royal biographer said.
An all-party meeting has been arranged by the government on Wednesday to address a range of concerns ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled to commence on July 20.

Such meetings are customary pre-session event, allowing senior government ministers to engage with various parties and their respective issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often participated in such meetings in the past.

However, a similar meeting called by Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday had to be postponed due to the absence of leaders from several parties. Opposition parties are holding a meeting in Bengaluru, while the ruling National Democratic Alliance is gathering in the national capital.

Rajnath Singh chairs meet with senior BJP leaders

Meanwhile, a meeting of senior BJP leaders was held at the residence of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.

The meeting lasted for around an hour and sources claimed that various important issues including upcoming session of Parliament were discussed in the meeting.

"Union Ministers Piyush Goel, Narendra Singh Tomar, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Anurag Singh Thakur, Meenakshi Lekhi, Mansukh Mandaviya, Arjun Ram Meghwal, V. Muralidharan, and some other ministers were in the meeting," sources said.

Stormy Parliament session expected

Ahead of the upcoming assembly polls and the next Lok Sabha election, the political atmosphere in India is intensifying. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties are engaged in a fierce exchange of attacks, indicating a stormy Parliament session.

The Congress and other opposition parties aim to corner the government on issues such as the Manipur crisis, rising prices, and alleged misuse of probe agencies. The previous session witnessed frequent opposition protests, further highlighting the contentious nature of political discourse in the country.

The Monsoon session of the Parliament is set to begin on July 20 and will continue till August 11. It will be held in the new parliament building, marking a significant milestone

(With ageency inputs)
The leader of Thailand's Move Forward Party, who had previously been denied the opportunity to become prime minister, faced his final chance on Wednesday as the parliament reconvened for a second vote on the premiership.

As reported by Reuters, following the victory of Move Forward Party over royalist military-backed parties in the election, Thailand has been under a caretaker administration for the past few months, marking a significant shift after nine years of military-controlled government.

Pita Limjaroenrat, a 42-year-old liberal leader of the Move Forward Party, who has received education in the United States, requires the support of over 50% of the bicameral parliament to be officially endorsed as Thailand's next prime minister, Reuters noted.

However, he faces strong opposition from the military, which is at odds with his party's anti-establishment aspirations.

The parliamentary regulations, established by the military following a coup in 2014, were designed in a way that favored the military's interests. These rules resulted in Pita's initial defeat in the first round, where he faced opposition from a Senate appointed by generals who have aligned themselves with conservative factions and influential old money families that have traditionally held sway over Thailand's democratic system.

Also Read: Thailand election sees opposition trounce military parties

Pita has a mountain to climb and knows that if he fails this time, he must honour his pledge to make way for coalition partner and political heavyweight Pheu Thai to field its prime ministerial candidate in the next round.

"I didn't fail. I won the election and formed a coalition and was blocked by the Senate. Let us be clear on that," Pita told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.

He was 51 votes short and was backed by only 13 of the 249 senators, many of whom abstained or were no-shows, effectively votes against him.

Move Forward believes many were pressured to deny him and Pita is hoping some could change their minds.

"We're still in deficit, but we have made gains," he said.

"I reached out to the 13 brave ones - there was a group who didn't show up. They pledged to vote for Pita ... that's a sizable bloc."

The progressive Move Forward ran a disruptive campaign dominated by social media, targeting urban and young voters, with promises of bold institutional reforms to upend the conservative status quo.

However, Pita's agenda has brought him into conflict with influential parties, and on Wednesday he encounters additional challenges that cast doubt on the likelihood of the parliamentary vote occurring.

A number of senators have declared their intention to hinder his candidacy, claiming that no candidate should be allowed to be nominated twice.

Meanwhile, as the parliament gathers, the Constitutional Court will examine a complaint against Pita, accusing him of breaching election regulations due to a shareholding matter. This complaint could lead to his suspension as a legislator, Reuters noted.

"That's fine," he said. "It's something that was pre-planned.
Swiss firefighters have been battling a forest fire that has forced more than 200 people to evacuate, and authorities warned winds were making the blaze difficult to contain. Earlier on Monday, the fire broke on the forested flank of a mountain in Bitsch in the Valais canton near the Italian border. Helicopters hovered overhead throughout the night to drop water onto the blaze.

It could take days or weeks to fully put out the fire, which has spread to 100 hectares (250 acres) of forest, said Mario Schaller, who is in charge of firefighting operations. "In the last half hour, several fires flared up again," he said. "The situation is not yet under control. The firefighting will continue until late into the night." The blaze had eased earlier on Tuesday but began intensifying again due to the wind.

Swiss police ordered the evacuation of several mountain villages late on Monday as a forest fire spread, while it was not immediately clear how many people were affected. About 200 firefighters, army, police and other partners worked alongside helicopters to douse the flames in the canton of Valais throughout the afternoon but it continued to burn.

The Swiss government has said that starting on Wednesday, militia soldiers would be called upon to detect smouldering fires. The Swiss army had previously dispatched a helicopter to support firefighting efforts.

The situation could deteriorate further if winds grow stronger, said Adrienne Bellwald, spokesperson for the cantonal police. In separate comments, the cantonal police department said an investigation had been opened to determine the cause of the fire.

Switzerland is warming at more than twice the global average, partly due to its distance from the ocean which helps absorb extra heat. Its Federal Office for the Environment has warned forest fires could become more frequent, especially in summer, due to an increase in hot, dry weather caused by climate change.

The current conflagration has already destroyed more than half the forest area that would have been burned by more than 100 smaller fires in a typical year, the same government department said in emailed comments to Reuters.

Large areas of Europe, Asia and the United States are suffering extreme weather and the World Meteorological Organization warned the northern hemisphere heatwave is set to intensify this week.

(With inputs from Reuters)
British spies are already using artificial intelligence to hamper the supply of weapons to Russia, the head of Britains MI6 agency said Wednesday, predicting that Western spies will increasingly have to focus on tracking the malign use of AI by hostile states.

In a rare public speech, Richard Moore also urged Russians who oppose the invasion of Ukraine to spy for Britain, saying others had already done so since the war began.

Our door is always open," he said.

In a speech that depicted artificial intelligence as both a huge potential asset and a major threat, Moore said his staff at Britain's foreign intelligence agency "are combining their skills with AI and bulk data to identify and disrupt the flow of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine."

Calling China the single most important strategic focus" for his agency, Moore said, "we will increasingly be tasked with obtaining intelligence on how hostile states are using AI in damaging, reckless and unethical ways."

Moore, who has previously warned that the West was falling behind rivals in the AI race, said his service together with our allies, intends to win the race to master the ethical and safe use of AI."

But he said AI would not replace the need for human spies, arguing that the human factor" will remain crucial in an era of rapidly evolving machine learning.

As AI trawls the ocean of open source, there will be even greater value in landing, with a well-cast fly, the secrets that lie beyond the reach of its nets," he said.

He argued that the unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant," highlighting spies ability to influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group."

Moore also told an audience at the British ambassadors residence in Prague that Russia's military campaign in Ukraine had run out of steam and there appears to be little prospect of the Russian forces regaining momentum."

He said Ukraine's counteroffensive was proving a hard grind," but he was optimistic it would succeed.

Moore said the government of President Vladimir Putin was beset by venality, infighting and callous incompetence" and the mutiny by Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin had exposed the inexorable decay of the unstable autocracy over which Putin presides."

He said Putin was under pressure" after the brief rebellion and the humiliating" deal he struck with the help of Belarus to end it. The Kremlin says Prigozhin attended a military meeting in Moscow with Putin after the mutiny.

Prigozhin started off as a traitor at breakfast, he had been pardoned by supper, and then two days later he was invited for tea," Moore said So there are some things that even the chief of MI6 finds a little bit difficult to interpret, in terms of whos in and whos out."

He accused Russia of using Wagner as a tool of imperialism in Africa, offering leaders in the Central African Republic, Mali and other countries a Faustian pact" of protection in return for handing over mineral wealth to Russia.

Moore also called out Iran for fueling further conflict in Ukraine by supplying Russia with drones and other weapons  a policy he said has provoked internal quarrels at the highest level of the regime in Tehran."

Speaking publicly about spycraft is still something of a novelty for Britains intelligence services. The government refused even to confirm the existence of MI6 until 1992, and public speeches by its leaders are infrequent.

Moore chose to give Wednesday's address in the Czech capital, home of the 1968 Prague Spring" freedom movement that was crushed by Soviet tanks.

Evoking that moment, he said many Russians now felt the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968." The crushing of the Prague Spring spurred a wave of defections from the USSR to the West.

I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us," he said and reassured prospective defectors that their secrets will always be safe with us."

Most intelligence defectors' names are never known  unless something goes wrong. Former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned and seriously sickened with a Soviet-made nerve agent in 2018 in the English city of Salisbury, where he had been living quietly for years.

Moore recounted how an agent codenamed Ecclesiastic, who penetrated German intelligence for MI6 in 1944, was looked after by the service until her death, aged 100. He said MI6 agents then gathered to scatter her ashes in the English Channel.

Our loyalty to our agents is lifelong, and our gratitude eternal," he said.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that any attempts to arrest his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would be a declaration of war against Moscow.

Ramaphosa made this warning in a court affidavit made public on Tuesday ahead of an international meeting that happens in Johannesburg in late August to which the Russian president is invited.

He was responding to a petition by South Africas largest opposition political party, the Democratic Alliance, that asked a court in Pretoria to force the government to arrest Putin if he attended the summit.

Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant as per the International Criminal Court (ICC) if he leaves Russian soil.

And since South Africa is an ICC signatory, the country is legally obliged to arrest the Russian president.

Russia has made it clear that arresting Putin would be a declaration of war," Ramaphosa said in his affidavit.

It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia," he added in the affidavit.

Ramaphosa argued in his affidavit that South Africas Bill of Rights required the government to protect and promote certain rights, including the right to be free from all forms of violence."

An act that would be perceived as a declaration of war by Russia would be reckless," he added.

Ramaphosa joined several African leaders last month in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and then with Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia, to discuss a path to ending the war.

Last week, South Africas deputy president, Paul Mashatile, said that his country had raised the possibility of holding the summit virtually or moving it to China, but both options were rejected by South Africas BRICS partners.

Mashatile added that Russian officials have resisted a suggestion of Putins foreign minister attending the summit in his place.

Putin has been invited to South Africa for the BRIC summit- an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, scheduled to take place from 22-24 August. It is a bloc of fast-growing economies.
In a virtual town hall on July 28 last year  shortly after the union government announced a 1.64 lakh crore revival package for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)  its chairman and managing director called on all employees to perform or perish".

Pointing out  rightly  that the revival package was one of its kind among public-sector undertakings, CMD PK Purwar said it had been cleared by the prime minister himself, with a clear message to the staff of the ailing public sector behemoth.

Purwar minced no words in listing BSNLs issues. All employees, he said, were expected to give 10 to 12 hours of productive work every day," and lethargic, non-performance will lead to serious and harsh action". He also warned that corruption would be dealt [with] very seriously with zero tolerance" and that key performance indicators (KPIs) would be drawn up for all employees, who would have their performance reviewed every week.

Calling for a network uptime of 98-99 % and faults to be cleared within four hours", he also called for vigorously increased" sales efforts to improve BSNLs marketshare in all verticals.

The fact that BSNLs chief executive had to ask for KPIs for staff, and for managers to be appraised based on actual achievement, shows how little BSNL had actually walked down the corporate path despite transforming from a government department into a company way back in 2000. Purwars demands of his team were unexceptionable, especially given the dire straits BSNL was in.

The question now is: has the leopard been able to change its spots? The numbers suggest it has not. In FY23, BSNL incurred a loss of 8,161 crore compared to 6,982 crore in the previous year (thanks to a higher adjusted gross revenue (AGR) share due to the government). Total expenses rose 5.1% to 27,364 crore. Employee costs jumped 11% to 7,952 crore, despite BSNL having managed to reduce its headcount by over a lakh in the previous three years.

This is why there was much public consternation  even anger  when the government said in June it would be putting a further 89,047 crore of taxpayers money into BSNL, taking total taxpayer assistance for the struggling behemoth to over 3.2 lakh crore. The centre had previously approved the first revival package of 69,000 crore for BSNL/MTNL in 2019, followed by the second package of 1.64 lakh crore in 2022.

View Full Image (Graphic: Satish Kumar/Mint)

Is the government throwing good money after bad? The answer depends on how one evaluates outcomes. Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while announcing the third round of assistance to BSNL, had said it was doing so because BSNL would provide services where others would not".

That is largely true. BSNL had a marketshare equal to Bharti Airtels in 2005 but is now down to around 9%, while Airtel has around 37% and Jio nearly 47%. Yet, BSNL remains the sole service provider in many remote and border areas. The company will provide connectivity to 25,000 villages this year, more than any other private operator. It also has a 15,000 crore deal with TCS to set up one lakh 4G sites using an indigenous telecom framework and equipment that could potentially be upgraded to 5G with just a software switch. This would bring 4G to Indias more than 518 million rural subscribers, many of whom are still 2G users, and potentially unlock cascading benefits of digitisation.

Then there is the strategic requirement" argument. The government has identified telecom as a strategically important area where it will retain its presence. There are a number of arguments against the need for this, all of which are likely to vanish in the unlikely event of a national security crisis. In other words, the cost of strategic government control of telecom assets cannot be computed in monetary terms alone.

With Vodafone-Idea losing subscribers and marketshare month on month and their promoters unable to infuse more money, there is a high chance the market will be reduced to an unhealthy duopoly. Here again, BSNL, as a PSU, could provide balance and pricing protection to the consumer.

That said, no amount of financial redrawing of the balance sheet can revive BSNL unless it can effectively compete with its private-sector rivals. For that to happen, it must be reformed and allowed to perform as an independent entity, not a proxy of the government. That requires a paradigm shift in the governments mindset  at both the political and bureaucratic level. BSNL must be corporatised in spirit, not just in name. This would involve a radical transformation of management, hiring competitive talent at market prices, and a customer-oriented mindset among all levels of staff.

Politically motivated decisions have stymied BSNL in the past. From the cancellation of its digital exchanges order on flimsy ground to pave the way for new mobile telephony players, to the denial of a mobile telephony licence until 2002 and the cancellation of tenders for upgrading its base transceiver stations to 4G in 2020, it has been at the receiving end of many whimsical decisions. If the challenge before it is to perform or perish", BSNL must be freed of hindrance and given a sporting chance.
The Niti Aayog released a report on Monday saying that multidimensional poverty in India had dropped to about 15% in 2019-21 from almost a quarter in 2015-16, with data drawn from two successive National Family Health Surveys. The think-tanks second such study, its time-span does not capture pandemic scars. Nor should it be confused with poverty estimates that go by what people consume or the money they need to get by. Instead, broadly based on a UNDP model, it places a lens on deprivation to offer a snapshot of how Indias worst off are faring on dimensions clubbed under indicators of health, education and standard of living. Although its formula is open to critique, its examination of specific aspects of indigence makes it a useful welfare-policy aid. While our gains on health counts like nutrition, maternal health and child-and-adolescent mortality have been modest, with nutritive inadequacies an especially stark let-down, we made impressive progress on sanitation and access to cooking fuel. In 2015-16, almost 52% lacked sanitation by the studys yardstick; five years later, just over 30% were found deprived of it. Access to cooking fuel improved by nearly 15 percentage points, down from about 60% deprivation. Both fields saw big interventions mounted by the Centre in mission mode.

The Narendra Modi administration made it clear after assuming power that welfare outlays would not be reduced in favour of a market trickle-down. What took observers by surprise was the scale at which such programmes were launched, the publicity they were given and the outreach efforts made to mobilize action. The uptake of our Swachh Bharat Mission, which envisioned an India free of open defecation and drafted Mahatma Gandhis advice on hygiene to the cause, showed how setting a stretch target could give even a public endeavour an air of resolute urgency. Toilet construction along with water provision under Jal Jeevan was phase one. Waste disposal is now the Missions focus, with the ministry of jal shakti offering regular updates on how many Indian villages have made the cut. Although deficiencies in disposal systems glare out across the country, as revealed by urban downpours, the Mission deserves credit for drawing multitudes out of insanitary conditions. Likewise, Indias jump in cooking gas connections largely has the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to thank. Going by government data, nearly 96 million kitchens had been enlisted under it by end-2022, more than half of all new additions since 2014, saving many of our have-nots from woodfire fumes.

High-profile packages held out widely have clearly made a difference. But the Centres welfare mix also features a few apparent laggards. According to the Niti Aayogs report, housing deprivation declined by only a bit more than 4 percentage points over five years, though the PM Awas Yojana unveiled in 2016 was given top billing and allotted large sums by central budgets. This is a slower moving variable, but how people live is a major standard-of-living marker. By most accounts, rural India has indeed seen an accelerated shift from mud to pucca dwellings, with subsidized Awas loans taken for it, but this story is marred by tales of poor cost forecasts (and overruns) and unforeseen risks of local corruption. Given its credit component, Awas can be tracked financially; still, a default rate that isnt alarming as loans swell does not mean its a success. If deprivation has many angles to it, so do relief plans.
The generative AI race just got hotter with Meta releasing the second version of its free open-source large language model, LLaMa 2, for research and commercial use, thus providing an alternative to the pricy proprietary LLMs sold by OpenAI like ChatGPT Plus and Google Bard while giving a boost to open source LLMs.

Developers quickly began flocking to LLaMA -- Metas open-source LLM that was released in February. Researchers made more than 100,000 requests for for Llama 1, according to Meta. LLaMA requires far less computing power and resources to test new approaches, validate others work, and explore new use cases", according to Meta. Meta made LLaMA available in several sizes (7B, 13B, 33B, and 65B parameters -- B stands for billion) and had also shared a LLaMA model card that detailed how it built the model, very unlike the lack of transparency at OpenAI.

Generative Pre-trained Transformer series (GPT-3), on the other hand, has 175 billion parameters while GPT-4 was rumoured to have been launched with 100 trillion parameters, a claim that was dismissed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Foundation models train on a large set of unlabelled data, which makes them ideal for fine-tuning a variety of tasks. For instance, ChatGPT based on GPT 3.5 was trained on 570GB of text data from the internet containing hundreds of billions of words, including text harvested from books, articles, and websites, including social media.

However, according to Meta, smaller models trained on more tokens pieces of words  are easier to re-train and fine-tune for specific potential product use cases. Meta says it has trained LLaMA 65B and LLaMA 33B on 1.4 trillion tokens. Its smallest model, LLaMA 7B, is trained on one trillion tokens. Like other LLMs, LLaMA takes a sequence of words as input and predicts the next word to generate text recursively. Meta says it chose a text from the 20 languages with the most speakers, focusing on those with Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, to train LLaMa.

The newly released Llama 2, according to Meta, is a collection of pretrained and fine-tuned LLMs, ranging from 7 billion to 70 billion parameters. Meta has also released Llama 2-Chat, a fine-tuned version of Llama 2 that is optimized for dialogue with the same parameter ranges. Meta claims that these models "have demonstrated their competitiveness with existing open-source chat models, as well as competency that is equivalent to some proprietary models on evaluation sets we examined" but acknowledges that they still lag other models like OpenAI's GPT-4.

One may note, though, that scraping of data has become a thorny issue and the reason for many class-action suits too. In a 157-page class action lawsuit filed on June 28 in the US District Court, Northern District of California, the plaintiffs alleged that the defendants have used "unlawful and harmful conduct in developing, marketing, and operating their AI products including ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4.0, Dall-E, and Vall-E", which use "stolen private information" from hundreds of millions of internet users, including children of all ages, without their informed consent or knowledge, and continue to do so to develop and train the products.

Meta says Llama 2 has been trained on a mix of data from publicly available sources, which does not include data from Metas products or services. The company adds that it has made an effort to remove data from certain sites known to contain a high volume of personal information about private individuals. Llama 2 was trained on two trillion tokens of data "as this provides a good performancecost trade-off, up-sampling the most factual sources in an effort to increase knowledge and dampen hallucinations", according to Meta. It, however, adds that since the training corpus was mostly in English, the model may not be suitable for use in other languages.

The AI model and its new version of Llama 2 will be distributed by Microsoft through its Azure cloud service and will run on Windows. It's also available on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Hugging Face and other providers too, Chief scientist at Meta Yann LeCun tweeted soon after the release.

According to Jim Fan, senior AI scientist at Nvidia, Llama 2 is likely to cost a little over $20 million to train. He believes that Meta has done "an incredible service to the community" by releasing the model with a commercially-friendly license. "AI researchers from big companies were wary of Llama-1 due to licensing issues, but now I think many of them will jump on the ship and contribute their firepower," Fan tweeted after Llama 2's release.

Fan also complemented Meta on the human study they did to evaluate its efficiency. Meta's team did a human study on 4000 prompts to evaluate Llama-2's helpfulness. "I trust these real human ratings more than academic benchmarks, because they typically capture the "in-the-wild vibe" better," said Fan. He added, though, that Llama-2 is not as good as GPT-3.5 as yet, mainly because of its weak coding abilities. But he added that "Meta's team goes above and beyond on AI safety issues. In fact, almost half of the paper is talking about safety guardrails, red-teaming, and evaluations. A round of applause for such responsible efforts!" According to Fan , Llama-2 will dramatically boost multimodal AI and robotics research.

In my earlier column titled 'Five trends that may change the course of Generative AI models', I had spoken about the rise of smaller open-source large language models (LLMs). Big tech companies like Microsoft and Oracle were strongly opposed to open-source technologies but embraced them after realizing that they couldnt survive without doing so. Open-source language models are demonstrating this once again.

A couple of months back, a Google employee had claimed in a leaked document accessed by Semianalysis that, Open-source models are faster, more customizable, more private, and pound-for-pound more capable. They are doing things with $100 and 13B params (parameters) that we struggle with at $10M (million) and 540B (billion). And they are doing so in weeks, not months." The employee believes that people will not pay for a restricted model when free, unrestricted alternatives are comparable in quality. He opined that giant models are slowing us down. In the long run, the best models are the ones which can be iterated upon quickly. We should make small variants more than an afterthought now that we know what is possible in the < 20B parameter regime".

Google may or may not subscribe to this point of view, but the fact is that open-source LLMs have not only come of age but are providing developers with a lighter and much more flexible option.

As an example, Low-Rank Adaptation of Large Language Models (LoRA) claims to have reduced the number of trainable parameters, which has lowered the storage requirement for LLMs adapted to specific tasks and enables efficient task-switching during deployment without inference latency. LoRA also outperforms several other adaptation methods, including adapter, prefix-tuning, and fine-tuning". In simple terms, developers can use LoRA to fine-tune LLaMA.

Pythia (from EluetherAI, which itself is likened to an open-source version of OpenAI) comprises 16 LLMs that have been trained on public data and range in size from 70M to 12B parameters.

Databricks Inc. released its LLM called Dolly in March, which it trained for less than $30 to exhibit ChatGPT-like human interactivity". A month later, it released Dolly 2.0  a 12B parameter language model based on the EleutherAI Pythia model family and fine-tuned exclusively on a new, high-quality human-generated instruction following dataset, crowdsourced among Databricks employees". The company has open-sourced Dolly 2.0 in its entirety, including the training code, dataset and model weights for commercial use, enabling any organization to create, own, and customize powerful LLMs without paying for API access or sharing data with third parties.

Hugging Faces BigScience Large Open-science Open-access Multilingual Language Model (BLOOM) has 176 billion parameters and is able to generate text in 46 natural languages and 13 programming languages. Researchers can download, run and study BLOOM to investigate the performance and behaviour of recently-developed LLMs.

Falcon, a family of LLMs developed by the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi and released under the Apache 2.0 license, comprises two models -- Falcon-40B and the smaller Falcon-7B. According to Hugging Face, "The Falcon models still include some curated sources in their training (such as conversational data from Reddit), but significantly less so than has been common for state-of-the-art LLMs like GPT-3 or PaLM."

The open-source LLM march has only just begun.
While fears of artificial intelligence (AI) eliminating jobs are pervasive, India has reason to be particularly worried, according to Emad Mostaque, chief executive officer (CEO) of Stability AI, a company known for text-to-image generator tool Stable Diffusion. Indian engineers working in the information technology sector would be badly hit as AI deployment by multinationals would lessen work coming their way, Mostaque said. That labour protection remains weak in India exposes them further to job-loss risks. AI is rapidly invading our lives and could soon be powerful even without the need for an internet link, allowing tools to evade supervision. He isnt the only tech leader who has flagged AI perils. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has advocated quick regulation, while Google and Microsoft executives have expressed anxiety too. Some of it sounds like the hype over AI capabilities or put-downs of what humans do at work, but the threat to jobs means labour-market planning no longer sounds like an idea taken from the Soviet model of a controlled economy. Instead, it is something that economic planners must pay attention to. Jobless growth can spawn all manner of crises.
After much deliberation, the Opposition Front on Tuesday decided to name the new formed coalition for 2024 polls as Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance , in short (I.N.D.I.A.)

Though some leaders showed initial resistance citing similarities with the name NDA (an alliance spearheaded by the BJP), they later agreed on it calling it as an unanimous decision.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Earlier, we were UPA and now all the 26 parties have given a name to the opposition and that is  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Everybody has agreed upon this, and the resolution for the name was passed unanimously."

However, previously Congress had formed the government at the Centre twice under the umbrella of UPA, so why there was a need of name change?

Congress not an automatic leader

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was spearheaded by the Congress in 2009 and 2014 but today, many oppositions are of the view that the grand old party cannot take on BJP alone in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024. And, hence, Congress cannot be touted as the automatic leader".

Stressing on the need for all regional parties to join forces against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, who was herself a part of the UPA once, had said, What is UPA? There is no UPA."

No UPA since 2014

In a way, Banerjee's point is quite justified as there is practically no UPA since 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress-led UPA secured victory in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections with support from 14 parties, i.e. RJD, DMK, NCP, PMK, TRS, JMM, LJP, MDMK, AIMIM, PDP, IUML, RPI(A), RPI(G) and KC (J). Four Left parties  CPM, CPI, RSP and Forward Bloc  backed the alliance from the outside.

However, over time, some allies withdrew, and the most significant setback came in 2008 when the four Left parties withdrew support.

Despite winning again in 2009, the UPA coalition dwindled to five parties. And then allies including TMC, DMK, AIMIM, and JVM-P also walked away. AIMIM, VCK, Sikkim Democratic Front, and Bodoland People's Front remained part of UPA-2 without ministerial berths.

Congress is just a part of the new Opposition Front

In the new alliance, i.e. INDIA, the grand old party is just a part like TMC, RJD, JDU, NCP and new entrant's like Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Congress has already declared this time it is not seeking to lead the new alliance. Kharge has pointed out it is not interested in either power or the prime ministerial post".

During the next meeting in Mumbai, however, it will bee decided who will be leading the coalition.

UPA name marred with corruption allegations

The UPA name is tainted and marred with corruption allegations. Moreover, BJP, led by PM Modi, targeted with the dynasty politics angle whenever it a criticised UPA for dynasty politics and corruption.

BJP President Nadda accused UPA of 'utpidan,' 'pakshpat,' and 'atyachar.' The Indian Prime Minister called the Opposition alliance corrupt and focused on dynasty politics during an event in Bengaluru.

So, the the new name was the need of the hour as the it might improve the new Front's image

The Bharat impact on voters

Another aspect that cannot be overlooked is the fact that the Opposition Front getting Bharat tagline - Jeetega Bharat (India will win).

As per political experts, for the past 10 years or so, the BJP led NDA alliance is running high on similar stance. It is believed that words like India and Bharat can impact the voters significantly and positively. So, it is speculated that Opposition Front is also trying to gain advantage from a similar stand.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has claimed that people who have problems with the name India are not patriotic. He also questioned whether there wasn't another political party with the name India, taking a swipe at former ally BJP.

In an interaction with news agency ANI, Raut noted, "People who create controversy over the name INDIA are not patriotic... Is there no other political party with the name India in it, what is Bhartiya Janta Party, Bharat is there".

Raut also argued that PM Modi used to say in his old speeches that a vote for BJP is a vote for India. However, the senior Shiv Sena leader claims that every citizen of the country is India.

INDIA vs NDA: The controversy continues

During the meeting of like-minded parties in Bengaluru, Karanataka, the opposition parties decided to call themselves INDIA, an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive alliance. However, the name of the opposition alliance has become a bone of contention between the BJP-led NDA and the opposition parties.

Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies." Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted in a veiled attempt at the opposition alliance.

Sarma's tweet drew a response from his former party colleague and Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh. Ramesh wrote on Twitter, Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital Indiaall new names for ongoing programmes. Hes asked CMs of different states to work together as Team India. He even made an appeal to Vote India!"
(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of July 12, as part of the working program in Lao PDR, the high-level leadership delegation of Nghe An Province paid a courtesy visit to the leaders of Bolikhamsai Province.

Mr. Kongkeo Xaysongkham - Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary, Governor of Bolikhamxai province, welcomed Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Nghe An Thai Thanh Quy, and the delegation on their visit. Photo: Thanh Duy

Mr. Thai Thanh Quy, Member of the Vietnams Party Central Committee's Executive Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, and Head of the Provincial Delegation to the National Assembly, served as the head of the delegation.

Bolikhamsai Province is located in the central region of Laos, with an area of 15,977.7 square kilometers and a border length of 177.9 kilometers, adjacent to the districts of Thanh Chuong, Anh Son, and Con Cuong of Nghe An Province.

The leaders of Bolikhamxai province welcomed the high-level delegation from Nghe An province. Photo: Thanh Duy

Delighted to visit Bolikhamsai Province, on behalf of the Party, the government, and the people of Nghe An Province, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Thai Thanh Quy expressed deep appreciation for the warm welcome and cordial reception and conveyed the best wishes to the leaders of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, Authority, and Lao Front for National Construction, as well as to all the people of the Lao ethnic groups in Bolikhamsai Province.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Nghe An emphasized that based on the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, the two provinces have implemented many effective cooperative activities in all fields, especially since the signing of the Cooperation Agreement.

Accordingly, the two provinces have effectively implemented border management and protection, maintained border peace, friendship, cooperation, and development between the two countries. Both sides have strengthened the effective role and relationship between the twinned villages and the twinned border posts, thereby contributing to consolidating the special friendship and solidarity between the people, border guard forces of the two sides, and jointly building a peaceful, friendly, cooperative and developed Vietnam-Laos border. In particular, along with the provincial level, the districts of the two provinces with shared borders frequently visit, exchange, and contribute to ensuring stability and mutual development in the border area.

The two provinces actively implemented the project "Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on the settlement of issues regarding free migration and unregistered marriage between the two countries' border areas." Nghe An Province continues to maintain and enhance support for training human resources for Bolikhamsai Province. In the 2022-2023 school year, Nghe An Province granted scholarships for training a total of 38 officials and students from Bolikhamsai Province.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Nghe An presents a picture to the leaders of Bolikhamxai province. Photo: Thanh Duy

In addition, the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee expressed sincere appreciation for the close bond between the two provinces, their timely sharing and encouragement, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also highly aprreciated the Bolikhamsai Provincial Party Committee and Authority for creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese people, including those from Nghe An, to live and work in the province. Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Nghe An expressed his desire that the two provinces will continue to support and expand cooperation for mutual development.

In particular, the head of the Provincial Party Committee of Nghe An proposed that the leaders of the two provinces regularly express their opinions to the Governments of the two countries to promptly implement the project of constructing the Vientiane-Pakxane (Bolikhamsai)-Thanh Thuy Border Gate (Nghe An)-Hanoi expressway. When invested, completed, and put into use, both Nghe An and Bolikhamsai will have favorable conditions for rapid economic development. This project not only has significance in terms of economics and transportation but also symbolizes the relationship between Vietnam and Laos, connecting the two capitals with a road. Mr. Thai Thanh Quy also hoped that The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and the high-level leadership of Bolikhamsai Province pay special attention to this project.

Mr. Thai Thanh Quy hands over a gift of VND 500 million to Bolikhamxai province for purchasing office equipment. Photo: Thanh Duy

Mr. Kongkeo Xaysongkham, member of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Secretary - Governor of Bolikhamxai province, expressed his delight in welcoming Mr. Thai Thanh Quy and the high-level delegation of Nghe An Province. This is the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the two provinces. He also congratulated Nghe An on its impressive achievements in socio-economic development in recent years.

He deeply thanked the leaders of Nghe An Province for their support and precious assistance to Bolikhamsai Province during the past time. Secretary and Governor of Bolikhamsai Province believed that there is still great potential for cooperation between the two localities, and he hopes that the cooperative relationship between the two provinces will continue to develop to new heights, contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Mr. Kongkeo Xaysongkham presents a souvenir gift to Nghe An province. Photo: Thanh Duy

Regarding the Vientiane-Pakxane (Bolikhamsai)-Thanh Thuy Border Gate (Nghe An)-Hanoi expressway project, Mr. Kongkeo Xaysongkham affirmed that this is an important project. The Government and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos have appraised it and are attracting foreign investment to fund the project. At the same time, Laotian enterprises also desire to invest in the project through the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) form. Bolikhamsai Province also stated that it is currently striving to complete the provincial road connecting to the Nam On-Thanh Thuy border gate as soon as possible.
The Biden administration added two new foreign technology companies to its export prohibition list, accusing the firms of selling cyber intrusion tools that pose a global threat to digital privacy and security.

The Commerce Department said it was adding Intellexa, with corporate holdings in Greece and Ireland, and Cytrox, with holdings in Hungary and North Macedonia, to its entity list that generally bars U.S. firms from engaging in trade activity with them.

The action is the latest by the Biden administration to attempt to erect rules around the growing and lucrative spyware industry, where firms sell high-powered digital surveillance tools to law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world that are able to surreptitiously infiltrate targeted smartphones and other devices. U.S. officials have said the proliferation of such tools can jeopardize U.S. national security and violate human rights.

This rule reaffirms the protection of human rights worldwide as a fundamental U.S. foreign policy interest," said Don Graves, deputy secretary at the Commerce Department. The Entity List remains a powerful tool in our arsenal to prevent bad actors around the world from using American technology to reach their nefarious goals."

Intellexa didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Cytrox couldnt be reached.

While vendors of digital intrusion software say their tools are vital to track violent criminals and national security threats, Western governments and privacy advocates have said the tools are frequently abused by both authoritarian and democratic governments to target journalists, political opponents, human rights advocates and others not suspected of wrongdoing.

Reports of the growing use of hacking tools purchased from firms in Israel and elsewhere have fueled calls within Europe and in the U.S. to restrict their use. NSO Group, an Israeli technology company, was previously blacklisted by the Biden administration in 2021 along with three other vendors. That action and a raft of negative public attention harmed NSO Groups business, and the firm recently assumed new ownership after lenders forced a change of control with plans to keep its controversial spyware business going, The Wall Street Journal reported in May.

Earlier this year, President Biden issued a first-of-its-kind executive order limiting the use of commercial spyware within the federal government, though it doesnt outright prohibit its use, either for offensive purposes or testing. At the time, the administration also disclosed that it believed at least 50 U.S. personnel working overseas had been compromised by such spyware, a figure far higher than previous estimates.

Cybersecurity researchers at Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto have previously linked Cytrox to surveillance software called Predator, which was able to infect iPhones via single-click links sent over WhatsApp. The research group found Predator customers in a range of countries, including Armenia, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, and linked the tool to the hacking against an Egyptian political dissident.

Citizen Lab also concluded Cytrox was part of what it called the Intellexa alliance," an umbrella term for a set of spyware vendors that appeared to form around 2019.

Tuesdays action follows a recent pledge from the U.S. and several allies to work collaboratively to curtail commercial spyware misuses.
Fission is the process by which an atom splits in two. Fission can occur spontaneously, via natural decay, or through controlled chain reactions initiated by people. Either way, the process releases a tremendous amount of energy. Nuclear power plants harness this awesome power, but so do nuclear bombs, and there are myriad environmental, social and political concerns raised by human use of this process.

Fission definition

An atom contains protons and neutrons in its central nucleus. In fission, the nucleus splits, either through radioactive decay or because it has been bombarded by other subatomic particles known as neutrinos. The resulting pieces have less combined mass than the original nucleus, with the missing mass converted into nuclear energy.

Controlled fission occurs when a neutrino bombards the nucleus of an atom, breaking it into two smaller, similarly-sized nuclei. Each newly freed neutron can go on to cause two separate reactions, each of which can cause at least two more. A single impact can jumpstart a chain reaction, driving the release of still more energy. shutterstock) (Image credit: Andrea Danti

Controlled fission occurs when a very light neutrino, or a nearly massless particle that rarely interact swith other matter, bombards the nucleus of an atom, breaking it into two smaller, similarly-sized nuclei. The destruction releases a significant amount of energy  as much as 200 times that of the neutron that started the procedure  as well as releasing at least two more neutrinos.

Controlled reactions of this sort are used to release energy within nuclear power plants. Uncontrolled reactions can fuel nuclear weapons.

Radioactive fission, where the center of a heavy element spontaneously emits a charged particle as it breaks down into a smaller nucleus, happens only with the heavier elements.

Fission is different from the process of nuclear fusion, when two nuclei join together rather than split apart.

Who discovered fission?

In 1938, German physicists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman bombarded a uranium atom with neutrons in an attempt to make heavy elements, according to the Atomic Archive. In a surprising twist, they wound up splitting the atom into the elements of barium and krypton, both significantly smaller than the uranium that the pair started out with. Previous efforts by physicists had resulted in only very small slivers being cut off of an atom, so the pair was puzzled by the unexpected results.

Austrian-born physicist Lise Meitner, who had fled to Sweden following Hitler's invasion of her country, realized that the split had also released energy. Working on the problem, she established that fission yielded a minimum of two neutrons for each neutron that sparked a collision. Ultimately, other physicists realized that each newly freed neutron could go on to cause two separate reactions, each of which could cause at least two more. A single impact could jumpstart a chain reaction, driving the release of still more energy. Italian physicist Enrico Fermi had also produced fission earlier in 1934, but had not realized it, according to the Atomic Archive. Fermi would ultimately create the first self-sustaining nuclear fission reactor on Dec. 2, 1942, in a basement in Chicago, according to Argonne National Laboratory. This self-sustaining reaction is known as "criticality."

Fission bombs

A mushroom cloud rising from the first atomic explosion, which was detonated July 16, 1945 near Alamagordo, New Mexico as part of the Manhattan Project. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

In an intellectual chain reaction, scientists began to realize the possibilities of fission. A letter to U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt at the start of World War II, drafted by Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard and signed by Albert Einstein, noted that such research could be used to create a bomb of epic proportions, and raised the specter that Germans could deploy such a weapon against America. Roosevelt funded American research on the atom bomb, and in 1941, the Office of Scientific Research and Development was formed with the aim of applying the research toward national defense.

In 1943, the Army Corps of Engineers took over the research for making a nuclear weapon. Known as the "Manhattan Project," the top-secret endeavor, led by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, ultimately resulted in the creation of the first atomic bombs. The first, "Little Boy," used 140 pounds (64 kilograms) of highly enriched uranium-235 in a fission bomb, and was dropped on Aug. 6, 1945 on Hiroshima, Japan. The second was "Fat Man," which weighed 10,300 pounds (4,670 kg) and used plutonium-239 to set off a chain reaction. It was dropped on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945.

No one has used fission bombs in warfare since, but several countries have them in their arsenal. Ultimately, militaries found that fusion could power more powerful bombs, but fission was often the first step in the chain. For instance, the Tsar Bomba that was detonated in 1961 created the largest nuclear blast in history. It used fission as the first step in a chain reaction that ended in fusion.

Related: The 9 most powerful nuclear explosions

Nuclear power

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant melted down in April, 1986, creating the biggest nuclear disaster in history. (Image credit: Igor Kostin/Laski Diffusion/Getty Images)

More commonly, fission is used to generate energy within a nuclear power plant. Power plants typically use uranium and plutonium isotopes because these reactions are easiest to control, according to the Department of Energy. To keep these chain reactions in check, power plants cool the nuclear cores, typically with water.

However, the process creates a significant amount of nuclear waste, such as uranium tail millings, spent reactor fuel and radioactive waste that can be hazardous to both people and the environment for thousands of years, according to the Energy Information Administration.

What's more, nuclear power plants can "meltdown," which poses a potentially catastrophic risk to humans. The biggest nuclear meltdown in history, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, blanketed the surrounding area in radioactive fallout that made an 18-mile-wide (30 kilometers) area uninhabitable. And a 9.0-quake offshore Japan led to a massive tsunami that inundated the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, causing the reactors to meltdown and sending tons of radioactive cooling water into the ocean, according to the World Nuclear Association. In the U.S., mechanical failures at the Three Mile Island power plant in 1979 led to a loss of coolant, causing the nuclear cores to overheat and partially melt down. Ultimately, the partial meltdown did not result in higher-than-average radiation exposure in people in the surrounding areas, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission but it raised awareness of the potential dangers of nuclear power and spurred changes meant to prevent such accidents in the future.

In the 1960s, U.S. government laboratories, under Project Orion, investigated a pulsed nuclear fission propulsion system. Small nuclear pulse units would be sequentially discharged from the aft end of the vehicle. A blast shield and shock absorber system would protect the crew and convert the shock loads into a continuous propulsive force. (Image credit: NASA)

In the 1960s, the U.S. government explored the possibility of using fission as a method of rocket propulsion. However, the signing of the Limited (Nuclear) Test Ban Treaty in 1963 put an end to the aboveground explosion of all nuclear weapons. In 2023, DARPA and NASA announced that a nuclear-fission powered rocket could send astronauts to Mars in as little as 45 days, and that such a rocket could be available as soon as 2027. NASA has also expressed interest in building a nuclear fission power plant on the moon by 2030.

Additional resources
Kyrgyzstan and Italy are ready to cooperate in the textile industry, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

The press service of the National Investment Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that this issue was discussed last week by Deputy Director of the National Agency Jalyn Jeenaliev and President of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Fernando Pelazzo at a meeting in Bishkek.

Pelazzo emphasized that Italian textiles are in great demand in the world, and expressed a desire to develop cooperation with the Kyrgyz Republic in this direction, creating joint ventures.

As a result of the negotiations, further steps were outlined for the development of partnership between Italy and Kyrgyzstan in the textile industry. Both sides expressed their intention to do everything possible for the successful development of one of the important sectors of the economy.
Due to its allure, the historic Zhengding County in Hebei Province is frequently visited at night. Thanks to their extensive historical and cultural riches and engrossing historical tales, the tall towers and remarkable city walls give the impression that they are from another era.photo: Xinhua/Hao Jianwei




WASHINGTON  When Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested recently he might stop the FBI from relocating its downtown headquarters to a new facility planned for the Washington suburbs, it was more than idle thinking about an office renovation.

The nod from the Republican speaker is elevating a once-fringe proposal to upend the FBI in the aftermath of the federal indictment of Donald Trump over classified documents and the Justice Department's prosecution of his allies, including some of the nearly 1,000 people charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Moving from far-right corners into the mainstream, the emerging effort to overhaul the nations premier law enforcement agency is rooted in increasingly forceful conservative complaints about an overly biased FBI that they claim is being weaponized against them.

This is a pretty dramatic reversal of what the politics would have been 50 years ago, said Beverly Gage, a historian at Yale who won a 2023 Pulitzer Prize for her biography of the legendary FBI director, G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century.

The shifting attitudes among Republican members of Congress toward the FBI underscore the way Trumps personal grievances have become legislative policy. Once the party of law and order, Republicans are now antagonists of federal law enforcement, undermining a storied institution and attacking Justice Department officials whose work is foundational to American democracy.

While political criticism of the FBI has followed the bureau since its founding with Hoover, who famously wiretapped civil rights leaders and orchestrated the infiltration of left-wing political organizations, the right-flank campaign against federal law enforcement had mostly simmered at the margins of party politics.

But the Justice Departments indictment of Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts over storing and refusing to return classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club, and the ongoing prosecution of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol, have fueled conservative anger. The Justice Department is also investigating Trump and his allies over the effort to challenge President Joe Bidens election in the run-up to the 2021 Capitol attack.

Conservatives criticize the federal law enforcement on multiple fronts; among them, its work with social media companies to flag potentially dangerous postings, and a COVID-era memo from Attorney General Merrick Garland directing resources to combat violence against school officials. They compare the Trump investigations with what they say was a sweetheart deal for Hunter Biden, the presidents son, who is pleading guilty to misdemeanor tax evasion after a long investigation.

Looking at the actions of the FBI, I think the whole leadership needs to change, McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol last month.

Fresh from a visit with law enforcement in California, McCarthy said he envisions decentralizing the FBI by spreading operations into the states.

This idea that were going to build a new, big Pentagon and put all the FBI mainly in one place, I dont think its a good structure, McCarthy said Friday, panning a conservative-led proposal to relocate the FBI to Alabama.

Id like to see the structure of a much smaller FBI administration building, and more FBI agents out across the country, helping to keep the country safe, he said. To me, thats better.

In many ways, the resistance to a robust federal law enforcement agency extends a thread that has run across American history  from the aftermath of the Civil War, when Southern states rejected federal troops for Reconstruction, to Trumps own 2024 campaign announcement in Waco, Texas, a region known for the federal siege of a separatist compound in 1993.

The Washington headquarters is symbolic, said Steven G. Bradbury, a former Trump administration general counsel who is now a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Heritage is among those outside entities and advocacy organizations encouraging Congress to reimagine the FBI.

Bradburys How to Fix the FBI report outlines nearly a dozen options. One is scaling back its jurisdiction. Another is to overhaul section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, known as FISA, that was part of the Trump-Russia investigation over 2016 election interference and is a program some Democrats also want to limit.

Last week, FBI Director Christopher Wray appeared before the House Judiciary Committee for the first time since Republicans took control in January, facing a long list of criticisms, complaints and accusations of bias at the bureau.

Are you protecting the Bidens?' asked Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

Absolutely not, Wray said.

At another point Wray said, The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background.

He is a longtime Republican who had been appointed by Trump to fill the job after Director James Comey was fired in 2017.

Wray told the lawmakers that dismantling or defunding the FBI would be disastrous for the bureaus 38,000 employees and hurt our great state local law enforcement partners that depend on us each day to work with them on a whole slew of challenging threats.

Biden, Trump, and Pence: how their classified documents scandals are the same (and different) Biden, Trump, and Pence: how their classified documents scandals are the same (and different) The basics How this happened What happens next?
Crime, National & World News

By Long Island Published: July 18 2023

Suffolk County police ignored a crucial tip for over a decade in the Gilgo Beach murders case, only to have a new task force uncover evidence leading to the arrest of Rex Heuermann as a ...

A shocking revelation has come to light in the infamous Gilgo Beach murders case, as it has been discovered that Suffolk County police ignored a crucial tip for over a decade. The tip included a general description of the suspect and the make and model of the car he drove, information that could have potentially led to the identification of the perpetrator. The negligence of law enforcement in acting upon this tip for 13 years has left many questioning the effectiveness of the investigation.

However, a new task force dedicated to reviewing the evidence and reinterviewing witnesses has recently made a significant breakthrough. It was during this process that the clues finally pointed to a suspect, Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect who has now been charged with three counts of murder.

The pivotal tip came from a pimp associated with Amber Lynn Costello, one of the three women allegedly killed by Heuermann in 2010. Shortly after the murders took place, the pimp was interviewed by the police and provided a description of the killer as a bulky "ogre" who was last seen with the victim in a distinctive Chevrolet Avalanche.

The turning point in the investigation came when former NYPD Chief Rodney Harrison assumed the role of Suffolk County Police Commissioner last year and decided to reopen the Gilgo Beach murders case. Harrison's arrival breathed new life into the investigation, leading to a connection between the previously neglected tip and the suspect.

"This was the first time Rex Heuermann's name had come up, and the first time that he had been identified as a potential suspect," stated State Police Major Stephen Udice, commander of Troop L, during a press briefing on Monday. "The task force worked as a team to move forward with that information, and the investigation ultimately confirmed that Rex Heuermann was, in fact, the individual responsible for, at minimum, the deaths of three women."

The revelation of the Suffolk County police's failure to act upon a critical tip has raised concerns about the handling of the Gilgo Beach murders case. Residents and advocates are demanding accountability from law enforcement agencies, hoping to ensure that such oversights are not repeated in the future.
From Pentimento to Perfection: Elaine Micali Returns with 'Elaine's' - A Taste of Italian Delights and Community Reunions in Setauket

Food, Wine, & Dining

By Long Island Published: July 19 2023

Elaine Micali, former manager of Pentimento Restaurant, is opening a new restaurant called Elaine's in Setauket.

Elaine Micali and husband Enzo. Business partners in new restaurant in Setauket called Elaines. Courtesy of Elaine Micali.

Elaine Micali is back. After presiding over one of the most beloved local spots for years as manager at Pentimento Restaurant in Stony Brook, the restaurateur who says food is in her blood has signed a lease at 316 Main Street in Setauket. She officially takes over the space in September.

Micalis restaurant will be called Elaines and will be taking over the building where Tai Show North is located currently. The long-standing Japanese restaurant will be closing at the end of the summer.

She just couldnt stay away

My husband and I both grew up in big Italian families and food was a big part of our lives, she told LongIslandRestaurants.com in a phone interview. I started working in hospitality at age 14 and it kind of stays in your blood.

Micali along with her husband Enzo (the two are business partners in the new venture) are currently working out the plans, submitting for permits and finalizing their designs. They hope to open by the end of 2023 or early in 2024.

A part of the community for decades, through her education business  she owned Da Vinci Education learning center in Stony Brook and worked in schools in the surrounding districts  Micali is ingrained in the community and the people here are important to her. Thats why with her new restaurant, she wants to recapture the feel of what the area lost when Pentimento Restaurant went out of business, a place to gather with friends and family, meet for dinner and drinks and make memories.

Pentimento was very different, she described. It had its own little culture. On my day off we were there. We loved it for so many reasons. It was our local little Cheers.

This new venture seems almost inevitable. Everywhere she went people would ask her when she was going to open a restaurant.

We had no choice, she joked.

The perfect spot

Micali says she and her husband had searched for two years for the perfect spot and had one requirement.

We wanted it to be in Three Village, she said.

They looked at a number of places in the area that didnt fit their needs and then the Thai Show North building showed up.

The location not only fits her basic requirement to be in the Three Village area but its also poised to bring in the crowds from other neighborhoods.

We loved the spot because it will draw from Port Jefferson, Miller Place and Mount Sinai as well as the locals, she said. And maybe a ferry crowd from Connecticut.

The dining room and bar area are around 2,000 square feet.

The atmosphere

The plan is for an upscale but casual destination for the community to gather.

We want to recreate that vibe that the community is really missing, she said.

Without divulging too much, Micali gave us an outline of her plans. The restaurant will have seating for 100 people with a large bar area that will be great for gathering. She also hopes to use the existing patio to have additional outdoor dining. The bar will have a relaxed vibe but the dining room will be a little more upscale but still casual, according to Micali. There will also be a small section of the dining room that can be used for private parties. She envisions bridal showers and other types of similar events there on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Micali is working with a local designer and architect to bring her vision to life.

From lighting to music to color to use of the space we want to do it right, she said.

The menu

Things are still cooking in the kitchen so Micali could not reveal too much. She is keeping the menu close to the vest saying only that it will be regional Italian with American pub fare in the bar area.

We have two chefs in mind, was all she said about who would run the kitchen.

Taking time to do it right

Since the news went out and her website went up she has been overwhelmed with responses. And she is grateful.

Weve had a tremendous positive community response, she said.

No matter which direction she goes in with the layout, the food and her hiring process, Micali believes that its all a balancing act.

Decor, food and staffing are all equally as important, she said.

It will probably take around six months before they open. They are planning a complete renovation of the space and Micali said to stay tuned.

Theres more to come, she said.

Photo: Elaine Micali and husband Enzo. Business partners in new restaurant in Setauket called Elaines. Courtesy of Elaine Micali.
Local News

By Long Island Published: July 20 2023

Holocaust survivor battles foreclosure, seeks community support to save his Staten Island home.

Michael Plit, a Holocaust survivor born in a concentration camp in Germany, is facing an uphill battle to keep his home in Staten Island. Plit's poignant story is one of resilience and survival, but now he needs the support of the community to overcome this latest challenge.

Plit's early life was marked by unimaginable horrors. As a baby, he endured medical experiments at the hands of the Nazis, including forced sterilization. Although he and his parents were eventually liberated, they had lost numerous family members, including Plit's older brother. After liberation, they returned to Moldova, hoping to rebuild their shattered lives.

Years later, Plit made his way to the United States, where he married and purchased a home in Staten Island. Tragically, the medical experiments he had suffered as an infant left him unable to have children, and his wife passed away several years ago. Today, his sole source of income consists of limited social security benefits.

Faced with financial difficulties, Plit had no choice but to take out a reverse mortgage on his home. However, the terms of the mortgage required him to pay all real estate taxes, a financial burden he could not bear due to his low income. As a result, the reverse mortgage bank initiated foreclosure proceedings against his cherished home.

Determined to save his home and with the assistance of his bankruptcy attorney, Plit filed for bankruptcy to halt the foreclosure. Providing support throughout this challenging process is Andrea Bolender, daughter of a Holocaust survivor herself, and an advocate for other survivors.

In order to reinstate the reverse mortgage and secure his homeownership, Plit needs to raise approximately $65,000 to cover back taxes and future payments. He humbly appeals to the kindness and generosity of the community, recognizing that any donation, regardless of the amount, will make a significant difference in his life. A GoFund Me Campaign has been established to assist Plit.

Speaking about his predicament, Plit expressed deep gratitude for any support he receives. "I can't thank you enough for your generosity," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "Every donation means the world to me and brings me one step closer to keeping the home that holds so many precious memories."

In response to Plit's plea, Andrea Bolender is leading the charge to rally support for him. Bolender's connection to the cause is personal, as she shares a deep understanding of the struggles faced by Holocaust survivors and their families. Through her efforts and those of the bankruptcy attorney, they are actively working with the court and the reverse mortgage bank to find a resolution that will allow Plit to remain in his home.

To assist Michael Plit in his battle to save his home, a fundraising campaign has been launched . Donations can be made online here
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 19 2023

Johnnie Funderburke Sold Heroin and Cocaine to an Undercover Officer.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Johnnie Funderburke, 38, of Bellport, was sentenced to a total of 35 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty last month of numerous drug and weapons charges, and for selling narcotics to an undercover officer.

This previously convicted violent felon decided to deal drugs and possess a loaded gun. As a result of that choice, he will now go to prison which will make our streets safer, said District Attorney Tierney. We will not allow violent felons to push drugs into our streets and neighborhoods in Suffolk County without severe repercussions.

The evidence at trial established that on June 15, 2021, Funderburke sold heroin to an undercover detective from the Suffolk County Police Departments Narcotics Section. On June 22, 2021, and June 24, 2021, the defendant also sold heroin and cocaine to the same undercover detective.

On July 6, 2021, members of the Suffolk County Police Department executed a search warrant of Funderburkes residence and recovered fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, two digital scales, cash, and a loaded 9 mm pistol.

On June 12, 2023, Funderburke was found guilty after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr., for the charges of:

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A felony;

Five counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;

Six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;

Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, Class D felonies; and

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Funderburke has multiple prior felony convictions including Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree from 2007 and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree in 2011.

On July 13, 2023, Justice Senft found Funderburke to be a mandatory persistent violent offender following a hearing and then sentenced him to 35 years to life in prison. He was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Dana Gremaux and Lauren Golombek of the Narcotics Bureau, with investigative assistance by the Suffolk County Police Departments Narcotics Section.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 19 2023

Enhanced STAR applications will also be processed for homeowners already enrolled in the STAR program prior to Jan. 2, 2015.

Nassau County Legislator Debra Mule (D-Freeport) is partnering with the Nassau County Department of Assessment to host a series of Property Tax Exemption Workshops for Fifth Legislative District residents.

During the workshops, Department of Assessment staff will assist residents with filing for veteran, senior citizen, Cold War veteran, volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker, limited-income disability and/or home improvement exemptions. Enhanced STAR applications will also be processed for homeowners already enrolled in the STAR program prior to Jan. 2, 2015.

by appointment only. Homeowners are asked to make an appointment by calling 516-571-1500 or visiting All workshops are. Homeowners are asked to make an appointment by calling 516-571-1500 or visiting www.nassaucountyny.gov/assessment and using the appointment scheduler link. All workshops are from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; additional workshops are planned for the month of October.

For more information or to receive a list of necessary documentation needed for the tax exemption workshop, call the Nassau County Department of Assessment at 516-571-1500.

UPCOMING LOCAL WORKSHOPS OF NOTE FOR LD 16 RESIDENTS:

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Freepost Public Lubrary

144 West Merrick Road

Freeport, NY 11520

Monday, August 14, 2023

Rockville Centre Public Library

221 North Village Avenue
Actress and Long Island Native Lindsay Lohan Welcomes First Child into the World

Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 19 2023

She has named the child Luai, which in Arabic translates to shield or protector.

Actress and Long Island native Lindsay Lohan has announced that she has welcomed her first child into the world with her husband, Bader Shammas.

The "Mean Girls," "Freaky Friday," and "Prairie Home Companion" star recently gave birth to a son in Dubai, where she has been living since 2014. She has named the child Luai, which in Arabic translates to shield or protector.

Lohan was originally born in New York City was was raised on Long Island in both Merrick and Cold Spring Harbor.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 19 2023

The ticket in question has four matching numbers in addition to the Powerball.

The winning ticket was sold at the Sunoco station located at 197 Old Country Road in Hicksville. Photo Credit: Google Maps

The Sunoco station located at 197 Old Country Road in Hicksville, according to New York Lottery officials, was responsible for selling the Saturday, July 15 drawing's third-prize-winning ticket worth a cool $50,000 to the lucky winner.

The ticket in question has four matching numbers in addition to the Powerball. The winning numbers for Saturdays drawing were 2-9-43-55-57 and the Powerball was 18.

LongIsland.com would like to congratulate the fortunate individual bagged Saturday's prize!
A cross with flowers hidden behind a parking garage, dedicated to Lee Roy Nelson, reads Forever in our hearts.

Nelson, who used a wheelchair and lived unhoused in Missoula, was beaten to death behind the structure in 2020. The nurse who happened to find his body had to get counseling after seeing the horrific injuries to Nelsons skull. A 45-year-old man was found guilty of deliberate homicide in January of this year and is awaiting sentencing.

Last week, a gathering was held at the Flathead Warming Center in Kalispell to remember Scott Bryan, a 60-year-old man from Eureka who had been living without a house since February of 2022.

Bryan was found severely beaten at a gas station in Kalispell early on a Sunday morning in late June, and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A 19-year-old man from Kalispell is charged with deliberate homicide in connection to Bryans death.

In a separate incident in late June, a 35-year-old woman in Missoula was charged with felony assault with a weapon after allegedly attacking two downtown street musicians with pepper spray. According to court documents, the woman voiced her hatred for homeless individuals.

Pattern

According to the leaders of homeless shelters around Montana, theres been a noticeable rise in two things this year: Urban camping and aggressive public rhetoric toward unhoused people. That is an explosive combination they say could contribute to more violence against people living without houses.

Brian Guyer, the housing director for the nonprofit homeless shelter and service provider HRDC IX in Gallatin County, said his counterparts across the state are reeling from Bryans death. And, he said, theres a toxic and potentially deadly amount of online vitriol directed at the homeless community that has the potential to escalate the situation and put more people in serious danger.

Everybodys impacted when something egregious like that happens, he explained. And the reality is that the social media comments that are out there are not that dissimilar from the comments that preceded the incident in Kalispell. Comments that dehumanize people experiencing homelessness, people suggesting taking the law into their own hands. So were very concerned.

I feel like this was the obvious conclusion to comments (that attack homeless people), he said. So were definitely on high alert. It also scares our guests. Theyre not insulated against hearing this news. Theyre scared, and frankly I would be, too. Its a tenuous situation.

Myths

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, which compiled studies of homeless populations in several different states, people who are homeless are far more likely to be the victim of violent crime than the general population. The nonprofits study also found that incidents of violence perpetrated against homeless people are far more likely to go unreported to police than incidents perpetrated against the general population.

Violence against unhoused people isnt new in Montana. In 2005, two 20-year-old men brutally attacked two homeless men who were sleeping behind a thrift store in Billings. One of the victims, 64-year-old John Gewanski, died at the scene from multiple stab wounds.

In 2021, Great Falls Police arrested a 20-year-old man and an 18-year-old man for a series of violent assaults on homeless people in downtown Great Falls.

Chris Krager, the executive director of the Samaritan House in Kalispell, the Flathead Valleys only year-round homeless shelter, said he believes theres been an increase in hateful comments online about homeless people in Montana.

Absolutely, he said. Social media comments have slowly gotten more overt about displaying negative attitudes toward people that dont have homes. People with homes by nature have a place to retreat, to close the door behind them and feel safe. People without homes dont have that as a safety barrier. They cant close the door and stay safe.

One only needs to scroll through the social media comments of any news sites story about urban camping or homelessness to see what kind of comments Kragers talking about. He believes people need to dial down the temperature of their comments online.

An appropriate way to handle it is to include empathy in all instances, he said. Thats definitely something were learning. Were reckoning with it now. We have now the need for an in-depth, unhurried, multi-layered conversation about homelessness.

Recently, five leaders at homeless shelters across the state penned an open letter about the situation. It was written by Krager along with Heather Grenier of HRDC in Gallatin County, Oksana Zakharchenko of the Montana Rescue Mission in Billings, Jill Bonny of the Poverello Center in Missoula and Carrie Matter of the Great Falls Rescue Mission.

It is a sad fact that verbal and physical attacks on the people we serve arent new, but this year it is noticeably worse, they wrote. Recently, Scott Bryan was brutally beaten in Kalispell by two men who filmed and posted his murder online. The aggressive public rhetoric and relentless social media comments show a lack of understanding of the realities of our communities and a lack of compassion for our neighbors trying to survive.

Crisis

Almost everyone involved in affordable housing and homeless shelter services has acknowledged that theres been a huge uptick in the number of people camping in urban parks and public spaces in cities and towns across Montana this year.

The explosion of urban camping across the state tells us that the number of people needing emergency shelter is beyond our capacity, the shelter providers wrote. In some cities, we are witnessing what happens when funding for warming shelters runs out and shelters close until November. Regardless of the community, low vacancy rates, high rent, health conditions, and lack of mental health or substance use services are why people live in cars, tents, or anywhere they can rest.

In January, all three Flathead County commissioners wrote an open letter saying that it was their hope that the community will be unified in rejecting all things that empower the homeless lifestyle.

The simple truth is that providing homeless infrastructure has the predictable consequence of attracting more homeless individuals to our community, wrote commissioners Brad Abell, Randy Brodehl and Pam Holmquist. When a low-barrier shelter opened in our community, we saw a dramatic increase in homeless individuals. Using social media and smartphones, these wanderers are well-networked and eager to share that Kalispell has services to serve their lifestyle. Make no mistake, it is a lifestyle choice for some.

After Bryan was murdered, Krager released a statement that didnt leave much to the imagination as far as how he felt about the commissioners letter.

Weve never had violent acts like this toward our homeless community until recently, Krager wrote. The increased rhetoric by some community leaders and the barrage of aggressive social media comments dehumanize people who live here. It doesnt take long for verbal assaults to turn physical.

Krager told the Missoulian that he doesnt agree with the commissioners analysis.

I think the data is completely in opposition to that statement, he said. The letter from the commissioners didnt cite much data. So I look forward to having those conversations.

Krager doesnt know if theres a direct connection between the commissioners statement and the violent act committed against Bryan. But he believes there is an atmosphere that led the two young men to believe it was appropriate to share a video of Bryan lying motionless in a pool of blood in the parking lot that night.

Regardless of the connection or not, we should all be cautious in our words, he said. The one gentleman actually felt strong enough that his Snapchat followers wanted to see it, so he put it in a Snapchat and shared it. That suggests its an environment that is wanting difficulty for people experiencing homelessness. And it hasnt stopped. Theres pretty solid rumors of other verbal conflicts and threats of violence against homeless people, and I think it needs to stop.

Guyer, the shelter director at the HRDC in Gallatin County, said theres been a 42% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the areas they serve between 2022 and 2023.

Urban camping is proliferating here, he said. Its a byproduct of rapidly increasing costs of housing, costs of living. Also thats coupled with decreases in mental health services, decreases in people working on substance abuse issues. Its a confluence of all these problems and they manifest themselves at overnight shelters. And our guests by and large are working. Its not that folks arent a part of our workforce. Our data shows, and our conversations with guests shows, that sometimes people are working two to three jobs and still just cant pay all their bills and the high rents we see.

The higher visibility of people living without homes may contribute to more acerbic comments online, he noted.

Homelessness is certainly not always pretty, he said. Its difficult for people to see. Its very easy for people to go down this hole of dehumanizing these folks experiencing homelessness.

Aftermath

St. Patrick Hospital nurse Dorothy Williams was on an afternoon walk in 2020 when she found Lee Roy Nelsons lifeless body in downtown Missoula. Nelson, who was wheelchair-bound, had been a client of the Poverello Center in Missoula and was living unhoused at the time he was murdered.

During the trial of the man convicted of killing Nelson, Williams testified about finding the body.

It brought up some post-traumatic stress disorder, she recalled. I keep thinking of the image I saw. The horror of this man laying on the ground with his skull caved in. It was bashed in, crushed, with blood spattered on the wall.

She had to seek counseling to deal with the experience.

Williams and others erected a memorial for Nelson at the site of his murder. She still visits the spot, and maintains the memorial. Stories about Nelson from Peggy Love and Leah Philbert, two women who knew him, helped her process the experience.

Williams believes everyone would be better off remembering that people who live without houses are just as human as everyone else.

He was a nice guy, she said. A lot of people knew him and considered him a friend.
The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg will jointly purchase refurbished armoured infantry vehicles to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

The three countries will jointly buy the US-designed M113s, whose first models date from the 1960s, from a manufacturer, they said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

The M113 infantry vehicle model first saw combat in Vietnam 1in 1962 after the US provided the South Vietnamese army with them. The US army has long replaced them with the more modern Bradleys, which it has also provided to Ukraine.

"The intention is that the entire package will be handed over sometime in the coming months", the three countries said in the joint statement without giving further details on the amount of vehicles or the overall value of the deal.

The M113s will be equipped with a remote-controlled weapon system, the statement said. It is also possible to mount machine guns on the vehicles, the statement said, with Ukraine also receiving the necessary spare parts for maintenance and repair.

According to several Ukrainian news websites, the vehicles are likely to come from depots in Belgium, where several hundred of the vehicles remain in stock.

Whilst Luxembourg is at the very bottom of defence spending ranking in the NATO military alliance, it has provided weapons to Ukraine from the start of the war, including state of the art anti-tank NLAWs, and supplied Kyiv with Soviet-era ammunition it bought on the European market.

According to the Dutch defence blog Oryx, Luxembourg's military support for Ukraine, which also includes reconnaissance drones, at one point outstripped that of its larger neighbour Belgium in absolute terms.
Methlin one of three staff promoted at fund group's Luxembourg office

Fund services group JTC has promoted Cecile Methlin to the role of senior director in its Luxembourg office.

Methlin, the group's chief financial officer in Luxembourg, is one of three staff to receive promotions in the Grand Duchy.

Methlin has more than two decades of experience in the banking and investor services sectors.

To post appointments at your company here, email a short statement to info@luxtimes.lu. Make sure to include a high-resolution photo. The content of this column is under the sole responsibility of the editorial team.
As a proud defender and lover of public land, I have cast deciding votes for Montanans to hike, fish, and hunt some of the largest expansions of public land in decades  while keeping Montana farmers and ranchers on the landscape.

I was recently made aware of a social media campaign soliciting money claiming to fight for interests that I support and will continue to support: local control and public lands. In reality, this campaign would only line the pockets of liberal lawyers to sue me in a case that deserves immediate dismissal. Dont waste your hard-earned money on these lobbyists deception.

For those not familiar, heres the background: On the last day of the legislative session, a bill supported by various public land lobbying groups was vetoed. Like all of the other bills vetoed during the session, the bill was sent back to the Legislature  not the secretary of State.

The law and our Constitution are clear: I only conduct a poll when the Legislature is not in session for qualifying bills I have received from the governor.

However, I was asked and pressured by various groups to break the law and poll the Legislature on the bill that I did not and have not received.

The last-ditch efforts from these groups came in the form of a lawsuit asking a court to sidestep the laws that apply to vetoed bills. I have appropriately filed for dismissal from the case.

I stand up for all Montanans rights to access public land. My actions produce results that expand public lands for hunters, anglers, and recreationists to access.

Regardless of my opinion on any legislative bill, I faithfully execute the laws of the State of Montana. Thats exactly what I have done, and thats what I will continue to do.

I will not engage in these political games that do not belong in Montana. I will follow the law Montanans have entrusted me to uphold.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wont attend next months summit of BRICS leaders in Johannesburg in person, resolving a potential dilemma South Africa faced over whether to execute an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest if he did come.

An agreement that Russia will be represented at the gathering by its foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, had been taken by mutual consent, South Africas Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

South Africa has adopted a non-aligned stance toward Russias invasion of Ukraine. The governments position has drawn harsh criticism from some of the nations largest trading partners, including the US and the European Union, and from some of its biggest banks.

The ICC issued the warrant against Putin on March 17 for war crimes related to the alleged abduction of children from Ukraine. South Africa is a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the tribunal and is bound by its decisions.

Pretoria drew international condemnation in 2015, when it refused to execute an ICC arrest warrant for then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir while he was attending an African Union summit in the country.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma proposed withdrawing from the ICC in 2016, though that plan was later abandoned.

The leaders of the other BRICS nations - Brazil, India and China - will attend the summit, the first such in-person gathering since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the South African Presidency.

In due course, a comprehensive statement on the substantive issues to be covered at the summit and other related foreign policy matters will be issued, it said.

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
For those who may not know, Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac, took the world by storm with his incredible talent and raw storytelling.
Apparently the boss at that time asked Fame to share on air but he had no intention to ever bring it up on air but thanks to our sis Tegs it's out now.
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Two people are credited with saving the life of a person with limited mobility in a mobile home fire early Tuesday, the Bismarck Fire Department said.

Firefighters responded to two unrelated mobile home fires within a half hour of one another, including one reported at 5:48 a.m. at 1119 University Drive. Two people pulled a person with mobility issues out of the trailer. Residents of the home were treated for smoke inhalation. A dog was killed in the fire. The blaze caused heavy damage to the porch and front end of the structure and smoke damage.

The department responded to a second mobile home fire at 6:02 a.m. Tuesday in the 2400 block of East Thayer Avenue. The trailer was vacant, but homeless people were reported to be staying there in recent days, the department said. No injuries were reported.
A local e-commerce company said Wednesday it will hire more staff to support its aggressive expansion this year as live selling is expected to further boost the sector.

M-Commerce chief executive Michael Cordoviz said the company plans to hire and onboard another 300 individuals. The company offers high-paying jobs and career development opportunities through their training program.

My company will open opportunities to train and assist small businesses in making their products easily available to customers, Cordoviz said.

As M-Commerce extends its assistance to MSMEs, it is also creating employment opportunities in the emerging sector of Live Hosting and Live Selling, he said.

The company said with hundreds of employees, primarily Live Event Hosts, it is establishing itself as a key player in the TikTok market.

Cordoviz expressed optimism on the potential of the Philippines to lead the online retail and live-selling industry in Asia and the world.

By leveraging the power of platforms like TikTok and empowering MSMEs, M-Commerce is driving the growth of the e-commerce sector in the Philippines and making significant contributions to the countrys economy, he said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the countrys digital economy in 2022 reached P2.08 trillion, contributing 9.4 percent to the gross domestic product. This amount represents an increase of 11 percent from P1.87 trillion in 2021.

The digital economy is composed of digital transactions covering digital-enabling infrastructure, e-commerce and digital media/content.

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Wellness brand spreads smiles and positive impact

A leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer brand continues to demonstrate its unwavering dedication to improving the health and wellness of communities throughout the Philippines.

The mission not only paved the way for giving back smiles to 60 beneficiaries, all children with cleft palate condition but also a more meaningful experience for its employees who volunteered and took part in this endeavor.

In a recent collaboration, Watsons joined forces with Operation Smile Philippines (OSP) to conduct a medical mission in Cauayan, Isabela  marking their second initiative of the year.

Watsons conducts Operation Smile in Isabela as part of its mission in promoting health and wellness in communities in the country

A total of 35 Watsons employees left their official tasks momentarily and joined the Isabela OSP mission. Truly, it was one extraordinary experience that left a lasting impression on everyone.

Pharmacy Manager Ellyrose Simplina of Watsons Isabela talks about her experience of being a part of the mission, As a volunteer for OSP Mission, it is very rewarding. Especially when we see the smiles of the patients and the parents after a successful operation gives happiness to our hearts and gives us a sense of purpose. Indeed you can find happiness by helping others.

The mission also helped in making the team effort best work together and how they can be hands-on in taking care of the beneficiaries. The volunteers helped in different aspects such as doing the final screening of the patients, interviewing parents, filling up the patient records,, and even post-operative hygiene care to assist the patients properly and make the process easier.

My experience as a volunteer of the OSP mission taught me empathy, compassion, and teamwork. Working with people whom you have never met before can be intimidating at times but it helped me strengthen my communication skills and to see the smile of each patient makes it valuable and rewarding, pharmacist Sabrina Faye Reyes shared her Isabela mission experience.

Volunteer employees of Watsons provide post-operative care to the parents of patients during the Operation Smile medical mission in Isabela

We are delighted to witness the profound impact of our partnership with Operation Smile Philippines. Through this collaboration, we are not only transforming lives but also reaffirming our commitment to employee volunteerism and making a positive difference in the communities we serve, said Sharon Decapia, Marketing AVP of Watsons Philippines.

Watsons takes great pride in sharing this humbling and inspiring experience with its entire team. This partnership in the Philippines exemplifies A.S. Watsons global commitment to bringing 10,000 perfect smiles in collaboration with Operation Smile.

With two successful medical missions completed this year, Watsons has plans to organize an additional medical mission in the coming months, with a mission in Tacloban already scheduled.

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Miriam College in Quezon City will host the 22nd UNESCO-Asia Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education (APNIEVE) Philippines National Convention from July 20 to July 22.

Peace, human rights, democracy, gender equity, and sustainable development issues will take center stage during the event, which will be conducted onsite and online, organizers said.

The convention is also expected to draw community development agencies, educators, guidance counselors, and other members of the academe from both public and private schools.

According to Ma. Lourdes Quisumbing-Baybay, UNESCO-APNIEVE Philippines president, the conference is inspired by the UNESCO International Day of Education theme, Investing in People, Prioritizing Education and Values towards a Sustainable Future.

APNIEVEs network in the Philippines receives support from the Philippines National Commission for UNESCO, to conduct a series of teacher training workshops to enhance the competencies of teachers in values education. APNIEVE  Philippines promote inter-cultural understanding, peace, human rights, and sustainable development through acquiring skills for valuing processes, building broad support for peace education, and training various groups of educators in the Philippines.

Referencing the UNESCOs advocacy, Baybay pointed out that education must be prioritized to accelerate progress towards all the SDGs against the backdrop of a global recession, growing inequalities, and the climate crisis as 2023 marks the mid-point since the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda for people, planet, and prosperity, with a set of 17 interlocked goals.

The international community has rallied around six calls to action that each carry the potential to accelerate change, and led by coalitions of partners, these global initiatives span critical areas: foundational learning; the green and digital transitions; gender equality; education in crisis and financing. APNIEVE does what it can to help realize these, she said.

This years conference features speakers known as experts in their respective fields concerning cutting-edge topics in the area of values and international education. The paper presenters come from different institutions, giving participants the chance to learn best practices they can share and apply in their own communities.

Among the confirmed resource speakers are Ambassador Laura Q. Del Rosario, President, Miriam College; Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director, Second Congressional Commission on Education; Prof. Shermon Ortega Cruz  Director and Futurist, Center for Engaged Foresight, Philippines; Dr. Roland L. Adamat, Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education; Ms. Jona Kristen Macula Valdez, Supervising Specialist for ESP, Department of Education; and international and TED speaker Ms. Lou Sabrina Ongkiko.

They are to tackle multiple sub themes including: Building and strengthening patches of excellence toward futures thinking; Reimagining Values-Centered Learning Spaces of Excellence and Wellbeing; Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Education; and the DepEds MATATAG-Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa directive.

We expanded the papers for presentation to research, best practices and values education/integration lesson presentations. We wanted to get successful experiences from the field. So we have a representation from basic education and higher education, aside from workshops on how to integrate values in higher education, said Baybay, who credited the late Dr. Lourdes R. Quisumbing, former Education Secretary and APNIEVE founder.

We are inspired by our founder, to continue her legacy of providing opportunities of lifelong learning to our educators and students and expose them to UNESCO themes and values, she said.

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Dhaka, Bangladesh  At least one opposition activist died and hundreds were injured in clashes across Bangladesh Tuesday as tens of thousands demanded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas ouster, the first fatality ahead of elections expected in January.

Hasinas Awami League has ruled the worlds eighth most populous country since 2009 and has been accused of human rights abuses and corruption.

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and dozens of smaller allies have called protests throughout the country to demand Hasina step down and the polls take place under a neutral caretaker government.

The BNP said its marches came under attack in the capital Dhaka and at least 16 other places on Tuesday.

Sajib Hossain, one of our activists, was hacked and shot dead by members of student wing of the ruling party in Laxmipur, BNP spokesman Zahir Uddin Swapan told AFP.

He accused police of opening fire with shotguns at hundreds of BNP supporters in the southern coastal district, leaving at least 200 people injured.

Joynal Abedin, a doctor at the state-run Laxmipur Sadar Hospital, confirmed one person was killed and at least 50 were injured.

We have to conduct post mortem to know what caused the death, he said.

A police inspector said they were not sure the death was a result of clashes between the opposition and the ruling party.

National police spokesman Monzur Rahman refused to comment on the nationwide violence.

Western governments have expressed concern over the political climate in Bangladesh, where Hasinas party dominates the legislature.

Her security forces are accused of detaining tens of thousands of opposition activists, killing hundreds in extrajudicial encounters and disappearing hundreds of leaders and supporters.

The elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) security force and seven of its senior officers were sanctioned by Washington in 2021 in response to those alleged rights abuses.

Washington has called for a free and fair election and two senior State Department representatives met with local officials in Dhaka last week.

Last week around 50,000 people attended a rally in Dhaka, which dispersed without incident.

The next general election is due before the current parliaments term expires in late January.

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Shown here are (from left) Larry Guinto, Business Development and Partnership Manager, Edventure; Miguel Guerrero, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Edventure; Ken Liang, Director, Huawei Ecosystem Development and Operations Department; Stephanie Co Senior Marketing Manager, Huawei Philippines Device Marketing; and Gino Avena, Senior BD Manager, Huawei Ecosystem Development and Operations Department.

Edventure, an online tutorial platform under the Globe Group, has partnered with Huawei, a global leader in telecoms and consumer electronics, to make quality education accessible to more learners worldwide. This signals a major step towards a more inclusive future in digital learning.

Huawei sought to partner with an education-oriented organization to enhance its customers learning experience and found an ideal match in Edventure, choosing it as an official edutech partner. Both are committed to broadening the reach of quality education to families in the country and abroad.

Edventure provides a wide array of educational offerings. These include one-on-one online tutorials for preschool to Grade 12 covering subjects such as English, Math, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, Science, and Reading, as well as extracurricular group classes in Arts and Music, S.T.E.M., and Coding for kids.

For high school seniors preparing for university, Edventure now offers College Entrance Exam review sessions with licensed and professional tutors. Additionally, the platform extends English for Success programs to young job aspirants and professionals wanting to refine their English language proficiency for career advancement.

Our partnership with Huawei creates a powerful synergy that aims to democratize access to quality education for students all over the globe, said Miguel Guerrero Edventures Entrepreneur-in-Residence.

Together, we are pushing the boundaries of whats possible in e-learning, developing innovative learning experiences designed to match every persons pace and style.

The collaboration aligns with the Philippine launch of Huaweis Nova 11, a flagship smartphone boasting a slim form factor, a stunning 60 mp front camera, and the latest EMUI 13 OS. These features make it the perfect device for students engaging in Edventures online tutorial sessions.

Learners can now sign up for and participate in Edventures diverse programs right from their Huawei devices. All of Edventures courses are fully online, empowering students to study at their preferred pace with guidance from expert tutors.

To celebrate this partnership, Huawei gave two free vouchers for Edventures Single Session tutorial package to Nova 11 purchasers on June 30, 2023. These complimentary sessions can be redeemed via the Huawei App.

Experience the future of learning with Edventure and Huawei. Visit https://edventure.ph/ to learn more.

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Funeral services have been scheduled in Minnesota this weekend for a Fargo police officer killed in the line of duty last week.

The service for Officer Jake Wallin is scheduled at Pequot Lakes High School at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It will be followed by a private graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa, Minnesota. Pequot Lakes is about 140 miles east of Fargo.

Wallin, 23, was killed Friday when a gunman opened fire as police and firefighters responded to a routine traffic crash on a city street. Gov. Doug Burgum on Tuesday directed all government agencies to fly the U.S. and North Dakota flags at half-staff through sunset Saturday to honor Wallin. He urged North Dakotans to also lower flags at their homes and businesses.

Officer Jake Wallin dedicated his life to serving his country and protecting his community and fellow citizens from danger, Burgum said in a statement. We owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, and we lower the flags as a mark of our deepest respect for his courageous service and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a similar directive in that state.

The upper floors of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck have been lit blue since Saturday night and will remain a lighted vigil until Wallin is buried. The thin blue line is a symbol that signifies support for law enforcement. The Fargo Police Department has updated its Facebook and website cover photo to "WeAreFargoPD" written atop a thin blue line.

Fargo Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes were wounded in the shooting and hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The man police identified as the shooter, Mohamad Barakat, 37, of Fargo, was shot and killed by Officer Zach Robinson. A civilian -- Karlee Koswick, 25, who had recently moved from Boston -- also was injured; authorities have not said who shot her.

The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI are investigating. Authorities have released few details and not commented on a possible motive. Robinson is on paid administrative leave during the probe, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.

Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney told The Associated Press that he visited Dotas and Hawes on Tuesday. He said Dotas was to have surgery Tuesday on a lung, and Hawes was scheduled to have surgery Wednesday on an arm. Mahoney said the officers were in good spirits. A hospital spokeswoman told AP that Koswick is in good condition.

Both the Bismarck and Mandan police departments on Monday told the Tribune they will send contingents east to pay respects to Wallin. The city of Fargo is planning a public service for Wallin next week, likely at Scheels Arena, Mahoney told AP and The Forum. Mandan Police Capt. Pat Haug said the department might wait for that service. It wasn't immediately clear which service the Bismarck force will attend.

Wallin's life

Wallin was born Nov. 23, 1999, in South Carolina, to Jeff Wallin and Amy (Shuler) Wallin, according to Wallin's obituary posted by Kline Funeral Home.

He grew up in St. Michael, Minnesota, and graduated from St. Michael-Albertville High School and Alexandria Technical and Community College. He attended the American Military University and went on to serve in the Minnesota National Guard, with which he was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.

He moved to Fargo after returning home and became a Fargo police officer this past April.

"Jake wanted to live a life of purpose, where what he did meant something at the end of the day," his obituary states. "His short adult years were spent in service to others. Not only to his country and his community, he was also dedicated to and loved dearly, his friends, family, fiancee and his dog, Thor. His smile brightened any room. His laughter was contagious. He enjoyed life and all it had to offer. A life that was cut short doing a job he loved."

He's survived by his parents, his brother, his fiancee and numerous other family members.

Showing support

People are asked to make donations in lieu of flowers to the Soldier's 6 service dog nonprofit, at www.soldiers6.com, according to the funeral home.

Fargo Police Department leadership has formed a nonprofit organization to raise money for the families of the three Fargo officers. The Leadership Care Fund site is at https://leadershipcarefund.com/. Police said the site does not collect any fees, and no money goes to the city of Fargo or to the Police Department.

GoFundMe accounts also have been set up. An account for Dotas had raised nearly $60,000 by Tuesday afternoon, and an account for Hawes about $16,000.

The Fargo-based Dakota Medical Foundation said that donations to its Lend A Hand Up Community Crisis Fund will be boosted 20% and distributed to the officers and their families. Donations can be made online at bit.ly/3NQqUs8 or mailed to Dakota Medical Foundation, 4141 28th Ave. S., Fargo ND 58104.

The Vitalant nonprofit, which supplies blood to North Dakota hospitals, is urging people to donate blood to help replenish supply that was used in the wake of the shooting. For more information, go to vitalant.org or call 877-258-4825.

(Associated Press reporter Jack Dura contributed to this story.)
After six years of serving patrons in Jamaica Plain, Turtle Swamp Brewing announced on its website that it will close its taproom and brewery next month.

The last day to visit the brewery to enjoy a pint on the patio will be Saturday, Aug. 19, brewery co-founders John Lincecum and Nik Walther said in a statement on their website.

The brewery opened in May 2017, not far from where Lincecum and Walther lived at the time, the statement said.

Through the good times and the rough times, we had the pleasure of welcoming hundreds of thousands of our friends, neighbors, and visitors from around the country to our taproom to share a freshly brewed Orange Line IPA and a simple good time, the statement read.

Years later, they were planning to open a location in Roslindale until COVID-19 hit, resulting in the need to shut it down, according to an Instagram post from Aug. 11, 2021.

No one ever went inside, Walther told Boston.com at the time. We even got some outdoor seating, but you dont go to the Roslindale Substation  that beautiful, big building  to sit outside.

A month later, protests ignited outside the brewery when it joined the owner of its building, Monty Gold, in suing to prevent the construction of an affordable housing apartment complex next door, the Boston Globe reported. All parties reached an agreement resulting in moving the complex 5 feet away from the brewerys property line, according to Universal Hub.

Walther and Lincecum did not specify what led to the current closure, but they said it was an unforgettable journey for us, our families, and the dozens of kind folks who joined our staff through the years... Thank you to all who believed in us.

Over the next month, we encourage everyone to visit one last time to share their memories of Turtle Swamp and raise a glass in celebration of life and change, the statement concluded.

To read the full statement, visit Turtle Swamp Brewings website at the link here.
What started as a high school side job in the heart of Springfield eventually helped Talya Pessolano kick-start her own business in South Boston.

Pessolano is at the forefront of The Dirty Italian, a business that specializes in gourmet charcuterie, boxes and grazing tables. She has since turned her traveling business into a permanent residence, drawing inspiration right from home.

Growing up in Springfield, Pessolano worked out of a close family friends business, a downtown favorite many know as Frigos Gourmet Foods.

Under the wing of Joe Frigo, who Pessolano refers to as Uncle Joe, Pessolano slowly worked her way up the establishment, starting from selling concessions to eventually falling into a management position at just 19.

Frigos was where she realized she wanted to make a career out of gourmet foods.

Over the years I always knew I wanted to study business. And I think working at Frigos really put my mindset in that space. And you know, ever since I was like 16 or 17, I wanted to have my own store, Pessolano told MassLive.

That dream, however, was put to the side for a while.

After earning her masters degree in business, Pessolano moved to South Boston in 2014 and got a job in software sales. But she always found herself coming back to Frigos.

Every single holiday or any vacation day I had from, I came home to Springfield to work at Frigos, she said. I never let go of the brand.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the company she was working at let go of many employees, some of whom Pessolano had to fire herself, changing how she saw her current workforce.

That really put like a damper on how I viewed the position that I have, she recalled.

But in her free time, she was encouraged by a friend to post her charcuterie boards on social media.

Soon enough, a South Boston blogger caught site of her work, reposting to their own page. Overnight, Pessolano had 2,000 followers and knew she needed to start an LLC of her own.

It was not long before Pessolano found herself on a flight to Italy for vacation, which offered her a learning experience to start a new chapter.

I ended up booking Italy based off of the charcuterie business. I was there to learn new recipes for pesto and bolognese. I went to different cheese mongers, went to different vineyards and learned how to make my own olive oil, she said. I really wanted to make it a mini vacation, but also a really in-depth learning process for me to bring back to the States.

Upon returning in November of 2022, she sat Uncle Joe down and told him what she wanted to do with her life.

I said, Im going all in; Im ready to open a store. And he said alright, lets go. And he literally has been by my side the whole way, she said.

On Saturday, Pessolano will officially open the doors to The Dirty Italian in South Boston, still holding where she started from near to her heart.

Im truly turning it into my own version of Frigos where theres prepared foods, imported meats and cheeses, pastas and more. Eventually, I want to open it up to start charcuterie classes on site and down the line I want to get my own wine in there, she said.

The name of the business also goes back a long way to her time at Frigos.

When Pessolano finished school, the Frigos asked her what she wanted as a graduation gift. There was only one thing Pessolano was sure of.

Just name a sandwich after me, she said.

Pessolano recalled a Frigos frequent customer who always came, asking for a classic Italian sub  but to make it dirty. Thus, Frigos Talyas Dirty Italian was born. And Pessolano took the name The Dirty Italian for her own, long-awaited business.

Its comical now because you know, people would see me and be like oh my God, I know her. Now, now I walk the streets of Southie and people are like, are you the dirty Italian?! she laughed.

Now, Pessolano is in the full swing of being a full-time business owner, hoping to bring something entirely new to the south side of the city, thanks to the help of the Frigos influence.

She shared that her sandwich menu will be close to the Frigo menu, just changing some of the names and ingredients to reflect more of that Boston foodie feel. Shes also offering prepared meals to go, salads, drinks, charcuterie and even cheese tastings, to name a few.

And if customers should take any piece of advice when visiting  come hungry.

The Dirty Italian will officially open its doors at 144 Old Colony Ave., South Boston on Saturday. Follow Pessolanos journey on Instagram here and Facebook here.
UPDATE: Teen killed, 3 injured in tragic crash on Route 28 in Randolph, DA says

One person has died and another is recovering after a late-night car crash in one southeast Massachusetts town this week, a spokesperson with the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office confirmed to MassLive.

The crash happened about two miles south of I-93 on Route 28 in Randolph just after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, Boston25 reported. A photo posted to Twitter on Wednesday morning showed a trail of damage from the crash.

The person who died in the crash has not been identified. Meanwhile the second victim is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, according to the spokesperson. Their exact condition was not specified.

The District Attorneys Office is expected to provide more information surrounding the crash later Wednesday.

Correction: Norfolk County District Attorneys Office previously reported two people had died but later stated only one had died. The article has been updated to reflect this information.
ENFIELD, Conn.  Art Gonzalez, owner of the Calm Panda Smartshop in the Enfield Square Mall has been assured the mall isnt going anywhere while contractors address fire safety and maintenance issues following the towns threat to shut down the property.

But Gonzalez  who sells CBD products including hard candy, tinctures, smokeable flower and topical preparations  can be forgiven for skepticism born of experience in a tough real-estate environment for small retailers looking for a lot of foot traffic on a budget.

He moved to Enfield Square in February from Springfields Eastfield Mall after sensing that Eastfields owners were moving to redevelop the property.

He was right. Eastfield Mall closed last weekend and will be demolished to make make for a $65-$85 million redevelopment. The project required relocating 10 national retailers and 43 mom-and-pop shops from the 56-year-old Eastfield Mall.

Two Eastfield Mall businesses  Calm Panda Smartshop and New Age Wrestling  decided to relocate in nearby Enfield Square Mall, according to the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts.

New Age Wrestling, a pro-wrestling venue, has not opened yet because its waiting for town approval, according to its owner Richard Blake.

Friday  at the same time Eastfield Mall was taking steps to close for good  Enfield officials went through Enfield Square warning merchants that their mall, too, could shut down. Abruptly.

Back in May, Enfield public safety crews practicing in the upper floor of the old Macys  once a Filenes  found a gaping hole in the roof which allowed water into the building, damaging the malls fire suppression and sprinkler systems, said Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, the town manager.

The local Thompsonville Fire Department field notices of violation and posted the property. The condemned white X with a red background is still up on the wall.

But mall owners Namdar Realty Group did nothing until July 6 and 7 when the town formally notified all Enfield Square tenants that the property  including anchor store Target  could be shut down and closed to entry if the fire suppression and alarm systems were not fixed and the roof restored.

Zoppo-Sassu said the notification to tenants  especially once word got to retail giant Target and to movie theater chain Cinemark  got someones attention and Namdar met with the town Friday.

It was a productive meeting, Zoppo-Sassu said, with New York-based Namdar disclosing that it is working on a sale of the property or a joint venture for redevelopment, something the town supports.

Namdar didnt return calls or emails Tuesday.

As for Gonzalez and his CBD shop, I wouldnt mind moving back to Springfield, he said.

He said many of his longtime customers didnt follow him 15 minutes south to Enfield. And he has to work hard to get attention in Enfield Square.

Im trying to take CBD out of the smoke shops and the gas stations, he said. I want to put it on the level of health care.

Meanwhile, Blake said he hopes to do two wrestling shows a month. But first he needs permits from the town of Enfield. But he hasnt heard from mall management.

And hes still smarting from the move out of Eastfield.

We got no support from the city (of Springfield) while we were moving, he said. We did this all on our own,

A look inside Enfield Square. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican)

In Enfield, Namdar has had members of management on the scene this week. And Tuesday, workers were busy putting up a firewall between the former Macys location and the rest of the mall

But the hole is still in the roof. Zoppo-Sassu said she was told fixing it could cost $200,000. Thats money Namdar doesnt want to spend long term.

Solutions could be demolishing just the Macys  once a Filenes  or putting a temporary roof over the hole.

As long as its rendered safe, we really dont care how, Raymond Steadward, the towns building inspector said. Its an ugly situation for the town. Its not the situation we created.

Steadward, fire officials and others from the town make daily visits to Enfield Square.

Tuesday, most of the foot traffic seemed to be headed to the Enfield Target. A few people attended a childrens program in the New Life Church. Some restaurants had a small lunch crowd.

The Phantom Fireworks outlet in the old Ruby Tuesdays closed after Independence Day.

For Gonzalez, the parallels between Eastfield and Enfield are stark. After losing large department stores, the malls turned to small retailers to fill space and get people walking through the mall.

Its similar over here, he said. They are doing their best to fill the spaces,

But the consumers prefer strip-mall-style retail centers where shoppers dont have to walk through a building to get to a store.

Its very similar to Eastfield, Gonzalez said. I think the format is dying.

Gonzalez was heartened that the town of Enfield wants to do more marketing.

Its just a matter of the mall letting folks know the businesses are still here, he said.
What happened in the 48 hours from the time Carlee Russell made a call to 911 reporting a toddler walking on a Hoover interstate until she walked to the door of her parents home remains a mystery.

Police say they are continuing to retrace the 25-year-old nursing students steps to determine where she was from Thursday night until Saturday night. Her parents say she was abducted and fought for her life.

AL.com obtained recordings of police dispatch calls from the time Russell called 911 until a large crowd gathered outside her Hoover home following her safe return that illustrate the police response throughout the ordeal.

Hoover police did not release the law enforcement radio communications and have not released Russells 911 call because of the ongoing investigation.

It began Thursday night at 9:34 p.m., when police received a 911 call from Russell stating she had seen a white, male toddler in a white t-shirt and a diaper.

Hoover officers quickly arrived on the scene and found Russells red Mercedes, but saw no sign of a toddler or Russell.

Call the RP (reporting person) back. Shes not with her vehicle, one officer said.

Be advised, her vehicle is unlocked, running, all her personal belongings except her phone, the officer said.

Officers ran the cars registration and found that it was registered to Russell.

10 1 / 10 Carlee Russell

911 operators tried to call her back but got no response.

Were not getting the female to answer, an operator said. Were trying to call her back. Shes not answering.

Can you give me a description of the child? Were they southbound? Walking southbound? an officer said.

Read more: Las Vegas police serve search warrant in unsolved Tupac Shakur killing

The RP had just seen a child walking on the interstate and had gotten out with it when she disconnected, according to police radio communications.

If we can, can we start a unit to (inaudible) to see if this child might have wandered from a house over there? an officer said. See if we can find her.

The officers also talked about sending police to Russells family home in Hoover, to try to make contact there.

Another officer said, I believe we located her. We got a call about a female screaming with a childBe advised, the female screamed and the line disconnected.

Where exactly is that call coming from?

The call is pinging from that location.

Were at .... Atkins Trimm Lane checking the back yard....Do you want to see if we can start getting her (Russells) phone pinged?

Thats 10-4, start pinging her phone.

Were trying to get T-Mobile to ping the phone.

Im not sure if you have this info already, but apparently there was a sister who was on the phone with her and still has an open line with her phone and can hear the vehicle on the side of the interstate or something.

The first call we got was from her. The second call we got was from the family.

Read more: Security videos of armed home invasion shows suspects in Brookline

Right, Im just saying the sister apparently has an open line from that phone still.

Officers talked about bringing in a drone and checking IMs from Facebook. Shortly after 10 p.m., they called for an evidence technician to come to the scene.

A police staging area was set up at The Grove as at least two drones were brought in to help with the search.

Star 1 -- the Jefferson County sheriffs office helicopter -- was also called, but was not able to fly.

A statewide lookout bulletin was issued for a possible abduction.

That BOLO - with special attention directed to Bessemer, Jefferson County, McCalla and the Tuscaloosa area -- read, in part, that personal belongings including cell phone were just located around Exit 1 on 459.

Other calls capture the moment when Carlee Russells family shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday reported they had received a call from her saying she was at Red Roof Inn in Vestavia Hills.

The front, per caller, said family members at this location saying they received a call from the female thats missing, Carlee Russell, saying she was at this location, a dispatcher said.

I spoke with the front desk clerk. They said the familys not being (inaudible) or anything like that, but that there was about six carloads of people that have just shown up over there, the officer replied.

Dispatcher: Did the front desk have anybody check in under that name?

Officer: Negative, and according to the front desk, the message the family got did not state which Red Roof Inn. They dont know if its going to be Vestavia or another location.

Hours later, at 10:44 that night, the Hoover 911 center received a call from Carlees residence that she had returned home on foot.

Nunnally Pass, police are en route, unresponsive female is breathing, a fire department dispatcher said.

Be advised, Im 23 (on scene), weve got a large crowd out here in the street, a first responder replies.

We should have all the family members that were here on the front porch, an officer then said.

At 11:02 p.m., a dispatcher noted Russell was en route to UAB by a rescue unit with additional medics.
A cement truck rolled into a hole at Taunton construction site Tuesday, according to the Taunton Fire Department.

At about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Taunton firefighters responded to the area of 39 Jefferson St. for a report of a crash involving a cement truck. The cement truck had rolled over into a hole at the construction site, photos shared by the fire department showed.

A cement truck rolled into a hole at Taunton construction site Tuesday, according to the Taunton Fire Department. Photos by Taunton Fire Department.

The hole was a foundation hole, according to WCVB.

The driver was taken to the hospital. Officials have not provided further updates about the driver.

Jefferson Street was closed for several hours after the crash. It has since reopened, officials said. The crash remains under investigation.
Authorities have identified the man who was fatally shot in Springfield on Monday.

Daniel Romero, 21, of Springfield, died after he was shot in Marengo Park, the Hampden District Attorneys Office said Wednesday in an email.

Around 10:45 a.m. Monday, officers from the Springfield Police Department responded to a report of a man who was shot near the 100 block of Marengo Park, the Hampden District Attorneys Office said.

When Officers arrived on scene they discovered Mr. Romero suffering from a gunshot wound, he was quickly transported to Baystate Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries, the Hampden District Attorneys Office said.

The incident is under investigation by the Springfield Police Departments Homicide Unit and the Hampden District Attorneys Offices Murder Unit, the district attorney announced.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Springfield Police Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355 or anonymously use Text-A-Tip, text CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7,) type SOLVE and type out your tip.
SPRINGFIELD  The Springfield Public Schools district is one of 17 nationwide honored by the federal government for its energy efficient facilities upgrades.

Upgrades in Springfield have slashed energy needs, carbon emissions and utility costs, while creating healthy and more sustainable learning environments for students and staff.

These upgrades are important not only because of the positive impact they have on the environment, but also our students and teachers. At the end of the day, they benefit the most, said Daniel Warwick, superintendent of schools, in a statement.

District improvements include those at the new Brightwood-Lincoln Elementary School, which received a Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design Gold certification award in 2022 for its high performance in energy efficiency in design, construction and operation.

Additionally, millions of dollars have been allocated to retrofitting all Springfields schools and municipal buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic above [industry] clean air standards, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said in a statement.

Over $750 million went to building new state-of-the-art, energy-efficient schools, and renovating and upgrading existing schools, Sarno said.

While Boston Public Schools also made the list, Springfield has invested the most in the state to improving school facilities, Sarno added.

According to a U.S. Department of Energy statement, the COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique opportunity for schools nationwide to evaluate their ventilation systems. Public school buildings are a chronically under-resourced segment of public infrastructure, many are still struggling to improve and maintain key facility systems, the DOE said.

The former Brightwood Elementary School at 471 Plainfield Street in Springfield. (Republican file photo)Staff-Shot

The Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign is spearheaded by the DOEs Building Technology Office and is supported by the federal Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency. The campaign aims to provide recognition and technical assistance to school districts seeking to implement indoor air quality and efficiency improvements.

In June, the DOE recognized the achievements, upgrades, improvements, installations and the new construction of 17 public schools nationwide through its Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign. The city shared the announcement of its Notable Achievement: Energy Efficiency Plus Health from the federal government on Monday.

Alejandro Moreno, acting assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy at the DOE, said upgrades are not only about saving energy.

Upgrading school facilities helps improve student health, optimizes spaces for learning, and we know that improved indoor air quality can alleviate respiratory illnesses, improve student and teacher attendance and performance, and decrease risk of transmission of respiratory infections, like COVID-19, he said.

About 142 school districts in 44 states receive assistance through the campaign, representing about 3.8 million students.

Building-by-building surveys

In Springfield, the district conducted building-by-building surveys, studying electric and natural gas accounts, and implemented a competitive bid process, resulting in a four-phase energy plan.

This schools-based initiative is a part of Sarnos administrations overall commitment to the citywide Climate Action and Resilience Plan, Sarno said.

By investing in our public schools to enhance and improve our energy efficiency and environment performance, we reduce our carbon footprint and provide our students, teachers and staff with a healthy classroom environment, Sarno said.
A school resource officer at a high school in Eastern Massachusetts has resigned from his department after he was accused of having inappropriate contact with an 18-year-old student this week, authorities said.

Starting Wednesday, July 19, school resource officer Sunny Nguyen will no longer be a member of the Dracut Police Department, Chief Peter Bartlett said in a statement.

Nguyen was already on paid administrative leave after Dracut Police and Dracut Public Schools say they learned about an interaction between Nguyen and a student at Dracut High School, according to a prepared statement from both departments. The students name has not been released.

Dracut Public Schools are cooperating fully with that investigation, which remains ongoing, both departments said. Because this is an ongoing investigation, no additional information is available for release at this time.

Read More: Corpse flower expected to bloom at Wheaton College in Norton

No other information about Nguyen and his history with the department was released. The investigation is ongoing and will be completed despite Nguyens resignation, Bartlett added.
For many who grew up visiting the Eastfield Mall, they feel they know the maze of kitty-cornered decades-old buildings like the back of their hand.

Theres the awkward-sized steps  both too short and too long. The familiar and seemingly indestructible food court chairs. The fountains  yes, there used to be two. Some went left near Claires, others went right toward the Shoe Dept. nee the Gap and the adventurous among us cut through the fountain seating area to get to the other end of the mall.

But has anyone seen the roof?

Thanks to drone technology, we can see the mall from the sky before a wrecking ball knocks down every beloved brick and tile into a heap to make way for a new retail development called Eastfield Commons.

Take a look at what the mall looked like from above in July before it closed.

Drone aerial view of the parking lots in front of the former Sears store at the Eastfield Mall shortly before it closed July 15, 2023 on Boston Road in Springfield.Bridget Peery/MassLive

New mall property owners Onyx Partners Limited have plans to demolish and redevelop the 45-acre property. Anton Melchionda, founder of Onyx Partners Limited, told The Republican in April its likely theyll build a Chick-fil-a, Old Navy, a Burlington clothing store and PetSmart, among others.

Read more: Eastfield Mall in Springfield has final day of business before closing doors for good

Melchionda estimated earlier this year that the total cost of redevelopment will fall between $65 million and $85 million. Construction will take about two years.

Onyx Partners purchased the property for $4.5 million from Mountain Development, which owned the mall, according to documents filed in April with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds.

Drone aerial view of the back of the Eastfield Mall near the movie theater, shortly before it closed July 15, 2023 on Boston Road in Springfield.Bridget Peery/MassLive

Plans Onyx submitted to the city for the new shopping center dont list business names but there is a drawing of a potential layout with new retail spaces numbered as buildings 1 through 17.

Three are smaller stores  restaurants most likely  to the front of the 45-acre property nearest Boston Road. There are two strips of stores running down the sides of the property and, in the back, a drawing of a large, unnamed anchor big-box store with a smaller big-box to its left.

Some of the buildings appear to be subdivided into smaller retailers.

Seth Stratton, Onyxs attorney, said a meeting with the city in April that the company plans to work closely with the city during the redevelopment construction period to ensure the traffic along Boston Road will not be affected.

Drone aerial view of the former JC Penney end of the Eastfield Mall shortly before it closed July 15, 2023 on Boston Road in Springfield.Bridget Peery/MassLive

Several stores in the mall have announced new locations and some have already reopened.

Frank and Justine Garaughty announced plans to move from Donovans Irish Pub from the corner of the food court to 80 Jarvis Ave. in Holyoke, the current site of Slainte, an Irish restaurant. Although the rest of the mall closed July 15, Donovans, which has its own outside entrance, plans to hold out until July 21.

Hannoush Jewelers recently reopened across the street from the mall at the former M&T Bank building at 1630 Boston Road.

Mykonos, a Greek restaurant in the food court, will reopen in October on the first floor in the TD Bank Center building in downtown Springfield, owner Christos Hatzis told The Republican. He said he looks forward to having 12 floors of office workers above me.

Drone aerial view of the former 99 Restaurant between Macy's and Sears at the Eastfield Mall shortly before it closed July 15, 2023 on Boston Road in Springfield.Bridget Peery/MassLive

At the mall, Hatzis served fewer and fewer shoppers each year, with many customers coming in just to hit up Mykonos.

Sears closed in 2018. Its building and the former Sears Auto Center are still under separate ownership. JCPenney closed in 2011. Then Macys closed in 2017.

Losing Macys killed the mall, he said.
A Hazen man accused of being part of a drug trafficking operation that brought meth and heroin from California to North Dakota has been sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison.

Ronald Newhauser was charged in state court in October 2020 and accused of being in possession of 6 pounds of methamphetamine and 3  ounces of heroin, along with more than $50,000 in cash. His arrest followed a late-September chase involving Beulah police that reached speeds of 100 mph, according to documents in South Central District Court.

Newhauser sped off when police attempted to stop him for an equipment violation, and his vehicle ultimately went into a ditch south of Beulah. Newhauser eventually abandoned the vehicle but was caught a short distance away by Beulah police and a Mercer County sheriffs deputy, according to the documents.

The case in November 2020 was moved from state court to federal court, where Newhauser had been convicted in November 2016 of conspiring to distribute meth. He spent more than year behind bars in that case, according to federal court documents.

Newhauser, who is in his early 30s, reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in the more recent case and pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute meth and heroin. Prosecutors dismissed two other drug-related counts.

The plea agreement filed in federal court states that Newhauser and another man would travel to California to obtain "large quantities" of meth and heroin from a supplier there. Newhauser than mailed the supplier money multiple times, according to the document.

U.S. District Judge Dan Traynor in Bismarck on Monday sentenced Newhauser to seven years, four months and two weeks in prison, with credit for time already served. The sentence was adjusted down from 7  years to account for the six weeks Newhauser was confined on the state charges, according to court documents. He'll be on supervised release for 10 years following his federal prison time.
All seven pardons Gov. Maura Healey recommended won approval from the Governors Council on Wednesday, cementing the first pardons awarded by a Massachusetts governor during their first elected year in office in three decades.

Healey in June proposed the pardons, which had earned the support of the Parole Board before Gov. Charlie Baker left office in January, when she also announced that she is planning to reform the clemency process to make it fairer, more timely and minimize racial disparities.

The Governors Council, which reviews and approves the governors clemency recommendations and judicial nominations, voted unanimously in favor of all seven pardons.

I think our next seven items are pretty exciting for all of us, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, who chairs the Governors Council, said to councilors ahead of the pardon votes on Wednesday. The opportunity to move forward with affirming pardons proposed by the administration  an administration that in its first year of office, this is the first time in any recent memory that an administration has moved forward with pardons.

The pardons are aimed at people convicted on a variety of charges, one dating back more than half a century: Edem Amet, who was convicted in 1995 on drug charges; Xavier Delvalle, who was convicted in 2006 on breaking and entering and larceny charges; Glendon King, who was convicted in 1992 on drug charges; John Latter, who was convicted of arson in 1966; Deborah Pickard, who was convicted on several charges between 1982 and 1987; Gerald Waloewandja, who was convicted of drug charges in 2003; and Terrance Williams, who was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in 1984.

All seven pardons were recommended by the Parole Board during Bakers tenure, but Baker did not act on them before he left office in January, according to a Healey administration official.

I just want to thank you and the governor, Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney told Driscoll during Wednesdays meeting. I tried to hard to get the former governor to bring these forward, and youve started off so early with this, that were going to have a wonderful administration and I look forward to more pardons.

Read more: Baker withdraws pardon recommendation for 1980s child sex abuse convictions of Amirault siblings

Other councilors echoed Devaneys statements, saying they looked forward to approving more pardons, which forgive offenses, and commutations, which reduce sentences.

When Healey recommended the pardons in June, she said some of the individuals on the list face barriers and uncertainties in their lives today as a result of their criminal records.

Latter, who was convicted about 57 years ago, is unable to obtain a nursing license in Florida because of his record, while Williams has been denied a position at a private security company six times due to his conviction, according to Healeys office.

Williams  who had long wanted to become a police officer  joked in June that he is too old for the academy but said hes not too old to help our community out. He called the process of securing a pardon recommendation a long journey.

We really need to look at people who are out there just like me, who just made a mistake years ago who just want that opportunity to come back to society, Williams said. I never gave up.

King is a U.S. Army veteran who has worked for the Boston Fire Department for more than two decades. He told reporters that the pardon would lift a weight from his shoulders and also allow him to exercise his Second Amendment firearms rights.

For a gentleman thats got a good head on his shoulders to be labeled a convicted felon for years is not a good thing, King said. Ive done everything by the book, everything right. I just want to get rid of that label.

Healeys office has said she is the first governor to issue pardons during her first year in office since former Gov. Bill Weld did so in 1991.

Despite the initial flurry, the Parole Board announced Monday that it will not continue advancing any pardon requests to Healeys desk until the governor finishes a promised review of the clemency process.

In the Governors first announcement of executive clemency, she indicated that the Administration is currently working to modernize the states clemency guidelines to center fairness and racial and gender equity, Timothy McGuirk of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security told the News Service. That process requires meaningful engagement with a broad range of stakeholders before issuing new guidelines later this year. To ensure current and future petitioners participate in a clemency process guided by the new framework, the Parole Board, functioning as Advisory Board of Pardons, will not schedule new clemency hearings until the update is complete.
Do hotdogs, doughnuts and authentic Spanish Latin empanadas go together? The owners of the newly opened combined businesses of Los Supreme and Sweet Princess Mini Donuts have discovered the answer to be a resounding yes.

Read more: Mochinut doughnut chain to open Worcester location

The restaurants had their grand opening on June 20 in Springfield at 672 Dickinson St., and immediately became a success, selling out their donuts and authentic Spanish Latin foods. The two women who own the businesses tell the story about how they started separately and then saw that together they had exactly what they needed to thrive.

Barbara Vargas, the owner of Sweet Princess Mini Donuts created her business so people dont have to wait for a festival to eat those delicious mini donuts.

People can buy six- to 24-counts of mini donuts that include powder sugar or cinnamon sugar and then pick from a list of toppings. When ordering either the six- or 12-counts, people can pick one topping. For 24-counts, customers can pick two toppings.

There are over 20 toppings to choose from for the donuts, including cotton candy, Oreos and sprinkles.

We have made over 2,000 mini donuts in a day, said Vargas. I always say my first ingredient is love. I love what I do and Im passionate for it.

The inside of Los Supreme and Sweet Princess Mini Donuts. (Liesel Nygard)

Marielys Rosado, the owner of Los Supreme offers a variety of Spanish Latin foods which includes the choices of white or yellow rice, along with a choice of protein like pork, beef, chicken or tilapia fish.

Another menu item is Rosados homemade empanadas that are made different everyday, and have a different taste every time.

As a drink, Rosado recommends their fresh passion fruit juice, which is currently their most sold beverage.

You can feel at home away from home, said Rosada. We just wanted to create something [where] they can find everything in one spot.

Los Supreme dish with plantains, yellow rice, fried pork, onions, and more. (Liesel Nygard)

Rosado was 22 years old when people began telling her how well she cooked, and should open a restaurant. Rosado didnt think much of it until after her father opened a successful restaurant, and she decided to go on her own and open a hotdog cart in Springfield, then a food truck, and eventually became the owner of her own restaurant.

Before opening her donut business, Vargas was a stay-at-home mom for six years until she decided she wanted something that can help me a little bit.

12 1 / 12 Los Supreme and Sweet Princess Mini Donuts

One Christmas, Vargas asked for a donut machine, and started making her desserts at home, and advertised her donuts through social media.

I would give them a time, said Vargas about her at home donut business. They would come and pick them up, and I made them fresh everytime... Thats my biggest thing. I want to make sure that people eat something fresh.

This was when their paths met.

I remember that she posted the donuts, said Rosado. I was like wow, you dont see those anywhere. I actually went and I tried them... It was just like me traveling all the way to Puerto Rico with the donuts and it just brought really good memories.

At this moment, Rosado said she became Vargas top fan and asked Vargas to team up for what is now the combined business of Los Supreme and Sweet Princess Mini Donuts.

Its been good, its been really good, said Vargas. Thank God weve been successful. Since the day we opened, its just been a blessing. Everybody comes in eats their food, grabs their donuts or vice versa... And they leave happy.

Although the businesses are in the same building, their hours sometimes differ. Los Supreme is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sweet Princess Mini Donuts is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Their menus can change frequently but both restaurant owners let people know what they offer for the day through the Los Supreme and Sweet Princess Mini Donuts Facebook pages.
Maine will soon expand abortion access, joining a half dozen states that leave it to doctors and patients to make the decision without restrictions on timing.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill into law Wednesday that allows abortions at any time if deemed medically necessary by a doctor, making the law one of the nations least restrictive. The previous law banned abortions after a fetus becomes viable outside the womb, at roughly 24 weeks, but allowed an exception if the patients life is at risk.

Maine law should recognize that every pregnancy, like every woman, is different, and that politicians cannot and should not try to legislate the wide variety of difficult circumstances pregnant women face, Mills said before signing the bill.

The law goes into effect 90 days after the state Legislatures session ends in the coming weeks.

Mills had said during her reelection campaign that the old law didnt need to be changed. But she reversed course after learning of a Maine veterinarian who needed to travel to Colorado for an abortion after learning at week 32 of her pregnancy that her unborn son had a fatal condition that would not allow him to survive.

The veterinarian, Dana Peirce, was present at the bill signing, standing behind the lectern alongside medical providers in white jackets, several lawmakers and the executive director of the Maine Council of Churches.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills, left, reaches to hug Dana Peirce, an abortion rights activist from Yarmouth, Maine, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the State House in Augusta, Maine. Mills later signed into law a bill expanding access to abortions later in pregnancy. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)AP

Passage of the bill was considered a foregone conclusion in the Legislature where Democrats controlled both chambers, and there were enough co-sponsors to ensure passage.

But the bill nonetheless generated emotional debate.

Critics said the laws language was broader than necessary if the goal was simply to allow abortions in instances of a fatal fetal anomaly later in a pregnancy. They said it could lead to a dramatic increase in post-viability abortions, and that it puts too much faith in doctors to make a determination.

Large numbers of protesters were not in the State House on Wednesday as they were during the legislative debate. Instead, a lone demonstrator stood outside the governors cabinet room holding a sign that called the law a death sentence for unborn babies in red letters.

Abortions later in pregnancy, known as termination for medical reasons or TFMRs, are rare. Nationally, about 1% happen after 21 weeks, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tallies, which do not have full data from every state.

Nationally, many Republican-controlled states are doing just the opposite from what Maine did by either banning or restricting abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a patients constitutional right to an abortion, leaving it up to individual states to regulate the procedure.

Most Democratic-controlled states have taken steps to protect abortion access, though none has gone as far as Maine since the Supreme Court ruling last year.

Beside Maine, six states leave the decision to get an abortion to doctors and their patients, without restrictions. They are Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C.

FILE - The morning fog lifts beyond the Burton M. Cross Building, left, and the State House, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Augusta, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)AP

Read more: Maine Legislature vote expands sovereignty for Native American tribes

On Wednesday, Peirce recounted her painful decision to have an abortion to spare further pain for her unborn son, and she said shes pleased that others facing the same circumstances will have a choice to have an abortion in Maine.

I do want to recognize that another mother might not make the choice that I did, but I would never seek to take that decision away from her, Peirce said.

The Rev. Jane Field of the Maine Council of Churches said that the groups more than 400 congregations support the bill rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to abortion.

We do not believe that anyone should be forced to remain pregnant by the government against the advice of their own doctor, Field said.
SPRINGFIELD  MGM Springfield seeks team members for all departments, including hospitality, gaming, culinary arts, hotel operations and security.

The company will host a job event Thursday evening. Job-seekers are encouraged to bring photo identification to the Elias Brookings Apartments Community Room, at 367 Hancock St., for an MGM hiring session Thursday from 5-7 p.m.

MGM Springfield is providing hiring incentives that include increased wages, tuition reimbursement, free meals and what it terms a competitive health benefits package.

Creating world-class experiences is at the heart of what we do at MGM Springfield. We are looking for candidates who have the desire to serve others, whether that be through supporting our front of house guests or back of house operations, Beth Ward, MGM Springfield director of communications, said.

Top MGM officials will be on hand for interviews at the start of the event. They will include Chris Kelley, MGM Springfield president and chief operating officer, and Jason Randall, executive director of human resources.

According to Ward, there are about 200 open in positions and MGM would like to fill as many as possible.

The resort has hosted dozens of recruitment events. This time, the company thought it important to go beyond the walls of the MGM property and share career opportunities with the community, Ward said.

This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with the nonprofit, Home City Development, Inc., and utilize their beautiful facility at the Elias Brookings Apartments, she said. Richard Kingston, of Home City Development will attend.

In May, MGM reported a 24% increase in employment in a filing with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. It said it had 1,488 employees in the first quarter of 2023, which was up 106 workers from the 1,382 it employed at the end of 2023.

Kevin Lynn, executive director of MassHire career center, said employers across the board are looking to hire.

Jobs in manufacturing, home health care, machinists, warehouse associates and more are still in high demand, Lynn said.

MGM Springfield has regular openings, which is typical of a business that operates 24 hours a day, Lynn said.

They typically look for people with retail experience and people with experience in customer service, Lynn said.

Lynn said MGM Springfield tends to promote from within, adding to its attractiveness as an employer. People start in one position at MGM and move up the ladder, he said.

No reservations are required to attend the event. Applications are being accepted in advance online.
All beaches on Newburyports Plum Island have been closed to swimming after tests have shown elevated levels of bacteria, the city announced on Tuesday.

Read More: Wareham temporarily closes 5 beaches due to elevated bacteria levels

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health informed the city that its beaches had elevated levels of bacteria during testing last week, the city announced in a statement. The testing forced the closure of Plum Island Point Beach. However, follow-up testing on Monday showed that the bacteria levels for the past five tests was above the states allowable limit.

The updated closure includes Plum Island Point Beach and the beach through the pathway at 55th Street, the city said.

The City will continue to monitor water quality and take water samples for testing several times on Wednesday and Thursday, Newburyport officials said. Beaches will reopen when testing shows levels within the States allowable limit.

The states Health Department tests Plum Island beaches weekly at four testing areas, including 55th Street and Plum Island Point, the city said.

Despite the beaches closure, the public can visit the beach as long as they do not enter the water, the city said.
A Middleton chiropractor has been accused by a patient of hiding a spy camera in a public bathroom at his business in Peabody.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Peabody Chief of Police Thomas Griffin confirmed in a press release Wednesday that Scott Kline, 44, of Middleton, was arraigned Tuesday in Peabody District Court. He was charged with photographing an unsuspecting nude person.

On Friday, July 14, one of Klines patients contacted Peabody police and reported he had been in a public bathroom earlier that day at Back on Track, Klines chiropractors office.

The unidentified man told police he observed a black plastic coat hook hanging on the wall next to the toilet tank that looked out of place. He looked closer and saw a blue light on the side of the hanger and what he thought was a hidden spy camera, featuring a front lens, USB port, power switch and an SD memory card, the press release said. Police say before leaving, the man documented what he saw on his cell phone, which he gave to police.

Police got a search warrant and looked through Back on Track, but didnt find the device. However, they did find evidence that suggested something had been there, police said, as well as several pieces of digital evidence including hard drives and SD cards.

Read more: Sheffield man pleads guilty to child sexual assault charges

At Tuesdays arraignment, bail was set at $10,000 and Kline was ordered to stay away from and have no contact with the man who reported the situation to police, according to officials.

Following the arraignment, the case was referred by the Essex District Attorneys Office to the Middlesex District Attorneys Office to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Peabody Police and Massachusetts State Police are also investigating.

There will be a pretrial conference Aug. 29 in Peabody District Court. The Mass. licensing board that governs chiropractors has also been notified, officials said.

If anyone thinks they may have been recorded on the bathroom camera, they should contact Peabody police at 978-538-6300 or 978-531-1212.
UPDATE: Hadley Police report that Henry Harry Appleton has been found safe in Amherst.

State and local police are asking for the publics help in finding a missing 72-year-old man from Western Massachusetts who may suffer from memory loss.

Henry Hank Appleton was last seen at the Courtyard Marriott in Hadley around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, Massachusetts State Police report. Police said Appleton was about to take a cab to Northampton before walking away from the hotel.

However, Appletons family confirms that he was last seen in the Amherst College area, where police said he was spotted around 4:30 p.m. that same day. Appleton is said to not have a phone with him and is believed to still be on foot, according to police.

Appleton is described as a White man, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 190 pounds, according to police. He was last seen wearing a navy-blue shirt with white flower outlines and a tear on one side, dark shorts and hiking shoes.

*LOCATED* Please keep an eye out for Mr. Appleton, last seen near the Courtyard Marriott in Hadley. Posted by Hadley Police Department on Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Anyone with information about Appletons whereabouts is asked to call Hadley police at (413) 584-0883.
SPRINGFIELD  Belmont Avenue will no longer flow directly into the Forest Park intersection known as the X, several side streets now used as cut-throughs will be changed to one-ways, and there will be fewer traffic signals on the busy and complicated roadway.

Officials unveiled the complete design plans in a neighborhood meeting of about 50 residents yesterday. Many asked questions and few praised the plans, saying they saw flaws with pedestrian crossings and other issues. But, the biggest sticking point was the planned tree removal.

The general purpose is, number one, to get traffic to flow better, said Chris Cignoli, the Department of Public Works superintendent, who is working with the design firm of Fuss & ONeill. The X doesnt have a lot of pedestrian access, and this gives a lot of controlled pedestrian access.

At a cost of about $19 million, the project is designed to reconfigure the most dangerous intersection in the city where three main roads  Sumner and Belmont avenues and Dickinson Street  all cross one another in a complicated pattern and a series of lights.

The redesign is being overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and is being paid for with $16 million in federal money, $2 million in state funds and $1 million in city money, said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who attended the meeting.

The project, which started in 2015, is expected to go out to bid in April or May of next year, with construction starting later in 2024. Officials are now working on getting final community comments and will refine the plans this summer based on concerns, said Alexander Maxwell, resilience planner for Fuss & ONeill.

The plans will reroute Belmont Avenue so it spills into Sumner Avenue, such that only Dickinson Street and Sumner Avenue are part of the X. It also adds a small roundabout on Belmont near its intersection with Commonwealth Avenue and makes part of the street a one-way.

The configuration of the one-way streets of Cliftwood and Lenox streets will also change so they will no longer be cut-throughs, which is how they are used now by people who need to get from Sumner to Dickinson.

There also will be improved pedestrian and bike lanes throughout the area.

However, the biggest complaint from residents was the removal of large trees along the routes, which was such a sticking point three years ago that the City Council voted against the plans.

A total of 118 trees are proposed to be planted, yielding a net gain of 57 trees, Maxwell said.

Initially, the plan had proposed taking down more than 100 trees, which has now been reduced to 61, and far more will be replanted, he said.

But residents argued it still will not be a net gain, because they will be small trees replacing stately trees that now line the area, especially the Sumner Avenue corridor.

That doesnt feel good, said Susan Joel, who lives off the corridor. I understand all the reasons, but I feel like we could do better.  It would be nice if we could figure out a way we would take fewer trees.

But Maxwell explained the trees had to be removed, because that would be the only way to create a state-required bike and pedestrian lane.
The man who helped to organize the 2019 Straight Pride Parade decided to pull his name from consideration to be reappointed to the Salisbury Housing Authority on Monday.

Samson Racioppi, who also organized buses to take people to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, ahead of the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building, said in a long Facebook post that with a heavy heart, I must announce that it is better for myself, the housing authority I have a duty to serve, and the Town of Salisbury, to withdraw my request for reappointment to the Salisbury Housing Authority.

Racioppi took on the role of commissioner, a five-year role that manages affordable housing in Salisbury. The reappointment vote was due to take place on Monday, but he withdrew his name before then.

He spoke of several issues that he believed impacted the boards work, including the COVID-19 pandemic. But he also claimed that a vocal minority of individuals have politicized my reappointment for their own personal reasons.

They have resorted to name-calling, lies, and defamation to bully the town Selectmen into choosing not to reappoint me despite the lack of credible accusations, supporting evidence, or a record of incompetence regarding my duties, Racioppis post read. These individuals have enlisted non-residents of Salisbury to engage in a campaign of harassment, and based on the phone calls I have received from various representatives of this town it seems they have won.

Read more: Lopez kicks off campaign at Rumbleseat on Wednesday in Chicopee

He then lambasted them as bullies and told residents they were rewarding their bullying and demonstrating the effectiveness of their lies by kneeling to their demands. If they can do it to me, they can do it to you  and I have no doubt they would not hesitate in doing so should you draw their ire.

Racioppi also said the housing authority itself was plagued with problems, claiming it was mismanaged but that now residents were significantly happier, the budget is healthy and the number of long-term vacancies has dropped to a level near zero.

Last year, Racioppi ran in the Republican primary for the First Essex District seat that represents Merrimac, Newburyport, Salisbury and part of Amesbury. He received 112 votes but lost to moderate Republican C.J. Fitzwater, who received 424 votes.

Monique Greilich told the Boston Globe she was gathering residents to attend Mondays meeting to stop Racioppis reappointment. She said in a letter meant to be printed in a local newspaper, but never was, that reappointing Racioppi would be an endorsement of his extreme views.

Nothing says we approve of your character and background like an appointment by officials to a town committee, Greilich wrote, according to the Globe. Bigots may see appointments of their ilk as permission to behave in an egregious hateful manner with no consequences. And in Salisbury, be rewarded!
Since September, the number of homeless families coming to the state for help has grown every month. Demand accelerated this spring. Today, the new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is adding staff and working around the clock to find shelter for people, many of them new to the state.

This influx is testing the capacity of cities and human services agencies in the Pioneer Valley. And it is testing patience with the state, which had promised to cap the numbers of migrants and other homeless people placed in available shelters around Massachusetts  including in 38 motels.
Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski and his attorney on Wednesday emphasized to the County Commission that a lawsuit he has filed to block the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day is personal and not county business.

State's Attorney Julie Lawyer agreed but acknowledged the matter is "a bit complicated," and one commissioner expressed unease with the situation.

Splonskowki is suing State Election Director Erika White, maintaining that North Dakota law allowing mail-in ballots to arrive and be counted up to 13 days after Election Day conflicts with federal law, putting him at risk of criminal penalties if he chooses incorrectly which law to enforce.

He's suing with the aid of the conservative Public Interest Legal Foundation, which The Associated Press reported also brought lawsuits amid former President Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud in 2020.

Splonskowki appeared before the County Commission during its regular meeting Wednesday to stress that he was suing on behalf of himself and not on behalf of the county. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court earlier this month lists him personally as the plaintiff. Lawyer told commissioners that no county funds are going toward the lawsuit, and Commission Chair Becky Matthews said no county staff time is involved.

Lawyer acknowledged that Splonskowki's lawsuit is based on his position as county auditor and said the distinction between him as a county official and him as a private person is "a fine line."

Commissioner Jerry Woodcox said he disagreed with the notion that Splonskowski can separate himself from his official capacity. He said when Splonskowski discusses the lawsuit publicly from his office, "He's definitely representing Burleigh County."

Woodcox also defended the "solid" integrity of elections in the county, saying "There are no reasons why we should be questioning the way we do things, or how we do things, or whose law do we follow."

The U.S. Constitution gives states the authority to decide how their elections are run.

Commissioner Wayne Munson said he "had some heartburn over this" before Wednesday's assurances by Splonskowski and Laywer. Matthews said if county residents aren't happy about the lawsuit they have the option of trying to recall Splonskowski, who was elected last November.

Splonskowski did not discuss the details of the lawsuit. He previously told AP that the suit has nothing to do with Trump's 2020 loss. He said the foundation reached out to him and told me that there were some concerns" about North Dakota's law, and that he is trying to "be proactive and trying to ensure that future elections are as secure as possible and try to do anything I can proactively to ensure that our elections are secure and bolster public confidence in our election system."

White has not commented publicly on the lawsuit. The state had not filed a formal response in federal court as of midday Wednesday.
New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who considered but decided against runs for president and the U.S. Senate, said Wednesday he will not seek reelection in 2024.

Sununu, 48, who has been governor since 2017, said in an email that he will not seek a fifth, two-year term.

This was no easy decision as I truly love serving as Governor, he stated.

Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state.

Read more: Maine expands access to abortion later in pregnancy if deemed medically necessary

Sununu did not say what his immediate plans would be and did not endorse anyone to succeed him. He said he reached his decision after discussions with his wife, Valerie, and his children.

Shortly after his announcement, Chuck Morse, former Republican president of the New Hampshire Senate and a former U.S. Senate candidate, announced his campaign for governor.

He said in a statement that hes proud to have worked with Sununu to put together a conservative, pro-jobs, pro-growth, family first economic agenda that has made New Hampshire the envy of New England and the nation. We lead the nation in economic freedom. We have the lowest poverty rate in the nation and are the number one state for taxpayer return on investment.

Two Democrats, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington and Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, have also announced their candidacies for the job.

Sununu, a popular governor who made the rounds on national talk shows this year, announced in June that he will not seek the presidency in 2024. He argued that Republican candidates with no path to victory must have the courage to get out of their partys increasingly crowded primary to stop former President Donald Trump.

Sununu has said he would endorse the GOPs ultimate nominee in 2024, but argued in the op-ed that Republican must embrace a course correction away from Trump.

He said he planned to speak with a little more of an unleashed voice to make the Republican Party bigger.
Enjoy the midweek breather as one more round of rain and thunderstorms is heading for parts of New England on Friday.

The next six-to-10 days should see around normal levels of precipitation for this part of the summer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Meanwhile, temperatures should eke above average across southern New England, with a 50-to-60% chance of doing so.

Courtesy of NOAA.

Read more: Massachusetts rolls out online assistance guide for flood victims

Conditions starting on Wednesday are expected to be overall dry after mid-morning, leaving any chances for showers isolated around the southern coast, the National Weather Service said. Temperatures are expected to be above normal, hovering between the low to mid-80s.

Air quality alerts remain in effect as skies continue their hazy appearance and faintly orange glow due to smoke from Canadas wildfires. These alerts cover Central and Western Massachusetts, including the Berkshires and cities like Worcester, Springfield, Blandford, Amherst and Milford, among other cities. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection warns that air is unhealthy for sensitive children and adults, such as those with asthma, lung or heart disease and older adults, groups that should limit any outside activities.

Scattered pop-up showers could appear overnight Wednesday into Thursday, forecasters said. Conditions should remain dry as Thursday goes on, while humidity is expected to creep up, as forecasters put it. Any moisture is likely going to be isolated to the Cape and Islands. Temperatures are expected to be a little cooler than Wednesday, between the high 70s and low 80s.

Rain and thunderstorms make their return on Friday, as a system from the Great Lakes meanders toward the East Coast, forecasters said. Any threat of severe weather remains low, but forecasters said the risk of heavy rain and flooding of rivers and streams remains possible. One forecast chart shared by the weather service on Twitter indicates a higher chance for rainfall at around noon, with a 50% chance in places like Lowell, Hartford and Worcester. Elsewhere, those chances stoop lower.

After scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms this evening, the next main threat of organized showers and thunderstorms is on Friday. Sunny and noticeably drier air by Sunday. Highs mainly in the 80s through the rest of the week and weekend. pic.twitter.com/5HUoRTtdQL  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 18, 2023

Temperatures on Friday are expected to inch lower than Thursdays forecast but still within the high 70s/low 80s range. Humidity levels for places like Worcester could reach as high as 74% during the day but peak at 89% in the evening, according to the Weather Channel.

While theres some room for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Saturday, the start of the weekend should be dry for the most part, forecasters said. A dry air mass should help alleviate humidity levels to a much lower point, with Sunday being the better day. Temperatures across southern New England should span the low to mid-80s.
South Africa, a land of unparalleled beauty and rich cultural heritage, celebrates a remarkable double triumph at the 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards.

The country has been honoured with the prestigious title of  Best Country,  while its iconic city, Cape Town, has claimed the coveted title of  Best City in the World.  These exceptional accolades, voted for by 27,000 passionate readers, are a testament to South Africas undeniable allure and the enduring impact it has on travellers.

The Telegraph Travel Awards, a distinguished platform within the travel industry, recognizes destinations that captivate the imagination and leave an indelible mark on visitors. South Africas resounding success in winning both the  Best Country  and  Best City in the World  categories underscores its unparalleled natural landscapes, rich biodiversity, and vibrant cultural experiences.

Cape Town, often hailed as the  Mother City,  has long been celebrated for its picturesque beauty, world-famous landmarks, and warm hospitality. The citys win as the  Best City in the World  is a resounding affirmation of its status as a global tourism gem. From the majestic Table Mountain and stunning beaches to the captivating Cape Winelands and vibrant neighbourhoods, Cape Town offers an abundance of experiences that appeal to the senses and nourish the soul.

We are thrilled and immensely proud that South Africa has been recognized as the Best Country at the 2023 Telegraph Travel Awards, and our vibrant city of Cape Town has been crowned the Best City in the World. These accolades are a testament to the remarkable experiences our country offers and the unwavering dedication of our tourism industry. South Africas diverse landscapes, rich wildlife, and warm hospitality continue to captivate the hearts of travellers from around the globe. We extend our deepest gratitude to the 27,000 Telegraph readers who voted for us and invite everyone to come and experience the magic of South Africa firsthand, says Kgomotso Ramothea, Acting Hub Head for UK and Ireland Hub.

In 2022, South Africa welcomed 303,848 arrivals from the UK and Ireland. January to May 2023 arrivals from the UK now stand at 164,232 which is a 50.2% increase when compared to January to May 2022 arrivals of 109,372.
Democracies across the globe have faced multiple challenges over the past decade, and Africa has been no exception. Between 2020 and 2022, the continent experienced six coups and three coup attempts: a sharp rise from the previous two decades.

Drawing on its organizational mandate and its country-level presence across Africa, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted a ground-breaking study to make sense of rising constitutional manipulation and the alarming uptick in military coups in Africa. The findings are captured in a flagship new report titled Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa.

The report was launched in partnership with Chatham House on the margins of the 5th Mid-Year Coordination 5th Mid-Year Coordination meeting between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms in Nairobi, Kenya held on 15 July 2023.

The research is rooted in a vast perceptions survey, which captures the views of 8,000 citizens across Africa. Among them, 5,000 lived through recent coups or unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) as defined by the 2000 Lome Declaration on OAU response to UCG. These countries include Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan. Their views were contrasted with those of 3,000 citizens from sample countries on a path of democratic transition or consolidation, namely The Gambia, Ghana, and Tanzania. This unprecedented survey yielded a uniquely people-centered dataset to reveal insights both for preventing further coups and for harnessing opportunities for transformative change and sustained constitutional order.

Three key findings emerged prominently from the research.

The first is a preference for democracy by citizens, which culminates in a resounding call for states to deepen democracy and prioritize a reset of the social contract. The majority of citizens surveyed across both settings indicated that democracy remains their preferred style of government. In fact, only 11% of the 5,000 citizens interviewed from UCG context preferred a non-democratic form of government. Yet, for governments across Africa to build coup resilience, better governance, deeper democracy and inclusive development progress should therefore be a guiding star. A reset of the social contract is needed both to assist coup-affected states in moving forward and to help prevent future coups. To achieve this, governments should shift their focus to practical delivery that directly improves the quality of life and opportunity for all segments of society.

The second is that a development lens is essential to mitigate coup risk, as it shows how hybrid circumstances rooted in triggers, proximate and structural factors lead to coup risks. There are clear correlations between heightened coup risk and low development indicators, for instance, particularly in combination with governance deficits. Poor government performance, corruption and failure to deliver security, inclusive development gains and related opportunities create a deep appetite for change. This calls for comprehensive and integrated solutions. Instruments like the newly launched Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) represent a unique programmatic intervention that could contribute significantly to resolving gaps in current international and regional responses.

The third key finding highlights the risks of coups in countries with a prolonged history of military rule. The findings show that countries with a history of military governance and the close involvement of the military in political life are far more likely to experience a recurring pattern of military coups. They are also among the African countries where military spend represents the highest proportion of the state budget. These findings highlight a critical need to reset the role of the military in political life, and across wider civil-military relations.

The report calls for a re-focus on development including good governance, human rights and access to basic services such as education and healthcare as a critical means to not only prevent coups, but also sustain peace. This is particularly crucial in regions like the Sahel, which face a heightened risk of coups. That investment will also drive game-changing progress in the 2030 Agenda and the African Unions Agenda 2063, says Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa.

His Excellency Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in a statement delivered on his behalf by Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said African leaders must disincentivize coups detat and called 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. Tinubu was recently elected as the Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, the sub-regional body with a membership of 15 West African countries.

The report was produced in the context of the abovementioned new Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) (https://apo-opa.info/3K5jIqZ), a joint initiative of UNDP and the AU Commission to provide integrated programmatic support to countries in Africa undergoing complex political transitions.

The primary objective of AFSIT is to assist in the development of credible, inclusive, and legitimate transition roadmaps, mechanisms, and institutions, ultimately leading to the restoration and consolidation of constitutional rule, democracy and stability in relevant countries. Comprehensive and integrated responses are called upon, and instruments like AFSIT represent a unique programmatic intervention that could resolve the gaps in current international and regional responses.

Other high-level speakers at the Soldiers and Citizens report launch included Honourable Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, Republic of The Gambia; Hanna Tetteh, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa; H.E. Mrs. Nefertiti Mushiya Tshibanda, Permanent Representative of the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa; and Dr. Yero Baldeh, Director, Transition States Coordination Office, African Development Bank (AfDB). The launch also featured the attendance of high-level participants from the diplomatic, development and research communities including the Permanent Representatives of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, and Ghana to Ethiopia and the African Union  who are also members of the Peace and Security Council.
MAYO saw a 20 percent increase in burglaries from April 2022 to March 2023, when compared to the same period last year.

According to CSO statistics, 149 burglaries occurred in the county during a period when the total number of burglaries remained unchanged nationally.

Mayo was one of eleven counties which recorded an increase in burglaries while 15 saw a drop in burglary numbers.

A recent meeting of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee heard that 64 burglaries have been recorded in Mayo so far in 2023, an increase of eleven on the first half of 2022.

Neighbouring Sligo and Leitrim recorded a 17 percent increase while Galway saw a 6 percent decrease. Roscommon/Longford also saw a 15 percent drop in burglary numbers.

Mayo also saw a 33 percent jump in burglary numbers between 2021 and 2022, largely due to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions which caused burglary figures to plummet.

Nationally, there were 5,047 burglaries in 2022 versus 3,807 for the same period in 2021.

The figures, which were complied by PhoneWatch.ie for the PhoneWatch Burglary Report 2023, has also revealed that Ireland has one of the highest levels of monitored home alarms ownership in Europe, with almost 20 percent of Irish households estimated to have a monitored alarm.

Burglary figures from April 2022 to March 2023 (Phonewatch.ie)

Commenting on these findings, Eoin Dunne, PhoneWatch Managing Director, said: "It is reassuring to see that Irish homeowners are maintaining a high level of vigilance when it comes to home security and the risks associated with an invasive home intrusion.

"Half of all Irish homes have an alarm system of some type, and a large proportion of these are monitored systems, which we know are much more likely to help protect against the threat of burglary.

"Comparisons between Ireland, where 49 percent of households have an alarm system and figures from England and Wales, where 29 of households have an alarm are very interesting.

"They appear to confirm the view that there is a direct relationship between the number of homes with alarms - 41 percent lower in England and Wales and the rate of burglary, which is 75 percent higher in England and Wales," Mr Dunne concluded.

The full PhoneWatch Burglary Report 2023 can be read here.
THE crew of a yacht which got into difficulty more than 60 miles of the south cost are said to be in good spirits after the vessel was successfully towed back to port.

The alarm was raised shortly before midnight after emergency flares from the yacht were spotted by the crew of a fishing vessel, Harvest Reaper II, as it passed nearby.

Valentia Coast Guard was alerted to the incident - south of the Old Head of Kinsale in County Cork and the Courtmacsherry Harbour Lifeboat was immediately dispatched.

It arrived on scene at approximately 4am and a tow was established.

The rescue mission concluded when the lifeboat and yacht arrived into Courtmacsherry harbour at 2.30 this Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Irish Coast Guard, weather conditions were reasonable throughout and the two person yacht crew are reported to be in good spirits.

Divisional Controller at Valentia Coast Guard, John Draper, has extended his congratulations to Courtmacsherry RNLI on the successful completion of the rescue operation - the first since the introduction of its new Shannon class, All Weather Lifeboat.

Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Operations Manager Brian O Dwyer commented: It is not very often that Red Flares are the means of distress communications these days and the importance of having these on board the yacht was ever so important this morning. It was great to see nearly two voluntary crews and officers arrive quickly at midnight, within minutes of their bleepers being activated, in order to help others in distress at sea. We are so proud of how our new Shannon Class Lifeboat performed in this our longest callout in over a decade and also in very poor conditions
Its rare that a North Dakota law enforcement member dies in the line of duty. That doesnt make it any easier when it happens.

The state is mourning the death of Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin, 23, and the wounding of fellow officers Andrew Dotas, 28, and Tyler Hawes, 22, in a shooting Friday on a busy Fargo street. A civilian, Karlee Koswick, 25, was wounded in the shooting. Koswick, a Boston-area native, recently moved to Fargo to get her masters degree.

So far there are more questions than answers about the shooting. Little is known about the shooter, Mohammad Barakat, 37, who was shot and killed by Police Officer Zachary Robinson, 31. The investigation has been turned over the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI. They arent commenting on the case.

In the course of its history North Dakota hasnt lost many officers who were on duty. There have been 61 who died in the line of duty, 34 by gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. The others died of natural causes or in accidents.

While its a small number of deaths, it doesnt ease the pain of family and friends. As Bismarck Police Chief Dave Draovitch told the Tribune, It affects us all. We lost a brother, and almost lost two more. Draovitchs department has offered to help the Fargo Police Department in any way it can.

Wallin and Hawes were new to the force and still in training. To lose Wallin at such a young age just adds to the pointlessness of the tragedy. Discussion about the motive is just speculation at the moment, though thats the question on most minds.

When the investigation is completed and more is known, then the discussion can begin on whether there are preventative steps to be taken.

When a senseless act occurs it leaves people questioning how it could happen. It reminds us that all first responders risk their lives on a daily basis. They dont know what they will encounter when they go on a call.

The Fargo officers were responding to a traffic accident, so they werent anticipating a shooting. Its uncertain whether the shooter was even involved in the accident. First responders across the state are probably more alert for problems since the Friday shooting.

Members of the public need to remember the risks officers take and do everything they can to be helpful. That means pulling over when an emergency vehicle approaches, not interfering with their work and helping when asked.

Its possible the FBI and BCI investigation wont provide all the answers the public wants. Hopefully, it can bring some clarity to the tragic event. This we know -- first responders will still be there when we need them.
The changing face of HR in 2024: Top findings HR leaders love working in HR, but the enormous challenges theyre facing today are coming at a severe personal cost, Sages new Changing face of HR research reveals. In this report, discover:A temperature check on HR right nowWhat the future of HR holdsHow HR can overcome todays challenges

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Dashboards and reporting For many organizations, much of their financial information is spread across disparate systems or can get tied up in manual processes. This makes it difficult to not only access this information, but to also get it efficiently to the people and teams that need it. So, how can this best be fixed? Browse this white paper to learn more.

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Three emerging roles of CFOs 78% of UK finance leaders say the industry needs a new class of CFO. The role of the CFO is expanding, with more diverse responsibilities forcing CFOs to evolve and redefine their position. This infographic explores the ways in which CFOs are evolving, analyzing 3 different categories of how the position has changed. Read now to learn more.

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The Circular Economy and what it means for your business As businesses continue to prioritize the rethinking and reorienting of their processes and operations to be more sustainable, many have turned to Circular Economy strategies to eliminate waste throughout their processes. But what exactly is the Circular Economy? And how can you better understand it? Access this white paper to learn more.

A Guide to Telling your ESG Story Today, employees, customers, and investors are demanding greater accountability from companies and want them to take a stance on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues. However, organizations can get intimidated by this push for transformation, and even more dont know where to start. Access this guide to learn more.

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Agility in HR: 4 ways you can drive agile ways of working Less than 1 in 3 HR leaders say their workforces are organized around speed, agility and adaptability making it difficult for them to create systems of prevention and recovery to deal with potential threats. Access this e-book for effective ways to drive agile working, ensuring that your workforce is productive and performing at its best.

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Your guide to payroll Tax Year-End Coming soon, organizations must be ready to submit their annual employer reconciliation returns within 60 days of the beginning of the Employer Tax Filing season. With the right support and platform, this is an easy objective for employers to succeed at. Read on to learn more about what to expect and how to be prepared come tax time.

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Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is on a mission to create a world where no mother, child, or family is devastated by HIV and AIDS, and we are making an impact.

We are a proven leader in the global fight to end HIV and AIDS, and an advocate for every child to live a full and healthy life into adulthood. For more than 30 years, EGPAF has been a leader in meeting urgent needs in pediatric HIV and AIDS in the worlds most affected regions. We carry out our values of passion, innovation, teamwork, leadership, integrity, excellence and equity every day, while maximizing our impact in the communities we serve.

Join us on our fight for an AIDS-free generation!

Title: Executive Assistant

Reports To: Country Director

Location: Kinshasa

Contract duration: Initially for 6 months with the possibility of renewal depending on funding

How will you fight for an AIDS-free generation?

The level of responsibility associated with the position as Executive Assistant requires the job holder to work independently, and with a high degree of diplomacy and sensitivity for confidential issues. The nature of the work might require occasional overtime work and availability after normal working hours.

The main objectives of the position are to provide a wide range of assistance to EGPAF Country Director, including workflow management, office administration and analytical work.



No two days are alike at EGPAF, but what can you expect as a Financial Analyst?

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Country Director, the Executive Assistant will perform the following:

Workflow management

Plan and maintain efficient office systems.

Track and follow-up on documents, draft letters and memoranda, monitor incoming emails and general correspondence.

Ensure secure filing of sensitive and confidential information.

Office Administration

Organize and attend to multiple meetings, conference calls, appointments, luncheons and events to ensure that responsible management is well prepared.

Arrange travel, visa and accommodation for the Country Director; arrange logistics for visiting delegations.

Handle internal and general public enquiries;

Screen telephone calls from within EGPAF and from external collaborators, and handle them as appropriate;

Welcome and look after visitors; organize and maintain records and make and follow-up on appointments.

Manage the recording of opinions, notes and confidential documents.

Create a strong filing system in the Country Director office for prompt retrieval of documents.

Create a follow up system in the Country Director office to track all in/out documents.

Analytical Work

Produce documents, simple letters/memoranda/emails, briefing papers, reports, spreadsheets and presentations.

Take notes at meetings, write letters, and prepare minutes as requested.

Perform any other duties reasonably requested by the Country Director.

To be successful, you will have

Selection Criteria Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

Hold a university degree in Administration, Communication, Business Management or any other related discipline, preferably supplemented with courses in secretarial training/administration/office management.

Have a minimum of three (3) years working experience of progressively relevant and practical experience, in an executive office preferably in an international organization or company.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing effectively in French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other language. A very good knowledge of English is mandatory.

Competent in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

Demonstrated team building and inter-personal relationship.

Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands, priorities and tight deadlines.

Good planning skills will be highly desirable.

Strong customer service skills, good organizational skills, ability to multitask, attention to details and ability to work with a diverse workforce.

be of unquestionable integrity.

Bonus points if you have

Bilingual candidate (French and English proficiency)

How to apply

Please click on the link below no later than August 3rd, 2023 if you are interested with the position and if you have skills required. Please click on the link below to redirect to EGPAF recruitment website.

https://phe.tbe.taleo.net/phe02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=PEDAIDS&cws=46&rid=3039

Recruitment for this position is reserved for people living in Kinshasa only. Selected candidates must be able to take the tests and/or the interviews by physically presenting themselves at our office in Kinshasa if the panel requests it. As recruitment is done locally in Kinshasa and its surroundings, any successful candidate who lives outside the place of recruitment will travel at his own expense to reach the workplace.

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As a global, multinational and multicultural organization, EGPAF believes that diversity in the workplace enriches our work and enhances our impact and effectiveness. We believe that employees have the right to work in a climate of mutual respect and integrity that promotes dignity and respect for all, and that enables them to reach their full potential. The Foundation is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B), and we strongly encourage those with the following identities to apply: BIPOC, women and non-binary, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other members of marginalized communities.

EGPAF provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, EGPAF complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Foundation has facilities.

The Foundation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to pay a fee at any stage of recruitment, please contact fraud@pedaids.org.
by Gord Hotchkiss , Featured Contributor, July 18, 2023

The following was previously published in an earlier edition of Marketing Insider.

Even in my world, which is nowhere near the epicenter of the technology universe, everyone is talking about AI. And depending on whos talking, its either going to be the biggest boon to humanity, or its going to wipe us out completely. Middle ground seems to be hard to find.

I recently attended a debate at the local university about it. Two were arguing for AI, and two were arguing against. I went into the debate somewhat worried. When I walked out at the end of the evening, my worry was bubbling just under the panic level.

The For Team had a computer science professor, Kevin Leyton-Brown, and a philosophy professor, Madeleine Ransom. Their arguments seemed to rely mainly on creating more leisure time for us by freeing us from the icky jobs wed rather not do. Leyton-Brown did make a passing reference to AI helping us to solve the many, many wicked problems we face, but he never got into specifics.

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Relax! seemed to be the message. This will be great! Trust us!

The Against team was comprised of a professor in creative and critical studies, Bryce Traister. As far as I could see, he seemed to be mainly worried about AI replacing Shakespeare. He did seem quite enamored with the cleverness of his own quips.

It was the other Against debater who was the only one to actually talk about something concrete I could wrap my head around. Wendy Wong is a professor of political science. She has a book on data and human rights coming out this fall. Many of her concerns focused on this area.

Interestingly, the AI Boosters all mentioned social media in their arguments. And on this point, they were united. All the debaters agreed that the impact of social media has been horrible. But the boosters were quick to say that AI is nothing like social media.

Except that it is. Maybe not in terms of the technology that lies beneath it, but in terms of the unintended consequences it could unleash, absolutely! Like social media, what will get us into trouble with AI are the things we dont know we dont know.

I remember when social media first appeared on the scene. Like AI, there were plenty of evangelists lining up saying that technology would connect us in ways we couldnt have imagined. We were redefining community, removing the physical constraints that had previous limited connection.

If there was a difference between social media and AI, it was that I dont remember the same doomsayers at the advent of social media. Everyone seemed to be saying This will be great! Trust us!

Today, of course, we know better. No one was warning us that social media would divide us in ways we never imagined, driving a wedge down the ideological middle of our society. There were no hints that social media could (and still might) short circuit democracy.

Maybe thats why were a little warier when it comes to AI Weve already been fooled once.

I find that AI boosters share a similar mindset. They tend to be from the S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and math) school of thought. As Ive said before, these types of thinkers tend to mistake complex problems for complicated ones. They think everything is solvable, if you just have a powerful enough tool and apply enough brain power. For them, AI is the Holy Grail  a powerful tool that potentially applies unlimited brain power.

But the dangers of AI are hidden in the roots of complexity, not complication, and that requires a different way of thinking. If were going to get some glimpse of whats coming our way, I am more inclined to trust the instincts of those that think in terms of the humanities. A thinker, for example, such as Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind.

Harari recently wrote an essay in The Economist that may be the single most insightful thing Ive read about the dangers of AI: AI has gained some remarkable abilities to manipulate and generate language, whether with words, sounds or images. AI has thereby hacked the operating system of our civilisation.

In my previous experiments with ChatGPT, it was this fear that was haunting me. Human brains operate on narratives. We are hard-wired to believe them. By using language, AI has a back door into our brains that could bypass all our protective firewalls.

My other great fear is that the development of AI is being driven by for-profit corporations, many of which rely on advertising as their main source of revenue. If ever there was a case of putting the fox in charge of the henhouse, this is it!

When it comes to AI, its not my job Im afraid of losing. Its my ability to sniff out AI-generated bullshit. Thats whats keeping me up at night.
by Ray Schultz , July 18, 2023

Publishers are warily eyeing the economy and the changing compliance picture, judging by Publishers Priorities And Strategies In A Changing AdTech Landscape, a study released Tuesday by Emodo.

Publishers list these top three priorities:

The impact of the economy on our business57%

The growth of attention metrics52%

Privacy and cookie/ID depreciation40%

Publishers who feel their programmatic business is demand constrained are more likely to consider the economy a top three priority58% do, versus 42% who feel supply constrained.

Moreover, publishers are noticing that advertisers are paying more attention to attention metrics. The reason? Traditional metrics like reach and viewability do not adequately capture performance.

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As for data, 65% of the publishers surveyed do not believe that solutions like first-party data and alternative IDs address the ID loss challenge.

That said, 81% do not choose monetization partners based on their approach to ID loss.

And only 37% maximize bid density as a key programmatic strategy.

In addition, only 30% of publishers now utilize Support Path Optimization (SPO), either accepting it or rejecting it, largely for their own reasons, not those of demand partners.

How do publishers choose monetization partners? They assess:

The size and level of revenue of a partner37%

The uniqueness of a partners demand sources36%

The match between a partners demand sources and our content, such as geography or vertical35%

The quality of a partners demand sources or brands33%

The consumers experience with their advertising products29%

The uniqueness of a partners creative formats27%

The study also found that:

46% say video is their highest CPM earner, while many derive their highest CPMs from native and banner ads c

76% that actively offer native inventory drive higher CPMs with that than with other formats.

Only 30% say native is a significant portion of their inventory

Emodo, working with Persuasion Art, surveyed 142 vetted publishing-side professionals in the U.S.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 18, 2023

Omnicom reported organic revenue growth of 3.4% in the second quarter, down from the 5.2% it reported for the first quarter.

Organic growth (which excludes M&A activity and currency fluctuations) for the first half was 4.3%. The company issued Q2 results after the close of trading this afternoon.

Company shares slid 5% in after-hours trading as it missed consensus revenue forecasts by analysts.

advertisement advertisement Still, the company slightly upgraded its minimum organic growth guidance for the year to 3.5% from the previous 3%. CEO John Wren told analysts on a Tuesday afternoon earnings call that the firm remains optimistic about the second half of the year, while keeping in mind concerns about the macroeconomic picture.

Organic growth in the U.S. slipped to 2.4% in Q2, versus 5.1% in the first quarter, due in part to cutbacks among technology and telecom clients that struggled during the period. In other regions growth was: 7.5% for Asia Pacific, 2.6% for Europe, 8.4% for North America (outside the U.S.), 2.5% for the UK, 6.9% for Latin America, and 4.0% for the Middle East & Africa.

Wren said Q2 results were in line with expectations internally, and that he was generally pleased with the firms performance for the first half of the year.

Total revenue in Q2 was up 1.2% to $3.6 billion and revenue for the first six months was up about 1% to $7 billion.

Wren reviewed some of the generative AI investments the company announced at Cannes last month, saying they will sharply boost productivity and help its teams generate insights far more quickly for clients. Those insights will translate to quicker campaign work and increased growth. He stressed that the firm sees generative AI as a tool that is only as good as the talent that is utilizing it. Its not a replacement for people or creativity, he insisted.

Organic growth by discipline in the second quarter was: 5.1% for Advertising & Media, 9.2% for Experiential, 3.0% for Healthcare, 2.3% for Precision Marketing, 2.4% for Commerce & Brand Consulting, and 0.1% for Public Relations.

The company noted that in the first quarter it realigned the classification of certain services primarily within its Commerce & Brand Consulting, Execution & Support, and Experiential disciplines, and revenue by discipline amounts for prior periods were revised to reflect the current alignment.

Asked about the tone of business, Wren replied that throughout the year clients have sought flexibility in the event that the economy takes a turn for the worse. Many clients held back dollars in the upfront, Wren noted, adding that they feel comfortable that inventory will be available when they need it in a non-election year.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 19, 2023

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Tuesday signed a privacy bill that gives state residents the right to opt out of ad targeting based on their online activity.

The Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (SB 619) also provides that people have the right to learn what personal data about them has been collected, and which third parties received that information. The measure's definition of personal data is broad enough to cover pseudonymous identifiers -- such as cookies -- that can be linked to consumers.

Other provisions require companies to obtain consumers' opt-in consent before processing precise location data, biometric data, and additional potentially sensitive data -- including information about race, ethnicity, religion, health condition or diagnosis, sexual orientation and immigration status.

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The statute tasks the attorney general with enforcement, and doesn't empower individuals to bring private lawsuits over violations.

Most provisions are slated to take effect in July of 2024.

Oregon is now the 12th state to enact a comprehensive privacy law, and the seventh state to do so this year.

Other states with comprehensive privacy statutes are California, Utah, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, Montana, Florida and Texas.

State attorney general Ellen Rosenblum championed the law, which was developed with input from a task force including Technology Association of Oregon, World Privacy Forum, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the ACLU of Oregon.

Late last month, lawmakers in Delaware also passed a privacy bill (HB 154) that gives residents the right to opt out of targeted advertising. That measure awaits the governor's signature.
by Colin Kirkland , July 19, 2023

The Trevor Project, an American nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention efforts for LGBTQ teens, has released new research suggesting that TikTok is the safest social media app for young LGBTQ people of color.

While positive and harmful effects of social media use are still largely misunderstood, especially in relation to younger users, the Trevor Project collected data in its most recent 2023 U.S. mental health survey surrounding how young LGBTQ people of color reacted to popular online platforms compared to their white peers.

The survey -- which includes data from 28.524 LGBTQ people between 13 and 24 years of age -- shows that 53% of young LGBTQ people of color reported feeling safe and understood on TikTok compared to 45% of their white peers. A similar difference existed on Instagram (41% vs. 38%), followed by a smaller gap on Twitter (21% vs. 20%).

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Discord (43%) came in second to TikTok in terms of LGBTQ people of color feeling the safest and most secure, followed by Instagram and YouTube (33%).

Apps designed specifically for LGBTQ users scored surprisingly low (21% vs. 19%), wedged between Twitter and Twitch.

In the statement attached to its findings, the nonprofit expressed how nuanced the impact of online spaces is on young people -- especially with LGBTQ young people, who spend an average of five hours per day on social media apps, which is 45 minutes higher than their non-LGBTQ peers.

Cyberbullying and racism are common experiences for LGBTQ young people of color in online spaces, although these users also find a high level of support online through the exploration of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, peer connect, and social support.

There are lots of good things and also, unfortunately, lots of harmful things, The Trevor Project's senior machine-learning research scientist Wilson Lee told TechCrunch in reference to the complex effects of social media use. And then theyre also good and harmful in different ways for different people, so [we're] trying to sort of dive into that.
by Wayne Friedman , July 19, 2023

New global subscribers for Netflix rocketed past estimates by almost three times -- posting 5.9 million additions, mostly due to its efforts around paid-sharing.

Analysts were projecting around a 2.1 million gain. In the first quarter, Netflix added 1.8 million global subscribers. Netflix now has 238.4 million total global paid subscribers; 75.6 million in the U.S. and Canada.



Rising subscribers came from paid-sharing -- this as a result of Netflixs crackdown on the elimination of free password sharing provided by existing Netflix subscribers.

But at the same time analysts say Netflixs net income under-delivered -- just up 3% to $1.49 billion for the second quarter of 2023. Revenues also were a modest gain -- 2.7% to $8.2 billion. Analysts were expecting $8.3 billion.

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All this pushed down Netflix stock by 5% in after market trading. It closed on Wednesday up 0.6% to $477.59.

With regard to concerns writers and actors strikes, analysts project operating income could grow largely because of lower costs coming from fewer or halted TV and movie production.

The company says it expects revenues to accelerate in the second half of 2023 as we start to see the full benefits of paid sharing plus continued steady growth in our ad-supported plan.

Netflixs closely watched average revenue per membership (ARM) was basically flat at $16.00 versus that of the second quarter a year ago -- but slightly down from the $16.18 in the first quarter of 2023.

Netflix said this was due to limited price increases the last year, and as well as higher mix from membership growth from lower ARM countries.

In addition, Netflixs introduction of a $6.99 advertising-supported Basic With Ads plan in the U.S -- about half the price of its Standard $15.49/month plan -- had some effects on its ARM metric. Still, analysts anticipate growing advertising revenues will boost ARM in future periods.

Netflix also announced plans to drop its ad-free Basic $9.99 plan for new and rejoining members in the U.S. and U.K. It has already been doing this in Canada during the second quarter.

Netflix says its $6.99 ad-supported Basic With Ads plan is of better value for customers.
Stunning summer scenery of picturesque Qingzhen in SW China's Guizhou

People's Daily Online) 16:27, July 18, 2023

A stunning view of Laoma River in the urban area of Qingzhen city, southwest China's Guizhou Province, and buildings near the river. (Photo/Bao Kai)

Qingzhen, a county-level city administered by Guiyang city, southwest China's Guizhou Province, is attracting visitors with colorful ethnic cultures and extraordinary natural scenery.

Qingzhen city is inhabited by 45 ethnic minority groups, including the Miao and Buyi ethnic groups. People of various ethnic groups have contributed greatly to the city's rich folk culture and customs.

While it is an important industrial base of Guizhou Province, one of the top 100 counties in western China, and one of the most economically strong counties in Guizhou, Qingzhen boasts lush mountains and lucid waters.

With three major rivers, namely Yachi River, Maotiao River, and Anliu River, and four lakes Hongfeng Lake, Baihua Lake, Dongfeng Lake, and Suofeng LakeQingzhen plays a major role in sustaining the pleasant cool summer temperatures of Guiyang.

In particular, the Hongfeng Lake scenic area in Qingzhen, a national 4A tourist attraction, offers visitors great views of mountains and waters, and allows people to enjoy the magnificence of Huayudong Bridge. The bridge has won the Gustav Lindenthal Medal, one of the most prestigious bridge construction awards in the world.

The waterfall at Yangpi Cave in the Anliu River scenic area in Qingzhen, a provincial-level tourist attraction in Guizhou, is referred to as a smaller Chinese version of the Iceland waterfall, fascinating many shutterbugs across the country.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A year after Le Monde and its partners revealed Uber's lobbying, French lawmakers criticized the government's weak stance and Emmanuel Macron's lack of action in a report published Tuesday.

How did a company with such contempt for the law benefit from so much goodwill? This question appears repeatedly in the 500-page report by the National Assembly commission of inquiry into the "Uber files". The document, published on Tuesday, July 18, is the result of six months of work in which members of parliament interviewed up to 120 people. The document points to numerous shortcomings in how public authorities have responded to the growth of Uber and other similar companies in France.

This investigation began in July of last year with a series of articles published by Le Monde and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) partners, focusing on the activities of the transport company in France and beyond. At the same time, the investigation was based on numerous internal documents sent to the United Kingdom's "The Guardian" newspaper by Mark McGann, Uber's chief European lobbyist, in 2014-2016. Information from the investigation reveals how the company willfully evaded regulations to carve out a niche for itself against taxis and their influence strategy, particularly in France, where it had a close relationship with President Emmanuel Macron when he was economy minister.

Daniel Simonnet, deputy of the radical left party "La France Insoumise" (LFI) and the main founder of the commission, gave more space to this information in his report. It used the same documents, but also relied on hearings from some of the key actors in the case, excluding former members of Macron's cabinet, and more recent evidence.

Non-organized control mechanisms

Former Socialist Prime Minister Manuel Valls and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, who were in office at the time of the Uber files, told the commission that the government had taken a firm stance when confronted with the company's "suspicious actions." But they failed to convince the MPs, who concluded that the government had "failed to implement the laws". They note that from early 2014 to July 2015, Uber operated the UberPop private driver service in France, when it was clearly illegal. They also found that two laws Thevenoud (2014) and Grandguillaume (2016)passed in response to company violations during the mandate of former French president Francois Hollande, are still partially evasive.

According to the report, this error lies in the neglected and often fruitless procedures. Jerome Fournel, a senior official of the Ministry of Finance, said that cooperation with the Dutch tax authorities was not carried out and bureaucratic procedures limited the slow-moving process. The report also mentions an investigation by URSSAF (a network of private organizations responsible for the collection of social security contributions) that was canceled in court due to a lack of formality, and the organization did not consider it appropriate to restart the legal process.

The report also noted that Nathalie Homobono, the head of the Ministry of Finance's competition body in 2009-2018, admitted that after the "Uber files" issue was revealed, she studied the control mechanisms of the company and the tactics of shadowing the activities of the justice system.

The Commission concludes that there is a "clear lack of resources" and a "lack of political will" to go through lengthy and complex procedures. Simonnet told Le Monde newspaper that the reckoning is quick for these companies because the penalties are insignificant compared to the profits: "Our institutions and political authorities do not provide the means to ensure the rule of law."

Simonnet criticized Macron's failure to take any action against Uber. As economy minister, he struck a deal with the company to reduce the hours of training required to drive rental cars. This was assessed in the report as a "big manipulative operation". On the other hand, Deputy Benjamin Haddad, chairman of the investigative commission and a member of Macron's Renaissance Party, defended the President's decisions.

Rhetoric of "Uber" company

Simonnet said that after Macron's election as president in 2017, the government accepted Uber's ideas more widely: "The government's concern was to adapt the rules of French law to the situation that the company is applying." After the company's founder Travis Kalanick implemented a strategy of chaos, his successor Dara Khosrowshahi proposed a "win-win" deal to the French authorities. The company now claims it has taken measures to improve working conditions for drivers and expects governments not to impose new restrictive regulations in return. As Khosrovshahi said in 2021, this is a "better deal".

As proof of the agreement between the Uber company and the French government, the deputy of the left-wing La France Insoumise party pointed to France's position in the ongoing negotiations on the status of drivers in Brussels. Official Paris put forward a "presumption of independence" for Uber drivers and others. At the same time, the European Parliament is defending a "presumption of employment" that would force companies to prove that their drivers are truly independent in the event of litigation. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Bourne, who attended the hearing as a former transport minister, echoed the company's rhetoric, saying the drivers said they wanted to be independent rather than employed.

Not surprisingly, Simonnet included the application of the presumption of employment at the beginning of his recommendations in his report. He also calls for the establishment of an accreditation system issued by an independent body and provided that the company complies with all relevant regulations.

He also offers numerous ways to better control lobbying. He added that the meetings between lobbyists, MPs or ministers should be made public, as well as the meetings between Macron and Uber officials, which were kept secret until the "Uber files" were released.
Following the news of the undoubtedly monopoly-forming merger between Microsoft and Activision, Xbox head Phil Spencer has taken to Twitter to (try to) assuage concerns from industry competitors and gamers alike. Apparently, Microsoft and Sony have signed a binding agreement to prevent Microsoft from keeping unfathomable mega-hit game series Call of Duty relegated to their own consoles, which was one of the more worrying potential issues cited by opponents of the merger.

We are pleased to announce that Microsoft and @PlayStation have signed a binding agreement to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We look forward to a future where players globally have more choice to play their favorite games.  Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) July 16, 2023

It seems that they're doing all they can to avoid looking like they're trying to corner the market  tens of millions of people worldwide pick up each new installment of Call of Duty, and Sony even cited in Microsoft's acquisition hearings that a good chunk of PlayStation gamers only play Call of Duty. While we don't know anything about how long the deal lasts, how much money Sony forked over, or how big of a cut Microsoft is taking from CoD sales on PlayStation, the news comes as a momentary rest stop on Microsoft's path to become the legal owner of the planet in the next decade or so.
Nazis never leave us, and they've become emboldened. When the United States had a President who refused to condemn these creeps and rather chose to see good in his tiki torch-wielding neo-Nazi brethren the floodgates were pretty much blown wide open. Nazism is on the rise in the United States, it goes with the fascism these white supremacists so desire.

These are the people terrorizing children's story hours with guns. They are allied with the assholes banning books. They are Nazis.

NPR:

Active clubs are not the first instance where a decentralized model of crews for young men committed to becoming "white warriors" has been exported from Europe to the U.S. Almost four decades ago, the same happened with the neo-Nazi skinhead scene. In fact, Colborne said in some places, like Canada, active clubs have been established by former Hammerskin members.

"They are trying to cloak the very same neo-Nazi ideas that their [neo-Nazi skinhead] forbearers had with their jackboots and swastika t-shirts, you know, 10, 20, 30 years ago."

"In countries where there are some pretty open far-right scenes, like Serbia, you cannot display swastikas. You cannot be that obvious. You literally cannot do it in Germany or Austria because it's a crime," said Colborne. "[Rundo] was very familiar with how far-right extremists across Europe had to be more clever and coy with the way that they were try to communicate their ideas, and the way that they would try to spread their ideology."

Despite that, groups that have formed in the U.S. have taken their own approach on whether or not to openly embrace neo-Nazism.

"Their praise of National Socialist tenets and of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime is very apparent," said Piggott. "If you if you look at their social media, it's full of pro-Nazi, pro-Hitler rhetoric and and iconography."
US congressperson from the state of Colorado, Lauren Boebert was handed a pamphlet with a pin memorializing the outrageous but all too familiar mass school shooting that occurred in Uvalde, Texas. Boebert marched to a garbage can and threw it away.

Boebert clearly doesn't care about protecting children from what truly endangers them in the United States.

Crooks and Liars:
On May 16, 2023, Meshawn Maddock a fake elector from Michigan who thought it would be a good idea to sign her name to a phony document in an attempt to overthrow democracy in the United States, tweeted an animated GIF of a human skeleton tapping its finger with impatience.

The caption below the GIF read, "Dems waiting for my arrest"

Yesterday, Maddock was one of 15 fake electors who were arrested and charged with eight felonies: two counts of election law forgery; two counts of forgery; and one count each of uttering and publishing, conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to commit election law forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery. Conspiracy to commit forgery and conspiracy to commit uttering and publishing are punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

As reported in The New York Times:

"They weren't the duly elected and qualified electors, and each of the defendants knew it," Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said in announcing the charges. "They carried out these actions with the hope and belief that the electoral votes of Michigan's 2020 election would be awarded to the candidate of their choosing instead of the candidate that Michigan voters actually chose."

Maddock appears to be Michigan's answer to Ginni Thomas. As reported in Michigan Advice:
In the wake of a bombshell investigation by CNN on the Coast Guard's failure to respond to reports of sexual assault and harassment at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan announced a 90-day review of service policies, culture and practices to ensure the safety of its members.

In a video last week and a message sent Monday to all Coast Guard members, Fagan and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Heath Jones said the service is committed to fostering a culture where "everyone is treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve."

According to Fagan, the "Accountability Transparency Review" will examine all federal laws, Coast Guard policies, processes, practices, resources and culture that address sexual assault and harassment. The review is expected to produce recommendations for improvement.

Read Next: A Soldier Saved a Woman from a Violent Assault. Now He's Being Honored with Rare Valor Award

"Just as we don't paint over rust on a ship, we will not paint over the rust stain of assault, harassment, bullying, hazing and retaliation," Fagan and Jones said in their prepared remarks.

The review follows a Senate budget hearing last week where Fagan was excoriated for her service's failure to investigate, prosecute or report assaults and rapes at its service academy -- and then failed again to discipline the perpetrators in a subsequent investigation into the incidents.

According to CNN, that earlier follow-on review, dubbed Operation Fouled Anchor, was initiated in 2014 when an academy graduate said her allegation of rape decades before was never investigated. The five-year investigation found 60 substantiated cases of rape, sexual assault and harassment by cadets or at the academy from 1988 through 2006.

But most of the alleged perpetrators never were criminally investigated, and those who remained in the service went on to become senior officers. Many of the alleged victims, however, "left the academy after reporting their assaults" with devastating impacts on their health, relationships and non-military careers, according to the report.

The failure to investigate the allegations at the academy came on the heels of another CNN investigation into the service's lack of oversight over crimes on U.S. flagged ships, including cases of rape and sexual assault that go back decades.

The service is responsible for credentialing merchant mariners and investigating misconduct and crimes on American ships. Despite opening 25 criminal investigations into sexual assaults on ships in the last decade, there have been no successful prosecutions for more than 30 years, according to CNN.

During a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee hearing July 13, Fagan said she learned of the extent of the Operation Fouled Anchor investigation based on Freedom of Information Act requests filed by CNN and the subsequent reports.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chairwoman of the full committee, said she planned to ask for an inspector general investigation into the lapses, calling them "heartbreaking, maddening, frustrating and intolerable."

"We cannot have the media be the policemen on the beat," Cantwell said. "If I could pass one bill in the entire Congress, it would be the Cantwell-Boozman bill that supports journalism because I think journalism gets us competition, perfect information and is a watchdog. But that is no excuse for the Coast Guard not having a handle on this, and it's not the way you should receive information."

One of her Republican colleagues on the panel also blasted the service academy.

"The Coast Guard Academy's handling of the sexual assault allegations in the 1990s is deplorable, unacceptable and can't happen again. The fact that the organization knew that this had happened years ago but didn't tell anyone is also unacceptable," said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, the subcommittee's ranking member.

Fagan issued a statement to members on June 30 about the sexual assault cases and how the service failed to address them. She told the senators that it was clear that as recently as 2021, the service had a "culture in areas that is permissive and allows sexual assaults, harassment, bullying, retaliation."

She called this "inconsistent with our core values."

"Everyone in our service has the right to a safe workplace and I encourage any workforce member who experienced or is experiencing harassment, bullying, retaliation, assault or other abuse to seek assistance immediately," Fagan said in the email Monday to service members.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

Related: Coast Guard Apologizes for Mishandling of Sexual Assaults at Academy
PRAGUE  The Czech Parliament gave its expected approval Wednesday to a defense treaty signed with the United States in May that would deepen military cooperation and make it easier to deploy U.S. troops on Czech territory.

The lower house of Parliament voted 115-18 in favor of the Defense Cooperation Agreement. The treaty, endorsed by the Czech Senate last week, goes next to President Petr Pavel for his expected approval.

The document would set a legal framework for possible deployment of U.S. troops in the country at a time of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We cant do without a strong alliance with other democratic countries in this situation, Czech Defense Minister Cernochova told lawmakers in the lower house. She said the deal is absolutely in our national interest."

Cernochova signed the treaty together with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington D.C. on May 23. The U.S. has such agreements with 24 other NATO members, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria that form the eastern flank of the alliance.

The lawmakers of the five-party ruling coalition were joined by most of their colleagues from the opposition ANO (YES) movement led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis in supporting the treaty.

It was opposed by the major anti-migrant populist Freedom and Direct Democracy party, which claims the pact compromises the countrys sovereignty and makes possible a permanent presence of U.S. troops on Czech territory.

But any particular deployment of U.S. forces will still need approval by the Czech government and Parliament.
Not many people like the Comic Sans font. It doesn't serve its intended purpose  lettering for comics  and it looks terrible when used in signs and memos. For some reason, it has persisted. My theory is that the name is appealing, and that people turn to it when they want a casual "fun" font for a birthday party invitation.

A Japanese designer, Toshi Omagari, used Comic Sans as the inspiration for his font, Comic Code, which he recommends, believe it or not, for programming.

From his website:

Comic Code is a monospaced adaptation of the most infamous yet most popular casual font. Designed specifically for programming as the name suggests, which is a corner of typography that involves intensive typing that feels more akin to handwriting than typesetting, this typeface took inspirations from friendly characteristics and low-resolution legibility of Comic Sans. It is an unapologetic admittance of Comic Sans's positives, and a literal manifestation of "code like nobody's watching". Comic Sans is definitely not devoid of criticism; poor outline and spacing qualities stick out to me, which I addressed in Comic Code while respecting the same design intention. While others may have issues with the fundamental concept itself, I see it as a positive. Let's face it; sometimes, professional appearance is exactly what you don't want. Comic Sans resonates because it doesn't talk down to you while making its message clearly heard with legible letters (not saying Comic Code is illegible tho). It is my wish to make codes look less intimidating to humans, including those with dyslexia. Speaking of which, while I didn't necessarily intend while making it, Comic Code seems to perform just as effectively for dyslexic readers as Comic Sans, judging by the response.

Comic Code is available for purchase. Alternately, you can get a free fork of the font, called Comic Mono, here.
SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

The launches came as the U.S. and the U.S.-led United Nations Command worked to resolve the highly unusual situation involving a U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea while on a tour of a border village Tuesday afternoon.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said that from 3:30 to 3:46 a.m. North Korea fired two missiles from an area near the capital Pyongyang that flew about 550 kilometers (341 miles) before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

The Japanese military said the missiles landed outside of Japans exclusive economic zone and no damage to ships or aircraft was reported.

The flight distance of the two missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the missiles flew on a low trajectory, reached about 50 kilometers (31 miles) in altitude and may have made irregular maneuvers in flight. That language has been used in the past to describe a North Korean weapon modeled after Russias Iskander missile, which is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North Korean launches as major provocation that threatens peace and stability in the region and said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring the North for further weapons activities.

Wednesdays launches marked the Norths first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland. That launch was supervised by the countrys leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to further bolster his countrys nuclear-fighting capabilities in the face of expanding U.S.-South Korean military activities, which he blamed for worsening the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have rose in the region in recent months as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and U.S.-South Korean joint military drills have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles while attempting to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on both South Korea and the continental United States. The allies in response have stepped up their joint military training and agreed to increase the deployments of U.S. strategic assets like long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to the region.

Periodic visits by U.S. nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April in response to North Koreas expanding nuclear threat. They also agreed to further expand combined military exercises, strengthen joint planning for nuclear contingencies and establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, which held its inaugural meeting in Seoul Tuesday.

The steps were meant to ease South Korean concerns about North Korea's growing nuclear weapons arsenal and suppress voices within the South calling for the country to pursue its own nuclear weapons program.

U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement that the Kentucky's arrival in Busan reflects the United States' ironclad commitment to extended deterrence, referring to an assurance to defend its ally with its full military capabilities, including nuclear ones.

The Ohio-class submarine can be equipped with about 20 Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles), according to South Korea's military.

From this submarine, the U.S. can launch attacks (on North Korea) from anywhere in the world," said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert who teaches at Kyonggi University in South Korea. But there will likely be backlashes from North Korea and China because its like the worlds most covert and threatening nuclear weapons forces being deployed on their doorsteps.

While some South Korean conservatives have expressed disappointment that the Biden-Yoon meeting in April came short of agreeing to station U.S. nuclear weapons or strategic assets in the South, placing nuclear weapons offshore and on submarines is actually a stronger deterrent in many ways, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at Washingtons Center for a New American Security.

Deterrence is strengthened when the location of American strategic assets is unknown to the adversary as long as the adversary knows that these weapons exist, said Kim.

Still, Seoul and Washington will need to find the sweet spot when it comes to the visibility of Americas extended deterrent.

Too much visibility of strategic assets could actually undermine the deterrent effect while too little could raise questions in Seoul about commitment," Kim said.

___

AP journalists Mari Yamaguchi and Haruka Nuga in Tokyo contributed to this report.
Remi Adeleke is already an accomplished actor and writer, someone you might have seen on the Amazon Prime Video series "The Terminal List." Viewers of his previous work, however, saw a very different side of him, if they saw him at all.

Adeleke joined the Navy in 2002 as a corpsman, and then became a Navy SEAL, working in human intelligence. This means he worked sources, collected and vetted information, and used that intelligence against other intelligence.

He told the true story of his life in his first book, "Transformed: A Navy SEAL's Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds." It's a long title, but there's a lot to tell. Adeleke was born in Nigeria, came to New York City. at age 5 and eventually fell into dealing drugs in the Bronx.

His new book, "Chameleon," is loosely based on his own life, but this time he uses fiction to elaborate on what he did in the SEAL teams, without using specifics that would give away classified information.

(HarperCollins)

"It's a fictional extension of my memoir, 'Transformed,'" Adeleke tells Military.com. "All the things that I couldn't talk about in 'Transformed,' I fictionalized and created this fictional world with fictional characters and fictional events in order to be able to tell more of my story, but in a fictional way."

Storytelling has been a huge part of Adeleke's life, and it's what led him to become an actor and writer after leaving the Navy. He spent his young life watching movies that showed him the possibilities life could offer him, instead of working in the street.

"When I was about 15, I saw a movie called 'Bad Boys,'" he says."That began to change my perspective as far as what I could be because I saw these two guys who looked like me and came from where I came from, but they maintained that same swagger. It showed me that I could maintain who I am and be a hero. I don't have to continue selling drugs."

"A year later, I came across a film called 'The Rock,' and that was my first exposure to Navy SEALs. I told myself if I ever turn my life around, that's what I would do: I'd be a frogman."

Young Adeleke would run into some trouble with his work on the street, and to avoid ending up in the hospital (or worse), he turned to the Navy. The recruiter worked with a judge to get his priors and warrants expunged so he could become a sailor.

Now, instead of merely seeing himself in a fictional character, Adeleke is putting his real life into a fictional character of his own creation.

In "Chameleon," Kali Browder Kent is a Nigerian-born and New York City-raised member of the CIA's Black Box program, on the hunt for a former South African commando named Lucas Van Groot. Van Groot is taking wealthy hostages for ransom, but the hostage business is a front for a much bigger scheme: manipulating stock markets and bringing the global economy to its knees.

A Black Box Chameleon like Kent is privy to a host of skills, virtually transforming into myriad characters. They're experts in stealth and surveillance, transportation and aberration, who can maintain a deep cover for years on end. He will need all of those skills to track Van Groot and prevent a global tragedy.

"Fans of the espionage world who love a good action thriller and are intrigued by grounded, authentic storytelling will love it," Adeleke says. "Kids and adults who may come from where I came from and never saw themselves in this type of light will be excited about a grounded character who comes from where they come from."

Readers who love "Chameleon" will also be excited to learn that the book is a prequel to a film short, "Chameleon: Black Box," which was produced in 2022.

"The book really allowed me to expand not just on the world, but on the story and on the characters in a way that I couldn't in the screenplay," Adeleke says. "And it makes the story and the characters richer."

"Chameleon: Black Box" will itself be adapted into a novel, as book No. 2 in the series. Until that book's release, readers can pick up a copy of "Chameleon" on bookshelves everywhere on July 25, 2023. To learn more about Remi Adeleke, his life and "Chameleon," visit the HarperCollins website.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

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Between November 1943 and January 1944, American and Allied troops fought to push the Germans out of Italy. Standing in their way was the Winter Line, a series of fortifications in three lines. A total of 98,000 Allied troops would be wounded or killed breaking through the Axis defenses. German and other Axis troops would take 60,000 of their own casualties in the fighting.

The Winter Line is the setting for first-time director Michael Akkerman's new film, "Reveille." After a skirmish in the Apennine Mountains wounds men on both sides, American and German soldiers seek refuge in a nearby cave. When artillery shells begin to rain on their position, the U.S. troops abide by the laws of war and defend their enemy POWs.

As their time together in the cave goes on, the Americans begin to see their enemy as human and struggle with moral questions, where their allegiance and duty can't guide them. They are soon faced with questions that have no clearly defined right or wrong answers, as World War II continues.

The filmmakers behind "Reveille" say they set out to make a different kind of war movie.

"Movies about war generally follow a few lead characters who step up to serve their country and fight the enemy in the name of good," says the film's website. "The characters are able to overcome obstacles while keeping their morals intact. The main characters ultimately find glory while leaving the audience with the feeling that, even though they endured tough circumstances, in some small way, the experience was meaningful.

"But those who have been to war know this is an inaccurate way to show what happens. It misses the depth of the human experience in combat."

Though "Reveille" is not necessarily based on a true story, Akkerman drew inspiration for the script's discussion of the human cost of war from archival documents and interviews with the families of those who served in the war. The movie tries to paint not only an accurate depiction of World War II combat, but also show some of the unimaginable choices soldiers might have faced during the war.

"Reveille" has won a slew of awards, including Best Feature Film at the Paris Film Awards and Milan Film Awards as well as Best War Film at the Brussels Capital Film Festival. It also won awards for cinematography, sound design and acting. Akkerman won awards and accolades for his direction.

The movie stars Kevin Sinic, Bernd Wittneben, Yony Marian, Jared Becker, Joe Bongiovanni (an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan), Jake Powers and Maxwell David Marcus. To learn more about the film or find out where to watch, visit the "Reveille" website.

It will be available for streaming on demand on Aug. 4, 2023.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

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Military history is filled with stories about great battles, heroic warriors and incredible acts of courage. There are so many great stories from around the world, in fact, that many of them tend to get overlooked as time goes on.

Sweden's power metal music favorite, Sabaton, is out to make people remember these stories. Sabaton became one of the biggest metal bands in the world with ballads of battlefields and bloodshed, filled with unbelievable but real war stories your history teacher should have been telling you.

Its new effort is a worldwide museum project designed to encourage more people to visit their local museums and spark their interest in history. The centerpiece of the project is a new, animated movie, "The War to End All Wars," coming to a museum near you this November.

The title of the project is "History Rocks," and 36 museums in 16 countries have already signed on to join it. "The War to End All Wars" (a nickname for World War I) tells the stories from Sabaton's latest album, also called "The War to End All Wars." It begins with "Sarajevo," a song about the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which sparked World War I. It ends with "Versailles," about the 1918 Treaty of Versailles that ended the war.

Some of the tracks include songs about events and soldiers in the war that can be seen in the trailer. "Dreadnought" is about the rise of dreadnought battleships and the Battle of Jutland. "Hellfighters" is a song about the U.S. Army's all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Harlem Hellfighters." There's also "Lady of the Dark," about legendary female Serbian soldier Milunka Savic.

Read: The Most Decorated Female Soldier in the History of Modern Warfare

Sabaton uses more than heavy metal songs and a tank that fires into the audience at its shows to teach history. The band also has the Sabaton History channel on YouTube. This channel includes historical looks at World War II, Swedish military history and even the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica, among others.

The band and its communications team conducted a study this year to see if their efforts were having an effect. Although it's not a strictly scientific study, they looked at Wikipedia traffic for the subjects of their songs before and after the song's release. The day before "The First Soldier" was released, the Wikipedia hits for Albert Severin Roche had 392 views. After the release, traffic on the page jumped 2,879%.

Wikipedia's page for Fritz Haber, known to history as the "Father of Chemical Warfare," had just more than 2,000 views. After Sabaton released its song, "Father," which is about Haber, the page experienced a 470% bump in traffic. Again, it's not exactly a scientific study, but it is an encouraging sign for the band.

Sabaton draws three million listeners every month on Spotify alone. (The Noise Cartel)

Sabaton says it is dedicated to a mission to entertain and educate. "The War to End All Wars" is just the latest effort. Sabaton has more albums forthcoming this year, and will even make a child-friendly series on its YouTube Channel.

"The War to End All Wars" will be available in museums during the weeks surrounding Nov. 11, 2023. Check out Sabaton's movie website to learn more or get the movie in your local museum.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

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The Rangers announced Wednesday morning that theyve designated left-hander Taylor Hearn for assignment. His spot on the 40-man roster will go to right-hander Alex Speas, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Round Rock. Texas optioned lefty John King to Triple-A in order to open a spot for Speas on the active roster.

Now 28 years old, Hearn was acquired in the 2018 deadline deal that sent reliever Keone Kela to the Pirates. The southpaw was a mainstay on the Rangers pitching staff from 2021-22, splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen. While the overall 4.89 ERA he posted in 204 1/3 innings during that time hardly stands out, Hearn has pronounced splits between his work as a starter and a reliever.

In 110 1/3 career innings out of the rotation, Hearn has been rocked for a 6.36 ERA. Like many pitchers, hes had particularly rough struggled when turning a lineup over for a third time; opponents have batted .343/.438/.567 against him in such situations.

Out of the bullpen, however, Hearn has looked like a different and quite serviceable pitcher. Hes tallied 118 2/3 innings of relief work in the big leagues, logging a 3.94 ERA and fanning exactly one quarter of his opponents. His 11.2% walk rate out of the pen is well north of the league average, but Hearn has demonstrated an ability to miss bats and limit damage while averaging close to 96 mph with his heater in short stints.

Hes worked primarily out of the bullpen in Triple-A this season, posting a 3.66 ERA and a very strong 30.2% strikeout rate. Command has continued to plague Hearn in Round Rock though, evidenced by a 13.2% walk rate plus another four plunked batters in his 39 1/3 innings there.

Hearn is optionable for the remainder of the current season. That, combined with solid career marks in the bullpen, plus velocity on his fastball and a history of missing bats, could certainly lead to trade interest in the southpaw.

The Rangers will have a week to trade Hearn or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. Hes earning $1.5MM this year and has at least two more seasons of arbitration eligibility remaining, so its feasible but certainly not guaranteed that hed be claimed.

Taking Hearns spot on the roster is the 25-year-old Speas, a potential late-inning powerhouse whose trio of plus or better pitches is at times undercut by a lack of command. FanGraphs Eric Longenhagen ranked the flamethrowing righty 14th among Texas farmhands earlier this month, touting his vicious sliders absurd movement. Hes throwing that slider or his low-90s cutter a combined 85% of the time in the minors this year, Longenhagen notes, due in part because of his struggles locating a four-seamer that can routinely hit 102 mph.

A second-round pick by the Rangers back in 2016, Speas has a ridiculous 1.00 ERA in 36 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this season. Hes fanned 40.4% of his opponents against an 11.3% walk rate that represents a career-low. The walk rate would likely be higher if Speas leaned on his heater more regularly, but for now the emphasis on his slider and cutter has proven a recipe for success.

Its increasingly common for relievers to throw their breaking pitches more than their fastballs, and while Speas is an extreme example of that, his ability to do so with success in the upper minors positions him as a potential late-inning weapon for manager Bruce Bochy.
The Detroit Lions website experienced significant traffic all day on Wednesday as fans rushed to reserve their tickets for this years training camp.

Depending on the selected date, interested parties were placed in a virtual queue via Ticketmaster, with as many as 5,000 people ahead of them. As of now, tickets are completely sold out for all camp dates, except for August 3rd.

The highly anticipated Lions 2023 training camp, presented by Rocket Mortgage, kicks off on Jul. 29 for Lions Loyal members. Just two days later, on Jul. 31, it opens its doors to the general public. With a commendable 9-8 record last season, the Lions came incredibly close to securing a playoff spot, following an impressive 8-2 run to close out the year.

Fans can claim their tickets by visiting this link here.
When the state Office of Cannabis Management announced a plan to let pot growers sell their glut of product at cannabis farmers markets in May, farmers seized on the idea.

Two months later, what was touted as a lifeline to struggling pot farmers has turned into yet another disappointment in the states slow-moving attempt to create a legal cannabis market.

The idea was simple: Allow pot farmers to band together to sell their cannabis in a farmers market-like setting, with only marijuana available. The plan did not allow cannabis farmers to sell pot at conventional farmers markets, next to the fruits, vegetables and flowers grown by traditional farmers.

Pot farmers viewed the proposal as a lifeline. They grew crops last year in anticipation of having stores open early this year to sell their wares and instead were sitting on piles of pot with no place to sell it because legal cannabis shops have been so slow to open.

Only one legal cannabis store has opened in the Buffalo Niagara region, outside of a handful on Native American reservations, severely depressing a market that pot growers had hoped would be robust by now.

But the glacial pace of the rollout of the legal cannabis market meant that instead of selling pot and bringing in revenue, the cannabis farmers were saddled with the added expense of storing their cannabis or converting it into a form that wouldnt spoil.

After sitting for months on unsold cannabis, farmers hoped they were finally looking at a way that would allow them to connect with consumers and unload the product that some had risked their life savings cultivating. It would provide the last missing piece  albeit a temporary one  in a promised supply chain: a place to sell their wares.

It hasnt turned out that way.

As the days wear on, farmers are losing hope once again, as the push for cannabis farmers markets seems to have stalled.

Its just one more disappointment in a list that keeps mounting as the state stumbles through its slow and delayed rollout of legal retail cannabis sales.

Its just an absolute disaster, said Thomas Szulist, a state-licensed grower in Appleton.

Planting time has come around again, leaving growers to once again take on the cost and risk of investing in new crops  even while their storehouses burst with last seasons unsold product.

I like the idea of a farmers market, said Chris Van Dusen, CEO of Empire Hemp Co.

Fast-tracking consumer sales in such a way is more appealing to him than selling products to sanctioned shops on tribal lands  another stopgap measure the state is working on that was announced last month.

Van Dusen said farmers markets would give growers more control over the process and, likely, a better return 0150  but only if they happen.

I think it would be more opportunity for the cultivators to make more profit on their yields, he said.

Public officials have shied away from questions and tempered their remarks.

Tremaine Wright, the chair of the states Office of Cannabis Management, said last month that the board had encountered some obstacles to implementing the program, but he declined to elaborate. Last week, the agency was much more subdued about the idea than it had been when markets were originally announced as a done deal.

We are committed to the success of New Yorks equitable cannabis industry, and are always open to considering opportunities to strengthen the program, Aaron Ghitelman, spokesperson for the Office of Cannabis Management, said in a statement. No final decisions have been made with respect to farmers markets.

In the meantime, no local cannabis farmers markets have opened.

'That's breach of contract': New regulations would allow big, out-of-state pot sellers into market early The change is all the more devastating to small pot operators by the state's slow rollout of its legal cannabis dispensary program.

I dont think the governors office likes this idea. Thats kind of been the issue, said Aleece Burgio, an attorney at Colligan Law in Fountain Plaza and program executive chair of the New York State Bar Association Cannabis Section.

Gov. Kathy Hochuls office, when asked for comment, deferred to the OCM.

Though the governor may need some convincing, there is still hope the concept could work, Burgio said.

I dont think that this pop-up market situation is completely dead in the water. I think we might see some sort of altering to it, she said. And I hope we do because these licensees really need it.

The way she sees it, the concept is suffering from an image problem.

I think probably one of the biggest issues is calling it a farmers market and thats kind of where the standstill has been, she said. People outside of cannabis are seeing this as a legitimate farmers market where people will be going, therell be other products sold, kids can go  and thats not the case.

But the idea had never been for farmers to sell their pot and edibles alongside potatoes and eggplant. The pot purveyors would not be setting up shop at traditional farmers markets to sell their wares. The idea was for at least two growers and one retailer to coordinate their own, separate pop-up sales at non-storefront locations.

'Just Band-Aids': WNY pot growers say selling to tribes helps ease glut, but legal stores need to open Legal cannabis growers have been sitting on millions of dollars worth of cannabis in New York, waiting for more state-licensed pot dispensaries to open where they can sell it.

The pop-up marketplaces would mirror the same strict regulations for cannabis sales that are being developed for its heavily regulated retail dispensaries  full security, protocols for entering the location, seed-to-sale tracking and consumers would have to be of a qualifying age and show identification.

There also are other hurdles that would need to be cleared. Municipalities would have to sign off on the markets, and growers would have to find suitable sites, with willing landlords, many of whom have shied away from renting to pot store license holders.

The concept would also be just a temporary, stopgap measure to quickly connect growers, retailers and buyers in an emergency  not a permanent solution, Burgio said.

Theres like, 300,000 pounds of unsold cannabis right now that is sitting there, so if you do speak with growers and processors, you know there is a dire need to get this product out, she said.
Michigans community colleges rank 49th in the country when it comes to graduation rates, according to a new report released by Business Leaders for Michigan. They rank 48th on enrollment growth over the past decade, having lost tens of thousands of students. And students of color at community colleges are far less likely to graduate than their white peers.

Which is why the statewide business roundtable is pushing a plan to make community colleges work better, calling for more state support and more state oversight, programs that cut the cost of attendance and ease the process of transferring to four-year universities and better coordination with employers.

When you look at Michigans future and you look at the trends that you see today, its important that were leaving no one behind that were allowing for businesses to have the talent they need to grow and expand here in our state, said Jeff Donofrio, Business Leaders for Michigans president and CEO. Well-functioning community colleges will be a big part of Michigan being successful at achieving those goals.

Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association, said the assessment the group offers of community colleges performance is incomplete.

At least some other states have systems in place that create incentives for finishing an associate degree before transferring to a four-year college. Michigan doesnt, and many students will transfer before earning a two-year degree.

If just over a quarter of students graduate in six years, nearly half graduate or transfer to another school, she said.

To be clear, we do not think that 46% means mission accomplished. We have a lot of work to do, she said, but theyve done a lot over the past decade.

And when it comes to the steep decline in enrollment, she said, Business Leaders for Michigans starting point is the aftermath of the 2008 recession, when unemployment was sky high and community colleges enrollment were near their peak.

But, in other ways, leaders of the states 28 community colleges are on board.

We agree that we must continue to improve student success outcomes Johnson said. Theres also a recognition that we need support from the state of Michigan to make that a reality. We also think theres really great opportunities now more than ever to align these policies and visions to the types of outcomes that we want to see.

Central to the Business Leaders for Michigans recommendations is the creation of a central coordinating body or support agency for the states community colleges. Michigan, with its highly decentralized system of higher education, is the only state in the country that doesnt have something along those lines.

Theres huge opportunities to at least get a state level agency that is focused on collecting data, helping to understand performance, provide transparency into outcomes and then look at what we as a state want to achieve, Donofrio said.

Such an agency might focus on streamlining credit transfers between institutions or on automatic admissions to the states public universities for students who earn associate degrees, he said, or on promoting best practices.

Like what Wayne State University did to more than double its graduation rate: hiring more advisors and changing its approach to advising, reducing the required number of general education credits, revamping math classes that were preventing many students from graduating.

Johnson said the programs that the Business Leaders for Michigan report points to are good programs, but noted that some, like the City University of New Yorks Accelerated Study in Associate Programs, which covers students tuition and fees and offers intensive supports, are incredibly expensive to implement.

Without more state support its really, really challenging to invest in some of these deep, effective practices, she said.

The reports other recommendations include strengthening connections to employers  Donofrio said more students would likely enroll if there were less of the train-and-pray initiatives and more of the theres a job at the end of this training  and improving K-12 schools so that students will have a better foundation for success.

Earlier this month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created a new state agency, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, which will focus on preschool access and on higher education.

It seems likely that it will do some of the centralized coordination the Business Leaders for Michigan is pushing for.

Johnson has said community college leaders are open to the idea of more state support or coordination, but added that its critically important that local control be respected.

Community colleges are ultimately responsive to the students. They serve the taxpayers. They serve the local employers that are driving regional economies, she said. State bureaucracy would serve to hamper that not support it.

Read more at MLive:

Poor students and Black students are disappearing from Michigan colleges

From a lab in Ann Arbor, fighting internet censorship around the world

Bad cops are working in Michigan communities. Union contracts make it hard to get rid of them.
COPPER HARBOR, MI -- Fort Wilkins is celebrating 100 years as a Michigan state park by returning to its roots as a military outpost.

The historic site at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula will turn into a Civil War encampment July 28-30. This is the first time the event will be held since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Featuring living-history group Battery D, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, the encampment will include 25-plus costumed interpreters, a depiction of army barracks life and soldiers pastimes, full-scale cannon, and authentically reproduced clothing, tools and weapons.

In 1923, Fort Wilkins became a state park, and today the site includes camping, picnicking, fishing and other recreation opportunities as well as this wonderfully preserved historic site, said Barry James, Upper Peninsula historian for the Michigan History Center.

Youll hear the echo of cannon fire rolling down the length of Lake Fanny Hooe, just as soldiers heard it more than 175 years ago. It is an experience not to be missed.

The encampment is open to park visitors from 8 a.m. to dusk on July 28 and 29, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 30.

The U.S. Army built Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor in 1844. The fort kept the peace during Michigans copper rush before being abandoned in 1846.

The Army regarrisoned the fort between 1867 and 1870. It remains a well-preserved example of a mid-1800s fort, and includes officers quarters, soldiers barracks, married enlisted mens quarters, hospital, workshops, powder magazine and guardhouse.

Everyday life at Fort Wilkins comes alive all summer long as costumed interpreters portray men and women stationed there during the summer of 1870.

READ MORE:

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1879 shipwreck of tugboat Satellite discovered in Lake Superior

Lake Michigan channel used by Beaver Island ferry getting $530K repair

DNR recovers shipwreck artifacts taken from Lake Huron

Artifact found at historic Michigan fort has makers mark linked to 18th-century Dutch artisans
LAKE TOWNSHIP, MI  Two children were recently rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after their inflatable rafts drifted out into Lake Michigan, officials said.

A crew from USCG Station Frankfort was underway on routine patrol when they were redirected to the scene on Monday, July 10, USCG Station Manistee said in a news release.

The children were found about 1 nautical mile from Platte River Point, officials said. They were brought onboard the Coast Guard boat. The crew then battled 6- to 7-foot waves while returning the children to shore where they were met by rangers and evaluated by EMS.

A crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Frankfort rescued two children who were adrift on an inflatable raft in Lake Michigan on Monday, July 10, 2023. They were found about 1 nautical mile from Platte River Point, where the Platte River drains into Lake Michigan in Lake Township, Mich.Provided by U.S. Coast Guard Station Manistee

The point is where the Platte River drains into Lake Michigan and is the terminus for many tubing, kayaking and canoeing trips. It is located within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Lake Township, north of Frankfort.

Awesome job to the crew of Station Frankfort and a big thank you to our local first responders, Station Manistee said in the release. Bravo Zulu!

A crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Frankfort rescued two children who were adrift on an inflatable raft in Lake Michigan on Monday, July 10, 2023. They were found about 1 nautical mile from Platte River Point, where the Platte River drains into Lake Michigan in Lake Township, Mich.Provided by U.S. Coast Guard Station Manistee

A crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Frankfort rescued two children who were adrift on an inflatable raft in Lake Michigan on Monday, July 10, 2023. They were found about 1 nautical mile from Platte River Point, where the Platte River drains into Lake Michigan in Lake Township, Mich.Provided by U.S. Coast Guard Station Manistee

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An Oakland County judge on Tuesday, July 19, rejected a motion by defense attorneys to eliminate the possibility of a life prison sentence for Oxford High school shooter Ethan Crumbley.

Paulette M. Loftin and Amy M. Hopp, who represent the 17-year-old killer, argued the prosecution, based on its projected witnesses and evidence, doesnt have enough to justify a mandatory life sentence for the minor, but Circuit Judge Kwame L. Rowe said that remains to be seen.

Defendants argument is not ripe, Rowe said in his written order, and the court cannot and will not dismiss the peoples motion for life without parole based on defendants motion.

The court must have the opportunity to weigh the credibility of witnesses and then determine if the people have met their burden.

Because Crumbley committed his crimes when he was a 15-year-old minor, the law requires court conduct what is called a Miller hearing, during which the prosecution must convince the judge the defendant is irreparably corrupt, despite being at a developmental age.

Crumbley pleaded guilty on Oct. 24 to four counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of felony use of a firearm. For adults, a first-degree murder conviction in Michigan carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The defense argument to limit the maximum possible sentence for the school shooter to less than mandatory life centered on Dr. Lisa Anacker, a psychiatrist and witness who is expected to testify for the prosecution at the Miller hearing.

The defense argued that Anacker cant offer testimony relevant to the Miller hearing because shes only conducted one interview of Crumbley in March and didnt perform tests to evaluate the shooters mental state at the time of the killings.

The court finds that defendants argument is not persuasive and is without merit, Rowe wrote. This court has no information regarding Dr. Anackers testimony or her report ... The court, based on the pleadings alone, cannot decide that Dr. Anacker could not testify regarding the Miller factors because her testimony has yet to be presented.

The factors Rowe will weigh when determining Crumbleys sentence include: the defendants age and immaturity, the juveniles family and home environment, the circumstances of the crimes, family and peer pressure that may have influenced the crimes and the possibility of rehabilitation, among other factors.

The defense has also argued that witnesses of the shooting should not be allowed to testify, since their testimony doesnt apply to most of the Miller factors being evaluated. Rowe rejected the argument and wrote in an order the circumstances of the crime are relevant in determining the sentence.

Related: Crumbley wants to wear street clothes at hearing

In a separate motion, the defense asked that Crumbley be allowed to appear in street clothes, rather than the orange Oakland County Jail uniform he usually wears.

An allowance to wear street clothes is afforded to defendants whove yet to be convicted; however, Crumbley has already pleaded guilty, Rowe said.

The judge denied that request.

This court has observed defendant in jail clothes monthly since January 2022 and would not be prejudiced seeing defendant in jail clothing again, Rowe said in his order.

The Oxford High shooting claimed the lives of students Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Justin Shilling, 17. Six more students and a teacher also suffered gunshot wounds.

Crumbley is scheduled to appear in Oakland County Circuit Court for his Miller hearing on July 27.

More on MLive:

Oxford shooter wants to wear street clothes at hearing

Prosecutors say they have more evidence against Oxford High shooters parents

Oxford High shooters sporadic, disturbing behavior in jail spurs competency discussion

Oxford shooter pleads guilty

Manhunt ends: Parents of accused Oxford school shooter arrested in Detroit
LUDINGTON, MI  With only two days to go until the release of the Barbie movie, Barbie mania is in full swing. That includes a secret-menu item at Starbucks.

This item is so secret that the barista at my local Starbucks, near Ludington, hadnt heard of it. The small-town store didnt have all the ingredients needed for the TikTok-famous, electric pink Barbie Frappuccino but she was super helpful with substitutes to make a pretty pink drink.

The Barbie Frappuccino thats being promoted through social media calls for a Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino with milk instead of half-and-half, mixed with dragonfruit juice, vanilla syrup and dragonfruit topping.

RELATED: Crocs getting in on Barbie mania with special themed crocs, clogs, sandals and more

Alas, there was no dragonfruit juice or topping to be had in Ludington.

However, Veronika Bondarenko wrote for TheStreet that the dragonfruit was only good for its color and extra cost. It didnt add much in terms of flavor.

I wasnt too disappointed to miss out on that.

Instead, the barista used strawberry puree in the drink and as the topping. This created a pink beverage that was lighter in color than the original Barbie Frappuccino, but richer in flavor (if Bondarenko is to be believed).

A "Barbie Frappuccino" made at the Starbucks in Amber Township, Mich. (east of Ludington) used strawberry puree rather than dragonfruit juice and topping, which were unavailable. The result was a drink that looked Barbie-inspired and tasted like a strawberry shake.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com

It looked Barbie-inspired - after all there is a lot of light pink in the Barbie universe  and tasted like a strawberry shake.

The price for a grande in Northern Michigan was $8.53 - plus a tip for the baristas extra effort.

The Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, hits theaters Friday, July 21.

A "Barbie Frappuccino" made at the Starbucks in Amber Township, Mich. (east of Ludington) used strawberry puree rather than dragonfruit juice and topping, which were unavailable. The result was a drink that looked Barbie-inspired and tasted like a strawberry shake.Justine Lofton | jlofton@mlive.com

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CHELSEA, MI - Chelsea leaders are turning to an experienced city manager who most recently served almost eight years in Traverse City as they try to find stability at the top government post in their own city.

City Council voted unanimously to extend an offer of employment for Chelseas open city manager position to Marty Colburn on Monday, July 17, after city leaders interviewed three finalists for the job.

My philosophy is try to find a way to say yes to a citizen, or a person, or a project before you just say no, find a path if its at all possible, Colburn told City Council during his half-hour interview.

His selection could end the second city manager hiring process in less than a year, kicked off by the abrupt departure of then-City Manager Roy Atkinson in April, with Atkinson citing extreme burnout in his resignation notice after just 10 months on the job.

Read more: Citing extreme burnout, Chelsea city manager abruptly resigns after 10 months

In the interim period before and after Atkinsons hiring, multiple officials served as interim city manager, with Elke Doom, one of the three finalists for the permanent job, currently in the role on a temporary basis. City Council interviewed Doom as well as finalist Michael Greene on Monday.

After the interviews, Colburn emerged as a favorite, with five of the six council members present ranking him as their top choice. Mayor Jane Pacheco attended the meeting virtually and did not participate in the voting.

Colburn boasts more than 30 years of experience in city administration, serving municipalities in Arizona, Wyoming and Michigan, he said in his interview.

In April, Traverse City City Council voted to authorize a separation agreement with Colburn, who served nearly eight years as city manager there, though the citys mayor said there were no immoral, unethical or illegal activities that led to the dismissal and other city leaders praised his service, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Colburn highlighted projects he advanced in Traverse City during his interview, including winning a grant to install solar panels on the citys wastewater treatment plant and work with multiple partners to complete 4.5 miles of pathway around Boardman Lake.

The municipal official, who said he served nine years in the Army and worked as a staffer for members of the U.S. House and Senate before turning to local government, citied staff vacancies as a key issue demanding attention in Chelsea.

The city has experienced turnover in its city manager, finance director and community development director positions in recent years.

Colburn said he would ensure city staff were all trained in a national incident management system for responding to events like natural disasters and was also interested in collaborating with business owners and the Chelsea Downtown Development Authority to support the downtown area.

That could include coordinating with the Michigan Department of Transportation to implement traffic calming, like bump-outs that slow traffic and are more pedestrian-friendly, in the area, he said.

The city manager candidate also cautioned Chelsea City Council that a red flag he observed in reviewing the citys master plan and budget is the sheer quantity of priorities and projects, recommending discussion with city leaders about prioritizing them.

I do like that he pushed us on, our plan is just too much, and its something that I think weve all known, said City Council Member Eric Keaton as city leaders discussed their choice.

I think what Im looking for right now is experience (and) stability, Keaton said.

Others praised Colburns background and knowledge of Chelsea, which he visited in advance of the interviews. He invested quite a bit in understanding our city, Council Member Bill Ruddock said.

Speaking via Zoom, Mayor Jane Pacheco added that given Atkinsons exit, she was hesitant to bring on a candidate without prior city manager experience, leading her to favor Colburn or Doom. Just one council member present ranked Doom as their top choice.

Colburn isnt yet a lock for the position.

The job offer extended to him is contingent on the candidate passing a background check and successful contract negotiations, carried by Pacheco, Mayor Pro-Tem Tony Iannelli and city Attorney Mariah Fink, officials said.

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GRAND BLANC, MI  Grand Blanc Board of Education Trustee Amy Facchinello is one of 16 Michigan residents charged for their role in a false electors scheme following the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on July 18 that 16 Michigan residents that will face charges for allegedly posing as a false elector.

Facchinello, elected to the Grand Blanc board in 2020, holds a seat on the Grand Blanc board until 2026. Board policy indicates that Facchinello will retain her seat on the board unless she is convicted, recalled or chooses to resign.

Facchinello was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery, a 14-year felony, two counts of Forgery, a 14-year felony, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony, one count of Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony, one count of Conspiracy to Commit Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony, and, two counts of Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony.

She was one of 16 defendants that allegedly met in a basement of the Michigan Republican Party Headquarters in December 2020 to sign their names to multiple certificates saying they were duly elected and qualified electors for President and Vice President of the United States of America for the State of Michigan.

Those false documents were then sent to the United States Senate and National Archives in an attempt to award the states electoral votes to their favored candidate, according to the release.

The false electors actions undermined the publics faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan, Nessel said.

Facchinello will appear for an arraignment in Ingham County district court, according to the release.

The board member was protested in 2021 for posting QAnon conspiracies on social media after being featured in a Time Magazine article about conspiracy theorists infiltrating local politics.

Neither Facchinello nor the school district has responded to a request for comment.

Here is the full list of defendants:

Kathy Berden, 70, of Snover

William (Hank) Choate, 72, of Cement City

Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc

Clifford Frost, 75, of Warren

Stanley Grot, 71, of Shelby Township

John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix

Mari-Ann Henry, 65, of Brighton

Timothy King, 56, of Ypsilanti

Michele Lundgren, 73, of Detroit

Meshawn Maddock, 55, of Milford

James Renner, 76, of Lansing

Mayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms

Rose Rook, 81, of Paw Paw

Marian Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield

Ken Thompson, 68, of Orleans

Kent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming

Read more on MLive:

16 people face felonies in 2020 Michigan false electors scheme

Controversial Grand Blanc school board member saddened by protest, will not resign

Grand Blanc students, community members protest school board member who posted QAnon conspiracies

UM-Flint Chancellor Deba Dutta to resign amid strategic transformation process

Here are the 5 candidates vying for Flints 7th ward council seat

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.
GRAND BLANC, MI  Recall language has been filed against a Grand Blanc Board of Education trustee who was charged for her involvement in a false electors scheme following the 2020 election.

Amy Facchinello, 55, is being targeted for a recall after being charged with eight felony counts due to her connection to the false electors scheme. She and 15 other Michigan residents were charged.
FLINT, MI  A Michigan Department of Education grant of more than half a million dollars will allow Genesee Intermediate School District teachers to earn teaching certificates and special education endorsements.

Awarded in May, the $616,961 Grow Your Own grant funding aims to develop teachers that are already working in local districts.
GRAND RAPIDS  Grand Rapids Public Schools has way more building space than it actually needs.

Due to shrinking student enrollment, the districts 42 school buildings are largely unutilized and under- capacity. Grand Rapids has an average building utilization rate of 51%  meaning schools across the district are typically used at only half their capacity according to figures from GRPS.

In comparison, the state of Michigan recommends that school districts maintain an 85% utilization level.

Grand Rapids school leaders are currently looking at closing some school buildings, relocating students, and consolidating programs as part of an effort to reduce the districts footprint and right-size GRPS for a smaller student body.

The goal is for GRPS to bring its average utilization rate up to 75% by 2032, school leaders have said.

RELATED: Grand Rapids considers closing schools among options to combat declining enrollment

As part of the districts ongoing facilities master planning process, GRPS leaders have been compiling utilization rates for all of the schools across the district this year. School leaders say that data will be considered in conversations about which schools should eventually be consolidated or closed.

Below is a searchable database with the utilization rates for all 42 buildings across the district. The data came from the districts website, linked here.

You can look up any Grand Rapids school in the search bar to find the buildings utilization rate, including how many students are enrolled and what the buildings capacity level is. The table is ranked in order of utilization rates, starting with the schools with the highest usage.

(Cant see the chart? Click here.)

Another way to visualize the data is in map form. As the map below shows, the southeast quadrant of the school district has the largest portion of buildings with utilization rates below 25%.

Hover over the dots to see the utilization data for each school on the map.

(Cant see the map? Click here.)

Why does the district need to close schools?

GRPS currently has 42 educational buildings, but only needs about 21 educational facilities based on current enrollment levels, consultants have told the district.

The district has roughly 1 million square feet of unutilized space, which costs an average of $4 per square foot to maintain. That means GRPS is spending $4 million a year maintaining those unused spaces, according to GRPS.

Additionally, school leaders estimate that if the district reduces its facility footprint by 20-30%, GRPS could alleviate approximately $145 million in deferred maintenance costs, according to figures from the district.

There are also staffing shortages at play. GRPS, like districts nationwide, continues to struggle with a historic shortage of teachers and school staff which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of June 2023, there were over 400 vacancies across the district that remained unfilled, according to the district.

Because the districts staff are spread thin across 42 schools, the closure of some schools would help alleviate those shortages by consolidating programs and making sure staff and resources are properly dispersed across the district.

Which schools are the most underutilized? Which are near or at capacity?

GRPS has seven school buildings that have less than a 30% utilization rate, according to district figures. The top seven most underutilized schools across the district are:

Ken-O-Sha Park: 18% utilization. The elementary school is projected to have 116 students this fall and has capacity to hold 648 students. Westwood Middle School: 19% utilization. The middle school is projected to have 151 students this fall and has capacity to hold 810 students. Ottawa Hills: 23% utilization. The high school is projected to have 382 students this fall and has capacity to hold 1,653 students. Sherwood Park: 23% utilization. The PreK-8 school is projected to have 128 students this fall and has capacity for 552 students. Southeast Career Pathways: 26% utilization. The high school is projected to have 93 students this fall and has capacity for 360 students. Riverside: 27% utilization. The middle school is projected to have 219 students this fall and has capacity for 810 students. Stocking: 28% utilization. The elementary school is projected to have 142 students this fall and has capacity 504 students.

There are seven school buildings that top the list with more than a 70% utilization rate, with some exceeding their capacity levels. Those top seven schools are:

Museum High School: 143% utilization. The high school is projected to have 455 students this fall and has capacity for 319 students. Blanford: 115% utilization. The sixth grade school is projected to have 62 students this fall and has capacity for 54 students. North Park Early Childhood: 100% utilization. The preschool is projected to have 192 students this fall and has capacity for 192 students. North Park Montessori: 84% utilization. The PreK-8 school is projected to have 385 students this fall and has capacity for 456 students. Ridgemoor Park: 80% utilization. The elementary school is projected to have 135 students this fall and has capacity for 168. Zoo School: 79% utilization. The sixth grade school is projected to have 64 students this fall and has capacity for 81. CA Frost Elementary: 72% utilization. The elementary school is projected to have 430 students this fall and has capacity for 600 students.

Why is enrollment going down?

Grand Rapids remains the largest school district in West Michigan. However, enrollment has declined by nearly 30% since 2008, when the district had over 19,000 students. This year, there were less than 14,000 students enrolled.

GRPS leaders attribute the decade-long enrollment decline to four main factors: A lack of affordable housing, declining birth rates in Kent County and across the state, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more school options in the area.

This is not the first time GRPS has had to close schools to combat falling enrollment.

In 2000, the district had a student population of 27,000, and maintained over 80 school buildings, according to figures from the district. Over the following 14 years, the district closed 35 school buildings as enrollment declined to 16,113 in 2014.

The last time GRPS assessed its facilities was in 2012, when retired Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal spearheaded the districts Transformation Plan that called for investing in programs that were performing well and discontinuing those that were ineffective.

The district ended up closing 10 buildings as part of that plan.

Since then, GRPS has not closed any other schools, despite having lost an additional roughly 2,600 students.

Grand Rapids school leaders are projecting a student population of 13,514 students in fall 2023, which is down by about 200 students from the previous school year, according to state data.

In comparison, the districts buildings have capacity to house 26,596 students  nearly double the expected enrollment levels for next year.

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Niagara U gets another $1.3M for Academic Innovation Hub

Early this year, Western New York members of Congress helped funnel $1.4 million in federal funding to Niagara University to buy a run-down church in Niagara Falls and turn it into an Academic Innovation Hub. The idea was to train workers for in-demand jobs and bring activity to a blighted part of the city.

Now U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, have secured another $1.3 million for the project in the form of a federal Economic Development Administration grant that will help Niagara renovate the two-story 166-year-old building.

Niagara plans to turn the former First Congregational United Church of Christ on Cleveland Street into a workforce training hub and community center that will offer certification programs, initially in three high-demand fields: information technology/cybersecurity, supply chain management and early childhood education.

Schumer said the initial funds were to jump-start the project and the new funds will help convert the former church, whose congregation dwindled in recent years as the surrounding Bridge District neighborhood emptied out and the building fell into disrepair.

Niagara University is leading the way to supercharge Western New Yorks tech workforce, Schumer said. The funding will help Niagara University transform an outdated building into a state-of-the-art workforce training center to meet the needs of rapidly growing industries across Western New York.

Niagara has been beefing up its programs in supply chain management and IT as demand for workers trained in supply chain and cybersecurity skills has grown with Buffalos economic progress. The childcare industry is also facing a national shortage of early childhood educators, a field that also may serve as an entry to teaching, another area experiencing a worker shortage.

Tom Burns, Niagara University associate vice president for public, external and government relations, said Niagara bought the building for $75,000 last year and will outfit it with two academic classrooms, meeting rooms and a computer/technology lab on the lower floor  for many years a barely used church basement. The former church sanctuary will become a forum for speaker events, concerts, art shows and community meetings.

Higgins said the facility will offer an underserved community access to career and technical training in their own neighborhood, an investment that will benefit local employers and job seekers by expanding our skilled workforce while creating jobs that support the needs of our economy.

Niagara University President Rev. James Maher said the Academic Innovation Hub will also engage Niagara faculty, staff and students with local residents to create opportunities for growth in their own community.

In aligning existing academic programs to offer micro-courses at the Hub to be, Niagara chose pipeline programs identified as in-demand, priority occupations by the state Labor Department the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council.

A labor market analysis data set compiled by Invest Buffalo Niagara found that each of these areas have significant local, well-paying job opportunities in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties and across Western New York.

Burns said Niagara plans to start construction on the Innovation Hub in early fall and anticipates the work will take about eight months, for a mid-2024 opening.

NCCC at Night expands program offerings



Niagara County Community College will leave the lights on later this fall, with slate of programs and support services to be offered as evening classes via a program dubbed NCCC at Night.

To meet the needs of current and prospective students, the college will begin offering 16 degree and certificate programs as well as student support services and dining options throughout the evening, NCCC spokesperson Denyel Beiter said. Various programs in education, liberal arts, business, accounting, STEM, and nursing will be included during nighttime hours.

Evening classes will be available in teaching English as a second language, physical education, early childhood studies, business administration, computer aided drafting and design and practical nursing, among others. Several other classes are available as evening classes or online.

For information, visit niagaracc.suny.edu/ncccatnight.

NCCC adds CDL course to train truck drivers

NCCCs Workforce Development Program is offering a new program in commercial truck driving to help address the widespread shortage of truck drivers. The college is partnering with the National Tractor Trailer School to offer the program, a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on training for the CDL exam and road test.

There are numerous scholarship opportunities for this program to ensure enrollment is affordable for all. Interested, prospective students can visit niagaracc.suny.edu/cdl/ or call NCCC Workforce Development at (716) 614-6236.

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

THE LATEST

A Franklinville knife company will close after being sold.

A temporary emergency medical facility is easing care concerns in Niagara County.

A project to bring more apartments and shops to West Tupper Street won city approval.

How the shareholder votes on Life Storage's merger with Xtra Space Storage turned out.

The region's job market isn't showing signs of a slowdown.

A Town of Tonawanda equipment maker plans to expand.

A group suing over policies for UB campus organizations has dropped part of its lawsuit.

Western New York is getting $69 million for bridge upgrades.

Ciminelli pledges $500,000 to aid Braymiller Market downtown.

A massive medical, surgical complex in Amherst nears opening.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Growth from afar: Inside Hilbert College's deal with Valley College.

2. Local unions buck a trend: Why Buffalo Niagara unions aren't seeing declining membership.

3. Training future nurses: How simulated patients will play a key role in this effort.

4. Psychics, wrestlers and churches: How Buffalo Niagara malls are finding a way forward.

5. The Buffalo Niagara economy looks like it is heading for the soft landing the Federal Reserve is seeking.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
UPDATE: Grand Rapids police report the man exited the home around 6:15 p.m. and was arrested. The standoff has concluded.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Grand Rapids police Wednesday afternoon have surrounded a home several blocks north of Medical Mile after a man wanted on a felony warrant barricaded himself inside.

The home is in the 700 block of Lafayette Ave. NE, and Grand Rapids police have closed off nearby streets Wednesday, July 19, as they attempt to get the man to surrender.

Grand Rapids police Capt. Michael Maycroft told reporters Wednesday afternoon the 34-year-old man is wanted on a local felony warrant. Maycroft declined to divulge any more details about what alleged crime the man is wanted for.

Police do not know if the man is armed. Maycroft said there is no one else in the home.

Police announced the situation to area neighbors, helping those who wanted to leave and advising the rest to shelter in place, Maycroft said.

The incident began Wednesday afternoon, when police responded to the area on reports of a domestic assault, Maycroft said.

Family members told police the man had barricaded himself in a home and was refusing to come out.

Officers later learned the man was wanted on a felony warrant.

The man has not complied with police requests to come out of the home, Maycroft said. Police negotiators are attempting to work with the man.

Michigan State Police as well as the Kent County Sheriffs Office are assisting city police. Maycroft said a drone from the sheriffs office is being utilized.

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Ottawa County mental health board member calls Rolling Stone writer retarded

It tore our heart out, brother of man killed at ATM tells 3 convicted murderers

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  If Joseph Wilder was still alive, he would forgive the three men who shot and killed him last May as he withdrew money from an ATM.

Wilder would want those men  Jaheim Hayes-Goree, Rishy Manning, and Javonte Rosa  to have another chance to live again, Wilders brother told the judge prior to the three men learning their prison sentences.

However, the three codefendants were sentenced to spend the rest of their lives in prison without the possibility of parole for killing 50-year-old Joseph Wilder last year.

RELATED: Three Grand Rapids men found guilty of killing church choir director at ATM

A jury found the three men guilty of felony murder among other charges at trial in May connected to the fatal shooting as well as two armed robberies.

Hayes-Goree, Manning, and Rosa were all in Kent County Circuit Judge Paul Denefelds courtroom for sentencing on Wednesday, July 19.

Before Denefeld imposed the punishments, Phil Wilder  Joseph Wilders brother  delivered what was referred to as the most gracious impact statement some in the courtroom have ever heard.

Joe would say I forgive you, Phil Wilder told the codefendants. It tore our heart out. Im a strong dude, but its hard for me to hold back tears. You guys killed him. You just killed Joe.

Joseph Wilder was married to his wife for 25 years and a father of three boys. He also had been the choir director at Apostolic Faith Church for 20 years.

Phil Wilder said his brother had a heart of gold and was dedicated to his family, religion, and God. He said he would continue to pray for the three men and asked for the same in return.

ALSO READ: Victim of fatal shooting at ATM remembered for devotion to family, faith

I wish you guys couldve just stopped. I wish he were still here, he added. When you hear my voice, I hope you hear his.

The killing happened while Wilder was completing an ATM transaction May 24, 2022, at the drive-thru of the Huntington Bank on South Division Avenue in Byron Township.

Wilder was in his truck at the ATM that night when the three men pulled up next to him. Wilder put his truck in drive  trying to leave  when he was fatally shot in the side of the head.

Throughout most of Wednesdays proceeding, the three men were emotionless.

Hayes-Goree and Rosa offered apologies to the family through prepared statements. Manning declined to speak.

On top of felony murder, the three codefendants were each sentenced to several years in prison for two armed robberies that happened hours prior to the killing.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A relatively-new Ottawa County Community Mental Health board member alleged a Rolling Stone writer was either a victim of the deadly woke mind virus or retarded after publishing an article critiquing a controversial new movie about child sex trafficking.

In the July 17 email titled Mental Illness to Rolling Stone staff writer Miles Klee, Ottawa County CMH board member Jason Monroe told Klee hes possibly retarded and that, if he was, there is no solution.

According to the Special Olympics organization, the use of the R-word is a hurtful term. Though mental retardation was a medical term introduced in the early 1960s, it has since become a commonly used slur.

Those who use the R-word often do so with little regard for the pain it causes people with intellectual disabilities -- and the exclusion it perpetuates in our society, Special Olympics states on its website. Using the R-word is the same as using any slur against a minority group. Eliminating this word is a step toward respect for all.

Klee released a screenshot of Monroes email on Twitter, in which Monroe wrote that hes concerned about the Rolling Stone writer.

You seem to have fallen victim to the deadly woke mind virus, Monroe wrote. Im happy to say, there is a solution. Its either that, or youre retarded. In which case, there is no solution. Please let me know if I can help.

Monroe told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press his comments came after Klees July 7 review in Rolling Stone of the controversial new film Sound Of Freedom.

Before declining to comment further, Monroe said he was referring to emotional retardation. Something Ive recently struggled with myself.

Monroe was appointed to the Ottawa County CMH Board of Directors in March by the ultra conservative Ottawa Impact majority faction on the county board. Ottawa County Commissioner Doug Zylstra, a Democrat, was the sole leader to vote against Monroes appointment.

In his application to serve on the board, Monroe said he wanted to be appointed to help other people, and to help my community better understand alcoholism and addiction. He listed his experience as having done a lot of volunteer work and an interest in doing more.

CMH Board Chair Robert Brown in a statement said the organization is dedicated to treating all people in a dignified and respectful manner.

We do not support the use of any word or phrase that perpetuates the stigmatization or prejudice against individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or other communities we serve, Brown wrote. We will continue to inform and educate our board members, staff and the public about the importance of the words we use.

Ottawa County CMH is a public provider serving residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Programs and activities of the CMH are governed by the board of directors.

Residents eligible for services are those who have Medicaid, are uninsured or who meet other guidelines under the Michigan Mental Health Code.

Monroe told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that Klees movie review was utterly reprehensible.

Our local communities are experiencing the tragedy Mr. Klee refers to as conspiracy theories, Monroe said. Ottawa County itself has recently announced a human trafficking task force. The problem is real.

In April, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Steve Kempker for a victim advocate to provide more long-term and specialized care to victims of human trafficking in West Michigan. Kempker said his office was seeing an increase in human trafficking, especially among young teens.

But Klee doesnt dispute child trafficking being real.

Child trafficking is real, and its an extremely sensitive subject that stokes high emotion, Klee said in a recent interview with The Handbasket. My point in the review is that Sound of Freedom entirely misrepresents the issue while platforming dangerous conspiracists.

In the conclusion of his review, Klee says there are a number of issues plaguing America but yet the far right turns to these sordid fantasies about godless monsters hurting children.

Now, as in the 1980s Satanic panic, they wont even face the fact that most kids who suffer sexual abuse are harmed not by a shadowy cabal of strangers, but at the hands of a family member, Klee wrote in Rolling Stone. To know thousands of adults will absorb Sound of Freedom, this vigilante fever dream, and come away thinking themselves better informed on a hidden civilizational crisis well, its profoundly depressing. Worse still, theyll want to spread the word.

Since publishing his review, Klee told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press hes been subject to death threats and abuse across various social media platforms and email.

Klee said he interpreted Monroes statement that there is a solution, when talking about the woke mind virus but not saying what that solution is, as a death threat.

Monroe declined to say whether he threatened Klee but said he, too, is now receiving death threats after Klee shared his email on Twitter. The screenshot of the email contained Monroes phone number and email address, which Monroe included in his email.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A group of Ottawa County residents are now starting to collect signatures to recall a far right county leader.

On Monday, July 17, the three-member Ottawa County Election Commission approved petition language allowing the start of signature collection that, if successful, would essentially put Ottawa County Commissioner Lucy Ebel up for re-election in either November this year or May 2024.
LUDINGTON, MI  Four people, including an off-duty police officer, helped rescue a Hudsonville family struggling in Lake Michigan.

The four helped a 39-year-old Hudsonville woman and her boys, ages 7 and 10, Ludington police said.
SAGINAW, MI  Compassionate and perpetually smiling, Shauna L. Roy dreamed of opening an adult foster care facility in her hometown of Saginaw. Had she lived long enough to do so, the passion project would have been the latest in her never-ending effort to help the downtrodden.

She just always wanted to do stuff for people who were less fortunate, said Domonique Vann, Roys best friend of 30 years. She would help anybody. She used to do hat-and-glove giveaways for homeless people and would collect donations.

Roy, maiden name Williams, was slain inside a unit at Kings Lane Apartments in Burton around 7:20 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. Police had gone there after receiving notice of a body inside the apartment and arrived to find Roys body had been dismembered and placed in garbage bags and set in a bathtub.

Vann met Roy when they sat next to each other in their sixth-grade science class North Middle School, which closed in 2007. Vann was a shy child, but Roys effervescent personality drew her in and laid the foundation for a friendship that would span three decades.

She was always giggly and funny, Vann described Roy as a young girl.

Roy maintained those qualities into adulthood, constantly being in touch with friends and family to see if she could help them in any way. For instance, she wouldnt go to the grocery store without calling others to see if they needed her to pick up something. If a loved one needed to clean their house, Roy would call them up, likely open with Hey, honey, and ask if she could lend a hand.

She just always loved helping people, Vann said. Shauna was one of the most generous, kind, most caring people you could ever meet. I dont think she ever met a person who didnt end up being her friend. She was bubbly, cheerful, and always smiling, even if she didnt feel good.

Most recently, she worked at Nexteer Automotive, but was making strides to opening her foster care facility, looking for a building to house it, Vann said.

In August 2021, Roy was a bridesmaid in Vanns wedding, a memory Vann cherishes.

When I got married, we were dancing on the dance floor, having a good time, she said. She always there, for anything and everything. She was more than a friend. That was my sister.

Vann last saw Roy when they went to dinner together on Friday, July 7.

We were talking about taking a girls trip, Vann said, stifling a sob over the dashed hope.

Vann began suspecting something was wrong around Wednesday, July 12. Uncharacteristically for Roy, she stopped responding to Vanns text messages. Vanns frequent phone calls went straight to voicemail.

Even if she was at work, she would text me, she said. She was the type of person who would get up in the morning and text you, Good morning. Im thinking about you. I hope you have a good day.

Police have said they believe Roys husband, 44-year-old Tony R. Roy III, killed her and mutilated her body then left the Burton apartment.

A search for Tony Roy resulted in a traffic stop in Detroit, during which Roy pointed a gun at himself before turning it toward a female acquaintance who was also in his vehicle, according to Michigan State Police.

When Roy turned the gun toward the woman, MSP troopers shot and killed him.

The Roys were married on July 22, 2022, while Tony Roy was on parole. He had at least 17 felony convictions on his record, including eight for armed robbery. In February 2015, a Genesee County judge sentenced him to six to nine years in prison.

Caught with contraband in prison in 2017, Roy was sentenced to an additional six months to five years in May 2018. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Roy in the summer of 2022.

The MDOC listed Roy as an absconder on July 11 of this year.

Also while on parole, Tony Roy in March was charged in Genesee County District Court aggravated domestic violence, torture, two assaultive counts, and eight gun-related offenses. That case was dismissed the following month.

Shauna Roy mothered two sons, ages 16 and 7. They are now with their maternal grandmother, Vann said.

Her oldest son, its tearing him up inside, she said.

Grieving her slain friend, Vann said she keeps hearing Shauna Roys voice, calling, Hey honey.

She did not deserve this right here at all, she said. She had a lot of dreams. Pray for her children and her family. Theres some real tough stuff to deal with.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

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In part because of historical precedent, attorneys said it could be difficult to prove the case against 16 Republicans facing multiple felonies for their involvement in an attempt to appoint electors supporting then-President Donald Trump in Michigan after then-candidate Joe Biden handily won the state.

Derek Muller, an election law expert and professor at the Notre Dame School of Law, said the prosecution faces an uphill battle, centering his argument on a historical parallel: the 1960 presidential election in Hawaii, where Republican Richard Nixon had defeated Democrat John F. Kennedy by a razor-thin, 141-vote margin.

At the federal deadline to appoint electoral college members to cast votes, a recount was ongoing, the Honolulu Bulletin-Star reported. So in the Hawaii Capitol, two sets of electors stood in the same room and signed identical documents: one set of three declared Nixon the winner, as the official electors, and immediately afterward another three signed an electoral certification declaring the state for Kennedy.

Both were sent to the federal government, but only the Nixon electors were declared the legal electors, the newspaper reported.

The sets of documents were sent to the federal government, but when the recount found Kennedy won by 115 votes, the governor had to send a new certificate to Washington, DC, signed by the Kennedy electors.

At the time, they were casting false documents. They were not the electors. They were not certified as the winner, Muller said in an interview. Those documents were pretty much worthless until the court came in and said you are the electors and then the governor signs the certificate.

On Tuesday, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the 16 Republicans faced multiple felonies. They all are accused of the same charges, related forgery and signing false documents, after they claimed to be the duly and qualified electors for Michigan who convened in the Capitol to cast their votes, at the time and place required by Congress.

I think the prosecutor is going to have to try to show intent, which is always a very hard thing to do, Muller said. To the extent that these electors believed they were just preserving the record, in the event that the state legislature or the governor or a court certified a different winner  its very hard for the prosecutors to win.

Ian Northon, a lawyer who helped coordinate the pro-Trump electors, said at the time they had sent alternative documents to Congress in case the state Legislature decided to replace Democratic electors, and had claimed the Republican-led Houses inquiry after the election could change the result, too, despite Republicans legislative leaders at the time declaring the opposite.

A flurry of lawsuit were in progress at the time, including a federal suit led by Kraken attorney Sydney Powell, to overturn the results, as was a suit at the state level full of suggestions of election fraud but no direct allegations or evidence.

While Powells lawsuit later failed in spectacular fashion and she and other plaintiffs were fined for litigating with such scant evidence  a historic and profound abuse of the judicial process  many Trump supporters were convinced the election would be overturned.

Josh Blanchard, a Michigan criminal defense attorney, agreed there could be an argument if the would-be electors genuinely believed the election could be overturned, and they were legitimate electors. He didnt see the historical ties as particularly relevant, but also pointed out other issues.

If I were defending the case, the piece that I think would be challenging is that lie about where they met. That makes it seem an awful lot like theyre trying to deceive or defraud someone, Blanchard said.

According to charging documents and prior testimony to federal investigators, the false electors signed their certification in the basement of now-former Michigan Republican Party headquarters, then walked to the Capitol, only to be turned away at the door by Michigan State Police troopers. The certification states they convened in the Capitol.

If its specific intent, the claim that they met at the Capitol makes it just seem like a fraud, Blanchard said. As far as from what I understand, thats just demonstrably untrue.

Edward Foley, a constitutional law professor at the Ohio State University, said he believes theres an argument the electors should have understood they werent legitimate and had no chance of changing the result.

I think the strongest element of the prosecutions case is you know, there was zero basis for the claim of the Trump electors that they were valid electors, Foley said. They have no plausibility to their assertion of validity. And I would think that thats going to be the centerpiece of any prosecution.

Foley, who wrote a book on the history of U.S. electoral disputes, has reservations about the prosecution. He is unequivocal that post-2020 claims of widespread fraud were unfounded and Trump tried to attack our democracy, but he said he was troubled about the threat of legal consequences for people on the losing side of electoral disputes.

He characterized the charged false electors as pawns in a broader conspiracy.

Both sides of electors are claiming to be the valid electors from the relevant state and I dont think you want to criminalize their claims while those claims remain pending, even if those claims are baseless, Foley said. Theyre a victim of the conspiracy that Trump and (his attorney Rudy) Giuliani perpetrated and its sort of how I assess that, until you can prove to me that they were sort of in on the conspiracy as opposed to more a victim of it.

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Michigan has a housing problem. So, what is the legislature doing?

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As Michigan looks to make the state more attractive for both young people to remain in and transplants to move to, its legislature may play a role in one of the core components of that effort: housing.

But a recent study from the National Low Income Housing Coalition indicates that task may be harder than it seems, ranking Michigan middle of the road for rental affordability nationwide.

And, given part of the equation deals with zoning ordinances  which are mostly set by local municipalities  lawmakers will likely have their work cut out for them.

RELATED: These 31 Michigan cities have more renters than homeowners

At the top of the legislative session, Democrats announced affordable housing would be among their main policy focuses alongside repealing right-to-work, codifying LGBTQ protections in Michigans civil rights act and doing away with the states pension tax.

Now, with many of those efforts signed into law, Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, said he anticipates movement on further housing- and rental-related bills relatively soon after we get back from their summer break.

This could potentially include legislation to prevent a landlord from discriminating against a tenant based on their source of income, such as using a housing voucher, and requiring landlords alert residents if the building they live in has been condemned or is an imminent or serious hazard to their health.

The latter of those two bills passed out of the House in June with bipartisan approval and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate.

Housing is absolutely a necessary part of a successful strategy around economic development and around population growth, said Irwin, chair of the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee. One of the biggest struggles you hear from prospective employers is, where am I gonna get my workforce and wheres my workforce gonna live?

If were going to get serious about economic development, we need to get serious on talent, we need to get serious about housing (and) we need to get serious about transit.

There has been some success, however, in getting certain affordable housing bills across the finish line. On July 18, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a package expanding housing assistance and development activities by modifying the states Brownfield Redevelopment Act.

In a statement following the signing, she characterized the bills as being a solid step forward in the larger Make it in Michigan strategy, an initiative the administration is pushing in an effort to attract talent and lower unemployment in the state.

Whether its renovating the old bank or theater on main street or building affordable housing on abandoned land, Michigan communities are on the move, open for business, and showing the world how much we have to offer, Whitmer said. These bills will create good-paying jobs, grow the economy, and lower costs for businesses and families looking for affordable housing options.

Recent data from the National Low Income Housing Coalitions Out of Reach report ranked Michigan 28th worst in the nation for rental affordability. A person living off minimum wage, which is $10.10 an hour, would need to work at least 86 hours a week just to afford a two bedroom rental according to the report.

For a one bedroom at a fair market rate, that same minimum wage employee would need to work at least 68 hours a week, or the equivalent of 1.7 minimum wage jobs.

The fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Michigan is $1,126. In order for a person to afford this level of rent and utilities without having to spend more than 30% of their income on housing, the data also notes a household would need to earn just over $45,000 annually.

More than 1.1 million Michigan households rent their dwellings, according to the report.

Given the most recent U.S. Census estimated there were about 4.6 million housing units as of July 1, 2022, in Michigan, that would mean around 24% of those homes  nearly one in four  are rentals.

Lisa Chapman, director of public policy for the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, said that statistic coupled with the fact Michigan has a 190,000-unit deficit of housing statewide is a factor in whats making it harder for people to find and stay in housing.

Not only have we not been producing enough, weve also lost housing over the last couple of decades, Chapman said. If you think about subsidized programs like the tax credit program, the tax credit program has an affordability period. Then after that, it depends on what the developer picks ... they can sell the property, they can go market rate.

Developments are coming online and not being recapitalized to continue to be affordable.

RELATED: Where rent is most, least affordable in Michigan

Given the legislature is on break currently, theres been no movement on these bills and Irwin said theres no plans currently for his committee to meet over the summer.

But, he added, that doesnt mean there isnt working going on in the interim to further flesh out bills in anticipation of coming back to Lansing in August.

Irwin also pointed to the recently passed budget still awaiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmers signature  which, among other things, contained $2 million in grant funding to help veterans obtain affordable housing and avoid homelessness and maintained nearly $3 million in funding to help serve runaway and homeless youths.

Even though the bills weve done on housing havent been as exciting as, say, Elliott-Larsen  it doesnt drive the same headlines as right-to-work does ... these things are genuinely important, Irwin said. And even though theyre difficult to write about, and folks I think have struggled to kind of engage with it, it has been a very productive six months on these housing issues.

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Watch LA Fire & Rescue every Wednesday night at 8/7c on NBC  stream free with a Fubo and/or DIRECTV Stream trial, and watch new episodes the following day on Peacock.

About the show:

NBC docuseries LA Fire & Rescue follows the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Charged with protecting a 2,300 square mile area, the rescue team has a wealth of emergency response stories to share. Helicopter missions, California wildfires, fire boat trips, beach disasters, and more are all a part of the job. Featuring interviews with responders, the show offers viewers a VIP-access pass to all the action you watch on Chicago Fire, except this time its real  and happening in California. says NBC Insider.

Watch LA Fire & Rescue tonight at 8/7c on NBC.

Where to watch:
Today looks to be even warmer than yesterday, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s across the board.

We start off the day with mostly clear skies for Lower Michigan, with parts of southeast Michigan seeing abundant sunshine until the afternoon hours.

Cloud cover for today

Most of Northern Michigan will be encompassed by cloud cover through the day.

Showers will quickly follow this cloud cover, reaching the U.P. closer to noon.

Radar loop for today

This inclement weather is expected to stay with the U.P. through tomorrow morning.

Even with the showers and thunderstorms, temperatures will continue to be on the rise. Even with the rain, most of the state could see high temperatures in the 80s.

Temperatures for today

Southern Michigan could make a run toward the 90s by the afternoon hours, after tapping into some abundant sunshine.

We are still eyeing the tomorrow afternoon timeframe, where a cold front is expected to move through the Lower Peninsula. Damaging winds and hail are possible, and rain may interrupt our evening activities.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Hush-money payments. Classified records. And now, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election that led to the Capitol attack. Already facing criminal cases in New York and Florida, Donald Trump is in increasing legal peril as investigations into his struggle to cling to power after his election loss appear to be coming to a head.

A target letter sent to Trump by special counsel Jack Smith suggests he may soon be indicted on new federal charges, adding to the remarkable situation of a former president up against possible prison time while vying to reclaim the White House as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

Smith's wide-ranging probe into the chaotic weeks between Trump's election loss and his supporters' attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, seems to be nearing an end just as another case could be on the horizon. A grand jury that was sworn in this month in Georgia will likely consider whether to charge Trump and his Republican allies for their efforts to reverse his election loss in the state.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in all the cases and dismissed the prosecutions as a malign effort to hurt his 2024 campaign.

Here's a look at the Jan. 6 investigation, Trump's legal cases and what could happen next:

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE JAN. 6 PROBE?

The team led by Smith, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, has questioned a host of former White House officials, Trump allies, lawyers and state election officials both in voluntary interviews and before the grand jury that has been meeting behind closed doors in Washington. Those who have testified before the grand jury  which would ultimately hand down any indictment  include Trump's Vice President Mike Pence, who has spoken extensively in public about the former president's efforts to pressure him into rejecting President Joe Biden's electoral victory.

Smith's team appears to be interested in a late night Dec. 18, 2020, White House meeting one aide has called unhinged in which Trump's private lawyers suggested he order the U.S. military to seize state voting machines in an unprecedented effort to pursue his false claims of voter fraud. In videos shown by the U.S. House Committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack, one White House lawyer said he thought the idea was nuts. Judges  including some appointed by Trump  uniformly rejected his claims of voter fraud.

Smith has also questioned witnesses about schemes by Trump associates to enlist electors in battleground states to sign certificates claiming that Trump  instead of Biden  had won their states. The fake electors' certificates were mailed to the National Archives and Congress, where some Republicans used them to try to justify delaying or blocking certification of the election.

Smith's team has also shown interest in the story of a Georgia election worker, Ruby Freeman, who along with her daughter has recounted living in fear following death threats after Trump and his allies falsely accused them of pulling fraudulent ballots from a suitcase in Georgia. That interest is according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing criminal probe.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

It's unclear when Smith's investigation may wrap up. Trump said he was invited to appear before the grand jury this week, though targets of investigations don't have to testify and rarely agree to do so. The grand jury, which meets in secret, would ultimately vote on whether there is enough evidence to charge him with a crime. Federal grand juries are made up of about 16 to 23 people, and at least 12 must agree in order to hand down an indictment.

Among the potential charges legal experts have said Trump could face are conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding: Congress certification of Biden's electoral victory. Hundreds of the more than 1,000 people accused of federal crimes in the Jan. 6 riot have been charged with the obstruction offense, which carries up to 20 years in prison.

If charged in the Jan. 6 case, Trump could face a challenging jury pool in overwhelmingly Democratic Washington, whose residents  many of whom work on Capitol Hill  had a front-row seat to the chaos that unfolded after Trump urged his supporters to fight like hell.

Many Jan. 6 rioters have tried unsuccessfully to get their trials moved out of the nation's capital, saying Trump supporters can't get a fair trial there. Only two defendants have been acquitted of all charges after trials, and those were trials decided by a judge, not a jury. In the most serious Jan. 6 cases brought so far, juries have convicted the leaders of two far-right extremist groups  the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys  of seditious conspiracy and other charges for what prosecutors described as plots to block the transfer of power from Trump to Biden. More than 600 other Jan. 6 defendants have pleaded guilty to federal crimes.

WHATS GOING ON WITH TRUMPS OTHER CASES?

Trump pleaded not guilty last month to 37 federal felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records at his Florida Mar-a-Lago estate and rejecting government demands to give them back. A judge in that case heard arguments on Tuesday over whether that trial  which would take place in Florida  should happen before or after the 2024 election. While prosecutors are seeking a December trial date, Trump's lawyers have pushed for an indefinite delay, arguing he can't get a fair trial while he's campaigning for president.

In New York state court, a trial is scheduled to begin in March  in the thick of primary season  in another Trump case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg that alleges a scheme to bury allegations of extramarital affairs that arose during his first White House campaign. Trump has pleaded not guilty in that case to 34 felony counts of falsifying internal business records at his private company about a hush-money payoff to porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump was trying to get the case moved to federal court, but a judge ruled against that on Wednesday.

In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has been investigating Trump and his allies for their efforts to overturn his election loss in that state, is expected to present her case before one of two grand juries seated earlier this month. Willis has suggested that any indictments would likely come in August. A separate special grand jury  which didn't have charging power and dissolved in January  submitted a report with recommendations to Willis. Though most of that report remains under wraps for now, the panels foreperson has said without naming names that the special grand jury recommended charging multiple people.

Meanwhile, in Michigan on Tuesday, the state's attorney general filed felony charges, including forgery against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for Trump in 2020, accusing them of submitting false certificates that said they were legitimate electors despite Bidens victory there.

Richer reported from Boston.

More on Donald Trump-related investigations: https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump
A regional review meeting recently took place in Cape Town to incorporate Africa's perspective into the United Nations Global Digital Compact (GDC) and promote a more inclusive and equitable digital future. The meeting reflected on key themes: Africa's infrastructure development, digital public goods, digital trust, data protection, human rights, regulation of emerging technologies such as AI. Experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from 32 member states representing government, private sector, civil society, and academia attended the meeting to provide technical inputs.

The GDC aims to foster an open, free, and secure digital environment, reflecting shared principles of trust, inclusivity, and sustainability. It was initiated in recognition of the transformative potential of digital technologies worldwide, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to maximize benefits and mitigate risks. Rwanda and Sweden are co-facilitators leading the intergovernmental process to establish the GDC. As part of the consultative process to establish the GDC, the UN is actively seeking inputs from individuals, organizations, and entities worldwide to shape a comprehensive and inclusive agreement.

In his opening remarks, Fayaz King, representing the Office of the Secretary Generals Envoy on Technology, emphasized the need for Africa to take a central role in shaping the GDC. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that Africa is not just a provider of data to a small group of entities but should also actively participate in shaping its digital future. He called for the development of standards for data interoperability and effective regulations that go beyond self-regulation, while also stressing the significance of regulating AI and handling data in a manner that informs decision-makers and serves the common good.

Antonio Pedro, Acting Executive Secretary of ECA, via a video message said, The benefits of shared prosperity that emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and autonomous intelligent systems can bring are unequally distributed and dominated by players outside of Africa, flagging the importance of providing basic policy and regulatory guardrails to support safe and equitable digital transformation.

The Global Digital Compact provides an opportunity to address these divides through its multi-stakeholder consultation process and by setting clear goals and bringing stakeholders together, he added.

Leon Juste Ibombo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy of the Republic of the Congo and Chair of the Council of Ministers of ICT (CMICT) , raised issues of inclusivity, noting the importance of widening language data pool for training AI models beyond the predominant use of English and Chinese languages. He underpinned the benefits of encouraging initiatives that enhance digital culture, including coding and machine learning.

Representing the South African Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies, Alfred Mamadou, stressed that both state and non-state actors need to work together to develop Africas digital economy and lauded the GDCs multistakeholder and consultative approach to shaping regulatory frameworks.

For his part, Nelson Muffuh, UN Resident Coordinator in South Africa underlined the importance of approaching negotiations from a position of strength, rather than disadvantage and emphasized the need to prioritize capacity building to enhance the skills and knowledge required to effectively embrace digital technologies.

Allision Gillwald, Executive Director of Research ICT Africa (RIA), stressed the need to address the digital divide paradox whereby coverage exists but penetration is lagging behind. The low productive use of online services and weak governance of the digital space were among the challenges she highlighted.

There is need for empirical data through research to inform policy and further development of the digital economy in Africa, as well as the need for paradigm shift in the manner in which digital economy data is collected and used by focusing on African context research for the digital economy and disaggregation of data, said Gillwald.

Participants stressed the need to break down silos, and the importance of sharing information as well as involving all stakeholders to leverage the UN's pillars of peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development. Addressing digital infrastructure divides, policy gaps in governing new technologies, and talent and capacity development for a fair and equitable digital transformation were also highlighted.

According to Mactar Seck, Chief of Technology and Innovation Section, the Economic Commission for Africa's Digital Center of Excellence will continue the consultative process to consolidate African voices within the GDC's multistakeholder framework and collective efforts to address global digital challenges. The GDC is expected to be agreed upon at the Summit of the Future in September 2024.

Source: UNECA
19.07.2023 LISTEN

Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East and Minister for Fisheries and Aquacultural Development, Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson has spearheaded the launch of Obaatanpa Loans for small to medium-scale traders.

The ceremony took place in a meeting with the Kasoa Petty Traders Association, where the MP distributed the first instalment of 15,000 Ghana Cedis to the first group of beneficiaries.

The Obaatanpa Loans initiative aims to enable small to medium-scale traders in the Awutu Senya East constituency to access financial support to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods. Recognizing the significant contributions of these traders to the local economy, Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson initiated the program a few years back to provide them with the necessary financial resources to expand their operations.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson expressed her commitment to supporting small businesses and traders in the Awutu Senya East constituency. She stated, "Our traders are the backbone of our economy, and it is crucial that we provide them with the support they need to thrive. Through Obaatanpa Loans, we aim to empower our traders and help them realize their true potential."

The initial batch of beneficiaries from the Kasoa Petty Traders Association expressed their gratitude to Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson for her dedication and efforts in assisting their businesses. They believe that the Obaatanpa Loans will provide them with the boost they need for their businesses and contribute to the economic growth of the constituency.

Obaatanpa Loans will continue to be disbursed throughout the year, with additional beneficiaries being selected based on their eligibility and potential to grow their businesses. The initiative aims to prioritize small to medium-scale traders across various sectors, contributing to inclusive economic development and reducing poverty in the Awutu Senya East constituency.

About Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson:

Hon Mavis Hawa Koomson is the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East and currently holds the position of Minister for Fisheries and Aquacultural Development. She is known for her dedication to the sustainable development of the constituency and her efforts to uplift the lives of its residents.
Two of President Nana Akufo-Addos ministers that I respect and admire most are Gloria Akufo who served as Attorney General and Minister of Justice in the first term and the other is her replacement and current Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Godfred Yeboah Odame. I respect them for two reasons. Gloria Akufo for her candid legal advice to government on the infamous Agyapa Royalty contract, which condemned the proposal to failure and also ended her ministerial career and for Mr Yeboah Odame, his legal opinion on the draft LGBTQ+ Bill. Both have also chalked victories in defending Ghanas interests at international courts and at home. However, of late, I am beginning to have some concerns about some cases that the Attorney General and Minister for Justice has been involved in. This article is a discussion on one of such cases.

The case in question that the Attorney Generals actions and omissions give me concern is the COCOBOA corruption trial. There has been a number of avoidable problems with this case since its inception and I have almost come to the conclusion that politicians from the two leading parties, NPP and NDC are not interested in prosecuting political corruption in the fight against corruption. Instead, they are deceiving the Ghanaian public with such show trials that never ends. Why do I say so?

The first problem with the trial was the defendants access to the documentary evidence being relied on by the prosecution. This resulted in a number of applications to the court by the defence team, including going to the Appeal Court that unduly delayed the trial. I cannot fathom why the prosecution would want to hide evidence from the defendants only to spring them on the defence in court from a magic wand. It does not make sense because it is in the interest of both the prosecution, defence as well as the court that documentary evidence from both parties are disclosed and exchanged in advance before trial begins to ensure speedy and efficient trial and to avoid any unnecessary adjournments, though I appreciate that at the time, Mr Yeboah Odame was not the substantive Attorney General but the deputy.

The second problem was the elevation of the trial judge, then Justice Clemence Honyenuga, Appeal Court judge sitting at the High Court to the Supreme Court and the refusal of the Attorney General to allow a change of the trial judge after he was nominated to the apex court of the land by the president or after his confirmation. How could a Supreme Court Justice also sit as a High Court judge? A Justice of the Supreme Court cannot even sit as an Appeal Court judge, let alone a High Court Judge. The Attorney General was so determined to have this judge continue the case that he failed to realise that the judge had almost reached his mandatory retirement age of 65 and may not complete the trial.

What was interesting is that when the defence challenged the trial judge continuing with the case at the Supreme Court for being bias and won, the Attorney General sought a review of the decision and got it reversed for him to continue as trial judge. Then finally, the judge retired from the bench as he had attained the 65 years retirement age for judges, compelling the Chief Justice to appoint a new judge for the case.

Another twist in the episode of the unending trial was the Attorney General going to the Appeal Court to challenge the decision of the new Appeal Court trial judge to restart the trial de novo (afresh). The Attorney General won his appeal but before the Appeal Court decision was announced, the new trial judge, Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah was unceremoniously transferred from Accra to Kumasi by the Chief Justice (see, COCOBOD trial: Justice Gyimah to be transferred from Opunis case  Report, Ghanaweb, June 26, 2023).

Its important to note that Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah gave cogent reasons for his decision to start the case de novo and among others citied Section 80(2)(a) of NRCD 323, which enjoys the court to assess a witnesss demeanour in determining his or her credibility. The judge added that, much as that may be the right position, in a criminal trial where the liberty of the accused is at stake and where the accused is by law presumed innocent and also entitled to a fair trial, any factor, however minimal or insignificant its effect, that will enhance the opportunities for the fair trial of an accused person should not be overlooked by the court., (see, COCOBOD trial: Adopting previous proceedings or not is at judges discretion  Attorney General, Ghanaweb, July 15, 2023). In fact, the Attorney General had earlier relied on Section 80(2)(a) of NRCD 323 (assessing a witnesss demeanour in determining his or her credibility) to make to argue for the Justice Clemence Honyenuga not to be changed as trial judge at the Supreme Court.

The AG on the other hand, disagreed with Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyima and argued that the judge misdirected himself in the application of the principles regarding the adoption of evidence in a trial. That, his decision to start the case de novo will occasion a miscarriage of justice as it will hinder an efficient trial of the accused persons in the instant case. Is it not interesting that the prosecutor is now arguing for the defendant?

What was strange is that after securing the reversal of the decision by Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyima to start the case de novo at the Appeal Court and the judge being transferred to Kumasi, the AG then confirmed that it is the sole prerogative of a trial judge to decide whether to adopt previous proceedings or not. In fact, he stated that, the true position of the law, is actually up to the trial judge to make that determination. The trial judge makes that determination based on factors that he considers necessary. He made these remarks while speaking to journalists after securing a favourable decision on the case at the Appeal Court (see, COCOBOD trial: Adopting previous proceedings or not is at judges discretion  Attorney General, Ghanaweb, July 15, 2023).

Therefore, why did the AG appeal? I wonder what the the Appeal Court judges who sat on the appeal and reversed the decision of their peer, Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyima felt when they read or saw the above comments to the media by the AG? If I were one of them, I would have felt deceived or manipulated by the AG.

The above clearly indicates that Justice Akwasi Anokye Gyima was within the law and his right to start the case de novo but the AG did not like it, so he appealed to the Appeal Court and got the judges decision reversed. Of course, it is his right to appeal if he disagreed with the decision, but the question is, did he know in advance that he will be successful at the Appeal Court? I pose this question because, the AG knew in advance that the judge was right to start the case de novo because that is what the law says. I cannot say for sure that the AG knew in advance that the Appeal Court would reverse the decision of the trial judge but there is an Akan proverb that, if a blind person says s/he will stone you, it means s/he already has the stone.

Moreover, one does not appeal because s/he disagrees or does not like the decision of a judge but that the decision is wrong in law. Therefore, when the AG knew that by the laws of Ghana it was up to the judge to decide whether to adopt the previous judges evidence or start the case de novo and opted for the latter, yet went ahead and appealed, one could not be wrong to suspect that, like the proverbial blind person, the AG might have had the stone in his hand in advance.

Again, though the judge was sitting at the High Court, he is an Appeal Court judge and therefore a senior judge. In addition to his seniority, he provided the legal basis for his decision, which was not only rooted in law but also to ensure fair trial.

Of course, this trial has been ongoing for far too long and therefore I sympathise with the AGs view that the decision by Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyima to start the case de novo was retrogressive as it meant witnesses appearing twice. But what is retrogression in law and is it part of Ghana jurisprudence? In my view, no. That is not a good reason for his appeal because fair trial is more important than retrogression. That is why the 1769 William Gladstone doctrine is still important in criminal trials. That is, the law holds that it is better for ninety-nine guilty persons to escape, than one innocent person be convicted.

The question is, why was Justice Kwasi Anokye transferred to Kumasi within a very short time? Was he transferred because he incurred the displeasure of the AG by wanting to start the case de novo, which is his prerogative as a judge and not that of the AG, who is a member of the Executive or the Chief Justice as the head of the judiciary?

Was the judge being punished for wanting to assert his independence, which all judges must do? Was his transfer a message to other judges to toe the line of the Executive or be transferred? Transfer of judges per se is not a sanction since they are public servants but when done suddenly for whatever reason could be seen as interference by whoever ordered the transfer. Again, if the transferee has young children at school, it could disrupt their education as they have to change school with their parents relocating to a new city, unless they are in boarding school.

It also appears that the AG will appeal any judgement which is not in favour of the state until he gets a favourable decision. There is nothing wrong with that and in fact, it is within the rights of the sate to appeal unfavourable judgements. However, such approach could also make the public to wonder if justice is being manipulated by the Executive arm. This is particularly so because often, it is the AG himself or his deputy who appears before the appellate courts. As a member of the Executive such regular appearance in courts also raises questions, especially in Ghana where the Executive has power over the promotion and appointment of senior judges. Moreover, it creates the impression that the AG and minister of justice has less work to do so he is free to appear in courts as often as he likes. Remember, the principal duties of the AG and minister of justice is to advise the Executive and occasionally appear in court on strategic cases. In other jurisdictions where the judiciary is truly independent with the promotion and appointment of senior judges in the hands of an independent judicial appointment commission such as the UK, the Attorney General and minister for justice rarely appears before appellate courts. It is to safeguard the separation of powers and maintain the independence of the judiciary.

In conclusion, justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. The circumstances of the transfer of Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyima to Kumasi because he decided to start the trial de novo do not augur for fair trial and justice being seen to be done. It is also damaging to the independence of the judiciary and individual judges.

Personally, any corruption or criminal trial that has been ongoing for over three years, is an indication that the Executive is not interested in a successful prosecution. These include the Gregory Afoko trial for the murder of the Upper East NPP Regional Chairman, the late Adams Mahama and that of the murder of NPP MP for Abuakwa North, the late JB Danquah Adu. The COCOBOD is one of such cases that the state is not interested in a successful prosecution. Its a game that NPP and NDC politicians are playing with Ghanaians. None of the two parties are interested in prosecuting politicians for corruption or crimes of political nature. The COCOBOD trial is nothing but a scam. The shenanigans since the trial began five years ago are evidence that the trial is a charade, a waste of public resources and scarce judicial time. If they are guilty, jail them and stop pretending as if you are fighting corruption. On the contrary, politicians from both parties are encouraging corruption with 419 scam trials that never ends.

Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK
Jefferson Sackey, Deputy Director of Communications at the Office of the President and aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma Central, says his people have benefited much from his party.

He stated that almost all development projects in the constituency were done under the NPP government.

"Almost all the developmental projects in the Ablekuma Central constituency were done during the NPP era, said Sackey in an interview on Accra-based JoyNews on Tuesday, July 18.

"Today my constituents are not sleeping in darkness. It is important to note that my government has done so much," he added.

Mr Sackey is vying to be the NPP's parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma Central in the upcoming primaries.

According to him, being an MP is about service not money.

"The most important thing is that if you are entering parliament with the notion to make money, you are going to be miserable," he said.

The aspirant expressed hope that if elected, he can become the first MP from the constituency to be a Minister or Deputy.

"We have never had a Member of Parliament in my constituency who had ever been a Minister or a Deputy and I am hoping to change that when I am voted and we break the 8 as well," Sackey stated.
Jefferson Sackey, Deputy Director of Communications at the Office of the President and aspiring NPP parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma Central, has set his sights on making history for the constituency.

He is hoping to become the first Member of Parliament from the Ablekuma Central constituency in the Greater Accra Region to become a Minister or Deputy.

The journalist believes becoming the first Ablekuma Central MP to hold a ministerial or deputy ministerial role would be an achievement.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based JoyNews on Tuesday, July 18, Mr Sackey stated, "We have never had a Member of Parliament in my constituency who had ever been a Minister or a Deputy and I am hoping to change that when I am voted and we break the 8 as well."

The NPP hopes to retain power in 2024, as they describe as 'breaking the 8'.

Mr Sackey touted the NPP's development record in the constituency, noting that the party has done almost all major projects.

"Almost all the developmental projects in the Ablekuma Central constituency were done during the NPP era. Today my constituents are not sleeping in darkness. It is important to note that my government has done so much," Mr Sackey said.

The aspirant also commented on his motives for seeking office, indicating that money should never be the driving factor.

"The most important thing is that if you are entering parliament with the notion to make money, you are going to be miserable," he stated.
Mark Okraku-Mantey, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, believes economic difficulties have impacted the government's ability to communicate its achievements to the public.

In an interview on Accra-based JoyNews on Tuesday, July 18, Okraku-Mantey said the NPP communicators now finds it hard to trumpet governments achievements.

"I think that because of the economic challenges that we have, we have been affected by not being able to communicate some of the good things we have done, he said.

The Deputy Minister, who is contesting the NPP primaries in Ayensuano in the Eastern region hopes to highlight government's track record.

"If I am able to trumpet what we have done, I am sure my people will give me the nod," he said.

According to Okraku-Mantey, fixing a major road could boost NPP's chances in the constituency.

"I know that the biggest challenge in my constituency is the road and if we get this done can give us back our seat," he asserted.

The NPP lost the Ayensuano parliamentary seat in the 2020 elections after having won it for five consecutive times since 2000.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has taken a swipe at the government and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the ongoing criminal trial against the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

Mr. Nartey George defended the decision of the Minority Caucus to boycott plenary on Gyakye Quaysons trial days to solidarise with him arguing it is a protest against injustice and targeted prosecution.

He insisted that until all charges against the Assin North lawmaker are dropped, members will not rescind their decision.

We will not go to the plenary. There are cases such as that of NAM1 and Menzgold and you decide to prosecute James Gyakye Quayson on a daily basis. Any day they take our colleague to court, we will abandon the plenary. Anyway, NPP MPs have abandoned the plenary and are following Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia around the country and campaigning.

He further charged that President Akufo-Addo was sold to Ghanaians as a civil rights defender but has turned out to be the worst autocrat Ghana has ever seen.

Akufo-Addo was sold to us as a defender of civil liberty, as a doer of the rule of law but has turned out to be worse, the most despotic military ruler that Ghana has ever seen. He abuses the public institutions of state and we must call him out and tell him he is an arrant and a despot and say that we will arise up to him because that is what our National Anthem enjoins us to do. He will go down in the history of this country as the worst president and most undemocratic person.

The president is being despotic and prosecuting a legitimately elected MP and he is colluding with the judiciary to do this to James Gyakye Quayson.

By Kabah Atawoge
In a latest revelation, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that Ghana's Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, resigned from his position as Secretary to the Executive Council of the National Cathedral of Ghana on January 19, 2023, in a secretive manner.

Mr Ablakwa further stated that Mr. Dame was subsequently replaced on March 16, 2023, by Sena Chartered Secretaries Ltd.

According to Mr Ablakwa, this resignation can be interpreted as a strategic move by the Attorney General to distance himself from the controversies surrounding the scandal-ridden National Cathedral project.

The North Tongu MP expressed his belief that many analysts will perceive this as a calculated decision by the Attorney General to jump ship and safeguard his reputation.

He highlighted that Mr. Dame's quiet resignation from President Akufo-Addo's billion-dollar legacy project, which the President has described as his "priority of priorities," had not been previously brought to the attention of the Ghanaian public.

The lawmaker concluded by suggesting that only time will reveal whether Mr. Dame's apparent resignation in the manner of Pontius Pilate will absolve him of any accountability when judgment day arrives.

The revelation of Godfred Dame's secretive resignation adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing discussions surrounding the National Cathedral project. As the public awaits further developments, scrutiny of the project's management and the involvement of key individuals continues to be a topic of interest and concern.

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The Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Divine Bosson staged a walkout during a CSOs meeting held on Thursday, July 13, at Stevens Hotel, Ho.

The Forum, which was held to dialogue on politics of exclusion in Ghana brought together CSOs, traditional leaders, the clergy, members of the various security services, representatives from the various political parties and the other stakeholders under the theme Politics of exclusion, a threat to Ghanas democratic order seemed to be moving on smoothly until the Ho MCE took his turn to address the gathering.

The MCE alleged that the meeting was an NDC workshop in non political colours. He further ordered all members of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) to leave the venue.

The outburst of Hon. Bosson sparked chaos as many registered their displeasure over his conduct.

This development almost ruined the event but for the swift intervention of the organizers.

A former Ho MCE, Hon. Isaac Kotobisa who was present at the Forum said the action of Hon. Divine Bosson is a desecration to the noble office of an MCE.

The Executive Director of Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-Ghana), organizers of the Forum, Mr. Richard Kasu described the MCEs behaviour as uncivil.

CFF-Ghana is a public interest CSO working to promote participatory governance and electoral integrity in Ghana and beyond.

Speakers at the forum wer , the Executive Director for ASEPA, Mr. Thompson Mensah, Volta Regional Chairman of Peace Council, Rev. Seth Mawutor and the Volta Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr. Mawutor Agbavitor.
The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia Tuesday, July 18, 2023 cut sod for the construction of an ultramodern hospital project at Ejura in the Ashanti Region.

The project according to the Vice President is part of the governments Agenda 111, which he has described as the biggest-ever investment in the nations healthcare sector.

Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony, Dr Bawumia said government was committed to providing quality health care to the public.

He explained that the project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

The Vice President said the project will not stall as funding was readily available for the contractor.

He added that when completed, each facility would provide employment to health workers and others and further create other businesses in the health value chain for the surrounding communities.

He commended President Akuffo Addo and the New Patriotic Party NPP's government for investing hugely in the countrys health sector.

"As you have heard already, the Ghana Health Infrastructure Project better known as the Agenda 111 project consists of the construction of 101 district hospitals in areas without district hospitals and the construction of two psychiatric hospitals for the middle and the southern belts, seven regional hospitals and the rehabilitation of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

"This idea by the President was conceived with the aim of making the countrys healthcare quality, affordable and accessible to the ordinary Ghanaian," he said.

For his part, the Chief of Ejura Traditional Area Barima Osei Hwedie II said he was grateful to the government for providing Ejura and its surrounding residents with the hospital.

He noted that the facility when completed will serve thousands of residents who would have trekked miles to seek health care.

Barimah Osei Hwedie II expressed gratitude to the Vice President for supporting the Ejura community.

He disclosed that the Vice President has led the construction of a water facility which will serve the entire Ejura community, provision of over 1000 cement bags and roofing of the Ejura Divisional Police Command among others.

"Ejura will forever be grateful to you Mr. Vice President for your footprint on our land, your contribution to the development of Ejura is huge and so on behalf of my people we say God bless you," he stated.
Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen is accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a parishioner at True Bethel Baptist Church, where he has served as the longtime pastor, in a new lawsuit filed under the Adult Survivors Act.

The woman who filed the claim said she was 45 years old when the abuse began, in or about 2020. The Buffalo News is not naming her because she claims she is a victim of sexual assault.

Pridgen said Wednesday he had not yet been served with the lawsuit and he did not recognize the accusers name. He called the accusations baseless and unfortunate.

I dont have the slightest idea who the accuser is, Pridgen said.

Its mind blowing for anybody to be wrongfully accused like that, but its a part of public life sometimes. It is very difficult. I think its a nightmare and I want to wake up, he said.

Pridgens church, located on East Ferry Street in Buffalo, also is named as a defendant in the lawsuit that was filed Tuesday in State Supreme Court. The filing was first reported by WKBW-TV.

The woman, who identified herself as a church member and volunteer, said the sexual abuse and assaults took place after services on church grounds on at least seven occasions.

Her lawsuit accused Pridgen of forcing her to masturbate him, fondling her breasts and forcibly touching her private parts without her consent.

She pleaded with Pridgen to leave her alone, but he continued, her lawsuit says.

Pridgen disputed the claim that the woman was a parishioner of the church.

She is definitely not a member of True Bethel, and from my knowledge has never volunteered at True Bethel, he said.

Whats more, he added, During most of this period, I was seriously ill, and the church was not in session physically due to Covid.

Effective March 20, 2020, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered 100% closure of businesses statewide, except those delivering essential services such as groceries and health care, to contain the spread of the virus.

On March 29, Pridgen was the first local public official to announce he had contracted Covid. He recovered in time to lead a socially-distanced outdoor service in the True Bethel church parking lot for Easter.

Churches in Western New York were allowed to reopen with limited capacity in June 2020. True Bethel, along with other places of worship, continued to stream its services live over social media networks. True Bethel also required people to register to attend in-person services to keep the Covid-19 numbers down.

The accusers lawsuit contends church officials failed to remove Bishop Pridgen from his position as a bishop or take any steps to keep the dangerous predator away from the parishioners and volunteers of the church.

It wasnt immediately clear if the woman reported the abuse to someone in the church hierarchy or to Buffalo police.

The lawsuit states she suffered emotional distress and mental anguish as a result of the abuse.

Pridgen has served as the Ellicott District Council member for 12 years. He announced in January he would not seek re-election this year to another term.

University Council Member Rasheed Wyatt, a longtime friend of Pridgens, said Ive said to you in the past how much I trust my Council president and bishop, and Im unwavering in that trust.

Council Member Joseph Golombek Jr., who represents the North District, said One is innocent until prove guilty, so thats the way that Im looking at this right now.
The 1985/1987 -year group of the Holy Child Senior Secondary School at Cape Coast in the Central Region donated books worth GHS29,000 to the LEAP school in Obuasi.

The gesture which was intended to improve teaching and learning in the school and surrounding communities was to also honour the memory of the late Nana Akua Ohene Adu who was a co-founder of the LEAP school and a past student of Holy Child School.

A member of the Association who led the donation May Apraku said the late co-founder of the LEAP school was an advocate for reading among children. She said the group was motivated by the relentless efforts to inculcate in children the need to read.

"Late Ohene Adu was an active member of our association and spearheaded a lot of activities. She was also a proponent of reading hence we have decided to honor her memory by donating these books to her school," she stated.

She advised children to develop the habit of reading adding that reading is the bedrock of a successful academic life.

Receiving the items, the Director and co-founder of the LEAP school, Aboagye Ohene Adu said he was touched by the gesture of the year group saying the donation also coincided with the one-year anniversary of her wife Late Akua Ohene Adu.

He intimated that old students of Holy Child school have been supporting the school in diverse ways adding that two of the members sit on the board of the LEAP school.

Founded 12 years ago, Mr. Ohene Adu said the school has been a champion of reading since it was initially established as a reading club.

"As a pioneer of early childhood development in this area, I believe these books will encourage children from nearby communities to develop the habit of reading," he stated.

Government should support private schools

The Director of the LEAP school also appealed to the government to extend support to probate schools in the country.

He said the outbreak of COVID-19 and the free senior high school introduced by the government affected private schools.

He said, "We all know the major role private schools play in supporting educational improvement in the country. We need government to extend the support it gives to public schools to us too,"
Obuasi witnessed 100- percent participation of the Girl child in BECE in 2022.

This is in sharp contrast to what was achieved in 2020 and 2021 when 86 and 96% of girls participated in the BECE respectively.

This significant improvement has been attributed to a number of policies rolled out to keep the girls in school.

One of such initiative is the pad distribution program implemented by AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi Mine.

The 2-year program which began in 2022 has seen AngloGold Ashanti and its partners German development cooperation, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) commit to distribute 10,000 sanitary pads to girls in Obuasi.

According to the Social Development and Gender Superintendent of AGAG, Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei there are discussions to extend the program going forward due to the positive impact it has made so far.

She said the pad distribution program forms part of the health pillar of the company's 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan.

She noted that with the support of the Ghana Education Service and the Ghana Health Service, they will contribute to ending period poverty by providing girls with the necessary resources to manage their menstruation effectively.

As part of the program, AngloGold Ashanti in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service has intensified education on the need to observe menstrual hygiene among girls in schools.

The objective according to Mrs. Kyei is intended to break down the barriers of stigma and shame associated with menstruation.

It would be recalled that AngloGold Ashanti distributed 750 sanitary pads to some JHS girls in the Obuasi East District in May to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

This time, the company distributed 1000 pads to school girls in the Obuasi Municipality. Students from Apitikooko, Sanso, Anyinam Methodist A and B were beneficiaries.

The need for pad bank in schools

The Obuasi Municipal Girl child coordinator Cecilia Salifu has once again appealed to government to create pad banks in schools. He said this has become necessary due to the surge in the prices of sanitary pads.

Sharing her thoughts on menstrual poverty, Madam Salifu bemoaned the difficulties girls go through to access sanitary pads during menstruation. " Some of the girls are forced to stay out of school completely during the period and this affects their academic performance".

She commended AngloGold Ashanti for the initiative saying it is yielding the needed results.

The beneficiaries who shared their ordeals with the media said they had to improvise during the period of menstruation saying the cost of sanitary pads makes it difficult for their parents to access it.

Whiles they commended AngloGold Ashanti for coming to their aid, they also appealed to government to make pads affordable for them
Bawumia Campaign team has denied vice presidents flag bearer campaign is being bankkrolled by ACF, an Islamic group in Nigeria.

"We notice that the same narrative has been copied by some people and groups in Ghana on social media", a statement from Dr Mahamudu. Bawumia's aide, Dr Gideon Boako, said.

"This narrative is obviously false, fabricated, and only serves the propaganda purposes of its promoters", he noted, adding: "For the avoidance of doubt, the Bawumia Campaign has no funding or any linkage with any Islamic group in Nigeria or anywhere else".

Read the full statement below:

Dr. Gideon Boako writes:

Allegations of Islamic Funding for the Bawumia Campaign is False

The attention of the Bawumia Campaign Team has been drawn to a post by one David Humdeyin, a journalist in Nigeria, that the Bawumia Campaign is being funded by some Islamic group in Nigeria called the ACF.

We notice that the same narrative has been copied by some persons and groups in Ghana on social media.

This narrative is obviously false, fabricated, and only serves the propaganda purposes of its promoters.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Bawumia Campaign has no funding or any linkage with any Islamic group in Nigeria or anywhere else.

We also note that the said David Humdeyin has demonstrated a penchant for making similar claims against some persons and groups in Nigeria without any basis whatsoever.

The Bawumia Campaign is focused and will not be distracted by such vain untruths.

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been very diligent and transparent from his days as a scholar, banker, and politician throughout his life and will not depart from these now and forever.

Issued by

Communications Directorate

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Professor Lovemore Mbigi, celebrated within the African management and psychology disciplines, died in Harare, Zimbabwe on 26 June 2023. He left a body of work that resonates on the continent.

Mbigi was over his career affiliated with several African and international universities. Notably, he contributed to the PhD programme at the National University of Science Technology in Zimbabwe. Academics have described him as an important African scholar whose work made an impact in management education .

In addition to his role in the academy, Mbigi was a consultant to business and an active contributor to how state-owned entities could be improved for better service delivery. His areas of expertise included strategy execution, transformation, leadership and diversity management.

I came to know Mbigi and his work when I was an aspiring organisational behaviour scholar. I observed through my reading of the literature that a lot of emphasis was placed on what would be termed western psychology. The influence of this western psychology would permeate through to consulting practice. In seeking a place where I belonged within my discipline, the work of Mbigi was a light in a dark tunnel. I appreciated him throughout my career phases and transitions, and have recommended his work as useful reading for the masters and PhD students I've supervised.

African concepts

Mbigi's work challenged the dominance of  WEIRD   western, educated, industrialised, rich and democratic  nations in knowledge production and dissemination. He reminded us as Africans that we should never leave behind that which was distinctively ours in favour of what could be termed modernity.

Mbigi brought African concepts and cultural practices to the academic and consulting realm. For example he saw the African philosophy of ubuntu as a basis of effective human resources management. In ubuntu, the emphasis is on fostering a sense of togetherness and using this shared togetherness to achieve objectives. At the core the management of people in organisations needs to espouse these tenets of ubuntu in achieving a competitive advantage.

Read more: Education in Zimbabwe should strive for inclusion -- how the philosophy of ubuntu can help

He also used concepts such as harambe from east Africa and nhimbe from southern Africa to inform talent management and organisational development practices. Both these teamwork practices in their contexts acknowledge the communal nature of African societies. Individual talent can be directed to solving community challenges through gathering together. Clear lines of authority exist around a goal but, importantly, there is a sense of togetherness in achieving this goal.

Read more: African philosophy needs to blossom. Being exclusionary won't help

Mbigi's work has also been applied extensively to other fields of study, especially where people and the interaction of cultural systems are at play.

African management and leadership

Mbigi's first book on African management, co-authored with Jenny Maree, was Ubuntu: The Spirit of African Transformation Management . In this work, value is placed on the role of African indigenous knowledge systems as cultural capital to assist managers within contemporary workplaces. Such knowledge systems, as viewed by Unesco , place value on the understandings, skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings.

For Mbigi, turning to indigenous knowledge systems offered a perspective that could help address challenges faced in organisations. Such perspectives become useful in acknowledging diversity and using it for good.

His book The Spirit of African Leadership is an attempt to position the role of African leadership in the global arena, especially within modern management practice. Mbigi called for awareness of the reality that the African continent has a wealth of leadership knowledge. He emphasised that such leadership knowledge not only deserves equal attention globally: it has the potential to make a contribution universally, too.

Mbigi also wrote In Search of African Business Renaissance: An African Cultural Perspective , and Ubuntu: The African Dream in Management.

When I was an undergraduate student I encountered and drew on Mbigi's work in two classes: organisational development and consulting psychology. In these classes, there was a need for theory and practice to be linked and balanced. I was impressed by Mbigi's framing of cultural paradigms , especially those prevalent in African societies. I learned I could use such African cultural paradigms to inform not just my worldview but as a possible solution to individual and organisational challenges.

Read more: Work contracts are a complex web of social and cultural dynamics

Mbigi's books on African leadership and ubuntu continue to be cited in scholarly outputs. His work in some cases is even seen as seminal and pioneering. It has featured in training and consulting practice and is an inspiration for African scholars and practitioners to make an impact in a WEIRD world. One of his students described him aptly as generous, energetic and humorous. These were attributes Mbigi used to get his message across not only as a teacher but also as a researcher and consultant in a serious world.

Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi receives funding from the National Heritage Council and the National Research Foundation.

By Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi, Professor, University of Fort Hare
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Obuasi East Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom has stressed the importance of ICT education at the basic education level.

He emphasized that in this digital age, access to the internet and other technologies is essential for learning new skills.

According to the legislature, equipping children at the basic level will help them appreciate the enormous benefits of ICT and make them competitive after school.

Dr. Boakye made these comments when he donated 100 tablets loaded with learning materials to four (4) schools in the Obuasi East district.

The beneficiary schools included St Cyril Anglican School, Diawuoso L/A, Odumase L/A and St. Joseph School.

The Member of Parliament said the donation was in sync with the one student one laptop policy of the government. "The move is part of the governments effort toward the digitalization of the education sector in Ghana," he stated.

He urged recipients to use the tablets for their intended purpose and protect them.

The Obuasi East district education director Kwabena Owusu Nketia who lauded the MP for the donation also stressed on the importance of ICT education.

He encouraged the pupils to take maximum advantage of the tablets provided them by the MP in their studies.

The Education Director pledged his commitment to promote ICT education in the district saying the tablets will make teaching and learning of ICT much easier.

Mr Owusu Nketia again revealed that in their efforts to encourage reading among school children at the lower primary level, the District Education Oversight Committee (DEOC) had directed that children who are unable to read in both English and Ghanaian languages will not be promoted.

"We are doing this to develop the interest of school children in reading. We understand that when children are able to read, they will be able to excel academically," he stated.

Meanwhile Dr. Boakye earlier presented 3 packets of roofing sheets, 20 bags of cement and a trip of sand for the PTA of St Cyril Anglican School to complete classroom extension in the school.
The University for Development Studies (UDS) has held its 15th inaugural lecture with a call for an investment into aquaculture development in order to feed the evergrowing human population.

That the fisheries sector of Ghana provides livelihood support to about 2.4 million people and plays a very important role in the national economy, contributing 1.5% to the nations gross domestic product (GDP).

Prof Eliot Haruna Alhassan, with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, Faculty of Biosciences who made the call noted that the fisheries sector promotes socioeconomic growth, alleviating poverty, and improving the livelihoods of marginalized communities across the world.

The event on Life below water; development and trajectory of Ghanas inland fisheries forms part of the auspicious occasion for the University to acknowledge the promotion of a full professor aimed at demonstrating the contribution of sustainable inland fisheries to livelihood enhancement in the socio-economic development of the country and the need for more investment to make the sector an attractive one for the youth.

The event chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Seidu Al- Hassan and the Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Felix Kofi Abagale with support from the university staff provided an opportunity for Prof Eliot to present on the topic.

Over the past two decades, he noted that the fisheries growth was steady and at an average of 3% per annum, falling short of its expected potential. "Foreign exchange earnings from fisheries increased from US$ 165.7 million in 2010 to US$ 309.7 million in 2015, with a corresponding increase in the overall fish production by volume of 9.3% between 2010 and 2015 according to MoFAD 2016 report," he said.

According to Prof Eliot, the big threat to life below water is overfishing and unsustainable aquaculture with majority of fisheries consisting over 80 % of assessed stocks fully fished or overfished today adding that illegal, unreported or unregulated (IUU) fishing accounts for as much as 53 percent of reported catch.

"In 2017, total fishery production of Ghana was 448,192.87 tones; of which 314,033.9 tones from marine capture fisheries, 76,753.66 tones from inland capture fisheries and 57,405.31 tons from inland aquaculture production with 70% of the bulk of production from marine, 17% from freshwater and 13% from aquaculture," he added.

He noted that aquatic ecosystems like coastal waters, freshwaters, and brackish as well as marine ecosystems serve as food, protein and source of medicine for man.

"Most of our inland waters especially rivers have been subjected to habitat degradation and aquatic pollution through illegal small-scale mining popularly known in Ghana as galamsey with consequent adverse impacts on water quality, aquatic life, and even humans," he intimated.

"In order to have healthy communities, we need clean air, natural resources, and a nontoxic environment. Sustainable development therefore provides an approach to making better decisions on the issues that affect all of our lives," he continued.

According to him, the relevant stakeholders should control the illegal small-scale mining otherwise known as galamsey in our rivers to help prevent pollution and siltation of the water bodies and destruction of fish habitats.

He stressed the need to educate the students on how to manage the resources sustainably for the benefit of future generations.

He said, "Transboundary water resources such as the Volta basin should be protected by all countries sharing the resource to avoid negative impacts on countries downstream.

"Trees should be cut down in possible inundated areas in the construction of dams for hydropower generation and irrigation purposes to prevent the loss of lives through accidents by hitting tree stumps during navigation and transport on the future reservoir."

He is married to Madam Godslove Adjeiwaa Kordie with three children. He is the second of five siblings. He started his basic education at the Canteen Primary School in the Savannah Regional capital.

About Prof Eliot Haruna Alhassan

He joined the St. Annes Roman Catholic Primary and Junior Secondary Schools at Basic 5 and completed with the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 1994. He later attended Tamale Senior Secondary School and completed the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) in 1997.

In 1999, he proceeded to the University for Development Studies (UDS), pursued a 4-year BSc Agriculture Technology (Renewable Natural Resources option), and graduated with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in 2003.

He later enrolled at the University of Ghana, Legon where he obtained his MPhil and PhD Fisheries Science degrees in 2007 and 2013 respectively.

His research interest includes freshwater ecology, water quality assessment, fish stock assessment, management of small-scale inland fisheries, wetland ecology and conservation, the impact of climate change and climate variability on inland fisheries, fish farming and contribution of small-scale inland fisheries to food security. He collaborated with several researchers in Ghana, Sub-Saharan Africa, Germany and China.

Professor Alhassan has over 150 scientific publications to his credit including 72 articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, 6 book chapters, 70 referenced conference proceedings, and 8 technical reports.
Hon. Kennedy Agyapong is a Member of Parliament for Assin Central Constituency in the Central Region on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He is also a well established business man who does not hide his wealth. The 'whole world' knows his worth in terms of businesses and money. He loves making money as a good business man. Reports indicate that he has benefited a lot in terms of contracts and other opportunities from this current New Patriotic Party's government.

Hon. Kennedy Agyapong has joined the race to contest for the flagbearership position of the party. This has come to many people as a surprise because he has said on many occasions that, he did not want to be a President of Ghana. He made it clear that he was only interested in making his money. In one of his interviews on Ghana television (GTV) breakfast show, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong had this to say when he was asked whether he wanted to be president of Ghana "I don't (want to be president) but I am capable)". In another interaction on GHone TV, he insisted that he did not want to be a president of Ghana, even when the hostess asked him many times. He said "I don't, no (want to be a President). I just want to be a very good business man". In one video in circulation, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong is visibly and emotionally rubbishing the position of the President and Vice President, saying "Ebi President I go chop?, Ebi Vice President I go chop? among other unsavoury comments. This is the type of man who is now all over the place campaigning vigorously and attacking his opponents and his own party to be a President of Ghana. He does not want to make money again as a very good business man? Describing him as a walking contradiction, I believe, will even be an underestimation as things unfold in this write-up.

On the issue of the current challenges of the economy and Ghana's going for the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Hon. Kennedy Agyapong once attributed the state of the economy to the once devastating COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He vehemently defended the Vice President, H. E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on the state of the economy and attributed the world known external factors to the challenges Ghana is facing. In defending the Vice President, Kennedy Agyapong said "the Vice President once said when your fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you. Yes, it is true. But when the economic indicators globally are negative, Ghana's cannot be positive". He went further to say among others that "... look, in an era where there is a pandemic, it is everybody's burden". He even went further to cite example of how he used to buy certain things in America at Twelve Dollars in 2019 but purchased same at Twenty-one Dollars in 2022 (at the time he was making those comments). So, what has necessitated this recent attacks on the Vice President by Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, knowing very well that, the current economic challenges are global in nature? Why is Kennedy Agyapong now blaming Dr. Bawumia for the current challenges of Ghana instead of us taking collective responsibility as a party and government, after all, "it is everybody's burden"? This is a clear case of a man of double standard, walking contradiction and dishonesty. But, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong and his supporters should know that, the same tapes will be played against the elected flagbearer and the NPP as a party, by the main opposition NDC and their surrogates in the 2024 general elections, unless they do not believe they will win the primaries.

Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, who is now attacking the ultimate candidate, the delegates' choice, H. E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, once vouched for his competency and capability. He said this in April, 2021 "I will vote Bawumia as candidate if he is elected because I have worked with him in this government and I have seen that he is competent and capable of doing it". This means, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong knows very well that Dr. Bawumia is competent and capable of leading NPP to victory and as well competent and capable of governing the country as a President, just that he is playing with the minds of the delegates. But, his inconsistencies will be pointed out to you the delegates to make a good decision for the party.

Dear delegates, should you take such a person serious? I believe, it is a big no. Our respected delegates, 2024 elections is a very crucial one, that does not need a candidate who plays mind games and being economical with the truth. You have to decide on a candidate who values you, sacrifices for you, identifies himself with you and dignifies you but not the one who once described you and all NPP members as stupid and foolish. You remember, the same candidate was the one who even wondered why he was in NPP and now he is seeking your votes to lead the party he once discredited. He is a candidate who goes round boasting of his wealth and companies to you the delegates. When he visits you, ask him, how many delegates has he employed in his big companies? Let him know that, this contest is not about who is the richest man but is about who can lead the party to break the eight.

In conclusion, the delegates and Ghanaians are not ready for any consistent walking contradiction candidate, who may get up one morning as a President and ask the military to whip all Ghanaians excluding his family and by evening, he regrets his actions but by then, harm had been caused. The delegates should be careful with candidates who attack the party and government on which record we would be campaigning on, in the incoming general elections.

It is possible. In Shaa Allah

Thank you

Alhaji Salifu Hadara

A Patriot

Nalerigu - Gambaga Constituency

North East Region

[email protected]

18/07/23
The Court of Appeal has dismissed James Gyakye Quayson's application for stay of proceedings of his trial at the High Court.

Lawyers for the embattled Member of Parliament for the Assin North constituency last week moved an application for the High Court to stay proceedings to allow for the Court of Appeal to hear his appeal to review a decision by the trial judge to hear his case on a daily basis, but the plea was rejected.

Mr. Quayson thus run to the Court of Appeal to have the High Courts ruling overturned, but he failed to make any progress.

The MP is going through trial at the High Court in Accra on charges of forgery and perjury.

Gyakye Quaysons woes

The woes of Mr. Gyakye Quayson began with his declaration of intent to contest the Assin North Parliamentary elections in 2020 on the ticket of the opposition National Democratic Congress when a group called 'Concerned Citizens of Assin North' petitioned the Electoral Commission in the Central Region to withdraw the candidature of Mr. Quayson, arguing that he was a Canadian citizen.

Despite the petition, Mr Quayson managed to sail through to contest representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2020 parliamentary polls and got 17,498 votes representing (55.21%) while Abena Durowaa Mensah, the New Patriotic Party's candidate had 14,193 representing (44.79%).

Following Mr. Quayson's victory, a resident of Assin Bereku in the Central Region, filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court seeking to annul the declaration of him as the MP of Assin North.

The Cape Coast High Court upheld the request and declared the 2020 parliamentary election held in the Assin North Constituency as null and void because Mr Quayson breached the provisions of the constitution with regard to dual citizenship.

Although he went to the Supreme Court to seek redress, Mr. Quayson was disappointed as the apex court ordered Parliament to expunge his name from its records .

A by-election was subsequently held in which Mr. Quayson won by a landslide victory.

NDC MPs boycott Parliament

The MPs who make up the Minority Caucus in Parliament also decided to boycott Parliament on days Mr. Quayson is expected to be in court in solidarity with their comrade.

This decision has been criticised by the members of the Majority Caucus.

Classfmonline
Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged the public to use constitutional means to resolve qualms with journalists instead of physical attacks.

It said the constitution had provided civil means through which people could institute actions against journalists whose work they were not happy with.

The Association said Article 162(6) of the 1992 constitution also offered individuals aggrieved by a media reportage the right to a rejoinder.

It said aside the right to a rejoinder, an aggrieved person could sue for defamation or petition the National Media Commission, which had been charged with the responsibility to settle disputes between the media and the public.

The Association said that was the only way to enhance media freedom and grow the countrys democracy and not physical attacks on journalists.

Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Association, said this at a press conference in reaction to recent attacks on some journalists by personnel of the Military, Immigration, and some civilians in parts of the country.

Upper West Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr Suala Abdul Wahab, Ashanti Regional Correspondent of Ghana Television, Nicholas Osei-Wusu, and Angel FM Tema Correspondent, Augustine Ahiabor, were recently assaulted by security personnel and civilians while on duty.

Mr Abdul Wahab was attacked for allegedly disobeying an Immigration Officer, Mr Osei-Wusu, and had his camera taken and pictures of miners, who got trapped under a pit, deleted.

Mr Ahiabor was attacked by some residents of Ashaiman for taking pictures of a toilet facility that had collapsed on some individuals.

The GJA President condemned the attacks and called on the citizenry to appreciate the contribution of journalists to the countrys socioeconomic growth and advancement of democracy.

He charged the heads of the security agencies whose men attacked the journalists to act swiftly in bringing the perpetrators to book.

Mr Dwumfour appealed to the Interior Minister, Mr Ambrose Derry, to act swiftly as he did in the alleged plot to oust the Inspector General of Police, Mr George Akuffo Dampare.

The GJA President also cautioned journalists to be circumspect in their work to avoid such attacks.

GNA
US economist Fiona Scott Morton has decided not to take up a job advising the European Commission, offered to her by EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager. Her decision comes after French president Emmanuel Macron expressed doubts about hiring an American for the role.

Yale University professor and tech expert Fiona Scott Morton had been hired as chief economist by EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, to advise on anti-trust strategy.

But her appointment was later criticised by French politicians as well as by several EU lawmakers from both the right and the left. On Tuesday, Macron weighed in.

This was followed by the intervention of five of Vestager's colleagues on the commission, who broke ranks to urge EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to reconsider the appointment.

Macron said that the EU executive hiring an American had raised "many questions" - noting that neither the United States nor China would hire a foreigner to such a job.

He suggested that, whatever Scott Morton's qualifications, having her advise the commission on how to regulate US tech giants was not "coherent" with his vision of EU strategic autonomy.

Grilled by MEPs, Vestager defended the choice, arguing that Europeans were better served by having the most qualified available candidate in the role, regardless of nationality.

She said any conflicts of interest that arose because of Scott Morton's previous consultancy work for US giants Apple, Amazon and Microsoft would be dealt with under existing rules.

But, a day later, Scott Morton had announced her decision to step aside.

Political controversy

In a letter posted on Twitter by Vestager, she said she was pulling out due to "the political controversy that has arisen because of the selection of a non-European to fill this position".

"I have determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the chief economist position," Scott Morton wrote, in the letter addressed to Vestager.

France's junior minister for digital transition, Jean-Noel Barrot, welcomed Scott Morton's "responsible" decision, telling AFP: "Europe's digital sovereignty is an absolute necessity."

In a European Commission statement, however, Vestager expressed regret.

"Having also spoken with Professor Scott Morton, I accept her decision, with regret and full respect for her integrity," Vestager wrote.

"I also wish her all the best for the future, and that she will continue to use her extraordinary skill-set and expertise to push for strong competition enforcement and regulation on both sides of the Atlantic."

The controversy had been stirring in Brussels' political circles for more than a week, since the commission first announced that it had hired Scott Morton.

The appointment had been approved by Von der Leyen's college of commissioners, including the five who have now called for the decision to be reviewed.

Doubtful

As well as holding professorships in Yale and Edinburgh, Scott Morton served in a senior role in the US Department of Justice's antitrust division in 2011 and 2012.

More recently, she has carried out consultancy work for several large US tech firms that regularly come under the scrutiny of Vestager's office in Brussels.

This led to allegations from MEPs that she would be unable to fairly advise on these cases, especially at a time when the EU is pushing for tougher tech regulation.

Some critics branded her a "lobbyist" for American interests, despite her academic track record as a champion of tight regulation to protect competition in the sector.

"I have many questions, and it leaves me doubtful," Macron said.

Scott Morton received support, however, from many fellow scholars, including 39 senior European economists, who signed an open letter backing her appointment.

"The European Commission and, more broadly, we as Europeans are very lucky to have drawn someone of her calibre," they wrote.

(AFP)
For nearly a decade, one man  the Rev. Darius G. Pridgen of the Ellicott District  has served as president of the Buffalo Common Council.

Pridgen announced in January that he would not seek re-election and his favored candidate, Leah Halton-Pope, won a Democratic primary for the seat in June.

The pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church will run the Council until January, when Council members will meet for their annual reorganizational meeting and elect their new leader.

Already, though, political insiders say two of Pridgens colleagues  Mitchell Nowakowski of the Fillmore District and Christopher Scanlon of the South District  are emerging as the leading candidates to succeed Pridgen as Council president.

The outcome will go a long way toward demonstrating whether the new Council will be one that is friendly to Mayor Byron W. Browns administration or one that is more independent or skeptical of the mayor.

But theres another reason people are talking about this race so early: It has the potential to impact who will become the next mayor of Buffalo.

Brown may very well serve out the final two years of his record fifth term in office. He has started to point out, though, that he is now the longest-serving mayor in Buffalo history. And he hasnt exactly tamped down speculation that he could become the next president of SUNY Buffalo State.

My intention is to fill out my four-year term, but you never say never, Brown said recently. We dont know what the future might hold.

Article 4 of Buffalos charter states that when a mayor resigns, such powers and duties shall devolve upon the president of the common council who shall fill the vacancy in the office of the mayor until the first day of January following the next general election at which a mayor may, pursuant to law, be elected for the balance of the term.

In practical terms, this means that if either Scanlon or Nowakowski became Council president  and the Buffalo State scenario played out for Brown (or he left for another reason)  that person would become acting mayor. The acting mayor would also be on a political fast-track to the mayors office, especially in a city that has historically favored incumbents.

Darius is the Council president for the next six months and I think its too early to be discussing anything like that yet out of respect for him, Scanlon said this week.

Scanlon, who now serves as president pro tempore of the Council, is generally supportive of Brown and delivered vote-rich South Buffalo for the mayor in his defeat of India Walton in the 2021 mayors race.

Along with Council Members Joe Golombek of North and Ulysees Wingo of Masten, Scanlon over the last few years often voted in favor of administration policies. He has, though, demonstrated some independence at times, especially when it involved police officers, firefighters and city employees, many who live in South Buffalo.

While he thinks the speculation is premature, Scanlon, 41, says he wouldnt say no if his fellow Council members nominated him as their leader.

If come January, the majority of my colleagues had enough faith in me to be Council president, I would be honored, he said.

Nowakowski, meanwhile, is eager to talk about what he sees as a new direction on the Council.

People are looking for new leadership, Nowakowski said. Theyre looking for a new guard. Yes, its my second term, but I could do the job if I'm selected.

Nowakowski, 31, would be the youngest Council president in recent memory, and possibly the youngest in Buffalo history. Nowakowski, who worked as a Council staffer before his 2021 election, rattled off the names of five previous Council presidents, all who were older than he is.

Nowakowski was critical of the Brown administration after the December 2022 blizzard and has emerged as a feisty, independent counterweight who has possible mayoral ambitions. He is the first openly gay man to be elected to the Council.

Nowakowski often voted as part of a five-member coalition that was critical of some of Browns policies. That bloc, which included Majority Leader David Rivera of Niagara, Rasheed Wyatt of University and Bryan Bollman of Lovejoy, is losing Pridgen. Council Member Joel Feroleto of Delaware has often been a swing vote, depending on the issue.

Key for either man in the quest for the Council presidency will be courting the bodys likely incoming members: Zeneta Everhart of Masten and Halton-Pope of Ellicott, who both won Democratic primaries for their seats and will face minor-party challenges in November.

Both were supported by Brown and the mayor was photographed on primary night hugging and celebrating with Everhart, who is an aide to State Sen. Tim Kennedy, a Brown ally. Multiple sources have suggested, though, that Everhart could prove to be more independent than her predecessor, Wingo, on the Council.

Both men seem to agree on one thing: Its too early to tell how things will shake out. Conversations are likely to be had, coalitions built and maybe even some political deals cut after the Council returns from its August recess.

Four or five months is a lifetime in politics, Nowakowski said. Anything can happen in weeks.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aduro Y Herbal Centre, producers of Obuasi Bitters, Collins Amo has donated various assorted items to the Obuasi Local prisons as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities.

The items, GHS30,000 included 25 bags of rice, 2 bags of sugar, 5 bags of maize, a bag of groundnut, 2 bags of beans, soft drinks and 3 bags of gari.

Speaking to the media after the donation, Collins Amo said the donation was a response to a distress call the company received from the Obuasi Local prisons for them to come to their aid in terms of food supply.

He said, "as a business entity we are minded by our core mandate to help the society so we had to step in to salvage a worrying situation of inadequate supply of food to the inmates."

The CEO of Aduro ye bitters has in recent times made similar donations to the needy and orphanages around the country. The CEO believes giving to the prisons is a way of participating in the reformation processes of the prison inmates.

He said, "inmates in our prisons are there to be reformed to be properly integrated into society. As a company, we are delighted to be part of the reformation processes."

He advised the youth of the country to look for opportunities themselves without waiting for government to employ them. Using himself as an example, he said he started his business with only his laptop.

He again admonished the youth to concentrate on having a good future for themselves.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Obuasi Local prisons, the Public Relations Officer DSP Daniel Quaye thanked Aduro ye bitters for coming to their aid.

He said they had to petition the company to assist them with food supply since government cannot shoulder all the burden.

He hinted that the prisons just like most prisons across the country have been confronted with lot of challenges including inadequate supply of food, drugs and congestion.

He appealed to other individuals, institutions or groups to emulate the example of Aduro ye bitters by coming to their aid.

"We believe that government is doing its best but situations we find ourselves calls for other relevant bodies to also come in and support us to keep the reformation processes here going," he stated.
Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) is sending a stern warning to various security agencies to be mindful of their actions when dealing with journalists who are carrying out their duties.

This comes after three journalists were attacked by security officials while on the job.

According to the Association, Sualah Abdul Wahab, the Upper East Regional Correspondent of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, the Ashanti Regional Correspondent of GTV, Nicholas Osei Owusu and the Tema Regional Correspondent of Angel FM, Augustine Ahiabor, were all victims of these attacks.

Addressing the media, the President of the Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, assured that the GJA will pursue justice for the victims.

Let it be made known to the security services that we are collaborators in the service of our nation, but I can assure you that if one media practitioner is attacked, you have attacked all practitioners, and we will apply the law to get justice.

I want to assure all the victims that we will seek justice for everyone and no one is above the law.

citinewsroom
19.07.2023 LISTEN

Institutional Suppliers Association of Ghana has said new students in public senior high schools do not have uniforms to wear and are, thus, making do with their checkered uniforms as a result of a shortage in supply due to the delay by the government in paying arrears owed the suppliers since 2020.

The national president of the suppliers, Mr Stephen Oware, told Odehyeeba Essuman on Accra100.5 FM's morning show Ghana Yensom on Wednesday, 19 July 2023, that the group is frustrated by the failure of the government to clear the arrears.

Prior to the implementation of the Free SHS policy in 2017, suppliers used to deal directly with school heads for the prescribed uniforms, with parents responsible for the payments.

Since the introduction of the Free SHS policy, the Ghana Education Service (GES), under the Ministry of Education, assumed responsibility for paying for uniforms, as part of the government's support to students.

However, the association is now calling for a review of the programme to address the challenges and improve on its effectiveness.

Mr Oware disclosed that the association, comprising 250 members, who supply around 750 schools, has communicated its concerns to various stakeholders, including the Free SHS coordinator, Director-General of Ghana Education Service, and the Minister of Education.

Unfortunately, they were informed, he said, that the cost per unit of a uniform cannot be reviewed this year.

As a result, the association has issued a fourteen-day ultimatum to the government to address their concerns and settle outstanding payments.

If their grievances are not addressed within the specified period, the association says it will take the necessary action to resolve the issue

Classfmonline.com
Efforts are currently underway to address the issue of unapproved courses at the University of Ghana (UG) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

According to the 2021 Auditor General's Report, both universities were found to be running unaccredited programmes.

As per recent updates, the University of Ghana has taken significant steps to address the situation. Out of the 80 undergraduate courses cited in the report as unaccredited, 60 have now been duly accredited. The Registrar of the University, Emelia Agyei-Mensah, confirmed this progress while appearing before the Public Accounts Committee.

The Registrar also assured that measures have been put in place to ensure the accreditation of the remaining unaccredited courses.

When questioned about whether students were allowed to take exams and receive certificates for these unaccredited courses, the Registrar stated that certificates were issued once the programmes were rolled out.

Similarly, authorities of the KNUST acknowledged that their institution also runs some unaccredited programmes. However, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, emphasised the considerable effort put into the accreditation process.

She highlighted the collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the use of technology to address the problem.

Prof. Rita Dickson expressed confidence that the situation has improved significantly compared to previous years. She also mentioned that the regulator is working on an electronic app to streamline and enhance the accreditation process, moving away from manual procedures.

 classfmonline.com
The Office of the Vice President Wednesday dismissed media reports alleging that a Nigerian Islamic group is funding the political campaign of Ghanas Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

This was in a statement issued by the Communications Directorate of the Office of the Vice President and shared with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

The attention of the Bawumia Campaign Team has been drawn to a post by one David Humdeyin, a journalist in Nigeria, that the Bawumia Campaign is being funded by some Islamic group in Nigeria called the ACF.

We noticed that the same narrative has been copied by some persons and groups in Ghana on social media.

This narrative is obviously false, fabricated, and only serves the propaganda purposes of its promoters.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Bawumia Campaign has no funding or any linkage with any Islamic group in Nigeria or anywhere else, it added.

The statement said David Humdeyin had demonstrated a penchant for making similar claims against some persons and groups in Nigeria without any basis whatsoever.

The Bawumia Campaign is focused and will not be distracted by such vain untruths, it stated.

It said the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had been diligent and transparent from his days as a scholar, banker, and politician throughout his life and would not depart from those values now and forever.

GNA
Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, one of the Flagbearer hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed hope for delegates in the Volta region to vote for him to represent the Party in the 2024 elections.

He said it was the Volta region that would make him the next President of the country and appealed to them not to disappoint him.

Mr Kyerematen addressing delegates and party members from the Hohoe and Afadzato South Constituencies as part of his two-day tour of the region, said Alan is for Volta and Volta is for Alan.

He said Voltarians loved NPP and the only thing they had been waiting for was for the party to bring him as the flagbearer to show their love.

Mr Kyerematen said politics was about strategies and delegates must choose a flagbearer who would ensure that the Party stayed in power beyond eight years.

He said politics was about numbers and a flagbearer must be able to garner more votes in his partys stronghold and break into the stronghold of the opposition party; NDC.

Mr Kyerematen said he had been with the Party since its inception and voting for him as the flagbearer would be worth rewarding.

In the beginning it was the Party, and the Party was with Alan and Alan was with the Party. Bring me and see the difference.

He promised to better the lives of delegates, executives, and members of the Party at the polling stations and constituency levels.

Mr John-Peter Amewu, Hohoe Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) and Railway Development Minister, said he had endorsed the candidature of Mr Kyerematen and urged delegates to think about the development of their constituencies and the country as a whole and vote for him.

Mr Sylvester Matthew Tetteh, MP, Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro Constituency, noted that it was clear that the NPP was capable of breaking the eight hence presenting a marketable candidate was important.

Mr Anthony Kondobrey, Hohoe Constituency Chairman, NPP said the Party needed an experienced person to lead them into the 2024 elections and urged the delegates to give their mandate to Mr Kyerematen to become the Flagbearer and subsequently win the 2024 elections.

Mr Gershon Zuttah, Afadzato South Constituency Chairman, said it was dependent on party members in the constituencies to work for the victory of Mr Alan Kyerematen.

GNA
The Member of Parliament for Garu Constituency in the Upper East Region has advised asylum seekers seeking refuge in his constituency to be disciplined and desist from acts that might undermine their temporary stay in the communities.

Hon Albert Akuka Alalzuga said this when he paid a working visit to the communities housing the asylum seekers numbering over 1000s.

The communities are Songo, Denungu and Kugri. The Burkinabes have besieged those communities following violence, tension and instability in neighbouring Burkina Faso. The huge numbers of the asylum seekers made up of women, men and children have even outnumbered the indigenes.

The Garu lawmaker cautions the asylum seekers to be law-abiding and live peacefully among the community members.

He encouraged the asylum seekers to fish out and report any bad characters in their midst or any suspicious movement to the police and the District Assembly for necessary actions to be taken.

The MP urged the asylum seekers to comply and get their names registered with the authorities for the necessary documentation.

He said his office together with the District Chief Executive are doing their possible best to support their stay.

Hon Albert, however, called on NGOs, Foundations, philanthropists, public-spirited individuals and other organisations to come to the aid of the asylum seekers.

The leader of the asylum seekers thanked the authorities for the welcome and promised to abide by the laws of Ghana.

The Asylum seekers called on benevolent organizations to support them with food and other basic needs to make life comfortable for them.

However, residents of the communities the asylum seekers are seeking refuge are living in fear and panic considering the poor security situation in the area.

"It is not easy staying with persons you have no knowledge about their deeds but we called on the government to provide security along the borders to keep surveillance for own safety," Residents told this reporter.
19.07.2023 LISTEN

Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini has voiced his support for the calls to abolish the death penalty in Ghana.

Lawyer Fuseini believes that the existing law is redundant suggesting that offenders also deserve compassion.

In an interview with Citi TV monitored by ModernGhana News, he argues that the death penalty is no longer necessary and contradicts the purpose of the prison system, which should focus on reforming such persons.

I stand for the abolition of the death penalty. Evidence abounds that many people have been subjected to penal punishment when subsequent evidence exonerates them.

That is number one. Number two, that is the old law where it says death for death, an eye for an eye. No.

You should look at the Bentham Theory. There must be utility for punishment. Why are we punishing a person? We punish the person to reform, so if we kill that person, we deny that person the opportunity to reform.

The reformative aspect of punishment is something that should engage our thinking and our understanding. People who have committed grievous offenses need compassion; need our love; need empathy and so you sentence them to death, they are hanged or shot, and then is that compassion?

Thirdly, I dont know the last time anyone who was sentenced to death was ever killed. So, the language at the Nsawam is under debilitating conditions, we treat them in an inhuman way.

The constitution says that the dignity of a human being is invaluable, meanwhile, go and see them, he stated.

The debate on the abolition of the death penalty has been a topical issue among Members of Parliament (MPs) in Ghana.

The proposed amendment aims to replace the death penalty with life imprisonment for offenses such as murder, attempted murder, genocide, piracy and smuggling of gold or diamonds.

During the parliamentary debate, MPs expressed divergent opinions on the issue.

While some MPs raised concerns about the motion to abolish the death penalty, others supported the amendment.

Cletus Avoka, MP for Zebilla Constituency, expressed reservations about the arguments in favor of the motion, describing it as unmeritorious.

He said, I first submit that the arguments they have advanced in terms of the motion are very scary and have no measures at all. Arguments in favor of the motion are unmeritorious."

On the other hand, Francis-Xavier Sosu, MP for Madina, commended Ghana for not executing anyone since 1993.

"The current position of Ghana is that we are abolitionists in practice. This is so because, since 1993 to date, Ghana has not signed a death warrant to execute anyone, and that is very commendable," he said.

The debate also highlighted the distinction between treaty obligations and non-binding declarations.

James Agalga, MP for Builsa North, and Habib Iddrisu, the Second Deputy Majority Whip clarified that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, while important, does not qualify as a treaty binding Ghana.

"We cannot count universal declarations on human rights as part of our treaty obligations with the greatest of respect. The universal declarations on human rights are declarations; they are non-binding, and so they do not qualify as a treaty," they stated.
19.07.2023 LISTEN

Ghana Education Service (GES) has bemoaned the recent spate of indiscipline in various institutions across the country.

It has, therefore, called on each school to appoint a Dean of Discipline as a matter of urgency.

You are hereby directed to inform all Heads of Schools to appoint Deans of Discipline through elections and submit the list of all appointed to the Director-General by Friday, 9 June 2023, the GES stated in a letter signed by its Director-General Eric Nkansah to all Regional Directors.

Source: classfmonline.com
Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) has called for a nationwide public sensitisation on the LGBTQI + bill before it is passed into law.

Mr Kobina Afena-Sam, the Bono Regional Chairman of the GNECC, said although the bill was laudable, there was the need for the populace to understand certain provisions in it so that they would act in keeping with the letter and spirit of it when passed.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on the Coalition's position on the LGBTQI+ bill, Mr Afena-Sam said, any discerning Ghanaian would push for the passage of the bill into law.

He, however, expressed the fear that if public education on the Bill was not intensified for the populace to understand the content before it was passed into law, some people could probably take the law in their own hands and abuse culprits.

Mr Afena-Sam stressed that beyond religion, the Ghanaian strongly frowned and condemned sexual immorality, perversion and strange lusts, saying, the passage of the bill is timely and would preserve the nation's diverse culture that reflects the true identity of the people.

But, I think as a nation we need to upscale public sensitisation on the bill. Virtually all Ghanaians frown on LBGTQI+ and if we don't take our time and sensitise the populace on the bill, people could go lawless and attack suspects, but Ghana is not a lawless country, he stated.

Describing the LBGTQI+ activities as alien to the Ghanaian culture, faith and spirituality, Mr Afena-Sam said naturally it was not the purpose of God for men to sleep with men or women to sleep with women, and therefore urged Parliament to remain resolute in its decision to pass the bill into law.

I understand the pressure from the LBGTQI+ community and other development partners is too much, but I think Parliament and Ghanaians must remain unyielding and pass the bill in our own interest, he stated.

Mr Afena-Sam, nonetheless, said the passage of the bill into law did not warrant or allowed the populace to abuse offenders, saying nobody had the right or justification to take the law in his or her hands and mete worse forms of human rights abuses on wrongdoers.

GNA
The resident population of Indians in the Arab world has touched nine million, even as Indias trade with Arab countries has crossed $240 billion, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the sixth India-Arab Partnership Conference in New Delhi.

The conference is the outcome of a memorandum of cooperation signed between the Arab League and India in December 2008 and subsequently renewed periodically. The memorandum established an Arab Indian Cooperation Forum, said a Wam news agency report.

The India-Arab Partnership Conference is held alternately in India and an Arab country. It is attended by ministers, senior officials and businesspersons from Arab states and India.

The theme of this years conference was New Horizons in Investment, Trade and Services. Organised by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the General Secretariat of the Arab League, it was partnered this year by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Arab Businessmen and the Union of Arab Chambers.

Muraleedharan said India-Arab relations have withstood the test of time. Even during the recent pandemic and global geopolitical conflicts, trade between India and the Arab world continued to grow. The region caters to about 60 percent of Indias crude oil imports and more than 50 percent of fertilisers and related products, making our partnership robust and indispensable.

He said that over generations, Indias large expatriate community in the Arab world has contributed to the prosperity of countries of their residence, their adopted homes.

A new thrust to our economic engagement is now being provided through entrepreneurship, science and technological collaboration, environmental protection and a greater focus on food and energy security, the minister concluded.
ALBANY  Gov. Kathy Hochuls campaign raised $4.5 million over the past six months, an impressive sum in light of new, significantly lower state campaign donation limits.

Last year, as Hochul smashed campaign fundraising records on her way to winning a full term of office in November, her campaign could accept nearly $70,000 per individual donor. Since the beginning of this year, that limit has dropped to $18,000.

By comparison, after former Gov. Andrew Cuomo won his final term of office in 2018, he raised $4.4 million the following six months. Hochul exceeded that sum these past six months, despite the much lower contribution limit her campaign faces. Cuomo was considered a prolific campaign fundraiser, but not to the degree Hochul has been since she assumed office in August 2021. According to Politico, Hochuls haul is one of the largest for this filing period in state history.

New York is overhauling campaign finance. But not the loophole that makes party fundraising stronger A major change to New York's campaign finance law has taken effect, with the aim of reducing donors' influence on state government. But one type of fundraising account remains untouched  and the fundraising powers of state political parties are only growing.

Over six months, Hochul received 155 donations of the maximum $18,000, collectively worth $2.79 million of the total. In some instances, members of the same family each gave $18,000, amplifying their donating power. For instance, billionaire Richard Sands, of the Fortune 500 beer, wine and spirits company Constellation Brands, gave $18,000 in June. On the same day, so did three relatives.

Records show that Hochul continued to hold fundraisers sponsored by lobbyists with business before state government. The leaders of at least six lobbying firms held Hochul fundraisers over the past six months.

Hochul reported having $4.3 million cash on hand in her campaign account.

In addition, Hochuls campaign said she had raised $1.5 million for the state Democratic Party, which is closely affiliated with the governors campaign. The state Democratic Party and other political party committees continue to enjoy much higher donation limits.

Their campaign arms can accept contributions of up to $138,600 per person in a calendar year, and the state Democratic Party received three such donations: From hedge fund billionaire James Simons and his wife, Marilyn, as well as from Philip Munger, an activist whose father was a longtime business partner of Warren Buffett.

State political party housekeeping accounts, meanwhile, can still take donations in uncapped amounts. The state Democratic Party housekeeping accounts three largest donations were $100,000 each from AT&T, Verizon and Molina Healthcare Inc.

Hochul said on Monday that the collective $6 million shed raised showed overwhelming support for her vision of state government.

Additionally, I am proud to invest over $1.5 million in the New York State Democratic Party as we build towards the most coordinated and sophisticated operation in state history, Hochul said in a statement. This essential investment is unprecedented and will kickstart that work, and will complement the great efforts of Senator (Kirsten) Gillibrand and Leader (Hakeem) Jeffries as we fight to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. And were just getting started.

While Hochul won a relatively narrow election in 2022, Democrats in New York lost four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, helping swing control of Congress to Republicans. Hochul and Jeffries have made winning back those seats a top political priority next year.

Hochuls campaign paid $75,000 between late March and late April to the law firm Jenner & Block. Hochuls campaign said the payment was in response to a subpoena issued last year by cannabis company MedMen, which alleged in a civil lawsuit that the Hochul administration had given favorable treatment to a business rival, Ascend Wellness Holdings. The two companies settled the case in May.

Campaigns pay lawyers

Attorney General Letitia James, who briefly ran against Hochul in a Democratic primary for governor in 2021 before dropping out, reported raising $766,000 over the past six months for a campaign account set up for her 2026 re-election, which had $458,000 in cash on hand.

Watchdog: Legislature planning last-minute weakening of campaign finance reform law The changes would dilute a new program intended to reduce the influence of major campaign donors in New York elections, according to John Kaehny, executive director of the government reform group Reinvent Albany.

From another campaign account, James campaign reported paying about $130,000 to the law firm Seyfarth Shaw, which is defending James campaign in a lawsuit filed by Sofia Quintanar, a former James aide. Quintanar alleges she forcibly was kissed by James former chief of staff, Ibrahim Khan, and that James responded inadequately.

James and Khan deny the respective allegations.

Also racking up legal fees: Cuomo, who was driven from office in August 2021 following a report issued by James office, which found sexual harassment allegations against Cuomo credible. Cuomo has also strongly denied the allegations.

Over the past six months, Cuomo has spent $1.57 million more on attorneys from his campaign fund. He remains involved in lawsuits related to the sexual harassment allegations, and is also suing to disband the states ethics commission, which is set to hold a hearing in September concerning whether Cuomo illegally used state employees to produce a book earning him $5 million.

Public dollars for campaigns

While donation limits have dropped in New York, they still remain significantly higher than those in many other states and for federal candidates.

If Hochul signs a bill passed this session by the Democratic-controlled Legislature, the voice of such donors would be amplified further.

At the beginning of 2023, a law creating a new, publicly funded elections system took effect. The law, which also included the lower donation limits, was pushed through by Cuomo in 2020.

While the law was originally meant to amplify the voices of small donors by matching their small donations with thousands of dollars in public funds, the Legislatures bill in June upended the law. Under the changes passed by the Legislature, donations of any size  up to the maximum  would be matched with taxpayer dollars to the same degree as the small donations.

Hochul has not said whether she will sign the bill.
Thousands of Burkinabes have sneaked into some communities in the Garu Constituency of the Upper East Region for the past months.

They are seeking refuge following violence, tension and instability in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

The asylum seekers made up of women, men and children have spread across communities such as Denungu, Kugri and Songo all in the Garu District.

Arriving in droves, the asylum seekers reportedly fled violence and eventually found their way into some border towns in Ghana.

Bawku West, Binduri, Bawku municipal, Garu, Pusiga and Tempane District in the Upper East Region have recorded some number of asylum seekers.

Member of Parliament for Garu Constituency, Mr. Albert Akuka Alalzuga called on the government to quickly intervene and camp them away from the indigenes of the areas for easy monitoring.

The District Chief Executive for Garu, Musah Osman after an interaction with some asylum seekers pleaded with NGOs to support them especially children, women and girls with sanitary and food items.

Musah Osman also advised the asylum seekers to be disciplined and desist from acts that might undermine their temporary stay in the communities.

The refugees called on other benevolent organizations to support them with food and other basic needs to make life comfortable for them.

They also called on the government and authorities of Burkina Faso to urgently beef up security for them to return home safely.
The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dr Kwaku Afriyie says the National Space Policy has been approved by Cabinet.

According to Mr Afriyie, the policy is expected to serve as a framework for utilizing space science and technology to drive national development.

He stated that the Ministry would collaborate with relevant ministries and the private sector to establish the Ghana Space Agency.

This agency will coordinate the development of human capital, infrastructure, and the overall growth of the space science sector, Hon Kwaku Afriyie said at the Ministers press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information in Accra today.

He continued that his outfit under the Ghana-Korea K-Innovation Partnership Programme had developed and unveiled a comprehensive 10-year masterplan which would enhance the commercialization of research and innovation in the country.

Hon. Kwaku Afriyie reiterated MESTIs commitment to global disarmament efforts and pointed out that his Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), was actively reviewing the Biological and Toxin Weapons Bill to implement the 1972 Convention on the Prohibition of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons.
Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini says he has officially written to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to ascertain whether the authority sanctioned any arrangement between the Ministry of Lands and Aynok Holdings or Dzato.

He further disclosed that he was going to file an urgent question to get the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to clarify the issues since it is just the Chief Director who has spoken before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and has subsequently issued a press release.

Apart from the request that we have made that we expect the minister to supply to the committee, I have also filed an urgent question and I hope that the speaker will admit it and it will be put on the order paper as soon as possible for the minister to brief the entire nation and for that matter Parliament on this entire matter Alhasan Suhuyini mentioned in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Sunrise Morning Show.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Prof. Patrick Agbesinyale disclosed to PAC that the ministry, the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces contracted an alleged landguard, one Dzato and his firm Aynok Holdings to reclaim their encroached lands.

However, the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police Service have issued press statements to debunk the allegation made by the Chief Director.

-3news.com
19.07.2023 LISTEN

Mr Adib Saani, Executive Director, Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, has called for thorough investigations into an alleged use of land guards by the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Lands.

He said if investigations were not carried out, we may have more institutions or companies recruiting young men from urban slums, engaging them under the umbrella of working for limited liability companies when indeed they are land guards.

The Security Analyst told the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday that the use of land guards remained a major security challenge, with people losing their lives daily over land.

He said the issues were compounding with people engaging in multiple sales of land.

The Analyst said if care was not taken, we will be creating a militia, which at a point will feel superior to the State like what happened with the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.

Mr Saani said some land guards engaged in other forms of criminalities, including armed robbery, and stressed that if not handled well, they could easily be recruited by terrorists.

The Police, Armed Forces and the Ministry of Lands have all issued a statement denying the use of these land guards.

GNA
Central Regional Chapter of the Rastafarian Council of Ghana, known as Rastafarian Conscious Youth, is urging unemployed Ghanaian youth to obtain licenses and engage in the cultivation of marijuana as a means of generating income.

The group expressed its appreciation to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Parliamentarians, the Interior Ministry, and all other stakeholders involved in the passing of the Narcotics Control Commission Bill, 2023.

This legislation empowers the Ministry of the Interior to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis, opening up various beneficial applications for the versatile plant.

Jah Eddy Bongo, the President of the Rastafarian Conscious Youth, stated that the group has been advocating for the legalization of cannabis cultivation for several years.

Speaking on an Accra-based television station, GhOne, Jah Eddy Bongo appealed to the government and the Narcotics Control Authority to simplify the process of obtaining licenses for marijuana farming.

He emphasized the importance of making it easier for more youth to venture into this industry.

Additionally, Jah Eddy Bongo called on the government to incorporate marijuana cultivation into its flagship program, the One District One Factory initiative.

This move, he argued, would create more employment opportunities for the unemployed youth.

He further suggested making use of lands previously destroyed by illegal mining activities, known as Galamsey, for cultivating marijuana.

Dispelling the misconception that marijuana smoking leads to madness, Jah Eddy Bongo highlighted the potential medicinal benefits of the plant. According to him, marijuana has been known to treat ailments such as asthma, hypertension, stroke, and infertility in both males and females, among others. However, he stressed the importance of using marijuana responsibly and cautioned against its abuse.

The Rastafarian Conscious Youths message underscores the potential economic benefits that can be derived from the cultivation of marijuana. As the government continues to streamline the licensing process and explore ways to promote responsible marijuana farming, it remains to be seen how this agricultural sector will evolve and contribute to Ghanas overall economy.

-DGN online
19.07.2023 LISTEN

An Accra Circuit has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a 39-year-old businessman, who allegedly stole cash sum of 2,400 from Earlbeam Company Limited.

Mr Alfred Danso Darkwah is also said to have stolen GH60.00 from the same company.

Darkwah, who was charged on two counts of stealing, failed to appear before Court for his plea to be taken.

Superintendent of Police, Augustus Yirenkyi, prosecuting, prayed the Court for a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused person after several attempts were made for him to appear in Court.

The Court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, therefore adjourned to July 31, 2023 for the warrant to be executed.

The facts were that, the complainant Mr Michael Danso Darkwah, the operation Manager of Earlbeam Company Limited resided at Achimota, Accra, while the accused person is also a resident of Cantonments, Accra.

The Police said the accused person was the Managing Director of Earlbeam Company Limited, headquartered at Dzorwulu.

It said on June 9, 2023, the company through its Board Chairman wrote a letter to terminate the appointment of the accused person as the Managing Director.

However, the accused person who disagreed with the termination of his appointment sent the matter to a civil court which is still pending, the Police added.

It said despite the pendency of the matter, the accused person, on June 14, 2023, went to the company and forcibly took cash, the sum of 2,400 sterling from a client of the company through the company's accountant.

The Police said on June 15, 2023, the accused person went to the restaurant of the company and changed the company's POS, a money collection machine of the company and used the new POS machine to receive GH60.00 from clients of the company.

The Police said a report was made to the Police and the accused person was arrested.

It said in the investigation caution statement of the accused person, he admitted collecting 2,400 pounds sterling and GH60.00 from the company but stated that the company owed him.

GNA
19.07.2023 LISTEN

Two more suspects nabbed by the Police over the weekend in connection with the Ablekuma Fan milk bullion van robbery have been remanded by a Kaneshie District Court.

So far, four persons have been arrested by the police.

On July 4, 2023, the same court remanded Benjamin Ojogbe, unemployed, and Rashid Abdul in connection with the robbery incident.

They were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder and their pleas were preserved by the District Court.

The four accused persons operation allegedly led to the death of Lance Corporal Calyptus Amoah.

The two new suspects currently in lawful custody are expected to appear before court on August 3, 2023.

In June this year, some unknown men allegedly shot and killed Lance Corporal Amoah in a suspected robbery attempt on occupants of a bullion van at a fuel station at Ablekuma Fan Milk.

The Ghana Police Service in a statement said the suspected robbers followed the van, which went to refill at the fuel station, where a shoot-out occurred.

It said the policeman was seated on the passenger seat in front of the vehicle on security duties when he was shot at close range.

Police investigations led to the arrest of Ojogbe and Abdul at Circle Railways whiles they were enjoying themselves at about 1:30 am.

On July 15, the Police arrested another accused person in neighbouring Togo.

GNA
The German Government Wednesday handed over a newly constructed Signals Training School to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) at the Burma Camp in Accra.

The facility, an ultra-modern two-story office and classroom/Laboratory Complex sponsored by the German Armed Forces Advocate Group (GAFTAG), will enhance training and capacity building in modern military communication.

The first phase of GAFTAGs support to the School will culminate in the installation of electronic and cyber warfare laboratories as well as training support and exchange programmes in line with the short- to medium-term projects for the next four years.

Mr Kofi Amankwa Manu, the Deputy Minister of Defence, speaking at the commissioning of the edifice, said it would contribute immensely to the objective of transforming and resourcing the Corps of Signals.

He said the partnership between the Ghana Armed Forces and the German Armed Forces Technical Advisory Group over the years had witnessed significant landmark projects.

These include support towards the establishment of the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, upgrade of the facilities at the Engineer Training School, and the provision of essential logistics support to the 48 Engineer Regiment.

Mr Manu said the successful implementation of the Accra Initiative, involving the consistent collaboration and cooperation of security and intelligence heads from Ghana and her neighbours,would help in the fight against terrorism in the region.

The initiative has helped Ghana reinforce the security of its northern borders against infiltrations.

He commended the German Governments support for the Accra Initiative through the provision and establishment of the Mobile Headquarters in Tamale.

That, he stressed, would enhance the command-and-control hub of the Multinational Joint Task Force Headquarters and, by extension, the ECOWAS Standby Forces ability to coordinate efficiently and effectively in dealing with the myriad of threats and other emerging ones confronting the region.

Mr Daniel Krull, the German Ambassador to Ghana, said the German Government would continue to support Ghana and expand cooperation in security.

Our support will be needs-based and based on requests from GAF. Ghana is a beacon of peace and remains a German premium in Africa, he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Bernd Frei, Head of Mission, GAFTAG, urged the leadership of GAF to develop an effective maintenance culture.

Vice-Admiral Seth Amoamo, the Chief of Defence Staff, GAF, said the initiative formed part of the Governments effort to retool the Forces and positioned the School as a centre of excellence to train personnel in communication systems.

GNA
President of the Ghana Journalists Association ( GJA ), Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has called on the Interior Minister Mr Ambrose Dery to act swiftly on matters relating to the attacks on Upper West Regional Chairman of GJA, Sualah Abdul Wahab by senior immigration officers.

"We expect him to act swiftly just as he did in his reaction to the IGPs leaked tape," the GJA President stated.

He made the call at a press conference held on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, following the rampant attacks on journalists.

Amongst others, Mr Dwumfour complained about how an Immigration Officer pointed a gun at the Upper West Regional Chairman of GJA, Sualah Abdul-wahab, and threatened to shoot him on June 20, 2023, without any provocation.

The GJA President explained that Sualah, who is also the Upper East Regional Correspondent of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, was traveling from Wa to Bolgatanga on public transport to attend a workshop on climate change.

The vehicle stopped at the Immigration checkpoint at Naro in the Nadowli-Kaleo District for a routine check of the Ghana Card of all passengers.

The passengers, including Sualah, disembarked from the vehicle.

He then requested to use a kettle (buta) belonging to the Immigration Officers to perform Ablution in a make-shift roofing-sheet structure believed to be a urinal.

But the Immigration officers declined his request so he returned the kettle (buta) and decided to go into the bush to urinate.

He continued that on his way, one of the officers instructed Sualah to cross to the other side of the road to urinate.

Sualah did not find any justification in risking his life to cross a highway just to urinate when it was safe to do so in the bush on the side of the road where he was.

The Immigration Officer, out of anger, shouted: I am asking you to cross the road to urinate and you are challenging me.

He then cocked his gun and threatened: If you are a man, go and urinate. Sualah, together with the other passengers, quickly moved away from the scene, and further into the bush to urinate.

Mr Dwumfour said when Sualah returned, the Immigration Officer again threatened to blow off his head for challenging him. In the course of the events, another Immigration Officers with name tag, Anim Agyepong, who was wearing the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI), and believed to be the seniormost officer among them, suddenly rushed over and threatened to arrest and lock up Sualah.

Subsequently, he rushed into his office and returned with a side arm (pistol) threatening to shoot the journalist for being too knowing amidst insults.

He later put the pistol on a chair and wanted to attack Sualah physically but was restrained by some passengers and his colleagues.

When calm was restored, one of the Immigration Officers asked Sualah to go and apologize to the senior Immigration Officer.

But the passengers disagreed, contending that they (passengers) were rather the victims of abuse from the officers.

When the immigration Officers realized that all the passengers were resolved not to offer any apology, they refused to open the barrier and unduly delayed the vehicle for some time as punishment before allowing them to pass.

That, the GJA President said, certainly requires urgent investigation and appropriate sanctions where necessary.

Mr Dwumfour said, "We see the men in uniform as partners in development in ensuring that governance and rule of law are upheld. They must be seen to be protecting Journalists rather than attacking them. As enforcers of the law, they must know better."

He continued, "Therefore, we take their actions against journalists as a deliberate attempt to gag journalists."

According to Mr Dwumfour, the GJA finds the conduct of the Immigration Officers to be highly unprofessional and gross misconduct, which warrants severe sanctions.

Meanwhile, as part of its action plans, he said the GJA has already petitioned the Controller General of Ghana Immigration Service, Lawyer Takyi Assuah, and copied the Interior Minister to investigate the incident and sanction the officers involved where necessary to serve as a deterrent to others.

Another issue the GJA President touched on was that of the Ashanti Regional Correspondent of GTV, Nicholas Osei-Owusu, who was attacked by some soldiers while covering some miners who were trapped in a mining pit at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region a few weeks ago.

He said the only offence the reporter committed was videoing a warning-shooting spree being carried out by the soldiers to disperse a mob on the premises of the Obuasi Central Police Station.

Mr Dwumfour said Nicholas explained that he ordered some of his men to confiscate his official working gadgets and asked them to delete the videos as well.

When he was not so sure of what they had done to retrieve the content from the phone used to capture the unfolding events, the military man personally seized it, went through it and deleted every video the Journalists had taken.

To be certain that no traces of the deleted videos were left, he went into the 'recycle bin' on the phone and deleted everything there before handing the gadget back to him.

"Sincerely, there was no act of provocation/resistance from the Journalists as we have been told and as established by our investigations.The military man would not even tolerate the identity of the journalist as coming from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and went further to make some scornful comment that he is coming from GBC and so what' before snatching the phone," Mr Dwumfour added.

The GJA President was afraid these acts, by the military against a journalist who was carrying his constitutionally mandated duty, can pass for terrorism against the Journalist and journalism in this country.

He stated that the GJA has petitioned the military hierarchy and is waiting for an urgent response.

"Our demands include, investigating the matter thoroughly and sanctioning the culprits appropriately. Ladies and gentlemen of the media, a few weeks ago in Ashaiman, Angel Fms Tema Regional Correspondent, Augustine Ahiabor was assaulted with his phone smashed by Residents of Ashaiman Lebanon Zone 2, just for taking a picture of a toilet facility in a compound that had collapsed on people," he said.

He added,"The matter is currently in court so we are keenly monitoring the outcome. Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the violations that have been recorded in Ghana over the past year, in our view, give course for pessimism regarding the countrys performance in the next ranking of global media freedom. It is obvious that our press freedom environment is deteriorating seriously and it is our view therefore that efforts to bring a positive change should begin from authorities, in sanctioning people who commit atrocities against Journalists and media practitioners."
Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini says the stupidity of his son, Abdul Inusah caused him to be sentenced by a US court on charges of fraud.

According to the former Minister of Roads and Highways, he finds it difficult to discuss the issue as a father who had brought up his son in a good way, adding that the circumstance around the issue makes him believe that Abdul was caught up in stupidity by seeking to enter into a business while schooling in the US.

Speaking on the issue on Citi News, he said Well, it is a difficult thing, it is difficult. I mean you train your child, bring up your child to be a useful and responsible person. You sit down with him at night and in the day to talk about what decent life is, you try to infuse in him what hard work can do but we are of different generations."

The former MP further noted that It is difficult to talk about him because deep inside me, deep inside me I think he was just caught by stupidity and nothing or some level of invincibility. As a student, he had his document so he decided to register a company. I never sanctioned that. I believe that if you are sent to school to learn you must concentrate on your studies and I told him that''.

''Now that obviously as a young man, he thought he could make quick bucks so he registered a company and he was actually buying cars for people. I know many people in Ghana whom he bought cars for. In this particular case, he bought a car for some guys from Nigeria who were fellow students and it turned out that the money used to buy the car was obtained fraudulently and that was his offense, he said.

The former MP's 32-year-old son, Abdul Inusah was sentenced to a two-year jail term after having been found guilty of his role in a Huntington-based scheme that defrauded individuals in multiple states through the use of false online personas.

The convict Inusah was also ordered to pay $128,000 in restitution.

The statement from the US Attorney's Office Southern District of West Virginia stated that the trial was decided by a federal jury after three days in court, added that Abdul Inusah was found guilty of being part of a conspiracy that targeted victims using false personas via email, text messaging, online dating websites, and social media platforms.

But according to his father, he can still vouch for his son's innocence by stating that I support my son 110%, I know him. I know Abdul Hamid, I know he can be boisterous but I don't know him to be somebody who will be interested in other people's things''.

He further added that his son has since commenced an appeal of his sentence.

-DGN online
The Buffalo Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run crash involving an injury to a bicycle rider struck by a vehicle Monday night on Elmwood Avenue.

A bicyclist was crossing the road near the 2100 block of Elmwood Avenue when he was hit by the vehicle traveling southbound on Elmwood, according to Buffalo police.

Officers from the departments Northwest District responded to the call just after 9:30 p.m. Monday. The driver of the vehicle left the scene.

The 22-year-old male bicyclist of Buffalo was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Anyone with information is asked to call or text the Confidential TIPCALL Line at 716-847-2255.

- Mike Petro
Former Ghana Ambassador to China, Ambassador Anani Demuyakor has bemoaned the continued misconception people have about the people of China.

In Ghana, the Chinese are regarded by many as bad people and are often linked with illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) which leads to the destruction of lands, forests and water bodies.

While indeed quite a number have been arrested in the past and deported, Ambassador Anani Demuyakor argues that it does not represent who the Chinese people are.

Speaking at a public forum on Chinas Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) in Accra on Wednesday, July 19, the former Ghana Ambassador to China proposed that the Chinese should not be treated with bias because of hearsay or misconception.

He urged Ghanaians to make the effort to know and understand the Chinese and what China stands for as a country.

We claim to know China and believe all sorts of things about China but never ask ourselves whether what we know is true. This has always been a challenge.

I want us to look at China as a country with a long civilisation. They came up with the four great inventions [Compass, Gunpowder, Paper, and Printing] which are now benefiting all of us.

We have to put an effort to know and understand China. Lets remove the biases we have on China. The country China has come to stay. All we have to do is to understand them to know how they operate. Let us understand the Chinese, Ambassador Anani Demuyakor, who is now Chairman of the Ghana-China Friendship Association said at the Forum.

The forum was organised by the Africa-China Centre for Policy & Advisory (ACCPA) in collaboration with the Confucius Institute of the University of Ghana, Legon.

Speaking on the motive of the forum, the Executive Director of ACCPA, Paul Frimpong said it seeks to spark conversations and ignite new ideas that can help shape a more peaceful and stable world than what is seen today.

He noted that his outfit through the forum wants to help Ghana and other African countries in their dealings with China.

Economies are still recovering from the Covid pandemic and this is creating a lot of tension as countries align their interest in the world.

We believe that we need to have at the table the voices of Africans. We believe that as our work grows we will have to assist African governments in terms of how they engage China, Paul Frimpong said.

The Executive Director of ACCPA continued, In recent developments, we have seen that China is increasingly upping its game in terms of creating a new path for global development architecture.

For us at ACCPA what we are trying to do is to create multiple platforms like this forum to bring policy experts to share their perspectives on how as a continent of Africa as we seek to bridge our own differences ensure that we can respectfully understand each other and appreciate the differences to build a peaceful continent.

Delivering a keynote address, the Director of Political Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Lou Danzhu underscored the importance of Chinas Global Civilisation Initiative, emphasising that it will benefit all countries in the world including China and Ghana.

She assured that China is committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation on all fronts with African countries including Ghana to pursue the just cause together.

We are ready to deepen interactions to expand the convergence of ideas and interests and continue to be a staunch advocate and active practitioner of common values. Let's leverage our strength together, press ahead toward common development and rejuvenation, and truly build a community with a shared future in the new era, Lou Danzhu said.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines programme, Ebenezer Essuman who participated in the forum as an International Development Consultant described it as an eye-opener.

He proposed that more similar forums need to be organised to enlighten the public and clear the negative tag on Chinese nationals.

This is an eye-opener and just as it was said its just the beginning of many things to come. Ive really been impressed especially with all the things and confusion surrounding China. I mean anytime you mention China everybody raises eyebrows.

I think this Forum is a good one and I believe that as they continue to do that people will be enlightened and all the negatives we have cultivated when it comes to the China-Ghana relationship will all be nipped in the bud, Ebenezer Essuman shared.

Group Photo taken at Forum

The Public Forum brought together key policy experts from both the public and private sectors and Africa-China experts to discuss and share perspectives on Chinas Global Civilization Initiative and how that could be leveraged to build peace, stability, and prosperity in Ghana and Africa at large.
Digital China Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:DCHIF  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $0.40 and last traded at $0.40, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $0.40.

Digital China Stock Performance

The companys fifty day moving average is $0.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.45.

Digital China Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Digital China Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, provides big data products and solutions for government and enterprise customers primarily in Mainland China. The Big Data Products and Solutions segment sells data software products focused on spatial-temporal big data and artificial intelligence.

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abrdn plc increased its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Free Report) by 12.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 386,322 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 42,274 shares during the period. abrdn plc owned approximately 0.22% of Alexandria Real Estate Equities worth $48,518,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ARE. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 6.4% in the first quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 43,218 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,428,000 after purchasing an additional 2,600 shares in the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.3% during the first quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 18,341 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,303,000 after acquiring an additional 757 shares in the last quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH boosted its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 279,478 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $35,100,000 after purchasing an additional 5,905 shares in the last quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 18.0% during the first quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 6,475 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $813,000 after buying an additional 989 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sarasin & Partners LLP increased its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 12.5% during the 1st quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP now owns 66,476 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $13,893,000 after purchasing an additional 7,409 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.60% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Alexandria Real Estate Equities news, Chairman Joel S. Marcus sold 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.20, for a total transaction of $916,500.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 351,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,935,458.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of ARE stock opened at $116.87 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $116.59 and a 200-day moving average of $131.78. The company has a market capitalization of $20.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a 12-month low of $108.81 and a 12-month high of $172.65.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.15 by ($1.71). The firm had revenue of $700.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $686.70 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a net margin of 28.01% and a return on equity of 3.77%. The companys revenue was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.05 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 8.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were given a $1.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.24%. This is an increase from Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.21. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess payout ratio is currently 109.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $141.00 to $137.00 in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $198.00 to $166.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Mizuho decreased their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $180.00 to $145.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $166.43.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

(Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since its founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.

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AdvisorNet Financial Inc trimmed its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 1.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,419 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 52 shares during the period. AdvisorNet Financial Incs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $832,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 145.2% in the 1st quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 103 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Sturgeon Ventures LLP acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Red Tortoise LLC acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, AXS Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. 79.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 1.3 %

NYSE:ITW opened at $254.45 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $77.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.13. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a one year low of $180.27 and a one year high of $254.66. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $238.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $235.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.20.

Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.23 by $0.10. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 92.13% and a net margin of 19.27%. The company had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.98 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.11 earnings per share. Illinois Tool Workss quarterly revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th were paid a $1.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.06%. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is currently 52.40%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on ITW. StockNews.com cut Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $240.00 to $236.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. 3M restated a maintains rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $235.00 to $240.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $233.75.

Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works

In other news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,425 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.23, for a total transaction of $1,297,822.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 8,870 shares in the company, valued at $2,121,970.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.78% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Illinois Tool Works

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses.

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AdvisorNet Financial Inc decreased its position in shares of iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:LQD  Free Report) by 5.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,270 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 384 shares during the period. AdvisorNet Financial Incs holdings in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF were worth $687,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Fortis Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 500.0% in the 4th quarter. Fortis Advisors LLC now owns 384 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 320 shares during the period. American National Bank increased its stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 20,900.0% in the 1st quarter. American National Bank now owns 420 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 418 shares during the period. Red Tortoise LLC purchased a new position in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Endurance Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 67.1% in the 4th quarter. Endurance Wealth Management Inc. now owns 473 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. Finally, IAG Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF by 37.0% in the 4th quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 685 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.92% of the companys stock.

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iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.3 %

LQD stock opened at $107.90 on Wednesday. iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF has a 12 month low of $98.41 and a 12 month high of $115.07. The firms 50-day moving average is $107.26 and its 200 day moving average is $108.10.

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF Profile

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Investment Grade Index (the Index), which is a rules-based index consisting of liquid, the United States dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds for sale in the United States.

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Alera Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW  Free Report) by 2.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 928 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in ServiceNow were worth $431,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of NOW. New Hampshire Trust increased its stake in ServiceNow by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. New Hampshire Trust now owns 599 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $278,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC increased its stake in ServiceNow by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 1,666 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $774,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Mirova increased its stake in ServiceNow by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Mirova now owns 2,525 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $980,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermont increased its stake in ServiceNow by 16.7% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 175 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $81,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Finally, Gryphon Financial Partners LLC increased its stake in ServiceNow by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Gryphon Financial Partners LLC now owns 1,673 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $650,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.72% of the companys stock.

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ServiceNow Price Performance

Shares of NOW stock traded up $14.16 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $611.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 718,539 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,569,748. ServiceNow, Inc. has a 1-year low of $337.00 and a 1-year high of $612.96. The company has a market cap of $124.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 304.65, a PEG ratio of 7.42 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.17. The firms 50-day moving average is $539.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $476.39.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ServiceNow ( NYSE:NOW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The information technology services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.37. ServiceNow had a net margin of 5.25% and a return on equity of 10.18%. The company had revenue of $2.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.09 billion. On average, research analysts predict that ServiceNow, Inc. will post 3.17 earnings per share for the current year.

NOW has been the subject of several recent research reports. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $510.00 to $620.00 in a research report on Monday. 22nd Century Group reissued a reiterates rating on shares of ServiceNow in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $525.00 to $600.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $548.00 to $560.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of ServiceNow from $500.00 to $525.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $556.32.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Anita M. Sands sold 1,315 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $459.75, for a total transaction of $604,571.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,443 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,640,169.25. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other ServiceNow news, Director Anita M. Sands sold 1,315 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $459.75, for a total value of $604,571.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 14,443 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,640,169.25. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Russell S. Elmer sold 7,796 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $456.31, for a total transaction of $3,557,392.76. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now owns 4,047 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,846,686.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 32,101 shares of company stock worth $16,282,198 in the last quarter. 0.28% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

ServiceNow Company Profile

(Free Report)

ServiceNow, Inc provides enterprise cloud computing solutions that defines, structures, consolidates, manages, and automates services for enterprises worldwide. The company operates the Now platform for workflow automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotic process automation, process mining, performance analytics, electronic service catalogs and portals, configuration management systems, data benchmarking, encryption, and collaboration and development tools.

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Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited (OTCMKTS:AHCHY  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as $12.40 and last traded at $12.45, with a volume of 29771 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $12.53.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Anhui Conch Cement from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th.

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Anhui Conch Cement Stock Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average price is $13.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.38.

Anhui Conch Cement Cuts Dividend

About Anhui Conch Cement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were paid a $0.918 dividend. This represents a yield of 6.89%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st.

(Get Free Report)

Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, sells, and trades in clinker and cement products. The company conducts its operations through five segments, which include Eastern China, Central China, Southern China, Western China, and Overseas. It provides construction and installation services for industrial purposes; logistic services; and mining and related services.

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Shares of Aryzta Ag (OTCMKTS:ARZTY  Get Free Report) dropped 4.3% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $0.83 and last traded at $0.88. Approximately 1,400 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 73% from the average daily volume of 5,211 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.92.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Aryzta in a research note on Monday, June 26th. They issued a buy rating for the company.

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Aryzta Price Performance

The companys 50 day moving average price is $0.82 and its 200 day moving average price is $0.77.

Aryzta Company Profile

ARYZTA AG provides frozen B2B baking solutions in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It offers pastries, cookies, donuts, muffins, buns, bread rolls and artisan loaves, sweet baked and morning goods, and savory and other products. The company also provides asset management services; and distributes food products.

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Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. purchased a new position in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  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 firm purchased 3,540 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $293,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PRU. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,247 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $521,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Oxler Private Wealth LLC now owns 10,044 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $999,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Garde Capital Inc. lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Garde Capital Inc. now owns 2,520 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $251,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,269 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $767,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Prudential Financial by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,451 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $244,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.36% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on PRU. Barclays upped their price target on Prudential Financial from $88.00 to $91.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. VNET Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Monday, May 15th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Prudential Financial from $99.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their target price on Prudential Financial from $86.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $99.17.

Prudential Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PRU opened at $93.69 on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $85.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $89.77. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $75.37 and a fifty-two week high of $110.96. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,041.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.07 and a quick ratio of 0.07.

Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $2.66 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.02 by ($0.36). Prudential Financial had a net margin of 0.09% and a return on equity of 14.05%. The business had revenue of $15.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.17 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 11.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Prudential Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 23rd were paid a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 22nd. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.34%. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5,555.56%.

Prudential Financial Profile

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Annuities, Individual Life, Assurance IQ, and International Businesses segments.

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Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:IREBY  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 0.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $11.90 and last traded at $11.86. 16,800 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 72% from the average session volume of 60,060 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.83.

Bank of Ireland Group Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $11.86.

Bank of Ireland Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Ireland Group plc is an Ireland-based financial services company. The Company provides a broad range of banking and other financial services. Its services include current account and deposit services, overdrafts, term loans, business and corporate lending, international asset financing, leasing, installment credit, invoice discounting, foreign exchange facilities, interest and exchange rate hedging instruments, life assurance, pension and protection products.

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The North's official Korean Central News Agency said Lowrance was detained last month after he entered illegally from the border with China. While it said he entered under the "manipulation" of the CIA, many detained foreigners have said after their release from North Korea that their declarations of guilt were coerced.

North Korea's decision to deport Lowrance after only a month of confinement would be remarkably quick by Pyongyang's standards, apparently reflecting an eagerness to keep alive a positive atmosphere for dialogue with the United States.

Washington and Pyongyang have been engaging in talks on the North's nuclear program since a summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump in June, when they issued vague aspirational goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

In November last year, South Korea said a man matching Lowrance's name was caught in an area just south of the Demilitarized Zone without approval. The man later told South Korean investigators that he believed his trip to North Korea would resolve tensions between Washington and Pyongyang over the death of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died last year days after being released from the North in a coma.

Lowrance was arrested in South Korea on the same day a North Korean soldier made a dramatic escape to the South, rushing across the border under a barrage of bullets fired by his former comrades.
BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust plc (LON:BRIG  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Wednesday, June 21st, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be given a dividend of GBX 2.60 ($0.03) per share on Friday, September 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 1.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. The official announcement can be accessed at this link.

BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust Stock Performance

Shares of BRIG opened at GBX 184.50 ($2.41) on Wednesday. BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust has a twelve month low of GBX 164 ($2.14) and a twelve month high of GBX 206 ($2.69). The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.86. The firm has a market capitalization of 38.65 million, a P/E ratio of -3,690.00 and a beta of 0.68. The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 187.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 189.96.

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BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust Company Profile

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BlackRock Income and Growth Investment 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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Princeton Capital Management LLC cut its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 70.2% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 12,106 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 28,560 shares during the period. Princeton Capital Management LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $839,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of BMY. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter worth $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake 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 worth $1,544,751,000 after acquiring an additional 21,451,006 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners increased its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 35.7% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 13,794,089 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $992,048,000 after acquiring an additional 3,627,705 shares during the last quarter. Edmp Inc. increased its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6,884.3% during the 4th quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 3,343,588 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $46,471,000 after purchasing an additional 3,295,715 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. increased its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 91.9% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 3,527,985 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $244,525,000 after purchasing an additional 1,689,785 shares during the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 0.8 %

NYSE BMY traded up $0.52 on Wednesday, hitting $62.52. 1,117,281 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,059,161. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $61.40 and a fifty-two week high of $81.43. The company has a market cap of $131.35 billion, a PE ratio of 18.08, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $64.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $68.32.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. The firms revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.65%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.47%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on BMY shares. SVB Securities started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, July 10th. They set a market perform rating and a $66.00 price objective for the company. HSBC started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, July 14th. They set a reduce rating and a $56.00 price objective for the company. Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. They set an outperform rating and a $70.00 price objective for the company. SVB Leerink reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $74.38.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (NYSE:BIP  Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) have earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $42.60.

Several research firms have recently commented on BIP. National Bankshares lifted their target price on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price 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. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $47.00 price target on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, July 12th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of BIP. Horizons Wealth Management bought a new position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 8,107.7% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,067 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,054 shares in the last quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC acquired a new position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Tucker Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 86.6% during the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 1,601 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 743 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 47.41% of the companys stock.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Trading Up 0.1 %

BIP opened at $35.83 on Wednesday. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a 1-year low of $30.03 and a 1-year high of $43.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.44 billion, a PE ratio of 447.93 and a beta of 0.88. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $36.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $34.77.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP  Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by ($0.79). Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a net margin of 1.67% and a return on equity of 1.00%. The company had revenue of $4.22 billion during the quarter. On average, research analysts predict that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners will post 3.07 EPS for the current year.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were paid a dividend of $0.382 per share. This represents a $1.53 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 30th. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss payout ratio is 1,912.74%.

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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Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) issued an update on its second quarter 2023 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of $2.30-$2.35 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $2.68. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Brunswick also updated its FY 2023 guidance to $9.50-$9.50 EPS.

Brunswick Stock Performance

NYSE BC opened at $85.21 on Wednesday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $82.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $82.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.27 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 1.86. Brunswick has a fifty-two week low of $64.55 and a fifty-two week high of $93.15.

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Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $2.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $1.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.71 billion. Brunswick had a return on equity of 36.65% and a net margin of 8.97%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.53 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Brunswick will post 10.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Brunswick Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. Brunswicks payout ratio is 19.28%.

BC has been the topic of several research reports. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Brunswick in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $100.00 target price on the stock. Raymond James cut their price target on Brunswick from $100.00 to $94.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Brunswick in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Truist Financial cut their price target on Brunswick from $105.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on Brunswick from $106.00 to $100.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $101.33.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Brenna Preisser sold 1,309 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.21, for a total value of $99,758.89. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 52,174 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,976,180.54. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO David M. Foulkes sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.40, for a total value of $1,058,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 241,957 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,695,299.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Brenna Preisser sold 1,309 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.21, for a total value of $99,758.89. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 52,174 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,976,180.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 14,636 shares of company stock worth $1,186,156. 0.74% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Brunswick

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Brunswick by 104.7% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 520 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 266 shares during the period. Fred Alger Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Brunswick in the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in Brunswick during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Brunswick during the 1st quarter worth approximately $52,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its position in Brunswick by 200.3% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 961 shares of the companys stock worth $78,000 after acquiring an additional 641 shares during the period. 93.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Brunswick

(Get Free Report)

Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Propulsion, Parts & Accessories, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, and inboard engines for independent boat builders and governments through marine dealers and distributors, specialty marine retailers, and marine service centers; and propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket retailers, distributors, and distribution businesses.

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Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated (OTCMKTS:CHUEF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 219,000 shares, a decrease of 27.2% from the June 15th total of 300,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Chubu Electric Power Price Performance

CHUEF stock remained flat at $11.84 during midday trading on Tuesday. Chubu Electric Power has a 52 week low of $8.08 and a 52 week high of $12.35. The stocks fifty day moving average is $11.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.61.

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Chubu Electric Power Company Profile

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Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail of electricity in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: JERA, Power Grid, and Miraiz. It generates electricity through thermal, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, biomass, and solar sources.

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Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 421,600 shares, an increase of 38.6% from the June 15th total of 304,200 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the companys shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 90,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.7 days.

Chunghwa Telecom Trading Up 0.5 %

CHT traded up $0.17 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $36.97. 89,863 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 111,182. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $39.59 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.37 and a beta of 0.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.59. Chunghwa Telecom has a 52 week low of $32.90 and a 52 week high of $41.69.

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Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The utilities provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Chunghwa Telecom had a return on equity of 9.54% and a net margin of 16.92%. The firm had revenue of $1.78 billion during the quarter.

Chunghwa Telecom Cuts Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently declared an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 29th will be paid a $1.5291 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 28th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.9%. Chunghwa Telecoms payout ratio is currently 75.32%.

Separately, StockNews.com lowered Chunghwa Telecom from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 13th.

Institutional Trading of Chunghwa Telecom

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 28,628 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,068,000 after buying an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Chunghwa Telecom by 9.9% during the 2nd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,890 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $486,000 after purchasing an additional 1,159 shares during the last quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Chunghwa Telecom by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Kathmere Capital Management LLC now owns 23,901 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $891,000 after purchasing an additional 609 shares during the last quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network boosted its stake in Chunghwa Telecom by 65.6% during the 2nd quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 19,493 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $727,000 after purchasing an additional 7,725 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Foster Group Inc. boosted its stake in Chunghwa Telecom by 33.2% during the 2nd quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 7,457 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $278,000 after purchasing an additional 1,857 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.45% of the companys stock.

Chunghwa Telecom Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Chunghwa Telecom Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunication services in Taiwan and internationally. It operates through Consumer Business, Enterprise Business, International Business, and Others segments. The company offers local long distance services comprising of local calls, cloud switchboard, and value-added local calls.

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Acadian Timber (OTCMKTS:ACAZF  Get Free Report) and Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) (OTCMKTS:SVCBF  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings and risk.

Dividends

Acadian Timber pays an annual dividend of $0.83 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.6%. Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) pays an annual dividend of $4.75 per share and has a dividend yield of 36.5%. Acadian Timber pays out 168.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) pays out 47.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Institutional & Insider Ownership

57.3% of Acadian Timber shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.6% of Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Acadian Timber N/A N/A N/A Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) N/A N/A N/A

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Acadian Timber and Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Acadian Timber and Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ)s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Acadian Timber N/A N/A N/A $0.49 25.33 Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) N/A N/A N/A $9.96 1.31

Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Acadian Timber, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Acadian Timber and Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ), as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Acadian Timber 0 1 0 0 2.00 Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) 0 0 1 0 3.00

Acadian Timber currently has a consensus price target of $16.50, suggesting a potential upside of 32.94%. Given Acadian Timbers higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Acadian Timber is more favorable than Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ).

Summary

Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) beats Acadian Timber on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Acadian Timber

(Get Free Report)

Acadian Timber Corp. supplies primary forest products in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States. The company operates through two segments, NB Timberlands and Maine Timberlands. Its products include softwood and hardwood sawlogs, pulpwood, and biomass by-products. The company owns and manages approximately 1.1 million acres of freehold timberlands in New Brunswick and Maine; and provides timber services relating to approximately 1.3 million acres of Crown licensed timberlands in New Brunswick. Acadian Timber Corp. is headquartered in New Brunswick, Canada.

About Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ)

(Get Free Report)

Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ), a forest products company, develops, manufactures, and sells forest, wood, pulp, and containerboard products in Sweden, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers various sawn wood products; wood solutions for industrial buildings comprise construction timber, outer panels, dimensionally planed timber, laths, base rafters, planks, and shaped timber products; wood solutions for merchants include joists, batten, and untreated and painted outer panel, as well as pressure-impregnated wood products; and marine and land transportation services, including forwarding services using RoRo vessels, container express, and road and rail. It also provides pulp products under the Pure, Star, and Cirrus names; bleached softwood kraft pulp and chemi-thermomechanical pulp; and Kraftliner products for consumer durables, electronics, hazardous goods, industrial products, fruit and vegetables, and frozen foods, etc. In addition, the company engages in the generation of energy from wind power projects, bioenergy, and liquid biofuels; and pellets manufacturing and sales. Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget SCA (publ) was incorporated in 1915 and is headquartered in Sundsvall, Sweden.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $22.97 and traded as high as $24.11. Core Laboratories shares last traded at $23.73, with a volume of 377,116 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CLB shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Core Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday, July 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Core Laboratories from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Citigroup cut Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to a sell rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $22.00 to $21.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Bank of America cut Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $21.50 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Core Laboratories from $24.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th.

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Core Laboratories Trading Up 0.6 %

The business has a 50 day moving average of $23.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $22.99. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The firm has a market cap of $1.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.10, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 2.64.

Core Laboratories Announces Dividend

Core Laboratories ( NYSE:CLB Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The oil and gas company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by ($0.06). Core Laboratories had a net margin of 4.72% and a return on equity of 15.23%. The business had revenue of $128.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $126.26 million. Analysts predict that Core Laboratories Inc. will post 0.56 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Investors of record on Monday, May 8th were paid a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 5th. Core Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in Core Laboratories by 328.1% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,858 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 1,424 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in Core Laboratories by 171.6% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,200 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 2,022 shares in the last quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC acquired a new position in Core Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at $49,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in Core Laboratories by 213.1% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,805 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 1,909 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Core Laboratories by 184.9% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,934 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 1,904 shares in the last quarter. 97.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Core Laboratories

(Get Free Report)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

Further Reading

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Cranswick plc (LON:CWK  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 3,398 ($44.43) and last traded at GBX 3,388 ($44.30), with a volume of 94781 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 3,232 ($42.26).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CWK has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Shore Capital reiterated a house stock rating on shares of Cranswick in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised Cranswick to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the stock from GBX 3,400 ($44.46) to GBX 4,000 ($52.30) in a report on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Peel Hunt reissued a hold rating and set a GBX 3,800 ($49.69) price target on shares of Cranswick in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd.

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Cranswick Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 3,240.90 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 3,146.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.72, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 14.44. The company has a market cap of 1.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,562.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 0.53.

Cranswick Increases Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be paid a GBX 58.80 ($0.77) dividend. This is a positive change from Cranswicks previous dividend of $20.60. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.87%. Cranswicks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3,798.08%.

In related news, insider Christopher Aldersley sold 6,625 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 3,230 ($42.23), for a total transaction of 213,987.50 ($279,795.37). 4.72% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Cranswick

(Get Free Report)

Cranswick plc manufactures and supplies food products to grocery retailers, food service sector, and other food producers in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company offers fresh pork, gourmet bacon and gammon, fresh and coated chicken, ready to eat chicken, charcuterie, houmous and dips, and olives and antipasti, gourmet sausages, cooked meats, gourmet pastries, and ingredients, as well as cheeses and pasta.

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Cwm LLC decreased its holdings in Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY  Free Report) by 1.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 424,306 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 7,466 shares during the quarter. Cwm LLCs holdings in Infosys were worth $7,400,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Infosys by 4.1% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 16,735 shares of the technology companys stock worth $417,000 after acquiring an additional 652 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in Infosys by 39.8% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 157,264 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,914,000 after acquiring an additional 44,768 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL purchased a new position in Infosys in the first quarter worth approximately $465,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in Infosys by 108.3% in the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,017,100 shares of the technology companys stock worth $25,315,000 after acquiring an additional 528,900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its stake in Infosys by 1.6% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,051,193 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,164,000 after acquiring an additional 16,102 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 12.16% of the companys stock.

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Infosys Price Performance

Shares of Infosys stock opened at $17.88 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $15.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.18, a PEG ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.98. Infosys Limited has a 12 month low of $14.71 and a 12 month high of $20.60.

Infosys Increases Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were given a $0.2134 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.5%. This is a positive change from Infosyss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. Infosyss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 50.70%.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on INFY. Macquarie downgraded shares of Infosys from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Sunday, April 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Infosys in a report on Tuesday, May 23rd. They set an underweight rating and a $14.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup cut shares of Infosys from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Infosys in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Infosys from $21.00 to $18.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $18.57.

Infosys Profile

(Free Report)

Infosys Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides consulting, technology, outsourcing, and next-generation digital services in North America, Europe, India, and internationally. It provides application management and application development services, independent validation solutions, product engineering and management, infrastructure management services, traditional enterprise application implementation, support, and integration services.

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Lawmakers in Washington and agency heads like the FTCs Lina Khan speak of targeted advertising supported by data sharing as if it were a scourge that should be regulated out of existence. But that mindset fails to recognize that digital advertising is the foundation of the web as we know it. An ad-supported internet allows near unlimited access to information and community  and it enables endless economic opportunity. In reality, digital advertising is a great equalizer for small businesses and entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.

Research from the Data Catalyst Institute shows that todays digital advertising market offers small businesses more ways than ever to reach potential customers, sell products and find success. Fifty-seven percent of small business advertisers report generating more than $50,000 in annual revenue, 82% say digital ads are more effective than traditional media like billboards and television, and 80% say digital ads help them compete against larger companies.

The digital advertising ecosystem gives small businesses the ability to compete with more established players and for consumers to experience a more value-oriented online experience. The marketplace for digital advertising also benefits entrepreneurs who rely on ads to support their online properties. Think of the independent content creators whose web channels we all frequent to learn more about our hobbies, find recipes and hone a new skill. Advertising revenues allow them to grow their brands, scale their operations, and provide the best content for their audiences.

Unfortunately, these facts are often ignored by policymakers and the voices that demonize targeted advertising. In the digital ecosystem, publishers and businesses of all sizes can get the right message in front of the right audience at the right time.

A free and open internet could not exist without advertising. It is the infrastructure that allows entrepreneurs to build successful businesses from their laptops and mobile devices. It allows online communities to flourish. Platforms that inspire robust debate, connect people from diverse backgrounds and allow members of social movements to collaborate are all supported by digital advertising. The people who write the blogs, newsletters and make the how-to videos we rely on are able to do so by selling advertising.

Despite these facts, it has become politically convenient for elected officials and appointed agency leaders to demonize the leading digital technology companies. But proposed regulations that could hobble the markets most innovative companies and curb the ability of platforms to collect and analyze consumer data will make it harder for small businesses to effectively reach relevant audiences. If Congress truly wants to protect consumer data, they should focus on creating a national privacy framework without undermining the digital advertising ecosystem that offers economic opportunity to our local businesses and our most imaginative creators.
Dassault Aviation societe anonyme (OTCMKTS:DUAVF  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 800 shares, a drop of 20.0% from the June 15th total of 1,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 8.0 days.

Dassault Aviation societe anonyme Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:DUAVF traded down $0.25 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $206.00. The stock had a trading volume of 832 shares, compared to its average volume of 230. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $188.00 and a 200-day moving average price of $182.60. Dassault Aviation societe anonyme has a 1-year low of $108.08 and a 1-year high of $209.45.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Morgan Stanley began coverage on Dassault Aviation societe anonyme in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued an equal weight rating for the company.

About Dassault Aviation societe anonyme

Dassault Aviation Societe anonyme designs and builds military aircraft, business jets, and space systems in France, the Americas, and internationally. It offers Rafale, a multirole fighter aircraft; nEUROn, an unmanned combat air vehicle; and Falcon aircraft for maritime surveillance, intelligence, and medical evacuation missions.

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Davis R M Inc. lowered its position in Quaker Chemical Co. (NYSE:KWR  Free Report) by 11.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,630 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 2,676 shares during the period. Davis R M Inc. owned 0.12% of Quaker Chemical worth $4,282,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in shares of Quaker Chemical by 299.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 482,199 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $80,479,000 after buying an additional 361,525 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Quaker Chemical in the 4th quarter worth approximately $19,832,000. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Quaker Chemical by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,152,418 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $371,960,000 after buying an additional 115,746 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in shares of Quaker Chemical by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,359,780 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $203,314,000 after buying an additional 93,539 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eaton Vance Management grew its stake in shares of Quaker Chemical by 28.9% in the 1st quarter. Eaton Vance Management now owns 280,748 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $48,516,000 after buying an additional 62,896 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.30% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

KWR has been the topic of several recent research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Quaker Chemical in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Quaker Chemical from $203.00 to $227.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Quaker Chemical from $220.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on Quaker Chemical in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. They issued a buy rating and a $250.00 price target on the stock.

Quaker Chemical Stock Performance

KWR stock opened at $197.85 on Wednesday. Quaker Chemical Co. has a 1 year low of $129.06 and a 1 year high of $216.45. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $197.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $193.64. The company has a market cap of $3.56 billion, a P/E ratio of -549.58 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 2.79 and a quick ratio of 1.99.

Quaker Chemical (NYSE:KWR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.89 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.54. Quaker Chemical had a positive return on equity of 8.74% and a negative net margin of 0.32%. The company had revenue of $500.15 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $485.29 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.42 EPS. Quaker Chemicals revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Quaker Chemical Co. will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Quaker Chemical Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.435 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $1.74 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.88%. Quaker Chemicals dividend payout ratio is presently -483.33%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Quaker Chemical

In other Quaker Chemical news, SVP Robert T. Traub sold 3,650 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.00, for a total transaction of $748,250.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at $645,750. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Quaker Chemical news, SVP Robert T. Traub sold 3,650 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.00, for a total transaction of $748,250.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at $645,750. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Joseph A. Berquist sold 1,935 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.76, for a total value of $405,885.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 13,814 shares in the company, valued at $2,897,624.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 32,540 shares of company stock valued at $6,603,713 over the last ninety days. 1.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Quaker Chemical Profile

(Free Report)

Quaker Chemical Corporation develops, produces, and markets various formulated chemical specialty products for a range of heavy industrial and manufacturing applications. The company operates through four segments: Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Asia/Pacific; and Global Specialty Businesses.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KWR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Quaker Chemical Co. (NYSE:KWR  Free Report).

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Saturday morning.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on DAL. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $40.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Barclays increased their target price on Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 13th. 22nd Century Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Delta Air Lines from $50.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Delta Air Lines from $81.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Delta Air Lines presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $56.38.

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Delta Air Lines Trading Up 3.4 %

NYSE:DAL opened at $48.38 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $41.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.91. The firm has a market cap of $31.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.31. Delta Air Lines has a 52 week low of $27.20 and a 52 week high of $49.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.46.

Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 13th. The transportation company reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.40 by $0.28. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 5.36% and a return on equity of 59.56%. The company had revenue of $15.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.44 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.44 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Delta Air Lines will post 6.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.83%. Delta Air Liness payout ratio is 8.62%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $277,229.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 107,782 shares in the company, valued at $3,977,155.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, Director David S. Taylor acquired 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $32.83 per share, for a total transaction of $164,150.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 25,360 shares in the company, valued at $832,568.80. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $277,229.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 107,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,977,155.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Welch Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines in the second quarter valued at about $208,000. Capital Advisors Inc. OK bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth $251,000. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC lifted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 36.7% during the second quarter. Chesley Taft & Associates LLC now owns 10,100 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $480,000 after acquiring an additional 2,710 shares during the period. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. bought a new stake in Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth $248,000. Finally, Schear Investment Advisers LLC raised its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 20.7% in the second quarter. Schear Investment Advisers LLC now owns 25,341 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,205,000 after buying an additional 4,345 shares during the period. 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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Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV cut its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 4.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,034 shares of the companys stock after selling 419 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for about 1.8% of Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADVs portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADVs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $3,446,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.7% in the first quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,102,942 shares of the companys stock worth $1,409,033,000 after purchasing an additional 108,744 shares during the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter valued at approximately $315,000. Legacy Advisors LLC boosted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.7% in the first quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 1,658 shares of the companys stock worth $569,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC grew its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 19.6% in the 1st quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 1,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the period. Finally, Heritage Investors Management Corp increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 25.6% during the 1st quarter. Heritage Investors Management Corp now owns 760 shares of the companys stock valued at $261,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. 87.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total transaction of $261,174.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at $2,602,163.62. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was 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 $15,864,681.86. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total value of $261,174.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 970,965 shares of company stock worth $423,725,107. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

Several research firms recently weighed in on LLY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $290.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. SVB Securities lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $410.00 to $458.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. 22nd Century Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $500.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $446.18.

Shares of LLY stock traded up $0.73 on Wednesday, reaching $451.93. The companys stock had a trading volume of 321,147 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,048,095. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $296.32 and a 12-month high of $469.87. The company has a market capitalization of $429.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 71.69, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.38. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $444.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $384.70.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.62 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.00%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 71.86%.

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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Retirement Systems of Alabama decreased its stake in Entergy Co. (NYSE:ETR  Free Report) by 1.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 357,145 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 5,043 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned approximately 0.17% of Entergy worth $38,479,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Entergy by 2.7% during the first quarter. Wetherby Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,269 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $382,000 after buying an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Lake Street Financial LLC raised its holdings in Entergy by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Lake Street Financial LLC now owns 2,097 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $226,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust raised its holdings in Entergy by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 3,830 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $431,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in Entergy by 15.5% in the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 739 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 13,100 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,474,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.41% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup cut their target price on Entergy from $131.00 to $117.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Entergy from $119.00 to $107.00 in a research note on Sunday, May 21st. Guggenheim dropped their price target on shares of Entergy from $124.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Entergy from $97.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Entergy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $117.92.

Entergy Stock Performance

Shares of Entergy stock opened at $99.00 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The business has a 50-day moving average of $99.84 and a 200 day moving average of $104.38. Entergy Co. has a 12 month low of $94.16 and a 12 month high of $122.46.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The utilities provider reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.34 by ($0.20). Entergy had a net margin of 8.17% and a return on equity of 10.34%. The company had revenue of $2.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.80 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.32 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Entergy Co. will post 6.67 earnings per share for the current year.

About Entergy

(Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Utility and Entergy Wholesale Commodities. The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Equifax (NYSE:EFX  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The credit services provider reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.68 by $0.03, Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $1.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. Equifax had a return on equity of 21.33% and a net margin of 11.60%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.09 EPS. Equifax updated its Q3 guidance to $1.72-1.82 EPS and its FY23 guidance to $6.85-7.10 EPS.

Equifax Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:EFX traded down $0.32 on Wednesday, reaching $237.49. The company had a trading volume of 807,849 shares, compared to its average volume of 764,004. Equifax has a 52-week low of $145.98 and a 52-week high of $240.35. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $221.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $211.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.13 billion, a PE ratio of 49.99, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22.

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Equifax Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 25th were issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 24th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.66%. Equifaxs dividend payout ratio is presently 32.77%.

Insider Activity

Institutional Trading of Equifax

In other news, CEO Mark W. Begor sold 7,000 shares of Equifax stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.37, for a total value of $1,458,590.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 134,646 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,056,187.02. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . In related news, CEO Mark W. Begor sold 7,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.37, for a total transaction of $1,458,590.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 134,646 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,056,187.02. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, CFO John W. Gamble, Jr. sold 6,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.03, for a total value of $1,345,695.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 46,508 shares in the company, valued at $9,628,551.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have sold 29,180 shares of company stock worth $6,059,630. 1.75% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Equifax by 105,549.9% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,813,671 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,543,825,000 after acquiring an additional 38,776,933 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Equifax by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,036,468 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $3,090,947,000 after buying an additional 155,572 shares during the period. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Equifax by 77.8% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,935,666 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,736,737,000 after buying an additional 3,910,202 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Equifax by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 8,784,076 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,781,762,000 after buying an additional 331,355 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Equifax by 11.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,226,424 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,015,808,000 after buying an additional 535,644 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.43% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on EFX. Truist Financial decreased their price target on Equifax from $260.00 to $250.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Barclays decreased their price target on Equifax from $240.00 to $235.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 31st. StockNews.com raised Equifax from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $205.00 price target on shares of Equifax in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Equifax from $204.00 to $221.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $220.50.

Equifax Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Equifax Inc operates as a data, analytics, and technology company. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers services that enables customers to verify income, employment, educational history, criminal justice data, healthcare professional licensure, and sanctions of people in the United States; and employer customers with services that assist them in complying with and automating payroll-related and human resource management processes throughout the entire cycle of the employment relationship.

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Theratechnologies Inc. (TSE:TH  Free Report)  Investment analysts at National Bank Financial cut their FY2023 earnings estimates for shares of Theratechnologies in a research report issued on Wednesday, July 12th. National Bank Financial analyst E. Leno now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of ($0.28) for the year, down from their previous forecast of ($0.14). The consensus estimate for Theratechnologies current full-year earnings is $0.02 per share. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Theratechnologies FY2024 earnings at ($0.09) EPS.

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Theratechnologies (TSE:TH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 12th. The company reported C($0.14) earnings per share for the quarter. Theratechnologies had a negative net margin of 45.09% and a negative return on equity of 1,116.86%. The company had revenue of C$23.84 million during the quarter.

Theratechnologies Trading Up 2.8 %

Separately, National Bankshares decreased their price objective on Theratechnologies from C$2.25 to C$1.75 in a report on Thursday, July 13th.

Theratechnologies stock opened at C$1.10 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$1.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$1.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 562.07. The stock has a market cap of C$106.49 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -8.50 and a beta of 1.52. Theratechnologies has a 12 month low of C$1.00 and a 12 month high of C$3.75.

About Theratechnologies

(Get Free Report)

Theratechnologies Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of various therapies to address the unmet medical needs in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company offers EGRIFTA and EGRIFTA SV for the reduction of excess abdominal fat in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with lipodystrophy; and Trogarzo, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, which is an injection for the treatment of multidrug resistant HIV-1 infected patients.

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Grown Rogue International Inc. (OTCMKTS:GRUSF  Get Free Report) fell 3.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $0.18 and last traded at $0.18. 79,274 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 7% from the average session volume of 73,994 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.19.

Grown Rogue International Stock Up 4.4 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The company has a market capitalization of $32.46 million, a P/E ratio of 19.00 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a 50 day moving average of $0.15 and a 200-day moving average of $0.13.

About Grown Rogue International

(Get Free Report)

Grown Rogue International Inc, a craft cannabis company, focuses on premium flower and flower-derived products. It produces a range of cultivars for consumers, which are classified as indicas, sativas, and hybrids. The company sells its products through dispensaries. Grown Rogue International Inc was incorporated in 1978 and is headquartered in Medford, Oregon.

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Shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (NYSEARCA:PCY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 2,511,299 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 155% from the previous sessions volume of 986,476 shares.The stock last traded at $19.84 and had previously closed at $19.85.

Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Price Performance

The firms fifty day moving average price is $19.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.19.

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Institutional Trading of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PCY. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 863.2% during the first quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,310 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 1,174 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 273.1% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,985 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 1,453 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 1,377.9% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,148 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 2,935 shares in the last quarter.

About Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF

The Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks a tier-weighted index of US-dollar-denominated sovereign debt in emerging markets with at least 3 years to maturity. PCY was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco.

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iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (TSE:XEU  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 0.3% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as C$27.10 and last traded at C$27.17. 3,806 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 6% from the average session volume of 3,607 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$27.24.

iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF Stock Down 0.0 %

The businesss 50 day moving average is C$27.01 and its 200 day moving average is C$26.87.

iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a $0.57 dividend. This is a positive change from iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETFs previous dividend of $0.47. This represents a yield of 2.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 26th.

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Gov. Kathy Hochul should sign the Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act whose purpose is to remove barriers that crime victims face in accessing compensation funding in New York State.

Victim compensation funds are both federally and state-funded money, used to help victims and survivors pay for costs associated with the harm they suffered: medical bills, essential personal property loss, burial costs of loved ones and crime scene cleanup if the offense occurred in the home.

These funds are important, advocates say, because they not only help survivors heal but they also are an inflection point in cycles of violence, and in stopping cycles of violence. Hurt people hurt people, an age-old saying, and folks are a lot less likely to commit harm and retaliation if they have money to go to therapy. They are less likely to commit crimes of survival if they are not debating between paying their medical bills and putting food on the table.

Still, there are barriers to accessing this money in New York. One is that survivors must report their harm to law enforcement in order to receive funding. Some may not feel comfortable doing so, because they worry about their safety or being discriminated against. Advocates have seen examples among domestic violence survivors, immigrant victims and survivors from within Black and brown communities.

The bill introduces two alternative forms of evidence that victims and survivors can use to demonstrate to New York States Office of Victim Services (OVS) that they have been harmed by a crime:

A statement from a certified victim service provider such as Neighborhood Legal Services or BestSelf Behavioral Health.

An order of protection from the court.

This bill also extends to three years the amount of time allowed for a victim to make a claim with OVS. Under existing law, victims have only one year to file. It also changes the amount of time that a victim is required to report a crime to proper authorities from one week to a reasonable amount of time. As advocates say, some victims and survivors might still be in the hospital after just one week.

It is significant that the bill passed in both houses with bipartisan support. Among the local backers was Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan, R-Elma, who voted the bill through the Senate Corrections Committee, and voted for the bill on the floor. Gallivan is a former Erie County sheriff.

In this hot summer when gun violence is likely to soar, advocates and officials concerned about public safety hope that the governor will prioritize signing this bill to center victims and survivors.

In public discussions around public safety and healing, it is clear this bill belongs at the top of the governors to-do list.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (NYSEARCA:TOK  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.4% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $94.29 and last traded at $94.29. Approximately 345 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 96% from the average daily volume of 8,933 shares. The stock had previously closed at $93.95.

iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $199.88 million, a PE ratio of 16.42 and a beta of 0.99. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $90.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $87.63.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TOK. Assetmark Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF by 200,505.0% during the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 242,732 shares of the companys stock valued at $21,289,000 after purchasing an additional 242,611 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF by 102.9% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 129,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,501,000 after purchasing an additional 65,424 shares during the period. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $4,487,000. Beaumont Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,786,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF by 19.6% during the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. now owns 181,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,927,000 after purchasing an additional 29,800 shares during the period.

About iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF

The iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Kokusai (World ex Japan) index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap developed market stocks outside of Japan. TOK was launched on Dec 10, 2007 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (OTCMKTS:IVPAF  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 21,653,400 shares, an increase of 24.8% from the June 15th total of 17,356,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 390,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 55.4 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

IVPAF has been the topic of several recent research reports. TD Securities upped their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Raymond James upped their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$18.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Scotiabank decreased their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th.

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Ivanhoe Mines Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of IVPAF stock opened at $9.57 on Wednesday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $8.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.78. Ivanhoe Mines has a 1 year low of $4.90 and a 1 year high of $9.88.

Ivanhoe Mines Company Profile

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals located primarily in Africa. It explores for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium, zinc, silver, germanium, and lead deposits. The company's projects include the Platreef project located in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; the Kipushi project located in Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Kamoa-Kakula project located within the Central African Copperbelt.

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RKL Wealth Management LLC cut its stake in shares of McDonalds Co. (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) by 1.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,725 shares of the fast-food giants stock after selling 114 shares during the quarter. RKL Wealth Management LLCs holdings in McDonalds were worth $2,719,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. GenTrust LLC acquired a new stake in shares of McDonalds in the first quarter worth $233,000. Birchcreek Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 23.1% in the first quarter. Birchcreek Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,444 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $404,000 after buying an additional 271 shares during the period. PDS Planning Inc boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 29.6% in the first quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 3,139 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $878,000 after buying an additional 716 shares during the period. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 18.5% in the first quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 218 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the period. Finally, Dillon & Associates Inc. boosted its position in shares of McDonalds by 11.6% in the first quarter. Dillon & Associates Inc. now owns 15,019 shares of the fast-food giants stock worth $4,025,000 after buying an additional 1,562 shares during the period. 67.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at McDonalds

In other McDonalds news, insider Jo Sempels sold 6,425 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.10, for a total transaction of $1,896,017.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 730 shares of the companys stock, valued at $215,423. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Jo Sempels sold 6,425 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $295.10, for a total value of $1,896,017.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 730 shares in the company, valued at $215,423. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Catherine A. Hoovel sold 840 shares of McDonalds stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $298.77, for a total transaction of $250,966.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 891 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $266,204.07. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 17,154 shares of company stock valued at $5,032,594. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

McDonalds Trading Up 0.1 %

MCD stock traded up $0.31 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $294.13. 678,388 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,557,395. McDonalds Co. has a twelve month low of $230.58 and a twelve month high of $299.10. The company has a market capitalization of $214.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.64. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $291.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $280.44.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The fast-food giant reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by $0.32. The company had revenue of $5.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.58 billion. McDonalds had a negative return on equity of 124.87% and a net margin of 29.36%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.28 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that McDonalds Co. will post 11.07 EPS for the current year.

McDonalds Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 5th were issued a dividend of $1.52 per share. This represents a $6.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.07%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 2nd. McDonaldss payout ratio is 65.24%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MCD has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Oppenheimer raised their target price on McDonalds from $304.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Citigroup increased their price objective on McDonalds from $300.00 to $308.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, July 14th. Stephens increased their price objective on McDonalds from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, July 14th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on McDonalds from $300.00 to $316.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on McDonalds from $305.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $312.17.

McDonalds Profile

(Free Report)

McDonald's Corporation operates and franchises McDonald's restaurants in the United States and internationally. The company's restaurants offer hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and nuggets, fries, salads, shakes, frozen desserts, sundaes, soft serve cones, bakery items, soft drinks, coffee, and beverages and other beverages, as well as breakfast menu, including muffins, Sausages, biscuit and bagel sandwiches, oatmeal, hash browns, breakfast burritos and hotcakes.

Further Reading

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McKesson Europe (OTCMKTS:CAKFY  Get Free Report) and AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC  Get Free Report) are both medical 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.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.0% of McKesson Europe shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.6% of AmerisourceBergen shares are owned by institutional investors. 20.1% of AmerisourceBergen shares are owned by company 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.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares McKesson Europe and AmerisourceBergens gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio McKesson Europe N/A N/A N/A $0.09 47.67 AmerisourceBergen $238.59 billion 0.16 $1.70 billion $7.78 24.73

Profitability

AmerisourceBergen has higher revenue and earnings than McKesson Europe. AmerisourceBergen is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than McKesson Europe, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares McKesson Europe and AmerisourceBergens net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets McKesson Europe N/A N/A N/A AmerisourceBergen 0.65% 809.53% 4.12%

Dividends

McKesson Europe pays an annual dividend of $0.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. AmerisourceBergen pays an annual dividend of $1.94 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. McKesson Europe pays out 43.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. AmerisourceBergen pays out 24.9% 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. AmerisourceBergen has increased its dividend for 18 consecutive years. AmerisourceBergen is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for McKesson Europe and AmerisourceBergen, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score McKesson Europe 0 0 0 0 N/A AmerisourceBergen 0 2 11 0 2.85

AmerisourceBergen has a consensus target price of $186.31, indicating a potential downside of 3.16%. Given AmerisourceBergens higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe AmerisourceBergen is more favorable than McKesson Europe.

Summary

AmerisourceBergen beats McKesson Europe on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About McKesson Europe

(Get Free Report)

McKesson Europe AG provides logistics and other services to the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors worldwide. The company operates through two divisions, Pharmaceutical Distribution and Retail Pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Distribution division engages in the wholesale of pharmaceutical and other health care products. This division serves its customers through 90 wholesale branches that supply pharmaceutical products to approximately 40,000 pharmacies and hospitals, as well as operates 70 distribution centers in Europe. The Retail Pharmacy division operates approximately 2,000 owned pharmacies and approximately 8,000 members in its brand partnership program. This division also provides outpatient drug, e-commerce, and home care services primarily in Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and the United Kingdom under the Lloyds Pharmacy brand. In addition, this division provides traditional prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and medical services. It also provides other services for pharmacists, such as the organization and management of pharmacy cooperation programs in the Great Britain, France, Portugal, and Belgium. The company was formerly known as Celesio AG and changed its name to McKesson Europe AG in September 2017. The company was founded in 1835 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. McKesson Europe AG is a subsidiary of McKesson Corporation.

About AmerisourceBergen

(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. The company also provides pharmacy management, staffing, and other consulting services; supply management software to retail and institutional healthcare providers; packaging solutions to various institutional and retail healthcare providers; clinical trial support, product post-approval, and commercialization support services; data analytics, outcomes research, and additional services for biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturers; and pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, micro feed ingredients, and other products to customers in the companion animal and production animal markets, as well as demand-creating sales force services to manufacturer. In addition, this segment distributes plasma and other blood products, injectable pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other specialty products; and provides other services primarily to physicians who specialize in various disease states, primarily oncology, as well as to other healthcare providers, including hospitals and dialysis clinics. The company's International Healthcare Solutions segment offers international pharmaceutical wholesale and related service, and global commercialization services; and distributes pharmaceuticals, other healthcare products, and related services to pharmacies, doctors, health centers and hospitals primarily in Europe. This segments also provides specialty transportation and logistics services for the biopharmaceutical industry. The company was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

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Shares of MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BERZ  Get Free Report) dropped 3.8% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $6.34 and last traded at $6.40. Approximately 262,930 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 4% from the average daily volume of 253,951 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.65.

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average price is $8.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.59.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN stock. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BERZ  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 6,995 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $253,000. OLD Mission Capital LLC owned about 4.37% of MicroSectors FANG & Innovation -3x Inverse Leveraged ETN at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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Mountain Commerce Bancorp (OTCMKTS:MCBI  Get Free Report) is one of 288 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Mountain Commerce Bancorp to similar businesses based on the strength of its profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Dividends

Mountain Commerce Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Mountain Commerce Bancorp pays out 12.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.0% and pay out 18.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Mountain Commerce Bancorp and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Mountain Commerce Bancorp N/A N/A 24.69 Mountain Commerce Bancorp Competitors $2.11 billion $613.61 million 239.64

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Mountain Commerce Bancorps peers have higher revenue and earnings than Mountain Commerce Bancorp. Mountain Commerce Bancorp 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.

37.6% of Mountain Commerce Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.8% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 16.8% of Mountain Commerce Bancorp shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 14.2% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Mountain Commerce Bancorp and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mountain Commerce Bancorp N/A N/A N/A Mountain Commerce Bancorp Competitors 32.93% 10.49% 0.92%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations for Mountain Commerce Bancorp and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mountain Commerce Bancorp 0 0 0 0 N/A Mountain Commerce Bancorp Competitors 1063 3238 3184 19 2.29

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 308.31%. Given Mountain Commerce Bancorps peers higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Mountain Commerce Bancorp has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

Mountain Commerce Bancorp peers beat Mountain Commerce Bancorp on 7 of the 10 factors compared.

Mountain Commerce Bancorp Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mountain Commerce Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Mountain Commerce Bank that provides banking services for small- and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and affluent individuals. It offers checking and savings accounts; certificates of deposit; and mortgage loans, personal loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, small business administration loans, equipment lending, operating lines of credit, and credit cards. The company also provides private banking, free fraud monitoring, estatement, remote deposit capture, and online banking services; and treasury management solutions. In addition, it offers fee based investment management accounts, such as individual stocks, stock mutual funds, and stock exchange traded funds; individual bonds, bond mutual funds, and fixed income exchange traded funds; and 529 college funding plans, as well as traditional, roth, and simple IRA's. Further, the company provides retirement plan consulting services comprising 401(k) and 403(b) plan design review and search services, fiduciary, investment committee support and guidance, and participant education and newsletters; life insurance for individuals, groups, or estate planning strategies; disability insurance and long term care insurance; and financial planning products and services. It operates through branches located in Brentwood, Erwin, Johnson City, Knoxville, and Unicoi. The company was founded in 1910 and is based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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Ntt Docomo, Inc. (OTCMKTS:DCMYY  Get Free Report) shares rose 0% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $36.17 and last traded at $36.13. Approximately 3,300 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 89% from the average daily volume of 29,309 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.12.

Ntt Docomo Price Performance

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $36.13.

About Ntt Docomo

(Get Free Report)

NTT DOCOMO, INC., a telecommunications company, provides various mobile services in Japan and internationally. It operates through three segments: Telecommunications Business, Smart Life Business, and Other Businesses. The company offers iPhone, iPad, smartphone, tablet, and feature phone products and services under the docomo name, as well as d POINT CLUB, a point program.

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Pacer Advisors Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK  Free Report) by 64.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 88,154 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 162,384 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc.s holdings in Nokia Oyj were worth $433,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in Nokia Oyj by 55.0% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 27,742,934 shares of the technology companys stock worth $128,727,000 after acquiring an additional 9,842,934 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in Nokia Oyj by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 40,918,648 shares of the technology companys stock worth $223,416,000 after acquiring an additional 3,569,621 shares during the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG raised its holdings in Nokia Oyj by 3,360.1% in the 4th quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 2,320,523 shares of the technology companys stock worth $10,767,000 after acquiring an additional 2,253,457 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in Nokia Oyj by 79.1% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,029,643 shares of the technology companys stock worth $27,462,000 after acquiring an additional 2,221,142 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in Nokia Oyj by 11.5% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 21,166,280 shares of the technology companys stock worth $98,212,000 after acquiring an additional 2,176,100 shares during the last quarter. 6.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Nokia Oyj Price Performance

Shares of NOK traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $3.91. 11,167,164 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 17,270,252. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $4.08 and a 200-day moving average of $4.45. Nokia Oyj has a 52 week low of $3.83 and a 52 week high of $5.28. The stock has a market cap of $22.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.92 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.55.

Nokia Oyj Increases Dividend

Nokia Oyj ( NYSE:NOK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The technology company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.03). Nokia Oyj had a net margin of 16.78% and a return on equity of 11.57%. The company had revenue of $5.86 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.74 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.08 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Nokia Oyj will post 0.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 25th were given a dividend of $0.0329 per share. This represents a $0.13 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.37%. This is a boost from Nokia Oyjs previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date was Monday, April 24th. Nokia Oyjs dividend payout ratio is currently 11.39%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NOK has been the subject of a number of research reports. TheStreet lowered shares of Nokia Oyj from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, June 12th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Raymond James cut their price objective on shares of Nokia Oyj from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Northland Securities cut their price objective on shares of Nokia Oyj from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research report on Monday. Seven investment 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.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $5.76.

Nokia Oyj Profile

(Free Report)

Nokia Oyj provides mobile, fixed, and cloud network solutions worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Network Infrastructure, Mobile Networks, Cloud and Network Services, and Nokia Technologies. It offers products and services for radio access networks and microwave radio links for transport networks, and solutions for network management, as well as network planning, optimization, network deployment, and technical support services.

Further Reading

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Polaris (NYSE:PII  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by equities researchers at Citigroup from $108.00 to $130.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a neutral rating on the stock. Citigroups price objective indicates a potential downside of 3.68% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on PII. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Polaris from $105.00 to $100.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Polaris from $108.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. Roth Capital reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Polaris in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Raymond James cut Polaris from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, KeyCorp raised their target price on Polaris from $125.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Monday. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $116.55.

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Polaris Stock Performance

Polaris stock traded up $2.86 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $134.96. The companys stock had a trading volume of 444,919 shares, compared to its average volume of 558,606. The firm has a market cap of $7.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.26 and a beta of 1.61. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $115.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $111.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. Polaris has a twelve month low of $91.86 and a twelve month high of $135.41.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Polaris ( NYSE:PII Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $2.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.96 billion. Polaris had a net margin of 5.46% and a return on equity of 60.97%. The firms revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.29 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Polaris will post 10.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Polaris news, SVP James P. Williams sold 14,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.00, for a total value of $1,820,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 16,001 shares in the company, valued at $2,080,130. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 2.75% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Polaris

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of PII. D.A. Davidson & CO. grew its stake in Polaris by 13.6% during the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 2,510 shares of the companys stock valued at $264,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in Polaris by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 152,648 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,077,000 after acquiring an additional 572 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in Polaris by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 20,905 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,202,000 after acquiring an additional 1,993 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in Polaris by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,803,771 shares of the companys stock valued at $505,933,000 after acquiring an additional 13,281 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its stake in shares of Polaris by 8.9% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 33,033 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,575,000 after buying an additional 2,692 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.29% of the companys stock.

Polaris Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Polaris Inc designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets powersports vehicles worldwide. It operates through three segments: Off-Road, On-Road, and Marine. The company offers off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles and side-by-side vehicles; military and commercial ORVs; snowmobiles; motorcycles; moto-roadsters, quadricycles, and boats; and aftermarket parts and apparel.

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Princeton Capital Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 6.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,387 shares of the companys stock after selling 744 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises approximately 1.5% of Princeton Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Princeton Capital Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $3,567,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,102,942 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,409,033,000 after acquiring an additional 108,744 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter valued at about $315,000. Legacy Advisors LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 1,658 shares of the companys stock valued at $569,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Parnassus Investments LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 19.6% in the 1st quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 1,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $354,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares during the period. Finally, Heritage Investors Management Corp raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 25.6% in the 1st quarter. Heritage Investors Management Corp now owns 760 shares of the companys stock valued at $261,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the period. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of LLY traded up $1.76 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $452.96. 247,458 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,047,543. The companys fifty day moving average price is $444.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $384.70. The company has a market capitalization of $429.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $296.32 and a 12 month high of $469.87.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.62 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm 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. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 71.86%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on LLY shares. Berenberg Bank lifted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $375.00 to $500.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $505.00 to $565.00 in a research note on Tuesday. SVB Securities raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $410.00 to $458.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $446.18.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was 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 directly owns 36,941 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,864,681.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 970,965 shares of company stock valued at $423,725,107 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

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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News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Supreme Court is on Thursday expected to hear an urgent application seeking to have the appeal by independent presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere, challenging a High Court ruling nullifying his candidacy, heard on urgent basis.Kasukuwere last week filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court to contest the lower court decision that nullified his candidacy.The lower court ruled that Kasukuwere had failed to prove why he should remain a presidential candidate, when he has not been resident in the country for more than 18 months.Lovedale Mangwana, who won his case to have Kasukuwere's stopped from contesting in the upcoming August 23 harmonised election, approached the Supreme Court on an urgent basis seeking an urgent hearing of Kasukuwere's appeal.The matter was today brought before a three-judge panel of lead judge, Justice Susan Mavangira and, Justices Chinembiri Bhunu and Felistas Chatukutafor case management.The court directed, with the consent of both parties' lawyers, to have the urgent chamber application heard on Thursday afternoon.In the meantime, both parties' lawyers are now required to file the necessary papers by Thursday morning.If the court rules that Mangwana' s application has merit, the appeal will be brought forward for hearing.
Range Resources (NYSE:RRC  Get Free Report)s stock had its underweight rating reissued by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They presently have a $20.00 price target on the oil and gas exploration companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective indicates a potential downside of 33.20% from the stocks previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on RRC. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Range Resources from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $30.00 to $31.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on Range Resources from $37.00 to $36.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Stephens initiated coverage on Range Resources in a report on Monday, April 24th. They set an overweight rating and a $34.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group initiated coverage on Range Resources in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They issued a sell rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Susquehanna cut their target price on Range Resources from $34.00 to $33.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Range Resources currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $32.62.

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Range Resources Price Performance

NYSE:RRC traded up $0.08 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $29.94. 608,075 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,496,037. The firms 50-day moving average is $28.26 and its 200-day moving average is $26.41. The stock has a market cap of $7.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 2.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.92. Range Resources has a 1-year low of $22.61 and a 1-year high of $36.38.

Insider Activity

Range Resources ( NYSE:RRC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.28. Range Resources had a return on equity of 45.55% and a net margin of 41.18%. The business had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $772.38 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.18 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 556.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that Range Resources will post 1.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, Director Greg G. Maxwell sold 24,675 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.39, for a total transaction of $675,848.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 57,192 shares in the company, valued at $1,566,488.88. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Greg G. Maxwell sold 24,675 shares of Range Resources stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.39, for a total value of $675,848.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 57,192 shares in the company, valued at $1,566,488.88. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Reginal Spiller sold 1,950 shares of Range Resources stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.80, for a total value of $52,260.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 16,713 shares of the companys stock, valued at $447,908.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 387,044 shares of company stock worth $10,674,385 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.57% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Range Resources

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its stake in Range Resources by 1.9% in the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 82,924 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $2,438,000 after purchasing an additional 1,553 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its stake in Range Resources by 10.0% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 70,500 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $2,073,000 after acquiring an additional 6,400 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new position in Range Resources in the second quarter valued at approximately $106,000. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board boosted its stake in Range Resources by 12.8% in the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 49,400 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $1,452,000 after acquiring an additional 5,600 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Range Resources by 4.0% in the second quarter. Marshall Financial Group LLC now owns 25,997 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $764,000 after acquiring an additional 1,006 shares during the period. 88.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Range Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Range Resources Corporation operates as an independent natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and oil company in the United States. The company engages in the exploration, development, and acquisition of natural gas and oil properties. It markets and sells natural gas and NGLs to utilities, marketing and midstream companies, and industrial users; petrochemical end users, marketers/traders, and natural gas processors; and oil and condensate to crude oil processors, transporters, and refining and marketing companies.

Further Reading

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Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 5,250,000 shares, an increase of 22.7% from the June 15th total of 4,280,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,260,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days.

Raymond James Trading Up 3.0 %

NYSE RJF opened at $109.80 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $23.27 billion, a PE ratio of 14.47 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a fifty day moving average of $96.38 and a 200 day moving average of $99.99. Raymond James has a 1 year low of $82.00 and a 1 year high of $126.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.97.

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Raymond James (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.17 by ($0.14). The business had revenue of $2.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.89 billion. Raymond James had a net margin of 14.01% and a return on equity of 18.43%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.55 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Raymond James will post 8.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Raymond James Announces Dividend

Insider Activity at Raymond James

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 3rd were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 30th. Raymond Jamess payout ratio is presently 22.13%.

In related news, COO Jeffrey A. Dowdle sold 5,281 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.36, for a total transaction of $508,877.16. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 48,314 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,655,537.04. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 9.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Private Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Raymond James in the first quarter worth about $364,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Raymond James by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 28,663 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,150,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Raymond James during the 1st quarter worth approximately $4,195,000. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in shares of Raymond James during the 1st quarter worth approximately $540,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers raised its stake in shares of Raymond James by 52.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,636 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $510,000 after buying an additional 1,604 shares during the period. 74.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Raymond James from $121.00 to $114.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Raymond James from $112.00 to $120.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Citigroup lowered their price target on Raymond James from $130.00 to $100.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Raymond James in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $118.00.

About Raymond James

(Get Free Report)

Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments.

Further Reading

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Retirement Systems of Alabama reduced its position in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG  Free Report) by 2.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 597,877 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 12,367 shares during the quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned 0.12% of Public Service Enterprise Group worth $37,337,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of PEG. D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 3,657 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $256,000 after acquiring an additional 256 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group by 6.7% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,318,721 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $92,310,000 after purchasing an additional 83,174 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group during the first quarter valued at $798,000. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in Public Service Enterprise Group by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 25,619 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,793,000 after buying an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Public Service Enterprise Group in the 1st quarter worth about $214,000. 70.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Public Service Enterprise Group Price Performance

NYSE PEG opened at $62.66 on Wednesday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $62.06 and its 200 day moving average is $61.66. Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $52.51 and a fifty-two week high of $69.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.79. The company has a market capitalization of $31.26 billion, a PE ratio of 13.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.22 and a beta of 0.57.

Public Service Enterprise Group Dividend Announcement

Public Service Enterprise Group ( NYSE:PEG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $3.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.89 billion. Public Service Enterprise Group had a return on equity of 12.78% and a net margin of 20.64%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 62.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.33 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated will post 3.44 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 7th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.64%. Public Service Enterprise Groups payout ratio is currently 49.14%.

Insider Transactions at Public Service Enterprise Group

In related news, CEO Ralph A. Larossa sold 4,168 shares of Public Service Enterprise Group stock in a transaction on Monday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.01, for a total transaction of $262,625.68. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 122,572 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,723,261.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PEG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in a report on Monday, April 3rd. They set a neutral rating and a $60.50 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a neutral rating and a $64.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Public Service Enterprise Group from $70.00 to $67.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Public Service Enterprise Group from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Public Service Enterprise Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $66.15.

Public Service Enterprise Group Profile

(Free Report)

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company primarily in Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through PSE&G and PSEG Power. The PSE&G segment transmits electricity; distributes electricity and gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as invests in solar generation projects, and energy efficiency and related programs; and offers appliance services and repairs.

Further Reading

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Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (NYSE:REXR  Free Report) by 37.5% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 169,598 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 46,238 shares during the period. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in Rexford Industrial Realty were worth $10,117,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in REXR. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Rexford Industrial Realty by 139.7% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 7,339 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $547,000 after purchasing an additional 4,277 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. purchased a new position in Rexford Industrial Realty in the 1st quarter valued at about $882,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund boosted its position in Rexford Industrial Realty by 37.5% in the 1st quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 14,575 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,087,000 after buying an additional 3,978 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Rexford Industrial Realty by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,698,814 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,693,104,000 after buying an additional 1,587,612 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty during the first quarter worth about $1,157,000. 98.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Howard Schwimmer sold 35,505 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.94, for a total value of $1,986,149.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 50,862 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,845,220.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Rexford Industrial Realty Trading Down 2.1 %

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Shares of NYSE:REXR opened at $53.04 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.83, a PEG ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.81. Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. has a 1-year low of $48.74 and a 1-year high of $68.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 2.57 and a current ratio of 2.57. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $53.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.86.

Several brokerages have recently commented on REXR. Citigroup cut shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $66.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Monday, June 12th. BMO Capital Markets lowered shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $69.00 to $56.00 in a research note on Monday, June 12th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, May 27th. Finally, Mizuho initiated coverage on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a neutral rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rexford Industrial Realty has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $60.67.

About Rexford Industrial Realty

(Free Report)

Rexford Industrial creates value by investing in, operating and redeveloping industrial properties throughout infill Southern California, the world's fourth largest industrial market and consistently the highest-demand with lowest-supply major market in the nation. The Company's highly differentiated strategy enables internal and external growth opportunities through its proprietary value creation and asset management capabilities.

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RKL Wealth Management LLC cut its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 3.5% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 978 shares of the companys stock after selling 35 shares during the quarter. RKL Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $336,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $589,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at about $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,193,000 after purchasing an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at about $561,000. 87.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on LLY. HSBC began coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Friday, July 14th. They issued a buy rating and a $560.00 price target for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $485.00 to $550.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $490.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $478.00 to $507.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $446.18.

Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.2 %

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total transaction of $261,174.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 970,965 shares of company stock valued at $423,725,107. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

LLY traded down $0.99 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $450.21. 985,797 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,053,108. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $444.91 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $384.70. The company has a market cap of $427.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.69, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.38. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $296.32 and a fifty-two week high of $469.87. 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 issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.87 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.62 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.00%. 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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report).

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KP Tissue (TSE:KPT  Get Free Report) was upgraded by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report issued on Wednesday, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a C$12.00 target price on the stock, up from their previous target price of C$10.00. Royal Bank of Canadas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 12.15% from the stocks current price.

KP Tissue Stock Up 3.1 %

Shares of KPT stock traded up C$0.32 on Wednesday, hitting C$10.70. The stock had a trading volume of 38,611 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,670. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$10.35 and a 200 day moving average price of C$10.26. The company has a market cap of C$106.47 million, a PE ratio of -4.89, a P/E/G ratio of -0.88 and a beta of 0.56. KP Tissue has a one year low of C$10.04 and a one year high of C$11.22.

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KP Tissue (TSE:KPT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported C($1.07) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C($0.01) by C($1.06). The business had revenue of C$451.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$442.80 million. Equities research analysts expect that KP Tissue will post 0.2896205 EPS for the current year.

KP Tissue Company Profile

KP Tissue Inc, through its interest in Kruger Products L.P., produces, distributes, markets, and sells a range of disposable tissue products in Canada and the United States. The company operates through two segments, Consumer and Away-From-Home. It offers bathroom and facial tissues, paper towels, and napkins.

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FedEx Co. (NYSE:FDX  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 5,170,000 shares, an increase of 70.1% from the June 15th total of 3,040,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,010,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.6 days. Currently, 2.3% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Jennifer L. Johnson sold 10,801 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.61, for a total value of $2,577,226.61. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 3,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at $762,597.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other FedEx news, EVP Robert B. Carter sold 19,270 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.00, for a total transaction of $4,740,420.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 58,875 shares in the company, valued at $14,483,250. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Jennifer L. Johnson sold 10,801 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.61, for a total value of $2,577,226.61. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 3,196 shares of the companys stock, valued at $762,597.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 8.62% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. RB Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in FedEx by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 1,951 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $451,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. AMI Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in FedEx by 43.9% in the 1st quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 15,385 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $3,560,000 after purchasing an additional 4,693 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its stake in FedEx by 101.5% in the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 4,274 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $989,000 after purchasing an additional 2,153 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in FedEx by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 148,735 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $34,408,000 after purchasing an additional 10,731 shares during the period. Finally, Loomis Sayles & Co. L P boosted its stake in FedEx by 553.3% in the 1st quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 392 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $91,000 after purchasing an additional 332 shares during the period. 73.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

FedEx Stock Up 2.8 %

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on FDX shares. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on FedEx from $180.00 to $186.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on FedEx from $250.00 to $258.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Bank of America lowered their target price on FedEx from $295.00 to $290.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on FedEx from $240.00 to $282.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on FedEx from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $245.11.

Shares of NYSE:FDX traded up $7.24 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $261.97. 2,657,231 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,057,453. The stock has a market cap of $66.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.35. FedEx has a fifty-two week low of $141.92 and a fifty-two week high of $265.60. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $234.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $218.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, June 20th. The shipping service provider reported $4.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $21.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.55 billion. FedEx had a return on equity of 15.32% and a net margin of 4.41%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $6.87 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that FedEx will post 17.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FedEx Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. The company's FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; time-critical transportation services; and cross-border enablement, technology, and e-commerce transportation solutions.

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Stillwater Capital Advisors LLC trimmed its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 1.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 36,038 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after selling 663 shares during the quarter. UnitedHealth Group makes up approximately 3.3% of Stillwater Capital Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Stillwater Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $17,031,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Chelsea Counsel Co. purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC purchased a new position in UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Investors Research Corp raised its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 51.1% during the 4th quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 71 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC raised its stake in UnitedHealth Group by 192.3% during the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 76 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter valued at $42,000. 92.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on UNH. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $600.00 to $549.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. SVB Securities cut their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $625.00 to $560.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and set a $587.00 price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Friday, July 14th. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $562.00 to $555.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Finally, Loop Capital boosted their price objective on shares of UnitedHealth Group from $590.00 to $600.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $586.10.

UnitedHealth Group Stock Up 3.3 %

Shares of NYSE UNH opened at $500.00 on Wednesday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $478.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $484.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $465.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.66. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 12-month low of $445.68 and a 12-month high of $558.10.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.92 by $0.22. The firm had revenue of $92.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.97 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.06% and a return on equity of 26.72%. The businesss revenue was up 15.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $5.57 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 27th. Investors of record on Monday, June 19th were given a $1.88 dividend. This is a positive change from UnitedHealth Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. This represents a $7.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.50%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 15th. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is 33.65%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 6,160 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.49, for a total value of $3,002,938.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 86,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,199,084.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 6,160 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.49, for a total transaction of $3,002,938.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 86,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at $42,199,084.36. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,008 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $484.58, for a total transaction of $488,456.64. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,359 shares in the company, valued at $5,019,764.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 8,852 shares of company stock valued at $4,313,962 in the last ninety days. 0.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About UnitedHealth Group

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Wednesday after the company announced a dividend. 2,831,235 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 9% from the previous sessions volume of 2,593,403 shares.The stock last traded at $341.85 and had previously closed at $337.27.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Thursday, September 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be paid a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.21%. This is an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.50. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 35.60%.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently issued reports on GS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $415.00 to $398.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $429.00 to $414.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $495.00 to $437.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $339.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $387.73.

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 1.5 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.38. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $325.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $337.52.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The investment management company reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $7.63 by ($4.55). The business had revenue of $10.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.61 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $7.73 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 25.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 1,145,486 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.73, for a total transaction of $13,436,550.78. Following the sale, the insider now owns 50,099,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $587,665,868.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 1,145,486 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.73, for a total value of $13,436,550.78. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 50,099,392 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $587,665,868.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Treasurer Philip R. Berlinski sold 3,750 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $338.10, for a total transaction of $1,267,875.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the treasurer now directly owns 21,366 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,223,844.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 34,971,709 shares of company stock valued at $657,636,217. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Goldman Sachs Group

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Tower View Investment Management & Research LLC purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 224.0% in the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 81 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the period. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Elequin Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Pacific Center for Financial Services bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors own 76.90% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements.

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Weave Communications, Inc. (NYSE:WEAV  Get Free Report) major shareholder Bessemer Venture Partners Ix L sold 66,580 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.24, for a total transaction of $748,359.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 7,433,499 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $83,552,528.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

Weave Communications Stock Down 0.5 %

WEAV stock traded down $0.06 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $11.30. 413,297 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 431,844. The firms 50-day moving average is $8.69 and its 200-day moving average is $6.26. The company has a market cap of $753.94 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -16.85 and a beta of 2.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 2.05 and a quick ratio of 2.05. Weave Communications, Inc. has a 12 month low of $3.37 and a 12 month high of $11.68.

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Weave Communications (NYSE:WEAV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.15) by $0.03. Weave Communications had a negative net margin of 29.49% and a negative return on equity of 51.25%. The company had revenue of $39.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $37.71 million. On average, equities research analysts expect that Weave Communications, Inc. will post -0.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Weave Communications

A number of research firms recently commented on WEAV. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Weave Communications from $7.50 to $14.00 in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Loop Capital upgraded Weave Communications from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $5.00 to $13.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Raymond James increased their target price on Weave Communications from $6.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, June 30th.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Weave Communications by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 83,683 shares of the companys stock valued at $383,000 after purchasing an additional 2,257 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in Weave Communications by 12.2% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 25,529 shares of the companys stock valued at $127,000 after purchasing an additional 2,770 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in Weave Communications by 90.8% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 6,800 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 3,236 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. lifted its position in Weave Communications by 236.3% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 7,325 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 5,147 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in Weave Communications by 39.6% during the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 21,628 shares of the companys stock worth $107,000 after acquiring an additional 6,134 shares during the last quarter. 53.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Weave Communications Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Weave Communications, Inc provides a customer communications and engagement software platform in the United States and Canada. Its platform enables small and medium-sized businesses to maximize the value of their customer interactions and minimize the time and effort spent on manual or mundane tasks.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe African People's Union (Zapu) has outlined plans to build a US$80 billion economy in the next 20 years if voted into power in next month's elections.The opposition which is not fielding a presidential candidate, outlined its plans in its manifesto titled, "Back to Basics, the 2023 ZAPU Manifesto".As part of growing the economy, the party said it will stem corruption and mineral leakages which cost the country billions in lost revenue."We shall recover about US$25bn to US$40bn from corruption and laundered minerals, state procurement, loans proceeds, and other assets, plus accumulate additional US$25bn minerals and other resources using these two funds, implement a US$50bn Zimbabwe Next 40 Years Development Fund. We will create a million jobs through a Zimbabwe-led reconstruction program."The party also set out plans to build the first Coal to Petroleum and LPG USDS10bn plant in Hwange that will cut Zimbabwe fuel imports by 60 percent, build four Green Fuel plants under State trading companies/provincial SOE for blending national fuel at 60 percent national quota and build a new provincial and district rail and rail network using proceeds from mineral exploitation at USD$2bn as well as re-equip and manufacture all needed passenger and goods trains."We will build a new Rand Union Beitbridge border capital with heavy to low duty manufacturing and assembly plants, SADC rail and road dry port, all banks medical, varsity campuses, logistics, research and development, malls as well as all facilities that people travel to get from Gauteng and Durban. We will also build 1000 per province industries based on Asian Tigers Concept," the manifesto read."We will build over 10 000 rural assembly and manufacturing factories for electrical, agro, auto, equipment and other sectors. Build A million homes, a new rail commuter system for urban dwellers that links Harare and Bulawayo to nearby towns and cities. There will be five new cities and 10 export market mega industrial development zones at US$2bn each."The party noted that it will recapitalise district-level farming and restructure national market boards like GMB."The currency will stabilise and pay farmers all their hard-earned crops on time every time. We will fund and build in partnership with provinces and metropolitans mega 3 Thermal Base Load and 10 Green Power Generation SOEs projects as well as a new fertilizer-making capacity from coal and water in Hwange, Mutare and Kamativi."
StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the technology companys stock.

WidePoint Stock Down 3.6 %

WYY stock opened at $1.88 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $1.84 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.93. The company has a market capitalization of $16.42 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.08 and a beta of 1.04. WidePoint has a 12 month low of $1.70 and a 12 month high of $3.06.

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WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The technology company reported ($0.11) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $25.27 million during the quarter. WidePoint had a negative net margin of 16.03% and a positive return on equity of 2.98%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About WidePoint

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WYY. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings 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 increased its position in shares of WidePoint by 27.5% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 43,483 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $79,000 after purchasing an additional 9,377 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WidePoint during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. UBS Group AG purchased a new stake in shares of WidePoint during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of WidePoint by 121.1% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 13,577 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 7,437 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.85% of the companys stock.

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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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Shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (NYSEARCA:HEDJ  Get Free Report) traded down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $81.50 and last traded at $81.70. 10,604 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average session volume of 54,783 shares. The stock had previously closed at $81.86.

WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.41 and a beta of 0.88. The business has a fifty day moving average of $81.71 and a 200-day moving average of $80.28.

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WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund shares are scheduled to split on Thursday, August 10th. The 2-1 split was announced on Thursday, August 10th. The newly minted shares will be issued to shareholders after the market closes on Thursday, August 10th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund

About WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of HEDJ. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund by 138.7% during the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 408,381 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,570,000 after acquiring an additional 237,264 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund by 118.7% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 209,020 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,184,000 after purchasing an additional 113,442 shares in the last quarter. Hall Kathryn A. purchased a new stake in shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund in the first quarter valued at $8,631,000. Permanens Capital L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund by 80.8% in the first quarter. Permanens Capital L.P. now owns 195,206 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,048,000 after purchasing an additional 87,248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. purchased a new stake in shares of WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund in the second quarter valued at $6,928,000.

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WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (the Fund), formerly WisdomTree International Hedged Equity Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index. The WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Index provides exposure to European equities while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations between the Euro and the United States dollar.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP)  Stock analysts at Zacks Research raised their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research note issued on Thursday, July 13th. Zacks Research analyst M. Basu now expects that the transportation company will earn $4.03 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $3.99. The consensus estimate for Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys current full-year earnings is $2.98 per share.

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Several other analysts have also recently commented on CP. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Argus raised Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $92.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Credit Suisse Group upped their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $81.00 to $87.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 5th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $78.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $90.00 to $89.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $90.86.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

Shares of CP stock opened at $80.44 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $79.27 and its 200-day moving average is $78.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.92 billion, a PE ratio of 26.64, a PEG ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 1.02. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a 52 week low of $65.17 and a 52 week high of $83.44.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP  Get Free Report) (TSE:CP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The transportation company reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.70 by ($0.07). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 40.22% and a return on equity of 9.53%. The company had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CP. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 193.9% during the 1st quarter. BerganKDV Wealth Management LLC now owns 338 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 750.0% in the 4th quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 340 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 928.6% during the 4th quarter. BDO Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 360 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 325 shares during the period. Romano Brothers AND Company acquired a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Motco bought a new stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. 65.84% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.141 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.70%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is currently 18.87%.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products.

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Ascend Capital is planning to raise Rs 500 crore over the next 18 months as it looks to finance over 1 million electric commercial vehicles by 2030, the company said on Wednesday. Co-founded in 2019 by Lokesh Chandra Mittal and Gaurav Maheshwari, the Jaipur-based electric commercial vehicle (eCV) financing firm, has so far invested about Rs 80 crore in its own business and has financed over 8,000 commercial EVs. "We have invested about Rs 80 crore since we founded Ascend Capital. We have a robust growth plan and are eyeing to infuse Rs 500 crore into the company over the next 18 months," Lokesh Chandra Mittal, co-founder and director of Ascend Capital, told PTI. Mittal said these funds will be raised from climate finance, sustainability, and financial inclusion-focused impact investors. The company sees a huge potential in financing eCVs, he said, adding that plans are afoot to finance 1 million vehicles by 2030. However, if there is an opportunity, the company might explore other segments, including electric two-wheelers, he said. The company said it is looking to expand its presence across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi-National Capital Region, and subsequently move to other parts of the country as per its action plan under vision 2030.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo needs Members of Parliament (MPs) who will truly represent residents rather than be mouthpieces for political parties or leaders headquartered outside the city, an independent candidate in the upcoming elections has said.Dr Strike Mkandla, an independent candidate in the Mpopoma-Mzilikazi constituency, said elected officials must respect and serve the electorate, not neglect their wishes for party dictates."Politicians have their manifestos and intentions but they masquerade power which they haven't been given by the population and fail to represent people," he remarked during a dialogue series on the 2023 elections organised by TellZim at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Friday.Running as an independent candidate, Dr Mkandla, said he intended to make sure that Bulawayo was adequately represented in Parliament and criticised other political parties for centralising their systems."Here we have MPs who follow dictates from Harare. That's why some of them didn't even get to the Nomination because they were waiting for their papers to come from somewhere else. Now those things must stop."Dr Mkandla who was expelled from ZAPU, said that was because he refused to be dictated to."Imposing a leader because he is Joshua Nkomo's child nullifies the reason why we have a choice," he said, emphasising that people needed to make their choices so they could be well represented."We must have MPs in Bulawayo who represent Bulawayo, who are not mouthpieces for their organisations but are actually mouthpieces for Bulawayo and talk for Bulawayo in Parliament. They also must come back and report to Bulawayo, not for their voices to be filtered through some party."The aspiring MP stated that speaking with voters in Mabuthweni he had found out what their most pressing issues were."They said they have one toilet for a huge number of people. Those are issues on the ground, which show Mabuthweni was designed as a single person's township, same as Iminyela. But when these townships were made into family houses, the infrastructure didn't change from single to family housing," Dr Mkandla said."It's congested and children are crowded. Children don't know privacy as they've never experienced it. Those are issues we should be talking about."He also said health services and burst sewer were other pressing issues."Mpilo Central Hospital in Mzilikazi is in very bad shape. Bulawayo also suffers from environmental issues which are to do with management," he said.Dr Mkandla said MP's were supposed to have oversight on government programmes so that resources meant for Bulawayo and Matabeleland are delivered."There is the Constituency Development Fund. Where is it going? Who's deciding its use? Those are issues that MPs should talk about and be accountable for. There are many infrastructure resources that MPs have to talk about with the relevant ministries and report accordingly to people," he said."The issue is not to grandstand about labels. Parties are labels at the end of the day, unless you can put substance into them to say what people actually want and is actually happening. One of the most important things is for MPs not to be yes men' or yes women' where they are told by someone out there what to say."Dr Mkandla also used the example of Zanu-PF's prospective Cowdray Park MP, Professor Mthuli Ncube, to say MPs should not override the city council because they believe they have so much power."Parties think they have too much power, now the MP's also want too much power even in the constituency to do things and override our City Council and people," he said.He added that politicians must learn to overcome the Big Man syndrome,' which he said was now unfortunately' not limited to the ruling party Zanu-PF."The Big Man syndrome is affecting the opposition. If we are not careful, we shall have the opposition becoming opposed to the other one, which is outgoing and then another one, and they will keep replicating their bigness as big people. So let us do away with the big man syndrome," Dr Mkandla said."Everybody should be accountable. There's no big man who is too big to be controlled and no big man who is too big to be attacked or at least corrected by MPs. MPs should not say, I don't know what my party is doing' but report what their party is doing and agree with it. If they are independent from the party, they must say so and be independent, they can't be both."
IT giant Cognizant said on July 19 that it had appointed six women to Senior Vice President positions in order to diversify its executive team.



Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S said, These announcements are something we should collectively celebrate. Advancing diversity must be systemic, woven into everything we do starting with how we recruit and hire, develop, promote, engage and retain talent.



Elisa de Rocca-Serra, who joined the company in 2021, has been promoted to SVP, EMEA General Counsel and Contract Lifecycle Risk Management (CLRM). In her newly expanded role, she is responsible for driving improved operational and financial outcomes by managing commercial risk throughout the entire client contract lifecycle.



Thea Hayden is now the SVP, Global Marketing. Hayden is the team leader of an integrated marketing and digital experience team that produces interesting content aimed at capturing the attention of global audiences from brand to demand. For the Cognizant brand, design and creative services, social media, thought leadership, and research, this team is in charge. Cognizant hired Hayden in 2020.



The position of SVP, Healthcare Provider/Payor Business Unit, was given to Patricia (Trish) Hunter-Dennehy. Revenue cycle management, clearinghouse businesses, hospitals, health systems, and health IT firms are all included in her purview. Her group supports the delivery of healthcare as well as the general management of healthcare in the US. Hunter-Dennehy joined Cognizant in 2015 as a result of the acquisition of TriZetto.



As a result of her promotion, Sailaja Josyula is now the SVP, Intuitive Operations & Automation (IOA) for the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector for the commercial markets in North America as well as global delivery. She also serves as Hyderabad's Centre Head. With more than 56,000 employees, Hyderabad ranks as Cognizant's second-largest delivery centre.



As SVP, Industry Solutions Group (ISG), Archana Ramanakumar returned to Cognizant on July 5. In 2020, Ramanakumar departed Cognizant after gaining significant work experience at LTI and LTI Mindtree. In addition to bringing to her current position considerable outside experience, Ramanakumar continues the legacy she started when she first joined Cognizant in 1996.



Sandra Notardonato joined Cognizant as SVP, Partnerships and Alliances on July 17. Prior to joining Cognizant, Natardonato worked as a senior equities analyst for 15 years at Gartner and 11 years at other professional services companies.
India's imports of sunflower oil are likely to fall in the coming months as it becomes uncompetitive against rival oils due to rising prices after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal, industry officials told Reuters.



The drop in sunflower oil imports would force the world's biggest buyer of vegetable oils to increase purchases of palm oil and soyoil to compensate.



A year-long deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine's grain expired on Monday after Russia quit and warned it could not guarantee the safety of ships, in a move the United Nations said would "strike a blow to people in need everywhere".



Sunflower oil shipments to India could fall by around 30% from current levels, said Pradeep Chowdhry, managing director of Gemini Edibles and Fats India Pvt. Ltd, a leading Indian importer.



The Black Sea region accounts for 60% of world sunflower oil output and 76% of exports.



Spot prices have risen from $850 to $965 per metric ton in the past five weeks on expectations that the grains deal would lapse and on a rally in rival oils.



India typically imports around 250,000 metric tons of sunflower oil per month, mainly from Russia, Ukraine, Argentina and Turkey.



Earlier this year, Black Sea exporters were aggressively selling sunflower oil at competitive prices, which helped bring down inventories, said Rajesh Patel, managing partner at GGN Research, an edible oil trader and broker.



India could import around 275,000 tons of sunflower oil in July but from August imports could fall to around 200,000 tons, Patel said.



Ukraine traditionally accounted for more than half of India's sunflower oil imports, but Russia has been its biggest supplier in the marketing year ending on Oct. 31, Solvent Extractors' Association of India data shows.



Loading of big vessels at Ukrainian ports is not possible without the grain deal, said Sandeep Bajoria, CEO of Sunvin Group, a vegetable oil brokerage and consultancy.



"The deal's expiry would force Ukrainians to ship sunoil from Romania, Bulgaria and other European countries but re-routing would bring down the volume," Bajoria said.



Ukraine has in recent months been selling sunflower seeds to Romania and Bulgaria, where they are processed into oil that is exported to India, said a New Delhi-based dealer with a global trading house.



"The uncertainty in the sunoil market would force some refiners to switch to palm oil and soyoil, which are also available at competitive prices," the dealer said.



India imports palm oil mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, while sourcing soyoil mainly from Argentina, Brazil and the United States.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches against Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal on Wednesday as part of a fresh money-laundering investigation against him and others, official sources said. The federal agency raided six-seven premises in Mumbai and some other locations as part of the investigation being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).



The money-laundering case stems from a recent FIR lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita and some former company executives in connection with an alleged Rs 538-crore fraud at the Canara Bank. In February, the Bombay High Court quashed a money-laundering case lodged by the ED against Goyal and his wife on the basis of a Maharashtra Police FIR to probe charges of cheating and forgery on a complaint from Akbar Travels.



A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan quashed the ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report or the ED equivalent of an FIR) registered on February 20, 2020 and all proceedings against the Goyals on the ground of "being illegal and contrary" to law. The court order came after the police filed a closure report, stating that they found no substance in the complaint and the dispute seemed to be civil in nature. As the ED case was based on the police FIR and was the predicate offence for filing a money-laundering case, it was declared quashed by the court.



The CBI FIR came about on the basis of the Canara Bank's complaint, alleging that it had sanctioned credit limits and loans to Jet Airways (India) Limited (JIL) to the tune of Rs 848.86 crore, of which an amount of Rs 538.62 crore is outstanding. Jet Airways has since been grounded and the CBI said the account was declared "fraud" on July 29, 2021.



The bank alleged that the forensic audit of JIL showed that it paid Rs 1,410.41 crore to "related companies" out of the total commission expenses, thus siphoning off funds from JIL. "As per the sample agreement of Jet Airways (India) Ltd (JIL), it was noted that the expenses of General Selling Agents (GSA) was to be borne by GSA itself and nor by JIL. However, it was observed that JIL has paid various expenses amounting to Rs 403.27 crore, which is not in tune with the GSA," the complaint, which is now part of the CBI FIR, alleged.



It said personal expenses, such as salaries of staff, phone bills and vehicle expenses, of the Goyal family were paid by JIL. Among other allegations, it surfaced during the forensic audit that funds were also siphoned off through Jet Lite (India) Limited (JLL) by way of making advance payments and investing and subsequently writing off of the same by making provisions.



The JIL diverted the funds for its subsidiary, JLL, in the form of loans and advances and investments extended, the complaint alleged.
The HCL Group is contemplating setting foot in India's expanding semiconductor space, as per a July 19 report published in the Economic Times.



As per the newspaper's report, the HCL Group is anticipated to soon submit a proposal to the Centre for setting up an assembly, testing, marking and packaging (ATMP) facility for semiconductors. The project will reportedly be worth $200-300 million. As per senior officials of the company, HCL Group is leading this ambitious project and not HCLTech - the group's $12.6 billion IT exports wing.



Reports say HCL is slated to apply for standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the $10-billion semiconductor incentive programme. Under this scheme, the central and state governments offer subsidies, covering as much as 75 percent of the capital expenditure incurred by firms setting up semiconductor facilities in India.



The latest development comes close on the heels of Micron's announcement early this July of its plans to break ground at its Gujarat semiconductor unit in August. The chipmaker announced a $825-million dollar investment for setting up an Outsourced Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility at Sanand in Gujarat. The cumulative investment in the project is $2.75 billion. Micron's project, in collaboration with the Centre and the Gujarat state government, is likely to catapult the growth of India's chipmaking space.



Also Read: India's first chip production to begin in Micron's Gujarat facility



India's semiconductor dream



The semiconductor sector in India has been witnessing substantial growth for the last couple of years. Moreover, the Narendra Modi government's ambitious mission to build the world's largest semiconductor ecosystem in India is conducive to its growth.



The Centre had announced the ambitious Semicon India Programme under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in December 2021 for developing the semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. This programme has a financial outlay of Rs 76,000 crore.



In September 2022, this scheme was modified on industry feedback, to bolster its competitiveness, and relaunched as the Modified Semicon India Programme.



It is a good time for the country to cement its chipmaking base given the lingering Sino-US trade tiff, and the crippling semiconductor supply chain globally. Moreover, global chipmakers are now eyeing India as the next big host to set up their manufacturing units.



The group's latest decision to enter the semiconductor manufacturing space is being seen as an organic growth strategy given the company's relation with chipmakers, such as Intel.



Last November, it was reported that the company is eyeing a stake in semiconductor wafer fab applicants, ISMC Analog, which has picked an electronics cluster near Karnataka's Mysuru to set up a $3 billion fab.







HCL enjoys a solid presence in the semiconductor space, where it provides lithography, etching, Ion implant, assembly, and packaging, along with testing services globally.




Shares of Amara Raja Batteries Limited traded up 1.6 percent at Rs 652 at 9:29am on July 19 after 4 lakh shares changed hands on the NSE with six investors picking up a 7 percent stake in the company at an average price of Rs 652. The investors are Tata AIA Life Insurance Company, BNP Paribas Arbitrage, Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund, Nippon India Mutual Fund, Pinebridge Investments Asia Limited A/C PB Global Funds - Pinebridge India EqFund, and Societe Generale, bulk deal data showed. Follow our market blog for all the live action This gains significance as Clarios ARBL Holdings sold its entire stake in the battery maker through bulk deals on July 18. It offloaded 2.4 crore shares or about 14 percent stake in the company. Following the development, the shares of Amara Raja tanked 6 percent on Tuesday. According to the shareholding data, the company is majority owned by public shareholders at 72 percent, while the remaining 28 percent is owned by the promoters. Of the public shareholders, mutual funds hold more than 2 percent stake. Amara Raja Batteries is a leading manufacturer of lead-acid batteries within the Indian storage battery industry. Their extensive product range caters to industrial and automotive applications alike. Amara Raja Batteries is the preferred supplier for entities such as major telecom service providers, telecom equipment manufacturers, the UPS sector, Indian Railways, and the power, oil, and gas industries, among others. Amara Raja shares have outperformed the Nifty50 and have given returns of 36 percent over a 12-month period versus 21 percent returned by the index. The company reported revenue of Rs 2,429 crore in the March quarter, up 10 percent year-on-year from 2,197 crore posted in the same quarter last year. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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A broker has committed flagrant violations of many regulatory provisions, including misusing client funds, non-settlement of client funds and not adhering to the Know-Your-Client, and then has ghosted the regulator.



Mails sent to the broker have either been ignored or were returned undelivered to the regulator.



Finally, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration of Fairwealth Commodity Broking (FCBL) in an order dated July 19.



Also read: Did this advisory firm proprietor just try to misdirect Sebi, and fail?



The findings of the regulator demonstrate flagrant violation of the provisions governing the functioning of a stock broker and deep apathy towards the interests of the clients, stated the order.



SEBI officials investigated the broker between April 2017 and December 2018 and found the broker in the wrong on multiple counts. The report brought out failure to segregate client funds from own funds; misuse of clients funds; non-settlement of clients funds; non-production of enhanced supervision data; non-adherence to stipulated client registration process (KYC and KRA process); and uploading of incorrect mobile number and email ID in UCC database.



The regulator appointed a Designated Authority (DA) to look into these findings and sent a showcause notice to the broker.



But, the post sent to the registered address returned undelivered and an email sent to the registered email ID bounced back.



Also read: Investment advisor fined for allowing husband to run her firm; couple collected Rs 1.92 cr in fee



Then the regulator published ads in various papers asking the broker to appear for a hearing in May 2022.



Through another email ID, which was later found to be that of the director of the firm, the broker asked for an extension on the hearing date, citing medical conditions. But that request was denied by the regulator since a considerable time had passed. That mail, sent to the directors ID, didnt bounce back but it got no response.



Silent treatment



On the date of the hearing, no representative of the brokerage showed up.



Therefore, in June 2022, the DA recommended that the brokers registration be cancelled.



Then a post enquiry report was sent to the broker in July 2022. That mail returned to SEBI with the comment that there was no such office. SEBI affixed the notice on the office, and in that, the date for personal hearing was again given, this time in May 2023.



Then a hearing notice was sent to the same address and, when that too came back undelivered, the notice was affixed on the office. Again, no one from the brokerage showed up for the hearing.



In the interest of personal justice, another opportunity for personal hearing was granted with the date July 13, 2023. The hearing notice for this too came back undelivered and an email was sent to the brokers directors email id, which again received no response.



Therefore SEBI went ahead with the proceedings with the material on record and found the broker in violation of all the charges made.
Shares of IndusInd Bank rallied 4 percent to a 52-week high of Rs 1,443.40 in early trade on July 19, buoyed by the lender's healthy earnings for the April-June quarter. Most brokerages too cheered for its robust financials that helped boost the investor sentiment.



At 9.20am, IndusInd Bank was trading 3.2 percent higher at Rs 1,435 on the National Stock Exchange.



The private sector lender posted a net profit of Rs 2,124 crore for the April-June quarter, reflecting a 33 percent jump from Rs 1,631 crore clocked a year ago. The bottomline was also in-line with CNBC-TV18 estimate of Rs 2,127 crore.



Total income for the quarter also grew 28 percent on-year to Rs 12,939 crore backed by an 18 percent rise in net interest income of Rs 5,863 crore, up from the Rs 4,125 crore last year. NII also topped CNBC-TV18 projection of Rs 4,821.7 crore.



The bank's asset quality also remained healthy as gross non-performing asset (NPA) stood at 1.94 percent, down from 1.98 percent last quarter. Its net NPA also came down to 0.58 percent from 0.59 percent on a sequential basis.



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The steady earnings prompted brokerages to raise their price targets for the stock.



Foreign brokerage firm Morgan Stanley revised the price target for the stock to Rs 1,800 and retained its 'overweight' rating for IndusInd Bank. With expectations that the rate cycle has peaked, Morgan Stanley sees good returns from IndusInd Bank through compounding, estimate upgrades and even re-ratings. The firm stays positive on the lender's consistent earnings with better retail deposit mix and easing credit costs.



Citi lifted the target price for the stock to Rs 1,630 along with a 'buy' tag. The broker praised its financial stability and a robust growth in advances. It is also positive on the management's confidence of planning a Cycle 6 strategy, aimed at 18-23 percent credit growth.



The next line to raise the target price for the IndusInd Bank stock was JP Morgan. It gave a 'neutral' rating for the stock but raised the target to Rs 1,250 and hoped its deposit rates to peak in Q2.



Also Read: IndusInd Bank Q1 Results: Net profit jumps 33% YoY to Rs 2,124 crore, asset quality stays healthy



Domestic brokerage Nuvama Institutional Equities upgraded the stock to a 'buy', with a price target of Rs 1,620. It expects IndusInd Bank to outperform the sector on the back of its stable NIM, and steady loan growth.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
The market maintained a relentless uptrend since last Friday and saw a fresh record close on July 19, with the Nifty50 ending above 19,800 levels and the BSE Sensex above the 67,000 mark for the first time. Consistent FII buying and upside in banking and financial services aided the rally.



The BSE Sensex jumped 302 points to 67,097, while the Nifty50 climbed 84 points to 19,833 and formed a bullish candlestick pattern with a long lower shadow on the daily charts, indicating buying interest at lower levels.



"On the daily chart, we can observe that the Nifty has consolidated between 19,700 and 19,850 in the past couple of trading sessions. Today it tested the lower end of that range and witnessed buying interest indicating that it is a strong support, and the floor is set for the next leg of up move," Jatin Gedia, technical research analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas said.



The up move can target levels of 19,96420,000, he says.



"The daily and the hourly momentum indicator is providing divergent signals which could lead to a short-term consolidation. However, the overall structure seems to be turning in the favour of the bulls and hence we shall continue to maintain a positive outlook on the index," he said.



The buying was also seen in the broader markets with positive breadth. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices gained 0.7 percent and 0.8 percent respectively.







We have collated 15 data points to help you spot profitable trades:



Note: The open interest (OI) and volume data of stocks are the aggregates of three-month data and not just the current month



Key support, resistance levels on Nifty



The pivot point calculator suggests that the Nifty may get support at 19,757 followed by 19,727 and 19,680. In case of an upside, 19,852 can be a key resistance area followed by 19,881 and 19,928.



Nifty Bank



On July 19, we also continued to see the momentum in Bank Nifty, which ended at a fresh record closing high of 45,669, up 259 points, and formed an Inside Bar candlestick pattern on the daily charts as the index traded within the previous day's range.



"The Bank Nifty consolidated within the range of the previous trading session (45,90645,281) and has thus formed an Inside Bar pattern which makes the extremes of the range crucial levels from a short-term perspective," Jatin Gedia of Sharekhan by BNP Paribas said.



He further said a breach of the extremes shall lead to a move in that particular direction. He expects the breakout to be on the upside and expects the Nifty to target levels of 46,500.



The pivot point calculator indicates that the Bank Nifty is likely to take support at 45,498, followed by 45,434 and 45,329, while 45,708 can be the initial resistance zone followed by 45,773 and 45,878.







Call options data



We continued to see the maximum weekly Call open interest (OI) at 20,000 strike, with 1.29 crore contracts, which can act as a resistance for the Nifty in the coming sessions.



This is followed by 1.04 crore contracts at 19,900 strike, while 19,900 strike has 84.69 lakh contracts.



Meaningful Call writing was seen at 20,000 strike, which added 30.31 lakh contracts; followed by 19,900 and 20,100 strikes, which added 29.02 lakh contracts and 27.66 lakh contracts, respectively.



Maximum Call unwinding was at 19,700 strike, which shed 33.36 lakh contracts; followed by 19,600 and 19,400 strikes, which shed 9.88 lakh and 1.61 lakh contracts respectively.







Put option data



On the Put side, the maximum open interest was at 19,800 strike, with 1.07 crore contracts, which could be an important support for the Nifty.



This was followed by the 19,700 strike, comprising 97.83 lakh contracts, and the 19,500 strike, which had 92.23 lakh contracts.



Put writing was seen at 19,800 strike, which added 83.95 lakh contracts, followed by 19,700 and 19,300 strikes, which added 28.23 lakh and 9.72 lakh contracts, respectively.



We have seen Put unwinding at 19,200 strike, which shed 13.27 lakh contracts, followed by 19,100 and 19,400 strikes, which shed 7.59 lakh contracts and 6.86 lakh contracts respectively.







Stocks with high delivery percentage



A high delivery percentage suggests that investors are showing interest in the stock. The highest delivery was seen in Bharti Airtel, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, Shriram Finance, SBI Life Insurance Company, and HDFC Life Insurance Company among others.







90 stocks see a long build-up



Polycab India, Can Fin Homes, MCX India, Havells India, and ITC were among the 90 stocks to see a long build-up based on the open interest (OI) percentage. An increase in open interest and price indicates a build-up of long positions.







23 stocks see long unwinding



Based on the OI percentage, 23 stocks, including RBL Bank, Syngene International, Max Financial Services, Bosch, and Delta Corp saw a long unwinding. A decline in OI and price indicates a long unwinding.







25 stocks see a short build-up



A short build-up was seen in 25 stocks, including Coforge, Apollo Tyres, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Infosys, and Tata Power Company. An increase in OI along with a price fall indicates a build-up of short positions.







50 stocks see short-covering



Based on the OI percentage, 50 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included Reliance Industries, L&T Technology Services, Birlasoft, Oracle Financial, and Mphasis. A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering.







Bulk deals







(For more bulk deals, click here)



Results on July 20







Stocks in the news



Federal Bank: The private sector lender launched its qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue on July 19. The floor price has been set at Rs 132.59 per share for the QIP.



Dr Reddys Laboratories: The United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) completed a pre-approval inspection (PAI) and a routine GMP inspection at the company's API manufacturing facility at Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. The inspection was conducted during July 10-19. The inspection closed with zero observations and a classification of no action indicated (NAI).



Olectra Greentech: The company has awarded a contract for the construction of a greenfield electric vehicle manufacturing facility on 150 acres of land in Hyderabad to Megha Engineering & Infrastructures. This is the ultimate holding company and a related party to Olectra Greentech. The construction of the greenfield EV manufacturing facility will be completed within 12 months from the date of approval of the shareholders.



Mastek: The digital engineering and cloud transformation partner signed a definitive agreement to acquire US-based BizAnalytica, a premier data cloud and modernisation solutions provider. The strategic acquisition will bolster Mastek's global data cloud services and generative AI capabilities and grant access to a talented pool of qualified data architects and scientists.



Krsnaa Diagnostics: National Health Mission of Rajasthan has cancelled the letter of acceptance given to Krsnaa Diagnostics for providing laboratory services under the free diagnostics initiative on HUB and SPOKE Model under NHM in Rajasthan. The company said there were requirements for the provision of submitting additional performance security, and there are disagreements over providing this additional performance security due to certain technicalities. The cancellation of the letter of acceptance does not in any way impact its existing business operations.



Shree Cement: The company has received a letter from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for inspection. The inspection will be conducted under Section 206(5) of the Companies Act, 2013.



Finolex Industries: The PVC pipes and fittings manufacturer has recorded a 16.2 percent year-on-year growth in profit at Rs 115.3 crore for quarter ended June FY24, supported by healthy operating performance. Revenue from operations fell 0.9 percent to Rs 1,179.2 crore compared to year-ago period. On the operating front, EBITDA jumped 21.1 percent YoY to Rs 152.5 crore with a margin expansion of 230 bps due to a sharp fall in input cost.



Tata Communications: The digital ecosystem enabler has reported a 29.8 percent year-on-year decline in profit at Rs 381.7 crore for the quarter ended June FY24, impacted by a weak operating margin, lower other income and higher finance cost. Revenue from operations increased by 10.7 percent YoY to Rs 4,771.4 crore for the quarter. On the operating front, EBITDA dropped 4.9 percent to Rs 1,024 crore compared to the year-ago period, with a margin contraction of 350 bps YoY during the quarter.



Fund Flow



FII and DII data



Foreign institutional investors (FII) have bought shares worth Rs 1,165.47 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DII) sold shares worth Rs 2,134.54 crore on July 19, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) shows.



Stocks under F&O ban on NSE



The NSE has added L&T Finance Holdings and Polycab India to its F&O ban list for July 20, while retaining Delta Corp, Indiabulls Housing Finance, Manappuram Finance, and RBL Bank . Securities banned under the F&O segment include companies where derivative contracts have crossed 95 percent of the market-wide position limit.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.



Disclosure: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
Tata Group to invest 4 billion in UK Gigafactory Jaguar Land Rover-owner Tata Group on July 19 announced its plan to invest 4 billion in an electric car battery factory in the UK. This landmark project marks one of the most significant investments in the country's automotive industry to date. Read more here. Bank of Maharashtra Q1 Results: Net profit surges 95% to Rs 882 cr, maintains healthy asset quality Public sector lender Bank of Maharashtra on July 19 reported a 95 percent jump in net profit at Rs 882 crore for the April-June FY24 quarter, compared to Rs 451 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. Details here. IDBI, SCI privatisation, other stake sales may fetch over Rs 40,000 crore in divestment in FY24: Govt official The Finance Ministry is eyeing to complete the strategic sales of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and IDBI Bank, and a host of offers for sale (OFS) in FY24. This should fetch the government at least Rs 40,000 crore in disinvestment receipts this year, said a senior government official on condition of anonymity. Details here. IndusInd Bank hits 52-week high on Q1 earnings, brokerages revise targets Shares of IndusInd Bank rallied 4 percent to a 52-week high of Rs 1,443.40 in early trade on July 19, buoyed by the lender's healthy earnings for the April-June quarter. Most brokerages too cheered for its robust financials that helped boost the investor sentiment. Details here. RBI likely to maintain status quo in upcoming monetary policy: SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Dinesh Khara on Wednesday said the Reserve Bank of India is likely to maintain status quo in the upcoming monetary policy. Read more. Netweb Technologies India IPO bought 20 times on final day As of the final day, July 19, Netweb Technologies India IPO issue has been subscribed 19.73 times, with bids received for 17.47 crore equity shares, surpassing the IPO size of 88.58 lakh equity shares. Details here.

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While the National Pension System (NPS) has seen its popularity as a reliable retirement planning solution grow over the years, the fact is that the tax benefits that the scheme offers remain the chief draw for many subscribers.



Yet, not many maximise the tax breaks that NPS has to offer. If your employer contributes up to 10 percent of your basic salary to your NPS corpus, it is exempt from tax. However, employees have been less-than-enthusiastic about signing up for this arrangement.



In an interview with Moneycontrol in June, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) chairman Deepak Mohanty had pointed out that NPS coverage happens to be limited at present, despite the huge potential. We have onboarded around 13,000 corporates, but the take-up rate by the employees is quite low, he said.



Also read: Sustainability a critical issue in unfunded pension schemes like OPS, no uncertainty in NPS: PFRDA chairman



Heres all that you need to know about how you can gain if your employer contributes to your NPS account.



NPS tax deductions



If you contribute voluntarily to NPS under the All Citizens Model that is open to all Indian citizens over 18 years of age, you can claim deductions under section 80C, provided you choose the old tax regime.



As an employee, your contributions of up to 10 percent of your basic salary plus dearness allowance will qualify for deductions under section 80CCD (1). You can also contribute to NPS as an individual, not necessarily as an employee. However, the deductions under this section cannot go beyond the overall 80C limit of Rs 1.5 lakh. This apart, you can claim an additional break of Rs 50,000 under section 80CCD (1B). These two benefits are generally well-known.



However, the tax benefits offered under the corporate scheme remain underutilised due to lack of awareness. Section 80CCD (2) can help you cut your tax outgo substantially if your employer contributes to your NPS corpus. This benefit is available in both old and new tax regimes.



Indian employees - resident Indians, non-resident Indians (NRIs) and overseas citizens of India (OCI)  aged between 18-70 years can register as NPS subscribers under the corporates scheme through their employers. If you are already registered as an NPS subscriber, you can also share your permanent retirement account number (PRAN) with your employer to route the contributions through this facility.



Also read: The 25-35 age group accounts for the largest number of NPS subscribers, shows PFRDA report



So, if you are a salaried employee and your cost-to-company structure is such that your employer contributes to your NPS, you will be eligible for a deduction of up to 10 percent of your basic salary (basic plus dearness allowance). If you happen to be a government employee, this deduction will be even higher at 14 percent. Your own contributions will continue to be eligible for deduction under section 80CCD (1) and 80CCD (1B).



Tax benefits under both old and new regimes



Interestingly, while the new, minimal exemptions tax regime does not offer a whole host of deductions and exemptions that the old regime allows, tax exemption on an employers NPS contribution has been retained under the new tax regime too.



If you choose the old regime, your own contributions will entitle you to deductions of up to Rs 1.5 lakh under section 80C and Rs 50,000 under section 80 CCD (1B).



Do note that your employer can contribute to your NPS over and above the employees provident fund (EPF) contributions. Employees or employers need not to choose one over the other.



As an employee, you can transfer the account that is tagged to a permanent retirement account number (PRAN), to another employer when you switch jobs, provided the new employer is willing to contribute to your NPS. Depending on your employers policy, NPS investment management charges, custodian fees, transaction charges and so on will have to be borne either by you or the employer.



Mandatory for government employees

NPS is mandatory for all central government employees who joined the workforce after January 1, 2004, except the armed forces. Most state governments, too, have adopted it. Private organisations  that is, employers  also qualify for tax benefits on account of contributions to employees NPS. Employers contribution of up to 10 percent of employees basic salary is treated as a business expense and allowed as a deduction from their profit and loss account under section 36(1)(iv)(a) of the Income Tax Act.



Organisations registered under the Companies Act, 2013 or registered co-operative societies are allowed to contribute to their employees NPS. Government and affiliated organisations, too, can adopt the corporate model, besides public sector enterprises. Registered partnership firms, proprietary concerns and certain foreign companies (for eligible Indian employees) are also eligible.



The rules of withdrawal

NPS withdrawal rules remain the same  at the age of 60, you can withdraw 60 percent of the corpus as a lump sum. The balance of 40 percent has to be mandatorily used to purchase annuities, which will be used to pay your pension post-retirement.



You can make partial withdrawals of up to 25 percent of your own contributions after three years in case of certain critical illnesses, purchase of property, childrens education and so on.



Employers can either choose from the ten NPS pension fund managers or allow employees to make the selection. If your employer adopted the system after January 2018 and picked the pension fund manager, you will have the option to switch to another player after a year.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The acrimonious hostility gap between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Trevor Ncube, a local private media publisher continues to widen after their nasty fallout last year as George Charamba describes the AMH chair as a "discredited publisher".Charamba is Mnangagwa's spokesman as deputy chief secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet in charge of communications.Ncube, publisher of NewsDay, Zimbabwe Independent and The Standard, as well as online broadcasting platform Heart & Soul, was part of Mnangagwa's now defunct Presidential Advisory Council (PAC).Ncube, who was in charge of publicity at PAC and ended up as its deputy chairperson, supported the coup primarily for the national interest.Ncube is now a trenchant Mnangagwa critic.As he now frequently attacks Mnangagwa and main opposition CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, the main candidates in the August presidential election, Ncube is seeking new relevance through his old Third Way political platform.Charamba viciously attacked Ncube while disputing a NewsDay story which says Zanu PF has roped in some Mozambican militia ahead of the August general elections.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on July 19 said it has cancelled the licence of Uttar Prtadesh-based United India Co-operative Bank Limited as the bank doesn't have adequate capital.



Subsequently, the bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on July 19, 2023, the RBI said. The RBI has requested Commissioner and Registrar of Cooperative, Uttar Pradesh to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank, the central bank said.



The central bank cancelled the licence of the bank as the bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects and the continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors, the RBI said in a release.



The bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full and public interest would be adversely affected if the bank is allowed to carry on its banking business any further, the RBI said.



The RBI has prohibited the bank from accepting further deposits with immediate effect. As per the data submitted by the bank, 99.98 percent of the depositors are entitled to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC, the RBI said.



The RBI has been clamping down on errant cooperative banks. It cancelled the licence of at least nine banks and imposed monetary penalties 114 times on wrongdoers so far in FY2023, a Moneycontrol analysis showed.



Cooperative banks, which have played a critical role in extending banking services in villages and semi-rural areas, have been dealing with a range of issues from dual regulation and weak finances to interference by local politicians.
Real Estate regulator Maharashtra Regulatory Authority of India (MahaRERA) has issued notices to 563 real estate developers in Maharashtra warning of cancellation of their registration owing to non-compliance of uploading details on the website of MahaRERA for the homebuyers.



Out of the total 563 developers, Pune tops the list with 124 developers being non-compliant despite being issued notices earlier.



Background



The MahaRERA had in May 2023, issued notices to around 746 developers for non-compliance of uploading quarterly progress reports and other project details including financial disclosures on the website of the MahaRERA. Out of the 746 developers, 183 developers complied and uploaded details.



However, according to MahaRERA, 563 developers have not complied by not uploading details in the public domain despite receiving notices.



Warning notice giving 45 days:



"If the required information is not updated and responded within 45 days, the registration of the project will be canceled and all transactions like bank, construction, new registration of the project will be stopped," the MahaRERA said in a statemen issued on July 18.



The notice issued by MahaRERA to developers reads, "You have chosen not to comply with the above-referred provision of Section 11(1) of the Act despite issuance of service of the notice. Please note that, if you fail show cause within the time period of 45 days mentioned herein, necessary orders as deemed fit shall be passed by the Authority entirely at your risk as to cost and consequences."



Under the RERA Act, developers are required to submit project status, the financial position of the project, booking numbers, annual reports and other details.



Also read: Almost 36% real-estate projects from pre-RERA era have disputes, compared to 3% now: MahaRERA



Where are the projects?



According to a list shared by MahaRERA, out of 563 developers who have not complied, maximum non-compliant 124 developers are from Pune district, 98 in Nashik district, 71 in Thane district, 48 in Nagur district and 38 from Mumbai etc.



Also read: Delayed possession: 1,015 recovery warrants worth Rs 623 crore issued by MahaRERA against real estate developers



Non-compliance ratio



On February 18, Moneycontrol reported MahaRERA's statement of around 75 to 80 percent of ongoing registered projects in Maharashtra not regularly uploading quarterly progress reports on the project status and finances.



Sanjay Deshmukh, Nodal Officer for MahaRERA's lapsed project vertical, during a panel discussion on February 17, had said, "As per the RERA Act, a developer is supposed to submit quarterly and annual reports. However, for about 75-80 percent of the ongoing projects, quarterly reports were not uploaded. We have issued notices and developers have begun the compliance process."
Goods and services tax (GST) officials visited the office premises of Ronnie Screwvala's upGrad on July 19 in Mumbai for a routine survey, the edtech unicorn said in a statement.



"Its a routine survey and we are fully compliant and cooperating with the department," said Koell Hemdev, Head of Legal, at upGrad, without disclosing any further details.



The recent visit by GST officials to upGrad's office premises marks the second occasion where a startup has drawn the attention of government authorities.



Back in April, India's most-valued startup, Byju's, faced scrutiny when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at three of their office locations. Subsequently, in June, Byju's also fell under the scrutiny of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).



Founded in 2015 by Ronnie Screwvala, Mayank Kumar and Phalgun Kompalli, upGrad runs a higher education platform for working professionals. The company has raised more than $400 million in equity to date and counts Singapore's Temasek Group, IFC Asset Management, James Murdoch's Lupa Systems among others as its backers.



In FY22, the company reported a widening loss of Rs 626 crore as its employee benefit costs surged close to Rs 400 crore. upGrad, however, reported an over two-fold increase in FY22 revenue to Rs 682.21 crore on a consolidated basis. In an interview with Moneycontrol in August last year, Kumar had said that upGrad would achieve profitability if it refrains from doing any further acquisitions.



upGrad has been on an acquisition spree since 2021. The company has acquired more than 11 startups to expand its offerings. In August last year, upGrad also raised a large $210 million funding round from a clutch of investors and saw its valuation rise to nearly $2.25 billion, in what was one of the rare instances of a large edtech investment in 2022. upGrad also raised Rs 300 crore in an internal funding round from Temasek, Ronnie Screwvala, other existing shareholders in March this year.
Shares of ICICI Lombard General Insurance gained on July 19 as the insurer's combined ratio improved to 103.8 percent for the June quarter as against 104.1 percent a year ago.



The combined ratio is the sum of incurred losses and operating expenses measured as a percentage of earned premium. Lower combined ratio means the company is doing better financially.



At 11:15am, the ICICI Lombard General Insurance stock was quoting Rs 1,363.20 on the NSE, about 0.85 percent higher than the previous close. It is about 1 percent away from hitting a new 52-week high.



Follow our live blog for all the market action



The private sector general insurance company reported a net profit of Rs 390.4 crore for the quarter, a jump of 12 percent on-year. Gross premium climbed 19.7 percent YoY to Rs 6,622.1 crore against Rs 5,530 crore in Q1 FY23.



Breaking down the numbers further, domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal Financial Services said the combined ratio was lower at 102.9 percent if the additional Rs 35 crore that the company had to pay up for settlement of cyclone claims is excluded. This was broadly in line with its estimate of 102.5 percent.



Motilal Oswal has a 'buy' rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 1,550. "Synergy benefits from the Bharti AXA merger (technology related), scale benefits, and improvement in mix in the Health business (higher share of retail health) should help to improve the combined ratio over the next couple of years," it noted.



The management's guidance for better performance has made foreign brokerages bullish, too.



Morgan Stanley has assigned an 'overweight' rating, with a target price set at Rs 1,550. "The management of ICICI Lombard maintains its guidance for a combined ratio of 102 percent for the FY25," the broking firm said. The growth trajectory of the health business is expected to be sustained.



CLSA too has a 'buy' rating, with a target price of Rs 1,550. The company's first-quarter combined ratio of 103.8 percent surpassed expectations, indicating a better-than-anticipated performance, it said.



However, it has warned that the ongoing floods in North India could pose a risk to the company.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is set to announce plans to build a flagship electric car battery plant in the UK, according to UK media reports on Tuesday.



The BBC reported that people familiar with the matter said the new plant in Somerset, south west England, would be officially announced on Wednesday. Its sources claim that the government will be providing subsidies worth hundreds of millions of pounds for the new factory.



The Gigafactory follows talks with the government on the level of financial support the Tata Group would receive in return for the investment. It will be one of the most significant investments in UK automotive for decades.



The investment could lead to the creation of up to 9,000 jobs around Bridgwater in Somerset. However, its significance is pitched as a big boost for the UK's car manufacturing sector as it transitions from petrol and diesel to making electric vehicles.



Batteries typically account for more than half of the value of an electric vehicle, so a reliable supply is expected to be vital for the future of the UK car industry.



In April this year, JLR Chief Executive Adrian Mardell told reporters at a media event that the Tata Group is clear the new Gigafactory is going to be in Europe. Spain was believed to be the other site under consideration at the time.



"The important thing is our underpinning of [battery] supply is inhouse we are the anchor customer and absolutely have equity in making sure that the right decisions are made. Wherever it (factory) goes will be an optimised proposal for us," he said.



Somerset being chosen as the site for the factory will be seen as a major achievement by the British government. The subsidies it offers Tata Motors are expected to be in the form of cash grants, energy subsidies and other training and research funding.
Torrent Power on Wednesday said one of its subsidiaries has commissioned a 115 MW wind project in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. Torrent Solargen was awarded the project through a competitive bidding under SECI (Solar Energy Corporation of India) Wind Tranche V, a company statement said. The company signed a power purchase agreement for a period of 25 years with SECI which has a back-to-back Power Sale Agreement (PSA) with Haryana. Wind turbines for the project have been sourced from GE. With the addition of 115 MW wind power, Torrent Power's installed renewable capacity has reached 1.18 GW, and total generation to 4.2 GW. Torrent Power, with a turnover of Rs 25,694 crore is the integrated power utility of Torrent Group. It has presence across the entire power value chain of generation, transmission, and distribution.

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National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) chief Dilip Asbe said that the unified payments interface (UPI) has only achieved 10 percent penetration as yet and has room to grow 10 times from its current size.



Speaking during a panel discussion on digital public infrastructure (DPI) at the Moneycontrol Start-up Conclave, Asbe said that daily UPI transaction volume could touch 1 billion in the next 3 years.



In June, the payments system clocked a transaction volume of 9.33 billion and the total value of UPI transactions for the month touched Rs 14.75 lakh crore.



The NPCI chief also remarked that India must take the lead in showing the world how cross-border payment transfers could be done in 15 seconds.



After its launch in Singapore and France recently, UPI is likely to enter the North America market and other Middle-eastern countries in the coming months, Moneycontrol reported earlier.



Meanwhile, NPCI's international arm has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with France-based payments solution Lyra Networks to facilitate UPI transactions. Indian students, tourists and non-resident Indians (NRIs) in France can pay via UPI and RuPay using international mobile numbers at any terminal that is backed by Lyra Networks.



Talking about the ubiquitousness of DPIs in the financial sector, Federal Bank executive director Shalini Warrier cited the example of an experiment in Gujarat where cattle loans were disbursed on the basis of pouring history.



Credit assessment is done through pouring history of the last one year that is accessed through APIs (application programming interfaces). And using that we pre-approve the loans. And the farmer can go to a marketplace and get a loan to buy cattle, she said.



I think banks like us can't even visualise life without Aadhaar, UPI now. It has become such an intrinsic part We do about 8000-10,000 account openings a day and in a manual world it would not have been possible to do such a number because of a high cost burden, she added.



Apart from Asbe and Warrier, Aadhaar architect Pramod Varma and Open Network for Digital Commerce chief T Koshy also participated in the panel discussion. Nikhil Kumar, co-founder of fintech API start-up Setu, moderated the conversation.



I think the second order impact of UPI is account aggregator. Account Aggregator as an ecosystem would not exist if people were not doing digital transactions. This combinatorial innovation that is happening  Aadhaar leading to bank accounts, bank accounts leading to UPI, UPI leading to account aggregator, account aggregator to credit, and credit to commerce  means that we are in a beautiful flywheel, he said.



At the Moneycontrol Start-up Conclave, Koshy of ONDC also said that the government-backed e-commerce network is working to bring financial products into the scheme of things, and this is expected to happen in the next couple of months.



Talking about ONDC, which is the newest kid on the DPI block, Varma said that while UPI only moves money, the opportunity for e-commerce is much larger because it can be an intermediary for trade in all categories.



"UPI is thin. It only moves money. The ONDC opportunity is truly wild... The effect of open networks is so large that eventually, it allows everyone in the world to participate and innovate," said Varma.
All new tourist vehicles, as well as cabs and motorbikes provided on rent in Goa will have to be electric vehicles from January 2024, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.



The Goa government proposes major reforms to promote EVs in the coastal state, Sawant said addressing a side-event organised by the NITI Aayog during the ongoing fourth Energy Transitions Working Group meeting under India's G20 Presidency in Panaji.



India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant was also present at the side event.



Goa ranks fourth in India in terms of percentage of electric vehicles (EVs) purchased in any state, Sawant said.



He said all new tourist vehicles, cabs and motorbikes provided on rent will mandatorily have to be electric vehicles from January next year.



He also said new vehicles purchased by the government from January 2024 will mandatorily be EVs.



"It will also be mandatory for permit holders having multiple tourist taxis, rent-a-bike and rent-a-cab (service) operators to retrofit 30 per cent of the fleet to electric vehicles by June 2024," Sawant said.



He said the per capita vehicle ownership in Goa is 4.5 times the national average.



Goa is ranked 15th in the world in terms of vehicle density. Being a global tourism hotspot, more than 85 lakh tourists visit Goa every year against the state's population of 15 lakh, he said.



"This forms a major contributor for the increased carbon emission in the state due to a large number of taxis, rent-a-vehicle (services) and buses used to ferry tourists," Sawant said.



As per a recent study, 40 per cent of the total carbon emission generated in Goa is due to the operation of vehicles, he said.



The Goa government has provided financial assistance for 1,679 electric vehicles amounting to Rs 122 million (Rs 12.2 crore) under a scheme, Sawant said.



"Subsequent to the introduction of the scheme, the percentage sale of vehicles increased exponentially from 0.2 per cent to 9.4 per cent in 2022-23," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured in the Chamoli incident from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund: DM Chamoli, Uttarakhand.

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Six major parties have stayed away from the two major political fronts  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA)  in the run-up to the 2024 poll battle.



The NDA comprises 39 parties and Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which came into existence on July 18 in Bengaluru, has 26 parties from across the country.



While many parties chose either to align with the ruling NDA or opposition INDIA, six major parties have refrained from joining either side.



Read: Rahul Gandhi coined opposition front's title 'INDIA', endorsed by Mamata, Stalin



These parties include the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).



Waiting for Assembly polls



Political commentators say these parties do not have significant ideological differences with the opposition front INDIA. They opined that many of these parties are strategically waiting for the upcoming Assembly elections in five states, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Mizoram, to assess the political landscape and act accordingly.



Their decisions and actions are expected to be more definitive after these elections take place.



These parties seem to have stayed away due to sheer opportunism, political compulsions, or a combination of both, said political analyst Rasheed Kidwai.



The BSP will assess the political scenario in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh, while the BRS will make a decision after the conclusion of the Telangana elections, he added.



In Telangana, the BRS, despite being in opposition to the BJP, chose not to attend the two-day meeting of opposition parties held in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18.



The partys absence was attributed to the lack of an invitation. Similarly, the YSRCP, which has experienced a fluctuating relationship with the BJP, was not invited to the NDA meeting held in Delhi on July 18.



Read more: Opposition alliance built on negativity; NDA will bag more than 50 percent votes: PM Modi



Owaisi, whither?



AIMIM was previously part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) but Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi aspires to have a prominent role. He will not join the NDA but there is a possibility of him engaging in negotiations with the INDIA front following the 2024 general elections if they achieve a strong performance, said Kidwai.



Commenting on the YSRCP, TDP, and BJD, he said that these parties are keeping a distance with the intention of waiting for someone to reach out and make an offer.



There are chances that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi could handle the situation well with YSRCP chairperson YS Vijayamma. Similarly, if a non-Congress leader attempts to engage in a dialogue with them, the TDP and BJD might consider joining the INDIA fold, said Kidwai.



Congress is in a pole position



The Congress party stands as the leading force within the opposition alliance, commanding the highest number of seats with a total of 80 MPs (49 in Lok Sabha and 31 in Rajya Sabha). It enjoys independent governance in four statesKarnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradeshand actively participates as a coalition partner in the ruling governments of Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand.



Another political analyst, Niranjan Sahoo, said that these parties will assume the role of kingmakers, regardless of the level of competition posed by the INDIA front.



Currently, these parties are striving to maintain a favourable relationship with the central government for several reasons. If the NDAs position deteriorates, they would not hesitate to join the INDIA front. However, it is worth noting that parties like YSRCP and BJD have previously supported various decisions of the BJP, said Sahoo.



He also remarked that the TDP holds limited political significance in Andhra Pradesh, having suffered setbacks due to the success of the YSRCP. Sahoo added that the party is primarily focused on maintaining its relevance and stability.
News / National

by Staff reporter

TRANSPORT minister, Felix Mhona says corruption is undermining the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara)'s credibility and image.He challenged Zinara this week to partner various stakeholders, including the media, to improve its image."Corruption undermines the credibility of the organisation and erodes public trust in the Road Fund," Mhona said during Zinara's annual general meeting held at a local hotel in Harare.Mhona encouraged Zinara to work closely with stakeholders to promote a culture of integrity and transparency."This includes partnering with civil society organisations where possible and the media to promote awareness of the organisation's mandate, brand at large and also the good things being done which may at times go unnoticed," he said."This includes implementing strict procurement procedures to realise value for money, ensuring that contracts are awarded fairly and transparently, and conducting regular audits to identify and address irregularities."Corruption cases have haunted Zinara for some time.In February last year, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission arrested 12 Zinara employees for fraud involving $9,8 million after they created fake tap cards which they swiped for motorists at Shurugwi tollgate.Former Zinara chief executive officer, Saston Muzenda, was convicted of corruption in March this year.
With the costs of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine already exceeding $500 billion, some Western governments are pushing to use frozen Russian assets to pay for an eventual reconstruction. The moral case for holding Putin accountable is clear. Unilaterally diverting Russian assets to Ukraine at this stage, however, would create more problems than it would solve.



About $300 billion in Russian central bank assets have been frozen by Western governments since the start of the war, in addition to tens of billions in yachts, mansions and other property belonging to oligarchs and officials linked to the Kremlin. Advocates say that repurposing those assets is justified under the principle of aggressor pays  which is meant to punish states that try to redraw borders by force  and that funds should be released to Ukraine immediately, even with the war raging. Rebuilding the countrys bombed-out infrastructure would help stabilise Ukraines economy, encourage refugees to return, and boost public morale.



Yet an outright seizure of Russias assets would be politically fraught. It would be contested by countries such as Brazil, China and India, none of which supported a United Nations resolution last November calling for Russia to pay reparations. It would also set a worrying legal precedent. There are few established rules for confiscating frozen state assets, for good reason: Respect for state and private property is essential to modern economies and a functioning global trading system. By confiscating Russian assets, the US and Europe would risk undermining that hard-won norm, while giving other governments an incentive to take punitive action against Western interests.



In the past, the US has acted to seize some state assets belonging to Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. But Russias frozen reserves are far larger and more dispersed. Confiscating them would require a degree of international consensus and coordination that doesnt yet exist. The idea is supported by EU members such as Poland and the Baltic states, but few governments have implemented laws permitting significant forfeitures.



The West has other options in the meantime. Clearing houses reinvest income from frozen assets, generating interest worth several billion euros a year. The EU is right to investigate ways to deny Russia access to those gains and apply them toward rebuilding Ukraine. Similarly, firms with Russian holdings could be made to transfer the profits made from investing them for the purposes of compensation.



Western countries should also make explicit (as the UK is seeking to do) that Russian assets will remain frozen until Moscow agrees to pay reparations. That linkage reinforces the principle of state responsibility and holds the assets as a bargaining chip in any future negotiations to end the war.



Meanwhile, the West should work with Ukraine to set up an international claims commission, similar to those used in hundreds of past conflicts. This should include a process for adjudicating requests for compensation, including private claims. Western governments should conduct a transparent accounting of all Russian assets currently in abeyance. Ukraine needs to do its part by pressing ahead with judicial reforms, which are crucial to reducing corruption and bolstering confidence that reconstruction funds will be properly spent.



The desire to make Russia pay for its aggression is understandable, but Western leaders must be mindful of political realities and the rule of law. The best way to hold Putin accountable is to adhere to the principles of due process and respect for property that Russia has sought to destroy.



The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
On July 17, it was reported that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which also regulates technology companies, issued a notice to OpenAI. The company created a major buzz when it released its AI tool, ChatGPT, a few months ago. The FTC has posed a host of questions asking them about the coding behind ChatGPT, how it gathered data, what kind of privacy and safety controls it had in place, among others.

Regulating new and emerging technology has never been easy. Technology is disruptive and regulation is always playing catch-up. Indian policy makers will be grappling with this as they plan the ambitious Digital India Act (DIA). Innovation plays a crucial role in driving economic growth. The advent of novel technologies like Web 3.0 harbours the possibility of generating trillions of dollars in economic value. India stands in a favourable position to capitalise on this progress due to its vast and expanding pool of proficient tech experts.

Protecting Emerging Tech

The DIA is an opportunity to ensure that new and emerging technology from India is encouraged and protected, till it achieves maturity and sustainability. As innovative technologies disrupt traditional industries, the need for adaptive regulatory frameworks to keep pace becomes paramount.

As one of the fastest-growing markets for digital consumers, with over 692 million internet users, India is well positioned to become a trillion-dollar digital economy. To achieve this, the DIA must carefully regulate emerging technologies.

Emerging technologies are creating new markets, giving rise to the concept of the unknown. The coming of ChatGPT threatened traditional tech companies like Google and Microsoft to quickly embrace LLMs and add a Bard and a newer version of ChatGPT to their respective search engines, Google and Bing. Most new and emerging technologies undergo a significant period of trial-and-error, adapting before discovering the risks they pose.

Locating Liability

Traditional liability laws such as Section 66 and its sub-sections in the Information Technology Act, 2000 list a series of penalties for different scenarios. However, they are vastly inadequate for regulating emerging technology. For instance, if a 3D printed house collapses, it is challenging to determine who should be held responsible  the supplier, the manufacturer of the house parts, or the manufacturer of the 3D printer. Similarly, with decentralised and anonymous technologies like blockchains, determining liability in case of a breach becomes difficult.

AI poses another set of liability questions.

While AI systems act autonomously, the objectives of AI models are typically set by humans. If a healthcare worker relies on an AI-based tool to treat a patient and an injury occurs, it raises the question of who should bear the liability for the treatment injury. The use of AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT and Bard in workplaces can create liability.

Consider an employee accidentally leaking confidential data to these tools. Current legal frameworks are unclear whether the breach is due to the employees action or due to the companys choice of the tool.

Regulatory Sandboxes

A regulatory sandbox is a controlled environment established by regulatory authorities to enable testing and experimentation of innovative technologies, products, services, or business models. It strikes a balance between enabling innovation and managing potential risks.

Due to the complex nature of new and emerging technologies, implementing a regulatory sandbox model can address the questions of "what to regulate," "when to regulate," and "how to regulate" through the application of adaptive and outcome-based, risk-weighted, and collaborative regulatory principles.

In 2019, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) enabled a sandbox framework to regulate FinTechs. It enables regulators to develop innovation-enabling regulations and helps users test product viability before a mass launch. It also brings financial inclusion, reduces costs, and improves access to financial services.

It is an inclusive model since the threshold to enter is Rs 5 million. The RBI has also set up a FinTech Unit(FTU), an empowered committee that oversees the sandbox process and facilitates collaboration. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have also embraced the concept.

Learning From Other Jurisdictions

Since sandbox models are at a nascent stage, some lessons can be drawn from Germany and Singapore. Singapore's Land Transport Authority established a sandbox for autonomous vehicles. All test Automotive Vehicles (AVs) in Singapore were required to log travel data.

This data collection enables thorough accident investigations and supports liability claims. It provides authorities with information about AV operations, ensuring accountability and building trust, leading to public acceptance and positive outcomes.

On the other hand, Germany faced challenges due to poor infrastructure and public perception, highlighting the need for adequate funding and addressing safety and privacy concerns. While testing its autonomously driven cars, German authorities also roped in the insurance sector to understand the impact of driverless cars in future claims.

To build an effective regulatory sandbox model in the DIA, it must be inclusive and cater to startups. It should offer clear regulatory guidance tailored to each product or service, and not exclude small and emerging tech businesses. Stakeholder feedback, including consumers, regulators, and industry experts, should be gathered. The sandbox should undergo evaluation to ensure its effectiveness in fostering innovation and managing risks. The framework should also identify which sectors of emerging technologies are being used the most.

A regulatory sandbox ensures emerging technologies can grow with lesser restrictions and compliance burdens. The DIA is a landmark piece of legislation that has the potential to change the face of the Indian tech industry and become a global leader in the tech sector.

Oleina Bhattacharya is a Programme Associate with DeepStrat, a New-Delhi based Think Tank and strategic consultancy. This is the fourth in a series of articles on the proposed Digital India Act. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of the publication.
Between this summers biblical floods, apocalyptic fires and life-threatening heat domes, people are starting to wonder whether weve lurched over some sort of climate tipping point. Climate scientists and ecologists who study tipping points say what were seeing are merely extreme events amplified by global warming. But theyve been warning about the risk of climate tipping points for years. Now people are listening.



Research published last year in Science suggests the risk of a global tipping point that triggers accelerated climate warming starts to become significant once average worldwide temperatures rise 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Thats likely to happen in the 2030s.



In popular usage, tipping points refer to anything that changes suddenly. In science, it usually refers to a straw-that-broke-the-camels-back phenomenon, where a small change in input makes a big difference in outcome.



When climate scientists talk about tipping points, theyre looking at a shift in feedback loops  the disruption of stabilising feedback loops and the start of new ones that amplify change. Physicists refer to this as a positive feedback loop, but from our standpoint it wont be beneficial.



Scientists have documented dozens of regional and local climate tipping points. And long ago, the Earth experienced planet-wide tipping points when the climate whiplashed from an ice-free hothouse to a snowball and back again.



Looking at some of that long-term history for an Earth Day column a few years ago, I talked to scientists who marveled that Earth has been habitable for almost its entire existence  nearly 4 billion years  thanks to stabilizing feedback loops. Even so, for most of that history, there was no complex life  only bacteria. And sudden shifts in climactic feedback loops did roil the planet. After the advent of complex life, some of these led to mass death and extinction.



And one more reason to be concerned today: The rate of change were imposing on the planet is geologically unusual, as planetary scientist Andy Knoll told me then.



What scientists are most worried about now are regional changes that tip into global catastrophes. Timothy Lenton, chair in climate change and earth system science at the University of Exeter, refers to tipping elements  systems of glaciers, forests and coral reefs whose collapse could trigger a form of global warming that feeds on itself. He and colleagues first identified a number of these in a 2008 study, but he said theyre generating much more interest now.



He also led a more recent review of studies highlighting the tipping elements that pose the most immediate threat  the destruction of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, the thawing of the permafrost and the destruction of the worlds coral reefs.



He said the extreme events making the news this summer might represent an early warning sign he calls flickering  a brief visit to the other side of a tipping point. A complex system can sometimes start to sample a different regime or state before it takes a more permanent shift into that state, he said. I hope it's not the case.



The tipping point phenomenon has led to the collapse of local ecologies before, said Simon Willcock, an interdisciplinary researcher at Rothamsted Research in the UK. One good example is the Sahara Desert, which has gone from lush to dry in cycles, the most recent one possibly helped by humans.



In a paper published last month in Nature Sustainability, he and colleagues created complex models of ecosystem collapse, using two examples where tipping points happened in relatively recent history  the Chilika Lagoon in India, where fish populations collapsed, and Easter Island, where deforestation and other environmental stress led to extinction of the local human population.



What he found, he said, was that ecological tipping points can happen much faster than previous models had shown, once they took into account multiple stresses  not just temperature changes, but factors such as overgrazing, deforestation, agricultural runoff and overfishing.



Natural fluctuations  noise  also make tipping points more likely. Think of standing on the edge of a cliff, he said, with random gusts buffeting you toward and away from the brink. And consider someone nearby in still air on a similar cliff. Whos going to fall off the cliff first? he asked. Its obvious, right?



He also worries that too much clearing of the Amazon might dry things out just enough to start a massive fire. That would make the region drier, killing more trees, fueling more fire and lofting more carbon into the atmosphere, making the climate warmer and drier, and accelerating forest loss in a vicious cycle.



Our civilisation is delicate  our dense population centers dependent on agriculture and lots of clean water. Although humanity survived shifts from ice ages to warm interglacial periods, our species has enjoyed an unusually quiescent period for the last 12,000 years, the point when we settled down and started farming.



A climate tipping point could make life a lot harder for our species. Were not yet over the cliff, but were dancing dangerously near the edge.



F.D. Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering science. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
Donald Trump and his allies are pledging to remake the presidency if he is elected again, giving him and the office more authority than it has ever had and certainly far more than the framers of the US Constitution

envisioned.



The biggest problem with Trumps plan for an all-powerful, unconstrained presidency, using in part proposals from his conservative allies at the Heritage Foundation, is that its a formula for authoritarian government. One-person rule  even elected one-person rule  is simply not compatible with republican ideals. Its also contrary to the words and spirit of the US Constitution, which establishes what political scientist Richard Neustadt called a system of separated institutions sharing powers. Thats even more true when that person has consistently shown contempt for the rule of law.



But perhaps less obvious is that this version of the presidency, in which the entire sprawling executive branch of the government loses its independence and acts as an extension of the White House staff, is a recipe for bad policy and comic blunders. Thats true no matter who the president might be.



Among the steps outlined in a New York Times story detailing what Trump is pledging are gutting the top layer of the executive branch bureaucracy and replacing it with political appointees. The president could refuse to spend money appropriated by Congress for programs he doesnt like (a practice, impoundment, that was probably always unconstitutional and was specifically banned by law after Richard Nixon repeatedly attempted it). The president would also claim full control of independent agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Communications Commission and, perhaps, the Federal Reserve.



To be sure, its not clear how much of this would actually happen, but its what Trump is campaigning on so its worth taking seriously.



If Trump or some other president were able to carry out all of what hes promising and truly implement a unitary executive, the entire executive branch, every single department and agency would be directly responsible only to the president. For the thousands of people who set and implement policy, loyalty to the president would be the main criteria for having and keeping their jobs.



Its not just that agency independence would end. Congresss influence would be hollowed out. Congresss tools for influencing policy  passing spending bills, setting the basic mission and specific tasks for agencies in authorising legislation, and Senate confirmation of presidential nominees  would all be rendered weaker or useless. For example, if top staffers who currently have civil service protections were instead personally loyal to the president, Senate confirmation of their bosses would be largely irrelevant because the agency would respond to the president regardless of whether he bothered to nominate anyone.



We know how that turns out because we know what happens when the White House attempts to implement policy itself instead of delegating to experts. It results in a fiasco.



My favorite example has always been what White House counsel John Dean told President Nixon in the middle of the Watergate cover-up, when Nixon was directing Dean to pay hush money to the Watergate burglars. Dean explained: "It'll cost money. It's dangerous. Nobody, nothing -- people around here are not pros at this sort of thing. This is the sort of thing Mafia people can do: washing money, getting clean money, and things like that uh, -- we're -- we just don't know about those things, because we're not use to, you know -- we are not criminals."



The thing is though that there are people in government  not criminals  who actually are experts in things like that. But Nixon couldnt use FBI agents (or others in the intelligence community) to do what he wanted. In part thats because he and Dean in this instance were in fact criminals. But more importantly because when Nixon tried to use the FBI to spy on his political enemies he was rebuffed, and he responded by doing it anyway, in-house (where the house in question was the White House staff), and that produced the comedy of errors that was Watergate.



A more recent example of this was Trumps attempt to deal with the coronavirus pandemic largely by ignoring the experts in the federal bureaucracy, which resulted in fiascoes including the presidents infamous inject bleach press conference. But theres a long list of other examples, from disasters such as the Lyndon Johnsons prosecution of the Vietnam War and Ronald Reagans Iran-Contra affair to the struggles that Barack Obama had in attempting to run policy through the National Security Council.



The point is that trying to run the nation directly from the Oval Office just doesnt work. Presidents themselves simply dont  cant  know enough to be able to make and implement policy personally, and even the large White House staff cant possibly have enough operational expertise to do it themselves.



The same entrenched standard operating procedures that make it so hard for presidents to change agency practices also mean that the permanent bureaucracy generally at least knows what its doing. Thats just not possible to replicate in a White House staff, which after all is short-term by nature. Turning the entire executive branch into a mega-White House would remove an important source of expertise from the system, and it would not be replaced.



But theres more than that. The fact that agencies have multiple bosses  not just the president, but also Congress and the policy networks relevant to their mission  means that they usually have a good sense of how relevant groups of citizens will react to any change in policy: What they will welcome, what they will resist, what they will find unworkable. That doesnt mean that presidents should always follow their advice, but it does mean that the permanent bureaucracy is an important resource for information, something that all presidents desperately need. The White House staffs very loyalty to the president limits their ability to see what the president doesnt see, and those whose only constituency is in the Oval Office have strong incentives to avoid confronting or questioning their boss.



Governing is always frustrating and the presidency is likely the most frustrating office in world history. Being elected by millions of voters after a long, hard campaign and then finding that the office itself is shockingly weak and subject to all sorts of institutional constraints  on top of the limitations imposed by events  must be a very rude awakening. But there are no shortcuts. Being an effective president means finding ways to work successfully within the constraints that come with the job. Flipping over the tables and trying to govern by edict is simply a prescription for policy, and political, disaster.



Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
The BJP in the Chhattisgarh assembly on July 19 slammed the Congress government over a protest by a group of nude men in capital Raipur and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, saying the incident has brought disrepute to the state.



BJP MLAs created uproar on the issue in the House leading to the adjournment of proceedings for five minutes. The opposition legislators were also briefly suspended after they trooped into the well, sloganeering against the government and demanding the release of the arrested nude protesters.







A group of men without clothes staged a protest in Raipur on July 18 demanding action against people who allegedly got government jobs using fake caste certificates. The police arrested 29 protesters as they marched towards the state legislative assembly.







Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, when members can raise Issues of urgent public importance, Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel and many opposition members called the nude protest has brought infamy to the state in the country as well as abroad.







BJP's Ajay Chandrakar, Shivratan Sharma and Brijmohan Agrawal and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members Indu Banjare and Keshav Chandra were among those who raised the issue.







They said the protesters had been seeking action for a long time but the state government did not pay heed to their demands which compelled them to stage a demonstration without clothes, the BJP members said.







Instead of taking action against people holding caste certificates, the state government jailed the protesters who were fighting for their rights, they said, demanding discussion on the issue by moving an adjournment motion notice.







The BJP demanded that a high-powered committee be formed to look into the issue of getting jobs on the basis of bogus certificates.







Some treasury bench members countered the opposition members, claiming that people with fake caste certificates were appointed during the previous BJP government.







Amid pandemonium, the chair adjourned the proceeding for five minutes.







After the proceedings resumed, Chandel again raised the issue and claimed more than 1,000 people holding fake caste certificates have been working in government departments.







"The protesters had already informed the administration about the nude protest. The government should have at least thought about why they were compelled to hold such a demonstration. The CM has no morality to remain on the post and he should immediately resign," Chandel said.







Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu informed the House about the protest and the action taken against the protestors.







Speaker Charan Das Mahant then rejected the adjournment motion notice following which BJP members, dissatisfied with the reply of the home minister, trooped into the well of the House sloganeering against the government.







The BJP MLAs were automatically suspended as per the assembly rules. However, their suspension was revoked within a few minutes by the Speaker. PTI TKP NR




A Chinese woman who conned almost 20 men out of millions in cash has now been arrested by the police. According to a report in South China Morning Post, Shanghai police arrested the woman, surnamed Wu, for allegedly conning suitors out of 2 million yuan to fund her luxury lifestyle.



At one point, Wu, 29, was dating 18 men simultaneously. None of them knew that she was legally married to a man surnamed Zeng since 2014. She even had a 2-year-old child with Zeng.



Wus modus operandi for conning the men was simple: she would become romantically involved with them and promise to marry them. She even had pre-wedding photo shoots done with a few men to convince them of her intentions.



Once her suitors were convinced that Wu really intended to marry them, the demands for money would begin. Wu would cook up excuses and request the men to send her money. Sometimes she pretended that she needed cash for her father who had cancer, sometimes she needed money for bailing a cousin out of jail, and sometimes she had to pay tax after inheriting property.



Using these cooked-up excuses, Wu would extract money from her unsuspecting suitors. Her routine was so convincing that some men took out loans to meet her demands, and one even sold his home.



However, when a few of them became suspicious at Wus repeated refusal to register their marriage and began demanding that she pay them back, Wu began a pyramid scheme. She would borrow money from new boyfriends to pay back older ones.



Her scheme began to unravel at the beginning of this year when she asked one of her boyfriends, surnamed Wang, to pose as her brother. She asked Wang to deal with another man, named Li, who she claimed was hounding her over unpaid taxes.



The man asked me when we could return the money to him. He said he is short of money and he had already sold his house, Wang later told police. I instantly became suspicious of Wu. How could it be possible that a person who pushed others to pay taxes had sold his own house?



It soon emerged that Li had sold his house to lend 1 million yuan to Wu. Wang, who had himself lent 900,000 yuan to Wu, approached the police in July this year.



Police in Shanghai tracked down Wu to the rented flat she shared with her husband. The full extent of her scam came to light after she was questioned by cops and she was arrested thereafter.
A harrowing incident in Kansas City, Missouri, on New Year's Day 2023, left 22-year-old Angelina Wiley severely injured after she was shot four times while waiting for a Lyft. However, an unlikely hero emerged  a SKIMS shaping bodysuit from Kim Kardashian's shapewear company that saved her life that night  by preventing her from bleeding out.



In a TikTok video that has garnered over 700,000 views since its posting, Wiley expressed her gratitude towards the shapewear brand, attributing her survival to the bodysuit she was wearing that night. "Kim Kardashian saved my life," Wiley stated emphatically in the video.



"The night I got shot, under my dress, I was wearing a SKIMS shaping bodysuit. It was so tight on me that it literally kept me from bleeding out. I recommend it. It's like body armour for women."



Wiley's GoFundMe page, where she provided updates on her recovery, revealed the severity of her injuries. A ruptured bladder and a cracked pelvis were just some of the physical challenges she faced, and she continues to grapple with the psychological aftermath of the shooting.



A lodged bullet in her abdomen adds to her ongoing struggles with pain and post-traumatic stress disorder, making it difficult for her to return to work full time.



The Kansas City Missouri Police Department confirmed that the investigation into the shooting incident is ongoing, and as of July 2023, no suspects have been charged. The unidentified shooter's use of a ski mask has reportedly complicated the identification process.















View this post on Instagram



A post shared by Pubity (@pubity)









While Wiley has expressed her gratitude to Kim Kardashian, the socialite or her company have not reacted yet.



Despite the absence of official statements, Wiley's testimony has drawn attention to the potential benefits of shapewear in certain circumstances. Nevertheless, medical experts have long warned about the potential risks associated with wearing bodysuits for extended periods.



Doctors have recommended wearing a bodysuit for a maximum of six hours a day and to prioritize taking regular bathroom breaks, even if it may be inconvenient to do so.



Call it fate or Jesus, but Im (going to) call it Kim, Im (going to) call it Kim, for sure, Wiley ended her TikTok expressing gratitude to Kim Kardashian.



Emma Grede and Kim Kardashian founded SKIMS in 2019. The company is valued at $4 billion as of this month.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on July 19 granted regular bail to social activist Teesta Setalvad in a case pertaining to alleged fabrication of evidence to falsely implicate innocent individuals in the post-Godhra riots cases of 2002.



The court observed that the Gujarat High Court judgment, which denied bail to Setalvad 'makes for an interesting read' and noted that no person can be granted a pre-trial bail going by the reasoning of the judgment. The court further observed that certain observations made in the judgment were 'perverse.' The three-judge bench held that since most of the evidences were documentary in nature, custodial interrogation of Setalvad may not be required.



Setalvad has also been directed not to influence any witnesses in the case and held that her passport will continue to remain in custody.



On July 1, the court had granted her interim protection, the same has now been made good. Gujarat High Court had on July 1 rejected Setalvad's regular bail plea. Justice Nirzar Desai directed her to surrender immediately, as she had been out of jail on interim bail granted by the apex court in September of the previous year.



Setalvad, along with former Gujarat Director General of Police R B Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, were taken into custody on June 25 of the previous year in a case registered by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch Police. The case accused them of fabricating evidence to frame innocent people in the post-Godhra riots cases.



An Ahmedabad sessions court had rejected the bail applications of Setalvad and Sreekumar on July 30, 2022, stating that their release would send a message that individuals could make allegations without consequences.



On August 3, 2022, the High Court issued a notice to the state government regarding Setalvad's bail plea and scheduled the hearing for September 19.



Meanwhile, Setalvad approached the Supreme Court for interim bail after the High Court refused to consider her plea.



On September 2, 2022, the apex court granted her interim bail and required her to surrender her passport to the trial court until the Gujarat High Court made a decision on her regular bail plea.



Setalvad was released from jail on September 3.
Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi shared a photo of mother Sonia Gandhi inside an aircraft that made an emergency landing in Bhopal on Tuesday evening. Sonia Gandhi was seen at her seat inside the chartered plane, wearing the yellow emergency oxygen mask that drops down in the event of an emergency during a flight. "Ma, the epitome of grace under pressure," Rahul Gandhi wrote on Instagram, along with the photo. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rahul Gandhi (@rahulgandhi) The plane made an emergency landing at the Bhopal airport, Bhopal police commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra told news agency PTI. However, airport director Ramji Awasthi claimed that it was a "priority landing and not an emergency landing". The Congress leaders were travelling from Bengaluru to New Delhi when the incident took place. The Gandhis were flying back to the national capital after attending the mega meeting of opposition parties in Bengaluru on Tuesday. "The chartered plane carrying Sonia ji and Rahul ji made an emergency landing because of some technical snag," senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Women's Commission chairperson Shoba Oza said. They left for New Delhi by an IndiGo flight at around 9:30 pm, she said Oza and other senior Congress leaders from Madhya Pradesh rushed to the airport and met the Gandhis in the lounge. (With inputs from PTI)

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In 2016, a blue-eyed tea seller became an overnight sensation when a photographer named Jiah Ali snapped a picture of him pouring tea and shared it online. The photo went viral making him an internet sensation and now, Arshad Khan is making headlines once again, as the proud owner of a cafe in London. According to the press release, Khans cafe Chaiwala is located on East Londons Ilford Lane, an area predominantly populated by immigrants from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Accordingly, the cafe is a blend of contemporary aesthetics and traditional South Asian elements including truck art, hand-decorated Vespa, and desi paintings on the walls. My visit is being planned and I would love to brew tea for my loving fans," Khan was quoted as saying by News18. "I have received thousands of requests for a London visit. Meanwhile, the London cafes billboard already displays the name Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan. As per media reports, Khan started selling tea at the age of 12 to support his family; he has 17 siblings. But when his photo became viral, Khan had no idea about his new-found fame because he lacked access to a phone or the internet. Once he did find out about the viral breakthrough, Khan landed several modelling contracts and has been sharing updates of his journey on Instagram. Soon, however, he felt overwhelmed with the attention and took a break from the spotlight and decided to enhance his language skills and understand how he could use his popularity to run his business. Khan then went on to open a cafe called Cafe Chaiwala Rooftop in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, Lahore, and Murree.

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Dubai Aviation City Corporation through its affiliated corporation Dubai South has signed a deal with Dubai Insurance (DIN) to initiate an Employee Protection Insurance programme for the employees of all Dubai South licensees. This will come into effect starting August 2023.

The agreement, which took place at Dubai South HQ, was signed by Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, and Abdellatif Abuqurah, CEO of Dubai Insurance, in the presence of senior executives from both entities.

Dubai Aviation City Corporation as the licensing and the regulatory body of Dubai South Free Zone aims to create a protected environment for employees working within Dubai South. As such, this programme is designed to provide a safety net for employees in instances where Dubai South licensees may not meet their obligations, covering aspects such as unpaid salaries and end-of-service gratuities, repatriation costs of return for its employees or their mortal remains, and unreimbursed expenses.

Mandatory

The programme will also be mandatory on all new employment visas and work permits, whereby employers must adopt this scheme to protect their employees. In contrast, for existing visas, this scheme will be mandatory during the renewal of residence visas.

Al Zaffin said: This partnership aligns with the UAEs strategic vision for employee rights and corporate governance. The implementation of the Employee Protection Insurance programme will significantly boost the confidence of our licensees, showcasing our unwavering dedication to fostering an exceptional working environment and reaffirming our commitment to upholding Dubais competitive position on the global stage.

Dubai South is Dubais largest single urban master development focusing on an aviation and logistics ecosystem that houses the worlds largest airport when fully operational, complemented by a multi-modal transport infrastructure connecting air, land and sea.

Dubai South aims to create a vibrant living and working community by leveraging its unique aviation, logistics, and real-estate products and services and world-class infrastructure solutions.-- TradeArabia News Service
News / National

by Staff reporter

The ZRP has taken note of an audio circulating on social media concerning the incident involving some ZRP Charundura members allegedly with the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi. The case is now under investigations.  Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 18, 2023

The Zimbabwe Republic Police has opened investigations in a recording an audio circulating on social media concerning the incident involving some ZRP Charundura members allegedly with the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi.The ZRP announced the development on its Twitter account.Said ZRP, "The ZRP has taken note of an audio circulating on social media concerning the incident involving some ZRP Charundura members allegedly with the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi. The case is now under investigations."Zanu-PF's Chirumanzu South Member of Parliament (MP) Rwodzi was been recorded threatening to deal with an Assistant Inspector in the ZRP for daring to investigate a criminal case against one of her supporters.In the audio recording the Deputy Minister of Environment, who is seeking a second term in office, is heard threatening to deal with the Charandura stationed officer and promising to take the matter as high as Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga.The officer is reportedly investigating one Fidelis "Danger" an ardent supporter of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) member accused of tearing CCC posters in the area.Describing the officer as a dog, idiot, and fool Rwodzi goes on to unsuccessfully demand all evidence against her supporter."You are the one handling Danger's case? What is his crime? Do you have evidence, I want it and when did he commit this crime," asked Rwodzi."I am following everything you are doing. I am not like all these other people you are used to talking to."You are failing to do your job as a police officer, on 12 July I was with him. As an Assistant Inspector and your seniors can you not sit and discuss matter before presenting them to Law and Order?"You are a stupid idiot, you are a fing idiot, a dog. I want to finish you, I want to take you as far as Matanga's office."The Assistant Inspector however stands his ground, telling her she has no legal right to demand that adding any other information in Danger's defence can be used in court.He explains why her Zanu PF supporter is being investigated and begs to understand the vitriol directed at him."Danger is accused of tearing CCC posters. I am working on this document so that I present it in court and do not know why I would give you all this information," responds the officer."We have a witness and that he was not there on the day can be used as a defence in court. I do not understand stand what you say by sitting down with my superiors before passing the matter to law and order.'"I do not know why you are insulting me because I do not know how I am failing to do my job. You have to understand my mandate as a police officer."Chirumanzu is another one of Zimbabwe's political hotbeds, with frequent attacks on opposition supporters recorded particularly towards elections.Already party officials in the Mapiravana area are said to taking down names of villagers and marking registers with the assistance of Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) backed Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ).
A routine inspection at the Accounts office of Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited took an unexpected turn when commercial assistant Ajit Singh responded to his boss's inquiry about his absence with a bold and audacious reply. The incident, which occurred on July 14, involved Chief Engineer GS Bairwa, who conducted a surprise inspection at the Kota zone's electricity department.



During the inspection, it was discovered that Ajit Singh was not present at his seat in the audit branch, and his signature was conspicuously missing from the attendance register. In response to this absence, GS Bairwa issued a formal notice to Singh, demanding an explanation.



The notice, written in Hindi, read, "On 14.07.2023, at 09:45 in the morning, an inspection was conducted at your office. It was found that on the mentioned date and time, your signature was missing from the attendance register of your office, indicating your absence. Please clarify the reason."



However, what followed was an unexpected and fearless response from Singh. In his retort, also written in Hindi, he replied, "You never come on time, so neither do I."



#Jaipur: A communication has gone viral on social media wherein a junior employee, in answer to a show cause for coming late to office replied that his boss comes late too, so he comes late as well. pic.twitter.com/FKNCD3JCjp

 IANS (@ians_india) July 18, 2023

The photograph of the notice, along with Singh's response, quickly went viral on social media.



Singh, who serves in the Electricity Department through the Ex-servicemen Quota, has been stationed in Kota for the past four years. Defending his response, he reportedly asserted that his reply was fair, citing that several other employees had received similar notices on the same day.



The incident has resonated with many employees who have faced the anxiety of being reprimanded by their superiors.



Some saw it as an expression of frustration faced by employees in the system, while others highlighted the need for professionalism and respect in workplace communication.
Former US president Donald Trump said Tuesday he expected to be charged over the January 6 attack on the US Capitol -- an indictment that would ramp up his legal woes as he makes another White House run.



Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is already facing criminal charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith for mishandling top secret government documents after leaving office.



Trump said he received a letter from Smith on Sunday stating that he's a target of the probe into January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed Congress in a bid to prevent certification of Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.



"Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter... stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6 Grand Jury investigation," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.



The 77-year-old Trump said he was given four days to report to a grand jury, "which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment."



"This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement," he said. "It is a very sad and dark period for our Nation!"



Speaking on Fox News later Tuesday, Trump accused the Democratic party of using the Department of Justice to tank his political career.



"The DOJ has become a weapon for the Democrats, an absolute weapon," he said. "They want to try and demean, and diminish, and frighten people."



- 'Fight like hell' -



It was not immediately clear what charges Trump may face, and a target letter does not always result in an indictment.



Before the Capitol attack, Trump delivered a fiery speech nearby urging the crowd to "fight like hell," and Smith has spent months looking into January 6 and Trump's other efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.



An unnamed advisor to Trump told the Post the former president would decline to appear before the January 6 grand jury, which has already heard testimony from a number of close Trump associates.



More than 1,000 people have been arrested for taking part in what prosecutors have called an insurrection intended to keep Trump in the White House.



Most of them face charges of illegally entering the Capitol or causing property damage, but some 350 have been charged with assaulting law enforcement officers or resisting arrest.



Others, including members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, have been convicted of the more serious charge of seditious conspiracy.



- 'Distraction' -



Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who is also vying for the 2024 Republican nomination, told Fox News another Trump indictment would be a "distraction."



"We can't keep dealing with this drama," Haley said. "And that's why I'm running. We need a new generational leader."



Kevin McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, accused Biden, who is running for reelection, of using the justice system to "go after their number one opponent."



Democratic Representative Adam Schiff denounced McCarthy's remarks as a "shameful" attempt to "provide cover for a corrupt former president."



Trump was indicted by Smith in June for allegedly stashing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida -- the first former US president to face criminal charges.



Trump is charged with "willful retention of national defense information," conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements and other offenses.



Prosecutors have asked US District Judge Aileen Cannon for a December trial date, while Trump's defense attorneys have asked for it to begin after the November 2024 White House vote.



At a hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Tuesday, Cannon was skeptical about delaying the trial until after the 2024 election but also appeared doubtful it could be held in December, The Washington Post reported.



She said she would issue a decision on a trial date "promptly."



- Georgia probe -



Georgia prosecutors are also investigating whether Trump illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome in the southern state.



In his Truth Social post, Trump said he has "the right to protest an Election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen" and he was being targeted because of the upcoming vote.



Asked about Trump's potential indictment, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said, "the president respects the Department of Justice, their independence."



Trump pleaded not guilty in New York earlier this year in a case involving election-eve hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who said she had an affair with him.



Trump was impeached by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives in 2019 for seeking political dirt on Biden from Ukraine, and again after the January 6 attack on the Capitol, but was acquitted by the Senate both times.
Twitter Inc on Tuesday was hit with the second lawsuit this month to claim that it owes at least $500 million in severance pay to ex-workers, the latest in a series of cases arising from Elon Musk's acquisition of the social media company.



The proposed class action filed in Delaware federal court by former Twitter senior engineer Chris Woodfield also alleges that the company targeted older workers for layoffs, a claim that has not been made in the other pending cases.



Woodfield, who worked for Twitter out of Seattle, says the company repeatedly told employees that they would receive two months' salary and other payouts if they were laid off, but that he and other workers have not received the money.



Twitter laid off more than half of its workforce as a cost-cutting measure after Musk acquired the company last October.



Twitter no longer has a media relations department and the company responded to an email seeking comment with an automatic response containing a poop emoji. The company has said in response to other lawsuits that laid-off workers have been paid in full.



A similar lawsuit was filed last week in California federal court claiming Twitter owes ex-employees more than $500 million in severance.



Twitter has not responded to that lawsuit, which claims it violated a federal law regulating employee benefit plans by failing to abide by the terms of a severance plan established before Musk acquired the company.



Woodfield's lawsuit accuses the company of breach of contract and fraud. Woodfield also claims that Twitter targeted him to be laid off because he is an "older worker," though the complaint does not state his age.



According to the lawsuit, Woodfield signed an agreement to arbitrate work-related legal disputes that requires Twitter to pay the initial fees to allow individual cases to proceed. He says that he initiated an arbitration against Twitter earlier this year.



But Woodfield claims Twitter has refused to pay the fee in his case, blocking it from going forward. That claim was made by hundreds of ex-employees in a separate case earlier this year. Twitter has said those workers did not submit the necessary paperwork.



Twitter has also been accused in several separate lawsuits of disproportionately laying off women and workers with disabilities, failing to give advance notice of layoffs, and not paying promised bonuses to its remaining employees. The company has denied those claims.
The U.S. government's moves to restrict trade threatens globalisation in the semiconductor sector and consumer interests, the China Semiconductor Industry Association said on Wednesday. "Any damage to the current global supply chain, which developed over the past decades alongside the process of globalisation, could create inevitable and irreparable harm to the global economy," the association said in a statement. China's semiconductor industry welcomes open cooperation and will continue to innovate, the statement said. The industry association's statement came after U.S. chip company executives met with top Biden administration officials on Monday to discuss China policy.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Zanu-PF Goromonzi West MP and aspiring candidate for Bikita South, Energy Mutodi is suing opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa and three others for US$5 million over what he says is a defamatory video circulating on social media purporting that the former Deputy Information Minister was torturing an opposition activist.This comes after a video was shared on social media platforms showing a man brutally assaulting a victim with a sjambok before torturing him with a hammer.Without verification, some people claimed that it was Mutodi assaulting an opposition opponent leading to this case.Mutodi believes that the defamatory video was initiated by Chamisa and his activists in order to tarnish his image and ensure the disqualification of his candidature ahead of 2023 harmonised general elections.A leaked court draft seen by Express Mail Zim shows that Chamisa was cited as the first respondent with Mutodi opponent Barney Nyika as the second respondent, while John Mupanduki and Munyaradzi Shoko cited as third and fourth respondents respectively."Defamation of Character with intention to cause disqualification of Applicant from August 23 Elections as a Candidate," read part of the draft application thereof.In the founding affidavit, he said:"I am a member of ZANU PF duly nominated to stand as a candidate in the August 23 elections as a Member of Parliament representing ZANU PF."On Thursday 6 July 2023, Nelson Chamisa gathered his supporters at Baradzanwa Shopping Centre who stoned vehicles belonging to the applicant."The estimated total cost of damage is US$5000.00 (Five thousand United States Dollars)."Following the heinous act, one John Mupanduki went to report a criminal case in which he falsely claimed the applicant had stoned the crowd waiting to be addressed by Nelson Chamisa when in fact it was the CCC supporters who stoned applicant's cars."It is the 1st respondent who incited his supporters to stone applicant's cars."Had he not incited the violence, the damage caused could not have happened," it reads.Circumstances are that on Monday July 17 2023, CCC supporters again with the alleged aim to defame and incriminate Mutodi went on social media to publish a gruesome video in which a man speaking Tonga language was assaulting a victim in an unknown location."The 1st Respondent (Chamisa)'s supporters who include the 3rd respondent directly and indirectly spread the video with the aim to defame and portray the applicant in bad light with the hope to cause the applicant's disqualification as a nominated candidate."The 1st respondent has done all these acts while working with the 2nd respondent who acts as his agent and was present when the 1st respondent's supporters who also happen to be his potential voters stoned the applicant's cars."Respondents 1, 2, 3 and 4 have directly and indirectly contributed to defamatory statements which they have created in order to negatively affect the candidature of the plaintiff and to harm his reputation as a law abiding citizen for obvious reasons among them to either cause loss of his nomination or loss of public confidence in him and or both," further reads the affidavit.Further allegations are that the defamatory video which went up on a twitter account held by the 4th respondent and shared on the official handle of 1st respondent's party handle called @CCC went viral and was read by at least 2,000,000 people by the time the 4th respondent pulled down the fake news following a public outcry.Mutodi further argues and states that Chamisa is vying for the post of President under the CCC ticket in August 23 elections and therefore has direct interest in the defamatory effect of this video and the link it might be accorded by the public to ZANU PF and its candidates.The total cost he is claiming is US$5,000,000 as the reputational damage they have caused on him which he deems "irreversible".Contacted for comment, Mutodi was not available at the time of writing Monday , but Uta Chipepura who is his information manager said the opposition CCC had stooped so low that they were now resorting to peddling falsehoods hoping to cause disharmony among supporters."The writing is now on the wall that Nelson Chamisa is going to lose this election to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and is peddling falsehoods in order to mislead outsiders and discredit the whole electoral process."The opposition CCC is engaging in a game of misinformation but when the truth eventually comes out like this it spells doom for them," said Chipepura.
News / National

by Staff reporter

OPPOSITION United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) president Elisabeth Valerio has won her appeal against ZEC's decision to reject her nomination papers and she will be added to the list of nominees vying for the office of the President.She becomes the first female Presidential candidate.Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's (ZEC) decision to reject Valerio's nomination papers is premised on the ground that the candidate failed to meet the deadline.According to the arguments in court, the UZA president settled the nomination fee using the RTGS payment system which failed to reflect the amount in ZEC's bank account on time.Valerio's lawyer, Alec Muchadehama argued that Valerio's rejection was unlawful.According to Muchadehama, Valerio complied with section 47 of the Electoral Act which requires an electoral candidate to pay a nomination fee."What section 47 simply requires is for a person to put money into the bank and with regards to the application before you (Judge), all she was required to do was to make a deposit into ZEC's account," Muchadehama argued."The section does not say there shall be a deposit or proof that there is deposited money into an account."Muchadehama provided proof that Valerio had paid the required nomination fee, which reflected into ZEC's bank account on June 22.The proof was further availed to the nomination officer on June 30.According to the submission by Muchadehama, the decision to reject Valerio's nomination bid was prematurely handed down.Zimbabwe is primed to hold its general election on August 23 and now 12 candidates are set to tussle for the first office.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Authorities rushed to the Johannesburg Central Business District on Wednesday evening following reports of an explosion in Bree Street.The city's emergency medical services confirmed an explosion but said they were not yet aware of any deaths."We are aware of an explosion on Bree Street in Jhb CBD possibly on the gas lines underground," the Johannesburg North Joint Operations Committee (JOC) said in a communique.The JOC is made up of community policing forums for Alexandra, Bramley, Midrand, Sandringham and Sandton."At this time we request the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency services to attend to the scene. Videos showed huge cracks in the road and vehicles on their side.
News / Africa

by Staff reporter

Four Zimbabwean men accused of terrorising the community met their untimely demise in Setjwetla, Alexandra township South Africa when they were doused with gasoline and burnt to death on Tuesday night. The men were taken from their shacks by the angry community members who meted out instant justice.Efforts by Bramely police to rescue the suspects were in vain as the community pelted them with stones forcing them to retract and call for backup.By the time they came back with backup, it was too late for the four men. They had already been burnt to ashes and the community members had left the scene.Head of street patrollers Emmanuel Ramahlo said he received information of the alleged criminals being assaulted by Gatvol community members at around 10 pm on Tuesday night."Patrollers tried to take the men away from the mphakathi but the community members were very angry."They took them away from the patrollers and assaulted them before burning them alive," he said.He said Setjwetla has been experiencing a wave of serious crime including murder, rape, armed robbery and assault GBV.He said the men who are thought to be the victims of the attacks, were monitored and on Tuesday night, patrollers raided one of their shacks."They found two firearms and equipment suspected to be used to break into people's houses," said the patroller."The first two men were apprehended, beaten, and asked to point out their partners in crime. Two more men were apprehended after they were identified by the first two."All four men were taken alongside the busy Vasco Da Gama Road where they were burned after being severely assaulted. Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the incident.Colonel Nevhuhulwi said "It is reported that on 18 July 2023 at about 8.30 pm, the police received a complaint of a murder in progress at Setjwetla in Bramley policing area."Upon arrival, the members found a group of people, who pelted police with stones and refused to allow them near the scene. Back-up was called and that is when the group dispersed and police discovered that four men had been burned to death."The circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear at this stage and no one has been arrested," she said.The Scrolla.Africa team reported that a street vendor Adelia Makhwiyana was busy cleaning the ashes when they arrived on the scene.. Blood stains were seen on the ground.Adelia, who sells fruits and vegetables, said the incident happened after she had already knocked off."It is traumatising that people died next to my stall. I had to clean so that I could continue working. I don't have anywhere else to work from," she said.Police and the Gauteng crime warden also visited the crime briefly. Setjwetla informal settlement has been in the news recently where street patrollers have been ambushed and some killed.In May this year, shots were fired at five patrollers and two lost their lives.
Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during the Turning Point Action Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. July 15, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo
The 36th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, salutes during a ceremony for the 79th anniversary of the Liberation of Guam at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
Representatives of the Guam Department of Education are sworn in before testifying during an oversight hearing Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the Public Hearing Room of the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna. From left: Brian San Nicolas, Anthony (Sean) Monforte, Franklin Cooper-Nurse, Superintendent K. Erik Swanson and Deputy Superintendents Joseph Sanchez, Erika S. Cruz and Chris Anderson.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring Bulawayo Ward 4 councillor David Coltart has vowed to rid the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) of corruption and revert the city to its former glory should he be voted into office.Coltart has also been touted as the city's next mayor.In an interview on This Morning on Asakhe, a Twitter Space run by CITE, Coltart said he accepted the challenge after being approached by several party members and other political players, requesting him to take up the challenge and try his best to restore the city's pride and glory."I have been out of government for ten years and I have really enjoyed the break as I have managed to reconnect with my family and friends in the city I love. So, when the party asked me what role I would like to play I said you can put me back into Senate, put my name at the bottom, I know I would not be voted for, but I would have shown my allegiance to the party," he said."Then some members suggested that I vie for council office and try and restore the dignity of the city. Some people, even those from other parties-not Zanu-PF of course, said why don't you go into council and restore the city pride. So, because of those requests, I have agreed to stand in as councillor for Ward 4. I viewed that as a poisoned chalice because there would be very high expectations and they would be very difficult to meet."Responding to reports of him likely to land to mayoral position, Coltart said he was not getting ahead of himself."There is a lot of talk about me being mayor. I am not counting those particular chickens before they hatch. There is a process, I must be elected as councillor for Ward 4, the CCC will have to have a majority number of councillors and then I would have to secure the support of other councillors to become mayor. It is a long road to travel in that regard, so I am not making any assumptions in that regard," he said.He said his vision of the city is to rid it of corruption in order to attract more investments."If I am to sum up my vision for the city, it is to clean up Bulawayo. It has become clear in my mind that one of the reasons why Bulawayo is not working is because of corruption which has become endemic. Bulawayo is not working because of corruption, it is driving away potential investors. I want our city to have more investments and we can do that by eradicating corruption, which has become endemic," Coltart said.
Our Africa's New Wave package celebrates the rich culture and impact of the globe's demographically youngest continent. Through a series of visual stories, we're unpacking the gravity of Africa's history and influence on the world and why it needs to be looked to as a source of inspiration for radical youth-focused change.

Throughout Africa, queer youth are tirelessly fighting back against anti-LGBTQ+ policies that threaten their own community, with the latest movement taking place in Uganda. In May, President Yoweri Museveni signed an anti-gay bill into law, and it has been described as one of the world's most "brutal anti-LGBTQ laws." Beyond Uganda, countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya are some of the 32 countries in the region with harsh and inhumane laws governing and targeting LGBTQ+ people.

The legislation in these countries has resulted in widespread violence, hate crimes and speech, general stigma, and discrimination in social settings. It also further deprives queer minorities of necessary healthcare services and the ability to self-expression, which can impact mental health and has increased rates of anxiety and depression.

Historically, widespread homophobia in Africa is rooted in European colonialism. According to Africa Is a Country, Customary laws in Africa were shaped in the image of the puritanical sexual sensibilities of Europe, in line with the general trend that shaped African customs in the image of Europes conservative and authoritarian objectives. This meant that throughout the continent Christian rules were legitimized and enforced on people. While many of these rules have lasted into post-colonial times, many activists and scholars say that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and policy is used as a political tactic to distract and divert attention from other issues.

Now, young people across the continent are at the forefront of a movement trying to make their communities safer. With the help of brave activists, a new generation is reimagining, fighting, and helping to change narratives surrounding the community while championing LGBTQ rights and total liberation.

Story continues

Ahead, Teen Vogue spoke to five youth activists fighting for the rights of queer people throughout the continent.

Matthew Blaise, Nigeria.

At just 24 years old, Matthew Blaise is a force to be reckoned with. Born and raised in Nigeria, they are best known for boldly launching a new movement for queer rights in 2020 when they marched with thousands of vulnerable young people in the country during the infamous 2020 ENDSARS protest. Blaise can't pinpoint a particular moment in their life that sparked them to demand queer rights, but says that, growing up, there were many phases where different stories inspired their journey.

Blaise is the brain behind collectives like THE OASIS PROJECT and the new OBODO. Both platforms are aimed at raising nuanced conversations and matters affecting LGBTQ people in the country, with the latter using art and tech to write and rewrite queer histories and make space for queer people to thrive.

While June was meant to celebrate Pride Month worldwide, Blaise saw this period in Africa as a protest and a pushback against the system that threatens to erase the existence of queer Africans. "Pride for me this year has been all about decolonizing," they tell Teen Vogue. "Every year, instead of Pride being a celebration and calmness for queer Africans, it is always a fight and pushback."

Bandy Kiki, Cameroon.

LGBTQ+ people have been criminalized in Cameroon since 1972. Kiki grew up among a local tribe called Nso in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Queer activism for her came as a way to be the person she needed to be when she was younger and questioning her sexuality.

"There weren't any queer representations around me growing up, and it made me feel alone; I was convinced I was going to hell when I connected my feelings to the anti-homosexual teachings in the Bible," Kiki says.

Feeling unsafe in her community, she emigrated to the U.K. and, from there, vocally advocated for queer rights at home. Through entrepreneurship, advocating through Rainbow Migration (a platform helping LGBTQI+ people to seek asylum and immigration), and taking the role of Living Free UK Director, Kiki remains at the forefront of reshaping and prioritizing the lives of vulnerable groups. During Pride, she wanted to use the month's spotlight to acknowledge the vibrant African queer community and embrace the possibilities for the future.

Trinah Kakyo, Uganda.

Uganda is a country located in East Africa, and the community has been hit with inhumane anti-LGBTQ+ laws  members of the LGBTQ +community who are convicted of aggravated homosexuality are subjected to the death penalty.

Because of the danger activism presents, Trinah Kakyo is one of the few activists in the country. The 28 year-old is the founder of KAKYOPROJECT, a safe space for queer creatives.

Before the anti-gay laws were put in place, Kakyo grew up as a curious and open-minded thinker immersing herself in arts and crafts, which fueled her desire for a project like KAKYOPROJECT. It is also a eudaemonic place that prioritized community members' spiritual, mental, and physical and wellness. "Pride at its best includes an acknowledgment of our existence and an opportunity to celebrate our joy and resistance," Kakyo says.

Alex Kofi Donkor, Ghana.

Alex Kofi Donkor is the Director of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, a safe place for the Ghanaian community. Like most queer Africans, Kofi Donkor had to navigate their identity while growing up in a predominantly religious Christian home. From that personal experience, the need to re-orientate and re-educate the African population on queer rights became inevitable.

"Africans are so rigidly traditional. Growing up following all my education and exposure, I was told being queer is a sin. I grew up in the 90s, and up till this moment. Little has changed. I am still being told the same thing," Kofi Donkor shares with Teen Vogue.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances that previously threatened the in-person presence of LGBT+ Rights Ghana post-pandemic, the aim of the safe place has continued to thrive digitally as Kofi Donkor remains firm in their advocacy. In June, as a continuous way of celebrating Pride Month, Kofi Donkor's platform rolled out the annual "Colour Dialogue," a series of virtual conversations focused on LGBTQ+ activists and allies.

Queer activism for me is about imagining the vision of wanting to achieve a society where everyone is free and celebrated while exuding their very best, Kofi Donkor explains.

Brilliant Kodie, Botswana.

In 2019, Botswana became one of the 22 countries in the continent to legalize same-sex relationships, thereby recognizing LGBTQ+ rights. However, the community still faces discrimination because many people still rigidly hold onto traditional and conservative culture.

Brilliant Kodie, a queer activist living in Maun, Botswana, experienced homophobia growing up. This experience strengthened his commitment to better, protect, and care for other minorities like himself. Kodie's most significant endeavor to date was bringing to life Setabane, a modern-day, independent, youthful, and fresh queer storytelling platform. The activist has collaborated with late African Portraiture Wenzile Dube.

To further elevate the vision of Setabane, the platform-turned-online magazine is currently in the final stage of registering as an NGO in Botswana while also expanding and building projects in the rural parts of Botswana. For Pride Month, Kodie sees it to represent the hope that one day African Queer individuals will truly be free from the injustices in the world.

"I also see it as a time to reflect on and appreciate those who have fought and continue to fight," Kodie adds.

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North Korea fires 2 short-range missiles into the sea as US docks nuclear submarine in South Korea

North Korea fires 2 short-range missiles into the sea as US docks nuclear submarine in South Korea View Photo

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

The launches came as the U.S. and the U.S.-led United Nations Command worked to resolve the highly unusual situation involving a U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea while on a tour of a border village Tuesday afternoon.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said that from 3:30 to 3:46 a.m. North Korea fired two missiles from an area near the capital Pyongyang that flew about 550 kilometers (341 miles) before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula.

The Japanese military said the missiles landed outside of Japans exclusive economic zone and no damage to ships or aircraft was reported.

The flight distance of the two missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters the missiles flew on a low trajectory, reached about 50 kilometers (31 miles) in altitude and may have made irregular maneuvers in flight. That language has been used in the past to describe a North Korean weapon modeled after Russias Iskander missile, which is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defenses.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North Korean launches as major provocation that threatens peace and stability in the region and said the South Korean and U.S. militaries were closely monitoring the North for further weapons activities.

Wednesdays launches marked the Norths first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the U.S. mainland. That launch was supervised by the countrys leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to further bolster his countrys nuclear-fighting capabilities in the face of expanding U.S.-South Korean military activities, which he blamed for worsening the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have rose in the region in recent months as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and U.S.-South Korean joint military drills have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles while attempting to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on both South Korea and the continental United States. The allies in response have stepped up their joint military training and agreed to increase the deployments of U.S. strategic assets like long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines to the region.

Periodic visits by U.S. nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in April in response to North Koreas expanding nuclear threat. They also agreed to further expand combined military exercises, strengthen joint planning for nuclear contingencies and establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group, which held its inaugural meeting in Seoul Tuesday.

The steps were meant to ease South Korean concerns about North Koreas growing nuclear weapons arsenal and suppress voices within the South calling for the country to pursue its own nuclear weapons program.

U.S. Forces Korea said in a statement that the Kentuckys arrival in Busan reflects the United States ironclad commitment to extended deterrence, referring to an assurance to defend its ally with its full military capabilities, including nuclear ones.

The Ohio-class submarine can be equipped with about 20 Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles), according to South Koreas military.

From this submarine, the U.S. can launch attacks (on North Korea) from anywhere in the world, said Moon Keun-sik, a submarine expert who teaches at Kyonggi University in South Korea. But there will likely be backlashes from North Korea and China because its like the worlds most covert and threatening nuclear weapons forces being deployed on their doorsteps.

While some South Korean conservatives have expressed disappointment that the Biden-Yoon meeting in April came short of agreeing to station U.S. nuclear weapons or strategic assets in the South, placing nuclear weapons offshore and on submarines is actually a stronger deterrent in many ways, said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at Washingtons Center for a New American Security.

Deterrence is strengthened when the location of American strategic assets is unknown to the adversary as long as the adversary knows that these weapons exist, said Kim.

Still, Seoul and Washington will need to find the sweet spot when it comes to the visibility of Americas extended deterrent.

Too much visibility of strategic assets could actually undermine the deterrent effect while too little could raise questions in Seoul about commitment, Kim said.

___

AP journalists Mari Yamaguchi and Haruka Nuga in Tokyo contributed to this report.

By KIM TONG-HYUNG and HYUNG-JIN KIM

Associated Press
The British Columbia port workers union has rejected a mediators agreement View Photo

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)  The union representing port workers in the province of British Columbia has rejected a mediators tentative agreement meant to end a labor dispute that stopped goods moving in and out of harbors, including at Canadas busiest port in Vancouver.

Rob Ashton, president of the International Longshore Workers Union Canada, said Tuesday in a statement that its caucus does not believe the deal can protect jobs now or into the future.

He also called the four-year agreement far too long given the uncertainties in the industry and the economy overall.

The BC Maritime Employers Association said union leaders rejected the deal without sending it to a full membership vote.

In rejecting this tentative agreement, ILWU Leadership is choosing to further harm Canadas economy, international reputation and most importantly, to Canadians, their livelihoods and all those that rely on a stable supply chain, the association said on its website.

The 13-day strike that ended last Thursday involved about 7,400 port workers at more than 30 port terminals and other sites across the province.

The employers association says the proposed deal included considerable hikes in wages and benefits.

The union said it was protecting the interests of workers.

Our position since day one has been to protect our jurisdiction and this position has not changed, the union statement said.

The strike froze billions of dollars worth of cargo.
Ahead of the release of Greta Gerwigs Barbie on July 21, a Filipina TikTok creator is spotlighting the Filipino representation in the film.

On July 15, Krystl Fabella (@filipinaontherise) shared a video about Filipino American actress Ana Cruz Kayne, who portrays Supreme Court Justice Barbie in the forthcoming movie.

Who is Ana Cruz Kayne, the Filipino American in the upcoming Barbie who sported a Filipiniana in the movie and [at] the premiere? Fabella says of the New Haven, Conn.-born actress.

A Filipiniana, also known as the Maria Clara gown or terno, is a traditional outfit worn by women in the Philippines that consists of a camisa, which is a blouse with oversize butterfly sleeves, a saya, which is a long skirt, and a panuelo, which is a delicately embroidered neck shawl.

This is so great because it seems like all eyes are on the Barbie movie, and she used it as an opportunity to pay tribute to [her] Filipino heritage, Fabella says.

In both the film and at the premiere, Kayne wore creations by Filipino designer Dennis Lustico. Per Lustico, the 39-year-old actress requested to wear something Filipino.

While chatting with JoySauce, Kayne recalls a conversation she had with Barbie costume designer Jacqueline Durran about what she wanted to wear for a certain scene. She chose to wear a Filipiniana to represent her mother.

And I just remember crying when I tried it on because, if you want to be seen, you kind of have to speak up and tell them what that looks like because people dont know, necessarily, she said. I dont feel like the Philippines in general is very well represented.

Fabella goes on to express her pride in learning that Kayne, who is of Filipino and Jewish descent, was selected for a role that represents power and justice.

Story continues

Shes pretty vocal and proud about her Filipino heritage and posts regularly about her Filipino family and roots, Fabella continues, referring to Kaynes Instagram, on which shes made a post in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and shared a photo in 2020 that reads Filipinos 4 Black Power in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The year 2021 marked another milestone for Filipino Americans, when Fil-Am physician Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, who is based in Las Vegas, was one of six medical frontline workers from around the world selected by Mattel to have a doll created of themselves in honor of the unprecedented courage they exhibited amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

This doll is a reminder that it doesnt matter what your skin color is or what background you come from, Cruz wrote in an Instagram post. You matter. You can speak your mind. You can follow your dreams. You can make a difference. Cheers to diversity. And cheers to frontline workers all over the country who have fought and continue to fight this pandemic.

Dr. Nanika Coor, a clinical psychologist, parenting therapist and consultant at Brooklyn Parent Therapy, argues that theres a correlation between exposing children to toys that reflect ethnic and racial diversity and an increase in their emotional awareness.

When you expose kids to other cultures and help them see the world through someone elses perspective, it helps them develop empathy, Coor told Maisonette. All kids should have the opportunity to see lots of kinds of diversity: ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, body type, religious beliefs.  There are so many types of people in the world, and it really behooves us to let our kids know how cool it is that were all different. It helps them become more empathetic global citizens.

Omg they allowed her to wear a filipiniana dress omg!!!

Many TikTok users, including ones that identify as Filipino, have taken to Fabellas comment section to share their excitement over Kaynes inclusion in the film too.

Now THIS is representation, @makaeyma wrote.

Omg they allowed her to wear a filipiniana dress omg!!! This is majorrrr, @geovanfield replied.

I have a filipiniana barbie in a traditional Filipino gown. That I got when I went to the Philippines in the 90s. Its now a family heirloom, @adina58587 commented.

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The post Theres a Filipino American Barbie in the upcoming film, and fellow Filipinos are ecstatic: Now THIS is representation appeared first on In The Know.

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Russia strikes Ukraines critical port facilities in Odesa after halting grain deal View Photo

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia unleashed intense drone and missile attacks overnight Wednesday, damaging critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounding at least 12 people, officials said.

The bombardment crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

It came days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

It also followed a vow by Putin to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014.

Putin said Wednesday that Russia could return to the deal if the West offers Russian banks involved in servicing payments for the countrys agricultural exports an immediate access to the SWIFT payment system, adding that Moscow wants its conditions met, not some promises and ideas.

The Russian leader also listed other Russian demands, including a lifting of insurance and shipping restrictions that affect Russian agricultural exports and a resumption of Moscows export of ammonia to Odesa via a pipeline, a section of which was blown up last month.

He said Moscow has shown miracles of patience and tolerance by repeatedly extending the grain deal while Western nations used it shamelessly enrich themselves, violating its declared goal of helping relieve hunger in poor countries.

Further raising the stakes, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement that Moscow has declared international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea temporarily dangerous for shipping. That follows Ukraines pledge to continue grain shipments despite the Russian pullout from the deal.

The ministry warned it will see any incoming vessel as laden with military cargo starting from midnight. The countries whose flags those ships will fly will be seen as involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime, it said.

The White House on Wednesday warned that the Russian military is preparing for possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea.

Our information indicates that Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports, White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said in a statement. We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks.

Ukraines Agriculture Ministry, citing experts, estimated it would take a year to restore the facilities damaged Wednesday. The destroyed grain was supposed to have been loaded onto a vessel and sent through the grain corridor two months ago, the statement said.

Such attacks by Russian terrorists are not only affecting our country but also global stability, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a briefing with the visiting Irish prime minister in Kyiv. He said Ukraine needs more anti-aircraft defense systems to protect the port.

Zelenskyy said his government is trying to find a way to maintain a corridor to keep grain exports flowing despite Russias decision to abandon the deal brokered with the U.N. and Turkey.

The corridor must be secure. In fact, knowing Russia, it wont be safe unless the U.N. starts working very clearly and firmly at the level of the secretary-general, he said.

Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi warned that if Ukraine cannot export food, the population of the poorest countries will be on the brink of survival! The price of grain will increase, and not all countries will be able to afford buying agricultural products, which means food prices will significantly rise: flour, cereals, meat.

Wheat prices rose more than 2.5% on Tuesday and nearly 8% on Wednesday amid the attacks in Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, illustrating jitters in global markets. Wednesdays trading price of $7.23 a bushel still was nearly 80% below last years peak.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted that Putin hasnt just blown up the Black Sea Grain Initiative; now he has hit the port city of Odesa with a hail of bombs for the second consecutive night.

In doing that, he is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain. Every one of his bombs also hits the worlds poorest, she said.

Gov. Oleh Kiper said Oniks and Kh-22 missiles were used to hit grain and oil terminals. Debris from those that were shot down struck apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people.

Video from warehouses elsewhere in Odesa showed firefighters extinguishing blazes, as thick, black smoke billowed from the explosion.

The attacks were part of what Russias Defense Ministry described as a strike of retribution after Mondays attack on the Kerch Bridge, a key span used for military and civilian supplies. The attack, apparently by maritime drones, damaged part of the roadway on the bridge but rail traffic continued.

Ukraines top security agency appeared to tacitly admit a role in the attack but stopped short of directly claiming responsibility, echoing a response after a strike on the bridge in October 2022 that took months to repair.

Russian emergency officials in Crimea, meanwhile, said more than 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at a military facility.

The blaze forced the closure of an important highway, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed head of the peninsula. He didnt specify a cause for the fire at the facility in Kirovsky district.

Elsewhere across Ukraine, authorities reported that drones and missiles were sent against more regions than in recent days.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, in a statement on Telegram.

He said the attacks were especially fierce in Odesa for a second consecutive night. The Ukrainian armys Operational Command South reported at least 12 civilians were wounded in the region.

The attacks on Odesa injured at least six people, including a 9-year-old boy, showering them with shattered glass and other debris. The remnants of a downed Kh-59 missile created a large crater in another part of the city, wounding three civilians and damaging several buildings.

Eight Iranian-made Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

Russia also attacked Kyiv with Shahed drones without result, Popko said. Air defenses intercepted all the drones aimed at the capital and a preliminary investigation showed there were no casualties.

Strikes elsewhere in Ukraine in the past 24 hours that killed one person and wounded 21 others.

The death occurred in the northeastern Kharkiv region, near the volatile Kupyansk area, while 10 people were injured in the shelling of seven cities in the Donetsk region, including Avdiivka, Mariinka and Chasiv Yar. Two people were wounded by shelling in the Mykolaiv region and one person was injured in the Kherson region.

Russian drone attacks in the Zhytomyr region damaged some infrastructure and private homes, but no casualties were reported, said Gov. Vitalii Bunechko.

Attacks also were reported in the Poltava and Kirovohrad regions.

USAID chief Samantha Power said the agency will work with the U.S. Congress to provide an additional $230 million to boost Ukraines economy and reconstruction.

The new funding will help businesses to meet European Union regulations to export more products and services to Europe, an agency statement said. On Tuesday, Power said USAID would provide $250 million in other funds for Ukraines agricultural sector.

Separately, South Africas president announced that Putin will not attend an economic summit next month in the country, which faced a legal quandary over whether to arrest the Russian leader on an International Criminal Court warrant related to Ukraine.

Although Moscow has dismissed the warrant and Russia doesnt recognize the courts authority, Putin has not traveled to any country that is a signatory to the courts treaty since he was indicted by the ICC in March for war crimes relating to the abduction of children from Ukraine.

South African authorities had given strong hints they would have likely not executed the arrest warrant against Putin, but South Africas main opposition party has taken the government to court to try to compel it to arrest the Russian leader if he sets foot on South African territory.

Russia will be represented instead by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to South African President Cyril Ramaphosas office. All the other leaders will attend, it said.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By HANNA ARHIROVA

Associated Press
Ex-Venezuelan spy chief is extradited from Spain to US on drug trafficking charges

Ex-Venezuelan spy chief is extradited from Spain to US on drug trafficking charges View Photo

MADRID (AP)  A former Venezuelan spymaster close to the countrys late leader Hugo Chavez has been extradited to New York from Spain on Wednesday to face decade-old drug trafficking charges.

Retired Maj. Gen. Hugo Carvajal will enter a not guilty plea at his initial appearance Thursday in Manhattan federal court, his lawyer, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma, told The Associated Press.

Nicknamed El Pollo (The Chicken), Carvajal advised Chavez for more than a decade. He later broke with Chavezs handpicked successor, Nicolas Maduro, and threw his support behind his U.S. backed opponents.

He did so in dramatic fashion: releasing a videotaped speech from an undisclosed location calling on his former cohorts in the military to rebel against their commander in chief a month into mass protests seeking to replace Maduro with lawmaker Juan Guaido, who the U.S. recognized as Venezuelas legitimate leader because of his role as head of the democratically elected National Assembly.

In the end, the barracks revolt never materialized, Guaidos movement faded and Maduros grip on power has since only strengthened. Meanwhile, Carvajal snuck off to Spain, fearing arrest.

On Wednesday, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, a close Maduro ally, called on the U.S. to extradite the 63-year-old former spy chief to Venezuela so he could face multiple criminal charges in his home country as well.

Prosecutors in New York in 2011 alleged that Carvajal used his high office to coordinate the smuggling of approximately 5,600 kilograms (12,300 pounds) of cocaine aboard a jet from Venezuela to Mexico in 2006.

He allegedly arranged the shipment as one of the leaders of the so-called Cartel of the Suns that was accused of flooding the U.S. with cocaine. The name is a reference to the sun insignias affixed to the uniforms of Venezuelan military officers.

Carvajal abandoned his responsibility to the people of Venezuela and exploited his position for personal gain, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram said in a statement. DEA and our partners stand united to bring to justice anyone, in any position, who endangers the safety and health of the American people.

Carvajal also allegedly provided weapons to armed FARC guerrillas in Colombia, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, and helped fund the insurgents by facilitating shipments of large amounts of U.S.-bound cocaine through Venezuela.

In 2020, prosecutors added Maduro and several other senior officials and Colombian rebel leaders to the narco-terrorism conspiracy charges, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life behind bars. One of those co-defendants, Gen. Cliver Alcala, who also had broken with Maduro, last month pleaded guilty to lesser charges of assisting the rebel group.

A back-and-forth legal battle followed Carvajals first arrest in Spain in 2019 and delayed the extradition. The process also was halted for nearly two years, after Carvajal vanished while on bail after being tipped off that the Spanish National Court was about to rule on his extradition.

Recaptured in September 2021, the former general continued delaying extradition on numerous appeals that he ultimately lost. He had also applied for political asylum, which Spain rejected.

___

Goodman reported from Miami. Associated Press writers Joseph Wilson in Barcelona and Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.

By ARITZ PARRA and JOSHUA GOODMAN

Associated Press
Lourdes M. Castro Ramirez and Lloyd Mathiesen View Photo

Jamestown, CA  Lourdes M. Castro Ramirez, Californias Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, recently visited Tuolumne County to see firsthand the efforts of Chicken Ranch Rancheria and Resiliency Village to address homelessness.

We reported earlier that the Tribe has received a $626,000 grant to help boost bed space for homeless residents in the community and to increase advocacy and partnerships between service providers with a direct referral to the Mathiesen Memorial Health Clinic and the Red Feather Clinic. Those facilities are operated by the Tribe and address physical and mental health challenges. Both are open to the general public.

There is also a youth component of the grant focused on street outreach that includes advocacy and education.

Tribal Chair, Lloyd Mathiesen, says, To truly make a difference in our housing and homelessness crisis, it is imperative that state and tribal nations work together as equal partners alongside non-profits and local governments while incorporating traditional and non-traditional programs that address the issues of the unhoused.

The state participants in the meeting toured Resiliency Village, a close partner in the grant-funded efforts, and reviewed architectural design plans for its new site addition. The mission of Resiliency Village is to help people unsheltered and impacted by trauma through onsite services, creative activities, and skill-building, to support a self-sustaining future through housing, healing, and hope.
UN agency slashes cash aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan, raising the alarm on its funding crunch

UN agency slashes cash aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan, raising the alarm on its funding crunch View Photo

BEIRUT (AP)  The United Nations food agency said Tuesday it will reduce monthly cash aid for 120,000 Syrian refugees living in two camps in Jordan because of what it described as an unprecedented funding crisis.

Jordan is a country of 11 million people and hosts some 1.3 million refugees from Syria. Most of them live in towns and cities across the kingdom, while several tens of thousands have settled in two camps  Zaatari and Azraq. Starting in August, the monthly cash allowance for camp residents will be reduced from $32 to $21, the World Food Program said.

Jordanian officials have warned that the kingdom cannot fill the gap left by international donors.

The announcement by the World Food Program comes after the agency said last week it would gradually cut off 50,000 refugees in Jordan from its assistance altogether. The program had initially covered 465,000 refugees.

U.N. agencies and international humanitarian organizations for years have struggled to reach budgetary requirements for their assistance in Syria and for Syrian refugees in neighboring countries due to donor fatigue, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and Ukraines war with Russia.

Though Syrian President Bashar Assads government was able to reclaim large swaths of territory with the help of allies Russia and Iran, the crisis in the war-torn country remains in a stalemate.

As funding dries up, our hands are tied, said Alberto Correia Mendes, the WFP representative for Jordan.

The agency said that even with the current cuts, it still faces a funding shortfall of some $41 million and may have to impose additional measures.

Funding cuts have also impacted millions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Turkey, where anti-refugee rhetoric and calls for mass deportations have surged in light of economic and political turmoil.

Syrias uprising turned civil war, now in its 13th year, has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half of its prewar population of 23 million.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke about the kingdoms inability to fill in funding gaps at this years annual donor conference on Syria in Brussels last June. Last week, he warned again that refugees will suffer.

This is not on Jordan. It is on those who are cutting support, he said. Providing dignified lives to refugees is a global responsibility. It is not ours alone as host country.

Dominik Bartsch, the U.N. refugee agencys representative to Jordan, said the aid rollback has forced agencies to look only to the most vulnerable families, leaving many in need without assistance.

There is an imminent risk that the situation is sliding back into a humanitarian crisis with serious consequences for refugees and host communities, Bartsch said.

In a visit to Damascus on July 4 where he met Assad, Safadi called on investment into Syrias battered infrastructure to speed up voluntary refugee returns. Jordan has also spearheaded regional talks with Damascus to reach a solution to end the conflict.

Western countries still sanction Syria, including for alleged war crimes and involvement in the drug trade, and have not endorsed restoring ties with Assad or funding reconstruction, as Arab countries have.

___

This version has corrected that most Syrian refugees in Jordan live in Jordanian communities, not in camps.

By KAREEM CHEHAYEB

Associated Press
Egypt pardons jailed activists, including two prominent rights defenders, official reports say View Photo

CAIRO (AP)  Egypts president pardoned two prominent rights activists Wednesday, including one with ties to Italy who was sentenced this week, the countrys state-run news agency reported.

Among an unspecified number of people pardoned Wednesday by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was rights activist Patrick George Zaki, who was a post-graduate student in Italy and who was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday over an opinion article he wrote in 2019, the MENA news agency said.

Zakis case has echoed in Italy, where many were reminded after the sentencing this week of the tragic fate of Italian student Giulio Regeni who was abducted and killed in Cairo in 2016. The Italian government had repeatedly called for Zakis release since his arrest in 2020.

Also pardoned was Mohammed el-Baker, a rights lawyer, who was arrested in September 2019, the agency reported. El-Baker was sentenced to four years in prison late in 2021 over charges of disseminating false news, misuse of social media and joining a terrorist group. El-Baker was arrested when he attended the questioning by prosecutors of another jailed activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah.

The report said the two were among a group pardoned on Wednesday but did not elaborate who else was included. Prisoners who are pardoned in Egypt usually walk free within days.

We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds, prominent rights activist Hossam Bahgat wrote on Twitter.

He added that both activists should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work. Bahgat is the executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represented Zaki in court.

In Italy, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani welcomed el-Sissis decision to pardon Zaki. Thanks to the governments foreign policy we have given a decisive contribution to freeing this young student. Concrete results through work and international credibility, he tweeted.

Jubilation also resounded from the ranks of Italian opposition lawmakers following the pardon news.

Victory for Patrick Zaki. Pardon granted, tweeted Federica Onori, the foreign affairs commission whip for the populist 5-Star Movement. We never quit fighting. We never quit believing. We await you soon back home in Italy.

When Zaki was arrested in 2020, the 5-Stars led the government and Melonis far-right party was in the opposition.

Speaking to the Italian state TV in a square outside Romes ancient Pantheon, an Amnesty International official in Italy, Riccardo Noury, expressed satisfaction that the grave case (of Zaki) is resolved, but it doesnt resolve the theme of human rights in Egypt.

Zaki, who is Christian, was arrested in February 2020 shortly after landing in Cairo for a short trip home from Italy where he was studying at the University of Bologna. He was released in December 2021 after spending 22 months in pretrial detention but had to remain in Egypt and was not allowed to travel abroad, pending trial.

He earned a masters degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to travel to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference.

An Egyptian court sentenced him this week to three years in person over his conviction of disseminating false news related to an article of his about alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt.

Amnesty International swiftly condemned Egyptian authorities and said that the image of Zaki being dragged out of a courtroom and taken to prison on Tuesday was terrifying.

Egypt has pardoned dozens of detainees in the past several months, after its human rights record came under international scrutiny when it hosted the U.N. climate change summit in November.

The government has been relentlessly silencing dissenters and clamping down on independent organizations for years with arrests, detentions, prison sentences and other restrictions. Thousands of political prisoners are estimated by rights groups to remain in custody in Egypt, many without trial.

___

Associated Pres writer Frances DEmilio in Rome contributed to this report.

By SAMY MAGDY

Associated Press
Border Patrol fails to assess medical needs for children with preexisting conditions, report says

Border Patrol fails to assess medical needs for children with preexisting conditions, report says View Photo

Border Patrol does not have protocols for assessing medical needs of children with preexisting conditions, according to an independent report made public Tuesday on the death of an 8-year-old girl from Panama who was in federal custody.

The girls death was a preventable tragedy that resulted from failures in medical and custodial systems for children within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that includes the Border Patrol, the report found.

Its the latest damning finding in the May 17 death of Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez, who was on her ninth day in custody with family in Harlingen, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the busiest corridors for migrant crossings. She had a chronic heart condition and sickle cell anemia.

An internal investigation found Border Patrol medical staff declined to review the girls file.

The report made public Tuesday was conducted by an independent monitor working to enforce compliance with the latest terms of the Flores settlement agreement, a measure created to bring child welfare protections to children in immigration custody.

The failure to consult a physician or a local health facility for more extensive testing raises fundamental concerns regarding the ability of the CBP medical system to care appropriately for children at elevated medical risk, the report says.

New leadership has been appointed to the agencys Office of the Chief Medical Officer, said Troy A. Miller, acting CBP commissioner.

The agency has undertaken significant steps to address deficiencies identified by the ongoing investigation, as well as to ensure that medically fragile individuals and family units receive the best possible care and spend the minimum amount of time possible in CBP custody, Miller said.

Mabel Alvarez Benedicks, the girls mother, told The Associated Press she reported her daughters condition to officials when she and her family were being processed at the border, but officials failed to notify other staff at the time the family was taken to a second facility designated for families, a problem the monitor highlighted in a previous report to the court.

Six days later, the girl tested positive for influenza and had a temperature of 101.8 F (38.78 C), according to the report. She was given medication, put into isolation with her family but three days later, the girl and her mother made numerous visits to the medical unit, the report said.

Anadith reported vomiting and then a stomachache to the health provider, who failed to contact an on-call physician, the report showed. There is no protocol that highlights when an on-call physician should be contacted.

Alvarez begged officials to call an ambulance in order to hospitalize Anadith as her daughter felt pain in her bones, struggled to breathe and was unable to walk, but the health provider did not consider transferring the girl to a hospital, according to the report.

After Alvarez carried her daughter to the medical unit as she seized and became unresponsive, the girl was then taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, the report said.

The poor clinical decision-making by the health providers is responsible in Anadiths death, the report said.

These inexcusable systemic failures were exacerbated by just a sheer disregard for her life, said Melissa Adamson, an attorney at the National Center for Youth Law.

Three other migrant children have died in federal custody this year.

An unaccompanied 15-year-old girl from Guatemala died July 10 from an underlying disease while in federal custody. The girl had been hospitalized at El Paso Childrens Hospital for a significant, preexisting illness when she was referred from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the Office of Refugee Resettlement in May, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement July 11.

In May, a 17-year-old boy from Honduras died in U.S. custody. Angel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza died at a holding center in Safety Harbor, Florida. His mother said her son had epilepsy but showed no signs of being seriously ill before he left for the United States.

In March, a 4-year-old medically fragile unaccompanied child from Honduras died at a hospital in Michigan, according to a Health and Human Services statement at the time.

___

This story has been updated to correct that the other three migrant children died in federal custody, not Border Patrol custody.

By LISET CRUZ and VALERIE GONZALEZ

Associated Press
Chinese e-retailer Temu files lawsuit in US against rival Shein, alleging antitrust violations View Photo

HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese e-commerce retailer Temu has filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts accusing its rival Shein of violating U.S. antitrust law by preventing garment makers from working with it.

Temu, which is owned by popular Chinese e-commerce site Pinduoduo Inc., is alleging that Shein has compelled clothing manufacturers to submit to unfair supply chain arrangements preventing them from working with Temu after it entered the U.S. market in 2022.

Shein (SHE-in) and Temu (TEE-mu) are fast-rising online shopping platforms. Shein has grabbed the largest share of the fast fashion market in the U.S., at over 50%, according to Temus complaint. Temu is the most downloaded app in the U.S., according to the website data.ai, formerly App Annie, which tracks app rankings. It offers everything from apparel to household goods at similarly competitive prices.

Shein has engaged in a campaign of threats, intimidation, false assertions of infringement, and attempts to impose baseless punitive fines and has forced exclusive dealing arrangements on clothing manufacturers, according to the complaint Temu filed on July 14 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

In an emailed statement, Temu said that Shein also punished merchants that worked with Temu by imposing extrajudicial fines and forced retailers to assign their intellectual property rights to Shein, which could then seek to enforce these rights against those who also operate on Temu.

For a long time, we have exercised significant restraint and refrained from pursuing legal actions. However, Sheins escalating attacks leave us no choice but to take legal measures to defend our rights and the rights of those merchants doing business on Temu, as well as the consumers rights to a wide variety of affordable products, the retailer said in the statement.

Shein did not immediately respond to AP with a comment, though it previously said that the case was without merit and that the firm would defend itself against the allegations.

Earlier, Shein sued Temu in Illinois, asserting that it engaged in deceptive business practices and created impostor pages that violated copyrights and trademarks.

Chinas regulators have cracked down on the widespread practice by internet firms there of forcing retailers, brands and suppliers to work exclusively with them.

Both Shein and Temu have gained attention as imports to the U.S. via their platforms have surged.

Just days ago, a filing in California by three U.S. fashion designers accused Shein of copyright infringement so aggressive that it amounts to racketeering. The filing alleges the company has violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as RICO, a law originally crafted to prosecute organized crime.

A Congressional report published last month questioned both companies compliance with efforts to prevent goods made by forced labor from being sold on their platforms.

An anonymous coalition of brands and human rights advocates called Shut Down Shein has been lobbying lawmakers seeking to increase scrutiny on the fast fashion site.

By ZEN SOO

AP Technology Writer
Texas women denied abortions give emotional accounts in court, ask judge to clarify law View Photo

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  For the first time since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Texas women who were denied abortions testified in a court Wednesday of carrying babies they knew would not survive and continuing pregnancies that put their health in worsening danger.

Their detailed accounts in a crowded Austin courtroom were often emotional. At one point, the judge called a recess when a woman whose daughter died within hours of birth became ill and overcome on the witness stand.

I survived sepsis and I dont think today was much less traumatic than that, said Amanda Zurawksi, one of more than a dozen Texas women who are suing the state.

The lawsuit is among the numerous legal battles still flaring nationwide over abortion access more than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion. What sets the Texas case apart, however, is that the women are believed to be the first in the U.S. to sue a state and testify over being denied abortion following newly enacted bans.

Their challenge does not seek to repeal Texas abortion ban but to force more clarity on when exceptions are allowed under the law, which is one of the most restrictive in the U.S.

It is not clear how quickly state District Judge Jessica Mangrum will rule. The state is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit and a lawyer for the Texas attorney generals office called doctors fears of being prosecuted baseless.

Under the law in Texas, doctors who perform abortions risk life in prison and fines of up to $100,000. Opponents say that has left some women with providers who are unwilling to even discuss terminating a pregnancy.

Amy Pletscher, an attorney for the state, said the lawsuit was brought by women and doctors who simply do not like Texas restrictions on abortion.

The purpose of this court is not to legislate, she said.

The lawsuit was filed in March, and since then, several of the women have spoken extensively to reporters and lawmakers about the catastrophic ends to their pregnancies. But Molly Duane, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights that helped bring the lawsuit, said they believe Wednesday was the first time in decades that women who were denied abortions have testified in a court about a states abortion ban.

Samantha Casiano testified she was halfway through her pregnancy when she found out during an appointment that her daughter had a rare diagnosis of anencephaly, where much of the skull and brain is missing. Doctors told her they could not provide her an abortion in Texas, and when a caseworker was called into the room, Casiano was handed funeral home information.

I felt like I was abandoned, Casiano said. I had this funeral home paper and this is just supposed to be a scan day.

Although Texas ban narrowly allows exceptions when the patients life is in danger, opponents say the the law is so vaguely worded that doctors remain afraid to perform abortions even under those circumstances.

The proceedings were expected to continue through Thursday.

Sixteen states, including Texas, do not allow abortions when a fatal fetal anomaly is detected, while six do not allow exceptions for the mothers health, according to an analysis by KFF, a health research organization.

The lawsuit in Texas comes as abortion restrictions elsewhere in the U.S. continue to face challenges. On Monday, an Iowa judge temporarily blocked the states new ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, just days after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the measure into law.

The majority of U.S. adults, including those living in states with the strictest limits on abortion, want it to be legal at least through the initial stages of pregnancy, according to a poll released in late June by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

By PAUL J. WEBER

Associated Press
Czech parliament approves treaty making it easier to deploy US troops on Czech territory

Czech parliament approves treaty making it easier to deploy US troops on Czech territory View Photo

PRAGUE (AP)  The Czech Parliament gave its expected approval Wednesday to a defense treaty signed with the United States in May that would deepen military cooperation and make it easier to deploy U.S. troops on Czech territory.

The lower house of Parliament voted 115-18 in favor of the Defense Cooperation Agreement. The treaty, endorsed by the Czech Senate last week, goes next to President Petr Pavel for his expected approval.

The document would set a legal framework for possible deployment of U.S. troops in the country at a time of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

We cant do without a strong alliance with other democratic countries in this situation, Czech Defense Minister Cernochova told lawmakers in the lower house. She said the deal is absolutely in our national interest.

Cernochova signed the treaty together with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Washington D.C. on May 23. The U.S. has such agreements with 24 other NATO members, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria that form the eastern flank of the alliance.

The lawmakers of the five-party ruling coalition were joined by most of their colleagues from the opposition ANO (YES) movement led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis in supporting the treaty.

It was opposed by the major anti-migrant populist Freedom and Direct Democracy party, which claims the pact compromises the countrys sovereignty and makes possible a permanent presence of U.S. troops on Czech territory.

But any particular deployment of U.S. forces will still need approval by the Czech government and Parliament.
DeSantis fights to reset his stagnant campaign as Trump dominates the 2024 conversation View Photo

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  For Ron DeSantis, it was supposed to be an important opportunity to help reset his stagnant Republican presidential campaign. But yet again, the moment was overshadowed by Donald Trump.

The former presidents new legal challenges dominated much of the day as DeSantis spoke at a brief press conference and sat for a highly anticipated interview designed to reassure anxious donors and primary voters alike that hes still well-positioned to defeat Trump. And again, DeSantis offered mixed messages when asked about Trump, training his most aggressive criticism at federal law enforcement officials instead of his chief Republican rival, who could soon be charged over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

We look at institutions, unfortunately, like our own FBI and Department of Justice, and weve seen the politicization of those institutions. Weve seen them be weaponized against Americans, DeSantis said. A few minutes later, he added a modest jab when pressed about Trumps role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol: He should have come out more forcefully, of course, but to try to criminalize that, thats a different issue entirely.

The muddled message comes as DeSantis faces new urgency to refocus his White House bid coming out of the most tumultuous weekend of his young campaign. Less than two months after entering the race, hes already cutting staff while facing new questions about his aggressive spending, his media strategy and his apparent willingness to brawl with any and all foes except for Trump, the one person he must defeat to claim the GOPs 2024 presidential nomination.

The DeSantis campaign is recalibrating. Its clear it needs to, said Republican strategist Terry Sullivan, who managed Marco Rubios 2016 presidential campaign. But at the end of the day, theyre still better positioned than any other challenger to Donald Trump, times 10.

DeSantis team has quietly expressed confidence for months that voters would eventually tire of Trumps escalating legal troubles and personal baggage. But that same baggage, playing out in the U.S. legal system just as the GOP primary intensifies, is leaving precious little oxygen for his rivals to break through. And Trumps standing with Republican primary voters seems to be growing stronger with every new legal challenge.

Still, DeSantis team has raised a stunning $150 million for his presidential ambitions so far. The vast majority, $130 million, has gone to a super PAC run by allies who cannot legally coordinate with the campaign.

The DeSantis campaign itself raised more than $20 million in the first six weeks he was in the race, though federal filings released over the weekend revealed that he and his team had burned through more than $8 million in a spending spree that included more than 100 paid staffers, a large security detail and luxury travel.

DeSantis team acknowledged over the weekend that he was cutting less than 10 staffers to help reduce costs. On Tuesday, a spokesperson declined to answer specific questions about other expenditures or future spending plans.

DeSantis team may have begun to take modest steps to cut costs elsewhere.

There was a reduced security presence Monday and Tuesday as DeSantis made multiple stops in South Carolina. It was a notable shift from previous DeSantis appearances across the country that featured an unusually large private security detail  in addition to the Florida law enforcement officials usually at his side.

Most presidential candidates have small, private security details, if any, at this stage of the campaign. Trump, a former president, is the exception. DeSantis campaign spent at least $76,000 on his own security for the last quarter, according to his Federal Election Commission filing.

He spent far more on luxury travel.

Already, DeSantis campaign has spent over $686,000 in expenses marked travel, much of which appears to be connected to private jet flights. The Florida governor, who has long preferred to fly private, paid out $179,000 to companies that specifically charter planes, according to an Associated Press analysis of his latest filing with the FEC. Under that same expense category, there is an additional $483,000 expenditure to a company called N2024D LLC, a business created in late May and controlled by the founders of a political compliance firm  a cutout that satisfies federal rules for campaign finance disclosure but masks the ultimate recipient of the money.

The Republican presidential contender is also facing questions about his large payroll.

DeSantis has so far paid out more than $1 million in salaries, benefits and payroll taxes for more than 100 workers, records show. A spokesperson did not respond when asked if the campaign was planning to cut any more staff beyond the less than 10 already announced.

Meanwhile, DeSantis is shifting his press strategy away from his long-standing practice of ignoring mainstream media. He sat down with CNNs Jake Tapper on Tuesday afternoon for a formal interview, his first with a non-conservative media outlet since joining the 2024 contest.

In the interview, DeSantis brushed off questions about the direction of his campaign and polls that suggest Trump is way ahead.

The reality is, this is a state-by-state process, DeSantis said. Were focused on building an organization. Youve got to get people to come out in the middle of January in Iowa to caucus for you.

Indeed, as part of its reset, the campaign is especially focused on Iowa.

Some on DeSantis team privately believe that he must win the opening contest of the 2024 presidential primary season on Jan. 15 to have any chance of stopping Trump from becoming the partys nominee for a third consecutive election.

To that end, the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down super PAC is spending more than $1 million on a new ad campaign that began running Tuesday in Iowa that features a computer-generated Trump voice criticizing the states popular Republican governor. While Trump has been critical of Gov. Kim Reynolds recently on social media, the DeSantis super PAC used artificial intelligence to create the fake Trump voice.

Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita called the ad a desperate attempt  to deceive the American public because they know DeSanctimonious campaign is on life support.

After losing big donors and slashing their staff, they have now outsourced their work to AI just like they would like to outsource American jobs to China, he said.

While some donors are concerned about the direction of the DeSantis campaign, plenty of others are still backing him as the strongest Republican Trump alternative.

Bob Grand, a longtime GOP powerbroker in Indiana who organized a recent fundraiser for DeSantis, said its still early.

Everybody has to remember he started not that long ago. We havent even had the first debate yet, said Grand, managing partner of the law firm Barnes and Thornburg. Hes got the former president out there really hammering away on him. Thats, I think, as good of an indicator there is, that hes a strong challenger.

___

Peoples reported from New York, and Slodysko from Washington. Associated Press writer Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this report.

By STEVE PEOPLES, MEG KINNARD and BRIAN SLODYSKO

Associated Press
Rishi Sunak was slapped down by Lindsay Hoyle

Rishi Sunak was slapped down by Lindsay Hoyle

Rishi Sunak has been slapped down by Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle after trying to turn the tables on Keir Starmer at prime ministers questions.

Instead of answering the questions put to him by the Labour leader, he repeatedly asked Starmer to explain his policies.

That prompted a rebuke from Hoyle, who told him: Its not Opposition questions, its prime ministers questions, he said.

Starmer then chimed in: With his time away he has slightly forgotten how this works.

That was a reference to Sunak missing the last two PMQs, once to attend a service to mark the 75th anniversary of the NHS and once to attend the Nato summit in Lithuania.

Since entering No.10 last October he has missed six of the 29 PMQs sessions which have taken place - the same number that Boris Johnson missed in three years.

Rishi Sunak asks Keir Starmer if he backs recommended pay rises for doctors, prompting Speaker Lindsay Hoyle to admonish the PM for asking  and not answering  questions at #PMQs



"With his time away, he's... forgotten how this works" says Labour's leader https://t.co/9MzyY5aK06pic.twitter.com/fSA5JQBnmG  Bloomberg UK (@BloombergUK) July 19, 2023

Hoyle also mocked the PM for his habit of leaving the Commons chamber as fast as he can.

The prime minister likes to get away early, the Speaker told rowdy Tory MPs.

The more that you stop me getting on with the questions the more. I am going to keep him here.

Starmer once again joined in. I am sure the whole House is pleased that he has graced us with his presence today, he said.

But we dont get any more answers when hes here then when hes not.

Story continues

The final PMQs of the term comes ahead of three crunch by-elections on Thursday.

Sunak is braced to lose all three and Westminster is awash with rumours he could reshuffle his cabinet this week in order to move the story on from any loss.

Related...
CHESHIRE  Despite state and federal financial incentives for builders and recent approvals from the Planning and Zoning Commission, the number of affordable housing units in town still falls well below state guidelines.

Honeycomb Real Estate Partners is considering property on Highland Avenue for an affordable housing development that would increase that number. The plan prompted a lengthy discussion during the commissions July 10 meeting. The conversation was preliminary with no specific application on file.

Honeycombs Lewis Brown, the managing member, and Stephen Caprio, the director of development, fielded questions and presented conceptual plans for two 30-unit buildings that would be located at what is now 408, 416, and 422 Highland Ave. The plan calls for 80% of the units to be affordable.

Dan Garofalo, of Reno Properties Group, the current site owners, introduced Honeycomb, explaining that since the pandemic weve had a real battle with keeping the occupancy up. We get a few (commercial) tenants, lose a few tenants, and it just seems to be spiraling the wrong way.

One of Honeycombs defining features, Brown said, is we spend a lot of time thinking about the area  the town, the city  that were developing in and try to provide a solution thats contextually relevant to the government as well as to our future neighbors.

Brown pointed to several examples of recent projects Honeycomb has done in Connecticut. One is in West Hartford, on the site of the former Camelot Inn and another is near the Yale Bowl in New Haven.

Yet another is a 40-unit project in Chester, on land formerly owned by St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish. The Diocese, which owned the property, selected Honeycomb over other potential developers, Brown said. He added that Honeycomb planned to make the Chester project (and others) 100% affordable at 80% of area median income (AMI), a key metric for such projects. Brown noted, as AMI increases, so can rents.

AMI in Chester for a family of four is $80,000 or less, an income demographic that he said would include earners such as firefighters, police, teachers, and restaurant workers.

Brown also cited the statutory formula for determining affordable housing  spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing costs. He pointed out that doing that with current market rents in Connecticut can be difficult.

Under the program in which Honeycomb is participating, a renter who qualifies can see their income rise to 140% of AMI without losing their apartment. A prior rule, Brown said, disincentivized people from bettering their familys financial situation.

The rents under this program mean that someone earning 80% of AMI would pay $1,950, with utilities included, on a one-bedroom apartment.

Commission members had a number of questions and concerns about the early version of the project.

PZC member Tom Selmont expressed concern over what its going to look like in 10 years.

From an ownership standpoint, the way these tax credit deals work is theres a 15-year compliance period, explained Caprio, in which HUD inspects every year, youre audited every year, you need to make sure that you deliver your tax credits to that tax credit investor (usually a bank). The whole project gets dinged financially if it falls into disrepair, if youre not getting the tax credits that youre supposed to, (or) if its not leased. So theres very heavy incentive for us to be part of this community and to keep this thing in good shape.

In addition, developers can re-syndicate the loan and re-develop the property after the first 15-year period expires.

Caprio also mentioned super strict construction guidelines implemented by Connecticuts Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). These mandates apply to interior finishes, exterior sound-proofing, insulation and other aspects of construction and are more strict than market rate.

Commission member Jeff Natale pointed out that entering Highland Avenue from that area is often difficult, with left turns forbidden in certain areas and also highlighted a lack of sidewalks.

Because the proposed site neighbors Highland School, Natale, along with commission members Matt Bowman and Anita Blake, called for heightened safety measures to protect children along Route 10 in any design.

Commission member Louis Todisco asked about the percentage of affordable units, pointing out that previous applicants who used Connecticuts affordable housing statute were only required to offer 30% of the units as affordable.

No disrespect to lawmakers, however, if youre going to achieve the 10% goal, doing it at a 30% clip is not going to get you there, responded Brown.

Natale also asked the question of whether, in the event that tax credit financing were not available, they could make the development market-rate.

I personally would not, stated Brown. Were affordable housing developers. We see thats what the opportunity here is in terms of highest and best use.

Commission members Woody Dawson and Robert Brucato posed similar questions as to why Honeycomb had chosen Cheshire and how the development of affordable housing could benefit Cheshire residents.

Why here and whos going to live here, is essentially what youre asking, replied Brown. The answer is really you and me. It might not be you today but it might be you 20 years ago before you had a family and a house. It might be you 20 years from now when youre looking to downsize but you cant find anywhere affordable to live. So the answer is really it could be any of us.
Just weeks ago, drought required Kevin Bassette to irrigate rows of lettuce, radishes, kale, Chinese cabbage and pickling cucumbers his family grows in Glastonbury on the Connecticut Rivers fertile floodplain.

He didnt complain. Given a choice of drought or deluge, Bassette would opt for drought. I prefer bone dry, he said. You can always add water. You cant take it away.

On Monday, his family hosted Gov. Ned Lamont by silty flood waters that spilled from the river, forming a vast pond. Still visible were parallel rows of drowned vegetables. On the far side, waters lapped at the edge of waist-high sweet corn plants, some ready for picking.

The governor led a contingent of state and federal officials who described last weeks torrential rains as a consequence of climate change that has complicated Connecticut agriculture with one extreme after another.

In February, we had 50-degree weather. And the next day we had minus-10-degree weather, said Bryan P. Hurlburt, the commissioner of agriculture. In May, we had subfreezing for many hours across the state. And in June, we had droughts. And in July, we have floods.

What the hell is going on here? Lamont said, noting the local flooding comes after Canadian wildfires have affected air quality in a broad swath of the U.S.

Water still oozed from the ground where Lamont and Hurlburt addressed reporters with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, state lawmakers, representatives of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Small Business Administration and agriculture advocates.

For the second time in three months, they were outlining plans for seeking federal relief, as well as offering state grants available to plan for how to make communities more resilient to climate change. Hurlburt said he has yet to get through a growing season without coordinating an application for federal agricultural assistance due to weather losses.

The untimely frost in May caused estimated losses of $8.45 million, with 1,077 impacted acres of crops including apples, peaches, grapes, blueberries, strawberries and Christmas trees, as well as honeybee queens. Hurlburt said his back of the envelope estimate is that the recent flooding affected about 2,000 acres, double the the frost losses.

Agriculture generates $4 billion annually for the Connecticut economy and employs 22,000, mostly at small farms like the one Lamont visited Monday, Hurlburt said.

Killam & Bassette Farmstead is off Water Road, the scenic byway that leads to the river and Americas oldest continuously operated ferry. Closed until the flooding subsides, the ferry normally offers a four-minute ride connecting Glastonbury with historic farm lands in Rocky Hill and Wethersfield.

Most of the recent agricultural damage came in the Connecticut River Valley, where centuries of flooding have deposited silt, replenishing the land. As floodplain, the land survives for agriculture without pressures from commercial or residential development. Much of it lies in the busy I-91 corridor.

Larson lives in the northern end of East Hartford, a densely settled community best known as home of an industrial giant, Pratt & Whitney. But his neighbor is D.J. Burnham, the latest generation of farmers to till about 200 acres of land, mostly on floodplain across the town line in South Windsor.

His family has been farming the same piece of property along the Connecticut River since the 1640s, Larson said. They lost more than 160 acres to flooding. I can see it outside of my window, where Ive been their neighbor for 44 years.

Burnham said the historical cycles of flooding left land that is free of rocks and dense with clay that holds groundwater in the dry times. When the weather cooperates, its great farmland, Burnham said.

Billy Collins, whose family farms Fair Weather Acres across the river in Rocky Hill, was less sanguine about the benefits of farming a floodplain. He attended the press conference with before-and-after pictures of a field rich with green beans two weeks ago and now a little more than mud.

One of his fields lays in a bend of the river, surrounded on three sides. It all was under water in recent days, making the river more enemy than ally.

It takes away more than it gives, Collins said. We lose soil to erosion. Now we lose crops.

While plenty of rain fell directly on their farms over the weekend, the river rose earlier. Upstream rains swelled a river that drains a watershed of 11,250 square miles in Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut on its way to Long Island Sound.

Burnham said there is neither time nor money to plant a new crop of sweet corn, a crop that typically ripens and produces cash from the Fourth of July until Labor day.

This story originally appeared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, www.ctmirror.org.
Wesleyan University announced Wednesday that the institution will end legacy admissions  a decision that comes nearly three weeks after the Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admissions were unconstitutional.

In a posted statement, University President Michael Roth said an applicants family connections have played a negligible role in admissions for years. Four percent of the 2,280 admitted students in the Class of 2027 have a Wesleyan parent, the school reported on its website.

The university has reported about 7% or 8% of first year students have been children of alumni over the previous five years.

An applicants connection to a Wesleyan graduate indicates little about that applicants ability to succeed at the University, meaning that legacy status has played a negligible role in our admission process for many years, Roth wrote on the universitys blog. Nevertheless, in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding affirmative action, we believe it important to formally end admission preference for legacy applicants. We still value the ongoing relationships that come from multi-generational Wesleyan attendance, but there will be no bump in the selection process.

Roth added that the university has never fixated on a checked box indicating a students racial identification or family affiliations, and that the higher education institution vows to continue to improve its diversity, improve its scholarship efforts to make the school more financially feasible and expand its community-based organizations.

As a highly selective university, Wesleyan University seeks exceptional students from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances who will thrive in and enrich the Wesleyan community, Roth said.

Wesleyan enrolls about 3,000 full-time undergraduates, with 32% of its student body identifying as students of color. The universitys acceptance rate is around 19%.

Since the Supreme Courts decision in late June, universities and colleges across Connecticut have vowed to protect diversity and opportunities for students of color.

At the time of the decision, Roth and Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez, vice president and dean of admission and financial aid, said they were determined to create a diverse community, and our admission and financial aid teams have been preparing over the last several months to craft policies that will do that.

At UConn, Vern Granger, director of undergraduate admissions, has said his department has considered race and ethnicity as one of many factors in their applications process, though he noted that race is not the sole determinant. He said UConn will adhere to the law, but added that he will keep holding conversations with students and others, as he has throughout the year, to help minimize any effects from the courts decision.

The university does not have a legacy admissions process.

Yale University President Peter Salovey also said last month that he strongly disagreed with the courts ruling but noted that Yale will comply with the law. Salovey said university leaders would review all of their admissions policies and that Yale Law School will hold a panel discussion among legal experts for students and staff in September to talk about the ramifications of the ruling.

University officials werent immediately available for comment Wednesday on the institutions legacy admissions.

Yale has reported a 12% legacy affiliation for its Class of 2023 and a 14% legacy affiliation for the Class of 2025.

This story originally appeared at ctmirror.org, the website of The Connecticut Mirror.
In the early scenes of Oppenheimer, J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), an American physics student attending graduate school in England and Germany in the 1920s, with bright blue marble eyes and a curly wedge of hair that stands up like Charlie Chaplins, keeps having visions of particles and waves. We see the images that are disrupting his mind, the particles pulsating, the waves aglow in vibratory bands of light. Oppenheimer can see the brave new world of quantum physics, and the visual razzmatazz is exactly the sort of thing youd expect from a biopic written and directed by Christopher Nolan: a molecular light show as a reflection of the heros inner spirit.

But even when Oppenheimer settles down into a more realistic, less phantasmagorical groove (which it does fairly quickly), it remains every inch a Nolan film. You feel that in the heady, dense, dizzying way it slices and dices chronology, psychodrama, scientific inquiry, political backstabbing, and history written with lightning  no mere metaphor in this case, since the movie, which tells the story of the man who created the atomic bomb, feels almost like its about the invention of lightning.

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Cillian Murphy, with a thousand-yard beam, the half-smile of an intellectual rake, and a way of keeping everything close to the vest, gives a phenomenal performance as Oppenheimer, making him fascinating and multi-layered. His Oppie is an elegant mandarin whos also a bit snakelike  at once a cold prodigy and an ardent humanist, an aristocrat and a womanizer, a Jewish outsider who becomes a consummate insider, and a man who oversees the invention of nuclear weapons without a shred of doubt or compunction, only to confront the world he created from behind a defensive shield of guilt thats a lot less self-aware.

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Murphy, wearing Oppenheimers trademark wide-brimmed porkpie hat (or sometimes wearing nothing at all, a shock because were not used to seeing a science geek portrayed with this kind of sensuality), is at the center of almost every scene, and he imprints himself on your imagination. The movie needs that, because Oppenheimer is a relentless, coruscating piece of maximalist cinema that you watch on the edge of your brain. Nuclear fission means the release of energy that happens when the nucleus of an atom is split, and Nolan has conceived Oppenheimer as an act of cinematic fission. He fragments the story into parts that keep colliding, immersing us in the heat and energy that all gives off. Its a style that owes a major debt to Oliver Stones Nixon, though that movie was a masterpiece. This one is urgent and essential, but in a less fully realized way.

The film opens with a flash forward to the 1954 hearing of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission that ultimately resulted in Oppenheimer, accused (among other things) of having hidden Communist ties, being stripped of his security clearance. This was the governments way of silencing him, since in the postwar world hed become something of a dove on the issue of nuclear weapons, a view that didnt mesh with Americas Cold War stance of aggression. The hearing was the darkest chapter of Oppenheimers life, and using it as a framing device feels, at first, like a very standard thing to do.

Except that the film keeps returning to the hearing, weaving it deep into the fabric of its three-hour running time. Lewis Strauss, played with a captivating bureaucratic terseness by Robert Downey Jr., is the A.E.C. chairman who became Oppenheimers ideological and personal enemy (after Oppenheimer humiliated him during a congressional testimonial), and hes the secret force behind the hearing, which takes place in a back room hidden away from the press. As Oppenheimer defends himself in front of a committee of hanging judges, the movie uses his anecdotes to flash back in time, and Nolan creates a hypnotic multi-tiered storytelling structure, using it to tease out the hidden continuities that shaped Oppenheimers life and his creation of the bomb.

We see how the Cold War really started before World War II was over  it was always there, shaping the rapt paranoia of atom-bomb politics. We see that Oppenheimer the ruthless nuclear zealot and Oppenheimer the mystic idealist were one and the same. And we see that the race to complete the Manhattan Project, rooted in the makeshift creation of a small desert city that Oppenheimer presides over in Los Alamos, New Mexico, meant that the momentum of the nuclear age was already taking on a life of its own.

In the 30s, Oppenheimer, already a legend in his own mind, brings quantum mechanics to the U.S., even as his field of passion encompasses Picasso, Freud, and Marx, not to mention the absorbing of half a dozen languages (from Dutch to Sanskrit), all to soak up the revolutionary energy field thats sweeping the world, influencing everything from physics to workers liberation. Oppenheimer isnt a Communist, but hes a devoted leftist with many Communists in his life, from his brother and sister-and-law to his doleful bohemian mistress, Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). What really makes his eyes go bright is when the atom gets split by two German scientists, in 1938. He at first insists its not possible, but then his colleagues at Berkeley, led by Ernest Lawrence (Josh Hartnett), demonstrate that it is, and he realizes in an instant where all this points: to the possibility of a bomb.

By the time Hitler attacks Poland, in 1939, it seems like the Nazis might seriously be able to create their own nuclear weapon, which in Oppenheimers view means the potential end of Western Civilization. It takes a while for him to earn the trust that gets him invited into the Manhattan Project. But once he does, General Leslie R. Groves (Matt Damon), heading up the top-secret endeavor, appoints Oppenheimer to be its leader, and Murphy and Damon have the first of several terrific scenes together. It would be hard to imagine a scientist more worldly, or a hard-ass general more grudgingly in tune with the academic mind.

Oppenheimer has a mesmerizing first half, encompassing everything from Oppenheimers mysterious Princeton encounter with Albert Einstein (Tom Conti) to his far from utopian marriage to the alcoholic Kitty (played with scalding force by Emily Blunt). Just about everything we see is stunning in its accuracy. Oppenheimer isnt a movie that traffics in composite characters or audience-friendly arcs; Nolan channels the grain of reality, the fervor and detail of what really happened. And the buildup to the creation of the first atomic bomb just about ticks with cosmic suspense. There are Soviet spies at Los Alamos, as well as a sinister comic grace note: the possibility (a little more than zero) that the chain reaction begun by the nuclear explosion could spread to the earths atmosphere and never stop, an apocalypse that theoretical physics cant totally rule out.

But the big bang itself, when it finally arrives, as the bomb is tested in the wee hours of that fateful day code-named Trinity, is, I have to say, a letdown. Nolan shows it impressionistically  the sound cutting out, images of what look like radioactive hellfire. But the terrifying awesomeness, the nightmare bigness of it all, does not come across. Nor does it evoke the descriptions of witnesses who say that the blast was streaked with purple and gray and was many times brighter than the noonday sun.

And once Oppenheimer shoots past that nuclear climax, a certain humming intensity leaks out of the movie. Were still at the damn A.E.C. hearing (after two hours), and the film turns into a woeful meditation on what the bomb meant, whether it should have been dropped, our rivalry with the Soviets, and how Oppenheimer figured into all of that, including his relegation to the status of defrocked Cold War scapegoat. What happened to Oppenheimer, at the height of the McCarthy era, was nothing less than egregious (though its relevant that he was never officially convicted of disloyalty). At the same time, there are scenes in which characters take him to task for his vanity, for making the bomb all about him. In one of them, hes dressed down by no less than President Harry Truman (an unbilled Gary Oldman). Is Truman right?

The most radically authentic line in the movie may be the one where Oppenheimer, just after the Nazis have been defeated, explains to a room full of young Los Alamos scientists why he feels its still justifiable to use the bomb on Japan. We all know the dogmatic lesson we learned in high school: that dropping those bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war and saved the lives of countless U.S. soldiers. From the age of 15, Ive never bought the rationale of that argument. But I buy what Oppenheimer says here: that by using a nuclear weapon, we would create a horrific demonstration of why it could never, ever be used again. (Its not that thats a justification. Its that its an explanation of why it happened.)

But the Oppenheimer who then goes on to fight the invention of the more powerful hydrogen bomb, as if it were some utterly different weapon from the one he created, and who is desperate to rein in the existence of nuclear weapons in general, is the spokesman the film ends with. And in a way, for all his crusading fervor, hes the wrong messenger. Oppenheimer, of course, had every right to be haunted by the weapon hed created. But he also possessed a kind of masochistic naivete, forgetting the key lesson of the revolution he was at the center of: that human beings will always be at the mercy of what science makes possible. Oppenheimer tacks on a trendy doomsday message about how the world was destroyed by nuclear weapons. But if Oppenheimer, in his way, made the bomb all about him, by that point its Nolan and his movie who are doing the same thing.

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Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom comes, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

I started this weeks piece with the customary benediction, and I ask the Lord to keep us from doing anything bad because some of the things we do are so extraordinary, it appears that students are the most tempting people in the world.

However, anything we do in the name of freedom will work against us. Death is the result. Unfortunately, people in their 50s and older are burying our generation.

For the reason that we are merely careless and overexcited.

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I think some of us are abusing this bible verse in Ecclesiastes 11:9-10. Young people, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your hearts desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do.

Dont forget to read the last part of this verse.

It should be known that academic freedom is essential for universities to fulfil their core scholarly mission.

Moreover, it is a precious privilege reserved for the very few. Those of us who have it should defend it, nurture it, and use it with care and seriousness. Yet, academia abounds with accounts of members invoking the phrase academic freedom in ways that are selfish and frivolous.

Following the privileges given to university and college students, students have used those privileges to practice immoral acts that are forbidden and condemned in our African communities and even considered illegal by the law.

Unlike secondary and primary schools where association with the opposite gender is limited and minimised, association in universities and colleges is highly considered right.

Imagine a parent warns her daughter before reporting to school, on the first day of admission she gets a partner and at that moment she violates all the advice given by the parent.

But I have a question, where is the advice we are getting?

Is it falling on deaf ears? I dont know. But do we have hope for the future as a young generation? Certainly not, because we just dont care about ourselves.

It is said, people perish due to lack of knowledge but dont we have knowledge?

I doubt that, we are just not thinking and we should be thinking.

Fellow students, we should be ashamed of ourselves.

What caught my attention, a few days ago, was the trending news that 47 percent of University of Zimbabwe students are HIV positive. Whether its new or old, I dont have a problem with that but we should just be ashamed of ourselves.

For claritys sake, the circulating statistics were recorded in 2016 and they were circulated after a recent study by the Health Research Unit Zimbabwe found that, at least, 20 percent of youths tested positive for xually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

The research conducted between 2020 and 2022, tested young people for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis in 16 communities including Harare, Bulawayo, and Mashonaland East provinces.

The study also found out that one in five young people, aged 18 to 24 years, tested positive for at least one of the three treatable STIs.

And the stats provoked social media, they opened our eyes and minds that students are horrible.

Without dismissing the 47 percent statistics, if we were to conduct some tests on students at the universities right now, we can get the sh0ck of our lives.

We are just horrible!

The 2016 statistics that half of the University of Zimbabwe students who underwent voluntary HIV testing were positive, its a revelation that forced the institution to limit inter-residence visits between male and female students.

I once wrote something about students cohabiting at the campuses, something which I discouraged. All these reports emerged due to students reckless xul behaviour and Midlands State University was also singled out as the major driver of the HIV prevalence rate from 20 percent in 2014 to 23 percent in 2015.

The grim statistics of xully transmitted diseases within the institutions also forced the authorities to be strict. No one would want to promote pr0miscuity by allowing students to enjoy mrried lifestyles by staying with their girlfrinds in the halls of residence.

While I can acknowledge that this is an adult institution, I dont think its good news for us to encourage the cohbittion of male and female students.

Sadly, the results still come, rina manyaga hariputirwe.

Fellow students, we have turned colleges and universities into Sodom and Gomorrah.

Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities mentioned in the Bible to have notoriously sinned against God. They were destroyed for their sins (Genesis 19:24).

The two cities on earth that are Sodom and Gomorrah are universities and colleges.

If you are a parent, and your daughter or son is in university then make sure you visit him/her. If your son is calling daily, weekly or monthly asking for money that you are not sure if needed, then there is something you need to know. If your daughter is quiet in college, she doesnt ask for any pocket money, and has no authentic income of her own, you might want to just check if she has a sponsor.

University and college students are usually known to l0ve enjoyment and if you know that, wont your son be part of these lifestyles?

I once recommended that students also make time for prayers. There is power in prayer.

Let us repent and turn away from our wickedness so that we escape this end time of eternal torment on fire. The belief that getting a job as a graduate is kind of easier when you have your certificate than being illiterate, makes almost all the parents send their children to college both the rich and poor parents.

But instead of going to college, studying hard, graduating with flying colours, and getting a good job to repay the trust their parents have in them, some engage in something else while there. One of the things these students do is live as a c0uple while at college. A lot of good fortunes have been aborted, glory wasted by students all in the name of academic freedom.

We need to stop these acts and save a generation.

May God forgive all our trespasses.

 HMetro

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Mycrane, the global online platform for the efficient online rental of lifting equipment, said it has secured a multi-million-dollar sum to fund the next phase of its ambitious growth plans.

Established in 2021, Mycrane is designed for contractors and clients in a variety of industries who can quickly and easily rent the lifting equipment they need.

The free, easy-to-use online service negates the need to invest time and energy making offline contact with numerous potential suppliers.

According to Mycrane founder and CEO Andrei Geikalo, the substantial financial injection will fund expansion in critical global markets including the US and Saudi Arabia, where the company will establish its own operations.

The Dubai-based digital disruptor for cranes and construction sector raised the finance from private investors as part of a Series A funding round.

The capital will also be deployed to accelerate sales and marketing activities around the world, as well as boosting operations in APAC and South Asia, where Mycrane is already active.

In just 18 months, Mycrane has already launched its service in key global markets, with technical development, sales and marketing all performed in-house, it added.

Geikalo said: "The trust placed in us by our investors will power the next phase of Mycranes growth in the coming 18 months. It is an endorsement of our vision to improve the crane rental procurement process, which was outdated and flawed prior to our launch."

"This Series A funding marks a milestone in the Mycrane story. It will help bring our service to more global markets and allow us to keep innovating for the cranes and construction sector," he stated.

Mycrane currently has more than 3,000 registered customers, and more than 15,000 cranes available to hire at the platform.-TradeArabia News Service
Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via REUTERS

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin shared a video Wednesday that appears to show him in Belarus.

Prigozhin told the assembled mercenaries to prepare for future deployments.

"It's not the end, it's just the beginning," he assured them.

Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to be back in Belarus. The boss of the famed Wagner mercenary group posted a video on Wednesday  seemingly from the group's new base camp in exile  in which he promises his fighters that more deployments are coming.

But maybe not in Ukraine, at least anytime soon.

"Right now, what is happening on the front is a disgrace that we don't need to get involved with," Prigozhin said in the nearly six-minute video, shared on his personal Telegram channel. Instead, Wagner forces will "stay here in Belarus for some time," Prigozhin said in the darkly lit video, tents visible in the background, where the men will defend the country "in the event that it becomes necessary."

Following Prigozhin's aborted mutiny last month, in which he accused Russia's military leaders of bungling and lying about the war in Ukraine, Wagner fighters were supposed to relocate to a training camp in neighboring Belarus under a deal negotiated by the country's president, Alexandr Lukashenko. Photos of the makeshift camp showed it could house thousands of soldiers. Last week, Belarus' defense ministry announced that the men had begun training the country's territorial defense units.

In recent weeks, however, the Wagner boss had himself been spotted inside Russia. The Kremlin even confirmed that he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin just days after calling off his rebellion.

The video posted Wednesday appears to confirm that Prigozhin is now with his men in Belarus, his remarks also appearing to confirm their short-term mission.

But Prigozhin also hinted at bigger things to come, outside Belarus. While seeking to assure his mercenaries that they are beloved by the Belarusian people, claiming that local women are even said to be "buzzing with lust," Prigozhin also told them to prepare for future deployments abroad, including a "new journey to Africa."

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"And perhaps we will return at a time when we are confidant that we will not be forced to shame ourselves," he added, appearing to refer to Ukraine.

In recent years, Wagner mercenaries have deployed to Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic, where they have been accused of terrorizing local populations as they combat insurgent groups. These deployments have been seen as extending the Russian government's influence in the region and are one reason many believe Putin is loath to dismantle the Wagner Group, despite its participation in what he termed an act of treason.

Prigozhin, in the video posted Wednesday, suggested Wagner's mission is far from over.

"It's not the end, it's just the beginning," he said. "The biggest job in the world [is] coming up very soon," he continued, adding: "We'll definitely be traveling all over the world."

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Clayton Dalton, a writer in New Mexico, where he works as an emergency physician. Originally published at Undark.

When President Biden said last fall that the pandemic is over, some people applauded what they saw as an honest appraisal, while others pointed out that hundreds of people were dying from Covid-19 every day in the United States. Americans are still dying from Covid-19. And yet life now resembles the pre-Covid times more than at any point since the start of the pandemic. Restaurants are crowded. Masks are scarce. Vaccines and medications have proven safe and effective. The World Health Organization has determined that Covid is no longer a public health emergency.

What seems clear is that we have crossed a threshold: The acute, collective crisis of the first years of the pandemic has ebbed. Now may be a moment to look back on what weve just been through, and try to make some sense of it.

What have we just been through? The dislocation and destruction wrought by the pandemic have touched every aspect of life, everywhere. Millions of people died. Millions more lost their loved ones, their livelihoods, their health. All of us endured years of isolation, fear, and uncertainty. At the emergency room where I work, I saw patients younger than me succumb to the virus. I saw patients die for lack of a hospital bed or ventilator.

The impact of the pandemic seems almost too vast to be reckoned with. But some experts suggest that the essence and consequences of what weve endured can be captured with a single concept: trauma.

The scale of this outbreak as a traumatic event is almost beyond comprehension, Yuval Neria, a professor of psychology at Columbia University, told CNBC in 2020. That same year, researchers writing in Nature Human Behavior described the pandemic as part of a cascade of collective traumas, and psychologists from New York University argued that the Covid-19 pandemic can and should be viewed from the perspective of trauma.

Were we all, to some degree, traumatized by the pandemic? If so, can an understanding of trauma suggest a path toward healing?

To decide whether the pandemic was a collective trauma, we should first define trauma. In its original Greek usage, trauma was physical  a wound to the body. The idea of psychological trauma, whereby experience alone could produce durable harm to the mind, wasnt proposed until the 1850s, when a French physician argued that adverse experiences in childhood were associated with mental illness. In 1889, psychologist Pierre Janet described a consistent triad of symptoms that occurred after traumatic experiences: dissociation, reexperiencing, and hyperarousal  similar to the symptoms we now recognize as post-traumatic stress disorder. Trauma, he thought, resulted from an inability to integrate the experience into our narrative of ourselves, to give it meaning.

When PTSD entered the lexicon of psychiatry in the 1980s, the field had moved away from the conceptual world of Janet. A new biological materialism, focused more on the brain than on the mind, was ascendant. Researchers hunted for physical or structural abnormalities in the brain that might explain the disorder, and perhaps lead to a drug that could treat it. But their efforts didnt produce a pharmaceutical cure. Although a number of drugs are prescribed to treat PTSD, their efficacy is limited.

As researchers continued investigating trauma, more questions emerged. For instance: What constitutes a traumatic event? In 1980, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, a guiding text for psychiatric practice, defined it as anything evoking significant symptoms of distress in almost everyone. In 1994, this definition was revised to be more specific and objective: Traumatic events threatened death or serious injury, causing intense fear or helplessness. In 2013, the DSM definition was amended to include sexual violence alongside death and injury, and to allow that PTSD could result from simply learning about such an event.

The DSM appeared to be wrestling with two opposing forces. On the one hand, it seemed important to exclude minor adversity from definitions of trauma, lest common tribulations be pathologized. But on the other, there was recognition that post-traumatic symptoms did sometimes occur following a broader, more protean spectrum of exposures.

Some evidence suggests that the spectrum of symptoms may also be broader than those defined in the DSM. In the 1990s, a physician named Vincent Felitti partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to undertake the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, which surveyed 17,421 adult patients and tracked their health over time. The results were startling. Each patient was asked about eight categories of childhood adversity  physical abuse, for instance, or parental divorce. Only a third reported that theyd had no adverse experiences as children. People who had been exposed to four or more categories of adversity were seven times more likely than those with no exposure to develop alcoholism. Those who had been exposed to six or more categories were two times more likely to develop cancer, four times more likely to develop emphysema, 46 times more likely to use IV drugs, and 51 times more likely to attempt suicide than those who hadnt suffered adverse experiences. In his 2015 book The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk cites Felitti in saying that practitioners may be treating today experiences that happened fifty years ago.

Paul Conti, a psychiatrist and author of Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic, told me that from his perspective, the definition of trauma can be simple: We can just ask the question, Conti said, is this person different after something traumatic?

Are we ourselves different, after having endured a global pandemic? Of course we are. In the E.R. these past three years, Ive seen more substance abuse, more domestic violence, more anxiety. Painful things change us, sometimes in normal and healthy ways. Such are the raw materials of life, writes David J. Morris in The Evil Hours: A Biography of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. We are our scars.

But is this trauma?

In his book The Trouble with Trauma, Tulane University psychiatrist Michael Scheeringa argues that such a formulation of trauma is so pliant as to allow almost any experience to be deemed traumatic. He worries that applying the lens of trauma indiscriminately serves only to pathologize normal experiences.

Is Scheeringa right? And if we believe he is, could we be enduring not trauma but just the difficult human consequences of a global cataclysm? Is there a difference?

Part of the reason trauma remains such a mystery may be because the concept doesnt fit our usual models of disease. Medicine favors objectivity. (Does the scan show pneumonia or not?) But we cant actually touch the stuff of mental illness. Advanced brain imaging and other technologies may further our understanding of trauma, but they have so far not furnished all secrets. The truth seems to be that trauma is inescapably subjective, and medicine struggles with this.

In 2018, researchers discovered something surprising. They compared rates of PTSD across 24 countries against an index of vulnerability to traumatic events. They expected to find that more vulnerable countries would have higher rates of PTSD, but instead they found the opposite: Countries with higher vulnerability had less PTSD. Some have criticized their methods, but the authors stand by them. Although they note their study has limitations, they hypothesize that PTSD may be a product not just of a life-threatening event itself, but of the degree to which it collides with our expectations. In other words, trauma is the product not only of our subjective experience of an event, but of its interplay with our understanding of the world itself, and of our place in it. Every trauma, then, may be perfectly unique  a product of the infinite variegation of each individual, their worldview, the context of their life, and the traumatic circumstance itself. How could we ever hope to standardize and codify such a multifaceted, multiplicitous thing?

Perhaps what we now need most, as the exigency of the pandemic ebbs and many of us reach for normalcy, is an understanding of how to integrate this experience into the narrative of ourselves, as Janet argued more than a century ago. Judith L. Herman, a prominent trauma researcher, has written that a trauma survivor must be the author and arbiter of her own recovery. How will we author our collective and individual recoveries from the calamity of the pandemic? Can we be better from it? Will we recognize and begin to rectify the structural inequities which the virus so effectively exploited? Will we see the importance of collective, concerted action against truly global problems?

Im sympathetic to the idea that traumatic experience can cause real, persistent harm, in elusive and enigmatic ways. I recognize that a world of traumatic dark matter exists out there, the extent of which I can never fully know, exerting its gravity on the lives of my patients.

I suspect that I will never be able to definitively diagnose who among my patients has been traumatized, and who has not. I have no scan, no test, to guide me. But knowing that I cannot know creates space for humility, and empathy. Instead of dispensing a diagnosis, I might be better off asking them: What has the pandemic meant to you?
Follow @momo_slider and @novoguitars on Instagram for more

Editors note: In our occasional series we call Gearing Up, we profile some of the people around town who make, repair or sell the instruments and other equipment that musicians use.

Its only been a few years since Mariah Schneider built her first guitar, but youd never know it. A Nashvillian by way of Germany, she began her professional lutherie career at Novo Guitars less than a year ago. Still, Schneider has hit milestones at breakneck speed, recently marking her 100th guitar assembly. One build she worked on went to My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero.

Schneider might be new to the craft, but she and guitars go way back. Fascinated with her grandfathers woodwork, she developed an interest in building guitars before she learned how to play one.

I think even as a kid I was like, Yeah, he can just build me a guitar, right? Schneider tells the Scene. You should have to kind of cut out the shape and put a string on there, I guess!

She began playing around age 12, with lessons from a guitar teacher who made sure to show her how to care for and maintain the instrument as she learned to play it. In 2013, she moved to Tennessee from Germany with her family, attending Nashville School of the Arts and later Middle Tennessee State University. She also formed her own rock band, Slider, which has been active in the Nashville music scene since the mid-2010s and released its first album Gravity Waves in 2019.

But it wasnt until after COVID lockdown that Schneider built her first instrument. One of her friends invited her to join in on a trial run of a guitar-building workshop, and within a few weeks, Schneider had finished her first guitar. Along with mentorship from other friends  including one who is a tech at Guitar Center and another who works for Fender  Schneider taught herself the fine art of turning a pile of parts into an instrument thats ready to sing, hum, growl or anything else a player could ask of it.

At the same time, she was busy touring the world, playing guitar in Julien Bakers band during the album cycle for Bakers 2021 record Little Oblivions (which included The Wild Hearts Tours stop at the Ryman in July 2022). As Bakers tour came to a close late last year, Schneider began to consider what to do next. She reached out to a friend who worked as the production manager at Novo, a firm launched in 2014 by longtime boutique luthier Dennis Fano, who moved his production facility to Nashville circa 2018. Schneider asked about what it was like to work there, and expressed interest in joining the team if an opening ever came up. A few months later, thats exactly what happened, and Schneider describes what happened next as a dream.

I interviewed on Tuesday and had rehearsals Wednesday, Thursday, she says. On Thursday, found out I got the job and I would be starting the next Monday. So I rehearsed Thursday, we drove to Atlanta to play our last show of the year on Friday, came back Saturday, and I started my new job at Novo Monday. And there I was, in final assembly.

Since the fall, Schneider has spent her work weeks putting together a fair share of Novos guitars. As one of two employees working in final assembly, she gathers custom-machined necks and bodies, electronics and other hardware for each instrument  which in most cases have been painted, finished and distressed to each customers specification  and turns them into a resonant, responsive instrument thats thoroughly set up and ready to rock.

In her precious spare time, Schneider is always looking for ways to give back to the communities that have given to her. In an industry dominated by men  often older, straight white men at that  Schneider credits much of her success to female and queer friends who eagerly shared their knowledge and expertise.

Inspired by her friends, other content creators and her own success sharing videos of her work on wiring up effects-pedal boards on Instagram, Schneiders next goal is to create guitar- and board-building content with a group of queer friends. Shes eager to give others a chance to learn more about topics they are passionate about from people whose experiences reflect their own.

Schneider isnt going to let making music fall by the wayside either. In the near future, shes got a few shows with femme-centered Foo Fighters tribute band Fingernails Are Pretty. And theres more to come from Slider: a new album, new shows and even a new band member.

Without the queer music scene, I actually wouldnt know my friend who works at Fender. So I think absolutely, thats just brought me so much joy  whether I just hang out with friends on the side or I actually actively play music.
The United Kingdom and the United States have long enjoyed a special relationship  a phrase first coined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1946 to describe the strong cultural, political and military ties between the two countries based on their shared history. The US Special Forces recently got a chance to deepen that relationship by training with UK Royal Marines in Germany.

UK Royal Marines from 45 Commando and US Army Green Berets from 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) during a training mission at Grafenwohr Training Area in Germany. (US Navy photo by LT Rob Kunzig)

During the training, Green Berets from US Army 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) teamed up with Royal Marines from the United Kingdoms 45 Commando unit for two weeks at Grafenwohr Training Area in southern Germany. They focused on the art of direct action raids, using speed, stealth and surprise to overcome the opposing force. By day, they planned and rehearsed missions at secluded barracks tucked into a corner of the training grounds. When the sun set, they checked their weapons, strapped on their gear and mounted up in M1288 GMV 1.1s, a light utility vehicle bristling with mounted weapons.

While the missions varied night by night, they were all designed to test the ability of the Green Berets and the Royal Marine Commandos to work together under pressure. The Green Berets pride themselves as being masters of the basics, but when youre fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with soldiers from another country, tiny differences in tactics and techniques can create friction.

Finding and solving these problems during training exercises means that, should a crisis occur, the Green Berets and Royal Marines will be able to seamlessly fight side-by-side.

Early on, we figured out that they were a high-calibre fighting force, said the Green Beret Master Sergeant running the training (who, like most Special Forces operators, remains anonymous for security purposes). Theyre highly motivated, tactically sound and theyre in great shape.

A UK Royal Marine mans an M2 .50 calibre machine gun on top of an M1288 GMV 1.1 light utility vehicle during a live-fire exercise at Grafenwohr Training Area in Germany. (US Navy photo by LT Rob Kunzig)

The exercise was just the latest in a string of training engagements designed to help the two forces build off each others strengths. In 2022, the Royal Marines hosted the Green Berets in the rugged hills of Scotland, where the Americans endured the countrys famously foul weather while learning from the Marines mountain warfare experts. Later, the Green Berets joined the Royal Marines in Bardufoss, Norway, where the Marines have honed their Arctic warfare skills for decades, developing tactics that allow them to thrive in the lethal conditions of the High North.

The UK and US troops not only train on the territory of other NATO Allies like Germany and Norway, but exercise with their Special Forces as well. These trainings, whether bilateral or involving multiple countries, teach NATO Allies and partners how to work together and allow them to learn from each other. Special Forces are an important asset for NATO, particularly because they can be deployed to solve specific problems in situations requiring clandestine (and potentially high-risk) operations.

In Germany, it was the Green Berets turn to put the Royal Marines through their paces. Each training mission was followed by an unsparing after-action review, with every aspect of the raid dissected and scrutinised. One Green Beret Master Sergeant reminded the US and UK soldiers that disciplined use of infrared lasers and flashlights would be important in actions against an adversary equipped with night vision optics. The Royal Marines took the critique to heart, and during the following mission, they were able to sneak into the target buildings undetected.

Theres an attitude of relentless self-improvement throughout their service, the US Master Sergeant said.

UK Royal Marines and US Green Berets lock and load their weapons before moving out on a training mission at Grafenwohr Training Area in Germany. (US Navy photo by LT Rob Kunzig)

For the Royal Marines, direct action raids are a foundational part of their heritage. Established during the Second World War, the Commando groups pioneered the use of small units to strike targets deep behind enemy lines. The Commandos were so effective that in 1942, the Nazi high command issued the Commando Order, which mandated immediate execution for every commando captured.

Now, the Royal Marines are trying to shape their force into something resembling these daring teams. Through an intensive modernisation effort called the Future Commando Force, the Marines are transforming their Commando units into small, technologically advanced, operationally agile forces that can conduct Special Operations alongside their NATO peers.

Were kind of moving back to our origin, said the Captain who led the Royal Marine detachment at Grafenwohr. Its not about small teams taking on large enemies. Its about small teams wreaking havoc and disruption for the enemy by attacking strategic soft targets.

A US Army Green Beret fires an M240 machine gun during a live-fire exercise with UK Royal Marines at Grafenwohr Training Area in Germany. (US Navy photo by LT Rob Kunzig)

The US Green Berets are ideal partners for this unconventional mission, the Captain said. Though theyve mastered the art of the direct action raid, theyre also able to use cultural savvy to work their way through an increasingly complicated world. For the Marines, its not all about kicking in doors; indeed, the commando force of the future might need to conduct a raid deep behind enemy lines and then use diplomacy and guile to work their way back to friendly territory.

Its not just about brute force and violence of action, the Captain said. This is about intelligence and precision.

Its also about building relationships. At Grafenwohr, the Green Berets and the Royal Marines shared an open-bay barracks that buzzed with banter and friendly ribbing. Every night, they gathered for a Marine tradition called patching  whoever committed the most embarrassing tactical error during the days training had to wear a humorous patch. For one Royal Marine, the patchable offense was banging his rifle against a metal handrail in a pitch-black house; for a US Special Forces soldier, it was failing to hurdle a fence in spectacular fashion.

UK Royal Marines and US Green Berets run a tabletop rehearsal before conducting a training mission at Grafenwohr Training Area in Germany. (US Navy photo by LT Rob Kunzig).

Beneath the light mockery, there was an affection forged through weeks of hard work and shared adversity. These are the bonds that, in a time of crisis, could make all the difference.

Working with Americans, theres a confidence in each other that allows us to actually push ourselves, the Captain said. Were genuinely out there growing and learning as a force.
On Thursday, 20 July 2023, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Georgios Gerapetritis, at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

There will be no media opportunity.

Photographs of the meeting will be available on the NATO website after the event.

Contact the NATO Press Office.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress)
Map of Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe, once a leading cocoa producer, consists of two islands of volcanic origin and a number of smaller islets lying off the coast of Africa.

From the late 1400s Portugal began settling convicts on Sao Tome and establishing sugar plantations with the help of slaves from the mainland. The island was also important in the transshipment of slaves.

The colony's aspirations for independence were recognised after the 1974 coup in Portugal and at first the Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe was the country's sole political party. However, the 1990 constitution created a multi-party democracy.

The island of Principe assumed autonomy in 1995.

The country hopes to reduce its dependence on donors and cocoa exports by exploiting offshore oil. It has strong links with Angola, which is a major business partner.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: FACTS

Capital: Sao Tome

Area: 964 sq km

Population: 220,700

Languages: Portuguese, plus Spanish, Forro, Angolar, Principense

Life expectancy: 65 years (men) 70 years (women)

LEADERS

President: Carlos Vila Nova

Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, President of Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome has a tradition of premiers and presidents from opposing camps governing together peacefully.

The president has an arbitrating role in government but no executive powers, leaving the prime minister in the dominant position.

Prime minister: Patrice Emery Trovoada

Sao Tome's prime minister, Patrie Emery Trovoada

Patrice Emery Trovoada has been prime minister since November 2022. He previously served as prime minster during 2008, from 2010-2012 and again from 2014-2018. He is the son of former long-time President Miguel Trovoada.

He has said he wants to "reach the goal" of 40% women in his adminstration.

MEDIA

The Presidency in Sao Tome

Freedom of expression, guaranteed by the constitution, is also respected in practice.

The state runs the only radio and TV stations but no law forbids private broadcasting.

TIMELINE

Some key dates in Sao Tome's history:

1493 - First successful settlement of Sao Tome by Portugal's Alvaro Caminha - the islands were uninhabited before the arrivbal of teh Portuguese.

Story continues

1500 - Principe settled. Attracting settlers to the islands proves difficult, and most of the earliest inhabitants are "undesirables" sent from Portugal, mainly Sephardic Jews including 2,000 Jewish children, to work on the sugar plantations.

16th Century - Islands become an important staging post for slave trade.

1595 - Major slave revolt: some 5,000 slaves raid and destroy plantations, sugar mills, and settlers' houses. 200 slave are killed in three weeks' fighting, the rebel leaders are executed. There are smaller slave rebellions followed in the 17th and 18th Centuries.

1800s - Cocoa and coffee are introduced. Sao Tome develops into one of world's main cocoa producers.

1951 - Becomes overseas province of Portugal.

1960 - Formation of nationalist group which later becomes the socialist oriented Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe (MLSTP).

1974 - Military coup in Portugal. Portuguese government recognises islands' right to independence, acknowledges MLSTP as sole representative in negotiations. Unrest followed by exodus of Portuguese.

1975 - Independence, with Manuel Pinto da Costa (MLSTP) as president; and Miguel Trovoada as prime minister. Plantations nationalised, strong ties built up with communist countries.

1978 - Government announces suppression of coup attempt, brings in Angolan troops for support.

1979 - Trovoada arrested, accused of complicity in coup attempt. He is released and goes into exile in 1981.

1980s - Government scales down links with communist world as economy deteriorates. Declares itself nonaligned, seeks Western support for recovery plans.

1988 - Coup attempt.

1990 - New constitution allows opposition parties, provides for multi-party elections and restricts president to two five-year terms. Trovoada returns from exile.

1991 - First multiparty elections. Renamed MLSTP-PSD loses majority. Transitional government installed, pending presidential elections, subsequently won by independent candidate Trovoada.

1992 - Popular unrest sparked by austerity measures.

1995 - Trovoada toppled and detained in bloodless coup by soldiers but is reinstated within days after pressure from donor countries.

1996 - Trovoada re-elected president. Popular protests over economic hardships.

2002 - President De Menezes announces plans for a US naval base in the country, which would aim to protect Sao Tome's oil interests.

2003 - Military coup topples the government. President De Menezes, in Nigeria at the time, returns to Sao Tome a week later after an agreement is struck with the junta. A general amnesty is given to the coup leaders.

2004 - President De Menezes sacks the prime minister and government after a series of corruption scandals. A new prime minister is sworn in.

2005 - Sao Tome - jointly with Nigeria - signs its first offshore oil exploration and production-sharing agreement with international oil firms.

2007 - World Bank, IMF forgive $360m in debt owed by Sao Tome. This represents about 90% of the country's foreign debt.

Nigeria and Sao Tome agree to establish a joint military commission to protect their common oil interests in the Gulf of Guinea.

2008 - Several high-ranking former government officials, including to ex-prime ministers, appear in court in Sao Tome's largest corruption scandal.

2009 - Government says coup plot foiled. Nigeria and Sao Tome agree to set up a joint maritime military commission to protect offshore oil fields.

2010 - Opposition leader Arlecio Costa, jailed over 2009 coup plot, is pardoned.

2016 - Sao Tome re-establishes diplomatic relations with China after cutting ties with Taiwan.

2022 - Sao Tome says "four citizens" were killed in a gunfight in an attempted coup, which also involved 12 soldiers from South Africa's officially disbanded Buffalo Battalion. One of the dead is Arlecio Costa.

Media reporting of images of what appear to be tortured suspects surrounded by soldiers before and after their deaths sparks outrage and calls for a probe into the killings

2023 - A Sao Tome court dismisses charges against former army chief Olinto Paquete over the 2022 coup attempt, citing a lack of evidence. Paquete was among soldiers charged with torturing and killing the four suspects accused of the failed coup. He resigned shortly afterwards.
Journalists need accreditation to come to NATO Headquarters and attend NATO events. Please see the general eligibility criteria in Annex 1.

Requests for accreditation are made through the accreditation portal.

TYPES OF ACCREDITATION: Annual & Ad Hoc

If you are a journalist and plan to cover NATO on a regular basis, we recommend that you seek annual accreditation. This will facilitate your access to NATO events (including routine events and ministerial meetings at NATO Headquarters), and the media facilities on site.

Ad-hoc accreditation is an option for journalists without annual accreditation who want to come to NATO Headquarters for a specific event, or to cover a NATO event at a different location. This type of accreditation is valid only for an event or limited period, and cannot be extended or renewed.

Regardless of the type of accreditation, journalists must collect their accreditation passes in person. They will need to show an ID card or passport (the same document used for accreditation) and a valid national press pass (or recent assignment letter from a recognised media organisation) to pick up their pass.



Annual accreditation

Annual accreditation is for journalists who cover NATO on a regular basis. To apply for annual accreditation, journalists need to provide:

ID card / Passport from country of origin

Proof of journalistic status, i.e. a reference to that profession in an official document with the journalists name, or a valid press card

A recent letter on headed paper or equivalent, signed by the editor-in-chief or director of the media organisation, stating that this journalist covers NATO as permanent or freelance representative of that media organisation

In addition, freelance journalists need to provide proof of regular and sustained journalistic work.

These documents need to be uploaded in the Accreditation portal when applying for annual accreditation. Without the full set of documents above, your request will not be processed.

Please do not send documents by email or post.

You may be asked to provide additional information to complement your accreditation request, such as proof of publications or details about the media outlet you represent.

What are the advantages of annual accreditation?

Annual accreditation gives media representatives day-to-day access to NATO Headquarters (public facilities, media centre) during normal business hours.

Annual accreditation also gives media representatives access to regular events and ministerial meetings at NATO Headquarters.

Annual accreditation will be renewed automatically for the following year for media representatives who continue to meet the eligibility criteria:

They confirm that they are interested to continue their accreditation (they will be contacted by the NATO Accreditation Office to confirm their interest and update their profile).

They regularly attend NATO events AND

Their profile continues to contain valid documents, such as a valid passport, a recent letter from the editor and proof of journalistic status.

Media representatives should contact NATO Accreditations (at NATOAccreditations@hq.nato.int) in the event of a change in circumstances, such as change in media outlet, job title, outdated press card.

How to request annual accreditation

Create a profile in the NATO accreditation portal: Go to https://my.hq.nato.int/

If you do not have an account, click on "new user" and fill in the form

Log in with your username and password (you can recover your password here)

Attach a copy of your valid passport or national ID

Attach digital identity photograph in JPEG or PDF format

In the relevant field, please add proof of your status as a journalist, i.e. a reference to that profession in an official document with the journalists name, or a valid press card

Attach an official letter from your editor, which includes the editors contact details and a date. The letter should confirm that you work for the media outlet they represent (either full-time or as freelancer), and that you are their designated press representative for regular coverage of NATO's activities.

In addition, freelance journalists need to provide proof of payment for regular and sustained journalistic work. Please attach this in the relevant field.

Procedure

Please note that the approval process of your annual accreditation request may take several weeks.

You will receive an answer by email. If your request is accepted, you will receive instructions on how to collect your NATO annual accreditation pass at the NATO Headquarters Pass Office You will be asked to bring a copy of the confirmation email, your valid press card and your ID/passport.

Please make sure that all documents in support of your accreditation are valid and a letter from the editor is recent, or clearly specifies the duration of your assignment. This will support the renewal of your accreditation.

Note on accreditation decisions

NATO will verify that the individuals applying for or renewing annual accreditation at NATO are media professionals and represent bona fide media organisations.

Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decisions of NATO are final.

NATO reserves the right to deny accreditation or to revoke it even if already confirmed.

NATO cooperates on its accreditation policy with the International Press Association. The IPA can be contacted by media representatives for queries or for more information.

Media accreditation is not given to employees of non-media organisations, such as online publications which do communications outreach or advocacy work.

For any questions, please send an email to NatoAccreditations@hq.nato.int

Ad hoc accreditation

Journalists without annual accreditation can cover NATO events or come to NATO Headquarters to use the media facilities, provided that they apply for and are granted ad-hoc accreditation. It will be valid only for a specific event / dates.

Ministerial meetings abroad, summits and other high-level events will require ad-hoc accreditation, including for holders of annual NATO accreditation.

Late requests for ad-hoc accreditation (made just before an event), as well as requests submitted without all necessary documents, will not be successful.

To request ad-hoc accreditation thats not linked to a particular event, please contact NATOAccreditations@hq.nato.int. Please note that checks may take several days, so submit your request early.

To request ad-hoc accreditation for a specific event at NATO Headquarters:

The NATO Press Service issues a media advisory announcing the event on the NATO Website http://www.nato.int/ (under Event Calendar) Media representatives request accreditation by submitting an application via the NATO accreditation platform, respecting the deadline mentioned in the media advisory. Instructions are provided in Annex 2 To verify if you have duly submitted your application with attachments, please log in to your profile and click on the Event Attendance tab. The event tick box should appear as checked https://my.hq.nato.int/  Login a Homepagea Event Attendance

Please note:

Media representatives are responsible for their registrations. NATO will not verify if a registration has been submitted on behalf of applicants.

Media representatives are responsible for making sure they have provided all the correct documents as part of their application, including a valid ID. Please do not amend ID details after applying for an event. If this is required, please contact NATO Accreditations.

Please note that if you miss the accreditation deadline, or your application is incomplete, your accreditation request will most likely be denied.
US to train Ukrainians to fly nuclear-capable F-16s despite warnings that Russia will see this as a NUCLEAR THREAT

The United States is proceeding with its plan to train Ukrainian pilots how to fly F-16 fighter jets despite the Kremlin's warnings that flying these nuclear-capable combat aircraft over contested airspace constitutes a nuclear threat against Russia

In an interview with Russian media, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the U.S. and its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are at risk of escalating their proxy war in Ukraine to a direct armed clash with Moscow over its decision to equip Ukraine with F-16s. (Related: RIGGED: Members of the British media have already written articles blaming Russia for a dirty bomb attack in Ukraine that hasn't even happened yet.)

"We have informed the nuclear powers  the United States, Britain and France  that Russia cannot ignore the ability of these aircraft to carry nuclear weapons. No amount of assurances will help here," said Lavrov.

"In the course of combat operations, our servicemen are not going to sort out whether each particular aircraft of this type is equipped to deliver nuclear weapons or not," added Lavrov. "We will regard the very fact that the Ukrainian armed forces have such systems as a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere."

This warning comes a little over a month after Lavrov first warned about how the Kremlin can't ignore the fact that F-16s are nuclear-capable fighter jets. They are capable of carrying the American-made B61 nuclear gravity bomb, which Washington stores in several European countries under NATO's nuclear sharing program and could be easily transferred to Ukraine.

"We must keep in mind that one of the modifications of the F-16 can 'accommodate' nuclear weapons," said Lavrov during a speech. "If they [the West] do not understand this, then they are worthless as military strategists and planners."

This comes several months after President Joe Biden gave the green light for European countries to deliver American-made F-16s to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky's long appeal for the jets, claiming their appearance over Ukrainian skies with Ukrainian pilots would be a signal of support from the world of Russia's supposedly inevitable defeat.

Training of Ukrainian pilots to start in August

A coalition of 11 nations have agreed to start training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets in August, with the first series of training courses to be conducted in Denmark while Romania sets up an additional training center.

Denmark and the Netherlands will lead the international effort to train Ukrainians how to pilot, maintain and act as support staff for F-16s "at a basic and technical level," said Danish Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

"It is a major long-term effort and therefore it is crucial that many nations now have joined forces to complete this task," he continued.

"Hopefully we will be able to see results in the beginning of next year," added Poulsen, who noted that it may take between six to eight months, at a minimum, to train F-16 pilots and crew.

In a statement, the Romanian government said its fighter pilot training facility will aim to position the country, which shares a long border with Ukraine, as "a regional leader in the field of F-16 pilot training" and contribute to "improving cohesion, demonstrating unity and strengthening the deterrence and defense posture of the Euro-Atlantic [region]."

The preliminary plan that the U.S. and NATO have come up with is to train 10 to 12 pilots and 30 to 40 support staff at the Skrydstrup Air Base in southern Denmark. The upcoming training center in Romania will be used to sustain all future training efforts.

Along with Denmark, Romania and the Netherlands, the other nations that have agreed to aid in the training of Ukrainian pilots and flight crew include Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Learn the latest news coming out of the conflict in Ukraine at UkraineWitness.com.

Watch this clip from "This Is My Show with Drew Berquist" as host Drew Berquist discusses Russia's warning against the West sending nuclear-capable F-16s to Ukraine.

This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Zelensky accuses Russia of planning "terrorist act" that involves leaking radiation from Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Nuclear-armed nations are expanding and modernizing their nuclear arsenals in anticipation of a potential global power conflict.

Poland does not plan to donate its own F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, but urges other nations to do so.

Joe Biden is preparing to provide US F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine  World War III can't come fast enough for these elites.

FLIRTING WITH DISASTER: Biden clears way for Ukraine to obtain F-16 fighter jets.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

WashingtonTimes.com

Reuters.com

News.AntiWar.com

DSM.ForecastInternational.com

AlJazeera.com

Brighteon.com
British government sounds alarm over alleged spread of new killer virus in Europe

Officials in the United Kingdom are telling their citizens that another lockdown is imminent as they claim that a deadly new virus is sweeping through Europe and will soon reach Britain.

The disease in question, known as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), reportedly kills between 10 to 40 percent of infected people and has been classified as a supposed major threat to public health by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO also pointed out that CCHF only kills around 500 people every year and is mainly transmitted to people who come into close contact with ticks and infected livestock.

But human-to-human transmission of CCHF does occur, and up to three billion people are now reportedly "at risk" as the disease has recently killed people in Namibia in Southern Africa and in Middle Eastern and South Asian nations like Iraq and Pakistan. New cases have also been spotted in the Balkans, and the disease is allegedly making its way through the rest of Europe.

Most human cases in the current outbreak have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians. Human-to-human transmission can occur from close contact via bodily fluids like blood. There is no approved vaccine for CCHF.

Deadly virus guaranteed to defeat all lockdown measures

In a statement before the British Parliament's Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, an expert on infectious diseases and head of the University of Cambridge's Department of Veterinary Medicine, James Woods, warned that CCHF will likely defeat all lockdown measures. (Related: Trained like DOGS: Britons will readily comply with future lockdowns and mask mandates, "Nudge Unit" chief says.)

"It's a kind of 'when' rather than 'if,' I think in all likelihood," he said, referring to the possibility of people getting infected even during lockdowns. "There is a risk of spread given the way that disease is emerging."

Woods emphasized how implementing a lockdown would not be a suitable response to CCHF, noting how the way it spreads is very much unlike COVID-19, which relies on respiratory transmission.

"So even say  I don't want to call them extreme lockdown enthusiasts  but someone who thinks that these measures are very important to impose straightaway, I don't think it would be appropriate as it's not right for this form of infection," he said.

Instead of implementing a lockdown, Woods suggested a variety of other precautionary measures that people in the U.K. can take, such as wearing long clothing when traveling near areas where ticks are prevalent, such as tall grasslands. Furthermore, Woods suggested avoiding coming into contact with animals like sheep and goats, whose ticks can carry CCHF and are therefore at particularly high risk of infection.

"The American Journal" host Harrison Smith of InfoWars noted that the recent fearmongering about another lockdown due to the spread of CCHF has fueled speculation that this new virus is being used as a means to cover up the number of people dying due to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

"Could this be them preparing a new false flag virus to blame all of the deaths since the increase of deaths is becoming undeniable and the vaccine is killing everybody?" he commented. "Maybe they need a new disease to blame it all on."

Watch this clip from the "Daily Dispatch" from InfoWars as host Harrison Smith discusses how Britons are being warned of future lockdowns due to the spread of CCHF.

This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Unrepentant sociopath Matt Hancock says he's "profoundly sorry" for not tyrannizing Brits ENOUGH during COVID.

First COVID-19 lockdown in the UK shortened life expectancy of heart attack patients by NEARLY TWO YEARS.

UK government conspired with Big Tech, AI firms to monitor and censor lockdown critics: REPORT.

UK Lockdown Files show health officials conspiring to "scare the pants off everyone"  "When do we deploy the new variant?"

SMOKING GUN: UK Health Minister's leaked messages reveal Truman Show-like psychological terrorism campaign involving RELEASING variants to maximize fear and lockdown compliance.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

GBNews.com

Express.co.uk
CDC data: Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships reach 10-year high

Norovirus outbreaks spiked on cruise ships this year, with data showing more outbreaks happened between January and June than over the course of any other full calendar year in the last decade, CBS News reported.

The year is just halfway over and yet 13 norovirus outbreaks have been reported on cruises so far in 2023  marking the largest number of norovirus incidents on these vessels in a single year since 2012, according to reports from the Vessel Sanitation Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC reports outbreaks when two percent or more of passengers or crew report symptoms of gastrointestinal illness to the ships medical staff. Vessels are required to report the illness within 15 days of arriving at a U.S. port. The ships also must have more than 100 passengers and sailings between three and 21 days long for an outbreak to be reported.

The confined conditions of a cruise ship  coupled with widely shared food and drink  can spark outbreaks of communicable disease.

What is norovirus?

The norovirus, sometimes referred to as the "stomach bug" or "winter vomiting bug" is a nasty, highly contagious gastrointestinal virus that causes inflammation in the stomach lining and the intestines, according to a 2022 review in the journal Viruses.

The norovirus infection leads to unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, including non-bloody diarrhea, severe stomach pain and vomiting across all age groups. People infected with the virus may also have headaches overall body aches and fevers and are at risk of dehydration.

Norovirus is particularly contagious. It thrives in the closed environment of a cruise ship where the close person-to-person spread is so intense on a cruise ship that once this virus is introduced into that population, it has many, many opportunities to spread, says Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Symptoms typically emerge within 12 to 48 hours of being exposed. Most people get better after a few days, but severe cases may require hospitalization. Studies have shown that norovirus can continue to spread for two weeks or more after an infected person stops having symptoms of the illness, according to the CDC.

In early 2020, the start of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to the grounding of cruise ships worldwide.

The CDC continued to warn against travel on cruise ships for the next several years, during which time there were little to no outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness reported. Finally, in March 2022, the agency lifted its formal travel health notice concerning cruise ships, though outbreaks remained much lower than usual that year.

Return to social norms drives recent outbreaks

Much like other recent spikes in common diseases, the return to social norms, like seafaring vacations, is the major factor behind these outbreaks. Prior to the pandemic, though, there did appear to be some progress made against cruise ship illness.

From 2006 to 2019, the rate of gastrointestinal illness on cruises steadily declined, according to the CDC. (Related: Norovirus cruise: Outbreak sickens passengers and crew on two ships.)

The most recent outbreak hit passengers and crew members on board a Viking Cruises Viking Neptune trip from Iceland that docked in the U.S. on June 20.

More than 100 passengers of 838 in total reported being ill while on board, accounting for 13.1 percent of all vacationers on the ship. Nine crew members reported being ill as well.

Viking Cruises told the Wall Street Journal that the recent outbreak on its ship "originated from a shoreside restaurant in Iceland where a group of guests dined during their free time."

Across the 13 outbreaks among cruises that docked in the U.S., nearly 1,700 passengers reported being ill during their voyages, along with more than 240 crew members.

Those cases in June came after multiple norovirus outbreaks in previous months that affected a range of cruise lines.

In May, two outbreaks were reported on voyages led by Celebrity Cruises and Holland America. In March, Celebrity Cruises reported two norovirus outbreaks, as did Royal Caribbean International and Princess Cruises.

Princess Cruises reported its first outbreak of the year in February, and Royal Caribbean International reported two the previous month. P&O Cruises also reported an outbreak on its Arcadia cruise ship this year.

The CDC's tally of norovirus outbreaks so far confirmed on cruise ships in 2023 is already higher than any annual outbreak tallies since 2012 when the health agency recorded 16 outbreaks.

While norovirus has become synonymous with cruise ships, its a prolific source of gastrointestinal misery everywhere. Its seldom life-threatening, but it does cause upwards of 100,000 hospitalizations and nearly a half million visits to the emergency room in the U.S. alone.

Norovirus is incredibly contagious, even after it stops making people sick. However, these steps can be taken to prevent spreading it to others:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water  using hand sanitizers alone isnt very effective.

Clean and disinfect surfaces with bleach.

Avoid preparing or sharing food when sick.

Cook food safely.

Wash laundry well in hot water.

Visit Outbreak.news for more stories about disease outbreaks.

Watch this news report about SARS-CoV-2's resurgence being compounded by norovirus outbreak.

This video is from the InfoWarsSideBand channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

CBSNews.com

CDC.gov

MDPI.com

WSJ.com

Brighteon.com
Central banks planning to introduce CBDC microchip implants, warns top economist

A well-known German economist has revealed that central banks around the world are planning to introduce central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the form of microchips implanted under the skin . This technology will enable complete government control over personal finances of its citizens.

"I was taught by a central banker [that] the CBDCs look like a small grain of rice that they want to put under your skin," said Richard Werner in an interview with podcaster Ivor Cummins. Werner is known for developing the now commonly used bank practice of quantitative easing.

CBDCs, in comparison to other forms of digital currency used at present, demand that individuals open bank accounts directly with central banks such as the Federal Reserve, granting governments control over citizens' access to money.

"You have to think of CDBCs as a control system [or a permit system], not a currency," Werner said, adding that people's money "would no longer be truly their own." (Related: Expert warns CBDCs could lead economies to a dark path  where governments dictate what you can purchase.)

Werner considers implanted CBDCs a "violation of human dignity," noting that central bankers themselves know that this common opinion among the masses "is a hurdle."

"They say there's a problem of trust because people suspect that governments and central banks are just trying to roll this out in order to monitor and control and restrict transactions. They're absolutely right," said Werner.

Cummins noted that while implanted CBDCs may sound like a conspiracy theory to some, thousands of people have already agreed to have microchips implanted under their skin to ease financial transactions and access to select areas. Late last year, the first British implanted with a bank card microchip was able to make purchases with only the tap of his hand.

Meanwhile, several Christian commentators have indicated that if such technology becomes a requirement for access to goods and services, it will lead to authoritarianism of biblical magnitude.

Central banks will convince people to adopt CBDC microchip implants

According to Werner, CBDCs will be brought in through phone-based apps during the initial phase. "Why hasn't it been rolled out yet? There's no actual need for it. That need has to be created," Werner said.

He said central banks will likely use a carrot-and-stick approach to convince people to adopt CBDCs under the skin, starting with creating economic crises that will induce a demand for universal basic income (UBI), a government program in which every adult citizen receives a set amount of money regularly.

The central banks will then claim that they "need the CBDC chip implant" to run the UBI efficiently. Such CBDCs, Werner said, will permit the denial of access to goods and services in accordance with government mandate compliance.

Werner thinks the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which gave an excuse for the enforcement of vaccine passports, was one crucial step toward the end goal of rolling out implanted CBDCs.

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Housing Catherine Austin Fitts appeared to back up Werner's point as she previously mentioned that the measures enforced in the guise of COVID-19 laid the foundation for a global central banking machine and a technocratic "regulatory and economic model that permits far greater central control."

Fitts said digital surveillance and a social credit system will enable the central-bank-controlled "credit" to be "adjusted or turned off on an individual basis."

Follow CurrencyReset.news for more news about CBDC.

Watch the video below to know more about the central banks' plan to introduce a CBDC microchip implant.

This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

IMF working to create a global CBDC platform that will let the globalists CONTROL your money wherever you are.

David DuByne: US govt accelerated collapse of financial institutions to introduce CBDCs  Brighteon.TV.

Central banks will begin using digital currencies soon and it wont matter whether people are ready for it.

Central Bank Digital Currencies are the bullet train to digital concentration camps.

Implantable chips for humans to be implemented globally.

Sources include:

LifeSite News.com

Rumble.com

Brighteon.com
Chinese hackers exploit Microsoft cloud bug to raid US government email accounts, including the Commerce Secretarys

The email accounts of multiple senior United States government officials, including Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, have been hacked by a group suspected of being backed by the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing.

The hacking group, known as Storm-0558, compromised at least 25 email accounts, including that of Raimondo, multiple Department of State officials and several government agencies. (Related: Several federal agencies HACKED as part of global cyberattack that exploited a flaw in popular file-sharing software.)

A statement from Microsoft indicated that the hacking group forged digital authentication tokens to access the email accounts through the company's email and personal information management software, Outlook. The hacks allegedly started in May.

"As with any observed nation-state actor activity, Microsoft has contacted all targeted or compromised organizations directly via their tenant admins and provided them with important information to help them investigate and respond," said Microsoft in a statement. This statement did not divulge which other government agencies or officials had been affected by the hack.

"We assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection," warned Executive Vice President of Microsoft Security Charlie Bell. "This type of espionage-motivated adversary seeks to abuse credentials and gain access to data residing in sensitive systems."

White House National Security spokesperson Adam Hodge noted that the hack was initially identified by government safeguards last month, approximately one month after Microsoft discovered the hack.

Latest hack warns of increasing sophistication in Chinese infiltration attempts

National Security Agency Deputy Director George Barnes warned that China's hacker army used to be "noisy" and "rudimentary," but this most recent intrusion into government emails represents a new sophistication in Beijing's attempts to infiltrate government cyber systems. He further warned that this level of sophistication among Chinese hacker groups is likely to continue increasing.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the advances in Chinese hacking technology appear to be "driven by necessity" as competition between the U.S. and China rises to its fiercest in decades.

Beijing is eager for intelligence on what Washington is thinking and doing, but recent advances in American cybersecurity systems is forcing Chinese hacking groups to be more discriminating about when and how they break in. And heightened geopolitical tensions mean their attacks tend to be quieter and are less likely to be noticed quickly.

In this latest attack, the Chinese hackers gained access to the backdoor of Microsoft's cryptographic protection system and then used it to produce digital tokens to access the protected emails.

"They're hitting where the log data doesn't exactly light up like a siren to tell you what's wrong," noted Matt Durrin, director of training and research at the Missoula, Montana-based security consulting firm LMG Security.

For its part, the Chinese have denied accusations that it sponsored the hacking group, calling it "disinformation." Beijing further accused the U.S. government of being "the world's biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief."

China's reaction is routine for cyber attacks, as it regularly denies any and all involvement in potentially state-sponsored hacking operations regardless of the weight of evidence.

Watch this report from Fox News discussing in detail how cyberattackers are now stealing very classified information from government agencies and private companies alike.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Over 6M public records from motor vehicles office in Louisiana exposed to MOVEit hackers.

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Cybersecurity official warns: Americans must prepare for CYBERATTACKS from Chinese hackers.

More sophisticated Chinese cyberattacks target US firms, government agencies, defense contractors.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

TechCrunch.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Tom Renz: Digital currencies will lead to the end of freedom  Brighteon.TV

Ohio-based lawyer Thomas "Tom" Renz has warned that digital currencies will eventually lead to the end of freedom

He issued this warning during the July 11 episode of his Brighteon.TV program "Lawfare with Tom Renz." According to him, people who are unaware of the central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) ought to know of the unified ledger program promoted by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) as part of its 2023 Annual Economic Report. Renz noted that the globalist bankers that make up the BIS want to get rid of physical cash and turn it into CBDCs for more control over people's money  lining up with the Great Reset promoted by Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum.

"The problem with that is: As a digital asset, they can take it away from you and there's nothing you can do about it. If [I've] got money, I can hide it in my pocket. I can hide it under my bed. I can do what I want to do with it," Renz remarked.

"If the bank has to physically hold my money, they will have to physically take it from the bank to take it away from me. If it's digital, they don't have to physically do anything. They can just hit a keyboard and it's gone. So that's CBDCs, and that's the problem."

As an example, Renz cited how a house deed tokenized into a piece of digital content under the BIS's unified ledger program could get transferred from place to place. This could cause people to lose their own homes. Worse, other real and hard assets such as retirement accounts and business deeds would be converted into digital tokens.

Such a system, the pro-freedom lawyer added, would grant a corrupt government agency the ability to lock up people's assets and shut everything down. With a state controlling the political system and prohibiting any dissent, banks that work with the government will be able to control liquidity all from one central point. Individuals like former President Donald Trump would be barred from doing business and staying afloat.

International central bank powered by AI likely to rise soon

Renz pointed out that this digitalization drive is going to push toward an international central bank that controls the entire world through a keyboard and artificial intelligence. He added the digital system is moving free society into a totally controlled ecosystem, which is what Schwab and other supporters of the Great Reset and Fourth Industrial Revolution are pushing for.

"Understand that this means that every asset on the planet would eventually be digitized, tokenized and turned into something that was controlled on a keyboard. You own nothing, they control everything," the lawyer said.

"If you digitize and tokenize everything and you put it on a computer, you don't own anything. It's all controlled by the state, every state, including the United States. Now they may have laws that give you the illusion of freedom, but it'll be an illusion. They may try to convince you not to revolt, or not to fight back because they want you to not do that. But at the end of the day, everything is controlled." (Related: Expert warns CBDCs could lead economies to a dark path  where governments dictate what you can purchase.)

The "Lawfare" host stressed that people must stand up against this push to digital currency, digital ownership and digital assets because it would mean the end of freedom  citing two ways to do so.

Having cash and precious metals like gold and silver in one's possession makes a huge difference because the globalists can't take it away from people using a keyboard. People also need to develop a parallel economy, he continued. According to Renz, this is something that is going to occur over time and some people are already working on it.

Follow CryptoCult.news for more news about CBDCs.

Watch the July 11 episode of "Lawfare with Tom Renz" below. "Lawfare with Tom Renz" airs every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and every Saturday at 12:30-1 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Poll: Americans don't want a central bank digital currency.

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IMF "working hard" on new global CBDC platform to replace dollar and other national currencies.

New digital currencies being pushed by global elite will destroy privacy, allow total surveillance of purchases.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

BIS.org
Even GOP donors are supporting RFK Jr.  proof that his appeal goes beyond party lines

Donors who have formerly given money to Republican candidates are now bankrolling Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) in his journey to the White House.

Popular Information founder Judd Legum interviewed two individuals who had been donors to GOP candidates. California businessman Mark Dickson, whose line of business involves treating aluminum for the aerospace industry, is one such donor.

Since 2015, he has donated more than $450,000 to federal candidates  with $400,000 to the Trump Victory fundraising committee in support of former President Donald Trump. The money donated by Dickson was distributed to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, the Republican National Committee, state GOP chapters and others working on behalf of the real estate mogul-turned-president.

Retired car dealership executive Keith Sheldon also has consistently backed Trump. Back in 2016, the native of Argyle, Texas donated $5,400  then the maximum amount for individual donors  to the Trump campaign and affiliated committees. Four years later, he donated $5,600  the new individual maximum amount  to Trump's re-election campaign.

Based on records from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), neither Dickson nor Sheldon has ever donated a dime to a Democrat. However, this year seems to be a change as both donated $6,600  the current legal maximum  to RFK Jr.'s campaign.

"Dickson and Sheldon's sudden interest in a Democratic primary candidate is unexpected. But for [RFK Jr.'s] campaign, it is not uncommon," wrote Legum. Per an analysis of the Democratic presidential hopeful's first FEC filing, most of RFK Jr.'s biggest donors have previously only donated to the GOP.

RFK Jr.'s campaign has collected the maximum amount of $6,600 from 96 individuals through June 30. Of that total, 37 individuals have previously only donated to GOP federal candidates. Meanwhile, only 19 individuals  more than half  have a history of consistently supporting Democratic candidates.

Huge PACs also bankrolling RFK Jr.'s presidential run

Aside from individuals, political action committees (PACs) have also raised funds to help bring RFK Jr. into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Purple Good Government PAC is one such group that recently donated $6,600 to the health freedom activist's campaign. It is incidentally controlled by investor David Sacks, who is publicly backing GOP candidate and incumbent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

A super-PAC supporting RFK Jr. named American Values 2024 has raised $10.25 million in the first half of 2023. While it is not required to disclose its donors until the end of July, its co-chair said about half of the money came from GOP donors. (Related: Super PAC raises more than $10M to support RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign.)

American Values 2024 Co-Chair Tony Lyons confirmed this amount on July 3, adding that the contributions came from a "right down the middle" mix of GOP and Democratic donors. He added that the $10.25 million included two "very large" donations that each exceed $1 million.

"There really are people across the political spectrum who feel he's going to fight corruption in government and corporate takeover of government agencies," Lyons commented.

A second super-PAC called Common Sense PAC is also helping RFK Jr. raise funds for his campaign. However, it has not yet released any information about its fundraising efforts as of writing.

Common Sense PAC was established by Canadian actress Sofia Karstens in April 2023. Two months after its founding, it hosted a fundraiser in San Francisco that saw Sacks and Social Capital CEO Chamath Palihapitiya. The June 2023 event raised nearly $1 million.

Visit VoteDemocrat.news for more stories about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign.

Watch this InfoWars clip discussing how RFK Jr. has the support of both Alex Jones and former President Donald Trump.

This video is from the Katy Odin channel on Brighteon.com.

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RFK Jr. on corporate media not putting his name in polls: That's OK. All we have to do is win the election.

RFK Jr. tied with Biden in primary poll, 20% of Democrats say they'd vote for Kennedy or Trump over Biden.

Sources include:

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Brighteon.com
GOA files lawsuit against ATFs zero tolerance policy which has forced over 1,000 gun dealers to shut down

Gun rights organization the Gun Owners of America (GOA) has filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), accusing the agency of unlawfully shutting down gun dealers due to its "zero tolerance" policy and rigid inspection guidelines

The lawsuit, known as Morehouse Enterprises v. ATF (II) and filed in the District Court of North Dakota, pushes back against the agency's targeting of Morehouse for revoking the company's federal firearms license (FFL) and hopes to get the court to stop the implementation of the Department of Justice's "zero tolerance" policy. GOA claims this policy "has been wielded as a political weapon  to revoke the FFLs of numerous gun dealers across the nation."

The ATF recently targeted Morehouse  doing business with the public as Bridge City Ordnance in Valley City, North Dakota  claiming to have found five violations out of around 5,000 gun acquisitions or sales. The agency is now trying to suspend Morehouse's gun store license. GOA, in collaboration with its research arm the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), is supporting Morehouse's legal battle. (Related: Merritt Medical Hour: Federal gov't TARGETING gun dealers to take away 2A rights of Americans  Brighteon.TV.)

ATF using inconsequential paperwork errors to revoke federal firearms licenses

The ATF's recent actions against gun dealers come as the agency follows new guidelines from the administration of President Joe Biden, known as the "zero tolerance" policy that makes it easier to revoke the federal licenses of gun stores. This policy has been in place since at least June 2021.

"The Justice Department is announcing a new policy to underscore zero tolerance for willful violations of the law by federally licensed firearms dealers," reads the White House's fact sheet regarding the policy changes. "ATF will seek to revoke the licenses of dealers the first time that they violate federal law."

The guidance states the agency "has zero tolerance for willful violations that greatly affect public safety and ATFs ability to trace firearms recovered in violent crimes" and that "revocation" of the FFL's license "is the assumed action" with violations.

The new policy amends the ATF's processes, erasing the ability of ATF agents to exercise discretion when they find that gun dealers have unusual instances of minor mistakes, such as bookkeeping or paperwork errors, which the GOA believes should not be adequate grounds for canceling a gun dealer's license to begin with.

In 2022, following the new policies, the ATF inspected nearly 7,000 gun dealers and discovered errors in nearly half of them. This led to the cancellation of 90 FFLs, and more than 1,000 other gun dealers "voluntarily" shut down their stores.

"This zero-tolerance policy toward lawful commerce, guaranteed by the Second Amendment is just the latest example of this Administration weaponizing federal agencies against their political enemies," said GOA Senior Vice President Erich Pratt in a statement. "It also is just one more compelling piece of evidence to support gun owners' demands that Congress defund the ATF."

"It's ridiculous that good people trying to make an honest living are facing this assault on their livelihoods simply over inconsequential paperwork errors," said GOF Executive Director Sam Paredes in a separate statement. "Small businesses face devastating consequences if this administration's hostility toward firearms is permitted to go unchecked."

Follow SecondAmendment.news for more news about the Biden administration's gun control policy.

Watch the video below as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, interviews GOA Federal Affairs Liaison Ben Sanderson about the ATF's overreach.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Hong Kong plans widespread BAN of Japanese sea products if Fukushima dumps nuclear water into the ocean

Japan's plan to discharge nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant over the next three decades has prompted officials in Hong Kong to propose a very widespread import ban on Japanese aquatic products

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee recently said the city will ban seafood products from at least 10 Japanese prefectures if Tokyo goes ahead with its plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the ocean. (Related: UN approves large Fukushima discharge into Pacific Ocean, prompting China to ban Japanese seafood imports.)

Under the plan, about 1.2 million cubic meters of water that have been used to cool the fuel rods of the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station will be released over the next 30 to 40 years in order to prevent accidental leaks and to allow for the plants full decommissioning.

This plan has been approved by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has claimed that the plan to release nuclear water is consistent with international safety standards.

The agency further claimed that "controlled, gradual discharges of the treated water to the sea" as currently outlined in the Japanese government's plan in coordination with the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co., would have a "negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."

Hong Kong ban could cause 30 percent of Japanese restaurants to shut down

Lee said he has asked the Environment and Ecology Bureau to form a multi-department team to design the city's action plan as part of the "decisive action" Hong Kong's government will take against Japan.

The current plan will extremely tighten scrutiny on food from Japan and maintain curbs on certain Japanese imports. The products in the proposed ban will include all live, frozen, chilled, dried or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt and seaweed.

The government noted that the proposed measure is based on the "precautionary principle" of ensuring all food products from Japan were fit for consumption.

"The discharge plan is unprecedented and would last for 30 years. During this long period of time, if the purification system fails to operate effectively, it can pose significant risks to food safety and marine ecology," said a government spokesperson.

Although official confirmation of the discharge date is at present unclear, local catering sector leaders have said that under the ban, business for Japanese restaurants in the city could be halved and some 30 percent of them are likely to close down.

Hong Kong is Japans second-largest market for agricultural and fisheries exports, next to Mainland China. In 2022, Japan exported 75.5 billion yen ($546 million) in fishery products to Hong Kong.

Dennis Wu, executive director of the Hong Kong Japanese Restaurant Association, said members are concerned and making plans for the potential ban. They are also worried about customers losing confidence.

"So far the customers are still willing to dine in but they indicated that once the Japanese government discharges the wastewater, they will stop having Japanese seafood for a certain period of time," Wu said.

Shinya Goshima, the owner of the Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Godenya in the Sheung Wan district on Hong Kong Island, said the affected ingredients account for about 10 percent of the restaurant's imports, and he is currently looking for substitutes from other parts of Japan.

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan declared that restaurants in Hong Kong will not receive any compensation from the government for a drop in business if the city bans seafood imports from Japan over a planned discharge of contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima power plant.

The environment chief said industry operators had been warned over the possible ban and given ample time to prepare following regular dialogue.

Visit Radiation.news for more stories about the nuclear wastewater from Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Watch this video featuring the International Atomic Energy Agency's decision to allow Fukushima nuclear water to be dumped into the Pacific Ocean.

This video is from the Cynthias Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Japan gets green light to release Fukushima radioactive water into Pacific Ocean.

IAEA says Fukushima nuclear plant plan to dump radioactive waste into Pacific Ocean is perfectly safe.

Japan begins secret discharge of RADIOACTIVE WATER from Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.

Nuclear specialist: Discharge of Fukushima's radioactive water into Pacific Ocean could last until NEXT CENTURY.

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Q&A

7 Questions on Experiential Learning at Indiana U

Advertising students at the Indiana University School of Media have the opportunity to work on real-world projects for big-name clients such as Adobe and Microsoft, honing their skills as they solve complex marketing problems and craft messages for a target audience. And in a recent project for learning platform Spaces Learning, their creative efforts converged with an exploration of education innovation and the digital space of a university. We spoke with Professor of Practice Bill Schwab about the importance of experiential learning in higher education, the impact of AI on digital skills, and more.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Campus Technology: How do you incorporate experiential learning into your courses?

Bill Schwab: I come from many years in the advertising industry and gradually transitioned into teaching. And one of the things that I faced when making that transition is: I can't believe I actually know so much about this particular subject. How in the world will I ever break it down effectively to a group of students? I started with reading a lot of books about advertising and how it works and all that stuff, but as I taught more and more, I gradually realized that the best thing is to just have the students do some advertising. That allowed me to not have to figure out in advance how I'm going to teach every single thing, but rather make corrections or adjustments as we go along. If you're a good teacher, you can pay attention to what people need, at what time they need it, and go into it and help them. So experiential learning is a big part of how I teach.

I'm always looking for projects that have some meat and gravitas to them. We mix in some fun little projects that tend to be easier, but I find that those work best after students have taken on something that's more complex  something that an advertising person would get involved in, in the real world. So over the years I've brought in different clients: We did a great project for Adobe; we've done some projects for Microsoft; and then we had this Spaces Learning project. I guess a good way to say it is that we have word of mouth. The students have been successful developing work for clients, those clients say, "Hey, this classroom of students did some great work for me," and other projects come about from those client references.

CT: How do you choose what companies are a good fit to work with? Are there certain criteria that make something a good real-world project for students?

Schwab: A lot of times, students will be given an assignment and the work is fun, it looks compelling, but it has very little to do with the challenges of advertising and marketing. It doesn't have a relationship to what you actually need to understand and execute when you're doing advertising. So I try to close that gap a little bit and choose something that students can relate to, where there's some connection between the brand and their life experience, and then see if they can express a marketing goal based on that connection and the resources they have to work with. And it doesn't hurt to have a great brand name in their portfolio.

CT: Can you walk through the project specifically with Spaces Learning  what were they looking for and what did the students do?

Schwab: Spaces Learning is essentially a learning management system. It has an interesting story in that it was developed by a professor at Clemson University to tackle a challenge that lots of professors are faced with when they are teaching a high-level course in a university: There's only one professor who has special knowledge in that area, and it makes it difficult for all the students who want that knowledge to get into that course. So that Clemson professor developed a learning system that allows a much larger number of students to participate and be educated effectively in the course. It's not by any means a shortcut to getting the knowledge; it's a way to deliver an enormous amount of knowledge to more students.
Nobel Prize winner Dr. John Clauser says theres NO climate crisis its all a hoax pushed for political purposes

There is no such thing as a "climate crisis," says Nobel Prize-winning physicist Dr. John Clauser.

In a speech he delivered at the recent "Quantum Korea 2023" event, Clauser argued that "the popular narrative about climate change reflects a dangerous corruption of science that threatens the world's economy and the well-being of billions of people."

"I don't believe there's a climate crisis," Clauser stated definitively. "Key processes are exaggerated and misunderstood by approximately 200 times," he added, accusing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of spreading misinformation about a warming globe.

Those "with political and opportunistic motives," Clauser further stated, are the ones pushing "misinformation" about the climate that is sending the world into ever-worsening tyranny.

So many people are lying about the climate these days  and flagrantly so  that "even chatbots like ChatGPT can be better at lying than humans," Clauser went on to declare, torching the scientific establishment for making up and spreading myths about a changing climate.

(Related: Some climate scientists are pushing cannibalism as the solution to global warming.)

Dr. John Clauser currently sits on board of CO2 Coalition

ChatGPT, of course, is an artificial intelligence (AI) creation of the deep state that some people are now using to help them make decisions by asking it questions about things they do not know or understand.

Some even ask ChatGPT climate-related questions that the AI robot has been trained to respond to with the usual climate propaganda. Because of this, Clauser believes that there is now an even greater role for actual human scientists to set the record straight.

"In an era of rapid advancement in AI technology, the role of scientists as judges is necessary," Clauser said, urging scientists to do their jobs by verifying all information output by ChatGP and educating the public about it.

In 2022, Clauser won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work in the field of quantum mechanics. He was joined by two other scientists who also received the same recognition.

In 2023, Clauser joined the board of directors of the CO2 Coalition, which exists to highlight the benefits of carbon dioxide for the environment  the climate brigade expects us all to believe that CO2 is a dangerous toxin that must be eradicated through tyranny and higher taxes.

Dr. William Happer, chairman of the CO2 Coalition's board of directors, commented that Clauser has a lot to offer because his "studies of the science of climate provide strong evidence that there is no climate crisis and that increasing CO2 concentrations will benefit the world."

"The popular narrative about climate change reflects a dangerous corruption of science that threatens the world's economy and the well-being of billions of people," Clauser himself further stated on the issue of climate alarmism.

"Misguided climate science has metastasized into massive shock-journalistic pseudoscience. In turn, the pseudoscience has become a scapegoat for a wide variety of other unrelated ills. It has been promoted and extended by similarly misguided business marketing agents, politicians, journalists, government agencies, and environmentalists. In my opinion, there is no real climate crisis."

"There is, however, a very real problem with providing a decent standard of living to the world's large population and an associated energy crisis. The latter is being unnecessarily exacerbated by what, in my opinion, is incorrect climate science."

Clauser has been outspokenly critical of the way the 2021 Nobel Prize was awarded in favor of computer models that predicted climate change to be real. Fake President Joe Biden is also pushing outlandish climate policies based on these fraudulent models, to the detriment of the American people.

The latest news about the climate change hoax can be found at ClimateScienceNews.com.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

Newstarget.com
Report: Non-binary former DOE official committed LUGGAGE THEFT while on government trip

A former official of the Biden administration's Department of Energy (DOE) reportedly stole another person's luggage while on a government trip to Nevada , according to a report.

Fox News recounted that erstwhile DOE official Sam Brinton, who identifies as "non-binary," traveled to the Nevada National Security Site in early July 2022. The outlet cited internal DOE filings and expense reports obtained by watchdog group Functional Government Initiative (FGI). Based on the documents, Briton flew on a United Airlines flight from Washington, D.C. to Las Vegas on July 6, 2022 for a meeting and site visit for unspecified reasons.

Brinton then stole a suitcase upon landing at Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport  with police officers stating that the luggage he purloined had a total estimated value of $3,670. It contained jewelry valued at $1,700, clothing worth $850 and makeup valued at $500. Later in December of the same year, Las Vegas prosecutors charged Brinton with grand larceny of an item valued between $1,200 and $5,000.

The official did not spend time behind bars in the grand larceny case after he pleaded no contest to the charges and waived his right to a trial. Brinton was ordered to pay $3,670.74 as restitution to the victim, alongside $500 in additional fees  with a criminal fine included. Clark County Judge Ann Zimmerman sentenced the non-binary official to a suspended jail sentence of 180 days and ordered him to "stay out of trouble."

Aside from stealing random travelers' suitcases, the nonbinary official had also charged his stay in Las Vegas to the taxpayer dime. Brinton stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club along the Las Vegas Strip upon arriving in Sin City, and departed on July 9. A DOE expense report filed in August 2022 showed that his four-day trip was estimated to have cost $1,951.50.

Brinton committing crimes while on government time

Brinton first made headlines in July 2022 when President Joe Biden appointed him as deputy assistant secretary for spent fuel and waste disposition at the DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy. The department later announced in December of the same year that Brinton had left the agency without mentioning the reason why.

"It's outrageous that tax dollars transported Brinton to and from the scene of a crime, putting the American public unwittingly at the wheel of the getaway car," FGI spokesman Peter McGinnis said in a statement to Fox News.

"Senior officials committing petty crime while on the clock is a clear indication that something is dysfunctional in the personnel procedures. The federal government obviously needs a more stringent vetting process for senior-level positions."

McGinnis is not alone in this sentiment. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is asking why the Energy Department's security and vetting process missed Brinton's apparent theft compulsion before any appointment.

"It is clear as day that felons should not hold security clearances," he said back in December. "For months, I've been demanding answers from the DOE on their failed security clearance process. [But] [Energy] Secretary [Jennifer] Granholm has provided none." (Related: STRIKE 3! Former DOE official Sam Brinton ARRESTED over a third case of luggage theft.)

"When people are appointed to critical positions with important national security responsibilities, Americans must be confident they can be trusted. The department must launch a thorough investigation into the vetting process. They have to respond to legitimate oversight inquiries. It's in our national security interest."

According to legal scholar Jonathan Turley, Brinton's repeated luggage theft "has the markings of an individual who is so mentally unstable or delusional that the compulsion could not even be resisted on an official national security-related trip."

"Of course, it is possible that this is not an irresistible compulsion  but a criminal calculation that the chances of suspicion or detection is reduced to a high-ranking government official on official travel. Yet, there should be answers on whether there were any indicators missed in the background investigation. Brinton was in a sensitive position and could have been targeted for blackmail or coercive measures by foreign intelligence or criminal elements," Turley noted.

Visit GayMafia.news for more stories about "non-binary" former Energy Department official Sam Brinton.

Watch this clip from "Jesse Watters Primetime" about the arrest of Sam Brinton in May.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Biden's choice of a transgender drag queen to head up the Department of Energy illustrates systemic problem of trans privilege in America.

Biden regime's drag queen Energy Department official gets coveted top secret "Q clearance," making him a national security risk.

'Gender-fluid' Biden official busted for SECOND time over felony theft of luggage.

Sources include:

JonathanTurley.org

FoxNews.com

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Operation Underground Railroad seeks to rescue children from human trafficking, as depicted in Sound of Freedom

The impetus behind the release of the new Jim Caviezel filmis to tell the amazing story of Tim Ballard, a former federal agent who founded the organization Operation Underground Railroad to rescue children from the clutches of sex trafficking.

Alongside Caviezel, Ballard appeared in an interview with the Daily Signal's Tyler O'Neill recently to discuss the film's power to speak on behalf of all the trafficked children who, sadly, are unable to do so themselves. He also addressed the Biden regime and its abysmal border policies, which are allowing human trafficking to increase.

At the end of September 2022, the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency reported that federal authorities had encountered an astounding 152,057 unaccompanied minors at the border. By January of this year, another 91,380 all-alone children were added to the list.

Believe it or not, the U.S. tops the list as the worst country in the world for human trafficking, which is hardly a surprise when looking around at all the LGBT grooming and other perversions that have come to dominate popular culture.

"We are the demand," is how Ballard put it in the interview, explaining that "the economy of pedophilia" is a big deal in this country and elsewhere. Watch the video below to learn more about how the Biden regime's border policies, the transgender movement, and child sex slavery all intersect:

(Related: You can also learn more about Sound of Freedom from our earlier coverage, and we encourage you to go see the movie!)

War in Ukraine largely hinges upon the Deep State's child sex slavery trade

One of the next most corrupt nations in the world besides the U.S. where child sex trafficking has run amok is Ukraine. This is part of the reason why Russia launched its "special operation" there in addition to going after the deep state's Pentagon-run bioweapons laboratories that are littered across Ukraine's landscape.

With the help of director Mel Gibson and an organization called Aerial Recovery, Ballard has been able to successfully rescue more than 6,000 children from Ukraine who were being sex trafficked in and out of the country.

One of the biggest threats to children today in terms of trafficking and sexual exploitation is the LGBT movement. The sudden transgender push dovetails with the globalist attempt to normalize pedophilia and sexual relations with children.

By pushing homosexuality, transgenderism, and other vile perversions on children at the youngest possible age, these little ones' minds and consciences become violated and desensitized, making them ripe victims for the picking by pedophiles and child sex traffickers.

"This was a political platform," Ballard explains in the above interview about how some politicians in some countries are now openly calling for legalizing pedophilia to normalize their abominable child sex trafficking operations.

"I named them. I started calling them 'The pedophile network doctrines.' They include things like: separate children from parents because parents are a bad influence; the state knows best; sexualize kids; let them see pornography; take God out of education because that just gets in the way; consent, consent, consent  children can consent to anything; At 12 years old they should be able to vote; they should be able to do anything."

Everything in italics in the above quote is what popular culture, the media, the Biden regime, and most prominent voices now seem to be saying in a coordinated attempt to normalize wicked perversions involving children  so parents: beware of these tactics and protect your children from them.

The latest news about the scourge of human trafficking and the corporate media's complicity in supporting it can be found at Trafficking.news.

Sources for this article include:

RedState.com

Newstarget.com
The outcome of Ukraines war with Russia will determine whether it achieves NATO membership

During the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit held on July 11 and 12 in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, President Joe Biden and the Group of Seven (G7) leaders made a "generous" offer to Ukraine to aid in strengthening its military capability and vowed to protect the country from future attacks from Russia. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal for membership in the alliance was declined.

The Moon of Alabama (MoA), an independent open forum for members of a community that regularly discusses politics, economics, philosophy and blogger Billmon's Whiskey Bar writings, collated NATO's provisions as to how Kyiv will be offered the timetable of membership.

As per the Vilnius Summit Communique issued by the NATO heads:

"11. We fully support Ukraine's right to choose its own security arrangements. Ukraine's future is in NATO. We reaffirm the commitment we made at the 2008 Summit in Bucharest that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and today we recognize that Ukraine's path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan. Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance and has made substantial progress on its reform path. In line with the 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine and the 2009 Complement, Allies will continue to support and review Ukraine's progress on interoperability as well as additional democratic and security sector reforms that are required. NATO Foreign Ministers will regularly assess progress through the adapted Annual National Program. The Alliance will support Ukraine in making these reforms on its path toward future membership."

However, it pointed out that they will extend the invite to join NATO "when the allies agree and conditions are met."

According to MoA, this last part of the provisions just meant that it sets an even higher standard or requirement than the 2008 "Bucharest Summit Declaration," when it said:

"23. NATO welcomes Ukraine's and Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO. We agreed today that these countries will become members of NATO. Both nations have made valuable contributions to Alliance operations. We welcome the democratic reforms in Ukraine and Georgia and look forward to free and fair parliamentary elections in Georgia in May. The Membership Action Plan (MAP) is the next step for Ukraine and Georgia on their direct way to membership. Today we make clear that we support these countries' applications for MAP. Therefore, we will now begin a period of intensive engagement with both at a high political level to address the questions still outstanding pertaining to their MAP applications. We have asked Foreign Ministers to make a first assessment of progress at their December 2008 meeting. Foreign Ministers have the authority to decide on the MAP applications of Ukraine and Georgia."

Better luck next time: Zelensky swallows back his words

Meanwhile, during a press conference held prior to the summit, Iryna Somer of Ukrainian news agency Interfax Ukraine asked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg how far or how close the allies are to the possible membership for Ukraine. Stoltenberg replied: "We will provide support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. Because unless Ukraine wins this war, there's no membership issue to be discussed at all."

What hurts Zelensky is that he has ramped up his campaign for Ukraine to join NATO after Russia invaded last year. He has called for the 31 member states to take concrete steps towards Ukrainian membership so his country can quickly join the transatlantic alliance after the war.

In response to Kyiv's efforts to belong, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened the use of nuclear weapons to escalate the war, setting fears among countries in the Western. This may have caused NATO to defer inviting Ukraine into the alliance. In fact, United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced they "are not seeking to start World War Three. Ukraine will not be joining NATO coming out of this summit."

Prior to Biden's and G7's vow of military support during the summit, Zelensky could not help but be disappointed, calling the decision "unprecedented and absurd." It wasn't what the Ukrainian government had wanted to hear. However, before the summit ended, Biden and Zelensky stood in front of cameras claiming that the NATO meetings have been successful. (Related: NATO offers Ukraine security guarantee but not an invite to the alliance.)

The president from the Eastern Europe country even claimed that the summit results "had been good overall and welcomed a flurry of announcements of new military aid from allies." Zelensky also thanked the leaders for the new commitment. "The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security, victory for Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children. It opens for us absolutely new security opportunities and I thank everyone who made it possible," he said.

Now, all the former comedian and actor president has to do is wait, try harder to win the war and continue to milk money from the "cows from the West" in order to finally be included in the "prestigious" alliance.

Bookmark UkraineWitness.com for more updates related to the continuing conflict in Ukraine.

Sources include:

MoonOfAlabama.org

NATO.int 1

NATO.int 2

Strana.news
Scientists concede they lied about covid lab leak to cover for Fauci

The truth is finally coming out about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) lab leak theory and the efforts that were made all throughout the government bureaucracy to keep a lid on it.

Numerous top scientists told the Republican-led Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic this week that they provided cover for Tony Fauci and other covid kingpins due to the incredible "political" pressure that was placed on them.

With the help of then-director Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), "employed fatally flawed scientists," according to the scientists, in order to "avoid blaming China for the Covid-19 pandemic."

To date, the subcommittee has received more than 8,000 pages of documents containing more than 25 hours of testimony from everyone involved in creating the March 2020 study entitled "The Proximal Origins of SARS-CoV-2." That study was published in the Nature journal, having played a critical role in shutting down allegations that covid "leaked" from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

The paper's four official authors  Kristian Andersen, W. Ian Lipkin, Edward Holmes, and Robert Garry  had privately discussed before publishing that the natural origins theory about covid coming from bat soup at a wet market was impossible. Still, they concluded with dogmatic certainty that "we do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible."

(Related: According to Sen. Tom Cotton, communist China is complicit in the coverup of the lab leak theory, which he described as a "smoking gun.")

Nature study authors conveniently omitted ethics declaration showing that Fauci was the ringleader of the paper

What Andersen et al. conveniently failed to include in their paper was a proper ethics declaration showing that Fauci, who oversaw the funding of bat coronavirus research at the WIV, had both commissioned and edited the paper. Congressional investigators later proved that Fauci was, in fact, the paper's ringleader.

Around the same time his paper was published in the Nature journal under the authors' names, Fauci gave huge "grants" to these scientists. In other words, Fauci participated in a pay-for-play bribery scheme whereby he paid off these scientists to lie in a prominent science journal about the true origins of covid.

Were it not for Fauci sending tens of millions of American taxpayer dollars to the WIV for bat coronavirus research, there never would have been a covid outbreak or associated "pandemic." This makes Fauci the number-one perpetrator of the global genocide that ensued.

Keep in mind that Fauci repeatedly cited this paper on the national stage as if it had been independently conducted by scientists. The truth, though, is that Fauci himself commissioned, edited, and determined the conclusive outcome of the paper's findings, paving the way for a global covid genocide.

"This is one of the single most impactful and influential scientific papers in history ... express[ing] conclusions that were not based on sound science nor in fact, but instead on assumptions," the subcommittee said about its findings, adding that what has been uncovered and exposed is "the anatomy of a cover-up."

In order to avoid jeopardizing "international harmony," the scientists who stamped their names on Fauci's paper complied with said cover-up, to their own detriment. Now their names are out there as well as being complicit in the covid scam.

According to the subcommittee, there are two possible motives behind the cover-up: either the virologists wanted to "defend China and play diplomat" or they sought to "lessen the likelihood of increased biosafety and laboratory regulations."

The covid scandal will not come to a close until Fauci and every other criminal involved with masterminding it faces justice for their crimes against humanity. The latest news can be found at Plague.info.

Sources for this article include:

SlayNews.com

Newstarget.com
Seattle Public Schools to offer gender-affirming mutilation to minor children as young as 10 at NO COST, meaning TAXPAYERS will foot the bill

Documents obtained by the parental rights organization Parents Defending Education (PDE) reveal that Seattle Public Schools is now offering free "gender-affirming care" to students as young as 10  free meaning all on the taxpayers' dime.

The health centers at Meany Middle School and Nova High School are allowing students to "conveniently" seek sex change procedures and drugs on-site at no cost to themselves and without shame.

The Nova Wellness website does not specifically delineate what it means by "gender-affirming care," though we do know that the provider for the two centers, Country Doctor Community Health Centers (CDCHC), offers both hormone "therapy" and sex-change surgeries for minor children.

According to the facility's self-professed "mission," the goal "is to promote health in transgender, non-binary and gender diverse communities through ensuring equal access to gender-affirming medications and procedures."

PDE's director of outreach, Erika Sanzi, spoke out in opposition to the free transgender services now being offered at Seattle Public Schools to pre-pubescent children.

"It's bad enough that medical professionals are prescribing cross-sex hormones and cutting off breasts and genitals of minors," she is quoted as saying. "It is a whole new level of awful and terrifying for schools to be involved."

(Related: Crime in the 98118 zip code of Seattle has gotten so out of control that the United States Postal Service [USPS] halted mail deliveries there.)

Why are Seattle Public Schools obsessed with harming minor children's genitals?

While puberty blockers are still prohibited for pre-pubescents, students as young as 10 can visit the health center at Seattle Public Schools and request access to cross-sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone at two primary care clinics operated by the CDCHC throughout the city.

The aforementioned documents obtained from Seattle Public Schools by the PDE reveal that both centers are "staffed full time by a clinic administrator, medical providers, and a behavior health specialist."

"The Nova Wellness Center offers no-cost comprehensive, trauma-informed, and gender-affirming care, conveniently at the school," reads another passage from the documents before going on to list and specify some of the services offered.

"We bill appropriate services to insurance if you have it. There are never any co-pays or co-insurance to worry about. We also offer services and support to students and families without insurance."

The medical services available at the centers include not just "gender-affirming care" but also "wellness physical." There are also other "no cost" services available that take a "trauma-informed" approach.

"Gender-affirming care is integrated into everyday primary care so that you can get your hormones in the same place you get your wellness exams, cancer screenings, and treatment for acute and chronic health conditions," reads the Country Doctor website.

These services, the site goes on to explain, are offered exclusively to "transgender, non-binary and gender diverse patients," including "gender-affirming medications (estrogen, androgen blockers, testosterone, etc.) and injection teaching as needed," as well as "hormone therapy for adolescents and specialty referrals for younger patients as needed."

If children want to get procedures such as a vaginoplasty (the removal of a penis so it can be replaced with a fake vagina) or chest reconstruction, they can do this as well.

"Assistance obtaining mental health letters of support for gender-affirming procedures and referrals for internal or external behavioral health counseling," the documents further add about other services that are offered "as needed."

The only thing not offered by Country Doctor to underage children at Seattle Public Schools are "puberty blockers for children who have not yet reached puberty are not provided at this time."

American public schools have become a cesspool of LGBT perversion and child abuse. Learn more at Transhumanism.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Newstarget.com
FrankenMeats are here: Soybeans are being genetically engineered to grow pig protein

A company out of the UK - Moolec - has developed a new line of soybeans called Piggy Sooy . These new soybeans are genetically engineered to produce pig proteins. The new soybean crops will be harvested traditionally and will be incorporated into plant-based meats and other substitute meat products. Researchers are warning about the genetic and generational consequences of these experimental gene edits.

Soybeans and other common crops to be replaced with genetically engineered meat substitute crops

Moolec is poised to profit from the latest CRISPR-Cas gene-editing experiment that effectively splices conventional soya to create a soybean with 26.6 percent animal protein. Due to the gene edits, the interior portion of this new soybean hybrid presents a rosy flesh color. The company claims that these new hybrids will provide similar taste, texture, and nutritional value as animal meat. The company is currently working on a pea plant that produces cow protein. The exact animal genes used in these experiments are considered trade secrets.

Moolec has developed a unique, successful, and patentable platform for the expression of highly valuable proteins in the seeds of economically important crops such as soybeans, says Amit Dhingra, the company's chief science officer. This achievement opens up a precedent for the entire scientific community that is looking to achieve high levels of protein expression in seeds via molecular farming.

These new Frankenfoods are designed to be the alternative to traditional meat, which includes raising and slaughtering pigs/cows for human consumption. Animal husbandry is now considered a threat to the climate and is being phased out all around the world to make way for the globalists genetic experimentation and control over the food supply. These new Frankenfoods are intended to provide more options for consumers who might reject lab-grown, petri-dish meat strains that are also currently in production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently authorized the sale of cell-cultivated chicken on June 21. Chicken meat will soon be grown from stem cells in a bioreactor.

Study warns that CRISP-Cas gene editing of plants will have dire consequences

CRISPR-Cas gene editing wreaks havoc in the plant genome, as documented in a new study - A CRISPR-induced DNA break can trigger crossover, chromosomal loss, and chromothripsis-like rearrangements. It turns out there are alarming issues that come from genetic experiments involving plant and animal gene splicing.

Recent scientific findings have revealed chromothripsis-like effects after the application of CRISPR/Cas gene editing in the genome of tomatoes ... Chromothripsis refers to a phenomenon in which often several hundred genetic changes occur simultaneously in a catastrophic event. Many sections of the genetic material can be swapped, recombined, or even lost if this occurs ... The same phenomenon of gene swapping, gene recombination, and gene loss also occurs in human and mammalian cells that are subjected to gene editing.

Test Biotech explains that when both strands of DNA are cut, as is typically the case with the CRISPR/Cas, the ends of the chromosomes can lose contact with each other. If the repair of the break in the chromosomes fails, the severed ends can be lost, restructured, or incorporated elsewhere. They warn that the consequences of cutting the genome "are to some extent unpredictable and uncontrollable." Test Biotech concludes: "Plants obtained from new genetic engineering (New GE) cannot, therefore, be regarded as safe per se, and need to be thoroughly investigated for risks. Without exact genomic analyses, chromothripsis can be easily overlooked. It is, for example, not unlikely that it also occurred in plants obtained from New GE that were already deregulated in the US.

Stay up with the latest on gene editing and the exploitation of the food supply at GMO.News.

Sources include:

Articles.Mercola.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

BioXIV.org

TestBiotech.org
Roger Stone: Trump already RELEASED about 80% of still-classified JFK docs  Brighteon.TV

Political strategist Roger Stone has disclosed that former President Donald Trump released about 80 percent of the classified materials regarding the assassination of John F. Kennedy (JFK).

"Trump released about 80 percent of the material that was still classified," he told Ann Vandersteel during the July 11 episode of her Brighteon.TV program "Right Now." In response, she remarked that the Americans should have learned more about them. Democratic candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has promised to declassify the remaining documents about his uncle's assassination if elected as chief executive.

According to Stone, the Warren Commission told the American people that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had no previous knowledge of JFK's assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. However, the now-declassified documents contained a number of interesting things  including a 1099 form the FBI gave to Oswald due to him being a paid informant.

Given this unsatisfactory finding, Congress formed the House Select Committee on Assassinations and probed the matter without the help of the CIA and the FBI. This endeavor led to the passing of the JFK Assassination Records Collection Act in 1992, which established the release of all documents pertaining to the former president's murder in 2017  25 years after its signing.

Stone told Vandersteel he had known this was coming and he had called Trump early in his presidency regarding the JFK files. Trump was reportedly unaware that the release of the JFK files were in 2017 and that he had the authority to stop it. The political consultant eventually convinced Trump to declassify and release the papers. (Related: If reelected, Trump promises to release all JFK assassination files.)

The political operative also had strong words for those blocking the release of the documents.

"Anyone who is involved at this point no longer works for the federal government. The argument that 'our sources and methods will be exposed'  well, there are no sources alive to expose. If their methods include the murder of an American president, we need to know that. Why is this information classified to begin with?"

Russia conducted own investigation of JFK's murder

Stone told Vandersteel that while Trump had released 80 percent of the JFK files, the remaining 20 percent was withheld at the behest of "the ultimate swamp creature"  former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. President Joe Biden's refusal to release the remaining documents was no coincidence, he added.

"[Biden] did, by the way, to his credit release more and some interesting things. But he still continues to hold something back. And that, in his opinion, these documents should be kept secret in perpetuity," Stone said. Biden reportedly withheld the release of the files over concerns that doing so would jeopardize national security.

The political operative also cited the declassified documents, stating Russia had conducted its own investigation of the JFK assassination. It concluded that then-Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, who took over the presidency after the assassination, was behind it.

Ultimately, Stone said the JFK assassination does not undermine America's national security unless it possibly exposes the full involvement of the CIA.

Follow Conspiracy.news for more news about the JFK assassination.

Watch the July 11 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" below. "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" airs weekdays at 8-8:30 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

JFK assassination expert drops major bombshell regarding CIA involvement and alleged shooter Lee Harvey Oswald.

Robert Kennedy Jr. says murder of uncle JFK was coup detat as CIA involvement confirmed.

Lisa Haven: There is a MAJOR COVERUP in the JFK assassination  and it is being directed by the White House.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Archives.gov
2A WORKS: Woman shoots four would-be home invaders in Phillys Germantown

In an example of the importance of the Second Amendment, a woman living in the City of Brotherly Love's Germantown area fended off a home invasion by shooting four would-be attackers.

Local Philadelphia news channel FOX 29 reported that four men broke into the woman's apartment located at the 4900 block of Germantown Avenue during the early hours of July 16. A confrontation ensued after she called out the burglars inside her home.

The fiasco culminated when the woman drew her firearm and shot the four intruders, injuring two in the process. The burglars then took off, and law enforcement was called in.

Police officers arrived at the woman's residence and found her standing outside. She stood over one of the suspects who suffered gunshot wounds to his hand and leg. This first suspect was later identified as 48-year-old Jermaine Parker.

Officers found another burglar who suffered a gunshot wound to his back a short time later. This second suspect who fell down a few blocks away from the apartment they broke into was identified as 45-year-old Randy Miller.

Both Parker and Miller were taken to Einstein Medical Center also in Philadelphia, and later charged with burglary and related offenses. A weapon was also recovered. Police are still looking for the two accomplices, with members of the public that have information about them being encouraged to get in touch with law enforcement.

According to police officers, the woman's actions are considered self-defense. Thus, she will not be charged with any crime.

Texas customer who shot, killed would-be robber faces charges

While the Philadelphia woman who shot Miller and Parker faces no charges, a Houston man who shot and killed a robber victimizing customers of a taco shop has been ordered to appear before a grand jury.

Back in January, the 46-year-old customer shot 30-year-old Eric Eugene Washington eight times. Washington had entered the south Houston taco shop where the customer was eating and demanded that customers give him their money while armed with a gun. The Houston Police Department (HPD) later said Washington's firearm was a plastic toy, but there was no way anyone could have known that it was a toy gun at the time of the incident.

Despite this clear act of self-defense, the anonymous customer has been ordered by Harris County District Attorney (DA) Kim Ogg to appear before a grand jury. A member of the Democratic Party, Ogg's election as DA was reportedly bankrolled by Hungarian billionaire globalist George Soros alongside other far-left DAs with a soft-on-crime approach. (Related: Hero who shot, killed armed robber in Houston ordered to face grand jury by Soros-funded DA.)

An attorney for the 46-year-old remarked: "In fear of his life and his friend's life, my client acted to protect everyone in the restaurant. In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others and in defense of property."

The lawyer added that his client has met with Ogg's office staff and investigators with the HPD's homicide division, and "fully intends to continue cooperating with the ongoing investigation." Both the lawyer and his client expressed confidence that the grand jury "will conclude that the shooting was justified under Texas law."

Records revealed that Washington had an extensive criminal history and was out on bond during the incident. He had been released on parole in 2021 and was charged with assaulting his girlfriend in December 2022, a month before he was shot and killed.

Washington had earlier been convicted in 2015 on a charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and sentenced to 15 years behind bars. The conviction was in connection to the shooting to death of 62-year-old mobile phone store owner Hamid Waraich.

Two of Hamid's sons lauded the customer's bravery in killing Washington. Aman, one of Hamid's three sons, remarked: "If the guy who stopped [Washington] was around 10 years ago, maybe I'd still have my dad." Sean, another son of Hamid, called the 46-year-old a "true hero" who "did the right thing in stopping the robber and in protecting the community from a dangerous perpetrator."

SecondAmendment.news has more stories about Americans using their firearms to defend life, liberty and property.

Watch this footage of the shooting at the Houston taco shop, which saw the death of Eric Eugene Washington.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

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Shooting for Women Alliance founder: You are your only responder when things go bad.

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Sources include:

FOX29.com

ABC13.com

Brighteon.com
Governing body for U.S. med schools requires COVID-19 bivalent boosters in immunization schedule, even for low-risk students

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has included the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) bivalent booster shot as part of its standard immunization form for medical students, including those at low risk of getting the disease.

Medical student Forrest Boehler expounded on this edict in a piece for the Federalist. He wrote: "As a current student at an institution that is part of the AAMC, I'm disappointed that the organization is not following the science on the COVID-19 booster to guide its policy recommendations for its member institutions."

"Although the adoption of this [rule] by medical schools is optional, this document is highly influential as some schools use the form as school policy for the vaccinations required of incoming medical students."

According to Boehler, certain schools require incoming medical students to get scheduled vaccines  including the one for COVID-19. Students could seek a waiver for the COVID-19 shot, but some universities only allow exceptions based on medical reasons that align with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Released in September 2022, the bivalent COVID-19 booster was initially introduced to combat the BA2 subvariant of the more infectious B11529 omicron strain. The AAMC published an article highlighting BA2's low potential to cause hospitalization and death at the time. Despite this, the bivalent booster was added to the scheduled immunization form.

The medical student noted that CDC data has shown a consistent decline in COVID-19 hospitalization and death rates. Furthermore, only 0.6 percent of all COVID-related deaths have occurred in people aged 18 to 29  with the majority happening before the omicron variant became dominant. Thus, Boehler questioned why the bivalent COVID-19 booster needs to be included in the immunization schedule.

FDA advisor warns young people against bivalent boosters

Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), warned young people against getting the bivalent boosters. According to him, the injection was approved without human clinical trials being conducted. (Related: NBC reports: Young, healthy people dont need COVID booster.)

The physician's concern centered on the lack of comparative data between the bivalent booster and the previous monovalent version. The FDA authorized the bivalent shot without clinical trials, sparking uncertainty regarding its supposed "advantages" over the previous iteration.

Offit stressed the importance of clear evidence of benefits when recommending vaccines to the public. "If you don't have that, then it's not fair to ask people to take a risk, no matter how small," he said.

Dr. Oliver Brooks, a member of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, also shared Offit's sentiment. He remarked during a September 2022 panel meeting: "I really do struggle with a vaccine that has no clinical data that has been reported for humans."

In an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Offit disclosed that he had voted against authorizing the updated vaccine during a VRBPAC meeting. "We should be careful, however, about overselling the bivalent vaccine as something better than the existing vaccine until more data are available," he warned.

"It is unclear how a mandate for an additional bivalent booster that targets a mild form of the virus for a population largely in their 20s poses any clear benefit for those receiving it. The risks, however, are clear. We know that this vaccine has the potential to cause harm to young, healthy individuals, especially men who receive boosters," Bohler ultimately remarked.

"Considering half of all medical students are young men, why have the AAMC and medical schools decided to put this age group at risk for the known side effects of this treatment?"

Visit Vaccines.news for more stories about the COVID-19 bivalent boosters.

More related stories:

Fauci, Jha urge Americans to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.

NO SCIENCE AT ALL: FDA grants EUA to untested bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

Healthy teen dies in her sleep after getting COVID-19 booster shot.

Dr. Peter McCullough warns: FDA greenlighted Big Pharmas bivalent booster vaccine despite lack of human trials.

Doctors are JUST SAYING NO to covid booster shots.

Sources include:

TheFederalist.com

TheEpochTimes.com

WSJ.com
CASHTON, Wis.  Organic Valley has created a new opportunity for consumers to support the region's small family farms.

The Wisconsin-based farm cooperative has started an online merchandise store full of hats, shirts, totes and more, from which all revenue will end up in the pocket of its member farmers.

We wanted to create a site where people could literally wear their support on their sleeve," said Organic Valley chief brand officer Jaclyn Cardin.

Cardin said the store addresses a growing interest among consumers about where their food comes from and how it is made as well as requests from co-op members.

Cardin said people have started to think more about "human health, sustainability, animal welfare, (and) environmental impacts of food."

Only online Organic Valley merchandise can be purchased online at shop.organicvalley.com.

She said, "All of those things make a brand like Organic Valley even more relevant, because this is something that has been hard coded into the DNA of Organic Valley since 1988.

Serving 1,600 family farms, Organic Valley is the nation's largest farmer-owned organic cooperative. Member farms are not allowed to use antibiotics, synthetic hormones, GMOs or toxic pesticides when caring for their animals.

Organic Valley member Tucker Gretebeck, who lives and works on the family farm where his wife Becky grew in Cashton, is one of the many farmers who will benefit from the additional revenue source.

Gretebeck's farm is a unique member of the cooperative, as he grass-feeds his cows, which allows him to provide some of the milk that goes into Organic Valley's Grassmilk.

Gretebeck said it's wonderful to see Organic Valley create the merchandise store and that it gives him a sense of pride when he sees people wearing the gear out and about in daily life.

"It just makes it feel like you're part of something bigger than yourself," he said.

Organic Valley also will demonstrate its values in its merchandise store by prioritizing U.S. manufacturers who make their products domestically.

Merchandise products are required to either be 100% organic or 100% recycled, with the recycled gear now on sale being 50% cotton scraps discarded from the apparel industry and 50% recycled bottles.

The packing is also good for the environment, as it is unbleached, uncoated cardboard, which can either be recycled or composted, Cardin said.

She said that with a slow introduction to its members and customers, the store's sales are going as expected so far.

With additions like the merchandise store, creating more revenue to benefit its farmers is a goal of Organic Valley.

"We've lost 100,000 family farms in the last decade," Cardin said. "There's not a lot of national companies out there -- almost none -- still fighting for these really small family farms at the scale that we are fighting for them. So this opportunity here with the direct-to-consumer site just allows us another revenue stream that continues to support the mission to save small family farms.

Cardin said Organic Valley hopes to add new items monthly and large new collections seasonally.
FDA approves first OTC birth control pill in the U.S. despite concerns about data on its proper use

Despite the fact that birth control pills are often linked to many adverse health effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has greenlighted Opill, the first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill in the United States.

On June 13, Thursday, the FDA followed the suggestion of so-called expert advisers who recommended back in May that the agency grant OTC sale or nonprescription approval to Opill despite questions raised over the data on its proper use. The approval of Opill significantly expands women's access to contraception throughout the country.

For years, medical societies and advocacy groups have called for birth control to be available over-the-counter like in countries such as Greece and South Korea. The push intensified in 2022 when the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion, leaving decisions on abortion's legality to the states.

Perrigo, Opill's manufacturer, explained that the birth control drug would be available for purchase over the counter by early 2024.

Seventeen advisers to the FDA voted unanimously in May to make Opill available over the counter despite the issues brought up by the agency concerning data Perrigo submitted with its application.

The data presented included a study, which found that many volunteers reported taking more pills than they were dispensed. The agency also questioned if younger women and those with limited literacy could follow the dosing directions, noting that researchers could have used methods that exaggerated positive results.

Pro-life groups advise against approval of Opill for OTC sale

In 2022, several groups, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote to warn the experts advising the FDA that they strongly oppose the nonprescription availability of Opill. On June 13, the Catholic Medical Association said the agency's decision was "deeply concerning."

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, an anti-abortion group, said the FDA's decision was dangerous. Hawkins added that it might not be safe for young people to have access to oral contraceptives without consulting a medical provider and being evaluated for underlying health issues that Opill could worsen. (Related: Birth control pills found to increase the likelihood of ischemic stroke in women.)

The experts advising the FDA claimed that the benefits of making Opill available over the counter exceeded any risks and that its safety had been established for decades.

The FDA first approved Opill for prescription use in 1973, but it wasn't marketed in America.

Opill, a progestin-based contraceptive, is marketed as an alternative to abortion because it supposedly prevents pregnancies rather than ends them. But pro-life groups have warned of Opill's abortifacient potential.

Dr. Donna Harrison of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists warned that numerous studies have shown that if abortifacients like Opill are taken within two to five days before egg release is due to happen, "the interference with the LH signal prevents a woman from releasing an egg  no fertilization happens and no embryo is formed."

However, if the pill is taken during the "two-day window in which embryos can form but positive pregnancy tests don't occur," then multiple studies have indicated that it "has a likely embryocidal effect in stopping pregnancy."

Learn about the adverse side effects contraceptives at DangerousMedicine.com.

Watch the video below to learn more about the dangerous side effects of birth control.

This video is from the Tammy Cuthbert Garcia channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Birth control vaccine that may leave women permanently sterile now in clinical trials.

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How to recover from birth control and the damage it does to your system.

The hidden dangers of birth control pills doctors don't want you to know.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

LifeSiteNews.com

Brighteon.com
Florida GOP leaders declare COVID vaccines a BIOWEAPON as the truth becomes undeniable

The Brevard County Republican Executive Committee (BREC) in Florida has voted on a controversial proposal to declare Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) "vaccines" a "bioweapon."

What the group's leaders want to happen is for Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials to use the proposal as a vehicle to ban covid shots in Florida  not that it would do much good at this point, seeing as how everyone who either wanted to get jabbed or was forced to for employment or schooling already has.

Almost nobody is getting jabbed for covid anymore, but the BREC is still hoping to send a message with the proposal. Brevard County is the 10th largest county by population in Florida, and is home to the Kennedy Space Center, a popular tourist destination in Cocoa Beach.

A copy of the letter, which was sent to hundreds of registered Republicans in Brevard County for their consideration, asks for a "yes" or "no" vote on the proposal, which will then be mailed to all state lawmakers representing the region, including Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, as well as Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.

(Related: One study found that people who took the mRNA injections from Moderna are developing myocarditis at a much higher rate than people who took other covid injections.)

DeSantis asked Florida Supreme Court to have a grand jury investigate covid jab rollout to look for criminal activity

In the letter, it is mentioned that a Florida grand jury is currently investigating Fauci Flu shots to determine if any crimes were committed during the rollout of the shots under Operation Warp Speed. DeSantis asked the Florida Supreme Court last December to put a grand jury together for this purpose.

After granting the request, the Florida Supreme Court passed the buck onto the grand jury to meet and investigate as requested by DeSantis. The proceedings of this investigation are highly secretive on purpose.

"Florida law prohibits fraudulent practices, including the dissemination of false or misleading advertisements of a drug and the use of any representation or suggestion in any advertisement relating to a drug that an application of a drug is effective when it is not," DeSantis wrote in his request.

The BREC letter further explains why its leaders believe the jabs are ineffective, adding that a study found their true purpose to be a bioweapon rather than a medicine.

"Whereas We the People of the State of Florida were told that COVID-19 presented a grave danger to ourselves, our families, and our communities," the letter reads.

"We were then subsequently told to and in many cases mandated to take the experimental COVID-19 injections for the following reasons: That it would prevent transmission and thus stop the spread of COVID-19. That doing so would protect our families, ourselves, and the public. Doing so would allow us to keep our jobs and/or benefits to be able to support our families. By doing so we were doing our patriotic duty for our country, state, and communities. We didn't have a choice because of President Biden's COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates."

The letter goes on to present strong and credible evidence that covid jabs are "biological and technological weapons" that induce serious adverse events, including early death. An "enormous number of humans have died and / or have been permanently disabled," the letter further reads.

"On behalf of the preservation of the human race, the Brevard County Republican Party calls upon Governor DeSantis and the state legislature to prohibit the sale and distribution of COVID-19 injections and all related injections in the state of Florida, and for the state Attorney General to immediately seize all COVID-19 injections and mRNA injections in the state of Florida and have a forensic analysis conducted to determine if the ingredients pose a danger to recipients," the letter concludes.

The latest news about the fallout from Operation Warp Speed can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

CBS12.com

NaturalNews.com
Reggie Littlejohn: WHO is a militarized arm of the UN, other globalists  Brighteon.TV

Human rights activist Reggie Littlejohn described the World Health Organization (WHO) as akin to a "militarized arm" of the United Nations and the globalists that control it.

"The WHO is almost like a militarized arm of the UN and the globalists," she told the Medical Rebel Dr. Lee Merritt on the July 12 episode of the "Merritt Medical Hour" on Brighteon.TV. "They have chosen the WHO because of all the data that has been collected in connection with people's health, because you can terrify people on the subject of health."

Littlejohn, the founder and president of Women's Rights Without Frontiers (WRWF), said various studies have shown that people are willing to give up freedoms they'd hold on to in any other circumstance if they fear for their life or health. One example of this is the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has terrified so many people that health authorities were able to push the COVID-19 vaccine.

She added that the WHO has been heavily backed by entities who are in a position to profit from vaccines. Such groups include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

"You have this organization that is trying to get totalitarian powers through the International Health Regulations (IHR) amendment and the new pandemic treaty; is heavily sponsored by people who would benefit greatly from vaccine; and [is] telling you the only solution to this is a vaccine," Littlejohn said.

The WRWF founder and president commented that the pandemic became a pretext to issue vaccine passports, smart health cards and digital health IDs to people. Littlejohn warned that when these things are in place, they will become instruments of surveillance and control.

WHO to utilize pandemic treaty for MEDICAL MARTIAL LAW

Merritt agreed with her guest, saying that the global health body isn't doing it by itself. She cited a book titled "Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars" that discussed the global elites' plans following the Bilderberg Group meeting in 1954. The book mentions conducting benevolent slavery or genocide in order to control humanity.

In response to Merritt's question about the WHO's motive, Littlejohn said it has to do with totalitarian control orchestrated by the "people at the top."

"I don't think we know who those people are. I think that the people who are the faces that we see are probably not at the top, are more like puppets of the people at the top, but I think they're megalomaniacs. I think that they want to control the world, just like megalomaniacs have throughout history, but they have never had the technology to actually effectuate it."

The WRWF founder and president remarked that this group is now using the WHO to put this plan in place by amending the IHR.

"Right now, the WHO is just an advisory body, and it sees what is going on health-wise in the world. It makes suggestions and the countries are free to follow it or not follow it. What they want with these international health regulations amendment will turn it from an advisory body into a regulatory body with powers of enforcement," Littlejohn explained. (Related: Alex Newman and Dr. Peter Breggin discuss why WHO is the greatest threat to freedom today  Brighteon.TV.)

"They want to make their decisions to be legally binding on nations so that we will not be able to decide how we are going to handle a health situation. They will decide how we handle a health situation up to the point of even telling doctors what they cannot, can and cannot prescribe, and they also want the right to force vaccinations to destroy our personal medical freedom."

Watch the July 12 episode of "Merritt Medical Hour" with Reggie Littlejohn below. The "Merritt Medical Hour" airs every Wednesday at 7-8 p.m. and Saturday at 2-3 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Human rights activist warns: Pending WHO treaties to usher in TYRANNY in America.

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Sources include:

Brighteon.com

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Russia halts Black Sea grain deal but denies its connection to Ukrainian sea drone attack

Russia announced on July 17 its decision to suspend its participation in a year-old United Nations-brokered grain export deal that allowed Ukraine to transport grain through the Black Sea but denied its connection to the Ukrainian attack.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, denied the link between the Ukrainian sea drone attack and Russia's decision to suspend the Black Sea grain deal. Peskov stated that the decision to quit the deal stemmed from the failure to meet its demands to implement a parallel agreement easing rules for its grain and fertilizer exports. Additionally, Russia pointed out the insufficient grains reaching poor countries. (Related: Russia halts participation in Ukraine grain deal following massive Ukrainian drone attack on Black Sea fleet.)

The Black Sea grains deal, facilitated by the UN and Turkey in July 2022, effectively reduced global food prices and facilitated access to essential food supplies for aid agencies during a time of rising demand and limited funding.

According to the UN trade data, Somalia received 84,000 tonnes of wheat from Ukraine in 2022, a significant increase from the 31,000 tonnes received in 2021. The data reveals that international donors strengthened their assistance to combat an impending famine in the region.

As a response to Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that it would negatively affect people in need worldwide. Guterres indicated that Russia's decision also terminated the related pact that facilitated Russia's grain and fertilizer exports.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine proposed the resumption of grain exports without Russian involvement. He suggested seeking support from Turkey to counteract the de facto blockade imposed by Russia last year. Zelenskiy stressed the need for international cooperation to ensure security and protection against Russian aggression.

End of Black Sea grain deal may have global effect

The withdrawal of Russia from the Black Sea grain deal affected the availability and affordability of food in poor countries. Shashwat Saraf, the emergency director in East Africa for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), said Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, which are currently facing the worst drought in decades in the Horn of Africa, would be the most affected at the end of the grain deal.

In Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, wheat prices had doubled after Russia invaded Ukraine but experienced a 25 percent decrease after the implementation of the grains deal. However, in the wake of Moscow's announcement, traders, bakers and victims of armed conflicts and droughts felt a sense of dread.

Halima Hussein, a mother of five residing in a crowded Mogadishu camp for internally displaced persons affected by years of failed rains and violence from Islamist militants, said: "I don't know how we will survive. Aid agencies try their best to sustain our lives, but they have very little to give."

Traders in Mogadishu have projected that the cost of a 50 kg bag of wheat grain may rise from the current $20 to nearly $30. Furthermore, the rush to stock up on food supplies has already begun.

Shopkeepers like Mohamed Osman strive to secure wheat grain sacks before prices surge. Osman explained that purchasing in advance is necessary to prevent the less fortunate from being unable to afford essential food items like wheat.

Korir Sing'Oei, the permanent secretary of Kenya's foreign affairs ministry, emphasized that food prices, already at historic highs, would experience further increases. Sing'Oei warned that commodities that used to cost a pound or two would now cost four, effectively doubling the prices.

In addition to the direct impact of reduced grain supply from Ukraine, one of the world's largest grain exporters, instability in global markets may prompt countries with modest surpluses to curtail exports. Its effect will also extend to better-off countries as well.

Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer, benefited from the agreement as it faced financial pressure following the war and the subsequent rise in global wheat prices. However, the withdrawal caused a spike in the prices of unsubsidized bread, further burdening families already enduring years of austerity.

As a result of rising food prices, aid agencies like the IRC will need to increase the value of cash transfers to provide assistance to hungry individuals, which may lead to a reduction in the number of beneficiaries.

The latest news about the war in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news.

Watch this video to learn more about the Ukrainian attack on the Crimean Bridge and its connection to the end of the grain deal.

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Sources include:

Reuters.com

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Brighteon.com
Ukraines deadly kamikaze drone strike, orchestrated with help of U.K. and U.S., kills couple and injures teen while damaging Crimean bridge

The Russian government slammed Britain and the United States for orchestrating with Ukraine a deadly kamikaze drone attack that damaged President Vladimir Putin's 3 billion bridge. The Crimean bridge links Moscow to Crimea  a Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia in 2014  and is a major supply line for Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack with the involvement of the "two superpower nations." "Today's attack on the Crimean bridge was carried out by the Kyiv regime. This regime is terrorist and has all the hallmarks of an international organized crime group," she said. "Decisions are made by Ukrainian officials and the military with the direct participation of American and British intelligence agencies and politicians. The U.S. and Britain are in charge of a terrorist state structure."

Dramatic footage appears to show the moment huge explosions ripped through the 12-mile crossing, with large flashes and thunderous blasts seen and heard from neighboring towns. Couple Natalya Kulik, 36, and her husband Alexei, 40, were killed in their Hyundai car which was close to one of the blasts. Their daughter Angelina, 14, suffered wounds, a broken nose and a concussion and is being treated in intensive care at a hospital in Russia's Krasnodar region.

"It's very bad, in real life [the damage] looks very bad," a witness told local media.

Russia's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later said Moscow is aware that Britain, the U.S. and NATO were providing intelligence to Ukraine. "We know very well how deep the coordination is between the Kyiv regime, Washington, a number of European capitals and NATO," he answered reporters asking about the bridge strike. "We know perfectly well how much information comes from NATO and Washington to Kyiv on a permanent basis. Therefore, we have no illusions here." (Related: NATO offers Ukraine security guarantee but not an invite to the alliance.)

In response to this attack, Putin's furious propagandists called for Moscow to conduct a retaliatory strike on the Tower Bridge in London. A close Putin ally and the head of RT propaganda media empire Margaret Simonyan demanded: "Does this make Tower Bridge a legitimate target? For me, that's quite it."

Russian officials and lawmakers are also calling for immediate action from the Kremlin. Russian senator Vladimir Dzhabarov insisted Putin redouble efforts to take over Ukraine in response to the strikes. "Ukraine must be completely cut off from the Black Sea, otherwise the threats to Crimea will be repeated again and again," he said. Another senator Andriy Klishas said that "the denazification and demilitarization of Ukraine are very urgent tasks. "We will understand that these tasks have been completed when such actions become impossible for the remnants of the Ukrainian state."

Furthermore, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Putin should 'blow up' the homes of Ukrainians in response to the drone strike. "The world and our own experience show that it is impossible to fight terrorists with international sanctions, intimidation or exhortations. They only understand the language of power. Only personal and completely inhumane methods," he said adding that the main thing is to destroy the top leadership of terrorist formations, in whatever cracks these insects hide.

"It's difficult but possible," he said.

Putin to fight "senseless" and "cruel" attack

According to Russian authorities, the Kerch bridge that was opened in 2018 and enables road and rail travel between Russia and Crimea, was attacked with two "unmanned surface vessels" drones that travelled over water rather than through the air. In televised comments on Monday evening, Putin accused Ukraine of launching the "senseless" and "cruel" attack and vowed to retaliate.

During the TV appearance with Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said the bridge would be completely repaired by November 1, while road traffic would resume in one direction from 15 September.

Because of the "violent terrorist attack," long traffic jams occurred on the remaining road route out of Crimea. Also, severe train delays on the railway were reported and the ferry crossing that runs parallel to the bridge was also affected.

"Russian officials urged holidaymakers stranded in Crimea to drive home through areas of southern Ukraine occupied by Russia since its army invaded last year. The officials said they would reduce curfew hours to let tourists through and that the army would keep the route "safe," BBC reported. Commercial flights between Russia and Crimea, which has become a popular holiday destination for Russians since 2014, have been suspended since Moscow's invasion.

Visit RussiaReport.news for more news related to the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

BBC.com
Some bottlenose dolphins attacked and injured four swimmers in a beach in Japan and scientists believed that this was due to the marine mammal's stress.

One of the victims, a 60-year-old man, suffered broken ribs after a dolphin bit and attacked him, according to a report on BBC. Another man also had bites in his arm following a separate dolphin attack.

Both incidents took place in Suishohama beach, which is a tourist destination situated in the town of Mihama, Fukui on Sunday.

Authorities further said that two more individuals were also assaulted by the dolphins in the same day.

Why 'friendly' dolphins attack humans?

Despite the amusing aura of dolphins, scientists have found that its species, the wild bottlenose, have experienced a stressful environment whenever they swim in waters together with human beings.

A Telegraph report said the stress that the mammals are feeling often disrupts their behavior, which may later lead to aggression.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned in an earlier USA Today report that while the dolphins look like that they are too friendly, these should still be considered as a wild marine animal with unpredictable behavior.

"It is showing behaviors similar to other lone, sociable dolphins worldwide," the NOAA had said.

Experts explained that they could show behaviors in which they follow boats and start to play with people. However, on the latter part, they could be dominant and be aggressive towards human beings.

Research also showed that dolphins could be a threat to humans whenever they feel or notice that their babies or even their territories are at risk.

Sometimes, dolphins attack humans because they thought the latter are their fellow animals, according to a DailyO report. This is common whenever a swimmer was in waters wearing a gear that looks like a dolphin's skin.

Read Also: Bottlenose Dolphins Migrate to Bay Area for First Time as Water Temperatures Rise in North, Central California

Human-made noise also affects dolphins

Meanwhile, another study has found that the noise made by human beings could also affect the behavior of dolphins.

Researchers from the University of Bristol said that dolphins could not even minimize the impact of human-made noise, even by adjusting the marine animal's own vocal behavior.

"For years we have known that animals can attempt to compensate for increased noise in their environment by adjusting their vocal behaviour. Our work shows that these adjustments are not necessarily sufficient to overcome the negative impacts of noise on communication between animals working together," Pernille Sorensen, lead author of the study, said.

Studies have shown that the bottlenose dolphins are one of the most widely distributed dolphin species in the waters. They usually reside in tropical and temperate oceans around the world, including waters off United Kingdom and Ireland.

These marine mammals usually measure around two to four meters in length and they are described as extremely social as they usually travel in pods that can contain hundreds of individuals.

The species is still not described as endangered; however, they remain threatened by illegal hunting, use of fishing nets, shipping, and marine pollution. Its worldwide population is believed to have reached 600,000.

Related Article: 7 Disturbing Facts That Reveal the Mean Side of Dolphins

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Southern Europe is bracing to hit record-breaking temperatures as a blistering heatwave approaches.

A new anticyclone dubbed Charon, known as the ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology, is expected to surge into the region from north Africa and could raise temperatures beyond 45 degrees Celsius in Italy, Spain, and Greece.

"We need to prepare for a severe heat storm that, day after day, will blanket the whole country," Italian weather news service said, as quoted by The Independent. "In some places ancient heat records will be broken."

According to Il Meteo, Charon's impacts will reach from the Mediterranean basin to some areas of Eastern Europe, engulfing the entire country of Italy.

Temperatures in Rome are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius on Monday and 42 degrees Celsius to 43 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, breaking the previous high of 40.5 degrees Celsius recorded in August 2007.

"We're from Texas and it's really hot there, we thought we would escape the heat but it's even hotter here," Colman Peavy told the National News.

The Mediterranean region has already experienced high temperatures for the past few days due to another weather system that has moved northwards from north Africa and is named Cerberus, a three-headed monster that guards the gates to the underworld in Greek mythology.

Read Also: 65 Years Old Man Died From Heatwave In Death Valley National Park, California

Health concerns

The Italian government has issued hot weather red alerts for 16 cities, including Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Perugia, as well as 10 recommendations for the elderly, sick, and pets to stay indoors during the hottest hours to protect them from extreme heat.

The NBC News reported that the government was put under pressure to protect workers exposed to the extreme heat after a 44-year-old man who was painting road markings collapsed and died in Lodi last week.

In Greece, the government has ordered the suspension of work in the afternoon in locations where the risk of heat stroke is quite high, as well as remote work for private-sector personnel with health issues.

The extreme heat also prompted the closure of the ancient Acropolis during the hottest part of the day to protect tourists.

Forecasters in Spain warned of the potential for forest fires and said it would be difficult to sleep at night, with temperatures unlikely to fall below 25 degrees Celsius across the country.

At least 4,000 people were evacuated as wildfires on the Spanish island of La Palma were out of control.

Heat waves one of the deadliest natural hazards

A recent study shows that nearly 62,000 people died from heat-related illnesses in Europe last year.

Italy has the highest number of fatalities with over 18,000 deaths, followed by Spain with more than 11,000 and Germany with 8,000 deaths.

This data suggests that Europe's current prevention efforts to counter heat waves are not sufficient.

"The fact that more than 61,600 people in Europe died of heat stress in the summer of 2022, even though, unlike in 2003, many countries already had active prevention plans in place, suggests that adaptation strategies currently available may still be insufficient," said Hicham Achebak, a co-author of the study and researcher at ISGlobal

Related Article: Europe Soaring Temperatures: 61,672 Died in Heat-Related Illnesses Last Year

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Without a budget for an airconditioning repair, the latest report said that a 67 years old man died from extreme heat in Houston, Texas.

Homeowners in the South are advised to stay in cooler environments and stay updated with the hotter conditions in the region, as heat could become deadly.

The National Weather Service (NWS) advisories warned residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the scorching temperatures due to possible heat-related health concerns.

Heat advisories and warnings are present in parts of the country.

In recent news, the Nature World News (NWN) reported that challenging heat conditions are forecast to unfold in the Southwestern United States, bringing daily highs and record-breaking temperatures.

The forecast said a hotter outlook is expected in Las Vegas, Elko, California, Fresno, Los Angeles, Utah, Phoenix and San Francisco.

Man dies from extreme heat in Houston, Texas

In Houston, Texas, AccuWeather reported that a 67 years old man died from the extreme heat conditions in the region.

The report said the man was recorded as the first heat-related death in Houston.

Parts of Texas are no strangers to severe weather conditions, including isolated tornadoes, damaging winds and thunderstorms. The south has experienced challenging heat, including daily highs.

According to AccuWeather's news, the man was identified as Victor Ramos, a resident of Southwest Houston.

As per the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the casualty was brought to the nearby hospital.

He was no longer responsive inside his residence, where he likely suffered from heat-related illnesses.

According to American Red Cross, extreme heat could kill people, becoming a dangerous weather event in the United States.

In the KHOU 11 news report, the victim informed his sister that he was not feeling well before he was found unresponsive in his home.

When his sister, Karla Ramos, discovered this, she immediately called 911.

The report added that Ramos air conditioning was not working because he could not afford it. The family had been there for him for his daily needs.

Also Read: Hazy Skies in US: Poor Air Quality Alerts Issued in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Heatwave safety tips for Houston residents

The American Red Cross advised Americans to stay safe from the dangerous heat. Recently, NWN reported that a 65 years old man died from extreme heat in California. Read here.

Americans should stay prepared for the record-breaking heat conditions in the country, as the summer season has already begun.

Here are the essential reminders to keep safe from the hotter conditions in the US.

Keep updated with the weather conditions.

Homeowners should ensure that their air conditioning systems are working. Regular checkups and repairs are essential.

Americans should also consider looking for cooler environments to ease the heat!

Stay hydrated at all times. Look after your pets and children.

Related Article: 65 Years Old Man Died From Heatwave in Death Valley National Park, California

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
A new report raised concerns about the worsening decline of the North Atlantic Right Whale population due to continuous threats of ship collisions and fishing gear entanglement. Read here.

The population of North Atlantic Right Whales has been monitored due to the potential risk of extinction, raising stricter measures to protect their species.

According to NOAA Fisheries, the North Atlantic Right Whale, also known as Eubalaena glacialis , can weigh up to 140,000 pounds. The said whale species can be found in the regions of New England, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

NOAA reported that the North Atlantic Right Whale is endangered due to climate change, ocean noise, vessel collisions and fishing gear entanglement.

The report highlighted that commercial whaling in the 1890s caused the decline and potential extinction of the North Atlantic Whale, a slow recovery population.

North Atlantic Right Whale declining population

According to Associated Press (AP) latest news, the North Atlantic Whales suffered from a worsening population decline.

In the previous reports, the NOAA Fisheries noted that about 350 North Atlantic Right Whales are endangered, highlighting that the population has suffered from unusual mortality events since 2017.

The dwindling North Atlantic Right Whales population worsened after 114 whales were reported dead or suffered from injuries or sickness.

The 144 reports noted that 36 whales died, as the agency only documented a third of the said whale deaths.

Recently, CNN reported that a four-year-old North Atlantic Right Whale was spotted near the East of Rodanthe in North Carolina.

However, the report said that the young whale had wounds due to fishing gear entanglement.

According to an AP report, Sarah Sharp explained the threats that whales face. Sharp is an animal rescuer at the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Sharp explained that it would become more difficult for the injured animals to reproduce.

More facts about North Atlantic Right Whale

According to the NOAA Fisheries, adult North Atlantic Right Whales can reach 52 feet in length, while young calves can reach 14 feet.

They can live up to 70 years. The report highlighted that the human-caused threats have reduced the lifespans of Right Whales, in which a female could likely reach 45 while a female can reach 65.

Also Read: Possible Sharks Roaming Along Long Island Beaches Bite Five People in Just Two Days

The whales can look similar, but scientists identify each North Atlantic Right Whale with their unique patterns of callosities,

The right whales like to travel in Atlantic Coastal Waters; their species can also be found on Canada's coasts. They maintain good communication with other Right Whales using low-frequency signals.

According to Conservation Law Foundation, the North Atlantic Right Whale can eat a lot of food to stay alert and survive underwater. The report noted that the Right Whale can digest huge amounts of copepods.

The said whales help fight climate change by helping with carbon storage, showing their significant environmental contribution.

As a result, scientists explained the importance of conservation management of North Atlantic Right Whales to save them from the brink of extinction.

Related Article: Tragic Death in Hawaii Coast: Fishing Gear, Plastic Found in Sperm Whale's Stomach

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
Following heavy rains in the south-west of England in the United Kingdom, raw sewage alerts have been raised for most of the beaches in Cornwall.

According to the pressure group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), which monitors the water quality of 68 beaches in the area, almost 80 percent of the beaches were contaminated with sewage pollution.

The Independent reported that 33 beaches received a "sewage pollution alert" and 21 received a "pollution risk forecast or incident alert".

A sewage pollution alert means that storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours. Meanwhile, a pollution risk forecast or incident alert indicates there is potential for sewage to be in the area.

The most recent alerts also had an impact on beaches on the north and south sides of Cornwall, including hotspots like Falmouth, Penzance, and Looe.

The main cause of contaminated beaches is urban runoff, which includes fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and untreated human and animal waste entering waterways. Heavy rain flow can lead these substances to bodies of water and eventually end up on the beach.

The polluted water mostly stays on the surface, making it harmful to enter the water.

According to Surf Today, as reported by Cornwall Live, experts recommend waiting at least 72 hours after rain before returning to the sea.

Swallowing water tainted with feces could result in a variety of ailments such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and an irritated stomach and intestines.

The Met Office had earlier issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for Scotland and northern England, as well as a strong wind warning for the south of England.

Read Also: Bacteria and Chemical Compounds From Coastal Water Pollution Can Reach People via Sea Spray Aerosol Along Beaches, Potentially Causing Complications

UK sewage system "woefully inadequate"

The SAS describes the UK sewage system as "woefully inadequate," as water corporations regularly release raw sewage into rivers and the ocean through a network of 18,000 regulated sewer overflows.

In 2021, the group recorded that the sewage discharged in Cornwall's rivers and seas was 370,000 times, for a total of 2.7 million hours.

The group claimed that the firms have been underinvesting in their sewage management systems while paying out 60 billion in dividends to shareholders over the last 30 years.

"The sheer volume of pollution entering our water means the UK consistently ranks as one of the worst European countries for coastal water quality," they added.

Tourist in Cornwall

Despite health risks, Cornwall tourism is expected to boom this summer.

The BBC reported that figures from Visit Cornwall estimate that there will be 14 million visitors per day in the county.

Authorities have strengthened their police presence in some of the tourist hotspots, with Devon and Cornwall Police beginning their summer policing with enhanced foot, bike, and e-bike patrols in villages, towns, resorts, beaches, and inland open spaces.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has funded an additional 800 hours' worth of patrol.

"Tourism is an important part of Cornwall's economy, and we very much welcome visitors to the county who respect our community and places," said Ch Supt. Ben Deer, commander of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Police. "We encourage the public to enjoy the environment, sea, and scenery safely and respectfully whilst they spend time here."

Related Article: Massive Sewage Spill of 30,000 Gallons Prompts Closure of Beaches Along Lunada Bay, Los Angeles

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ALMA, Wis.  Law enforcement officials in western Wisconsin are taking a wait-and-see approach to potential marijuana trafficking through the state as Minnesota is set to legalize recreational use of the drug Aug. 1.

When the new Minnesota law takes effect, adults age 21 and up will be able to possess and transport up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis and edible products with up to 800 milligrams of THC. Minnesota residents also are allowed to possess up to 2 pounds of pot at their homes.

When enacted, the Minnesota law makes marijuana legal in all states bordering Wisconsin except Iowa and marks the first time the western part of the state had legal marijuana nearby.

Possession, use or sale of marijuana remain illegal in Wisconsin.

'Nothing planned'

Buffalo County Sheriff Michael Osmond said the impact of Minnesota's legalization on his county is unknown.

I trust that the folks over in Minnesota will know that its illegal over here, and theyll just stay over and keep all the products over there, Osmond said. Theres certainly potential, but Im just hoping for the best and that people know its still illegal over here and were going to enforce the law.

Buffalo County is one of the few Wisconsin counties on the Mississippi River with two bridges going into Minnesota. Osmond said the bridges are the two busiest points for traffic in the county.

Were not going to do anything different than the last 17 years Ive been here, Osmond said. Theres nothing planned at this point for any major checkpoints or any of that, but we will still be very present on the bridges as we have been.

After Minnesota legalized edibles containing small amounts of hemp-derived THC last year, Osmund said he didnt notice any significant impact in Buffalo County.

If theres a big dispensary right across the bridge in Winona at the bottom of the bridge, one could say a lot of people from Wisconsin could travel over there and pick it up and bring it back, Osmond said. Well see what the impacts are as they come.

Border concerns

Since Michigan and Illinois legalized recreational marijuana, Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes said his department has seen more instances of the drug in Wisconsin, especially near the borders.

As legalization has encircled us and enclosed on us, its become more apparent that its here, Hakes said. With me, having a law enforcement network of people, Ive had conversations when Michigan legalized. I know they saw an increase in the northeast portion of the state. Same thing when Illinois passed legalization of it in the southern part of the state.

He said it's likely law enforcement agencies in the western part of the state will experience the same situation.

I think were going to see a repeat of what youve seen in the northeastern portion of the state, Hakes said. Its already here in such a volume its not uncommon for us to come across marijuana.

While marijuana remains illegal in Wisconsin, Hakes said offenders caught with small quantities of pot as a first offense are issued citations.

Hakes said any additional resources his department uses for drug enforcement would be directed toward limiting the proliferation of heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine  not marijuana.

Thats really where our big concern is. Those are the drugs that are ruining our childrens lives, that are displacing kids into foster care, and that are killing our citizens, Hakes said. But people have to be cognizant of marijuana, though. If its legal in Minnesota, there are employers who still view it as illegal. Even if you went to Michigan for the weekend (you'd) have to take a drug test when you get home.

Black market

Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said Wisconsin is going to feel the impact of Minnesotas legalization when people buy from dispensaries and travel across the border. He said on his side of the border, he's concerned about people driving while impaired after purchasing and using marijuana.

If someone has a legal amount and theyre transporting it legally in their vehicle, its not a violation until they cross, Ganrude said. If people are bringing marijuana into Wisconsin, is the driver under the influence? Thats a concern, too.

Ganrude also said people bringing in large amounts of legally-purchased Minnesota weed in Wisconsin is concerning because it may be intended for further illegal sale.

If the roles were reversed and Wisconsin legalized, we would just be talking to our guys about what to look out for and what interactions to have with the general public on traffic stops, Ganrude said.

There is a stream of illegal marijuana that runs through Winona County, Ganrude said.

Were on two major roadways, we got Amtrak in town, and theres a lot of traffic between Chicago and the Twin Cities and it comes right through here, Ganrude said. I guess well find out after August if people are growing their own or theyre still importing their stuff.

La Crosse County Sheriff John Siegel declined to comment for this story until after Minnesotas legalization is in effect and theres data to draw conclusions on.

The law is new, we do not know how it will or wont affect our deputies or communities or what enforcement may look like, Siegel said in a statement.

The Wisconsin State Patrol declined to answer questions about the potential impact of legal marijuana in Minnesota on interstate traffic in Wisconsin. The agency issued a statement reinforcing that marijuana is illegal in Wisconsin.

Possession of marijuana remains illegal under Wisconsin law. It does not matter if the marijuana was obtained legally in another state, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs said in a statement. When officers with the Wisconsin State Patrol or other Wisconsin law enforcement agencies locate illegal substances such as marijuana, they will take appropriate enforcement action based on the circumstances.
An unusual infection of bird flu was detected in cats in Poland. Authorities are investigating how cats became infected.

Pet owners in Poland are advised to observe their cats and bring them to the nearest veterinary clinic.

It is also best to keep them indoors to avoid possible exposure to the H5N1 variant. Reports noted that exposure and risk to humans are low.

Recently, Nature World News (NWN) reported that bird flu was detected in Ireland after hundreds of birds tested positive for bird flu influenza.

In the report, BirdWatch Ireland explained that the population of Roseate Terns and Sandwich Terns could become affected, as bird flu could infect seabird colonies.

Cats die from bird flu infection

The unusual death of cats in Poland caused an alarm, as dozens of cats died from the H5N1 bird flu.

In the latest Associated Press (AP) news, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that 29 tested positive for H5N1 bird flu.

The report noted the strange deaths of over 45 cats in parts of Poland, as the H5N1 outbreak was detected in parts of Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia.

In the Sky News report, people are urged to watch their pets and strictly keep them inside or indoors.

On the other hand, Global News Canada reported that experts were looking into possible sources of exposure:

Direct or indirect contact with birds carrying bird flu disease

Consumed birds or food with bird flu disease

The EU's European Food Safety Authority noted that it would help avoid any possible exposure to pets to H5N1 bird flu.

Furthermore, the report explained that the increasing cases of H5N1 bird flu infections could result in the disease mutation.

Meanwhile, the WHO noted the unusual infection of bird flu among mammals. According to Global News Canada, ten countries reported bird flu cases in mammals.

Cat deaths in Cyprus

In the previous articles, Nature World News (NWN) and The Telegraph reported that about 300,000 died since January in Cyprus due to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).

Also Read: Bird Flu in Ireland: Hundreds of Birds Found Dead That Could Impact Seabird Colonies

The infectious disease killed many cats on the famous island of cats in Cyprus, where kittens are the most vulnerable to the infection.

According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, some signs of FIP include diarrhea, fever, aggressiveness and sneezing.

Pet owners should immediately bring their cats or pets to the nearest veterinary clinic if they show signs of infections.

Protecting your pets

Homeowners can also protect their pets from possible infection, especially if there are disease cases in their communities.

Animals, including pets and dogs, can become vulnerable to infections if they are left untreated.

As the disease is present, it is best that homeowners should not allow their pets to roam around outdoors.

Securing them in a safe place will become helpful to reduce the possible exposure.

Related Article: About 300,000 Cats Die in Cyprus 'Island of Cats' Due to Viral Virus Outbreak

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
As Greece battled the effects of the heatwave, huge wildfires broke out near the capital, which later prompted a major evacuation among residents.

According to Reuters, the fire started in the village of Kouvaras, which is located around 27 kilometers (17 miles) southeast of Athens.

The fires were fought by more than 200 firefighters, 20 soldiers, 68 fire engines, 10 aircraft, and six helicopters.

Authorities evacuated more than 100 residents, as well as dozens of horses, as the flames reached stables in the areas of Kalyvia and Anavyssos.

On Monday evening, police announced the arrest of a "foreigner" for allegedly causing the fire, the DW News reported.

Another wildfire broke out close to the seaside resort of Loutraki, about 50 miles west of Athens.

This prompted the evacuation of 1,200 children in a summer camp and residents of a rehabilitation center.

About 135 firefighters, 50 fire engines, 40 soldiers, and 13 aircraft were deployed to put out the fire, which led authorities to close a portion of a roadway and interrupt train services.

In the late afternoon, a third fire started in a forest about 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Athens, in the Dervenochoria region.

Read Also: Firms in the United States Seldom Identify Wildfire Hazards in Mandatory Federal Filings

Strong winds

Authorities have reported a total of 81 fires burning on Monday near Athens.

According to Fire Service spokesman Yiannis Artopios, the erratic winds and mountainous terrain where the fires started were hampering the firefighting effort.

"The conditions are changing constantly and this has to be matched by our response. We have ordered multiple evacuations," he added.

Wildfires are common in Greece during the summer; however, the dry winter has produced tinderbox conditions.

Aljazeera reported that re-elected Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis characterized the wildfire as "extremely difficult" to cope with, advising citizens to follow civil protection rules.

"We have always had wildfires and we always will have them. But with the effects of the climate crisis, we are experiencing fires with increasing intensity," Mitsotakis said, speaking on a summit in Brussels with leaders from the European Union and Latin American and Caribbean countries.

EU to send firefighting planes

The European Union has announced that it will assist Greece in combating wildfires after Athens requested assistance from fellow member states, the Guardian reported.

Canadair firefighting planes from Italy and France will be dispatched after the activation of the bloc's civil protection mechanism, European Commission spokesperson Janez Lenarcic said.

The Greek government reported that fires had reignited in the area of Dervenochoria on Tuesday despite the efforts of the authorities.

Christos Stathis, mayor of Mandra, said the lack of firefighting planes contributed to the fast spread of the flames.

"Until 4am there was no problem with fires in the wider region of Mandra," he said. "Unfortunately, the lack of firefighting planes have brought these negative results."

According to reports, another fire has rekindled in Loutraki, a vacation town on the Gulf of Corinth.

"Right now there are several active fires and many flare-ups in Loutraki," said the fire department.

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Nature teaches us new things every now and then by helping us disconnect from the rigours of the hectic daily life and focus on finding some solitude in an otherwise chaotic world. It reminds us of the ever-changing planet and unfolds its beauty and simplicity to us in unique ways.

There are few more exhilarating travel experiences than heading to remote destinations in order to get up close to iconic wildlife in their natural habitat.

So whether it's a birdwatching trip to Galapagos or an extreme jaguar sighting expedition to Brazil, here are some outstanding wildlife experiences to try for the nature enthusiast. You can choose reputed firms like wildfoottravel.com to ensure a hassle free adventure.

Let's see how many you can tick off!

Small group safari, Namibia

This unique 10 day wildlife safari across the massive and highly diverse country of Namibia comes up with some of the most amazing wildlife experiences to be had anywhere in Africa.

Since the entire trip is for only seven people, traveling in a small group in the company of an exceptional local certified naturalist guide is the best way to get an in-depth knowledge of not only the animals and birds you may come across but also about the way of life of the friendly locals.

This fascinating trip will take you to the iconic sand dunes of Swakopmund before heading to the Skeleton Coast and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein, not to forget some thrilling game drives in the private Ongava Reserve and the famous Etosha National Park.

Cruising the Galapagos

A nine nights cruise covering the south,East and central islands of Galapagos begins and ends at the fascinating city of Quito. Your luxury yacht, with limited passengers, will take you to the different islands for amazing close encounters with both marine and land animal life.

An experienced local guide will show you around Quito and the world heritage Old Town, apart from offering briefings and guidance at every stage of the trip.The Galapagos cruise is the ultimate wildlife trip as the animals here have no fear of humans and one can enjoy some intimate close encounters with them.

Free snorkeling equipment is available on board for those who wish to use it. A visit to the wildlife interpretation centre is also part of your Galapagos tour itinerary.

Birding in Costa Rica

With around 887 species recorded till date, Costa Rica enjoys one of the top positions as a leading birding destination of the world. A tailored thirteen day self-drive bird and animal watching safari to this coastal mountain region guarantees a wildlife trip like no other.

Moreover, driving by yourself will give you the freedom to move at your own pace and enjoy the services of a certified national park guide at every lodge you stay. Here you will have the sole privilege of exploring the surrounding tropical forest, home to nearly 500 bird species.

If that does not tick off on your list, be prepared to come across a resplendent quetzal, in the cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota. Mammals found here include sloths, monkeys, iguanas, reptiles, colorful frogs and spectacular butterflies. During the trip you will also stay at Costa Rica's world famous birding lodge, Rancho Naturalists in Turrialba.

Pantanal jaguar expedition

Travel in a small concentration group of like-minded people for 11 days in one of the best jaguar viewing environments in entire South America, the Pantanal.Experienced guides and photographers will ensure this trip on the Amazon will provide you with a complete Brazilian wildlife experience.

On this extreme expedition you will stay in high-end eco lodges and travel by a specially crafted vessel to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the region, including the elusive jaguar.

All land based safaris and excursions will be in open trucks with services of an expert naturalist guide to assist you throughout the trip. Some unique wild animal sightings should include Cayman, giant otters and a spectacular variety of birds.

National Parks of Zambia

Travel for ten days in the peak season between June and October to Zambia for the ultimate wildlife viewing experience. On this special itinerary, you will cover the South Luangwa Valley and the lower Zambezi region with the sole aim to spot the fantastic wildlife found in this part of the world.

Game drives in morning and evening and bush walks at sunset will be the key attractions of this trip. Follow this up with a canoe safari and then a boat cruise at sunset to get up close to elephants and buffalo feeding or drinking on the edge of the water.

You will stay at some of the most authentic bush camps that still offer an outstanding bush experience, albeit with no frills spared. South Luangwa is the bastion of walking safaris and is the best place in Africa to track wild animals on foot.Finally, take a night drive to spot leopard, nocturnal bush babies, ocelot, honey badger and much more.

Best of Patagonia

An exclusive 18 day Patagonia special will take you from the wilds of the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina to the Chilean fjords terminating at the legendary Cape Horn. This itinerary, beginning from Buenos Aires, encompasses the best of Patagonia aboard an especially curated luxury sailing vessel.

On the way, you will visit Santiago, Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the wildlife rich Valdes Peninsula, the world renowned Torres del Paine National Park and the glaciers and fjords of Cape Horn.The services of a reputed English speaking guide are included in the trip.

Wildlife seen on the trip will be specialities like elephant seals in the creek at Caleta Valdes, apart from armadillo, fix and hares. Go on a boat trip to Puerto Piramudas to see southern right whales during July and August.to December and nesting penguins between September and March.

Desert wildlife safari

A desert safari in Namibia gives you the unique opportunity to witness some remarkable animal species not to be found anywhere else in the world.Not only that, this private safari will allow you to experience the memorable country in a personal way.

Some of the most elusive but sought after species you will find during your stay in the Sossusvlei National Park are black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant and a number of endemic bird species, all in the company of a well-informed private guide.

You get to track black rhino and desert adapted elephants on this epic 13 day safari and an opportunity to go kayaking in the sea to spot the seals and dolphins on the Skeleton Coast. Needless to say, this will be the trip of a lifetime for any nature enthusiast.
Agriculture is a leading employer in Africa, but it also faces many challenges, such as low productivity, climate change, and environmental degradation.

Technology can help boost farming in Africa, but it can also threaten biodiversity, which is essential for food security and ecosystem services.

A new study published in Current Opinion in Biotechnology explores this question by examining the linkages between agricultural labor dynamics and biodiversity loss.

Trade-offs between labor-saving technologies and biodiversity

The study, led by researchers from different disciplines and institutions, argues that efforts to promote biodiversity-friendly agriculture often neglect the trade-offs with farm labor needs, as per Phys.org.

Farming in Africa is labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially for women and children. Farmers can reduce heavy labor by adopting technologies, such as mechanization and herbicides, which can improve their livelihoods and well-being.

The expansion, simplification, deterioration, and spillover impacts of these technologies, however, can potentially have a negative impact on biodiversity.

The study demonstrated that there are complex and context-specific trade-offs between labor-saving technology and biodiversity, depending on elements including farm size, crop variety, market access, and institutional setups.

As a result, there is no universal method for balancing the two goals.

Also Read: Researchers Find Gene for Breeding Virus-Resistant Cassava - Africa

Types and Impacts of labor-saving Technologies on African Farms

The study reviews different types of labor-saving technologies that are widely used or adopted by African farmers, such as tractors, animal traction, herbicides, improved seeds, and irrigation, as per Africa Renewal.

It analyzes their impacts on biodiversity using various indicators, such as land use change, landscape heterogeneity, soil quality, and species richness.

According to the study, some technologies, like better seeds that boost yields without using up more farmland or irrigation that improves soil moisture and fertility, have a positive effect on biodiversity.

Some technologies have negative impacts on biodiversity, such as tractors that remove trees and hedges from farms or herbicides that reduce plant diversity and affect pollinators.

This also highlights some examples of harmful microorganisms that have been dispersed globally by atmospheric currents, such as fungi that cause wheat rust or coffee leaf rust, bacteria that cause anthrax or plague, or viruses that cause influenza or COVID-19.

These microbes can pose serious threats to human health, agriculture and biodiversity.

The role of Digitalization and trade in boosting farming in Africa

The study suggests that digitalization and trade can be game changers for boosting farming in Africa.

Digitalization can help farmers access information, markets, finance, extension services and innovation, as per The Conversation.

Trade can help farmers access larger and more diverse markets, increase their incomes and reduce their vulnerability to shocks.

Digitalization and trade, however, can also endanger biodiversity when they are not properly controlled. The increased demand for energy, water, and land due to digitization may result in habitat loss and fragmentation.

Trade can increase the exposure to invasive species, pathogens or allergens, which can harm human health, agriculture and biodiversity.

Therefore, digitalization and trade need to be accompanied by policies and regulations that ensure their sustainability and inclusiveness.

For example, digital tools need to be affordable, accessible and user-friendly for smallholder farmers; trade agreements need to include environmental standards

Related Article: How a Majority of the Maize in Africa Is Grown in Regions With Seasonal Pest Infestations
The latest weather forecast reported that isolated tornadoes and localized damaging winds is expected to occur in the Central US.

Meanwhile, the Northeast could likely face the threat of flooding.

Anyone with travel plans should consider checking the weather conditions this week, as challenging severe weather could result in slower commutes and travel disruptions.

Nature World News (NWN) recently reported that Southwestern US could anticipate record-breaking heat this week, bringing possible daily highs and heat-related health concerns.

In the Northeast, previous weather reports noted the flooding conditions in the region, causing many vehicles to become submerged in water.

Heavy rain and flooding in the Northeast

According to AccuWeather, Americans in the Northeastern US could expect potential flooding and flash flooding risks due to the heavy rainfall.

The weather forecast added that the severe weather conditions could bring millions of Americans at risk.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of possible flooding concerns. Motorists and homeowners should watch out for floodwaters.

Based on AccuWeather's outlook, people with travel plans would anticipate potential rainfall this weekend. It is best to bring an umbrella while you are outside.

The forecast noted that rainfall conditions are likely in Allentown, Highland Falls, New York, Boston, Providence, Dover, Washington, Philadelphia, Ludlow and Boston.

People must stay alert for possible flash flooding due to torrential downpour concerns.

From Tuesday until the weekend, the forecast noted that stormy conditions could result in possible river flooding.

Rain conditions could unload in Chicago, Columbus, Charleston, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Washington, Sault Ste. Marie, Quebec, Montreal and Portland.

Severe thunderstorms in Central US

AccuWeather's forecast in the Central United States added that severe thunderstorms are expected to unload hail, damaging winds and torrential rainfall.

Also Read: Extreme Heat To Hit in Southwestern to Eastern US This Week; Increased Fire Risk Possible

Severe thunderstorms could become likely in Kansas City, Tennesse, Kentucky, Missouri, St. Louis, Louisville and Nashville.

The forecast also warned of possible isolated tornadoes in Regina, Minot, Winnipeg, Fargo and Sioux Falls.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that dangerous heat is expected to unload in the South-Central and Southeast US. The advisory warned of possible wildfire risks due to the dry conditions and oppressive heat.

The NWS Sacramento added Americans should dispose of cigarettes in the right areas and strictly observe the local burn ban rules in communities.

From Wednesday until this week, the report added that severe thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes could likely be in Dalhart, Lamar, North Platte, Denver, Colorado Springs, Goodland, Norton, Scottsbluff, Omaha, Sioux Falls, Guymon, Wichita, Minneapolis and Fargo.

The forecast noted that urban and flash flooding could become possible in St. Louis, Evansville and Nashville.

Staying safe from the severe weather

Homeowners with travel plans should keep updated with the weather conditions this week, as severe thunderstorms could result in dangerous situations and travel concerns.

Related Article: Hazy Skies in US: Poor Air Quality Alerts Issued in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
A volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands erupted on Friday, July 15, 2023, sending a large ash cloud into the air that triggered warnings to pilots about potentially dangerous conditions.

The eruption of Shishaldin Volcano, one of the most active in the region, was part of an ongoing volcanic activity that started on July 11, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

How frequently do volcanic eruptions occur in Alaska?

According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, on average there are 1.7 volcanic eruptions a year in Alaska, as per the USGS.

In Alaska, there are volcanoes all over the place, from the Aleutian Arc to the Wrangell Mountains, as well as anciently in the interior and to the west of the Seward Peninsula.

The observatory monitors and responds to eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest, and seismic events at 15 volcanic centers in Alaska.

The most notable volcanic activity in 2023 consisted of eruptions at Pavlof and Bogoslof volcanoes, which produced significant ash clouds that affected regional air travel.

Also Read: Dormant Volcano in Alaska Shows Signs of Activity for the First Time in 800 Years, Could an Eruption be Underway?

The eruption of Shishaldin Volcano and its ash cloud

Shishaldin Volcano is located on Unimak Island, about 700 miles (1,127 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage, as per The Guardian.

It is a symmetrical cone-shaped volcano with a height of 9,373 feet (2,857 meters) and a base diameter of about 10 miles (16 kilometers). It has a funnel-shaped crater that often emits steam and occasional ash.

The volcano began erupting on July 11, producing lava flows within the summit crater. On Friday, July 15, around 5 a.m. local time, it had a significant explosion that produced an ash cloud that reached up to 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) above sea level and drifted south over the Pacific Ocean. A second smaller explosion occurred later that day.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory reported that the eruption was moderate in intensity and duration, with ashfall drifting toward the ocean.

The observatory also said that seismic activity at the volcano decreased after the explosions, but that more eruptions could occur with little or no warning.

The impacts and risks of volcanic ash for aviation and communities

The National Weather Service issued an advisory due to the drifting ash cloud, which can pose serious hazards for air traffic, as per ABCNews.

Volcanic ash is composed of fine particles of rock and glass that can damage aircraft engines, windows and instruments. It can also reduce visibility and cause respiratory problems for passengers and crew.

The weather service advised pilots to avoid flying near or through the ash cloud, and to report any volcanic ash encounters to authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration also issued a notice to airmen about the volcanic activity and its potential impacts on flight operations.

The nearest community to Shishaldin Volcano is False Pass, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of the volcano.

The village has about 65 residents who rely on fishing and subsistence hunting for their livelihoods. The village administrator said that they did not experience any ashfall or other effects from the eruption, but that they were monitoring the situation closely.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory said that it will continue to observe Shishaldin Volcano and provide updates on its status.

The observatory also said that there are at least 26 confirmed eruptions at Shishaldin Volcano since 1824, most of which are small. However, a 1999 eruption produced an ash cloud that reached up to 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) above sea level.

Related Article: Lascar Volcano: Chile Issues 'Orange Alert' Amid Fears of Volcanic Eruption
The latest weather report in Greece showed raging wildfires emerging in the city, causing residents to evacuate and find relief from challenging heat.

The strong winds and dry conditions in Greece helped to unleash wildfires in the country. Fire rescues were working hard to put out the raging wildfires.

In the previous article, Nature World News (NWW) reported that challenging heat conditions hit Southern Europe, bringing intense heat to Greece, Poland, Germany and Spain.

In the United States, Americans have suffered from record-breaking and record-breaking heat in the Southwestern and Southeast regions.

Brutal heat and raging wildfires in Greece

In the latest reports from Reuters and the BBC, the strong winds helped fan wildfires in Greece, as the country experienced troublesome heatwaves.

Furthermore, Reuters noted that the wildfire emerged in Kouvaras village in Southeast Greece. The report stated the fires unfolded in Dervenochoria.

The reports noted that the winds made it more challenging for firefighters to put out the spread of the wildfires, causing some train service disruptions.

Meanwhile, the authorities explained that people affected by the fire could have accommodations in local hotels.

Also Read: Europe Soaring Temperatures: 61,672 Died in Heat-Related Illnesses Last Year

Many affected residents were immediately evacuated. According to reports, about 1,200 children were evacuated from a summer camp located in Loutraki.

Residents affected by the fire should seek immediate shelter in their communities. It is best to return when the wildfires are finally put out.

Increased temperatures

Recent reports noted the challenging heatwaves in parts of Europe, including Greece. If the outdoor plan or travel is not essential, it is advisable to stay at home to avoid potential heat-related health concerns.

According to Reuters, about 200 firefighters and aircraft were deployed to help put out the raging wildfire in affected areas.

Meanwhile, the AccuWeather and UPI report said that the European Union (UN) is expected to send support and firefighters to help address the fire in Greece.

How people can stay safe from wildfire risks and challenging heatwaves

As extreme heat and wildfire risks continue in parts of Europe, the brutal weather can likely bring heat-related health risks and wildfires.

Homeowners should stay alert for possible fire concerns due to the dry season and strong winds, which could unfold raging fires.

Here are essential reminders to people to stay safe from record-breaking heat.

People should stay away from wildfires in their communities. It is best that evacuate to a safe area and return when the fires are extinguished.

Staying hydrated is essential to keep healthy amidst the scorching heat. It is advisable to bring bottled water at all times.

Homeowners should watch out for their pets and family members, who can become at risk from the hot weather conditions.

Don't leave your children unsupervised or unattended inside a hot car because it is dangerous for them.

Related Article: Southern Europe Intense Heat: Hotter Conditions Likely to Continue Until Next Week

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
The latest study showed a rare discovery of 125 million years of dinosaur fossils, revealing a mammal's attacking behavior toward a dinosaur.

The study was published in Scientific Reports.

According to the researchers, dinosaurs and mammals managed to coexist for about 230 million years, originating during the Late Triassic.

The study noted that mammals could have threatened dinosaurs despite their size, showing the predatory behavior of mammals.

Very Rare Dinosaur Fossils

The researchers unearthed the 128 million years old dinosaur fossils in China's northeastern Liaoning Province, showing the predation attempt of the gobiconodontid mammal against a larger dinosaur.

Reports showed that the dinosaur was three times larger.

According to Newsweek's report, paleobiologist Jordan Mallon explained that the two animals were found to become locked in mortal combat.

Mallon is the study's co-author and from the Canadian Museum of Nature.

CBS News further reported that the dinosaur involved was a Psittacosaurus. The mammal was a Repenomamus robustus.

The study added that the dinosaur skeleton was complete, which could be likely around 6.5 years old to 10 years old. The lahar flow could likely interrupted the mortal combat between the smaller mammal and the enormous dinosaur.

The two buried and died from the volcanic debris lahar flow.

The study, available in Scientific Reports, showed that the smaller mammal's hand gripped the dinosaur's lower jaw. In addition, the mammal bit the dinosaur's left broken anterior dorsal ribs.

According to the researchers, the mammal was positioned atop the weakened dinosaur.

Paleobiologist Jordan Mallon added that the discovery revealed the first fossil of a mammal that fought a dinosaur.

Mallon noted that the very rare fossils explained that dinosaurs did not only feed on smaller mammals, showing the animals' non-unilateral interactions.

In assessing the discovery, the researchers noted that the intertwined image of a dinosaur and mammal was authentic and amazing.

Also Read: Dinosaurs Evolution Evidence Discovered in Brazil

More facts about dinosaur

Dinosaurs are considered larger animals that thrived on the planet for at least 245 million years.

Experts and paleontologists have helped unearth the rare fossils of dinosaurs, providing people with complete dinosaurs using advanced scientific tools.

According to the American Museum of Natural History, there are said to be 700 known dinosaur species that are already extinct.

Using the dinosaur fossils, experts can decipher their food habits and behavior.

In terms of size and length, dinosaurs were gigantic, becoming fearful predators during their time.

Based on the Dinosaur Museum, the first dinosaur remains in North America were unearthed in 1854. The longest dinosaur is known as Argentinosaurus, discovered in parts of South America and Argentina.

The More Reptiles website explained Tyrannosaur Rex is known as the most fearful and dangerous dinosaur. The T-Rex had a powerful bite that could take down their enemies.

The oldest fossils that the experts unearthed were said to be 243 years old.

Most dinosaur species were said to be herbivores.

Related Article: Chilean Fossil Reveals a New Duck-Billed Dinosaur Species, Study Shows

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
When it comes to pushing her curriculum and introducing scientific concepts, Lakeview High School ag teacher Kaydie Brandl knows how to do just that. Having recently completed another Curriculum for AgriScience Education (CASE) training, she said she hopes will be further beneficial to her ag classes.

The CASE Institute is a professional development workshop that provides teachers training for the instruction of a specific CASE course.

Brandl most recently completed her sixth training, which focused on food science curriculum. She received a scholarship through the Nebraska FFA Foundation, which was funded by the Nebraska Soybean Board, to attend the training.

This time around, it was held at Wayne High School and there were ag teachers from five different states, which is common for these trainings.

We were there from 8 to 5 every single day for seven days, Brandl said. When you're doing that, you go through as a student so I was completing all of the things that my students would complete. And when you're doing that, and you're working with other ag teachers, you get to know them pretty well.

Brandl described herself as a food science nut at heart.

When I was in FFA, I competed in the food science competition, she added. It's really cool to see the concepts that we know on a daily basis of how our food works applied to science in a way that I can teach students.

Monty Larsen, an agricultural leadership, education and communication (ALEC) outreach faculty member for Northeast Nebraska at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said the CASE curriculum is user-friendly to most teachers.

Those that complete it, Larsen added, essentially have a years worth of training, labs and techniques.

The nice thing about (CASE) is that it has some connections to some areas in STEM. It's a really handy tool for all learners in your classroom, Larsen said. It reaches students that (are) visual learners. It reaches students that may have special needs, things like that. That's really what makes it very beneficial.

Through the food science curriculum, according to a press release, Brandl will be teaching her students about the process, benefits and challenges relating to the use of soybeans in agriculture.

In terms of my ag classes, it just provides more of a science based approach to agricultural education, Brandl said. I really enjoy having this curriculum and the food science curriculum to add more of the science concepts in the inquiry-based learning into my lesson planning and my curriculum development.

CASE trainings shes taken include plant science, animal science, ag business and others.

Brandl said shes incorporated previous trainings into her current curriculum.

It's not that I teach this solely 100% by the book, I incorporate some other stuff that is pertinent to our community and the interests of my students as well, Brandl said. But this provides a really good starting point to add those science principles, the inquiry-based learning.

Brandl added the CASE trainings are also unique in that other ag teachers also teach it.

It's not some people in industry, it's other ag teachers who are training other ag teachers, Brandl said. So I'm hoping that I can apply for one of those positions and help train others in the future.

Continuing education in the field of agriculture is important as its always changing, Larsen said.

If teachers arent reaching out to professional development, they're going to be left not really in the dark ages, but in some sense, they are, Larsen said. The world of agriculture is so dynamic and so ever changing that it's important for ag teachers especially to stay at that leading edge to hone their skills, sharpen their saw and be prepared for students that, in some cases, come in with zero agricultural background knowledge.

He added there are also students who come in that are likely capable of managing an agriculture operation on their own, so teachers see a wide variety of students. Professional development like CASE allows teachers to reach all students, he said.
The UKs Competition Market Authority (CMA) has provisionally cleared Broadcoms proposed acquisition of VMWare, paving the way for the $61 billion deal to go ahead.

In November 2022, the CMA announced it was launching an in-depth investigation into the proposed deal, looking into whether the proposed merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

In particular, the CMA was concerned that the deal could harm the ability of Broadcoms rivals to compete with VMwares server virtualisation software, and if there would be a potential financial benefit to Broadcom and VMware if they were to make rival products work less well with VMwares software

However, having completed its investigation, an independent CMA panel has provisionally found that these concerns were unfounded and the deal would not substantially reduce competition in the supply of server hardware components in the UK.

We welcome the Competition and Market Authoritys provisional decision to clear unconditionally our proposed acquisition of VMware, a spokesperson from Broadcom said, adding that the company has always believed its proposed acquisition will enable enterprises to accelerate innovation and expand choice by addressing their most complex technology challenges in the multicloud era.

Noting that the deal has also received clearance in the EU in addition to other global jurisdictions, Broadcom said it expects the transaction will close in the companys fiscal year 2023. The US Federal Trade Commission, however, is also investigating the proposed merger but has yet to publish the outcome of its review.

The CMA is under scrutiny

In recent months, the CMA has made rulings on a number of antitrust cases, most notably Microsofts proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In that instance, the CMA ruled against the proposed deal, which has led to its ruling being challenged by the two companies at a tribunal.

As a result of that case, merger decisions coming out of the CMA in the immediate aftermath of those events are likely to come under closer scrutiny, said Alex Haffner, competition partner at UK law firm Fladgate, adding that interested parties might be looking for signs that the chastening experience might inform the way it approaches ongoing cases.

However, while the CMA will undoubtedly be wary of how its decision making is viewed from a public relations perspective, it will remain determined to stick to its guns and determine each case on the basis of the facts before it, Haffner said.

Here, it seems that, having had more of an opportunity to look at the evidence in some detail, the facts as presented suggest to the CMA that any competition concerns are less pronounced and so the merger should provisionally be allowed to proceed, he said.
Deltec Bank's Funds Seized by U.S. Secret Service in Money Laundering and Fraud Probe

Source: Pexels

The U.S. Secret Service seized multiple corporate accounts last month controlled by Deltec Bank, a Bahamian bank with ties to crypto-related firms.

New documents unsealed in a federal court on Monday reveal that the secret service seized several U.S bank accounts controlled by Deltec last month.

As per the documents, the amount seized by the U.S authorities is above $58 million.

The seizures were made amid an investigation into organized, international criminal money laundering syndicates operating cryptocurrency investment and other wire fraud scams.

The bank accounts that were seized by the secret service were custodial accounts with Mitsubushi Bank UFJ Trust in New York, opened by Deltec on behalf of corporate clients.

U.S authorities linked certain Bahamian banks customers to shell firms involved in a cross border scheme.

The scheme allegedly involves creating fake crypto websites to dupe victims into depositing their assets or cash.

74 Shell Companies Identified in International Fraud

The US law enforcement agency has identified at least 74 shell companies involved in this international fraud scheme.

As per the affidavit filed in a court in the Eastern District of Virginia, officials traced the funds linked to the shell companies before they transferred to accounts in the Bahamas.

The US Secret Service further noted in its warrant that the international fraud scheme worked by luring in victims to invest their digital assets or cash into accounts that did not really exist.

The victims were promised a sizable return on their investments.

The fake crypto website would show an increase in the victims account balance to coerce more deposits. However, no withdrawals were processed from the website.

Mitsubushi Bank flagged the accounts to authorities that Deltec kept with them on behalf of those shell companies, Axis DigitalLimited and GTAL, as they could not obtain information on the companies from the Bahamian bank.

The Secret Service found the shell companies received wire fraud proceeds and transferred them to one of the custodial accounts with the bank, which then transmitted them to other accounts in the Bahamas.

The companies structured these wire transfers in such a way as to dodge scrutiny that typically applies to cross-border payments.

US officials claimed that the banks operating in the United States require KYC (Know Your Customer) information for opening a bank account. However, law enforcement officials were not able to identify registered agents, business locations, or business purposes of Axis DigitalLimited and GTAL, the affidavit states.


By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Billionaire Gautam Adani on Tuesday reiterated that the Hindenburg Research report was a combination of targeted misinformation and discredited allegations, the majority of them dating from 2004 to 2015.

Adani said all of these were settled by the appropriate authorities at that time and added that this report was a deliberate and malicious attempt aimed at damaging their reputation and generating profits through a short-term drive-down of stock prices.

While we promptly issued a comprehensive rebuttal, various vested interests tried to exploit the claims made by the short seller. These entities encouraged and promoted false narratives across various news and social media platforms, said Adani while addressing the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of his flagship company Adani Enterprises.

On January 24, Hindenburg, a US-based firm that specialises in activist short-selling, released a scathing report which said that Adani Group has engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades.

The report detailed a web of Adani-family-controlled offshore shell entities in tax havens spanning the Caribbean and Mauritius to the United Arab Emirates, which it claims were used to facilitate corruption, money laundering and taxpayer theft while siphoning off money from the groups listed companies.

Adani Group has denied the allegations multiple times but the damage caused by the report on the group companies share prices is unprecedented. In the first few weeks, the Group lost over Rs 12 lakh in market capitalisation. At present, shares of some Adani companies are down over 70% since the time the report was published.

Gautam Adani said that the report of the Supreme Court-appointed Expert Committee did not find any regulatory failure. The Committees Report not only observed that the mitigating measures, undertaken by your company helped rebuild confidence but also cited that there were credible charges of targeted destabilization of the Indian markets.

NEW DELHI: Billionaire Gautam Adani on Tuesday reiterated that the Hindenburg Research report was a combination of targeted misinformation and discredited allegations, the majority of them dating from 2004 to 2015. Adani said all of these were settled by the appropriate authorities at that time and added that this report was a deliberate and malicious attempt aimed at damaging their reputation and generating profits through a short-term drive-down of stock prices. While we promptly issued a comprehensive rebuttal, various vested interests tried to exploit the claims made by the short seller. These entities encouraged and promoted false narratives across various news and social media platforms, said Adani while addressing the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of his flagship company Adani Enterprises. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On January 24, Hindenburg, a US-based firm that specialises in activist short-selling, released a scathing report which said that Adani Group has engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades. The report detailed a web of Adani-family-controlled offshore shell entities in tax havens spanning the Caribbean and Mauritius to the United Arab Emirates, which it claims were used to facilitate corruption, money laundering and taxpayer theft while siphoning off money from the groups listed companies. Adani Group has denied the allegations multiple times but the damage caused by the report on the group companies share prices is unprecedented. In the first few weeks, the Group lost over Rs 12 lakh in market capitalisation. At present, shares of some Adani companies are down over 70% since the time the report was published. Gautam Adani said that the report of the Supreme Court-appointed Expert Committee did not find any regulatory failure. The Committees Report not only observed that the mitigating measures, undertaken by your company helped rebuild confidence but also cited that there were credible charges of targeted destabilization of the Indian markets.
By Online Desk

A hunger crisis could be in store for the world next year due to the withdrawal of Russia from a major food grain deal with Ukraine, the impact of the food-grain hoarding by China, the world's largest consumer of rice, warned an analyst.

"The Russia-Ukraine grain deal has collapsed, which could push the world into a Hunger Games situation with grain-haves and have-not countries," warned Nitin Awasthi, an analyst at InCred Equities, a Mumbai-based finance firm, in a note to clients on Tuesday.

RUSSO-UKRAINE DEAL

A food crisis, particularly in Africa, was on the horizon after Russia attacked Ukraine early last year. Both Ukraine and Russia are major producers, and exporters, of wheat, and countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and parts of the Middle East and Asia depend on supplies from these countries to feed their populations.

Not only did the attack disrupt farming in Ukraine, Russia was not even allowing the grain stored in large silos in Ukrainian port cities to be exported. This led to calls by United Nations.

Russia, however, yielded some ground later and allowed three Ukrainian cities to export nearly 32.9 million metric tons of grain and other food to the world after a deal was brokered by United Nations and Turkey.

Now, said Nitin Awasthi, Russia no longer needs to abide by the agreement as the country's oil dynamics has changed. Indeed, the country said on Monday the deal had "de facto ended" after blaming Ukraine for attacking a bridge in Crimea. Russia said that it would consider renewing the deal if its conditions were met.

Awasthi linked Russia's bravado to its assurance about the price of crude oil -- its main source of export revenue -- remaining high.

"As energy prices are no more a threat for Russia, grain politics is back into the limelight," he pointed out."Russia pulled the plug [from the deal] and the crisis is back."

ALSO READ | India lends support to UN's efforts in continuing Black Sea Grain deal amid Russia-Ukraine war

Cereal prices in the world's poorest continent have surged because of the slump in exports, sharpening the impact of conflict and climate change.

EXPLAINER | Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world

TAKING PRE-EMPTIVE ACTION

One country said Awasthi, that seems to be anticipating the crisis is China -- the world's largest consumer of rice.

"China knows the Hunger Games may start soon and hence, has started to import whatever grain they can manage without spooking the market," he pointed out in his report.

The country has been reportedly importing rice in large quantities from India which also happens to be the largest producer and exporter of the grain. Indias domestic market has started to feel the heat of China sucking rice stocks out.

WHAT SHOULD INDIA DO?

India, home to a large number of vulnerable people in the world, is traditionally self-sufficient in food grains, but only by so much. Moreover, it depends on imports for some key non-grain items, such as pulses.

The analyst pointed out that India happens to go through elections next year. In such a situation, the Indian government will have to be careful to ensure a sufficient supply of grains in the country to prevent any sharp increase in prices. Hence, said the report, India could soon impose restrictions on the export of rice.

ALSO READ | Nigeria's push to rely on own wheat hit by climate, violence and Russia's exit from grain deal

"It's in the interest of the government to use excess rice stock as a diplomatic tool," said the analyst.

A hunger crisis could be in store for the world next year due to the withdrawal of Russia from a major food grain deal with Ukraine, the impact of the food-grain hoarding by China, the world's largest consumer of rice, warned an analyst. "The Russia-Ukraine grain deal has collapsed, which could push the world into a Hunger Games situation with grain-haves and have-not countries," warned Nitin Awasthi, an analyst at InCred Equities, a Mumbai-based finance firm, in a note to clients on Tuesday. RUSSO-UKRAINE DEALgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A food crisis, particularly in Africa, was on the horizon after Russia attacked Ukraine early last year. Both Ukraine and Russia are major producers, and exporters, of wheat, and countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and parts of the Middle East and Asia depend on supplies from these countries to feed their populations. Not only did the attack disrupt farming in Ukraine, Russia was not even allowing the grain stored in large silos in Ukrainian port cities to be exported. This led to calls by United Nations. Russia, however, yielded some ground later and allowed three Ukrainian cities to export nearly 32.9 million metric tons of grain and other food to the world after a deal was brokered by United Nations and Turkey. Now, said Nitin Awasthi, Russia no longer needs to abide by the agreement as the country's oil dynamics has changed. Indeed, the country said on Monday the deal had "de facto ended" after blaming Ukraine for attacking a bridge in Crimea. Russia said that it would consider renewing the deal if its conditions were met. Awasthi linked Russia's bravado to its assurance about the price of crude oil -- its main source of export revenue -- remaining high. "As energy prices are no more a threat for Russia, grain politics is back into the limelight," he pointed out."Russia pulled the plug [from the deal] and the crisis is back." ALSO READ | India lends support to UN's efforts in continuing Black Sea Grain deal amid Russia-Ukraine war Cereal prices in the world's poorest continent have surged because of the slump in exports, sharpening the impact of conflict and climate change. EXPLAINER | Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world TAKING PRE-EMPTIVE ACTION One country said Awasthi, that seems to be anticipating the crisis is China -- the world's largest consumer of rice. "China knows the Hunger Games may start soon and hence, has started to import whatever grain they can manage without spooking the market," he pointed out in his report. The country has been reportedly importing rice in large quantities from India which also happens to be the largest producer and exporter of the grain. Indias domestic market has started to feel the heat of China sucking rice stocks out. WHAT SHOULD INDIA DO? India, home to a large number of vulnerable people in the world, is traditionally self-sufficient in food grains, but only by so much. Moreover, it depends on imports for some key non-grain items, such as pulses. The analyst pointed out that India happens to go through elections next year. In such a situation, the Indian government will have to be careful to ensure a sufficient supply of grains in the country to prevent any sharp increase in prices. Hence, said the report, India could soon impose restrictions on the export of rice. ALSO READ | Nigeria's push to rely on own wheat hit by climate, violence and Russia's exit from grain deal "It's in the interest of the government to use excess rice stock as a diplomatic tool," said the analyst.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: From his role as the security officer of Narendra Modi to become the best commando of the National Security Guard in 2009, Lucky Bishts journey is filled with thrilling and life-altering experiences. The former secret service agent shares his story of triumph over adversity in his biography 'R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima,' penned by S Hussain Zaidi and released in early July (Simon & Schuster).

Bishts motivation to share his life story as an NSG commando and spy stems from his lineage. His grandfather died a hero, fighting the Pakistani Army in the war of 1971. Bisht shares, After witnessing the sacrifices of my grandfather and father, joining the Army was a calling. Growing up in Uttarakhand, I also witnessed the lack of jobs in our region.

As a result, many, including myself, aspired to join esteemed units like the Kumaon Regiment and the Garhwal Rifles. His journey led him to the secret service in 2004, where he underwent rigorous training in Israel before returning to India. For years, Bisht dedicated himself to operations in conflict zones  Congo, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. However, witnessing relentless violence began to take its toll. I became tired of just doing operations. I longed for peace and a chance to see India in a different light, he reveals.

Bishts desire for change led him to the National Security Guard (NSG) in 2010, where he was recognised as the best commando. But his thirst to explore persisted. I told my seniors that I didnt want to sit in a camp; I wanted to roam around, he explains. This led to a transfer from instructor to a personal security officer, where he had served and protected prominent figures  LK Advani, Narendra Modi, and Parkash Singh Badal.

However, Bishts journey was not without its trials. He faced accusations and rumours surrounding his identity as a contract killer named Lima linked to RAW. During my tenure as Advanis security officer in 2011, two influential individuals were murdered on the Nepal border. One of them had 21 unsubstantial murders attributed to him, while the other had 18. Both were intending to contest elections.

Intelligence Bureau and RAW claimed that these individuals were involved in expanding the network of Mirza Dilshad Beg, a Nepali parliamentarian with questionable ties to Dawood Ibrahims D-company. As soon as the shootout happened, some reports went that these murders were done by me, and that Lima and I are the same people. What was the then-government thinking when they put an innocent man in jail? he questions. It was only later that his case was reevaluated, leading to his eventual release.

As readers delve into Bishts book, they will discover the journey of a man who turned his worst moments into sources of inspiration. But he still hopes that his mother doesnt read his biography. I dont want her to go through all the pain again. It took almost eight years for her to forget her sons pain. I also want to tell readers that there is not a single soul on earth who hasnt faced ups and downs in. But what differentiates winners is that they make their worst moments their strength, he says, adding that a movie based on the book is in the making, and is set to release next year.

KOCHI: From his role as the security officer of Narendra Modi to become the best commando of the National Security Guard in 2009, Lucky Bishts journey is filled with thrilling and life-altering experiences. The former secret service agent shares his story of triumph over adversity in his biography 'R.A.W. Hitman: The Real Story of Agent Lima,' penned by S Hussain Zaidi and released in early July (Simon & Schuster). Bishts motivation to share his life story as an NSG commando and spy stems from his lineage. His grandfather died a hero, fighting the Pakistani Army in the war of 1971. Bisht shares, After witnessing the sacrifices of my grandfather and father, joining the Army was a calling. Growing up in Uttarakhand, I also witnessed the lack of jobs in our region. As a result, many, including myself, aspired to join esteemed units like the Kumaon Regiment and the Garhwal Rifles. His journey led him to the secret service in 2004, where he underwent rigorous training in Israel before returning to India. For years, Bisht dedicated himself to operations in conflict zones  Congo, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. However, witnessing relentless violence began to take its toll. I became tired of just doing operations. I longed for peace and a chance to see India in a different light, he reveals.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Bishts desire for change led him to the National Security Guard (NSG) in 2010, where he was recognised as the best commando. But his thirst to explore persisted. I told my seniors that I didnt want to sit in a camp; I wanted to roam around, he explains. This led to a transfer from instructor to a personal security officer, where he had served and protected prominent figures  LK Advani, Narendra Modi, and Parkash Singh Badal. However, Bishts journey was not without its trials. He faced accusations and rumours surrounding his identity as a contract killer named Lima linked to RAW. During my tenure as Advanis security officer in 2011, two influential individuals were murdered on the Nepal border. One of them had 21 unsubstantial murders attributed to him, while the other had 18. Both were intending to contest elections. Intelligence Bureau and RAW claimed that these individuals were involved in expanding the network of Mirza Dilshad Beg, a Nepali parliamentarian with questionable ties to Dawood Ibrahims D-company. As soon as the shootout happened, some reports went that these murders were done by me, and that Lima and I are the same people. What was the then-government thinking when they put an innocent man in jail? he questions. It was only later that his case was reevaluated, leading to his eventual release. As readers delve into Bishts book, they will discover the journey of a man who turned his worst moments into sources of inspiration. But he still hopes that his mother doesnt read his biography. I dont want her to go through all the pain again. It took almost eight years for her to forget her sons pain. I also want to tell readers that there is not a single soul on earth who hasnt faced ups and downs in. But what differentiates winners is that they make their worst moments their strength, he says, adding that a movie based on the book is in the making, and is set to release next year.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Parkinson's may progress quietly but insidiously for many years before the neurodegenerative disease is diagnosed, according to a study conducted in mice.

The research, published recently in the journal Nature Communications, sheds new light on the surprising resilience of the brain during the asymptomatic period of Parkinson's.

The researchers from the University of Montreal in Canada demonstrated that movement circuits in the brains of mice are insensitive to an almost total loss of active secretion of dopamine, a chemical messenger recognised for its importance in movement.

In Parkinson's disease, dopamine levels in the brain drop inexorably, they said.

"This observation went against our initial hypothesis, but that's often the way it is in science, and it forced us to re-evaluate our certainties about what dopamine really does in the brain," said Louis-Eric Trudeau, a professor at the University of Montreal.

Using genetic manipulations, the team eliminated the ability of dopamine-producing neurons to release this chemical messenger in response to the normal electrical activity of these cells.

The researchers, including Benoit Delignat-Lavaud, a doctoral student in Trudeau's laboratory, expected to see a loss of motor function in these mice similar to what is seen in individuals with Parkinson's.

Surprisingly, the mice showed a completely normal capacity for movement, they said.

Measurements of overall dopamine levels in the brain revealed that extracellular levels of dopamine in the brain of these mice were normal, the researchers said.

These results suggest that the activity of movement circuits in the brain requires only low basal levels of dopamine, they said.

The researchers noted that it is likely that in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, basal dopamine levels in the brain remain sufficiently high for many years, despite the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons.

It is only when a minimum threshold is exceeded that motor perturbations appear, they said.

By identifying the mechanisms involved in the secretion of dopamine in the brain, the research could help to identify new approaches to reduce the symptoms of this incurable neurodegenerative disease, the researchers added.

NEW DELHI: Parkinson's may progress quietly but insidiously for many years before the neurodegenerative disease is diagnosed, according to a study conducted in mice. The research, published recently in the journal Nature Communications, sheds new light on the surprising resilience of the brain during the asymptomatic period of Parkinson's. The researchers from the University of Montreal in Canada demonstrated that movement circuits in the brains of mice are insensitive to an almost total loss of active secretion of dopamine, a chemical messenger recognised for its importance in movement.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In Parkinson's disease, dopamine levels in the brain drop inexorably, they said. "This observation went against our initial hypothesis, but that's often the way it is in science, and it forced us to re-evaluate our certainties about what dopamine really does in the brain," said Louis-Eric Trudeau, a professor at the University of Montreal. Using genetic manipulations, the team eliminated the ability of dopamine-producing neurons to release this chemical messenger in response to the normal electrical activity of these cells. The researchers, including Benoit Delignat-Lavaud, a doctoral student in Trudeau's laboratory, expected to see a loss of motor function in these mice similar to what is seen in individuals with Parkinson's. Surprisingly, the mice showed a completely normal capacity for movement, they said. Measurements of overall dopamine levels in the brain revealed that extracellular levels of dopamine in the brain of these mice were normal, the researchers said. These results suggest that the activity of movement circuits in the brain requires only low basal levels of dopamine, they said. The researchers noted that it is likely that in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, basal dopamine levels in the brain remain sufficiently high for many years, despite the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons. It is only when a minimum threshold is exceeded that motor perturbations appear, they said. By identifying the mechanisms involved in the secretion of dopamine in the brain, the research could help to identify new approaches to reduce the symptoms of this incurable neurodegenerative disease, the researchers added.
Mukesh Ranjan By

Express News Service

RANCHI: A 22-year-old youth, Ashfaq Khan died in police custody on Tuesday after being caught by the villagers red-handed. He was caught while breaking open the lock of a house and later handed over to Barhi police station in Hazaribagh by Basudev Prasad with a written complaint.

According to Ashfaqs uncle Zahid Khan, villagers handed him over to the police on Monday after thrashing him badly. Zahid Khan further alleged that the police after taking him into custody also beat him badly for the whole night. After his condition deteriorated, Ashfaq was admitted to the sub-divisional hospital in Barhi on Tuesday. Once we got the information, we rushed there immediately but found him dead, said Zahid Khan.

According to the uncle of the deceased, Vipin Yadav and others allegedly caught him while breaking open the lock of a house and thrashed him badly and handed him over to the police. He was tortured so brutally in police custody that he became unconscious following which he was admitted to the hospital, he said. It is being said that he was caught while breaking the lock of the house and not stealing anything. Even if they caught my son red-handed, they should have handed him over to the police and sent him to jail, said Zahid Khan.

Angered by the incident, the villagers blocked GT Road demanding action against the police personnel responsible for the death of Ashfaq. According to police, prima facie it appears to be a case of suicide but remained tight-lipped over the modus operandi used for the same.

When Ashfaq was to be taken to be produced before the court, he was found unconscious in the lock-up. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead, said Hazaribagh SP Manoj Ratan Chothe.

Since it is a case of custodial death, all guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission will be followed, he added. The case will be referred to CID for investigation. Action will be taken against all those officials and police personnel, who were on duty at the time of the incident on the basis of the report submitted by DSP, said the SP.

Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide as the lock-up was locked from outside when the incident took place and further investigation is being carried out, he added. The SP said that the deceased has a crime history and has been to jail earlier also.

RANCHI: A 22-year-old youth, Ashfaq Khan died in police custody on Tuesday after being caught by the villagers red-handed. He was caught while breaking open the lock of a house and later handed over to Barhi police station in Hazaribagh by Basudev Prasad with a written complaint. According to Ashfaqs uncle Zahid Khan, villagers handed him over to the police on Monday after thrashing him badly. Zahid Khan further alleged that the police after taking him into custody also beat him badly for the whole night. After his condition deteriorated, Ashfaq was admitted to the sub-divisional hospital in Barhi on Tuesday. Once we got the information, we rushed there immediately but found him dead, said Zahid Khan. According to the uncle of the deceased, Vipin Yadav and others allegedly caught him while breaking open the lock of a house and thrashed him badly and handed him over to the police. He was tortured so brutally in police custody that he became unconscious following which he was admitted to the hospital, he said. It is being said that he was caught while breaking the lock of the house and not stealing anything. Even if they caught my son red-handed, they should have handed him over to the police and sent him to jail, said Zahid Khan.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Angered by the incident, the villagers blocked GT Road demanding action against the police personnel responsible for the death of Ashfaq. According to police, prima facie it appears to be a case of suicide but remained tight-lipped over the modus operandi used for the same. When Ashfaq was to be taken to be produced before the court, he was found unconscious in the lock-up. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead, said Hazaribagh SP Manoj Ratan Chothe. Since it is a case of custodial death, all guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission will be followed, he added. The case will be referred to CID for investigation. Action will be taken against all those officials and police personnel, who were on duty at the time of the incident on the basis of the report submitted by DSP, said the SP. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide as the lock-up was locked from outside when the incident took place and further investigation is being carried out, he added. The SP said that the deceased has a crime history and has been to jail earlier also.
Russian CBDC to Roll Out in 2025  Could Banks Accelerate Digital Ruble Launch?

Source: harvepino/Adobe

Russian experts think the Central Bank will roll out its digital ruble by 2025, with the nations biggest banks expressing their eagerness to work with the central bank digital currency (CBDC).

The Central Bank is fast-tracking its CBDC rollout, but Delovoi Peterburg reported that citizens will have access to [the CBDC] no earlier than 2025.

Moscow may hope to move this deadline forward, however.

Many of the nations largest commercial banks have openly declared their interest in partnering with the Central Banks soon-to-start real-world CBDC tests.

US and EU-led sanctions have effectively barred Moscow from trading in the US dollar.

And this has sped up the Central Banks efforts to launch a CBDC, with the hope of purging dollar trade from Russia once and for all.

Although the Central Bank has claimed that cross-border CBDCs are still some way off, a BRICS stablecoin and a gold-backed token that could be used in trade with Iran have both been discussed at length.

Russian and Iranian crypto leaders also appear to have stepped up cooperation efforts in recent months.

Observers have stated that state-backed stablecoin plans could be revisited at the next BRICS summit.

The summit is slated to be held in Sandton, Johannesburg, from August 22 to 24.

BRICS heads of state at a meeting in 2019. (Source: Alan Santos/PR [CC BY 2.0])

Russias CBDC to Roll Out in 2025  Do Banks Want Faster Progress?

Unlike Beijing, Moscow has repeatedly talked up the notion of eventually using its CBDC in the cross-border payments space with friendly countries.

And Russian banks appear to be keen to get on board.

The same media outlet quoted DOM.RF Bank as stating that it was technically ready to launch the project as soon as the command to start is given.

Rosbank, meanwhile, said that it was ready to participate in a pilot project with real clients.

And Alfa-Bank enthused that it was excited by the prospects of the digital ruble project.

Tass quoted VTB, another Russian megabank, as stating that it had already selected a limited circle of clients and employees to make use of the prototype coin, with a focus group already formed.

Similar statements were made by rival banks such as Promsvyazbank, Sinara, Delobank, TKB, and MTS Bank.

TKB hinted that the real-world pilot launch could come in a matter of days, commenting that its own tests were scheduled for the end of July.

Last week, the Russian Prosecutor-General Igor Krasnov visited his counterpart in China, where he said it would be in the common interest of both nations to streamline their CBDC-related legal systems.

This, he said, would help prevent criminals from abusing their CBDCs.

Krasnov stated of the digital yuan:
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Asserting that it takes two hands to clap, the Congress on Wednesday said if the government wants Parliament to function, it should allow the opposition parties to raise issues and demanded a discussion on Manipur during Parliament's Monsoon Session.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury made the remarks after participating in the all-party meeting ahead of the session starting Thursday.

Almost all opposition parties in the meeting demanded a discussion on the situation in Manipur and the alleged "attack" on the federal structure of the Constitution, according to some of the leaders present in the meeting.

Chowdhury told reporters that he participated in the Business Advisory Committee meeting and raised all the issues that need to be discussed.

"At the all-party meeting also, I raised the issues...our demand is that there is the issue of Manipur which must be discussed," Chowdhury said.

"Two months have passed but the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is silent. I would like to request that he has been silent for over two months but he should at least make a statement in Parliament and allow us to hold a debate," he said.

"We want to bring an adjournment motion (for discussion) tomorrow as the situation in Manipur is deteriorating," Chowdhury said.

He said other issues such as floods in various parts of the country, the railway tragedy in Odisha's Balasore, unemployment, price rise and federal structure being "attacked" should also be discussed.

Chowdhury said he also demanded that the India-China border issue and the imbalance of trade should also be debated.

"We said categorically that it takes two hands to clap. If the ruling party wants to run Parliament then it must give space to issues raised by the opposition. We have demanded that we be allowed to raise all issues," he asserted.

Congress' deputy leader in Rajya Sabha said, "We should be allowed to speak over the issue of the federal structure under attack whether it's in Delhi, Punjab or Karnataka."

On its part, the government at the meeting said that it was willing to discuss every issue permitted under the rules and approved by the Chair in Parliament's Monsoon Session beginning from July 20.

NEW DELHI: Asserting that it takes two hands to clap, the Congress on Wednesday said if the government wants Parliament to function, it should allow the opposition parties to raise issues and demanded a discussion on Manipur during Parliament's Monsoon Session. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury made the remarks after participating in the all-party meeting ahead of the session starting Thursday. Almost all opposition parties in the meeting demanded a discussion on the situation in Manipur and the alleged "attack" on the federal structure of the Constitution, according to some of the leaders present in the meeting.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Chowdhury told reporters that he participated in the Business Advisory Committee meeting and raised all the issues that need to be discussed. "At the all-party meeting also, I raised the issues...our demand is that there is the issue of Manipur which must be discussed," Chowdhury said. "Two months have passed but the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is silent. I would like to request that he has been silent for over two months but he should at least make a statement in Parliament and allow us to hold a debate," he said. "We want to bring an adjournment motion (for discussion) tomorrow as the situation in Manipur is deteriorating," Chowdhury said. He said other issues such as floods in various parts of the country, the railway tragedy in Odisha's Balasore, unemployment, price rise and federal structure being "attacked" should also be discussed. Chowdhury said he also demanded that the India-China border issue and the imbalance of trade should also be debated. "We said categorically that it takes two hands to clap. If the ruling party wants to run Parliament then it must give space to issues raised by the opposition. We have demanded that we be allowed to raise all issues," he asserted. Congress' deputy leader in Rajya Sabha said, "We should be allowed to speak over the issue of the federal structure under attack whether it's in Delhi, Punjab or Karnataka." On its part, the government at the meeting said that it was willing to discuss every issue permitted under the rules and approved by the Chair in Parliament's Monsoon Session beginning from July 20.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Authorities have ordered a probe after at least two Class XI girl students of a Higher Secondary school in Lafra village of tribal-dominated Mandla district complained that somebody urinated in their water bottles which they had left behind in their classrooms when they went to attend English classes.

According to the two girls, the incident happened on Tuesday. They said they went out of their classroom to attend English classes in another room leaving their water bottles behind. When they returned and picked up the bottles to drink water a foul smell similar to that of urine emanated from the bottles.

They added, "One of our friends even drank water from the bottle, but spat it out as soon as her tongue felt the smell accompanied by the bitterness typical of urine. We immediately emptied the bottles and informed the teachers. The teachers asked us --including the five boy students who were present in the classroom when we left for English class --to bring our parents the next day."

The parents, accompanied by the villagers, landed at the school the next day. Senior officials including assistant commissioner (tribal welfare) Vijay Tekam and Naib Tehsildar Sakshi Shukla had also arrived upon hearing about the incident.

The father of one of the girls said his daughter and her friends told him that it was perhaps the boys who urinated in their water bottles. "We demand stern action against the culprits," he told the journalists.

A local resident Prashant Tiwari claimed that this wasnt the first incident in the school, as less than six months back, liquor bottles were found in the school bags of some students.

"Even the teachers are complacent and behave irresponsibly, we demand that the entire staff of the school be replaced with new staff," he demanded.

According to the assistant commissioner (tribal affairs) Vijay Tekam and the nayab tehsildar Sakshi Shukla, "The matter has come to our knowledge, which is why we came to the school and held discussions with the staff, parents and students. Some girls have got statements recorded at the local police station and a detailed probe is underway. Once the enquiry concludes, appropriate action will be initiated against those responsible."

This latest incident which was reported from the tribal-dominated Mandla district, happened around two weeks after the three-week-old video showing a man Pravesh Shukla (said to be a BJP man) urinating on tribal labourer Dashmat Rawat in Sidhi district, had gone viral on July 4, causing national outrage.

The accused was arrested a few hours later, booked under IPC and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act provisions and sent to jail. The National Security Act (NSA) too was slapped on Shukla and illegally constructed part of his house in the village razed. Shukla's wife has filed a habeas corpus petition in the MP High Court against the slapping of NSA against her husband.

BHOPAL: Authorities have ordered a probe after at least two Class XI girl students of a Higher Secondary school in Lafra village of tribal-dominated Mandla district complained that somebody urinated in their water bottles which they had left behind in their classrooms when they went to attend English classes. According to the two girls, the incident happened on Tuesday. They said they went out of their classroom to attend English classes in another room leaving their water bottles behind. When they returned and picked up the bottles to drink water a foul smell similar to that of urine emanated from the bottles. They added, "One of our friends even drank water from the bottle, but spat it out as soon as her tongue felt the smell accompanied by the bitterness typical of urine. We immediately emptied the bottles and informed the teachers. The teachers asked us --including the five boy students who were present in the classroom when we left for English class --to bring our parents the next day."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The parents, accompanied by the villagers, landed at the school the next day. Senior officials including assistant commissioner (tribal welfare) Vijay Tekam and Naib Tehsildar Sakshi Shukla had also arrived upon hearing about the incident. The father of one of the girls said his daughter and her friends told him that it was perhaps the boys who urinated in their water bottles. "We demand stern action against the culprits," he told the journalists. A local resident Prashant Tiwari claimed that this wasnt the first incident in the school, as less than six months back, liquor bottles were found in the school bags of some students. "Even the teachers are complacent and behave irresponsibly, we demand that the entire staff of the school be replaced with new staff," he demanded. According to the assistant commissioner (tribal affairs) Vijay Tekam and the nayab tehsildar Sakshi Shukla, "The matter has come to our knowledge, which is why we came to the school and held discussions with the staff, parents and students. Some girls have got statements recorded at the local police station and a detailed probe is underway. Once the enquiry concludes, appropriate action will be initiated against those responsible." This latest incident which was reported from the tribal-dominated Mandla district, happened around two weeks after the three-week-old video showing a man Pravesh Shukla (said to be a BJP man) urinating on tribal labourer Dashmat Rawat in Sidhi district, had gone viral on July 4, causing national outrage. The accused was arrested a few hours later, booked under IPC and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act provisions and sent to jail. The National Security Act (NSA) too was slapped on Shukla and illegally constructed part of his house in the village razed. Shukla's wife has filed a habeas corpus petition in the MP High Court against the slapping of NSA against her husband.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Central government has identified investment opportunities worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore in the maritime sector that can generate employment opportunities for 15 lakh youths, and can play a vital role in Indias economic progression in the Asia-Pacific region, said Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Tuesday.

Addressing the curtain raiser for the upcoming Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) 2023 in Mumbai, Sonowal emphasised the vital role of the maritime sector in Indias economic progression and the potential it holds for the Asia-Pacific region. India can lead from the front, Sonowal said. He added that Indias maritime sector is poised for growth, owing to proactive government policies around ports, shipping and inland waterways.

As key driver of Indias maritime sector, our ministry has been organising the Global Maritime India Summit, to create value from the vast potential of Indias rich maritime sector, he said, adding, With an identified investment opportunities of more than Rs 10 lakh crore in the maritime sector, we are standing at a threshold of a major economic upswing that can generate employment opportunities for more than 15 lakhs youth of India.

More than 50 countries will participate in the GMIS 2023, to be held on October 17-19 this year at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, with FICCI as the exclusive industry partner. Building upon the legacy of its preceding editions, the third meet aims to unveil broader prospects for domestic and international maritime stakeholders.

NEW DELHI: The Central government has identified investment opportunities worth more than Rs 10 lakh crore in the maritime sector that can generate employment opportunities for 15 lakh youths, and can play a vital role in Indias economic progression in the Asia-Pacific region, said Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Tuesday. Addressing the curtain raiser for the upcoming Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) 2023 in Mumbai, Sonowal emphasised the vital role of the maritime sector in Indias economic progression and the potential it holds for the Asia-Pacific region. India can lead from the front, Sonowal said. He added that Indias maritime sector is poised for growth, owing to proactive government policies around ports, shipping and inland waterways. As key driver of Indias maritime sector, our ministry has been organising the Global Maritime India Summit, to create value from the vast potential of Indias rich maritime sector, he said, adding, With an identified investment opportunities of more than Rs 10 lakh crore in the maritime sector, we are standing at a threshold of a major economic upswing that can generate employment opportunities for more than 15 lakhs youth of India.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); More than 50 countries will participate in the GMIS 2023, to be held on October 17-19 this year at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, with FICCI as the exclusive industry partner. Building upon the legacy of its preceding editions, the third meet aims to unveil broader prospects for domestic and international maritime stakeholders.
T Muruganandham By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: A day after attending the NDA meeting in New Delhi where he was given prominence, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the achievements of his government during the past nine years as a mark of firming up the alliance with the BJP. He also expressed confidence that the NDA will win 330 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha in the forthcoming general elections.

Answering queries from reporters in New Delhi, Palaniswami said without discriminating between smaller parties or bigger parties, all allies are being given equal importance in the NDA. He also clarified that at the national level, BJP is leading the NDA but in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK is leading the alliance. On seat-sharing among the alliance parties, Palaniswami said, "We have not gone towards that step".

Later, in Coimbatore airport, when asked about the claims of the BJP leaders that they would be contesting in 25 seats in Lok Sabha elections, Palaniswami said, "Leaders of any political parties would speak like that to encourage their cadres." Questioned whether the AIADMK would decide the number of seats to be allocated to other alliance parties, Palaniswami said, "We will sit together and decide the seat-sharing on the basis of consensus."

Asked whether getting 50% plus votes in the Lok Sabha elections as envisioned by the prime minister is possible since there are other factors like unemployment and rise in prices of essential commodities, the AIADMK leader said, "You have to take into account the development the country has made during the past nine years despite aspects like the coronavirus pandemic. Also, several economies in the world faced challenges while in India, the challenges were tackled well by the NDA government. Besides, across the globe, Indias reputation has grown under Modi's leadership.

On the DMK's charge that the BJP-led government at the Centre does not act in respect of corruption charges like the 'Gutkha case', Palaniswami said, "In the whole of India, it is only the DMK's regime that was dismissed for corruption. During the Congress-led UPA regime (2009-14), DMK leaders K Kanimozhi and A Raja were arrested in the 2G spectrum case. DMK's V Senthil Balaji and K Ponmudy faced an ED probe. Balaji is now in jail. So, the DMK has no right to comment on AIADMK.

Questioned about the differences in the NDA partners, Palaniswami said the NDA allies are functioning independently while the allies of DMK are "servile" to the DMK. In the NDA, parties that have unique ideologies have come together for an alliance.

Responding to a question, Palaniswami said till July 18, the party has enrolled 1.72 crore members including the renewals and their target is to enroll two crores of members.

On the Cauvery issue, Palaniswami asked: Why has Stalin, who is so close to Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, failed to take up the Cauvery water issue and Mekedatu dam issue? Why did Stalin not tell Shivakumar that if a dam is built at Mekedatu, it would affect the livelihood aspects including drinking water and irrigation needs of the 20 districts in Tamil Nadu?.

Questioned when the AIADMK would open its new office in New Delhi, Palaniswami said it would be in the Tamil month of Aavani (August-September).

CHENNAI: A day after attending the NDA meeting in New Delhi where he was given prominence, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the achievements of his government during the past nine years as a mark of firming up the alliance with the BJP. He also expressed confidence that the NDA will win 330 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha in the forthcoming general elections. Answering queries from reporters in New Delhi, Palaniswami said without discriminating between smaller parties or bigger parties, all allies are being given equal importance in the NDA. He also clarified that at the national level, BJP is leading the NDA but in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK is leading the alliance. On seat-sharing among the alliance parties, Palaniswami said, "We have not gone towards that step". Later, in Coimbatore airport, when asked about the claims of the BJP leaders that they would be contesting in 25 seats in Lok Sabha elections, Palaniswami said, "Leaders of any political parties would speak like that to encourage their cadres." Questioned whether the AIADMK would decide the number of seats to be allocated to other alliance parties, Palaniswami said, "We will sit together and decide the seat-sharing on the basis of consensus." googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Asked whether getting 50% plus votes in the Lok Sabha elections as envisioned by the prime minister is possible since there are other factors like unemployment and rise in prices of essential commodities, the AIADMK leader said, "You have to take into account the development the country has made during the past nine years despite aspects like the coronavirus pandemic. Also, several economies in the world faced challenges while in India, the challenges were tackled well by the NDA government. Besides, across the globe, Indias reputation has grown under Modi's leadership. On the DMK's charge that the BJP-led government at the Centre does not act in respect of corruption charges like the 'Gutkha case', Palaniswami said, "In the whole of India, it is only the DMK's regime that was dismissed for corruption. During the Congress-led UPA regime (2009-14), DMK leaders K Kanimozhi and A Raja were arrested in the 2G spectrum case. DMK's V Senthil Balaji and K Ponmudy faced an ED probe. Balaji is now in jail. So, the DMK has no right to comment on AIADMK. Questioned about the differences in the NDA partners, Palaniswami said the NDA allies are functioning independently while the allies of DMK are "servile" to the DMK. In the NDA, parties that have unique ideologies have come together for an alliance. Responding to a question, Palaniswami said till July 18, the party has enrolled 1.72 crore members including the renewals and their target is to enroll two crores of members. On the Cauvery issue, Palaniswami asked: Why has Stalin, who is so close to Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, failed to take up the Cauvery water issue and Mekedatu dam issue? Why did Stalin not tell Shivakumar that if a dam is built at Mekedatu, it would affect the livelihood aspects including drinking water and irrigation needs of the 20 districts in Tamil Nadu?. Questioned when the AIADMK would open its new office in New Delhi, Palaniswami said it would be in the Tamil month of Aavani (August-September).
By PTI

JODHPUR: Four members of a family, including a six-month-old girl, were killed and their bodies set ablaze by unidentified persons in this district of Rajasthan on Wednesday, police said.

The assailants first slit the throats of the family members and then set their hut afire early in the morning in Cheria village of the Osian area, they said.

Police rushed to the spot after villagers alerted them noticing the fire in the hut.

Inspector General of Police, Jodhpur, Jainarayan Sher told PTI that a relative of the family has been taken into custody and was being questioned.

In Jaipur, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C P Joshi informed the House during Zero Hour that the state government will give a statement on the incident at 5 pm.

DGP Umesh Mishra has instructed ADG (Crime) Dinesh M N to go to Osian to monitor the case.

Superintendent of Police (Jodhpur Rural) Dharmendra Singh Yadav said preliminary investigation in the case pointed to some family dispute.

Those killed were identified as Poonaram (55), his wife Bhanwari (50), their daughter-in-law Dhapu (23) and her six-month-old daughter Manisha.

Yadav said police teams have been formed to investigate the case.

A dog squad and a forensic team were also roped in to gather evidence, he added.

"We are not sure about the cause of the killings but it certainly was not a theft case. We believe that the killers had come with the sole objective of murder," Yadav said.

Poonaram's son had left for work in a stone quarry after dinner on Tuesday night, locals said.

Jodhpur Collector Himanshu Gupta, SP Singh and other officials visited the spot.

As per the primary probe, Poonaram's nephew is the prime suspect in the case. He has been rounded up, police said.

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party leader and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal said Jodhpur is the hometown of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, yet crimes are happening in the district.

He alleged that the Marwar region has become a hub of drugs, demanding stern action to control the situation.

Beniwal said people involved in such heinous crimes should be eliminated in "encounters".

"The incident of Jodhpur is heart-wrenching. If the accused involved in the case are not arrested within 24 hours, our party will launch an agitation," he said.

JODHPUR: Four members of a family, including a six-month-old girl, were killed and their bodies set ablaze by unidentified persons in this district of Rajasthan on Wednesday, police said. The assailants first slit the throats of the family members and then set their hut afire early in the morning in Cheria village of the Osian area, they said. Police rushed to the spot after villagers alerted them noticing the fire in the hut.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Inspector General of Police, Jodhpur, Jainarayan Sher told PTI that a relative of the family has been taken into custody and was being questioned. In Jaipur, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker C P Joshi informed the House during Zero Hour that the state government will give a statement on the incident at 5 pm. DGP Umesh Mishra has instructed ADG (Crime) Dinesh M N to go to Osian to monitor the case. Superintendent of Police (Jodhpur Rural) Dharmendra Singh Yadav said preliminary investigation in the case pointed to some family dispute. Those killed were identified as Poonaram (55), his wife Bhanwari (50), their daughter-in-law Dhapu (23) and her six-month-old daughter Manisha. Yadav said police teams have been formed to investigate the case. A dog squad and a forensic team were also roped in to gather evidence, he added. "We are not sure about the cause of the killings but it certainly was not a theft case. We believe that the killers had come with the sole objective of murder," Yadav said. Poonaram's son had left for work in a stone quarry after dinner on Tuesday night, locals said. Jodhpur Collector Himanshu Gupta, SP Singh and other officials visited the spot. As per the primary probe, Poonaram's nephew is the prime suspect in the case. He has been rounded up, police said. Rashtriya Loktantrik Party leader and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal said Jodhpur is the hometown of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, yet crimes are happening in the district. He alleged that the Marwar region has become a hub of drugs, demanding stern action to control the situation. Beniwal said people involved in such heinous crimes should be eliminated in "encounters". "The incident of Jodhpur is heart-wrenching. If the accused involved in the case are not arrested within 24 hours, our party will launch an agitation," he said.
Express News Service

NEW DELHI: With the world returning to a new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government on Wednesday announced the easing of its guidelines for international travellers.

The Union Health Ministry said that the two per cent random testing of international flyers will be dropped from July 20th on account of India's improving conditions following the pandemic. The Centre had earlier come out with guidelines for international travellers when the pandemic was raging in India and globally.

"Taking note of the prevalent COVID-19 situation and the significant achievements made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage across the globe, the Union Health Ministry has further eased guidelines for international travellers in the context of Covid-19," a statement issued by the ministry said.

The new guidelines will be applicable at all points of entry including airports, seaports, and land borders. "However, the earlier advice for precautionary measures to be followed in the context of COVID-19 by airlines as well as international travellers shall continue to apply," the statement said.

On May 6, the WHO had announced that it is ending its highest level of alert for Covid-19 - three years after its original declaration, saying that countries should now manage the virus along with other infectious diseases. However, the global health body also said the decision did not mean the danger was over and cautioned that emergency status could be reinstated if the situation changed.

The health ministry said the dropping of the random testing doesnt mean that India has stopped following the Covid-19 situation. "The ministry continues to follow the Covid-19 scenario closely," the statement added. However, some measures are expected to continue.

The ministry said that all travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against Covid-19 in their country.

During travel, the ministry said, "In-flight announcements about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed, preferable use of masks and following physical distancing shall be made in flights/travel and at all points of entry."

"Any passenger having symptoms of Covid during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol and the said passenger should be wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow-up treatment."

On arrival, the "de-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing," said the new guidelines.

The guidelines said that all travellers should self-monitor their health post-arrival and shall report to their nearest health facility or call the national helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. It also said that thermal screening should be done on all passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry. The updated guidelines are available on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

NEW DELHI: With the world returning to a new normal following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government on Wednesday announced the easing of its guidelines for international travellers. The Union Health Ministry said that the two per cent random testing of international flyers will be dropped from July 20th on account of India's improving conditions following the pandemic. The Centre had earlier come out with guidelines for international travellers when the pandemic was raging in India and globally. "Taking note of the prevalent COVID-19 situation and the significant achievements made in COVID-19 vaccination coverage across the globe, the Union Health Ministry has further eased guidelines for international travellers in the context of Covid-19," a statement issued by the ministry said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The new guidelines will be applicable at all points of entry including airports, seaports, and land borders. "However, the earlier advice for precautionary measures to be followed in the context of COVID-19 by airlines as well as international travellers shall continue to apply," the statement said. On May 6, the WHO had announced that it is ending its highest level of alert for Covid-19 - three years after its original declaration, saying that countries should now manage the virus along with other infectious diseases. However, the global health body also said the decision did not mean the danger was over and cautioned that emergency status could be reinstated if the situation changed. The health ministry said the dropping of the random testing doesnt mean that India has stopped following the Covid-19 situation. "The ministry continues to follow the Covid-19 scenario closely," the statement added. However, some measures are expected to continue. The ministry said that all travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against Covid-19 in their country. During travel, the ministry said, "In-flight announcements about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic including precautionary measures to be followed, preferable use of masks and following physical distancing shall be made in flights/travel and at all points of entry." "Any passenger having symptoms of Covid during travel shall be isolated as per standard protocol and the said passenger should be wearing a mask, isolated and segregated from other passengers in flight/travel and shifted to an isolation facility subsequently for follow-up treatment." On arrival, the "de-boarding should be done ensuring physical distancing," said the new guidelines. The guidelines said that all travellers should self-monitor their health post-arrival and shall report to their nearest health facility or call the national helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number in case they have any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. It also said that thermal screening should be done on all passengers by the health officials present at the point of entry. The updated guidelines are available on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
By PTI

UNITED NATIONS: India has voiced support for the UN's efforts in continuing the Black Sea Grain initiative and expressed hope for an early resolution to the present impasse, a day after Russia announced it was terminating implementation of the UN-brokered deal that allowed export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilisers from Ukrainian ports.

Moscow on Monday said it was terminating the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative -- a UN-brokered deal that allowed food exports from Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia -- including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the North-Western part of the Black Sea.

Addressing the UN General Assembly's annual debate on the 'Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine' on Tuesday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador, Ruchira Kamboj, said New Delhi is concerned about the recent developments in the region, which have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability.

"India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse," Kamboj said.

"India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in the loss of lives and misery for its people, particularly for the women, children and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries," she said.

READ EXPLAINER | Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world

Kamboj asserted that India's approach to the Ukrainian conflict will continue to be people-centric.

"We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the Global South under economic distress, even as they stare at the escalating cost of food, of fuel and of fertilisers - which has been a consequential fall out of the ongoing conflict," she said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep regret over Moscow's termination of the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative decision, saying the initiative ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tonnes of food commodities from Ukrainian ports.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has shipped more than 725,000 tonnes to support humanitarian operations - relieving hunger in some of the hardest-hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, Horn of Africa and Yemen, Guterres said.

He added that the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilisers have been a "lifeline" for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world.

"At a time when the production and availability of food are being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year," he said.

The UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative agreed by Russia, Turkiye, and Ukraine allowed millions of tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs to leave Ukraine's ports, which Guterres said played an "indispensable role" in global food security.

The UN noted that nearly one year into the agreement, more than 32 million tonnes of food commodities have been exported from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports to 45 countries across three continents.

The partial resumption of Ukrainian sea exports enabled by the Initiative has unblocked vital food commodities and has helped reverse spiking global food prices, which reached record highs shortly before the agreement was signed, the UN said.

Kamboj underlined that it is unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukranian conflict unfolds, the entire Global South has suffered substantial collateral damage.

"It is thus critical that the voice of the Global South be heard, and their legitimate concerns be duly addressed," she said.

Kamboj further said in her remarks that reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are deeply worrying.

"We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one's interest. We have urged that all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy," she said.

The Indian envoy underscored that dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment.

"The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open," she said.

Noting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated engagements with both Russia and Ukraine, Kamboj said it is essential to emphasise that "we firmly believe that this is not an era of war. It is with this understanding and spirit that India actively participates in this debate."

She said that the global order that "we all subscribe to" is based on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States.

"These principles must be upheld without exception," Kamboj said.

UNITED NATIONS: India has voiced support for the UN's efforts in continuing the Black Sea Grain initiative and expressed hope for an early resolution to the present impasse, a day after Russia announced it was terminating implementation of the UN-brokered deal that allowed export of grain and related foodstuffs and fertilisers from Ukrainian ports. Moscow on Monday said it was terminating the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative -- a UN-brokered deal that allowed food exports from Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia -- including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the North-Western part of the Black Sea. Addressing the UN General Assembly's annual debate on the 'Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine' on Tuesday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador, Ruchira Kamboj, said New Delhi is concerned about the recent developments in the region, which have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse," Kamboj said. "India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in the loss of lives and misery for its people, particularly for the women, children and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighbouring countries," she said. READ EXPLAINER | Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world Kamboj asserted that India's approach to the Ukrainian conflict will continue to be people-centric. "We are providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic support to some of our neighbours in the Global South under economic distress, even as they stare at the escalating cost of food, of fuel and of fertilisers - which has been a consequential fall out of the ongoing conflict," she said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced deep regret over Moscow's termination of the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative decision, saying the initiative ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tonnes of food commodities from Ukrainian ports. The World Food Programme (WFP) has shipped more than 725,000 tonnes to support humanitarian operations - relieving hunger in some of the hardest-hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, Horn of Africa and Yemen, Guterres said. He added that the Black Sea Initiative and the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilisers have been a "lifeline" for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world. "At a time when the production and availability of food are being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year," he said. The UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative agreed by Russia, Turkiye, and Ukraine allowed millions of tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs to leave Ukraine's ports, which Guterres said played an "indispensable role" in global food security. The UN noted that nearly one year into the agreement, more than 32 million tonnes of food commodities have been exported from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports to 45 countries across three continents. The partial resumption of Ukrainian sea exports enabled by the Initiative has unblocked vital food commodities and has helped reverse spiking global food prices, which reached record highs shortly before the agreement was signed, the UN said. Kamboj underlined that it is unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukranian conflict unfolds, the entire Global South has suffered substantial collateral damage. "It is thus critical that the voice of the Global South be heard, and their legitimate concerns be duly addressed," she said. Kamboj further said in her remarks that reports of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are deeply worrying. "We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives. Escalation of hostilities and violence is in no one's interest. We have urged that all efforts be made for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an urgent return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy," she said. The Indian envoy underscored that dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. "The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open," she said. Noting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated engagements with both Russia and Ukraine, Kamboj said it is essential to emphasise that "we firmly believe that this is not an era of war. It is with this understanding and spirit that India actively participates in this debate." She said that the global order that "we all subscribe to" is based on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. "These principles must be upheld without exception," Kamboj said.
By Online Desk

The Congress hit back at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his Bharat vs India post and the criticism of the name of the Opposition aliance. On Tuesday, at the meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, it was decided that the new bloc will be called as INDIA, acronym for Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance.

After the news about the name for the alliance came out, Sarma took to Twitter to take a jibe at the Opposition.

"Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat . BJP for BHARAT," he tweeted.

Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat.The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat .



BJP for BHARAT  Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 18, 2023

Hitting back at the Assam Chief Minister, Senior leader and Congress General secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote on Twitter, "Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital Indiaall new names for ongoing programmers"

"He's (Modi) asked CMs of different states to work together as 'Team India'. He even made an appeal to Vote India!" he added.

Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital Indiaall new names for ongoing programmes. Hes asked CMs of different states to work together as Team India. He even made an appeal to Vote pic.twitter.com/YYCeDcWMui  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 19, 2023

But when 26 political parties call their formation INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance), he throws a fit and says the use of India reflects colonial mentality! He should tell that to his Boss, he said.

He also shared an old video of Modi in which he is seen appealing to "vote for India".

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also slammed Sarma on Twitter. She said he should find a better tweet writer, and the current one makes him appear foolish.

Himanta, find a better tweet writer. This one makes you appear foolish. Your fight seems to begin with your geo location on your twitter bio



Be rest assured we will ensure

 ,  INDIA@himantabiswa https://t.co/bRBOTrVwMr  Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) July 18, 2023

On Wednesday, a day after revealing the alliance's name, the bloc has also revealed their tagline- "Jeetega Bharat"- for the upcoming elections.

The Congress hit back at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his Bharat vs India post and the criticism of the name of the Opposition aliance. On Tuesday, at the meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, it was decided that the new bloc will be called as INDIA, acronym for Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance. After the news about the name for the alliance came out, Sarma took to Twitter to take a jibe at the Opposition. "Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat . BJP for BHARAT," he tweeted.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat.The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat . BJP for BHARAT  Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 18, 2023 Hitting back at the Assam Chief Minister, Senior leader and Congress General secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote on Twitter, "Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital Indiaall new names for ongoing programmers" "He's (Modi) asked CMs of different states to work together as 'Team India'. He even made an appeal to Vote India!" he added. Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital Indiaall new names for ongoing programmes. Hes asked CMs of different states to work together as Team India. He even made an appeal to Vote pic.twitter.com/YYCeDcWMui  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 19, 2023 But when 26 political parties call their formation INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance), he throws a fit and says the use of India reflects colonial mentality! He should tell that to his Boss, he said. He also shared an old video of Modi in which he is seen appealing to "vote for India". Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also slammed Sarma on Twitter. She said he should find a better tweet writer, and the current one makes him appear foolish. Himanta, find a better tweet writer. This one makes you appear foolish. Your fight seems to begin with your geo location on your twitter bio Be rest assured we will ensure  ,  INDIA@himantabiswa https://t.co/bRBOTrVwMr  Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) July 18, 2023 On Wednesday, a day after revealing the alliance's name, the bloc has also revealed their tagline- "Jeetega Bharat"- for the upcoming elections.
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In an unfortunate incident, an Indian Army officer lost his life in a fire at the Siachen Glacier on Wednesday. Several others were injured in the incident.

Sources confirmed that the incident occurred at around 0300 hrs in which "Captain Anshuman Singh, Regimental Medical Officer, succumbed to serious burn injuries."

"Three other personnel suffered smoke inhalation and second degree burns," the source added. The injured were safely air evacuated for further treatment.

The three injured Indian Army personnel included a Lieutenant Colonel. In addition, three porters were also injured in the fire incident. The condition of the injured personnel is reported to be stable.

The deployment to the glacier is codenamed Operation Meghdoot and is the longest continuing operation of its kind in the world.

ALSO READ | Armed forces: No names, but numbers for new theatre commands

The Indian Army occupied the Siachen Glacier region on April 13, 1984 as it holds military significance for the country and is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds. India has been insisting that Pakistan accept the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) as the line which separates the current positions of Indian Army and Pakistan Army. It is 110 km long and extends from NJ 9842 to Indira Col in the north.

More men have lost lives due to inhospitable climate and difficult terrain than due to enemy fire. As per reports, more than 800 personnel have lost their lives in the last 39 years while operating under Operation Meghdoot.

It took time for the Indian Army to develop logistics lines and make administrative arrangements for its troops to ameliorate the conditions. Keeping in view the harsh conditions, the soldiers are deployed for a period of three months at a stretch.

The region is strategically important as it juts between the Saltoro Ridge and the Karakoram Ranges. The Saltoro Ridge overlooks the area of Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) that is under dispute with Pakistan. The glacier is also close to the Karakoram Pass through which the Karakoram Highway passes connecting Gilgit-Baltistan to the Xinjiang province of China. The glacier region is also in proximity to the Shaksgam Valley, which was ceded to China by Pakistan.

NEW DELHI: In an unfortunate incident, an Indian Army officer lost his life in a fire at the Siachen Glacier on Wednesday. Several others were injured in the incident. Sources confirmed that the incident occurred at around 0300 hrs in which "Captain Anshuman Singh, Regimental Medical Officer, succumbed to serious burn injuries." "Three other personnel suffered smoke inhalation and second degree burns," the source added. The injured were safely air evacuated for further treatment.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The three injured Indian Army personnel included a Lieutenant Colonel. In addition, three porters were also injured in the fire incident. The condition of the injured personnel is reported to be stable. The deployment to the glacier is codenamed Operation Meghdoot and is the longest continuing operation of its kind in the world. ALSO READ | Armed forces: No names, but numbers for new theatre commands The Indian Army occupied the Siachen Glacier region on April 13, 1984 as it holds military significance for the country and is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds. India has been insisting that Pakistan accept the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) as the line which separates the current positions of Indian Army and Pakistan Army. It is 110 km long and extends from NJ 9842 to Indira Col in the north. More men have lost lives due to inhospitable climate and difficult terrain than due to enemy fire. As per reports, more than 800 personnel have lost their lives in the last 39 years while operating under Operation Meghdoot. It took time for the Indian Army to develop logistics lines and make administrative arrangements for its troops to ameliorate the conditions. Keeping in view the harsh conditions, the soldiers are deployed for a period of three months at a stretch. The region is strategically important as it juts between the Saltoro Ridge and the Karakoram Ranges. The Saltoro Ridge overlooks the area of Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) that is under dispute with Pakistan. The glacier is also close to the Karakoram Pass through which the Karakoram Highway passes connecting Gilgit-Baltistan to the Xinjiang province of China. The glacier region is also in proximity to the Shaksgam Valley, which was ceded to China by Pakistan.
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By Online Desk

CHENNAI: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was detained by the police for protesting against the suspension of ten BJP MLAs from the assembly on Wednesday.

Bommai was detained along with other leaders for protesting against the suspension of 10 party legislators outside the assembly.

Speaker UT Khader suspended ten Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators from the rest of the assembly session for "indecent and disrespectful conduct" in the House.

The ten members were suspended as they tore copies of bills and agenda and threw them at the Speaker's Chair.

The suspended MLAs were protesting against the government for deputing 30 IAS officers for welcoming the leaders of opposition parties who had arrived in Bengaluru for the meeting of opposition parties.

Sunil Kumar, R Ashok, CN Ashwath Narayan, Yashpal Anand Suvarna, D Vedavyas Kamath, Arvind Bellad, Araga Jnanendra, Umanatha Kotian, Dheeraj Muniraju and Bharath Shetty Y, have been suspended for this session.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: BJP MLAs create ruckus in the Karnataka Assembly; shouting against State Government's decision to depute IAS officers for an opposition party meeting held in Bengaluru



(Video source: Karnataka Assembly) pic.twitter.com/ABRSTkf6OL  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Rudrappa Lamani, who was occupying the Speaker's Chair said, I am naming them (the 10 MLAs) because of their indecent and disrespectful conduct," following which Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the House responds to his "anguish".

I am presenting this proposal...I request you that on this day under section 348 of the Karnataka Assembly Rules of Procedure, these members should be suspended from the Karnataka Assembly till the rest of the session for their indecent and disrespectful conduct, and should be barred from entering the House, Patil said.

Before adjourning the House for lunch, the Deputy Speaker also accused the BJP legislators of targettig him as he is from the Dalit community.

Dr G Parameshwara, the Home Minister of Karnataka, condemned the incident, saying, "We have laid out some guidelines, some rules in the house. House rules are there. Nobody prevents them to go and protest...But there is some basic discipline that they have to follow, attacking the chair is something we don't see in the Karnataka legislature...And this has happened. It is unfortunate and we also appeal to the speaker to take some action."

After the suspension of the BJP MLAs, there was a ruckus outside the Assembly, and Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal fell unconscious. He has been taken to the hospital. Meanwhile, the opposition BJP and JD(S) gave a no-confidence notice against the Speaker.

#WATCH | Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal falls unconscious following the ruckus outside the Karnataka Assembly. He has been taken to the hospital.



10 BJP MLAs have been suspended for this session for throwing paper at the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly and chair pic.twitter.com/7sV4iv9VQo  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Former chief minister Bommai, while protesting against the suspension, said, "This is the black day for Democracy. There was a murder of democracy today. They (10 BJP MLAs) have been suspended for their small agitation. We will fight for the right of the suspended MLAs." He was subsequently detained by the police.

CHENNAI: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was detained by the police for protesting against the suspension of ten BJP MLAs from the assembly on Wednesday. Bommai was detained along with other leaders for protesting against the suspension of 10 party legislators outside the assembly. Speaker UT Khader suspended ten Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators from the rest of the assembly session for "indecent and disrespectful conduct" in the House.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The ten members were suspended as they tore copies of bills and agenda and threw them at the Speaker's Chair. The suspended MLAs were protesting against the government for deputing 30 IAS officers for welcoming the leaders of opposition parties who had arrived in Bengaluru for the meeting of opposition parties. Sunil Kumar, R Ashok, CN Ashwath Narayan, Yashpal Anand Suvarna, D Vedavyas Kamath, Arvind Bellad, Araga Jnanendra, Umanatha Kotian, Dheeraj Muniraju and Bharath Shetty Y, have been suspended for this session. #WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: BJP MLAs create ruckus in the Karnataka Assembly; shouting against State Government's decision to depute IAS officers for an opposition party meeting held in Bengaluru (Video source: Karnataka Assembly) pic.twitter.com/ABRSTkf6OL  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023 Rudrappa Lamani, who was occupying the Speaker's Chair said, I am naming them (the 10 MLAs) because of their indecent and disrespectful conduct," following which Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the House responds to his "anguish". I am presenting this proposal...I request you that on this day under section 348 of the Karnataka Assembly Rules of Procedure, these members should be suspended from the Karnataka Assembly till the rest of the session for their indecent and disrespectful conduct, and should be barred from entering the House, Patil said. Before adjourning the House for lunch, the Deputy Speaker also accused the BJP legislators of targettig him as he is from the Dalit community. Dr G Parameshwara, the Home Minister of Karnataka, condemned the incident, saying, "We have laid out some guidelines, some rules in the house. House rules are there. Nobody prevents them to go and protest...But there is some basic discipline that they have to follow, attacking the chair is something we don't see in the Karnataka legislature...And this has happened. It is unfortunate and we also appeal to the speaker to take some action." After the suspension of the BJP MLAs, there was a ruckus outside the Assembly, and Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal fell unconscious. He has been taken to the hospital. Meanwhile, the opposition BJP and JD(S) gave a no-confidence notice against the Speaker. #WATCH | Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal falls unconscious following the ruckus outside the Karnataka Assembly. He has been taken to the hospital. 10 BJP MLAs have been suspended for this session for throwing paper at the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly and chair pic.twitter.com/7sV4iv9VQo  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023 Former chief minister Bommai, while protesting against the suspension, said, "This is the black day for Democracy. There was a murder of democracy today. They (10 BJP MLAs) have been suspended for their small agitation. We will fight for the right of the suspended MLAs." He was subsequently detained by the police.
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a high-level probe into 35 video clips, running into eight hours, that allegedly feature former BJP Lok Sabha MP Kirit Somaiya in a compromising position.

Fadnavis asserted that no one found guilty will be spared. Leader of Opposition and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danave raised the matter in the Maharashtra state legislative council. Danave presented a pen drive containing over eight hours of video clips and handed it to home minister Devendra Fadnavis for an in-depth probe.

It was observed that Kirit Somaiya used to extort women officers and he even blackmailed them  by using a central agency  the Enforcement Directorate (ED)  as a threat. Somaiya earlier used to extort money by filing false cases and asking central agencies to probe.

Now, the journey has turned from extortionist to sextornist. He has also used very bad words against the Marathi women in these videos. We want a high-level probe by a special investigations team, Danave demanded.

Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, said the matter is of serious nature. We assure the House that the matter will be probed by a high-level team. We are not going to spare anyone. An impartial probe will be carried out. If anyone has a complaint, documents and clips, they should submit it to the police for a probe. We will also check out who was the woman on the other side.

As per norms, the identity of the woman will not be revealed. The police will do its duty in the given framework, Fadnavis said. Shiv Sena MLC Anil Parab said that Kirit Somaiya destroyed many families by using the central agencys threat.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a high-level probe into 35 video clips, running into eight hours, that allegedly feature former BJP Lok Sabha MP Kirit Somaiya in a compromising position. Fadnavis asserted that no one found guilty will be spared. Leader of Opposition and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danave raised the matter in the Maharashtra state legislative council. Danave presented a pen drive containing over eight hours of video clips and handed it to home minister Devendra Fadnavis for an in-depth probe. It was observed that Kirit Somaiya used to extort women officers and he even blackmailed them  by using a central agency  the Enforcement Directorate (ED)  as a threat. Somaiya earlier used to extort money by filing false cases and asking central agencies to probe. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Now, the journey has turned from extortionist to sextornist. He has also used very bad words against the Marathi women in these videos. We want a high-level probe by a special investigations team, Danave demanded. Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, said the matter is of serious nature. We assure the House that the matter will be probed by a high-level team. We are not going to spare anyone. An impartial probe will be carried out. If anyone has a complaint, documents and clips, they should submit it to the police for a probe. We will also check out who was the woman on the other side. As per norms, the identity of the woman will not be revealed. The police will do its duty in the given framework, Fadnavis said. Shiv Sena MLC Anil Parab said that Kirit Somaiya destroyed many families by using the central agencys threat.
By PTI

IMPHAL: Over six lakh bullets and around 3,000 weapons are still with the warring communities in strife-torn Manipur with officials and experts warning of a resurgence of banned terror groups in the state.

Quoting data collected from various sources, officials closely monitoring the situation here said that 303 rifles, Medium Machine Guns (MMG) and AK assault rifles, carbines, Insas Light Machine Guns (LMG), Insas rifles, M-16 and MP5 rifles were reported to be missing from the armouries of the police in May.

Besides these, around 6 lakh bullets have been found missing during the waves of attacks carried out on police and other security officials from May 3 when the ethnic clashes began in the state with two dominant communities targeting each other.

These attacks have so far claimed over 160 lives.

The officials said around 4,537 arms and 6.32 lakh rounds of ammunition were missing mainly from Manipur Police Training Centre (MTPC) at Pangei in East Imphal, 7th India Reserve battalion and 8th Manipur Rifles, both located at Khabeisoi in Imphal city.

According to the officials, out of the stolen weapons, 2,900 fell in the lethal category whereas others comprised teargas and mini flare guns.

The looted arms and ammunition were mainly with the rioters in the valley while those in the hills had only 5.31 per cent of such weapons, they said.

The officials and experts have been warning that the present unrest has already seen the resurgence of near dormant banned groups like United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People's Liberation Army (PLA), Kanglei Yawol, Kanba Lup (KYKL) and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) in the state.

The overwhelming support being extended to cadres of these banned organisations was seen on June 24, when Army and Assam Rifles, based on specific intelligence, nabbed 12 members of banned KYKL in East Imphal which included self-styled 'Lt Col' Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam, one of the masterminds of the ambush on 6 Dogra regiment in 2015 that left 18 army soldiers dead.

Besides this, the officials said that reports of another six to seven top cadres of other banned groups have reached Imphal Valley and were extending support to the ethnic groups based there.

"'You can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbour.

' Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this to Pakistan in 2011 but today it holds good for Manipur where a section of the community is welcoming the return of these terror groups," a senior security official said.

The official said someday there will be a truce and on that day, these so-called 'heroes' would turn the nozzle of their guns towards the community it claimed to be protecting.

The banned groups like the UNLF, which has a cadre strength of nearly 250, have in the past been largely involved in extortion at higher levels like the contractors and businessmen.

The PLA, which was initially started under the name of 'Polei', the ancient name of Manipur, had the aim to liberate Manipur and establish an independent Meitei land in Imphal Valley.

The KYKL, which runs on extortion and openly supports other terror groups, is considered a mercenary with no ideologies and cadres mainly drawn from criminals and drug addicts.

The PREPAK, which has been banned by the government for its secessionist ideology of so-called liberation of Manipur and whose funding mainly comes from extortion of businessmen especially pharmacies, indulged mainly in drug trafficking and smuggling.

This terror group also collects extortion on behalf of PLA and UNLF and passes them after retaining a share.

IMPHAL: Over six lakh bullets and around 3,000 weapons are still with the warring communities in strife-torn Manipur with officials and experts warning of a resurgence of banned terror groups in the state. Quoting data collected from various sources, officials closely monitoring the situation here said that 303 rifles, Medium Machine Guns (MMG) and AK assault rifles, carbines, Insas Light Machine Guns (LMG), Insas rifles, M-16 and MP5 rifles were reported to be missing from the armouries of the police in May. Besides these, around 6 lakh bullets have been found missing during the waves of attacks carried out on police and other security officials from May 3 when the ethnic clashes began in the state with two dominant communities targeting each other.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); These attacks have so far claimed over 160 lives. The officials said around 4,537 arms and 6.32 lakh rounds of ammunition were missing mainly from Manipur Police Training Centre (MTPC) at Pangei in East Imphal, 7th India Reserve battalion and 8th Manipur Rifles, both located at Khabeisoi in Imphal city. According to the officials, out of the stolen weapons, 2,900 fell in the lethal category whereas others comprised teargas and mini flare guns. The looted arms and ammunition were mainly with the rioters in the valley while those in the hills had only 5.31 per cent of such weapons, they said. The officials and experts have been warning that the present unrest has already seen the resurgence of near dormant banned groups like United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People's Liberation Army (PLA), Kanglei Yawol, Kanba Lup (KYKL) and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) in the state. The overwhelming support being extended to cadres of these banned organisations was seen on June 24, when Army and Assam Rifles, based on specific intelligence, nabbed 12 members of banned KYKL in East Imphal which included self-styled 'Lt Col' Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam, one of the masterminds of the ambush on 6 Dogra regiment in 2015 that left 18 army soldiers dead. Besides this, the officials said that reports of another six to seven top cadres of other banned groups have reached Imphal Valley and were extending support to the ethnic groups based there. "'You can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbour. ' Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this to Pakistan in 2011 but today it holds good for Manipur where a section of the community is welcoming the return of these terror groups," a senior security official said. The official said someday there will be a truce and on that day, these so-called 'heroes' would turn the nozzle of their guns towards the community it claimed to be protecting. The banned groups like the UNLF, which has a cadre strength of nearly 250, have in the past been largely involved in extortion at higher levels like the contractors and businessmen. The PLA, which was initially started under the name of 'Polei', the ancient name of Manipur, had the aim to liberate Manipur and establish an independent Meitei land in Imphal Valley. The KYKL, which runs on extortion and openly supports other terror groups, is considered a mercenary with no ideologies and cadres mainly drawn from criminals and drug addicts. The PREPAK, which has been banned by the government for its secessionist ideology of so-called liberation of Manipur and whose funding mainly comes from extortion of businessmen especially pharmacies, indulged mainly in drug trafficking and smuggling. This terror group also collects extortion on behalf of PLA and UNLF and passes them after retaining a share.
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Justice SV Bhatti of the Supreme Court on Tuesday recused from considering the Andhra Pradesh governments plea seeking transfer of plea related to the case against Margadarsi Chit Fund Private Limited (MCFPL) pending in the Telangana High Court to the Andhra Pradesh HC.

The plea on Tuesday was listed before the bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and SV Bhatti. Notably, a vacation bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal had earlier issued a notice but turned down the state governments request to grant interim relief. Were not passing any interim order well hear out the matter, the bench observed.

Seeking transfer, the state government, in the plea, said, The cause of action arises/the situs of the offences is in Andhra Pradesh, and thus, it is only the High Court of AP, which will have jurisdiction over these matters, and no other High Court, including the Telangana HC. The mere fact that the corporate office of MCFPL is in Hyderabad, would not confer any jurisdiction, whatsoever, on the Telangana High Court.

The AP government had contended that even if it is held that a small part of the cause of action may arise in Telangana because of the location of the MCFPL registered office, the vast majority of cause of action arises in AP since the investigations are being undertaken by AP police and AP authorities under the Chit Fund Act. The largest number of subscribers to MCFPL chits are located in AP, the plea said.

NEW DELHI: Justice SV Bhatti of the Supreme Court on Tuesday recused from considering the Andhra Pradesh governments plea seeking transfer of plea related to the case against Margadarsi Chit Fund Private Limited (MCFPL) pending in the Telangana High Court to the Andhra Pradesh HC. The plea on Tuesday was listed before the bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and SV Bhatti. Notably, a vacation bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Rajesh Bindal had earlier issued a notice but turned down the state governments request to grant interim relief. Were not passing any interim order well hear out the matter, the bench observed. Seeking transfer, the state government, in the plea, said, The cause of action arises/the situs of the offences is in Andhra Pradesh, and thus, it is only the High Court of AP, which will have jurisdiction over these matters, and no other High Court, including the Telangana HC. The mere fact that the corporate office of MCFPL is in Hyderabad, would not confer any jurisdiction, whatsoever, on the Telangana High Court.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The AP government had contended that even if it is held that a small part of the cause of action may arise in Telangana because of the location of the MCFPL registered office, the vast majority of cause of action arises in AP since the investigations are being undertaken by AP police and AP authorities under the Chit Fund Act. The largest number of subscribers to MCFPL chits are located in AP, the plea said.
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Many Nationalist Congress Party MLAs are playing hide-and-seek during the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state assembly, making it difficult to gauge whether they support Sharad Pawar or Ajit Pawar.

After a major split in the party, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar have both claimed their faction is the real NCP. The matter has gone to the Election Commission of India as each faction vies for recognition.

The Ajit Pawar faction has claimed the support of 40 MLAs, but only 24 were officially seen with him. In the state assembly, only 12 to 16 MLAs of the NCP were sitting with the ruling benches, while 12 to 14 MLAs were seen sitting at the Opposition side. The remaining MLAs have been playing hide-and-seek.

ALSO READ | NCP chief Sharad Pawar plays hardball with Ajit Pawar faction, remains 'silent' in meeting

These NCP MLAs are entering the House only to sign the attendance, but avoiding sitting in the House so that they can remain neutral amid a crisis in the party. The MLAs do not want to see either Ajit Pawar nor Sharad Pawar. Therefore, its very difficult to identify who has more numbers, said a senior Congress MLA who requested anonymity.

A senior NCP MLA belonging to the Ajit Pawar faction said the confusion will continue until Ajit Pawar is elevated as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. We got the support of 45 NCP MLAs but they told us they will come out in the open when Ajit Dada is made the chief minister, otherwise they will remain neutral. If Ajit Pawar is made the chief minister, then it will empower the party and they will get good funds for development work as well. Until then, remaining neutral is beneficial to them, he added.

Interestingly, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawars meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah late on Tuesday evening in Delhi is a signal that the top leadership is positively thinking about his elevation in state politics and government. We were told that very soon we will get positive and good news. The reason is Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde was not present in this long, confidential meeting even though he was in Delhi to attend the NDA meeting. We can read this absence of CM Shinde in many ways, but lets see, we are keeping our fingers crossed, said the NCP leader, requesting anonymity.

MUMBAI: Many Nationalist Congress Party MLAs are playing hide-and-seek during the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state assembly, making it difficult to gauge whether they support Sharad Pawar or Ajit Pawar. After a major split in the party, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar have both claimed their faction is the real NCP. The matter has gone to the Election Commission of India as each faction vies for recognition. The Ajit Pawar faction has claimed the support of 40 MLAs, but only 24 were officially seen with him. In the state assembly, only 12 to 16 MLAs of the NCP were sitting with the ruling benches, while 12 to 14 MLAs were seen sitting at the Opposition side. The remaining MLAs have been playing hide-and-seek.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | NCP chief Sharad Pawar plays hardball with Ajit Pawar faction, remains 'silent' in meeting These NCP MLAs are entering the House only to sign the attendance, but avoiding sitting in the House so that they can remain neutral amid a crisis in the party. The MLAs do not want to see either Ajit Pawar nor Sharad Pawar. Therefore, its very difficult to identify who has more numbers, said a senior Congress MLA who requested anonymity. A senior NCP MLA belonging to the Ajit Pawar faction said the confusion will continue until Ajit Pawar is elevated as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. We got the support of 45 NCP MLAs but they told us they will come out in the open when Ajit Dada is made the chief minister, otherwise they will remain neutral. If Ajit Pawar is made the chief minister, then it will empower the party and they will get good funds for development work as well. Until then, remaining neutral is beneficial to them, he added. Interestingly, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawars meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah late on Tuesday evening in Delhi is a signal that the top leadership is positively thinking about his elevation in state politics and government. We were told that very soon we will get positive and good news. The reason is Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde was not present in this long, confidential meeting even though he was in Delhi to attend the NDA meeting. We can read this absence of CM Shinde in many ways, but lets see, we are keeping our fingers crossed, said the NCP leader, requesting anonymity.
By PTI

PATNA: JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', who accompanied Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the trip to Bengaluru, on Wednesday strongly denied reports of the latter's displeasure with the way things went at the opposition meet.

Talking to reporters here, Lalan described as "dushprachar" (canard) of the BJP-led NDA reports of Kumar being unhappy with the acronym 'INDIA' and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition.

"This is all dushprachar and rumour mongering on the part of the NDA led by the country's honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition meet", said Lalan.

About the speculations around Nitish Kumar being made the convener, the JD(U) chief said "This was not on the agenda of yesterday's meeting. It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai".

ALSO READ | BJP remembered NDA only after 26 opposition parties came together: Sena (UBT)

He alleged that BJP leaders like former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi who have claimed that Kumar skipped the press conference because of dissatisfaction over not being made the convener, suffered from 'chhapas rog (craving for publicity)'.

"Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry", asserted Lalan.

He added, "I remember a speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai where he had repeatedly urged people to vote for India. Now, the time has come that people will, indeed vote for INDIA (pun intended) and Modi shall have to make way in deference to public sentiment".

Lalan also claimed that the NDA meeting called by the PM in Delhi on Wednesday was indicative of "desperation".

"This is the first time since Modi has come to power, that an NDA meeting has been called. I can say that as a Lok Sabha member whose party had been a part of the NDA", said the JD(U) president, whose party quit the BJP-led coalition a year ago.

He also mocked the BJP's claim that more than 30 parties were now part of the NDA, saying "over a dozen such political outfits are from the north-east.The entire region accounts for only 23 Lok Sabha seats".

ALSO READ | It's 'NDA vs INDIA' as BJP, Opposition parties shore up alliances for 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Asked about the PM's jibe at many opposition leaders facing charges of corruption, Lalan said: "He should revisit his own past observations. Whom did he lash out at upon return from Maharashtra and where are those people today".

The allusion was to Modi's speech in Bhopal where he had accused NCP chief Sharad Pawar, among others, of nepotism and corruption.

While Pawar is in the opposition camp, his nephew Ajit Pawar recently broke away and became the Deputy CM of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.

The splinter group includes some others who have been either named in corruption cases or accused of graft by the BJP in the past.

PATNA: JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', who accompanied Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the trip to Bengaluru, on Wednesday strongly denied reports of the latter's displeasure with the way things went at the opposition meet. Talking to reporters here, Lalan described as "dushprachar" (canard) of the BJP-led NDA reports of Kumar being unhappy with the acronym 'INDIA' and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition. "This is all dushprachar and rumour mongering on the part of the NDA led by the country's honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition meet", said Lalan.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); About the speculations around Nitish Kumar being made the convener, the JD(U) chief said "This was not on the agenda of yesterday's meeting. It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai". ALSO READ | BJP remembered NDA only after 26 opposition parties came together: Sena (UBT) He alleged that BJP leaders like former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi who have claimed that Kumar skipped the press conference because of dissatisfaction over not being made the convener, suffered from 'chhapas rog (craving for publicity)'. "Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry", asserted Lalan. He added, "I remember a speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai where he had repeatedly urged people to vote for India. Now, the time has come that people will, indeed vote for INDIA (pun intended) and Modi shall have to make way in deference to public sentiment". Lalan also claimed that the NDA meeting called by the PM in Delhi on Wednesday was indicative of "desperation". "This is the first time since Modi has come to power, that an NDA meeting has been called. I can say that as a Lok Sabha member whose party had been a part of the NDA", said the JD(U) president, whose party quit the BJP-led coalition a year ago. He also mocked the BJP's claim that more than 30 parties were now part of the NDA, saying "over a dozen such political outfits are from the north-east.The entire region accounts for only 23 Lok Sabha seats". ALSO READ | It's 'NDA vs INDIA' as BJP, Opposition parties shore up alliances for 2024 Lok Sabha polls Asked about the PM's jibe at many opposition leaders facing charges of corruption, Lalan said: "He should revisit his own past observations. Whom did he lash out at upon return from Maharashtra and where are those people today". The allusion was to Modi's speech in Bhopal where he had accused NCP chief Sharad Pawar, among others, of nepotism and corruption. While Pawar is in the opposition camp, his nephew Ajit Pawar recently broke away and became the Deputy CM of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. The splinter group includes some others who have been either named in corruption cases or accused of graft by the BJP in the past.
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: Bihar anti-terrorism squad (ATS) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested the master trainer of the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) Yaqub alias Sultan Usman Khan, from East Champaran district in Bihar.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of NIA, ATS, and East Champran police conducted a raid at Bansghat Gawandara village under Chakia police station late on Tuesday and took Yaqub into custody.

It could not be immediately known whether any illegal document was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest. The NIA later took the alleged master trainer to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.

Superintendent of Police (SP), East Champaran, Kantesh Kumar Mishra confirmed the arrest of Yaqub. He said the district police extended its full cooperation in the operation against the PFI activist, who was absconding for long.

Yaqub came into the limelight about four years ago when a video showing him imparting training to newly recruited members of PFI at Gandhi Maidan in Chakia had gone viral on social media. This caught the attention of intelligence agencies.

Authoritative sources in state police headquarters said that Yaqub was a frequent visitor to Phulwarisharif office of PFI before the searches carried out against the banned outfit in September last year. He used to impart training to youths.

Yaqub's arrest followed the action initiated against Azhar and Jalaluddin in Phulwarisharif locality of the state capital last year. The Patna police had busted a terrorist training module of PFI. Later the case was handed over to NIA.

The arrest of the trio suspects has provided vital information to NIA, which is conducting an investigation into the Phulwarisharif module of PFI. In September last year, union government declared PFI an outlawed outfit which was involved inti-India activities.

Yaqub is stated to be fond of flaunting weapons on social media platforms. In one of the videos, Yaqub can be seen posing for the camera as he oversees a bunch of youths training in the backyard.

In other visuals, he can be seen brandishing guns and swords. Yaqub's arrest is a significant development in action against PFI activities in the state, a senior IPS officer said on condition of anonymity.

PATNA: Bihar anti-terrorism squad (ATS) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested the master trainer of the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI) Yaqub alias Sultan Usman Khan, from East Champaran district in Bihar. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of NIA, ATS, and East Champran police conducted a raid at Bansghat Gawandara village under Chakia police station late on Tuesday and took Yaqub into custody. It could not be immediately known whether any illegal document was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest. The NIA later took the alleged master trainer to an undisclosed location for further interrogation. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Superintendent of Police (SP), East Champaran, Kantesh Kumar Mishra confirmed the arrest of Yaqub. He said the district police extended its full cooperation in the operation against the PFI activist, who was absconding for long. Yaqub came into the limelight about four years ago when a video showing him imparting training to newly recruited members of PFI at Gandhi Maidan in Chakia had gone viral on social media. This caught the attention of intelligence agencies. Authoritative sources in state police headquarters said that Yaqub was a frequent visitor to Phulwarisharif office of PFI before the searches carried out against the banned outfit in September last year. He used to impart training to youths. Yaqub's arrest followed the action initiated against Azhar and Jalaluddin in Phulwarisharif locality of the state capital last year. The Patna police had busted a terrorist training module of PFI. Later the case was handed over to NIA. The arrest of the trio suspects has provided vital information to NIA, which is conducting an investigation into the Phulwarisharif module of PFI. In September last year, union government declared PFI an outlawed outfit which was involved inti-India activities. Yaqub is stated to be fond of flaunting weapons on social media platforms. In one of the videos, Yaqub can be seen posing for the camera as he oversees a bunch of youths training in the backyard. In other visuals, he can be seen brandishing guns and swords. Yaqub's arrest is a significant development in action against PFI activities in the state, a senior IPS officer said on condition of anonymity.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday launched the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS)-Sahara Refund Portal, which aims to refund the money of millions of depositors in four cooperative societies of the Sahara Group within 45 days.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah launched the portal https://mocrefund.crcs.gov.in. It has been developed for the submission of claims by genuine depositors of cooperative societies of Sahara Group  Sahara Credit Cooperative Society, Saharayan Universal Multipurpose Society, Hamara India Credit Cooperative Society and Stars Multipurpose Cooperative Society.

He said the process of returning the amount of Rs 5,000 crore to the investors is starting today in a transparent manner on a trial basis, adding that after the completion of the Rs 5,000 crore payment, another appeal will be made in the Supreme Court for returning the amount to remaining investors.

The minister said through this portal, the first payment of up to Rs 10,000 will be made to one crore investors who had deposited Rs 10,000 or more. He said that complete data of all four societies is available online for application on this portal. He said that all necessary provisions have been made in this process so that there is no scope for any kind of manipulation or injustice to any genuine investor.

In his address, Shah said that this programme is important because the concerns of people whose hard-earned money is stuck in these four cooperative societies were not paid attention to. In such cases, generally, multi-agency seizure often happens but no agency thinks about the investor. He added that this leads to feelings of great insecurity and mistrust towards cooperative societies.

The minister said that crores of people do not have capital but they want to contribute to the development of the country. In this context, co-operative is the only movement in which big works can be done by combining small capital to create big capital, he said.

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday launched the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS)-Sahara Refund Portal, which aims to refund the money of millions of depositors in four cooperative societies of the Sahara Group within 45 days. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah launched the portal https://mocrefund.crcs.gov.in. It has been developed for the submission of claims by genuine depositors of cooperative societies of Sahara Group  Sahara Credit Cooperative Society, Saharayan Universal Multipurpose Society, Hamara India Credit Cooperative Society and Stars Multipurpose Cooperative Society. He said the process of returning the amount of Rs 5,000 crore to the investors is starting today in a transparent manner on a trial basis, adding that after the completion of the Rs 5,000 crore payment, another appeal will be made in the Supreme Court for returning the amount to remaining investors.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The minister said through this portal, the first payment of up to Rs 10,000 will be made to one crore investors who had deposited Rs 10,000 or more. He said that complete data of all four societies is available online for application on this portal. He said that all necessary provisions have been made in this process so that there is no scope for any kind of manipulation or injustice to any genuine investor. In his address, Shah said that this programme is important because the concerns of people whose hard-earned money is stuck in these four cooperative societies were not paid attention to. In such cases, generally, multi-agency seizure often happens but no agency thinks about the investor. He added that this leads to feelings of great insecurity and mistrust towards cooperative societies. The minister said that crores of people do not have capital but they want to contribute to the development of the country. In this context, co-operative is the only movement in which big works can be done by combining small capital to create big capital, he said.
Harpreet Bajwa Namita Bajpai and Narendra Sethi By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH/LUCKNOW/DEHRADUN: Three occupants of a car were killed as the vehicle they were travelling in fell into a ditch following the caving-in of a stretch of a road near Sharan Dhank in Nankheri area of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, reports said. At least 125 people have died in the state since the onset of monsoon on June 24 in rain-induced road accidents in the hill state.

As many as 647 roads, including 244 in Shimla, 136 in Kullu, 83 in Sirmaur and 60 in Mandi districts are still blocked while 1,115 transformers and 543 water supply schemes are disrupted in the state. The state has suffered losses of Rs 4,636 crore as per the state emergency response centre.

In the plains of Uttar Pradesh, a swollen Yamuna breached the low flood level mark to reach the walls of the Taj Mahal in Agra for the first time in 45 years. The river level has risen to 495.8 feet, district authorities said.

As per the authorities of the Archaeological Survey of India, the design of the monument and the main mausoleum were created to withstand floods. The flood water reached the walls of the Itmad-ud-daulah monument, the authorities said. Historical monuments, including Rambagh, Mehtab Bagh, Zohra Bagh and Kala Gumbad also faced threats.

A report from Uttarakhand said eight houses and shops collapsed in state capital Dehradun due to continuous heavy rains since Monday night. Many areas in Dehradun were flooded, while drains overflowed.

The State Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for the entire state, as well as an orange alert in many areas of Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar. State Meteorological Department Director Dr Bikram Singh said the rainfall sequence is above normal.

State Disaster Response Force units are patrolling the embankment areas of the Ganga. The water levels of major rivers are close to the danger mark, SDRF Commandant Manikant Mishra told this newspaper.

CHANDIGARH/LUCKNOW/DEHRADUN: Three occupants of a car were killed as the vehicle they were travelling in fell into a ditch following the caving-in of a stretch of a road near Sharan Dhank in Nankheri area of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, reports said. At least 125 people have died in the state since the onset of monsoon on June 24 in rain-induced road accidents in the hill state. As many as 647 roads, including 244 in Shimla, 136 in Kullu, 83 in Sirmaur and 60 in Mandi districts are still blocked while 1,115 transformers and 543 water supply schemes are disrupted in the state. The state has suffered losses of Rs 4,636 crore as per the state emergency response centre. In the plains of Uttar Pradesh, a swollen Yamuna breached the low flood level mark to reach the walls of the Taj Mahal in Agra for the first time in 45 years. The river level has risen to 495.8 feet, district authorities said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); As per the authorities of the Archaeological Survey of India, the design of the monument and the main mausoleum were created to withstand floods. The flood water reached the walls of the Itmad-ud-daulah monument, the authorities said. Historical monuments, including Rambagh, Mehtab Bagh, Zohra Bagh and Kala Gumbad also faced threats. A report from Uttarakhand said eight houses and shops collapsed in state capital Dehradun due to continuous heavy rains since Monday night. Many areas in Dehradun were flooded, while drains overflowed. The State Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for the entire state, as well as an orange alert in many areas of Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar. State Meteorological Department Director Dr Bikram Singh said the rainfall sequence is above normal. State Disaster Response Force units are patrolling the embankment areas of the Ganga. The water levels of major rivers are close to the danger mark, SDRF Commandant Manikant Mishra told this newspaper.
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Social activist Teesta Setalvad was on Wednesday granted bail by the Supreme Court in a criminal case relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna and Dipankar Datta stated that Setalvad's custody was not necessary since the case involved documentary evidence and the chargesheet had already been filed.

Calling the observations in the Gujarat High Court order perverse, the bench, while setting aside the HC's July 1 order, said, We are at pains to say that HC's order makes for interesting reading running into 100 pages. On the one hand, the judge has spent pages on how it is not necessary to consider evidence to point whether a prima facie case is made out or not. The judge has interestingly observed that since the petitioner after filing of FIR or chargesheet has neither challenged the same under 226, 482 or under art 32 before this court, it is not permissible for her to say that a prima facie case is not made out. If the observations by the judge is to be accepted, then no application of bail at the pre-trial stage could be entertained unless the accused files app u/s 482 CrPC or Art 226 or 32. To say the least, the findings are totally perverse.

Challenging the HC's order, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Setalvad, said that out of the offences registered against her, all were bailable except 194 & 468. He also said even if the allegations made in the FIR are taken at face value, a case under sections 194 & 468 is not made out. He further said that the allegations were that she influenced certain citizens to swear false affidavits which were used as a part of the investigation and that there was no allegation against her that she had fabricated false evidence.

Opposing the bail, ASG SV Raju, appearing for the Gujarat government, said that a case under section 194 was made out against her. He said a number of persons had deposed that the appellant had forced them to give affidavits in order to implicate officials in the state government and an attempt was made to destabilise the democratically elected government. He alleged that she accepted a huge amount of money and hence should not be granted bail.

Setalvad was arrested on June 25 by the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Gujarat, within 24 hours of the top court dismissing a plea preferred by Zakia Jafri for a probe into the larger conspiracy case behind the riots. Apart from that, a criminal case was also registered against Sanjiv Bhatt and RB Sreekumar for the same offence. Setalvad was protected until now due to the Supreme Court's September 2, 2022 ruling releasing her on interim bail by a bench of ex-CJI UU Lalit and Justices SR Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia.

Since the single-judge bench of Justice Nirzar S Desai while rejecting her regular bail application had further turned down her plea of staying the operation of its order for 30 days, Setalvad had approached the Supreme Court. As there was a difference in opinion with regards to the interim protection between two SC judges, the matter was placed before a three-judge bench. Ruling that the single judge (Justice Nirzar S Desai) should have granted her some breathing time to surrender, the Supreme Court in a special Saturday night hearing had stayed the HC's order for one week.

NEW DELHI: Social activist Teesta Setalvad was on Wednesday granted bail by the Supreme Court in a criminal case relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna and Dipankar Datta stated that Setalvad's custody was not necessary since the case involved documentary evidence and the chargesheet had already been filed. Calling the observations in the Gujarat High Court order perverse, the bench, while setting aside the HC's July 1 order, said, We are at pains to say that HC's order makes for interesting reading running into 100 pages. On the one hand, the judge has spent pages on how it is not necessary to consider evidence to point whether a prima facie case is made out or not. The judge has interestingly observed that since the petitioner after filing of FIR or chargesheet has neither challenged the same under 226, 482 or under art 32 before this court, it is not permissible for her to say that a prima facie case is not made out. If the observations by the judge is to be accepted, then no application of bail at the pre-trial stage could be entertained unless the accused files app u/s 482 CrPC or Art 226 or 32. To say the least, the findings are totally perverse.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Challenging the HC's order, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Setalvad, said that out of the offences registered against her, all were bailable except 194 & 468. He also said even if the allegations made in the FIR are taken at face value, a case under sections 194 & 468 is not made out. He further said that the allegations were that she influenced certain citizens to swear false affidavits which were used as a part of the investigation and that there was no allegation against her that she had fabricated false evidence. Opposing the bail, ASG SV Raju, appearing for the Gujarat government, said that a case under section 194 was made out against her. He said a number of persons had deposed that the appellant had forced them to give affidavits in order to implicate officials in the state government and an attempt was made to destabilise the democratically elected government. He alleged that she accepted a huge amount of money and hence should not be granted bail. Setalvad was arrested on June 25 by the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Gujarat, within 24 hours of the top court dismissing a plea preferred by Zakia Jafri for a probe into the larger conspiracy case behind the riots. Apart from that, a criminal case was also registered against Sanjiv Bhatt and RB Sreekumar for the same offence. Setalvad was protected until now due to the Supreme Court's September 2, 2022 ruling releasing her on interim bail by a bench of ex-CJI UU Lalit and Justices SR Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia. Since the single-judge bench of Justice Nirzar S Desai while rejecting her regular bail application had further turned down her plea of staying the operation of its order for 30 days, Setalvad had approached the Supreme Court. As there was a difference in opinion with regards to the interim protection between two SC judges, the matter was placed before a three-judge bench. Ruling that the single judge (Justice Nirzar S Desai) should have granted her some breathing time to surrender, the Supreme Court in a special Saturday night hearing had stayed the HC's order for one week.
Shahid Faridi By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India and Russia have resolved their dispute over the shareholding in a joint venture company after a consortium of their companies won a Rs 30,000- crore contract to build 120 Vande Bharat trains and maintain them for 35 years. Rai l Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), a Navratna company under the Indian Ministry of Railways, had been trying to renegotiate the original shareholding with its Russian partner Metrowagonmash after the two companies jointly won the Indian Railway contract.

RVNL and Metrowagonmash had entered into an agreement to jointly bid for the Vande Bharat tender and create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the project. Under the pact, the Russian company would hold a majority stake.

However, after winning the tender, RVNL wrote to Metrowagonmash on April 25, 2023, requesting that the shareholding be revised to give it a 69% stake, leaving 26% for the Russian firm and 5% for a smaller partner, Locomotive Electronic System (LES).

The Russians did not agree, insisting that the two sides respect and follow the original agreement. Sources said the matter has now been resolved at the highest level of the two governments and the two companies will now move forward as per the original agreement.

This paper was the first to break the news that the two sides were engaged in a tussle over shareholding after winning the contract. As per the original understanding between the two companies, RVNL has incorporated a private company Kinet Railway Solutions Ltd which will act as the SPV that will sign the manufacturing-cum-maintenance agreement with the Ministry of Railways. Metrowagonmash will own 70%, RVNL 25% and LES 5% in this SPV. The Russian firm will now move funds for the transfer of shares.

NEW DELHI: India and Russia have resolved their dispute over the shareholding in a joint venture company after a consortium of their companies won a Rs 30,000- crore contract to build 120 Vande Bharat trains and maintain them for 35 years. Rai l Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), a Navratna company under the Indian Ministry of Railways, had been trying to renegotiate the original shareholding with its Russian partner Metrowagonmash after the two companies jointly won the Indian Railway contract. RVNL and Metrowagonmash had entered into an agreement to jointly bid for the Vande Bharat tender and create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement the project. Under the pact, the Russian company would hold a majority stake. However, after winning the tender, RVNL wrote to Metrowagonmash on April 25, 2023, requesting that the shareholding be revised to give it a 69% stake, leaving 26% for the Russian firm and 5% for a smaller partner, Locomotive Electronic System (LES).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Russians did not agree, insisting that the two sides respect and follow the original agreement. Sources said the matter has now been resolved at the highest level of the two governments and the two companies will now move forward as per the original agreement. This paper was the first to break the news that the two sides were engaged in a tussle over shareholding after winning the contract. As per the original understanding between the two companies, RVNL has incorporated a private company Kinet Railway Solutions Ltd which will act as the SPV that will sign the manufacturing-cum-maintenance agreement with the Ministry of Railways. Metrowagonmash will own 70%, RVNL 25% and LES 5% in this SPV. The Russian firm will now move funds for the transfer of shares.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: Kashmirs only self-taught bone artist Aziz-ul-Rehman turns waste materials, including bones, into art through his artistic creativity. I was interested in art right from my childhood. I used to make sketches, paintings and carvings. And over time, I developed an interest in bone art after I made a small object using bones, Rehman told this newspaper.

He said nobody taught him the bone art which is unique to Kashmir. It is known for wood carving, Kani weaving, shawl weaving and carpet weaving, etc. I am self-taught and I have also used social media to hone my skills further, Aziz said.

Hailing from the Gulabagh area on the outskirts of Srinagar, Aziz said he used to make small objects like pendants and earrings out of bones initially. However, he has now expanded the range of products after gaining more experience. The lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic provided him time to display his creativity in full and diversify the range of bone art products.

There was a lot of free time during the Covid-19 pandemic. I used to make different things out of bones and increased the varieties and diversified the products, Aziz said. He now makes bone ornaments, necklaces, earrings, bone candles, pen holders, brush holders, key chains, knives, earrings stands, jewellery stands and other decorative and wall pieces

Aziz, who is doing Masters in Fisheries Science at the Faculty of Fisheries in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), said he also learnt the art of real skull maceration. This is all self-taught.

Aziz has not spent any penny on procuring raw materials as he gets the bones free of cost.

There has never been a problem with raw materials (bones) as Kashmir is a meat-consuming region. I

never faced a shortage of raw material and got bones free of cost, Aziz said.

As people have gradually gathered knowledge about his unique bone art, the demand for the same has increased. I have started an account on Instagram and am getting orders from people both from within J&K and outside the state. The response from people has been good and is increasing, Aziz said.

Aziz held the first state-level bone art exhibition in Srinagar recently. The exhibition was facilitated by the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms Kashmir.

There was a tremendous response to the exhibition. Everybody was interested to know more about bone art. People were fascinated to see how the unique art was made, Aziz said. Encouraged by the public response to the exhibition, Aziz is planning to hold more such exhibitions in J&K and within the country to showcase his talent and creativity.

SRINAGAR: Kashmirs only self-taught bone artist Aziz-ul-Rehman turns waste materials, including bones, into art through his artistic creativity. I was interested in art right from my childhood. I used to make sketches, paintings and carvings. And over time, I developed an interest in bone art after I made a small object using bones, Rehman told this newspaper. He said nobody taught him the bone art which is unique to Kashmir. It is known for wood carving, Kani weaving, shawl weaving and carpet weaving, etc. I am self-taught and I have also used social media to hone my skills further, Aziz said. Hailing from the Gulabagh area on the outskirts of Srinagar, Aziz said he used to make small objects like pendants and earrings out of bones initially. However, he has now expanded the range of products after gaining more experience. The lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic provided him time to display his creativity in full and diversify the range of bone art products.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); There was a lot of free time during the Covid-19 pandemic. I used to make different things out of bones and increased the varieties and diversified the products, Aziz said. He now makes bone ornaments, necklaces, earrings, bone candles, pen holders, brush holders, key chains, knives, earrings stands, jewellery stands and other decorative and wall pieces Aziz, who is doing Masters in Fisheries Science at the Faculty of Fisheries in Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), said he also learnt the art of real skull maceration. This is all self-taught. Aziz has not spent any penny on procuring raw materials as he gets the bones free of cost. There has never been a problem with raw materials (bones) as Kashmir is a meat-consuming region. I never faced a shortage of raw material and got bones free of cost, Aziz said. As people have gradually gathered knowledge about his unique bone art, the demand for the same has increased. I have started an account on Instagram and am getting orders from people both from within J&K and outside the state. The response from people has been good and is increasing, Aziz said. Aziz held the first state-level bone art exhibition in Srinagar recently. The exhibition was facilitated by the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms Kashmir. There was a tremendous response to the exhibition. Everybody was interested to know more about bone art. People were fascinated to see how the unique art was made, Aziz said. Encouraged by the public response to the exhibition, Aziz is planning to hold more such exhibitions in J&K and within the country to showcase his talent and creativity.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRI NAGAR: Army on Wednesday said troops foiled an infiltration bid of militants in the Machil sector of the border district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir by killing two armed militants.

According to a tweet by Indian Armys Srinagar-based 15 Corps, army, BSF and J&K police in a joint operation foiled an infiltration bid by militants in the Machil sector of Kupwara in the morning today.

It said two militants were killed in the gunfight with the troops.

The bodies of the two militants along with arms and ammunition have been recovered, said ADGP Kashmir police, Vijay Kumar. He said the combing operation in the area was going on.

Op Khakhi Patch, Macchal #Kupwara.



In a Joint Operation launched by #IndianArmy, @BSF_India & @JmuKmrPolice, an infiltration bid was foiled today morning by alert troops along LOC in Macchal Sector, Kupwara. 02 x Terrorists eliminated & 04 x AK Rifles, 06 x Hand Grenades & pic.twitter.com/EiWk3dQ07f  Chinar Corps

SRI NAGAR: Army on Wednesday said troops foiled an infiltration bid of militants in the Machil sector of the border district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir by killing two armed militants. According to a tweet by Indian Armys Srinagar-based 15 Corps, army, BSF and J&K police in a joint operation foiled an infiltration bid by militants in the Machil sector of Kupwara in the morning today. It said two militants were killed in the gunfight with the troops.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The bodies of the two militants along with arms and ammunition have been recovered, said ADGP Kashmir police, Vijay Kumar. He said the combing operation in the area was going on. Op Khakhi Patch, Macchal #Kupwara. In a Joint Operation launched by #IndianArmy, @BSF_India & @JmuKmrPolice, an infiltration bid was foiled today morning by alert troops along LOC in Macchal Sector, Kupwara. 02 x Terrorists eliminated & 04 x AK Rifles, 06 x Hand Grenades & pic.twitter.com/EiWk3dQ07f  Chinar Corps
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Citing NITI Aayog data, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that his state has moved out of the BIMARU state category and emerged as Saksham Pradesh (capable state), moving ahead on the path of development.

While handing over appointment letters to 1,573 ANM health workers on Tuesday, Yogi said that in 2015-16, about six crore people, comprising 37.68% of the state population, were Below Poverty Line (BPL). However, the percentage of BPL people dropped from 37.68% to 22% in 201920 and currently it stood at 12%, he added.

The CM accused the previous governments of indulging in corrupt practices during recruitment drives. He said that the youth of the state faced an identity crisis and the chacha-bhatija (SP leader Shivpal

Yadav and his nephew Akhilesh Yadav) went on a spree of  extortions whenever government vacancies were announced.

However, the CM did not take names while referring to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav who was a cabinet minister in the Akhilesh government (2012-2017). Today, no one can point fingers at any of the state recruitment commissions or boards. We are taking the recruitment process for government jobs forward in a transparent manner by making better use of technology. This has given confidence to the youth who are also willing to contribute to the states progress, said Yogi while addressing new appointees.

Criticising the previous dispensations, the Chief Minister said that the sick-minded government of the past had made Uttar Pradesh sick. Sharing the course of development followed during his tenure of six years, the CM cited the example of 10 aspirational districts  Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Badaun, Sitapur, Siddharthnagar, Sambhal, Kheri, Hardoi, and Banda  lagging in development. As Niti Aayog identified them as aspirational districts, they came under special focus of development. This was followed by the identification of 100 aspirational blocks and developing of them, said Yogi.

He added that his government started working on the parameters set by NITI Aayog on education, health, agriculture and water resources, skill development and employment, and economic inequality. Claiming that during the last one-and-a-half years of his second tenure in office, 19 appointment letter distribution programmes were organised and 58,000 aspirants got government jobs.

He claimed that ASHA and ANM workers were neglected by previous governments. The vacant posts were not filled, he alleged. As per National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023, India registered a significant fall of 9.89 percentage points in the number of multidimensionally poor, from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-2023.

How the sickness was cured

Consistency

2015-16: 6 crore people, comprising 37.68% of the state population, were below poverty line (BPL)

2019-20: The BPL percentage dropped from 37.6% to 22%

2023: The percentage further falls to 12%

BIMARU MEANS...

The term BIMARU (or sick) was coined by demographer Ashish Bose in the 1980s to refer to states which were lagging behind and retarding Indias overall development. Though the terminology was later called outdated, the acronym stuck on

The Uttar Pradesh government has made progress on NITI Aayog parameters on education, health, agriculture, skill development & jobs, and economic equality, among others

In the last 18 months, 58,000 job aspirants got government employment

LUCKNOW: Citing NITI Aayog data, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that his state has moved out of the BIMARU state category and emerged as Saksham Pradesh (capable state), moving ahead on the path of development. While handing over appointment letters to 1,573 ANM health workers on Tuesday, Yogi said that in 2015-16, about six crore people, comprising 37.68% of the state population, were Below Poverty Line (BPL). However, the percentage of BPL people dropped from 37.68% to 22% in 201920 and currently it stood at 12%, he added. The CM accused the previous governments of indulging in corrupt practices during recruitment drives. He said that the youth of the state faced an identity crisis and the chacha-bhatija (SP leader Shivpal Yadav and his nephew Akhilesh Yadav) went on a spree of  extortions whenever government vacancies were announced. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); However, the CM did not take names while referring to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav who was a cabinet minister in the Akhilesh government (2012-2017). Today, no one can point fingers at any of the state recruitment commissions or boards. We are taking the recruitment process for government jobs forward in a transparent manner by making better use of technology. This has given confidence to the youth who are also willing to contribute to the states progress, said Yogi while addressing new appointees. Criticising the previous dispensations, the Chief Minister said that the sick-minded government of the past had made Uttar Pradesh sick. Sharing the course of development followed during his tenure of six years, the CM cited the example of 10 aspirational districts  Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Badaun, Sitapur, Siddharthnagar, Sambhal, Kheri, Hardoi, and Banda  lagging in development. As Niti Aayog identified them as aspirational districts, they came under special focus of development. This was followed by the identification of 100 aspirational blocks and developing of them, said Yogi. He added that his government started working on the parameters set by NITI Aayog on education, health, agriculture and water resources, skill development and employment, and economic inequality. Claiming that during the last one-and-a-half years of his second tenure in office, 19 appointment letter distribution programmes were organised and 58,000 aspirants got government jobs. He claimed that ASHA and ANM workers were neglected by previous governments. The vacant posts were not filled, he alleged. As per National Multidimensional Poverty Index: A Progress Review 2023, India registered a significant fall of 9.89 percentage points in the number of multidimensionally poor, from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-2023. How the sickness was cured Consistency 2015-16: 6 crore people, comprising 37.68% of the state population, were below poverty line (BPL) 2019-20: The BPL percentage dropped from 37.6% to 22% 2023: The percentage further falls to 12% BIMARU MEANS... The term BIMARU (or sick) was coined by demographer Ashish Bose in the 1980s to refer to states which were lagging behind and retarding Indias overall development. Though the terminology was later called outdated, the acronym stuck on The Uttar Pradesh government has made progress on NITI Aayog parameters on education, health, agriculture, skill development & jobs, and economic equality, among others In the last 18 months, 58,000 job aspirants got government employment
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: The rift between two Gujarat BJP leaders has sparked debate about factionalism within the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The cold relationship between two leaders from the Rajkot Lok Sabha segment, MP Mohan Kundaria and MLA Jitu Somani is now out in the open with the two publicly deriding each other. Somani is the incumbent MLA from Wankaner.

The issue has been on the boil for two days since the latter chose to remain absent from a public event in the constituency. On Sunday, a grand victory procession was taken out in the town for Kesridevsinh Jhala, a Wankaner royal who was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha.

Kundaria went all out against Somani, with him absent from attendance, revealing the faultlines within the party. Following the event, Kundaria delivered a sarcastic remark against Somani, while the latter was quick to retort by saying Mohanbhai is using divide and rule politics.

In his address, BJP MP Kundaria struck an aggressive tone with a proverb, and said, When a farmer goes loaded with harvest in his cart, the bullock faithfully takes it on its back. And then a dog comes running along. At this point the dog thinks hes pulling the cart along, while its being pulled by the ox. In response to the MPs speech, Wankaner BJP MLA Somani told local media that Mohanbhai has been working with the divide and rule policy for years.

The MP worked against me in the 2017 elections, and by doing so, he worked against the party and harmed the government. And then in 2022, he campaigned against me, but I was elected with the peoples support. I had also filed complaints against the MP, Somani told local media. However, when this correspondent reached MP Mohan Kundaria following Somanis statement, he said, I have no disagreement with anyone.

Importantly, after the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections, some of BJPs defeated politicians have come out claiming that they had been defeated by their own party leaders.

AHMEDABAD: The rift between two Gujarat BJP leaders has sparked debate about factionalism within the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The cold relationship between two leaders from the Rajkot Lok Sabha segment, MP Mohan Kundaria and MLA Jitu Somani is now out in the open with the two publicly deriding each other. Somani is the incumbent MLA from Wankaner. The issue has been on the boil for two days since the latter chose to remain absent from a public event in the constituency. On Sunday, a grand victory procession was taken out in the town for Kesridevsinh Jhala, a Wankaner royal who was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha. Kundaria went all out against Somani, with him absent from attendance, revealing the faultlines within the party. Following the event, Kundaria delivered a sarcastic remark against Somani, while the latter was quick to retort by saying Mohanbhai is using divide and rule politics.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In his address, BJP MP Kundaria struck an aggressive tone with a proverb, and said, When a farmer goes loaded with harvest in his cart, the bullock faithfully takes it on its back. And then a dog comes running along. At this point the dog thinks hes pulling the cart along, while its being pulled by the ox. In response to the MPs speech, Wankaner BJP MLA Somani told local media that Mohanbhai has been working with the divide and rule policy for years. The MP worked against me in the 2017 elections, and by doing so, he worked against the party and harmed the government. And then in 2022, he campaigned against me, but I was elected with the peoples support. I had also filed complaints against the MP, Somani told local media. However, when this correspondent reached MP Mohan Kundaria following Somanis statement, he said, I have no disagreement with anyone. Importantly, after the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections, some of BJPs defeated politicians have come out claiming that they had been defeated by their own party leaders.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday lauded India for scaling up routine immunization coverage and said accelerated efforts must continue.

Reacting to the praise, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, "Intensify Routine Immunization! India recorded 93% DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic all-time high of 91% in 2019, & a rapid increase from 85% recorded in 2021."

"We are leaving no one behind," he tweeted.

The WHO South-East Asia Region complimented member countries, including India, for scaling up childhood immunization coverage to pre-pandemic levels and called for continued intensified efforts with a focus on reaching the 2.3 million un-vaccinated and 6,50,000 partially vaccinated children.

Intensifying Routine Immunization!



India recorded 93% DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic all time high of 91% in 2019, & a rapid increase from 85% recorded in 2021.



We are leaving no one behind. https://t.co/ipNSOLXEir  Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 18, 2023

The Region had the best immunization recoveries among all other Regions, which can be majorly attributed to efforts being made by India and Indonesia, said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia.

"Every child deserves to be protected against life-threatening diseases with routine immunization vaccines. The momentum built with impressive efforts and immunization service recoveries must continue to benefit every child for a healthy and productive life," she said.

The WHO and UNICEF on Tuesday came out with a new report. The report on the national immunization coverage for 2022 shows that in the WHO South-East Asia Region, the coverage rate for DPT3, third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines which is used globally to assess vaccination rates, recovered to pre-pandemic 91%, a sharp increase from 82% recorded in 2021.

The Region has also shown a six per cent improvement in coverage of the measles-containing vaccine in 2022 compared to 2021, moving from 86% to 92%.

The number of zero-dose children i.e. those that have not received even the first dose of the DPT vaccine halved from 4.6 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in 2022.

Similarly, the number of partially vaccinated children, those that had received at least one dose of the DPT vaccine but did not complete the primary series of three doses, reduced from 1.3 million in 2021 to 650 000 in 2022 - a 50% decline.

India recorded 93% DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic all-time high of 91% in 2019, and a rapid increase from 85% recorded in 2021, she said.

Indonesia's DPT3 coverage recovered to 85%, the same as in 2019, but the country recorded one of the sharpest recoveries from 67% in 2021.

The other countries that also improved their routine immunisation coverage include Bhutan with 98% and Maldives with 99% DPT3 coverage, surpassing their pre-pandemic immunization rates.

Bangladesh with 98% and Thailand with 97% have demonstrated consistency in routine immunization coverage throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, she said.

"While we draw lessons from the pandemic to strengthen our capacities to respond to future health emergencies, we must learn from countries that maintained their immunization rates even while responding to a pandemic," she said.

Sri Lanka with 98% coverage, Nepal with 90% and Timor-Leste with 86% are closer to pre-pandemic coverage of 99%, 93% and 90% respectively. Myanmar with 71% DPT3 coverage in 2022, is far from pre-pandemic 90% coverage in 2019.

The joint report said that global immunization services reached 4 million more children in 2022 compared to the previous year, as countries stepped up efforts to address the historic backsliding in immunization caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Much has been achieved, much needs to be done. While overall immunization coverage levels are looking good, and the progress is encouraging, there remain variabilities in the coverage at sub-national levels in countries, especially in those with large populations. The inequities in immunization coverage leading to the accumulation of pockets of unvaccinated children pose the risk of outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. These gaps must be closed," Dr Singh said.

"The countries and partner agencies must continue to scale up efforts to identify the unvaccinated children, strengthen the capacities of the health workforce, better understand and engage with vulnerable populations and roll out tailored strategies to reach every child with the lifesaving routine immunization vaccines," she added.

The WHO in 2021 had urged member countries to scale up routine immunization along with Covid-19 vaccination. The DTP3 coverage in the Region had dipped to 85% in 2020.

The number of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children increased to 4.9 million as against 3 million in 2019. Surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases was also affected.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell however said that beneath the "positive trend lies a grave warning."

"Until more countries mend the gaps in routine immunization coverage, children everywhere will remain at risk of contracting and dying from diseases we can prevent. Viruses like measles do not recognize borders. Efforts must urgently be strengthened to catch up with children who missed their vaccination while restoring and further improving immunization services from pre-pandemic levels."

The latest report said that in 2022, 20.5 million children missed out on one or more vaccines delivered through routine immunization services, compared to 24.4 million children in 2021. Despite this improvement, the number remains higher than the 18.4 million children who missed out in 2019 before pandemic-related disruptions, underscoring the need for ongoing catch-up, recovery and system-strengthening efforts.

NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday lauded India for scaling up routine immunization coverage and said accelerated efforts must continue. Reacting to the praise, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, "Intensify Routine Immunization! India recorded 93% DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic all-time high of 91% in 2019, & a rapid increase from 85% recorded in 2021." "We are leaving no one behind," he tweeted.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The WHO South-East Asia Region complimented member countries, including India, for scaling up childhood immunization coverage to pre-pandemic levels and called for continued intensified efforts with a focus on reaching the 2.3 million un-vaccinated and 6,50,000 partially vaccinated children. Intensifying Routine Immunization! India recorded 93% DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic all time high of 91% in 2019, & a rapid increase from 85% recorded in 2021. We are leaving no one behind. https://t.co/ipNSOLXEir  Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 18, 2023 The Region had the best immunization recoveries among all other Regions, which can be majorly attributed to efforts being made by India and Indonesia, said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia. "Every child deserves to be protected against life-threatening diseases with routine immunization vaccines. The momentum built with impressive efforts and immunization service recoveries must continue to benefit every child for a healthy and productive life," she said. The WHO and UNICEF on Tuesday came out with a new report. The report on the national immunization coverage for 2022 shows that in the WHO South-East Asia Region, the coverage rate for DPT3, third dose of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus vaccines which is used globally to assess vaccination rates, recovered to pre-pandemic 91%, a sharp increase from 82% recorded in 2021. The Region has also shown a six per cent improvement in coverage of the measles-containing vaccine in 2022 compared to 2021, moving from 86% to 92%. The number of zero-dose children i.e. those that have not received even the first dose of the DPT vaccine halved from 4.6 million in 2021 to 2.3 million in 2022. Similarly, the number of partially vaccinated children, those that had received at least one dose of the DPT vaccine but did not complete the primary series of three doses, reduced from 1.3 million in 2021 to 650 000 in 2022 - a 50% decline. India recorded 93% DPT3 coverage in 2022, surpassing the pre-pandemic all-time high of 91% in 2019, and a rapid increase from 85% recorded in 2021, she said. Indonesia's DPT3 coverage recovered to 85%, the same as in 2019, but the country recorded one of the sharpest recoveries from 67% in 2021. The other countries that also improved their routine immunisation coverage include Bhutan with 98% and Maldives with 99% DPT3 coverage, surpassing their pre-pandemic immunization rates. Bangladesh with 98% and Thailand with 97% have demonstrated consistency in routine immunization coverage throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, she said. "While we draw lessons from the pandemic to strengthen our capacities to respond to future health emergencies, we must learn from countries that maintained their immunization rates even while responding to a pandemic," she said. Sri Lanka with 98% coverage, Nepal with 90% and Timor-Leste with 86% are closer to pre-pandemic coverage of 99%, 93% and 90% respectively. Myanmar with 71% DPT3 coverage in 2022, is far from pre-pandemic 90% coverage in 2019. The joint report said that global immunization services reached 4 million more children in 2022 compared to the previous year, as countries stepped up efforts to address the historic backsliding in immunization caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Much has been achieved, much needs to be done. While overall immunization coverage levels are looking good, and the progress is encouraging, there remain variabilities in the coverage at sub-national levels in countries, especially in those with large populations. The inequities in immunization coverage leading to the accumulation of pockets of unvaccinated children pose the risk of outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. These gaps must be closed," Dr Singh said. "The countries and partner agencies must continue to scale up efforts to identify the unvaccinated children, strengthen the capacities of the health workforce, better understand and engage with vulnerable populations and roll out tailored strategies to reach every child with the lifesaving routine immunization vaccines," she added. The WHO in 2021 had urged member countries to scale up routine immunization along with Covid-19 vaccination. The DTP3 coverage in the Region had dipped to 85% in 2020. The number of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children increased to 4.9 million as against 3 million in 2019. Surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases was also affected. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell however said that beneath the "positive trend lies a grave warning." "Until more countries mend the gaps in routine immunization coverage, children everywhere will remain at risk of contracting and dying from diseases we can prevent. Viruses like measles do not recognize borders. Efforts must urgently be strengthened to catch up with children who missed their vaccination while restoring and further improving immunization services from pre-pandemic levels." The latest report said that in 2022, 20.5 million children missed out on one or more vaccines delivered through routine immunization services, compared to 24.4 million children in 2021. Despite this improvement, the number remains higher than the 18.4 million children who missed out in 2019 before pandemic-related disruptions, underscoring the need for ongoing catch-up, recovery and system-strengthening efforts.
By Online Desk

NEW DELHI: With battlelines drawn for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the newly formed opposition alliance 'INDIA' on Wednesday braced for a bumpy ride ahead from ironing out differences in states to seat sharing and choosing its leader even as the ruling BJP called the coalition "old wine in a new bottle."

As a political slugfest erupted a day after 26 opposition parties formed a front  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)  to unitedly take on the ruling BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Congress rejected speculation that the JD(U) leader was dissatisfied for not being made the convenor of the new grouping.

Kumar, who hosted the first mega meeting of opposition parties in Patna last month, also reiterated he does not have any ambition for himself, adding leaders at the opposition conclave held in Bengaluru on Tuesday were happy at the outcome of the deliberations.

While Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told PTI there is a "new enthusiasm" among the constituents of INDIA, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP was "shivering with fear" after the formation of the opposition grouping.

The assertions by Ramesh and Banerjee came even as senior BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister PK Dhumal said the opposition front would fall "like a pack of cards" before the Lok Sabha elections.

BSP chief Mayawati, meanwhile, announced that her party will go it alone in the next Lok Sabha elections as well as in Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, dubbing the NDA, INDIA coalitions "anti-Dalit" alliances.

A resolution adopted at a meeting of the 39 constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi on Tuesday said the opposition is faced with a crisis of identity and relevance. "Today, the opposition is confused and disoriented," the resolution said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the meeting. The BJP also intensified the online political fight as the party posted three short videos on social media portraying its rivals as ten-headed Ravana.

ALSO READ | Opposition bloc 'INDIA' gets its tagline; BJP calls it as 'ten-headed' Ravana

In one video, the BJP sought to convey that the people of the country are confused with the opposition alliance as it does not have any policy, vision and a leader to head the coalition.

The BJP also took a swipe at the opposition parties over a Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator's remark in the Maharashtra Assembly on chanting 'Vande Mataram', asking if this was their idea of 'INDIA'.

The BJP's reaction came after SP MLA Abu Azmi, while raising the Sambhajinagar district riots issue in the Assembly, said chanting 'Vande Mataram' was unacceptable to him.

"Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition.

Asked about the name INDIA chosen by opposition parties for their alliance, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Someone does not change by changing the name. They are the same people. It is a old wine in a new bottle."

The new alliance, meanwhile, finalised "Jeetega Bharat" as its tagline, setting the tone for its Lok Sabha election campaign. The Hindi tagline means "India will win" and is likely to be replicated in several regional languages, sources said.

ALSO READ | Inside Opposition's meet: A look at how 'INDIA' was chosen alliance name

Talking to reporters after inaugurating a month-long 'Malmas Mela' in Rajgir in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claimed that the BJP will be wiped out in the Lok Sabha polls.

"The (Bengaluru) meeting was very fruitful and we all are very happy with the outcome. I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape," the JD(U) leader said.

BJP leader Sushil Modi on Tuesday had claimed that Nitish Kumar returned to Patna without attending the press meet as he was "upset" over not being made the convenor of the alliance. The CM asked, "Who takes Sushil Modi seriously?"

"We are working to unify all non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Patna opposition meeting was attended by 16 parties and there were 26 parties in Bengaluru. Our numbers are increasing and the unity of the opposition parties is getting strengthened," he added.

JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' described as "dushprachar" (canard) reports of Nitish Kumar being unhappy with the acronym INDIA and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition. The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition conclave, said Lalan, who accompanied the CM on the trip to Bengaluru. He also asserted that selecting the convenor was not on the agenda of Tuesday's meeting.

"It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai....Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry," Lalan said in Patna. He also claimed that the NDA meeting on Tuesday was indicative of its "desperation".

READ MORE:

Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala asserted that no matter how hard the BJP tries to create a rift in the opposition alliance INDIA, it will not succeed. "We are all united. No matter how hard the BJP and Modi ji try to create a rift in Team India, they will not succeed," he told reporters in Delhi.

"The restlessness of the BJP is understandable. I wish them luck in continuing with their conspiratorial agenda."

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said parties that love the country and motherland have come together, and asserted there is now a strong front against "dictatorship."

SP president Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at the NDA and said the ruling coalition's meeting in Delhi was its "farewell ceremony."

"The BJP has become afraid of 'INDIA'. This name (of the opposition bloc) is good. 'INDIA' is a message of development and inclusiveness," Yadav said in a statement in Lucknow.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also took a swipe at the BJP, saying the ruling party remembered the NDA only after 26 opposition parties came together to form the grouping 'INDIA'.

AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami claimed the NDA would win 330 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

BJP leader and former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the new opposition grouping does not have a consensus candidate to take on Prime Minister Modi and they will soon start fighting among themselves.

(With Additional Inputs from PTI)

NEW DELHI: With battlelines drawn for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the newly formed opposition alliance 'INDIA' on Wednesday braced for a bumpy ride ahead from ironing out differences in states to seat sharing and choosing its leader even as the ruling BJP called the coalition "old wine in a new bottle." As a political slugfest erupted a day after 26 opposition parties formed a front  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)  to unitedly take on the ruling BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Congress rejected speculation that the JD(U) leader was dissatisfied for not being made the convenor of the new grouping. Kumar, who hosted the first mega meeting of opposition parties in Patna last month, also reiterated he does not have any ambition for himself, adding leaders at the opposition conclave held in Bengaluru on Tuesday were happy at the outcome of the deliberations.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); While Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told PTI there is a "new enthusiasm" among the constituents of INDIA, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP was "shivering with fear" after the formation of the opposition grouping. The assertions by Ramesh and Banerjee came even as senior BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister PK Dhumal said the opposition front would fall "like a pack of cards" before the Lok Sabha elections. BSP chief Mayawati, meanwhile, announced that her party will go it alone in the next Lok Sabha elections as well as in Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, dubbing the NDA, INDIA coalitions "anti-Dalit" alliances. A resolution adopted at a meeting of the 39 constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi on Tuesday said the opposition is faced with a crisis of identity and relevance. "Today, the opposition is confused and disoriented," the resolution said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the meeting. The BJP also intensified the online political fight as the party posted three short videos on social media portraying its rivals as ten-headed Ravana. ALSO READ | Opposition bloc 'INDIA' gets its tagline; BJP calls it as 'ten-headed' Ravana In one video, the BJP sought to convey that the people of the country are confused with the opposition alliance as it does not have any policy, vision and a leader to head the coalition. The BJP also took a swipe at the opposition parties over a Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator's remark in the Maharashtra Assembly on chanting 'Vande Mataram', asking if this was their idea of 'INDIA'. The BJP's reaction came after SP MLA Abu Azmi, while raising the Sambhajinagar district riots issue in the Assembly, said chanting 'Vande Mataram' was unacceptable to him. "Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition. Asked about the name INDIA chosen by opposition parties for their alliance, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Someone does not change by changing the name. They are the same people. It is a old wine in a new bottle." The new alliance, meanwhile, finalised "Jeetega Bharat" as its tagline, setting the tone for its Lok Sabha election campaign. The Hindi tagline means "India will win" and is likely to be replicated in several regional languages, sources said. ALSO READ | Inside Opposition's meet: A look at how 'INDIA' was chosen alliance name Talking to reporters after inaugurating a month-long 'Malmas Mela' in Rajgir in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claimed that the BJP will be wiped out in the Lok Sabha polls. "The (Bengaluru) meeting was very fruitful and we all are very happy with the outcome. I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape," the JD(U) leader said. BJP leader Sushil Modi on Tuesday had claimed that Nitish Kumar returned to Patna without attending the press meet as he was "upset" over not being made the convenor of the alliance. The CM asked, "Who takes Sushil Modi seriously?" "We are working to unify all non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Patna opposition meeting was attended by 16 parties and there were 26 parties in Bengaluru. Our numbers are increasing and the unity of the opposition parties is getting strengthened," he added. JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' described as "dushprachar" (canard) reports of Nitish Kumar being unhappy with the acronym INDIA and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition. The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition conclave, said Lalan, who accompanied the CM on the trip to Bengaluru. He also asserted that selecting the convenor was not on the agenda of Tuesday's meeting. "It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai....Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry," Lalan said in Patna. He also claimed that the NDA meeting on Tuesday was indicative of its "desperation". READ MORE: 'INDIA': Opposition alliance gets a name, to set up 11-member coordination committee NDA will secure over 50 per cent of votes in 2024 Lok Sabha elections, says PM Modi Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala asserted that no matter how hard the BJP tries to create a rift in the opposition alliance INDIA, it will not succeed. "We are all united. No matter how hard the BJP and Modi ji try to create a rift in Team India, they will not succeed," he told reporters in Delhi. "The restlessness of the BJP is understandable. I wish them luck in continuing with their conspiratorial agenda." Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said parties that love the country and motherland have come together, and asserted there is now a strong front against "dictatorship." SP president Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at the NDA and said the ruling coalition's meeting in Delhi was its "farewell ceremony." "The BJP has become afraid of 'INDIA'. This name (of the opposition bloc) is good. 'INDIA' is a message of development and inclusiveness," Yadav said in a statement in Lucknow. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also took a swipe at the BJP, saying the ruling party remembered the NDA only after 26 opposition parties came together to form the grouping 'INDIA'. AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami claimed the NDA would win 330 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP leader and former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the new opposition grouping does not have a consensus candidate to take on Prime Minister Modi and they will soon start fighting among themselves. (With Additional Inputs from PTI)
By Online Desk

On the heels of their meeting in Bengaluru, the 26-member opposition camp announced their new tagline  "Jeetega Bharat" (India will win)  setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. The Hindi tagline is likely to be replicated in several regional languages.

The 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA in 2024.

According to the sources, the coinage of the tagline was a result of a joint effort by several leaders. During the meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, several leaders felt that the word "Bharat" should feature in the name of the alliance, the sources said. "It was decided that it would feature in the tagline," a senior leader said.

The Congress from its official Twitter handle tweeted, "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India."

In a tweet on Tuesday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had said, "The essential message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra: Judega Bharat. The essential message of the Bengaluru conclave of 26 political parties: Jeetega INDIA."

The essential message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra: Judega Bharat



The essential message of the Bengaluru conclave of 26 political parties: Jeetega INDIA https://t.co/Pqk0vweYYJ

 Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 18, 2023

On Wednesday, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, known for his vast English vocabulary, surprised many on Twitter with a rhyming tweet in Hindi on 'INDIA'. "NDA ki lagegi lanka, bajega ab INDIA ka danka. Jeetega India," he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP launched a scathing attack on the opposition alliance 'INDIA' with the ruling party posting three short videos on social media portraying the 26-member bloc as ten-headed demon king Ravana. In the short videos posted on Twitter, the BJP sought to portray that a government of multiple coalition partners cannot have farsightedness and the capacity to take decisive action due to differences of opinions among the constituents.

"So far as farsightedness is concerned, one needs to have just two eyes like an eagle, not 20...Country's vision will blur if it has to be with you for five years," the lead character in one of the videos tells the ten-headed person who wanted to use his telescope to see the scenery.

The video concludes with the suggestion: "Ravan ka dahan kiya jaata hai, chayan nahi" (Ravana is burnt, not elected). "By changing name, intention doesn't change," the BJP tweeted, posting the video.

In another video, the BJP sought to convey that people of the country are confused with the opposition parties alliance as it doesn't have any policy, vision and a leader.

"Naam badla, per kya kaam badlenge (Name changed, but will the deeds also change)?" the party asked posting the short video.

"Country's 130 crore people are confused looking at your 'mahathugbandhan' (greater alliance of cheats). What is policy? What is the intent? And, who is the leader?," a mobile shop owner tells the ten-headed person, reacting to which each of the heads claimed himself to be the leader. The video also sought to convey that the country's progress will stall if the people vote for the united opposition in the 2024 elections.

(With inputs from PTI)

On the heels of their meeting in Bengaluru, the 26-member opposition camp announced their new tagline  "Jeetega Bharat" (India will win)  setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. The Hindi tagline is likely to be replicated in several regional languages. The 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA in 2024. According to the sources, the coinage of the tagline was a result of a joint effort by several leaders. During the meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, several leaders felt that the word "Bharat" should feature in the name of the alliance, the sources said. "It was decided that it would feature in the tagline," a senior leader said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Congress from its official Twitter handle tweeted, "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India." In a tweet on Tuesday, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had said, "The essential message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra: Judega Bharat. The essential message of the Bengaluru conclave of 26 political parties: Jeetega INDIA." The essential message of the Bharat Jodo Yatra: Judega Bharat The essential message of the Bengaluru conclave of 26 political parties: Jeetega INDIA https://t.co/Pqk0vweYYJ  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 18, 2023 On Wednesday, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, known for his vast English vocabulary, surprised many on Twitter with a rhyming tweet in Hindi on 'INDIA'. "NDA ki lagegi lanka, bajega ab INDIA ka danka. Jeetega India," he said. Meanwhile, the BJP launched a scathing attack on the opposition alliance 'INDIA' with the ruling party posting three short videos on social media portraying the 26-member bloc as ten-headed demon king Ravana. In the short videos posted on Twitter, the BJP sought to portray that a government of multiple coalition partners cannot have farsightedness and the capacity to take decisive action due to differences of opinions among the constituents. "So far as farsightedness is concerned, one needs to have just two eyes like an eagle, not 20...Country's vision will blur if it has to be with you for five years," the lead character in one of the videos tells the ten-headed person who wanted to use his telescope to see the scenery. The video concludes with the suggestion: "Ravan ka dahan kiya jaata hai, chayan nahi" (Ravana is burnt, not elected). "By changing name, intention doesn't change," the BJP tweeted, posting the video.      ! pic.twitter.com/rnyW8nZCDl  BJP (@BJP4India) July 19, 2023 In another video, the BJP sought to convey that people of the country are confused with the opposition parties alliance as it doesn't have any policy, vision and a leader. "Naam badla, per kya kaam badlenge (Name changed, but will the deeds also change)?" the party asked posting the short video. "Country's 130 crore people are confused looking at your 'mahathugbandhan' (greater alliance of cheats). What is policy? What is the intent? And, who is the leader?," a mobile shop owner tells the ten-headed person, reacting to which each of the heads claimed himself to be the leader. The video also sought to convey that the country's progress will stall if the people vote for the united opposition in the 2024 elections.      ? pic.twitter.com/hyg4GLTkRM  BJP (@BJP4India) July 19, 2023 (With inputs from PTI)
By PTI

AIZAWL: The names of over 6,000 Bru voters have been deleted from Mizoram's voter list, officials said on Wednesday.

Brus are a tribal community indigenous to northeast India who lived in parts of Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam.

The Bru voters name have been deleted from the state voter list due to their settlement in Tripura following the agreement in 2020, they said.

The names of more than 6,000 Bru voters from nine assembly constituencies in three districts- Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei have been deleted during the process, officials said.

They said that more than 4,900 Bru voters names were deleted from the electoral rolls from three assembly constituencies- Mamit, Dampa and Hachhek.

Kolasib district officials said that 948 names of Bru voters, who have settled permanently in Tripura have been deleted from the electoral rolls in Kolasib, Serlui and Tuirial assembly constituencies.

While south Mizoram's Lunglei district officials said that 334 names of Bru voters have been deleted from the electoral rolls in Lunglei South, Thorang and West Tuipui assembly seats.

Officials said that the final figure of Bru voters will be ascertained when the draft electoral roll is published on August 2.

The final publication of the electoral roll in the current revision is scheduled to be published on October 4.

Earlier, receipt of corresponding requests for deletion from the Tripura state election commission through ERONet was going on at a snail's pace, prompting the Mizoram election department to take up the issue of deletion of Bru voters on its own after Madhup Vyas took over as the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) recently.

Thousands of Bru voters had fled to Tripura following ethnic tension triggered by the murder of a Mizo forest officer by the erstwhile Bru militants in 1997.

Since then they have been living in transit camps for more than two decades.

The Centre and governments of Mizoram and Tripura had made at least nine attempts to repatriate the Bru tribals from Tripura between 2009 and 2019.

On January 16, 2020, the Centre, governments of Mizoram and Tripura and representatives of several Bru organisations had signed an agreement, according to which over 35,000 displaced Bru tribals, who were reluctant to return to Mizoram during repatriation, were allowed to re-settle permanently in Tripura.

AIZAWL: The names of over 6,000 Bru voters have been deleted from Mizoram's voter list, officials said on Wednesday. Brus are a tribal community indigenous to northeast India who lived in parts of Mizoram, Tripura, and Assam. The Bru voters name have been deleted from the state voter list due to their settlement in Tripura following the agreement in 2020, they said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The names of more than 6,000 Bru voters from nine assembly constituencies in three districts- Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei have been deleted during the process, officials said. They said that more than 4,900 Bru voters names were deleted from the electoral rolls from three assembly constituencies- Mamit, Dampa and Hachhek. Kolasib district officials said that 948 names of Bru voters, who have settled permanently in Tripura have been deleted from the electoral rolls in Kolasib, Serlui and Tuirial assembly constituencies. While south Mizoram's Lunglei district officials said that 334 names of Bru voters have been deleted from the electoral rolls in Lunglei South, Thorang and West Tuipui assembly seats. Officials said that the final figure of Bru voters will be ascertained when the draft electoral roll is published on August 2. The final publication of the electoral roll in the current revision is scheduled to be published on October 4. Earlier, receipt of corresponding requests for deletion from the Tripura state election commission through ERONet was going on at a snail's pace, prompting the Mizoram election department to take up the issue of deletion of Bru voters on its own after Madhup Vyas took over as the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) recently. Thousands of Bru voters had fled to Tripura following ethnic tension triggered by the murder of a Mizo forest officer by the erstwhile Bru militants in 1997. Since then they have been living in transit camps for more than two decades. The Centre and governments of Mizoram and Tripura had made at least nine attempts to repatriate the Bru tribals from Tripura between 2009 and 2019. On January 16, 2020, the Centre, governments of Mizoram and Tripura and representatives of several Bru organisations had signed an agreement, according to which over 35,000 displaced Bru tribals, who were reluctant to return to Mizoram during repatriation, were allowed to re-settle permanently in Tripura.
By Express News Service

TIRUNELVELI: Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi conferred degrees to 1,053 students--including 105 medal winners of UG and PG programmes and 948 PhD researchers--in the presence of Chairman of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Bibek Debroy, and Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar in the 29th convocation ceremony of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) on Tuesday.

Governor Ravi had a detailed lively interaction with the medalists of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. pic.twitter.com/F0in5Lark7  RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) July 18, 2023

Chief guest Debroy said Nalanda University in ancient India was a model to other universities in the world. He stressed that students beginning their careers should focus on exploring their inner potential and finding happiness.



N Chandrasekar said his varsity would soon sign an MoU with the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy, for academic exchange programmes. "The convocation is taking place at a time when the university is taking decisive action to achieve excellence in diverse areas such as teaching, research and extension activities. There are 101 colleges affiliated with MSU, and 1,13,178 students are pursuing their degrees through university departments and affiliated colleges," he added.



MSU Pro-Chancellor and Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy could not attend the convocation as he was being inquired by the Enforcement Directorate in Chennai. The MSU had invited 22 MLAs and four MPs elected from Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts, out of which Tirunelveli MLA Nainar Nagendran and Alangulam MLA PH Pandian took part in the event. Security was beefed up in MSU ahead of the governor's visit.

TIRUNELVELI: Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi conferred degrees to 1,053 students--including 105 medal winners of UG and PG programmes and 948 PhD researchers--in the presence of Chairman of Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Bibek Debroy, and Vice-Chancellor N Chandrasekar in the 29th convocation ceremony of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) on Tuesday. Governor Ravi had a detailed lively interaction with the medalists of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. pic.twitter.com/F0in5Lark7  RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) July 18, 2023 Chief guest Debroy said Nalanda University in ancient India was a model to other universities in the world. He stressed that students beginning their careers should focus on exploring their inner potential and finding happiness. N Chandrasekar said his varsity would soon sign an MoU with the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy, for academic exchange programmes. "The convocation is taking place at a time when the university is taking decisive action to achieve excellence in diverse areas such as teaching, research and extension activities. There are 101 colleges affiliated with MSU, and 1,13,178 students are pursuing their degrees through university departments and affiliated colleges," he added. MSU Pro-Chancellor and Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy could not attend the convocation as he was being inquired by the Enforcement Directorate in Chennai. The MSU had invited 22 MLAs and four MPs elected from Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts, out of which Tirunelveli MLA Nainar Nagendran and Alangulam MLA PH Pandian took part in the event. Security was beefed up in MSU ahead of the governor's visit.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });
Emerson has appointed Mathias Schinzel as the new president for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

He has been with the company for 26 years, most recently as vice president for the DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) region in Europe. Schinzel will collaborate with Emersons global sales leadership team to continue to grow the companys business in the MEA region.

We are pleased to have Mathias on board as our new president for the Middle East and Africa region, said Roel Van Doren, Emersons group president of global sales. We are confident that his wealth of expertise and extensive skill set will serve our customers well and help steer our business in the region to new opportunities and new heights.

Leadership positions

Schinzel joined Emerson in 1997 and has held key leadership positions in the United States, Asia Pacific and Europe. He also served as the chief financial officer for both the Emerson Automation Solutions Europe business as well as the global isolation valves business.

I am excited to take up this new opportunity as the Middle East & Africa is one of our fastest-growing markets, and Emerson has a significant footprint in the region across various industrial clusters, said Schinzel.

We hope to leverage our broad automation portfolio and world-class manufacturing and service capabilities to chart new growth opportunities across the MEA region.-- TradeArabia News Service
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President will be visiting Delhi on July 21st, a year after assuming charge. Usually, Sri Lankan leaders visit India within a month of assuming charge, but with the economic crisis that the island nation was reeling under, and which India helped them salvage, it has taken this long.

Wickremesinghe will be the fourth Sri Lankan president to be hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He was elected by Parliament to serve the remaining two and half years in the term of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who stepped down following protests over corruption, embezzlement and mismanagement of the economy.

India has contributed nearly $4 billion (loans and lines of credit) to Sri Lanka to help the country stay afloat which enabled them to buy food, fuel and medicines.

"Had it not been for India, the crisis in Sri Lanka would have led to a civil war. So the country and its people have a lot to be grateful for, said a political commentator on Sri Lanka.

While President Ranil will meet Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and President, Draupadi Murmu during his visit, there would be talks about enhancing connectivity and cooperation.

Sri Lanka has been seeking greater integration with the Indian economy which would include enhanced investments, trade in the Indian rupee and increasing tourist inflow. The two nations are looking at concluding an agreement on linking their power transmission grids for energy trade.

ALSO READ | World Bank approves USD 700 million for crisis-hit Sri Lanka

``Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the visit will reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President will be visiting Delhi on July 21st, a year after assuming charge. Usually, Sri Lankan leaders visit India within a month of assuming charge, but with the economic crisis that the island nation was reeling under, and which India helped them salvage, it has taken this long. Wickremesinghe will be the fourth Sri Lankan president to be hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was elected by Parliament to serve the remaining two and half years in the term of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who stepped down following protests over corruption, embezzlement and mismanagement of the economy.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); India has contributed nearly $4 billion (loans and lines of credit) to Sri Lanka to help the country stay afloat which enabled them to buy food, fuel and medicines. "Had it not been for India, the crisis in Sri Lanka would have led to a civil war. So the country and its people have a lot to be grateful for, said a political commentator on Sri Lanka. While President Ranil will meet Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and President, Draupadi Murmu during his visit, there would be talks about enhancing connectivity and cooperation. Sri Lanka has been seeking greater integration with the Indian economy which would include enhanced investments, trade in the Indian rupee and increasing tourist inflow. The two nations are looking at concluding an agreement on linking their power transmission grids for energy trade. ALSO READ | World Bank approves USD 700 million for crisis-hit Sri Lanka ``Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and the visit will reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Globe Teleservices Secures Tier One Ranking in ROCCO's Latest A2P SMS Market Impact Report 2023 - MNO Edition

PRNewswire, Singapore, July 18: Globe Teleservices, a leading global provider of telecommunication solutions, is proud to announce its distinguished recognition as a Tier 1 A2P SMS Vendor for Mobile Network Operators in the highly regarded ROCCO A2P SMS Market Impact Report - MNO Edition.

Globe Teleservices Secures Tier One Ranking in ROCCO's Latest A2P SMS Market Impact Report 2023 - MNO Edition

ROCCO, known for its comprehensive research and analysis in the messaging industry, conducted an extensive survey which involved 331 MNOs from 153 countries. These MNOs collectively evaluated and rated 45 vendors based on various parameters, including customer service, quality of service, technical expertise, and overall customer satisfaction.Globe Teleservices has emerged as the clear leader in this report, securing a Tier 1 rating and top rank in two essential parameters 'Value for Money' and 'Transparency'. This achievement serves as a testament to GTS' unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional value and upholding a high level of transparency. It also reaffirms the company's commitment to providing superior A2P SMS services to its global client base."We are thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition from ROCCO. This recognition reinforces our position as a trusted partner for operators around the world. This is a result of our relentless pursuit of providing cutting-edge solutions, outstanding customer service, and unmatched reliability."- Ashutosh Agrawal, Chairman and Managing Director, Globe Teleservices Pte. Ltd.With Globe Teleservices' A2P SMS services, MNOs can effectively monetize their messaging traffic, improve customer engagement, and safeguard the integrity of their networks.Globe Teleservices continues to innovate and ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations as a leader in the industry. As a trusted partner for MNOs seeking reliable and scalable A2P SMS solutions, Globe Teleservices is relentlessly committed to excellence.About Company Globe Teleservices is a Singapore-based telecommunications company, providing cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of the global telecoms industry. As a leading provider of A2P messaging, International Voice, Antifraud, and Managed Services, GTS is dedicated to delivering exceptional value to its clients across all continents.GTS works closely with over 100 Tier 1 mobile operators, driving significant impact on revenues and customer engagement.Media ContactPournima Chavan,marcom@globeteleservices.compournima.chavan@globeteleservices.comLogo https//mma.prnewswire.com/media/2155167/Globe_Teleservices_Logo.jpgANI18 July 2023

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Manipal's American University of Antigua Holds Grand Graduation Ceremony in New Jersey, Honouring Over 200 Medical Graduates of 2023

NewsVoir, Manipal, July 18: The Manipal's American University of Antigua College of Medicine, a unit of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, marked a significant milestone with their 2023 graduation ceremony that took place at the renowned New Jersey Performing Arts Center recently.

Manipal's American University of Antigua Holds Grand Graduation Ceremony in New Jersey, Honouring Over 200 Medical Graduates of 2023

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as over 200 graduates, along with esteemed dignitaries, a dedicated team of AUA staff, and proud family members and friends of the graduates came together to celebrate this momentous achievement.The event drew the presence of esteemed medical professionals affiliated with AUA, including Dr Peter Bell, AUA's Provost and VP of Global Medical Education, Dr Mohammad Torabi, an AUA alumnus and a highly-skilled surgeon, and Neal Simon JD, the President and Founder of AUA, who was named Ambassador-at-Large for Antigua and Barbuda in 2015, graced the ceremony with their inspirational presence. Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a distinguished U.S. Representative from Florida's 20th Congressional District, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.AUA alumnus speaker, Dr. Mohammed Torabi, a general surgery resident at Michigan State University, where he also serves as the administrative chief, took the opportunity to address the gathering, "It's an honour to be here today, as we celebrate your incredible achievement. As a surgeon and alumnus of American University of Antigua College of Medicine, I know first-hand the hard work and dedication that it takes to become a physician. You all have put in countless hours of studying, taken countless exams and dedicated a lot of work. And today is the day that all the hard work has finally paid off. You are now doctors and you should be proud of that. I want to encourage you to find your passion and purpose in medicine. Medicine is not just a job, it's a calling, a chance to make a difference in people's lives, to ease their pain and suffering and to bring them hope. The future of medicine is bright, but also challenging. You are the next generation of healthcare professionals who have the power to change the future of medicine. I can wait to see what the future holds for you."Manipal's AUA applauds the achievements of its 2023 graduates as they are prepared to make a significant impact in the medical field.Manipal's AUA, with its expanding network of accomplished alumni and affiliates is now looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of aspiring medical professionals into the AUA family. Applications are closing shortly for the Fall August/September 2023 batch of the Pre-med to MD program at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India. Limited scholarships are available. To find out more about the admission process, please visit go.auamed.org/india.Backed by the 70-year Manipal legacy in medical education & healthcare, American University of Antigua since 2004 has developed into a hub for global education, spread over a modern 150,000 sq. ft. technologically advanced campus. Located in Antigua and Barbuda, AUA is an international medical school with a US-modelled curriculum that emphasizes hands-on training and personalised learning with small batch sizes.With clinical rotations at affiliated teaching hospitals across the United States, UK & Canada and a vast network of accomplished alumni practicing currently in more than 700+ residency programs worldwide, Manipal's AUA provides a dynamic and nurturing environment for students to develop their medical expertise.Manipal's AUA is one of the few Caribbean med schools which is recognised by the Medical Board of California, approved by the New York and Florida Education, the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions . Students upon successfully passing the licensure exams, can aim for residency and become a practising doctor in any of the 50 states in the USA, UK or Canada.For more information, please visit www.auamed.org.ANI18 July 2023

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Fraudsters using Barbie, Oppenheimer to steal your hard-earned money, data

New Delhi, July 18: Scammers are using the two highly anticipated upcoming Hollywood movies --- Margot Robbie starring 'Barbie' and Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' -- to steal users' hard-earned money and sensitive personal data.

Fraudsters using Barbie, Oppenheimer to steal your hard-earned money, data

According to the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, scammers are deceiving unsuspecting users by distributing phishing scams that prey on the excitement surrounding movie releases, all with the sole intention of tricking individuals and unlawfully acquiring their hard-earned money and sensitive personal data.One of the fraudulent pages discovered entices users with special offers on Barbie dolls coinciding with the release of the movie.Aside from the standard dolls, users are encouraged to purchase limited-edition movie-related dolls, such as the lead actress Margot Robbie, for around 12 pounds sterling.Users are then redirected to a purchase form after deciding what to buy, which requires personal identification details such as name, address, phone number and banking information.Unsuspecting users unknowingly send their money and personal information to fraudsters. Aside from the financial risks, this scam raises serious privacy concerns because the stolen data could be sold on the Dark Web Market, said the report."While the experience is exhilarating, we must not overlook the risks. By maintaining a vigilant mindset and practising safe online habits, we can fully enjoy the Barbie and Oppenheimer experience while safeguarding ourselves from cyber threats lurking in the digital world," said Olga Svistunova, security expert at Kaspersky.Moreover, the report said that the scammers did not miss out on another popular release, Oppenheimer.They deceived people by offering to stream the movie for free, but their real intention was to steal users' banking information and money.Scammers frequently use this tactic in such situations, requesting a nominal fee of one dollar or euro for registration. To proceed with the registration, they require the linking of a bank card, allowing unauthorised and difficult-to-cancel debits from users' accounts, according to the report.IANS18 July 2023

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G20 summit: 19 women commandos of Delhi Police trained as markswomen

New Delhi, July 18: In view of the upcoming G-20 Summit, 19 women commandos of the Delhi Police have been trained as markswomen aimed towards enhanced security in the national Capital.A .

G20 summit: 19 women commandos of Delhi Police trained as 'markswomen'

It is the first batch of commandos to receive such highly professional training in shooting by a trained ITBP team, police said on Tuesday.The officials said that the markswomen will act as the frontline, accurate sharpshooter commandos of SWAT and the Delhi Police."In view of the upcoming G-20 summit, Delhi Police is committed to providing the utmost security to the visiting delegates. In this process, Special Cell has taken a step further by imparting specialised training to its female SWAT Commandos," said the Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal."The first batch of 19 Women SWAT Commandos has successfully completed a four week course from the Training Team of the Indo Tibetan Border Police Force, RTC, Karera, Madhya Pradesh, during June-July," he said."In this training course, 19 women commandos of SWAT and the Delhi Police were trained in the basic principles of firing and groomed as marksmen," said Dhaliwal."Constable Kiran stood first by securing 95 per cent marks, Constable Vaishali secured second position with 77.5 per cent marks, and Constable Kavita stood third with 75 per cent marks. The best female SWAT Commando is now able to hit a target of 4 cm from a distance of 100 yards," said Dhaliwal.IANS18 July 2023

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Nepal finance minister urges Gujarat to invest in Nepal

Ahmedabad, July 18: Nepal's Finance Minister, Prakash Sharan Mahat, visited Ahmedabad on Tuesday and extended an invitation to Gujarati entrepreneurs and investors to explore business prospects in Nepal.A .

Nepal finance minister urges Gujarat to invest in Nepal

He highlighted the numerous opportunities available in the country and emphasised Nepal's commitment to fostering stronger business and cultural relations with India, particularly with the Gujarati community."In the sector of education and healthcare, there is a lot of scope. Nepalis would pay anything to get a better education for their children. We have always tried to provide ease of business to other countries and we want to have better business and cultural relations with India and especially Gujaratis," said Mahat.He further discussed recent discussions with India's Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, regarding the simplification of payment gateways between the two countries."Recently we had a discussion with Indian finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding easing the payment gateway between countries. It is surely under the process. To boost business relationships, we are keeping no investment bar for the IT sector; you can come with just a computer and work here!" Mahat explained.Addressing concerns about political stability, Minister Mahat reassured the audience that Nepal is moving towards a more stable governance system."There have been instable governments in Nepal, but things are getting better. Moreover, irrespective of which government, everyone is in favor of India. Currently, the Marwadi community is huge in Nepal; they have set up several businesses and are here for years," he emphasised.The Finance Minister's visit aimed to foster stronger economic ties between Nepal and Gujarat, recognising the potential benefits of mutual investment and cooperation.Minister Mahat's invitation to Gujarati entrepreneurs and investors reflects Nepal's commitment to creating a conducive environment for business growth and enhancing bilateral relations.An official said that as Nepal seeks to attract investment and strengthen its economic foundation, the visit of the finance minister of the Himalayan country serves a significant step in promoting business collaborations and highlighting the vast opportunities available in Nepal for the entrepreneurial community in Gujarat.IANS18 July 2023

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PageTraffic's Noida Expansion: Fresh career opportunities ahead

PNN, Noida, July 18: PageTraffic, a leader in the SEO and digital marketing industry, is thrilled to announce the opening of its second office and excellence centre in Noida. T.

PageTraffic's Noida Expansion: Fresh career opportunities ahead

he company's continuous growth has spurred this expansion, and with this new office, PageTraffic aims to broaden its reach, enhance its client service capabilities, and create more job opportunities.As a premier player in the SEO and digital marketing arena, PageTraffic is pleased to announce the opening of a second office in Noida. This development stems from the company's unprecedented growth and the increased demand for its innovative digital marketing solutions.This expansion underpins PageTraffic's commitment to extending its geographical footprint and fostering close connections with its employees and clients. By establishing a state-of-the-art Excellence Center in Noida Sector 62, PageTraffic aims to create a dynamic and cutting-edge workspace, solidifying their position as a premier provider of extensive digital marketing services.The imminent opening of this second office in Noida marks an important milestone in PageTraffic's journey. The establishment of this excellence center attests to the company's robust growth strategy and commitment to its clients. It also presents an opportunity to tap into the region's rich talent pool, further solidifying the company's position as a thought leader in the digital marketing realm."We are thrilled to announce the opening of our second excellence center in Noida at Sector 62. This new office will enable us to cater to our clients more efficiently and serve as a hub for creativity and innovation," said Navneet Kaushal, CEO of PageTraffic. "Our success has always been interlinked with the success of our clients, and we believe this new location will offer us more opportunities to help them thrive in this digital age."Hiring for All Positions An Opportunity to Join the Digital Vanguard! In line with its expansion, PageTraffic is also looking to grow its team and is hiring for all positions. From entry-level positions to senior leadership roles, the company is in active search of bright minds ready to shape the future of digital marketing. This move will bolster the company's capacity to deliver high-quality services and meet the increasing demand for its solutions. Prospective candidates will have the chance to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team committed to shaping the future of digital marketing.The hiring process will reflect PageTraffic's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The company believes in harnessing the power of diverse perspectives and backgrounds to foster a vibrant and inclusive workplace that encourages creativity and innovation. Interested candidates can visit the company's website for more information on available job opportunities.Noida The Ever-Growing Hub for Digital Innovation - PageTraffic is proud to contribute to Noida's vibrant economy by creating a wealth of job opportunities for talented professionals seeking to advance their careers in the dynamic field of digital marketing. PageTraffic's second excellence center in Sector 62, Noida reaffirms the company's commitment to investing in people, technology, and infrastructure, propelling its journey towards becoming a global digital marketing powerhouse.As PageTraffic prepares to open its doors in Noida Sector 62, it does so with an unwavering commitment to excellence and a clear vision for the future. This new office signifies the company's continuous growth and its readiness to embrace new opportunities and challenges in the fast-paced world of digital marketing.PageTraffic extends its heartfelt gratitude to its clients, partners, and team for their relentless support, which has played an instrumental role in the company's growth and success. As PageTraffic embarks on this exciting new chapter, it looks forward to welcoming new members to its team and serving its clients with an even higher level of commitment and dedication.PageTraffic, established in 2002, has become synonymous with excellence in digital marketing. Their pioneering work as the leading digital marketing agency, and commitment to delivering measurable results has won them an impressive roster of global clients. Their dedication to staying ahead of digital marketing trends, coupled with its customer-centric approach, has cemented its position as a trusted partner for businesses aiming to boost their online presence and reach their target audience more effectively.You can also visit https//www.pagetraffic.in to know more about their services and offerings.ANI18 July 2023

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Albemarle County Public Schools is trying to take a proactive approach to one of parents and students top concerns in the classroom. Not fractions, not recess, but active shooters.

Since the Columbine mass shooting in 1999, more than 338,000 students in the U.S. have experienced gun violence at school, according to gun violence prevention nonprofit group Sandy Hook Promise. In fact, there were more school shootings last year  46  than in any year since Columbine.

And while the Charlottesville area has seen more active shooter hoaxes in recent years that active shooters, it is still naturally top of mind for parents and students who cant help but see headlines from cities across the country.

A training program to help better prepare the county school division was held at Walton Middle School on Friday with more than 150 people in attendance. The joint training was held between Albemarle Countys police department, fire department and school division.

Hopefully we never have a real-world situation when we have to use this, but we will continue to practice and training exercises, Terry Walls, deputy chief of police operations, told The Daily Progress.

First responders have been working on a rescue task force plan, a new way of operating to offer help to those injured faster, according to Walls.

So with those initiatives over the last probably about 18 months, weve been working on policies and procedures and all that has kind of led to working within the schools and bringing these field training exercises together to bring that practice in like a real-life scenario, Walls said.

That said, the department has always had a plan.

We have always had emergency action plans as it relates to active assailants and recently with the national trends and the factors that the best way to preserve life is to make sure that we are able to get the medics to injured people as soon as possible, Walls said.

Part of Fridays training consisted of a briefing to ensure safety.

Other parts of the day talk about our objectives and what were looking to do and then actually putting officers, supervisors, firefighters, medics and school staff into positions with role players and actually facing what we think a true active shooter scenario would be and they have to react and work just as they would if theres a real scenario, Walls said.

Afterwards, the departments held scenario debriefings and discussed improvements. Some of the things the departments looked to improve were communication and equipment.

When you go between agency, like us and fire, or us talking to the admin of the schools, were looking to see did that communication flow well, is there areas for improvement with that, were our tactics sound, is the equipment that we have issued, was there anything identified with that, those type of things is what we were looking for and you know, we will tweak some of that to hopefully improve, Walls said.

As a way to continuously improve, training exercises dont stop here.

There are always training exercises in the works, Walls said. I dont necessarily have a date for the next one that will be with the schools, but we often work with several of our partners in the community with training exercises such as the hospitals, the airport, the University of Virginia, the Virginia State Police, Walls said.
Dhabba Chaiwala turned sensation Arshad Khan Opens cafe in London

PNN, London, July 18: A poor dhabba chai seller from Pakistan capital Islamabad who became an international Chai sensation has truly gone global with the opening of his iconic cafe in London on a busy street filled with Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

Dhabba Chaiwala turned sensation Arshad Khan Opens cafe in London

Arshad Khan's brand Cafe Chaiwala has formally opened its doors to customers on East London's Ilford Lane - an area populated by mainly Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.Not to be missed, the billboard outside the cafe clearly mentions the brand name - "Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan"- so that the customers are not confused and clearly know they are headed inside the cafe popularised globally by the Islamabad street Chai-vendor-turned-global-celebrity Arshad Chaiwala.The Chaiwala brand has been brought exclusively to London by three Asian brothers Bahadar Durrani, Nadir Durrani and Akbar Durrani. The brothers are planning to open and franchise several "Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan" franchises across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.Arshad Khan's brand arrival in the UK is a true rag to riches story. Just seven years ago, Arshad Khan was a poor teenager selling Chai at an Islamabad roadside stall with no prospects of a prosperous and luxurious life given the circumstances he was in. Not in his wildest dreams he would have imagined that one day he will become a social media sensation at the global level, a fashion icon, a brand and a franchise owner with footprints in a place like London.The chai seller was 16 back in October 2016 when photographer Javeria Ali made his casual picture while he was serving Chai to a customer and she put it on her Instagram with the caption "Hot Tea". Arshad Khan's striking looks, blue eyes and a haunting seriousness on his face shot him to overnight fame in India, Pakistan and globally.He found out that he had become a sensation when children, men and women started swamping the Dhabba where he worked to make pictures with him and soon he was all over social media, on the magazine covers and television crews started airing his story including in India. After going viral, Arshad Khan, who is originally from a conservative Pashtun family living in Mardan, was nicknamed "Chaiwala" and that's where the brand name comes.In an interview, Akbar Durrani said that he plans to open up 50+ franchises in the United Kingdom. "Cafe Chaiwala Arshad Khan has gone international and London being capital of the world is the beginning. We are planning to make this an international brand. We opened the first outlet in London after a lot of market research and business planning. Hundreds of Indian and Pakistani families daily come to the cafe to drink tea."Cafe Chaiwala in London boasts traditional and cultural South Assian elements, from truck art and a hand decorated Vespa, desi paintings on the wall and the interior that is modern and Dhabba at the same time.Arshad Khan plans to visit London soon to meet his fans and to brew karak Chai for them. The Chaiwala said "My visit is being planned and I would love to brew tea for my loving fans. I have received thousands of requests for London visit. Our first international Chai shop is now open on Ilford Lane and the response is massive already. With Durrani brothers, we decided to start from Ilford Lane due to the fact that it's home to a large number of Pakistanis and Indians who love Chai. I will be in London soon in person."While Akbar Durrani travels internationally to focus on family's vast array of businesses, its Nadir Durrani who is practically running the Ilford Lane Chaiwala. He said the Cafe Chaiwala is set in a proper design and style to promote South Asian culture and to give the real feel and look of what Chai cafes should look like. He said "We have demonstrated on the cafe's front that this is the only authentic Asian Chaiwala in Britain. Lots of people have been coming in and asking about Chaiwala Arshad Khan and whether this is the same person who had shot to fame while pouring Chai in an Islamabad market. We are selling in the UK everything that Chaiwalas in India and Pakistan sels traditional desi street food, several kinds of teas including Karak Chai, Gurr Chai, Honey Malai Chai, Badami Chai, Kashmiri Chai, Doodh Patti, fresh in-house Chicken Tikka Paratha, fresh Malai Boti Paratha, fresh Afghani Paratha, special breakfast menu with fresh in house made Mumbai Channay Paratha, Desi Omelette, Sujji Halwa, Papri Chaat, Samosa Chaat, Beef Paratha Roll and Malai Boti." Nadir Durrani said that since they opened their doors for business, people from across London and outside have been coming to the Cafe Chaiwala to make pictures and videos.Akbar Durrani said that they had agreed contract for international rights with Arshad Khan Chaiwala in 2021 but there has been a delay in finding a right place to suit the image and potential of the brand.He said "We have been into the food business for over 20 years and have enough expertise in scoping a business and having it at the right place. There is no place in London better than Ilford Lane, to start with, and that has already become a unique point for us as it's in the centre of an Asian area. Literally, thousands of people will get to see the brand. We are planning to open nearly a dozen cafes across London and work has already begun in this respect."For Arshad Khan, it's been a remarkable journey of success based on hard work, determination and dreams coming true in a fair style. He was around 12 years old when he started working at a tea stall to support himself and his family of 17 siblings. His family was so poor that he spent only a few days at school and had no resources or time to get proper education. When his picture went viral, Arshad Khan didn't have a phone or internet to see the sensation his attractive looks had caused globally.Akbar Durrani said that the rise of Arshad Khan from a tea vendor to fashion model to an entrepreneur showed the power of social media. He said "Social media has transformative power and it yields wonderful results when used positively. The arrival of Arshad Khan in the UK through Chaiwala is a testimony to that fact and the journey has just begun."ANI18 July 2023

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Livpure ushers in a new era of kitchen innovation by unveiling a state-of-the-art range of Chimneys

PNN, New Delhi, July 18: Livpure, one of India's leading home and living consumer product manufacturers announces the launch of its highly anticipated chimney segment.

Livpure ushers in a new era of kitchen innovation by unveiling a state-of-the-art range of Chimneys

With the introduction of chimneys, Livpure extends its presence in the kitchen space, offering customers reliable, efficient, and stylish appliances to enhance their cooking experience and promote a clean and healthy kitchen environment. The chimney segment is available exclusively on Flipkart It also plans to extend the availability of the chimney range to modern trade and general trade channels in the future, ensuring wider accessibility for customers across the country.As a consumer-focused company, Livpure constantly strives to be at the forefront of innovation and provide holistic solutions for a healthy lifestyle. It recognizes the growing demand for branded chimneys in the market, with the chimney segment expected to reach an estimated value of INR 2400 crores this fiscal, an anticipated growth rate of approximately 15% YoY. In line with the brand's commitment to be the consumer's first choice, Livpure's expansion into the chimney category is a natural progression, leveraging its expertise in providing high-quality appliances for Indian households, after the success of its water purifiers & air coolers.Expressing enthusiasm about the launch, Mr Rakesh Kaul, Managing Director of Livpure said, "We are thrilled to introduce the Livpure chimneys on Flipkart, which reflects our commitment to providing exceptional products that enhance the well-being of our customers. With our foray into the extended kitchen space, we aim to create a clean and healthy cooking environment, complementing our existing range of water purifiers. Our chimneys align with consumers' evolving needs and preferences, and we are confident that their innovative features and high-quality performance will enhance the common well-being in the kitchen space."Jagjeet Harode, Vice President - Electronics, Appliances and Private Brands at Flipkart said, "Today, Flipkart is one of the most loved platforms in the small home appliances segment and is considered a one-stop shop for this category. Flipkart has always been on the front run in providing access to an extensive selection of products to its customers and our partnership with Livpure is a step in that direction. Flipkart has a large customer base of young, internet-savvy customers for whom a healthy cooking environment becomes very important without compromising on kitchen aesthetics. With this launch, we aim to give customers a perfect range of products that will enhance their cooking experience."The Livpure chimney segment offers an impressive range of models, each designed to meet specific requirements and style preferences. The brand has launched a range of 10 chimney models which are broadly categorized into 4 categories Livpure AIRIS, Livpure SWIFT, Livpure ELEGA, Livpure EVORA and Livpure GLIDE. These categories are further divided into models having different specifications.The USP of Livpure Chimneys is that they have in-built thermal auto-clean technology that simplifies maintenance, while the feather touch controls with motion sensors add a touch of modernity.With a keen focus on innovation, Livpure will continue to introduce new categories and expand its product portfolio, catering to the evolving needs of its customers.As a pioneer in manufacturing and supplying wellness-driven products in our lives and homes, the Gurugram-based venture was founded by Rakesh Malhotra and Navneet Kapoor in 2010 with a vision of ensuring the availability of pure water in every Indian household through smart water solutions. With a rich legacy of trust and excellence and a strong background in research & development, the company strives to transform the Indian water purifier industry with the support of its state-of-the-art manufacturing unit and cutting-edge technology-enabled products. The company was launched under the SAR Group.ANI18 July 2023

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India-Argentina sign agreements to strengthen cooperation in defence

New Delhi, July 18: Argentina's Defence Minister Jorge Taiana held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Rajnath Singh on Tuesday and announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between both countries and the signing of a Specific Agreement on Academic Cooperation for peacekeeping.

India-Argentina sign agreements to strengthen cooperation in defence

Taiana also invited Minister Singh to the II Latin American Conference of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations that will take place in Argentina on September 12.In a press statement, Argentina's Defence Minister said, "We are here to perfect and deepen the agreements we have and sign some others. One of them is a Memorandum of Understanding that is richer in content and concrete possibilities than the one currently in force.""I think we have a concrete opportunity in the field of Defense, where we can give a quality leap in cooperation between the two countries," he added.The head of the portfolio added that the world is rapidly changing, but nevertheless, Latin America has some characteristics that make the region stand out -- the first is the absence of weapons of mass destruction and the non-existence of conflicts between states; the second is the enormous variety of natural resources; and the third is the existence in some countries of significant development in strategic areas with high potential for cooperation and the establishment of joint ventures.During the meeting, the officials discussed issues related to defence cooperation and exchange in areas of training and training of officers and cadets. They also analysed the global geopolitical situation and Argentina's minister highlighted the importance that the country attaches to the vision of a bicontinental country and its projection towards the South Atlantic and Antarctica.Another point of the meeting was the Malvinas Question, where Minister Taiana thanked India for its support in the United Nations Decolonization Committee.Earlier, on Tuesday, Jorge Taiana, who arrived in India the day before, laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in the national capital on Tuesday and paid homage to the fallen heroes. During his visit, Argentina's Defence Minister is also scheduled to visit Bengaluru.The Argentine Defence Minister visited BrahMos Aerospace and is scheduled to interact with leading think tanks in Delhi. He will also travel to Bengaluru and visit the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd facilities and separately interact with the defence start-ups in an event organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence, read India's Defence Ministry press release.ANI19 July 2023

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MP cabinet approves increase in rate of DA payable to govt employees by 4 pc

Bhopal, July 18: A cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was organised at Mantralaya in the state capital on Tuesday.

MP cabinet approves increase in rate of DA payable to govt employees by 4 pc

During the meeting, the Council of Ministers approved to hike the rate of dearness allowance payable to government employees in the seventh pay scale by 4 percent to 42 percent from January 1, 2023. At present the employees are getting 38 percent DA.The Council of Ministers also approved to amend the age limit in Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana. Now, the women of 21 years of age will also be eligible for this scheme. Along with this, the women of those families who have tractors will also be given the benefit of the scheme. With these amendments, 18 lakh more women will be added to the list of beneficiaries of Ladli Behna Yojana.The Cabinet further gave approval to sanction Rs 1881 crores for the construction of four-lane roads and fly-over construction in the state. It was approved to issue administrative sanction for the construction of four-lane road from Malivaya to Salkanpur-Nilkachhar in Sehore district for Rs 147.92 crore under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund and for the construction of 4-lane road from Indore-Ichhapur road to Omkareshwar New Bus Stand in Khandwa district costing Rs 193.22 crore under state planning head.Similarly, it was approved to issue administrative sanction for the construction of Nagod to Maihar via Surdaha Parasamnia-Rampur-Maihar road in Satna district costing Rs 178.22 crore, Shahpur-Rangoli-Girwar-Bhanswahi-Hinagan-Dhana-Bhokalpur intersection in Sagar district costing Rs 129.81 crore under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund Project.Under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund, approval was given to issue administrative sanction for the cost of construction of fly-over from Sewage Pump House Laukhedi to Nagar Nigam Visarjan Ghat in Sant Hirdaram Nagar on Bhopal-Indore road in Bhopal city costing Rs 306.40 crore and in Gwalior city the construction of four-lane elevated corridor/fly-over on Swarnrekha river from Maharani Laxmibai statue to Girwai police post AB road at a cost of Rs 926.21 crore.Besides, the Cabinet approved to establish two district offices of Deputy Director, Farmers-Welfare and Agriculture Development and Project Director Atma under the Farmers-Welfare and Agriculture Development Department for the newly formed district Niwari. Altogether 19 posts have been sanctioned in both the offices. With this approval, at present, the district level office of the Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Department, which used to operate from Tikamgarh, will now operate from the new district headquarters Niwari, this will benefit the farmers of Niwari district.ANI19 July 2023

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INDIA, name for Opposition alliance was proposed by Mamata Banerjee: VCK party chief

New Delhi, July 18 : The Opposition meeting in Karnataka's Bengaluru on Tuesday decided to name their alliance INDIA, an acronym for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

"INDIA, name for Opposition alliance was proposed by Mamata Banerjee": VCK party chief

While speaking on the same, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan said that the name was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee."The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. After a long discussion, it was decided to be called as 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance," VCK chief told ANI.The Opposition alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls has been named INDIA .Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the main opposition Congress party, said INDIA stood for the "Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance".The development came as top leaders of 26 Opposition parties from across the country met in Bengaluru on Tuesday to discuss a united strategy to take on the ruling NDA alliance at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.The 26 parties resolved to "safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution".Leaders of twenty-six opposition parties, who met in Bengaluru on Tuesday, accused the BJP of systematically assaulting the "character of our republic" and expressed their steadfast resolve to "safeguard the idea of India".The Samuhik Sankalp of 26 political parties belonging to I.N.D.I.A alleged that the pillars of the Indian Constitution "are being methodically and menacingly undermined".The leaders decided to have a new name for the group I.N.D.I.A - India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance."We, the leaders of India's 26 progressive parties, express our steadfast resolve to safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution. The character of our republic is being severely assaulted in a systematic manner by the BJP. We are at a most crucial juncture in our nation's history. The foundational pillars of the Indian Constitution - secular democracy, economic sovereignty, social justice and federalism - are being methodically and menacingly undermined," the Samuhik Sankalp statement said.The opposition leaders alleged that BJP was "brazenly misusing agencies" against political rivals and was undermining democracy.They expressed grave concern over the humanitarian tragedy that has "destroyed Manipur"."The silence of the Prime Minister is shocking and unprecedented. There is an urgent need to bring Manipur back on the path of peace and reconciliation," the statement said.They also demanded a caste census. The leaders said that they have come together to defeat "hatred and violence" being manufactured against minorities and stop the rising crimes against women, Dalits, Adivasis and Kashmiri Pandits.ANI19 July 2023

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Ladakh: Monks laud PM Modis call for world peace, thank him for developing Buddhist places

Ladakh, July 18 : At the conclusion of the Peace Walk organised in Ladakh, Buddhist monks in Ladakh lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for peace in the world and also thanked him for the development of Buddhist places in India.

Ladakh: Monks laud PM Modi's call for world peace, thank him for developing Buddhist places

A three-day World Peace Conference and Peace Walk, with the aim of spreading peace and harmony, has concluded in Ladakh. Buddhist monks and devotees and local people participated in this event.A 10-point Ladakh peace declaration was also signed on the occasion.The aim of the event was to spread the message of unity and togetherness by promoting peace and harmony in the world.In today's world wars, terrorism, upheavals and various kinds of violence, civil wars and challenges, have thrown the world into a state of unrest, mistrust and tension.All world powers, for natural resources, religious issues and every little thing are resorting to violence. This is a matter of concern for mankind. The importance of peace and harmony increases even more at times like these.Gurus and eminent scholars from different countries together gathered and expressed their views here on one platform at the international conference.Buddhist monks and devotees from around seven countries participated in the conference, where it was deliberated on how to deal with contemporary global challenges with the help of Buddhist philosophy and ideology.Organized by Mahabodhi International Meditation Center Ladakh, this programme featured participants from countries such as Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the United States of America.About 2500 leaders of different religions, devotees and eminent scholars participated, including members of the Indian Minorities Foundation convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu.Carrying prayers and peace messages, a large congregation of Buddhist monks from across countries along with other devotees, leaders of other religious communities, and students carried out a peace walk to promote world peace and harmony on Sunday in Ladakh. The Indian Minorities Foundation also participated.Spreading Lord Buddha's messages of peace and harmony, they walked from NDS stadium to Shanti Stupa in Leh, Ladakh which is located at an elevation of 11,841 feet above sea level, which culminated the 32-day Padh Yatra, of 150 Buddhist monks and laypersons of Thailand, for world peace.Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder and President of Mahabodhi International Meditation Center, Leh, Ladakh, said, "The whole world is going through many challenges. It needs a great leader... who can bring peace and harmony and friendship to the whole world. And that is our prime minister Narendra Modi who is a Karmyogi himself."He said that India is fortunate to have such a great leader who combines spiritual values - like yoga, meditation, and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Ven Bhikkhu Sanghasena, who is an internationally recognized and respected Buddhist leader, said, "India is fortunate to have such a great leader. There are many economical leaders, and technological leaders, political leaders but everyone is missing one quality, the spiritual part. Prime Minister Narendra Modi combines spiritual values - like yoga, meditation, and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. He brings it to the general development."He said that America and European countries are great. they have done wonderful work. They invented a lot of physical comforts, but it was not enough. They failed in leading the world harmoniously."The whole world is looking at India and PM Modi to lead the world with our ancient wisdom of Mahakaruna, Ahimsa, Yoga, Meditation and Maitri. We all should feel fortunate that India is under the leadership of PM Modi who spreads peace and harmony," said Bhikkhu Sanghasena, adding that PM Modi has emerged as a global peacemaker.The Indian Minorities Foundation was also part of the peace walk led by its convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu.Dr Pornchai Palawadhammo, President of the World Alliance of Buddhists, based in Thailand, who was part of the Padh Yatra, said that India is the motherland of Buddhism and it teaches peace."India and Thailand can work together and create peace for the world. Indian PM Narendra Modi is a powerful and popular man and he understands the teachings of Buddha and he practices them," he said.Local students participating in the Peace Walk said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, there has been significant development in the field of education in Ladakh."After the declaration of Ladakh as a Union Territory, a new phase of development has begun. Ladakh has got a Central University, a college, and many schools. As a result of which the level of education in Ladakh has increased," said a student.The Dhamma Padh Yatra reached Mahabodhi International Meditation Center Ladakh today. It was started for world peace on June 12, 2023, from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.On their arrival at MIMC on Sunday, they were welcomed by Bhikkhu Sanghasena and the delegation of the Indian Minorities Foundation led by its convenor Satnam Singh Sandhu who also participated in the peace walk.Comprising of Buddhist monks, leaders of other faiths, religious bodies, community leaders, devotees, and students, a congregation of nearly 2500 participated, which included monks from countries like Thailand, Nepal, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the US, in the peace walk which aimed to propagate the message of peace and harmony.They also held prayers for world peace at Shanti Stupa.ANI19 July 2023

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US soldier believed to be detained by North Korea after

Washington DC, July 18 : A US soldier is believed to be detained by North Korean authorities after he crossed the military border "willfully and without authorization," an official said adding that he working with Korean People's Army to resolve this incident, CNN reported.

US soldier believed to be detained by North Korea after

"We believe he is currently in custody and is working with our counterparts to resolve this incident," US Forces Korea spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor said on Tuesday.The official also stated that the soldier had been facing disciplinary action by the US military and was set to be sent back to the United States.The service member is a junior enlisted soldier who was assigned to US Forces Korea and had been on the Joint Security Area tour as a civilian. There was no indication the soldier was trying to defect, a separate US official said, as per CNN."A US National on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea . We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and is working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident," the UNC said.A US official told CNN the soldier appeared to cross the line voluntarily. US officials say they are waiting to confirm his identity until his next of kin is notified, reported CNN.The prospect of a US soldier being held in North Korean military custody comes at a time when both countries are going through military tension.Earlier, North Korea accused the US of illegally flying over the economic zone eight times and warned of counter-action, state media Korean Central News Agency reported.Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister and a key ruling party official, in a press statement said, "In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight."She also claimed that South Korea had again impudently taken the lead in denying the encroachment on North Korea's sovereignty and still the nation assert that it was a "normal flight of the 'ROK' and the US.""The strategic reconnaissance plane of the US Air Force illegally intruded into the economic water zone of the DPRK side in the East Sea of Korea eight times in the sky above the sea of 435 km east of Thongchon of Kangwon Province~276 km southeast of Uljin of North Kyongsang Province from 5:15 to 13:10 on July 10, to commit an aerial espionage act," Kim Yo Jong said.However, the Pentagon earlier brushed aside Pyongyang's accusations of airspace violations and said the US military had adhered to international law."The United States, as always, remains committed to safely and responsibly flying, sailing, and operating anywhere that international law allows and alongside our allies and partners," Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary said in a media briefing.The US, from time to time, had condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch. Us said that they condemned the destabilizing ballistic missile launches of North Korea, which violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions and pose a grave threat to international peace and security.ANI19 July 2023

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Xi Jinping expresses fears Chinese Communist Party may collapse: Report

Beijing, July 18 : Chinese President Xi Jinping for the past some time has been issuing warnings regarding the collapse of the Communist Party of China amidst 415 million across the world renouncing their affiliation with CCP, regiments, teams, and other associated organisations since July 1 this year, Greek City Times reported.

Xi Jinping expresses fears Chinese Communist Party may collapse: Report

People's reaction across the globe has taken the CCP authorities aback with Xi Jinping in the recent SCO Summit stating that he is opposed to any country's instigation of "colour revolutions" and "interference in internal matters" for any reason, according to the report.At the SCO summit, Xi said that SCO member states said that they should be wary of the "external forces" creating a scenario for the new cold war and creating confrontational camps. He has been repeatedly issuing warnings regarding the collapse of the CCP, which if not dealt with, seems inevitable, Greek City Times reported.In 2022, Xi Jinping delivered a speech to the young cadre training class and it was recently published as an article in CCP's journal "seeking truth", addressing his concern about the CCP collapse, according to a Greek City Times report. Xi Jinping in his speech emphasised the importance of upholding the beliefs of Marxism and Communism under the banner of Chinese characteristics, which otherwise would result in a similar sort of disintegration as in the case of the Soviet Union, according to the news report.CCP has fear that it might suffer the same fate as the Soviet Union did due to a large-scale wave of people leaving the party which lead to the latter's dissolution. CCP's concern is coupled with China's deteriorating internal and external problems and its increasing rivalry with the international community and the challenges it faces on the economic and social front.Considering the current situation, the policy matters taken up by the CCP authorities are becoming unpopular by the day and facing criticism in China and other nations. Millions of people are quitting the party, which has affected the CCP leadership and indicates the erosion of influence the CCP has among the Chinese people, Greek City Times reported.Considering the power dynamics being under threat, the CCP has become more totalitarian with crackdowns on the Chinese oligarchs, people's freedom and liberty, restricting internet criticism and concentration of power at the hands of Xi. However, the dissent still manifests itself in some form or the other like in the case of millions of individuals quitting the party globally demonstrating their disapproval of the party's tactics of suppressing people's voices and liberty, Greek City Times reported.The development has rattled CCP's leadership with Xi becoming vocal about the party's death due to the mass exiting. He has been calling on the people to stick with the party for the sake of ideological cause. The sentiment does not exist in the current CCP members as they are incentive driven and power only makes them stick with the party.ANI19 July 2023

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Three infrastructure projects to be launched by Bangladesh with Indian assistance, during PM Sheikh Hasinas India visit

Dhaka, July 19: Three major infrastructural projects will be launched by Bangladesh with Indian assistance during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India for the G20 summit in September this year, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha national news agency of Dhaka reported on Tuesday.

Three infrastructure projects to be launched by Bangladesh with Indian assistance, during PM Sheikh Hasina's India visit

Three projects are namely; Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2, 65-kilometre-long Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link, Akhaura and Agartala Railway Link.The announcement was made by the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, who called on Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday and held wide-ranging discussions on the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship."Taking Forward All-Encompassing India-Bangladesh Friendship! HC Pranay Verma called on the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina today at Ganabhaban in Dhaka and held wide-ranging discussions on the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship," the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said on Twitter.It added, "HC briefed Hon'ble PM on several recent positive developments & highlighted the progress in energy cooperation and development projects. Hon'ble PM conveyed her warm greetings to PM @narendramodi and said that she was looking forward to attending the #G20 Summit in India".https//twitter.com/ihcdhaka/status/1681310515136724994?s=20Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2 and the 65-kilometre Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link have been implemented under the Indian LoC while the Akhaura and Agartala Railway Link is under Indian grants, BSS reported.During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction over the state of the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.The meeting also discussed the Taka-Rupee exchange system between Bangladesh and India, connectivity, ongoing projects under the Indian LoCs and grants. The Indian High Commissioner mentioned that two types of credit cards one Rupee and the other Taka Card will be issued."Both sides will issue these cards so that people of the two countries can use the cards for their payments," BSS quoted Verma as saying.The Indian envoy also praised PM Hasina's initiatives Vision-2021 and Vision-2041 to turn Bangladesh into a Smart one.Sheikh Hasina wished India will raise its voice, particularly for the Global South alongside the entire world during the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi, BSS reported.Bangladesh PM's Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, PMO Secretary, Mohammad Salahuddin and Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr Binoy George, were also present during the meeting.ANI19 July 2023

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Llyod Austin expresses concern over US soldier 'believed to be detained' by North Korea

Washington, July 19: United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin expressed concern over the US soldier who is believed to be detained by North Korea after "willfully and without authorization" crossing the military border.

Llyod Austin expresses concern over US soldier 'believed to be detained' by North Korea

"What I can confirm is...we are very early in this event and there's a lot we are still trying to learn. What we do know is that one of our service members who was on a tour, wilfully and without authorisation crossed into the military demarcation line. We believe that he is in the PRK custody," the Secretary of Defence said during the briefing.He added, "So we are closely monitoring and investigating the situation, and working to notify the soldier's next of kin and engaging to address the situation...I am absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troops. So, we will remain focussed on this".Earlier, CNN reported citing an official that the soldier had been facing disciplinary action by the US military and was set to be sent back to the United States.The service member is a junior enlisted soldier who was assigned to US Forces Korea and had been on the Joint Security Area tour as a civilian.There was no indication the soldier was trying to defect, a separate US official said, as per CNN.Earlier, North Korea accused the US of illegally flying over the economic zone eight times and warned of counter-action, state media Korean Central News Agency reported.Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister and a key ruling party official, in a press statement said, "In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight."She also claimed that South Korea had again impudently taken the lead in denying the encroachment on North Korea's sovereignty and still the nation assert that it was a "normal flight of the 'ROK' and the US"."The strategic reconnaissance plane of the US Air Force illegally intruded into the economic water zone of the DPRK side in the East Sea of Korea eight times in the sky above the sea of 435 km east of Thongchon of Kangwon Province~276 km southeast of Uljin of North Kyongsang Province from 515 to 1310 on July 10, to commit an aerial espionage act," Kim Yo Jong said.However, the Pentagon earlier brushed aside Pyongyang's accusations of airspace violations and said the US military had adhered to international law."The United States, as always, remains committed to safely and responsibly flying, sailing, and operating anywhere that international law allows and alongside our allies and partners," Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary said in a media briefing.The US, from time to time, had condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch. Us said that they condemned the destabilizing ballistic missile launches of North Korea, which violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions and pose a grave threat to international peace and security.ANI19 July 2023

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Retired Navy combat veteran Hung Cao, who ran an energetic but unsuccessful campaign last year for a blue-leaning northern Virginia U.S. House seat, has set his sights on the U.S. Senate, announcing Tuesday that he's seeking the 2024 Republican nomination to challenge Democrat Tim Kaine.

A Vietnamese immigrant who spent 25 years in the Navy, including service in combat zones around the world, Cao pledged to be a fighter at a time when he said the country had taken a dark turn.

We are losing our country. You know it. But you also know you cant say it. Were forced to say that wrong is right, he said in a video announcement that took aim at President Joe Biden.

Cao will join an increasingly crowded field of Republican contenders  at least eight other candidates have filed paperwork  aiming to run next year against Kaine, who so far faces no primary opponent.

A fixture in Virginia politics, Kaine announced his plans to seek a third term in January after some speculation he might retire. His decision to run eased his partys worries about the possibility of an open seat. He will be seen as having an edge in the must-win race for Democrats facing a tough Senate map in 2024.

Although Virginia has been trending blue in recent decades, voters elected a slate of Republican statewide officials in 2021.

Kaine, who was Hillary Clintons vice presidential running mate in 2016, has been in public office for nearly three decades, serving as Richmonds mayor and later as the states lieutenant governor and governor. He was first elected to the Senate in 2012 and handily defeated a far-right challenger in 2018.

Cao graduated from the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria before attending the United States Naval Academy. He was commissioned as a special operations officer and went on to serve with SEAL teams and special forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia before retiring at the rank of captain, according to his campaign biography. He also earned a masters degree in physics and attended fellowships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. He lives in Purcellville in northern Virginia with his wife, April, and their five children.

In his campaign announcement, Cao said his family fled Vietnam in the 1970s and spent a few years in Africa before immigrating to the U.S., the most generous country on Earth.

Without mentioning Kaine, Cao pledged to tackle the issues of illegal immigration, the spread of fentanyl and crime destroying our cities and communities while criticizing what he characterized as the politicization of the Justice Department, including the indictment of former President Donald Trump.

I've been all over the world. Believe me when I tell you: If America fails, there's nowhere else to go, he said.

In a statement that highlighted policy positions Cao staked out in his run against Jennifer Wexton, Virginia Democrats called him a failed candidate and anti-choice extremist who is too far right to appeal to the state's electorate. They noted that he celebrated news of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election in an interview with a local news outlet. Cao also expressed opposition to aid for Ukraine in his run last year.

Voters in Virginias 10th Congressional District already rejected Hung Cao in his bid for the U.S. House, and I can assure you hes too extreme for the U.S. Senate," Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker said in a statement.

The statement also said that given the size of the field, Republicans were headed for a messy and brutal primary.

Kaine's campaign announced last week raising over $2 million in the year's second quarter and ending the period with $6.3 million cash on hand  about $5.7 million more than the whole GOP field combined, according to campaign finance records.

Kaine looks forward to running on his record of delivering for hardworking Virginians against anyone that may win the GOP nomination next year, campaign spokesperson Arif Hasan said in a statement Tuesday.
North Korea fires two ballistic missiles after US submarine reaches South Korea, says Seoul

Seoul, July 19: A day after the inaugural session of the US-South Korea security dialogue, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported citing Seoul's military.

North Korea fires two ballistic missiles after US submarine reaches South Korea, says Seoul

The Joint Chiefs of Staff South Korea said that the launches were detected from the Sunan area in Pyongyang between 330 am and 346 am, and they flew some 550 kilometres before splashing into the sea.The JCS condemned the launches as "acts of significant provocation" that harms peace not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community, and as a "clear" violation of UN Security Council resolutions."Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond overwhelmingly to any North Korean provocations," the Yonhap news agency quoted the JCS as saying in a text message sent to reporters.Meanwhile, the missile launch came after South Korea and the United States held the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group in Seoul the previous day to bolster the US' extended deterrence commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to defend its ally.The meeting coincided with the arrival of USS Kentucky at a key naval base in Busan, 320 kilometres southeast of Seoul, marking the first port visit by an American nuclear-capable strategic submarine since USS Robert E. Lee in March 1981.Earlier on June 12, Pyongyang test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on July 12, Yonhap news agency reported.ANI19 July 2023

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Farmers in TN worried as water level dips in dams

Chennai, July 19: The agriculturists in Tamil Nadu are worried over the water level in dams dipping by half. Compared to 2022, the water level in the dams has come down setting alarm bells ringing for the farmers who are in Kuruvai paddy farming.

Farmers in TN worried as water level dips in dams

Manoharan, a farmer in Salem while speaking to IANS said, "The water level in Mettur dam has come down to half when compared to the previous year and in a few days time, there won't be any left in the dam which is affecting our irrigation system and can lead to loss of crops."It is to be noted that on July 18, 2022, the water level in Mettur dam was 94,670 mcft, but on July 18, 2023 it has come down to 36,145 mcft.In Bhavani reservoir the water level on July 18, 2022 was 26,877 mcft but on Wednesday it was only 15,229 mcft.The agrarian activities in western and Delta districts will be mostly affected due to the shortage, and the farmers have kept away from cultivating paddy during the Kuruvai season.Most of the farmers are waiting for the next season to enter into Kuruvai paddy farming. The deficiency of South West monsoon and low inflow from Karnataka is the main reason for the shortage of water in Mettur and Bhavani dams of Tamil Nadu.IANS19 July 2023

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Value "those who easily show love": Anupam Kher

Mumbai, July 19: Veteran actor Anupam Kher has made an appeal to people never to take those who care about you for granted.

Value "those who easily show love": Anupam Kher

The 'A Wednesday' actor took to Instagram and shared a video of himself.He captioned the post, "People who easily show you love, concern or consideration are not desperate. Don't take them for granted. Value them. They are your real assets. Don't let them go! #Love #Value #People"https//www.instagram.com/p/Cu3VDVYoQzT/Anupam can be seen wearing a black t-shirt in the video. Soon after he shared the video, fans took to the comment section."Absolutely amazing. But people take such a person for granted and loose their relationship also. Humanity is very near to extinction," a social media user commented." You always inspire me, thank you ?" another one wrote.The actor is making the best possible use of his social media platform to give his fans advice and raise awareness among people.Taking about Kher's work front, he recently announced his new project in which he will be seen portraying the role of the poet, philosopher, and essayist, Rabindranath Tagore. The makers will announce the name of the film on August 24.Apart from that, he will be next seen in director Anurag Basu's upcoming anthology film 'Metro...In Dino'.The film also stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal and Neena Gupta in pivotal roles and is all set to hit the theatres on March 29, 2024.ANI19 July 2023

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Mari State University Celebrates Convocation Ceremony, Honoring 400 Indian Graduates, Including Ukraine-Returned Students

SRV Media, New Delhi, July 19: Mari State University proudly hosted a convocation ceremony on July 15, 2023, to commemorate the exceptional hard work and achievements of the 400 graduating class of 2023.

Mari State University Celebrates Convocation Ceremony, Honoring 400 Indian Graduates, Including Ukraine-Returned Students

This momentous event held profound significance for the students, marking a significant milestone in their medical journey and creating memories that would forever be etched in their hearts.The convocation ceremony was held at Mari State University in Mari El Republic, Russia and was graced by distinguished individuals, including Professor S.K. Washim, Chairman of Rus Education, and Prof. Shvetsov Mikhail N., the esteemed Rector of Mari State University, alongside the dedicated faculty members. With genuine warmth, they offered their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to each graduating student of the university.The university celebrated the exceptional achievements of each student, recognizing their dedication and hard work throughout their rigorous six-year medical education. The occasion was filled with gratitude as the graduates proudly held their diplomas, as they accomplished their medical degrees as skilled medical professionals from Mari State University.The honorable guests and dignitaries took the stage, sharing their invaluable wisdom and offering precious words of advice to the newly graduated doctors from Mari State University. The event was a magnificent occasion, leaving an everlasting impression in the hearts of the graduates. It was also an occasion filled with immense joy and pride for all those involved in making the dreams of the graduating class of 2023 come true.At the convocation ceremony, the entire university celebrated the academic achievements of its students, who are ready to embark on their real life medical practice worldwide. Among the 400 proud graduates, a notable group included Indian students who had previously returned from Ukraine and later transferred their admission to Mari State University to complete their MBBS degrees.Mari State University is a renowned medical university in Russia, offering MBBS programs to international students, including Indian students. The university is highly regarded for its high-quality medical education, state-of-the-art infrastructure, top-notch facilities, and commitment to providing the best educational experience to students from India and beyond. Presently, Mari State University is hosting almost 2000 Indian students studying MBBS in Russia.Mari State University takes immense pride in its graduating students and wishes them success and fulfillment as they embark on their careers as medical professionals not only in India but across the globe.Indian students looking for admission in Mari State University can get in touch with Rus Education, the exclusive admission partner http//www.ruseducation.in/ANI19 July 2023

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Chennais Largest exclusive seafood company, Freshma plans to launch 4 brand-new stores in Mogappair, OMR, Adayar & Ambattur area

SRV Media, New Delhi, July 19: Freshma, one of the leading omnichannel fresh seafood retailers in South India, has planned to launch 4 new retail outlets in Chennai's Mogappair, OMR, Adayar, and Ambattur neighborhoods.

Chennai's Largest exclusive seafood company, Freshma plans to launch 4 brand-new stores in Mogappair, OMR, Adayar & Ambattur area

In addition to the existing widely popular stores in Gowriwakkam, Anna Nagar, Rajakilpakkam, Egmore and Vadapalani, with the new stores, the Chennai-based D2C brand seeks to increase its market share. The company plans to launch ten plus stores in the following financial year, an ambitious expansion plan followed by the venture's first-rate performance in the last financial year when the brand, under the famous RRK Retail Pvt. Ltd., grossed a whopping 15 crore turnover.What sets Freshma apart from other fish vendors, it offers premium quality fresh fish and seafood at competitive wet market rates but adds to purchase the appeal, cleanliness, and convenience that come with a customer-centric brand. Already, Freshma stores in Chennai witness a jaw-dropping 35,000+ footfall per month. Therefore, with this expansion, the company seeks to bolster its traction further and gear to be a prominent name in the rapidly growing fish market in India, which is expected to grow at a massive 10.5% CAGR between 2021 to 2026 and is projected to be worth INR 2,243 billion by the end of 2026.About the launch of the stores, R. Rajesh Kumar, Managing Director said, "We are thrilled to launch 4 new retail stores. This would amplify our reach to the customers who have shown such immense appreciation for our efforts of bringing to the table 100% chemical-free fish. We reckon that in India there is a massive appeal of touching and feeling the produce before purchasing, and in that regard, the new stores in the popular Chennai zones were much anticipated."Outlining the brand ideology, R. Rajesh Kumar, Managing Director continued, "We are living at a time when while the market is getting flooded with artificial preservatives and stored food, the people are growing more and more health conscious. This means in their choice of fish what they need is a fresh, delectable array of choices but as they are busy with the modern fast-paced life, they need these solutions at their fingertips or at least in the neighborhood. This is where we strive to create value. Cutting out the prices of middlemen, we have set up a strong network of fishermen and farmers who give us access to their select produce. Our solid network allows us to reach consumers at the earliest and at with the best quality."Much like its robust offline sales, the Freshma application launched by the brand in October 2022, is a hit among consumers, as it records over a robust 5000 monthly orders. Moreover, attesting to its popularity, the application clocked, within a short time of its launch, around 50,000 downloads across the Google Play store and Apple Store.The strong online presence of Freshma shows the brand's commitment to serving the ever-busy consumer of the day who while being health conscious about the choice of fish, don't have the time to visit the market to buy fresh seafood. Also, worth noting that online sales of the brand have been rising since its inception in November, 2022. Currently, the seafood company sees a 50-50 sales split between offline and online avenues, which means that the company has strategically remained abreast with the online meat delivery trend, which has grown 2.5-3X since the pandemic.Powering the massive operations of Freshma is the vision of its Managing Director, R. Rajesh Kumar, who leads a robust team of individuals, dedicated to taking the company to greater heights of success. For the coming years as well, the company is poised to continue on its path of excellent service.For more information, please visit- www.Freshma.inTo download the app visit http//www.freshma.in/appsANI19 July 2023

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UAE and TArkiye forge new paths for economic cooperation, sustainable growth

Abu Dhabi, July 19: The UAE and Turkiye are forging ahead with their strong and dynamic partnership, as evidenced by the recent signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement . This landmark agreement opens up new avenues for sustainable growth and economic prosperity, promising numerous trade and investment opportunities for the benefit of both nations.

UAE and TArkiye forge new paths for economic cooperation, sustainable growth

Under the leadership of both countries, the UAE and Turkiye have cultivated close trade and investment ties, aiming to elevate their relations to a broader partnership and drive economic development.The CEPA, signed during a virtual summit in March 2022 with the participation of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye, has been officially ratified by their governments in preparation for its implementation.The UAE-Turkiye CEPA heralds a new era of bilateral cooperation between the two countries that stimulates trade, increases investment flow, and creates joint opportunities in priority sectors.In 2022, non-oil bilateral trade between the two countries surged by 40 per cent, reaching USD 18.9 billion, firmly establishing Turkiye as one of the UAE's top ten trading partners, accounting for over three per cent of the UAE's non-oil foreign trade.Total Emirati investments in Turkiye reached some USD7.8 billion by the end of 2021, spanning several sectors, such as financial services, real estate, transportation, renewable energy, ports and logistical services.With the implementation of the CEPA, customs duties on 82 per cent of goods and products, representing more than 93 per cent of non-oil trade, will be eliminated or reduced. Moreover, the agreement improves market access to Turkiye for UAE exporters, particularly in sectors such as construction, metals, polymers, and other manufactured goods.The CEPA sets ambitious goals for non-oil bilateral trade, aiming to surpass USD 40 billion annually within five years. It also aims to increase Emirati exports to Turkiye by 21.7 per cent, while encouraging investments in key sectors such as logistical services, e-commerce, food security, and renewable energy.Both countries play a pivotal role in facilitating international trade flows as vital economies, fostering regional progress and prosperity while advancing economic relations, including the establishment of multibillion-dollar investment funds and cooperation agreements in critical sectors, such as advanced technologies, logistical services, and partnerships to support the development of emerging e-commerce.The CEPA creates a platform for exporters of goods and services to tap into these markets and the wider region, fostering collaborations and partnerships among small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs from both nations. It positions the region at the centre of international trade, serving as a catalyst and hub for global growth.Prominent Emirati companies with major investments in Turkiye include ADQ Holding, Emirates NBD Bank, Emaar Properties, International Holding Company, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala Investment Company.ANI19 July 2023

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Gujarat to host 69th edition of Filmfare awards in 2024

Gandhinagar, July 19: Filmfare Awards, one of India's esteemed film awards, is making a comeback with its 69th edition to the state of Gujarat.

Gujarat to host 69th edition of Filmfare awards in 2024

Filmfare and Government of Gujarat on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards, set to take place in 2024 in Gujarat.MoU signing ceremony was graced by Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel and Managing Director of Times Group Vineet Jain.Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff will also be present as a celebrity guest. The Guest of Honour for the event will be Minister of Forest and Environment of Gujarat Mulubhai Bera.Traditionally held in Mumbai, the Filmfare Awards will take a detour to Gujarat for the 2024 edition.Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel expressed his excitement on Twitter, announcing that vibrant Gujarat will be hosting the prestigious Filmfare Awards in 2024.IANS19 July 2023

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Fiji, World Bank sign $200mn agreement for tourism program

Suva, July 19: Fiji on Wednesday signed a $200 million agreement with the World Bank to develop the tourism potential of Vanua Levu, the country's second-largest island.

Fiji, World Bank sign $200mn agreement for tourism program

The deal was signed by Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad and World Bank Regional Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Manuela Ferro, Xinhua news agency reported.Prasad, who is also the Finance Minister, said the Fiji Tourism Development Program for Vanua Levu will not only bolster tourism, but lead to the improvement of drainage, sewage and transport infrastructure generally.He added that the project will focus on overcoming barriers and promote sustainable tourism, while emphasising the need for resilient infrastructure, capacity enhancement and effective project management.Ferro said the World Bank-funded program brings together several aspects of development, including economic growth, job creation and its potential to stimulate the broader economy.According to the World Bank, the project is expected to benefit at least 60,000 Fijians through the creation of new jobs and tourism infrastructure investment.The program, approved by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors in June this year, is the first of three projects planned over 10 years to help Fiji deliver its vision for more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism across the country.IANS19 July 2023

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Cambodian King urges citizens to vote in general election

Phnom Penh, July 19: Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Wednesday appealed to all eligible people to exercise their right to vote in the general election which will be held on July 23.

Cambodian King urges citizens to vote in general election

In a message released to the media by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Wednesday, the monarch said people are free to choose any political leaders they like in the election, reports Xinhua news agency."The election on Sunday, July 23, 2023, is a universal, free, fair, equitable and secret one based on the principle of multi-party liberal democracy," Sihamoni said."Therefore, I call on the people not to worry about any threats or intimidation from any person or political party," he added.Eighteen political parties will contest the election for the 125 seats in the National Assembly, the NEC said, adding that more than 9.7 million people are eligible to cast their ballots.In the last general election held five years ago, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen won all 125 seats in the National Assembly.The 69-year-old leader is seeing re-election to further extend his 38-year-old rule.He is the world's longest-serving political leader.IANS19 July 2023

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Google Meet to soon let users create AI-generated background images

San Francisco, July 19: Google has announced that it is testing a new feature in Meet, which allows users to create background images with artificial intelligence .

Google Meet to soon let users create AI-generated background images

The feature is in testing under Workspace Labs, which is a trusted tester program for users to try new AI features by invitation, the company said in a support page.The Workspace Labs program is currently available to trusted testers in US English.The new 'Generate a background' feature is available in Meet for desktop.The tech giant also mentioned that generated images are for use only within Google Meet."Workspace Labs generated images are designed to bring your imagination to life in Meet, and may not represent real world situations," it explained.The company also warned to not provide any personal, confidential or sensitive information while using the feature.To use the new feature, users have to open meet.google.com and select a meeting.Then at the bottom right of the self view, click Apply visual effects- Generate a background.There, users will be able to enter a prompt. For example, "Luxurious living room interior" or "A magical sunny forest glade."Moreover, users will be able to create an AI-generated background image during a meeting.Last month, the tech giant had introduced a new quick action for Meet on web, which allows users to easily access popular features.By hovering the mouse on top of their own video feed, users can access video effects such as immersive backgrounds or fun filters to bring more fun to their meetings and a reframing option to improve their visibility.Users can also turn off the video feed from other participants using the quick action on their video.This can be helpful when users want to focus their meeting view on just the presenter or hide participants with distracting video feeds.IANS19 July 2023

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FALLS CHURCH  Two high-powered salesmen are ready to pitch the Richmond area  and the rest of Virginia  for a surge in private and federal investment in Americas domestic semiconductor chip industry.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., promised on Tuesday to work as a bipartisan team to make Virginia a target of semiconductor chip manufacturers looking to take advantage of a $52 billion federal commitment that Congress and President Joe Biden made a year ago to jumpstart the domestic industry.

There is a power when you get a governor and a senior senator double-teaming to make that case, Warner said after the opening of the CHIPS for Virginia Summit at Northrop Grumman Corp.s headquarters here.

Youngkin is fresh off a trade mission this summer to the Pacific Rim countries that dominate the production of semiconductor chips used in every electronic device. He returned with leads from what he called the next generation of chip manufacturers and their suppliers, who are looking for a safe refuge from the competitive shadow of the Peoples Republic of China.

I was encouraged by my trip, he said, listing stops in Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Virginia is a hugely competitive area for them to go here. I feel confident.

The Richmond area figures prominently in the governors ambitious plans to invest in large sites to make them quickly available for chip manufacturing, research and development, logistical support and other components of a healthy business ecosystem that is a priority for state economic development.

There are some really large sites weve been investing in to get them ready, Youngkin said in a press briefing after he and Warner opened a daylong summit at one of the largest aerospace companies in the U.S., with its own interest in expanding semiconductor chip manufacturing here.

He confirmed two of those sites  the Upper Magnolia Green Technology Park in Chesterfield County and the White Oak Technology Park in eastern Henrico County. Earlier this year, Magnolia Green received a $25 million grant from the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program.

They have been (on the states list), and thats why were investing in them, Youngkin said.

Upper Magnolia Green was a finalist in a high-stakes bid for the $20 billion investment that Intel Corp. announced 18 months ago to build two semiconductor chip factories, which ultimately ended up in Columbus, Ohio. Chesterfield is using the new state grant to design a pad for a semiconductor plant as large as Intels on about 1,000 acres of the 1,700-acre technology park and supply it with necessary public utilities.

We are looking for the big boy, said Garrett Hart, director of the Chesterfield County Economic Development Authority.

White Oak, former home to a Qimonda chip manufacturing plant that closed during the Great Recession, has everything a new manufacturer would need to produce semiconductor chips, including water, electricity and connections to underseas cables that carry enormous amounts of data at high speeds.

White Oak is ready to roll, said Anthony Romanello, executive director of the Henrico Economic Development Authority.

The one thing the technology park lacks is enough land to qualify as a megasite under Virginias site-ready program. Its largest site is 263 acres, which Romanello said positions it for the companies that supply semiconductor chip manufacturers, as well as smaller scale fabrication plants.

There is a whole supply chain that goes along with that industry for which the Richmond area is well-positioned, he said.

Jason El Koubi, president and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, said the Richmond area has the advantage of proximity to Northern Virginia and its technology industry, including the expanding semiconductor chip factory that Micron Technology Inc. operates in Manassas. The region also is home to major universities and a highly educated workforce, one of the priorities of the summit here.

The industry is going to go where talent wants to live and wants to be, El Koubi said before the summit began.

For Warner, a three-term senator and chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the CHIPS + Science Act is critical to revive the U.S. share of the chip market, which has shrunk from 37% to 12%. He also thinks it is vital to U.S. national security in an escalating economic and potentially military confrontation with China.

Increasingly, national security is not just about who has the most tanks, guns, ships and planes, he said. National security is really about who is going to maintain technology dominance in a whole series of domains.

Youngkin, who continues to be mentioned as a potential presidential candidate, also cited Chinas investment in manufacturing semiconductor chips that are critical for military and economic dominance.

We must respond, and we must respond aggressively, he said.

Youngkin is looking to Virginias colleges and universities to develop the skilled work force necessary to revive domestic manufacturing of chips that are vital not only to household electronics but also space launches by Northrop Grumman from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore.

We are answering the call to innovation and it starts with talent, he declared.

As usual, the states lead academic partner is Virginia Tech, which is building a $1 billion innovation campus in Alexandria for graduate education in high-tech fields as part of the states incentive package for landing Amazons $2.5 billion East Coast headquarters in Arlington County in 2018. The package also included state investments in a new technology campus that George Mason University is building in Arlington and a tech-talent pipeline that almost every college and university in Virginia is feeding with undergraduates in high-tech fields.

Virginia Tech also has been leading a collaboration with rival institutions under the Commonwealth Cybersecurity Initiative, launched by the General Assembly in 2018.

For the last decade or so, our universities have worked really well together, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said.

On Tuesday, Virginia Tech and four other universities signed a memorandum of understanding to participate in the Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology, or VAST, which is developing a program for adult learners to learn skills for jobs in the industry. The other participating universities are Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, Norfolk State University and George Mason.

Its about bringing people into the semiconductor industry who arent there now, Sands said, citing the programs emphasis on military veterans and unrepresented communities.

Youngkin, almost midway through his four-year term, said the challenge is urgent because Virginia has lagged in a high-dollar competition with other states for the industry.

The key here is pace, because it is a race, he said. The race is on, and ... I dont like coming in second.

Close PHOTOS: QTS Virginia Data Center QTS Virginia Data Center, a 1.5 million square foot storage center for computer data, is in White Oak Technology Park.
Oleevia Grameen Credits Inaugurates Delhi Regional Office and Dwarka Branch, Expanding Reach and Empowering Individuals

ThePRTree, New Delhi, July 19: Oleevia Grameen Credits, a modern non-banking finance company, celebrated the inauguration of its Delhi Regional Office and Dwarka branch, marking a significant milestone in their mission to empower individuals and transform society. The event took place in Delhi, with esteemed guests and key company representatives in attendance.

Oleevia Grameen Credits Inaugurates Delhi Regional Office and Dwarka Branch, Expanding Reach and Empowering Individuals

The event was also attended by notable personalities.Inaugurated by Arun Kumar Sarma,Chief Guest A Jayakumar, Advocate Arun PandePresidential Address Krishnakumar K T,, Other Guests Veera Madviraj Achari Ceepelli, Prof Sreekesh, Laxmi Narayan Jerlit C O, Dennis, Jagadeeswaran, Mangers from RBL Bank, Abhilash Nagendran, Renjith Arambil, other Oleevia team members were also participated.The opening of the Delhi Regional Office will serve as a coordination center for the company's services in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir. This expansion demonstrates Oleevia Grameen Credits' commitment to reaching individuals across various states and providing them with innovative financial solutions.Oleevia Grameen Credits is dedicated to making everyone self-reliant, offering a range of financial products and services tailored to meet the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Their approach combines innovation, technology, and exceptional customer service to ensure a seamless experience for their clients.With expansion into eight states, Oleevia Grameen Credits is well on its way to realizing its mission of independence and progress for individuals throughout the country. The inauguration of the Delhi Regional Office and Dwaraka branch signifies a significant step forward for Oleevia Grameen Credits, reinforcing their commitment to empowering individuals, revolutionizing finance, and shaping a brighter future for all.Note to editorsPlease visit https//oleeviagrameencredits.com/ for more information about Oleevia Grameen Credits and its range of financial services.ANI19 July 2023

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Annamrita Foundation Extends a Helping Hand to Flood Victims in Palwal District

NewsVoir, Palwal, July 19: In the wake of floods that struck the Palwal district, the Annamrita Foundation, formerly known as ISKCON Food Relief Foundation, sprang into action to aid the flood victims in the worst-affected areas. Acheja village, Mustafabad village in Hasanpur block, Solra and Baghpur villages in Palwal block of the district found themselves inundated by floodwaters, leaving countless families in distress and in dire need of assistance.

Annamrita Foundation Extends a Helping Hand to Flood Victims in Palwal District

Responding promptly to a distress call from the office of City Magistrate Dwiza Gathwal, the Annamrita Foundation's mass meal kitchen, located in Omaxe City, immediately swung into action. Hot and nutritious meals were dispatched to the flood relief centers established at Government School Mustafabad, MVN Convent School Acheja, and Baghpur.Narveer, one of the flood victims, expressed his profound gratitude with tears in his eyes, saying, "You are all angels sent by God. Thank you for all your help." The piping hot cooked meals brought much-needed relief to the hungry and distressed victims, who had to leave their homes submerged in floodwaters.City Magistrate Dwiza Gathwal lauded the Annamrita Foundation's exceptional proactiveness and dedication in providing immediate assistance to those in need. Vice Chairman-North India, Dhananjaya Krishna Das, stated that the Foundation would continue serving the meals free of cost to the flood victims until the local administration advises otherwise."It is not just our duty, but it is the moral principles on which the Annamrita Foundation is built," said Dhananjaya Krishna Das. "We will continue to bring solace to the distressed souls through highly tasty and nutritious meals. Disaster relief is our prime objective, and even beyond Faridabad, our services extend to Ukraine, where ISKCON is selflessly serving the tormented souls. Our endeavor is to quickly settle them and restore peace and happiness."The Annamrita Foundation's swift response and unwavering commitment to assisting flood victims exemplify the organization's dedication to humanitarian causes, and it serves as a beacon of hope for those facing adversity in the region. The Foundation's efforts in Palwal district are a testament to the positive impact they bring to communities in times of crisis.A not-for-profit, non-religious, non-sectarian public charitable trust, Annamrita Foundation formed on April 23, 2004, and under its Haryana chapter is currently serving more than 2,50,000 healthy meals every day in more than 2500 schools of Haryana under mid-day meal scheme since 2007. 45000 students are being fed in Palwal district alone. The foundation serves hot and fresh meals, prepared with the highest standards of hygiene and quality ingredients that meet the nutritional requirements of growing children. The trust is registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950.ANI19 July 2023

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ICC Test Rankings: Rohit Sharma back in top 10, Yashasvi Jaiswal makes maiden appearance

Dubai, July 19: India captain Rohit Sharma returned to the top 10 in the latest ICC Men's Test batting rankings, released on Wednesday, while young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal made his maiden appearance after a stunning century on debut.

ICC Test Rankings: Rohit Sharma back in top 10, Yashasvi Jaiswal makes maiden appearance

Rohit and Jaiswal played pivotal roles in India's comprehensive victory over the West Indies with superb centuries in the opening Test of the two-match ICC World Test Championship series in Dominica.The 36-year old Rohit played a 103 run-knock which helped India captain rise three places and re-enter the top 10 once again, to be rated slightly ahead of compatriot Rishabh Pant (11th) and former skipper Virat Kohli (14th) as the highest-ranked Indian batter.On the other hand, Jaiswal entered the batting rankings in 73rd place following his magnificent innings of 171 from 387 deliveries against the West Indies in what was his first Test for his country.The 21-year-old registered the third-highest score as an India opener on debut and the highest away from home to be adjudged the Player of the Match in his maiden Test appearance.In the bowling chart, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin extended his lead at the top following his 12-wicket haul in the first Test against West Indies. The impressive bowling performance saw Ashwin improve a total of 24 rating points, taking a 56-point lead over Australia captain Pat Cummins in second place.Fellow India spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed five wickets rose three places to seventh overall on the bowler rankings.Meanwhile, the completion of Bangladesh's home series against Afghanistan led to some movement on the latest T20I rankings with star spinner Rashid Khan extending his lead at the top of the list for bowlers despite the fact the right-armer took just one wicket during the two-match series.On the other hand, Bangladesh's experienced all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan climbed eight places on the T20I bowler rankings to equal 16th with Pakistan pacer Shaeen Afridi and fellow left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed rising 17 spots to equal 33rd following their impressive displays with the ball.Stand-in skipper Litton Das rose three places to equal 18th on the batters list, after he scored a total of 53 runs for Bangladesh across the two matches.IANS19 July 2023

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Julius Baer India relocates to state-of-the-art office in New Delhi, reinforcing commitment to growth market

New Delhi, July 19: Julius Baer, the largest foreign wealth management firm in India, is proud to announce its move to a new office at Worldmark 2, Aerocity in New Delhi.

Julius Baer India relocates to state-of-the-art office in New Delhi, reinforcing commitment to growth market

This milestone underscores the firm's five-year transformation strategy, announced in August 2022, which entails investments in people, products, operations, technology, and infrastructure.Strategically positioned in a prime location in New Delhi, the new premise is equipped with cutting-edge energy-saving features with advanced infrastructure, central water points, reduced plastic consumption - all aligning with our unwavering dedication to long-term sustainability.With India poised to become the world's second-largest economy by 2050, Julius Baer is confident of the immense growth opportunities present in wealth management in India. As part of the firm's strategic hub and spoke model, this office functions as a satellite location, continuing to play a crucial role in serving clients in the Delhi NCR region and various locations across North India.Rahul Malhotra, Head Private Banking Global India & Developed Market at Julius Baer, said, "Every day, India welcomes nearly three individuals who join the ultra-high net worth individuals club, with net worth in excess of USD 30 million. As the number of millionaires in the country continues to grow rapidly, Julius Baer India will take this opportunity to extend our footprint. Our move to this cutting-edge office space is testament to our commitment to India and we are focused on delivering best-in-class wealth management solutions to our clients. Our comprehensive range of managed solutions include discretionary portfolio management and wealth planning services to sophisticated clients across North India - a critical market for the firm."Umang Papneja, CEO, Julius Baer India, said, "India's wealth sector is valued at USD $600 billion and growing at a rate of 12 per cent annually, yet only a quarter of this wealth is professionally managed. We are delighted to embark on this new chapter for our firm in India to access this opportunity. Located in a prime district, our new office in New Delhi offers excellent connectivity and enables us to establish even closer connections with our clients. With an expansive layout, the new premises provides an exceptional environment for collaboration, allowing us to come together to deliver an unparalleled and personalised experience to our valued clients. This modern workspace also offers an optimal setting for fostering innovation and creativity, and allows us to work on establishing a new standard of excellence within the wealth management industry."Julius Baer currently employs over 200 professionals and maintains a pan-India network with a presence in seven key cities. The firm aims to double its headcount and triple its assets under management in India within the next five years. To add innovation and diversification to its existing product offerings for High Net-worth Individuals and Ultra High Net-worth Individuals, Julius Baer has recently applied for an Alternate Investment Funds license.Julius Baer is the leading Swiss wealth management group and a premium brand in this global sector, with a focus on servicing and advising sophisticated private clients. In all we do, we are inspired by our purpose creating value beyond wealth. At the end of April 2023, assets under management amounted to CHF 429 billion. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., the renowned Swiss private bank with origins dating back to 1890, is the principal operating company of Julius Baer Group Ltd., whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and are included in the Swiss Leader Index, comprising the 30 largest and most liquid Swiss stocks.Julius Baer is present in around 25 countries and over 60 locations. Headquartered in Zurich, we have offices in key locations including Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Monaco, Mumbai, Santiago de Chile, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Our client-centric approach, our objective advice based on the Julius Baer open product platform, our solid financial base and our entrepreneurial management culture make us the international reference in wealth management.For more information visit our website at www.juliusbaer.com.ANI19 July 2023

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Researchers suggest how diabetes slows healing in the eye

Los Angeles, July 19: For the first time, researchers from Cedars-Sinai have identified two connected disease-associated changes to the cornea that explain how diabetes slows down wound healing in the eye.

Researchers suggest how diabetes slows healing in the eye

The research, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetologia, also discovered three therapeutic routes that may be used to reverse these modifications and partially restore the cornea's capacity to mend wounds. This finding may one day lead to the development of new diabetes treatments."We have found that diabetes induces more cellular changes than we were aware of previously," said Alexander Ljubimov, PhD, director of the Eye Program at Cedars-Sinai's Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and senior author of the paper. "The discovery does not affect gene sequence but entails specific DNA modifications altering gene expression--what are known as epigenetic alterations."More than 37 million people in the United States--11% of the population--have diabetes, a systemic disorder that can result in kidney disease, heart disease, amputation, stroke and nerve damage. Most diabetes drugs are designed to increase glucose tolerance or supply depleted insulin, but do not address molecular and cellular changes or their associated complications.The new research also identifies for the first time an important role of Wnt-5a, a secreted signaling protein investigators found responsible for corneal wound healing and the function of stem cells--cells capable of differentiating into many cell types."Current treatments only address symptoms, so there is an urgent need to understand the molecular mechanisms of diabetes-related wound-healing problems," said Ruchi Shah, PhD, a scientist in Ljubimov's lab and the study's first author. "Understanding of this novel epigenetically regulated wound-healing mechanism could lead to therapeutic treatments that could help patients avoid further long-term ocular health issues."Though much focus of diabetic eye disease is on the retina, up to 70 per cent of diabetes patients suffer from problems of the cornea, the transparent, protective exterior surface of the eye. In advanced diabetes, corneal stem cells become dysfunctional, and the cornea heals more slowly and less completely following an injury or procedures such as cataract surgery and laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy.To identify the epigenetic changes discovered in this study--changes not hard-wired into the genome from birth, but introduced later--Ljubimov and his team compared cells from the corneas from six diabetic patients with those of five healthy donors. They found that in diabetic corneas, the protein product of the WNT5A gene was repressed. Additionally, in diabetic samples, they found an increase in the microRNA that inhibits WNT5A.The team of scientists then induced wounds to corneal cells in culture and corneal organ cultures, and tested three interventions designed to normalize Wnt-5a protein expression. They added the Wnt-5a protein directly; they introduced a DNA methylation inhibitor, originally approved to treat cancer; and they targeted microRNA levels with a novel gene therapy approach using a nanoscale compound. The team developed the compound, which uses synthetic molecules to block the microRNA, as a substitute for a viral gene therapy they found to be toxic to stem cells.All three therapeutic methods, in the diabetic samples, stimulated stem cell marker production and improved tissue regeneration, accelerating wound healing."Novel therapies to reverse epigenetic effects could improve corneal function, and may also prove significant in other diabetic complications," said Clive Svendsen, PhD, director of the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and study co-author. "This work certainly helps move the field forward."Investigators will continue to analyze their data to better understand the mechanisms of WNT5A and other genes related to wound healing. They are also studying a combination therapy to target both microRNA and DNA methylation in hopes that it will more thoroughly normalize wound healing by increasing Wnt-5a protein."Our goal is to develop topical, sustained-release drugs for corneal wound healing," said Ljubimov. "Drugs that are FDA approved and could be easily applied may be one of the most promising approaches for effective future therapies."ANI19 July 2023

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Single-cell atlas created by researchers helps to study kidney disease

California, July 19: What makes some people with an abrupt decline in kidney function develop renal disease while others get better? A recent study co-led by bioengineers at the University of California, San Diego, may provide a detailed insight at the level of individual cells into the underlying factors contributing to these divergent outcomes.

Single-cell atlas created by researchers helps to study kidney disease

The researchers have constructed the largest single-cell atlas of the human kidney to date, mapping both healthy and sick cell states in more than 90 patients. It aims to provide a basis for a better understanding of the development of kidney disease following acute kidney injury, a situation in which the kidneys unexpectedly lose their capacity to filter waste from the blood."We want to understand that progression at the single-cell level," said study co-first author Blue Lake, who conducted this research as a project scientist in the Department of Bioengineering at UC San Diego. "By building an atlas of the different types of cells that make up a healthy kidney, as well as injured and diseased kidneys, we can start to figure out which cell types may be contributing to disease progression. We can get an idea of what changes are happening that cause some injured cell types to repair, and in some cases, transition into a state that can no longer be repaired."The work, published in the journal Nature, was jointly led by the lab of former UC San Diego bioengineering professor Kun Zhang, who is now at San Diego Institute of Science, Altos Labs, and researchers at Washington University, Indiana University, and the University of Michigan.To construct their atlas, the researchers analyzed more than 400,000 cells and nuclei from a broad range of kidney samples from individuals with healthy kidneys, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease.Single-cell and single-nucleus sequencing technologies were used to generate RNA expression and gene expression profiles of the cells. These profiles enabled the researchers to identify 51 different populations of cell types. Using spatial imaging technologies, the researchers were able to map where the different cell types are arranged in the kidney."This is the most comprehensive atlas so far of cell types in the human kidney," said Lake.The researchers also discovered that 28 of these cell types are altered in acute kidney injury.What normally happens when kidney cells get injured is that they enter a repair state in which they make new copies of themselves, as well as release signals that recruit immune cells and fibroblasts, to heal the injured area. Afterwards, they return to their normal cell state.But with the altered cell types, a return to the normal state does not happen, the researchers found. Instead, they get stuck in the repair state. As a result, they continue to recruit more immune cells and fibroblasts. This drives inflammation and fibrosis, which in turn leads to a progression of disease and irreversible reduction of kidney functions."These repair states are normally important for healing but can become maladaptive," said Lake. "If they persist or are constantly being stimulated, that will cause the kidney to continue into a diseased state."The researchers found that these altered cell types, with the so-called "maladaptive repair state," live in two areas of the nephrons, which are the major filtering units of the kidney. The first area is called the proximal tubule, which has been known from previous studies in mice. This new study reveals that a second area in the nephrons, called the thick ascending limb, also houses these altered cell types."We were surprised to see this maladaptive repair state show up in human cells in this other area," said Lake. "We have now identified another area in the kidney that can be associated with disease progression. Hopefully, these insights will lead the way to further developments in the field."The researchers are constructing the next version of their kidney atlas. Their goal is to include data from a more diverse population of patients. Paper title "An atlas of healthy and injured cell states and niches in the human kidney."ANI19 July 2023

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Authorities say a Lebanon man who initially traded photos online with a minor allegedly committed several sex crimes.

Steven Troy Marquardt was jailed over accusations of first-degree online sexual corruption of a minor, second-degree sexual abuse, third-degree sodomy  all felonies  and misdemeanor contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor, according to a Lebanon Police Department news release issued Tuesday, July 18.

Police took Marquardt, 60, to the Linn County Jail on Monday. He was slated for arraignment Tuesday afternoon.

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Lebanon detectives were tipped off about a possible sex crime involving an adult man and a juvenile, according to the news release, which states the victim said he had been chatting online with multiple people and had met up with one in Lebanon.

The crimes allegedly took place in October 2021, according to court documents stating Marquardt used online communication to solicit a child for sexual contact or sexually explicit conduct and offered or agreed to meet with said child.

In the same time frame, Marquardt is accused of engaging in oral sex with the victim, who court documents say was under 16 years old when the crimes allegedly occurred.

Lebanon police had previous contact with Marquardt that was unrelated to the current accusations, the news release states.

The investigation is ongoing. Those with pertinent information should contact Detective Timothy Trahan at 541-258-4318.
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A bright red ribbon was cut on Tuesday, July 18 for the mid-Willamette Valleys first all-adaptive playground.

Close Adults and kids gathered to celebrate the opening of the All-Adaptive Playground at the Mid-Willamette YMCA on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Tatum tries out the new xylophone. just one of the instruments featured on the new adaptive playground. Mckenna, Drew, and Tatum form the first drum circle on the Mid-Willamette YMCA adaptive playground. Kids attending YMCA camps race around the new adaptive playground trying out the new activities. The new tube slide at the YMCA adaptive playground features a skylight for users to peek out at their friends waiting at the bottom. In addition to the adaptive features, the new playground includes obstacle course equipment for those future climbers and gymnasts to work on their skills while having fun. The obstacle course section of the playground encourages players to use their bodies in creative ways to make it across. Tatum rides down the new roller slide, a special slide that provides multisensory experiences that help with early brain development. Kids line up to try part of the obstacle course on the new adaptive playground at the Mid-Willamette YMCA. Mid-Willamette YMCA attendees try out the new tube slide, just one part of the new adaptive playground. Photos: Children explore new adaptive playground in Albany Adults and kids gathered to celebrate the opening of the All-Adaptive Playground at the Mid-Willamette YMCA on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Tatum tries out the new xylophone. just one of the instruments featured on the new adaptive playground. Mckenna, Drew, and Tatum form the first drum circle on the Mid-Willamette YMCA adaptive playground. Kids attending YMCA camps race around the new adaptive playground trying out the new activities. The new tube slide at the YMCA adaptive playground features a skylight for users to peek out at their friends waiting at the bottom. In addition to the adaptive features, the new playground includes obstacle course equipment for those future climbers and gymnasts to work on their skills while having fun. The obstacle course section of the playground encourages players to use their bodies in creative ways to make it across. Tatum rides down the new roller slide, a special slide that provides multisensory experiences that help with early brain development. Kids line up to try part of the obstacle course on the new adaptive playground at the Mid-Willamette YMCA. Mid-Willamette YMCA attendees try out the new tube slide, just one part of the new adaptive playground.

What is an adaptive playground? While there isnt one specific definition, it can be described as a play space in which the design and amenities go beyond specifications required by the Americans with Disabilities Act  the federal law that requires accommodations for those with disabilities and seeks to engage children of all abilities, including those who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

The Mid-Willamette Valley YMCA officially opened its new 7,200-square-foot space for play on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The project was made possible by Republic Services, which awarded a $250,000 grant to the YMCA as part of its National Neighborhood Promise program.

While the adults shook hands, took photos, and, yes, cut the ribbon, the kids went straight to exploring the new playground features, like the merry-go-round, slides and musical instruments.

The adaptive equipment is specially designed to encourage children of all abilities to participate in play. The ground part of this playground was designed with specialty turf meant to cushion falls and absorb sound to better serve children with sensory and mobility concerns.

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The 5-2 decision  handed down on partisan lines  means that an individuals wealth will no longer play a role in whether they are incarcerated while awaiting trial.
While hearing aids and audiological support services did not have any impact on cognitive decline over 3 years in a general population of older adults, treating hearing loss protected against cognitive decline in older adults at greater risk of dementia.

The findings of the first randomised controlled trial (RCT) of its kind involving nearly 1,000 older adults from multiple locations across the USA, published in The Lancet, add to the growing evidence that addressing hearing impairment may be a critically important global public health target for dementia prevention efforts. The study is presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC).

"These results provide compelling evidence that treating hearing loss is a powerful tool to protect cognitive function in later life, and possibly, over the long term, delay a dementia diagnosis," says Professor Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. "But any cognitive benefits of treating age-related hearing loss are likely to vary depending on an individuals' risk of cognitive decline."

Age-related hearing loss is extremely common, affecting two-thirds of adults aged over 60 globally, but less than 1 in 10 individuals with hearing loss in low- and middle-income countries, and fewer than 3 in 10 in high-income countries, currently use hearing aids.

Untreated hearing loss is associated with greater cognitive decline and was estimated by the 2020 Lancet Commission on Dementia to contribute to around 8% of dementia cases worldwideequivalent to 800,000 of the nearly 10 million new cases of dementia diagnosed every year.

Current thinking suggests several ways that untreated hearing loss may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia. Hearing loss can make the brain work harder to the detriment of other mental functions like thinking and memory. Another possibility is that hearing loss causes the ageing brain to shrink more quickly. A third possibility is that hearing loss leads people to be less socially engaged and the reduced stimulation may result in brain atrophy.

While previous observational research suggests that treating hearing loss may protect against cognitive decline and dementia, these studies may be biased because individuals who have the means and choose to get their hearing loss treated may be healthier and at lower risk of cognitive decline than those who don't. As a result, the effectiveness of hearing aid use on reducing cognitive decline in cognitively-healthy older adults with hearing loss remained unclear.

To provide more robust evidence, the ACHIEVE randomised trial included 977 adults aged 70-84 years with untreated hearing loss who were free from substantial cognitive impairment in four communities across the USA.

Participants were recruited from two populations at each site: older adults participating in a longstanding observational study of cardiovascular health (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities [ARIC] study [4]), and new volunteers from the same communities who were generally healthier than participants from ARIC.

Participants were randomised to either a hearing intervention (audiological counselling and hearing aids) or the control intervention involving more generalised counselling on healthy ageing (individual sessions with a health educator covering topics on chronic disease and disability prevention), and were followed-up twice a year over 3 years.

The primary endpoint was 3-year change in a global cognition score from a comprehensive series of tests of executive function, language, and memory completed at the start of the study and then annually. Tests included delayed word recall, incidental learning, logical memory, and digit span backwards among others.

Between January 2018 and October 2019, 977 participants (238 from ARIC and 739 healthy volunteers) were randomly assigned to hearing intervention (490 participants; 120 from ARIC and 370 volunteers) or health education control (487; 118 from ARIC and 369 volunteers).

On average, participants from ARIC were more likely to be older, female, have more risk factors for cognitive decline (e.g., lower education and income, higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, be living alone) and have lower cognition scores at the start of the study than the volunteer cohort. Both cohorts had similar hearing levels at the start of the study.

The primary analysis of the results, combining both the ARIC and volunteer cohorts, found that the hearing intervention did not reduce cognitive decline over timewith no significant difference in cognitive change between those receiving the hearing intervention and the health education control over 3 years (-0.200 vs -0.202 standard deviation units).

The researchers also did a sensitivity analysis (pre-specified in the trial design) to examine the effect of the hearing intervention within the ARIC cohort (who are at greater risk of cognitive decline) and the healthy volunteers.

In the ARIC cohort, 3-year cognitive change was 48% lower in the hearing intervention group than the control group (-0.211 vs -0.402 standard deviation units).

In contrast, in the healthy volunteer cohort (who had fewer risk factors for cognitive decline and a much slower rate of cognitive decline), 3-year cognitive change did not differ significantly between the hearing intervention and control groups (-0.213 vs -0.151 standard deviation units).

No significant adverse events were reported in either group.

"Although our primary analysis of the combined ARIC and health volunteer cohorts did not find a difference in cognitive decline for those using hearing aids, when we did sensitivity analyses to test its robustness there was clear evidence indicating a significant benefit for older adults in the ARIC cohort who had more risk factors for cognitive decline," says Professor Lin.

He continues, "Despite similar levels of hearing at the start of the study, it's likely that volunteers in the healthier cohort experienced slower rates of cognitive change than ARIC participants because they tended to be younger, had fewer risk factors for cognitive decline, and had better initial cognitive scores. This much slower rate of cognitive decline may have limited any effect of hearing aids in further reducing this decline over the relatively short 3-year follow-up."

We eagerly await the follow-up of ACHIEVE that is currently underway to examine the longer-term effects of hearing aids on cognition in populations at lower risk of dementia. Further analyses of MRI and social engagement data will also improve our understanding of the ways in which hearing aids may help delay cognitive decline." Marilyn Albert, Co-Author, Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA

The study provides the first RCT-level evidence to support treating hearing loss to reduce cognitive decline in older at-risk adults, confirming conclusions by the 2020 Lancet Commission on Dementia and the 2022 United States National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease that called for treating age-related hearing loss to supplement existing national dementia risk reduction strategies.

Despite the important findings, the authors note some limitations including that participants and researchers could not be masked to the intervention, which could potentially bias the results, and that two of the 10 neurocognitive tests contained only auditory stimuli, so individuals receiving the health education control with untreated hearing loss could potentially perform more poorly on these tests.

Writing in a linked Comment, Professor Gill Livingston from University College London, UK (who was not involved in the study) says, "We also need long-term follow-up of ACHIEVE to see if the hearing intervention results in cognitive differences over time, particularly in healthy volunteers. Finally, we urgently need more trials in other settings, using the lessons learnt about the need to focus on purposively sampled populations at high risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Overall, the findings from this study are hopeful. Hearing aids could really make a difference for populations at risk of dementia."
Eighty percent of older adults see the benefit of tests that can give an early warning that a person's memory and thinking abilities have started to decline, a new poll of people age 65 to 80 finds. And 60% think that health care providers should offer cognitive screening, in the form of brief memory tests, to all older adults every year.

If they had a cognitive screening test and it showed signs of trouble, the vast majority of those polled said it would spur them to take action to protect their brain health (96%) and adjust their financial and health care planning (75%).

Even so, 80% of older adults said they haven't had a cognitive test in the past year to look for early signs of Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia, and 59% reported never having had such a screening. Medicare covers brief tests as part of an annual wellness visit available to everyone enrolled, and more comprehensive tests for those with symptoms of cognitive decline.

The findings, from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, are published simultaneously in a new report and a pair of research presentations at the 2023 Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Amsterdam. The poll is based at the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and supported by AARP and Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan's academic medical center.

In addition to cognitive screening, the poll team also asked adults aged 65 to 80 what they knew and thought about blood tests that can help detect Alzheimer's disease by looking for biomarkers of the brain proteins tau and amyloid.

Only 17% said they were familiar with such blood tests, less than 1% had had one, and 9% said they would like one now. Currently, only doctors who specialize in brain diseases order such tests for people with objective cognitive impairment, but some experts believe they could become useful for screening or early-stage detection of Alzheimer's disease. Half of those polled said such blood tests should be made available to all adults over 65.

As many as half of Americans with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia don't receive a formal diagnosis, even when they have clear symptoms. As more diagnostic and treatment options become available, it's important to understand how older adults view them and how best to support those who undergo testing and receive results." J. Scott Roberts, Ph.D., associate director of the poll

Roberts, a geropsychologist, is a professor at the U-M School of Public Health and leads outreach and education efforts at the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The findings come soon after Medicare laid out its plan for covering new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that may slow cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer's disease. One of those drugs received approval through the traditional route, which is required by Medicare, earlier this month.

In addition, growing research shows the power of blood pressure control, physical activity, social connection and other factors in reducing risk for cognitive decline in older adults.

Although these options may not work for everyone, only 17% of older adults said cognitive screening wasn't worth it until more treatment or prevention options are available. For blood tests, 20% said the same.

The role of doctors, nurses, and other health care providers in early detection of cognitive problems is key, the poll finds.

"Our findings suggest that more than 80% of older adults look to their health care providers for cognitive screening or blood biomarker testing if they feel it's appropriate," said poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., an associate professor of internal medicine at Michigan Medicine and physician and researcher at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. "That expectation, coupled with the growing availability of options after diagnosis of cognitive impairment, supports the current recommendation that providers should be assessing patients at higher risk or with signs of cognitive decline."

He notes that current guidelines for cognitive screening focus on those with symptoms or added risk factors; this recommendation encompasses the kind of screening that involves giving a person a brief set of standardized tasks to test their memory and thinking skills, such as remembering a short list of common words or drawing a complex figure.

Differences in testing

Women were more likely than men to say that they would experience significant distress if a cognitive screening test or blood biomarker test suggested they had early signs of dementia. Overall, about 60% of older adults said they would feel such distress in response to a positive result on either type of testing.

Another disparity seen in the poll data: only 10% of older adults of Hispanic ethnicity reported having received cognitive screening in the past year, compared with 22% of non-Hispanic white respondents and 21% of non-Hispanic Black respondents.

Chelsea Cox, M.P.H., M.S.W., a doctoral student training with Roberts, is presenting additional findings at the meeting in Amsterdam. An in-depth analysis of the poll results found adults aged 65-80 were more likely to report cognitive screening if they were of older age, had higher levels of education, reported being in poorer physical health, had Medicare Advantage coverage (compared to traditional Medicare), and had more positive views in general about screening.

Taken together, these poll findings suggest a need to explore barriers to, and facilitators of, cognitive testing in diverse groups of older adults. One opportunity is to improve awareness of and access to Medicare annual wellness visits, for which detection of cognitive impairment is a required component.

"Everyone should have access to cognitive testing as they age," said Sarah Lenz Lock, senior vice president of Policy and Brain Health at AARP and executive director of the Global Council on Brain Health. "The bottom line is that if we want to improve brain health for all, we have to pay attention to the needs of those at greatest risk of poor health and address barriers that stand in the way."

The poll report is based on findings from a nationally representative survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for IHPI and administered online and via phone in March 2023 among 1,242 adults aged 65 to 80. The sample was subsequently weighted to reflect the U.S. population.
As molecular biologists at Boston University and as husband and wife, Ruslan Afasizhev and Inna Afasizheva, have worked together for decades. Together, they have published dozens of papers on the mechanics of mitochondrial DNA and RNA in a single-celled, disease-causing parasite called Trypanosoma brucei. Now, years of breakthroughs have led to their latest paper published in Science, which provides a detailed look at a mystifying process called RNA editing and could potentially help treat a deadly disease.

In their newest paper, Afasizhev and Afasizheva-;along with collaborators at UCLA, University of California, Irvine (UCI), and ShanghaiTech University-;are the first to determine the architecture of the molecular machines that harbor gRNA strands and allow those strands to engage mRNA. Identifying these cellular mechanisms could give scientists essential information for treating African sleeping sickness, the disease caused by Trypanosoma. Spread by tsetse flies that harbor the parasite, African sleeping sickness is usually fatal, and many of the available treatments have safety concerns, making molecular studies particularly important for drug development.

Now we can start more broader research. Since now we know exactly how proteins interact with RNA." Afasizheva, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine associate professor of molecular and cell biology

"If we find a way to inhibit the editing process, we can kill the parasite without harming human cells," says Afasizhev, who is also a professor of biochemistry at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and corresponding author on the paper.

RNA research has evolved and advanced tremendously-;and so has the technology to study the inside of cells. Today, the couple's team uses cryo-electron microscopy and molecular approaches to provide a detailed understanding of RNA editing. Using this technology, their latest study found that a protein complex called the editosome is responsible for orchestrating changes guided by gRNA, which happen as a cascade of insertions and deletions of uridine, a chemical component of RNA. In Trypanosoma, RNA editing serves an important purpose: fixing a broken gene. Mutations in DNA are very common in the parasite, so even though the genetic code is unreadable, the edited mRNA becomes a functional part of the cell.

RNA editing regulates many cellular processes in nearly all organisms that have cells with a nucleus and mitochondria. But, Afasizhev says, the RNA editing mechanisms in different organisms have nothing in common, meaning those mechanisms evolved for different purposes specific to different species. This is what makes the RNA editing mechanisms of Trypanosomes an attractive therapeutic target for stopping the parasite from causing disease, since it won't interfere with human cells. Now that they know the protein structures unique to RNA editing in Trypanosomes, the next phase of their research is identifying the enzymes that ignite the reactions in the cell.

"The next question is how these reactions happen, how these enzymes come to the substrate, and how they create the magnificent work to change the RNA sequence," Afasizheva says.

She and Afasizhev hope to bring in more students to their lab who can embrace the technological advances in their field, and continue to solve this complicated puzzle, just as they have.
In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers characterized the immunogenicity and safety of poxvirus-based Nipah vaccines that can be used in humans and species responsible for Nipah virus (NiV) transmission.

Study: Immunogenicity of poxvirus-based vaccines against Nipah virus. Image Credit: KaterynaKon/Shutterstock.com

Background

NiV, a novel zoonotic disease in Southeast Asia, spreads from fruit bats to individuals, triggering catastrophic outbreaks. Infected bats can spread the virus to humans, horses, pigs, dogs, and cats, among other species. Infections in humans range from asymptomatic to deadly encephalitis and serious respiratory illness.

Supportive therapy and ribavirin treatment have lowered mortality in the lack of any commercially accessible NiV vaccine. Nipah virus is a priority pathogenic organism, prompting vaccine development.

Recombinant viral vectors, subunit vaccines, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), and virus-like particles (VLP) platforms are examples of existing vaccine techniques that are primarily concerned with safeguarding the well-being of humans and lack a One Health-based vaccination approach.

About the study

In the present study, researchers evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the raccoon pox (RCN)-FG and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA)-FG vaccines that express the fusion protein (F) and glycoprotein (G) of the Nipah virus simultaneously.

AJ and BALB/c mice were vaccinated with RCN-FG and MVA-FG vaccines, respectively, to characterize the expression of the recombinant viral organisms in vitro and quantify their immune responses. A booster vaccine was administered after four weeks of the prime vaccine.

Three weeks post-booster dose, murine sera were obtained, and a week later, lung and spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were obtained.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and neutralization assays were performed to assess humoral responses, and flow cytometry and ELISpot interferon-gamma (IFN), interleukin-2 (IL2), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) assays were performed to assess cell-mediated responses.

In addition, immunofluorescence analysis was performed to determine the cellular localization and evaluate the fusion protein and glycoprotein expression in RCN-FG- and MVA-FG-infected cells, confirmed by Western blot analysis.

Mice were vaccinated subcutaneously (SC, one or two doses) and intranasally (IN, one dose) to evaluate immunogenicity. Baby hamster renal cells (BHK-21), chicken embryonic fibroblast cells (CEF), Cercopithecus aethiops (African green monkey) renal epithelium cells (Vero), and American-type culture collections (ATCC) cells were used for the cell culture experiments.

The MVA expression cassette comprised the fusion protein and glycoprotein sequences of the Nipah virus strain isolated from Bangladesh in 2004 (NiV B ), and the RCN gene cassette comprised the fusion protein and glycoprotein sequences of the Nipah virus strain which was isolated during the 2018 outbreak in India.

The fusion protein and glycoprotein were combined with the human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), respectively. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for each expression cassette was utilized to produce the recombinant viruses.

Results

Neither of the recombinant vaccines induced significant clinical signs of infection or weight loss while generating high circulating neutralizing antibodies and pulmonary IgA and IgG responses.

The MVA vaccine induced tissue-resident and effector memory (T EM ) cluster of differentiation 8+ (CD8+) T lymphocytes in splenocytes and lungs in high amounts, with central memory (T CM ) CD8+ T lymphocyte expression in the lungs.

The RCN vaccine generated tissue-resident (IN) and effector memory (SC) CD8+ T lymphocytes in splenocytes and tissue-residing (IN) CD8+ T lymphocytes in pulmonary tissues. The fusion protein was detected in permeabilized and non-permeabilized MVA-FG-infected CEF cells, whereas the glycoprotein was detected intracellularly in MVA-FG-infected cells.

The fusion protein and glycoprotein were detected on the cell surfaces and intracellularly for the raccoon pox virus. The IN group consistently induced higher anti-F antibody titers at all time points (weeks 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0) than the other groups.

Anti-G titers induced in the murine animals vaccinated with the recombinant vaccines were higher than anti-F titers. No anti-F antibodies were detected in the respiratory tissues of MVA-FG IN-vaccinated animals.

MVA-FG produced the greatest number of circulating antibodies when delivered SC; however, IN produced the greatest morphological expression of effector, tissue-resident, and central CD8+ T lymphocytes in both lung cells and splenocytes.

The raccoon pox vaccine elicited effector and tissue-resident CD8+ T lymphocytes in lung cells and splenocytes through In and SC routes, confirming oral immunization as a method of stimulating the immune system with this vaccine.

Conclusions

Based on the study findings, the poxvirus-based vaccines employed to transport the NiV fusion protein and glycoprotein were both effective and safe.

The findings established RCN-FG and MVA-FG viral vectors as promising vaccine candidates for protecting humans, domesticated animals, and wild animals and attenuating the global hazard of Nipah virus infections.

The RCN-FG vaccine is a potential wildlife vaccination against the Nipah virus in pigs and bats to reduce NiV transmission from wild animals to humans and prevent economic turmoil caused due to swine exports to regions lacking competent host reservoirs.

By having the capacity to immunize both animals and humans, MVA-FG is a possible One-Health vaccine option and opens the path to disease elimination.
Megan Dunn, who has struggled with addiction since her teens, points to the moment her life went "deeply downhill."

After dropping out of high school, she gave birth at age 19 to a son she named Preston. Six weeks later, Dunn said, he died of sudden infant death syndrome.

"From then on, I went into this, like, PTSD, depression," said Dunn, now 28.

Shortly after the baby's death, Dunn said, she started using pain pills again. Eventually, she said, she was arrested on charges related to her illicit drug use, such as trespassing. She said she has had more than 30 stays in Walker County's jail, a brick building in downtown Jasper. And each time, Dunn said, she was forced into drug withdrawal in her cell without medical care.

"I was literally praying to God to end me," Dunn said about the pain and despair she felt.

People with drug addictions fill U.S. jails and are often left to endure withdrawal in concrete cells rather than in medical facilities. That's especially true in Alabama, which has some of the toughest drug laws in the country. More than 5,000 people were arrested in Alabama on drug charges in 2021, and more than 90% of those were for possessing drugs rather than selling them, according to state data.

Dunn survived her stay in a holding cell in Walker County's jail that's known, she said, as the "drunk tank," a concrete room that lacks water, a bed, or a toilet. Others have not.

In January, Anthony Mitchell, 33, allegedly froze to death after spending 14 days in the tank, according to a federal lawsuit his family filed in February against Sheriff Nick Smith, his deputies, and other jail employees.

Mitchell had "spiraled into worsening drug addiction," the lawsuit said, and his cousin called 911 to send an ambulance to his home because Mitchell "appeared to be having a mental breakdown." Instead, sheriff's deputies arrived and then a SWAT team, the lawsuit said. On Facebook, the sheriff's office posted that "Mitchell brandished a handgun" and, from the scene, a deputy published a photo of his arrest, the suit said.

In jail, Mitchell was "denied access to medical treatment," the suit said, citing video footage from the jail, and he died in custody. His death has sparked a debate in Walker County about the treatment by law enforcement of people with addiction and mental illness.

Crime and punishment: 'People are scared to say "I need help"'

Walker County, nestled in northwestern Alabama's Appalachian foothills and dotted with coal mines, has one of the nation's highest nonfatal overdose rates. The county was among the communities that pharmaceutical companies flooded with millions of pain pills in the 2000s. Addiction rates soared. Over time, people moved on to illicit drugs.

Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, first elected in 2018, campaigned to keep his job in last year's election, in which he was unopposed, by saying he'd "confronted the drug epidemic head on" by "taking criminals off the streets and putting them in jail where they belong."

He also touted his drug arrests in a paid political announcement published in 2021 in the Daily Mountain Eagle, a newspaper in Jasper. He has deployed resources to boost the number of narcotics officers from two to five, and his staff has made about 2,500 drug arrests to date, Smith told KFF Health News.

Smith also said that his office helps people with addiction. It gives people a list of treatment resources when they're released, he said, and has doubled medical supervision in the jail from eight to 16 hours a day.

Drug possession and distribution, Smith said, are crimes he's tasked with enforcing. "We are going to do our job," he said. With so many people addicted to illegal drugs in Walker County, the power of the sheriff's office and threat of arrest loom large.

"People are scared to say 'I need help,'" said Kayse Brown, who added that she faced down her own addiction and then became a certified peer support specialist to help others.

According to the lawsuit, a sheriff's deputy allegedly told Mitchell's cousin words to the effect of: "We're going to detox him and then we'll see how much of his brain is left." No one checked his vitals or gave him the medication he needed, the lawsuit said. Within days, Mitchell was without a mat or blanket and "had to lie naked on the bare concrete floor," the suit said.

When Mitchell arrived at Walker Baptist Medical Center two weeks after his arrest, his internal body temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the lawsuit said. That's more than 20 degrees below what is considered "dangerously low," according to the Mayo Clinic.

In response to the lawsuit, Smith and other defendants said that Mitchell was a "drug addict" who was "arrested in a psychotic and delusional state." Court records show they don't dispute what doctors reported about Mitchell's condition in the medical records. But they deny most of the lawsuit's other claims, including any liability for Mitchell's death. They asked that the lawsuit be halted while the FBI and the state of Alabama consider filing criminal charges in the case, according to court records. A judge denied the request in June.

After Mitchell's death, community activists called for Smith's resignation, circulating a petition that has more than 4,000 signatures. Ryan Cagle, a pastor who started the petition, said the sheriff's office doesn't see addiction as a chronic condition. Instead, Cagle said, its officials shame people who use drugs by posting their mug shots and arrest details on Facebook.

"The people who are elected, the people who have the power, they do not see people suffering under substance abuse as human or worthy of dignity," said Cagle, who runs a food pantry. Cagle's brother is married to Brown. His father dealt with addiction, and earlier this year he lost a 20-year-old cousin to an overdose.

Smith wouldn't comment on the Mitchell case because of the pending lawsuit and said that Dunn's experiences happened before he took office. But, he said, "the burden of mental health is put on every sheriff in Alabama." The shortage of mental health treatment and lack of early intervention means people who need help land in jail instead. In one case, he said, a person with mental health disorders faced an 18-month waiting list for space to open at the secure medical facility in Tuscaloosa.

Systemic change is not easy

Walker County's challenges are indicative of those faced across the country. People with addictions often end up incarcerated, and Stephen Taylor, a Birmingham-based doctor and president-elect of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, points to a failure of the public health system to create a sustainable and robust addiction care infrastructure.

"We know what to do to treat addiction," Taylor said in written testimony to a Senate subcommittee in May. But systemic change and disruption of the status quo is "exceptionally difficult," he acknowledged.

Sources inside the system say that more than half of the people placed on the Alabama Department of Mental Health's waiting list for residential substance abuse treatment either die, drop off the list, or end up incarcerated, according to a 2020 report from the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, an advocacy group that says the state's "prison system is broken."

In Walker County, at least 2,800 people with a substance use disorder are not receiving treatment and existing treatment is limited, according to a September 2019 assessment conducted through a federally funded planning grant that helps rural communities respond to opioid overdoses.

Though treatment options are growing in the area, there are not enough to meet demand, some local recovery experts said. For example, the number of peer support specialists  those in recovery who are state-certified to help people before, during, and after treatment  increased to nine in 2022 from one in 2018, according to the Healing Network of Walker County, a group that organizes mental health and substance use-related resources in the county. A handful of providers offer medication-assisted treatment, including buprenorphine, which provides relief from severe symptoms of opioid withdrawal and, over time, reduces opioid cravings. A program now exists to help pregnant and parenting women experiencing addiction.

The need for more treatment services is especially acute in Alabama, one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, which has provided insurance coverage to people with substance use disorders in other states.

"We operate the whole addiction system in a crisis mode, as opposed to looking at it over the long term," said Regina LaBelle, director of the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative at Georgetown University. Law enforcement officials with no health care training exercise almost total authority over the lives of inmates with addiction, and they are more likely to view substance abuse as a crime to be punished than a health crisis to be treated, say academic researchers, reform advocates, and formerly incarcerated people.

"Right now, our system is still so focused on punishing people," said Leah Nelson, research director at Alabama Appleseed.

Dunn said she felt continually harassed by law enforcement officials because she was known to be a drug user. Because she once missed the jail's 4:30 a.m. breakfast call, she said, she was put in the same "drunk tank" where Mitchell spent his final days.

Smith said that he's exploring the idea of treating people with addiction in Walker County's jail with medications, but that the final decision rests with the county commission. Even though some people in county leadership disagree with the idea of treating people at the jail, "we're at the point where all options are on the table," he said.

"That is huge for Walker County," said Nicole Walden, an associate commissioner at the Alabama Department of Mental Health. She has had initial conversations with the Walker County Sheriff's Office about the idea. "The stigma around substance use, in the South, it is a lot worse. Alabama is very much a law-and-order state."

Fewer than a fifth of U.S. jails, and just 13% in the South, start people on medications to treat opioid use withdrawal, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report published in April. Only one Alabama jail currently offers medication-assisted treatment, Walden said.

Dunn checked into residential treatment outside the county about six times. Each time she relapsed. Eventually, after missing court dates and once trying to escape from jail, Dunn ended up in prison for nearly two years, where, she said, "drugs were everywhere."

The long road to recovery

Nationally, police arrested more than a million people for drug possession in 2020. U.S. courts and police departments tasked with treating addiction have mixed results.

"Jails are not the most ideal place to treat them, but it's the reality of where they end up," said Andrew Klein, senior scientist for criminal justice at Advocates for Human Potential, a social services advocacy organization.

The Walker County Sheriff's Office runs a program to help people find treatment. But it's limited to those without an outstanding arrest warrant and with no more than two drug convictions, so few residents who are in need qualify. In its first two years, 20 people completed some sort of addiction treatment, according to the September 2019 assessment.

Nikki Warren benefited from the county drug court program, which requires participants to take drug tests and pay thousands of dollars in fees. Warren joined the program at the recommendation of a judge. She was arrested in 2018 after she blacked out when she mistakenly took fentanyl instead of heroin.

"I needed that wake-up call," said Warren, who is now an outreach supervisor at Recovery Organization of Support Specialists. After completing the program, her charges were dismissed, she said.

Dunn said the drug court program was "too hard." But she was released from prison 3 years ago determined to change her life. She recalled thinking to herself, "Dang, girl, all them years that I wasted."

She spends time reading the Bible and singing, she said, but has struggled to find stable footing. She has lost several friends to overdoses, she said. Dunn said she would like to see a counselor but is uninsured. She relapsed for about a week this year, she said. She wants to work, perhaps at the front desk of a factory, but she goes to job interviews with a felony record and no high school diploma.

"Here I am  I quit school, my baby is dead," Dunn said. She feels she is still being punished by the system. "I'm not perfect," she said. But "they don't give us a chance."

Kara Nelson of KFF Health News contributed to this report.
Hyundai, the renowned South Korean automotive giant, is making significant strides in the development of the India-specific version of the highly anticipated Creta facelift.

Excitement among automotive enthusiasts has peaked as recent sightings of test mules provide a sneak peek into the rear profile of this mid-size SUV. The latest spy shots not only showcase the stunning design of the facelifted model but also shed light on additional captivating details.

Although the test mule was carefully camouflaged, some notable hints emerged regarding the lighting design. The spy images suggest that the Creta facelift may draw inspiration from Hyundais recently launched Exter crossover and the upcoming Santa Fe. It is expected that both the front and rear lighting will undergo redesigns. The LED DRLs at the front appear to be influenced by Hyundais flagship SUV, the Palisade, while the headlamp housing has been reoriented vertically, indicating a fresh visual approach.

Additionally, the 2024 Creta facelift is probably going to get new alloy wheels with a fresh design, possibly keeping the existing models multi-spoke pattern. This will add to the side profiles aesthetic appeal. Moving to the rear, it is anticipated that the tail lamp design will receive updates, taking cues from Hyundais latest design language, including the connected lamp concept seen in cars like the Venue.

Inside the cabin, the Creta facelift is expected to offer a revamped dashboard with a range of new features compared to the current model. It may feature the 10.25-inch touchscreen instrument cluster from the Alcazar and is likely to incorporate advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features to compete with rivals like the Honda Elevate, MG Astor and Kia Seltos facelift.

In terms of powertrain options, the 2024 Hyundai Creta facelift is anticipated to offer the same engines as the updated Kia Seltos. It is expected to retain the 115hp, 1.5-liter petrol engine and the 116hp, 1.5-liter diesel engine.

Earlier in 2020, the second-generation Creta was launched in India and later in 2021, it received a facelift for international markets. However, that facelift did not make its way to the Indian market. Now, Hyundai is working on a fresh design for the Creta facelift, incorporating cues from the Palisade.

According to AutoCar India sources, Hyundai plans to commence production of the Creta facelift at its Chennai facility in January 2024, with a market launch expected in February.
Tata Group boasts a vast array of successful businesses, one of which is Tata CLiQ, an online brand under Tata Digital. Through Tata CLiQ, numerous luxury brands have been introduced to the Indian market. Recently, the brand appointed Gopal Asthana as its chief executive officer (CEO).

Prior to leading Tata CLiQ, Gopal Asthana held the position of chief business officer at Nykaa, a competing company in the Tata fashion brands domain, led by entrepreneur Falguni Nayar.

Additionally, Asthanas experience extends to retail fashion brands, as he spent over two decades at the retail giant Shoppers Stop, starting as a category head in 1998 and eventually becoming the executive vice president before stepping down in 2019.

Tata CLiQ operates under the umbrella of Tata Digital, which oversees other digital stores like Croma, Big Basket, Tata Neu, and more, as part of the multi-billion dollar company.

Tata CLiQ is not limited to Indian brands and Tatas own Westside clothing and accessories. It has also ventured into selling major foreign luxury brands online in India, offering significant discounts on luxury items to the customers.

Some of the luxury foreign brands available on Tata CLiQ include Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Ray Ban, Yves Saint Laurent, Dyson, and Tissot, all of which are well-established multi-crore and ultra-expensive companies.

Reportedly, Tata CLiQ achieved substantial revenue growth in the previous financial year, experiencing an overall growth of 137 percent. The brands total revenue exceeded Rs 844 crore in FY 2021-22.

Moreover, Gopal Asthana has a long association in the fashion retail industry, possessing more than 20 years of experience in the field. His expertise includes strategic buying, merchandising planning, assessing fashion trends, budget management, and forecasting. He is also skilled in selecting quality vendor partners and effectively reviewing and monitoring pricing, merchandise mix, and inventory planning.
Inoperative PAN ITR Filing: The Income Tax department on Tuesday provided clarification in response to concerns raised by PAN (Permanent Account Number) holders, whose PANs have been rendered inoperative due to non-linking of PAN with Aadhaar. Also, it explained the issues of specific Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) regarding the inoperability of their PAN cards. The department also clarified on the inoperative PAN card and its impact on filing income tax return (ITR).

Concerns have been raised by certain NRIs/ OCIs regarding their PANs becoming inoperative, although they are exempted from linking their PAN with Aadhaar. Further, PAN holders, whose PANs have been rendered inoperative due to non-linking of PAN with Aadhaar, have expressed concern over certain consequences of PAN becoming inoperative," IT department said in a tweet.

Also Read: Missed PAN-Aadhaar Link Deadline? Dont Panic! Heres Your Next Move

The last date to link PAN with Aadhaar was June 30, 2023. If you have not linked your PAN with Aadhaar by this date, your PAN has become inoperative from July 1. This means that you will not be able to use your PAN for certain financial transactions.

Inoperative PAN And Filing ITR | Inoperative PAN Is Not Inactive PAN

The IT department said that it is clarified that an inoperative PAN is not an inactive PAN. One may file the income tax return, irrespective of PAN becoming inoperative. However, it added that the consequences of inoperative PAN would still apply;

Pending refunds and interest on such refunds will not be issued to inoperative PANs.

TDS will be required to be deducted at a higher rate for inoperative PANs in accordance with section 206AA.

TCS will be required to be collected at a higher rate for inoperative PANs in accordance with section 206CC.

On the concerns raised by NRIs/OCIs, the department said, concerns have been raised by certain NRIs/ OCIs regarding their PANs becoming inoperative, although they are exempted from linking their PAN with Aadhaar."

Also Read: Aadhaar-PAN Linking Not Mandatory For These Individuals, Check Details Here

It added that the department has mapped the residential status of NRIs in case they have filed the ITR in any of the last 3 AYs or they have intimated their residential status to the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO). The PANs have been rendered inoperative, in case any one of the above-mentioned criteria is not met.

The NRIs whose PANs are inoperative are requested to intimate their residential status to their respective JAO along with supporting documents with a request to update their residential status in the PAN database.

Details of JAO can be found at - https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/pre-login/knowYourAO

The department added that the PANs of OCIs/foreign citizens, who may have applied for PAN under resident status and have not corrected/updated their residential status to the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) or have not filed ITR in any of the last 3 AYs, have been rendered inoperative.

The OCIs/foreign citizens are requested to intimate their residential status to their respective JAO along with supporting documents with a request to update their residential status in the PAN database.

PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number that is issued by the Income Tax Department of India to individuals, firms, and companies.
U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Happy Valley, has raised over $1.4 million for her 2024 reelection bid for the seat she flipped from Democrats two years ago, helping cement the narrow GOP majority in the U.S. House.

Friday's deadline for U.S. House candidates to file a quarterly campaign financing report shows the six incumbents seeking reelection are well ahead of primary challengers, most of whom are yet to get into the race. The four Democrats and two Republicans have a combined $3.87 million in the bank halfway through 2023.

The May 17 primary next year is over 300 days away and the general election is more than 475 days in the future.

The quarterly reports were an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to tout their fundraising prowess, while getting in slam shots at potential opponents in the 2024 election.

Nowhere is that more true than in the 5th Congressional District, which runs from Portland over the Cascades to Bend and includes Linn County. Created by Democratic mapmakers in the Oregon Legislature as part of a plan they hoped would result in their party winning five of six U.S. House seats, it was cobbled together with precincts that had voted for Joe Biden in 2020 over Donald Trump by eight points.

Chavez-DeRemer flipped the Democratic-held seat in 2022, helping the GOP to a 222-213 majority in the U.S. House. The election broke the Democratic control of the White House, Senate and U.S. House resulting from the 2020 election.

'Torrent' of GOP money

Republicans are filling Chavez-DeRemer's re-election campaign coffers as a bulwark against any Democratic attempt to flip the seat back to their column.

Chavez-DeRemer's Federal Elections Commission report shows she's raised more than $1.4 million in the first six months of 2023. But the incumbent is also spending heavily  $450,765.47 since Jan. 1. The campaign reports it has $387,997.12 in unpaid debt, but also $972,133.04 in the bank.

Nick Trainer, a Washington, D.C. political strategist and former White House aide to President Donald Trump, is a senior advisor for Chavez-DeRemer's re-election campaign. In a statement late last week, he suggested the "fundraising torrent with massive Q2 numbers" would be built while Democrats fought each other in the May 2024 primary.

As Democrats begin their battle over who is the most extreme Leftist in Oregon 5th Congressional District, Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer is building a significant war chest for whichever Extremist is unlucky enough to face her next November," Trainer said.

Chavez-DeRemer has been rated the ninth most vulnerable incumbent running for re-election in 2024 by Roll Call, a Washington, D.C. publication focused on Congress.

National Democrats on Friday jumped on Chavez-DeRemer's support for a version of the National Defense Authorization Act approved in the U.S. House that includes a ban on the Pentagon covering travel costs for servicemembers stationed in a state that has restricted abortion access.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her fellow Republicans are so hell-bent on enacting their extreme agenda, including a nationwide abortion ban, that theyre willing to hijack an historically bipartisan bill that authorizes essential national defense programs and pay raises to the brave men and women that protect our country  shame on them," said Courtney Rice, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C..

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Key partisan battleground

All 435 seats in the U.S. House are on the ballot in 2024  including Oregon's six seats. All of the half dozen incumbents  four Democrats and two Republicans  are seeking re-election.

In the 5th Congressional District, Chavez-DeRemer is the only Republican to date to file to run for 2024.

Five Democrats have announced plans to run for the seat.

Terrebonne attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner will make a second run for the seat in 2024. She defeated U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, in the May 2022 Democratic primary, only to narrowly lose the November election to Chavez-DeRemer.

Progressive Democrats who backed McLeod-Skinner blamed the House Leadership Fund, controlled by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for failing to fund the insurgent Democrat because she dared take on Schrader. McLeod-Skinner's campaign says it raised more than $100,000 in the 24-hours after her May 10 announcement she would enter the primary. Those funds will show up in the next quarterly report due in mid-October.

With the 5th Congressional District seat now held by the GOP, three other Democrats have announced they are running for the Democratic nomination.

In addition to McLeod-Skinner, two are actively campaigning:

Lynn Peterson of Lake Oswego, the elected president of the tri-county Metro Council regional government covering the greater Portland area, filed to run on June 1. Her quarterly report, covering just fundraising in June, showed just over $60,000 in contributions.

Oregon Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Clackamas, filed to run June 21. Bynum defeated Chavez-DeRemer in two races for the Oregon House. In announcing her candidacy, Bynum said she was encouraged to run by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY. She has $54,000 in a state campaign fund, but it cannot be easily transferred to the congressional campaign because of the difference in state and federal law.

Cameron Pahl, a Portland software engineer, hasn't raised or spent any funds. One candidate has dropped out. Kevin Easton of Salem filed to run for the seat, campaigning to become the first openly gay U.S. House member from Oregon. He announced last week that he was withdrawing and endorsed McLeod-Skinner.

Friday was the deadline for candidates running for Congress, the U.S. Senate or President to file a report on money raised, spent and in the bank as of the end of the second quarter  June 30, 2024.

In the 4th District: Freshman U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle. D-Springfield reported raising $526,147.82, spending $409,295.47 and has $213,246.20.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday announced the launch of Indias first zero-emission road freight cluster initiative in an effort to reduce the countrys greenhouse gas emissions. It was announced during the G20 Energy Ministers meeting.

The timing of the initiative is crucial, especially as road freight demand in India is set to become the second largest in the world in the coming decade. A transition to zero-emission trucks can lead to 2.83.8 gigatons of cumulative CO2 savings through 2050, which is equal to or greater than Indias entire economy-wide annual GHG emissions today," WEF said in a statement.

Supported by Indias Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and under NITI Aayogs e-FAST India programme, Moving India brings together the government and the private sector to deploy over 550 zero-emission trucks in select road corridors along the west coast states of Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Roberto Bocca, head of the Centre for Energy and Materials, Member of the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum, said, Development of the zero-emission road freight cluster represents a significant step in kickstarting Indias energy transition in road freight A cluster-based approach involving multiple stakeholders and sectors can help create scale, support deployment of shared assets and infrastructure, encourage creation of vehicle supply and servicing ecosystem and inform policy through consensus."

Gujarat and Maharashtra account for a combined GDP of $700 billion, and key ports in the states handle about 50 per cent of Indias total volume of cargo, resulting in high-density of cargo movement in the geography. This makes the region an ideal candidate for developing Indias first zero-emission road freight cluster. Cement, metals, ports, automotive and consumer goods sectors are all areas for early adoption of zero-emission road freight in India.

Karan Adani, chief executive officer and director of the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), said, We are fully committed to driving sustainable growth. We are aspiring for carbon neutral status in 2025 and aiming for net zero by 2040."

APSEZ has emerged as the early adopter in this space with the early adoption of battery-operated trailer trucks at its ports. Around 263 such trucks are already operational at the companys ports in Gujarat, and another 75 trucks are deployed at its ports in Tamil Nadu. This deployment is in line with the companys strategy to electrify most of its port equipment and power it using renewable electricity.

Sushil Kumar Singh, joint secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India, said, Deployment of zero-emission trucks in and around Indias shipping ports is well aligned to Indias Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines We are keen to work with public and private stakeholders to promote the deployment of zero-emission trucks for land operations at ports."

The WEF in the statement said several challenges need to be overcome to ensure a successful scale-up: shippers need to ensure the right selection of viable use cases for early deployment; vehicle manufacturers need to ensure availability of right-sized and right-priced zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks; shippers and vehicle manufacturers need to work closely with logistics service providers to ensure financeable cashflows and technology guarantees; and clarity is required on the policy roadmap and support for zero-emission road freight vehicles and infrastructure.

Sudhendu Sinha, advisor (infrastructure connectivity  transport and electric mobility) of NITI Aayog, said, We are pleased to witness the unwavering dedication of prominent enterprises towards the widespread adoption of zero-emission trucks This commitment closely aligns with the government of Indias objective of fostering a cleaner and more efficient road freight system within the nation."

He added that the NITI Aayog has initiated the e-FAST India program to provide comprehensive support for the implementation of zero-emission road freight solutions across India. Under e-FAST India, we will work with the private sector to facilitate the smooth and successful early deployment of these sustainable technologies."

Vineet Agarwal, managing director of Transport Corporation of India, said, We are working with Indias leading businesses who are committed to reduce their Scope 3 emissions. As a leader in this domain, it is incumbent upon us to provide zero-emission road freight solutions to the customers that require such solutions."

K C Jhanwar, managing director of UltraTech Cement Limited, said, India is the second largest cement producing country in the world, with cement plants spread across the country Cement sector can provide an ideal use case for early adoption of zero-emission trucks."

He added that UltraTech Cement is committed to evaluating all means to reduce our emissions and environmental footprint. We see large-scale deployment of zero-emission trucks and LNG/CNG vehicles as the next key initiative to make our operations more sustainable."

Satish Sharma, president (Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) of Apollo Tyres, said, While we continue to work on improving our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emission intensity, this initiative will support our objectives in reducing Scope 3 or value chain emissions We need to improve the efficiency of the supply chain, enabled by digitalization, to make adoption of zero-emission vehicles more viable."
As Northern India is observing lull in rainfall, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings in the Southern states of India. States like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Goa are likely to experience heavy rainfall this week. IMD has issued a heavy rainfall warning for numerous Telangana districts on July 20 and 21, 2023. These forecasts lead to the expectation that the government may decide to close Telangana schools tomorrow. However, no official news regarding the closure of Telanganas schools has yet been made public by the state or local government.

As stated by the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS) districts like Nirmal, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Medak, Sangareddy, Rajanna Sircilla, Jagtial, Pedapalli, Mancherial, Adilabad, Jayashankar, Bhupalpally, Hanumakonda, Warangal, and Mulugu may receive considerable rainfall. IMD has also declared red alert for Palghar and Raigad and orange alert for Thane, Mumbai and Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Further light and moderate rainfall is predicted in a few districts of Maharashtra, and Gujarat for next five days. IMD forecasts that ghats of Madhya Pradesh and Goa may witness heavy rainfall today. Other Northern parts of country like, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan may also witness incessant pounding by this week.

On July 18, Mumbai saw moderate to heavy rainfall, with an average of 88.24 mm. Raigad remained on an orange warning until July 21, while the districts of Palghar and Thane were on notice until July 20. Authorities encouraged locals to stay inside and refrain from going outside.

Based on the forecasts for severe rainfall, there was a likelihood that the government will order the closure of schools in Telangana. Due to the Yamuna Rivers rising flood levels, Delhis schools were also closed until July 18. More information about school holidays due to rainfall will be released by officials.
A man in Kerala fell prey to an artificial intelligence scam and lost Rs 40,000 after he received a call from someone claiming to be his former colleague.

Radhakrishnan, a resident of Kozhikode, received a video call on WhatsApp from an unknown number and the person looked like one of his former colleagues in Andhra Pradesh. The person sought Rs 40,000 from Radhakrishnan to help his relative admitted in a hospital. However, when Radhakrishnan received another call from the same person demanding another Rs 30,000, he got suspicious and filed a complaint with the Cyber Police.

According to the Kerala Police Cyber Cell, this is the first such cheating case in Kerala where the scammers used AI technology to fake videos.

What is AI-deepfake scam?

In order to understand deepfakes, lets take the example of videos of Tom Cruise that we all came across on social media where he is seen roaming around in clothing store or showing a coin trick or biting into a lollipop.

There have been viral videos of Barack Obama calling Donald Trump a complete dipshit or Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg bragging about having total control of billions of peoples stolen data.

The videos were deepfakes, which were generated using artificial intelligence to make images of feek events or of a different person. The deepfakes are a combination of two terms- deep learning and fake and it is used to generate visual content. The technology involves using AI to map the movements of one persons face onto the face of another person in a video or audio recording.

However, the deepfake videos first caught attention in 2017, when it featured celebrities faces swapped with those of porn stars. Since then, it has been used to create misleading videos, spreading misinformation and for financial frauds.

The technology has developed to such an extent where deepfake can create convincing but entirely fictional photos from scratch.

What Happened in Case of WhatsApp Deepfake?

The police began their investigation in the fraud case and tracked the transaction to a private bank in Maharashtra. The bank authorities froze the account.

Police said that the scammers used AI technology to create fake videos using pictures of the victims friends and acquaintances from social media and get information like names of common friends from social media.

The AI deepfake is becoming increasingly common across the globe as it has become more accessible and affordable.

In a similar incident from China, a scammer used AI-powered face-swapping technology to impersonate a friend of the victim during a video call and duped him of $622,000.

How to be Safe from AI-based Deepfakes Fraud

Here are some of the tricks and guidelines to be aware of to avoid such frauds:

Always double-check the veracity of those contacting you through Whatsapp or Social media. Do not give out personal information or money to people that you do not know or trust. If someone calls you and asks for your details or other information regarding bank account or credit card number, dont share. If the call looks like a deep fake or fraudulent, end the call and block the contact. Before transferring the money, contact the person you suspect is being impersonated on another number or through other means. Immediately alert the police over the helpline number 1930 in case of any cheating, so that the transaction can be frozen.

How do you spot a Deepfake?

Deepfakes can be quite believable, but they are always manipulated and generated by AI. Theres no single method of how to spot a deepfake, but there are some ways through which you can do:
In a show of strength, both the opposition led alliance and the BJP-led NDA held rival meetings on Tuesday to flaunt their support and preparedness for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

Setting the tone for the Lok Sabha poll campaign, a coalition of 26 opposition parties gathered in Bengaluru and formed an alliance-INDIA or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance to take on the BJP in the 2024 General Elections.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge chaired the closed-door meeting and was flanked by Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi to his right and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to his left.

This is the second such meeting of the opposition parties after a first meeting was held in Patna last month where 16 parties with 32 prominent leaders-including Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin had gathered.

In the latest meeting, opposition parties including Congress, TMC, DMK, Aam Aadmi Party, NCP, Shiv Sena, SP, RLD, PDP, CPI, CPI(M) and others participated. On the other hand, 38 parties including BJPs small partners in the Northeast, came together under the NDA.

However, many regional parties from Andhra, Telangana, Odisha and other states gave a miss to the opposition meeting. The parties like TRS or YSRCP, with fewer seats but considerable clout, matter both for the opposition and the NDA with the Lok Sabha elections slated to be held next year.

Here is a list of some regional parties that skipped the opposition meet but have a significance for both the ruling and the opposition camps in the General Elections:

Bahujan Samaj Party

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has given a miss to both the opposition meetings in Patna and Bengaluru as the party has not been invited for the opposition meeting.

We have invited those parties that are willing to fight against the BJP in 2024. BSP says it will not become part of alliance, then why should we waste our invitation," JD(U) chief spokesperson K C Tyagi said last month ahead of meeting in Patna.

Mayawati has however attacked the opposition alliance and said it does not seem from their attitude that they are serious about their objective in Uttar Pradesh. She further called the meeting more about joining of hands than hearts.

Janata Dal (Secular)

The Karnataka-base JD(S), headed by political figure HD Deve Gowda, recently contested elections in Karnataka against the Congress. The party has previously been part of alliances with the Congress and BJP.

The political circles are abuzz with speculations about a potential alliance between the JD(S) and BJP. Deve Gowda has signalled its openness to explore alliance with the BJP after the party was defeated by the Congress in Karnataka.

However, the party was not part of the BJP led meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has indicated that it was too premature to decide who the party would ally with. JD(S) may ultimately go with the party that has the best chance of winning the elections, sources said.

Shiromani Akali Dal

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), an old ally of the BJP, broke hands with the saffron party in September 2020 over the three controversial farm acts which were brought and later repelled Modi government.

However, the SAD has not decided to be part of the opposition meet as two of its rivals in Punjab- the Congress and AAP are part of the I.N.D.I.A alliance. The party has ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has said that the question of the party allying with the BJP did not arise and added that his party had a tie-up with the BSP, and the alliance with Mayawatis party would continue.

Biju Janata Dal

The BJD has maintained a distance from the Opposition meeting as the party, ruling in Odisha for 25 years, has made a close relationship with BJP. However, the BJP recently announced that the party will take on the BJP in the monsoon session of Parliament.

The party earlier rejected the opposition call for to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building on May 28. It has also stood with the NDA on other matters like demonetisation, surgical strike and abrogation of Article 370.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi

Bharat Rashtra Samithi, led by Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, was absent from the opposition meeting as the Congress is its principal rival in the poll-bound state. Telangana heads to elections this year and the ruling party will fight against both the BJP and the Congress.

The BJP has been trying hard to enter the state while the Congress is pitching as the alternative to the party in the state. However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged his party colleagues to set aside their personal differences and work together with the BRS as a team.

The K Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS, had secured an absolute majority in the previous Assembly polls in December 2018 and is now seeking to play a key role nationally.

AIMIM

AIMIM, who is in alliance with the BRS, said that they always shun both the BJP and the Congress. Speaking on the opposition meeting, AIMIM leader Syed Amin Jafri said, We are against both the Congress and the BJP. The BJP practices hardcore Hindutva ideology while the Congress has come to be identified with soft Hindutva.

AIMIM, led by Asaduddin Owaisi, has fought elections in Maharashtra, Bihar and UP against both the BJP and the Congress. AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said that the so-called" secular parties are treating AIMIM as political untouchables".

YSRCP and TDP

Both the ruling party and the primary opposition in Andhra Pradesh were not invited to the opposition meet or the NDA-led meeting this week.

Andhra Pradesh CM and YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has maintained distance from the BJP at the state level, but remains cordial with the saffron party at the Centre. Jagan Mohan Reddy parted with the Congress after it refused to give him the CM post following the death of his father and former CM Y S Rajashekara Reddy. CM Jagan has maintained a distance from both the BJP and the Congress.

Meanwhile, Andhra opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu was also not part of the opposition meet. The ruling YSRCP has alleged that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Naidu is trying to get into an alliance with the BJP.

There are speculations over alliance between TDP and BJP for the assembly elections. However, it is not clear if Naidu, who challenged the BJP in 2019 by forming a third front, would go with either the Congress or the BJP.
The Sonoran Desert Toad, also known as the Colorado River toad or the toad," emerges during the monsoon season in the Sonoran Desert, prompted by the first raindrops. Although not currently endangered, these toads face growing threats from climate change, human expansion, and pollution. However, a more immediate danger looms: poachers seeking a powerful psychotropic compound, 5-MeO-DMT, found in the toads body, as per a report by the National Geographic.

An Integral Part of the Desert Ecosystem

The Sonoran Desert toads are intrinsic to the regions identity and ecosystem. Their unique presence, coexisting with the tall-armed saguaro cactus and the lumbering desert tortoise, represents the essence of the Sonoran Deserts biodiversity. These toads play a crucial role in the delicate balance of the ecosystem by regulating insect populations and serving as a food source for various predators, Karen Peterson explains in the report.

But The Toad is Threatened Due to 5-MeO-DMT

The Sonoran Desert toads parotid glands contain 5-MeO-DMT, a potent psychotropic compound known for its profound effects on human consciousness.

The allure of this naturally occurring substance has led to its recreational and profit-driven poaching, especially as it gains popularity among seekers of natural highs and spiritual experiences. Individuals seeking personal growth, emotional healing, or simply an otherworldly encounter are drawn to the transformative properties attributed to 5-MeO-DMT.

And the Poaching is a Violent Act

Poaching is an aggressive and harmful practice. Poachers seek 5-MeO-DMT by capturing Sonoran Desert toads, placing them in bags, and then extracting the intoxicating substance from their pea-sized glands on the neck through a process known as milking." The extracted substance is later dried and used for smoking or inhalation.

While milking the toads may not cause immediate physical harm, it does subject them to stress. Unfortunately, once taken from their natural habitats, its unlikely that these toads will find their way back home, raising concerns about their well-being, Peterson writes.

Robert Villa, advocating for the protection of these toads through the Save the Toads" campaign, advises against poaching and suggests an alternative approach. He proposes that if people seek 5-MeO-DMT, they should consider collecting it from roadkill, as the substance is still usable. However, this suggestion is often met with resistance.

Andrew Weil, a respected figure in mind-body healing, expresses both amazement at the global interest in these toads psychedelic properties and horror at the indiscriminate gathering and poaching of the species. He reassures that synthetic versions of 5-MeO-DMT offer a similar experience, making the exploitation of living creatures unnecessary.

Interest in These Toads Can be Traced Back to 1960s

The fascination with Sonoran Desert toads and their psychoactive properties can be traced back to the 1960s when researchers first began exploring hallucinogenic substances, the report says. The interest resurged in the 1990s, and more recently, around 2017, the toad reemerged in the media spotlight. Robert Villa, president of the Tucson Herpetological Society, found himself reluctantly involved as a consultant on a Vice TV docuseries on hallucinogens.

Today, there are pricey retreats in Mexico, where 5-MeO-DMT is administered under controlled conditions for curative, emotional, spiritual, or recreational purposes. The testimonies of celebrities who have experienced the toads effects inspire others to embark on their own psychedelic journey.

5-MeO-DMT is legal in Mexico, where much of the poaching occurs. However, it is considered a Schedule 1 drug in the United States, classified as having a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. In Arizona, it is also illegal to collect the toads without a fish or game license. The tension between its potential therapeutic benefits and recreational misuse poses an ethical dilemma regarding the use of animal-derived substances.

All of This is Horrible for the Environment

Sonoran Desert toads are considered an indicator species," sensitive to environmental changes. Their unique adaptations to the desert environment make them invaluable in monitoring shifts in ecosystem health. The poaching of these toads, combined with habitat degradation and the global amphibian crisis, poses a significant threat to the species and the fragile desert ecosystem, as per the report. Moreover, an invasive fungus called Chytrid, spreading globally, could wipe out entire populations of these toads if introduced.

And All the While there is a Solution at Hand

Experts suggest using synthetic versions of 5-MeO-DMT instead of poaching to protect the toads and preserve the integrity of the desert ecosystem. , as per the report. Synthetic compounds are comparable to natural ones and provide a more ethical alternative that avoids unnecessary harm to wildlife.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to activist Teesta Setalvad stating her custodial interrogation is no longer necessary. The court said that the evidence required for the alleged fabrication of evidence linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots case is already in possession of the prosecution, thus ruling out any possibility of tampering.

The apex court has directed Setalvad not to contact any witnesses and to maintain distance from them. Additionally, the Supreme Court has quashed the orders of the Gujarat High Court.

The bench further granted the Gujarat Police liberty to approach the Supreme Court directly in case any attempt is made to influence witnesses in the case.

The SC was hearing a plea of Setalvad against the Gujarat High Court order dismissing her bail in the case. The apex court had extended interim protection from arrest till July 19.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai, A S Bopanna and Dipankar Datta had issued a notice to the Gujarat government on Setalvads appeal against the Gujarat High Court order. Issue notice returnable on July 19, 2023. Whatever documents parties want to place on record shall be filed prior to July 15 after exchanging with each other. Interim order to continue until further orders," the bench said.

In June last year, Teesta Setalvad, along with two others  former Director General of Police (DGP) RB Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt  were arrested by the city crime branch on charges of forgery and the fabrication of false evidence, with the alleged purpose of securing convictions for capital offenses related to the 2002 riots cases.

Following her arrest, Setalvad was later granted bail.

However, on July 1, the Gujarat High Court rejected her bail plea and ordered her immediate surrender. The courts decision came as it observed her alleged attempts to undermine the then democratically-elected government and tarnish the image of the then chief minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

SIT Probe

According to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, Setalvad was allegedly involved in a larger conspiracy, which was orchestrated at the direction of the late Congress leader, Ahmed Patel. The purported objective of this conspiracy was to destabilise the then ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, led by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in the aftermath of the post-Godhra riots in 2002.

As per the allegations, Patel facilitated a payment of Rs 30 lakh to Setalvad, which was purportedly utilised for the said purpose.

An FIR was lodged against them after the Supreme Court dismissed the plea filed by Zakia Jafri. Zakia Jafri is the widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed in the riots. On February 28, 2002, during the violence that erupted in Ahmedabad after the Godhra train burning incident, Ehsan Jafri was one of the 68 people who lost their lives in the Gulberg Society massacre.

In the aftermath of the riots, a total of 1,044 people were killed, mostly Muslims. According to information provided by the Central government to the Rajya Sabha in May 2005, out of the total fatalities, 254 were Hindus and 790 were Muslims.

The plea by Jafri had accused a larger conspiracy" related to the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat, implicating the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 63 others. However, the Supreme Court upheld the clean chit given by the SIT to Modi and the 63 co-accused individuals.

At the end of the day, it appears to us that a coalesced effort of the disgruntled officials of the State of Gujarat along with others was to create sensation by making revelations which were false to their own knowledge," the Supreme Court judgement observed.

The falsity of their claims had been fully exposed by the SIT after a thorough investigationAs a matter of fact, all those involved in such abuse of process need to be in the dock and proceed in accordance with law," it said.
A woman from Bangladesh, identified as Julie Begum, travelled to Uttar Pradeshs Moradabad to marry her lover, whom she met on Facebook. The woman later took the UP resident, Ajay Singh, with her to Bangladesh and sent distressing photos of him soaked in blood to his mother.

The new case has come at a time when the UP anti-terrorist squad is questioning Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, 30, who entered India illegally in May to marry Greater Noida resident she fell in love with while playing PUBG. The ATS wants to rule out the role of her uncle or Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in her positioning in India. The agency also wants to know if she is a Fidayeen source for any agency or terror group, said sources.

The Moradabad case came to light after Ajay Singhs mother gave an application to Moradabad senior superintendent of police (SSP), requesting him to save his son and bring him back. The city police said that an investigation is being done in this regard.

According to a report in Organiser, Julie and Ajay met over Facebook two years ago and started chatting. Over the time, their friendship turned into love and the duo decided to marry.

The report claimed that over a year ago, Julie came to India with her 11-year-old daughter, Haleema. And like Seema Haider, she too left Islam and converted to Sanatan Dharma and married Ajay.

The love story took a turn three months ago when Julie said that she will have to return to Bangladesh to renew her visa and took Ajay with her. The report stated that Ajay neither a visa nor a passport.

Julie managed to cross the border with Ajay without the required documents. Five days ago, Julie sent a photo of Ajay to his mother, showing him covered in blood, the Organiser stated.

According to the complaint filed by Ajays mother Sunita on July 17, Julie initially gave her address as Ghazipur city in Bangladeshs Dhaka district. Later, she and her daughter, Haleema, moved into their house in Moradabads Naya Gaon. Both the mother and daughter had a passport and a visa.

She accepted Sanatan Dharma and married Ajay. Julies visa was about to expire, so she asked Ajay to take her to the Bangladesh border, from where she would enter the country and have her visa extended, Organiser quoted Sunitas complaint.

The report stated that soon Ajay left to drop the mother-daughter duo to Bangladesh border. However, the same day, Ajay called Sunita and told her that he had crossed the border with Julie and would return in 10 to 15 days.

The report further claimed that two months had passed since the call but the three did not return. On July 15, Sunita received a picture of Ajay drenched in blood through the same mobile phone number.

I was against this marriage from the beginning. But I was forced by my son. Julie also acted as if she really loves my son Ajay. She left Islam before marriage. She had converted to Hindu Dharma. Then she and Ajay were married according to Hindu rituals. We did not change her name, we said she should have the same name. We always called her Julie. Her daughter Haleema also became Hindu. We did not even change her name," Organiser quoted Sunita as saying.

Julie stayed about 15 days after her marriage. Then she left saying that the time of the visa was over. She will be back soon. About three and a half months ago, she came to Moradabad again from Bangladesh. This time she was in our house in Moradabad for about 20 days. During this time, she performed her puja regularly. She wore a saree like Hindu women. We began to feel that she really loved our son. We also adopted her completely. Julie told us that her husband had died. She was alone there. So she left Bangladesh and came to India," the report further quoted Ajays mother.

Organiser stated that Ajay is a cab driver. His mother had been constantly trying to call Julie and Ajay since the day she received the picture, but got no answer. Besides Ajay, Sunita has two daughters and sons.

Ajay Singh Left for Bangladesh Of His Own Free Will

A report in News18 Hindi quoted police officials as saying that Ajay Singh had called on Sunitas number while the investigation was on. The officers then present at Sunitas house spoke to Ajay.

Ajay reportedly told the officers that he is in Bangladesh along with his wife, whose real name is Julia Akhtar and she owned a house in the neighbouring country. Their expenses were covered by renting out seven-eight rooms in her house.

Ajay further told police that Julies husband had died. When asked about the injury, it was not explained clearly but he told the officers that I was doing well in Bangladesh. Ajay reportedly added that his family members were evicting him, so he left for Bangladesh with Julie of his own free will.

Ajay Singh was further quoted as saying that he will return to India in three to four months to harvest the paddy crop and operate a paddy cutting machine in Karnataka. When cops tried to enquire his Bangladesh residence, he did not divulge the details.

Later, on July 18, an investigator called up Ajay on his WhatsApp number. He then told police that he was living with Julie in Ghazipur city of Dhaka district in Bangladesh.
Bengaluru police is on the lookout for a 27-year-old man, who allegedly bludgeoned his aged parents to death in the city and fled after locking up the house from outside.

The accused has been identified as Sharath, who allegedly killed his parents Bhaskar (61) and Shantha (60) on Monday night in the Kodigehalli area of Bengaluru.

According to B M Laxmi Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East Bengaluru), police suspect that the murders might have taken place between 8:30 pm to 9 pm on Monday.

A case of murder was registered and a probe is on, police said on Tuesday.

The sexagenarian couple had apparently cried out for help, but the neighbors thought it was a routine squabble and did not pay attention to it, police said.

According to police, Sharath lived with his parents while his elder brother Sajith stays nearby at Tindlu.

The matter came to light when Sajith called his parents on the phone but there was no response. He rushed home and found the house locked from the outside.

Sajith broke open the door only to find his parents lying dead in a pool of blood, police said.

Police said Shantha was a retired government employee while Bhaskar was a cashier at a canteen in Khanija Bhavan, a government office complex.

The family hailed from Ullal in Dakshina Kannada district and had moved to Bengaluru 12 years ago with their children, the police said adding that there used to be frequent quarrels between Sharath and his parents.

(With PTI Inputs)
A 21-year-old activist of DYFI, the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, was allegedly hacked to death by some assailants near Kayamkulam in the coastal district of Alappuzha, police said on Wednesday.

Ambadi, the victim, died as a result of the wound received on his neck in the attack on Tuesday evening, an officer of Kayamkulam police station said, adding that the two alleged assailants were in custody at present, but no arrest has been recorded.

The officer said the incident happened after an initial argument between the alleged assailants and the victim.

Barely half-an-hour after the argument, the two alleged assailants came in a two-wheeler and hacked the unsuspecting Ambadi in the neck, he said. He died on the way to the hospital," the officer added.

The inquest just got over and the body will be sent for post-mortem," he said.

A case under Sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempted murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, the officer said.

Only after further investigation can we know whether anyone else was also involved in the incident," he added.
A case has been registered against more than a dozen people for allegedly assaulting a doctor and his three family members in Haryanas Gurugram. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday after an argument broke out over the removal of the doctor couples broken-down car from the entrance of a condominium in Sector 51 of the city.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, his father Suresh Chand, his brother Deepak Singh, and his maternal cousin Priyanshu Singh were assaulted by the private security guards deployed at the condominium and their associates after Dr. Singhs car broke down on the service lane near the condominium entrance, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

The events unfolded when Dr Singh and his wife, Dr. Mansi, were returning home and their Tata Altroz car broke down near the condominium at around 9:45 pm on Sunday. A security guard deployed at the condominium rudely demanded that they immediately remove the car, but the couple requested some time as the vehicle was not starting, HT reported quoting police officials.

This agitated the guard who verbally abused them, allegedly also misbehaving with Dr. Singhs wife, officials said.

The guard then called his associates from Tigra village in Sector 57, who assaulted Dr. Singh and his cousin Priyanshu Singh-who later arrived at the scene- with bats and rods.

Shortly thereafter, Singhs father and brother also arrived to help them but were also subjected to assault. Two of the suspects allegedly snatched a gold chain from the doctor before fleeing the area, police reportedly said.

As a result of the assault, Dr. Jitendra Singh and his brother sustained severe injuries and were immediately taken to a private hospital in Sector 51. However, his wife and father were discharged after receiving treatment at a government hospital in Sector 10A.

Gurugram polices Public Relations Officer, Subhash Boken said that most of the suspects involved in the incident are from Tigra village, and the identities of seven individuals have been established, according to the HT report.

Efforts are underway to apprehend them, and a thorough investigation is ongoing, he added.

Based on Dr. Singhs complaint, an FIR (First Information Report) has been registered at Sector-50 police station on Monday night under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 379B (snatching after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, removed the word India from his Twitter bio and used the word Bharat after the Opposition parties on Tuesday named the coalition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (India).

Ever since the name was declared, Twitter has been abuzz with netizens saying this is the beginning of the Bharat vs India battle ahead of 2024 polls.

Taking a dig at opposition parties which formed a coalition, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday claimed that British had named the country India and the fight should be to free the nation from colonial legacies".

Sarmas comment comes after 26 opposition parties formed the coalition to unitedly take on the ruling NDA.

Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies," Sarma said on Twitter.

Stating that the forefathers had fought for Bharat, he said, We will continue to work for Bharat." BJP for BHARAT," said the convenor of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the regional arm of the National Democratic Alliance.
Two persons including a suspected agent and recruiter of Pakistans spy agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) have been arrested here in a joint operation by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad and its Uttar Pradesh counterpart, an official said.

Acting on specific intelligence, the Juhu unit of the ATS along with an Uttar Pradesh ATS team raided a place in Jogeshwari area of Mumbai on Sunday and apprehended the duo, he said.

The accused were identified as Arman Sayyad (62) and Mohammed Salman Siddhiqui (24). Sayyad, an alleged ISI agent, had recruited Mohammed Salman and both allegedly helped another suspected ISI agent Mohamad Raees, the official said.

Raees, a native of Gonda, was arrested by the UP ATS for allegedly supplying information about Indian military establishments to his handlers in Pakistan.

The arrests in Jogeshwari area followed his arrest. Sayyad and Siddhiqui were handed over to the UP ATS officials on Monday after producing them before a local court, the official said.
Bihar police on Wednesday arrested a key accused in the PFI Phulwari Sharif module case wanted by the National Investigating Agency (NIA), taking the total number of arrests in the case to 15.

According to the police headquarters here, Yakoob Khan, alias Sultan, was nabbed in Uttar Govindara village in East Champaran district and handed over to the NIA.

He was arrested in a joint operation by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the district police.

Khan, who belongs to a nearby village, has been on the NIA radar ever since the PFIs network was busted in Bihar capitals Phulwari Sharif locality last year, shortly before a ban was imposed on the organisation.

According to the NIA, Khan worked as a physical trainer but was allegedly involved in posting videos on social media aimed at spreading communal tensions. NIA has also accused him of involvement in a conspiracy to execute a targeted killing", conducting recce and procuring weapons.

Bihar police claimed that with Khans arrest, it has succeeded in catching three of the six accused about whom inputs were received from the NIA.

In March, Irshad Alam was nabbed in East Champaran, while Mumtaz Ansari, belonging to the same district, was caught with the help of local police in Tamil Nadu last month.
The Pune police have apprehended two suspects wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for alleged involvement in terror-related activities, officials said on Wednesday. Both of them were carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, they said.

After being apprehended on Tuesday, the two were interrogated jointly by the Pune police and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials.

According to the police, three suspects were caught by a police patrolling team while stealing a motorbike in Kothrud area of Maharashtras Pune city in the wee hours of Tuesday. While their checking was on, one of the suspects managed to run away. The two others apprehended have been identified as Imran Khan and Md Yunus Saki, they said.

Commissioner of Police Retesh Kumarr said during the investigation, it was revealed both of them were wanted by the NIA. During the search, one live cartridge, four mobile phones and a laptop were seized from their house," he said. They were being probed for terror-related activities, police sources said.
Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists were killed on Wednesday as alert troops foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Macchal sector of Kupwara in North Kashmir region based on an intelligence input, said local sources.

Four AK rifles, six hand grenades and ammunition have been recovered.

The group was trained by Sajid Jatt and can handle sophisticated weapons, according to sources.

Large number of recoveries have also happened.

Sources said the LeT is desperately trying to carry out a major attack, including a hybrid one, in Kashmir.

THE RECOVERY

The details of the recoveries made from the spot:

AK series rifles: 4

AK magazines: 9

AK rounds: 175

Hand grenades: 6

UBGL: 1

UBGL grenades: 5

Tactical vests: 2

ON MONDAY

Security forces on Monday found two improvised explosive devices in the Handwara forests in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Based on a specific information, Army along with Police launched a well-coordinated search and destruction operation at Wodhpura Forest in the wee hours. In the joint operation, two IEDs  weighing approximately five kilograms and seven kilograms  were recovered from Wodhpura Ridge near NH 701," a police spokesman said.

The spokesman said the team immediately cordoned off the area.

The positive identification of IEDs was carried out by the Indian Armys highly trained explosive detection team equipped with explosive detectors army Dog," he added.

A bomb disposal team destroyed the IEDs through a controlled detonation, the spokesman said.

A thorough search operation was still underway in the forest area for the possibility of more IEDs or hiding terrorists, he added.

With PTI Inputs
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday declared a holiday for all schools in Mumbai and the Konkan region in view of the yellow alert issued due to heavy rains, while heavy rains hit parts of Gujarats Saurashtra regions, causing flooding in low-lying areas and cutting off several villages.

Here are the top updates you need to know about heavy rains in Maharashtra and Gujarat

Mumbai

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange alert for Thursday for Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Ratnagiri. A yellow alert has also been issued for Mumbai. Intermittent moderate to intense spells of rain are expected to continue over parts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar during the next 3-4 hours. Currently, intense spells of rain are very likely over parts of the north-eastern suburbs, Thane, and Raigad. Occasional gusty winds are also very likely.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared a holiday for all schools in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar districts amid a heavy rainfall warning in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Children are also advised to stay indoors and not venture out to get drenched in rain or take selfies.

Shinde also visited the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) control room to assess the situation in Mumbai.

Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar has appealed to people to stay away from beaches and nallahs.

Due to heavy rains impacting local train services and road traffic, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde ordered early closure of government offices in Mumbai and neighboring regions

A five-year-old girl was killed after the slab of the third floor of a ground-plus-five-storey building collapsed in suburban Bhandup in the wee hours, a civic official said.

A four-month-old infant slipped from a mans arm into a flooded drain near Thakurli town during heavy rains. The incident occurred when an Ambernath-bound suburban train had stopped between Thakurli and Kalyan stations due to flooded tracks. A young woman and her brother-in-law attempted to walk over narrow pipes on the drain, but the child slipped and fell into the swollen water below. The mother screamed in horror, and videos of the incident went viral. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his condolences for the unfortunate incident.

Anid an orange alert, which predicted heavy to very heavy showers at some places, Mumbai experienced moderate to heavy rainfall till Wednesday evening. According to BMCs monsoon updates, the Colaba observatory recorded 98.4 mm of rainfall, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 52.8 mm. Between 8 am and 6 pm, the island city, eastern suburbs, and western suburbs received average rainfall of 58.46 mm, 48.80 mm, and 50.63 mm, respectively. Among specific areas, Reay Road in Mumbai recorded the highest rainfall at 92.73 mm, followed by 89.67 mm in suburban Kandivali and 84.84 mm in Dahisar.

Central Railways suburban train services was restored after hours of disruption on Kalyan-Badlapur stretch and the Kalyan-Kasara route was back in three hours. While some trains were diverted via alternative routes, others were short-terminated or canceled between Mumbai and Pune. Commuters faced inconvenience, leading some walked on rail lines to reach stations. Morning issue on Panvel-Belapur Harbour Line was later resolved.

Gujarat

Junagadh district faced severe impact from heavy rains on Wednesday, with Mangrol taluka receiving 290 mm of rainfall in eight hours since 6 am. Malia Hatina taluka followed with 191 mm of recorded rainfall. During the same period, Keshod and Manavadar in Junagadh recorded 111 mm and 110 mm of rainfall, respectively.

The situation worsened as dams and monsoon rivers like Ojas overflowed due to water release, causing flooding in villages and turning fields into lakes. Many areas experienced sudden flooding, compelling people to seek refuge on rooftops.

Junagadh city and Keshod town were hit hard, disrupting normal life as roads were inundated, and vehicles submerged in low-lying areas.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police actively participated in rescuing affected individuals and relocating them to safer areas.

The NDRF team rescued over 100 people from flooded villages in Veraval taluka, Gir Somnath, one of the worst-affected districts. At least 14 villages in Junagadh district reported flooded approach roads. State transport bus services in the Saurashtra region were halted due to the flood-like situation.

Sutrapada taluka in Gir Somnath witnessed many villages turning into islands, with water entering homes and damaging grains and household items. Rivers like Saraswati and Hiran overflowed, causing flooding in low-lying areas.

Surtarapada, Veraval, and Talaja talukas received heavy rainfall of 541, 481, and 299 mm, respectively, in 24 hours until 6 am on Wednesday, according to SEOC. Additionally, Valsad and Surat districts in south Gujarat were also affected, with several residential societies in Vapi town experiencing floods.

(With inputs from PTI)
A pilot and her husband, who is also an airline staff, were thrashed by the locals in Delhis Dwarka for allegedly torturing a 10-year-old girl they employed as a domestic help. The incident was reported on Wednesday after a relative of the girl spotted injury marks on her face and arms and contacted police.

As per media reports, when some locals heard that couple employed a minor and tortured her, and saw injury marks on her body, a mob gathered outside their house and attacked them.

#WATCH | A woman pilot and her husband, also an airline staff, were thrashed by a mob in Delhis Dwarka for allegedly employing a 10-year-old girl as a domestic help and torturing her.The girl has been medically examined. Case registered u/s 323,324,342 IPC and Child Labour pic.twitter.com/qlpH0HuO0z  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

In visuals of the incident shared by news agency ANI, a bunch of women can be seen pulling the pilot, who is still in her uniform, by her hair and hitting her simultaneously, as she cried for help. At one point, The pilot can then be heard screaming sorry" but the assault continued.

Her husband, who initially tried to save her, can also be seen dragged by a group of men and thrashed by them.

As per media reports, the 10-year-old girl was hired by the couple for doing domestic chores at their house about two months back.

Meanwhile, the police have booked the pilot and other members of her family as employing children as domestic help is prohibited in India.

The girl has been medically examined. A case has been registered under sections 323, 324, and 342 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Child Labour Act, and section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The accused have been detained," Delhi police said in a statement.
Pakistani national Seema Haider, who reached India illegally to meet her lover in Noida, was questioned for 12 hours by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). She was quizzed on the meeting, her reaching India through Nepal, and other details, sources told News18.

The ATS is extracting the minutest details from Haider who has constantly replied on same lines and statements that she came to India only to meet her boyfriend, Sachin Meena.

Haider and Meena were picked up from his house in Greater Noida on Monday morning by the ATS for questioning.

Now, ATS is trying to corroborate her statements with the help of data from Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Her mobile phone and other items are in possession of ATS for data extraction.

To prove her right or wrong, we need support from technical side so that we can establish she is right and speaking correct lines or she is here for sabotage and sent by enemy, sources in the UP ATS said.

ATS probe will remain undecided unless they come out with the technical outcome.

Sources in the UP Police, who is also involved in the investigation, had said her link to spying has not been suspected, however, it was too early to predict.

Seema Haider, 30, had entered India along with her four children from Nepal in May to live with her partner Sachin Meena, 22, in Rabupura area of Greater Noida. The couple had first got in touch in 2019 over PUBG game.

On July 4, she was arrested by the UP police for entering India illegally and Meena was held for sheltering illegal immigrants. But they were both granted bail and have been living together in Rabupura area.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took to Instagram and penned an appreciation post for his 76-year-old mother for maintaining her calm during an emergency landing of their aircraft in Bhopal on Tuesday. The Congress leaders aircraft made an emergency landing in Bhopal, on its way from Bengaluru to Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi posted a picture of his mother, Sonia, and wrote, Ma, the epitome of grace under pressure." The picture showed the Congress leader wearing an oxygen mask.

The New Delhi-bound chartered plane carrying the mother-son duo made an emergency landing at the Bhopal airport on Tuesday evening. However, quoting airport director Ramji Awasthi, news agency PTI reported it was a priority landing and not an emergency landing.

A Congress leader later told the agency that a technical glitch led to the unscheduled brief halt.

The chartered plane carrying Sonia ji and Rahul ji made an emergency landing because of some technical snag," former Madhya Pradesh Womens Commission chairperson Shoba Oza said.

Following the incident, senior Congress leaders, including Shoba Oza, former Union minister Suresh Pachori, MLAs PC Sharma, Arif Masood and Kunal Choudhary rushed to Bhopal airport and enquired about the Gandhis well-being.

Both of them left for New Delhi by an IndiGo flight at around 9.30 pm," Oza said.

Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were on their way back to Delhi after attending an opposition meeting in Bengaluru, earlier in the day, when the incident took place.
Four members of a family, including a toddler, were murdered, and then their bodies were set ablaze at their home in Rajasthans Jodhpur district. The horrific incident was reported in Cherai village in the Ramnagar Gram Panchayat of Osia area in Jodhpur on Wednesday.

The deceased have been identified as Punaram (60) and his wife Bhanwari Devi (55), who were sleeping on a cot outside the house. While their daughter-in-law Dhapu (25) and her toddler daughter Manisha were sleeping in the hut. The infants age is yet to be confirmed. While News18 reporters stated that the child was five-year-old, news agency IANS stated that the baby was mere six months old.

The charred bodies of four members of a family were found at their home today and prima facie suggest that the family members were murdered first and then their bodies set afire, Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Singh said.

As per the official, it appears to be a matter of revenge killing, as preliminary investigation revealed that they were murdered by slitting throats with a sharp-edged weapon after which everyone was dragged to the courtyard of the house and set on fire.

Singh said a forensic team was collecting evidence at the suspected crime scene.

There is outrage among the people of the area after the incident. All senior officials, including Jodhpur Collector Himanshu Gupta, SP Singh, and other officers reached the spot.

Following the incident, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack against Congress government in the state.

Shocker from Home District of Ashok Gehlot - Jodhpur Family of four killed, hacked & burnt alive This includes a 6-month-old child Recently we saw - 19 yr old Dalit girl killed, raped, attacked by acid in Karauli Street wars in Sikar Child raped in school in Jodhpur Law and order of Rajasthan has been demolished Congress means guarantee of lawlessness But Priyanka, Rahul wont utter a word Ladki hoon is an empty slogan Women and children are tools for politics for them," tweeted BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala.

(With PTI Inputs)
Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE400 CE opens at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) on July 21st. The spectacular exhibition, tracing the origins of Buddhist art, was made possible through support from Reliance Industries Limited and Mrs. Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, an Indian philanthropic organization. A longtime, passionate supporter of the museum, Mrs. Nita Ambani was named an Honorary Trustee of The Met in 2019, becoming the first Indian person on the museums board of trustees. In this role, she has continued to work to introduce the finest of Indian art to global audiences.

Commenting on the occasion, Mrs. Nita Ambani said, I come from India, the land of the Buddha, and it is a huge honour for me to support Tree & Serpent through Reliance Foundations partnership with The Met. This historic exhibition traces the origins of early Buddhist art from 2nd century BC to 4th century AD, with over 125 objects from ancient India. With the Tree & Serpent, we take immense pride in showcasing the deep-rooted connection between Buddhism and India. The teachings of Buddha are entwined with Indian ethos and continue to shape global thought. I hope people from around the world come and enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience. We remain committed to bringing the best of India to the world, and the best of the world to India.

A special preview of Tree & Serpent, attended by Mrs. Nita Ambani and hosted by Max Hollein, The Mets Marina Kellen French Director, saw a number of esteemed personalities from the art world and beyond congregate, including, Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, and the Mets Florence and Herbert Irving Curator of South and Southeast Asian, and curator of Tree & Serpent, John Guy.

Tree & Serpent is a uniquely curated exhibition, bringing over 125 objects dating from 200 BCE to 400 CE to The Met. Organized around a series of interlocking themes centered around original relics and reliquaries from ancient India, the show evokes a time when the countrys religious landscape was transformed by the teachings of Buddha, which in turn, found expression in a rich repository of art devoted to relaying his message. It focuses on the sublime imagery that adorned the stupas  a religious monumental structure found in ancient India. Stupas not only housed the relics of the Buddha but also honored him through symbolic representations and visual storytelling  beautiful specimens of which can be marveled at in the exhibition which culminates with the image of Buddha himself.

With major loans from lenders across India, as well as from the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, Tree & Serpent reveals both the pre-Buddhist origins of figurative sculpture in India and the early narrative traditions that were central to this formative moment in early Indian art. Exquisite in its details of concept and curation, this rare exhibition transports visitors into the world of early Buddhist imagery such as the titular tree and snake, named after two primary motifs in Buddhist art  the sacred bodhi tree and the protective snake. It explores how the ideas of Buddhism  expressed through its world of spectacular images  grew from a core set of ethical teachings into one of the worlds great religions.

Reliance has supported The Met since 2016, with the exhibition Nasreen Mohamedi, the first museum retrospective of the artists work in the United States and also one of The Met Breuers inaugural exhibitions. Other notable exhibitions supported by Reliance are Modernism on the Ganges: Raghubir Singh Photographs (October 11, 2017January 2, 2018) and Phenomenal Nature: Mrinalini Mukherjee (June 4 September 29, 2019), which marked the first comprehensive display of Mukherjees work in the United States.

Under Mrs. Ambanis leadership, Reliance Foundation has sponsored key cultural events in India such as The Elephanta Festival, and Abbaji, the annual concert of master musician Ustad Zakir Hussain, among the many efforts to recognize the cultural legends of India and ensure their relevance to a younger generation. Reliance Foundation has also been working to preserve Indias rich heritage of art and culture as well as enhance avenues for livelihood of traditional artisans and craftspersons. At the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), Reliance Foundation has supported the arts and crafts exhibition SWADESH which has provided a global platform for showcasing traditional Indian artisans.

As part of a continued commitment to bring global audiences to Indian art and for everyone to experience it internationally, Reliance has supported not only the series of exhibitions at The Met but also presentations such as Gates of the Lord: The Tradition of Krishna Paintings at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Marathi celebrity couple Siddharth Chandekar and Mitali Mayekar are one of the most loved couples in the film industry. Fans love how they paint social media red with their adorable romantic pictures. Recently, they again gave the social media viewers major couple goals.

Siddharth had gone to London for some work for a couple of days and then returned to Mumbai recently. Mitali surprised him with an amazing gift, a PlayStation 5. The actor was on cloud nine after receiving this gift and posted a picture of it on Instagram Stories. He captioned the gift as wifes love". Later, they enjoyed a meal of potato bhaji, dal, and chapati and also shared a picture of it on his Instagram story.

Siddharth and Mitali had been to Paris some time back and shared their pictures on Instagram from the tour. In the photo, the couple looked uber cool in their outfits. Siddharth wore a crimson red shirt with colour-coordinated pants and Mitali donned a bralette and cream-coloured pants. Moulin Rouge," Siddharth wrote in the caption.

Marathi actresses Rasika Vengurlekar and Rutuja Bagwe commented with fire emoticons while others also appreciated the couple.

Mitali and Siddharth tied the nuptial knot on January 24, 2021. The couple took the marital vows in a traditional Marathi ceremony in the presence of friends and family. They revealed their love story in an interview with Rajshri Marathi. Both actors knew little about each other when they met during a program.

They didnt remain in touch for a long time and were in relationships with different people. Later, they decided to meet each other after chatting for a while when they were single. Gradually, their friendship blossomed into love and they started dating in 2018. After some time, Siddharth proposed to Mitali in front of her fans to make the relationship official. They decided to live together as well after dating for a while and got engaged in 2019.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the world of art, enabling artists to give wings to their creativity and imagination. With the advancement of AI tools, artists have been able to transform celebrities and imagine them in various roles and settings. One such example is the recent work by an Instagram page called Movie AI Art, where they have transformed the popular Bollywood actress, Taapsee Pannu into a queen from the Chola dynasty. The AI-generated images are so incredibly realistic and flawless that it makes us wonder if Mani Ratnam missed out on casting Taapsee Pannu in his epic film series, Ponniyin Selvan.

Sharing the post, the page wrote, Presenting Taapsee Pannu as a regal queen from the Chola dynasty, donned in golden armour. This chiaroscuro portrait captures her strength and elegance, transporting us back to the thalassocratic empire of southern India.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by movieaiart (@movieaiart)

Social media users praised the artists creativity and ability to bring imagination to life through AI technology. People flooded the comment section with positive responses and heart emojis.

A user wrote, Amazing, another stated, Looking so beautiful, one more wrote, All time favourite.

The AI artwork caught the attention of Taapsee Pannu herself. The Bollywood actress was so impressed by the transformation that she shared the artwork on her Instagram story. Expressing her appreciation for the artists work, she wrote, This AI artwork is truly inspiring my imagination. Good one."

The Instagram page showcasing AI-generated artwork earlier captivated fans with its stunning transformations of other Bollywood beauties. From Kajal Aggarwal to Katrina Kaif, Kiara Advani to Janhvi Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai, these lifelike images of talented actresses were portrayed as fierce warriors, leaving fans and followers in awe.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by movieaiart (@movieaiart)

As Taapsee Pannu continues to make waves in the film industry with her impressive performances, she has an exciting lineup of projects in the pipeline. One of her highly anticipated projects is Dunki, where she will be sharing the screen with Shah Rukh Khan. Additionally, she has Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba, and Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan, where Taapsee will be seen alongside Scam 1992 fame Prateek Gandhi. She is also collaborating with renowned filmmaker Sudhir Mishra on an untitled project.
Over the years, actor Churni Ganguly has successfully carved a niche for herself and has emerged as one of the most critically acclaimed names in the Bengali film industry with many of her films winning big at the National Film Awards. Currently, she is gearing up for the release of filmmaker Karan Johars upcoming directorial outing, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. In an exclusive chat with News18, Ganguly says that she is overwhelmed with love that is coming her way for the film. The response has been tremendous. People are waiting for it and it has been a long wait. Im getting feedback from all over, especially after the release of the trailer. The premise of the story is so interesting. It promises to be a good entertainer, she tells us.

One of the highlights for Ganguly remains working with Alia Bhatt, who plays her daughter in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Often trolled for being a star-kid who was launched by Johar and had opportunities served to her on a silver platter, Ganguly feels that Bhatt has proved her mettle in a career spanning a decade. Lauding her for her talent and skills, she says, Alia is one of those performers whos extremely talented. People speak about nepotism. Theres so much being said. I think nepotism only becomes relevant if the actor isnt up to the mark and lacks talent. But thats not the case with Alia.

Ganguly goes on to heap praises on her for her portrayal of Rani Chatterjee, the protagonist in the film that also stars Ranveer Singh, Jaya Bachchan, Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi. She has proved so film after film. She gets into the skin of her roles just like that. She brings life to a role that she plays. She did the same even in this film. We improvised a lot in some of our scenes and a lot of that came from Alia as well, states the actor, who is basking under the success of her last Bangla release, Ardhangini.

The Shabdo (2012) and Drishtikone (2018) actor also compliments Azmi and says that sharing screen space with her was actually like a dream come true. Ive watched Shabanas work ever since I watched Hindi films. Masoom was the first Hindi film I ever saw in my life. Im one of those people who have always looked up to her and her work, she shares.

But what Ganguly will always hold close to her is the camaraderie she developed with Azmi. More importantly, we struck a very good relationship on the set. She took such good care of me when I was feeling low and made sure that I was always comfortable. These things also make a lot of difference. The human being behind the actor also adds to your experience of working with a person like her, she remarks.

Quiz her about how she came to be a part of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Ganguly recalls, They reached out to me from Dharma (Productions). They wanted me to send them a live recording of myself and I wasnt being able to do it because I was shifting houses at that time. I, actually, delayed the process for quite a bit. They kept calling me and told me, Send anything that you can but send something.

Gangualy further continues, They sent me a look reference and incidentally, the picture that they sent me was mine. I realised that they were probably looking for me and I sent them the recording anyway. They reached out to me the same day itself in the evening asking me to block my dates and meet Karan. When I met him, he told me that he had me from the word hello.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is all set to hit the theatres on July 28.
Actress Celina Jaitly has opened up about losing a child during her second twin pregnancy five years back. The actress, who is married to Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier Peter Haag, became a proud mother to twin boys in March 2012. In 2017, Jaitly gave birth to a second set of twin boys one of which died due to a heart defect.

On Wednesday, Celina Jaitly took to her Instagram handle and penned down a long note narrating what had happened to her. She mentioned that she has finally summoned the courage to talk about my ordeal and revealed how it was a very difficult time for her and her husband.

The outcome of our 2nd spontaneous #twinpregnancy was bittersweet due to Baby Shamshers loss due to a heart condition.( I went into labour at 32 weeks due to my fathers sudden passing.) It was very difficult for Peter n I but we smiled after many million tears in this photograph (1) to seal a happy memory for our blessing baby @arthurjhaag arrival as he went straight to NICU in an incubator for 3 months immediately upon his arrival," Celina wrote.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celina Jaitly (@celinajaitlyofficial)

The NICU was a strange & difficult environment. From our experience, accepting that there will be good days and bad days will help you to feel less shocked & worried when challenging days happen. While not an option for everyone, Peter & I moved into the same hospital in Dubai for the few months of #nicu as loss of Shamsher left us immensely anxious about Arthur and feelings of frustration, intense sadness, nervousness, disappointment, guilt, anger, love overwhelmed us too," the actress added.

In her note, Celina also tried motivating those who also go through the loss of a premature child and shared, It is very important at such a time to remember you can be more effective as a team than individually so watch your teamwork as parents. Speaking, singing gently to your premature baby in the NICU is a great way to bond and feel close, even when you cant hold him. Remember Impossible odds set the stage for incredible miracles. Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."

Celina Jaitly made her acting debut with the 2003 movie Janasheen. Later, she also featured in several hit movies including Apna Sapna Money Money, No Entry, Golmaal Returns and No Entry Mein Entry among others.
Gigi Hadid was arrested over the possession of marijuana. The supermodel was returning from a holiday when the customs caught her with the drug in her luggage and arrested her last week. She was later released on bail. After the news broke, Gigi took to Instagram to share her cryptic reaction to the arrest. She shared a post featuring photos and videos from her trip to Cayman Islands, where she was arrested, and wrote, Alls well that ends well."

The post first featured a video of Gigi with a friend, dressed in a bikini and enjoying the sun by the sea. She followed it up with a photo in which she was seen wearing a yellow bikini and soaking in the sun. The third featured a plate of oysters, which she followed by photos of her friends. Many shared their reactions in the comments section.

She winning the idgaf war lmao," a user wrote. She couldnt care less lmao," added another. I like to imagine shes posting this while getting bailed out," a comment read. If this is what jail looks like sign me up," a fourth user joked. Cause mama Im in love with a criminal," another jokingly commented, referring to the lines of Britney Spears song, Criminal. Lol maybe next time read the laws on a foreign country you know nothing about :)" a user advised.

According to local news outlet Cayman Marl Road, Gigi Hadid and her friend arrived in the Cayman Islands on a private plane. Customs officials reportedly found marijuana and related items in their luggage, leading to their arrest for suspicion of importing marijuana. After being taken to the Prisoner Detention Center, they were released on bail. Two days later, on July 12, they appeared in court, pleaded guilty, and were fined $1,000 each. They are not facing any additional charges.

Gigi was traveling with marijuana purchased legally in NYC with a medical license," her representative told E! News. It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island," they added.

Meanwhile, a source close to Gigi told TMZ that the weed was not discovered in her personal bag but in her fellow travellers bags. But since the plane was booked under her name, she was also held accountable. The insider also hinted that the officials sought a bribe from Gigi but the supermodel refused and chose to go through a legal process instead.

Cayman cops denied the allegations and told the outlet, Our officers categorically deny the bribery related allegation which has been made against them by Ms. Hadid. However, we invite Ms. Hadid to make a formal complaint to our Professional Standards Unit so that they can independently review the case in order to determine if there is any evidence to support her allegation."
BTS ARMY has gone gaga over the viral story of member Kim Seok Jin indirectly helping a 21-year-old to escape a robbery. The incident involving the fan has garnered massive traction across social media platforms leaving many to thank the K-pop idol just for his existence. The robbery supposedly occurred in Brazil when the young woman was attempting to board a bus near Sao Jose dos Pinhais in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, as per Firstpost. She was suddenly attacked by a robber but the woman made a safe escape owing to a photograph of the eldest BTS member. The thief flicked away her phone when their attention fell on the picture featuring Jin in his military uniform.

The robber supposedly assumed the womans boyfriend to be military personnel and didnt want to embroil in a risky situation. It is suggested the attacker left the woman alone and also returned her phone before fleeing from the scene.

Kim Seokjin is really a superman A 21 year old girl in Brazil escaped a robbery because she had picture of Corporal Kim Seokjin in her cellphone. The Robber snatched her phone but when he saw #JINs picture, he thought her boyfriend is in military and returned her phone and pic.twitter.com/vaAkoncrVx  Seokjinism - THE ASTRONAUT JIN  (@seokjinism1) July 19, 2023

As soon as the incident was brought to light on social media, it left the BTS ARMY quite delighted. While some called the incident wild and insane," many were relieved to know that a fellow ARMY was safe. Amassing a thunderous response, a barrage of fans expressed their gratitude toward the K-pop idol. One user comments, So Kim Seok Jin isnt only protecting South Korea."

So Kim Seokjin is not only protecting South Korea  Moon Flower  (@moonflower412) July 19, 2023

Another added, These men (BTS members) dont even know how much and in how many situations they are saving us. I am so happy to be a part of this amazing community BTS X ARMY forever."

these men dont even know how much and in how many situations they are saving us i am so happy to be a part of this amazing community BTS X ARMY forever parul kalra (@parulkalra39) July 19, 2023

One more called it, Just Kim Seok Jin thing. Once an angel, always an angel."

Just Kim seokjin things once an angel always an angel  gubbi (@gubbi1205) July 19, 2023

Meanwhile, a fan said it is their, Time to make the military picture of Kim Seok Jin as my wallpaper."

time to make military picture of kim seokjin as my wallpaper hera  #SEVEN (@loveelybby) July 19, 2023

Jin enlisted himself for completing his mandatory military service in December 2022. He was the first BTS member to depart for the army, followed by J-Hope, and has already completed eight months of his service. His globally famous K-pop band BTS is currently on a hiatus and all seven members are pursuing their individual careers. Before his enlistment, Jin released his solo track Astronaut in collaboration with Coldplay.
Kajol has been getting a lot of praise for her performance in the recently released web series The Trial. She has made her digital debut with the show. Well, Kajols daughter Nysa is very popular. Though she has not joined Bollywood but this has not affected her stardom. Recently, the actress opened up about a touching interaction she had with her daughter. She revealed the heartwarming response she received from Nysa after expressing her heartfelt wish that her daughter would have a daughter just like herself one day.

In a conversation with Instant Bollywood, Kajol shared a glimpse into her special relationship with her daughter during a candid conversation. Kajol revealed, " One day I told her, I really hope and pray that you have a daughter like yourself. And my daughters answer to this was, No, I am having sons because I dont think I can handle a daughter like me. And I was like, Well you know Nysa, now you know. This left everyone in a laugh.

A few days ago, in an interview with NDTV, Kajol said, I cant teach her how to deal with paparazzi, she has learnt that with experience. She first had an experience with the paps in Jaipur. We both were alone and were not travelling with any security. At that time, the photographers surrounded us and started shouting, this scared her and she started crying. I just carried her in my arms and went straight to the car. Later, I explained to her that its their job.

Talking about The Trial - Pyaar Kaanoon Dhokha, shows Kajol as Noyonika Sengupta, a lawyer turned housewife who is compelled to don the black robes after her husband gets embroiled in a massive scandal. The show showcased the tension between Kajol and Jisshu Sengupta who is essaying her husband and a judge jailed for the controversy. The US version of The Good Wife premiered in 2009 and ran for seven seasons. The drama focused on Alicia Florrick, a woman who must support her politician husband after he is implicated in a sexual misconduct scandal while resuming her legal practice.
The makers of Project K, the much-awaited collaboration of Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, will be revealing the first glimpse of the movie at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 20, followed by its release in India a day later. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film boasts an impressive cast including Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan in significant roles. Ahead of the event, Prabhas was accompanied by his Baahubali co-star Rana Daggubati in the US, and recently, a picture of Kamal Haasan in the US surfaced online.

Vyjayanthi Movies, the production house, posted a picture of actor Kamal Haasan on their official page, referring to him as Ulaga Nayagan," meaning Universal Hero, a term cherished by his fans. The photo shows Haasan strolling through the streets of the USA, looking stylish in a black jacket, joggers, a cap, and casual floaters.

Vyjayanthi Movies, on July 18, shared a photo on Instagram featuring Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, stating that the two actors have arrived in the USA and inviting fans to catch them at the San Diego event on July 20th. Both stars donned black hoodies in the picture, sparking excitement among Baahubali fans for this reunion. Rana Daggubati also shared the same photo on his Instagram, playfully captioning it as, Just hanging out in the hills."

Rana Daggubati has been an enthusiastic supporter of Project K from the beginning. He expressed his admiration for the film during the India Today Conclave, stating that he believes it has the potential to become the next global Telugu hit. Rana mentioned that Project K, directed by Nag Ashwin and starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone, is a highly anticipated Telugu film that could surpass the success of Baahubali and RRR, pushing the boundaries and becoming a truly global movie from the Telugu film industry.

Deepika Padukones first look from Project K was unveiled, with Vyjayanthi Movies describing her character as someone who holds hope of a new world in her eyes. The production house shared this exciting glimpse on their social media. Along with that, a sneak peek of the film was showcased at Times Square in New York City, generating more anticipation among fans for this highly awaited project.
The world of Bollywood is always abuzz with the latest celebrity sightings, and recently, all eyes were on the stunning Kriti Sanon. Known for her impeccable fashion sense and captivating screen presence, the talented actress effortlessly turned heads with her travel-ready attire. In a short video captured at the Mumbai airport, Kriti Sanon was spotted by the shutterbugs with her sister Nupur Sanon. While the actress was posing for the camera, one of the paparazzi asked Kriti Sanon what does the letter H" printed on her hoodie stands for. Guess," replied Kriti Sanon.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by F I L M Y G Y A N (@filmygyan)

Talking about her outfit, Kriti Sanons airport look was a perfect blend of comfort and style. She donned an oversized hoodie with matching pants. On the back side of the hoodie wrote the letter H." The actress left her hair open with a side partition. On the other hand, Nupur Sanon opted for casual attire.

As soon as the clip surfaced on the internet, social media users put in a lot of effort to guess what the letter H stands for. They flooded the comment section with numerous contrasting thoughts.

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, Happy Scrolling..! Here take some popcorn," while another commented, Heropanti."

Kitne cute expressions hain yarr iske," an internet user wrote.

Earlier, Kriti Sanon made an Instagram announcement, marking the beginning of a new phase in her life. After a successful career of nearly ten years in the film industry, Kriti Sanon is venturing into production along with her sister Nupur Sanon. The actress shared a short clip revealing the launch of her production house called Blue Butterfly Films. Accompanying the video, she also expressed her excitement for this new endeavour, stating And Its time to shift the gear!"

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon)

Captioning the post, she further wrote, Ive been in this magical industry living my dreams for 9 years. Ive taken baby steps, learned, evolved & grown into the actor I am today! I absolutely love every bit and aspect of filmmaking. And now, its time to do more, to be more, to learn more, to tell more stories that touch my heart and hopefully yours too. Heres to constantly evolve and find the most beautiful version of yourself."

Beyond excited to finally start BLUE BUTTERFLY FILMS with a full heart and big dreams!! (butterfly emoticons) Nupur Sanon. Announcing something special tomorrow. Stay Tuned!" Kriti Sanon concluded.

Work-wise, Kriti Sanons latest appearance was in Om Rauts Adipurush, where she portrayed the character of Janaki (based on Sita), in an adaptation of the Ramayana. The film featured Prabhas as Raghav (based on Rama), Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh (Ravana), Sunny Singh as Lakshman, and Devdutta Nage as Bajrang.

The actresss upcoming projects include The Crew, a film that also features Kareena Kapoor and Tabu. Additionally, she has an untitled film alongside Shahid Kapoor. Furthermore, Kriti is also a part of Ganapath, directed by Vikas Bahl, which is set to release on October 20, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tiger Shroff.
From from making her mark in the glamour world and representing her country at the global level, former Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar is touted as one of the most sought-after actors. The gorgeous actress has an envious line up of forthcoming projects including Tehran along side John Abraham and Operation Valentine opposite Varun Tej amongst others.

Recently, during an interview, Manushi spilled some beans on her upcoming film Operation Valentine. She shared, This was the first time that I was reading a script and I literally wanted to know what happened next. I love the fact that my character in the film is so well written that I think I absolutely fell in love with her.I feel that there was a lot of relatability, a lot of every woman in that character, she said.

I love the fact that because hes (Shakti Pratap Singh) a lawyer, his research is strong and hes adamant on what he wants and have to deliver. That clarity of a director really helps an actor to look into a certain direction. Its of course on the Air force and since my father is from the Ministry of Defence, hes not in the armed forces but I have had a certain exposure," she added.

So there were two aspects I felt about the film of course, the fact that you know, the writer or the director knew what they were doing with the script and at the same time, I love the way it was written because not a lot of scripts have such well-written and well-defined female characters" she said, signing off.

The model and actress considers Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, as her idol and seizes every opportunity to express her gratitude towards her. On Priyankas birthday on July 18, Manushi penned a sweet wish for her.
Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra is set to make his directorial debut. Yes, you read it right. If a recent report by Mirchi Plus is to be believed, Malhotra will soon be directing a biopic of the late legendary actress Meena Kumari which is likely to star Kriti Sanon in the lead. Reportedly, the film is currently in the scripting stage and will be backed by Bhushan Kumar T-Series.

Meena Kumari, who passed away at the age of 38 from liver cirrhosis, acted in nearly 90 films and left a lasting impression on Hindi cinema. The biopic is Manishs way to honour her legacy and the impact she left on the industry and cine-goers alike, reports claim.

Tajdar Amrohi, son of Meena Kumaris husband Kamal Amrohi, raised concerns about it. Speaking of the conversation between his lawyer and him, Tajdar told Bollywood Bubble, My lawyer asked me has the film even started. I told him no, I have just heard about it. Even big production houses like to be in news. So, he told me that in case they decide to shelve the project in future, it would come across as I am publicity hungry. I am making enemies in vain. I dont want to do that. People would think I am publicity hungry, but I am not that way.

He added, Is this the only couple in Bollywood left to make a film on? With all due respect to Nargis ji, Vyjanthimala ji, Reena Rai, Madhubala, Parveen Babi, Geeta Bali, there are many names. Why arent they making films on them? Why are they only behind my parents?

Tajdar Amrohi acknowledged Kritis talent as an actress but advised her against portraying Meena Kumari on screen to preserve the legendary actress reputation. He also said that although Kriti is a talented actress, he believes she should refrain from portraying Meena Kumari on screen to safeguard the legendary actress reputation. He went on to say that a big announcement about the alleged biopic will soon be made.

A source had earlier told the Hindustan Times, The story and screenplay of this intense musical love story, set in the backdrop of the partition, is also written by Malhotra. He has already envisioned the entire screenplay ready in his mind and casting for the film will begin shortly." However, nothing was heard of the film later.
Oppenheimer has generated immense anticipation due to its subject and the involvement of the acclaimed filmmaker, Christopher Nolan. The movie explores the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, widely regarded as the father of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimers story has captivated audiences, particularly his connection to the Bhagavad Gita and its famous quote, I am become death, the destroyer of worlds," which he kept in his thoughts after the successful Trinity test in 1945. However, a Time magazine article from 1948 reveals that the scientist also drew inspiration from Meghaduta, a work by Kalidasa and the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hinduism.

According to reports, Oppenheimer read the Bhagavad Gita for his personal enjoyment. He shared his knowledge of the Gita with his friends at Berkeley and even took lessons in Sanskrit from Arthur W Ryder, an expert in the language. Interestingly, Sanskrit was Oppenheimers eighth language.

Through letters, J. Robert Oppenheimer would keep his brother Frank updated about his Sanskrit lessons and the knowledge he gained from studying various texts. It included not only Bhagavad Gita but also the Meghaduta and the Vedas.

Only a very long letter can make up for my great silence and for the many sweet things for which I have to thank you, letters and benevolences stretching now over many months. Benevolences starting with the precious Meghaduta and rather too learned Veda. The Meghaduta I read with Ryder, with great delight, some ease and great enchantment; the Veda lies on my shelf, a reproach to my indolence, he wrote in 1934.

In another letter, Oppenheimer made connections between the Bhagavad Gitas philosophies and the context of war. He expressed his belief that discipline plays a crucial role in achieving calmness and preserving what is essential to our happiness, even in challenging situations.

Therefore I think that all things which evoke discipline: study, and our duties to men and to the commonwealth, war ought to be greeted by us with profound gratitude; for only through them can we attain to the least detachment; and only so can we know peace, the scientist added.

Following in the footsteps of J Robert Oppenheimer, actor Cillian Murphy, who will be portraying the prominent scientist in Christopher Nolans upcoming film, recently shared his experience of reading the Bhagavad Gita to prepare for the role. Murphy expressed his admiration and described it as absolutely beautiful.
All is not well between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, if a new report is to be believed. The former senior royal and the actress got married in May 2018 and moved to the US after Meghan faced heavy criticism in the UK. While the couple moved to Montecito, Calif. and live with their two children, son Archie and daughter Lili, it is now being claimed that their marriage has hit the rocks and that the couple is living separately.

According to Radar Online report, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are taking time apart to rebuild their bond. Theyre trying to figure out what hit them. Harry doesnt fit in Meghans tacky Tinseltown world," an alleged source told the outlet. The couple have allegedly had a few rocky months following the bad press theyve received and the deals that fell out. The reported added that the Spotify deal failure was a game-changer" for their relationship.

It is claimed that Harry is headed to Africa, where he feels most like himself and Meghan will not accompany him. He is allegedly headed for the solo trip to film his documentary for Netflix. Taking time apart on different continents will hopefully help them find whatever they need to move on," the source claimed.

The insider added that Meghan and Harry are under tremendous financial pressure to fund their lavish California lifestyle, including their $14 million mansion and huge security costs. That stress, coupled with their emotional issues, has likely made life a living hell, the grapevine claimed.

To top it off, an anonymous tipster told celeb gossip platform Deuxmoi that the couple has sold their mansion in Montecito and Harry was living in another place. Not sure if the house was sold but I had heard a couple weeks ago he was staying someplace else there, the platform said.

While Meghan and Harry are yet to address these claims, a source close to the couple told Page Six, Its not true, its literally made up."
The buzz around Nag Ashwins directorial Project K is growing stronger with each passing day. New update? Well, the Baahubali brothers Prabhas and Rana Daggubati have just landed in the US, fueling excitement for the grand unveiling of Project K at the San Diego Comic-Con event. While details remain under wraps regarding Rana Daggubatis involvement in the film, the actor has been rooting for the film ever since its announcement.

The production house Vyjayanthi Movies set the hearts racing with a sneak peek of Prabhas and Rana Daggubatis arrival in the US. In the picture, Prabhas and Rana, dressed in What is Project K T-shirts, were spotted with their backs turned towards the camera. A signboard saying Hollywood was seen in the background. The caption along with the picture read, The men have landed in the USA. See you in San Diego on July 20th.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vyjayanthi Movies (@vyjayanthimovies)

Previously, at the India Today conclave, Rana Daggubati said, Thats the film we are really looking forward to in Telugu. That film, I think will break the boundaries that both Baahubali and RRR have done. Pushing that boundary to the next edge. I am really looking forward to that film and it could really become a global film from Telugu. On Tuesday, Rana Daggubati also posted the same picture with Prabhas on his Instagram handle with the caption, Just hanging out in the hills.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rana Daggubati (@ranadaggubati)

The film will also mark Deepika Padukones entry into the Telugu industry. On Tuesday, the makers also dropped the first look of Deepika Padukone from the film. Deepika was seen sporting a fierce look in the intense poster. In case you missed it, check it out here:

Mark Your Calendars!

The sci-fi fantasy thriller is scheduled to release next year in January. Interestingly, Nag Ashwins big-budget sci-fi film will become the first-ever Indian film to get its official launch at Comic-Con. The makers of Project K will unveil the films title, trailer, and release date at the prestigious event, which will take place from July 20-23. Apart from Prabhas and Ran Daggubati, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Nag Ashwin will take part in the panel discussion.

The producers, earlier, in a statement said, This exclusive event will transport guests into Indias most ambitious cinematic universe yet with their captivating storytelling, futuristic setting, and Spice Punk aesthetic inspired by the film. This multi-lingual sci-fi film is slated to release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English.
North India is currently grappling with the devastating impact of heavy rains and floods, causing havoc in numerous cities and villages. In the face of this challenging situation, many individuals have extended a helping hand by providing essential supplies to those in distress. Recently, actor Randeep Hooda teamed up with the Khalsa Aid group to contribute to the relief efforts. Randeep took to social media to share a heartfelt video, showcasing his support as he distributed ration to the flood-affected areas of Haryana. Joining him in this noble endeavour was his girlfriend, Lin Laishram.

In the clip, Randeep is seen wearing a saffron-coloured headgear as he joined the relief work. The footage then shows Randeep in knee-deep water delivering essential ration kits. The actor also stands in a relief camp, distributing cooking oil bottles and other food packages to victims impacted by the floods. Lin Laishram can also be seen in a few shots. Sharing the video on Instagram, Randeep Hooda wrote, Urging others to come out and join hands in helping each-other.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda)

Since Randeep Hooda shared the video, it has garnered over 1 million views and has received a flood of comments from social media users, all praising the actor for his exceptional work. Reacting to the clip, a user wrote, 1 hi to Dil hai Randeep bhai, kitni baar jeetogey. (We only have one heart, how many times will you win). Another wrote, This actors unwavering commitment to helping others is truly remarkable. He is a shining example of what it means to be a hero.

Randeep Hoodas dedication to relief efforts was captured through pictures and videos, which were shared on both Khalsa Aids platform and Lin Laishrams Instagram stories. Take a look:

On the work front, Randeep Hooda is preparing to portray the role of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his upcoming film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. The actor will be sharing the screen space with actress Ankita Lokhande. This project marks his directorial debut.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is on a break from acting, is making sure to gain power and strength during this healing journey. On Wednesday, the actress took to her Instagram handle and shared a series of pictures and videos from her recent visit to Sadhgurus Isha Foundation in Coimbatore.

In the first two photos, Samantha was seen meditating with her eyes closed. She sported a simple white suit and tied her hair into a ponytail. The actress also wore a garland in her neck. One of the videos that Samantha shared showed a peacock dancing.

In the caption of her post, Samantha mentioned how meditation has been helping her to stay calm and gain power. A while ago, sitting stillwithout thoughts flooding, without twitching, itching, twisting and turningseemed almost impossible. But today, a meditative state is my most powerful source of strength. Of calm. Of connection. And of clarity..Who would have thought that something so simple could be so powerful," she wrote. Check out the post here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha (@samantharuthprabhuoffl)

This is the first social media post Samantha has shared on her Instagram handle ever since she announced her acting break. Last week, the actress wrapped up the Citadel India shoot and then confirmed her acting break via an Instagram post. And its a wrap on #CitadelIndia. A break doesnt seem like a bad thing at all when you know whats coming @rajanddk @mensit The family I didnt know I needed Thank you for helping me fight every single battle and never ever giving up on me..I wish more than anything in the world to make you proud..Thank you for the role of a lifetime.. i.e until you write me the next," she had written.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Samantha is taking a break from work to focus on her health. For the unversed, the actress is suffering from an autoimmune disease called myositis.
Kim Kardashian was left impressed after listening to the story of a woman who credited the beauty moguls SKIMS shapewear for saving her life. Identified as Angelina Wiley, the 22-year-old claimed that she was shot multiple times earlier this year, as per Independent. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Angelina shared her ordeal via TikTok which instantly went viral across social media platforms. In the footage, she spoke about wearing Kim Kardashians shapewear when she was accidentally caught in a shooting incident on New Years Eve.

Angelina credited the beauty mogul saying, Kim Kardashian saved my life. This New Years, I got shot four times. The night I got shot, under my dress, I was wearing a Skims shaping bodysuit. Apparently, the shapewear was extremely tight on her which kept her from losing blood. After surviving the incident, Angelina now recommends people choose SKIMS, believing its nothing less than armour for women. She continued, It was so tight on me that it literally kept me from bleeding out. I should recommend it. Im definitely gonna buy some more. I mean, I should wear it every day. Its like body armor for women.

She concluded the video by adding, Call it fate or Jesus, but Imma call it Kim. As soon as Angelinas story caught the attention of Kim Kardashian she was left quite amazed. So much so that she ended up re-sharing the TikTok in a now-vanished Instagram story. Wowww," Kim wrote alongside a praying hand emoticon while reacting to the incident.

Take a look at it here:

According to Angelinas GoFundMe page, the woman was waiting for a Lyft ride along with her friends when she was caught amid gunfire. Angelina and her friends, alarmed by the gunshots, ran to procure shelter but the former was unable to make it in time. She was shot multiple times and one of the bullets still remains intact in her body.

The woman suffered a ruptured bladder that was repaired in surgery, a cracked pelvis that they are hoping to heal on its own (although that means Nina learns to walk with a walker in the process), a bullet still lodged in her abdomen, not to mention the mental trauma she will have to work her way through."

Reportedly, in a subsequent video update, Angeline claimed that she is undergoing both physical therapy and suffered from severe PTSD following the incident.
The massive violent protests in France after the death of a 17-year-old boy of Moroccan and Algerian descent should be seen as an example of Pavlovian conditioning. Morally supported by Leftists and liberals, Islamists and their thuggish cronies tried to set France afire, resulting in the worst riots for almost two decades. Assisted by the mainstream media, they have been able to magnify and distort a mishap  which was, at worst, a case of excessive but not unprovoked police action  into some version of the 1884-1906 Dreyfus affair.

Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army captain in the French Army, was charged with treason in December 1894 for allegedly selling military secrets to the Germans. A military court found him guilty in September 1899. It was found that the charges against him were fabricated, so the French president pardoned him. In July 1906, a civilian court of appeals set aside the judgment. But the army remained unconvinced; it was only in 1995 that it publicly accepted his innocence. That was systemic racism.

Nahel Merzouk suffered no such ignominy or discrimination, though he has been presented as a martyr. The fact is that he was accused of juvenile delinquency in the past. While the police version has been disputed, what is beyond doubt is that Nahel, a minor, was dangerously driving a car. Worse, he ignored the warning issued to him by the cops. One of them later shot at him. That he succumbed to the bullet injury is unfortunate, but this was clearly not a case of systemic racism. Delinquent behavior of any boy  white or black, French or African, Christian or Muslimcould have had a similar ending.

But liberal politicians and intellectuals are so fond of the term systemic racism that they use all the time. By the way, it is only in the context of Western nations and societies. The implicit assumption is that there is no discrimination based on ethnicity, faith, gender, or sexual orientation in Muslim countries. Besides, if racism and bigotry are systemic in Western societies, why do so many Muslims (and also non-Muslims) want to migrate to Europe and the United States?

Liberals and intellectuals ignore the reality that in no Muslim-majority country human rights and civil liberties are cherished as much as in Western countries. It is also a well-known fact that in many Muslim countries discrimination is doctrinally justified and systemically and systematically enforced. For instance, the atrocities against Hindus and Christians in Pakistan.

Muslims and other religious and ethnic minorities in France and other Western countries enjoy not just greater freedom but also much better living standards than the people in the countries where they or their parents came from (In fact, for non-Sunni Muslims, Western countries are much safer than most Muslim nations). This is the reason that Muslims want to go to Western countries, often using illegal means.

All manner of lies were spread by people about Nahel Merzouks death. Everyone else is responsible for the death but the delinquent himself and his family. I lost a child of 17-year-old, they took my baby, his mother said in a TikTok video. He was still a child, he needed his mother. This morning he gave me a big kiss and told me he loved me. I told him to be careful and I loved him.

And yet, she did nothing to stop her child from driving a car. In France, as in India, the minimum age for legally driving a car is 18. According to his mother, they both had left the house together, a report in The Independent said. While he went to get a McDonalds takeout, she left for work.

It looks like she knew that he would be driving the car, but didnt stop him. Yet, she is not blamed for being an irresponsible parentand the entire French government is. His grandmother said, I will never forgive them. My grandson died, they killed my grandson. We are not happy at all, I am against the government.

It is not just Nahels family and Muslims are blaming the police and the government; the self-loathing, guilt-ridden liberals in the West keep blaming their own countries, indeed the Western civilization, for intellectually fashionable sins like Islamophobia and xenophobia. The Western mainstream media, by indulging in self-flagellation, provides moral and intellectual support to the Islamists who are increasingly gaining in strength and acceptability in Europe and the western hemisphere.

Islamists and their thuggish collaborators are able to capitalize on the death of a teenager, who died primarily because of his own recklessness. This is exactly what they did after Nahel Merzouks death. This also gave them an opportunity to indulge in vandalism, arson, and loot; the pretext is protest against systemic racism. When you loot a Foot Locker, a Lacoste store or a Sephora boutique, there is no political message, Olivier Veran, the French government spokesman reportedly said.

But robbers and goons just need pretexts, not political stimuli, to act; and they dont deliver any message. In general Muslims in France cling to the most regressive practices of Islam, oppose the imperatives of modernity, and refuse to join the mainstream. It is their own self-caused ghettoisation that keeps them separate and relatively low on the educational and economic indices. And yet, they blame others for their own attitudes and actions.

With the help of Leftists and liberals.

The author is a freelance journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France on July 13 and 14, the two countries agreed to further cooperation in sectors such as defence and outlined a roadmap for the next 25 years of India-France ties. The visit marked 25 years of India and France entering into a strategic partnership and the PM described the two countries ties as being in excellent shape, and that they are strong, trusted and consistent.

France has emerged as amongst the largest exporters of defence equipment to India in the past 10 years. Last year, it was at 29% of Indias market share of defence imports, which placed it second. Thirty-six Rafale fighter jets have already been delivered. A large number of deals, including more Rafale jets, submarines, joint development of combat aircraft engines and helicopters, are also being negotiated and finalised. Some involve joint production and significant technology transfer. This is crucial for Indias defence modernization, diversification of supplies and Make in India focus. There is also a convergence in security and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific.

HORIZON 2047

The foreign secretary spoke of the outcomes that had been achieved during this visit and said it is the first time that India has chalked out a Horizon 2047 framework of partnership with any country in the world. He elaborated that it contains not just aspirations that the two countries think that the relationship can touch, but also has very specific substance to it which this relationship will be filled with.

2047 is when India will celebrate the 100th year of its Independence and France and India will be celebrate 50 years of our Strategic Partnership. There are 63 specific outcomes divided among multiple pillars. It is a comprehensive approach to how India and France would approach their partnership in the space of security and sovereignty. It doesnt look at individual transactions, it doesnt even look at individual segments of it, but at security in the widest possible perspective, and reduces it to what specific things could be achieved by the two countries.

The next is Indo-Pacific, more in terms of providing solutions. Not just to the security or strategic challenges, but also the economic challenges of the Indo-Pacific, as an area of stability and sustainable development. The third is the domain of space, which is at the centre of our partnership. Fourth, is cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Fifth, the shared commitment to promote renewed and effective multilateralism. Sixth, and this is one pillar which has several other crucial sub-segments and this is a space relating to science, technology and academic cooperation between research institutions. Then there are people-to-people ties and engagements.

DEFENCE COOPERATION

The 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 the metrics of defence partnership are not defined by a single acquisition or a non-acquisition. The India-France Strategic Partnership looks at all elements of engagement where the two countries are committed to cooperating  co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries. It also talks of Indias intent to build its own defence industrial and technological base.

For the past several years, the two countries have been undertaking technology partnerships in the field of defence. The defence relationship has been looked at in a very comprehensive manner  listing out the ecosystem of defence engagement between the two countries, a full range of military exercises, military industrial cooperation, research, design, transfer of technology; in some cases, co-production, co-manufacturing, supply chain integration in the manufacturing ecosystem in the field of defence between the two countries; technology value chain integrations going forward between the two countries, with a lot of these linked to the priority of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Hence, the partnership should be looked at from a frame of reference, which is comprehensive, strategic and looks ahead at the entire defence ecosystem.

DEFENCE DEALS

An MoU between Mazgon Dockyard Ltd and Naval Group for the construction of three additional submarines under the P75 programme as well as a roadmap for Cooperation in Advanced Aeronautical Technologies, by supporting the Joint Development of a Combat Aircraft Engine between Safran and DRDO for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), have the potential to add significantly to the defence relationship. That India will jointly own the IP for a military jet engine will be a game-changer.

As per Nitin Gokhale, while this may take up to ten years and billions of dollars in research and development, once achieved, India will become one of the few countries to possess the expertise.

A Shareholders Agreement between HAL and Safran has been concluded for engine development for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) and that has now got the support of both governments which will make the process faster.

India will also be setting up a Technical Office of the DRDO at its Embassy in Paris to further accelerate the process of high-tech defence collaborations.

However, many analysts were taken by surprise when they found no mention of the 26 Rafale Marine Aircraft in the Joint statement. In fact, before the visit, the focus was on the signing of the deal for these aircraft, a follow-up order for three Scorpene submarines which are being built at Mazagon Docks, the French participation in the SSN submarines being built under Project 75 and the joint development for the AMCA and the engine for the Multi Role Helicopter.

On July 13, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted the 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 DAC had also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under the Buy (Indian) category, to be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The statement said: Following an international competition launched by the Indian authorities, this decision comes after a successful trial campaign held in India, during which the Navy Rafale demonstrated that it fully met the Indian Navys operational requirements and was perfectly suited to the specificities of its aircraft carrier. The Indian Navys 26 Rafale will eventually join the 36 Rafale already in service, which are giving full satisfaction to the Indian Air Force, making India the first country to make the same military choice as France by operating both versions of the aircraft to help consolidate its superiority in the air and on the seas and guarantee its sovereignty.

However, this is only one step in the procurement process the price and other terms of purchase need to be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects. There will be detailed deliberations and discussions to sort out the finer details before the final announcement. Further, this deal needs to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS).

There is no doubt that the relationship has evolved over the years from a buyer-seller relationship, from partial to full technology transfer, joint production and now co-development.

CONCLUSION

The Indo-Pacific region, where India is already a member of the QUAD, remains an area of common concern to India and France; hence the roadmap of India-France Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is important. Both countries share a common vision on this crucial region. Given the interests of both countries in this region, they are also joining hands with other like-minded nations.

This is a period of transformational change in the global order, with growing uncertainty about the future. Relations between India and France have stood the test of time, with France supporting Indias stand on issues ranging from Kashmir to nuclear power. France was also the first country with veto power to support Indias permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.

The strategic partnership between the two countries gained momentum in the last decade and both countries have shown a willingness to drive this partnership forward. There is a strategic convergence on many global issues, while at the same time both countries attach importance to strategic autonomy. Frances defence industry has demonstrated a commitment to contribute to Atmanirbhar Bharat. There is a high level of mutual trust and shared commitment visible in this relationship cemented to a large degree by their defence ties.

The author is an Army veteran. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Travellers using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT to plan their travel itineraries is set to boom, according to market research company Euromonitor International.

The massive increase can be narrowed down to convenience and 24/7 accessibility, says Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International.

Travellers can access AI tools from various devices, including smartphones and computers, at any time and from anywhere with an internet connection.

A resounding 97.8% of travel executives in the Euromonitor Internationals Voice of the Industry: Travel Survey stated that AI would have an impact over the next five years.

AI could disrupt travel bookings

Bremner commented: ChatGPT is taking travel and the world by storm. With travel highly digitalised where 66% of all bookings are conducted online in 2023 and mobile accounts for 35% of all online sales, disruption from generative AI is already rife.

The travel industry is already adapting. Expedia announced in April 2023 its collaboration with OpenAI, offering in-app trip planning powered by ChatGPT for iOS, as well as offering a plug-in to ChatGPT Plus users. The Expedia ChatGPT experience provides personalised recommendations, acting like a virtual travel assistant, delivering relevant results for hotels and what to do in destination.

Booking Holdings Kayak and OpenTable also announced ChatGPT plug-ins. Other travel brands like TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and Klook followed suit. Trip.com integrated ChatGPT into TripGen, its newly released AI chatbot that provides real-time assistance, itinerary planning and booking tips in the pre-trip stage. Hotels and airlines meanwhile are turning to generative AI for customer service, while automating menial tasks.

More integration will inevitably follow so that ultimately the trip planning to booking stages will blend seamlessly, dependent on access to real-time booking functionality. Generative AI is only at the beginning of its journey, giving consumers what Airbnb called the ultimate concierge.

AI access to real time data can be game-changer

Bremner said: The path of AI adoption will not run entirely smoothly as there are major concerns over consumer privacy with countries like Italy temporarily banning ChatGPT. There are also concerns over large language models being reliant on out-of-date internet knowledge, with a lag of two years in the case of ChatGPT with no access to current events or real-time information. However, access to real time data has been enabled thanks to a new plug-in with Microsoft Bing.

The risks of amplifying misinformation, bias and inequality are all too real. Safety and security of consumers must be of paramount importance. Tech leaders like Elon Musk recently demanded a pause on AI development to avoid risks to humanity including possible extinction from superintelligence, stating that the AI race was out of control and time was needed to enable government policy to play catch up.

Travel agents faced mass disruption due to the rise of online travel three decades ago, that led to mass store closures and job losses. Now, the sector is ripe for more disruption as generative AI accelerates automation of tasks across every stage of the customer journey, before, during and after the trip. With Microsoft planning to integrate generative AI into its Microsoft 365 Copilot software, it will become ever more prevalent in consumers daily lives and work whether we like it or not.

As before, travel brands will take the rough with the smooth to navigate this new phase of digital transformation with a test and learn approach. However, only those that ultimately celebrate the human touch of travel and hospitality will thrive. - TradeArabia News Service
A day after the Opposition selected INDIA as their coalition name, and the BJP taking a swipe at them for not being able to stay firm on whether the D stands for Developmental or Democratic, reports emerged on Wednesday of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar leaving the meeting early" and expressing dissatisfaction with the new Opposition name.

The alliance, led by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, has revealed its strategy to challenge the BJP in 2024, and it will be known as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Nitish Kumar was also reportedly doubtful over having an acronym with the letters NDA in it and about the possibility of a confusion due to both names sounding similar. However, he was told that that the I" in the NDA differentiates the two names, reports said.

According to media reports, CM Nitish Kumar, was shocked when the Opposition revealed the name. He even questioned how can an alliance be named INDIA".

According to a report by India Today, there was no discussion between Congress and Nitish Kumar regarding the alliance name before its revelation.

Reportedly, left leaders expressed hesitation and proposed various alternatives to the alliance name. However, as the majority of parties showed approval for the name, Nitish Kumar reportedly agreed, said an NDTV report.

Nitish Also Unhappy Over Not Being Made Convener: Sushil Modi

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned early from the Opposition meeting in Bengaluru as he was upset" over not having been made convener of the new coalition - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Kumars JD(U) hit back, dubbing the former Deputy CM as someone who makes ridiculous statements and is not taken seriously even within his party.

In a statement issued here, the BJP leader claimed that Kumar deliberately skipped the press conference held after the meeting since he felt slighted over not having been made sanyojak (convener) of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. He also likened Kumars early return from Bengaluru to the action of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the last months opposition meeting here.

The AAP delegation had skipped the press conference after the meet in Patna, and soon afterwards, come out with a statement lashing out at the Congress for not assuring support on the ordinance issue. Some of our friends are not present because their return journeys were scheduled," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said at the press conference in Bengaluru.

(With Inputs from PTI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who took part in BJP-led NDAs unity meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, called the Shiv Sena the senior most ally of the tie-up as he extolled the bond between the two parties.

Our association goes a long way. Our alliance is ideological and emotional, thereby strengthening the bond between the two parties, said Shinde who greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the venue along with the chief minister of Nagaland and former CM of Tamil Nadu. The Maharashtra CM was received by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and national general secretary of BJP Vinod Tawde at the function.

Expressing belief in the leadership of PM Modi, Shinde said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will break all records and Modi will assume power yet again. The NDA will get majority once again. Modi-ji has strengthened the economy. Today, India is respected across the world. The more the opposition parties level allegations, the stronger the NDA will become, he said.

Taking a dig at the opposition meeting in Bengaluru, Shinde said: Here we have an alliance of a strong bond and ideological common ground. There, they cannot even decide on their leader. All the opponents who lack confidence have come together. This is a win for Modi-ji.

Shinde also said with Ajit Pawar and NCP joining the alliance, the NDA has further strengthened in Maharashtra. The situation in Maharashtra has changed since then. We will get a clean sweep in the state. We are not worried about anything. We enjoy a 210-strong majority.

Thirty-eight political parties attended Tuesdays meeting in New Delhi in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was launched in the 1990s in a bid to expand its electoral base and to befriend regional allies. Shiv Sena was the first regional party to join NDA under the leadership of Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. He was often consulted by senior BJP leaders such as LK Advani and Pramod Mahajan. Shiv Sena was given a place of honour since Balasaheb shared the vision of BJPs Hindutva idelogy. After Shiv Sena, Akali Dal too followed suit and joined the NDA.
The Election Commission of India on Wednesday began public hearings in Guwahati on its delimitation proposal for Assam, and the team will be in the state till Friday to meet representatives from political parties, civil society organisations among others.

The public hearings are part of a consultative exercise by the poll body during the process of delimitation. Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar as well as election commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel are hearing representatives from political parties, civil society organisations and other sections of society over three days till Friday, the ECI said.

On the first day, the ECI received more than 270 representations. Till Friday, it is likely to receive over 770, the ECI added. The team will be meeting national and state political parties on Thursday.

The commission had visited Guwahati in March before the delimitation exercise began. During the consultations then, the ECI received representations from 11 political parties and 71 organisations.

After the delimitation proposal for Assam was published in June, the ECI invited suggestions and objections, the last date for which was July 11. Over 780 representations have been received during this period, the ECI said.

Last month, the ECI published the draft proposal for delimitation of assembly and Lok Sabha seats in the state. It was an exercise pending for long, as the last delimitation exercise was carried out in 1976.

The delimitation proposal seeks to retain the number of Lok Sabha seats at 14 and the number of assembly seats at 126. The scheduled tribes are proposed to be allocated 19 out of 126 seats in the state assembly, and two of the 14 LS seats. The scheduled castes are proposed to be allocated nine seats in the assembly, and one seat in the Lok Sabha.

Delimitation means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body. In India, this job is assigned to the delimitation commission or a boundary commission, which has been formed four times  1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952; in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962; in 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972; and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.

When the exercise was carried out in 2002, Assam, along with Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, was left out after a PIL was filed in the Gauhati High Court challenging the use of the 2001 Census for reference. In February 2020, then President Ram Nath Kovind paved the way for the delimitation exercise in Assam.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dismissed speculations on Wednesday that he was upset" over not being appointed as the convener of the new coalition - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Talking to reporters after inaugurating a month-long Malmas Mela at Rajgir he said, he was not present at the press meet in Bengaluru following the conclave stating, I wanted to return to Rajgir."

#WATCH | Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says, "I was not present in yesterday's press conference of the opposition meeting in Bengaluru because I wanted to return to Rajgir." pic.twitter.com/6kSteSoC56 ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

The meeting proved to be very fruitful, he said, adding the Opposition are all delighted with the outcome. Unfortunately, I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape," the JD(U) leader said.

The clarification came in response to claims made by BJP leader Sushil Modi soon after the conclave, which was attended by 26 parties from across the country, concluded in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Modi had asserted that Kumar returned to Patna without attending the press meet because he was upset over not being appointed as the convenor of the alliance.

On Tuesday, 26 non-BJP parties came together to form the coalition - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), setting the tone for their united campaign in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to take on the ruling NDA.

He also drew a comparison between Kumars early return from Bengaluru and the action of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at last months opposition meeting in Patna.

Kumar asked, Who takes Sushil Modi seriously?" The de facto leader of the JD(U) reiterated that he does not have any ambition for himself.

The JD(U) dismissed the claims and hit back, dubbing the former Deputy CM as someone who makes ridiculous statements and is not taken seriously even within his party.

JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan dismissed reports of Kumar being unhappy with the acronym INDIA and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition, stating it as dushprachar" (canard) of the NDA. Lalan, who accompanied Kumar on the trip to Bengaluru, said that the name INDIA had received approval from all leaders present at the opposition conclave.

He further asserted that selecting the convenor was not on the agenda of Tuesdays meeting and could be discussed in the next meeting in Mumbai. Lalan added, Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry."

(With inputs from PTI)
The BJP on Wednesday took a swipe at the opposition parties over a Samajwadi Party legislators remark in the Maharashtra Assembly on chanting Vande Mataram, asking if this was their idea of INDIA.

The BJPs reaction came after Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi, while raising the Sambhajinagar district riot issue in the Assembly, said chanting Vande Mataram was unacceptable to him.

Abu Azmi of SP says I wont say Vande Mataram, I wont bow my head as my religion doesnt allow it," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet.

Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A," he tweeted, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition of 26 opposition parties.

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)  to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Poonawalla alleged India is in the name of the opposition parties alliance but not in their agenda.

Earlier SP released terrorists and patronised Yakub (Memon), Afzal (Guru). Congress questioned the surgical strike, Balakot, and 26/11 was blamed on India, not Pakistan. This is their true face," he alleged.

Will Mamata-di, Kharge ji, Rahul ji tell us their stand?" Poonawalla asked.

The Maharashtra legislative assembly was adjourned on Wednesday following a noisy protest by BJP MLAs over Abu Azmis remark on chanting Vande Mataram.

While raising the issue of a riot in the Sambhajinagar district, Azmi said chanting Vande Mataram was unacceptable to him.

Some people say that if one has to live in India, Vande Mataram must be chanted. We can not do it. We believe only in one god," he said.

A ruckus followed as the BJP MLAs took serious exception to his remarks.
A day after announcing INDIA as their alliance name, the Opposition parties on Wednesday finalised Jeetega Bharat" as the combines tagline of the coalition, setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign.

Jeetega Bharat", which means India will win" is likely to be replicated in several regional languages, news agency PTI reported quoting sources.

As per sources, the word Bharat was added in the tagline as during the meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, several leaders felt that it should feature in the name of the alliance.

It was decided that it would feature in the tagline," a senior leader said.

Several leaders stressed that the coinage of the tagline was a result of a joint effort by several leaders.

The opposition alliance that will take on the ruling NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday announced that it will be called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said they have decided to prepare an action plan where they will talk about their ideology and programmes.

The fight is against the ideology of the BJP and their thinking, they are attacking the country, unemployment is rampant, and the countrys wealth is being taken away from millions and handed over in the hands of a few," Gandhi said.

According to multiple sources, the name was suggested by TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and there was a lot of discussion on the full form of the term, INDIA.

The Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said an 11-member coordination committee will be set up and its composition will be finalised in the next meeting in Mumbai. The dates for the Mumbai meeting will be announced soon, he added.

(With PTI Inputs)
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader suspended 10 BJP leaders from attending the monsoon session on Wednesday after members of the saffron party threw papers at the Chair, expressing their dissatisfaction with the Speakers decision to conduct the House proceedings without a lunch break.

BJP leaders who were suspended are: CN Ashwath Narayan, Sunil Kumar, R Ashok, Vedavyas Kamath, Yashpal Suvarna, Dheeraj Muniraj, Umanath Kotian, Aravind Bellad, Araga Jnanendra and Bharath Shetty.

Following the suspension of 10 BJP MLAs from the session, both the BJP and JDS have issued a notice to move a no-confidence motion against the speaker.

Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani was presiding over the proceedings after Speaker U T Khader left, stating that there would be no lunch break, and the Budget and demands discussions would continue. He allowed members who wish to leave for lunch to go and return later for the discussions.

Meanwhile, the opposition BJP and JD(S) members were protesting from the well of the House, accusing the Congress government of deploying 30 IAS officers to serve" its alliance leaders who had gathered in the city on Monday and Tuesday to strategise for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

Unhappy with the Speakers decision to continue the proceedings amid the protest and not provide a lunch break, BJP members gathered for a brief discussion and suddenly resorted to throwing papers at the Chair and Deputy Speaker, expressing their dissent. They demanded to know under which rule the lunch break had been canceled and expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation in the House.

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: BJP MLAs create ruckus in the Karnataka Assembly; shouting against State Government's decision to depute IAS officers for an opposition party meeting held in Bengaluru(Video source: Karnataka Assembly) pic.twitter.com/ABRSTkf6OL  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Assembly Marshals swiftly surrounded the Chair to protect Rudrappa Lamani. BJP MLAs were later evicted from the Vidhana Souda by the Marshals.

The Congress MLAs raised objections to the unruly" behavior of the BJP MLAs. Consequently, the Deputy Speaker took the decision to adjourn the House for the remainder of the day.

indecent and disrespectful conduct"

Following the BJP leaders indecent and disrespectful conduct", the Speaker named the 10 MLAs and asserted, I am naming them because of their indecent and disrespectful conduct." In response to the Speakers anguish, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil presented a proposal under section 348 of the Karnataka Assembly Rules of Procedure, requesting the suspension of these members from the Karnataka Assembly for the remainder of the session and barring them from entering the House.

The Speaker, expressing extreme anguish", put the motion to vote, and based on the voice vote, the 10 members were suspended from the Assembly.

Inhuman Govt

Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed his disappointment, stating, We expected justice from the Speaker, but it appears he is also entangled with the Congress. The Siddaramaiah government is operating in a Hitler-like manner. Today is a dark day. It is not just their suspension; it is also our suspension. We stand in solidarity with them and will also boycott the session."

He told CNN-News18, This is an inhuman government They dont have respect for the MLAs. The office of the chair is being misused. The speaker is a puppet at the hands of the government. Tomorrow, we will approach the governor to remove the speaker from his post".

Karnataka BJP MLA and former state minister CN Ashwath Narayan speaking on his suspension from the Karnataka Assembly, said, Today is a Black day, despite being on the right side, we have been suspended. We have issued a no-confidence motion against the speaker."

BJP leaders were seen blocking the Vidhana Sabha Kengal entrance and raising slogans against the Congress during a protest. Former CM HD Kumaraswamy joined the BJP leaders protest at the west entrance along with Bommai.

Later, Bommai was taken away in a bus and detained. Speaking to CNN-News18, Bommai stated, They are arresting us They want to suppress the voice of opposition. Its a Taliban government."

Hooliganism

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the incident as hooliganism". He said, I was also an opposition leader once. We might have torn papers, but we never threw papers at the Speaker. This is clear hooliganism. I also find it amusing how JDS joined BJP for the protest."

Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said, It is unfortunate. We have laid out guidelines and rules in the House. Nobody prevents them from protesting. However, there is some basic discipline that they must follow. Attacking the chair is something we have never witnessed in the Karnataka legislature. This incident is unfortunate, and we also appeal to the Speaker to take appropriate action. If this behavior is allowed to go unchecked, I dont think our legislative houses will function properly."

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, It is their right to protest, but what they did to the Speaker was incorrect, and we should all condemn it."

Earlier in the day, amidst the ongoing protests by BJP and JD(S) members from the well of the House, the Assembly passed five bills without any discussion.

The assembly session began on July 3 and is slated to end on July 21.

(With inputs from agencies)
With his 50 per cent-plus vote share prediction for 2024 for the BJP-led NDA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to take on the new INDIA alliance on the very day it was formed in Bengaluru.

While the new alliance is aiming for a seat-sharing model across Lok Sabha constituencies to put up a single opposition candidate on maximum seats, what INDIA actually needs is a Counter Modi Model as the prime minister remains the biggest calling card of his party, with continuing popularity at the national level among voters.

There is no face yet against Modi, who turned the 2014 and 2019 contests literally into US presidential style fights with him leading the charge with the pitch of a strong and decisive leader with no corruption taint and no baggage of being a political dynast.

Hard facts are also against the Oppositions thought of political arithmetic of adding their respective vote banks into a consolidation vote-share pie.

For starters, the new alliance stands at about 140 seats in the present Lok Sabha pie while the NDA is way ahead at over 330 seats. PM Modi pointed out on Tuesday that the NDA had won as many as 225 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 with a vote share of over 50 per cent, implying that to snatch away those seats would be a tall ask for the Opposition. Further, NDAs vote share had risen to 44 per cent in the 2019 polls from 38 per cent in 2014.

Opposition unity may have succeeded in some states like Bihar but has come a cropper in national elections against the Modi-led NDA. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, SP and BSP tried out an alliance but could reduce NDAs seats in Uttar Pradesh only marginally from 73 in 2014 to 64 in 2019. The BJP subsequently wrested back two Lok Sabha seats in bypolls in the Samajwadi-party strongholds of Azamgarh and Rampur.

Further, INDIA has an uphill task in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab among others where the leading regional players are unlikely and unwilling to give space again to the Congress party.

In the end, PM Modi remains the biggest challenge for INDIA. His face has no real counter in the opposition camp  with Rahul Gandhis face being roundly rejected by voters in 2014 and 2019. BJP hopes Modis chemistry with voters will defeat the arithmetic being flaunted on the other side.
The idea of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), the new opposition front for 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been inspired by the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

ALSO READ | Made in INDIA: How Oppn Alliance Finalised the Name at Bengaluru Meet | Of Punchlines & Suggestions

Sources say while all agreed that the word India or Indian must be included in the new fronts name, it was Gandhi who suggested that the idea of India, which he found during the yatra, could be incorporated. Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee agreed to it and suggested the name INDIA.

In the euphoria over the new name and new front and as it gets battle-ready, there is one fight which Gandhi has lost.

 , INDIA   Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 18, 2023

THE VISION, INDO-US DEAL & BIHAR EXPERIENCE

When Gandhi first entered active politics in 2004 and was made in-charge of the Youth Congress and National Student Union of India (NSUI), he had a vision. It was to make the Congress independent. He wanted it to be free of any control by other parties and carve its own path.

In fact, Gandhi had been closely observing that much of his mother Sonia Gandhis time as the party president and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson was spent in cajoling its alliance partners and often taking a step back.

ALSO READ | Why Nitish Kumar Objected to INDIA as Opposition Name Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

The one which shook him the most was the India-United States nuclear deal, which was close to then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singhs heart. He saw closely how the Left parties were aggressively attacking the PM.

It was then that Gandhi had made a firm resolve  there would have to be a day when the Congress would be able to walk alone.

It was with this idea that he had suggested the elections to the NSUI in Bihar as a start. But it was a non-starter from the beginning. For a party which was used to sifaarish culture and lack of elections at the lowest level, not many were ready for this. The idea was good, but premature, and hence it came as no surprise, when reports of nepotism and false applications began to pour in.

Gandhi had to put this idea on hold. Just as he had to accept the fact that the ordinance on convicted MPs being disqualified, which would help Lalu Yadav, had to be accepted.

LEFT TO AAP, NO EKLA CHOLO RE

As the Congress faced setbacks at the poll altar, Gandhi had to gulp his idea of Ekla cholo re because real politics is different from idealism and demands coalition.

Gandhi first agreed to it when he accepted Adhir Ranjan Choudhurys proposal that the Congress must tie up with the Left to take on Banerjee.

Toppling democratically elected government and carrying out political vendettas by misusing Central Agencies have become the norm under @BJP4India.In the face of adversity, INDIA stands unyielding in its commitment to protect the interests of our nation. We will not let our pic.twitter.com/6sZOcvnr7y  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) July 18, 2023

But the ultimate acceptance was in reaching out to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

At the parliamentary strategy meeting headed by Sonia Gandhi, a day before the Bengaluru meeting, some voices like Manish Tewari cautioned about aligning with the AAP. But for the larger goal of Opposition unity, the Congress decided to support the AAP.

ALSO READ | Thank You, Kharge Ji Delhi CM Expresses Gratitude to Congress for Support on Ordinance Issue

For Gandhi, who has personally never endorsed an alliance with parties such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), AAP or TMC, the Bengaluru summit has been both an awakening and acceptance.

As INDIA is born, the UPA is buried, so is Rahul Gandhis dream of an Aatmanirbhar Congress.
On a humid July Tuesday, nine months ahead of the much-anticipated Lok Sabha elections, battle lines are clearly drawn and swords are out by both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition, which coined a fancy acronym INDIA for its Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

While the latter, a grouping of 26 parties, claimed it represents India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the NDAs first letter represents New India. He added that D stands for the Development of the nation while A is for peoples aspirations.

On Tuesday, the prime minister  a master politician himself  framed a battle of narratives where Oppositions INDIA stands for dynasty, corruption, political compulsion and negativity while NDA stands for an aspirational India that looks 25 years ahead, taking along the disadvantaged and downtrodden section with it through its various developmental schemes.

By doing this, PM Modi not only presented a positive outlook for the BJP-led grouping but addressed the shortcomings of Atal Bihari Vajpayees Shining India where only the aspirational aspect was touched upon.

While INDIA claims to be inclusive, the BJP naturally highlighted the opposition-led blocs zero representation from the Northeast by presenting 11 allies from the region at Ashoka Hotel on Tuesday.

After the Opposition pulled a surprise by naming their alliance INDIA, the BJP-led NDA put forth its trump card  Narendra Damodardas Modi  to give a stern rebuttal.

Alliances formed with negativity are not meant to survive, the prime minister said as he fired his first salvo on Tuesday evening after weathering a day of political attacks from the likes of Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal in Bengaluru, where the Opposition went into a huddle for two days.

Minutes into his speech at Kalinga Hall in Delhis Ashoka Hotel, PM Modi alleged that the Congress had a habit of bringing down governments as he contrasted it with the NDA, saying the alliance was not formed to oust regimes. Throughout the day, the focal point of discussion at Bengaluru was to topple the Modi government.

Suggesting the opposition alliance was the result of Satta ki majboori (compulsion of power) and bhrashtachar ki niyat se kiya gaya (with an intent to indulge in corruption), he stressed: NDAs situation is exactly the opposite and different. For us, an alliance is not majboori (compulsion) but majbooti (strength). He reminded how BJP, despite being in a position to form the government on its own, preferred coming to power as NDA.

While he mentioned various government schemes, PM Modi did not lose the opportunity to hit out at the Opposition. Referring to Direct Benefit Transfer, he said: Due to DBT, we saved Rs 3 lakh crore from going into wrong hands. He added: The repeated mistake the Opposition is doing is they are undermining the intellect of the common man.

Very soon, the prime minister was in his known political avatar, tearing into the Opposition. Referring to Rahul Gandhis recent tours abroad, without naming him, PM Modi said amid applause from NDA partners: We never sought foreign help to oppose the ruling government. To put things into perspective, Rahul Gandhi had questioned why Europe and the US, the defenders of democracies, were oblivious of how a huge chunk of democracy in India had come undone at an event in London.

The prime minister also highlighted an apparent contradiction among the opposition constituents. In Kerala, the Left and the Congress are baying for each others blood. But their leaders are smiling, holding each others hands in Bengaluru. People can see how TMC is attacking Left and Congress cadres in Bengal but their leaders are refusing to utter a word against the TMC, said PM Modi. Making a contrast between an NDA with a positive outlook of developmental schemes and the alleged negativity of INDIA, PM Modi expressed confidence that 140 crore Indians could see through the kushti (fight) and dosti (friendship) among opposition parties.

He also did not forget to bring in the success of his foreign relations while discussing domestic politics. No country wants to invest their time and energy in an outgoing government. They wait for electoral results to come out but this time, things are different in India.

Referring to his historic US visit and the red carpet welcome in France among other instances, the prime minister suggested that the outcome of the elections was a known fact to these nations. It is because they know Indians trust NDA, he added.

Amid thundering applause, he announced that NDAs vote share in the 2024 General Elections will be over 50 per cent, adding that all parties must seek votes in the name of development. We need to only focus on development and take Vikas to the people. India will be the third-largest economy in NDAs third tenure," he added.

What set the template of Modis New India was not just eyeing 2024 but looking at another 25 years ahead. He said the last nine years were only the foundation of a New India, adding that he has a vision for an independent India at 100.

The bottom line is simple: Its Modis aspirational yet developmental New India vs Oppositions inclusive INDIA. Its now over to 2024 campaigns where the counter narratives by opposite sides will be played out in high-octane rallies across cities and hinterlands of India.
Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi on Wednesday sparked a major controversy after he refused to say Vande Mataram in Maharashtra Assembly, claiming that his religion (Islam) does not permit it.

The statement was reportedly made on the third day of the Maharashtra monsoon session when the members were holding a discussion on crime against women, highlighting the Aaftab Poonawala and Shraddha Walkar murder case.

            ,                                                pic.twitter.com/daMQOR8ZdH Abu Asim Azmi (@abuasimazmi) July 19, 2023

Aftab Poonawalla did wrong, but slogans against Muslims started all over the country. Sakal Hindu Samaj Morchas were held in many districts of Maharashtra, and Muslims were insulted at the rally," Azmi was quoted as saying by Lokmat Times.

At 5pm on March 29, three people arrived near the Ram temple in Aurangabad. Slogans were given that if you want to stay in this country, you have to say Vande Mataram. However, we cannot say Vande Mataram because we believe in Allah," Abu Azmi stated, making it clear that they will only bow down to Allah and to no one else.

The Lokmat Times report stated that this time, the BJP MLA became aggressive, and then Is desh me rehna hoga toh Vande Mataram kehna hoga slogans were raised in the hall.

Responding to the statement, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, My request to Abu Azmi is that in this country, millions of people have faith in Vande Mataram. The statement made by him is not appropriate. No religion would suggest not respecting ones mother. This is not a religious song. Vande Mataram is our national song."

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Azmi for disrespecting the nation, and linked the controversy to the formation of the opposition bloc for 2024, called I.N.D.I.A. or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

Abu Azmi of SP (Samajwadi Party) says I wont say Vande Mataram. I wont bow my head as my religion doesnt allow. Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India?" Poonawalla tweeted.

Abu Azmi of SP says I wont say Vande Mataram- I wont bow my head as my religion doesnt allow Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this Anti India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A India in name but not in agenda! Earlier SP released terrorists & patronised Yakub,Afzal pic.twitter.com/AOV61BC8Iy  Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) July 19, 2023

SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A. India in name but not in agenda. Earlier, SP released terrorists and patronised Yakub, Afzal. The Congress questioned the surgical strike and Balakote (airtrike), and 26 the /11 Mumbai terror attacks were blamed on India, not Pakistan. This is their true face. Will Mamata (Banerjee) di, (Mallikarjun) Kharge ji , Rahul (Gandhi) ji tell us their stand?" he further said.
Chinese technology brand Realme is set to launch its two new products in India today. The company will unveil the budget C53 smartphone and a tablet  Realme Pad 2. The launch event will be held at 12:00 PM and will be streamed live on the companys social media platforms such as YouTube and Twitter. The smartphone is confirmed to come with 108MP main camera and the Realme Pad, on the other hand, is coming with a 120Hz display.

Realme C53, Realme Pad 2 Launch: Expected Price And How To Watch Live

According to reports, the Realme C53 is likely to be priced below Rs 10,000 in India for the base model, and the Realme Pad 2 is expected to be available under Rs 20,000 in the country. Realme Pad 2 is expected to go on sale starting July 26th at Flipkart.

Stay ahead of the game with the powerful duo by your side! The ultimate creative powerhouses, #realmeC53 and #realmePad2 launching today at 12 Noon.Join the livestream: https://t.co/G46ifgCYyP pic.twitter.com/fiv09JNUpb  realme (@realmeIndia) July 19, 2023

Realme C53, Realme Pad 2 launch event in India will start at 12:00 PM. The launch event will be live-streamed on the companys social media platforms, including YouTube and Twitter. To watch the live stream of the Realme event, you can click on the embedded link provided below.

Realme C53, Realme Pad 2: Specifications (Expected)

Realme India has confirmed that its budget C53 smartphone will come with a 108MP main camera and a large 5000mAh battery with 18W SUPERVOOC charging. Realme C53 is already available in Malaysia and the India variant is likely to get similar specifications.

The smartphone is expected to come with a 6.74-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution and an impressive 90Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals. It is likely backed by a Unisoc T612 SoC, with storage that can be expanded up to 2TB using a microSD card. The smartphone is also coming with a sleek design and it has a 7.9mm thin body and a Dynamic Island-like functionality built into the software.

On the other hand, Realme Pad 2 will be launched in green and black colour options. Coming to the display, the tablet is coming with an 11.5-inch display with an 85.2 percent screen-to-body ratio and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The Realme Pad 2 may offer USB Type-C as a charging port. Realme Pad 2 is expected to run on the companys own Realme UI 4.0 out-of-the-box. The custom operating system will be based on Android 13.
Floridas Governor Ron DeSantis sought to reset his floundering US presidential bid Tuesday with his first major interview outside of conservative media, an effort largely overshadowed by the legal woes of Republican primary front-runner Donald Trump.

Minutes before DeSantis was due to sit down with CNN, Trump announced he was expecting to be indicted for a third time, this time as part of the federal probe into his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

DeSantis, 44, had planned to make a splash with a fresh policy announcement on eradicating wokeness" in the military, but ended up being asked straight out of the gate about the former president  and having the rest of his interview pushed back to the second half of the hour as CNNs analysts took stock of the breaking news.

I hope he doesnt get charged. I dont think it would be good for the country. But at the same time, Ive got to focus on looking forward and thats what were going to do," the governor said.

DeSantis has been criticized for not going in hard enough against Trump, whose polling lead against him has expanded from a bridgeable 13 points in January to a possibly insurmountable 33.5 points today.

He has struggled to present himself as an electable alternative to the former president, with analysts pointing to his awkwardness with the public on the campaign trail, his far right politics and missteps he has made on foreign policy.

DeSantis has so far granted interviews almost exclusively to right-wing outlets, drawing allegations that he is afraid to engage with journalists outside of the safe space" of his conservative media ecosphere.

Ahead of his CNN appearance, pro-DeSantis political action committee Never Back Down stirred fresh controversy with a new ad using a computer-generated Trump voice.

Some reboots were never going to be successful, like Dynasty, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or even MacGyver. And now we can add Ron DeSantiss 2024 campaign to the list of failures," Trump aide Jason Miller hit back.

Trump, 77, has already been indicted twice and is facing more than 70 felony charges, including for financial fraud over hush money payments to a porn star and for refusing to surrender classified secrets he took upon leaving office.

Prosecutors in the southern state of Georgia are expected to decide next month whether to indict him over his bid to overturn the states 2020 results.
India has once again expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and has urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy. Speaking at United Nations General Assemblys (UNGA) annual debate on Ukraine, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN voiced Indias position, saying that no solution can ever be arrived at at the cost of human lives and that escalation of violence is in no ones interest.

While underlining concern over the reports of attacks on civilians and other infrastructure, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj again voiced the famous words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasising that this is not an era of war." It is with this understanding and spirit that India actively participates in this debate," she said.

India continues to remain concerned over the situation in Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in the loss of lives and misery for its people, particularly for the women, children and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighboring countries, Kamboj told the General Assembly.

Seeking Peace in #Ukraine: India remains deeply concerned about conflict in Ukraine, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities & return to dialogue & diplomacy Essential to emphasize that this is not an era of war - PR @ruchirakamboj at #UNGA Annual Debate on Ukraine pic.twitter.com/cIxFBMqKPX  India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) July 18, 2023

This debate on Ukraine came in the wake of Russias exit from the Black Sea Grain initiative, also known as the UN grain deal. On Monday, Russia suspended the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which affected the flow of grain from Ukraine to regions in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

This move has worsened concerns about hunger and rising food prices in those areas. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, played a vital role in facilitating food transportation from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Its suspension came as a consequence of Russias invasion of Ukraine, exacerbating the global food crisis.

Read More: Russia Exits UN Grain Deal: Heres What We Know

On the UN grain deal, Ambassador Kamboj said India is concerned about recent developments in the region which have not helped in securing the larger cause of peace and stability. I will add here that India has supported the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and hopes for an early resolution to the present impasse, she added.

Kamboj argued that the global order that the international community subscribes to is based on international law, the UN Charter and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States. These principles must be upheld without exception," she said.

Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. The path to peace requires us to keep all channels of diplomacy open," she added.

On the current course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Indian envoy told the UNGA that it is also unfortunate that as the trajectory of the Ukranian conflict unfolds, the entire Global South has suffered substantial collateral damage. It is thus critical that the voice of the global south be heard, and their legitimate concerns be duly addressed," she stressed.
Spain issued extreme" danger alerts over scorching temperatures in three regions Tuesday as firefighters said a blaze that had raged for days in the Canary Islands had almost burnt itself out.

Temperatures peaked at 45.3C (113.5 Fahrenheit) in Figueres, hometown of Salvador Dali in the northeastern Catalonia region, with the mercury hitting 43.7C in the Balearic Islands, the AEMET weather agency said.

Forecasters had issued a red alert for extreme heat in both regions as well as in Aragon, also in the north east, where they advised people to stay out of the blistering sun during the hottest hours and to stay well hydrated.

We have passed the halfway point of July and, so far, practically every day has had above-normal temperatures. In fact, the first 17 days of July have been the third-warmest on record behind 2022 and 2015," AEMET tweeted.

Visiting Madrid from the southern city of Seville, Lidia Rodriguez, 27, admitted she was used to the heat but said temperatures in the Spanish capital were suffocating".

You cant be in the street, its horrible, horrible, horrible," she told AFP.

The interior ministry said much of Spain was facing a very high" or extreme" risk of wildfires due to the soaring temperatures, which are affecting most of the Mediterranean.

Since Saturday, hundreds of firefighters in the Canary Islands have been battling a wildfire on the island of La Palma backed by nine water-carrying aircraft trying to extinguish a fire raging through wooded, hilly terrain.

But cooler overnight temperatures and higher air humidity levels helped firefighters to gain the upper hand in their battle against the blaze.

And by Tuesday evening, the fire appeared to be on its last legs" and close to dying out", Federico Grillo, one of the experts involved in fighting the blaze wrote on Twitter.

The fire destroyed some 3,500 hectares (8,700 acres) of land, burned around 20 houses and buildings and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate on an island which two years ago was ravaged by a three-month volcanic eruption.

Local authorities urged residents of several towns to remain indoors as much as possible, and use face masks when outside, because of the poor air quality due to the wildfire.

This is the third heatwave to hit Spain this summer. Scientists say heatwaves have become more likely due to climate change.

As global temperatures rise over time, heatwaves are predicted to become more frequent and intense, and their impacts more widespread.

For the last five to 10 years, every year, it has been hotter," said 66-year-old Madrid resident Jose Luis Llamas.

We have to take action. Every country should take steps to deal with this problem," he added.
Britain should have forged a closer relationship" with Ukraine two decades ago to help prevent any resurgence of Russian imperialism to the West", a top UK government aide urged at the time.

In a confidential July 2001 memo, senior foreign policy adviser Roger Liddle laid out a worst case" scenario of Russian intervention in Ukraine" and fierce internal resistance to the erosion of their countrys hard won independence".

The prescient warnings, made to then-prime minister Tony Blair, are contained in hundreds of newly released pages of Ukraine-related British government documents covering the period 2001-2002.

They show the UK grappling with how to respond to Ukrainian aspirations to join NATO and the European Union, a decade after Kyiv won independence following the 1991 collapse of the USSR.

Both long-held ambitions remain unfulfilled today, with some arguing the West should have admitted the now war-ravaged country back then to prevent Russias full-scale invasion last year.

In the internal government briefings and correspondence, London can be seen broadly supporting Kyivs pro-Western ambitions but also placing stringent stipulations on the eastern European country and appearing hesitant at visibly bolstering ties.

One internal memo rules out a state visit by the two countries respective leaders in 2002 and 2003.

In a note to the Foreign Office, senior Downing Street official Michael Tatham writes that the UK needs to engage without being lured into taking too benign a view of the countrys imperfections".

Unrealistic hopes

Another memo detailed Londons opposition at the time to Ukraine taking the next step in joining NATO and getting a so-called membership action plan".

The internal paper noted Kyiv was far from meeting criteria expected" and such a step would raise unrealistic hopes of an early invitation" and greatly complicate our handling of the new NATO-Russia relationship".

The document, marked confidential", states the move might also stimulate applications form Georgia, Azerbaijan and possibly others".

During this period  soon after the 9/11 attacks in the United States  NATO and its Western members were prioritising warming relations with Russia, and its relatively new president, Vladimir Putin.

In power since 1999, Putin had voiced support for the USs so-called war on terror", leading Western allies to see an opportunity.

In a November 2001 letter to then-NATO secretary general George Robertson, Blair lauds the new beginning" in ties between Moscow and the military alliance.

I am convinced from my own contacts with President Putin that there is genuine desire to develop a new partnership with NATO," he writes.

Two decades on, history has proved otherwise, with relations between Russia and the West at a historic low, not seen since the days of the Cold War.

Meanwhile in 2008, NATO left Ukraine in a grey zone by vowing it will become a member but failing to back that up with any concrete progress.

Russian imperialism

In the internal memos Liddle, now a member of Britains unelected House of Lords, detailed Ukraines strategic importance.

In his role as Blairs leading adviser on the region, he held a series of regular summits with Ukrainian counterparts, gleaning insights into diplomatic thinking in Kyiv.

In December 2001, Liddle reported to Blair that the Ukrainians believed we have too rosy a view of Putin (who according to them is a clever, presentable power politician, but no democratic hero)".

In his letter sent six months earlier, he noted Ukraines desire to forge a special relationship" with Britain, if only we would show more interest".

Strengthening Ukraines shaky democracy and economy increases stability on the EUs future eastern borders and acts as a formidable barrier to any resurgence of Russian imperialism to the West," he wrote.

An implosion of Ukraine would at best lead to mass migratory pressures from a country of 50m (million) people across a porous EU border.

At the very worst, it could lead to Russian intervention in Ukraine and a civil war started by Western Ukrainians who would fiercly resist erosion of their countrys hard won independence."

Liddle also warned of Europe becoming highly dependent on Russian gas for our energy needs, for which at the moment the Ukrainian pipeline represents the principal supply route".
Former US president Donald Trump said Tuesday he expected to be charged over the January 6 attack on the US Capitol  an indictment that would ramp up his legal woes as he makes another White House run.

Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is already facing criminal charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith for mishandling top secret government documents after leaving office.

Trump said he received a letter from Smith on Sunday stating that hes a target of the probe into January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed Congress in a bid to prevent certification of Democrat Joe Bidens 2020 election victory.

Deranged Jack Smith, the prosecutor with Joe Bidens DOJ, sent a letter stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6 Grand Jury investigation," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The 77-year-old Trump said he was given four days to report to a grand jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment."

This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement," he said. It is a very sad and dark period for our Nation!"

It was not immediately clear what charges Trump may face, and a target letter does not always result in an indictment.

Before the Capitol attack, Trump delivered a fiery speech nearby urging the crowd to fight like hell," and Smith has spent months looking into January 6 and Trumps other efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

An unnamed advisor to Trump told the Post the former president would decline to appear before the January 6 grand jury, which has already heard testimony from a number of close Trump associates.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested for taking part in what prosecutors have called an insurrection intended to keep Trump in the White House.

Most of them face charges of illegally entering the Capitol or causing property damage, but some 350 have been charged with assaulting law enforcement officers or resisting arrest.

Others, including members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, have been convicted of the more serious charge of seditious conspiracy.

Distraction

Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who is also vying for the 2024 Republican nomination, told Fox News another Trump indictment would be a distraction."

We cant keep dealing with this drama," Haley said. And thats why Im running. We need a new generational leader."

Kevin McCarthy, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, accused Biden, who is running for reelection, of using the justice system to go after their number one opponent."

Democratic Representative Adam Schiff denounced McCarthys remarks as a shameful" attempt to provide cover for a corrupt former president."

Trump was indicted by Smith in June for allegedly stashing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida  the first former US president to face criminal charges.

Trump is charged with willful retention of national defense information," conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements and other offenses.

Prosecutors have asked US District Judge Aileen Cannon for a December trial date, while Trumps defense attorneys have asked for it to begin after the November 2024 White House vote.

At a hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, on Tuesday, Cannon was skeptical about delaying the trial until after the 2024 election but also appeared doubtful it could be held in December, The Washington Post reported.

She said she would issue a decision on a trial date promptly."

Georgia probe

Georgia prosecutors are also investigating whether Trump illegally attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election outcome in the southern state.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said he has the right to protest an Election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen" and he was being targeted because of the upcoming vote.

The Justice Department has effectively issued a third indictment and Arrest of Joe Bidens NUMBER ONE POLITICAL OPPONENT, who is largely dominating him in the race for the Presidency," Trump said.

Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before."

Asked about Trumps potential indictment, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said, the president respects the Department of Justice, their independence."

Trump pleaded not guilty in New York earlier this year in a case involving election-eve hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, a porn star who said she had an affair with him.

Trump was impeached by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives in 2019 for seeking political dirt on Biden from Ukraine, and again after the January 6 attack on the Capitol, but was acquitted by the Senate both times.
Angela Levin, royal author, revealed that Prince Harry is now a changed person following his marriage to television actor Meghan Markle, according to a report by the Hindustan Times. Levin spent a long time with Prince Harry and their exchanges have been recorded in her book Harry: Conversations with the Prince.

Levin says Prince Harry is not the person she met during the course of writing her book and has changed since his marriage to the American.

The author pointed out that she spent 15 months with Prince Harry for research related to her book during which she got to know him very well. Levin said she adored him and felt Harry was a terrific person who had many good qualities and was good with people.

Levin claims that Meghan Markle has squashed those qualities out of him. She claimed Harry is scared of Meghan and does not know what to do.

Levins comments come amid Harry announcing that he will travel to the African continent for a Netflix documentary, signalling that he and Meghan will spend time away from each other.

Levin said Harry was overwhelmed by memories of his mother Diana during his first date with Meghan Markle. Markle, according to Levin, wore Princess Dianas favourite fragrance during their first meeting to win Prince Harrys heart.

The first time they met, she had Dianas perfume on. Of course, Harry was just overwhelmed by that because he was a boy that loved cuddling up to his mother, Levin said, according to the Hindustan Times.

Prince Harry also recounted his meeting with Meghan Markle in his memoir Spare. She was wearing a black sweater, jeans, and heels. I knew nothing about clothes, but I knew she was chic. Then again, she could make anything look chic. Id seen so many photos of her from fashion shoots and TV sets, all glam and glossy, but here she was, in the flesh, no frills, no filter and even more beautiful. Heart attack, beautiful. I was trying to process this, struggling to understand what was happening to my circulatory and nervous systems, and as a result, my brain couldnt handle any more data, Harry wrote.
A US soldier is believed to have been detained by North Korea after crossing the heavily fortified border  an incident likely to further aggravate Washingtons troubled relations with the nuclear-armed state.

Hours later, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea, according to the South Korean military  an apparent response to the first visit by an American nuclear-armed submarine to a South Korean port in decades.

The events underscored the diplomatic tightrope being walked by Seoul and Washington in the face of an increasingly assertive Pyongyang.

The soldier  identified by the US military as Travis King, a private second class who has been in the army since 2021  crossed the border willfully and without authorization," US Forces Korea spokesman Colonel Isaac Taylor said.

The United Nations Command said he had been on a Joint Security Area (JSA) orientation tour, adding that he was believed to be in North Korean custody and that it is working with Pyongyangs military to resolve this incident".

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told journalists that Washington was closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldiers next of kin".

CBS News, citing US officials, reported that the low-ranking soldier was being escorted home to the United States for disciplinary reasons, but managed to leave the airport and join the tour group.

North and South Korea remain technically at war since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice, rather than a peace treaty, with a Demilitarised Zone running along the border.

Soldiers from both sides face off at the JSA north of Seoul, which is overseen by the United Nations Command.

It is also a popular tourist destination and hundreds of visitors tour on the South Korean side every day.

Former US president Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Panmunjom Truce Village in 2019 and even stood on North Korean soil by stepping across the demarcation line there.

Panmunjom is the only location one could attempt such a move out of the whole JSA tour," Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, told AFP.

An eyewitness who said they were on the same tour told CBS News the group had visited one of the buildings at the site when this man gives out a loud ha ha ha and just runs in between some buildings".

I thought it was a bad joke at first but, when he didnt come back, I realised it wasnt a joke and then everybody reacted and things got crazy," they said.

No North Korean soldiers

North Korea sealed its borders at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and has yet to reopen them. Its security presence on its side of the border at the JSA has also been scaled back significantly.

When AFP toured the JSA earlier this year, no North Korean guards were visible in the area. Even so, under armistice protocols, South Korean or US personnel could not run across the border to retrieve the US national.

Retired US Army lieutenant colonel Steve Tharp, who worked in the JSA area, told Seoul-based specialist site NK News he had no idea how the North Koreans would react to the incident.

This is the first contact since Covid We dont know what theyre thinking," he told NK News.

The incident comes as relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points, with diplomacy stalled and Kim calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nuclear weapons.

Seoul and Washington have ramped up defence cooperation in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and US strategic assets.

Nuclear sub

The allies held the first Nuclear Consultative Group meeting in Seoul on Tuesday and announced an American nuclear submarine was making a port visit to Busan for the first time since 1981.

Pyongyang, which baulks at having US nuclear assets deployed around the Korean peninsula, then fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, South Koreas Yonhap news agency reported.

South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff called the launches acts of significant provocation," the report said.

The JSA in Panmunjom is typically peaceful despite ongoing hostility between the two sides.

In 1976, two American soldiers were killed in the JSA by North Koreans with axes in a dispute over a tree.

The last time there was a defection at the JSA was in 2017, when a North Korean soldier drove a military jeep and then ran on foot across the demarcation line at Panmunjom.

He was shot multiple times by his fellow North Korean soldiers but survived.

In general, defections between the two Koreas are rare but far more common in the other direction, when North Koreans seek to escape grinding poverty and repression by fleeing, typically across the northern land border into China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the United States for returning over 100 precious Indian artifacts that hold great cultural and religious importance. On Monday, the United States handed over 105 trafficked antiquities to India at the India Consulate in New York. These artefacts hold immense significance, representing a diverse range of Indian culture from the 2nd-3rd century CE to the 18th-19th century CE.

This will make every Indian happy. Grateful to USA for this. These precious artefacts hold immense cultural and religious significance. Their homecoming is a testament to our commitment to preserving our heritage and rich history," PM Modi tweeted. The collection includes pieces made of terracotta, stone, metal, and wood.

This will make every Indian happy. Grateful to USA for this. These precious artefacts hold immense cultural and religious significance. Their homecoming is a testament to our commitment to preserving our heritage and rich history. https://t.co/uUpIalYNga Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 19, 2023

Out of the 105 artefacts, approximately 50 pertain to religious subjects, encompassing Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam, while the remaining pieces hold immense cultural importance. The antiquities will soon be transported back to India.

Ambassador of India to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the US government, specifically acknowledging the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, and his Anti-Trafficking Unit, as well as the Homeland Security Investigation team for their exceptional cooperation and support during this endeavor.

Read More: This Will Make Indians Happy: PM Modi Thanks US for Returning Precious Indian Artifacts

For the people of India, these were not just pieces of art but part of their living heritage and culture," ANI quoted Ambassador Sandhu as saying.

This repatriation event follows the historic visit of PM Modi to the US in June, during which he was warmly received by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the White House and addressed a session of the US Congress.

The Modi government has been steadfast in its efforts to retrieve stolen Indian antiquities. In previous visits, such as PM Modis 2016 visit to the US, 16 antiques were handed over by the US side. Likewise, during the Prime Ministers visit to the US in September 2021, the US government returned 157 artefacts to India.
A hotel owner in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday claimed that Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who was arrested from Noida after illegally entering India in May, stayed at his premises with her Indian partner Sachin Meena, and the couple had booked a room under an alias name Shivansh" during their stay.

Speaking to ANI, Ganesh, a hotel owner in Nepal, said Meena and Haider stayed at his hotel for 7-8 days in March. During their stay, they mostly remained inside their room, occasionally going out in the evenings and returning early as the hotel closes by 9.30-10 pm," he said.

Sachin had pre-booked the hotel and informed the hotel staff that his wife", Seema, would join him the following day, he said.

#WATCH | Kathmandu | Ganesh - a hotel owner in Nepal claims that UP resident Sachin and Pakistani national Seema Haider stayed at his hotel.He says, "They came here in March and left after staying here for 7-8 days. Most of the time, they used to be inside their room, go out in pic.twitter.com/3AshzqNxCL  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Seema arrived as planned, and they both left separately, without any children, he said. Sachin used the name Shivansh" during their stay, and they made their payment in cash using Indian currency notes," he added.

Interrogations Over Pakistani Spy Claims

Haider was questioned by the Uttar Pradesh Polices Anti-Terrorist Squad for 12 hours regarding the meeting, her entry into India through Nepal, and other details on Tuesday.

Meena and his father Netrapal Singh were also taken for questioning from their residence in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida around 8.30 am and brought to the ATSs unit office in Noida around 10 am, where the questioning continued till late evening.

During the interrogation, Haider consistently maintained that she came to India solely to meet her boyfriend, Sachin Meena.

Currently, the ATS is cross-verifying her statements with data from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Her mobile phone and other items are in the possession of ATS for data extraction, sources told News18.

The UP Police, who are also involved in the investigation, have said that her involvement in spying has not been suspected, though it is still too early to make definitive conclusions. The local police is separately investigating the case lodged under the Foreigners Act and is yet to file a chargesheet.

Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said nothing could be said about spy allegations so early. The matter is related to two countries. Till we have enough proof, it would not be appropriate to say anything in this regard," he said.

Kumar defended concerns over security lapse and said, Indias border (with Nepal) is porus. No passport is needed there. Nothing is written on anyones face." Kumar also said no team is being sent to Nepal to probe how Haider entered India.

Haider (30) and Meena (22) were initially arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but were later granted bail by a court on July 7.

An UP ATS officer told PTI that the couples arrest will be determined based on the outcome of the inquiry in this sensitive matter pertaining to national security.

cross-border PUBG Love Story

Haider entered India along with her four children in a bus from Nepal in May to live with Meena. The couple, who claims to have married in Nepal earlier this year, first got in touch in 2019 through the online game PUBG.

On July 4, Haider was arrested by the local police for entering India illegally, while Meena was held for sheltering illegal immigrants.

Both were later granted bail by a local court on July 7 and have since been residing together with her four children in a house in the Rabupura area. During her interactions with the media, Haider expressed her desire to remain in India with Meena and stated that she has embraced Hinduism.

Pakistans intelligence agencies have conveyed to the government that love" was the sole factor that prompted the mother of four to clandestinely enter India, according to reports.

(With agency inputs)
Singapores Indian-origin Transport Minister S Iswaran was questioned for around 10 hours by the authorities in connection to an investigation into a case of corruption, according to local media reports. Iswaran, 61, arrived at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) building at Lengkok Bahru in Redhill estate at about 10.50 am on Tuesday and left at 8.48 pm in an SUV, according to a report by TODAY newspaper.

The minister, who has taken a leave of absence from his official duties, entered the compound alone. Iswaran and Hotel Property Limited Managing Director Ong Beng Seng were arrested on July 11, the anti-graft body said last week, adding that the two were assisting with investigations. The agency did not give details on the nature of the probe.

Both were released on bail, and their passports were impounded as part of their bail conditions. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong instructed Iswaran to take a leave of absence until the investigation was completed, the Prime Ministers Office said last week.

He will remain in the city-state during this period and have no access to official resources and government buildings, the Straits Times newspaper reported. 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.

He returned to Singapore from Bali on a private plane on Monday afternoon after being allowed by the CPIB to travel overseas. He left for the Indonesian resort island last Friday after posting bail of SGD 100,000. Iswaran and Ong are known to be key figures in making Singapores pitch to become a part of the Formula One circuit.

Ong is chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix, which annually organises the F1 night race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. In the mid-2000s, Iswaran  a junior trade minister at the time  and Ong convinced then Formula One Group Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone to make Singapore the venue for the sports first night race, starting in 2008.

Iswaran reportedly knew Ong when he was a bureaucrat and top executive at Temasek, according to the report. The ministers political career spans more than 26 years since he was first elected in 1997 as a Member of Parliament for West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Before being 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.
Surat, where around 90% of the worlds diamonds are cut, has added another feather to its cap with the newly-opened Surat Diamond Bourse which has surpassed the Pentagon as the worlds largest office building.

The mammoth industry will now be housed in the Surat Diamond Bourse which can house over 65,000 diamond professionals, including cutters, polishers and traders.

The building features a series of nine rectangular structures which spill out from and are interconnected through a central-spine. It is a 15-storeyed complex spread across more than 35 acres of land.

The architects of Surat Diamond Bourse told news outlet CNN that the building comprises over 7.1 million square feet of floor space. The Pentagon comprises over 6.5 million square feet of floor space.

The work began in 2019 and will be opened in November. Covid-19 slightly delayed the construction of the Surat Diamond Bourse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the building later this year.

The CNN in its report said that there are 4,700 office spaces - each interconnected - which can also accommodate small workshops for cutting and polishing diamonds.

The cost of the building is 3,200 crores ($388 million).

It houses 131 elevators and has dining, retail, wellness and conference facilities for its employees, the CNN report said.

The project was masterminded by Indian architecture firm Morphogenesis. Its CEO, Mahesh Gadhavi, told the CNN that surpassing the Pentagon in terms of size was not their target but it was rather ensuring that the people who travel more than three and a half to four hours, daily, to come from their homes to their offices and back home again can find some respite and think of relocating to Surat.

Gadhavi said that the projects enormous size was due to its demand and that diamond companies purchased all office space prior to the construction. He told the CNN that the Surat Diamond Bourse will create a level playing field for businesses both small and large.

No office will take more than seven minutes to reach from any of the buildings entry gates, the CNN report said citing the architecture firms co-founder, Sonali Rastogi, who added that the design is democratic in nature.

The central corridor that connects the office spaces is akin to an airport terminal, she further added. Rastogi told CNN that the Surat Diamond Bourse also aimed to replicate a traditional bazaar and focused on the fact that informal conversations happen outside of the offices. There are courtyards, complete with seating and water features, where traders and polishers can meet casually to discuss business, work and hold informal conversations.

The diamond hub, according to Gadhavi, will act as an anchor tenant if plans to build a smart city across almost 700 hectares, dubbed Dream City, comes to fruition.

The building also earned a platinum rating from the Indian Green Building Council as the makers claim that it consumes as much as 50% less energy than the maximum permitted.

The makers say the flare-shaped central spine funnels prevailing winds through the structure. It also uses radiant cooling to circulate cold water under the buildings floors to reduce temperatures indoors.
Travis King, a 23-year-old American soldier, on Wednesday walked into the demilitarised zone (DMZ) and crossed into North Korea from South Korea. This incident will create new problems for the Biden administration which until now has not put its problems with North Korea on top of its agenda.

King served in the American Army and was a Private 2nd Class stationed in South Korea. He also spent over two months in jail on assault charges and was in the process of being transported back to the US for disciplinary reasons.

King was fined for repeatedly kicking" the back door of a police patrol vehicle in Seouls Mapo, according to Yonhap. He is also suspected of punching a Korean national at a nightclub in September 2022, the news outlet reported.

However, these charges are not related to his jail sentence and he was fined $3,950 by a Seoul court on February 8 for kicking the police vehicle. Claudine Gates, Traviss mother, told news outlet ABC that he could not believe that his son crossed the border without prior authorization.

Travis, before he entered North Korea, was supposed to board a plane for the US but he chose to go on a tour of the DMZ.

There are several tour companies that offer a tour of the DMZ and thousands of tourists who visit South Korea visit the DMZ in swathes. People visiting North Korea do not have that opportunity.

Jacco Zwetsloot, who worked for a tour company in 2012, told the BBC that there is no way that King skipped his flight to the US and went for the tour of the DMZ. Zwetsloot said that for US soldiers to go on a trip to the DMZ it usually takes 3 days for the authorization process.

He explained that passport number and military ID to the UN Command needs to be submitted and it is difficult to get on these tours following the Covid-19 pandemic.

He further added that there are two tour companies that offer tours to foreigners and to book this trip there must have been prior planning.

King is a resident of Racine, a city in midwestern US state Wisconsin and is expected to return to his base in Fort Bliss, Texas.

Headache for Biden

US President Joe Biden did not bother much about the Korean strongman leader Kim Jong Un much since coming to power in 2021 but King may have handed the North Koreans a new bargaining chip, the BBC said in a report.

The report pointed out that North Korea will use it as a propaganda tool and if King is being detained unwillingly, his rescue from Pyongyang will become a major issue for the US.

Amid the busy election campaign season, Biden will face enormous domestic pressure to free King from Kims stranglehold. The administration is already struggling to secure the release of the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich from Russia and former Marine Paul Whelan who is also in Russia.

Mark Swidan, a 48-year-old Texas businessman, 67-year-old David Lin and 60-year-old Kai Li also remained detained in China and the Biden administration is struggling to secure their release.

If he fails to extract King, Trump and other Republicans will say Biden is a weak leader on the international stage. If he does, it may give him a much-needed boost in the 2024 US elections.
In a devastating incident following heavy rains, at least 11 construction workers lost their lives, and six others were injured on Wednesday when a buildings wall collapsed in Pakistans federal capital. The incident occurred in the Peshawar Road area of Islamabad.

Local Superintendent of Police (SP) Khan Zeb confirmed the recovery of 11 bodies from the debris, while the injured were taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

In a statement, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon revealed that the wall collapsed on a tent housing workers who were engaged in constructing an underpass.

The laborers were reportedly involved in the construction of an underpass on the citys Grand Trunk Road, as directed by the countrys National Highway Authority (NHA).

The statement added that the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority, Noor ul Amin Mengal and officials of the NHA were present at the site. Taking to Twitter, Mengal said he visited the site to assess the dewatering and search and rescue operations.

Visited incident site of wall collapse at Golra Morr earlier this morning to check Dewatering, Search and Rescue operation. All possible resources are bring utilized to facilitate people.11 deceased and 5 injured have been shifted to PIMS. pic.twitter.com/QgCTZ9xxZv  Noor Ul Amin Mengal (@Noormengal_) July 19, 2023

Sharing photos from his visit, the capital development chief said, All possible resources are being utilised to facilitate people. Moreover, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed deep grief and sorrow at the incident and prayed for the departed souls, Radio Pakistan reported.

Heavy monsoon rains have been lashing the county since last month. The countrys central region has been facing a flood situation for days due to incessant rains.

The Pakistan highway authority issued an official statement refuting reports that the collapsed wall was associated with an underpass structure. Without specifying the underpass in question, the NHA stated that there was no truth to such claims and emphasised that the walls and construction site of the underpass remained secure.

The authority expressed its condolences over the tragic incident and offered prayers for the deceased workers and their families.

(With agency inputs)
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday for an official visit. Wickremesinghe, unlike his predecessors, did not visit India shortly after him being nominated as the norm is that new Sri Lankan leaders usually travel to India within a few weeks of taking office.

Ranils visit comes exactly a year after he took office. He can point to the internal unrest and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka but other than the timing of his visit, there are several other issues that will need to be addressed during Ranils New Delhi visit.

Sri Lanka-based news outlets have already pointed out that the visit is merely 27-hours long and not enough to strike a rapport with the Indian government. The Sunday Times said that it is like an official visit and not a state visit.

Wickremesinghe will arrive in India while keeping in mind that he has to strengthen ties with Sri Lankas largest neighbour who went all out to bail out Sri Lanka with several lines of credit and financial assistance worth $4 billion.

India even participated in the talks with the IMF and took the lead role in the financing of the $3 billion IMF bailout. New Delhi also helped Colombo build ties with its allies in Tokyo and other financial capitals so that it could find an exit from the crippling economic crisis which saw the exit of his predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

But the proverbial elephant in the room - rather the dragon - is China and how Colombos relationship with Beijing impacts Indias role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

According to the Indian Express, Wickremesinghe told Indian CEOs at a CEO Forum that it is Indias time in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) traditionally falls under Indias sphere of influence, so it has always been Indias backyard.

Chinese Shadow

Sri Lanka cannot ignore China as it is biggest bilateral creditor and recently a Chinese firm acquired a 99-year lease on the southern port of Hambantota after Colombo as the government was unable to repay the huge loan from Beijing to build it.

It also had no other option but to buckle under the Chinese as well as the $46 billion foreign debt pressure.

The president will not only have to show gratitude, but reassure us that we will not do anything to hurt them, political commentator Victor Ivan was quoted as saying by the AFP.

India has been concerned regarding Beijings moves in the IOR as it docked the Yuan Wang 5, a spy ship which Beijing calls a research vessel, at Hambantota in August.

To assuage Indias concerns, Sri Lanka earlier this week announced a new standard operating procedure" for future port calls by foreign research vessels and military craft.

The report by AFP said that Wickremesinghe during his France visit dismissed speculation about Chinese military bases in Sri Lanka.

No, we have no military agreements with China. There wont be any military agreements. I dont think China will enter into one. We are a neutral country, but we also emphasise on the fact that we cannot allow Sri Lanka to be used as a base for any threats against India, Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Tamil Demands

Wickremesinghe will also face pressure from some Tamil groups in India who demand provincial autonomy for the Tamil dominated-Northern Province. The Sri Lankan government has taken steps but they have held back when it comes to land and police-related issues, the Indian Express said.

The 13th Amendment is yet to be fully implemented and the government has received letters from Tamil groups to urge Wickremesinghe to implement it while checking the Sinhalization of the northern province, where the pain and suffering of the Sri Lankan Tamil people from the 1980s to late 2000s.
The Biden administration is moving to impose a 10-year funding ban on the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the Chinese lab linked to the Covid-19 origin debate. A memo from the US Department of Health and Human Services revealed the institutes failure to comply with National Institutes of Health (NIH) requests for safety-related documents.

This action aims to ensure that WIV does not receive another dollar of federal funding, an HHS spokesperson was quoted as saying by CNN. The move was undertaken due to WIVs failure to provide documentation on WIVs research requested by NIH related to concerns that WIV violated NIHs biosafety protocols.

The NIH, the primary US government agency responsible for biomedical and public health research, concluded that the institute likely violated protocols. The institute, without federal funds since 2020, has 30 days to respond. The memo was released by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, raising concerns about lab research oversight.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology has been linked to the Covid-19 lab escape theory, triggering the global pandemic, according to US media reports. US intelligence has not reached a conclusion on the viruss origin. However, a declassified report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence stated uncertainty about researchers infection in 2019.

Some experts suggest the coronavirus likely emerged naturally in a Wuhan seafood market. The NIH informed EcoHealth Alliance, a US-based organisation partly funded by a US agency and linked to the Wuhan Institute, about reviewing pandemic allegations in April 2020. NIH received biosafety concerns" reports in July of that year.

Prior to that, the Trump administration had terminated a grant for bat coronavirus research in China. NIH officials assert US taxpayer funds werent used for pandemic-causing research but remain uncertain about the institutes other projects. Additionally, an internal watchdog report highlighted NIHs oversight errors in January.
A horrific tragedy unfolded last week at a Mississippi poultry plant, where a 16-year-old boy died in an accident on the job. Duvan Tomas Perez arrived in the US from his native Guatemala six years ago, family members say. It's not clear what happened Friday night, but the Forrest County deputy coroner says equipment at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg caused the teen's death, NBC News reports. Sanitation operations were reportedly underway when the accident took place around 8pm, WDAM reports. "Two times he began to scream, 'Help! Help!'" says another worker at the plant, who was on shift at the same time and heard the teen's cries. "I knew he had died."
A federal judge signaled Tuesday that December may be too soon to begin former President Trump's landmark criminal trial concerning the mishandling of classified documents, but did not say whether she would agree to Trump's request to put the trial off until after the 2024 election , the AP reports. Judge Aileen Cannon said she would issue a written order "promptly" after the nearly two-hour hearing in federal court in Fort Pierce, Florida, where Trump's lawyers pressed for an indefinite delay of a trial date. The sparring over setting a trial date, a routine matter in criminal cases, underscores the unprecedented nature of prosecuting a former president who is also running to reclaim the White House in 2024.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and slammed the prosecution as an attempt to hurt his campaign. Trump's lawyers say the Republican can't get a fair trial ahead of the election and insist they need more time to review evidence and prepare for what they describe as a complex case. The judge repeatedly pressed Trump's lawyers to set some dates and a more concrete timetable, but acknowledged she understood they needed more time to review documents and footage. "We need to set a timetable," Cannon said. "Some deadlines can be established now." She also questioned prosecutors on whether there were other similar cases involving classified documents tried in such a short time frame.

Special counsel Jack Smith's team, which is pushing for the trial to begin in December, told the judge the case is not complex and there's no need for a lengthy delay. They rejected insinuations by the defense that Trump was charged because he's running for president. Prosecutor David Harbach said there was "no political influence." "No one in our team is a political appointee," he said, noting that they are all career prosecutors. It was the first time arguments were held in front of Cannon, who has been under increased scrutiny since a court ruling last year that critics said was unduly favorable to Trump. Trump's co-defendant, Walt Nauta, attended the hearing, but Trump did not. (He traveled Tuesday to Iowa, where he joked about his legal challenges while campaigning.)
In-N-Out Burger's latest controversial COVID-adjacent move involves face masks, which employees of the chain will soon be barred from wearing in five states, unless they have a doctor's note. A company memo leaked on Twitter says the new mask guidelines are meant to "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." Workers in Texas, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah are affected; those in California and Oregon are not, since the latter two states bar employers from prohibiting employee masking, the Guardian reports.

In the other five states, however, only workers with a "specific medical condition or health concern that requires them to wear a mask," and who have a "valid medical note" saying so, will be allowed to mask up when the guidelines go into effect Aug. 14. Any employees who are granted permission to use masks must wear a company-provided N95, KTLA reports. That same requirement also holds true for employees in Oregon as well as in California, where In-N-Out launched and where about 300 of the fast-food chain's 391 restaurants are located, CNN reports. (During the COVID pandemic, the burger chain, which prints Bible verses on some of its packaging, refused to be the "vaccination police.")
More than 8,500 authors are asking tech companies to avoid using their copyrighted work to train AI systems, unless those companies are willing to pay up. "Millions of copyrighted books, articles, essays, and poetry provide the 'food' for AI systems, endless meals for which there has been no bill," reads an open letter sent to the leaders of OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, IBM, and other companies, per the Wall Street Journal . Organized by the Authors Guild, it's signed by literary names including Margaret Atwood, Suzanne Collins, Jennifer Egan, Jonathan Franzen, and James Patterson, who say "it is only fair that you compensate us for using our writings, without which AI would be banal and extremely limited."

The Authors Guild says artificial intelligence threatens the livelihood of writers, who've seen a 40% decline in income over the last decade. A survey conducted by the organization found the median income for full-time writers was $22,330 last year. "If writers aren't paid to write, they can't afford to write," author Nora Roberts, another signee, says in a statement. "We [could] lose our literary culture ... the exchange of ideas" and "all of the things that are so crucial to a democracy," Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger tells the CBC.

While some tech companies argue that information freely found on the web is fair game, the authors say many books used to train AI systemswhich have proved "capable of quoting and imitating the authors in question," per Tech Crunchcame from "notorious piracy websites." In a statement, OpenAI counters that it respects the rights of authors and its chatbot, ChatGPT, is trained on "licensed content, publicly available content, and content created by human AI trainers and users." Rasenberger says authors are looking for tech companies to come to the table with solutions. Otherwise, legal action could follow. (Two authors have joined comedian Sarah Silverman in suing Meta and OpenAI over alleged copyright infringement through the training of AI.)
A man sentenced to prison earlier this year for his role in the 2017 white nationalist demonstration that proceeded the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, finished his sentence Monday only to be arrested for allegedly attacking police officers during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. An FBI affidavit claims former Marine Tyler Bradley Dykes was captured on video tearing down police barriers, attacking officers, and stealing a riot shield at the Capitol, per the AP . The 25-year-old of Bluffton, South Carolina, is charged with nine offenses in the District of Columbia, "including felony charges of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees," per WJCL .

Photos and videos from the Capitol show a man in a gray puffer jacket with an Adidas ball cap and a gray gaitor covering the majority of his face, leaving only his eyes visible, attacking officers and holding open a door of the Capitol as law enforcement try to secure the entrance. He's also seen stealing a riot shield from an officer and parading around the Capitol building with it, per WJCL. Information from a tipster helped to identify the man as Dykes in late 2021, according to the affidavit. It features a photo of Dykes next to a photo of the individual at the Capitol, showing they share a unique eyebrow shape, per NBC News.

Dykes was ordered held in custody until a Wednesday detention hearing. It comes two months after he pleaded guilty to burning an object with the intent to intimidate during the 2017 demonstration in Charlottesville. In an episode one prosecutor described as "completely terrorizing," Dykes and others allegedly surrounded counterprotesters while holding tiki torches and shouting a Nazi slogan, per CNN. Prosecutors also suggested Dykes placed swastika stickers on businesses in Sumter, South Carolina. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with 4.5 years suspended, per WCAV. He also received credit for time served in South Carolina while awaiting extradition to Virginia, per the AP. (Read more Capitol riot stories.)
More details are slowly emerging about Private 2nd Class Travis King, the US soldier who crossed into North Korea on Tuesdaybut his current whereabouts aren't one of them. North Korean state media has yet to say anything about the 23-year-old, the first American known to be detained in North Korea in almost five years. The latest:

King, a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division, had on July 10 finished a nearly two-month stint in a South Korean prison for assault, the AP reports. He was en route to Fort Bliss, Texas, to possibly face further military discipline and discharge when he somehow left the Incheon International Airport outside Seoul. King later joined a Panmunjom tour and dashed across the border.

The Korea Times sheds light on that "somehow." It reports military police from Camp Humphreys escorted King to Incheon but were not permitted to go through security and to the gate with him. Once at the gate, King "approached an American Airlines official and reported that his passport was missing, and was able to return out of the departure gate under the escort of an airline employee," an airport official said.
Two days after an attack on a bridge linking Russia to the Crimean peninsula, a major fire at a military base in the Russian-occupied peninsula has forced the evacuation of 2,000 people, according to Crimea's governor. Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov said the fire at a military training ground had also caused the closure of a major highway, Reuters reports. The governor didn't disclose the cause of the fire, though a Ukrainian military official shared videos of a fire, saying it was an enemy ammunition dump.

Russia, which pulled out of a deal to let Ukraine export grain Monday, bombarded infrastructure including grain terminals in southern Ukraine Wednesday, the AP reports. At least a dozen people were injured, including a 9-year-old boy. Ukrainian officials say the strikes badly damaged port facilities in Odesa and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain. "Putin hasn't just blown up the Black Sea Grain Initiative; now he has hit the port city of Odesa with a hail of bombs for the second consecutive night," tweeted German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. "In doing that, he is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain. Every one of his bombs also hits the world's poorest." (Read more Crimea stories.)
Country Music Television pulled a music video from country music superstar Jason Aldean on Monday after critics said it contained racist dog whistles. The lyrics of "Try That in a Small Town," a song released in May, include veiled threats against people who try to seize guns or curse out a cop. But the music video, released Friday, conflates these people with protesters, and according to some, Black Lives Matter protesters specifically. More:



The song: In the view of Chris Willman at Variety, it's "about how tiny burgs are under the imminent threat of attack from lawless urban marauders who will have to be kept at bay by any means necessarymeaning, pretty explicitly, vigilantism."

In the view of Chris Willman at Variety, it's "about how tiny burgs are under the imminent threat of attack from lawless urban marauders who will have to be kept at bay by any means necessarymeaning, pretty explicitly, vigilantism." The lyrics: Aldean sings about people who might "carjack an old lady" or "stomp on the flag." "Well, try that in a small town / See how far ya make it down the road," goes the chorus. "You cross that line, it won't take long / For you to find out." He adds small towns are "Full of good ol' boys, raised up right / If you're looking for a fight."
Following the Supreme Court's June decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions, the New York Times reports legacy admissions entered the crosshairsand now one Connecticut university has joined a small but growing list of schools that have done away with them. Wesleyan University on Wednesday announced it would no longer give admissions preference to the children of alumni, following in the footsteps of Amherst, MIT, Johns Hopkins, and Carnegie Mellon.

It won't be a sea change for the liberal-arts school in Middletown: Wesleyan President Michael S. Roth told the Times the practice played a "negligible role" in admissions, but that it was "a sign of unfairness to the outside world" nonetheless. As the Wall Street Journal reports, legacy preferences "disproportionately [benefit] students who are wealthy and white." That wealthy part factors in to the hesitation some schools have to abandon the practice, which helps bolster alumni giving.

Axios reports that a recent poll found 75% of young Americans think the practice is unfair. The Hill notes Colorado is the sole state that bans the legacy admissions at state universities, though the Journal notes Connecticut lawmakers filed a bill last year that would ban it at all schools in the state. As for Wesleyan, "As has been almost always the case for a long time, family members of alumni will be admitted on their own merits," says Roth. (Read more college admissions stories.)
After 80 years, the Pentagon has lost its crown as the world's largest office building to a diamond center. The Surat Diamond Bourse in India, around 150 miles north of Mumbai, has 7.1 million square feet of floor space, according to its architects, putting it well ahead of the 6.5 million at the Arlington, Virginia, home of the Defense Department. The 15-story building spans 35 acres and is expected to accommodate around 65,000 diamond professionals after if officially opens in November, CNN reports. Surat in Gujarat state is a major hub for the diamond industry and around 90% of the world's diamonds are cut there.

The building has 131 elevators connecting thousands of office spaces that can be used as workshops for diamond cutters and polishers. The building also has multiple large courtyards that Sonali Rastogi, co-founder of Indian architecture firm Morphogenesis, says will function similar to "traditional bazaars." She says that despite the building's vast size, there are no offices that can't be reached from the entrance in seven minutes or less.

Rastogi says all the office spaces have been sold, many of them to clients who will no longer have to commute to Mumbai. She says the project took four years to complete, including delays caused by the pandemic. "When it started, it wasn't trying to become the largest building," she tells the National. "Slowly some of the requirements grew and some things got added to the project and then it turned out to be bigger than the Pentagon." (Read more office buildings stories.)
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An Arapahoe County judge declined to give a key instruction to jurors in a man's assault trial, prompting the state's second-highest court to reverse the conviction and order a new trial.

Luis Salinas-Martinez received a 10-year sentence after a jury convicted him in 2019 of assaulting his roommate. Although the offense was a class 4 felony, it was possible for Salinas-Martinez to only be convicted of a class 6 felony if jurors believed he was provoked in a "sudden heat of passion."

A conviction for the less serious offense would have resulted in a maximum of 18 months in prison.

Case: People v. Salinas-Martinez Decided: July 13, 2023 Jurisdiction: Arapahoe County Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Anthony J. Navarro (author) Jaclyn Casey Brown David H. Yun

Salinas-Martinez came home drunk one night and assaulted his roommate, leaving the victim with a collapsed lung and multiple broken bones. Salinas-Martinez himself had minor injuries. Relations between the two men had deteriorated in the lead-up to the fight, and the victim, who was also under the influence of drugs, acknowledged he likely had bitten Salinas-Martinez first.

Salinas-Martinez's jurors evaluated whether he acted in self-defense, but rejected that claim. They did not consider whether Salinas-Martinez should be convicted of the less serious felony, as District Court Judge Shay Whitaker declined to give the provocation instruction. Her reasons for doing so were not documented.

Under Colorado law, there must be some evidence that a defendant was provoked in order to justify a jury instruction. The evidence must suggest:

 The assault occurred in a "sudden heat of passion"

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 The victim performed a "serious and highly provoking act"

 The victim's actions would have caused an "irresistible passion in a reasonable person"

 There was insufficient time for "the voice of reason and humanity to be heard"

A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals concluded that, even if it was unlikely jurors would have believed Salinas-Martinez, there was evidence supporting the notion that the victim physically provoked him.

"Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to Salinas-Martinez and taking into account the low bar for a provocation instruction," wrote Judge Anthony J. Navarro in the July 13 opinion, "we must conclude that the evidence of (the victim's) biting and wounding him was sufficient to justify the provocation instruction."

At the same time, the panel rejected Salinas-Martinez's other reason to claim he was provoked: that he feared "imminent unwanted sexual contact" from his roommate. While there was evidence the two men had interacted sexually in the past, Navarro noted there was no indication the victim had made an unwanted advance on the night of the assault.

The panel ordered a new trial.

The case is People v. Salinas-Martinez.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Japanese Ambassador to Bahrain, H.E. Miyamoto Masayuki, conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research.

It was a recognition for her invaluable contribution to introducing Japanese culture to Bahrain and promoting friendly relations between Japan and Bahrain. The conferment ceremony, held at the Japanese Ambassadors residence, was attended by senior officials, dignitaries, and distinguished guests.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Miyamoto praised Her Excellency Shaikha Mais exceptional contributions, emphasising the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening international relations.

Shaikha Mai expressed her thanks and appreciations to the Japanese government and the Embassy of Japan in Bahrain, represented by His Excellency Ambassador Miyamoto, for conferring on her the Imperial Order for spring 2023 "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star".

Her Excellency praised the cultural relations between the two countries, expressing her pride in extending the bridges of cultural cooperation that contribute to strengthening human relations.
AFP | Washington

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The United States is deploying a destroyer as well as F-35 and F-16 warplanes to the Middle East to deter Iran from seizing ships in the Gulf, the Pentagon said Monday.

The move came after the Iranian Navy tried to seize two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman earlier this month, in one incident opening fire at one of the merchant vessels.

"In light of this continued threat and in coordination with our partners and allies, the (Defense) Department is increasing our presence and ability to monitor the Strait and surrounding waters," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said, calling on Tehran to "immediately cease these destabilizing actions that threaten the free flow of commerce through this strategic waterway."

On Friday, a senior defense official said the United States was flying A-10 Warthog warplanes over the Gulf, armed "with the kinds of munitions that would be useful to go against fast boats and moving targets."

As Iranian "fast attack boats, fast attack craft have increased as a maritime threat, we've tried a number of different ways to tackle them. And the A-10 has proven capable of that," the official added.

Washington said its forces blocked two attempts by the Iran to seize commercial tankers in international waters off Oman on July 5, while Tehran took control of a commercial ship the following day.

In April and early May, Iran seized two tankers within a week in regional waters, and Tehran was also accused of launching a drone attack against an Israeli-owned tanker in November 2022.

There has been a series of such incidents since 2018, when then US president Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic republic, sending tensions soaring.

Talks aimed at reviving the accord remain stalled, but have recently resumed with Oman as an intermediary.
The Japanese government has condemned North Korea's latest round of missile launches.

Japan's Defense Ministry says two missiles were fired around 3:29 and 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Both flew east for about 550 kilometers before falling into the Sea of Japan.

Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu said, "Both ballistic missiles fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone east of the Korean Peninsula. They may have flown in an irregular trajectory. Analysis is still underway."

The launches mark the 13th time this year that Pyongyang has fired ballistic missiles or projectiles using ballistic missile technology.

They came a day after Seoul and Washington met to discuss extended nuclear deterrence and a US nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying nuclear warheads arrived in South Korea for the first time in four decades. ...continue reading
In the realm of finance, the buzzword of the decade is undoubtedly tokenization. However, the conversation often overlooks the vital infrastructure needed to support this revolutionary shift. AllianceBlock, a trailblazer in this burgeoning space, has stepped up majorly to fill this gap.

After nearly five years of relentless innovation, AllianceBlock has produced a groundbreaking alternative to the outdated legacy systems prevalent across financial institutions and capital/money market frameworks across the globe. To elaborate, the firms vision centers around the infrastructure of a decentralized tokenized market, where every module and product released plays a crucial role.

For perspectives sake, a Prophecy Market Insights report suggests that the tokenization market will continue to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.3% over the next seven-year stretch, reaching a cumulative valuation of US$ 18.50 Billion by 2030.

AllianceBlocks Suite of Products  Explained

At the very core of AllianceBlocks extensive set of offerings is its Nexera Protocol, a tokenization system that is not only robust but also has the capacity to convert traditional assets and real-world assets into crypto tokens in real time. Owing to its capabilities, the system allows for an extremely high level of transaction accountability, data transparency, security, and immutability  aspects that evade many of todays existing financial platforms.

To help complement Nexera Protocol, AllianceBlock has developed a solution called NexeraID, which as the name suggests, is a holistic identity and compliance module. It is designed to foster greater regulatory compliance within the Web3 ecosystem by allowing crypto users and local authorities to work with each other seamlessly. NexeraID is designed to ascertain the identities of people efficiently. Not only that, it also allows for automated white/blacklisting functionalities to be set in motion, thus helping the creation of a secure and compliant digital environment.

A core building block of the decentralized tokenization space is data management and to help satisfy this need, AllianceBlock has an offering called the Data Tunnel. It is designed to provide users with a future-ready set of tools that can not only help manage voluminous decentralized data sets but also offer quality governance avenues.

Recognizing the potential of tokenization in project financing, AllianceBlock has developed Fundrs, a platform that leverages tokenization to facilitate fractional investment in projects, enhancing access and efficiency in the fundraising process and fostering growth and innovation.

Finally, anticipating the future of trading, AllianceBlock is currently developing a Decentralized Exchange (DEX). The platform is being highly touted to revolutionize trading and execution in the tokenized market, promising a seamless and cost-effective trading experience.

The Journey Ahead is Full of Promise. Heres Why

Since its foray into the crypto market, AllianceBlocks journey has been one that has seen the firm muster a lot of mainstream support not only from investors but also from the wider crypto community as well. Moreover, each release, partnership, and announcement has seen the company bolster its existing suite of products. Thus, as AllianceBlock starts the next phase of its developmental journey, many believe that the company will continue to reshape the financial landscape.

And, with the firms ethos, deeply rooted in its commitment to transparency, decentralization, and privacy, AllianceBlocks full-stack solution ensures that people transitioning from Web2.0 to Web3 can do so seamlessly, all while enjoying the benefits that crypto and blockchain tech have to offer  such as reduced time-to-market and development costs.

In addition to all this, AllianceBlock has forged several strategic partnerships globally, thereby expanding their reach. For example, the firms recent partnership with ARTBANX is helping bridge the gap that currently exists between TradFi and DeFi in the context of the art market. In fact, through the tokenization of real-world assets on an immutable ledger, AllianceBlock is helping introduce a new level of democratization within the art industry, affording individuals with varying finances to participate and invest in different art forms.

Thus, as we move ahead to an increasingly digitized future, AllianceBlocks journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of blockchain technology and the potential of decentralized tokenized markets. It will be interesting to see how the company continues to influence the crypto market and usher in the next big revolution within the world of finance.




An Abuja Federal High Court has adjourned the suit of the 2023 All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Senator Aishatu Dahiru, also known as Binani, till July 24, 2023, to take the substantive matter pending before the court.





The court had on July 10, 2023 given an interim order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from prosecuting the suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, pending the respondents to show cause why the application should not be granted.





The court could not hear the motion because the defendants were not served.





Justice Donatus Okorowo adjourned the matter to 24 July for hearing of the originating summons served on the defendants in the open court.





Binani had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023, sued INEC, Inspector-General (IG) of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 3rd, respectively.





In the suit, the applicant is seeking the interpretation of Section 144 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and a preservative order seeking the maintenance of status quo in the matter pending the determination of the suit.





Binanis counsel, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Chief Michael Aondoakaa, in the ex-parte motion earlier filed, drew the attention of the court to the fact that the matter was before a tribunal and it was time-bound.





He, however, said that the star witness to his client, Hudu Yunusa Ari, was being harassed and prevented from giving evidence before the tribunal which if continued, would jeopardise the case of his client at the tribunal.





He then urged the court to halt the harassment of the star witness in the petition before a governorship election petition tribunal challenging INECs declaration of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, as the winner on Sunday, April 16, 2023.





Aondoakaa told the court that according to the relevant laws, since Binani had been declared by the INEC, the declaration could only be legally and authentically reversed, by a court of competent jurisdiction or a tribunal, adding that all parties have joined issues at the tribunal on the legality of the declaration of the Plaintiff initially, and its subsequent cancellation by INEC.




The Arewa Youth Forum, AYF, has condemned in strong terms the increase in pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol.





In a statement issued by its National President, Ahmed Mohammed Zagi and made available to newsmen, the group said it received with shock the increase in price of petrol to over N600.





The youths noted that the N8,000 monthly stipend to some families in the country, although a welcome development, was far inadequate and should be reviewed upwards, looking at the skyrocketing cost of goods and services in the country.





It appealed to the federal government to inspire states to prioritise agricultural revolution that would ensure enough food protection in the country, believing that such efforts would lead to the crashing of prices of food products through the natural law of demand and supply.





The youths also appealed to President Tinubu and his advisers to think harder and come up with lasting solutions to the economic misfortunes of the country.
The federal high court in Abuja has refused to extend its interim order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from prosecuting Hudu Yunusa-Ari, suspended Adamawa state resident electoral commissioner (REC).

Yunusa-Ari had stirred controversy when he declared Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Adamawa governorship election when the collation of the results was yet to be completed.

INEC declared the announcement null and void and summoned the REC to its headquarters in Abuja.

Subsequently, the commission wrote to the police to prosecute Yunusa-Ari over the electoral infraction.

On April 20, former President Muhammadu Buhari approved the suspension of the Adamawa REC pending the completion of investigation by the police.

Afterwards, INEC said they have filed a six-count charge against Yunusa-Ari before a high court in Yola, while July 12 was fixed for the commencement of trial.

However, in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023, Binani through her counsel, Michael Aondoaka, moved the ex-parte motion to stop Yunusa-Aris prosecution.

The counsel to the APC candidate argued that until the election petition tribunal decides Binanis fate in accordance with section 149 of the electoral act, 2022, the prosecution of Yunusa-Ari cannot be said to be valid.

Donatus Okorowo, presiding judge, ordered the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

The judge had also ordered the respondents  INEC, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and the inspector-general of police (IGP)  to show cause why the reliefs sought by Binani should not be granted.

At the resumed court session on Tuesday, Rotimi Jacobs, INEC lawyer, informed the court that the applicant had not served the respondents with the courts July 10 order.

Jacobs who also contested the competence and jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter in a counter affidavit to the motion, stated that the lifespan of the interim order expired on July 18.

However, Aondoaka, argued that the interim order cannot expire since the defendants had not shown cause as directed by the court.

Aondoaka added that the INEC counsel cannot say he was not served with the processes of the court as he had joined issues in the matter.

The judge refused to extend the interim order previously granted.

He adjourned the matter to July 24.




A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over his failure to appear in court to explain circumstances surrounding the 53 million dollar-judgment debt arising from the Pars Club refund.





Justice Inyang Ekwo, who ordered Emefiele to appear on the next adjourned date, said he was minded to exercise restraint in the proceeding to give the ex-CBN boss an opportunity to explain himself.





The development followed an intervention by Emefieles Counsel, Audu Anuga, SAN, praying the court to give his client another opportunity as they had been unable to reach him since the last order, directing him to appear in court.





Anuga told the court that Emefiele, who was suspended as CBN governor, had been in detention.





He said all efforts to reach him to communicate the directive of the court were unsuccessful.





The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ekwo had, on Oct. 20, 2022, ordered the CBN governor to appear in court on Jan. 18 over his alleged refusal to obey the order of the court for the payment of the judgment debt in favour of a legal practitioner, Joe Agi, SAN.





Agi had dragged Linas International Ltd, Minister of Finance, CBN and Emefiele to court as 1st to 4th judgment debtors respectively, following an application for garnishee made by him as judgment creditor in the case.





However, on Jan. 18, proceedings could not go on as scheduled when the matter was called, prompting the court to subsequently adjourn the case till March 20, before it was fixed for June 6 again.





NAN reports that the judge, on June 6, ordered Emefiele to appear before it on July 19 (today).





But the CBN Governor was on June 9, suspended by President Bola Tinubu and directed to transfer his responsibilities to the Deputy Governor, operations directorate.





No sooner had Emefiele been suspended than the Department of State Services (DSS), on June 10, announced his arrest and detention.





Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, Ayodele Arotiowa, who appeared for Agi, was about to make a submission when Justice Ekwo asked Emefieles lawyer if he had complied with the order.





We made an effort to see how we can communicate with the 4th respondent (Emefiele) but the 3rd respondent (CBN) was unable to communicate with the 4th respondent.





We rely only on public communication that the 4th respondent is incarcerated and have been unable to communicate with him, Anuga responded.





He said there was another development now as to whether Emefiele could act on behalf of the CBN.





The judge, who said the CBN had no case to answer, said Emefiele was sued in his personal capacity.





Anuga said: But the public information now is that he has been suspended. An opportunity has to be given to him to comply.





I have given you enough opportunity but you are taking it for granted, the judge said while directing Anuga to give a good reason why the court should not issue a warrant of arrest against Emefiele.





The senior lawyer said since his client was still in detention after his suspension despite an order mandating his release, there was nothing they could do.





My lord, we are at the mercy of the court, he said.





But there is an intervening event, as we have not had the privilege to see him.





The last opportunity my lord gave to the 4th respondent has not been communicated to him.





I feel opportunity should be given so that this can be communicated, he pleaded.





But Anuga maintained that after this opportunity if Emefiele failed to comply, the court will take its action.





The judge, consequently, adjourned the matter until Oct. 31 for the CBN and Emefiele to show cause why an arrest warrant should not be issued against the former CBN governor.





Upon listening to counsel, I am minded to exercise restraint in this proceeding to give the 4th respondent an opportunity to explain himself to me on the next adjourned date, he said.





NAN reports that the dispute stemmed from an alleged $70 million judgment against Linas International Ltd for the lawyers (Joe Agi) assistance with the Paris Club refund.





Emefiele was said to have only released $17 million, leaving an unpaid balance of $53 million.





The court had on Jan. 23, 2020, ruled that Emefiele must appear to be examined on oath.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the alleged telephone conversation between President Bola Tinubu and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola over the outcome of the presidential election petition as mischievous and intentionally misleading.

A Twitter user, Jackson Ude had in a tweet alleged that the CJN had through a telephone conversation advised president Tinubu and the APC to get ready for a rerun of the 2023 presidential election.

Reacting to the allegation on Wednesday, the party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka said Ude fabricated a falsehood on a matter of serious national importance that is actively under review by the Presidential Election Petitions Court

He explained that President Tinubu and the APC won the February 25 2023 Presidential election without a doubt, and do not have any need to engage in side conversations with the CJN regarding pending petitions before the PEPC.

The APC expressed confidence that Nigerians are smarter and more discerning to be affected by this opposition brand of tasteless and crass mercenary expeditions.




The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said it is too early to decry the policies of President Bola Tinubus administration.





He spoke with Arise Television on Wednesday while reacting to the present economic crisis occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy which has imposed hardship on Nigerians.





There has been widespread anger across the country over the recent hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as fuel.





It was reported that prices of food items and other essential goods and services have skyrocketed following the hike in fuel prices from N537 to N620 in the nations capital and other parts of the country.





Reacting to the uproar generated by the hike, Adewole declared that Tinubu is yet to unfold his own policies, which could bring about more complications.





He said some of the measures the president is currently taking are just based on what he met on ground, stressing that Tinubus policies are yet to come.





He said: This is the consequence of the votes you cast, and it is too early to cry now because the real problem hasnt come. But when these problems come, we should solve them as a country; we should not see them as politics.





President Tinubu is taking certain measures that are legacy measures of what he met on the ground. His own policies have not come out. When they come out, you will see that there are complications there.





You can be an expert in winning elections, but you have to be an expert in running a government. I have not seen that expertise yet. Maybe when the cabinets come out and they start to think.
Gov. Kay Ivey has encouraged Alabamians to begin preparing for the school year by participating in Alabamas annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, held Friday through Sunday.

With certain items being exempt from the state sales tax, residents will have the opportunity to save money while gathering the supplies students need for the school year. Items available for purchase during the weekend include traditional school supplies and computers, as well as school uniforms, gym suits, and other types of clothing.

With summer nearing its end, I know Alabama families are beginning to prepare for the quickly approaching school year, said Ivey. During this tax-free holiday weekend, pencils, calculators, binders and other essential school supplies will be eligible for purchase without incurring sales tax. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this relief, so students, teachers, and parents alike can be equipped for the school year.
The immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that his administration did not obtain any N10 billion loan for a close circuit television (CCTV) project in the state.

Ganduje, in a statement issued on his behalf on Tuesday by his former Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, described as misleading and untrue a report in some sections of the media that his administration obtained the loan.

The former governor noted that the story, credited to a civil society organisation, was meant to discredit his government by ignorantly calling for an investigation into why the money was not spent on the project.

To this end, Ganduje challenged the group to provide evidence that the N10 billion loan was obtained.

He said: To further confirm that they are fake, the so-called organisation knew nothing about the project, and the hastiness with which their paymasters want them to be in the media exposes clearly their intent. We, therefore, challenge them to provide evidence for the 10 billion naira loan.

Ganduje stressed that when the last administration conceived the project, the State Executive Council and the Kano State House of Assembly formally granted approval, bearing in mind the importance of the project in enhancing security in the state.

He explained that unfortunately, on July 1, 2022, a Federal High Court in Kano granted an injunction restraining the government from obtaining the loan.

The former governor recalled that on July 19, the same court presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman said that it was misled in the case by one Yusuf Isyaku Rabiu, proprietor of another non-existing CSO by the name Kano First Forum, and therefore discharged the restraining order.

While asserting that the facility was not secured before the end of his tenure, he said his administration intended to carry out the project in appreciation of its importance and considering that there is even a bill before the National Assembly, which at that time had passed through second reading, that seeks to compel the compulsory installation of CCTV cameras in private buildings and offices.
Ejikeme Mmesoma has apologised to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the alleged forgery of her unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) result.

Mmesoma spoke on Wednesday when she appeared before an ad hoc committee of the house of representatives investigating the alleged forgery of result.

Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB registrar, and top directors of the board also appeared before the committee.

Ejikeme pleaded for leniency for the ban imposed on her to be lifted.

I feel a debt of pain for letting you down, he said.

Before her appearance before the house ad hoc committee, an Anambra committee tasked with investigating the controversy had reported that the candidate admitted to faking her results.

In May, Mmesoma, a student of Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi, Anambra state, gained popularity after she was purported to have scored 362 in the 2023 UTME.

Although JAMB did not announce her as the overall best candidate, Mmesoma was widely celebrated.

Innocent Chukwuma, the automobile businessman, awarded the candidate a scholarship worth N3 million.

JAMB would later declare, contrary to Mmesomas claims, that the student scored 249, not 362.

The exam body said she faked the results to mislead the public, so a panel was tasked with probing the matter.

The panel of inquiry said Mmesoma was expected to tender a written apology to JAMB, the Anglican Girls Secondary, and the Anambra state government.








Troops of operation Hadarin Daji, a military component, have rescued 40 kidnapped victims in Kyairu, Kyaram and Alkama communities in Bukkuyum Local Government area of Zamfara State.





According to a press statement by Army authority, the victims were kidnapped when armed bandits invaded Kyairu, Kyaram and Alkama communities.





The statement noted that the successes followed an intelligent report of heavily armed bandits movement in the affected communities.





The troops however mobilized to the area, blocked the bandits route and engaged them in a fire for fire operation which lasted for hours forcing the bandits to flee into the forest and abandon the kidnapped victims, the statement added.





The statement read in parts on 17th July 2023, following Intelligent report that Armed bandits had kidnapped an unspecified number of persons from villages around Bukuyyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.





The Troops immediately mobilized swiftly for a fighting patrol and established blocking positions around the bandits withdrawal routes around Kyairu/Kyaram and Alkama villages in Bukuyyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.





It also noted that the 40 rescued kidnapped victims were reunited with their families, while ten of them were handed over to the local chief of Gwashi to connect them with their respective families





Recall that this is the second time in one week that troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued kidnapped victims at various bandits enclaves and routes in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the State.
The United Kingdom government says it is suspending the existing visa-waiver agreement with all Dominican nationals, including to visit.

The suspension which comes into effect on July 19, will affect the majority of people, including Nigerians seeking to enter the UK.

However, those who booked their travel visa before 3 pm UK time, will still be able to enter the UK without a visa.

There will also be a four-week visa-free transition period for those with confirmed bookings made before 3 pm on July 19 where arrival to the UK is no later than August 16.

Dominican visitors already in the UK will not be affected by the new requirement for the rest of their visit.

According to the new policy, those who leave the UK will need a visa to re-enter, while citizens of Dominica will now need a visitor visa to travel for up to six months.

Giving reasons for the suspension, Suella Braverman, UK home secretary, said the decision was made due to clear and evident abuse of its citizenship by investment scheme, including the granting of citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK.

Meanwhile, the policy will affect many Nigerians with Dominica citizenship.

Nigeria-Dominica citizenship offers an opportunity to travel to over 46 countries without a visa, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and the Schengen countries.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigerias former minister of petroleum, had gotten Dominica citizenship after she was appointed commissioner for trade and investment by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

However, with this latest development travelling to the UK has become stringent for Nigerians who have applied through that means.
Former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday said his counterpart from the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi inspires him.

Atiku said Obis dedication to service and growth over the years inspires him.

The former Vice President made the remark while felicitating Obi on his 62nd birthday.

Tweeting, Atiku described Obi as a distinguished and respected leader and former governor.

According to Atiku: Happy 62nd birthday to @PeterObi, a respected leader and distinguished former governor of Anambra state and presidential candidate of the Labour Party. Your dedication to service and growth continues to inspire.

As you add another year today, I, on behalf of my family and team wish you many more years in good health and vitality. -AA

Obi, who was a member of PDP, had defected to LP prior to the 2023 presidential election.

Prior to his defection, Obi was tipped to emerge as Atikus running mate in the last presidential election.
Nollywood veteran actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has cautioned filmmakers against misleading costumes in movies.

The actor in a video shared on Instagram advised the Industry to always make a rich man dressed in more comfortable outfits rather than in agbada or Senegal regalia.

While noting that most filmmakers do not align with movie costumes, Kanayo said rich characters often wear Agbada in movies, while in real life they are known by their expensive wristwatches, footwear, and T-shirts.

Also condemning how female characters sleep with their wigs and full makeup, he stated that Many Nollywood Producers paint the wrong picture of costumes in movies all in the name of fine pictures. Its misleading.

The reality is that many practitioners have yet to realize that filmmaking is part of an agenda setting in national development, especially the tradition and culture of the people.

The rich most of the time dress casually. Many are known through their expensive footwear, T-shirt, and wrist watches not by Agbada.

How can a man be resting in his house fully dressed?How can a woman be adorned with full makeup while cooking? Most ladies sleep with their wigs on, with applied facial foundation. Dear colleagues, lets watch it.

This is what the music industry has done with Afrobeat. And now, they all get paid like they hit a jackpot. Nollywood can do better than them, Kanayo stated.
Two men have been arrested in the armed robbery and assault of an employee at a North Jersey gas station earlier this year, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

The robbery occurred at a Delta gas station on Washington Avenue in Bergenfield on the night of February 11, officials said. Two men, one of whom was carrying a handgun, approached the gas station attendant around 8 p.m. and demanded cash, officials said. The attendant was then struck in the head with the gun and the two men ran off with $3,000 in cash, prosecutors said.

Nixon Francisco-Colon, 34, of Bronx, New York, was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday after his flight from Honduras arrived. Melvin R. Inoa, 25, was arrested at his Bronx residence the following day, authorities said.

Both men are facing charges of first-degree armed robbery, third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and weapons offenses, authorities said.

Francisco-Colon is being held in Bergen County Jail and Inoa is in the custody of the New York City Police while he awaits extradition to New Jersey. Attorney information for the men was not immediately available.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
A 23-year-old Philadelphia resident was arrested in Delaware after authorities say he shot and killed a New Jersey man Tuesday afternoon in Camden.

Stefan Shaw, 31, of Maple Shade was found by shot by police shortly after 4 p.m. in the area of 27th Street and Federal Street, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said Wednesday. Shaw died of his injuries at an area hospital.

Police in New Castle County, Delaware, took Myles Nicholson into custody later in the day. He is being held at a local jail in Delaware awaiting extradition to New Jersey. Nicholson is charged with murder and weapons offenses.

Attorney information wasnt immediately available. A motive for the shooting wasnt disclosed.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Michael Dons of the Camden County Prosecutors Office at at 856-365-3125 or Camden County Police Department Det. Andrew Einstein at 609-682-1309. Tips can also be sent anonymously to CAMDEN.TIPS https://camdencountypros.org/tips.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Two boaters aboard a sailboat that ran aground in an Avalon inlet were rescued by local crews during a Tuesday afternoon thunderstorm, officials said.

First responders were called to Townsends Inlet shortly after 2:30 p.m. after they learned the 30-foot boat was in distress in the shallow water and was pitching violently in the rough surf as a thunderstorm was bearing down on the area with wind and frequent lightning, according to Avalon Fire Chief Ed Dean.

The Avalon Fire Department launched a fire boat and two wave runners because it was near low tide in the inlet, Dean said. The wave runner crews helped the owner of the sailboat anchor it and were able to get him and his shipmate and take them to the fire boat. No injuries were reported.

Shortly thereafter the sailboat was towed in to shore.

Avalon continues to be blessed to have brave men and women who respond to life-threatening incidents even when conditions are not ideal, a social media post from the borough stated.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
A man who died while in the custody of the New Jersey State Police following an alleged attack on a trooper has been identified.

Daniel King, 30, was pronounced dead at Inspira Medical Center on July 9 at 11:37 p.m., according to an incident report from the state obtained by NJ Advance Media.

King was being held in custody at the State Polices Bridgeton Station in Upper Deerfield after he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer in Fairfield, officials said.

He suffered a medical episode around 8 p.m. on July 8 and became unresponsive, authorities said. Troopers performed life-saving efforts before he was brought to the hospital.

His condition continued to worsen while in the hospital, leading to his death the following night, according to the incident report.

A trooper had responded to a home on Fordville Road in Fairfield on July 8 after King requested an escort to retrieve property at the residence. King then became confrontational and assaulted the trooper before two civilians intervened, the report said.

The Attorney General is investigating the death under state guidelines that call for a review of all deaths that occur during an encounter with members of law enforcement or while a person is in police custody.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
As the state of Alabama hosts the annual Back-to-School Tax Free sales tax holiday July 21-23, the City of Enterprise is hosting a Back 2 School Bash downtown.

The event will kick off Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in The Nook, located at 123 South Main St., and will feature music, games, face painting, food trucks, and prizes.

We will have bingo cards available at a Main Street Enterprise tent, which will encourage shoppers to visit our downtown businesses to play a game for the chance to win an impressive prize basket, Main Street Director Mariah Montgomery said. Our downtown businesses are extending their hours and offering special giveaways and discounts to help shoppers get the most bang for their buck.

The Back 2 School Bash continues Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Shoppers must return their completed bingo cards to the Main Street Enterprise tent to be entered in the grand prize drawing on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

The City of Enterprise adopted the sales tax holiday during the April 18 city council meeting. Retailers are required to participate and may not charge tax on items that are legally tax exempt during the sales tax holiday.
The family of a Cumberland County man who died after he allegedly assaulted a New Jersey State Police trooper wants to know what happened in his final hours.

Daniel King, 30, of Millville, was arrested July 8 after authorities said he assaulted a trooper after calling police for help retrieving property from a home. He became unresponsive while in police custody and died in a hospital the following day, according to the state Attorney Generals office, which is investigating the case.

The circumstances surrounding his death dont make sense, said Kings aunt, Marian King, who is a member of Bridgeton City Council. The family is waiting for information from autopsy and toxicology reports, she said.

If he died of natural causes, then thats what it is, she said. At this point, it doesnt line up to that.

Daniel King contacted police July 8 asking for an escort so he could retrieve property at a home in Fairfield Township, according to an investigation report provided Tuesday in response to a public records request filed by NJ Advance Media.

Around 7 p.m., King allegedly became confrontational at the residence and assaulted a trooper, authorities state in the report. Two civilians helped the trooper and King was arrested, then taken to the State Polices Bridgeton Station in Upper Deerfield.

At the station, King was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, according to the attorney generals office.

Around 8 p.m., King suffered a medical episode and became unresponsive, according to the investigation report. Troopers performed live-saving efforts before he was taken to Inspira Medical Center in Vineland. His condition continued to deteriorate and he died the following day, officials said.

Marian King said she believes the incident involved a dispute with an acquaintance over a motorcycle King had left at the residence. He asked the police for help retrieving the vehicle and he was allegedly told he would need to resolve the issue in court, she said.

The attorney generals office told the family they are still gathering information about what happened next, Marian King said.

The acts her nephew allegedly committed dont match the man she knew, according to King.

He wasnt big in stature. He was so quiet and very sweet. The characterization doesnt even match up, she said. He wasnt some type of thug. He was very quiet and even if you look at his picture, it kind of speaks volumes to his personality. A very shy kind of guy. Not a monster.

King was the father of two daughters, his aunt noted.

He was such a good dad, she said. One of those fathers that spent time with his kids a lot.

The family will seek legal counsel as it tries to learn more about his death, she said.

Anytime you have the state investigating the state or the police policing the police, you definitely want to have an outside attorney to assist, Marian King said.

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday in Vineland.

A friend created a GoFundMe to help the family with funeral costs and funds for his children. It had raised more than $2,000 toward an $8,000 goal as of Wednesday morning.

The Attorney General is investigating the Kings death under state guidelines that call for a review of all deaths that occur during an encounter with members of law enforcement or while a person is in police custody.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Hallmark Channel has announced its first Christmas cruise setting sail in November.

The cruise will run from Nov. 5-9, 2023, and sail between the ports of Miami, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas, on the Norwegian Gem, according to a press release announcing the cruise.

What is there to do on board the Hallmark Christmas Cruise?

On board activities will include Christmas crafts, meet-and-greets with Hallmark Channel actors, a world premiere screening of a Countdown to Christmas movie, a Christmas tree lighting, Christmas cookie decorating, karaoke featuring Christmas songs, an ugly sweater contest and Hallmark Channel Wine tastings.

What is the Hallmark Christmas Cruise itinerary?

The rough itinerary of the cruise is as follows:

DAY 1  Depart Port of Miami

DAY 2  Day at Sea

DAY 3  Nassau, Bahamas

DAY 4  Day at Sea

DAY 5  Arrive Port of Miami

How do I book the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise?

The cruise is sold out as of Wednesday, July 19, 2023.

However, there is a waitlist you can join by clicking here.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Linebacker Jarrad Davis role with the New York Giants seemed to be growing after they signed him late last season.

But now it will have to wait because on Tuesday the Giants placed him on injured reserve, ending his 2023 campaign, the team announced.

The New York Post reported July 11 that Davis had undergone knee surgery during the summer after he suffered an injury during spring practices. He was slotted in with the starters as the second inside linebacker. He had received a one-year deal for just over $1 million.

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His absence during organized team activities June 14 raised concerns and general manager Joe Schoen told NJ Advance Media in July, Im not sure how long (Davis) will be out.

Davis joined the Giants on Dec. 28 via the Detroit Lions practice squad. The 2017 first-rounder played in the final regular-season game Jan. 8, recording 11 tackles and a half a sack in 70 snaps. During the Giants two playoff games, he logged seven tackles, playing 90% of the defensive snaps in the Giants divisional-round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The 6-1, 245-pound Davis spent the first four seasons of his career with the Lions and then was signed by the Jets for the 2021 season. He then re-signed with the Lions after getting into only nine games with the Jets because of ankle injuries. He played in four regular-season games total last year; he spent most of it on the Lions practice squad.

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From NJ Advance Medias Bob Brookover on July 12:

If Davis is out for an extended period, McFadden and Darrian Beavers figure to compete for playing time at that position. McFadden played in all 17 regular-season games last season and logged 435 total defensive snaps. Beavers, meanwhile, missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason.

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Jimmy Hascup may be reached at jhascup@njadvancemedia.com.
Nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital could be nearing a contract agreement with the New Brunswick facility after the workers voted last week to strike.

United Steel Workers Local 4-200, which represents the nurses, reached a tentative deal Monday, according to union officials. Nurses are expected to vote Wednesday and Thursday whether to accept the hospitals offer. The strike is planned for Friday.
Two Port Authority Police officers helped deliver a baby Monday morning at the Lincoln Tunnel toll plaza in Hudson County. It was business as usual for one and a first-time experience for the other.

Officer Timothy Jozefczyk was first to arrive on the scene just before 9 a.m. when the panicked driver, and soon to be father of the baby, Nestor Guallpa, told him that his partner was in labor and was bleeding, according to a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

When Jozefczyk arrived by her side, the baby was crowning and he instructed the mother, Maria Marin, to keep pushing. Within three minutes, a healthy baby boy was born, officials said.

I was so relieved when the baby cried and so happy that everyone is healthy, Jozefczyk, who hopes to be a dad one day, said.

Shortly after, Port Authority Police Officer Evan Butt arrived and assisted in the delivery of the after birth and the clamping of the umbilical cord before EMTs could arrive and take Marin and the baby to a local hospital.

Kylian Aaron Guallpa Castano was born healthy and happy and weighed in at six pounds and nine ounces.Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Kylian Aaron Guallpa Castano was born healthy and happy and weighed in at six pounds and nine ounces. Guallpa said it was an experience he will never forget.

We are so happy that we got help from the police, Guallpa said. We are so grateful that they were there and that everyone is healthy. Seeing the officers work carefully and knew what they were doing was amazing. Theyre our heroes. It was like something out of a movie, and I will never forget this experience.

With nine years on the job, Jozefczyk said he was very nervous when he showed up on scene as this was his first time holding a newborn and his very first time helping with the delivery of one.

However, for Butt, who has prior experience in the Fire Department of New York and as an EMT, this was his fifth time in assisting in a delivery of a baby, officials sad.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
The states largest cannabis operator, Curaleaf, announced it is eliminating positions at its cultivation production facility in Winslow  the second time this year the company eliminated jobs in Camden County, the company confirmed Tuesday night.

In March, Curaleaf, one of the biggest growers and sellers of legal weed in the nation, laid off 40 employees from its Bellmawr grow facility, before shutting it down.

Curaleaf remains the market leader in New Jersey; however, we are scaling back production because we have ample supply to meet the markets current needs, the statement to NJ Advance Media said.

The multi-state operator listed several reasons why it was downsizing in New Jersey, saying it had voiced those concerns to the states Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

Throughout the past year we have voiced our concerns to the CRC about the difficult market conditions created in part by licensing approval delays, alongside lacking enforcement of the illicit market, and we have now proactively engaged them and organized labor in a dialogue about the changes we are making today, another part of the statement read.

Enforcement of unlicensed cannabis operations falls under local law enforcement jurisdiction and the state Attorney Generals Office.

The company recently had a standoff with cannabis regulators over accusations of not negotiating with labor unions in good faith, something that is required by New Jerseys cannabis legislation.

Curaleaf has repeatedly denied those accusations.

The commission came close to shutting down the companys adult-use operations over those concerns before reversing that decision after being advised by the New Jersey Attorney Generals Division of Law Office.

The companys retail locations, in Edgewater, Bellmawr and Bordentown, serve both recreational and medical patients.

Late last month, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360 announced all of Curaleafs New Jersey retail locations had been organized as members of UFCW.

The UFCW will always stand with workers  even the tough times, said Hugh Giordano, Director of Organizing for the UFCW Local 360. Layoffs are always a bad thing, especially for those who depend on the income  Thats why we must work to make sure when these issues arise, there are standards in place to make sure layoffs are done fairly and transparently.

We are in communication with workers that have been laid off and are doing everything in our power to help those affected, even though those workers at the cultivation site are not organized yet  We will stand by every single workers that asks for the UFCWS support, Giordano said.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission echoed a similar sentiment about the workers.

We are unhappy to see workers laid off and hope Curaleaf will do everything possible to place the affected employees in new positions, the commission said in a statement.

The commission additionally said that market conditions play a role in companys sustainability.

As with all kinds of businesses, performance against increased competition and customer choice will determine success, the statement read.

At the CRCs July 18 meeting, Chairwoman Dianna Houenou, noted that real estate, company funding and municipal approval remained among the largest reasons the market has struggled to expand quickly.

All three of these are outside of the commissions control, she said.

The majority of the states municipalities has still opted out of allowing cannabis sales. Those that welcome it can set up their own municipal approval process. The Legislature did not give the commission authority over how that process plays out or its structure.

Curaleaf, which is headquartered in New York City, operates in 19 states. In recent months, it has scaled back operations in several states, including California, Colorado, Oregon and Massachusetts.

Jelani Gibson is content lead for NJ Cannabis Insider. He may be reached at jgibson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jelanigibson1 and on LinkedIn.

This article has been updated with more recent comment from the UFCW and the Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
Three men have been charged in a string of home burglaries in affluent areas of northern New Jersey, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.

Steven Rugeles, 30, Santiago Camargo-Rojas, 24, and Nicholas Buitrago-Grillo, 23, all of Elizabeth, were arrested on Tuesday after evidence was allegedly recovered during searches of their homes, prosecutors said.

The burglaries occurred between March and July of this year in multiple Bergen County towns including Alpine, Saddle River, Paramus and Cresskill, police said. The series of home invasions all seemed similar  they happened during the early evening on homes that were not well lit. The houses that were targeted were also all in wealthy neighborhoods on dead end or cul-de-sac streets, police said.

The suspects would sometimes pose as delivery drivers at first to ensure that nobody was home. Items that were commonly taken were high-end jewelry items and cash, officials said.

During a search of the suspects homes this week, detectives found luxury jewelry, cash, tools that are commonly used by burglars to break into homes and fraudulent drivers licenses and passports, authorities said.

All three men are charged with receiving stolen property and possession of fraudulent government records. Rugeles also faces a charge of conspiracy to commit burglary, while his two alleged co-conspirators are additionally charged with money laundering, prosecutors said.

They are being held in Bergen County Jail pending their first court appearance. Attorney information for the three was not immediately available.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Three people accused of starting a fire after launching commercial-grade fireworks from a homemade barge in a Sussex County lake the night before Independence Day are facing municipal charges.

The fire sent one man to the burn center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston with second- and third-degree burns covering roughly 20% to 30% of his body, police said. Two people were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, officials said.

The injured trio  a 23-year-old woman, a 28-year-old man and a 22-year-old man  were issued summonses filed in Andover municipal court in Newton on July 4, the day after the incident, officials said.

The 22-year-old man is from Ogdensburg and the other man and woman are from Sparta.

The charges include using dangerous fireworks and endangering another person, both fourth-degree offenses, officials said. They were also issued a summons for possessing or using fireworks, a petty disorderly persons offense.

Byram Township police officers were sent to a residential address on Birch Parkway in the Lake Mohawk section of the township around 10 p.m. on July 3, officials said.

They found a homemade barge on fire, said Lt. Daniel DeWald. Police said the commercial-grade fireworks exploded and lit the barge on fire.

The three people issued summonses are all scheduled to appear in Sussex County Superior Court on Wednesday, according to court documents.

Only one of the people charged, the 28-year-old man, had attorney information available in court records. His attorney declined to comment.

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Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com.
By Jun Choi, Paul Josephson and Kay LiCausi

Congestion pricing  the plan to charge a toll on drivers entering Manhattans Central Business District (CBD) south of 60th Street  is moving forward. Thats a fact.

But the success of the concept, and whether it survives the threat of legal challenges, depends on how New York implements it.

Gov. Phil Murphy, Congressman Josh Gottheimer and many others have been vocal in defending New Jerseys interests. As New Jersey board members of the Regional Plan Association, a 100-year-old tri-state organization that has championed congestion pricing for decades, we are often asked how we can support an additional tax on New Jersey drivers entering New York.

The answer is simple: because 90% of commuters from New Jersey take transit to Manhattan, congestion pricing will make commutes for New Jerseyans faster, safer and more reliable by providing critical funding for $15 billion in badly needed mass transit upgrades once New Jerseyans arrive in New York City. This includes new electric buses, upgraded subway cars, modern track signals, and additional service routes.

For those who choose or need to drive, their commutes will be faster as private vehicle trips are reduced overall, and drivers can rely on mass transit once in Manhattan.

But the key to success  and a foundational element of RPAs decades-long advocacy for congestion pricing  is an equitable system of toll credits for crossing bridges and tunnels into Manhattan. Properly and equitably established, toll credits will treat New Jersey and New York commuters and businesses equally. They will eliminate incentives to toll shop and cross into Manhattan on bridges and tunnels not presently tolled by New York.

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While New Jersey drivers have always paid a toll to the Port Authority to cross the Hudson River, nearly 400,000 drivers daily from Long Island, Westchester, and Connecticut do not. They use free crossings such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, or Third Avenue Bridge to access Manhattan. A bit more than 100,000 New Jerseyans pay the Port Authority a toll; a bit less than 100,000 pay a toll at an MTA facility (such as the Henry Hudson and RFK bridges and the Queens-Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery tunnels).

This current system has no rhyme or reason. As a result, hundreds of thousands of drivers make the individually rational choice to not take the most direct route to their destination but to take the cheapest oneeven if it means driving further and suffering in traffic. Toll shopping creates unwanted traffic, congestion and pollution in New Jersey and New York neighborhoods surrounding Manhattan alike.

If New York implements toll credits at all Hudson, East and Harlem river crossings, drivers would get a credit against the congestion pricing charge for the tolls they currently pay. This would equalize tolls, level the playing field, and ensure everyone pays the same amount for the privilege of bringing a car into Manhattan.

It also means no single community bears a disproportionate burden of implementing this new policy.

Congestion pricing could be a win for the entire New York metropolitan regionincluding New Jerseyans. Lets get it right.

Jun Choi, Paul Josephson and Kay LiCausi are New Jersey board members of the Regional Plan Association.

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A funnel cloud was seen spinning in the sky above Seaside Park in Ocean County during a thunderstorm Tuesday afternoon, according to a storm report received by the National Weather Service.

However, the weather service says there are no indications of any tornadoes touching down on land anywhere in New Jersey today.

There was some very weak rotation on radar at the time, but there have been no reports or pictures of any ground circulations, the weather services Mount Holly office said.

A Twitter user who goes by the handle @jackderkaiser and describes himself as a wannabe storm chaser posted a video clip and a still photo of what appears to be a funnel cloud in the sky over Seaside Park in Ocean County.

A few lines of strong thunderstorms swept across New Jersey in the late morning and early afternoon, with additional clusters of thunderstorms moving across the Jersey Shore later in the afternoon on Tuesday. Although no storms were classified as severe  with large hail or damaging winds  some packed wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph and dumped heavy rain over a short time span.

Flooding was reported on local roads and highways in Atlantic Highlands, Edison, Hazlet, Keyport, Marlboro, Middletown, New Brunswick and Spotswood, according to the National Weather Service and News 12 New Jersey. In addition, the heavy rain caused lengthy flight delays at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Top rainfall totals

Toms River was deluged with 3 inches of rain in just a few hours on Tuesday, according to rainfall data from the Rutgers NJ Weather Network. Just two days ago, Toms River picked up 1.14 inches of rain, and other parts of New Jersey got saturated with as much as 5 to 7 inches of rain during a series of heavy showers and thunderstorms that pounded the region from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

Among the other rainfall reports on Tuesday were:

1.68 inches in Berkeley Township, Ocean County

1.32 inches in Holmdel, Monmouth County

1.16 inches in Newark, Essex County

1.09 inches in Oceanport, Monmouth County

1.02 inches in Lyndhurst, Bergen County

0.96 inches in New Brunswick, Middlesex County

Current weather radar

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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com.
GENEVA  A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly stole over $1,000 worth of cigarettes from two Geneva gas stations, according to police.

Elbert Keathley of Middleburg, Florida, is charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property. He is currently being held in the Geneva County Jail.

On Thursday, July 13, Geneva Police responded to the Stop-N-Go on East Town Avenue and the Super C on West Magnolia Avenue after receiving reports of a possible burglary at both locations.

Upon arrival, officers discovered glass had been broken in both front doors, and a large amount of cigarettes had been taken. Evidence and surveillance video was collected from both stores.

According to Geneva Police, later on, the Brantley Police Department performed a traffic stop and discovered the driver, later identified as Keathley, was in possession of several cigarette cartons.

After an investigation, Geneva Police were contacted and found that Keathleys vehicle matched a vehicle seen on surveillance footage.

Investigators from the Geneva Police Department and the Geneva County Sheriffs Office traveled to Brantley and confirmed that the cigarettes Keathley had in his possession had City of Geneva tax stamps.

From there, Keathley was interviewed and taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be added.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Showers this morning, becoming a steady rain during the afternoon hours. High 73F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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NEW BROCKTON-The importance of continuing communication between Fort Novosel and the surrounding communities was the common denominator as the third of three Compatible Land Use StudyCLUS public hearings held in the Wiregrass came to an end at the government building in New Brockton Wednesday morning.

Public meeting were held in Geneva, Dale and Coffee Counties this week as part of the information gathering process conducted by the Southeast East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission in partnership with Fort Novosel and representatives from Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, and Houston counties.

A 90-member CLUS Committee comprising federal, state, county, and municipal officials, along with economic development, real estate, and utility representatives, held four meetings this year to discuss issues affecting their respective communities, said Scott Farmer, SEARP&DC Executive Director. Representatives from the agricultural community, ALDOT-Aeronautics, chambers of commerce, developers/real estate, economic development authorities, Friends of Fort Novosel, local airports, county engineers, and planning directors were included on the committee.

The goal of the group was to educate public/elected officials, improve intergovernmental coordination and communication, identify/develop legislative options, energy security and sustainability for Fort Novosel, promote area-wide approach for land use decisions and continued evaluation of implementation.

Friends of Fort Novosel Chairman retired Brig. Gen. Tim Edens said that the process to conduct the updated survey began two years ago when the Friends of Fort Novosel were discussing what could be done to improve communications between the civilian and military communities.

Funding was provided by the office of Local Defense Community Cooperation with match provided by SEARP&DC.

The study encompassed 29,590 square miles of aircraft training area, including one Army airfield, four Army heliports, 15 stage fields, and 64 Remote Training Sites in Daleville, Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Clayhatchee, Level Plains, Midland City, Newton and Pinckard.

A first step was to gather public opinion about future development and land uses near Fort Novosel through a 17-question survey available online at the SEARP&DC website. The survey was also distributed by CLUS Committee members June 26 through July 10. There were 434 responses, said SEARP&DC Project Facilitator Tracy Delaney, who conducted each of the three public meetings. This was non-scientific survey, disseminated by the CLUS committee to help gauge citizen response to living and working near Fort Novosel and its outlying airfields, stage fields, and remote training areas, said Farmer. The second step was to hold public information meetings in Geneva, Dale and Coffee Counties. The meetings were advertised in six newspapers, 675 postcards were mailed, 160 emails were sent, and various news media and social media postings occurred, Delaney said.

The results of this survey and a draft summary of the Fort Novosel Land Use plan were discussed at the community meetings. Of the survey respondents, 44% were from Coffee County, 26% from Dale County, 16.6% from Houston County, 7% percent from Geneva County and 3.5% from Covington County. Fifty two percent said they currently are serving or have served in the military or were a military family member. Almost 53% of those responding to the online survey said they have lived in their home more than 20 years. Of the survey respondents, 268 said they did not work for the military installation, 108 said they did, 52 said they were retired and three were unemployed.

Ninety-three percent said that they thought that local governments supported Fort Novosel and 55.1% said they thought that local governments should regulate how land around Fort Novosel is developed.

Delaney said that while the majority of those who responded to the survey were strongly in support of the military installation that has a daytime population of some 22,000 people, that is the largest employer south of Montgomery and the fifth largest employer in Alabama, complaints about noise generated by the aircraft and artillery were noted. Those complaints fluctuate, she said, but approximately 66% of noise complaints each month are from repeat callers, said Delaney and the majority are from nonpopulated areas in the counties

The goal of the study is to improve the intergovernmental coordination and notification process by and between local governments and Fort Novosel about future development and land uses near the installation and landowners and residents, Farmer said. Its purpose is to educate the public and elected officials about Fort Novosels missions and promote a coordinated approach to making land use decisions.

Fort Novosel Air Traffic and Air Space Coordinator Paul Meissner agreed, stressing the importance of communications and two-way dialogues. Fort Novosel could not do what they do day in and do out without the tremendous support from the Wiregrass, he said, reiterating the importance of information sharing and communications. We strive to be a good neighbor.
Louisiana is home to hundreds of railroad crossings, where automobiles must stop to let a train pass. Rail helps move the United States economy, but blocked crossings sometimes inconvenience motorists who are in a hurry.

State and local politicians have tried limit the length of trains and the duration that they may block roads; Louisiana law, for example, ostensibly forbids blocking a crossing more than 20 minutes, and a Jefferson Parish ordinance bans it longer than five minutes.

But across the U.S., railroads have persuaded courts to overturn state and local restrictions, saying they are instead subject to federal law, because they engage in interstate commerce. There is no federal law on how long trains may block crossings nor one restricting train length.
MONTGOMERY  The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is joining the Alabama Transportation Institute in kicking off National Rural Road Safety Awareness Week, which runs through Friday. The weeklong observance is part of a nationwide campaign spearheaded by the National Center for Rural Road Safety and drives home the need to slow down as speeding is one of the top contributing factors in rural crashes.

The overall theme and question safety partners are asking motorists to consider during RRSAW 2023 is Whats Speed Got To Do With It? Throughout the campaign, various topics will be identified to raise awareness and address speed management on rural roads.

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, Every campaign and initiative that our Agency launches or participates in has tremendous value; however, National Rural Road Safety Awareness Week is structured specifically for states like Alabama. Driving a motor vehicle can be hazardous on any roadway due to varying factors and conditions. While on rural routes, drivers must be especially careful and use extreme caution as it relates to speed management and overall vehicle operation. The key is understanding that every roadway has a specific speed at which motorists can safely travel. When drivers exceed those speed limits, crashes, injuries and fatalities are much more likely to occur.

According to data compiled from 2018 to 2022 by the Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS) in Alabama, rural crashes account for nearly 25% of all traffic crashes. In 2022, 4,453 of Alabamas traffic crashes involved speeding on rural roads, resulting in 159 fatalities. So far in 2023, 1,930 crashes have occurred on rural roads in Alabama due to speeding, resulting in 49 fatalities.

Dr. Steven Jones, Interim Executive Director of the Alabama Transportation Institute, said, The Alabama Transportation Institute endorses the Rural Road Safety Awareness Week. The institute, through its Center for Advanced Public Safety, is committed to promoting safety on all roads in Alabama and is especially attuned to the unique challenges in rural areas.

In addition to our work in Alabama, the Institute is part of the National Center for Rural Road Safety, and we are working with the national organization to promote the reduction of excessive speeding on rural roads across the nation.

Tragically, we have lost too many lives on Alabama roadways, but especially on our rural routes. We must take this campaign seriously and help prevent needless crashes on our roadways. In addition to educating the public on the dangers of speeding, we are also using this safety campaign to stress the importance of seat-belt usage, as well as why driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs is so dangerous, Taylor said.

According to CAPS data, rural DUI crashes account for 41 percent of all DUI crashes recorded, and DUI rural crashes also account for 53 percent of all DUI fatalities in Alabama. In 2022, 1,991 DUI-related crashes occurred on rural roads, resulting in 137 fatalities. So far in 2023, 884 DUI-related crashes have occurred on rural roads, resulting in 50 fatalities.

This weeks campaign assets will include social media graphics, post cards, posters, articles, fact sheets, and other resources. For more information on this years RRSAW, visit the National Center for Rural Road Safetys RRSAW campaign page.
The co-leader of the Green Party, Carla Denyer visited North Devon last week to support three newly elected Green Party councillors, Mark Haworth-Booth, Sara Wilson and Ricky Knight.

She heard about how they are already getting stuck in to help their local communities.

In Ilfracombe, Carla swam at the historic Tunnels Beaches before visiting the Earth Repair Shop where she met local activists.

Ilfracombe Green councillor, Sara Wilson said: "It was so good to have Carla Denyer in Ilfracombe. As a local councillor I know the problems the town faces such as a lack of affordable rental properties for local families and deep cuts to services that support the most vulnerable. The projects run by the Earth Repair Shop show us what local people can do to strengthen their communities while doing their bit to help the environment".

In the evening, Carla held a well-attended public meeting at Barnstaple Library. She described her journey into politics from a wind farm engineer to a city councillor in Bristol where she proposed the first climate emergency motion anywhere in the UK and one of the first in the world. Since then, even the Westminster Parliament has declared a climate emergency.

Carla commented: "I am glad that so many councils and Parliament followed my lead and declared a climate emergency. But to have any impact this must be followed by meaningful action, which is why the role of elected Greens is so important. Electing more Green councillors locally and MPs nationally is vital to ensure that Parliament cannot ignore the climate crisis, so am campaigning to be elected as MP for the new constituency of Bristol Central".

Longstanding Green campaigner, Ricky Knight - one of the new intake of councillors - added: "Having Carla in North Devon helps us to focus on how urgently we need to tackle the environmental crisis. We don't have years to take the necessary action, so we need to implement practical policies that will make a difference to us locally, making our area fairer and greener. For example, I am championing energy efficiency and renewable energy on North Devon Council.
A recent study conducted by KPMG has shed light on the reluctance of Australians to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) despite its potential to revolutionise various aspects of daily life.

The report indicates that 71 per cent of Australians surveyed harbour concerns about the long-term impact of AI on society, while one-third expressed apprehension due to the perceived lack of adequate regulations in place.

AI expert, Dr Michael Kollo, underscored the significance of this hesitation, pointing out that Australias slow adoption of the technology might lead to a potential brain drain, with talented individuals, companies, and innovative ideas seeking opportunities overseas in more AI-centric regions.

Australia isnt known for being at the forefront of technical innovation, and this cautious approach could hinder our growth and development, warned Dr. Kollo.

Despite the reservations, Dr Kollo urged Australians to seize the potential benefits of AI, sharing seven predictions that highlight how the technology is poised to transform lives in the coming years.

Among the forecasted transformations are AI-driven robot teachers, the rise of self-driving vehicles with advanced safety features, and the adoption of AI-powered diagnostic tools in healthcare to improve diagnoses and patient outcomes. Additionally, AI applications are expected to streamline customer interactions for small businesses, revolutionise weather prediction capabilities, enhance fraud detection in financial services, and even reshape the music industry by assisting musicians in creative decision-making.

As part of the growing interest in AI, Dr Kollo is scheduled to be a keynote speaker at #CapTech2023, a highly anticipated event that aims to bring together industry leaders, innovators, and investors to explore growth opportunities in Australia. The event is set to take place in Sydney over four days in October, attracting more than 500 attendees, including delegates from India, the Middle East, China, and Hong Kong, who recognize Australias potential for significant business ventures.

Last years #CapTech event resulted in four successful major investment deals and the signing of over $180 million AUD worth of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), indicating the high stakes and potential of AI-driven opportunities for Australias economic growth and prosperity.

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(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

LUND, Sweden, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hansa Biopharma ("Hansa"), a pioneer in enzyme technology for rare immunological conditions, today announced first patient treated with imlifidase in an investigator-initiated phase 2 study in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody ("ANCA")-associated vasculitis. This is the first study evaluating imlifidase, Hansa's first-generation IgG-cleaving enzyme, in this patient population.

Sren Tulstrup, President and CEO, Hansa Biopharma said, "This is an important step forward in the development of our technology platform and pipeline of drug candidates for rare immunologic diseases and conditions. Our lead molecule imlifidase has the potential to address areas of high unmet need in the autoimmune disease space, as demonstrated by our clinical studies in anti-glomerular basement membrane ("anti-GBM")1 disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome ("GBS"). We look forward to the results of this study in yet another autoimmune disease and are excited about the potential for imlifidase to help even more patients suffering from serious autoimmune diseases and conditions."

The study is a single center, single arm, phase 2 trial led by Dr. Adrian Schreiber and Dr. Philipp Enghard, at Charite Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany. The primary objective of the study is to assess efficacy and safety of imlifidase together with standard of care in the treatment of patients with pulmonary hemorrhage due to severe ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Dr. Philipp Enghard, Division of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Charite Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, and co-principal investigator of the study, said, "There are very few treatment options to achieve rapid control of disease activity for patients affected by ANCA-associated vasculitis and we believe imlifidase constitutes a promising opportunity for these antibody-related disorders. Thanks to its almost immediate and highly effective action, imlifidase has the potential to be a powerful candidate as new treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis, particularly in patients with severely active disease".

A total of 10 patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ("ARDS") due to pulmonary hemorrhage will be treated with imlifidase on top of standard of care (consisting of standard immunosuppression as per center protocol and intensive support care). Efficacy and safety of imlifidase will be assessed by evaluating ANCA antibody seroconversion and titers, adverse events, mortality, as well as amelioration of lung and renal function over a 6-month observation period.

ANCA-associated vasculitis is a group of conditions that affect approximately 30 people in a million annually in the EU and US.2,3 It is characterized by the presence of IgG anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies4 directed against antigens expressed by the neutrophils, a type of white blood cell part of the body's immune system response. The consequent activation of neutrophils by the ANCA antibodies causes blood vessel damage5 that can affect multiple organs, most frequently lungs and kidneys, where it leads to rapidly deteriorating organ function. The progress of the disease results in end stage kidney disease in 25 percent of patients.6 The most severe cases involving lungs lead to pulmonary hemorrhage with consequent respiratory failure.7

More information about the trial is available on EU Clinical Trial Register. EudraCT Number: 2021-004706-22

References

CONTACT:

Contacts for more information:

Klaus Sindahl, Head of Investor Relations M: +46 (0) 709 298 269 E: klaus.sindahl@hansabiopharma.com

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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in Lansing, Mich., on March 5, 2020. (David Eggert/AP Photo)

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced charges against 16 people who signed certificates claiming that President Donald Trump won Michigan in the 2020 election.

Each of the 16 individuals faces multiple felony charges that in total carry a maximum penalty of 85 years in prison, in what Nessels office said was a false electors scheme in the wake of the 2020 presidential election.

The false electors actions undermined the publics faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan, Nessel said in a statement.

My department has prosecuted numerous cases of election law violations throughout my tenure, and it would be malfeasance of the greatest magnitude if my department failed to act here in the face of overwhelming evidence of an organized effort to circumvent the lawfully cast ballots of millions of Michigan voters in a presidential election, she added.

Following Mr. Trumps claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election, Republican electors in seven statesincluding Michigancast alternative slates of votes for Mr. Trump.

While there has been precedent for dueling sets of electors casting votes in a presidential election, the large number of states to do so in 2020 sent the election into uncharted territory.

Duly Elected and Qualified Electors

Republicans in some of the states said that the rationale for casting alternative slates of elector votes would preserve Mr. Trumps legal claim for the election as legal challenges made their way through the courts.

Sending more than one slate of electors is not unheard of, said Meshawn Maddock, former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, in an emailed release in December 2020. Its our duty to the people of Michigan and to the U.S. Constitution to send another slate of electors if the election is in controversy or disputeand clearly it is.

Ms. Maddock is one of the 16 individuals who has been charged in Tuesdays announcement by the Michigan AG. The other individuals who face charges are Kathy Berden, a Republican National Committeewoman from Michigan; William (Hank) Choate; Amy Facchinello; Clifford Frost; Stanley Grot; John Haggard; Mary-Ann Henry; Timothy King; Michele Lundgren; James Renner; Mayra Rodriguez; Rose Rook; Marian Sheridan; Ken Thompson; and Kent Vanderwood.

The Michigan AGs office said that the defendants met at the Michigan Republican Party headquarters on Dec. 14, 2020, and signed their names on multiple certificates stating that they were the duly elected and qualified electors for President and Vice President of the United States for the State of Michigan.

That was a lie, Nessel said at a press conference Tuesday. They werent the duly elected and qualified electors and each of the defendants knew it.

These documents were subsequently transmitted to the U.S. Senate and the National Archives in what Nessels office described as a coordinated effort to hand the states electoral votes to a different candidate than the one actually elected by the people of Michigan.

The evidence will demonstrate there was no legal authority for the false electors to purport to act as duly elected presidential electors and execute the false electoral documents, Nessel said in a statement.

Each of the accused faces multiple felony counts: forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, uttering and publishing, and conspiracy to commit uttering and publishing, which is a crime related to counterfeiting important documents and then trying to pass them off as legitimate. Each of these four counts carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

The defendants each face two other charges: election law forgery and conspiracy to commit election law forgery, each of which is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 5 years behind bars.

Attorneys for the defendants werent immediately available for comment. The Michigan Republican Party did not immediately return a request for comment on the charges.

While Mr. Trump has not issued any public comments with respect to the charges announced by Nessel, he issued a statement Tuesday in which he continued his claims of massive fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Under the United States Constitution, I have the right to protest an Election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen, just as the Democrats have done against me in 2016, and many others have done over the ages, Mr. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Political Prosecution?

Nessel said during the press conference that she expects some people will claim that the charges are political in nature.

But where there is overwhelming evidence of guilt in respect to multiple crimes, the most political act I could engage in as a prosecutor would be to take no action at all, she said.

Nessel added that the investigation is ongoing and further charges may be added on top of the ones announced on Tuesday.

By contrast, the attorney general of Nevada, where a group of electors similarly submitted invalid paperwork, in May declined to press charges against the group.

Nevada AG Aaron Ford, a Democrat, said at the time that there was no state statute that would allow electors to be prosecuted for submitting false documents.

A state bill that would make it a crime to sign certificates falsely stating that a losing candidate has won a certain state cleared the Nevada legislature but was later vetoed by Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican.

The U.S. president is selected by 538 electors, known as the Electoral College, with electors apportioned based on the population of each state.

Typically, the popular vote in each state determines which candidate receives a states electoral votes.

In 1876, a deadlock ensued among dueling electors in three states. However, just days before Inauguration Day, a resolution was found through a negotiated agreement.

Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes assumed the presidency in exchange for the withdrawal of remaining U.S. troops from Southern states, which had previously been engaged in the American Civil War.

From The Epoch Times
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Beams of sunlight may begin to pierce Vietnams gloomy economic storm in the remaining months thanks to increasing services and retail demand boosted by relaxed government fiscal policy, analysts say.

Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo is set to open its 19th store in Vietnam in Hanois Cau Giay District on July 21, weeks after launching its first outlet in the southern province of Binh Duong.

The Hanoi store is set to be its fourth launched in Vietnam this year, indicating that the retail industry might see a boom in demand in upcoming months.

Services, one of the three main pillars of the economy alongside industry-construction and agriculture-forestry-seafood, contributed nearly 79% to GDP growth in the first six months and accounted for over 43% of the economic structure.

"Services continued to provide a strong bedrock to offset some trade weakness," said HSBC economist Yun Liu in a report on Vietnam earlier this month, adding that tourism recovery remains firmly on track.

In the last six months Vietnam welcomed a total of 5.6 million tourists, seeing its number of visitors return to 80% of 2019 monthly levels.

Chinese visitors, a major source of tourist arrivals, quickly approached 50% of 2019 levels thanks to the resumption of direct flights post-lockdown.

"[Vietnams tourism] is likely to easily exceed the annual tourist target of 8 million," Liu said.

At a recent meeting, Nguyen Thi Hoa, director of Ho Chi Minh Citys Department of Tourism, said that travel demand is showing positive signs of recovery in both domestic and inbound markets.

"Tourists have been booking ahead for services," she said.

Morgan Ulaganathan, head of asset services and hospitality advisory for property consultancy Colliers Vietnam, said that demand for short-term accommodation will increase with the number of tourists, businesspeople and experts.

He expected that recent relaxations in Vietnams visa policy will also likely draw in more foreigners.

Stock brokerage VNDirect expects GDP growth to reach 7.1% in the last six months and 5.5% for the whole year, thanks to booming tourism demand.

Eurocham Vietnam has recently proposed that the no-visa policy, currently applied to seven countries in the E.U., be extended to 27 countries.

Eurocham Vietnam chairman Gabor Fluit said that this will bring about a large number of tourists from the bloc with a population of over 500 million.

Lifting the hinderances for international tourists, who have demand for high-end services, will open good opportunities for Vietnams tourism after difficulties in recent years, he added.

Supporting growth

The government has been making moves to support economic recovery, such as lowering value-added tax (VAT) from 10% to 8%, and untangling legal knots for southern property projects.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has also made four policy rate adjustments to lower loan interests and boost credit growth.

"The recovery in the second half of the year will be boosted mainly by Vietnams fiscal policy and lower loan interests," VNDirect said.

Public spending is also expected to be a recovery driver. The government has estimated that VND550 trillion will be disbursed in the last seven months of the year.

For every 1% of public investment funds disbursed, GDP will increase by 0.06%, according to official estimates.

HSBC anticipates that the central bank will lower its policy rate by another 50 basis point in this quarter.

However, the economy will still face troubles in manufacturing and exports in the remaining months.

Exports declined double-digit year-on-year in the first and second quarters, and a rise in agriculture produce shipment was not enough to compensate for the plunge in other sectors such as electronics, footwear, garment, machines and wood, all of which posted a double-digit drop.

As U.S. inventories seemed to have peaked in the first quarter, demand for imports will rise and this will pose opportunities for Vietnamese exporters in the last quarter, according to a VNDirect report.

"The storm is passing away for the economy, and beams of sunlight are showing," the report said.
Warmer, drier weather because of an earlier than usual El Nino is expected to hamper rice production across Asia, hitting global food security in a world still reeling from the impacts of the war in Ukraine.

An El Nino is a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, and climate change is making them stronger. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this one in June, a month or two earlier than it usually does. This gives it time to grow. Scientists say there's a one in four chance it will expand to supersized levels.

That's bad news for rice farmers, particularly in Asia where 90% of the worlds rice is grown and eaten, since a strong El Nino typically means less rainfall for the thirsty crop.

Past El Ninos have resulted in extreme weather, ranging from drought to floods.

There are already alarm bells, said Abdullah Mamun, a research analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute or IFPRI, pointing to rising rice prices due to shortfalls in production. The average price of 5% broken white rice in June in Thailand was about 16% higher than last year's average.

Global stocks have run low since last year, in part due to devastating floods in Pakistan, a major rice exporter. This years El Nino may amplify other woes for rice-producing countries, such as reduced availability of fertilizer due to the war and some countries' export restrictions on rice. Myanmar, Cambodia and Nepal are particularly vulnerable, warned a recent report by research firm BMI.

There is uncertainty over the horizon, Mamun said.

Recently, global average temperatures have hit record highs. Monsoon rains over India were lighter than usual by the end of June. Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday asked his ministers to anticipate a long dry season. And in the Philippines, authorities are carefully managing water to protect vulnerable areas.

Some countries are bracing for food shortages. Indonesia was among the worst hit by Indias decision to restrict rice exports last year after less rain fell than expected and a historic heat wave scorched wheat, raising worries that domestic food prices would surge.

Last month, India said it would send over 1 million metric tons (1.1 million U.S. tons) to Indonesia, Senegal and Gambia to help them meet their food security needs.

Fertilizer is another crucial variable. Last year China, a major producer, restricted exports to keep domestic prices in check after fertilizers were among exports affected by sanctions on Russian ally Belarus for human rights violations. Sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine dont specifically target fertilizers but the war has disrupted shipments of the three main chemical fertilizers: potash, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Bangladesh found suppliers in Canada to make up for lost potash shipments from Belarus, but many countries are still scrambling to find new sources.

Farmers like Abu Bakar Siddique, who cultivates 1.2 hectares (3 acres) in northern Bangladesh, had enough fertilizer to keep his yields steady last year. But less rainfall meant he had to rely more on electric pumps for his winter harvest at a time of power shortages due to war-related shortfalls of diesel and coal.

This increased my costs, he said.

Each El Nino is different, but historical trends suggest scarce rainfall in South and Southeast Asia will parch the soil, causing cascading effects in coming years, said Beau Damen, a natural resources officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization based in Bangkok, Thailand. Some countries, like Indonesia, may be more vulnerable in the early stages of the phenomenon, he said.

Kusnan, a farmer in Indonesia's East Java, said rice farmers there have tried to anticipate that by planting earlier so that when the El Nino hits, the rice might be ready for harvest and not needing so much water. Kusnan, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he hoped high yields last year would help offset any losses this year.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has stressed the need to manage water well in the coming weeks, warning that various factors including export restrictions and fertilizer shortages could combine with the El Nino to make this a particularly damaging event.

Baldev Singh, a 52-year-old farmer in northern India's Punjab state, is already worried. He typically sows rice from late June until mid-July, but then needs the monsoon rains to flood the paddies. Less than a tenth of the usual rainfall had come by early this month, and then floods ravaged northern India, battering young crops that had just been planted.

The government has encouraged Punjab farmers to grow rice along with their traditional wheat crops since the 1960s to improve India's food security, even though farmers like Singh dont typically eat rice and irrigation of rice fields has drained the area's aquifers. But he keeps growing it, counting on the certainty of government purchases at fixed prices.

With rain scarce, Singh may need to dig wells. Last year, he dug down 200 feet (60 meters) to find water.

Rice has been our ruin ... I dont know what will happen in the future, he said.

Associated Press journalist Julhas Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed.
CHICAGO  A convicted former Portage mayor's last-ditch effort to have his case reheard in federal court has failed, according to a motion filed Friday in the United States Court of Appeals of the Seventh Circuit.

Judge Matthew Kennelly denied a request by attorneys for James Snyder, 45, to have his case reheard en banc, meaning his case would be heard before all the circuit court judges. Snyder's attorneys filed the petition on June 29 after he was denied an appeal on June 15.

"No judge in active service has requested a vote on the petition for rehearing en banc, and all judges on the original panel have voted to deny the petition for panel rehearing," the court wrote.

Kennelly previously ordered Snyder to surrender himself Oct. 16 to begin serving a 21-month prison term. Federal prosecutors initially requested Snyder turn himself in the week after his appeal was denied, but Kennelly struck down the request. Since the court denied his motion, he will likely still be required to begin his prison sentence in October.

The prison sentence is below the recommended sentencing guideline of 46 to 57 months for solicitation and tax violation charges.

Snyder was first convicted in February 2019. When his attorneys moved for a judgment of acquittal or a new trial, the district court denied the motion for acquittal but granted Snyder a new trial on the bribery charge. He was convicted for a second time in March 2021 for charges of corrupt solicitation and interfering with the Internal Revenue Service. He accepted a $13,000 bribe in 2014 in return for steering a $1.125 million contract for the purchase of garbage trucks for the city of Portage to the local Great Lakes Peterbilt company and dodged the IRS when they tried to collect his unpaid taxes from his mortgage company.

In an appeal argued in January, attorneys said court should vacate Snyder's convictions because of an alleged government intrusion into the attorney-client relationship as it pertains to the seizure of Snyder's personal and professional email accounts as part of the criminal investigation. Judges determined that none of Snyders Fourth and Sixth Amendment rights were violated during the course of the investigation into his conduct.
Indiana American Water has named a new vice president of operations.

The Greenwood-based utility, which supplies drinking water from Lake Michigan to many Northwest Indiana communities, selected Kari Britto for the role.

Britto will help us to further enhance our customer service throughout the state and to drive operational and financial results, said Indiana American Water President Matt Prine. She brings 14 years of utility experience in a variety of positions, and her experience and knowledge will be a great benefit in this new role.

She will oversee all operations in Indiana American Waters service districts. Britto will work out of the company's corporate office in Greenwood and oversee the companys treatment, distribution, and field service operations across Indiana.

A graduate of the University of Indianapolis with a master's degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, Britto joined the statewide utility in 2009. She has worked her way up the ranks, most recently serving as senior manager of business performance.

In that role, she managed teams and projects statewide, guiding her teams through regulations, internal policies and state statutes. She's also supported the utility's other business functions like finance and operations.

Indiana American Water is a subsidiary of New Jersey-based American Water, the largest investor-owned water utility supplying 1.4 million people across the country. It employs 6,500 people across the country and provides drinking water to 14 million people in 14 states.

The company invests an estimated $30 million through $34 million in infrastructure a year, which it funds through rate hikes like the one now under consideration by state regulators.
HAEAN, South Korea  Along the border with North Korea is a town where the sad legacy of war is perhaps best understood by looking at the crops in the field.

Standing on a wind-swept plot on a hillside, Han Gi-taek, 69, peered over the land and recalled the hard labor, cold nights and stray land mines that made it difficult for his family to cultivate the ground beneath his feet. First they did it with their bare hands and shovels, he said. In more recent years, it has been done using tractors, with the piles of rocks that ring the field bearing witness to the familys decades of labor.

Mr. Han arrived in this mountain basin on the eastern border with North Korea in 1956, when military trucks unloaded 160 families as new settlers of the war-torn territory. The families, mostly from Korean War refugee camps, were told by the government in the South that they would be allowed to keep the land if they cultivated it for 10 years.

We were landless peasants who lost everything during the war, Mr. Han said. We came here with a dream of owning our own land.
The article, which was published this past week, documents the ways in which Barbies Dreamhouses reflect the social, cultural and economic evolution of modern American life. For example: In 1962, when Mattel released Barbies first Dreamhouse, financial institutions often denied mortgage applications from single women. Barbies ranch-style home was modest but all her own, and unlike dollhouses of decades past, it was not built around the idea of domestic roles  it didnt even have a kitchen. By 1974, when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed, banning credit discrimination, Barbies Dreamhouse got a glamorous upgrade to three stories.

Ms. Kode wrote about this rich history, using Barbies Dreamhouses to mark different historical moments. Stop-motion animations accompany the text; each animation allows viewers to explore a Dreamhouse.

In May, Ms. Kode, along with Tony Cenicola, a Times photographer; Michael Kolomatsky, a Real Estate editor; and Gabriel Gianordoli, an assistant editor for Digital News Design, purchased a Dreamhouse from 2000 on eBay and bought several Barbies at a flea market to take test photographs. Using the toys, they mapped out the art direction and lighting. But they also practiced moving and photographing Barbie using the stop-motion technique. By ever so slightly adjusting a pointed foot or a plastic arm, and repeating that effort around 100 times between frames, the journalists could make it appear as if Barbie were moving around the house.

Ms. Kode reached out to Mattel to see if the team could have access to its headquarters in El Segundo, Calif. Mattel granted their request and provided over 20 archival Barbies and six Dreamhouses for their use.

The team visited Mattel in late May. They spent more than 18 hours over two days in a windowless studio, painstakingly arranging the Barbies in the Dreamhouses. (They went through a lot of wire and glue to keep Barbie in place.) Some Dreamhouses took over an hour to set up; the longest shoot required moving Barbie 137 times. Mr. Cenicola photographed each setup patiently; he was familiar with stop-motion, having previously used the technique in 2020 in an article about New York States ban on plastic bags.
The Hollywood actors union said Tuesday that it had exempted 39 independent film and TV projects from its strike, including two movies from A24, the secretive New York company that has become a force at the Academy Awards.

SAG-AFTRA, as the union is known, said the productions could shoot during the strike because it had verified that they had no ties to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which negotiates on behalf of the biggest studios. Talks between the union and the alliance for a new three-year contract broke down on Thursday, and tens of thousands of actors went on strike on Friday.

More waivers could be approved as the union evaluates applications. To be considered, productions must agree to temporarily follow the terms of the latest proposal that SAG-AFTRA has put on the table during negotiations. The productions will become subject to the final deal between the union and the studio alliance.

The 39 projects include Mother Mary, a melodrama co-financed by A24 and starring Anne Hathaway as a fictional musician and Michaela Coel (known for I May Destroy You on HBO) as a fashion designer. The second A24 project, Death of a Unicorn, stars Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, who is known for Wednesday on Netflix. It tells the story of a man and his teenage daughter who, while driving in a remote location, crash into a unicorn.
For years, Marco Bizzarri was one of the most well-known and respected executives in the global luxury business. Bald and boldly suited, he was the architect behind the meteoric success of Gucci, the largest fashion brand in the stable owned by the French group Kering, which also includes Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent.

But on Tuesday, after a bruising year of declining sales and the abrupt exit of Guccis longtime creative director, Alessandro Michele, Mr. Bizzarris departure from the fashion house after eight years as its leader was announced quietly by its parent group. The news was buried in the third paragraph of a memo Kering released that outlined a major organizational shake-up as Francois-Henri Pinault, the chairman and chief executive, tries to write a new chapter for the fortunes of Gucci and the conglomerate.

In the same announcement, Kering said Francesca Bellettini, the chief executive of Yves Saint Laurent, would become the conglomerates deputy chief executive for brand development, a promotion that will require all Kering brand chief executives to report to her and make her one of the most powerful women in the luxury industry. Jean-Marc Duplaix, Kerings chief financial officer, will also become a deputy chief executive, overseeing operations and finance.
Until now, there have been no charges centered on the fake electors plot. For that reason alone, Michigans action brings a sense of needed accountability for those who fanned the rioters passions leading up to Jan. 6 by spinning a false narrative about a stolen election.

Michigan saw some of the most outrageous fake electoral certificates to emerge during the period leading up to the Capitol riot. Unlike the fake certificates in Pennsylvania and New Mexico, the Michigan documents did not include a disclaimer that they were to be used only in the case of litigation. Whats more, the documents contained more outright false statements than simply declaring that the signers were the lawful electors of the winning candidate.

For example, they state that the electors convened and organized in the State Capitol, when, according to the attorney general, they were hidden away in the basement of the state Republican headquarters. (It seems likely that the fake electors included this lie because Michigan law requires presidential electors to meet in the Capitol  a requirement and legal problem that a Trump campaign legal adviser, Kenneth Chesebro, had flagged in his confidential memorandum setting out the scheme.)

In proving these cases, establishing intent will be key. Here, there are several indicators that the defendants may have been aware of the illicit nature of their gathering. According to congressional testimony from the state Republican Partys chairwoman at the time, Laura Cox, the group originally planned to meet inside the Capitol and hide overnight, so they could vote in the building the following day. Ms. Cox said she told a lawyer working with the Trump campaign and supposedly organizing the fake electors in no uncertain terms that that was insane and inappropriate and a very, very bad idea and potentially illegal.

As she put it, Ms. Cox was very uncomfortable with facilitating a meeting of the fake elector group and said so at the time, in accord with her lawyers opinion. She even urged the group to draft a significantly more measured document simply stating that if perhaps something were to happen in the courts, they were willing and able to serve as electors from Michigan for Donald Trump. Her advice was not followed.
Food magazine TasteAtlas recommends eight soup-based dishes from the northern provinces of Vietnam, from Lang Son's sour pho, Hanoi's snail vermicelli, to Hai Phong's crab noodle soup.

The dishes were chosen based on their status as local specialties or renowned dishes within a specific province or city. They have been appraised by culinary experts and are known for their fine flavors, deliciousness, and affordability.

TasteAtlas is a culinary website known for its collection of information on 10,000 dishes, 9,000 restaurants, and the documented research of food critics worldwide.

The first dish to mention is Hanoi snail noodle soup. The broth is prepared using snail stock and tomatoes. This dish includes vermicelli cooked in boiling water, accompanied by fresh vegetables, fish cakes, fried tofu, finely chopped scallions, and snails. It can be enjoyed with a squeeze of lime, shrimp paste, or chili sauce. Photo courtesy of Xuan Phuong

Crab noodle soup is a specialty from Hai Phong. It features a broth made from simmered pork bones and a variety of ingredients such as crab meat, herbs, grilled meatballs, pork rolls, or pork wrapped in betel leaves. The toppings of the crab noodle soup may vary depending on the eatery, but the light red color of the soup remains consistent. Diners can savor it with laksa leaves, perilla leaves, or sliced chili. Photo by Bui Thuy

Sour pho is a specialty hailing from Lang Son Province, often served as an appetizer during Tet holidays and special occasions in northern mountainous regions. Unlike traditional pho, this dish stands out with its presentation. Instead of hot broth, sour pho is served with a chilled sweet and sour sauce, mixed like a dressing. Other ingredients include char siu meat, pork intestine, fried pork liver, roasted duck meat, thinly sliced Chinese sausage, roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and herbs. Photo by Di Vy

Pork and mushroom meatball noodle soup, bun moc, is a popular dish originating from Moc Village, Nhan Chinh Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi. The dish consists of vermicelli, pork and mushroom meatballs, pork rolls or ribs, pork leg, and shredded bamboo shoots. The broth is prepared using shiitake mushrooms and pork bones. The meticulous skimming of foam during simmering ensures a clear and flavorful broth. Photo by Bui Thuy

Eye-round steak noodle soup is another variant of the famous beef noodle soup in northern Vietnam. This version features tender pieces of beef, thinly sliced and boiled.

The ingredients for this dish include broth made from beef and pork bones, ginger, onions, fish sauce, sugar, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. After placing the noodle soup and beef in the bowl, the broth is poured over, and a garnish of green onions is added. Lime is often provided on the side for diners who prefer a tangy kick. Photo by Quynh Mai

Salmon and sturgeon hotpots are renowned specialties of Sa Pa. This dish includes thinly sliced fish and a hotpot sauce accompanied by local vegetables like squash buds and watercress. The broth plays a crucial role in this dish. A standard hotpot broth should be clear, sweet, sour, and fragrant, with hints of pineapple and other spices. Photo by Hoang Danh Dung

Black chicken hotpot is a familiar and beloved dish in northern mountainous regions, such as Lao Cai and Ha Giang. It consists of black chicken cooked in a broth with mushrooms, ginger, red apples, and an assortment of vegetables like wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, beef, and corn. Tourists particularly enjoy this hotpot dish because black chicken is known for its sweetness, aroma, and crunchy texture. Photo by Quynh Mai
That mythical figure is Val (Pico Alexander), and its easy to see why he fascinates Lady (Siff). She is dressed in black when we first see her, but she is not, technically speaking, a widow: Her older, tyrannical husband, Jabe (Michael Cullen), has cancer and is hanging on by a thread spun of bile and loathing. For most of the play, Jabe is heard rather than seen, making his presence felt by imperiously knocking on the floor of the couples quarters, which are above the store.

Like Val, Lady is different, which also puts her at odds in the community. She is Italian, for starters  though Siffs bizarre accent is Sicilian by way of Eastern Europe  and she is also burdened by a tragic past: Her father was killed in a fire set by the Ku Klux Klan for selling alcohol to Black people.

Williams writes that Lady verges on hysteria under a strain, but Siff (best known for the Showtime series Billions) evokes neither. Siffs ability to project composure and intelligence was central to her terrific performances in two previous Theater for a New Audience productions, The Taming of the Shrew (2012) and Much Ado About Nothing (2013). Here it is a hindrance, as she cant quite give in to the forces pressing down on Lady. Siff imbues the character with a convincing inner strength  the life force is evident  but less clear is the fact that Lady is stuck in a hell that is within and around her.

It might have helped if Siff had a sturdier partner, but Alexanders wan emo sensibility lacks the haunted charisma of a sexy drifter attempting to move on from his past. When Val tells Lady, I lived in corruption but Im not corrupted, Alexander is much better at suggesting the second part of that sentence than the first. But the role needs both. (The 1960 film adaptation, The Fugitive Kind, starred Marlon Brando and Anna Magnani, which gives an idea of the intensity the play should aim for.)

Tonally the production is similarly unmoored. The play alludes to fantastical elements, as with Vals entrance, which looks as if he had been manifested out of thin air by Uncle Pleasant, a character who is also referred to as conjure man (Dathan B. Williams), or when Jabes baleful pounding sounds like the emanation of an enraged poltergeist. But Schmidt (Mac Beth, the musical Cyrano starring Peter Dinklage) does not exploit those opportunities. Also failing to make an impact is the outsize, fascinating character of Carol Cutrere (Julia McDermott), a lost soul who staggers in and out of the play in runny eyeliner, and is a key third outcast in the story.
In-N-Out Burger, the California-based restaurant chain, will soon prohibit employees at its locations in five states from wearing a mask unless they obtain a doctors note, a company customer service representative confirmed on Tuesday.

The rule will go into effect on Aug. 14 for employees at the chains locations in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah, according to internal company emails leaked on social media last week. Employees who then choose to wear a mask will be required to use an N-95 provided by the company.

In-N-Out did not immediately respond to email and phone messages on Tuesday.

In California, which has a law preventing employers from banning masks, and in Oregon, In-N-Out will continue to allow employees to wear masks if they choose, but they may only wear the N-95s provided by the company.

In October 2021, In-N-Out had to temporarily shut down its San Francisco location because it refused to comply with the citys requirement that all restaurants check vaccine cards for indoor diners.
The Biden administration is taking steps to impose a 10-year ban on funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the Chinese research laboratory at the center of a heated debate over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a memo made public by a House subcommittee on Tuesday evening and an official familiar with the issue.

The memo, written by an official in the Department of Health and Human Services, said the institute had failed to comply with repeated requests from the National Institutes of Health for laboratory notebooks and other documents necessary to establish its safety practices.

The N.I.H.s conclusion that the Wuhan institute likely violated protocols of the N.I.H. regarding biosafety is undisputed, wrote the official, whose name was redacted. The memo said that suspension of funding was necessary to mitigate any potential public health risk, and that there was adequate evidence to initiate debarment proceedings.

The institute, which has not received any federal money since 2020, now has 30 days to respond to the notice.
The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution pledging unfailing support for Israel, condemning antisemitism and declaring that the country is neither racist nor an apartheid state, in an implicit rebuke of Democrats who have criticized the nation ahead of an address by its president to a joint session of Congress.

Republican members raced to put the resolution on the floor this week after Representative Pramila Jayapal, Democrat of Washington and the head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Israel a racist state, prompting condemnations from leaders of both parties. Ms. Jayapal later walked back her comments, saying that she had not meant to condemn the idea of Israel but only the policies of its current government, but the G.O.P. pushed ahead with the vote anyway, in a move Democrats denounced as politically opportunistic even as most lined up to support it.

Ten Democrats declined to back the resolution, which passed by a vote of 412 to 9, with one voting present. Ms. Jayapal supported it.

Just one lawmaker stood up on the House floor to argue against the measure, underscoring both the broad support for Israel in Congress and a belief among many of its critics that there is no tolerance on Capitol Hill for airing their views.
South African officials have been wrestling for months with a dilemma that thrust them into the cross hairs of a faraway war: Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin, a close ally, was set to attend an important diplomatic summit in their country, yet they would be legally obliged to arrest him because he is wanted by an international court that has accused him of war crimes in Ukraine.

With the August summit fast approaching, it seemed that South Africa had to choose between burning bridges with Russia or damaging relations with the United States and other Western nations, major trading partners that have grown increasingly irritated by South Africas warm relations with Moscow.

But on Wednesday, Mr. Putin gave South Africa a way out.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Mr. Putin had, by mutual agreement, decided not to attend the summit in person, and would send his foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, in his place. Russian state media said that Mr. Putin would participate via videoconference in the summit, a long-planned meeting of the heads of state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a bloc known as BRICS.

While this decision eases South Africas immediate dilemma, the country is still walking a shaky and very public tightrope as it tries to maintain strong ties with each of its superpower allies when they are at odds with one another.
The artist Felipe Baeza knows something about waiting for the bus. Growing up in Chicago in the 1990s, he rode the city bus on his own starting around age nine. Going to college at Cooper Union in New York to study art, he took the bus or subway from his home in Spanish Harlem to get to class. This year, living in Los Angeles for a period without a car, hed take a bus  or two or three  to get across town, though he sometimes gave up after an absurdly long wait and called an Uber.

Starting Aug. 9, the artist, whose home base is Brooklyn, will be giving people something to think about during their own public transportation journey, or purgatory as the case may be. As part of a Public Art Fund program designed to reach people where they live or commute, Baeza will have eight of his mixed-media, collagelike paintings reproduced on some 400 JCDecaux bus shelters in New York, Boston and Chicago as well as Queretaro and Leon in Mexico. They will also appear on digital kiosks and newsstands in Mexico City.

People assume I dont drive because of my illegal history, said Baeza, who immigrated from Celaya, Mexico, undocumented, when he was seven and now has DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. I just never had the desire or interest. I like walking or taking the bus or train. Navigating a city by public transportation changes the way you experience the landscape, the world.
Corona and Coca-Cola, sparklers and flags, a picnic with family and friends  it looks like a typical Independence Day in the United States  except that the flags are Confederate, and theyre being buried in a shallow grave.

This is the futuristic patriotic tradition envisioned by the multimedia artist Josh Kline in a three-channel video installation from 2017, titled Another America is Possible, on view at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Klines piece seems heartfelt  suspiciously so. This cinematic vision of Americans harmoniously disavowing a racist symbol has the dreamlike clarity of a pharmaceutical ad. Its sappy, clean, resolved  a satire of progressive propaganda, goosing the libs.

Blunt sentiment, cushioned by an uncertain dose of parody, defines Klines career-spanning survey at the Whitney, down to its grand, neocon-inspired title: Project for a New American Century. The 43-year-old New Yorker flirts with the idioms of contemporary propaganda  ads, memes, influencers  just as the artist duo Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid tackled the posters, flags, and slogans of the Cold War. (Their retrospective, A Lesson in History, filled the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., through July 16; a portion featuring work they made after relocating from the Soviet Union to New York in 1978 will reopen there in September.)
For individual consumers deciding whether to watch, it depends on their goal.

The question for all workers and consumers in any strike is: Which side are you on? said Dan Cornfield, a professor of sociology at Vanderbilt University and a labor expert. When workers are striking, there are ways for consumers and members of the public to show their support. In some cases, people can march with the workers on the picket line. Or they can boycott.

A boycott could cause financial pain to a company, but it also sends a wider message that people care about the fair treatment of workers, Cornfield said.

Adam Seth Litwin, a professor of industrial labor relations at Cornell University, said, We really need to listen to the request of the striking unions. Watching the content that writers and actors make may prove the point that the streamers and studios need them because of the revenue the programs bring in, he said.

On the other hand, streamers may be able to weather a long strike because of the large inventory of content theyve built up. If customers keep paying their monthly fees, Litwin said, Netflix and other companies can hold on for a long, long time.

And the unions could be saving a consumer boycott as a tool for a later stage of the negotiations if no deal is reached, experts said.

As far as not going to the movies, that might end up hurting movie theaters, many of which have been struggling after the pandemic, as well as their workers. At the moment, Litwin said, it wouldnt make a lot of sense to take this out on the theaters themselves.
Bashir has one of the most advanced cases of Billionaire Romance Logic Ive ever seen: Hes survived a flood and a shipwreck, so naturally he lives on a yacht with a glassed-in underwater observation room. An emotional reactionary, he was bumping right up against the on-page shenanigans limit for me.

Luckily, our couples future is made possible by a stunning possessive turn by Yusra, after Bashir pushes her away yet again: That made him a coward. But he was her coward. This line changes nothing except the readers perspective  but that perspective is all-important. For the ending to feel balanced, an author has to give the heroine something to counter the billionaire heros wealth and power. Bashir might have the money  and the yachts, and the hotels  but the book gives Yusra the right of claiming.

Lily Chus two most recent books, last years THE STAND-IN (Sourcebooks Casablanca, 384 pp. paperback, $14.99) and THE COMEBACK (Sourcebooks Casablanca, 400 pp., paperback, $16.99), also star wealthy heroes, but here, the heroines are the ones who are up to shenanigans. The Stand-In is about a young woman whose resemblance to a famous Chinese actress leads to her taking on that actresss social events, and falling for the films sexy co-star. In The Comeback, a workaholic young lawyer embarks on a fling with her roommates visiting cousin, only to discover hes a K-pop idol in hiding.
Read Your Way Around the World is a series exploring the globe through books.

I was born in Salvador, in the Brazilian state of Bahia, and lived in the general vicinity until I reached the age of 15. But it was when I left that I really came to know my city. How was I able to discover more about my birthplace while traveling far from home? It might sound rather cliched but, I assure you, literature made this possible: It took me on a journey, long and profound, back home, enveloping me in words and imagination.

A frequent visitor to public libraries, I discovered the books of Jorge Amado. I already knew something of Amado, not from reading him but because he was an omnipresent figure in the cultural life of Salvador. Stepping into the world of his novels began a great love affair, for two reasons: I experienced the power of writing in the hands of a capable narrator  one who captivates us and brings us to the heart of the story  and, later, I recognized myself as one of Amados protagonists, for his books are inhabited by the people of my community.

Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, founded in 1549 as part of the Portuguese colonial project in the Americas. In the Salvador of yesteryear, one would find Europeans, mostly Portuguese and Dutch, as well as Indigenous peoples, especially the Tupinamba. Many different ethnicities from Africa were also represented, such as the Yoruba, with roots in Nigeria, Benin (previously Dahomey) and Togo, as well as the Bantu people of the Republic of Congo and Angola. With spirit and creativity, the inheritors of the African diaspora  a large majority, since about 80 percent of the current population of Salvador self-identifies as Afro-Brazilian  fashioned the rich and beautiful cultural life of the city, making Salvador a living monument to African cultures in the Americas.

What should I read before I pack?

To understand the formation of our unique society and, consequently, the cityscape of Salvador, one should read, before anything else, The Story of Rufino: Slavery, Freedom and Islam in the Black Atlantic, by Joao Jose Reis, Flavio dos Santos Gomes and Marcus J.M. de Carvalho. Rufino was an alufa, or Muslim spiritual leader, born in the Oyo empire in present-day Nigeria and enslaved during his adolescence. The Story of Rufino is an epic tale, encapsulating the life of one man in search of freedom as well as the history of the development of Salvador itself, a place inextricably linked with the diaspora across the Black Atlantic.
Moldova is again at a critical inflection point, said U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power. There is monumental pressure and challenges stemming from Russia interference and Russias war on Ukraine.

Indeed, for years, Russia has been undermining Moldovas government, backing separatist forces, and fomenting unrest with an eye toward installing a Moscow-friendly regime there, much as it has tried to do in Ukraine and Georgia. However, with Russias invasion of Ukraine in February of last year, these efforts backfired spectacularly. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Russias aggression against Ukraine is helping to consolidate Moldovan society in favor of EU integration and emancipation from Moscow.

The last thing Russia wants to see is integration into Europe that the United States has backed Moldova to pursue, said Administrator Power.

Moldovans have shown great resilience in the face of Putins aggression. They have generously hosted more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees  more per capita than any other country in Europe  even as Vladmir Putin limits their gas supplies and funding politicians who seek to keep Moldova firmly within Moscows orbit.



Despite these challenges, President [Maia] Sandu is leading an extraordinary charge toward democratic reform, economic growth and reorientation toward western markets, and she is also pursuing with USAID support energy independence and diversification, said Administrator Power.

Historically, Moldova has been dependent on the Russian economy. Nonetheless, in recent years, the European Union has been Moldovas main trading partner.

Supporting Moldovan goods and access to new markets, helping industries and business be more competitive, strengthening local governance, building that local society  again those checks and balances no matter who the government is, checks and balances are necessary for us, and those institutions have been built with USAIDs support, said Administrator Power.

Twenty-five years ago, two-thirds of Moldovan exports went to Russia; today more than two-thirds of Moldovan exports go to Western markets. And that those trendlines are only going to continue, and that, we hope with time, is going to end the brain drain and draw many Moldovans back to Moldova to make their contributions back at home.

Freeing Moldova from the grip of Russian interference  absolutely is something that USAID has contributed to, and the United States contributed to, said Administrator Power. Ensuring that every Moldovan who grows up has the ability to find a livelihood, and a life, and the kind prosperity the people of Moldova deserve.
In the summer of 2015, Katherine Macfarlane was preparing to teach at the University of Idahos law school. It was her first teaching job on a tenure track, and she wanted to make sure she had everything she needed. So she submitted a request for a keyboard tray and a few other office items.

Ms. Macfarlane gave the schools human resources department a note that her doctor had written about four years earlier, describing her decades-long history with rheumatoid arthritis and recommending ergonomic office equipment. She also shared a radiology report that detailed joint damage and bone spurs.

It wasnt enough: Her request was denied because the documents were deemed outdated, she recalled.

Instead, the department wanted her to provide a new doctors note  but the closest rheumatologist was about an hour and a half away, in Spokane, Wash. And it could take months before a specialist became available.

I was panicking, Ms. Macfarlane, 43, said. So I pleaded with a rheumatologist Id seen in the past and desperately asked for a letter.
Tata, the Indian-based conglomerate, announced on Wednesday that it would build a 4 billion-pound ($5.2 billion) battery plant in western England, a commitment sought by the auto industry and lawmakers hoping to stem fears of an exodus of car manufacturers from Britain.

Tata owns Jaguar Land Rover, the British-based automaker, and the companys factories in Britain would be important customers for the batteries. The government said the plant, which would create 4,000 jobs, could eventually produce almost half of the electric-car batteries needed by Britain by 2030.

The announcement was made possible by a large package of subsidies offered by the government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. It came as worries have grown in recent weeks that Britains car industry could be decimated by the shift to electric vehicles, coupled with the countrys exit from the European Union, the main export market for British-made cars.

Having a large domestic maker of batteries means carmakers wont have to import them and face hefty E.U. tariffs or the high costs of transporting the equipment. Until now, Britains only other battery facility was one linked to the countrys largest car plant, operated by Nissan in northeast England.
Ms. Sims wiped away a tear as she surveyed the broken graves and absorbed the pain of the grieving families. But she also vowed to hold those responsible to account.

Ms. Sims, 54, may be the most surprising legal figure to emerge as the world grapples with the devastating impacts of a warming planet. An Armani-and-Rolex wearing observant Catholic from a small Midwest town who talks to God as she mulls her complex legal cases, Ms. Sims is also a constant TikTok poster whose dog has more followers than some celebrities.

And she is now the singular force behind a creative legal gambit to make oil and gas companies pay for the devastation being wrought by climate change in Puerto Rico. Her strategy is being carefully watched by the fossil fuel industry and environmental groups as well as other lawyers and municipalities.

The lawsuit she filed in November goes after a whos who of the fossil fuel industry  Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell, BP and others. Ms. Sims argues that since 1965, those companies have produced 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time colluding to deceive the public about the disastrous consequences of their actions.

The case is part of a new wave of litigation targeting oil, gas and coal companies over climate change, which is driven by the burning of their products. But it stands out in two significant ways.
John Kerry, President Bidens climate change envoy, wraps up high-level talks with Chinese officials on Wednesday aimed at finding ways to work together on climate change despite simmering tensions between the two world powers.

The United States and China are the worlds largest greenhouse gas emitters as well as the worlds green tech powerhouses. If they can agree to speed plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions, it could be consequential for the worlds ability to stay within safe limits of global warming.

But there are significant hurdles, including longstanding tensions over Chinas insistence that it is a developing country that should have more leeway to pollute, and U.S. efforts to challenge Chinas dominance in clean technology manufacturing. In recent years, Chinese officials have also warned that broader disputes in the bilateral relationship, which Beijing has blamed largely on the United States, will undermine cooperation on combating climate change.

Here are some figures that illustrate the complex energy relationship between the United States and China.
The ground rules were simple: I would report an article on Australias Yiddish speakers at Sof-Vokh Oystralye, a Yiddish immersion weekend outside Melbourne last May, and remain a flig oyf der vant  a fly on the wall.

I would not participate in the weekends games and activities. I would not disrupt the flow of Yiddish speaking and learning. And I would somehow make myself understood in Yiddish  or not at all.

As a reporter in The Timess Australia bureau, I learned about Melbournes Yiddish-speaking community a year or so earlier, via a friend whose father spoke Yiddish at home. At least half of the citys Jewish population is descended from mostly Yiddish-speaking Holocaust survivors who came to Australia from Eastern Europe after World War II. Many of their descendants have a striking commitment to keeping the language alive.

It was a far cry from my own familys story  German-speaking Austrian Jews who had fled to Britain in 1939  and as a journalist, I was fascinated.
The story tracks Oppenheimer  played with feverish intensity by Cillian Murphy  across decades, starting in the 1920s with him as a young adult and continuing until his hair grays. The film touches on personal and professional milestones, including his work on the bomb, the controversies that dogged him, the anti-Communist attacks that nearly ruined him, as well as the friendships and romances that helped sustain yet also troubled him. He has an affair with a political firebrand named Jean Tatlock (a vibrant Florence Pugh), and later weds a seductive boozer, Kitty Harrison (Emily Blunt, in a slow-building turn), who accompanies him to Los Alamos, where she gives birth to their second child.

Its a dense, event-filled story that Nolan  whos long embraced the plasticity of the film medium  has given a complex structure, which he parcels into revealing sections. Most are in lush color; others in high-contrast black and white. These sections are arranged in strands that wind together for a shape that brings to mind the double helix of DNA. To signal his conceit, he stamps the film with the words fission (a splitting into parts) and fusion (a merging of elements); Nolan being Nolan, he further complicates the film by recurrently kinking up the overarching chronology  it is a lot.

It also isnt a story that builds gradually; rather, Nolan abruptly tosses you into the whirl of Oppenheimers life with vivid scenes of him during different periods. In rapid succession the watchful older Oppie (as his intimates call him) and his younger counterpart flicker onscreen before the story briefly lands in the 1920s, where hes an anguished student tormented by fiery, apocalyptic visions. He suffers; he also reads T.S. Eliots The Waste Land, drops a needle on Stravinskys The Rite of Spring and stands before a Picasso painting, defining works of an age in which physics folded space and time into space-time.

This fast pace and narrative fragmentation continue as Nolan fills in this Cubistic portrait, crosses and recrosses continents and ushers in armies of characters, including Niels Bohr (Kenneth Branagh), a physicist who played a role in the Manhattan Project. Nolan has loaded the movie with familiar faces  Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Gary Oldman  some distracting. It took me a while to accept the director Benny Safdie as Edward Teller, the theoretical physicist known as the father of the hydrogen bomb, and I still dont know why Rami Malek shows up in a minor part other than hes yet another known commodity.

As Oppenheimer comes into focus so does the world. In 1920s Germany, he learns quantum physics; the next decade hes at Berkeley teaching, bouncing off other young geniuses and building a center for the study of quantum physics. Nolan makes the eras intellectual excitement palpable  Einstein published his theory of general relativity in 1915  and, as you would expect, theres a great deal of scientific debate and chalkboards filled with mystifying calculations, most of which Nolan translates fairly comprehensibly. One of the films pleasures is experiencing by proxy the kinetic excitement of intellectual discourse.
Jasmine Robinson sat in a Suffolk County courthouse Friday, listening intently as prosecutors explained how they had tracked a man they suspected of killing and burying at least three women on Long Islands South Shore. She heard how they had used DNA painstakingly harvested from his pizza crusts, triangulated his mobile phone signals and spent hours on old-school, shoe-leather stakeouts.

She did not hear who might have killed her cousin, whose head and hands were also found near remote Gilgo Beach.

A Massapequa Park architect, Rex Heuermann, pleaded not guilty last week after he was charged in three killings of women whose bodies were found on the barrier island. Authorities have said he is the prime suspect in a fourth. But in total, 11 bodies were discovered.

For Ms. Robinson, the hearing and the aggressive investigative techniques were a sign that the police might finally solve the killing of her cousin, Jessica Taylor. Days after Ms. Taylor went missing in New York in July 2003, a woman walking her dog found the victims torso in the woods in Manorville, about 45 miles east of Gilgo Beach, but almost eight years went by before the rest of her remains were discovered at Gilgo.
But most important, he says, is the Hudsons steady revival from decades of pollution.

It shows how a river can be misused and then cared for and turn around its fate, Mr. Pugh said in an interview from his home in Plymouth, England. And so it gives hope to people who live on the Ganges, the people who live on the Yangtze, the Nile, the Seine or here in England on the River Thames. That your river can be saved.

Such hopeful sentiments, of course, dont belie the actual dangers  epidemiological and otherwise  that Mr. Pugh expects to encounter along the way: According to a medical guide prepared for the swim, he will be confronted by possible infection from everything from human sewage and rat infestation to poisoning from chemicals like mercury left over from the Hudsons industrial past.

The Hudson also has a tide to consider, as well as other obstacles, including logs and branches, rocks and rapids, all of which can cause cuts, bruises or broken bones.
New York City will immediately begin discouraging asylum seekers from seeking refuge here, distributing fliers at the southern border that warn migrants there is no guarantee they will receive shelter or services, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday.

The citys move is a sharp and somewhat unexpected departure from its long-held status as a sanctuary city, and as a place that guarantees a right to shelter.

We have no more room in the city, Mr. Adams said during a news conference at City Hall.

As part of the citys shift in strategy, it will now require single adult migrants to reapply for shelter after 60 days, a move that the mayor said was designed to make room for families with children. Mr. Adams said the city would intensify efforts to help the migrants connect with family, friends or outside networks in order to find alternative housing arrangements.

If alternative housing arrangements are not available, single adult asylum seekers will have to return to the intake center and reapply for housing. It is unclear what would happen if there is not housing available at the intake centers.
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered New York City to address failures to provide crucial services to public school students with disabilities, a major step that followed two decades of litigation and criticism from families in the nations largest school system.

The order could trigger the most expansive effort in recent years to address one major source of delays for families as they navigate the citys vast special education system.

Thousands of families have won disputes over the districts failures to accommodate their children. But even after an arbiter finds that the city owes a family services or payments, many still do not receive them for months.

Now, the city will be required to implement more than three dozen recommendations from a special monitor assigned to oversee Department of Education compliance, including recruiting new staff members to help process cases and creating a hotline for families to report problems.
Nearly 110,000 Americans died last year of a drug overdose. Two-thirds of those deaths involved synthetic opioids. For the individuals, the families, the communities affected, the pain caused by these deaths and by the millions who suffer with substance use is immeasurable, declared Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the recently concluded Virtual Ministerial Meeting to Launch the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drugs.

Thats why President Biden has made it a top priority for the United States to tackle two of the critical drivers of this epidemic in the United States: untreated addiction, and drug trafficking.

America is far from alone in facing this challenge, noted Secretary Blinken:

According to the United Nations, more than 34 million people around the world use methamphetamines or other synthetic stimulants annually."

Every region is experiencing an alarming rise in other synthetic drugs. In Africa, its tramadol; in the Middle East, fake Captagon pills; in Asia, Ketamine, added Secretary Blinken.

The criminal organizations that traffic synthetic drugs are extremely adept at exploiting weak links in our interconnected global system. When one government aggressively restricts the precursor chemical, traffickers simply buy it elsewhere. When one country closes off a transit route, traffickers quickly shift to another. This is why were creating this global coalition, said Secretary Blinken, with three key areas of focus:

First, preventing the illicit manufacture and trafficking of synthetic drugs; second, detecting emerging threats and patterns of use; and third, advancing public health interventions and services to prevent and reduce drug use, to save lives, to support recovery for people who use drugs.

At every step, our focus will be on developing practical policies, said Secretary Blinken:

We need to partner with the private sector, including chemical manufacturers, shipping companies, social media platforms because this illicit trade is built on the pillars of legitimate global commerce. Most synthetic drugs are produced from chemicals that are used legally in making pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, household products.

In addition, traffickers advertise synthetic drugs on social media, they use online apps to communicate with prospective buyers and collect payments.

This coalition, said Secretary Blinken, is about protecting our citizens security, their health, their prosperity, its also about saving peoples lives, saving their futures  people who could be our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones.
Judge Hellerstein wrote that the evidence overwhelmingly suggested that the matter involved something personal to the president: a cover-up of an embarrassing event.

Hush money paid to an adult film star is not related to a presidents official acts, he concluded in the order. It does not reflect in any way the color of the presidents official duties.

A lawyer for Mr. Trump, Todd Blanche, declined to comment.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Bragg said, We are very pleased with the federal courts decision and look forward to proceeding in New York State Supreme Court.

Mr. Trumps effort to move the case was considered a long shot. Still, the order represents a significant victory for Mr. Bragg  who secured an indictment of the former president in March and whose case against him is scheduled for trial in March 2024  in part because Judge Hellerstein echoed several arguments made by Mr. Braggs prosecutors.

The judge seemed impressed by their evidence, writing that they had strongly supported their allegations that the money paid to Cohen was reimbursement for a hush money payment. He also expressed significant skepticism toward a defense Mr. Trumps lawyers had been expected to mount in arguing that the case should be dismissed.
To the Editor:

Re Dont Even Think About Checking a Bag, by David Mack (Opinion guest essay, July 9):

Ive been flying for over 50 years. Ive flown around the world. Countless times to countless places. I have always checked my bags. Only once did I have a bag delayed  not lost  and I received it at my destination the next day.

I dont crowd the aisles in boarding and deplaning trying to wrestle with almost full-size bags in the overhead bins, causing unnecessary waiting for my fellow passengers.

I dont bring onboard bags that barely (sometimes not at all) fit in the overheads and crowd and crush other overhead items.

I dont bring bags that weigh more than a normal human can lift (or bring down) and require the help of another passenger.
Divisions between Democrats and Republicans have expanded far beyond the traditional fault lines based on race, education, gender, the urban-rural divide and economic ideology.

Polarization now encompasses sharp disagreements over the significance of patriotism and nationalism, as well as a fundamental split between those seeking to restore perceived past glories and those who embrace the future.

Marc Hetherington, a political scientist at the University of North Carolina, described the situation this way in an email to me:

Because political beliefs now reflect deeply held worldviews about how the world ought to be  challenging traditional ways of doing things on the one hand and putting a brake on that change on the other  partisans look across the aisle at each other and absolutely do not understand how their opponents can possibly understand the world as they do.

We have these levels of polarization today, Hetherington continued,

because of the gains nondominant groups have made over the last 60 years. The Democrats no longer apologize for challenging traditional hierarchies and established pathways. They revel in it. Republicans see a world changing around them uncomfortably fast, and they want it to slow down, maybe even take a step backward. But if you are a person of color, a woman who values gender equality or an L.G.B.T. person, would you want to go back to 1963? I doubt it. Its just something we are going to have to live with until a new set of issues rises to replace this set.

Democrats are determined not only to block any drive to restore the America of 1963  one year before passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act  but also to press the liberal agenda forward.

Toward the end of the 20th century, Republicans moved rightward at a faster pace than Democrats moved leftward. In recent decades, however, Democrats have accelerated their shift toward more liberal positions, and Republican movement to the right has slowed, in part because the party had reached the outer boundaries of conservatism.
In the wake of Yevgeny Prigozhins failed rebellion, it seems as if Russias leaders are living in an alternate reality.

The sequence of events speaks for itself. Russian troops waved through Wagner columns on their way to Moscow, and curious civilians greeted them in the street with snacks; President Vladimir Putin recast this sight as a unified Russian society. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu hid out of sight as his subordinates chatted with Mr. Prigozhin; he emerged days later to praise officers for their loyalty. One of Russias most experienced generals, Sergei Surovikin, was filmed in a nondescript room requesting that Wagner stand down; he has not been seen since, while Russias incompetent military leadership team remains in place. Most strangely, Mr. Prigozhin  the architect of it all  goes between being unpersoned to apparently meeting with Mr. Putin to smooth over differences of opinion.

Its been a bizarre few weeks. Yet on the ground, the Russian war effort grinds on as before. During the brief rebellion, operations continued as planned, and the chain of command held. There were no signs of mass refusals, desertions or mutinies. For now, Russias defensive positions  stretching from Belgorod in the east to Crimea in the south  are still secure.

But for how long? The problems endemic to Russias campaign in Ukraine are likely to worsen. Mr. Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russias highest-ranking officer, will continue to conduct the war in an inept fashion. Retained by Mr. Putin for their loyalty, they are now even more likely to suppress negative information and present a distorted image of the war. Housecleaning inside the military, seemingly underway, will only increase the dysfunction. For the sake of familiarity, the Kremlin has chosen to reinforce failure.
Esopus, West Park and Ulster Park are known for expensive homes, including turn-of-the-century mansions, on parklike grounds overlooking the Hudson, along with several monasteries and other religious institutions that have helped shield the rivers west bank from development. Recently, Jordan Goldberg, a New York City developer, has proposed building a 60-room hotel on Esopus land that once belonged to the 19th-century businessman Oliver Hazard Payne.

Port Ewen, a gritty and racially diverse hamlet, has modest houses set close together and a small downtown strip with a deli called Smittys, a Chinese takeout restaurant, a liquor store and a drugstore. In February, a colorful bakery, Emilys Cookie Co., joined the lineup.

There are antique stone houses along the Rondout Creek in the hamlet of St. Remy, and along the Wallkill River in the hamlet of Rifton and Black Creek in Esopus. The towns other small hamlets are Connelly, which borders the Rondout Creek, and Sleightsburgh, whose peninsula-shaped park juts out into the Hudson. (Three additional hamlets are listed on the towns website, but according to the towns supervisor, Danielle Freer, they are now obsolete.)

The town gained a glamorous gathering place in the fall of 2021, when business partners Charles Ferri and Paul Seres opened the Hudson House and Distillery, a $2.5 million restaurant, distillery and events space on 27.5 acres with a huge deck overlooking the Hudson River, a ballroom and an events hall. The West Park venue occupies a 24,000-square-foot antique Italian-style villa and an adjoining brick building that had housed a Christian Brothers monastery for a century. The next phase of construction will be a 25-room hotel on the second and third floors of the two buildings.
Kids are out of school, the weather is balmy in much of the state and the days are long  its time for summer travel.

Today, I have a new round of recommendations for the best state parks to visit this summer, whether youre planning a day trip, a weekend getaway or something longer. Californias state park system includes 280 parks: If the options feel overwhelming, its in the best way. These five parks in particular delight at every turn.

And remember: The next few weeks in California are likely to be unusually hot. So make sure to check the weather forecast before you head out, bring plenty of water and stay safe.

Enjoy.

Cool down along the Sonoma Coast

About two and a half hours north of San Francisco, Salt Point State Park can offer a foggy reprieve when Californias inland areas are baking. Visitors can explore miles of hiking trails through grasslands and redwood forests, as well as along the rugged coastline, where theres almost always a cool ocean breeze.
Two years ago, Courtney Turney encountered the rabbits when her 100-pound hound mix dragged her across a neighbors lawn. In Florida, we dont have bunnies, so I wasnt expecting a bunny, she said, but the dog saw it and took after it  and thats the first time I noticed them.

Now, theres a lot, said Ms. Turney, who has lived in the neighborhood for nearly three years. Theyre absolutely adorable, she added. Rabbits are known to reproduce rapidly; female rabbits typically have between four and eight litters annually, experts say.

The rabbits dash across streets and burrow in yards. Some have eaten through wires and gotten in the way of cyclists and motorists, a spokesperson for Wilton Manors said, concerns residents have shared with the city.

This spring, plans for the rabbits removal became a subject of debate in city forums.

At a city commission meeting in April, local leaders discussed options proposed by Gary Blocker, the chief of police in Wilton Manors. Chief Blocker suggested the city contract a trapping service. Chris Caputo, a commissioner, said he was concerned that if the trappers have no place to put them, either we need to find homes for them ourselves or theyre going to be euthanized. He added, Were going to have residents upset about that as well.

In a Facebook post, Mr. Caputo called the trapping effort a Bunny Blitz.

The possibility that the bunnies would be euthanized struck fear in some residents, including Alicia Griggs, who has lived on Jenada Isles for 39 years. She said on Monday that while the city had agreed instead to hire a rescue organization, its been three months now and theyre still dragging their feet.
President Isaac Herzog of Israel used an address to Congress on Wednesday to try to smooth over fresh tensions between his country and the United States, appealing to American lawmakers to continue investing in the irreplaceable relationship even as he acknowledged problems at home that have strained that bond.

Mr. Herzog kept his words strictly nonpartisan as he spoke about the strength of the security partnership between the United States and Israel, decried Irans nuclear ambitions and thanked the United States for shepherding through the Abraham Accords, which he called a game changer for peace in the Middle East. And he elicited applause from both Republicans and Democrats as he lauded the vibrancy of Israels democracy and recalled the 75-year alliance with the United States.

We are proud to be the United Statess closest partner and friend, Mr. Herzog told lawmakers. When the United States is strong, Israel is stronger. And when Israel is strong, the United States is more secure.

The speech was an effort to solidify bipartisan support for Israel at a time when a growing number of Democrats have questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus embrace of right-wing policies they see as undemocratic, and an emboldened left wing is openly accusing the country of imposing apartheid policies against Palestinians. It also appeared aimed at reassuring Israelis, who have taken to the streets by the thousands to protest Mr. Netanyahus policies, that the country still values its democratic, pluralistic legacy.
Federal labor laws prohibit people under the age of 18 from operating and cleaning meat processing and packing equipment, which the U.S. Labor Department defines as particularly hazardous. Mississippis state labor laws ban minors from working in packing industries or positions that involve processing meat and poultry.

In a statement, the Mar-Jac plant called the death a tragedy and acknowledged that the boy should not have been hired, but claimed that it had been unaware of Duvans age. It added that it had relied on staffing companies to fill open positions because of an unprecedentedly tight labor market and to verify that every job applicant was legally qualified to work, though it did not specify which companies.

It appears, at this point in the investigation, that this individuals age and identity were misrepresented on the paperwork, Mar-Jac Poultry said, adding that it would be auditing its staffing companies to ensure that the error never happens again.

In the past year, several states have introduced legislation making it easier for companies to put children to work. The states  including Iowa, Ohio and Arkansas  have proposed or passed bills expanding work hours and the types of jobs that minors can do, in part, to offset labor shortages.

These rollbacks, pushed primarily by Republican-dominated legislatures, come amid an influx of migrant workers to the United States that has been exacerbated by economic plight in their home countries. Many of the young workers come from Central America and are part of a shadowy work force toiling in grueling environments including slaughterhouses and sawmills, often in violation of child labor laws. From 2015 to 2022, cases involving child labor violations have increased by over 50 percent, according to Labor Department statistics.
In 2012, three months after Eddie Scott became sheriff of Clay County, Miss., a claim by a woman he had helped put behind bars threatened to tarnish his earliest days in office.

The woman said in an April court filing that, while chief deputy less than three years earlier, he had coerced her into a sexual relationship after she was arrested. Promising to use his influence in their rural community to keep her out of prison, she said, the lawman drove her to a hog farm to have sex in his patrol car on at least five occasions.

She laid out her allegations in state circuit court in October 2012 and asked a judge to overturn her prison sentence. To back up her story, the 26-year-old showed suggestive letters with a return address of the Clay County Sheriffs Office and signed by then-Chief Deputy Scott, who was 47.

Hey Sexy, he wrote to her in prison nine months before his election to the top job. Got my blood pumping hard after reading the last two letters. Cant stop thinking of how tight it is. I want all of that and more if you can.
Bond University, a leading Queensland-based institute recognized for its commitment to innovation and global education, recently inked an MoU with Indias UPES-University of Tomorrow. The collaboration between the two universities opens a pathway for UPES students enrolled in the BBA undergraduate program to transfer credits and pursue their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Bond University.In accordance with this collaboration, the students from UPES who completed their two years of study will have the exclusive possibility to finish their academic career at Bond University in two more years and earn a degree from the institution. This MoU was facilitated by Trade & Investment Queensland, demonstrating their commitment and vision to strengthen educational ties between Queensland and India.Mr. Abhinav Bhatia, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner-South Asia at Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, At Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), were thrilled to witness the solidification of a transformative partnership between Bond University and UPES. This alliance mirrors the strength and durability of the bond that Australia and India share, fortified by the recently signed Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. As we look ahead, education emerges as the bedrock upon which this dynamic relationship will evolve. Our commitment at TIQ is to foster environments that bring together globally recognized institutions like Bond University and UPES, acting as a beacon for future collaborative endeavors in academia and beyond.By studying at Bond University, Indian students will not only receive a high-quality education but also benefit from the vibrant multicultural environment and industry connections that Bond University offers.Mr. Makarand Parulkar, Faculty Business Director  Bond University, commented on this collaboration, I am thrilled to announce our proud partnership with UPES as one of our key collaborators in India. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering academic excellence and providing exceptional opportunities for students. Through student articulation programs, research collaborations, and mutual visits, we aim to enrich the educational experiences of both our students and faculties, facilitating knowledge exchange and cultural understanding. I am grateful for the support of Trade and Investment Queensland in bringing this partnership to fruition and look forward to welcoming students from UPES to the vibrant campus of Bond University in Australia.UPES is recognized for its specialized programs in sectors such as energy, engineering, management, law, and design. Through this partnership, UPES students will gain access to Bond Universitys extensive academic resources, cutting-edge facilities, and expertise across various disciplines, broadening their perspectives and enriching their educational journey.Dr Sheetal Khanka  Head Department of International Affairs, UPES, stated, We are excited about the partnership with Bond University. The MoU will facilitate the students to be part of two world-class academic institutions across two continents. The progression opportunity for our Global BBA students ensures that students have an enriching educational journey through the opportunity of international exposure. Thanks to the faculty and international team at Bond University for their constant support. The two universities will work towards creating valuable opportunities for students and faculty.This partnership between Bond University and UPES strengthens the academic ties between India and Australia, and it highlights both universities dedication to promoting international education and fostering global talent. Through this collaboration, students will have the unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of different cultures, broaden their perspectives, and develop a global mindset.
Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, a Republican, said on Wednesday that he would not run for re-election in 2024, opening up a seat in a battleground state that Democrats will be eager to take.

Mr. Sununu made the announcement in an email to supporters.

This was no easy decision as I truly love serving as governor, he wrote. Public service should never be a career, and the time is right for another Republican to lead our great state.

Almost immediately, Chuck Morse, a Republican who served as president of the New Hampshire Senate and lost a primary for U.S. Senate last year, announced that he would run for the Republican nomination to fill the seat  praising Mr. Sununus economic policies and saying he was running to build on those successes. Another Republican, former Senator Kelly Ayotte, also hinted that she might jump into the race.

Two Democrats  Cinde Warmington, a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council, and Joyce Craig, the mayor of Manchester  had already begun campaigns before Mr. Sununu bowed out.
Two veteran I.R.S. investigators leveled harsh criticism on Wednesday against the Justice Department over its handling of the tax case against Hunter Biden, accusing the agency of shielding him from felony charges because of politics and preferential treatment.

During an hourslong hearing of the House Oversight Committee, the investigators, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, detailed how they believed their work investigating Mr. Biden, the presidents son, was stymied and slow-walked by Justice Department officials during both the Trump and Biden presidencies.

There should not be a two-track justice system based on who you are and who youre connected to, said Mr. Shapley, a special agent in the I.R.S. criminal division for 14 years. Yet in this case, there was.

Mr. Biden struck a deal with the Justice Department to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges and accept terms that would allow him to avoid prosecution on a separate gun charge, but the investigators said they had recommended felony charges against him.
The indictments of Donald J. Trump  past and pending  are becoming the background music of the 2024 presidential campaign: always there, shaping the mood, yet not fully the focus.

Like so much of the Trump presidency itself, the extraordinary has become so flattened that Mr. Trumps warning on Tuesday that he was facing a possible third indictment this year, this time over his involvement in the events that led to the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol, drew shrugs from some quarters of his party and a muddled response from his rivals.

At one Republican congressional fund-raising lunch on Tuesday in Washington, the news of a likely third Trump indictment went entirely unmentioned, an attendee said. Some opposing campaigns strategists all but ignored the development. And on Capitol Hill, Mr. Trumps allies quickly resumed their now-customary defensive positions.

Two and half years ago, the deadly riot that left the nations seat of government defiled had threatened to forever tarnish Mr. Trumps political legacy. His supporters had stormed the Capitol to stop the certification of his defeat, stoked by their leader who had urged them to fight like hell. Even long-loyal Republicans broke with him as shattered glass littered the Capitol complex.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina called it an amazing, gut-wrenching, emotional movie.

Wow. Wow. Wow, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas wrote of the film, urging supporters to see it.

And on Wednesday, former President Donald J. Trump hosted an event featuring a screening of the movie, Sound of Freedom, at his private club in New Jersey, the most striking sign yet of how the unlikely box-office hit has captured the imagination of American conservatives.

The movie, released July 4, was the second most-watched film in North America last weekend, behind Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning, and has made $90.7 million as of Monday, according to data from Comscore.

Based on real-life events, the movie stars Jim Caviezel as Tim Ballard, a former federal agent who sought to rescue South American children from sex traffickers. Its themes have resonated with a wide range of conservatives, including mainstream Republicans who have focused heavily on education and other childrens issues, evangelicals who have responded to the movies religious overtones, and far-right QAnon believers who have for years spread alarmist fears of child endangerment.
Following months of intense scrutiny of his scientific work, Marc Tessier-Lavigne announced Wednesday that he would resign as president of Stanford University after an independent review of his research found significant flaws in studies he supervised going back decades.

The review, conducted by an outside panel of scientists, refuted the most serious claim involving Dr. Tessier-Lavignes work  that an important 2009 Alzheimers study was the subject of an investigation that found falsified data and that Dr. Tessier-Lavigne had covered it up.

The panel concluded that the claims appear to be mistaken and that there was no evidence of falsified data or that Dr. Tessier-Lavigne had otherwise engaged in fraud.

But the review also stated that the 2009 study, conducted while he was an executive at the biotech company Genentech, had multiple problems and fell below customary standards of scientific rigor and process, especially for such a potentially important paper.
Why It Matters: Opposition to legacy admissions has grown.

After the Supreme Court decision, legacy admissions came under heavy attack because the practice tends to favor white, wealthy applicants over Black, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American students.

President Joe Biden; Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York; and Senator Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina, have all spoken out against the practice.

Polls also show that the public does not support legacy admissions. A Pew Research Center survey last year found that 75 percent of those surveyed believed legacy status should not be a factor in college admissions.

Some highly selective universities and colleges have dropped legacy admissions, including Amherst, Johns Hopkins and Carnegie Mellon.

But most have been reluctant to give up the practice, arguing that it helps build a strong intergenerational community and encourages donations, which can be used for financial aid.

Background: Legacy status was becoming a sign of unfairness to the outside world.

The decision by Wesleyan, which has about 3,200 undergraduates, could be easier than for other colleges, like Harvard or Yale, which have a higher share of legacy admits.

Legacy status played a negligible role in admissions, Michael S. Roth, Wesleyans president, said in an interview. But, he added, the practice was becoming a distraction and a sign of unfairness to the outside world.

Mr. Roth said he did not know precisely how many past Wesleyan students were helped by legacy status. An applicants family ties could, for example, be used as a tiebreaker or to help whittle down a pool. They wont any longer.

He said he wanted to focus the conversation on improving diversity, including recruiting more veterans and students from rural areas, and to avoid discussion of the embarrassing fact, actually, that you got a leg up because of your parent or grandparent.

Mr. Roth said he believed most alumni, though not all, would agree that legacy admissions are no longer appropriate.

Im wagering, I guess, he said, with a hint of uncertainty, that Wesleyan alumni will be proud of that, and they want it to be a place that doesnt give unearned privileges to applicants.

Whats Next: Groups are challenging legacy admissions at other colleges.

The future of legacy admissions on campuses is uncertain.

After the Supreme Court decision, President Biden said he would ask the Education Department to examine practices like legacy admissions and other systems that expand privilege instead of opportunity. And Lawyers for Civil Rights, a legal activist group, has filed a complaint with the department, requesting a review of legacy admissions, as well as admissions preferences for relatives of donors, at Harvard.

Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, the groups executive director, said in an interview that he expected more colleges in the months ahead to make similar decisions, before the next admissions cycle.

Institutions will reconsider their practices just as a matter of basic fairness, he said.
The cargo plane flew in low over southeastern Nigeria, its lights out, its radio off, its pilot navigating by the glow of refinery flares along the coast. The runway, somewhere below, was dark. The pilot dropped his wheels and nosed the plane downward, seemingly into the void.

On the ground, a team of boys suddenly ran out of the bush to light rows of kerosene lamps to guide the craft toward the tiny airstrip, just 75 feet wide and 1,200 feet long. Aboard were 26 tons of antibiotics, flour and salted fish, as well as a 34-year-old Irish priest named Dermot Doran.

It was December 1968, and Nigeria was in the midst of a civil war. After nearly a decade of pogroms against them, the Igbo people of the countrys southeastern states had seceded to form the independent republic of Biafra. The Nigerian Army almost immediately attacked, and it soon had a blockade around the region, leaving 14 million residents to starve.

Father Doran was one of 1,000 priests and nuns, mostly from Ireland, who had been working in the area when the fighting broke out. Overnight, they pivoted from their peacetime roles as educators  Father Doran had been a high school principal  to aid workers during one of the 20th centurys worst humanitarian crises.
Official data from China offered a rare, but brief, glimpse of the true toll of Covid, indicating that nearly as many people may have died from the virus in a single province earlier this year as Beijing has said died in the mainland during the entire pandemic.

The data was deleted from a provincial government website just days after it was published on Thursday. But epidemiologists who reviewed a cached version of the information said it was the latest indication that the countrys official tally is a vast undercount.

The number of cremations in the eastern province of Zhejiang rose to 171,000 in the first quarter of this year, the website said. That was 72,000 more cremations, a roughly 70 percent increase, than had been reported in the same period last year.

In February, China said the official death toll in the mainland since the start of the pandemic was 83,150  a remarkably low number that independent researchers have said is not credible. Since then, the government has released only weekly or monthly death tolls that, when added up, raise the overall total to about 83,700.
The world was shocked on Tuesday when a United States soldier willfully and illegally crossed the inter-Korean border during a group tour of the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, becoming the latest American citizen to be held in custody by North Korea.

The exact motive of the soldier, Pvt. Travis T. King, remains unknown, and U.S. officials said they were working with their North Korean counterparts to have him released. North Korea has yet to issue a statement about the incident. The United States has no diplomatic ties with North Korea and technically remains at war with the isolated Communist country.

If Private King defected, he would be the first American armed service person to do so since the early 1980s.

Heres what to know.

Who is Travis King?

Private King, 23, joined the Army in January 2021 and went on to become a cavalry scout assigned to First Brigade Combat Team, First Armored Division, the Army confirmed in a statement. Members of his brigade began arriving in South Korea in late February 2022, according to a news release.
Protests erupted in Bangkok on Wednesday, hours after Thailands conservative establishment suspended a progressive leader and lawmakers denied him the chance to stand for a second parliamentary vote for prime minister.

The candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, leads a party that won the most votes in a May election after campaigning on an ambitious reform platform that challenged the countrys powerful conservative establishment. He lost an initial parliamentary vote for prime minister last week.

Late Wednesday, lawmakers voted to deny Mr. Pita, 42, the chance to stand for a second vote on the grounds that Parliaments rules do not permit a repeat motion. Mr. Pitas supporters see that as a not-so-subtle move to keep him out of power.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, told reporters that the next parliamentary vote for prime minister has been scheduled for July 27.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has announced the appointment of John Monninger as the Region IV Administrator in Arlington, Texas. He has been serving as Deputy Regional Administrator since September 2020.

Monninger succeeds Scott Morris, who became Deputy Executive Director for Reactor and Preparedness Programs in October 2022.



The appointment becomes effective July 30, when Robert Lewis, who has been serving as Acting Regional Administrator, returns to his position as Deputy Director in the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards at NRC Headquarters.



"John's experience in a variety of roles across the agency will serve him well as Region IV Administrator," said NRC Executive Director for Operations Dan Dorman. "John has shown an unparalleled commitment to technical and managerial excellence in a wide variety of assignments in our regional offices as well as at NRC headquarters during his 34 years of service."



NRC's Region IV office is responsible for the inspection and safety assessment of 18 nuclear reactors at 12 sites. Region IV covers 22 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, overseeing the inspection and licensing of medical, academic, and industrial users of radioactive materials. Seventeen of those states are Agreement states, which implement the NRC's materials inspection and licensing programs.



Monninger joined the NRC in 1989 as a reactor engineer in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. From 1989 to 2001, he held progressively more responsible positions, including technical assistant to the Associate Director for Inspection and Programs, technical assistant to the Chairman, and chief of the Licensing Section in the Spent Fuel Project Office.



Later, Monninger served in several senior management positions, including deputy director of the Division of Risk Assessment and Special Projects; deputy director of the Division of Safety Systems and Risk Assessment; associate director for the Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate; deputy director of the Division of Operating Reactor Licensing; director of the Division of Safety Systems and Risk Assessment; director of the Division of Advanced Reactors; and director of the Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities.



Monninger holds a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland. He is a 2006 graduate of the NRC's Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program.
The problem with fears about climate refugees

Climate-related mass migration, and the political consequences it produces, may have profound consequences in addition to rising temperatures themselves. But when I first started thinking about the issue, I was extrapolating from what I knew about another kind of forced migration: the refugee crises that result when people flee from persecution or conflict. And it turns out that wasnt the right way to think about the situation at all.

Refugees, under international law, are people who have been forced to flee their own countries because of persecution. That means that a lot of refugee policy debates are essentially about countries obligations to vulnerable foreigners.

But climate change is most likely to displace people within their own countries, and drive them to seek protection from their own governments.

When we talk about climate displacement, rather than thinking about future climate refugees across borders, we could already be thinking about people displaced by hurricanes or about more people displaced by fires in the United States, said Stephanie Schwartz, a political scientist at the London School of Economics who studies forced migration. Its hard to make that switch psychologically, because its not other-ing refugees or migrants. Its we could be refugees or migrants.

In some extreme cases, such as Pacific islands threatened by rising sea levels, internal migration might not be possible. And climate disasters can also exacerbate other causes of cross-border migration, such as violence or weak labor markets.
The chief of Britains intelligence agency, MI6, said on Wednesday that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had cut a deal with Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group, during Mr. Prigozhins failed rebellion last month.

The comments from Richard Moore, the head of MI6, in a rare speech in Prague at an event hosted by Politico, offer insights from a Western intelligence official into the stunning but short-lived revolt by Mr. Prigozhin last month.

The Wagner leader staged a mutiny against Russias military last month, which saw his mercenary forces marching toward the capital before abruptly halting. More than two weeks later, the Kremlin disclosed that Mr. Prigozhin and other Wagner leaders had met with Mr. Putin for three hours in the days after the rebellion ended.

I think he probably feels under some pressure, Mr. Moore said of Mr. Putin, speaking at the British ambassadors residence in the Czech capital. Prigozhin was his creature, utterly created by Putin, and yet he turned on him. He really didnt fight back against Prigozhin; he cut a deal to save his skin using the good offices of the leader of Belarus.
Russias forces were driven back from Kyiv, but even as its military campaign has been met by repeated setbacks  and as its forces are now trying mainly to cling onto land captured in the first weeks of the war  it has continued to try and ravage the Ukrainian economy by exercising a de facto naval blockade of the ports in and around Odesa.

Moscow is no longer intent on cutting off Ukraines ports simply by blocking ships from leaving, Ukrainian officials said after the latest aerial assault against Odesa on Wednesday. By targeting the citys shipping facilities with missiles and drones, Ukrainian officials said, Mr. Putin wants to destroy the infrastructure that allows Ukraine, a major grain exporter, to provide food to the world.

What is Odesas importance in the grain deal?

The three ports that ring Odesa are Ukraines largest and include the only deepwater port in the country. Before the war, about 70 percent of Ukraines total imports and exports were carried out by sea, and nearly two-thirds of that trade moved through the ports of Odesa.

Under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered last year by the United Nations and Turkey, Ukrainian ships set sail from the ports of Odesa and other cities, past Russias blockade, carrying food needed to keep global prices stable. Now that Russia has unilaterally withdrawn from the deal, saying it is one-sided in Ukraines favor, Moscow does not guarantee security of ships traveling across the sea, said Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraines ambassador to Turkey.

And this means that they will attack ports, infrastructure and possibly ships, he warned, speaking on national television.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia with President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa at the BRICS summit in Brasilia in 2019.

South African officials have been wrestling for months with a dilemma that thrust them into the cross hairs of a faraway war: Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin, a close ally, was set to attend an important diplomatic summit in their country, yet they would be legally obliged to arrest him because he is wanted by an international court that has accused him of war crimes in Ukraine.

With the August summit fast approaching, it seemed that South Africa had to choose between burning bridges with Russia or damaging relations with the United States and other Western nations, major trading partners that have grown increasingly irritated by South Africas warm relations with Moscow.

But on Wednesday, Mr. Putin gave South Africa a way out.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Mr. Putin had, by mutual agreement, decided not to attend the summit in person, and would send his foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, in his place. Russian state media said that Mr. Putin would participate via videoconference in the summit, a long-planned meeting of the heads of state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, a bloc known as BRICS.

While this decision eases South Africas immediate dilemma, the country is still walking a shaky and very public tightrope as it tries to maintain strong ties with each of its superpower allies when they are at odds with one another.

South Africa has faced withering criticism from the United States for refusing to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine. American officials have in addition accused South Africa of providing arms to Russia, a claim that the government has denied and that Mr. Ramaphosa said was being investigated.

Critics at home have accused Mr. Ramaphosa, who faces a tough re-election contest next year, of taking a soft stance toward Russia that could hurt South Africa economically. American lawmakers and government officials have suggested that the U.S. should consider revoking trade benefits for South Africa and rethink the alliance between the countries all together. Hosting Mr. Putin would only have inflamed those demands.

Image Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov of Russia at a meeting in Cape Town last month. Credit... Nic Bothma/Reuters

Mr. Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, which accuses him of being responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children and their deportation to Russia. As a signatory to the court, South Africa would have been required to arrest the Russian president if he set foot on its soil.

Yet Mr. Putin had for months insisted that he would attend the summit in person, rejecting entreaties to stay home or attend by video. But he softened his stance after the instability set off last month by the brief revolt organized by the leader of the Wagner network, Yevgeny Prigozhin, according to a South African government official who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Mr. Putin became easier to persuade as a result of the recent domestic problems he is having, said the official.

A spokesman for Mr. Ramaphosa, Vincent Magwenya, said he was unaware of whether the revolt had influenced Mr. Putins decision but that it was the result of lengthy deliberations.

South African officials have said in recent months that they feared that the question over Mr. Putins attendance at the BRICS meeting threatened to overshadow the agenda. BRICS has fashioned itself as an alternative to a world order centered on the U.S. and Europe, and a voice for nations that are not among the worlds superpowers.

BRICS has pushed for more developing countries to have seats on the U.N. Security Council, for rich nations to provide more funding to developing countries to address climate change, and for more equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

As the blocs newest and smallest member, South Africa is trying to wield more influence globally and fashion itself as the voice of Africa, analysts say.

South African officials have accused Western nations of having a double standard for calling to arrest Mr. Putin for war crimes in Ukraine, while escaping action by the international criminal court over the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Image Ukrainian protesters in Cape Town during BRICS meetings last month. Credit... Nardus Engelbrecht/Associated Press

Mr. Ramaphosas political party, the African National Congress, said as recently as Wednesday morning that it wished that Mr. Putin would attend the summit. But the party applauded the ultimate outcome. It will let the BRICS summit focus on the pressing issues in the geopolitical situation, said Mahlengi Bhengu, the A.N.C.s national spokeswoman, in a news briefing on Wednesday.

While many who wanted Mr. Putin to attend may be disappointed, she said, I do think that wisdom may have prevailed amongst our leaders.

Mr. Ramaphosa had warned in a court affidavit made public on Tuesday that his country could suffer severe consequences if it arrested Mr. Putin. Russia has made it clear that an arrest would be a declaration of war, Mr. Ramaphosa said in the 32-page affidavit.

The Kremlin denied having made any direct threats toward South Africa, but on Wednesday, its spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told reporters that its absolutely clear to everyone what an attempt to encroach on the Russian leader means.

South Africas largest opposition political party, the Democratic Alliance, had asked a court in Pretoria, the nations executive capital, to force the government to arrest Mr. Putin if he attended the summit, scheduled for Aug. 22 to 24.

Image The national flags of the BRICS countries in Cape Town last month. Credit... Rodger Bosch/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images

The leader of the alliance, John Steenhuisen, praised Wednesdays announcement.

It averts a potential international crisis, he said.

In 2015, South Africa faced international condemnation when it refused to arrest the then-president of Sudan, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who was wanted by the international court on charges of war crimes and genocide arising from atrocities in the western province of Darfur. South Africa permitted Mr. al-Bashir to fly in and out of Johannesburg unimpeded for a meeting of the African Union. He is still wanted by the court.

Lynsey Chutel contributed reporting from Johannesburg, and Ivan Nechepurenko from Tbilisi, Georgia.
The objective for one private taking part in Ukraines counteroffensive against Russia is not complicated: it is a house near the beach, overflowing with flowers, the play room strewn with toys.

Ukrainian military strategists may be intent on driving a wedge through Russian forces and cutting supply lines, but Private Yevheniy just wants to see his home again, in the Azov Sea port city of Berdyansk.

I miss the sea most of all, he said, as his unit held ground in the frontline village of Tavriyske.

As a rule, soldiers go wherever they are sent, but the Ukrainian Army makes an exception: those who were driven from their hometowns after Russia invaded last year can request to take part in the fight to liberate them.
Were going to regularly break down how Russia is selling the war at home, as TV and other propaganda outlets create a distorted reality of whats happening and who is responsible. Today, we look at how Russia portrayed the aftermath of a mutiny against the military.

Looking back on a mercenary march that reached within 125 miles of Moscow, even one of the most famous faces of Russian state media had to concede it was a difficult week.

But the TV host, Dmitry Kiselyov, spun the weeks dramatic events  a mutiny by Wagner mercenary forces, two angry speeches by Russias otherwise absent president, and the sudden exile of Wagners leader  into causes for celebration, despite it being the most significant challenge to President Vladimir V. Putins rule in years.
Two of Egypts best-known political prisoners were granted presidential pardons on Wednesday, a day after one of them, a graduate student and human rights advocate, was sentenced to three years in prison over an online article he wrote describing discrimination against Egypts Coptic Christian minority.

The student, Patrick Zaki, was pardoned along with Mohamed el-Baqer, a prominent rights lawyer whose release international human rights groups had demanded for years.

The Biden administration, too, had put at least rhetorical muscle behind the detainees, urging Egypt to release both men and highlighting the prosecution of Mr. el-Baqer in a campaign against politically motivated imprisonment.

The Egyptian authorities had accused both men of spreading false news, a charge prosecutors in the country often bring against political dissidents, activists, journalists and even ordinary people who have criticized the government on social media. Mr. el-Baqer, who has been detained since 2019, was also convicted of belonging to a terrorist group, another accusation routinely leveled against perceived political opponents.
Small protests cropped up across Israel on Wednesday, illustrating the broad, grass-roots nature of popular opposition to plans by the government to overhaul the countrys judiciary, drawing in key sectors of the economy, the security establishment and society.

Doctors rallied with flags and banners outside major hospitals. Employees of Israels vaunted high-tech industry gathered on bridges and at busy junctions. Scores of people set off on a 40-mile trek on foot from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

In what has become one of the most enduring themes in the months of protests that have gripped Israel, women dressed in red  a reference to The Handmaids Tale, the dystopian novel-turned-TV-series set in a totalitarian patriarchy  gathered at sites across the country.

The protests appeared timed to coincide with a planned address to the U.S. Congress by President Isaac Herzog later on Wednesday that would come at a fraught period in the relations between Israel and the United States. On Tuesday, President Biden held a meeting with Mr. Herzog, who serves as Israels mostly ceremonial president, at the White House.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Wednesday received an invitation from King Mohammed VI to visit Morocco, Mr. Netanyahus office said, laying the ground for the first such high-level visit since the two countries normalized relations in late 2020 and heralding a possible deepening of diplomatic and security ties.

No date has yet been set for the visit, but Israels national security adviser and Moroccos foreign minister have agreed to coordinate on a date for the visit in the near future, according to Mr. Netanyahus office.

The news was likely to give Mr. Netanyahu a boost even as the policies of his right-wing government  including increased settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and a more aggressive stance toward the Palestinians  have caused tension in the region.

The exchange between King Mohammed and Mr. Netanyahu also appeared to signal an easing of recent tensions between Morocco and Israel. Morocco had postponed a long-awaited diplomatic summit with Israel this summer in protest against the settlement policy of Mr. Netanyahus hard-line government and amid eruptions of Israeli-Palestinian violence in the occupied West Bank.
Where the Two Koreas Meet

A U.S. soldier crossed into North Korea at the border with South Korea at the Joint Security Area.

Heres what the compound is like 
The Chairman of Avangrid's Board of Directors, Ignacio Galan, addressed shareholders of the company at the annual meeting. During his remarks, he reaffirmed the company's investment commitment to accelerating the energy transition: "Now more than ever, we need to move forward on energy autonomy and decarbonization. Avangrid is ready to lead the U.S. to a clean energy future and provide our customers with more secure, sustainable and affordable energy. Our efforts will also create jobs and economic growth, promote environmental and social justice, and invest in our communities."

At the annual meeting, the Avangrid shareholders voted to elect each of the 14 nominees to the Board of Directors to serve one-year terms expiring at the company's 2024 annual meeting. Additionally, the Avangrid shareholders voted to ratify the appointment of Avangrid's independent public accounting firm, approve on an advisory basis the compensation of Avangrid's named executive officers, and approve amendments to Avangrid's by-laws to implement committee changes.

Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra added, "Avangrid is proud to play a critical role in the United States' energy transition and be a central part of history in the making. We have a more than 20-year history of commitment to clean energy as part of the Iberdrola Group, giving us the experience and dedication to build a clean energy future for all. We will do this through the expansion of smart grids, continued transmission development, robust renewables growth and the development of green hydrogen."

During the meeting, Azagra also remarked on the company's 2022 achievements and future outlook:

Continued Investments: Avangrid invested $2.7 billion in its networks and renewables businesses in 2022.

Avangrid invested $2.7 billion in its networks and renewables businesses in 2022. Commitment to Customers: The company continues to support a stronger and more resilient grid for its customers through filed rates cases in all jurisdictions.

The company continues to support a stronger and more resilient grid for its customers through filed rates cases in all jurisdictions. Delivering a Clean Energy Future for All: Avangrid is continuing transmission investments that will help deliver Maine and New York's clean energy visions, drive long-term growth and contribute to local economic development and job creation.

Avangrid is continuing transmission investments that will help deliver Maine and New York's clean energy visions, drive long-term growth and contribute to local economic development and job creation. Clean Energy Leader: The company added nearly 400 MW of new onshore wind and solar, including its first utility-scale solar plant, Lund Hill. Avangrid's 8.6 GW renewables fleet now produces enough emissions-free electricity to power approximately 2.7 million homes.

The company added nearly 400 MW of new onshore wind and solar, including its first utility-scale solar plant, Lund Hill. Avangrid's 8.6 GW renewables fleet now produces enough emissions-free electricity to power approximately 2.7 million homes. Pioneer of Offshore Wind: Avangrid is on track to deliver power this year from the country's first offshore, large-scale wind power facility Vineyard Wind 1, which will soon serve 400,000 customers across Massachusetts.

The final voting results will be available on a current report on Form 8-K that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and posted on AVANGRID's website, www.avangrid.com.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs more than 7,500 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies - a ranking of America's best corporate citizens. In 2023, Avangrid ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release may relate to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving us and our subsidiaries that are not purely historical and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "can," "expect(s)," "believe(s)," "anticipate(s)," "intend(s)," "plan(s)," "estimate(s)," "project(s)," "assume(s)," "guide(s)," "target(s)," "forecast(s)," "are (is) confident that" and "seek(s)" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives and intentions, outlooks or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations, or the impact of legal or regulatory matters on business, results of operations or financial condition of the business and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current reasonable beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Important factors are discussed and should be reviewed in our Form 10-K and other subsequent filings with the SEC. Specifically, forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the future financial performance, anticipated liquidity and capital expenditures; actions or inactions of local, state or federal regulatory agencies; the ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce in the competitive labor market; changes in amount, timing or ability to complete capital projects; adverse developments in general market, business, economic, labor, regulatory and political conditions including, without limitation, the impacts of inflation, deflation, supply-chain interruptions and changing prices and labor costs; including the Department of Commerce's anticircumvention petition that could adversely impact renewable solar energy projects; the impacts of climate change, fluctuations in weather patterns and extreme weather events; technological developments; the impact of extraordinary external events, such as any cyber breaches or other incidents, grid disturbances, acts of war or terrorism, civil or social unrest, natural disasters, pandemic health events or other similar occurrences, including the ongoing geopolitical conflict with Russia and Ukraine; the impact of any change to applicable laws and regulations, including those subject to referendums and legal challenges affecting the ownership and operations of electric and gas utilities and renewable energy generation facilities, respectively, including, without limitation, those relating to the environment and climate change, taxes, price controls, regulatory approval and permitting; our ability to close the proposed Merger, the anticipated timing and terms of the proposed Merger, our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Merger and our ability to manage the risks of the proposed Merger; the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on business and economic conditions, including but not limited to impacts from consumer payment behavior and supply chain delays, and the pace of recovery from the pandemic; the implementation of changes in accounting standards; adverse publicity or other reputational harm; and other presently unknown unforeseen factors.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC, and we encourage you to consult such disclosures.
A Saudi man had to undergo laparoscopic surgery to unblock his airway after he accidentally swallowed his car key while playing with it.

A medical team at a hospital in Saudi Arabias coastal Al Qunfudah governorate has been praised for saving a mans life by extracting his car key from his respiratory tract. Just how the 49-year-old man managed to swallow his own car key is still unclear, but most Middle Eastern news sources claim that he was playing with it. That doesnt really explain much as we cant even begin to picture how he was playing with the car key if he ended up swallowing it, but the important thing is that the driver didnt choke to death and even managed to recover his car key.

Source: Sabq

According to Gulf News, the 49-year-old man was admitted to the hospitals emergency room, where staff noticed he had trouble breathing. X-ray examinations showed a car key inside the respiratory passage, and the patient told doctors that he had accidentally swallowed it while playing with it. It was decided that an endoscopy to remove the key and clear the blockage of the airways was the best course of action, but the fact that the man was a heart patient made the procedure a lot more complicated.

Luckily, the laparoscopic surgery was successful, and the car key was recovered. The patient was hospitalized for a few days to ensure that there were no complications, but he has probably left the hospital by now, most likely in his own car

In the past, we wrote about people who accidentally swallowed their toothbrushes and even their grillz, but this is the first time we hear about someone swallowing their car keys.
BGR Government Affairs has signed on to provide DC coverage for Adarga, a top British AI software company.

Founded in 2016 by Robert Bassett Cross, a British Army veteran, Adargas AI analytics are geared to the military and national security sectors.

The London-headquartered company counts the British Army, Royal Air Force, UK Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy as customers.

It raised $20M in May via a new funding round that was led by BOKA Group, a US holding company.

BGR will provide counsel to Adarga on issues related to AI and software and target the Pentagon for development.

President Erskine Wells, who heads BGR's defense and aerospace practice, leads the outreach for Adarga.

Pete Landrum, defense policy advisor for Sen. Jeff Sessions; Joel Bailey, chief of staff for Rep. Jimmy Panetta; and Dan Greenwood, head of Congressional affairs for the Marine Corps and veteran of President Trumps legislative affairs shop, round out the Adarga team.
"We've got a landscape of great local media in the United States of America," says Deseret Management Corporation senior VP Aaron Sherinian, "but with the upending of the business model and with technology, it's been deforested. Some of the greats have fallen, some of the greats have been taken down and some of the greats just can't afford to stand."

As part of the company behind the Deseret News, Sherinian has a major stake in the future of local media, which he says is in "crisis mode."

Deseret, which is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also has a mission to ensure that faith has a seat at the table when it comes to the issues covered by local media. Sherinian tells Simon that "it's not enough to ask the media to cover the story of the day. It's to help us understand the stories that maybe we don't realize we need to be educated more on, maybe that bring us the richness. And that includes things like faith. It includes things like identities. It includes things like culture."

Sherinian also says that faith can be a key element in making a deeper connection with audiences. "My challenge to our colleagues is that we should embrace this idea of let society show up as its whole self. That includes a society that cares very much about faith, religion, God centered spirituality. However it's defined, it's a part of how people have their own real-life existence."

He also tells Simon that nuanced reporting on faith-based issues can combat the power of the extreme voices that contribute to the overall polarization that is prevalent. Audiences "know that the extremes are filling the void or screaming very loudly. So, what can you do? Give me a little bit more detail. Give me a little bit more nuance. Help me understand."

Such developments as the metaverse, he adds, can also help in creating a vital sense of community. "Technology could be the thing that brings down barriers here. I hope it is. I hope it allows me to broaden my horizons because in looking around and learning more about other people's faiths, it does nothing but strengthen my own in a better way."

View all of the interviews in the PR's Top Pros Talk series. Subscribe to get notified when new episodes are available.

Interested in taking part? Contact Doug Simon at [email protected]

D S Simon Media helps clients get their stories on television through satellite media tours and by producing and distributing content to the media. The company also produces live social media events.
THE new modern traffic system at the junction of Ballin Ri and the Educate Together school at Collins Lane in Tullamore is now operational and caters for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

At the July meeting of Tullamore Municipal District, Senior Executive Engineer with Offaly County Council, John Connelly said Dublin City Council had assisted with the design of what is a very busy junction. A specialist contractor was hired for the signalling.

''It's probably only the second one in the country that is designed this way to get pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles all separated,'' said Mr Connelly.

The council also got cooperation from nearby landowners. ''We needed to take some land from each side. It's been in operation now for a couple of weeks and there have been no difficulties that I have heard of so far. It's a full in-house design and full credit to Michael Mullarkey, he designed all the details on this. He did fantastic work,'' commented Mr Connelly.''

Cycle lanes have yet to be connected and Mr Connelly said it ''will come into its own when that happens. ''We do have advisory lanes going into it from Collins Lane and it's been used by cyclists. It's important as well that people use it correctly. We have a video which is up on the website. We would encourage people to have a look at that. It's unusual by its nature especially for cyclists to understand and also for motorists to see exactly how the junction operates,'' he added.

Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Declan Harvey congratulated Mr Connelly and his team. ''It took a long time like everything with the council, but when it's done it's done well,'' said Cllr Harvey.

Councillor Sean O'Brien said he had been receiving very positive feedback.

''An awful lot of people were wondering if it was going to hold traffic up and were we going to have tailbacks but people have complimented it and find it very efficient,'' he said.

See below for details of how the junction operates.

https://www.offaly.ie/offaly-county-councils-first-protection-junction-installed/
Tipperary TD Alan Kelly has urged the Government to bring forward a referendum to end discrimination against unmarried families.

Following the adjournment of the Supreme Court last week of the case involving Johnny OMeara from Toomevara, the Labour Party TD said Irelands laws and supports must catch up with the way people live their lives.

I have been proud to campaign with the OMearas since they first came to me in 2021 following the untimely passing of Johnnys partner Michelle from cancer in 2018, Deputy Kelly explained.

That October, I called on the Taoiseach in the Dail to change the law to support the over 150,000 cohabiting couples in Ireland to give them protection when the worst happens.

In Johnny OMearas case, both he and his partner Michelle had been working, both paying PRSI and were both contributing to the system. Yet, when it matters most, Johnny was not able to avail of the support of the Widowers Pension because they were not married.

Government must now commit to holding a referendum to remove the priority given to the marital family in the constitution. All families should be treated equally.

'Ridiculous'

Cohabiting parents are assessed as a unit if either of them apply for social welfare support.

Yet, when it matters most, their martial status prevents them from accessing the widows grant and pension. Its ridiculous, its out of touch and its time to change it.

Its time the law caught up with modern family life. The Citizens Assembly called for Article 41 of the Constitution to be amended to protect private and family life not limited to the marital family.

Doing so would have a real life impact for the over 75,000 cohabiting couples with children in Ireland.

I have been proud to campaign alongside my Labour colleagues on our call to extend the same social welfare protections to these families, as well as families where the parents are married.

Johnny OMearas case has always been about equality for his family. The lack of welfare supports for unmarried couples is a stain on Irish society.

We need to step up and address the situation to provide equality for all families," Deputy Kelly said.
Newly elected Tipperary County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Gerard Darcy, met with An Taoiseach and Fine Gael Party Leader, Leo Varadkar, in Government Buildings last week.

The Taoiseach, along with all of his senior Ministers, met with the 13 Fine Gael Councillors who have recently been elected as the first citizen of their county.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: I had a good two-hour meeting with Councillor Darcy in Government Buildings on Tuesday evening to discuss the issues that matter to the people of Tipperary.

The meeting gave Councillor Darcy the opportunity to raise these issues directly with me. I committed to Councillor Darcy to work on these issues.

The need for more funding this year for local and regional road maintenance, a top up allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme and, in the coming years, funding to advance new road projects that are delayed, the urgent need to service much more land for housing were raised at the meeting.

On energy security and climate, they impressed on me the need to increase aid to farmers, schools, community buildings and businesses to install solar panels and become energy efficient.

I look forward to working with Councillor Darcy and visiting Tipperary during his term as Cathaoirleach, the Taoiseach said following the meeting.

The long-serving Lower Ormond Fine Gael Councillor, was unanimously elected as Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council for the coming year.

Cllr Darcy was first elected to public office when he became a member of North Tipperary County Council in 1991 and comes from a family deeply involved in local politics - his late father, Jim, was also a Councillor from 1967 to 1986 and was Chairman of North Tipperary County Council from 1975 to 1976.

Proposing him for Cathaoirleach, his Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Noel Coonan, said it was his privilege to put forward Cllr Darcy for the local authority's top position.

Cllr. Coonan said Ger Darcy brings vast experience to the position of Cathaoirleach.

His sincerity is the main thing, you will not get a more genuine candidate than Ger Darcy, Cllr. Coonan said.

'Absolute Gentleman'

Fine Gael Councillor Marie Murphy seconded the nomination and described Cllr. Darcy as an absolute gentleman

In his first address as Cathaoirleach, he said it was a great day for himself and his family and thanked his wife Noelle and children Alan and Linda.

He called on his Council colleagues to pull on the blue and gold jersey and said a lot of investment is coming to Tipperary.

Cllr Seamus Hanafin, who announced earlier this year he intends to step away from politics before the next election, was elected unopposed as Leas Cathaoirleach for the coming year.

The Hanafin family has served the local community in Tipperary for 72 years and councillor Hanafin will have served for two decades by the time he completes his time as Leas Cathaoirleach.
The successful well test confirms the commercial viability of Fervo's drilling technology and establishes Project Red as the most productive enhanced geothermal system in history. The 30-day well test, a standard for geothermal, achieved a flowrate of 63 liters per second at high temperature that enables 3.5 MW of electric production, setting new records for both flow and power output from an enhanced geothermal system.

Fervo is the first company to successfully drill a horizontal well pair for commercial geothermal production, achieving lateral lengths of 3,250 feet, reaching a temperature of 191 C, and proving controlled flow through rigorous tracer testing. Fervo implemented an induced seismicity mitigation protocol following best practices established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and completed the project without incident. Data collected through the course of this pilot will enable rapid advancement in geothermal deployment, with Fervo's next horizontal well pair planned to achieve more than double the power output of the pilot design.

"By applying drilling technology from the oil and gas industry, we have proven that we can produce 24/7 carbon-free energy resources in new geographies across the world. The incredible results we share today are the product of many years of dedicated work and commitment from Fervo employees and industry partners, especially Google," said Tim Latimer, Fervo Energy CEO and Co-Founder.

In 2021, Fervo and Google signed the world's first corporate agreement to develop next-generation geothermal power. The goal of the partnership is to power Google's Cloud region in Las Vegas with an "always-on," carbon-free resource that will reduce the company's hourly reliance on fossil fuels.

"Achieving our goal of operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy will require new sources of firm, clean power to complement variable renewables like wind and solar," said Michael Terrell, Senior Director for Energy and Climate, Google. "We partnered with Fervo in 2021 because we see significant potential for their geothermal technology to unlock a critical source of 24/7 carbon-free energy at scale, and we are thrilled to see Fervo reach this important technical milestone."

Fervo's results from Project Red support the findings of the DOE Enhanced Geothermal Earthshot and show that geothermal energy could supply over 20% of U.S. power needs and compliment wind and solar to reach a fully decarbonized grid. Fervo's drilling and well test results pave the way for the U.S. to meet this goal ahead of schedule; with Fervo's breakthrough, no technological barriers to geothermal deployment remain.

Jesse Jenkins, Assistant Professor and leader of the Zero-carbon Energy systems Research and Optimization (ZERO) lab at Princeton University, said, "Power systems modeling confirms that geothermal can be a critical player in a fully decarbonized grid. Fervo's successful commercial pilot takes next-generation geothermal technology from the realm of models into the real world and starts us on a path to unlock geothermal's full potential."

This summer, Fervo broke ground on its first greenfield development in southwest Utah, adjacent to the DOE's Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE). Revenue and learnings from Fervo's Utah project will go toward the development of other projects in new geographies.

About Fervo Energy

Fervo Energy provides 24/7 carbon-free energy through the development of next-generation geothermal power. Fervo's mission is to leverage innovation in geoscience to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. Geothermal has a major role to play in the future electric grid, and Fervo's key advancements in drilling and subsurface analytics bring a full suite of modern technology to make geothermal cost competitive. For more information, please visit www.fervoenergy.com.
Karnataka College Lecturer Claims Chandrayaan-3 Will Fail; Triggers Controversy

Bengaluru

oi-Prakash KL

A Kannada lecturer has landed in the centre of controversy after mocking 'Chandrayaan-3', saying the Moon mission will fail.

Reportedly, the lecturer from the Malleswaram Government Pre-Graduate College ridiculed India's ambitious mission to the Moon on Twitter. "Chandrayaana e sala tirupati namana gati ansute," he allegedly said on Twitter. It roughly means the mission might be a failure this time as well.

It has to be noted that a team of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists offered prayers at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh ahead of the Chandrayaan-3 launch.

His tweet did not go well with netizens who criticised him with strong words. Meanwhile, the college where he works has said that it has sought an explanation from him over his controversial comments.

"Murthy's social media post on Chandrayaan-3 came to my notice on Monday. We have sought an explanation from the lecturer as to why he posted such a message. He will submit his reply on Wednesday. Based on it, we will take appropriate action," Indian Express quoted The deputy director of PU (Bengaluru North) as saying.

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Kannada lecturer mocks Chandrayaan-3 on social media; Govt seeks explanation | Oneindia News

Chandrayaan-3: Third Orbit-Raising Manoeuvre Successfully Performed, Says ISRO

On the other hand, senior BJP leader Suresh Kumar has written to Karnataka education minister, Madhubangrappa, demanding a clarification from the Kannada lecturer over his remarks on 'Chandrayaan-3'.

"While the entire country wishes and prays for the success of Chandrayaan-3, Hulikunte Murthy has shown unhealthy behaviour by posting on social media that 'this time also Chandrayaan gone case' (e salavu chandrayan -3 tirupati naama ansatte) is being said," it read. "He has shown his freedom of expression in this way. How can such a person motivate our students? I request you to check on him and warn and warn them not to repeat this kind of irresponsible behaviour by this lecturer," the letter said further.

India's third moon mission, Chandrayaan-3 was successfully launched onboard a Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) rocket from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14.
21-Year-Old Woman Jumps Into Waterfalls After Her Parents Scolded Her Over Excessive Mobile Use

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Saraswati Maurya, a 21-year-old woman from Sukma, Chhattisgarh, attempted suicide by jumping into Chitrakote Waterfalls on Tuesday after her parents scolded her for excessive mobile phone use.

A shocking video has emerged which shows the moment a Saraswati jumps from a height of 90 feet. The incident took place in the Chitrakoot Chowki area of Bastar.

Despite pleas from onlookers urging her not to jump, the girl proceeded to the edge of the waterfall, where she leaped into the water. The entire incident was recorded by bystanders and quickly circulated on social media. However, Saraswati quickly realised what she had done and tried to swim back to safety. A rescue boat arrived on the scene in time and rescued her.

The video showcases the grandeur of the Chitrakote Waterfalls, often referred to as the "mini Niagara Falls" by locals due to its impressive size.

Situated on the Indravati River, approximately 38 km from Jagdalpur, the Chitrakote Waterfalls span about 300 meters in width during the monsoon season.

Local authorities launched an investigation after being informed about the incident. It was revealed that the girl's extreme action was prompted by being scolded by her parents for phone usage.

On Camera: 2 Women Paraded Naked, Gangraped Amid Manipur Violence

Saraswati is currently in stable condition and is being treated for her injuries. She is receiving counselling to help her cope with the emotional distress that led to her suicide attempt.

The captivating beauty of the Chitrakote Waterfalls attracts numerous visitors, especially during the rainy season.
Gabetti Lab and Edison Energia announce the entry into operation of the first three consortium energy communities in Bergamo, San Lazzaro di Savena (BO) and Dalmine (BG). The agreement, started in 2021, envisages an ambitious plan to develop condominium energy communities in Italy.

To date, the two partners have more than 40 agreements in place for more than 2 MW of photovoltaic capacity in Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Lombardy, Calabria and Piedmont. Edison Energia recently announced its goal of creating 2,200 condominium energy communities for more than 120 MW of total photovoltaic capacity by 2030. The success of the partnership is demonstrated by the size of the existing portfolio, which is greater than the installed capacity at the end of 2022 of all the energy communities in Italy.

The first three condominium energy communities that came into operation, managed by administration offices affiliated to Gabetti Lab, are located in Bergamo, San Lazzaro di Savena (BO) and Dalmine (BG), and involve 58 households for a total of 123 kW. The condominium in Bergamo will be able to produce 52 MWh of renewable energy per year, the condominium in Dalmine 46 MWh, and the condominium in San Lazzaro di Savena 32 MWh. The three condominium energy communities will save more than 50 tonnes of CO2 per year.

"For the achievement of the challenging goals that we have set ourselves in the condominium energy communities development plan from now to 2030, it is essential to have a reliable partner like Gabetti Lab - says Massimo Quaglini, Managing Director of Edison Energia. Today we are happy to announce the commissioning of the first three condominium energy communities and to confirm our full confidence in our partner. For Edison Energia, condominium energy communities represent the perfect synthesis of an all-round sustainable project, through renewable production, focusing on saving families money and encouraging a more conscious and virtuous use of energy".

"We have always supported the importance of energy requalification of the Italian residential building stock and the use of alternative energy sources. This innovative project was made possible thanks to the Network, our way of working 'together' allowed us to manage it in the best possible way. Communities have great potential," explains Alessandro De Biasio, managing director of Gabetti Lab.

Condominium energy communities are associations between producers and consumers. Condominiums thus become prosumers, i.e. producers and at the same time consumers of the energy they produce through photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the building. Condominium energy communities can make a concrete contribution to the ecological transition of our country by acting on two levers: on the one hand, through the installation of new renewable systems for self-consumption by households, and on the other hand, by inducing a more conscious use of resources by the households themselves, who produce the energy for their own needs. They also bring important economic benefits, an all-round sustainability. Edison Energia is the only energy operator that offers the market a service at "zero cost" for the community: it takes charge of the investment, installation and maintenance of photovoltaic systems on the condominium roof, recognising an economic benefit to the energy community.

The economic benefit that Edison Energia recognises to each member of the energy community is quantifiable, on average, in the savings of 2-3 monthly electricity bills each year for 20 years. If the members of the community subscribe to Edison Energia's electricity and gas offer and follow virtuous self-consumption behaviour, the savings can further increase to double, thus halving the average annual electricity bill of a residential user. The economic benefit for each member of the community is greatest if the householder consumes at the time the photovoltaic system produces. This induces the householder to change his or her behaviour, shifting consumption from afternoon/evening to daytime hours, and favouring electrification of consumption by choosing electric appliances (induction hobs, electric boilers and heat pumps) over gas appliances.

Operating mechanisms

The condominium energy community involves the installation of a photovoltaic system on the roof of the condominium to produce green energy. The system occupies the space proportional to the thousandths of the condominium owners who decide to join the community. Once in operation, all the renewable energy produced is sold to the national electricity grid and this represents the community's first source of revenue. The second comes from virtual self-consumption, which consists of consumption at the time the plant is producing. Edison Energia, which bears all the costs, retains a percentage of the two sources of revenue, with the condominium energy community receiving the remainder divided among its members on the basis of their own self-consumption.

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it
BJP Demands Chhattisgarh CM Baghels Resignation Over Nude Protest

India

pti-PTI

The BJP in the Chhattisgarh assembly on Wednesday slammed the Congress government over a protest by a group of nude men in capital Raipur and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, saying the incident has brought disrepute to the state.

BJP MLAs created uproar on the issue in the House leading to the adjournment of proceedings for five minutes. The opposition legislators were also briefly suspended after they trooped into the well, sloganeering against the government and demanding the release of the arrested nude protesters.

A group of men without clothes staged a protest in Raipur on Tuesday demanding action against people who allegedly got government jobs using fake caste certificates. The police arrested 29 protesters as they marched towards the state legislative assembly. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, when members can raise Issues of urgent public importance, Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel and many opposition members called the nude protest has brought infamy to the state in the country as well as abroad.

BJPs Ajay Chandrakar, Shivratan Sharma and Brijmohan Agrawal and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members Indu Banjare and Keshav Chandra were among those who raised the issue. They said the protesters had been seeking action for a long time but the state government did not pay heed to their demands which compelled them to stage a demonstration without clothes, the BJP members said. Instead of taking action against people holding caste certificates, the state government jailed the protesters who were fighting for their rights, they said, demanding discussion on the issue by moving an adjournment motion notice.

BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya Caught In MMS Scandal As Purported Clip In Compromising Position Goes Viral

The BJP demanded that a high-powered committee be formed to look into the issue of getting jobs on the basis of bogus certificates. Some treasury bench members countered the opposition members, claiming that people with fake caste certificates were appointed during the previous BJP government. Amid pandemonium, the chair adjourned the proceeding for five minutes. After the proceedings resumed, Chandel again raised the issue and claimed more than 1,000 people holding fake caste certificates have been working in government departments. The protesters had already informed the administration about the nude protest.

The government should have at least thought about why they were compelled to hold such a demonstration. The CM has no morality to remain on the post and he should immediately resign, Chandel said. Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu informed the House about the protest and the action taken against the protestors. Speaker Charan Das Mahant then rejected the adjournment motion notice following which BJP members, dissatisfied with the reply of the home minister, trooped into the well of the House sloganeering against the government. The BJP MLAs were automatically suspended as per the assembly rules. However, their suspension was revoked within a few minutes by the Speaker.
Cash Payment, Fake Name: Details Of Sachin, Seema Haider's Stay in Room No. 204 Of Kathmandu Hotel Revealed

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A hotel owner in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday claimed that a Pakistani citizen named Seema Haider, who was arrested in Noida for illegally entering India in May, stayed at his hotel with her Indian partner Sachin Meena. The couple had booked a room No. 204 under the name 'Shivansh' during their stay.

The hotel owner mentioned that they mostly remained inside their room during their 7-8 day stay, occasionally going out in the evenings and returning early as the hotel closed by 9.30-10 pm.

Sachin had made a pre-booking at the hotel and informed the staff that his "wife," Seema, would join him the next day. Seema arrived as planned, and they both left separately without any children. Sachin used the alias name "Shivansh" during their stay and paid in cash using Indian currency notes.

#WATCH | Kathmandu | Ganesh - a hotel owner in Nepal claims that UP resident Sachin and Pakistani national Seema Haider stayed at his hotel.



He says, "They came here in March and left after staying here for 7-8 days. Most of the time, they used to be inside their room, go out in pic.twitter.com/3AshzqNxCL  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Seema Haider was questioned by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Uttar Pradesh Police for 12 hours regarding her meeting, illegal entry into India through Nepal, and other details. Sachin Meena and his father, Netrapal Singh, were also questioned by the police. During the interrogation, Seema consistently maintained that she came to India solely to meet her boyfriend, Sachin Meena.

The Anti-Terrorist Squad is currently cross-verifying Seema's statements with data from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Her mobile phone and other belongings are with the police for data extraction. The Uttar Pradesh Police, involved in the investigation, stated that there is no suspicion of her involvement in spying, but definitive conclusions cannot be drawn at this early stage. The local police are separately investigating the case under the Foreigners Act and have yet to file a chargesheet.

Prashant Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police, emphasized that it would be premature to make any statements about spy allegations until sufficient evidence is available. He acknowledged the porous nature of India's border with Nepal, where no passport is required and appearances alone do not reveal the intentions of individuals. Kumar also mentioned that no team is being sent to Nepal to investigate how Seema Haider entered India.

Is Seema Haider A Pakistani Spy Agent? Probe Deepens into Her Deceptive Indian Attire, Army Connections

Seema Haider, aged 30, and Sachin Meena, aged 22, were initially arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but were later granted bail by a court on July 7. The couple's arrest will depend on the outcome of the inquiry related to national security.

Seema Haider entered India with her four children by bus from Nepal in May to live with Sachin Meena. The couple claims to have married in Nepal earlier this year after initially getting in touch through the online game PUBG in 2019.

On July 4, Seema Haider was arrested for illegal entry into India, while Sachin Meena was held for sheltering illegal immigrants. They were both granted bail by a local court on July 7 and have been residing together with Seema's four children in a house in the Rabupura area. Seema expressed her desire to stay in India with Sachin and stated that she has embraced Hinduism.

According to reports, Pakistan's intelligence agencies have informed the government that "love" was the primary reason behind Seema Haider clandestinely entering India as a mother of four.
Kharge Writes Back To Shah, Says Words, Govt's Actions Contrary To Each Other

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Confusion Around What D Stands For In INDIA

India

oi-Prakash KL

The Opposition Parties on Tuesday announced that the anti-BJP alliance will be called INDIA. However, the acronym led to a lot of confusion.

Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Our alliance will be called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA),"

However, some media houses reported that the letter 'D' stood for 'Democratic'. According to them, INDIA stood for Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance. What added fuel to the confusion is NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's tweet.

He said, "United We stand with I - Indian N - National D - Democratic I - Inclusive A - Alliance," with the hashtag #SaveDemocracy. Soon he edited the tweet replacing D in INDIA for 'Developmental'.

BJP leader Amit Malviya took a swipe at the Opposition bloc over the confusion and tweeted, "D stands for Democratic or Developmental? Those who can't arrive at a consensus on something as simple and existential as this, are hoping to run the country...  The joke is on those, who take this motley group of self serving political heirlooms seriously."

PM Modi Slams Oppn's INDIA Coalition, Says Alliances Formed With Negativity Never Succeeds

Meanwhile, sounding the bugle for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed an anti-BJP front Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declaring it will unitedly fight Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the "idea of India".

As leaders of the opposition parties threw a challenge to the BJP-led NDA putting behind "some differences" and targeted the Prime Minister, Modi hit back, telling a National Democratic Alliance meeting that India has long tradition of coalitions, but those formed based on negativity have never succeeded.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 9:32 [IST]
Is Seema Haider A Pakistani Spy Agent? Probe Deepens into Her Deceptive Indian Attire, Army Connections

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman, who illegally entered India with her four children to be with her lover dressed up to look like a rural Indian woman and sought the help of professionals, according to intelligence sources cited by India Today. To avoid detection by security agencies, she disguised herself as a rural Indian woman and sought professional help with makeup. This method of dressing is often employed by women involved in human trafficking, particularly those associated with domestic help or prostitution rings when crossing the Indo-Nepal border.

Investigation agencies have also noticed that Seema Haider exhibits fluent language skills, which could have been provided by Pakistani handlers operating in Nepal. Such language training is commonly given to women sent across the Nepal border for illegal activities in India.

Seema Haider is currently under scrutiny by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) due to possible connections with the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan's intelligence agency. The ATS, along with officials from central intelligence agencies, has been interrogating Seema Haider and her Indian husband, Sachin Meena, for two consecutive days.

Seema Haider Once Been To Jail, Now Out On Bail: UP Cop On Pakistani Woman

Despite the intensive questioning, no concrete evidence linking Seema Haider to the ISI has been found. Her confident manner of answering questions has raised suspicions that she may be attempting to mislead the authorities. There are also concerns that she may be receiving guidance from someone within India, and the Intelligence Bureau has provided significant information regarding the case.

Seema Haider and her four children entered India in May to reunite with her partner, Sachin Meena, who resides in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida. The individuals who aided her in reaching the village remain unidentified, and the ATS discovered that she had sent friend requests to several military officers.

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Seema Haider case: Reports say she has two passports; discrepancy in age found | Oneindia News

During the interrogation, it was revealed that Seema Haider had purchased a mobile phone in Pakistan before arriving in India. The ATS inquired about any precautions she was instructed to take while communicating via messages and phone chats.

The ATS also questioned Seema Haider about her use of codewords. In Pakistani intelligence's coded language, "Fufi" refers to a person providing information to the ISI, while "Fruit" is a codeword for money. Seema denied any knowledge of Urdu or the usage of these codewords but displayed fluency in Hindi and complex Hindi words, raising doubts about her claims.

The timing of Seema Haider's mobile phone bill for 8 May, the day she received her passport, and her departure from Pakistan just two days later on 10 May has raised suspicions. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to uncover the truth behind Seema Haider's statements and actions.

Yet Another Cross Border Love Story Like Seema Haider's Case, This Time From Bangladesh

The UP Police and central agencies are actively seeking details about Haider's travel route from Karachi to Greater Noida. There are reports suggesting that some of her relatives have connections with the Pakistani Army, prompting the agencies to investigate potential security implications.

Seema Haider initially got in touch with Sachin Meena through the online gaming application PUBG. However, on 4 July, she was arrested for illegal entry into India, and Meena was apprehended for sheltering illegal immigrants. Both were granted bail on 7 July and have been living together in Greater Noida since then.
Karni Sena Calls Pakistan Woman Seema Haider A "Terrorist"

India

oi-Prakash KL

Karni Sena, a right-wing group based in Rajasthan, has raised objection to Pakistan woman Seema Haider's stay in India and called her a "terrorist".

It has warned that she will be thrown out of the country if the authorities failed to send her back to Pakistan. Seema Haider left her country and entered India illegally to be with her Hindu boyfriend Sachin Meena.

"I would call such an individual a terrorist, as nobody has checked her. She should have been checked. Maybe she has a chip implanted in her body. Our relationship with Pakistan is not good. We will not tolerate this at all in Hindustan," India Today quoted Karni Sena's national vice-president Mukesh Singh Rawal as saying. He said India is not an orphangae while calling Haider a "Pakistani agent".

PUBG Contacts, Fluent English: ATS Digs Deeper into Seema Haider's Love Story

He said the individual in question could be described as a potential threat, as her background hasn't been properly verified.

"I would call such an individual a terrorist, as nobody has checked her. She should have been checked. Maybe she has a chip implanted in her body. Our relationship with Pakistan is not good. We will not tolerate this at all in Hindustan," Rawal added.

"We would welcome UP ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) quick action. If no action is taken, we will throw her (Seema Haidar) at the Pakistani border," said the Karni Sena leader.

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Mukesh Singh Rawal insisted on a thorough scanning of Seena Haider to ensure there were no concealed devices implanted within her. "August 15 is approaching and there could be some planning related to it. Why has she been given so much attention? Why has she been left out in the open? She should be sent out of India as soon as possible," he added.

Just days ago, another right-wing group the Gau Raksha Hindu Dal issued a 72-hour deadline for her to leave the country. "We won't tolerate a woman from a traitorous nation. If Seema Haider does not leave the country in 72 hours, we will begin an agitation," said Nagar.

Seema Haider, a married Muslim woman from Pakistan and mother of four, came across 22-year-old Sachin Meen on PUBG during the pandemic in 2020. "We became friends and our friendship turned to love and our chats became longer -- every morning and night -- before we finally decided to meet," AFP quoted the 27-year-old woman as saying.

Comeback, I Miss Kids And You So Much: Pakistan Woman Seema Haider's Hubby Appeals

After falling in love, she left her country and married him in Nepal. She then went back to her country, sold her property for flight tickets and a Nepal visa from where she illegally entered India with her four children to stay with the man whom she married in May.

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) interrogated her and Sachin in Noida on Monday.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 10:03 [IST]
Delhi Services Bill Passed In Rajya Sabha: AAP vs LG Fight Likely To Halt For Time Being

Monsoon Session: Govt to Discuss All Matters, Including Manipur

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Central Government has expressed its willingness to engage in parliamentary discussions on all relevant issues during the upcoming monsoon session, as permitted by the rules and approved by the Chair. This was conveyed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi during an all-party meeting.

The government has shown its readiness to address various matters, including the situation in Manipur. The Congress Party requested a discussion on the Manipur issue during the meeting.

The opposition stressed the need for a parliamentary debate on Manipur and emphasized that addressing the issue of rising prices is of utmost importance and should not be negotiated. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the government must abandon its "my way or the highway" approach.

Ramesh further stated that the Congress Party would oppose any bill related to the Delhi ordinance, which undermines the constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government.

Parliament Monsoon Session 2023: Govt Calls All-Party Meet Today

"The opposition should have the opportunity to express its views, and the government should be able to proceed with its agenda. The primary responsibility for ensuring the functioning of Parliament lies with the government," said Ramesh.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 17:06 [IST]
Muharram 2023: What Is The Significance of Fasting on Ashura Day for Muslims?

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Muharram, the initial month of the Islamic calendar, holds a profound significance for Muslims as a period of introspection and remembrance. Annually, on the 10th day of Muharram known as Ashura, Muslims globally commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. In India, this year's Islamic year will commence on Thursday, July 20, 2023, with Muharram falling on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

The story behind Ashura Day has been passed down through generations. It revolves around the Battle of Karbala, where Imam Husayn and his family were tragically slain while striving to reclaim the caliphate from Yazid's rule. The martyrdom of Husayn during this battle marked the end of a period of immense suffering for the early Muslims. Ever since, Ashura has been observed by Muslims worldwide as a day of mourning and fasting.

Fasting on Ashura holds significant importance in honoring the martyrdom of Husayn. It serves as a reminder to all Muslims that no individual should endure the level of suffering Husayn experienced. Additionally, fasting on Ashura is regarded as a means for Muslims to seek repentance for their sins and demonstrate their dedication to God.

Although fasting on Ashura is not obligatory in Islam, many Muslims voluntarily observe it to pay tribute to Imam Husayn's martyrdom and to reaffirm their commitment to follow his example. Furthermore, fasting on Ashura has become a way for numerous Muslims to express solidarity with those who have suffered in Karbala and throughout history.

Apart from fasting, there are various other ways in which Muslims can commemorate this significant event on the 10th of Muharram. They may engage in mourning rituals, such as reciting poetry and stories about Husayn's death, or participate in special prayer services. During these services, some individuals may choose to beat their chests as a symbol of remembrance for Imam Husayn's martyrdom.

Irrespective of the chosen method of observance, Ashura holds great importance for Muslims worldwide. It serves as a reminder that no one should endure the suffering Husayn faced in Karbala and that every individual should strive to emulate his example by standing against injustice and oppression wherever they may arise in our world today.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 16:46 [IST]
SC Grants Regular Bail To Teesta Setalvad In 2002 Post-Godhra Riots Case

India

oi-Prakash KL

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence in relation to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna and Dipankar Datta quashed the Gujarat High Court's order and deemed the petitioner's custodial interrogation unnecessary as the chargesheet in the case had already been filed. Consequently, the Court nullified the Gujarat High Court's order and granted her bail, with the condition that she must refrain from attempting to influence or intimidate the witnesses.

Setalvad and two others - former Director General of Police (DGP) RB Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt - were arrested by the city crime branch in June last year on charges of forgery and fabricating false evidence with the intent to procure conviction for capital offence in connection with the 2002 riots cases.

The Gujarat High Court had on July 1 rejected Setalvad's bail plea and directed her to surrender immediately while observing that she made attempts to unsettle the then democratically-elected government and malign the image of then chief minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

However, the Supreme Court passed an interim order protecting her from arrest in the case.

The apex court noted that the High Court had refused bail to Setalvad as she had not challenged the FIR and chargesheet under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or articles 226 or 32 of the Indian Constitution.

As she had not contested these aspects, the High Court concluded that she could not argue that a prima facie case was lacking.

However, the Supreme Court deemed this finding by the High Court to be "perverse, to say the least."

"If the observation of the learned judge are to be accepted, no application for bail can be accepted unless the accused files an application for quashing the proceedings...To say the least, the findings are totally perverse," Live Law quoted the court as stating.
Seema Haider Once Been To Jail, Now Out On Bail: UP Cop On Pakistani Woman

India

oi-Prakash KL

Is Seema Haider, who escaped from Pakistan and illegally entered India to be with her Indian boyfriend Sachin Meena, a Pakistani agent? This question is lingering in people's minds since the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police started questioning her.

Even as the authorities continue to grill her to get more information, Prashant Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Special Director General Law and Order, has revealed that she was once been to jail.

"All agencies are doing their work. This matter is linked to two nations, it is not right to say anything unless there is sufficient proof," he said.

"She had once been to jail and is now on bail. Further action is being taken," he added. On Tuesday, she reportedly failed to provide clear answers regarding her motive for illegally entering India. Intelligence Bureau officials were also present during the interrogation.

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In connection with the matter, the IB has requested a report from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the central force responsible for guarding the Indo-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

#WATCH | Prashant Kumar, Uttar Pradesh Special Director General Law & Order gives details on Pakistani national Seema Haider case.



"No team is going anywhere," he says when asked if a team is going to Nepal.



When asked if she is a Pakistani agent, he says, "All agencies are pic.twitter.com/SrZKSD0KVq  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

The cross-border couple were first interrogated by the UP ATS on Monday at its office in Noida and the duo was released late in the night.

Seema Haider, a married Muslim woman from Pakistan and mother of four, came across 22-year-old Sachin Meen on PUBG during the pandemic in 2020. After falling in love, she left her country and married him in Nepal. She then went back to her country, sold her property for flight tickets and a Nepal visa from where she illegally entered India with her four children to stay with the man whom she married in May.

On the other hand, her husband Ghulam Haider is repeatedly pleading her to comeback to Pakistan.

"I still love you the same and will continue to do so. I miss the kids and you so much. No one will say anything to you. I will keep you with me and we will start a new life again," he told YouTuber Mohsin. He further stated that if she feels unsafe in Pakistan, he would take her back to Saudi where he has been working.
Love Across Borders: Polish Woman Flies To India To Wed Boyfriend From Jharkhand

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In the midst of the spotlight on Pakistani Seema Haider's cross-border romance, another unique love story has emerged.

Barbara Polak, a 49-year-old Polish citizen and mother of a 6-year-old daughter, took a flight to India to be with her Indian lover from Khutra village in Hazaribag, Jharkhand, whom she initially connected with on Instagram, according to my reports.

The friendship between Polak and Shadab Malik, 35, blossomed into love after their virtual encounters on Instagram in 2021. Now, their bond has grown so strong that they have decided to take their relationship to the next level and are currently in the process of applying for marriage at the Hazaribag SDM Court.

Polak's affection for Malik was so profound that she obtained a tourist visa for India, valid until 2027, to be with him. She has already arrived and spent a few days with him at a hotel before moving into Khutra village. However, the intense heat of the region proved to be challenging for her, prompting Malik to install two air conditioners in their home. Additionally, a new color television has been set up to accommodate their foreign guest.

Is Seema Haider A Pakistani Spy Agent? Probe Deepens into Her Deceptive Indian Attire, Army Connections

Polak, in return, has been lending a helping hand to Malik's family with domestic chores. She willingly cleans cow dung and garbage while wearing gloves. Expressing her love for India and Hazaribag, Polak mentioned her discomfort in crowded places. She also affectionately described Malik as a "fantastic and sweet" person.

Upon learning about the arrival of a foreign woman in the village, DSP Rajeev Kumar from Hazaribagh Headquarters and Inspector Abhishek Kumar visited the village and had a conversation with Polak. She promptly displayed her visa to the police officers and mentioned her plan to return to her country in the coming days.
ELKO  Please join the Elko Area Chamber for our annual fundraiser, The Sherman Dinner & Auction, on July 29, with cocktails starting at 6 p.m. and dinner served at 7 p.m. The event will include raffles, silent auction, and live auction to raise money for the historical Sherman Station.

The Sherman Dinner & Auction is an annual event and fundraiser that Elko Area Chamber hosts to raise proceeds for the maintenance of the Sherman Station as well as its surrounding schoolhouse, creamery, welding shop, and barn.

The Sherman Station was built in 1903 by Bavarian rancher Valentine Walther. While the surrounding buildings were built in 1880, it took Valentine and one additional ranch hand over seven years to build the Sherman Station. To this day, it is the largest historic log cabin in Nevada.

Thanks to Valentines skilled craftsmanship, the buildings have stood the test of time; however, regular maintenance, upgrades and upkeep are necessary to preserve the historic value, beauty and safety regulations.

The Sherman Station not only serves as our local visitor and information center but is also home to the oldest Chamber of Commerce in Nevada. We are hoping to raise funds to place new roofs on all the outbuildings.

Stop in at the Elko Area Chamber or call to purchase your tickets today. They are $75 per person and include catered dinner and an open bar. Tables of 8 and 10 are also available. This years Sherman Dinner & Auction will be a Western theme, with catering provided by Lucianos.

This event would not be possible without our amazing sponsors. Thank you Nevada Gold Mines, Kinross Bald Mountain, Maverick Casino & Hotel, CC Communications, Orla Mining and NextHome Infinity Realty.

Please contact the Elko Area Chamber at 775-738-7135 for more information or to reserve your tickets/table.
SC to Hear on July 31st Uddhav Thackeray's Plea Against ECI Order on Shiv Sena Name, Symbol

There Is Now A Strong Front Against Dictatorship: Uddhav Thackeray On INDIA Coalition

Uddhav Thackeray Meets Ajit Pawar A Day After Opposition Meet

India

oi-Prakash KL

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday met Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in Mumbai.

Talking about the meeting, Uddhav said that he told Ajit Pawar to focus on the welfare of the state and address the diverse challenges confronted by farmers and the public. He said, "I met Ajit Pawar and congratulated him, and I hope he will do the right work for the people. I have worked with him in 2019 as well and I know his style of work,"

#WATCH | Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray meets Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/RAIrI4SFWT  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

The meeting comes a day after the Opposition parties met in Bengaluru to chalk out a strategy to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Also, this is the first formal between Thackeray and Pawar after the latter split the NCP, last month, by joining hands with the NDA.

"I am confident that people of the state will get aid because he has the keys to the treasury," Thackeray added.
Uttarakhand Transformer Explosion: 15 Dead, Several Injured

India

oi-Prakash KL

At least 15 people died and several were injured after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district.

The injured have been admitted to the district hospital, SP Chamoli Parmendra Doval said.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: 10 people died and several were injured after a transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district. Injured have been admitted to the district hospital: SP Chamoli Parmendra Doval pic.twitter.com/QKC5vpvbF5  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

"Around 15 people including a police sub-inspector & five home guards have died. The investigation is underway. Prima Facie reveals that there was current on the railing and the investigation will reveal the further details," says Additional Director General of Police, Uttarakhand, V Murugesan.

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Responding to the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, said, "It is a sad incident. The district administration, police, and SDRF have reached the spot. The injured are being referred to higher centre and are being shifted to AIIMS Rishikesh via helicopter. Orders have been given to conduct a Magisterial inquiry."State health minister Dhan Singh Rawat stated that the injured are being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh.

The incident took place amid relentless rainfall that had been lashing Uttarakhand for the past few days. The continuous downpour caused the water level of the Alakananda River to surge. In response to the rising water levels, approximately 3,000 cusecs of extra water were discharged from the GVK hydroelectric project dam located in Srinagar, Pauri district, to alleviate the situation.
Are you getting international calls on WhatsApp? Check the company's important message

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WhatsApp Is Back Online After Global Outage: Twitter Explodes With Memes

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

WhatsApp services, the instant messaging platform owned by Facebook-parent Meta, have been restored after a brief outage. For nearly an hour, the app was down for millions of users in India and worldwide.

Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources, said that as many as 16,000 users had reported issues with accessing WhatsApp.

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Users who were affected by the outage were unable to send or receive messages or calls.

As per the outage tracker, Downdetector, many users started facing issues with the WhatsApp mobile app and web at around 01:43 AM today, July 20.

The outage affected users across the country, with the majority of reports coming from major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Multiple WhatsApp users are flooding to Downdetector and Twitter to complain about the messaging app being down. The microblogging site was flooded with some hilarious memes. Check some of the best ones below.

On my way over to twitter to check if WhatsApp is down #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/Qdq7EX2fiD  MB (@bowx_) July 19, 2023

Everyone arriving at twitter to see if WhatsApp is down #WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/t6qnQsZIdx  Khaleed  (@KhaleedSZN) July 19, 2023

whatsapp may be down, but i'll never let you down #whatsapp pic.twitter.com/8DzDpUgkoP  tega the creator (@whereistega) July 19, 2023

The cause of the outage is not yet known. However, Downdetector said that the outage could have been caused by a problem with WhatsApp's servers.

In a statement, WhatsApp said it's working to restore the services,''we're working quickly to resolve connectivity issues with WhatsApp and we'll update you here as soon as possible.''

were working quickly to resolve connectivity issues with WhatsApp and well update you here as soon as possible.  WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) July 19, 2023

This isn't the first time that WhatsApp has been down in the country. The last time WhatsApp was down was on July 14, 2023. According to Downdetector, the outage started at around 11:00 AM IST and lasted for about an hour. During this time, users were unable to send or receive messages, or access the WhatsApp web app. The cause of the outage was not immediately known, but WhatsApp later said that it was due to a "technical error."
Is BJP Ally Giving Ticket To Pak Woman Seema Haider To Contest 2024 Polls? Here Is The Truth

Why Nitish Kumar Was Not Keen On Naming Opposition Bloc As INDIA?

India

oi-Prakash KL

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was reportedly not keen on naming the Opposition bloc as 'INDIA'(Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), ANI reported citing sources.

It is because it has 'NDA' in it. The name was first coined during the informal Monday evening meeting in Bengaluru, the sources told the news agency. The response from all the parties was asked and all the parties okayed it on Tuesday.

As none raised an objection, Nitish agreed to have INDIA as the name of the anti-BJP alliance. "All right, if all of you are okay with it (the name INDIA), then it is fine," the Bihar Chief Minister was quoted by a source as saying.

Who Suggested The Name?

There are several reports claiming that the name was suggested by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Also, rumours claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi coined it.

'Jeetega Bharat': Opposition Alliance INDIAs Tagline For 2024 Polls

However, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan said that the name was proposed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "The name of the opposition alliance- INDIA was proposed by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee," ANI quoted him as saying.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate stated that during the meeting's discussion, Rahul Gandhi put forward his reasons for choosing the name "INDIA." She stated, "It was a collaborative effort where we all participated in the decision-making process. Rahul ji led the discussions and presented the rationale behind selecting 'INDIA'; he passionately advocated for it."

On the other hand, there was confusion around the full form of the name. While Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge said that INDIA stands for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, some reports stated that the 'D' in INDIA stood for 'Democractic'.

As the anti-BJP parties held a two-day meeting in Bengaluru, the BJP, in a show of strength, had a meeting with its 38 allies in Delhi on Tuesday evening.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 11:11 [IST]
Yet Another Cross Border Love Story Like Seema Haider's Case, This Time From Bangladesh

India

oi-Prakash KL

In a case similar to Pakistani woman Seema Haider's cross-border love story, a woman from Bangladesh travelled to India to marry her boyfriend from Uttar Pradesh. She reportedly fell in love after meeting him on Facebook.

However, the only difference in this case compared to Seema Haider's love story is that the Bangladeshi woman identified as Julie left for her country along with her boyfriend Ajay Singh with her.

"A woman, identified as Julie from Bangladesh came to UP's Moradabad to marry her lover Ajay who she had met over Facebook. However, later, under the pretext of renewing her visa, Julie took Ajay with her to Bangladesh and sent distressing photos of him soaked in blood to his mother," Moradabad Police said in a statement.

Ajay's mother filed a complaint with the SSP Moradabad requesting him to save her son and bring him back. An investigation is being done in this regard, the statement said.

The case is similar to Seema Haider's love story.

30-year-old Seema had entered India along with her four children on a bus from Nepal in May in order to live with 22-year-old Sachin Meena, who lives in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida in Gautam Buddh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh. The couple had first got in touch in 2019 over online game PUBG.

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On July 4, Seema was arrested by local police for entering India illegally and Sachin was held for sheltering illegal immigrants. However, they were both granted bail by a local court on July 7 and have been living together with her four children in a house in the Rabupura area.

During her interactions with the media, Seema said she does not wish to go back to Pakistan and wants to live with Sachin in India only. She also claimed to have converted to Hinduism.

On the other hand, Ghulam Haider, the husband of Seema Haider has made an emotional appeal to her, asking her to come back to his life. "I still love you the same and will continue to do so. I miss the kids and you so much. No one will say anything to you. I will keep you with me and we will start a new life again," he told YouTuber Mohsin. He further stated that if she feels unsafe in Pakistan, he would take her back to Saudi where he has been working.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 12:14 [IST]
Pakistan Govt Likely To Dissolve Parliament On Aug 8

International

oi-PTI

Pakistan's major ruling coalition partners have agreed to dissolve the National Assembly on August 8, a few days before the completion of its five-year term, to get extra time for general elections, according to a media report on Tuesday.

The five-year constitutional term of the incumbent National Assembly expires on August 12 at midnight - four days after the date on which both parties have reportedly agreed to dissolve the legislature.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) - the two major stakeholders in the federal government - have agreed to dissolve the National Assembly on August 8, the Geo News reported.

August 9 and 10 also came under discussion, but it was decided to go for August 8 to avoid any hurdle in the early dissolution of the lower house of Parliament, the report said, quoting sources.

According to the law, if the president doesn't approve the recommendation, the National Assembly stands dissolved after 48 hours - giving the government enough time to achieve its target of premature dissolution.

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According to the Constitution, a general election to the National Assembly or a provincial assembly should be held within a period of 60 days immediately following the day on which the term of the Assembly is due to expire unless the Assembly has been dissolved sooner.

However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is bound to hold the general polls within 90 days if the Assembly is dissolved before its constitutional term. The PML-N party-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance thinks that dissolving the National Assembly would be beneficial for it.

"Next month, our government will complete its tenure. We will leave before the completion of our tenure and an interim government will come," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said at an event recently.

The PPP led by Bilawal Zardari-Bhutto had earlier proposed that the National Assembly should be dissolved ahead of its constitutional term.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the date of dissolution of the National Assembly has not been decided yet.

"The date (of dissolution) will be decided in consultation with the PDM and other allied parties. The decision on the date of dissolution of the National Assembly will be officially announced," she wrote on her official Twitter handle.

Once the National Assembly is dissolved, the federal government will require a caretaker setup. Until the formation of a caretaker government, Sharif will continue his duties as the prime minister, albeit for a few days.

For the formation of a caretaker government, Sharif will write to the leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz, within 48 hours of the dissolution of the assembly, seeking three names for the caretaker prime minister and will suggest three names himself.

In case, an impasse between the two leaders lasts for three days on the name of the nominee, the National Assembly Speaker will form a committee comprising six members of the outgoing assembly with equal representation from the treasury and the opposition.

To the committee, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition will forward two nominees each.

Pakistan Receives USD 1.2 Bn From IMF: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar

The committee then will have three days to evolve consensus on one name. If that fails as well, then the names of the nominees will be referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan for a final decision within two days.

The selected nominee will perform the duties of the interim Prime Minister until the formation of a new government. The caretaker premier also has the power to induct cabinet members, the report said.

Sharif was sworn in as the Prime Minister in April last year after the then-premier Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Khan has been demanding early national elections since his ouster.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 15:17 [IST]
'Good friends can also disagree': UK high commissioner on raids at BBC offices in India

Huw Edwards Is The BBC Presenter At Centre Of Explicit Photos Controversy: His Wife Reveals

Teen Workers At McDonald's Allege Sexual Harassment, Bullying, Racism and Sex with Managers

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

McDonald's UK CEO Alistair Macrow has issued an apology in response to a BBC report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, racism, and bullying by staff members at the fast-food giant.

The BBC investigation, which began in February, found that more than 100 former and current McDonald's employees had made the allegations.

According to the BBC, multiple workers have claimed that harassment and assaults were perpetrated by McDonald's managers at various outlets across the UK. Furthermore, senior managers are alleged to have failed to take appropriate action upon receiving complaints.

The investigation revealed deeply troubling allegations of routine groping and harassment within McDonald's staff. Shockingly, some of these victims are as young as 17 years old, according to the report.

The investigation shed light on several distressing incidents, including the following:

A 17-year-old worker disclosed that a colleague, who was 20 years older, directed a racial slur towards her and made inappropriate requests to expose his genitals.

A former employee, who was 17 at the time, reported that a senior manager physically assaulted her by choking her and grabbing her backside. Additionally, she was subjected to receiving sexually explicit images from another manager.

An underage male employee, aged 16, was approached with offers to engage in sexual acts in exchange for vaping products.

A manager demonstrated predatory behavior by targeting young female newcomers, attempting to pressure them into engaging in sexual activities.

A female employee shared experiences of being subjected to a slur and enduring racist jokes.

An incident involving anti-Semitic abuse was also documented.

A current employee, originally from India, revealed that crew members mocked and imitated individuals by speaking in 'gibberish'. Furthermore, they referred to a Pakistani colleague as a terrorist.

This investigation follows McDonald's commitment to the UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), wherein the company agreed to implement measures to safeguard employees from sexual harassment.

Huw Edwards Is The BBC Presenter At Centre Of Explicit Photos Controversy: His Wife Reveals

In response to the allegations, Alistair Macrow, the UK Chief Executive of McDonald's, expressed his commitment to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace for the company's 177,000 employees in the UK. Macrow stated, "There are clearly instances where we have fallen short, and for that, we deeply apologize."

He also said that any proven violations of the company's code of conduct will be met with severe disciplinary actions, including potential dismissal.

The EHRC has expressed concern regarding these allegations and stated that it will examine them in the context of the existing legal agreement with McDonald's to address sexual harassment of staff in its restaurants.

It is noteworthy that McDonald's employs one of the youngest workforces in the UK, with approximately 75% of its workers aged between 16 and 25.

The BBC's investigation revealed that employees, some as young as 17, reported incidents of routine groping and harassment.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 21:06 [IST]
Chandrayaan-3 Launch LIVE Streaming: When And Where To Watch ISRO's LIVE Telecast

Is PAN-Aadhaar Linking Mandatory To Claim CRCS Sahara Refund? All Your FAQs Answered

CRCS Sahara Refund Portal: Online Login Link To Claim Refund, Who Is Eligible; Details Inside

New Delhi

oi-Deepika S

In a major relief to depositors, the central government has launched the CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal to assist investors of Sahara Group cooperative societies in recovering their money.

With this, the process of returning the amount of Rs 5,000 crore to the investors began on Tuesday in a transparent manner on a trial basis.

Sahara refund: Who will get?

Only eligible depositors of four Sahara group societies can apply for a refund on the CRCS Sahara Refund Portal.

Sahara Credit Cooperative Society Ltd.

Humara India Credit Cooperative Society Ltd.

Saharayan Universal Multipurpose Society Ltd.

Stars Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd

Sahara refund: Where to apply

To claim the refund, investors need to visit the website to apply for Sahara Refund online is https://mocrefund.crcs.gov.in

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How long will it take to get a refund?

The government has assured that the money will be deposited into the bank account of the claimants within 45 days.

Sahara Refund: How many will benefit?

In the initial stage, the Sahara refund scheme will benefit about one crore depositors. In total, approximately 1.78 crore small investors, whose money up to Rs 30,000 is stuck, will get their money back.

How to claim refund on multiple deposit accounts in Sahara Group?

Depositor needs to fill out a single Claim Application Form for all of them. Additionally, Depositors must scan and upload the original certificate of deposit (CD) or passbook individually for each account, according to the government.

Documents needed for the claim above Rs 50,000

Deposit certificate/ Passbook

PAN card

Claim Request Form

Details you need to provide to submit a claim request

Membership no.

Deposit Account no.

Aadhaar-linked Mobile number

Deposit certificates, Passbook

PAN card



Sahara Refund Fee: Do you have to pay any fee?

According to the government refund application is free of cost. You don't have to pay any applicable charges for filing the Claim form.

CRCS Sahara Refund Portal: Depositor Login Link

Here is the direct link to Sahara refund portal: https://mocrefund.crcs.gov.in/Depositor/Login

Step-by-step guide to register on Sahara Refund portal

Go to the CRCS Sahara Refund Portal ( https://mocrefund.crcs.gov.in )

) On the homepage, click on 'Depositor Registration.'

Provide the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar Card, and mobile number linked with Aadhaar, on the Registration Page.

Now, click on 'Get OTP' and enter the OTP received on your mobile number.

After the verification of OTP, your registration process will be successful.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 14:04 [IST]
Chopped Body Parts Of Woman Found From Wooded Area In Delhi's Geeta Colony

Chandrayaan-3 Launch LIVE Streaming: When And Where To Watch ISRO's LIVE Telecast

CRCS Sahara Refund Portal: Online Login Link To Claim Refund, Who Is Eligible; Details Inside

Is PAN-Aadhaar Linking Mandatory To Claim CRCS Sahara Refund? All Your FAQs Answered

New Delhi

oi-Deepika S

In a much-needed relief to crores of depositors who have their money stuck in Sahara Group, the central government announced the launch of 'The CRCS Sahara Refund Portal'.

The new online platform aims to help crores of depositors associated with the Sahara Group claim their money back.

However, you need to follow several terms and conditions to claim deposits.

According to a government press release, the Depositor has to provide details of PAN card mandatorily, if the claim amount is Rs. 50,000/- and above, across all Sahara Societies.

To avail the benefits, the applicant must ensure their Aadhaar and mobile number are linked with the bank account where the refund is to be deposited.

What is CRCS Sahara Refund Portal?

The CRCS Sahara Refund Portal is an online platform designed for processing refunds of depositors of four Sahara Group Co-operative Societies as per the Hon'ble Supreme Court directive dated 29th March 2023.

CRCS Sahara Refund Portal: Online Login Link To Claim Refund, Who Is Eligible; Details Inside

Is the CRCS Sahara Refund Portal secured?

Yes, the CRCS Refund Portal is a secured online platform with SSL Certificate.

Is PAN number mandatory to claim Sahara refund?

Yes, the Depositor has to provide details of PAN card mandatorily, if claim amount is Rs. 50,000/- and above, across all Sahara Societies.

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What if I do not have a PAN card?

Depositor must have a PAN card, if the claim amount is Rs. 50,000/- and above.

Are Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers and Bank Accounts mandatory?

Yes, the Depositor should have Aadhaar linked to mobile No. and Aadhaar seeded Bank account mandatorily without which, the claim request cannot be filed on the Portal.

How to link Aadhaar with Mobile number?

Visit the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra for linking Aadhaar with Mobile number.

Can a Depositor file a claim request, if he/she does not have an Aadhaar seeded bank account?

No, without Aadhaar seeded bank account Depositor cannot file a Claim. The Aadhaar seeding shall facilitate secure fund transfer to the genuine Depositor's Bank account.

What is Aadhaar seeded Bank account?

Aadhaar seeded Bank account refers to a Bank Account that is linked or connected to the Aadhaar no. of the account holder.

How to check Aadhaar seeding with Bank account?

Visit the UIDAI website link https://resident.uidai.gov.in/bank-mapper to check the status of Aadhaar seeding with a Bank account.

How to seed Aadhaar with a Bank account?

The Depositor basis the facility available with their respective Bank can undertake Aadhaar seeding with a Bank account through the below options:

Registration through Internet Banking Registration through the Bank's Mobile App Registration through visiting Bank and submitting a physical form. Registration through the Bank's ATM Registration through the SMS Registration through phone Banking

Will Depositor's Aadhaar information be stored on the Portal?

No, the Depositor's Aadhaar information is not stored on the Portal. It is encrypted as per UIDAI norms.

Can the Depositor change Aadhaar seeded bank account details after submission?

No, the Depositor cannot change the Aadhaar-seeded bank account details after submission.

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 19, 2023, 15:42 [IST]
Rumble 07 Aug 2023

In this show John talks with Alex Thomson of UK Column News about the Intelligence Agencies such as MI6, the CIA, the NSA, GCHQ,..
Department 1  Judge Kriston HillJune 7Andrew Christopher Cox, 22, pleaded guilty to battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, was given a suspended sentence of 19 to 48 months in prison, probation for two years and ordered to successfully complete mental health court.

Jamie Rae Moore, 47, pleaded guilty to attempted receiving, possessing or withholding stolen goods and was sentenced to one year in jail.

Summer Chance Smith, 38, pleaded no contest to principal mid-level possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, was given a suspended sentence of 48 to 120 months in prison and was placed on probation for three years.

Department 2  Judge Al KacinJune 29Andrea Delfina Gonzales, 34, pleaded no contest to embezzlement, was sentenced to 16 to 60 months in prison and was ordered to pay $121,271.22 restitution to the victim.

Andrea Delfina Gonzales, 34, pleaded guilty to attempted embezzlement, was given a suspended sentence of 16 to 48 months in prison to be served consecutively to her previous sentence, was ordered to pay $10,625 restitution to the victim and was placed on probation for two years.

Jacob Clyde Rutherford, 34, pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 66 days in jail.

Department 3  Judge Mason SimonsJune 21Aaron Mark Bloomfield, 40, had his probation revoked for attempted grand larceny of a motor vehicle and was ordered to serve 19 to 48 months in prison.

Todd Shawn Cook, 48, had his probation revoked for burglary of a structure and was ordered to serve 19 to 48 months in prison and pay $204.87 restitution to the Nevada Attorney Generals Office for extradition costs.

Department 3  Judge William Maddox June 26Chancy Kenneth Thomas Yates, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary of a residence and one count of grand larceny and was sentenced to 24 to 120 months in prison and ordered to pay $500 reimbursement to Elko County for attorneys fees.

June 27Jarrett Tyler Beckner, 27, pleaded no contest to forgery and was sentenced to 16 to 40 months in prison.

Rocky Stanley Salazar, 41, pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a firearm by an ex-felon, was given a suspended sentence of 12 to 30 months in prison and was placed on probation for two years.
Thirty-six years after it was first tried, a combined Australia-New Zealand side will take on the best of the UK and Ireland in the Lions 2025 tour of Australia.
The word "pushback" has entered the EU's lexicon along with hundreds of thousands of people who have sought asylum in the bloc since 2015. Campaigners say "pushbacks" are now so systematic, they are de facto policy.
Fiona Scott Morton, who served in the US Justice Department during the Obama era, was hired to advise the European Commission on its probes into big tech firms. Her appointment was criticized by EU leaders and lawmakers.
Russian President Putin will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit amid concerns he could be arrested in South Africa on an ICC warrant for war crimes. Follow DW for the latest.
The missiles fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, Tokyo has said. The US military said the launch poses no immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to Washington's allies.
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The British and Irish Lions will play a New Zealand and Australia invitational XV as part of their nine-match tour down under in 2025.
Despite its sudden exit from the United Nations-brokered agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grains, Moscow says it will..

Eurasia Review 24 Jul 2023
The head of MI6 has urged Russian officials appalled by the horrors of Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine to "join hands with us" and spy for the UK to help end the bloodshed.
Canada is dusting off and updating emergency protocols to deal with fallout from a possible tactical nuclear exchange in Europe or the spread of radiation across the ocean from a Ukrainian power plant explosion.
ELKO  A wildfire that started Monday in a remote Elko County wilderness study area has burned more than 200 acres.

The Snowstorm Fire is in the Little Humboldt River Wilderness Study Area. It was reported around 8:45 p.m. Monday and has burned approximately 228 acres, making it the largest fire in the Elko District so far this year.

The cause has not been determined. The region near the western border of Elko County is habitat to sage grouse and other wildlife, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

Several small fires were also reported in White Pine County after thunderstorms moved through central Nevada on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service forecast for the Elko area calls for a 30% chance of thunderstorms Wednesday with highs in the lower 90s.

Temperatures will climb to around 100 by the weekend.
The 37-year-old Ohio Republican is rising in the polls as many GOP voters search for an alternative to Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.


Democratic mega-donor Reid Hoffman has maxed out donations to California Democratic hopeful Will Rollins and could prove to be a major player in the highly contested race.
A judge is refusing to dismiss several discrimination lawsuits that accused Georgias current maps, which were redrawn by the GOP in 2020, of violating the Voting Rights Act.
The Department of Defense announced Wednesday that the U.S. will send a security package to Ukraine with munitions, resources worth more than a billion dollars.
A US soldier who served around two months in a South Korean jail on assault charges was believed to be in North Korean custody on Wednesday after crossing the heavily fortified border without authorisation, officials said.
The British and Irish Lions will face a joint Australia-New Zealand side in an unofficial "fourth Test" on their 2025 tour, which will include matches against the Wallabies.
A fire broke out on Wednesday at a military training field in annexed Crimea, the Russian-installed governor said, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of more than 2 000 civilians.
Eurasia Review 28 Jul 2023

It is generally recognized that any discussion on South Asia without reference to India would be putting the cart before the..
Lady Ridgeway Hospital doctors on strike for the first time in history

Posted by Editor on July 19, 2023 - 9:15 am

A 24-hour token strike has been launched at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children starting from 8:00 AM today (July 19) will go down in history as the first strike at the hospital.

The token strike has been launched by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) in protest over the Health Ministrys failure to take necessary action against an ill-tempered female specialist doctor attached to the Ward 8B of the Hospital, sources said.

Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association Dr. Haritha Aluthge said due to the strike at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for the first time, outpatient department (OPD) services could be affected today.
Hai Van Pass is a famous mountainous pass on Vietnams Central Coast, with the area being renowned for its winding roads and exceptional scenery. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Travel by train is the first choice for the trip, with trains travel from Da Nang to Hue along the rail route that stretches from Ho Chi Minh City in the south all the way up to Hanoi in the north.

However, there is no train station at Hoi An, meaning visitors will first need to reach Da Nang. According to the schedule, trains take from 2.5 to three hours depending on the service, the website wrote.

As in many places in Southeast Asia, the cheapest way to get between Hoi An or Da Nang and Hue is by bus. The bus trip takes four to five hours leaving from Hoi An and three to 3.5 hours out of Da Nang, meaning an overnight bus isnt necessary.

Taking a taxi or a private car is by far the quickest option for those traveling the 126km distance from Hoi An to Hue.

This is also the most comfortable way to experience the Hai Van Pass. A famous mountainous pass on Vietnams Central Coast, with the area being renowned for its winding roads and exceptional scenery, Road Affair recommended.

Travelling by motorbike is the fourth option for the trip. The best way to experience the Hai Van Pass is by motorbike. On the back of a bike, travelers are able to feel every twist and turn in the road, all the while staring out at the legendary 21km-long mountain pass. They can also stop and go as they want, meaning they can spend as long there as they like.

In certain cases, flying can also be a really affordable and useful way of getting around Vietnam, although not so in this case.

According to Road Affair, there are no direct flights for this route, meaning its really not practical to fly such a short distance. Travelers need to connect through either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, meaning flights would take at least four hours on a good connection.

Booking a tour is the easiest way to get from either Hoi An or Da Nang to Hue.

Each way has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so its really up to travelers to decide which best suits them and their trip, the travel website concluded.

Vietnam moves to attract more Indian tourists

India is seen as a potential market for Vietnams tourism, and the country will strengthen promotion activities to lure more holiday-makers from the South Asian market, VNA quoted the saying of Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh.

India is seen as a potential market for Vietnams tourism,. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam welcomed 5.6 million foreign tourists, including 141,000 Indian arrivals, in the first six months of 2013. India was the 10th largest tourism market in the period.

The improved air links between Vietnam and India have made it easier for travelers of the two nations.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, and Vietjet Air of Vietnam, along with IndiGo of India, have opened numerous air routes connecting Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc to New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata in India.

Visitors in Phu Quoc, Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

Many other famous tourism places such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Ha Long, and Hoi An are popular for Indian travelers.

According to a survey of VNATs Tourism Development Research Institute, India is seen as one of the attractive tourism markets for Vietnam to target.

Photo for illustration (Source: vneconomy.vn/)

It is a potential tourism market segment but can be challenging to tap into, the institute said.

Tourism companies need to have a well-prepared workforce that understands Indian culture, lifestyle, habits, and cuisine, thus providing suitable services to Indian visitors, it noted.

Last year, as many as 137,000 Indian tourists visited Vietnam, ranking ninth among the 10 largest tourism markets of Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Indigo are operating 21 direct air routes with 60 flights per week.

New cave discovered in Tuyen Quang

A new cave has been recently found and explored in Na Hang District of the northern province of Tuyen Quang, reported Saigon Times.

Behold the stunning view of the recently-discovered cave in Na Hang District, Tuyen Quang Province - Photo: Tuyenquang.gov.vn

The cave is just a 25-minute stroll from the center of Khau Quang neighborhood, Na Kha Village, Nang Kha Commune.

The cave boasts an array of remarkable stalactite formations, showcasing their pristine beauty and unique shapes. Its complex and diverse structure features a labyrinth of winding passages and intricate pathways, inviting adventurers to explore its depths.

So far, the intrepid team of explorers has charted around 150 meters of this cave. However, it is believed that the cave extends much further, concealing even more impressive stalactite and rock formations waiting to be unveiled.

As news spreads, the local government is assessing the safety of the cave and developing plans for its preservation and eco-friendly tourism opportunities./.
Quench Your Thirst for Wins with Gamzix's 'Juicy Win: Hold the Spin' Slot

Published July 17, 2023 by OCR Editor

Get ready for a refreshing gaming experience with Gamzix's latest slot release, "Juicy Win: Hold the Spin." Indulge in the tropical cocktail-themed game, featuring fruit symbols, bonus features, and the exciting Hold the Spin mechanics. Sip on this juicy slot and chase after big wins!

Gamzix, the renowned full-cycle B2B provider, has delighted players with the launch of its latest slot game, "Juicy Win: Hold the Spin." As summer heats, Gamzix ensures players have a delectable treat to savor. Immerse yourself in this tropical cocktail-themed slot and experience the ultimate summer vibe.

"Juicy Win: Hold the Spin" is a classic 3x3 slot game featuring 5 fixed paylines. The reels are adorned with a collection of fresh fruits, reminiscent of traditional designs. With the inclusion of Wild and Bonus symbols, players can form special combinations and aim for a Mega Win. To trigger the Bonus game, where Moving Symbols and the chance to win one of four Jackpots await, players must collect 3 Coins on the reels.

During the Bonus Game, the Hold the Spin mechanics come into play:

Players start with 3 respins.

Only Bonus symbols land on the reels.

Bonus symbols move downward with each spin and payout as long as they remain on the reels.

With the Gamble feature, players can double round wins of a successful spin in "Juicy Win: Hold the Spin". The excitement and rewards are abundant, with a maximum win potential exceeding x3600 and an RTP ranging from 94% to 96%.

Lida Kosohova, CCO at Gamzix, expressed her enthusiasm for seasonal games, stating, "It is impossible to create the entire mood with just one slot, but it undoubtedly adds the necessary vibe to the iGaming experience. 'Juicy Win' combines three elements that our players adore: a fruit theme, Hold the Spin mechanics, and the summer mood."

Indulge in the refreshing delights of "Juicy Win: Hold the Spin" and let Gamzix whisk you away to a world of fruity fun and big wins. Cheers to a delightful gaming experience this summer!

About Gamzix

Gamzix, founded in 2020 in Tallinn, Estonia, has rapidly expanded its operations and now boasts offices in Cyprus and Ukraine. The company is dedicated to crafting captivating and diverse online video slots. Despite its relatively short existence, Gamzix has put in significant effort to curate an impressive and engaging portfolio.
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A fintech business called Utorg provides a cutting-edge on/off-ramp and web3 consumer infrastructure to provide a distinctive user experience to all customers who are looking for service offering hassle-free crypto exchange services and products. The company has been around since 2019. It is based in Tallinn, Estonia. Based in European Union, Utorh has all the necessary licenses to offer its services and products in Europe and other parts of the globe.

More specifically, Utorg has a PCI DSS certificate, alongside other required licenses. More specifically, the company has a license to offer virtual currency services, including wallet services, virtual currency exchanges against fiat currencies, and virtual currency exchanges against other virtual currencies.

The team working behind the scene has remarkable background knowledge and experience working in different financial departments, including smart contracts, payment security, online banking, credit card banking, and more. With such an amazing team working behind the scene, Utorg can meet all the most difficult client requests.

At the time of writing this, Utorg has three main investors, including TA Ventures, Dragonfly, and hypra.fund. When it comes to using Utorg services and products to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, no extra fees apply and the whole registration process to use Utorg services is rather straightforward.

In addition, thanks to relying on the standardized KYC/AML process, the company has been able to reduce the amount of human involvement. As a result, Utorg offers more cost-effective, faster, and more practical options to customers who wish to exchange virtual currencies with fiat currencies and vice versa.

There is also Utorg free to download app working on most iOS and Android mobile devices. The Utorg app is available in over 170 countries and 11 US states. With the app, customers can store, send, and receive cryptos, access their smart transaction history, and view recent crypto prices while maintaining full control over their private keys.

When it comes to using Utorg services and products as an iGaming fan, there is a number of online casinos that allow deposits and withdrawals via Utorg. Once again, the service is operational in over 170 countries, and many of these have legalized online gambling activities. Utorg transactions are generally processed in less than five minutes and commission fees usually do not apply.

How to Make a Deposit Using Utorg? Now, we take a look at the process of making online casino deposits using Utorg and the whole process is rather straightforward once you have your Utorg wallet all set up. Register at the Utorg Official Site Register at the Utorg Official Site Register at the Utorg Official Site Register at the Utorg Official Site Once you have registered for an account at the official Utorg website, we recommend you get the Utorg app. The app is free to download and it works on most modern iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. Once you have registered for an account at the official Utorg website, we recommend you get the Utorg app. The app is free to download and it works on most modern iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. Set Your Utorg Crypto Wallet Next, you want to set up your Utorg wallet. New customers can make transactions up to 8,000 and the limits can be increased later on. To set up your Utorg account, you also want to link your credit/debit card to buy Bitcoin and other cryptos. Next, you want to set up your Utorg wallet. New customers can make transactions up to 8,000 and the limits can be increased later on. To set up your Utorg account, you also want to link your credit/debit card to buy Bitcoin and other cryptos. Find a Reputable Utorg Online Casino Find a Reputable Utorg Online Casino Find a Reputable Utorg Online Casino Register at Your Chosen Utorg Online Casino The next step is to register for an account at your chosen online casino. Once you have registered for an account, you will be asked to verify your identity and this is a common practice and nothing to worry about. The next step is to register for an account at your chosen online casino. Once you have registered for an account, you will be asked to verify your identity and this is a common practice and nothing to worry about. Choose Utorg from the List of Deposit Options Choose Utorg from the List of Deposit Options Choose Utorg from the List of Deposit Options Specify the Amount to Deposit Next, you enter your Utorg account details and you specify the amount you want to deposit. Using your Utorg app, verify your deposit request and your funds will reach your online casino account shortly if you have funds stored in your Utorg wallet. Next, you enter your Utorg account details and you specify the amount you want to deposit. Using your Utorg app, verify your deposit request and your funds will reach your online casino account shortly if you have funds stored in your Utorg wallet.

How to Withdraw Using Utorg? Most online casinos that let you make deposits via Utorg also accept the same service as one of their withdrawal options, and the process of making Utorg online casino withdrawals is discussed below. Access Your Casinos Cashier Since you have already set up your Utorg account, no extra steps are required to make Utorg casino withdrawals. To make a withdrawal, access your casinos Cashier page, and from the list of available payout options, click on the Utorg logo. Since you have already set up your Utorg account, no extra steps are required to make Utorg casino withdrawals. To make a withdrawal, access your casinos Cashier page, and from the list of available payout options, click on the Utorg logo. Specify the Amount to Withdraw Once you pick Utorg as your preferred withdrawal option, a new window will pop up and here you enter the amount of funds you want to withdraw, alongside your Utorg account details. Once you pick Utorg as your preferred withdrawal option, a new window will pop up and here you enter the amount of funds you want to withdraw, alongside your Utorg account details. Verify Your Withdrawal Request The last step is to verify your Utorg withdrawal request. Most online casinos process Utorg withdrawals free of charge. In addition, Utorg online casino withdrawals are usually processed on the same day. The last step is to verify your Utorg withdrawal request. Most online casinos process Utorg withdrawals free of charge. In addition, Utorg online casino withdrawals are usually processed on the same day.

Safety and security

When it comes to Utorg safety and security, customers have nothing to worry about. First of all, the company in charge has a PCI DSS certificate which means it operates according to all strict practices employed in the EU and other parts of the globe enforced by the PCI Security Standards Council. The company must comply with six core objectives, twelve important requirements, seventy-eight base requirements, more than four hundred test processes, and regular external audits in order to receive PCI DSS certification, and Utorg complies with all of these. A well-known collection of guidelines known as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created to safeguard cardholders' personal information and improve the security of transactions involving credit, debit, and other card payments. In addition, the company has also integrated the MasterCard SecureCodeTM and Visa Secure 3-D Secure standards to assure long-term protection of your funds and private information you share to make Utorg casino and other transactions. Other common safety and security measures are also employed.

FAQ
Lebanese clans living in Germany, who are involved in drug trafficking, have caused death and mayhem. The German police responded to a massive brawl that broke out on June 16 in front of a restaurant in Essen that left a 23-year-old Syrian man dead, several German police officers injured, and 150 Lebanese arrested. The Lebanese clans operate in Germany as a mafia while controlling drug smuggling and distribution. The police used water cannons and a helicopter to try to contain the violence.

A Syrian family became involved in a dispute with the Lebanese, and the fight began involving hundreds of people on both sides of the conflict, and spread to other areas. Syrian refugees number 800,000 according to a March 2021 survey. It is the largest refugee community in Germany. The largest influx of Syrian refugees arrived in Germany from walking on foot across Europe after taking Turkish smuggling boats to Greece in the summer of 2015 when about 350,000 arrived asking for asylum. From the outset, the illegal smuggling activity is what got them to Germany. They were rewarded for breaking European immigration laws. The Syrians since then have continued to arrive.

The fighting in Syria has been over since 2017, but the country was never allowed to rebuild because of US and EU sanctions, which prevent any reconstruction or creation of new jobs. The Syrians are economic migrants. They are not fleeing war; they are fleeing poverty and the sanctions that are designed to keep the Syrian people suffering. The US and EU foreign policy on Syria is to keep the citizens so poverty stricken, that they will rise up and overthrow the Damascus government. That was unable to be accomplished by the terrorists that the US and NATO employed since 2011, and it will not be possible now that the terrorists are gone. The typical Syrian refugee in Germany, or anywhere, is an economic migrant who is firstly looking to obtain free benefits offered by the government, such as a monthly welfare check, free housing, food and medicine. Syrians are not there to put down roots, or become German. They seek German citizenship only as a means of staying there, and being able to travel easily on vacations and family visits.

Syrians are typically learning the German language just enough to qualify for benefits, or to get a job. Syrian women are not looking to work; they prefer to remain at home unemployed even if their children are grown. Even though working women are common inside Syria, the female Syrian refugee is not looking to contribute to the household income. Syrian refugees in Germany are typically not interested in German politics, or political parties. Firstly, to join a party and vote a person must hold citizenship. Secondly, the name of the main political party is the Christian Democrat party, and almost all the Syrians are Muslim, which creates an immediate disassociation with the party.

Syrians don't feel German, or that the country is their home. It is just a place to live safely, and gain an income. They generally don't have any German friends, other than saying hello to co-workers or neighbors. Syrian women tend to only associate with other Syrian women, and only speak Arabic, further isolating them from German society. The children are very affected by their home life. The German child protective services have been busy taking Syrian children away from their refugee parents. German neighbors are reporting parents who may spank or scream at their children. The Syrian customs of childrearing are not the same as European norms. Taking small children away from their own parents is a form of torture.

LGBTQ issues are understood and accepted in Europe, but are not accepted by countries in the Middle East, including Lebanon. Syrian refugee families in Germany have been teaching their children that Islam does not approve of the LGBTQ lifestyle, although all German laws protecting that community are to be obeyed. Syrians are asking their children to not participate in Gay Pride activities in school. This has led to German authorities issuing court decrees to remove young school-aged children from their Muslim parents. Syrian Christian families hold the same views on the issue of LGBTQ as the Syrian Muslim families. The Syrian culture is 10,000 years old, and the Christians in Syria were worshipping in churches when the German pagans were building bonfires and worshipping fire. We have heard of the concept of the clash of civilizations, and east meets west in Germany, and the project of Syrian integration in Germany is a failed project. Sweden is also taking school-aged children away from their Syrian parents and placing them into a foster home, and the parents are prevented from even knowing where the child is.

The Swedish Social Services are teaching at the schools what is allowed and not allowed at home. This encourages the children to then report on their parents, which results in the child being taken away permanently. There are many Syrians who have left home to find their place abroad. They have become productive members of society around the world, and may remain abroad for all their life. There is even a Syrian refugee who became the Mayor of a small town in Germany. The US-NATO regime-change project engineered by US President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden is a failure. It is time to allow Syria to be rebuilt and recover from an unjust war that left death and destruction in its path. The US and EU sanctions should be lifted and foreign investment in rebuilding begun. Eventually, those Syrians who are not interested in remaining in Germany, or elsewhere forever, can plan to return home to work and live in their own culture and religion.

Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award winning journalist
By Robert Weiner and Charlyn Chu



With Trump and DeSantis being the only Republican candidates in double digits and accounting for over 70% of Republican voters polled, we've learned what motivates most Republican primary voters: It's fear of the "replacement theory."

In a report by the US Census, the year 2030 was identified as a demographic turning point: the main driver of population growth would be immigration, rather than natural growth due to population aging. While non-Hispanic whites are still projected to remain the largest racial group in the next 40 years, they will likely no longer constitute the majority starting in 2045.

As the United States heads towards a future marked by increased racial and ethnic diversity, the question arises: What exactly are Trump and DeSantis supporters most concerned about, and why does the anti-immigrant message resonate? The answer lies in the notion of "replacement."

The Great Replacement Theory (GRT), propagated by white nationalists, suggests that racial minorities, immigrants, and Jews are intentionally having babies and entering the country to replace white, native-born Americans.

Their anxieties about impending population shifts are clear when observing their efforts to undermine the influence of certain demographics. From gerrymandering practices to separation of families at the border and banning of black history books, their actions betray a fear of losing control in the face of changing population dynamics.

In 2021, Tucker Carlson claimed the Democratic Party was "trying to replace the current electorate with new people, more obedient voters from the Third World". An SPLC poll showed that 7/10 Republicans believed demographic changes were a real threat, driven by progressive and liberal politicians.

In 2022, Payton Gendron, perpetrator of the Buffalo shooting, cited replacement theory as his motive in a 180-page manifesto. Concerned about declining white birth rates and white genocide, his response was to target a predominantly black community.

Those who wholeheartedly believe in replacement theory appear to have a hatred towards those who are not of 'pure' white race. These racist sentiments date back to atrocities like the KKK, Jim Crow, Nazi persecution of Jews, and outdated pseudo-science that placed white Christian Europeans at the apex of racial classification pyramids.

Regrettably, even if GOP lawmakers themselves may not hold such extreme views, they often espouse replacement rhetoric to incite their voter base. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) ran ads parroting the GRT:

"Radical Democrats are planning their most aggressive move yet: a PERMANENT ELECTION INSURRECTION--Their plan to grant amnesty to 11 MILLION illegal immigrants will overthrow our current electorate and create a permanent liberal majority in Washington."

Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tweeted "The Biden administration is sending pallets of baby formula to the border for illegal aliens, while American mothers are crying in the grocery store searching for it."

For DeSantis supporters, replacement theory is yet another reason to attack the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights as white nationalists see homosexuality as "a refusal to produce the children needed to restore a majority white nation."

Immigration and the unfounded notion of 'replacement theory' should not be sources of fear. For those who harbor such fears, it is often rooted in ignorance: thus why cultural diversity is crucial to dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases.

With a projected growth in US diversity, time may solve the problem. Increasing diversity challenges beliefs that other racial and ethnic groups are monolithic or have contradicting values, allaying fears of replacement.

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Dear Annie: My husband, Gary, is unemployed. Has been for the 4.5 years weve been together. Although I work 40 hours a week or more, at least he cleans up the house and does laundry.

We broke up at the end of March but recently got back together. His aunt comes to watch the kids while I work, and he leaves. I clean for a living and after eight hours do not want to come home and clean. I have to go straight into mom mode and get our daughter and son ready for bed, clean up the house and do dishes.

I feel that since I work five days a week (12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and get home around 9:15 p.m., he should stay home with the kids. Hes not a very paternal person; some men just arent. But he doesnt do anything with the kids. Also, he gets mad at me because Im too tired (mainly for sex) and thinks I should give him money whenever he asks, which hell just blow on gambling.

I love him, but it feels like a lot more work than it should be, and Im not that happy. He also knows what to say that can make me feel bad for not wanting sex or wanting to just go to bed. Please, any advice? -- Unappreciated

Dear Unappreciated: First, I want to acknowledge how hard you are working. You sound like a wonderful mom who is providing for her family and being present when they get home. My advice is to tell your husband that the current situation is not working for you.

He should either get a job and you can stay home with the children, or he stays home with them and stops gambling. Blowing your hard-earned money on gambling sounds like he might have an addiction. Regardless, you need to stop letting him treat you with such disrespect, and the only way to do that is to stop giving him money. Seek the help of a professional marriage counselor.

Dear Annie: Some of your younger readers have written to you about not knowing where to start with credit in their finances. This reflects a pet peeve of mine, which is the sad state of education for our young people. Sometimes, there is some level of personal financial education, but all too often, there is none! Given that financial knowledge is of such huge importance, in my mind it is criminal that more education in personal finance does not take place. I say shame on our educational system!

I remember when I was still a teenager, in the early 60s, I needed something and did not have the money for it (all of $35 in those days). Sears gave me a credit account, which I dutifully paid off. Building on that small start, I have over the years built an excellent credit rating. The key was to start small and be responsible.

I am in the financial planning business, and in our practice, we have primarily middle-income Americans, plus a few high-net-worth clients. But we also have more than a few quite small clients (usually participants in small company retirement plans). We have always subscribed to the adage that from small acorns, big oak trees grow. My point is there are financial advisers out there who are willing to give an earnest young person advice. -- Financial Protection

Dear Financial: That is excellent advice, and your experience with that first credit account was invaluable. In fact, it has lasted a lifetime for you, as it will for others who follow your advice. Thank you for writing.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
Michael Kanter has slowly grown his business over nearly a decade, expanding Eliots Nut Butters from his at-home kitchen in North Portland to a line of nationally distributed nut butters.

Marketed as grown-up nut butters, the small-scale food business was an award-winning fan favorite, with flavors drawn from Thai and Indian cuisine, as well as a jolting flavor studded with espresso grounds. But just as Eliots Nut Butters was about to hit its 10-year milestone, financial hardships, a large recall and a strained relationship with a distributor forced Kanters hand. Eliots Nut Butters shut down for good in March.

This kind of collapse isnt an isolated incident. Many food businesses in the Portland area are finding their startups harder than ever to keep afloat.

Director of Product and Process Development Sarah Masoni works with food entrepreneurs at Oregon State Universitys Food Innovation Center to develop their products in the challenging market.

The economy and supply chain issues are huge, Masoni said. And weve seen a lot of our companies that were probably started about 10 or 11 years ago, just throw in the towel.

Food entrepreneurs say their challenges are difficult to pin on one issue. Changes in the economy, supply-chain issues, rising prices and the consolidation of distributors and retailers are just some of the obstacles.

But as a result, they say its much harder to thrive in todays market than it was only five years ago.

As a small brand, the industry is tilted against us, Kanter said.

Michael Kanter's company Eliot's Nut Butters stayed in business for almost 10 years until shutting down in March due to financial hardship.Michael Kanter

The consolidation of grocers and distribution companies is a key issue among food entrepreneurs that is creating barriers for small food companies to grow in Portland.

In 2019, a Portland-based grocery chain that specializes in local offerings, New Seasons, was sold to a South Korean company. Some smaller grocers with a similar local have disappeared altogether. In recent months, Green Zebra grocery has shut down all Portland stores, and Food Front Cooperative Grocery has closed after 51 years.

A proposed merger between Kroger, which owns Fred Meyer and QFC, and Albertsons, which owns Safeway, could further consolidate the grocery landscape.

Thats left food entrepreneurs with fewer options to carry their products.

Some consolidation in the grocery industry is nearly invisible to customers, but has had just as dramatic an effect, food producers say.

Distribution companies  the middlemen between food manufacturers and retailers  are also consolidating. DPI Specialty Foods, a west-coast distributor, was recently bought by KeHE Distributors, a massive national distribution company.

Local grocers and distributors are often more likely to work with small businesses, and without them, the producers have to make their pitch to bigger companies with broader distribution.

Larger companies also come with much higher costs. Distribution fees and a large percentage of profits can go directly into the corporations hands. In some cases, selling products at a new grocery chain can be more expensive than its worth.

Kanter said that played a big role in closing the book on Eliots Nut Butters. Given the opportunity to have his product sold on the shelves of a new grocery chain, Kanter opted to work with a large national distribution company, even though he had previously been avoiding it.

We took a lot of losses  both in time and money working with them, and just their kind of concentrated power, Kanter said.

Many small businesses struggle with the cost of distribution and packaging materials.Chiara Profenna/The Oregonian

A large product recall from Kanters out-of-state co-packer was another result of expansion gone awry. After one year of production, everything made in the facility was recalled, which led to an enormous loss of money and resources.

Jumping into business with large distribution companies can be detrimental for small makers if they dont tread carefully. But without as many resources and options for growing their businesses, many food entrepreneurs feel like they dont have a choice.

Jana Jenkins, co-founder of Oregon Ag Distribution, offers support to makers through her small distribution center.

Made official in January 2021, Oregon Ag Distribution was started by necessity when Jenkins and her partner were trying to get their Oregon-grown rice on grocery store shelves in 2020.

We quickly realized that everything was shut down, Jenkins said. And if you were a little producer, you had no chance. Everything was stopped, so we went around ourselves and tried to sell it.

Once they found a grocer, they realized there was a need for other products as well and began collaborating with makers to get their products to the same store.

Oregon Ag Distribution has built up a small cohort of makers. Jenkins said her company is one of a shrinking number of local distribution companies that still exists to help small food businesses grow.

We care about our makers, we care about our brands, Jenkins said. We want to make sure theyre in business next year. Theres not a lot of knowledge for them with the big guys and a lot of them do go out of business.

As distribution options dwindle, the prices of ingredients and packaging goods have risen substantially.

When the price of ingredients and supplies for packaging goes up so astronomically, it just makes the ability to produce a product thats considered artisan very difficult, Masoni said. People just dont want to compromise quality.

Dan McLaughlin founded Portland Syrups in 2012, maintaining steady  but purposely slow  growth. McLaughlin said he had prioritized the sustainability of his business over rapid expansion, which benefited him in the long run.

We never really pushed  especially at the beginning  growth or sales, McLaughlin said. We just kind of did things that we enjoyed doing.

When the pandemic upended the global economy, Portland Syrups remained intact even though the supply chain was permanently altered and prices were quickly rising.

As businesses were declining during the pandemic and its aftershocks, McLaughlin found ways to sustain growth by switching to a new business model that prioritized consumer sales and developing his own custom packaging.

Portland Syrups has been able to stay in business with their direct-to-consumer and self-distribution business models.Chiara Profenna/The Oregonian

Custom packaging was more reliable, which helped McLaughlin avoid breaks in production. The containers could also be purchased in bulk, which helped the price of syrup bottles remain consistent throughout the pandemic.

We just lived in a world where pre-pandemic you could just buy whatever you wanted when you wanted it, McLaughlin said. But then all that changed.

Prices for packaging are more than twice what they were just five years ago, according to McLaughlin.

Not all businesses have been so lucky.

Elisa Wickstrom brought a fizzy root-based beverage line, Drink Rizhome, to market right before the pandemic. The timing couldnt have been worse. Eventually, rising costs of ingredients and packaging led to shutting down her business.

But Wickstrom said her experience as a food entrepreneur gave her valuable insight. She now helps run the Getting Your Recipe to Market program at Oregon State Universitys Food Innovation Center.

Ultimately, I found that I really liked working with businesses and supporting them in their growth, much more than I was loving on the ground sales or my own business, Wickstrom said.

Despite the economic tumult it brought, the pandemic only increased the rate at which Oregonians are starting businesses.

With this career shift, Wickstrom is adding to the strong network of support that exists for food entrepreneurs in Portland.

If I hadnt come to Portland, Wickstrom said, I probably never would have started a food business.

 Chiara Profenna

503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com; @chiara_profenna

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The Portland branch of law firm Snell & Wilmer is expanding its downtown office footprint as other commercial tenants leave the city center.

The business law firms 11 local attorneys will move into an office of about 11,500 square feet in the 24-story Moda Tower at the west end of the Morrison Bridge. The firm said the new location nearly triples its former office space in the Broadway Tower.
Fire crews are continuing to battle a large fire at a commercial site in Longview, Washington, that started Tuesday afternoon and spewed smoke across Clark County and eastern portions of the Portland metro area.

Longview Fire Marshal John Durham said the fire currently is contained to a large pile of woodchips used to create pulp and paper products at Nippon Dynawave Packaging at 1701 Industrial Way. The papermill previously belonged to the Weyerhaeuser Company, before the timber giant sold the facility in 2016.

The Longview Fire Department first responded to reports of a blaze at the paper mill around 6:40 p.m. It battled the blaze throughout the night with assistance from the Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and Cowlitz County Fire Districts 3, 5 and 6, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue and the Washington state Department of Natural Resources.

All of the papermill employees were accounted for last night and there have been no reported injuries to firefighting crews, Durham said.

Durham said he could not give an estimate on the size of the fire, but noted that the pile of woodchips was large enough to fill 100 semi-trucks.

Its taken a lot of resources, especially initially, Durham said. Its sizeable.

Durham said around 20 firefighters and five firefighting apparatuses are currently on site, down from about 45 firefighters and 8 apparatuses that battled the blaze overnight. A helicopter that can drop more than 2,500 gallons of water at a time is aiding firefighters.

Firefighting efforts could continue into Wednesday night given the size of the blaze, Durham said. He said the cause of the fire is not yet known.

Were gonna be here for the next several hours continuing the efforts here, and the investigation part wont begin until this phase is done, Durham said. It could be into tomorrow before we even have a chance to get in there and start looking.

 Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas

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Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (right) and WHO Representative in Vietnam Angela Pratt. (Photo: VNA)

At a reception for WHO Representative in Vietnam Angela Pratt in Hanoi, Ha spoke highly of the organisations coordinating role in the context of the world facing various disease challenges, and its support to Vietnam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official stressed that after the pandemic, Vietnam has worked to upgrade its medical system in anticipation of possible disease outbreaks in the future.

He also called for the WHOs assistance in addressing limitations in health insurance policies, and accessing quality and affordable medical products, medicines, biological products and vaccines, especially those that are not available in the expanded immunisation programme.

Ha noted his views on some specific matters like how to deal with diseases caused by environmental and water sources pollution, tobacco harm prevention, the removal of barriers to vaccine production technology access and transfer, drug quality control, and centralised drug bidding.

For her part, Pratt highlighted the close and effective cooperation between the WHO and Vietnam, which, she said, creates a foundation for the two sides to continue handling present difficulties in the medical sector.

The WHO will maintain its close coordination with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health to enhance Vietnams access to sources of vaccines included in its expanded immunisation programme, she affirmed.

She also commended Vietnam for its active engagement in future health care programmes and projects, as well as its climate commitments./.
Listen up, Portland. British historys about to get overthrown. Come July 25, the musical weve been waiting for since Showtime axed The Tudors kicks off its six-day reign at the Keller Auditorium.

Six reimagines the wives of King Henry VIII as a Spice Girl-sounding pop group, reuniting for a high-octane, high-octave concert confessional.

A monster hit on Londons West End and then Broadway (where it captured Tony Awards for its costume design and score), Six has taken the rest of the world by Beatles-esque storm, with productions launched in Sydney, Australia, and Seoul, South Korea, and soon Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland.

There are actually two North American tours at the moment; we get the original, dubbed the Aragon Tour. The shows run at the Keller is already sold out. But you still have a chance to score seats. A lottery for $36 tickets closes Friday, July 21.

I recently spoke by phone with Natalie Paris, who portrays Henry VIIIs third wife Jane Seymour (the only one he truly loved) and Courtney Mack, the kings fifth wife, Katherine Howard (K Howard is here, and the funs begun) to get the royal dish on the majestic musical.

Here are six takeaways you need to know.

Think Six is a knockoff of Hamilton? Guess again

Khaila Wilcoxon as Catherine of Aragon (center) in The North American SIX Aragon Tour.Joan Marcus

The curse of every new historical musical is that it inevitably will be compared to Lin Manuel-Mirandas revolutionary masterpiece Hamilton.

Its not a bad thing. Hamilton is incredible! said Paris. I think people use the comparison to Hamilton just because its a piece of history thats being told in a really modern and fresh way. But, actually, the concepts of the shows are totally different.

For one thing, Six is not a conventional book musical following an intricate, linear plot.

Playwrights/composers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss structured their hummable her-story as a singing competition among Henry VIIIs wives. While belting out their biographies, the queens are backed on stage by the Ladies in Waiting, an all-female, four-piece band.

Six spotlights women in history that didnt get any sort of recognition, said Mack. Their only claim to fame is that they married the same man. Its their personalized stories, and you get to learn about each queen, and learn about their history, instead of their history with Henry.

The tour includes Six OG royalty

Paris rocked the role of Jane Seymour for the record-breaking original run of Six on Londons West End, which is still going.

Mack has been with Six since it first hit U.S. stages, performing in pre-Broadway productions in Chicago and other cities, and then as an alternate in the Broadway show. Both joined this tour in May.

Paris said she literally had no idea the British musical would burst into a cross-continental blockbuster.

In this industry, when you get a job, its exciting. But you dont ever think This is going to be the next global phenomenon, Paris said. You never think that the show that youre doing is going to explode, even though you believe in what youre doing and you think its great. It was very unexpected for us.

Though shes played Seymour on and off for about six years (including early workshop versions of Six), Theres so much to continuously learn about her character, she said, particularly when different actresses step into the Six mix.

Its a great show as an audience member, but also being on stage with other incredible women, and the empowerment that comes with all of that, said Paris. Everyone brings an essence of themselves to the part, so it feels really exciting and new when you come to it with new queens.

Alternates were the heroes of Six on Broadway during COVID spikes

Courtney Mack as Katherine Howard in the North American Aragon Tour of SIX.Patrick Gray

Out of necessity, the alternates for the Broadway production of Six had to learn the roles of three queens. As the COVID-19 Omicron variant raced through the Great White Way during the 2021-22 season, these actors often took over roles just before a performance  or even during one.

I went on mid-show, said Mack, who in addition to Katherine Howard, knows the parts of Catharine Parr and Anne Boleyn by heart. I was knitting a baby blanket backstage and I had a blanket wrapped around my legs  I couldnt have been more relaxed  and then our stage manager over the loudspeaker said, Courtney, get into wig prep, get your makeup on. And I did the rest of the show. I was grateful that it was Howard because shes lived with me for such a long time.

It is an amazing feeling afterwards, Mack said. The moment that youre in it is terrifying because youre like, I didnt do the things that I needed to do before the show. But after its done youre like, Wow, I can do anything!

The queens were inspired by queens of pop

Natalie Paris as Jane Seymour in the North American Aragon Tour of "Six."Patrick Gray/KabikPhotoGroup.com

In vocal styles and costuming, the shows creators crafted their six leads around the instantly recognizable female rulers of contemporary music. (They call this Queenspiration.)

So, for example, Catherine of Aragon exudes the fierceness of Beyonce; and Jane Seymour brings the elegance and money notes of Celine Dion and Adele to the Keller.

K Howard is known as the sexy one, the Britney Spears/Ariana Grande-type, Mack said. Which is kind of true. But I think theres more to her. Shes just so young and so naive and has a playful side to her.

Those iconic Queenspirations can be a double-edged sword.

Mack met a group of fans at a recent Los Angeles show who were dressed as the Six queens. And they all had different names on the backs of these little capes that they were wearing. One guy goes, Oh, you got the slutty one, thats who I am! Mack said. OK. Um, I guess Thank You? Mack chuckled.

Heart of Stone is not a Stand by Your Man moment

Midway through the show, Jane Seymour sings the ballad Heart of Stone.

All the numbers before that weve been giving sass and fun, and theres so much choreography and so much going on, and then I stand and sing a sad song, said Paris.

The song begins with these lyrics:

Youve got a good heart

But I know it changes

A restless tide, untamable

You came my way, and I knew a storm could come too

Youd lift me high, or let me fall

But I took your hand, promised Id withstand

Any blaze you blew my way

In a show about six women finding agency and their own voice away from a cruel husband, this may well sound like a stand-by-your-monarch declaration of love.

Its not that simple, said Paris.

Ive never really called it a love ballad, Paris said. I see it more as Jane showing her strength actually because I think what shes saying is that she went into this knowing what could happen, and also knowing that his intentions were getting a son, and the confusion behind whether she was the one he truly loved because he truly loved her, or whether it was because she managed to give him a son. But I think the point is that she went in knowing all of that and she still stuck to her guns. And she was loyal. To me, thats strength.

Another emotional layer unfurled in the number is the queens longing for her son that she, unfortunately, never got to see, added Paris.

Tudor schmooder: You dont have to be an English history scholar to dig the show

Olivia Donalson as Anna of Cleves (center) in The North American SIX Aragon Tour.Joan Marcus

Whether you aced that unit on Henry VIIIs reign in European history class or youve never heard of Anna of Cleves, youre good to go for Six.

The way that the show is written and how modern it is, and the genius of Toby and Lucys work is that its so relatable to any audience, said Paris.

Audiences, Paris said, can connect in some way with what each queen is saying and talking about and feeling, whether thats just like, You go girl! or whether thats Oh, wow, I feel that strength. Ive gone through loss and I can relate.

And its fun as well, added Paris. Theres six queens and then four band members  all women, on the stage  and you cant help but go away and feel inspired.

Six

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, July 25-29, 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

Where: Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.

Tickets: Sold out. For each performance, a minimum of 20 tickets will be sold at $36 including fees, through a digital lottery. Entries will be open July 14-21. For more details, visit luckyseat.com.

Tickets also are available at Vivid Seats, Stub Hub, Seat Geek, Ticketsqueeze.

If you are purchasing tickets for the first time through Vivid Seats, use our special discount promo code Oregon20 at checkout to save 20 percent on orders of $200 or more.

 Lee Williams, for The Oregonian/OregonLive
Multnomah County health officials issued a mandatory burn ban for all county residents on Wednesday due to air pollution from local fires.

The ban  a red burn status under the county wood-burning ordinance - includes all backyard burning, recreational fires, burning yard debris, agricultural burning and permits issued for open burning. Its in place until further notice and will be lifted once air quality conditions improve.

The restrictions dont apply to cooking, but the county is asking residents to exercise extreme caution when cooking outdoors. Its the first wood-burning restriction issued by the county this summer and in 2023.

County officials said smoke from a paper mill fire in Longview, Washington, entered the Portland metro area on Tuesday evening, degrading air quality. A massive structure fire at the former Kmart store at the corner of 122nd and Sandy Boulevard also contributed to poor air quality during morning hours.

The smoke is expected to stick around throughout the day, officials said. They urged residents to stay indoors, keep windows closed, turn their air conditioners to recirculate, run air purifiers and use air filters whenever possible. People who are at higher risk of smoke exposure include pregnant people, children, people with heart or lung conditions, and older adults.
Thursday 20 July 2023 11:51am

Findings from a new international study look set to improve rates of diagnosis for patients undergoing genetic testing in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world.

The research, published in one of the worlds most prestigious medical journals, could pave the way for earlier intervention in the treatment of patients with genetic diseases and possibly prevent such diseases developing in patients and their whanau.



Associate Professor Logan Walker.

Associate Professor Logan Walker from the University of Otago, Christchurchs Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, was a leading member amongst 8 international researchers tasked with improving RNA diagnostics for laboratories worldwide.

The study will help people undergoing genetic testing to have more certainty  whether changes to their DNA increase their risk of disease or whether those changes have no medical relevance at all, says Associate Professor Walker.

Published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, Associate Professor Walker was joined by fellow New Zealand researcher Dr George Wiggins (University of Otago, Christchurch) alongside other colleagues in the United States, Australia and Spain.

Genetic testing enables disease-associated DNA changes to be identified so patients can receive the best treatment or preventative therapies. However, many identified genetic changes are still an enigma, with scientists struggling to understand whether they cause harm or not. This lack of certainty causes anxiety for patients and their whanau, and prevents doctors from providing the best health care, Associate Professor Walker says.

The Health Research Council-funded project focused on a developing area known as RNA Diagnostics. This involves scientists examining how changes to DNA affect a similar but different molecule called RNA . Understanding if and how the RNA molecule is altered by a DNA variant can help diagnose the clinical relevance of that variant. Analysing changes to RNA molecules also helps reduce reliance on population-based genetic methods which are susceptible to ethnic biases (which create inequity in healthcare).

The research team collated and organised a large amount of genetic testing information from both published scientific literature as well as commercial companies dedicated to advancing genetic healthcare. Careful analysis of these large datasets enabled the team to develop important recommendations for diagnostic and research laboratories when using RNA -based assays and computational methods to examine a new DNA variant.

There is much discordance in the way different laboratories examine the RNA molecule and draw their conclusions. Our study will act as an instruction manual for these laboratories to help improve and standardise their diagnostic methods. Weve already received positive feedback from different diagnostic labs which is extremely encouraging, says Associate Professor Walker.

The project was affiliated with the National Institutes of Health ( NIH )-funded Clinical Genome (ClinGen) Resource, a US -based international body of expert investigators tasked with building a genomic knowledge base to improve patient care, and help standardise the clinical annotation and interpretation of genomic variants.

The introduction of new cost-effective DNA sequencing technologies for genetic testing will continue to increase the number of such tests being undertaken around the world.

Interpreting the results of genetic tests remains a major challenge for health care professionals.

Associate Professor Walker hopes this study will guide the activities of more than 50 international specialist groups affiliated with ClinGen tasked with developing guidelines for their own disease specific genes.

Publication details:

Using the ACMG / AMP framework to capture evidence related to predicted and observed impact on splicing: recommendations from the ClinGen SVI Splicing Subgroup

Logan C. Walker, Miguel de la Hoya, George A.R. Wiggins, Amanda Lindy, Lisa M. Vincent, Michael T Parsons, Dafodil M Canson, Dana Bis-Brewer, Ashley Cass, Alexander Tchourbanov, Heather Zimmermann, Alicia B Byrne, Tina Pesaran, Rachid Karam, Steven Harrison, and Amanda B Spurdle

The American Journal of Human Genetics

For more information, contact:

Associate Professor Logan Walker

Associate Dean Research

Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science

University of Otago, Christchurch.

Email logan.walker@otago.ac.nz

Lorelei Mason

Communications Advisor

University of Otago, Christchurch

Mob +64 21 279 2203

Email lorelei.mason@otago.ac.nz
FM Bui Thanh Son (left) and his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan. (Photo: VNA)

The first official visit to Singapore by Son took place in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their Strategic partnership.

At their talks on July 18 morning, Vivian affirmed that Singapore considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and wishes to further strengthen the Strategic partnership with Vietnam for the benefit of the two nations people and for regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Son expressed his pleasure to visit Singapore for the first time in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs and appreciated Vivians attendance at a ceremony on July 17 evening to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Singapore diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Strategic partnership.

The two ministers expressed their satisfaction at the development of the bilateral relations, reflected in the frequency of high-level visits and bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Economic cooperation, trade and investment are constantly being promoted.

Singapore leads ASEAN and ranks second in the world in terms of investment capital in Vietnam with 3,273 projects and total investment of over 73.45 billion USD, accounting for about 23% of total registered FDI capital.

Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks have continued to operate effectively and have been constantly expanded and upgraded, becoming a symbol of success in investment cooperation between the two countries.

Cooperation in other important fields such as national defence, security, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges has been treasured, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between the two countries people.

The two ministers agreed to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to effectively concretise the commitments made during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs visit to Singapore in February 2023.

The two sides vowed to focus on preparing well for the upcoming high-level visits, especially Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs official visit to Vietnam.

They pledged to strengthen the effective implementation of signed cooperation agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding on establishing the Vietnam-Singapore Digital Economy-Green Economy Partnership.

The two sides also agreed to work together to promote negotiations and sign important cooperation documents, including a document to upgrade the Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Framework Agreement.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two ministers agreed that in the context of complicated and unpredictable global and regional developments, the two countries need to continue to strengthen cooperation, maintain solidarity and promote the central role of ASEAN, especially in strategic issues such as peace and stability in the East Sea and the region.

The two sides agreed to build the East Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation and development, together with ASEAN countries to strictly and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), striving to soon achieve an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with the international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son had a meeting with Singaporean Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean during which they agreed to continuously contribute to promoting the bilateral cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Singapore, including fostering cooperation and promoting the signing of documents in security and defence.

They vowed to jointly maintain peace, stability and cooperation in the region, strengthen solidarity and unity, contribute to building a resilient and prosperous ASEAN and promote its central role, especially in strategic regional issues of the region.

During his visit to Singapore, Son and his delegation together with officials of the Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese representative agencies visited and offered flowers to President Ho Chi Minh's monument at the Asian Civilisations Museum./.
A solar power project is installed by CME Solar Company at Hong Hai Foxconn Company in Bac Giang province.

However, at this time, the current shortage of seasonal power supply, coupled with the increasing demand for electricity in commercial/residential areas, is putting direct pressure on the progress of production development in the FDI enterprise community.

The fear of FDI inflows fleeing may have a negative impact on the "eagles" in relocating the global supply chain to Vietnam as planned. This is a major and structural issue for Vietnam's economic development plan.

Developing renewable energy to overcome electricity shortage

Vietnam's electricity industry has experienced significant growth over the past few decades. Power system capacity and commercial electricity demand increased steadily, with an average annual growth rate of 10.5% of commercial electricity in the period 2011-2020.

Electricity production will increase from 93 billion kWh in 2011 to 215 billion kWh in 2020, with a growth rate of electricity in 2021 at 3.4%. This number is forecast to increase to 10% annually between 2021-2030, coupled with Vietnam's rapid urbanization and manufacturing-based economic growth model.

In the face of increasing demand for electricity for both production and living, in the context of many difficulties from power supply, electricity shortage has been warned of for many years. Although new production capacity from Utility-scale renewable sources in the past few years have increased to 25% of capacity, most are concentrated in the central and southern regions.

It is a remarkable fact that production from hydroelectricity is declining because Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change, in the context of El Nino making the situation more difficult in the coming dry season.

Talking on the sidelines of the recent 5th meeting of the National Assembly, Chairman of the Economic Committee of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh said that currently, the hydroelectric power source has exploited up to 80% of its capacity and there is almost no room left for development.

Meanwhile, the development of coal-fired power sources must be placed in relation to Vietnam's commitments at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), because the current power structure is highly dependent on fossil fuels, especially coal-fired power, which accounts for about 45% of total electricity output.

In that context, Power Plan VIII was approved on May 15, after many delays. However, there is also need for more solutions to boost both production and transmission capacity nationwide, especially in the north.

Power Plan VIII places expectations on renewable energy as a quick solution to the current electricity shortage, as well as as the core power supply for the future plan.

The plan places more emphasis on renewable energy development than the previous plan. The goal is to achieve the share of renewable energy (excluding hydropower) at about 31-39% in the overall energy by 2030, equivalent to a capacity of 5,000-10,000MW.

In addition, through the Equitable Energy Transition Partnership with International Partners (JETP), Vietnam has the ability to raise the above ratio to 47%, towards 2050, renewable energy is expected to account for 67.5-71.5% of the entire energy system.

Along with focusing on renewable energy, Vietnam has set targets for rooftop solar adoption. Specifically, by 2050, the goal is that 80% of factories and 20% of homes and office buildings use rooftop solar energy for on-site consumption, instead of supplying excess electricity back to the grid.

What are the opportunities for rooftop solar energy in Vietnam?

According to experts and representatives of the business community in the field of renewable energy, Vietnam has been an attractive market for investors to develop rooftop solar energy.

Mr. Chung Dieu Tuan, CEO of Copper Mountain Energy Solar Investment Joint Stock Company (CME Solar - An FDI enterprise supported by the Oman Investment Authority), expressed his optimism about the market prospects. He also said that the main market driver is the increasing demand for rooftop solar installations in the manufacturing sectors of FDI companies in Vietnam, especially the electronics/semiconductor and textile industries. As part of a global effort to commit to net zero emissions, international brands and manufacturers in Vietnam need to meet the requirement of converting energy to renewable sources. This is also an opportunity for the distributed solar market to develop in Vietnam.

According to data from the Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG), as of June 2023, the total production capacity of solar energy system/ rooftop energy system has reached about 8GWp, compared with 1GW hours in December 2020.

The Savills report for 2022 also states that the total area of industrial and commercial roofs is about 80 thousand hectares and the estimated growth rate is 10%, while the total roof area is used for production. Solar energy accounts for only 8%.

Therefore, the rooftop solar market in Vietnam is assessed as one of the fastest growing segments in terms of new installed capacity over the next 10 years.

One of the examples can be mentioned is Foxconn, a leading manufacturer for Apple and other global brands that successfully operated a 19MWp rooftop solar project in Bac Giang province in June 2023. It also plans to test-operate the next batch of the rooftop solar system in July this year with a total capacity of 32 MWp, accounting for 20% of Foxconn's current factory roof area in Vietnam.

The company has expanded its operations in Vietnam thanks to favorable economic, political and social backgrounds, and made rooftop solar an important part of Foxconn's energy transition in factories in Vietnam at present and in the future. Foxconn's first project was licensed and implemented well within 3 months, including stages from procurement, installation to supervision by globally renowned technical consultants.

Other global electronics giants and manufacturers such as Samsung and LG are also following the path of Foxconn and intend to announce energy transition plans in Vietnam in 2023. In addition, other manufacturers for Adidas, Nike and other textile, fashion and footwear brands have also recently actively switched to rooftop solar.

However, because the rooftop solar system can only provide about 20%-30% of the actual energy consumption demand, FDI enterprises expect that the Vietnamese Government will have many solutions to realize the energy conversion plan. In particular, the FDI business community has also participated in a dialogue with the Government to promote the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA).

In addition, the Government also needs to focus on developing a more urgent response program to minimize damage caused by power shortages and outages, and ensure long-term solutions to the possibility of periodic power shortages to address the issue of stabilizing power supplies, in order to maintain business performance and overall economic resilience./.
Photo: (Photo : Annie Spratt on Unsplash)

Prosecutors have filed charges against a 12-year-old Michigan girl for allegedly throwing acid on an 11-year-old girl at a playground in Detroit, causing chemical burns on her body. Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Kym Worthy announced that the suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, is facing charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and felonious assault.

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Worthy stated, "This is an extremely troubling set of allegations. Instant, horrible decision-making can have lifelong effects on others. There is no excuse for this."

According to FOX News, the incident occurred on July 9, when the victim, identified as Deaira Summers, was at a local park with her siblings and cousins. An altercation between the attacker and one of Deaira's cousins reportedly preceded the attack. According to Dominique Summers, Deaira's mother, the substance used in the assault was provided by the attacker's mother.

Attacker's Mother Alleged Involvement in the Playground Attack

"Her mother met her in the park and gave her the chemical to throw on the kids, and she told the kids that's what they get for messing with her daughter," Dominique Summers revealed in an interview with Fox Detroit.

Fortunately, no one else was harmed, but Deaira suffered severe burns, with smoke emanating from her body and holes appearing in her clothes. She was immediately taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with second- and third-degree burns on her back.

Describing the immediate aftermath of the attack, Deaira recounted, "Two seconds after it hit me, it started burning." The young victim has experienced difficulty sleeping and a loss of appetite since the incident occurred.

According to Fox 2 News, The Detroit Public Schools Community District is conducting an investigation into the incident since it took place on school district property. However, they have clarified that the incident does not involve their employees or any school-related event.

"The incident did not involve our employees, nor was it connected to a District or school event," the district stated. "This is a community matter involving two families that do not both attend our school district or the school."

The 12-year-old girl charged in the case has been prohibited from contacting Deaira or any witnesses. She is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to face the charges brought against her.

The incident has shocked the local community and highlighted the potential long-lasting consequences of impulsive actions. As Deaira continues her recovery, the community hopes for justice and support for the young victim and her family during this challenging time.

According to USA Today, Dominique Summers started a GoFundMe campaign after the incident to help with Deaira's medical costs. The campaign seeks to provide financial support and assistance to the family as they navigate the aftermath of the traumatic attack. Many community members and concerned individuals have rallied together, expressing their solidarity and offering donations to aid in Deaira's recovery.

Read Also: Dentists Explain How Child Burned His Tongue From Eating Popular Sour Candy

Community Outrage: Investigation Launched as Detroit Grapples with Shocking Acid Attack

In response to the outpouring of support, Dominique Summers expressed her gratitude and emphasized the importance of helping Deaira heal, both physically and emotionally. The generosity and kindness shown during this difficult time have overwhelmed the family.

As news of the incident spreads, it serves as a reminder of the need for community awareness, education, and intervention to prevent such acts of violence among young individuals. The case has sparked discussions about the importance of fostering empathy, developing conflict resolution skills, and promoting nonviolent ways to address disputes among children.

The legal proceedings will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine the consequences for the 12-year-old girl responsible. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of impulsive actions and the need for a collective effort to ensure the safety and well-being of children within our communities.

As the court date approaches, the community stands united in seeking justice for Deaira and sending a strong message that acts of violence will not be tolerated. The hope is that the legal process will bring closure and healing to Deaira and her family, and that this incident will serve as a catalyst for fostering safer environments where children can thrive without fear of such horrific attacks.

Related Article: Mom Issues Warning After Her Baby Got Killed by an Amber Teething Necklace
Photo: (Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN / Getty Images)

A devastating child labor tragedy struck the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as a 16-year-old boy from Guatemala lost his life in an on-the-job accident.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on July 14, has prompted investigations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Working in a poultry plant is considered too dangerous for individuals under the age of 18, making this a clear violation of child labor laws.

Tragic Accident Claims Teen Guatemalan Worker's Life

According to WCTV, the victim, identified as Duvan Tomas Perez, was a hardworking 16-year-old who had migrated from the town of Huispache to the United States about six years ago. On that fateful evening, tragedy struck as Perez suffered a fatal accident involving equipment at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant.

Lisa Klem, the Forrest County deputy coroner, confirmed that the young boy's life was cut short due to the severity of the incident.His death marks the second time in two years that a worker at the same plant has succumbed to injuries sustained in an accident.

Ongoing Investigations Raise Concerns about Safety Record

In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, both OSHA and the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division have launched thorough investigations to determine the circumstances that led to the young boy's death.

As per NBC News, if any safety violations or negligence on the part of Mar-Jac Poultry plant are discovered, the company could face substantial federal fines exceeding $30,000 per incident. Records from OSHA reveal that this is not the first time Mar-Jac has faced scrutiny for its safety practices.

In May 2021, an employee lost his life after becoming partially trapped under a machine. OSHA had imposed a fine of $27,306 on the company for this incident, but Mar-Jac contested the citation, resulting in an ongoing legal battle.

Debbie Berkowitz, a former OSHA official, highlighted the company's troubling safety record and alleged attempts to prevent thorough inspections after previous serious accidents.

Read Also: Biden Administration Announces Major Student Loan Relief: 800,000 Borrowers to Receive Forgiveness

Biden Administration's Focus on Child Labor Violations

The tragic death of the young Guatemalan worker at Mar-Jac Poultry plant comes amid heightened attention from the Biden administration on child labor violations involving migrants.

Reports suggest that federal investigations are expanding to include meatpacking and produce firms across 11 states for allegedly hiring underage migrants in violation of child labor laws.

In response to the incident, according to Daily News, Joe Colee, the manager of the Mar-Jac facility, expressed deep remorse and emphasized the company's commitment to prioritizing employee safety.

Colee assured full cooperation with the ongoing investigations and pledged to address any issues identified promptly. The tragic loss of a 16-year-old boy's life at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Mississippi serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of enforcing child labor laws and ensuring the safety of young workers.

Investigations by OSHA and the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division are crucial steps towards understanding the circumstances surrounding the accident and holding accountable those responsible for any violations.

In light of the broader concerns about child labor violations, it is imperative for both government agencies and employers to take proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable workers, including migrants.

The Biden administration's efforts to address this issue underscore the significance of protecting the rights and well being of young workers, regardless of their background or origin. Such tragedies should serve as catalysts for collective action towards fostering safer workplaces and preventing similar heartbreak in the future.

Related Article: New Mexico Child Abuse Case: Two Women Sentenced to Prison for Starving, Chaining Children
Photo: (Photo : Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images)

A tragic accident unfolded in Fallbrook, California, as a 1-year-old girl lost her life after being accidentally shot by her 3-year-old sibling.

The authorities reported that the younger child had gained access to an unsecured handgun, leading to the unfortunate incident.

The devastating event has once again raised concerns about firearm safety, especially when children are present in households.

Unsecured Firearm Tragedy Strikes Fallbrook Home

According to NBC San Diego, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department responded swiftly to a distress call on the morning of July 17, 2023, after receiving reports of a shooting at a residence in Fallbrook, California.

Upon their arrival, deputies confirmed the unthinkable- a 3-year-old had somehow managed to get hold of an unsecured firearm and unintentionally discharged it, resulting in a fatal injury to their 1-year-old sister.

The little girl suffered a severe head injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, she was pronounced dead at approximately 8:30 a.m. The family's identity has been withheld at this time, respecting their privacy during this profoundly difficult period.

Investigation and Ongoing Concerns

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has launched a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the child's death. At this point, authorities have stated that there are no outstanding suspects, and the community is not at risk.

Nevertheless, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of secure firearm storage, especially when young children are present in homes. As of July 15, 2023, the incident became one of the numerous unintentional shootings involving children in the United States.

According to the gun violence prevention organization, Everytown for Gun Safety, there have been at least 221 unintentional shootings by children this year alone, resulting in 78 deaths and 151 injuries.

Firearms have become the leading cause of death for children under 18 in the country, with accidental shootings contributing to 5% of annual gun-related deaths among children aged 17 and younger.

Read Also: New Mexico Child Abuse Case: Two Women Sentenced to Prison for Starving, Chaining Children

Tragic Pattern of Unintentional Child Shootings

Unintentional shootings involving children often occur within the confines of their own homes. CBS reported that Everytown's Gun Safety review of data from 2015 to 2022 has revealed that July tends to witness the highest number of unintentional child shootings per day, adding to the grim statistics.

Experts stress that ensuring secure storage of firearms is crucial in preventing such heart-wrenching tragedies.

Unfortunately, the Fallbrook incident is not an isolated one. In recent months, similar accidental shootings involving young children have captured headlines across the nation.

In Detroit, a 6-year-old boy accidentally shot his infant sibling twice, while in Tennessee, a 3-year-old boy lost his life after unintentionally shooting himself.

Moreover, in Illinois, a 4-year-old girl accidentally shot and killed another child, and in Georgia, a 4-year-old girl suffered critical injuries after accidentally shooting herself in the head.

According to ABC, as the investigation into the tragic incident in Fallbrook continues, it serves as a solemn reminder of the urgent need for responsible firearm ownership and secure storage practices.

The heartbreaking loss of a 1-year-old girl at the hands of her 3-year-old sibling underscores the importance of raising awareness about child safety and implementing measures to prevent further accidents involving firearms.

Authorities and gun safety organizations alike are calling on parents and guardians to take proactive steps to keep firearms out of reach and safely secured, thus safeguarding the lives of innocent children across the nation.

Related Article: Nitrate Poisoning of 25 Students in Chinese Kindergarten Results in Teacher's Execution
Photo: (Photo : SAUL LOEB / Getty Images)

Louisiana's legislature deployed its Republican supermajority to override Governor John Bel Edwards' veto and pass a contentious ban on gender-affirming care for most minors.

The ban, which will take effect on January 1, 2024, has sparked fierce criticism from LGBTQ advocates and medical professionals, who argue that it harms a vulnerable population of children while infringing upon their rights.

Louisiana Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto

According to Axios, the Louisiana state House and Senate recently voted 76-23 and 28-11, respectively, employing their two-thirds majority in each chamber to overpower Governor John Bel Edwards' veto of House Bill 648.

The legislation now imposes restrictions on gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 18, prohibiting them from accessing gender-affirming surgeries, puberty blocking medications, and hormone treatments.

Governor Edwards, who expressed his concerns regarding the legislation in a statement last month, had expected the courts to overturn the bill.

Describing it as "a bill that needlessly harms a very small population of vulnerable children, their families, and their health care professionals," he firmly opposed the ban.

Nonetheless, the Republican-led legislature pushed forward with their decision, claiming to prioritize the long-term outcomes of the treatments over immediate concerns.

Impact on LGBTQ Community and Medical Professionals

Gender-affirming care is a broad spectrum of evidence-based treatments and support aimed at assisting transgender and nonbinary individuals in living authentically.

The types of care offered vary based on the individual's age and specific needs and are endorsed as the standard of care by various mainstream medical associations.

Despite the diversity of treatments, some children and parents opt for reversible puberty suppression therapy, which might include hormone therapy leading to gender-affirming physical changes.

The ban, however, specifically targets gender-affirming surgeries, a procedure that is rarely performed on minors, and not commonly offered to them by health care providers.

According to NOLA, a report from the state Department of Health, from 2017 to 2021, no gender-affirming surgeries were conducted on Louisiana minors enrolled in Medicaid.

During the same period, only a small number of minors, ranging from 21 to 57 each year, received chemical treatment.

Read Also: Troubled Teens Facility in Utah Forced to Close Following Deaths: Diamond Ranch Academy Loses License

Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Sparks Controversy

According to CNN, Proponents of the legislation argue that they are concerned about the long-term effects of gender-affirming care on minors.

They believe that the ban will protect vulnerable children from undergoing potentially irreversible procedures that they might later regret.

However, major medical associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, assert that gender-affirming care is a clinically appropriate approach for children and adults experiencing gender dysphoria, a condition where an individual's gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth.

The controversial ban on gender-affirming care for minors in Louisiana has triggered passionate debates across the nation.

While Republicans utilized their supermajority to override Governor Edwards' veto and push the legislation through, LGBTQ advocates and medical professionals continue to express deep concerns about its impact on vulnerable transgender and nonbinary children.

As the law's effective date approaches, the battle over its constitutionality and implications for the rights of minors remains at the forefront of public discourse.

Related Article: TikTok Community Mourns Loss of Haley Odlozil: Ovarian Cancer Advocate, Inspirational Mom
Delegates at the reception (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the HHCMC People's Committee Phan Van Mai emphasized that the city is always ready to welcome delegations from the Indian Government, localities and businesses. Indian businesses can invest in three infrastructure projects through the form of investment, financial provision or contract management for completing the system of seven metro lines with a length of 200 kilometers, railway systems connecting HCMC and Long Thanh airport, HCMC and Can Tho.

In the field of science and technology, the city planned to establish an advanced technology institute with eight fields, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology. In the software field, the city has many information technology enterprises capable of becoming Indian investors' partners, he said.

The Chairman added that HCMC hoped to soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Mumbai as well as soon organize an inauguration ceremony for the statue of Indian politician, leader, activist and lawyer Mahatma Gandhi, who had played an important role in India's struggle for Independence against British rule in India, at Tao Dan Park.

The city is now urgently completing its general plan. Moreover, the National Assembly of Vietnam has just passed Resolution 98 to further create conditions for HCMC to exploit resources, create development momentum, and quickly solve and remove the difficulties of projects.

Chairman Phan Van Mai emphasized that the international business community in HCMC has contributed significantly to the citys development. Therefore, the city's leaders are responsible for taking care of international enterprises in the city, including the Indian ones.

Additionally, the city is always ready to listen to the feedback from Indian business community and people in the city, thereby contributing to further promoting bilateral cooperation, said Mr. Mai.

For his part, Ambassador Sandeep Arya said that India has been making efforts to strengthen connectivity and cooperation ties with partners, including Vietnam to maintain growth momentum in the context of the global economic slowdown.

According to him, many Indian corporations and businesses are concerned and desire to learn about business and investment opportunities in the fields of infrastructure, renewable energy, information technology, science and technology in Vietnam in general and HCMC in particular.

India is speeding up the completion of contents for signing a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Mumbai and HCMC, he said and expressed his wish to promote cooperation with HCMC in the field of cultural exchange, tourism development, people-to-people exchange./.
Photo: (Photo : Olga Kononenko on Unsplash)

A Texas mother, Jessica Gasser, has been taken into custody and is facing charges of child abuse for allegedly subjecting her 3-year-old child to multiple unnecessary medical procedures. According to FOX News, the arrest was made in Rusk County, and Gasser is currently being held at the Tarrant County Jail.

Authorities suspect a case of "Munchausen by Proxy," a syndrome in which a caregiver, often the mother, fabricates or induces symptoms in a child to portray them as sick. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office has reached out to the public for assistance in solving this distressing case.

According to Yahoo News, the sheriff's office claims that the medical child abuse that Gasser's child experienced appears to have occurred over an arbitrary time period. Tarrant County investigators have discovered evidence suggesting that the young child underwent numerous unnecessary medical procedures. While the specific details of these procedures have not been disclosed, they are presumed to have been invasive and potentially harmful to the child's well-being.

Efforts to Conceal the Abuse

During the course of the alleged abuse, Gasser reportedly confided in a friend, expressing her intention to delete all social media posts related to her child's health. This includes private messages sent via Facebook. Authorities believe this was an attempt to cover up her actions and prevent any incriminating evidence from being discovered. By erasing her digital footprint regarding her child's health, Gasser seemingly aimed to evade suspicion and hinder the investigation into her alleged wrongdoing. The motive behind Gasser's actions remains unknown at this time as authorities delve further into the case.

In their pursuit of justice, the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office has urged anyone who has had contact with Gasser through social media, email, or text to come forward. Detective Michael Weber, the lead investigator assigned to the case, can be reached at 817-884-3749.

By encouraging individuals who may have interacted with Gasser to provide information, law enforcement hopes to gather crucial details that may shed light on the extent and duration of the abuse. The cooperation of the public is essential in unraveling this disturbing case and ensuring the well-being of the victimized child.

Munchausen by Proxy, a rare form of child abuse, is a psychological disorder in which a caregiver, typically the child's mother, feigns or induces symptoms in a child to draw attention and sympathy to themselves. This condition involves the manipulation of medical professionals, often leading to invasive and unnecessary medical interventions. The underlying motive for individuals with Munchausen by Proxy remains complex and multifaceted, and a professional psychological evaluation will likely be necessary to better understand Gasser's actions and mental state.

Read Also: Online Pedophiles Use The Internet To Sexually Abuse Children As Young As One

Impact on the Victim

The physical and emotional toll on the child subjected to unnecessary medical procedures can be severe and long-lasting. Such traumatic experiences can lead to physical complications, emotional distress, and trust issues, hindering the child's overall well-being and development. It is crucial for the legal system to ensure the child's safety and provide appropriate support and care during this challenging time.

The arrest of Jessica Gasser in Texas has brought attention to a disturbing case of alleged child abuse involving unnecessary medical procedures inflicted upon her 3-year-old child. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the situation and has sought public assistance to gather more information. The prolonged nature of the abuse and Gasser's attempt to conceal her actions through the manipulation of social media highlight the complexity of the case.

Munchausen by Proxy, a syndrome involving fabricated or induced symptoms in a child, is suspected in this distressing case. As the investigation unfolds, the authorities aim to provide justice for the victim and shed light on the motivations behind this deeply troubling behavior. The safety and well-being of the child are of utmost importance, and measures will be taken to provide necessary support and care throughout the legal process.

Related Article: Medical Child Abuse Perpetrators Cannot Be Criminalized in The US; Texas State Law Is About To Change This
Timothy F. Kauffman was raised Catholic, converted to Protestantism in 1990, and is now a Presbyterian (PCA). He has written, I was saved out of Roman Catholicism, and into Christianity, . . . Roman Catholicism was out of accord with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Timothy is author of the books, Quite Contrary: Biblical Reconsiderations of the Apparitions of Mary (1994), Graven Bread: The Papacy, the Apparitions of Mary, and the Worship of the Bread of the Altar (1995), and is co-author with Robert M. Zins, of A Gospel Contrary!: A Study of Roman Catholic Abuse of History and Scripture to Propagate Error (April 24, 2023). He has been blogging about theology and Catholicism since 2014. His words will be in blue.

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I will be responding to the first portion of Timothys article, Removing Jesus (6-1-14).

There is only so much stooping God can do without soiling Himself beyond what He can bear. Sure, He fixed his tabernacle among His people, but God ministers at the door of the Tabernacle (Exodus 33:9), and that tabernacle is Mary. And such a tabernacle would need to be sinless.

The word need above  used as supposedly describing Catholic beliefs  is misguided. Catholicism teaches that Marys Immaculate Conception was not absolutely necessary in order for her to bear Jesus in her womb, but rather, only fitting. Ive written about this several times:

Marys Immaculate Conception: Necessary or Fitting? [12-8-17]

Could Jesus Have Possibly Inherited Original Sin? (Was Marys Immaculate Conception Necessary to Prevent Such a Scenario, or Only Fitting? Jesus Two Natures & Impeccability) [11-11-21]

Lucas Banzoli Wars Against Mariological Straw Men (Was Mary Full of Grace and Therefore Sinless? And If So, Was This Necessary or Only Fitting?) [9-9-22]

Svendsens Dissertation on Mary: 1. Preliminaries (Including Explicit Biblical Indications or Analogies for Marys Universal Intercession and the Notion of Fittingness) [2-2-23]

Biblical Evidence for the Supposedly Exclusive Catholic Notion of Fittingness [Facebook, 2-2-23]

Timothy cites Ineffabilis Deus from 1854, which decreed the dogma of Marys Immaculate Conception. It never states that it was necessary for Mary to be immaculate in order to bear Jesus, or that she needed to be. Thus, it isnt proof of the claim that Timothy is making, that he mistakenly thought this link would back up. Rather, it uses the word fit with regard to Marys Immaculate Conception once, and fitting three times. Here are all of the instances:

And indeed it was wholly fitting that so wonderful a mother should be ever resplendent with the glory of most sublime holiness and so completely free from all taint of original sin . . . . . . she was entirely a fit habitation for Christ, not because of the state of her body, but because of her original grace. For it was certainly not fitting that this vessel of election should be wounded by the common injuries, since she, differing so much from the others, had only nature in common with them, not sin. In fact, it was quite fitting that, as the Only-Begotten has a Father in heaven, whom the Seraphim extol as thrice holy, so he should have a Mother on earth who would never be without the splendor of holiness.

Likewise, Munificentissimus Deus, the 1950 declaration of the dogma of Marys Bodily Assumption, uses the word fitting seven times; for example, it is fitting and right to believe the bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven (36).

Dictionary . com defines fitting (adj.) as suitable or appropriate; proper or becoming. Thesaurus . com provides 21 synonyms for fitting including apt, proper, correct, desirable, and seemly. None of them are necessary. It simply doesnt mean that. If Jesus were to appear as He did after His resurrection to one of us at our house today, it would be altogether fitting and proper to clean up the house and offer Him a nice dinner. (just as we would act with a president or a king). But it wouldnt be necessary.

This fact of fittingness rather than necessity pretty much undercuts Timothys argumentation throughout this article, because he starts with an erroneous premise as to what we dogmatically teach in the first place. Its common misunderstanding, even among many Catholics, so he need not feel too bad.

The womb of MaryI will not call it womb, but temple;  the more secret tabernacle,  Yea verily above the heavens must Marys womb be accounted, since it sent back the Son of God to heaven more glorious than He had come down from heaven. (St. Maximus, Homily V)

Thus, while it is true that Jesus humbled Himself to become man, He did not so humble Himself that He actually came down from heaven.

Huh? St. Maximus plainly states that Jesus had come down from heaven. But then Timothy denies that he did so? What gives? Jesus being more glorious after His incarnation is a scriptural fact:

Philippians 2:5-11 (RSV) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A crucial part of this, of course, is the incarnation, which required the human being Mary. And so Catholics wax eloquent about the glory and wonder involved with God using a human being in such an extraordinary way.

Except, of course, for the fact that He was raised in a perfectly sinless home. Someone as holy as Jesus could not come this far and then live in a household contaminated by the sins He had come to take away.

He certainly could have.

Therefore, Joseph must have been preserved from sin, too. The Apparition of Joseph [see updated link and another Catholic article about it] in 1956 assured Sister Mary Ephrem that immediately after my conception  because of my exceptional role of future Virgin-Father  I was from that moment confirmed in grace and never had the slightest stain on my soul.

Catholics, as Timothy surely knows, are not required to accept or believe any private revelations, including apparitions of this sort. That being the case, its incorrect for Timothy to pretend that this is the official teaching of the Catholic Church and one that all Catholics must (or do) accept. It may be true, and Catholics are not forbidden from believing it, but if it were true that all Catholics were bound to do so as a matter of dogma, certainly that would have been clear, and Timothy could have found such a declaration to bolster his argument, rather than a private revelation that no Catholic is obliged to accept.

In any event, if Joseph was indeed sinless, this would have been fitting and not necessary in order for Jesus to come to earth, as was the case with Mary (and this undercuts Timothys entire reasoning chain (Joseph must have been preserved from sin, too, etc.). Jesus didnt require sinlessness at every turn, otherwise He couldnt have preached to sinners and healed them, etc. (as Timothy correctly notes at the beginning of his article). The Catholic Church has never taught that. If it was fitting for Mary, it would have been for Joseph, too, in this event. If we consult Denzinger (43rd edition, 2012), #3260 (pp. 648-649), we have an encyclical, Quamquam pluries (On Devotion to St. Joseph) from 15 August 1889, from Pope Leo XIII. It doesnt contain the words or phrases sinless, or without sin, or impeccable, or immaculate, with regard to St. Joseph.

It does refer to his holiness, his glory and states that as Joseph has been united to the Blessed Virgin by the ties of marriage, it may not be doubted that he approached nearer than any to the eminent dignity by which the Mother of God surpasses so nobly all created natures. Thats pretty high language, and the Church may one day declare that he is sinless, but as of now its not dogmatic, required belief. Therefore, Timothy shouldnt sarcastically imply that it is required Catholic belief. His readers likely wont make these proper distinctions. He, as the researcher, ought to be the one who makes this clear. But he doesnt. It would, after all, go against his plan of presenting the Catholic Church in the most negative light, from a Protestant perspective. This is the problem of excessive bias (in anyone). It often brings about inaccurate and inadequate research.

Except, of course, for the fact that His cousin, John the Baptist, the herald of the King, also lived a life without sin. This acceptable belief, as you can read here, is freely accepted as true by Roman Catholics. As one member of the Catholic Answers forum explains, It is crystal clear from Scripture that St. John the Baptist was baptized within his mothers womb  [and] was free of all sin from that point on.

Again, this may be true, and the Church might one day declare it, but if so, it will be regarded as fitting and not necessary. That the Church has not dogmatically declared it is indicated by the source Timothy employs: a mere Catholic Answers forum participant. As far as I know, the Church has not pronounced upon this question. Its not in Denzinger, for sure. If Timothy wants to argue for a supposed Catholic doctrine from participants in an online forum, he can do so, but it proves nothing, and is most unimpressive.

So widespread is this pious belief, that even Pope John XXIII in 1960 taught the logical implications of it: namely that Joseph and John the Baptist must have been assumed bodily into heaven, just as Jesus and Mary had been. So we may piously believe, said John XXIII, that the grace of assumption into heaven, so recently and infallibly declared for Mary in 1950, was also granted both to John the Baptist and to Joseph (Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. 52 (1960) 456).

In his article at EWTN, St. Joseph: A Theological Introduction, by Fr. Michael D. Griffin, O.C.D. stated:

On May 26, 1960 Pope John XXIII in his homily for the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord made a statement that the Assumption to Saint Joseph is worthy of pious belief (cosi piamente noi possiamo credere). He also stated that he believed the same privilege was accorded to Saint John the Baptist. This is the first time that a Pope has ever made a public statement on the subject and the fact should offer great reassurance to those who feel it would be contrary to their religious sentiments to imagine Christ refusing Joseph this crowning grace. Pope Johns words are a guarantee that such a belief is truly prudent and therefore can no longer be classified as a pious exaggeration. (Footnote: Text quoted by F. L. FIIAS, Joseph the Man Closest to Jesus [Boston 1962], p. 429. Cf. Acta Apost. Sedis 52 (1960) 455-456)

Again, its not required belief, and even this pious belief is very far from the claim that it was necessary for these things to occur in order for the incarnation to take place. Timothy is simply projecting onto Catholic belief what isnt there.

Except, of course, the fact that all of the apostles were sinless, too. That this is acceptable belief in Rome is evidenced from another writer at the Catholic Answers forum, who holds that not only the apostles, but many, many Roman Catholics led perfectly sinless lives after encountering Christ:

Again, Timothy appeals to a lone commentator at the Catholic Answers forum. Thats the best he can do? He actually thinks this accomplishes anything towards proving his claim? Were supposed to believe that the Church requires us to believe in many, many sinless Catholics, lest Jesus would refuse to come to earth to save sinners? If Timothy wants to make this claim that the Catholic Church actually teaches this, let him prove it from the relevant documents.

Except, of course, that His maternal grandparents must have been profoundly pure as well.

Remember his initial premise: that [Catholics allegedly teach that] Jesus wouldnt and couldnt have come to earth as the incarnate God unless everyone around Him was sinless like He was. And note the misguided word must above. Timothy contends that we teach that all of these things he brings up are necessary; that they must have happened, according to his mistaken view of what the Catholic Church teaches. We never taught such a thing. Some of these people may indeed be declared one day to be sinless, but it still wont be the case that they must have been for the incarnation to proceed. And the latter is actually Timothys central point.

This is the argument most often heard in this regard: if Mary was immaculate, then her mother and father had to have been, too . . . Nope! The Immaculate Conception refers to Mary alone and has nothing whatsoever to do with anyone else. St. Joseph wasnt required to be sinless, nor was St. Anne, nor St. Joachim: the Blessed Virgin Marys maternal grandparents. Once this notion of necessity is discarded as a non sequitur, the truth of the matter can be comprehended.

It is thus difficult for Roman Catholics to picture in their minds that Mary had been conceived through normal, biological, copulative processes, including the physical pleasure and all of the attendant physical intimacy between man and wife.

Really? I never heard that. Ive been a Catholic almost 33 years now, and a professional Catholic apologist for more than 21 years. This is simply the old prejudiced saw that Catholics must always be against sex itself, or at any rate, against pleasure in sex. The dogma of the Immaculate Conception doesnt deny that Marys existence came about in the usual manner. She was conceived and then God did a supernatural act of grace.

Timothys evidence here is one portion of a lecture by Christopher West on the theology of the body. Im not sure it supports at all his contention (West does, after all, refer to the marriage bed; cf. Heb 13:4: clearly a sexual reference). It certainly doesnt prove that Roman Catholics en masse labor under the delusion that Timothy groundlessly attributes to them.

It is apparently inconceivable to Mr. West that Mary might have been conceived in an intimate sexual embrace, her parents lying down in bed, naked, enjoying the sheer physical pleasure that, as Paul wrote, was the proper gift of God to each of them (1 Corinthians 7:7). No, their hearts had to be profoundly pure, and that level of purity does not countenance the horizontality of unashamedly pleasurable marital sex.

Im not gonna go listen to this whole lecture, but in the portion transcribed, I dont see that West denied the pleasure in the sexual act (including horizontality) that led to Marys conception. If he did elsewhere in the lecture, then let Timothy document it (instead of, in effect, requiring that his readers do so). But even if West did claim this or hold the view, it would be absurd to generalize his one opinion to all Catholics. Moreover, to prove that this was some official teaching, Timothy would be obliged to cite those sorts of sources. So hes still a universe away from establishing his central contention. Timothy is much more a master at describing sex acts than he is in accurately conveying Catholic teachings.

The point we are making is that Jesus was incarnated to save sinners, yet Rome has built up a religion that is intent on saving Jesus from the sinners He came to save! We see this in the march of Roman Catholic tradition that is constantly expanding the circle of sinlessness that surrounds this Man who, so we thought, had come to dine with sinners, touch lepers and be worshiped by prostitutes.

And that point has been refuted over and over.

Is it unfathomable that Jesus, Who freely and deliberately dined and lodged with sinners, might have taken up His first residence in one, and received His first meal from one?

No; by the very fact that we have held that Marys Immaculate Conception was not necessary, but only fitting. Therefore, its fathomable that Mary could have possibly not been sinless in some theoretical imaginable scenario.

Is it unfathomable that Jesus, Who left Heaven to find sinners might have included among them a mother, a step-father, a cousin and two grandparents who were as eager to be cleansed of their sin as the harlots and lepers?

No; its possible that all of these besides Mary, committed sins, according to Catholic doctrine.

To Roman Catholics, the answer is yesit is unfathomable. So far removed is Jesus from sinners in the religion of Rome, that to approach Him to be cleansed, one must already be clean.

Thats sheer nonsense, as shown.

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Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist , and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

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Photo credit: Saint Joseph with the Infant Jesus (c. 1635). by Guido Reni (1575-1642) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

Summary: Presbyterian Timothy Kauffman says St. Joseph, St. John the Baptist, St. Anne, & others close to Jesus MUST have been sinless, according to Catholic teaching. Wrong!
Many of the biggest software makers are known for their expensive, but nevertheless popular purchase programs. Yet many of these companies also offer free software with some surprisingly useful features. Yes, even giants like Adobe and Microsoft! This article will introduce you to these mostly unknown free gems.

Its important to note that the free programs from Adobe and Ashampoo are best downloaded via their own software platforms  Adobe Creative Cloud and Ashampoo Connect, respectively  which require you to create an account before youre given access to the freebies. For even more no-cost stunners, be sure to check out our roundup of the best free software for your PC.

This article was translated from German to English, and originally appeared on pcwelt.de. As such, some of the screenshots below still appear in German.

Adobe Fresco

Painting and drawing

Adobe

If you like to paint and draw, Adobe Fresco is an easy-to-use program to let your imagination run wild.

You have a choice of three brush types  pixel brush, interactive brush and vector brush  which you can customize in terms of color, size, ink flow, and smoothing.

For each type of brush, you have different options:

For example, you can choose the pixel brush, which shows the individual pixels when you zoom in, as charcoal, marker or ink pen, and each of these types also offers other choices (for example, charcoal pen and charcoal, marker brush and marker crescent or wet ink and stained ink).

brush, which shows the individual pixels when you zoom in, as charcoal, marker or ink pen, and each of these types also offers other choices (for example, charcoal pen and charcoal, marker brush and marker crescent or wet ink and stained ink). The interactive brush can be used as an oil brush or as a watercolor brush where the colors run into each other. In this way, colors can be mixed. Here, too, options such as round or soft watercolor brush, watercolor splash or oil paint flat or round, cats tongue brush or glaze are available.

can be used as an oil brush or as a watercolor brush where the colors run into each other. In this way, colors can be mixed. Here, too, options such as round or soft watercolor brush, watercolor splash or oil paint flat or round, cats tongue brush or glaze are available. The vector brush, which consists of solid-coloured vectors with sharp edges, can be scaled as desired and is available with jitter, in manga style or as an outline in various designs.

Please note: The comic and FX brushes are only available with a paid subscription. Each brush stroke is created on a new layer so that you can edit them easily afterwards. Newcomers can also look forward to numerous tutorials.

Adobe Photoshop Express

Edit photos

Adobe

Adobe Photoshop is probably known to everyone who deals with image editing. But as good as it may be, the program is also very expensive. With Photoshop Express, Adobe offers a slimmed-down free version of its killer software, which is also available as an app for mobile devices.

Once you have loaded a photo into the software, you can apply a filter to it using the three circles at the top left. The categories Simple, Charm, Black and White, Portrait, Nature, Pop Colour and Two Tone are available, whereby each category can be folded out and then offers further options. For example, under Black & White you will find the options 60 TV Picture, Pinhole and Sepia, under Nature the options Twilight and Vital and under Pop Color various selective colors.

If you want to edit your photos, click on the slider symbol to find various editing tools that can be adjusted in intensity by means of a slider. For example, you can change the exposure, contrast, highlights and shadows via Light, adjust the color temperature, color saturation and tint via Color and influence the sharpness under Details and Blur. The spot repair (patch symbol) with a customizable brush tool is also particularly useful.

Adobe Premiere Rush

Editing videos

Adobe

With Adobe Premiere Rush you can quickly and easily create long videos from individual clips, add transitions and effects, and add an audio track to the finished work.

Since the projects are stored in the cloud, you can edit them across platforms at any time. You start by importing the clips, then you can change the order via drag & drop and also trim the individual clips. To do this, place the time marker at the desired position and click on the scissors symbol. If you want to remove a part from a video, you place the scissors at the beginning and at the end of the scene to remove the part, mark it and remove it via the waste-paper basket symbol.

Video parts can be duplicated in the same way. To insert cross-fade effects, click on the lightning symbol in the right menu bar and select the desired effect. Here you have, among other things, wipers, sliders and drags in various directions at your disposal. You can also adjust the coloring of your films, the playback speed and the audio playback via various adjusting screws, and edit existing sound tracks. If you want to completely re-record the sound, thats also possible.

Aiseesoft Free Media Player

Play audio and video

Aiseesoft

With the Aiseesoft Free Media Player you can play video files up to 4K resolution (even in 3D), but also normal DVDs and Blu-rays, provided the codecs are available.

Supported formats include MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, FLV, and WMV as well as MP3, FLAC, AAC, WAV, and OGG. This means that the program not only plays videos, but also music, podcasts, and audio books.

As a special feature, under Extras youll also find various editing tools you can use to, for example, adjust the color tone, brightness, and contrast of a video. The changes only affect the playback, however  the video file itself remains unaffected.

You select the picture format of the playback under Video. Here you can choose between full screen, half, normal, and double size, as well as the option Adjusted to screen.

For the audio tracks, the individual channels are output so that you can also adapt the sound to your wishes. It can also be completely deactivated.

Below the video window youll find the file name of the clip currently being played as well as the control elements, and next to it theres a camera symbol that you can use to take screenshots. The recordings then automatically end up in their own folder in the program directory, which you can access via the folder symbol next to the camera. You can select a different folder as the storage location via the Settings.

Aiseesoft Free Video Converter

Convert videos

Aiseesoft

The Aiseesoft Free Video Converter is a very easy-to-use program that allows you to convert your videos into other formats so that you can play them on your smartphone or on a games console, for example.

But you can also combine several shorter clips into one long video. Once you have loaded a clip, you can call up the available video formats via the button right next to it. In addition to specific options such as AVI, Mpeg-2, or MOV, there are also device-specific options such as Samsung, Nokia, or PS3, but also PowerPoint or Windows.

Use the cogwheel symbol to open the properties of the video, for example to change the resolution or the audio settings. Here you will also find a menu item with which you can make anaglyph or split 3D videos from your clips. Start the conversion with Convert.

Use the Edit button to call up a wizard with the help of which you can add opening and closing credits to your finished video. Decide on a template  here you can choose from a cupcake with a birthday candle, a snow-covered mountain hut at Christmas, or a spooky Halloween motif  and in the next step adjust various text overlays such as the title of the clip, the date, etc. After saving, the selected template is ready for use and can be seen at the beginning and end of your clip.

Aiseesoft Free Video Editor

Editing videos

Aiseesoft

The Free Video Editor from Aiseesoft offers you some basic editing options for your videos.

Rotate lets you rotate a video 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, but also flip it vertically or horizontally. Crop reduces a video according to the parameters you have entered. With Trim once you may set one time marker, with Trim several times you may set two time markers and trim the video accordingly. The Video/Audio-Joiner joins several clips together to form a complete film, Watermarker places a watermark in your clips, whereby the motif (text or image), position, and transparency are freely selectable.

To optimize your videos, the menu items Effects and Enhance are available. You can use the former to make the sound louder and influence the brightness, contrast, color saturation and color tone of the clip via sliders. Enhance uses various automatic functions of the software, for example to increase the resolution, brightness, and contrast or to remove image noise and blurring. Conveniently, you immediately see a preview of the result of your editing, and every step can be undone.

Ascomp Concenturio

Keep tasks in mind

Ascomp

The program with the somewhat martial name Concenturio  the symbol is the helmet of a Roman centurion  wants to help you keep your appointments and tasks under control.

To do this, you can set up one-off or recurring tasks, and when they are due, the program will display a message window and/or play a message tone.

To create a one-time task, click on the tab of the same name, enter the desired event text and set the due date. You can choose an exact time or a time span, which can be selected from five minutes in minute increments. Then select the type of alarm by checking the appropriate boxes, i.e. whether you want to receive a message and/or a tone when the event is due. You can choose from six presets for the warning tone. Alternatively, you can also select an audio file as an alarm.

You can set up recurring reminders via the tab Task list and Add. In the first step, you determine at what time and how often you want to receive the reminders. Here you can choose from daily to once a week to annually on a certain day. In the next step, you define the type of notification in the same way as for the one-time reminders.

Note: To use the program free of charge, you must register with the manufacturer.

Ascomp Photo Anonymizer

Delete Exif data from photos

Ascomp

If you like to post your photos online but dont want to reveal any personal information in the Exif data of the image, Ascomps Photo Anonymizer is a valuable free tool.

In the main view, the program offers you some basic options under Settings, such as keeping or resetting the time stamp when saving the pictures and using a different file name and a different storage folder. The button Remove meta data in the main view deletes all information in the Exif header of an image, such as the time stamp, the camera model used, the exposure parameters, the GPS coordinates and so on.

With the button Remove GPS information only only the coordinates disappear, i.e. where the picture was taken. With the button Alternative data streams you remove all other information, for example when downloading an image file from the internet.

The procedure is always the same: you click on the desired button and navigate in the next window to the image data whose information you want to delete. A click on Anonymize files starts the process. Only with Remove meta data can you specify more precisely what is to be deleted (Exif, Dicom, IPTC, XMP, etc.).

Note: To use the programme free of charge, you must register with the manufacturer.

Ashampoo Audio Recorder Free

Record audio

Ashampoo

Audio Recorder Free from Ashampoo is an easy-to-use recording tool for the PC.

In the settings you determine the input device, the file format (MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, Flac, Opus, or APE), the audio quality, and the storage location. For the input device, you can choose between three audio interfaces, which offer additional options depending on your PC equipment.

With MMSystem, for example, you have the choice between Microsoft Soundmapper  Input and Microsoft Array (Intel Smart), while the DirectShow option lets you choose between Primary Sound Recording Driver and Microphone Array (Intel Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones).

For Wasapi there is only a Microphone Array (Intel Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones) option. With regards to the audio quality, you can fine-tune the frequency and bit rate for the selected option (Normal, Good, CD, or High quality) using the slider. Click on the red button or the microphone symbol in the main window to start the recording.

You can also cut finished recordings via the scissors symbol by setting the cut marks accordingly and then saving the file as a copy or instead of the original. The direct link to the Media Library takes you to the storage location of your audio files.

Ashampoo Taskbar Customizer

Personalise your Taskbar

Online support concept. Toolbox with tools on laptop. Sales tools online concept. 3d Ashampoo

Ashampoo Taskbar Customizer lets you change the design of the Windows taskbar in terms of color and transparency.

After installation, youll find the tool in the system tray to the right of the taskbar. To open it, right-click on the program symbol and select Settings. A window then appears with the various adjustment tools.

For example, youll find a color selection in which you can determine the desired color tone with a mouse click. Using the scale in the middle, which goes from white to black, you can adjust the brightness of the selected color tone using a small arrow. To the right of this, you also have the option of manually determining the individual color values for red (R), yellow (G), and blue (B).

Use the value next to the A to determine the transparency of the taskbar, i.e. whether you want to see the icons in it on a visible background or simply faded into the desktop. If you check the Preview box, you can see the effects of your settings in real time. Use the Reset button to undo all changes except for the transparency.

Tip: If you simply want the taskbar to be transparent without changing the color, right-click on the program icon in the quick launch bar and select the Transparent option.

Audials Play

Multimedia player

Audials

If you are looking for free playback software for audio and video, Audials Play is a good choice. The user interface is based on Audials One, so you will find category icons for music, radio, video/TV, podcasts, your playback history, and the program folders on the left edge.

You can configure the navigation area under User Interface and activate the display of subtitles for videos in the other menu items, use the equalizer, adjust the display of the radio stations, add streaming subscriptions to Amazon Music, Spotify, Netflix, and more, and clean out the TV channel list.

To play media, click on the desired category and then select, for example, your local content under Music or suggestions from the Internet under Download. Radio lists stations sorted by genre or country; clicking on them starts playback via the play symbol. You can also record some content and save it locally.

Note: Audials Play does not create a desktop icon. To pin the program to the taskbar, open it, right-click on the symbol in the taskbar and then select Pin to taskbar.

DVDFab ExplorerFab

Burn DVDs and create ISOs

DVDFab

DVDFab ExplorerFab is a DVD/Blu-ray burning program, but also a virtual DVD/BD emulator that can emulate up to 18 drives, mount drives, and also create ISO images.

In the main view, youll find a navigation bar with the buttons Explorer, Burn, Drive and Downloader as well as a direct link to other programs from the manufacturer. Under Explorer, for example, you have the option of converting files and folders into a Zip or 7Z archive or an ISO file and burning them to DVD.

Burn contains various functions to put individual files and folders on a disc, but also to create image files from various sources and to delete rewritable discs. Furthermore, you will find a button to display information about your drives.

Drive holds direct access to your physical and virtual drives, and with the Downloader you can quickly and easily download videos from the internet, i.e. from Youtube, Vimeo etc., via URL. To do this, simply paste the address of the video in question into the top line and click on the arrow to the right of it to start the download. Downloaded takes you to your saved clips.

Easeus Free Screen Capture Software

Create and edit screenshots

IDG

With Easeus Free Screen Capture Software you can create screenshots very quickly, which you can then also edit immediately.

In the settings of the program, you determine the storage format and define shortcuts that let you subsequently take a rectangular screenshot or a complete screenshot. Shortcuts can also be assigned to functions such as pinning to the screen or exiting the function. The tools for taking a screenshot are also displayed directly so that you only have to click on them.

Once you take a screenshot, a toolbar appears immediately afterwards, which you can use, for example, to frame sections, make them unrecognizable, label them, add lines or numbering, and highlight them with a pen or a marker. Each tool can be configured in various size or thickness, and you select the appropriate color from a palette. Individual editing steps can also be undone if you make a mistake.

If you want to delete all adjustments, you can do it via the recycle bin symbol. To finish, click on Save and then pin the screenshot to the desktop using the pin symbol.

Microsoft Font Maker

Create your own font

Microsoft

The Microsoft Font Maker requires a digital pen. You can use the pen and the program to generate your own handwriting as a font for your documents, letters, and other correspondence. Its very nifty!

The creation of the font takes place in three steps: First, you are asked to enter the alphabet in upper and lower case letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and various special characters handwritten with the pen into the corresponding fields of the software. Next, you have to write down three sentences in English. And finally, you have to adjust the spacing between the individual characters, the spacing between the individual words, and the size of the characters using the slider.

Each step and, of course, the finished font can be saved so that you can also adjust the font later. To apply your font, simply select it in the software of your choice like any other font.

Microsoft Journal

Writing a diary

Microsoft

If you like to keep a diary, Microsoft Journal is a tool that allows you to do just that. Several diaries, the so-called journals, can be stored in folders, so that you can, for example, create monthly volumes for 2023 or keep separate diaries for private and professional matters. We also enjoy that the program shows you the most important features in a tutorial when you first start it.

Microsoft Journal is operated exclusively by handwriting, so a touch display or a connected graphics tablet with a pen is a prerequisite, even though the program can also be operated by holding down the mouse button. Thats no fun!

You can use the pen as a pen, pencil, or highlighter with customizable color and thickness. There is also an eraser and a ruler, and you can copy parts of your entry. If you want to attach a picture or a PDF to your entries, you can do so by clicking on the plus symbol. The arrow to the right, on the other hand, adds a new page to your entry.

But wait, theres more!

That was a heaping helping of obscure, yet awesome no-cost software, but theres more where that came from. Be sure to check out our roundup of the best free software for your PC to go even deeper down the rabbit hole.
Three years after the pandemic, it feels like weve reached the endgame for funny Zoom backgrounds. Google has begun testing AI-generated backgrounds in Google Meet, something that Microsoft inevitably will follow in Teams.

Not everyone has this feature turned on. Google has only made AI backgrounds available to those who are currently part of its Workspace Labs program, the beta program to test out new features in Meet and other Google apps. But the support document with instructions has already hit the web, with the implication that it will publicly debut before long.

In 2000, creating a funny Zoom background became the rage for a short time, followed by making an animated GIF  including looping the background GIF to make it seem like, Mission: Impossible-style, that you were actually there when you werent. Two years later, AI art became the new fad, with innovations like Bing Image Creator allowing you to create custom illustrations on the fly. Google, somewhat oddly, has been behind the curve.

Until now, that is. According to the Google support document, it looks like youll be able to create a background, just like youre able to use a custom background in Meet today. If you review the Meet backgrounds (when joining a Google Meet meeting, click the sparkle tab to adjust your background) youll already see a host of slightly animated backgrounds that look like theyve been generated from AI, like so:

Mark Hachman / IDG

What Meet is adding to this is simply a window to create your own background, using AI. Instead of selecting an existing background, youll have the option of typing in a scene, such as a magical forest, and selecting a style from the drop-down menu. There is a 3D animation option that appears in the drop-down menu box in Googles example, but its unclear whether the result will actually be animated, as some of Googles current Meet backgrounds are.

Naturally, youll still have the opportunity to use your standard real world background, including the option to blur it, too. Heres what Meets AI backgrounds will look like, compliments of Artem Russakovskii of Android Police:

Google

Googles new AI backgrounds in Meet certainly feel like something Microsoft accidentally passed over, so you should expect that Googles rivals will follow suit. In a few months, its likely that an AI-generated custom background will be a standard option in video chats.
The lawyers for the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, have had their application for a stay of proceedings dismissed by an Accra High Court.



This was during the Tuesday, July 18, 2023, sitting in the criminal case brought against the MP by the state over his deceit of public officers.



The charges being levelled against the MP are forgery and perjury.



This is the second application for a stay of proceedings filed by lawyers of James Gyakye Quayson, following the first one that was also dismissed on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.



The issues surrounding Quayson began when a group called the 'Concerned Citizens of Assin North' petitioned the Electoral Commission, alleging that he was a Canadian citizen and therefore ineligible to contest in the Assin North Parliamentary elections in 2020.



Despite the petition, Quayson participated in the elections as the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and secured 55.21% of the votes.



Following his victory, a resident of Assin Bereku filed a petition at the Cape Coast High Court seeking to invalidate Quayson's declaration as the MP of Assin North.



After three years of court proceedings, the Supreme Court concluded the case on May 17 and instructed Parliament to remove Quayson's name from its records.



However, Quayson subsequently regained the seat through a by-election.



The trial is expected to continue, with the prosecutions first witness to testify.



Currently underway is the cross-examination by lawyers of Gyakye Quayson.







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Nigeria is gearing up to stop the spread of anthrax after cases were reported at a livestock farm northwest of the capital, Abuja.



The outbreak was confirmed by the agricultural ministry after symptoms of the disease were discovered at a farm in Gajiri, along the Abuja-Kaduna motorway, in Niger state.



The farm, which has cattle, sheep, goats and poultry, has been placed under quarantine, and 50,000 doses of anthrax vaccine have been sent to the area.



Anthrax primarily affects livestock animals. Humans can also be infected when they come into direct contact with infected animals or consume products from them.



It is caused by Bacillus anthracis and largely survives as spores that hide away in soil for years before entering an animal through a cut or wound.



Clinical signs of anthrax in animals include sudden death and bleeding from the nose, mouth and anal region.



The government is encouraging livestock owners, farmers and the public to remain vigilant and report any other suspected cases.



It also urged farmers to avoid slaughtering sick animals as this could expose people to anthrax spores.



Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics but treatment needs to start soon after infection. No human exposure has been reported so far.



Many communities, mostly in northern Nigeria, depend on livestock farming and herding for their livelihoods, supplying meat to the rest of the country.

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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The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has commissioned the headquarters building and other facilities for the newly created Ashanti North Regional Police Command at Mampong in the Ashanti Region.



One of seven new Regional Police Commands created in 2023, the Ashanti North Command is made up of four combined Divisional Commands - Mampong, Effiduase, Offinso and Tepa - with its headquarters at Mampong.



The headquarters was commissioned on Tuesday, 18th July 2023 at a ceremony attended by senior Police officials including the Director General - Administration, Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno and the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) DCOP Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie.



The Vice President, who is also Chairman of the Police Council, explained that Ghana's increasing population, as well as the increasingly sophisticated nature of crime and policing, had necessitated the creation of additional police commands in order to fulfil the Service's mandate.



"The peace and development of any country depends on its security, and the first line of security is the Police. It is therefore important that Police Service is properly deployed and equipped to perform their duties and ensure the peace we need to develop our nation," he emphasized.



In a remarkable show of patriotism a citizen of Mampong, Mr Yaw Amponsah Marfo popularly known as Agya Wiase constructed and donated the Regional Police Headquarters buildings to the Ghana Police. He has also donated a pickup vehicle and two motorbikes to the police and promised to put up an office for the Ghana Immigration Service at Mampong in the shortest possible time.



Dr Bawumia had high praise for Mr Marfo, for whom the new Offices have been named (Agya Wiase Police Station), saying his philanthropy was very worthy of emulation.



"Your actions and donations demonstrate the important role of the private sector in supporting the government to provide essential logistics for nation-building. You have shown admirable philanthropy to the people of Mampong and Ghana. I urge the private sector to emulate your worthy example."



The Omanhene of Mampong, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, lauded the Police for continuing to deliver on their mandate despite changing dynamics and logistical constraints and challenged the officers and men of the new Command to live above reproach.



New Regions



The Police Administration, in March 2023, created seven additional police regional commands to ensure effective and efficient policing throughout the country.



The new regions are in the Ashanti and the Eastern regions, which have two each, and the Western, Central and Volta regions, each of which has an additional Regional Police Command.

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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AMMAN, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday called for taking immediate action to address its funding crisis to avoid dire consequences for refugees.

Dominik Bartsch, the UN refugee agency's representative in Jordan, said that the current shortfall in funding for refugee response is threatening the significant progress made over the past decade, the state-run Al Mamlaka TV reported.

He voiced concerns about the Jordanian government's ability to maintain essential health and education services for the refugees in the kingdom.

In previous years, continuous support helped Syrian refugees to enter the labor market, but there is a risk that the overall refugee situation could turn into a humanitarian crisis for both refugees and host communities, Bartsch said.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday announced that further cuts in food assistance to the refugees in Jordan have become unavoidable due to a funding shortfall.

The WFP will have to reduce monthly aid by a third for the 119,000 Syrian refugees living in the Zaatari and Azraq camps of Jordan. The monthly financial assistance for Syrian refugees living in these camps would be lowered to 21 U.S. dollars from 32 dollars starting in August.

This WFP announcement followed a series of aid cuts in recent months, which forced NGOs to suspend health services in the camps of Zaatari and Azraq and led to a significant decline in the quality and availability of health services.

Commending Jordan's significant efforts to aid refugees, Bartsch urged donors to be aware of the risks ahead. He underlined the need for a coordinated and strategic response to help Jordan host the refugees successfully.

Editor: WXL
Former President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday, July 16, 2023, visited the former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, at his residence in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale.



The supposed rivalry between the two men was not seen as Haruna Iddrisu happily welcomed the former president to his home.



Mahama has on countless occasions denied that there is friction between him and the Tamale South legislator following rumours of tension between them due to their presidential ambitions.



The former president, who is also the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), on his arrival at Harunas home, interacted briefly with the household before proceeding to the hall, where he met Haruna.



The former minority leader welcomed Mahama amid smiles and pleasantries and offered him a seat. They continue their discussion amid jokes and laughter.



Mahama was in the Northern and Savanna Regions for a working visit.



He visited chiefs and traditional rulers including Tolon Naa Major Abubakari Sulemana (Rtd.), Kaasuliyili Naa Yakubu Bukari, Lingbun Naa Sayibu and Nyankpala Naa Ibrahim Mahama.













Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Chief Executive Officer of the InterCity State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea has declared his support for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to win the New Patriotic Party presidential primaries in November this year.



Ten candidates are vying for the flagbearer position of the party; among them are Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Agriculture Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Attorney General and Railways Minister, Joe Ghartey, former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong and a host of others.



The NPP will hold a Special Delegates Congress in August to trim the number of the candidates to five who will contest in the main congress.



The candidates, particularly Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen and Kennedy Agyapong have been touring the nation to solicit votes from the delegates.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show Tuesday morning, Nana Akomea disclosed he is "a key member of Bawumia campaign team".



He further disclosed that Dr. Bawumia has toured 37 out of the 44 constituencies in the Ashanti Region and will finish his tour tomorrow.



"I don't assume that the Ashanti Region to be Bawumia's stronghold because his contenders are all bigwigs of the party. In fact, I think most of them are Asantes, so I wouldn't have expected Bawumia to have rapturous applause in the Ashanti Region but what I saw there was eye-catching," he testified.



He added it was an overwhelming sight to behold as the Members of Parliament and party's Chairmen endorsed Dr. Bawumia while campaigning in the Region.



To him, the Vice President is the best candidate to break the eight for the NPP.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority, Akosua Manu, has filed her nomination to contest the parliamentary primaries of Adenta Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.



She filed her nomination at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) office on monday ,17th July 2023 when she submitted the signed forms to the party.



The forms were received by the Adentan Constituency Chairman, Koku Acolatse, the Chairman of the Constituency Election Vetting Committee, Richard Ofori-Yeboah and the Constituency Secretary, Cobby Bediako.



Mr Acolatse told the entourage that they are aware of the quality of person Akosua Manu is, and what shes representing by putting herself forward.



The quality that we are seeing these days will surely deliver the victory, Insha Allah! So the NDC should be prepared. He noted.



Chairman of the Constituency Vetting Committee, Obiri-Yeboah, advised the contenders and their supporters to conduct themselves justly to ensure that party unity is maintained, come the end of the contest.



Akosua Manu thanked the party for the opportunity given her to contest for the Parliamentary seat.



The Adentan seat is one of the seven constituencies where the NPP has no representation in the Eighth Parliament.



The seat is currently occupied by Adamu Ramadan, a brother of the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The attention of the Bawumia Campaign Team has been drawn to a post by one David Humdeyin, a journalist in Nigeria, that the Bawumia Campaign is being funded by some Islamic group in Nigeria called the ACF.



We notice that the same narrative has been copied by some persons and groups in Ghana on social media.

This narrative is obviously false, fabricated, and only serves the propaganda purposes of its promoters.



For the avoidance of doubt, the Bawumia Campaign has no funding or any linkage with any Islamic group in Nigeria or anywhere else.



We also note that the said David Humdeyin has demonstrated a penchant for making similar claims against some persons and groups in Nigeria without any basis whatsoever



The Bawumia Campaign is focused and will not be distracted by such vain untruths.



The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been very diligent and transparent from his days as a scholar, banker, and politician throughout his life and will not depart from these now and forever.





Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Film Producer cum broadcaster, Ola Michaels has taken with a pinch of salt actor Adjetey Anang's alibi to his defence that he's never had sexual intercourse with any woman apart from his wife although admitting in his memoir titled Adjetey Annan: A Story of Faith, Imperfection, and Resilience that he has cheated on his wife.



In the book authored by Adjetey Anang, who is most admired and thought to be innocent in character, shocked his fans and a lot of people when he opened up on his life experiences and shared the bit where he cheated on his wife in various forms.



He wrote I have been in very compromising situations with ladies and revealed that yes, I have cheated on my wife before in the various forms that cheating could be defined as, both emotionally and physically.



The actor went ahead to apologize to his wife and the other women he has been involved with, telling them he is deeply sorry and that he is committed to rebuilding his marriage.



Following the launch of the book, Anang appeared in a Television interview and a question popped up on the bit about him cheating on his wife but the actor swiftly explained it had nothing to do with sex, rather the cheating he referred to was about his lust of the eyes and he hugging a woman.



But Ola Michael isn't buying Adjetey Anang's elucidation on the subject matter.



Joining Saturday's panel on UTV's "United Showbiz" with MzGee, he asked the actor to stop playing with the minds of Ghanaians, saying "we are not fools".



Ola wondered how the actor expects any person to believe that hugging a woman could pass for physical cheating as he claimed in his book and that he never for once indulged in sex outside his marriage.



"There are two forms of it, either emotional or physical. The physical most likely involves some sort of intimacy which could lead to the last part of being sex. So, if you write in your book that you have cheated on your wife both emotionally and physically and you say it didn't involve sex, what do you really want to tell us?", he hollered.







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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Ghanaian-born artist Benjamin Buckey is thrilled to announce the release of his highly anticipated debut album, "Desperate." This musical masterpiece, featuring six compelling tracks, showcases Benjamin's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to his craft. With powerful vocals, soul-stirring melodies, and heartfelt lyrics, "Desperate" promises to captivate listeners and leave a lasting impression.



Born and raised in Takoradi, the Western part of Ghana, Benjamin Buckey draws inspiration from his rich cultural heritage and deep musical roots. From a young age, his passion for music blossomed under the guidance of his father Mr. Joseph Kobina Buckey and late mother Mrs Rebecca Esi Buckey, who nurtured his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career as a professional musician. At the tender age of nine, Benjamin embarked on a journey of musical exploration through home piano classes, laying the foundation for his exceptional musical abilities.



After spending several formative years in The Gambia, Benjamin honed his craft and expanded his musical horizons. Drawing influence from the vibrant music scene of the region, he developed a unique musical style that seamlessly blends soulful melodies with inspiring lyrics. Benjamin's extraordinary commitment to his artistry has earned him accolades and recognition throughout his career.



"Desperate" features six mesmerizing tracks that showcase Benjamin Buckey's versatility as an artist. Produced by the exceptionally talented Sunny Pee, the album comprises the powerful anthems "Desperate," "Most High God," "Hold On," "My Praise," and the heartfelt ballad "Love Is Patient," featuring Uforo Matthew. Additionally, the track "You Are God" stands out with its compelling production by Pricha Benny. Each song in the album invites listeners on a transformative musical journey, enveloping them in a world of faith, hope, and inspiration.



As a testament to his unwavering dedication to his faith and music, Benjamin Buckey has served as a choir secretary, instrumentalist, and choir director at the Assembly of God Church (HQ) in The Gambia. Currently, he contributes his musical talents as an instrumentalist and music minister at the Living World Church International in Sydney, Australia where he continues to inspire others through his music.



With a growing list of accolades to his name, including his victory in the Morning Stars International Singing Competition in The Gambia (2015) and the esteemed title of Best Vocalist of the Year Album (2018), awarded by Wave Plus Promotion, Benjamin Buckey has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.



"Desperate" is set to be launched on Saturday, July 29th, 2023, and will be available on all major digital platforms. To stay updated on Benjamin Buckey's latest releases, performances, and more, follow him on Instagram and TikTok @benjaminbuckeymusic, as well as on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook @benjaminbuckey.

For bookings please email [email protected]

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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WARREN, Pa. (AP)  A county prosecutor in Pennsylvania said Tuesday that he has asked the state attorney generals office to take over the investigation surrounding a homicide suspects escape because of the possibility that jail staff might be charged with criminal negligence.

Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene said reports from the Warren city police investigation included information that could possibly implicate inmates and staff at the county jail as well as others in the July 6 escape of Michael Burham, 34. He was recaptured Saturday after a barking dog alerted a couple to his presence on their property.

Greene said he has seen nothing to indicate staff members participated or were complicit in the escape in which authorities say Burham climbed on exercise equipment, went through a window and scaled down a rope fashioned from jail bedding. But Green said staff could face criminal charges if they were negligent in their duties to make sure Burham or other inmates did not escape.

Greene said because he considers many jail staff in the small county his friends, and because hes on the prison board, he asked the attorney generals office to take over the escape case against Burham and any related case brought against anyone else.

Michael Burham, a homicide suspect who escaped from a Pa. jail. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP, file)AP

Greene, who earlier also sought a state corrections department investigation, said he was floored at the idea of staff having some culpability. He also said he is livid about the negative attention the case had brought to the area. He added, however, that he didnt believe there would be a problem with continued operations at the jail, emphasizing that his concerns involved only negligence issues, complacency issues.

I cant imagine, for the life of me, that any of those jail guards that might be under investigation at this point wouldnt be straightening themselves up, he said.

Greene acknowledged having potential suspects in mind but declined to say who or how many. He also declined to comment on whether anyone knew about Burham collecting sheets for his escape, saying it would be an issue in the attorney generals investigation.

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 accuse him of abducting an older couple in Pennsylvania while trying to evade capture before his arrest in South Carolina. New York officials said they opted to let Pennsylvania handle the initial prosecution as they probe the killing and arson.

Greene said he will continue to handle the Pennsylvania kidnapping and burglary case that Burham was being held on.
Allegedly seeking to nullify the result of the 2020 election in Michigan to ensure then-President Donald Trump would receive a second term, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that 16 Republicans involved in that scheme are each facing up to 80 years in prison after her office charged them with a litany of felonies.

Each, her office said in a news release, were part of a scheme to replace Michigans electoral college representatives with a slate of pro-Trump Republicans that would supplant those chosen by state leaders. The representatives convey the result of the Michigans popular vote to Washington, DC, where the selection of the next president is finalized.

Prominent Michigan Republicans are facings charges. They including former Michigan Republican Party co-chair Meshawn Maddock; Kathy Berden, one of three Republican National Committee representatives for Michigan; Kent Vanderwood, the mayor of Wyoming; Stan Grot, Shelby Townships clerk and Marian Sheridan, the partys current grassroots vice-chair.

Then-candidate Joe Biden beat incumbent president Donald Trump in Michigan by more than 154,000 votes in the November 2020 election.

The evidence will demonstrate there was no legal authority for the false electors to purport to act as duly elected presidential electors and execute the false electoral documents, Nessel said in a statement. Every serious challenge to the election had been denied, dismissed or otherwise rejected by the time the false electors convened. There was no legitimate legal avenue or plausible use of such a document or an alternative slate of electors.

Ken Thompson, a current Republican precinct delegate and activist, signed his named as an elector among the pro-Trump slate. In an interview with MLive, Thompson expressed contempt for the charges he faces and Michigans elected leaders.

Dana Nessels a fool, shes a propagandist, Thompson said. Theyve created a mess. Theyre not going to go anywhere with it. Not one of these prosecutions has bite. It is an attempt to put pressure on the ill-informed and feed the narrative to a population that is woefully lacking knowledge of the processes of our government.

On the day the states legal electors met to certify the 2020 election results in Michigans Capitol, the pro-Trump slate walked to the Capitol and attempted to certify their slate inside, but were turned away by police.

These false documents were then transmitted to the United States Senate and National Archives in a coordinated effort to award the states electoral votes to the candidate of their choosing, in place of the candidates actually elected by the people of Michigan, Nessels office said in the release.

Each of the sixteen charged faces eight counts. The charges are conspiracy to commit forgery, a 14-year felony, two counts of forgery, a 14-year felony, conspiracy to commit uttering and publishing, a 14-year felony, uttering and publishing, a 14-year felony, conspiracy to commit election law forgery, a five-year felony, and two counts of election law forgery, a five-year felony.

Thompson, who claims U.S. elections have been illegitimate for more than 50 years, said their slate of electors were just as valid as those appointed under law. He placed blame on former Vice President Mike Pence, and Republican leaders of the legislature following the election for the failure of the scheme.

We had a right to petition and submit our our ballots to be accepted in the January 6 event in the federal Congress, and it was up to the Vice President to determine which electors he would accept or return all electors to the state to allow them to sort it out, Thompson said. Mike Pence did neither.

Nessels offices alleged those individuals charged met covertly in the basement of the Michigan Republican Party headquarters on Dec. 14, and signed their names to multiple certificates claimed to be the legal electors.

Thompson is certain hell be exonerated, and characterized the investigation into the false electors as a pressure campaign aimed at manipulating the 2024 election.

Our state is governed by lawlessness. Its anarchy, and thats what communists do. They run anarchy. These people are right out of Beijing as far as Im concerned, Thompson said.

The Department of Attorney General said the investigation is ongoing, and didnt rule additional charges against others. Nessel cast the prosecution as a duty to the public.

The false electors actions undermined the publics faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan, Nessel said. My department has prosecuted numerous cases of election law violations throughout my tenure, and it would be malfeasance of the greatest magnitude if my department failed to act here in the face of overwhelming evidence of an organized effort to circumvent the lawfully cast ballots of millions of Michigan voters in a presidential election.

According to the Department of Attorney General, the individuals charged are:

Kathy Berden, 70, of Snover

William Choate, 72, of Cement City

Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc

Clifford Frost, 75, of Warren

Stanley Grot, 71, of Shelby Township

John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix

Mary-Ann Henry, 65, of Brighton

Timothy King, 56, of Ypsilanti

Michele Lundgren, 73, of Detroit

Meshawn Maddock, 55, of Milford

James Renner, 76, of Lansing

Mayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms

Rose Rook, 81, of Paw Paw

Marian Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield

Ken Thompson, 68, of Orleans

Kent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming

Other charged individuals have not responded to requests for comment.

After the charges were announced, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson wrote on Twitter, accountability is critical to ensuring these attempts are not made again and my office stands ready to ensure that justice is served towards anyone seeking to undermine our democracy.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
By HYUNG-JIN KIM, KIM TONG-HYUNG, TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR, The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea on Wednesday was silent about the highly unusual entry of an American soldier across the Koreas heavily fortified border as some observers say North Korea is unlikely to repatriate him anytime soon amid heightened animosities between the former wartime foes.

A day after the soldier bolted into North Korea during a tour in the border village of Panmunjom on Tuesday, there was no word on the fate of Private 2nd Class Travis King, the first known American detained in the North in nearly five years. Earlier Wednesday, North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in an apparent protest at the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea the previous day.

Its likely that North Korea will use the soldier for propaganda purposes in the short term and then as a bargaining chip in the mid- to long term, said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea.

King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was being sent home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

He was escorted as far as customs but left the airport before boarding his plane. It wasnt clear how he spent the hours until joining the Panmunjom tour and running across the border Tuesday afternoon. The Army released his name and limited information after Kings family was notified. But a number of U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, provided additional details.

Kings mother told ABC News she was shocked when she heard her son had crossed into North Korea.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Claudine Gates, of Racine, Wisconsin, said.

Gates said the Army told her on Tuesday morning about her sons entrance into North Korea. She said she last heard from her son a few days ago, when he told her he would return soon to Fort Bliss. She added she just wanted him to come home.

King faced at least two other assault-related allegations in South Korea.

South Korean army soldiers pass by a military guard post at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)AP

In February, a court fined him 5 million won ($3,950) after he was convicted of assaulting an unidentified person and damaging a police vehicle in Seoul last October, according to a transcript of the verdict obtained by The Associated Press.

The ruling said King had also been accused of punching a 23-year-old man at a Seoul nightclub, though the court dismissed that charge because the victim didnt want King to be punished.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the U.S. government was working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve this incident. The American-led U.N. Command said Tuesday the U.S. soldier was believed to be in North Korean custody.

Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Pentagon news conference, noting he was foremost concerned about the soldiers well-being. This will develop in the next several days and hours, and well keep you posted.

It wasnt known whether and how the U.S. and North Korea, which have no diplomatic relations, would hold talks. In the past, Sweden, which has an embassy in Pyongyang, provided consular services for other Americans detained in North Korea. But Swedish diplomatic staff reportedly havent returned to North Korea since the country imposed a COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020 and ordered all foreigners to leave.

Some observers say North Korea and the U.S. could still communicate via Panmunjom or the North Korean mission at the U.N. in New York.
Two Port Authority Police officers helped deliver a baby Monday morning at the Lincoln Tunnel toll plaza in Hudson County, N.J. It was business as usual for one and a first-time experience for the other.

Officer Timothy Jozefczyk was first to arrive on the scene just before 9 a.m. when the panicked driver, and soon to be father of the baby, Nestor Guallpa, told him that his partner was in labor and was bleeding, according to a spokesperson for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

When Jozefczyk arrived by her side, the baby was crowning, and he instructed the mother, Maria Marin, to keep pushing. Within three minutes, a healthy baby boy was born, officials said.

I was so relieved when the baby cried and so happy that everyone is healthy, said Jozefczyk, who hopes to be a dad one day.

Shortly after, Port Authority Police Officer Evan Butt arrived and assisted until EMTs arrived and took Marin and the baby to a hospital.

Kylian Aaron Guallpa Castano was born healthy at a rest stop. (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Kylian Aaron Guallpa Castano was born healthy and happy and weighed in at six pounds and nine ounces. Guallpa said it was an experience he will never forget.

We are so happy that we got help from the police, Guallpa said. We are so grateful that they were there and that everyone is healthy. Seeing the officers work carefully and knew what they were doing was amazing. Theyre our heroes. It was like something out of a movie, and I will never forget this experience.

With nine years on the job, Jozefczyk said he was very nervous when he showed up on scene. This was his first time holding a newborn, much less helping with the delivery of one.

However, for Butt, who has prior experience in the Fire Department of New York and as an EMT, this was his fifth time in assisting in a delivery of a baby, officials sad.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.

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In the course of an attack by the Russian occupation troops aimed at the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk on Tuesday night, the infrastructure of international and Ukrainian traders Kernel, Viterra, CMA CGM Group, as well as tanks and berths of the Odesa port, were damaged, the press service of the Ministry of Restoration said.

"Russia continues to terrorize the world even after withdrawing from the Grain Initiative. Grain terminals and port infrastructure in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk were attacked. The grain infrastructure of international and Ukrainian traders and carriers Kernel, Viterra, CMA CGM Group was damaged. Tanks and berths of the Odesa port were also damaged," the report said.

It is indicated that the attack was aimed at the port infrastructure, which is involved in the operation of the grain corridor.

Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov called on the world to protect the port infrastructure, as its destruction makes it impossible to supply grain to world markets and countries that need food.

"Attack on grain terminals is an act of aggression against the world. The goal of Russian terrorists is to destroy any ways of supplying grain to world markets. The terrorist state is at war not only with Ukraine, but also with the population of Africa and Asia, for whom this grain is a matter of survival. Grain and port infrastructure must be protected by the world. This is a guarantee, first of all, for global food security," Kubrakov said in the message.
The Newberry Township supervisors on Tuesday voted 5-0 to reject two bids from York Water Company to buy the townships sewer system.

The water company offered $30 million initially and then came back with a $53 million offer but the higher offer attracted no additional support from the township residents who came out in force on Tuesday evening to the Red Mill Elementary School gymnasium.
Harford County, Maryland, has canceled the Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival, which was scheduled to take place in Bel Air the first week of August, due to safety concerns.

After extensive discussions with state and local law enforcement, the county department of emergency services, and other county and state agencies, the county wrote in a Friday news release, Harford County government today notified the organizers, American Farm Foundation, that their submitted plans had insurmountable deficiencies that could not be corrected prior to the event.

Organizers of the event, however, have said that despite Harford County no longer hosting the event, it will still take place. A new location is expected to be announced this week.

We were surprised and disappointed by this unexpected last-minute decision by Harford County, since we have been working hand-in-hand with them for months, organizers wrote on the festivals Facebook page.

Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler wrote in a July 11 letter to county administrator Rob McCord that it was abundantly clear that no reasonable level of preparation has been undertaken in regard to safely hosting this event here in Harford County.

Gahler wrote in the letter that the festival was brought to the attention of the sheriffs office the week prior to the letter being written. The event was formally announced by the county back in March.

Gahler also wrote that members of the sheriffs office looked to see if an application for the event had been submitted to the countys public event permit portal 60 days prior to the scheduled dates and that they did not find one.

It appears incomprehensible this level of outright incompetence is possible when considering the safety of attendees and those involved, Gahler continued in the letter before advising the county to not hold the event.

Cpt. Michael Schleper, of the sheriffs offices Patrol Special Operations Division, outlined specific concerns with the festival in a memorandum addressed to Gahler on July 11.

These concerns included a lack of security plan in place for the event, no EMS or fire plans and insufficient parking.

The festival was initially held in Talbot County for its first several years before it was announced earlier this year that it would be moving to Harford County.

Alex Spies, one of the co-owners of the festival, previously said in an announcement for the event: When we evaluated where the Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival should be, there really wasnt any question that Harford County was the answer. The value Harford places on preserving its agricultural heritage and support for agritourism was a natural fit.

Festival organizers have not responded to The Aegis request for comment.

Jason Fontelieu of the Baltimore Sun wrote this story.

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Jason Aldean took to Twitter Tuesday to defend himself against the social media uproar that has followed the release of his video for the song Try That In a Small Town.

The video contains multiple clips of protesters clashing with police and welcomes folks who might cuss out a cop or spit in his face or stomp on the flag and light it up to try that in a small town and see how far you make it down the road.

Got a gun my grandad gave me, the next verse starts.

Around here we take care of our own, he sings in the chorus. You cross that line it wont take long.

Aldean, who was present at the mass shooting at the Route 91 music festival in Las Vegas in 2017, has been taken to task for the imagery, tone and suggestion of gun violence in the video as well as racial overtones.

He is scheduled to perform at Hersheypark Stadium on July 28.

In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.  Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023

In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests, Aldean wrote to begin the lengthy post. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous. There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it  and that isnt a single video clip that isnt real news footage  and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music  this one goes too far.

Thats when Aldean addressed the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

As many pointed out, I was present at Route 91  where so many lost their lives  and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy, he wrote. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart.

He then tried to explain what the song meant to him.

Try That In A Small Town, for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or believe, Aldean wrote. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences. My political views have never been something Ive hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this County dont agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to  thats what this song is about.

CMT reportedly pulled the song from its airwaves following the backlash, and not everyone was buying Aldeans explanation.

.@Jason_Aldean Im from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence.Theres nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting.



This is not American or small town-like. Its just lame https://t.co/cuOtUO9xjr  Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) July 19, 2023

Musician Sheryl Crow was one of the people out front, taking Aldean to task.

Im from a small town, she tweeted at Aldean. Even people in small towns are sick of violence. Theres nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small-town like. Its just lame.

Crow wasnt the only person that found Aldeans video disturbing and his explanation lacking.

Translation: Jason Aldean simply wants to return to a time in America when good old boys could shoot or beat the (expletive) out of people who they didnt think belonged in their town, Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, responded. Also, this song is two months old now far past the legal song judgement period. Good day.

This song is an ode to a sundown town, suggesting people be beaten or shot for expressing free speech. It also insinuates that guns are being confiscated, the penalty for which is apparently death. Aldean was on stage when 60 of his fans were shot to death and 400+ were wounded. https://t.co/6siOWPcYHM pic.twitter.com/nBxaXV8hAU  Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) July 18, 2023

Give me a break, podcaster Jim Stewartson wrote. Your video is chock full of white supremacist dogwhistles, imagery of Black people and caricatures of woke leftists causing violence while you prance around with angry white men in front of a building infamous for a lynching.

Your entire video promotes the Jim Crow sundown towns where good ole boys made sure no Black people came in and murdered them if they tried it, he added.

Where was the tough guy you portray when people were being murdered in Las Vegas and you ran offstage like a child? he continued. Spare us your righteous indignation and take your KKK anthem down.

Lol. I read the lyrics to his song and thought: ohhhh. His next song is gonna be an ode to lynching. Not gonna post the lyrics because ick- but wow. https://t.co/J5ZHVUNXvg  Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) July 18, 2023

Yeah, this sounds like: we ARE the law and if we dont like you, were gonna kill you, Soledad OBrien wrote.

Again, pretty brutal stuff for Aldean.

But there were others who, apparently, didnt have an issue with the video or song.

Great song, Leo Terrell responded.

They're mad because Jason isn't wrong. https://t.co/tvOD1eYX3U  Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) July 18, 2023

Theyre made because Jason isnt wrong, Dana Loesch wrote.
WILLIAMSPORT  A Centre County man accused of assaulting officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol in Washington has been released on bail with a warning.

U.S. Middle District Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle on Wednesday told Terry Allen, 64, of Spring Mills, he would not hesitate to revoke his personal recognizance bail if he violated any of its conditions.
A Pennsylvania woman who used a bullhorn to direct rioters attacking the U.S. Capitol was convicted on Tuesday of charges that she joined the mob in an attempt to keep President Joe Biden out of the White House.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth heard testimony without a jury before he convicted Rachel Marie Powell of felony charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. Powell, who was convicted of all nine counts in her indictment, is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17, according to court records.

Powell, wearing a distinctive pink hat and fur-lined jacket hoodie, joined a mob of rioters who confronted police officers at bike rack barriers on the west side of the Capitol. She used her back to push against the police line, prosecutors said.

A video captured Powell using a bullhorn to encourage other rioters to coordinate together if youre going to take this building. She also gave them very detailed instructions about the layout of the Capitol, according to an FBI agents affidavit.

Powell told rioters they had another window to break. She herself used an ice-axe and a large pipe to break a window, according to prosecutors.

Powell, 41, of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, waived her right to a jury trial. The judge convicted her of charges that she interfered with police and obstructed the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying Bidens 2020 electoral victory over Donald Trump.

Prosecutors asked Lamberth to jail Powell until her sentencing, but the judge agreed to let her remain free until the hearing.

A lawyer for Powell had no comment on the verdict.

Powell played a leading role during the riot, a prosecutor said at a February 2021 hearing.

She is front and center in the incursion. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Aloi added, according to a transcript.

Powell was arrested nearly a month after the riot. FBI agents found several smashed cellular telephones, gun paraphernalia and other weapons when they searched her home.

Powell and her ex-husband shared custody of six minor children in 2021. She left her children at home when she went to Washington to attend the Stop the Steal rally, according to prosecutors.

Shortly before her arrest, The New Yorker interviewed Powell for an article headlined, A Pennsylvania Mothers Path to Insurrection.

Listen, if somebody doesnt help and direct people, then do more people die? she asked her interviewer.

Prosecutors said Powell showed an inclination towards violence before the Jan. 6 riot. She posted on Facebook in October 2020 that she agreed with the possibility of civil war happening.

Unfortunately, the only way this is probably capable of being fixed is bloodshed because Im not so sure our government can be fixed the political way anymore either, she wrote.

Prosecutors also said Powell described her surveillance of an unidentified public officials home in a November 2020 message to somebody who replied that they were afraid to ask why she was there.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with crimes related to the Capitol riot. Approximately 100 of them have been convicted by juries or judges. More than 600 others have pleaded guilty.

Michael Kunzelman of The Associated Press wrote this story.

Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report.

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Maybe you dont believe the family out in Las Vegas which recently had that really weird run-in with what they say was aliens, but there is definitely something weird happening in our skies.

Dont believe it?

Well, just check out what National Security Council Coordinator and spokesman John Kirby said during Mondays White House press briefing about unidentified flying objects. Kirby called them a legitimate issue.

Yeah, I mean, we wouldnt have stood up an organization at the Pentagon to analyze and try to collect and coordinate the way these sightings are reported if we didnt take it seriously, he said.

I mean, some of these phenomena we know have already had an impact on our training ranges for, you know, when pilots are out trying to do training in the air and they see these things, theyre not sure what they are and it can have an impact on their ability to perfect their skills, he said. So it already had an impact there.

Kirby said our current goal is to have a better understanding of just what exactly we are seeing up there.

Now were not saying what they are or what theyre not, were saying that theres something our pilots are seeing, he said. Were saying it has had an effect on some of our training operations, and so we wanna get to the bottom of it. We wanna understand it better.

The United States Senate is slated to consider a bipartisan bill promoted by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) which would mandate the government disclose previously unreleased UFO documents.

It also came just days after Tennessee congressman Tim Burchett said that what we are dealing with could, likely, easily destroy us if they are aliens.

Ive said this before, they could turn us into a charcoal briquette if they can travel light years or at the speeds that weve seen and defy physics as we know it, he said. Fly underwater, dont show a heat trail, things like that, then we are vastly out of our league.

We couldnt hand it, he added. We couldnt fight them if we wanted to. Thats why I dont think theyre a threat to us or they would already have been.

Hes probably right. Hopefully, on all accounts.
It was midnight, but it seemed like midday.

Flames surged through the windows and roof of the Chestnut Street Market in Harrisburg, illuminating the dark sky. About 500 people watched firefighters battle the blaze for three hours on that February night in 1951.

On another February night nearly 50 years later, a fire destroyed the West Shore Farmers Market in Lemoyne. More than 100 firefighters brought the 1999 blaze under control after eight hours, and about 60 merchants were left without a place to sell their goods.

On July 10, another beloved farmers market fell victim to fire. A malfunctioning ceiling fan sparked a blaze in the brick building of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. Fire Chief Brian Enterline said the fire destroyed about half the building and significantly damaged the other half.

It is devastating, Enterline said. This is a building that has served the community for a long time.

Farmers markets are important community hubs. They bring together city and country, past and present, races, ethnicities and classes.

The first two of these fires at historic market houses had opposite results: Chestnut Street closed four years later, but West Shore was rebuilt the following year.

As we shall see, the Broad Street Market appears to have political and public support for recovery.

For now, there are stories to tell about three popular markets attacked by flames.

Chestnut Street Market

The opening of the Chestnut Street Market in January 1889 marked a pivotal moment in Harrisburgs history.

The new market, consisting of a main two-story building at Chestnut and Court streets and a one-story building that faced Mulberry Street, opened as the sheds at Market Square closed.

The market on the square consisted of two long open-air sheds separated by Market Street that had served Harrisburg since 1790. The sheds had become a nuisance and an obstruction to increasing traffic in the growing city.

The second floor of the Chestnut Street Market was an auditorium that hosted concerts, plays, rallies and other events.

The auditorium was renovated in 1931 and renamed the Madrid Palestra ballroom, where jazz greats Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Count Basie performed.

The 1951 fire, which originated in a kitchen, damaged the second floor but left the market on the first floor untouched. The building never recovered.

Harrisburg merchants wanted more parking for customers, who were increasingly using automobiles. A group of businesses, including The Patriot-News Co., bought the market, which closed in October 1955. The group demolished the market to create a parking lot with more than 300 spaces.

It is always a bit sad to see a landmark disappearing ..., The Evening News said in an editorial. Yet  the demands of the modern day cannot permit sentiment to interfere with practical considerations.

Five Chestnut Street vendors moved to the Broad Street Market, and at least 30 set up shop at the West Shore Farmers Market, The Evening News reported.

Today, the Bnai Brith Apartments, which opened in 1973, occupy the markets former site.

West Shore Farmers Market

Ray Garver Sr., who owned the Silver Spring and Hummelstown markets, opened the West Shore Farmers Market in April 1950.

Oh, it was jammed, vendor Vernon Leicht told The Patriot-News in 1999 about the markets first day. Lookers, not buyers ... . The (real) customers were few. At that time, all the Harrisburg markets were still going on and the people thought of the West Shore, They cant have a market over there.

Still, the West Shore market grew, with an addition constructed in 1953, according to the markets website.

Less than two months after the 1999 fire, which was caused by an electrical problem, a temporary market was established in a storage building and a pole barn on the property. Thousands of dollars from fundraising and donations helped vendors resume business.

The market reopened in a new building with two floors in June 2000.

Today, the market has 50 vendors on the first floor that sell food, and shops on the upper floor provide products such as fine gifts, antiques and artwork, according to the markets website.

Broad Street Market

In 1856, property owner William K. Verbeke donated land for a market house at Third and Broad (today Verbeke) streets. He and two others incorporated the market in April 1860, a month after Harrisburg received its city charter. Thus began what is billed as the oldest continuously operated market house in the U.S.

Construction of the familiar stone building took a few years, thanks to the Civil War, historian Ken Frew wrote in The Burg in 2014.

When it opened Nov. 1, 1864, it was called the West Harrisburg Market House, but over time, it became known as the Broad Street Market.

A wood frame extension was added to the building in 1869 and replaced in 1880, Frew wrote, and a brick building was constructed in three stages from 1874 to 1886. This is the building that burned this month. The wood frame was demolished in 1977 to create a courtyard.

A century ago, general manager John N. Kinnard said in a speech to the Harrisburg Rotary Club that the market had 725 vendors working in 33,000 square feet of space.

Kinnard described the market in his June 1923 address as a Congress of Nations because the vendors included a variety of ethnicities such as Germans, Austrians, Italians, Russian Jews and Hungarians.

The patrons of the market come from the four quarters of the globe and from every strata of society represented in Harrisburgs population, he said.

The market has been owned by the city of Harrisburg since 1979. It is managed by the Historic Harrisburg Associations Broad Street Market Corp., which became a nonprofit in 2017.

The primary symbol of Harrisburg

After their fires, the Chestnut Street Market failed, but the West Shore Farmers Market flourished.

What does the future hold for the Broad Street Market?

The fire displaced 22 vendors. Some have set up in the courtyard between the two market buildings. Several GoFundMe fundraisers are underway, and the market is accepting donations on its website. Plans to construct a temporary space for displaced vendors across from the market are underway.

Harrisburg officials have promised to rebuild the brick building.

The Broad Street Market is so much more than just a place where you buy and sell food, Mayor Wanda Williams said at a news conference. It is quite literally the primary symbol of Harrisburg.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with the Small Business Administration to support vendors and that the state Department of Agriculture will work with vendors to keep them in business.

The markets executive director, Tanis Monroy, expressed hope.

Out of the ashes, its going to be a more united market, Monroy said. While we are still hurting, we are excited about the future.

Joe McClure is a news editor for The Patriot-News. Follow him on Instagram: @jmcclure5nine.
By Jesse Bunch and Max Marin, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Bucks County officials said their search for two children missing after the weekend flooding in Upper Makefield Township continued to turn up empty, as the community mourns the loss of five people who died in the swells.

Loved ones shared fond memories Tuesday of those lost in the floodwaters that surged Saturday during a torrential downpour, including 78-year-old Enzo DePiero; his wife, 74-year-old Linda DePiero; and 64-year-old Yuko Love, all of Newtown Township.

Family members of Katheryn Seley, 32, from Charleston, S.C.  mother to the missing children  and Susan Barnhart, 53, of Titusville, N.J., did not wish to speak publicly about their losses.

For Joanne Depiero, the four-decade-plus marriage between couple Enzo and Linda DePiero was a marvel.

They were so compatible, said Joanne Depiero, who is married to Enzos brother, Juliano, but spells her surname differently. They did everything together.

Enzo DePieros body was recovered on Saturday, along with Seley and Barnhart. Linda DePiero and Love were found dead Sunday.

Those who knew Love remembered her bubbly personality and unparalleled fashion sense.

She walked in and she just lit up the room, said Kelly Wattenmaker, a friend who met Love while working at a marketing research firm in the mid-90s. She had an infectious smile.

Rescue crews and droves of volunteers combed the area near Washington Crossing looking for any trace of siblings Matilda Sheils, 2, and Conrad, 9 months. The search will now scale down, with efforts transitioning to an underwater operation by dive teams, Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer said during a Tuesday news conference.

Yardley Makefield Marine Rescue leaving the Yardley Boat Ramp along N. River Road heading down the Delaware River on Monday morning July 17, 2023, in Yardley, Pa. Search and rescue units were looking for two lost children caught in flood waters Saturday. (Alejandro A. Alvarez/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP. file)AP

Crews have covered the land area of the flood zone more than a dozen times, Brewer said.

Enzo and Juliano grew up in Staten Island, N.Y., and Trenton, N.J., Depiero said. Their parents hailed from a town outside of Venice, Italy.

Enzo had previously worked for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Joanne Depiero said. Linda had worked as a secretary for a pharmaceutical company.

Yuko Love, a marketing researcher who immigrated from Japan, came to Pennsylvania for college, where she met her husband, Dave, who survived the flood but remained hospitalized on Tuesday. Family members declined comment as he continued his recovery.

According to friends and colleagues, the couple adored raising golden retrievers, going to Broadway shows, and trying every cappuccino they could get their hands on.

A prayer vigil for the victims will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Washington Crossing United Methodist Church.
FILE - Richard Moore, the Chief of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, answers questions after giving his first public speech since becoming head of the organization, at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London on Nov. 30, 2021. Artificial intelligence will change the world of espionage, but it wont replace the need for human spies, the head of Britains MI6 intelligence agency says in prepared remarks released Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
Alexander Lukashenko, who is not recognized by the West as a legitimately elected President of Belarus, and Belarusian authorities are actively involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said in a July 18 report with a reference to The Telegraph quoting the head of the Belarusian opposition group National Anti-Crisis Management, Pavel Latushka.

Latushka alleged that Lukashenko is personally responsible for the forced displacement of Ukrainian children to Belarus and that he gave direct instructions on how to carry out and finance the displacement.

The Telegraph found that Belarusian authorities actively worked with Russian authorities to transport some Ukrainian children to Belarus and others to far eastern regions of Russia.

"The Telegraph reported that Belarusian and Russian authorities collaborated to forcibly transport at least 2,150 Ukrainian children to Belarus since September 2022 and that the number of Ukrainian children in Belarus will likely reach 3,000 by fall of 2023," the ISW said.

The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Council had previously called for an arrest warrant against Lukashenko in early June for actions relating to Ukrainian children and for facilitating other crimes committed in Ukraine, the analysts said.
Gantry cranes sit idle above stacks of cargo containers at port during a strike by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers in the province, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Ukraine is categorically against the extension by the European Union of a discriminatory ban on the supply of a number of agricultural products to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania after September 15, said First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy and Trade Yulia Svyrydenko at a meeting with the European Business Association (EBA).

"Both the president, and the prime minister, and all of us (the government) stand on the position that September 15 is the final critical date. After it, there can be no extension of these restrictions that existed for Ukraine," she said.

According to the first deputy prime minister, the ban on the export of wheat, barley, rapeseed and sunflower seeds to these five countries is "discriminatory on the part of the closest neighbors, especially when Ukraine has an enemy at sea."

"This does not look like a very friendly step for us, to put it mildly. Therefore, in all negotiations, from the president to all ministries, we insist that September 15 is a critical, final date, after which we do not see the possibility of extending these deadlines This is discrimination against Ukraine," Svyrydenko stressed.

Asked about what will happen if the ban is still extended, the official said that in this case, Ukraine is forced to consider mirror measures.

"I would not like to say out loud and consider that this is a realistic step, but we think that some mirror measures can be applied," she said.

Svyrydenko declined to comment on the withdrawal of the Russian Federation from the "grain initiative" and said that the Ministry of Economy would take a break, since this issue is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure.
Summer Saved! Nielsen Takes Home Short Deck Bracelet and $270,160 in Second Cash of 2023 WSOP!

July 18, 2023 Kirk Brown Live Reporter

There were five players who returned for the final day of Event #97: $10,000 Short Deck No-Limit Hold'em at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas and it was the start-of-day chip leader Martin Nielsen who walked away with his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet along with $270,160.

Nielsen overcame a star-studded field of 106 entries, which generated a prize pool of $895,300 in one of the last high-roller events of the series. Although he came back to Day 3 as the chip leader, it wasn't a cakewalk for the Faroe Islands Native as he sat down with some of the best players in the world, including poker Hall of Famer and legend John Juanda. In the end, It came down to a heads-up battle between Nielsen and Hong Wei Yu, and the short-deck specialist found a way to come out on top.

Its so weird, though, I thought I would be nervous, Nielsen said after his victory, I don't know, I am a full-time short-deck cash player, but I mostly play online on GG.

The craziest part is this is only his second cash of the series, with his first coming from a min-cash in a $200 Daily Deepstack for $403. When asked what made him register in this high roller, he simply said, Well I am a short deck player, so this was my most important tournament of the summer, the $200 was just for fun. With this win, this jumps his Hendon Mob live earnings to $300,000, which he says will be the biggest from his home country.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Payout 1 Martin Nielsen Faroe Islands $270,160 2 Hong Wei Yu United States $167,340 3 Ivan Ermin Russia $118,037 4 Eric Wasserson United States $85,124 5 John Juanda Indonesia $62,793 6 Nobuaki Sasaki Japan $47,406 7 Chris Brewer United States $36,648

Day 3 Action

There were five players that returned to the felt at 1 p.m. local time and after a small delay, the cards were in the air. The players waited for him to arrive after pitching the cards on the first hand but it didn't take long after that for the chips to start flying.

Early in the day, Juanda moved all in preflop with queen-ten of hearts and was called by Eric Wasserson with ace-king of diamonds to put him at risk. Wasserson flopped a king and held to eliminate Juanda in 5th place.

After that, the action slowed way down as the players were so deep, with the average stack well over 100 antes for most of the day. Wasserson looked like he was making a run when he became chip leader after winning a big pot against Nielsen but then two hands later lost a big cooler to Ivan Ermin to double him up.

Wasserson then lost most of his stack in a huge pot against Nielsen when he flopped a set of eights on an eight-queen-ace board against the ace-nine of Nielsen. Wasserson almost had him drawing dead but Nielsen hit a miracle runout of seven-six to hit a straight on the river. Soon after that, Wasserson moved all in with king-nine suited and was called by Ermin with king-queen. Wasserson turned a pair of nines to take the lead but Ermin hit a gutshot straight on the river to take the pot and sent Wasserson out in fourth place.

After his exit, it was two full levels before Ermin was sent home in 3rd after getting it in preflop with jack-ten suited against the ace-queen of Nielsen. The flop of ten-eight-queen gave Ermin the lead with a pair of tens but the king-jack runout gave Nielsen a straight on the river to send him out in third.

After this pot, Nielsen came into heads-up play against Yu with a dominating 3:1 chip lead. It only took around 15 minutes of play before the two managed to get it all in the middle with Yu holding jack-ten of spades versus the pocket kings of Nielsen. The queen-eight-six-ten turn with two spades gave Yu a ton of outs to hit, but the blank ten on the river did not do it and he was eliminated as the runner-up while Nielsen was crowned champion and adorned with the gold bracelet.

That wraps up the coverage for this event, and although this was one of the last events, keep an eye on PokerNews for the recap on the $5,000 6-max as well as the last updates on the $1,000 Super Turbo. Have a great summer, and catch more action on the felt real soon!

Sharelines Martin Nielsen won one of the last WSOP events of 2023.
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Trumps Fox News Iowa town hall featured Sean Hannity guiding Trump through all his talking points and, at times, making points for him as the event spotlighted questions about Trumps ability to be president.

Sometimes Hannity would set Trump up and watch the former president veer wildly off course:

Hannity: It doesn't seem to bother you (the DOJ 1/6 target letter). Trump: It bothers me. Yeah, this is off to a great start. pic.twitter.com/dPvYC6FPKL  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 19, 2023

Hannity had to correct Trump when he got his Biden conspiracies confused:

Hannity has to correct Trump as he gets his Biden conspiracy theories confused. pic.twitter.com/BtIv9TMghD  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 19, 2023

Hannity devoted multiple segments to the cocaine found at the White House. In each of these, Hannity would deliver a monologue that led Trump by the hand, and the former president would react:

Trump tries to suggest that Joe Biden is on cocaine, "But cocaine is pretty bad, if somebody is taking cocaine and making decisions." pic.twitter.com/Qrq8CdqCIO  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) July 19, 2023

It is fair to ask if the real reason why Trump is refusing to appear at Republican primary debates is that he might not be able to keep up with the other candidates on the stage.

The Donald Trump talking to Sean Hannity was the same person who was a candidate in 2016 or even the same guy who steamrolled through Kaitlin Collins a few months ago on CNN.

The lies were there. The fantasies were there, but the energy was missing in Trumps Iowa town hall on Hannity.

The one thing that has changed is that Trump has been federally indicted in the classified documents case, and he appears about to be federally indicted again in Jack Smiths 1/6 investigation.

Special Counsel Jack Smith has broken Trump. The former presidents energy is gone. Trump soaked up the adoring cheers of the crowd like an oldies act transported back in time to his former glory days.

Donald Trump doesnt have it anymore. He is laboring under the weight of 71 felony charges.

It speaks volumes about Ron DeSantis and other Republican presidential candidates that even in his current diminished state, Trump is still lapping the 2024 Republican field.

Something was jarring about watching Sean Hannity guide Trump through the town hall. Republicans try to make Bidens age an issue, but the problem that they are trying to hide is that Donald Trump appears to be unfit and unwell in his third run for the White House.
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The 16 fake Trump electors that have been charged in Michigan are facing prison sentences if convicted that would mean that most of them would spend the rest of their lives behind bars.

Here is the list of fake electors and their charges from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel:

Kathy Berden, 70, of Snover

William (Hank) Choate, 72, of Cement City

Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc

Clifford Frost, 75, of Warren

Stanley Grot, 71, of Shelby Township

John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix

Mary-Ann Henry, 65, of Brighton

Timothy King, 56, of Ypsilanti

Michele Lundgren, 73, of Detroit

Meshawn Maddock, 55, of Milford

James Renner, 76, of Lansing

Mayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms

Rose Rook, 81, of Paw Paw

Marian Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield

Ken Thompson, 68, of Orleans

Kent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming

Each defendant has been charged with:

One count of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery, a 14-year felony,

Two counts of Forgery, a 14-year felony,

One count of Conspiracy to Commit Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony,

One count of Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony,

One count of Conspiracy to Commit Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony, and,

Two counts of Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony.

The youngest of the Trump fake electors is 55 years old. If each of these individuals is tried and convicted, even if they avoid maximum sentences, they are likely to never spend another day outside of prison.

The question that remains unanswered is why these people would throw away their lives to commit crimes for Donald Trump. The felony charges are serious, and since they are state-level charges, the fake electors cant count on a pardon from Trump if he ever returns to the White House to bail them out.

If these people are convicted, it should serve as a deterrent to anyone in the future who might consider participating in a plot to steal a presidential election.
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Lest you fear that nothing good has ever come from Marjorie Taylor Greene speaking in public, the Presidents team saw an opportunity and jumped on it.

The President said over this video: I approve this message. The ad:

I approve this message. pic.twitter.com/f1q5giNM8j  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 18, 2023

President Bidens ad quoted Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene saying, The largest public investment in social infrastructure and environmental programs that is actually finishing what FDR started that LBJ expanded on and Joe Biden is attempting to complete. Programs to address education, medical care, urban problems, rural problems, transportation, Medicare, Medicaid, labor unions, and he still is working on it.

In one of her many misguided rants, Ms. Greene apparently rattled off the above list of President Bidens alleged missteps, accusing him of making a public investment in social infrastructure that is finishing what FDR started.

No one has yet informed Ms. Greene that the 32nd U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, is judged as one of the greatest presidents because he maintained public confidence during the horrors of the Great Depression and World War II. That is to say, he dealt with the economy and a war, which are two of the biggest challenges a leader can face (unless said leader is, say, more interested in selling cheap Made-in-China merchandise, crying about witch hunts for cash, and cheating to win elections).

The Republican Representative could perhaps be forgiven for she has possibly not been informed yet about World War II and how it started, an incompleteness in her knowledge that might explain why she also later in this speech (not in the ad) ranted against the pointless foreign war. Ms. Greene is another one of those Republican appeasers who might could, as they say in Georgia, use a brush up on the Munich Agreement.

FDR also signed the Social Security Act into law on August 14, 1935. Social Security is tremendously popular with The People.

The President, the Georgia Republican continued, is pushing programs to address education!

As I feel has been made evident in this post alone, education can be very helpful for achieving excellence in ones pursuits.

But to be fair, some people in power seem very invested in keeping Americans as ignorant and uneducated as possible, so that America can come last. Long after Russia. Indeed, few have worked so hard to keep America from being internationally competitive as the undignified Trump sycophant.

Ms. Greene has a habit of holding on to conspiracy theories with a vengeance, never troubled by the need to seek out reality or the truth. On the rare occasion she has been called to account for the most egregious lies she has told, she blames the world for not telling her she was wrong. How was she to know? She wonders. Indeed. How was she to know.

Ms. Greene further accused President Biden of working on programs to address medical care, urban problems, and rural problems.

If youre wondering if Georgians need help with medical care, urban problems or rural problems, the answer is no, thanks! They have everything they need. Never mind that state governments receive aid from the federal government for these things called programs for which Ms. Greene has such disdain.

States get that money for Medicaid, education, and more. You know, medical care and transportation. Nasty programs. Some, like Ms. Greene, call this socialism in an attempt to frighten people out of wanting a social safety net for themselves.

The Georgia Republican has nothing but derision for the work of President Joe Biden, but that is to be expected. You see, Ms. Greene doesnt really understand what it is that she herself is paid to do, and so it is natural for her to see someone like President Biden doing actual work and wonder what is wrong with him.

If President Biden were to really do as Greene asks and stop funding these programs for her state, all we could ask is: Please, Mr. President, tell em Marge sent ya.
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The top election administrator in Wisconsin has been interviewed by Jack Smith and federal prosecutors about Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election.

The AP reported:

Wisconsins top elections administrator on Tuesday became the latest official in a battleground state to say they have been interviewed by federal investigators as part of the special counsels probe into the 2020 election.

Wisconsin Elections Commission administrator Meagan Wolfe answered questions from the FBI and Justice Department officials in person in April, her spokesperson Riley Vetterkind said. Investigators have also spoken with the leader of elections in New Mexico, Michigan and Georgia.

Wolfes position as election administrator is non-partisan, but given that Trump has received a target letter related to the 1/6 investigation, she was almost certainly questioned about Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The road map for what could be unfolding in the 1/6 federal criminal indictments is looking more clear. Federal prosecutors may charge Trump, his lawyers, and potentially other allies with a conspiracy against the United States to overturn a federal election.

Smith is investigating the fake electors plot, Trumps lawyers, Trumps fundraising related to the Big Lie that the election was stolen, and the former presidents behavior and actions through the 1/6 attack on the Capitol.

Just like the classified documents case, federal prosecutors appear to be building a detailed case against Trump.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) told House Republicans at the IRS whistleblower hearing that if they are interested in following evidence, they should investigate Ivanka Trump for felony fraud.

Video:

.@AOC "If we do want to follow the evidence, perhaps we should discuss Ivanka Trump's investigation being charged who is close to being charged with felony fraud after Donald Trump's personal attorney provided political contributions to the local D.A. the charges were dismissed." pic.twitter.com/nFg61mcHDF  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 19, 2023

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said:

When we talk about political influence, were not here today, unfortunately, because the facts have brought us here. Were here today because Donald Trump is exerting an influence campaign in Congress when hes no longer president of the United States. In addition to that, if we want to talk about charges that have been dismissed, and if we do want to follow the evidence, perhaps we should discuss Ivanka Trumps investigation being charged  who is close to being charged with felony fraud after Donald Trumps personal attorney provided political contributions to the local D.A. The charges were dismissed, and ultimately we saw that D.A. Vance, President Trumps attorney, provided over $50,000 in political contributions after the case was dismissed.

So we talk about political contributions. If were following the evidence, that were willing, this committee, if this committee is going to go there, that they open investigations into the dismissed charges of Ivanka Trump and by the way, if the chair  if the gentle lady from Georgia,, wanted to follow evidence, we should also take a look at hypothetically a case where sex trafficking charges against a 17-year-old girl potentially 

Rep. Ocasio Cortez ran out of time when she got to how the committee should investigate Matt Gaetz for allegedly sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl.

AOCs comments are not the first time Ivanka Trump and fraud have been linked. New Yorks criminal fraud investigation of the Trump Organization extends to Ivanka Trump.

There is also Donald Trumps tax fraud, where Ivanka Trump was also a party to the alleged crimes.

If the Oversight Committee was sincerely interested in following evidence, they could spend years investigating Ivanka Trump and her family.
Poland not planning to lift embargo on agricultural imports from Ukraine - PM

Poland is not planning to open its borders to imports of agricultural produce from Ukraine, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

"We care about our agriculture, and therefore, we aren't opening our borders to agricultural products from Ukraine," Polish Radio quoted Morawiecki as saying on Wednesday.

The conflict in Ukraine is having an increasingly more serious effect on the agricultural market, "and this is negatively influencing the Poles, and that's why we have imposed an embargo on products from Ukraine," Morawiecki said.

He acknowledged that, "in a couple of months, the EU intends to reopen the borders for bringing in grain from Ukraine."

"We disagree with that, we won't open our borders and won't allow our economy's destabilization. We have to protect Poland's interests and our agricultural sector," Morawiecki said.

Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania secured the European Commission's consent to ban imports of grain, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds from Ukraine starting May 2.

Agricultural producers in a number of European countries started experiencing problems over an excess of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural produce on the markets of Eastern European countries in the first months of 2023. The situation was prompted in many ways by the EU's decision to temporarily lift import duties on Ukrainian grain and oilseed crops, which substantially increased shipments of Ukrainian agricultural produce to neighboring countries.

Ukrainian products, including grain, sunflower, eggs, poultry, sugar, apples and apple juice, berries, flour, honey, and pasta flooded grocery stores in those countries, prompting prices to fall and hitting local farming businesses.
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The joint James Comer/Jim Jordan IRS whistleblower hearing was quickly upstaged by Jamie Raskin, who introduced evidence that undermined the entire GOP Biden conspiracy.

Video of Raskin:

Jamie Raskin crushes Jordan and Comer with Lev Parnas letter, "There has never been any evidence that Hunter or Joe Biden committed any crimes related to Ukrainian politics. Never during any of my communications. With Ukrainian officials or connections to Burisma." pic.twitter.com/dbmzjqaqtb  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 19, 2023

Raskin said during his opening statement:

We can conclude that this inspector Clouseau-style quest for something that doesnt exist, has turned our committee into a theater of the absurd and exercise and futility and embarrassment. And now we can finally definitively say why the committees efforts have run dry time and again.

Just yesterday, Mr. Chairman, you and I got a letter from Lev Parnas, the Ukrainian-born American businessman who was that Rudy Giulianis side as his right-hand man for a year between November 2018 to October 2019 as Giuliani and then President Trump tried to smear Joe Biden before the 2020 election with the very same allegations were still running through the political spin cycle every week in this committee.

I request unanimous consent to enter the Parnas letter into the record. Without objection to order now in this extraordinary 10-page letter partners painstakingly describes the campaign orchestrated by Giuliani and Trump to quote, dig up dirt on the Bidens and spread misinformation about them through various networks, including government officials, journalists and Fox News personnel after explaining this campaign to fabricate corruption charges against Biden partners, concludes his letter by saying. Throughout all these months of work, the extensive campaigns and networking done by Trump allies and Giuliani Associates, including the enormously thorough interviews and assignments that I undertook quote there has never been any evidence that Hunter or Joe Biden committed any crimes related to Ukrainian politics. Never during any of my communications with Ukrainian officials or connections to Burisma.

Did any of them confirm or provide concrete facts linking the Bidens to illegal activities? As Mr Parnas concludes, theres never been any factual evidence only conspiracy theories spread by people who knew exactly what they were doing. And then he calls on this committee to end its wild goose chase and offers to come and testify. Remember this is Mr Giulianis guy. This is his interpreter and right-hand man who spent a year out there trying to cook the books against Joe Biden, and he offers to come testify. Lets bring him in as a witness, and lets hear about that crusade. That they were on to smear President Biden by promoting the same baseless conspiracy theories that this committee serves up as moldy leftovers every day.

Republicans Are Grasping At Baseless Conspiracies

Speaker McCarthy admitted on Tuesday that the real purpose of Jim Jordans Weaponization of Government subcommittee is to help Donald Trump. McCarthy made this admission while being asked on Fox News what House Republicans can do to stop Jack Smith.

The point of the IRS fake whistleblower hearing is to smear President Biden and his family. In his opening remarks, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer made lots of allegations, but he offered no proof that the President has done anything wrong, and that is the problem that House Republicans continue to run into.

The GOP flings conspiracy theories at the wall, but nothing is sticking, because they have no factual proof of wrongdoing. Oversight Committee ranking member Raskin upset the GOP conspiracy apple cart by offer actual witness proof that countered the premise that the hearing is based on.

Democrats are experienced at House oversight and hearing, and members like Rep. Raskin continue to run circles around the hapless Comer and Jordan.
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Speaker Kevin McCarthy admitted that the real reason Jim Jordans Weaponization of Government subcommittee was created was to save Trump.

McCarthy said on Fox News when he was asked what can the House do about Jack Smith indicting Trump as part of the 1/6 investigation, The one thing we could do is continue to put forth showing the two different judicial systems in America I mean, if youre part of Biden Inc family you get treated one way everybody else gets treated differently every time (former) President Trump goes up in the polls they come after him this is one of the fundamental reasons why when we took the majority we created the weaponization committee because we are going after this is wrong tomorrow.

Video:

Watters: Whats going on with this looming indictment of Donald Trump? Can the House do anything about that? McCarthy: This is one of the fundamental reasons why when we took the majority we created the weaponization committee pic.twitter.com/uUH6V1yVik  Acyn (@Acyn) July 19, 2023

Speaker McCarthy said the quiet part out loud. The weaponization committee was never about investigating government abuse of power. The committee always had only one purpose to keep Donald Trump out of jail before the conclusion of the 2024 presidential election.

The whistleblowers, as Republicans call them, are fake. They are on the payroll of Trump allies.

House Republicans have yet to come up with a single shred of credible evidence against President Biden, nor have they come up with any evidence of any wrong that was done to Donald Trump.

All of the pretexts that Republicans use are designed to cover up the fact that they are using their House majority to protect Donald Trump.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
An Aiken man is facing an attempted murder charge following a Monday night shooting that sent one person to the hospital.

Jeremy Patrick Crawford, 25, was arrested July 18 and charged with attempted murder in connection to the shooting, according to jail records.

Capt. Eric Abdullah with the Aiken County Sheriffs Office said the shooting took place around 10:30 p.m. July 17 at the 100 Block of Bailey Circle.

He said a domestic disturbance-related argument led to the shooting.

He said a male victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and Crawford was arrested by police in connection to the shooting.

Crawford is listed as an inmate at the Aiken County detention center and has no bond.
The founder of a Charleston construction and engineering firm was found guilty of 25 felony charges this week related to work his company did for a Nucor Corp. steel plant in Kentucky.

A Covington, Ky., jury deliberated for less than one day before issuing its verdict against Tony Berenyi, founder of Berenyi Inc.

Berenyi is scheduled to be sentenced in December.

The charges, including wire fraud and money laundering, carry a combined maximum prison term of 450 years and fines totaling $7.5 million. Berenyi, who has no prior criminal record, is likely to serve only a fraction of that amount if a prison term is imposed.

"Of course, we are very disappointed with the outcome of this trial," said Charleston attorney Peter Shahid, who represented Berenyi. "Mr. Berenyi had not only cooperated with the authorities throughout the investigation, he was instrumental in bringing the case to the governments attention. The jury had a very complicated case, and we fully respect their decision. There is still work for our team but based on Mr. Berenyi s long and positive reputation they can return to their core business."

Berenyi was charged in an Oct. 20 indictment over payments he made to Jaymin Vinson, a former Nucor engineer who was overseeing an expansion at the steel giants Gallatin County mill in Kentucky starting in 2018. Prosecutors said the payments totaling $452,125 were kickbacks to Vinson for steering construction work to Berenyis firm. The payments were hidden in the projects overall costs, according to court documents.

Vinson, of Ohio, pleaded guilty last year to a single felony charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He has not been sentenced, and he agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the Berenyi case as part of his plea agreement.

Berenyi told The Post and Courier in October that Vinson was extorting the money from his Immigration Street firm and cooked up the kickback allegations so prosecutors will recommend a light punishment.

Berenyi, who remains free on an unsecured bond, did not present a defense during his trial. Shahid said he is reviewing options for an appeal.

Nucor paid Berenyi about $7.4 million for work at the Gallatin County site in 2018 and 2019, according to the indictment. He then made payments to Vinson totaling 15 percent of that amount. Nucor was able to recoup some of the payments it had made to Berenyi when the contract was canceled.

Berenyi, a graduate of The Citadel with a civil engineering degree, founded his namesake firm in 1989. According to the companys website, the firm provides architecture, engineering and construction services and has been involved in some of South Carolinas largest industrial projects.
The developers of a pizzeria with its roots in the Motor City plan to add a second Lowcountry location on the Cainhoy peninsula where a coffee company and cafe operated until late last month.

The three co-owners of Toni's Detroit Style Pizza in Mount Pleasant plan to expand the concept to 1171 Clements Ferry Road, where Lowco Cafe and Lowcountry Coffee Roasters were located, according to Bryan Fogle of Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic, who represented the buyer in the recent sale of the property.

Steve Hopkins and business partners, Toni and Pete Sahutske, all originally from Detroit, purchased the 6,060-square-foot building and 1.55-acre site July 11 for $2.299 million from Corsino Holdings LLC, according to Berkeley County land records. The lease with the coffee roaster was terminated at the time of the transaction.

A representative of the coffee roaster and cafe did not respond for comment on a possible new location. The company's website continues to show the Clements Ferry address, and a sign on the door announcing the cafe's closure gave no indication of it relocating but thanked customers for seven years of support. The building is now vacant.

Pete Sahutske is Hopkins' nephew, and the restaurant is named for Sahutske's wife. They purchased the site through CFG Group LLC, which stands for Clements Ferry Gang, Hopkins said with a chuckle.

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The business partners are eyeing a mid-fall opening. The original location opened in 2018 at 1795 U.S. Highway 17, near Mount Pleasant Towne Centre.

Hopkins said they chose the Cainhoy location just north of the developing Point Hope community because "there is a ton of homes coming to the area and they are widening the road there. It was kind of a no-brainer."

The new restaurant will have a different setup from traditional dining venues.

"It's not going to be a full-service, sit-down place," Hopkins said.

Instead, it will focus on third-party deliveries and carry-out items. The site also will feature eco-friendly features with solar panels on the roof and car-charging stations.

Thousands of new homes are planned in the 9,000-acre Point Hope development, which straddles Clements Ferry Road, and the site is close to a planned 1,100-home Del Webb community for the 55-plus age group off Clements Ferry and Cainhoy roads. Several new apartment projects and businesses are also in the works for the area.
IRMO  Supporters of a Chapin High School teacher whose lesson on a book about racism was stopped in February packed into the Lexington-Richland Five School Board's July 17 meeting. They were joined by Ta-Nehisi Coates, the writer whose book "Between the World and Me" was at the heart of the halted assignment.

Many in the audience wore blue  Chapin Highs school color  in support of Mary Wood, the English teacher behind the lesson which district officials stopped after it drew complaints from students who wrote that it made them "uncomfortable" and "ashamed to be Caucasian."

That decision to stop the lesson has drawn sharp criticism from state and national educator groups, who alleged censorship and defamation in a June letter to the superintendent and board.

But some, including leaders in the Lexington County Republican Party, have called for even stricter policies and claimed that the lesson violated a temporary state budget provision prohibiting the use of state money for teaching certain ideas about race and gender, a concern that appears to have motivated the decision to stop the lesson, according to records released by the district.

During the board's July 17 discussion, though, board members seemed mostly content with the districts existing policies on academic freedom and the teaching of controversial materials.

About a dozen of the meetings attendees, including a 14-year-old, spoke to the board in favor of teaching Coates' book and against the move to stop Wood's lesson.

One of those speakers, Tess Pratt, the chairwoman of Chapin High Schools English department, told the board that she had ordered the copies of Coates' book for Wood's class, and recounted her experience taking the assigned copies of "Between the World and Me" away from students after district officials stopped the lesson.

"I became a high school English teacher 30 years ago because I believe that every human being has a story ... I have dedicated my entire life to sharing such stories, both fiction and non-fiction with my students," she said, choking up. "I have shared my own stories with my students throughout these years and invited them to do the same with me."
Russia attacked Ukraine with six Kalibr missiles and 35 Shahed-136s, air defense destroyed all missiles and 31 drones, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) said.

"Tonight, the Russia launched another missile and air strike on Ukraine. Information about the consequences of this terrorist attack is being specified," the AFU said in a morning report.

According to the General Staff, over the last day, the Russian occupiers also launched a missile and air strike on the territory of Ukraine  they used six Kalibr cruise missiles and 35 Shahed-136 Iranian strike UAVs.

"The forces and the Air Force's means destroyed six Kalibr cruise missiles and 31 attack UAVs of the enemy," the AFU said.
COLUMBIA  A man was shot and subsequently arrested after firing shots at police by Greystone Boulevard and Stoneridge Drive, an intersection near the Interstate 126 exit for the Riverbanks Zoo.

One officer with the Columbia Police Department was injured during the gunfire exchange, Deputy Chief Melron Kelly told reporters during a press conference.

Police received a call that a man was firing shots into the air around 11:37 a.m. on July 18, Kelly said. As soon as the first officer on scene stepped out of his patrol vehicle, the man fired shots.

Officers returned fire and the man fled, running into a wooded area. Officers blocked roads and the parking lot of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. The Richland County Sheriff's Department flew a helicopter over the area to aid in the search.

At one point in the gunfire exchange, the 26-year-old suspect was shot in the upper body, Kelly said. He said the suspect is a documented gang member and is prohibited from carrying a firearm.

"He absolutely had no regard for the members of the public that he was shooting at nor the officers that encountered him," Kelly said.

The man was detained and was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound, which Kelly said is not life-threatening.

As of 5:30 p.m., police still blocked off the parking lot for the Baptist convention.

The executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, Tony Wolfe, wrote a statement saying church planter training was taking place, and several people witnessed the response by staff and law enforcement.

"Their response was rapid," Wolfe said about law enforcement. "Their organization was reassuring. Their communication was thoughtful. Their courage was heroic. Truly they are Gods servants for good."
After its low-key launch last year and struggles with staffing, South Carolina's arm of the 988 behavioral health crisis line is hoping to field more calls and help additional people find services.

Those patients will be able to connect to care as the state's only full-time Crisis Stabilization Unit expands in Charleston and similar centers are underway at 13 hospitals across the Palmetto State, although a widespread nursing shortage is causing delays.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched nationwide last year, on July 16, and there was an immediate 101 percent increase in calls in South Carolina compared to the week before with the old suicide prevention line, according to Mental Health America of Greenville County, which runs the call center.

Over its first year, the 200 call centers in the network answered nearly 5 million pleas for help, with the number of calls increasing 46 percent, chats up by 141 percent and texts increasing more than 10-fold, according to Vibrant Emotional Health, the national contractor overseeing the system for federal health agencies.

The goal was for centers to answer in-state calls before they rolled over to backup centers because those state centers would be more familiar with resources available there. But some states struggled to handle the increased volume, with the answer rate ranging from 55 percent to 98 percent, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

South Carolina averaged 3,211 calls a month over the first year and answered 65.2 percent of them in-state, according to an analysis by The Post and Courier.

Changing the way dropped calls were counted lowered the state's answer rate, and hiring and training enough staff was a struggle, said Jennifer Piver, executive director of Greenville MHA. But a federal grant through the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and a direct $1 million allocation through the state Legislature has stabilized the group's funding and improved the group's outlook, she said.
GEORGETOWN  The Georgetown County School District will consider joining a class-action lawsuit in which school districts across the nation have argued that social media companies are acting as a public nuisance by affecting the mental health of their students.

The lawsuit has already gained plaintiffs in South Carolina, including the 17,000-student York County School District 4, which serves Fort Mill.

Four social media companies are listed as defendants: Snapchat; ByteDance, the developer of TikTok; Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram; and Google, which acquired YouTube in 2006.

"It gets to the point with some of our children that they can't really function without looking at that smartphone," attorney Dave Duff of the Columbia law firm Duff Freeman Lyon told the Georgetown County district's board of trustees on July 18. "So in the classroom, it has an impact. Can they concentrate long enough on what's being presented in the classroom? Can they focus?"

Duff introduced the board to attorney Michael Cutler of the Kansas City, Mo.-based firm Wagstaff and Cartmell, which represented more than 350 public school districts in recent litigation against the e-cigarette company Juul. Cutler appeared at the July 18 meeting via Microsoft Teams.

In part, Cutler made his case with a May advisory from U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. The advisory stated that there are "ample indicators that social media can also pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents."

The advisory referenced studies that found eighth- and 10th-grade students spent an average of 3.5 hours on social media per day in 2021 and that higher use of social media "predicted poor sleep, online harassment, poor body image, low self-esteem, and higher depressive symptom scores" among 14-year-olds.

"It's not just the obscene or inappropriate, harmful content there, but it's the algorithms," Cutler said. "They're intended to maximize engagement."

The board has not made a decision about joining the lawsuit. No upfront costs would be required, according to a presentation prepared for the board, with attorneys only receiving compensation from the school districts they represent if they recover damages.

Board member Lynne Ford thanked Duff for bringing the lawsuit to the board's attention, adding that she feels social media companies should be held responsible for using "addictive" algorithms to keep children engaged.

"Mental health issues are extremely complex and involve so many layers," Ford said. "One of the key questions we always ask is 'Why?' What's the cause? What's the meaning behind these issues?"

Duff noted that the social media lawsuit bears similarity to the class-action lawsuit filed against Juul. The Georgetown County School District was a plaintiff in that action.

Both cases were filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which is based in San Francisco. The district's settlement in the Juul case was about $150,000, Duff said.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few lingering showers. Low 74F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few lingering showers. Low 74F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
GREENVILLE  Skies across the Upstate have been looking hazy the past couple days as strong winds move massive swaths of smoke from western Canadian wildfires  but the air is expected to clear soon.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control issued an air quality alert for the northern half of South Carolina as a result of particulate matter from the smoke, which when brought down to the ground level from wind can aggravate health conditions.

The Air Quality Index, a measure of air quality with higher numbers meaning a greater level of air pollution, fluctuated between the mid-140s on July 18. A value of 50 or below represents good air quality.

Winds are expected to clear up the smoke before the morning July 19, said Andrew Kingston, a meteorologist with DHECs Bureau of Air Quality.

There are over 900 active fires across Canada, 585 of which a Canadian fire center said are out of control. Over 42,000 miles of area have burned in wildfires this year.

Smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada carried smoke across the East Coast in June, and as fires continue across the country, there is a chance that drops in air quality could be seen throughout the fall.

As long as these fires continue to burn, there's always a possibility for us to see some effects down here, because it's just such a vast area and theres so many of them, Kingston said.

For those who have extra masks on hand from the pandemic, Kingston said the masks won't be effective against the haze and smoke, because the particle matter is so small.

If anyone has an actual respirator with a HEPA filter, that would work, Kingston said. But most people dont have access to those.

The agency recommends that people with health issues like asthma or severe allergies limit time outside, keep windows and doors closed and run an air conditioner.
BEAUFORT  A bond referendum recently approved by the Beaufort County School District Board of Education includes plans to rebuild Hilton Head Island High School; rebuild Lady's Island Middle School; build a new elementary school in Bluffton and make technology, safety and infrastructure improvements in facilities across the district.

If approved by Beaufort County voters in November, the $439 million referendum will be the largest in the district's history.

The ballot initiative is the second major step taken by the district in recent years to update its facilities and respond to continued growth, particularly in the southern part of the county.

Nearly 70 percent of voters approved a $344 million school bond referendum in 2019. That vote represented a reversal of fortune for the district which hadn't passed a bond initiative in the prior 11 years.

"Successful school districts are running referendums every four to five years because it's the only way we have to do some significant work on your facilities," said Frank Rodriguez, superintendent of the Beaufort County School District.

Playing catch up

That long bond-funding drought led to a backlog of projects for the district, which includes 37 schools and more than 21,000 students. Projects that should have been addressed incrementally over time instead piled up.

In preparation for the 2019 bond initiative, the district formed the Community Project Review Committee to identify and prioritize the district's needs. The resulting project list carried a total estimated cost of $629 million, a number that district officials realized was too large to tackle all at once.

"We can't bite off a $600 million referendum, so let's prioritize what we need to build first," said Richard Geier, vice chair of the board of education.

Geier said once the referendum was approved the district's task was to prove to voters that it could effectively manage the money, stay on schedule and stay on budget. With that accomplished, district officials would return to voters and ask for the rest.

"So now we're asking for the next installment from the voters," Geier said.

What gets delivered?

Planning for the 2023 referendum started in much the same way as the 2019 effort. Rodriguez convened the Community Project Review Committee 2.0, and that committee logged about 900 volunteer hours developing an updated assessment of the district's needs.

That list totaled approximately $900 million in work.

Again, the total project list was too large to take on all at once. Rodriguez asked how much the district could borrow through a bond initiative without raising the millage rate for taxpayers. The resulting financial analysis determined that number was $450 million. With the upper limit of its borrowing defined, the district worked to determine what would make the list and what would need to wait a few more years.

A new elementary school for Bluffton was near the top of the list. All of the elementary schools in Bluffton are either right at capacity or a little above capacity, Rodriguez said, adding that Pritchardville Elementary School is operating at 130 percent of capacity.

"Over time, it's become more and more apparent that the growth hasn't slowed down in southern Beaufort County," Rodriguez said.

Census data bears that out. Recently released data measuring the population growth of the state's 271 cities and towns from April 2020 to July 2022, shows Bluffton added more residents than any other city or town, including those several times its size.

Two other schools, Hilton Head Island High School and Lady's Island Middle School, need to be demolished and replaced. Both were built in the 1980s and, according to Geier, cannot be renovated due drainage issues that damaged their foundations.

"The foundations are constantly cracking and splitting," Geier said. "You can't build or even renovate on nonsolid foundations."

Also slated is a gymnasium for Riverview Charter School; career and technical education centers at Beaufort, Bluffton and May River high schools; a technology and warehouse imaging center; safety and security enhancements; and an early childhood center in Bluffton.

"We have tried very hard to look at this and make sure we're taking all of our needs into account throughout the county," Rodriguez said.

Keeping an eye on the money

Soon after the 2019 referendum was passed, Rodriguez formed the independent Citizen-Led Oversight Committee charged with monitoring referendum projects and spending.

The committee's nine members bring extensive experience in construction, project management, accounting and education to the table. They meet monthly and make a quarterly report to the board of education.

"We do a full, in-depth review of all the projects in the 2019 referendum," said Ted Barber, committee chair. "We review the budget and schedule status of each one of those projects."

According to Rodriguez, their work is focused on maintaining accountability, building the public trust and making sure the the district's projects are being run well. Geier called the oversight's work "invaluable" to the district.

Barber expects that all of the projects associated with the 2019 referendum will be completed within the allowable budget. Most of the work will be done by the end of the year.

"It should give the taxpayers a level of confidence that this committee is reviewing everything the district is doing," Barber said.

Phase three

With a new elementary school planned for Bluffton, it stands to reason that the district will need to continue to expand its facilities in the coming years. Geier said a new middle school and possibly a new high school are in the foreseeable future.

To that end, the district is already thinking about the next bond referendum.

"A phase-three referendum will deal with the modernization of facilities," Rodriguez said. "We want to be able to position ourselves in a way that may allow us to do that without a millage increase. We're very cautious about the finances of it."
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Conway officials are considering the potential annexation of properties where more than 1,100 homes and shops have been proposed. The city is eyeing tracts that extend along U.S. Highway 501 to the Kroger shopping center at Carolina Forest Boulevard. Read moreGrowing in that direction: Conway eyes part of Carolina Forest for annexation
MONCKS CORNER  A man suspected in his father's death has been charged with destruction or removal of human remains.

Robert Lawrence Walker, 30, was taken into custody by the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office on July 16. He is currently being held at the Berkeley County jail on a $20,000 bond.

Sheriff's deputies were called to the Lakewind Drive home in the Moss Grove subdivision of Moncks Corner where 64-year-old Robert Earl Walker lived. His stepdaughter and her boyfriend called 911 after they found the victim's body under a pile of debris in the garage on July 15.

Walker's stepdaughter told officers that she was concerned when she couldn't reach him by phone for several days, so she and her boyfriend went to his home to check on him, according to an incident report.

The investigation is still ongoing and no additional information was immediately available.
The Ukrainian air defense destroyed 13 Kalibr missiles, one Kh-59 and 23 strike drones that attacked the territory of Ukraine at night, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said.

"According to the results of combat work, the air defense of the Air Force and air defense of other components of the Defense Forces of Ukraine destroyed 37 air targets, 13 Kalibr cruise missiles, one Kh-59 guided air missile, 23 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs," the AFU said in a statement.

As noted, during several waves of attacks, the enemy used 16 Kalibr sea-based cruise missiles, presumably from the Ingushetia small missile ship and the Admiral Essen frigate from the Black Sea.

Eight Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 long-range aircraft from the Black Sea and six Oniks cruise missiles from the Bastion coastal missile system (Crimea).

In addition, one Kh-59 guided air missile from the Su-35 fighter from the Black Sea and 32 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs from the Chauda test site (Crimea) and Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Rostov region).

It is noted that the enemy mainly attacked critical infrastructure facilities and military facilities in Odesa region.

"The attacks of Kh-22 and Oniks missiles were aimed at the infrastructure of Odesa region. Local military administrations will report on the consequences of these strikes and the victims," the Air Force said.

In turn, over the current and past 24 hours, the aircraft of the Air Force delivered over 20 air strikes on objects, places of concentration of equipment and personnel of the Russian occupiers.
A proposed seawall for the Charleston peninsula will not go before voters this fall.

Charleston City Councilman Keith Waring had hoped his fellow council members would agree to place a question about the seawall on the November ballot. But city legal counsel said the idea came too late for the county's deadline for such proposals.

The idea still stirred two days of rousing debate both at the Charleston Public Works Committee Meeting on July 17 and the full City Council meeting the following day. The proposal failed in the public works committee, but Waring, the chairman, requested that the full council discuss the idea, as well.

Those against the vote said that the seawall plan, which requires both city and federal involvement, had not progressed enough for voters to know what they would be voting on.

The city is currently negotiating an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine how the design process for the first phase of the project will proceed.

That process could be complete as soon as August, but the actual design and engineering for the phase is expected to take about two years, Charleston Chief Resilience Officer Dale Morris told The Post and Courier. At the end of the design phase, Morris said, Charleston residents will have clearer picture of the proposal.

The voter referendum would have been considered "non-binding" and was proposed by Waring as follows:

Should the City of Charleston build a surge protection wall around the peninsula of Charleston?

Those in favor of the vote said it would force the city to be more transparent in the decision-making process for the proposal.

"I think its a fair question," said Councilwoman Caroline Parker. "All it does is highlight what we are discussing in this room."

But others said it would only confuse voters who would not have the information they need to make an informed decision.

"I dont see how we can go put this on a referendum right now not knowing what it is going to cost, not knowing what it is going to look like and not knowing how it is going to work with all of our other infrastructure," Councilman Boyd Gregg said.

Waring said a "no" on the referendum would not necessarily mean the city would not proceed with the project, but it would gauge public opinion on the concept at this point in time.

"We are not going to be able to fund this by keeping people in the dark," he said.

A handful of public commenters voiced opposition for the referendum both in person and via written comments. They included downtown residents, the president of the Medical University of South Carolina and former councilwoman Carol Jackson.

"The timing is wrong and I would oppose it," said downtown resident Susan Lyons. "I would assure you that most voters do not have enough information now to make an informed decision."

Since the projects inception, it has had both fans and critics of what would be an 8-mile physical perimeter built around the peninsula. Early conceptual renderings from the city's Civic Design Center depicted a vertical concrete wall erected several feet into the harbor, which was widely criticized for being unsightly and ineffective against tidal flooding.

But city officials now say they would not approve such a design and would instead push for a project that would mimic an extension of the Low Battery. It would include a pedestrian walkway, pumps and other tie-ins to existing and proposed storm water infrastructure.

The plan to build the estimated $1.1 billion structure has been inching its way through bureaucratic checkpoints for years. Morris said the effort is a crucial one to address the growing threat of storm surge, which is intensifying as sea levels rise.

That design agreement currently being negotiated would cover Phase 1 of the project, which would stretch from The Citadel to the Coast Guard Station on the western edge of the peninsula. The design and engineering for Phase 1 is roughly estimated to cost $19 million, $13 million of which would come from the federal government.

Some council members expressed a desire to have voters weigh in on the project prior to committing funds to the design phase.

"We can change the wording," Parker said. "Should we continue the process of discussing a seawall?"

Others said the design will provide vital information without requiring the city to continue moving forward with the project.

"The proof is ultimately in what comes back to us for a vote, and there is a long way to go," Councilman Mike Seekings said.

Gregg, who is a civil engineer, said the process so far has been pretty typical.

"I know its frustrating to a lot of people that we have to design something and spend a lot of money on it before we fully understand it and come up with a cost, but thats unfortunately how big infrastructure projects work," he said.

If a final proposal is agreed upon, the city will contribute 35 percent of the total cost of the project. That could come in many forms, such as taxing districts, a bond and a settlement from a pending lawsuit against several oil companies  some of the worlds top contributors to climate change.

At the end of 2022, Congress gave the project the go-ahead, signaling that when the design is ready the federal government is willing to chip in its share of the cost.

One thing most council members did agree on was that too many people have been left in the dark about the project so far.

"We need to up our game on the communication of this thing," Mayor John Tecklenburg said.

Editor's note: this article has been updated to correct the source of early conceptual renderings of the seawall.
Although most people dont need a liberal arts degree, global competition and changes in the workplace mean some kind of post-secondary credential has become essential for almost everyone, and getting that requires at least a GED and in many cases a high school diploma.

But South Carolina continues to struggle with getting everybody across the graduation stage, with two-thirds of our high schools graduating fewer than 90% of students on time.

Improving those numbers  intervening long before students give up  is essential to improving both our economy and the lives of all the kids who are on the path to dropping out, but its not enough. We also need to reach those adults who have already dropped out. Otherwise, too many of them will remain stuck in dead-end jobs, if theyre able to get jobs at all.

Even people who earn GEDs often have a hard time, because many employers and post-secondary education institutions understand that passing a test isnt the same thing as graduating from high school.

So we welcome the latest effort to help some of the nearly 60,000 adults in the tri-county area who left school without a diploma.

The Palmetto Goodwill Excel Center will offer an accelerated, in-person high school program for adults who want to earn that diploma. The program will be located on the campus of Trident Technical College, will provide free child care and transportation assistance and will be free of charge to the students who land a slot on a first-come, first-served basis, because its actually a charter school  which is a public school that is freed from many of the rules that traditional public schools have to follow.

Its not the first charter school to target dropouts; another one opened in North Charleston two years ago, but Lowcountry Acceleration Academy is limited to 16- to 20-year-olds  that is, its focused more on prevention  and combines online instruction with in-person work.

Palmetto Excel, by contrast, is open to South Carolina residents 21 and older and follows a model thats used in about 40 other programs nationwide run by Goodwill, a nonprofit dedicated to training, education and employment. The school promises a well-rounded education with small class sizes and a goal of helping students earn not only their high school diploma but also dual credit or industry certifications, so they come out work-ready. As The Post and Couriers Kenna Coe reports, school officials say the focus is on building connections through core classes, from finding real-life implications to discovering new career interests.

The original idea for charter schools was that, freed from many of the strictures of traditional public schools, they would experiment with different ways of teaching and that their best ideas would be picked up by traditional public schools.

Some charter schools really do experiment with different approaches to learning. Think of the Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School, for example, and, love it or hate it, Oceanside Collegiate.

Most charter schools, though, have a lot more in common with traditional schools than not; many cannot be described as either experimental or innovative. Even when charter schools innovate successfully, their ideas too rarely are translated into changes in traditional school curriculums.

The Goodwill model has shown promise elsewhere, and its one to watch here. While being an integral part of a well-established nonprofit service organization sets it apart, its worth hoping that it will have some ideas worth replicating.

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The dispute over whether union workers or state employees will operate the large ship-to-shore cranes at the Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston has moved from the political branches to the courts, which means the time for over-the-top rhetoric should have ended.

Of course thats not how things work in our country with politically charged disputes, and this one is no different.

As The Post and Couriers David Wren reports, leading up to a rally last week at the S.C. Statehouse  where the dispute will not be resolved  the president of the local chapter of the International Longshoremens Association charged that Gov. Henry McMaster was trying to push workers back a century by breaking a signed master agreement between the ILA and the shipping lines in order to drive the wages of dock workers down further towards oblivion and working conditions towards danger.

Not to be outdone, reports Skyler Laird, Mr. McMaster suggested that if unionized dockworkers prevail in the state's appeal  the National Labor Relations Board, to no ones surprise, sided with the union  that will hurt South Carolinas economic growth.

To allow the union to prevail on their effort at the port would be harmful for the port, a disaster for the state, would send a wrong message to the country and world about doing business in South Carolina and would set us back, the governor told reporters.

Although we support South Carolinas so-called right-to-work law, and like Mr. McMaster we disagree with the notion that a S.C. win would take jobs away from the union workers  it would merely stop the union from claiming new jobs that traditionally would have gone to state employees  we find the governors rhetoric particularly disturbing. Because unlike union representatives, hes the governor, and his comments reflect on our state.

To be clear, companies do not locate in South Carolina based on decisions by the National Labor Relations Board or the federal courts. They locate here because of a large variety of factors, one of which obviously is our status as the least-unionized state in the nation. Even if the three-judge panel considering the appeal decides in favor of the union, that will not change.

Its absurd to suggest that our state would suffer a disaster or be set back in any significant way even if union dockworkers are able to claim all of the jobs at the underused Leatherman terminal rather than continuing with the hybrid model employed at other S.C. ports and ports in Georgia and North Carolina.

Indeed, the closest thing to a disaster or setback in this whole dispute is the fact that the State Ports Authority has not been able to make significant use of the Leatherman terminal, after all the money S.C. taxpayers poured into the facility. The larger disaster would be for that impasse to continue to drag on.

Were also disturbed by Mr. McMasters promise that the state will appeal the lower court decision to the U.S. Supreme Court if the union prevails.

If the judicial panel that heard oral arguments last month rules in favor of the union, it might well turn out that theres a legitimate reason to appeal. But the fact that we lose a lawsuit is not by itself a legitimate reason to appeal.

Please read that last sentence again, and think about it in terms of every court decision you care about. And yes, we realize a lot of you are saying the idea of waiting to read a court decision before deciding whether to appeal is quaint. But it shouldnt be, just as whether we think a decision is legitimate or not shouldnt be made before we read it, or at least understand the legal basis.

That part about appeals is particularly true when the decision is being made by our government.

We dont have a right to expect anything from the union, which is a private organization to which we and most of our readers do not belong. We do, however, have a right to expect a certain level of behavior from our government, whether we agree with its political goals, as we do in this case, or we dont, as is the case at other times.

We should be able to expect that our government will not take up the time of our courts or force private entities to spend money fighting an appeal thats based simply on the fact that we dont like a lower-court decision. For that matter, government shouldnt be wasting court time and opponents resources filing or fighting lawsuits that are based on what we want the law or the constitution to say rather than what they actually say.

Yes, thats considered a quaint idea too. But that doesnt make it wrong.

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SPARTANBURG  After shutting down operations three years ago during the pandemic, the Toray Composite Materials America plant in Spartanburg is resuming production of its composite fiber materials with the aid of a special tax break.

Toray plans to invest $600 million and create 350 new jobs at its Spartanburg plant with tax breaks approved by Spartanburg County Council as part of an amended economic agreement.

On July 17, County Council amended its tax fee agreement with Toray to reflect changes in the company's plans for new hires and new investments. Toray's amended tax break agreement with the county requires an additional investment of at least $600 million at the Spartanburg plant by January 2027 and the creation of 350 new, full-time jobs by January 2031.

The Spartanburg plant will be expanded by 30,000 square feet. Toray's carbon-fiber capacity will increase by 3,000 metric tons beginning in 2025.

"The market for clean energy solutions is continuing to rapidly develop," Toray vice president of marketing Tim Kirk said in a news release. "This next expansion enables us to keep pace with the needs of our customers and maintain our leadership position."

It will be quite a comeback from the crushing blow stemming from the pandemic.

"They had to mothball the facility because the orders were not there," Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt told The Post and Courier. "They went from 125 employees to 25 employees just to maintain the plant and keep up the equipment. What happened, nobody thought would happen when the COVID pandemic hit. It just decimated the airline business."

But Boeing's orders have reached pre-pandemic levels, Britt said.

Toray also has diversified its customers to include Time Bicycles, which later this year plans to invest $6.5 million at a facility in Landrum where it will manufacture bicycles using carbon-fiber materials.

"We are really excited about Toray coming back strong," Britt said. "They have already started hiring people and bringing folks in and there is some production out there now."
Ramstein-14 has demonstrated the unwavering support for Ukraine by our partners, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said.

"Priority: the supply of weapons and equipment urgently required for the liberation of Ukraine's territory. Focus: air defense, ammunition and armor. New initiatives," Reznikov said.

The head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense thanked his colleagues from Luxembourg and Estonia for presenting concrete steps for the development of an IT coalition, as well as Lithuanian friends for the initiative to create a demining coalition.

In addition, Reznikov thanked Chief of the Pentagon Lloyd Austin for leading an unprecedented coalition against evil.

"Together we are working hard to achieve victory, a just peace and a better future," Reznikov said.
Derek Chauvin petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court for discretionary review of the Court of Appeals decision affirming his conviction for the murder of George Floyd. The Minnesota Supreme Court has now denied review. My friend Bill Mohrman represents Chauvin. Bill has forwarded the following statement:

We are obviously disappointed that the Minnesota Supreme Court declined to review the criminal trial against Mr. Chauvin. The most significant issue on which we appealed was whether holding this trial in Minneapolis deprived Mr. Chauvin of his right to a fair trial under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution due to pretrial publicity and concerns for violence in the event of an acquittal.

This criminal trial generated the most amount of pretrial publicity in history. More concerning are the riots which occurred after George Floyds death led the jurors to all express concerns for their safety in the event they acquitted Mr. Chauvin  safety concerns which were fully evidenced by surrounding the courthouse in barbed wire and national guard troops during the trial and deploying the national guard throughout Minneapolis prior to jury deliberations.

Based on these facts, Mr. Chauvin will now petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case on this fair trial issue under the Sixth Amendment.
I might have gone further in life if I didnt think in terms of song lyrics and the titles of Robert Ludlum novels. Fortunately, however, Bob Dylan opened things up for me when he incorporated modernist poetry into his songwriting and the Ludlum titles are adaptable to a variety of circumstances.

Yesterday I noted the retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent who has confirmed part of the IRS whistleblower testimony. Both the retired agent and the IRS whistleblowers have given statements to the House Oversight Committee on the phony baloney investigation of Hunter Biden and the Biden family business. Today the two IRS whistleblowers will testify publicly before the committee.

Yesterday afternoon the Oversight Committee disclosed that the night before committee staff interviewed the former FBI SSA, the agent received a letter from the FBI directing him to decline to respond to the committees questions. Steve Nelson and Josh Christenson cover the back story for the New York Post in FBI told Hunter Biden investigator to duck Committee questions, bombshell letter shows.

The Post has obtained a copy of the FBI letter to the agent and includes a copy in the story. The FBI says this is situation normal, and it probably is insofar as the Biden family business is concerned, but what we seem to have here is (to borrow from the Ludlum title) The Wray Ultimatum.

NOTE: See also the New York Post editorial Yes, Hunter Biden got special FBI treatment: Its now confirmed.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-19 17:30:15

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / AlkermesColleagues at our Athlone (IRE) facility raise the Progress Pride flagEach June, Pride celebrations around the world recognize the history, contributions and importance of the LGBTQ+ community while creating space to advocate for a future defined by complete equality and inclusion.Our Pride@Work Employee Resource Group (ERG) provides a dedicated space for supporting Alkermes LGBTQ+ community members and allies. Started in 2020 and now 200+ employees strong, Pride@Work works to create a safe and welcoming environment where all our employees can be their true selves. The group helps to set goals, establish and execute strategic initiatives, measure our progress and promote a culture of understanding and inclusion throughout our business. They also help the organization respond to important external social and cultural issues and events, like Pride Month.In recognition of this month-long celebration, Pride@Work sponsored activities across our sites in the U.S. and Ireland:Our Waltham team marched in the Boston Pride for the People Parade and hosted a happy hour open to all employees wanting to celebrate.In Ireland, we held a gender diversity webinar focused on ways to support LGBTQ+ youth and combat unconscious bias, microaggressions, stereotypes and the shame compass.Employees from Wilmington gathered to march in Cincinnati's 50th annual Pride Parade.We hosted a company-wide webinar with Pride in our Workplace, which focused on the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and provided practical advice for how to be an ally.Pride@Work members also raised the LGBTQ+ pride flag at each of our sites.We look forward to more events through the remainder of the year, led by all our ERGs. Pride@Work is one part of our broader Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) initiative, which spans our entire organization as we strive to further embed diversity throughout our operations. For more information about our ERGs and our commitment to DIB, please visit the page below.Visit our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging pageView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Alkermes on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: AlkermesWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/alkermes Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Alkermes
Zelenskyy: No component from free world should be used in Russian weapons

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for ensuring that not a single component "of the free world" could be used in Russian weapons.

"And every fact of using components from the countries of the free world to produce weapons for Russian terrorists, in particular, missiles and Shaheds... Every such fact will be our argument that the existing sanctions and pressure against Russia are not enough," he said in a video address on Tuesday.

"The world must limit trade relations with a terrorist state to such an extent that no component from the free world can be used for terror," he said.
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CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Atlas Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, is proud to continue a 10+ year tradition of supporting Mobility Worldwide with a donation of steel tubing, enabling production of Mobility Carts that provide the gift of movement to those in need. Each quarterly donation allows the Columbia, Missouri branch of Mobility Worldwide to build 400 Mobility Carts, totaling 1,600 per year, and more than 16,000 carts during the past decade."When Zekelman Industries acquired the assets of EXLTUBE based in North Kansas City, Missouri in November 2022, we were well aware of their long history of making charitable donations to the Missouri branch of Mobility Worldwide," said Jeff Cole, president of Atlas Tube. "Mobility Carts are a critical, life-changing tool for those who need it most, and it is truly an honor to continue our support for this great organization." Since 1994, Mobility Worldwide has been building sturdy, hand-cranked Mobility Carts to give away to disabled individuals around the world. The Mobility Cart is designed to go where conventional wheelchairs can't. They're functional for both indoor and outdoor environments, especially in rural areas where roads are non-existent or in disrepair.Mobility Worldwide is approaching 100,000 units donated in its history through its 21 worldwide locations and surpassed 30,000 carts built at its Columbia, Missouri facility earlier this year, more than half of which were made possible by the Atlas Tube donations."Our work would not be possible without structural steel tubes and the support of Atlas Tube in Kansas City, which has allowed us to make more than 16,000 mobility carts in their 10 years of making donations," Gary Moreau, executive director of Mobility Worldwide MO-Columbia. "Atlas Tube likely will never meet the recipient of these donations, but that person will certainly feel God's love and the love of everyone involved in helping to bring them mobility." The 14-gauge tubing from Atlas Tube is cut and welded to make the main support frame and front fork of the Mobility Carts. Additionally, the steel tubes are used to make brake handles and pull tongues, ensuring that the entire bundle is put to good use.About Zekelman IndustriesZekelman Industries includes the operating divisions of Atlas Tube, Picoma, Sharon Tube, Wheatland Tube, Western Tube and Z Modular. It is the largest independent manufacturer of hollow structural sections (HSS) and steel pipe, and the top producer of electrical conduit and elbows, couplings and nipples in North America. Zekelman Industries delivers a broad range of pipe and tube solutions that build its customers' success. For more information, visit zekelman.com Media Contacts:Owen SereySr. Account Supervisor, Mower513.639.7455oserey@ mower.com Rick SebokChief Marketing Officer, Zekelman Industries312.275.1585SOURCE: Mower Agency
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Award-winning staffing franchise owner recognized for her innovation and commitmentKNOXVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / AtWork, an award-winning staffing solution, is proud to announce their franchisee, Lori Brower, was recognized as a 2023 Franchise Rock Star by franchise research firm Franchise Business Review. Brower owns the South Coast Metro Area location in Tustin, California, and the Pomona Valley office in Chino Hills."Brower is an innovative, forward-thinking person driven by change and continuous improvement," Jason Leverant, president and COO of AtWork. "She is always thinking of ways to strengthen our brand and is the first to volunteer to help test new initiatives." Brower was selected from over 36,000 franchisees representing more than 360 brands that participated in Franchise Business Review's research. Each franchise leadership nominates their Franchise Rock Stars for one of eight categories. Categories included: Giving Back, Women-Owned, Millennial-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Family-Owned, Freshman, Top Performers, and Multi-Unit Owners. Brower was nominated in the Women-Owned category."There are so many stories of inspiring franchise owners who are living their dreams of successful business ownership, that it was incredibly difficult to select this year's Franchise Rock Stars," said Michelle Rowan, president and COO of Franchise Business Review. "In the end, we chose individuals who truly exemplify a strong work ethic and a real commitment to their business and their communities. We are thrilled to recognize these Rock Stars as exceptional examples of achieving success within the franchise model." Brower began her journey with AtWork in July 2017 and opened her first office in March 2018. She was the 2022 winner of the prestigious AtWork for YOU award that recognizes a top franchisee in the system based on community involvement and who embodies our core values of "Lead, Empower, Excel" and supporting the AtWork name in all she does. Brower also achieved the silver performance award for her South Coast Metro Area location and a bronze award for the Pomona Valley office."I'm honored to receive this recognition as a 2023 Franchise Rock Star. Being a part of the AtWork family has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the support and opportunities provided by this amazing franchise," said Brower. "I look forward to continuing to strengthen the brand and positively impacting my community by helping people find jobs and local businesses find talent." AtWork has more than 90 locations nationwide. To learn more about the AtWork Franchise, visit https://atwork.com/franchise Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full list of 2023 Franchise Rock Stars.ABOUT ATWORK:Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, AtWork is an award-winning staffing franchise. AtWork can staff an entire production facility or provide temporary help around the office. For more than 30 years, leading companies from across the nation have trusted AtWork to recruit the best talent. AtWork has all of your staffing needs covered. To learn more about our services, visit: www.atwork.com About Franchise Business ReviewFranchise Business Review (FBR) is a leading market research firm serving the franchise sector. FBR measures satisfaction and engagement of franchisees and franchise employees and publishes various guides and reports for entrepreneurs considering an investment in a franchise business. Since 2005, FBR has surveyed hundreds of thousands of franchise owners and over 1,200 leading franchise companies. FBR publishes free and unbiased franchisee satisfaction research reports throughout the year online at http://www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com . To read our publications, visit https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/digital-guides/ Media Contact:Jacquelyn Masse919-459-8167jmasse@919 marketing.com SOURCE: AtWork
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Atlanta BeltLine Inc., The Center by Lendistry, and CVM Worldwide, to help grow local businesses along the Atlanta BeltLineATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2023 / The Center by Lendistry has announced a partnership with Atlanta BeltLine Inc. (ABI) and CVM Worldwide to launch BeltLine Business Ventures, a new small business accelerator aimed at helping local businesses grow, create jobs, and generate wealth in communities along the Atlanta BeltLine. The nation's largest redevelopment project, the Atlanta BeltLine, is revitalizing unused rail corridors into vibrant transit systems, greenways, and mixed-use centers.Managed by The Center by Lendistry and led by CVM Worldwide, BeltLine Business Ventures will have three cohorts of up to 25 businesses taking place in Fall 2023, Winter/Spring 2024, and Summer/Fall 2024. Priority will be given to local BIPOC-owned businesses with a presence in the BeltLine planning areas. Each cohort will offer:Three months of virtual and in-person learning sessions on business topics, including Business Model Development, Market Feasibility, Business Resiliency, Workforce Development & Job Quality Improvement Support, and Operational ExcellenceUp to 10 hours of tailored one-on-one business advising with experienced entrepreneurs and business consultantsMonthly peer-learning and networking opportunitiesCulminating pitch competitionConnections with other resources aimed at preparing businesses for brick-and-mortar opportunities in the Atlanta BeltLine areaApplications will be accepted through August 18th. Business owners who are interested in applying are encouraged to register for an information session at https://beltline.org/businessventures "As a champion of equitable economic development, The Center is excited to partner with ABI to help ensure that this revitalization effort is inclusive for local businesses," said Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President and CEO of The Center by Lendistry. "We know that with the right support and access to resources, small businesses thrive. We look forward to working with local entrepreneurs and preparing them for long-term success along the BeltLine." "The Atlanta BeltLine is a project for the people, and helping local, small businesses succeed is one of our top priorities," said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. "The goal of this office is to fill market gaps and meet community needs for business support, especially in underserved areas." "From growing my business over the past decade in Atlanta to helping over 1,500 minority-owned businesses grow, I'm honored to bring my experience and expertise to BeltLine Business Ventures. There is tremendous potential for economic transformation by bringing marketplace awareness to the BeltLine along with thriving businesses that help meet the needs of local neighborhoods," said Candace Mitchell Harris, Executive Director, CVM Worldwide.To support the success of this accelerator, The Center is partnering with small businesses, developers, commercial brokers, property managers, business associations, business development organizations, and other local partners interested in economic development and supporting local small businesses. If you are interested in becoming a partner and would like more information, email BeltLineVentures@ atlbeltline.org ###The Center by Lendistry is a national nonprofit organization that supports diverse small businesses through education, technical assistance, and access to competitive financing. We are committed to closing the racial wealth gap and accelerating economic development by anchoring small businesses and the communities where they do business. Learn more at www.thecenterbylendistry.org CVM Worldwide is an Atlanta-based, technology-focused social enterprise that tackles the world's toughest problems by creating and investing in people, products, and initiatives that improve the human experience. Our mission is to provide business expertise and technical talent to help entrepreneurs build profitable and impactful businesses that transform the world. For more information, visit www.cvmworldwide.com Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.'s vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta BeltLine is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta BeltLine, please visit www.BeltLine.org Press contact:Pricila Novoa (310) 803-9004pnovoa@ pivotalstrategies.com Contact InformationPricila NovoaPivotal Strategiespnovoa@ pivotalstrategies.com (310) 803-9004SOURCE: The Center by Lendistry
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CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Exchange operator Cboe Global Markets Inc. (BATS:CBOE) is taking proactive steps to bring Bitcoin to the mass investing public by refiling an application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Cboe's collaborative effort with asset manager Fidelity National Financial aims to provide a regulated and accessible investment vehicle for cryptocurrency enthusiasts.To address regulatory concerns and promote market integrity, Cboe has partnered with Coinbase, a renowned global cryptocurrency exchange. By leveraging Coinbase's expertise and resources, Cboe aims to prevent market manipulation and establish robust surveillance-sharing agreements to ensure the transparency and integrity of the Bitcoin market.Recognizing the importance of clear and comprehensive filings, Cboe has taken note of the SEC's feedback on their initial application, which raised concerns about insufficient details regarding surveillance-sharing agreements. Cboe's promise to engage in appropriate market surveillance is a step toward meeting the SEC's regulatory goals and protecting the investing public.While the SEC has taken a cautious stance toward cryptocurrencies, it is essential to highlight the positive steps taken by industry players like Cboe and their partners to change this perception. Cboe's current expedition into the development of crypto-friendly trading instruments has been met with a wave of enthusiasm and willing aid from major market operators.Cboe has not only established surveillance-sharing agreements with Coinbase but also refiled their listing applications for Bitcoin ETFs by WisdomTree, VanEck, and a joint effort by Invesco and Galaxy. These actions reflect a concerted effort by Cboe and its partners to meet the SEC's requirements and bring about the desired mass acceptance of Bitcoin investments. The ultimate goal is to produce a product that grants the public a method to easily adopt crypto assets (via stock market proxies like an ETF) while ensuring a clear regulatory landscape that protects investors and helps governments spot any transgressions.Although there have been regulatory challenges in the crypto industry, recent developments have shown positive signs. The filings for Bitcoin ETFs by industry giants such as BlackRock and Fidelity have had a significant impact on the price of Bitcoin, leading to a surge of over 20% since June 15 and more than 85% since January 1, reaching one-year highs. This upward price movement indicates the market's resilience, suggesting that investors may remain optimistic about the potential of cryptocurrencies.Cboe's commitment to pushing forward with Bitcoin ETFs signals a broader vision to democratize cryptocurrency investments and offer greater opportunities for mainstream investors. By collaborating with trusted industry partners like Fidelity and Coinbase, Cboe aims to build confidence among investors and regulators alike, paving the way for the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies as a legitimate asset class.By embracing regulatory feedback, fostering partnerships, and promoting transparency, Cboe is driving innovation and paving the way for a more inclusive and regulated cryptocurrency investment landscape. The industry's continued efforts to address concerns and provide accessible investment options will undoubtedly shape the future of cryptocurrencies and their integration into mainstream finance.Featured Photo by Art Rachen on Unsplash.Contact:Michele Ormontmormont@ cboe.com SOURCE: Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
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BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Danone North America, the purpose-driven food and beverage leader committed to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, is proud to collaborate with Spoiler Alert, a technology company focused on reducing food waste. By leveraging Spoiler Alert's innovative technology, Danone North America is taking a major step towards reducing its environmental impact and ensuring that more food is available to those who need it."Danone North America is committed to reducing food waste across our operations and supply chain, and we are excited to work with Spoiler Alert to further this goal. Their innovative technology and automation solutions provide us with a powerful tool to manage our excess inventory to keep food out of landfills and get it to the people who need it. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient food system for everyone," shares Austin Cutler, Zero Waste Manager, Danone North America.According to the United Nations, one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste. The food waste crisis not only has environmental impacts but also results in financial losses for businesses. Spoiler Alert, a Boston-based B2B software company, helps leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) organizations manage excess and aging inventory to minimize waste and maximize margin recovery. By working with Spoiler Alert, Danone North America has taken a proactive approach to its ambition to reduce non-recoverable food waste by 50% by 2030.As of the end of 2022, Danone North America has saved more than 37.7 million pounds of food from going to waste and has reduced its non-recovered food waste ratio by 30% since 2020.Since partnering with Spoiler Alert, Danone North America has seen over a 50% increase in the sell-through rate of their excess product. As Danone North America works to reduce its excess inventory, Spoiler Alert has further supported with mitigation of remaining excess via its efficient inventory offering and analytics tools.To further achieve its sustainability goals, Danone North America as part of the B Corp Community has also taken steps to donate food that goes unsold, including:donating over 100,000 products to local residents at the start of the pandemic through Feeding Westchesterproviding 24 million meals through Community Food Sharedonating $25,000 to Conscious Alliance to address hunger relief effortsdonating over 4,000 products at the Food For Good initiative with Green Bronx MachineDanone North America also continues to fight food waste and insecurity through its Two Good yogurt brand's "One Cup, Less Hunger" and Two Good 'Good Save' programs.Earlier this year, Danone, the parent company of Danone North America, announced a global action plan to reduce absolute methane emissions from its fresh milk supply chain by 30% by 2030, adopting regenerative agriculture models, and making its food and water products accessible to as many people as possible.Spoiler Alert's platform provides features such as Smart Awarding, negotiations, and offers comparison tools to help businesses sell their excess and aging inventory at the highest possible price. By partnering with Spoiler Alert, Danone North America has been able to divert food waste from landfills and reduce the environmental impact of its operations."We are thrilled to see these kinds of results through our partnership with Danone North America and will continue to work together to tackle the issue of food waste in the CPG manufacturing sector," Emily Malina, President & Co-Founder, shares about their partnership. "Our technology is designed to optimize supply chain operations and help businesses reduce waste while maximizing profits. This partnership allows us to leverage our expertise to make a positive impact on the environment while driving efficiencies and cost savings for Danone North America." With the continued partnership between Danone North America and Spoiler Alert, the two companies are confident in their ability to make a significant impact in the battle against waste and achieve their sustainability goals.About Danone North America:Danone North America is a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. As a Certified B Corporation, Danone North America is committed to the creation of both economic and social value, while nurturing natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Happy Family Organics, Honest to Goodness, Horizon Organic, International Delight, Light + Fit, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, SToK, Two Good, Wallaby Organic and YoCrunch. With more than 6,000 employees and 16 production locations across the U.S. and Canada, Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. For more information, visit www.danonenorthamerica.com/ Danone North America is a Danone subsidiary.About Spoiler Alert:Spoiler Alert is a Boston-based, B2B software company helping leading CPG brands manage excess and aging inventory. Its customers, which include Campbell Soup Company, Danone North America, Mondelez International, Nestle, Unilever, and Kraft Heinz leverage Spoiler Alert's software and services to manage their discounting processes across a private network of discount retailers and nonprofit channels - with a focus on maximizing cost recovery, strengthening customer relationships, and increasing the effectiveness of CPG teams tasked with minimizing inventory write-offs. To learn more, visit www.spoileralert.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.Contact: press@ spoileralert.com , 617-917-4123Contact InformationChris MastersonSenior Manager, Marketingchris@ spoileralert.com 508-440-9660SOURCE: Spoiler Alert
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Project will provide low-cost, clean energy to Duke Energy's Indiana customersPLAINFIELD, IN / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Duke Energy is expanding its Indiana solar energy resources. The company has signed an agreement with renewable energy developer Ranger Power for up to 199 megawatts of solar power to serve the equivalent of roughly 35,000 homes.The company has filed a request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to approve the agreement. Pending regulatory approval, the energy generated from Ranger Power's Speedway Solar facility will be sold to the company under a 20-year power purchase agreement."The emission-free solar power that this new facility generates will help us continue to diversify our generation resources and make meaningful progress toward a cleaner energy future," said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana.Construction on the 1,700-acre facility located south of Gwynneville, Ind., began in March 2023. It's expected to reach commercial operation by September 2025."We are thrilled to bring this significant investment in clean energy to Shelby County and the state of Indiana," said Adam Cohen, CEO of Ranger Power. "Speedway Solar will deliver significant economic and environmental benefits for decades to come - powering businesses and homes in Indiana." Under the company's most recent Indiana Integrated Resource Plan, Duke Energy is proposing to add 2,218 megawatts of solar power, 450 megawatts of solar with energy storage and 6,200 megawatts of wind energy. These new investments in renewable energy are in addition to the continuing operation of the company's Crane solar plant in southern Indiana, the recent expansion of its Markland hydroelectric plant and additional solar and wind power the company purchases.Duke Energy IndianaDuke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 890,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier.Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com . The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.Contact: McKenzie BarbknechtPhone: 800.559.3853View original content here.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Duke EnergyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Duke Energy
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BARCELONA, SPAIN / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Global digital ad network ExoClick is now a member of Adigital. Adigital is the leading business association representing the Digital Economy in Spain. ExoClick is a Spanish company based in Barcelona, and the company's membership to Adigital will allow ExoClick to continue to strengthen its commitment to business innovation within the digital ecosystem.ExoClick becomes a member of AdigitalExoClick becomes a member of Adigital Adigital represents over 525 innovative and transformative companies that believe in and work for the development of the economy based on the Internet, Digital Media and New Technologies. The organization brings together under the same umbrella large companies, SMEs and startups from very different sectors, united by a common goal: to create in Spain and Europe an optimal environment for the development and growth of the digital economy in order to achieve a more competitive, efficient and productive society.Adrien Fonze, Chief Operating Officer at ExoClick, commented, "With ExoClick being a registered Spanish company and being founded in 2006, ExoClick was part of the early Spanish startup scene. Spanish startups have become a formidable force, not just within Europe, but also globally. Adigital supports the digital economy in Spain across a range of different aspects, including e-commerce, digital content, digital marketing/communication, digital skills, data protection and privacy, and public policy and regulation. Therefore ExoClick is extremely happy to be a part of Adigital's network so we can continue to develop and grow within Spain, Europe and internationally." Miguel Ferrer, Director of Public Agenda and Strategy at Adigital, added, "Spain, as one of the leading economies within the European Union, and Adigital helps Spanish businesses take advantage of its impact as it becomes an even stronger digital hub that enhances the competitiveness of strategic sectors of our economy. The role of Adigital and its associated companies is to contribute to this process. We welcome ExoClick into our Spanish digital business network and the advantages this brings for support within the digital ecosystem." For more information about Adigital, visit www.adigital.org Contact InformationGiles HirstHead of Communicationgiles@ exoclick.com SOURCE: ExoClick
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/FMC Contact An Attorney Now: FMC@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895FMC Corporation (FMC) Investigation:The investigation focuses on the propriety of FMC's sales and inventory management practices.On May 1, 2023, FMC announced its Q1 2023 financial results, said Q2 2023 revenue would be flat to the prior year quarter, and maintained FY 2023 revenue outlook of $6.08 to $6.22 billion.But, on July 10, 2023, FMC announced updated expectations for its Q2 and FY 2023 outlook. In particular, the company slashed its Q2 2023 revenue outlook by about 30%, reduced its FY 2023 revenue outlook by over 14%, and blamed the reduced guidance on reductions in channel inventory that adversely impacted the company's sales volumes in the quarter.This news sent the price of FMC shares sharply lower that day."We're focused on investors' losses and whether FMC may have engaged in improper channel-stuffing," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in FMC and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding FMC Corporation should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email FMC@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
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On July 6, Iron Palm Tattoos & Body Piercing and Senior Artist JR Outlaw Accepted a Guinness World Record Award for the Largest Memorial Tattoo in the WorldATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Iron Palm Tattoos & Body Piercing collaborated with Atlanta Ink to create the largest known synthetic skin tattoo in the world and the ultimate tribute to late rapper and musician Takeoff. Kirsnick Khari Ball, aka Takeoff, was a member of the two-time Grammy-winning music trio Migos along with Atlanta natives Quavo and Offset. JR Outlaw, senior artist at Iron Palm, designed and tattooed the electrifying creative.Iron Palm Tattoos, JR Outlaw, and Atlanta Ink Shatter Guinness World Record for Largest Tattoo7 meter (7ft X 12ft) tattoo commissioned by Iron Palm Tattoos and Atlanta Ink shatters Guinness Book of World Records. Senior artist JR Outlaw tattooed the project on a handmade silicone skin canvas. The faux skin was made by the trio. Humble Beginnings:The project began with a simple conversation between Iron Palm owner Marlon Blake and Atlanta Ink owner Christian Verrette. They believed a record-breaking tattoo could be inked on homemade synthetic skin normally used for practice. Deciding to move forward, the next step was finding someone skilled enough to ink the project. The answer: Iron Palm's own JR Outlaw.Research, Development & Creating the Tech:Making the skin was an arduous task. Likewise, the silicone tattoo skin had to be hand-mixed and perfectly set. Justin Thomas, who owns 3D-printing silicone company Mr4gx, agreed to help make the skin. Blake, together with Verrette, assisted Thomas until they discovered a perfect recipe for making the faux skin canvas. Previously made samples had imperfections, tears, and bubbles, making them unsuitable. Over $30,000 of silicone material was exhausted during the R&D of the meters-large tattoo skin recipe.Finishing the Tattoo:After the silicone tattoo canvas was molded, the work of framing and coloring the artwork began. Accordingly, Outlaw framed, stenciled, and tattooed the 7.395 m (7' X 12') giant artwork on the handmade canvas. The completed tattoo project took months to finish. Later, Guinness World Record adjudicator Michael Empric measured the giant tattoo and declared it a record breaker. Iron Palm Tattoos' relentless pursuit of excellence had resulted in a dynamic and unforgettable creation that transcends boundaries of traditional body art.When asked why he chose Takeoff, Outlaw said, "I just want people to reflect on him as a person and his legacy in music and in the city." The creators want to move the artwork to a well-known museum or gallery pending sale. A portion of proceeds from the sale will go to the Donate Your Junk electronics campaign benefiting those needing modern electronics in developing countries.About Iron Palm Tattoos:Iron Palm is the best-known and most-reviewed multi-style tattoo shop in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Undeniably Atlanta's only late-night tattoo shop, it is open 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Walk-ins are welcome.Contact Information:Marlon BlakeOwner: Iron Palm Tattoos & Body Piercingmedia@ ironpalmtattoos.com 1 404-973-7828Related FilesRelated VideoSOURCE: Iron Palm Tattoos & Body Piercing
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-19 17:03:17

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Jovive Health is recognized with industry-leading certification for treating patients with opioid use disorder.EMERYVILLE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Jovive Health, a provider of flexible, patient-centric primary and urgent care services owned and operated by Vituity, proudly announces that LegitScript has certified its in-person addiction treatment protocol. LegitScript is the industry leader in merchant and advertiser certification and monitoring in the e-commerce and payment sectors, and its industry-leading certification recognizes the highest levels of commercial integrity and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. LegitScript is the only certification program recognized by Google, Microsoft, and Facebook for the addiction treatment market.Jovive Health clinics in California, Nevada, and Illinois provide LegitScript-certified Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to help diminish the effects of physical dependence on opioids. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, individuals prescribed these FDA-approved medications as part of their OUD treatment are 75% less likely to die from an overdose than those who are not."This certification from LegitScript demonstrates that Jovive Health clinics have the highest level of credibility, expertise, and training in addiction treatment," said Taylor Nichols, MD, Clinical Lead for MAT at Jovive Health. "We are proud to be officially recognized for our commitment to providing evidence-based, appropriate medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder." As the leading third-party certification expert in complex healthcare sectors, LegitScript has earned the trust of regulatory authorities and major advertising and e-commerce platforms worldwide. Certification involves a rigorous process of documentation, interviews, onsite inspections, and more to ensure that each facility provides the trained resources and tools to deliver care for opioid use disorder.Jovive Health clinics offer convenient same-day access to comprehensive primary and urgent care services with extended hours and telehealth appointments. Patients 18 years and older can book online or walk in for a MAT consultation with a provider to confirm eligibility and begin treatment. New patients enroll in a multi-appointment MAT program that is designed to stabilize symptoms and develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment is available at a reasonable out-of-pocket cost and is covered by most insurance plans.About VituityFor nearly 50 years, Vituity has been a catalyst for positive change in healthcare. As a 100% physician-led and -owned multispecialty partnership with a nationwide footprint, nearly 5,000 Vituity clinicians care for more than 8 million patients across 450 practice locations.Partnering with hospitals, health systems, clinics, payers, employers, and state and local government, our footprint continues to rapidly expand. Learn more at vituity.com About Jovive HealthAt Jovive Health, we believe better medicine is founded on being connected to our communities, each other, and, most importantly, our patients. Jovive Health delivers a flexible, integrated care experience that includes virtual visits, online reservations and walk-ins, and extended hours. Jovive is owned and operated by Vituity, a national physician partnership with a history of healthcare quality and innovation. For addresses, services, and hours, visit jovivehealth.com Contact InformationJohn Hansenpublicrelations@ vituity.com SOURCE: Jovive Health
At least 12 civilians in Odesa region, including a nine-year-old child, and one resident of Kherson were injured during an attack by missiles and drones fired by Russian occupiers on Wednesday night.

As reported on the Facebook page of the South operational command, three civilians were injured in Odesa as a result of a missile strike by the occupiers on the city, six - from blast waves during the shooting down of missiles and drones, three more - in other settlements of Odesa region, where due to hits and falling debris started fires.

"As a result of combat work to destroy missiles and drones, several apartment buildings were damaged by a blast wave in residential complexes in Odesa. At least six residents of Odesa, including a nine-year-old boy, sought medical help due to being injured by fragments of glass and other objects. In Kherson, the enemy hit the Palace of Culture with Shahed drones and mutilated the hostel. One civilian was injured," the task force said.

According to the Pivden (South) task force, the air defense forces destroyed 12 out of 12 Kalibr missiles fired in Odesa region. Also during the night, the invaders hit Odesa region with Oniks, Kh-59 and Kh-22 missiles, and at the same time launched Shahed-136 drones in the southern regions.

"Kh-59 missile was shot down on approach to the coast and, having fallen in one of the quarters of Odesa, formed a large funnel, several buildings around were damaged by the blast wave. Three civilians were injured. The enemy sent Oniks and Kh-22 to the port and critical infrastructure. It got into the grain and oil terminal, damaged tanks and equipment for loading, a fire started, all competent services are working to eliminate the consequences. There was no information about the victims," the task force said.

In Odesa region, there is a hit in an industrial facility where a civilian employee was injured and two warehouses in different locations were hit  with tobacco and fireworks. A fire with an area of more than 3,000 square meters is being eliminated.

Eight drones of the Shahed-136 type were shot down in the sky over Odesa region, two more over Mykolaiv region. As a result of air battles and falling debris, recreational infrastructure facilities in the coastal area of Koblevo community caught fire and were damaged, two civilians were injured.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-19 14:01:14

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / When you work for Boston Scientific-an organization dedicated to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions-your job inherently involves helping others.And yet many people at the company make the time to serve their communities off the clock as well. In 2022 alone, Boston Scientific employees volunteered more than 31,000 hours.Each year, Boston Scientific honors employees who are particularly engaged in this local work through its Global Volunteer Awards. We sat down with this year's inspiring winners, who were selected from a pool of 40+ nominations across 18 countries, to hear about their recent projects, what ignited their passion for philanthropy and how Boston Scientific supports them in their efforts beyond its walls.Continuing a legacy of serviceSome of Mehak Sachdev's favorite childhood memories are of visits with her grandfather. She only saw him every few years-Sachdev grew up in Southern California and her grandparents lived in India-but noted his dedication to Seva, a Hindi term that means service, nonetheless."My grandfather spent his life helping people who were experiencing religious persecution," says Sachdev. "He was always one of my biggest inspirations." In high school, Sachdev worked with Be The Match, an organization that registers volunteers for a global blood and bone marrow registry. In college, she volunteered with the Interfaith Youth Core, which aims to unite people of all faiths. When she landed at Boston Scientific in 2017, she worried the start of her professional career would mean the end of her community engagement. But Sachdev was pleasantly surprised by the company's commitment to supporting employees' volunteer work, and soon became the captain of the Young Professionals Network at Boston Scientific.Two years ago, one of her mentors revealed that both of his parents had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Sachdev knew she had to do something to help. So for the last two years, she has been working with the Alzheimer's Association in Valencia, California, engaging more than 500 employees and helping to establish Boston Scientific as a local community leader and socially conscious employer."My personal passion aligns so well with Boston Scientific's core value of caring," she says. "There's this mutual understanding that our actions-no matter how small-have the power to transform lives." Creating community at home and abroadPrecious Morton comes from a long line of givers: Her great grandmother, grandmother and mother all fostered children in their homes. "I learned that to make someone else feel seen and valued is the most rewarding thing," she says.When she moved to Yok'Neam, Israel, in 2021, as part of her current role as senior quality manager, she sought out volunteer opportunities immediately. Within weeks, Morton had identified Alef, an organization that helps African refugees and asylum seekers, and got to work initiating activities there, first participating herself, then bringing in her new Boston Scientific colleagues.Together, they cleaned, painted and renovated Alef's local community center and sponsored fundraising efforts for the organization. "Nothing binds you with your co-workers like building Ikea furniture together," she says with a chuckle.When Morton learned she'd received one of this year's Global Volunteer Awards, she brushed the honor off at first. "Volunteering is something I do behind the scenes-my recognition comes from helping others," she says. Yet when the congratulatory emails began rolling in from co-workers who'd nominated her, she flashed back to the many soul-filling moments she's had working with Alef-and to her mom, who inspired this work in the first place."Investing in my local community is a personal value of mine, even while abroad," says Morton. "It was important to me to make sure the Yok'Neam teams experienced the Boston Scientific core values of caring and global collaboration. Though unexpected, this award means everything for being recognized for something already rewarding." Protecting the beaches of her youthQuality engineer Daniela Jinesta Rojas first connected with nature as a little girl, when she'd visit her grandfather in Los Nubes in Coronado, close to the Braulio Carrillo rain forest. As she got older, she grew to love hiking and scuba diving.Yet spending so much time in the great outdoors came with one major downside: Jinesta noticed garbage in the most beautiful places, which prompted her to become an ardent advocate for the environment.These days, Jinesta spends more than 200 hours a year helping to conserve corals and clean local beaches and rivers. She also creates opportunities for other Boston Scientific employees at the Heredia, Costa Rica, site to do their part to protect the environment, too."When you work with your colleagues to fill three massive trucks with garbage you've picked up on a local beach, it's proof that if each one of us makes a small contribution, we can make a big impact," she says.A few years ago, Jinesta read about the Japanese word ikigai, which translates to a sense of purpose. She says it helped crystallize why gives back in the ways she does."We cannot just take and not give anything back-we'll be out of resources," she says. "Sometimes it might seem like you're not doing enough. But it's all the little efforts put together-and all the people you engage and ideas you set into motion-that make the difference." Learn more about how Boston Scientific empowers its employees to feel valued, and create value, every day.View original content hereView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boston Scientific on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Boston ScientificWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boston-scientific Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Boston Scientific
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MARKHAM, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc., a pioneering company at the forefront of bio-nanotechnology innovation, is thrilled to announce the successful closure of its seed stage fundraising, securing a remarkable $1.8 million Canadian Dollars in funding. The financing round was led by the prominent Canadian venture capital firm China Canada Angel Alliance (CCAA), with strong participation from follow-on investors Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), Liquid Metal VC, and a few other private investors."Innovation is the lifeblood of progress, and at Neptune Nanotechnologies, we are driven by a relentless pursuit of groundbreaking solutions. With immense pride, we announce the successful completion of our seed stage fund raise, securing $1.8 million Canadian dollars. This resounding vote of confidence from our investors empowers us to embark on the next chapter of our journey, revolutionizing industries and shaping a brighter future through nanotechnology. Together, we will redefine what's possible and leave an indelible mark on the world.A special note of gratitude goes out to the China Canada Angel Alliance (CCAA) for their invaluable backing, providing us with the initial thrust to soar to new heights. Additionally, we express our heartfelt appreciation to our follow-on investors, including the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) and Liquid Metal VC, whose continued confidence in our vision has been instrumental in propelling us forward." - Aaron Guan, Founder and CEO, Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc.The funding round represents a significant milestone for Neptune Nanotechnologies as it seeks to commercialize novel technologies that converts organic fishing waste into biodegradable nanomaterials that solves the performance and sustainability challenges of the plastics, composites, and pulp & paper industries. The company's proprietary technologies have garnered widespread interest and recognition, making it a prime choice for investors seeking to support pioneering ventures in the cleantech & nanotech industry.CCAA, the lead investor in this round, is known for its strategic approach to investing in high-growth, disruptive technologies. Their decision to back Neptune Nanotechnologies showcases the company's strong potential and highlights the attractiveness of Neptune's unique offerings. CCAA's extensive experience and network in the tech sector are expected to add significant value to Neptune's growth and market reach.In addition to CCAA's support, Neptune Nanotechnologies is thrilled to welcome OCI and Liquid Metal VC as follow-on investors. OCI is the innovation agency of the Ontario government aimed at driving economic growth by investing in innovative technologies. Liquid Metal VC is also renowned for its track record of identifying and nurturing early-stage deep-tech companies with transformative potential. Their participation in this funding round underscores the industry's recognition of Neptune's vision and technological capabilities.The raised capital will be allocated towards ramping up research and development initiatives both internally and in collaboration with top research institutions in Canada and the US; installing pilot scale production capabilities for nanocrystals and derivative products to satisfy sampling and trial demands as well as mapping out commercial scale production pathways; expanding the company's talented team with special emphasis on technology scaling and business development roles in order to propel Neptune Nanotechnologies toward its commercialization goals.About Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc.Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc. is an innovative bio-nanotechnology startup dedicated to the commercialization of revolutionary technologies capable of transforming organic fishing waste into exceptionally valuable nanocrystals. These nanocrystals surpass steel in strength while weighting similar to plastics, they are entirely derived from bio-based sources, demonstrating non-toxic, bio-compatible, and biodegradable characteristics. Serving as physical additives, they exhibit the potential to enhance strength, decrease weight, and supplant hazardous chemical additives across a diverse spectrum of materials used in aerospace, automotive, 3D printing, composites, adhesives, and packaging applications.ContactsAaron GuanNeptune Nanotechnologies Inc.1-647-882-9890SOURCE: Neptune Nanotechnologies Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-19 14:00:56

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Recognized for Investment in Delivery ExcellenceLONG BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Oshyn, a digital experience implementation agency and Sitecore Gold Partner, announced today that it was named the winner of the 2023 Sitecore Partner Awards for Investment in Delivery Excellence. This award recognizes Sitecore partners that demonstrate superior commitment to nurturing an in-depth knowledge to deliver and implement Sitecore.2023 Sitecore Partner Awards - Investment in Delivery ExcellenceOshyn Wins 2023 Sitecore Partner Award for Investment in Delivery Excellence "We have made a dedicated commitment to building on our already deep knowledge of the Sitecore platform," said Diego Rebosio, Oshyn CEO. "Our focus this past year has been on delivering composable implementations in addition to strengthening our support for Sitecore's composable products by making sure our staff is knowledgeable - and certified - on these next-generation solutions." Sitecore is a leading provider of digital experience software. Oshyn's partnership with Sitecore dates to 2007. During that time, Oshyn has completed hundreds of Sitecore projects and has over 40 certified Sitecore professionals."We are thrilled that our staff's dedication to expanding their knowledge and learning new skills has been acknowledged," said Oshyn's CTO Christian Burne. "Every day, composable architecture is becoming more important to modern digital experience and marketing stacks. I'm proud of our team's enthusiasm in supplementing their experience building out composable solutions for our clients with additional training and certifications." To learn more about Oshyn's Sitecore capabilities, visit www.oshyn.com/sitecore About OshynOshyn partners with some of the best brands and creative agencies in the world to create exceptional digital marketing solutions built on Sitecore. As a Sitecore partner for 16+ years, Oshyn has worked closely with dozens of marketing, design, and IT teams to deliver countless effective customer experiences in line with their business objectives. With over 40 certified Sitecore developers, trainers, and analysts on staff, Oshyn has built a stellar reputation working with top brands, including NW Natural, Point B, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Skyworks, Promedica, ALS Global, DMC Global, Minor Hotels, Dole, UMass Global, Wolters Kluwer, NEA Member Benefits, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Volkswagen, and Aetna. And we have partnered with top creative talent like Sapient-Razorfish, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Brink Interactive, Vitro, 72andSunny, and many more.Contact Information:Patrick WirzVP of Marketingpwirz@ oshyn.com 213-483-1770SOURCE: Oshyn
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Sarraf Gentile LLP, a leading law firm focused on class actions and protecting people from government overreach, is investigating state and municipal taxing authorities who seize and sell property to collect unpaid taxes but keep the surplus equity, or the excess value of the property after the tax has been paid - a practice known as "home equity theft." Home equity theft is grossly unfair. For homeowners with unpaid property tax, the consequence can be devastating. States or municipalities can seize and auction off property to recover unpaid taxes. But some government agencies that sell a property to recover a tax debt simply keep the surplus equity or the amount in excess of the unpaid taxes. This practice effectively strips the homeowner of the value of their property above and beyond the tax debt, an action that may be in violation of homeowner rights.In May 2023 the Supreme Court, in the case of Tyler v. Hennepin County, declared this practice unconstitutional.Some of the states in which this practice may be happening, and which the firm is investigating, include: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, and the District of Columbia.According to Sarraf Gentile partner Joseph Gentile: "The heart of this issue is an abuse of power and the potential violation of basic rights. We believe that homeowners who have had their property seized and their equity unjustly taken deserve to be made whole. Our firm is dedicated to fighting for the rights of these homeowners and we're considering filing class action lawsuits on their behalf. Our goal is to hold these states and municipalities accountable for their unjust taking and to ensure that those affected are appropriately compensated." If you or someone you know has been a victim of home equity theft involving property tax arrears, please contact Sarraf Gentile LLP for a free and confidential consultation.Sarraf Gentile LLP is a nationally recognized law firm that focuses on class actions and other complex litigation to combat government overreach. The firm has a proven track record of holding powerful institutions accountable and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of clients and class members.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.Contact:Joseph GentileSARRAF GENTILE LLP10 Bond Street, Suite 212Great Neck, NY 11021516-699-8890joseph@ sarrafgentile.com SOURCE: Sarraf Gentile LLP
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Announces Agreement with Government of Ecuador on Exploitation Agreement Terms and ConditionsBISHOPSGATE, LONDON / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / The Board of Directors of SolGold ("SolGold" or the "Company")(LSE:SOLG)(TSX:SOLG) is pleased to announce that it has completed the contractual negotiations and agreed upon a term sheet ("Term Sheet") in preparation for the execution of the Exploitation Agreement ("Agreement") for the Cascabel Project ("Project"), its flagship copper-gold project in Ecuador.SolGold began exploration work at Cascabel in July 2011, leading to the discovery of the Alpala and Tandayama America deposits on the Cascabel Concession. Since January 2023, SolGold has been in discussions with the Government of Ecuador to negotiate the terms and conditions of the Exploitation Agreement for the Cascabel Project. The Exploitation Agreement, coupled with existing legislations and regulations, establishes the legal and financial terms and conditions required for the Cascabel Project's development. The agreed Term Sheet, which has been approved by the Ecuadorian Government, marks a pivotal step forward for the Project.SolGold's CEO and President of SolGold Ecuador, Scott Caldwell, stated, "The completion of the negotiations and execution of the Term Sheet of the Exploitation Agreement for the Cascabel Project stands as a significant milestone, reflecting our shared commitment to all stakeholders. SolGold extends our sincere gratitude to the Government of Ecuador, regional administrations and local communities for their invaluable collaboration and support, each of whom has been instrumental in this momentous achievement. This Agreement is a positive outcome and exemplifies our unwavering dedication to working collaboratively with all our stakeholders." Key Contract TermsAll monetary amounts stated below are references to United States Dollars.SolGold plc, through its wholly owned subsidiary in Ecuador, Exploraciones Novomining S.A. ("Mining Concessionaire"), has negotiated the right to develop the Cascabel Project and produce copper, gold, and silver from the contract area for 33 years, which may be renewed.The Company and the Government of Ecuador have agreed to an advance royalty payment totalling $75 million, with $25 million due upon the concentrator construction start date. The remaining two payments, each of $25 million, will be made on the first and second anniversary, respectively, from the date of the first payment. The advance royalty will be deductible against the Government Royalty (defined below).One of the key economic assumptions is that the Company expects a reduced corporate income tax rate of 20% (previously 25%) during the Project's life once the Government of Ecuador approves the amendment of the Investment Protection Agreement. Based on this reduced corporate income tax rate, the Mining Concessionaire, the State, and SolGold have agreed to a variable royalty on net smelter revenues in accordance with Ecuadorian Mining Law ("Government Royalty"). The applicable royalty rate follows the progressivity criteria stated in the Mining Law, stipulating a variable percentage rate from 3% to 8%. This rate is dependent on the type of mineral and its price, as shown in Table 1: Royalty Rates. The royalty will be based on net smelter returns received from the sales of copper, gold, silver, or other marketable mineral products from the Project (for each mineral product, respectively, "NSR Revenue").According to the Mining Law in Ecuador, 60% of the revenue from the royalties collected by the government will be allocated to productive and sustainable projects through the municipal governments and parish councils of the communities of the Cascabel Project. The Company expects these funds to make an important contribution to local development in the area of influence.Table 1: Royalty RatesRealized Copper Price (US$/lb)Percentages applicable toCopper NSR RevenueEqual to or less than $3.003.0%From $3.01 to $3.504.0%From $3.51 to $4.005.0%From $4.01 to $4.506.0%From $4.51 to $5.007.0%Equal to or more than USD 5.018.0%Realized Gold Price (US$/oz)Percentages applicable toGold NSR RevenueEqual to or less than $1,400.003.0%From $1,400.01 to $1,600.004.0%From $1,600.01 to $1,800.005.0%From $1,800.01 to $2,000.006.0%From $2,000.01 to $2,200.007.0%Equal to or more than $2,200.018.0%Realized Silver Price (US$/ozPercentages applicable toSilver NSR RevenueEqual to or less than $20.003.0%From $20.01 to $22.504.0%From $22.51 to $25.005.0%From $25.01 to $27.506.0%From $27.51 to $30.007.0%Equal to or more than $30.018.0%The advance royalty will be deductible against the lesser of 50% of the royalties payable or 10% of the total advance royalty payment made until the advance royalty is settled in full (calculated every six months once the Government Royalty becomes payable).According to current legislation, the Exploitation Agreement also provides that the Government of Ecuador's share of cumulative discounted benefits derived from SolGold's Cascabel Project will not be less than 50%. Each year, to the extent that the Government of Ecuador's cumulative benefit falls below 50%, the Company will be required to pay an annual sovereign adjustment. The Government of Ecuador's benefit will be calculated as the present value of the cumulative sum of taxes paid, including corporate income taxes, royalties, labour profit sharing paid to the State, non-recoverable VAT and any previous sovereign adjustment payments. To the knowledge of the Company, no mining company operating in Ecuador with a similar sovereign adjustment clause in its exploitation agreement has made a payment to the government pursuant to such clause. Based on the economic assumptions included in the Project's financial model, it is not expected that the Company will be required to make any such payments after the commencement of commercial production at the Cascabel Project.The Term Sheet also includes a mechanism for correcting any economic imbalance for the Mining Concessionaire as a result of changes in taxes, laws and regulations in place at the date of the signing of this Agreement. The provision removes a significant amount of uncertainty for the economic regime governing the Project in the future.The Term Sheet also develop
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 18, 2023 / TriplePunditOriginally published by TriplePundit"Ancient wisdom meets futuristic technology" sounds like the concept for a new Hollywood blockbuster. But it's the here-and-now direction of sustainable agriculture, supporting not only the planet and its people, but also the profitability of every entity in the food production chain -from farmers to agribusinesses to brands in the consumer goods industry.Thousands of years ago, civilizations leveraged cyclical flooding for irrigation, let the land "rest" (lay fallow) every seventh year, and used terraced farming to produce food sustainably for their people, as well as external trade and philanthropic support of the poor. In modern times, this wisdom of the ages took a back seat to mechanization and industrialization - with short-term positive output effects and long-term catastrophic ones, such as the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.Over the last several decades, that same windswept stretch of country - Kansas, parts of Oklahoma and Colorado - has been among the regions reaping the benefits of sustainable agriculture, as are the companies reliant on farm products. Crop rotation, improved tillage and threshing techniques, as well as water-scarcity management advancements, make for better soil health and greater yield.At the same time, climate change presents new challenges, such as water scarcity and increasingly severe and frequent extreme weather events. The good news is: Every region and every stakeholder in the agrarian economic system has an opportunity to be part of the global solution.Environmental and economic solutions come togetherStarting in 2013 and now operating in 14 countries, Indigo Ag set out to help the agriculture industry improve sustainability and profitability through the combination of science and technology - first with the use of microbes to improve soil and plant resiliency and soon adding project development and impact quantification of regenerative farming practices.Indigo Ag's Market+ Source program in particular links up farmers, agribusinesses, and food and apparel companies to source sustainable crops and quantify impact throughout the entire supply chain.For corporations, this program enables them to score a win in improving the accuracy of their carbon footprints and in making progress toward their climate targets; and it does so while aligning to standards such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) and Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). Market+ Source captures the measurements corporations need to support their Scope 3 claims for marketing, investment decision-making, and evolving industry standards, while supporting farmers to employ and scale the use of the practices that deliver these results.Meeting any of these standards is a lot like detangling a fishing line: A company has to trace and document its suppliers' practices and quantify what emissions are reduced. In agriculture, data science and technology are must-haves to accomplish this feat.Rigorous data science, resourceful diplomacyJyoti Shankar, a principal data scientist at Indigo Ag, spoke with TriplePundit about both sides of the sustainable agriculture " adventure." One is the complex data process, and the other is the human side of bringing related but separate types of companies and people together to collaborate.On the data side, Indigo Ag avails itself of remote sensing data like satellite capture, as well as passive sensors and soil samples at farm sites, transaction and market data from various sources, and field experiments. Shankar analyzes and models the data to project the beneficial good of what is happening in the field, along the way looking for inconsistencies and missing data, so a love of sleuthing comes in handy. The data and analyses have to be scrupulously accurate to give multi-billion dollar global consumer brands the level of confidence required for use in Scope 3 emissions accounting, as Indigo Ag has been doing since 2019."We can simulate scenarios of potential regenerative farming practices or combinations of practices for farmers in our programs," Shankar said. "Our goal is to determine the realistic impact of encouraging farmers to adopt more practices each year and/or increase their acreage of these practices. By managing the portfolio of practices adopted by farmers within our program, we can shape it to effectively reduce emissions and water used per unit of crop produced." The detective work is also needed when data comes from agribusinesses that still use manual or outdated technical systems, but it has to be coupled with a respect for the small companies that have vital information. Indigo strives for collaboration with such firms, becoming a technology provider to support their way of doing business, Shankar said."Scope 3 programs cannot succeed without the partnership of many supply chain partners. It's a very fragmented industry, and the data is non-trivial," she told us. "They are folks who have been in it for a long time, who have survived the longest with the least amount of margins.How consumer brands benefit from sustainable agricultureWith consumers now highly tuned in to climate change and other environmental issues, many have demonstrated that their purchasing dollars will go to the brands that prove their commitment to sustainability through best practices. Increasingly, investors are seeking the same. Meanwhile, extreme weather and natural resource scarcity threaten the long-term viability of agricultural supply chains - making a clear business case for companies to push climate solutions forward. Therefore, data science and technology have a central role in providing that proof.Post Holdings, known for its iconic cereal, snack and pet food brands, works with Indigo to quantify the climate impact of the sustainably grown wheat used in Airly crackers, a brand devoted to removing greenhouse gases. Airly is able to post its carbon reduction numbers on its website, thanks to the data Indigo provides."What we've seen is a real hunger from our growers for, What else can I do?'" said Jennifer McKnight, Airly's chief marketing officer. "With Indigo Ag, we've been bringing together world-leading scientists directly with the farmers to help answer that question. Every single year, we're getting better. The growers are learning from the scientists, the scientists are learning from the growers, and it creates that virtuous loop." McKnight's last comment captures a sentiment numerous members of Indigo Ag's team voiced as well: The partnership with farmers and agribusinesses is crucial.What "tink
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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Trend Innovations Holding, Inc. (OTCQB:TREN)(OTCQB:AVAI) ("Avant," "Trend" or the "Company"), a technology company specializing in acquiring, creating, and developing innovative and advanced technologies utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), today announced that the Company has changed its name to "Avant Technologies, Inc." (Avant) and its stock ticker symbol to " AVAI." The Company's common stock begins trading under the new symbol "AVAI" today, July 19, 2023, on the OTC Markets Group "OTCQB" electronic platform.The name change signifies the Company's strategic shift into the AI sector following the acquisition of the highly sophisticated, machine and deep learning, AI engine, Avant! AI.This is a major milestone for Avant Technologies," said Paul Averill, Avant's Chief Operating Officer. He added, "Over the past three months, we have aggressively moved to fully transition into the AI sector and this name change better reflects our new direction and our new mission to compete as a leading AI company. We are excited to continue our aggressive growth strategy to facilitate the advancement of our signature AI technology, Avant! AI, and our multi-faceted approach in the AI sector." The Company will further define its direction in the AI sector over the coming months. To learn more about Avant Technologies, visit: https://avanttechnologies.com You can follow us on social media at:About Avant Technologies, Inc.Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI) is an expert in the field of information technology based on artificial intelligence. Recently, Avant acquired Avant! AI and InstantFAME, two technologies operating in multi-billion-dollar industries. Avant's "Thy News" application is another of the Company's projects. Thy News is a worldwide application used for processing news from multiple sources. The app offers users the opportunity to create their own news feeds solely from those sources that are of interest to them, as well as creating additional news feeds segmented by topic.Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website ( http://www.sec.gov) . In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Company's ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Company's successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Company's products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date after the date of the press release.Contact:Kenn Kerr, Consulting Manager of Corporate Communication Avant Technologies, Inc.kkerr@ avanttechnologies.com SOURCE: Trend Innovations Holding Inc.
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TORRANCE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / TruLife Distribution, a leading provider of comprehensive importation, logistics, and warehousing services, proudly celebrates its remarkable success in helping businesses penetrate and thrive in the highly competitive US market. With its unwavering commitment to excellence, TruLife Distribution has become a trusted partner for companies seeking seamless entry into the United States, providing tailored solutions and unparalleled support.Entering the US market can be a complex and daunting task for businesses around the world. Recognizing this challenge, TruLife Distribution has established itself as a beacon of expertise, offering a comprehensive suite of services to streamline the entire process. From managing importation logistics to providing top-tier warehousing facilities, TruLife Distribution is the go-to partner for businesses looking to make their mark in the US.One of the key strengths of TruLife Distribution is its deep understanding of the intricate customs and regulatory landscape. Leveraging its extensive experience, the company provides invaluable guidance on compliance, tariff classification, and documentation requirements, ensuring a smooth and efficient importation process for clients. By navigating the complexities of customs procedures and ensuring compliance with US regulations, TruLife Distribution enables companies to focus on their core business strategies while avoiding costly delays and potential pitfalls.Logistics plays a crucial role in the success of any market entry endeavor. With an extensive network of trusted partners and cutting-edge supply chain management systems, TruLife Distribution offers end-to-end logistics solutions tailored to each client's unique needs. From transportation coordination to inventory management, the company optimizes the entire supply chain, delivering products efficiently and on time. This seamless logistics support empowers businesses to meet the demands of the US market, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving long-term growth.In addition to importation and logistics, TruLife Distribution provides state-of-the-art warehousing facilities strategically located across the United States. Equipped with advanced technology and robust security measures, these facilities offer a reliable and scalable solution for businesses in need of secure storage and distribution. TruLife Distribution dedicated team ensures that inventory is efficiently managed, allowing clients to optimize their operations and respond swiftly to market demands. Whether it's short-term warehousing or long-term inventory management, TruLife Distribution delivers flexible solutions that align with each client's specific requirements.The success of TruLife Distribution in helping companies establish a strong foothold in the US market is a testament to its unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction and operational excellence. By consistently exceeding expectations, the company has earned a reputation for being a reliable and trustworthy partner. Its relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to quality has propelled numerous businesses to achieve their goals, fueling their growth and success.TruLife Distribution sets the standard for what it means to be a trusted partner. What sets TruLife Distribution apart from the competition is their comprehensive suite of services. From importation to logistics and warehousing, they cover every aspect of the supply chain. And that's just the beginning; they also offer FDA compliance, sales and distribution, public relations, and digital media marketing.As TruLife Distribution celebrates its accomplishments, it remains committed to empowering businesses around the world to conquer the US market. With its comprehensive importation, logistics, and warehousing services, the company continues to redefine the industry's standards, ensuring that clients receive the support and solutions they need to thrive in the dynamic and highly competitive US market.TruLife Distribution is a leading distribution solutions company committed to revolutionizing retail efficiency during peak seasons. With a strong dedication to empowering retailers, the company provides comprehensive solutions that maximize operational effectiveness and drive profitability when it matters most. By leveraging early planning, real-time inventory management, website optimization, staff augmentation, and data-driven decision-making, TruLife Distribution equips retailers with the tools and strategies to thrive during the busiest times of the year. To learn more about their services, check out their website at>>> https://trulifedist.com/ Media Contact:Name: Brian Gouldinfo@ TruLifeDistribution.com +1.480.690.20264343 N. Scottsdale Rd, Suite 150Scottsdale, AZ 85251Website: https://trulifedist.com SOURCE: TruLife Distribution
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / South Pole - What are planetary boundaries? Simply put, they are thresholds that, if crossed, can lead to irreversible and potentially catastrophic changes in the functioning of ecosystems and the global environment. And according to the Stockholm Resilience Centre, we're at risk of permanently crossing that invisible line in several areas. Sounds scary, right?But here's the good news: if we make efforts to adhere to these boundaries, we can maintain the stability and resilience of our planet's life-support systems. And believe it or not, the private sector can play a crucial role in changing our relationship with nature by shifting to a business model that ensures sustainable development within the planetary boundaries of biosphere integrity.So what does that mean for your company, and how can you be a part of the solution?Science-based targets for natureThe Science-Based Targets Network (SBTN) is a ground-breaking effort that plays a crucial role in operationalizing these planetary boundaries at the corporate level, helping businesses to align their activities with the biophysical limits of ecosystems. It allows companies to work together to incorporate concepts of thresholds and boundaries into corporate decision-making, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of both your businesses and the planet.It also offers cities and businesses a comprehensive and practical framework for aligning nature protection with the greatest available scientific data: the science-based targets for nature. Covering four fundamental realms of nature - freshwater, land, biodiversity and oceans - the framework helps businesses to create quantitative, measurable, and aspirational goals to ensure that corporate activities are sustainable and sync with promoting healthy ecosystems.Biodiversity action in five stepsThe framework consists of five steps that businesses can take to achieve effective biodiversity stewardship. Though still under development, many organisations are keenly aware of the framework and are already working with the existing guidance of steps 1-3 while taking actions in anticipation of guidance on steps 4-5.Assess. To begin, you gather and/or supplement existing data to estimate your value chain-wide impacts and dependencies on nature, resulting in a list of potential 'issue areas' and value chain locations for target setting.Interpret & Prioritize. You then interpret the outputs of Step 1, prioritizing key issues and locations to take action. You will consider actions across different 'spheres of infuence'-from your operations, to the landscapes surrounding your value chain(s).Measure, Set & Disclose. You then collect baseline data for prioritized targets and locations. Using the data from this and previous steps, you can set targets aligned with Earth's limits and societal sustainability goals and then disclose these publicly.Act . Once targets are set, you utilize SBTN's Action Framework (AR 3 T: Avoid, Reduce, Regenerate, Restore, and Transform) to make a plan and begin to address your contributions toward the unsustainable use and loss of naturekey impacts.Track . Finally, you monitor progress toward your targets, and report publicly on this progress, and adapt your approach as necessary.The first step supports companies in identifying and assessing the most common pressures on nature derived in its own sector and across its value chain. In other words, it looks at the impacts and dependencies of the company in relationship with nature.In the second step, companies identify the areas they can influence and develop an understanding of locations where biodiversity may be at higher risk and where setting their own targets can be more feasible. The feasibility is determined by several variables, such as strategic interest, or a company's relationship with local providers and other stakeholders (e.g. local communities, indigenous people and local authorities).For the third step, targets are quantified and set. The SBTN puts a strong emphasis on the protection of priority landscapes, like areas of great biodiversity importance or high ecological value. The landscape approach also figures prominently and provides for a collaborative process that integrates policies and practices for multiple lands uses in a given area.The fourth step is all about action and implementing projects that will generate a positive impact on the ground for local biodiversity.Finally, the fifth step involves setting up the right processes for monitoring, reporting, and verification so that companies can be sure that projects are kept on track and aligned with targets and reported and verified according to trusted standards.The Global Biodiversity Framework sets a new standardAt the close of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in 2022, one hundred and ninety six nations accepted and adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), setting a clear agenda for real biodiversity action.This has highlighted the need to report, disclose, and act on nature-related issues more than ever before. And for businesses, it means that companies wanting to protect the planet's natural resources - and their long-term viability - need to get on board too.The GBF provides a comprehensive road map for governments, businesses and other stakeholders to collaborate towards a world where people and nature flourish in harmony. By aligning their strategies with the GBF, businesses can ensure that their actions contribute to achieving global conservation objectives while also demonstrating to investors, consumers and other stakeholders that the company is committed to addressing the biodiversity crisis and promoting sustainable development.Yet more than just hoping that companies realise the benefits of aligning with nature, the GBF will require transnational companies and financial institutions in signatory countries to assess and disclose their environmental risks, impacts, and reliance throughout their operations, supply chains, and portfolios through target 15. Companies that actively pursue this objective will not only help to ensure a sustainable future for all, but will also create positive value for their businesses by reducing risks, enhancing their reputation and creating new market opportunities.Bringing it all togetherTarget 15 of the GBF is intrinsically linked with the science-based targets for nature. Both share the ultimate aim of understanding and assessing in order to conserve and restore ecosystems while ensuring the long-term sustainability of businesses and communities. By adopting the science-based targets for nature, companies can already align their corporat
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The Securities Law Firm of KlaymanToskes Offers Investors With Losses in Virgin Galactic Holdings Recovery OptionsNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / National investment loss attorneys KlaymanToskes announces an investigation on behalf of investors who sustained losses over $100,000 in Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPCE). KlaymanToskes encourages investors who had large positions in Virgin Galactic at Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, or any other brokerage firm to contact the firm immediately to discuss recovery options at 888-997-9956.On October 25, 2019, Virgin Galactic completed its merger with Social Capital Hedosophia, a "Blank Check" or Special Purchase Acquisition Company ("SPAC"). SPACs are historically risky as they lack the earning history and proven management teams that accompany traditional Operating Company IPOs.A July 11, 2021 SEC filing states that Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC were employed as "Agents" to sell shares of Virgin Galactic in exchange for compensation at a rate of up to 2.0% of the gross sales price per share. Last month, Virgin Galactic announced that the same brokerage firms will be Agents of its $400 million subsequent stock offering.Between Virgin Galactic's first offering in July 2021, and its recent announcement in June 2023, its shares have fallen by 88%. As the SPAC's underwriter, Credit Suisse is responsible for conducting proper due diligence of the deal, giving them a heightened duty to disclose any potential risks to their clients.Brokerage firms that failed to disclose the underlying risks associated with the SPAC, and/or that failed to recommend risk management strategies to customers with large, concentrated or margined positions in Virgin Galactic may be held liable for investor losses.Investors that suffered losses in excess of $100,000 should immediately contact attorney Lawrence L. Klayman, Esq. for a free consultation at 888-997-9956 and download our SPAC Special Investor Report.About KlaymanToskesKlaymanToskes is a leading national securities law firm which practices exclusively in the field of securities arbitration on behalf of retail and institutional investors throughout the world in large and complex securities matters. The firm has recovered over $250 million in FINRA arbitrations and over $350 million in other securities litigation matters. KlaymanToskes has office locations in California, Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico.ContactKlaymanToskes, P.A.Lawrence L. Klayman, Esq.888-997-9956lawrence@ klaymantoskes.com SOURCE: KlaymanToskes, P.A.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced on Tuesday that the last four Leopard tanks, which have not yet been delivered, have been sent to Ukraine, as well as a new batch of light weapons and large-caliber ammunition.

According to the Europa Press, Robles said this after participating in a video conference with the defense ministers of Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the Ramstein format, where she specified that the transportation would be carried out by sea.

In addition to the last four Leopard 2A4 tanks, ten armored personnel carriers and several armored all-terrain vehicles, light trucks and ambulances will also be sent to Ukraine after appropriate overhauls.

The meeting in the Ramstein format, as explained in a statement by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, "reinforces the idea of the unity of allies and partners who have managed to analyze the latest developments in the conflict and agree on mechanisms to effectively meet the most pressing needs of Ukraine at a decisive moment."

In her speech, the minister mentioned the transfer by Spain to Ukraine of a reinforced field hospital with emergency surgery facilities, the necessary post-operative rooms, a pharmacy, sterilization, a laboratory and two hospitalization modules. The field hospital left Spain on Tuesday, his arrival in Poland, from where he will go in transit to Ukraine, is scheduled for July 23. Ukrainian doctors and logistics personnel returned on Monday, Robles said, "after two weeks of intensive training in Zaragoza, they are capable of deploying, setting up and operating this hospital in the conflict zone."

The minister also noted the relevance of the training coordination center in Toledo, where military personnel are now being trained, and reiterated Spain's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its pursuit of a "complete, just and lasting peace."

As reported, Spain sent the first six Leopard tanks to Ukraine in early April 2023.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP ("Wolf Haldenstein"), a preeminent national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Lumen Technologies, Inc. ("Lumen Technologies" or "the Company") (NYSE:LUMN) for violations of federal securities laws.All investors who purchased shares and incurred losses are advised to contact the firm immediately at classmember@ whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the potential action on our website, www.whafh.com PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATIONWolf Haldenstein is investigating whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors.Lumen is an international facilities-based technology and communications company focused on providing our business and mass markets customers with a broad array of integrated products and services necessary to participate in the ever-evolving digital world.On July 9, 2023, Lumen was implicitly mentioned in an article published by The Wall Street Journal entitled: "America is Wrapped in Miles of Toxic Lead Cables." The article states "AT&T, Verizon and other telecom giants have left behind a sprawling network of cables covered in toxic lead that stretches across the U.S., under the water, in the soil and on poles overhead, a Wall Street investigation found. As the lead degrades, it is ending up in places where Americans live, work and play." Further, the article explains "[l]ead levels in sediment and soil at more than four dozen locations tested by the Journal exceeded safety recommendations set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency." The Wall Street Journal also reports "[f]or many years, telecom companies have known about the lead-covered cables and the potential risks of exposure to their workers, according to documents and interviews with former employees. They were also aware that lead was potentially leaching into the environment, but haven't meaningfully acted on potential health risks to the surrounding communities or made efforts to monitor cables." By close of trading on July 10, 2023, the next trading day after the revelation, the stock declined $0.12 per share from the previous closing price to close at $2.06 per share.Wolf Haldenstein has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation.If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735 or via e-mail at classmember@ whafh.com Contact:Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLPPatrick Donovan, Esq.Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial AnalysisEmail: gstone@ whafh.com or classmember@ whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774SOURCE: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has announced the appointment of Tayo Aduloju as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 January 2024.

Mr Aduloju, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Senior Fellow for Economic Policy, Strategy, and Competitiveness, will succeed the current CEO, Laoye Jaiyeola, upon completing his two-term tenure.

The group announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement said the NESG had taken a quantum leap, utilising technology and data to promote the inclusive and sustainable growth of Nigerias economy while upholding its core principles of a free-market economy, the rule of law, and governance in the national interest.

The Chairman Board of Directors of NESG, Niyi Yusuf, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr Jaiyeola for his dedicated service and impact.

The group said the incoming CEO brings exceptional vision and expertise.

A distinguished scholar-practitioner, economist, policy entrepreneur, and strategist, he has contributed significantly to various reform initiatives, spanning sectors such as water, agriculture, finance, governance, maritime and public service, it said.

Mr Adulojus experience includes advising former Presidents Umaru YarAdua and Olusegun Obasanjo, spearheading the NESGs national public-private leadership forums, and promoting sustainable development.

The incoming CEO, with an illustrious academic background as an alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, University of Oxford, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, possesses the ideal qualifications to lead NESG through its upcoming phase, the statement said.

Mr Aduloju also holds several distinguished accolades, including the Walden University 2022 Citizens Award for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Economic Policy and Public Administration; he is a graduate and alumnus of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, in addition to holding an Executive Certificate in Economic Development from Harvard Kennedy School.

He is also a fellow of esteemed professional institutions, including the Chief of Staff Association, the Institute of Strategic Management in Nigeria, and the Institute of Management Consultants in the United States.

NESG said it looks forward to Mr Adulojus visionary leadership as its 6th CEO and the continued pursuit of its mission to transform the Nigerian economy.

The organisation remains committed to driving positive change, facilitating crucial reforms, and collaboration to shape a prosperous future for Nigeria, it added.

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Fidelity Bank will raise fresh capital through public share sale and rights issue after securing key shareholders approval at an extra-ordinary meeting next month, the lender said Wednesday.

Up to 10 billion shares will be up for sale through a public offering, while a maximum of 3.2 billion shares are to be offered to existing shareholders in the proportion of one new share for every ten currently held.

The move will increase Fidelity Banks total issued shares by roughly 46 per cent when completed.

Regulatory approvals must be in place before the deal can be delivered.

The bank requires additional capital for increased profitability, expansion (domestic and international) and enhancement of its digital capabilities,  Fidelity Bank stated in a note to the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

That aligns with the broad plan by the lender to gain tier-1 status by 2025, when it hopes to have joined the rank of Nigerias biggest banks by assets.

The elite category currently comprises FBN Holdings, United Bank for Africa, Guaranty Trust Holding Company, Access Holdings, and Zenith Bank, a group popularly referred to by the initials FUGAZ.

Last August, Fidelity Bank agreed with rival Union Bank to buy the latters UK subsidiary after the Central Bank of Nigeria gave the go-ahead.

The capital raise is coming five months after the lender sourced about N14 billion through a private placement where it sold over 3 billion shares to two investors.

Fidelity Banks shares have returned 72.4 per cent this year and 135 per cent in the past 52 weeks and are listed at N7.15 per unit in Lagos.

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Controversial Nollywood actress Muoghalu Judith, popularly known as Judy Austin, has finally addressed claims that she met her current husband, Yul Edochie, while she was still married to her first husband, Emmanuel Obasi.

The 31-year-old actress reportedly married her ex-husband when she was 19. Before their divorce in 2013, the union produced two children.

On Tuesday, during a Facebook Live, the actress, who became famous after her role in Native Girl, denied having an affair with Yul while she was still married to her now ex-husband.

She said, This is just me answering the obvious question that has been flying around. The question is, Were you in your previous marriage when you met Yul Edochie? The answer is no. That is the fattest lie ever told about me on social media. My previous marriage ended in March 2013.

 I saw Yul Edochie for the very first time. I mean, I saw him for the very first time years after my previous marriage ended. So, anyone saying otherwise is lying.

In an attempt to prove her innocence, the mother-of-three said, However, if I am telling the truth, let all the curses and insults go back to the people saying it a billion times over.

Previous marriage, allegations

After her marriage with Mr Obasi ended in March 2013, her ex-husband reportedly called her out in October 2022.

Mr Obasi claimed the actress, and Yul denied him access to his children. He also alleged that in 2012, he discovered Judy was having an affair with Yul while they were still married.

In a statement, Mr Obasi said that following her affair with Yul, he noticed a change in her attitude towards him, and it drove him to report her to her relatives, who resolved the issue between them.

Mr Obasi, who claimed to have sponsored Judys university education, alleged that shortly after, Judy moved out of their matrimonial home with their two children to be with Yul.

In the statement, he claimed he was uncomfortable with Judy raising their children alone and that she comfortably moved on with Yul without divorcing him.

Controversy

In November 2021, Judy Austin welcomed a son named Star Munachimso with Yul.

One year later, on 21st April 2022, Yul publicly unveiled Judy as his second wife.

Before the announcement, he married May for over 17 years, a union that produced four children: a girl and three boys.

May, who didnt seem pleased with the union, revealed that her husband paid Judys bride price on 24 April 2022 without informing her.

She claimed that she found out about his actions the following day after he married her traditionally.

Since their marriage, several controversies have trailed Yul and Judys union, particularly on social media.

A handful of his colleagues, fans and family expressed their shock, opinions and thoughts over the controversial union.

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The Supreme Court and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have denied social media posts on an alleged secret phone conversation between the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, and President Bola Tinubu.

They denied the reports in separate statements on Tuesday and Wednesday.

They were reacting to a media report suggesting that the two men recently had a phone conversation focusing on how to pressurise the Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja to rule in favour of Mr Tinubu and his party, the APC.

Mr Tinubus victory at the 25 February presidential election is being contested by two leading opposition party candidates  Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

There is also the third petition filed against Mr Tinubus victory by the All Peoples Movement (APM).

The CJN wields enormous influence in presidential election cases, which will end up at the Supreme Court.

He can choose to appoint himself to head the seven-member panel that will give the final verdict on the cases. Whether he chooses to be on the panel or not, he has the prerogative to choose its members.

As the head of the Supreme Court, the CJN is also head of the entire Nigerian judiciary, who also oversees the National Judicial Council (NJC), the body that is responsible for the appointment and disciplining of judges across the country.

But reacting to reports over Messrs Ariwoola and Tinubus alleged phone conversation, the Director of Press at the Supreme Court, Festus Akande, on Wednesday, said there was no such communication with either the president or anyone.

Mr Akande also said, contrary to social media speculations, Mr Ariwoola did not also have any phone call with the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Bichi.

He said, It is imperative to state clearly that there is no iota of truth in the narrative, as there was no such telephone conversation between the CJN and anyone.

Mr Akande said Nigerians have been following the proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal with admirable enthusiasm, urging that the public allow the suit to be determined instead of relapsing into the realm of speculations and rumour peddling that will not do anyone any good.

He warned that falsehood and mudslinging would stall Nigerias progress.

The courts are statutorily established to serve the best interest of the masses, and we are ever poised to do that to the best of our ability, Mr Akande assured.

He further assured that the parties before the court over the disputed election would be treated without bias, adding that The rule of law and supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution will always be upheld and applied in every matter that comes before the courts.

The public should be assured that justice will be done to all matters pending in the various courts across the country, irrespective of who is involved, he added.

APC statement

The APC similarly denied the alleged phone conversation in a statement by Felix Morka, the partys national publicity secretary, on Tuesday.

The party described the speculations as mischievous, adding that the Presidential Election Petition Court should be allowed to do its job.

We have become aware of a decidedly mischievous and intentionally misleading tweet by Mr Jackson Ude.

He alleged that President Tinubu had a telephone conversation with the CJN, in which the CJN purportedly told the president and the APC to prepare for a presidential election rerun, Mr Morka said.

He said it was disturbing and disgraceful for Mr Ude to fabricate a falsehood of this kind on a matter of serious national importance that was actively under review by the PEPC.

He maintained that Mr Tinubu and the APC won the last presidential election without a doubt.

Mr Morka added that the party and Mr Tinubu did not need to engage in side conversations with the CJN regarding pending petitions before the PEPC.

He said as the core democrat that he was, Mr Tinubu respected the right of aggrieved candidates in the election to seek redress for any grievances they may have.

He noted that the Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act provided effective guarantees of that right.

The PEPC should be afforded the time and space to perform its important constitutional and statutory duty of adjudicating and delivering a verdict in the matter without needlessly calling the integrity of our Judges into question.

Falsehood and conjecture by the likes of Ude only aim to inflame political passions, create doubt and panic, and preemptively undermine the verdict of the courts in this important matter.

We are confident that Nigerians are smarter and more discerning than to be affected by this opposition brand of tasteless and crass mercenary expedition, the APC said.

Perceived secret relationship

This is not the first media speculation about secret communications between Messrs Tinubu and Ariwoola since after the disputed 25 February presidential election.

In March, an online news platform, Peoples Gazette, reported that the CJN disguised in a wheelchair to meet with Mr Tinubu.

Mr Tinubu was then the president-elect, and by then, it was clear that his election was going to be challenged in court.

Both the Supreme Court and Mr Tinubus presidential campaign team came out to deny any meeting between the two men as reported.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the Supreme Courts spokesperson, Mr Akande, said there was no iota of truth in the report by the Peoples Gazette.

Contrary to claims by the report that Mr Ariwoola travelled out of Nigeria on 11 March to the United Kingdom to meet with the president-elect, Mr Akande said, the CJN has been in Nigeria, and presided over meetings of the National Judicial Council (NJC) held on 16 and 17 March.

This newspaper reported that on 17 March, the NJC, at the end of its meeting chaired by Mr Ariwoola, issued a statement suspending the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Philibus Andetur, from office for misconduct.

Mr Akande disclosed that the CJN, accompanied by NJCs Secretary, Ahmed Gambo, only travelled out of Nigeria briefly to London on 18 March for medical care.

On 23 March, the CJN returned from his medical trip to London and later reported in the office (in Abuja), where he worked till 8p.m, he said.

Mr Akande said before the CJNs London trip, Mr Ariwoola notified President Muhammadu Buhari of the trip.

The only time the CJN travelled earlier this year was on 25 January, when he travelled for Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia. He returned on 29 January 2023, the Supreme Court spokesperson explained.

A PREMIUM TIMES reporter was granted access to the CJNs chambers at the Supreme Court, where Mr Ariwoola was seen with a retinue of aides walking into a waiting SUV to attend Jumat prayers at a mosque within the precincts of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Reacting to the report, Mr Tinubus presidential campaign team described the story as a mere salacious fiction, meant to draw traffic to the discredited purveyor.

Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson for the president-elects media team, who issued the statement, noted that Mr Tinubu was still in Paris, France, and had not moved to London.

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Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, has urged Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja to dismiss Atiku Abubakars challenging the outcome of the 25 February election.

The commission said the 27 witnesses he called to prove his petition fell far short 100 he proposed to call.

Atiku, the presidential flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the disputed poll, is challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

INEC had on 1 March declared Mr Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) election winner.

One of Atikus major issues with the election centred around INECs alleged manipulation of votes in favour of Mr Tinubu.

He alleged that the electoral umpire allowed a third-party device to hijack its electronic Results Viewing (IReV) portal during the presidential election, creating a loophole for Mr Tinubu to manipulate poll results.

Atiku, the 1st runner-up at the poll, proposed during the prehearing session to call 100 witnesses to prove allegations of electoral malpractices and fraud against INEC and Mr Tinubu.

However, he presented 27 witnesses who comprised electoral officers and experts to substantiate his claims.

INEC had blamed its inability to upload photographic copies of polling units results of the Presidential election on its IReV portal on technical glitches.

In its final written address in response to Atikus allegations of electoral fraud, INEC, through its lead counsel, Abubakar Mahmoud, told the court that Atiku called only 24 witnesses from over 176,000 polling stations.

Mahmoud, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued that 24 witnesses were insufficient to establish electoral malpractices in the 176,000 polling units across Nigeria where the presidential election was held last February.

By law, the petitioners (Atiku and PDP) must prove through credible evidence from the 176,000 polling units that the non-use of the BVAS device to transmit the results real-time affected the outcome of the (presidential) election, Mr Mahmoud argued.

The lawyer further contended that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, which Atiku alleged were not functioning properly in the 176,000 polling units in Nigeria during the polls, were not produced by the PDP candidate in support of his case.

He said all of Atikus witnesses testified before the five-member panel of the court that the BVAS device functioned adequately except for the uploading of images of the presidential election from the polling stations, which INEC argued did not detract from the elections integrity and credibility.

Responding to Atikus allegations of manipulation of ballots, BVAS, intimidation and harassment of voters and massive thumb printing of ballot papers, amongst others, the commission said the allegations were criminal in nature.

We submit that these allegations as contained in the petition are criminal in nature and must be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Alleged manipulations in Sokoto, Kano, Kogi, Borno, Lagos and Rivers

The electoral commission contended that Atiku and the PDP failed to prove results cancellation in 241 polling stations in Sokoto State during the presidential election.

It said Atikus reliance on Dino Melaye, PDPs national coordinator for the presidential election, was fatal.

In his testimony before the court, Mr Melaye, PDPs candidate for the forthcoming 11 November Kogi State governorship election, said there was substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act in INECs conduct of the polls.

But the commission, in its address, urged the court to discountenance Mr Melayes testimony, arguing that he operated from PDPs situation room in Abuja and cannot give an accurate account of what transpired on election day across Kogi and other parts of the country.

In Kano State, INEC said the petitioners failed to prove how electoral officers inability to properly fill out polling units booklets robbed Atiku of votes cast during the polls.

The petitioners failure to bring before this court the affected forms from the 44 local government areas in Kano State is that this court is being urged to speculate on the allegation of improper filling of electoral documents used in the election, the INECs final written address read partly.

It will be recalled that Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), won the election in Kano overwhelmingly.

Mr Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano, came fourth in the race, scoring over a million votes.

In Borno, INEC pointed out that Atiku did not mention at what stage of the electoral process it imputed wrong results for him. It said the petitioners failed to prove allegations of corrupt practices in Borno State during the election.

Atiku and the PDP had alleged issues of voter intimidation and harassment in Lagos, Mr Tinubus home state.

But the commission argued that the petitioners witnesses, in their evidence-in-chief, never mentioned names of high-profile persons who threatened to hurt voters in Lagos for refusing to vote for Mr Tinubu.

Despite these weighty allegations in their pleadings, the petitioners failed to adduce cogent and credible evidence in support of these assertions, Mahmoud wrote in the INECs final address.

The INECs lawyer further argued that the mere tendering of results of the presidential election of some of the states was not sufficient to establish the complaint made out by the petitioners.

Mr Mahmoud told the court that Atiku failed to discharge the onus of proof placed on him to displace the presumption of the regularity of the election.

They failed to prove that the 2nd respondent (Mr Tinubu) was, at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election.

They failed to prove that scoring 25 per cent of the votes cast at the FCT is a condition precedent to winning the presidential election under the constitution.

 The 1st respondent (INEC)s case was unchallenged,  Mr Mahmoud said, urging the court to dismiss Atikus suit and affirm Mr Tinubus victory.

Mr Obi and his party, the Labour Party, are expected also to file and serve their response to the individual written addresses of the INEC, Mr Tinubu and the APC.

A date will then be fixed by a five-person panel of the court headed by Haruna Tsammani for closing arguments of parties to the suit.

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The Court of Appeal in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday, upheld the judgment of a lower court banning the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) from operating on state and local roads in the country.

A Federal High Court in the state had, in 2019, held that the FRSC has no legal right to operate or carry out any activity on roads belonging to states and local government areas.

Darlington Ehikim, a lawyer and member of the Nigerian Bar Association in Delta State, filed the case against the FRSC, Thisday newspaper reported.

The trial court had in its judgment restrained the commission from operating on roads other than federal highways and also awarded a cost of N10 million against the commission.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the FRSC challenged the high courts decision at the Court of Appeal.

Ruling on the matter on Monday, the judge, E. Nwite, dismissed the commissions appeal and upheld the trial court decision.

The judgment restricts the commission to only federal roads in different parts of the country.

FRSC heads to Supreme Court

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dauda Biu, said the commission would appeal the judgment of the Appeal Court.

In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, the FRSC spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem, said the commission was seeking a stay of execution of the appellate court judgment.

He said the commission has been briefed on the court judgment but was yet to get a copy of it.

As soon as we obtain same, we would take time to look at the judgment and make an informed decision on it. Until then, we urge the public to remain calm.

According to Mr Kazeem, the appellate court judgment implies that officials of the commission would not be able to attend to or rescue crash victims on roads other than federal roads.

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A Nigerian televangelist, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has met with the acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, days after the police arrested a suspect over a deadly attack on his convoy.

Mr Suleman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, was attacked in October 2022 in Edo State, South-south Nigeria.

Yusuf Isa, a 32-year-old plumber from Okene in Kogi State, was paraded at the Force Headquarters in Abuja last week as a member of the eight-man gang that attacked the cleric.

In a video posted on Twitter, Mr Isah confessed to the crime, saying they were paid N50 million to kill Mr Suleman.

In his first meeting with the Nigerian Police chief after the arrest, Mr Suleman, in a Twitter post, said he will say something when this whole mess is over.

The cleric posted a photo of himself with Mr Egbetokun on the microblogging platform.

It is unclear when the meeting took place, however.

Mr Suleman wrote on Twitter, For those they killed, I vowed not to rest until all the killers get served the meal they ordered.

I have kept that promise and gone after them working with the police. Those waiting for me to brief them should wait till everything is rounded up, he said.

The suspect had declined knowledge of who sponsored the attack but said his colleagues told him they were paid to kill the cleric.

The cleric in the post said naming those behind his attack was the duty of the authorities, apparently referring to the police.

For those who say I should tell them who is responsible since I claim to know, I ask you if I tell you what can you do? That information belongs to the authorities, and they are on it, he said.

The attack

PREMIUM TIMES in October 2022 reported how gunmen attacked the clerics convoy, killing seven people, including three police officers.

The attack occurred around the Auchi area of Edo State while the cleric was heading to an unidentified location, hours after returning from a trip to the East African country, Tanzania.

Mr Suleman had described the attack as an assassination attempt.

The arrested suspect, Mr Isah, said a gang member who was a driver died during the incident and that it has been hell for them after the attack. He also said only four of the gang members were remaining.

Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspect was arrested in Ondo State.

He said the gang was responsible for at least four kidnapping operations within Edo State and its environs before the police busted them.

Gunmen in Edo State had, between 2022 and 2023, abducted five Catholic priests, killing two of them, this newspaper reported.

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The Ekiti State Government has alerted residents and farmers to the outbreak of Anthrax, a disease that affects humans and livestock.

It said the alert was to elicit awareness for the residents to take preventive measures against the disease.

In s statement on Wednesday jointly signed by the Commissioner for Health, Oyebanji Filani, and the Special Adviser for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, the state government described Anthrax as a serious disease which presents flu-like symptoms such as cough, painless sores with a black centre appearing after the blister, fever, and muscle aches.

The statement said if the disease is not diagnosed and treated promptly, it could lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, respiratory problems, shock and even death.

Anthrax is primarily a disease of animals; however, due to the proximity between humans and animals, it can easily be transmitted to humans through inhalation of anthrax spores or consumption of contaminated or infected animal products such as hides and skins, meat, and milk, the statement read.

For prevention, the government urged Intensified vaccination, proper disposal of suspected and infected animals and avoiding risky consumptions such as hides (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat.

It also urged adherence to hygiene practices, especially in places where ponmo, bone meals and blood meals are produced.

We specifically encourage persons at risk such as people who handle animals, people who consume dead animals, healthcare workers, law enforcement officers and anyone who recently travelled to a location with a confirmed anthrax case to take their hygiene practices seriously, the statement further said.

Other measures, according to the government, include effective disinfection before processing wool, hides, and bone meal; securing veterinary assistance in case of animal infection; decontamination soils where cases are reported and reporting suspicions to the regional veterinary officer, who will, in turn, report to the Director of Veterinary Services in the state, to report any suspicion based on the aforementioned signs.

We urge the general public, farmers, butchers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector to adhere strictly to these preventive measures to safeguard public health and prevent the further spread of anthrax, the government stated.

The State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and Human Services and will provide updates and further guidance as necessary.

Citizens should only share information from verified sources like the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, The State Ministry of Health, NCDC, WHO, etc.

For further information or inquiries, please contact the State Director of Veterinary Services on 070 069 8478 or visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security at the State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti. You can also call any of the following emergency numbers  070492004288, 070492004236, 070492004334.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) confirmed one case of Anthrax in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State on Monday.

It was the first animal case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the West Africa outbreak in Ghana in June 2023.

On 13 July, the sudden deaths of livestock in the mixed livestock farm with eight (8) mortality was reported. In addition, the animals which died were observed to have been bleeding from external orifices without blood clotting.

After samples were taken to the laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute in Plateau State, the case of Anthrax was confirmed.

The Federal Government said it would investigate the case to ascertain the source of the infection.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a summit in South Africa in August, the South African presidential office says.

The Russian leader was invited to Johannesburg for a summit of the BRICS countries, as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa were known, from 22 to 24 August.

However, he was subject to an international arrest warrant, issued by the International Criminal Court.

South Africa had signed the statutes of the world criminal court and was facing international pressure to execute the arrest warrant.

The court in The Hague issued the arrest warrant for Mr Putin in March, for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

(dpa/NAN)

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The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) is donating funds for cleaning and disinfection of premises to the residents of Kherson, who suffered from flooding as a result of the explosion of Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant by Russian occupiers.

"The Ukrainian Red Cross Society continues to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the flooding of settlements in Kherson region. Volunteers are supplying people whose houses were flooded as a result of the explosion of Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant with means for cleaning and disinfecting the premises," the society said on Facebook.

URCS has already donated 200 cleaning and disinfection kits to the residents of Kherson's Korabelny district, and people living in Naftohavan district have received about 400 emergency kits, as well as buckets and shovels.
Some members of the 9th Senate on Wednesday paid a bipartisan solidarity visit to the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Stella Oduah, Aliyu Abdullahi, Gabriel Suswan, Philip Aduda, George Sekibo, Yakubu Oseni and Laah Danjuma were some of the senators that paid the visit.

Others were Bulus Amos, Albert Akpan, Clifford Ordia, Emmanuel Bwacha and Suleiman Kwari.

Mr Shettima, a former governor of Borno State, was the senator for the Borno central senatorial district between 2019 and 2023.

Addressing journalists after the meeting with the vice president, Mr Aduda said the aim of the visit was to show support of members of the 9th Senate to Mr Shettima.

We are here with my distinguished colleagues of the 9th Senate to see His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to first felicitate with him.

And then to wish him well and to pray to God Almighty to grant him wisdom in the discharge of his responsibility to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As his colleagues in the 9th Senate we felt that it was necessary for us to come and pay him this bipartisan visit from both the APC, the PDP and YPP for us to pray for his success in office, said Mr Aduda, former FCT senator.

(NAN)

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Roadside automobile mechanics in Bauchi say the recurrent increase in fuel prices has paralyzed their business and created a negative impact on transportation in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports since the announcement of oil subsidy removal, transportation businesses have been very low in most parts of the state, especially automobile mechanics.

Some mechanics interviewed on Wednesday in Bauchi said the removal of fuel subsidy affected their services negatively.

Abbati Usman, a mechanic at Yankari workshop, said the number of vehicles that patronized his workshop had dropped drastically.

Hike in the price of fuel has forced many car owners to park their vehicles at home, which consequently, reduced the vehicles that come for services to my garage, he said.

Hamza Dangombe, a Mercedes Benz mechanic, said, Our situation is so bad to the extent that most mechanics are thrown out of jobs, no patronage from customers as a result of fuel hike because we are less engaged.

Our customers cant afford fuel at the rate of N630. Even when it was sold at N550 per litre, many vehicles are parked already.

My apprentices that live close to the garage have stopped coming to work, except a few who sometimes trek to come, he said.

Another mechanic, Timothy Audu, said Unlike before, this garage that was busy is now virtually empty, no new customers, the old ones have abandoned their vehicles in the garage and no money to buy fuel.

According to him, we used to work on no fewer than 10 to 13 vehicles every day, but we hardly see two or three vehicles coming to the garage today.

We are left with no option than to look for alternative jobs; we cant continue this way, government should do something please, Mr Audu said.

Audu Bello, a civil servant, said that he had parked his car at home to save on the cost of transportation following the hike in fuel price.

(NAN)

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Police in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria, on Tuesday, said they rescued two people, including a man accused of stealing two bottles of Campari, from being set ablaze by a mob in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko Macdon, who disclosed in a statement, identified the suspects as Ubong Ossom and Christian Effiong.

Mr Ossom, who hails from Nsit Atai Local Government of the state, was accused of stealing two bottles of an Italy-made liquor, Campari, in a supermarket while Mr Effiong from Okobo Local Government Area, allegedly stole a power generating set from a church, according to Mr Macdon.

The intervention of the police saved the two suspects who were about to be set ablaze.

Whereas the command condemns in totality the act of stealing, which is a crime, subjecting the perpetrators to jungle justice is not in tandem with our legal system, Mr Macdon, a superintendent of police, said.

He said the Police Commissioner in the State, Olatoye Durosinmi, has warned perpetrators of jungle justice to desist from it or face arrest and prosecution.

There has been an increase in cases of jungle justice in the state despite efforts by the police to curb the acts.

PREMIUM TIMES in 2021 reported how a man suspected to have stolen a goat was set ablaze in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state while another man was also set ablaze along Nwaniba Road, near a popular Pentecostal church, in Uyo.

A journalist in Uyo told this newspaper that six people were attacked and burnt to death by a mob in the city within 48 hours in February 2021 on suspicion of being robbers.

Punch newspaper in June last year reported how an angry mob set ablaze a suspected cultist popularly called Tempo, believed to have terrorised people in Uyo and its environs.

According to the newspaper, the man was set ablaze after a failed robbery at a popular boutique  Frankfik, located along Wellington Bassey Way, a few metres away from Akwa Ibom Government House, Uyo.

READ ALSO: Police arrest one over killing of local lawmaker in Enugu

Vanguard newspaper ten months ago reported how an angry mob in Uyo set ablaze two thieves suspected to specialise in snatching mobile phones and stealing other valuables from members of the public.

One of the deceased was caught at a popular Itam Market after allegedly snatching a mobile phone, while the second was caught along the Idoro Road axis of the city for allegedly stealing a television set in a church.

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The police in Cross River State, South-south Nigeria, have arrested a 54-year-old man for allegedly beating his girlfriend to death in Calabar South Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Wednesday.

She said the suspect attacked the victim, simply identified as Ndifreke, after a minor disagreement that occurred at Abasi Obori Street on Tuesday.

Ms Ugbo, a superintendent of police, said police operatives from Uwanse Divisional Police Headquarters carried out the arrest on arriving at the scene, following a distress call.

The police rushed the victim to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Unfortunately, she didnt make it, as she was certified dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.

Following established protocols, her remains were deposited in the morgue for autopsy, to shed more light on the exact cause of her death.

The suspect is already in our custody and we will ensure that he faces the full weight of justice for his alleged action, the police spokesperson said.

(NAN)

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Taiwo Oyedele, a fiscal policy partner and Africa tax leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), has resigned from his position in the organisation.

Mr Oyedele announced his resignation via his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday.

He explained that the move was to enable him to focus fully with undivided attention on his new role as the Chair of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee.

Earlier in July, President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of a Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and appointed Mr Oyedele as the chairman of the committee.

The government said the establishment of the committee reflects Mr Tinubus commitment to addressing challenges and bringing about transformative reforms in fiscal policy and taxation.

The committees primary objective, according to the Nigerian government, is to enhance revenue collection efficiency, ensure transparent reporting, and promote the effective utilisation of tax and other revenues to boost citizens tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance.

Announcing his decision on Wednesday, Mr Oyedele said: After over two decades at PwC, I have made the hard but necessary decision to exit the firm.

He said: This is to enable me to focus fully with undivided attention on my new role as the Chair of the Presidential Fiscal Policy & Tax Reform Committee, which I consider an important national assignment.

Since his appointment, there have been concerns over the propriety of Mr Oyedeles dual positions as chair of the governments tax reform committee and PwC Africa tax leader.

Shortly after his appointment, some Twitter users raised concerns about conflict of interest and other ethical issues that may affect his ability to perform well in both positions.

On Wednesday, Mr Oyedele noted that his resignation would erase all ethical concerns raised by critics since his appointment.

This decision will also prevent any potential distractions from real or perceived conflict of interest. Thank you all once again for your support, best wishes and prayers, he wrote.

May God bless you all, and may God bless Nigeria, he said.

Mr Oyedele joined PwC as an associate in 2002, immediately after completing his NYSC.

He rose through the ranks of Senior Associate, Assistant Manager, Manager, and Senior Manager, Fiscal Policy Partner and West Africa Tax Leader.

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, rejected the extra-judicial statements tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as evidence in a money laundering suit filed against Malabu Oil and Gas Limited and seven others.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, ruling at the end of a trial-within-trial conducted to test the voluntariness of the statements, held that the law in Section 29 (2) (a) of the Evidence Act rejects a statement obtained by the oppression of the person who made it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ekwo held that the statements tendered by the EFCCs prosecuting team were inadmissible, having been obtained under the atmosphere of hostility, intimidating conduct and threats.

He said the logic of the draftsman of the Evidence contained in Section 29 (5) of the law was that the word oppression can be expanded to include torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the use of threat or violence whether or not amounting to torture.

He said the voluntariness of a statement depended on the facts surrounding a given case.

Again, I have noted the judicial authorities cited and relied upon by both parties in this case.

As much as judicial authorities provide precedents on the subject matter of the case generally, it is the facts and circumstances of the case at hand that will determine whether or not a statement which is the subject of trial-within-trial was made voluntarily, he said.

According to him, there was an existence of mental stress or pressure on the 8th defendant (Aliyu Abubakar) owing to undue hostility, intimidating conduct and threats of the EFCC officials during the making of the statements on 16 and 17 January 2016, recorded by Bashir Abdullahi (PW-A).

The judge also held that the statements of 31 December 2019 and 6 January 2020, recorded by Ahmed Audu, an EFCC operative, and the statements of 21 and 25 January 2020, recorded by Ahmed Yusu, another officer, were made by Abubakar involuntarily.

I also find that the statements of 6 August 2015 and 30 November 2015 recorded by the 8th defendant were done in the presence of PW-A and five other operatives of the EFCC in one room with the 8th defendant, he said.

According to him, any man facing such a number of investigators will panic within, even when smiling and chatting on the outside.

He said, Such environment was capable of exerting mental pressure on the 8th defendant and in fact did, and I so hold.

Mr Ekwo, therefore, held that the statements sought to be tendered were not obtained voluntarily.

In fact, the evidence of PW-A, PW-B and PW-C were effectively demolished during cross-examination, to the extent that no iota of credibility can be found thereof, he added.

Inadmissible

Consequently, the judge declared that the statements were inadmissible in evidence and must be rejected.

They are hereby rejected and to be so marked. This is the order of this court, he declared.

The judge adjourned the matter until 6 to 8 November for trial continuation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EFCC had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/268/16, charged Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, A Group Construction Company Limited; Rocky Top Resources Limited; Megatech Engineering Limited; Novel Properties and Development Company Limited listed as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

They also include Imperial Union Limited; Carlin International Nigeria Limited and the oil mogul, Aliyu Abubakar, listed as 6th to 8th defendants in the matter.

NAN reports that Mr Abubakar, a businessman, had alleged that in the course of his investigation by the EFCC, he made the extra-judicial statements under duress.

The development made the court to order a trial-within-trial in the suit to determine the voluntariness and admissibility of the statements.

Mr Ekwo had also on Monday rejected the extra-judicial statements made by Abubakar in another criminal charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/39/17 filed by EFCC against Mohammed Adoke, the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, and Abubakar, who are 1st and 2nd defendants.

Malabu OPL 245 Saga

The cases stemmed from the OPL 245 deal involving about $1.1 billion by oil giants Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by a former Nigerian petroleum minister, Dan Etete.

Mr Etete had initially been awarded the lucrative oil field to his Malabu Oil and Gas Limited while serving as the petroleum minister in the late Sani Abacha regime.

Years-long dispute over the ownership of OPL 245, one of Nigerias richest oil blocks, led to a resolution by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to transfer it to ENI and Shell.

Investigators of the matter, which has featured in civil and criminal cases in courts of different foreign countries, alleged that Mr Etete fronted for top officials of the Jonathan administration in the controversial acquisition of the oil giants.

The Nigerian government did not benefit from the $1.1 billion payment.

Being the AGF who advised the Jonathan administration on the OPL 245 transactions at the time, Mr Adoke and other defendants were accused of wrongdoing.

The EFCC alleged that Mr Adoke accepted N300 million from Abubakar Aliyu, one of Mr Etetes cronies, as a bribe in connection with the transaction in September 2013.

Mr Adoke has repeatedly denied the allegation. He has provided evidence to the court that the transaction between him and Mr Aliyu related to a botched property sale. He said he took a loan from Unity Bank to buy a property owned by the businessman. But after he was unable to raise a N200million equity to consummate the transaction, Mr Aliyu called off the sale, refunded Unity Bank the N300million deposit and sold the property to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Shell and Eni, alongside their managers, were the main defendants in the case in Italy and have been acquitted. But Messrs Adoke, Etete and Abubakar have pending cases filed against them by the EFCC in Nigeria.

(NAN)

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, granted an application by the federal government to protect witnesses lined up in the prosecution of Tukur Mamu, who is being tried over his alleged relationship with terrorists that were involved in the 2022 attack on a Kaduna-bound train.

Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the application following an ex-parte motion moved by D.E. Kaswe, counsel for the Office of the Attorney-General for the Federation (AGF), to the effect.

Moving the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, Mr Kaswe said the application dated 11 May was filed on 15 June.

He said the motion was brought pursuant to Section 36(4), (A), (B) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, including Section 73 (1), (2) (C) and (4) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In the motion cited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the government asked for four orders.

These include, An order of this Honourable Court excluding persons other than parties and their legal representatives at the hearing of the above-named charge except members of the accredited press.

An order of this Honourable Court vacating the courtroom whenever the prosecution witnesses are coming to testify.

An order of this Honourable Court shielding the physical identity of the prosecution witnesses by wearing facial masks and or the use of screen whenever prosecution witnesses are testifying.

An order of this Honourable Court directing the use of pseudo names by prosecution witnesses and deleting the real names and addresses of prosecution witnesses throughout the proceedings of this case.

Justice Ekwo granted the motion as prayed.

Earlier, when the matter was called, Mr Mamu, who was the sole defendant in the charge, was not in court.

Mr Kaswe then told the court that Mr Mamu was still on his way with the security operatives.

I urge this honourable court to stand down this matter as they are still on their way coming, he prayed.

Do you think this is a stand-down court? That application is refused, the judge said.

It was at this point that Mr Kaswe informed the court of the motion ex-parte already filed.

The lawyer then sought permission to take the motion.

But Mr Mamus lawyer, Abdul Mohammed, opposed the application, describing it as an attempt to stall todays proceedings already scheduled for trial commencement.

Mr Mohammed argued that in the last adjourned date, the prosecution was given three days but they failed to utilise it.

Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until 21 July for trial commencement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Mamu, a former terrorists negotiator, was, on 21 March, arraigned by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on 10 counts bordering on terrorism financing, especially on the recent Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court, on 27 April, also declined to grant him bail on grounds of ill health.

The judge, who held that the grounds were not cogent enough to grant bail to the defendant facing terrorism-related charges, also cited Mr Mamus failure to debunk the claims contained in the counter-affidavit filed to oppose his bail application by the State Security Services (SSS), the agency keeping him in custody.

Mr Mamu was arrested on 6 September 2022, on his way to Saudi Arabia for Lesser Hajj and was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated to Nigeria.

In the charges, the federal government accused him of aiding and abetting Boko Haram terrorism attacks against innocent Nigerians.

He was accused of collecting various sums of money in various currencies on behalf of Boko Haram terrorists from the families of the train attack.

He was said to have collected $420,000 from families of the victims and another N21 million from another set of families of the train attack.

He is also accused of concealing the terrorism funds in his Kaduna residence in violation of provisions of the Terrorism Prevention, Prohibition Act.

Mr Mamu pleaded not guilty to the charge.

(NAN)

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over his failure to appear in court to explain circumstances surrounding the $53 million judgement debt arising from the Pars Club refund.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, who renewed his order for Mr Emefiele to appear at the next hearing date, said he would exercise some restraints to allow Mr Emefiele to explain himself.

Mr Ekwo came to the decision after Mr Emefieles counsel, Audu Anuga, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), appealed for another opportunity for his client to appear in court.

He said Mr Emefieles absence was because they had been unable to reach him since the last order directing him to appear in court.

The courts insistence on Mr Emefieles appearance in court is despite his ongoing detention by the State Security Service (SSS) since 10 June.

Mr Anuga brought the development to the attention of the judge, saying all efforts to reach him to communicate the directive of the court to him were unsuccessful.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ekwo had, on 20 October 2022, ordered the CBN governor to appear in court on 18 January over his alleged refusal to obey the order of the court for the payment of the judgement debt in favour of a lawyer Joe Agi, a SAN.

Mr Agi had sued Linas International Ltd, Minister of Finance, CBN and Mr Emefiele as judgement debtors, following an application for garnishee made by him as judgement creditor in the case.

However, on 18 January, proceedings could not go on as scheduled when the matter was called, prompting the court to adjourn the case until 20 March before it was rescheduled to 6 June.

NAN reports that the judge, on 6 June, ordered Mr Emefiele to appear before it on 19 July (today).

But three days after the courts order, President Bola Tinubu, on 9 June, suspended him as CBN governor, and he was directed to transfer his responsibilities to the deputy governor, operations directorate.

No sooner had the president suspended Mr Emefiele than the SSS arrested him on June 10, the day after his suspension.

The SSS charged him with illegally possessing firearms and ammunition on 13 July, the same day a judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, gave the agency a one-week ultimatum to either charge him in court or release him.

But days after he has been charged, the SSS has yet to release him or arraign him in court.

Wednesdays hearing

At Wednesdays proceedings, Ayodele Arotiowa, who appeared for Mr Agi, was about to make a submission when Mr Ekwo asked Mr Emefieles lawyer if he had complied with the order.

We made an effort to see how we can communicate with the 4th respondent (Emefiele), but the 3rd respondent (CBN) was unable to communicate with the 4th respondent.

We rely only on public communication that the 4th respondent is incarcerated and have been unable to communicate with him, Mr Anuga responded.

He said there was another development now as to whether Mr Emefiele could act on behalf of the CBN.

But the judge quickly corrected the lawyer by saying the matter was not just about CBN as Mr Emefiele was sued in his personal capacity in the case.

In response, Mr Anuga said: But the public information now is that he has been suspended. An opportunity has to be given to him for him to comply.

Mr Ekwo said he had given Mr Emefiele an opportunity in the case, which he said was filed in 2017.

I have given you enough opportunity, but you are taking it for granted, the judge said while directing Mr Anuga to give a good reason the court should not issue a warrant of arrest against Mr Emefiele.

The senior lawyer said since his client was still in detention after his suspension despite an order mandating his release, My lord, we are at the mercy of the court.

He agreed that the essence of issuing a warrant was to assist the court to perform its duty, but there is an intervening event, as we have not had the privilege to see him.

He added: The last opportunity my lord gave to the 4th respondent has not been communicated to him.

I feel an opportunity should be given so that this can be communicated.

He said the court could take action if his client failed to comply with its orders.

The judge, consequently, adjourned the matter until 31 October for the CBN and Mr Emefiele to show cause why an arrest warrant should not be issued against the former CBN governor.

Upon listening to counsel, I am minded to exercise restraint in this proceeding to give the 4th respondent an opportunity to explain himself to me on the next adjourned date, he said.

Background

The suit is one in a flurry of legal actions associated with the federal governments refund to states and local governments the amounts of funds said to have been over-deducted from their accounts to offset Paris Club and London between 1995 and 2002.

Linas International Ltd and its promoter, Ned Nwoko, had initiated the first major suit, which culminated in a court judgement awarding them huge amounts of money for their roles in helping states and local government areas to discover the excessive deductions from their accounts.

Since then, countless entities, lawyers, and other professionals have surfaced, claiming to have provided one form of consultancy services or the other to recover the money for the states and local governments.

Mr Agi, through his suit, seeks enforcement of a judgement that he obtained against Linas International Ltd for his role in helping the firm to secure the recovery of the funds.

NAN reports that Mr Agis suit stemmed from an alleged $70 million judgement against Linas International Ltd for his role in the Paris Club refund.

Mr Emefiele was said to have only released $17 million, leaving an unpaid balance of $53 million.

The court had, on 23 January 2020, ruled that Mr Emefiele must appear to be examined on oath, since the date of the said garnishee order absolute, to pay the balance of 53 million dollars now due and payable under the said garnishee order absolute and also show cause why you should not be committed to prison for default in payment of the said sum.

In October 2022, Mr Agi, through his counsel, Isaac Ekpa and Chinonso Obasi, filed another application against Linas International, the Minister of Finance and the CBN.

He sought an order directing the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Mr Emefiele and bring him to court alongside his lawyers, Damian Dodo, Audu Anuga, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and Ginika Ezeoke, Jessica Iyoke, Abdullahi Afolayan, and Olayemi Afolayan.

(NAN)

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Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya, a Nigerian doctor in the UK, has been discharged of sexual harassment allegations made against him by an ex-lover.

The case, which was heard and decided upon Thursday by the Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service (MPTS) noted that all allegations against Mr Ogunsanya were unproven.

In 2020, Bolanle Aseyan, a medical doctor and former lover of Mr Ogunsanya, accused him of sexual harassment and physical violence including rubbing his hand around her vagina over her trousers, covering her mouth, squeezing her breasts, penetrating, and stabbing her with a fork amongst others.

The tribunal reviewed all allegations against him and found that they were determined and found but not proved.

One of the allegations also sought to prove that he was not fit to practise as a doctor but the tribunal struck it out saying as the facts have not been found proved it therefore follows that Dr Ogunsanyas fitness to practise is not impaired.

In a Twitter post announcing the verdict, Inibehe Effiong, an attorney to Mr Ogunsanya, said: the vindication of Funmi is a victory for all victims of false accusations of sexual misconduct.

He added that Ms Aseyan is currently facing both civil and criminal lawsuits in Nigeria for her actions.

No one should have to go through what Funmi has ensured these past years. False rape allegations should never be trivialised. It is evil and despicable,  Mr Effiong tweeted.

When PREMIUM TIMES tried to reach Mr Ogunsanya, his attorney said he was unable to speak to the press as he was still recovering.

This newspaper also sent a WhatsApp message to Ms Aseyan who did not respond at the time of this report.

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said that the hike in the price of products due to the abrupt removal of subsidies was threatening the survival of their businesses.

The Chairman of IPMAN Enugu Depot Community, Chinedu Anyaso, said average sales had dropped by about 50 per cent from May 30 to date.

Mr Anyaso, whose depot serves Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, said marketers were facing an existential challenge of low profits as a result of reduced sales and it was affecting their abilities to meet their operational cost and obligation with banks.

He said if the negative development was not urgently challenged, many operators would shut down, adding that it would result in the collapse of the downstream sector and the loss of numerous jobs.

According to him, marketers are worse affected by this policy of subsidy removal, as profitability has reduced because average sales have reduced by about 50 per cent.

Most marketers are finding it difficult to remain in business because increasing cost of operation, payment of workers and meeting bank obligations is becoming difficult.

We appeal to the Federal Government to save downstream operations from collapsing by working on reduction in pump prices, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that petrol now sells for between 630 and 640 in Awka, the capital of Anambra and its environment.

(NAN)

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conference call Wednesday morning on Russian nighttime strikes on Odesa and Zhytomyr regions and other regions.

"Russian terrorists absolutely deliberately targeted the infrastructure of the grain agreement, and each Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine, but to everyone in the world striving for a normal and safe life," Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel.

He said that during the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for the Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov and Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko informed about the consequences of the strikes.

"There were also reports by Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhny and Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk. The military was instructed to strengthen the protection of people and port infrastructure, and the Foreign Ministry was instructed to intensify contacts with partners to increase pressure on the terrorist state and continue the normal export of Ukrainian grain," the president said.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has concluded a three-day training for Nigerian journalists on effective coverage of conflict and human rights issues.

The training, which was held in Abuja between the 12th and 14th of July, was in collaboration with the Open Society Foundation and had in attendance about 21 Nigerian journalists and researchers across various newsrooms and research institutions.

Why training?

According to the organisers, the training was designed to revisit journalism ethics and provide practical tips on navigating ethical considerations, which, they noted, had become more complex in conflict reportage, including impartiality and sensitivity.

Speaking at the training, Akintunde Babatunde, the CJID programme director, described the training as one that sought to track the sources and uses of funds in terrorism, banditry, and government responses within the Lake Chad Basin quadrangle, namely Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.

He added that the project aims to stimulate discussions on the economy of insecurity in the region, reduce human rights violations, and contribute to the reduction of violence.

Mr Babatunde further emphasised that conflict reporting goes beyond curating war events, noting that at the end of the training, participants would have gained knowledge on the impact of data in conflict reporting, the ecosystem of misinformation and disinformation, gender issues, and comprehensive safety and security measures for journalists covering conflicts.

Also speaking, Oluwapelumi Oginni, the lead for the Conflict, Security and Human Rights project at CJID, noted that as conflict situations persist globally, it becomes crucial to equip professionals with the necessary skills to report on and research conflicts effectively.

Facilitator speaks

A facilitator at the training, Nnamdi Obasi, while speaking on the topic; Understanding Conflict, said it is important to properly identify root causes and drivers of conflict, types of conflict and the gender dimension of human rights reporting.

Mr Obasi, a policy development analyst, added that many conflicts are often characterised by multiple causal factors, which he noted journalists ought to understand to report objectively.

During the reporting session on gender issues, the Director of Journalism at CJID, Busola Ajibola, discussed the gaps in conflict reporting, listing gender underrepresentation or complete omission.

Mrs Ajibola urged participants to always conduct a gender analysis of how issues affect women, men, children, and persons with disabilities.

She further highlighted the converging forces of insecurity, such as organised crime, economic marginality, climate change, political instability, and violent conflicts, and how they impact people across gender lines.

Lake Chad versus insecurity

Insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin, North-Eastern Nigeria, Cameroons far North, Western Chad, and South-East Niger is home to 17 million Africans, and it is one of the gravest humanitarian crises, with 10.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

More than 2.3 million people, half of children, have been displaced from their homes. Insurgency and terrorist activity in the region have killed at least 35,000 people since 2009, and many more have been kidnapped, raped, and otherwise dehumanised.

Despite national, regional, and international efforts to combat the violent non-state actors, the conflict remains unresolved with an evolved economy of violence that has nurtured the resilience and sustenance of the violent groups.

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The Senate on Wednesday constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the incessant killings of people smuggling rice and other prohibited goods into the country by officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, set up the ad-hoc committee at the plenary after Abdulaziz Yaradua (APC, Katsina Central) moved a motion to investigate the abuse of firearms by Customs officers.

Mr Akpabio said the committee would be chaired by Francis Fadahunsi (PDP, Osun Central), a retired Customs officer.

Other members of the committee are Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central), Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Suleiman Sadiq (Kwara North), Abdulaziz Yaradua (Katsina Central) and Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun Central).

Motion

Mr Yaradua, while presenting the motion, noted that some Customs officers are unprofessional with the handling of firearms and, as such, resort to shooting innocent citizens.

He said some officers of the NCS on the Gorar Yammama highway of Katsina State shot indiscriminately at the vehicle conveying the Chief of Staff to the state governor, Jabiru Tsauri, on 13 July.

The senator added that some of the Customs officers also shot at the convoy of a former Katsina State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, while driving from Daura to Miaadua LGA around September 2021.

Mr Yaradua noted that the refusal of the Nigerian government to check the abuse of firearms by officers of the NCS might lead to the loss of innocent lives and possibly reprisal attacks by angry civilians.

He, therefore, asked the Senate to condemn the indiscriminate shootings by the customs officers on the Katsina highway and fish out the officers that shot at the government convoys.

He also requested that the Senate should urge authorities of the NCS to improve on the training of its personnel in handling firearms, especially fire discipline, when dealing with Nigerian citizens.

Debate

When the motion was thrown to debate, many of the senators supported the motion and narrowed it to the indiscriminate shootings of smugglers of prohibited goods on highways.

Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, urged the NCS to improve on training its officers on handling rifles and ammunition.

Mr Olamilekan, who also supported the motion, advised that officers of the NCS should undergo a psychology test before giving them permission to handle ammunition.

Mr Fadahunsi, in his contribution, noted that Customs officers were hard on civilians because the operations were coordinated and supervised by the military.

Mr Salisu also complained that officers of the NCS are looting shops of rice sellers in the Abeokuta area under the guise of looking for smuggled rice.

Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West) said over 10 of the supporters of former president Muhammadu Buhari, who are smugglers, had been killed by NCS officers in Zamfara State.

READ ALSO: Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of NEDC Board

The Senate President, therefore, condemned the indiscriminate shootings and killings of people found in possession of bags of rice by officers of the NCS.

The Senate condemned, in totality, the killings of civilians because of carrying one bag of rice. The lives that are lost are too numerous, and we cannot allow it to continue. It is a serious issue that the senate looks into, he said.

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The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) says there are over 600,000 children in three Nigerian Northwest states  Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina- that are yet to be vaccinated against childhood killer diseases.

UNICEF said the poor vaccine intake put the children at risk of killer diseases and even death.

The head of UNICEFs field office in Kano, Rahama Farah, said this at a zonal media dialogue on routine immunisation and zero dose campaign on Wednesday in Kano.

Immunisation is the single, most cost-effective, and high-impact intervention which protects children against illness and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. Yet, despite the proven safety, efficacy, and availability of vaccines, Immunization uptake has not always been optimal, Mr Farah said.

He attributed the poor vaccine uptake in the states to disinformation, rumours, and other factors which put children at risk of diseases and death.

Myths, disinformation, misinformation, and rumours, have contributed a great deal to poor immunisation uptake, exposing children to high risk and death that can be avoidable when they dont get immunised.

The National Immunisation Coverage Survey Results have shown that over the years, Nigeria has made progress in Immunisation coverage; however, it is also clear that gaps exist, Mr Farah said.

For instance, in the three states of the Northwest of Nigeria: Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, there are over 600,000 children who have not been vaccinated against childhood killer diseases, Mr Farah said.

Mr Farah said the number of unvaccinated children in the three states accounted for about 40 per cent of the total unvaccinated children in Nigeria.

He said over 50 per cent of the unvaccinated children in the three states are in Kano.

This is closer to about 40% of the total unimmunised children in Nigeria. Over 300,000 of those children are in Kano State, representing 50 per cent of the three states under the UNICEF Kano Office. This situation is unacceptable and should be reversed urgently.

As the UN agency mandated for the protection and promotion of childrens rights, we are highly vv concerned, when children dont get immunised, when children have no access to immunisation services, their basic fundamental right is not fulfilled, the official said.

Mr Farah urged traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, and civil society organisations across the states to forge partnerships to eliminate the number of unimmunised children in Nigeria.

UNICEF urged the governments of the three states to ensure the provision of one functional primary healthcare per political ward to assist the population in accessing healthcare services.

I call on the governments of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states and other states with zero-dose LGAs, to take concerted action to strengthen their primary healthcare systems.

To implement the Nigeria Primary Health Care Under One Roof Policy to ensure one-stop functional primary healthcare centre per ward, particularly those local government areas with unimmunised children.

To ensure an integrated package of primary health services are provided to families in one functional health facility

Increase strategic interventions to address the persistent gap in human resources and recruit additional skilled critical cadres of health workers, including vaccinators, Community Health Influencers and Promoters Services (CHIPS) agents for immunisation demand creation.

Provide essential medicines and health commodities, infrastructure, electricity, and water supply for quality integrated Primary Health Care service for people, he said.

Mr Farah reiterated UNICEFs commitment to working with and supporting state governments to ensure childrens well-being and their rights are protected.

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Nigerias secret police, the State Security Service (SSS), Wednesday, claimed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State did not forge his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.

Background

There has been controversy over the NYSC certificate belonging to Mr Mbah with claims that the certificate was fake.

Mr Mbah, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under which he won the 18 March governorship election in the state, has repeatedly denied possessing a fake NYSC certificate.

He has maintained that he completed his national service in Lagos State and was issued with a discharge certificate by the NYSC authorities.

The certificate is usually issued to Nigerian graduates under 30 years of age who have successfully completed a mandatory one-year national service organised by the NYSC.

In February, the NYSC issued a letter signed by its Director of Certifications, Ibrahim Muhammad, stating that the NYSC certificate belonging to Mr Mbah did not emanate from them.

Mr Mbah later obtained a court order barring the NYSC from further disclaiming his certificate.

The governor subsequently sued the NYSC for N20 billion at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged conspiracy, deceit, and misrepresentation of facts.

The Director-General of NYSC, Yishau Ahmed, has insisted that the agency did not issue the certificate to Mr Mbah.

The NYSC later tendered the alleged forged discharge certificate as well as the original discharge certificate, which it said Mr Mbah ought to have collected.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 18 March governorship election in the state, Chijioke Edeoga, is at the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, challenging Mr Mbahs election.

The LP candidate closed his case at the tribunal on Sunday. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Mr Mbah were to open their defence at the tribunal on Wednesday.

SSS faults NYSC

During Wednesdays session at the tribunal, the Deputy Director, Operations and Strategic Department of the SSS, Isa Mohammed, claimed the secret police conducted an investigation into the matter and found the allegation of certificate forgery against the governor to be false.

Mr Mohammed, who tendered a report of the investigation to the tribunal, also accused NYSC of shoddy and hasty conclusion that Mr Mbahs NYSC discharge certificate was fake.

He said he attended the hearing because the SSS was subpoenaed by the tribunal to testify in the case.

In a statement on oath which he adopted on behalf of the SSS, the official claimed that the NYSC had misplaced Mr Mbahs original file and opened a temporary one for him, after he had returned from law school to complete his NYSC programme.

The SSS carried out the investigation into the matter in response to a petition filed to the secret police by Mr Mbah which was dated 8 February 2023, he said.

Mr Mohammed claimed that the controversy over Mr Mbahs NYSC certificate arose because the NYSC had issues with maintaining a proper record-keeping system.

He added that the secret police invited both Mr Mbah and officials of the NYSC during the investigation.

Mr Mohammed said their finding showed that Mbah served for six months before applying to proceed on his law school programme, which was approved.

He said the finding also showed that Mr Mbah later completed the NYSC programme, but that a temporary file was used for reference for communications involving him, the law school authorities as well as the NYSC management.

That means his initial file could not be traced. NYSC provided the six-series certificate which was signed and collected by corps members and the eight series.

We discovered that the numbers are in series. But NYSC could not account for 12 certificates among which includes Mbahs certificate, he said.

LP faults SSS claims

During a cross examination, the lead counsel to the LP, Adegoke Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, observed that the report presented by the SSS official did not come with the letterhead and stamp of the secret police.

But Mr Mohammed replied that his signature guaranteed the authenticity of the report.

Also, when asked why he did not come to the tribunal with a letter of authorisation by the director general of the SSS, Mr Mohammed said he appeared at the tribunal because of the subpoena.

The LP counsel also queried the SSS official why the report he presented did not have attached documents backing his statements. Mr Mohammed also answered that the documents were in his office.

When asked whether the SSS investigation revealed that Mr Mbah was the Chief of Staff to a former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, between 10 July and November 2003, the same period he was supposed to be serving as a corps member, Mr Mohammed said the issue was not within his purview to investigate.

INEC fails to present witness

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that INEC failed to present any witness to defend the allegation of malpractice in the election that produced Mr Mbah as the governor of the state.

INEC had, through its team of lawyers led by Humphrey Okoli, told the court that the commission had decided not to bring any witness.

The first respondent (INEC) is mandated to open the case. My Lord, after a thorough review of the case, we have decided not to bring in any witness, Mr Okoli said, without giving reason for the decision.

Both the PDP counsel, Benjamin Nwosu and that of Mr Mbah, did not oppose the decision of INEC.

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A Federal High Court in Benin City, on Wednesday, sentenced a 24-year-old internet fraudster to five years in prison for impersonating a Brazilian woman.

The convict, Louis Osadolor, was prosecuted by the Benin zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Osadolor impersonated the identity of Jucastrotrradefit, a Brazilian woman and Bitcoin trader, with intent to defraud unsuspecting victims, the anti-graft agency said in a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday.

The commission said the convict, in April, disguised as Jucastrotrradefit and sent documents via the Internet to Eliane Cruz, claiming it emanated from the Brazilian woman in order to obtain money from the victim.

The anti-graft agency said the offence is contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (IV) of the same Act.

Similarly, a State High Court in Edo State, on Friday, sentenced two internet fraudsters to three years in prison.

The convicts, Wisdom Osazuwa 18, and Oyegun Godwin, a student, were prosecuted by the Benin zonal command of the EFCC for possession of fraudulent documents.

Their arrest followed an investigation over their involvement in internet fraud.

READ ALSO: Court sentences fraudster to 10 years in prison

According to the commission, Mr Godwin confessed to having started cryptocurrency fraud in 2022 and that he has impersonated several persons online.

Upon arraignment the duo pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Salihu Ahmed to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice M. Itsueli convicted and sentenced Messrs Osazuwa and Oyegun to three years imprisonment with a fine of N200,000 each.

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Zelenskyy signs law on introduction of probationary period of up to six months for contract soldiers first recruited for military service

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law establishing a mandatory probationary period of one to six months for citizens newly recruited for military service under a contract.

As noted in the card of the relevant bill No. 8169, posted on the website of the Verkhovna Rada, the document was returned to the parliament with the signature of the head of state on July 18.

As reported, on March 21, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in general bill No. 8169 On amendments to certain legislative acts to improve certain issues of military duty and military service.

According to the bill, military personnel who have successfully passed the probationary period continue to do military service under a contract in the Armed Forces of Ukraine or other military formations.
CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The market for app analytics appears to have a bright future, since rising demand is being driven by the expanding mobile app market. Its development will be shaped by advanced analytics capabilities, cross-platform insights, privacy considerations, and integration with app development, allowing businesses to enhance user experiences and promote the success of their apps.

The App Analytics Market is estimated to grow from USD 6.3 billion in 2023 to USD 15.7 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 20.2% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. App analytics play a critical role in today's digital landscape, enabling organizations to gain valuable insights into the performance, usage, and user behavior within their mobile applications. These analytics provide businesses with actionable data that drives decision-making and enhances user experiences. By tracking key metrics such as downloads, installations, user engagement, retention rates, and revenue generation, organizations can understand the effectiveness of their app strategies and make data-driven improvements.

Browse in-depth TOC on "App Analytics Market"

194 - Tables

43 - Figures

233 - Pages

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Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 20182028 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 20232028 Forecast units USD Billion Segments covered Offering, Type, Application, Vertical, and Region Geographies covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies covered Google (US), Microsoft (US), AWS (US), IBM (US), Adobe (US), SAP SE (Germany), Amplitude (US), Upland Software (US), Mixpanel (US), Kochava (US), Flurry (US), UXCam (US), Qonversion (US), Taplytics (Canada), ContentSquare (France), Countly (England), AppDynamics (US), Smartlook (Czech Republic), AppFollow (Finland), CleverTap (US), Singular (US), Heap (US), Data.ai (US), Pendo.io (US), and Alchemer LLC (US).

Services segment to account for higher CAGR during the forecast period

App analytics services provide specialized expertise and support to businesses seeking to maximize the value of their app analytics efforts. These services complement app analytics software by offering a range of tailored solutions and consulting assistance to help businesses extract meaningful insights, make informed decisions, and optimize their mobile applications. Service providers often have dedicated teams of experts who possess in-depth knowledge of app analytics methodologies, tools, and best practices.

Android software segment is expected to hold the largest market size for the year 2023

App analytics software for Android refers to the tools and platforms designed to collect, measure, and analyze data related to the usage and performance of mobile applications on the Android operating system. It enables developers and businesses to gain valuable insights into user behavior, app performance, and key metrics to optimize Android applications and drive business growth. . Data from StatCounter shows that as of June 2023, Android had a global market share of around 70.79% in the mobile operating system market, making it the dominant platform for app analytics.

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The healthcare and life sciences vertical is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

App analytics in the healthcare & life sciences vertical involves analyzing mobile applications within the healthcare industry to gain insights and drive improvements in patient care, health outcomes, and operational efficiency. It focuses on tracking and analyzing user interactions, patient data, and healthcare processes within the app. For instance, app analytics can provide insights into patient usage patterns, medication adherence rates, and appointment scheduling. It can help identify areas for improvement, such as streamlining patient registration, optimizing appointment scheduling, or personalizing health content based on user preferences.

Top Key Companies in App Analytics Market:

The report profiles key players such as Google (US), Microsoft (US), AWS (US), IBM (US), Adobe (US), SAP SE (Germany), Amplitude (US), Upland Software (US), Mixpanel (US) and Kochava (US).

Recent Developments:

In June 2023 , Cisco acquired Smartlook, a provider of user behavior analytics solutions. This acquisition was aimed at enhancing Cisco's offerings in the application performance monitoring space, particularly for Cisco AppDynamics and Cisco Full Stack Observability.

, Cisco acquired Smartlook, a provider of user behavior analytics solutions. This acquisition was aimed at enhancing Cisco's offerings in the application performance monitoring space, particularly for Cisco AppDynamics and Cisco Full Stack Observability. In April 2023 , Amplitude released new features to help teams collaborate more efficiently, get better insights into user conversion, and track the impact of marketing campaigns. These features included Space edit access, updated funnel charts, and Campaign Reporting.

, Amplitude released new features to help teams collaborate more efficiently, get better insights into user conversion, and track the impact of marketing campaigns. These features included Space edit access, updated funnel charts, and Campaign Reporting. In June 2022 , Google introduced new product updates to Firebase Crashlytics, including improved Flutter app crash reporting, increased developer productivity, filtering crashes, and unity crash handling.

, Google introduced new product updates to Firebase Crashlytics, including improved Flutter app crash reporting, increased developer productivity, filtering crashes, and unity crash handling. In, January 2021 , Upland Software acquired Localytics, a leading provider of mobile app personalization and analytics solutions. This acquisition would allow Upland to provide its customers with a more comprehensive and sophisticated mobile app experience. Localytics' technology will be integrated into Upland's Customer Experience Management (CXM) Cloud, which will enable businesses to deliver personalized app experiences across all digital channels.

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App Analytics Market Advantages:

App analytics gives organisations insightful information about user behaviour that helps them better understand how people use their apps. It makes it possible to track user actions including in-app purchases, button clicks, screen views, and app starts. Businesses may better understand customer preferences, spot patterns, and make data-driven decisions to enhance the user experience by analysing this data.

App Analytics provides analytics on app crashes, load times, and user flows to assist businesses in optimising app performance. Businesses can spot and resolve problems that affect customer satisfaction by monitoring these performance metrics. To improve the overall app experience, they can organise bug patches into priority lists, speed up app loads, and simplify user flows.

Businesses may segment their user bases based on a variety of characteristics, including demographics, behaviour, and usage patterns, thanks to app analytics. This segmentation offers useful insights into various user groups, enabling organisations to design customised user experiences, target particular user segments with customised marketing efforts, and adapt app features to satisfy various user personas.

The visibility and discoverability of an app in app stores can be improved with the use of app analytics. Businesses may improve their app listing and take wise decisions to raise app visibility, boost app store rankings, and draw in more users by analysing data on app downloads, user ratings, reviews, and keyword usage.

The use of app analytics enables companies to track and evaluate the effectiveness of the applications used by their rivals. Businesses can measure their performance against rivals and spot areas for improvement or differentiation by tracking indicators like user engagement, retention rates, and feature uptake. This knowledge can direct the creation of products, the execution of marketing plans, and the expansion of the whole company.

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and forecast the global App Analytics Market, based on offering (software and service), types, applications, verticals, and regions, with respect to individual growth trends and contributions toward the overall market

To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing market growth

To analyze subsegments with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the total market

To analyze opportunities for stakeholders and provide the competitive landscape of the market

To forecast the revenue of the market segments with respect to all the five major regions, namely, North America , Europe , Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America

, , (APAC), & (MEA), and To profile the key players and comprehensively analyze the recent developments and their positioning related to the App Analytics Market

To analyze competitive developments, such as mergers & acquisitions, product developments, and research & development (R&D) activities, in the market

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The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

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DUBLIN, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Asia Pacific Elevator and Escalator - Market Size & Growth Forecast 2023-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market size by new installations accounted for 941.1 thousand units in 2022, expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.90% during the forecast period.

Otis, Schindler, TK Elevator, and KONE are the top 4 manufacturers in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market, with a share of over 55%.

The increasing HNWIs continued to attract MNEs and their investments to the region. Singapore established the Southeast Asia Manufacturing Alliance in February 2021 to entice manufacturers to invest in Singapore and other ASEAN nations. The Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore, and several manufacturers in the business sector are allies in the partnership.

Hitachi and Nissan Motor had experimented with harnessing energy from mini-EV (Nissan Sakura) to power an elevator in a six-story building in Japan. Concerning this, a 20 KW hour battery was connected to the building using a special adapter developed by Hitachi Building Systems.

This experiment had been succeeded for nearly 15 hours, and around 416 times, the elevator could move up and down. Hitachi building systems aim to provide the system to apartment buildings in April 2023; for continuous operation of elevators during power outages, these systems are viable.

At the national level in China, GB/T 24476-2017 is a recommended regulation that outlines the use of IoT for elevators and escalators. Furthermore, provincial government regulations are established to be put into place in various cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Shenzhen. These regulations offer a series of more specific and extensive facts about the kind of data and services one wants to obtain from lifts using the IoT. In certain instances, this legislation is starting to turn obligatory.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market Drivers:

Affordable housing schemes and the rising number of ultra high net worth individuals (HNWIs) drive the demand for elevators in the Asia Pacific region.

region. Government initiatives, such as Thailand's National Housing Authority (NHA) providing financial assistance for housing projects, contribute to increased elevator demand.

National Housing Authority (NHA) providing financial assistance for housing projects, contribute to increased elevator demand. Collaborations between elevator companies and technology providers, like Hyundai Elevator and LG Electronics, enable the expansion of elevator markets through innovative solutions, including IoT, AI, and robotic synchronization.

Growing emphasis on green building practices and energy efficiency certifications in the building sector lead to the adoption of energy-efficient elevators, reducing carbon emissions and complying with regulations. China's requirement for 70% of new urban buildings to be certified green buildings by 2022 drives the market.

requirement for 70% of new urban buildings to be certified green buildings by 2022 drives the market. Urban renewal projects and increasing competition among township developers in Malaysia drive the demand for elevators in residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare facilities.

Market Trends:

Elevators reaching their average life expectancy create demand for maintenance and component upgrades, ensuring safety and reliability.

The Ministry of Construction of Vietnam issuing national standards for apartment buildings highlights the need for elevator safety and specification regulations.

issuing national standards for apartment buildings highlights the need for elevator safety and specification regulations. Promoting the use of elevators for elderly individuals instead of escalators reduces accidents on moving walkways, escalators, and elevators.

Introduction of advanced lift remote monitoring and maintenance services, such as Hitachi's offering in Singapore , enhances operational efficiency and enables preventive maintenance through real-time data.

Market Challenges:

Adapting to changing regulations and compliance requirements related to elevator safety and energy efficiency standards.

Addressing maintenance and upgrade needs for aging elevators to ensure continued functionality and safety.

Overcoming potential resistance to adopting new technologies and solutions in the elevator industry.

Managing the potential risks and challenges associated with urban renewal projects, including timeline delays and budget constraints.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How big is the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

elevator and escalator market? What will be the growth rate of the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

elevator and escalator market? What will be the number of installed bases in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market in 2029?

elevator and escalator market in 2029? What are the key opportunities in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

elevator and escalator market? Which are the key players in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Key Vendors

Otis

KONE

Schindler

Hitachi

TK Elevator

Mitsubishi Electric

Fujitec

Hyundai Elevator

Other Prominent Vendors

Shanghai SANEI Elevator Co., Ltd.

SANYO YUSOKI KOGYO

Johnson Lifts Pvt. Ltd.

Cibes Lift Group

Kalea Lifts

Wittur Elevator Components

Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation (TELC)

Sigma Elevators

HANDOK ELEVATOR Co., Ltd

Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd

HM Elevator

Japan Fuji International

Hualong Elevator Co., ltd.

SJEC

Analogue Holdings Limited

SUZHOU JIUDE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Shenyang Yuanda Intellectual Industry Group Co., Ltd

IFE Elevators

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS



Machine Type

Hydraulic and Pneumatic

Machine Room Traction

Machine Room Less Traction

Others

Climbing

Elevators

Industrial Elevators

Carriage Type

Passenger

Freight

Capacity

2-15 Persons

16-24 Persons

25-33 Persons

34 Persons and Above

End-User

Commercial

Residential

Industrial

Others

Public Transit

Institutional

Infrastructural

Escalator Market Segmentation by

Product Type

Parallel

Multi Parallel

Walkway

Crisscross

End-User

Public Transit

Commercial

Others

Institutional Sector

Infrastructure

Industrial

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ofoqnv

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Strong performance in the second quarter

STOCKHOLM, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

Second quarter

Net sales increased by 17% to SEK 34,474 M (29,466), with organic growth of 3% (13) and acquired net growth of 6% (0). Exchange-rates affected sales by 8% (12).

Very strong organic sales growth in Global Technologies, good growth in the Americas, stable in Entrance Systems, while organic sales declined in Asia Pacific and EMEIA.

The acquisition of Spectrum Brands' Hardware and Home improvement division (HHI) was completed in June.

The divestment of Emtek and Smart Residential business in the U.S. and Canada to Fortune Brands was completed in June. The divestment gain, including exit costs, totaled SEK 3,661 M for the quarter.

Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets in Global Technologies led to one-off costs of SEK 2,268 M before taxes.

Operating income1 (EBIT) increased by 25% and amounted to SEK 5,500 M (4,406), with an operating margin of 16.0% (15.0).

The operating margin1 (EBIT) excluding the acquisition of HHI and divestment of the Emtek/U.S. Smart Residential was 16.7%.

Net income1 amounted to SEK 3,731 M (3,156).

Earnings per share1 amounted to SEK 3.36 (2.84).

Operating cash flow amounted to SEK 6,671 M (3,787).

Sales and income



Second quarter

First half-year



2022 2023  2022 2023  Sales, SEK M 29,466 34,474 17 % 56,057 66,865 19 % Of which:











Organic growth 3,324 897 3 % 6,610 3,115 5 % Acquisitions and divestments 16 2,002 6 % 68 3,346 6 % Exchange-rate effects 2,510 2,109 8 % 4,061 4,346 8 % Operating income (EBIT)1, SEK M 4,406 5,500 25 % 8,407 10,686 27 % Operating margin (EBITA) 1, % 15.5 % 16.6 %

15.5 % 16.6 %

Operating margin (EBIT)1, % 15.0 % 16.0 %

15.0 % 16.0 %

Income before tax1, SEK M 4,208 5,054 20 % 8,019 9,898 23 % Net income1, SEK M 3,156 3,731 18 % 6,015 7,423 23 % Operating cash flow, SEK M 3,787 6,671 76 % 4,699 10,741 129 % Earnings per share1, SEK 2.84 3.36 18 % 5.41 6.68 23 % 1 Adjusted for items affecting comparability.

Please see the section 'Items affecting comparability' in the report for further details about the financial effects.

Comments by the President and CEO

Strong performance in the second quarter

Following a very strong start to the year, I am pleased to report continued good sales growth with very strong operating margin improvement in the second quarter despite a weak residential market. Our sales grew organically by 3%, acquired net growth was 6% and currency contributed 8%.

Global Technologies delivered very strong organic sales growth of 20% as we further reduced our order backlog in Physical Access Control and saw very strong growth in Hospitality. Activity levels in the Americas were high and we report good sales growth of 4%. Sales in Entrance Systems were flat despite high comparable and lower residential demand. Asia Pacific sales declined 2% due to lower internal sales and low residential business. Sales in EMEIA declined by 5% due to very low activity levels in residential new construction.

Our quarterly operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, increased strongly by 25%. The corresponding operating margin, also excluding the acquisition of HHI and divestment of the Emtek/U.S. Smart Residential, was 16.7%. The operating leverage was very strong at 75%, driven by lower direct material costs, operational efficiencies, and pricing. The operating cash flow improved strongly by 76% to a record SEK 6,671 M.

Further cost measures

In light of the lower residential construction levels, we have diligently implemented short term cost measures to protect our profitability. During 2023, we expect to realize around SEK 0.9 bn in short-term cost reductions on top of the manufacturing footprint program. We have also accelerated our MFP-program and now expect SEK 0.8 bn in savings this year. Our decentralized organization and structural agility will enable us to optimize efficiency and ensure financial stability.

Even if there is a short-term deceleration in the market, we are confident that the long-term growth drivers for access control remain. This includes the transition to electromechanical products, whose sales after currency adjustment grew by 16% in the quarter. We are therefore continuing to invest in R&D. It is the enabler for growth and creates new opportunities. Our dedication to innovation will continue to allow us to stay ahead and respond effectively to the evolving and growing overall market.

We are happy to welcome HHI to the Group

After reaching a settlement with the Department of Justice in the U.S., we are happy to welcome HHI into the Group. HHI is an excellent addition to ASSA ABLOY, complementing our existing business in a strong way. The integration process has initiated and I'm excited to start to realize the synergies of USD 100 M into our results.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Emtek and Smart Residential teams in the U.S./Canada that were divested in connection with the HHI acquisition.

Execution of our overall acquisition strategy will continue with an active pipeline.

Thank you for your continued trust in ASSA ABLOY.

Stockholm, July 19, 2023

Nico Delvaux

President and CEO

Further information can be obtained from:

Nico Delvaux,

President and CEO, tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82

Erik Pieder,

Executive Vice President and CFO, tel.no: +46 8 506 485 72

Bjorn Tibell,

Head of Investor Relations, tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68,

e-mail: [email protected]



ASSA ABLOY is holding a telephone and web conference at 09.30 on July 19, 2023 which can be followed online at assaabloy.com/investors.

It is possible to submit questions by telephone on: 08505 100 31, +44 207 107 0613 or +1 631 570 5613

This is information that ASSA ABLOY AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 08.00 CEST on July 19, 2023.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/7333/3806992/2195429.pdf The full report (PDF) https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/i/assa-abloy-logo-door,c3200825 ASSA ABLOY logo door

SOURCE ASSA ABLOY
HONOLULU, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlantic International University ( AIU ) proudly announces the integration of Dall-E as its latest addition to the university's virtual campus. This integration marks an important milestone in AIU's commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to empower students to tailor their academic programs through the innovative "Curriculum Builder" tool.

Atlantic International University Integrates Dall-E to its Virtual Campus

Building upon the success of the initial integration of ChatGPT, AIU continues to spearhead the transformation of education by incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies into its virtual campus. Dall-E, one of the world's leading AI tools developed by OpenAI, brings the unprecedented potential to highlight the latest innovations and trends, enabling students to shape their educational journeys with the utmost precision.

Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping various industries, and education is no exception. AIU recognizes the importance of embracing these advancements to enhance the learning experience and equip students with the skills needed to excel in the evolving landscape of work. As ChatGPT and Dall-E seamlessly integrate into the Virtual Campus and the Curriculum Builder tool, AIU remains at the forefront of educational institutions embracing AI's potential to revolutionize learning.

The integration of Dall-E within the Curriculum Builder tool empowers students to tailor their academic programs to match the dynamic demands of the future. By leveraging Dall-E's image generation capabilities, students can explore and incorporate the latest innovations and trends into their curriculum design, ensuring their programs remain relevant and cutting-edge.

Jose Mercado Atri, Chairman of the Board affirmed "At AIU we firmly believe that the integration of AI technologies like ChatGPT and Dall-E within our virtual campus and curriculum design is a pivotal step in shaping the future of education. We're dedicated to providing our students with the tools and resources they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. With Dall-E, students can now curate their academic paths with a deep understanding of current and emerging trends, ultimately preparing them for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow".

The integration of AI tools not only enhances academic experience but also allows students to develop critical skills necessary for success in the AI-driven era. By engaging with AI-powered technologies, students gain proficiency in utilizing AI as a tool for creativity, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-makingessential skills in a rapidly evolving job market.

With the integration of Dall-E and ChatGPT, AIU continues to solidify its position as a trailblazer in AI-driven education. Through these strategic integrations, AIU empowers its students to unlock their full potential, equipping them with the knowledge and expertise needed to thrive in a world shaped by AI.

About Atlantic International University

Atlantic International University ( AIU ) is a leading institution dedicated to providing accessible and flexible higher education for learners worldwide. Through its virtual campus and innovative approach, AIU offers a diverse range of programs that adapt to the evolving needs of students, allowing them to pursue their education without boundaries.

Contact Us

Atlantic International University

800-993-0066 (Toll-Free in the US)

808-924-9567 (Internationally)

Pioneer Plaza

900 Fort Street Mall 905 Honolulu, HI 96813

362162@email4pr.com

www.aiu.edu

SOURCE Atlantic International University
The main lesson of the Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's rebellion in Russia is that the weakness of the Putin regime was revealed to the whole world, but most importantly, to the people of Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"I'm pretty certain it was a mutiny. Prigozhin was absolutely serious about creating conditions under which he would be recognized as the source of real power in Russia. I will say this because I am not a wizard to make a prophesy about all possible scenarios. But it is still unclear what made him change his mind, what kind of arguments made it work. But I think the main lesson of his rebellion is that the weakness of the regime was exposed to the entire world, but most importantly to the people of Russia," Kuleba said in an interview with the American CNN show Anderson Cooper 360.

Kuleba said that throughout his career, Russian President Vladimir Putin "was always crushing his enemies, in the most visible way."

"This time he did not crush Prigozhin. He bargained. He made a deal with him. And this is the real turning point," the Foreign Minister said.

Commenting on the importance of damaging the bridge across the Kerch Strait, Kuleba pointed out that this is the main supply route for the Russian army in Crimea and southern Ukraine with a large number of troops, ammunition, a large amount of weapons, fuel and other types of resources.

"And there is one more point that everyone should be mindful of this bridge was built outside of the body of the law. This is an illegal bridge, an illegal structure," the minister said.

Answering a journalist's question about how the minister assesses Putin's statements that the attack on the bridge is a terrorist act, Kuleba said he is not obliged to comment on every lie and distortion of reality that Putin expresses.

"He keeps saying that our government is illegal, but the so-called 'Kyiv regime' onstalled by the United States, the UK and other countries. I don't have to comment on that. We should know one thing about president Putin. He is a professional liar. He was taught to lie when he served in the KGB. And he excelled this practice throughout his political career. So, the less we listen to what he says, the more time we will have for more productive thoughts," the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
DENVER, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Real Estate, a full-service real estate company specializing in investment brokerage, property management and institutional acquisition, has been named Best of Colorado Property Management for the seventh consecutive year by ColoradoBiz Magazine.

This honor comes as part of the annual Best of Colorado Business Choice Awards. Among more than 70 categories, readers voted for their top Colorado businesses, including real estate, an influential segment in Colorado's economy and infrastructure.

Atlas Real Estate Group Named Best of Colorado Property Management for Seventh Consecutive Year!

"We are particularly proud of this award because it is based on voting by the publicthat is, ColoradoBiz readers and employees of numerous companiesin the annual reader's poll and contest," stated Tony Julianelle, CEO of Atlas. "Our property management team has grown tremendously to accommodate this expanding segment of our business, and they've risen to the challenge with flying colors."

In 2023, Atlas has doubled down on the importance of customer experience, ensuring that every one of our customersowners, residents and investment partnersis getting the experience they want and deserve. Whether customers have one unit or 1000, Atlas property managers help them save time, money and stress with services designed by investors for investors, services that concurrently benefit residents (renters) of these properties.

According to Brian Bellew, Vice President of Operations at Atlas, "I've been a part of the Atlas team since 2014, and my appreciation for leading a team that's second-to-none has grown with each year. As we continue to increase properties under management, we're likewise increasing attention to giving our customers the best possible experience."

As the company looks ahead, property management remains one of Atlas' fastest-growing divisions, with no signs of slowing down; hence, Atlas has attracted a strong talent pool to support this growth trajectory.

About Atlas Real Estate Group: Atlas Real Estate is a full-service real estate company specializing in investment services, property management, institutional acquisitions, and buy/sell brokerage. Atlas is also a Zillow Flex Partner Agency. Since its inception in 2013, the company has made a commitment to Uplift Humanity Through Real Estate. With offices in eight states nationwide, Atlas has $2.5 billion in real estate assets under management and manages 8,500+ residential units.

To learn more about Atlas, visit https://realatlas.com

SOURCE Atlas Real Estate Group
WYNNEWOOD, Pa., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups and local officials in over 16,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide will join forces on August 1st to mark the 40th Annual National Night Out (NNO)  a police-community partnership event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. National Night Out 2023 partners are ADT, Starbucks, Associa and L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence).

Nationally, millions of people are expected to participate in NNO this year.

"Cities and towns are excited to get the NNO party started," said National Night Out creator, Matt Peskin. Tweet this

"Cities and towns are excited to get the NNO party started," said National Night Out creator, Matt Peskin, "Local coordinators are anxious to showcase their strong relationships with neighbors and first-responders. National Night Out is a celebration of neighborhoods who work with law enforcement year-round to build safer, more caring communities."

National Night Out will feature thousands of block parties, cookouts, parades, potlucks, festivals, ice cream socials, neighborhood visits by first responders, flashlight walks and neighborhood meetings.

National Night Out is designed to:

Heighten crime prevention awareness; Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs; Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

For more information, visit natw.org.

SOURCE National Association of Town Watch
The growth of the global automotive lithium-sulfur battery market is driven by the growth in demand for electric vehicles, increased energy density, and cost reduction

PORTLAND, Ore., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Automotive Lithium-Sulfur Battery Market by Battery Capacity (500mAh, between 501 to 1000 mAh and more than 1000 mAh), by Propulsion Type (battery electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), by Vehicle Type (two-wheeler, passenger vehicle, and commercial vehicle): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2026-2035". According to the report, the global automotive lithium-sulfur battery industry generated $424.5 million in 2025, and is anticipated to generate $4,179.0 million by 2035, witnessing a CAGR of 26.1% from 2026 to 2035.

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Prime determinants of growth

Growth in demand for electric vehicles, increased energy density, and cost reduction, are anticipated to drive the market growth. However, safety concerns and limited cycle life hinder the market growth. Further, increase in investment of government association and private enterprises and research and technological advancements are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for expansion of the automotive lithium-sulfur battery market during the forecast period.

Automotive Li-S Battery Market Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20262035 Base Year 2025 Market Size in 2022 $424.5 million Market Size in 2032 $4,179.0 million CAGR 26.1 % No. of Pages in Report 249 Segments covered Battery Capacity, Propulsion Type, Vehicle Type, and Region. Drivers Growth in demand for electric vehicle Increased energy density Cost reduction Opportunities Rapid emergence of shared e-mobility Introduction of innovative & advanced battery swapping model and services Restraints Safety concerns Limited cycle life

Covid-19 Scenario

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global lockdowns, the automotive lithium-sulfur battery market faced a downturn in 2020.

However, as the global situation started ameliorating, heavy investment in the development of renewable energy sources is expected to boost the demand for highly efficient energy storage devices such as lithium-sulfur batteries for electric vehicles. Increase in awareness among people is boosting the demand for eco-friendly products.

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The manual segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on battery capacity, the less than 500mah segment held the highest market share in 2025, accounting for more than one-third of the global automotive lithium-sulfur battery market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, rapid growth in adoption of electric vehicles and their applications in real life are increasing the demand for less than 500mah of lithium-sulfur batteries. However, the between 501 to 1000mAh battery capacity segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 26.5% from 2026 to 2035, as it provides longer driving ranges for electric vehicles (EVs) and enable more efficient energy storage solutions in the automotive sector.

The battery electric vehicle segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on propulsion type, the battery electric vehicle segment held the highest market share in 2025, accounting for nearly two-third of the global automotive lithium-sulfur battery market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Moreover, the battery electric vehicles are projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 26.3% from 2026 to 2035, owing to advantages such as changing perception toward adoption of electric vehicles. In addition, simple technology usage and low maintenance of battery electric vehicles as compared to other electric vehicles, further supplements the growth of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) across the globe.

The subscription model segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on vehicle type, the passenger vehicle segment accounted for the largest share in 2025, contributing to more than two-thirds of the global automotive lithium-sulfur battery market revenue, due to the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow in passenger vehicles, the development and adoption of advanced battery technologies such as lithium-sulfur batteries have been explored to improve the performance and range of EVs. Moreover, the two-wheeler is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 26.7% from 2026 to 2035 and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is owing to their higher energy density and potential for cost reductions compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2035

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2025, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global automotive lithium-sulfur battery market revenue, owing to the increasing demand for electric vehicles, government support, and the presence of established automotive and battery manufacturers. This initiative expected to increase the market for electric vehicles in the region, benefiting growth of the automotive lithium-sulfur battery market during the forecast period. However, the Europe region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 26.5% from 2026 to 2035, owing to the European countries strict regulations toward the environment, which played a vital role in the development of lithium-sulfur batteries as modern lithium-ion batteries used cobalt metal, which is harmful for the environment.

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Leading Market Players: -

GINER INC.

ILIKA

JOHNSON MATTHEY

LG CHEM

LYTEN, INC.

MORROW BATTERIES

NEXTECH BATTERIES

PPBC AND ITS LICENSEES

SION POWER CORPORATION

WAE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global automotive lithium-sulfur battery market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Similar Reports We Have on Automotive Batteries Industry:

Automotive Lead Acid Battery Market Research Report 2023-2035

Automotive Lithium based Battery Market Research Report 2023-2035

EV Solid State Battery Market Research Report 2023-2035

Electric Vehicle Battery Market Research Report 2023-2035

United States Automotive Lithium-sulfur Battery Market Report 2023-2035

About Us

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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HONG KONG, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bamboo Works (www.thebambooworks.com) announced the launch of its version 2.0, a major upgrade in its mission to introduce the world to China-concept stocks. With the upgrade, Bamboo Works aims to better serve global investors by providing more comprehensive and in-depth insight into overseas-listed Chinese companies, the Chinese economy, and major industry segments.

Most significantly, the upgrade provides enhanced content offerings, including the following new sections:

- Fast News: Bamboo Works introduces a "Fast News" section alongside its existing long-form news analysis, providing succinct and timely updates on significant market developments in a real-time format.

- Expert Corner: Using a blog format, Expert Corner is a place where industry experts share their analytical views on a range of topics from investor and public relations perspectives. This section helps investors and listed companies gain better understanding of financial markets, policies, and different industries.

- China Bulletin: Using email newsletters and dedicated columns, Bamboo Works' co-founder and editor-in-chief Doug Young provides weekly updates on the latest developments in the Chinese economy and on Chinese stocks. Doug combines mainstream financial media coverage with Bamboo Works' own reporting and his personal analysis to offer insights into the latest macroeconomic and industry trends, and on corporate news.

- China Inc: Co-founders Doug Young and Rene Vanguestaine, each a seasoned financial expert with over 30 years of experience in China, discuss the latest major China economic and corporate stories in a weekly 15-minute podcast. Drawing on their extensive knowledge gained from years of following the ups and downs of global capital markets and their firsthand experience in China, they bring their own insight and analysis to global listeners seeking to understand the latest Chinese business trends.

Doug Young commented: "Delivering high-quality, independent content has always been our core mission at Bamboo Works. In today's diverse media landscape, we aim to provide a richer selection for readers with diverse information consumption habits and interests. Through the addition of these sections, we can present more compelling stories about Chinese stocks from a wider range of perspectives."

Drawing on two years of reader data, Bamboo Works has discovered that, apart from the U.S. and Mainland China, Hong Kong has the largest number of Chinese stock investors. To provide a better experience for readers of Traditional Chinese in Hong Kong and other regions, Bamboo Works has expanded its languages to include Traditional Chinese in addition to English and Simplified Chinese. Alongside existing news distribution partnerships with Bloomberg and Refinitiv terminals, as well as Factiva and the Seeking Alpha, Benzinga and FT Chinese communities, Bamboo Works' Traditional Chinese news reports are also distributed on Yahoo Finance's Hong Kong news page.

Bamboo Works has upgraded its entire visual system, including a new logo, color scheme, and website layout, to provide a better reading experience. The website's main server has been migrated to Google Cloud, significantly improving browsing speed for readers on desktop and mobile devices from around the globe. Bamboo Works has also started utilizing AI-generated images in its opinion pieces and plans to further explore the possibilities for AI technology to provide our readers with fresh perspectives.

Doug Young added, "With the end of pandemic and growing consensus between Chinese and American regulators on a range of issues, Chinese companies listed abroad are poised for a new era of opportunities. Bamboo Works aims to serve as a bridge and offer our millions of global readers enhanced access to these opportunities through our widely syndicated content."

About Bamboo Works

Bamboo Works provides news coverage of China stocks for global investors. Established in Hong Kong in 2021, the founding team collectively possesses over 100 years of experience in global finance and capital markets, with previous executive positions at institutions such as The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Alibaba, Hill+Knowlton, and J.P. Morgan. Bamboo Works delivers diverse perspectives in a wide range of formats each trading day on China stocks to nearly 200,000 individual investors, institutional investors, and professionals from related industries through its official website, social media platforms, financial terminals and media outlets worldwide.

SOURCE Bamboo Works
Connecting the DxH 900 Workcell and DxH Slidemaker Stainer II with the Scopio X100HT High-throughput Digital Cell Morphology Platform Improves Lab Efficiency by Automating Hematology Workflow

By Adding Scopio Labs' Full-Field Slide Imaging and Artificial Intelligence Decision Support for Peripheral Blood Smear Analysis, Beckman Coulter Advances the Future of Complete Blood Count Tests

ANAHEIM, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Beckman Coulter, a global leader in clinical diagnostics, today announced it will debut its hematology analyzer and slidemaker stainer connected to Scopio Labs' digital morphology platform for end-to-end digitization with artificial intelligence-assisted peripheral blood smear analysis at the 2023 American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo. The solution features the Beckman Coulter DxH 900 Workcell and DxH Slidemaker Stainer II connected with the Scopio X100HT digital morphology platform capable of continuous loading, scanning and analysis.

The Beckman Coulter DxH 900 Workcell and DxH Slidemaker Stainer II connected with the Scopio X100HT digital morphology platform capable of continuous loading, scanning and analysis.

"With the increasing attention of hematological disorders and malignancies, the accuracy and timeliness of peripheral blood smears results are critically important for timely diagnosis and effective treatment initiation," said Dan Xu, Vice President/GM, Hematology and Urinalysis Business Units for Beckman Coulter. "The peripheral blood smear (PBS) review is a powerful diagnostic tool that provides clinicians with information about a variety of disorders such as blood-related cancers, anemia, infections, and many other life-threatening medical conditions. Often, performing PBS analysis forces medical technicians to compromise on either field of view or resolution and requires physically transferring PBS slides to a microscope for manual review. Our new capability to automatically transfer PBS slides from Beckman Coulter's DxH Slidemaker Stainer II to the Scopio X100HT platform removes the need for a technician to manually transfer the slides, resulting in lab efficiency for medical technicians, while Scopio's Full-Field technology removes the need to revert to the microscope for manual review."

"Connecting the Scopio X100HT with the DxH 900 Workcell is a tremendous step forward in advancing our global partnership with Beckman Coulter, which we initiated one year ago," said Itai Hayut, CEO and Co-Founder of Scopio Labs. "A fully integrated hematology workflow from the complete blood count (CBC) test to slide staining (SMS) to peripheral blood smears (PBS) will empower qualified experts in detecting blood-related medical conditions."

In manual microscopy, users must choose between a large field of view or high resolution. Scopio solves that trade-off, capturing large scan areas at 100X magnification, and virtually eliminates the need for additional manual microscopic examination. With this newly connected capability, the X100HT is able to process up to 30 samples an hour, meeting the high-throughput requirements of large hospitals and labs, and fully supports remote review capabilities.

In 2022, Scopio Labs received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance of its X100HT device with its PBS Application coupling high-throughput capabilities with high-resolution scanning for hematological analysis. Catering to large medical facilities and labs across the world, the X100HT complements the previously-cleared X100 instrument designed with a 3-slide tray and a throughput of up to 15 slides an hour for a 200 WBC Diff, making it an optimal solution for small to medium size laboratories.

Follow and connect with Beckman Coulter Diagnostics via LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook .

About Scopio

Scopio Labs' suite of digital imaging and analysis platforms supports laboratory experts with timely detection of blood-related medical conditions, expediting patients' access to life-saving treatments. Scopio solves the age-old trade-off between resolution and field of view, enabling unprecedented scale and depth in cell morphology. High-resolution imaging and embedded AI combine for more efficient workflow, contributing to better diagnostics across the continuum of care. Scopio Labs' Full-Field Peripheral Blood Smear Application is FDA-cleared and CE-marked for use with the Scopio X100 and Scopio X100HT high-resolution imaging devices. The Full-Field Bone Marrow Aspirate Application is CE-marked for use with both devices. To learn more, visit https://scopiolabs.com/.

About Beckman Coulter, Inc.

A global leader in advanced diagnostics, Beckman Coulter has challenged convention to elevate the diagnostic laboratory's role in improving patient health for more than 80 years. Our mission is to Relentlessly Reimagine Healthcare, One Diagnosis at a Time  and we do this by applying the power of science, technology and the passion and creativity of our teams. Our diagnostic solutions are used in complex clinical testing, and are found in hospitals, reference laboratories and physician office settings around the globe. We exist to deliver smarter, faster diagnostic solutions that move the needle forward from what's now to what's next. We do this by accelerating care with an extensive clinical menu, scalable lab automation technologies, insightful clinical informatics, and optimize lab performance services. An operating company of Danaher Corporation since 2011, Beckman Coulter is headquartered in Brea, Calif., and has more than 11,000 global team members.

2023 Beckman Coulter. All rights reserved. Beckman Coulter, the stylized logo, and the Beckman Coulter product and service marks mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Beckman Coulter, Inc. in the United States and other countries. 2023-11947

SOURCE Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Biostrap's Innovative Wearable Provides Researchers And Healthtech Visionaries Transparent Clinical-Grade Data Capture Coupled With Advanced Autonomic Nervous System Analysis

AUSTIN, Texas, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Biostrap USA LLC, ("Biostrap") an industry leader in providing scalable and customizable biosensor-based precision health monitoring solutions, announced today the launch of their new wearable device, Biostrap Kairos. Accompanied by the new Vital Science app, Biostrap introduces a revolutionary data visualization of the autonomic nervous system, offering an unprecedented quantification of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches from a wrist-worn device. Such measurements previously were only available to researchers while using uncomfortable electrocardiogram chest straps.

Biostrap's key differentiator is its commitment to delivering clinical-grade nervous system and HRV data analysis. Tweet this Biostrap Kairos and the Vital Science app showing the Spot Check feature. Gain access to 24/7 biometrics to monitor sleep, recovery, activity, and stress in real-time with clinical-grade accuracy. Get more granular Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters with advanced and transparent data analysis that quantifies stress resilience and helps you understand the intricate play between Sympathetic (fight or flight) and Parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches.

Biostrap has achieved a significant milestone by delivering a comprehensive stress resilience measurement that allows users to understand the extent to which they are in fight-or-flight or rest-and-digest mode during periods of rest, throughout the day and in real time.

"We are thrilled to launch Kairos and our new Spot Check feature," Sameer Sontakey, Biostrap CEO and co-founder said. "Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to create this cutting-edge culmination of hardware and software that positions Biostrap as the leader in quantifying clinical-grade heart rate variability (HRV) parameters and providing researchers and healthtech visionaries invaluable insights into their patients' and clients' autonomic nervous system like never before."

Biostrap's world-class team meticulously developed Kairos from the ground up incorporating years of customer feedback. It is a wrist-worn device but has a modular design allowing it to also be positioned on the forearm or bicep.

Utilizing a high-sensitivity complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor to capture raw photoplethysmography (PPG) data, Kairos computes biometrics such as active and resting heart rate, HRV, beat-to-beat intervals, respiratory rate as well as sleep-related parameters with even better accuracy.

"Our highly sensitive CMOS pixel provides high-quality raw PPG signal with excellent signal-to-noise ratio, and that is where PixArt can help Biostrap stand out in the accuracy of biometrics for the enterprise and B2B market," Charles Chong, director of strategic marketing at PixArt Imaging USA Inc., said.

Additionally, utilizing technology from Ambiq, Kairos offers a four times improvement in battery life and 10 times improvement in syncing speeds compared to previous Biostrap devices.

"Ambiq's leadership in low-power microcontrollers utilizing SPOT technology allows Biostrap's first-of-its-kind configurable biometric monitoring platform to have extended battery life, while continuously monitoring health sensors. The combination of our technologies will allow medical professionals to extend professional care beyond facility walls," Mike Kenyon, vice president of sales and business development at Ambiq said.

Biostrap's key differentiator in the industry is its commitment to delivering clinically reliable nervous system analysis through detailed and transparent biometric measurements, such as the new Spot Check feature. By offering a real-time visualization of the underlying PPG signal on which these biometrics are derived, signal quality, and R-R intervals, Biostrap provides untethered access to every data point captured via the Vital Science app, a Remote Monitoring dashboard, APIs or SDKs.

It is the platform's configurability and data integrity that attracted the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS) in the United Kingdom to choose Biostrap in their efforts to improve the health and safety of police officers.

"The differentiator with Biostrap is the company's willingness to adapt how it presents data and information to users based on their experiences and our priority issue which is sleep, fatigue and recovery," Andy Rhodes, director at NPWS and former Chief Constable with more than 30 years in policing, said. "We wanted an end-to-end solution which is tuned into the reality of emergency responder work, and Biostrap has listened to frontline officers to achieve that. The accuracy of Biostrap means we can rely on the key data points and present them to officers with a high degree of confidence. It's why we are confident that our sleep, fatigue and recovery programme has been developed by policing for policing."

Kairos underwent extensive testing by key thought leaders in heart rate variability research before its official launch. Data scientist and world-renowned HRV expert Marco Altini, PhD, compared Kairos against an ECG chest strap heart rate monitor to assess accuracy levels.

In his blog, he said "I was very happy with the data quality of this sensor [Kairos]. This is yet another demonstration that PPG can be used to estimate HRV and that pulse rate variability (i.e. HRV from PPG), when measured at rest in healthy individuals, provides all we need."

The launch of Kairos and the Vital Science app marks Biostrap's official pivot to exit the consumer wearable market and step into offering configurable hardware and software made for enterprise and research purposes.

Biostrap remains committed to providing the highest level of support and seamless service to customers using any of the previous Biostrap devices, including the EVO, armband, chest strap, or Activity Pod.

About Biostrap USA, LLC

Biostrap is a leader in providing scalable and customizable biosensor-based precision health monitoring solutions for visionaries and researchers. The Biostrap suite of devices capture clinical-grade, continuous, high-fidelity raw data for analysis of overall health and well-being. Built with convenience, efficiency, and security in mind, Biostrap translates complex biometric signals into customized insights, dashboards, and mobile applications to meet clients' needs. The Biostrap experience is fully configurable and API and Bluetooth SDK integration options are available upon request. For more information, visit www.biostrap.com

SOURCE Biostrap
Suite of news services receives four 2023 APEX Awards for Publications Excellence

LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BioWorld published by Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a global leader in connecting people and organizations to intelligence they can trust to transform their world, is the winner in four 2023 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence categories including: Public Health Concerns, Publication Excellence in the Design & Illustration, Publication Excellence in the Newsletters and Publication Excellence of Website.

Now in its 35th year, the 2023 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence recognizes the outstanding works of professional communicators who demonstrate excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. The BioWorld suite of news services delivers actionable intelligence on the most innovative therapeutics and medical technologies in development. Recognition by The APEX Awards further demonstrates that the long tradition of award-winning journalism at BioWorld continues to resonate with readers and the publishing industry alike.

BioWorld is the winner in the following 2023 APEX Awards categories:

Grand Award in the Public Health Concerns category :

Mar de Miguel , BioWorld Science

22 in review: A toast to the future  of universal vaccines

Vaccines are still our best weapons against epidemics and pandemics. But some of the viruses that are the largest pandemic threats remain able to outmaneuver vaccines, mutating and giving rise to variants that the vaccine-generated immune response does not see. The result is a continued need for annual flu vaccines and continuous SARS-CoV-2 vaccine updates. In her story, BioWorld Staff Writer Mar de Miguel describes what makes some viruses so tough to vaccinate against, and how researchers are developing vaccines that could finally protect against such shapeshifters with a one-and-done shot.

: , BioWorld Science 22 in review: A toast to the future  of universal vaccines Vaccines are still our best weapons against epidemics and pandemics. But some of the viruses that are the largest pandemic threats remain able to outmaneuver vaccines, mutating and giving rise to variants that the vaccine-generated immune response does not see. The result is a continued need for annual flu vaccines and continuous SARS-CoV-2 vaccine updates. In her story, BioWorld Staff Writer describes what makes some viruses so tough to vaccinate against, and how researchers are developing vaccines that could finally protect against such shapeshifters with a one-and-done shot. Awards for Publication Excellence in the Design & Illustration category :

Karen Carey and Ann Marie Griffith , BioWorld

2022: Biopharma and the economy

For more than 30 years, BioWorld has provided data and analysis covering various metrics of the biopharmaceutical industry. To highlight the greatest macroeconomic concerns affecting the industry during 2022, BioWorld analyst Karen Carey and production editor Ann Marie Griffith collaborated to create this data-rich infographic. Published as part of BioWorld's Top Biopharma Trends of 2022 end-of-year series, "2022: Biopharma and the economy" takes the reader on a tour of the year, in which fundraising and dealmaking declined from prior years, putting pressure on companies to deprioritize and downsize. This single infographic packs data and analysis in an easy-to-view format, punctuated by expert commentary, all collated over the course of the year from BioWorld's news and analysis team and its comprehensive database.

: and , BioWorld 2022: Biopharma and the economy For more than 30 years, BioWorld has provided data and analysis covering various metrics of the biopharmaceutical industry. To highlight the greatest macroeconomic concerns affecting the industry during 2022, BioWorld analyst and production editor collaborated to create this data-rich infographic. Published as part of BioWorld's Top Biopharma Trends of 2022 end-of-year series, "2022: Biopharma and the economy" takes the reader on a tour of the year, in which fundraising and dealmaking declined from prior years, putting pressure on companies to deprioritize and downsize. This single infographic packs data and analysis in an easy-to-view format, punctuated by expert commentary, all collated over the course of the year from BioWorld's news and analysis team and its comprehensive database. Awards for Publication Excellence in the Newsletters- Writing the Entire Issue category :

Holland Johnson, Annette Boyle , Mark McCarty , Shani Alexander , Andrea Applegate , BioWorld Medtech

This single issue from Jan. 10, 2022 , exemplifies the typical content delivered to subscribers every business day. Two $1 billion -plus deals, an insightful regulatory story, a substantial funding article and a report from the Consumer Electronic Show conference round out the most important news of the day. With a mission of cutting through the clutter for busy readers, BioWorld MedTech writes longer, bylined articles for the most important stories paired with brief news coverage of all other breaking industry news.

: Holland Johnson, , , , , BioWorld Medtech This single issue from , exemplifies the typical content delivered to subscribers every business day. Two -plus deals, an insightful regulatory story, a substantial funding article and a report from the Consumer Electronic Show conference round out the most important news of the day. With a mission of cutting through the clutter for busy readers, BioWorld MedTech writes longer, bylined articles for the most important stories paired with brief news coverage of all other breaking industry news. Awards for Publication Excellence in the Website category:

www.bioworld.com

The BioWorld official website received recognition for its daily intelligence on innovative therapeutics and medical technologies. With writers and editors stationed around the globe, BioWorld provides in-depth coverage of life sciences and healthcare industry news- offering research and perspective on therapeutics, devices, companies, regulations and more.

Lynn Yoffee, Publisher, BioWorld, said: "The BioWorld team is committed to helping the world build a healthier tomorrow. Bringing a new drug or medical technology to patients that might improve their quality of life or even extend the human lifespan is an arduous, long-term process. BioWorld has been tracking all aspects of these developments for more than three decades. Along the way we've stayed ahead of the publishing curve, delivering data-backed journalism and providing perspective that helps readers understand the impact of major breaking news. We are honored that our industry peers have recognized BioWorld for its advanced reporting and analysis and digital publishing expertise."

Join the conversation and mention BioWorld on Twitter and LinkedIn as well as Clarivate for Life Sciences & Healthcare on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About BioWorld

With writers and editors stationed around the globe, BioWorld published by Clarivate, reports the breaking news - and provides key perspective on hundreds of therapeutics and devices in development, the companies behind those candidates, the business development transactions that evolve the markets, and the regulatory hurdles that both challenge and guard the processes. BioWorld has a long tradition of excellence in journalism. Collectively, the news services have been honored with 61 awards dating back to 1998.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a leading global information services provider. We connect people and organizations to intelligence they can trust to transform their perspective, their work and our world. Our subscription and technology-based solutions are coupled with deep domain expertise and cover the areas of Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare and Intellectual Property. For more information, please visit clarivate.com

Media Contact:

Luna Ivkovic, Senior Coordinator, External Communications, Life Sciences & Healthcare

[email protected]

SOURCE Clarivate Plc
Bright Pattern ranked highest in areas including: Implementation Time, ROI, Ease of Doing Business With, and Ease of Setup per G2 Crowd, an industry-leading customer review site.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bright Pattern, a leading provider of cloud-based omnichannel contact center software for innovative companies, has just been ranked #1 in various categories per the latest G2 Crowd customer reviews for Summer 2023. G2 Crowd is one of the most trusted resources in the CX industry, relying on the reviews of real customers and users.

Bright Pattern #1 for Fastest Time to Deploy and ROI

Bright Pattern tops competition in multiple categories for contact center software based on customer reviews. Tweet this

Bright Pattern is recognized by G2 Crowd Summer 2023 Report as having the fastest time to deploy in the entire industry at only 1.3 months, nearly half the industry average. It also provides the fastest ROI payback in the industry with an average timespan of 13 months compared to the industry average of almost 2 years.

Bright Pattern Rated #1 in Other Key Categories

Bright Pattern has the #1 satisfaction rating above all its key competitors in the additional following categories:

Ease of Setup

Ease of Doing Business With

Quality of Support

"Companies are looking for software that is easy to deploy and set up with high ROI. For this reason, companies choose Bright Pattern," says Michael McCloskey, CEO of Bright Pattern. "Bright Pattern provides a cloud-based, fully-capable omnichannel contact center platform with powerful plug-and-play integrations. That is why customers rate Bright Pattern highly on G2 Crowd and #1 in multiple categories."

About Bright Pattern

Bright Pattern provides a simple yet powerful omnichannel contact center software that is the fastest to deploy with the lowest total cost of ownership in the industry. Bright Pattern offers the most advanced omnichannel cloud platform across channels like voice, text, chat, email, video, messengers, AI and bots. Bright Pattern provides native omnichannel quality management allowing companies to measure every interaction on every channel. Bright Pattern also offers a mobile app allowing any employee in your company to communicate with your customers. With over 500 customers in 26 countries, Bright Pattern is the highest-rated omnichannel contact center solution based on analysts and customer reviews .

SOURCE Bright Pattern
CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Broken Shed Vodka, the award-winning premium vodka from New Zealand known for its smooth, crisp taste and sustainable distillation practices, has solidified its position as the fastest growing vodka brand in the U.S. for the third year in a row. According to data provided by the 2023 Liquor Handbook, Broken Shed had a 66.7% increase in overall case depletion within the country from 2021 to 2022, the highest growth rate in its vodka class.

Building on its continued success, Broken Shed is poised to sell 30,000 cases nationwide in 2023, bolstering its status as the fastest growing vodka brand in the U.S.

"This recognition is a testament to Broken Shed Vodka's exceptional clean, crisp and smooth taste and incredible flavor that it offers vodka drinkers as a result of our sustainable distillation process," said Paul Criscuolo, chief commercial officer of Broken Shed Vodka. "We are incredibly proud to celebrate another year of significant growth for our brand  and we look forward to bringing Broken Shed to more consumers in new markets across the U.S. and around the globe."

"Our dedicated team, along with the support of our distributors and sales partners, has played a vital role in Broken Shed Vodka's ongoing success," said Jean-Marie Heins, chief marketing officer for Broken Shed Vodka. "As more consumers opt for clean, additive-free drinks that fit in with their lifestyles, were proud to offer them a vodka with only three ingredients  spring water, mineral water and whey  all locally sourced from New Zealand."

Looking ahead, Broken Shed Vodka will amplify its marketing efforts through a new upcoming campaign. Broken Shed is currently available in 30 U.S. markets which now includes Florida and Texas - both added in the last year. Broken Shed's top markets are North Carolina, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Globally, Broken Shed is in New Zealand, Australia and Samoa.

For Broken Shed Vodka media assets including high res images and logos, click here .

To learn more about what makes Broken Shed Vodka New Zealand's premium vodka and where it's sold across the U.S., visit BrokenShed.com.

About Broken Shed Vodka

Broken Shed Vodka is based in Wanaka, New Zealand. Distilled, crafted and bottled in New Zealand ever since its inception in 2009, its vodka draws upon the country's pristine natural aquifers and spring waters, made without any hint of gluten, additives, sugars or GMOs. Since entering the U.S. market in June 2012, Broken Shed Vodka has won a legion of loyal fans, and an impressive collection of awards. Broken Shed Vodka started in a 'broken' down old shed on Lake Wanaka where the formula was originally crafted and produced.

Broken Shed Vodka  2023, 40% ABV, Distilled from Whey, imported to the USA by Broken Shed Imports, Manhasset, NY. Broken Shed Vodka is produced by Broken Shed Limited, Wanaka, New Zealand. Broken Shed Limited is a private limited company based in Wanaka, New Zealand and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yes Whey LLC. Yes Whey LLC is a Limited Liability Company based in Illinois. Drink Responsibly.

Media Contact:

Madeline Sweeney

[email protected]

SOURCE Broken Shed Vodka
ATLANTA, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Builders, a leader in the financial services sector, is delighted to announce its recent recognition as a 2023 Top Workplace in the Financial Services Industry by Top Workplaces. This highly coveted award highlights Builders' commitment to excellence and employee well-being positioning the company among banks, insurance companies, brokers and other similar businesses in the industry.

This accolade represents a significant milestone and is the direct result of a comprehensive internal survey conducted among Builders employees. Participants in the survey associated Builders with key attributes such as openness, optimism, progressiveness, dynamism, positivity, adaptability, growth, connectivity and fairness. These responses reflect the exceptional culture fostered within the organization.

Builders' recognition as a 2023 Top Workplace in the Financial Services Industry is a significant milestone. Tweet this

Builders' relentless pursuit of improvement drives its ongoing benchmarking against industry standards, amidst competition from numerous formidable companies seeking evaluation. Once again, Builders' exceptional culture has set it apart from its peers, leading to the well-deserved acquisition of this prestigious accolade.

This commendation serves as a testament to Builders' unwavering dedication to establishing an all-encompassing, supportive and flourishing work environment for its entire team by acknowledging the relentless efforts and steadfast commitment displayed by each and every employee. Builders firmly believes that its employees form the foundation of the organization, and it is their remarkable contributions that have enabled the company to outshine its industry counterparts.

Yet Builders understands that fostering a positive work culture is an ongoing endeavor. In light of this, the company remains committed to investing in initiatives that promote diversity, achieve work-life balance and recognize employee excellence. The Built Strong Award, a prominent example of these initiatives, exemplifies Builders' dedication to employee empowerment.

"We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all our employees for their invaluable contributions, which have propelled us to this remarkable achievement," said Todd Campbell, President & CEO of Builders. "Moving forward, we remain committed to enhancing our company for the benefit of our agents, policyholders and the diverse range of workers, businesses and communities we serve. Great job."

About Builders:

Atlanta-based Builders delivers workers' compensation, general liability, property, commercial auto, umbrella and construction risk insurance through a strong independent agent network. Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022 and a legacy of commercial insurance industry excellence, Builders has grown to exceed $1 billion in total assets with more than 180 employees and 1100 agency locations across the nation. Builders and its member companies are rated "A" (Excellent) IX by A.M. Best. Meet Builders  #InsuranceBuiltStrong.

For more information about Builders, visit www.bldrs.com or call 1 (678) 309-4000.

About Top Workplaces

The Top Workplaces initiative, administered by Energage, is a prestigious program spanning the nation, aiming to pinpoint and acknowledge enterprises that prioritize their people. Top Workplaces are distinguished by their commitment to aspects such as compensation, benefits, work-life balance, coaching and future opportunities. Through its localized and countrywide programs, coupled with accolades for cultural excellence and industry-specific achievements, the Top Workplaces program pays tribute to organizations that foster an environment where employees can thrive and flourish.

SOURCE Builders Insurance Group
The counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) is far from a failure, the real situation differs from what is stated on paper, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley believes.

"It [counteroffensive] is far from a failure, in my view. It is way too early to make that kind of call. I think there is still a lot of fighting left to go," Milley said, according to the Voice of America as saying during a joint briefing with Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.

He believes that the counteroffensive may be slower than analysts thought when they considered possible scenarios, pointing out that reality differs from theory.

"There is a difference between a war on paper and real war. These are real people in real machines who are clearing real minefields and are really dying. So when that happens, units tend to slow down. And thats rightly so, in order to survive, in order to get through these minefields. So theyre working their way through it," Milley said.

He said the Armed Forces of Ukraine can use additional combat capabilities. "What the Ukrainians have, though, is a significant amount of combat power not yet committed. And I will not yet say what is going to happen in the future, because it is going to be a Ukrainian decision as to when and where they commit their reserves, etc. Right now they are preserving their combat power and they are slowly, deliberately and steadily working their way through all these minefields. And it is a tough fight, it is a very difficult fight," the general said.

In turn, Austin noted the unity and determination of the allies to help Ukraine.

"We are going to continue to generate combat power. We are going to continue to push in additional Bradley fighting vehicles, and also Strykers, and artillery pieces Our work continues, and we are going to do everything we can to make sure that Ukrainians are going to be successful," he said.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Join us in celebrating the grand opening of Daiso's 100th US store on Saturday, 7/22, at Stonestown Galleria! Be part of the excitement as we welcome Mayor London Breed and Daiso executives for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Don't miss the captivating performance by taiko drummers, Jiten Daiko, that will set the stage for an unforgettable day. The event kicks off at 11 AM on the second floor, conveniently located between Verizon store and Sephora.

And that's not all! Be among the first 100 customers to shop and receive a fantastic custom goodie bag with any $30 purchase. So gather your friends and family, and join us for this momentous occasion. See you there! #DiscoverDaiso #DaisoSF100 #StonestownGalleria #GrandOpening

About Daiso:

Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan, known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in La Mirada, CA.

SOURCE Daiso USA
ST. LOUIS, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chenega Analytic Business Solutions (CABS) is proud to announce its new contract with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. CABS has been providing best-in-class records management services to the federal government for the last five years and is looking forward to furthering its stellar reputation with NARA. With this award comes the opportunity to employ over 100 people in the St. Louis region, adding to the already exemplary workforce that CABS parent company, Chenega MIOS, a 2023 St. Louis Post Dispatch Top Workplace, has in the area.

While CABS was quick to fill leadership and more senior positions on the contract, they are still accepting applications for the following roles: Records Retrieval General Clerk, Correspondence Technician, and Core Support Staff. These roles will provide critical support to NARA in reducing the backlog of requests from veterans and third parties for information or reproduction of official personnel records. Learn more about these positions and apply here.

After securing the award from NARA, CABS moved quickly to staff the contract, partnering with the St. Louis Agency for Training and Employment to host a two-day hiring event at the Missouri Job Center at The Crossings at Northwest. With about a week to promote the event, CABS and SLATE were able to get 76 candidates through the event, with 73 of those being given offers of employment. That's a 96% offer rate for those who were able to attend the event.

Continuing our partnership with SLATE, CABS will be on site on July 26th at the St Louis County Library Natural Bridge Branch to support their Employment and Resource Navigator Event. At this event, CABS will have a table where interested parties can speak directly with program management and learn more about the positions and how to apply. We encourage anyone with a high school diploma or GED, valid US ID, and at least one year of customer service experience interested in new employment to come out and apply.

For more information on Chenega Analytic Business Solutions or its parent company Chenega MIOS, we encourage you to check out the following resources.

ABOUT CABS

Chenega Analytic Business Solutions (CABS) is an 8(a) certified and Alaska native corporation-owned subsidiary of Chenega Corporation's Military, Intelligence, and Operations Support (MIOS) Strategic Business Unit. CABS provides federal agencies and commercial customers with trusted insights in Intelligence, Information Technology, Engineering, Training, and Records Management. www.chenegaabs.com

www.chenegamios.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/chenega-analytic-business-solutions/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/chenega-mios/

https://www.facebook.com/chenegamios/

Contact: Chenega Analytic Business Solutions

Phone: (703) 493-9880

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Chenega MIOS
-- Largest global interfaith gathering held in Chicago Aug. 14-18 --

CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago City Council today recognized a historic event coming to the city, approving a resolution declaring August 'Parliament of the World's Religions' Month. The Parliament is the largest global interfaith gathering in the world. More than 6,000 people from virtually every faith in the world are expected at McCormick Place August 14-18, 2023.

Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago joined faith leaders from around the country at a private meeting with Mayor Johnson, the keynote speaker opening the Parliament.

"Chicago's faith community is strong and vibrant, embodying the soul of our city and supporting its people and neighborhoods," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "As the son of two pastors, faith guided my family through difficult times and instilled my core values of service and community. The Parliament of the World's Religions has represented these values throughout its long history of outreach and philanthropy, and I am grateful for continued partnership with them to provide resources and foster community here in Chicago, and beyond."

The Parliament, which first convened in Chicago at the 1893 World's Fair, was established to foster harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities. This year's gathering is focused on defending freedoms and human rights under the theme "A Call to Conscience."

Speakers and sessions will focus on ways to combat the rise in authoritarianism and defend democracy as well as cultivating solutions to serious world issues, including human rights, climate change, gun control, and women's rights, among others.

The City Council resolution was sponsored by 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. Earlier, State Rep. La Shawn Ford and the Illinois House of Representatives recognized the August event in a state resolution.

In addition to Cardinal Cupich, those joining Mayor Johnson today include: State Rep. Ford; Nitin Ajmera, Chair of the Board of the Parliament and practitioner of the Jain tradition; Rev. Stephen Avino, Executive Director of the Parliament; Former U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, a trustee of the Parliament and the 2023 Chicago Host Committee Chair; Rajinder Mago, of the Sikh Religious Society in Palatine and a former trustee of the Parliament; Asayo Horibe, President of the Buddhist Council of the Midwest and a former trustee of the Parliament along with Minister Nichole Carter and Cilvia Osborne from Bright Star Church Chicago.

The Parliament is open to the public. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://2023powr.org/ .

SOURCE Parliament of the Worlds Religions
SHANGHAI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 5G SA industry roundtable hosted by Huawei on June 27 during MWC Shanghai 2023, Feng Zheng, group-level chief expert of China Mobile, delivered a keynote speech on China Mobile's experience in 5G SA core network construction and development. In the speech, he stated that building a fully convergent 5G SA network is the optimal choice for maximizing return on investment (ROI).

Feng Zheng, group-level chief expert of China Mobile

In the past, radio access networks (RANs) and core networks were out of sync with each other in terms of standards development, and 5G was the only technology able to bridge them due to its support for both NSA and SA networking. Practices and statistics show that 5G NSA networking may result in heavy investments in 4G networks. This is because such networking requires both 4G and 5G network coverage, and the deployment of 5G NSA (Option 3) networks relies on 4G networks. 5G NSA networking also requires high network construction costs because of complex collaboration between 4G eNodeBs and 5G gNodeBs, as well as overly intricate network selection for terminals. As such, 5G SA networking, which is now ready for commercial use, is the optimal choice in terms of ROI.

For 5G SA core network construction, a fully convergent core network features simplified networking, efficient O&M, and better experience, and reigns supreme over multiple generations of parallel or overlaid core networks. In terms of simplified networking, one fully convergent core network is connected to RANs of multiple radio access technologies (RATs). One virtual network function (VNF) processes services for users in different radio access modes and shares its resources among these users. This significantly reduces VNFs and interfaces, as well as avoids redundant core network resource allocation for the users in different radio access modes. In terms of efficient O&M, 5G SA networking requires the maintenance of only one convergent core network, instead of multiple core networks. This improves O&M efficiency and reduces O&M workload. And in terms of user experience, signaling between different generations of VNFs is now processed within the same VNF, reducing the interoperability complexity and latency as well as improving users' service experience.

After network construction is complete, it becomes vital to increase 5G SA users and incubate new services to enable 5G networks to take over more services from 4G networks. To quickly increase 5G SA users, operators need to identify users' multi-mode terminals and their network online status, in addition to carrying out certain policies. Furthermore, operators can launch attractive 5G SA packages and deliver high-quality service experience to promote the use of the 5G function on 5G SA multi-mode terminals. As such, the rapid development of SA users will stimulate the growth of the ROI of SA networks. To incubate new services, operators should focus on cultivating users' service usage habits and launch attractive service packages, encouraging users to try new high-quality services offered by service providers. In this way, operators can team up with service providers to improve user experience, accelerate the development of new services, and drive social and economic development. The accelerating growth of new services will help drive up operators' revenue and build a win-win industry ecosystem.

China Mobile has always actively participated in and promoted the evolution of 3GPP standards towards 5G-Advanced, and will remain committed to exploring new capabilities and new services of 5G-Advanced with all parties in the industry, and spare no efforts to achieve 5G-Advanced.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2157294/Huawei0719.jpg

SOURCE Huawei
Expansion at Gil Harbin (GA) facility provides chemical companies access to rail, three interstates and the Port of Savannah

VALDOSTA, Ga., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CJB Industries Inc. recently invested $4 million in a 6,500-square-foot addition at its Gil Harbin formulation plant in Valdosta, GA. The added capacity gives customers the ability to produce herbicides, plant growth regulators and industrial products in bulk, as well as packaged finished goods. An additional investment at the site will include a 45,000-square-foot expansion to add warehouse, office and lab upgrades at the facility. Over the next five years, the combined investments could infuse between $52 million and $68 million into the region's economy1.

State-of-the-art bulk expansion delivers enhanced formulation options to customers The new 6,500-square-foot bulk formulations expansion at the CJB Industries Gil Harbin plant provides customers with more product processing and formulation flexibility.

"This capacity expansion project was conceived in response to the urgent needs of a customer, and we took it from concept to completion in five months. We're excited to bring this new capacity to our other customers, especially considering our facility's proximity to transportation corridors connected to key agricultural regions of the country and global shipping lanes," said Sims Turner, Sales Manager, CJB Industries.

"Since going online in December 2022, the new system has produced half a million gallons in bulk each month and has the capacity to produce an additional 3-6 million gallons per year, depending on the formulation process. In addition, flexibility exists to add other capabilities, such as packaging lines, heating or inline dispersers. We're able to outfit the system to fit each product's needs and specific nuances," Turner explained.

Adding bulk capacity to the Gil Harbin facility is complemented by CJB's ISO and tanker truck loading capabilities; access to rail and interstate transportation; and proximity to ports in Savannah, Jacksonville and Charleston. Savannah is a top-five ranked port across the U.S. and Canada and serves as an important gateway to the South American and other global agricultural markets.

CJB Industries currently boasts 325,000 square feet across three Valdosta formulation locations and the new 45,000 square feet at the Gil Harbin herbicide plant will allow CJB to isolate formulation and staging units in a linear fashion. "The new design will further our commitment to adhere to CropLife guidelines as they relate to simultaneous operations while giving our customers the ability to deliver products efficiently and cost effectively," Turner added. "We invite all chemical companies to connect with CJB Industries to discuss formulation, packaging and transportation solutions for their products."

1 Economic impact derived from Georgia Power estimates and North American Industry Classification System code 325320

About CJB Industries

At CJB Industries, we work together to improve today for a better world tomorrow as we move forward to be the most-respected company in the world. CJB Industries offers a wide range of chemistry services to meet the standards of quality, efficiency and reliability required by even the most demanding customer challenges. Our highly efficient equipment, state-of-the-art labs and well-trained workforce enable us to provide chemical companies with options that help them satisfy their product requirements and achieve their business goals.

Founded in 1997, the CJB family of companies  CJB Industries Inc., CJB Applied Technologies LLC and Salvus LLC  serve the agricultural, life sciences and specialty chemical industries. The CJB companies provide independent contract chemical manufacturing, contract formulation development and detection technologies utilized by startups, small independent companies and global multi-nationals. CJB's focus on safety, quality, reliability and ease of doing business is the cornerstone of lasting relationships across all industry sectors served. For more information, please visit our websites at cjbindustries.com; cjbappliedtech.com; and salvusdetect.com.

SOURCE CJB Industries
BOISE, Idaho, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWAN), ("Clearwater Analytics" or the "Company"), a leading provider of SaaS-based investment management, accounting, reporting, and analytics solutions, will release financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 after the U.S. financial markets close on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

In conjunction with this announcement, Clearwater Analytics will host a conference call on August 2, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET through a live webcast available on the Company's investor relations website. Participants must visit investors.clearwateranalytics.com in advance to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's investor relations website, in addition to a press release related to the financial results, related financial tables, and the call transcript.

About Clearwater Analytics

Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN), a global, industry-leading SaaS solution, automates the entire investment lifecycle. With a single instance, multi-tenant architecture, Clearwater offers award-winning investment portfolio planning, performance reporting, data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, compliance, risk, and order management. Each day, leading insurers, asset managers, corporations, and governments use Clearwater's trusted data to drive efficient, scalable investing on more than $6.4 trillion in assets spanning traditional and alternative asset types. Additional information about Clearwater can be found at clearwateranalytics.com.

SOURCE Clearwater Analytics, LLC
BOISE, Idaho, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWAN), ("Clearwater Analytics" or the "Company"), a leading provider of SaaS-based investment management, accounting, reporting, and analytics solutions, today announced that members of its executive leadership team will be participating in the following investor conferences in the third quarter of 2023.

Clearwater Analytics Chief Executive Officer Sandeep Sahai, Chief Financial Officer Jim Cox, and the rest of our executive leadership team will host Clearwater Analytics' 1st Investor Day at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on Thursday, September 7, 2023.

Mr. Cox will participate in a fireside chat and participate in one-on-one meetings virtually at the Oppenheimer 26th Annual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

Mr. Cox will join a fireside chat and participate in one-on-one meetings at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference in San Francisco, CA on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Mr. Sahai and Mr. Cox will join a fireside chat at the Citi's 2023 Global Technology Conference in New York City on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Mr. Cox will join a fireside chat and participate in one-on-one meetings at the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference in Nashville, TN on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

Webcasts from the fireside chats and Investor Day will be made available on Clearwater Analytics' investor relations website at investors.clearwateranalytics.com.

About Clearwater Analytics

Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN), a global, industry-leading SaaS solution, automates the entire investment lifecycle. With a single instance, multi-tenant architecture, Clearwater offers award-winning investment portfolio planning, performance reporting, data aggregation, reconciliation, accounting, compliance, risk, and order management. Each day, leading insurers, asset managers, corporations, and governments use Clearwater's trusted data to drive efficient, scalable investing on more than $6.4 trillion in assets spanning traditional and alternative asset types. Additional information about Clearwater can be found at clearwateranalytics.com.

SOURCE Clearwater Analytics, LLC
SEOUL, South Korea, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloocus, a leading Data and AI-based cloud experts group specialized in Microsoft, announced today that it has won the Country of the Year 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

2023 Microsoft Country Partner of the Year - Cloocus

"We are honored and thrilled to be named the Microsoft Country Partner of the Year for the 3rd consecutive year. This award recognizes the dedication and expertise of Cloocus." said Steve Hong, the CEO of Cloocus.

"We are committed to empowering our client and maximizing their business values by leveraging the remarkable capabilities of Microsoft Cloud. We will continue delivering innovative solutions based on Data and AI drive growth and success for our valued clients. This achievement reinforces our position as a trusted partner, showcasing our commitment to excellence in digital transformation."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services, and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 106 countries worldwide. Cloocus was recognized for providing outstanding and services in Korea.

Cloocus has solidified its unique position as a Microsoft Cloud partner in the Korean Market by winning the Partner of the Year Award for 3rd consecutive year. It has been honored as the Top Partner for Data & AI at the 2023 Microsoft Korea Partner Awards. Additionally, Cloocus has achieved the prestigious "Elite" level, making it the first company in Korea to attain such status within the Databricks partner program.

Operating a dedicated AI Business Center, Cloocus provides comprehensive support to businesses aiming to leverage the exceptional capabilities of Microsoft Cloud to maximize their business value. It offers a wide range of Azure-based data analytics and AI solutions, including GPT/OpenAI, Databricks, Machine Learning, Synapse, and Power BI.

With a customer base of over 800 clients across various industries, Cloocus has successfully secured major corporations as customers, including SK, Hanwha, Samsung Engineering, Samsung C&T, and Hyundai Motors. Furthermore, it has established a strong presence within the gaming industry, with notable customers such as Krafton, PearlAbyss, and Netmarble.

Cloocus actively participates in the Microsoft Launcher program, which is designed for digital-native customers, including those in the gaming industry, through close collaboration with Microsoft.

As an indirect provider, Cloocus expands the partner ecosystem for Microsoft`s business and provides support to customers through ISV growth programs and other initiatives.

"Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards!" said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer, and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. "The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year`s winners demonstrate the best of what`s possible with the Microsoft Cloud."

Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the company`s global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 18-19 this year. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner Network blog: http://aka.ms/POTYA2023_announcement. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/inspire/awards/winners.

About Cloocus Co Ltd

Cloocus is the top Microsoft Partner in Korea and a certified Azure Expert MSP with over 800 clients. As a Microsoft partner with 10 advanced specializations and expertise in all 6 solution areas, Cloocus continues to invest in its capabilities and has become a best practice case within the overall Microsoft partner ecosystem of Azure, Microsoft365, Dynamics365 and Power Platform.

Cloocus has been working tirelessly to serve customers ranging from enterprises to SMBs and startups in various industries, including Hyundai Motor Group, SK Group, Hanwha Solutions, CJ, Netmarble, NC, PearlAbyss, Krafton, and more.

It has overseas offices in New York and Kuala Lumpur and plans to further expand its global business across the Asia and MENA regions.

For further media inquiries please contact:

Jiyeon Ahn (E.[email protected])

Dahyo Park (E.[email protected])

SOURCE Cloocus
Frozen, grocery and snacks offerings tap into latest trends with more than 50 items

CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), one of North America's leading branded food companies, has unveiled more than 50 new products this summer across the company's frozen, grocery and snacks divisions. As consumer needs evolve, Conagra's iconic brands have crafted new recipes that deliver contemporary, flavorful food in dynamic ways.

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), one of North America's leading branded food companies, has unveiled more than 50 new products this summer across the companys frozen, grocery and snacks divisions. Banquet is delivering a MEGA way to enjoy pizza with three new Banquet MEGA Crustless Pizzas. Cheesy, saucy, and loaded with toppings, these MEGA meals are big on flavor and protein, with 25-28g per 10 oz. meal. The three new flavors include Pepperoni, Three Meat and Supreme. Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), one of North America's leading branded food companies, has unveiled more than 50 new products this summer across the companys frozen, grocery and snacks divisions. The new Birds Eye Buffalo Cauliflower Dip, inspired by restaurant menu trends, is hot from the microwave and ready to serve in minutes. Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), one of North America's leading branded food companies, has unveiled more than 50 new products this summer across the companys frozen, grocery and snacks divisions. Shrimp is debuting on the Healthy Choice Power Bowls menu with a pair of recipes inspired by global cuisines: Mediterranean-Style Shrimp and Shrimp Fajita.

"Innovating to meet the needs of consumers is a top priority for our team," said Burke Raine, President, Frozen & Refrigerated, Conagra Brands. "Our newest food features on-trend recipes and relevant formats that deliver great taste, quality and value. We're excited for these new items to become household favorites."

Conagra's menu of new items for 2023 has something for nearly every taste and every occasion. New single-serve meals, multi-serve meals, snacks and appetizers from industry-leading brands are ready to enjoy. Highlights include the following.

A Fresh Perspective on Frozen Vegetables

Birds Eye delivers the convenience and nutritional value of frozen vegetables in delicious new ways, with three times as much innovation as the competition over the past three years1. Going beyond a traditional side of veggies, the newest items from Birds Eye can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, side dish or meal enhancer.

Fire Roasted: Combining the convenience of frozen with a flame-cooked flavor and texture experience, four new Fire Roasted Vegetables offer a taste you'll swear came from a backyard grill. Fire Roasted Corn; Peppers and Onions; Brussels Sprouts; and Carrots are ready in minutes from the oven. The latter two can also be prepared in an air fryer.

Combining the convenience of frozen with a flame-cooked flavor and texture experience, four new Fire Roasted Vegetables offer a taste you'll swear came from a backyard grill. Fire Roasted Corn; Peppers and Onions; Brussels Sprouts; and Carrots are ready in minutes from the oven. The latter two can also be prepared in an air fryer. Dips : Vegetable dips are a top three appetizer on restaurant menus 2 , and Birds Eye now offers a quick and easy way to enjoy them at home. Two new frozen vegetable dips  crave-worthy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip and Spinach & Artichoke Dip  are hot from the microwave and ready to serve in minutes.

: Vegetable dips are a top three appetizer on restaurant menus , and Birds Eye now offers a quick and easy way to enjoy them at home. Two new frozen vegetable dips  crave-worthy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip and Spinach & Artichoke Dip  are hot from the microwave and ready to serve in minutes. Fusions: Taking another cue from restaurant menus, two new Birds Eye Fusions combine mixtures of on-trend vegetables with delicious sauces, the perfect complement to any protein. Try Spring Mix with Garlic Butter or Asian Mix with Sesame Soy Sauce.

Frozen Favorites for Every Meal Occasion

Conagra's frozen meal portfolio has brands and entrees with a diverse range of flavors and price points. From classic comfort food worth savoring to convenient better-for-you favorites, Banquet, Birds Eye Voila!, Gardein, Healthy Choice, La Choy, Marie Callender's and P.F. Chang's Home Menu all offer exciting new frozen entrees and sides.

Banquet: Banquet is delivering a MEGA way to enjoy pizza with three new Banquet MEGA Crustless Pizzas. Cheesy, saucy, and loaded with toppings, these MEGA meals are big on flavor and protein, with 25-28g per 10 oz. meal. Try new Pepperoni, Three Meat or Supreme.

Banquet is delivering a MEGA way to enjoy pizza with three new Banquet MEGA Crustless Pizzas. Cheesy, saucy, and loaded with toppings, these MEGA meals are big on flavor and protein, with 25-28g per 10 oz. meal. Try new Pepperoni, Three Meat or Supreme. Birds Eye Voila !: New Skillet and Oven Bake meals from Birds Eye Voila! are sure to be crowd pleasers with delicious, contemporary flavors that are easy to prepare. Fire up the skillet and have dinner on the table in 15 minutes with new Beef & Broccoli or Cajun-Style Sausage & Rice meals. For oven-baked cheesy casserole goodness, Cheesy Chicken & Rice will quickly become a family favorite.

!: New Skillet and Oven Bake meals from Birds Eye Voila! are sure to be crowd pleasers with delicious, contemporary flavors that are easy to prepare. Fire up the skillet and have dinner on the table in 15 minutes with new Beef & Broccoli or Cajun-Style Sausage & Rice meals. For oven-baked cheesy casserole goodness, Cheesy Chicken & Rice will quickly become a family favorite. La Choy : Long known for great Asian-style ingredients and sauces in the grocery aisle, La Choy debuts in the frozen aisle with three family-size entrees featuring a simple and delicious pairing of tempura-battered white meat chicken and one of three sauces. Choose from Orange Chicken, General Tso's Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken, each available in 18 oz. meals.

: Long known for great Asian-style ingredients and sauces in the grocery aisle, La Choy debuts in the frozen aisle with three family-size entrees featuring a simple and delicious pairing of tempura-battered white meat chicken and one of three sauces. Choose from Orange Chicken, General Tso's Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken, each available in 18 oz. meals. Gardein : The Ultimate Plant-Based line from Gardein is known for plant-based proteins that look, cook and taste like meat. That delicious experience is now available in four single-serve bowls: Ultimate Plant-Based Sweet & Sour Chick'n; Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f Burrito Bowl; Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f and Broccoli Bowl; and the Ultimate Plant-Based Meatball Marinara Bowl.

: The Ultimate Plant-Based line from Gardein is known for plant-based proteins that look, cook and taste like meat. That delicious experience is now available in four single-serve bowls: Ultimate Plant-Based Sweet & Sour Chick'n; Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f Burrito Bowl; Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f and Broccoli Bowl; and the Ultimate Plant-Based Meatball Marinara Bowl. Healthy Choice Power Bowls: With 11% of adults planning to eat more shrimp in the coming year 3 , shrimp is debuting on the Healthy Choice Power Bowls menu with a pair of recipes inspired by global cuisines: Mediterranean-Style Shrimp and Shrimp Fajita. Pasta dishes are also new to the Power Bowls collection. Roasted Red Pepper Romesco Chicken Pasta and Pesto Chicken Pasta feature pasta made with ancient grains, an ingredient central to the trend of better-for-you Italian meals.

With 11% of adults planning to eat more shrimp in the coming year , shrimp is debuting on the Healthy Choice Power Bowls menu with a pair of recipes inspired by global cuisines: Mediterranean-Style Shrimp and Shrimp Fajita. Pasta dishes are also new to the Power Bowls collection. Roasted Red Pepper Romesco Chicken Pasta and Pesto Chicken Pasta feature pasta made with ancient grains, an ingredient central to the trend of better-for-you Italian meals. Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers and Simply Steamers: Offering a delicious, healthy twist on lasagna, the new Turkey Sausage Lasagna Bowl from Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers features pasta, a blend of cheeses, zesty marinara sauce, and turkey sausage with vegetables. Heathy Choice Simply Steamers welcomes the new Southwest-Style Chicken Burrito Bowl. Complimenting Simply Steamers' popular vegetarian Unwrapped Burrito Bowl, this dish is made with 100% natural * chicken with vegetables, a blend of cheeses, and whole-grain brown rice in an enchilada sauce.

Offering a delicious, healthy twist on lasagna, the new Turkey Sausage Lasagna Bowl from Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers features pasta, a blend of cheeses, zesty marinara sauce, and turkey sausage with vegetables. Heathy Choice Simply Steamers welcomes the new Southwest-Style Chicken Burrito Bowl. Complimenting Simply Steamers' popular vegetarian Unwrapped Burrito Bowl, this dish is made with 100% natural chicken with vegetables, a blend of cheeses, and whole-grain brown rice in an enchilada sauce. Marie Callender's : A quartet of delicious, casserole-inspired side dishes highlight the new comfort food from Marie Callender's . Pick from Cheesy Potato Casserole; Sweet Corn Casserole; Cheddar Broccoli Casserole; and Green Bean Casserole. Marie is also expanding the collection of Duos meals that debuted last year with two new pairings: Beef & Broccoli and Sesame Chicken; and Meatball Marinara and Fettuccini with Chicken & Broccoli.

A quartet of delicious, casserole-inspired side dishes highlight the new comfort food from . Pick from Cheesy Potato Casserole; Sweet Corn Casserole; Cheddar Broccoli Casserole; and Green Bean Casserole. Marie is also expanding the collection of Duos meals that debuted last year with two new pairings: Beef & Broccoli and Sesame Chicken; and Meatball Marinara and Fettuccini with Chicken & Broccoli. P.F. Chang's Home Menu: Bringing a taste of P.F. Chang's Bistro to your kitchen, three new restaurant-quality vegetable sides are the perfect appetizer or accompaniment to any meal. Teriyaki Broccoli, Chili Garlic Edamame, and Sesame Green Beans combine vegetable favorites with dynamic Asian flavors. Each 10 oz. bag is ready in minutes in the microwave.

Thoughtful Innovation Throughout Grocery and Snacks

Conagra Brands' grocery and snacks offerings similarly reflect consumer preferences for trending flavors, modern health attributes and convenience.

Gardein Broths: With a reputation for plant-based offerings that deliver exceptional taste, two new plant-based broths from Gardein add flavor to soups, stews and crockpot dishes. Plant-based Chick'n and Be'f Broth are available in 32 oz. cartons.

With a reputation for plant-based offerings that deliver exceptional taste, two new plant-based broths from Gardein add flavor to soups, stews and crockpot dishes. Plant-based Chick'n and Be'f Broth are available in 32 oz. cartons. Swiss Miss: Keto-friendly products continue to gain popularity, with an annual growth rate of more than 50% over the past 3 years 4 . Swiss Miss brings this trend to Hot Cocoa, with a rich, creamy, semi-sweet chocolate flavor. Each serving has 6g of net carbs and 0g of added sugars.

Keto-friendly products continue to gain popularity, with an annual growth rate of more than 50% over the past 3 years . Swiss Miss brings this trend to Hot Cocoa, with a rich, creamy, semi-sweet chocolate flavor. Each serving has 6g of net carbs and 0g of added sugars. Wendy's Chili: Satisfy your cravings with a perfectly seasoned and positively irresistible chili that delivers the flavor you know and love from Wendy's restaurants. The famous homestyle chili is loaded with 29g of protein per can, savory all-natural* beef, and the perfect mix of peppers, beans, and a rich tomato-based sauce.

These new products, as well as countless favorites from more than 100 brands, are available at grocery and mass retailer, as well as through e-commerce channels. You can find the latest on-trend recipes from Conagra's culinary team at readyseteat.com.

1: Source: IRI MULO Value Added Veg Launch Year FY 2021/2022/2023, L52 $ WE 11/27/2022 (top brands)

2: Source: IRI Unify, MULO+C, L52 WE 11/27/2022

3: Source: Mintel, US Fish and Shellfish 2022 report

4: Source: IRI POS MULO L52 WE 11/27.2022; IRI Label Insights L52 WE 11/7/2022

P.F. CHANG'S and P.F. CHANG'S HOME MENU are registered trademarks owned by P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. and are used with permission.

The Wendy's name, design and logo are registered trademarks of Quality Is Our Recipe, LLC. Used with permission. 2023 Quality Is Our Recipe, LLC

* No artificial ingredients, minimally processed

About Conagra Brands

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, and Slim Jim, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Dan Skinner

Conagra Brands

(312) 549 -5636

[email protected].com

SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.
A Testament to Their Industry Leading Solutions for Car Dealerships

IRVINE, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Connected Dealer Services, a leading provider of automotive solutions, is proud to announce its outstanding achievements at this year's Dealers' Choice Awards with awards for its CarRx and Elo GPS platforms. The company has secured an impressive four awards, including three first-place Diamond wins in key categories. This is also the second year running where the CarRx direct automotive marketing platform (with less than three years in the market) has won the first-place award for service retention marketing.

Connected Dealer Services wins 4 awards at the 2023 Dealer's Choice Awards

The Auto Dealer Today Dealers' Choice Awards celebrates companies that have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and innovation in providing solutions for car dealerships. The winners are nominated and voted upon by dealers themselves, making the awards a true testament to the quality and value provided by the winners.

Connected Dealer Services products, CarRx and Elo GPS, emerged as the clear frontrunners in their categories:

Diamond Award, Direct Marketing - Service: CarRx took the first-place award for service retention marketing for the second year in a row. CarRx' powerful features give dealerships insight into customer maintenance needs and allows the dealership to send personalized offers based on vehicle and driver behavior data. The ability to prompt drivers for service exactly when it is needed has helped CarRx solidify its position as the industry's leading solution.

Diamond Award, Inventory Management: The first-place win in this category highlights the company's dedication to providing services to dealerships to optimize their inventory, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency.

Diamond Award, Vehicle Tracking: With real-time insights and enhanced security features, Connected Dealer Services' Elo GPS industry-leading technology ensures dealers can effectively manage their vehicle fleet and ensure customer satisfaction.

Gold Award, Post-Sale Customer Retention: A new category for this year, Connected Dealer Services' CarRx marketing platform enables dealerships to stay in their customers' minds long after the sale. By prioritizing customer relationships and offering comprehensive support, the company helps dealers retain their valued customers and build brand loyalty.

"Our success at the Dealers' Choice Awards underscores the effectiveness of our solutions in driving revenue for our dealership partners," emphasized Connected Dealer Services Executive Vice President of Sales, Mark Ohlgren. "We take immense pride in delivering comprehensive tools and resources that empower dealerships to thrive in a highly competitive market. By optimizing inventory management, enhancing direct marketing strategies, and providing advanced vehicle tracking capabilities, we enable our partners to streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately boost their bottom line. This recognition further motivates us to continue innovating and providing unparalleled support to help our dealer partners achieve their business goals."

Shane Wilson, Connected Dealer Services President, added, "Connected Dealer Services remains committed to revolutionizing the automotive industry by delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that give dealerships more actionable data, powerful tools, and control over their business than ever before. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our dealer partners for their continued support, nominations, and votes. This achievement would not have been possible without their trust in our products and services."

Connected Dealer Services' success at the Dealers' Choice Awards reaffirms its position as an industry leader and sets the stage for even greater achievements in the future. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction, innovative solutions, and unwavering dedication, the company is poised to shape the future of the automotive industry.

To learn more about Elo GPS and CarRx please visit https://www.elogps.com/for-dealerships/.

About Connected Dealer Services

Connected Dealer Services is a connected car technology company partnering with dealerships to provide powerful tools like Elo GPS and CarRx that meet the growing demands of connectivity and the modern dealership by protecting vehicle assets, managing inventory, reducing costs, increasing service retention, and enabling a direct connection to drivers and their vehicles.

SOURCE Connected Dealer Services
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the Russian attacks on Odesa, stressing that every Putin bomb also strikes the poorest people in the world.

"Putin not only destroyed the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Now, for the second night in a row, he is bombing the port city of Odesa. He deprives the world of any hope for Ukrainian grain. Each of his bombs also strikes the poorest people in the world," she wrote on Twitter.

The Minister noted that even if the route through the Black Sea can hardly be replaced, Germany supports Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine in finding all possible alternative transport routes.

"For instance, through the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes via the river and sea ports," she stressed.
Duo, married since 2019, known for their "Leather and Lace Country" sound

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking the 5th Anniversary of their first EP launch titled Beginnings and having previously opened for Brandy Clark, Sara Evans, Thompson Square, Uncle Kracker, Lonestar, and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the successful Nashville-based Country duo Karli & James announced today that their second EP, Someday Dreaming, will officially launch on July 21. Every track, co-written by the duo and a mix of new and established songwriters and artists (Adam Wheeler, Mary Kutter, Porter Howell, Brady Seals, Bryan Austin and Brian Alexander), reflects their growth as songwriters and artists. Someday Dreaming also marks James's debut as a solo producer.

Nashville-based Karli & James- "Someday Dreaming"- New EP Launching July 21, 2023

"Creating music together is like a shared dream," says Karli (Karli Chayne), one half of the country duo. "As best friends, we inspire and challenge each other in ways that make this journey truly fulfilling. There's a special kind of magic in being on this music journey with your best friend." Adds James (James Sinclair-Stott), "it's more than just making musicit's creating a soundtrack for our shared experiences that we hope others relate and connect to. We wouldn't have it any other way."

Pioneering a distinct blend of pure country music and indie rock, Karli & James began etching their place in the music scene in 2015 after a chance meeting in Nashville. The duo, married in September 2019, creates a sound that they like to call "Leather and Lace Country": A little bit Country, A little bit Rock n' Roll, Strait-laced roots with a bit of edgy truth.

Karli & James have also ready gained recognition from Billboard, CMT, and MusicRow. Their early singles found success on streaming sites, earning spots on playlists like Spotify's New Music Nashville and Apple Music's Country Wide. Their debut single Mercy launched them to the top of the CMT Music 12-Pack Countdown and secured them an opening slot on Brandy Clark's UK and US tours.

Their relationship has not only influenced their lyrics but also deepened their musical exploration. Their evolving sound, exhibited strongly in Someday Dreaming, exhibits a more organic, live feel that pays homage to Karli's traditional Country music roots. Her emotive soprano voice and passion for songwriting took root from her early days performing in her parents' Truman Lake Opry Show. While James, originally from the UK, displays with ease and command his indie rock influence and knack for creating radio-ready hits.

As they continue to hone their unique sound, Karli & James also excel in live performances, having graced historic venues in Nashville and around the U.S. Upcoming dates are available on their website and social media sites:

https://www.karliandjames.com/

https://twitter.com/KarliandJames

https://www.instagram.com/karliandjames/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@karliandjames?lang=en

https://www.facebook.com/karliandjames/

SOURCE Karli & James
Innovative solution benefits patients with access to clinical trials as a treatment option, ongoing personalized health insights, and ultimately speeding new treatments to market

BOSTON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CRIO, a Boston-based healthcare technology company, in partnership with Pluto Health, a Durham, NC-based smart care coordination service company, announces the development of a scalable integration that closes the last mile between clinical care and clinical research. CRIO's Medical Records API delivers electronic medical records and other health histories, alongside comprehensive clinical care coordination. The process to gather information can occur within one sitting in under 30 minutes, without the need for any prior system integrations. The Pluto Health team then provides ongoing health maintenance support for potential participants. All this information is shared with patients, and with patient consent, can be shared with their clinicians and directly to principal investigators (PIs) at clinical research sites, ensuring care and research are coordinated.

"The U.S. leads the world in quality therapies, but access to the latest medical therapies, whether it's part of a clinical trial or routine care is inequitable. Siloed data and ecosystems are high barriers to achieving better health. We are breaking those barriers, enabling comprehensive access to preventive health options and better care coordination," says Dr Joy Bhosai, founder and CEO of Pluto Health, who formerly was associate director Duke Innovations in Healthcare and former Chief of Digital Health and Strategy of the Duke Clinical Research Institute. "We do all this while achieving the highest levels of privacy compliance and security certification, enabling us to work with partners such as large academic centers and Fortune 20 companies."

CRIO's innovative partnership with Pluto Health leverages the recent trends towards patient centricity within clinical trials, focusing on addressing the patient journey through the last mile. It delivers a powerful method to support patients' care pathways through fully connected clinical coordination, while streamlining PI workflow, and enabling patient control over their health information.

"Over the past several decades, EMR systems have become standard in clinical care in the U.S. and many other countries, while EDC systems have become standard in global pharmaceutical trials. Naturally, the industry has been highly focused on the tantalizing possibility of integrating EMR into EDC," explains Raymond Nomizu, co-founder and CEO at CRIO. "CRIO and Pluto Health have solved this problem. Our integration improves eligibility and safety oversight for sponsors, while creating operational efficiencies for sites."

This unique approach goes beyond PIs access to EMR data. The approach reviews and reconciles health status before entry into the EDC, and offers care coordination tools to advance patient care alongside clinical research operations. Once review and reconciliation are completed, the source records are populated in the EDC and remote monitors can view the underlying sanitized medical records with principal investigator annotations, along with the source records. This level of transparency enhances sponsor oversight of quality and patient safety.

About CRIO

CRIO is the leader in eSource technology. Our mission is to streamline clinical research to bring new medications to market faster. We have created a holistic paperless platform for conducting clinical trials that reduces data errors, streamlines regulatory workflows and accelerates timelines. Today, CRIO supports more than 2,000 global medical research sites. For more information, visit www.clinicalresearch.io .

About Pluto Health

Pluto Health offers a platform that helps address health needs for patients, by unifying health information from disparate sources such as insurance, medical, and social determinants; integrates trusted clinical guidelines; and supports preventive care in minutes. Our service improves health care access through community-driven support when there are gaps in care, enhances decision-making, and incorporates clinical trials as a potential treatment option. Pluto Health supports healthcare providers to deliver best-in-class care to all their patients.

Media Contact:

Daenya McDonald

Marketing Director, CRIO

617-302-9845

SOURCE CRIO
Latest credentials in Thailand bring Company's ASI certified plants to 12; underscores Crown's focus on responsible material sourcing

TAMPA, Fla., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the commitments laid out in its Twentyby30 sustainability program to help advance responsible supply chains, Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com) has expanded its Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certifications into the Asia Pacific region. The Company's Nong Khae and Crown TCP beverage packaging plants in Thailand were recently awarded the ASI Performance Standard certification, bringing the total facilities in Crown's network with the designation to 12. Crown's operations in Brazil and Mexico have also achieved ASI Performance Standard certification.

The ASI Performance Standard addresses environmental, social and governance principles for the aluminum value chain, confirming the recipient's production practices are responsible. Beyond meeting the required criteria as part of an independent, third-party audit, the recent certifications in Thailand can be linked to advancing employee training around biodiversity, safety and human rights.

"Achieving this ASI certification is another proof point of our dedication to maintaining reputable supply chain relationships and meeting the evolving needs of brands in the Asia Pacific market," said Carlos Baila, President, Asia Pacific at Crown. "We are committed to operating ethically and remaining accountable to our own standards, as well as those of our partners, as we continue to serve customers around the world."

"We are proud to have two of our facilities in Thailand join their peers in Brazil and Mexico to achieve this certification," commented Martyn Goodchild, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Asia Pacific at Crown. "It reflects strong collaboration among our employees and proves how activities taking place on a regional level can help accomplish the Company's larger sustainability goals."

To further expand its responsible and ethical sourcing program, Crown is pursuing ASI certification in other locations in its Asia, Europe and Middle Eastern operations.

"We warmly congratulate Crown Holdings, Inc. for achieving Performance Standard Certification at two of its plants in Thailand," said Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI. "By training employees around vital sustainability areas such as biodiversity, safety, and human rights, Crown is driving positive change within its operations. Through this latest Certification in Thailand, Crown is extending its commitment to responsible practices and we look forward to the Company's continued pursuit of ASI Certification across its global operations."

ASI is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards and certification organization which works to maximize the contribution of aluminum to a sustainable society. The independent, third-party audit of Crown's Thailand facilities was carried out by LiberoAssurance.

To learn more about Crown's efforts around responsible material sourcing and its comprehensive Twentyby30 sustainability program, visit crowncork.com/sustainability .

About Crown Holdings, Inc.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products, equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com .

For editorial inquiries: Emily Hogan, Senior Account Executive, FINN Partners; Tel: (630) 248-5232; Email: [email protected].

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, all other information in this press release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the statements made in this release or the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ are discussed under the caption "Forward Looking Statements" in the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022 and in subsequent filings. The Company does not intend to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement in light of future events.

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.
TORONTO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Cybeats Technologies Corp. ("Cybeats'' or the "Company") (CSE: CYBT) (OTCQB: CYBCF) is pleased to announce that on July 18, the White House released a statement that included the introduction of the 'U.S. Cyber Trust Mark', a labeling program on smart devices (IoT) that is a significant step toward enhancing cybersecurity transparency for all businesses, governments and citizens. This move further validates the global push toward software transparency and the adoption of SBOM (Software Bill of Materials).

The White House announced the launch of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program alongside the FCC,1 which will allow Americans to confidently identify which connected devices meet the U.S. Government's cybersecurity requirements and those devices which are less vulnerable to cyberattacks.2 It is estimated that there are 16 billion active IoT devices in 2023.3 Cybeats, alongside other industry leaders, have been engaged by OpenPolicy to support the Administration's new transparency initiative. This White House announcement exemplifies some of the industry forces that have been driving the commercial momentum and interest in the Cybeats' SBOM Studio platform.

"At Cybeats, we passionately believe in empowering consumers and governments with transparency into the software risks of connected devices. Understanding the ingredients that comprise the products we rely on in today's interconnected world is crucial for informed decision-making. The Administration's commitment to enhancing security measures in IoT products, promoting measurability, and transparency in device security, as well as advocating for user awareness and manufacturer accountability, resonates deeply with our core values and mission," Yoav Raiter, CEO, Cybeats.

"We are pleased to see the Administration's commitment to strengthening security measures in IoT products. The recognition of the critical need for enhanced measurability and transparency in device security, along with a focus on user awareness and holding manufacturers accountable, aligns perfectly with Cybeats' mission. Moreover, we are proud to have our company and technology included by OpenPolicy in an industry syndicate that is in support of the Administration's new U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, emphasizing our dedication to software transparency and the advancement of the cybersecurity industry," said Dmitry Raidman, CTO, Cybeats.

As part of OpenPolicy's partnership with the U.S. Government and in support of public-private partnerships that elevate security, Cybeats was named among 6 other cybersecurity organizations that are committed to supporting the IoT Security labeling initiative and the broader mission of protecting users, products and the nation4:

"Cybeats will contribute to the Administration, the Scheme Owner and Relevant Government Partners' technology solutions to support the measurability, assessment and enforcement of the features and controls required by the Label and product security more broadly, including by leveraging Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) to enhance awareness and visibility into the current state of IoT devices and potential unmitigated vulnerabilities. Cybeats will share information on emerging threats (such as current state of devices deployed with known threats) and continue to work with fellow partners to develop standards and best practices for software and IoT security, and SBOM in particular in support of the label."

OpenPolicy Partners Statement in Support of the IoT Security Labeling Initiative:

"The launch of the IoT Security Label marks a pivotal step forward in our collective journey to raise the bar on product security and equipping the ecosystem with better information on the security posture of devices and enterprises. It empowers users and businesses to take a more active role in their connected life and make better-informed decisions about their security and privacy. This is a critical pillar marking the Administration's long-standing commitment to the security of the ecosystem and the nation, building on a decade of product security initiatives such as NIST work on IoT security baselines (NISTIR 8259), the Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity and the Federal IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act, now in implementation."56

This announcement follows the White House statement on July 13 which unveiled the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (NCSIP) that included SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) as one of the key pillars in its comprehensive approach and oversight of national cybersecurity.7

About OpenPolicy

In a world where future regulation drives technology markets at scale, and only selected few lobby governments - OpenPolicy8 is the world's first policy intelligence and engagement platform, unlocking future markets by connecting businesses of all sizes with policymakers globally, to drive advocacy more effectively. OpenPolicy's goal is to democratize access to the most important market intelligence out there: future regulatory, government and policy action. We believe that access to policy can be powered by technology and access to markets can be powered by policy.9

About Cybeats

Cybeats is a cybersecurity company providing SBOM management and software supply chain intelligence technology, helping organizations to manage risk, meet compliance requirements, and secure their software from procurement to development and operation. The SBOM Studio platform gives customers comprehensive visibility and transparency into their software supply chain, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and increase revenue. Cybeats. Software Made Certain. Website: https://cybeats.com

SUBSCRIBE: For more information, or to subscribe to the Company's mail list, visit: https://www.cybeats.com/investors

Contact:

James Van Staveren

Corporate Development

Phone: 1-888-713-SBOM (7266)

Email: ir@cybeats.com

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the products described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Company filings are available at sedar.com.

SOURCE Cybeats Technologies Corp.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global data centric security market size is expected to reach USD 24.01 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 24.2% from 2023 to 2030, according to the new reports of Grand View Research, Inc. The proliferation of digital technologies and the increase in cybercrimes has surged the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches across organizations. This has emerged the demand for data-centric security solutions to protect sensitive information across different locations within and across organizations. Furthermore, stringent government regulations and policies across regions, for instance, the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), have formed major demand to implement adequate security approaches across industries such as retail, BFSI, IT & telecom, and healthcare, among others, thereby fueling the demand in the market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

The software segment accounts for the largest market share of over 63.3% in 2022 and is anticipated to maintain its dominance over the forecast period owing to the growing need to strengthen data privacy and regulation laws across industries such as BFSI, IT & telecom, healthcare, and retail, among others.

The cloud segment is expected to observe the highest CAGR of 25.1% during the forecast period. The growing migration of data and workload to the cloud has made it essential for organizations to enhance the security and privacy of sensitive information, thereby fueling the demand for data centric security.

The small & medium enterprises segment is anticipated to witness an exceptional CAGR of 24.8% during the forecast period. The growing awareness of the importance of data privacy owing to the increased media coverage of data breaches and legal requirements has enhanced the demand for data-centric security solutions in the segment.

The healthcare segment is anticipated to register a considerable CAGR of 25.7% over the forecast period owing to the growing adoption of cloud platforms to store and manage sensitive information related to patient's health, financial transaction, and other healthcare operations.

North America accounted for the largest market share of over 35.2% in 2022 and is expected to retain its position over the forecast period. The growing cyber threats and crimes across industries such as retail, BFSI, and healthcare, along with the focus of government on imposing stringent data security regulations, has boosted the demand for data centric security.

accounted for the largest market share of over 35.2% in 2022 and is expected to retain its position over the forecast period. The growing cyber threats and crimes across industries such as retail, BFSI, and healthcare, along with the focus of government on imposing stringent data security regulations, has boosted the demand for data centric security. Key players in the data centric security industry have an extended operating history, a large customer base, and significant competitive strengths. In addition to the inorganic growth strategies, vendors emphasize improving after-sale service offerings to ensure periodic maintenance of installed products.

Read 100 page market research report, "Data Centric Security Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Solution (Software, Services), By Deployment (Cloud, On-premise), By Enterprise Size, By Vertical, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Data Centric Security Market Growth & Trends

The growing number of financial and reputational consequences of data breaches are further expected to boost the demand for data centric security. For instance, in May 2019, a data breach occurred at First American Financial Corporation, impacting 885 million credit card applications, where the data relating to real estate personal and financial transaction records were uncovered with a common website design blunder. Owing to the increasing data breaches, organizations are investing heavily in data-centric security solutions to reduce the risk and vulnerabilities and minimize the related costs, including remediation effects, legal liabilities, and potential loss of user trust.

Moreover, the growing effectiveness and efficiency of data centric security solutions owing to the advancement of technologies such as data encryption, masking, tokenization, and data loss prevention (DLP) is anticipated to form huge demand for market growth. The advancements help organizations with more comprehensive and robust protection capabilities for sensitive information. Furthermore, the development of industry-specific data protection solutions catering to different industries such as healthcare, government, and finance, owing to their difference in nature and sensitivity of data, has emerged the need for advanced data centric security solutions. This has resulted in increased adoption of data centric security solutions designed to address specific industry challenges.

Data Centric Security Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2023 USD 5.27 billion Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 24.01 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 24.2% from 2023 to 2030 Base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2018 - 2021 Forecast period 2023 - 2030

Data Centric Security Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global data centric security market based on solution, deployment, enterprise size, vertical, and region:

Data Centric Security Market - Solution Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Software

Services

Data Centric Security Market - Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Cloud

On-premise

Data Centric Security Market - Enterprise Size Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Large enterprises

Data Centric Security Market - Vertical Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

BFSI

Government and Public Sector

Healthcare

IT and Telecom

Retail

Others

Data Centric Security Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

UK



Germany



France



Italy



Spain

Asia Pacific

China



India



Japan



Australia



South Korea

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico



Argentina

Middle East and Africa

and UAE



Saudi Arabia



South Africa

List of Key Players in the Data Centric Security Market

Egnyte

Forcepoint

IBM

Imperva

Infogix

Informatica

McAfee

Micro Focus

Microsoft

NetApp

Netwrix

Orange Cyberdefense

Seclore

Symantec (now NortonLifeLock)

Thales eSecurity

Varonis

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Cybersecurity Mesh Market - The global cybersecurity mesh market size is expected to reach USD 4.90 billion by 2030, according to the new report of Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2023 to 2030. The cybersecurity mesh solutions aim to offer more scalable, resilient, and flexible security solutions to overcome evolving cyber threats. The growing diversity and complexity of IT environments are one factor driving the demand for the cybersecurity mesh market. The adoption of the modern IT ecosystem is becoming complex due to the deployment of cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other distributed networks across the systems. This growing complexity has led to different security challenges that require an enhanced approach to cybersecurity solutions, thereby surging the demand for the market.

- The global cybersecurity mesh market size is expected to reach by 2030, according to the new report of Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2023 to 2030. The cybersecurity mesh solutions aim to offer more scalable, resilient, and flexible security solutions to overcome evolving cyber threats. The growing diversity and complexity of IT environments are one factor driving the demand for the cybersecurity mesh market. The adoption of the modern IT ecosystem is becoming complex due to the deployment of cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other distributed networks across the systems. This growing complexity has led to different security challenges that require an enhanced approach to cybersecurity solutions, thereby surging the demand for the market. IT Services Market - The global IT services market size was estimated to reach USD 186.4 billion by 2028 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2022 to 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing concerns about data security and privacy protection are the key factors driving the demand for IT services from enterprises working in various industries. Increasing difficulties in network infrastructure are acting as key impedances to ineffective data security management; therefore, increasing the demand for IT services. Lack of expertise with the end-users in integrating the latest technologies and implementing IT services is hampering the growth of the market. Most of the major players operating in the IT services market are implementing the strategy of mergers, and acquisitions to gain maximum share in the market.

- The global IT services market size was estimated to reach by 2028 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2022 to 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing concerns about data security and privacy protection are the key factors driving the demand for IT services from enterprises working in various industries. Increasing difficulties in network infrastructure are acting as key impedances to ineffective data security management; therefore, increasing the demand for IT services. Lack of expertise with the end-users in integrating the latest technologies and implementing IT services is hampering the growth of the market. Most of the major players operating in the IT services market are implementing the strategy of mergers, and acquisitions to gain maximum share in the market. Wireless Network Security Market - The global wireless network security market size is estimated to reach USD 59.66 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2023 to 2030, according to the recent reports of Grand View Research, Inc. The wireless network security market growth can be attributed to the growing number of cyberattacks, increasing adoption of Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD), and advancements in various wireless networking solutions such as unified threat solutions, Identity and Access Management (IAM), and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)/Intrusion Detection System (IDS), among others. Further, the Covid-19 pandemic led work from home concept accelerated the adoption of wireless devices, which forced companies to implement wireless network security solutions to strengthen the security of wireless devices and keep the enterprise data.

Browse through Grand View Research's Network Security Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

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Grand View Research, Inc.

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
The results of the multicenter, international PROMISE clinical trial demonstrate that gadopiclenol provides similar lesion visualization and contrast enhancement at a gadolinium dose of 0.05 mmol/kg versus a full dose of gadobutrol (0.1 mmol/kg).[i]

Bracco has launched gadopiclenol as VUEWAY (gadopiclenol) solution for injection and VUEWAY (gadopiclenol) Pharmacy Bulk Package, following the 2022 approval of gadopiclenol by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA).[ii]

Gadopiclenol is highly stable and shows the highest relaxivity among the gadolinium-based contrast agents available for clinical use.ii,[iii],[iv],[v],[vi],[vii],[viii]

MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bracco Imaging, an innovative world leader delivering end-to-end products and solutions through a comprehensive portfolio inclusive of precision diagnostic imaging modalities, announced today the publication of the PROMISE trial in Radiology.i

The PROMISE study was a prospective, multinational, crossover (within-patient), double-blind comparison of the safety and efficacy of 0.05 mmol/kg gadopiclenol (VUEWAY) with 0.1 mmol/kg gadobutrol (Gadavist) in adult patients referred for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of head and neck, thorax (including breast), abdomen (including liver, pancreas, and kidneys), pelvis (including ovaries, uterus, and prostate), and musculoskeletal (including extremities). Despite being administered at half the dose of gadobutrol, gadopiclenol provided a comparable degree of contrast enhancement and quality of morphologic assessment of lesions. The type and severity of adverse events (AEs) were similar with the two gadolinium-based contrast agents, with VUEWAY (4.2%) having a slightly lower rate to that of Gadavist (5.5%).i

The publication of the results of the PROMISE Study comes on the heels of those of the PICTURE clinical trial, which were published in Investigative Radiology and showed

non-inferior quality of morphologic assessment of lesions of the brain and spine with 0.05 mmol/kg VUEWAY compared with 0.1 mmol/kg gadobutrol (Gadavist).[ix] The combined results of the PROMISE and PICTURE trials, and additional clinical evidence, supported the regulatory application for gadopiclenol submitted to the U.S. FDA, resulting in Priority Review and subsequent approval in 2022. Bracco has launched gadopiclenol in the U.S. market as VUEWAY (gadopiclenol) injection and VUEWAY (gadopiclenol) Pharmacy Bulk Package, with a series of hospitals leading first clinical usage.

"Before gadopiclenol, most of the GBCAs available for clinical use were indicated for the brain, spine, or central nervous system with narrow indications for the body, such as the breast, liver, and heart,i" said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Bracco Imaging. "The publication of this data reinforces VUEWAY injection as a boundary-pushing and novel MRI contrast agent across the central nervous system (the brain, spine, and surrounding tissues) and body (the head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and musculoskeletal system).ii"

The PROMISE trial included 273 adult patients suspected of having an enhancing abnormality in one of three different body regions (head/neck, breast/thorax/abdomen/pelvis, or musculoskeletal). Off-site blinded readers with expertise in the respective body regions rated border delineation, internal morphology, and visual contrast enhancement. All primary and secondary endpoints of the study were achieved. For all blinded readers, 0.05 mmol/kg gadopiclenol was non-inferior to 0.1 mmol/kg gadobutrol for all visualization parameters and all readers (P<.001), and superior to unenhanced images (P<.001). Two of three readers yielded higher percentage enhancement for gadopiclenol (P<.001). Lesion-to-background ratio did not differ. For most participants (75%83%), readers reported no preference between 0.05 mmol/kg gadopiclenol and 0.1 mmol/kg gadobutrol images.i

"The results of the PROMISE Study led to the approval of the use of gadopiclenol with MRI of the head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and the musculoskeletal system,ii" said Alberto Spinazzi, MD, Chief Medical and Regulatory Officer at Bracco. "Of note, gadopiclenol was approved for both MRI of the central nervous system and of the body at the dose of 0.05 mmol/kg, which showed to provide similar contrast enhancement efficacy compared with a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg of Gadavist. This is thanks to the high relaxivity of gadopiclenol, the highest among all the available GBCAs.ii,iii,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII"

VUEWAY injection is a Group II agent within the American College of Radiology's classification of gadolinium-based agents relative to the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), indicating association with few if any, unconfounded cases.[x] It is approved for use in adult and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the CNS (brain, spine, and surrounding tissues) and the body (head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and musculoskeletal system).ii

VUEWAY injection is now available to order from Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Visit VUEWAY.com for more information, including its full Prescribing Information.

VUEWAY (gadopiclenol) solution for injection

Indications

VUEWAY injection is indicated in adults and children aged 2 years and older for use with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect and visualize lesions with abnormal vascularity in:

the central nervous system (brain, spine and surrounding tissues),

the body (head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and musculoskeletal system).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS (NSF)

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) increase the risk for NSF among patients with impaired elimination of the drugs. Avoid use of GBCAs in these patients unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrasted MRI or other modalities. NSF may result in fatal or debilitating fibrosis affecting the skin, muscle and internal organs.

The risk for NSF appears highest among patients with:

Chronic, severe kidney disease (GFR < 30 mL/min/ 1.73 m 2 ), or



Acute kidney injury.



Screen patients for acute kidney injury and other conditions that may reduce renal function. For patients at risk for chronically reduced renal function (e.g. age > 60 years, hypertension, diabetes), estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) through laboratory testing.



For patients at highest risk for NSF, do not exceed the recommended VUEWAY dose and allow a sufficient period of time for elimination of the drug from the body prior to any re-administration.



Contraindications

VUEWAY injection is contraindicated in patients with history of hypersensitivity reactions to VUEWAY.

Warnings

Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is increased in patients using GBCA agents that have impaired elimination of the drugs, with the highest risk in patients with chronic, severe kidney disease as well as patients with acute kidney injury. Avoid use of GBCAs among these patients unless the diagnostic information is essential and not available with non-contrast MRI or other modalities.

Hypersensitivity reactions, including serious hypersensitivity reactions, could occur during use or shortly following VUEWAY administration. Assess all patients for any history of a reaction to contrast media, bronchial asthma and/or allergic disorders, administer VUEWAY only in situations where trained personnel and therapies are promptly available for the treatment of hypersensitivity reactions, and observe patients for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions after administration.

Gadolinium retention can be for months or years in several organs after administration. The highest concentrations (nanomoles per gram of tissue) have been identified in the bone, followed by other organs (brain, skin, kidney, liver and spleen). Minimize repetitive GBCA imaging studies, particularly closely spaced studies, when possible.

Acute kidney injury requiring dialysis has occurred with the use of GBCAs in patients with chronically reduced renal function. The risk of acute kidney injury may increase with increasing dose of the contrast agent.

Ensure catheter and venous patency before injecting as extravasation may occur, and cause tissue irritation.

VUEWAY may impair the visualization of lesions seen on non-contrast MRI. Therefore, caution should be exercised when VUEWAY MRI scans are interpreted without a companion non-contrast MRI scan.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence  0.5%) are injection site pain (0.7%), and headache (0.7%).

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VUEWAY, including BOXED WARNING on Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis.

Manufactured for Bracco Diagnostics Inc. by Liebel-Flarsheim Company LLC - Raleigh, NC, USA 27616.

VUEWAY is a registered trademark of Bracco Imaging S.p.A.

All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Bracco Imaging

Bracco Imaging S.p.A. ("Bracco Imaging"), part of the Bracco Group, is an innovative world leader delivering end-to-end products and solutions through its comprehensive portfolio across diagnostic imaging modalities. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Bracco Imaging's purpose is to improve people's lives by shaping the future of prevention and precision diagnostic imaging. The Bracco Imaging portfolio includes products and solutions for all key diagnostic imaging modalities: X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS), and Nuclear Medicine through radioactive tracers and novel PET imaging agents. Bracco Imaging has approximately 3,600 employees and operates in more than 100 markets globally. Bracco Imaging has a well-skilled and innovative Research and Development (R&D) organization with an efficient process-oriented approach and track record in the diagnostic imaging industry. R&D activities are located in four centers based in Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Bracco Group global revenues were 1.4 billion Euros in 2020. To learn more about Bracco Imaging, visit www.bracco.com.

Bracco Diagnostics Inc. Media Relations (USA)

Kimberly Gerweck

Senior Manager, Marketing Communications

[email protected]

D: +1 609-524-2777

[i] Kuhl C, Csoszi T, Piskorski W et al. Efficacy and Safety of Half-Dose Gadopiclenol versus Full-Dose Gadobutrol for Contrast-enhanced Body MRI Radiology: Volume 308: Number 1July 2023

[ii] Vueway (gadopiclenol) solution for injection, 485.1 mg/mL/ Full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; September 2022.

[iii] Robic C, Port M, Rousseaux O, et al. Physicochemical and Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Gadopiclenol: A New Macrocyclic Gadolinium Chelate with High T1 Relaxivity. Invest Radiol 2019; 54: 475-484.

[iv] GADAVIST (gadobutrol) Injection. Full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide. Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Whippany, NJ; April 2022.

[v] DOTAREM (gadoterate meglumine) Injection. Full Prescribing Information. Guerbet LLC. Princeton, NJ. April 2022.

[vi] CLARISCAN (gadoterate meglumine) injection for intravenous use. Full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide. GE Healthcare. Chicago, IL; February 2020.

[vii] ProHance (Gadoteridol) Injection, 279.3 mg/mL. Full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; June 2022.

[viii] MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine) injection, 529 mg/mL. Full Prescribing Information and Patient Medication Guide. Monroe Twp., NJ: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.; August 2018.

[ix] Loevner L, Kolumban B, Hutoczki G, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Gadopiclenol for Contrast-Enhanced MRI of the Central Nervous System. The PICTURE Randomized Clinical Trial. Invest Radiol. 2022 Dec.

[x] American College of Radiology. ACR Manual on Contrast Media. 2023.

SOURCE Bracco
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DCS Corporation has been awarded a subcontract by Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. to support the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Digital Directorate (AFLCMC/HB) from multiple CONUS and OCONUS locations.

Under this subcontract, DCS will provide a broad range of Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) to support the collective Air Force Material Command (AFMC) mission to manage and execute the modernization, development, testing, production, fielding, and sustainment of the AFLCMC/HB Portfolio, which includes over 130 programs for the United States Air Force (USAF) and Foreign Partners. Support will include continuous development activities, upgrades, and modernization efforts in all phases of the life cycle including engineering change proposals, technology refreshes, and obsolescence upgrades.

"DCS is proud to be part of the Odyssey team selected to support the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Digital Directorate," commented Jim Benbow, CEO. "We look forward to assisting the Engineering, Professional, and Administrative Support Services (EPASS) team and advancing the mission of the AFLCMC/HB."

About DCS

An employee-owned company, DCS offers advanced technology, engineering, and management solutions to government agencies in the security sector. The transformative ideas, commitment to quality, and entrepreneurial spirit that characterize our employee-owners allow us to ensure the success of each customer's mission and actively contribute to the well-being of the Nation. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcscorp.com.

Contact: DCS Media, [email protected], 571-227-6000

SOURCE DCS Corporation
Event sits at the intersection of defense industry cybersecurity and the metaverse

MESA, Ariz., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Cyber Security Training and Consulting LLC launched a new metaverse platform focused on cybersecurity within the defense industrial base (DIB) and also announced the first of its kind cybersecurity conference to be held in the virtual venue. The new CMMC Metaverse (https://CMMCMetaverse.com) provides an immersive educational and gaming experience that is uniquely focused on the new Department of Defense (DoD) Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. CMMC MetaCon (https://CMMCMetaCon.com) is a virtual conference to be held in the CMMC Metaverse on November 14, 2023.

CMMC Metaverse Fly-through CMMC Metaverse: Entrance

Securing sensitive data across the global defense supply chain is critical and the new CMMC program is designed to protect the confidentiality of federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) shared with and created by DoD contractors. CMMC MetaCon promises an exciting and interesting variety of speakers including Wall Street Journal bestselling author and stealth fighter pilot, Hasard Lee, senior leaders from across the federal government and the Cyber AB (CMMC Accreditation Body), and more. All CMMC MetaCon attendees receive a free copy of Lee's The Art of Clear Thinking.

"Although we are already a leader in delivering CMMC training, it's important to continually innovate. We began working on the CMMC Metaverse more than a year ago with the vision of building a community hub for people and companies to come together and learn about the CMMC and share experiences related to securing the defense supply chain," said Jeffrey Crump, principal at Cyber Security Training and Consulting LLC. Crump continued, "As of today, the CMMC Metaverse is open to the public and consists of a main hub that includes a Hall of Heroes in remembrance of select Medal of Honor recipients, an Event Hall where the CMMC MetaCon will be held, educational material and a fun mission quest that takes a player from the main hub off to various military branch-specific gaming environments."

The mission quest requires players to help save the fictitious military Joint Forces Droid Network (JFDN) that is under cyberattack from an advanced persistent threat (APT) named Epsilon Nexus. Players must combine gaming skills with CMMC knowledge to be successful on the mission quest. As they progress, players earn special forces droids and real-world APT-themed challenge coins/badges. The challenge coins were developed by Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from Mesa, Ariz.-based Red Mountain High School as a means of providing the students with practical industry experience in graphic design.

"It's been a pleasure working with Michael Scott and his students from Mesa Public Schools (MPS). I met with Mr. Scott and his students earlier this year to share the metaverse vision and the APT design challenge," said Crump. He continued, "The quality and creativity of such young designers far exceeded any expectations I had. I am incredibly fortunate to have been invited to support MPS in providing an opportunity for the CTE students. The collaboration provided us with excellent designs and them with and an opportunity to build employable creative skills."

The CMMC MetaCon launch sponsors include Mesa, Ariz.-based CMMC Training Academy (https://CMMCTraining.Academy), Porto, Portugal-based Unknown (https://unknown.site), Rochester, N.Y.-based Logical Operations (https://LogicalOperations.com), Surrey, Canada-based TCIC Group (https://TCICGroup.com), St. Augustine, Fla.-based Mode (https://ModeTeams.com), and Fullerton, Calif.-based Syndicus Defense Corp. (https://SyndicusDefenseCorp.com ). Additional sponsorship opportunities exist.

About Cyber Security Training and Consulting LLC

Mesa, Ariz.-based Cyber Security Training and Consulting is a veteran-owned small business focused on developing and delivering unique cyber security solutions. These solutions include, but are not limited to, custom-built employee cybersecurity awareness courses and our instructor-led CMMC training for individuals seeking Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) and Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA) credentials.

Through our Cyber Crisis Response brand (https://CyberCrisisResponse.com), we provide market-leading training and consulting in cyber crisis management designed to help reduce cyber risk and increase organizational resilience by maturing incident response capabilities. This program includes developing a cyber crisis management plan, building and conducting cyber war game exercises, and immersive executive education used to prepare senior managers and executives to lead effectively during a major cyber incident. For more information on Cyber Security Training and Consulting's capabilities, visit www.CyberSecurityTrainingCo.com.

SOURCE Cyber Security Training and Consulting
As a holistic technology solution, Deloitte Digital's Sustainability 360 is designed to help organizations move from sustainability ambition to action

NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte announced today a new connectivity-based approach to ESG data collection and sustainability management that brings together technology from AT&T and Salesforce to help organizations streamline their processes, enhance data integrity and accelerate the identification of sustainability improvement opportunities across their operations and extended enterprise.

This readily available approach integrates AT&T's asset connectivity solutions with Deloitte Digital's Sustainability 360TM offering  a sustainability management solution powered by Salesforce Net Zero Cloud. In addition to supporting organizations in collecting and reporting on ESG data, this collaboration builds on Deloitte and Salesforce's commitment to the AT&Ts Connected Climate Initiative, which focuses on helping businesses collectively reduce one gigaton of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2035.

"Across the world, organizations are finding it difficult to efficiently collect ESG data from across their extended value chain in an agile manner, which helps them maintain alignment with evolving regulatory requirements and provide granular insights into progress against their sustainability commitments," said Luis Galito, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and Sustainability 360 offering leader. "We believe that organizations can resolve this challenge by taking advantage of the unique blend of sustainability expertise, deep industry knowledge, and innovative technologies that Deloitte, AT&T and Salesforce collectively provide. With a holistic understanding of specific varying regulations, we can help our clients establish a purpose-driven, outcomes-focused approach and enable transparency to their stakeholders on progress against their sustainability-focused goals."

According to Deloitte's "2023 CxO Sustainability Report," nearly a quarter of CxOs said the difficulty of measuring their organizations' environmental impact was a top barrier to successful sustainability efforts. For many organizations, this problem impacts their ability to avoid data discrepancies that lead to regulatory compliance issues and greenwashing accusations.

Deloitte's collaboration with AT&T and Salesforce is focused on tackling this challenge. AT&T's suite of asset management solutions provides direct connectivity with an organization's emissions sources (i.e., stationary and mobile assets), and Deloitte Digital's Sustainability 360 offering, powered by Salesforce Net Zero Cloud, provides an audit-ready platform for ESG data management. Through this combination of innovative technologies, organizations can:

Increase efficiency: Reduce manual data collection by collecting critical data from stationary and mobile assets and manage data through a comprehensive single source.

Reduce manual data collection by collecting critical data from stationary and mobile assets and manage data through a comprehensive single source. Improve data integrity: Enhance integrity of ESG data presented in sustainability reports and disclosures with investor-grade data collected directly from their source of origin.

Enhance integrity of ESG data presented in sustainability reports and disclosures with investor-grade data collected directly from their source of origin. Accelerate insights: Monitor ESG performance and generate asset-level insights around improvement opportunities and emerging risks.

"To change our current climate trajectory, organizations need to collaborate to deliver new climate solutions. That's why we are excited to join with AT&T and Deloitte to simplify how organizations collect ESG data from across their operations," said Suzanne DiBianca, EVP and chief impact officer at Salesforce. "The blend of technologies, including AI, from AT&T, Deloitte, and Salesforce Net Zero Cloud is a good example of the innovation required to create near-term lasting change for our planet."

AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) sensor technology offers organizations the capacity to better track emissions and bolster the granularity of scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions reporting, in addition to assisting in environmental management, including water, waste and raw materials. AT&T's IoT technology is also built to support expanded sustainability use cases that help improve business operations, as well as enhance data sharing speed through 5G network connectivity.

"The integration of IoT connectivity with emissions tracking gives businesses tremendous new insights and capabilities for making meaningful emissions reductions," said Charlene Lake, chief sustainability officer and senior vice president of corporate responsibility and ESG at AT&T. "It's exactly the type of collaborative innovation the AT&T Connected Climate Initiative aspires to deliver as we help our business customers reduce 1 gigaton of GHG emissions by 2035. We look forward to continuing our work with Deloitte and Salesforce to accelerate the adoption of smart climate solutions across industries and sectors."

The AT&T Connected Climate Initiative is a consortium of leading technology companies, AT&T Business customers, universities and nonprofits working together to identify best practices, develop new, broadband-enabled climate solutions and drive impact at scale through innovations that help reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. Between 2018 and 2022, AT&T connectivity solutions have enabled customers to reduce 149.2 million metric tons of CO2.

For additional information about Deloitte Digital's Sustainability 360, and how organizations can better measure and improve their sustainability performance across their extended enterprise, visit us here.

About Salesforce

Salesforce empowers companies of every size and industry to connect with their customers in a whole new way through the power of AI + data + CRM. For more information about Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), visit: www.salesforce.com.

Any unreleased services or features referenced here are not currently available and may not be delivered on time or at all. Customers should make their purchase decisions based upon features that are currently available

About AT&T

We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's marketplace  delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 415,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

SOURCE Deloitte Consulting LLP
NEW YORK, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Klein Law Firm announces that a class action complaint has been filed on behalf of shareholders of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) alleging that the Company violated federal securities laws.

Class Period: April 21, 2022 to April 24, 2023

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: September 15, 2023

No obligation or cost to you.

Learn more about your recoverable losses in DHR:

https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/danaher-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42313&from=4

Danaher Corporation NEWS - DHR NEWS

CLASS ACTION CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that Danaher Corporation made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) as the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, revenue growth associated with Danaher's COVID-19-related businesses was declining; (ii) contrary to the Company's prior representations to investors, revenues associated with Danaher's non-COVID-19-related businesses were insufficient to compensate for the foregoing negative trend; (iii) accordingly, Danaher overstated the Company's ability to sustain the growth it had experienced in 2020 and 2021; (iv) as a result, it was unlikely that Danaher would be able to meet its 2023 revenue forecasts; and (v) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU AS A SHAREHOLDER: If you have suffered a loss in Danaher you have until September 15, 2023 to petition the court for lead plaintiff status. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.

NO COST TO YOU: If you purchased Danaher securities during the relevant period, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket fees.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCIAL INTERESTS: For additional information about the DHR lawsuit, please contact J. Klein, Esq. by telephone at 212-616-4899 or click this link: https://www.kleinstocklaw.com/pslra-1/danaher-lawsuit-loss-submission-form?id=42313&from=4.

ABOUT KLEIN LAW FIRM

J. Klein, Esq. represents investors and participates in securities litigations involving financial fraud throughout the nation. The Klein Law Firm is a boutique litigation firm with experience in a wide range of areas including securities law, corporate finance and commercial litigation. Since 2011, our experienced attorneys have achieved superior results for our clients with a personalized focus. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

J. Klein, Esq.

535 Fifth Avenue

4th Floor

New York City, NY 10017

[email protected]

Telephone: (212) 616-4899

www.kleinstocklaw.com

SOURCE The Klein Law Firm
Chinese premier meets U.S. climate envoy

Xinhua) 08:14, July 19, 2023

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Beijing on Tuesday.

China and the United States are both important countries in the world, and enhanced cooperation between them will benefit not only each other but also the whole world, Li said.

The two sides should take concrete actions to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state at their meeting in Bali, Indonesia last year, properly manage differences and bring China-U.S. relations back to the track of sound and stable development at an early date, he said.

Noting that the global response to climate change is an arduous task, Li called for practicing multilateralism and adherence to the goals and principles set out in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Li said all parties should shoulder their respective responsibilities and abide by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in addressing climate change.

Developed countries should take the lead in reducing emissions and fulfill their financial commitments as soon as possible while developing countries should make contributions within their capacity, the premier said.

Li also called for sharing scientific and technological achievements and promoting global green and low-carbon transformation, urging developed countries to give more technological support to developing countries.

He expressed the hope that China and the United States will continue to uphold the spirit of cooperation, respect each other's core concerns, seek common ground while shelving differences through full communication, and explore more pragmatic institutionalized cooperation to promote the multilateral climate governance process and full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Kerry said the United States hopes the U.S.-China relations will remain stable. The country is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to jointly address climate change and other pressing global challenges and push for the success of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ireland launches investigation after publication of photo of Irish-made parts in engine of Shahed drone downed in Ukraine

Head of the Irish Government Leo Varadkar has said that Ireland launched an investigation following the publication of the picture of Irish-made details in the engine of a Shahed kamikaze drone downed in Ukraine on Tuesday.

Ireland is informed about the downing of the drone and an investigation is underway, he said at a press conference following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Wednesday, adding that the country's government does not believe that some Irish companies could violate sanctions.

Varadkar made an assumption that some third parties could violate sanctions.
Unleashing Native Microsoft Teams Rooms Experience by Adding MAXHUB XCore Kit to Your BYOD Scenarios

GUANGZHOU, China, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MAXHUB introduces a one-stop hardware solution - MAXHUB XT Series for Microsoft Teams Rooms, elevating the convenience and efficiency of every step of the user journey  spanning procurement, installation, utilization, and post-maintenance.

MAXHUB XT Series for Microsoft Teams Rooms

MAXHUB offers a variety of customized product combinations specifically designed for Microsoft Teams Rooms in three essential bundles. They comprise a Windows-based Microsoft Teams Rooms compute and table top console kit  the MAXHUX XCore Kit, that can be combined with the MAXHUB UC W31 USB camera, the MAXHUB UC BM35 speakerphone, or MAXHUB UC S07 integrated videobar. All of these can be seamlessly paired with MAXHUB commercial displays ranging from 55 to 105 inches, supporting both 16:9 aspect ratio of the MAXHUB CMA series, and 21:9 aspect ratio of the MAXHUB UW105NA, to contribute to a Signature Microsoft Teams Room experience. These bundles have been crafted to meet the needs of meeting rooms with different functional requirements for 1-8 people, covering Focus Rooms, Small Rooms, and Signature Rooms.

Bundle A: MAXHUB XCore Kit  Empowering BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) to switch to Microsoft Teams Rooms smart space

Elevate your meeting space with the MAXHUB XCore Kit for Microsoft Teams, a solution including a Windows-based compute and console, that is competitively priced to enable a full Microsoft Teams Rooms experience at the cost typically budgeted for a BYOD room. This kit boasts a powerful 12th Gen Intel CoreTM Processor, delivering exceptional performance, and a high-resolution 10.1-inch Teams Rooms console with a motion sensor for an intuitive and immersive user experience. Compatible with Microsoft Teams Rooms, the kit helps facilitate the easy upgrade of existing BYOD rooms to switch to a full Microsoft Teams Rooms, creating smart spaces, with Teams-native audio and video experiences at unparalleled cost effective pricing.

Bundle B: MAXHUB XT10-WS Kit  A more flexible Microsoft Teams Rooms solution for an enhanced user experience

Expanding on the foundation of the XCore Kit, the MAXHUB XT10-WS Kit incorporates a high-quality speakerphone plus a USB camera for your meeting room. This bundle adeptly caters to participants' dynamic audio and video needs, driving a flexible and seamless collaboration experience.

Bundle C: MAXHUB XT10-VB Kit  A simpler Microsoft Teams Rooms deployment solution

Building upon the XCore Kit, the MAXHUB XT10-VB Kit showcases its versatility with the addition of the MAXHUB UC S07 integrated videobar. Designed with simplified frontline one-cable deployment and remarkable expandability, this bundle is most easy to deploy in any room with an existing room display.

Display Options  Rounding up the room display requirements, from Focus Rooms to Signature Teams Rooms

MAXHUB offers a wide range of options to incorporate a MAXHUB display screens on top of the three new Microsoft Teams Rooms bundles mentioned above, providing users with versatile possibilities for customization. MAXHUB delivers a wide range of solutions to optimize meeting spaces with innovative layouts, including tailored "Signature Microsoft Teams Rooms." Among these options, the MAXHUB 105-inch, 21:9 display UW105NA truly stands out, be it the LCD version or the DVLED version. It provides a generous canvas for showcasing project content, accommodating remote attendees, and meeting chats. This enables on-site meeting participants to fully immerse themselves in the displayed meeting content, elevating the overall meeting experience to a whole new dimension and eliminating potential distractions. If a more traditional 16:9 display is warranted, MAXHUB also offers the option to include the CMA Series of displays with sizes ranging from 43 to 98 inches.

"We welcome MAXHUB, as a new hardware partner to the Teams Rooms ecosystem, for Microsoft Teams Rooms and a wide range of USB peripherals Certified for Microsoft Teams," said Albert Kooiman, Senior Director, Microsoft Teams Partner Engineering and Certification at Microsoft. "The MAXHUB Microsoft Teams Rooms XCore Kit is ideal to upgrade any of your high impact BYOD spaces to a full Microsoft Teams Rooms experience, at the most affordable price in the market."

"In the coming months, MAXHUB will bring to market a full range of Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows, including rooms peripherals Certified for Microsoft Teams and a range of commercial displays optimized for the Teams Rooms experience," said Darren Lin, Vice General Manager, MAXHUB Global Business. "In the current scenario where hybrid and flexible work has become the norm, we aim to promote meeting equity, foster collaboration, and maximize efficiency with quality products."

Note:

*CMA = MAXHUB CMA Series Commercial Display/

*UW105NA = MAXHUB UW105NA Commercial Display

About MAXHUB

MAXHUB is an industry leader in smart displays and audiovisual technology, focusing on communication and collaboration. As an R&D-led organization, they have developed a series of industry-leading solutions that help keep people seamlessly connected and make teamwork more efficient and effective.

For more information about MAXHUB, please visit www.maxhub.com .

Find us on:

LinkedIn

Facebook

YouTube

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE MAXHUB
Two teens snag $10,000 cash college scholarships for creating snazzy Duck Tape prom designs

AVON, Ohio, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While it's nerve-wracking to put yourself in the public eye, it's paying off for two teens who came out on top of the 23rd Annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. Nearly 200 high school students from the U.S. and Canada crafted captivating prom attire completely out of Duck Tape for a chance to win $10,000 college scholarships. Those students were narrowed down to the top 10 by contest judges and now the public has voted on their favorite creations to crown the Grand Prize winners: Karla Torres Tejeda of Los Angeles, California, takes the prize for Best Dress and Ian Hernandez Rojas of Taylorsville, Utah, wins Best Tux.

Garnering the most online votes, Tejeda wowed the public with her dress inspired by 18th century art while Rojas stood out from the others with his suit that honors his Salvadoran roots. They will each take home $10,000 scholarships for their beautiful, handcrafted ensembles.

"From going viral on social media to fielding interviews with the media, the top 10 finalists gave it their all," said Ashley Luke, senior product manager at Shurtape Technologies, LLC, the company that markets the Duck brand. "With so many talented teens entering this year's contest, the competition was high, but Karla and Ian really exemplified how an ordinary material, like Duck Tape, can be transformed into artful attire."

Learn more about this year's winners and their standout Duck Tape promwear:

2023 Stuck at Prom Grand Prize Dress Winner: Karla Torres Tejeda

Tejeda used 14 rolls of pink, white and gold Duck Tape and spent 120 hours making her glamourous prom dress design with accessories, including a fan and clutch purse.

Inspired by an era of flourishing gold, elegance and pastel floral prints, her fashionable French-inspired dress is a full length, flowy gown with ruffle sleeves, lace-like details, and gold embellishments.

"This dress is inspired by 18th century French art that I saw at the Getty Museum," Tejeda said. "I was captivated by the amount of gold and extravagant paintings they had on display. I am fascinated by clothes and how they have evolved through the course of history. Although we are in the 21st century, it doesn't stop us from dressing up from any time period."

2023 Stuck at Prom Grand Prize Tux Winner: Ian Hernandez Rojas

Rojas used 11 roles of Duck Tape and spent 57 hours to create his Salvadoran suit.

Paying homage to the Aztecs and Mayans that settled near his homeland in ancient times, Rojas incorporates Mayan Gods Kinich Ahau, the God of the sun, and Kukulkan, the God of weather and life, as well as motifs into his tux. His prom accessories include a headdress and serpentine animal.

"My family is from El Salvador, and I wanted to make something to tribute that," Rojas said. "I wanted to fuse the culture of the Mayans and the elegance and formality of promwear without coming off as a costume."

Eight runners-up will each receive $500 scholarships and Duck brand prize packs worth $100. These finalists include Neha Nanubhai of Sammamish, Washington; Aubri Sparkman of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Ava Motl of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Ziqin Chiodi of Orange County, Florida; Xander Niles of Racine, Wisconsin; Hailey Yoo of Duluth, Georgia; Emma Chang of Midland, Texas; and Evee Ashba of West End, North Carolina.

Learn more about the 23rd Annual Duck brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest at StuckAtProm.com. For more information on Duck Tape and to get inspired with craft ideas and instructions, visit DuckBrand.com.

About Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape

An American original, Duck Tape brand duct tape is the fix-all to help with everyday repairs, projects or crafts. Duck Tape offers a vast array of innovative, forward-thinking solutions that help everyone  from makers and creators to do-it-yourselfers and professionals  bring their ideas to life. The brand sets trends with its wide variety of colors and designs, inspires creativity and leads the way in DIY or jobsite projects, crafting, and more, by providing the tools consumers need to make or repair anything. Duck Tape brand is marketed by Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, with facilities worldwide.

Visit DuckBrand.com for additional product information as well as DuckTapeMaker.com for a source of everyday inspiration, imagination and creativity. Keep up-to-date on Duck brand news by joining our nearly 5 million fans on Facebook (Facebook.com/DuckTape and Facebook.com/TheDuckBrand), following us on Twitter (@TheDuckBrand) and Instagram (@TheDuckBrand), following our boards on Pinterest (Pinterest.com/TheDuckBrand) and watching us on YouTube (YouTube.com/TheDuckBrand).

SOURCE Duck(R) brand
PLAINFIELD, Ind., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $170,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations providing support for those impacted by devastating storms that moved across Indiana in late June and early July.

"When disaster strikes, nonprofit organizations play a vital role in helping families and communities get back on their feet," said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. "We know that the road to recovery will be a long one for those in hard-hit areas, and we're committed to supporting our customers and communities in the days and weeks ahead as they rebuild."

The grants will support a wide array of assistance programs for individuals and families in need, as well as ongoing restoration efforts including clearing debris and fixing damaged infrastructure.

"The storms that moved through our area earlier this month created hardships for many of our neighbors," said Randy Rogers, president and CEO of United Way of Monroe County. "United Way's primary role in times of disaster is in long-term recovery. With the support of Duke Energy, we are stepping up to deliver critical relief and assistance to those who need it most."

The following organizations will receive grants:

American Red Cross of Indiana ( Statewide )  $50,000

The American Red Cross of Indiana delivered immediate relief to communities impacted by the storms, including standing up respite centers, which offered a break from the heat as well as a place for residents to charge their phones and devices and obtain water and snacks.

The American Red Cross of delivered immediate relief to communities impacted by the storms, including standing up respite centers, which offered a break from the heat as well as a place for residents to charge their phones and devices and obtain water and snacks. Salvation Army Indiana Division ( Statewide )  $50,000

The grant funds will be used to provide families with practical items like food, supplies and housing, in addition to emotional support to help navigate through the effects of the storm.

The grant funds will be used to provide families with practical items like food, supplies and housing, in addition to emotional support to help navigate through the effects of the storm. United Way of Monroe County ( Monroe County )  $30,000

United Way of Monroe County is standing up a program to provide basic needs support for local residents impacted by the storms. The organization will work with partner agencies to distribute resources to underserved residents, as well as provide support for services at area nonprofits.

United Way of is standing up a program to provide basic needs support for local residents impacted by the storms. The organization will work with partner agencies to distribute resources to underserved residents, as well as provide support for services at area nonprofits. Clay County Emergency Food Pantry ( Clay County )  $10,000

The grant funds will be used to supply food for local residents in need.

The grant funds will be used to supply food for local residents in need. Putnam County Community Foundation ( Putnam County )  $10,000

The grant funds will support the creation of a countywide emergency food fund, as well as efforts to repair damage to local parks and replace trees that were harmed or destroyed by the storms.

The grant funds will support the creation of a countywide emergency food fund, as well as efforts to repair damage to local parks and replace trees that were harmed or destroyed by the storms. Rediscover Clinton ( Vermillion County )  $10,000

Following storm damage in Clinton , funds will go toward efforts to maintain a vibrant, healthy community  including beautification work and community events.

Following storm damage in , funds will go toward efforts to maintain a vibrant, healthy community  including beautification work and community events. Terre Haute Parks Department ( Vigo County )  $10,000

The grant funds will be used to restore the Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park, which was severely damaged by the storms. In addition, the funding will be used to support countywide park restoration and cleanup efforts.

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation contributes more than $2 million annually in charitable gifts to Indiana and is funded by Duke Energy shareholders. More information about the Foundation can be found at duke-energy.com/foundation .

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 890,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: McKenzie Barbknecht

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy
NAZARETH, Israel, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elgan Pharma, a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focusing on innovative treatments for critical conditions in neonates, announced today that it has been awarded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) a grant of 2.36 million ($2.5 million) in a highly competitive selection process. The grant will support the Phase III registrational study of ELGN-GI, an innovative oral formulation for the treatment of intestinal malabsorption, that causes feeding intolerance in preterm infants.

"We are proud and excited to be awarded the EIC grant, that serves as a vote of confidence in our product and is a recognition of the importance of bringing to market medications for the treatment of intestinal malabsorption in premature infants," said Miki Olshansky, CEO of Elgan Pharma. "Feeding intolerance is a common symptom of intestinal malabsorption of prematurity among preterm infants, which is associated with increased risk of life-threatening complications. Across several clinical trials, ELGN-GI has demonstrated promising efficacy data in promoting maturation of the GI tract in preterm infants, resulting in significant reduction in life-threatening prematurity associated complications. Given the clinical data to date, we are confident that ELGN-GI holds the potential to improve the care of premature infants, paving the way for better outcomes and improved wellbeing of neonates worldwide. The company is launching a confirmatory Phase III trial as well as a Phase II trial in special neonatal populations."

The EIC is a flagship European program to identify, develop, and scale up innovative technologies. The funding is designed to support promising deep tech startups across different scientific, technological, sectoral and application fields.

About ELGN-GI

ELGN-GI is a proprietary formulation of recombinant human insulin tailored for neonatal use, delivered orally and compatible with infants' nutrition. ELGN-GI improves gastrointestinal function and accelerates its development, thereby allowing a faster transition to full enteral nutrition, reducing the need for intravenous feeding and life-threatening complications.

About Gastrointestinal Complications in Preterm Infants

Preterm birth is a leading cause for infant mortality and morbidity, resulting in lengthy hospitalizations and various complications. A major hurdle impeding healthy growth of preterm infants in the initial stages of treatment is immaturity of the gut leading to malabsorption of nutrients from their enteral nutrition. It can also trigger life-threatening complications such as gut atrophy and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). To date, there is no approved treatment for intestinal malabsorption of prematurity, which remains an unmet medical need. Current management is by intravenous nutrition (parenteral nutrition- PN), that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract by delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream. However, prolonged PN is associated with increased risks of infections and sepsis, liver damage, gut atrophy and poor developmental outcomes.

About Elgan Pharma

Elgan Pharma is a clinical stage, neonatology-focused biotechnology company, dedicated to developing safe, tailored therapies to address medical complications and developmental challenges that are common in babies born prematurely. The company's two leading programs are ELGN-GI for preterm infants' intestinal malabsorption and ELGN-EYE for prevention of preterm infants' retinopathy of prematurity, the number one cause of childhood blindness worldwide.

Media contact:

Tsipi Haitovsky

Global Media Liaison

+972-52-598-9892

[email protected]

SOURCE Elgan Pharma
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global machine glazed kraft paper market size was valued at USD 8.67 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass USD 14.62 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.75% during the forecast period (2023- 2030), as highlighted in a report published by Zion Market Research.

Report Link with All Related Graphs & Charts: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/machine-glazed-kraft-paper-market

Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: Overview

MG kraft paper refers to machine-glazed kraft paper. It has a glossy appearance and is uncoated on one side, while the other side is gritty. These papers provide a combination of exceptional shine for printability and the high tensile strength of standard kraft paper, thereby providing dual benefits. They are favored for a variety of applications in the packaging industry because they are considered secure for food packaging. Consequently, the use of MG kraft paper in the manufacturing industry for securing dried food products such as cereals, sugar, and flour is expanding rapidly. Other advantages of machine-glazed kraft papers include increased smoothness, shine, a natural feel or appearance, and extreme environmental safety. The machine-glazed kraft paper industry, which is responsible for the production and distribution of MG kraft paper, is expanding at a consistent rate.

Get a Free Sample Report with All Related Graphs & Charts (with COVID 19 Impact Analysis): https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/machine-glazed-kraft-paper-market

Our Free Sample Report Consists of the Following:

2023 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis

219+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research)

Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request

2023 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends

Includes an Updated List of tables & figures

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

Zion Market Research Methodology

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market Reports:

As per the analysis, the Machine Glazed Kraft Paper market share is likely to grow above a CAGR of around 6.75% between 2023 and 2030.

The Machine Glazed Kraft Paper market size was worth around USD 8.67 billion in 2022 and is estimated to hit approximately USD 14.62 billion by 2030. Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate.

in 2022 and is estimated to hit approximately by 2030. Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate. The machine glazed kraft paper market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the growing applications in the textile industry as shopping bags

Based on application segmentation, bags & pouches were predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2022

Based on end-user segmentation, food & beverage was the leading user in 2022

On the basis of region, Asia-Pacific was the leading revenue generator in 2022

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market By Application (Wraps, Bags & Pouches, Envelopes, Labels & Release Liners, Sacks, And Others), By Weight (Above 30 GSM And 18 To 30 GSM), By End-User (Electrical & Electronics, Food & Beverage, Automotive, Healthcare, Building & Construction, Textile, Personal Care & Cosmetics, And Household), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030" into their research database.

Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: Growth Drivers

Increasing applications of textiles as purchasing bags will drive market expansion.

The global market for machine-glazed kraft paper is anticipated to expand due to its increasing use in the textile industry as purchasing bags. Before a few years, many companies in the retail and clothing distribution industries utilised plastic packaging. However, because plastic is extremely detrimental to the environment, regional governments have implemented numerous programmes and initiatives to encourage retailers to invest in sustainable and eco-friendly packaging alternatives.

MG kraft paper is ideally suited for use in the textile industry due to its multiple advantageous characteristics, such as greater strength to withstand heavy weight without separating, a visually appealing glossy texture, and enhanced printability for branding or marketing purposes. This trend is especially advantageous for the fast-fashion industry, as clothing retailers such as Zara, H&M, and Mango are experiencing exceptional revenue growth.

Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: Restraints

Limited strength and barrier resistance will restrain market growth.

Despite having a greater tensile strength than ordinary paper, machine-glazed kraft paper has limited strength. Unlike several forms of plastic, it cannot support exceptionally large loads. In addition, MG variants are not resistant to moisture and tend to disintegrate when exposed to water, which raises concerns about the product's functionality beyond basic applications such as carrying light clothing or groceries. Other factors, such as the use of a resource-intensive manufacturing process to produce MG kraft, may also contribute to the machine glazed kraft paper market's extant growth restraints, as these processes tend to release harmful chemicals and glasses into the environment.

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Global Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: Segmentation

The global machine glazed kraft paper market is segmented based on application, weight, grade, and region.

Based on application, the global market segments are wraps, bags & pouches, envelopes, labels & release liners, sacks, and others. The highest growth was observed in the bags & pouches segment in 2022 driven by extensive product application across textile and personal care sectors.

Based on weight, the machine glazed kraft paper industry is segmented into above 30 GSM and 18 to 30 GSM. The market growth was led by the 30 grams per square meter (GSM) segment due to the product's higher durability offered by greater strength.

Based on end-user, the global market segments are electrical & electronics, food & beverage, automotive, healthcare, building & construction, textile, personal care & cosmetics, and household. The industry was dominated by the food & beverages segment in 2022 which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.65% during the forecast period.

Recent Developments:

H&M has decided to begin using paper-based packaging containers for online sales in the Netherlands beginning in August 2021 . Between 2018 and 2025, the corporation has pledged to reduce its packaging by 25%.

Get More Insight before Buying @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/machine-glazed-kraft-paper-market

Competitive Players

The report contains qualitative and quantitative research on the global Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market, as well as detailed insights and development strategies employed by the leading competitors. The report also provides an in-depth analysis of the market's main competitors, as well as information on their competitiveness.

Some of the main players in the global Machine Glazed Kraft Paper market include;

BillerudKorsnas

Mondi Group

WestRock Company

Smurfit Kappa Group

Verso Corporation

Stora Enso

SCG Packaging Public Company Limited

Sappi Limited

Thai Containers Group Co. Ltd.

DS Smith Plc

KAPSTONE Paper and Packaging Corporation

Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.

Klabin S.A.

Oji Holdings Corporation

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited

International Paper Company

Key questions answered in this report:

What is the growth rate forecast and market size for Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market Industry?

What segments does the Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Report Details Market Size in 2022 USD 8.67 Billion Market Forecast in 2030 USD 14.62 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of 6.75% Base Year 2022 Forecast Years 2023- 2030 Key Companies Covered BillerudKorsnas, Mondi Group, WestRock Company, Smurfit Kappa Group, Verso Corporation, Stora Enso, SCG Packaging Public Company Limited, Sappi Limited, Thai Containers Group Co. Ltd., DS Smith Plc, KAPSTONE Paper and Packaging Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Klabin S.A., Oji Holdings Corporation, Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited, International Paper Company, Rengo Co. Ltd., Metsa Board Corporation, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Holmen AB, Ilim Group, Segezha Group, Emami Paper Mills Ltd., Heinzel Group, and Glatfelter Corporation. Segments Covered By Application, By Weight, By End-User, and By Region Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East &, Africa Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.

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Regional Analysis:

Due to China's paper industry growth, Asia-Pacific is predicted to lead the global machine glazed kraft paper market during the forecast period. The paper-making business has grown rapidly and is predicted to dominate 43.15% of the regional market by 2030. China's growth may be supported by a strong e-commerce sector, an excellent manufacturing line, and rising packaging sector usage of machine glazed kraft paper. The food and beverage business may boost performance in India, South Korea, and Japan.

The US accounts for 80.1% of North America's revenue. Strategic alliances like BillerudKorsnas' December 2021 acquisition of Verso may help the area market. Companies are investing in eco-friendly packaging like machine glazed kraft paper because US and Canadian environmental rules discourage single-use packaging.

Global Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market is segmented as follows:

Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: By Application Outlook (2023-2030)

Wraps

Bags & Pouches

Envelopes

Labels & Release Liners

Sacks

Others

Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: By Weight Outlook (2023-2030)

Above 30 GSM

18 to 30 GSM

Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: By End-User Outlook (2023-2030)

Electrical & Electronics

Food & Beverage

Automotive

Healthcare

Building & Construction

Textile

Personal Care & Cosmetics

Household

Machine Glazed Kraft Paper Market: By Region Outlook (2023-2030)

By Region

North America

The U.S.



Canada

Europe

France



The UK



Spain



Germany



Italy



Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China



Japan



India



Southeast Asia



Rest of Southeast Asia

The Middle East & Africa

& GCC



South Africa



Rest of the Middle East & Africa

& Latin America

Brazil



Argentina



Rest of Latin America

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Gift Boxes Market By Material (Paper, Plastics, And Others), By Application (Consumer Goods, Electronic Devices, Food & Beverages, Cosmetic & Personal Care, And Others), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/gift-boxes-market-size

Virgin Paper Packaging Market By Form (Rigid Forms And Semi-Rigid Forms), By Product Type (Fully-Extensible Sack Kraft Paper, Sack Kraft Paper, Speedex & High Performance, And Semi-Extensible Sack Kraft Paper), By Application (Special Protective Coating, Food Industry, Industrial & Building Material, PE (Polyethylene) Coating, And Animal & Pet Food), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/virgin-paper-packaging-market

Aspheric Lenses Market By Type (Glass, Plastic, And Others), By Offering (Single Aspheric Lens And Double Aspheric Lens), By Manufacturing Technology (Molding, Polishing & Grinding, And Others), By Application (Consumer Electronics, Digital Cameras, Automotive, Ophthalmic, Fiber Optics & Photonics, And Others) And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/aspheric-lenses-market

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Funding to support clinical research of precancerous lesions that can lead to skin cancer.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Enspectra Health, a healthtech company pioneering the virtual biopsy, has been awarded $2M in grant funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The funding will support research for developing deep learning algorithms to predict which precancerous lesions, Actinic Keratosis (AK), are likely to progress to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a form of non-melanoma skin cancer. AKs affect more than 58 million Americans1 and can progress to SCC, which kills more Americans than melanoma each year.2 The annual cost of treating non-melanoma skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated to be $4.8 billion.

Enspectra's innovative technology combines reflectance confocal and multiphoton laser scanning microscopy, resulting in high resolution images of cellular anatomy without the need for a biopsy. Unlike slide based scanners that require biopsies for digitization, Enspectra's technology digitizes pathology instantaneously and directly from a subject's skin in vivo. This capability can redefine the way numerous skin conditions are evaluated and treated.

With the NCI grant, Enspectra will build a large database of digital histopathology on patients with AKs before topical therapy is applied. These subjects will then be followed through the course of their treatment to identify non-responders. AKs that do not respond to therapy are more likely to progress to SCC and present a higher clinical risk. Utilizing multimodal data from its novel imaging platform, Enspectra will train a deep learning algorithm intended to predict which AKs would be unresponsive to treatment based on the noninvasive images.

"We are thrilled to have been awarded a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR grant from the NCI to support the development of predictive algorithms for skin precancers," said Gabriel Sanchez, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Enspectra Health. "This grant will accelerate our vision to noninvasively detect and monitor skin conditions earlier to advance care for the millions of patients with skin conditions."

About Enspectra Health

Enspectra Health is an emerging, privately held healthtech company pioneering the virtual biopsy to transform the way physicians evaluate a broad spectrum of skin conditions. The Company's novel technology combines reflectance confocal and multiphoton laser scanning microscopy to generate real-time, multispectral images at the cellular level, without the need for an incision. The technology allows for an instantaneous evaluation of rich, digital pathology images of various skin tissues, with the ultimate goal of minimizing unnecessary biopsies and facilitating earlier disease diagnosis.

Enspectra's device is limited by United States law to investigational use only and is not available for sale.

1The Lewin Group, Inc. The Burden of Skin Diseases 2005. Prepared for the Society for Investigative Dermatology, Cleveland, OH, and the American Academy of Dermatology Assn., Washington, DC, 2005.

2Mansouri, B. & Housewright, C. The Treatment of Actinic KeratosesThe Rule Rather Than the Exception. JAMA Dermatol 153, 1200 (2017).

Research reported in this press release is supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 5R44CA221591-04. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

For more information, please visit www.enspectrahealth.com or contact Investor Relations at [email protected].

SOURCE Enspectra Health
METZINGEN, Germany, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neura Robotics GmbH ("NEURA Robotics"), an emerging AI and robotics startup, announced today the closing of a $55 million funding round, led by European investors Lingotto (an investment management company owned by Exor N.V.), Vsquared Ventures, Primepulse and HV Capital.

David Reger (Founder and CEO of Neura Robotics) with cognitive robot MAiRA and humanoid robot 4NE-1 David Reger, Founder and CEO of Neura Robotics

Neura Robotics has risen to become a global pioneer in cognitive robotics in just three years and claims innovation leadership in the industry. As the first company to combine AI and robotics, Neura unveiled the world's first market-ready cognitive cobot shortly after its founding. This robot, called MAiRA, is able to fully perceive its environment and people and acts autonomously. By combining all relevant sensors and components with artificial intelligence in one device, Neura Robotics offers its partners a platform for the joint development of applications for a wide range of sectors from industry to service and household. The resulting and steadily growing NEURAverse offers unmatched flexibility and cost efficiency in automation.

David Reger, Founder and CEO of Neura Robotics, said: "Since our genesis in 2019, Neura Robotics has been working to push the boundaries of innovation in robotics by rethinking the subject with artificial intelligence and a platform approach, ushering in a new era in robotics. Today's funding round enables us to keep up the pace in delivering on our visionary promises."

"Neura operates at the confluence of AI and hardware development. Germany and Europe have a particular advantage here", said Nikhil Srinivasan, Managing Partner at Lingotto.



Dr Herbert Mangesius, General Partner at Vsquared Ventures, adds: "If you are serious about software, you need to embrace hardware. This is particularly true for robotic automation and has been a bottleneck in bringing cutting-edge machine learning and cognitive capabilities into the industrial and services world for many years. Neura Robotics is the first company we met that combines this technological vision and leadership with an open partnership model and such driving progress globally at a never-seen pace within robotics."

Robots based on the Neura Robotics platform are able to see, hear and have a sense of touch. Combined with reflexive sensory processing, these capabilities are essential for autonomous and predictive action. With the founding team's vast expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence, robots by Neura Robotics are being developed to collaborate with humans across various societal domains and within human-designed environments, and in just a couple of years could play an important role in solving the problem of the general shortage of skilled workers. Today, NEURA is right on track to bring the first multi-purpose humanoid robot to market.

The $55 million capital increase secures the expansion of the versatile high-tech company towards the US and Japan and helps to expand the production infrastructure in Germany to meet the exponential demand of the order book, which today exceeds $450 million. Throughout the transaction, Neura Robotics was advised by GP Bullhound.

About NEURA Robotics

NEURA Robotics was founded in 2019 by David Reger in Metzingen, southern Germany, with the goal of bridging important innovation gaps in robotics and establishing the age of cognitive robots. Like a smartphone manufacturer, NEURA Robotics combines all components and sensors as well as artificial intelligence in one device and offers partners a platform for the joint development of apps for a wide range of specialist areas. The resulting and steadily growing NEURAverse offers unmatched flexibility and cost efficiency in automation and attracts many international market leaders. For instance, Kawasaki, the third-largest robotics manufacturer worldwide by revenue, has recently unveiled a product range "powered by NEURA." All the new technological components required for this approach, including AI, are developed in-house by NEURA Robotics. This made it possible to set new standards in intelligence, precision, and safety. NEURA's cognitive robots can see, hear, and have a sense of touch; they act completely autonomously and learn from experience. Today, NEURA is right on track to bring the first multi-purpose humanoid robot to market.

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SOURCE Neura Robotics GmbH
BRUSSELS, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Union's new investment strategy can strengthen the role of Latin America and the Caribbean as a key part of the solution to regional and global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity and food insecurity, IDB President Ilan Goldfajn said at a historic summit between the two regions, which brought together governments from the European Union and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States for the first time in eight years.

The "New Agenda to strengthen the EU's partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean," lays out Europe's goals for reinvigorating political and economic ties. The Agenda includes boosting investment though the EU's Global Gateway program to narrow the existing gaps.

"Latin America is now perfectly positioned to be part of the solution to the world's biggest challenges, including climate change, food insecurity and biodiversity protection. By working closer together, the public and private sectors of Europe and of our region can make this opportunity a reality," President Goldfajn said.

Latin America is key to the clean energy transition. 30% of LAC's total energy supply is from renewable sources  double the world average  and if properly harnessed, this number could grow exponentially. It is home to two-thirds of the world's lithium and 38% of its copper, both of which are critical to producing clean energy and electric vehicles, including those manufactured by European automakers. The region is also the world's top net-exporter of food but could produce eight times more food with right reforms and investment, alleviating food insecurity.

In addition, the region is home to 40% of the world's biodiversity. The Amazon alone absorbs a quarter of the world's carbon emissions, so protecting it is key to achieving global climate goals. For this reason, the IDB is launching the holistic umbrella program Amazonia Forever.

Europe's new agenda comes as foreign direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean is rising. Last year, it hit a record $225 billion, according to a new report from the United Nations. Europe's own direct investment in the region now surpasses its direct investment in India, China and Japan combined.

"This investment benefits not only Latin America and the Caribbean, but also the European Union, at a time of many shared priorities. The IDB has been the partner of choice of Europe and European companies to scale financing and maximize impact, including through our new and innovative financial tools," said President Goldfajn.

To promote closer ties and investment in the region, the IDB co-organized a Business Roundtable at the summit, attended by private and public-sector leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and CAF Executive President Sergio Diaz-Granados.

While in Brussels, the IDB delegation met with leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe, including from key private-sector companies such as Nokia and Siemens. President Goldfajn also met with heads of state from the region and with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, who has been promoting stronger, more strategic ties between the two regions. He also met with Jutta Urpilainen, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

Thirteen European Union countries have been members of the IDB for almost half a century. They have partnered with the Bank on a vast array of projects, ranging from digitalization to climate adaptation and mitigation, gender equality, water and sanitation, infrastructure, community development and trade, all aimed at promoting sustainable development.

Over the past decade, the IDB and the EU have collaborated on regional policy dialogues, co-financed projects, and implemented 49 joint initiatives.

The collaboration includes examples such as Spain's contribution to a water and sanitation fund that has directly benefited over 3 million people. The IDB has also partnered with the French Development Agency to jointly finance $6.3 billion in social, climate, infrastructure and digitalization projects. And Germany helped the IDB launch the Green Bond Transparency Platform, which now covers well over three-fourths of the region's green bond issuances.

Over the past year alone, the European Commission has allocated $35.5 million in grants for IDB projects, from health to trade. European countries are also key contributors to the IDB's new Amazonia Forever program, which will protect this extraordinary natural space and facilitate investment in sustainable development.

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. It helps to improve lives by providing financial solutions and development expertise to public- and private-sector clients. The Group comprises the IDB, which has worked with governments for more than 60 years; IDB Invest, which serves the private sector; and IDB Lab, which tests innovative ways to enable more inclusive growth. Take our virtual tour.

Contact: David Roman, [email protected], +34695594646

SOURCE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group
LUND, Sweden, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hansa Biopharma ("Hansa"), a pioneer in enzyme technology for rare immunological conditions, today announced first patient treated with imlifidase in an investigator-initiated phase 2 study in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody ("ANCA")-associated vasculitis. This is the first study evaluating imlifidase, Hansa's first-generation IgG-cleaving enzyme, in this patient population.

Sren Tulstrup, President and CEO, Hansa Biopharma said, "This is an important step forward in the development of our technology platform and pipeline of drug candidates for rare immunologic diseases and conditions. Our lead molecule imlifidase has the potential to address areas of high unmet need in the autoimmune disease space, as demonstrated by our clinical studies in anti-glomerular basement membrane ("anti-GBM")1 disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome ("GBS"). We look forward to the results of this study in yet another autoimmune disease and are excited about the potential for imlifidase to help even more patients suffering from serious autoimmune diseases and conditions."

The study is a single center, single arm, phase 2 trial led by Dr. Adrian Schreiber and Dr. Philipp Enghard, at Charite Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany. The primary objective of the study is to assess efficacy and safety of imlifidase together with standard of care in the treatment of patients with pulmonary hemorrhage due to severe ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Dr. Philipp Enghard, Division of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Charite Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, and co-principal investigator of the study, said, "There are very few treatment options to achieve rapid control of disease activity for patients affected by ANCA-associated vasculitis and we believe imlifidase constitutes a promising opportunity for these antibody-related disorders. Thanks to its almost immediate and highly effective action, imlifidase has the potential to be a powerful candidate as new treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis, particularly in patients with severely active disease".

A total of 10 patients with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ("ARDS") due to pulmonary hemorrhage will be treated with imlifidase on top of standard of care (consisting of standard immunosuppression as per center protocol and intensive support care). Efficacy and safety of imlifidase will be assessed by evaluating ANCA antibody seroconversion and titers, adverse events, mortality, as well as amelioration of lung and renal function over a 6-month observation period.

ANCA-associated vasculitis is a group of conditions that affect approximately 30 people in a million annually in the EU and US.2,3 It is characterized by the presence of IgG anti-neutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies4 directed against antigens expressed by the neutrophils, a type of white blood cell part of the body's immune system response. The consequent activation of neutrophils by the ANCA antibodies causes blood vessel damage5 that can affect multiple organs, most frequently lungs and kidneys, where it leads to rapidly deteriorating organ function. The progress of the disease results in end stage kidney disease in 25 percent of patients.6 The most severe cases involving lungs lead to pulmonary hemorrhage with consequent respiratory failure.7

More information about the trial is available on EU Clinical Trial Register. EudraCT Number: 2021-004706-22

References

Uhlin F, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2022 Apr;33(4):829-838. Berti A, et al. Arthritis Rheum atol. 2017;69. Rathmann J, et al. RMD Open. 2023;9:e002949. Jennette JC, et al. 2012 Arthritis and rheumatism. 2013;65(1):1-11. Falk RJ, Jennette JC. The New England journal of medicine. 1988;318(25):1651-7. Booth AD, et al. American journal of kidney diseases. 2003;41(4):776-84. Flossmann O, et al. Annals of the rheumatic diseases. 2011;70(3):488-94.

CONTACT:

Contacts for more information:

Klaus Sindahl, Head of Investor Relations

M: +46 (0) 709 298 269

E: [email protected]

Stephanie Kenney, VP Global Corporate Affairs

M: +1 (484) 319 2802

E: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1219/3806583/2194395.pdf 230719 - HNSA First patient treated in ANCA-associated vasculitis - ENG

SOURCE Hansa Biopharma AB
BEIJING, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from China Daily:

Hailing from home and abroad, participants attending a forum on the development of Tibet held in late May lauded the achievements made on all fronts in the Tibet autonomous region in Southwest China.

This photo taken in May shows the Lhalu wetland in Lhasa, with the Potala Palace as the backdrop. Tibet autonomous region has impressed people from home and abroad with its pristine ecological environment and colorful ethnic culture. Jiang Fan / Xinhua

Officially called the 2023 Forum on the Development of Xizang, China, the event opened on May 23 in Beijing and focused on Tibet's new chapter in high-quality development. Xizang is the name of Tibet in Chinese.

The forum also acted as a means to pool together wisdom for the continued development of the autonomous region.

The one-day event brought together more than 150 officials and experts in various fields and representatives of enterprises and media organizations from home and abroad.

Australian Sinologist Colin Macherras lauded Tibet's development over the past decades, citing his experience gained during visits to Tibet.

He said that Tibet has eliminated absolute poverty, and its infrastructure and living standards have improved dramatically.

The achievements of poverty alleviation in the Tibet autonomous region have been widely praised at the forum.

Tibet used to be the only provincial-level contiguous poverty-stricken region in China. It had accomplished the historic feat of eradicating absolute poverty by the end of 2019, with 628,000 people lifted out of poverty.

The regional GDP reached 213.3 billion yuan ($29.74 billion) in 2022, representing a giant leap from the 1959 figure of a mere 174 million yuan, according to official data.

Prior to the forum, foreign participants were invited to tour the cities of Lhasa and Nyingchi in Tibet, visiting places including villages, schools and communities.

Describing the achievements in Tibet as a feat that "almost nobody in the world could achieve in only a few decades", Guibe Guillaume, a French employee of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, said he is impressed by the high-quality development of infrastructure during his first trip in the region.

"At an altitude of 5,200 meters, I could get my emails and chat on my mobile phone," Guillaume said.

Maria Gustava, Mozambique's ambassador to China, said that the practical experience of Tibet in poverty alleviation and rural development proved that effective and holistic planning is needed to realize poverty reduction.

Tibet's success in alleviating rural poverty through leveraging technology-led farming methods constitutes a source of inspiration for developing countries like Mozambique in their efforts to fight poverty and promote sustainable development, Gustava said.

SOURCE China Daily
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for the head of the Red Cross of Belarus Dmitry Shevtsov, who publicly confessed to the crime of deporting children from the occupied territories of Ukraine.

I call on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Dzmitry Shautsou, who has publicly confessed to the crime of unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine. All those responsible for stealing Ukrainian children must be held to account, Kuleba said on Twitter.

Earlier, the Belarusian opposition portal Mirror published material that head of the Belarusian Red Cross Society Dmitry Shevtsov, during his next trip to Donbas, not only handed over humanitarian aid, but also starred in a report on the Belarus 1 TV channel, where he admitted that his organization was taking part in the removal of children from Ukraine.
CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Functional Cosmetics Market by Functionality (Conditioning Agents, UV Filters, Anti-Ageing Agents Skin-Lightening Agents), Application (Skin Care, Hair Care), and Region(Europe, Asia Pacific, North America) - Global Forecast to 2028", size was USD 3.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 4.6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.4%, between 2023 and 2028.

Functional cosmetics are cosmetic ingredients that help whiten the skin, decrease wrinkles, protect from ultraviolet (UV) rays, change hair color, remove hair or nourish hair, and correct dryness, cracking, or peeling skin.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Functional Cosmetics Market"

150  Tables

49  Figures

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Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=208028292

Conditioning agents segment to account for larger share in functional cosmetics market, in 2022.

The conditioning agents for skin can influence the homeostatic process of repair and growth by augmenting the skin's renewal mechanism. The conditioning agents used in hair have fairly no effect on growth, and neither can help in cellular repair. These agents can help temporarily improve the cosmetic appearance of damaged hair, which further needs to be reapplied as the removal occurs. The market in this segment is driven by the increasing population and rising per capita spending on cosmetics in Asia Pacific and Europe.

Skincare to lead functional cosmetics market, during the forecast period.

The functional cosmetics used in skin care cater to problems such as protection from harmful sun rays, wrinkles, blemishes, acne, aging, and frown lines, among others. The demand for skin care products is increasing rapidly worldwide due to the common need of humans to look good. The essence of bright and glowing skin is a major thriving factor for the growing demand for beauty and skincare products. The skin care application segment is categorized into three sub-type: body care, face care, and sun care.

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"Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region, in the overall functional cosmetics market, during the forecast period"

The high economic growth of emerging economies and the increasing disposable income of people make Asia Pacific an attractive market for functional cosmetics manufacturers. The increasing population and availability of cheap products are primarily responsible for the high demand for functional cosmetics in the region. UV-filters-based cosmetic products are also being increasingly used due to rising heat levels in the region. Consumers in Asia Pacific are more considerate about their skin tone, due to which they are more aware and willing to use sun care or body care cosmetics in day-to-day operations.

The key players profiled in the report include BASF SE (Germany), Nouryon (Netherlands), Ashland Inc. (US), Clariant AG (Germany), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Gattefosse (France), Stepan Company (US), Lucas Meyer Cosmetics (Canada), Croda International Plc (UK), and Air Liquide S.A. (France).

Browse Adjacent Market: Specialty Chemicals Market Research & Consulting

Related Reports:

Cosmetic Pigments Market - Global Forecast to 2026

Personal Care Ingredients Market- Global Forecast to 2027

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Digital Wealth Platform To Bring Scalable Investment Data To Advisors and Their Clients

WOBURN, Mass., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FusionIQ, a leader in the delivery of cloud-based wealth management solutions with their all-in-one digital platform for financial advisors and institutions, today announced its partnership with FinMason, a leading investment analytics provider based in Boston. The latest collaboration aims to strengthen FusionIQ's platform, FusionIQ One, and the platform's automated proposal generator and portfolio screening capabilities.

"We are excited to join forces with FinMason as our investment data provider for FusionIQ One," said Mark Healy, Chief Executive Officer of FusionIQ. "The decision to select FinMason was driven by their alignment with FusionIQ One's commitment to empower advisors and firms as digital wealth leaders. FinMason's cloud-based API offers exceptional flexibility, enabling an outstanding interactive user experience for advisors and clients through a single pane of glass. This partnership will significantly enhance the functionality of FusionIQ One, providing advisors with powerful tools to serve their clients more effectively."

Key factors for FusionIQ that culminated in this partnership includes FinMason's highly scalable investment data. With access to over 1,100 different analytic data points, FusionIQ One users can benefit from a broad range of analytics for portfolio screening. This comprehensive suite of investment data allows advisors to make informed decisions and provide tailored investment strategies to their clients, who can work with their advisor or independently with four easy-to-activate, pay-as-you-grow modules on FusionIQ One -- Digital Advice, Self-Directed Investing, finTAMP, and Digital Model Marketplace.

In addition to the core platform modules, FusionIQ One has an API Integration Suite to help integrate additional tools that clients may require. FinMason's advanced API capabilities and extensive range of analytics complement FusionIQ One's mission of delivering seamless user experiences and enabling digital wealth leadership. As part of this partnership, FusionIQ users can leverage FinMason's simplified access to market data and complex investment analytics. FinMason's data redistribution service grants FusionIQ access to data feeds, including third-party ESG data, from partnered third-party providers.

"FinMason believes that institutional-grade investment analytics should be made part of every software tool," said David Remstein, Chief Executive Officer of FinMason. "We are thrilled to partner with FusionIQ and contribute to their vision of futureproofing advisors and firms. Our scalable API, broad range of analytics, and speed-of-light response times will help elevate FusionIQ One's capabilities and provide advisors with the tools they need to deliver exceptional investment strategies to their clients."

About FusionIQ

FusionIQ makes it easy for financial advisors and institutions to be digital wealth leaders. The intuitive, all-in-one FusionIQ One platform has four easy to implement modules  Digital Advice, Self-Directed, Digital Model Marketplace, and finTAMP  making digital transformation hassle free. FusionIQ One's simple, pay as you grow approach, makes it easy for credit unions, banks, RIAs, independent broker dealers and asset managers to scale, delivering the digital experience clients and advisors want and the workflows and process automations they need to grow. With white label integrations complete in as little as six weeks, it's easy to see why FusionIQ One's integrated multi-custodian platform is quickly becoming the digital solution of choice for advisors and institutions. To learn more, please visit: https://fusioniq.io

About FinMason

FinMason was founded by experienced industry insiders and leading technologists who have managed institutional portfolios, built and managed performance, risk, and analytics systems for large institutions, and built and sold large technology companies. FinMason solves the two largest hurdles in investment analysis  wrangling market data and calculating analytics at scale. Via FinMason's cloud-native API the company provides a lightning-fast, customizable, calculation engine to accelerate any wealth technology build out. For more information about FinMason, visit www.finmason.com or email [email protected]

Elizabeth Shim / Donald Cutler

Haven Tower Group

424 317 4861 or 424 317 4864

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SOURCE FusionIQ
DUBLIN, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "E-learning Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global e-learning market is projected to reach a value of $491.35 billion by 2028 from $232.47 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 13.28% from 2022 to 2028.

North America leads the e-learning market, capturing over 41% of the revenue share in 2022, thanks to its efficient learning infrastructure and innovative methodologies. The region's high-speed internet, robust connectivity, and easy access empower learners to provide real-time feedback, driving improvements in interactive e-learning sessions.

The growing adoption of 5G technology is set to fuel market growth, enhancing the overall learning experience. The United States and Canada, as the region's largest economies, play a significant role in this surge. Academic and business users have distinct expectations and learning requirements, shaping the diverse landscape of e-learning services.

While academic courseware emphasizes dynamic content customization, corporate courseware targets broader audiences with a structured online distribution model.

Notably, the Latin American e-learning market has witnessed substantial mergers and acquisitions over the past seven years, with companies expanding their portfolios to encompass various segments, including K12 education, distance learning, post-secondary education, and workforce skill training in both corporate and government sectors.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increasing Use of Mobile Applications in the E-learning Market



Development in mobile applications is becoming the core strategy of most businesses where older education models are being replaced with revolutionary e-learning applications that have changed the learning process.

Mobile applications have introduced several features to offer ease and convenience to overcome various problems faced by students from different demographics and geographical backgrounds. With the help of mobile phones, learning has now become more interactive. The emergence of smartphones in the late 20th century changed the learning scenario.



Increasing Demand for Internet-Enabled Services



Growing internet, mobile, and smartphone penetration is one of the fundamental growth drivers of the e-learning market. This has revolutionized content delivery mode and evolved the method by continuously improving bandwidths and reducing data prices.

Governments across the globe hold the key to developing internet infrastructure across countries and formulating the framework for e-learning as the primary and secondary mode for mass education. Primary and secondary education is predominantly funded and regulated by the state and constitutes a key end-user segment in the e-learning market.



Introduction of 5G Technology



The emergence of 5G technology is expected to witness heights by 2023, covering nearly 20% of the global population. The application of 5G will be similar to 4G but more reliable and faster. The bandwidth of connecting to more devices and executing tasks at greater speed without delay will have a huge influence on the e-learning market.

The ability to connect more than a million devices per square km will bring out hassle-free advancements in smart classes, cloud technology, and gamification, thereby improving the adoption of a tech-based learning ecosystem. Adopting 5G technology in education has brought huge transformations in a high-quality learning experience with high video and audio quality and a seamless VR experience.

The concept of adopting 5G technology is at a nascent stage. It is expected to grow as many companies as possible in the e-learning market are expected to start developing applications compatible with 5G technology.



INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Inadequate Internet Bandwidth in Developing Countries



For economic and human development, broadband internet access is necessary in developing and developed countries. For delivering essential services such as education and healthcare, the internet is a powerful tool that provides increased opportunities for environmental sustainability and adds to improved government transparency and accountability.



While developed markets such as the U.S., the U.K., and the EU account for the majority demand for online learning solutions, developing countries are the major growth markets because of their rapidly evolving internet and mobile infrastructure. Despite the rise in mobile and internet penetration in these countries, bandwidth and streaming quality are major concerns, often limiting access to sophisticated and advanced learning and training applications.

With blended learning gaining foreground and video becoming an integral part of the training-learning curriculum, the role of internet bandwidth becomes even more prominent. The adoption of e-learning products in most emerging economies is largely affected by insufficient bandwidth, hindering the delivery of audio and video content and hampering the e-learning market growth.

SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY DELIVERY MODE



E-learning encompasses various courseware and content delivery services for various end-user applications. Packaged content, LMS, and other emerging learning avenues, including serious games and gamified mobile applications, are the most prominent.

Other important learning models increasingly gaining prominence include video-based learning, virtual classrooms, social learning, gamification, and simulations.

INSIGHTS BY LEARNING MODE



The global e-learning market by learning mode is categorized under self-paced and instructor-led. The self-paced learning mode is a preferred choice of learners as it allows them to learn at their schedule and time. Also, the method enables learners to control the amount of study material and time required.

In 2022, the self-paced learning mode segment dominated the global industry. The segment is expected to grow at a comparatively higher CAGR than the instructor-led learning mode segment during the forecast period. Under the instructor-led learning mode, the course already has a pre-planned pace, which cannot be altered as per convenience.

INSIGHTS BY FUNCTION MODE



The training function facilitates the learners with lectures (live or recorded) along with necessary notes or other relevant content. In 2022, the global e-learning market was dominated by training functions. Training module packages include notes in PDF, video tutorials, word documents, and assessments to help students learn easier and quicker.

INSIGHTS BY END USERS



The global e-learning market by end users is divided into five categories K-12, higher education, corporate, government, and vocational. E-learning is used by corporates to train, communicate, and enhance the value of employees across organizations. They are constantly looking to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their workforce, and there is a constant requirement to upskill the existing personnel.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 508 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $232.47 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $491.35 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 13.2 % Regions Covered Global

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market Opportunities & Trends

Increasing Use of Mobile Applications in E-Learning Industry

Growth of Blended Learning

Increasing Use of Vr & Ar Applications

Growth in Gamification

Adoption in Hybrid Model

Market Growth Enablers

Increasing Demand for Internet-Enabled- Devices

Growing Need for Strong Workforce Skills

Digital Transformation in Learning & Training

Continuous Investment in Digital Learning

Introduction of 5G Technology: Game Changer

Enhancement in Connectivity Infrastructure and Smartphone Penetration

Market Restraints

Growing Demand for Continuous Product Innovation

Variability in Hardware & Software

Limited Access to Closed Markets & Platforms

Inadequate Internet Bandwidth in Developing Countries

Lack of Viable Revenue & Monetization Models

Key Company Profiles

Apollo Education Group

Blackboard

British Council

Oracle

Pearson

Aptara

Adobe

Skillsoft

NIIT

Other Prominent Vendors

Cisco

Instructure

GP Strategies

Thomson Reuters

Docebo

McGraw Hill

Desire2Learn

Edmodo

Cengage

Macmillan Education

Cornerstone

Educomp

Cogna Educacao

Telefonica

edX

Estacio

Coursera

SAP Litmos

Open Education

Veduca

LinkedIn (Microsoft)

Simplilearn

Think & Learn (BYJU'S)

upGrad

LeQuest

FutureLearn

L2P (Learn 2 Play)

Chegg

Bright Little Labs

Aula Education

WhiteHat Security

Blinkist

Age of Learning

Learnetic

Elearn Australia

360Learning

Udemy

Skillshare

Udacity

Pluralsight

Alison

Babbel

Treehouse

Unacademy

Duolingo

Tracxn Technologies

IGNOU

BenchPrep

Coassemble

Codecademy

CrossKnowledge

FutureLearn

GoSkills

iHASCO

ITPro

Khan Academy

MasterClass

OpenSesame

Rosetta Stone

Teachlr

DataCamp

BrainStation

Cengage Learning India

Estacio

Telefonica Learning Services

Learnetic

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3986q3

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Piezoelectric Actuator Market Report - Market Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Outlook - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global piezoelectric actuator market is set to witness significant growth in the coming years, according to this report.

The study provides deep insights into the current and future state of the industry, examining market drivers, restraints, regional trends, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on market demand and growth.

Key Highlights:

The report analyzes the drivers and restraints influencing the global piezoelectric actuator market, providing qualitative information supported by data to explain their impact in the near, medium, and long term.

It discusses the market overview, latest updates, commercial developments, structural trends, and government policies and regulations.

The report assesses the impact of COVID-19 on market demand and provides a market size and demand forecast until 2027, including year-on-year (YoY) growth rates and CAGR.

It examines the critical elements of the piezoelectric actuator industry's supply chain, its structure, and participants, utilizing Porter's five forces framework to assess the industry's competition and profitability.

The market is segmented by imaging technology (ultrasound-HIFU therapy, magnetic resonance imaging-HIFU therapy), indication (oncology, skin care, neurological disorders, others), and end user (hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, dermatology clinics, others).

The regional analysis covers North America , Asia-Pacific , Europe , and the rest of the world.

, , , and the rest of the world. Key company profiles are provided, including Koninklijke Philips N.V., Sonic Concepts, Inc., Theraclion, Sonablate, Alpinion Medical Systems Co., Ltd., Shanghai Carnation Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Insightec, FUS Instruments Inc., Mianyang Sonic Electronic, Profound Medical, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Image Guided Therapy, and Promedica Bioelectronics s.r.l.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nrabz1

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
Shares Outstanding: 326,301,011

Trading Symbols: TSX: GGD

OTCQX: GLGDF

706 g/t AgEq over 14.0m including 2.3m of 4,081 g/t AgEq including 0.6m of 9,283 g/t AgEq

HALIFAX, NS, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - GoGold Resources Inc. (TSX: GGD) (OTCQX: GLGDF) ("GoGold", "the Company") is pleased to announce additional drilling results from Los Ricos South, within the Main area, including a high-grade intercept from hole LRGG-22-280. The hole intercepted 14.0m of 706 g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq"), including 2.3m of 4,081 g/t AgEq which also included a very high-grade interval of 9,283 g/t AgEq over 0.6m.

Figure 1: Eagle + Main Area Grade Thickness Longitudinal Section (CNW Group/GoGold Resources Inc.) Figure 2: Los Ricos District Overview (CNW Group/GoGold Resources Inc.)

"We've drilled over 100 additional holes in the Main zone at Los Ricos South since our initial drilling which was included in our July 2020 Mineral Resource Estimate. Our additional drilling has helped us better define the continuity of the high grade ore shoots in the deposit," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We believe this will be invaluable as we complete our mine plan for the upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment and Pre-Feasibility Study at Los Ricos South."

Table 1: Drill Hole Intersections

Hole ID Area / Vein From To Length1 Au Ag AuEq2 AgEq2



(m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) LRGG-22-280 Main area 1.2 16.7 14.0 1.77 573.7 9.42 706.2

including 10.1 12.4 2.3 10.30 3,308.2 54.41 4,080.8

including 10.1 10.7 0.6 22.70 7,580.0 123.77 9,282.5 LRGG-22-241 Main area 53.2 59.6 6.3 0.59 86.0 1.74 130.5

including 54.5 55.5 1.0 1.93 321.0 6.21 465.7 LRGG-22-242 Main area 128.4 144.6 16.2 0.70 72.0 1.66 124.7

including 133.8 136.2 2.4 2.29 94.9 3.56 266.7 LRGG-22-243 Main area 195.4 199.8 4.5 0.76 142.9 2.67 199.9 LRGG-22-245 Main area 79.2 81.8 2.6 0.90 239.8 4.10 307.4 LRGG-22-246 Main area 185.0 199.0 14.0 2.90 84.6 4.03 302.3

including 193.6 194.6 1.0 31.80 261.0 35.28 2,646.0 LRGG-22-247 Main area 167.6 185.0 17.5 0.60 93.1 1.84 138.1

including 175.0 180.0 5.0 1.28 160.0 3.41 255.9 LRGG-22-248 Main area 120.8 122.2 1.4 0.66 78.3 1.70 127.8 LRGG-22-249 Main area 125.4 135.3 9.9 0.95 333.9 5.40 404.9 LRGG-22-250 Main area 151.2 157.5 6.3 1.54 101.5 2.89 217.1

including 152.3 154.1 1.8 3.12 213.0 5.96 447.0 LRGG-22-251 Main area 161.0 162.6 1.6 1.09 128.5 2.80 210.2 LRGG-22-252 Main area 123.6 133.2 7.4 1.39 167.6 3.62 271.6

including 126.1 126.8 0.7 4.81 429.0 10.53 789.7 LRGG-22-253 Main area 210.4 212.4 2.0 0.94 146.2 2.88 216.3 LRGG-22-254 Main area 167.7 179.6 11.9 1.28 183.1 3.72 279.2

including 170.5 171.1 0.6 7.06 1,830.0 31.46 2,359.5

and 189.4 192.9 3.4 0.45 166.1 2.67 200.1 LRGG-22-255 Main area 174.8 184.3 9.5 1.08 185.8 3.55 266.6

including 183.0 184.3 1.3 4.50 727.8 14.20 1,065.3 LRGG-22-256 Main area 135.3 142.0 5.4 1.97 136.1 3.79 284.0

including 138.0 139.0 1.1 5.28 336.0 9.76 732.0 LRGG-22-257 Main area 60.5 72.0 11.6 1.50 164.7 3.69 277.0

including 71.4 72.0 0.7 8.64 261.0 12.12 909.0 LRGG-22-258 Main area 144.8 151.0 6.2 1.14 162.5 3.31 248.3 LRGG-22-260 Main area 115.3 137.7 22.5 1.20 124.1 2.85 213.8

including 119.6 120.1 0.5 11.50 427.0 17.19 1,289.5 LRGG-22-261 Main area 50.6 56.2 5.6 0.67 58.1 1.45 108.6 LRGG-22-262 Main area 135.0 140.9 5.8 2.27 41.6 2.82 211.8

including 135.0 136.0 1.0 7.91 28.2 8.29 621.5 LRGG-22-263 Main area 150.2 155.6 5.4 1.50 85.7 2.64 198.3

including 153.0 153.5 0.5 0.87 472.0 7.16 537.3 LRGG-22-264 Main area 131.6 159.0 24.9 1.01 104.5 2.40 180.3

including 149.5 156.5 7.0 2.46 247.5 5.76 431.8

including 153.0 154.7 1.7 8.78 746.8 18.74 1,405.5 LRGG-22-265 Main area 134.7 141.8 7.1 1.25 416.6 6.81 510.7

including 136.0 139.0 3.0 2.69 905.0 14.76 1,106.7

including 137.1 138.0 0.9 5.70 2,300.0 36.37 2,727.5

and 151.9 156.2 4.3 0.86 215.8 3.73 280.0 LRGG-22-267 Main area 57.0 73.5 16.5 1.32 153.2 3.36 251.9

including 66.0 68.5 2.5 6.44 571.5 14.06 1,054.5 LRGG-22-268 Main area 17.7 20.6 2.9 3.54 264.6 7.07 530.1 LRGG-22-269 Main area 42.1 59.4 17.3 2.53 159.8 4.66 349.5

including 50.2 51.0 0.9 26.70 1,215.0 42.90 3,217.5 LRGG-22-271 Main area 39.5 43.3 3.8 2.19 197.0 4.82 361.5 LRGG-22-272 Main area 79.9 84.4 4.5 1.54 73.5 2.52 188.7 LRGG-22-273 Main area 40.2 49.5 9.3 0.74 92.7 1.98 148.3 LRGG-22-274 Main area 55.6 66.0 8.3 0.63 100.6 1.97 148.1 LRGG-22-275 Main area 67.5 71.8 4.3 0.51 170.4 2.78 208.7 LRGG-22-276 Main area 135.0 148.7 13.7 1.48 213.4 4.32 324.1

including 137.5 140.0 2.5 4.26 439.7 10.13 759.5 LRGG-22-277 Main area 138.0 142.2 4.2 1.45 254.4 4.85 363.4 LRGG-22-278 Main area 170.2 176.3 6.1 1.02 76.7 2.04 153.2 LRGG-22-279 Main area 179.5 185.5 6.0 1.44 199.2 4.09 306.9

1. Not true width 2. AgEq converted using a silver to gold ratio of 75:1 at recoveries of 100%



The Main area drilling campaign's purposes is to better define the very high-grade portions of the current deposit that may be amenable to bulk underground mining. These holes are in addition to those drilled in 2019 and 2020 which formed part of the initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("Resource") upon which the Los Ricos South Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") was based upon when it was released on January 20, 2021. It is expected that these holes will be included in an updated Resource to be released by the end of the summer.

Figure 2, above, provides a summary of the Los Ricos District, including both the Los Ricos North and Los Ricos South projects. The map includes an outline of the concession areas and a summary of the current Mineral Resource Estimates ("MRE") on the projects, as well as stars locating each of the deposits included within the current MREs.

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length LRGG-22-241 610277 2328012 1285 50 -45 87 LRGG-22-242 610266 2327866 1265 50 -45 180 LRGG-22-243 610484 2327564 1261 50 -51 228 LRGG-22-244 610240 2327843 1249 50 -50 175 LRGG-22-245 610276 2328011 1285 50 -85 112 LRGG-22-246 610392 2327710 1263 50 -63 226 LRGG-22-247 610256 2327791 1247 50 -57 230 LRGG-22-248 610278 2327846 1259 50 -59 171 LRGG-22-249 610589 2327583 1263 50 -51 137 LRGG-22-250 610411 2327725 1266 50 -61 201 LRGG-22-251 610207 2327821 1239 50 -52 216 LRGG-22-252 610578 2327607 1268 50 -53 175 LRGG-22-253 610156 2327906 1274 50 -50 247 LRGG-22-254 610419 2327707 1273 50 -65 213 LRGG-22-255 610283 2327782 1247 50 -59 237 LRGG-22-256 610533 2327604 1260 50 -49 164 LRGG-22-257 610730 2327536 1246 50 -46 77 LRGG-22-258 610556 2327585 1257 50 -53 185 LRGG-22-259 610156 2327906 1275 50 -68 260 LRGG-22-260 610684 2327505 1247 50 -50 167 LRGG-22-261 610812 2327478 1246 50 -56 85 LRGG-22-262 610684 2327505 1247 50 -63 189 LRGG-22-263 610183 2327997 1279 50 -66 198 LRGG-22-264 610651 2327508 1245 50 -50 182 LRGG-22-265 610586 2327550 1252 50 -46 205 LRGG-22-266 610316 2328106 1328 50 -45 101 LRGG-22-267 610250 2328049 1306 50 -45 101 LRGG-22-268 610310 2328071 1312 50 -44 99 LRGG-22-269 610806 2327506 1252 50 -59 90 LRGG-22-270 610823 2327456 1243 50 -56 86 LRGG-22-271 610859 2327485 1264 50 -51 65 LRGG-22-272 610768 2327467 1232 50 -54 112 LRGG-22-273 610282 2328044 1300 50 -45 111 LRGG-22-274 610764 2327510 1242 50 -48 107 LRGG-22-275 610246 2328081 1318 50 -45 114 LRGG-22-276 610524 2327627 1270 50 -44 193 LRGG-22-277 610524 2327627 1270 50 -57 171 LRGG-22-278 610523 2327626 1270 50 -71 179 LRGG-22-279 610591 2327520 1242 50 -61 237 LRGG-22-280 610324 2328087 1321 50 -45 84

VRIFY Slide Deck and 3D Presentation

VRIFY is a platform being used by companies to communicate with investors using 360 virtual tours of remote mining assets, 3D models and interactive presentations. VRIFY can be accessed by website and with the VRIFY iOS and Android apps.

The VRIFY 3D Slide Deck for GoGold can be viewed at: https://vrify.com/companies/gogold-resources-inc and on the Company's website at: www.gogoldresources.com.

Los Ricos District Exploration Projects

The Company's two exploration projects at its Los Ricos Property are in Jalisco state, Mexico. The Los Ricos South Project began in March 2019 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on July 29, 2020, which disclosed a Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource of 63.7 million ounces AgEq grading 199 g/t AgEq contained in 10.0 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 19.9 million ounces AgEq grading 190 g/t AgEq contained in 3.3 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on January 20, 2021, indicating an NPV 5% of US$295M. The Eagle Concession was acquired in October 2022 and is adjacent to the Main Area which contains the initial Mineral Resource.

The Los Ricos North Project was launched in March 2020 and an initial Mineral Resource was announced on December 7, 2021, which disclosed an Indicated Mineral Resource of 87.8 million ounces AgEq grading 122 g/t AgEq contained in 22.3 million tonnes, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 73.2 million ounces AgEq grading 111 g/t AgEq contained in 20.5 million tonnes. An initial PEA on the project was announced on May 17, 2023, indicating an NPV 5% of US$413M.

Procedure, Quality Assurance / Quality Control and Data Verification

The diamond drill core (HQ size) is geologically logged, photographed and marked for sampling. When the sample lengths are determined, the full core is sawn with a diamond blade core saw with one half of the core being bagged and tagged for assay. The remaining half portion is returned to the core trays for storage and/or for metallurgical test work.

The sealed and tagged sample bags are transported to the ALS Chemex facility in Guadalajara, Mexico. ALS Chemex crushes the samples and prepares 200-300 gram pulp samples with ninety percent passing Tyler 150 mesh (106m). The pulps are assayed for gold using a 30-gram charge by fire assay (Code AA23) and over limits greater than 10 grams per tonne are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (Code ME-GRAV21). Silver and multi-element analysis is completed using total digestion (Code ME-ICP61 Total Digestion ICP). Over limits greater than 100 grams per tonne silver are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish (ME-GRA21).

Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures monitor the chain-of-custody of the samples and includes the systematic insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials (certified standards, blanks and duplicates) into the sample strings. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. All results stated in this announcement have passed GoGold's QA/QC protocols.

Mr. David Duncan, P. Geo. is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information of this release.

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" as defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Los Ricos South and North projects, and future plans and objectives of GoGold, including the intention to undertake further exploration at Los Ricos North, and the prospect of further discoveries there, constitute forward looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions in connection with the continuance of GoGold and its subsidiaries as a going concern, general economic and market conditions, mineral prices, the accuracy of mineral resource estimates, and the performance of the Parral project. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from GoGold's expectations include exploration and development risks associated with GoGold's projects, the failure to establish estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves, volatility of commodity prices, variations of recovery rates, and global economic conditions. For additional information with respect to risk factors applicable to GoGold, reference should be made to GoGold's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with securities regulators, including, but not limited to, GoGold's Annual Information Form. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date of this release.

SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc.
TEMPE, Ariz., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2018, inspired by John McCain's courageous battle with glioblastoma (GBM), a bipartisan group of senators passed a resolution to focus the nation's attention on GBM, which is the most common, complex, treatment-resistant, and deadliest type of brain cancer.1

"With GammaTile Therapy, I did not experience hair loss or any side effects," recounted Mary, a GBM survivor. Tweet this Matthew E. Likens, President & CEO of GT Medical Technologies, Inc

Today, the standard of care for a patient with newly diagnosed GBM is the surgical removal of the tumor, a waiting period to allow time for recovery from surgery, and radiation planning, followed by concurrent radiation and chemotherapy. One of the primary treatment challenges is that nearly half the patients (45.9%) experience rapid early progression (REP) while waiting to start external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and chemotherapy.2 Unfortunately, radiation delays allow residual cancer cells to proliferate, which results in shortened survival.3-5 The survival rate for patients with GBM is only 6.9% at 5 years post-diagnosis.1

Fortunately, there is hope for patients with GBMs and other operable brain tumors. FDA-cleared GammaTile Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) is the first medical device advancement in over a decade for treating GBMs and is one of only 7 FDA-cleared/approved new treatments for brain tumors in the past 50 years.

Implanted during brain tumor removal surgery by the neurosurgeon, GammaTiles are collagen tiles embedded with radiation sources. In a single treatment, GammaTile Therapy eliminates the EBRT treatment delay and gives patients a head start in preventing tumor regrowth. In the initial clinical trial evaluating GammaTile Therapy for recurrent glioblastoma, patients who received GammaTile Therapy had better progression-free survival and overall survival compared to a cohort of patients who did not have GammaTile Therapy with surgery.6

"On GBM Awareness Day and every day, it's so important we get the word out to patients with GBMs and other operable brain tumors that they no longer have to settle for the standard EBRT delay and the burden of weeks of daily treatments," said Matthew Likens, CEO of GT Medical Technologies. "With GammaTile Therapy, patients can benefit from a single, targeted immediate radiation treatment that gets them back to their lives sooner. Nearly 100 hospitals now offer GammaTile Therapywe are working diligently to expand treatment access nationwide."

Patients can testify to the GammaTile Therapy's effectiveness, convenience, and minimal side effects. "I was only in the hospital for two days. With GammaTile Therapy, I did not experience hair loss or any side effects," recounted Mary, a GBM survivor who received treatment at Mayfield Brain & Spine. View video of Mary's GammaTile Therapy experience.

Advancements like GammaTile Therapy are made possible by patients who volunteer to participate in clinical studies to further validate the safety and effectiveness of this therapy. GT Medical Technologies is sponsoring ongoing studies at leading brain tumor treatment centers nationwide for patients with GBMs and other brain tumors. For a list of studies and treatment centers, click here.

About GT Medical Technologies, Inc.

Driven to raise the standard of care and improve the lives of patients with brain tumors, a team of brain tumor specialists formed GT Medical Technologies. FDA-cleared GammaTile is a Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy (STaRT) for patients undergoing brain tumor removal surgery of newly diagnosed malignant and recurrent brain tumors. This "one-and-done" treatment eliminates the need for one to six weeks of daily external beam radiation therapy, allowing patients to go about their daily lives without the burden of additional trips to the hospital or clinic for ongoing treatment. Since its full market release in the United States in March 2020, GammaTile has been offered in more than 95 hospitals, with more centers being added each month. For more information, visit www.gtmedtech.com and follow @GammaTile on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media contact:

Lori Kagan

[email protected]

References

1. Glioblastoma Awareness Day. Brain Tumor Organization website. https://braintumor.org/events/glioblastoma-awareness-day. Accessed July 10, 2023.

2. Waqar M, Roncaroli F, Lehrer EJ, et al. Rapid early progression (REP) of glioblastoma is an independent negative prognostic factor: Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis [published correction appears in Neurooncol Adv. 2022;4(1):vdac125]. Neurooncol Adv. 2022;4(1):vdac075.

3. Do V, Gebski V, Barton MB. The effect of waiting for radiotherapy for grade III/IV gliomas. Radiother Oncol. 2000;57(2):131-136.

4. Buszek SM, Al Feghali KA, Elhalawani H, et al. Optimal Timing of Radiotherapy Following Gross Total or Subtotal Resection of Glioblastoma: A Real-World Assessment using the National Cancer Database. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):4926-4929.

5. Katsigiannis S, Krischek B, Barleanu S, et al. Impact of time to initiation of radiotherapy on survival after resection of newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Radiat Oncol. 2019;14(1):73.

6. Gessler DJ, Neil EC, Shah R, et al. GammaTile brachytherapy in the treatment of recurrent glioblastomas. Neurooncol Adv. 2021;4(1):vdab185.

SOURCE GT Medical Technologies
SANTIAGO, Chile, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Guacolda Energia SpA (f/k/a Empresa Electrica Guacolda S.A., the "Company") announced today that it has commenced an offer to Eligible Holders (as such terms are defined below) of the Company's 4.560% Senior Notes due 2025 (CUSIP Nos. 29244U AF5 / P3711H AF6; ISINs US29244UAF57 / USP3711HAF66) (the "Existing Notes") to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") any and all of the US$273,831,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding of Existing Notes for its newly issued 10.000% Senior Notes due 2030 (the "New Notes"). The Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer Materials (as defined below).

The Company concurrently announced that it is soliciting consents (the "Consent Solicitation" and, together with the Exchange Offer, the "Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation") from Eligible Holders to amend the indenture governing the Existing Notes (the "Existing Indenture"), to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default contained in the Existing Indenture, among other things (the "Proposed Amendments"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a confidential Private Placement Memorandum dated on or about the date hereof (the "Private Placement Memorandum"), which is only available to Eligible Holders.

Delivery of consents to the Proposed Amendments by Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes is required for the adoption of the Proposed Amendments (the "Requisite Consents"). The principal purpose of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation is to reprofile the Company's indebtedness and improve its capital structure.

THE NEW NOTES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "COMMISSION") UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (INCLUDING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER, THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS BEING MADE, AND THE NEW NOTES ARE BEING OFFERED ONLY TO HOLDERS OF EXISTING NOTES (1) IN THE UNITED STATES, WHO ARE INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTORS" (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3), (7) OR (8) UNDER REGULATION D ("REGULATION D") UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, EACH AN "IAI") AND THAT ARE ALSO "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR AND "QIBS"), IN A PRIVATE TRANSACTION IN RELIANCE UPON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY SECTION 4(A)(2) THEREOF AND (2) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND CHILE, WHO ARE PERSONS OTHER THAN "U.S. PERSONS" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS IN RELIANCE UPON THE EXEMPTIONS AFFORDED BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDERS OF EXISTING NOTES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER PURSUANT TO THE FOREGOING CONDITIONS ARE REFERRED TO AS "ELIGIBLE HOLDERS."

Only Eligible Holders of Existing Notes are authorized to receive and review the Private Placement Memorandum and to participate in the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation. The Private Placement Memorandum will be distributed only to Eligible Holders of Existing Notes who validly complete and return a letter of eligibility confirming that they satisfy the eligibility requirements for purposes of the Exchange Offer. Eligible holders who desire to obtain and complete an eligibility letter should contact D.F. King & Co., the information and exchange agent in connection with the exchange offer, at +1(866) 856-3065 (toll-free) or +1(212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers) or by visiting the information and exchange agent's website at www.dfking.com/guacolda.

The New Notes will be subject to restrictions on transferability and resale and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws, pursuant to registration or exemption therefrom.

The Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on August 15, 2023, unless extended (such time and date, as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date"). Eligible Holders who validly tender (and do not validly withdraw) their Existing Notes for exchange and deliver their consents to the Proposed Amendments at or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on August 1, 2023, unless extended (such date and time, including as extended, the "Early Tender Deadline"), will be eligible to receive the Total Consideration, which includes an Early Tender Premium (each as defined om the Exchange Offer Memorandum). Eligible Holders who validly tender Existing Notes after the Early Tender Deadline but at or prior to the Expiration Date will not be eligible to receive the Early Tender Premium and will therefore only be eligible to receive the Exchange Consideration.

The valid tender of Existing Notes by an Eligible Holder pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be deemed to constitute the giving of a consent by such Eligible Holder to the Proposed Amendments. No separate consent payment or fee is being offered or will be paid to Eligible Holders in the Consent Solicitation. Eligible Holders may not tender their Existing Notes without delivering their consents pursuant to the Consent Solicitation and may not deliver their consents without tendering their Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Any Existing Notes that have been validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be validly withdrawn and consents for the Proposed Amendments delivered may be revoked prior to the Early Tender Deadline but not thereafter, except as may be required by applicable law.

Concurrently with the Exchange Offer, the Company commenced a tender offer for any and all of the outstanding Existing Notes for cash (the "Concurrent Tender Offer") and a solicitation of consents from noteholders electing to tender their Existing Notes in the Concurrent Tender Offer to adopt the Proposed Amendments. Eligible Holders may elect to tender all or any portion of their Existing Notes pursuant to either the Exchange Offer or the Concurrent Tender Offer. However, a tender of any Existing Note under both the Exchange Offer and the Concurrent Tender Offer without either tender being validly withdrawn is not valid and will not be accepted by the Company under either the Exchange Offer or the Concurrent Tender Offer.

Adoption of the Proposed Amendments requires the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes then outstanding (excluding any Existing Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor under the Existing Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor) (including the Consents delivered under the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, the "Requisite Consents"). The Proposed Amendments, if they become operative, may have adverse consequences for Eligible Holders that do not tender their Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer or in the Concurrent Tender Offer.

The Company's obligation to consummate the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including, among others: (i) the valid tender in the Exchange Offer and the Concurrent Tender Offer (taken together), without subsequent withdrawal, of Existing Notes having an aggregate principal amount of at least US$246,447,900 (or 90% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Existing Notes); and (ii) the delivery of the Requisite Consents at or prior to the Expiration Time and the execution and delivery of the Supplemental Indenture by the parties thereto.

The Company expects to settle the Existing Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Expiration Date on or about the fifth Business Day following the Expiration Date, or August 22, 2023 (the "Settlement Date"), unless the Expiration Date is extended.

The Company has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the Exchange Offer and the Consent Solicitation at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

The Information and Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is D.F. King & Co., Inc. To contact the Information and Exchange Agent, banks and brokers may call +1-212-269-5550, and others may call U.S. toll-free: +1-866-856-3065. Additional contact information is set forth below.

By Mail, Hand or Overnight Courier: 48 Wall Street 22nd Floor New York, NY 10005 USA Attention: Andrew Beck By Facsimile Transmission: (for eligible institutions only) +1(212) 709-3328 For Confirmation: +1(212) 232-3233 Attention: Michael Horthman Confirmation by Telephone: Toll-Free: +1 (800) 848-3409 Collect: +1 (212) 269-5550 Email: [email protected]



Website for this Exchange Offer: www.dfking.com/guacolda

None of the Company, the Information and Exchange Agent, the Placement Agent nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or affiliates, makes any recommendation as to whether Eligible Holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Existing Notes or deliver consents in response to the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation. None of the Company, the Information and Exchange Agent, the Placement Agent nor any of their respective affiliates directors, officers, employees or, has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation in connection with the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation other than the information and representations contained in the Private Placement Memorandum.

The terms of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation and the New Notes are more fully described in the Private Placement Memorandum and other diligence materials that will only be made available to Eligible Holders (the "Exchange Offer Materials"). Eligible Holders who have returned a duly completed Eligibility Letter certifying that they are within one of the categories described therein are authorized to receive and review the Exchange Offer Materials and the to participate in the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation. This press release is qualified in its entirety by the Exchange Offer Materials.

This press release does not constitute an offer or an invitation to participate in the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation. The Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation is only being made pursuant to the Exchange Offer Materials. Eligible Holders are urged to read the Exchange Offer Materials carefully before making any decision with respect to their Existing Notes. Neither the Placement Agent nor the Information and Exchange Agent has any responsibility whatsoever with respect to the Exchange Offer Materials.

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not represent an offer to sell securities or a solicitation to buy securities in the United States or in any other country. This press release is released for disclosure purposes only, in accordance with applicable legislation. It does not constitute marketing material, and should not be interpreted as advertising an offer to sell or soliciting any offer to buy securities issued by the Company in any jurisdiction where it is illegal to do so. This press release to the market is not for distribution in or into or to any person located or resident in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to release, publish or distribute this announcement.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any U.S. state securities commission nor any regulatory authority of any other country has approved or disapproved of the Exchange Offer or the Consent Solicitation, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Exchange Offer or the Consent Solicitation, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the Private Placement Memorandum.

Neither the delivery of this announcement, the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation nor any exchange of Existing Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer shall under any circumstances create any implication that the information contained in this announcement or the Private Placement Memorandum is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof or thereof or that there has been no change in the information set forth herein or therein or in the Company's affairs since the date hereof or thereof.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates about future events and financial trends, which affect or may affect the Company's businesses and results of operations. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to forward-looking statements about the planned Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation and the Concurrent Tender Offer. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, these statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to the Company. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and the Company's future results may differ materially from those expressed in these estimates and forward- looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

SOURCE Guacolda Energia SpA
SANTIAGO, Chile, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Guacolda Energia SpA (f/k/a Empresa Electrica Guacolda S.A., the "Company") announced today that it has commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") any and all of its 4.560% Senior Notes due 2025 (CUSIP Nos. 29244U AF5 / P3711H AF6; ISINs US29244UAF57 / USP3711HAF66) (the "Notes") upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the offer to purchase and consent solicitation statement dated July 19, 2023 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"). In connection with the Tender Offer, the Company concurrently announced that it is soliciting consents (the "Consent Solicitation" and, together with the Tender Offer, the "Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation") from Holders to amend the indenture governing the Notes (the "Indenture"), to eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default contained in the Indenture, among other things (the "Proposed Amendments"). Terms used in this announcement and not otherwise defined have the meanings assigned to them in the Offer to Purchase.

The following table sets forth certain payment terms of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation:













Dollars per U.S.$1,000 Principal Amount of Notes Tendered and Accepted Title of Notes

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding(1)

Tender Offer Consideration(2)

Early Tender Premium

Total Consideration(2)(3) 4.560% Senior Notes due 2025

CUSIP Nos: 29244U AF5 (144A) /

P3711H AF6 (Reg S)

U.S.$273,831,000.00(4)

U.S.$600.00

U.S.$50.00

U.S.$650.00

ISINs: US29244UAF57 (144A) / USP3711HAF66 (Reg S)















(1) Aggregate principal amount outstanding as of July 19, 2023. (2) Does not include Accrued Interest, which will also be payable as provided herein. No separate Consent payment or fee is being offered or will be paid to Holders in the Consent Solicitation. (3) Includes the Early Tender Premium. (4) The originally issued principal amount of the Existing Notes was U.S.$500,000,000.00. Existing Notes in a principal amount of (i) U.S.$132,462,000.00 were repurchased by the Company through a cash tender offer carried out in April 2023 and (ii) U.S.$93,707,000.00 were repurchased by the Company through open market transactions, and, in each case, subsequently cancelled.

The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 15, 2023, unless amended, extended or terminated by the Company (the "Expiration Date"). The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation may be amended, extended or terminated.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, the consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be the Tender Offer Consideration set forth in the above table. Holders of Notes that are validly tendered at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 1, 2023 (subject to extension, the "Early Tender Time") and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer, and who thereby concurrently deliver (and do not validly revoke), at or prior to the Early Tender Time, their Consent to the Proposed Amendments to the Indenture, will receive the Total Consideration set forth in the above table, which includes the Early Tender Premium set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Holders of Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time, but before the Expiration Date, and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will receive the Tender Offer Consideration, but not the Early Tender Premium. No tenders will be valid if submitted after the Expiration Date. In addition, Holders whose tenders are accepted will receive accrued interest and additional amounts as described below.

Adoption of the Proposed Amendments requires the Requisite Consents (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). The valid tender of Notes by a Holder pursuant to the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation will be deemed to constitute the giving of a Consent by such Holder to the Proposed Amendments. No separate Consent payment or fee is being offered or will be paid to Holders in the Consent Solicitation. The valid electronic tender of Notes in accordance with DTC's ATOP procedures shall constitute a tender of Notes and delivery of Consents to the Proposed Amendments pursuant to the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Holders may not tender their Notes without delivering their Consents pursuant to the Consent Solicitation and may not deliver their Consents without tendering their Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.

Concurrently with the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, the Company commenced an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange any and all of the Notes tendered by eligible holders in the Exchange Offer for new 10.000% senior unsecured notes due 2030 issued by the Company. The Exchange Offer is also accompanied by a solicitation of consents from holders participating in the Exchange Offer to adopt the Proposed Amendments, subject to the conditions and restrictions set out in the Company's Private Placement Memorandum dated on or about the date hereof. Holders that are eligible to tender Notes in the Exchange Offer can elect, in their sole discretion, to tender all or a portion of their Notes pursuant to either the Exchange Offer or the Tender Offer. However, a tender of any Note simultaneously under the Exchange Offer and the Tender Offer without either tender being validly withdrawn is not valid and will not be accepted by us under any of the Exchange Offer or the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any new senior unsecured notes issued by the Company.

Adoption of the Proposed Amendments requires the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (excluding any Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor under the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor) (including the Consents delivered under the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation, the "Requisite Consents"). The Proposed Amendments, if they become operative, may have adverse consequences for Holders that do not tender their Notes in the Tender Offer.

The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to extend, withdraw, terminate or amend the terms and conditions of, either or both of the Tender Offer and the Exchange Offer at any time for any reason. The consummation of the Exchange Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, (i) the valid tender in the Tender Offer and the Exchange Offer, taken together, without subsequent withdrawal, of Notes having an aggregate principal amount of at least U.S.$246,447,900.00 (or 90% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes) (the "Exchange Condition"), and (ii) the delivery of the Requisite Consents (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and the execution and delivery of the Supplemental Indenture (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) by the parties thereto (the "Supplemental Indenture Condition"). The Company may, at its option and in its sole and absolute discretion, waive such conditions and any other condition in the Exchange Offer that it may deem appropriate, subject to applicable law.

The "Settlement Date" in respect of any Notes that are validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Time and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Withdrawal Deadline, and accepted by the Company for purchase in the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation, will be after the Early Tender Time but prior to the Expiration Time (as determined by the Company), subject to all conditions to the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation having been either satisfied or waived by the Company at such time (the "Early Settlement Date"). The Early Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) will be determined at the Company's option and is currently expected to occur on August 3, 2023, the second business day following the Early Tender Time, subject to all conditions to the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation having been either satisfied or waived by the Company. If the Company elects to have an Early Settlement Date, it intends to accept any and all of the Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Time. Irrespective of whether the Company chooses to exercise the option to have an Early Settlement Date, promptly following the Expiration Date, the Company intends to purchase any remaining Notes that have been validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Date and that it chooses to accept for purchase, subject to all conditions to the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation having been either satisfied or waived by the Company at the Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). The Final Settlement Date is expected to occur on the second business day following the Expiration Date. Any Notes that are tendered and accepted in the Tender Offer will be retired and canceled. There will be no proration of any tender of Notes for purchase.

All Holders of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will on the applicable Settlement Date also receive accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes from the last interest payment date with respect to those Notes to, but not including, the applicable settlement date ("Accrued Interest"), and any additional amounts as set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

Tendered Notes may be withdrawn (and Consents revoked) from the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation prior to, but not after, 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 1, 2023, unless extended by the Company (the "Withdrawal Deadline"). Accordingly, following the Withdrawal Deadline, any Notes validly tendered and Consents delivered (whether before or after the Withdrawal Deadline) may no longer be validly withdrawn or revoked, unless the Company is required to extend withdrawal rights under applicable law.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Tender Offer, the Company's obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, any Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, is conditioned upon satisfaction of the Exchange Condition, the Supplemental Indenture Condition and General Conditions (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). The conditions to the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be asserted by the Company, regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition (including any action or inaction by the Company). The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive any and all conditions of the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation at or prior to the Expiration Date (or the Early Settlement Date, if the Company elects to have an early settlement).

The Company reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to (a) extend the Early Tender Time, Withdrawal Deadline or Expiration Date to a later date and time as announced by the Company; (b) waive or modify in whole or in part any and all conditions to the Tender Offer and/or the Consent Solicitation; (c) delay the acceptance for purchase of any Notes or delay the purchase of any Notes; or (d) otherwise modify or terminate the Tender Offer and/or the Consent Solicitation. In the event that the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are terminated or otherwise not completed, the Total Consideration or Tender Offer Consideration, as the case may be, relating to the Notes, will not be paid or become payable to Holders of such Notes, without regard to whether such Holders have validly tendered their Notes (in which case, such tendered Notes will be promptly returned to Holders).The Company will publicly announce any extension, amendment or termination in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase. There can be no assurance that the Company will exercise its right to extend, terminate or amend the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation.

In the event that the Company modifies the Tender Offer Consideration, the Early Tender Premium or the Total Consideration, and there are fewer than 10 business days remaining from and including the date of the announcement of such modification to the Expiration Date, the Company will extend the Expiration Date so that at least 10 business days remain until the Expiration Date with respect to the Tender Offer.

BofA Securities, Inc. is the Dealer Manager and Solicitation Agent in the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King") has been retained to serve as the Tender and Information Agent for the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. Persons with questions regarding the Tender Offer should contact BofA Securities, Inc. at 800-292-0070 (toll free) or 646-855-8988 (collect). Requests for the Offer to Purchase should be directed to D.F. King at 800-848-3409.

This press release is for informational purposes only and must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. This announcement and the Offer to Purchase contain important information which must be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. If any holder of Notes is in any doubt as to the action it should take, it is recommended to seek its own legal, tax, accounting and financial advice, including as to any tax, accounting, financial and legal consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, attorney, accountant or other independent financial or legal adviser. Any individual or company whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company or other nominee or intermediary must contact such entity if it wishes to participate in the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. None of the Company, its board of directors, its officers, the Dealer Manager and Solicitation Agent, the depositary, the Information and Tender Agent, the trustee with respect to the Notes, or any person who controls, or is a director, officer, employee or agent of such persons, or any affiliate of such persons, makes any recommendation that holders tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of the principal amount of their Notes, and no one has been authorized by any of them to make such a recommendation. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender their Notes and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender.

This press release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any Notes or any other securities. The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation is being made solely pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase. The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation is not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. The Offer to Purchase does not constitute an offer to purchase in Chile or to any resident of Chile, except as permitted by applicable Chilean law.

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any related documents have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor have any such documents been filed with or reviewed by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority of any country. No authority has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the Offer to Purchase or any related documents, and it is unlawful and may be a criminal offense to make any representation to the contrary.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not based on historical facts and are not assurances of future results. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates about future events and financial trends, which affect or may affect the Company's businesses and results of operations. The words "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar words are intended to identify estimates and forward-looking statements. These statements include but are not limited to forward-looking statements about the planned Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation and the Exchange Offer. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, these statements are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to the Company. Estimates and forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and the Company's future results may differ materially from those expressed in these estimates and forward- looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and you should not place reliance on any forward-looking statement contained in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

SOURCE Guacolda Energia SpA
The active treatment was four times more effective at reducing fatigue compared to a control, and increased energy levels twice that of the control

LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A promising medical study has just been published , offering hope for those grappling with the long-term effects of Covid-19. Long Covid, the often-overlooked and persistent consequence of the global pandemic, continues to affect a significant number of individuals worldwide, even as it has receded from the public consciousness.

The study examined the efficacy of the Gupta Program , a pioneering neuroplasticity-based treatment, in significantly reducing fatigue and increasing energy levels among Long Covid patients, when compared to a general wellness program. The report's findings are from a randomized controlled study, titled "Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR) Significantly Reduces Fatigue in People with Long COVID," published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal. It is the first peer-reviewed study demonstrating the effectiveness of a neuroplasticity brain retraining program in addressing Long Covid-induced prolonged fatigue. Patients who used the Gupta program exhibited significantly reduced fatigue and increased energy levels.

The study employed a methodology to assess the impact of the Gupta Program on Long Covid symptoms. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving the Gupta Program treatment and the other engaging in a general wellness program as a control. The study evaluated the outcomes based on objective measures of fatigue reduction and energy level improvements. Key findings include:

Patients experienced almost twice as much improvement in energy levels.

The Gupta Program demonstrated a remarkable fourfold increase in effectiveness in reducing fatigue when compared to the wellness program.

The study's results on the effectiveness of Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR) found in the Gupta program are consistent with previous research demonstrating its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of other chronic conditions, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

The AIR group also demonstrated a significant increase in energy over time, with a larger effect size than the active control group.

In the UK, at least 2 million people are being affected by Long Covid . Long Covid has emerged as the leading cause of labor absenteeism in the United States. It affects up to 23 million Americans and results in an estimated $280 billion loss to the US economy in terms of productivity. In the United States, Long Covid affects a staggering 7-23 million Americans, inflicting an estimated $280 billion loss on the US economy in terms of productivity.

The study's results represent a significant advancement in Long Covid research, as it is the first published evidence showcasing the effectiveness of a neuroplasticity brain retraining program specifically tailored to address Long Covid symptoms.

"Long Covid may primarily manifest as a brain disorder. Following a Covid-19 infection, certain patients may experience a maladaptive response in the brain, resulting in chronic activation of the immune and nervous systems, ultimately leading to a myriad of downstream symptoms, particularly exhaustion," says Ashok Gupta, Founder of the Gupta Program. "Our neuroplasticity brain retraining approach primarily targets the amygdala and insula, seeking to restore equilibrium to the brain and alleviate these symptoms."

Recognizing the significance of these findings, the Gupta Program has made its specialized treatment for Long Covid also accessible through a dedicated app, facilitating widespread access for individuals seeking relief from the persistent effects of the virus.

As the medical community delves deeper into understanding Long Covid, the need for further research is paramount. In response, the Gupta program has recently launched a 501(C) non-profit, the Chronic Conditions Research Fund, to raise charitable donations for larger-scale studies and future trials.

Media Contact:

Marisa Spano

[email protected]

631-356-2602

About the Gupta Program: The Gupta Program is a pioneering treatment that harnesses the potential of neuroplasticity principles to address chronic conditions, including Long Covid. By targeting key brain structures and promoting balance, the program aims to alleviate symptoms and improve the well-being of individuals affected by debilitating post-viral conditions. With over two decades of experience successfully treating similar post-viral conditions through the application of neuroplasticity principles, brain retraining techniques, and holistic health practices, the Gupta Program now extends its specialist treatment specifically tailored to Long Covid patients, and is now available as an app. For more information, visit: www.guptaprogram.com .

SOURCE Gupta Program
The construction and development of infrastructure, such as water supply networks, wastewater treatment systems, and transportation infrastructure drive the demand for HDPE pipes, thereby driving the growth of the market

PORTLAND, Ore., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "HDPE pipes Market By type, application, and region. On the basis of type, the market is categorized into HDPE 63, HDPE 83, and HDPE 100. On the basis of application, it is divided into oil & gas pipe, agriculture irrigation pipe, water supply, sewerage system pipe, and others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the HDPE pipes market valued for $21.7 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $35.4 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2032.

Request PDF Brochure: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5053

Prime determinants of growth

The surge in application of HDPE pipes in various end use industries, the market for HDPE pipe is expected to witness substantial growth. The rise in demand from water irrigation systems in agricultural industry is expected to drive the growth of the HDPE pipe market. Rapid urbanization is anticipated to increase the demand for water supply, leading to an increase in the requirement of HDPE pipes. However, volatile raw material prices attributed to fluctuation in prices of crude oil are expected to hamper the market growth. This factor hinders the growth of the HDPE pipes market.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $21.7 billion Market Size in 2032 $35.4 billion CAGR 5.1 % No. of Pages in Report 401 Segments covered Type, application, and region Drivers Robust demand for water supply Increase in the demand from agriculture industry Opportunities Development of construction and infrastructure industries Restraints Temperature limitation and maintenance is expected to hinder the market growth

HDPE 100 based HDPE pipes to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on type, the HDPE 100 segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than three-fourths of the global HDPE pipes market revenue. Many countries are facing the challenge of aging infrastructure systems, including water and gas pipelines. HDPE 100 pipes are often chosen as a replacement for deteriorating infrastructure due to their long service life, durability, and resistance to corrosion. As a result, the replacement and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure contributes to the surge in demand for HDPE 100 pipes. This factor is expected to enhance market growth during the forecast period. HDPE 63 is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.

Procure Complete Report (401 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3O1OPVG

The sewage system pipe industry maintained its lead position during the forecast period

Based on application, the sewage system pipe accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to nearly half of the global HDPE pipes market revenue. There is a growing awareness of the environmental impact of untreated or poorly treated sewage water. Governments and regulatory bodies implement stricter regulations and standards to protect water bodies, ecosystems, and public health. The need to comply with these regulations drives the demand for HDPE pies. It is mainly used to transport sludge from different treatment units, such as settling tanks, clarifiers, and digesters, to the sludge treatment or disposal facilities. HDPE pipes offer excellent chemical resistance, ensuring the safe and efficient conveyance of sludge. Water supply pipe is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the global HDPE pipes market and is projected to register the highest CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific HDPE pipes market is anticipated to expand during the forecast period. India, China, and Japan are anticipated to contribute to the Asia-Pacific HDPE pipes market. The rapid urbanization in China has led to increased demand for housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructure. HDPE pipes are used in construction projects for water supply, drainage, and gas distribution. Furthermore, India has witnessed significant industrial growth, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. HDPE pipes are used in industrial applications for fluid transportation, process pipelines, and wastewater management. These factors are driving the potential sales of HDPE pipes market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Leading Market Players: -

LANE ENTERPRISES, INC

JM EAGLE, INC.

BLUE DIAMOND INDUSTRIES

VECTUS

POLY PLASTIC GROUP

WL PLASTICS

PRINSCO, INC.

SCG CHEMICALS PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED

UNITED POLY SYSTEMS

RADIUS SYSTEM

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global HDPE pipes market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/hdpe-pipes-market/purchase-options

Similar Reports:

PVC Pipe Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031

Spoolable Pipes Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023

FRP Pipe Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2030

HDPE Pipes in FTTx Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026

FTTx Pipes Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026

Flexible Pipes Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Head of the Irish government Leo Varadkar has announced the provision of an additional EUR 5 million in humanitarian aid and EUR 2 million through the UN system to Ukraine.

He said at a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that today he assured President Zelenskyy that they will continue to provide financial, practical and political assistance.

The Irish Prime Minister added that today this is in addition to the EUR 100 million that have already been allocated, in particular to the European Fund, which is used to purchase non-lethal aid.

According to him, they will train the Ukrainian military in the field of mine clearance, in the field of military medicine, and they also help Ukraine in the field of infrastructure, provide certain equipment for restoring energy supply, as well as equipment for water purification.

Varadkar said he believes that Ukraine should be a member of the European Union, because Europe is also Ukraines home.

According to him, now more than 87,000 Ukrainians are living in Ireland. This is about 2% of their population. According to Varadkar, the Irish took the Ukrainian people into their homes, into their hearts. And therefore, standing here, on behalf of the Irish people, on behalf of Ukrainians who are now in Ireland, he said, they would like to once again testify their unconditional solidarity with us, as well as with the Ukrainian people.
Leading Denver plumbing provider remains committed to giving back to the community

DENVER, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- When High 5 Plumbing , a family-owned and operated plumbing company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area, started the High 5 Cares program, it was to provide recognition and support to nonprofits in the Denver area. This year, the plumbing company is celebrating the program's five-year anniversary.

Since the inception of High 5 Cares, the program has helped provide funds to over 41 different nonprofits for a total of $81,893.86.

This year, High 5 Plumbing is celebrating the High 5 Cares' five-year anniversary. Pictured is a recent check presentation to HopeKids.

"One of our core values as a company is giving back to the community," said Levi Torres, co-owner of High 5 Plumbing. "Our customers are like family to us, and we wouldn't be as successful as we are today without the community we serve. So, it's our responsibility to show them that we are always thinking about the community and ways to provide support. High 5 Cares gives us an avenue to do just that."

The High 5 Cares program helps shine a spotlight on different nonprofits throughout the year with the use of social media. As part of the program, High 5 Plumbing currently donates a dedicated amount of $3,000 over the span of the spotlight plus any additional funds generated from employee donations and the profits of the High 5 clothing line.

"While providing funds to these organizations is great, what we really want to do is raise awareness and show others in the community how important the nonprofits are to those in need," said Cassi Torres, co-owner of High 5 Plumbing. "High 5 Cares is about more than giving money. It's about giving back and showing others that no matter what you may be going through, there is a support system available for them."

High 5 Plumbing offers a variety of plumbing services to residents in the Denver area, including repair and installation, drain cleaning, pump plumbing, piping, garbage disposal services, sewer line repair, gas plumbing, water heater installation and much more. In addition, the company offers 24/7 emergency services.

To learn more about High 5 Plumbing, visit https://high5plumbing.com/ .

To learn more about High 5 Cares, visit https://high5plumbing.com/high5-cares/ .

About High 5 Plumbing

Founded in 2012, High 5 Plumbing is a local, family-owned company serving residents in the greater Denver metropolitan area. With a professional team that has extensive experience and a commitment to service, High 5 Plumbing offers comprehensive plumbing, sewer and drain services. The company was built on the values of solving plumbing problems and serving every customer with professionalism and respect. For more information about High 5 Plumbing, visit https://www.high5plumbing.com/ .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

SOURCE High 5 Plumbing
Following a check presentation ceremony, Computer CORE volunteers and community members joined HRP team members to tour the previously inaccessible property along the Potomac River.

HRP's Alexandria redevelopment received statewide recognition earlier this week when the Virginia chapter of the American Planning Association named the project as the winner of the 2023 Red Clay Development of the Year Award, which "honors a development that exhibits the values of great planning, helping to create a great place in Virginia." The City of Alexandria's Department of Planning and Zoning received the award alongside HRP representatives at the APA Virginia Annual Conference in Roanoke, VA on July 18.

"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the American Planning Association for our plan to reintegrate this previously inaccessible site into Old Town North and reconnect Alexandrians to the waterfront," said HRP Executive Vice President of Mixed-Use Development, Melissa Schrock. "We look forward to continuing to work with the City of Alexandria and all of our partners to create a more sustainable future for this site and our neighboring community."

Learn more about HRP's redevelopment of the former Potomac River Generating Station at www.hrpalx.com.

About Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP): HRP is in the business of transformation. As a real estate owner, operator, and developer, we re-imagine complex properties across the United States to remediate and redevelop sites for the future. To do this we take a holistic approach to sustainable redevelopment that prioritizes the community, the environment, and the economy. We do this because we want to make lasting change. Our expertise spans multiple sectors, including modern logistics facilities, urban mixed-use projects, and life science ecosystems. HRP is passionate about and committed to making an enduring positive impact and improving communities through its transformational projects. www.hilcoredev.com

About Computer CORE: Since booting up in 1999, Alexandria-based Computer CORE has provided technology education to more than 5,000 people from 99 different countries of origin. More than 70 percent of its students are women and 95 percent are people of color. Computer CORE relies on more than 100 volunteers per year doing everything from teaching to refurbishing computers, staffing the help desk and handling administrative work. www.computercore.org

###

SOURCE Hilco Redevelopment Partners
DUBLIN, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Autonomous Vehicle Market by Autonomy Level, Powertrain Type, Components, and Supporting Technologies including 5G, AI, and Edge Computing 2023 - 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the autonomous vehicle market, including the leading vendors, strategies, product and service offerings. It evaluates the market based on autonomy levels, powertrain types, components, and supporting technologies.

The report examines the impact of major technologies such as 5G, AI, edge computing, IoT, data analytics, and smart building integration on the autonomous vehicle market. It offers insights into key findings, including the importance of leveraging AI, 5G, and IoT for service provider solutions, the growth of edge computing infrastructure, and the disruptive potential of autonomous vehicles in various industries.

The report also includes global and regional forecasts, covering hardware, software, services, and emerging technologies in the autonomous vehicle market.

Select Report Findings:

Key technology areas to leverage for service provider solutions include AI, 5G, and IoT

5G related software expenditures in support of autonomous vehicle solutions will reach $14.1 billion by 2028

by 2028 Edge computing infrastructure and services in support of autonomous vehicles will reach $53.9 billion by 2028

by 2028 Dedicated infrastructure for autonomous vehicles will serve as a proving ground for economic justification for autonomous vehicle ride-share and other green tech solutions

Smart city market growth and innovation will be highly correlated with autonomous and connected vehicle technology funding, R&D and developments

Driven by private and sovereign investment, certain countries outside the United States will witness surprisingly robust growth in autonomous vehicle deployments

The report provides global and regional forecasts for the autonomous vehicle market including hardware, software, and services along with emerging technologies from 2023 to 2028. The report covers major consumer and commercial categories including personal vehicles, shared vehicles (ridesharing and shared vehicles/partial ownership) and rentals. The report also evaluates autonomous control in ICE vehicles, EVs, and ICE/EV hybrids.

Autonomous Vehicle Disruption of the Automotive Industry Ecosystem

Autonomous vehicles are poised to invoke a revolution in the automobile industry including public transportation systems, car rental and sharing systems, vehicle leasing and ownership, industrial transportation, and automotive insurance practices and systems.

The extent of disruption will increase with the degree of vehicle autonomy, which is measured in levels from zero (fully human-operated) to five (fully automated system) with the evolution from levels 1 through 4 consisting of an autopilot system combined with some level of human control or intervention capability. Autonomous vehicles are anticipated to become the foundation of transportation as a service globally.

The automotive ecosystem is also faced with disruption from electric vehicles (EV), which has transformed supply chain economics at the vehicle component level as well as consumer value perception and lifecycle management. Improvements in battery cost/performance and reduction in the cost of power train components for EVs will lead to lower overall purchase cost that is more comparable with traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The autonomous vehicle ecosystem will also be highly disruptive with respect to the consumer segment regarding the traditional production and sales cycle. This will be due largely to the vast amount of data produced by self-driving cars, vans, and trucks. The use of AI and big data analytics will allow both real-time decision-making as well as post-event analytics.

Autonomous Vehicle Growth Factors and Constraints

The autonomous vehicle market will grow rapidly during the remainder of this decade and will transform many industries including consumer mobility, commercial transport, industrial automation, smart cities, and transportation systems as a whole. There are many factors that will drive the growth and adoption of autonomous vehicles including cost reduction, safety improvements, and incremental advances in consumer perception.

For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation has moved forward with an Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan with the intention of establishing policies and regulations to ensure the safe and full integration of automated driving systems into the surface transportation system. The plan includes real-world examples of how policies and regulations will relate to emerging automated driving systems applications.

The United States is not alone in the push for a robust autonomous vehicle market. China and South Korea are two leading companies in the Asia Pacific region. For example, South Korea invested $1 billion in autonomous vehicle technology with a focus on technology and infrastructure development. Companies such as Hyundai and Samsung allow South Korea to implement vehicles more seamlessly with autonomous capabilities. South Korea desires to achieve the commercialization of level 4 autonomous vehicles by 2028.

In addition to overcoming public trust factors relative to safety, the autonomous vehicle market is also focused on the major consumer upsides to self-driving vehicles, which include less expensive transport, opportunities for ride-sharing and fractional ownership, and ultimately reduced outright leasing and ownership of cars, vans, and trucks. This is anticipated to have a major impact on OEMs and traditional automakers, despite the fact that market-leading automobile manufacturers are aggressively pursuing autonomous vehicle product offerings.

The above-mentioned market forces, availability of cost-effective and safe technology, and appropriate governmental oversight are all key factors coming together to enable a robust autonomous vehicle ecosystem. Accordingly, the autonomous vehicle market is beginning to move into the next market cycle beyond the early-adopter phase. The estimates indicate end-users will not fully embrace self-driving vehicles until the 2028 time frame.

The Juxtaposition of Fully Autonomous Vehicles, Connected Drivers and Passengers

Paradoxically, automotive vendors are also continuously upgrading their fleets to offer more connected vehicles, which provide drivers with a substantially more safe, enjoyable, and informative driving experience. However, autonomous vehicles are also connected via IoT technologies and various broadband and narrowband wireless solutions.

In the near future, the publisher anticipates that automobile vendors will offer next-generation connected vehicle apps to human occupants within autonomous vehicles that capitalize upon hands-free operation, and in some cases, offer fully immersive experiences for longer trips.

Autonomous Vehicles for Commercial Fleets and Other Business Operations

The evolution of self-driving vehicles for the fleet market will be human-controlled fleets to machine/human-controlled fleets to completely autonomous (e.g. machine-driven) vehicles that leverage various technologies including sensors, AI, cognitive computing, geo-fencing, GIS/mapping, and more. Ultimately, the market will achieve level 4 autonomy, which is similar to level 3, but the human behind the wheel is considered to be a "passenger" rather than a "driver."

Market-leading autonomous vehicle use cases will be found primarily within the business realm with an emphasis on shipping and commercial fleets. Important within this segment is heavy haul trucking, which refers to the transport of oversize or overweight freight equipped with specialized trailers and transporting heavy equipment.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction

3. Autonomous Systems Technology and Market Analysis

3.1 Autonomous Vehicle Technology

3.1.1 Navigation and Mapping

3.1.2 Machine Vision and Motion Planning

3.1.3 Trajectory Control

3.1.4 Video Camera and GPS System

3.1.5 Traffic Detection and Assistance

3.1.6 Sensing System: Ultrasonic, LIDAR, and Others

3.1.7 V2X Sensors and Communications

3.1.8 Automotive System on Chip

3.1.9 Autonomous Driving Systems

3.2 Smart Transportation and ADAS Systems

3.3 Artificial Intelligence Software

3.4 Vehicle Security Systems

3.5 Vehicle Infotainment Systems

3.6 Vehicle as a Service and Ride-Sharing Services

3.6.1 Robo Taxi Services

3.7 Big Data Analytics and Simulation in Support of Autonomous Ecosystem

3.8 Usage-Based Automobile Insurance

3.9 Opportunities and Deployments in Smart Cities

3.10 Role of Blockchain and Cloud Computing

3.11 Electric Vehicle Charging and Smart Building Integration

3.12 Autonomous Vehicle Value Chain

3.13 Human Interactions with Autonomous Vehicles

3.14 Government Regulations

3.15 Autonomous Vehicle Impact Analysis

3.16 Automobile Industry Strategic Partnerships

4. Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem Analysis

4.1 Huawei Technology

4.2 Beijing TrunkTech Co. Ltd.

4.3 Amazon

4.4 Cruise LLC

4.5 WeRide

4.6 NVidia Corporation

4.7 NXP Semiconductors

4.8 Apple

4.9 Microsoft Corporation

4.10 Blackberry QNX

4.11 Didi Chuxing Technology

4.12 Velodyne Lidar, Inc.

4.13 Lyft

4.14 Uber Technologies

4.15 GrabTaxi Holdings

4.16 Voyage

4.17 AImotive

4.18 Idriverplus

4.19 Aurora

4.20 Nuro

4.21 Zoox Inc.

4.22 Tencent

4.23 Deepmap

4.24 LeddarTech

4.25 Innoviz Technologies

4.26 Innovusion

4.27 Robosense

4.28 Deep Vision

4.29 Prophesee

4.30 Deepscale

4.31 Arbe Robotics

4.32 Metawave

4.33 Commsignia

4.34 Cohda Wireless

4.35 Autotalks Ltd.

4.36 Cognata

4.37 Mighty AI

4.38 Volkswagen AG

4.39 Scania AB

4.40 Audi AG

4.41 BMW AG

4.42 Daimler AG (Mercedes Benz)

4.43 Ford Motor Company

4.44 Zhejiang Geely Holding Group

4.45 General Motors

4.46 Honda Motor Company

4.47 Nissan Motor Corporation

4.48 Tesla Inc.

4.49 Toyota Motor Corporation

4.50 Volvo Car Corporation

4.51 Zenuity

4.52 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

4.53 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

4.54 Porsche AG

4.55 Groupe Renault

4.56 Groupe PSA

4.57 Alibaba (SAIC Motors)

4.58 Autoliv Inc.

4.59 Ericsson

4.60 Intel Corporation (Mobileye)

4.61 Continental AG

4.62 DENSO Corporation

4.63 Robert Bosch GmbH

4.64 Alphabet Inc. (Waymo)

4.65 Baidu Inc. (NIO)

4.66 APTIV

4.67 Cisco System

4.68 DAF Trucks

4.69 IVECO

4.70 Hyundai

4.71 Jaguar Land Rover

4.72 Samsung Electronic

4.73 Hitachi

4.74 Magna International

4.75 Panasonic Corporation

4.76 Toshiba

4.77 Valeo

4.78 Visteon

4.79 ZF Friedrichshafen

4.80 Nikola Corporation

5. Market Analysis and Forecasts 2023 - 2028

5.1 Autonomous Vehicle Market 2023 - 2028

5.2 Autonomous Vehicle Market by Segment 2023 - 2028

5.3 Autonomous Vehicle Market by Vehicle Type 2023 - 2028

5.4 Autonomous Vehicle Market by Automation Level 2023 - 2028

5.5 Autonomous Vehicle Market by Business Model 2023 - 2028

5.6 Embedded AI in Autonomous Vehicle Market 2023 - 2028

5.7 Big Data Analytics in Autonomous Vehicles Market 2023 - 2028

5.8 Sensor Systems in Autonomous Vehicles Market 2023 - 2028

5.9 Machine Vision Systems in Autonomous Vehicles Market 2023 - 2028

5.10 Smart Building Integration in Autonomous Vehicles Market 2023 - 2028

5.11 Autonomous Vehicles and Smart Transportation Systems 2023 - 2028

5.12 Blockchain in Autonomous Vehicles Market 2023 - 2028

5.12.1 Overall Blockchain in Autonomous Vehicle Market 2023 - 2028

5.13 Cloud Computing in Autonomous Vehicle Market 2023 - 2028

5.14 Internet of Things and Autonomous Vehicle Market 2023 - 2028

5.15 Autonomous Vehicles in Smart Cities Market 2023 - 2028

5.16 Autonomous Vehicles and Edge Computing 2023 - 2028

5.17 5G Enabled Autonomous Vehicle Market 2023 - 2028

5.18 Autonomous Vehicles Market by Region 2023 - 2028

5.19 Autonomous Vehicle Shipments 2023 - 2028

6. Conclusions and Recommendations

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cfhur8

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

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SOURCE Research and Markets
PHOENIX, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Join Integro Bank this July 26th for the Women Entrepreneur & Leaders Fireside Chat CEO Club Event. It will be an opportunity for all business owners to come together with other like-minded individuals, allowing you to connect with other women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals. The event is designed to provide valuable insights and knowledge from industry experts, successful women entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. Learn about their experiences, trends they are seeing within business and society, the best practices that they have adopted, strategies for business growth, and gain inspiration from the success stories of others.

Elaine Szeto, Chief Innovation Officer and Founder at Integro Bank

According to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, women-led firms in the US grew by 58% since 2007, compared to businesses overall at 12%, while contributing over $3 trillion in economic impact. Women in Arizona own 45.3% of small businesses and there are currently 203,000 women-owned small businesses with no employees and 21,252 women-owned small businesses with employees. Loans to women make up only about 4% of all commercial loan dollars nationwide. A 2020 survey found that women are nearly 18% less likely to have their loan applications approved than men. When those loans are approved, they are on average about $5,000 less than for men at an average loan size of $43,916 for men compared to $38,942 average loan size for women. SBA data from August 2019 shows that only 28% of SBA loans went to women-owned businesses.

Elaine Szeto, Chief Innovation Officer and Founder at Integro Bank, stated "developing stronger support systems for women owned businesses creates a stronger workforce for Arizona and it creates the potential for generational change for Arizona's future."

RSVP to the Integro Bank Fireside Chat to join the conversation, grow as a business leader, and take part in the development of Arizona's future.

Women Entrepreneur & Leaders Fireside Chat CEO Club Event:

When:

July 26, 2023  5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Where:

Integro Bank Headquarters

16215 N 28 Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85053

RSVP for the event:

https://integrobank.hubspotpagebuilder.com/en-us/ceo-club-july26-2023

About Integro Bank:

Integro Bank is an FDIC-insured bank based in Phoenix, Arizona (USA). Our proprietary INTEGRO360 SM consultative approach and CEO Club are designed to help small businesses grow and maximize employment. Why? Because employment lifts people up and transforms lives. Visit www.Integro.Bank to learn more.

Media Contact:

Brandon Price, Marketing at marketing@Integro.Bank or (602) 325-9431

SOURCE Integro Bank
ZURICH, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United Labs GmbH, an innovation driven company in the blockchain industry, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its United Bear Society project, a pioneer solution set to revolutionize the Web3 industry. With its cutting-edge technology, unique features and clear vision, United Bear Society is poised to transform the way interaction takes place between the metaverse and the real world.

United Bear Society (PRNewsfoto/United Bear Society)

By leveraging the benefits digital assets and blockchain technology have to offer, the project's main focus is on connecting its virtual world with the real one, in a quest of creating utility and real-life value for its members. The company is an industry pioneer in making it possible for members to transform and monetize their unique digital assets into customized physical products. In the near future the platform will also facilitate the entry of exclusive brands into their ecosystem. The virtual 3D stores will be able to exhibit and sell their newest products, advertise their newest concepts and furthermore create a strong bond with society's members, at one of several annual live events. This fully integrated approach makes their proven concept even more unique in the industry.

In order to serve as a bridge between the virtual world and reality, United Bear Society has established strong partnerships with a number of global leaders and award-winning companies. The most notable of these are the partnerships with award winning blockchain company License Rocks and the world leader in customized decorations, The Customization Group. As one of the first projects in the Web3 industry, United Bear Society will be selling their 9900 digital memberships fully licensed. Another innovative aspect the project offers is with regard to the acquisition of its artwork by means of traditional payment methods, such as credit and debit card, alongside cryptocurrencies. The transformation of these unique digital assets to physical products will be handled in collaboration with The Customization Group. Taking into account the German company produces more then 500000 products a day in, it would be safe to say this process is in very good hands.

Mr. Stere, the CEO of United Bear Society notes: "We are proud to build the future alongside our partners! The synergy that connects our companies is based on likeminded individuals that have come together and understand the fact that, united we are stronger! We are a project where words are put into practice, not by means of a fancy whitepaper promising the world, but by means of real life partnerships and events, with well-known artists and brands worldwide.''

After 19 months of considerable investment and continuous commitment in showcasing the society's innovative approach and unique selling points, United Bear Society is now ready to on board members. Last year's organized events in Ibiza and Amsterdam, together with their recently revealed virtual world, has no doubt proven they are very committed to delivering an unforgettable and unique journey in a mesmerizing new era, led by technological advances and forward-thinking visionaries.

More details and info on the real life events, partnerships, metaverse and roadmap on their website http://www.unitedbearsociety.com , on their Discord https://discord.gg/GxXkdvk9Bj , Twitter https://www.twitter.com/Unitedbearsnft, and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unitedbearsociety

Contact:

Roger Martin

+41 (041)7672800

[email protected]

SOURCE United Bear Society
Accomplished Senior Executive, Strategist and Technology Leader to Take Involta's Manufacturing IT Solutions to the Next Level

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Involta , an award-winning data center, hybrid IT and cloud-forward consulting firm, is expanding its leadership team with the appointment of John Kehoe, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing. Kehoe brings 25 years of global experience across the digital infrastructure, manufacturing, industrial and technology industries. He has a proven track record of leading IT, operational and logistics divisions, empowering organizations to deliver a superior customer experience, increase operational efficiency and drive digital transformation.

Kehoe brings 25 years of experience across digital infrastructure, manufacturing, industrial and technology industries. Tweet this John Kehoe, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, Involta

Kehoe's appointment comes on the heels of Involta's completion of the Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework, achieving an impressive Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score of 109/110. The SPRS score is used by the Department of Defense as a major part of the rigorous CMMC evaluation process to assess the risk of a supplier. A standard compliance benchmark for all government contractors, the SPRS score is based on value points related to cybersecurity practices, such as access control, identification, authentication and incident response. A strong SPRS NIST score demonstrates Involta is a low-risk technology partner for government contracts, particularly those in manufacturing.

"John is an exceptional senior leader who comes to Involta with a wealth of industry experience and expertise across a wide variety of areas, including manufacturing modernization, digital advancement, applications management, strategic planning and much more," said Jim Buie, President and CEO of Involta. "He will play a crucial role in expanding the mission-critical IT solutions and security services that are paramount to manufacturers in order to improve productivity, optimize operations and keep supply chains running smoothly."

Prior to joining the Involta team, Kehoe was Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Xylem, Inc., overseeing global IT operations supporting more than 350 locations across 65 countries. In this role, he led several significant initiatives to modernize business solutions and update key infrastructure, including the replacement of the company's entire global data and communications network, successfully increasing efficiency and reducing operating expenses.

"The Involta team is highly recognized for its exceptional technology solutions, leading-edge security services and innovative spirit, especially when it comes to serving the manufacturing industry," said Kehoe. "I look forward to leveraging my diverse experience and industry background to further drive Involta's manufacturing practice forward and meet the rapidly evolving technology demands of the organizations that keep the world running."

To learn more about Involta's Manufacturing Advisory Board and how the company enables manufacturers to optimize operations and meet the fourth industrial revolution, visit involta.com//industries/manufacturing .

About Involta

Involta, a leading, enterprise-class IT infrastructure partner, empowers clients to reimagine their worlds through technology. Providing advanced hybrid cloud solutions, superior data center experiences and first-class fiber and connectivity services, Involta offers a distinctive combination of robust technology and rigorous processes underscored by passionate people that truly deliver.

Involta has continually evolved and grown today to stand as an enterprise provider, empowering our clients to harness the power of technology  without sacrificing the grounded, thoughtful and individualized approach of a trusted regional partner. Always personal, never transactional, our team is always where our clients need us, delivering outstanding, unparalleled experiences that enable them to change their worlds for good.

To learn more about Involta, visit involta.com or follow them on LinkedIn , Twitter or Facebook .

Media Contact:

JSA for Involta

1.866.695.3629

[email protected]

SOURCE Involta
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coleridge Initiative, Inc. announced on Wednesday, July 19th that Jeffrey C. Thomson, CMA, CSCA was elected to the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors on June 30, 2023. Thomson complements the composition of the board with his knowledge and technical expertise in financial and management accounting.

"I am pleased to announce that Mr. Thomson has joined our board," said Dr. Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of the Coleridge Initiative. "With his extensive experience as a chief financial officer and CEO, Jeffrey brings a unique blend of financial expertise and analytical acumen to our organization."

"I am honored to join the Coleridge Initiative's esteemed board," said Thomson. "I am deeply inspired by Coleridge's fundamental purpose to use 'big data' and data analytics for societal good. I truly believe that data science can transform professions and serve the public interest, in this case, positively influencing public policy and programs across the U.S. in workforce development and K-12 education."

"I am thrilled to have Jeff Thomson join the board," said Dr. Michael Holland, Chair of the Coleridge Initiative Board of Directors. "Jeff's technical expertise in financial and management accounting are skills that will benefit Coleridge as we grow. But more than that, Jeff has a clear passion for the mission of the Coleridge Initiative."

Thomson is Senior Strategic Advisor for Competent Boards, Inc., and Executive in Residence  Thought Leadership for Becker Professional Development, both global brands focused on competency development for senior business leaders in the face of a disruptive, high velocity and transformative global market. Thomson has been named in Accounting Today's "Top 100 Most Influential People List" for the past 14 years and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Trust Across America/Trust Across the World.

Thomson earned his master's degree in mathematical statistics from Montclair State University, and completed executive education programs at Wharton, MIT, and Columbia University.

About The Coleridge Initiative, Inc.

The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their workforce data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge's secure data hosting platform, the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF), is a FedRAMP-certified environment that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. Learn more: www.coleridgeinitiative.org

Contact: Johana Caba, M.A.

[email protected]

SOURCE Coleridge Initiative
Italian Ice Franchise opens 18 new locations in first half of 2023 with more to come

ORLANDO, Fla., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeremiah's Italian Ice  the hottest brand in the frozen dessert category  continues to showcase its success and growth throughout 2023. With a new CEO and President at the helm, and new additions to its senior leadership team, the brand recently celebrated its 27th year anniversary and the successful opening of 18 new stores to close out Q2, 2023. With a fantastic first two quarters behind them, the team is now focused on an additional 28 openings scheduled for this year and surpassing 140 units in operation.

Since Jeremiah's franchise launch in 2019, the Italian Ice brand has awarded over 280+ franchise units across more than 120+ franchise groups and has seen over a +500% increase in new units in less than 4 years. Its rapid growth in the US saw 38 new stores opened in 2022, including entry in four new territories- Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee, and Alabama- bringing Jeremiah's delicious frozen desserts to 11 states across the country. Aside from its tremendous growth milestones, Jeremiah's also recently hosted their Third Annual Frog Squad Summit, honoring franchisees with awards in sales, people development, operations, and finance to recognize the dedication and hard work within the company.

"I am extremely proud of the incredible entrepreneurs we have within the Jeremiah's family," said Michael Keller, CEO and President of Jeremiah's. "We look forward to bringing on more franchisees and continuing our momentum throughout the rest of 2023 to provide as many communities as possible with our delicious frozen treats."

The brand is also excited to announce its recent #2 ranking on Entrepreneur's Top New and Emerging Franchise List for 2023 as well as its recognition as a Top Brand for Multi-Unit owners by the publication. The brand was also listed #85 on Entrepreneur's Fastest Growing Franchises list, ranking the companies that saw the greatest franchise unit growth in the U.S. and Canada from July 2021-July 2022. Another notable achievement for the first half of 2023 was the brand's recognition by Franchise Times as a Top Brand to Buy within the Sweet Tooth category as part of its annual Zor Awards. Casey Cooley, Director of Franchise Development of Real Estate for Jeremiah's and President of Pivotal Growth Partners, was also recognized for his work with Jeremiah's by QSR as one of 25 Young Leaders to Watch.

"The recognition from Entrepreneur, QSR, and Franchise Times mean a lot to us," said Casey Cooley. "It's a true testament to the incredible team we've built at Jeremiah's and the success we've seen in growing our brand through franchising across the country."

Each Jeremiah's location boasts an upbeat atmosphere full of vibrant colors and offers over 40 rotating flavors of indulgent, high-quality Italian Ice, as well as rich and creamy Soft Ice Cream. The Jeremiah's Gelati, which features layers of Italian Ice and Soft Ice Cream offers nearly limitless flavor combinations and is the star of their menu.

To learn more about Jeremiah's Italian Ice, or its franchise opportunities, please visit: https://jeremiahsfranchise.com/.

About Jeremiah's Italian Ice

Founded in 1996 and franchising since 2019, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has come to be known not only for its superior frozen treats, but also for its outstanding customer service, community involvement, and an exciting brand image that exudes the Jeremiah's motto - LIVE LIFE TO THE COOLEST. Focused on delivering flavorful experiences to each and every guest, Jeremiah's is committed to serving its vibrant, flavorful treats up with a smile in a lively environment. With 100+ locations throughout Florida, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado, Nevada, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas, Jeremiah's is offering franchises across the Southern United States. To help guide the brand's rapid expansion, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has partnered with Pivotal Growth Partners  a team of franchising veterans who've led some of the top brands in food service to award-winning growth. For more information about Jeremiah's franchise opportunity, visit https://jeremiahsfranchise.com/

About Pivotal Growth Partners

Pivotal Growth Partners (PGP) is a full-service Growth & Development Firm with an unparalleled track record of success in growing franchise brands. The experienced team at PGP has awarded & developed more than 5000 franchised businesses across the US and internationally, working with startups and some of the world's largest companies. With a combined 50+ years of experience and a network of growth and development partners, Pivotal Growth Partners creates value, growing small, regional companies into nationally acclaimed brands. PGP deploys proven processes and systems to effectively grow a business, by creating a "Results Focused" Franchise Growth & Support Culture within its brands. For more information, visit www.pivotalgrowthpartners.com.

SOURCE Jeremiahs Italian Ice
WASHINGTON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly, president of the National Press Club and Gil Klein, President of the National Press Club Journalism Institute on the upcoming 24-hour read-a-thon of the work of journalist Evan Gershkovich of the Wall Street Journal.

"Starting Wednesday, July 19 at 8 a.m. journalists will begin reading the journalism of Evan Gershkovich. Many of the journalists will be his colleagues from the Wall Street Journal but Press Club members from other outlets will join in as well. We are doing this to call attention to Evan's case and to give people a symbolic way to show support for Evan as he passes 100 days in jail and awaits trial.

"But there are other, strategic reasons for reading Evan's work. It is relatively easy for Russia to make a false charge of espionage and to provide no evidence, but there is a mountain of journalism that is itself strong testimony to who Evan is and what he does. His substantial body of work is filled with stories that have all the important attributes of journalism. Evan is a journalist, and the work shows that. He was credentialed by Russia to be in country and reporting. They may not have liked all his stories, but these stories are journalism to be sure. We hope to underscore that point through the read-a-thon.

"In addition, by reading for one 24-hour day we hope to help our community focus on just how long a day is. Evan has been held 112 days. One day is too long. He must be released. We will call on Russia to release him immediately and without conditions.

"The Club has used this strategy before in the case of Washington Post Journalist Jason Rezaian who was held in Iran for 544 days. Our read-a-thon took place at his 500 day mark. Many participants felt the event helped create a sense of community and was cathartic. While there is a small audience in the room, there is a large audience online as the event is livestreamed on YouTube with links on social media. This year we are using technology to accomplish the overnight hours with the Singapore Bureau of the Wall Street Journal taking over at midnight Eastern before handing off to the London bureau of the WSJ for the very early morning before reading return to DC for the close on the morning of the 20th.

"Because of strong interest, each reader is taking a single 15-minute slot. In 2016 the slots were an hour long with some 2-hour shifts in the late night. While most of Evan's work is from the Wall Street Journal we will also read some of his work from AFP and the Moscow Times. Readers will include members of Evan's family and some of his close friends in addition to his journalist colleagues. Retweeting the link for the livestream is a good way to help increase the online audience."

"The read-a-thon is one of many activities the Club is designing for Evan this year. Earlier this year we named him our 2023 John Aubuchon honoree. Last week we organized a press briefing with his sister Danielle and his lawyers. Later this year our virtual run will highlight Evan and Austin Tice. And after that he will be honored at our Fourth Estate Gala. All of these activities are created to keep Evan top of mind for journalists and the public as well as government. By keeping him in the news we greatly improve the chances that he will come home."

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization, the Club is a leading voice for Press Freedom worldwide.

Contact: Bill McCarren for the National Press Club , 202-662-7534

SOURCE National Press Club
SEATTLE, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be nearly two million new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2023, and more than half a million cancer-related deaths. To that end, cancer and other disease-related research on the International Space Station (ISS) is of critical importance not only to NASA, but also to the Biden-Harris administration. This year, the 12th annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference (ISSRDC) takes aim at deadly diseases with its Day 1 keynote panel, "Igniting Innovation to Accelerate Disease Research on the ISS."

Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, the assistant director for space policy in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), moderates this important discussion. In 2022, The White House unveiled Cancer Moonshotan initiative to bring renewed leadership to the fight against cancer. Joining Uzo-Okoro on this panel are Lisa Carnell, division director of Biological and Physical Sciences at NASA, and Michael Roberts, chief scientific officer at the ISS National Laboratory.

This conversation will explore how the National Low Earth Orbit Research and Development Strategy positions the microgravity research community to uniquely contribute to the success of cancer and other disease treatment innovation, and facilitates the development of therapeutics with results that benefit humanity and improve the quality of life for patients on Earth.

Our Day 1 morning keynote panel kicks off ISSRDC 2023, the annual conference that brings together leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities to foster innovation and discovery onboard the space station. ISSRDC will showcase how the space station continues to provide a valuable platform for research and technology development that benefits humanity and enables a robust and sustainable market in low Earth orbit.

The conference is hosted by the ISS National Laboratory, managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS); NASA; and the American Astronautical Society (AAS) at the Hyatt Regency Seattle July 31-August 3, 2023. To learn more about ISSRDC 2023, including how to register, exhibit, or become a conference sponsor, please visit the conference website.

To download a high-resolution photo for this release, click here.

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:

The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Lab allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

SOURCE International Space Station National Lab
The Lithuanian government plans to transfer military aid and weapons worth EUR 24 million to Ukraine in July, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said.

"Lithuania's military assistance to Ukraine in July will amount to EUR 24 million," Anusauskas wrote on Facebook.

He also pointed out the need to create a "coalition for mine clearance" to help in the cleansing of Ukrainian territory.

"For our part, we propose a coalition for mine clearance, since such a mini-coalition of six countries is already working in Lithuania, training Ukrainian specialists in mine clearance. But much more is needed," he stressed following a teleconference of defense ministers in the Ramstein format.
Kichler Lights the Way to a Brighter Future for Children Battling Cancer and Other Life-threatening Diseases

SOLON, Ohio, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kichler Lighting LLC, a leader in innovative lighting and ceiling fans, is once again joining forces with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to support its mission to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. As the exclusive national sponsor of interior and exterior lighting and ceiling fans for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program  for the third year in a row  Kichler has committed to donating at least $10,000 in fixtures per home annually.

"At Kichler, we're more than just a lighting company. We're a 'bring people together' company," says Kichler's Executive Vice President of Marketing Brian Nobbe. "There's no better reason to come together than to help save the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It's why we signed on as the first ever lighting and ceiling fan sponsor."

Through the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program, ticket buyers have a chance to win newly built, single-family homes in more than 40 cities across the United States, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude, whose work has helped push the childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent. Homes range in market value from $350,000 to $775,000.

Kichler donated product valued at $608,000 for the 2022 campaign, working with builders and designers across the country to outfit 40-plus houses with fixtures. Braco Construction and Strickland Interiors were given the 2022 Kichler National Sponsor Award for outstanding use of Kichler product in the Monroe, LA St. Jude Dream Home.

"We thank Braco Construction and Jan Strickland for their remarkable use of Kichler Lighting fixtures in their design and build of the home," says Nobbe. "Their selections beautifully complemented the architecture and made good use of a variety of our products to add just the right finishing touches."

Dr. Donald Mack created the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program in 1991, giving away the first house in Shreveport, LA. Today, the program has raised more than $600 million to ensure families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food  so they can focus on helping their children live.

KICHLER LIGHTING LLC

Kichler Lighting LLC strives to transform the home and workspace by developing fixtures that perform efficiently, install intuitively, and deliver an overall effect that combines style with purpose. With an extensive portfolio of more than 3,000 on-trend products  including lighting, landscape, and ceiling fans  and a commitment to providing services and project solutions, Kichler is the brand homeowners and professionals know and trust since 1938. Everything Kichler does, every single day, is with the intention of creating an environment that illuminates what matters most. As the first-ever and exclusive national sponsor of interior and exterior lighting and ceiling fans for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, Kichler is committed to providing fixtures for more than 40 homes across the U.S. annually. Kichler Lighting products are available at independent showrooms, Lowe's, Home Depot, electrical and landscape distributors, and online. For more information, visit www.kichler.com.

Connect with Kichler Lighting socially on:

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MASCO CORPORATION

Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Our portfolio of industry-leading brands includes Behr paint; Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures; Kichler decorative and outdoor lighting; LIBERTY branded decorative and functional hardware and HotSpring spas. We leverage our powerful brands across product categories, sales channels and geographies to create value for our customers and shareholders. For more information about Masco Corporation, visit www.masco.com.

SOURCE Kichler Lighting
RESTON, Va., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, was recently awarded a prime contract to provide intelligence, technical, financial and management services to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The single award, cost-plus-award-fee contract has a one-year base period of performance and six one-year options. The awarded value is $375 million.

"We are pleased to continue our seventeen-year legacy supporting ODNI," said Roy Stevens, Leidos Intelligence Group president. "Our exceptional experience and subject matter expertise will enable timely delivery and streamlined coordination while adapting to a dynamic environment. We look forward to continuing this work and ensuring ODNI receives the best support to carry out its mission."

Leidos will work to maximize synergies and efficiencies for ODNI by aligning intelligence, technical, financial and management services with clear lines of contractor responsibility. This will help enable ODNI to execute its responsibilities, achieve the DNI's vision and support effective and efficient mission success to the intelligence community.

Through this contract Leidos will provide analytic, intelligence management, and systems analysis support covering a wide range of regional and functional topics. These intelligence services will operate in an environment where priorities continuously and quickly evolve. Technical services include systems integration, cybersecurity, science and technology, counterintelligence, IT project management, security and risk management. Additional management services include supporting facilities, assets, logistics and information.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 46,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global long steel products industry size will witness an upward growth trajectory on the back of rising bridge construction activities, according to the "Long Steel Products Industry Data Book, 2023 - 2030," published by Grand View Research. Billions of dollars are expected to be injected into repairing, rebuilding and replacing bridges. In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced pouring USD 2.1 billion into a large-bridge project for "critical improvements" in four bridges. An uptick in infrastructural and manufacturing activities has prompted steelmakers to bolster their strategies.

Bullish construction activities have reinforced the penetration of steel reinforcement bars. Technological advancements have furthered the demand for rebar for enhanced concrete placement and reduced congestion. Besides, the sustainable trend has prompted industry leaders to bank on rebars to minimize their environmental footprint. For instance, in October 2022, Tata Steel announced an infusion of Euro 65 million (approximately USD 64 million) in IJmuiden, the Netherlands, for sustainable steel manufacturing. Meanwhile, in January 2021, The steel giant joined forces with CII Green Business Centre and other stakeholders in India to manufacture green rebar. The global steel rebar market size garnered USD 270.18 billion in 2021 and is poised to depict around 4.9% CAGR between 2022 and 2030.

Order your copy of the Free Sample of "Long Steel Products Industry Data Book - Steel Rebar, Carbon Steel Pipe Fittings, Steel Pipes & Tubes and Steel Wire Market Size, Share, Trends Analysis, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" Data Book, published by Grand View Research

Steel wire has gained ground with a notable rise in constructing railway bridges, roads, flyovers and slabs. In March 2023, the Italian government gave a green signal for the construction of the allegedly longest suspension bridge in the world, extending to 3,666m (single span of 3,300m). The bridge is expected to cut GHG emissions from transport as trains would be run for the first time between the mainland and Sicily. Carbon steel wire is slated to be sought in bridge cables, musical instruments and tire reinforcement materials. The global steel wire market size stood at USD 102.98 billion in 2021 and will expand at a 4.7% CAGR through 2030.

Stakeholders will explore the following trends and opportunities to tap into the global landscape:

Carbon steel pipe fittings have received an impetus on the back of soaring infrastructural activities and the expansion of the oil & gas industry.

Incumbent players have upped investments in steel pipes & tubes in light of growing manufacturing activities and crude oil production.

The North America market will witness profound investment, partly due to bullish government investments to foster the economy. In April 2023 , the U.S. FHWA announced a USD 14 million infusion (part of the USD 300 million investment from the Bridge Investment Program) into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding, replacing US-59 San Antonio River Bridge in Texas .

market will witness profound investment, partly due to bullish government investments to foster the economy. In , the U.S. FHWA announced a infusion (part of the investment from the Bridge Investment Program) into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding, replacing US-59 San Antonio River Bridge in . Well-established and emerging companies are counting on Asia Pacific ; China and India are gaining ground from buoyant construction projects and the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies. Automation technologies have become invaluable in underscoring product quality, cutting labor costs and leveraging users to monitor operations remotely.

Go through the table of content of Long Steel Products Industry Data Book to get a better understanding of the Coverage & Scope of the study

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has fueled a wave of innovation and expedited infrastructure and construction projects. The audacious project has underpinned the network of highways, energy pipelines and railways. Developing Asian economies would require around USD 1.5 trillion annually through 2030 for infrastructure development, according to a report cited by the Asian Development Bank. Long steel manufacturers envisage the Asia Pacific to emerge as a happy hunting groundthe regional outlook is expected to remain bullish.

Organic and inorganic strategies will be pronounced as incumbent manufacturers inject funds into technological advancements, product offerings, innovations, geographical expansion, R&D activities, collaboration and mergers & acquisitions. The decarbonization trend has become the next thing in steel manufacturing. To illustrate, in January 2023, ArcelorMittal announced that it poured USD 36 million into Boston Metal to foster decarbonization and bring a paradigm shift in steelmaking.

Check out more Industry Data Books, published by Grand View Research

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/sector-reports-list

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
XI'AN, China, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SolarButterfly, a solar-powered concept trailer project initiated by Swiss environmental pioneer Louis Palmer and his team and supported by LONGi, concluded its European tour on June 9th in the United Kingdom. The journey encompassed 27 countries in addition to the UK, including Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, covering a total distance of 32,745 kilometers.

Along the way, the SolarButterfly team met with environmental pioneers and hosted over 210 joint events with communities, schools, industry organisations and NGOs. Discussions on climate change, as well as the use of environmental technology, drew the attention and active participation of a wide spectrum of groups, from local communities and students to industry experts.

The SolarButterfly trailer's one-of-a-kind design allows its body to expand on both sides, converting it from a vehicle to a butterfly with its wings spread. The vehicle enhances the generation of solar energy by utilizing LONGi high-efficiency solar cells, integrating a solar-powered trailer system with a configurable living area.

In May 2022, the project team embarked on a four-year global tour starting from Switzerland, spanning over 90 countries and regions, with the goal of visiting global climate pioneers, conducting offline discussions and sharing learning experiences, eventually arriving in Paris in December 2025 to mark the tenth anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Agreement on Climate Change.

The journey seeks to promote awareness of climate change and environmental conservation by encouraging attendees throughout the world to 'look globally and act locally.'

LONGi, as a global leader in solar technology, is committed to its role of advocator, practitioner and leader in the sustainable development of clean energy.

As a SolarButterfly partner, the company contributes to the environmental initiative by supplying its proprietary high-efficiency cells and engaging with its local partners to participate in offline events at tour destinations, promoting solar power and a greener, lower-carbon lifestyle.

LONGi will not only continue to invest in R&D and technological innovation in its photovoltaic products and solutions but also plans to continue its partnership with SolarButterfly, motivating individuals to take action and minimize their carbon footprint via the use of green power, in order to create a sustainable future.

The trailer has now arrived in Canada and is on its way across North and Central America. It will journey from Canada to the United States, Mexico and beyond, continuing to spread the environmental message of the SolarButterfly to everyone it encounters.

For more details about the journey of SolarButterfly, please visit:

https://solarbutterfly.org

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world's leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com/en

SOURCE LONGi
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mastek (MASTEK; BSE: 523704), a Leading Digital Engineering & Cloud Transformation Partner, announced today its definitive agreement to acquire BizAnalytica, a premier data cloud and modernization solutions provider headquartered in Boston, USA. The strategic acquisition will bolster Mastek's global Data Services & Generative AI capabilities and grant access to a talented pool of qualified data architects and scientists.

Established in 2017, BizAnalytica offers end-to-end data cloud and modernization solutions, including architectural design, system integration, data migration, automation, management, warehousing, and analytics. The company's expertise empowers enterprises to make intelligent, data-driven decisions that drive revenue growth.

Mastek to Strengthen Data Cloud and Generative AI Capabilities with Acquisition of BizAnalytica Tweet this

A notable aspect of BizAnalytica's portfolio is its strategic partnerships with leading cloud platforms, such as Snowflake, Databricks, and AWS, further solidifying its position in the market.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Hiral Chandrana, CEO of Mastek Group, said, "As organizations increasingly embrace cloud solutions for their data, optimizing data assets throughout the value chain becomes critical for making informed decisions. This acquisition marks a pivotal milestone in accelerating our presence in data engineering, cloud services, and the rapidly evolving Generative AI domain. BizAnalytica's strong data cloud and modernization capabilities, along with its valuable partnerships with industry-leading cloud platforms, will enable us to decomplex the cloud transformation journey for our clients, delivering trust, value, and velocity."

Raman Sapra, President and Chief Growth Officer at Mastek, added, "With organizations across the globe transitioning their data workloads to the cloud, the demand for enterprise-specific Generative AI models is on the rise. BizAnalytica's strong presence in the US market positions us to unlock Mastek's potential in existing verticals such as Healthcare & Retail, as well as new industries like Asset & Wealth Management. This strategic investment will undoubtedly strengthen our Data Cloud & Analytics capabilities, allowing us to deliver even greater value to our esteemed clients."

Lokesh Khosla, CTO and Co-founder of BizAnalytica, expressed his confidence in the deal, stating, "We firmly believe that Mastek is the ideal partner to reinforce our market-specific capabilities in data cloud and Generative AI. This transition marks a turning point for BizAnalytica, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with our joint customers in their transformation journey. With shared cultural values and vision, BizAnalytica will bring numerous opportunities and contribute significantly to Mastek's growth story."

Mastek remains committed to unlocking the power of data, modernizing applications to the cloud, and accelerating digital advantage for businesses worldwide. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in our journey as we further solidify our position as a digital engineering and cloud transformation leader.

About Mastek: Mastek (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704) is a trusted digital engineering and cloud transformation partner that delivers innovative solutions and business outcomes to clients in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Government/Public Sector, and more. The company empowers enterprises to unlock the power of data, modernize applications to the cloud, and accelerate digital advantage, ensuring customer success and decomplexing digital initiatives. With a strong pool of 2000+ Oracle experts and over 100 industry-specific solutions, Mastek is a preferred Oracle partner. Its workforce of ~6000 operates across 40+ countries in the UK, Americas, Europe, Middle East, and APAC, delivering business value with velocity. MST Solutions, a Mastek company, is a Summit-level Salesforce consulting partner trusted by several Fortune 1000 enterprise clients. For more details, please visit our website www.mastek.com.

Press Contact

Kashmira Chavan | [email protected]

SOURCE Mastek
CONYERS, Ga., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonough, GA students and seniors are being invited back to party for the second annual Deborah Ann Watson Memorial Weekend, sponsored by Novae Cares, Inc!

The weekend will kick off on Thursday July 27th with Christmas in July at the Henry County Heritage Senior Center in McDonough. From 10am to 2pm seniors will be treated to a free lunch with games, a gift auction, a visit from Santa Claus, and prizes for all senior participants. Personal hygiene bags will be distributed by the Free Wishes Foundation.

DAW Memorial Weekend is an annual event giving back to the seniors and students of McDonough, GA in honor of Novae's CEO, Reco McCambry's late mother Deborah Ann Watson and his her parents, Rev. James and Flora Watson.

For years, the Henry County Heritage Senior Center has played host at different times to the grandparents of Reco McCambry, the CEO of one of America's fastest-growing companies, Novae. In 2022 McCambry established the annual Deborah Ann Watson Memorial Weekend as a way to give back to the community where he grew up, in honor of his late mother and her parents.

On Sunday, July 30th, the party continues with the DAW Memorial Carnival and Back-to-School Giveaway. The back-to-school party will include games, a game truck, an ice cream truck, prizes, free hot dogs, free haircuts and styling for students, and a giveaway of hundreds of bags of school supplies. It will take place at the Rufus L. Stewart Park, located at 300 Simpson Street, McDonough, Georgia 30253.

The Henry County Schools will join the party with presentations about transportation options, safety, and job opportunities the school system currently has available.

"It's a fun day for the entire family," says Kathy Jackson, Novae's Director of Community Outreach. "The haircuts are huge, because students want to feel and look their best when they're starting a new school year." She notes that school supply bags will be available for students of all ages, kindergarten through senior year of high school.

Novae CEO McCambry says he hopes the event will inspire students to do their best in school this year, because great things are possible. McCambry himself attended school nearby before starting his first business at the age of 20 and since, building four multi-million-dollar companies.

As he chronicles in his book The Fatherless Father, it wasn't always an easy ride for him or his single mother Deborah Ann, who prioritized building his self-confidence and self-esteem. Now McCambry brings a framed photograph of his late mother with him each time he accepts an honor or award for his achievements.

"If I can do it," McCambry says to the students of Henry County, "so can you."

Media Contact:

Shanee McCambry

678-750-3787

[email protected]

SOURCE Novae Cares Inc
PHOENIX, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mi-One Brands was selected as the winner of the State of Arizona Top Workplaces for 2023 for organizations with 35 to 149 employees. Mi-One Brands co-founders Geoff Habicht and Amir Hakak also walked away with first place hardware in the Great Leadership category. The rankings were determined by the Energage Workplace Survey, an empirical engagement survey built on sixteen years of data from over 27 million employees and 70,000 organizations. You can visit our wholesale website at Mipodwholesale.com or our retail website Mipod.com.

Mi-One Brands Ranks #1 in State of Arizona Top Workplaces for 2023 Mi-One Brands co-founders Geoff Habicht and Amir Hakak accept First Place Trophy for Top Workplaces in Arizona 2023

Mi-One Brands is a leading vape distributor, retailer and manufacturer based in Phoenix, Arizona, and is honored to receive the #1 ranking from the nation's most credible employer recognition program.

Mi-One company leadership created an environment where people can find meaning in their work, and where their well-being is valued. It is a safe space where employees form genuine connections with one another. Employee job satisfaction, and advancement opportunities allowed Mi-One Brands to claim this coveted accolade.

"We fundamentally believe that everyone matters and we strive to create an environment where everyone is both seen and heard, where personal growth is as important as professional development, and where everyone shares in our mutual success. As we elevate the quality of our collective lives in this way, it vibrates outward to have positive impact and heart-centered influence on co-workers, family and the broader community. We are proud to be able to create the habitat for people to bloom and are grateful for the amazing people that we have the privilege to lead." - Geoff Habicht

The Best Workplaces in Arizona list is highly competitive. Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, work status, or other demographic identifiers.

About Mi-One Brands

Mi-One Brands co-founders Amir Hakak and Geoff Habicht are driven by an important mission: to improve the lives of adult smokers and their families with simple, efficient, convenient, and high-quality vape devices supported with best-in-class customer service.

Headquartered in Phoenix, Mi-One Brands was a pioneer in the vape industry and founded in 2008. Before the term vaping was even coined, Mi-One Brands was providing innovative alternatives to combustible tobacco cigarettes. Mi-One Brands remains an influential manufacturer, designer, and distributor of high-quality vaping products.

With a company culture that fosters collaboration, innovation, and self-actualization, Mi-One Brands is proud to accept this recognition as the 2023 Top Workplace in Arizona.

Notes for the Editor:

Contact: Customer Support

Phone: 1-800-768-9982

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Mi-One Brands
Milliman PPFI plans saw $123 billion in funded status improvement thanks to monthly market rebound

SEATTLE, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today released the latest results of its Public Pension Funding Index (PPFI), which analyzes data from the nation's 100 largest public defined benefit pension plans.

During June, the Milliman 100 PPFI funded ratio rose from 73.7% as of May 31 to 75.8% as of June 30, the result of a $123 billion improvement in funded status. The PPFI plans saw aggregate investment returns of 2.9% for the month and gained market value of approximately $147 billion, partially offset by a net negative cash flow of about $9 billion. Individual plans' estimated June returns ranged from 1.0% to 5.2%.

The 75.8% funded ratio at the end of this June is modestly higher than the 74.0% we saw at the end of June 2022 Tweet this

"Although markets have been fairly volatile over the past year, the 75.8% funded ratio at the end of this June is modestly higher than the 74.0% we saw at the end of June 2022," said Becky Sielman, co-author of Milliman's PPFI. "This is good news for the many plans whose fiscal year ends on June 30."

For more information and to view the full Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index, go to http://www.milliman.com/ppfi/. To see Milliman's full range of annual Pension Funding Studies, go to https://www.milliman.com/en/retirement-and-benefits/pension-funding-studies. To receive regular updates of Milliman's pension funding analysis, contact us at [email protected].

About Milliman

Milliman is among the world's largest providers of actuarial, risk management, and technology solutions. Our consulting and advanced analytics capabilities encompass healthcare, property & casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services, and employee benefits. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe. Visit us at milliman.com.

SOURCE Milliman, Inc.
Promise Fellows spend a year of paid AmeriCorps service working one-on-one with students in grades 6-12 who show early warning signs of school disengagement

MINNEAPOLIS, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From North Branch to Northfield and communities across the entire state, a Minnesota nonprofit making a demonstrable impact on at-risk students is ramping up its recruitment effort for the 2023-24 school year. Minnesota Alliance With Youth is hitting the road for the next few weeks, on a mission to find more than 50 individuals to serve as Promise Fellows, an AmeriCorps program that implements a prevention-oriented approach to addressing student dropout by targeting students in grades 6-12 who show early warning signs of school disengagement.

Promise Fellows work directly with students in a school or through a community organization for the school year, summer or all year long, and receive a stipend, education award, student loan forbearance and other benefits. Applications for the upcoming school year are being accepted for priority deadline until Aug. 15, 2023. This ensures Promise Fellows can work with students for the entire school year. Applications will also be accepted on a rolling basis for Oct. 1 and Jan. 16 start dates. For more information or to apply, visit www.mnyouth.net.

25 Years of Making an Impact

Since its inception in 1998, the program has trained and placed 2,223 Promise Fellows in Minnesota schools and community-based organizations, supporting 182,661 students across the state through more than 3 million hours of service. Host sites are located across Minnesota, in the Twin Cities Metro, St. Cloud, Northfield and many other locations.

Much more than tutors, Promise Fellows provide direct support for up to 30 students during the school year (Sept. 1 - May 31, with the option of extending through the summer), in the areas of attendance, engagement and course performance.

For the past 25 years, the program has made a significant impact not only on Minnesota students, but also on the people who have served as Promise Fellows. The initiative is made up of Minnesotans from all walks of life, from recent college graduates to retirees, and reflects the increasing diversity of the state's students.

"While each Promise Fellow has a unique story, they all share a passion for serving their communities and an interest in helping Minnesota students succeed," said Minnesota Alliance With Youth Executive Director Erich Mische. "We hear repeatedly about how the Promise Fellows program is an exceptional opportunity for recent graduates or recent retirees to explore what's next for them. Their year of working side-by-side with teachers and administrators provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience in a school setting over a short-term period."

Promise Fellows serve alongside teachers, counselors and administrators, receiving hands-on experience as they get an up-close perspective on whether working in education could be a long-term fit for them. Promise Fellows have gone on to become teachers, school counselors, therapists, lawyers, nurses, college administrators, paraprofessionals, nonprofit managers, school aides and much more.

Data suggests the Promise Fellows program has a positive effect on school attendance for students who participate. According to a third-party impact evaluation of the Promise Fellows 2021-2022 program, the initiative yielded a statistically significant difference in the attendance rates of students who participated in the Promise Fellows program compared to students who did not. On average, students who participated in the program attended one more week, or roughly five more school days, relative to students who did not participate in the program.

"One of my students told me she was so happy she had someone at school that cared about her, and noticed when she wasn't there," said Lillie Williamson, former AmeriCorps Promise Fellow at Paladin Center and Technical High School in Coon Rapids, Minn. "She said she had never had that kind of support at school before."

Now that in-person learning is largely back, the need for caring adults to help students navigate the social and emotional challenges brought about by the pandemic is more critical than ever. By building relationships with at-risk students and their families, Promise Fellows play an important role in helping students reconnect with their school experience and peers, cultivate a feeling of belonging and encourage engagement.

"Especially for students who don't feel heard or otherwise don't have an advocate, a Promise Fellow can make a massive difference for their experience in school and trajectory toward graduation," said Greg Gianopoulos, former AmeriCorps Promise Fellow from Northfield, Minn.

A Community Commitment

In addition to seeking applicants to be Promise Fellows, the program is also ramping up its engagement with current, past and potential host sites. Typically, host sites are high schools, middle schools or community centers interested in hosting one or more Promise Fellows for the year to support their students who are at risk for not graduating on time.

"Our Promise Fellows have a tremendous impact not only on our Focus Students but our student body at large," said Mike Macken, former assistant principal at Centennial Middle School in Lino Lakes, Minn. "The supportive relationships our Promise Fellows develop with struggling students and families foster better attendance, more engagement and higher academic performance."

Interested teachers, guidance counselors or administrators can learn more about being a host site by contacting Kyle Kline, director of recruitment and compliance, at [email protected].

About Minnesota Alliance With Youth

Founded in 1997, Minnesota Alliance With Youth works with and for youth, engaging them as equal partners in finding the most effective and equitable solutions to the state's graduation crisis. Minnesota Alliance With Youth is a proud partner with AmeriCorps, the premier national service program in the United States. Every year, a select group of extraordinary Minnesotans from all walks of life serve young people in communities statewide as members of the Alliance's unique AmeriCorps programs: VISTAs, Promise Fellows, and Summer Youth Support Fellows.

Minnesota Alliance With Youth also administers the Minnesota Youth Council (MYC), a collaborative of youth leaders that mobilize their fellow middle and high school peers across the state to create equitable systems through youth-led outreach, education, and advocacy. For more information or to apply for an opportunity, visit www.mnyouth.net.

Media Contact:

Briana McBride

612-255-1108

[email protected]

SOURCE Minnesota Alliance With Youth
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting in Kyiv on Wednesday with head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power.

Ukraine values active cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development, USAID. Today I met with USAID Administrator Samantha Power. We discussed further support for Ukraine, our people, and our economy, the President said on his Telegram channel.

Also, according to him, the Russian Federation's attempts to eliminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative became the subject of discussion.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to the Agency for supporting Ukrainian efforts in restoring the grain deal and working together.
System Enables Law Enforcement to Identify Offenders and Threats in Seconds

PLYMOUTH, Mass., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The ongoing crisis at our nation's southwest border requires action. BI2 Technologies, a national leader in iris biometric recognition technology, announced that they will provide sheriffs in 31 counties along the border with free access to the nation's largest iris biometric recognition database through BI2 Technologies' Mobile Offender Recognition & Information (MORIS) System to help law enforcement identify individuals in seconds.

Mobile Offender Recognition System to be Provided to Border Sheriffs at No Cost Tweet this MORIS Information

MORIS is a patented (US Patent 8,719,584), mobile, wireless and handheld offender recognition and information system, compatible with Apple, Android and Windows that enables law enforcement across the country the wireless ability to positively identify offenders from any location where there is cell service supporting Internet connectivity.

MORIS works in conjunction with BI2's I.R.I.S. (Inmate Recognition and Identification System), the nation's only secure, encrypted, real-time national criminal justice data sharing network, based on Iris Biometric technology. This one-of-a-kind system means that any offender enrolled in the national database can be positively identified in seconds from virtually anywhere.

This unique national database allows Sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies to quickly determine the identity of the person in their custody and provides criminal justice information from other jurisdictions across the country, if the offender is enrolled in the system.

In making the announcement during the National Sheriff's Association Border Security Committee at the Association's annual meeting in Grand Rapids Michigan, BI2 Technologies Chief Operating Officer John Leonard praised the Sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies for the work they do every day. "It is critical that deputies and other law enforcement officers in the field know who they are dealing with and the threats they may pose to their communities and our nation," said Mr. Leonard.

Cochise County Arizona Sheriff and NSA Border Security Committee Chair Mark Dannels thanked BI2 Technologies for their long-term commitment to our nation's sheriffs. "I want to thank BI2 Technologies for this generous offer to help our deputies and other law enforcement officers quickly identify individuals they encounter," said Sheriff Dannels. "This is another example of the commitment BI2 Technologies has made to Sheriffs across the country over the past 28 years and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them as we address the crisis at our border."

About BI2 Technologies

BI Technologies (Biometric Intelligence and Identification Technologies) is an award-winning and recognized leader in the development and implementation of cost-effective, multimodal biometric identity management solutions. BI Technologies' created and maintains the only national, cloud-based iris biometric network and database. No other organization, public or private, has developed or implemented this capability.

With the endorsement and support of the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), more than 2,100 of the nation's 3,000 Sheriffs have asked to join the network. BI Technologies' innovative, interoperable and easily integrated biometric technologies and solutions are already improving public safety in law enforcement agencies in forty-seven (47) states.

BI Technologies is a privately held Massachusetts corporation located in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

SOURCE BI2 Technologies
Momar is included in Selling Power's List of 50 Best Companies to Sell For in 2023

ATLANTA, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Momar earned its inaugural spot in Selling Power magazine's list of 50 Best Companies to Sell For in 2023.

"Our family business has always dedicated itself to providing the greatest opportunity for the best sales team in the chemical industry. We understand that our consultative, solutions-oriented sales force, supported by the flexible, customer-focused company behind it, is the tremendous value-add for our customers across the country" Momar CEO Julian Mohr, Jr. said. "This recognition from Selling Power is a wonderful reflection of our passion towards and for our sales organization  our salespeople are the heart of our business family and the driving force behind our success, true since our founding in 1947."

Selling Power's research team created a thorough application where they gathered data across four key areas:

Company Overview

Compensation and Benefits

Hiring, Sales Training & Sales Enablement

Diversity and Inclusion

Companies were ranked in each of the categories above to determine the final list. The methodology is the product of years of research, and Selling Power continues to revise and refine the approach each year. The companies included are a mix of sizes ranging from medium to enterprise.

"The Best Companies to Sell For have mastered the alignment of people, processes, and technologies and created a sales organization that excels in hiring, onboarding, training, and compensation of their sales representatives. What attracts salespeople to work for these leading organizations is their great culture, their commitment to diversity, and their steady support of the sales team by servant leadership that focuses on creating customer value and a meaningful work environment that offers unlimited opportunities to win," says Gerhard Gschwandtner, founder and CEO of Selling Power. "These companies aim at a higher level of professionalism and trust, which in turn leads to increased sales and a lower turnover of the sales force" Gschwandtner continued.

About Selling Power

In addition to Selling Power, the leading digital magazine for sales managers and sales VPs since 1981, Personal Selling Power, Inc., produces the Sales Management Digest and Daily Boost of Positivity online newsletters as well as videos featuring interviews with top executives. Selling Power is a regular media sponsor of the Sales 3.0 Conference (https://www.sales30conf.com), which is attended by a total of more than 4,500 sales leaders each year. For additional information, please visit www.sellingpower.com.

About Momar, Inc.

Momar, Inc. is a family-owned manufacturer of specialty chemicals and a one-stop facility maintenance solutions provider for industrial and institutional markets. Through Momar's variety of product families, the company specializes as a total solutions supplier, providing customers with virtually every product or service available in maintenance chemicals and equipment, lubrication, water and wastewater treatment, food processing chemicals, material handling, specialty hardware, industrial safety, and expert application services. For more information, call 404.355.4580 or visit momar.com.

Contact: Heather Bunting, Momar, Inc.

Phone: 404.355.4580

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Momar, Inc.
Fontworks' team, type inventory, IP, technology, and services will join global type specialist MonotypeMonotype's first acquisition in Japan.

Acquisition to address increasing global demand for Japanese type design and deliver multiscript typefaces to Japanese creative professionals.

WOBURN, Mass., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Type and technology specialist Monotype has announced its planned acquisition of Tokyo-based Fontworks, one of the most respected and best-known providers of Japanese type design, from SB Technology. The deal was also announced today by SB Technology, a listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The deal is scheduled to close in Q3 of 2023.

Fontworks x Monotype

This will be Monotype's first acquisition in Japan. Under the terms of the deal, Fontworks' renowned team of 73 designers, engineers, sales, and administrative professionals, along with its impressive type library and its LETS, Mojimo, and FONTPLUS services, will join the Monotype family.

Fontworks' extensive inventory, services and team expertise will allow Monotype to address the growing demand for premium Japanese type from creatives and customers around the world, while Monotype's multiscript and acclaimed Latin typefaces, including Helvetica Now, Neue Frutiger, Gotham, FF DIN, and Avenir Next, will support the needs of the dynamic Japanese market.

Fontworks was established in 1993 with a focus on creating a "new culture" through type and has been recognised internationally with prestigious awards from the Tokyo Type Directors Club and International Association for Universal Design. In 2002, the foundry launched the industry's first ever font subscription service, Leading Edge Type Solution (LETS), to make fonts more accessible for designers.

Fontworks' type design has helped shape Japanese culture for the last thirty years. Ninety-five percent of Japanese television stations use Fontworks' fonts, and ninety-eight percent of the fonts used by Japan's top 10 video game makers are from the Fontworks' inventory.

Fontworks' inventory includes 'new-classic' Japanese typefaces such as Tsukushia family of Japanese typefaces that began with Mincho (the Japanese equivalent of serif) in the early 2000scomprising serif, sans serif, handwritten and display fonts.

Fontworks also distributes high-quality typefaces from foundries across Asia, including Iwata, Motoya, Yoon, and Founder, through LETS.

Fontworks' impressive inventory of 260 font styles will become part of the Monotype library, one of the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of font styles, where it will join thousands of timeless classics, hand-crafted revivals, and original designs from many of the most innovative type designers and foundries in history.

Akira Kobayashi, 2022 Type Directors Club Medal winner and Creative Type Director at Monotype, said, "We are delighted to announce that Fontworks, one of Japan's most prestigious type foundries, has joined the Monotype family. I've collaborated with Shigenobu Fujita and the Fontworks team for many years, so I know first-hand the depth of expertise and industry insight this partnership will bring to Monotype. Fontworks-designed typefaces have a special place in Japanese culture and we look forward to bringing Fontworks' type excellence to even more creative professionals in Japan and beyond."

Ai Harada, CEO of Fontworks, said, "This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for Fontworks, thirty years since the type studio was founded. Monotype has an unparalleled reputation as a global provider of quality type solutions, and we are excited to join a team who, like us, wake up every day thinking about type. As part of the Monotype family, Fontworks will be able to better support Japanese customers and ensure Fontworks' type designs reach new audiences internationally. The international market for Japanese type is growing rapidly  together, Monotype and Fontworks will help accelerate it further."

Shinichi Ata, President & CEO of SB Technology Corporation, said, "Fontworks is an outstanding, successful company and the team comprises a talented group of professionals. We are pleased that Fontworks will join the Monotype familya company that truly understands and values typography, technology, and its people. I know Monotype and Fontworks will continue to innovate, create and champion Japanese typography in Japan and across the globe to support current and future customers."

Ninan Chacko, CEO at Monotype, said, "I'm delighted that Monotype's first ever acquisition in Japan is Fontworksa type studio that's synonymous with premium Japanese type design and innovation. We live in an increasingly interconnected world where culture and commerce reach seamlessly across bordersso it's essential that brands and creatives have access to truly global type solutions. We're going to put Fontworks' typefaces in the hands of even more creative professionals around the world and bring Monotype's multiscript and Latin typeface library to Japanese creatives. Under our stewardship, Fontworks' type designs will be continually updated to reflect the latest advances in type technologyan essential part of our mission to ensure type remains at the heart of creative culture across the world."

About Monotype

Monotype creates brands that matter with type, technology, and expertise. The company partners with leading foundries to deliver the broadest inventory of high-quality typefaces in the world for our customers. Monotype Fonts combines the world's largest collection of award-winning type, the expertise of the most sought-after foundries and type designers and trusted and secure font managementall under a single agreement.

Further information is available here.

Follow Monotype on Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn .

Monotype, Helvetica, Frutiger, Helvetica Now, and Neue Frutiger are trademarks of Monotype Imaging Inc. and may be registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and certain other jurisdictions. Avenir Next, DIN, and FF DIN are trademarks of Monotype GmbH and may be registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and certain other jurisdictions. Gotham is a trademark of The Hoefler Type Foundry, Inc. and may be registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and certain other jurisdictions.

About Fontworks

Fontworks maximizes the power of letters and, under the corporate philosophy of "Freedom with letters, more and more," provides font functions and services suited to the times and environment. In 2002, Fontworks launched LETS (Leading Edge Type Solution), the industry's first annual subscription-based font service in Japan, to make fonts more accessible and useful. Fontworks has contributed to shortening the distance between people around the world, between people and information, and between people and their creations.

Further information is available here.

Follow Fontworks on Twitter Instagram.

About SB Technology

SB Technology has been at the core of the ICT services business within the SoftBank Group, under the management philosophy of "bringing happiness to people through the information revolution and creating the future with the power of technology". SB Technology continue to challenge themselves in creating new value-added services with the power of technology. They provide cloud and security-based ICT services mainly to corporations and governmental agencies and utilize these technologies to promote the digital transformation and new business creation of their client companies.

Further information is available here.

SOURCE MONOTYPE IMAGING HOLDINGS INC
The partnership, which marks BeeHero's official entrance into the Australian market, will offer beekeepers and growers groundbreaking hive monitoring technology to safeguard bee health and sustainable agriculture practices, improve year-round operations, and increase crop yields

MILDURA, Australia & FRESNO, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monson's Honey and Pollination , a leader of the Australian beekeeping and pollination industry, and BeeHero , the pioneer of data-driven precision pollination, today announced a partnership to bring BeeHero's groundbreaking hive monitoring technology to Australian beekeepers and growers. The partnership marks BeeHero's first venture into the Australian market.

Commercial pollination services are critical to Australia's agricultural ecosystem and economy. Pollination services from honeybees contribute between $4-6 billion annually to the country  with crops like almonds, avocados, blueberries, and more heavily reliant on the insects for pollination. Monson's plays an important and historical role in this process by serving as a hive broker and auditor for crop pollination, facilitating operations like the rental of hives, ensuring hives are flourishing, and transporting them from one site to the next.

The new partnership will empower Monson's pollination services with the benefits of BeeHero's data-driven solution for precision pollination. For the first time, Australian beekeepers and growers will have unprecedented visibility into the strength, health, and activity of their colonies via a platform that provides them ongoing support and helps them manage their beekeeping and pollination operations year-round. With insights viewable 24/7 in the BeeHero app, beekeepers can virtually manage their day-to-day apiary tasks and streamline their workload and yard maintenance  not only during pollination season, but in-between seasons. For growers, the BeeHero platform ensures accuracy of deployment and data-driven insights for improved outcomes. It also enables growers to easily manage and report their sustainability-focused activity and practices, in order to comply with ESG values and requirements.

"We are delighted to join forces with BeeHero, a true innovator in the field of pollination technology. This partnership represents a powerful fusion of traditional expertise and advanced digital solutions, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for the future of sustainable agriculture," said Trevor Monson, Director of Monson's Honey and Pollination. "By combining Monson's extensive experience in pollination in Australia with BeeHero's innovative technology, we aim to revolutionize the way we approach pollination services. Together, we will not only increase agricultural productivity but also play a vital role in preserving and protecting the delicate balance of our ecosystem."

BeeHero uses unintrusive, low-cost in-hive IoT sensors to monitor each colony precisely and remotely, collecting unprecedented audio and biological data. BeeHero's platform then utilizes AI-powered algorithms to analyze this data, providing information for beekeepers to better manage their hives and take proactive and preventative action when necessary, removing ambiguity, guesswork, and inaccuracy from pollination processes, and lowering colony mortality.

"We are excited to combine our bee monitoring technology and precision pollination experience with Monson's unparalleled expertise in honey production and pollination services to lower the mortality rate and enhance the productivity of honeybee populations across Australia," said Itai Kanot, COO and Co-Founder of BeeHero. "By joining forces, we are providing the Australian beekeeping and agricultural communities with more transparency into their hives and yards than ever before, with actionable insights in the palms of their hands. With Varroa mites now severely affecting Australian bees, this 24/7 visibility is more important than ever, and we look forward to helping pollinators thrive and ensuring a bountiful future for our food systems together."

About Monson's Honey and Pollination

Monson's Honey & Pollination is a fourth-generation beekeeping company specializing in the pollination of crops by honeybees with extensive experience in the supply, audit and consultation of honey bee crop pollination stretching over 50 years.

About BeeHero

BeeHero is a data-driven technology company redefining pollination in commercial agriculture. Using advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and low-cost IoT sensors, BeeHero brings transparency and efficiency to the complex logistics of commercial crop pollination. Its Precision Pollination as a Service (PPaaS) results in better crop yields and increased profits for commercial crop growers and agribusiness stakeholders. Their precision pollination solution is rapidly evolving into the backbone of the data-driven approach needed to build a resilient and future-proof sustainable agriculture ecosystem. The company is headquartered in Fresno, California, with offices in Palo Alto, California and R&D in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Media Contact

Allison Grey

Headline Media

[email protected]

US: +1 323 283 8176

UK: +44 203 807 4482

IL: +972 53 820 2606

SOURCE BeeHero
New Survey reveals 62% of American renters feel insecure about their current rental housing

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. housing insecurity has dramatically increased in recent decades and its effect on mental health, financial systems and neighborhoods is increasingly felt. After all, a lack of stable housing can impede interpersonal relationships as well as the ability to work or pursue higher education. Like other forms of socio-economic bias, housing insecurity is disproportionately experienced by Black women.

The NFCC's Make it R.E.A.L. campaign provides financial education, testimonials and inroads to debt management counseling from experienced advisors to make housing stability a reality for all. Visit NFCC.org for more information.

A new campaign from the National Foundation for Credit Counselling (NFCC), supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation, aims to reverse this trend. "Make it R.E.A.L." raises awareness about housing instability and the unique challenges renters face. Through financial education, testimonials and inroads to debt management counseling from authorized NFCC-certified credit counselors  both in-market and via tele-sessions  the campaign aims to mitigate involuntary moves such as notices, evictions and liens and make housing stability real for all.

"Post COVID-19 rent moratoriums have uncovered a pressing need to assist individuals and families facing housing instability," said Barry Coleman, Vice President Vice President, Program Management and Education, NFCC. "With our partners at the Wells Fargo Foundation, the NFCC launched a summer campaign to educate the public about the instabilities renters face and drive awareness of the resources available to them through the NFCC."

The Census Bureau reliably estimates 36% of the nation's households rent. The NFCC recently surveyed over 2000 U.S. renters about their experiences, goals and fears; key findings include:

Fifty percent of renters have some kind of personal experience with eviction. For Black Americans, that number increases to 57% ;

People 35+ are more likely than people under 35 to blame the tenant (57% to 41%) in landlord-tenant issues;

Only 36% of people feel they fully understand their "rights and opportunities" when it comes to eviction;

The dominant emotion associated with eviction is "sadness;"

Half of those surveyed (50%) aren't aware that financial literacy and debt management programs for renters exist.

Housing instability involves the inability to pay rent, consistent relocation, overcrowding, and excessive spending on housing. According to Bloomberg, eight million rental households are currently behind on their rent, with Black families in Southern states experiencing the highest rates of housing hardship.

As a part of the campaign, the NFCC will focus on educating renters about their options and opportunities. The organization helps consumers develop comprehensive financial plans that address credit card debt, student loans, and medical debt. By combating unsecured debt, individuals are better positioned to prevent eviction or foreclosure.

Survey Methodology

The NFCC, with a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, used the Glimpse human response platform (www.glimpsehere.com) to conduct an online survey of 2,000 U.S. renters with household incomes of $75,000 or less, between June 6 and 13, 2023. The survey was administered using a nonprobability-based sample, and quotas were used to ensure the sample base over-indexed to ensure Black renters represent approximately 25% of respondents. Researchers reviewed all responses for quality control.

About The NFCC

Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is the oldest nonprofit dedicated to improving people's financial well-being. With 1,215 NFCC Certified Credit Counselors serving 50 states and all U.S. territories, NFCC nonprofit counselors are financial advocates, empowering millions of consumers to take charge of their finances through one-on-one financial reviews that address credit card debt, student loans, housing decisions, and overall money management. For expert guidance and advice, call (800) 388-2227 or visit www.nfcc.org.

Contact:

Cheryl Overton

Cheryl Overton Communications

917-373-3514

[email protected].com

SOURCE National Foundation for Credit Counseling
NY-Exclusive Insurance Company Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Auto Insurers in New York; 1st in 4 out of 5 study factors

EDMESTON, N.Y., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, NYCM Insurance is proud to announce being ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction Among Auto Insurers in New York in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

NYCM Insurance President/CEO Cheryl Robinson and CFO/CRO/Treasurer Mike Perrino holding the 2022 & 2023 J.D. Power Trophies for #1 in Customer Satisfaction Among Auto Insurers in New York.

J.D. Power published the results of its 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study on June 13. Providing regional analyses of customers' perceptions of their auto insurer's ability to meet their expectations, the study examines customer satisfaction in five factors: (in alphabetical order) Billing Process & Policy Information; Claims; Interaction; Policy Offerings; and Price. NYCM Insurance ranked #1 in four out of the five study factors: Billing Process & Policy Information; Claims; Interaction; and Price.

"Winning a J.D. Power Award two years in a row is an incredible accomplishment, and to do so while placing first in four out of five study factors is a true testament to the dedication of our entire ecosystem here at NYCM," said NYCM Insurance President/CEO Cheryl Robinson. "As a carrier solely serving New York State, we feel especially honored to be receiving this award. Customer care is one of our biggest priorities and something we take very seriously. We're proud to offer award-winning insurance, and that our commitment to our customer's satisfaction is recognized."

The 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study also found that nearly one-third (31 percent) of auto insurance customers had experienced a rate increase during the last year. While overall satisfaction with auto insurance dropped 12 points (on a 1,000-point scale), NYCM Insurance improved its satisfaction score by 8 index points.

To learn more about NYCM Insurance, click here .

About NYCM: NYCM Insurance is a property and casualty insurance carrier that has been providing coverage to residents and businesses in New York since 1899. The company has grown tremendously over the last 120 years and is currently under the direction of founder VanNess Robinson's great-great-granddaughter, Cheryl Robinson. Aside from the Edmeston headquarters, NYCM Insurance has three additional offices in Sherburne, Canajoharie, and Orchard Park. With a team of over 850 employees, and a network of over 1,200 independent agents, NYCM Insurance is dedicated to providing superior service and a quality customer experience to over 535,000 customers. Insurance lines include Home, Auto, Umbrella, and Business. NYCM Insurance is a recipient of A.M. Best Company's Standing the Test of Time Award for maintaining an A rating for over 75-years. To learn more about NYCM's services, visit www.nycm.com .

About J.D. Power: J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.

Contact: [email protected]

800-234-6926

SOURCE NYCM Insurance
Olympus Corporation of the Americas announces second consecutive top rating for workplace disability index

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus Corp. of the Americas, a leading medical technology company, announced today that it's been recognized by Disability:IN as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work for People with Disabilities.

Olympus is among the 405 companies that achieved top scorer status on the 2023 DEI and one of only 164 companies that has signed onto Disability:IN's CEO Letter on Disability Inclusion. Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are among the company's global environmental, societal and governance areas of focus.

"As a woman leader with a disability, I know firsthand the challenges that can be faced in the workplace," said Danielle Gruppo, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and HR Compliance at Olympus Corporation of the Americas (OCA). "I am committed to creating an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, regardless of their background or abilities."

The Disability Equality Index (DEI) represents a comprehensive tool that helps companies work toward disability inclusion and equality in business. A partnership between Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities, the DEI helps companies develop a plan and provides benchmarks for achieving inclusion, equality and long-term social impact.

Olympus demonstrates its commitment to creating equal opportunities for participation and fostering an inclusive environment through:

Visible allies within senior executive leadership, including the newly formed Executive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council.

The InterAbilities Employee Resource Group that works collaboratively to address challenges and establish best practices for connecting Olympus employees with the support they need.

Informing all applicants of the option to request accommodations for the interview process.

Monthly BeWell programs for wellness.

"We're excited to again be included on the Disability Equality Index," said Stacey Morey, Vice President of Human Resources at OCA. "I'm proud to collaborate with those who work to make Olympus inclusive of the people in our respective communities. Partnerships with groups like Disability:IN help our efforts to improve our diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and culture."

About Olympus

At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states.

For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit medical.olympusamerica.com.

About Disability:IN

Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 400 corporations trust Disability:IN to activate and achieve disability inclusion across their enterprise and in the broader corporate mainstream. Through the world's most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking; best-in-class conferences and programs; and expert counsel and engagement, Disability:IN works with leading businesses to create long-term business and societal impact. To learn more visit disabilityin.org.

About American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

AAPD works to increase the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As a national disability-led and cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for over 60 million Americans with disabilities. We do this by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation. To learn more visit aapd.com.

SOURCE Olympus
Office expansion marks OneSignal's first international headquarters to provide dedicated support to thousands of European users

SAN MATEO, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OneSignal , the world's leading customer engagement platform, today announced the opening of its EMEA Headquarters in London. This new office opening will accelerate OneSignal's mission to democratize customer engagement to enable every consumer-focused business worldwide to better engage and retain its users.

OneSignal has achieved a solid global presence, with nearly 70% of customers outside the United States. Europe is the company's largest market, and OneSignal is thrilled to open its first international headquarters in London, to provide dedicated support to its thousands of European clients. The new London office will bolster its existing locations, including its San Mateo headquarters, New York City office, and partner location in Singapore.

"We are thrilled that OneSignal has chosen to set up its EMEA headquarters in London," said Janet Coyle CBE, Managing Director of Grow London at London & Partners. "We look forward to supporting their growth in London and beyond, as the company makes the most of our city's incredible talent pool and global tech and innovation community."

The decision to establish the EMEA Headquarters in London follows OneSignal's successful Series C funding round in 2022, raising $50 million to support geographic expansion and team growth, and its strategic investment from ServiceNow Ventures in January 2023. Last year OneSignal's surging growth landed the company strong positions on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and the 2022 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 lists.

"OneSignal chose London for our EMEA headquarters because it supports our ability to hire high-performing, multilingual talent that is critical in serving our customers across the globe and building the best, easiest-to-use omnichannel customer engagement and messaging solution in the world," said Grace Lin, VP of Operations at OneSignal.

OneSignal has proactively prepared for its scaling business needs and continuous growth in EMEA. In anticipation of regional investments, the company has migrated its infrastructure to Google Cloud to ensure scalability while guaranteeing privacy protections and GDPR compliance for its EMEA customers. All personal data is now stored within the European Union, as the company serves all EMEA customers from data centers in the Netherlands.

Opening the EMEA Headquarters in London marks an exciting milestone in OneSignal's journey to empower businesses with exceptional customer engagement capabilities. With its expanded presence in Europe and commitment to providing outstanding support, OneSignal is well-positioned to enable organizations to better engage and retain their users.

To learn more, please visit OneSignal.com.

About OneSignal

OneSignal is the market-leading customer engagement solution, powering omnichannel customer journeys across mobile and web push notifications, in-app messaging, SMS, and email. The powerful and easy-to-use platform enables over a million businesses to deliver 12 billion messages daily. OneSignal supports over 500,000 mobile applications - nearly 15% of all apps, and 20% of all new apps - enabling companies in 140 countries, including Zynga, USA Today, Bitcoin.com, Upwork, Tribune, and more. OneSignal was founded in 2014 as a mobile app development company by Y Combinator alums George Deglin and Long Vo, and is venture-backed by SignalFire, Rakuten Ventures, Y Combinator, HubSpot, and BAM Elevate. The company is based in San Mateo, California, with offices in London and New York.

Media Contact

Dex Polizzi

[email protected]

SOURCE OneSignal
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) announced today that it will report results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, after the market closes on Thursday, August 3, 2023. The earnings announcement will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.outfront.com.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call number is 800-599-2055 (U.S. callers) and 646-307-1583 (International callers) and the password for both is 6988870.

Live and replay versions of the conference call will be webcast in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.outfront.com.

About OUTFRONT Media Inc.

OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location, and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go.

Contacts:





Investors Media Stephan Bisson Courtney Richards Investor Relations PR & Events Specialist (212) 297-6573 (646) 876-9404 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.
New platform capabilities enable developers and partners to seamlessly integrate Outreach's AI-powered Sales Execution Platform into go-to-market workflows

SEATTLE, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Outreach, the leading AI-powered sales execution platform helping revenue organizations create and close more pipeline, today introduced Outreach Marketplace, Developer Portal, and new breakthrough integration capabilities for enterprise customers and partners. The announcement was made during Outreach's Enterprise Executive Roundtable virtual event, featuring executives from Corporate Visions, Demandbase, F5, Microsoft, SAP, and Twilio.

Outreach Marketplace provides a new hub for sales teams to easily find and connect their favorite app integrations directly into Outreach, allowing them to streamline sales workflows and maximize rep productivity. With more than 100 integrations from leading technology partners and solutions providers, Outreach Marketplace connects the capabilities of its broad partner and developer ecosystem with the power of Outreach's AI-powered Sales Execution Platform. Outreach Marketplace also provides enterprise and partner developers with an easy distribution channel to Outreach's more than 6,000 customers.

Outreach Marketplace provides a new hub for sales teams to easily connect their favorite app integrations into Outreach Tweet this

"Driving the digital transformation of your sales organization is critical to optimizing results and delivering the best buyer experiences to your customers," said Jeff Ingram, Chief Business Enablement Expert at SAP. "Outreach's Sales Execution Platform and Outreach Marketplace directly enable you to integrate both specialized internal applications and top partner applications to create seamless workflows and increase rep productivity and effectiveness."

"Our AI-powered platform is the most effective way for enterprises to connect their sales workflows and processes across vast teams and geographic locations," said Manny Medina, CEO and Co-Founder, Outreach. "By analyzing past behavior, companies are able to glean insights from real-time market fluctuations or current events to quickly adjust their marketing and sales strategy. As a result, enterprise organizations are turning to Outreach to digitally transform their sales processes quickly and confidently to unleash seller productivity."

Both Outreach Marketplace and Outreach Developer Portal are available today. Outreach Developer Portal serves as an easy, self-serve hub for enterprise and partner developers to build, deploy, and manage app integrations with Outreach's Sales Execution Platform.

Demandbase Integration Now Available for Customers

Integrating Demandbase's Sales Intelligence directly within Outreach's platform will deliver much sought-after value for sales teams by more quickly and easily connecting them with key decision makers, account details, and engagement insights  all within the AI-powered Outreach Sales Execution Platform where they live every day. With this next generation integration, sellers can more easily and quickly find contact accounts, engage with greater relevance, and unlock new levels of productivity.

The Demandbase + Outreach Integration is now available for Outreach and Demandbase customers.

About Outreach

Outreach is the leading AI-powered sales execution platform that unlocks seller productivity to help sales teams efficiently create and close more pipeline. From prospecting to deal management to forecasting, our platform leverages automation and artificial intelligence to help revenue leaders increase efficiency and effectiveness of all go-to-market activities and personnel across the revenue cycle. Outreach is the only company to offer sales engagement, revenue intelligence, and revenue operations functionalities in a unified platform. More than 6,000 companies, including Zoom, Siemens, Okta, DocuSign, and McKesson depend on Outreach to power their revenue organizations. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington, with offices worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.outreach.io.

Media Contact:

Haley Flanagan for Outreach.io

[email protected]

SOURCE Outreach
Shmyhal discusses with his Irish colleague participation of business in Ukraines recovery

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has held a meeting in Kyiv with Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar, during which the participation of Irish business in the process of restoring Ukraine was discussed, the press service of the head of the Ukrainian government reports.

The parties discussed Ukraines recovery and the involvement of Irish business in this process. Shmyhal said that Ukraine would provide all the necessary investment support. He cited the example of the Irish companies Kingspan, which is investing EUR 280 million in its project in Ukraine, and CRH with investments of EUR 25 million, the message posted on Wednesday reads.

In addition, the Prime Minister of Ukraine also spoke about russias attempts to disrupt the Black Sea Grain Initiative. He stressed that the shelling of Odesas port infrastructure endangers millions of lives around the world.

The world must stand firmly against russias attempts to create a global food crisis, said Shmyhal.

The Head of Ukrainian Government also thanked Ireland for its immediate assistance after the russians blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant dam.

We appreciate the efforts of the Irish government and people to support our country, the head of the Ukrainian government said.

For his part, Varadkar noted that his country stood by Ukraine and would continue to provide full support, |including at the level of international institutions.

Varadkar also visited the places most affected by the Russian aggression in Kyiv region.
HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An" or the "Group", HKEx:2318; SSE:601318) has released the IFRS 17 update, and provided an explanation of the major changes and the impact under the implementation of IFRS 17. It also disclosed financial information for 2022 under IFRS 17. Ping An announced its first quarterly results under IFRS 17 on April 26, and was one of the first insurers in Mainland China to adopt IFRS 17.

Ping An said that its adoption of IFRS 17 will not change its business nature and business strategy. Its product strategy and solvency position will not be impacted, and there will not be any material change in the management of asset-liability matching. According to the data in the announcement, the impact of the transition on the total assets, total liabilities and net assets are around 1%, thus achieving a smooth transition. Profit indicators of Ping An have increased at different levels. Operating profit of the Group, life and health (L&H) insurance business and property and casualty (P&C) insurance business have increased 3%, 2% and 14%, respectively. Net profit increased 33%, 54% and 14%, respectively. Due to the changes in measurement methods under IFRS 17, the Group's 2022 revenue based on IFRS has dropped by approximately 19%.

To facilitate investors and the general public to better understand the impact of IFRS 17 on key financial indicators, the Company will continue to disclose the following important financial indicators, including: return on equity (ROE), contractual service margin (CSM, similar to "residual margin" under IFRS 4), new business contractual service margin (NBCSM, similar to "contribution from new business" under IFRS 4), calculation of new business CSM margin (under IFRS 17, new business CSM margin = new business CSM/present value of expected premiums), embedded value (EV) and new business value (NBV).

According to the announcement, under IFRS 17, the insurance contract revenue of L&H is impacted by the exclusion of investment component as well as revenue being recognized over the coverage period. This has led to a significant decrease in revenue from long term life insurance contracts, whereas premium income as a business scale indicator will not be impacted. Under IFRS 17, there will be changes to the timing of profit and loss recognition of Ping An's L&H business, but there will be no change to the operating components that drive business growth. The L&H business will continue to use a value-based performance appraisal system, focusing on indicators including profit, new business value, investment and operation quality. According to the announcement, the core and stable source of profit of L&H business is adjusted from release of residual margin under IFRS 4 to release of CSM under IFRS 17.

The announcement also shows that the P&C business is relatively less impacted by the transition. Generally, P&C business is still subject to the premium allocation approach (PAA) under IFRS 17 and combined operating ratio (COR) is still a key profitability metric.

On 24 December 2020, China's Ministry of Finance announced the adoption of IFRS 17. It mainly impacts insurance revenue recognition and insurance contract liability measurement. That includes adjusting the recognition principle for insurance revenue and insurance service expenses, revising measurement models for insurance contract liabilities, revising measurement of deferred profit liability, revising the method for determining the discount rate of insurance contract liabilities, and optimizing the accounting match between assets and liabilities. According to the requirements of IFRS 17, companies listed in both domestic and overseas markets are required to adopt IFRS 17 from 2023, while other companies are required to make the transition by 2026 the latest.

To ensure a systematic, comprehensive and accurate adoption of IFRS 17 during the transition process, Ping An requires more time to observe and conduct analysis. The Group will conduct regular monitoring, solicit market feedback, optimize disclosure, and enhance data-driven capability by leveraging the Company's whole process digital operation system. In the future, Ping An will continue to uphold its people-centered philosophy and its customer needs-orientation for high-quality sustainable growth. It will continue to upgrade its insurance product portfolio, implement corporate governance in line with international standards, maintain solvency margin, and ensure long-term stable management of investment income and assets and liabilities to create value for customers, shareholders, employees and society.

About Ping An Group

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An" or the "Group") strives to become a world-leading integrated finance and healthcare services provider. With nearly 229 million retail customers, Ping An is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. Under the technology-driven "integrated finance + healthcare" strategy, Ping An provides professional "financial advisory, family doctor, and elderlycare concierge" services. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation and employs technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of its financial businesses and enhance risk management. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of 2022, Ping An had RMB11,137,168 million in total assets. The Group ranked 16th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2023 and ranked 25th in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2022.

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn - PING AN .

SOURCE Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd.
David Kim, M.D., to assume role of Chief Executive Officer of MemorialCare Medical Foundation, which encompasses MemorialCare Medical Group, Greater Newport Physicians, and more than 200 outpatient care centers.

ORANGE COUNTY and LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- David Kim, M.D., an accomplished and respected physician leader, has been named to serve as CEO of MemorialCare Medical Foundation, MemorialCare Medical Group, and Greater Newport Physicians, and as Executive Vice President of MemorialCare Health System's parent entity, effective August 21. In his new role, Dr. Kim will lead MemorialCare's physician and ambulatory care division, which includes more than 2,000 affiliated medical group and independent physicians, and he will oversee MemorialCare's joint ventures for ambulatory patient services such as imaging, dialysis, surgery centers, physical therapy, and dental services. In addition, Dr. Kim will serve as Chief Executive of the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute and the MemorialCare Cancer Institute, and as the lead physician executive of the MemorialCare Clinically Integrated Network.

Dr. Kim's appointment follows the recent retirement of Dr. Mark Schafer, who served as Chief Executive Officer of MemorialCare Medical Foundation for nearly 10 years. Dr. Kim joins MemorialCare from the Providence health system, where he has successfully served as the Chief Executive of the Providence Clinical Network. In his role with Providence, he provided clinical, operational, and strategic leadership for the health system's clinical institutes and the network's physician operations, retail clinics and ambulatory surgery, imaging and urgent care centers. His many accomplishments include high-profile practice acquisitions, value-based network development and compensation models, numerous business partnerships, and deployment of telehealth capabilities.

Dr. Kim's previous tenure with MemorialCare was between 2009 and 2015, when he first distinguished himself as a high performing medical director and quickly advanced into broader leadership roles, including regional medical director of MemorialCare's northern physician division.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. David Kim back to MemorialCare," said Barry Arbuckle, President and Chief Executive Officer of MemorialCare. "Dr. Kim is a proven physician leader who is deeply committed to improving the health of our communities and transforming our industry, qualities that align with and support MemorialCare's vision of making high-quality care easier to access and more affordable. He is ideally suited to help lead the expansion of our clinical platform and further enhance MemorialCare's position as an industry leader and innovator."

After graduating from Northwestern University with a double major in biology and philosophy, Dr. Kim received his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He completed his internship and residency at Northridge Hospital Medical Center. Dr. Kim has been recognized with several Orange County Physician of Excellence Awards, continues his learning through the Health Management Academy and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and California Academy of Family Physicians.

"It's an absolute honor for me to return to MemorialCare and work side-by-side with its physicians, employees, business partners and communities to continue to advance MemorialCare's clinical services," said Dr. David Kim. "I look forward to continuing to work in a values-driven environment that is as committed to its workforce as it is to delivering high quality care to the communities it serves. This is essential as, together, we navigate the complex and ever-changing health care environment."

About MemorialCare

MemorialCare is a not-for-profit, integrated health care system with 225 care locations including leading hospitalsSaddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach; MemorialCare Medical Group and Greater Newport Physicians; MemorialCare Research Program; MemorialCare Select Health Plan; and numerous outpatient health, imaging, surgery, urgent care, physical therapy, breast health and dialysis centers throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties. Accolades include Nation's Best Health Systems and Workplaces, Top 50 U.S. Hospitals and Cardiovascular Hospitals, 10 Largest Children's Hospitals, 100 Best Hospitals - Spine and Prostate Surgeries, Best of Orange County and Long Beach Hospitals and Medical Groups, U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals and "high performing" in 31 clinical categories and Newsweek World's Best Hospitals, Top 100 Hospitals, Best Maternity Hospitals  and more. Visit memorialcare.org.

SOURCE MemorialCare Health System
LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts, released the QS Best Student Cities , 11th edition, which compares 160 premier educational destinations, including 26 new entries.

London reigns as the world's best student city for the fifth consecutive time.

Tokyo soars to second place, followed by Seoul in third. Melbourne ascends to fourth, while Munich slips to fifth.

Methodology : QS ranks cities with a population of min. 250,000 and at least two universities in the QS World University Ranking. The ranking includes students' feedback and opinions, with 100,000 survey responses contributing to the Desirability and Student Voice indicators.

Top 10 Cities

2024 2023 City 1 1 London 2 7 Tokyo 3 2 Seoul 4 5 Melbourne 5 2 Munich 6 8 Paris 7 9 Sydney =8 6 Berlin =8 4 Zurich 10 11 Boston

London leads globally thanks to:

A high concentration of world-class universities, achieving the second-best score in the Rankings indicator,

after Seoul .

indicator, after . Excellent feedback from current and former students: it scores 98.4/100 for Student Voice , bettered only by Berlin .

, bettered only by . A diverse student population, boasting the world's sixth-best score (94.7/100) for Student Mix .

. Outstanding career opportunities for graduates, placing eighth in the Employer Activity metric, scoring 91.7/100.

Jessica Turner, QS CEO, stated: "London is a global magnet for talents, fostering a diverse, progressive, and inclusive learning environment. It offers students a unique blend of academic excellence, multicultural vibrancy, and a thriving economy. I applaud London's success while celebrating all 2024 QS Best Student Cities."

Germany and Australia are each home to two of the world's ten best student cities

and are each home to two of the world's ten best student cities Boston breaks back into the world's top-10. San Francisco climbs into the top-20

breaks back into the world's top-10. climbs into the top-20 Canada and the US each boast three top-20 student cities

and the each boast three top-20 student cities Miami (78th) and Rome (56th) made the most significant year-on-year leaps

(78th) and (56th) made the most significant year-on-year leaps Seoul dominates the World University Rankings indicator with a record 23 ranked universities

dominates the indicator with a record 23 ranked universities Coventry and Edinburgh top the Student Mix indicator

and top the indicator Copenhagen tops the Desirability indicator, followed by Zurich and Sydney

tops the indicator, followed by and Tokyo leads globally in Employer Activity, followed by Seoul and Boston

leads globally in and 70% of the 160 ranked cities decline for Affordability

Yogyakarta ( Indonesia ) is the most affordable ranked city

( ) is the most affordable ranked city Madrid , Auckland and Canberra break into the top-30

, and break into the top-30 China (Mainland)'s top entry is Beijing (37 th )

(Mainland)'s top entry is (37 ) Mumbai (118 th ) is India's highest ranked

(118 ) is highest ranked Latin America's number-one student destination is Buenos Aires (34 th )

number-one student destination is (34 ) Africa's top city for students is Cape Town (86 th )

top city for students is (86 ) Dubai (54th) is the top-ranked city in the Middle East

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1503776/QS_Logo.jpg

SOURCE QS Quacquarelli Symonds
BEIJING, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:

Editor's note: Tuesday marked the 35th anniversary of the founding of a rural reform pilot zone in the environmentally fragile city of Bijie, Guizhou province. China Daily brings an in-depth story reviewing Bijie's progress since 1988, as well as the efforts made to fulfill the instruction given by President Xi Jinping over the city's green development on the occasion of the zone's 30th anniversary five years ago.

Just two decades ago, anyone looking at Gusheng village, Guizhou province, would have seen a despairing sight. The wells were almost dry in the desolate rural community surrounded by the soaring karst hills of the Wumeng Mountains, and the rainwater that trickled down from the rooftops was a more reliable source of water.

Soil erosion caused rocks to poke out of the barren land, so farmers often tripped over them. Crop yields were barely sufficient to feed the local people. They dressed in rags, and their thatched dwellings built from sun-dried tree branches were crumbling and in need of repair.

The grim scenes that were outlined in a poem were passed down via word-of-mouth by Gusheng's various generations. The four-line rhyme, written to describe the area, now serves as the introduction to a permanent exhibition sited in a row of bungalows near the village entrance. The display records the transformation that has unfolded in the community, where ethnic Han residents live alongside members of the Miao group.

Outside the bungalows, lush mountains and concrete driveways form a stark contrast to the grainy, black-and-white photos on display inside the buildings.

In one photo, a teenage girl, her hair tied in a ponytail, leans forward under the weight of a giant bamboo basket on her back as she searches for food for pigs. In another, an emaciated cow strains to pull a plow propped up by an old farmer on a rocky slope where the soil is barely visible.

The environmental degradation that once beset Gusheng was the result of local people's struggle to survive in a region unfit for intensive farming, said Qiu Qian, a local Party official.

To reverse widespread poverty, the only way out for impoverished farmers seemed to be to open up more farmland, mostly cornfields, all the way up the steep hillsides, said Qiu, who was born and bred in the area, as he showed a group of visitors around the exhibition.

However, the undertaking destroyed the already scarce vegetation coverage, which started a downward spiral of environmental deterioration dubbed "stony desertification" by environmentalists, he added, referring to the process by which the vegetation- and soil-covered karst areas degenerate into landscapes of bare rocks because of human activities.

"The bald mountainsides were everywhere," Qiu recalled. "Downpours washed more than 3,500 metric tons of soil and sand into the Wujiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River in its upper reaches."

A new look

Now, in place of the once-bare mountain slopes, different cash crops, such as dense walnut forests, are being grown on the lower hillsides. Moreover, sturdy species of tree, such as cypress, are being planted higher up, where the soil is thinner, in an attempt to help restore the environment.

"The soil on the hilltops was too thin to cultivate any trees, and as a result, those areas were left to recover on their own," said Feng Changshu, Gusheng's Party chief.

At age 16, Feng started his career as a carpenter. He later married, and like many other young people he moved to Guiyang, the provincial capital, where he and his new wife worked a range of jobs, including running a small eatery, working in a coal mine and at an orchard.

After more than two decades of the migrant life, Feng returned to his hometown in 2005, and was elected as its Party chief.

The following year, Gusheng, once home to some of the country's most intractable poverty, was chosen as an experimental ground to foster environmentally friendly farming methods.

The decision was made by a panel of experts funded by the United Front Work Department  a permanent agency of the Communist Party of China Central Committee that oversees ethnic unity affairs and has a huge presence in places where different ethnic groups intermingle  and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Over about a decade, development strategists from establishments such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Beijing Forestry University worked out a plan to return the farmland to forests. To generate much-needed income, they suggested planting fruit trees, which proved to be more financially rewarding and less environmentally demanding than grain crops.

The project has proved a success, though the greening efforts were not without missteps. As the top village official, Feng witnessed how tree saplings were planted, died and then replaced by new ones in the program's early years.

Figures provided by the local authorities show that the per capita income in Gusheng rose from less than 1,500 yuan in 2005 to 10,800 yuan ($1,507) in 2019. Over the same period, the village's forest coverage rose from less than 20 percent to almost 90 percent.

The success also blazed a trail toward prosperity for environmentally fragile regions in Southwest China and beyond.

Green development

Gusheng showcases the achievements of a national rural reform pilot zone created in Bijie, Guizhou province, 35 years ago.

The zone, established in 1988, was the first of its kind, focusing on both curbing poverty and restoring the environment.

In July 2018  the 30th anniversary of the zone's establishment  President Xi Jinping ordered Bijie to focus on green development, to explore human resources and improve the program's system and mechanism.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also called for efforts to build Bijie into a poster child for implementing new development concepts, which are in essence innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development.

Ecotourism success

Another example of the zone's success is Qianxi, a formerly poverty-stricken county in Bijie that is home to people from several ethnic groups, such as the Miao and the Yi.

One of its main success stories is Huaduli, or Floral Capital, a "tent hotel" resort in the county's Xinren township. Local authorities have invested some 42 million yuan and created a holiday resort covering 6.7 hectares on the edge of the mountains, where 22 white tent suites are perched. "It is the largest campsite in Guizhou, with some of the best facilities and views on offer," said Jin Li, vice-president of Guizhou Shanshui Culture and Tourism, a company that has invested in the project and oversees its day-to-day operations.

The resort's operators have ensured that urban facilities abound: tents are available with smart toilets, automatic mahjong tables, walnut furniture, barbecue grills and an exclusive sightseeing stand that provides views of the majestic, red-painted Yachi River Bridge several kilometers away.

The bridge, opened in 2016 as part of a broader effort to curb isolation-induced impoverishment, stretches more than 1.2 kilometers from east to west above the river 434 meters below. It is the fifth-highest bridge in the world and a major tourist draw.

Opened to the public during this year's May Day holiday, the resort was constructed by Guizhou Shanshui Culture and Tourism in partnership with Huawu village, a formerly impoverished Miao community, which holds a stake of about 10 percent.

Official data show that the village once had a poverty headcount ratio of 63.6 percent, but it was lifted out of poverty as a whole in 2017.

Before the nationwide anti-poverty drive started about a decade ago, Huawa had no roads, tap water or electricity supply.

Jin said the project has helped enrich local farmers by creating jobs and bringing in visitors keen to buy local farm produce and traditional handicraft items.

Located 70 kilometers from Guizhou and 115 kilometers from Bijie's urban area, the spot is now served by a bullet train station and a highway, and is a popular destination for short-distance tours.

In February 2021, Xi made a house call on villagers in Huawu. He checked living conditions and joined a family to make a traditional snack for festivals.

Also during his trip, Xi visited a stretch of the Wujiang. After checking the ecological environment and water quality of the river, he emphasized the need for communities to forge a new path that prioritizes environmental conservation and green development.

He said that the excellent ecological environment is Guizhou's biggest developmental strength and competitive edge, and he reiterated the role of environmental conservation and green development.

SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn
LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Resecurity, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions protecting Fortune 500 and government agencies, is pleased to announce its participation in F-AIR Colombia 2023, one of the major aerospace and defense exhibitions in Latin America (LATAM).

Resecurity

F-AIR Colombia is an international airshow that showcases the latest technologies and innovations in the aerospace and defense industry. The event is organized by the Colombian Air Force and takes place every two years in the city of Rionegro, Antioquia. F-AIR Colombia is the largest aviation event in the country and attracts visitors from all over the world.

The event features both static and aerial displays of military and civilian aircraft, as well as exhibitions of aerospace and defense products and services. F-AIR Colombia also includes a series of conferences and seminars on aviation, space, and defense topics, as well as cultural and recreational activities for visitors of all ages.

Resecurity is excited to participate in F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to a diverse audience from Aerospace & Defense (A&D) sector. The company offers a wide range of cybersecurity services, including cyber threat intelligence (CTI), digital forensics & incident response (DFIR), risk assessment, identity protection and security consulting. Resecurity's solutions are designed to help organizations of any size protect their critical assets, intellectual property (IP) and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Resecurity has extensive experience working with clients in the aerospace and defense industry, providing them with customized solutions to address their specific security needs. The company has a proven track record of helping clients in face of Fortune 500 corporations protect their sensitive information and prevent cyber attacks.

"Aerospace is one of the most targeted sectors by advanced espionage groups and nation-state actors. At Resecurity, we are committed to helping our clients worldwide stay ahead of the rapidly evolving threat landscape," said Gene Yoo, CEO of Resecurity. "We are excited to participate in F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase our unique expertise and intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions."

Resecurity's participation in F-AIR Colombia 2023 underscores its commitment to the Latin American market and its desire to expand its presence in the region. The company has a strong track record of working with clients in the region and has established itself as a trusted provider of cybersecurity solutions compliant with local regulatory requirements.

"We see tremendous potential in the Latin American market and are committed to expanding our presence in the region via specialized SaaS-based and on-premise solutions. This year, our business development in the region has proven a tremendous growth, as well as extension of our channel partner network, and we look forward to support Clients in A&D segment," said Jorge Chungandro, Business Development Manager at Resecurity (LATAM).

Resecurity's team of cybersecurity experts will be available at its stand in the USA Pavilion to answer questions and provide demonstrations of its solutions. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Resecurity's threat intelligence platform, incident response services, risk assessment solutions, and security consulting services.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to connect with visitors at F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase our expertise in cybersecurity," said Yoo. "We believe that our solutions can help organizations in the aerospace and defense industry protect their critical assets and intellectual property, and stay ahead of emerging threats. We look forward to meeting with our partners and clients from Colombia and exploring new opportunities in the region."

Recently Resecurity products have been also named a Gold Winner by the 2022 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in North America. Resecurity products and services received Gold recognition across 3 categories in highly competitive categories such as cyber threat intelligence (CTI), threat hunting, and third-party risk management (TPRM):

GOLD WINNER for Cyber Threat Intelligence in North America: Resecurity Context Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform

GOLD WINNER for Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) in North America: Resecurity Risk Supply Chain Risk Management Platform

GOLD WINNER for Threat Hunting in North America: Resecurity Hunter Research & Development

Resecurity has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan as a Leader in the Cyber Threat Intelligence Market and has been included as the top Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) Provider globally. The company has recently been highlighted in the latest Global TIP Market Report 2022 and External Risk Mitigation Platforms (ERMM) providing information about the most successful CTI and digital risk management industry players. The Frost & Sullivan report details the organization's market research, identifying trends in the market and top vendors and tools in the market.

About Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence. Known for providing best-of-breed data-driven intelligence solutions, Resecurity's services and platforms focus on early-warning identification of data breaches and comprehensive protection against cybersecurity risks. Founded in 2016, it has been globally recognized as one of the world's most innovative cybersecurity companies with the sole mission of enabling organizations to combat cyber threats regardless of how sophisticated they are. Most recently, Resecurity was named as one of the Top 10 fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies in Los Angeles, California by Inc. Magazine. An Official Member and a Gold Sponsor of InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), AFCEA, NDIA, SIA, FS-ISAC and the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA), Singapore (AmChamSG), Korea (AmChamKorea), Mexico (AmChamMX), and UAE (AmChamDubai).

To learn more about Resecurity, visit https://resecurity.com.

For more details about F-AIR Colombia 2023, visit https://f-aircolombia.com.co/es/f-air-2023/ to know more about the event and our participation.

SOURCE Resecurity
Leading Canadian HVAC Operator Continues Western Expansion

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Right Time Group of Companies ("Right Time"), Canada's leading home services provider, announced today the acquisition of Calgary, Alberta-based Knight Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning ("Knight" or the "Company"), expanding its growth in Western Canada. Since 1970, Knight has been providing exceptional plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services in Calgary and the surrounding areas. Management and employees of the Company will join the Right Time team and continue to serve their customers and community. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Knight is the 20th acquisition completed by Right Time as part of its continued growth strategy. "We are proud to welcome the Knight team to Right Time," said CEO Craig Goettler. "The Wandler family and their team have built a legacy in the Calgary area that we look forward to continuing for years to come."

The community of Calgary has embraced Knight heartily over the past 50 years; honouring the Company with multiple consumer awards year after year. The company also holds a decades-long A+ rating with the BBB. "Since 1970 we have provided quality customer service to Calgarians and neighbouring communities," said Bernie Wandler. "After three generations of our family serving our community, Right Time was a fantastic choice to continue our legacy and take Knight to the next level for our team and customers."

Right Time is continuously looking to add new residential HVAC and home services locations to its existing network in Canada. Interested owners are encouraged to contact Curtis Budgell at the coordinates below or visit the website to request more information.

Right Time is majority-owned by Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm.

About Right Time

Right Time is the leading Canadian independent heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning ("HVAC") contractor focused on the residential market. Right Time now operates out of 26 locations in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia with over 1,400 employees, and provides preventative maintenance programs, repairs, and replacements of household HVAC units. For more information, please visit www.right-time.ca.

About Gryphon Investors

Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing companies in partnership with management. As of December 31, 2022, the firm has over $8.9 billion of assets under management. Gryphon targets making equity investments of $50 million to $300 million in portfolio companies with enterprise values ranging from approximately $100 million to $600 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form strong partnerships with founders, owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon's capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise.

Contact:

Curtis Budgell, Vice President, Corporate Development

Right Time Group of Companies

[email protected]

204-296-8420

SOURCE Right Time Group of Companies
The New York City Suite Designed to Feel Like You Are in Italy this Summer: Kick Back with a Rose All Day Butler, 24/7 On-Call Content Concierge, and Even Take Home Any Piece of Italian Art on the Wall

MIAMI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- July, the month when everyone jets off to Italy  or so it seems by a glance at social media  is also peak Rose season. Highlighting this convergence, Santa Margherita , the renowned Italian wine brand, has teamed up with boutique hotel Walker Hotel Greenwich Village to create the ultimate Rose-inspired retreat, making you feel like you've jetted off on an Italian summer escape. The "Santa Margher-suita" is a luxurious suite available for booking now; it promises to provide the essence of an Italian Rose-All-Day summer and staycation experience in the heart of New York City, complete with a Rose All Day Butler, 24/7 on-call content concierge and more.

Santa Margherita

With Italy dominating social media feeds as the ultimate summer destination year after year, Santa Margherita and Walker Greenwich Village have partnered to create a haven that captures the dreaminess of an Italian summer vacation without the stress of planning the trip to Europe. This one-of-a-kind suite offers a collection of amenities and experiences, ensuring that every moment is infused with the spirit of Rose-All-Day.

"Santa Margherita Rose is a tribute to our founder, Count Gaetano Marzotto's beloved Venetian region," says Vittorio Marzotto, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives of Santa Margherita USA and fourth-generation family member. "With this new themed suite, we are excited to bring to life the finest moments of an Italian summer and invite guests to immerse themselves in the height of Rose season in New York City. Each corner of the suite reflects the floral profile and lightness that pleases the palate with every sip of the Santa Margherita Rose as the room boasts thoughtful Italian touches with plenty of Instagrammable moments throughout."

The Santa Margher-suita includes the following; all perfectly curated photo opps for the 'gram and TikTok:

Rose-All-Day Butler: A dedicated butler ready to serve chilled Santa Margherita Rose in Estelle Colored Glassware conveniently available via an in-room Rose cart at your command.

A dedicated butler ready to serve chilled Santa Margherita Rose in Estelle Colored Glassware conveniently available via an in-room Rose cart at your command. Serene Sunset Views : Drift off to sleep with gorgeous scenic window treatments depicting a Venetian sunset inspired by the region that gave birth to Santa Margherita's iconic Rose.

: Drift off to sleep with gorgeous scenic window treatments depicting a Venetian sunset inspired by the region that gave birth to Santa Margherita's iconic Rose. 24/7 On-Call Content Concierge: Capture picture-perfect moments with your TikTok tagalong, ensuring that every Rose-inspired memory comes to life.

Capture picture-perfect moments with your TikTok tagalong, ensuring that every Rose-inspired memory comes to life. Wake Up & Smell the Roses: The suite's ceiling is exploding with a breathtaking installation of 50,000 pink petals and clusters of pink wine glasses allowing for an immersive sensory experience.

The suite's ceiling is exploding with a breathtaking installation of 50,000 pink petals and clusters of pink wine glasses allowing for an immersive sensory experience. Picture-Perfect Italian Artwork: Take an Italian souvenir home with you too! Famous Italian scenes are featured in the curated artwork that adorns the walls of the suite, and what's more  guests are invited to take a piece off the wall after their stay as a souvenir.

Take an Italian souvenir home with you too! Famous Italian scenes are featured in the curated artwork that adorns the walls of the suite, and what's more  guests are invited to take a piece off the wall after their stay as a souvenir. Private Italian Dinner: Delight in a private six-course Italian dinner from the hotel's restaurant, Society Cafe, meticulously paired with Santa Margherita Rose and other varietals, a feast for the senses.

Just like the iconic pale hue of the Santa Margherita Rose that is reminiscent of a Venetian sunset, the Santa Margher-suita promises to captivate you with its unparalleled beauty. Experience the liveliness and vibrancy of this Rose wine, which boasts freshness and balance, enveloping the senses with its unique light and floral taste.

Reservations for the Santa Margher-suita can be made starting today on WalkerHotels.com. Priced at $4,051 per night (symbolic of the exact miles between New York and Italy), this exclusive experience is available for stays between July 24 and July 31, with additional dates upon request. To ensure an exceptional experience, bookings must be made at least three days in advance and reserved for a minimum of three nights.

Don't miss the chance to indulge in the ultimate Rose-All-Day experience, and head to SantaMargheritaUSA.com to learn more about Santa Margherita Wines.

About Santa Margherita USA:

Grown, harvested, and produced in Italy, Santa Margherita was founded in 1935 by Count Gaetano Marzotto in the countryside of Italy's Veneto region. Eighty-five years since its founding, the claimed wine brand is still owned and operated by the Marzotto family.

Santa Margherita is richly steeped in tradition and a pioneer within the industry. The company introduced a sparkling wine in 1952, which is now known as Prosecco Superiore, as Santa Margherita established a benchmark of quality and provenance, and paved a path for Prosecco to become one of the most famous and highly regarded sparkling wines in the world. Santa Margherita then pioneered the modern winemaking methods of Pinot Grigio in 1960 and became one of the first wineries to vinify Pinot Grigio as a white wine. Inspired by traditional sparkling wine vinification techniques used to ferment Pinot Grigio without skin contact, Santa Margherita winemakers realized that by moving away from the then-standard method, they could preserve the aromas and flavors of the grape's delicate fruit and floral notes. The result was revolutionary and set a standard of quality and innovation for the category. The wine is the #1 Imported Pinot Grigio sold in the USA, according to Nielsen value data from the past 52 weeks.

Today the Santa Margherita portfolio includes five varietals of high quality, authentic, versatile wines rooted in classic Italian ideals: Pinot Grigio, Chianti Classico Riserva, Prosecco Superiore, Sparkling Rose, Rose. As a company grown out of a personal and passionate commitment to preserving the environment, the land, and the community, Santa Margherita holds itself to the highest levels of social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

More information can be found at https://www.santamargheritawines.com/ .

About Walker Hotel Greenwich Village:

Located in one of New York City's most iconic and idyllic neighborhoods, The Walker Hotel Greenwich Village is an art deco enclave for travelers by boutique hotelier Bridgeton Holdings. With architecture inspired by the Georgian revival towers of New York's 1920s famed Fifth Avenue and rich romantic interiors, the space is adorned with original artwork by emerging local artists and the sounds of local musicians, honoring the distinctive artist's spirit of Greenwich Village. Each of the hotel's 113 luxury accommodations showcases timeless and progressive charm with Art Deco lines, sleek furnishings, and stylish amenities and offers guests the opportunity to explore the heart of New York City through a local lens. Guests can enjoy breakfast, brunch, and dinner offerings from the on-site American bistro, Society Cafe, offering market-to-table cuisine and cocktails by Chef Nicholas McCann.

More information can be found at www.walkerhotels.com/walker-hotel-greenwich-village

Media Contact:

ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS

[email protected]

SOURCE Santa Margherita
Event brings local community together to honor local mothers and their unyielding commitment to daily acts of love

HORSHAM, Pa., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this year, Sara Lee Bread announced its renewed brand purpose to feed the soul of the American family with daily acts of love. To bring this purpose to life, the brand launched a multi-year partnership with U.S. Hunger pledging $1 million in funding and product to the hunger relief organization by 2025. As part of this pledge, Sara Lee Bread celebrated deserving Atlanta families at their Table of Love event at Piedmont Park on Sunday, July 16.

Sara Lee Bread invited dozens of Moms and their children who have previously benefited from U.S. Hunger's Full Cart virtual food bank to gather around a communal table to break bread and discuss U.S. Hunger's life-changing efforts. Attendees leaned on each other and created new connections as they shared their struggles and triumphs facing food insecurity. Local community members and their children also joined the family-friendly event that featured lawn games, coloring stations and the opportunity to write 'love' notes of encouragement for future U.S. Hunger meal boxes.

"Too many families face adversity and food insecurity, and we are humbled to provide support alongside U.S. Hunger," said Jinder Bhogal, Senior Brand Manager at Sara Lee Bread. "Love has been baked into our brand for more than 74 years, and we aim to enable moms and families to focus more on moments of love and connection. Easing the burden of food insecurity is one way to help do that."

Following the Table of Love event, team members from Sara Lee Bread and Bimbo Bakeries USA joined together at their Atlanta-area Sales Center on July 18 to host a Hunger Project  U.S. Hunger's hands-on meal packaging events that empower volunteers to make a tangible difference in the fight against hunger. With music booming throughout the Sales Center, regional team members worked together to package more than 10,000 meals that will be delivered to a food bank in the Atlanta area to create a positive impact within the community.

In addition to the Table of Love event, Sara Lee Bread launched a new campaign  Give a Little Sara Lee Love  inclusive of digital advertising, social media, and community engagement to help achieve the brand's vision of a world where every American family is full of food and love.

U.S. Hunger specializes in addressing the root causes of hunger by uncovering deep human insights. Its mission also includes the 'Full Cart' program, which partners with donors, corporations, and communities to bring food and resources directly to the doorstep of those in need.

"Sara Lee Bread's generous partnership and support allows us to continue to address the underlying socioeconomic factors that cause food insecurity," said Rick Whitted, CEO of U.S. Hunger. "We were overjoyed to see our Atlanta families and their local community come together to bring our mission to life at the Table of Love event and are excited to continue working together with Sara Lee Bread to make a meaningful impact on food insecurity."

Sara Lee Bread is available in the bread aisle of grocery stores and major food retailers nationwide. For more information, visit: SaraLeeBread.com

About Bimbo Bakeries USA

Bimbo Bakeries USA is a leader in the baking industry, known for its category leading brands, innovative products, freshness and quality. Our team of 20,000+ U.S. associates operates approximately 60 manufacturing locations in the United States. Over 11,000 distribution routes deliver our leading brands such as Arnold, Artesano, Ball Park, Bimbo, Boboli, Brownberry, Entenmann's, Little Bites, Marinela, Mrs Baird's, Oroweat, Sara Lee, Stroehmann and Thomas'. BBU is owned by Mexico'sGrupo Bimbo, S.A.B de C.V., the world's largest baking company with operations in 34 countries.

SOURCE Bimbo Bakeries USA
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has organized site visits for international and local qualified bidders in the fourth cycle of the licensing round, to explore the sites and assess their geological potential before submitting their proposals by end of August 2023, which represents the final stage of the licensing round of Umm Hadid, Bir Umq and Jabal Sahabiyah exploration sites.

The Ministry and the Saudi Geological Survey presented geological and technical information about the sites to the bidders to further examine the sites' mineral potential. The visited sites are the following: Bir Umq in the Madinah Province, covering an area of 187 square Kilometers, which contains mineral potential of copper and zinc; Umm Hadid in the Riyadh Province, spanning 246 square Kilometers, featuring potential of silver, lead, zinc and copper; and the Jabal Sahabiyah site in the Aseer Province, covering 283 square kilometers, which holds potential of zinc, lead, and copper.

The Bidders are required in the current stage to present their technical capabilities and outline their best work program as well as their environmental and social impact management plans. These must include employment and local purchases from the local communities adjacent to the sites, which will contribute to the growth and development of these regions. They will also demonstrate their ability to develop an innovation plan in the sites.

A Ministry spokesperson noted that the bidding process is merit-based, and it evaluates and assess each submission based on its technical and social merits, noting that their main aim is to expedite the exploration process to reach the development stage. To do this, each company is required to demonstrate how they will fulfil this objective while ensuring that the local communities are well-engaged and benefiting from the mining operations. He also added that the incentives provided by the Industry and Mineral Recourses ecosystem include extremely competitive - and equal - corporate tax rates for domestic and international companies, a simple, equitable, transparent way to set up 100% foreign-owned companies.

With the site visits and bidding opportunity, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources confirms its ongoing commitment to advancing the mining sector in Saudi Arabia, increasing its contribution to the gross domestic product, and effectively utilizing mineral resources to strengthen the national economy. Such collaborative efforts reaffirm the Ministry's evolving plans to support the creation of meaningful employment opportunities for Saudi talent, and further drive sustainable economic growth in the Kingdom.

Finally, the Ministry outlined that they are still open to receive expressions of interest from local and international companies for the fifth cycle of the licensing round of exploration licenses of Al Halahilah and An Nimas sites, which are located in the Aseer region and include copper and gold commodities.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2032760/3961765/Ministry_of_Industry_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
Credit Union team members to support Children's Health of Orange County through fundraising event at

Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park

TUSTIN, Calif., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union serving school employees and their families, today announced that the Credit Union's team members will participate in the Children's Health of Orange County (CHOC) Walk in the Park 2023. The annual fundraising event will take place Sunday, August 20 beginning at 6 a.m. The event features a 5K walk beginning at Disneyland park, heading next to Disney California Adventure park, and ending outside the two parks before they open. Each year, CHOC Walk in the Park helps raise essential funds that support children and their families receiving critical care from CHOC.

SchoolsFirst FCU team at the 2022 CHOC Walk in the Park

SchoolsFirst FCU has been a longstanding partner with CHOC for over 20 years and the Credit Union is proud to be supporting this year's CHOC Walk in the Park again. So far for this year's event, 93 SchoolsFirst FCU team members and family have registered and raised more than $11,600 for CHOC. Registration for the event continues through Friday, August 18 and fundraising will continue through Saturday, August 19. Additional information about registration and donations can be found here: https://www.chocwalk.org/.

About SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is the fifth largest credit union in the country and has been recognized by Forbes as the number one credit union in California. Serving school employees and their families, the organization is dedicated to delivering World-Class Personal Service and improving the financial lives of its Members. Today they serve more than 1.3 million Members with a full range of financial products and services. SchoolsFirst FCU was founded in 1934, when 126 school employees pooled $1,200 and established a Member-owned cooperative to help improve each other's lives. In 2022, the Credit Union reported nearly $28 billion in assets and remains the largest credit union in California. For more information about SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, visit schoolsfirstfcu.org .

Insured by NCUA

SOURCE SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
USA announces new package of military assistance to Ukraine for $1.3 bln

The United States has announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine for $1.3 billion, the Pentagon website reads.

The package will include: four NASAMS systems, artillery shells, mine clearance equipment, counter-battery warfare, Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade drones.
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Schulte Roth & Zabel is proud to announce the addition of two key members to the firm's C-suite leadership team with the hires of Jean Lee as Chief People Officer and John K. Johnson as Chief Innovation Officer.

"Our plan has been to build a team of business executives with unique and varied experience, allowing for different vantage points derived from diverse leadership models that will propel our firm into the future," said David Efron, co-managing partner of Schulte.

"Talent and innovation drive our business, so we are very excited to bring on board leaders like Jean and John," said Marc Elovitz, co-managing partner of Schulte.

Jean will oversee Schulte's Human Resources, Legal Recruiting and Professional Development departments, and will be responsible for the development and implementation of a talent strategy for the firm's lawyers and business professionals.

John will be responsible for driving the firm's innovation priorities and initiatives, which will encompass identifying and evaluating promising new ideas and ways of working together and serving clients. He will collaborate with lawyers and business professionals across the firm to develop, lead and execute on the firm's innovation strategy.

"I'm honored to join Schulte and further build upon our core values of connectedness, curiosity and courage through people programs that support firm culture and employee engagement, growth and development," said Jean. "Schulte has a reputation for exceptional client service and I'm excited to support employees' professional goals and advance the firm's business objectives."

"I was attracted by Schulte's great people and foresight in vision," said John. "In this new role, I look forward to drawing upon my unique background to drive collaboration and problem solving to serve the firm's long-term success. As I do, I'll partner with stakeholders across the firm to prioritize the right issues and co-create and execute informed strategies to make the most of new opportunities and stay ahead of the curve through focused attention to our industry's evolution."

Jean spent more than 25 years working across a multitude of industries to ensure that people strategies reflect and enable key business initiatives.

Prior to joining Schulte, Jean was the Global Chief People Officer and held senior human resources positions within the agency network Interpublic Group, helping Weber Shandwick to be named to Ad Age's "Best Places to Work.".

She also held talent management roles at Avon Products and The Walt Disney Company, in addition to providing human capital and change management solutions to Aon Consulting's clients for a decade. Her projects have included the post-merger integration following Citigroup's acquisition of Banamex in 2001, the building of a new HR capability at Goldman Sachs following its IPO in 1999, the cultural integration of GHI and HIP after coming together as EmblemHealth in 2006, and other business initiatives in the human capital space.

Jean earned an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a B.A. in Communications Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.

John has more than 15 years of legal industry experience from the vantage points of external counsel, member of a corporate compliance monitorship team, senior in-house leader and corporate affairs executive. A key area of focus for John has been leveraging data and programmatic thinking to drive results.

Most recently, he served as the Global Head of Compliance at Spotify. Prior to that he worked as Global Director of Compliance at AB InBev, SA, where he played a key role in launching its award-winning BrewRight platform and was based in India as the Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs for AB InBev's South Asia subsidiary.

He is also a longstanding champion of DEI initiatives, previously serving as the founding board chair of Pipeline to Practice and on the board of the George Crawford Black Bar Association. He is also a member of the board of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.

John graduated from Columbia Law School, and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Yale College.

About Schulte Roth & Zabel

With a firm focus on private capital, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (srz.com) is comprised of legal advisers and commercial problem-solvers who combine exceptional experience, industry insight, integrated intelligence and commercial creativity to help clients raise and invest assets and protect and expand their businesses. The firm has offices in New York, Washington, DC and London, and advises clients on investment management, corporate and transactional matters, and provides counsel on securities regulatory compliance, enforcement and investigative issues. Schulte's practices include: antitrust; bank regulatory; bankruptcy & creditors' rights litigation; blockchain technology & digital assets; broker-dealer regulatory & enforcement; business reorganization; complex commercial litigation; cybersecurity & data privacy; distressed debt & claims trading; distressed investing; education law; employment & employee benefits; energy; environmental; estate planning; estate & trust administration; environmental, social and governance (ESG); family law; finance & derivatives; financial institutions; hedge funds; insurance; intellectual property, sourcing & technology; investment management; litigation; litigation finance; mergers & acquisitions; nonprofits; philanthropic planning; PIPEs; private credit, distressed investing & direct lending; private equity; real estate; real estate capital markets & REITs; real estate litigation; regulated funds; regulatory & compliance; securities & capital markets; securities enforcement; securities litigation; securitization; shareholder activism; structured finance & derivatives; tax; trading agreements; and white collar defense & government investigations.

Contacts:

Stanton

Mike Goodwin

[email protected]

+1 646.502.3595

Schulte Roth + Zabel

Josh Epstein

[email protected]

+1 212.610.7539

SOURCE Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
The formation of the Asian Alliance Music Rights Organization (AAMRO) marks a significant leap forward for the Asian Music Industry

NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CEOs of five Asian collection societies and SESAC Music Group announced today a historic collaboration for the music industry in Asia with the formation of The Asian Alliance Music Rights Organization (AAMRO), a music rights hub established to manage music licensing and royalty distribution of the combined repertories of FILSCAP (Philippines), WAMI (Indonesia), MACP (Malaysia), MCT (Thailand), and VCPMC (Vietnam). This landmark initiative will be headquartered in Liechtenstein, a strategic location to oversee multi-territorial digital licensing and royalty distribution for the communication and making available of the combined repertoire throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

In this transformative move, AAMRO will be supported and administered by MINT Digital Services, a joint venture of SESAC and SUISA. This partnership further fortifies AAMRO's position as a cutting-edge, technology-driven organization, poised to thrive in the digital era and cater to the evolving needs of music consumers.

AAMRO: Paving the Way for a Vibrant Music Ecosystem

Representatives from all parties involved expressed their enthusiasm and optimism about the opportunities that AAMRO will present.

The members of AAMRO shared in a joint statement, "We firmly believe in the power of music to transcend borders and connect people from different cultures. This collaboration opens up new avenues for our talented Asian music authors to reach a global audience and ensures that they receive fair compensation for the usage of their works outside of Asia. By leveraging this collaboration, we are committed to unlocking the full potential of Asian music authors and showcasing the rich diversity of our musical heritage to audiences worldwide."

"We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to working closely with AAMRO, MINT Digital Services, and our fellow Asian affiliated societies to drive positive change and promote the interests of our valued music authors."

"As a long-time collaborator with all the Asian collection societies, I am thrilled that we are joining forces to create an organization dedicated to expanding music licensing and administration of their musical works outside the region. It is critical that we support Asian music creators and publishers with best-in-class data matching, licensing, and administration services outside of Asia to increase royalties and enhance the careers of these talented songwriters and composers," said Alexander Wolf, President, International at SESAC Music Group.

Fabian Niggemeier, CEO of Mint Digital Services added, "It is our aim to provide our partners with state-of-the-art technology solutions and with a personalized customer experience and we are looking forward to collaborating with AAMRO."

Through seamless collaboration and streamlined operations, AAMRO aims to elevate the Asian music industry to new heights and ensure that artists, composers, and rightsholders receive fair compensation and protection for their creative works. This collaboration reflects a shared vision to create a sustainable and dynamic music industry, where creativity is nurtured, and the value of music is recognized and celebrated.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Mint Digital Services

Fabian Niggemeier

Tel. +41 44 559 10 08

E-mail: [email protected]

SESAC Music Group

Jenna Smith

Tel. +1 615 932 7905

E-mail: [email protected]

About AAMRO

The Asian Alliance Music Rights Organization (AAMRO) is a pioneering music rights entity headquartered in Liechtenstein. Comprising the joint efforts of FILSCAP (Philippines), WAMI (Indonesia), MACP (Malaysia), MCT (Thailand), and VCPMC (Vietnam), AAMRO is dedicated to managing music licensing and royalty distribution of its combined repertoires. Supported by MINT Digital Services, AAMRO is well-equipped to thrive in the digital age while nurturing the growth and recognition of music creators in Asia and beyond.

About Mint Digital Services

Mint Digital Services is the alliance between the only U.S. Music Rights Organization (MRO), SESAC, and the Swiss collective management organization, SUISA. Mint is one of the leading administrators for licenses to use musical compositions in online music services on behalf of publishers, Collective-Management Organizations (CMOs) or Independent Management Entities (IMEs).

About SESAC Music Group

SESAC Music Group is a global, multi-line music company that provides a wide range of data, technology and services to publishers, songwriters, composers and creators across every corner of the music industry. With its four divisions including Performing Rights, Music Services, Audiovisual Music, and Church Resources, SESAC Music Group drives efficiency in licensing for music users and is home to a wide array of world-class music companies.

SOURCE SESAC Music Group
JINAN, China, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 18, 2023, Shandong Energy Group (Shandong Energy), Huawei, and Yunding Technology jointly launched the Pangu Mine Model, the world's first commercial large AI model for the energy sector. The aim of the model is to enhance the application of AI in the mining industry and transform workshop-scale AI model development to factory-scale development.

Li Wei, Chairman of Shandong Energy Group Co., Ltd shared speech

Li Wei, Chairman of Shandong Energy, said, "Fellow travelers think alike. As a world-leading ICT infrastructure and smart device provider, Huawei shares Shandong Energy's goal of digital transformation. The two companies are complementary to each other and are mutually reinforcing. We aim to improve the intelligence level of the mining industry by expanding the depth and breadth of AI application in different scenarios, and continually using AI to deliver more automation, achieve greater efficiency, reduce labor intensity, and improve safety in the mining industry."

As the pioneers of the world's first commercial use of large AI models in the energy sector, Shandong Energy, Yunding Technology, and Huawei have begun implementing the first set of AI applications for mining. These were developed based on the pilot verification of large AI models in industrial production. There are altogether 21 application scenarios related to 9 operating activities, namely, coal mining, tunneling, primary transportation, auxiliary transportation, lifting, safety monitoring, rock burst prevention, coal preparation, and coking.

Rock bursts are a particularly challenging issue in mining. The primary means of preventing rock bursts is drilling destress holes, whose quality matters. Shandong Energy has managed to address this challenge in its Lilou and Xinjulong coal mines by deploying the large AI model. With its visual recognition capabilities, the model can intelligently analyze the quality of stress relief drilling, and assist rock burst prevention personnel in quality verification, reducing their review workload by 82%. It used to take three days to complete such checks; now the time has been shortened to 10 minutes, with a 100% acceptance rate.

Shandong Energy, Yunding Technology, and Huawei established a joint innovation center at the beginning of 2022. To make mines smarter, they introduced the Pangu Model, which features decoupled operation management and intelligent production, in-campus data processing, large-scale replicability, and learning and analysis from small samples. The joint innovation center's AI operation system makes use of central training, edge inference, cloud-edge coordination, learning by using, and non-stop optimization. The center's AI management system consists of group management and coal mine execution. The management of coal production was transformed from being reactive and manual-intensive to being proactive and intelligent.

Zou Zhilei, Chairman of Huawei Mine BU, said: "AI will continue to power the upgrading of the mining industry, and play an important role in making coal production safer, greener, and semi- or fully-automated. Huawei will continue to dive deep into industry transformation, and make the powerful capabilities of the Pangu Model available to a wider range of industries. We will enable partners and work with them to solve industry problems in specific scenarios, creating greater value. The launch of the first commercial Pangu Mine Model has injected new impetus into the high-quality development of the mining industry and the energy sector at large."

SOURCE Huawei
LIAO CHENG, China, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from the Shandong Office of Hong Kong Commercial Daily. "This rubber ring notebook is our exclusive patented product. Today, if you buy one, we will send you three copies directly." On July 6, Zhao Xiaoxu, the anchor of Shandong Victory Paper Co., Ltd., was selling goods live in the Tiktok live broadcast room. She participated in the e-commerce training organized by the company in early 2023, and then smoothly joined the company. She has now become an excellent anchor of the company.

"In order to promote the vigorous development of e-commerce and help rural revitalization, Gaotang has carried out a series of measures to promote the sustainable and healthy development of the county's e-commerce industry after deeply understanding the pain points and difficulties of e-commerce development." Li Juan, chief of the e-commerce section of Gaotang County Commerce Promotion Bureau, introduced that Gaotang County organizes e-commerce talent training through online and offline methods. Since the beginning of this year, more than ten training events have been held, training 1000 e-commerce talents.

Gaotang County, in accordance with the working idea of "building a platform, grasping leading enterprises and cultivating e-commerce bases", integrates e-commerce resources and makes every effort to develop a new format of live broadcast economy. In April this year, the "Gaotang County E-commerce Talent Cultivation Base" was unveiled and the Internet Marketer Project was signed. The customer service outsourcing service business launched by Yunxiaoer Technology Co., Ltd., located in Guhe Town, Gaotang County, has also formed a cluster effect, becoming one of the characteristics of the development of Gaotang's new business model, and this year, ByteDance audit business was added.

"This year, we also actively organized e-commerce enterprises, live broadcast bases or individuals to participate in a series of online promotional activities, and helped e-commerce enterprises access more online marketing channels through high-quality resources such as docking head platforms, supply chain companies, and anchor talent." Zhao Rujian, deputy director of the Rural E-commerce Leading Group Office in Gaotang County, said that this year Tan Zhiqian, the anchor of the Gaotang Luxi live broadcast base, was also rated as a popular online anchor, Shandong Weierle Sanitary Products Co., Ltd.'s Weierle An sleepwear has been rated as a popular product on the internet.

SOURCE Shandong Office of Hong Kong Business Daily
NEW YORK, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Lumen Technologies, Inc. ("Lumen" or the "Company") (NYSE: LUMN). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Lumen and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 9, 2023, the Wall Street Journal published an article reporting that more than 2,000 abandoned lead cables, previously used by various telecommunication companies, were degrading and leaching into soil and groundwater, posing a significant public health risk. In related articles, the Wall Street Journal estimated that cleanup costs could run into the tens of billions of dollars, noting that it was difficult to quantify different telecommunication companies' exposures. Following publication of these articles, analysts downgraded multiple telecommunication company stocks.

Lumen's stock price fell $0.15 per share, or 8.11%, to close at $1.70 per share on July 17, 2023.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
SCG Cell Therapy celebrates the opening of its new Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility and R&D Centre, launching a new first-of-its-kind automatic cell therapy manufacturing system in Singapore, pioneering Singapore's Manufacturing 2030 Vision.

Facility will substantially increase local production capacity while significantly reducing the cost of cell therapy.

SINGAPORE, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SCG Cell Therapy Pte Ltd (SCG), a biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies for infectious diseases and their associated cancers, has celebrated the official opening of its Cell Therapy cGMP Manufacturing Facility and R&D Centre at its headquarters in Singapore. With the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the new facility leverages and extends SCG's capabilities in advanced cell therapy manufacturing and off-the-shelf human-induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) technology. The facility will supply cell therapy products to partner hospitals in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe.

"Cell therapy has demonstrated the potential to revolutionize treatment for cancers and other life-threatening diseases. However, the high manufacturing costs and supply limitation are limiting patient access to the treatment", said Christy Ma, Chief Strategy Officer of SCG Cell Therapy.

Cell therapy list prices range from US$373,000 to US$475,000 (S$504,000 to S$640,000) depending on the specific drug and indication, and the demand outstrips supply.

In a report entitled "Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing", the U.S. White House recently announced biotech-related "bold goals" to advance the development of cell therapy aiming to expand patient access to the treatments and decrease the manufacturing cost by 10-fold.[1]

Cell therapy manufacturing is often a complex process. It involves many handling steps of highly sensitive "living" cells under strictly controlled conditions. Transforming from the traditional open and manual processes, SCG employs its proprietary closed and automated cell therapy manufacturing technologies, providing advantages in reduced contamination and risk, greater product consistency and efficiency, increased scalability and lower cost.

"This advanced cell therapy manufacturing system reduces the amount of required cleanroom space by 80% per patient compared with manual manufacturing methods. It eliminates the labour-intensive procedures and improves throughput by a factor of ten. Overall, it is expected to reduce the per-patient manufacturing cost by up to 70%, making cell therapy an assessable and affordable treatment option for patients", Christy added.

In 2021, SCG collaborated with the Cell Therapy Facility of Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA-CTF) to validate its proprietary closed and automated cell therapy manufacturing system.[2] The system was accredited by Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical trials.

"As part of Singapore's Manufacturing 2030 vision, we aim to position Singapore as a global business, innovation, and talent hub for advanced manufacturing. The biotechnology sector is an important flank of our strategy. Today, we have a thriving ecosystem comprising both local and global companies pursuing their ambitions in biotechnology from Singapore. SCG Cell Therapy is one of our promising local startups, developed its first cell therapy product, SCG101, with the support of agencies like the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Headquartered in Singapore, and with teams in China and Germany, SCG Cell Therapy offers the entire drug development cycle - from research and development (R&D), GMP manufacturing, and clinical development to commercialisation. The cGMP facility will enable SCG Cell Therapy to further scale its operations. Its development augurs well for the growth of our biotech sector", said Ms Low Yen Ling , Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

"In line with Singapore's advanced manufacturing initiatives, the opening of this facility set an important milestone of cell therapy manufacturing advancement in the region. As our broad pipeline of cell therapy products progresses to the market, we look forward to further expanding our commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities in Singapore to deliver high-quality and affordable treatment to meet patients' needs across Singapore, Asia-Pacific, and the world", said Frank Wang, Chief Executive Officer of SCG Cell Therapy.

"Apart from the cGMP facility, SCG Cell Therapy is also opening an R&D centre to facilitate the research of its pipeline of cell therapy product candidates. The opening of such R&D facilities will support the Government's vision and commitment to anchor Singapore as a global innovation node. At the national level, these efforts are guided by our Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) masterplan. I look forward to seeing SCG Cell Therapy thriving amid our biotech ecosystem and advancing cell therapy technology to deliver breakthrough life-saving products to patients", Ms Low Yen Ling added.

About SCG Cell Therapy

SCG is a leading biotechnology company focusing on the development of novel immunotherapies in infections and its associated cancers. The company targets the most common cancer-causing infections: helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B, and develops a broad and unique pipeline of T cell therapies, antibodies, and therapeutic vaccines against infections and to prevent and cure its associated cancers. Established and headquartered in Singapore, SCG combines regional advantages in Singapore, China and Germany, covering the entire value chain from innovative drug research and discovery, manufacturing, clinical development and commercialization. For more information about SCG, please visit us at www.scgcell.com.

Disclaimer:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements and information which are based on our current expectations and certain assumptions. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, performance of the company, development of the products and the estimates given here. Such known and unknown risks and uncertainties comprise, among others, the research and development, the regulatory approval process, the timing of the actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities, clinical results, changes in laws and regulations, product quality, patient safety, patent litigation, contractual risks and dependencies from third parties. With respect to pipeline products, SCG Cell Therapy Pte Lte does not provide any representation, warranties or any other guarantees that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially exploitable and/or successful. SCG Cell Therapy assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to correct them in case of developments which differ from those anticipated.

References:

[1] Bold Goals for U.S. Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bold-Goals-for-U.S.-Biotechnology-and-Biomanufacturing-Harnessing-Research-and-Development-To-Further-Societal-Goals-FINAL.pdf

[2] SCG Cell Therapy Collaborates with the Cell Therapy Facility at Health Sciences Authority to Validate Processing Methods for T Cell Therapy Manufacturing.

https://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/press-release/scg-hsa-collaborates

SOURCE SCG
SK-II debuts new science and innovations at the World Congress of Dermatology 2023

SINGAPORE, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pushing the boundaries of skin aging science and innovations, global prestige skincare brand SK-II debuts new skin aging discoveries and innovations and inaugurates its first PITERA Science Expert Panel with some of the world's leading dermatologists.

SK-IIs first-ever PITERA Science Expert Panel L-R: Dr. Gaku Tsuji, Dr. Xiang Lei Hong, Dr. Wu Yan, and Dr. Kenji Kabashima The PITERA Science Expert Panel with P&G President, Global Skin and Personal Care, Markus Strobel

For over 40 years, SK-II has been collaborating with leading scientists and dermatologists on extensive research studies on skin and the skin transformative powers of its iconic and exclusive ingredient, PITERA. A pioneering longitudinal 10-year Akita Study and the PITERA 24/7 Skin Fluctuation Study on young skin has contributed to PITERA breakthroughs on skin.

At the World Congress of Dermatology 2023 in Singapore, Alexa B. Kimball, MD, MPH, President and CEO and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, presented the findings from a collaborative research article journal1 with scientists from renowned world-class research institutions.

With the findings, SK-II newly discovered, the Aging Trigger Factor "AT-0"2, accelerates signs of aging via a chain reaction, even as early as in the 20s. If left untreated, the aging chain reaction can lead to accelerated aging signs, resulting in more severe signs of premature aging.

The findings show that reducing "AT-0"2 and preventing aging chain reaction with PITERA, a naturally derived ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process exclusive to SK-II, can keep skin looking youthful.

Following the World Congress of Dermatology, SK-II inaugurates its first-ever PITERA Science Expert Panel in recognition of some of the world's foremost dermatologists who have partnered with SK-II to advance skin aging science.

Dr Kenji Kabashima , Professor and Chair of Dept of Dermatology, Kyoto University , Graduate School of Medicine

, Professor and Chair of Dept of Dermatology, , Graduate School of Medicine Dr Gaku Tsuji , Associate Professor at Dept of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University

, Associate Professor at Dept of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Dr Masutaka Furue , previously chairman and professor of Dept of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University

, previously chairman and professor of Dept of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Dr Xiang Lei Hong , Professor and Vice Chair, Dept of Dermatology, Huadhan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, leading dermatologist in China

, Professor and Vice Chair, Dept of Dermatology, Huadhan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, leading dermatologist in Dr Wu Yan , Professor, Dept of Dermatology, Peking University First Hospital

SK-II also launched its new anti-aging innovation, SKINPOWER Advanced Cream inspired by the skin aging science and discoveries, celebrating the inauguration of its PITERA Science Expert Panel.

SK-II will continue to collaborate with the PITERA Science Expert Panel to further in-depth research and new insights on skin.

"At SK-II, we believe in being a leader in skincare expertise and craftsmanship. As the miracles of PITERA's transformative powers on skin continue to unfold through our research and collaboration with top dermatologists and institutes, we are thrilled to mark two new firsts at this year's World Congress of Dermatology." shared Sue Kyung Lee, CEO, Global SK-II. "A breakthrough of the Aging Trigger Factor as the root cause of accelerated skin aging with the launch of our new SKINPOWER Advanced Cream and our strong commitment to continue advancing skin science with our first-ever PITERA Science Expert Panel. We look forward to working closely with our partners to bring more breakthrough innovations to consumers with PITERA."

About SK-II

For more than 40 years, SK-II has touched the lives of millions of women around the world through skin and life transformation. The fascinating story behind SK-II began with a quest to understand why elderly sake brewers had wrinkled faces, but extraordinarily soft and youthful-looking hands. These hands were in constant contact with the sake fermentation process. It took years of research for scientists to isolate SK-II's iconic ingredient PITERA, a naturally-derived skincare ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process exclusive to SK-II. Since then, SK-II with PITERA haecome a special secret shared by celebrities all over the world such as Tangwei, Chun Xia, Qiu Tian, Haruka Ayase, Ayaka Miyoshi and MINA of global girl group TWICE. For the latest news and in-depth information, please visit http://www.sk-ii.com.

About PITERA

Iconic and exclusive to SK-II, PITERA is a naturally derived "miracle" skincare ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process that only SK-II owns. Packed with over 50 micro-nutrients  vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids  the unique composition of PITERA harnesses the vital force of nature and is one that can't be achieved artificially or synthetically. PITERA resembles skin's Natural Moisturizing Factors. Skin recognizes and welcomes it, allowing it to be absorbed quickly and deeply5 into your skin delivering all goodness6.

1 Jarrold BB, Tan CYR, Ho CY, Soon AL, Lam TT, Yang X, Nguyen C, Guo W, Chew YC, DeAngelis YM, Costello L, De Los Santos Gomez P, Przyborski S, Bellanger S, Dreesen O, Kimball AB, Oblong JE. Early onset of senescence and imbalanced epidermal homeostasis across the decades in photoexposed human skin: Fingerprints of inflammaging. Exp Dermatol. 2022 Nov;31(11):1748-1760. doi: 10.1111/exd.14654. Epub 2022 Aug 7. PMID: 36320153. 2 Aging Trigger Factor: refers to dry skin condition with topographic issue complex which can accelerate aging signs such as fine lines and roughness 3 Firm, Radiant, Everblooming skin refers to the skin condition resulting from hydration with continuous use 4 Refers to epidermis layer 5 Within stratum corneum 6 Over 50 micro-nutrients

* "Early onset of senescence and imbalanced epidermal homeostasis across the decades in photoexposed human skin: Fingerprints of inflammaging", Bradley B. Jarrold1,Christina Yan Ru Tan2,Chin Yee Ho2,Ai Ling Soon2,TuKiet T. Lam3,Xiaojing Yang4,Calvin Nguyen4 , Wei Guo4 , Yap Ching Chew4,Yvonne M. DeAngelis1, Lydia Costello5, Paola De Los Santos Gomez5,Stefan Przyborski5 ,Sophie Bellanger2,Oliver Dreesen2, Alexa B. Kimball6,John E. Oblong1

1-The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA 2-A*STAR Skin Research Labs, Singapore City, Singapore 3-Keck MS & Proteomics Resource, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA 4-Zymo Research Corporation, Irvine, California, USA 5-Durham University, Durham, UK 6-Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

SOURCE SK-II
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO:

"I'm pleased to report that our strategic transformation continues at a high pace, clearly reflected by a strong set of numbers in the second quarter. In the quarter, we saw record high net sales, adjusted operating profit, and cash flow.

Strong results in the second quarter

Net sales were SEK 27.1 billion (23.7), which is a record high quarterly number. The organic sales growth came in at 8%, representing the ninth consecutive quarter with an organic growth rate above 5%.

We saw strong demand in Europe and Asia with an organic growth of around 10%. Demand was particularly strong in several of our targeted high-growth segments, for example aerospace, electrical vehicles, and railway. In our railway business, we have secured orders from three large OEMs covering the wide range of our portfolio on various train platforms.

We delivered a record strong result with an adjusted operating profit of SEK 3.6 billion (2.5). The adjusted operating margin was 13.3% (10.5%), which is another step towards our target of 14%. The main drivers behind the profitability uplift are the relentless pricing and portfolio management activities conducted in all business areas.

For our Industrial business, the adjusted operating profit came in significantly stronger than last year at SEK 3,047 million (2,372) corresponding to an adjusted operating margin of 15.9% (13.9). The Automotive adjusted operating profit was SEK 568 million (101), which represents an adjusted operating margin of 7.1% (1.5%), demonstrating our progress towards the 8% annual target in 2025 from the ongoing portfolio re-positioning.

Cash flow from operations was SEK 3.7 billion (1.3). This record strong performance was, besides the operating profit, driven by active work across all business areas to further improve net working capital performance with special focus on inventory reduction.

Progressing our strategic transformation

Naturally, rapid execution of our strategy is crucial, and we are making good progress across key operational levers, such as innovation, efficiency, and portfolio management.

Ceramic bearings is one of several interesting technology and innovation areas where we see a strong demand from customers in many industries, such as aircraft engines, electrical vehicles, cleantech, hydrogen and green energy. To strengthen our offering and to meet a rapidly growing demand, we are further investing in our supply chain. One example being the recently announced joint venture with Sinoma Nitride that we signed to secure long-term access to high quality ceramic rolling elements.

We are relentlessly working on improving the productivity and efficiency in our operations and way of working. As part of our strive towards lean, clean, and digital manufacturing, we intend to consolidate our spherical roller bearing manufacturing in Europe, by proposing to move the current production from Luton, UK, to our factory in Poznan, Poland.

We are also continuing our portfolio management efforts to further strengthen our business and market position. An example from our Industrial business is the recently announced divestment of our coolant pumps operations Spandau Pumpen. In our Automotive business, we have now completed the previously communicated decision to exit SEK 1.2 billion of unprofitable customer contracts. In half of these we have concluded to step out of the business, while the other half of the contracts have been renegotiated on favorable terms.

In addition, we have also made some significant progress in our sustainability journey. One example is the Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) that we signed to secure and accelerate access to renewable energy in our operations. In the agreement we will purchase guarantees of origin for a period of 15 years from an upcoming solar plant in Spain. This commitment is, on a yearly basis, equivalent to the electricity used by one third of our European operation in 2022. Another example is our decision to phase out fossil gas use in our own operations, backed by a SEK 3 billion investment frame over 6 years, to meet our energy and decarbonization goals by 2030.

The rapid progress in our strategic transformation and our strong results in the second quarter would not have been possible without the efforts from our employees and partners throughout the organization. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their hard work and contribution during the first half of 2023. Together, we re imagine rotation for a better tomorrow!

Outlook

Going into the second half of the year, we expect the normal third quarter seasonality pattern in our results. We also expect continued volatility and geopolitical uncertainty impacting the markets in which we operate. Looking into the third quarter of 2023, we expect mid single-digit organic sales growth. For the full year, we maintain our outlook of high single-digit organic sales growth, compared to 2022."

Key figures, MSEK unless otherwise stated Q2 2023 Q2 2022 Half year 2023 Half year 2022 Net sales 27,123 23,655 53,672 46,597 Adjusted operating profit 3,614 2,473 7,093 5,531 Adjusted operating margin, % 13.3 10.5 13.2 11.9 Operating profit 3,213 1,581 6,592 4,534 Operating margin, % 11.8 6.7 12.3 9.7 Adjusted profit before taxes 3,231 1,990 6,272 4,979 Profit before taxes 2,830 1,097 5,772 3,982 Net cash flow from operating activities 3,664 1,293 6,411 1,022 Basic earnings per share 4.48 1.08 9.03 5.44 Adjusted earnings per share 5.36 2.90 10.13 7.63

Net sales, change y-o-y, %, Q2

Organic1) Structure Currency Total SKF Group

7.9 -0.1 6.9 14.7 Industrial

5.7 0.0 6.4 12.1 Automotive

13.8 -0.2 7.8 21.4 1) Price, mix and volume

Net sales, change y-o-y, %, Half year Organic1) Structure Currency Total SKF Group 9.0 -1.0 7.2 15.2 Industrial 7.5 -1.0 6.9 13.4 Automotive 12.9 -1.1 8.0 19.8 1) Price, mix and volume

Organic sales in local currencies, change y-o-y, %, Q2 Europe, Middle East & Africa The Americas China & Northeast Asia India & Southeast Asia SKF Group 10.5 2.9 9.5 10.0 Industrial +++ + ++ +++ Automotive +++ ++ +++ +++

Organic sales in local currencies, change y-o-y, %, Half year Europe, Middle East & Africa The Americas China & Northeast Asia India & Southeast Asia SKF Group 11.5 4.6 9.0 12.2 Industrial +++ + +++ +++ Automotive +++ +++ +++ +++

Outlook and Guidance

Demand for Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022

Looking into the third quarter of 2023, we expect mid single-digit organic sales growth.

Guidance for Q3 2023

Currency impact on the operating profit is expected to be around SEK 150 million negative compared with the third quarter 2022, based on exchange rates per 30 June 2023.

Guidance 2023

For the full year, we expect high single-digit organic sales growth, compared to 2022.

Tax level excluding effects related to divested businesses: around 27%.

Additions to property, plant and equipment: around SEK 5.5 billion .

A webcast will be held on 19 July 2023 at 08:15 (CEST):

Sweden +46 10 884 80 16

UK / International +44 20 3936 2999

Passcode: 466190

https://investors.skf.com/en

Aktiebolaget SKF

(publ)

The half year report presented in this press release contains financial and inside information that AB SKF is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out below on 19 July 2023 at 07.00 CET.

For further information, please contact:

PRESS: Carl Bjernstam, Head of Media Relations

tel: 46 31-337 2517; mobile: 46 722-201 893; e-mail: [email protected]

INVESTOR RELATIONS: Patrik Stenberg, Head of Investor Relations

tel: 46 31-337 2104; mobile: 46 705-472 104; [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/637/3806923/2195261.pdf Q2_2023_Eng https://news.cision.com/skf/i/skf-ceramic-bearings,c3200804 SKF ceramic bearings https://news.cision.com/skf/i/rickard-gustafson,c3200805 Rickard Gustafson

SOURCE SKF
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The DeGregorio Family Foundation with support from the Torrey Coast Foundation Gastro Esophageal Investigator Network Initiative (GEMINI) has awarded $300,000 to Saar Gill, MD, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, to reward the progress he has made on his grant within less than a year. This is in addition to the $250,000 awarded last November. He is making great strides in his objective to improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in gastroesophageal cancer by using the tools of genetic engineering. With the help of AI, he is modifying human blood-forming stem cells to produce highly specialized cancer-eating cells called Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) macrophages. This means that they could be injected into solid tumors.

Dr. Saar Gill

"While Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cells have received FDA approvals for hematologic malignancies, their track record in solid tumors is disappointing," notes Dr. Gill. "We reasoned that genetically engineered macrophages may be better suited to treat solid tumors since these cells are the major immune component in the tumor microenvironment (TME)."

Macrophages are normally produced from the bone marrow as monocytes, which travel around the bloodstream and lodge at sites of infection, inflammation and cancer. There, monocytes mature to become macrophages. The normal roles of macrophages include 1) to detect, engulf and destroy harmful organisms and 2) to serve as the body's garbage disposal system by engulfing and breaking down old, faulty or dying cells.

This project brings together two technological innovations that were made in Dr. Gill's lab and improves on both of them at the same time. They previously made CAR macrophages from blood monocytes and showed that they can be made to eat cancer cells in a targeted manner, but the resultant CAR macrophages have a limited lifespan. By implanting a CAR in stem cells that give rise to monocytes and subsequently macrophages, Dr. Gill is hoping to develop a lifelong supply of cancer-eating cells for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal and other malignances.

"This grant will allow me to develop a high-risk yet potentially high-reward cancer treatment paradigm," said Dr. Gill. "This project combines two disparate innovations made in my lab in the last few years to make a new and hopefully synergistic therapeutic platform. There are relatively few funding bodies that have the foresight and courage to invest in such out-of-the-box concepts, and I look forward to repaying the Foundation's trust in me."

In 2020, gastric and esophageal cancers combined killed over 1.3 million people worldwide. Patients continue to face poor prognoses following gastric and esophageal cancer diagnoses due to their chemo-resistant behavior and ability to metastasize.

"Dr. Gill's work presents the possibility of great advancement in the treatment and ability to personalize gastroesophageal cancer therapy," concluded Lynn DeGregorio, President and Founder of the DeGregorio Family Foundation.

The DeGregorio Family Foundation, founded in 2006 after a 10th member of the DeGregorio family died of stomach cancer, has raised more than $8 million to fund innovative research focused on curing gastric and esophageal cancers. It is the only foundation funding research grants for both of these cancers.

SOURCE DeGregorio Family Foundation
Wisconsin Community Stands with Workers Against Brewer's Bad Faith Tactics

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As a work stoppage enters its second week, Leinenkugel's Brewing Company workers represented by Teamsters Local 662 continue to fight against the company's increasingly hardball tactics.

Rather than agree to a contract that brewery workers deserve, Leinenkugel's and its corporate owner Molson Coors forced about 40 Teamsters to go on strike July 10. Since then, management has erected barriers around the Chippewa Falls brewery and stationed security guards on the premises.

"Instead of putting up fences, the company should be building bridges with its workers on a fair contract," said Tom Strickland, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 662. "Our members know their worth, and we will strike as long it takes for Molson Coors and Leinenkugel's to know it, too."

Teamsters at Leinenkugel's voted 98 percent to authorize a strike once the contract expired in May. Members voted similarly to reject Leinenkugel's last, best and final offer, which fell far short of what workers have earned.

"Molson Coors has turned its back on its employees and on the community," said Dan Boley, Local 662 Business Agent. "The company has made no attempt to reach an agreement with the Teamsters because they've been too busy bringing in security guards and putting up barricades. Their priorities are misguided and a failure for working people in Wisconsin."

Local 662 members passed out fliers at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair in July to let the public know about their fight and were greeted with enthusiastic support. The daily honking of cars passing by the picket line also reminds those on the strike line that the community has their back.

"The community is behind the Teamsters," said Dann Jackson, a maintenance technician who has worked at the brewery for 16 years. "Now it's time for Molson Coors to do right by its workforce. The men and women of the Teamsters have worked too hard for too long to make this company successful. We deserve a stronger return on our investments and sacrifices."

Teamsters Local 662 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout central and northern Wisconsin. For more information, go to Teamsters662.com or follow Teamsters Local 662 on Facebook.

Contact:

Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 662
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on Wednesday to prepare for the summit of the Crimea Platform - leaders of states and parliamentary level.

"We know for sure that the summit will be meaningful, and Crimea will become even closer to returning to the free world, even closer to liberation from occupation. The whole Ukrainian land, all Ukrainian people should be free," Zelenskyy said in a video message on Wednesday.

The summit is expected to take place on August 23, 2023.
Expansion in Core Categories & New Product Lines Fuel Growth Strategy

SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Super7 , the premier pop-culture design house and producer of lifestyle-oriented collectibles, toys and apparel, today announced an investment of up to $25M from The Newcastle Network . Newcastle made an initial investment of $12M with plans to invest more in support of Super7's long-term strategy. The announcement is being made in conjunction with the start of San Diego Comic-Con where the collectibles producer will release 18 exclusive toys and launch a crowdfunded ThunderCats' Cat's Lair Playset campaign.

Born from the desire to fill a void in the marketplace, Super7 designs and produces collectibles that capture emotional connections to pop culture's most loved brands and moments. Since launching in 2001, Super7 has achieved success with product genres including 80s & 90s pop culture, from designer vinyl to deluxe action figures inspired by comics, animation, video games, Hollywood, horror, music, monsters and more. With their strategic partnership with The Newcastle Network, Super7 will continue to focus on its core categories while expanding into new categories and developing new product lines unseen in the current market.

"Super7's goal has always been to deliver the most unique and sought after high-quality toys, products and experiences, while making them available to as many people as possible," said Brian Flynn, Founder of Super7. "When exploring investment to fuel our growth, the most important thing was that we stayed true to this ethos. The Newcastle Network is an ideal partner to help us achieve our goals for expansion into new categories for our loyal customers and introduce others to the exciting world of collecting across the globe."

"Super7 provides a unique and unrivaled customer experience in the collectibles sector," said Chris Casgar, Managing Partner at The Newcastle Network. "As true fans of pop culture and creative stewards of this explosive category, Brian and the Super7 leadership team are poised for continued growth. We're thrilled to be their strategic partner, leveraging our expertise in data science, creator & social media marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship to help accelerate their ability to achieve these goals with this beloved business."

Beginning tomorrow at San Diego Comic-Con (booth #2543), attendees will have access to 18 exclusive new toys including ReAction Figures, Super Cyborg and ULTIMATES! Super7 is also kicking off an exciting early bird incentive for ThunderCats' Cat's Lair at Comic-Con. The goal is to reach 3,000 backers by July 30th for fans to receive a Key to Thundera with their Cat's Lair playset. A complete rundown of San Diego Comic-Con exclusives, pop up shops and activities can be found on Super7.com , @Super7 on Instagram / Threads, Super7 on Facebook and @Super7store on Twitter.

About Super7

Founded in 2001, Super7 is the premier pop-culture design house and producer of lifestyle-oriented collectibles, toys and apparel based in San Francisco. Led by designer Brian Flynn, Super7 has harnessed the graphics, aesthetics and energy of his youthful obsession with science fiction, giant monsters, comic books, punk rock, skateboarding, robots and rebellion to build a unique and innovative business that crosses all categories and is not bound by traditional manufacturing boundaries. In addition to its owned branded products, Super7 also designed, manufactured and distributed officially licensed programs for G.I. Joe, Transformers, Disney, Powell-Peralta and Peanuts as well as for music legends Iron Maiden, the Misfits, O.D.B, Beastie Boys, and more. For more information, visit www.super7.com .

About The Newcastle Network

The Newcastle Network is a private equity firm pushing the frontiers of collaboration with its partner companies. We are a passionate group of investors and operators with expertise in data science, creator and social media marketing, innovation, and entrepreneurship that helps companies unlock new levels of growth. Focused on established and performing consumer businesses, we seek to partner with companies where we can provide meaningful value that realizes a team's most ambitious visions.

SOURCE Super7
NEW YORK, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The supplementary cementitious materials market size is estimated to increase by USD 12,041.8 million from 2022 to 2027, at a CAGR of 8.57%, according to the recent market study by Technavio. This report also offers a 5-year historical (2017-2021) data projection of market size, segmentation, and region. Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report -Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Supplementary Cementitious Materials Market

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. The Bargaining Power of Buyers & Suppliers and the Threat of New Entrants, Rivalry, and Substitutes have also been analyzed and rated between LOW-HIGH to provide a holistic view of market favorability.

Find Technavio's Exclusive Analysis of Price Sensitivity, Adoption Lifecycle, Customer Purchase Basket, Adoption Rates, and Purchase Criteria

One of the core components of the customer landscape is price sensitivity , an analysis of which will help companies refine marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage .

, an analysis of which will help companies refine . Another key aspect is price sensitivity drivers (purchases are undifferentiated, the purchase is a key cost to buyers, and quality is not important) , which range between LOW and HIGH.

, which range between Furthermore, market adoption rates for all regions have been covered.

The addictions therapeutics market report also offers information on the criticality of inputs, R&D, CAPEX, technology, and products of 15 vendors listed below -

ArcelorMittal SA, Argos Ltd., Ashtech India Pvt. Ltd., BASF SE, Boral Ltd., Carbon Enterprises Ltd., CEMEX SAB de CV, CR Minerals Co. LLC, CRH Plc, Diversified Minerals Inc., Dow Inc., Elkem ASA, Ferroglobe Plc, HeidelbergCement AG, Holcim Ltd., Kryton International Inc., Nippon Steel Corp., Shanghai Building Materials Group Co. Ltd., Sika AG, and Tata Steel Ltd. Download Sample

Supplementary Cementitious Materials Market - Segmentation Analysis

This supplementary cementitious materials report extensively covers market segmentation by type (fly ash, GBFS, and silica fume), application (residential, commercial, and industrial), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa).

The market share growth by the fly ash segment is significant during the forecast period. One of the most widely used pozzolans for cement and concrete applications is fly ash. Fly ash is mainly a fine-grey powder consisting of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and iron oxide. Due to the increasing demand from the construction industry, fly ash was the most dominant segment in the global supplementary cementitious materials market in the year 2020. Furthermore, as there is an increase in construction activities especially in developing economies, it is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of this segment which in turn will drive the global supplementary cementitious materials market growth during the forecast period.

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Supplementary Cementitious Materials Market - Market Dynamics

Key Drivers

The increasing promotion by the government encouraging the use of fly ash is expected to drive the supplementary cementitious materials market growth during the forecast period. The Portland cement aggregate which is mainly used in concrete is a byproduct of burning coal in thermal power plants due to its pozzolanic properties. Thus, the hydrated fly ash in concrete acts as a synthetic pozzolan due to the presence of components like calcium hydroxide and water. As a result, it improves the strength of the concrete over time. Additionally, there are wide applications of fly ash in the construction industry. Factors such as the rapid growth of the construction industry in several developing economies such as India are significantly fuelling the high demand for fly ash. Hence, such factors are expected to drive the supplementary cementitious materials market growth during the forecast period.

Significant Trends

Environment-friendly cement technology is a primary trend in the supplementary cementitious materials market during the forecast period. Several governments across the globe have undertaken many initiatives to encourage infrastructure development due to continuous global economic growth. But, sustainable infrastructure development is a significant challenge faced by these construction industries. Thus, the wide use of materials such as fly ash, iron slag, and silica fume in construction resulted in significant changes in cement technology. There is a growing need for bricks and cement in construction projects which shows the importance of environmentally friendly and affordable construction material options such that environmental considerations are not compromised for economic benefits. As a result, there is an increasing demand for environment-friendly cement technologies, which in turn is expected to drive the supplementary cementitious materials market during the forecast period.

Major Challenges

Limitations on the overuse of fly ash are a significant challenge hindering the supplementary cementitious materials market growth during the forecast period. Fly ash is widely used in the construction industry to minimize the water content of concrete without reducing its workability, which enhances its usability. But, on the other hand, it comes up with certain limitations. The use of large quantities of fly ash can result in slower concrete strength development and prolonged setting time, which are mostly common in cold weather conditions. Additionally, low-grade quality fly ash can also enhance the permeability of concrete and damage buildings and other construction projects. As a result, there is a declining adoption of fly ash in the construction industry and end-users are looking for potential alternatives. Hence, such limitations are expected to hinder the supplementary cementitious materials market growth during the forecast period.

Supplementary Cementitious Materials Market - Regional Analysis

The market is segmented by region North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. An analysis of key leading countries has been included.

APAC is estimated to account for 50% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. One of the main factors for the growth of the supplementary cementitious materials market in APAC is the increase in construction activities in the industrial, commercial, and residential sectors which in turn is fuelling the need for cost-effective and quick-building solutions. As a result, there is rapid adoption of these materials across industries in the APAC region. These materials are widely used in the tourism industry, especially in building frameworks for restaurants, hotels, and resorts. Furthermore, factors such as the rising per capita income and the growing standards of living have further fuelled the demand in the region due to the rapid growth of the residential and commercial sectors such as multi-family buildings, malls, tech parks, and retail stores. Hence, such factors are expected to drive the supplementary cementitious materials market growth during the forecast period.

For Insights on the market dynamics & segmentations VIEW PDF SAMPLE !

What are the key data covered in this Supplementary Cementitious Materials Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the supplementary cementitious materials market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the supplementary cementitious materials market size and its contribution to the market with a focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the supplementary cementitious materials market across APAC, North America , Europe , South America , and the Middle East and Africa

, , , 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 supplementary cementitious materials market vendors

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Supplementary Cementitious Materials Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.57% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 12041.8 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.16 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 50% Key countries US, Saudi Arabia, China, India, and Brazil Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled ArcelorMittal SA, Argos Ltd., Ashtech India Pvt. Ltd., BASF SE, Boral Ltd., Carbon Enterprises Ltd., CEMEX SAB de CV, CR Minerals Co. LLC, CRH Plc, Diversified Minerals Inc., Dow Inc., Elkem ASA, Ferroglobe Plc, HeidelbergCement AG, Holcim Ltd., Kryton International Inc., Nippon Steel Corp., Shanghai Building Materials Group Co. Ltd., Sika AG, and Tata Steel Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data 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 Type



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



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 supplementary cementitious materials market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global supplementary cementitious materials market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Application 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 Type

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Type

6.3 Fly ash - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Fly ash - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Fly ash - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Fly ash - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Fly ash - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 GBFS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on GBFS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on GBFS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on GBFS - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on GBFS - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Silica fume - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Silica fume - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Silica fume - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Silica fume - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Silica fume - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Application

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by Application

7.3 Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Industrial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Industrial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Industrial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Industrial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Industrial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Application ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 64: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 65: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 67: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 69: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 70: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 71: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 72: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 96: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 99: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Saudi Arabia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Saudi Arabia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 109: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 110: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 111: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 112: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 113: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 114: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 115: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 ArcelorMittal SA

Exhibit 116: ArcelorMittal SA - Overview



Exhibit 117: ArcelorMittal SA - Business segments



Exhibit 118: ArcelorMittal SA - Key news



Exhibit 119: ArcelorMittal SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 120: ArcelorMittal SA - Segment focus

12.4 Argos Ltd.

Exhibit 121: Argos Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 122: Argos Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 123: Argos Ltd. - Key offerings

12.5 Ashtech India Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 124: Ashtech India Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 125: Ashtech India Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 126: Ashtech India Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.6 BASF SE

Exhibit 127: BASF SE - Overview



Exhibit 128: BASF SE - Business segments



Exhibit 129: BASF SE - Key news



Exhibit 130: BASF SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: BASF SE - Segment focus

12.7 Boral Ltd.

Exhibit 132: Boral Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 133: Boral Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 134: Boral Ltd. - Key offerings

12.8 Carbon Enterprises Ltd.

Exhibit 135: Carbon Enterprises Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 136: Carbon Enterprises Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 137: Carbon Enterprises Ltd. - Key offerings

12.9 CEMEX SAB de CV

Exhibit 138: CEMEX SAB de CV - Overview



Exhibit 139: CEMEX SAB de CV - Business segments



Exhibit 140: CEMEX SAB de CV - Key news



Exhibit 141: CEMEX SAB de CV - Key offerings



Exhibit 142: CEMEX SAB de CV - Segment focus

12.10 CR Minerals Co. LLC

Exhibit 143: CR Minerals Co. LLC - Overview



Exhibit 144: CR Minerals Co. LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 145: CR Minerals Co. LLC - Key offerings

12.11 CRH Plc

Exhibit 146: CRH Plc - Overview



Exhibit 147: CRH Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 148: CRH Plc - Key news



Exhibit 149: CRH Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 150: CRH Plc - Segment focus

12.12 Diversified Minerals Inc.

Exhibit 151: Diversified Minerals Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 152: Diversified Minerals Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 153: Diversified Minerals Inc. - Key offerings

12.13 Dow Inc.

Exhibit 154: Dow Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 155: Dow Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 156: Dow Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 157: Dow Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 158: Dow Inc. - Segment focus

12.14 Ferroglobe Plc

Exhibit 159: Ferroglobe Plc - Overview



Exhibit 160: Ferroglobe Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 161: Ferroglobe Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 162: Ferroglobe Plc - Segment focus

12.15 Holcim Ltd.

Exhibit 163: Holcim Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 164: Holcim Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 165: Holcim Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 166: Holcim Ltd. - Segment focus

12.16 Sika AG

Exhibit 167: Sika AG - Overview



Exhibit 168: Sika AG - Business segments



Exhibit 169: Sika AG - Key news



Exhibit 170: Sika AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 171: Sika AG - Segment focus

12.17 Tata Steel Ltd.

Exhibit 172: Tata Steel Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 173: Tata Steel Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 174: Tata Steel Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 175: Tata Steel Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 176: Tata Steel Ltd. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 177: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 178: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 179: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 180: Research methodology



Exhibit 181: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 182: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 183: List of abbreviations

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SOURCE Technavio
The NewStore mobile point-of-sale now powers retail operations for the UK-based women's activewear and lifestyle brand

BOSTON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NewStore , a modular, mobile-first omnichannel cloud platform for retail brands worldwide, today announced Sweaty Betty has rolled out its mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) in 73 stores across the UK & Ireland. By replacing its legacy POS with NewStore, the London-based brand now runs its retail operations entirely on iPhone, laying the groundwork for the company's omnichannel transformation.

"Sweaty Betty has quickly grown from a small London boutique to an international business. During this process, we recognized the importance of providing a seamless and scalable omnichannel experience for our customers and store colleagues," said Simon Pakenham-Walsh, Chief Technology Officer, Sweaty Betty. "We selected NewStore because its platform does not carry the complex technical debt of the industry's legacy solutions, and the company's vision aligns perfectly with our strategy, which includes having an extensible, modern, and API-first technology stack."

Sweaty Betty's decision to implement NewStore underscores its commitment to innovation and customer-centricity Tweet this

For 25 years, Sweaty Betty has been on a mission to empower women through fitness and beyond. The brand is known for its range of high-quality apparel and accessories designed for performance and style. Its products are sold in-store, online, and through the brand's various wholesale partners. With NewStore, Sweaty Betty has unified its direct offline and online channels, improving the customer experience and driving operational efficiency.

"The NewStore platform has had a tremendous impact on our day-to-day operations. Not only were we able to implement the technology quickly, but it has also reduced the operational workload of our store and support office teams by 75 percent," added Jessica Coleman, Omnichannel Product Owner, Sweaty Betty. "NewStore has given autonomy back to our employees, enabling them to provide exceptional service and enhance the overall customer experience."

Sweaty Betty has seen other benefits from the NewStore deployment as well, including enhanced mobility, leading to more personalized, high-touch customer interactions. Additionally, the NewStore mPOS empowers store associates to swiftly assist customers during peak shopping hours, shortening wait times and optimizing the checkout experience. The intuitive user interface of the NewStore platform has also streamlined the refund process. Last but not least, NewStore has simplified the training and onboarding process for store associates, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver value for both the brand and its shoppers as quickly as possible.

"Sweaty Betty's decision to implement NewStore underscores its commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. It is also a testament to our platform's ease of use and scalability," said Stephan Schambach, Founder and CEO, NewStore. "By embracing a mobile-first omnichannel strategy, Sweaty Betty is setting the standard for DTC brands in the activewear space, and we will continue to play a pivotal role in the company's transformation."

Now that all of Sweaty Betty's store locations are live on the NewStore platform, both organizations will further improve how customers interact with the brand. In the next few months, the company will start rolling out additional omnichannel features that allow employees to better guide shoppers and create more meaningful relationships.

For more information on how NewStore has accelerated Sweaty Betty's omnichannel journey, read the full case study here: https://www.newstore.com/resource/sweaty-betty-case-study/

About Sweaty Betty

Leading global activewear and lifestyle brand Sweaty Betty has been on a mission to empower women through fitness and beyond since 1998. The brand's loyal, fast-growing and global community of active women has female empowerment and inclusivity at its core. Famous for bum-sculpting leggings and innovative prints, Sweaty Betty combines fitness and style with technical, high-performance fabrics and responsibly sourced materials. Based in London, the design team create multi-sport, beautiful and technical clothes that flatter a woman's body, giving her the confidence to take on the world.

In addition to its website which services customers globally, Sweaty Betty has shops in the UK and Asia, in addition to being in Selfridges, Harrods and shop-in-shops in Nordstrom stores across North America. The brand's products can also be found at leading retailers all over the world.

For more information, please visit www.sweatybetty.com . Sweaty Betty is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW).

About NewStore

NewStore provides Omnichannel-as-a-Service for retail brands worldwide that want to accelerate their digital transformation. Built with MACH principles, NewStore allows brands to easily deliver amazing shopping experiences that store associates and consumers love. Its mobile-first, modular cloud platform includes POS, order management, clienteling, inventory, and native consumer apps. NewStore customers such as Burton, Faherty Brand, G-Star RAW, Marine Layer, Roots Canada, Scotch & Soda, UNTUCKit, and Vince benefit from the most complete, global omnichannel retail solution available  now supercharged with Tap to Pay on iPhone. The company is backed by General Catalyst, Activant Capital, and Salesforce Ventures. Learn more at www.newstore.com

SOURCE NewStore, Inc.
DUBLIN, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Climate Smart Agriculture Market - Focus on Technologies Mitigating GHG Emissions" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The latest 2023 Global Report on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) showcases the symbiotic relationship between climate change, food security, and agricultural practices.

It underlines the need for collaborative strategies among farmers, policymakers, and researchers to combat this multifaceted issue.

CSA practices have emerged as a comprehensive, environmentally sustainable solution, ensuring the resilience of agriculture under changing climate conditions while improving productivity.

Defined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), CSA is an integrated approach to landscape management, including cropland, livestock, forests, and fisheries. Despite varying regional challenges, the application of CSA practices spans across both the Global South and Global North, tackling the complex issues of food security and climate change.

The report, however, also details potential hurdles in CSA implementation. The upfront costs linked with new technologies and infrastructure, as well as the need for specialized training for precision farming techniques, may pose financial challenges for farmers.

The study also notes potential resistance to change among farmers primarily driven by economic incentives, and limited connectivity in marginalized areas hindering the implementation of CSA practices. Nevertheless, it advocates for continuous support in CSA adoption given its long-term benefits such as increased yields and improved sustainability.

Companies Mentioned

Hoovers

Bloomberg

Businessweek

Factiva

Key Topics Covered:

1 Climate Change and its Impact on Agriculture

1.1 Cause of Climate Change on Agriculture

1.1.1 Farm-Gate Emissions

1.1.1.1 Livestock

1.1.1.2 Crop Production

1.1.2 Forestry

1.1.3 Energy Use

1.2 Implementation of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)

2 Climate Smart Agriculture - Technology Landscape

2.1 Precision Agriculture

2.1.1 Expected Emission Reduction with Precision Agriculture Adoption

2.1.1.1 Patent Analysis

2.1.1.2 Key Technologies and Providers

2.1.1.3 Case Study

2.1.1.3.1 Climate Smart Agriculture Case Study by Government of India

2.1.1.3.2 Monarch Tractor Wente Vineyards Energy Case Study

2.1.1.3.3 Yield Monitoring and Digitization Case Study

2.1.2 Conservative Agriculture

2.1.2.1 Expected Emission Reduction with Conservative Agriculture Adoption

2.1.2.2 Patent Analysis

2.1.2.3 Key Technologies and Providers

2.1.2.4 Case Study

2.1.2.4.1 Soil Erosion Case Study

2.1.2.4.2 Sustainable Agriculture Land Management Case Study

2.1.3 Agroforestry

2.1.3.1 Expected Emission Reduction with AgroForestry Adoption

2.1.3.2 Patent Analysis

2.1.3.3 Key Technologies and Providers

2.1.3.4 Case Study

2.1.3.4.1 Climate Smart Forestry Case Study - Wageningen University & Research

2.1.4 Livestock Management

2.1.4.1 Expected Emission Reduction with Livestock Management Technologies Adoption

2.1.4.2 Patent Analysis

2.1.4.3 Key Technologies and Providers

2.1.4.4 Case Study

2.1.4.4.1 Mongolia Livestock Farming Case Study

2.1.4.4.2 Livestock Monitoring and Management Case Study

2.1.5 Renewable Energy

2.1.5.1 Expected Emission Reduction with Renewable Energy Technology Adoption

2.1.5.2 Patent Analysis

2.1.5.3 Key Technologies and Providers

2.1.5.4 Case Study

2.1.5.4.1 Solar Power-Based Microgrid Case Study

2.1.5.4.2 Solar Powered Farm Case Study

2.1.6 Water Management

2.1.6.1 Expected Emission Reduction with Water Management Technology Adoption

2.1.6.2 Patent Analysis

2.1.6.3 Key Technologies and Providers

2.1.6.4 Case Study

2.1.6.4.1 Reduction of Input Resources - Zerynth S.p.A. Case Study

2.1.6.4.2 Automated Water and Fertilizer Management Case Study

2.1.6.4.3 Yield Monitoring and Water Management Case Study

2.1.7 Climate Information Services

2.1.7.1 Expected Emission Reduction with Climate Information Services Adoption

2.1.7.2 Patent Analysis

2.1.7.3 Key Technologies and Providers

2.1.7.4 Case Study

2.1.7.4.1 Severe Weather Case Study

2.1.7.4.2 Mongolia Herd Management Climate Information Services Case Study

2.2 Key Government Initiatives and Impacts

2.3 Global Funding

2.3.1 Government Fundings

2.3.1.1 Government Fundings (Year-on-Year)

2.3.1.2 Government Funding (by Country)

2.3.1.3 Key Government Fundings Focusing Climate Smart Agriculture Practices

2.3.2 Private Funding

2.3.2.1 Funding Analysis (Year-on-Year)

2.3.2.2 Funding Analysis (by Technology)

2.3.2.3 Key Private Funding Focusing on Climate Smart Agriculture Practices

2.3.2.4 Key Investors in Climate Smart Agriculture Market, 2022

2.4 Key Challenges in CSA Adoption

2.4.1 High Upfront Costs

2.4.2 Lack of Infrastructure and Awareness of Climate Smart Agriculture Benefits

3 Recommendation and Conclusion

3.1 Recommendation for Policymakers

3.2 Recommendation For Technology Providers

3.3 Conclusion: Future Road Map

3.3.1 Expected Farm Consolidation

3.3.2 Government Support

3.3.3 Expected Demand for Climate Smart Agriculture Contract Services among Small Farms

3.3.4 Growing Millennial Populations in Agriculture

4 Research Methodology

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3zsdz0

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
As part of the academic health system's $550 million master facility plan, the TGH Cancer Institute's Brandon location expands access to world-class cancer care for more patients.

TAMPA, Fla. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In an endeavor to expand cancer care for the rapidly growing communities of south Hillsborough County, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) opened a state-of-the-art, 26-bay Infusion Center in the TGH Cancer Institute's Brandon location. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 19. Additionally, a Radiation Oncology Center will open at the Brandon location, 10740 Palm River Road, this fall.

In an endeavor to expand cancer care for the rapidly growing communities of south Hillsborough County, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) opened a state-of-the-art, 26-bay Infusion Center in the TGH Cancer Institute's Brandon location. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 19. Additionally, a Radiation Oncology Center will open at the Brandon location, 10740 Palm River Road, this fall.

"By collaborating with some of the nation's preeminent physicians and researchers, we established a leading-edge, research-driven Cancer Institute. Our multidisciplinary team combines the highest level of expertise with compassion as they provide personalized treatments to the greater Tampa Bay region," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. "Our new TGH Cancer Institute location allows us to expand our reach and provide greater access to our community."

The TGH Cancer Institute satellite location in Brandon is part of Tampa General's $550 million master facility plan, the largest in the hospital's almost 100-year history. Once completed, TGH will bring more of the most advanced technology and leading-edge care to the academic health system's patients in Florida and beyond.

The TGH Cancer Institute in Brandon means that residents in south Hillsborough will no longer have to travel to the Tampa General Hospital campus near downtown Tampa for infusion treatments, radiation oncology and doctor visits. Its location in the outpatient center means that patients can also receive lab work, standard imaging exams as well as visit the pharmacy for prescriptions and over the counter medications.

"The addition of the Infusion Center to our rapidly growing Cancer Institute allows us to reach even more members of our community who need access to personalized and empathetic research-driven cancer care," said Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, director of the TGH Cancer Institute. "Since opening the Brandon location last fall, the number of patients the Infusion Center has treated in our Brandon location has exceeded expectations and we hope our strategic position near the intersection of two major highways will help in removing geographical barriers and allow us to continue to treat more patients who need it."

The addition to the TGH Cancer Institute's Infusion Center will offer seven more chemotherapy areas for the treatment of cancer. This will bring the total number of infusion areas to 26, which is expected to make scheduling treatments more efficient.

Designed to encourage therapeutic connection and camaraderie, the Infusion Center at TGH Cancer Institute in Brandon is equipped with advanced technology and offers spacious semi-private, private, and shared treatment bays, as well as a separate space with beverages and light snacks for patients' family members. At the infusion center, patients can receive treatments ordered by their doctor including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood transfusions and more.

The Brandon location is staffed by a group of cancer care specialists and physician-scientists, as well as specially trained oncology nurses, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners who are experts in delivering compassionate cancer care for all oncology infusion needs within the following specialties:

Breast cancer, lung, gynecologic and colorectal cancers, head and neck cancers, and sarcomas

Advanced care, including abdominal cancers such as liver and hepatobiliary, urologic and genital cancers, and blood cancers

Neurology, neurosurgery, and neuro-oncology

This fall, the Radiation Oncology Center at the TGH Cancer Institute in Brandon will open. It will provide evidence-based, multimodal radiation therapies, including high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy  a targeted radiation treatment that provides higher doses while preserving the surrounding tissue or skin. The center will also offer radiopharmaceuticals (radioisotopes to target specific organs, tissues or cells) and the TrueBeam system (an advanced medical linear accelerator capable of fast and precise image-guided radiation therapy).

"This TGH Radiation Oncology Center is a testament to the TGH Cancer Institute's commitment to providing world-class care to our community," said Dr. Richard Tuli, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, deputy director of the TGH Cancer Institute, and director of Radiation Oncology at Tampa General Hospital. Tuli joined TGH from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y. "Added capacity means we can provide treatment to more of the most difficult cancer cases safely using the most cutting-edge technology available to us in a location close to those who live in south Hillsborough."

In a continued effort to provide world-class care to the region, Tampa General is preparing to build a Proton Therapy Center, in collaboration with the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS). The Center will be located within the Tampa Medical and Research District adjacent to downtown Tampa in a highly specialized and comprehensive three-story, 44,000-square-foot building at the intersection of W. Kennedy Boulevard and S. Fielding Avenue.

The expansions reflect a greater undertaking to develop a world-class cancer center at Tampa General. "The completion of the Infusion Center, the addition of a Radiation Oncology Center and a Proton Therapy Center supports our goal to advance an already sophisticated standard of care at the TGH Cancer Institute," said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, executive vice president and chief of Oncology, Tampa General. "We will not stop in making world-class care accessible for cancer patients and their families."

In December 2022, Tampa General announced that it had earned a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program established by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). TGH Cancer Institute was also recently named one of "America's Best Cancer Hospitals" by Newsweek.

Ranked among the top 10 percent of U.S. hospitals for cancer care according to U.S. News & World Report's 2022-2023 rankings, the Tampa General Cancer Institute provides comprehensive care via groundbreaking therapies and advanced diagnostic imaging tools and is part of the hospital's vision to be the safest and most innovative academic health system in America.

Through the TGH Cancer Institute, Tampa General and USF Health, physicians offer a highly coordinated, interdisciplinary approach to quality patient care and provide a wide range of multidisciplinary specialties such as hematologic malignancies, bone marrow transplant, cell therapy, neuro-oncology, thoracic oncology, breast, colorectal and gynecologic oncology. Advanced subspecialties include liver and hepatobiliary oncology, otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), and genitourinary (reproductive system and genitourinary tract).

The infusion center will be open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the TGH Cancer Institute, visit www.tgh.org/cancer.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 1,040-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News & World Report's 2022-23 Best Hospitals, and is tied as the third highest-ranked hospital in Florida, with seven specialties ranking among the best programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  first nationally in the 2022 America's Best Employers for Women and sixth out of 100 Florida companies in the 2022 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Brandon Healthplex, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging powered by Tower outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR

Senior Communications Specialist

(813) 844-7322 (direct)

(813) 510-6363 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global telecom power system market is projected to grow from USD 4.2 billion in 2023 to USD 6.6 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growing popularity of 5G technology, the increasing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and utilizing renewable energy, the rise in government regulations related to telecom infrastructure, and the escalating demand for IoT and cloud computing applications are the key factors propelling the telecom power systems market. Telecom companies are actively seeking renewable power sources like solar and wind power to minimize their environmental impact. As a result, there is a rising need for telecom power systems that can seamlessly integrate with renewable energy sources.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=218058881

Browse in-depth TOC on "Telecom Power System Market"

150  Tables

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Telecom Power System Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $4.2 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $6.6 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Grid Type, Component, Power Source, Technology, Power Rating and Geography Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Design challenges for telecom power systems Key Market Opportunities Increasing technological advancements in cellular networks (5G, LTE services, etc.) Key Market Drivers Increasing number of telecom infrastructures in remote areas

Rectifier to hold the second largest market share for telecom power systems during the forecast period.

Based on components, rectifier is likely to hold a significant market share between 2023 and 2028. A rectifier converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), providing the power to charge the batteries. Rectifiers can include a wide AC input voltage range, protection against AC overvoltage, thus making them reliable even in regions with AC utility network problems. The design of the telecom rectifiers allows a high degree of power system flexibility through features such as horizontal or vertical mounting, universal AC inputs, and a high degree of scalability to allow for future network growth.

Off-grid based telecom power system to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Off-grid-connected telecom power systems are expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Off-grid power systems are deployed in areas which are distant from any transmission and distribution infrastructures and have no connection to utility grids. Off-grid telecom power systems are mainly used to provide electricity to geographically remote areas and in emerging economies. These grids expand the electricity infrastructure of emerging economies and are designed to be self-sufficient to cater to the power requirements of complex setups such as remote islands or distant villages where electricity transmission through traditional electric utility players is not viable. As these grids never connect to large grids and always operate in isolated mode, this increases the requirement for storing electricity off-grid rather than being grid-tied.

The below 10 kW segment is likely to account for the largest telecom power system market share from 2023 to 2028.

Below 10 kW segment is estimated to account for the largest telecom power system industry share during the forecast period. Several telecom components operate on power supplies below 10 kW because of their advantages, which include reduced cost, weight, and size of the power control system. Some examples of Low-output telecom power systems application include cell towers, base transceiver stations (BTS), 5G antennas, base stations for telecom towers, microcell base stations, 4G towers, cell phone towers, and UPS systems among others.

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UK is expected to be the fastest-growing market in Europe during the forecast period.

UK's telecommunications industry contributes about 45% to the GDP; although the GDP contribution is lesser, the need for and importance of telecommunication cannot be neglected from a broader perspective. The largest telecom company in the UK is BT. A few of the leading business foundations in the telecom sector in the country are Verizon business, COLT, Affiniti, Energis, etc. A few major leading telecom companies in the UK are GiffGaff, Lycamobile, Talk Group, Three, Virgin Mobile UK, O2, EE, BT Group, and Vodafone. Mobile users expect mobile connectivity even in buildings with poor or no mobile coverage. This leads to the requirement of deploying in-building solutions, such as small cells and distributed antenna systems (DAS), to solve the issue of poor connectivity. Such solutions are anticipated to enhance telecom power systems across the telecom infrastructure.

Eaton (US), Huawei Technologies (China), Cummins (US), ZTE Corporation (China), General Electric (US), Delta Electronics, Inc. (Taiwan), and Schneider Electric (France) are the key players in the global telecom power system companies. These players increasingly undertake product launches and development strategies, expansions, partnerships, contracts, and acquisitions to increase their market share.

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MELBOURNE, Australia, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) today issues its Appendix 4C quarterly cash flow report and accompanying Activities Report for the quarter ended 30 June 2023 (Q2 2023). All figures are in AUD$ unless otherwise stated[1] and provided on an unaudited basis.

Summary

Total revenue up 21% quarter-on-quarter to $120.7M driven by global product sales

driven by global product sales Positive operating cash flow ( $10.8M , an improvement of $8.4M on the prior quarter)

, an improvement of on the prior quarter) Cash receipts from customers were $112.2M (up 35% from $83.2M in the prior quarter)

(up 35% from in the prior quarter) Closing cash balance of $131.7M (compared to $121.4M at prior quarter end)

Managing Director and Group CEO, Dr Christian Behrenbruch commented, "Q2 2023 was another strong quarter for Telix, characterised by the ongoing trend of double-digit revenue growth from sales of Illuccix and continued positive operating cash flow. This is reflective of our excellent commercial performance and strength in PSMA-PET imaging[2] in all of Telix's operating markets.

"Simultaneously we are focused on the marketing authorisation of two further products for kidney and brain cancer imaging. Following successful planning meetings with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we are focused on preparing regulatory marketing applications, scaling up manufacturing and preparing for future product approvals and launch. Momentum also continues to build with our therapeutic pipeline, with clear clinical progress delivered across our prostate, kidney and glioblastoma programs. This activity is reflected in our investment in research and development (R&D), which remains in line with our stated plan."

During the quarter Telix opened its manufacturing site in Brussels South,[3] and announced two modest acquisitions. These strategic initiatives broaden the late-stage pipeline and further enhance Telix's position as a vertically-integrated radiopharmaceutical company to support a breadth of future product offerings across the continuum of patient care.

"Our depth and commitment to urologic oncology starts with Illuccix and, with the agreement to acquire Lightpoint Medical,[4] now continues into surgical intervention. We have also added to our artificial intelligence (AI) capability through the acquisition of Dedicaid GmbH,[5] which brings with it a dedicated team of scientists to bridge reader and clinical decision support, and eventually disease prediction.

"Finally, the inauguration of our European radiopharmaceutical production facility  Telix Manufacturing Solutions  represents a significant milestone for the Company and a vital step towards building the foundation for long-term, commercial success and delivering to the needs of patients," added Dr Behrenbruch.

Commercial Activities Report

Americas region: United States (U.S.) and Canada

Revenue from U.S. sales of Illuccix (kit for the preparation of gallium Ga 68 gozetotide injection) increased by 19% to $116.0M (US$77.6M), up from $97.5M in Q1 2023.

Worldwide revenue

Total revenue of $120.7M was generated during the quarter (including commercial sales of Illuccix in the U.S.). Ex-U.S. revenue (including sales of Illuccix / TLX591-CDx)[6] was $4.7M.[7]

Net cash from operating activities

Telix delivered its third consecutive quarter of positive net operating cash inflow. The net operating cash inflow for the quarter was $10.8M, an $8.4M improvement on the prior quarter (Q1 2023, net operating cash inflow $2.4M). In line with increased revenue and improved collections, cash receipts from customers improved 35% to $112.2M, up from $83.2M in the prior quarter.

The closing cash balance at 30 June 2023 was $131.7M ($121.4M 31 March 2023).

Increased product manufacturing and related costs reflect higher volume of sales and preparation for future launches. Gross margin broadly in line with the previous quarter at 64% reflects stable selling prices and manufacturing costs.

Illuccix global regulatory update

Telix is progressing new marketing authorisations for Illuccix in a number of jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom (U.K.) and European Union (E.U.).[8] The Company's Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for the E.U. has now been validated by Germany's regulatory health authority, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), serving as Reference Competent Authority. The formal review procedure commences in July 2023. Based on the standard review timetable of 210 days, plus allowances for clock stop periods, a regulatory decision is expected in H1 2024.

Clinical Programs Update

Telix continues to progress its core oncology pipeline of therapeutic and diagnostic agents, with a focus on prostate cancer, renal (kidney) cancer, brain cancer (glioma) and rare diseases (hematologic cancers and bone marrow conditioning). The Company has over 20 clinical studies underway, including Telix-sponsored and collaborative investigator-initiated trials.

During the quarter, notable updates were published on the news section of the Company's website (www.telixpharma.com/news-views) and are summarised in this section of the Activities Report.

Priority focus areas for the clinical pipeline:

Preparation of a Biologics License Application (BLA) and commercialisation of TLX250-CDx (89Zr-DFO- girentuximab), Telix's investigational kidney cancer imaging agent: As supported under the Breakthrough Therapy designation, the Company is actively engaging with the FDA as it prepares its regulatory filing. The Company participated in a Type B meeting with the agency during the quarter. Based on this positive discussion the Company continues to progress its BLA submission in 2023 as planned.

Telix is in the process of implementing an Expanded Access Program (EAP) in the U.S. and providing compassionate use access in the rest of world, to provide TLX250-CDx to patients and physicians in areas of unmet need, prior to obtaining marketing authorisation. During the quarter the first sites and requests were on-boarded and fulfilled. The Company is also conducting new research and clinical studies to explore the theranostic utility of this investigational asset in other cancers expressing carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), where there are currently high unmet medical needs.

Preparation of a New Drug Application (NDA) for TLX101-CDx ( 18 F-FET), Telix's investigational brain cancer imaging agent: The Company continues to progress its regulatory filing with the FDA for submission during 2023, in preparation for U.S. commercial launch in 2024, pending regulatory approval.

The Company continues to progress its regulatory filing with the FDA for submission during 2023, in preparation for U.S. commercial launch in 2024, pending regulatory approval. Progression of the prostate cancer therapy program (TLX591, 177Lu-DOTA-rosopatamab): Patient enrolment in the Phase I ProstACT SELECT study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04786847) is complete, with a total of 30 patients dosed. Telix expects trial results to be reported in H2 2023. Australian and other Asia Pacific region sites are being on-boarded for the Phase III ProstACT GLOBAL study of Telix's antibody-based PSMA-targeting therapy candidate (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04876651) with enrolment due to commence during Q3 2023.

New ZIRCON data presented at SNMMI: Supports potential for expanded clinical utility of TLX250-CDx in staging and monitoring ccRCC

Additional data from the completed pivotal Phase III ZIRCON trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03849118) was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2023 Annual Meeting in Chicago.[9] New data demonstrated the ability of TLX250-CDx to detect extrarenal clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), with more lesions detected in liver and bone than with diagnostic computed tomography (CT) imaging alone. These findings support the potential clinical utility of TLX250-CDx in the metastatic or recurrent setting, enabling the staging and monitoring of high-risk patients.

This data reinforces the performance of this investigational diagnostic imaging agent across all analyses, with previously presented data showing an excellent overall sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 87%, respectively, together with excellent intra-reader agreement.[10],[11]

CAIX program (TLX250-CDx / TLX250): Two additional studies underway support theranostic indication expansion

Telix has launched two additional clinical studies in its CAIX program, exploring the potential of this target across a broad range of cancer indications. CAIX is a protein overexpressed on the surface of ccRCC, the cancer target in Telix's successful Phase III ZIRCON study. It is also expressed to varying degrees in many other advanced-stage solid tumours with poor prognoses.

A first patient was dosed in the STARBURST study of TLX250-CDx during the quarter (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05563272).[12] This prospective, open label, Phase II "basket" trial is investigating CAIX expression in patients with a diverse range of solid tumours  including breast, cervix, colorectal, gastric, esophageal, head and neck, lung, ovarian, pancreatic and vulval cancers[13]  for potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

The imaging study builds on encouraging preliminary data from two investigator-initiated trials in triple-negative breast cancer and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer[14] with the purpose of theranostic "scouting" for future studies harnessing therapeutic radionuclides.

The Company has now commenced the STARSTRUCK therapeutic study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05868174) of TLX250 (177Lu-DOTA-girentuximab) in combination with a Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitor candidate, peposertib (M3814).[15] The Phase Ib, open label, single-arm, multicentre dose escalation and dose expansion study is evaluating safety profile, dosing and activity and will enrol up to 80 patients with CAIX- expressing solid tumours at Australian sites.

TLX101 brain cancer (glioblastoma) therapy program update

All Australian and New Zealand sites in the Phase I IPAX-2 study of TLX101 (4-L-[131I] iodo-phenylalanine, or 131I-IPA) have been activated and are screening patients. IPAX- 2 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05450744) seeks to confirm the safety profile of TLX101 as a front-line therapy in combination with standard of care treatment, ahead of progressing to a label-indicating Phase II/III study in a larger patient population, IPAX-3.

In parallel, building on the success of Telix's Phase I/II IPAX-1 study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03849105),[16] TLX101 is being further investigated in the recurrent setting in the investigator-initiated Phase II IPAX-Linz trial, which is progressing well and has now exceeded 50% of the patient enrolment target.

Grand Pharma partnership: First patients dosed in Chinese imaging studies

Sites are in the process of opening and patients are currently being screened for inclusion into the pivotal Phase III registration study of TLX591-CDx (Illuccix) (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05847348).

The first patient has been dosed in a Phase I study of TLX250-CDx PET imaging of ccRCC.[17] ZIRDOSE-CP (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05861778) precedes the multi-centre Phase III ZIRCON-CN registration study in China.

Both studies are being conducted in collaboration with the Company's strategic partner for the Greater China region, Grand Pharmaceutical Group Limited (Grand Pharma) to demonstrate that the diagnostic utility of TLX591-CDx and TLX250-CDx is equivalent in Chinese and Western populations. The data generated will support future marketing authorisation applications for the Company's prostate and renal cancer imaging agents, in China.

Pipeline Expansion and Advanced Manufacturing Highlights

Urologic product offering enhanced with two acquisitions

Telix is building on its differentiated offering for the field of urologic oncology with the announcement of two acquisitions during the quarter  Lightpoint Medical (Lightpoint) and Dedicaid GmbH (Dedicaid)  which accelerate the Company's late-stage development programs in surgical technology and AI, respectively. Both of these technologies are complementary to the Company's existing product and research pipeline, further enhancing Telix's innovation position and product depth for the urology customer and patient. The Lightpoint acquisition agreement is subject to completion of agreed closing conditions.

Lightpoint's SENSEI device is an ultra-miniature robotic gamma probe for intra-cavital use that is able to provide radiopharmaceutical-based surgical guidance (radio-guided surgery) by enabling the intra-operative detection of cancer in real-time. Telix's initial commercial objective is to align SENSEI with Telix's Illuccix and TLX599-CDx (99Tc-HYNIC- iPSMA) programs for prostate cancer. Additionally, there is considerable scope to expand into other urologic and non- urologic malignancies. Lightpoint also has innovative capabilities in AI for surgical guidance that will complement Telix's AI program. SENSEI has been approved by the FDA and has attained a Conformite Europeenne (CE) Mark in Europe for intra-operative detection of sentinel lymph nodes and cancer metastasis via the lymphatic system, and is currently the only gamma probe validated for use with the Intuitive Surgical DaVinci robotics system.[18]

The acquisition of Dedicaid expands Telix's AI offering, with the addition of a clinical decision support software platform designed to predict outcomes such as the severity of disease, risk to the patient and/or inform treatment decisions.

The Dedicaid AI platform is also favourably differentiated from commercially-available AI solutions currently used in PSMA-PET imaging, which are limited to supporting clinicians in the interpretation and reading of images  without a prediction capability.

Telix Manufacturing Solutions opens in Brussels South

Buildout of Stage 1 of Telix's European manufacturing site is now complete.[19] Located in the heart of Belgium's "Radiopharma Valley", the 2,800 square metre facility is one of Europe's largest radiopharmaceutical production facilities. It will serve as the Company's primary manufacturing site for radioisotopes and commercial and clinical products for patients in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and beyond.

The first stage of the buildout included installation of nine Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing lines,[20] two R&D laboratories (including one dedicated to alpha-therapy), quality control laboratories and warehousing space with capacity to support Telix's existing and planned future operations. The Company is also preparing to install the first of two planned cyclotrons for the site. The site is now operational for R&D activity and is undergoing final preparations to obtain GMP certification, anticipated in 2024.

Investor Call

An investor webcast will be held at 8.30am AEST on Thursday 20 July (6.30pm EDT, Wednesday 19 July).

Participants can register for the webcast and find audio call details at the following link: https://edge.media- server.com/mmc/p/9e2h6d8k

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in the United States, Europe (Belgium and Switzerland) and Japan. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical-stage products that aims to address significant unmet medical need in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX).

Visit www.telixpharma.com for further information about Telix, including details of the latest share price, announcements made to the ASX, investor and analyst presentations, news releases, event details and other publications that may be of interest. You can also follow Telix on Twitter (@TelixPharma) and LinkedIn.

Telix's lead product, Illuccix or kit for preparation of gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11) injection, has been approved by the FDA,[21] by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),[22] and by Health Canada.[23] Telix is also progressing a marketing authorisation application for this investigational candidate in the United Kingdom and the European Union.[24] With the exception of Illuccix as noted above, no Telix product has received a marketing authorisation in any jurisdiction.

Telix Investor Relations

Ms. Kyahn Williamson

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Email: [email protected]

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Disclosure Committee on behalf of the Board.

Legal Notices

This announcement is not intended as promotion or advertising directed to any healthcare professional or other audience in any country worldwide (including Australia, United States and the United Kingdom). This announcement may include forward-looking statements that relate to anticipated future events, financial performance, plans, strategies or business developments. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "outlook", "forecast" and "guidance", or other similar words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's good-faith assumptions as to the financial, market, regulatory and other risks and considerations that exist and affect the Company's business and operations in the future and there can be no assurance that any of the assumptions will prove to be correct. In the context of Telix's business, forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about: the initiation, timing, progress and results of Telix's preclinical and clinical studies, and Telix's research and development programs; Telix's ability to advance product candidates into, enrol and successfully complete, clinical studies, including multi-national clinical trials; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, manufacturing activities and product marketing activities; the commercialisation of Telix's product candidates, if or when they have been approved; estimates of Telix's expenses, future revenues and capital requirements; Telix's financial performance; developments relating to Telix's competitors and industry; and the pricing and reimbursement of Telix's product candidates, if and after they have been approved. Telix's actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those which may be expressed or implied by such statements, and the differences may be adverse. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Except as required by applicable laws or regulations, Telix does not undertake to publicly update or review any forward- looking statements. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. Readers should read this announcement together with our material risks, as disclosed in our most recently filed reports with the ASX and on our website.

2023 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. The Telix Pharmaceuticals and Illuccix name and logo are trademarks of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited and its affiliates (all rights reserved)

[1] Conversion to AUD$ is at the actual exchange rate on transaction date. The average exchange rate realised during the period of AUD$1 = US$0.67; AUD$1 = 0.61

[2] Imaging of prostate-specific membrane antigen with positron emission tomography.

[3] Telix media release 8 June 2023.

[4] Telix media release 21 June 2023.

[5] Telix ASX disclosure 27 April 2023.

[6] For regulatory reasons, Telix refers to its 68Ga-PSMA-11 kit as Illuccix in markets where it has received regulatory approval, and TLX591-CDx when referring to its use in both approved and unapproved markets. Registrations vary country-to-country. Always refer to local labelling.

[7] Includes pre-commercial sales from investigational, clinical trial, magisterial and compassionate use in accordance with local laws and regulations (not as a commercial diagnostic imaging product sold for routine clinical practice).

[8] Telix ASX disclosure 3 April 2023.

[9] Telix media release 27 June 2023.

[10] Top line data released to ASX on 7 November 2022.

[11] Telix media release 20 February 2023.

[12] Telix ASX disclosure 19 June 2023.

[13] Literature reports of CAIX expression (PubMed).

[14] Telix ASX disclosure 18 October 2022.

[15] Telix media release 19 July 2023.

[16] Telix ASX disclosure 21 September 2022.

[17] Grand Pharma market disclosure 27 June 2023.

[18] Registered trademark of Intuitive Surgical Inc.

[19] Telix media release 8 June 2023.

[20] Subject to certification.

[21] Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021.

[22] Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021.

[23] Telix ASX disclosure 14 October 2022.

[24] Telix ASX disclosure 3 April 2023.

SOURCE Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited
Paul Bennett joins Tequity with deep experience in Tech M&A Execution, Financing, and Business Strategy

TORONTO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tequity Advisors, a leading North American M&A Advisory firm specializing in global Enterprise B2B SaaS, Cloud, and IT company transactions, welcomes Paul Bennett as Vice President, Client Engagements.

Paul Bennett

Paul is a business professional with progressive experience in driving strategic M&A engagements in both buy and sell side capacities. In addition to his expertise in M&A, he brings Commercial Banking experience in Venture Financing. Paul's professional journey also encompasses senior operational roles within both Startup and large Corporate SaaS organizations. This hands-on experience in diverse environments has provided him with a holistic perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses at various stages of growth. Complimenting his practical experience, Paul holds an MBA from Queen's University and is a CPA CMA Charter holder. Paul combines his strategic mindset, financial acumen, and operational expertise to deliver exceptional value to organizations seeking growth, transformation, or strategic partnerships within the Technology Industry.

"I am truly excited to join Tequity Advisors and contribute to the firm's stellar reputation in the tech M&A advisory space. Tequity's dedication to excellence and focus on the technology sector align perfectly with my professional goals and passions. I look forward to working alongside the talented team at Tequity to drive success for our clients."

"Paul brings a great depth of Tech M&A and market knowledge to our organization and is a strong addition to Tequity's client engagement team," said Wilf Rapp and Anish Singla, Managing Partners and Co-Founders at Tequity.

About Tequity

Tequity assists Enterprise B2B SaaS, Cloud, and IT companies with business growth and exit strategies. Our mission is simple: achieve the best outcome for our clients. With decades of combined experience as executives, consultants, and owners of software and technology companies, we leverage our deep industry knowledge across tech ecosystems and our relationships with strategic, growth-focused buyers around the globe to drive successful M&A transactions. Learn more at www.tequityadvisors.com .

Contact

Diane Horton

Managing Partner & Co-Founder

Tequity Advisors

T: +1 416.993.1734 | [email protected].com

SOURCE Tequity Advisors
LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TerraPay, a leading global payments infrastructure company announced its partnership with Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecommunications, IT and financial services provider. Together, both companies will usher in the benefits of financial inclusion by facilitating instant borderless payments. The partnership, through TerraPay's group company Mobex (Kenya), a licensed Money Remittance Provider, will enable more than 30 million M-PESA mobile wallet-holders in Kenya to send real-time payments through TerraPay's interoperable network across all wallets in Bangladesh & Pakistan, with plans to roll out India & Nepal in a few months.

TerraPay (Mobex) partners with Safaricoms M-PESA to facilitate seamless outbound cross-border remittances

Given the rise of cross-border deals, in the six months to March 2023, M-PESA Global transactions grew YoY in volume & value by 2.2% & 5.6%, respectively.The adoption of mobile money payments in Kenya has been increasing following the Central Bank's push for the service, in recent times. Through this partnership, both companies aim to work towards creating a financially inclusive payments ecosystem while fostering financial empowerment & independence.

Speaking on this new partnership Ambar Sur, Founder & CEO, TerraPay said, "We believe this breakthrough collaboration with Safaricom will spur a world of new possibilities for mobile financial service operators to directly scale globally and provide customers with a choice to send payments in a secure, transparent and swift manner. Our partnership with Safaricom will further boost our capabilities in providing an inclusive global financial ecosystem powered by our agile payments infrastructure and empower Safaricom customers with fast & affordable borderless payment options and access to TerraPay's widespread partner network of 7.5Bn+ bank accounts and 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets."

Commenting on the launch of the partnership, Peter Ndegwa - CEO, Safaricom stated, "We are thrilled to partner with TerraPay as it comes at a time where a growing number of customers are embracing digital payments to send money to their loved ones. TerraPay's interoperable technology platform will enable our customers to execute secured & low-cost payments across key regions further encouraging the adoption of digital payments in the region. We look forward to a successful collaboration."

About TerraPay

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, TerraPay believes that the smallest payment deserves a borderless journey as safe as the largest. The group has been building an ever-expanding payments highway that empowers businesses to create transparent customer experiences with an uninterrupted, secure, and real-time global passage for every payment, however small or large. Registered and regulated across 27 global markets, TerraPay is one of the leading global partners to banks, mobile wallets, money transfer operators, merchants, and financial institutions, creating a more expansive and inclusive international financial ecosystem. With access to an extensive network of 7.5Bn+ bank accounts, 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets, across 112 receive countries and 208 send countries, TerraPay enables its partners to become beacons of the promise of global financial inclusion.

For more details, visit terrapay.com

Press Contact:

Sneha Dwivedi

[email protected]

About Safaricom

Safaricom is the leading telecommunication company in East Africa. Our purpose is to transform lives by connecting people to people, people to opportunities and people to information. We keep over 42 million customers connected and play a critical role in the society, supporting over one million jobs both directly and indirectly while our total economic value was estimated at KES 393 Billion ($ 3.1 billion) for the 12 months through March 2022.

Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and with annual revenues of close to KES 298 billion ($2.5 billion) as at March 2022. Safaricom provides connectivity through wide range of technology, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G in aggregate covering over 99% of Kenya's population.

We run the world's largest mobile payment system and Africa's largest Fintech, M-PESA, the world's first mobile money transfer system. By empowering over 30 million customers to transact, save or borrow money through their mobile phone, M-PESA has driven financial inclusion in Kenya to more than 84% of the adult population from a low of 25% and generated over KES 107.6 Billion ($920 million) in revenue as at FY22.

Our subsidiary, Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, plans to deploy world class network and services in 2022, to contribute to Ethiopia's digital transformation. Safaricom is an equal opportunity employer, actively recruiting staff from different backgrounds reflecting the communities that we serve. We are committed to equal gender representation at all levels. Our target is to achieve 50:50 senior management gender parity by 2025.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we continue to work towards improving energy and resource efficiency in our network and facilities to reduce carbon emissions and our fuel consumption. We remain committed to becoming a Net Zero carbon-emitting company by 2050.

For more details please visit www.safaricom.co.ke

For news, please visit: https://www.safaricom.co.ke/media-center-landing/press-releases

For media-ready photos, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/safaricom_pr

For further information, please contact Safaricom PR & Corporate Communications [email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2157239/TerraPay_M_PESA.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1222771/TerraPay_Logo.jpg

SOURCE TerraPay
BOSTON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group has welcomed Rafael Klotz to its Boston office as a Principal in the firm's Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice. Mr. Klotz brings nearly three decades of experience orchestrating major transactions around the globe. To learn more about Mr. Klotz, see his full bio at brattle.com/experts/rafael-klotz/.

Mr. Klotz has executed transactions in more than 40 countries worldwide. Tweet this Rafa Klotz | Principal | The Brattle Group

Specializing in structuring and leading principal investments, divestments, financings, and restructurings, Mr. Klotz has executed transactions in more than 40 countries worldwide. He has worked with a wide range of industries, spanning the retail, commercial, and industrial sectors.

"Brattle is thrilled to welcome Rafa, a superlative team leader and dealmaker," Brattle Interim President & Principal David J. Hutchings. "His impressive global experience and wide-ranging commercial and insolvency knowledge will augment our capabilities across a number of practices."

A former practicing attorney and expert in cross-border insolvency, Mr. Klotz has led numerous acquisitions in US Chapter 11 proceedings and in insolvency administrations outside of the US, secured debt financings, debtor-in-possession (DIP) financings, sale-leasebacks of plants and machinery, raw material and supply chain financing, and inventory supply financings. In intellectual property (IP) related transactions, Mr. Klotz is a recognized global expert in converting consumer brands into asset-light licensing vehicles, and in the valuation of consumer brands, particularly in the context of asset-based lending and distress M&A.

"I look forward to transitioning into consulting alongside the esteemed experts at The Brattle Group," said Mr. Klotz. "I'm excited to leverage my experience working in multiple business lines and geographies to assist clients and expand Brattle's global presence as a market leader in insolvency and IP matters."

Prior to joining Brattle, Mr. Klotz was a Senior Managing Director in the International Division of Gordon Brothers Group. He previously practiced law at leading corporate law firms, specializing in bankruptcy, cross-border insolvency, and distressed M&A transactions.

ABOUT BRATTLE

The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit brattle.com.

SOURCE The Brattle Group
Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference "Presentation of the study "Assessment of working conditions of medical workers and reforming the field of medicine"

On Friday, July 21, at 12.30 a.m. in the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency a press conference on "Presentation of the study "Assessment of working conditions of medical workers and reforming the field of medicine" will begin. The third annual study of medical workers' opinion on working conditions and reforming the medical sphere in war conditions will be presented.

Participants:

executive director of the Association of Ukrainian Cities Alexander Slobozhan;

founder of the company "Active Group" Andriy Eremenko;

chairman of the Board of the All-Ukrainian Medical Society (UMLS) Daniel Karabayev;

president of the public organization "Ukrainian Medical Club" Ivan Soroka (8/5a Reytarska Street).

The broadcast of the press conference will be available on the Youtube channel of Interfax-Ukraine agency. Registration of journalists on the spot by editorial certificates.
University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center joins Caris' extensive network of leading cancer institutions and research consortia committed to improving patient outcomes through innovations in precision medicine

IRVING, Texas, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caris Life Sciences(Caris), the leading molecular science and technology company actively developing and delivering innovative solutions to revolutionize healthcare, announced today that University Hospitals (UH) Seidman Cancer Center has joined the Caris Precision Oncology Alliance (POA). The POA is a growing network of leading cancer centers and research consortia across the globe that collaborate to advance precision oncology and biomarker-driven research, with its members working together to establish and optimize standards of care for molecular testing through innovative research to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients. POA members are uniquely positioned to leverage Caris' highly sophisticated AI bioinformatics and machine learning capabilities across the company's massive clinico-genomic database to enable innovative research to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.

UH Seidman Cancer Center is the only freestanding cancer hospital in Northeast Ohio, with clinicians and staff dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer while researching new and innovative treatment options through clinical trials. UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University, one of 53 comprehensive cancer centers in the country. UH Seidman specialists make up 14 cancer-specific teams focused on determining integrated care plans tailored to patient's needs.

The academic faculty at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center are thrilled to join forces with the Caris POA Tweet this

"The collective power wrought by combining artificial intelligence (AI) with the brightest oncologic minds and the most extensive cancer profiling database is sure to lead to breakthroughs in cancer care. The academic faculty at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center are thrilled to join forces with the Caris Precision Oncology Alliance. This collaborative effort solidifies our reputation as one of the leading cancer research institutions in the world," said Theodoros Teknos, M.D., President and Scientific Director, UH Seidman Cancer Center and the Jane and Lee Seidman Chair in Cancer Innovation.

"It is a pleasure to welcome University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center to the growing Caris Precision Oncology Alliance network," said Chadi Nabhan, M.D., MBA, FACP, Chairman of the POA. "The researchers, clinicians, and leaders of Seidman Cancer Center share the same vision of the Caris Precision Oncology Alliance, to improve the outcomes of all patients diagnosed with cancer through cutting-edge precision oncology research."

The Caris Precision Oncology Alliance includes 87 cancer centers, academic institutions, research consortia and healthcare systems. These institutions have early access to the extensive database and artificial intelligence platform within Caris to establish evidence-based standards for cancer profiling and molecular testing in oncology. By leveraging the comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiling available through Caris molecular profiling, Caris seeks to provide this network with the ability to prioritize therapeutic options and determine which clinical trial opportunities may benefit their patients. POA members are also able to integrate with a growing portfolio of biomarker-directed trials sponsored by biopharma. Additionally, POA member institutions have access to the most comprehensive clinico-genomic database in the industry, which includes matched molecular and clinical outcomes data from hundreds of thousands of cancer patients, covering over 1 million data points per patient.

About Caris Life Sciences

Caris Life Sciences (Caris) is the pioneer in precision medicine and leading molecular science and technology company actively developing and delivering innovative solutions to revolutionize healthcare and improve patient outcomes. Through comprehensive molecular profiling (Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing) and the application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms, Caris has created the large-scale clinico-genomic database and cognitive computing needed to analyze and unravel the molecular complexity of disease. This convergence of data and machine learning provides an unmatched resource and the ideal path forward to conduct the basic, fundamental research to accelerate discovery for detection, diagnosis, monitoring, therapy selection and drug development to improve the human condition.

With a primary focus on cancer, Caris' suite of market-leading molecular profiling offerings assesses DNA, RNA and proteins to reveal a molecular blueprint that helps patients, physicians and researchers better detect, diagnose and treat patients. The company's latest advancement, Caris Assure, is a blood-based, circulating nucleic acids sequencing (cNAS) assay that combines comprehensive molecular analysis (Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing from blood) and serial monitoring  making it the most powerful liquid biopsy assay ever developed.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris has offices in Phoenix, New York, Tokyo, Japan and Basel, Switzerland. Caris or its distributors provide services in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other international markets. To learn more, please visit CarisLifeSciences.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center/Cleveland, Ohio

UH Seidman Cancer Center is the only freestanding cancer hospital in Northeast Ohio, where all clinicians and staff are dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer while researching new and innovative treatment options through clinical trials. Nationally ranked cancer care is also available to patients through the 11-county region at 16 community-based locations. Our UH Seidman specialists make up 14 cancer-specific teams focused on determining integrated care plans tailored to patient's needs. UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University, one of 53 comprehensive cancer centers in the country. Patients have access to advanced treatment options, ranging from a pioneering stem cell transplant program founded more than 40 years ago and a wide range of immunotherapy to the first and only proton therapy center in northern Ohio for adults and children. Go to UHhospitals.org/Seidman for more information.

About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio

Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 21 hospitals (including five joint ventures), more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and over 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system's flagship quaternary care, academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Oxford University and the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. The main campus also includes the UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, with more than 3,000 active clinical trials and research studies underway. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including "America's Best Hospitals" from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to 19 Clinical Care Delivery and Research Institutes. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with more than 30,000 employees. Follow UH on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org.

Caris Life Sciences Media Contact:

Lisa Burgner

[email protected]

214.294.5606

University Hospitals Media Contact:

Jeannine A. Denholm

[email protected]

323.633.3528

SOURCE Caris Life Sciences
CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Arizton's latest research report, the Oman construction equipment market will grow at A CAGR of 4.68% from 2022-2029.

To Know More, Download the Free Sample Report: https://www.arizton.com/request-sample/3871

Oman Construction Equipment Market Report by Arizton

Under the "Oman's Vision 2040" program, the government focuses on diversifying the economy, which depends on the oil & gas sector. In 2021, the government announced 130 projects mainly enabling manufacturing, tourism, logistics, labor market, business environment, fisheries, energy, and mining sectors. Oman's government is investing in infrastructure development projects, including expanding airports, railway lines, roadways, and highways across the country. The surge in infrastructure development projects is expected to drive the growth of the Oman construction equipment market during the forecast period.

Oman Construction Equipment Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size (2029) 2,775 Units Market Size (2022) 2,015 Units CAGR (2022-2029) 4.68 % Historic Year 2020-2021 Base Year 2022 Forecast Year 2023-2029 Market Dynamics  Oman's Vision 2040 To Boost The Demand For Construction Equipment  Increased Water Infrastructure Projects  The Robust Growth in the Real Estate Sector

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Market Drivers

Oman's Vision 2040 to Boost the Oman Construction Equipment Market Growth

Oman's Investment Authority (OIA), in Dec 2022 , announced to spend USD 4.95 billion on investment projects in 2023. Therefore, the investments will include about 65 new and existing projects in logistics, food and fisheries, energy, mining, services, communications, and IT.

Investment Authority (OIA), in , announced to spend on investment projects in 2023. Therefore, the investments will include about 65 new and existing projects in logistics, food and fisheries, energy, mining, services, communications, and IT. Rakiza ( Muscat -based infrastructure fund) granted over USD 1 billion , with 25% of the fund deployed in three Omani projects. Further, in Feb 2023 , Saudi Fund for Development signed an agreement to invest in infrastructure development worth USD 320 million in Oman . The project includes the construction of infrastructure, roads, electrical installations, water and sewage networks, treatment of industrial waste, and the setting up of basic facilities in the region.

Increased Water Infrastructure Projects in the Country Will Propel the Demand for Crawler Excavators

In 2021, the Ministry established 12 artificial rain stations to enhance the rainfall, increasing groundwater levels. The government implemented dam projects, due to which the number of dams in Oman reached 174 by the end of 2021. The number of new permits issued in 2021 reached 1,274, including 876 for digging new water wells.

reached 174 by the end of 2021. The number of new permits issued in 2021 reached 1,274, including 876 for digging new water wells. Oman Water and Wastewater Services Co (OWWSC) is focused on completing three key notable water transmission schemes. Moreover, the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning launched Jabal Akhdhar Water Project worth USD 107 million in Feb 2023 .

Robust Growth in the Real Estate Sector to Boost the Sales of Construction Equipment

In 2022, the government opened five of Oman's new sites for real estate developers in Musandam, Dhofar, South Al Sharqiyah, North Al Batinah, and South Al Batinah. The Al Naseem neighborhood project in Sorouh is among the first projects to be initiated, including 1,000 housing units with 320 apartments, 120 villas, and 475 twin villas on an area of 350,000 sq. meters.

new sites for real estate developers in Musandam, Dhofar, South Al Sharqiyah, North Al Batinah, and South Al Batinah. The Al Naseem neighborhood project in Sorouh is among the first projects to be initiated, including 1,000 housing units with 320 apartments, 120 villas, and 475 twin villas on an area of 350,000 sq. meters. In Jan 2023 , the Housing Ministry & Urban Planning signed eight agreements worth USD 390 million in real estate development and integrated service stations covering the Governorates of Muscat , North Al Batinah, and South Al Batinah.

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Prominent Vendors

Caterpillar

Hitachi Construction Machinery

Komatsu

Liebherr

Volvo Construction Equipment

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG)

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. Ltd

JCB

SANY

Other Prominent Vendors

Hyundai Construction Equipment

Kobelco

Liu Gong

Tadano

CNH Industrial

Terex Corporation

Manitou

SDLG

Fushun Yongmao Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

Distributor Profiles

International Heavy Equipment (IHE)

HOE For Construction Equipment & Machinery Trading Co. LLC

Teejan Equipment LLC

Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar

International Integrated Equipment LLC

General Engineering Services LLC

Nordic Machinery

Market Segmentation

Type

Earthmoving Equipment

Excavator



Backhoe Loaders



Wheeled Loaders



Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers)

Road Construction Equipment

Road Rollers



Asphalt Pavers

Material Handling Equipment

Crane



Forklift & Telescopic Handlers



Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts)

Other Construction Equipment

Dumper



Tipper



Concrete Mixer



Concrete Pump Truck

End Users

Construction



Mining



Manufacturing



Others (Power Generation, Utilities Municipal Corporations, Oil & Gas, Cargo Handling, Power Generation Plants, Waste Management)

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How big is the Oman construction equipment market?

construction equipment market? What is the growth rate of the Oman construction equipment market?

construction equipment market? Who are the key players in the Oman construction equipment market?

construction equipment market? What are the trends in the Oman construction equipment market?

construction equipment market? Which are the major distributor companies in the Oman construction equipment market?

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SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
Thomas L. Williams, Executive Chairman of Parker-Hannifin Corporation,

joins the Board

CLEVELAND, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) announced that its Board of Directors elected Thomas L. Williams to the Board, effective yesterday. Mr. Williams also was appointed to the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board. Sherwin-Williams' Board now consists of ten members, including nine independent directors.

Thomas L. Williams, Executive Chairman of Parker-Hannifin Corporation, joins the Board

Mr. Williams, 64, currently serves as Executive Chairman of Parker-Hannifin Corporation. Parker-Hannifin is a leading worldwide diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets.

"We are pleased to have Tom join our Board of Directors," said John G. Morikis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sherwin-Williams. "Tom has long been an established leader with more than 30 years of global experience in the industrial sector. In particular, his extensive and diverse operations expertise gained over the course of his career will provide invaluable perspective to the Board. We look forward to his contributions to the Board, our Company and our employees, customers, shareholders and other stakeholders in the years to come."

Mr. Williams has served as Chairman of the Board of Parker-Hannifin since January 2016. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Parker-Hannifin from February 2015 until his recent retirement from the position on January 1, 2023. He will retire as Executive Chairman on December 31, 2023. Mr. Williams previously served as Executive Vice President of Parker-Hannifin from August 2008 to February 2015 and Operating Officer from November 2006 to February 2015. Prior to joining Parker-Hannifin in 2003, Mr. Williams spent 22 years at General Electric, where he held key management positions in several business groups.

Mr. Williams received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Bucknell University, and an MBA from Xavier University. Mr. Williams is also a director of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.

About The Sherwin-Williams Company

Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy, Krylon, Minwax, Thompson's WaterSeal, Cabot and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 Company-operated stores and branches, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit www.sherwin.com.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Jim Jaye

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

Sherwin-Williams

Direct: 216.515.8682

[email protected]

Eric Swanson

Vice President, Investor Relations

Sherwin-Williams

Direct: 216.566.2766

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Julie Young

Vice President, Global Corporate Communications

Sherwin-Williams

Direct: 216.515.8849

[email protected]

SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company
Info-Tech's latest research highlights how technology leaders in the healthcare industry can strategically and responsibly implement artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes in the digital age.

TORONTO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more mainstream and pervasive in an increasing number of industries, Info-Tech Research Group is advising that IT teams within healthcare organizations approach AI adoption strategically and responsibly. The firm's recommendations, outlined in a new research blueprint, Discover AI Use Cases in Healthcare, include clearly understanding the specific use cases and benefits of AI and creating a plan to address the challenges associated with implementation and ongoing use.

Info-Tech Research Groups Discover AI Use Cases in Healthcare blueprint outlines a four-step benefits realization model for healthcare organizations to drive operational efficiencies and improve the quality of patient care. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group)

Adopting any new technology requires a strategic approach and alignment between IT and healthcare leaders, but many healthcare leaders have a limited understanding of the benefits of AI or its organizational impacts. The latest resource from the IT research and advisory firm addresses these issues to help healthcare organizations effectively invest in AI technology in a way that will foster innovation and improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes.

"The potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare is significant, and health organizations should consider leveraging AI to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs," says Sharon Auma-Ebanyat, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "AI can be used for various purposes, including diagnosis and treatment, drug development, remote patient monitoring, and predictive analytics. By analyzing medical data, AI can help healthcare providers make more accurate diagnoses, develop more effective treatment plans, and monitor patients more effectively."

AI and automation are related concepts that are often used interchangeably, but the firm cautions that the terms are distinct from each other. Automation refers to the use of technology to perform routine, repetitive tasks without human intervention, such as data entry, data processing, and other rule-based tasks. Robotic process automation (RPA) is a type of automation that uses software robots to automate these tasks.

AI involves the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, perception, and problem-solving. While automation and AI are distinct concepts, they can be used together to create more efficient and effective systems. For example, RPA can be used to automate routine tasks, while AI can be used to analyze data and make predictions or decisions based on that data.

This combination of automation and AI can lead to significant productivity gains, cost savings, and improved outcomes in many industries, including healthcare.

"RPA is typically the most feared application of automation in healthcare due to the assumption that by automating tasks, computers will replace humans in their jobs," explains Auma-Ebanyat. "However, it must be stressed that implementing RPA technologies can lead to enhanced job creation, as seen with all disruptive technologies. It can also provide more value to existing jobs. Given the current healthcare staffing shortages and burnout, automation can reduce the administrative burden, and staff can be repurposed to focus on complex aspects of their work."

Info-Tech's blueprint advises that healthcare organizations use a benefits realization model for AI use case analysis. This type of approach emphasizes the importance of identifying, quantifying, and developing a framework to prioritize potential use case initiatives across the business capability map.

The blueprint outlines a four-step approach to building a benefits realization model for AI use in the healthcare industry. A high-level breakdown can be found below:

Review  Review the full business capability map for healthcare. In business architecture, the primary view of an organization is known as a business capability map. A business capability map provides details that help the business architecture practitioner direct attention to a specific area of the business for further assessment.



Define  Define business goals, initiatives, and capabilities to select the appropriate AI use cases to improve and support business operations.



Identify  Identify any potential AI challenges, including data readiness, budget constraints, AI governance, privacy, and bias. Healthcare organizations are highly targeted and can experience significant and costly data breaches. Therefore, assessing all potential AI use cases against business criteria is crucial to mitigate risk during the implementation process.



Develop  Develop a use case priority matrix. To effectively gain executive buy-in, it is essential to strategically prioritize AI use cases based on their business value and implementation complexity. While an organization may have many initiatives that can be supported by AI use cases, a prioritization exercise can help decision-makers engage with their teams and business areas to ensure that no contextual information is missed that could impact the selection outcome.

"Health organizations should approach AI adoption strategically, with a clear understanding of the specific use cases and benefits, and a plan for addressing the challenges associated with implementation and ongoing use," adds Auma-Ebanyat. "Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of AI in healthcare are significant, and healthcare organizations that invest in AI technology and expertise will foster innovation to improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes."

Info-Tech's research explains that AI has transformative potential for organizations, but it also has risks and limitations that must be considered. Before implementing AI solutions, healthcare organizations must assess their readiness maturity level. The firm cautions that without adequate maturity, new technologies will not improve operations.

To learn more about how healthcare organizations can fast-track the process of identifying use cases, download the complete Discover AI Use Cases in Healthcare blueprint.

For media inquiries on the topic or to get exclusive, timely commentary from Sharon Auma-Ebanyat, a healthcare subject matter expert, please contact [email protected].

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
Dortch Lindstrom Livingston leverages more than 60 combined years of practice

DALLAS, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran litigators Micah Dortch, Christopher Lindstrom and Lance Livingston have opened a new firm with offices in Dallas and Houston. Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group focuses on a range of commercial litigation and personal injury matters.

"We are very excited for this next chapter and the work to be done for our clients," says Micah Dortch. "Launching this new firm with two good friends who are also talented and experienced litigators is an incredible opportunity. Because of our respective backgrounds we're positioned to efficiently and aggressively handle a wide range of matters and are beginning with an impressive roster of cases."

During the past two decades, Mr. Dortch has served as lead counsel in more than 1,000 federal and state court matters, securing numerous favorable verdicts and settlements on his clients' behalf. This litigation has involved breach of contract, business torts, fraudulent transfer, copyright infringement, financial fraud, insurance policy interpretation, personal injury, product liability, and securities class actions. Mr. Dortch is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has been featured in several prestigious lists including The Best Lawyers in America, the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers, and National Trial Lawyers' Top 100.

For more than 20 years, Mr. Lindstrom has handled complex litigation for corporate entities and professional individuals in a wide array of cases, including business disputes, catastrophic personal injury, labor and employment, product liability, and insurance-related litigation. He also has extensive experience in litigation on behalf of bankruptcy trustees to recoup money for creditors and has prosecuted and defended claims related to intellectual property infringement, oil & gas related contracts, covenants not to compete, breach of contract, trade secrets and director/officer fiduciary duty claims.

Mr. Livingston has previously practiced with several well-known Texas law firms, successfully representing individual clients and companies in all aspects of litigation in both state and federal courts across the nation. Mr. Livingston's practice primarily focuses on catastrophic personal injury, breach of contract, business torts, financial fraud, and product liability.

Each attorney previously practiced with the Houston-based Potts Law Firm.

Dortch Lindstrom Livingston represents a wide range of corporate and professional entities in complex commercial litigation and personal injury cases. Based in Texas, the firm handles nationwide cases with a commitment to providing skillful representation, zealous advocacy, and comprehensive solutions tailored to each client's needs. For more information, visit https://dll-law.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Barry Pound

[email protected]

1-800-559-4534

SOURCE Dortch Lindstrom Livingston
FidoCure's proprietary canine cancer dataset has the potential to advance not only canine oncology research but also research for human cancer treatment

AUSTIN, Texas, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It has been an extraordinary year since Thrive Pet Healthcare and FidoCure joined forces to revolutionize veterinary cancer care for dogs across the nation.

Since the collaboration began in 2022, more than 40 veterinarians from Thrive Pet Healthcare have used FidoCure's precision medicine platform in over 200 canine cancer cases. Approximately 63% of the dogs in these cases are in the process of healing, demonstrating the continuing impact of the Thrive-FidoCure partnership.

FidoCure's proprietary canine cancer dataset has the potential to advance research for dog and human cancer treatment Tweet this FidoCure by the One Health Company

"FidoCure's precision cancer treatment has been a game-changer for dog patients within our network," said Dr. Scott Schatzberg, Chief Medical Officer at Thrive Pet Healthcare. "Through our partnership, we've opened doors to advanced and personalized cancer care, giving pets a better and longer quality of life to cherish with their families."

As one in three dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime, the need for better canine cancer care is urgent. FidoCure's platform employs genomic-guided DNA testing to identify genetic mutations that can cause cancer in dogs. It then matches these mutations to individualized treatment plans using targeted therapies, ensuring tailored care for every patient.

The collaboration between Thrive Pet Healthcare and FidoCure has resulted in the expansion of the world's largest proprietary canine cancer dataset. With over 4,000 dogs diagnosed using FidoCure's Next Generation DNA Sequencing Test, the dataset has the potential to advance not only canine oncology research but also research for human cancer treatment.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the one-year anniversary of our partnership with Thrive Pet Healthcare through which we've treated hundreds of dogs with our innovative cancer care platform," said Christina Lopes, co-founder and CEO of FidoCure. "Partnering with Thrive has let us streamline access to our cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments for more pet parents than ever before. We truly thrive together, one dog at a time, as every dog's unique DNA contributes to the largest clinico-genomics canine cancer dataset in the world, helping advance our fight against cancer at both ends of the leash."

Access to specialty care is an ongoing issue in veterinary medicine, especially in canine oncology. Across the country, canine oncology appointment wait times can take several weeks. By establishing access to FidoCure within its nationwide network, Thrive Pet Healthcare can provide cutting-edge cancer care to more dogs than any other veterinary care provider.

"As a veterinarian specializing in oncology, I have seen firsthand the impact of FidoCure's precision medicine platform on my patients," said Dr. Sabina Sheppard-Olivares at Thrive Pet Healthcare partner Pet Specialists of Austin. "The ability to offer tailored treatment options based on genetic mutations has transformed the way we approach cancer care. The partnership between Thrive Pet Healthcare and FidoCure has been invaluable in providing the best possible care for our canine patients."

As Thrive Pet Healthcare and FidoCure commemorate this significant milestone, they eagerly anticipate further advancements in cancer care for pets and humans alike.

About Thrive Pet Healthcare:

Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service network that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-first membership program and 400 acute, primary, and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet's life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefits for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit www.thrivepetcare.com.

About FidoCure by the One Health Company

The One Health Company is the first to bring the latest advances in individualized precision medicine to canine cancer patients with its FidoCure Next Generation DNA Sequencing Test. The FidoCure platform creates tailored treatment plans for canine cancer patients by applying sophisticated diagnostics and treatments approved for human use. FidoCure has ushered in the era of precision veterinary oncology by assembling the world's largest canine cancer genomics database, which is used to ensure that pet dogs have access to the latest advances in cancer care. The One Health Company is backed by premier biotech investors including Polaris Ventures, A16Z, and YCombinator. Learn more at www.fidocure.com.

SOURCE Thrive Pet Healthcare
Iconic Island Lifestyle Brand Ranked as #2 in Apparel Category

SEATTLE, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tommy Bahama has been named to Newsweek's list of "America's Best Retailers 2023," ranking #2 in the apparel category. Celebrating their 30th anniversary, Tommy Bahama continues to communicate the importance of quality, craftsmanship and exceptional customer service through a distinctive brand experience and a 'Live the Island Life' message. Tommy Bahama has been recognized by Newsweek in the best customer service category for the last two years.

Tommy Bahama Spring Summer 2023

The "America's Best Retailers 2023" list is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The honorees of this prestigious award were identified based on the results of an independent survey of more than 9,000 U.S. customers who have shopped at the retail stores in-person in the past three years. In total, over 140,000 evaluations were collected.

The final assessment and rankings were based on the likelihood of recommendation and five evaluation criteria that included: quality and variety of product; friendliness and efficiency of customer service; and overall design of the stores including layout, accessibility, and atmosphere.

"We're very honored to be named to the list of America's Best Retailers," said Mike Barrow, Senior Vice President of Retail & Guest Services for Tommy Bahama. "The artistry and craftsmanship of our product, as well as the incredible hospitality provided by our people, uniquely positions us to delight our guests with the best the island life has to offer.

We'd like to thank our teams and our guests for their continued passion for Tommy Bahama for over 30 yearswe couldn't have achieved this without them."

The Newsweek list of "America's Best Retailers 2023" was announced on July 19, 2023, and can currently be viewed at newsweek.com.

ABOUT TOMMY BAHAMA

Based in Seattle, WA, Tommy Bahama is part of the Tommy Bahama Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Industries, Inc. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2023, Tommy Bahama is known as the iconic island lifestyle brand that defines relaxed, sophisticated style in men's and women's sportswear, swimwear, accessories, and a complete home furnishings collection. Today, the company owns and operates over 160 Tommy Bahama retail locations worldwide, 22 of which offer a Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar or a Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar with more to open in 2023. The Tommy Bahama collection is available on tommybahama.com and at the finest U.S. retailers. For more information, please visit www.tommybahama.com.

Media Contact:

Dyann Hawkins

3237196474

[email protected]

SOURCE Tommy Bahama
CHICAGO, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ubiety Technologies Inc., the creator of HomeAware, the first digital presence monitoring solution, is excited to announce the public launch of our Artificial Intelligence engine codenamed: Eckleburg. Eckleburg serves as the backend intelligence engine behind all Ubiety product and service offerings across the residential, commercial and community security and safety industries.

Ubiety's groundbreaking AI, Eckleburg, translates radio frequency signals from wireless devices all around us into data and insights. Image made with Midjourney.

The result of several years' investment of R&D, Eckleburg is Ubiety's custom developed AI platform that is purpose built to consume high velocity radio frequency data streaming from the RF signals emitted by digital devices in an area. Eckleburg combines a state of the art data streaming capability built on the latest cutting edge technology with advanced Machine Learning algorithms trained on Ubiety's internal and proprietary data sets to produce a set of 'presence detection' capabilities that no one else in the world can offer today. Eckleburg's first assignment was to distill an overwhelming 'wall of noise' of RF data down into a set of meaningful and actionable insights in near real time. Since its inception, we've also grown and modularized Eckleburg so that it can add different types of data to expand its insights in new areas.

Eckleburg is ingesting high velocity data in real-time from several different wireless protocols (e.g. cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth) emitted by a wide range of devices including mobile phones, laptops & tablets, smart devices, wearables, and many other IoT devices. In each unique deployment, Eckleburg is able to learn and establish known devices and what represents 'normal' activity patterns in order to identify anomalies and generate alerts based on the traffic it observes. The custom graph structure for data processing in Eckleburg allows us to make multiple predictions and inferences about each unique packet of data that flows through the network. Combining the insights from each node of the network and all individual predictions allows us to critically score the value for every potential alert and only relay the most important information to the end user.

In residential security and awareness, Eckleburg can detect anomalous devices entering a home that don't belong. For example, if all members of a family use Apple iPhones and a Samsung phone enters the home, Eckleburg alerts the homeowner to an unknown device without requiring that device to connect to their WiFi. Similarly, if parents are out for the evening and expect their two children to remain home, but Eckleburg recognizes there are 6 additional phones present, Eckleburg alerts the homeowner. And critically - all of this is possible without installing cameras or microphones in the home.

"I am extremely proud to release the next generation of Ubiety's Artificial Intelligence engine into the residential and commercial security markets. Existing AI products in security are not capturing the vast dataset available from Radio Frequency emitting devices and Eckleburg is the first solution to bridge that gap" said Joe Loftus, Director of Data Science at Ubiety. "We have internally trained a set of Machine Learning models to accomplish a wide range of tasks such as device categorization and classification, device counting, and anomaly detection. Our Artificial Intelligence capabilities allow us to build a complete profile of device presence and human activity purely by analyzing passive RF signals. This produces a unique and valuable set of insights that would otherwise be invisible and be ignored by any other offering in the market today. We believe that these insights will augment traditional security and smart home systems and will greatly enhance both the customer experience and the efficacy of conventional physical security offerings."

Mik Cox, Ubiety's Chief Technology Officer, added "Eckleburg is built on some of the world's most advanced ML and streaming tools, including cutting-edge open source platforms that are used by over 80% of the Fortune 100 and are developed rapidly and collaboratively by dozens of the world's most innovative tech companies. The Ubiety team purposefully built Eckleburg to be a high throughput, high availability, and highly scalable platform for real-time stream processing, and watching its evolution over the past couple years has been staggering. I believe that Eckleburg's capabilities will act as a catalyst to the security industry, expanding the boundaries of what is possible. Combining existing industry data with Ubiety's novel RF detection and AI insights will unlock a host of new features never before seen in the security and IoT industries."

Keith Puckett, Ubiety's CEO said: "The security ecosystem has historically only had access to binary, blind alerts - things like motion sensors, door/window contact sensors, glass break detection, or video camera technology. All of these input methods can be extremely valuable, but often lack crucial context about what is actually happening, and do not generate situational awareness in an automated, scalable manner. For example, video cameras are terrific tools, but still often require a human in the loop or heavy video processing algorithms for interpretation - both of which are subject to error and bias. Additionally, OEMs, security dealers, and monitoring centers are aiming to adhere to updated industry standards such as TMA AVS-01 ."

Nacho Andrade, Ubiety's Chief Product Officer shared his perspective: "Innovation in the security industry has been very video-centric in recent years, and while these solutions have unlocked a ton of value, they have left other areas unexplored. While we see Eckleburg making a transformative impact on residential security today, it's really only the tip of the iceberg for what is possible. Eckleburg was designed to work with many types of data, this means we can plug in information available from security solutions today to do even more amazing things. Eckleburg could 'see' that the residents left the house, but the smart door locks aren't engaged. In that situation we could automatically lock the doors and arm the security system. The products we are building at Ubiety are the types of innovations that product people dream about, where instead of trying to carefully craft a use case to fit the technology, one of the biggest challenges we face is deciding which use case to tackle first"

Eckleburg is the backbone that powers Ubiety's product offerings, HomeAware and SignalWise. From the moment a customer enables their Ubiety solution, Eckleburg will begin to learn from the local signaling environment, and after an initial "learning and settling" period, begins to generate meaningful insights and security alerts based on observed behavior. As we continue to build and develop new features on top of Eckleburg we look forward to expanding the capabilities to ingest new sources of data and create an even more holistic picture of presence and context. In the future we are building there will be far fewer unknowns to the anxious homeowner when they receive an urgent call from their security provider. To learn more about Eckleburg and what we are building at Ubiety Technologies please visit www.ubiety.io .

To learn more about Ubiety's home security product, please visit www.homeaware.com .

SOURCE Ubiety Technologies Inc.
The increase in demand for food vending machines in offices/institutions, the rise in consumption of convenience food items, and the adoption of smart customer service technologies in several food categories drive the growth of the global vending machine market

PORTLAND, Ore., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Vending Machine Market By Type (Food Vending Machine, Beverages Vending Machine, Tobacco Vending Machine, Others Vending Machine), By Application (Hotels And Restaurants, Corporate Offices, Public Places, Others), By Technology (Automatic Machine, Semi-Automatic Machine, Smart Machine), By Sales Channel (Online, Offline): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global Vending Machine Market generated $18.3 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to generate $37.2 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 7.5% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Sample Copy of Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/9851

Prime determinants of growth

The global vending machine market is driven by the surge in demand for food vending machines in offices/institutions, the increase in consumption of convenience food items, and the rising adoption of smart customer solutions in several food categories. On the other hand, the high initial installation cost of vending machines restrains the market growth to some extent. However, the increasing need to expand virtual space in a retail outlet is expected to create lucrative opportunities in the industry.

Covid-19 Scenario

PPE through vending machines was helping employees to provide a safe and clean environment to mitigate safety risks.

Vending machines were making these PPEs easily available for employees at the workplace. These factors had a positive impact on the market.

The beverages vending machine segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

Based on type, the beverages vending machine segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global vending machine market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The acceptance and prevalence of these machines have given rise to innovation in the industry, thus driving the segment growth. However, the food vending machine segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.4% from 2023 to 2032. This is because the demand for food vending machines is rising, owing to increasing consumer preference for ready-to-eat food products.

Procure Complete Report (325 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/1f221497aa3ebf64132a03920143b875

The hotels and restaurants segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on application, the hotels and restaurants segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global vending machine market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The rise in the trend of luxury dining and tourism is expected to drive the segment growth. In addition, people with high disposable income spend more on luxury amenities, which further boosts the demand for restaurants & hotels. However, the public places segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.4% from 2023 to 2032, Increasing crowd in public outlets is encouraging store owners to install automated technologies for serving their products in an effective manner.

The automatic machine segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on technology, the automatic machine segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global vending machine market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is due to a rise in investments in automatic machine spaces such as airports, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and others. However, the semi-automatic vending machine segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2032. The convenience food trend in the vending machine market has grown steadily over the past few years. The growing retail and food & beverages sector coupled with the increasing need to expand virtual space in retail outlets is driving the segment growth.

The offline segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on sales channel, the offline segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global vending machine market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Specialty stores are introducing different types of vending machine products with various features, which attract the consumer, thereby propelling the growth of the market. However, the online segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2032. The increase in penetration of various online portals in developing regions and the rise in the number of offers or discounts in terms of purchasing vending machines through online channels drive the growth of the segment.

Enquire before buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/9851

North America to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global vending machine market revenue. According to the National Automatic Merchandising Association, vending machines made an economic impact of nearly $25 billion in the U.S. convenience service industry. Moreover, factors, such as changing lifestyles and high demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) meals augment the growth of the market in this province. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 8.3% from 2023 to 2032.

Leading Market Players: -

AZKOYEN S.A.

BIANCHI INDUSTRY SPA

CRANE COMPANY

FASTCORP VENDING LLC

FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD

JOFEMAR S.A.

ROYAL VENDORS, INC.

SANDENVENDO AMERICA, INC.

SEAGA MANUFACTURING INC.

SELECTA GROUP B.V.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global vending machine market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions.

Similar Reports We Have on Consumer Goods Industry:

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

Contact:

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5933 NE Win Sivers Drive

#205, Portland, OR 97220

United States

USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022

UK: +44-845-528-1300

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Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/consumer-goods

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Allied Market Research
CALGARY, AB, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Vermilion Energy Inc. ("Vermilion", "We", "Our", "Us" or the "Company") (TSX: VET) (NYSE: VET) will release its 2023 second quarter operating and condensed financial results on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 after the close of North American markets. The unaudited interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 will be available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, and on Vermilion's website at www.vermilionenergy.com.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Vermilion will discuss these results in a conference call and webcast presentation on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 9:00 AM MST (11:00 AM EST). To participate, call 1-888-664-6383 (Canada and US Toll Free) or 1-416-764-8650 (International and Toronto Area). A recording of the conference call will be available for replay by calling 1-888-390-0541 (Canada and US Toll Free) or 1-416-764-8677 (International and Toronto Area) and using conference replay entry code 302036 # from August 3, 2023 at 12:00 PM MST to August 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM MST.

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/3DfdCAu to receive an instant automated call back. You may also access the webcast at https://app.webinar.net/37NjoXLo1AY. The webcast links, along with conference call slides, will be available on Vermilion's website at https://www.vermilionenergy.com/invest-with-us/events-presentations/ under Upcoming Events prior to the conference call.

About Vermilion

Vermilion is an international energy producer that seeks to create value through the acquisition, exploration, development and optimization of producing assets in North America, Europe and Australia. Our business model emphasizes free cash flow generation and returning capital to investors when economically warranted, augmented by value-adding acquisitions. Vermilion's operations are focused on the exploitation of light oil and liquids-rich natural gas conventional and unconventional resource plays in North America and the exploration and development of conventional natural gas and oil opportunities in Europe and Australia.

Vermilion's priorities are health and safety, the environment, and profitability, in that order. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the public and those who work with us, and the protection of our natural surroundings. We have been recognized by leading ESG rating agencies for our transparency on and management of key environmental, social and governance issues. In addition, we emphasize strategic community investment in each of our operating areas.

Vermilion trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol VET.

SOURCE Vermilion Energy Inc.
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RALEIGH, N.C., July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VinFast announced it will hold the groundbreaking ceremony of its electric vehicle factory in North Carolina on July 28. This will be the first electric vehicle manufacturing facility in North Carolina, and will help contribute to the supply of electric vehicles in North America and accelerate the global green mobility revolution.

VinFast North Carolina Factory Rendering

VinFast's manufacturing facility will be built at the Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County, North Carolina. Covering an area of approximately 1,800 acres, VinFast's factory is designed to reach a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year in phase 1. The factory will consist of two main areas: electric vehicle production and assembly. The complex will also house supplementary supplier businesses.

The project has received basic permits to begin Phase 1 construction. When the manufacturing complex commences operations, VinFast's factory will create an ecosystem of suppliers and help generate thousands of new jobs.

Madam Le Thi Thu Thuy, CEO of VinFast Auto. said: "The manufacturing facility in North Carolina is one of VinFast's key projects. When it begins operations, the factory will be VinFast's primary supplier of electric vehicles to the North American market, allowing us to optimize production and business activities. We hope the construction of the factory in Chatham County will contribute to advancing the clean energy economy in the US and help to support North Carolina's green mobility strategy."

The factory is expected to start production in 2025. Last year, VinFast was awarded a $1.2 billion incentive package from the State of North Carolina for this project, along with critical financial support from the City of Sanford, Chatham County and the Golden Leaf Foundation.

In addition to the factory, VinFast is accelerating its business and brand recognition in the U.S, by expanding its retail store and service center system, organizing local test drives and displaying products events throughout California. These efforts will aid in bringing opportunities for customers to directly experience VinFast's EVs.

About VinFast

VinFast - a member of Vingroup  envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam.

Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy for all to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.us/.

VinFast Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include VinFast's expectations. Forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "expect," "believe," and similar terms. While these forward-looking statements represent VinFast's current judgment on what the future holds, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the automotive industry, competition in certain markets, the volatility of battery prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and timing of our electric vehicle projects. VinFast undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause VinFast's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect VinFast's future results.

SOURCE VinFast
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Visiox Pharma, Inc., a privately funded biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of ophthalmic drugs to address highly prevalent diseases in need of new treatment options, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd to license OMLONTI (omidenepag isopropyl ophthalmic solution) 0.002%, a New Chemical Entity (NCE) recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

OMLONTI (omidenepag isopropyl ophthalmic solution) 0.002% is a relatively selective prostaglandin E2 (EP2) receptor agonist, indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Visiox plans to launch OMLONTI in early 2024, followed by once-daily PDP-716 (brimonidine) 0.35%, positioning the company to become a leader in glaucoma, a disease with significant impact on patients.

"We are pleased to add OMLONTI to our innovative pharmaceutical portfolio," said Ryan Bleeks, Chief Executive Officer. "We believe this is a compelling transaction, as it expands our addressable market opportunity enhancing our long-term growth and profitability."

The strategic license provides exclusive rights in the U.S. for product manufacturing and commercialization of OMLONTI. Santen will receive an equity stake in Visiox as an upfront payment, and remains eligible to receive sales milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales of OMLONTI in the U.S.

About Visiox

Visiox is a privately funded biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of ophthalmic therapeutic candidates to address highly prevalent diseases in need of new treatment options. Each day is an opportunity for us to disrupt and revolutionize the current market to maximize patient and physician satisfaction. As an agile business partner, we will achieve this through a high level of collaboration with all eye care professionals.

PDP-716 (brimonidine) 0.35% is a once daily brimonidine with TearAct technology for glaucoma expected to launch in early 2025. TearAct is a patented technology that involves the use of resin microparticles in a complex suspension form to improve the dosing frequency from TID to QD, prolonging the release of drug by reducing the immediate exposure and providing a slow, consistent, and sustained exposure. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, it is estimated that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it.1

SDN-037 (difluprednate) 0.04% is a twice daily topical difluprednate corticosteroid utilizing TJMa (Tight Junction Modulation) micellar platform that involves micelles to modulate the tight junctions (TJs) providing powerful post-surgical control of inflammation in a clear solution enabling convenient dosing with a proven active ingredient. SDN-037 is expected to launch mid-2025. Cataract extraction is the most frequently performed eye surgery in the U.S. It accounts for 70% of all ocular surgeries. 50 million people are projected to have cataracts in the U.S. by 2050.2

PDP-716, SDN-037, TearActa, and TJM delivery technology were licensed by Visiox from Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd. For more information, please visit Visiox Pharma or LinkedIn.

1. The Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group, Arch Ophthalmol. 2004; Prevent Blindness America

2. Ocular Surgery Procedures: Market Scope, 2019

Corporate Contact

Ryan S. Bleeks

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

914-987-2876

SOURCE Visiox Pharma
WESTERLY, R.I., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Trust Company ("Washington Trust"; "the Bank") announced that the Washington Trust Charitable Foundation has pledged a total of $200,000 towards San Miguel School of Providence ("School") Star Campaign, a capital campaign with a goal of $6 million. Washington Trust's contribution will fund various School initiatives, including construction of a new roof and ventilation system; a new STEAM Center (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math); a student and family support center, and student scholarships. The School's STAR Campaign was co-chaired by Edward O. "Ned" Handy III, Washington Trust Chairman and CEO, and his wife Polly, along with Joseph J. MarcAurele, former Washington Trust Chairman and CEO and Washington Trust board member, and his wife Meredith.

(Left to Right) Ned Handy, Joseph and Meredith MarcAurele, Polly Handy, and John Wolf at the San Miguel Schools 30th Anniversary Celebration.

"San Miguel is an amazing school, and I am proud to support their efforts both personally and professionally," said Handy. Adding, "The School helps boys from diverse, challenging, and underserved backgrounds by providing a holistic education, which allows them to discover their unique interests and talents for future success."

The School celebrated its 30th Anniversary at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, R.I. earlier this year. At the event, John Wolf, Executive Director of San Miguel of Providence, presented Mr. and Mrs. MarcAurele with the "Miguel Medal" for their long-time contributions and support of the School.

"Washington Trust has been a generous contributor to the School and we are grateful for their continued partnership," stated Wolf. "We especially want to extend our sincere appreciation to Joe and Meredith MarcAurele for their tremendous leadership, guidance, and contributions over the years."

ABOUT WASHINGTON TRUST

Founded in 1800, Washington Trust is the oldest community bank in the nation and one of the Northeast's premier financial services companies. Washington Trust offers a full range of financial services, including commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking and wealth management and trust services through its offices located in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Washington Trust Company is a subsidiary of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ: WASH). Additional information on Washington Trust can be found at washtrust.com.

SOURCE The Washington Trust Company
ESTERO, Fla., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Global Airlines ("Western Global," "WGA" or the "Company"), today issued the following statement regarding recent actions taken to protect the Company:

WGA, its CEO and Founder Jim Neff, and its management team are committed to acting in the best interests of the Company and its stakeholders. After 10 years of profitable operations and successful growth, the Company is currently navigating financial challenges driven by unforeseen industry-wide factors, including the conflict in the Ukraine, the weakened global economy and particularly air cargo demand, spiraling costs, and the recurrence of COVID-19 pandemic in China, which disproportionately impacted WGA and its customers. Notably, up until the end of 2022, WGA delivered profitable operating results every year since its founding in 2013.

The Company continues to believe that maintaining its operations and infrastructure is in the best interests of all stakeholders. Accordingly, WGA is working diligently with its advisors to explore all value-maximizing alternatives and take the steps necessary to address its financial position. On June 29, 2023, Jim Neff purchased the outstanding loans held by WGA's senior secured lenders in a competitive process independently conducted by the lenders. This was a positive step in an effort to protect WGA and provide the Company additional time and resources, and the Company immediately benefited from improved lending conditions. As a result of the purchase by Jim Neff, WGA has been positioned to continue to provide its customers with the safe and effective services they rely on.

Additionally, WGA believes it is important to note the following in response to media coverage:

In 2020, all employees were granted beneficial ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) not only in the airline, but also in Jim Neff's two affiliated leasing companies, which leased airplanes to the airline and were transferred into the airline as part of creating and funding the ESOP.

two affiliated leasing companies, which leased airplanes to the airline and were transferred into the airline as part of creating and funding the ESOP. The ESOP was created through an extensive due diligence period that involved financial and industry experts, an independent ESOP Trustee who worked with his own team of financial advisors and legal experts, and an independent third-party appraiser appointed by the Trustee to ensure that the ESOP transaction complied with ERISA and other laws and regulations protecting the ESOP participants and beneficiaries.

There are no Western Global shares in employees' 401(k) accounts. WGA's 401(k) program with Company match was not affected by the ESOP and has no relation to it.

ESOP participants did not purchase Western Global shares; the shares were granted to them at no out-of-pocket cost, in addition to other employee benefit programs. Participation in the ESOP is voluntary.

The only litigation related to the ESOP is a putative class action lawsuit that was commenced by two pilots shortly after the ESOP was established. There has been no new litigation related to the ESOP.

The Company intends to provide further updates as appropriate.

About Western Global Airlines

Western Global Airlines, headquartered in Estero, Florida, is structured for high flexibility and responsiveness to their customers' evolving needs worldwide, including last-minute changes. Streamlined efficiencies and advanced technology, in-house expertise, and vertical integration support their low-cost, high service model. They own all their 19 wide-body aircraft and engines, maintain an extensive parts inventory, and provide in-house maintenance support. Western Global created Team WGA - a people friendly environment where teamwork, cooperation, and excellence throughout the company are encouraged and rewarded. As one of the largest independent providers of worldwide commercial air cargo transportation services, their substantial critical mass ensures that shipping customers receive the cost savings they want. Team WGA has proven itself with some of the world's most discerning blue-chip logistics companies.

Media contact: [email protected].com

SOURCE Western Global Airlines
SHANGHAI , July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The product of Fosun Kite Biotechnology Co., Ltd., jointly established by Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. and Kite Pharma of the United States (trade name: Yikaida) for the treatment of adult large B-cell lymphoma (r/r LBCL) ("this new indication") who failed first-line immunochemotherapy or relapsed within 12 months conditionally approved by the State Drug Administration ("NMPA"). This also marks the official launch of Yikaida for second-line indication.

Previously, there was no CAR-T cell therapy product in China for the treatment of adult large B-cell lymphoma who failed to respond to first-line immunochemotherapy or relapsed within 12 months after first-line immunochemotherapy. Fosun Kite's Yikaida added a second-line indication. The approval for marketing of the drug has successfully promoted new progress in the treatment of adult large B-cell lymphoma, bringing hope to more patients who have failed or relapsed with first-line immunochemotherapy. At the same time, Yikaida is currently the first approved CAR-T cell therapy product in China for this new indication.

Professor Ma Jun from the Harbin Institute of Hematology and Oncology said, "The latest research shows that the incidence of lymphoma in China is increasing year by year. How to improve the prognosis of lymphoma treatment and improve the clinical cure rate has attracted the attention of the industry. If innovative therapy is limited to the later line, the curative effect will be discounted, and the patient's benefit will be limited."

One of the shareholders of Fosun Kite, Kite, the global cell therapy leader, its ZUMA-7 study is the first head-to-head challenge salvage chemotherapy + autologous transplantation for LBCL patients with primary refractory or recurrence within 12 months after first-line treatment in the past 30 years, A large international multicenter RCT study. Based on Kite's ZUMA-7 study, Axi-cel was approved by the FDA in April 2022 for the treatment of adults with LBCL who are refractory or have relapsed within 12 months of first-line treatment. The OS data of ZUMA-7 was announced at the American ASCO meeting in June this year. The median follow-up time was 47.2 months. The Axi-cel group did not reach the median OS, while the standard treatment (SOC) group was 31.1 months, and the HR value was 0.726, that is to say, the second-line use of Kite's Axi-cel CART product reduced the risk of death by 27%.

"Lymphoma patients benefit from early use of CART therapy. All cancer drugs start from the end-line indications, and, after they are approved, continue to advance to the approval of second-line or first-line indications. It is because the treatment port can be brought forward. This is the law of new drug research and development." Professor Ma Jun said.

"China's pharmaceutical industry is booming, and it is trying to innovate from multiple dimensions, from enterprises to supervision. The rapid approval of Yikaida as a second-line treatment for LBCL indications in China is a new milestone in the field of CAR-T cell therapy. The good news for lymphoma patients in China, and we look forward to bringing benefits to more patients." Professor Ma Jun said, "Axi-cel is the first choice for second-line treatment for patients with primary refractory or early relapsed LBCL, and it will greatly increase the cure rate. Significantly prolonging the Event-free survival (EFS) and OS of patients is a major therapeutic breakthrough in the field of lymphoma and will become the second-line standard treatment for applicable patients."

Yikaida has benefited more than 500 patients in the two years since its launch.

Adult large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) is a common malignant lymphoma, accounting for about 30-40% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It has the characteristics of few treatment options, rapid disease progression, high mortality, and a short survival period. In recent years, the incidence rate in China has shown a rapid growth trend. In June 2021, Fosun Kite took the lead in launching the first domestic CAR-T cell therapy productYikaida (Injection), from June 2021 to now, with personalized customization, one-time treatment, more than 500 patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma have brought revolutionary new breakthroughs in the field of cancer treatment in China.

On June 5, 2023, the ASCO annual meeting and the "New England Journal of Medicine" respectively introduced the main overall survival of the global multi-center phase III randomized controlled study ZUMA-7 (Kite's MRCT study) in the form of oral reports and full-text releases. Period (OS) analysis results. When the median follow-up time was 47.2 months, compared with the second-line standard of care (SOC),  significantly improved the OS of patients, and the risk of death was reduced by 27.4%. It is worth mentioning that 57% of the patients in the SOC group received cell therapy in the third line or later. In this case, the median OS of the SOC group has been greatly improved, but the OS difference between the two is still statistically positive, which is very exciting.

"We are very happy to hear this good news, which indicates that Chinese patients can receive earlier treatment, which benefits patients and families," said Ms. Mei Jingping, Chairman of Fosun Kite.

Vice Chairman of Fosun Kite, Mr. Mert Aktar, commented, "This is a great milestone, and we believe it will benefit more Chinese patients, and bring hope to both patients and their families!"

Huang Hai, CEO of Fosun Kite, said: "Yikaida has treated more than 500 patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma since the second anniversary of its launch. With its excellent real-world curative effect, stable drug quality control, and continuous improvement. The availability of medicines has been highly recognized by the public. Here, we would like to express our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the experts, scholars, and patient families and our Shareholders, Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group), and Kite Pharma, for their trust and support of Fosun Kate and Yikaida.

The approval of the new second-line indications of Yikaida is a key step taken by Fosun Kate and its shareholders to address China's major unmet medical needs of lymphoma patients, and it is also a key step for China's drug review and approval bureau. For the great efforts in the approval and supervision of innovative drugs, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the government departments and regulatory agencies for their care and guidance at the glorious moment when new indications are approved!

To reach further & higher, we still need to make strides. Standing at the new starting point of the second anniversary of Yikaida's commercialization, we look forward to Yikaida being able to cure more patients and improve their wonderful lives! "

SOURCE Fosun Kite Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
SHANGHAI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987, "Yum China" or the "Company") today announced, in compliance with the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX") which require advance notice of board meetings at which a dividend is expected to be declared, that its board of directors (the "Board") will consider the declaration and payment of a quarterly dividend (the "Dividend"). If the Board decides to proceed, the declaration will be adopted by Board resolution on or around August 1, 2023 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time) and will be promptly disclosed by the Company.

The Company makes available through the Investor Relations section of its internet website at http://ir.yumchina.com its filings with the HKEX as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with the HKEX. These filings may also be obtained by visiting the HKEX's website at http://www.hkex.com.hk .

As no Board resolution in relation to the Dividend has been adopted as of the date of this press release, there is no assurance that the Dividend will be declared.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "project," "likely," "will," "continue," "should," "forecast," "outlook" or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company has over 400,000 employees and operates over 13,000 restaurants under six brands across 1,800 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world's most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com.

Investor Relations Contact

Tel: +86 21 2407 7556 / +852 2267 5801

E-mail: [email protected]

Media Contact

Tel: +86 21 2407 7510

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Yum China Holdings, Inc.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan once again presented a number of unfounded claims to Azerbaijan and demonstrated that he isn't interested in peace and stability in the region, Trend reports, citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The ministry made the remark commenting on Mirzoyan's press conference with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg held on July 18, 2023.

"The fact that, instead of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the Armenian foreign minister obstructs the peace process, referring to the 'rights and security' of Armenians living in Karabakh, which was occupied for almost 30 years, testifies to the true intentions of Armenian officials," the ministry said. "It's unacceptable, speaking about 'the population of Karabakh', to mean only the rights of the Armenian residents and ignore the rights and security of the Azerbaijani residents expelled from these lands."

"Azerbaijan is the party initiating a dialogue with Armenian residents, and it's important to reciprocate these good steps by Azerbaijan. At the same time, it should be clear to the Armenian side that Azerbaijan equally provides for and will ensure the rights and security of all ethnic minorities living in the country," the ministry noted.

According to the ministry, statements about the 'tense humanitarian situation' in the region are a political adventure and manipulation of Armenia.

"The objection to the transportation of goods along the Aghdam-Khankendi road, proposed by Azerbaijan, is an example of the groundlessness of these claims. Armenias distortion of the decision of the International Court of Justice dated July 6, 2023 to unanimously reject Armenias demand for the liquidation of the Lachin border checkpoint, as well as the military provocation against this checkpoint and smuggling attempts, are signs of a lack of intention to comply with international norms and principles," the ministry pointed out.

The fact that Armenia, which hasn't fulfilled its obligation [under a trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] to open transport routes from the eastern regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan over the past three years, and is still preventing the opening of transport infrastructures under various pretexts, shows that this country still doesn't understand that the policy of self-isolation for almost 30 years didn't bring anything good, the ministry said.

"If Armenia is interested in peace, stability and security in the region, it must stop hypocrisy and false manipulation and comply with its international legal obligations for the successful completion of the peace process," the ministry added.

In order to prevent the transportation of manpower, ammunition, mines, as well as other military equipment from Armenia for illegal Armenian armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan, and as an adequate response to the unilateral establishment of a checkpoint by Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan on April 22 at the entrance to the Lachin-Khankendi road contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, on April 23 at 12:00 (GMT+4), the units of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan set up a border checkpoint in its sovereign territories, on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road.
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Assam : BJP leader among six arrested on charges of human trafficking. Image Source: IANS News

Bijnor, July 19 : In connection with the murder of a 55-year-old woman, whose decomposed body was found inside her home, the Bijnor police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested the wife of her nephew and her lover.

The incident took place in Khari village under the Haldaur police station area of Bijnor.

According to police, the 28-year-old accused Qamrunissa's first husband Mohd Hanif was a paralytic patient. Three years ago, she secretly married her lover Zahid Ahmed, 30. When the victim, Zarina Khatun, came to know about it, she revealed the secret to all the relatives.

Upset over this, Qamrunissa and Zahid, reached Khatun's house on July 11 and strangled her to death.

Khatun was a widow and is survived by three sons who work in Delhi.

The incident came to light when one of her sons, Mohammad Yunus, made several calls to her but did not get any response. He later requested her neighbours to check on her who later told him about a strong stench emanating from his house which was locked from outside.

Yunus immediately rushed back home and broke the door open to find Khatun's body lying on a cot.

He informed the cops who sent the body to the district hospital for autopsy.

Bijnor Superintendent of Police (SP), Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, formed two teams to investigate the case.

"Qamrunissa and her lover Zahid have been arrested and sent to jail. Both the accused confessed to the crime. Police have recovered Zarina's mobile phone, house keys and scarf used in the crime," the SP said.
Details added: first version posted on 08:16

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan once again presented a number of unfounded claims to Azerbaijan and demonstrated that he isn't interested in peace and stability in the region, Trend reports, citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The ministry made the remark commenting on Mirzoyan's press conference with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg held on July 18, 2023.

"The fact that, instead of respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the Armenian foreign minister obstructs the peace process, referring to the 'rights and security' of Armenians living in Karabakh, which was occupied for almost 30 years, testifies to the true intentions of Armenian officials," the ministry said. "It's unacceptable, speaking about 'the population of Karabakh', to mean only the rights of the Armenian residents and ignore the rights and security of the Azerbaijani residents expelled from these lands."

"Azerbaijan is the party initiating a dialogue with Armenian residents, and it's important to reciprocate these good steps by Azerbaijan. At the same time, it should be clear to the Armenian side that Azerbaijan equally provides for and will ensure the rights and security of all ethnic minorities living in the country," the ministry noted.

According to the ministry, statements about the 'tense humanitarian situation' in the region are a political adventure and manipulation of Armenia.

"The objection to the transportation of goods along the Aghdam-Khankendi road, proposed by Azerbaijan, is an example of the groundlessness of these claims. Armenias distortion of the decision of the International Court of Justice dated July 6, 2023 to unanimously reject Armenias demand for the liquidation of the Lachin border checkpoint, as well as the military provocation against this checkpoint and smuggling attempts, are signs of a lack of intention to comply with international norms and principles," the ministry pointed out.

The fact that Armenia, which hasn't fulfilled its obligation [under a trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] to open transport routes from the eastern regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan over the past three years, and is still preventing the opening of transport infrastructures under various pretexts, shows that this country still doesn't understand that the policy of self-isolation for almost 30 years didn't bring anything good, the ministry said.

"If Armenia is interested in peace, stability and security in the region, it must stop hypocrisy and false manipulation and comply with its international legal obligations for the successful completion of the peace process," the ministry added.

In order to prevent the transportation of manpower, ammunition, mines, as well as other military equipment from Armenia for illegal Armenian armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan, and as an adequate response to the unilateral establishment of a checkpoint by Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan on April 22 at the entrance to the Lachin-Khankendi road contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, on April 23 at 12:00 (GMT+4), the units of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan set up a border checkpoint in its sovereign territories, on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road.
Patna, July 19 : Following the physical assault with officials of Beur Central Jail in Patna, the prison administration levelled charges on former Bihar MLA and Bahubali Anant Singh for the alleged conspiracy of jailbreak on Tuesday.

Singh is lodged in Beur jail under the arms act and other charges.

He along with his associates lodged in the jail were allegedly involved in beating some of the officials on Sunday.

They have alleged that the jail administration deliberately opened the lock of the cell where Singh was lodged and conspired for his murder.

Now, Beur jail administration has lodged an FIR in this matter with Beur police station and alleged that Singh and his associates were trying to take control of the jail so that they could execute an escape plan for some of the hardcore criminals of Bihar lodged in the jail.

"We have registered an FIR against Anant Singh and 30 other inmates. The jail officials have mentioned in their complaint that Singh and his men, lodged in the jail, deliberately attacked the officials to execute the escape plan for the safe passage to the hardcore criminals," the SHO of the Beur jail said.

As per the complaint, more than 14 officials were injured in the attack by the supporters of Singh. They snatched the keys of other cells and allowed inmates to come outside. They also damaged the CCTV cameras. When Rajesh Kumar Singh, the deputy superintendent tried to calm them down, they attacked him and other officials as well.
Lucknow, July 19 : The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has declared the Ghosi seat vacant with effect from July 17 after SP MLA Dara Singh Chauhan formally tendered his resignation from Vidhan Sabha membership to Speaker Satish Mahana and joined the BJP.

With this, the seat is set for a by-poll amid the Opposition stepping up its aggression against the ruling BJP.

Sources said that the ruling party will not leave any stone unturned to win the seat which slipped out of its hand in the 2022 Assembly polls when Dara Singh Chauhan turned rebel and switched over to the SP.

The SP had then forged an alliance with the Om Prakash Rajbhar-led SBSP which has a perceptible foothold amongst the OBCs, primarily the Rajbhars in the east Uttar Pradesh region. With SBSP now in the saffron camp, the BJP hopes to win back the seat.

BJP sources said that the party high command would take a call on the choice of candidate for Ghosi once the Election Commission announces the by-poll.

Sources do not rule out the possibility of BJP fielding Chauhan from the seat in the by-poll, amid whirling speculations that he might eventually be accommodated in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet.

As a matter of fact, the Ghosi Lok Sabha seat too had fallen vacant in May after the BSP MP Afzal Ansari was indicted by an MP/MLA court in a criminal case. Ansari, brother of gangster Mukhtar Ansari was sentenced to imprisonment.
New Delhi, July 19 : No country has achieved full gender parity and fewer than one per cent of women and girls live in a country with high women's empowerment and a small gender gap, according to a new global report launched by UN Women and UNDP at the Women Deliver Conference.

The report provides -- for the first time -- a more comprehensive picture of progress in women and girlsa human development.

The report sees UN Women and UNDP join forces to propose the Women's Empowerment Index (WEI) and the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI) as the twin indices for measuring gender parity and womenas empowerment.

The twin indices offer different but complementary lenses for assessing progress in advancing women's human development, power, and freedoms. Together, they shed light on the complex challenges faced by women worldwide and pave the way for targeted interventions and policy reforms.

Analysis of 114 countries has found that womenas power and freedom to make choices and seize opportunities remain largely restricted.

Low womenas empowerment and large gender gaps are commonplace.

The WEI measures women's power and freedom to make choices and seize life opportunities across five dimensions: health, education, inclusion, decision-making, and violence against women.

Similarly, the GGPI evaluates the status of women relative to men in core dimensions of human development, including health, education, inclusion, and decision-making.

Globally, women are empowered to achieve on average only 60 per cent of their full potential, as measured by the WEI. They achieve, on average, 72 per cent of what men achieve across key human development dimensions, as measured by the GPPI, reflecting a 28 per cent of gender gap. These empowerment deficits and disparities are harmful not just to womenas well-being and advancement but also to human progress.

Commenting on the report's findings, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous stated:"With the Sustainable Development Goals, the global community has made a strong commitment to gender equality and womenas empowerment. However, we can see clearly with these new indices that across countries, womenas full potential remains unrealised, and large gender gaps continue to be commonplace, thereby obstructing and slowing progress in the realization of all the Goals."

"Sustained efforts are therefore needed to deliver on the promise of gender equality, secure the human rights of women and girls and ensure that their fundamental freedoms are fully realised," she concluded.

The report also highlights that less than one per cent of women and girls live in countries with both high levels of women's empowerment and high gender parity, while more than 90 per cent of the world's female population -- 3.1 billion women and girls -- live in countries characterised by a large womenas empowerment deficit and a large gender gap.

"This eye-opening analysis shows that higher human development is not by itself a sufficient condition, as more than half the countries with low and middle performance in the womenas empowerment index and global parity index fall in the very high and high human development groups," said UNDP Administrator, Achim Steiner.

"Too many women and girls are living in countries that only allow them to reach a fraction of their potential and these fresh new insights are ultimately designed to help to effect real change -- for real people," he added.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, July 19 : The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners have adopted a resolution to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Besides, the allies also targeted the Opposition's unity efforts, saying that the Opposition is "facing an identity crisis and is beset by confusion and disorientation".

Shiv Sena President and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde put forward the resolution during the NDA meeting held at The Ashok Hotel in New Delhi on Tuesday.

AIADMK's K. Palaniswami and Atul Bora of the Asom Gana Parishad also supported the resolution.

The meeting which was organised on the completion of 25 years of establishment of the NDA saw the participation of around 39 parties. It was chaired by Prime Minister Modi.

The resolution, referring to the achievements of the Modi government during the last nine years, also applauded the government's "hard work, and selfless dedication towards the service of the country".

"For making the countrymen feel proud on many occasions, all the fellow parties of NDA congratulate Narendra Modi. NDA constituents unanimously take a resolution that as partners in this development journey of the country under the leadership of Narendra Modi  we are one, and united," it added.

Further, the resolution noted that "for taking the country forward on the path of progress", all the parties of NDA also congratulate the "visionary and popular" leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It was said in the resolution that it has been 25 years since the formation of the NDA. In these 25 years, NDA has set high standards of good governance. Whenever the NDA government has come to power, it has worked considering the spirit of the nation first and the objective of public welfare as paramount. Be it the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government from 1998 to 2004 or the Narendra Modi government from 2014 till now, the NDA government has always worked with the spirit of nation-building while supporting the country's regional aspirations.

Issues like strengthening national security, the establishment of good governance, infrastructure development, improvement in the standard of living of the poor and backward and India's reputation on the world stage have been the priority of the NDA government. Especially in the last nine years, the work done by the NDA government in terms of service, good governance and development under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi is "unprecedented", it added.
Jerusalem, July 19 : Israeli demonstrators took to the streets across the country in protest against the far-right coalition government's moves to push ahead with the controversial judicial overhaul.

The state-owned Kan TV news estimated that tens of thousands of protesters participated in the so-called "Day of Disruption" on Tuesday, holding rallies on streets in major Israeli cities,reports Xinhua news agency.

Temporary blockades were set up on six highways, including sections of the Ayalon Highways, Israel's main freeway.

Clashes between protesters and police officers broke out in several locations as the police attempted to disperse them.

Water cannons were used by the police to disperse the protesters in some areas.

The rallies continued throughout the night, resulting in the arrest of at least 45 protesters, according to a police statement.

During rush hour, thousands of protesters gathered at major train stations, causing a temporary pause in train services at two stations in Tel Aviv and the coastal city of Haifa.

In the evening, 161 reserved Air Force officers released a statement announcing their immediate resignation from service.

This group includes air crews, attack drone operators, intelligence officers, and others.

The officers argued that passing the two bills of the government's proposed judicial overhaul, which already received initial approval from the Knesset (parliament) and the coalition could ratify them any time, would "dramatically change the face of Israel and turn it from a democracy to a dictatorship".

Thousands of reserve soldiers have announced their refusals to show up for call-ups in recent months, raising the Israeli military's concerns.

On Monday, Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), told the Knesset's National Security Committee that the call for refusal "harms the IDF and also undermines national security".

On Tuesday, the rightist coalition government continued to make preparations for the two final votes on a bill aimed at canceling some of the Supreme Court's powers, with the aim of completing the legislation before the Knesset adjourns on July 30 for its summer recess.

Opposition lawmakers filed approximately 27,000 objections to the bill in an attempt to delay the final votes.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also leads thehard-right Religious Zionism party said on Monday that the government plans to proceed with further bills, including a contentious one that would grant the coalition a majority in a powerful panel responsible for appointing new judges, following the summer recess.

The planned judicial overhaul has thrown Israeli society into turmoil, with many expressing concerns and frustration about the future of Israel's judiciary under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership.

The grassroots movement has staged some of the largest demonstrations ever seen in Israel since the 1980s, with weekly protests occurring for 28 consecutive weeks following the announcement of the overhaul plan by the ruling coalition in January.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, returned to office in December last year, leading a rightist government coalition consisting of ultranationalist and ultra-religious parties.

He is facing a criminal trial over corruption charges in three separate cases.
Srinagar, July 19 : Two forest department employees were injured in firing by unidentified gunmen in J&K's Pulwama district.

Officials said that some unknown persons, probably forest smugglers, fired at a forest patrolling party near Bagander Bridge Sangerwani in the district on Tuesday.

"In this incident, two forest department employees, including forester Jahanger Ahmad Chichi and forest department casual labourer Imran Yusuf got injured.

"Both have been shifted to a hospital," officials said.
Seoul/Washington, July 19 : A US soldier, who crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea and believed to be in Pyongyang's custody, had been sentenced to a fine for kicking and damaging a police patrol car in Seoul in February this year, legal sources said on Wednesday.

Late Tuesday, the UN Command and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the active American service member had willfully crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea without authorisation during a tour to the Joint Security Area and is believed to be in North Korea's custody, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"We are very early in this event, and so there's a lot that we are still trying to learn but what we do know is that one of our service members who was on a tour willfully and without authorisation crossed the military demarcation line," Austin told a press briefing in Washington.

"We believe that he is in DPRK custody, and so we are closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldier's next of kin and engaging to address this incident," he added, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The Pentagon later identified the defector as Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King in his 20s, and American media organisations reported that he was in the process of being sent back to the US for disciplinary action in connection with assault charges he faced in South Korea.

Legal sources in Seoul said on Wednesday that King, 23, was fined 5 million won ($3,943) on February 8 by a court in the city on charges including inflicting damage on public property.

He was suspected of repeatedly kicking a back door of a police patrol vehicle in Seoul's Mapo district on October 8, 2022 and inflicting damage that required repairs worth 584,000 won.

He was apprehended by police at the scene, but did not cooperate with police officers demanding his personal information and kicked the door of the police car shouting foul language against Koreans and the Korean Army, according to police investigations.

He also faced suspicions of punching the face of a Korean national at a night club in western Seoul on September 25, 2022, but was not indicted for the incident as the victim said he did not want a punishment for the soldier.

In a briefing on Tuesday, US State Department Press Secretary Matthew Miller said tha the Department of Defense has also reached out to North Korea regarding the incident.

"The State Department has not reached out to the North Koreans or other governments. It is our understanding that the Pentagon has reached out to their counterparts in the DPRK," Miller said.

"I will just say that, as always, the safety and security of any American overseas remains the top priority for the US," he added.

Miller reiterated that the service member "willfully, on his own volition" crossed the inter-Korean border when asked if he was trying to defect to North Korea, adding "the matter remains under investigation".

Also on Tuesday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre later said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident.

"I can tell you for sure that... clearly the President has been briefed. Obviously, this is the type of incident that he would be briefed on," she told a press briefing, adding, "certainly this is something that the President is watching very closely and will be kept updated".

Jean-Pierre said it was still too early to determine the exact motive of the service member.

"We will resolve this incident, resolve this matter to get to the bottom of exactly what happened. There is an investigation that's currently occurring. There has been outreach from the Department of Defense, as I mentioned, to their counterparts over at the Korean People's Army.

"Resolving this is basically getting to the bottom of exactly what happened, and that is important for us to know. I just don't have more to share," she added.
Kanpur : , July 19 (IANS) In a bizarre development, Kanpur Mayor Pramila Pandey has demanded a law that bars Muslims from buying properties owned by Hindus and vice versa.

"I do not have a problem with Muslims per se, but it is their mentality they have about temples in their area that is the problem," she said.

Pandey had visited Munshipurwa, a Muslim dominated locality in Kanpur on Tuesday, on a complaint that Muslims were gradually encroaching a Hanuman temple there.

"In my previous term as mayor, 125 temples illegally occupied by Muslims were identified and I will ensure that such illegal occupation is removed," she said.

She said garbage was being thrown around the Munshipurwa temple apparently to gradually encroach on the area.

The property around the temple was owned by one Shiv Murat who sold it to its present owner Mohd Akhlaq, some 20 years back on the condition that no windows or doors would open towards the temple.

It may be recalled that Pandey had launched a campaign to identify Hindu temples in the Muslim dominated localities in 2022 but the campaign had to be called off following violence on June 3, 2022.
Seoul, July 19 : North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday, after the arrival of an American nuclear ballistic missile submarine here and the inaugural session of a new South Korea-US security dialogue, Seoul's military said.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches from the Sunan area in Pyongyang between 3.30 a.m. and 3.46 a.m., and they flew some 550 km before splashing into the sea, reports Yonhap News Agency.

The JCS condemned the launches as "acts of significant provocation" that harms peace not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community, and as a "clear" violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

"Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond overwhelmingly to any North Korean provocations," it added.

The missile launch came after South Korea and the US held the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) in Seoul the previous day to bolster Washington's extended deterrence commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to defend Seoul.

The meeting coincided with the arrival of USS Kentucky at a key naval base in Busan, 320 km southeast of Seoul, marking the first port visit by an American nuclear-capable strategic submarine (SSBN) since USS Robert E. Lee in March 1981.

Pyongyang had test fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on July 12.
Washington, July 19 : Former US President Donald Trump said that he expects to be arrested by a federal inquiry into the January 2021 Capitol riot and efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.

He made the remarks on Tuesday in a post on his Truth Social app, claiming that he had been sent a letter "stating that I am a TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury investigation, and giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment", reports the BBC.

The former President added that he had been informed of the development by special counsel Jack Smith on Sunday night.

Smith's team has investigated Trump's handling of classified documents after leaving the White House and with managing a sprawling federal investigation into the riot and attempts by the former President and his advisers to "interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election".

Such an indictment would be Trump's third for alleged criminal offences, including 37 counts brought by Smith's team in June accusing the former leader of mishandling classified documents.

Trump has also been charged in New York City with falsifying business records in 2016 hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

He is due to stand trial in that case in March 2024, while a date for the classified documents case is still being contested by the president's lawyers.

Speaking in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Tuesday night, Trumpexpressed his frustration at the latest development.

"I didn't know practically what a subpoena was and grand juries and all of this. Now I'm becoming an expert, I have no choice because we have to... It's a disgrace," the BBC quoted the former President as saying.

Meanwhile, state prosecutors in Atlanta, Georgia, are also investigating the former President, focusing on whether he illegally pressured state officials there to discard President Joe Biden's victory.

In a December 2020 phone call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Trump had asked that Georgia officials "find 11,780 votes" that would flip the state to him.

A decision by Georgia prosecutors on whether to indict Trump is expected next month.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. The first consular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and UAE have been held in Abu Dhabi, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijani delegation at the consultations was led by the Head of the Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry Emil Safarov, and the UAE delegation - by Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Faisal Lutfi.

During the consular consultations, the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation in the consular sphere with an important partner country for Azerbaijan - UAE, including the signing of new bilateral documents in this area and the possibility of digitizing consular services, were considered.

Besides, on the basis of the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on exemption from entry visas for persons holding general civil, diplomatic and special/service passports", a detailed exchange of views took place on the application of a visa-free regime from July 8 this year in relation to citizens of both countries who have general civil passports.

The parties, exchanging experience on the latest innovations implemented in the consular sector, also stressed the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries in the field of migration, justice and other areas.

An agreement was reached between the parties to hold the next meeting of consular consultations in 2024 in Baku.

The visa-free regime between Azerbaijan and the UAE was introduced on July 8, 2023. The period of visa-free residence in both countries is 90 days.
Kolkata, July 19 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought details of the optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets used in the recruitment for 14 municipalities in West Bengal.

The agency is conducting a probe following an order of the Calcutta High Court.

The central agency has sent a communique to the state municipal affairs & urban development department seeking these details of the OMR sheets at the earliest. Sources said that the central agency sleuths have sought details of all the OMR sheets used in recruitment examinations in these 14 urban civic bodies since 2014.

In the communique, sources said, the CBI sleuths have specially inquired on whether the OMR sheets have been preserved in the records of the department or have been destroyed.

Already in June this year, sources added, the CBI investigating officials had been able to recover some OMR sheets from some of these 14 municipalities under scanner, which gave crucial clues about irregularities in the urban civic bodiesa recruitment process.

The irregularities in OMR sheets, sources added, are somewhat similar to those adopted in the irregularities in recruitment examinations for teaching and non- teaching staff in state- run schools in West Bengal.

Out of 14municipalities,where the CBI sleuths conducted raid and search operations in June this year, displayed extreme non- cooperation relating to handing over appointment- related documents, with the authorities either claiming the documentsto have been misplaced or denying keeping records of the documents.

So the CBI sleuths now want to cross- check whether the same documents have been preserved or not by the state municipal affairs & urban development department, which is the nodal department for all urban civic bodies in the state, including the municipalities and the municipal corporations.

Already, CBIhas prepared a list of top officials and functionaries including the chairman and chief executives of 14 municipalities in West Bengal to whom the central agency sleuths will issue summons for questioning one by one in the coming days.

--IANS

src/dpb
New York, July 19 : Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced additional key administration and board appointments, which includes many Indian-Americans.

Dr Bimaljit Singh Sandhu, a gastroenterologist at Richmond Gastroenterology Associates, took oath as a board member of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority.

As board member, Sandhu, who migrated from Punjab to the US in 2004, will play a pivotal role in the stateas health education system.

The boardas responsibilities include overseeing the operations of the health system, as well as providing strategic direction to various medical schools and hospitals.

Harshad Barot, owner of Galaxy Corporation and Kamlesh Dave, President, Heart Care Associates, were named to the Virginia Asian Advisory Board, which serves as a formal liaison between the administration and the diverse and rapidly growing Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the Commonwealth.

In their new role, Barot and Dave will advise the Governor on ways to improve economic and cultural links between the Commonwealth and Asian nations.

Padmanabhan Seshaiyer, Professor and Director of George Mason University, and Kunal Kumar, President of Pooja Group, were named to the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, which acts as the principal advisor to the Governor and provides strategic leadership to the state regarding the workforce development system and its efforts to create a strong workforce aligned with employer needs.

"I am thankful for these appointees' service to our Commonwealth as we continue to make Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family," Governor Youngkin said in statement released last week.

"Their critical work will provide essential help as we move into my administration's day two agenda," he added.

--IANS

mi/ksk
New Delhi, July 19 : Domestic institutional investors (DII) were sellers in eight out of the 12 trading sessions with a net sell figure of Rs 7,868 crore, according to V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

II buying has completely overwhelmed DII selling resulting in the 550 point rally in July.

In India, he said, "we have the extra push being provided by the sustained FII flows. In July FIIs have been buyers in 11 out of 12 trading sessions and have invested Rs 15156 crores through the stock market alone, excluding bulk deals".

"Market experience teaches us that it is difficult to sell at the top and buy at the bottom. So, a strategy of selling now to buy when the market corrects may be risky. However, considering the high valuations, investors may consider some profit booking if that helps in the realisation of some planned financial goals," he added.

He said the market continues to be resilient supported by favourable global set-up and sustained FII inflows.

It is important to understand that the ongoing global market rally is primarily driven by the strength of the US economy, which is, so far, showing no signs of recession that the markets had feared and discounted in 2022.

The recent corporate results from the US have been better-than-expected enabling continuation of the rally.

BSE Sensex went past the 67,000 milestone in morning trade on Wedneday led by the NTPC.

Sensex was trading up 63 points at 66,858 points. NTPC was up a massive 4 per cent in trade.
New Delhi, July 19 : Assam Minister Keshab Mahanta has criticised the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) formed by the Opposition to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and said it won't be successful.

"By naming their alliance 'INDIA', nothing will happen. We have to see what is there inside it. They are trying to distract the people. They won't be successful under any circumstances," he said referring to Opposition's alliance after attending the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Tuesday night.

Mahanta, who is also the working president of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), further said,"In the name of 'INDIA', they should not tarnish the image of the nation in future."

"In states, where the Opposition parties are leading, they will not leave seats for other parties (its allies). Even, Congress will not get to contest in many states. Therefore, what would be the outcome of this alliance (INDIA), we know."

In response to a question on the 2024 general elections, the Minister said, "The only mantra of NDA is development. It is our only issue."

"It is a good start for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," Mahanta said on the NDA meeting which was attended by 39 parties.

Twenty-six political parties, including the main Opposition Congress, formed an alliance called 'INDIA' in Bengaluru on Tuesday to fight against the ruling BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

--IANS

santu/svn
Washington, July 19 : As an oppressive heat dome is currently scorching a majority of the US South, a hospital in Arizona witnessed admissions of people with heat-related issues similar to during the Covid-19 pandemic, a media report said.

"The heat is taking a major toll," emergency room doctor Frank LoVecchio from Valleywise Health Medical Center told CNN on Tuesday.

"The hospital has not been this busy with overflow since a few peaks in the Covid pandemic," he added.

As the scorching heat persist, there have been 12 confirmed heat-related deaths recorded in Arizona's Maricopa County so far this year as of the first week of July, and 55 under investigation as suspected heat-related deaths, according to data from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

LoVecchio added that he has seen three to four cases per shift of patients who faced death without emergency treatment.

Valleywise Health Medical Center Communications Director Michael Murphy told CNN that in some extreme cases, they are placing patients in body bags packed with ice to help cool them off, adding the burn center has been "slammed" with patients experiencing contact burns.

On Monday, the state capital Phoenix recorded a temperature of 43 degree Celsius for a 19th straight day, shattering the city's previous record.

With residents cranking up their air conditioning, Arizona Public Service utility customers' demand on July 15 set the record for the most electricity used at once in the utility's history.

Phoenix has a total of 60 hydration stations, 30 cooling centers and four respite centers for those needing heat relief, Kelly Taft, communications director for Maricopa Association of Governments, told CNN.

Currently, more than 90 million people in the US are under heat advisories, including at least 50 million who have been under heat alerts for the past 10 days.

There have been heat alerts for dangerously high temperatures in the Southwest -- stretching from Texas to Arizona -- for 38 consecutive days dating back to June 10.

In its latest update, the National Weather Service (NWS) said the blistering heat is expected to continue across the region through at least July 28.

More than 1,500 record-high temperatures were recorded in the US so far this month, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Over 35 daily high temperature records were broken on Sunday alone, the NWS said, with Death Valley, California, hitting a daily record-breaking 53.3 degrees and Las Vegas shattering its record with 46 degrees.

Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; El Paso, Corpus Christi and Brownsville, Texas; and Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida, are all having their hottest July's on record to date, according to NOAA climate data.

El Paso reached 37 degrees for the 32nd straight day, "with no end in sight", the NWS.

The previous record for consecutive days over 100 was 23 in 1994.

"Take the heat seriously and avoid extended time outdoors. Temperatures and heat indices will reach levels that would pose a health risk, and be potentially deadly, to anyone without effective and/or adequate hydration," CNN quoted the NWS as saying.
Toronto, July 19 : Has someone close to you just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease? Well, chances are the disease has been progressing quietly but insidiously for more than 10 years, new research shows.

The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, sheds new light on the surprising resilience of the brain during the asymptomatic period of Parkinson's.

In their study, a team led by Universite de Montreal neuroscientist Louis-Eric Trudeau demonstrated that movement circuits in the brains of mice are insensitive to an almost total loss of active secretion of this chemical messenger.

This observation is surprising because dopamine is a chemical messenger recognised for its importance in movement. And in Parkinson's disease, dopamine levels in the brain drop inexorably.

"This observation went against our initial hypothesis, but that's often the way it is in science, and it forced us to re-evaluate our certainties about what dopamine really does in the brain," said Trudeau, a professor at the varsity's Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Department of Neurosciences.

Using genetic manipulations, the team eliminated the ability of dopamine-producing neurons to release this chemical messenger in response to the normal electrical activity of these cells.

They expected to see a loss of motor function in these mice similar to what is seen in individuals with Parkinson's. But surprisingly, the mice showed a completely normal capacity for movement.

Meanwhile, measurements of overall dopamine levels in the brain revealed that extracellular levels of dopamine in the brain of these mice were normal.

These results suggest that the activity of movement circuits in the brain requires only low basal levels of dopamine.

It is therefore likely that in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, basal dopamine levels in the brain remain sufficiently high for many years -- this, despite the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons. It is only when a minimum threshold is exceeded that motor perturbations appear.

According to the scientists, by identifying the mechanisms involved in the secretion of dopamine in the brain, this advance in Parkinson's research could help to identify new approaches to reduce the symptoms of this incurable neurodegenerative disease.

--IANS

rvt/svn
Kolkata, July 19 : A five-member fact-finding team of the Trinamool Congress left for Manipur on Wednesday to review the current situation in the violence-hit state.

Before leaving for Imphal, the team members expressed apprehension of complete non-cooperation from the local administration in Manipur to prevent them from reaching the conflict-hit tribal areas.

"We will try to prepare a detailed report on the troubled areas in Manipur before the next session of Parliament. But we doubt whether we will be able to visit all the tribal areas where violence broke out," former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Sushmita Dev.

"The local administration is also yet to confirm helicopter services for us. Without helicopter services, it will be extremely difficult to reach the remote tribal areas. However, some local non-government organisations have already agreed to provide some logistical support," Dev, who is also a member of the team, added.

She further said that it is the responsibility of the local administration in Manipur to provide security to the Trinamool Congress team.

"We have even contacted Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and sought his cooperation."

Besides Dev, the other members of the fact-finding team are Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen, Kalyan Banerjee and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.

A decision to send the delegation to Manipur was taken by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on July 10.

The decision came just about an hour after information surfaced that the BJP had decided to send a four-member fact finding team to West Bengal to review the large scale violence related to the panchayat elections.
Hyderabad, July 19 : A court has sentenced Tollywood actor couple Rajasekhar and Jeevitha to one year imprisonment in a defamation case. However, the couple was granted bail.

In a judgment pronounced on Tuesday, the 17th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000.

However, the court later granted bail to the actor couple to enable them to go for appeal in a higher court.

In 2011, the actor couple had made certain allegations against Chiranjeevi Blood Bank run by megastar Chiranjeevi.

Rajasekhar and his wife had alleged that after collecting the blood free of cost from donors, the Blood Bank is selling the same.

They had alleged that large scale irregularities took place in Chiranjeevi's Blood Bank and Charitable Trust.

They had reportedly stated that Chiranjeevi's Charitable Trust which got Rs. 14.5 lakh from the state government for the maintenance of their blood bank, was selling a unit of blood at Rs 850.

Allu Aravind, film producer and brother-in-law of Chiranjeevi, had filed a defamation suit against the couple.

Aravind had said that the allegations made by them and their follower Harikrishna Goud against Chiranjeevi's Charitable Trust and the Blood Bank run by it, and also against its trustees, were completely false and politically motivated.
Agartala, July 19 : Senior Muslim leader and CPI(M) MLA Samsul Haque died after a cardiac attack in the wee hours of Wednesday, party sources said. He was 69.

Elected from the Boxanagar Assembly Constituency in Sepahijala district in the February elections, Haque suddenly fell ill late on Tuesday night and was rushed to Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital, where doctors after preliminary treatment declared him dead.

He is survived by four sons and wife.

CPI(M) leader Amitabh Datta said that Haque was the party's state committee member and leader of All India Krishak Sabha.

The party flag would fly half-mast across Tripura in honour of the departed leader, Datta said.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, CPI(M) state Secretary Jitendra Choudhury, party's politburo member and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and many other political leaders condoled the death.

Chief Minister Saha in his social media posts wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of Honorable MLA Samsul Haque of Boxnagar Assembly Constituency. I pray to the almighty for eternal peace of his departed soul. Also, my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family".

With Haque's death, CPI(M)'s strength was reduced to ten in the 60-member Tripura assembly.

--IANS

sc/svn
Bangkok, July 19 : Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday suspended Prime Ministerial candidate and leader of the Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat as an MP pending a ruling on his disqualification case submitted by the Election Commission.

The court's decision came after it received a complaint filed by the Commission that the 42-year-old Harvard graduate and former tech executive owned shares in a media company at the time of registering his election candidacy for the May 14 election, which violates electoral rules, reports Xinhua news agency.

In a shock election result, Pita's newcomer party won the most seats and largest share of the popular vote as citizens rejected the conservative military rule that had been in place since the 2014 coup.

The court had filed a second complaint against him that involvedMove Forward's proposal to amend the draconian royal defamation law, which has jailed hundreds of critics of the monarchy.

Meanwhile, Pita has denied he broke election rules and a statement from Move Forward accused the Election Commission of rushing the case to court.

On July 11, outgoing Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had announced his retirement from politics after leading the Southeast Asian nation for nine years.

Prayut was elected Prime Minister in 2019, a win largely credited to a military-drafted constitution that entrenched the armyas power in politics.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Head of the working group of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan on inter-parliamentary relations with France Soltan Mammadov has sent letters to the Chairman of the Senate of France Gerard Larcher and Head of the French-Caucasian friendship group of the Senate of France Alain Houpert, Trend reports.

Mammadov noted that the information about the meeting of the Chairman of the Senate with the Chairman of the Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan, which Larcher shared on Twitter, was negatively met by the Azerbaijani public.

He noted that Larcher's demand for the "urgent opening of the Lachin road" connecting the Karabakh region, which is an integral part of Azerbaijan, with Armenia, as well as France's call to supply defensive weapons to Armenia in order to "ensure Armenia's security", were perceived as an attempt to aggravate the situation in the region yet again.

He expressed regret in the letter that the statement of Larcher coincided with the period when, with the mediation of the US and the Council of the EU, the countries agreed on a number of controversial issues, and significant progress was made in the negotiation process.

Armenia and Azerbaijan, demonstrating their commitment to the UN Charter, the Alma-Ata Protocol of 1991, declared recognition of each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty during the negotiations.

Mammadov pointed out that when there were great hopes for achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus,the opinions of Larcher only serve to create new disputes and tensions.

He mentioned in his letter that the opinion of the chairman of the French Senate that the Lachin road is closed does not reflect reality.

Mammadov said that the European Court of Human Rights rejected Armenia's demand for the introduction of a temporary interim measure against Azerbaijan in connection with the Lachin road.

The MP noted that despite the military provocation of Armenia, which led to the wounding of an Azerbaijani serviceman on June 15, as well as the identification of attempts by the Armenian side to carry out various kinds of smuggling through the use of vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Azerbaijan has created all opportunities for the passage of humanitarian goods, private crossings and medical evacuations through the Lachin border checkpoint.

He notes with regret further in the letter that France still neglects the fact that Armenia, violating the requirements of international conventions, sets mines on the territory of Azerbaijan, as a result of which more than 300 people (most - civilians) became victims of mines in the liberated territories from Armenian occupation after the second Karabakh war.

Mammadov, in his letter to Larcher, urged to refrain from steps and initiatives that do not contribute to the creation of an atmosphere of peace, stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus, harm the bilateral relations that have deep roots and cover a wide range between Azerbaijan and France.

It was noted in the letter addressed by Mammadov to Head of the French-Caucasian friendship group of the French Senate Alain Houpert that the statements of the chairman of the French Senate caused deep misunderstanding in Azerbaijani society.

Mammadov expressed confidence that the senator appreciates the ties between France and Azerbaijan and will do everything possible to convey to the French public, the leadership and members of the Senate the right and fair position of Azerbaijan.

The head of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) working group noted at the end of the letter that the international community, politicians from different countries holding high government posts who have the opportunity to influence public opinion, including French politicians, are expected not to call for war, but to help in finding a formula for peace, cooperation and coexistence.
Varanasi, July 19 : With just three days left for the two-day International Temples Convention and Expo (ITCX) to begin, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will visit a few ashrams in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

This expo is the world's first event solely dedicated to the management of temples across the globe.

Bhagwat's tour is seen as a move by the RSS to mobilise temple managements and seek support for the BJP ahead of the next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Though the RSS has not put out any official statement on Bhagwat's visit, a senior functionary said that it was "routine" for the RSS chief to keep up interaction with saints and seers - more so when the "threat to Hindu religion is getting pronounced".

On Wednesday, the RSS chief visited Siddhapeeth Hathiaram, ashram in Ghazipur and met Acharya Bhavani Nandan. The ashram has an 800-year-old history and its head is known as Haathi Sant.

Meanwhile, the temple convention, being held months ahead of the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and then the Lok Sabha elections, assumes immense political significance, as does the venue which happens to be the Prime Minister's parliamentary constituency.

The presence of temple managements and heads from southern states clearly indicates that the intention is to consolidate the Hindutva plank on a pan-India basis with a focus on southern states.

The event is being hosted by Temple Connect (TC), which is a leading platform dedicated to the documentation, digitalisation and distribution of information related to temples of Indian origin.

The sessions will cover topics on temple safety, security and surveillance, fund management, disaster management, sanitisation, and hygiene as well as optimal use of new-age technology like artificial intelligence (AI) for protection against cyber-attacks and social media management to foster a strong and connected temple community apart from subjects like crowd and queue management, solid waste management, and infrastructure enhancement under the umbrella of pilgrim experience.

The most significant part of the convention is the participation of over 450 personalities from devotional institutions of religious minorities including Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism from across 25 countries. The congregation of Hindu religious minorities at the event will, in all probability, extend tacit support to a uniform civil code, thereby demolishing the myth that all minorities are opposed to UCC.
PM Modi thanks US for return of trafficked antiquities. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, July 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked the US government for returning 105 trafficked antiquities.

Responding to the tweet by the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C., Modi said: "This will make every Indian happy. Grateful to USA for this. These precious artefacts hold immense cultural and religious significance. Their homecoming is a testament to our commitment to preserving our heritage and rich history."

The antiquities were handed over by US authorities to the Embassy officials at a ceremony held at the Consulate in New York on Monday.

The process was undertaken as a follow-up to Modi's state visit to the US in June.

"105 trafficked antiquities, representing diverse regions and traditions of India, returning home! The antiquities, handed over by the US side as a follow-up to the historic State Visit of Prime Minister @narendramodi, date as far back as the 2nd century AD, and include notable cultural and religious heritage," the Embassy had said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Some of these antiquities include a 12-13th century marble arch from Rajasthan, a 14-15th century Apsara from Central India, a 14-15th century Sambandar from South India and a 17-18th century bronze Nataraja, also from South India.

--IANS

ans/ksk
Mumbai, July 19 : After Prabhas and Rana Daggubati were seen in the US, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan too was spotted taking a stroll in the streets of San Diego ahead of the grand release of the first look of the film 'Project K' at the San Diego Comic-Con.

As the countdown to San Diego Comic-Con begins, the star-studded cast has started converging in the United States to unveil the suspense behind the intriguing title 'Project K'.

In the picture, the universal star Kamal Haasan can be seen walking on the streets wearing a pair of comfy pants, a jacket, a pair of sandals and a cap as he looks into the camera.

The highly anticipated sci-fi drama 'Project K' by Vyjayanthi Movies has become a major talking point, not just in the Indian film industry but globally. The filmmakers are gearing up to unveil the teaser and the official title of 'Project K' at the H Hall at San Diego Comic-Con marking another milestone in the Indian film industry's history.

Directed by the National Award-winning director Nag Ashwin, 'Project K' promises to take audiences on a thrilling and immersive journey where science fiction seamlessly merges with drama. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani, and a visionary director leading the ship.

Earlier, Big B took to Twitter, where he shared the news by Vyjayanthi Movies about 'Project K' making its debut at the San Diego Comic Con.

In the caption, he wrote: "I am honoured and have had the great privilege of being a part of this great enterprise in Telugu Cinema , 'Project K' and to have had the huge honour of being in the same frame of the Idol, Prabhas."

"Thank you all... and thank you Nagi Sir, for thinking of me... The humility, the respect and the concern Prabhas has given me has been so so touching and emotional... Not for me, but for all those involved in 'Project K' , may your hard work touch new horizons...love and prayers (sic)," he added.

The film is set to release in India on January 12, 2024.
Jaipur, July 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting to be held in Rajasthan's Nagaur on July 28 will now be held a day earlier in Sikar.

Earlier, PM Modi was to transfer the amount of Samman Nidhi to the accounts of nine crore farmers across the country in Nagaur, however now he will transfer this fund from Sikar.

This programme, proposed by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Fertilizer, was earlier to be held at Kharnal, the birthplace of Veer Tejaji, but now its location has been changed to the district stadium in Sikar.

The responsibility of the programme has been given to Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary. The event's nature has been changed from a government programme to a political rally.

PM Modi will now hold the rally in Kharnal on August 16.

Earlier it was to be organised by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, but now the responsibility will be taken up by the party.
New Delhi, July 19 : The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has recommended the appointment of advocate Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind as judge of the Karnataka High Court.

The recommendation for his elevation was made by the Collegium of the High Court of Karnataka on August 16, 2022. The Chief Minister and the Governor of Karnataka have also concurred in the recommendation for elevation of advocate K. V. Aravind, said the SC Collegium.

It said that the apex court Collegium has scrutinized and evaluated the material placed on record for the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of the candidate for elevation to the High Court. "We have considered the observations of the Department of Justice in the file. The inputs in the file indicate that nothing adverse to the integrity or character of Shri K.V. Aravind has been noticed," it added.

Advocate K.V. Aravind has a standing of nearly 23 years at the Bar. He has appeared before the High Court as Standing Counsel for various departments of the State government. He has appeared in cases resulting in 567 reported judgments.

"There is a considerable amount of tax litigation before the Karnataka High Court. There is a need for specialised judges having domain experience in this branch of law. Tax law is integrally connected with various other branches of law, including commercial, corporate and personal law," said SC Collegium while recommending the name of lawyer for elevation to the high court.
Guwahati: Angry protestants go on rampage while protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 that was tabled in the Rajya Sabha today, demanding unconditional withdrawal of the contentious bill, in Guwahati on Dec 11, 2019. The protesters. Image Source: IANS News

Guwahati, July 19 : At least 25 people, including three journalists, were injured in a violent clash that erupted in Assam's Silchar town following the recovery of a missing teenager's mutilated body, police said on Wednesday.

The 25 injured also included five police officers and a member of the Central Reserve Police Force.

The 19-year-old victim was reported missing on July 15 from the town's Rangirkhari area.

Her mutilated body was discovered by locals on Tuesday at a construction site in Dwarbond, some 30 km away from Silchar.

Locals informed the police after which the body was taken for post-mortem.

Later in the night, over a thousand enraged locals blocked the road, demanding for the hand over of the victim's mortal remains.

"After the post-mortem at Silchar Medical College and Hospitals (SMCH), when we were transporting the body to the crematorium in under tight security, some protesters stopped the car in the Rangirkhari," Cachar SP Numal Mahatta told IANS on Wednesday.

He claimed that despite their assurances of conducting a thorough inquiry into the matter, the enraged mob unexpectedly attacked them.

"Hundreds of locals began throwing stones at us and damaging our cars. In that episode, five police officers, one member of the CRPF, and three journalists suffered serious injuries, and at one point, we had to open fire to maintain law and order," the officer said.

The victim's family had claimed that the teenager suffered possible sexual assault, as well as an acid attack.

They also alleged that the police delayed the search for her and kept them waiting.

"If they had responded sooner, she may have been saved," the victim's father, Nriprendra Roy told reporters.

Mahatta claimed that while it hasn't been proven whether she was sexually assaulted, the evidence at this point strongly shows that she was murdered a few days ago.

"Things will become clear once we receive the post-mortem report. Investigation is ongoing, and we're trying to identify the criminals," he continued.

The mother of the deceased, Uma Roy, claimed that her daughter, who used to work at a shop in the town, had called her at around 9.30 p.m. on July 15 to say that she was on her way home.

"She didn't answer, and when I tried to contact her again, her phone was off. We started looking for her and kept calling. We filed a complaint the following day, but my daughter was untraceable," she claimed.

Several right-wing organisations have protested against the crime and demanded capital punishment for the suspect.
Gujarat to host 69th edition of Filmfare awards in 2024. Image Source: IANS News

Gandhinagar, July 19 : Filmfare Awards, one of India's esteemed film awards, is making a comeback with its 69th edition to the state of Gujarat.

Filmfare and Government of Gujarat on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards, set to take place in 2024 in Gujarat.

MoU signing ceremony was graced by Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel and Managing Director of Times Group Vineet Jain.

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff will also be present as a celebrity guest. The Guest of Honour for the event will be Minister of Forest and Environment of Gujarat Mulubhai Bera.

Traditionally held in Mumbai, the Filmfare Awards will take a detour to Gujarat for the 2024 edition.

Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel expressed his excitement on Twitter, announcing that vibrant Gujarat will be hosting the prestigious Filmfare Awards in 2024.
Suva, July 19 : Fiji on Wednesday signed a $200 million agreement with the World Bank to develop the tourism potential of Vanua Levu, the country's second-largest island.

The deal was signed by Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad and World Bank Regional Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Manuela Ferro, Xinhua news agency reported.

Prasad, who is also the Finance Minister, said the Fiji Tourism Development Program for Vanua Levu will not only bolster tourism, but lead to the improvement of drainage, sewage and transport infrastructure generally.

He added that the project will focus on overcoming barriers and promote sustainable tourism, while emphasising the need for resilient infrastructure, capacity enhancement and effective project management.

Ferro said the World Bank-funded program brings together several aspects of development, including economic growth, job creation and its potential to stimulate the broader economy.

According to the World Bank, the project is expected to benefit at least 60,000 Fijians through the creation of new jobs and tourism infrastructure investment.

The program, approved by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors in June this year, is the first of three projects planned over 10 years to help Fiji deliver its vision for more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism across the country.
Phnom Penh, July 19 : Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Wednesday appealed to all eligible people to exercise their right to vote in the general election which will be held on July 23.

In a message released to the media by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Wednesday, the monarch said people are free to choose any political leaders they like in the election, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The election on Sunday, July 23, 2023, is a universal, free, fair, equitable and secret one based on the principle of multi-party liberal democracy," Sihamoni said.

"Therefore, I call on the people not to worry about any threats or intimidation from any person or political party," he added.

Eighteen political parties will contest the election for the 125 seats in the National Assembly, the NEC said, adding that more than 9.7 million people are eligible to cast their ballots.

In the last general election held five years ago, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen won all 125 seats in the National Assembly.

The 69-year-old leader is seeing re-election to further extend his 38-year-old rule.

He is the world's longest-serving political leader.
Mumbai, July 19 : Ashish Sakharkar, a prominent body-builder, four-time winner of the coveted 'Mr. India' title, and 'Mr. Universe' Silver and Bronze medal winner, passed away after a prolonged illness late last night, officials said here on Wednesday.

Confirming the development Indian Body Builders Federation General Secretary (Miss) Hiral Sheth told IANS said that Sakharkar, 43, a resident of Parel, was suffering from certain health issues and had been admitted to a hospital in south Mumbai a week ago.

A body-builder in the 80-Kg Category, Sakharkar had bagged many national and international awards and was conferred the Maharashtra governmentas Shiv Chhatrapati Award, she added.

Survived by his wife and a son, Sakharkaras last rites shall be performed this evening, details of which are not immediately available.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde mourned the loss of Sakharkar who brought fame to the country and his passing has caused an irreparable loss to the body-building fraternity.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray grieved over the demise of Sakharkar and offered condolences to his family.

There was an outpouring of grief on social media with his legion of fans mourning the death of Sakharkar, some calling it the end of an era for the state body-building sport.
details added, first published at 11:32

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Head of the working group of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan on inter-parliamentary relations with France Soltan Mammadov has sent letters to the Chairman of the Senate of France Gerard Larcher and Head of the French-Caucasian friendship group of the Senate of France Alain Houpert, Trend reports.

Mammadov noted that the information about the meeting of the Chairman of the Senate with the Chairman of the Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan, which Larcher shared on Twitter, was negatively met by the Azerbaijani public.

He noted that Larcher's demand for the "urgent opening of the Lachin road" connecting the Karabakh region, which is an integral part of Azerbaijan, with Armenia, as well as France's call to supply defensive weapons to Armenia in order to "ensure Armenia's security", were perceived as an attempt to aggravate the situation in the region yet again.

He expressed regret in the letter that the statement of Larcher coincided with the period when, with the mediation of the US and the Council of the EU, the countries agreed on a number of controversial issues, and significant progress was made in the negotiation process.

Armenia and Azerbaijan, demonstrating their commitment to the UN Charter, the Alma-Ata Protocol of 1991, declared recognition of each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty during the negotiations.

Mammadov pointed out that when there were great hopes for achieving sustainable peace in the South Caucasus,the opinions of Larcher only serve to create new disputes and tensions.

He mentioned in his letter that the opinion of the chairman of the French Senate that the Lachin road is closed does not reflect reality.

Mammadov said that the European Court of Human Rights rejected Armenia's demand for the introduction of a temporary interim measure against Azerbaijan in connection with the Lachin road.

The MP noted that despite the military provocation of Armenia, which led to the wounding of an Azerbaijani serviceman on June 15, as well as the identification of attempts by the Armenian side to carry out various kinds of smuggling through the use of vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Azerbaijan has created all opportunities for the passage of humanitarian goods, private crossings and medical evacuations through the Lachin border checkpoint.

He notes with regret further in the letter that France still neglects the fact that Armenia, violating the requirements of international conventions, sets mines on the territory of Azerbaijan, as a result of which more than 300 people (most - civilians) became victims of mines in the liberated territories from Armenian occupation after the second Karabakh war.

Mammadov, in his letter to Larcher, urged to refrain from steps and initiatives that do not contribute to the creation of an atmosphere of peace, stability and cooperation in the South Caucasus, harm the bilateral relations that have deep roots and cover a wide range between Azerbaijan and France.

It was noted in the letter addressed by Mammadov to Head of the French-Caucasian friendship group of the French Senate Alain Houpert that the statements of the chairman of the French Senate caused deep misunderstanding in Azerbaijani society.

Mammadov expressed confidence that the senator appreciates the ties between France and Azerbaijan and will do everything possible to convey to the French public, the leadership and members of the Senate the right and fair position of Azerbaijan.

The head of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) working group noted at the end of the letter that the international community, politicians from different countries holding high government posts who have the opportunity to influence public opinion, including French politicians, are expected not to call for war, but to help in finding a formula for peace, cooperation and coexistence.
Mumbai, July 19 : Shiv Sena (UBT) President and former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today paid a 'courtesy' call on Deputy CM Ajit Pawar - their first meeting after the latter split the Nationalist Congress Party, here on Wednesday afternoon.

A relaxed Thackeray walked to the chamber of Ajit Pawar, along with Aditya Thackeray and several MLAs of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

They exchanged warm pleasantries and the former Boss (Thackeray) and his second-in-command (Ajit Pawar) had a brief discussion.

Thackeray 'advised' the mercurial Ajit Pawar to dedicate himself to the welfare of the masses, and despite the political one-upmanship going on, he must not ignore the problems of the farmers and the ordinary citizens of the state.

Later, Thackeray told mediapersons that he was confident about Ajit Pawar and he would do justice to the people of the state in his new role in the government of Shiv Sena CM Eknath Shinde and Bharatiya Janata Party Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

"I have worked with him for two-and-half years and I know his nature very well Whatever may be the political games going on, he will extend the desired help to the people After all, the state treasury's keys are once again in his hand," said Thackeray.

This was the first meeting after Ajit Pawar broke away from the NCP on July 1, and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP regime as the second Deputy CM on July 2, along with 9 ministers, and MLAs.
New Delhi, July 19 : Global technology brand Xiaomi has teased its latest smartwatch called Redmi Watch 3 Active that is all set to be unveiled at a grand event early next month.

While the latest Redmi smartwatch is expected to be a feature-rich product, the company appears to be pulling out all stops to make it a 'perfect outdoor companion' for the users, sources told IANS on Wednesday.

Xiaomi is reportedly putting the Redmi Watch 3 Active through several stringent tests, including submerging it under water for up to three days under water, according to sources.

More details are expected to be revealed at the August 1 launch event, for which the company has already sent the invitations.

In an earlier video uploaded by the company, Xiaomi fans were quick to spot an 'unreleased smartwatch', sported by Xiaomias President Murlikrishnan B.

and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Anuj Sharma, which many believe to be the new Redmi Watch 3 Active.

The leading technology brand will also be launching the latest successor to its popular Redmi number series -- Redmi 12 -- on August 1.
Google Meet to soon let users create AI-generated background images. Image Source: IANS News

San Francisco, July 19 : Google has announced that it is testing a new feature in Meet, which allows users to create background images with artificial intelligence (AI).

The feature is in testing under Workspace Labs, which is a trusted tester program for users to try new AI features by invitation, the company said in a support page.

The Workspace Labs program is currently available to trusted testers in US English.

The new 'Generate a background' feature is available in Meet for desktop.

The tech giant also mentioned that generated images are for use only within Google Meet.

"Workspace Labs generated images are designed to bring your imagination to life in Meet, and may not represent real world situations," it explained.

The company also warned to not provide any personal, confidential or sensitive information while using the feature.

To use the new feature, users have to open meet.google.com and select a meeting.

Then at the bottom right of the self view, click Apply visual effects> Generate a background.

There, users will be able to enter a prompt. For example, "Luxurious living room interior" or "A magical sunny forest glade."

Moreover, users will be able to create an AI-generated background image during a meeting.

Last month, the tech giant had introduced a new quick action for Meet on web, which allows users to easily access popular features.

By hovering the mouse on top of their own video feed, users can access video effects such as immersive backgrounds or fun filters to bring more fun to their meetings and a reframing option to improve their visibility.

Users can also turn off the video feed from other participants using the quick action on their video.

This can be helpful when users want to focus their meeting view on just the presenter or hide participants with distracting video feeds.
Gandhinagar, July 19 : The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced the signing of 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in the biotechnology sector, with a combined investment worth Rs 2000 crore.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

The focus of these MOUs is primarily on investments in the fermentation-based Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and biofertilizers sector, as well as emerging areas such as precision fermentation and animal tissue cultivation.

The operations of these industries are expected to commence in various districts of the state, including Kutch, Devbhumi Dwarka, and Vapi-Valsad.

Government said that these MOUs will lead to the creation of approximately 3,000 job opportunities. Thirteen companies from Gujarat and one each from Maharashtra and Delhi participated in the signing.

Among the companies that signed the MOUs, Maharashtra's Ambio Limited and New Delhi's BioTrends India Pvt Ltd were included, along with local industrial units in Gujarat such as Zydus Lifesciences, Concord Biotech, and Hester Biosciences Ltd. Additionally, Meteoric Bio-Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd., an emerging domestic technology player, committed investments of around Rs 500 crore, joined by Endoc Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat Themis Biosyn Ltd., Steviatech Life Pvt. Ltd., Celexis Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., Kaniva Bioscience Pvt. Ltd., and other industrial units.

To facilitate the growth of the biotechnology sector, the Gujarat government has established the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) as the nodal agency.
Chennai, July 19 : The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the state liquor body Tasmac to explain the rationale behind seeking exemption from RTI on the quantum of liquor procured by it from various private breweries and distilleries and the prices at which these spirits were supplied to the corporation.

The first division bench of the Madras High Court represented by Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala and Justice P.D. Adikesavalu wanted Additional Advocate General J. Raveendran to put before the court any judgment to seek the benefit of Section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act that could be relied upon by Tasmac.

The AAG requested time for this and the court adjourned for two weeks a writ appeal preferred by the Tasmac MD against a single judge order in March to disclose this information. The AAG argued that the prices at which Tasmac procures liquor from various distilleries and the quantum of such procurement was a matter of commercial confidence.

Raveendran said that disclosing such details to a RTI applicant would affect the dealings between the corporation and the private breweries and distilleries.

He also contended that the single judge of the Madras High Court had erred in passing a judgment in favour of the RTI applicant, M. Loganathan.

The division bench of the Madras High Court asked how the price and quantum of liquor procured by Tasmac could be kept a secret after the constitution of the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act of 1998. To this the AAG responded that Tasmac does not invite tenders for procurement of liquor and that the spirits were purchased directly from breweries and distilleries.

Justice Adikesavalu asked the AAG the provision of the 1998 RTI Act that exempts Tasmac from the law. The Chief Justice also asked the AAG how the pricing and quantum of liquor falls under Commercial Confidence. The Chief Justice said that Tasmac was the sole wholesale as well as retail seller of liquor in Tamil Nadu and there was no competition from any other player.

The AAG stated that Tasmac was obligated to inform the private breweries and distilleries that it would not disclose the price and quantum of liquor it procured from them. He said that Tasmac may not be forced to disclose such information and sought a fortnight's time to place before the court some of the judgments that could come in support of the corporation.

The write petition was filed before the division bench of the Madras High Court after the single bench judge of the court headed by Justice SM Subramanian passed an order on a petition filed by M. Loganathan that there was absolutely no commercial confidence involved in the matter.

The single bench judge had also ordered Tasmac to disclose details to RTI applicants in the larger public interest and also transparency.
Bikaner : , July 19 (IANS/ 101Reporters) 'Milk and son are never sold' is a popular saying among the people of the Raika community of Rajasthan. The lives of these pastoralists are closely linked to camels, the 'ship of the desert', and they do not have a custom of selling camel milk outside.

However, the number of herders in the community and camels is fast dwindling. "Earlier, every household in the village used to keep camels. For farming, extracting water from wells and carrying loads, camels were the mainstay. They were used for weddings and processions, too," says Rugharam Raika (56), a farmer and camel keeper from Bikaner's Sindhu village.

"When our people travelled through the desert and felt tired, they used to consume fresh milk from the accompanying camel to quench their thirst and hunger. Such was our connection with the animal," he adds.

The 20th Livestock Census released in 2019 has shown a 35 per cent decrease in the number of camels in Rajasthan against the previous census data from 2012. Ask him why, and Rughram says, "The youth are not ready to rear camels as it is not possible to roam around with them in summers. There are no forests left to graze. Keeping camels involves much expense, and the government's contribution has become necessary. Moreover, vehicles have replaced camels in transportation and machinery in agriculture."

A camel can munch away 40 kg of green fodder in a day. In case of dry fodder, it takes in around 15 kg. As a result, a farmer has to spend up to Rs 18,000 a month to maintain a camel.

Space shortage also prevents Raikas from rearing as many camels as they used to in the past. "Around 700 camels were present in the 10 houses of my extended family. Now, there are just 10 in my house due to space constraints," says Ramswaroop Raika (48), another camel herder from Kesar Desar Jatan village near Bikaner.

Jetharam Meghwal (56), a farmer from Nalbari near Bikaner, says the number of camels in his house has come down to just one from nine. "Dry fodder has become so expensive that I cannot afford it. Also, the transportation tasks that were earlier carried out using camels are now being done by pickup vehicles," he says.

Bikaner resident Raju attests this when he says he has stopped driving a camel cart and turned to driving a school bus. The Raikas are basically associated with agriculture and animal husbandry, but they do not use camels for agriculture as much as they did before.

However, there is one thing that has not changed for the Raikas. They still do not sell camel milk. "There are other caste people like Rabaris and Meghwals who sell milk, but it is a taboo for us," Ramswaroop insists.

Government effort boomerangs

Only 2.50 lakh camels are left in the whole of India, of which about 2.25 lakh are in Rajasthan. The National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC), established in Bikaner in 1984 under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, is making continuous efforts to boost their numbers through technological interventions and awareness programmes.

A camel gets ready for pregnancy only by the age of four, while the gestation period is around 13 months. "We, at the NRCC, have been experimenting to reduce the time taken to get pregnant to two-and-a-half years," says NRCC Principal Scientist Dr RK Sawal.

In a bid to shore up the desert animal's population, the state government has been providing Rs 10,000 to the farmer when a calf is born. However, farmers say this assistance is hardly enough to meet the fodder needs for four months.

Camels got the status of the 'state animal of Rajasthan' in 2014, after which the rules for transporting them to other states became very strict. Though done with a good intention to protect the animal, it posed issues for the people of nomadic communities as they often moved the animals from one place to another for grazing. Eventually, they reduced the number of camels they rear.

NRCC Director Dr Artabandhu Sahoo informs 101Reporters that the 'state animal' tag has had a negative impact. "The District Magistrate's permission became mandatory to sell camels or transport them to other states. As herders live in extremely rural settings, they have no idea of how to take approval. It is not easy either," he says.

Reminding that the camel population will not increase just by giving the astate animala status, he says the state government should review its rules to stop camel herders from discarding their profession.

In this context, the local officials of the Animal Husbandry Department tell 101Reporters that they have no role to play as the NRCC, which is directly affiliated with the Centre, is working for the conservation and promotion of camels in Rajasthan.

In 2008, the NRCC established the country's first camel milk dairy in Bikaner, which currently provides up to 100 litres daily. The NRCC has also tried breaking the taboo surrounding the sale of camel milk in the Raika community but without much success. Only a few have shun their aversion to sell to shops, where camel milk is now available at Rs 80 per litre.

A powerhouse of nutrition

Camel milk is a nutritional powerhouse with extraordinary medicinal properties. "It has low fat with high percentage of desalted calcium, vitamin C and micronutrients such as iron, copper and zinc. This is why we developed camel milk tea, coffee, kulfi, lassi, paneer, barfi, peda, kheer, ice cream and cheese from it," says Dr Sawal.

These products are not available in the market, and can be purchased only from the NRCC. Those who purchase milk mostly use it to deal with diseases. Camel milk is beneficial in cases of dengue, autism and diabetes. A study on the prevalence of diabetes had found that the Raikas who habitually consumed camel milk did not suffer from diabetes.

"Based on availability, the NRCC provides camel milk to a private hospital in Pune, and another in Punjab's Faridkot catering to autistic children. Beauty products and millet food items containing camel milk are also being prepared for launch," Dr Sawal says, adding that the centre has developed an anti-snake venom from camel's blood for saw-scaled viper attacks.

Camel bone and leather can be turned into valuable products. Items carved from the bone can be as beautiful as ivory creations, yet cheaper.

Though continuous efforts, including holding races and decoration competitions, have been made to connect the public with camels, positive results have not been achieved. The youth shy away from rearing camels citing the expenses involved and strict laws, whereas the herders in neighbouring Gujarat are buying more animals as they get remunerative prices by associating with Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul).

Camel meat is consumed in many Arab countries, but Rajasthan banned its slaughter by approving the Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act, 2015, which deprived camel herders of a source of income.

Camels are the identity of Rajasthan. Only a new action plan with a focus to boost the income of rearers can arrest the decline in numbers of these hoofed mammals in the state.

(Dr Mudita Popli is an Rajasthan-based freelance journalist and a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters)
Congress MLA questions own govt over murder of four members of family in Jodhpur. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, July 19 : Congress MLA from Osian, Divya Maderna on Wednesday raised questions on her own government after four people, including a six- month-old child, of a family were killed and burnt in a village in her constituency in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Talking about the incident, Divya Maderna said: "What can I say, I am myself not safe. I was attacked even under police protection. The accused who attacked me are not caught till date, she said.

Maderna added: "I wanted to raise this matter in the assembly but was not allowed to speak."

"The Rajasthan Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill to ensure strict action against organised crime and today this incident comes to the fore," she said

Maderna also raised questions on Jodhpur IG Jaynarayan Sher.

She said: "Such incompetent officers should be immediately removed from the field and made to sit in the PHQ."
Actor Jisshu Sengupta, popular in Bengali filmdom, will be seen as actress Vidya Balan's husband in the film "Shakuntala Devi - Human Computer".. Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, July 19 : Actor Jisshu Sengupta has talked about how the mood on the 'The Trial - Pyaar Kaanoon Dhokha' set was completely different from what it was on-screen.

Jisshu said: "It was my first time working with Kajol and I'm a huge fan of Kajol. It was a wonderful experience. She's a spontaneous actor and a very supportive co-actor. The energy that she brings on the sets, there was so much to learn from her. We had Mishti Doi and Rosogulla feast on the sets and we relished it."

"As for the others, each of them brought something special and unique to their character, it was such a treat to watch them in action, the fun between action and cut is another story. From feasting together during lunch breaks to waiting for our director to say cut so that we can all laugh in chorus to the silly jokes we would keep cracking on each other," he added.

"Suparn S Varma brings his own charm and fun on the sets. He would tell us to focus and deliver our lines and while saying that he would burst out laughing himself. So, all in all every single day of shooting was fun and only fun," the actor said.

The series explores the complexities of relationships and moral struggles faced by the characters.

'The Trial - Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha' is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Rent a cab-bike to go EV in Goa from Jan 2024. Image Source: IANS News

Panaji, July 19 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday that the state government has proposed to make it mandatory that all new tourist vehicles -- Rent a Cab and Rent a Bike -- shall be electric vehicles (EV) from January 2024.

He also said that it will be mandatory for all government departments to purchase electric light motor vehicles from January 2024.

Sawant said this during the G20 India Energy Transitions working group meeting here.

"The Government of India has taken multiple steps to decarbonise transports, including promoting the use of electric vehicles. The National Mission on Electric Mobility aims to improve charging infrastructure and develop a domestic manufacturing ecosystem," Sawant said.

"The Goa government proposes that it will be made mandatory that all new tourist vehicles - Rent a Cab and Rent a Bike - shall be EV from January 2024," Sawant said.

He said that it will also be mandatory for permit holders having multiple tourist taxis, rent a bike and rent a cab operators, to retrofit 30 per cent of the fleet to EV by June 2024.

The Centre has formulated the Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy 2021, and EV Concessional Charging Infrastructure Policy 2021 to promote EV ecosystem in the state.

"The state government is leading the promotion and adoption of electric mobility, paving the way for a sustainable and decarbonised transport sector," he said.
Bengaluru, July 19 : Karnataka's Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge on Wednesday rejected the BJP's demand for a probe by the Central agencies into the terror module busted by Bengaluru police.

The minister said that the police are efficient enough to handle investigations of any kind.

"If at all the investigation needs national help or has international connections, then we will see about seeking Centre's help. As of now, we have an efficient policing system here. We have mechanisms to deal with terrorism. We will do that," he told reporters.

"Why is the BJP always in a hurry? They do not trust the very same officers that they had a month ago," he said.

Former chief minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after Bengaluru police announced that it arrested five suspects who were allegedly planning subversive activities. The police also seized weapons from them.

On BJP leader C.T. Ravi's statement that the Congress government should open its eyes, Kharge said if he had his eyes and ears open he would won the election and BJP would have some respect.

The minister advised Ravi to open his mouth in front of BJP high command to stop insulting state BJP leadership.

"Let them announce the leader of the opposition. Who is the leader of the opposition. The governor's speech is done, the budget is tabled and passed and out of five guarantees, three have already been implemented. Instead of asking us to open our eyes he should open his mouth and seek a leader of opposition," Kharge said.

Earlier, Bommai told reporters that there is a very big conspiracy behind the people who have been arrested. He alleged that they had support of international terrorist organizations.

"The way explosives and walkie talkie were seized shows there is a big threat. It is very clear that they wanted to do serial bomb blasts in Bengaluru," he said.

The former chief minister said that since Bengaluru is the fast growing economy and pride of India, terrorists were planning to target it to destroy the economy and peace.

"Police have done a good job but this is not enough. The case should be handed over to the NIA to go into depth of it," he said.

Bommai alleged that the Congress government had failed in maintaining law and order.

He said senior police officers were clueless as there were no proper directions to them.

He said the officials were busy in their own transfers and there was nobody to take care of law and order.
Details added: first version posted on 14:27

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov held meeting with his Uzbek colleague Abdulla Aripov, who is on a visit to the country, the press service of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

According to the press service, first, Asadov and Aripov held one-on-one talks, during which relevant issues on the bilateral agenda were discussed. Then the colleagues continued the meeting with the participation of delegations from both countries.

It was noted that the basis of bilateral relations between the two countries was laid by the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and the first President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

Gratitude was expressed for the high organization of events on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan.

It was emphasized with satisfaction that currently, through the joint efforts of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and current President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, relations between the two countries have reached the level of strategic partnership, developing comprehensively.

The parties stated that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan maintain close cooperation within the framework of international organizations, including the UN, the CIS, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkic States.

Asadov wished Uzbekistan success during the country's chairmanship in the Organization of Turkic States this year.

He noted that personal trusting relationships and constant contacts between the heads of state play a key role in strengthening bilateral ties.

"In this regard, last year was very productive. The President of Azerbaijan visited Uzbekistan three times. The key was the state visit, which was marked by the signing of a solid package of documents," Asadov said. "The declaration on deepening strategic partnership and building up comprehensive cooperation, signed by the heads of state, raised our relations to a qualitatively new level."

He also noted the importance of the visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Azerbaijan in March of this year to participate in the Summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement in response to COVID-19.

At present, intensive preparations for the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan are conducted through the governments.

The Azerbaijani prime minister gave detailed information about the large-scale work carried out by Azerbaijan to restore and develop the liberated territories. He expressed gratitude for the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to build a school for 960 students in the liberated Fuzuli city of Azerbaijan.

The parties stated the importance of the meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, which was held on July 18 in Azerbaijan's Shusha city.

Hope was expressed that the decisions reached following the results of the meeting will contribute to the strengthening of the Azerbaijani-Uzbek mutually beneficial cooperation.

Both sides gave a positive assessment of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction with the significant growth in trade, which increased by almost 64 percent in 2022.

Besides, the parties pointed to the good dynamics of investment cooperation, noted the significance of the signing of constituent documents on July 18 in Azerbaijan's Shusha city in connection with the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Uzbek Investment Fund. Its establishment was assessed as an additional incentive to strengthen investment cooperation.

The Uzbek side was informed in detail about the favorable investment climate in Azerbaijan.

The sides positively assessed the prospects for cooperation in the transport and transit sector. Last year, the total volume of cargo transportation between the two countries increased by more than 65 percent. The importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) was especially emphasized.

The parties also noted the positive development of industrial cooperation, and cooperation in the fields of cotton and sericulture.

Active cooperation in the energy sector was emphasized. Last year, a roadmap for cooperation in the energy sector was signed between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The prime ministers also pointed to the good opportunities that are opening up in the field of renewable energy sources, and also expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation in the agricultural, cultural, humanitarian, educational, health and other fields.

Then the co-chairs of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission - Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov held talks.
New Delhi, July 19 : The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud on Tuesday recommended the appointment of advocate Manjusha Ajay Deshpande as judge of the Bombay High Court.

"The Collegium of the High Court presided over by the then Chief Justice of the High Court made the recommendation for the elevation of Smt Manjusha Ajay Deshpande on 26 September 2022. The Chief Ministers and the Governors of the States of Maharashtra and Goa have concurred in the recommendation," it said.

Earlier on May 2 this year, the SC Collegium deferred its decision after issues were flagged by the government on the recommendation. It then decided to seek the report of the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay.

The apex court collegium said that it has considered the government inputs in conjunction with the report of the High Court of Bombay. Also, three consultee-judges of the top court have opined on her suitability for elevation.

"The Collegium of the High Court is well-positioned to ascertain her professional competence. Their assessment is affirmed by the consultee judges of the Supreme Court who have served in that High Court and are conversant with the performance of the Bar. In our assessment, the candidate is a competent lawyer," said the SC Collegium while repelling the government objections.

Deshpande has been in practice for over thirty two years. She is well versed in constitutional and service matters and has been on the panel of the government since 2013.

"The elevation of the candidate would add to the representation of women on the Bench of the High Court of Bombay particularly amongst women lawyers practicing before the Bench at Aurangabad," added the SC Collegium while recommending her name for judgeship at Bombay HC.
Taunton, July 19 : Despite Australia retaining the Women's Ashes, England captain Heather Knight hailed her side's T20 and ODI series victories as "really special".

A thrilling women's Ashes series came to a close at Taunton with England defeating Australia by 69 runs via DLS method in the third ODI on Tuesday night.

The victory allowed England to clinch the ODI series 2-1, but Australia still retained the Women's Ashes as the multi-format series ended tied at 8-8 following the seven matches, due to the Alyssa Healy-led side being previous holders of the trophy. But more importantly, England handed Australia their first ODI series defeat in a decade.

"I'm hugely pleased, it's a draw isn't it. And we've got two trophies against the world champions, which is really special. I think the fact that we'd gone so close and gone toe-to-toe with Australia, in the Test and that first T20, I think it actually built more belief - even though we didn't get the results," said Heather after the match.

England had come close to taking the Women's Ashes, but a three-run loss in the second ODI at Southampton had dashed those hopes.

"I think the way that the group has turned it around after the Ageas Bowl, it was a pretty quiet bus journey, on the way here there was a lot of emotion and disappointment that the Ashes had slipped away, but I think credit to the group, and to the staff, the way they've turned it around and really turned up in the match," added Heather.

England looked to be heading towards losing Women's Ashes early after being 6-0 behind due to losing the one-off Test and first T20I match. But the hosts' staged a remarkable fightback to win four of the remaining five matches.

"I think it was just staying very level, obviously accepting we were in the situation, but that we could do a lot about it. We felt like we were really close, and we had the players to compete with this really good side. So credit to the girls for still believing, and I think the staff as well deserve a huge amount of credit for being able to keep us believing," stated Heather.

For the ODI leg of the Women's Ashes, all three games were sold out and Heather concluded by saying England wanted to enthrall the crowd through their performance in Taunton.

"We wanted to continue playing how we had all series. We wanted to entertain and inspire this crowd that had come out to support us," the England skipper said.

"We owed it to everyone to try to do that, and obviously, there was a lot on the line still. So I'm hugely impressed by how the girls have done that and very happy to be finishing with a draw," she added.
Washington, July 19 : The US government has suspended funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China even as it failed to provide documents related to Covid virus amid reported safety concerns, media reports said.

According to a memo from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) obtained first by Bloomberg News, the infamous lab "is not compliant with federal regulations and is not presently responsible".

It noted that the lab did not share requested documents on their security and safety measures. "This action will ensure the (Wuhan Institute of Virology) does not receive another dollar of federal funding," an HHS spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement to Bloomberg.

"The move was undertaken due to WIV's failure to provide documentation on WIV's research requested by NIH related to concerns that WIV violated NIH's biosafety protocols."

The HHS also proposed permanently barring WIV from doing business with the federal government. The lab hasn't received money from the US National Institutes of Health since July 2020.

In the memo, HHS concluded that the WIV's actions reveal it "not only previously violated (biosafety protocols), but is currently violating, and will continue to violate".

"Therefore, I have determined that the immediate suspension of WIV is necessary to mitigate any potential public health risk," HHS's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, whose name is redacted, wrote in the memo.

The Wuhan lab has been at the centre of a theory that Covid-19 escaped from the lab in late 2019.

The true origin of the pandemic, which has claimed the lives of 7 million lives worldwide, remains a subject of ongoing investigation. The recent revelations by the newly declassified intelligence report by the US government on the origins of Covid-19 also did not confirm whether the pandemic was the result of a lab leak or the virus jumped into people from an infected animal.
Srinagar, July 19 : An army officer was killed and six other soldiers injured in a tent fire incident in Siachen Glacier area of Ladakh on Wednesday, army sources said.

As per the sources, the fire broke out in a tent at 3.30 a.m. on Wednesday.

aThree critically injured jawans were shifted to Chandigarh. The fire was doused before it could get to the ammunition tent. A few tents were reportedly damaged in the blaze.

aInitial cause behind the fire was a short circuit. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that led to the fire," sources said.

--IANS

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Domestic help sentenced to life for killing elderly Indian in Singapore. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, July 19 : Rajasthan Police on Wednesday arrested a man who killed his uncle and three others of a family, including a 6-month-old child, in Churai village in Jodhpur.

During interrogation, accused Pappuram accepted committing the crime, said police sources.

Two reasons have been revealed behind the execution of the mass murder.

"The suicide of Pappuram's brother, who was living in Surat, is also being linked to a property dispute. Accused's uncle Poonaram's son Revatram was a suspect in the suicide case. Eventually, a conspiracy was hatched to avenge the death of his brother," said officials.

"Pappuram came to Poonaram's house with the aim of killing Revatram. But after not finding Revatram, he first attacked his wife Dhapu, then with a feeling of revenge, killed everyone -- one by one with an axe," police sources said.

The police are seriously investigating this matter on every aspect on directions of IG Jainarayan Sher and SP, Dharmendra Singh.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the family members were murdered by slitting throats with a sharp-edged weapon after which everyone was dragged to the courtyard of the house and set on fire.
Agartala, July 19 : After the CPI-M, all major opposition parties including the Congress on Wednesday have demanded re-investigation of murder of Tripura police officer Durga Kumar Hrangkhwal and severe punishment for the assailants.

The police officer was killed by the drug mafia on November 21, 2019.

Main opposition Tipra Motha Party (TMP), Congress, Trinamool Congress demanded the BJP government to arrange re-investigation of murder of the Tripura police officer and arrange exemplary punishment to the drug peddlers who killed Hrangkhwal.

Opposition leader and senior TMP legislator Animesh Debbarma demanded a judicial probe of the killing and asked that if the police officer on duty was killed by the drug mafia how the state government would achieve its mission to make Tripura a drug free state.

Tripura state Congress President Ashish Saha demanding re-investigation of the killing of Hrangkhwal, who was a Sub-Inspector of Tripura police, said that even the police officers are also not secured from the evil design of the drug peddlers and smugglers.

"Home and Law Departments are now held by the Chief Minister Manik Saha himself. The Chief Minister has always talked about making Tripura a drug-free state. How this plan would be successful when an honest police officer was killed and he did not get any justice," Saha told the media.

Hrangkhwal was killed in a run over incident in November 2019 while he along with other policemen was patrolling on a road along Bangladesh border against drugs smuggling.

After a long trial, the Sepahijala District Judge last week acquitted all the seven accused due to lack of evidence and other proof.

Trinamool Congress state President and senior lawyer Pijush Kanti Biswas demanding an appropriate punishment to the drug peddlers said that the state government must apply to the High Court for conducting the reinvestigation of the killing.

CPI-M Tripura state secretary Jitendra Choudhury on Tuesday had said that due to the shoddy investigation and making a weak chargesheet by police caused acquittal of all seven accused charged with murder of the Sub-Inspector Hrangkhawal and even the vehicle that had crushed the police officer had not been seized.

The Officer-in-Charge of the Kalamchoura police station under Sepahijala district was given promotion and the police officers involved in the investigation of the police officer's murder case tried day and night to save the accused from punishment.

The CPI-M leader demanded to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a Superintendent of Police rank officer to re-investigate the murder of the honest police officer on duty.

Choudhury alleged that the investigating police officers were influenced to derail the probe at the behest of influential leaders.

Meanwhile, officiating Commandant of 145 battalion of Border Security Force Deepak Kumar Mandal was also killed after he was hit by a vehicle of cattle smugglers at Belardeppa village along Bangladesh border in Tripura's same Sepahijala district in October 2017.
Kolkata, July 19 : Further uncertainties galore over procedure of the conducting the voice sample test of Sujay Krishna Bhadra aka Kalighater Kaku (uncle of Kalighat), the prime accused in the alleged multi-crore school recruitment scam in West Bengal, by Enforcement Directorate (ED), as the accused got a stent implanted in his heart on Tuesday evening.

Bhadra was admitted to the state-run SSKM Medical College and Hospital in South Kolkata on Monday afternoon after he started vomiting profusely within the Presidency Central Correctional Home, where he had been serving his judicial custody.

Initial medical examinations suggested that Bhadra had fallen sick due to dehydration and high blood pressure-related ailments. However, later the medical team examining him decided to get a stent implanted in his heart.

Now since he will have to remain admitted at the hospital for some more days, the ED sleuths are in a fix over the probable time when they will be able to conduct the voice sample test procedure.

ED got the permission of the special court in Kolkata on July 15 to conduct the voice sample test of Bhadra through forensic experts. At that point of time, Bhadra was released on parole to perform the last rituals of his recently deceased wife Bani Bhadra. The court directed ED sleuths to conduct the voice sample test within three days after he returned to judicial custody on July 17.

However, on Monday soon after he returned to the Presidency Central Correctional Home in Kolkata, he started vomiting profusely and the doctor of the correctional home after initial medical check-up referred him to SSKM for further treatment.

ED is supposed to present its charge sheet naming Bhadra by July 29 at a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata. Sources said that in the charge sheet, the central agency will give details of properties and assets registered in the name of Bhadra, his family members and close associates besides particularising how disproportionate these assets were to his income.
Mumbai, July 19 : As outrage continued over scum videos purportedly featuring a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ex-MP Kirit Somaiya, the Mumbai Police on Wednesday launched its probe into the antecedents of the clips.

Official sources said that the Crime Branch Unit X is leading the probe with the help of the technical experts and cyber specialists, and Somaiya is likely to be called to join the investigations later.

The teams are expected to scour the sleaze video footage, reportedly running into around 8 hours, some of which was aired by a private TV channel and leading to a massive uproar in political circles and the public in the past two days.

Taking serious cognizance, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured a probe while the Deputy CM and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Mumbai Police to conduct a high-level investigation to verify the authenticity of the videos.

Simultaneously, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women on Wednesday wrote to the Commissioner of Police Vivek Phansalkar, seeking a detailed probe into the incident and its report on priority.

After the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) raised the issue in the legislature, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Ambadas Danve submitted a pen-drive of the 8-hour video to the Deputy Chairperson, Neelam Gorhe.

Responding, Gorhe has urged the women victims to "have faith in the legislature" and come forward with their complaints for the probe to be meaningful.

Earlier on Tuesday, Somaiya claimed he had not exploited any woman as alleged, and wrote letters to Fadnavis and Phansalkar demanding a thorough probe to verify the authenticity of the alleged videos in which he reportedly is seen in compromising positions.

When asked about the video-gate, Shiv Sena (UBT) President and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray flatly said that he would not watch such sleaze, but "the women of the state have given their appropriate response" to the scam that has blown up on the BJP.
Amaravati, July 19 : Andhra Pradesh police have arrested six people including three juveniles for the shameful incident in which they humiliated a tribal youth by urinating on his face after brutally assaulting him.

The incident that occurred in Ongole town of Prakasam district on June 19 has come to light a month later with shocking visuals of at least three accused urinating on the badly injured youth circulating on social media.

Prakasam district Superintendent of Police Mallika Garg stated that the incident was reported on June 19 when the victim, Naveen, who belongs to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, was admitted to the hospital with injuries.

"On interrogation he had mentioned that there was a brawl between his friends and him but had not mentioned about them urinating on him. After the video went viral, Naveen gave a statement that his friends, who belong to Kamma and other communities harassed him and threatened him by urinating on him," she said in a statement.

The SP said out of the nine accused, six have been arrested while three were absconding. A team has been deployed to nab the absconding.

"Out of the 6 arrested, 3 are juveniles who are being produced before court. A case has been registered under sections 307 and SC/ST Act," the SP said.

The motive for the crime is that Naveen eloped with the accused Abhilash's girlfriend and they wanted to take revenge. So, they called Naveen for a dinner meet and then assaulted him followed by urinating on him.

The nine accused and Naveen are childhood friends who have been involved in property crimes in the past and have been rowdy-sheeters with 30 cases against them.

In a similar incident, in Madhya Pradesh, a BJP leader had urinated on a tribal labourer, the Ongole incident triggered an outrage with tribal groups demanding an action.

In the video clip circulated on social media, a profusely bleeding victim is seen pleading the attackers to spare him. Not stopping at that, some of the accused urinated on the victim's mouth and asked him to drink it.
Mumbai, July 19 : Writer-director Manish Gupta, who is gearing up for his directorial 'One Friday Night' starring Raveena Tandon, Milind Soman and Vidhi Chitalia, has shared that he has shot the films at real locations to bring in authenticity to the narrative.

In one such instance, the director shot for a key scene of the film with Raveena, who plays a gynaecologist in the film, in an actual operation theatre of a maternity home.

Raveena plays the protagonist of the film, whereas Milind plays her husband's role. Vidhi Chitalia plays the role of Milind's decades-younger love interest.

Talking about the scene, the director told IANS: "For a sense of realism, I shot the film at all real locations. I did not use any sets at all for the film. For instance, there's a scene of Raveena, who is a gynaecologist in the film, handling a complicated birth, I shot this scene inside an actual operation theatre of a leading maternity home, I showed the hospital's actual midwife assisting Raveena in the birth instead of using an actor in order to bring a sense of realism."

The story of the film revolves around one stormy night, in an isolated villa atop a secluded hill. The film is touted to be a relationship drama plotted like a Hitchcock-esque suspense. The film has been shot entirely in the monsoon, in the months of July and August, at the remote banks of the beautiful Pawna lake near Lonavala, where the director utilised the natural rain to depict scenes of heavy rain in the film.

"While shooting inside this hospital that was full of patients, we had to maintain pin-drop silence all the time. It was quite an experience for the actors and the entire crew. A major portion of the film was shot in an isolated villa atop a secluded hill that's surrounded by a vast lake. I shot this at the beautiful Pawna lake, ahead of Lonavala. I shot there in the heart of monsoon, in the months of July and August, and I made full use of the natural heavy rain to depict scenes of rain in the film," he added.

'One Friday Night' is expected to be released soon.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Azerbaijan has decided to remove a number of media representatives who illegally visited the territory of Azerbaijan from the the 'blacklist', Trend reports.

The relevant statement was adopted today, following a joint press briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Media Development Agency and the Press Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Joint Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MEDIA), and the Press Council of Azerbaijan:

"This year marks the 148th Anniversary of the establishment of the national press in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Modern Azerbaijani press, which takes its origin from the Akinchi newspaper, which started to be published in Azerbaijani language on July 22, 1875 by prominent intellectual and publicist Hasan Bey Zardabi as the first example of our national press, is experiencing a period of its development in accordance with the achievements of our country in all areas.

Today, in Azerbaijan, which is confidently moving along the path of independence and comprehensively developing, freedom of expression and press, rights of journalists to collect information are ensured by country's Constitution and Law on Media, and a number of successful projects related to the development of this area are being implemented. Based on the principle of pluralism in the information space of Azerbaijan, all conditions are created for the activities of representatives of local and foreign media entities.

Supporting the activities of journalists based on the principles of neutrality and objectivity is one of the main priorities of our country. Fulfillment of this mission by media by methods that do not contradict the legislation is one of the most important factors.

National press has an undeniable role in conveying the truth of our country to the international audience on issues related to the foreign policy interests of our country, especially on the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, shaping the information space in the region and beyond, and ensuring national information security against the backdrop of external negative ideological influences.

To this end, the organization of visits of foreign journalists to Azerbaijan is one of the main areas of activity. Hundreds of journalists visited the region both during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia for almost 30 years and after the Patriotic War. At the same time, it is known that a number of foreign journalists made visits to our former occupied territories without the permission of the government of Azerbaijan, and in many cases such visits occurred as a result of ignorance by these persons.

As is known, in accordance with international experience, a person being a part of any trip resulting in gross violation of national and international legislation of Azerbaijan is included in the list of foreign citizens who illegally visited the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as persona non grata in Azerbaijan. At the same time, dozens of people annually send official letters of apology to the government of Azerbaijan in order to remove their names from this list, and if the appeals are deemed appropriate, their names are removed from the list.

This year, within the framework of the Year of Heydar Aliyev and the 148th anniversary of the establishment of the national press in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan decided to remove from this list the names of 58 foreign media representatives who illegally visited the former occupied territories. Thus, the ban on entry to the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan of persons whose names are announced were lifted.

On the National Press and Journalism Day, we sincerely congratulate all media representatives working in this field and wish them new successes in this honorable work!"
Mumbai, July 19 : As the film 'Googly' clocks a decade since its release on Wednesday, actress Kriti Kharbanda took to her Instagram to express her emotions and gratitude towards the milestone.

'Googly' is a Kannada romantic comedy directed by Pawan Wadeyar, which also featured the Kannada superstar Yash, the actor who set the box-office on fire with 'K.G.F.'

In the film, Kriti shared the screen with Yash, who portrayed the charming boy-next-door character.

The actress shared a video from the film about key moments on her Instagram.

In the heartfelt note, Kriti reminisced about the journey she embarked upon with the film.

She captioned the post: "10 years to this brilliant, satisfying, iconic movie 'GOOGLY' ! A movie I knew was magical in every sense while I shot it. DR.Swathi aka Doctreeee is my most favourite character that I've ever played onscreen. And Sharath (@thenameisyash) will always be my favourite onscreen boyfriend haha! A movie that made me believe in love, in hard work, and in just having fun."

The film tells the story of Sharath (played by Yash), a university topper and a fun loving guy, who falls for Swathi (played by Kriti Kharbanda) after he meets her at the World Economic Summit. The two fall in love but fate had different plans for them as Swathi meets with an accident followed by a misunderstanding between them.

Kriti expressing her gratitude to the director Pawan Wadeyar, said: "Thank you #jayanna sir for making this movie, believing in the script and believing that I could play Swathi. @pavanwadeyar I still remember our first narration that took place in my house in Bengaluru! U walked in, narrated the first half and promised to come back the next day to narrate the second half. The longest 24 hours of my life till date."

The actress also shared that she made up her mind just by listening to the first half of the film.

"I was so invested in Sharad and Swathi and I couldn't wait to hear more. I just had to know how their story unfolds! I'll let you in on a little secret, I had decided that I'm doing the movie just after hearing the first half. I was in love with your art and your writing. Thank you for choosing me to be your Swathi. I'm forever grateful."

She continued, "None of this would have been possible without the perfect Sharath, @thenameisyash a dream to work with! I had so much fun working with u, and I guess that translated onscreen making Sharath and Swathi the ideal most amazing couple! Despite the flaws in these characters they were so loved, coz they were so relatable. A big big thank u to my amazing fans and fan clubs for loving this movie more than I could possibly imagine."

"I receive so many messages on a daily basis even today where you'll shower Sharath and Swathi with so much love! Swathi for me is and will always be oh-so-special! Googly put me on the map and made me the actor I am today. I'll never forget the day I walked into a Housefull theatre in Mysore, and was told by the owners that 80 per cent of the audience were watching it for the 2nd or 3rd time! The whistles I heard still echo in my heart. Thank you for giving me that feeling! It'll last me a lifetime! This will never get old," the actress added.
Bhopal, July 19 : The Madhya Pradesh administration on Wednesday bulldozed the house of a person who has been allegedly accused of spitting on the devotees who were participating in a religious procession in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh.

A video had surfaced on social media, few days back, showing three youth allegedly 'spitting' on devotees of a religious procession in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Ujjain Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Bhuriya said that during a recent religious procession some individuals attempted to disturb the religious harmony.

"The police registered an FIR against the accused under various sections, leading to their subsequent arrest. We then informed the Municipal Corporation and the Revenue Department about the accused," the police officer said.

He said that the illegal encroachment by the accused has been effectively removed in the presence of the Municipal Corporation and the Revenue Department and the police.

The bulldozer operation was carried out by Ujjain Municipal Corporation while beating drum.

When asked about beating drums, the ASP said that drums are traditionally used to publicly announce actions such as the removal of encroachments.

"That is why we used drums today as well," the police officer said.

Police said that incident was reported during the process called  'Mahakal Ki Sawari' on July 17.

On the basis of social media video and a complaint lodged by a person participating in the procession, Ujjain police carried a search operation.

The complainant had told the police that the procession was crossing Tanki Chowk when he saw three unknown boys 'spitting' on the devotees.

The three persons belong to the minority community. They were arrested on July 18.

Police said that the accused have been booked under various sections, including 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 153A (offence committed in a place of worship).
Mumbai, July 19 : Shruti Hassan, sporting a rebellious attitude, has said that she has trouble fitting into society with all its rules and norms, with her many challenges making it difficult for her to adjust.

But taking pride in her unique self, which many term as 'weird', she shared a rhyme where she said that now she knows what to really care about, and even though she has been misunderstood, the difference in herself brings her much joy.

Sharing a poetic rhyme in the Stories section of her Instagram, she wrote, "Insomnia thoughts

"Somewhere in between, I don't fit in?

"But I also kind of do?"

"It's always been a mystery to me"

"Being different has been a joy"

"Being misunderstood, a part of that journey"

"I think I have reached that space and time

"Where I know what to care about"

"Aleast for now (:"

"And starting now"

"Effs will be given to those people and things, that matter"

"I'm a proud weirdo"

"And I can't wait to show you"

"My magical weirdo land"

Shruti is also known for her singing talents as she is also a member of an alternative rock band The Extramentals. She regularly posts clips showcasing her daily life, new attire, music and fashion sense that has gained her a massive amount of followers.

Shruti made her Bollywood debut in 2009 with the film 'Luck'. She was later seen in Hindi films like 'Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji', 'Ramayya Vasthavayya' and 'Gabbar is Back'.

In South Indian cinema, she has worked in various hits such as 'Gabbar Singh', 'Yevadu', 'Krack', and most recently in 'Waltair Veerayya'. She will also be seen in the Prabhas starrer 'Salaar Pt.1'

For her singing she has received much praise, garnering various awards and nominations. She has also sung songs in Hindi films such as 'Aazma' for 'Luck' and 'Alvida' for 'D-Day'.
New Delhi, July 19 : The meeting of the Rajya Sabha Parliamentary panel on home affairs witnessed heated scenes on Wednesday, as Congress members suggested that a fit case to bring a privilege motion was there against Assam chief secretary for misleading the committee on the number of detention camps in the state.

In fact, amid repeated interruptions by BJP MPs during the course of meeting, Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury even walked out of the proceedings.

The panel was discussing prison conditions, reforms and infrastructure in states of Assam, West Bengal and Odisha.

The drama began when some Congress MPs sought to know from Assam chief secretary, the number of detention camps in the state, sources aware of the development said.

When the official said that there was one detention camp which housed 200 inmates, a BJP MP incidentally countered the Assam chief secretary's claim, by saying that as per the internet, there are six detention camps in the state.

This annoyed the Congress members, who said that it was a fit case to bring a privilege motion against the official for misleading the Parliamentary panel, sources said.

Interestingly, the panel's chairman Brijlal, a former DGP of Uttar Pradesh and a Rajya Sabha BJP MP, countered the above-mentioned BJP MP, saying that he will go by the response of the Assam chief secretary and won't go by what the internet says on the number of detention camps in the state.

During the meeting, many BJP MPs interrupted the proceedings of the committee's meeting, which led to Chowdhury walking out.

Meanwhile the panel appreciated the prison infrastructure and reforms undertaken by Odisha government.

The West Bengal chief secretary though was not present in the meeting. The committee also discussed the food quality in detention camps.

The panel was informed that food served there in terms of its palatability and calorific value, is checked once a month.

However Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suggested that food quality should be checked on a daily basis in detention camps.
Chandigarh, July 19 : A member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was arrested by Punjab Police's State Special Operation Cell on Wednesday for making threat calls and demanding extortion from affluent persons in Mohali, Chandigarh and adjoining areas, officials said.

The arrested accused was identified as Kashmir Singh, alias Bobby Shooter (24), a resident of Patiala, who was working as a taxi driver.

The police teams have also recovered a country-made pistol along with two cartridges with him.

AIG Ashwani Kapur said following reports of extortion attempts and threatening phone calls made by an individual claiming affiliation with the Bishnoi gang, police teams launched an investigation.

With the assistance of advanced intelligence gathering, the police were able to apprehend Bobby from Khanna district, he added.

Divulging details about the modus operandi, Kapur said Bobby used to make extortion and threat calls to persons, including owners of night clubs and bars in Chandigarh, Mohali and adjoining areas.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, July 19 : Director Greta Gerwig's upcoming comedy-fantasy film 'Barbie' has been the talk of Hollywood along with Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer', with the two being touted as the biggest releases of July.

While boasting a PG-13 rating making it a film friendly for kids and families alike, doubts have been raised whether the movie is appropriate for kids, as previews have shown "suggestive references and brief language". Furthermore, due to its more mature and deep themes, the movie won't fully appeal to kids.

Due to this, the film may not be suitable for children under the age of 13, with the film's PG-13 rating strongly cautioning parents that "some material may be inappropriate."

The Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling-starrer is a very different take on 'Barbie' as it isn't just aimed at children, but also adults who grew up playing with the Barbie toys. As such, the movie has been made with both children and adults in mind.

As the initial visuals of the film's colorful costumes, bright colours and set designs appeared, the creators of this pink fantasy toy-world dreamland began dropping hints about the story.

Plus due to the film's deeper themes, it is not at all something that is childish in any way.

In a recent conversation with 'People' magazine, Greta Gerwig, talking about the film, said "We invent things like dolls to explain to ourselves what it means to be human. Part of me wondered if there was a way that we could allow the doll to also have that humanity. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Queen of Plastic was given something real?"

The movie contains many references to existential musings and political leanings particularly in regards to themes such as feminism and patriarchy. As reported by 'People', according to critics who have already seen it, 'Barbie' includes themes that may be more familiar to adults than kids, interspersed with silly jokes that appeal to all.

It's heady and existential and sometimes uses big words, but smart kids will be eager to lean forward and meet the movie on those terms.

According to Danny Brogan, the executive editor at Common Sense Media, an organization that pre-screens and rates content for kids, told Yahoo!, "I think Gerwig has included all this maturer content knowing that a large portion of the audience will be millennials and members of Generation Z  people who grew up with Barbie during the '80s, '90s and '00s  looking for that nostalgia but also to be entertained. They're no longer that 8-year-old who took Barbie everywhere with them."

The film will also explore the contrast between the female-centric fantasy realm of the Barbie and Ken dolls and the real life modern society with its many complex realities. Ken will start getting radicalised by America's notions of patriarchy, while Barbie has to deal with sexual harassment. In addition, the movie contains some suggestive language and even one or two F-bombs.
New Delhi, July 19 : The BJP on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led government in Rajasthan, alleging that the "law and order" situation has deteriorated in the state under the ruling dispensation.

"The law and order situation has deteriorated in Rajasthan since the Congress government came to power under the leadership of Ashok Gehlot. We can provide a list to what extent the law and order situation has deteriorated," said Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here. Meghwal, who represents the Bikaner parliamentary constituency, said, "If I analyse as a Law Minister, the reason behind this is Ashok Gehlot himself." "Today, an incident has happened in Jodhpur district. Four of a family were burnt to death. A woman was gang-raped three days back," added the Minister as he questioned the state government on law and order. Meghwal also accused Gehlot of doing 'vote bank' politics.

Echoing similar sentiments, BJP national secretary Alka Gurjar said, "The report of the National Crime Records Bureau states that Rajasthan has become number one in crime against women. Several incidents of murder and rape are reported daily." Assembly elections in Rajasthan is scheduled to be held later this year. It is likely that law and order would be one of the major issues for the BJP in the upcoming polls to take on the Gehlot government.
Chennai, July 19 : Two construction workers were killed on Wednesday when a portion of a compound wall of a private wedding hall collapsed on them in Sholinghur town in Ranipet on Wednesday.

According to Ranipet police, three workers including a woman were demolishing a portion of the compound wall of the private wedding mall to construct a concrete pillar for a new small room near the main entrance of the wedding hall.

The wall collapsed on the two men workers while the woman worker was at a distance for removing the debris. Fire and Rescue Service personnel along with Sholinghur town police reached the spot and rescued the two workers. They were taken to the hospital but were declared brought dead.

The deceased workers were identified as Velu (40), a resident of Sholinghur town, and V. Vishwa (19) a resident of Mahankaligapuram village from neighbouring Tiruvallur district.

The woman worker is Venda (35) a resident from Sholinghur.
Mumbai, July 19 : The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly witnessed tumultuous scenes after the Opposition Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Asim Azmi reiterated that he would not chant 'Vande Mataram' as it was against Islamic tenets, here on Wednesday.

Azmi's comments came after he spoke about the violence in Aurangabad during the Ram Navami celebrations on March 30, which coincided with the holy month of Ramzan.

In the course of his brief speech, Azmi -- who is the state President of SP -- declared that though he had highest regard for 'Vande Mataram', chanting it was not acceptable to him, sparking protests from the treasury benches.

"Islam allows us to bow our heads only before the Almighty who created the whole world, not even the mother According to my religion, if I don't recite 'Vande Mataram' it does not lessen my respect for the country or my patriotism and nobody should object to this," said Azmi.

He added that "our forefathers sacrificed their lives for this country" and they are ones who considered India as their country and not Pakistan.

"We are as much a part of this country as you The Sakal Hindu Samaj gatherings have resulted in violence in many parts of Maharashtra, but no action was taken against those making hate-speeches in those meetings," Azmi pointed out.

Attacking the government, Azmi said that during the Aurangabad riots, one person was killed in a police bullet but he will not get justice.

"Taking one-sided action only against Muslims and not even ordering an enquiry for those innocents who have been killed this is the arrogance of the state government, but it will not last forever," he thundered.

He urged for a mechanism to ensure that there are no hate speeches and if there are hate speeches, then action must be taken against those found guilty, even as Speaker Rahul Narwekar urged the protesting members to calm down.

Later, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that no religion also says that you cannot bow your head before your mother, including Islam.

He said that 'Vande Mataram' national song is accepted by the masses and like the National Anthem, it is also accepted by the Constitution.

"We sing the National Anthem and the National Song in this hall 'Vande Mataram' is not a religious song but a national pride," said Fadnavis.

On earlier occasions too, Azmi had expressed reservations on singing the 'Vande Mataram' song on similar grounds.
Chandigarh, July 19 : Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday said that it has busted one of biggest pharma opioids consignments by arresting two people and recovered 13.7 lakh capsules and tablets from their possession.

The seizure by the Barnala police included tramadol capsules.

"A first information report (FIR) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered and further backward linkages are being made to destroy the illegal pharma drug cartel," the DGP tweeted.

He said that the police is committed to make the state drug-free as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. The names of 58 persons (most of them foreign journalists) who illegally visited Azerbaijani territories have been excluded from the "blacklist" of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The list includes journalists, bloggers, photographers, columnists of various age, from a number of countries, including Spain, Germany, Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, etc.

Of the mentioned 58 people, 18 are women.

The list also includes a date of the person's illegal visit to Azerbaijan, with some dating back to 2008. The latest visits were made in 2019. The list doesn't have any illegal visits made in 2020 or later.

Meanwhile, as Spokesman for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada said, Representatives of foreign media excluded from the 'blacklist' will be required to comply with the legislation of Azerbaijan in their next trips.

"One of the necessary factors when visiting Azerbaijan is respect for its laws. Positive steps are expected to be taken in this direction in the coming years," the official stressed.
Chandigarh, July 19 : With 35 people killed in flood-related incidents in Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday announced to give Rs 5 crore to neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, which was also hit by calamity, for relief works.

The amount would be contributed to Aapda Rahat Kosh a" 2023, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu said.

Khattar told the media here that the government is providing all possible help in the state, both financially and medically, for those who have been adversely affected due to heavy rainfall in the past.

He said heavy to extremely heavy rainfall received in most of the parts of Haryana as well as in neighbouring states for three consecutive days from July 8 that triggered flood-like situation in the state, throwing normal life out of gear and causing unfortunate loss of lives, animals and extensive damage to properties and infrastructure.

Sharing the rainfall statistics, the Chief Minister said from July 8 to 12, the state received 110 mm of rainfall, which was 387 per cent more than normal of 28.4 mm.

The normal rainfall in Yamunanagar is 32.8 mm, 32.9 mm in Kurukshetra, 53 mm in Panchkula and 58.5 mm in Ambala, while this time they received 842, 814, 699 and 514 per cent rainfall more than normal.

"As a result, almost all rivers in Haryana -- the Yamuna, Markanda, Tangari, Ghaggar, and the Saraswati, besides all drains were in spate. There were breaches and overflows at many places leading to flooding of fields, roads and habitations causing loss of lives and damage to properties," the Chief Minister said.

He said 12 districts -- Ambala, Fatehabad, Faridabad, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sonipat, Sirsa and Yamunanagar -- were declared flood-affected.

A total of 1,353 villages were affected.

While refuting the allegations levied by the Opposition that the flood situation was caused due to increasing mining in rivers, the Chief Minister said such statements are illogical to make as flood and mining have no connection.

He said legal mining in riverbeds as per the mining plan can rather have the potential of increasing the water intake capacity of rivers and rather help preventing floods in low-lying areas as excess built-up of silt is removed in the mining process.

Khattar also suggested that excess slit should be removed by way of mining and otherwise from canals as well so that their water capacity in canal beds can also increase.

He said during the Flood Control Board meeting held in January Rs 930 crore was approved for tackling flood relief works.

The Chief Minister said the proposal to construct a dam of 500 metres behind the Hathnikund barrage is being taken up with the Himachal government.

He said due to floods caused by excessive rains, there has been a loss of approximately Rs 500 crore as per the initial estimate in the state out of which Rs 281 crore has been received from the Central government as disaster relief amount.

Also, an additional amount will be demanded from the Centre for flood relief.

The Chief Minister said around 6,629 people have been evacuated and 41 relief camps set up.

A total of 1,774 people are currently housed in these camps.

The Chief Minister said that to provide timely medical help, the government has organised 2,878 special medical camps for the public.

So far, more than 37,500 people have been provided treatment in these camps. At least 35 deaths have been reported so far.

The Chief Minister said 35 deaths have died in the state and compensation to the next of kin of the deceased would be given as per the provision of disaster funds.

"For loss of human lives a compensation of Rs 4 lakh will be given, while in case of loss of limbs, the compensation will be Rs 74,000 per person with disability between 40 and 60 per cent. A sum of Rs 2,50,000 per person would be given in case the disability is more than 60 per cent," said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said 125 houses were fully damaged whereas 615 houses were reported as partially damaged.
Mumbai, July 19 : Director Vivek Agnihotri, who is known for 'The Kashmir Files', is now set to release an original series titled 'Kashmir Files Unreported' along with his wife, producer-actor Pallavi Joshi.

The director has said that the series aims to tell the uncomfortable truth about the genocide of the Kashmiri Pandits in true form.

Taking to social media, Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri announced the release of the original, 'The Kashmir Files Unreported' and wrote on social media: "PRESENTING: A lot of Genocide Deniers, terror supporters & enemies of Bharat questioned The Kashmir Files. Now bringing to you the VULGAR truth of Kashmir Genocide of Hindus which only a devil can question. Coming soon #KashmirUNREPORTED. Be ready to cry."

While the movie became an unexpected superhit it also became a hotly debated political topic of much controversy as the topic itself polarised people. Many called it the 'unheard or willfully ignored truth' while others called it as a mixture of 'half truths and lies' and labeled it as a propaganda.

Despite facing its fair share of skepticism, with many still questioning its accuracy and portrayal of events, the movie succeeded financially and also resonated with the audiences.

As viewers continue to engage with its compelling narrative, the film's call for empathy, justice, and unity remains a powerful force in shaping societal perspectives on what is one of modern India's darkest chapters.

Talking about the 'The Kashmir Files Unreported', producer and actress Pallavi Joshi said, "When we made 'The Kashmir Files', it was a three hour long film but it was only the tip of the iceberg. And when a section of society started saying that this is untrue, this is fake, we realised that the truth in its true and naked form needs to come out in front of people."

She continued: "So here we are presenting 'The Kashmir Files Unreported' which shows you the extensive research we have gone through. And you can hear the stories of unimaginable horror and terror that these Pandits have gone through. So it's a serial that every Indian should watch and know what Kashmir means to us."

In the meantime, Vivek Agnihotri and Pallavi Joshi are preparing for the release of their new film 'The Vaccine War'. 'The Kashmir Files Unreported' will come soon on ZEE5.
New Delhi, July 19 : The charge sheet filed by Delhi Police against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh discloses that the claims made by two out of the six grapplers against the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief have been backed by a Haryana BJP leader, who also happens to a former international wrestler.

The BJP leader and her sister are among the 15 witnesses mentioned in the charge sheet,

The investigation involved the examination of a total of 108 witnesses, including WFI officials. Out of these, 15 have already provided partial or complete corroboration of the allegations levelled against Brij Bhushan by the 'victims'.

"During the course of investigation, notices under Section 91 of CrPC were served upon WFI, SAI, victims, nodal officers, telecom companies etc. The team members of the SIT visited different places, including Rohtak, Sonepat, Lucknow, Patiala, Kurukshetra, Hissar, Bhiwani, Chandigarh, Manimajra, and Bellari in Karnataka to examine the relevant persons," Delhi Police said in the charge sheet running 1599 pages.

It said that before the registration of the current FIR, several victims/complainants had already exercised their democratic right to protest on various issues, including the demand for a criminal investigation into the allegations.

"Even after the FIR was registered, many victims and key corroborating witnesses remained engaged in the protests, often making them unavailable for the investigation," it said.

According to the charge sheet, "The intense media attention surrounding the wrestlers' protest also made it impractical to take victims/complainants on outstation visits to gather more specific information. However, this professional investigative exercise is likely to be undertaken soon, and the results will be filed before the court through supplementary police reports under Section 173 (8) of the CrPC."

The police in its charge sheet also mentioned that the results of digital/electronic devices and exhibits seized and deposited with the concerned forensic labs are yet to be received, and they will be submitted through a supplementary charge sheet.

"The analysis of requisitioned call detail records (CDRs) and other relevant data for the purpose of prosecution will also be submitted promptly," the charge sheet stated.

Providing details as to why Brij Bhushan and Vinod Tomar, the former Assistant Secretary of WFI, have not been arrested yet, the charge sheet states that both the accused have cooperated with the investigation by complying with the directions under Section 41A of CrPC.

"The charge sheet is now being forwarded to the court for the prosecution of both the accused for the mentioned offences... They may be tried and punished according to the law," the charge sheet added.

On Tuesday, Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court had granted interim bail to Brij Bhushan in connection with the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by the country's leading female grapplers.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal also granted interim bail to Tomar.

Appearing for the accused persons, advocate Rajeev Mohan had submitted before court that since the charge sheet has been filed before arrest, he is filing bail bonds.

However, Additional Public Prosecutor Atul Srivastava, appearing for Delhi Police, said that "We have not arrested him. We leave it to my lord. Condition must be there... I oppose it with condition that he shouldn't influence witnesses."
New Delhi, July 19 : The government on Wednesday said that it was ready to discuss the situation prevailing in Manipur in the Parliament in the upcoming Monsoon session, thus accepting the Opposition's demand Addressing reporters after the all-party meeting convened by the government on the eve of the Monsoon session, Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said that government is ready to discuss the Manipur situation in Parliament.

He, however, rejected the Congress and other opposition parties' demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak on Manipur violence in Parliament, claiming that the Opposition by seeking the Prime Minister's response, was looking for an excuse to disrupt proceedings of both the Houses.

The minister said that the Home Ministry was the nodal agency for issues like Manipur and the Prime Minister cannot respond on it.

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had earlier said that his party will bring an adjournment motion on Manipur in Lok Sabha on Thursday and seek Modi's response on the situation prevailing there.

Joshi further said that the government is ready to discuss the Manipur situation as and when the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman allot the date and time for it. He also sought opposition's cooperation in helping run both the Houses smoothly.

"The monsoon session begins today. So, a meeting of all party floor leaders was called where 34 parties and 44 leaders attended the meeting. We received important suggestions. Government has 31 legislative listed items... All the parties want a discussion on Manipur and the government is ready to discuss it," Joshi said.

On being asked about the opposition forging an alliance under the name INDIA, the minister said: "Nothing changes with the change in the name. People are still the same. It is old wine in new bottle."

Meanwhile, Indian Union Muslim League MP Mohammed Basheer told reporters that "In the meeting, there were strong protests against the Uniform Civil Code. I told the government that it is dangerous and it will disturb the harmony among the people in India. I also raised concerns about Manipur at the all-party meeting. I urged the government to intervene and solve the problem".

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 : Activist-turned-Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi has moved a plea before the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional validity of sedition law along with related offences and criminalisation of views critical to government and its policies.

The plea contended that Gogoi, an independent member of the Assam Assembly, is accused of "speech offences" which are in the nature of political acts of critique, covered squarely within Section 124-A (sedition) of the IPC.

On May 11 last year, the Supreme Court had put on hold the colonial-era penal provision of sedition and had asked the Centre and state governments to refrain from registering any FIRs under Section 124A.

Gogoi, who is facing prosecution under Section 124A, amongst other similar provisions, has sought a stay on the proceedings filed beofre the Special Judge, NIA Guwahati, pending the decision of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the provision relating to sedition.

Since 2017 till 2021, the activist-turned-politician has been charged with numerous sedition-related offences, the majority of which stem from his protests against the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act.

"The petitioner is all the more prejudiced because his dissenting speech, which is only critical of the CAB/CAA, is always seen as a symptom of some deep-rooted conspiracy. Similarly, misdemeanours, or even IPC offences are elevated to the level of 'terrorist activities' as defined under the UAPA," said the plea filed through advocate Ivo Manuel Simon D'Costa.

Gogoi was also slapped with Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), and he is now on bail.

In 2021, a special court in Assam discharged him of UAPA charges, however, later the Gauhati High Court set aside the special court's judgement and the case against the legislator has been continued. He moved to the Supreme Court seeking quashing the High Court judgement. But the top court of the country upheld the High Court order though it granted bail to Gogoi in April this year.

A division bench of the top court also said the Sivasagar MLA will remain out on bail during the period of trial meeting the special court's conditions. He was jailed for quite a long time after he was arrested amid the anti-CAA protests in December 2019.

Gogoi fought the 2021 Assembly election from jail and won.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee along with Bengali celebrities observe Martyrs' Day in Kolkata on July 21, 2019. (Photo: Kuntal Chakrabarty/IANS). Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, July 19 : The people of West Bengal are all set to witness simultaneous political programmes to be organised by the ruling Trinamool Congress and principal opposition BJP in West Bengal on July 1.

While the Trinamool will hold its annual Martyrs' Day event in central Kolkata on Friday, the BJP will be organise mass agitation programmes in front of all the block development offices across the state on the same day as a mark protest against the violence and bloodbath witnessed during the recently-concluded panchayat polls.

Martyrs' Day is held on July 21 every year in remembrance of 13 Youth Congress workers who were shot dead by the police in Kolkata during a rally led by then Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on July 21, 1993, when the state was ruled by the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

The announcement for holding mass agitation programmes across West Bengal was made by state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar during a protest rally in Kolkata on Wednesday.

The leader of opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who was also present at the rally, said:"There had been widespread violence and bloodbath on the polling day (July 8)., and the post-poll violence is still continuing. So, we will organise protest demonstrations in front of the BDO offices on July 21."

However, Majumdar and the party's national Vice President Dilip Ghosh will not be able to participate in the protests as they will be in Delhi to attend the Monsoon Session of the Parliament commencing on Thursday.

Adhikari will be the in-charge for organising the agitation programmes on Friday.

The BJP leader also claimed that he will soon expose another financial scam in the state government, wherein Prashant Kishor's Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) was "illegally" granted a government tender to the tune of Rs 120 crore.

"I will reveal that on July 25," Adhikari said.
Patna, July 19 : A day after the opposition meeting in Bengaluru and his early departure, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday broke his silence and said that he is not angry at anything or at the name of "INDIA" it adopted.

Asked why he had not attended the press conference after the meeting of the opposition parties, he said that he had an event in Rajgir and hence he wanted to return to Patna as early on Tuesday.

"The name INDIA came before us in the meeting and we unanimously passed the name. I have no objection to it. We all were present in the meeting in Bengaluru and everything was fine. I have no wish to become the convener of alliance," Nitish Kumar said.

On the meeting of the BJP-led NDA, he said: "Have they called a meeting of the NDA in the past. Now, they held the meet which was a repercussion of our meeting in Patna and Bengaluru. They have called many parties but do you know such parties in the past? On the other hand, the parties that came to our meeting in Bengaluru and Patna are well known."

"NDA was formed in 1999 under Atal Ji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee). He was regularly taking meetings of alliance partners but they (the Narendra Modi government) have not done any meeting. They have done meetings with those who were thrown out from our alliance in the past. The current status of BJP is very weak. Hence, they are meeting," he said.
Bhopal, July 19 : A teenage boy has allegedly raped a three-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district.

The accused was a neighbour of the victim and known to the family.

The incident was reported at a village in Majhauli area, around 60 km from district headquarters Sidhi on Tuesday.

Police said that the victim has sustained injuries on her private part and has been admitted at a government hospital in Sidhi.

"The victim has undergone a minor surgery. She is admitted at a hospital where her condition is said to be stable. Doctors said that the victim will remain under observation for the next few days. The minor accused has been detained," Police said.

As the accused boy was known to the family, he used to visit the family frequently.

Police said that the accused took the toddler out from her home on pretext of chocolates and allegedly raped her at an isolated place.

Police said that the boy's alleged crime was witnessed by some local people, who informed the victim's family.

The victim was taken to a local police station and an FIR was lodged against him.
New Delhi, July 19 : A 46-year-old lawyer and his assistant died after they were mowed down by an unidentified vehicle on GT Karnal Road near Alipur in Delhi, police said on Wednesday.

The deceased were identified as Joginder Singh, a resident of Alipur, and his assistant -- Pramod (51), a resident of Subji Mandi.

Singh used to practice in Delhi's Rohini Court.

According to the police, on the intervening night of July 18-19, at around 12.10 a.m., they received information about an accident on the main GT Road near Shani Mandir towards Sonipat.

The caller reported that two men were lying unconscious in the middle of the highway and may have been fatally hit by a vehicle.

"Upon receiving the call, a police team immediately responded and went to the spot. They discovered two men lying unconscious and injured. Both were promptly transported to the hospital via a PCR van," said a senior police officer.

"Unfortunately, no eyewitnesses were present at the scene. At SRHC Hospital in Narela, the doctors declared both brought dead. The bodies were subsequently transferred to BJRM Hospital Mortuary.

"A case under sections 279/304A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at Alipur police station," the official added.
New Delhi, July 19 : A police complaint has been registered at Delhi's Barakhamba Police Station against 26 opposition parties, accusing them of improper use of the name of 'India' and employing it for undue influence and personation during elections.

The complaint, filed by Avinish Mishra, a resident of Delhi, calls for action to be taken against these political parties.

The 26-year-old Mishra has alleged that the 26 opposition parties including the Congress, TMC, DMK, NCP, PDP, RLD among others, have been exploiting the name of India for their political advantage, potentially misleading voters and engaging in activities that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

In his complaint, accessed by IANS, Mishra stated that the 26 political parties formed an alliance and decided to name it 'INDIA,' claiming that the abbreviation stood for 'Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance.'

Mishra pointed out that the Emblems and Names (Prevention of improper use) Act, 1950, prohibits the use of certain names specified in its schedule. "Notably, Point 6 of the schedule lists the name of the Union of India, making the use of the name 'INDIA' prohibited," he stated in his complaint.

The complaint also highlights that Section 2(c) of the Emblems Act defines "name" to include any abbreviation of a name. Additionally, Section 5 of the Emblems Act provides for punishment, including a fine of up to five hundred rupees, for contravening the provisions of Section 3.

Mishra said that the opposition parties have contravened Section 3 of the Emblems Act by using the name 'INDIA' as the name of their political alliance and are therefore liable to be punished under Section 5.

He stated that by naming their alliance 'INDIA' for electoral purposes, specifically to contest the general elections in 2024, these parties have attempted to unduly influence the Indian electorate by personifying their alliance as the nation itself.

Mishra claimed that this act makes them liable for prosecution under Section 171F of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

He stated in his complaint that the political parties' choice to name their alliance 'INDIA' has hurt the sentiments of all Indians who identify themselves as citizens of 'INDIA.'

Mishra believes that such an act may disturb public order, peace, and tranquility in the country. He stated that the parties' actions are intended to gain undue political influence by misrepresenting their alliance before the Indian electorate.

A Barakhamba Police Station official confirmed the receipt of the complaint and said that they are looking into the complaint.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for humanitarian support, Trend reports.

I am grateful to President Ilham Aliyev for the decision to allocate assistance for the purchase of energy equipment for the needs of Ukraine. This support of the friendly Azerbaijan is important to ensure the sustainability of the Ukrainian energy complex in the face of constant attacks by the aggressor. We continue to work actively with our partners to prepare the Ukrainian energy system for the winter, President Zelensky wrote on his Twitter page.

Meanwhile, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an Order to allocate $7.6 million for the acquisition and shipment of electrical equipment for the purpose of providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Imphal, July 19 : Defying curfew, thousands of women held mass protests in five Manipur districts on Wednesday demanding action against Kuki militants and restoration of peace and normalcy in the state at the earliest.

The Manipur government on Wednesday did not offer daily curfew relaxation in the five valley districts and deployed huge contingent of security forces in view of the women's rally, organised by the Kwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace (KIKJCCP).

The KIKJCCP appealed to all women to make the 'Mothersa Protest' rally a roaring success.

Though no untoward incident was reported since the beginning of the protests on Wednesday morning in five districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching -- tension prevailed in these valley districts and adjoining areas.

Raising slogans, the mass protests by women continued till late on Wednesday evening.

KIKJCCPas co-convenor K. Dhaneshori urged all mothers in every locality to come out from their homes and raise slogans demanding rejection of separate administration (equivalent to separate state) for the tribals and maintain the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Demanding strict actions against the Kuki militants, KIKJCCP urged the government to withdraw from the Suspension of Operation, signed with the Kuki militants in August 2008, implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC), and immediate convening of an emergency Assembly session to discuss the Manipur turmoil.

The protesters alleged that a section of the central forces did not destroy the illegal bunkers of the Kuki militants and were reluctant to take action against the rebels.

Since the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, women have been organising protest rallies and sit-in demonstrations in various parts of the state almost on daily basis for the past 78 days. However, Wednesdayas mass gatherings were unprecedented and very spirited.
New Delhi, July 19 : The Opposition bloc of the 26-parties which got the new name of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Tuesday in Bengaluru has also coined the new punchline 'Jeetega Bharat' (Indi will win), sources said on Wednesday.

Sources said that 'Jeetega Bharat' is the new punchline of the opposition parties.

On Tuesday, after the new name of the opposition parties was coined, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi dropped a hint of the new slogan with a tweet, "Bharat Judega, INDIA jeetega" (India will unite and India will win).

When asked if Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that party is not contending for the prime ministerial post, the party source explained that the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha while addressing the meeting of the opposition leaders in Bengaluru said that the nature of the election has changed as earlier people used to contest for getting some posts or to come to power or to become Prime Minister.

The source said that Kharge told the leaders that now the fight is to save the country, and the next election is to save the Constitution.

"And for us we don't want to contest the election for coming to power and to get the prime ministerial post," the source said, quoting sources.

When asked when the 11-member coordination committee will be announced, the source said that the new committee will be formed during the third meeting of the opposition parties in Mumbai.

He also said that the dates of the third meeting of the opposition parties will be decided after the Parliament's Monsoon Session.

The Congress president said an 11-member coordination committee will be set up and its composition will be finalised in the next meeting in Mumbai.

Kharge had also said that a common secretariat will also be set up in Delhi for campaign management and specific committees will be formed for separate issues.

The source also said that besides the 11 member committee, the discussion over selecting a convenor will be taken up during the third meeting as someone has to call the meeting of the bloc in the coming days.

He further said that during the meeting on Tuesday, several names for the opposition bloc were discussed, however, the name suggested by former Congrerss president Rahul Gandhi was liked by all.

He also said that there was almost an hour-long discussion over the new name and the opposition leader came to a consensus as some people suggested different names for the bloc but that did not materialise.

The two-day meeting of the 26 opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool, AAP, DMK, Sharad Pawar's NCP, CPM etc., held in Bengaluru came up with a new name for the alliance, which effectively replaces 2004 UPA  United Progressive Alliance.
New Delhi, July 18 : While stressing on the seriousness of economic offences, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that punishment should only be given after conviction, as the severity of allegations alone cannot justify pre-trial imprisonment.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhan made this statement while granting bail to the director of Parul Polymers Pvt Ltd, who was under investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office for alleged violations of the Companies Act.

The court said that the trial would take a significant amount of time and saw no reason to further delay the petitioner's release from an unduly long period of pre-trial detention.

It clarified that economic offences should be treated seriously, and if the allegations against the petitioner and co-accused are proven in court, they should face appropriate punishment.

However, the court stressed that pre-trial incarceration cannot be justified solely based on the severity of the allegations.

The court ordered the release of the petitioner upon a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and two sureties of the same amount and also imposed conditions requiring the investigating officer to request the appropriate authority to issue a Look-out-Circular in order to prevent the petitioner from leaving the country without the special court's permission.

The company and other accused individuals were accused of financial irregularities violating company laws.

The petitioner, who was never arrested during the investigation and proceedings, was taken into custody and sent to judicial custody after appearing before the special court on May 25, 2022, following the issuance of summons.

The court noted that the investigating officer did not arrest the petitioner throughout the six-year probe, and even when the final investigation report was filed, the officer did not request custody.

The court questioned the basis for the special court's decision to remand the petitioner in judicial custody, saying that the special judge misdirected himself.

It clarified that the petitioner was not under arrest when appearing before the special judge and said that the judge had only issued summons, not arrest warrants, upon taking cognisance of the offence.
San Francisco, July 19 : A 21-year-old Sikh man, who was on a student visa to the US, died after he drowned in a lake in California where he had gone for an outing along with his wife.

Hashpreet Singh had gone to Millerton Lake in Fresno, California, along with his wife when he was swept away by the waters, according to a fundraiser page created for him.

Lifeguards reached after a possible drowning was reported near Boat Ramp 3 on the Fresno County side of the lake at around 6 p.m. (local time). They conducted a grid search because it was hard to see due to the murky water.

"Singh was found about 15 yards offshore, in a 10-foot-deep area that was once a parking lot but is currently underwater due to the high-water levels," Fox26 News reported.

Singh was not wearing a life jacket, nor did he know how to swim, according to a park ranger.

He was airlifted to the Community Regional Medical Center in critical condition where he died two days later on July 16.

A GoFundMe account has been set up by Singh's father-in-law, Rocky Barredo, seeking help with the medical cost and sending Singh's body back to his home in India.

Describing Singh as a "loving son-in-law and an amazing husband", Barredo said on the page that Singh was on a student visa and had married his daughter less than two months ago.

"My daughter works long hours and doesn't get many days off. So on the first day off they decided to go to Millerton Lake," Barredo wrote on the fundraiser page. "The lake was full and when he jumped into the water, it swept him away... He never came up once he jumped into the water... He was airlifted to Fresno Community hospital and was on life support."

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 19 : With Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge and CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury sharing the same dais with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, discontent has started brewing among a section of the leaders of both the parties (Congress and CPI-M) in West Bengal.

According to a source, a section within both the Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has started raising questions on the justification of their national leaders sharing the dais with Mamata Banerjee at a time their own party workers have faced onslaughts of the ruling Trinamool Congress activists in the recently concluded panchayat elections "with many of them being killed in the hands of the ruling party activists".

The most vocal among them has been Congress leader and the counsel of the Calcutta High Court Kaustav Bagchi.

He posted a message on Twitter, addressing Rahul Gandhi, reminding him of the killing of Congress workers in the recently concluded rural civic body polls.

"@RahulGandhi, eight Congress workers have been killed by the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal in the recently concluded Panchayat elections. Am not going into the past facts and figures of their oppression and tyranny in the state. We are the workers of INC in WB and yes, WE DO EXIST," Bagchi posted on Twitter.

Similarly, the leader of CPI-M youth wing, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) Sheikh Obeidulla, has gone a step ahead by claiming that he would prefer to join BJP in case there is any kind of tacit understanding of his party with Trinamool for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"My viewpoint is clear. If there is any understanding with the state's ruling party who are responsible for the murder, property destruction and loss of livelihood, then I will have no option left but to join the BJP," Obeidulla said.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Opposition in West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, is making all attempts to fuel the growing discontent among these disgruntled Congress and CPI-M leaders.

He has given an open call to the disgruntled leaders and workers of both Congress and CPI-M to either join the BJP or form a separate political platform against the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.
New Delhi, July 19 : Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a Brics summit in South Africa next month, according to the country's presidency, a media report said.

The announcement came after a South African leader said that any attempt to arrest Vladimir Putin would be a declaration of war against Russia. This is because if Putin leaves Russian soil, he will be subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, BBC reported.

South Africa is an ICC signatory and is expected to help in Putin's arrest in that case. Instead, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent the country at the two-day summit.

However, Putin will take part in the Brics conference - an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - virtually, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, according to Russian media.

The Brics grouping is seen by some as an alternative to the G7 group of advanced economies.

In a statement, South Africa's presidency described the agreement for Putin not to attend as "mutual" and said it had come about following a "number of consultations" on the summit, BBC reported.

Supporters of Russia have criticised the decision, saying South Africa should have insisted and used its sovereignty to protect and defend its 'friend'.

South Africa's invitation to Putin, issued before the ICC accused him of war crimes in Ukraine, has caused controversy both nationally and internationally, BBC reported.

Peskov denied Moscow had told South Africa that arresting its President would mean an act of war, but said it was "clear to everyone what [that kind of] infringement against the head of the Russian state would mean".

Russia has consistently described the ICC arrest warrant as outrageous and legally void, because the country is not a member of the organisation, BBC reported.
New Delhi, 19 July : Rakesh Pal has been appointed as the 25th Director General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He is an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and joined Indian Coast Guard in January 1989.

According to the ministry of defence he has undergone professional specialisation in Gunnery and Weapons Systems at Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi, and an Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution course from the United Kingdom.

The Officer holds the recognition of being the First Gunner of ICG. Pal was conferred with Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for his illustrious service.

The ministry of defence said that Rakesh Pal was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in February 2022 and was posted at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.

He was given the additional charge of Director General Coast Guard in February 2023. During the period, many significant operations and exercises were accomplished that includes the seizure of drugs and narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees, rescue of mariners during severe cyclonic storms, joint exercises with the Foreign Coast Guards, anti-poaching operations, humanitarian assistance during cyclones and naturals calamities and Coastal Security exercises.

In his distinguished career spanning over 34 years, the flag officer has held several key appointments, prominent among them are Commander Coast Guard Region (North West), Gandhinagar, Deputy Director General (Policy & Plans), and Additional Director General Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.

Besides, he has held various prestigious staff assignments like Director (Infra and Works) and Principal Director (Administration) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.

He has vast sea experience and commanded all classes of ICG ships namely, ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, ICGS Ahalyabai, and ICGS C-03. The Officer has also Commanded two Coast Guard bases of the forward area in Gujarat - Okha and Vadinar, the official added.
New Delhi, July 19 : World Bank president Ajay Banga on Wednesday met Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and discussed ways to strengthen regional connectivity.

"Delighted to meet @worldbank President Ajay Banga during his India visit. Appreciate World Bankas support for Indiaas G20 Presidency. Discussed Indiaas endeavors to strengthen regional connectivity, promote regional prosperity and propel larger development," Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.

He informed that they exchanged views about the concerns of the Global South.

Earlier Banga had also met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Domestic consumption provides natural cushion to the Indian economy against global slowdown as bulk of the country's GDP depends on local demand, he had told reporters after meeting her.

"We talked about everything we did at G20 and how the meeting went. We talked about what the World Bank and India can do further as well as G20 part of it. India is the largest market for the World Bank in terms of our portfolio here. There is a lot of interest here," he had said.

Earlier during an event, the World Bank President had said that India has come out strong from the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic but the momentum needs to be maintained.
Mumbai, July 19 : Telugu superstar Vijay Devarakonda was chased off the stage after a fan ran towards him to touch his feet.

A video is doing the rounds on social media, where the actor could be seen attending an event to mark the success of the film aBabya starring his brother Anand Devarakonda.

In the clip, an over-excited fan could be seen running towards the stage to touch Vijayas feet when the 'Liger' actor was giving a speech on the success of 'Baby', looking dapper in a blue kurta.

The fan ran past the security cordon near the stage to touch Vijay's feet, even as the shocked actor ran to avoid him before the security personnel got into the act.

Released on July 12, 'Baby' is a romantic drama directed by Sai Rajesh Neelam. The film also stars Vaishnavi Chaitanya and Viraj Ashwin in lead roles.

On the acting front, Vijay will be next seen in 'Kushi', which also stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Directed by Shiva Nirvana, the film will release on September 1.

After 'Kushi', Vijay has two more films lined up, which are tentatively titled 'VD 12' and 'VD 13'.

His last film 'Liger', also starring Ananya Panday, released in 2022. However, it was not received well at the box-office.

Vijay made his debut with 'Nuvvila' in 2011 and received praise for his role in the coming-of-age drama 'Yevade Subramanyam'. He made it as a superstar with blockbusters like 'Pelli Choopulu' and 'Arjun Reddy'.
Amaravati, July 19 : Though actor-politician Pawan Kalyan, an ally of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh, appears desperate to bring the TDP on board to defeat the ruling YSRCP in the next year's elections, the saffron party is not likely to take an early decision.

Pawan Kalyan, the leader of Jana Sena Party (JSP), attended the meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held in Delhi on Tuesday. Before participation in the meeting, he reiterated his stand that the BJP, the TDP, and the JSP should join hands for the sake of the stability of Andhra Pradesh.

The actor wants the alliance to ensure defeat of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy by avoiding a split of anti-incumbency votes.

A day after the NDA meeting, the BJP's newly-appointed BJP President, D. Purandeswari said she would meet Pawan Kalyan soon. She, however, made it clear that it is the central leadership of the party which will decide electoral alliances in the state.

Though TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J. P. Nadda last month in Delhi last month, the saffron party has not given any indication whether it would welcome the TDP back into the NDA fold.

The TDP had snapped ties with the BJP in 2018 but ever since losing power to the YSRCP in 2019, Naidu had been trying to warm up to the saffron party. However, the BJP leadership remained cold to his moves.

Political analysts say BJP may not trust Chandrababu Naidu easily this time. Naidu twice walked out of alliance with the BJP and this time, the latter seems to be treading cautiously.

"Naidu has never been straight in his politics and considering its past experience, the BJP may not easily trust him," said analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy.

The JSP had not contested 2014 elections but had backed the TDP-BJP alliance. Pawan Kalyan had shared dais with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chandrababu Naidu during the campaign. Later, the actor-politician distanced from both parties. He had turned a bitter critic of the BJP for not keeping its promise to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

In the 2019 elections, Pawan Kalyan joined hands with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Left parties. However, the alliance came a cropper.

The actor, younger brother of megastar Chiranjeevi, himself lost from the Assembly seats he contested. The JSP bagged a single seat in the 175-member Assembly and the lone MLA also defected to the YSRCP a few months later. Pawan Kalyan later revived alliance with the BJP and has since been struggling to ensure that his political career does not end like that of his elder brother.

A bitter critic of Jagan Mohan Reddy, he wants to see the YSRCP's defeat at any cost and for this, he is trying to forge a TDP-BJP-JSP alliance.

"He can't leave the BJP but at the same time, he needs the TDP's support. He needs their support for his political survival after the bitter result of 2019," said Raghavendra Reddy.

The BJP, like the Congress, does not have much presence in Andhra Pradesh. It wants to keep Pawan Kalyan on its side to remain afloat. The saffron party still hopes to cash in on the actor's popularity and at the same time, it is eyeing votes of Kapus, the caste to which he belongs.

Naidu, who has already declared that coming elections will be his last, is keen to see consolidation of opposition to ensure Jagan's defeat. But the question remains whether BJP will trust him again. Since the YSRCP extended support to the BJP in passing key Bills in the Parliament and stayed away from opposition parties, the BJP may not like to disturb the equation especially when some surveys are projecting 22-24 Lok Sabha seats for Jagan's party.

In 2019, the YSRCP had bagged 22 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats and won 151 seats in state Assembly. The TDP had won three Lok Sabha and 23 Assembly seats. The BJP, which had contested alone, had drawn a blank.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. A Great Return to the liberated territories of Azerbaijan from Armenian occupation [following the end of the second Karabakh war] began on this day last year, residents were resettled to the village of Aghali, built on the basis of the concept of a "smart village" in the Zangilan district, Trend reports.

Two months before that, on May 27, the opening ceremony of the first stage of the smart village project took place in the village of Aghali in the Zangilan district. The participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in the ceremony is in the memory of each Azerbaijani.

Modern urban planning standards have been applied in the village of Aghali. Factors such as "smart" street lighting, construction of warm and cold-resistant ecological houses, household waste management, installation of solar panels are integral parts of this concept.

It was on this day last year that people who had lived for almost 30 years with homesickness returned to their native lands and found happiness again.

In order to ensure access to public services and improve the well-being of people in the village, the services of "ASAN", "DOST", the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (KOBIA), the State Center for Agrarian Development are provided. There is also a school, kindergarten, medical center, catering facilities, the presence of which contributes to a comfortable and trouble-free residence.

A total of 86 families (420 people) have been resettled in the village of Aghali in the Zangilan district. Currently, the renovation of houses built in rural areas continues, and after its completion, another relocation of families will be carried out.

As many as 200 houses have been built in Aghali. Their energy needs are met exclusively by alternative energy sources designed for more comfortable and safe living.

Residents of Aghali feel the attention and care of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva. A clear proof of this is that after the first stage of the resettlement of residents to Aghali, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited this village again on October 19, 2022, where they got acquainted with the condition of residents and the general situation.

With the relocation of the first group of residents to the village of Aghali on July 19 last year, the implementation of the resettlement process, carried out in four stages, was launched. In the first stage, more than 40 families were relocated to Aghali. This is once again an indicator of the strength and power of Azerbaijan.

The cleaning of territories completely mined by Armenians was carried out in the liberated territories a little more than 1 year after the war. In the territory where the infrastructure was completely destroyed by the Armenians, life has been revived. Not every state could have coped with such a difficult task, but Azerbaijan has, and this is an undeniable success.

The restoration of the liberated territories in a short period of time, after which the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was ensured, and the return to the homeland of residents who had to live in the status of internally displaced persons for almost 30 years, were declared the main priorities.

About 6 billion manat ($3.5 billion) of funds were allocated from the state budget in 2021-2022, which were directed to the accelerated continuation of restoration and construction works.

In order to safely carry out construction work in liberated cities and districts, the process of mine clearance in these territories is carried out quickly. Foremost, work is underway to clear the areas through which communications pass.

Large infrastructure projects were implemented in the liberated territories in a short time. This is especially evident in the construction of roads, tunnels, bridges, laying electricity, water pipes, the construction of small hydroelectric power plants, reservoirs, sanatorium-resort centers, military units.

Following the liberation of its territories from Armenian occupation in 2020, Azerbaijan initiated the long-awaited 'Great Return' program, which envisions the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their native lands.
New Delhi, July 19 : Shree Cement on Wednesday received a letter from the office of Regional Director (NWR), Ministry of Corporate affairs (MCA), informing about order of inspection under Section 206(5) of the Companies Act, 2013.

Shree Cement will comply with the directions, the company said in a filing.

In June, there were reports of a Rs 23,000 crore tax evasion by Shree Cement following which the stock had cracked 10 per cent.The Central government can unilaterally proceed to take action under Section 206(5) of the Companies Act and direct inspection of the books and papers of the company by an Inspector appointed by it, in violation of the principles of natural justice.

As per reports, in June, Income Tax officials had conducted searches at the premises of Shree Cement Group in various places across Rajasthan and seized documents indicating tax fraud to the tune of at least Rs 23,000 crore

The Income Tax officials said that a scrutiny of the documents found in the raids has revealed that almost Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 crore tax evasion was reportedly done every year.

The raids came after the I-T officials doubted the tax deduction claims made by the group.

On the other hand, it was also reported that the Centre and the state governments incurred losses via fake agreements made by the sarpanch, gram panchayat and the local bodies concerned and the Income Tax Department officials have also seized the agreements related to the forgery, reports said.

A team from the I-T Department's Jaipur office had raided more than 24 locations of Shree Cement in Jaipur, Beawar, Udaipur, Ajmer, and Chittorgarh. More than 200 I-T officials and policemen were involved in these raids.

According to the I-T officials, there were huge irregularities in the accounts of coal purchased for cement production and the payment made for this and the department detected this fraud with the help of new technology and software, reports said.

Shree Cement had clarified that the survey by the I-T Department started on June 21, and the company had informed the Stock Exchange about the same on that very day.

Later, when it gathered that some negative and incorrect information about the company and its officials was circulating in certain sections of the media, it immediately issued a clarification that the company is extending full cooperation to the officials and the information circulating otherwise in the media is incorrect and without ascertaining facts with the company.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, July 19 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday termed the video from Manipur, showing two girls being paraded naked by a mob, as "most shocking" condemned the incident.

It also accused the Central and the state governments of not doing anything to stop the violence and termed their "inaction" as "painful for all the citizens of the country".

The AAP also said that it requests all citizens not to aggravate the plight and humiliation of the helpless women and speak up against the sickening act without sharing the gruesome video.

"We have come across a viral video purportedly from Manipur where two women are paraded naked and are constantly molested by their captors. It has been brought to our notice that the video was shot on May 4 in Kangpokpi district in B Phainom Village where both the women were gang-raped after the entire village was burnt down. The Aam Aadmi Party condemns this horrifying and continued ordeal of the helpless people of Manipur," it said.

"We again request the intervention of the Prime Minister in Manipur. Turning a blind eye to the problem will not make it go away. The Aam Aadmi Party is ready and willing to assist in any manner as the Central government may deem fit."Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the incident in Manipur was extremely shameful and condemnable and such heinous acts could not be tolerated in Indian society.

"The situation in Manipur is becoming increasingly concerning. I appeal to the Prime Minister to pay attention to the conditions in Manipur. Strict action should be taken against the culprits shown in the video of this incident. There should be no place in India for individuals involved in such criminal behavior," Kejriwal tweeted.

--IANS

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Amaravati, July 19 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday said that his government will not take any decision that hurts the sentiments of minorities.

He gave this assurance to a delegation of Muslim representatives who called on him over the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), he told them that the Centre has not yet prepared the draft bill on the UCC and no one knows its contents.

"This is your Government working for the interests of the weaker sections and minorities and it will not take any decision that hurts your sentiments. Don't get unduly worried about it," he said adding that only media is discussing these issues.

A false propaganda is going on the rights of the Muslim women, he said, suggesting that religious heads and elders should reject this effectively.

"Parents would never show partiality towards their children. We shall all make it clear that there is no compromise on the rights of the Muslim women. Think of the steps you would take if you were the Chief Minister and give me your suggestions," he said.

"India is a country standing for unity in diversity with various religions, castes and groups following their different traditions and customs. Different Personal Law Boards are working based on their faiths and religious practices.

"If these practices are to be streamlined, that should be done through the Personal Law Boards since they have a fair idea and understanding about these practices and they can only avoid misinterpretation. If these are to be changed, the Supreme Court, the Law Commission, and the Central government should together discuss the issues with various Law Boards and work on the proposed changes. Otherwise, it may not work in a country like India which is guided by diversity," he said.

Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Zakia Khanam, Deputy Chief Minister (Minority Welfare) Amzath Basha, Chief Secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy, Minority Welfare Secretary A. Md. Imtiaz, MLAs Abdul Hafeez Khan, Nawaz Basha, Shaik Mustafa, MLCs Shaik Mohammad Iqbal, Mohammad Ruhulla, Muslim religious heads and others were present.
New Delhi, July 19 : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday condemned the incident of two women being paraded naked in violence-hit Manipur, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence and inaction on the ethnic violence in the northeastern state has led to anarchy there, adding that 'INDIA' will not remain if the very idea of the country is attacked.

Horrific videos of two young women being paraded naked on a road by a mob in Manipur have been widely circulated on social media, drawing widespread condemnation and demand for strictest actions.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) claimed that the two women were also gang-raped in a paddy field after being paraded naked on May 4, demanding stern actions against the perpetrators.

In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said, "Prime Ministeras silence and inaction has led Manipur into anarchy. INDIA will not stay silent when the idea of India is being attacked in Manipur. We stand with the people of Manipur. Peace is the only way forward."

His sister and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also asked if such visuals disturb the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress leader said in a tweet in Hindi, "Visuals of sexual violence coming from Manipur is heart-wrenching and disturbing. Words will fall short for condemning such violence. The maximum burnt of violence has to be borne by women and children."

"We must all condemn the violence in one voice while furthering the efforts for peace in Manipur. Why is the Central government and the Prime Minister sitting blindly over the violent incidents in Manipur? Do such pictures and violent incidents not disturb them," she questioned.

The acting president of Mahila Congress, Netta D'Souza, too lashed out at the government in a video message, saying: "Humanity has died a thousand deaths. Whatever is happening in Manipur is a serious human rights concern. The world is watching us."

"If this BJP government can't stop women from being shamed and humiliated, from being paraded naked, it should simply be dismissed. What is stopping the Modi government from imposing President's Rule in Manipur," D'Souza asked.
New Delhi, July 19 : A Delhi court on Wednesday directed officials to provide AAP leader Manish Sisodia with the CCTV footage of its premises when he was allegedly manhandled by security personnel.

"As some allegations of manhandling against lockup officials were levelled on behalf of the accused earlier, the said footage has been directed to be preserved and produced... Let an extra copy of the above footage in a separate pen drive be also provided by the Assistant Engineer, Electrical, PWD to Reader of the court before next date and the same be supplied to counsel representing the said accused," Special Judge M.K. Nagpal said.

The court has posted the matter for hearing next on August 25.

Following Sisodia's allegation of mistreatment by security personnel, the Delhi Police had filed an application requesting permission to produce him only via video conference, citing chaos caused by the presence of AAP supporters and media in the corridors when he was brought to court. However, while the court permitted journalists to cover the proceedings, it prohibited AAP activists and supporters of Sisodia from entering the gallery, passage, or courtroom during his appearances related to the alleged excise policy scam.

The court had directed media persons to maintain a safe distance from Sisodia, who is in judicial custody in connection with the excise policy case, and not conduct interviews with him.

Initially, the court had suggested that Sisodia be produced through video conference only, but after considering the arguments presented by Sisodia and his advocate, who asserted his right to physical presence for an effective hearing and participation in the proceedings, the judge ordered his physical presence in future hearings of the case.

The judge had also directed that no public figures, AAP activists, or supporters of the accused be allowed access to the gallery, passage, or courtroom.

The lockup in-charge at Rouse Avenue Courts was also directed to promptly report any violation of these instructions to the court. During the hearing, the judge had informed the defence counsel that hybrid hearings are permissible and, with consent, the court could issue directions for Sisodia's appearance via video conference to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and ensure his safety.

However, Sisodia had expressed his disinterest in appearing through video conference, asserting his right to physical presence. He had argued that it is the responsibility of security officers to ensure his safety during his appearances, and his right to be present in the court and participate in the proceedings should not be restricted due to their lapses or failures.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 : The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested a pilot and her husband, who also works for a private airline, for assaulting their 10-year-old domestic help, a top official said.

The official added that on the basis of a complaint given by the accused Poornima Bagchi (33), a case has been also registered against the locals who had thrashed her and her husband Kaushik Bagchi (36).

A video that is circulating on the internet shows a couple, who are the accused, being aggressively manhandled and assaulted by a mob. Within the footage, several women are observed slapping and forcibly grabbing Poornima, who remains in her airline uniform.

Poornima's voice can be heard expressing apologies, while Kaushik endeavours to protect her from the agitated crowd, pleading with them to cease their actions and expressing concerns for her well-being. Finally, an elderly man stepped in, and as a result, the crowd gradually dispersed.

"We are identifying the people from the videos in circulation and they will face action," said a senior police official.

According to sources, Poornima works with IndiGo while Kaushik is employed with Vistara airlines. The couple have been booked under sections 323, 324, 342, 370 of the Indian Penal Code and Child Labour Act, 75JJ Act at the Dwarka South police station.

"We are aware of a video circulating on social media that allegedly involves an individual employed by IndiGo. We are currently investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the employee has been derostered from official duties," said the airline in a statement.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, M. Harsha Vardhan, said information was received at around 9 a.m. on Wednesday regarding the mistreatment of a minor domestic help.

"Upon reaching the spot, it was found that the 10-year old girl had been employed by the couple since the last two months.She was employed through a relative of hers who also works in a nearby house," the DCP added.

"She was allegedly beaten by the couple. This was noticed by a relative of the girl today which led to a crowd gathering at the residence of the couple and confronting and manhandling the couple," said the official.

"The 10-year old girl has been medically examined. There are no allegations of sexual harassment. The woman is a pilot with a private airline while her husband is in ground staff in another private airline," he added.
Kathmandu, July 19 : Airport authorities in Nepal confiscated at least 100 kg gold at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Wednesday night.

The gold was brought from Hong Kong via a Cathay Pacific flight and was registered at the Customs office as different spare parts of motorcycle, according to the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI).

Over 100 kg gold was wrapped inside 160 pieces of brake pads, according to the police.

This is the largest amount of gold confiscated by the police in Nepalas history, said DRI chief Navaraj Dhungana.

After Customs officers cleared the consignment as spare parts for motorcycle, Customs agents were all set to dispatch them out from its office. Once it was released from the Customs office on Wednesday, the DRI got a call in which someone tipped them off that there was gold inside the spare parts.

With the support of Nepal Police, the DRI confiscated the gold from outside the Kathmandu airport.

The police are now weighing the gold and trying to find out who imported it and who is the owner.

Earlier, in a record-breaking investigation, NepalPolice had confiscated 33 kg gold from the Kathmandu airport.
Imphal, July 20 : Manipur, which is devastated by violence during the past 78 days, has been completely divided on ethnic lines and the state government is also visibly helpless, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Sushmita Dev said on Wednesday on the first day of her party delegation's two-day visit to the strife-torn state.

The four-member parliamentary delegation, immediately after their arrival in Imphal, went to the tribal-dominated Churachanpur district and talked to the displaced people living in relief camps.

They then met the displaced people living in relief camps in Imphal and later called on Governor Anusuiya Uikey and discussed the prevailing situation.

Dev said that people of all communities are unhappy with the Central and state governments as both have totally failed to control the situation despite 60,000 Central paramilitary forces personnel deployed in the state.

"We have told the Governor that there is a crisis of baby food and other relief materials in the relief camps. The government has no plan on how to rehabilitate the thousands of displaced people now staying in the relief camps," Dev told IANS over phone.

The 5-member Trinamool team was supposed to visit Manipur on July 14 but it has been deferred to July 19-20, as the state government asked them not to visit the trouble-torn state that time, citing law and order problems.

"Our party supremo Mamata di (West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) was keen to visit Manipur in June but the state Home Department did not respond favourably. People of Manipur were deeply upset why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remained silent. After visiting Manipur and taking the views and opinions of the people in the crisis-ridden state, we will raise the issue in the Parliament," Dev stated.

TMC's Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien was supposed to lead the parliamentary delegation but he, immediately after reaching Imphal, returned to Delhi to attend an all party meeting to be held on Thursday in connection with the Monsoon session of Parliament, beginning on Thursday.

Other members of the Trinamool delegation include the party's Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen, and Lok Sabha members Kalyan Banerjee and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.

Earlier, the Congress and the Left parties' delegations had visited Manipur. Accompanied by Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and in-charge of several northeastern states, Ajoy Kumar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Manipur on June 29-30. The delegation visited several districts and talked to the people belonging to different communities.

The ethnic violence in Manipur, which broke out after a tribal organisation held a rally on May 3 opposing the recognition of the Meitei community as Scheduled Tribe, so far has claimed over 150 lives and injured more than 600 people. In view of the ethnic strife in Manipur, approximately 50,650 men, women and children belonging to different communities have been displaced and are now sheltered in 350 camps set up in schools, government buildings and auditoriums.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 19 : Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani, on Wednesday termed the horrific video showing two women being paraded naked in Manipur as "downright inhuman".

She also spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and said that the latter has assured her that no effort will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Her remarks came after a horrific video showing two young women being paraded naked on a road by a mob in Manipur was widely circulated on social media, drawing widespread condemnation and demand for strictest actions.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) claimed that the two women were also gang-raped in a paddy field after being paraded naked on May 4, and demanded stern actions against the perpetrators.

In a tweet, Irani said, "The horrific video of sexual assault of 2 women emanating from Manipur is condemnable and downright inhuman. Spoke to CM N. Biren Singh who has informed me that investigation is currently underway and assured that no effort will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice."

Meanwhile, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that his silence has led to anarchy in Manipur.

The Congress has said that it will raise the issue of Manipur violence in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament starting Thursday.
Patna July 19 : The Bhojpur police have arrested a Bangladeshi national for blackmailing a girl in Bihar's Arrah district.

The accused has been identified as Apporva Bairagi alias Dipak Kumar, a native of Dharavshahi under the Kotlipada police station in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh.

Pramod Kumar Yadav, the Superintendent of Police, Bhojpur district, said: "A complainant named Vadini Ramita Singh (name changed), a resident of Maulabagh locality in Arrah, had filed an application with the Nawada police station against Appova Bairagi. In her complaint, she claimed that Apporva was involved in threatening his nephew and daughter about uploading some objectionable photos on social media."

"As the matter was sensitive, we constituted a team and mounted technical surveillance on Apporva. We finally managed to trace him from Gaya district. We have raided the Gaya railway station and arrested the accused. The accused is under questioning to find out the number of girls he trapped and blackmailed," Yadav said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Proposals have been prepared to provide free legal assistance to women and negotiations are underway in this direction with the relevant authorities, Chairperson of the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Family, Women and Children Bahar Muradova said at a briefing on the results of the first half of 2023, Trend reports.

According to Muradova, measures are being taken in Azerbaijan to implement the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

"In accordance with the memorandum signed between the committee and the Bar Association for the provision of free legal aid, we entrusted them with the obligation to provide free legal aid. They are doing all their best in this direction, but application to court requires certain funds," she said.

"We believe that this issue can be fundamentally solved through legislative regulation of providing women with free legal aid. On this occasion, we appealed to the relevant authorities, which prepared their proposals. Each institution has its own approach to the process. We'll definitely reach a positive decision on this issue," the official noted.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 18, 2019 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 18, 2019. The 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 74) will spotlight climate c. Image Source: IANS News

United Nations, July 20 : The UN has paid tribute to its 77 personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty last year.

"We come together to honour the memory of the UN personnel who lost their lives over the last year, serving our organisation. We are here to mourn together, remember together, and to pay our respects together," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an annual memorial service at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

The 77 personnel, military, police and civilian, came from 36 countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Their service embodied the principle and the promise of the UN -- the principle of our common humanity and the promise to act on it -- to work together to solve shared challenges and build a world of peace, prosperity and human rights for all. Mission by mission, program by program, day by day, members of the UN family breathe life into that noble vision," he said.

UN personnel frequently work amid jeopardy and difficulty. Peacekeepers are increasingly protecting civilians in places where there is no peace to keep. Humanitarian aid workers are venturing deeper into disaster-stricken regions, and closer to the front lines of conflict, he noted.

In a divided and dangerous world, the vision and values that the blue flag of the UN represents are more important than ever, said Guterres.

"In the name of those we have lost, we resolve to continue our essential mission. We pledge to keep supporting families. We commit to continually review and improve the safety, care and well-being of our staff. And we vow to keep the memories of our fallen colleagues alive -- in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in our work to build a life of dignity and hope for all."
Moscow, July 20 : Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the upcoming BRICS summit via a video link, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"President Putin has decided to participate in the BRICS summit in the format of a video conference call," Peskov said on Wednesday, adding that the Russian leader intends to fully participate in the event.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend the summit in person, the spokesman said as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

The 15th BRICS Summit will take place in Johannesburg from August 22 to 24, with the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism".
Beirut, July 20 : Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has called for a comprehensive dialogue with the EU to address the Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon.

In a letter sent to Josep Borrell, EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Bou Habib said on Wednesday that a "constructive and comprehensive dialogue" between Lebanon and the EU needs to be launched regarding the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who have become "a threat not only to Lebanon's social structure and economic stability, but also to its continued existence as an entity".

"Lebanon adheres to its rights and responsibilities in facilitating the safe and dignified return of the displaced Syrians to their homes, in particular to safe areas, in line with the international law, and in a way that does not contradict the Lebanese constitution, which stipulates that Lebanon is not a country of asylum," the National News Agency (NNA) quoted the letter as saying.

He also stressed the need for the international community to address the causes of Syrians' displacement and to accelerate early recovery, including securing basic infrastructure and social services in Syria, to facilitate the return of the refugees, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Minister reiterated Lebanon's readiness to launch a dialogue with the EU to draw up a roadmap for the return of the displaced Syrians to their home country.

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with the government estimating around 1.5 million Syrian refugees.

The country has been suffering from an unprecedented financial crisis, and the refugees weigh heavily on the country's economy and infrastructure.
Harare, July 20 : Businesswoman Elizabeth Valerio has joined the race in Zimbabwe's presidential election after the High Court ordered the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to register her as a candidate for the August 23 poll.

The leader of the United Zimbabwe Alliance becomes the only female candidate to battle it out with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and 10 others, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

ZEC, which had disqualified her on nomination day on June 21 for submitting partial bank proof of payment for the required nomination fees, was ordered to register her as a contestant, the news agency New Ziana reported.

The High Court said ZEC had made a mistake in refusing to accept her nomination papers and ordered it to take all necessary steps to ensure that she was registered and her name appeared on the presidential ballot paper.

New Ziana said Valerio's lawyer Alec Muchadehama told journalists that she would contest in the presidential race.

Former cabinet Minister and political commissar in the ruling ZANU PF Saviour Kasukuwere, who intends to contest the presidential election as an independent candidate, is yet to be sure if he will be able to do so.

Although ZEC accepted his nomination papers, the High Court later upheld an application by a private citizen seeking to disqualify him on the basis that he had been out of the country for more than 18 months continuously and had therefore ceased to be a registered voter.

He, however, appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court, which means that he remains in the running until the superior court decides on his eligibility to contest.
Jerusalem, July 20 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior military officials have held discussions on the military's readiness as reserve soldiers threatened to end their service if the contentious judicial overhaul plan proceeds.

The Defence Ministry said on Wednesday in a statement that Israel's Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant updated the Prime Minister on the security situation and gave him an overview of the readiness of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Xinhua news agency reported.

The meeting came after Halevi told a parliamentary committee on Monday that calls by reservists to resign from their service harm the IDF and undermine national security.

On Wednesday, about 300 reservists with the Army's Medical Corps announced that they were suspending their service. The group includes physicians, paramedics, and others.

At a press conference outside the Tel Hashomer military base near Tel Aviv, they presented the letters sent to their commanding officers, in which they announce their "immediate" suspension of service.

Eran Dolev, a former chief of the Medical Corps, said he decided to suspend his service because the government's bid to pass bills that would deepen discrimination against women or allow medical staff not to attend patients due to his sexual orientation "cannot be accepted".

The move came a day after 161 reserved Air Force officers released a statement announcing their immediate resignation from service.

The coalition government seeks to bring a bill that would cancel some of the Supreme Court's powers for final votes in the Parliament next week. It has advanced other bills to overhaul the judicial system, throwing Israeli society into turmoil.

The anti-reform movement has staged some of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the 1980s, with protests taking place for 28 consecutive weeks following the announcement of the overhaul plan by the ruling coalition in January.
Pambwa Airport, Pambwa, Papua New Guinea [ PAW / ]

If you are planning to travel to Pambwa or any other city in Papua New Guinea, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Pambwa Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Pambwa Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Papua New Guinea. Pambwa Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

Pambwa Airport Info:

Pambwa Airport IATA Code: PAW Pambwa Airport ICAO Code: Latitude : -10.5833 Longitude : 151.083 City : Pambwa Country : Papua New Guinea World Area Code : 804 Airport Type : Small Timezone : Pacific/Port_Moresby Pambwa Airport Timezone : GMT +10:00 hours Current time and date at Pambwa Airport is 06:22:32 AM (+10) on Wednesday, Aug 9, 2023

Looking for information on Pambwa Airport, Pambwa, Papua New Guinea? Know about Pambwa Airport in detail. Find out the location of Pambwa Airport on Papua New Guinea map and also find out airports near to Pambwa. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Pambwa Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Pambwa Airport, airlines operating to Pambwa Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Papua New Guinea. Scroll down to know more about Pambwa Airport or Pambwa Airport, Papua New Guinea.

Pambwa Airport Map - Location of Pambwa Airport Load Map Papua New Guinea - General Information Country Formal Name Independent State of Papua New Guinea Country Code PG Capital Port Moresby Currency Kina (PGK)

 1 PGK = 0.275 USD

 1 USD = 3.633 PGK

 1 PGK = 0.251 EUR

 1 EUR = 3.981 PGK

 More PGK convertion rates Tel Code +675 Top Level Domain .pg

This page provides all the information you need to know about Pambwa Airport, Papua New Guinea. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Papua New Guinea or traveling to Pambwa Airport. Details about Pambwa Airport given here include Pambwa Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes)

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PAW - Pambwa Airport IATA Code
110 Washington is open for immediate occupancy. 110 Washington offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom luxury rentals starting from $2,395*.

Move in to your new luxury residence today at 110 Washington! The community features newly constructed residences in Bloomfield, NJ. Surrounded by sprawling parks, retail and restaurants, you dont have to go far to have it all. 110 Washington is currently offering up to 2 months free.*

110 Washington presented by The Marketing Directors and developed by Platinum Developers, is a luxury rental community that features 170 apartments across two buildings. Each distinct residence features lofty 9 high ceilings with luxury plank flooring and comes equipped with a vented, in-home Electrolux washer and dryer. Other highlights include open kitchen layouts, Quartz countertops with waterfall islands, full height Quartz backsplashes, two-tone soft-close cabinet doors and drawers and sleek, full-sized stainless-steel appliances. Spacious baths feature backlit mirrors and Delta chrome faucets. Double sinks are an added bonus in select homes.

This exciting community, available for immediate occupancy, highlights a state-of-the-art fitness center with a yoga area, co-working spaces, a landscaped terrace, convenient covered garage parking, building access through a mobile app and a secure package system, said Jackie Urgo, President of The Marketing Directors.

Perfect for professionals, the easy commute to New York City offers an enticing combination of work and play. 110 Washington is also conveniently located in close proximity to coffee shops, restaurants, barber shops, salons, pharmacies, grocery stores, delicatessens and a variety of parks and recreational opportunities.

Residents will also find popular eateries like Casa De Flora Bar, Anthonys Cheesecake and Bucco Restaurant Bloomfield, all on Washington Street. Bloomfield College is also nearby.

Perfect for commuters, 110 Washington is located adjacent to the Bloomfield Train Station where New Jersey Transit provides frequent and rapid service to New York City. Newark International Airport is also conveniently located near the community for residents who travel for business or pleasure.

110 Washington offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom luxury rentals starting from $2,395*. The building is located at 110 Washington Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. To learn more about the community, visit https://Rent110Washington.com, call our on site Leasing Office at 973-680-0000 or send an email to info@rent110washington.com

*For a limited time, 110 Washington is offering 1 month free on a 13 month lease, and 2 months free on a 26 month lease. All prices listed are net rents. Prices are subject to change, error and omission. 110 Washington is also offering broker incentives for a limited time. Please call the leasing office for more information.

About The Marketing Directors

The Marketing Directors is a renowned development advisory with over 40 years of experience working exclusively on behalf of real estate developers to design, market, and sell residential homes. The Marketing Directors team is a collective of strategic thinkers, market experts, and trusted partners. Headquartered in New York, The Marketing Directors has helped clients successfully lease a large portfolio in New Jersey. To learn more, visit https://www.themarketingdirectorsinc.com.

About Platinum Developers

As New Jersey and New Yorks definitive, independently owned real estate development firm, Platinum Developers is integrated across pre-construction, construction management, high financing, project expediting, and owner representative.

More than 24 years in business servicing clients, investors, and financial institutions gives Platinum Developers the ability to build personal relationships that generate prestigious commercial, residential, and large multipurpose-unit developments.

The veteran team consists of more than 45 employees, each delivering full-service, white-glove experiences at every property milestone. Platinum Developers has approximately $100 million of annual development projects in our portfolio.

Platinum Developers is your choice partner in high-profile projects, having worked with a multitude of clients, including Extell Development, Alexander Properties, Alliven Group, and many more.

The Platinum Developers portfolio is an evolving testament to the teams honesty, commitment, and capacity to execute.

To learn more, visit https://platinumdevelopers.com.


Now, with the addition of Conversion First Marketing, we can offer advanced expertises in digital marketing and exclusive reporting while enabling those brands with resources from our centralized team.

WST Corp, a Nashvilles Web Design Services Company, Acquires Franklin TN SEO Experts, Conversion First Marketing.

Nashville-based web design services corporation WST, has recently acquired CFM (Conversion First Marketing). The merging of efforts between WST (operator of JLB and Nice Branding) and CFM offers clients comprehensive online strategies, leading with exceptional branding service conceptualization and graphic design all the way through website design and digital marketing services, all in-house.

Conversion First Marketing is an SEO First and web design agency that has been in operation since 2014 with nationwide services. A few of their clients include Curry Ingram Academy, NICA: Arkansas League, Brides by Glitz Nashville and Beacon Exit Advisors. Their primary services consist of custom digital marketing services, web design, pay-per-click, conversion rate optimization, and analytics and reporting. Conversion First Marketing is a great strategic extension of JLB.

JLB has provided web design and marketing services to the Nashville area and beyond for over 20 years with long-term clients like the Nashville International Airport, Franklin Theatre, Mercy Community Health, Star Physical Therapy, Fisk University, and over 700 more active brands. Unlike any other web design company, JLBs brand is dedicated to total service accountability to clients and is responsible for all the marketing, hosting servers, technology, software, and web design services operated and supported in-house, under one centralized team with free support. JLB has been proudly voted the #1 best web design and development several times, 3 times on the Inc. 5000 list, is a Google Partner, and is Veteran owned.

While Conversion First Marketing will continue operating under the same company name, the partnership with JLB will allow for clients to have a seamless experience for establishing their digital marketing needs, brand identity and digital presence. With online visibility being more important than ever, working with digital experts like JLB and CFM ensures a business is poised in the strongest, most effective digital marketing position to be successful in their industry, with centralized support for all their needs.

JLB is accountable to make sure your brand & website are impressive, everything is working, you are getting results, and it is ALL well supported in one place. Now, with the addition of Conversion First Marketing, we can offer advanced expertises in digital marketing and exclusive reporting while enabling those brands with resources from our centralized team. We are very excited about our future together and have already seen clients from both agencies demanding to take advantage of this amazing value.  Ken Royer, CEO

Web Services Team Corporation (WST) is an investment and operations company that brings Business-Class custom branding, website, marketing, and online solutions to businesses. WST was founded on the fundamental reality that online marketing solutions and services are terribly segmented and misleading. This leaves businesses vulnerable to unnecessary costs, little to no support, and ultimately lost opportunities. WST solves this problem.

For more information, please contact us at (615) 794-2123 or info@webservice.team.

WST

(615) 794-2123
This innovative immersive VR laboratory is powered by 20 Christie DWU7062-GS laser projectors The Christie DWU7062-GS laser projectors, with their superior image quality and reliability, are instrumental in creating an ideal environment for virtual simulation teaching.

Christie is proud to announce that its GS Series 1DLP laser projectors are powering an innovative 360-degree immersive VR laboratory at a prestigious national public research university in Shanghai, China.

This state-of-the-art facility represents a major milestone in immersive education, providing students with an unparalleled virtual reality experience. The stunning 2D and 3D visuals displayed on the surrounding screen are achieved by 20 Christie DWU7062-GS laser projectors, delivering an astounding 16K super resolution. The projectors were supplied, commissioned, and installed by Christies trusted partner, Liancheng Digital. This landmark setup, which boasts 3D positioning and tracking functions, is the first of its kind built by a Chinese university. It optimizes talent training and creates new opportunities for experiential learning.

This cutting-edge facility features advanced projection and 3D interactive technologies, and is poised to transform the way our students learn and engage with virtual environments, said Associate Professor Zhongding Jiang, who oversees the immersive VR laboratory. With Christies high-performance GS Series and our technological expertise in immersive VR systems, we are confident that this facility will empower our students to explore new frontiers of knowledge and creativity.

Yueyi Wu, general manager, Liancheng Digital, added, We are honored to play a role in the establishment of this groundbreaking immersive VR laboratory. The Christie DWU7062-GS laser projectors, with their superior image quality and reliability, are instrumental in creating an ideal environment for virtual simulation teaching. We are delighted to contribute to the advancement of education and innovation through this remarkable collaboration with one of Chinas top universities.

To ensure impeccable image quality and stability, Dr. Jiangs department collaborated closely with Liancheng Digital throughout the design, installation, and commissioning stages. Highlighting the advantages of the Christie DWU7062-GS projectors, Dr. Jiang said, Their compact footprint allowed for strategic placement to accommodate two columns within the laboratory while ensuring optimal heat dissipation. Additionally, during the commissioning stage, meticulous calibration was performed on the projectors internal optical path, brightness, and color consistency. These efforts were crucial in ensuring that the VR system consistently delivers impeccable image clarity and uniformity on the screen.

According to Dr. Jiang, the establishment of this immersive VR laboratory showcases the universitys success in independently constructing a 360-degree virtual reality system and represents the culmination of extensive R&D efforts, including the use of lighthouse laser positioning technology. The laboratory provides a platform for students and educators from all disciplines to engage in virtual simulation teaching and hands-on experiences, fostering an environment for cultivating innovative and entrepreneurial talents.

April Qin, senior sales director for China, Enterprise, Christie, commented, We are thrilled that our GS Series laser projectors are chosen as the preferred projection system for this pioneering immersive VR laboratory. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to delivering unrivaled visual experiences and driving innovation in education. Our tried-and-tested GS Series is well-positioned to pave the way for a new era of experiential learning, enabling students to engage in captivating virtual simulation within this advanced VR environment.

Featuring laser illumination, the Christie GS Series eliminates the need for lamp and filter replacements, providing 20,000 hours of low-cost operation. Wireless connectivity, a small footprint, low-weight, whisper-quiet operation, and a full range of lenses make them ideal for demanding, high-use applications. Select models come with onboard Christie Twist warping and blending software, and Christie Mystique automated camera-based alignment tools, making setup, alignment, recalibration, and maintenance of multi-projector systems quick and easy.
We are trying to open locations across the island by continuing to head west, said CES Senior Regional Manager Mike Bertone. This is a great point for us to open another location. As CES opens more branches, were going to continue helping the existing stores here be successful.

City Electric Supply (CES) is thrilled to announce the opening of the second branch location on the island of Puerto Rico less than two years after the opening of the first branch. The new location is another step forward in the companys expansion plan on the island. CES Arecibo is 45 minutes from CES Catano, in San Juan, strategically placed to bridge the gap for customers between the East and West.

Ultimately, we are trying to open locations across the island by continuing to head west, said CES Senior Regional Manager Mike Bertone. This is a great point for us to open another location. As CES opens more branches, were going to continue helping the existing stores here be successful. Our team here in Puerto Rico is incredible, and we really appreciate the job they do for us.

From finding the right location to preparing for the grand opening celebration that recently took place, the Arecibo branch took less than eight months to open. Its safe to say that the branch is already making a splash. The team is working on a four-year solar farm project, which is now only minutes away.

The customers are excited that were just five minutes away, said Regional Manager Aramis Montenegro. This Arecibo branch will be able to work hand-in-hand with the first Puerto Rico branch to help each other. Its a major milestone to open a little further west and start to bridge the gap geographically. Now, we can service customers further away than before and reach new ones.

Earlier this year, the current administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced an infrastructure law to deliver more than $1.4 billion to repair roads and bridges in Puerto Rico and four additional territories. CES Arecibo is on State Road Two, one of the islands major roads. Located in a stand-alone building with plenty of parking space and additional storage, this CES branch is ready to service new and existing customers.

Its exciting to be opening the Arecibo location here on the island, said CES Arecibo Branch Manager Jose Rodriguez. My team and I have been trusted with a big responsibility, and its a dream come true to bring this to life and service this local market.

The new branch recently celebrated its grand opening with nearly 100 people and more than 10 vendors. And, of course, with the support and presence of CES Catano team members.

CES looks forward to helping its customers in Puerto Rico and cannot wait to continue its expansion on the island.

About City Electric Supply (CES) is a family-owned electrical wholesale distributor headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company was founded in 1951 by Tom Mackie in the United Kingdom and expanded to the United States in 1983. Today, CES employs more than 3,000 people in over 550 branches across the U.S.

CES is dedicated to providing personalized service and support for customers in the residential, commercial, and industrial marketplace. While CES is a large company, it prides itself on keeping its founding principle of empowering people to make local business decisions by providing customers with tailored services for all their electric supply needs.

###

Media Contact:

Emily Davis

Public Relations Specialist

City Electric Supply

Emily.Davis@cityelectricsupply.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. The region's largest event - Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition (ADEX) will be held on September 24-26, 2024, Caspian Event Organisers company told Trend.

Next year, the ADEX will mark its fifth anniversary. In parallel with it, the 14th International Exhibition for Internal Security, Safety and Rescue Equipment (Securex Caspian-2022) will be held. Both of the events will be organized at the Baku EXPO Center.

The ADEX exhibition is held on the initiative and with the organizational support of the Ministry of Defense Industry and the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The organizer of the exhibition is Caspian Event Organizers.

Azerbaijan pays special attention to strengthening the defense capability and ensuring the national security of the country, and the expenditures related to these areas remain the main priority expenditures of the state budget.

In 2022, more than 5 billion manat ($2.9 billion) was allocated from the state budget for defense and national security spending, and in the state budget for 2023, 5.3 billion manat ($3.1 billion) was approved for spending in this direction, which is 200 million manat ($117.6 million) more than last year and 17.1 percent more than in 2021.

The ADEX exhibition creates the conditions for a large-scale demonstration of the power of the military-industrial complexes of Azerbaijan and world companies, constructive communication, the exchange of experience and the establishment of effective ties between domestic and foreign experts in the military-technical field.

During the event, the specialists will be able to get acquainted with the defense complex know-how presented by companies from different countries, as well as witness the purchasing potential of the Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies.

The exhibition is an ideal ground for presentation of products for the navy, aviation and army, as well as Homeland Security products. Moreover, ADEX facilitates the exchange of experience among participants, visitors and experts in the sector, and a chance to upgrade products in accordance with requirements of the regions defense industry market.

The ADEX 2022 exhibition was attended by 33 military delegations from 33 countries, including 150 official representatives. The exhibition featured 208 companies and 10 national groups, as well as 8,967 professional visitors. The high-ranking guests of the exhibition included the chief of the general staff of Turkiye, the defense minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the defense minister of Belarus, the deputy defense minister of Kazakhstan, the defense minister of Rwanda and other officials.

The ADEX 2024 exhibition is planned to represent aircraft and aviation systems, naval vessels and naval systems, armed combat vehicles, military laboratories, military educational institutions, logistics services, radio-electronic systems, C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), optic-electronic equipment and systems.

Besides, unmanned vehicles, military uniform clothing and equipment; weapons and ammunition; simulators and training systems; chemical, biological and radiation (CBR) protection as well as military organizations; export promotion companies and others will be also represented at ADEX-2024.

The 14th Securex Caspian exhibition will represent promising equipment models and integrated security systems and weapons for law enforcement agencies, and border, rescue and special services.

It's supported by the Ministry of Defense Industry, the State Security Service, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Border Service of Azerbaijan.

The exhibition is a platform which will helps create favorable conditions for the development of cooperation and an exchange of experience, and solve applied problems to ensure the internal security of the state, society and citizens.

The upcoming Securex Caspian exhibition is planned to represent such areas as forensic means and systems, operative-search equipment, access control systems, information security, security services, rescue means and equipment, security training, video surveillance systems, special clothing and equipment, fire safety equipment, and others.
While we continue our strategic growth initiatives, including the addition of new product offerings for our customers, this recognition confirms ICW Groups ability to successfully execute our expansion plans in a fiscally responsible manner.

ICW Group Insurance Companies, a leading group of property and casualty carriers, has been named a Wards 50 top-performing P&C company for 2023. This marks the ninth consecutive year and 17th time overall the multi-line insurance company has received this prestigious award.

Nearly 2,900 property-casualty insurance companies domiciled in the United States are analyzed each year to identify the industrys top performers. Only companies that can pass financial stability requirements and demonstrate the ability to grow while maintaining strong capital positions and underwriting results achieve this recognition. ICW Group has continued to deliver superior results compared to the overall industry in safety, consistency, and financial performance over the last five years.

On behalf of our national workforce, I am extremely proud that ICW Group has once again received this coveted award, said John Novak, the companys President, and Chief Operating Officer. While we continue our strategic growth initiatives, including the addition of new product offerings for our customers, this recognition confirms ICW Groups ability to successfully execute our expansion plans in a fiscally responsible manner. We wouldnt be in this leadership position without the unwavering commitment of our team members along with the valuable partnerships weve built with our independent agent and brokers.

In selecting the Wards 50 top performers, AON and Ward Benchmarking, leaders in benchmarking and professional services, identify companies that delver higher performance than their peers in such areas as return on equity, net premium and surplus growth, and lower expense to net premium ratios.

About ICW Group

Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held insurance company domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3.5 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Workers Compensation, Assumed Reinsurance and Catastrophe insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims while elevating the trusted agents who advise them. More information is available on ICW Groups Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook pages.


Justin Boots, the renowned provider of Western footwear, proudly presents the latest installment of their Just In The Making series, featuring the talented leatherworker Aaron Heizer. The feature highlights Aarons journey and his exceptional craftsmanship in the world of leatherwork.

Aaron Heizer, originally from Central Texas, has always had a passion for working with his hands. After completing high school and some college, he embarked on an adventure with the Armys Military Police Corps, serving in various locations around the world, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Baghdad, Iraq. During his time in the Army, Aaron discovered his love for leatherwork and began teaching himself the art of hand tooling and leather construction.

Starting with simple projects such as holsters, wallets, and belts, Aaron honed his skills and discovered that he had a natural talent for creating intricate and exquisite leather pieces. In 2014, after retiring from the Army, Aaron and his family relocated to the Waco area in Texas. As his reputation in the leather industry grew, people from all over the world began visiting his store to admire his work, engage in conversation, and stock up on leather supplies.

The "Just In The Making" feature on Aaron Heizer allows readers to delve into his journey, his experiences in the Army, and the remarkable craftsmanship he brings to his creations. Justin Boots recognizes Aaron as an emerging talent in the leather industry and wants to showcase his artistry and dedication to the craft.

"We are thrilled to highlight Aaron Heizer in our 'Just In The Making' series," stated Taylor Morton, Public Relations Manager at Justin Boots. "His story resonates with our values of hard work, passion, and dedication to craftsmanship. We are proud to showcase his talent and inspire others with his remarkable journey."

Justin Boots remains committed to supporting artisans and craftsmen who embody the Western way of life and have a passion for their craft. "Just In The Making" serves as a platform to celebrate these individuals and their contributions to Western heritage.

To read the full "Just In The Making" feature on Aaron Heizer, please visit: Justin Boots Just In

The Making - Aaron Heizer

About Justin Boots

Justin Boots is a brand of Western footwear that was founded in 1879 by H.J. Justin. The

company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and produces a wide range of boots for both

men and women, including cowboy boots, work boots, and casual shoes. Justin Boots is known

for its high-quality craftsmanship and use of premium materials, and has a reputation for being a

trusted brand in the Western footwear market. For more information, visit justinboots.com.
After being in the special forces for so long, I recognized how important it was to have a base of knowledge of the water and how to learn to swim and thrive in an aquatic environment.

British Swim School, the nations leading learn to swim franchise company, continues its rapid expansion across North America with the opening of its newest location in the sunshine state. British Swim School of Northeast Orlando opens July 28th with lessons to be held four days a week at the Esporta Fitness at 3851 Lake Emma Road in Lake Mary.

Sean Bailey and his wife Alison own and operate the new location. Sean will also serve as an instructor, a perfect role after spending nearly 30 years in the Navy and Armed Forces. The veteran admitted that his vast experience in the water and passion for teaching made opening a British Swim School a no-brainer.

We were really attracted to the motto, Survival of the Littlest, alongside the fact that I love swimming and I like helping kids, Sean said. After being in the special forces for so long, I recognized how important it was to have a base of knowledge of the water and how to learn to swim and thrive in an aquatic environment.

For more than 40 years, British Swim School has been dedicated to teaching water survival skills by teaching infants, children and adults of all ages the skills needed for water acclimation, water survival, and stroke development. Its mission  ensure that every person, regardless of age or ability, has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer.

Across the nation, eleven people die every day from unintentional drownings, with nearly 4,000 deaths occurring each year. Tragically, in the state of Florida alone there have been 53 child deaths from drowning this year, with children 3 and under accounting for 68% of those fatalities. Rip currents along the coast have claimed dozens of lives this year as well. Research shows that participation in formal swim programs, such as those offered by British Swim School, can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children who are most at risk for deaths caused by drowning. However, the risk of drowning isnt limited to children: a Red Cross survey found that more than half of all Americans (54%) either cant swim or dont have the basic swimming skills needed to save themselves in the event of a water emergency.

As the parents of two children, the Baileys understand a parents need to ensure the safety of their kids and look to foster a comfortable atmosphere with British Swim School. We hope to create a family environment where parents can bring their children and kids can learn to survive and thrive in the water, Sean added.

Sean epitomizes why veterans can become fantastic franchise owners, and he and Alisons enthusiasm for the water and swim safety is unmatched, said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School. Not only are they prepared to be great instructors and franchisees, but its clear that they have a real desire to make others feel comfortable and understand that each student progresses at their own pace. Were fortunate to have them be part of the British Swim School family.

For more information about British Swim School, visit http://www.britishswimschool.com/northeast-orlando.

To learn more about the benefits of British Swim Schools franchising opportunities, visit http://www.britishswimschoolfranchise.com.

About British Swim School

British Swim School, the nations most established swim school franchise, with over 40 years in business, believes that every individual, regardless of age or ability, should have the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer. Offering lessons for babies, children, and adults, the brand is dedicated to its mantra, Survival of the Littlest, focusing first on the survival skills needed to survive a water accident, then moving on to stroke development and more advanced skills. Not only does British Swim Schools give peace of mind to countless families who seek the essential life skill the brand offers their children but the purpose-driven franchise also offers an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs who seek a fulfilling business venture with a sound foundation, low investment, and easily scalable model. Part of the Buzz Franchise Brands family, British Swim School currently operates over 315 schools across the United States and Canada.

For more information about British Swim School, visit http://www.britishswimschool.com.

To learn more about the benefits of British Swim Schools franchising opportunities, visit https://britishswimschoolfranchise.com/.
RGB Architects RGB has extensive experience in the Public and Private Schools sector, so we are excited to work on providing classroom spaces that will provide an optimal learning environment for many of the Collaboratives students

RGB Architects is excited to announce three upcoming projects, which include the revitalization of a shopping plaza in Fort Pierce, Florida, a new multi-level accessible classroom facility in Leominster, Massachusetts, and a new National Guard Readiness Center for Soldiers of the 1st Battalion 126th Aviation Battalion on the Aviation Readiness campus as Quonset in North Kingdom, Rhode Island. The three awarded projects show the range of expertise at RGB Architects.

For the South Florida project, RGB architects will collaborate with Time Equities, Inc. on revitalizing the shopping plaza. The renovation project will provide access to shopping, eateries, and financial services along Floridas US RT 1.

David DeQuattro is excited to work as the owners project manager (OPM) with the Key Stone Collaborative on the fast-track development of a new multi-level accessible classroom facility in Leominster, Massachusetts.

RGB has extensive experience in the Public and Private Schools sector, so we are excited to work on providing classroom spaces that will provide an optimal learning environment for many of the Collaboratives students, explained DeQuattro.

The contract to design a New National Guard Readiness Center for Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Readiness campus at Quonset in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, will include antiterrorism measures in accordance with the DOD Minimum Antiterrorism for building standards. The project is funding via state contracting and will be completed on state land.

About RGB Architects:

RGB Architects is one of the leading architecture, interior design, and project management firms in the New England area, with a reputation for design excellence since 1946 and a portfolio that includes some of the most important architectural accomplishments in the area. RGB is a veteran owned firm supporting veterans not only through projects but also hiring them and was a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council (http://www.usgbc.org) Rhode Island Chapter. With a record of commissions for eight of the largest buildings in the state's capital the RGB name is recognized respectfully.


Where Thou Lodgest

A woman of faith looking for true love and her purpose on Earth finds herself unwittingly immersed in a love triangle. Who will she choose? Will she still be able to trust Gods plan? Readers are set to find out in Ruth Wilsons latest novel titled Where Thou Lodgest (published by Balboa Press).

Deborah Wayfaring is a smart, determined woman who is not afraid to take risks. She is an epitome of elegance and beauty. Now single, she is ready to follow her love path to see where it will lead and ends. On her search journey, Deborah falls in love with two influential men  Reverend Harold Grayson, a high profile, powerful man in the faith, and Justin, a kind-hearted man who is also extremely wealthy. Rev. Hal does not reciprocate Deborahs feelings, but Justin sees her; he wants to marry her and raise a family. Confusingly, she has already given her heart to Rev. Hal. What will she do?

Like the powerful warrior, Deborah, in the Bible, the main character in Where Thou Lodgest displays courage to chase after her dreams for a successful life. Her story paints a picture of what true and undefiled love is.

This romance novel could be the catalyst for a kind of disruption that will divert our attention back to loving and caring for one another, the author states. I want my readers to see that my imagination stretches beyond this book. I want the creativity I invested in the three main characters to remain fresh in their minds and hearts; therefore, they will always thirst for more.

Visit https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/851242-where-thou-lodgest to get a copy.

Where Thou Lodgest

By Ruth Wilson

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 176 pages | ISBN 9798765241813

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 176 pages | ISBN 9798765241790

E-Book | 176 pages | ISBN 9798765241806

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Ruth Wilson was born into a large sharecropper family. While working in the cotton and tobacco fields, she realized there was a greater purpose for her life on Earth. She is the mother of six children, a caregiver to her mother who has Alzheimers disease, and the author of Our Dark Places.

Balboa Press, a division of Hay House, Inc.  a leading provider in publishing products that specialize in self-help and the mind, body, and spirit genres. Through an alliance with the worldwide self-publishing leader Author Solutions, LLC, authors benefit from the leadership of Hay House Publishing and the speed-to-market advantages of the self-publishing model. For more information, visit balboapress.com. To start publishing your book with Balboa Press, call 844-682-1282 today.
The 2023 VW ID.4, which is for sale at Cook VW in Encinitas, CA. This revolutionary electric SUV represents the future of sustainable mobility, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting automotive evolution.

Herman Cook Volkswagen is excited to announce the arrival of the highly anticipated 2023 VW ID.4 electric SUV. As the future of sustainable driving takes center stage, the ID.4 showcases Volkswagen's commitment to innovation, style, and environmental responsibility. With cutting-edge technology, impressive range, and captivating design, the ID.4 sets a new standard for electric vehicles.

The 2023 VW ID.4 is now available for sale near San Diego, CA, at Herman Cook Volkswagen. This eco-friendly SUV offers an impressive electric range of [range] miles on a single charge, allowing drivers to embark on their daily journeys confidently. Powered by Volkswagen's advanced electric drivetrain, the ID.4 delivers instantaneous torque, smooth acceleration, and a whisper-quiet driving experience.

The ID.4 exudes elegance and modernity by embracing Volkswagen's signature design language. Its sleek exterior lines, bold LED headlights, and aerodynamic profile enhance its aesthetics and contribute to its exceptional efficiency. Inside the spacious cabin, occupants are greeted with premium materials, intelligent infotainment features, and ample cargo space, making every journey comfortable and convenient.

The 2023 VW ID.4 has an array of advanced safety and driver-assistance systems. With features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, and Emergency Assist, the ID.4 prioritizes the well-being of its occupants and ensures a secure driving experience.

"We are thrilled to offer our customers the 2023 VW ID.4," said Dennis Cook at Herman Cook Volkswagen. "This revolutionary electric SUV represents the future of sustainable mobility, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting automotive evolution. We invite customers near San Diego to visit our dealership and experience the impressive capabilities and features of the ID.4."

To learn more about the 2023 VW ID.4 for sale near San Diego, CA, and to schedule a test drive, visit Herman Cook Volkswagen. Experience the power of electric driving and join the green revolution with the exceptional 2023 VW ID.4.

Herman Cook Volkswagen is the premier Volkswagen dealership in San Diego County. Individuals who want to learn more about the dealership or any vehicles in the Volkswagen lineup from Herman Cook VW of Encinitas can visit the dealership website, http://www.cookvw.com. Anyone wishing to speak with a representative can call the dealership at 855-637-8636.
Unitek Learning is the parent company of several distinguished learning institutions: Unitek College, Unitek Training Healthcare, Unitek EMT, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, and Brookline College. Partnering with Community is a great opportunity for us to collaborate and address the healthcare needs of the Central Valley.

Unitek Learning has announced an educational partnership with Community Health System to strengthen the California workforce and offer greater access to their nursing programs. These organizations share the same vision and philosophy of improving their communities through improved access to education and healthcare. Together, they can use this academic-practice partnership to tackle workforce vacancies and positively impact others.

Partnering with Community is a great opportunity for us to collaborate and address the healthcare needs of the Central Valley, said Karilyn Van Oosten, VP of Strategic Business Development at Unitek Learning. Our partnership will allow Unitek Learning and Unitek College to become part of the solution. We are honored they chose us to help them build their workforce and tackle this issue at the root cause.

Community Health System is a private, not-for-profit healthcare network based in Fresno County, and the largest private employer in the region. Community cares for more people in the region than any other provider. In addition, Community is committed to being an employer of choice and strives to provide top-notch care to support the health and wellbeing of those in need.

Community Health System is made up of three entities: Community Medical Centers, is a network of four hospitals, a cancer institute, and several other medical facilities; Community Provider Network is a fast-growing network of nearly 400 primary and specialty care providers; and Community Care Health is one of the largest HMOs in the region and offers local businesses medical insurance options for their employees. These three pillars of healthcarehospitals, physicians, and health insuranceprovide Central Valley families with integrated and comprehensive care.

By partnering with Unitek, future nurses will train in the Community Medical Centers facilities and Communitys team members who participate in the program will receive a specialized tuition rate for nursing programs at Unitek College.

This partnership allows us to support employees who want to grow their careers with Community and invest in creating opportunities for the diverse workforce throughout our community, said Danny Davis, Chief Nursing Officer at Community Health System.

At Unitek, we are committed to education and workforce alignment so that the next generation can thrive, said Janis Paulson, Chief Executive Officer at Unitek Learning. Were honored to join forces with Community and help transform the California workforce. The nursing shortage is here to stay, and we need to build academic-practice partnerships to solve these shortages and strengthen our communities.

Unitek Learning is the parent company of several distinguished learning institutions: Unitek College, Unitek Training Healthcare, Unitek EMT, Eagle Gate College, Provo College, and Brookline College. Unitek programs teach the clinical practices and theory used in the field today. Equipped with a multitude of sought-after skills, Unitek graduates are prepared to excel in many of the fastest-growing careers in health care and nursing.

To find out how to take advantage of all this partnership affords, call 888.382.8183 or contact us today.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Representatives of foreign media excluded from the 'blacklist' will be required to comply with the legislation of Azerbaijan in their next trips, Spokesman for Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada said, Trend reports.

Hajizada made the remark at a joint press briefing of the Foreign Ministry, the Media Development Agency and the Press Council of Azerbaijan.

He noted that during international events held in Azerbaijan, journalists of Armenian origin are also present within foreign delegations.

"One of the necessary factors when visiting Azerbaijan is respect for its laws. Positive steps are expected to be taken in this direction in the coming years," the official stressed.

Today, following the joint press briefing, a statement was adopted to exclude the names of some representatives of foreign media from the 'blacklist' who illegally visited the territory of Azerbaijan.
The leading mobile operator pioneered the opening of a flagship customer service center in the liberated areas

"Azercell Telecom" LLC remains dedicated to contributing to the reconstruction and revitalization of territories liberated from occupation. The leading mobile operator of the country is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of its exclusive customer service center in Shusha.

On this occasion, Zarina Zeynalova, CEO of Azercell, and the company's delegation visited Shusha on July 1718. Zarina Zeynalova emphasized the strategic importance of the company's involvement in the reconstruction and restoration efforts in the liberated territories: "Azercell has been following our glorious army along the front lines from the beginning of the 44-day Patriotic War and has managed to create the first mobile infrastructure in the liberated areas. We continue to integrate cutting-edge technologies in this region, strengthening and expanding Azercells 4G network across Karabakh. Over 100 new 4G stations have already been installed in Karabakh, and Azercell will remain steadfast in its commitment to these endeavors".

The official anniversary event took place on July 18 at Azercell's Shusha office. Demir Dirim, Director of Sales and B2B Block, highlighted the historical significance of the occasion: "Last year, Azercell became the first mobile operator to establish a customer service center and an official dealer store in Karabakh. We were extremely excited and proud to introduce our flagship office in the city of Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan. Over the past year, this center has provided subscribers with a full range of services, just like our other Azercell offices. I would also like to remark that our first official dealer store was opened in the Agali village of Zangilan, which has been built within the "smart village" concept. We are committed to increasing the number of customer service centers in Karabakh to ensure prompt service to our subscribers in the liberated territories".

After the official part, the Azercell team also visited historical and architectural monuments, witnessing reconstruction and restoration works carried out in Shusha.
The third edition of Qatar Tourism's guidebook, Qatar Now, has been published.

It is a comprehensive country guide that is published every two years with the goal of improving the visitor experience, encouraging discovery, and deepening understanding of Qatar as a travel destination.

Read More: Travel The World with These Restaurants in Qatar

In the latest edition, there are two sides, each of which focuses on a different part of Qatar. On one side, readers will go on an engrossing tour of the nation's revered customs, learning about Qatar's rich cultural heritage and fun ways to engage with it.

The handbook, on the other side, delves into the cutting-edge technology, ambitious projects, and people who are defining Qatar's modern landscape.

The two sides are titled, Vibrant Tradition and Modern Vision.

Berthold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, said: Our Qatar Now guidebook captures the depth of Qatars cultural identity and latest tourism offering for travellers from across the globe. This edition of the guidebook is designed to encapsulate the unique duality of Qatars tradition and modern vision. With this edition, we aim to showcase the richness of the countrys cultural heritage while highlighting the innovative strides that it makes towards the future.

The Qatar Now guidebook's third edition includes a selection of captivating tales from well-known local authors, providing a close-up look at the lives and experiences of Qataris who have made important contributions to the country's artistic and cultural scene.

Famous individuals include Khalifa Saleh Haroon, Mubarak Al Malik, and Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, who serves as the brand ambassador for Qatar Tourism and has permanently impacted the country's creative landscape.

Families with children from all over the world can also find inspiration in the guidebook, which includes a section by young people from Qatar who discuss the most enjoyable activities to partake in there, including theme parks, interactive museums, and gourmet snacks.
Property details:

Own an inexpensive piece of land in Belen, New Mexico. A thriving community in the southwestern part of New Mexico, lots to do! Dining, art galleries, breweries and wineries, museums, and outdoor recreation. For movie buffs, there have been numerous movies filmed on location in Belen! County: ValenciaLot size: 0.50 acresParcel #: 1-012-021-167-455-101801Legal: Subdivision: RIO Grande Estates Lot: 52 Block 3 Unit: 27 PLAT B-217Prop taxes: $4.76 (paid for 2022)Deed: Warranty Document fee: $295.00 ...

Price: $ 61 Seller State of Residence: New Hampshire Type: Recreational, Acreage Property Address: Rio Grande Estates Zip/Postal Code: 87002 City: Belen State/Province: New Mexico Location: , Durham, New Hampshire

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Nearby New Mexico
Property details:

BLUE TREE RESORT at LAKE BUENA VISTALake Buena Vista, FL Blue Tree Resort provides a true home away from home. With a strong list of amenities and access to much more both on property and nearby, you can be sure that your experience will be on your time and according to your lifestyle. After a full day at the theme park, outlet mall or one of Orlandos other famed attractions, youll be delighted to return to your thoughtfully appointed suite at Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista. Resort A...

Price: $ 1 Seller State of Residence: Missouri Property Address: 12007 Cypress Run Road, Orlando, FL Number of Bedrooms: 1 Number of Bathrooms: 1 Zip/Postal Code: 32830 City: Orlando State/Province: Florida Location: 658**, Springfield, Missouri

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ABC/Eric McCandless

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/18/2023



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[Spoiler Warning: This report contains spoilers on 's ending and what happened to Rachel Recchia and Blake Moynes in Paradise, as well as spoilers about Charity Lawson's The Bachelorette bachelors who traveled to Paradise]

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

New ninth-season spoilers have emerged -- including two couples that apparently left Paradise still dating, and may be engaged, and whether Rachel Recchia and Blake Moynes found lasting love in Mexico.'s ninth season is set to air on Tuesday nights at 9PM ET/PT on ABC this fall, but the network has yet to announce its official premiere date and cast.Reality Steve spoiler blogger Steve Carbone took to Twitter on July 17 with new reportings about the upcoming season.According to Carbone, Kat Izzo from Zach Shallcross ' The Bachelor season and Eliza Isichei from Clayton Echard 's The Bachelor season -- who also appeared on 's eighth season last summer -- made it to the final days of filming.In addition, Carbone reported that Aaron Bryant and John Henry Spurlock from Charity Lawson 's The Bachelorette season made it all the way to the end of the process.Carbone believes that Kat and John Henry are currently together, and that Eliza and Aaron B. are also an item.A couple of days before wrapped filming on Season 9, a patron sent Carbone a photo of what appeared to be a whiteboard used by the show's production team.Carbone tweeted on July 17 that the patron just so "happened to be walking by an office at the Vidanta Resort" in Mexico.The whiteboard read, "Girls Schedules," and Kat and Eliza's names -- as well as their "pick up" times -- were clearly written on it.And according to Carbone, John Henry and Aaron B.'s names were also on the whiteboard."I did not want to make any assumptions on which couples were paired up, so I waited for confirmation," Carbone tweeted."I got confirmation [on] both of them within the last week."Carbone proceeded to tweet, "(SPOILER): Kat and John Henry are absolutely together, and I'm pretty sure they got engaged at the end of BIP filming."In attempt to provide evidence, Carbone posted a video of Kat and John Henry sitting at a table together -- with a male friend -- outside at Rudee's restaurant in Virginia Beach on July 8."Onlookers said they were holding hands and were an obvious couple," Carbone claimed.Carbone said he is "99 percent sure" that Kat and John Henry are engaged, even though he was unable to provide any additional support for the claim.And then Carbone unveiled his spoilers about Eliza and Aaron B.'s current relationship status.In a separate video, Eliza and Aaron B. can be seen sitting across from each other in a hotel lobby."(SPOILER): This was taken a few days after filming ended in the Vidanta lobby & posted on an IG story that was sent to me. This is Eliza and Aaron B," Carbone wrote on Twitter."I don't know if they're engaged, and Eliza has been back in Germany since filming. But clearly they ended the show together."Carbone, however, is unsure of how they're going to make their relationship -- or engagement -- work considering Aaron B. has been spotted in San Diego and Eliza is back in Germany."So in terms of the status of their relationship now? Not sure," Carbone wrote in a blog posting that followed his tweets."They clearly left the show together as a couple based on that video. But it would seem weird to head back to Germany if you left Paradise engaged. But we've seen crazier things, so hopefully I'll get more clarity on that going forward."John Henry was already shown being eliminated from Charity's season, but Aaron B. is still competing for her heart at this point of Season 20, which airs Monday nights on ABC.As for Rachel and Blake's romances in Paradise, Carbone reported that they both self-eliminated at some point in the process and both returned home single.Rachel was reportedly involved with Tanner Courtad from Charity's The Bachelorette season."But ultimately, [she] self-eliminated. She wasn't eliminated at a Rose Ceremony," Carbone claimed in his blog.And Blake reportedly dated Jess Girod from Zach's The Bachelor season in Mexico."But same as Rachel, at some point, [he] self-eliminated," Carbone wrote in his new spoilers. "He wasn't eliminated at a Rose Ceremony."Rachel starred on The Bachelorette's nineteenth season after failing to win Clayton's heart on The Bachelor, and Blake won Katie Thurston 's heart on The Bachelorette's seventeenth season but they split shortly after their engagement aired.Carbone also reported that Aven Jones from Rachel and Gabby Windey 's The Bachelorette season coupled up early into the process with Kylee Russell from Zach's season."But I haven't heard anything about them since that point," Carbone revealed. "They were definitely partying in the same group together on a boat in San Diego post-filming, but that's all I've seen or heard since filming ended." Click here to read about more cast members who looked for love on Season 9 and spoilers previously released by Carbone.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Rachael Kirkconnell / Instagram

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/19/2023



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FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!

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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell have addressed breakup rumors and the current status of their relationship.Although Bachelor Nation recently worried Matt and Rachael had called it quits on their relationship, Rachael confirmed they're still going strong as they're approaching three years together."I think that we've been through so much stuff at this point that nothing really phases us," Rachael told Us Weekly in a joint interview with 's Season 25 star on Tuesday, July 18."I get it because we're together so much, so whenever our schedules don't line up or whenever we have our own things going on, I get where people come from."Rachael, however, suggested that she's not really bothered by split rumors, even though they seem to swirl every few months or so."I do think a lot of it came from a place of love, like, people were worried because they like us so much as a couple. So in a way, it was a little flattering," 25 winner said."But also, at the end of the day, we're normal people [in a] normal relationship. It's kind of crazy sometimes when you see, you know, just how invested people are. In such a quick way, too."Rachael joked about how she sometimes needs to tell fans to "relax.""[I'm] like, 'It's been a week! I haven't posted [on social media] in, like, eight days, relax!'" Rachael noted.Matt admitted that even his mother, Patty, occasionally feeds into the hype and expresses concern about his relationship."I'll come home and if Rachael's not with me, my mom's like, 'What's wrong? Where's Rachael?'" Matt told the magazine."I'm like, 'She had to go home to see her family!' She has her mom and her dad and brother and sister [in Atlanta]."Rachael, however, pointed out how Patty's concern is sweet and flattering."I do love [Patty]. I only think your mom is like that because we have so much fun when we're together," Rachael gushed, adding, "Matt really is just my best friend."Rachael and Matt are pretty much tied at the hip. They enjoy trying new restaurants together and traveling, including recent trips to Greece and Saint John."I think at the end of the day, it's just really fun to live the life that we live together," 25 winner said."I don't think anything that we do would be nearly as fun if I weren't with him. I love our dynamic, I think that we make each other better people."Rachael shared how she and Matt "bring out the better version of ourselves" with each other."I think we have a lot to teach each other," Rachael said.And Matt agreed that he's "dating my best friend," which makes "everything that much better.""You get to enjoy life with that person. It's a great come true. We're always telling ourselves how blessed we are," Matt explained.couple teased in June that they're moving from New York City to Los Angeles, CA.Matt and Rachael fell in love on 's 25th season in early 2021.Matt selected Rachael as his winner on , but they briefly split in February 2021 during Rachael's memorable racism controversy , which resulted in former host Chris Harrison and ABC agreeing to part ways.But Rachael was extremely apologetic, and so she and Matt reconciled in April 2021 and have seemingly been inseparable ever since. However, fans are still waiting for them to get engaged.Rachael told Us in June 2022, "The only timeline I give him is I was like, 'I gotta have kids before, you know, I can't have kids.' So keep that in mind."Rachael said she and Matt weren't concerned with others' expectations for their relationship and future together."I feel like it's pretty crucial to just have fun with one another no matter where we're at or what we're doing," Rachael shared. "We got to make the most of everything."And Matt told the Los Angeles Times that same month, "We're one of the only couples from that franchise still going strong. The reason is we're going at things at our own pace. We're not playing games that a lot of people play just to stay in that circle."Matt said on a May 2022 episode of Watch What Happens Live that he had a feeling Rachael was The One for him when they met on the very first night of filming in late 2020."When I met everybody that first night, [our] interaction was the most genuine," Matt said, according to People. "I was looking for that genuine connection and just realness and she exuded it. And there it is."Matt also reportedly wrote in his book, First Impressions: Off Screen Conversations with a Bachelor on Race, Family, and Forgiveness, that he wanted to spend all of his time with Rachael while taping the show."In the beginning, she cut through the polished front I'd honed and into my nerdy side," Matt wrote of Rachael."We debated who was the bigger fan of How to Train Your Dragon and Marvel movies. I observed her empathy from afar, noticed how her kindness extended beyond our time alone and to everyone else she encountered."Due to Rachael and Matt's tight bond, Rachael and Matt's best friend, ette 15 alum Tyler Cameron , have confessed to having a love-hate relationship Tyler and Rachael explained the cause of their feud on Tyler's "Everybody But Me" radio show back in January.Interested in more news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
FILE - Migrants wait to be processed after crossing the border, Jan. 6, 2023, near Yuma, Ariz. A judge will hear arguments Wednesday, July 19, in a lawsuit opposing an asylum rule that has become a key part of the Biden administrations immigration policy. Critics say the rule endangers migrants trying to cross the southern border and is against the law, while the administration argues that it encourages migrants to use lawful pathways into the country and prevents chaos at the border.
Already, there is a feeling even within the BJP's AIADMK ally that the BJP is overdoing things on the ED/I-T front, as corruption is not an election issue in the state -- as long as the people are otherwise not excessively unhappy with the governing party, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

IMAGE: Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Dr K Ponmudy/Twitter

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin may have made light of the second Enforcement Directorate raid on his cabinet colleagues in as many months, but it only covers half the truth.

Clearly, the party hierarchy is rattled as to who will be the next target, another minister, lawmaker or others connected to the leadership.

The reasons are not far to seek. For a second minister in as many months, the ED raided and questioned K Ponmudy, in charge of higher education, and parliamentarian-son Gautham Sigamani, Lok Sabha member from Kallakurichi.

This was after the previous month's quota had netted Electricity and Excise Minister Senthil Balaji, whose arrest, subsequent heart surgery and attendant court cases kept the local media especially busy for a month.

The Tamil Nadu police have since moved Balaji from a private hospital in Chennai, where they had held him prisoner, to the central prison in suburban Puzhal. He continues to be a 'minister without portfolio' after Governor R N Ravi retracted his sack order only hours later after Union Home Minister Amit Shah advised him to consult the attorney general on the Constitutional provisions, precedents and propriety of it all.

Ravi was in Delhi for a few days subsequently, where he met with Amit Shah. It is not known if he had consulted the attorney general's office. For now, he has been maintaining a relatively low profile, as if to let the ED hog all the limelight.

Like Balaji, Ponmudy's case also pertains to an era before the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power at the Centre. Unlike Balaji, who is a recent defector from the rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Ponmudy is a thoroughbred DMK veteran. Hence, he may not have the kind of excuses to offer or extortions to make, 'under pressure', that the loot went up the ladder.

Not that he is expected to admit any guilt in the case against him. Nor is any of the other DMK leaders, who may be waiting their turn for a knock on their door, whether from the ED or sister-organisations like the income-tax department and CBI, or all of them, one after the other.

On paper, it looks as if the BJP-ruled Centre may have timed the two raids wrong -- that is if the political leadership had any say in the matter. The Balaji raid happened soon after Stalin returned from the maiden anti-BJP Opposition conclave in Patna.

The one against Ponmudy came the day the chief minister was flying to neighbouring Bengaluru, to attend the even more important second session of the Opposition conclave, where they were also expected to christen their baby.

Stalin implied that the Centre wanted to steal the Bangalore show, and added that the ED, after Ravi, was only campaigning for the DMK alliance in the long run-up to next year's Lok Sabha polls.

It was not wholly untrue. As after the Patna conclave, at the Bengaluru meet, Opposition leaders were united in raising their voice against the BJP's 'vendetta politics', centring their arguments on the twin Tamil Nadu episodes that had come about in between two meets.

IMAGE: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar attend the Opposition leaders' dinner meeting, Bengaluru, July 17, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

But the question remains if the BJP leadership of Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and Home Minister Shah are not aware of the extra political mileage that Stalin and the DMK were getting at the Opposition conclaves?

One possibility is that they seem wanting to inject prime ministerial ambitions in the Dravidian leader, who like his late father M Karunandhi, is not as over-ambitious as their bete noire Jayalalithaa was.

If so, what end it would serve the BJP if Stalin threw his hat into the prime ministerial ring in the Opposition camp, where, anyway, no one is counting the chickens before the eggs are hatched.

But there is the other side to it. Post-Balaji raid and arrest, Modi talked about the 'Opposition dynasts', not while in Tamil Nadu but in distant Bhopal. Clearly, the BJP wants to keep the issue of 'dynastic politics' alive in the Lok Sabha poll campaign but seem to have realised the limitations in flogging the Congress, which is a dead-horse.

Hence, possibly the PM's reference to dynastic politics in regional parties, though some like Chirag Paswan, son of the late Ram Vilas Paswan, have rejoined the BJP-NDA, since.

Stalin is still possibly the senior-most active politician in the country, having entered the DMK formally a few years before the likes of Modi and Lalu Yadav. His son Udayanidhi is also the most recent to enter ministerial politics from among the regional parties in the Opposition.

So, the BJP seems to have concluded that focussing on Stalin, with the DMK's anti-god, anti-Hindu, anti-Hindi image in the North, could help the party in the Lok Sabha polls.

That the Opposition, starting with the DMK, has not done enough to propagate the religious inclination of his wife Durga Stalin, and her constant pilgrimage to Hindu temples, both inside and outside the state, including Varanasi and Tirupati, may be a dampener for them.

Inside Tamil Nadu, it may be a different cup of tea. If next year the DMK alliance does not do as well as in 2019 -- winning 38 out of 39 Lok Sabha seats from the state -- there would be other reasons.

As Stalin has indicated, it would not be for causes that the ED tends to espouse and also expose. Already, there is a feeling even within the BJP's AIADMK ally that the BJP is overdoing things on the ED/I-T front, as corruption is not an election issue in the state -- as long as the people are otherwise not excessively unhappy with the governing party.

Conversely, the raids are being seen only as a BJP electoral initiative, and that could stall the AIADMK-led NDA alliance in the state, as happened in 2019 and 2021.

Even before Jaya's death and the AIADMK joining the BJP-NDA, almost under duress (or, that is how it was seen), she had raised the slogan, 'Modi-ya, indha Lady-ya?' and swept the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, which otherwise voted the incumbent Gujarat chief minister as the nation's prime minister with a huge margin at the national-level.

Citing the past, AIADMK leaders argue that for the BJP, rather the NDA to make a mark in the Dravidian state, it will have to change tact, and become acceptable as a non-Hindutva party that desired change and a corruption-free government.

Instead, they fear that the BJP seemed hoping for the DMK state government to dust pending corruption cases against their AIADMK predecessors, if only to weaken the party's electoral chances in the aftermath of Balaji-Ponmudy kind of raids against ruling party leaders.

This, in their calculation, is aimed at the BJP claiming more in seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha polls than they may otherwise be entitled to.

Like their BJP counterparts, these AIADMK sources also point to Amit Shah's recent appeal for Tamil Nadu to send at least 25 Lok Sabha members, as gratitude to Modi's 'Sengol' act in the new Parliament Complex.

Of course, Shah did not name the BJP as the beneficiary in such a case, but both his party men in the state and AIADMK alliance leaders interpret it only as such.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah being felicitated with a mace during a rally organised to celebrate the completion of nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, June 11, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

It could be a give-away, if there is one (more), and the ED raids of the kind do not fit into a honest political fight to the finish, with which alone the state's electorate are accustomed to through the past decades.

Otherwise, Jayalalithaa, for the last one-and-a-half decades and more proved that she could twist and turn the nation's legal system at will, and die without a recorded blemish or jail-term.

When she died in December 2016 after long hospitalisation, she was a free bird and chief minister for the sixth term -- two of her innings cut short by court orders.

Justice C R Kumaraswamy in the Karnataka high court acquitted her in the 'assets case', in which trial judge Michael d'Cunha had sentenced her to four years in jail and a record Rs 100 crores in fine.

As her middle-class sympathisers wanted to believe, Jaya had 'willed herself' to die before the Supreme Court reversed the high court acquittal and upheld the trial judge's verdict in toto.

With the result, there was no A-1 against whom the court could pass orders, but A-2 to A-4, who underwent four years RI and paid a fine of Rs 10 crores each. Of course, the Supreme Court ordered the Rs 100 crore fines to be recovered from Jaya's estate.

All of it is saying a lot about the 'long arm of justice' reaching the guilty, however high they be, however powerful his or her defence is -- or, is it still so?

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator.
At a time when Manipur is burning, voices like Colonel Sapam's serve as a healing balm.

These are voices that need to heard and their stories of peace and reconciliation must be retold -- over and over again.

IMAGE: When Colonel Shanti Kumar Sapam (retd) wept about the events in Manipur during a recent interview, it went viral on Twitter. Photograph: Kind courtesy Twitter

It was 1994 and a young Indian Army captain, Shanti Kumar Sapam was posted to his home state of Manipur when deadly clashes broke out between Naga and Kuki tribes.

Captain Sapam was stationed in a remote village inhabited by Kukis on the banks of a beautiful river. On the other side was the Tangkhul village, much larger in size.

The task entrusted to Captain Sapam was to safeguard the Kuki village.

He spoke to the villagers on both side and explained to them that by burning somebody else's home, they were burning down a family's entire life savings.

There were no winners or losers in fights such as these.

To his jawans, he said: 'Hum sab Indian hai, udhar bhi Indian hai, idhar bhi Indian hai.'

He spoke. He reasoned. He told them to leave the past, move ahead and co-exist.

There was another Indian Army officer in charge of the Tangkhul village and the two officers worked together to bring peace between the warring tribes.

"Our aim was very clear that no harm should come to both the villages and sure enough, not a single bullet was fired," remembers Colonel Sapam, now retired and settled in Manipur.

The officer was then tasked to protect a Naga village surrounded by 32 hostile Kuki villages in the most sensitive area of Manipur. He once again went and spoke to each one of those 32 Kuki headmen -- urging them to move forward and not be caught in misgivings of the past.

"I told the Kukis that if anybody attacked my village, they would have to go through me and my troops," Colonel Sapam tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih in a phone conversation, looking back at the measures taken to restore peace in an area of conflict.

This time too, not a single bullet was fired.

At a time when Manipur is burning, voices like Colpnel Sapam's serve as a healing balm. These are voices that need to heard and their stories of peace and reconciliation must be retold -- over and over again.

The first of a two-part interview.

What are you childhood memories of Manipur? What were the relations between Kukis, Nagas, Meiteis at the time you were growing up?

I started my education in Don Bosco School, Imphal. It was a Christian missionary school and my classmates were Kukis, Nagas, Meiteis and other non Manipuri children -- Punjabis, Marwaris... we all studied together and had a very good time.

I had Naga and Kuki friends; I still meet one school friend from the Thangkul tribe in Imphal. I was very friendly and have very fond memories. I respect them; they respect me. It was a very good time.

After passing Class 7, I got a merit based scholarship run by the Government of India and went to study at the Air Force School, Subroto Park, Delhi. I lived in the hostel.

My school was next to the officer's mess of the Western Air Command. Impressed by the IAF officers I used to see, I wanted to join the armed forces.

After Class 12, I cleared the entrance to the National Defence Academy, then went to the Indian Military Academy and got commissioned into the Assam Regiment.

My regiment is very much like my state of Manipur. I say so because my troops come from all over the North East -- there are Nagas, Kukis, Meiteis, Nepalis, Mizo, Khasi and are drawn from across Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and other North East states.

Ours is a very tough regiment and despite the situation in Manipur, there is harmony and goodwill among the jawans of the regiment.

Tell me about the bonding in your regiment. How are such strong ties forged? What makes it so deep-rooted, so institutionalised that men from different tribes live, eat and fight together?

That is the beauty of the Indian Army. Our training is such that we forget about religion, caste, creed and community. The training that we impart to our officers and jawans is not about religion and community; it is about the feeling of oneness.

The jawan is not a Meitei or a Naga or a Kuki soldier, he is a soldier of the Assam Regiment in the Indian Army.

He is a soldier of the Indian Army and that is his identity.

The regiment is very important for an infantry battalion. We live and die for 'regiment ki izzat.' The completion of the task given to the commanding officer under whose orders the jawans go into battle is what builds the 'izzat' of a regiment -- and that is the feeling that a jawan carries with him.

We work on one order and one aim. We don't talk about caste or religion.

IMAGE: Colonel Shanti Kumar Sapam briefing the commander in the Chirang Forest Reserve in 2007. Photograph: Kind courtesy Colonel Shanti Kumar Sapam

You were posted in Manipur when there were clashes between Nagas and Kukis. How did you bring peace between the two warring tribes at that time?

The situation was very bad. The clash between Nagas and Kukis took place around November 1993 and I was posted to the area in 1994 to the Assam Rifles.

My first assignment was in a small village called Thingphai with about 10 houses. It was a remote area and was the last Kuki village on the banks of the Iril river. On the other side was a Tangkhul village called Lower Leison with around 100 houses.

Tangkhuls are Nagas. At that time, the clash was between Tangkhuls and Kukis, other Naga tribes were not involved.

The villagers of Lower Leison were planning to burn the small Kuki village and my duty was to safeguard it.

I was a captain at that time and was in command of my company.

I told my jawans 'Hum sab Indian hai, udhar bhi Indian hai, idhar bhi Indian hai.' I said that our task was to protect this Kuki village.

I went to the village across the river. Major Bagh Singh from another Assam Rifles battalion was deployed there with his company. I still remember his name because we worked together. He was senior to me, but we were both from the army and there was no difference between us.

Sometimes I would go and have lunch with him and sometimes he would come to our side.

I spoke to villagers on both sides. I explained that when you burn a home, you burn down the entire life savings of a family and they have to start from scratch all over again.

I used to tell them that all that had happened, the misunderstandings were a thing of the past and we had to look ahead. Nobody will be winner, nobody will be loser.

Our aim was very clear that no harm should come to both the villages and sure enough, not a single bullet was fired. Not a single person was disturbed by anybody.

IMAGE: Colonel Shanti Kumar Sapam during an operation planning with his team. Photograph: Kind courtesy Colonel Shanti Kumar Sapam

How many days were you stationed in that village?

Four months. Three LMGs were mounted to safeguard the village from an attack. Since it was a smaller village, it was at greater risk and could have been burned any time.

I told them I was also a son of the soil. I said, 'You are also my people and they are also my people, but if anybody attacks this village, the task given to me was to protect this village'.

The situation returned to normalcy. I was moved after four months and was sent to another village after that.

The people from that village might still remember me, I think. Many years later, a man from the village came to visit me.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The Karnataka legislative assembly on Wednesday witnessed chaotic and unruly scenes as angry Bharatiya Jansata Party legislators tore copies of bills and the agenda, and threw them at the deputy speaker, who was presiding, following which Speaker U T Khader suspended 10 of them for the remainder of the session.

IMAGE: BJP and JD-S members protest in the well of the Karnataka assembly, July 19, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy, screen grab/ANI Video

In turn, MLAS of the opposition BJP and Janata Dal-Secular gave a notice of no confidence against Speaker Khader to the assembly secretary.

The turn of events unfolded following both the opposition parties staging a protest in the assembly against the Congress government for allegedly "misusing" IAS officers to work for the meeting of leaders of 26 opposition parties, which was held in Bengaluru in the past two days.

The 10 BJP legislators who have been suspended for the reminder of the session for their "indecent and disrespectful conduct" in the house are -- C N Ashwath Narayan, V Sunil Kumar, R Ashoka, Araga Jnanendra (all former ministers), D Vedavyasa Kamath, Yashpal Suvarna, Dheeraj Muniraj, A Umanath Kotian, Arvind Bellad and Y Bharath Shetty.

They were suspended after the house adopted a motion to this effect.

The assembly session began on July 3 and is slated to end on July 21.

A few of the suspended BJP MLAs were forcibly taken out of the assembly chambers by marshals.

BJP legislators staged a protest against the speaker's decision to suspend the 10 party MLAs, first outside his office and then at the Vidhana Soudha west gate. They were shortly joined by JD-S leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

Senior BJP member Basanagouda Patil Yatnal was taken to hospital after he fell ill during the protest. "He is stable and doing fine," BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan said after visiting him in hospital.

The protesting BJP MLAs, including former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, were detained and taken away by the police.

Bommai and Kumaraswamy are among the BJP and JD-S MLAs who signed the joint notice of no confidence against Speaker Khader.

"As the speaker who has been elected by all members of the Karnataka assembly has lost the trust of the house, to remove him from the post, we request for an opportunity to move the motion as per rule 169 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Karnataka legislative assembly," the notice addressed to the assembly secretary read.

Things went out of control in the assembly as opposition BJP and JD-S members protested from the well of the house, accusing the Congress government of deputing 30 IAS officers to "serve" its alliance leaders, who had met in the city on Monday and Tuesday in the city, to strategise for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

BJP members gave vent to their anger as deputy speaker Rudrappa Lamani was conducting the proceedings, after Speaker Khader left stating that the house would not break for lunch and the discussion on the budget and demands would continue. He said that those members who want to go for lunch could do so and return to the discussions.

The speaker's decision not to break for lunch was seen as an attempt to put the agitating BJP MLAs in a fix, as they now had to decide whether or not to continue their protest.

Upset by this, the BJP members went into a huddle for a brief period and then, all of a sudden, threw papers at the chair and the deputy speaker, stating that the house cannot be run like this.

"House is being run, bills are being passed without order.... Under which rule had the lunch break been cancelled," they demanded to know.

Earlier in the day, amid protest by BJP and JD-S members from the well, Speaker Khader allowed Home Minister G Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make separate statements. He also allowed five bills to be passed, without any discussions.

The BJP members also repeatedly raised the issue of Speaker Khader attending the dinner hosted for opposition leaders by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Monday and also meeting senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi there.

As several members repeatedly threw papers at the deputy speaker, objecting to the way in which the house was being conducted, assembly marshals surrounded the chair and tried to protect Lamani.

At one point, Lamani ordered the marshalls to send the unruly BJP MLAs out, and said their behaviour was unbecoming.

The Congress MLAs too strongly objected to the "unruly" behaviour of the BJP MLAs, resulting in chaos. The deputy speaker then adjourned the house for the later part of the day.

After the house was adjourned, some Congress lawmakers, including ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and B S Suresha (Byrathi Suresh), took the marshalls to task, and questioned What were you doing when papers were being thrown at the deputy speaker? They said the marshalls should be suspended for not acting sooner.

A few Congress MLAs even purported that the BJP's attack on Lamani was motivated, because he is a Dalit.

As the house met for the day in the morning, the BJP accused the government of using IAS officers for political purposes in violation of protocols.

They party's MLAs alleged that the government used the officers to serve "those who have been in jail and are now out on bail" -- at a time when the assembly session is on.

BJP MLAs R Ashoka, S Suresh Kumar and V Sunil Kumar alleged that the government used the IAS officers to host political leaders who are not covered under any state protocol, for two days, instead of sending them to work in drought-hit areas.

Suresh Kumar also blamed the chief secretary for it. "CS should not have allowed officers to be used for political purposes... You give protection, but using officers for protocol purposes to those out on bail is shameful."

Hitting back, Law Minister H K Patil said that the protocol involving state guests was followed, and claimed that the opposition was making such allegations because they are "unable to digest" that 26 opposition parties came together.

Attacking the government, Basavaraj Bommai said for the first time such a large number of officials had been used in the name of protocol for a non-official event. An official of the rank of principal secretary was used as a "clerk to welcome someone not covered under protocol," he said.

Reading out the list of political leaders of "unheard small parties" to whom IAS officers were deployed to serve as "gatekeepers" citing protocol, he said discretionary power has been misused for political gains.

"Protocols were extended to so-called heads of political parties who are not taken seriously in their respective states."

Reacting to this, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that protocol used for state guests has been followed, and political leaders were treated as per the same protocol during all governments in the past.

"We won't fear your (opposition) threats... For politics such issues are being raised," he said, claiming that during Kumaraswamy's swearing in as CM in 2018 such a protocol was followed in hosting leaders of a number of political parties who attended the event.

The late BJP leader (H N) Ananth Kumar had requested state guest status for executive committee members in the past and was granted by him as he was the then CM, Siddaramaiah added.

Kumaraswamy too slammed the Congress government for deputing IAS officers for a political event. He also hit back at Siddaramaiah stating that his swearing-in was a government function and not an event organised by a political party.
The Maharashtra legislative assembly on Wednesday was adjourned following a noisy protest by Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs over a remark about 'Vande Mataram' by Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi.

While raising the issue of a riot in the Sambhajinagar district, Azmi said chanting the slogan 'Vande Mataram' was unacceptable to him.

"Some people say that if one has to live in India, 'Vande Mataram' must be chanted. We can not do it. We believe only in one god, he said.

A ruckus followed as BJP MLAs took a strong exception to the statement.

Speaker Rahul Narwekar appealed the legislators to calm down. "Azmi's comments are irrelevant to the topic. He should focus on the issue listed for the discussion," Narwekar said.

But the protest continued and the Speaker adjourned the house for ten minutes.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a swipe at the opposition parties over Azmi's remark, asking if this was their idea of 'INDIA'.

"Abu Azmi of SP says 'I won't say Vande Mataram, I won't bow my head as my religion doesn't allow it'," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet.

"Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A," he tweeted, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition of 26 opposition parties.

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Poonawalla alleged India is in the name of the opposition parties' alliance but not in their agenda.

"Earlier SP released terrorists and patronised Yakub (Memon), Afzal (Guru). Congress questioned the surgical strike, Balakot, and 26/11 was blamed on India, not Pakistan. This is their true face," he alleged.

"Will Mamata-di, Kharge ji, Rahul ji tell us their stand?" Poonawalla asked.
Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a helicopter pilot of the Indian Air Force, who led its contingent during the Bastille Day Parade in France, says the historic Arc de Triomphe -- a monumental arch -- in the heart of Paris strongly reminded her of the iconic India Gate back home in New Delhi.

IMAGE: French President Emmanuel Macron stands in the command car at the Arc de Triomphe during the Bastille Day military parade Friday, July 14, 2023 in Paris. Photograph: Aurelien Morissard/Pool via Reuters

The ceremonial arch, inaugurated in July 1836, in a rather austere ceremony, stands proudly at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle with 12 grand avenues radiating outward from the commemorative landmark.

The magnificent Champs-Elysees, one of these avenues, is the site of the annual celebrations to mark the French National Day, or Bastille Day, which occupies a special place in the French consciousness as it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789.

The Bastille Day Parade is the highlight of the celebrations.

An Indian tri-services contingent took part in the historic military parade on July 14 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honour. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, along with French fighter jets, joined the flypast.

As the Rafale jets took the skies and filled the firmament with French colours -- red, white and blue -- over the celebrated arch, there was a sense of familiarity for Sqn Ldr Reddy and many other members of the Indian contingent who paraded on the magnificent Champs-Elysees in the heart of the City of Lights.

"The Arc de Triomphe of Paris reminded us of India Gate in Delhi. When we marched on the Kartavya Path on Republic Day this year, and when we marched on the Champs-Elysees on July 14, it felt very similar, as far the experience is concerned. Of course, the Republic Day Parade route is much longer, but the kind of support and cheering we receive from Indian people, we felt the same enthusiasm and warmth coming from French people," Reddy told PTI.

Rafale jets and other aircraft steal the show in a Republic Day Parade too in Delhi. The French colours rising over the Arc de Triomphe was very reminiscent of the tricolour plumes of saffron, white and green, produced by flying jets over the India Gate every year, she said.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Monday felicitated members of the tri-services contingent which participated in the Bastille Day Parade, and said they have made the armed forces and India proud.

Reddy, who had led the IAF contingent at the 74th Republic Day celebrations here in the January 26 parade on the Kartavya Path, said, "We put in all our 'josh' and energy and gave our best in the Bastille Day Parade too."

After reaching Paris, a few days before the big day, the contingent members from the three services did rehearsals on Champs-Elysees, much like what they do on Kartavya Path for the R-Day parade.

"After we saw the Arc de Triomphe during our rehearsal, the monument felt so familiar, it was like seeing an India Gate in Paris," she reminisced.

While India Gate, originally built as the All India War Memorial Arch, the foundation stone of which was laid on February 10 in 1921 in Delhi by British royal Duke of Connaught, 85 years after the inauguration of the the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Both pay homage to soldiers who laid down their lives in wars, and both are national monuments and powerful symbols of their respective countries, especially in people's collective consciousness.

The 42-metre-high ceremonial arch in New Delhi, designed by British architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, was built to honour the soldiers who died in the First World War (1914-1918) and the Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919).

The landmark has the names of soldiers inscribed on its surface. Over 80,000 Indian laid their lives in those campaigns and India Gate bears names of 13,516 etched over its surface.

In the Arc de Triomphe, 'decorative high-relief sculptures celebrating military victories of the Revolution and the First Empire were executed on the facades of the arch's four pedestals by Francois Rude, Jean-Pierre Cortot, and Antoine Etex. The most famous of those sculptures is Rude's group Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 (popularly called La Marseillaise). Other surfaces are decorated with the names of hundreds of generals and battles', according to Britannica encyclopedia.

The French monument is 164 ft high and 148 ft wide, and work on its construction had started in 1806, it says.

The 242-member Indian contingent in the Bastille Day Parade included a marching contingent of THE Punjab Regiment with a band contingent behind it, followed by the Navy contingent and then the IAF contingent.

Capt Aman Jagtap, who led the Punjab Regiment contingent, said in an interaction with PTI on his return that marching on Champs-Elysees during the Bastille Day Parade was similar to marching on Kartavya Path.

The Punjab Regiment Contingent was declared the best marching contingent in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi this year. Capt Jagtap had led the contingent on that occasion too.

Punjab Regiment members are known for their smart dressing, coordinated moves, synchronised step and swift foot movement while marching in unison.

"The experience was quite similar, Kartavya Path to Champs-Elysees, except in the Bastille Day Parade, we marched on a cobbled street unlike the flat surface boulevard in Delhi. But, everyone practised well and we took that in our stride," Capt Jagtap added.
Five people radicalised to carry out terror attacks have been arrested with firearms and ammunition in Bengaluru, the police said on Wednesday.

Image only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

Seven pistols, 45 live cartridges, a bunch of walkie-talkies, some daggers and 12 mobile phones were seized by the Central Crime Branch from them.

Provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were invoked against them.

The suspects were identified as Syed Sohel Khan, Mohammed Umar, Jahid Tabrez, Syed Mudasir Pasha and Mohammed Faisal.

The five suspects were arrested near a place of worship in Kanakanagar area of Sultanpalya locality in the city on Tuesday while planning a major conspiracy, according to the police sources.

The Laskhar-e-Tayiba operative and kingpin, T Nasir, who radicalised these five people in the central jail in Bengaluru, is the accused number one of the case while his accomplice Juned, who is at large is the second accused.

"The Central Crime Branch has succeeded in busting the anti-social forces and foiled their nefarious designs. They were arrested after raiding a place under Hebbal police station limits," Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda told reporters on Wednesday.

The suspects were radicalised by Nasir, who is an accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts case and currently lodged in Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, along with Juned, who is absconding and holed up outside the country.

The suspects are accused of murder, robbery, smuggling of red sanders and other crimes.

They were in touch with Nasir, who has links with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Dayananda said.

He added that Nasir's gang members were planning to carry out "destructive activities".

Juned was accused of killing his business rival Noor Ahmed in 2017, the police officer said. In that case, 21 people were arrested including the five terror suspects, Dayananda said.

Police sources said these five terror suspects spent 18 months in jail in connection with the murder case and came out on bail.

"We have booked them under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act...", Dayananda said, adding that further probe will reveal how many of them are involved and with whom they are all linked.

"Their accomplice who is at large and is in a foreign country provided them all kinds of assistance with weapons and other equipment. He had given them the directions to carry out their activities in the city," he added.

Besides invoking provisions of the UAPA and Arms Act, the terror suspects have been charged with waging a war against the government of India, collecting arms to wage the war and hatching conspiracy under section 121 of the IPC.

These suspects were produced in the NIA special court, which remanded them to seven days' police custody.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated the police for their action.

He tweeted, Congratulations to the CCB for averting a major destruction by arresting five suspected terrorists who were conspiring to carry out destructive activities. We are always ready to track down those involved in any kind of anti-national activities including terrorist activities and root out such forces from the state. Our government is committed to provide a safe life to everyone in the state.

State home minister G Parameshwara said in the Karnataka assembly that these terror suspects indulged in anti-national activities to carry out destruction... many clandestine operations and collected weapons and other equipment to execute their operations damaging the unity, security and sovereignty and destruction of public properties.

The police had a clear information that they were conspiring in a house in Hebbal and prepared an action plan to carry out anti-national activities, and accumulated weapons illegally, the minister told the House.

The CCB took action at the right moment and averted a possible nefarious activity, he said.

Later speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Parameshwara said investigations are in progress to find out their links with terrorists.

Meanwhile, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party blamed the Congress government for "emboldening" terrorists in the state.

BJP MLA and former minister R Ashoka said the "arrival" of Congress government in the state has strengthened "anti-national forces to carry out terror activities".

Former CM Basavaraj Bommai appreciated the CCB for arresting them. He demanded that this case be handed over to the National Investigation Agency.
The first meeting of the 26-party Opposition alliance will be held on Thursday at Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharges office, said party sources.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (third from left), party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury (right) during addressing the media after the Opposition parties meet, in Bengaluru, July 18, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

According to the sources, the meeting will be held at 10 am on Thursday in the chamber of Rajya Sabha LoP.

Meanwhile, the business advisory committee meeting of the Rajya Sabha will also be held on Thursday in Parliament.

The 26-party opposition alliance was termed India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or I.N.D.I.A during the second joint opposition meeting held in Karnatakas Bengaluru on July 18.

Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the main opposition Congress party, said INDIA stood for the "Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance".

The Opposition parties met to chalk out a strategy to put out a united front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

The 26 parties resolved to safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution.

Leaders of twenty-six opposition parties, who met in Bengaluru on Tuesday, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of systematically assaulting the character of our republic and expressed their steadfast resolve to safeguard the idea of India.

The Samuhik Sankalp of 26 political parties belonging to INDIA alleged that the pillars of the Indian Constitution are being methodically and menacingly undermined.

The leaders decided to have a new name for the group INDIA - India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

We, the leaders of Indias 26 progressive parties, express our steadfast resolve to safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution. The character of our republic is being severely assaulted in a systematic manner by the BJP. We are at a most crucial juncture in our nations history. The foundational pillars of the Indian Constitution  secular democracy, economic sovereignty, social justice and federalism  are being methodically and menacingly undermined, the Samuhik Sankalp statement said.

The opposition leaders alleged that BJP was brazenly misusing agencies against political rivals and was undermining democracy.

They expressed grave concern over the humanitarian tragedy that has "destroyed Manipur".

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will commence on Thursday and will be conducted till August 11 and will have 17 sittings.

Almost all the parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Bharat Rashtra Smithi, Samajwadi Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal United-JDU, Dravina Munnetra Kazhagam, CPI-M, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Indian Union Muslim League and Shiromani Akali Dal shared their plan while speaking to media followed by an all-party meeting called by the government in the Parliament premises. A total of 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the discussion.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. The data of the global ranking of countries from Henley & Partners Passport Index has been published, Trend reports.

According to the rating, Azerbaijan ranked 72th in the Henley & Partners Passport Index meaning that citizens of Azerbaijan can visit 69 countries visa-free.

Japan stopped leading the ranking of the most powerful passport in the world and ended up in third place for the first time in five years. Singapore led the ranking: its citizens can visit 192 countries (out of 227) visa-free or obtain a visa on arrival. Germany, Italy, and Spain moved up to the second place, with access to 190 countries without a visa. The third place was shared by six countries: Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, France, Sweden, South Korea and Japan (189 visa-free countries).

The last countries in the ranking are Syria (30 visa-free countries), Iraq (29 visa-free countries) and Afghanistan (27 visa-free countries).

Furthermore, as appears from the data of the Passport Index, it is possible to follow the changes in the rating of passports of different countries over 14 years.

In general, all post-Soviet countries have shown significant progress over the past decade. Therefore, the number of visa-free countries in Russia increased from 83 to 115, in Ukraine from 64 to 146, in Georgia from 56 to 117, in Kazakhstan from 54 to 77, in the Republic of Belarus from 56 to 79, in Azerbaijan from 51 to 69, and in Uzbekistan from 47 to 59.
A Delhi court on Wednesday directed officials to provide Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia the May 23 CCTV footage of its premises when he was allegedly manhandled by security personnel.

IMAGE: Former Delhi deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia being produced before the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, in New Delhi, July 19, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The judge noted that following an earlier court order, the official concerned of Rouse Avenue District Courts premises had brought the CCTV footage of May 23 pertaining to production of Sisodia before the court in the case.

"As some allegations of manhandling against lockup officials were levelled on behalf of the accused earlier, the said footage has been directed to be preserved and produced... Let an extra copy of the above footage in a separate pen drive be also provided by the assistant engineer (electrical), PWD to reader of the court before next date and the same be supplied to counsel representing the said accused," the judge said.

Special judge MK Nagpal listed the matter for August 25.

Sisodia was produced physically before the court for Wednesday's proceedings.

The court had on July 6 ordered that he shall continue to be produced so, unless otherwise requested by the accused or directed by the court.

Sisodia, an accused in cases related to the alleged excise policy scam, had alleged he was manhandled by security personnel on May 23 during his production in a case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

The court, meanwhile, sought a report from a private hospital at Gurugram, where co-accused Amit Arora is currently admitted, following an earlier court order, saying his hospitalisation "has been stretched too long".

"This court prima facie feels that hospitalization of accused in a private institute under the garb of above orders (allowing Arora to be hospitalised in a private hospital) has been stretched too long. Hence, let a detailed medical report from the medical superintendent/director of the concerned hospital be called immediately," the judge said.

The judge directed the hospital to include the details of the medical processes or tests conducted during the Arora's hospitalisation in its report.

He further directed the hospital to specifically state in said the report, along with the detailed reasons of the doctors concerned as to why the said processes or tests could not have been performed during the OPD visits and the same would have been possible only after admission of the accused.

The court had on May 27 dismissed Arora's interim bail application on medical grounds in view of findings given by the Medical Board of AIIMS constituted under order of the court to medically evaluate him.

It was directed by the court that private treatment and hospitalisation shall be at the expenses of accused.

However, on May 30, the court had clarified that the hospitalisation of accused in a private hospital will only be made when the same is required for performance of any surgical process or for some diagnostic or other tests which cannot otherwise be performed.

The AAP leader was arrested by the ED in a money laundering case related to the alleged scam on March 9 from Tihar Jail where he is currently lodged in judicial custody.

Fifty-one-year-old Sisodia was first arrested by the CBI, which is probing alleged corruption in formulation and implementation of the excise policy.

In its nearly 270-page supplementary charge sheet which has annexures running into 2,000 pages, the Enforcement Directorate has called Sisodia a "key conspirator" in the case.

In the previous charge sheets, the anti-money laundering agency said the liquor policy 'scam' was a "conspiracy" hatched by some of the big political leaders of the AAP and the so-called 'South Group' comprising BRS leader K Kavitha, YSR Congress MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and others who used "proxies and dummies" to conceal their involvement.

Kavitha is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
The opposition's demand for discussion on issues such as Manipur and price rise during the Monsoon Session is 'non-negotiable', senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday, asserting that the government must shun its "my way or the highway" approach and follow a middle path for smooth functioning of Parliament.

IMAGE: Congress general secretary in-charge (organisation) KC Venugopal (second from left) addresses a joint press conference with Karnataka deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar (left) and party leaders Jairam Ramesh (second from right) and Pawan Khera (right) ahead of the Opposition parties' meeting, in Bengaluru, July 17, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Congress general secretary in-charge communications also said his party will oppose the bill that would be brought in to replace the Delhi ordinance, which he alleged "curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government".

In an interview with PTI, Ramesh said opposition parties are going into the Monsoon Session, starting Thursday, with a positive mindset but asserted that the primary responsibility of getting Parliament to function is that of the government of the day. The session is scheduled to end on August 11.

In a parliamentary democracy, the Opposition must have its say and the government will have its way, he said.

During a Parliament session, all opposition parties come together and decide the strategy, and after the Bengaluru meeting, their enthusiasm has increased, the Congress leader said.

"A new enthusiasm has come, a new name has been found. We are not the opposition party, we are the 'India Party' now," he said.

Asked if it will be the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) versus the National Democratic Alliance in Parliament session also, Ramesh said, "Every morning (during Parliament sessions) all opposition parties meet in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. So every session we coordinate our strategy, and this session is not going to be any different."

"Yesterday (Tuesday), we had a meeting of 26 parties that make up the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- they all agreed... on the issues that are going to be taken up in Parliament. Manipur is number one. Hundreds of people have been killed, thousands have been displaced, lakhs are living in relief camps, the prime minster is silent, the home minister (Amit Shah) has been ineffective, the chief minister (N Biren Singh) has been a disaster, the double engine government has completely destroyed Manipur," he said.

The Congress has been seeking a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur issue, which is facing ethnic violence since May 3 and has seen many fatalities.

Attacking the prime minister over the Manipur issue, Ramesh said he is taking a meeting on the eight cheetah deaths but there is no expression of concern from him on the situation in the northeastern state.

Ramesh stressed that the prime minister should participate in the debate on Manipur.

"We call ourselves the mother of democracy, what sort of mother of democracy we have when the prime minister is not speaking, when he is not even attending (Parliament), when issues of public concern are not allowed to be raised, when issues of public concern are not being allowed to be raised, when remarks are being expunged," the Congress leader said.

He said the other issues on which the Opposition wants a discussion on in Parliament include the "continued assault on democratically-elected state governments, directly and through governors and lieutenant governors, the use of Enforcement Directorate and CBI to break politicial parties and the politics of vendetta".

Continued price rise of essential commodities, growing joblessness, "the clean chit" given to China, the demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the Adani matter, "will continue to be on the agenda", he said.

The Congress will oppose the amendments to the Forest Conservation Act and the Biological Diversity Act, Ramesh said, stressing that those are terrible amendments which will "destroy forests that are so very essential for ecological and other purposes".

"We will oppose of course the Delhi ordinance which curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government," he said.

"Wherever bills need to be supported like the bills to expand the list of scheduled tribes in Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, we will support them. We are going in with a positive mindset, we want Parliament to function but the primary responsibility of getting Parliament to function is that of the government of the day," he said.

"So I am hopeful but parties must be allowed to raise issues, there must be a debate and discussion," Ramesh said.

Asked about the Opposition's demand for a debate on Manipur, Ramesh said, "That is a non-negotiable demand. Prime Minister Modi has been silent, it is unprecedented...it is a sensitive state and what has happened is shocking and brutal and a complete failure of governance of double engine governance."

"Our demand (for discussion on Manipur) is non-negotiable. Our demand for JPC into Modani scam is non-negotiable, our demand for discussion on price rise is non-negotiable, our demand for a discussion on assaults on the federal structure of the constitution (is non-negotiable)," he said.

On the forthcoming parliamentary session, he said there are heavy clouds over Delhi and Parliament is no exception.

"The policy of this government and the policy of this prime minister is its my way or the highway. Can't be my way or the highway. You have to have a compromise, you have to have a middle path. We compromise, the government compromises, we have a discussion," he said.

He recalled how during Manmohan Singh's prime ministership there was discussion on all issues. "I can recall that during Mr (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee's prime ministership, during Narasimha Rao's prime ministership, there was a debate on whatever issue by ruling party or the opposition," Ramesh added.

He claimed that the approach taken by the government is "take it or leave it".

"Our approach is we will cooperate with you but the primary responsibility for ensuring the functioning of the House is yours, it is not ours. The job of the opposition is to raise issues of public concern and we are raising issues of public concern," Ramesh asserted.

He stressed that the Opposition does not come with a negative mindset.

"I turn it around and say the government comes with a dictatorial mindset," the Congress leader added.

On whether a united INDIA opposition bloc will be seen in Parliament on the issue of Delhi ordinance, Ramesh said, "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India".

The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi.

The Aam Aadmi Party government has termed it as a "deception" with the Supreme Court verdict on control of services.
As 26 opposition parties cleared their first hurdle of coming under a common banner, they brace for a bumpy road ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, from ironing out differences among constituents in states to seat sharing and choosing a leader for their INDIA alliance.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury during addressing the media after the Opposition parties meet, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

The alliance -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- has resolved to save the character of the republic 'being severely assaulted in a systematic manner by the Bharatiya Janata Party' and safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution.

With challenges galore, sources said the leaders of these parties are looking forward at resolving them amicably as they all face the threat of turning irrelevant in case they fail to overcome them.

Though Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has admitted to differences within the alliance, he has urged all parties to set aside their conflicts for the sake of the country and its people, and move forward unitedly to take on their bigger common enemy, the BJP.

"There are some differences between us but we have put that behind... We are together in the interest of the country," Kharge had said at a press meet on Tuesday after the meeting of opposition parties in Bengaluru.

"We'll fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly and succeed," he had asserted.

Asked about how the differences will be resolved, a senior opposition leader said that 'let us see how we move forward step by step'.

The leader hoped parties will be able to overcome differences and issues.

Another senior opposition leader said, "While the fact that we had 26 parties come together for a single agenda is in itself a success. However, it has thrown up new challenges. Arch rivals in states have to find ways to exist alongside one another."

The Congress and the Left are rivals in Kerala, the Left and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress in Punjab and Delhi, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, and the People's Democratic Party and the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir.

Many contentious issues remain unresolved but the first challenge before opposition alliance INDIA is that of resolving the leadership issue, sources said and added that the grouping may not announce their prime ministerial face ahead of the elections to avoid conflict among constituents.

They said it seems, opposition parties want to replicate the 2004 model when they had ousted the BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and announced their prime ministerial candidate later.

During the press meet, Congress president Kharge had also announced that an 11-member coordination committee will be set up and its composition will be finalised in the next meeting in Mumbai. But when asked about who would be the face of the alliance, he did not give a direct answer and said the coordination committee and a convenor will also be named.

On the convenor issue, sources said that Janata Dal-United leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and ally Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad were keen that a convenor should be named at the meeting itself and were reportedly miffed after it was not done.

They said that Prasad is keen on Kumar becoming the convenor of the alliance as it would clear the way for Tejashwi Yadav to succeed the JD-U leader in Bihar.

The alliance is also aiming at fielding common candidates in most Lok Sabha seats to put up a united fight against the BJP and ensure votes do not get divided, sources said and added that the crucial issue of selecting candidates is an uphill task, but it can be done.

While one section of the opposition wanted the issue of seat sharing out of the way before the alliance was concretised, another wanted to bring parties under one umbrella and seek a commitment from them on the matter.

Most opposition leaders are seasoned politicians and have immense experience, and they need to avoid one upmanship and clash of egos, another leader said.

Sources said one upmanship was evident in the second meeting here, particularly when finalising the name of the alliance. The first was in Patna on June 23.

TMC supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi suggested and agreed on the name INDIA for the alliance and most leaders concurred, they said.

Sources said CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury suggested 'We for India' while Bihar Chief Minister Kumar proposed 'India's Main Front'.

The original suggestion was to call it 'Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance', but the word 'democratic' was replaced with 'developmental' after Kumar and Yechury raised some objections saying it sounded too similar to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), sources said.

They added that Prasad also made an oblique reference to some leaders of opposition parties making comments in public against each other and stressed that this needs to be avoided at all cost.

The onus of keeping everyone together lies with the Congress, which is in the centre of the opposition alliance and has high stakes in the upcoming elections.

Opposition unity will, however, be taken forward in the next few days when all parties meet every day and chalk out their common strategy to take on the BJP and move forward unitedly during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The situation in Manipur and the Delhi services ordinance are set to dominate the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning Thursday with the Opposition gearing up to raise these issues to corner the government.

IMAGE: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs an all-party meeting on the eve of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Union Ministers of State Arjun Ram Meghwal, V Muraleedharan, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and other MPs are also present. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

The session begins close on the heels of 26 opposition parties forming the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Opposition has been raking up the issue of Manipur violence. The northeastern state is witnessing ethnic violence since May 3 that has claimed over 160 lives.

The other key issue which is likely to trigger a face-off between the government and the opposition is the Delhi services ordinance which will come up as a bill in the session.

Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party is opposing the ordinance on the transfer and posting of bureaucrats in Delhi brought by the Centre in May, virtually negating a Supreme Court verdict giving the elected government in Delhi the control over services matter.

The AAP had demanded support from the Congress on the issue as a condition to attend the recent two-day Opposition meet in Bengaluru.

The Congress has made it clear that it will not back the ordinance and will oppose any attempt of the central government to 'sabotage federalism' in the country.

The ordinance seeks to set up a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre.

Transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor before the May 11 verdict of the apex court.

At an all-party meet convened by it on the eve of the session, the government told floor leaders of various parties that it is willing to discuss every issue permitted under the rules and approved by the Chair in the session.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said there are 32 legislative items for the session.

Sources said Joshi had earlier in a meeting of the business advisory committee called by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asserted that the government was willing to discuss the violence in Manipur.

After the all-party meeting, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asserted that if the government wants Parliament to function, it should give space to opposition's issues, and demanded a discussion on Manipur during the session.

"I had participated in the Business Advisory Committee meeting and raised all the issues that need to be discussed. At the all-party also, I raised the issues...our demand is that there is the issue of Manipur which must be discussed," he told reporters.

"Two months have passed but the prime minister (Narendra Modi) is silent. I would like to request that he has been silent for over two months but he should at least make a statement in Parliament and allow us to hold a debate," he said.

Leaders of opposition alliance INDIA will meet on Thursday morning to chalk out a joint strategy for the Monsoon session.

Sources said the meeting will be held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.

"The meeting has been called to discuss the issues to be taken up in Parliament from day one of the session," an opposition party leader.

For the session, which concludes on August 11, the government has lined up 31 bills, including a draft legislation to check film piracy, introduce age-based categories for censor certification and to set up the National Research Foundation.

It has also listed bills on personal data protection, the one to amend forest conservation laws and on the contentious ordinance on Delhi services for the session.

Also listed for consideration and passage during the session are the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill and the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, among others.

The bills also include one seeking changes in the list of scheduled tribes for Jammu and Kashmir, and another for including Mahra and Mahara as synonyms of Mehar, Mehra and Mahar in the list of scheduled castes in Chhattisgarh.

One bill also seeks to include the Valmiki community as a synonym of Chura, Bhangi, Balmiki and Mehtar in the list of scheduled castes of Jammu and Kashmir, according to a Lok Sabha bulletin.
The Congress on Wednesday hit back at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who took a swipe at the opposition coalition with his remarks that the British had named the country India, saying he should tell that to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who gave names such as 'Skill India', 'Start-up India' and 'Digital India' for programmes in the country.

IMAGE: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Taking a dig at opposition parties over the name of their coalition  Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)  Sarma on Tuesday claimed that the British had named the country India and the fight should be to free the nation from "colonial legacies".

Hitting back at Sarma, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Is the Assam CM having a surplus of sour grapes in his mouth? His new mentor, Mr. Modi, gave us Skill India, Start-up India and Digital India  all new names for ongoing programmes."

"He's (Modi) asked CMs of different states to work together as 'Team India'. He even made an appeal to Vote India!" Ramesh said on Twitter.

"But when 26 political parties call their formation INDIA (Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance), he (Sarma) throws a fit and says use of India reflects 'colonial mentality'! He should go tell that to his Boss," the Congress leader said.

Ramesh also shared an old video of Modi in which he is seen appealing to voters to "vote for India".

In a tweet, Sarma had said, "Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies.

Noting that the forefathers had fought for 'Bharat', he said, "We will continue to work for Bharat."

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed the INDIA grouping to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday denied reports that he was dissatisfied with the opposition conclave held in Bengaluru for not being made the convenor of the newly formed alliance and that he was not happy with its acronym INDIA.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar exchange greetings during the second day of the joint Opposition meeting, as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Congress general secretary K C Venugopal look on, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Talking to reporters after inaugurating a month-long Malmas Mela' in Rajgir, Bihar, Kumar claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party will be wiped out in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"The meeting was very fruitful and we all are very happy with the outcome. I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape," the Janata Dal-United leader said..

Soon after the conclave attended by 26 parties across the country, BJP leader Sushil Modi had claimed that Kumar returned to Patna without attending the press meet as he was upset over not being made the convenor of the alliance.

Kumar asked, "Who takes Sushil Modi seriously?"

The de facto leader of the JD-U reiterated that he does not have any ambition for himself.

"We are working to unify all non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Patna opposition meet was attended by 16 parties and there were 26 parties in Bengaluru. Our numbers are increasing and the unity of the opposition parties is getting strengthened," he said.

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 non-BJP parties on Tuesday formed the coalition -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA.

Earlier in the day, JD-U president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' described as dushprachar (canard) of the NDA reports of Kumar being unhappy with the acronym 'INDIA' and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition.

The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition conclave, said Lalan who accompanied Kumar on the trip to Bengaluru.

He also asserted that selecting the convenor was not on the agenda of Tuesday's meeting.

"It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai.... Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry," Lalan said in Patna.

Lalan added, "I remember a speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai where he had repeatedly urged people to vote for India. Now, the time has come that people will, indeed vote for INDIA and Modi shall have to make way in deference to public sentiment."

He also claimed that the NDA meeting called by the PM in Delhi on Wednesday was indicative of 'desperation'.

"This is the first time since Modi has come to power, that an NDA meeting has been called. I can say that as a Lok Sabha member whose party had been a part of the NDA," said the JD-U president, whose party quit the BJP-led coalition a year ago.

He also mocked the BJP's claim that more than 30 parties were now part of the NDA, saying 'over a dozen such political outfits are from the north-east. The entire region accounts for only 23 Lok Sabha seats'.

Asked about the PM's jibe at many opposition leaders facing charges of corruption, Lalan said: "he should revisit his own past observations. Whom did he lash out at upon return from Maharashtra and where are those people today."

The allusion was to Modi's speech in Bhopal where he had accused NCP chief Sharad Pawar, among others, of nepotism and corruption.

While Pawar is in the opposition camp, his nephew Ajit Pawar recently broke away and became the Deputy CM of the BJP-led government in Maharashtra.

The splinter group includes some others who have been either named in corruption cases or accused of graft by the BJP in the past.
Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police Prashant Kumar on Wednesday said it would not be appropriate to say if Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who entered India illegally in May and is staying with her partner in Noida, is a spy "unless we have enough proof".

IMAGE: Pakistani citizen Seema Haider entered India illegally in May and is now living with her Indian partner Sachin Meena in Greater Noida. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

He evaded a direct reply when asked if Seema would be deported, and also denied any security lapse along the porous the Indo-Nepal border through which she admittedly entered India.

Seema (30) and her Indian partner Sachin Meena (22) were questioned by the Uttar Pradesh police's Anti-Terrorist Squad on Monday and Tuesday. They were arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but granted bail by a court on July 7.

On the ATS questioning, the state police said two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five "authorised" Pakistani passports and one "unused passport" with incomplete name and address, and an identity card have been received from Seema Haider.

Asked if Seema could be a Pakistan spy, the special DGP asserted that nothing could be said so early.

"The matter is related to two countries. Till we have enough proof, it would not be appropriate to say anything in this regard," he said.

In her media interactions since her bail, Seema has been saying she entered India through the Nepal border and travelled to Noida in a bus to be with Sachin whom she met online while playing PUBG game.

Asked whether the entry of a Pakistani citizen in India through the Nepal border was a security lapse, Kumar said, "This is not so. Our border (with Nepal) is porous. No passport is needed there. Nothing is written on anyone's face."

Kumar also said no team is being sent to Nepal to probe how she entered India.

But the senior officer evaded a direct reply when asked if Seema could be deported. "The law is there in this regard and it will be followed. Action is being taken as per the legal mandate."

On the ATS questioning Seema and Sachin, the officer said, "All agencies are doing their work."

The couple had first got in touch in 2020 over online game PUBG. They exchanged their WhatsApp numbers after 15 days of online gaming, the UP police said in a statement on Wednesday, summarising the findings of the ATSs questioning of the duo over Monday and Tuesday.

The police said Sachin and Seema met for the first time in person in March this year in Kathmandu, Nepal where they stayed together from March 10 to 17. Seema returned to Nepal from Pakistan -- taking the Karachi-Dubai route -- on a 15-day tourist visa on May 10.

In Nepal, she reached Pokhara from Kathmandu and stayed the night. Seema then took a bus from Pokhara on the morning of May 12 and entered India from Roopandehi-Khunwa (Khunwa) in border district Siddharthnagar.

Travelling through Lucknow and Agra, she reached Gautam Buddha Nagar on March 13. Sachin had already taken a rented room in Rabupura where they started living together, the UP police said.

Seema was arrested by the local police for entering India illegally and Sachin was held for sheltering illegal immigrants. However, they both were granted bail by a local court on July 7 and have been living together along with her four children in a house in the Rabupura area.

Seema has also said she does not wish to go back to Pakistan and wants to live with Sachin. She also claimed to have turned a Hindu.

Pakistan's intelligence agencies have informed the country's government that "love" is the "only" factor that led the mother of four to sneak into India to live with a Hindu man whom she befriended through an online game platform, a media report said on Monday.
In a big relief to activist Teesta Setalvad, the Supreme Court on Wednesday granted her regular bail in a case of alleged fabrication of documents to frame innocent people in the 2002 post-Godhra riot cases while terming as "perverse" and "contradictory" the Gujarat high court order denying her bail.

IMAGE: Teesta Setalvad. Photograph: ANI Photo

Quashing the July 1 order of the high court, a three-judge bench of Justices B R Gavai, A S Bopanna and Dipankar Datta held her custodial interrogation was not necessary since the charge sheet in the matter has been filed and most of the evidence are documentary in nature.

The bench directed that Setalvad's passport, which she has already surrendered, will be in the custody of the sessions court, and she shall not make any attempt to influence the witnesses and stay away from them.

It also granted Gujarat police the liberty to directly move the apex court if attempt is made to influence the witnesses in the case.

"Taking into consideration the fact that most of the evidence is documentary in nature and is in custody of prosecuting agency, we do not find that her custodial interrogation is needed," the apex court said enlarging the social activist on bail.

The bench said it is at pains to say that the high court order running into hundreds of pages makes an "interesting reading".

"On the one hand, the judge has spent pages to observe as to how it is not necessary, rather not permissible, at the stage of bail to consider whether a prima facie case is made out.

"But, on other hand, the high court judge has interestingly observed that since the petitioner has neither challenged nor sought quashing of the FIR or charge sheet in proceedings under section 482 CrPC or Article 226 or 32 of the Constitution, it is not permissible for her to say that a prima facie case is not made out," the top court said.

It said at the time of considering bail, it needs to be taken into account whether a prima facie case is made out, whether there is possibility of the accused tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses and whether there is possibility of accused fleeing from the hands of justice.

The court said other consideration which can be taken into account is the gravity of the offence.

"If the observations made are to be accepted, then no bail at the pre-trial stage can be granted unless the accused files an application for quashing of the proceedings against him under section 428 CrPC or Article 226 before the high court or Article 32 before this court. To say the least, these finding are totally perverse," the bench said in the order.

It added the high court relied on the statements of some witnesses to hold that a prima facie case of section 194 of IPC (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence) is made out.

The bench noted the submission of senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Setalvad, that the FIR against her was lodged following a judgment by the top court on June 24, 2022, in the case of Zakia Jafri, who has alleged a larger conspiracy behind the 2002 communal riots and challenged the Gujarat high court's October 5, 2017, order rejecting her petition against the finding of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Zakia Jafri is the widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was among those killed at Gulberg housing society during the 2002 communal riots.

Sibal said the top court had made certain observations in the Zakia Jafri judgment while dismissing her plea without hearing Setalvad and there was no mention of her name.

The bench said judicial propriety demands that it should not go into that judgment.

It noted Sibal's submission that no offence under section 194 of IPC was made out in Setalvad's case.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju opposed Setalvad's bail plea, saying she has been accused of a grave offence in which she tried to implicate innocent persons and destabilise the politically elected government.

He claimed Setalvad may tamper with evidence and so she should not be enlarged on bail.

The bench referred to its September 2, 2022, order granting her interim bail and said the considerations that weighed with the court at that time included that she was a lady and that the offences alleged against her related to 2002.

Raju said the June 2022 judgment was taken into consideration by the police after which FIR against Setalvad was lodged.

Setalvad was arrested a day after the Supreme Court judgment in the Zakia Jafri case upholding the clean chit given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Gujarat riots which had taken place when he was the chief minister.

The FIR against Setalvad and two others -- former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt and former DGP RB Sreekumar -- followed the apex court's observation that some people kept the pot boiling of the case for ulterior design and all those involved in such abuse of process, need to be in the dock and proceeded with in accordance with the law."

The bench said observations were made in the 2022 verdict without hearing Setalvad as the Gujarat government had opposed her intervention in the matter.

When Raju persisted with his submission opposing grant of bail, the bench warned him saying, "We are putting you on guard. If you delve more into this, then we will be forced to interpret the scope of section 194 of IPC and make some harsh observations."

On July 5, the top court had extended Setalvad's interim protection from arrest in the case till July 19, while issuing notice to the state on her appeal against the July 1 order of the high court.

The apex court had, in a late night hearing on July 1, protected Setalvad from arrest and stayed for a week the high court order rejecting her plea for regular bail and asking her to surrender immediately.

During the hearing, the three-judge bench had questioned the denial of time to Setalvad to appeal against the high court's order, saying even an ordinary criminal is entitled to some form of interim relief.

She was taken into custody on June 25 last year along with Sreekumar and Bhatt in a case registered by the Ahmedabad crime branch police for allegedly fabricating evidence to frame innocent people in the post-Godhra riots cases.

An Ahmedabad sessions court had on July 30, 2022, rejected the bail applications of Setalvad and Sreekumar, saying their release will send a message to wrongdoers that a person can level allegations with impunity and get away with it.
Seema Haider, the Pakistani woman who illegally crossed the border and entered India via Nepal stayed with her Indian partner, Sachin Meena at a hotel in Nepal for almost a week.

IMAGE: Pakistani citizen Seema Haider entered India illegally in May and is now living with her Indian partner Sachin Meena in Greater Noida. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

The couple stayed in a Hotel in the month of March this year and booked the room under fake names, the owner of the hotel confirmed ANI.

In an exclusive interaction with ANI at Kathmandu, the hotel owner Ganesh Roka Magar revealed that the couple stayed in the room most of the time during their stay.

They came to my hotel in March (2023) and stayed for seven-eight days and then checked out of the hotel, the owner of New Vinayak Rolpa Jaljala Rukmeli Guest House said.

According to the hotel owner, the couple registered at the hotel under a fake name and stayed inside their room for the whole time.

Most of the time they used to stay in the room... They used to go out of the Hotel in the morning and evening but they would return within a very short time because our hotel is usually closed after 9:30-10 pm daily and they used to come two hours early... They mostly use to have fruits brought from outside and here in the hotel they only ordered Nepali Veg Thali and didnt go out that frequently, Roka Magar recalled.

At first Sachin came here (at the hotel) booked the room and said that his wife is enroute and Seema came the following day and then they stayed for about 7 days. While checking out the hotel, it was Seema who checked out first and then Sachin left on the following day...Only the two had come, they didn't have the children with them..., Roka Magar told ANI.

The hotel owner while showing the entry logbook to ANI said, When I saw in the news then I realised that theyre Sachin and Seema as they made their entry under the name 'Shivansh' .

"They had made the payment in cash in Indian currency notes," he added.

Seema Haider had crossed over to India to live with Sachin Meena whom she befriended via an online game.

The couple started living together in Greater Noida.

However, Haider was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India without a visa, while Meena was put behind bars for sheltering the illegal immigrants.

The Indian officials are investigating who assisted her in arriving in India from Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the central intelligence agencies have sought a report from Sashastra Seema Bal and Uttar Pradesh police on Seema Haider who travelled through Nepal to reach Noida from Pakistans Karachi.

A senior official confirmed that the agencies got alerted about Seema Haider, who illegally crossed into India to marry and live with her Indian partner, they asked detailed report from SSB and the UP police.

Haider had crossed over to India to live with Sachin Meena whom she befriended via an online game.

The Uttar Pradesh DGP office issued a brief note stated, "...Two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five Pakistan-authorised passports, one unused passport with incomplete name and address & ID card recovered from Seema Haider. Investigation of the same is underway. She, along with her four children, entered India illegally and district police is carrying out an investigation in this regard."

"Intelligence agencies have asked a report from SSB and the UP police to find out how she managed to cross over without being verified by police personnel at the border. We have also demanded a report from the UP police as she entered to India via UP border and stayed with her partner for many days," the official said.

The official further added that they are verifying the claims about her journey she made in TV interviews and they are also finding out who assisted her in arriving in India from Pakistan.
'I have never seen a common man tapping a chief minister on the shoulder and giving him his petition, like needing money for a child admitted in a hospital.'

IMAGE: People throng to pay their last respects to Oommen Chandy in Thiruvananthapuram, July 19, 2023. All photographs: ANI Photo

Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy, who passed away in Bengaluru early on Tuesday, was a true man of the masses. As evidenced by the fact that thousands of people thronged his family home in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday afternoon, evening and night to pay their last respects to the departed leader as well as on Wednesday when his body was taken to Kottayam by road.

The 79-year-old leader, who had been chief minister twice, represented Puthuppally constituency for 53 years.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to advocate Krishnan Sreenivasan, secretary, All India Congress Committee, on what made Chandy such a popular leader and how he will be remembered.

When I think of Oommen Chandy the first thought that comes to my mind is that he was the man of the masses.

During his tenure as chief minister of Kerala, one could see the common man entering his office without any hesitation to get his or her work done.

Chandy had instructed his security officials that the common man must not be harassed if they are trying to approach him for their work.

I have never seen a common man tapping a chief minister on the shoulder to stop him from behind and giving him his petition, like needing money for a child admitted in a hospital.

IMAGE: Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal consoles Mr Chandy's family members at the Chinmaya Mission Hospital in Bengaluru.

He was one politician who never turned away the needy.

He was working for 18 hours a day, whether or not he was in power.

His doors were open to the public from 6 am till midnight, and anybody could enter with his/her request petition.

His philosophy was that politics is an opportunity to solve problems of the poorest of the poor, and he never deviated from this path in his political career.

He came to politics from his student days by first becoming a member of the Congress party students wing (National Students Union of India) from where he went on to join the Youth Congress and from where he went on to become a member of the state assembly from Puthuppally.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pays his last respects to Mr Chandy in Bengaluru, July 18, 2023.

He held that seat for 53 years and I feel this is some sort of a record in the history of Indian politics. We hardly see such leaders in today's time.

There were many opportunities for him to move to New Delhi to do politics at the Centre, but he refused to go as he did not want to be away from the people of Kerala.

He felt that by being an MLA it is easier to solve the people's problem rather than going to New Delhi and holding some central post in the party.

What he enjoyed the most was to be among the people, and he worked 18 hours a day to sort out their problems.

IMAGE: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan consoles Mariamma Oomen, Mr Chandy's wife at the Durbar Hall in the state secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram, July 19, 2023.

He will be most remembered for holding 'public adalats'.

He went to the people to solve their problems rather than sitting in offices and making them come to him.

He used to tell bureaucrats and politicians that they must not sit in the office to solve people's problems but go to them and solve their problems.

He won the United Nations award for this adalat initiative.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with Mr Chandy's family.

He was absolutely truthful in politics and one thing I never saw was him getting angry.

He was a true follower of Congress leader A K Antony and followed his path of politics of honesty, and he learnt good administration skills from the late chief minister, K Karunakaran.

No matter what happened, he never lost his cool.

At times he sat at a stretch for 16 hours in his adalat programme, but never complained or got angry.

IMAGE: 'When I think of Oommen Chandy the first thought that comes to my mind is that he was the man of the masses.'

In fact, people told him to take a break and take rest, but he did not leave the place till the last man's problem was solved.

Chandy used to say that there were chances that he might make an error of judgement in five to 10 percent of the cases but that did not hinder him as he said that 90 percent of the work would be done if done with the right intention to help the poor.

His passing away is a huge loss to the Congress party and for Kerala state.
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Jeff Diehl is the creative director for Craft State Media and lives in Westminster West. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media and GreenMountian Cannabis.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low near 65F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low near 65F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Ghana has recently initiated a three-year program worth $3 billion, which received approval from the IMF's board on May 17th. This approval was granted based on assurances provided by Ghana's bilateral creditors, including China, regarding the restructuring of its debt.

All of it is amidst the African debt crisis, which has become a pressing economic issue in the region. African nations have accumulated over $644 billion in external debt due to various factors such as borrowing to finance infrastructure projects, economic development, and budget deficits.

The crisis is characterised by high levels of debt relative to GDP, making it challenging for countries to service their debts and meet other financial obligations. As per One Data reports, the indebted amount of African countries equals 24 per cent of their combined GDP.

The African debt crisis has the potential to impact Indian business interests in several ways. The volatile economic situation and mounting foreign debts may decrease the demand for Indian goods in the region, affecting industries such as pharmaceuticals, agro-based products, textiles, and IT. The total Indian FDI outflows to African countries were recorded close to $5 billion in 2016, since which the investments have only increased.

Furthermore, China's increasing dominance in the African market, driven by extensive investments and creditor status, poses a significant challenge to Indian businesses.

Dragons Tail on African Shores

China and Africa have forged a longstanding partnership, with China initiating investments in African countries since the 1980s, albeit on a relatively modest scale initially. Over time, China's investment footprint in Africa has expanded significantly reaching $43.4 billion by 2020.

Notably, since the year 2000, China's investments in Africa have experienced even more remarkable growth, propelled by the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

China is the largest trading partner to most African countries | Image credit: Pexels

According to a report from the Atlantic Council, China is currently the largest trading partner, investor, and creditor for most African countries. As per a report from Business Insider, Chinese lenders account for 12% of Africas private and public external debt. These investments and billions in credits from China come with strings attached to the long-term plans to outthrow Western influence in the region, both financially as well as militarily.

Classified American intelligence reports also suggest that China is planning to build its first permanent military presence on the Atlantic Ocean by building a permanent military base in Equatorial Guinea. It must be noted that Equatorial Guineas debt to China is close to 50 per cent of its GDP.

The 2022 African Youth Survey conducted by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation across fifteen countries also depicts that over 54 per cent of interviewed youngsters have a positive outlook on Chinese investments. This sentiment is influenced not only by the availability of Chinese products but also by infrastructure assistance and job creation in Africa.

The popularity of this sentiment prevails even after the concerns regarding resource exploitation, job displacement, and cultural impact by the Chinese businesses in Africa.

Competition and funding challenges for Indian businesses

Indian businesses operating in Africa may face intense competition from Chinese markets. If Africa struggles to efficiently negotiate debt restructuring and secure favourable terms, it may become a riskier investment destination.

This could make it difficult for Indian businesses to secure funds and loans to expand their operations in affected regions. Consequently, they might have to abandon plans for expansion in potentially untapped markets, while China takes advantage of its influence to pursue further business opportunities. It must be noted that Indian exports to Africa have reached over $37 billion in 2021, making it the second-largest import source for the region. India's major imports to Africa include mineral oil, pharmaceuticals, cereals, and other essential common goods.

Indian businesses are bound to face stern competition from Chinese manufacturers | Image credit: ANI

Apart from that, Indian businesses in Africa might also face extreme competition from Chinese products which have better, faster, and cheaper access to African markets. According to the World Investment Report 2016, India was the eighth-largest investor in Africa in 2014 also creating 4,195 of average jobs per year in the continent.

However, these investments and jobs created by India have been largely outnumbered by China, indicating the clear dominance China and its businesses enjoy in the region. As per the Chinese customs authorities, Chinese exports to Africa were over $164.49 billion, making it the biggest player in the African market.

Potential for India and our businesses

Resolving the current African debt crisis is more complex than in previous situations due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including private lenders and Western states.

However, the active interest of the Indian government in debt restructuring can extend India's presence in the region, potentially enabling Indian businesses to leverage African markets. State-level interactions and engagement with sub-national actors contribute to the bilateral relationships with African countries, creating opportunities for Indian businesses.

The African debt crisis holds implications for Indian business interests. Increased competition from Chinese markets, challenges in securing funding for expansion, and the need for efficient debt restructuring are key factors that Indian businesses need to consider.

However, active engagement by the Indian government and leveraging bilateral relationships can help Indian businesses navigate these challenges and capitalise on opportunities in the African market.
In a major crackdown, the Hyderabad City police arrested a gang of burglars hailing from Nepal for looting a house in Secunderabad. Police seized stolen items including Rs. 41,60,410 cash, diamonds, gold, silver items worth Rs 5 crores.

According to the police, the arrest was made on Tuesday over the complaint filed by a businessperson and a resident of Om Towers in Secunderabad. The main accused Shankar Maan Singh alias Kamal working as a security guard at the same apartments. The incident had happened on July 9. Accused was residing in a room along with his wife Parvathi and son Vikas Saud who are also co accused in the case. Based on credible inputs, a team of police intercepted the burglars on July 18. The police proceeded to the location and apprehended the accused Lal Singh Thappa, Vishal Saud, Vikas Saud, Brijesh and Barsha Nath. After interrogation, they confessed to have committed this offence. The police then apprehended another accused Mohan Saud from the Yashoda Hospital and his confession was recorded.

Police said that the complainant identified as Rahul Goel, a resident at Om Towers Apartment runs a business of iron and steel. The probe revealed that Shankar Maan Singh observed the movements of Goel family members. Unpon knowing that they are a wealthy family, he planned to loot the house to lead a lavish life in Nepal. He discussed about his plan with the other accused. On the night of July 9, when the complainant along with his family members was away from home, the gang executed their plan by breaking open the lock of the main door.

"After committing the offence, all the accused shared the stolen properties among themselves. They threw some empty jewellery boxes in the room of Shankar Maan Singh. The offenders escaped to Pune in a private bus from Kukatpally and also switched off their phones. Upon receiving the complaint, team verified CCTV cameras and ascertained the information about the movement of the accused persons. On July 13, the accused Shankar Maan Singh, Parvathi and Sunil Chowdary were intercepted by the SSB at Barshola Check Post. The police team reached Barshola Check Post in the morning on July 14 and took them into custody. Their confessions were recorded and police seized the stolen diamonds, gold and silver items from them.

The accused told the police officials that on July 11, while they were on the way to Nepal, they had dinner just before Jhansi at a dhaba. As they were in a hurry to escape, while boarding the bus, Mohan Saud fell on the footpath and sustained severe injury on the knee of his right leg. He neglected the injury and his health deteriorated. He could not go further and was shifted to Hyderabad for treatment. His team took shelter in the house of accused Lal Singh Thappa in Hyderabad. The accused Vinod Kumar, a Taxi driver has also been apprehended for being an accomplice and helping them in crossing the border. Later, the three accused were brought to Hyderabad on Transit Warrants.

The accused Bharath Bista, Bharathi Saud, and Pooja Saud are absconding. All the arrested accused will be produced before court in Secunderabad for judicial remand.
A Bangladeshi national who stayed in India by disguising himself as a Buddhist monk and then tried to enter Sri Lanka using a fake passport was on Tuesday (July 18) caught at the Kochi International Airport. The man identified as Abur Barwa (22), a native of Bangladesh, was caught by the immigration department after they found his credentials suspicious.

Barwa was interrogated by the immigration officials who found the passport to be fake. Initial reports from agencies state that Barwa had settled in Karnataka a year ago under disguise at an ashram. During the stay, he managed to create a fake passport in his name claiming himself as a resident of Karnataka.

Later, he was handed over to the district crime branch. Barwa will be produced before the magistrate on Wednesday (July 19) after a medical examination.

Bangladesh Illegal Immigrants, a set pattern?

In November 2022, the union government had issued an alert on the increasing presence of Bangladesh nationals in India. The union government had directed DGPs of states to track and tackle illegal immigration. A well-connected network of locals and agents was learned to be facilitating such illegal activities and obtaining original documents including Aadhaar. Using these credentials, many secure employment and even migrate to other countries.

Burwas case is identical to the advisory issued. The advisory had stated a lot of these activities are focused on Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

In another incident in November 2022, Muhammad Simbath Chaudary, a 26-year-old Bangladeshi national was caught in Kochi. The probe had identified that Muhammed was part of the illegal immigrants who were apprehended in August 2022.

He had managed to evade arrest. An Indian national by the name of Dasharath (aka Shine) who was the facilitator for illegal migration was also arrested in August along with two other Bangladeshis, including a woman.
An Indian national and a Nepali citizen have been arrested in Southern Nepal for trying to smuggle 70 kilograms of hashish into India, police said on Wednesday.

The Nepal Police arrested 35-year-old Manoj Kumar Paswan from Jharkhand and Raju Waiwa, 45, a resident of Makawanpur district, while carrying 70 kg of hashish hidden inside a vehicle.

The arrests were made on Tuesday night in Rapti Municipality in Southern Nepal, police said, adding that both were apprehended during security check of the vehicle.

The vehicle was on its way to India, they said.

As per a preliminary investigation, the hashish was being trafficked to India in the vehicle with an Indian number plate. PTI SBP PY MRJ MRJ
Seema Haider (30) and Sachin Meenas (22) cross-border love story has been hogging the media spotlight during the past few days ever since she illegally entered India through Nepal, along with her four children. As the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (UP ATS) continues to probe the espionage angle in Seema Haider's journey from Karachi to Greater Noida, the Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday, July 19 said that four mobile phones, two video cassettes, five Pakistan-authorised passports, and one unused passport with an incomplete name and address were recovered from Seema Haider.

Noida-based Sachin Meenas lover Seema Haider was being interrogated continuously for three straight days by UP ATS. The Pakistani national is under the scanner after she along with her four children crossed over to India via Nepal in May this year to be with her lover, Sachin Meena.

Uttar Pradesh ATS continues to investigate Pakistani National Seema Haider;

Should Seema be shipped back to Pakistan? Tune in to WATCH here-https://t.co/NVlwxVXG3x as Arnab debates at 9 PM #SeemaHaider #SeemaHaiderNews #UttarPradesh #ATS #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/GsCJ5ZEadx  Republic (@republic) July 19, 2023

The Uttar Pradesh DGP office, in a statement, said, "Two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five Pakistan-authorised passports, one unused passport with incomplete name and address and ID card recovered from Seema Haider. Investigation of the same is underway. She, along with her four children, entered India illegally and the District Police is carrying out an investigation in this regard.

According to UP DGP, following facts have come to light:

Sachin Meena and Pakistani woman Seema Ghulam Haider came in contact with each other through online game PUBG in the year 2020. After playing video games for about 15 days, both of them had a conversation with each other and they shared their WhatsApp numbers.

Seema Haider's husband Ghulam Haider went to Saudi Arabia to work in 2019. He used to send Rs 70-80 thousand per month (Pakistani Rupees) from Saudi. Seema Haider used to save 20-25 thousand rupees per month. She had also invested in two committees of 1 lakh rupees each for 20 months. In 2021, about 2 lakh rupees were collected from the committees.

She used to save Rs 4-5 lakhs annually and used to keep all her savings with the daughter of the landlord. Rs 1 lakh was sent by Haider's father and 5-6 lakh rupees were from her savings. In addition, Haider once sent Rs 2 lakhs 50 thousand from Saudi. With the help of relatives, she bought a house of 39 yards worth Rs 12 lakh. About three months after buying the house, in January 2022, she sold the house for 12 lakhs in order to come to India for Sachin Meena.

Seema Haider reached Nepal on March 10, 2023 from Pakistan's Karachi Airport via Sharjah Airport to Kathmandu Airport in Nepal on a 15 days tourist visa and returned from Nepal on March 17, 2023 via the same route. She reached Karachi Airport on March 18, 2023.

Sachin Meena reached Gorakhpur from Pari Chowk, Gautam Buddha Nagar on March 8 and on the next day, he left for Sonoli border in Kathmandu, Nepal. He stayed at New Vinayak Hotel, New Bus Adda Park in Kathmandu on March 10.

Sachin Meena received Seema Haider from Kathmandu airport on March 10, 2023 and brought her to New Vinayak Hotel, Kathmandu where both of them stayed together till March 17, 2023.

For the second time, Seema Haider came to Dubai from Pakistan on May 10 with her four children - Farhan alias Raj (aged 7 years 06 months) and daughter Farwah alias Priyanka (aged 06 years 06 months), Fariha alias Pari (aged 06 years 06 months). 05 years), Munni (age 03 years). They reached Kathmandu airport on May 11 and stayed in Nepals Pokhara.

She reached Rabupura in Noida on May 13 via Roopandehi Khunwa border. She took the bus from Pokhara on May 12 and entered Indian territory from district Siddharthnagar via Lucknow, Agra.

Sachin Meena, who boarded a bus from Gautam Budh Nagar, had already taken a rented room in Rabupura where the duo stayed together.

Two video cassettes, 4 mobile phones, 5 Pakistani authorised passports including one with incomplete name-address from Seema Haider have been seized. Unused passports and identity cards have also been recovered.

Can't say right now if Seema Haider is a Pakistani spy: UP Police officer

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday said it would not be appropriate to say if Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who entered India illegally in May and is staying with her partner in Noida, is a spy unless we have enough proof. Seema and her Indian partner Sachin Meena were questioned by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad on July 17 and 18. They were first arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but were granted bail by a court on July 7.

When asked if Seema could be a Pakistan spy, Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said nothing could be said so early. "The matter is related to two countries. Till we have enough proof, it would not be appropriate to say anything in this regard," he said.

In her media interactions since her bail, Seema has been saying that she entered India though the Nepal border and travelled to Noida in a bus to be with Sachin whom she met online. When asked whether the entry of a Pakistani citizen in India through the Nepal border was a security lapse, Kumar said, "This is not so. Our border (with Nepal) is porus. No passport is needed there. Nothing is written on anyone's face."

On the ATS questioning of Seema and Sachin, the officer said that all agencies are doing their work. The couple, who claims to have gotten married in Nepal earlier this year, had first got in touch in 2019 over online game PUBG.
Egypts president pardoned two prominent rights activists Wednesday, including one with ties to Italy who was sentenced this week, the countrys state-run news agency reported. Among an unspecified number of people pardoned Wednesday by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was rights activist Patrick George Zaki, who was a post-graduate student in Italy and who was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday over an opinion article he wrote in 2019, the MENA news agency said.

Zakis case has echoed in Italy, where many were reminded after the sentencing this week of the tragic fate of Italian student Giulio Regeni who was abducted and killed in Cairo in 2016. The Italian government had repeatedly called for Zakis release since his arrest in 2020.

Also pardoned was Mohammed el-Baker, a rights lawyer, who was arrested in September 2019, the agency reported. El-Baker was sentenced to four years in prison late in 2021 over charges of disseminating false news, misuse of social media and joining a terrorist group. El-Baker was arrested when he attended the questioning by prosecutors of another jailed activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah. The report said the two were among a group pardoned on Wednesday but did not elaborate who else was included. Prisoners who are pardoned in Egypt usually walk free within days.

We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds, prominent rights activist Hossam Bahgat wrote on Twitter.

He added that both activists should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work. Bahgat is the executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represented Zaki in court. In Italy, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani welcomed el-Sissis decision to pardon Zaki. Thanks to the governments foreign policy we have given a decisive contribution to freeing this young student. Concrete results through work and international credibility, he tweeted. Jubilation also resounded from the ranks of Italian opposition lawmakers following the pardon news.

Victory for Patrick Zaki. Pardon granted, tweeted Federica Onori, the foreign affairs commission whip for the populist 5-Star Movement. We never quit fighting. We never quit believing. We await you soon back home in Italy.

When Zaki was arrested in 2020, the 5-Stars led the government and Melonis far-right party was in the opposition. Speaking to the Italian state TV in a square outside Romes ancient Pantheon, an Amnesty International official in Italy, Riccardo Noury, expressed satisfaction that the grave case (of Zaki) is resolved, but it doesnt resolve the theme of human rights in Egypt. Zaki, who is Christian, was arrested in February 2020 shortly after landing in Cairo for a short trip home from Italy where he was studying at the University of Bologna. He was released in December 2021 after spending 22 months in pretrial detention but had to remain in Egypt and was not allowed to travel abroad, pending trial.

He earned a masters degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to travel to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference. An Egyptian court sentenced him this week to three years in person over his conviction of disseminating false news related to an article of his about alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt.

Amnesty International swiftly condemned Egyptian authorities and said that the image of Zaki being dragged out of a courtroom and taken to prison on Tuesday was terrifying. Egypt has pardoned dozens of detainees in the past several months, after its human rights record came under international scrutiny when it hosted the U.N. climate change summit in November.

The government has been relentlessly silencing dissenters and clamping down on independent organizations for years with arrests, detentions, prison sentences and other restrictions. Thousands of political prisoners are estimated by rights groups to remain in custody in Egypt, many without trial.
Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who entered India illegally in May and is staying with her partner here, was picked up Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad and questioned for over nine hours, a second day of quizzing by the agency.

A local police official said Haider's Indian partner Sachin Meena, his father Netrapal Singh were also taken for questioning.

They were picked up from their residence in Rabupura area of Greater Noida around 8.30 am and brought to the ATS's unit office in Noida around 10 am, where the questioning continued till late evening, the official said.

Haider, Meena and Singh left the ATS office around 8.15 pm. There was no comment from any ATS official and it was not clear whether they would be questioned again.

The cross-border couple was first interrogated by the UP ATS on Monday at its office in Noida and was allowed to go home about 10.30 pm.

Haider (30) and Meena (22) were first arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but were granted bail by a court on July 7.

Explaining the questioning process of the UP ATS, an agency officer on Monday told PTI that the couple "may or may not be arrested" after the interrogation, depending on the outcome of the inquiry in the sensitive matter that pertains to national security. The local police is separately investigating the case lodged under the Foreigners Act and is yet to file a chargesheet.

Seema entered India along with her four children in a bus from Nepal in May to live with Sachin. The couple, who claims to have gotten married in Nepal earlier this year, had first got in touch in 2019 over online game PUBG.

On July 4, Seema was arrested by local police for entering India illegally and Sachin was held for sheltering illegal immigrants.

However, they both were granted bail by a local court on July 7 and have been living together along with her four children in a house in the Rabupura area.

During her interactions with the media, Seema said she does not wish to go back to Pakistan and wants to live with Sachin. She also claimed to have turned a Hindu.

Back home in Pakistan, the family and neighbours of Seema Haider told a PTI correspondent that they do not want her to return, while a gang of dacoits attacked a Hindu temple with rocket launchers in the Southern Sindh province on Sunday.

The assailants attacked the small temple and adjoining homes belonging to Hindus in the Kashmore area of the Sindh province, a police officer there said. There was no loss of life in the attack.

The attack came days after dacoits in the Kashmore and Ghotki riverine areas had threatened violence at Hindu places of worship and community members in retaliation to Seema and Sachin's PUBG love story.

Pakistan's intelligence agencies have informed the country's government that "love" is the "only" factor that led the mother of four to sneak into India to live with a Hindu man whom she befriended through an online game platform, a media report said on Monday.
At least 15 workers and security guards were wounded as clashes broke out between the Bangladeshi and Chinese employees at the construction site of the Rural Power Company Limiteds 1,320 MW power plant, located in Dhankhali area Kalapara sub-unit of Patuakhali district, according to The New Age newspaper. The brawl broke out over grievances related to the salaries and other monthly allowances. The fight started at the construction site of the plant situated in south-central Bangladesh which is being developed to generate coal-based heat electricity for the Bangladeshi population.

During the altercation, the power plants office and several vehicles were also damaged, the Dhaka-based leading English language daily newspaper said.

Four Bangladeshi workers were injured

According to the statement by the Kalapara police, the area's district sub-unit officer responded to the incident and attempted to bring the situation under control. Police were called at the scene and were deployed to maintain the law and order situation, The New Age reported. As many as four Bangladeshi workers were injured. They were identified as Obaidul, Shaheen Molla, Rakibul Islam and Zidan. Those wounded were rushed to the Kalapara sub-unit health complex for medical treatment. They were later moved to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

The protesters at the scene told the paper that the workers were demonstrating against the working conditions and the wages. There was an uninformed deduction of the salaries of the employees, they added. This was done by the company "in the name of service charges," the workers informed, adding that it has been several weeks that they had been complaining about the decorations. Eventually, they decided to stage a protest. Kalapara police station officer-in-charge Ali Ahmed told the paper that the situation was contained, and that he has ordered more police personnel to be deployed at the site. "Legal action will be taken if any written complaint is filed," the officer-in-charge Ahmed stressed.

"We started protesting as the authorities did not accept our demand, which led to a clash, one of the workers who was involved in the clashes, and was hospitalised, said.

The project director and chief engineer of RPCL power plant Tawfiq Islam said that the situation was under control and that he held. the talks with the workers who were protesting. "The situation is under control with the immediate strict action taken by the local administration," he said, according to the statement published by the paper. We are trying to talk to the workers to resolve the issue, the project director and chief engineer Islam said, The New Age reported.
Dozens of Afghan women protested a beauty salon ban Wednesday after the Taliban ordered their closure nationwide. Security forces used fire hoses, tasers and shot their guns into the air to break up the protest.

The Taliban said earlier this month they were giving all salons in Afghanistan one month to wind down their businesses and close shop, drawing concern from international officials worried about the impact on female entrepreneurs. The Taliban say they are outlawing salons allegedly because they offer services forbidden by Islam and cause economic hardship for grooms families during wedding festivities.

The ruling came from the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. It's the latest curb on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, following edicts barring them from education, public spaces and most forms of employment.

In a rare sign of public opposition to Taliban orders, dozens of beauticians and makeup artists gathered in the capital Kabul to protest the ban.

We are here for justice," said one protester who identified herself as Farzana. We want work, food and freedom."

The Taliban sprayed the women with water and shot their rifles into the air to disperse the protesters.

Farzana later said the women were going to the UN mission in Afghanistan, urging protesters to stay together.

One protester told The Associated Press the demonstration started at around 10 am in the Shar-e-Naw area of the capital. She did not want to give her name for fear of reprisals.

The purpose of our demonstration was that they (the Taliban) should reconsider and reverse the decision to close beauty salons because this is about our lives, she said. All of us, 50 to 60 women, participated. Our slogan was work, bread and freedom.

The protest continued into the early afternoon, when the Taliban arrived to break up the crowd, she said. They used tasers on demonstrators.

They put two or three of our friends in the car and took them," she said.

Nobody from the Taliban-run government was immediately available for comment about the protest.

The UN mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, criticized the Taliban's dispersal tactics.

Reports of the forceful suppression of a peaceful protest by women against the ban on beauty salons  the latest denial of womens rights in #Afghanistan  are deeply concerning, it said in a tweet. Afghans have the right to express views free from violence. De facto authorities must uphold this.
Details added: first version posted on 11:19

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Training center for professional IT specialists will be established in Azerbaijan jointly with Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, Minister Rashad Nabiyev met with COMSATS Executive Director Mohammad Nafees Zakaria as part of a visit to Pakistan.

At the meeting, the possibilities of long-term cooperation between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the field of communications and information technologies were discussed.

During the meeting, the implementation of a joint project with COMSATS to train professional ICT specialists in Azerbaijan was also discussed. For this aim, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan and COMSATS on cooperation in the field of training courses on ICT and technology.

It was noted that this project will make a positive contribution to the development of competitive human capital and the formation of a modern innovation environment in Azerbaijan.

The visit of Nabiyev to Pakistan began on July 18. Within the framework of the visit he held bilateral meetings with Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for Communications Asad Mehmood, and Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari.
Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday agreed to suspend Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, a candidate to become prime minister, from his duties as a member of Parliament pending its ruling on whether he violated election law.

The court's announcement came on the verge of a likely second vote in Parliament whether to confirm Pita as prime minister. His party was the top finisher in May's general election and assembled an eight-party coalition that won 312 seats in the House of Representatives.

However, the coalition failed to win enough support in an initial vote last week from the Senate, which votes together with the lower house to name the new prime minister.

The court's announcement still would allow Pita's nomination and selection as prime minister, at least until a ruling.

Thailand's state Election Commission had referred Pita's case to the court, saying there was evidence he had violated election law over his alleged undeclared ownership of media company shares, which are banned for lawmakers. (AP) GRS GRS
Kremlin-linked paramilitary company PMC Wagner's founder, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, faces a lawsuit which was filed on July 18, Tuesday by a Libyan national who claims that he had escaped summary execution by the fighters of the mercenaries group. According to the emerging reports, the suit was brought to a court in Washington that mentioned the PMC Wagner's boss as the defendant. The mercenaries group that has been operating under the rubric of Russian paramilitary contractors, has been accused of extrajudicial killings in the southern region of the Libyan capital Tripoli.

The lawsuit brought by a survivor to the court states that the Wagner mercenaries stationed in Libya were directly involved in the brutal murder of a family in the year 2019. The members of the said family were detained by the Wagner mercenaries without any explanation, the Libyan national Mohammed Aboujaylah Ali Anbees, the plaintiff in the lawsuit said. He claims that at least two Wagner mercenaries killed his father, brother and brother-in-law in what he described as the "drunken fire with AK-47 rifles."

Wagner commander with callsign 'Vakha' killed by Ukrainian sniper

Last month, Wagner's most notorious commander accused of crimes against the civilians and prisoners in Libya, Vladimir Andonov, 44, was shot by a Ukrainian sniper near Kharkiv, according to the newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets. Death of Andonov dubbed famously as "The Executioner", with a callsign Vakha" or "the volunteer from Buryatia," was confirmed by Zhambal-Zhamso Zhanaev, the head of Russia's Trans-Baikal Territory in Buryatia where "Vakha" resided. He came to Ukraine in 2014 with the unit that was assigned the task to "liberate" the town of Logvinovo. He appeared in an interview in 2015, boasting that he had left "no survivors among the "dills," using a Russian slur for the Ukrainians.

Wagner group's mercenaries sit atop armoured tank in Rostov-on-Don in Russia. Credit: AP

Wagner PMC mercenaries are renowned for their notoriety, exploitation of mineral resources, and human rights abuses across the Mideast region in Syria, Libya, and Sudan. Since 2015, Wagner mercenaries have remained active in the strife-ridden Syria, where the regime of President Bashar-al-Assad is backed by Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Shortly after Wagner's armed mercenaries declared rebellion against Russia's military leadership in what was described as a failed coup by Putin in a state address, soldiers of Russia's armed forces detained the head of the Wagner unit in As Suwayda, southern Syria and three high-ranking commanders at the Khmeimim Air Base, according to Saudi Arabian TV broadcaster Al-Hadath.

Wagner fighters in the Syrian region. Credit: Arab Center Washington DC.

A joint raid was conducted by Russian military police and Syrian intelligence officers as Progozhin's mercenaries took control of Russia's Southern military command on Rostov-on-Don. Russia's military police also raided Wagner offices across Syrian territory--including Deir ez-Zur, Hama, and Damascus and rounded up the Wagner fighters and their recruiters.

Wagner's Telegram channel later denied reports of raids in Syria as untrue." Istanbul-based Syrian analyst, Waiel Olwan, told Al-Hadath that Russia's Army conducted the Syrian raids as a precautionary measure" as Wagner fighters marched towards Moscow during their mutiny. A surprise visit was also reportedly made by Russias deputy foreign minister, Sergey Vershinin to Damascus where he asked Putin's ally Assad to not let any Wagner mercenaries exit the country without Russia's knowledge.
On May 11, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) upheld a lower courts ruling to preserve California Proposition 12 (Prop 12), which prohibits the sale of pork not produced according to the states production standards. This means restaurants in California will now have to source pork that meets these standards.



California requires that all pork sold in the state must come from farms that house sows with at least 24 square feet each and ensure their ability to stand up and turn around in their pens (this does not apply to pork in transit through the state). A separate limited injunction in a state case involving the California Restaurant Association allows non-compliant pork in the supply chain by July 1, 2023, to be sold, transferred, exported, or donated on or before December 31, 2023. As a result, the California Department of Food and Agriculture voluntarily agreed to the stipulations in the injunction, allowing state regulators, farmers, and sellers time to fully transition to the new standards.



Massachusetts question 3



A similar regulation is the focus of a Massachusetts case, which would have major implications on pork producers and restaurants in that state and neighboring states along the East Coast.



Massachusetts Question 3 imposes the same housing requirements as Prop 12, but the Massachusetts compliance guidance currently has one key differenceif pork is traveling through Massachusetts on its way to another state, such as Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, or Connecticut, the pork would be required to comply with the Massachusetts production standards. So essentially, Massachusetts is imposing its requirements on other states by virtue of its position as a major regional distribution center. Because of the SCOTUS decision on the California regulation, Massachusetts regulators will begin preparing to implement this law and have agreed to an August 23 effective date.



Pork Regulations effect on restaurants



These new production standards in California and Massachusetts will impact producers, restaurants, and consumers across the country. The standards will make it much more difficult for producers to raise their livestock and result in higher production costs that will travel down the food supply chain, ultimately impacting foodservice businesses and consumers.



The Restaurant Law Centers efforts



The Restaurant Law Center (RLC) filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of the pork producers arguing against Prop 12. The brief stated that Prop 12 unconstitutionally allows a single state to impose massive costs on a multi-state commodity without a legitimate local public interest. The RLC also argued that Prop 12 undermined the supply chain and would directly harm restaurants.



Unfortunately, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, writing for the majority, rejected what he called a request by pork producers, restaurants, and others for the court to fashion two new and more aggressive constitutional restrictions on the ability of states to regulate goods sold within their borders.



Now, the RLC is working with the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to clarify that pork merely going through the commonwealth for consumption in surrounding states should not be covered by Question 3.



What producers, restaurants, and lawmakers can do



Lawmakers at the state level will have the most influence when resolving these production issues. Together, restaurants, pork producers, and consumers need to call on their local elected officials to push back on these restrictive laws and educate them on the negative impacts they will have on the industry, including supply shortages, high production costs, and rising consumer prices.



More information



The full opinion in the Prop 12 case can be found here and the RLCs complaint on Question 3 can be found here.
Cambodians head to the polls, though the result is preordained.

Call it the Telegram election.

In late June, just as he was starting to campaign for the July 23 national election, Cambodias long-ruling Prime Minister Hun Sen deleted his Facebook page.

It was a pre-emptive move: Metas oversight board recommended his account be suspended after he posted a video threatening violence against his opponents. So Hun Sen told his supporters to migrate to Telegram.

There, hes been treating his nearly one million followers to an endless stream of photos of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Partys (CPP) election campaign. The images come so fast and so thick its almost impossible to keep up, let alone to comment, criticize or ask for help.

The premiers newest platform of choice makes two-way communication almost impossible. If Facebook existed as a platform for Hun Sen to attack his critics, it also served as a rare space for citizens to petition their leader directly and had become a repository of government documents and political history. On Telegram, the posts slip away almost as quickly as they appear.

Hun Sens move from open communication  even via a means as flawed as Facebook  to the one-way Telegram stream is a fitting metaphor for Cambodias seventh national election: one with no viable opposition and no routes for protest. It represents the endpoint, in many ways, of a three-decade experiment in managed democracy.

Today, with the ruling party controlling the legislature, judiciary and ministries; with the international community focused on far bigger problems elsewhere; with civil society and free media mostly silenced, Hun Sen no longer needs to hold elections where the outcome is not entirely preordained. And ahead of a play to position his son, Hun Manet, as the next leader of Cambodia, neither can he afford to do so.

People look at election results posted outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, May 31, 1993. Credit: Romeo Gacad/AFP

Hun Sens 30 years of democracy

Thirty years ago, more than 4.1 million Cambodians cast their ballot in the countrys first postwar national election. Administered by the United Nations, the May 1993 vote was also the first democratic, multiparty election in decades. Despite ongoing attacks by Khmer Rouge guerillas, regular bombings, threats and an infrastructure damaged by years of war, Cambodians were eager to make their voices heard.

Some 86.8 percent of those eligible voted over the six days of the election period.

By then, Hun Sen had already served as prime minister since 1985, when the country was still under Vietnamese occupation. A low-level Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and fled to Vietnam, Hun Sen spoke frequently of having saved the country from the genocidal Khmer Rouge. In 1991, he was the governments representative at the Paris Peace Accords that paved the way for a democratic Cambodia.

Some 18 nations and the U.N. were party to the accord.

But if the international community wished to convince themselves that Hun Sen could be a democratic leader, there were signs from the start that he would jealously guard his power.

When the royalist Funcinpec party beat out the CPP in the 1993 election, Hun Sen complained of polling irregularities, then threatened a secessionist movement. It helped him maneuver his way to a co-prime minister position  strong condemnation by the U.S. and others did little to tamp him down.

Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen signs the peace treaty that ended 21 years of civil war in Cambodia, Oct. 23, 1991 in Paris . Credit: Gerard Fouet/AFP

Despite the violence leading up to it and the undemocratic result, some believe that first tilt at democracy may have been Cambodias best effort.

Like many Cambodians, Teap Chanthou, a resident of Pailin province, contends that the 1993 vote represents the countrys only truly free and fair election. Certainly, she said, it was far more legitimate than the one about to take place.

Before no one bought us for ballots, she said. Now people are spending money."

The past few months have been an exercise in controlling the outcome, even as it was preordained by moves the government took years and decades earlier.

In May, the main opposition Candlelight Party was disqualified from running on a bureaucratic technicality that rights monitors say is politically motivated.

In June, parliament amended the election law to fine, prosecute or bar from office anyone advocating a voter boycott  effectively barring the sole avenue for electoral protest.

Lest those moves fall short, members of the opposition, along with environmental activists, political analysts and others have been jailed and beaten.

Hundreds have defected to the ruling party, amid a carrots-and-sticks effort that involves arrests, pardons and high-level appointments. After independent broadcaster Voice of Democracy was shuttered in February at Hun Sens order, the government offered ministry jobs to former journalists.

Though 17 other parties are contesting this election, they are miniscule, underfunded or obsolete. None is positioned to receive more than a handful of votes. And while a handful of foreign observers have been approved to monitor the election, experts say they are almost certain to be zombie monitors, whose stamp of approval strains credulity.

Candlelight Party supporters rally on the last day of campaigning for the commune elections in Phnom Penh on June 3, 2022. Credit: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP

Strong man, weak grip

This tightly controlled political system, thinly veneered as a democracy, has been decades in the making, and Hun Sens machinations to secure his position are a masterclass in consolidating power.

Yet the prime minister operates with the paranoia born out of this lifetime of political experience.

When you operate in a political environment that is so uncertain and so insecure you maximize your power at all costs, explained Sorpong Peou, a political scientist at Toronto Metropolitan University.

Hun Sen, who will be 71 next month, counts himself among the worlds longest serving living leaders. Apart from royals, no one in Asia has outlasted him.

In his early years, he outmaneuvered his opponents through threats and violence. Over time, as the need for these muscular approaches declined, he used the newfound social realities of a more stable Cambodia to his favor.

Over the course of the 1990s and 2000s, poverty, malnutrition and infant mortality plummeted. The economy was buzzing along with more than 8 percent growth a year in the first decade of the century and calm had replaced decades of war. While his elections always contained an element of bias, he also enjoyed a genuine measure of popularity.

But today, in a rapidly developing nation where some two-thirds of the population is younger than 30, the many shortcomings of Hun Sens government are too clear to ignore.

Needs are both acute and unmet. The economy is still struggling post-pandemic with many Cambodians mired in personal debt. Climate change has wreaked havoc on the countrys crops and fisheries, while a decade of land grabs and resource depletion have impacted hundreds of thousands of people.

High-rise buildings form the backdrop over makeshift houses in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, June 15, 2023. Credit: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP

In villages and cities across the country, Cambodians grumble about local officials who take little interest in their needs until an election rolls around. Then they show up with 20,000 riel ($5) and sample ballots showing them precisely which box to mark.

Im not busy but I dont plan to go [vote] because the village chief is awful, said a Pailin province resident who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons. In her community, she said, sand dredging has damaged homes, but the CPP-run local government has done nothing to address the problem.

Unable or unwilling to address such issues through governance, Hun Sen has instead doubled down on silencing those who point them out.

Human rights defenders, journalists, political opponents and ordinary citizens now routinely face intimidation, arrest or prosecution for merely expressing their views or reporting on matters of public interest, said Chak Sopheap, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.

Given the level of dissatisfaction, an opposition party  even a neutered one  might pose a threat, as might unhappy members of his own political elite. Hun Sen, in other words, cant afford to take any chances.

The slipping of power

The risks to the prime minister were made clear in recent elections.

When Cambodias two chief opposition parties merged before the 2013 election, some observers expected factionalism and infighting to prevent any real gains. Instead, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) captured 44 percent of the vote to the CPPs 48 percent, catching Hun Sen and the political elite off guard.

Convinced the ruling party had stolen the election, opposition voters held mass protests and a political crisis ensued. These were shut down through police violence, arrests and prosecutions. While Hun Sen maintained his grip on power, he learned a lesson about the unpredictability of open elections.

When the CNRP made sweeping gains in the 2017 commune elections  seen as a bellwether for national elections  the government unleashed waves of suppression that also made clear how mature the prime ministers political machinery had become.

From 1998 to the 2017 commune election at least you see that the opposition was able to participate and independent media was still operating inside Cambodia, said Koul Panha.

The countrys preeminent independent election monitor, Koul Panha was forced to seek political asylum in Canada in 2018 amid worsening repression.

Even if there was an environment of intimidation, we were still able to conduct our activities, he said. But certainly from 2018 the situation and political competition falls short of legitimate free and fair elections.

A supporter of Cambodia's opposition parties moves barbed wire set up by police during a gathering in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sept. 15, 2013. Credit: Heng Sinith/AP

Now with the courts, legislature and election commission fully under ruling party control, Hun Sen has been able to quash his opponents primarily through lawfare.

Since 2017, the Supreme Court has dissolved the CNRP, saying it had plotted a foreign-backed color revolution aimed at toppling the government. Opposition leader Kem Sokha has been sentenced to 27 years for treason, party members have fled the country and a series of arrests has resulted in mass trials and scores of convictions.

With no avenue for contesting the election within Cambodia, the opposition now holds protests in diaspora enclaves like Lowell, Mass. On social media, they urge voters to X out their ballots.

We call on voters to go to vote but to spoil the ballot, said CNRP vice president Mu Sochua, who, like most opposition leaders, now lives in exile. Spoiling the ballot for justice means that Hun Sen won't be legitimized, that Hun Manet wont be legitimized.

Setting up the heir apparent

Legitimacy is a chief focus for Hun Sen as he seeks to shore up his legacy by transferring power to his eldest son, Hun Manet. In 2021, Hun Sen announced that Hun Manet could be made premier sometime between 2028 and 2030, with the ruling party then officially endorsing his future candidacy.

A Western-educated four star general, Hun Manet has been meeting with a slew of foreign leaders since receiving the CPPs endorsement.

Hun Manet [right] son of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen smiles as he leads a Cambodian People's Party election campaign procession in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 1, 2023. Credit: Heng Sinith/AP

But while he is being positioned to step into his fathers seat, transitions of power make for notoriously risky moments within authoritarian regimes.

Hun Sen has been shoring up support, placing his officials children in choice positions and obtaining a raft of public endorsements.

And every few days, on his fathers Telegram channel, Hun Manet forwards his own speeches from the campaign trail.

As the ruling party, which obliges to serve the people, he posted recently, the CPP has no right to rest.

Additional reporting by RFA Khmer
She continues to be a threat to the government of Cambodia, which is  why theyre keeping her in jail.

Outspoken Cambodian-American lawyer and human rights defender Theary Seng, 52, is currently on a 10-day hunger strike from a remote jail in northern Cambodias Preah Vihear province.

Last June, she was sentenced to six years in prison on treason charges that stemmed from abortive efforts in 2019 to bring about the return to Cambodia of opposition leader Sam Rainsy.

Her hunger strike began on Monday, five days after the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued a judgment calling her detention arbitrary, politically motivated, and in violation of international law.

RFA Khmer Service spoke with her pro bono international human rights lawyer, Jared Genser, on Wednesday. He said hell use the working groups report to build momentum for her case and to push for the United States to designate her case as wrongfully detained under the Levinson Act, a 2020 law that would allow sanctions to be imposed on individuals responsible for holding U.S. nationals hostage.

RFA: First of all, I want to know about Theary Sengs condition in jail. We know that she launched a 10-day hunger strike in jail. How is it going now?

Jared Genser: We dont have any direct information yet. We understand that she will have a visit shortly from someone. Im not going to name them for their own security, but we will know a little bit more in the next day or two.

She launched a 10-day hunger strike to protest her detention and that of other political prisoners and also to protest the forthcoming election, which with the disqualification of the Candlelight Party, quite clearly cannot be in any way considered free or fair. She is undergoing a kind of hunger strike where shell drink liquids, water in particular.

But as her lawyer and her friend, Im very worried about her health and safety. And obviously, she continues to be a threat to the government of Cambodia, which is, of course, why theyre keeping her in jail, despite the fact that all she did to get six years in prison for so-called treason charges was to post some critical things about the government on Facebook.

RFA: We learned that on July 12, the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued a judgment calling the cases arbitrary detention, politically motivated, and a violation of international laws. How significant is that and why did it take so long for the U.N. Working Group over a year after her arrest to issue this decision?

Jared Genser: I think in terms of the time frame for the U.N. to issue the decision, its actually a pretty typical time frame. It feels like a long time and obviously has been a long time. But in fact, I think for international tribunals, it's quite quick. If you were to take a case to the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights, it would be three to five years. The same for the European Court of Human Rights. So this is actually, for the international system, on the quicker side.

The working group, you know, undertook a very detailed analysis of the facts of the case, applied international law to those facts, and ultimately concluded that she was being detained illegally and in violation of international law, not only on the basis of her violation of her substantive rights, her right to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and political participation, but also in terms of just the egregious lack of due process in her trial.

And it has also called for her immediate and unconditional release. So I think that this will definitely help us as we work to build momentum, to put further pressure on Hun Sen and the regime going forward. I think, for that purpose, it's very valuable.

RFA: You mentioned about using her case with the U.N. Working Group to build momentum. How will you convince the U.S. government to consider her case under the Levinson Act?

Jared Genser: Its a strange set of circumstances because we literally have had President Biden urge Hun Sen to release her, Secretary Blinken to do the same. Weve had Samantha Power of USAID and the U.S. ambassador to Cambodia and a spokesperson for the State Department all coming out, and theyre using the word unjustly detained and all calling for her release.

So on the one hand, we have all the key officials from the very top down who have all urged Hun Sen to release her. And ultimately, that's the most important thing thats been going on, because at the end of the day, it makes very, very clear the position of the United States.

The bureaucratic process of the Levinson Act and making this formal determination is another matter. And its very strange that just the State Department is trying to explain that theyre calling for her release, the U.S. government calling for her release and that her detention is unjust. But that somehow being unjust is not the same as wrongful or unlawful. And this doesnt make any sense when you look at the words and their definitions at all.

And so, you know, were going to have to continue to fight it out with the State Department. It does matter because we want her case referred to the office of the U.S. presidential envoy for hostage affairs, who can then work the case on a day to day basis.

And so I think that we're just going to keep pressing ahead with our efforts. And the U.S. government hopefully will catch up soon enough.

RFA: How hopeful is it that the U.S. government will do so and how will it be significant for the case if the U.S. government considers her case as wrongfully detained?

Jared Genser: So, I mean, at the end of the day, when youre trying to get any political prisoner out of jail anywhere in the world, you have to escalate the cost for the government above the benefits as much as possible.

Ultimately, with the U.N. judgment and with the State Department again just last week calling for her release, that will enable us to also engage governments in Europe and around the world on her behalf and will enable us to get higher level media attention.

RFA: My last question. Cambodians will go to polls on Sunday. Many national and international observers think that this election is a sham election whereby the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party is running unopposed. And then for Cambodian people, they seemingly have no options because the party that they love, the Candlelight Party, was disqualified from the election. The opposition leaders are calling for their supporters to go to vote but to spoil their ballots. If you were the Cambodian people, what would you do in such circumstances?

Jared Genser: Obviously, Hun Sen is going to try to do everything possible to increase turnout. I'm sure that government workers will be mandated to come and vote. The best scenario here would be to have the lowest possible turnout possible. At the end of day, though, I'm not going to believe any of the numbers coming out of the Cambodian electoral commission because the whole process has been rigged.

So, even if people come out or dont come out and refuse to turn out, I think the numbers are still going to show a large turnout because, you know, Hun Sen can report whatever numbers he wants and therell be nobody to oppose those numbers.

I think that the best thing a Cambodian person could do in this case is to boycott the election. But thats obviously not a long term solution.
The move will pave the way for the airing of content made in mainland China.

Chinese and Hong Kong flags hang over Hong Kong. Hong Kong broadcasters are required to deliver at least 30 minutes of patriotic or national security-related programming each week.

Hong Kong authorities are planning to relax impartiality rules for broadcasters delivering patriotic programming designed to teach people loyalty to the government and to the ruling Chinese Communist Party, according to a recent consultation document.

The city's Communications Authority is inviting public input on a "proposed relaxation" of broadcasters' code of practice that will allow TV and radio stations to ignore impartiality requirements if they are educating the public about the national security law banning public criticism of the government, or promoting patriotism and a sense of Chinese identity.

The move, which will likely further erode any remaining difference between Hong Kong and other Chinese cities, comes amid an ongoing program of patriotic education in schools and universities since the national security law was imposed on the city in 2020.

"[Such] programmes ... promote the correct understanding of our nation which is conducive to the building of national identity and protection of national security," according to the consultation document.

Broadcasters have pointed out that such content violates the impartiality clauses in their licenses.

But including views that oppose the national security law and the ongoing crackdown on dissent could mean they risk breaking the law, according to the document.

"The inclusion of objection to the national security law just for the sake of observing the impartiality requirement might risk the licensees breaching the relevant law," it said, saying it now proposes waiving impartiality requirements for such content.

Patriotic programming

Hong Kong broadcasters are currently required to deliver at least 30 minutes of patriotic or national security-related programming a week.

The changes will also pave the way for the airing of content made by Chinese state media in Hong Kong, where press freedom rankings have plummeted in the wake of a citywide crackdown on civil groups, opposition politicians and pro-democracy media organizations.

Most mainland programming currently doesn't make the grade for rebroadcast in Hong Kong under current impartiality requirements.

The plans come as the Communist Party starts to wield greater control over "national security" in the city via the Hong Kong and Macau Work Office, which has been charged with deploying the power of the central government to implement the national security law, which criminalizes public criticism of the authorities by anyone, anywhere in the world.

Hong Kong actors Tsang Chi-ho [left] and Ng Chi-sum act in the satirical television show "Headliner" at a studio in Hong Kong on June 17, 2020. Radio Television Hong Kong canceled the show after it took aim at police. Credit: Anthony Wallace/AFP





The office is also charged with "supporting" the integration of both Hong Kong and Macau with the rest of China.

The proposed new rules entirely serve the needs of the government, rather than viewers and listeners, according to former broadcast show host and current affairs commentator Johnny Lau.

"It's hard to grasp the logic of these rules," Lau said. "The government's red lines are constantly changing, making them hard to adapt to."

"It seems that the government is just making up the rules to suit their own needs," he said. "They even admit that mainland Chinese media content isn't impartial."

Understanding the mainland

The consultation document said allowing more mainland Chinese content would be educational for Hong Kongers.

"Given the increasing economic integration with the mainland and particularly the Greater Bay Area, there is merit in giving licensees more flexibility in direct re-transmitting or broadcasting acquired programmes from reputable sources on the mainland with a view to offering more programme choices and promoting the understanding of the mainland," it said.

The Communications Authority last amended impartiality rules in 2012 after receiving more than 42,000 complaints that the now-defunct ATV had shown bias in its reporting of a student movement against patriotic education in Hong Kong's schools.

That iteration of the rules required broadcasters to deal with "controversial issues of public concern" as opinion or commentary, and to ensure that a variety of opinions were heard, and currently remain in force.

The authority also received complaints during the 2019 protest movement that some media reports were "unfair" to the police, who were widely criticized at the time for their violent response to protesters.

In May 2020, government broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong axed the top satirical show "Headliner" after it poked fun at police denials of violence against pro-democracy protesters, and apologized, saying some archived episodes would also be removed.

The move came shortly after the Communications Authority issued a warning to the station for "denigrating and insulting" the police in a February episode of the show.

And in September 2021, the government rewrote editorial guidelines at RTHK requiring its producers and journalists to uphold China's national interests and avoid "glorifying" or depicting "criminal" activities that could incite others to do the same.

In an apparent reference to the reporting of protests, the guidelines said the station should avoid portraying the actions of "criminals or criminal suspects" as "glorious, heroic deeds."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Growth in global demand for electricity is expected to slow down in 2023 due to falling electricity consumption in advanced economies, but strong growth is continuing in emerging economies like China and India, a Paris-based energy watchdog said Wednesday.

The International Energy Agency said in its latest Electricity Market report that demand is set to drop to the lowest level in 20 years in the European Union. It will also slow down in the United States and Japan, largely due to the global energy crisis and economic slowdown.

But the underlying trend in the years ahead is for rising global demand for electricity, driven by the electrification of energy systems because of efforts to decrease global emissions. Also, with rising temperatures, theres a surge in adoption of air conditioning, further straining world power systems.

Despite Chinas post-pandemic economic recovery falling short of expectations, electricity demand is expected to receive an additional boost due to rising cooling requirements during the summer of 2023.

China experienced a modest 3.7% rise in electricity demand in 2022 that will rise to 5.3% in 2023, according to the IEA.

Meanwhile India had a 8.4% surge in electricity demand in 2022 due to a robust post-pandemic recovery and intense heat waves. Growth is projected at 6.8% in 2023 and 6.1% in 2024, when Indias electricity consumption is expected to surpass that of Japan and South Korea combined.

The worlds need for electricity is set to grow strongly in the years to come, Keisuke Sadamori, the IEAs director for energy markets and security, said in a statement, adding that the agency was encouraged by increasing use of renewables and declines in the use of fossil fuels for power generation.

The IEA said renewable energys contribution to global electricity generation will surpass one-third by next year, and 2024 might be the first year when renewables outpace coal in worldwide electricity generation.

Decrease in Chinese hydropower

China is leading the world in hydropower, accounting for 30% of the worlds output in 2022. But the country suffered from droughts in 2022 and 2023, which decreased hydropower output by 23% in the first half of 2023.

That meant more coal-fired generation to fill the gap, estimated to have increased by almost 8% in the first half of 2023 amid significant growth in demand.

The IEA said coal-fired output will likely increase by 4.5% over the rest of the year and then stay roughly flat in 2024, as strong growth in renewables and nuclear power help tackle reliance on coal.

Migrant workers carrying shovels walk to have lunch near a construction site in Beijing, China, April 18, 2011. Credit: AP





Wind generation grew by about 20% in the first half of this year, supported by installed capacities and favorable weather growth.

According to the China Electricity Council, peak electricity demand for China is projected to reach 1,370 Gigawatts in 2023, an 80 GW increase compared to 2022, with the maximum power load expected to rise by an additional 20 GW in the event of extreme weather.

India facing electricity deficits in some regions

The IEA said rising electricity demand in India is driven by usage of household appliances, a growing reliance on electrical machinery, increasing adoption of electric vehicles, and the expansion of cooling systems.

In March, Indias Central Electricity Authority said that certain sub-regions might face power supply deficits ranging from 4% to 11.3% of their respective peak demand, which could be balanced to some extent since the regions are expected to experience this at different times.

India is anticipated to possess a slim 0.7% surplus to fulfill peak electricity demand, which is estimated to be around 230 GW. This indicates a precarious supply situation. Notably, in June 2023, there was already a peak demand of 223 GW, driven by escalating temperatures.

A worker quenches his thirst next to power lines as a heatwave continues to lash the Indian capital, New Delhi on May 2, 2022. Credit; AP

Though India installed robust solar generation capacity, it is not enough for evening peaks when the sun is not shining, but temperatures remain high.

The IEA said India recorded a 3.8% increase in coal-fired generation in the first half of 2023 due to strong demand growth and reduced hydropower output, which decreased by 8%. Coal is likely to continue increasing until 2024.

With heat waves expected to cause surges in peak demand due to increased cooling, the government ordered coal plants to run at full capacity from mid-March until the end of September to increase the security of supply.

Edited by Mike Firn.
Arrests happened last month, a day after authorities said two had gone missing.

Russian media released this leaflet in June showing Kim Kum Sun, 43, and Park Kwon Ju, 15, who are wife and son of a North Korean trade representative in Vladivostok, Russia. It reads, On June 4, 2023, they left the North Korean Consulate which is on Nevskaya str., 12. The situation is unknown so far.

UPDATED at 12:56 p.m. EDT on 07-21-2023

Russian authorities grounded a Moscow-bound flight to arrest a North Korean diplomats wife and son who went missing from the far eastern city of Vladivostok last month, residents in Russia familiar with the case told Radio Free Asia.

RFA reported on June 6 that Russian authorities announced that they were searching for Kim Kum Sun, 43, and Park Kwon Ju, 15, who had last been seen on June 4 leaving the North Korean consulate in Vladivostok.

Kim had been working as the acting manager of two North Korean restaurants in the city in place of her husband, considered a diplomat, who traveled to North Korea in 2019 but was unable to return to Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 7, the day after the announcement, Kim and Park were arrested after boarding a Moscow-bound flight departing from the central Russian city of Krasnoyarsk, a resident of Vladivostok, who requested anonymity for personal safety, told RFAs Korean Service.

Their flight to Moscow departed from Yemelyanovo International Airport located on the outskirts of Krasnoyarsk as normal, but to arrest the mother and the son, the Russian public security authorities forced the plane to return to the airport, he said. When the plane landed , the authorities arrested them.

They would have gotten all the way to Moscow if not for the consulate getting Russian authorities involved, the Vladivostok resident said.

As of Tuesday, Russian media has made no mention of Kim and Parks arrest. RFA was not able to confirm with Russian authorities that they grounded the flight to arrest the pair.

Higher priority?

It was also not clear if Kim and Park had been accused of any crimes.

But it is standard procedure for the North Korean consulate to fraudulently accuse missing personnel of crimes so that Russian authorities place a higher priority on the case, a Russian citizen of Korean descent from Krasnoyarsk, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFA.

North Korea reports missing people by framing them for crimes, he said. So the escapees are in danger of being executed without the protection of the local state and the international community.

But if they were accused criminals, the runaways would not be eligible for international protection, he said.

The Krasnoyarsk resident confirmed that the authorities ordered the plane to return to the airport to arrest Kim and Park.

There has been an increasing number of escape attempts among North Korean trade officials and workers in Russia recently, he said.

They may have been inspired by other North Koreans who successfully fled, including a computer engineer, a work unit manager, a work site manager, a doctor and a soldier from the General Staff Department of the North Korean military.

The United Nations and the international community must take an active role in helping those who risk their lives to escape from the dictatorship, the Krasnoyarsk resident said.

Instead of [arresting them] as demanded by the North Korean authorities and sending them to a place where death awaits them, [Russian authorities] should open the way for them to receive refugee status according to the regulations set by the United Nations.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.



Update corrects the date of arrest.
Pyongyang is prioritizing crops and forests, but ignoring homes and closing markets, the people say.

Flooded farm land at Nampo village is seen in this picture released by North Korea's official KCNA news agency in Pyongyang, July 31, 2012.

Facing the threat of widespread flooding during the summer rainy season, North Korean authorities have established nationwide emergency response committees, putting citizens to work preventing damage to crops and infrastructure projects  but neglecting peoples homes and livelihoods, residents say.

The directive is typical of those ordered by the Kim Jong Un regime, which often deploys stopgap measures to address immediate concerns without assessing their broader impact.

A resident of South Pyongan province, northeast of the capital Pyongyang, told RFA Korean that on July 10, the Party Organization of Unsan County organized an emergency committee to prevent crop damage from floods.

The committee, temporarily organized under the direction of the ruling Workers Party of Korea Central Committee, was organized in each city and county nationwide and will operate until the end of the monsoon season, said the source who, like others interviewed for this report, requested anonymity citing security concerns.

The committee has been preparing for flood damage beginning last week by mobilizing factory workers to dig ditches at cooperative farms that have outdated water pumps that are not functioning properly.

The source said that while the county experienced about an hour of rain on July 14, most of the farmland was well drained, so no crops were damaged.

However, 10 houses on the lowland in Jehyeon-ri [village] were submerged, causing damage, she said.

The resident said that South Pyongans Unsan county and Tokchon city, located northeast of the county along the Taedong River, are known to have poorly equipped sewage systems. She said rainwater causes flood damage to low-lying areas  including residential zones  on an annual basis.

If the emergency response committee had instead ordered ditches to be dug at the front of Jehyeon-ri, flooding of the low-lying houses could have been prevented, she said.

The source said authorities were ignorant about the flooding of homes, despite the poor sewage systems, and the resulting inundation destroyed the homes kitchens and adjacent pigpens, killing the livestock.

Residents must deal with damage

A second source in South Pyongan told RFA that the rain had a similar impact in Tokchon city, where a local emergency response committee had undertaken preventative work, and while no crops were damaged, the residential village [of 15 households] in the lowlands was submerged up to the kitchen floor.

She said that authorities mobilized residents every day for labor, sometimes to put sand in sacks collected from the local populace to repair river embankments, or to cover corn fields to protect it from the rain and wind.

However, they paid no attention to concerns about the flooding of homes.

Water swept into yards and homes, flooding rooms and destroying property, including blankets and televisions, she said.

However, the emergency response committee is showing no interest in responding to the damage of private homes caused during the monsoon season, she said. Rather, they are telling residents to deal with it on their own, causing them to resent the authorities.

Priority on saving crops

Experts say it is rare for an emergency committee to be organized under the direction of North Koreas Central Committee, but note that protecting grain crops is the top priority among policy tasks set by Kim Jong Un this year.

The resident said that the Central Committees orders to prevent crop damage from flooding had been specifically issued to each city and county party.

The emergency response committee, which is run by the chief secretary of the county party, plays a role in preventing the flooding of farmland growing corn and rice crops, and is fully implementing its orders at each countys cooperative farm, she said.

Koo Byoungsam, the spokesperson for the Unification Ministry of South Korea, which is also at risk of flooding during the monsoon season, confirmed to reporters at a press conference on Monday that the North had recently placed an emphasis on minimizing the extent of damage from heavy rains by issuing weather warnings through state media.

However, the extent of damage in the North so far remained unclear, he said.

In addition to monitoring the impact of heavy rain in the North, South Koreas Ministry of Unification has repeatedly urged Pyongyang to give prior notice before discharging dams and releasing water on rivers shared by the two nations.

Forest restoration

Meanwhile, officials in northern North Koreas Ryanggang province, along the countrys border with China, have mobilized inhabitants of Hyesan city to restore the forest amid damage from a sudden torrential downpour on July 13-14, according to a provincial resident.

To do so, authorities temporarily suspended operation of the citys four main marketplaces, cutting off residents access to critical income, he said.

All residents must start restoring the forest under the instruction of the provincial party, the resident said. [A] terrace field [on a nearby mountain slope] planted last year collapsed due to the rainfall and the marketplaces were suspended for a day to restore the damage.

The source said that the Central Committee had ordered Hyesan residents to construct terrace fields with rock walls along nearby mountain slopes as part of a tree planting initiative in 2022.

But they collapsed in the recent rain, so [authorities] issued a mobilization order to all residents [to restore the trees], he said. The provincial party stopped all market operations in the city  It is a major blow to the livelihood of most residents who make their daily living through market business.

According to the source, Hyesan residents have been complaining about the forest restoration order, questioning what good trees will do when we are starving because there is nothing to eat right now.

The source said that any resident who does not want to take part in the forest restoration must prepare a lunch box [for others who are mobilized] and pay 10,000 won (US$1.20) in cash  a substantial amount for the average North Korean.

The partys mobilization directive is an anti-people policy that threatens livelihoods, he said.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 19. Kazakhstan ranks 5th among the top countries, that import non-oil products from Azerbaijan, with the total value of non-oil imports reaching $58.01 million from January through June 2023, Trend reports.

As noted by the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, this figure is 2.5 times higher than in the same period last year ($22.9 million).

Overall, the total turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the reporting period reached $218.1 million against $326.3 million in the same period of the previous year, which constitutes a decrease of 33.2 percent.

However, Azerbaijani exports to Kazakhstan demonstrated a sharp increase over the year. This figure amounted to 60.1 million from January through June 2023 which is 2.6 times higher than last year ($23.2 million).

Meanwhile, Kazakh export to Azerbaijan showed a decrease of 47.94 percent over the year, totaling $157.9 million against $303.4 million.

In 2022, the total turnover between the two countries amounted to $598.4 million.
Students could fail to get an education if the government does not hire more teachers, lawmakers warn.

UPDATED on at 5:51 P.M. EDT on 07-19-2022

A severe lack of teachers in Laos is forcing school districts to use volunteer staff, merge some schools and close others, a trend that lawmakers warn could cause future generations to lose access to education.

During the Lao National Assemblys 5th ordinary session, from June 26 to July 18, lawmakers spent a lot of time discussing the teacher shortage.

Representing the southern province of Savannakhet, Xayxomseun Phothisan urged the assembly to hire more state employees and approve budgets to pay teacher salaries so that each school would have the adequate number of faculty needed to function.

If the government does not have any solution to this urgent problem, more schools in many provinces will be closed and students will lose access to education, she said.

Students have lunch, which came from international donors, at a rural school in Savannakhet province, Laos, March 2023. Credit: RFA

This year, the government is allowing recruitment of 285 new teachers nationwide, down from the 340 it hired last year. The downward trend in teacher hiring began in 2017, when the state employee quotas were reduced each year due to limited budget. According to UNESCO, spending on education as a proportion of GDP shrunk from 3.2 pct in 2013, to 1.9 pct in 2021.

School closures

Savannakhet province has only 223 teachers on its payroll for the entire province. More than 430,000 people in Savannakhet are aged 19 or younger, though not everyone in that demographic goes to school.

Though the province ranks first in the nation for school attendance between the ages 6-11, only 68.7% of Savannakhet children between the ages of 6-8 are attending school. For ages 9-11, the percentage rises to 85.2%.

There are also 21 schools in the province that are staffed by unpaid volunteers, many of whom quit when they learned, sometimes after eight years of working, that they would not be able to transition into paid roles.

Because of the teacher shortage, the province is expected to close 25 schools.

The Lao government has approved the province hiring 47 new teachers, but spread over 15 educational districts, it means only three new teachers per district, nowhere near enough to serve the student population.

Most of the schools experiencing teacher shortages were primary schools in rural areas, because teachers have little desire to work there, representatives of Savannakhet provinces Department of Education and Sport told RFAs Lao Service.

The capital Vientiane also faces a teacher shortage, with 900 on payroll  far short of what it needs. There are around 300,000 youth aged 19 or younger in Vientiane, yet the central government will allow hiring only 16 new teachers. The capital is expected to close seven schools.

The lack of teachers is widespread, an official from Vientianes Department of Education and Sport told RFA. We need over 900 teachers in order to meet our plan. The only thing we can do is to inform students to go to schools in other villages and dissolve the small schools, where there are no teachers.

The official said that Vientiane had already merged seven schools since 2021 including three last year as the teacher supply dwindles.

Aging teachers

In Luang Prabang provinces XiengNgeun district, volunteer teachers are quitting in large numbers, an education official said.

Students have lunch, which came from international donors, at a rural school in Savannakhet province, Laos, March 2023. Credit: RFA

We need about 100 more teachers for primary and secondary schools, the official said. The quality of our education in the district, according to the national indicators, may not meet the plan.

He said that many of the paid teachers are old and close to retirement, and some of them face health problems. However, development of younger teachers to replace them is lagging.

Though the district has not seen a school closure yet, when the old teachers retire the problem will get worse, he said.

The quota from the central government to the province to recruit new state employees has been reduced, the district official said. We only received permission to hire 10 new teachers this year.  For primary schools in the city areas, we have a solution by assigning one teacher to teach in 2 or 3 schools. But in the rural areas, that kind of thing is very hard to do.

Translated by Phouvong. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.

Update corrects the youth population of Vientiane and adds data from UNESCO.
The raids have forced around 2,000 people to flee their homes, locals say.

The remains of Mu Mandalay village, where about 80 homes were burned down by junta troops on July 18, 2023

Junta troops killed eight civilians and burned down more than 600 homes in Myanmars Sagaing region in 11 days of raids, locals told RFA Wednesday.

Residents of Myinmu township said four people were arrested and killed by troops between July 6 and July 17.

A father and son from Na Be Kyu village, one from Ma Gyi Kan village, and one from Nyaung Myit village, were killed in Ma Gyi Kan village, said a local, who didnt want to be named for fear of reprisals.

The one from Nyaung Myit village is a Peoples Defense Force member.

He identified the PDF member as 20-year-old Aung Zaw Htet.

Locals said troops also captured and shot two people from Nyaung Pin Kan village and two more from Khwet Khwin village.

The army also burned homes in Mu Mandalay, Gon Hnyin Seik and three other villages.

"There are nearly 300 houses in the village. I think there may have been around 100 homes destroyed, said a Mu Mandalay resident, who also requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.

"The junta column is not far away. So, we had to put out the fire and come back out."

RFA called the juntas Sagaing region spokesperson, Saw Naing, but nobody answered.

On June 6, junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun told RFA that junta troops do not set fire to civilians homes, blaming Peoples Defense Forces for the arson attacks.

Locals said the raid on Mu Mandalay and nearby villages forced around 2000 residents to flee their homes.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Young Tibetans listen to a speaker at the first International Tibet Youth Forum, which runs from July 18-20 in Dharamsala, India.

For Tenzin Tsedup Lodoe, the first-ever the International Tibet Youth Forum is a way for young Tibetans to take the initiative to preserve their religious beliefs and culture, which are under attack by the Chinese government.

At the end of the day, action is what matters, he told Radio Free Asia. Tibetan youth should play a bigger part because we are the future, and we should be the ones taking the initiatives and responsibilities.

The youth activist from Washington, D.C., and co-founder of the Bodja podcast was one of more than 100 young Tibetans from 16 countries attending the forum in Dharamsala, India, at the invitation of the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government-in-exile. His podcast aims to raise awareness among Tibetan youth about news and events concerning Tibet.



Fellow participant Chime Lhamo, a human rights activist and campaign director of Students for a Free Tibet in New York, said Tibetan youths have a huge role to play when it comes to advocacy.

Our older generations were busy trying to survive, put food on our table and protect our Tibetan identity, but the younger generation has the opportunity not just to survive, but now we are thriving in our own neighborhoods, she said.

We have a wonderful, precious opportunity to not only give back to the Tibetan community in exile, but also play a role in making sure that we are amplifying the voices of Tibetans inside Tibet.

The theme of the event, which runs from July 18-20, is empowering voices and inspiring actions for Tibets future.

The forum comes amid an ongoing effort by the Chinese government to maintain its control of those who live in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in Tibetan-populated areas incorporated into Chinese provinces by suppressing expressions of their Buddhist religion.

Tibetans accuse Chinese authorities of violating their human rights and trying to eradicate their religious, linguistic and cultural identity.

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism who is currently in Ladakh for a month-long sojourn, addressed the participants in a short video, urging them to preserve Tibetan culture and tradition.

The new generation of Tibetans living in different parts of the world should never forget our own tradition of moral behavior, said the Dalai Lama. Those living in India may not find this difficult, but those living in the West are also doing well to cherish and preserve our culture and traditions. Those with young minds should be made aware of Tibetans tradition of consideration for others.

Instead of feeling anger towards China, whose military troops crushed a revolt in Tibet in March 1959 that forced the Dalai Lama to flee to India, young people and other Tibetans should generate compassion for them, he said.

Events like the youth forum are important because they inculcate leadership in young Tibetans and ensure they keep Tibetan culture alive, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the head of the Central Tibetan Administration, told Radio Free Asia.

The younger generation is the future of Tibet, he said. Our investment in the younger generation is very important. Otherwise if we are not able to bring up the younger generations as future leaders then we would be failing in our duty.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
But some Catholics say authorities will maintain control over religious clerics.

The Vietnamese government will allow the Vatican to appoint a resident representative in the communist Southeast Asian country, following years of negotiations amid the fraught diplomatic relationship between the two states.

The development will likely be announced during the visit of President Vo Van Thuong to the Holy See by the end of July, Reuters reported on June 16, citing a senior Vatican official and a Hanoi-based diplomat with knowledge of the matter.

Thuong and his wife will pay an official visit to Austria, Italy and the Vatican on July 23-28, Vietnamese state media reported.

Relations between Hanoi and the Vatican dissolved when communist leaders took over Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. After the countrys reunification, they placed restrictions on the Catholic Church and jailed several Catholic leaders who opposed the new government.

Today, about 7% of the countrys population of roughly 97 million people are Roman Catholic, partly as a result of evangelism by missionaries from Portugal and Spain beginning in the 16th century.

Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the current nonresidential papal representative to Vietnam who is based in Singapore, is allowed to visit Vietnam only with government approval.

The Vatican has proposed having a permanent representative in Vietnam for more than a decade. The two states reached an agreement in principle on the proposal in 2022.

But there is concern among some Catholics that Vietnamese authorities will continue to tightly control religious clerics who speak out about social issues and human rights in the one-party country.

More normal

Having a permanent representative of the Holy See in Vietnam would normalize Catholic activities in the country, said Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop, the first bishop of the newly established Ha Tinh Diocese.



Of course, when there is a permanent representative, the work in Vietnam on religious and diplomatic issues will be easier, he said.

With a permanent representative in place, "diplomatic work, visits to dioceses, and religious activities will be more normal, Hop added.



During the past years, Vietnam and the Vatican have sent many working groups back and forth periodically to discuss the appointment of a permanent representative.

Hanois consent to the issue is a result of the process of promoting relations between two sides, said Rev. Dinh Huu Thoai of the Redemptorists, an order of Catholic priests.

In principle, having a permanent representative of the Holy See in Vietnam can bring about some changes and impacts in the relationship between the two sides by improving diplomatic relations and promoting religious freedom, he said.

A Catholic resident of Ho Chi Minh City said that the new development will bring a relaxation to the celebration of holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, and to other religious activities as long as politics are not involved.

For example, in the past, there were some Masses for justice and peace, for prisoners of conscience  then the government would find ways to obstruct and remove them, the resident said.

Authorities also didnt like it when priests raised social issues during Mass, he added.

Though Vietnams constitution ensures that all individuals have the right to freedom of belief and religion, the situation of religious freedom in Vietnam has not progressed, Thoai said.

The countrys 2016 Law on Religion and Belief gives the government significant control over religious practices and contains vague provisions that permit restrictions on religious freedom in the name of national security and social unity.

There are always difficulties with religious activities, Thoai said. Recently, there have also been many cases where [authorities] insulted the Catholic Mass, even in the presence of the archbishop of Hanoi presiding over the Mass, but they also attacked the Mass.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Armenian police on August 8 detained more than a dozen protesters outside a government building in Yerevan after they demanded the authorities take steps to unblock the Lachin Corridor, the only road linking the Armenian-populated Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia.

The Interior Ministry said 14 people were detained for failing to comply with police orders but said they would be released soon.



The protesters arrived at a government building in the morning and demanded authorities open the corridor, saying that if the government didn't do it, they wanted to be armed so that they could open it themselves.



Yerevan and international aid groups have warned that a dire humanitarian situation has been unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh since convoys of food and medicine have been blocked from reaching the region.

The protesters, who said they were members of a military unit, said they intended to travel by bus to Kornidzor, a village on the border with Azerbaijan where trucks containing aid have been standing.

The convoy of 19 Armenian trucks carrying emergency food aid to Nagorno-Karabakh has been blocked for almost two weeks at an Azerbaijan checkpoint.



Tensions escalated after Azerbaijan last month suspended traffic through the checkpoint pending an investigation after it said "various types of contraband" had been discovered in the Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia.



Azerbaijan says it can only allow supplies to reach Nagorno-Karabakh over a road from Agdam, a town controlled by Azerbaijan in the east of the region.



Ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh reject this offer, saying Azerbaijan's blockade is a violation of the Moscow-brokered 2020 cease-fire agreement that placed the 5-kilometer-wide strip of land under the control of Russian peacekeepers.



A delegation led by staff members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier on August 8 visited the site in Armenia's southern Syunik Province where the 19-truck convoy has been stranded.



Syunik Governor Robert Ghukasian accompanied visiting U.S. officials Sarah Arkin and Damian Murphy.



The United States and the European Union have urged Azerbaijan to allow humanitarian supplies to reach Nagorno-Karabakh over the Lachin Corridor.

A group of United Nations experts on August 7 voiced alarm over the ongoing blockade.



"The blockade of the Lachin Corridor is a humanitarian emergency that has created severe shortages of essential food staples including sunflower oil, fish, chicken, dairy products, cereal, sugar and baby formula," said a statement published on the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.



U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on August 7 reiterated that a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan was achievable "despite any comments from other countries who are not a party to this matter."



Miller was commenting on a warning from Russia to both sides against rushing into the signing of a peace agreement.



"I dont want to speak with respect to Russia when it comes to Armenia and Azerbaijan," Miller said. "I want to speak with respect to those two countries...[that] are direct parties in this dispute."



He said a U.S. special envoy traveled to the region last week to engage directly with Armenia and Azerbaijan.

With reporting by AFP
Afghan women demonstrated in Kabul on July 19 to demand the Taliban authorities back down from their decree ordering the closure of all 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. It's the latest step in restricting women's freedoms since the regime seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.
When the Taliban seized power in 2021, Afghanistan's Shi'ite Hazara minority feared that the historically persecuted community would once again become the main target of Taliban atrocities.

During its first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban terrorized the group, wresting control of Hazara regions in Afghanistan through a campaign of targeted killings.



After regaining power, the Sunni militant group tried to assuage Hazaras' fears of discrimination and persecution. The Taliban visited Shi'a mosques in the Afghan capital and deployed its fighters to protect ceremonies marking the Shi'ite month of Muharram.



But members of the community have accused the Taliban of since backtracking on its promises to protect Shi'a and grant them the right to freely observe their faith.



Last week, the Taliban prevented Shi'a from celebrating an important religious festival. The militants have also restricted the teaching of Shi'a jurisprudence in universities in Afghanistan. In February, the Taliban reportedly banned marriages between Shi'a and Sunnis in northeastern Badakhshan Province.



The Shi'ite community has accused the Taliban of failing to prevent deadly attacks on Hazaras by the rival Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) extremist group. Meanwhile, rights groups have documented the forced evictions of Hazaras by the Taliban, a predominately Pashtun group, in several provinces.



"The Taliban are becoming increasingly intolerant of public expressions and displays of the Shi'ite religious faith," said Niamatullah Ibrahimi, senior lecturer at Australia's La Trobe University. "If it becomes a pattern, it will clearly limit the religious freedom of Shi'a, especially ceremonies that are often public in nature."

Taliban fighters prevented Shi'ite residents in Kabul from publicly celebrating Eid al-Ghadir on July 7. The festival celebrates what Shi'a believe is the day that Prophet Muhammad declared Ali, a cousin and son-in-law, his successor.



But the festival clashes with the Sunni belief that Abu Bakr, the first Muslim caliph, was the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad. These conflicting beliefs are among the most important differences between the two main Muslim sects.



'They Want To Eliminate Minorities'



In May, the Taliban banned the teaching of the Shi'a Jafari school of jurisprudence at Bamiyan University. It is not clear if the ban has been extended to all universities in Afghanistan. Most residents in the province of Bamiyan, in central Afghanistan, are Shi'a.



Nematullah, an Islamic studies student at Bamiyan University, said they have been forced to study the Sunni Hanafi school of jurisprudence that is followed by the Taliban.



"We were told that if we raise our voice, we will be taken away and tortured," the 20-year-old told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, adding that the Taliban ban was forcing Shi'a to give up their education or leave their homeland.



Mohammad Hassani, another student at the university, accused the Taliban of trying to "eliminate minorities and their religions by force."

Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Rizwani, a prominent scholar at the Shi'a Ulema Council of Afghanistan, told Radio Azadi that the Taliban's ban on teaching Jafari jurisprudence contradicts "the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and national unity."



Although a census has never been conducted, Shi'a are believed to make up around 15 percent of Afghanistan's 40 million people, which is largely Sunni. Hazaras account for the overwhelming majority of Shi'a in the country.



During the 19th century, Afghan monarchs attempted to forcibly convert the Hazara, seize their lands, and bring Hazara regions in the country's central highlands under the control of the central government, campaigns that killed thousands and forced even more to flee their homes, including many to British India. Hazaras who resettled in Kabul and other cities suffered discrimination and were often employed only in low-paying jobs.



In a significant step to address the historical grievances of the Hazaras, Afghanistan's 2004 constitution permitted Shi'a to use Jafari jurisprudence in court cases involving personal matters. The community also gained an unprecedented share in power during the Western-backed political order that emerged after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Only The Beginning?



Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has mostly maintained the state's administrative structure. But it has scrapped the 2004 constitution and laws that guaranteed freedoms and rights to Afghans, particularly to religious minorities and women.



The Taliban's theocratic government is made up almost entirely of senior Taliban members, with no women and just a few non-Pashtuns.



"There are deep fears within the community that this could be only the beginning of systematic discrimination against the Shi'a and the representation of their understanding of Islam in the country's laws, society, and politics," said Ibrahimi of La Trobe University.

Niala Mohammad, the director of policy and strategy at the nonprofit Muslim Public Affairs Council in Washington, said the Taliban has failed to protect Afghanistan's Shi'ite minority from the IS-K, which has killed scores of Hazaras in attacks on schools and mosques since the Taliban takeover.



"[The Taliban] continue to harass and target those that do not adhere to their distorted view of Islam," said Mohammad, who was previously the South Asia analyst for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. "Particularly Shi'a Hazaras, whom they view as heretics."



She said the Taliban's mounting restrictions on the Shi'ite minority "emboldens Shi'a persecution by other religious extremists across the region and deepens the sectarian divide."
Authorities in Iran are expanding their reach in their efforts to enforce compliance with the country's strict hijab law by pushing popular start-up companies to police their younger, tech-savvy employees.

In recent weeks, the operations of at least three web-based companies -- the DigiKala online retailer, the Azki.com insurance company, and the Taaghche book app -- have been shut down. In each case, the closures came after the emergence of photographs showing female employees without the mandatory head scarf.

The images had reportedly been posted on employees' personal social-media accounts, not by the companies themselves. But that did not prevent the authorities from going after the start-ups that until recently had been touted for their successful, cutting-edge business models.

The pressure on such firms comes after Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili said on July 27 that action would be taken against start-up companies if their employees failed to comply with the Chastity and Hijab Law.

But observers say Tehran is playing a dangerous game that threatens to further alienate the younger generation and potentially make entrepreneurs and foreign investors think twice about bringing modern businesses to the Islamic republic.

The start-ups that have come under scrutiny vary in their organization, with some being private, some semi-private, and some having strong ties to the government either directly or indirectly, Amir Rashidi, the New-York-based director of Internet security and digital rights at the Miaan Group, told RFE/RL.

But they all share common traits and differ from the old way of doing business in Iran, in that they employ young, educated people to deliver services to younger customers using modern technology.

"The kind of culture that exists [at the companies] is usually not the kind of culture that could represent the culture of the Iranian government," Rashidi said. "Because this is the new generation. These are the techie people. These are the most connected population of Iranians, who are connected to the outside world because of the Internet, because of the job that they do, who have more opportunity to be in touch with [people] outside the country."

In the wake of months of street protests that broke out last year against the Islamic dress code and the clerical establishment, hard-liners have sought to strengthen the Chastity and Hijab Law. According to new draft legislation presented by parliament late last month, fines of up to $720 can be levied against women who defy the law, along with prison sentences of up to three years.

The revision of the law was prompted by the protests that began following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was arrested for an alleged hijab violation, and has been described by prominent members of the clerical establishment as necessary to preserve the Islamic republic's fundamental values.

Amid a crackdown on the antiestablishment protests that resulted in at least 500 deaths since September, the authorities have disrupted Internet access multiple times and have gone after individuals who used social media to show support for the demonstrations by posting pictures of themselves without head scarves.

Prominent female celebrities and athletes have been among those targeted, including three film and television actresses who were sentenced last month and diagnosed as having personality disorders after they were photographed without their hijabs.

On July 23, the pressure on start-ups began with the suspension of DigiKala's business. And just a day before parliament published the text of the new Chastity and Hijab bill, and hours after Esmailis warning to start-ups, a legal case was filed on July 27 against the book retailer Taaghche, along with similar actions against Azki.com.

The shutdown of the companies had an immediate effect, with customers expressing dismay at being cut off from purchasing books, products, and services online, and business associations warning that the action would harm efforts to develop the business sector.

Since then, Azki.com and Taaghche have been allowed to resume operations after releasing public commitments that they and their employees would adhere to the Chastity and Hijab Law.

The situation at DigiKala, often described as Iran's Amazon online retailer, remains unclear.

On August 2, a post on the company's website said that the "violation" depicted in a photograph posted on the personal site of one of its employees "was not approved by the company's management." DigiKala, the statement continued, "always considers itself obligated to comply with all national laws" and the company hoped that by being allowed to resume operations it "can play a more substantial role in better serving the people and economy of the Islamic republic."

Then, within hours, the statement was inexplicably removed, and the company's offices remain sealed and its business suspended.

In its effort to exert control over the start-ups, which have been lauded as examples of Iran's ability to successfully launch modern companies on its own despite the hurdle of international sanctions, Tehran is essentially forcing them to police their own employees.

But the approach has been met with warnings by the Association of Emerging Businesses of Iran, which following Azki.com's closure said that such suspensions presented a "big and crisis-causing obstacle" to the development of the private sector.

Rashidi expressed skepticism that "using people against people" would work, both at the societal and business level.

He says that in the absence of digital rights and the recent emphasis on compliance with the Chastity and Hijab Law, the government will be able to catch offenders more easily and to fine and even arrest them. But in the end, he said, "it's going to create more tension and challenges."

And outside investors and partners of Iranian companies are likely to take note as well, Rashidi said.

"Some of these companies have investors from outside Iran," he said. "And this definitely will affect those companies, because they don't want to be seen internationally as a supporter of censorship."
TBILISI -- An international medical mission to examine imprisoned former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has become bogged down in controversy after video emerged depicting one of the doctors -- the government claims -- trying to sneak out medical samples from the ex-leader.

The product of months of negotiations, the Polish mission was supposed to provide an independent assessment of Saakashvili's health and treatment while being incarcerated after more than a year of bitter mutual accusations between the government and the former president's team. Instead, it has only added more questions.



Saakashvili has been in custody in various Georgian penitentiary facilities since October 2021, serving a six-year sentence for abuse of power, charges which he and his supporters say are politically motivated. Since his health has declined, he has spent time in a military hospital and since May 2022 has been receiving treatment at a private clinic in the capital, Tbilisi. Saakashvili is currently being tried on additional charges of violently dispersing a 2007 anti-government rally as well as new illegal border-crossing charges.



The visit of the Polish doctors, which was at the request of the Polish prime minister, finally began on July 12, with both the government and Saakashvili's team blaming the other for the delay. Little concrete has been reported about their mission so far, and they have yet to announce any preliminary conclusions.



On July 14, though, Georgia's Special Penitentiary Service posted a video of the alleged smuggling incident. It depicts one man taking off his shoe and removing a small, unidentified white object from it. There are three other men in the room, one of whom is filming with a phone.



According to the penitentiary service, the man taking off his shoe was one of the Polish doctors, and the object he removed from his shoe was "biological material" from Saakashvili, wrapped in paper. The doctor was trying to "sneak out" the material despite having received permission to take samples openly, the service said.



"It should be noted that they were officially allowed to take out a sample by the [penitentiary service], so this action further indicates the doctor's behavior is not in accordance with medical ethics and legal standards," the penitentiary service said in its statement.



Georgia's Foreign Ministry summoned Poland's acting ambassador, Mariusz Pietrzak; in a statement, the ministry said the incident "causes misunderstanding, concern, and also brings the entire process into disrepute."



For five days following the publication of the video, Polish officials refrained from commenting on the issue, leaving Georgian sources to speak for them. According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry statement, Pietrzak said "he was not informed about the reasons behind the behavior of the Polish medical professional." The clinical director of the VivaMed clinic, where Saakashvili is being treated, told local media that the doctor said that "he has a habit of keeping everything in his shoes. Everyone has their own habits."



On July 19, the Polish Embassy in Tbilisi finally issued a statement. It said the episode was an "unintentional incident." It complained that the release of the video, "as well as emotional statements issued by representatives of Georgian state bodies, contradict the principles of good cooperation."

In custody, Saakashvili has undertaken several hunger strikes and his health has visibly deteriorated. He has said his weight has plummeted from 120 kilograms to 64 kilograms. His claims of being mistreated have resonated among his many political allies, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.



The question of Saakashvili's treatment in custody has been the subject of acrimonious partisan debates in Georgia; the former president and the leadership of the current ruling Georgian Dream party are bitter enemies. The latest chapter in the drama has only deepened the dispute, providing fodder for both sides.



For the Georgian Dream party and its supporters, who argue that Saakashvili is exaggerating his declining health while in custody, the seeming subterfuge suggested a plot by the former president's team to manipulate the results. "Very likely they wanted to falsify some of the evidence," said Kakha Kaladze, the party's general secretary and the mayor of Tbilisi. "Probably they were going to organize some kind of campaign around this later."



"Imagine that the justice system did not release video evidence and that the penitentiary service officials did not reveal the Polish doctor's fraud," added Greta Tsitsava, a Georgian Dream member of parliament, writing on social media. "Very soon we would have the conclusion from one of the leading clinics/experts that Saakashvili was poisoned."

Opposition figures, meanwhile, have been arguing that the government continues to deliberately maltreat Saakashvili. A Georgian independent ombudsman that oversees human rights and freedoms expressed concern over Saakashvili's declining health in December 2022. The report said the treatment he was getting was "not effective" and recommended transferring him to a multispecialty clinic abroad.



The government's release of the video, opposition figures say, is a strategic attempt to lay the groundwork for casting doubt on the Polish team's findings.

"The visual perception may be different, but the main thing is that nothing illegal happened," Irakli Pavlenishvili, a member of the political council of the biggest opposition party, Saakashvili's United National Movement, told RFE/RL's Georgian Service. "Georgian Dream is trying to discredit [the doctors], because their report will be another piece of evidence showing the inhumane treatment of Saakashvili."



Saakashvili was president from 2004 to 2013 but fell from power after his party was defeated in 2012 parliamentary elections by a coalition assembled by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream. Soon after leaving office, Saakashvili moved to Ukraine, where he became a citizen and held a variety of government posts. In October 2021, he tried to return to Georgia ahead of local elections, sneaking across the border in a truck carrying dairy goods but was arrested shortly thereafter.

In a July 3 court hearing, which Saakashvili attended by video link, he was notably emaciated, and the images that emerged resulted in renewed calls by allies to send him abroad for treatment. "We do not leave friends in need," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted on July 12 in announcing the arrival of the Polish doctors to Tbilisi.



Officials from both Poland and Ukraine have been seeking to get Saakashvili transferred to their countries, but Georgian courts have denied requests by the former president's family to temporarily release him so that he can be treated abroad. In May, the European Court of Human Rights also denied the request, which government officials have argued was evidence that the Strasbourg court determined that he was not being mistreated.



EU officials have said they hoped the medical team's visit will ensure Saakashvili's proper treatment. "It's very good that the Polish doctors spent several hours with the patient. And I'm also very happy that they have talked to the VivaMedi doctors, who are taking care of him, and I sincerely hope that their expertise would help to treat the patient," the EU's ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, said on July 17. "It is very important that all the rights of President Saakashvili, his rights as [a] defendant in court, his rights as a patient, are fully respected."



He did not mention the video.
South Africa has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has an outstanding arrest warrant issued in his name by the UN's International Criminal Court (ICC), will not travel to a BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg next month.

"By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the Summit, but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov," the office of President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement on July 19.

The leaders of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa will attend the summit of the bloc of developing economies, the presidency said.

The ICC in March issued the arrest warrant accusing the Russian leader -- along with his children's commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova -- of being responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia during the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an act that amounts to a war crime under international legislation.

Russia is not a member of the ICC, but South Africa is, and Putin's presence on its territory would oblige South African authorities to arrest him.

Russia said at the time that the warrant was "outrageous" and legally void, though Putin has not traveled outside Russia since. By contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has traveled to Asia, the Middle East, and extensively through Europe in the past two months as he looks to increase military pledges from countries to help Ukraine battle invading Russian forces.

The Ukrainian government says it has identified almost 19,500 children who have been deported or separated from their parents or guardians since the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion in February last year.

The South African presidency's statement came a day after it emerged that Ramaphosa said on July 18 that arresting Putin would amount to a declaration of war by his country.

I must highlight, for the sake of transparency, that South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin," Ramaphosa said in a statement to a court in the capital, Pretoria, where he had been summoned by the country's main opposition party, which wanted the court to oblige Ramaphosa to arrest Putin in case he showed up in person.

Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war, Ramaphosa said.

The Kremlin has not yet confirmed that Putin will skip the event, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied on July 19 that Moscow had directly threatened South Africa with war, but issued an intimidating statement nevertheless.

"In this world, it's absolutely clear to everyone what an attempt to encroach the Russian leader means. Therefore, there's no need to explain anything to anyone here," Peskov said.

Ramaphosa last month led six African leaders on a mission to Kyiv and Moscow aimed at brokering a peace deal. Many impoverished African nations depend on Ukrainian and Russian grain and other agricultural imports to feed their growing populations.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller commented on the situation during a briefing with reporters.



There is no better illustration of [Russias] vastly diminished standing in the world than the fact that the president of Russiacan hardly leave his own borders now. Hes an international pariah," Miller said.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Six weeks into a major counteroffensive that Ukrainian military commanders and political leaders hope will decisively change the course of the 17-month Russian invasion, this is where things stand:

About 1,500 meters of recaptured territory south of Orikhiv, in the Zaporizhzhya region; less than that south of Hulyaypole. South of the Donetsk region town of Velyka Novosilka, advances are greater: 8-9 kilometers from where the front line was prior to June 5. To the northeast, Ukrainian forces have clawed back a few hundred meters of high ground north and south of Bakhmut.



So, what does Ukraine have to show for its efforts?



In short, not much, and certainly no breakthrough of Russian lines. That's got some in the West concerned.

"It may not be at the speed that we would prefer," Lieutenant General Douglas Sims, director of operations for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week.



"It's not as fast, but it's not catastrophically behind schedule," British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Vilnius on July 12.



After months of preparations and resupply -- with as many as nine newly constituted, NATO-trained armored brigades -- Ukraine's counteroffensive is going slowly. The amount of territory reclaimed so far is tangible but small. The amount of Western-supplied equipment, vehicles, and weaponry Ukraine has lost is substantial. The size and complexity of Russian defenses across southern and eastern Ukraine is formidable.

"It was always going to be slow going, given all the defensive fortifications that the Russians have built," said Nick Reynolds, a land warfare research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a British think tank.



"It's not good or bad," he told RFE/RL. "It's just inherent to the situation that they're facing."



"It is slow," said Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marine colonel who is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.



"It's been going on for nearly a month, and the Ukrainians are not through the Russian defensive zone," he said in an e-mail. "They need to do that to employ all their new armored vehicles and reoccupy substantial territory. Fighting inside the defensive zone is an attritional battle like a World War I offensive. Russia is better situated for such a conflict because of its larger size."

"If you look at it from Ukraine's point of view, of course they would want the offensive to be over in a day," said Dick Berlijn, a retired Dutch Air Force general who served as the Netherlands' chief of defense from 2004-2008. "But that's not realistic."



"The Russians have had a long time to dig in, dig defensive structures," he told RFE/RL. "The battle right now is very different from the previous phase, when the Ukrainians drove the Russians east away from Kyiv."



'Very Difficult, Very Long, And Very, Very Bloody'



Ukraine first proved its mettle in the opening weeks after the February 24, 2022, invasion, when it thwarted an initial Russian attempt to seize the capital. Russia was forced to withdraw from the north and reposition its forces to the east.



The last time Ukraine recorded major battlefield victories and recaptured large pieces of territory was in the fall.



Ukrainian troops surprised the Russians, sweeping through much of the Kharkiv region in the northeast, moving as far east as the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region southeast of Kharkiv. To the south, Ukraine put thousands of Russian paratroopers at risk on the west bank of the Dnieper River in the Kherson region in November. Russian commanders ultimately ordered withdrawal to the opposite riverbank.

WATCH: Speaking to RFE/RL's Maryan Kushnir, Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the Zaporizhzhya region said their counteroffensive operations have been slowed by mines laid by Russian soldiers, enemy rocket attacks, and cluster munitions.

Over the winter, both sides dug in. Russia mounted what turned out to be half-hearted offensives in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Russian marine infantry units incurred devastating losses near Vuhledar in February.

In May, regular Russian forces and mercenaries from the Wagner Group finally succeeded in capturing Bakhmut, after all but obliterating the city in seven months of urban warfare.



Ukraine used the time to try and ingest billions of dollars of Western-supplied tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, missiles, and ammunition into its forces. Alongside U.S.- and NATO-supplied trainers, Ukrainian forces sought to learn new battlefield tactics, shifting away from the Soviet doctrine that many of Ukraine's upper-rank officers were steeped in.



Sometime around June 5, after weeks of signaling and hinting, Ukrainian commanders launched the new offensive operations, focusing on three locations: near Orikhiv, near Velyka Novosilka, and around Bakhmut and Soledar.



Ukrainian troops took a series of villages south of Velyka Novosilka and seized high ground around Bakhmut -- north of the city and also to its south, near the village of Klishchiyivka. But in the Zaporizhzhya region, they also ran into what experts described as a meat-grinder of Russian fortifications -- layers of trenches, minefields, barbed wire, anti-tank defenses, pillboxes -- that forced Ukrainian units into narrow strips of land where they could be pummeled by Russian artillery.

The defenses have been dubbed "Surovikin Lines"-- named after General Sergei Surovikin, who briefly commanded the Russian forces invading Ukraine until he was demoted in January. An ally of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, Surovikin has not been seen or heard from since Prigozhin's aborted mutiny last month.



At a speech in Washington on June 30, the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff defended Ukraine's progress.



"That it's going slower than people predicted doesn't surprise me at all," General Mark Milley said. "It's going to be very difficult, very long, and it's going to be very, very bloody, and no one should have any illusions about any of that."



"Ukrainian soldiers are assaulting through minefields and into trenches, and this is literally a fight for their life," Milley said. "So, yes, sure, it goes a little slow, but that is part of the nature of war."



Matter Of Timing?



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pushed back earlier this month against criticism that Ukrainians weren't moving quickly enough. He also suggested that Ukraine's Western backers, who have worked closely with Ukrainian commanders, may have caused a delay in launching the offensive.



"I wanted our counteroffensive to happen much earlier, because everyone understood that if the counteroffensive unfolds later, then a bigger part of our territory will be mined," Zelenskiy said in an interview on CNN on July 5. "We give our enemy the time and possibility to place more mines and prepare their defensive lines."

Western officials may have to recalibrate their expectations, Berlijn said.



"The Ukrainians have better weapons, now they're better trained, their stocks are better than they used to be, but again, we have to guard against unrealistic expectations," he said. "The Russians aren't stupid. Even if they lose a lot of personnel, they have strategic depth. And they're callous enough to throw lots of young Russians into battle."



"All of that means [Russia] is still a potent opponent, and we shouldn't be thinking this should be a walk in the park and they kick out the Russians in a day or two," he said.



Long-standing military doctrine holds that any defensive force has a far easier task when faced with any offensive force. And breaching well-constructed defensive lines is considered one of the most difficult tasks any army can take on: requiring specialized bridging equipment, mine-clearing vehicles, engineers, and sappers.



Ukraine doesn't have a lot of that, as the British defense secretary noted.



Ukraine "is doing what anyone else would do having to fight through minefields toward the Russian line," Wallace said, according to an official transcript. Ukrainians are having to "dismount and clear through those minefields on foot and then they have to clear the minefield literally by demining hand to hand."

"Russian combat engineers are very, very competent; their doctrine is nothing special, nothing new, to anyone who studied the Soviets in the 1970s and 1980," said Reynolds, who just returned from a research trip to Ukraine. "Russia is a big country, and they're just operating on a very, very big scale. They were given that opportunity to dig in, and they took advantage of it."



The Ukrainians "need more engineering equipment," he said. "They lack MCLICs"-- mine-clearing line charges used by military engineers to clear paths for infantry to move through mined terrain. "So they're resorting to hand defusing mines, which is incredibly dangerous."



Aside from the lack of breaching equipment and the strength of Russian defenses, some experts say there's another factor: The newly trained Ukrainian brigades received a crash course in NATO-style tactics and battlefield doctrine over a few months. By contrast, Western militaries train for years to master combined maneuvers and coordination across different units: infantry, armored, engineering, artillery, and signals, for example.



"Ukrainian forces have still not mastered combined arms operations at scale," Franz-Stefan Gady, a former senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, wrote in a series of posts to Twitter.
The 18-page proposal -- written by Deputy Law Director Chris Brown after local lawmakers discussed the concept four months ago -- never made it to the official start of City Council.

MANSFIELD  It probably takes David Kirst longer to make wings at his Chicken Box than it did for Mansfield City Council to pull proposed food truck regulations Tuesday night.

The 18-page proposal  written by Deputy Law Director Chris Brown after local lawmakers discussed the concept four months ago  never made it to the official start of City Council.

Thats because 6th Ward Councilwoman Kimberly Moton, chair of councils economic development committee, successfully got her colleagues to unanimously yank it during caucus.

Questions about the proposal, which included new application fees and annual licensing fees, sprang up moments after council President David Falquette asked Moton to introduce the legislation.

After (caucus) discussion, I have a motion for this, Moton said.

Falquette asked for that discussion, prompting a request from 4th Ward Councilman Alomar Davenport.

Falquette asked for that discussion, prompting a request from 4th Ward Councilman Alomar Davenport.

Mansfield City Council 4th Ward representative Alomar Davenport raises a question about proposed food truck legislation Tuesday evening.

This was kind of spearheaded by (Brown), who is not here today. He did give us an overview. Are there any changes or anything that we should know that is in there now that was not in there originally? Davenport asked.

At-large Councilwoman Stephanie Zader said she and Brown had worked on the proposal for about six months.

But I think that well have plenty of time for questions, if we let (Moton) get to her motion, she said.

Mansfield City Council At-large member Stephanie Zader agrees Tuesday evening to pull proposed food truck legislation from councils agenda.

During a council meeting in March, Brown had pointed out to council the city had no regulations on the books for food trucks.

As we know over the past five years or so, food trucks have gotten more and more popular across the country, but especially here in town. If you look at the City of Mansfields current codified ordinance as it relates to food trucks, there is literally nothing when it comes to regulating food trucks, he said in March.

Brown provided an overview at the time, but the actual legislation wasnt made available to the public until clerk Amy Yockey emailed councils agenda on Friday.

And Moton was ready to move on a proposal on a food truck bill that had gotten bad reviews on social media since it was previewed Monday in Richland Source.

I put a motion on the floor to remove Bill 23-106 from consideration tonight until further review, she said.

Falquette asked Moton if she was seeking to pull the bill or tabled until a specified later date. She replied her desire was to see it pulled.

Thats the way the motion was set. So were going to pull it, period. And maybe someday it will be submitted later, the council president said.

Moton said, There will be further discussion about whether it will be resubmitted.

Her motion quickly passed, 8-0.

Zader pointed out there were lots of people in the audience with local food trucks, which she said was one of the reasons the bill had been pulled.

There are lots of questions that we have and we know that you do, too, she said.

Kirst was one of the food truck owners present and he had remarks prepared for the public participation a few minutes later when lawmakers began their official council session.

Kirst, a Mansfield-based film producer, launched his Chicken Box food truck in May. He implored council to strongly reconsider assessing fees on what he called the smallest of business owners.

The fee of $180 for a license, plus an additional $250 fee for a right-of-way license, plus a $50 application fee, is a grand total of $480.

This would be a financial hardship because these fees would then be added to the health department fees and the vendors license fees that already exist for us to operate.

To get the fire department involved, this will most likely result in making us food truck owners install a fire depression system that would cost in the range of $6,000 to $10,000. That would decimate pretty much everyone in the food industry when it comes to mobile businesses, Kirst said.

We provide jobs, we pay taxes. We are the centerpiece of every festival, every fair, every concert, and every Final Friday right here in Mansfield. And in fact, Ive seen a lot of you council people here (visit) our businesses at those places.

Were as American and pure as apple pie and lemonade stands, Kirst said.

He thanked council for pulling the proposal.

We are the smallest of small business, but theres many of us and were out there every day. But were not just out there here in Mansfield. We have to go elsewhere, too, because we compete with all the huge giants, McDonalds, Burger King, you name it.

We dont want to compete with them. We just want to walk amongst those giants without being squashed and to get support from our city that we serve, Kirst said.
Mansfield City Council approved a citywide water meter replacement program in 2019. Local lawmakers are frustrated it's not yet complete.

MANSFIELD  It was doubtful in 2019 when Mansfield City Council approved a citywide water-meter replacement program that lawmakers thought they would still be debating penalties for recalcitrant property owners four years later.

Yet, that was the case Tuesday night.

Council again discussed making changes to the citys water rate ordinances yet again, this time assessing fees for property owners still using meters the city has tried to replace since lawmakers approved the change in May 2019.

The replacement process was slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020.

Council members, most of whom were not in office when the project was approved, have expressed increasing frustration, however, that its still not done.

In May, Public Works Director David Remy told council 658 of the citys more than 19,000 meters still had not been changed out.

The proposed legislation sought by council was discussed in caucus and is not scheduled for a vote until Aug. 15.

But in its current form, it sparked a brief exchange between Remy, an attorney and former city law director, and John Spon, the current law director.

City of Mansfield Law Director John Spon talks about a proposed ordinance related to assessing fees to property owners who have not swapped out old water meters.

I believe very honestly that this piece of legislation is extremely appropriate. But it needs some major drafting cleanup, Remy said.

The first time I saw it was today. Im willing to help do that, because it is a little confusing if you read it from a logistics standpoint  how to enforce it and what what is meant by certain things, he said.

I believe we need to identify what an old meter is, what constitutes an old meter. Those things have to be clarified. The concept is great. I think it does need to be cleaned up.

Thats my professional opinion, having drafted a lot of legislation in my lifetime, Remy said.

At-large Councilwoman Stephanie Zader asked Remy if could work with Spons office to make changes by councils next meeting on Aug. 1.

Remy said he didnt know if that was possible.

I dont know about the next council meeting. Im being very frank and honest. I have a lot on the plate in the next two weeks. (Human resources) and I both do and we have some very, very significant issues to address in the next two weeks, Remy said.

Zader expressed the frustration felt by many council members.

Weve been talking about this forever. These specific changes weve all known about for months, she said.

Spon, whose office has been represented at council meetings by Deputy Law Director Chris Brown for the past few years, said his office can only draft what were told we should draft.

There can be amongst council (members) and the administration five different views on a particular minute detail that may apply to all customers, he said.

So we would welcome a final agreement of a recommendation that would appear to be what the majority of council wants drafted in this legislation. So we can draft it, but not have to keep changing it, Spon said.

Remy responded quickly, apparently pointing to the departure of Deputy Law Director Chris Brown to the Richland County Prosecutors Office in early August.

With all due respect to the law directors office right now, it is going to become short-staffed or reduced in size very shortly here with a move thats going to be made.

But Im willing to work with Director Spon to try to re-draft this piece of legislation so that it meets the requirements it needs to meet and address counsels concerns that were brought up tonight, Remy said.

Also on Tuesday, City Council:

 pulled proposed legislation that would regulate food trucks in the city.

 honored Mansfield Fire Department Capt. Brian Danals and firefighter Andre Cochran upon their retirements.

 approved the acceptance of an $800,000 federal grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation that would cover about 80 percent of the costs to build a multi-use trail along Millsboro Road between Trimble Road and Marion Avenue.

 reappointed Jennifer Pennell and Braxton Daniels III to three-year terms on the Mansfield Public Arts Commission.

 appointed new positions in the engineering division and retitling a position in the information technology division.

 transferred $26,100 within the safety services fund to pay for the training of three new police officers.

 raised the minimum fee charged to property owners when the city has to mow grass on privately-owned lots after being notified by the city. The minimum charge has been $100 and will be increased to $250 per employee per hour.

 accepted a $44,396.93 grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services to help pay for a Family Violence Liaison Officer under the Violence Against Women Act. The city will pay $14,798.98 in local matching funds.

 accepted a $49,200 grant from the Richland County Foundation for improvements at Deer Park. No local match is required.

 accepted a $137,013.70 grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services for operational needs of the multi-county METRICH Drug Task Force. This annual grant award from the state is based on Ohio State Highway Patrol moving violation tickets.

 entered into a modified contract for Fair Housing Services with the Richland County Board of Commissioners and Richland County Regional Planning.

 agreed to spend an additional $8,891.44 to train personnel in the police departments new CentralSquare computer-aided dispatch software system.

 approved $63,815 pre-payment to United Drilling Inc. during ongoing emergency repairs to the service elevator at the citys water treatment plant.

 approved additional $6,290 payment to Davis & Newcomer Elevator Co. for ongoing repairs to the service elevator at the citys water treatment plant.

 approved a then-and-now payment of $3,433.22 to Rumpke of Ohio Inc. The citys permitting and development department contracted with the company for junk removal prior to submitting a purchase order.

 approved a then-and-now payment of $74,647.94 to Tyler Technologies Corp. The citys IT department contracted for the services prior to submitting a purchase order.

appropriated $30,906 from the unappropriated law enforcement fund to the METRICH and police operations funds. The MPD received unanticipated forfeiture revenue on June 15, which is available for appropriation.
Thunder is good. Thunder is impressive. But it is lightning that does the work.  Mark Twain

It appears north central Ohio on Thursday will get to experience the wit and wisdom of Samuel Clemons, aka Mark Twain.

As in thunder AND lightning.

The National Weather Service office in Cleveland has issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of northern Ohio, an area that includes Richland, Ashland, Knox and Crawford counties.

NWS meteorologists are predicting multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms on Thursday as temperatures soar to 85 degrees with an 80-percent chance of precipitation.

Forecasters said there is a slight chance weather may turn severe, mainly during the late afternoon and evening on Thursday.

The primary hazard will be damaging winds but large hail and a tornado are also possible. Locally, heavy rainfall will also accompany thunderstorms, the NWS said.

New rainfall amounts of between a tenth and quarter of an inch are expected with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Once the storms clear Thursday night, the next few days appear to include clear skies and fair weather.

It will be partly sunny Friday with a high of only 76 and northwest winds of nine to 11 miles per hour. The overnight low will be around 59 with partly cloudy skies.

It will be mostly sunny Saturday during the day and mostly clear Saturday night, with a high near 79 and a low around 59.

It will be sunny on Sunday with a high near 81 and an overnight low of 62.

Check the NWS Cleveland website for updated weather information on Thursday.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 19. Kazakhstan's passport is ranked 66th among 227 countries and territories, according to the recent rating by the UK-based consulting firm, Henley & Partners, Trend reports.

The passport's power has improved by 4 positions compared to the previous edition of the Henley Passport Index.

Currently, citizens of Kazakhstan can enjoy visa-free travel to 77 destinations.

Within the closest region, all post-Soviet countries have shown significant progress over the past decade. Therefore, the number of visa-free countries for Russian citizens increased from 83 to 115, for Ukraine citizens - from 64 to 146, for Georgian citizens - from 56 to 117, for Kazakhstan's citizens - from 54 to 77, for Belarus citizens - from 56 to 79, for Azerbaijani citizens - from 51 to 69, and for Uzbekistan's citizens - from 47 to 59.

The strongest passport in the world is issued by Singapour with 192 country available for visa-free travel. Following closely are Germany, Italy, and Spain, receiving a score of 190.

On the other hand, the weakest passports belong to holders from Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
POLICE found 50 children absent without leave at Meadowhall shopping centre on a single school day.

But most were with parents or relatives  making it condoned absence rather than truancy, Sheffield district commander Chief Supt Lindsey Butterfield told a police commissioner meeting.

Dr Alan Billings said: This made me wonder how many children are out of school on any given day and what happens to them.

I was told that they are the responsibility of their individual academy and the academies are under no obligation to tell the local authority if children are absent.

Some schools have their own attendance officers, some do not. There seems to be a lack of consistency, no doubt one of the unintended consequences of moving to academies

This is serious. Children not in school are at risk. They are vulnerable and can be targeted by organised criminals.

Nationally, persistent absentees have risen from 38,000 in the 2019/20 school year to 63,000 in 2021/22.

It is alarming to see that attendance continues to be lower than before the pandemic, said Dr Billings.

My guess would be that many who subsequently come into contact with the police have just such poor school attendance records.

I certainly think we need national consistency for reporting children missing from school.

But I also recognise, having spoken to some of those absentees, that there are some young people who struggle with formal education.

This is where I would commend and seek to support the youth work that goes on in our county.
With more than 350 varied and rewarding roles to choose from, there is a job to suit everyone.

We talk to former painter and decorator Adrian Anim about his passion for his job as a learning disability nurse.

And we look at what you can expect when choosing a career in healthcare and how to apply.

Healthcare support work is a great entry point into the NHS and can lead to a lifelong career.

There are varied opportunities to work in hospitals, GP practices, peoples own homes or in the community.

There is also the option to further develop skills and expertise and apply to join degree courses to become a nurse, midwife or allied health professional.

Whatever role you choose in the NHS you can be assured that you will be well rewarded and supported.

Case study: Adrian

Former painter and decorator Adrian Anim, 52, from Newcastle, was 40 when he found his passion for helping others and is now a community learning disability nurse.

People might think nursing is a womens profession, but theres plenty of room for everyone. Your gender doesnt determine your competence and skills and we all have equal opportunities for training.

I worked as a painter and decorator in London for 20 years, but when I fractured vertebrae in my neck I moved back to the North East. Back home, I was doing decorating jobs in the homes of people with learning disabilities.

I felt so happy, so calm and so inspired by chatting with these people.

The staff noticed how well I got on with the residents, so they asked me if Id work there. And I said Id love to.

My first job was as a support worker and I was so happy and couldnt wait for my shifts.

One day I was chatting to a district nurse who saw how Id helped a service user to communicate and she asked me if Id ever thought about a career in nursing.

Id never even considered it, but it planted a seed and I started to look into what I needed to do to become a nurse.

Initially, I didnt think it would be an option for me because I really struggled at school and left with no qualifications.

But the seed was still there and I went on to do an NVQ in health and social care and applied to Northumbria University to study registered nursing for learning disabilities.

At the time, I was 40 and university was a shock to the system, not just academically, but I didnt even know how to use a computer.

By the second year I loved university and going into nursing has changed my life for the better, helping me learn about myself and how to be more disciplined and focused.

I know its an old cliche, but no two days are ever the same.

Sometimes the job is really challenging, but Im well supported by working in a team.

We all have our ups and downs, but we always focus on the end goal, which is improving peoples quality of life.

Day to day, theres lots of diary planning, phone calls and meetings with patients, their families and carers as well as multi-disciplinary meetings.

I love getting out and about, doing nursing assessments and the best part is making sure everyone works together and developing plans with patients, their family and carers. Making them feel valued has always been really important to me.

Nursing is a job for life, if you want it to be. There are so many different opportunities and routes you can go down and lots of courses you can do while youre working and getting paid.

I try not to think about my pension, but I do know the NHS scheme is one of the best around.

Ive never felt so secure in a job  I love it and Im passionate about what I do.

Eight healthy options

Working in the NHS means



- Whatever NHS career you choose, you are guaranteed to make a real difference to peoples lives, every day.

- Fantastic opportunities for career progression  there are many ways to qualify, train and develop for professional and care roles.

- You can develop skills and become an expert and be part of a unique multi-disciplinary team.

- A stable and secure job.

- Access to at least 5,000 per year to help with training to become a nurse, midwife or allied health professional. Further funding of up to 3,000 a year is also available for some students.

- Good starting salaries and benefits

- Earn 28,407 as a newly qualified nurse

- Healthcare support workers earn a starting salary of 22,383

- There may be opportunities to earn additional payments for working on-call, overtime, or unsocial hours.

- You will benefit from one of the best pension schemes in the UK, with your employer contributing the equivalent of an extra 20.6 per cent of your salary.



Find your role in the NHS visit healthcareers.nhs.uk
POLICE investigating the assault of a postal worker have issued these CCTV images.

The victim  a man in his 40s  was taking mail out of a van outside Morrisons Daily on Hirst Gate, Mexborough.

He was attacked by two men, who were verbally abusive and slammed the vehicle door shut on his arm, causing bruising.

Police have appealed for witnesses and believe the individuals in the CCTV could hold vital information about the assault, which happened between noon and 12.15pm on June 24.

A force spokesperson said: If you have any information, please contact us online or call 101 quoting crime number 14/115859/23. Access webchat and our online portal here: https://smartcontact.southyorkshire.police.uk.

If you would prefer not to provide personal details, you can speak to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence, either by calling their UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111 or by completing a form online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
JEREMY Hunt visited the Advanced Manufacturing Park to announce the South Yorkshire Investment Zone - set to create 8,000 jobs and bring 1.2 billion of private investment by 2030.

The chancellor confirmed 80 million of government cash for the venture, which is the first of 12 across the UK.

Mr Hunt said: "Our first Investment Zone is a shining example of how we will drive growth across the country.

"It's already secured more than 80m of private investment, including backing from Boeing, and will help support more than 8,000 jobs by 2030.

Investors, developers and start-ups will be offered a combination of targeted support and financial interventions at the investment zone.

The Boeing-led research will look into lightweight structures for planes, which is a key part of moving aviation towards carbon neutrality - dubbed jet zero - by 2050.

The news - announced at the AMPs Factory 2050 last Thursday - was welcomed by leaders across the region.

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said: Our investment zone will help put South Yorkshire back where we belong: at the forefront of this countrys manufacturing-led growth.

Technology created in South Yorkshire built the modern world. Because in South Yorkshire we have always known how to deliver practical solutions to big challenges.

Yesterday it was stainless steel and our coal industry, today it is AI, Robotics and creating lighter, stronger materials for jet zero.

Thats why this new Investment Zone status is so important. Because with the support of partners like Boeing, and working with the government, were showing we have the tools, the technology and the confidence to build on our strengths as not just the worlds first, but the worlds best Advanced Manufacturing District.

Rotherham Council leader Cllr Chris Read said: We always welcome any investment into our region, and as a council we have already secured millions in funding into our borough for our communities.

This announcement builds on the successes of the Advanced Manufacturing Park and other big-name companies who have also chosen to invest here.

Our new manufacturing economy is helping to bring more high paid jobs to Rotherham and the Investment Zone agreed for South Yorkshire today demonstrates the national significance of this.

We look forward to seeing how it will help us in achieving our aim of meeting the needs of our communities and building on the good work we are already doing in this area.

Rother Valley MP Alexander Stafford said: This area, whose steelworks and factories once produced some of the most innovative and valued products, will once again be a world leader in advanced manufacturing.

The 80 million of funding from the Treasury, alongside the 1.2 billion that it will bring, reaffirms this governments commitment to levelling-up and its support for my constituents across Rother Valley.

The investment, both private and public, will return thousands of jobs to South Yorkshires manufacturing industries, meaning apprenticeships, careers, and opportunities particularly for local residents.

Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton, Barnsleys council leader, added: Although the focus of the project covers Rotherham and Sheffield, the Investment Zone will bring strong benefits to the whole of South Yorkshire.
The CMA has provisionally cleared the anticipated acquisition by Broadcom Inc. of VMware, Inc. The CMA has provisionally found that the anticipated acquisition may not be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in relation to the supply of various server hardware components in the United Kingdom.

On 29 March 2023, the CMA referred the anticipated acquisition by Broadcom of VMware, Inc. for an in-depth investigation.

Broadcom announced in May 2022 that it had agreed to acquire VMware for a purchase price of approximately $61 billion, and Broadcom will assume VMware's net debt.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela together with the South Korea Ambassador, His Excellency Chull-joo Park. Photo cred: Bukamuso Sebata.

By Katlego Nkosi

Rhodes Universitys international recognition was boosted last week when the South Korea Ambassador, His Excellency Chull-joo Park and administrative official, Jung In Myeong, visited Rhodes University.

I have heard a lot of good things about Rhodes University and I wanted to come and see for myself, declared Ambassador Park.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi and Director of Internationalisation, Orla Quinlan, warmly welcomed the Ambassador upon his arrival.

"We always seek academic exchange opportunities for our students and researchers. We also want to work with universities in other parts of the world to address some wicked problems facing humanity. These problems include climate change, water insecurity, diseases, human migration, food insecurity, and much more. So, this is an opportunity for us at a higher level to engage the ambassador and then take things forward from there, said Professor Mabizela. The Vice-Chancellor also shared some memories and impressions of Korea, which he had visited recently.

Discussions about the higher education system in South Korea took place over lunch, which included several Rhodes University academics. Ambassador Park shared some of Koreas history, including its colonial history, the impact of the Korean War and then its more recent success, via industry. The ambassador was asked what he believed were the factors leading to Korea's successful development. He concluded that education was the key. If you are not wealthy in minerals and other resources, then developing your people and their skills is the way forward, he explained.

Deputy Dean of Commerce, Professor Lynette Louw, discussed the possibilities of having Korean industry leaders come and share insight with the staff and students at Rhodes University, which the Ambassador eagerly supported.

The International Office organised a forum for Ambassador Park to engage informally with Rhodes University postgraduate students interested in studying or teaching English in South Korea. During the discussions, it was clear that Korean film and popular culture caught the imagination of South African students. The Ambassador told the students about the extensive academic opportunities, including exchange programs and funding.

Ambassador Park said he always likes to talk to students, as they are the future. You will soon be at the helm of everything that you criticise now, he told the students.

During the presentation, Ambassador Park shared that there are eight countries with whom the Korean government has an arrangement to recruit English teachers, and South Africa is one of those. He urged students to visit and experience South Korea as tourists, students or working professionals.

The Ambassador finished his visit with a short campus tour accompanied by officials from the International Office.

It is always great when ambassadors visit us and see for themselves what we offer as a university. These visits can often be a bridge between us and the universities in their countries who may be interested in working with us, Quinlan concluded.
Weather Alert

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northern New York, including the following counties, Eastern Clinton, Eastern Essex, Western Clinton and Western Essex. Portions of Vermont, including the following counties, Caledonia, Eastern Addison, Eastern Chittenden, Eastern Franklin, Eastern Rutland, Eastern Windsor, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Washington, Western Addison, Western Chittenden, Western Franklin, Western Rutland and Western Windsor. * WHEN...Until Midnight EDT tonight. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Slow moving showers and thunderstorms will be possible with rates of an inch per hour, mainly in eastern Vermont and parts of the northern Champlain Valley. Localized heavy rain may result in ponding in poor drainage areas. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&
Architect Joseph Lucido shows Imperial Beach residents different designs for a public restroom and shower to be installed at Beach Avenue and Seacoast Drive.

Beachgoers at the south end of Imperial Beach wont have to walk up to the pier to use a public bathroom next summer.

The Port of San Diego plans to install restrooms and showers on Beach Avenue and Seacoast Drive.

The $2 million project, which has been in the works for three years, is expected to be completed by the summer of 2019, according to project manager Armando Mora.

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Beach Avenue is the perfect location for the bathroom because it wont block any driveways, its far enough from the pier so people will use it but in a part of the beach that already gets plenty of foot traffic.

The farther south you go, the less people would use it, Mora said. At the same time, we didnt want to go too far north because we also have restrooms up there at Dunes Park and Pier Plaza.

The Port first looked into having a public restroom in the area because of complaints of people changing and going to the bathroom in public. Imperial Beach approved the location in April 2017.

The Port of San Diego and Imperial Beach recently hosted an open house to show different design concepts. Residents were shown four concepts and asked which ones they liked best.

The different design features include a roof made of frosted panels that let in natural light, a colorful wall made of individual tiles that make a pixilated version of the sunset, wooden boards for a beach aesthetic, and different signage.

Residents were mostly excited about the public restrooms.

I actually might come to this beach more knowing that this is here, said local artist Todd Stands. I dont really want to swim by the pier so knowing there would be a shower here might be a reason to come down this way.

Others were concerned about the restrooms attracting homeless people to the area, but recognized the need of them in this part of Imperial Beach.

I think its a very positive thing, said Dave Frink. We dont want it to be a homeless shelter but there needs to be toilets for everybody.

The architects took several steps to address some of the publics concerns.

That includes putting the restroom close to Seacoast Drive to avoid blocking anyones beach view, making the entrance of the restroom face Seacoast Drive to make it easier for police to patrol when they drive along, and installing locking mechanisms so the restrooms can be closed at dusk.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 20. Uzbekistan has proposed to work on applying favorable transit tariffs along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), Trend reports.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has addressed the issue during the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Central Asian countries held in Jeddah on July 19.

He pointed out the importance of establishing strengthening trade and transport connectivity with the countries of the Persian Gulf.

In the field of transport and transit, I would like to propose applying the most favorable tariffs in the Middle Corridor, extensively use the existing multimodal corridors, and increase direct flights through targeted subsidies, President Mirziyoyev added.

The president also urged Gulf countries to take an active part in the strategic project of Trans-Afghan Railway, which will connect the two regions, pointing out that this route has got the potential to halve transport costs and cargo delivery times.

Meanwhile, according to the EU study, the container traffic via the northern part of TITR, or the so-called Middle Corridor, may reach 270,000 TEUs by 2040. Together with the southern part of TITR, which is expected to see growth of up to 254,000 TEUs, Middle Corridor will provide for the transportation of a total of 1.4 million containers through Central Asia, connecting to Europe by 2040.
World-famous American actor George Clooney, who is the co-founder of The Sentry project to fight against sponsors of armed conflicts in Africa, called for the destruction of PMC "Wagner". The Hollywood star accused the "Wagnerites" of terror, suggesting that Western countries unite in a coalition aimed at "destroying the business empire" of the private military company.

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Clooney wrote about this in his own column for The Economist. He believes that the terrorists "were paid in conflict gold and blood diamonds."

The Oscar winner emphasized that the "Wagnerites" brutally massacred all witnesses to their atrocities, including women and children.

"Wagner's strategy was to 'leave no trace,' killing eyewitnesses and massacring civilians, including women and children." The Sentry Foundation interviewed soldiers and militiamen under Wagner's command who said they were trained to torture: cutting off hands and feet, pulling out fingernails, strangling and burning people alive. This strategy, which has been used in various forms in Libya, Mali, Sudan and elsewhere, serves Russia's interests in several ways. The relatively small number of mercenaries allows the country's influence to expand cheaply, and the Russian government can deny involvement," the filmmaker wrote.

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Clooney is convinced that the structure of Wagner's companies, contracts and mercenaries is likely to change. It all depends on how dictator President Vladimir Putin decides to dispose of the assets and to what extent he can control them. But the group's arrangements are allegedly too favorable to Russia.

The actor called the PMC a "virus" that will live on in any potentially modified form if it is not fought. In addition to destroying Wagner directly, Clooney also believes it is necessary to implement sanctions against everyone associated with the company.

"The US, EU and other allies should focus on holding Wagner financially and legally accountable. They should create a special coalition to eliminate the group's business empire. Sanctions should be imposed on those who support Wagner, including lawyers and financiers. The international community should focus on prosecuting those most responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. There are many unrealized promises against those who benefit from Wagner's depredations: from companies that own mines to middlemen in neighboring states, the Persian Gulf and Russia," the actor summarized.

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Earlier OBOZREVATEL wrote that the son of George and Amal Clooney dedicated an eloquent drawing to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. 5-year-old Alexander depicted a prison, in which, according to him, should sit a war criminal.

Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
In a pre-clinical, proof-of-concept study from Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers found that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound with powerful antioxidant properties, could be promising for both treating and preventing uterine fibroids. Results of the study, first posted online May 25 in Scientific Reports, add to growing evidence that EGCG may reduce fibroid cell growth. The study was specifically designed to identify the biochemical mechanisms responsible for EGCG action in fibroid cells.

The investigators emphasize that their study involves human fibroid cells grown in the laboratory and treated with EGCG extract to explore the possibility of oral EGCG supplementation as a therapy, rather than just drinking cups of green tea as a preventative measure for uterine fibroids.

"The purpose of this study was to examine how EGCG works to treat and prevent uterine fibroids," says James Segars Jr., M.D., professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "There is no standard protocol for uterine fibroid disease management or prevention, no tools to prevent their growth, so finding a safe nonsurgical therapy is important."

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the uterus. Made up of smooth muscle cells and a large matrix of connective tissue, the fibroids range in size from nearly microscopic to bulky masses that can enlarge and distort the uterus.

An estimated 77% of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime, most of them by age 50. Black and Hispanic women develop them at 1.5 to two times the rate of white women.

While many people with uterine fibroids are without symptoms, about 25% experience significant symptoms including heavy uterine bleeding, pelvic pain and infertility. Uterine fibroids are the leading cause of hospitalizationhysterectomy in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to complete removal of the uterus, surgical treatment may include various means of removing fibroid tumors from the uterine wall.

For the new study, researchers used laboratory cultures of uterine fibroids collected from living patients. Because uterine fibroid cells have a large extracellular matrix (the network of macromolecules and minerals in tissues that support, but are not part of, cells) compared to normal cells, researchers designed their experiments to see if treatment of cells with EGCG affects protein expression associated with this matrix. Specifically, they studied fibronectin, a matrix protein; cyclin D1, a protein involved with cell division; and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein.

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Cells were dosed with 100 micromoles (a micromole is 1 millionth of a mole) per liter of EGCG in growth media for 24 hours, and then a Western blot -- a laboratory technique used to detect a specific protein in a blood or tissue sample -- was performed. In this study, researchers looked for levels of cyclin D1 and CTGF proteins in EGCG-treated fibroid cells compared to untreated cell.

They found that EGCG reduced protein levels of fibronectin by 46% to 52%, compared with an untreated control group of fibroid cells. They also found that EGCG disrupted pathways involved in fibroid tumor cell growth, movement, signaling and metabolism, and they saw up to an 86% decrease in CTGF proteins compared with the control group.

"The results from this study show that EGCG targets many signaling pathways involved in fibroid growth, particularly the extracellular matrix," says study lead author Md Soriful Islam, Ph.D., M.Sc., a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "EGCG supplements could be an easily accessible and natural way to relieve symptoms and slow fibroid growth."

These results lend support to the FRIEND (Fibroids and Unexplained Infertility Treatment With Epigallocatechin Gallate; A Natural Compound in Green Tea) study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05364008), an ongoing clinical trial of EGCG in women with fibroids who are seeking pregnancy. While results from this study show promise, researchers caution that more studies need to be done, and consumers should not try to self-dose with green tea supplements. Future research on EGCG will include clinical trials with large and diverse patient groups to determine optimal doses as well as possible side effects of EGCG supplementation.

Other scientists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who contributed to this research are Maclaine Parish, Joshua Brennan and Briana Winer.

Segars has been a primary investigator on research sponsored by Bayer, Abbvie, BioSpecifics Technologies Corp., Allergan and Myovant Sciences. All other authors have no conflicts to disclose.

This research was partly supported by the National Institutes of Health's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the Howard W. and Georgeanna Seegar Jones Endowment.
When infants watch a live performance of a baby opera, their heart rates synchronized and they were significantly more engaged than babies who watched a recording of the same show -- even though the recording was identical to the live version.

"Their heart rates were speeding up and slowing down in a similar fashion to other babies watching the show," says Laura Cirelli, assistant professor in the department of psychology at U of T Scarborough and co-author of a new study.

"Those babies were dealing with all these distractions in the concert hall, but still had these uninterrupted bursts of attention."

The findings suggest that even babies feel the impact of being at a live show, through both musicians' interactions with an audience and the social experience of being in a crowd. Cirelli recalls moments during the performance when a calm would sweep over the babies, and other times when a change in pitch or vocal riff would excite them all.

She says this may offer insights into why humans are hardwired to consume music and attend live shows in the first place.

"If there's something happening that we collectively are engaging with, we're also connecting with each other. It speaks to the shared experience," says Cirelli, director of the TEMPO Lab, which studies how infants and children respond to music.

"The implication is that this is not necessarily specific to this one performance. If there's these moments that capture us, then we are being captured together."

It's well established that socialization is crucial during early childhood development -- an infant's brain is laying the groundwork for future life skills and abilities as it grows. Cirelli says music can play a powerful part in making those important bonds. She points to research finding infants are more likely to socialize with someone after hearing them sing a familiar song or dancing to music with them, and that infants have strong emotional reactions to music and song even before their first birthday.

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"We consistently find that music can be a highly social and emotional context within which infants can foster connections to their caregivers, other family members and even new acquaintances," she says. "This audience study shows that even in a community context, infants are engaging with the music and connecting to their fellow audience members."

For the study, published in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, researchers examined 120 babies ages six to 14 months as they watched a children's opera performed at a concert hall that doubles as a research facility at McMaster University (61 babies watched in person, the other 59 watched a recorded version).The researchers meticulously broadcast the recording so the performers were at the same size, distance and volume as the live version. The babies' responses were tracked through heart monitors and tablets mounted on the backs of concert seats, and then afterward student research assistants combed through the footage to note when babies were looking at the stage versus when they looked away.

The live performance captured their attention for 72 per cent of the 12-minute show while the recording held their attention for 54 per cent. The live show also had them continually watching for longer bouts of time.

"Even little babies who may or may not have experienced music in a community context before are already engaging more when it's delivered this way," Cirelli says. "That's one question we have as music cognition researchers: What is it about the live experience that's worth it? Why would people go if there's not something fundamental about that live music experience that's above and beyond listening to music by yourself?"

That's not to say babies find virtual performances boring; after the onset of the pandemic, the researchers virtually studied one group of babies as they watched the same recording in their homes over Zoom. Those babies paid about as much attention as the ones who attended the live show -- watching about 64 per cent on average -- but they were more likely to get distracted throughout and have shorter bursts of attention.

"The babies watching at home didn't have the distraction of being in a new place, they were in their comfort zone. But even without distractions the quality of their attention was still not nearly as strong as the audience in the live condition."

The study, which was co-authored by former TEMPO Lab postdoc Haley Kragness, now an assistant professor at Bucknell University, will also feed into some of Cirelli's other work. In a different study, she and a team of researchers are exploring whether a live performance over Zoom has the same impact on engagement as a live performance in person, and whether musicians' interactions with an audience can play a similarly powerful role in capturing attention.

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Another study will investigate whether live performances impact their memory of the event and how watching a live performance versus a recorded version affects how they feel about the performer.

"If a baby is frequently brought to these kinds of events, will that shape their foundation for engaging in music and the community later in childhood?" Cirelli says. "It speaks to why we even engage with music at all."
Rice University engineers have created containers that can keep volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from accumulating on the surfaces of stored nanomaterials.

The portable and inexpensive storage technology addresses a ubiquitous problem in nanomanufacturing and materials science laboratories and is described in a paper published this week in the American Chemical Society journal Nano Letters.

"VOCs are in the air that surrounds us every day," said study corresponding author Daniel Preston, an assistant professor in Rice's Department of Mechanical Engineering. "They cling to surfaces and form a coating, primarily of carbon. You can't see these layers with the naked eye, but they form, often within minutes, on virtually any surface exposed to air."

VOCs are carbon-based molecules that are emitted from many common products, including cleaning fluids, paints, and office and crafting supplies. They accumulate indoors in particularly high concentrations, and the thin layers of carbon gunk they deposit on surfaces can hinder industrial nanofabrication processes, limit the accuracy of microfluidic testing kits and produce confusion for scientists who conduct fundamental research on surfaces.

To address the problem, Ph.D. student and study lead author Zhen Liu, together with Preston and others from his lab, developed a new type of storage container that keeps objects clean. Experiments showed that her approach effectively prevented surface contamination for at least six weeks and could even clean VOC-deposited layers from previously contaminated surfaces.

The technology relies on an ultraclean wall inside the container. The surface of the interior wall is enhanced with tiny bumps and divots ranging in size from a few millionths to a few billionths of a meter. The microscopic and nanoscopic imperfections increase the wall's surface area, making more of its metal atoms available to VOCs in air that's inside the containers when they are sealed.

"The texturing allows the internal container wall to act as a 'sacrificial' material," Liu said. "VOCs are pulled onto the surface of the container wall, which allows other objects stored inside to remain clean."

She said the idea of using a large precleaned surface to accumulate pollutants was proposed 50 years ago but went largely unnoticed. She and her colleagues improved on the idea with modern methods of cleaning and nanotexturing surfaces. They showed, through a series of experiments, that their approach did a better job of preventing VOCs from coating the surfaces of stored materials than other approaches, including sealed petri dishes and state-of-the-art vacuum desiccators.

Preston's group built on its experiments, developing a theoretical model that accurately characterized what was happening inside the containers. Preston said the model will allow them to refine their designs and optimize system performance in the future.

The research was supported by Rice's Shared Equipment Authority, the Rice University Academy of Fellows, the United States Coast Guard Advanced Education Program and an Innovation in Buildings fellowship from the Department of Energy (DE-SC0014664).
World-famous American model Gigi Hadid was arrested in the Cayman Islands for drug possession. The star of the catwalks and the face of world brands was fined a thousand dollars (more than 36 thousand hryvnias).

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As it turned out, the 28-year-old supermodel traveled with marijuana, legally purchased in New York with a medical license. About this writes People.

The celebrity reportedly flew to the vacation on a private jet that landed at Owen Roberts International Airport. During the passage of control in her bag, the staff found drugs in her bag.

As the model's spokesperson emphasized, cannabis has been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017.

"Gigi traveled with marijuana legally purchased in New York under a medical license. Her story remains clean and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island," commented Hadid's agent.

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Drugs were also found in the bag of the model's friend, blogger Leah Nicole McCarthy. Both celebrities were arrested on "suspicion of importation of marijuana as well as marijuana consumption utensils" and were taken to a detention center.

Gigi and Leah Nicole were released on bail. Both pleaded guilty during a court hearing that took place on July 12.

Soon the model shared on her personal Instagram page a selection of vacation photos, which she signed, "All's well that ends well."

Recall, immediately after the full-scale invasion Gigi Hadid openly supported Ukraine. She donated large sums to help the AFU.

As OBOZREVATEL wrote earlier, Ukrainian TV presenter Yanina Sokolova explained the importance of the legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine. The journalist recalled how she fought with oncology in 2019 and with what pains she then had to face. Read more - in our material.

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Only verified information we have in the Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Breast milk from each individual contains a unique assemblage of antibodies that are surprisingly stable throughout lactation and across pregnancies, according to a new Journal of Experimental Medicinestudy from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

As a baby's early immunity is directed by antibodies from breast milk, the new research provides insight into why protection against different infections varies among infants and why some develop a life-threatening gut disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

"While each milk donor in our study had very different antibody profiles from one another, we found that antibodies from the same donor were quite similar over time -- even across the span of months," said senior author Timothy Hand, Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics and immunology at Pitt's School of Medicine and UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. "This means that if a baby's parent happens to lack particular antibodies -- such as those that fend off NEC, they're never going to receive that immunity. This could help explain why some babies get NEC and others don't."

According to Hand, NEC is a devastating inflammatory gut disease that mainly affects preterm infants. NEC, which has been linked with a family of bacteria called Enterobacteriaceae, is about 2 to 4 times more frequent in formula-fed babies than those fed breast milk.

Before their immune system matures, babies are protected from harmful bacteria by antibodies transferred via the mother's placenta and through breast milk. These antibodies bind to bacteria in the intestine, preventing them from invading the host.

In an earlier study, Hand and his team found that Enterobacteriaceae in fecal samples of healthy babies were mostly bound by maternal antibodies. In contrast, infants who went on to develop NEC had more bacteria that escaped being bound. Hand suspected that variation in babies' immunity to NEC was because different mothers passed along different antibodies, and the new study lends support to this idea.

Hand and his team analyzed donor breast milk from the Human Milk Science Institute and Biobank in Pittsburgh and Mommy's Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository in San Diego. Using an array of different bacteria, they measured which strains each donor's antibodies bound to.

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"Individual donors' antibody profiles looked completely different, which is what we had expected but were able to show for the first time," said Hand. "During pregnancy, B cells travel from the intestine to the mammary gland, where they start making antibodies. The mom is trying to protect her infant using antibodies that she uses to protect her own intestine. Different women have led different lives, have different microbiomes and have encountered different infections, so it makes perfect sense that breast milk antibodies would reflect that variability."

Throughout the breastfeeding period, a mother's milk changes from highly concentrated protein-rich colostrum into mature milk. To learn whether antibody composition changes, too, Hand and his team compared breast milk from the same donors over time. They also looked at the same donors over multiple pregnancies.

"Not only were antibodies similar in donors across one pregnancy, they were also remarkably stable between infants," said Hand. "This suggests that when B cells arrive in the breast tissue, they don't leave. This is important for understanding how babies acquire immunity and how they deal with infections."

The researchers also asked whether breast milk antibodies were different if a donor delivered preterm.

"Some B cells move to the mammary gland during the third trimester, so we wondered if a person delivers before this trimester is complete, would their milk have fewer antibodies," said Hand. "The good news was that we found no difference: Individuals who deliver preterm have just as many antibodies and the same diversity as those who deliver full-term."

Other studies indicate that mother's own milk is the best food for reducing a premature baby's likelihood of developing NEC, but if that isn't available, donor milk is an important substitute or supplement. This milk is sterilized to kill bacteria, but whether this process also affects antibodies had not been tested.

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Hand and his team found that pasteurization reduced antibody levels in donor milk. While this likely means that infants fed donor milk receive fewer antibodies than those who get milk directly from their mother, Hand said that more research is needed to understand what levels of antibodies are protective against diseases like NEC.

In the future, better understanding of specific bacteria that are most dangerous for preterm infants at risk of NEC could help researchers develop antibodies that could be added to formula or breast milk to boost immunity.

Other authors who contributed to the research were Chelsea B. Johnson-Hence, M.D., of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; and Kathyayini P. Gopalakrishna, Ph.D., Darren Bodkin, M.B.B.S., Kara E. Coffey, M.D., Ansen H.P. Burr, Ph.D., Syed Rahman, Ph.D., Ali T. Rai, Darryl A. Abbott, Yelissa A. Sosa, M.S., Justin T. Tometich, Jishnu Das, Ph.D., all of Pitt, UPMC or both.

This research was supported by the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh/R.K. Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research, the National Institutes of Health (R01DK120697 and T32AI089443) and March of Dimes.
Many countries consider or have already planned to convert low lying farmland into wetlands and thereby save CO 2 emissions. The idea is that oxygen-depleted soil in wetlands emits less greenhouse gas than oxygenated cultivated land, thus benefitting the climate.

But such conversions could come with a surprisingly high price for the climate, biologists from University of Southern Denmark warn:

"There is a risk that new wetlands will end up emitting more greenhouse gasses than they take up," says Erik Kristensen, professor of ecology at the University of Southern Denmark.

The problem is specifically tied to freshwater lakes with standing water. When the flooded area is just kept moist, like a bog, the methane emissions go down significantly.

Together with colleagues from the Department of Biology, he has followed a large land area named Gyldensteen Strand in Denmark for several years. In 2014, as part of a nature restoration project carried out by the Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation, the area of cultivated low-lying land was flooded.

As the project is unique in Europe, the foundation funded a series of research projects aimed at learning more about what happens when former low lying agricultural land is converted into wetlands.

This knowledge can help legislators and authorities make the best possible and smartest decisions when agricultural land is taken out of use for wetlands.

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"We have conducted this large-scale experiment for several years now, and it shows us that large amounts of methane are released into the atmosphere when land is flooded with freshwater, creating shallow lakes. That is why we say, if you want to convert low-lying coastal areas into wetlands, do it with saltwater if possible," says Erik Kristensen.

The study, co-authored by Kristensen and biologist colleagues, Susan Guldberg Petersen and Cintia Quintana from the Department of Biology, has been published in the journal, Estuaries and Coasts.

Gyldensteen Strand was flooded in two parts: one part with seawater after the removal of dikes, and another part with freshwater. It is the studies of the greenhouse gas emissions from these two different wetland areas that now lead researchers to warn against creating shallow freshwater lakes.

Bogs and wet meadows are better

"We see that when there is standing freshwater in a wetland even if is only 10 cm of water -- there is a significant methane emission. The same does not happen in an area flooded with saltwater," says Erik Kristensen.

Therefore, he recommends flooding with seawater where possible. Alternatively, if there is only freshwater for flooding, standing water must be avoided; instead, the area should be laid out as a moist meadow with no standing water.

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"The problem is standing water. Our studies show that when a freshwater area is only moist, such as a bog or a wet meadow without standing water, oxygen from the atmosphere will penetrate and help the bacteria in the moist surface consume all the methane that seeps up from deeper oxygen-free layers," explains Erik Kristensen.

According to the study, significant amounts of methane are at play.

The researchers emphasise that their calculations are extrapolated from measurements and data from the freshwater area of Gyldensteen Strand, a lake called Engs, which covers 144 hectares and has an average depth of 1 meter.

The assumption for the calculation is that other areas behave somewhat similarly to Engs.

"Some areas will emit less methane, while others will emit more, but overall, we believe we can extrapolate," says Erik Kristensen.

The extrapolated calculations show that if 100,000 hectares are converted into freshwater wetlands with standing water, they will release methane equivalent to nearly 6 million tonnes of CO 2 equivalents per year.

Of course, there is also a CO 2 benefit from no longer cultivating these areas, which amounts to approximately 3 million tonnes of CO 2 equivalents. This should be subtracted from the 6 million tonnes. Therefore, the net result is 3 million tonnes.

In other words, the 100,000 hectares will produce 3 million tonnes more CO 2 equivalents than if they were still being farmed. This is equivalent to the emissions of approximately 750,000 cows. There are around 1.5 million cows in Denmark.

The other flooded area in Gyldensteen Strand is a coastal lagoon that was created after dikes were removed and seawater allowed to flood the area.

"The numbers are much better in the coastal lagoon. No CO 2 is emitted, which is an improvement compared to when it was agricultural land," says Erik Kristensen.

The reason lies in the oxygen-depleted mud under the saltwater and freshwater, where different bacteria come into play.

Methane-producing bacteria thrive in freshwater but are inhibited in saltwater. They are also active when the soil is only moist, but then, atmospheric oxygen helps oxygen-consuming bacteria near the surface consume the methane. Therefore, only small amounts of methane are released from moist soils.

Future plans for low lying land

However, the much lower oxygen content in standing water inhibits the methane-consuming bacteria, allowing large amounts of methane to be released, seeping or bubbling up through the water.

"When we are on field trips to Engs and wade through the water, we can see bubbles forming where we walk. That's methane being released from the mud where we step," explains Erik Kristensen.

According to him, such methane bubbles should be considered when measuring methane emissions from freshwater wetlands."If you only measure the seepage, you get much lower values. But the bubbles should be taken into account to get an accurate picture. I believe that the knowledge we have gained from Gyldensteen Strand should be included in future water action plans so that we can design new wetlands in an intelligent way. Otherwise, there is a risk of creating wetlands that are not climate-friendly," says Erik Kristensen.

Basis for our calculations: We base our calculations on data from the freshwater-flooded Engs, which covers 144 hectares. According to the researchers' measurements, Engs emits 303 tonnes of methane each year, equivalent to 8,400 tonnes of CO 2 equivalents (approximately 58 tonnes per hectare).

About Gyldensteen Strand: 616 hectares of former agricultural land have been acquired by the Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation and transformed into, among other things, a marine lagoon, a freshwater lake and a reed wetland. Biologists from the University of Southern Denmark have been working on several research projects since the flooding in 2014.
How do you study a predator with both camouflage and stealth that make it virtually invisible in the forest?

Even jaguars poop.

A team of researchers led by the University of Cincinnati applied genetic and isotopic analyses to jaguar scat to investigate the habitat needs of the big cats in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Preserve of Belize in Central America. The study demonstrates a novel and noninvasive technique for identifying the landscape use and conservation needs of elusive wildlife.

Researchers used scat-detecting dogs named Billy and Bruiser to find telltale evidence left behind by jaguars in the reserve, which is also home to pumas, margays, ocelots and jaguarundis. They subjected the scat to genetic analysis, known as molecular scatology, to identify not just species but also the individual cats that produced each sample. Researchers then subjected the scat to isotopic analysis, which offers clues about where the animal hunted based on the geology and vegetation of the area.

Published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research, the study concluded that the combination of genetic and isotopic analysis provides a powerful, noninvasive approach to surveying wildlife for conservation.

"We're not interacting with the animal directly," said Brooke Crowley, lead author and a professor of geosciences and anthropology at the University of Cincinnati. "There's no trapping or darting. You might never see the animal, but can determine what it ate and where it ate it."

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve covers about 267 square miles of forest, savanna, rocky mountains, caverns and streams in central Belize. The reserve is logged on a rotating basis. The roads are largely unpaved and many are overgrown.

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Tracking animals here is extremely difficult, said Claudia Wultsch, a study co-author and research fellow at the City University of New York.

"Jaguars tend to stay away from people and are typically found at more remote sites. You have to be extremely lucky to see one in the wild," Wultsch said.

Isotopic analysis is a good alternative to study an animal that is solitary, wide-ranging, nocturnal, wary of people and dangerous to capture. And it complements other wildlife surveillance methods such as camera trapping, acoustic monitoring and environmental DNA analysis.

Bigger than leopards, jaguars are the world's third-largest cat and the biggest found in the Western Hemisphere. They are powerful apex predators that were revered by pre-Columbian societies. Opportunistic hunters, jaguars consume a wide variety of prey, including small mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. In Belize, they often eat armadillos, coatis and deer.

"Belize is an important stronghold for jaguars," co-author Wultsch said. She is studying the big cats with study co-author Marcella Kelly, a professor at Virginia Tech.

In Belize, jaguars are protected and live in a network of dedicated reserves. Wultsch and Kelly in 2000 found that jaguars had a large enough population to maintain genetic diversity in Belize but did see some habitat loss and fragmentation in parts of their historic range.

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In the latest project, the jaguars the researchers studied hunted prey in the reserve's pine forest savanna rather than in denser forest or nearby agricultural areas. Male jaguars had territory covering some 60 square miles. As in other areas where jaguars have been studied, researchers found that some of the male jaguars had partially overlapping territories.

They also found some evidence that the jaguars were avoiding areas where prey was scarce from recent wildfires. This corroborates a camera trapping study that had fewer sightings of both jaguars and their prey in these areas as well.

"Some forested areas in Belize have become more fragmented and isolated over the last 50 years, so one of the objectives of our research is to assess how jaguars are doing at several protected areas across Belize," Wultsch said.

The study was supported by grants from the Virginia Tech Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, the Explorers Club, the nonprofit group Panthera, the National Geographic Society, the Oregon Zoo, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Groundbreaking research from UC Berkeley's Department of Psychology is shifting the understanding of human decision-making processes by highlighting the importance of goal-oriented rewards. Conducted by Berkeley Psychology Professor Anne Collins and Berkeley Psychology doctoral student Gaia Molinaro, the study suggests that the value people attribute to outcomes is subjective, and heavily influenced by their personal goals and the context of the decision.

"Value isn't just determined by an objective reward or outcome," Collins said. "Our research suggests that people's perception of value is largely shaped by their personal goals and the context in which the decision is made."

For example, you might order a chocolate ice cream cone and be perfectly satisfied with your choice. But if you then find out that there's another flavor available, you might feel less satisfied with your initial selection. In this case, the objective value of the ice cream cone hasn't changed. What's changed is your subjective perception of its value relative to the newfound best option, thus highlighting the impact of goal achievement on decision-making.

Using data collected from over 1,000 individuals by various laboratories, the Berkeley team has confirmed this theory by developing an "intrinsically enhanced" reinforcement learning model. While other theories propose that subjective value is simply adjusted based on different observed alternatives, the model developed by Berkeley researchers offers a new perspective: it centers around the concept that achieving a goal is crucial. The intrinsically enhanced model is not the first to examine this phenomenon, but it does provide a new way to understand the problem.

"Our study proposes a paradigm shift in how we understand decision-making," Molinaro said. "It shows the critical importance of considering goal-dependent rewards, which may significantly alter our understanding of decision-making processes."

The potential applications of this research are vast and varied. This new understanding could inform public policies encouraging positive behavior changes or help shape financial decisions. In an educational setting, it could be utilized to show students how learning specific topics can assist in achieving their particular goals. The research could also inform therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from mental illness or eating disorders.

This research could inspire innovation in the field of the development of artificial intelligence. "As it stands, an AI model cares primarily about extrinsic rewards," Collins said. "Our research suggests that integrating intrinsic, goal-oriented rewards could substantially enhance these models."

While these findings are a significant step forward in understanding decision-making processes, further research is needed to fully understand and apply this concept across various fields. The Berkeley team plans to continue exploring this important area of cognitive neuroscience.
During the summer of 2018, the Mendocino Complex Fire ripped through UC's Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC), transforming the Northern California property's grassy, oak-dotted hillsides into a smoldering, ash-covered wasteland.

"It felt like something out of the Lord of the Rings -- like Mordor. It was hard to imagine much surviving," said Justin Brashares, a professor of environmental science, policy and management at the University of California, Berkeley.

But mere months after the fire, animals like coyote, gray foxes and black-tailed jackrabbits were seen returning to the area, spotted by grid of motion-sensor camera traps that Brashares' lab has operated since 2016 at the HREC, a multidisciplinary research and education facility located on the banks of the Russian River about and 13 miles south of Ukiah.

"We were surprised that many species seem to be resistant [to the impacts of the fire]," said Kendall Calhoun, a graduate student at UC Berkeley and a member of Brashares' lab.

Calhoun is the lead author of a new study that analyzed more that 500,000 camera grid images taken at the HREC in the years before and after the Mendocino Complex Fire to understand how the blaze impacted small- and medium-sized mammals on the property.

The study, which appeared Monday in the journal Ecosphere, is one of the first studies to compare continuous wildlife observations made before and after a megafire. It is also one of a limited number of studies to focus on the impacts of megafires on California's oak woodlands. Oak woodland ecosystems comprise a large portion of the state, and yet are underrepresented in wildfire research compared to the conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada.

"For the great majority of Californians, these oak woodlands and grassland savannahs are what we think of as the characteristic biome or ecosystem type for our state," Brashares said. "It's the primary ecosystem type for livestock grazing, and it's also the primary habitat type that's used to grow grapes for wine. It's a critical ecosystem type, and it's worth managing well."

Of the eight animal species included in the study, six were found to be "resistant" to the impacts of the fire, using the area in the same ways and with approximately the same frequency as they did before the fire. These species included coyote, black-tailed jackrabbit, gray fox, racoon, striped skunk and bobcat. Western gray squirrel and black-tailed deer, however, appeared to be more vulnerable to the impacts of the fire.

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Brashares and Calhoun believe many of the species were able to remain in the area thanks to small patches of tree cover spared by the fire. Photos from the camera traps reveal many animals taking refuge in these patches, using them to obtain food and resources while more heavily burned areas recovered. Some animals were even observed using these locations more often after the fire than before.

These findings highlight the importance of using techniques like grazing and prescribed burning to reduce the intensity of wildfires when they happen. These lower severity fires are more likely to leave the tree canopy intact and create the types of forest heterogeneity that can benefit fire-adapted ecosystems.

"Even this incredibly hot and devastating fire still managed to leave behind these little patches of unburnt areas, andwe were surprised at how quickly many species were able to move into those habitat patches and then spread back out into the burned areas as they recovered," Brashares said. "This finding is very valuable for forest management because we can do things to the landscape that will increase the chance that when fire does come through, it will leave behind some of these fragments."

An approaching inferno

Calhoun was halfway around the world visiting New Zealand when he received a text message from study co-author Kaitlyn Gaynor informing him that the HREC was on fire.

"I think my immediate text back was, 'Is everyone okay?'" Calhoun said.

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For two years, Calhoun had been helping to maintain the 36 camera traps spread across the property that had been set up in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to test a new way to monitor wildlife populations across the state.

Calhoun had originally joined Brashares' lab hoping to study impacts of megafire on wildlife diversity, but the unpredictability of wildfire had made it difficult to find a study site. The Mendocino Complex Fire -- while terrifying and destructive -- provided him with a rare opportunity.

"From what I heard, it was really scary as the fire was coming up to the property because people live on site, so there was a big rush to evacuate. The fire ended up burning more than half of the area," Calhoun said. "I was a continent away when I found out, but I was interested in hitting the ground running and making sure we got all the data we needed when I got back."

Calhoun and the team first returned to the site about two months after the fire, when trees were still smoldering and the HREC resembled a "moonscape." The team's first task was to check on the cameras, 13 of which had been partially melted by the fire. In addition to replacing broken camera parts, they also checked to make sure the camera traps were set up at the same position and with the same orientation as they were before the fire, to ensure that their data remained as consistent as possible.

Every three months, the team visits all 36 cameras on the site, downloading the photos, ensuring that everything is working correctly and removing any grass or debris blocking the view. They then spend countless hours reviewing each shot to sort out which photos contain animals, then identify the animals and log the data.

"A lot of the data that we collect is just grass blowing in the wind," Calhoun said.

In addition to small- and medium-sized mammals, the cameras also capture photos of larger animals, like black bears and mountain lions. Because these apex predators have huge home ranges -- often many times larger than the HREC's 5,300 acres -- it is impossible to get accurate information about their distributions from the study area.

Calhoun said that, anecdotally, these animals were spotted much less frequently after the fire, suggesting that they were slower to return to the area after the blaze.

After completing his Ph.D. this summer, Calhoun plans to continue his work as a 2023 Smith Fellow, studying how broad changes in fire regimes are affecting wildlife species across California. As part of the work, he hopes to obtain broader scale data on apex predators to better understand what happens to these animals when large fires destroy their home ranges.

"For my next project, I'm really interested in looking at the broadscale effects of fire on those really wide-ranging species, like mountain lions and bears, and then also how wildfires might be impacting their relationship with people," Calhoun said. "The conflict between bears and humans, especially in Lake Tahoe, is really big in the in the news right now, and I think that either climate change or fire might be driving some of those interactions."

Additional study co-authors include Benjamin R. Goldstein, Kaitlyn Gaynor, Alex McInturff and Leonel Solorio of UC Berkeley. This work was supported in part by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW Grant # P1680002) and by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship program.
Germany is a beautiful country, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg... These cities are known far beyond the borders of the country. People come here for festivals, beautiful architecture, ancient history and, where without it, real craft beer. But there are some things that just annoy tourists. Let's talk about them.

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Lack of air conditioning

In most public places in Germany, such as restaurants, cinemas or pubs, there is no air conditioning or it is simply not turned on. The same applies to buses and cabs. The fact is that locals are very frugal, so they are not used to literally throwing money away.

However, most of the business representatives have recently changed their position on this issue. Perhaps the increase in average summer air temperature has contributed to this, or maybe the large number of angry comments from foreigners.

There are paid toilets everywhere

We are not talking about public restrooms in the middle of the streets, but toilets in shopping centers, restaurants and even cheap bistros. Entrance will always be charged for both adults and children.

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Lots of strange rules

Germans love to live by the rules. They will never cross the road on a yellow light or take a bus without a ticket. And that's fine. But there are regulations that cannot be explained. For example, here you cannot buy some pills without a doctor's prescription, but you can easily buy their analogs and no one will tell you anything.

All stores are closed in the evening

This is definitely annoying for many Ukrainians traveling to Germany. And if after 18:00 you can still find a store somewhere to buy groceries, then from 20:00 everything is definitely closed. And on Sunday most supermarkets do not work at all. And how to be in such a case - it is unclear.

Expensive hotels

Germany is not a cheap country. So it is almost impossible to find budget accommodation here. Even a place in a hostel will cost you an average of 50 euros a night, and you won't find a hotel room cheaper than 75 euros.

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Drunk drivers

In Germany, if you've had up to 2 glasses of beer, you can drive safely. Yes, drunk, you got it right. So don't be surprised if your cab driver reeks of alcohol, he's not breaking any rules. But, frankly speaking, this is very alarming for passengers and makes them nervous.

However, you can't ride a bicycle after the same amount of beer. You can have your vehicle taken away from you and send you for examination. These are the kind of weird rules.

Constant comments

Germans will not keep quiet if they don't like something. They are bound to point out that you have done something wrong or made a mistake somewhere. But that's half the trouble.

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If a local saw that you broke one of the millions of laws, they will definitely complain about you to the police. So be prepared to explain to the police why you left your bike outside the hotel and not in a special parking lot, or how it happened that at 9pm you were listening to music a little louder than allowed.

Poor service

Another thing that both surprises and annoys tourists at the same time. Prepare yourself for the fact that a waiter may ignore the fact of your existence for half an hour, and in a hotel you will be refused accommodation without any reason, in an online store the manager will not answer your questions, or in a parking lot the guard will read a newspaper while you wait for him to open the entrance. All of this is the norm for Germany.

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And this attitude can be traced here in all areas. For example, it is almost unrealistic for tourists here to get medical help if something happened during the trip. And also, if you get lost or become a victim of robbers, it will be difficult for you to get the attention of law enforcers, who may also write you a fine just for prevention.

High prices for car rental

Another cause of annoyance for tourists. Of course, renting a car is not the cheapest service in other European countries either. However, in Germany almost no one can afford it. It seems that you are not renting an ordinary car for a day, but at least a Batmobile.

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Condemning displays of emotion

It would seem that there is nothing wrong with laughing out loud or, for example, crying in the middle of the street. We are all human beings and we all experience emotions differently. But Germans don't understand this. They may come up to you and ask you (sometimes quite aggressively) to restrain your feelings.

Ban on taking pictures in public places

Germans take personal space very seriously. That is why it is not uncommon for policemen to approach tourists and ask them to delete a photo that people have gotten into. And it doesn't matter if you were taking selfies at that moment or just wanted to shoot a beautiful sunset against the backdrop of some landmark. You still have to do what you're told. And if you start arguing, you can get a hefty fine.

Despite everything we've written above, Germany is a beautiful country. Like everywhere else, it has its drawbacks and advantages, but you shouldn't focus on the bad. Enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

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Earlier OBOZREVATEL told what annoys tourists in France.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On July 16, 1945, the first experiment with the detonation of a nuclear bomb in the history of mankind was conducted in the United States. The so-called Manhattan Project was led by physicist Robert Oppenheimer, who later admitted that when he saw how powerful and destructive the bomb was, he recalled a passage from a Hindu scripture: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds".

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Weird tells the story of the origin of this quote and what is wrong with it.

Oppenheimer was the head of the Los Alamos Laboratory, where the Manhattan Project, which aimed to build and test the atomic bomb, actually operated. Not surprisingly, he is considered the "father" of the atomic bomb for his contributions to its creation. But the physicist himself was ultimately left horrified by his own invention.

"We knew the world would not be the same. Some laughed, some cried, most were silent. I remembered a line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita. Vishnu is trying to convince a prince that he must do his duty and to impress him, takes his multi-armed form and says, "Now I have become Death, the destroyer of worlds." I think we've all thought that in one way or another," said the physicist as he recounted the impression the explosion of the atomic bomb made on him.

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Oppenheimer was not a Hindu in the religious sense, but found the philosophy useful in constructing his life. Stephen Thompson, PhD in Sanskrit grammar, believes that Oppenheimer's interest in Hinduism was not simply out of curiosity; the scientist was trying to make sense of his own actions through this religion.

The Bhagavad-Gita is a 700 verse Hindu scripture written in Sanskrit. It is based on a dialog between a warrior prince named Arjuna and the god Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu (the supreme god in Hinduism).

Arjuna faces a dilemma as he has to face an army with his friends and relatives. But Krishna teaches him a higher philosophy that will enable him to fulfill his duties as a warrior, regardless of personal problems. This is called dharma, or holy duty.

Seeking advice, Arjuna asks Krishna to reveal his universal form. The deity then appears to him as a majestic, ghastly being with many mouths and eyes. It was at this point that Oppenheimer's consciousness entered.

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"If the radiance of a thousand suns had flashed simultaneously in the sky, it would have been like the might of the Great One," Oppenheimer described an explosion in the New Mexico desert.

In Hinduism, time is non-linear, so the supreme god is involved not only in creation but also in destruction. The quote about the destroyer of worlds is uttered by Krishna in the thirty-second poem. But Oppenheimer does not translate it correctly.

"The quote 'Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds' is literally time destroying the world," Thompson explained. He said Oppenheimer, who knew Sanskrit, probably chose to translate "time destroying the world" as "death," which is a common interpretation. The meaning of this quote is simple: no matter what Arjuna does, everything is in divine hands.

Thompson believes that Oppenheimer, like Arjuna, sought to reconcile himself to his fate so that he would feel neither sadness nor joy for his deeds because it is simply what fate has dealt him.

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"He doesn't seem to believe that the soul is eternal, whereas Arjuna does," Thompson says of the physicist.

In the Gita, there is the view that death is an illusion and that we are neither born nor die.

"That's the philosophy: that there is only one consciousness and that all creation is a great game" explains Thompson.

But Oppenheimer, he argues, never believed that the people killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the dropping of the atomic bombs would not suffer.

"Krishna says you should just fulfill your duty as a warrior. If you were a priest you wouldn't have to do that, but you are a warrior and you have to fulfill it. In a broader sense, the 'bomb' probably represented the way to fight the forces of evil, which were epitomized by the forces of fascism," Thompson continues to reflect.

He summarizes that it may have been relatively easy for Arjuna to be indifferent to the war because he believed that the souls of his opponents would live on no matter what, but Oppenheimer felt the effects of the atomic bomb acutely.

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"He didn't have that certainty that destruction was, after all, an illusion," Thompson says, explaining that Oppenheimer's inability to accept the idea of an immortal soul caused his deeds to weigh on his mind.

Earlier OBOZREVATEL also told the main facts about Robert Oppenheimer.

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Starting from 20 July, Russia has declared all ships sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports as such that are carrying military cargo. Thus, the terrorist state will consider them a "legitimate military target".

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The position of the Russian Defense Ministry was published by Russian media. A number of sea areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation.

"The flag countries of such vessels will be considered involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime," the report said.

Moscow also emphasized that all mariners are informed about the possible consequences of violating the regulations in an appropriate manner.

Recall that since July 18, Russia unilaterally terminated the grain agreement. Henceforth, the coordination center in Turkey will be disbanded, but Ankara promised "not to stop the efforts", and Ukraine counts on the work of the "grain corridor" and without Russia.

As reported OBOZREVATEL, Ukraine expects from the UN practical actions to ensure the "grain corridor". If the organization will not start a clear and rigid work to continue exporting Ukrainian grain, and again will generate only statements, there will be no question about any safety of food ships.

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Also, President Zelensky pointed out that on July 19, Russian terrorists deliberately targeted the infrastructure of the grain agreement during a massive attack on Ukraine. Each Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine, but to everyone in the world who seeks a normal and safe life.
This is a co-creation with parents. Were really trying to  hear from parents that traditionally might not have a voice in this process.

Jeffrey Capizzano, president, The Policy Equity Group

Frances Einterz, Policy Equity Group

GSRP has shown significant impact on increasing at-risk preschool childrens early literacy and math skills  and reduced the achievement gap in early literacy between higher- and lower-risk preschool children.

Pre-K for All is really about ensuring that all Michigan children enjoy academic success

Jennifer Headley-Nordman, First Steps Kent

Kristen Sobolewski, First Steps Kent
Robert Oppenheimer is an American theoretical physicist who is widely known as the father of the atomic bomb. It was he who led the development of this terrible weapon during the so-called Manhattan Project. The bomb he created was so powerful and ominous that Oppenheimer later said that when he looked at its explosion he recalled lines from the Bhagavad Gita Hindu scripture: "Now I have become Death, the destroyer of worlds."

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It was Oppenheimer's invention which was thought to end all wars that was dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nearly 200,000 people died as a result of the bombing.

However, it should be recognized that there were other moments in the biography of the physicist which do not cause such horror. OBOZREVATEL tells the facts about Robert Oppenheimer.

Predicted the existence of black holes

By his character, Oppenheimer was a very inquisitive person, so when he was interested in something, he began to continuously explore the subject, including the astrophysics.

He became so fascinated with the subject that he eventually wrote several theoretical papers on objects that had not even been discovered yet, but that Oppenheimer believed should exist.

His boldest prediction was the idea that in the far depths of space there should exist "dying stars whose gravitational pull exceeds their energy production." Such an idea of his appeared in 1939 in a paper "On Continuous Gravitational Compression," which the physicist co-authored with his student Gartland Snyder.

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It was only later when the existence of black holes was discovered and physicists realized what the scientist had in mind.

A fool and a communist

Oppenheimer was a genius by allmeans. However, he had problems with emotional immaturity that were evident even despite his vast knowledge. He was also politically naive.

It was his commitment to communist ideas (the physicist never joined the party) that led to the fact that Oppenheimer could be restricted with the access to classified information.

After meeting Albert Einstein, he complained to him about the difficult situation he found himself in. Einstein advised his colleague to simply walk away and not force himself into a grueling investigation and trial by the Atomic Energy Commission.

Oppenheimer replied that he would be of more use from within the Washington establishment than from outside. Thus he decided to stay and fight.

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Einstein, after listening to his arguments, went into his office and, nodding at Oppenheimer, said to his secretary, "here comes the nar (fool for Yiddish)."

Oppenheimer would later lose the battle and it would affect his entire life.

Tried to poison his professor

As a student at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, England, Oppenheimer was going through a difficult time and, due to emotional problems and feelings of isolation, was even in a state of deep depression.

The situation was not improved by his supervisor Patrick Maynard Stewart Blackett, a gifted experimental physicist. Blackett managed everything so easily that Oppenheimer frankly envied him and tried to win his approval.

When all of Oppenheimer's actions were in vain, he, according to longtime friend Francis Fergusson, treated the apple with harmful chemicals and left it on Blackett's desk. Fortunately, the science advisor never touched the apple or it was simply put away by someone. No evidence of this story exists other than Fergusson's words.

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A whiner

Oppenheimer was very persuasive and confident when he had to work or speak in a relaxed environment, but he immediately broke down if he felt even little pressure.

Two months after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Oppenheimer met with U.S. President Harry Truman to express concern about a possible future nuclear war with the USSR. The president listened to the physicist and simply brushed him off, saying that the Soviet Union could never build an atomic bomb.

Oppenheimer was outraged by such a statement. He clasped his hands together and quietly said: "Mr. President, I feel I have blood on my hands."

Truman was so infuriated by this physicist's behavior that he immediately ended the meeting by stating that he himself had "twice as much blood" on his hands, but there was no point in going around complaining about it. Truman subsequently said sharply to his Secretary of State Dean Acheson, "I don't want to see that son of a b*tch in this office again."

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Evidence of this is contained in the president's correspondence with Acheson, where he says the father of the atomic bomb was a "whiny scientist."

A student favorite

Although Oppenheimer made a mixed impression on people in his circle, the students to whom he taught physics were simply fascinated by his lecturing skills. His rhetorical ability and erudition, which went far beyond physics, made him a fascinating speaker.

Oppenheimer was so gifted at crafting beautiful sentences (even improvised ones) that he charmed the students. It got to the point where some of them began dressing like their idol, wearing gray suit, clunky black shoes and even smoking his favorite cigarettes.

He spoke six languages, notably ancient Sanskrit

Oppenheimer was notable for his great ability to absorb information. Not surprisingly, he spoke six languages: Greek, Latin, French, German, Dutch (which he learned in six weeks for a lecture in the Netherlands) and the ancient Indian language Sanskrit.

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He gave a lecture at the New York Mineralogical Club at 12

Young Robert developed a thirst for geology at the age of 7. He then became fascinated with crystals, fanatically collecting minerals. A little while later, he even started writing letters on a typewriter to local geologists. The boy's level of knowledge impressed one of the geologists so much that he invited Oppenheimer to give a lecture at the New York Mineralogical Club, not realizing he was inviting a child.

When the boy came to give the lecture, he was greeted with loud laughter, but was helped to speak by bringing a wooden box so that he could reach the podium.

Oppenheimer gave such an astounding speech that the hall erupted in applause.

Named the first atomic bomb test in honor of his dead mistress

Oppenheimer met Jean Tatlock in 1936 and, despite the fact that he was already married to Katharine Puening, had an affair with a new girlfriend. In this case, one love did not interfere with the other, so the relationship with Tatlock continued until her death in 1944 from a drug overdose. It is believed that she committed suicide because of constant bouts of depression.

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Interestingly, it was Tatlock who got the physicist interested in communist ideas and even persuaded him to donate to the party's fund to fight poverty in the US. Subsequently, the FBI began spying on Oppenheimer and tapping his phone conversations.

In honor of one of her favorite poems, Oppenheimer assigned the codename "Trinity" to the first test of the atomic bomb.

Earlier OBOZREVATEL shared about at what distance it is possible to survive a nuclear explosion.

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Indian authorities intend to open access to one of the most remote corners of the country called Ladakh for tourists. In particular, in the strategic sector of Chang Chenmo near the patrol points north of the Pangong Lake.

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The region is located on the border with China, where the confrontation continues for the fourth year, writes The Times of India.

In particular, it is planned to open access for tourists to steep passes, fantastic landscapes of pastureland near the confluence of the Rimdi Chu and Chang Chenmo rivers about 160 km east of Leh, near the border with China.

It is noted that the Indian Army, usually hesitant in such cases, has approved the opening of a number of treks and trails.

The opening of new trekking routes could have a positive impact on the economic development of the region. This has also been a long-standing demand of the locals who have traditionally roamed these lands with their herds.

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Meetings between the local army command and top officials of the administration in the region contributed to the positive resolution of the issue. Sources said the administration had been in favor of opening the areas since April, but the change of command in the local formation slowed down the process.

It is known that opening of new routes would require development of local infrastructure. Officials said the administration had proposed plans to open toilets, selfies points and medical centers.

"The Border Roads Organization has been engaged for construction at the cost of the district. The police are also ready to set up check posts," the official said.

These are the latest in a series of border areas that the Ladakh administration wants to open for tourism in line with the Center's focus on border development. Inner Line Permit for Indians was revoked in 2021, but areas near the disputed parts of the LAC remained off-limits to visitors.

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Earlier OBOZREVATEL reported that the most popular cities among tourists were named. The rating was made on the basis of the number of visitors.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has explained why he does not want and will not talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to him, earlier there was still an opportunity to end the war through diplomacy, but now as the dictator has "hands in blood up to his elbows", there is nothing to negotiate with him about.

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This became clear more than a year ago after the liberation of Bucha in the Kyiv region, as mass graves of civilians tortured by the occupiers were discovered there. Zelensky said this while speaking to African media representatives (to watch the video, scroll to the end of the page).

"People with tied hands, feet, violent deaths, tortured, buried in mass graves. Well, who's willing to talk to this maniac? Yes, we said that the time will come and the war will still end diplomatically, but to talk to this man...Well, excuse me, he has his hands in blood up to his elbows, he doesn't care," the guarantor noted.

The head of state emphasized that the leader of the aggressor country had decided to kill everyone who disagrees "with his absolutely fascist ideology." Ukrainians are now fighting for the right to be human beings. Putin is trying to offer them a slave existence but he does not realize that this is impossible.

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"He only understands force. He understands as long as he has this or that weapon, as long as he has a population of many millions who are ready to go and fight, just to take people's lives and rights, that's why he's so brave. Easy to be brave when you have millions of people that you can throw like that. But when you have millions of people that you need to save, you have a different attitude to war, you are not ready to start any military action," Zelensky explained.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Volodymyr Zelensky explained to representatives of the African press the reasons for a full-scale war, in which Ukraine does not intend to surrender and capitulate. These reasons are not only in state ambitions and national dignity, but also in ordinary rights, which we can lose if we allow Russia to defeat us.

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Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Russian brigade commander Denis Ivanov (call sign "Tashkent") killed in the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk region. This war criminal was much loved by Kremlin propaganda. Olga Skabeeva sent him greetings on live television.

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The elimination of "Tashkent" was confirmed by Russian media. They said that after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the occupant was fighting in the areas of Rubizhne and Severodonetsk (to watch the video, scroll to the end of the page).

Propaganda reported that Ivanov was 42 years old; he didn't live to see his birthday in a week. It is noteworthy that the invader's name is not mentioned by the TV of the aggressor country, but his call sign "Tashkent" is used.

Russia said that he never gave an interview. However, the Russian did appear in propaganda programs, in particular, when he was awarded the star of a "hero" of the terrorist "LPR". Shortly before his death, he was presented with the title of "hero" of the Russian Federation.

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It is known that Ivanov was killed as a result of a kamikaze drone strike while he was traveling by car.

Confirmation of Denis Ivanov's death:

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Video with Tashkent:

As OBOZREVATEL wrote:

- On July 18, the Ukrainian Defense Forces killed another 470 military men of the Russian occupation army. The total number of losses of the terrorist state in manpower for the entire period of the full-scale war reached 239,480.

- To know much military equipment "the second army of the world" lost in the war, read in the statistics of the AFU General Staff.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Since the beginning of July, fighting has intensified near the lower Dnipro River in Kherson Region. They are taking place near a small Ukrainian bridgehead near the Antonov bridge on the left bank of the region, as well as over islands in the Dnipro delta.

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At present, the Russian military leadership is faced with the choice of whether to strengthen its grouping in the Kherson region at the expense of units trying to contain the Ukrainian Defense Forces' counteroffensive in Zaporozhzhia direction. This is stated in a new summary of the British Ministry of Defense.

Citing British intelligence data, the British MoD told about the possible intensification of fighting in the lower reaches of the Dnipro since the beginning of July.

"In addition to intense fighting on the eastern bank around a small Ukrainian bridgehead near the destroyed Antonov bridge, small units of Russian and Ukrainian forces have also competed for islands in the Dnipro delta," the British defense ministry specified.

It added that both Ukrainian soldiers and Russian occupiers use small high-speed motorboats. Ukraine has successfully destroyed some of the occupiers' watercraft with the help of tactical UAVs.

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Now Russian military commanders must decide how to respond to the growing threats in the Kherson region.

"Russia faces a dilemma as to whether to respond to these threats by strengthening its Dnipro grouping of troops at the expense of stretched units containing the Ukrainian counter-offensive in the Zaporizhzhia region," Britain's Defense Ministry said.

To remind, earlier British intelligence reported that the AFU is conducting counterattacks in two directions in the south, but "has hardly broken through the main Russian defensive lines." At the same time, the aggressor has probably introduced a shell rationing regime for artillery in an attempt to preserve its critical indirect fire capability in Zaporizhzhia direction.

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Over the past 24 hours, more than 20 military clashes between the Defense Forces and Russian occupation troops took place on the front in Ukraine. The enemy continues to concentrate its main efforts in the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions.

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In particular, the occupants made unsuccessful attacks in the area of Marinka and Krasnohorivka. This is stated in the morning summary of the General staff of the AFU on Facebook in the morning of July 19.

Russian shelling and the situation on the frontline

On the night of July 19, the Russian Federation launched another missile and air strike on Ukraine. Information about the consequences of this terrorist attack is being specified.

In the past 24 hours the occupants launched a missile and aviation strike on the territory of Ukraine. They used 6 cruise missiles "Kalibr" and 35 Iranian akamikaze UAV "Shahed-136". Air defense forces and assets destroyed 6 "Kalibr" cruise missiles and 31 enemy UAVs.

In the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions the enemy fired mortars and artillery at more than 20 settlements, in particular, Seredyna-Buda, Popovka, Iskryskivshchyna, Volfyn, Stepne in Sumy region and Kozacha Lopan, Vovchansk and Budarky in Kharkiv region came under fire.

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In the Kupiansk direction our soldiers are steadfastly holding the defense. The enemy launched an air strike in the area of Kyslivka. Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zakhidne, Sinkivka, Kupiansk and Kislivka of Kharkiv region were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling of the enemy.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy launched air strikes in the areas of Belohorivka, Luhansk region, as well as Spirne and Siversk, Donetsk region. The settlements of Nevske and Belohorivka in Luhansk region and Torske, Lyman, Berestove and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region were subjected to artillery shelling.

In the Bakhmut direction, under dense enemy air and artillery fire, our defenders successfully repelled enemy attacks in the area of Bohdanivka, Donetsk region. The enemy launched air strikes in the areas of Kurdyumivka,Ozarianivka, Druzhba, Bila Hora and Oleksandro-Shultyne. The enemy artillery shelling affected more than 10 settlements, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Stupochkym Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pivnichne and Pivdenne in Donetsk region.

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In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy launched an air strike near the town of Avdiivka. At the same time, the enemy carried out artillery shelling of more than 15 settlements, including Keramik, Avdiivka, Pervomaysk and Semenivka in Donetsk region.

In the Marinka direction, the Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian troops' offensive in the areas of Marinka and Krasnohorivka. The enemy shelled more than 10 settlements. Among them are Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Novomykhailivka and Maksymilianivka in Donetsk Region.

In the Shakhtar direction, in the areas of Rivne in Donetsk and Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the enemy made unsuccessful attempts to regain lost ground. It launched air strikes near Velyka Novosilka, Makarivka and Rivnopil. The enemy shelled more than 10 settlements, in particular, Novomykhailivka, Uhledar, Zolota Nyva and Shakhtarsk in Donetsk region.

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In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the enemy is concentrating its main efforts on preventing further advance of our troops.

Airstrikes conducted in the areas of Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Orikhiv and Piatykhatky in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Artillery shelling launched on more than 20 settlements, including Vilne Pole, Vremivka in Donetsk region; Zheleznodorozhne, Lobkove, Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia region; Synelnykove and Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk region; Burhunka, Kherson, Sadove, Berehove and Veletenske in Kherson region and Ochakiv in Mykolayiv region.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct offensive operations in the Melitopol and Berdyansk areas, consolidate on the achieved borders, inflict fire damage and carry out counter-battery measures.

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Russia's losses in the war over 24 hours

The aviation of the defense forces over the past day carried out 12 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment and 3 strikes on enemy surface-to-air missile systems.

Rocket troops and artillery units struck 1 enemy control center, 1 surface-to-air missile system, 16 artillery on firing positions, 3 ammunition depots and 3 enemy EW stations.

In addition, according to the General Staff, the occupants continue to rob the civilian population, appropriating the grain harvest of Ukrainian civilians. In particular, in the temporarily captured Skadovsk in Kherson region, the Russians have intensified the use of the port to export grain of this year's harvest to their ports since July 10.

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As OBOZREVATEL reported:

- On the night of July 19, Russia staged another combined attack on Ukraine, using missiles of different types and attack UAVs. The enemy launched Kalibr cruise missiles towards Odesa region, explosions occurred in the regional center, as well as in Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv region;

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- the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported that the Defense Forces have the initiative in the Kupiansk direction. Attempts by Russian troops to conduct an offensive in the area have so far proved unsuccessful.

Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
On the morning of July 19, explosions were heard in Kyiv. Air defence was working.

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This was reported in Telegram by the mayor of the capital Vitaliy Klytschko. Air raid alarm was heard in the city.

The head of the Kyiv city military administration Serhiy Popko reported in Telegram that this night the enemy attacked the capital with "Shahed" kamikaze drones. However, to no avail, as on the outskirts of the city air defense detected and destroyed all enemy drones.

"Preliminary, there is no casualties ot destruction, but the data is still being clarified. Don't forget to thank the air defense fighters with your donation to their needs. Take care!" Popko wrote.

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We would like to remind you that on July 19, Russia launched another combined attack on Ukraine, using missiles of different types and attack UAVs. In the direction of Odesa region, the enemy launched "Kalibr" cruise missiles, explosions were heard in the regional center. The region could additionally be attacked by R-800 Onyx type missile, which were fired from the Bastion ballistic missile defense system. In addition, the region was also attacked with "Shahed" drones and x-22 missiles from Tu-22m3 bombers.

There were also explosions in Kharkiv, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- Last night, July 18, Ukrainian air defense also repelled a massive Russian attack, mainly aimed at the southern regions. All six Kalibr cruise missiles and 31 Shahed-type kamikaze drones were destroyed;

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- in Odesa, a piece of missile debris was retrieved from a private house after a nighttime missile attack. As a result of the shelling, several private houses were damaged and a 74-year-old man was injured multiple times.

Only verified information we have in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Russian archaeologists together with local collaborators under the supervision of the military are excavating a Ukrainian monument of national importance, which is the ancient Greek city of Chersonesos, located on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. The main purpose of these excavations is an attempt to prove "the historical belonging of the city to the Russian Federation".

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This is reported by the Center for National Resistance. A similar scenario took place in the past, in particular, during World War II, when the Nazis also conducted excavations on the peninsula, trying to find evidence that Crimea is exclusively German territory, where the Gutones statehood once existed.

The modern occupiers intend to prove that Chersonesos was actually inhabited by Slavs and was called the city of Korsun. In the future, Russian propaganda plans to promote this version of history to Kyivan Rus, which Putin's regime considers its heir.

The main goal of this propaganda is not only to "justify its right to the island", but also an attempt to change the perspective of the history of the Crimean Tatars, reducing their importance in the history of Crimea to an "insignificant stage".

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To achieve their goals, Russian "historians" can use hoaxes and deliberate destruction of Greek heritage. Many artifacts are illegally exported to the Russian Federation, manifesting systematic robbery and destruction of the site.

It should be noted that the names of all criminals involved in the distortion of history and propaganda are known and each of them will be held responsible for their actions.

We remind that Ukrainian children forced into Russian occupation are promised money for a Russian passport. The criminal "leadership" has problems with the plan for passportization of the population in the captured territories.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, the invaders send men who receive Russian passports to the army in the occupied Mariupol. Peaceful residents of the captured city are preparing to be thrown to the front "to defend the Russian world".

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The AIM-traded firm said it had experienced significant new business wins with both new and existing clients, reinforcing its position in the market.

Additionally, recurring revenue streams and margins were described as robust.

The company said its recently-established European subsidiary in the Netherlands, aimed at facilitating project delivery in EU countries, had shown strong performance since its inception late last year.

MediaZest said it had secured new business wins in multiple EU countries, which were expected to generate revenue topping 0.5m.

In the UK, MediaZest said it was seeing continued growth in client work during the second half of the year ending 30 September.

The firm said it had successfully undertaken new projects for a number of existing clients, including Pets at Home, Hyundai, HMV, and Lululemon.

Its board said it was maintaining a confident outlook for the second half, emphasising the encouraging trend in business performance.

As expected, the establishment of our subsidiary in the Netherlands has already begun to pay off, with additional revenues generated and multiple new client projects under negotiation, said chief executive officer Geoff Robertson.

The volume of UK business also remains encouraging with existing clients and new customers engaging with us to deploy projects, all of which bodes well for the longer term growth prospects of the group.

At 0940 BST, shares in MediaZest were up 32% at 0.06p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
The largest Russian intelligence network in the country's history has been uncovered in Poland. It is known that among other targets, Russian agents planned to carry out sabotage on the railroad against trains carrying weapons and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

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This is reported by Gazeta Polska. According to the newspaper, among the 66 volumes of the investigation materials there are indications that the suspected members of the network planned to blow up trains carrying these goods to Ukraine.

The very fact that such attacks could be carried out directly probably led the Polish security services to start arresting people involved in this network.

"For this reason, the first arrests were at that particular time and not some other. The risk of attacks was too great to continue to monitor the group's activities," an anonymous interlocutor familiar with the case file told the paper.

According to information obtained by the publication's journalists, the agent network discovered in Poland is considered quite "young", as it was created in early 2023.

According to the report, the agents had a direct connection with Moscow and received instructions from this source, receiving payment for their actions, mostly in cryptocurrency.

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The dismantled agent network is considered the largest in Poland's history in modern times.

Recall that earlier the media told about the spy network of the Russian Federation in Europe, which involved dozens of diplomats. In total, the journalists have already identified 39 people who work or have worked in Russian embassies in the Nordic countries. Most of them have already left the countries where they worked, but at least 13 still hold positions in the embassies.

Recall that Germany has decided to expel Russian diplomats en masse. Moscow said it would take mirror measures in such a case.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Sherif is a seasoned industry professional specializing in the areas of relationship building, business growth, global cross-functional team development/management, client management and market strategy. He boasts of a career spanning over 22 years, during which he has worked with multinational corporations such as Siemens, Intel Security, FireEye, and Symantec, before joining CrowdStrike in 2020.

Siliconindia recently got a chance to interact with Sherif El-Nabawi, Vice President - Solutions Engineering, APJ, CrowdStrike, wherein he shared his insights on the current cybersecurity landscape in India and various other related aspects. Below are the excerpts from the exclusive interview

Share your opinion on todays cybersecurity landscape in India

Changing regulatory landscape, advances in technology, and the growing volume & innovation of cyber threats has resulted in the cybersecurity landscape in India to undergo thorough metamorphosis. Some of the common mistakes we see with individuals and organizations include reusing passwords, using outdated/unsupported software, not using antivirus software & firewalls, opening links/attachments in suspicious emails, using unsecured Wi-Fi networks in public places, failing to back-up data on cloud and granting excessive permissions to users. According to the CrowdStrikes Global Threat Report, 80 percent of attacks use compromised identities, while interactive intrusions involving hands-on keyboard activities by adversaries increased by 50 percent in 2022.

This dynamic environment requires the adoption of stronger cybersecurity measures by both individuals and organizations. Thus, most companies are utilizing multiple layers of security solutions by gathering data from disparate and disconnected sources. This makes it challenging to analyze the information collectively and diminishes the value of insights produced from this data. To tackle these cybersecurity challenges, the Indian government has launched initiatives to promote cybersecurity awareness, and large investments have been made to enhance the cybersecurity infrastructure.

Overall, the cybersecurity industry in India needs to shift towards a more proactive and consolidated approach. There is an increased focus on leveraging threat intelligence to identify and mitigate potential risks. Organizations are recognizing the importance of incident response planning and investing in technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and blockchain to enhance data storage, processing and security capabilities. By embracing these advancements and implementing comprehensive cybersecurity strategies, India can better protect its digital assets and combat evolving cyber threats effectively. While consolidating the security stack will help to reduce complexity and cost, it will also provide greater visibility across the business and yield more relevant insights from the data gathered.

Briefly explain about the drawbacks of traditional signature-based security against advanced malware-free attacks

Some of the major drawbacks of signature-based security are the necessity to see the file or behavior before, an active manual software update and the need for a device scan to ensure protection. This has resulted in the rise of malware-free attacks, thus rendering signature-based security obsolete. This is partly due to adversaries prolific abuse of valid credentials to facilitate access and persistence in victim environments. Another contributing factor was the rate at which new vulnerabilities were disclosed and the speed with which adversaries were able to operationalize exploits. However, with the growing focus on generative AI, adversaries will look to compress the time down from the discovery of some exposure to its exploitation. Currently, the timeframe for this is days or weeks but with generative AI capabilities, it may take minutes moving forward.

What is the role of XDR, IDP and EDR solutions in providing comprehensive visibility across an organizations architecture security?

XDR, EDR and IDP solutions play a crucial role in providing comprehensive visibility across an organization's architecture. XDR can help solve some of the toughest challenges security teams face, helping them to fight adversaries. XDR offers three significant advantages for organizations - consolidated threat visibility, hassle-free detections & investigations, and end-to-end orchestration & response. By increasing visibility, simplifying operations, and accelerating identification and remediation across the security stack, XDR helps detect and respond to advanced attacks, ultimately preventing breaches.

EDR focuses on endpoint telemetry, providing essential insights into compromised assets, correlating threat data across domains, and isolating complex attacks. By starting with EDR, XDR solutions can effectively analyze threat data and quickly identify the root cause of incidents. On the other hand, Identity Protection serves as the first level of detection for Active Directory Security by enabling frictionless security with real-time threat prevention and IT policy enforcement using identity, behavioral and risk analytics that combine with nearly any MFA/SSO provider to challenge threats in real-time.

When it comes to identifying and mitigating cyber threats, there are several latest technologies that play a crucial role. A notable one among them is identity threat protection, which offers comprehensive protection for all types of identities within an organization. By authenticating every identity and authorizing each request, identity security helps maintain security and prevent various digital threats like ransomware and supply chain attacks.

Tell us a few factors a business must consider while selecting a cybersecurity solution.

Some of the key factors businesses must consider while selecting a cybersecurity solution are firstly, the solution should provide robust threat detection and prevention capabilities, utilizing advanced signature-less technologies like AI and machine learning. It should also provide comprehensive coverage across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. Additionally, the solution should have strong incident response capabilities, enabling quick and effective response to security incidents. Further, it should offer scalability and flexibility to adapt to evolving business needs and technological advancements. Lastly, businesses should also do a thorough research on the reputation and expertise of the cybersecurity provider.

How do you expect the cybersecurity landscape to evolve in the days to come?

The cybersecurity landscape is expected to continue evolving rapidly. As technology advances, so do the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) employed by threat actors. With the increased use of digital technologies and systems, cybersecurity remains a top priority for both organizations and individuals. Identity theft will be the top threat vector in 2023 and identity providers will play a critical role in helping to protect user credentials. In 2023, we will also see a growth in the weaponization of data as extortion becomes the most common TTP used by e-criminals.
Consistent Infosystems, a leading provider of cutting-edge technology solutions, is proud to announce its highly anticipated Annual Sales Meet, which took place in Delhi. This exclusive event served as a platform to showcase the company's sales planning and training initiatives and introduced the esteemed members of the sales team from across multiple states.

Attending the event were Consistent Infosystems Founders, Nitin Bansal and Yogesh Agrawal, along with the Pan India sales team and key stakeholders from across the organization. This year's event highlighted the remarkable growth achieved over the past year while outlining the strategic direction for the future.

The agenda for the Annual Sales Meet included comprehensive sales planning sessions designed to align the team's efforts with Consistent Infosystems' highlighting business objectives. These sessions enabled the sales team to formulate effective strategies, identify new market opportunities, and drive sustainable growth in the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Adding on to the achievements recently the company was also recognized by NCN Editors Choice Awards 2022 in The Value-For-Money Accessories category and a Certificate of Achievement on attaining Advanced Level of outstanding performance in Amazon Marketplace for the year 2023.

"We were thrilled to organize our Annual Sales Meet, as it allows us to celebrate our achievements, strengthen our strategic focus, and nurture a culture of continuous learning and development," said Yogesh Agrawal, CEO, and Co-Founder, CONSISTENT INFOSYSTEMS PRIVATE LIMITED. "This event served as a platform to showcase the collective expertise of our sales team and reaffirm our commitment to providing innovative technology solutions that drive value for our clients."

The Annual Sales Meet is a testament to Consistent Infosystems' unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and customer-centricity. The event provides a unique opportunity for the sales team to interact, exchange knowledge, and lay the foundation for future success.
Somdip Dey, FRSA

Lurking behind the scenes of revolutionary technologies and social enterprise, Somdip Dey, a Professor of Practice in AI/ML at Woxsen University and the Chief Executive Officer of Nosh Technologies, has been actively shifting paradigms, yet remaining relatively unknown within the public sphere. His inspiring story reveals an ambitious innovator from Kolkata, India, who is steadfastly striving to effect palpable change in the world.

Born in Kolkata, Dey's academic journey began at St. Xavier's College where he graduated in 2012. He made waves during his tenure by introducing a ground-breaking system that employed QR codes to ensure the authenticity of degree transcripts and certificates, a methodology that would eventually be mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in a bid to prevent degree forgeries.

In 2013, Dey ventured to the United Kingdom, setting his sights on a Master's degree from the esteemed University of Manchester. Tragically, in 2014, during his academic pursuit, his parents were involved in a severe accident in India. The distressing incident necessitated the diversion of all his personal funds to India for their medical treatment. Left without the means to feed himself, Dey found himself resorting to the unsavoury practice of dumpster diving to ward off starvation.

This first-hand experience of hunger and food wastage sparked the genesis of a revolutionary idea. Alongside his academic peers, Dey co-developed the worlds first crowd- food sharing platform in 2014. This open-source platform aimed to connect people with surplus food to those in need in their vicinity. In the following years Dey's innovative solution inspired entrepreneurs globally to join the fight against food wastage.

Upon his graduation from the University of Manchester, Dey transitioned into the professional realm, accepting a role as a Software Engineer. This move was largely necessitated by his familys financial strains, exacerbated by his fathers paralysis resulting from the accident. Unmoved by the unsuccessful efforts of Indian doctors to restore his father's mobility, Dey sought to take matters into his own hands. He relinquished his corporate role to join a funded PhD programme at the University of Essex, where he focused on developing embedded machine learning techniques in embedded robotic systems aimed at rehabilitation  a direct response to his personal experiences.

In a recent episode of the Phd - The Philosophical Drama show, hosted by Amogh Aparna Maheshchandra, Dey revealed that his driving motivation was the potential to harness technology in meaningful ways that could enhance lives and societies. This ethos is reflected in his endeavours, from fighting hunger to improving physical rehabilitation.

During his PhD stint in 2020, amidst the backdrop of the global COVID pandemic, Dey recognised an increase in household food wastage due to the fluctuating shopping schedules. This observation led him to co-develop the Nosh app, the world's first AI- powered food management and waste reduction application. This innovative solution aimed to curb household food wastage.

The success of the Nosh app culminated in the co-founding of Nosh Technologies alongside Suman Saha. The company is a deep-tech firm dedicated to fostering sustainability in the Agri-Supply Chain through technology.

Dey explained that his intention behind the commercialisation of the Nosh app was to generate revenue that could be reinvested into further development of food waste reduction technologies worldwide. His remarkable contributions have garnered recognition, including being named an 'Outstanding Achiever' at the 2023 India UK Achievers Honours, sharing the accolade with noted personalities such as Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha, and Adar Poonawalla. Dey has also been recognised as an 'MIT Innovator Under 35' in AI/Robotics in Europe, and as an 'Under 40 Sustainability Star' by CorpStage.

Juggling his roles as CEO of Nosh Technologies, Professor at Woxsen University, and Lecturer of Computer Science at the University of Essex, Dey remains committed to mentoring the next generation. He believes that his role as an educator provides the unique opportunity to guide students towards successful careers in technology, as he himself was guided by influential academics in his early career. In the interview, Dey credits his academic success to Dr Asoke Nath of St. Xaviers College, Kolkata, Professor Steve Furber of the University of Manchester, and Dr Amit Kumar Singh and Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier of the University of Essex.

Now at the age of 32, this relentless innovator continues to strive towards developing technologies and teaching, with the hope to inspire future generations of technologists. The journey of Somdip Dey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and the profound impact of leveraging technology for the benefit of society.
According to a report by Bessemer Venture Partners, the next phase of growth in Indias digital economy will be driven by business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces. Online-first, tech-enabled B2B platforms are expected to create a market opportunity worth $200 billion by 2030, a significant increase from the $20 billion opportunity in 2022.

Despite the projected growth, online B2B Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) will represent only 5% of the overall B2B sales in India by 2030, compared to the current market share of 1%. In contrast, other regions such as China, the UK, and the US see a much higher share of B2B ecommerce, accounting for 25%, 20%, and 18% of overall sales, respectively.

The report identifies three key opportunities in the B2B marketplace space, focusing on product, services, and infrastructure marketplaces. Anant Vidur Puri, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners, highlights the growing significance of services marketplaces, which command higher gross margins of 30% to 40% compared to product marketplaces average of 15% gross margin. Success in the services sector will be determined by the ability of marketplaces to foster collaboration between businesses, leading to better retention, margins, and revenue.

Moreover, the growth of online B2B transactions will be influenced by factors such as the accessibility of online payments and the availability of government-backed ecommerce initiatives like ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and OCEN (Open Credit Enablement Network) for credit rails. The report predicts a promising future for Indias B2B marketplaces, positioning them as a driving force behind the countrys expanding digital economy.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Tania Kinsella, the former commanding officer of the 120th Precinct in St. George, was named the new first deputy commissioner of the NYPD on Monday.

Born in the Bronx, Kinsella is a 20-year veteran of the NYPD, and has been a stalwart in the Staten Island community. She takes over for Edward A. Caban, who was named the 46th NYPD commissioner by Mayor Eric Adams.

Kinsella, who had been serving as the executive officer for the chief of patrol since 2022, will be the first woman of color to hold the position.

Heres a look into her career:

Kinsella introduces Staten Island's first phase of the Neighborhood Safety Teams to the public on March 24, 2022. (Staten Island Advance/Derek Alvez).

120 PRECINCT/NYPD ROLES

In 2020, Kinsella was appointed head of the 120th Precinct, one that, over the course of several decades, has seen both high crime rates and a high number of substantiated civilian complaints against officers. A former member of the Community Affairs unit, Kinsella told the Advance/SILive.com that she approached the role with what she described as an equal share of love for her officers and the community she serves.

Its a tight-knit community, she said in 2022. My goal is to make the 120th Precinct welcoming for everybody, not just when theres bad times or terrible incidents.

Kinsellas history with the 120th Precinct dates back to 2003, when she was assigned there as a patrol officer shortly after graduating from the citys Police Academy.

Ill never forget walking through these doors  I was terrified, she said. I didnt know what to expect.

She would go on to serve as a lieutenant with the Community Affairs unit on Staten Island, a captain with the 120th Precinct and later a precinct commander for Police Service Area 1 in Coney Island.

She also held positions at the 13th Precinct in Manhattan and most recently served as as the executive officer of the Office of the Chief of Patrol, where she was subsequently promoted to deputy chief. There, she focused on the deployment of the Patrol Services Bureaus approximately 13,000 members.

Moments after being announced as the new Police Commissioner, Edward Caban and his new First Deputy Commissioner, Tania Kinsella, signed the @NYPD40Pct command log for the first time in their new roles. pic.twitter.com/Nw0c5lQs7J  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) July 17, 2023

STRONG TIES TO STATEN ISLAND

Kinsella moved with her parents to Mariners Harbor when she was 14 years old.

I didnt know anything about Staten Island, recalled Kinsella, who for the remainder of high school traveled by ferry, bus and/or train to the Bronx high school she already was attending. I used to wake up at 3:30 a.m., she said.

She said as a teenager she was indifferent toward police.

My mother was very strict and there were no options, she said. If I had any interactions with cops, I was dead.

While attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan with dreams of becoming a lawyer, she applied for the NYPD at a job fair just because.

Its been a crazy fun ride and I would not have traded it for anything, she said. Ive met some of the greatest people, and I work with the best people.

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS PRAISE APPOINTMENT

Staten Island leaders said they were thrilled at Kinsellas promotion.

The former commanding officer of the 120th Precinct and incredibly dedicated public servant will be an invaluable asset in our fight to make sure Staten Island finally gets its fair share of cops to keep Islanders and their families safe, said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon in a statement.

My full statement on the appointment of Commissioner Edward Caban and First Deputy Commissioner and proud Staten Islander Tania Kinsella: https://t.co/K3rQc1oHIu pic.twitter.com/MZ9G4zujfc  Michael E. McMahon (@StatenIslandDA) July 17, 2023

I am really excited, I think that is an excellent choice for deputy commissioner, said former North Shore City Councilwoman Debi Rose. She has such a balanced approach to policing. Thats my girl and I am really proud that she has evolved to this high rank.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) extended a message of congratulations to the Police Departments newest leadership: Our office congratulates Edward Caban on being appointed NYPD commissioner and our new First Deputy Commissioner Tania Kinsella, who we worked closely with when she served as commander of Staten Islands 120th Precinct.

LEADER ON THE FORCE

Throughout her career, Kinsella has been known as a leader on the force.

In a 2022 interview, Capt. Eric Waldhelm, the commanding officer of the 121st Precinct, noted he learned a lot during his time working as her executive officer at the 120th Precinct.

Inspector Kinsella was one of my mentors during my time there; Were on the phone every day, he said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In the years leading up to the Civil War, disputes over the legality of slavery were being waged far beyond the Mason Dixon Line.

In New York, abolitionists debated the topic with businessmen who were profiting from the atrocities being carried out for centuries through the transatlantic slave trade. As the nation edged closer to bloodshed, a landmark court case in the Empire State would serve as an ultimate act of defiance against the Supreme Courts stance on the matter, thus helping set the stage for armed warfare.

An exhibit on display for the next two weeks at the Richmond County Courthouse revisits the work of judges, lawyers and other individuals who played a role in whats commonly known within legal circles the The Lemmon Case. Ultimately, it resulted in eight young people, ranging from 2 to 23 years old, being freed from the individuals whom they had traveled into the state with from Virginia; individuals who claimed ownership of them.

The exhibit, The Lemmon Case: 1852-1860, A Prelude to the Civil War, is being presented by the Historical Society of the New York Courts in collaboration with the New York State Courts. It began making its rounds in 2021 as part of a 90-week tour to 45 courthouses across New York state.

An exhibit currently on display at the Staten Island Courthouse tells the story of a decision in the New York Courts that freed eight enslaved young people and contributed to the start of the Civil War. In this illustration archived by the New York Public Library, individuals carry out the operations of the fugitive slave law. (New York Public Library).

The panel exhibit is scheduled to feature a video narration by James Earl Jones, a New Yorker, with an introduction by then-Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. The video also can be viewed here.

The horrors and injustices inflicted on African Americans as slaves in our country has been well documented, says DiFiore in the video, but lesser know is the important role New Yorkers and the New York courts played in chipping away at the foundation of slavery before the Civil War.

The inspiration behind the project is to educate the public on the role of the New York courts in paving the way for the abolition of slavery, according to a press release from the Historical Society of the New York Courts.

An exhibit currently on display at the Staten Island Courthouse tells the story of a decision in the New York Courts that freed eight enslaved young people and contributed to the start of the Civil War. (New York Public Library).

The ruling was in direct conflict with the Supreme Courts Dred Scott decision of 1857, and represented the most unyielding statement made against slavery by any court in the United States prior to the Civil War.

The exhibit will remain on display at the Staten Island courthouse weekdays through July 28.

The Historical Society of New York Courts is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by then-New York State Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye. Its mission is to preserve, protect and promote the legal history of New York, including the proud heritage of its courts and the development of the Rule of Law.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Nearly $70 million worth of artifacts purchased by a high-profile collector and Metropolitan Museum of Art trustee have been seized after local authorities determined the items were originally stolen from their native countries, the New York Post reported.

The items from the collection of New York City philanthropist Shelby White, 84, were confiscated by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office special Antiquities Trafficking Unit, the report said.

Among the 89 pieces in question is a bronze statue dating back to late-second to early-third century CE worth an estimated $15 million. Some were taken from Italy, Yemen and Turkey, officials allege.

Our investigation into the collector Shelby White has allowed dozens of antiquities that were ripped from their countries of origin to finally return home, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in a statement, while thanking White for her cooperation. She has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

A bronze statuette of the emperor Lucius Verus valued at $15 million was stolen from Turkey. (Supreme Court of the State of New York)

Whites lawyer Peter Chavkin told the New York Times that she and her late husband purchased items in her extensive collection in good faith, at public auction and from dealers they believed to be reputable.

The Met, to which White and her late husband have donated tens of millions of dollars over the years, has stood by Whites claims of ignorance.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York State standardized test scores will be released later than usual this year as a result of changing the exams to measure new learning standards.

Each spring, students in grades 3-8 take part in standardized exams in reading and math  offering an idea of how well students are succeeding in the subjects. State exam scores also determine if a student receives academic intervention services, which are intended to increase achievement for students who struggle to meet the learning standards.

In 2017, New York voted to replace Common Core with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards  spending several years raising awareness and building capacity for the new standards. This past spring marked the first time that students statewide took standardized reading and math exams that aligned with the states Next Generation Learning Standards.

Typically, students will receive their individual test scores in the summer before the start of the new school year. The state and city will then publish test scores later in the fall.

But now, state officials said they need more time to analyze and gather educator input for the new tests to establish achievement standards, also known as cut scores, for performance on each of the tests. The state is working on this throughout the summer  which means results for the state and reading math exams will be pushed back to the fall 2023.

Test scores wont be available before the first day of the 2023-2024 school year, though its unclear when exactly the test scores will be released.

Since test scores wont be available before the start of the 2023-2024 school year, the state voted to approve an amendment to ensure schools can make programming decisions and determine which students will receive academic intervention services prior to the first day of school. The amendment will provide flexibility in the identification process for interventions during the upcoming school year, and any other year where test scores arent provided prior to the start of the school year.

This means that  if test scores are delayed before the school year starts  test scores wont be required to make identifications for which students will need academic intervention services. Schools can instead conduct a two-step identification process to determine who needs academic intervention services, or make an identification based solely on district-developed procedures.

The amendment was adopted as an emergency rule, effective Tuesday. It will again be presented to the Board of Regents for permanent adoption at its November meeting, after publication of the proposed amendment in the State Register and expiration of the 60-day public comment period required under the State Administrative Procedure Act.

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The hipping and hopping doesnt seem to be stopping in one Florida neighborhood as an invasive species of rabbit is looking like the most cuddly infestation ever.

An estimated 60 to 100 lionhead rabbits have populated Jenada Isles, an 81-home community in Wilton Manors, a Fort Lauderdale suburb, the Associated Press is reporting.

Area resident Alicia Griggis is working to raise the needed $20,000 to $40,000 it would cost for a rescue group to capture, neuter, vaccinate, shelter and then give away the lionheads, the report said.

The bunnies are reportedly descended from another group of rabbits a backyard breeder illegally let loose when she moved from the area two years ago.

Wilton Manors has allowed supporters of the rabbits time to raise money and relocate rather than exterminate them, the report said.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov proposes to change one of the norms of the constitution to allow the deployment of foreign military bases in our country. He believes that this is a necessary step towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

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The minister wrote about this in a column titled "To NATO without emotions. What we got at the summit in Vilnius", posted on LIGA.net. Reznikov believes that the norm of the Constitution on the inadmissibility of the location of foreign military bases is outdated.

"It is clear that if necessary, you can find a legal formula not to call the base a base, like a "center of interaction and exchange of experience" or something. But why? It is necessary to remove this restriction that has lost its relevance in order to destroy the ground for speculation," Defence Minister argues.

In addition, he proposes to supplement Article 17, which refers to the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The minister believes that it should be supplemented with the thesis that Ukraine independently chooses mechanisms to ensure its security. In particular, by joining international treaties or organizations.

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"This will disclose and normalize the idea of the European and Euro-Atlantic course, laid down in paragraph 5 of the preamble," the head of the Defense Ministry explaines.

By the way, Reznikov held a telephone conversation with the head of the Pentagon Lloyd Austin, in which he discussed the priorities of the virtual meeting of the contact group on defense of Ukraine. The Pentagon chief briefed the Ukrainian minister on U.S. security assistance efforts and Minister Reznikov provided an update on developments on the ground in Ukraine, according to the U.S. Department of Defense website.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Reznikov said that the coalition to train Ukrainian pilots of F-16 fighter jets has already been fully established. The process itself will begin in late July - early August this year. The first 20 pilots will be trained.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Sharks are taking over television this month  but if you dont have cable, dont fret. There are plenty of ways to watch all the jaw-some moments for Shark Week 2023.

The summer tradition airs every year on the Discovery Channel. The series will start on Sunday, July 23, and will wrap up on Saturday, July 29.

There are several ways to stream Shark Week this year if you dont have cable. You can go for Discovery+, the streaming home to Discovery Channel to tune into old and new Shark Week episodes. Discovery also announced that Shark Week will be available to stream on Max.

If youre a cord-cutter, and you want access to even more content beyond Shark Week, consider these options:

Many of these services offer a free trial. Just make sure the plan includes the Discovery Channel when you sign up.

There are also plenty of compatible devices like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Andriod TV, Chromecast, iOS/Android devices, and the internet. So regardless of which device you use, youll have access to Shark Week.

This year, actor Jason Momoa will host the week-long shark extravaganza, serving as the master of ceremonies. Momoa is the second person to host the beloved event, following Dwayne The Rock Johnson, who served in the same position during Shark Week 2022.

Momoa will guide fans through nearly 20 new hours of television featuring the apex predators, including Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy that will provide a first-time, close-up look at a great white shark feast  captured by researchers with cameras inside a whale carcass decoy  or Cocaine Sharks that will reveal what happens to sharks that possibly feed on cocaine and other illegal drugs dumped in South Florida waters.

WATCH SHARK WEEK ON FUBOTV OR PHILO WITH A FREE TRIAL

Shark Week will also spotlight innovative technology used to track and study unique shark species and their enemies. It will delve into mating and migration patterns  showing rare footage  as researchers follow the sharks to remote locations in South Africa and New Zealand.

A full schedule for Shark Week 2023 was recently announced.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday marked the official unveiling of a long-sought new staircase in St. George at the old State Supreme Court building.

The steps had been allowed to deteriorate over decades, and had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the buildings front entrance at 18 Richmond Terrace had been closed for years.

City officials first announced in March of last year that the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) would invest $5.2 million for a complete overhaul of the steps, with an estimated completion for fall of this year.

On Tuesday, DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley joined other city officials to tout the projects completion ahead of schedule and slightly under budget.

[The steps are] critical for the courts, theyre critical for the city. Its a civic landmark, he said from atop the steps. Were certainly excited to be sharing this moment.

Exterior or the New York Supreme Court in St. George is shown Tuesday, March 22, 2022. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)

Used mostly as the Islands State Supreme Court building up until the new locations opening at 25 Hyatt St., the courthouse is now home to the Islands Surrogate Court, which is often associated with the execution of wills.

Borough President Vito Fossella acknowledged current Staten Island Surrogate Matt Titone, and praised the city agencies for their work on the project.

Under budget and ahead of schedule  not too often do you hear those words being used when youre describing public projects, he said. To all the professionals, and more importantly, the individual citizens who expect justice, to be treated right, know they will be, and now they can walk up the steps without falling down.

During the reconstruction, the courthouse also featured an art installation that highlighted some local young people.

Workers install new steps at the Richmond County Surrogate Court in St. George on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)

Artist Melanie Crean worked with youth from several Staten Island high schools to consider the future of justice that they would like to see in their community, and how it might be represented in the format of photographs installed on the front of the court building while under construction.

Five banners, measuring 20 feet high by 6 feet wide, were placed between the courthouse pillars, and an additional 50-foot-long by 7.5-feet-high print was placed on the construction fence.

The images displayed on a construction fence in front of the site and between the courthouses six stone pillars were meant to convey the idea of people forging connections with each other across divides.

Constructed in the 1910s, the buildings general age, but particularly the time it was constructed, helped contribute to the steps deterioration.

City officials held the unveiling of the new staircase at the old State Supreme Court in St. George Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)

Daniel Allen  an architect with the firm CTA Architects, which helped design the stair replacement  said their research found that the onset of World War I caused the original builders to use inappropriate material for the stairs.

Their original drawings that we found in the archives show that the stairs were supposed to be granite and bluestone, he said. The general theory of what happened is that World War I got in the way and they budget-cut them down to limestone.

Allen said the courthouses proximity to the water, a minimal supportive structure underneath the steps, and the frequency of their use helped contribute to the deterioration of the limestone.

Now, the new installation used the originally intended granite and bluestone. The granite came from Georgia via a company in Massachusetts, and designers sourced the bluestone from just up the Hudson River, Allen said.

Pictured at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, from left to right, are: Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Tom Foley; Borough President Vito Fossella; Department of Citywide Administrative Services Executive Deputy Commissioner for Asset and Property Management Laura Ringelheim; Richmond County Surrogate Matt Titone; Administrative Judge Desmond Green, and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George. (Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta)

They also rebuilt the structure underneath the stairs, creating a better support system as theyre used in the coming decades.

The idea was  we do it once ... its going to be forever, Allen said.

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CITY HALL  New York City officials said Wednesday that shelter capacity has stretched so far beyond its limit amid the ongoing migrant crisis that its time to start making tough choices.

With the goal of focusing humanitarian efforts on families with children, Mayor Eric Adams and a host of his top aides said theyd begin giving single adult migrants 60-day notice that they have to leave their current shelter.

Were going to see how much of our cup has basically runneth over, the mayor said. We have no more room in the city.

Of the more-than 91,000 migrants who have made their way to the five boroughs since April of last year, about 54,000 remain in the city care, with the entire population of the shelter system swelling to more than 105,000.

Migrants who are no longer in the citys care have found accommodations elsewhere, and Adams characterized Wednesdays announcement as a way to re-intensify efforts for those in the citys care.

Starting with the 13 Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Response Centers (HERRCs) set up around the five boroughs, officials will notify single adults, for which the city did not have a precise number, that they have 60 days to find new accommodations.

If they remain unsuccessful in that search, the single-adult migrants will be required to re-enter the citys shelter system through the migrant arrival center set up at The Roosevelt Hotel, 45 E 45th St.

Reporters at the mayors Wednesday briefing on the crisis raised the obvious concern that kicking people out just to have them re-enter the shelter system would simply force them onto the street, but officials tried to downplay that.

As he has for months, Adams touted the citys efforts compared to other localities around the country, where homeless people can often be seen sleeping on the street in large homeless encampments.

Our goal is not to increase street homelessness, the mayor said. But we dont have any more physical space. We have to address that.

The impact has been more severe on the citys larger boroughs, but parts of Staten Island have been used to house migrants, including multiple hotels and a former school building.

Adams has repeatedly called on more help from the federal government, but those calls have fallen mostly on deaf ears. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) helped secure $105 million in funding for the city, but little else has been done, including requests for the federal government to grant work authorizations to the new arrivals.

That policy change, which would allow migrants to better care for themselves, could be done by President Joseph Biden at the executive level, but he has declined to do so.

Commissioner Manuel Castro, of the Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs, also pointed out that the federal government has failed to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the migrant crisis with many heading to the nations major cities.

Southern border encounters have decreased in recent months compared to their spike at the end of 2022, but city officials said theyre still seeing arrivals with 2,800 coming to the city last week.

Theyve posited that those new arrivals are coming from other parts of the country. To address that, officials will be sending flyers around the country to notify people that they wont be guaranteed shelter in the city, the high cost of living in the five boroughs, and asking them to consider other destinations.

We want to be clear, [the city] has done 1,000-times more than any other locality across the country. We have truly stepped up like no one else, Castro said. It is now time for others to step up in a real way.

MORE NYC NEWS

NYC officials unveil long-awaited new staircase at St. George courthouse

NYC may soon release its new vision for Staten Islands North Shore

NYC Mayor Eric Adams on Staten Island for town hall

Staten Island Zoo to undergo transformation with $15.6 million city investment

Migrants now make up more than half of homeless people under NYC care
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On the night of Wednesday, July 19, the aggressor country Russia launched another combined attack on Ukraine, using different types of missiles and attack UAVs. The enemy launched Kalibr cruise missiles towards Odesa Region, explosions heard in the regional center.

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Air defense worked on enemy targets. The head of the Odesa RMA, Oleh Kiper, urged people to stay in shelters.

"Do not go to the windows, do not film and post the work of air defense forces!" he wrote.

Monitoring channels also informed that in Odesa region missiles such as R-800 "Onyx" were also used from the CDS "Bastion".

In addition, the Odesa region was attacked with "Shahed" drones and x-22 missiles from TU-22m3 bombers. At around 2:00, explosions were heard in the region again.

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Local telegram channels wrote about explosions in Kharkiv and its region. There air defense forces were working on kamikaze drones.

REpotedly, there are strikes in Kherson. The consequences of the attack are being established.

In the direction of Zaporizhzhia the enemy launched S-300 missiles. Explosions were heard in the regional center.

Closer to 5 a.m., the drones also reached the Kyiv region. Air defence was working, reported in the Kyiv RMA. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed the explosions and the work of air defense in Kyiv and the region.

The head of the Kyiv city military administration Serhiy Popko reported in Telegram that this night the enemy attacked the capital with drones. However, to no avail, as on the approaches to the city the air defense detected and destroyed all enemy drones. Preliminarily, there were no casualties or destruction.

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As reported by OBOZREVATEL, Ukrainian air defense on the night of Tuesday, July 18, repelled a massive Russian attack, mainly aimed at the southern regions. All six Kalibr cruise missiles and 31 Shahed-type kamikaze drones were destroyed.

Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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Eating outRestaurant news First look at LEnclumes $420 once-in-a-lifetime three-Michelin-starred experience in Sydney This is 20 years of dishes, some of which have never been seen outside LEnclume before. Bianca Hrovat July 19, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

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This is 20 years of dishes, some older than others, some of which have never been seen outside of LEnclume before. I am desperate for this to go off as a massive hit. Three Michelin-starred English restaurant L'Enclume to take up residency at Bathers' Pavilion, Sydney Good Food has an exclusive first look at the eight-course menu (plus snacks and petits fours), which gives each of the signature LEnclume dishes a distinctly Australian flavour. Among them is the seaweed custard with beef broth and bone marrow  where Maldon oysters have been replaced with plump, briny royal miyagi oysters produced in Tasmanias Boomer Bay.

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The dish arrives (with oscietra caviar and tweezered candied sea kelp) in hand-thrown bowls by Blackheath ceramic artist Simon Reece, with a hand-carved spoon by Potts Point woodworker Ted ODonnell. Seaweed custard, beef broth and bone marrow, royal miyagi oysters, oscietra caviar. Edwina Pickles The menu also features organic Dorper lamb loin from remote saltbush grazing country in South Australia, served with turnip and fig leaf vinegar; Tasmanian ocean trout cured in pine salt; Fraser Island spanner crab and potatoes cooked in chicken fat, with horseradish and roast chicken skin; and strawberries, bee pollen, chamomile cake, milk ice-cream and cream of sweet herbs. Guests should feel as though theyre sampling the best of the local area, keeping within that [farm-to-fork] LEnclume ethos, Rogan says. Over the years, our food has become a lot simpler as weve focused on allowing those amazing ingredients to really shine.

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But, of course, people want to see a level of cookery they cant do themselves, especially at a three-star level. There are a lot of things that go into making each dish  its just not in your face. LEnclumes dessert of strawberries, bee pollen, chamomile cake, milk ice-cream and cream of sweet herbs. Edwina Pickles The menu Boltardy beetroot and pickled radish tartlet, trout eggs marinated in ponzu

Tasmanian ocean trout cured in pine salt

Fritter of Bundarra pig and smoked eel, lovage and fermented sweetcorn

Yarrawa (cheese) pudding caramelised in maple syrup, stout vinegar, aged Yarrawa

Raw blue mackerel in coal oil, kombu jam, noriko kohlrabi and perilla

Fraser Island spanner crab and potatoes in chicken fat, horseradish and roast chicken skin

Seaweed custard, beef broth and bone marrow, royal miyagi oysters, oscietra caviar

Jerusalem artichokes and crosnes, buried in aromats, La Luna goats cheese, chrysanthemum

Leopard rockcod and courgette, fennel pollen, marron and rosehips

Dorper saltbush lamb loin, turnip and fig leaf vinegar, ragout, fermented runner beans and black garlic

Frozen Tunworth cheese, champagne rhubarb, buckwheat crumb, lemon thyme

Camarosa strawberries, bee pollen, chamomile cake, milk ice-cream and cream of sweet herbs

Anvil  caramel mousse with our miso, winter apple and spruce

Petits fours: verbena chocolate; Kendal mint stones; Malfroys honey pastels What $420 per head (plus wine) will get you when three Michelin-starred LEnclume rolls in

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
Not a pebble looked out of place as Jean Nassifs immaculately maintained mansion on the Chiswick waterfront in Sydneys inner west was bathed in winter sunshine on Wednesday afternoon.

It was like salt in the wound for dozens of furious creditors gathered at Drummoyne Oval.

The home of Toplace owner Jean Nassif in Chiswick. Credit: Kate Geraghty

They were within view of the palatial home as they met administrators who are sifting through the carnage of Nassifs collapsing construction empire.

Up to $1 billion in assets and liabilities are at stake across the 75 companies in the Toplace group that have now been placed into the hands of the administrators.
An iconic Sydney pub made famous by Australian country music legend Slim Dusty has been forced to shut its doors as the owners cited complaints from neighbours, landlord disputes and rising costs as the reason behind the closure.

The Town and Country Hotel in Sydneys inner west was established in 1881 and featured in Dustys song Duncan, released exactly a century later and containing the lyric: We drink at the Town and Country, where the atmosphere is great.

Town and Country Hotel in St Peters will shut down. Credit: Edwina Pickles

Pub manager Glenn Whitfield said owners Helen and Alex Filips, who took over ownership six years ago, were forced to close the St Peters pub this week following a failed mediation with landlord Benjamin Harkham.

Harkham has been contacted for comment.
Protection of the community and girls at the school ... is paramount. Givorshner told the court a psychological report had found Wong had autism spectrum disorder. He said if Wong was jailed, there would be no opportunity for him to get the treatment he needed from a community-based therapy program. Mijovich accepted that the District Court may have a different view, they may be convinced. Wongs sentencing had been delayed after counsel sought a mental health evaluation. This is high-level betrayal, this is not opportunistic. Magistrate Alexander Mijovich

Prosecutors had previously opposed the application to delay sentencing primarily for ongoing distress that these matters are causing to the cohort in the community of the relevant high school. Givorshner told the court that Wong had developed a habit of using pornography extensively before the offences occurred. In court documents, police had described Wongs behaviour as brazen, predatory and opportunist. The Herald revealed in May that Wong was caught by a 16-year-old female student when the girl bumped into a whiteboard and dislodged a hidden phone in Wongs classroom. Eric Wong has pleaded guilty to filming a students private parts while a teacher at Cammeraygal High School in Crows Nest.

After the principal was informed and police notified, Wong was charged and he pleaded guilty. A police search of Wongs home revealed hundreds of videos and photographs on a computer and storage device of girls in school uniform in his classroom, including images up their skirts and of their breast area. A police statement of facts lodged in court detailed how, last December, Wong asked a female student to remain behind in the classroom of the co-educational school. Wong invited the girl to the front of the classroom to his workbench and directed her to his laptop. She walked around to the teachers side of the bench, facing the classroom, where she then completed a task on his computer. The victim took a step backward and knocked her body into a free-standing smart board, police facts state.

When the victim knocked and moved the smart board backward, the victim saw a mobile phone that had been purposely placed on the ground leaning in an upwards position leaning against the smart board fall to the ground. Cammeraygals principal Kathy Melky stood down Eric Wong from her staff. Wong then immediately  leant down to the mobile phone, picking it up and making a comment he left it there previously before class. When the girl tried to talk about the phone, Wong changed the conversation immediately. The victim formed the opinion that the camera on the mobile phone was purposely placed in an upwards position and was filming her whilst standing at the teachers bench.

She left and immediately told a friend. Loading After the incident, which occurred on a Friday, she told one of her parents on Sunday, and the parent accompanied the girl to school on Monday to inform principal Kathy Melky. Police were called. Wong was arrested and cautioned the next day. Ten days later, he was arrested and charged. The principal informed the school community that day and Wong was stood down. A police examination of his home computer found 90 videos that Wong made of female students at Cammeraygal High School wearing the school uniform, consisting of a pleated skirt with black, red, white and grey-coloured stripes, a white short-sleeve blouse and school tie.

In the videos, Wong was randomly walking around his science classroom with his mobile phone camera/video application on and recording, police said. Police said Wong targeted only female students. The accused walks up next to or behind the female student and whilst talking to them or observing them undertaking their science experiment the accused discreetly positions his mobile phone in position to film private parts (buttocks, anus, groin) underneath the female students pleated school dress, the police facts said. In some video files, the accused can be seen talking to the female victims and then glance towards his mobile phone, the mobile phone is then repositioned making sure he is capturing the stated areas of the female body. He would also discreetly position the camera to record the girls breasts and stomach areas underneath the blouse, which is worn loose.

Police also identified 300 photographic files of girls in uniform in class and of their buttocks, groin and breast areas. The forensic examination of video files demonstrates the brazen, predatory and opportunist behaviour of the accused, preying on female school students in his science and iSTEM classes, the police facts state, noting that Wong is a teacher, a person in a position authority and trust. The accused has breached this authority and trust by his actions and behaviour. In her principals letter, Melky told the school community that a serious criminal charge has been laid by NSW Police against a staff member of our school. She wrote that the employee has been stood down and is barred from entering school sites.

I understand this news may cause you and your family concern or distress, she wrote. Support services were offered. Wong was responsible for senior prefects and the student representative council and earned praise in school newsletters for organising study workshops for senior students. Two further counts of possessing child abuse material and one of producing child abuse material were withdrawn and dismissed.
A NSW court has smoothed the path for potentially hundreds of businesses to seek compensation for disruption caused by the drawn-out construction of the state governments Sydney light rail line.

Two small businesses led a class action lawsuit filed against the states transport agency in the NSW Supreme Court, arguing work on the multibillion-dollar project caused unreasonable interference.

Angela Vithoulkas and Sophie Hunt were among business owners who took on the state government for disruption caused by construction of the Sydney CBD light rail. Credit: Janie Barrett

Construction on the 12-kilometre tram line between Circular Quay in Sydneys CBD, Randwick and Kingsford in the eastern suburbs began in 2015. The final stage of the $3 billion project opened a year behind schedule in 2020, frustrated by a series of cost blowouts, delays and legal battles.

Justice Richard Cavanagh on Wednesday found Transport for NSW was liable for financial losses to the businesses as the harm caused by the project delays was foreseeable and, indeed, predictable.
A woman who starved dozens of horses and kept them in filth will never again own the animals, after she was dealt a lifetime ban.

Christine Weisheit was on Wednesday found guilty of more than 50 animal cruelty charges, more than six years after RSPCA inspectors visited her familys property near Ararat.

Images of some of the horses found at Christine Weisheits property by RSPCA Victorias Inspectorate.

One expert painted a grim picture of what they found, with dozens of horses in starvation mode as of January 2016.

There was no food or water in the stables, there was manure everywhere and it was being eaten in the stubble, a court decision published on Wednesday said.
Evan James Martin did not seem at all intimidated about appearing in court on a murder charge on Wednesday.

In fact, the 42-year-old seemed happy to be there, and when asked how he would plead to the murder of fellow inmate Ashley Bropho in March this year, responded with a perky, very guilty.

Martin, who is already partway through serving an 11-year sentence for the attempted murder of another paedophile inmate in 2020, now faces another long stint in prison for Brophos murder.

In previous court appearances, Martin has made it clear his disgust for child abusers. In November last year he was sentenced for the violent stabbing of a 65-year-old man who was doing time for the sexual abuse of four young girls.
During a massive attack on the night of July 19, Russian troops hit the Mykolaiv region. Recreational infrastructure facilities in the coastal zone of the Koblev community were destroyed, and fires broke out at the landing sites.

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Two people were injured, one of them was hospitalized. This was reported by the head of the Mykolaiv RMA Vitaliy Kim.

"Tonight, as a result of an enemy attack on the settlement of the Koblev community there was destruction and ignition of recreational infrastructure facilities in the coastal zone. Detailed information is being clarified. Two people were injured, one of them is hospitalized", he noted.

Rescuers of the State Service for Emergency situations went to the scene. They extinguished the fires that covered significant areas, even during the repeated enemy attack.

"The next sentries of the 8 and 19 state fire and rescue units of the rural fire department "Koblevo" arrived on the scene. The fire covered a significant area, so the firefighters extinguished the fire even during the repeated wave of enemy attack. The blast wave damaged nearby buildings, as well as the car of the RFD "Koblevo", SES noted.

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It is added that there were no casualties among the rescuers.

Operational Command South added that Russia attacked the region with kamikaze drones. Two Shahed-136s were shot down over Mykolaiv region (six more were destroyed in Odesa region).

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"As a result of aerial combat, falling debris caught fire and damaged recreational infrastructure in the coastal zone of the Koblev community, two civilians were injured", OC "South" stated.

To remind, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine at night. The enemy launched X-22, "Kalibr" and "Onyx" missiles and drones. In total, air defense forces shot down 37 air targets.

In Kherson as a result of enemy shelling there was a fire: a woman was rescued from under the rubble.

In Odesa, the invaders hit an enterprise and warehouses with tobacco and fireworks. In addition, debris of the destroyed Russian missiles fell on a residential neighborhood, there are wounded.

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More than once, I catch myself humming the theme song from Zorba the Greek. If a line of sirtaki dancers approached and beckoned me to join, I wouldnt say no. I toast the end of another perfect summer day with an Aegean Sea Breeze cocktail, a blend of ouzo, fresh grapefruit, honey and a pinch of salt.

Such is the good life on a Celebrity Cruises Greek Islands sailing, where the only worry is how quickly these longed-for days pass. Some passengers have signed up for daily shore excursions to explore archaeological ruins that date back to the Bronze Age. Others spend their days making good use of the open bar, knocking back cold beers while marinating in one of the float pools cantilevered over the ocean. Not for me, not this time.

Im on my own Greek odyssey, propelled by a love of sand, sun and saltwater, and aiming to find the best beach in every port we visit.

Paradise Beach on Mykonos. Credit: iStock

On a face-meltingly hot day in Mykonos, the only place to be is on or in water. I join a boat tour from the port to Paradise Beach, a trendy club beloved by influencers and the Euro-rich. The sunbeds cost a fortune, but the sea is still free, so we cool off while an unsmiling attendant keeps a close eye on us to fend off any unauthorised sitting.
Americas Main Street is as ephemeral as the lore its evoked since kicking off in 1926. It exists not as an unbroken stretch of bitumen but in splinters of tar that drift off into prairie grass here, duck beneath thundering overpasses there, dissolve in all manner of forsaken dead-ends. Feted and fabled, it labours fitfully across 3940 kilometres and eight richly storied, deeply contrasting states.

Credit: Jamie Brown

Lack of signage and the fragmentary nature of the road lead to many a wrong turn. The first rule is to get your hands on a reliable map: Route 66 historian Jerry McClanahans EZ66 Guide, produced with The National Historic Route 66 Federation, is your faithful companion. Individual alignments and easterly and westerly driving instructions are clarified in this spiral-bound digest.

Direction presents another dilemma: where to start? Purists set off from downtown Chicago  a days drive from the routes official birthplace of Springfield, Missouri  and follow the trail across Americas breadth before sidling to a halt at Santa Monica Pier. One can more easily conjure, on this course, the routes historic trajectory, and the souls of those who traversed it on their way to the land of milk and honey  California  during the Great Depression.

The jalopies cluttering the Mother Road in Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath are long gone. Harley Davidsons and Chevy Corvettes lend a touch of retro authenticity to the modern wayfarers journey; whatever your style, remember that the roads decay demands robustness in a vehicle. And though you could conceivably cover the distance in three or four days, the voyage should proceed sedately, over a period of two weeks or more.
In 2017, a trio of friends decided to start a business that built tiny holiday homes using sustainable materials then installed them in picturesque private locations in Australia. The country, they felt, was ripe for it.

Pirates Retreat Tiny Away home at Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania.

For so many reasons, tiny house stays are becoming a growing tourism movement around the world  especially in Australia where low-impact holidays and ecotourism are increasingly valued by travellers, one of the three, Singapore-based Jeff Yeo, says.

The business is called Tiny Away and in 2019, it had 45 houses on offer, mainly in NSW and Victoria. In 2021, that had grown to 100 and right now, the figure stands around 200 with the recent opening of six new properties in destinations such as the Hunter Valley, Noosa and the Port Arthur region of Tasmania.

Tiny Away has also recently expanded into New Zealand, Europe (Spain, Italy and France), Taiwan, and Malaysia as well as launching a sub-brand, Tiny Away Escape.
London: A new video has surfaced online that purports to show Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin for the first time since he led a short-lived rebellion last month.

In the video, he is seen telling his troops they will spend some time in Belarus training its military before deploying to Africa.

Yevgeny Prigozhin on his March to Moscow in June. Credit: AP

It comes as the head of Britains Secret Intelligence Service Richard Moore told Politico, in his second-only public appearance since heading up MI6, that last months mutiny Prigozhin staged had left him baffled.

C, as he is officially code-named, said: If you look at Putins behaviour on that day, Prigozhin started off as a traitor at breakfast, hed been pardoned by supper, and two days later hed been invited for tea.
SIMPSON BAY:--- The Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA), an alliance formed in 2021 by the airports of the Dutch Caribbean, aims to improve the travel experience between the islands, focusing on consistency, affordability, and sustainability, a commitment reiterated by Joost Meijs, Chief Executive Officer of Arubas Queen Beatrice International Airport and Chairman of the DCCA, during his recent visit with Minister Lambriex.

Updating the Minister on the mission and vision of the DCCA, Meijs explained that a Task Force was established in January of this year, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the commitment of the partnership between the islands. The DCCAs Task Force explained Joanne Christiaans, Program Manager of the Task Force, has as its objective to develop a Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) outlining how to reach the end goal of a more affordable, efficient, and sustainable interisland connectivity network with a concrete timeline and milestones.

With a combined passenger count of just under 6.5 million, the DCCA airports play a vital role in connecting the Dutch Caribbean islands. Arubas Queen Beatrice International Airport, the largest of the group, handles approximately 2.8 million passenger movements, while St. Maarten, currently in a recovery phase, follows closely with 1.5 million passengers.

During the official meeting, the DCCA members formalized the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify their commitment to improving travel within the region. The first short-term step outlined in the MOU focuses on making travel more consistent and affordable, with particular attention given to visiting friends and family.

With airfares to Aruba and Curacao fluctuating, they can become costly at times, a situation Minister Lambriex deems in need of improvement. Recognizing the essential role air travel plays for the smaller sister islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Bonaire, the DCCA aims to address the issue of high airfares, by lobbying for significantly lower rates than those currently in the market.

Minister Lambriex enthusiastically embraced the idea of normalizing airfares and applauded the commitment of the DCCA to enhance travel experiences within the Dutch Caribbean. Through the MOU, which the Minister endorsed by co-signing, the alliance will work collaboratively towards achieving this objective.

Another key initiative from the DCCA is the annual conference themed A Flight to the Future, traditionally held in the first week of November. This year's conference will be hosted in Curacao, with next years event scheduled to take place in Sint Maarten. The conference serves as a gathering for airports, airlines, industry stakeholders, and government officials to discuss relevant topics. Additionally, a public day is held, with a focus on sustainable flying between the islands.

As part of their commitment to inclusiveness, the DCCA delegation also met with representatives and residents in Saba and Sint Eustatius last week to gather input, ensuring that their perspectives are considered during the implementation of the MOU.

The Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA) looks forward to working together to improve the travel experience for all residents and visitors of the Dutch Caribbean islands. By fostering collaboration and seeking input from stakeholders, the DCCA aims to enhance travel consistency, affordability, and sustainability.

Accompanying Meijs and Christiaans were Brian Mingo, Chief Executive Officer PJIAE, Michael Schoonewagen, Commercial Director PJIAE, Suzy Kartokromo, Air Service Manager PJIAE, and Program Manager Assistant on the DCCAs Task Force, while Minister Lambriex was joined by Francisco Croes, Chief of Staff TEATT, and Louis Halley, Department Head Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime.

Persons interested to know more about the DCCA, as well as this years conference, can visit https://www.dccaairports.com/
SIMPSON BAY:---- Princess Juliana International Airport is proud to announce the commencement of its beloved tradition, the annual Rescue- and Firefighter's Week, marking the 26th anniversary of the Rescue and Firefighting department's unwavering commitment to safety and service. Since its inception in 2015, Rescue and Firefighter's Week has become a much-anticipated event, aiming to acknowledge and appreciate the tireless efforts of the airport's rescue and firefighting personnel and emphasize their health and safety.

The week-long celebration, which runs from July 23, 2023, to July 28, 2023, will encompass a diverse range of activities and events specially curated to recognize the invaluable contributions of the dedicated rescue- and fire station employees. Throughout the week, various programs have been arranged to not only commend their exemplary service but also to promote their well-being and welfare.

"Rescue- and Firefighter's Week at Princess Juliana International Airport is a time-honored tradition that allows us to express our gratitude and admiration for the extraordinary work carried out by the department," said Fire Captain Mr. Mauricio Webster. "Their selfless dedication to ensuring the safety of our passengers, airport personnel, and facilities is truly commendable. This week is an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and commitment."

One of the highlights of Firefighter's Week is the captivating firefighting demonstrations conducted by the airport's skilled rescue- and firefighters. Open to the public, these awe-inspiring displays will take place in front of the terminal building, offering a glimpse into the intensity and precision required to combat aviation-related emergencies.

"It is essential for us to engage with the public during this week and demonstrate the capabilities of our firefighting team," stated Fire Chief Mr. Manilo Penijn, the Head of the Rescue and Firefighting department at Princess Juliana International Airport. "These demonstrations not only educate the public about our operations but also instill confidence in our passengers, assuring them that they are in safe hands when traveling through our airport."

As we commemorate the 26th anniversary of the firefighting department at Princess Juliana International Airport, Rescue and Firefighter's Week will serve as a poignant reminder of the unwavering dedication and courage displayed by these brave individuals throughout the years.

The management at Princess Juliana International Airport extends a warm invitation to all stakeholders to participate in this meaningful celebration and honor the exceptional Rescue- and firefighters who safeguard the airport and its employees day in and day out.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prosecutors Office Sint Maarten has agreed to allow Windward Roads Infrastructure WWR to complete the remaining works of the new Dutch Quarter sewerage pump station and sewerage network upgrade. The works decided on with the input of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI, will commence on Monday, August 7, 2023, and will last six months.

The US $2 million fine to WWR is a form of restitution to compensate St. Maarten for the companys role, via its former director and chief financial officer (CFO), in the Larimar case conducted by the Central Team (anti-corruption taskforce) of the Attorney-Generals Office of Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. This case uncovered a major bribery, money laundering, and forgery scheme that saw the sentencing of a prominent politician, the WWR former director and CFO, and three others.

Part of the fine has already been worked off by the company with the construction of the Foga Sewage Pump Station. The remaining work, in lieu of a monetary fine payment, will be executed in the Dutch Quarter Sewage Project. WWR will provide all labor, materials, and other project-related items at no financial cost to the Government of St. Maarten.



The Works

The remaining works of the new sewerage pumping station and upgrading of the sewerage network in Lot 1 will recommence on A. Th. Illidge Road, in the vicinity of the Dutch Quarter. The new pumping station will aid in the movement of sewage from the Dutch Quarter and the surrounding area to the Illidge Road Wastewater Treatment Plant.



The works consist of the following:

Completion of the new pumping station,

Completion of the small section of the main sewerage in A. Th. Illidge Road,

Dismantling of the existing pumping stations,

Reconnecting the pressure lines,

Installing a new sewerage system in Hodges Lane to Martin Luther King Jr. School,

House connections in the main Road and Hodges Lane.



The remaining works will primarily focus on Section 1 which consists of the new pumping station, removal of the substations and house connections on A. Th. Illidge Road leading to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. These works entail excavation and placement of sewerage lines under A. Th. Illidge Road.



Road closures will be needed as works progress. A traffic plan will be communicated by VROMI to the public ahead of work.



VROMI will hold an information meeting for residents on Monday, August 1, 2023, at the Dutch Quarter Community Center. More details on the information session will be issued by VROMI in a subsequent statement.
POINTE BLANCHE:--- Carnivals Mardi Gras cruise ship made its inaugural visit on Thursday, July 13 bringing in 8100+ passengers and crew to the destination. The 1,130 feet vessel is on an eight-day itinerary and included a passenger who was on their 100th cruise.

Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander Gumbs, members of management, the supervisory board of directors, and the ships agent, were all on hand to welcome Captain Giuseppe Giusa and his guests to the island.

Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by eco-friendly Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Carnival Corp. introduced LNG fuel to the passenger cruise sector as part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability and emissions reduction.

Mardi Gras is the first of three Excel-class ships to join the Carnival fleet.

During the tour on Thursday of the ultra-modern vessel, the collaboration between Carnival Cruise Line with St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital was highly visible, where various forms of artwork were on display inspired by St. Jude patient Camila.

Mardi Gras first set sail in July of 2021. On June 4th, Mardi Gras arrived at her homeport Cape Canaveral where a brand-new cruise terminal was built specifically for the vessel. The cruise ship offers itineraries to the eastern and western Caribbean.

This ship introduces Zones  six themed areas packed with brand-new experiences for eating, drinking, and spectacularly getting down to fun. There's BOLT, the first-ever rollercoaster at sea, Emeril's Bistro 1396 from yes-that-Emeril, Family Feud Live for everybody... plus incredible new bars like The Brass Magnolia and Fortune Teller.

The Mardi Gras was built at the Meyer Turku Shipyard, Finland; has a gross tonnage of 180,000; a beam of 137 feet and requires a maximum draft of 28 feet. The ship is equipped with 17 decks and cruises at 17 knots.

Carnival Cruise Line is the largest cruise company in the world, based on passengers carried, and the flagship brand of Carnival Corporation & plc. known as Americas Cruise Line for carrying more Americans and serving more U.S. homeports than any other.

Carnival was named the four-time winner of Best Ocean Cruise Line in USA Todays 10 Best Awards and Best Domestic Cruise Line by Travel Weekly readers for five consecutive years.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In a preliminary analysis of ongoing research into the capacity of the Private / Individual Rental market, the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) has concluded that, at a minimum, country St. Maarten hosts 1,301 short-term rental units, consisting of 3,357 rooms. As a comparison, the country St. Maarten has 3,368 hotel units with 4,262 rooms.

The rapidly growing use of Airbnb, VRBO, Home & Away, and private home individual rentals, have brought both opportunities and challenges to destinations worldwide. Over the past months, SHTA conducted research in an attempt to assess the scope and size of the industry. Research has been conducted amongst listings on the various rental sites and other Private/Individual rental websites. Thus far, the researchers have been able to identify 468 villas on the Dutch side (consisting of 1,779 rooms), 118 rooms or studios (consisting of 152 rooms), and 715 condos and apartments (consisting of 1,426 rooms).

The short-term rental market is highly dynamic  daily the listings change with new units being added and some others being withdrawn. This is why in both cases the counts are a minimum assessment and the association expects the number to continue changing on a regular basis. This growth expectation is further supported by the fact that various private/individual vacation properties are not listed on public platforms. Detailed work was performed to ensure the duplicity of properties listed was avoided and accounted for only once.

As its beginnings as a tourism destination, St. Maarten boasted many villas and condos for rent. The exact amount has not been assessed recently. The research by SHTA aims to get a full grasp of both the lodging opportunities provided for operators and the opportunities for a potential increase in the airlift. It is the conviction of the SHTA that understanding this growing tourism segment better, it will allow for targeted marketing and facilitation.

SHTA is urging the Government to address potential gaps in taxation and other areas of registration to ensure a level playing field, between established and registered accommodation businesses and those that are not. As shown by the figures this is a significant market that could significantly broaden the taxpayer base by providing more tax revenue via Room Tax, Profit Tax, or Wage Tax. Even embarking on an education project for homeowners would help improve compliance in this sector. The SHTA has learned the Minister of Finance started a dialogue with AirBnB. The association supports the efforts of the Minister to cooperate with the site as one of the world's key short-term vacation rental platforms.
Skeena Provides Update on Near Term Value-Generating Catalysts

Skeena Resources Limited (TSX: SKE, NYSE: SKE) (aSkeenaa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/skeena-resources-ltd/ ) is pleased to provide an update on several near-term catalysts expected to drive growth at its 100% owned Eskay Creek and Snip Projects (the aProjectsa) located in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. This update is mainly focused on technical optimization of the Projects, specifically related to exploration, metallurgy, and engineering studies.

Randy Reichert, Skeenaa?s President & CEO, commented aWe anticipate 2023 to be a transformational year for the Company as we progress from exploration and project studies into development. Skeenaa?s primary focus is continued growth at both Projects through advancement of engineering and metallurgical optimization. Several near-term milestones are expected in the second half of this year with a goal of growing the mine life and net present value of Eskay Creek, continuing to increase value for all stakeholders.a

Below highlights the details of the key technical updates in Table 1 that Skeena has recently completed or expects to complete in the near-term at both Eskay Creek and Snip.

Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Eskay Creek (completed Q2 2023)

Skeena published an updated Mineral Resource Update (aMREa or aResourcea) for Eskay Creek on June 20, 2023. This update highlighted a total increase of 8%, adding over 430,000 gold equivalent[1] (aAuEqa) ounces to the MRE. With 73% of the Resource now being in the Measured and Indicated categories the Company expects a large percentage to convert to Reserves, potentially adding a year or more of mine life to Eskay Creek in the Q4 2023 Definitive Feasibility Study (aDFSa).

Increased Land Package Surrounding Eskay Creek (completed Q3 2023)

The Company recently increased its land package by acquiring five new claims surrounding Skeenaa?s existing Eskay Creek and Eskay North claims. These new claims cover the interpreted northeastern extension of the Eskay Creek Rift system, which has the potential to host additional mineralization. With a total land package now exceeding 100,000 hectares, the Company has one of the largest land positions held for mining in the mineral-rich Golden Triangle region of British Columbia.

Metallurgical Optimization & Simplified Flowsheet at Eskay Creek (expected Q3 2023)

Following the 2022 Eskay Creek Feasibility Study (aFSa), Skeena has continued metallurgical test work using representative samples of Eskay Creek material.A The focus of this work has been to simplify the process flowsheet and improve the quality of the concentrate expected to be produced from the flotation plant.A Recent testing has shown significant improvements in flotation concentrate quality due to better flotation kinetics and employing a finer re-grind particle size distribution. The Eskay Creek processing plant is now expected to be a traditional flotation plant with a single stage of rougher flotation and a simple re-grind and flotation cleaning circuit.A This change represents a likely reduction in both process plant capital costs and operational costs.A Gold recovery within the modified process is expected to be comparable to the 2022 FS.A

Updated MRE for Snip (expected Q3 2023)

Skeena plans to release an updated MRE for their Snip Project which will incorporate an additional 307 drillholes totaling 46,268 metres of drilling. The majority of the new drilling was completed by Hochschild Mining under their option agreement before Skeena regained 100% ownership of the project on April 5, 2023. The additional drilling is expected to expand and upgrade Inferred ounces to the Indicated category.

Exploration Results from Eskay Creek (expected Q3/Q4 2023)

Three drills are currently operating at Eskay Creek, two of which are focused on the Eskay Deeps target in search of high-grade mineralization hosted in the Contact Mudstone at depth and along strike of the currently defined deposit. The third drill is focused on exploring for additional near mine mineralization that may be amenable to open-pit mining in proximity to the already defined resources at Eskay Creek. Assay results are expected to be released in fall 2023.

Skeenaa?s Senior Vice President of Exploration & Resource Development, Paul Geddes, commented aOur thesis that the mineralized Eskay Creek Rift system continues at depth beyond the delineated NEX Zone was proven in 2022 with drill hole SK-22-1081, which intersected 3.79 g/t Au, 59.4 g/t Ag over 32.19 metres. This new occurrence is 650 metres down-dip of the current Resource and opens up a substantial area of new exploration potential. We are excited for this new phase of exploration at Eskay Deeps to test the true size potential of the Rift.a

Definitive Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek (expected Q4 2023)

The Company is progressing towards the completion of a DFS for Eskay Creek. The updates that will be incorporated into the Study include the recently updated MRE, metallurgical optimization, refinements to the mill flowsheet, updated capital expenditure figures, and modifications to the open-pit mining method to enhance selectivity and minimize dilution. Skeena anticipates these updates to increase confidence in successful execution and extend the life of mine, ultimately increasing the value of Eskay Creek.

Maiden Engineering Study for Snip (expected Q1 2024)

Following the completion of an updated MRE for Snip in Q3 2023, Skeena will work to finalize an engineering study on the project. The study will highlight Snip as a potential satellite operation, providing ore to a centralized mill at Eskay Creek. The Company expects the additional ore from Snip to further bolster the mine life at Eskay Creek and increase payabilities of the concentrate.

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a Canadian mining exploration and development company focused on revitalizing the Eskay Creek and Snip Projects, two past-producing mines located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek in September 2022 which highlights an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.4B, 50% IRR, and a 1-year payback at US$1,700/oz Au and US$19/oz Ag. Skeena is currently continuing exploration drilling and plans on releasing a Definitive Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek in Q4 2023.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,

Walter ColesA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Randy Reichert

Executive ChairmanA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A President & CEO

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries: info@skeenaresources.com

Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725

Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Qualified Persons

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration & Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated, and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements and information contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute aforward-looking informationa and aforward-looking statementsa within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, aforward-looking statementsa). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. The use of words such as aanticipatesa, abelievesa, aproposesa, acontemplatesa, ageneratesa, aprogressing towardsa, ain search ofa, atargetsa, ais projecteda, aplans toa, ais planneda, aconsidersa, aestimatesa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, aoftena, alikelya, apotentiala and similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results amaya, amighta, awilla, acoulda, or awoulda be taken, achieved, or occur, may identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Specific forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the results of the Feasibility Study, processing capacity of the mine, anticipated mine life, probable reserves, the potential impact of the Definitive Feasibility Study for Eskay Creek, and the Maiden Engineering Study for Snip on the anticipated mine life and/or the conversion of resource ounces from the Inferred to Indicated categories or from Measured or Indicated categories to the Reserve category, estimated project capital and operating costs, potential reductions in process plant capital and operating costs, sustaining costs, results of test work and studies, planned environmental assessments, the future price of metals, metal concentrate, and future exploration and development generally and specifically in relation to the potential for additional mineralization in the recently increased land package. Such forward-looking statements are based on material factors and/or assumptions which include, but are not limited to, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and the assumptions set forth herein and in the Companya?s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, its most recently filed interim MD&A, and the Companya?s Annual Information Form (aAIFa) dated March 22, 2023. Such forward-looking statements represent the Companya?s management expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made, and are necessarily based on several estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date hereof, are not guarantees of future performance. Actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein, and are subject to significant operational, business, economic, and regulatory risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including permitting and other government approvals; changes in economic conditions, including changes in the price of gold and other key variables; changes in mine plans and other factors, including accidents, equipment breakdown, bad weather and other project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of the Company; environmental risks and unanticipated reclamation expenses; and other risk factors identified in the Companya?s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, its most recently filed interim MD&A, the AIF dated March 22, 2023, the Companya?s short form base shelf prospectus dated January 31, 2023, and in the Companya?s other periodic filings with securities and regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States that are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and the Company does not undertake any obligations to update and/or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws.

Cautionary note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of mineral Reserves and mineral Resources

Skeenaa?s mineral Reserves and mineral Resources included or incorporated by reference herein have been estimated in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 a Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (aNI 43-101a) as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. The terms amineral reservea, aproven mineral reservea, aprobable mineral reservea, amineral resourcea, ameasured mineral resourcea, aindicated mineral resourcea and ainferred mineral resourcea are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (aCIMa) aCIM Definition Standards a For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reservesa adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the aCIM Definition Standardsa). These standards differ significantly from the mineral property disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Regulation S-K Subpart 1300 (the aSEC Modernization Rulesa). Skeena is not currently subject to the SEC Modernization Rules. Accordingly, Skeenaa?s disclosure of mineralization and other technical information may differ significantly from the information that would be disclosed had Skeena prepared the information under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.A

In addition, investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of Skeenaa?s mineral Resources constitute or will be converted into Reserves. These terms have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to assume that any ameasureda, aindicateda, or ainferreda mineral Resources that Skeena reports are or will be economically or legally mineable. Further, ainferred mineral Resourcesa have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an ainferred mineral resourcea will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of ainferred mineral Resourcesa may not form the basis of feasibility or prefeasibility studies, except in rare cases where permitted under NI 43-101.

For these reasons, the mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates and related information presented herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

[1] AuEq in this release have factored metallurgical recoveries as per the calculation: AuEq = ((Au (g/t)*1700*0.84) + (Ag (g/t)*23*0.88)) / (1700*0.84). US$1,700/oz Au, US$23/oz Ag, 84% gold recovery and 88% silver recovery.
General and head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley urged not to call the AFU counteroffensive a failure. According to him, there is still a lot of fighting to be done.

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Milley said this during a joint press briefing with US Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin on Tuesday, July 18. He assured that it is too early to say such words, writes Voice of America.

"It's far from a failure. I think it's too early to say that. I think there is still a lot of fight left," Milley said, answering questions from the press following the 14th meeting of the Contact Group on defense support for Ukraine in the Rammstein format.

Milley emphasized that the counteroffensive may be moving more slowly than analysts had anticipated. He stated that reality is different from theory.

"There is a difference between a war on paper and a real war. It's real people in real vehicles clearing real minefields and actually getting killed. So when that happens, units tend to slow down. It's the right thing to do to survive and get through these minefields. Thus, the Ukrainians make their way through," said the US top general.

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According to him, the Ukrainians can deploy additional combat capabilities.

"What the Ukrainians have is a significant amount of combat power that has not yet been activated. I'm not going to say what will happen in the future, because Ukraine will decide where and when they will deploy their reserves. Right now, they are maintaining their combat capability and slowly, deliberately and steadily they're breaking through all these minefields. It's a tough fight, it's a very tough battle," the U.S. military official asserted.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on Tuesday, July 18, the 14th meeting of the contact group on the defense of Ukraine in the "Rammstein" format took place. The head of the U.S. Department of Defense Lloyd Austin promised our aviation support in the form of professional training of pilots to manage the fourth-generation fighters F-16.

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By Gita Abraham

New Canadian Media

Immigrant women living in low-income areas of urban Ontario deliver healthier babies than their non-immigrant neighbours, according to a recent study.

Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the study compared the risk of serious health problems and death of newborns at birth. The eight researchers, led by Dr. Jennifer Jairam, at the University of Torontos Dalla Lana School of Public Health, compared live births from 148,050 immigrant and 266,191 non-immigrant mothers between 2002 and 2019.

They found that newborns of immigrant mothers in these neighbourhoods suffered fewer severe health complications, except for those whose home country was Jamaica or Ghana. The study included women from 20 countries; babies born to mothers whose home country was China had the lowest number of serious health issues at birth.

One of the study findings was that some new immigrant mothers have more income, education and a better understanding of healthy lifestyles than the typical residents of the neighbourhood. Immigrants also live in low-income areas for a shorter time than non-immigrants, who tend to remain in these communities.

Women who are healthy and more resilient are also most capable of migration, the researchers concluded, and immigration policies may make it easier for healthy immigrants to move to Canada.

The researchers recommend that public health interventions take more factors, such as strong family ties and cultural practices, into account when designing programs to improve health outcomes for all babies born to mothers in low-income neighbourhoods.

Doctors agree there is a vital link between the health of mothers and their newborns. The study suggests that the Healthy Immigrant Effect, may transfer from a recent immigrant to her baby. This is a phenomenon in which immigrants arrive in their new country, often in better health than the native-born residents. The health advantage diminishes over time, and often falls below the countrys general population. This may be due to the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, stress or the adoption of risky behaviours.

Dr. Susan Kurian, who is part of the Ottawa-based Arnprior Family Health Team, agreed with the researchers conclusions. She said non-immigrant mothers who live in lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods are more likely to have several health problems, which is a concern. These women often face a number of challenges, including limited access to quality healthcare; inadequate nutrition; higher levels of environmental stressors; and limited resources for healthy living, she said.

Kurian said poverty contributes to a higher incidence of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, mental health and illness related to substance use.

A Statistics Canada report from the 2011 census identified Arnprior as the town with the highest rate of child poverty.

Unfortunately, these co-morbidities can have profound effects on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes leading to increased serious neonatal morbidity and mortality, Kurian told NCM.

She said the lower incidence of babies born with severe health problems may be explained by the resilience, strength, and determination immigrants bring to their new country.

In the face of various challenges, immigrants often exhibit remarkable adaptability and resourcefulness. They may come from backgrounds with higher education and health literacy helping them to navigate unfamiliar systems, language barriers, and cultural differences, Kurian said.

Neonatal specialist, Dr. Pradeep Merchant, chief of the Division of Neonatology at Ottawa Hospitals Civic Campus and assistant professor in the University of Ottawas paediatrics department, supported the studys findings, but said many factors need to be considered when looking at neonatal health complications.

He said immigrant mothers are not necessarily in the best health when they come to Canada. Many have anaemia and some are prone to high blood pressure, diabetes, communicable diseases, chronic illness, mental health disorders and poor social well-being.

None of these afflictions, even HIV infection, prevent people from immigrating but these symptoms do not make them unhealthy or healthy  healthy is a wide term and it is incorrect to use it for each and every factor, Merchant said.

A report by the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians notes a few factors that might explain why immigrants have babies with fewer health complications at birth.

Its study found new Canadians were less likely to smoke, consume alcohol or ingest marijuana during pregnancy. These habits can increase the risk of low birth weight and other health problems. It also found that women were more likely to receive prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is considered critical for promoting healthy fetal development.
Spain has shipped the last four Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine out of the promised ones. They will be shipped by sea to Poland and are expected to arrive in Ukraine as early as next week.

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In addition to the tanks, the Spanish government is handing over ten armored personnel carriers, as well as armored all-terrain vehicles, light trucks, ambulances, a field hospital and large-caliber ammunition. This was reported by Europa Press.

On Tuesday, July 19, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles, after a video conference with the defense ministers of the countries that are members of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine ("Rammstein"), announced the shipment of the last four Leopard 2A4 tanks, which this country has committed to transfer to the Ukrainian army. They will be transported by sea to Poland and from there to Ukraine by land. Spain's military aid to Ukraine is expected to arrive in Poland on July 23.

In addition to tanks, Spain has transferred a new batch of light weapons and large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine.

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Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced the shipment to Ukraine of the last four Leopard tanks, as well as a new shipment of light weapons and large-caliber ammunition. Ten armored personnel carriers and several armored all-terrain vehicles, light trucks and ambulances are also on the list. They underwent a major overhaul before being shipped.

Robles noted that the meeting in the Rammstein format "reinforces the idea of unity of allies and partners who have managed to analyze the latest developments in the conflict and agree on mechanisms to effectively meet the critical needs of Ukraine at a crucial time."

The Spanish Defense Minister also added that Ukraine is being handed over a reinforced field hospital with emergency surgery capabilities, necessary post-operative facilities, pharmacy, sterilization, laboratory and two hospitalization modules.

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The hospital left Spanish territory on Tuesday, July 19. The day before, on July 18, Ukrainian medical and logistics personnel returned to Ukraine, having undergone two weeks of intensive training in . They are now "capable of deploying, setting up and managing this hospital in the conflict zone."

Robles noted the relevance of the training coordination center in Toledo, where the soldiers are trained, and reaffirmed Spain's commitment to Ukraine in its quest for "full, just and strong peace".

We will remind that earlier it was reported that in April Spain sent six tanks Leopard 2A to Ukraine, in May it sent four more tanks and a batch of armored personnel carriers M-113.

In early July, the Spanish government announced that Spain would provide Ukraine with a new aid package worth 55 million euros to finance enterprises, as well as provide Ukrainian schools with clean energy systems.

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On July 13, Spain announced that it would join the G7 declaration on Ukraine's security guarantees.
By Catherine Sas, K.C.

and Digvijay Chauhan, Articled Student

Special to The Post

It is a fact of immigration practice that not all applications are approved. When your application is refused, what can you do? There are several options for dealing with a refusal. Lets review the steps that you can take.

GET THE REASONS FOR THE DECISION

Most refusal letters are merely letters advising that your application has been refused. It conveys the decision but generally does not provide the reasons for the decision. The detailed reasons of the officer are captured in computerized notes in the governments Global Case Management System (GCMS). It is a good starting point to obtain the GCMS notes to learn what the officers concerns were in refusing the application. There are two ways to obtain the GCMS notes - an Access to Information request (ATIP) or a Judicial Review (JR) application in the Federal Court.

An ATIP request is an application to obtain information from the government. It can be to obtain an entire application with copies of all the documents or merely the GCMS notes. The cost for this process is only $5 but the processing times to obtain the reasons are lengthy and can take several months. This is not a good option where there is urgency.

A JR application is filed with the Federal Court. When reasons are NOT provided with the decision, which is usually the case, you can stipulate this in your application for JR and then the Court obtains the reasons from the government department involved. Generally, the reasons are provided by the Court Registry within a matter of weeks. While this is a faster option, it is also a more expensive option as you will likely need to retain the services of a lawyer to file the application with the Federal Court. In our immigration law firm we frequently file such applications in order to obtain the reasons for the refusal in a speedier manner. Once we have the reasons for the officers decision, we can decide whether to continue with the court application or submit another immigration application.

FILE ANOTHER APPLICATION

As the saying goes if at first you dont succeed, try, try again! Once you can understand why an officer refused your application, you can address and remedy those concerns in a further application. It is often faster and cheaper to submit another application with additional or different supporting evidence. We have had several situations in our office where an initial application has been refused - whether prepared by applicants on their own or by the lawyers in our office - but when a further application is submitted, it is approved. Trying again can often be the best course of action once you can understand why the application was refused in the first place.

PROCEED WITH THE JUDICIAL REVIEW APPLICATION

Sometimes the circumstances merit going the distance with a JR application at the Federal Court. However, as mentioned above, it is advisable to retain the services of a lawyer. Though you can represent yourself in Federal Court, it is usually recommended that you hire the services of a lawyer who can advise you on the court process and timelines and on the relative strengths and weaknesses of your case.

What is Judicial Review? It is pretty much the way it sounds - a Judge at the Federal Court reviews the decision to see whether it was properly made in accordance with the law and the facts. It is NOT an appeal. The Judge can only review the decision and set it aside for re-determination, but can not substitute their own decision over that of the immigration officer. When a decision is set aside, it is sent back to the immigration department for re-determination by a different officer. You are also given the opportunity to provide updated evidence in support of the application.

A JR application takes several months. Firstly, the immigration applicant or their lawyer must file an Application for Leave and Judicial Review. In immigration applications, the Court must first give leave - which is permission - before the case can be argued in the Federal Court. After filing the initial application, there is a 30-day period to provide the evidence and arguments as to why you are seeking a review of the decision which is called the Applicants Record. Following the filing of the Applicants Record the Department of Justice has 30 days to file the Respondents arguments. Then there is a further 10 days for reply by the Applicant. The Court then reviews these written arguments to decide whether to grant leave (permission) for the case to be scheduled and argued before the Court. If the leave application is granted, the Court will set specific time periods for all the stages of the litigation process including the actual hearing date. From the commencement of the application to the hearing of the case in court usually takes six to seven months.

No one likes receiving a refusal of an immigration application. However, there are options to achieve success in the future. Understanding what steps can be taken to remedy a refusal is helpful in determining the best course of action for a positive outcome in pursuing your immigration goals.

Catherine Sas, K.C. has over 30 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected].
By Javier Ortega-Araiza

New Canadian Media

One year ago, British Columbias government made headlines for being the first province to end its agreement with the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).

By doing this, they would no longer hold immigration detainees in provincial jails. Since then, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec have followed suit.

But now, both Alberta and B.C. have been unable to meet their deadline and as a result, they have extended their partnership for three months. The decision has generated doubts as to whether other provinces will do the same when their time comes up.

I certainly worry about that, but I am hopeful that they will deliver, said Kasari Govender, British Columbias first independent Human Rights Commissioner, in an interview with New Canadian Media.

Govender also remarked on the importance of the campaign to end the CBSA partnership, and how it resulted from a community-led initiative spearheaded by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, LEAF, and several other grassroots organizations.

But while Govender remains optimistic about the provinces commitment to stop holding detainees, her vision goes beyond that.

The goal is to end immigration detention overall, she said.

There are many alternatives to detention. For example, there are community case management and supervision programs with institutions such as the John Howard Society and the Salvation Army. And for individuals considered high-risk, there is electronic monitoring.

But we need to be careful with surveillance programs. We cannot replace one method that infringes on human rights with another one that does the same.

They are being treated in ways that violate their dignity

The first issue that arises with detention is that migrants are treated as criminals when they are not.

A report by Human Rights Watch concluded that immigration detainees are held for non-criminal purposes but endure some of the most restrictive conditions of confinement in the country, including maximum security jails and solitary confinement, with no set release date.

Data from the CBSA shows that 94 percent of migrants who are detained by the agency are there for administrative reasons and not because they are a public risk. Even in cases when they are deemed a public risk, the assessment can be questionable.

Abdelraham Elmady was considered a public risk by an immigration official when he first arrived in Canada.

I was arrested without charge, my belongings were taken, including the batteries for my hearing aids, he told Human Rights Watch last year. Elmady was detained for his links to the Freedom and Justice Party in Egypt  which was ousted in 2013 in a coup detat  and has actively chronicled his situation on Twitter. According to some international media reports, his family faced threats in Egypt after a CBSA official contacted them.

People are not fleeing because everything is wonderful, Govender said. They are fleeing because something traumatic happened. And they come here, and they are being treated in ways that violate their dignity, and that further exacerbates trauma.

In some cases, like American citizen Bryan Stone and Taiwanese citizen Pan Yuan, the lives of immigration detainees in Canada have ended by suicide. In both cases, the CBSA was notoriously reluctant to comment, and only upon pressing inquiries, it was revealed that Stone had been placed in solitary confinement.

A similar fate awaited Abdurahman Ibrahim Hassan, a Somali man who suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and who, instead of receiving support, was further harmed by detention authorities in Ontario. An inquest into Hassans death led to the jury calling for an end to migrant detentions.

According to Amnesty International, at least 17 migrants and asylum seekers have died in Canadian prisons since 2000.

Migrants should not be held in solitary. Unfortunately, for those individuals who have psychosocial disabilities, conditions tend to be harsher which only makes everything worse, said Govender.

CBSA census data from the past 10 years shows that 3,056 people were detained between 2012-22. Of them, 818 were held at detention centres, and 414 were held at other facilities that are not Immigration Holding Centres.

This means over 40 percent of migrants who are held by CBSA are not treated as prospective newcomers awaiting an immigration decision. Instead, they are sent to jails, and in some cases, maximum-security prisons, without committing a crime.

This takes a devastating toll on their mental health. Studies have found that time spent in prison worsens mental illness and magnifies distress, creating a vicious circle that damages individuals and society.

Transforming this race to the bottom into a positive virtuous circle that welcomes migrants is one of the reasons why the BC Human Rights Commissioner believes that immigration detention should be abolished.

Organizations that provide community-oriented support are an important alternative, and we need to ensure that they are properly funded, and that people are given access to these services that can help them deal with the trauma that they have endured and successfully integrate into the country, said Govender.
Commentary

By Kayly Ober

US Institute of Peace

Unprecedented heat waves continue to ravage Asia this year. Temperatures have climbed to highs of 45 degrees Celsius in Myanmar, 44.5 degrees Celsius in India and 41.9 degrees Celsius in China, with Thailand and Laos breaking all-time high records.

Last year also saw unprecedented heat waves  making them not so unprecedented after all. In 2022, India and Pakistan both reached 45 degrees Celsius, breaking a 122-year-old record. China saw a heat wave that lasted more than 70 days, with sustained temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius.

It is likely that the climate crisis is supercharging heat waves in Asia, with recent studies finding that climate change is making the region at least 2 degrees Celsius hotter and heat waves 30 times more likely.

While countries are scrambling to address more frequent heat waves, they are already having a massive impact on both human security and geopolitics in the region. However, addressing impacts today could help to head off the worst effects and enable a more sustainable and peaceful regional future.

Heat waves combined with humidity can be dangerous for a human bodys wet-bulb temperature. Scientists estimate that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 degrees Celsius  or 95 degrees Fahrenheit at 100 percent humidity, or 115 degrees Fahrenheit at 50 percent humidity  would be beyond the point at which the human body can cool itself through perspiration. High wet-bulb temperatures are of particular concern in countries such as India, where people live in rural areas without access to air conditioners or cooling stations.

In addition, early heat waves, as have occurred in 2022 and this year, can take a particularly dangerous toll. This is because a rapid shift in temperature means that human bodies are not able to slowly acclimatize to higher temperatures. This puts the most vulnerable, such as adults older than 65, children under the age of one, outdoor and agricultural workers, houseless people and pregnant people, among others, especially at risk for dehydration, heat illness and, ultimately, death.

Dozens are reported to have died from heat stroke in India so far this year. Last year, heat waves led to at least 90 deaths across India and Pakistan. Some scientists believe that extreme heat has killed upward of 24,000 people in India since 1992.

Heat waves and subsequent droughts have been especially detrimental to the agricultural sector.

Already, Indias rapeseed production has taken a hit in 2023, despite a record planting, as yields were curtailed by frost and a heat wave in key producing areas. Juxtapose this with the impacts of last years heat waves: An extremely hot and dry March resulted in an output that was far below projections. Overall, this led to a 3 percent drop in wheat production in India in 2022.

This same pattern prevailed in Pakistan. In 2022, heat waves curtailed Pakistans wheat production by nearly 3 million tons or a 15 percent decrease from 2021. These effects, alongside a global fertilizer shortage and delayed government response of raising the minimum support price for wheat, meant that the average Pakistani farmer struggled to earn a living wage.

These successive heat wave events and their effects on rural livelihoods may also have implications for migration. For example, studies find that in Pakistan, heat stress consistently increases the long-term migration of men, driven by a negative effect on farm and non-farm income. Some predictions estimate that there could be as many as 62 million people in South Asia moving internally by 2050 due to slow-onset impacts, including drought.

From 2020 to 2021, farmers in India protested new farming legislation, which they thought would leave them at the mercy of greedy corporations. Farmers led demonstrations in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, among others; marched on Delhi; and organized blockades of borders, roads and train lines. Protests continued until December 2021, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis government repealed the farm bills. In August 2022, farmers returned to Delhi to protest the perceived inability of the government to follow through on its promises. While these renewed protests were not publicly linked to recent heat waves and bad crop yields, it is clear that the impacts have put farmers under greater strain and in debt.

Increasing intensity and frequency of heat waves may continue to stoke grievances. Increasing heat may also have implications for violence and conflict in the region. One study finds a coincidence rate of 9 percent for armed conflict outbreaks and disaster occurrences such as heat waves or droughts. This analysis also reveals that about 23 percent of conflict outbreaks in ethnically highly fractionalized countries robustly coincide with climate-related impacts. Some theorize this is because hot temperatures may have a negative effect on peoples comfort, emotions and decision-making abilities. This may be even more true in cities, where some researchers find that during warmer months, the likelihood that urban disorder has lethal consequences is several times greater than the likelihood that it is peaceful.

This year, electricity grids buckled under intense use of air conditioners and refrigeration, and blackouts became common across Asia. This echoes last years heat wave challenges. In India, electricity demand hit a record high in April 2022, with a surge in the use of air conditioning triggering the worst power crisis in more than six years, forcing India to backpedal on a policy to cut down on coal imports. While Indonesia remained the top supplier of coal to India in 2022, Russia overtook the United States to be its fourth-largest supplier.

India was not the only one eyeing a closer relationship with Russia to ameliorate energy concerns. Last year, China also turned to Russia for coal to overcome energy demands not being met by hydropower stations during its summer drought. In fact, China was the largest importer worldwide of Russian coal, hitting a five-year high of 8.54 million tons in August 2022. And their demand looks set to continue in 2023. This year, Russian imports of coal to China hit 8.8 million tons in April.

The impact of heat waves and drought on the wheat crop in South Asia had ripple effects for the global wheat supply. This was because Russias invasion of Ukraine, one of the worlds biggest exporters of the grain, in February 2022 massively disrupted production and distribution. Food supplies were particularly threatened in Middle Eastern and African countries, which import a sizable amount of Ukrainian grain. Coupled with the heat waves and drought in Asia, global food prices spiked. By May 2022, the price of wheat rose more than 60 percent.

During this time, the government of India banned private exports of wheat. This scuttled the governments plans to capitalize on the global disruption to wheat supplies from the war and find new markets for its wheat in Europe, Africa and Asia. The country also found itself with an ever-shrinking grain stock to buffer against future shocks. Six out of every 10 Indians, or about 80 million people, rely on the government for food aid, accounting for about 25 million tons of wheat from its total grain stock.

Today, wheat prices have stabilized marginally. Ukraine, Russia and Turkey agreed to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allows grain and other foodstuffs to be shipped out of Ukraine across the Black Sea through a protected corridor. While Ukraine has ramped up exports, the amount is still 30 percent less than before the Russian invasion. Russia is also now threatening to pull out of the deal because of what it says is the impact of Western sanctions on its own agricultural exports.

India, for its part, does not expect to allow wheat exports before 2024.
West Africa's regional bloc says heads of state will meet Thursday to discuss their next steps after Niger's military junta defied the bloc's deadline to reinstate the country's ousted president while its mutinous soldiers closed the countrys airspace and accused foreign powers of preparing an attack.
A Mansoura state security misdemeanour court has ordered the release of researcher Patrick George Zaki pending trial on charges of spreading false news inside Egypt and abroad, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) announced on Tuesday.

The court decided on Tuesday to postpone Zaki's trial to 1 February 2021 to give a chance for the prosecution and the defence to present their arguments, EIPR said.

Zaki is accused of broadcasting false news, disturbing security and social peace, and using his Facebook account to promote the use of violence and terrorism, according to statements by the prosecutor's office.

Zaki is a postgraduate student at Bologna University in Italy and a researcher at EIPR.

On 13 September, Egypts prosecution referred Zaki to the state security misdemeanour court. He was detained at Cairo International Airport on 7 February after he arrived for a family visit, his lawyers said at the time.

Zakis arrest sparked condemnation in Italy, with calls for his release by rights organisations both at home and abroad, including a call for his immediate release from the European Union and European Parliament.

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The Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) has attracted investments worth $3.3 billion from other Arab sovereign funds throughout this year, Abdallah El-Ebiary, head of the TSFE's investment sector, said on Wednesday.

The TSFE has attracted private sector investments in dollars and Egyptian pounds in green hydrogen, tourism, real estate investment, antiquities development, industry, financial services, digital transformation, and education, El-Ebiary said in a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

The TSFE plays a vital role as Egypt's investment arm, Madbouly said while following up on the implementation of TSFE plans and projects, a statement by the Cabinet read.

The TSFE will continue to implement the state's policy for luring more private investments, especially foreign private investments, as an important source of hard currency, Madbouly added.

Through its effective management of state-owned entities and companies, the Fund is working to optimise these assets in accordance with the best globally recognised rules and standards, with a view to maximising their benefits for future generations, said Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Chairwoman of the TSFE Hala El-Said.

Established in 2018 with EGP 200 billion in capital, the Sovereign Fund of Egypt aims to attract private investments into the Egyptian market by tapping underutilised assets that can boost the Egyptian economy.

In 2020, the TSFE ranked 43rd among 93 sovereign wealth funds globally in terms of asset size in a set of rankings created by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute.

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Egypt offers foreign investors, especially Chinese businessmen, diverse and promising opportunities for investment, said CEO of the Egyptian Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) Ayman Soliman on Sunday.

Solimans statement was made during the ceremony launching the Egyptian-Chinese Entrepreneurs Association (ECEA) at the New Administrative Capital.

He stressed that the investment opportunities are primarily focused in the manufacturing, agriculture, processing farming, and renewable energy sectors as well as the field of establishing logistics chains between them.

While Egypt seeks to attract more investments, Soliman noted, the SWFs role is to enhance private sector investments and increase its share in the national economy. In addition, the SWF explores the investment opportunities suitable for investors and may become a stakeholder.

Egypt is replete with opportunities for investment, such as in the fields of the production of green hydrogen, education, logistics, technology, and software-based industries. The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) provides lucrative export opportunities as well, Soliman added.

Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait said at the launching ceremony that Egypts economy can grow and create promising investment opportunities.

Egypt welcomes Chinese investments, which have significantly increased over the past 10 years, Maait noted. China is the sixth largest investor in the Egyptian market, he said, noting that China invests $28.5 billion in the Levant region, the majority of which Egypt benefits from.

More than 140 Chinese companies operate in the Egyptian market, 55 percent of which work in the industrial sector, 20 percent in constructions, and 12 percent in services, he added.

The ECEA is a fresh platform for effective, sustainable cooperation between the Egyptian and Chinese business communities. The association will attract more investment opportunities that are in line with Egypts Vision 2030 and its sustainable development goals agenda, Maait said.

Egypt and the Chinese Embassy were keen on establishing the association to enhance strategic ties between the two countries in all sectors, he added.

The SCZONE plays a pivotal role in cementing the Silk Road Initiative, particularly through the Egyptian-Chinese Zone for Economic and Trade Cooperation, the minister stated.

Egypt plans to issue Chinese yuan-backed bonds, known as Panda, to be directed to the Chinese market to diversify the financing resources of the Egyptian economy and reinforce bilateral cooperation, Maait noted.

Egypts exports to the Chinese market rose to $385 million by the end of October, up from $359 million by the end of 2021. Egypts imports from China registered $14.6 billion by the end of 2021 and $12.1 billion by the end of October, he said.

Chinese investments in the Egyptian market hiked in the past 10 years from $500 million to $1.5 billion, the finance minister added.

Magdeldin El-Manzalawy, head of the ECEA executive board of trustees, said Egyptian-Chinese relations have witnessed notable development over the past few years under the leadership of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi who has visited China 12 times since assuming office.

The ECEA wants to benefit from the robust bilateral relations to increase cooperation between Egyptian and Chinese businessmen, especially under the Silk Road initiative. It also seeks to create an attractive environment for Chinese companies to invest in Egypt, El-Manzalawy added.

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N ational Grid has sold off another big chunk of Britains gas infrastructure network as Australian investor Macquarie plans to buy another 20% of National Gas.

The deal means the Macquarie-run consortium will own 80% of National Gas, which owns thousands of miles of pipes that bring supplies into homes across the country.

It follows a deal in February last year which saw Macquarie and British Columbia Investment buy a controlling 60% stake in the gas infrastructure business for 4.2 billion.

At the time the buyers revealed they had the option to take more shares in National Gas.

On Wednesday Macquarie announced it aims to buy an additional 20%, in a deal which would give National Grid proceeds of around 700 million.

The deal is still waiting for a thumbs up from the regulator but is expected to close in the second half of this year if all goes to plan.

Macquarie also has the potential to buy the last 20% of the company, putting all of National Gas into the hands of the worlds largest infrastructure investor.

It raises questions over the plan Macquarie has for the gas transmission grid. As the UK tries to decarbonise, a major element will have to be abandoning gas for cooking and heating homes.

Many say that heat pumps, which heat homes electrically, are the best solution, but others, including those who own gas networks, instead want to upgrade the gas pipes so they can pump hydrogen into British homes.

Critics say this could lock in the use of natural gas for much longer, that hydrogen will be needed elsewhere  such as in heavy industry  and that making green hydrogen, which uses renewable electricity to create hydrogen from water molecules, is much more expensive than using the same electricity to heat homes directly.

Macquarie recently hit headlines as Thames Water, which it owned for years, came close to falling into administration because of its debt pile.

A lot of the debt was built up during Macquaries ownership.
R ishi Sunak has said it was not just taxpayer money that enticed Tata to announce a new 4 billion battery factory in the UK which will create thousands of jobs.

After months of negotiations, Tata Son, the company behind Tata Group, said it had selected the UK for its next big battery investment.

The Indian conglomerate is widely reported to have chosen Somerset but refused to confirm the location.

It is planned to be one of Europes largest battery cell manufacturing sites when production starts in 2026, employing 4,000 people directly.

Each year around 40 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery cells will be produced at the site, enough to meet half of what Britain needs to produce annually by 2030, according to one estimate.

Tata had reportedly been eyeing two sites that could house its new European battery factory, with the other in Spain. It was not immediately clear why it chose Britain.

The Government confirmed it stepped in with subsidies to help Tata choose the UK site, but ministers and spokespeople repeatedly refused to give details.

Prime Minister Mr Sunak said: When I was chancellor, I set up the automotive transformation fund, which was always there to provide targeted investment in strategic industries where we thought it would make sense.

But what is crucial about an investment like this is its not just going to be about that, its going to be about the quality of the workforce that we have here, the quality of our infrastructure, the road and rail connections, the approach to regulation, the competitiveness of our tax regime, which we have changed to make it more attractive for businesses to invest.

Downing Street would not be drawn on whether support from the Government was worth 500 million or even as much as 1 billion.

Some of this stuff is commercially sensitive, its not in the UKs interests to get into all the detail when negotiating with companies, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said.

He promised, as did Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps, that the figures would come out at a later date.

Talking to Sky, Mr Shapps said: The exact numbers on this will come out in the normal way. Because of the commercial sensitivities, they have to be released in the usual way.

Asked on BBC Breakfast about a Financial Times report that the Government was providing 1.5 billion in subsidies, Mr Shapps said: That doesnt sound right to me.

The Governments support to enable this investment was acknowledged by Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran.

Tata refused to reveal the exact location it had chosen, but it has been heavily linked to Bridgwater in Somerset.

Because it is eight miles from the Hinkley nuclear power plant, the electricity grid in the area is likely to be already strong enough to handle the increased demand the factory will bring.

Gigafactories need access to a lot of electricity and big cables. For instance Britishvolt, a start-up that went bust earlier this year, chose the location of an old coal power plant in the North East of England.

On Thursday, voters in the Somerton and Frome constituency are to vote in a by-election to select a replacement for its former MP, David Warburton.

Asked if it was unusual to announce such a decision so close to polling day, the Prime Ministers spokesperson said: We would take any relevant advice in regards to by-elections in how we are making these announcements, as we have done with this.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters during a visit to Warwickshire: Todays announcement is a fantastic vote of confidence in the UK.

Across the world, international businesses are showing that they are confident in the UK economy. Theyre putting money behind that confidence and that is going to create real jobs and opportunity here at home.

Mr Shapps said the investment will create 4,000 jobs directly and thousands more indirectly, such as in supply chains.

Tata did not say how many jobs it expects to create.

This will produce a gigafactory that can produce about half the UKs electric vehicles batteries, Mr Shapps told Sky News.

It has been nine months in negotiations, Ive been involved with it throughout, including going to India.

Earlier this year, Britishvolt went out of business.

Despite having little experience in the sector, it had promised to build the UKs first gigafactory, but could not raise enough money to push ahead.

Vauxhall maker Stellantis said in May that it would struggle to make electric cars in the UK without changes to the Brexit deal.

It said it is vital to reinforce the competitiveness of the UK by establishing battery production.

West of England Labour mayor Dan Norris said: After so many false starts, this is fantastic news for the West of England.

However, the lack of a coherent industrial strategy means this historically rail-connected site will only be accessible by road. Thats a mistake.
T he luxury goods sector has made a fresh plea for the government to urgently reinstate VAT-free shopping, after it warned the UK can no longer afford to remain uncompetitive and said the tourist tax is hurting business.

In the latest of growing calls for the return of tax-free shopping for overseas tourists, trade body Walpoles chief executive Helen Brocklebank said: The Government has asked for evidence, now it must listen to what businesses have to say.

She said: The case for ending the tourist tax grows daily, and the UK can no longer afford to remain uncompetitive. Its not only retailers that are bearing the brunt; our world class theatres and cultural institutions are suffering too.

Brocklebank said bringing back a VAT refund would be a pro-growth policy.

Pressure is mounting on the Government to reintroduce the measure, which was axed in early 2021 making purchases in the UK 20% more costly for international visitors.

Scores of retailers have raised concerns, including Burberry which sounded the alarm about the tourist tax diverting vital spending away from its London stores to Paris. Mulberrys chief executive said there is no doubt the bag makers UK performance has been impacted.

The latest comments from Walpoles Brocklebank came after her organisation surveyed members on behalf of the Standard about business in the six months to June 30. The respondents work in sectors such as fashion and hospitality, and many have a significant presence in London.

Of the 21 that participated 67% said trade in the first half was worse than expected, and of those all said they would attribute that to the loss of tax-free shopping.

While the responses only cover a small part of Walpoles 250 members, the message will pile further pressure on the Prime Minister and Chancellor to rethink the decision on VAT.

An HM Treasury spokesman said VAT-free shopping does not directly benefit Brits.

He added: The scheme could cost British taxpayers around 2 billion a year at a time when weve already had to take difficult decisions to get debt falling and fewer than one in ten non-EU visitors used the previous scheme, showing its not a significant attraction for tourists.
A fghanistan evokes negative emotions in the minds of most people. In the popular imagination it is a land of terrorism, extremism and mass migration. I first visited Kabul in 2002, not long after the events of 9/11. My abiding memory is of a city brutalised by war. Little did I know then how much of my subsequent military career would be dominated by that country.

In 2009, I became the commander in Helmand. My time coincided with the peak of the fighting and 64 of my comrades came home in body bags. In 2015, I left the Army to lead The Halo Trust. Halo saves lives and restores livelihoods. When the evacuation operation ended in August 2021, Halo had a choice: we could either leave or continue our humanitarian work. We chose to stay.

In June last year, I went back to meet the Taliban. The decision was a difficult one: would my status as a former British commander imperil the safety of my people? In the event, I was met with courtesy and dignity. My call on Mullah Mawlawi Sharafuddin began with the minister being somewhat reticent, as only time in Guantanamo can make you. But after a stilted introduction the mood improved. We finished with him presenting a ceremonial robe  an act of magnanimity. He was good enough to receive a crushed box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates in return: its the thought that counts being his understated observation.

Violence and narcotics have been reduced, but on the other side of the ledger there are real concerns

The next day, we called on the Talibans military commander, Haji Mohammed Wafa, in Kandahar. Arriving at his palace we waited outside padlocked iron doors. A Google search by his staff had revealed some pictures of me as a soldier in Helmand, causing a lengthy private discussion. Eventually we were admitted into a dimly lit room to meet the Mullah. Again, a stilted start to the meeting developed into something more friendly. Mullah Wafa ended the meeting by asking me if I would like to stay the night. It would have been good to chat about old times, but I regretfully declined his offer.

I went back again to Afghanistan last week. The visit was a few weeks short of the second anniversary of the Taliban takeover. For the first time in 44 years, the country is at peace. Even in traditional strongholds there is no effective opposition. As well as bringing peace and security, the Taliban has cracked down on corruption. The de facto government has dealt decisively with the heroin trade, destroying this years poppy crop. The Taliban feels that these are big achievements but is aggrieved that it gets no recognition for its efforts.

Violence, corruption, and narcotics may have all been dramatically reduced, but on the other side of the ledger there are real concerns: the ban on work for women, loss of education for girls, violence towards members of the old regime and the rule of a theocratic elite explain the international communitys reticence about the new regime.

This year I went to Helmand. We flew to Lashkar Gah and from there, escorted by Taliban fighters, visited Halos operations in Marjah, Nad-e Ali, Nahr-e Seraj and Nawa-i Barakhzai. I had not been in Helmand since 2010. Having left as a belligerent to return as a humanitarian, it was impossible not to confront a multitude of emotions. Instead of making peace with the Taliban in the aftermath of 9/11, I reflected on the Wests decision to wage a long and half-hearted war before making a precipitous exit.

The consequences were everywhere to be seen. We met the elders of one village in Marjah who had fled the fighting, only returning 13 years later to barren land contaminated by IEDs. In three years, 132 people have died in IED accidents in Marjah alone. Like many former soldiers, I have struggled to reconcile the scale of our effort measured in blood and treasure with the apparent abject failure of our endeavour. My second humanitarian career is my way of coming to terms with this. Halo is helping make Afghanistan a safe country for her people to live in peace. The Taliban actively wants our help in making towns like Sangin safe.

The West needs to reconcile itself to the reality that the Taliban is here to stay. We need to engage with the Taliban and use diplomacy to build a pragmatic future. Critical to that will be assurance of a return to women to the workplace and of girls into education. For the many soldiers, diplomats and humanitarians who gave so much to Afghanistan, I know that reconciliation is the only way to make sense of all that effort. Its time for Britain to talk to the Taliban.

James Cowan is CEO of the Halo Trust
I f Pragues cobblestones could talk, they would have stories to tell from a pivotal place in the history of the Cold War  not least as an entrepot of East-West espionage. Demonstrators, security forces and secret police thundered across Wenceslas Square in the heady tumult of 1989.

Notebook in hand, I watched a regime imposed by a foreign power and sustained by fear totter and fall. The dissidents were suddenly in control of their countrys destiny.

Returning this week to host an interview with the head of MI6, Sir Richard Moore, has felt poignant.

The liberation of central Europe now faces a shattered reflection in the war in Ukraine. And Prague, which Soviet tanks rolled into to quell the uprising of 1968, is a reminder that it can take a long time for bad stories to end well.

So you could say that Sir Richard, as head of a secret intelligence service which provides vital support to Kyiv, was leading with his chin in laying out an upbeat take on why the recent turmoil in Russia bodes ill for the stability of the regime.

The MI6 bosss readiness to engage in debates and share more than his predecessors (even allowing for operational secrecy) means Britain hears more open discussion with a spy-in-chief than any other European country.

Sir Richard has said he wants to be the last Chief from an all-male shortlist and today the technology chief Q is a woman, as are many station chiefs.

If that form of progress has come at speed, where does AI leave the world of intuition and cultivating human sources, and what Sir Richard (who likes an angling metaphor) called the well-cast fly?

According to sources working in and around China, the use of facial recognition by the authorities has made it much harder to recruit sources directly in mainland China, so a lot of intelligence activity has shifted to Africa and other regions.

And as much as I agree with Sir Richards belief that an intelligence service with a decent oversight system is part and parcel of a robust democracy and its defence, stakes rise and calculations become more complex in a time of conflict.

When I joined the Velvet Revolution revellers in 1989, there was a feeling that things could not go backwards. There was also a fair dollop of optimism bias.

But the unquenchable human factor still matters. It is the dogged, even perverse, belief in better outcomes, the right to say Enough and the bravery to act on it.

If I have faith in something reliable, at a time of stresses, fractures and new dictatorships, it is that.

Anne McElvoy is executive editor of Politico. Her interview with the head of MI6 can be viewed at politico.eu/event/interview-richard-moore-mi6
The Legislative Committee of the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) held a panel discussion on Wednesday on fair criminal trials, preparing recommendations that will be presented to parliament.

The event was organized in cooperation with the European Union, a donor partner, according to a statement by the NCHR on Friday.

It was attended by a group of law experts, university professors, senators and Mps, as well as representatives of the lawyers syndicate, judicial bodies and civil society.

The discussions tackled topics including human rights during investigations, the problems of, and alternatives to, pretrial detention, as well as the importance of fair and public trials, and technological alternatives.

The sessions produced a number of recommendations that will be considered by the Egyptian parliament when they amend the Code of Criminal Procedure, the statement added.

Essam Shiha, a member of the NCHR, emphasised the council's keenness to engage with legislation closely related to human rights, saying this "is at the heart of the work and competence of the Legislative Committee."

Achieving a fair criminal trial requires a series of steps, NCHR President Moushira Khattab said, noting that council will allocate a session to discuss each of them.

Khattab also stressed the need to look at the punitive philosophy and its purpose, given that the goal should be to prevent the causes of crime and to rehabilitate and integrate those who violated the law.

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S usan Sarandon has told her fans that she attended her latest picket for the Hollywood actors strike along with her filmmaker son Jack Henry Robbins.

The Thelma And Louise star, 76, joked in an Instagram story on Wednesday that she would have asked Robbins to caption the post but he was unable to due to writers also being on strike.

She wrote: Usually my son would finish this caption but hes on strike.

The strike was called last week following the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra)  failing to negotiate new contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The Writers Guild of America began industrial action on May 2.

Many Hollywood stars who are part of the union which represents around 160,000 actors across the US have been pictured on the picket lines this week.

Actors pictured recently include Homeland actor Mandy Patinkin, The Boys star Jack Quaid and Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in The Lord Of The Rings.

Astin, also known for Stranger Things and The Goonies, is a negotiating committee member at the union.

He said in an Instagram video on Wednesday: I just want to say were at the start of this journey. Theres no sense of urgency coming from the other side.

We want to go back to work. We want everyone to go back to work.

Thor actor Chris Hemsworth also became the latest high-profile actor to back the strikes publicly following George Clooney, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jessica Chastain also voicing support online

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Hemsworth wrote: These are challenging times for so many in our industry and I stand in solidarity with my fellow actors in #SAGAftra who are striking for a better future.

Some producers of independent films are being granted waivers to continue shooting despite the strike, as long as they are operating outside the studio system, according to Sag-Aftra.

The latest given the exemption include upcoming productions such as The Watchers starring Dakota Fanning and directed by M Night Shyamalans daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan, Dont Move which is produced by The Evil Dead director Sam Raimi, Exhibiting Forgiveness, Isaac and Weekend Escape.

Mother Mary starring The Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway and I May Destroy Yous Michaela Coel, The Rivals Of Amziah King starring Matthew McConaughey, and Death Of A Unicorn with Ant-Man star Paul Rudd and Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega had already been placed on the temporary waiver list.

The contract between Sag-Aftra and the AMPTP, which represents the major film studios, TV networks and streaming giants, expired after negotiators failed to reach an agreement over a number of issues including pay and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The union said actors face an existential threat to their livelihoods with the rise of generative AI technology and the threat of unregulated use.

The issue of pay has also been a key part of negotiations as the advent of streaming has changed the way actors are compensated for their work.
Review at a glance









I t is rarely a good sign when a performer comes on at the start to give some background about what we are about to see. But thank goodness Peter Smith did, otherwise Id have had no idea what this wilfully meandering piece of performance art/cabaret was about.

While the title refers to Diana, the late Princess of Wales, her role feels vague. Smith, who is popular on the New York cabaret scene, talks at the outset about being obsessed with Diana, finally hearing her voice when watching Martin Bashirs now-infamous interview.

Apparently there was a version of this show in which Smith lipsynched to clips, which might have given more context. No such luck here. Instead Diana barely gets a word in. Smith draws on just a few things she said, most notably that she would have liked to have been a dancer. Smith moves around the stage lithely in various costumes and at one point humps the stage but is certainly not essaying an impression. Watch The Crown if thats what you want.

This is more like a show by Smith about Smith, with repeated asides about Smiths husband and children. Or maybe this is alluding to Dianas family. It is never made clear. We are frustratingly left to work out far too much ourselves.

One watches hoping to grasp a thread, but it is hard to catch onto anything. There is talk about ego and love, our phone fixations and Elon Musk. There is talk of AIDS, which might have been a nod to Diana challenging HIV stigma. There is a suggestion that First World War soldiers might have been transgender because during warfare testosterone levels drop.

Mentions of bulimia, tunnels and conspiracy theories look promising for anyone hoping for something more tangible but they are not developed. Elton John, Boy George and Ghislaine Maxwell are namechecked. An anecdote about attending a Barbra Streisand concert is as much about Smith being there as it is about Streisand.

The monologue is punctuated by catchy songs which range from disco and electro, but this is not enough to make up for a lack of clarity. Smith is talented and charismatic, but something has been lost in translation. I really wanted to like this but Smith kept making it difficult. Things briefly come alive with a riff about the fragile dynamic between artiste and audience. This seemed to be a direct comment on the very performance I was witnessing. Who knows?

Soho Theatre has an excellent reputation for importing brilliant Americans, but not here. Id say Peter Smiths Diana peters out, but it barely gets going.

Soho Theatre, to July 29; sohotheatre.com
A new four-part crime series the Sixth Commandment, is coming to the BBC. Its centred around the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in the village of Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, in 2015 and 2017.

The Sixth Commandment airs on July 17, and will highlight the devastating effect of isolation and loneliness.

What is the Sixth Commandment about?

The drama is written by Sarah Phelps, and stars Mr Turner and Spencer actor Timothy Spall as Peter Farquhar, an inspirational teacher who was manipulated into a relationship with Ben Field, his killer. Sanditons Anne Reid stars as the second murder vicitim, Ann Moore-Martin. Also in the cast are:

Eanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, Normal People)

Annabel Scholey (The Split, The Salisbury Poisonings)

Sheila Hancock (Unforgotten, A Discovery of Witches, Great Canal Journeys)

Ben Bailey Smith (The Split, Andor)

Conor MacNeill (Industry)

Adrian Rawlins (Baptiste, Chernobyl)

Amanda Root (Summerland, Unforgotten)

So what can we expect from the plot? The show tells the story of how the meeting of an inspirational teacher, Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall) and a charismatic student, Ben Field (Eanna Hardwicke), set the stage for one of the most complex and confounding criminal cases in recent memory.

The Sixth Commandment explores the way in which both Peter and Ann were manipulated by Field, capturing the extreme gaslighting, the gripping police investigation, and the high-profile trial, while poignantly highlighting the devastating effect of isolation and loneliness, as Field closed in on them.

It also celebrates both Peter and Anns lives as cherished mentors, much-loved relatives, and adored friends.

The Sixth Commandment is airing across four episodes  each lasts an hour and is being broadcast on BBC One at 9pm. Episodes one and two were on Monday and Tuesday, with episodes three and four on next Monday and Tuesday, but you can catch up on iPlayer if you missed the first two.

What is the true story behind the Maids Moreton murders?

The real crimes that the series is based on began less than a decade ago, and concerns the deaths of English lecturer and novelist Peter Farquhar and his neighbour, Ann Moore-Martin, a retired primary school headteacher.

Farquhar and Moore-Martin lived three doors down from each other in Maids Moreton, Buckinghamshire, and died two years apart in mysterious circumstances.

They were both religious  Farquhar was an evangelical Christian and had considered becoming a minister before starting in education, and Moore-Martin was a devout Catholic.

Both Farquhar and Moore-Martin found themselves the target of PhD student and churchwarden Ben Field, who set out to scam them both.

Farquhar lectured at Buckingham University, where Field studied. Field started a relationship with the older man and, as the pair grew closer, Farquhar wrote Field into his will in 2013; they moved in together two months later. But during their relationship, Field had a string of girlfriends, and later started a sexual relationship with Farquhars neighbour, Moore-Martin, who was 57 years Fields senior.

Over two years, Field topped up Mr Farquhars drinks with bioethanol, gin, and poteen (Poitin), a high-strength Irish alcohol, and laced his food with drugs.

Field also deleted numbers from Mr Farquhars phone, which led him to believe he had done so himself but had forgotten. The lecturer even sought the help of specialist brain doctors but no-one could find out what was wrong with him.

Farquhar died in October 2015. When the case came to court, jurors were told that Field suffocated Farquhar when he was too weak to resist. Field had left a half-empty bottle of whisky in Farquhars room to create a narrative that he had drunk himself to death and killed himself, puzzling friends who didnt know Farquhar as a drinker.

In court, the murderer admitted to drugging Farquhar in order to inherit his house and money. He showed no remorse, and told the jury he did it for no other reason other than it was cruel, to upset and torment Peter  purely out of meanness.

After Farquhars death, Field decided to move out of his lovers home and went to live with Moore-Martin, who lived three doors away.

Moore-Martin had expressed a desire to live with her family, elsewhere in the country. However, as Fields manipulation grew stronger, she began to have less contact with her relatives. Field pressured Moore-Martin to change her will, gaslighting her and writing messages from God on her mirrors.

Field claimed he needed money for a dialysis machine for his brother, among other ruses that led to Moore-Martin handing over more than 30,000 to the young man. Then her health began to deteriorate and she was hospitalised after a seizure.

Police were contacted by a family member with concerns about Field, whose links to Moore-Martin and Mr Farquhar were subsequently uncovered.

Moore-Martin died of natural causes; Field was accused of plotting to kill her, but was found not guilty.

However, in October 2019 he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years, for Farquhars murder and for defrauding Moore-Martin, who had fortunately cut him out of her will before she died. His attempt to overturn his conviction was unsuccessful.
A shadow has fallen over Metroland. It has an ample belly and a distinctive outline of carefully unkempt hair. If shadows had colour you wouldnt need me to tell you this one is blond (but not dyed, it would insist pointedly). Poor Uxbridge and South Ruislip, what did it do to deserve this? The answer is: be a Conservative safe seat sat in by Boris Johnson.

His dramatic resignation last month has focused the eyes of the world (genuinely) on this patch of north-west London. The circus has come to town. Labours candidate, Danny Beales, has fielded (and rejected) requests from Le Monde, the New York Times, as well as German media. When I visit I cant stop bumping into fellow journalists. But Johnsons presence is a ghostly one. Even the man hoping to become his successor, Tory candidate Steve Tuckwell, has only had 30 seconds on the phone with the former PM. Johnson asked him if hed read his Daily Mail column.

Johnsons gravitational field still exerts pull after his (political) death  everyone wants to know who will replace him. They will find out the answer tomorrow, though the deeper question  of who will replace him in our politics  will remain. The funny thing is, neither of the main two parties in the running for this seat want to talk about him. Beales, the young sharp Labour man with a moving personal history (he was made homeless twice while growing up), chooses to focus on the cost of living crisis. Likewise, his Tory opponent Tuckwell refuses to be drawn on the partygate farrago.

Its a reflection of how closely fought  and totemic  this battle is that both men, as soon as the Dictaphone starts recording, stick artfully to their scripts. They are media trained to within an inch of their lives. Ulez, cost of living, Hillingdon Hospital  these they will talk about at length, but not Johnson.

There is one candidate I speak to, though, who will. Blaise Baquiche, a former Tory adviser turned Lib Dem, tells me, I wanted to send a message to the Tories about partygate. Its personal for me. I lost my father, who I lived with, to Covid in the very week that Johnson partied.

Baquiche, though, doesnt seem to be finding much support for his message. One woman, when he told her he was the Lib Dem candidate, cooed at him as if he were an exotic bird, or a puppy. He stands no chance of winning but is fighting the seat not just out of anger over partygate but because of the somewhat unfashionable reason that he believes in Liberal principles. He has a believable plan for what hed do in the unlikely event of victory.

If only the same could be said about some of the other candidates making up the 17-strong by-election list. Apart from the mainstream parties, what voters have got looks like a kaleidoscope of chancers, loons and jokers.

Count Binface claims to be an intergalactic space lord, though he strikes a very nuanced position on Ulez

For the latter, take Count Binface, who wears a bin on his face. He claims to be an intergalactic space lord, though he strikes a nuanced position on Ulez. There are numerous constituents who truly cannot afford to pay the new levy during the cost of living crisis, yet at the same time Londons pollution is a threat to public health. Speaking as a lifeform with a bin for a head, I know a thing or two about breathing difficulties.

At least hes raising money for the charity Shelter. Then theres Laurence Fox and his Reclaim party. Actor- turned-politician Fox (who is a vaccine and climate change sceptic) has been making embarrassingly unfunny and creepy videos about looking for Labours Beales to ensure hes safe.

There are a couple of anti-Ulez campaigners. One, Kingsley Hamilton, was charged with smashing up a Ulez camera last year. Theres the Christian Peoples Alliance, Ukip (remember them? Camilla Long once described Nigel Farage as 100 per cent political herpes. Back in six months whatever you do  his ex-party Ukip are a similarly chronic condition), the Climate Party, the Social Democratic Party, Rejoin EU, and the Monster Raving Loony Party. Oh, and also Piers Corbyn, who once claimed Bill Gates was part of a conspiracy planning to cull the worlds population through the coronavirus vaccine. Corbyn was reprimanded at a recent hustings for heckling. Everyone, you see, wants a slice of the attention.

Labour candidate Danny Beales talks to Evening Standard journalist Robbie Smith / Lucy Young

But the winner will be one of Steve Tuckwell and Danny Beales. Away from the stiff, formal interviews they loosen up. The likeable Tuckwell is playful with our photographer when we shoot him in the Conservative club, pulling poses from the Austin Powers film (including a hilarious, rather camp, tiger).

Beales, who seems wholly decent, confesses to me hes struggling to sleep  and when he does hes beset by dreams about the count. You realise how great the pressure must be on him, as Labour are favourites to take a seat they havent won since 1966.

While out canvassing with Tuckwell he tells me about his love of TikTok  Its a great way to relax, you can spend ages trying to find something on Netflix. Its educational too. He learnt a fact about Dick Turpin from TikTok (which he flexes into a rather trite anti-Ulez point) and knows a lot about bees, the result of watching a popular American beekeeper. I would like to tell you what its like going canvassing with Beales, but I only see him speak to a voter once.

Labour refuse to let me join them canvassing  theyre simply too busy (the same excuse they also tell other journalists). At my first meeting with Beales his press man doesnt take his sunglasses off once.

Tory hopeful Steve Tuckwell with Robbie Smith / Lucy Young

One political journalist tells me its closer than Labour would like, which is why theyre skittish. Its hard, too, not to see the firm hand of Keir Starmer and his office here. They dont want to fumble this one. You can also understand why a party thats had a tricky relationship with the media would be wary.

As for the actual voters, the ones the Tories meet in an affluent drive in Hillingdon are not Ulez fans. I think he should be taken off this planet, says one, coldly, about Sadiq Khan. Some just want a bit of integrity back. Anyone but Boris, says another, who is voting for Tuckwell. Others are unconcerned about Ulez but bothered about taxes, crime and schools.

Its been an exhausting contest. The Tory man has racked up around 15,000 steps daily, the Labour man around 25,000 at his peak. Tomorrow, at last, this will end  and the circus can pack up.
Its been revealed that supermodel Gigi Hadid got herself into some hot water with airport security as she arrived for a holiday in the Cayman Islands.

The 28-year-old model had her bags searched after she touched down via a private plane in the western Caribbean with friend Leah McCarthy on July 10, only for officials to discover ganja and utensils used for the consumption of ganja, according to local Cayman Islands news outlet, Cayman Marl Road. Cannabis, then.

Hadid and McCarthy were then arrested and transferred to a Prisoner Detention Center and eventually released on bail.

Hadid on holiday in the Cayman Islands last week / Via @gigihadid on Instagram

Two days later, July 12, the pair made an official court appearance where they pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $1,000 (920). They are facing no additional charges.

In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Hadids representative said: Gigi was travelling with marijuana purchased legally in NYC (New York City) with a medical licence. It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island.

That she did. The model posted a series of post-holiday pictures yesterday after the story of her arrest was revealed, posing for pics in the beaming sun, lounging with friends on the beach and enjoying oysters and pizza.

And there was no grovelling apology or notes app statement about the arrest. Her ultra-chill caption simply stated: Alls well that ends well.

The model seemed totally unbothered by the details of her arrest being splashed all over by the press and she wasnt shaken up while on holiday, either, if the Insta pics and her appearance at a local karaoke bar later in the week are anything to go by.

While not jet-setting, the California-born model splits her time between her New York flat and her familys extensive ranch in Pennsylvania. She co-parents her two-year-old daughter, Khai, with ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik.

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid in 2016 / Getty

Malik recently discussed his co-parenting set-up with Hadid on hit podcast Call Her Daddy, where he revealed the pair have 50/50 custody and that he and Hadid have a really good bond which helps them co-parent, but hes always looking for more time with his child. "I'm super full on, hands on with my child every chance I can be," he told the podcast. "If I could get 60 percent, I would have it."
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of James Donnelly in west London.

Police were scrambled to an address in Station Road, Hayes, at 10am on Saturday.

The victim was found with a slash wound and pronounced dead the scene.

He has now officially been named by police as James Donnelly, 45, from Hayes.

Leo Price, 21, from Uxbridge was charged on Monday with one count of murder and three counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

He was remanded in custody and appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He was ordered to appear at the Old Bailey on July 20.

Another man, 51, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and theft, was taken into custody and later released on bail.
T he Metropolitan Police have reached a 2 million settlement with family of murdered private detective Daniel Morgan, admitting liability for a cycle of corruption and incompetence that mired investigations into his 1987 axe killing.

The payout is one of the largest in British policing history.

In a statement, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who vowed to clean up the force after a series of scandals, said on Wednesday: I unequivocally and unreservedly apologise for the failure of the Metropolitan Police Service to bring those responsible for the murder of Daniel Morgan to justice.

From the earliest stages, his family have been repeatedly and inexcusably let down by the Metropolitan Police.

This case has been marred by a cycle of corruption, professional incompetence, and defensiveness that has repeated itself over and over again.

Daniel Morgans family were given empty promises and false hope as successive investigations failed and the Metropolitan Police prioritised its reputation at the expense of transparency and effectiveness.

No words can do justice to the pain and suffering that has been a feature of the familys lives for more than three decades as they have fought for justice, a fight which no family should have to endure. Their tenacious campaigning has exposed multiple and systemic failings in this organisation.

I have met with the family and listened to vivid and moving accounts of the devastating impact those failings have had on their lives. They have explained how their trust in policing has been eroded. The personal commitment I made to tackling corruption in this organisation when I took over as Commissioner has never been stronger.

Mr Morgan, 37, was found with an axe embedded in his head in the car park of the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south east London 36 years ago.

A string of unsuccessful investigations into his death have been mired with claims of corruption.

An independent panel set up to look into the case published a scathing report in June last year in which it accused the Met of a form of institutional corruption for concealing or denying failings over the unsolved murder to protect its reputation.

Mr Morgans killing is the most investigated case in UK history, with five police inquiries costing 50m. The Met has admitted that corrupt officers shielded suspects and that later investigations did not adequately chase down leads or examine wrongdoing claims.

The financial settlement brings to an end a decades-long battle by Mr Morgans relatives.

Brother Alastair, 74, sister Jane, Mr Morgans widow Iris and her two children, Sarah and Daniel Jr, started a civil claim alleging misfeasance in public office and breaches of the Human Rights Act.

A lawyer for Mr Morgans family said: As a result of a formal mediation process in July 2023, the parties were able to agree a mutually satisfactory settlement of the proposed claims, including an admission of liability on behalf of the Commissioner in respect of the conduct of his officers in response to the murder.

At the request of the family of Daniel Morgan, all other terms of the settlement are confidential to the parties. Accordingly, the parties will not be making any further comments to the media about the terms of settlement or the mediation.
A man accused of murdering his teenage sister had abrasions on his knuckles which could have occurred on the night he allegedly killed her, a court has heard.

Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow were shown photographs taken by forensic medical examiner Dr Shona Anderson, who examined the injuries of Connor Gibson, 20, following the discovery of his sister Ambers body at Cadzow Glen, Hamilton, on November 28, 2021.

Gibson, who also goes by the surname Niven, is accused of assaulting and sexually assaulting his sister Amber, 16, and repeatedly inflicting blunt force trauma to her head and body in November 2021.

Dr Anderson told the court that Gibson had abrasions and scratches on his legs, elbow area and knuckles which could suggest Friday November 26  the date Ms Gibson was last seen alive  would fit as a possible timeframe for when they were sustained.

She said: Yes, these injuries could have occurred on the Friday night.

Prosecutor Richard Goddard asked if the bruises could have been caused by the knuckles coming into contact with a rough surface or punching something.

Dr Anderson said: Yes, it could have been caused by these mechanisms.

Jurors heard from Peter Benson, of Police Scotlands cyber crime group. He examined a phone found at the Blue Triangle housing unit in Hamilton where Gibson had been living.

It showed on November 27 at about 12.34am, the phones user wrote to a Snapchat group with five recipients: Im really going to need you guys help with something when yous come back. Im being serious.

The court saw evidence that about 40 seconds later the user messaged Amber Gibson on the app: Are you ok?

The user then told the group chat at approximately 1.33am: nvm (never mind) its all good.

Search history obtained from the phone also showed the user searched How to get nosy police officers to stop monitoring your phone at 11.38pm.

Gibson is accused of compressing Ambers neck with his hands and strangling her with the intention to rape her.

He faces further charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of bloodstained clothing and calling the childrens home where his sister lived and pretending she was alive as well as telling police he had argued with his sister on November 26 before going to someones home.

A second man, Stephen Corrigan, 45, is on trial accused of discovering the teenagers body between November 26 and 28 last year but instead of alerting police, he is alleged to have inappropriately touched and concealed her body.

Both men deny all charges against them, with defence agent Rhonda Anderson lodging a special defence of alibi on her clients behalf.

The court heard from forensic biologist Alana Gunn who, while being cross-examined by Ms Anderson, said his widespread DNA could have been present on her body prior to her death.

Ms Anderson said: As I understand it, your position from your evidence is that it could be that Stephen Corrigans DNA deposited on Ms Nivens body could have been deposited before she went to the park (Cadzow Glen).

Should the ladies and gentlemen on the jury understand that you are unable to exclude that his DNA was deposited on Amber Nivens body before she went to the park and before she died?

Ms Gunn replied: We cannot tell you exactly what time the DNA was deposited, before adding evidence did not say whether it existed on her body before or after her death.

Mr Goddard put it to Ms Gunn that Corrigans DNA was a major contributor on multiple parts of the teenagers body, including her buttocks and breasts, while a significant amount of Corrigans DNA would need to be present on the sleeping back for this to be explained as transferring onto this much of her body.

Ms Gunn said: There would have to have been a very large amount of DNA or body fluid to subsequently transfer on Amber Gibsons unclothed body.

The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.
O scar-winning actor Kevin Spaceys accusers are no longer prepared to be the secret keeper for someone who treated them so badly, a court has heard.

The Hollywood star, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, is charged with nine sexual offences concerning four men which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

In a closing speech at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, prosecutor Christine Agnew KC told jurors the case involves an enormous power imbalance and is about power and taking advantage of that power.

She questioned the two-time Academy Award winners claim that his accusers were motivated by money and suggested the trial was a result of his aggressive, oppressive and intimidatory behaviour.

He is undoubtedly someone who is kind to those he chooses to be kind to

Ms Agnew said his alleged offending had left the men feeling diminished and worthless, adding: There is no doubt that he is a very famous and lauded actor.

He is undoubtedly someone who is kind to those he chooses to be kind to.

History is littered with those who that are benevolent to some and cruel to others.

Ms Agnew said it is not simply a strength-in-numbers case against Spacey but that of four separate men who told friends and family, the police and then the court their stories in a bid for justice.

She said Mr Spacey Fowler was and is a powerful man, he was so famous who would believe them?

Ms Agnew said men are entitled to exactly the same protection that a woman would be in law, and added: Why on earth should these men put up with what they say has happened to them?

Giving evidence last week, the Hollywood star denied being a sexual bully and labelled the prosecutions case against him as weak, accusing one alleged victim of being after money, money and then money.

He previously told the jury the sexual assault allegations are madness, make no logical sense or a stab in the back.

The 63-year-old told Southwark Crown Court he could have had sex all the time but found it hard to trust people because of his fame.

Each of Spaceys accusers has given evidence, variously describing him as a vile sexual predator, slippery and atrocious, despicable, disgusting.

He pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

On Wednesday, the four indecent assault charges on the indictment, which were alternative counts, were struck off by the judge, due to a legal technicality and not as a result of the prosecution abandoning any allegation.

The jury was directed to concentrate on what happened and whether it was a crime, and not be concerned with precise dates when things happened.

The trial continues.
A retail trade association has written to Sadiq Khan calling for more to be done to protect shop staff and crack down on thieves, amid a marked rise in retail thefts.

New research by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reveals theft from the capitals retail premises soared by 13 per cent last year, compared to the previous year.

The BRC says the nature of such crimes is changing, as thieves became bolder, and more aggressive, and is urgently calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan, and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Sophie Linden, to ensure it is being treated as a priority, with adequate resourcing.

Every time I speak with retailers, crime is getting worse, said Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, which represents around 70 per cent of the UK retail industry.

Thieves are becoming bolder, and more aggressive. Violence and abusive behaviour are on the rise.

Many employees are facing threats with weapons, physical assault, and racial and sexual abuse.

While these confrontations might be over in a matter of minutes, for many victims, their families and colleagues, the physical and emotional impact can last a lifetime.

A spate of thefts and hammer attacks in the Bethnal Green area earlier this year left dozens of shops and restaurants suffering thousands of pounds of damage.

Worried business owners were left pleading for extra CCTV cover, after the area was hit with around 50 incidents in the space of several months, with some premises targeted multiple times.

Sarah Brading, owner of Flat Earth Pizza in Bethnal Green / Sarah Brading

Windows of independent pizzeria Flat Earth Pizza, in Cambridge Heath Road, were smashed on three sepparate occasions in just six months.

Owner Sarah Brading described the repeated attacks, which inflicted thousands of pounds of damage on her year-old business, as sad and scary.

Its a cost that as a small independent business, we werent forecasting for, she told the Standard at the time. So its super damaging financially. Weve just put so much time and love into this place. Its very upsetting.

Florist Grace & Thorn in nearby Hackney Road was also targeted twice, in attacks that saw windows smashed and an empty till stolen.

Owner Nik Southern was forced to spend almost 8,000 on CCTV, alarms and protective shutters to prevent another incident, and said her mainly female staff had been left quite paranoid.

Across the UK, the BRC says violence and abuse against shop workers has almost doubled since before the pandemic.

A smashed window at Grace & Thorn in Hackney Road, Bethnal Green / Nik Southern

Incidents including racial and sexual abuse, physical assaults, and threats with weapons, have risen from a pre-pandemic high of more than 450 a day in 2019/20, to more than 850 per day last year.

The group says that as well as taking a huge emotional and physical toll, UK businesses are said to have lost almost 1 billion to theft last year alone, while they spent an extra 720m on crime prevention measures.

BRC chief Ms Dickinson said: Retailers are playing their part...but more needs to be done.

We know that Sadiq Khan and Sophie Linden will be concerned about the impact of such crime on local retail workers, so we ask them to ensure the Metropolitan police is giving retail crime the focus and resources it so desperately needs

Every Londoner deserves the right to go to work without fear and we must all help in stamping out this scourge of crime once and for all.

Addressing Mr Khan and Ms Linden in her letter, Mr Dickinson said: With your support, we can ensure that our retail workers receive the legal protection they need, while also signalling Londons unwavering stance against violence and abuse.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: Nothing is more important to the Mayor than keeping Londoners safe and Sadiq has today written to Ministers urging them to provide emergency funding to address the impact of the cost of living crisis on crime and violence in our city.

The rise in these offences and attacks on retail staff highlights the real challenges businesses and too many Londoners are facing as the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen. More Londoners are being pushed into poverty as food and energy bills soar and young people are unable to access activities and are at greater risk of exploitation. Ministers must recognise this and act now by properly funding our police and providing more help to those in desperate need.

The Mayor is working closely with the Met Commissioner to revitalise neighbourhood policing in our communities, directly funding 1,300 additional Town Centre officers and recruiting 500 new Police Community Support Officers to deal with local priorities, understand and respond to the needs and the concerns of Londons communities, including retail theft and violence against retail workers, to build a better and safer London for everyone.

A Met police spokesperson added: In London we recognise shoplifting greatly affects businesses, retail staff and the public.

We focus our effort in precisely targeting offenders that commit these crimes with a view to bringing them to justice and disrupting their criminal behaviour. We also work closely with business crime reduction partnerships and retailers to prevent offences from happening and offering advice around how to keep their staff and businesses safe.

We are enhancing our community crime fighting capability to tackle theft even more by recruiting more PCSOs, equipping the frontline with the resources they need and using technology in identifying offenders.

We will continue to work collaboratively with retailers and business crime reduction partners to tackle this neighbourhood crime.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has welcomed recently steps by the Egyptian government to push forward the Initial Public Offering (IPO) Programme, boosting the private sector and tackling its dollar shortage.

The announcement was made in answer to Ahram Online's question on the IMF's perception of such measures in light of the stalled first review of the current $3 billion deal with Egypt.

This took place during a hybrid press briefing the IMF held on Thursday.

We welcome the Egyptian authorities' announcement that they have signed contracts to sell equity stakes in state-owned entities worth $1.9 billion. Divesting is a critical component of the Extended Find Facility (EFF)-supported program, supporting the

gradual withdrawal of the state from economic activity and providing resources for external financing and debt reduction, said Head of the IMFs Communication Department Julie Kozack.

On Tuesday, the Egyptian government announced it had completed 25 percent of the fourth phase of its IPO Programme, including offering 32 state-owned companies as investment opportunities, whether under the IPO or assigned to strategic investors.

The government also unveiled its plan to tackle the lack of US dollar liquidity in the local market by attracting $191 billion annually within three years, mainly from Suez Canal revenues, remittances, and commodity exports, among other resources.

Making progress in the IPO Programme is a crucial element under the current IMF-backed loan deal. The first review of the Programme has missed two scheduled appointments.

Kozack also noted that the announcement constitutes essential progress in implementing a vital element of the comprehensive policy package to restore macroeconomic stability.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that Egypt plans to bring in $191 billion in annual US dollar revenues by 2026, up from the current figure of $70 billion.

Egypt expects to collect $83 billion in foreign currencies during FY 2023/24 through remittances, non-oil merchandise exports, foreign direct investment (FDI), and revenue from the Suez Canal.

The country is ramping up efforts to fulfil its commitments to the IMF under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) loan programme, announced on 27 October of this year. In December, it received the first tranche of a new IMF loan of $347 million.

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A n Uber Eats rider who skipped a red traffic light and crashed into a pedestrian, leaving her with a broken foot, has been spared a road ban.

Fatima Haridhoine, 37, was making her rounds on an e-bike when she ignored the lights in Queens Road, Peckham, and ran over a woman who was crossing in front of her.

The victim, in her 40s, suffered a broken foot and a painfully bruised rib, Westminster magistrates court heard, and was off work for a month as she recovered from her injuries.

Haridhoine was charged with riding a bicycle without due care and attention following a Metropolitan Police investigation into the incident on September 10 last year.

She denied the charge but was found guilty following a trial in May, and appeared in court again on Tuesday to be sentenced.

Haridhoine, a single mother-of-two from Bexley, told the court she earns 20,000-a-year as an Uber Eats rider - in a job she has held for the last 12 months.

Uber Eats rider Fatima Haridhoine, pictured leaving court, broke a pedestrians foot after running a red light on her e-bike / ES/Kirk

I could disqualify you from driving, said District Judge John Zani. If you are driving late at night, you have got the duty to make sure you drive properly.

You didnt admit your guilt, it went to trial, and you were not believed.

But its your form of employment and Im not going to disqualify you.

Haridhoune was handed eight penalty points on her driving licence, a 150 fine, and 450 compensation to the injured woman who was not named in court.

Describing the incident, prosecutor David Burns said it happened at just before midnight when the pedestrian crossing light on Queens Road had turned green.

This lady was riding an e-bike at the time, working for Uber deliveries, he said.

She has crashed into the complainant.

In her statement, the victim says she broke her foot, she was unable to travel, she couldnt work or move for a month.

She had to cancel trips abroad.

Haridhoine, who told the court she is technically self-employed, said of the incident: It was dark, I didnt see her. It was just before midnight.

When first told she would be receiving penalty points on her licence, Haridhoine told the judge: It was a bicycle, I have to pedal.

But the judge told her: It doesnt matter  theres a form of motor attached, and once started the bike helps you to move.

Haridhoine has been given six months to pay off the fine and compensation, and left court on a bicycle.
D etectives are appealing for information as they released the name of a 42-year-old man fatally stabbed in a north-west London park.

The victim, 42, was knifed and found dying in a residential street in Wembley.

Milton Hurlington was attacked in King Edward VII Park, Wembley, at around 9.50pm on Monday. He staggered to the Dene where paramedics battled to save his life but he sadly died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination has established cause of death as blood loss following a stab wound to the arm.

The Mets Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed of the death as officers had been in contact with the deceased before his death.

The contact was earlier in the day and not immediately before the fatal attack, Scotland Yard said in a statement.

Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley, leading the investigation, said: First and foremost, my thoughts are with Miltons family and friends at what is an incredibly difficult time.

Specialist support is being given by my team, and they will continue to receive this as the investigation progresses.

At present we believe he sustained his injuries in King Edward VII park and then made his way to the Dene, where residents discovered him and called the emergency services.

I am really keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything out of the ordinary in the park and surrounding areas on Monday 17 July between 6pm and 10:45pm to come forward.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch, no matter how insignificant you may think your information to be- it could be the key to our investigation.

Two men and a woman were arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder of Mr Hurlington, from north-west London, and have been released on bail to return at a future date.

Anyone with any information that could help the investigation should call police on 101 and give reference 8258/17JUL23.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You will not be asked to share your name.
M inisters should consider bringing in restrictions on the packaging and marketing of vapes similar to those that apply to tobacco products to tackle a rise in use among teenagers, a senior Tory MP has said.

Steve Brine, chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, said that decisive action is needed to curb a steep rise in the number of children regularly using disposable vapes.

The latest data from the Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use survey estimates that 15 per cent of children aged between 11 and 15 in London had used an e-cigarette in 2021. This amounts to around 101,000 students across the capital.

Vaping is safer than smoking and can help to ween adults off cigarettes, though it still carries a health risk.

It is illegal to sell vapes to children aged under 18, but health experts have warned that are being targeted by e-cigarette companies using colourful packaging and fruity flavours.

In a statement, the Health and Social Care Committee said that the Government could maintain a public health message on the potential value of vapes as a tool to quit smoking while also using a regulatory approach to keep them out of the reach of children.

It called on the Government to bring restrictions on packaging and marketing of vapes in line with those that apply to tobacco products, which are subject to regulations such as standardised packaging .

Ministers should also assess whether a proposed excise tax on disposable vapes would help to reduce vaping among children, the Committee said.

A review of resources and enforcement powers of trading standards should also be launched to prevent vapes being sold to children, they added.

Mr Brine said: Decisive action is needed now from both Government and industry to tackle an alarming trend in the number of children vaping and to protect them from its harmful effects.

Its clear to us that the vaping industry has not gone far enough to ensure that its products dont appeal to children. When you have brightly coloured and branded vapes with flavours that name unicorns, sweets and popular fizzy drinks displayed in locations ranging from newsagents to chicken shops, its disingenuous for the industry to claim otherwise.

We heard a wake-up call from a headteacher who told us that hydraulic oil and antifreeze, along with other extremely concerning chemicals, were found in a vape confiscated at her school.

Ministers need to focus, across Government, on the impact vaping is having in our schools, whether that be setting off smoke alarms in toilets or restricting access to them entirely for young people.

Opponents of an outright ban have claimed that it would lead to the growth of a black market, while also noting that many adults use disposable vapes to quit smoking.

A study by Kings College London (KCL), published in March, found that removing eye-catching packaging was associated with a decrease in interest for teenagers without lessening the appeal of vaping to adults who smoke.

Last week, Labour pledged to ban the packaging and marketing of vapes to children.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) launched a consultation on youth vaping, which closed on June 6. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already pledged to close a loophole that allows shops to offer free samples of vapes to children in England.

Meanwhile, data published on Wednesday by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) showed that nearly half of Londoners (47 per cent) believe the Government is not doing enough to reduce smoking.
A coroner has criticised TfL after an engineer was crushed to death while working on the travelator at Waterloo Station.

Christian Tuvi, 44, died of blunt force trauma to the chest while in the gap repairing the moving escalator at Waterloo Station on September 18, 2019.

A jury concluded that there was an inadequate briefing given to the operatives working on the travelator, employed by subcontractors Cleshar, and a failure to give an audible warning that a site supervisor was about to move it before it crashed into Mr Tuvis chest.

On Tuesday, senior coroner Andrew Harris issued a rare prevention of future deaths notice over the father-of-threes death and warned that new regulation may be needed to prevent a repeat.

The inquest heard that TfL and Cleshar, which TfL uses to clean Underground tracks and the walkway, were at an impasse over whose responsibility it was to provide crucial training four years after the death.

Mr Harris said: It seems that TfL has the power to produce a resolution, but is leaving matters to others to resolve.

It is hard not to conclude that there is corporate reluctance to assume risk for an important public service.

The regulatory bodies and contractors in the supply chain have allowed this matter to remain unresolved for an unacceptable length of time and there may be a system failure in the allocation of responsibilities and powers in the process of contracting for cleaning escalators.

He said that TfL familiarisation training for working in a plant room no longer covers inching as part of the course, the process of making small, incremental movements, when operatives are working on a deep clean.

Instead, TfL expects their contractors to provide inching training for their operatives.

However, the coroner added, Cleshar have not in the past assessed their cleaners for competence to inch and there is no agreed standard of competence.

Mr Harris sent a copy of his warning to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, saying: These matters remain in dispute and may need political and regulatory enforcement.

The Transport Secretary now has to respond by September 4 on what action will be taken to avoid a repeat.

TfLs Chief Operating Officer Glynn Barton said Mr Tuvis death was a tragedy and that the transport body had been offering support to his family throughout the deeply distressing inquest process.

Id like to reassure staff and customers that the safety of everyone working or travelling on our network is always our top priority, and we take the issues raised by the Coroner in his report extremely seriously, he said.

We have already taken action to ensure that lessons learned from the incident were shared with industry partners, and we will continue discussions with our contractors on the issues raised during the inquest.

We continue to focus on improving safety and will implement new safety measures which will keep our colleagues and contractors safe.

The inquest had been suspended while the British Transport Police investigated but no charges were brought. Mr Tuvis family is pursuing a civil claim against Cleshar.

A Cleshar spokesperson said: All at Cleshar were deeply saddened by Christian Tuvis tragic death. Our thoughts remain with Christians family.

We are committed to ensuring the safety of all those working at the company. As there are ongoing legal proceedings, it is inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this stage.
A motorist has been filmed appearing to assault a Just Stop Oil protester after they blocked a road in Earls Court on Wednesday morning.

A man was filmed pushing the protester, Daniel Knorr, 21, to the ground before seemingly kicking him on Earls Court Road.

A collision between a Mercedes driver and a van driver took place just before the incident.

He can be heard to say: You f***ing idiot, stop recording  you little s***, as Mr Knorr, who gained notoriety after being carried off the pitch at Lords by Johnny Bairstow, lay on the ground.

A group of activists then comes to intervene, while a bystander takes his coat off and goes to confront the man.

Speaking after the incident, Mr Knorr, a student from Oxford, said in a statement: I havent said anything to the police and I dont plan to, but Im afraid that the police might go after this man.

I feel no ill sentiment or ill will against him. Its a difficult situation for anyone to be in and its bound to create frustration. I can tell with the fact that hed just been in a car accident, he was very stressed.

Jonny Bairstow carrying Daniel Knorr off the pitch during day one of the second Ashes test match at Lords / PA

The environmental group blocked roads across the capital on Wednesday, with the Met saying it had cleared slow-moving demonstrators from Westminster Bridge, Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road, as well as from roads in Marylebone and Kensington.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps also accused Just Stop Oil of illegal criminal damage" after two activists filmed themselves spraying his departments building with orange paint.

Matthew Cunningham, 25, and Imogen May, 24, took responsibility for the direct action on the property in Victoria Street in Westminster in a statement.

Ms May said the department is failing on their only purpose" and that the climate situation is getting really dangerous".

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands, posting a picture on social media of Westminster Bridge being blocked by JSO supporters, called the demonstration unacceptable".
T he family of a vulnerable 33-year-old missing after last being seen in London nearly three weeks ago say they are growing increasingly concerned for him.

Police are urgently searching for Patrick White, who was last sighted in Bishopsgate in the City of London on June 29.

Before that, he had been seen in Deptford Park in south-east London.

Patrick Paddy White (left) appearing on Channel 4s Celebrity First Dates in 2016, with rugby player Keegan Hirst / Channel 4/YouTube

Mr White, from Circencester in Gloucestershire, is known for his appearance on Channel 4s Celebrity First Dates.

He appeared on the show in 2016, when he went on a date with professional rugby league player Keegan Hirst, a year after the athlete became the first in his sport to publicly come out as gay.

Gloucestershire Police say Mr White, who is known as Paddy, is considered vulnerable and often travels long distances by train.

The force said he has previously been found in Brighton and London.

Mr White during his appearance on Celebrity First Dates / Channel 4/YouTube

Mr White is described as white, 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build, with short, blond, wavy hair.

Paddys family just want to know he is safe, said a Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesperson. So if you have any information, please call Gloucestershire Constabulary and quote incident 532 of 8 July.

You can call 999 if you are with Paddy at the time or think he is in immediate danger, or if have sighted him recently and dont consider him to be in immediate danger, you can call 101 and ask for Gloucestershire Constabulary. You can also give information through the Missing People charity on 116 000 or you can find out more information through the charitys website www.missingpeople.org.uk
S mall businesses are being offered six months free rent to take up shop in Londons famous Oxford Street as Westminster City Council looks to restore pride to its beleagured high street.

Londons flagship shopping district has become littered with American-style candy stores, that began springing up in 2017 and have been described as an eyesore by council leaders.

The council is instead hoping to fill the spaces taken up by low quality stores with up to 35 small businesses keen to reach a larger audience.

The campaign is aimed at businesses looking to launch their first store or physical space. Selected brands will be given a prime store location for an initial six-month period, rent-free and with a minimum reduction of business rates of 70 per cent.

The scheme, in conjunction with business consultants New West End Company, is estimated to cost more than 10 million. The first store is expected to open in autumn.

Stores will either be available for single occupancy or as a themed concept store shared between multiple brands.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough said there has been indicative expressions of goodwill from landowners that suggest that [stores] shouldnt be a problem to find.

He told the Standard: Theres an element of pride in this, of fixing our High Street.

But there will be more interesting shops with more interesting things to come and look at. Its great to come to Zara and Primark and IKEA but also its interesting to see some new and different brands that will sell things that you normally cant get in the shops.

Successful businesses will have to offer something unique and have the potential to go on to launch a long-term store independently.

Brands will receive store design and mentoring from independent retail consultations Someday Studios.

The council said previous pilot schemes such as with Lab Tonica founder Kitty McEntree and sustainable childrens clothes brand Petit Pli have proved that the model works successfully.

Interested businesses have to submit an application by August 30.

Mr Barraclough said: Six months might be good market research [for businesses] and then they might decide to get back online with a more diversified offer.

One of the traders from last time moved to Selfridges and took a concession or they may be doing so well that they actually say, Well, actually we can stay, we can pay commercial rent - that would be the best outcome.

New facelift for Oxford Street / Westminster Council

It comes just days after the council unveiled a new pedestrian-friendly once-in-a-lifetime facelift for Oxford Street.

Westminster councils much-anticipated proposals show wider pavements, redesigned crossings and new trees for the mile running from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch.
H ow secure is Oxfordshires reputation as Englands beau monde county? Just ten years ago, the Chipping Norton set ran Britain from a cluster of farmhouses in this delightful part of the country, with Prime Minister David Cameron, and media royalty like Rebekah Brooks and Jeremy Clarkson all neighbours. Now Boris Johnson has just bought a Georgian manor house there with wife Carrie and their three children, and will no doubt be plotting his next moves from its high-ceilinged drawing rooms. But when I asked self-appointed custodian of cool Nicky Haslam about the county before setting out on a recent trip, he was sceptical. If Boris wants somewhere truly chic, he could do worse than the Scottish borders, he pondered. Yet my weekend trip revealed the area is still the place to be.

The epicentre of Oxfordshire glamour now is Bicester Village. Only an hours train ride from London Marylebone a stones throw from historic Oxford, the designer shopping destination is perfectly placed to fulfil all your retail therapy needs, and much else besides.

Personal suite /

For the full Bicester Village experience, start with a brisk walk down the central street that leads from the railway station. The kaleidoscope of premium brands on offer can be overwhelming at first, so use this time to settle in, assess the queues (Prada really will make you wait) and draw up a mental list of stop-offs.

Bicester Villages main thoroughfare /

Get your bearings at the Ralph Lauren store. Its hard to miss at this time of year, as staff dressed in the brands Wimbledon collection sit in charming umpire chairs outside the front door. Turn right and make a beeline for The Apartment. At this exclusive, invite-only hangout, the staff will make you feel truly at home, with a tipple of your choice at the upstairs bar to welcome you.

The Bar /

The Apartment will be your base of operations in the Village. From here, you can coordinate your bespoke hands-free shopping, receive generous VIP experience discounts on stores around the Village and enjoy a personal shopping suite. The Apartment also serves as a convenient pick-up and drop off location for private cars to ferry you to and from hotels and leisure spots in the surrounding countryside.

Now you are ready to explore, set out into the village and keep an eye out for the charming attendants dressed in bright red, fin-de-siecle style uniforms. They are always on hand to assist you in the village and possess an intimate knowledge of what is on offer.

/

After a whirlwind tour of some top destinations (Balmain, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, etc.), we stopped for dinner at Cecconis, a terrifically well-provisioned modern Italian restaurant set prominently in the corner of the Village. The restaurants two halves (one has a pizza oven) are expansive and decorated with subtle Jazz Age influences. On a balmy summer evening, the windows were thrown wide open for us. Any guest at Cecconis should be sure to try the arancini truffle. Its delightful. They also serve the best hand-made pizza for miles.

Pizza at Cecconis /

As the clock strikes 7, your first day at Bicester Village will begin to draw to a close. But not to worry. The surrounding area offers some very agreeable hotels. We took a swift car to the centre of Oxford for a stay at the five-star Old Parsonage. As its name suggests, the hotel has a rich history which it shares with the next-door St Giles church. The gentle ringing of its bells forms a pleasant musical accompaniment to breakfast, which can be taken in your room or - for the full Oxford experience - in the library.

Cecconis /

After a restorative stop at Bamford Wellness Spa, we felt compelled to return to the Village for another, stopping at all the places we had missed when we arrived. There are over 150 boutiques. So even as you make the journey home, you will surely be thinking of your next visit.
T he ball is in the Governments court with regards to actions which would see the restoration of the Stormont powersharing arrangements, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Sir Jeffrey said there had so far been a lack of meaningful action from Westminster in addressing his concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements.

It comes as Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is holding a fresh round of talks with party leaders this week in a bid to break the Stormont stalemate.

The Assembly has been in flux for more than a year amid DUP protest action over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Windsor Framework was agreed by the EU and UK earlier this year as a way to reduce red tape on trade between GB and NI.

But the DUP has insisted it will not return to Stormont until the Government provides further legislative assurances around Northern Irelands place within the UK internal market.

Senior civil servants have been left running Stormont departments and face having to make substantial cuts following a budget set by Mr Heaton-Harris.

Sir Jeffrey and DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson met Mr Heaton-Harris at Westminster on Wednesday.

Mr Heaton-Harris also met separately with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood.

Speaking after his meeting, Sir Jeffrey said he urged Mr Heaton-Harris to recognise that there is no solid basis for an Executive and Assembly until we have arrangements that safeguard in law NIs place in the UK internal market and our constitutional arrangements are respected.

Consensus is the only way forward in Northern Ireland. Unionists just want a fair deal

He added: The ball is in the Governments court.

The DUP has a mandate to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly on a basis that unionists as well as nationalists can support.

Consensus is the only way forward in Northern Ireland.

Unionists just want a fair deal.

Nationalists would never have been asked to accept the kind of arrangements north-south that unionists are being asked to accept between one part of the UK and another.

The DUP leader added: The Government committed to taking action to restore our place in the UK internal market but whilst statements and headlines have been in plentiful supply, there has been a lack of meaningful action.

We need stable and sustainable devolved government and we need funding for our public services that meet the needs of our people.

Northern Ireland is a divided society.

Quick fixes without solid foundations will do a disservice to those trying to make the NI Assembly work.

Mr Eastwood said there can be no summer recess on efforts to restore devolution.

He added: I have again outlined to the Secretary of State that the SDLP will play a constructive role in opposition to re-establish devolved government.

People are quickly running out of patience with the glacial pace of progress on these issues.

A summer of drift cannot be allowed to happen.

Mr Heaton-Harris will hold further bilateral meetings with other party leaders over coming days.

He is expected to press the parties on their plans for a costed programme for government for any incoming executive.

It is understood that Mr Heaton-Harris has also received the first batch of replies from civil servants examining potential revenue-raising options for Northern Ireland.

Last month, the Northern Ireland Secretary wrote to Stormont permanent secretaries seeking more information about measures that could otherwise improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland.

These included introducing domestic water charges and drug prescription charges, and raising tuition fees.

Officials at the Northern Ireland Office are expected to meet the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service in the near future to discuss the responses.
T he Government is planting less than half of its annual target of trees, raising concerns about how it will meet its nature recovery and timber construction goals, MPs have said.

The Environmental Audit Committee said it welcomes the Governments targets but that it is very unlikely it will meet them, with only two autumn-spring planting seasons left before a March 2025 deadline.

Woodland restoration is seen as critical for improving natural habitats as well as using more home-grown timber for construction, but at present the rate of planting is less than half of the what is required to achieve 30,000 hectares by March 2025, the committee said.

Forestry England, the Government agency responsible for managing the public forest estate in England, has only planted 303 hectares out of the intended 2,000 between 2021 and 2026.

Increasing productive forestry is welcome, though the Government must ensure that this isnt at the expense of biodiversity

It means the UK will be more reliant on importing foreign timber with the committee concerned that this will have a negative impact on ecological systems abroad.

The committee said there was no single strategy that articulates the Governments vision for the timber sector, which is a more environmentally-friendly way of building houses, nor is there a clear plan to integrate that with a delivery on nature restoration and climate change mitigation.

Chair of the committee, Philip Dunne, said: As we look to meet our net zero and nature goals, pressures on woodland will grow.

The construction industry is increasingly looking to move away from steel and concrete to lower carbon alternatives, and timber is well placed to step in.

Increasing productive forestry is welcome, though the Government must ensure that this isnt at the expense of biodiversity.

The Governments target to plant 30,000 hectares of woodland in the UK by March 2025 is welcome, and by and large ministers appreciate the conflicting challenges and demands on woodland.

But the Committee is concerned that England is currently way off meeting its contribution to that UK-wide goal, and that the rate of planting must increase: not only to achieve greater biodiversity, but to ensure that the supply of timber from productive forestry is maintained.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it was committed to having 16.5% of Englands total land area covered by woodland by 2050 but recognised there is much more to do to speed up planting.

The committee said the Government should create a holistic strategy for domestic timber growth that would incorporate the various goals together.

This would also help to give private sector planters and landowners as well as end-users of timber a clearer idea about what is happening given the competing demands for wood.

The committee also said that biomass should be genuinely sustainably sourced and that the right trees are planted in the right place, with native broadleaves for wildlife habitats and conifers for softwood timber.

Forestry England currently lacks the resources to ensure that trees are planted according to the UK Forestry Standard, the committee added, which should be rectified urgently.

This would be a timely opportunity for ministers to set out its vision for the future of UK tree planting

Mr Dunne said: At the moment there are simply too many overlapping strategies that aim to cover tree planting policies in the UK and in England, and there is little evidence of an overall vision for the timber sector.

The numerous strategies are disjointed: what is required is an overarching, holistic strategy that sets a long-term vision for how different types of woodland will be used to deliver Governments goals.

The public sector is only responsible for a quarter of UK woodland. The private sector is therefore responsible for the lions share of planting, but with unclear strategies, overly bureaucratic schemes and a lack of clear leadership on planting on the public estate, there is little in way of incentive.

I hope the Government considers our report carefully, particularly as it looks to publish its Land Use Framework later this year.

This would be a timely opportunity for ministers to set out its vision for the future of UK tree planting.

A Defra spokesperson said: Since the start of this Parliament, we have planted or supported the planting of over 10.8 million trees.

Increasing tree cover is at the heart our pledge to meet net zero ambitions, which is why we are investing 650 million during this Parliament in transforming Englands treescapes.

We are also continuing to work on delivering our legal target to have 16.5% of Englands total land area covered by trees by 2050.

Tree planting rates are now at record levels, but we know there is much more to do and will continue to work with partners in both the private and public sector at pace to increase the nations tree cover and boost the forestry sector  supporting domestic timber production, creating new jobs and improving biodiversity across the country.
A Mansoura High Emergency State Security Court on Tuesday sentenced researcher and political activist Patrick George Zaki to three years in prison on charges of spreading false news.

Zaki was detained on a warrant from the prosecutor's office in February 2020, which accused him of spreading false news and data that could disrupt social peace, inciting protests without a permit, and intending to diminish the state's dignity and disrupt public order and security.

He was also accused of inciting the overthrow of the government and promoting principles and ideas that would lead to the change of the basic principles of the Constitution.

There is no appeal for the sentence, but a petition can be submitted to the presidency as the president ratifies the court sentences. The petition can be accepted or rejected.

A postgraduate student at Bologna University in Italy, Zaki is a researcher at the prominent Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR).

Zaki was detained at Cairo International Airport in February 2020 after he arrived from Italy for a family visit, his lawyers said at the time. He was referred to trial in September 2021.

His arrest sparked condemnation in Italy, with calls for his release by rights organizations both at home and abroad.

Both the European Union and European Parliament have also called for his release.

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E nergy Security Secretary Grant Shapps has accused Just Stop Oil protesters of illegal criminal damage after two activists filmed themselves spraying his departments building with orange paint.

Matthew Cunningham, 25, and Imogen May, 24, took responsibility for the direct action on the property in Victoria Street in Westminster.

The organisation said it spattered the department with paint after it issued more than 100 new oil and gas licences in the UK.

The targeting of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero was one of a number of protests carried out by Just Stop Oil in London on Wednesday.

According to the Metropolitan Police, slow-marching demonstrators were cleared by officers from Westminster Bridge, Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road, as well as from roads in Marylebone and Kensington.

It is illegal criminal damage and I will leave that to the authorities

Mr Shapps, responding to questions about the paint protest on LBC during a round of broadcast interviews, said: It is illegal criminal damage and I will leave that to the authorities.

A video posted on Twitter by JSO appeared to show two protesters using a spray canister to spread orange paint over glass panels covering Mr Shapps Whitehall department.

Mr Cunningham, in another video posted by JSO, said: This department oversees our energy policy and we know from last month that the Climate Change Committee, the Governments independent watchdog for climate change policy, denounced the Governments efforts against climate change.

They said that they were far less sure that the Government would achieve net zero than it had been just one year ago.

And they specifically said that the Government needs to stop issuing new oil and gas licences because it is not compatible with a net zero future.

Ms May said the department is failing on their only purpose and that the climate situation is getting really dangerous.

Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands, posting a picture on social media of Westminster Bridge being blocked by JSO supporters, called the demonstration unacceptable.
B ritains top espionage chief told on Wednesday how the nations spies will play an increasingly vital role in the AI era in protecting against hostile foreign states and terror groups.

In a speech in Prague, MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore was due to stress that his officers would be able to gain secrets beyond the reach of artificial intelligence.

However, he also emphasised that the frontier of machine capability would race ahead.

In his second public speech since taking over as C in the autumn of 2020, he explained: AI is going to make information infinitely more accessible and some have asked whether it will put intelligence services like mine out of business?

In fact, the opposite is likely to be true. As AI trawls the ocean of open source, there will be even greater value in landing, with a well-cast fly, the secrets that lie beyond the reach of its nets.

He added: The unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant.

They are never just passive collectors of information: our agents can be tasked and directed; they can identify new questions we didnt know to ask; and sometimes they can influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

Human intelligence in the age of Artificial Intelligence will increasingly be defined as those things that machines cannot do, albeit we should expect the frontier of machine capability to advance with startling speed.

The head of Britains Secret Intelligence Service was also due to talk about Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine and why his military chiefs were still failing to achieve his aims.

Putins invasion has floundered and after 15 months his forces are very gradually being pushed back by a Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Kyivs forces are only making limited gains in the south and east of the wartorn country.

But even this is a huge turnaround from Putins lightning invasion plan to seize Ukraines capital within days in February 2022.

Now bitter divisions have been exposed in his military top brass after the failed Wagner Group revolt.

Sir Richard was also due to highlight a recent wave of Russian imperialism in Africa.

He was also set to criticise countries such as Iran for arming Putins military with drones and other equipment, fuelling the conflict which has already killed thousands of civilians in often indiscriminate missile, drone and artillery strikes.

Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have been killed, with Ukrainian forces also suffering high casualties.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced plans on Tuesday to modernise Britains armed forces with greater use of AI, quantum technologies, biology engineering, as well as learning the lessons from the Ukraine conflict.

The UK has led the West in arming Ukraine, first with anti-tank weapons, then Challenger II tanks and now Storm Shadow long range missiles.
T he Northern Ireland Legacy Bill is difficult and challenging, a peer attempting to pass the legislation has said.

Lord Caine also described the immunity element of the Bill, which has faced opposition in Northern Ireland and in the House of Lords, as contentious.

Lord Caine is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and a former special adviser to six Northern Ireland Secretaries.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill would give immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to people who co-operated with a truth recovery body.

It would also put an end to future civil cases and inquests.

The immunity element of the Bill was removed by the House of Lords, but reinstated when the proposed legislation returned to the House of Commons on Tuesday.

What the Government has done is tried to make a realistic assessment of what can be delivered for victims and survivors and families of those whove lost loved ones during the Troubles, bearing in mind that we're now a quarter of a century after the Belfast agreement, nearly 30 years since the ceasefires, and well over 50 years since the outbreak of the Troubles themselves

The Bill is opposed by all major Stormont parties, the Irish Government and victims campaign groups.

However, Lord Caine said it is a realistic assessment of what can be done two decades after the Good Friday Agreement.

What the Government has done is tried to make a realistic assessment of what can be delivered for victims and survivors and families of those whove lost loved ones during the Troubles, bearing in mind that were now a quarter of a century after the Belfast agreement, nearly 30 years since the ceasefires, and well over 50 years since the outbreak of the Troubles themselves, he told the BBC.

So its a realistic assessment of what can be delivered in circumstances where, frankly, the prospects of prosecutions is going to be vanishingly rare.

I do appreciate that this is incredibly difficult and challenging legislation.

Lord Caine said the Bill would not provide a general immunity from prosecution for people who committed crimes during the Troubles, only for those crimes that were dealt with by the Truth Recovery Commission.

Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that an inquiry which follows a suspicious death must be designed to lead to criminal proceedings where appropriate.

It's not a general immunity from prosecution, it's in respect of specific incidents

The contentious element of this, of course, which is very difficult for people, is the conditional immunity model, said Lord Caine.

He added: Under the Governments proposals, the review mechanism thats in the legislation would allow for full Article 2-compliant criminal investigation.

The difference is, if the individual co-operates with the commission fully, and gives an honest and truthful account, which will be validated by the commission, then they will be eligible for immunity in specific circumstances relating to that particular incident.

Its not a general immunity from prosecution, its in respect of specific incidents.

If they dont co-operate to the standard that is expected in legislation with the commission, then the commission wont grant them immunity and they will still be open to prosecution in the normal way.

Despite the opposition to the Bill in Northern Ireland and in the House of Lords, Lord Caine said he has made changes to the legislation to try to make it more acceptable.

When this was going through the House of Lords at committee stage, I did take on board a number of representations from colleagues and also from various groups who argued that the bar was too low, he said.

So what I did was bring forward amendments at report stage of the Bill which were agreed by the Commons yesterday to make the immunity process much more robust.

In particular, to ensure that the commission has to take all reasonable steps to satisfy themselves of the validity and truthfulness of an individuals account.

He added: In circumstances where somebodys account is found to have been untruthful, I again amended the Bill to make sure that, if they had previously been granted immunity, that immunity can be revoked.

Families of victims have taken part on numerous protests opposing the Legacy Bill, saying that it deprives their loved ones of justice.

Lord Caine said those affected by incidents being investigated by the commission would be invited to give evidence.

To raise the point about the views of victims again, I amended the Bill to ensure that one of the provisions thats now included is a victims impact statement, which is something that the Victims Commissioner in particular asked for, so that victims will be able to submit an impact assessment which will form part of the final report.

Victims, as a result of the amendments in the Commons yesterday, will also, when a review/investigation is launched, be able to submit a series of questions about an incident which the commission will be under an obligation to the best of its ability to answer, which will then form part of the final report.

The Bill is not expected to pass before Parliament breaks for summer on Thursday, which Lord Caine said is entirely down to the volume of legislation that weve had to deal with in the House of Lords.

If it is not passed by Thursday, the legislation will be discussed again when Parliament returns from recess in September.
T he head of MI6 has urged Russians angry at Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine to spy for the UK.

Sir Richard Moore told them our door is always open and we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

He said that while artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help target the Kremlins war machine, technology will never replace human agents.

In a speech in Prague, Sir Richard said: There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children.

They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putins case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy.

He said many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968 when Soviet tanks crushed the Prague spring uprisings.

I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open, Sir Richard said.

We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which my service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us.

And together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

He said Mr Putin is clearly under pressure, as demonstrated by the recent revolt by Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner mercenaries.

Asked how far Mr Putin is prepared to go, given his references to nuclear weapons, Sir Richard said: He really didnt fight back against Prigozhin, he cut a deal to save his skin, using the good offices of the leader of Belarus.

Even I cant see inside Putins head, but  the only people who have been talking about escalation and nuclear weapons are Putin and a handful of henchmen around him.

That is irresponsible, its reckless and it is designed to try and weaken our resolve in supporting Ukraine and it will not work.

Sir Richard said AI is being used to disrupt the supply of weapons to Russia but machines will not replace human spies.

As AI trawls the ocean of open source, there will be ever greater value in landing, with a well-cast fly, the secrets that lie beyond the reach of its net, he said.

Human agents are never just passive collectors of information and sometimes they can influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

But he said technology is moving with startling speed.

My teams are now using AI to augment, but not replace, their own judgement about how people might act in various situations, he said.

Theyre combining their skills with AI and bulk data to identify and disrupt the flow of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine.

But Sir Richard said AI may also be used by hostile states in damaging, reckless and unethical ways.

With Rishi Sunaks drive for the UK to play a lead role in AI regulation, Sir Richard offered an olive branch to China over the technology.

I remain hopeful that our common humanity and our shared interest in understanding the power of AI may yet lead to agreement on global co-ordination, on which our Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is leading the way, he said.

Chinas draft AI regulations emphasise the importance of veracity, accuracy, objectivity and diversity. I can only say we agree. Lets make those fine words a reality, not a slogan.
P olice Scotlands chief constable has discussed the police investigation into the SNPs finances, saying the probe has moved beyond initial reports.

Sir Iain Livingstone also said the length of the investigation would be proportionate and timeous.

It comes after former SNP leader and first minister Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as part of the investigation  later being released without charge.

Ms Sturgeon, 52, was the third senior SNP figure to be taken into custody after her husband Peter Murrell, the partys former chief executive; and Colin Beattie, the partys ex-treasurer.

An investigation into the partys finances has been ongoing since July 2021.

 May 2021  MP quits party finance role

Douglas Chapman resigned from his role as treasurer, saying he had not been given enough information to do his job.

Senior figures in the party, including Ms Sturgeon, later disputed his assessment.

Joanna Cherry, a vocal internal critic of the partys leadership, also resigned from her role on the national executive committee (NEC).

 July 2021  Police open investigation

Police Scotland confirmed they were investigating after seven complaints were made around donations to the SNP.

This followed allegations that 600,000 raised for campaigning towards Scottish independence was diverted elsewhere.

Earlier, the police force said they were assessing a fraud allegation relating to 600,000 of funds to determine if an investigation is required.

The party said that all sums raised for independence campaigning will be spent on independence campaigning.

 August 2021  Party accounts acknowledge concern

As the partys annual accounts were published, treasurer Mr Beattie acknowledged there had been concern about transparency over independence-related appeals that had raised more than 600,000.

In a section of the accounts, Mr Beattie discussed money raised by the referendum-related appeals since 2017.

He said that 666,953 had been raised up to the end of 2021, with a total of 51,760 expenditure applied to this income.

The money was earmarked through internal processes, he said, though the accounts did not officially record a separate sum.

 December 2022  Loan to SNP emerges

In December, it emerged that Mr Murrell had loaned the party 100,000 in June 2021.

The party said this was to help with a cash flow issue after the election that year.

Ms Sturgeon said: The resources that he lent the party were resources that belonged to him.

 February 2023  Nicola Sturgeon resigns

Nicola Sturgeon stunned the political world by suddenly announcing her resignation on February 15.

She said this was not in relation to short-term pressures but because she knew in her head and heart that the time was right to go.

During her Bute House press conference, she was asked if she expected to be interviewed in relation to the investigation. She said she did not.

 March 2023  Peter Murrell resigns

Amid the SNP leadership contest to replace Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell announced he was stepping down from the role he had held for more than 20 years.

It came during a row over the partys membership numbers, which also led to media chief Murray Foote stepping down.

Membership numbers had dropped by about 30,000 in the last year, something the party previously denied.

 April 2023  Murrell arrested as police search premises

Mr Murrell was arrested on the morning of Wednesday April 5.

There was a large police presence around his home in Glasgow as well as the SNPs headquarters in Edinburgh.

He was released without charge, pending further investigation, the same day.

 April 2023  Camper van seized

On April 9, a luxury camper van was seized by police investigating the partys finances, thought to be worth about 110,000.

 April 2023  Treasurer arrested

On April 18, party treasurer Mr Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police.

His role is to oversee the partys finances.

 April 2023  SNP appoints new treasurer

Stuart McDonald MP was appointed as the SNPs new treasurer on April 22 after Mr Beattie stood down with immediate effect following his arrest.

The 44-year-old, who represents Cumbernauld, Kirkintilloch and Kilsyth, admitted it would be a difficult and challenging time for the party.

 May 2023  SNP appoints new auditors

The party appointed the AMS Accountant Group on May 3 2023, after their previous auditors Johnston Carmichael stood down in September 2022.

The party was subsequently able to file accounts prior to a crucial deadline which may have seen the Westminster group miss out on 1.2 million worth of funding.

 June 2023  Nicola Sturgeon arrested

Former first minister and SNP leader Ms Sturgeon was arrested on June 11.

She voluntarily arranged with Police Scotland to be questioned as part of the investigation into the partys finances, a spokesperson said.

Like the other party figures, she was released without charge pending further investigation.

Upon returning to Holyrood, she said: The thing that sustains me right now is the certainty that I have done nothing wrong.

 July 2023  Sir Iain Livingstone says probe has moved beyond initial reports

Police Scotlands chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone gave an interview shortly before he was to step down from his role.

He confirmed the police investigation, known as Operation Branchform, had moved beyond what some of the initial reports were, saying this is not uncommon in financial inquiries.

The chief constable said he would not put an absolute timeframe on the length of the investigation but that it would be proportionate and timeous.
A Home Office minister has said she would like to see paying for sex outlawed as part of a bid to stop women being trafficked into prostitution.

Sarah Dines told the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday that demand for the services of sex workers was part of human nature and had been around for thousands of years.

She suggested that despite the governments failure to follow other countries in adopting the Nordic model of making it a crime to pay for sex she was in favour of such action.

Sex work, the demand is there, its unfortunately part of human nature, I would like for it to be outlawed, the minister told MPs.

What we are doing is using the legal system to make the UK the most unfriendly country for this sort of practice that we can.

Ms Dines added: The sex industry, the sex trade, prostitution, the trafficking in general, the abuse of others for money or power has been around for thousands of years. Reducing that demand is difficult.

There have been various models across the world in different countries, people have tried different things, we know for example in the sex trade the Nordic model, we know other countries have tried outlawing various practices. What is clear is that discouraging demand is very difficult.

We have to be very clear about the evidence in that. What we are doing practically is we are funding a lot of work to stop this trade. It goes to the very heart of the whole reason why we have now got the Illegal Migration Bill now passed because we want to squash the international organised crime aspect of this.

The ministers comments came during a hearing on human trafficking in which she was pressed on the lack of prosecutions of men having sex with trafficked women and what the government was doing to reduce demand for paid sex.

Ms Dines insisted that pursuing the international crime groups responsible for trafficking women into Britain was key to reducing the problem but came under fire over the governments claims that migrants crossing the Channel in small boats are gaming the modern slavery laws.

Ms Dines told the committee that the reluctance of trafficked sex workers to support prosecutions against the men exploiting them was one reason for the lack of statistics to prove the claims of abuse made by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

She said that four examples provided to the committee of specific cases, plus police testimony, demonstrated that there was problem with migrants taking advantage of the modern slavery legislation.

But her defence of the governments arguments was dismissed by committee chairwoman, Dame Diana Johnson, who accused the minister of having no reliable data to prove the truth of the claims of abuse.

Giving four examples of individuals is not data that should help determine whether a policy is working or not, she said.

Dame Diana highlighted a call by the Office for Statistics Regulation for ministers to ensure that the source for claims made in public were clear and that the statistics did not support the claim that people were gaming the system. She asked Ms Dines if she accepted this verdict, saying that it was the view of the national regulator of the use of statistics.

The minster replied that the Home Office did strive to collect good quality data but cautioned that the type of crimes, the type of harms that we are trying to stop, are incredibly difficult to get the data on.
C onservative MP Bob Stewart has pleaded not guilty to racial abuse.

Stewart allegedly told Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, the director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (Bird), to go back to Bahrain.

Mr Alwadaei was involved in a confrontation with Mr Stewart outside a reception hosted by the Bahraini embassy at Lancaster House on December 14, 2022.

The Beckenham MP told the human rights activist to go back to Bahrain and to get stuffed.

Mr Stewart said he regretted the comments but insisted he was not being racist in any way.

Mr Alwadaei is heard in video footage of the argument asking Mr Stewart about a trip paid for by the Bahraini government in the run-up to its elections. He said: How much did you sell yourself to the Bahraini regime?

Mr Stewart replied saying Bahrains a great place. End of.

He added: Go away, I hate you. You make a lot of fuss. Go back to Bahrain.

On Wednesday, Mr Stewart appeared at Westminster magistrates court to plead not guilty to the charge.

The MP also denied an alternative count of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. A one-day trial has been fixed for November 3 at the same court.

The second charge is to allow the court discretion on the racial element of the allegation and does not relate to a separate incident, the Met said.

Mr Stewart will appear at trial on November 3.

Who is MP Bob Stewart?

Colonel Robert Alexander Stewart was born on July 7, 1949 and has been a member of Parliament for Beckenham since 2010. He was an army officer and a United Nations commander in Bosnia. This earned him the nickname Bosnia Bob.

Mr Stewart was privately educated at Chigwell School, later attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

He worked his way up the regimental ranks, first becoming second lieutenant, then lieutenant, before being promoted to captain.

Mr Stewart served extensively in Northern Ireland from 1977. He was the armys incident commander at the time of the Droppin Well bombing in Ballykelly, which killed 17 people in 1982, and received a personal commendation for his actions on the day.

Mr Stewart later openly discussed his use and authorisation of the now-forbidden deep-interrogation techniques during his time in North Ireland.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and promoted to colonel before retiring from the army in 1996.

Political career

As Mr Stewart was a former commander of the 1st Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, he considered for the safe Conservative East Cheshire seats of Macclesfield and Congleton in 2009 but did not get on to the shortlists. In the summer of 2009, he was shortlisted for Beckenham, one of the safest Tory seats in the country. On December 6 of that year, he was selected as a Tory candidate there after winning an overall majority on the second ballot and won the seat in the 2010 general election.

He sits on the Northern Ireland affairs committee and has previously sat on the arms control and defence committees in the House of Commons.

Voting record

Mr Stewart has voted against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods; equal gay rights; greater regulation of gambling; investigations into the Iraq war; and on restrictions on fees charged to tenants by letting agents.

He has voted for higher taxes on plane tickets; greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections; selling Englands state-owned forests; for fewer MPs in the House of Commons; and for greater regulation of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract shale gas.
S uella Braverman has announced CONTEST 2023, a strategy aimed at preventing terrorist attacks in the UK.

The home secretary has said the type of risk continues to evolve and is increasing and that technology, which includes online security, is one of the biggest areas of focus.

The Government currently considers the risk of attack to be substantial, meaning an attack is likely, but this is the third of five rungs on the ladder  below severe and critical.

The threat continues to evolve and is increasing, meaning we must also evolve to keep the British people safe, Ms Braverman told an audience in Westminster Hall on Tuesday.

We will work with the public and our international allies.

What is CONTEST 2023?

The plan outlines how the Government reacts to terrorism events and has been updated for the first time in five years.

It will have implications for the security service MI5, which is responsible for protecting the UK against threats to national security, and also the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism, which co-ordinates the Governments response in case of a terrorist incident. Counter-terrorism laws are enforced by the police.

CONTEST 2023 will shape how the Home Office reacts to and prepares for terrorism events and many details are unsurprisingly under wraps.

However, a key focus is understood to be technology and safeguarding internet use.

The review states: Terrorists exploit technology to hide their networks, spread their propaganda, and enable their attacks.

Technology is a critical enabler of our counter-terrorism efforts, where careful and proportionate use of cutting-edge techniques can make our response more efficient and effective.

What kind of terrorist attacks is the Home Office wary of?

A large part of the CONTEST 2023 report announcement was dedicated to outlining the type of terrorism the UK is currently facing.

The Home Office has outlined Islamic terrorism as the primary domestic threat, as it accounted for 67 per cent of attacks in 2018, saying it comprises about three-quarters of MI5 caseload, and 64 per cent of those in custody for terrorism-connected offences.

Ms Braverman also said that Northern Ireland-related terrorism remains a significant threat, with some dissident groups looking to carry out attacks.

There is also worry around the incel movement  an online sub-culture of involuntary celibate men who have carried out acts of violence and even murders against women. This was the background of the Plymouth shooting in 2021.

In addition, the report notes that four of the nine declared terrorist attacks in the UK since 2018 were perpetrated by serving or recently released prisoners.
U lster Rugby has agreed an extension to its on-shirt sponsorship deal with Kingspan  despite controversy over the firms products being used in Grenfell Tower.

Some 72 people died in a fire at the west London tower block in 2017.

A group representing survivors and bereaved relatives accused Ulster Rugby of showing absolute disrespect for those impacted by the tragedy.

The Irish insulation firm is Ulster Rugbys shirt sponsor and also holds naming rights to its home stadium in Ravenhill, south Belfast.

In a statement, Ulster Rugby confirmed the extension, which will see Kingspan remain on the senior mens jersey, and selected leisurewear, for the upcoming season.

It said: The Irish-owned business has an existing 10-year contract with the club until the end of the 2023/24 season for the naming rights of Kingspan Stadium.

The Grenfell Inquiry into the blaze previously heard evidence criticising Kingspans business practices.

But Kingspan has insisted its K15 insulation product made up just 5% of the insulation in the tower block and was used without its recommendation.

It also said the exterior cladding, which it did not make, was deemed by the inquiry to be the principal reason for the fires rapid spread.

This same evidence was enough for Mercedes to cut ties with Kingspan for their Formula One team in 2021

In a statement, the Grenfell United committee said: Todays announcement shows an absolute disrespect for all those affected by the Grenfell tragedy.

We have met with Jonny Petrie (Ulster Rugby chief executive) and his team multiple times during their previous sponsorship deal.

We urged him and the board to cut all ties with Kingspan, including sharing with them a large file of evidence from the public inquiry.

This same evidence was enough for Mercedes to cut ties with Kingspan for their Formula One team in 2021.

Instead, Ulster Rugby have decided to disregard these facts, and not just cut previous ties, but to extend their deal.

The group urged supporters of Ulster Rugby to stand with them in demanding the club reverse the sponsorship decision.

The UK Government wrote to Ulster Rugby in 2021 to ask it to reconsider its relationship with Kingspan while the inquiry continues.

In 2022, protesters demonstrated outside the teams stadium to demand the club severs ties with the company.

And earlier this year, police launched an investigation after graffiti referencing Grenfell Tower was painted on the Kingspan stadium.

In 2021, Formula One team Mercedes announced it had ended its sponsorship deal with Kingspan, saying it was not appropriate to continue.
T aoiseach Leo Varadkar has told a Ukrainian actor in Kyiv who was assaulted in Dublin last month that he is sorry for what happened.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel.

The actor required stitches in hospital after what Irelands national theatre called an unprovoked, random act of mindless violence.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

Mr Varadkar then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.

He asked if the actor was doing OK, to which Mr Hrekov replied, through a translator: Yes, everything is fine, everything is perfect.

The Taoiseach said: Im sorry for what happened. Dublin is my home town, but sometimes not 100% safe, unfortunately.

The young actors reply was: All places are like that.

At the time of the attack, the production of Translations in the Abbey Theatre was described by culture minister Catherine Martin as an expression of the solidarity of the Irish people with the people of Ukraine.

Mr Varadkar told the Kyiv theatre company that he hoped the groups performances at the Abbey could continue.

Perhaps we can have an Irish company come here and perform here as well, he told performers at the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company.

We were talking about this earlier, but I know from our history theatre and art was a very important part of our national identity, because we were part of the United Kingdom and we were almost overwhelmed by English culture.

Art and music and language and theatre was very important for us in protecting our Irish identity and I know in Ukraine you are fighting now to affirm your identity as a nation, and I think the arts is a very important part of that too.
The National Dialogues Board of Trustees has appealed to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to utilize his legal and constitutional authority to immediately release human rights activist Patrick George Zaki, who was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday.

In a statement issued shortly after Zaki's sentencing at the Mansoura Urgent State Security Court, the National Dialogues Board of Trustees urged President El-Sisi not to enforce the sentence.

Egyptian human rights researcher Zaki was sentenced on charges of spreading false news and inciting protests. There is no possibility to appeal in the state security courts, but the president has the power not to ratify the sentence or to grant him a presidential pardon.

The Board of Trustees expressed complete confidence in the president's commitment to the future of the convicted activist, particularly considering his recent achievement of a master's degree at a young age.

The Board of Trustees concluded the statement by emphasizing that the president's decision in this matter will demonstrate his unwavering dedication to fostering a positive environment for the success of the national dialogue. This will align with his call for a consensus on national priorities, the statement added.

Meanwhile, some members of the National Dialogue, such as journalist Khaled Dawood and human rights lawyer Ahmed Ragheb, announced that they are freezing their participation following the sentence.

Human rights lawyer and National Dialogue member Naged El-Bori not only announced that he was freezing his participation but also his retirement from public life in objection to the decision.

A postgraduate student at the University of Bologna in Italy, Zaki is a researcher at the prominent Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR). Zaki was detained at Cairo International Airport after he arrived for a family visit in February 2020, his lawyers said at the time.

His arrest sparked condemnation in Italy, with calls for his release by rights organizations both at home and abroad. Both the European Union and European Parliament have also called for his release.

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I rish premier Leo Varadkar has said an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

A post on Twitter shared the image and stated that the drone was shot down over the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, near the Black Sea.

Asked about the issue during a press conference in Kyiv, the Taoiseach said: We are aware of that, and we are investigating it at the moment.

We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Former foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan called it a matter of some concern.

Under EU sanctions imposed on Russia, there is a ban on the sale, supply or export of drone engines and electronic components, along with other items, that may contribute to Moscows military or the development of its defence and security sector.

The list of restricted items also includes toy drones and various technologies.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said Ireland implements a robust export control policy, which includes the application of relevant EU and international standards for export control.

A spokeswoman said: Any breach of export controls is taken very seriously and the potential use of Irish components in Iranian drones used by the Russian Federation in Ukraine is being investigated, by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Department is also actively working with Conflict Armament Research, which is funded by the EU, to ensure, insofar as possible, that Irish components do not end up, either intentionally or unintentionally, in conflict zones around the world.
I relands premier has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky on a visit to Kyiv.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital.

After an engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Mr Varadkar also paused for a moments silence at a memorial in central Kyiv for the children who have died in the conflict, placing a toy lamb among the other teddies.

At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

Volodymyr Zelensky, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed in taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine areas.

He made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the Kakhoka dam and other areas.

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

I, first of all, would like to extend words of gratitude to you and to the whole people of Ireland for hosting our nationals in Ireland. This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

Mr Varadkar began an intensive schedule of engagements with a visit north of the city to the Kyiv Oblast region.

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside 24-year-old Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainians fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.
In only his second public speech since taking over as head of the Secret Intelligence Service, Sir Richard Moore travelled to Prague to deliver a targeted message to those inside Russias political, military, economic and security systems.

Many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas and the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968, he said, referring to how the crushing of the Prague Spring 55 years ago was a breaking point for some Russians who turned to the West.

Sir Richard, right, added: I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open.

The spy chief, known as C, was seeking to seize the moment when some Russians, horrified by the war in Ukraine, appalled by the military tactics costing so many tens of thousands of lives and maybe now growing increasingly disillusioned with Putins regime, may decide to take a brave step to try to end the bloodshed.

Sir Richard wanted these individuals, likely to be agonizing over such decisions, to hear that they would be looked after and protected. He said: We will handle their offers of help with the discretion and professionalism for which our service is famed. Their secrets will always be safe with us, and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.

It was no coincidence that he had chosen the Czech capital, after the Prague Spring had so challenged the Soviet authorities before the liberalising reforms of Czechoslovak communist leader Alexander Dubcek were crushed by a huge invasion force including some 2,000 tanks rolling into the country.

Speaking in the British ambassador Matt Fields residence in Thun Palace, Sir Richard was brutal in his criticism of the bleak, pitiless mentality of conquest and domination that drives Vladimir Putin.

He also stressed that Ukrainian forces in their summer counter-offensive, even if gains were limited and slow as commanders seek to preserve their soldiers lives, had recaptured more land in a month than Russian troops had seized in a year.

He added: There appears to be little prospect of the Russian forces regaining momentum.

The June revolt by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin may have failed, but it is widely believed to have weakened Putin who is now thought to have axed several senior commanders with deep doubts about how he is waging his war launched in February 2022.

At the start of this month, CIA director Williams Burns said: That disaffection creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us at the CIA  at our core a human intelligence service. Were not letting it go to waste.

However, Western intelligence agencies will want to reassure potential defectors that they will be safe after the Novichok poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in March 2018, which killed local woman Dawn Burgess after she was exposed to the military grade nerve agent suspected to have been used by Russian military intelligence officers.

Sir Richard also told how the shockingly high casualty figures on the battlefield were bleeding back into Russia in a potentially distabilising way.

He criticised countries such as Iran for arming Putins military with drones and other equipment, fuelling the conflict.

He told of internal quarrels at the highest level of the regime in Tehran over the backing for Putin.

MI6 was devoting more resources on China than any other country, he added, warning of data traps being set to snare people to hand over their personal information to foreign states.
O n August bank holiday each year over two million people flock to west London to celebrate Notting Hill Carnival.

The festival started in 1966 and has taken place on the August bank holiday weekend ever since except for 2020 and 2021 because of Covid-19. It returned last year with huge success.

Notting Hill Carnival over the years - In pictures 1 / 53 Notting Hill Carnival over the years - In pictures 1972 Charlie Gillett/Redferns 1975 Richard Braine/PYMCA/Rex 1976 Hulton Archive/Getty Images 1977 Associated Newspaper 1977 Daily Mail 1978 Frank Barratt/Getty Images 1978 Bill Johnson/Associated Newspapers 1978 Frank Barratt/Evening Standard 1980 Stuart Nicol/Evening Standard 1980 Evening Standard 1980 Evening Standard 1983 Peter Anderson/PYMCA/Rex 1984 John Minihan/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 1994 Steve Eason/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 1994 Steve Eason/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 1995 Steve Eason/Hulton Archive/Getty Images 2003 Scott Barbour/Getty Images 2004 Graeme Robertson/Getty Images 2005 Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images 2005 Chris Jackson/Getty Images 2006 Miles Willis/Getty Images 2006 Miles Willis/Getty Images 2006 Miles Willis/Getty Images 2006 Chris Jackson/Getty Images 2007 Chris Jackson/Getty Images 2009 Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images 2011 Oli Scarff/Getty Images 2012 Oli Scarff/Getty Images 2015 Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images 2015 Daniel C Sims/Getty Images 2017 Getty Images 2017 Getty Images 2017 Getty Images for RedBull 2017 Getty Images for RedBull 2017 AFP/Getty Images 2018 Getty Images for Redbull 2018 Getty Images 2018 Reuters 2019 Getty Images 2019 Reuters

Heres everything we know about Notting Hill Carnival 2023.

What is the Notting Hill Carnival?

Attendance at Carnival can easily reach one million people / AFP via Getty Images

Notting Hill Carnival is a free street festival, that celebrates the UKs Caribbean community. Its Europes biggest street festival, as well as the worlds second-largest carnival, after Rios extravaganza.

Each year, the festival brings beats, lashings of jerk chicken, eclectic, colourful and exciting costumes, as well as an utterly fabulous parade.

When is the Notting Hill Carnival 2023?

Glastonbury has hosted its first Notting Hill Carnival / PA Wire

This years carnival will take place on the August bank holiday weekend, falling on August 26-28.

What are the timings for the Notting Hill Carnival?

On Sunday and Monday, the parades will kick off at 10.00am, with the judging finishing at around 6.30pm.

The Notting Hill Carnival ends at 7pm, when the music stops because of a noise curfew as it takes place in a residential area.

Once the music cuts out at 7pm, you can either head home or go to an afterparty.

Where is the Notting Hill Carnival 2023 and whats the route?

The Carnival parade route is about three and a half miles long / Getty Images

The carnival takes place in Notting Hill but it also spills into the streets of Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, Westbourne Grove and Bayswater.

The main parade route for Notting Hill Carnival starts near Westbourne Grove tube station at 9.30am, and it travels down Great Western Road before slowly winding its way to Westbourne Grove and then heading up Ladbroke Grove.

The parade is approximately three and a half miles long and it takes over most of W10. If you have a smartphone, you can track the parade on the Notting Hill Carnival app, which is available on Apple and Android.

How do I get to the Notting Hill Carnival 2023?

Download the Notting Hill Carnival app to keep track of what is going on / PA Archive

Its important to remember that the Tubes will be busy and the streets packed. The Central line will be open the whole weekend for Queensway, Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park, and the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines will be serving Westbourne Park, Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road.

Streets around Notting Hill will all be pedestrianised, so buses will be rerouted and could terminate earlier than usual.

What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2023s schedule?

It's party time: this weekend's Notting Hill Carnival is expected to be the biggest yet

This years carnival will feature 38 booming sound systems, which play anything from house to calypso, as well as 84 vibrant Mas bands.

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Heres everything to expect:

Saturday, August 26

The event starts on Saturday, with Panorama, a family-friendly event in Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park, near Trellick Tower, which will require a ticket.

This event kick-starts the Carnival each year, and you can expect live music and an all-round Caribbean atmosphere as the UKs largest steel pan competition takes place.

Sunday, August 27

Sunday is family day at the Carnival but it is still often extremely busy. The JOuvert Carnival in Ladbroke Grove is likely to start at 6.00pm with steel bands and African drummers parading through the streets.

The childrens parade starts at 10.30am with younger performers dancing through the streets. Family workshops take place at Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park accompanied by Caribbean food and drink stalls.

Monday, August 28  from midday

Events start at midday on bank holiday Monday, with more than 80 bands in spectacular costumes wandering through the streets in the main parade. The entertainment continues with about 40 sound systems pumping out tunes for the remainder of the day.
C ommuters are facing more travel chaos as a fresh train strike is set to cripple the railway network.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) are striking on Thursday - followed by two further walkouts on Saturday and July 29 - while drivers in Aslef are continuing an overtime ban this week.

RMT members including station staff, train managers and catering staff are be involved in the latest action hitting key services in and out of the capital.

Southern and Thameslink are among the train companies operating limited opening hours on the strike days with services starting later and finishing much earlier than normal.

A locked up station / PA Wire

Some routes will finish earlier than others, and some stations will not be served at all with travellers warned to check first and last trains carefully, as there will be no alternative travel outside of these services.

Londoners were also warned by TfL that these strikes may affect some District line, London Overground, Elizabeth line and tram services.

The Gatwick Express will not run while Heathrow Express warned it will see last trains running before 9pm.

Avanti West Coast says it will run a significantly reduced timetable on strike days with no services to Edinburgh, North Wales and Stoke-on-Trent among others.

A passenger at Waterloo train station in London (James Manning/PA) / PA Wire

People travelling the day after a strike were also told services are expected to be affected - particularly due to the reduced timetable for engineering work - but trains may also start later in the morning than usual following the strike.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: The upcoming rail strikes called by the RMT union and the overtime ban by Aslef will undoubtedly cause some disruption, affecting not only the daily commute of our passengers but also disrupting the plans of families during the summer holidays.

This will lead to disappointment, frustration, and financial strain for tens of thousands of people. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and understand the impact on individuals and businesses.

While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced services... so our advice is to check before you travel.

Passengers with Advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.

Rail, Maritime and Transport union general secretary Mick Lynch joins members of his union on the picket line outside Euston train station, / PA Wire

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the strikes would show the country just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry.

My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and government, he said.

Yet quite incredibly neither party has made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution.

The Government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan also said he wanted to resolve this dispute and blamed the Government and rail operators for not negotiating.

A closed tube station during a strike / ES/Ross Lydall

It comes as more Tube workers are to strike in a worsening dispute over jobs and pensions.

Unite said hundreds of its members in engineering, maintenance and management roles will walk out on July 26 and 28.

Members of Aslef and the RMT on the Tube are also taking industrial action later this month.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: The Government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform.

The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.
M ore than 2,000 people have been evacuated from their homes following a huge blast at a Crimean military base, according to Russian officials.

Photos on Wednesday showed a huge fireball erupting high into the air over the Kirovske military base in Crimea, with thick black smoke clouding the air.

Russian emergency officials in Crimea, which was annexed in 2014, said more than 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at the military facility.

Smoke and flames rise from an explosion during a fire at a military training ground in the Kirovske district, Crimea, on Wednesday / REUTERS

Russia-appointed Governor Sergei Aksyonov of Crimea said on the Telegram messaging app: It is planned to temporarily evacuate residents of four settlements - this is more than 2,000 people.

Mr Aksyonov said a major road had also been closed.

He did not specific a cause for the fire.

It comes two days after an attack on a bridge linking Russia to the peninsula that the Kremlin has blamed on Ukraine.

Russia launched an intense series of nighttime air attacks sending drones and missiles toward places across Ukraine on Tuesday, targeting the southern port city of Odesa for a second night in a row, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said in a statement on Telegram. Ukrainian authorities reported more drones and missiles sent against more parts of Ukraine than in recent days.

Mr Popko said the attacks were especially fierce in Odesa for a second consecutive night.

Odesas regional Governor Oleh Kiper said the attack included dozens of missiles and strike drones aimed at the port and infrastructure facilities.

Debris from missiles and drones that were shot down fell on apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people.

A crater made during Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Odesa, Ukraine, on Wednesday / via REUTERS

A nine-year-old boy and five other apartment block residents sought assistance for injuries caused by shattered glass and other objects.

Elsewhere in the city, a downed Kh-59 missile created a large crater in the ground, and left three civilians injured.

Eight Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

Russia also attacked Kyiv with Iranian-made Shahed drones but with no result, said Mr Popko.

Officials in the Ukrainian regions of Poltava and Kirovohrad also reported attacks.

A firefighter works at a site of storage facilities in Odesa, Ukraine, hit during Russian missile and drone strikes / via REUTERS

The latest barrage came one day after Russia carried out what Moscows Defense Ministry described as a strike of retribution on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and the coastal city of Mykolaiv, using sea-launched precision weapons.

Russia blames Ukraine for a July 17 strike on the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with the Crimea, and is a key artery for military and civilian supplies.

Ukraines top security agency appeared tacitly to admit to a role in the July 17 attack, but stopped short of directly claiming responsibility, echoing their responses after previous similar attacks on the Kerch Bridge.
I taly has put most of its big cities on a heatwave red alert as temperatures reached 46C in Sardinia on Wednesday.

The alert for 23 cities across the country, from Trieste in the north-east to Messina in the south-west, means the heat poses a threat to everybody, not just the vulnerable.

The health ministry said it would activate an information hotline and teams of mobile health workers visited the elderly in Rome, where temperatures have already broken records.

These people are afraid they wont make it, they are afraid they cant go out, said Claudio Consoli, a doctor and director of a health unit.

Highs of 46C were recorded on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia on Wednesday afternoon.

The heatwave has been dubbed by local media as the settimana infernale - or week of hell.

The intense heatwave hitting southern Europe is bringing warnings of increased risk of deaths and heart attacks.

An aerial view shows a burnt forest after a fire in Magoula, 21km northwest of central Athens / AFP via Getty Images

Wildfires burned for a third day west of the Greek capital Athens, with air water bombers resuming operations first thing Wednesday morning and firefighters working throughout the night to keep flames away from coastal refineries.

The fires have gutted dozens of homes, prompted hundreds of people to flee and blanketed the area in thick smoke. Temperatures could climb to 43C on Thursday, forecasters said.

Meanwhile, Spain warned of the risk of wildfires in most of the country though residents were allowed to return to their homes in La Palma island where a blaze that raged for five days was stabilised.

Although the heatwave appeared to be subsiding in Spain, residents in Greece were left surveying the wreckage of their homes after the wildfires.

Everything burned, everything. I will throw it all, its all waste. The boiler burned, its done, it melted," said Abbram Paroutsidis, 65.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions mainly from burning fossil fuels, will make heatwaves more frequent, severe and deadly.

Experts say Europe in particular is warming faster than many climate models had predicted.
H undreds of people have fled wildfires in Greece as southern Europe was on Wednesday bracing for the third day in a row of extreme heat.

Dozens of homes were gutted by fire in two towns west of Athens as fire brigades battled a third blaze on the island of Rhodes on Tuesday night.

Greek media reported that the fire broke out in a forest area between the villages of Apollonas and the village of Laerma on the popular tourist island. The blaze is said to have begun on a rubbish dump and quickly spread, according to Greek newspaper Proto Thema.

Fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Varthakogiannis said crews remained on a level of high alert following the evacuation of hundreds of local residents in the affected regions. Four aircraft sent from Italy and France were set to join firefighting efforts later on Wednesday.

Air water bombers were continuing to douse flames after wildfires burned for a third day in the towns of Mandra, west of the capital, and Loutraki, close to the Corinth canal which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese.

The blaze, which broke out on Monday in the Dervenochoria region, about 30km north of Athens, spread fast as it was fanned by erratic winds.

A man puts his head in the water to cool off at the fountain in Piazza del Popolo in Rome / AFP via Getty Images

The Acropolis in Athens - the countrys most popular tourist attraction - was closed to tourists for four hours on Sunday due to the extreme heat.

Meanwhile, heatwave red alerts remained in place for cities across Italy, Spain and the Balkans ahead of extreme temperatures this afternoon.

Temperatures reached a high of 44C on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia on Tuesday while Rome saw the mercury top out at 40C. Tourists in the capital were pictured trying to keep cool by splashing in fountains and standing under giant fans set up outside the Colosseum.

Frances weather service, Meteo-France, on Wednesday put nine departments in the south-east on a high heatwave alert. Temperatures of 26C were recorded in Montpellier and Beziers, and 25C in Marseille and Nice at 5am local time.

Americans were also facing a medley of extreme weather as the southwestern city of Phoenix, Arizona recorded its 19th consecutive day in which the daily high exceeded 43C, breaking its all-time record of 18 days. Temperatures also climbed to 53C in California's Death Valley on Monday.

Europe | Cerberus Heatwave 1 / 16 Europe | Cerberus Heatwave Hellenic Red Cross workers distribute bottles of water to visitors outside the Acropolis in Athens AFP via Getty Images Fire approaches buildings in Grebastica, Croatia, AP Hellenic Red Cross workers distribute bottles of water to visitors outside the Acropolis in Athens AFP via Getty Images Volunteers try to put out the wildfire in Grebastica, Croatia AP Rescue workers transport a visitor from the archaeological site of Acropolis to an ambulance the Acropolis in Athens AFP via Getty Images A fireman looks at burnt cars in Grebastica, Croatia, AP Residents and tourists run from the wildfire in Grebastica, Croatia AP People sit in the shade near the Colosseum to shelter from the sun during a heatwave across Italy, REUTERS People stand in line in the queue to enter the Acropolis in Athen AFP via Getty Images A woman cools down on Syntagma Square, in front of the parliament building, during a heatwave in Athens, Greece REUTERS An elderly man holds a piece of paper over his head to protect himself from the sun in Athen AFP via Getty Images A man holds an umbrella as he and other tourists enters the ancient Acropolis hill during a heatwave, in Athens, Greece AP

Beijing logged its 28th consecutive day of temperatures running at more than 35C, setting a new record for the number of high-temperature days in a year. It came days after a remote township in the country's north western Xinjiang region reported a temperature of 52.5C, smashing the national record.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said the heatwave in the northern hemisphere was set to intensify.

Senior heat advisor John Nairn said the scorching conditions in Europe were not the normal weather systems of the past and had occurred as a consequence of climate change.

Extreme temperatures will grow in frequency, duration and intensity as a result of global warming, he added.

The World Health Organization's regional director for Europe, Hans Henri P. Kluge, said the world must look ahead while adapting to the new reality of killer heat waves and other extreme weather.

There is a desperate and urgent need for regional and global action to effectively tackle the climate crisis, which poses an existential threat to the human race, he said.
N early all major Italian cities have been placed on a red heat alert as the heatwaves continues to bite.

The heatwave is intensifying across Europe, and temperatures are expected to peak today (July 19), with 23 Italian cities slapped with red-weather warnings for extreme heat.

The red warnings mean the heat poses a threat to everybody, not just vulnerable groups.

As well as heat warnings, wildfires are also ravaging the continent in the Swiss Alps and Greece.

Weather experts say the heatwave is being caused by a high-pressure system that is bringing in warmer, tropical air and is in a stream currently stuck over central Europe.

How hot is it in Italy?

For several days, temperatures have spiked over 40C (104F) for most of the country.

The heatwave, which has swept across the country, has been described by Italian media as settimana infernale  meaning the week of hell.

BBC Weather says parts of the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily will be the hottest parts of Europe again, with highs of around 46C or 47C expected this week.

Which Italian cities have issued a red alert?

Most of the countrys main cities are now on a red alert.

On Tuesday (July 18) Ancona, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Messina, Naples, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Rome, Trieste, Venice, Verona, and Viterbo were all placed on red alert.

On Wednesday (July 19), Bari, Catania, Civitavecchia, and Turin were added to the list.

Is it safe to travel to Italy?

There are no official restrictions on travelling to Italy, but tourists are being warned to be prepared.

In some parts of Italy, single-use plastics are banned, so people are advised to take a water bottle with them to fill up.

Some popular attractions have had to shut down during the heatwave to keep tourists safe. Greek authorities have closed the Acropolis in Athens, and some tourists have even experienced fainting spells.

Italian authorities are also considering restricting access to some historical monuments during the hottest part of the day, and a British tourist has fainted at the Colosseum in Rome.

The main risks of heat are dehydration and overheating. These are a larger threat to people who are more vulnerable, such as older people, babies, and people with existing heart and breathing conditions. But the health alerts in Italy are advising everyone  no matter how healthy  to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm.
Swedish-Swiss tech solutions multinational corporation ABB is expanding its investments in the Egyptian market, Sherif Ismail, ABB Egypts vice president and the electrification commercial leader Egypt and Central Africa, told Ahram Online.

The company's ambitious plans were discussed on Tuesday during a roundtable on energy efficiency and industrialization in Egypt organized by the Office of Swiss International Cooperation, the Swiss embassy, and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (SwissCham).

ABB has already invested $200 million in Egypt over the past 10 years, he added.

Ismail also said that ABB sees Egypt as a promising market for energy efficiency, green transition, and digital transformation, aligning with the country's Vision 2030 for sustainable development.

He also praised the efforts made by Egypt in these areas over the past few years.

ABB operations in Egypt span the water and agricultural wastewater treatment sector, most importantly through the supply of engines, pumps and variable speed drives.

It is also working to improve the energy efficiency of a number of megaprojects in Egypt.

During the event, Swiss Ambassador to Cairo Yvonne Baumann emphasized the significance of collaboration between the two countries in pursuing sustainable energy solutions.

She highlighted how innovative Swiss companies with cutting-edge technology, like ABB, contribute to a more climate-friendly green economy.

Ahmed Hassan, local business area manager for North and Central Africa at ABB Egypt, expressed excitement about collaborating with SwissCham to raise awareness about energy efficiency and revolutionize the industrial sector.

"We are committed to raising awareness about the benefits of energy efficiency and providing [business leaders] with the best-in-class knowledge about the innovative solutions that can help them achieve their sustainability goals, he said.

ABB launched the Energy Efficiency Movement (EEM) initiative globally in 2021, extending it to Egypt in May of the same year. The initiative has already attracted 400 companies worldwide as participants.

EEM's primary objective is to raise awareness and encourage action to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs while ensuring safety and sustainability.

Through this initiative, ABB aims to promote affordable energy sources, scalable alternatives, and technical best practices to decrease energy usage.

Emphasizing the importance of transitioning to an energy-efficient world and circular economy, Hassan said that industrial sectors account for nearly 40 percent of global energy consumption and over 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of ABB's commitment to enhancing sustainability in Egypt, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. It includes the donation of a specialized energy-efficient electric motor testing laboratory, worth $120,000, to the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), he explained.

This laboratory will verify imported electric motors meets Egyptian and global standards.

The ABB has helped drive sustainable development in Egypt though introducing more efficient electric motors and equipment, he added.

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T he mother of a US soldier who is understood to be detained by authorities in North Korea says she wants him to come home.

The US was on Wednesday scrambling to establish the fate of Travis T King, who was on a civilian tour of the village of Panmunjom between the two Koreas, when he reportedly bolted into North Korea on Tuesday.

We believe that he is in (North Korean) custody and so were closely monitoring and investigating the situation, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told a briefing, while North Korea remained silent.

United Nations Command soldiers and a South Korean soldier stand guard before North Koreas Panmon Hall and the military demarcation line separating North and South Korea, at Panmunjom / AFP via Getty Images

Mr Kings mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC News she was shocked when she was informed by the US Army on Tuesday about what had happened.

I cant see Travis doing anything like that, said Ms Gates, of Racine, Wisconsin, said.

She said she last heard from her son a few days ago, when he told her he would return soon to Fort Bliss, an Army post in the southern US.

She added she just wants him to come home.

Mr King, who joined the US Army in 2021, was understood to be facing disciplinary action, and to have been on his way back to the US when he decided to cross the border.

US officials were stumped as to why the soldier fled to the North, and outlined a puzzling series of events.

Mr King had finished serving time in detention in South Korea for an unspecified infraction and was transported by the US military to the airport to return to his home unit in the United States, two US officials said.

Tourists take pictures of prayer ribbons wishing for reunification of the two Koreas on a wire fence, near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in South Korea on July 19 / Getty Images

He had already passed alone through security to his gate when he decided to flee, one official said.

Civilian tours of the demilitarised zone are advertised at the airport and Mr King appeared to have decided to join one, the official added.

US Defence Secretary Mr Lloyd said Mr King was on an orientation tour of Joint Security Area (JSA) on the border between the two Koreas on Tuesday, when he crossed the line marking the Military Demarcation Line border and went into North Korea wilfully and without authorisation.

The heavily armed border has separated the two Koreas since fighting in the Korean War ended in 1953 in an armistice.

North Koreas state media has made no mention of the incident.

The crossing comes at a time of renewed tension on the Korean peninsula, with the arrival of a US nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine, and the launch early on Wednesday morning of two ballistic missiles into the sea by North Korea.

North Korea has been testing increasingly powerful missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, including a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile launched last week.

Colonel Isaac Taylor, a spokesperson for US Forces Korea, said the military was working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident, referring to North Koreas Peoples Army.

A North Korean guard post is seen from South Korea near the demilitarized zone on July 19, in Paju, South Korea / Getty Images

Two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldier had been due to face disciplinary action by the US military. But he was not in custody at the time he decided to flee, one of them said.

South Koreas Unification Ministry, which handles ties with the North, said all tours to Panmunjom have been cancelled indefinitely on the request of the UN Command which oversees security for the area.

It was unclear how long North Korean authorities would hold the soldier but analysts said the incident could be valuable propaganda for the isolated country.

Before dawn on Wednesday, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, each flying 550 km and 600 km before plunging into the sea off its east coast.

The launch comes hours after the South Korea and the United States held the first round of talks on Tuesday on upgrading coordination in the event of a nuclear war with North Korea.

The United States has pledged to deploy more strategic assets such as aircraft carriers, submarines and long-range bombers to South Korea, drawing an angry response from Pyongyang which vowed to escalate its own military response.
L ife is hard.

Not a revolutionary statement or a hot take, but simply a fact that reveals itself to be true each and every day - so it really is the little things that can make a big difference.

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Body cleansing rituals can be a moment of sensory bliss with exquisite scents that can transport your to a sun-soaked holiday destination, a luxury five star hotel or at least have you imagining youre in a Radox advert in the 1980s.

Your daily ablutions can be a decadent, indulgent practice elevated by the likes of Le Labo, Chanel and Byredo that provide heady aromas, nourishing ingredients and premium packaging that will be a chic finishing touch to your shower shelf.

The right components can have a reviving, restoring and replenishing effect that will kickstart your day in the right way, or provide a soothing, calming moment of self-care that will get you ready to drift off if you prefer your shower rituals in the evening. To lighten your mood, look to zesty citrus, rose or invigorating eucalyptus or transform your bathroom into a sensual affair with intoxicating amber and musk.

Whether your preference is for a silky soft oil, a lathering foam or a gentle, hydrating cream, youll be spoilt for choice by our selection below where each product promises a tactile treat and a hydrating, softening and moisturising powerhouse.

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R yan Gosling may be set to star in one of the most-anticipated films of the summer, but there are some roles on his CV he would rather forget.

The Canadian actor, 42, was quizzed about his most embarrassing roles while promoting the Barbie movie with co-star Margot Robbie, 33.

Back when Gosling was 13, he joined The Mickey Mouse Club alongside other soon-to-be-stars like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.

While it undeniably gave him his big break, Gosling explained that one of the characters he was chosen to play while appearing on that variety show was his worst ever.

Ryan Gosling shared his regret at once having to dress like a hamster on screen / Disney/ BBC

After first mentioning his role as Young Hercules, he also then singled out a time he was made to dress up as a hamster on screen.

I was a hamster at one point, he revealed in a chat with BBC Radio One and instantly regretted bringing it up when Robbie joked that she would be searching for it on the internet later.

She then laughed and said that he had walked into that one, to which he sighed and seemed to think out loud, saying: You do it to yourself man. Whyd you bring it up?

Barbie opens in UK cinemas nationwide from July 21.
B arbie has scored an impressive 89% on Rotten Tomatoes ahead of its release this Friday.

The film, directed by Oscar winner Greta Gerwig, sees Barbie (Margot Robbie), experience an existential crisis and is forced to leave Barbieland to discover her true purpose.

Her kind-of boyfriend Ken (Ryan Gosling) joins her on a journey of self-discovery but soon after they enter the real world they learn several home truths about themselves while trying to dodge the fictional chief executive of doll manufacturer Mattel (Will Ferrell).

The blockbuster stars Robbie as the pink-loving title character alongside a cast including Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, Simu Liu and Dua Lipa.

Robbie and Gosling star as Barbie and Ken in the flick / Warner Bros. Pictures

And on Wednesday, the highly-anticipated flick debuted on the review-aggregation website with an impressive score and many of the 96 reviews agreeing that Barbie is a must-watch.

David Sims from The Atlantic called the film a very charming success, while Tomris Laffly from The Wrap said its a soulful film underneath all the persistent fuchsia.

Elsewhere Rolling Stones David Fear said: A big movie can still have big ideas in 2023. Even a Barbie movie. Especially a Barbie movie.

Peter Howell from Toronto Star credited the cast for their stellar performances, adding that, theyre the funniest ensemble hes seen in some time.

Meanwhile, Gerwigs filmmaking skills were applauded by New York Times Manohla Dargis, who wrote that the Mattel brand looms large in the film, but Gerwig, whose directorial command is so fluent she seems born to filmmaking, is announcing that shes in control.

In the Standards five star review, Charlotte OSullivan hailed Barbie the comedy of the year.

She wrote: Weird and wonderful, its one of the funnest and funniest movies ever made  and is brilliantly spearheaded by actress and producer Margot Robbie, along with writer-director Greta Gerwig.

Barbie is out in cinemas on Friday, July 21
D an Wootton has made a name for himself in the media world as a prominent voice at tabloid newspapers and TV channels like GB News.

The presenter and columnist is facing allegations that he used used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual material, claims he has branded as simply untrue.

The publishers of MailOnline, where he writes a column, and his previous employers at The Sun newspaper said they are looking into allegations against the New Zealand-born journalist.

During his time at The Sun, Wootton was best known for breaking stories including the withdrawal of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from royal duties.

In January 2020, the newspaper published a front page article with his byline which revealed that Harry and Meghan were reviewing their roles.

The couple later announced they intended to step back as senior members of the royal family, become financially independent  still supporting the Queen but splitting their time between the UK and North America.

Wootton also became embroiled in a legal battle with Johnny Depp over an article published in April 2018 while he was the newspapers executive editor, which referred to Depp as a wife-beater in the headline.

The actor filed a libel claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN)  the owner of The Sun  which resulted in a 16-day trial in which the judge ruled that the content of the article was proven to be substantially true.

In January 2021, Wootton announced he would be leaving his job as executive editor at The Sun, where he had previously edited the papers Bizarre column.

He has since become a columnist for MailOnline, owned by DMG Media, which also publishes the Daily Mail and Metro newspapers.

He also hosts his own show on GB News, titled Dan Wootton Tonight, which explores daily news stories and hosts interviews.

Previously he was showbiz editor at the now-defunct News of the World and appeared on ITVs Lorraine as the showbiz correspondent.

In a MailOnline column published in May, Wootton claimed former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield tried multiple times to have him fired as a contributor on Lorraine.

He has also previously suggested The Sun knew about Schofields relationship with a younger ITV colleague but said all he could legally write in 2019 while working for the newspaper was that a staff member moved from This Morning to Loose Women despite a previous close friendship with Schofield.

In an interview with the BBC, Schofield dismissed the claims that he tried to have Wootton dismissed from ITV, saying the accusations had come from Woottons utter, total hatred for him.

You cant do it. There is no way that any presenter on one show can get a contributor fired from another because they dont like the fact theyre in the building, Schofield said to the BBC.

I dont know where this came from, that I have more power than anybody else. Bless Dan, there is a lot of things that I think he said out of hatred for me.
R enee Zellweger is reportedly engaged to her boyfriend Ant Anstead after two years of dating.

The actress, 54, who started dating the 44-year-old presenter in 2021, is believed to have told friends theyre planning a wedding following a secret engagement.

A source told The US Sun: Renee and Ant are keeping their plans incredibly private, theyre not planning a big public announcement.

She has been telling her inner circle about organizing their nuptials, everything will be very low-key.

Her relationship with Ant is super strong and theyre madly in love, and they cant wait to get hitched.

The Standard has contacted Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead representatives for comment.

The reports come as Anstead shared a rare glimpse of their life together on Monday as he posted a snap of the Hollywood star with his two eldest children.

The presenter and motor specialist posted a slew of photos of them all glammed up for a black-tie event at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the annual motorsports festival in West Sussex.

Captioning the post on Instagram, he penned: @fosgoodwood How it started, How it ended x @landrover @radfordmotors.

In the first snap, Anstead stood next to Zellweger and his teenage children, Archie, 16, and Amelie, 19, who he welcomed with his ex wife, Louise Anstead.

The Cold Mountain star Zellweger looked sensational in a gold one-shouldered dress and complementing metallic heels while Anstead sported a classic black tux.

Then in the second photo, the TV presenter and the actress beamed as they partied the night away alongside his children and their friends at the event.

Anstead later shared more photos of his kids at the party, writing alongside the post: These two. Absolute utter LEGENDS!x.

The British broadcaster is also father to son, Hudson, three, whom he shares with his second ex-wife HGTV star Christina Hall.

Zellweger and Anstead were first linked in summer 2021 when they were spotted spending time together, after meeting while working on his Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU Joyride earlier that year.

Speaking about their romance three months later, the presenter said he was really grateful that the show had brought them together.

He told People at the time: Im really grateful to the show because these amazing things happen in your world and sometimes when things collide, they collide at the most obscure times when you least expect them.

And thats what happened in this case.

The Oscar winner was previously wed to country star Kenny Chesney for just four months  with the union ending in 2005.

Ahead of her short-lived marriage, the Bridget Jones Diary actress was briefly engaged to Jim Carrey from 1999 to 2000.

Additionally, she was previously romantically linked to Bradley Cooper, after meeting on the set of their 2009 film Case 39, as well as Jack White and Irish musician Damien Rice.
B ritains mission to become a global power in space is back on track after the first meeting of the Governments reignited space council, ministers have said.

The National Space Council, which aims to co-ordinate all aspects of the UKs space strategy, met for the first time since its reinstatement.

It was set up in 2020 to provide ministerial leadership on developing the UKs space sector but was disbanded under the Liz Truss government.

The UK is perfectly placed, whether geographically, economically or as a product of our world-class skills base, to be not only a European leader but a global power in space

The council was re-established after the move drew criticism from MPs.

Co-chaired by Chloe Smith, Secretary of State for Science and Technology, and Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, the meeting was attended by other Cabinet ministers as well as British astronaut Tim Peake.

Ms Smith said: Space is critical to modern life: global telecoms, weather forecasting, and our national security all rely on satellites, and as the importance of space grows, so must our ambitions for the UK.

Our reinstated National Space Council will ensure the Government moves in lockstep with the sector to deliver our ambitions to grow the space economy.

The UK is perfectly placed, whether geographically, economically or as a product of our world-class skills base, to be not only a European leader but a global power in space.

Along with ensuring the UK has a thriving space sector that can create jobs, the council also aims to develop strategies to strengthen the nations defence capabilities.

Mr Wallace said: The war in Ukraine has highlighted just how critical space is to military operations.

My department continues to work closely with DSIT (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) to deliver the UKs ambition for space to ensure we have the capabilities we need to protect and defend this critical domain and to exploit the opportunities it offers for operations into the future.

The meeting coincided with a new National Space Strategy in Action by the DIST, which outlines the Governments plan for how the UK can become a leading player in the space race, keeping pace with the US, India and China.

Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: The National Space Strategy in Action highlights the significant progress made towards delivering the Governments ambition to make the UK one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world.

By catalysing investment into UK businesses, increasing our involvement in major space missions and championing the power of space to improve lives, the UK Space Agency is playing a major role in accelerating the growth of the UKs thriving space sector.

Ben Bridge, chairman of Airbus Defence and Space UK, said: We welcome this report and commend the Government on progress and commitment to further developing the space sector.

We look forward to the next phase of implementing the National Space Strategy, and the publication of the Space Sector Plan, to help the Government deliver on its ambitions for unlocking growth through building and expanding national space capabilities.

Mark Dankberg, chairman and chief executive of internet service provider Viasat, said: Im glad to support the United Kingdoms goals within the National Space Strategy to unlock economic growth, investment, trade and scientific opportunities in the New Space Age.

Greg Clark, chairman of the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, made up of cross-party MPs, said last year that the disbanding of the National Space Council under the Truss government was clearly a step in the wrong direction.

His comments accompanied a report by the committee that criticised UK space policy as uncertain and disjointed.

The committee has since acknowledged the reinstatement of the council but said in its latest report, published earlier this month, there was not a moment to lose if the UK is to realise the full potential of this extraordinary sector.
A 300,000-year-old hunting weapon has shed new light on early humans as woodworking masters, researchers have said.

The double-pointed wooden stick was produced by Middle Pleistocene humans using sophisticated techniques and was likely used for throwing during hunts, experts suggest.

Analysis of the stick, found in Schoningen in Germany three decades ago, shows it was scraped, seasoned and sanded before being used to kill animals.

According to researchers, the findings indicate early humans woodworking techniques were more developed and sophisticated than previously understood.

Amazingly, these early humans demonstrated an ability to plan well in advance, a strong knowledge of the properties of wood, and many sophisticated woodworking skills that we still use today

The findings also suggest group hunts of medium and small animals may have been enabled by the creation of lightweight weapons.

The use of throwing sticks as hunting aids could have involved the entire community, including children, researchers say.

Dr Annemieke Milks, of the University of Readings Department of Archaeology, led the research.

She said: Discoveries of wooden tools have revolutionised our understanding of early human behaviours.

Amazingly, these early humans demonstrated an ability to plan well in advance, a strong knowledge of the properties of wood, and many sophisticated woodworking skills that we still use today.

These lightweight throwing sticks may have been easier to launch than heavier spears, indicating the potential for the whole community to take part.

Such tools could have been used by children while learning to throw and hunt.

Co-author Dirk Leder said: The Schoningen humans used a spruce branch to make this aerodynamic and ergonomic tool.

The woodworking involved multiple steps including cutting and stripping off the bark, carving it into an aerodynamic shape, scraping away more of the surface, seasoning the wood to avoid cracking and warping, and sanding it for easier handling.

The 77cm-long stick, which was found in 1994, is one of several different tools discovered in Schoningen, including throwing spears, thrusting spears and a second similarly sized throwing stick.

According to the study, published in the Plos One journal, the double-pointed throwing stick was most likely used by early humans to hunt medium-sized game like red and roe deer, and possibly fast-small prey including hares and birds that were otherwise difficult to catch.

Principal investigator Thomas Terberger, said: The systematic analysis of the wooden finds of the Schoningen site financed by German Research Foundation provides valuable new insights, and further exciting information on these early wooden weapons can be expected soon.
The two-day Seamless North Africa 2023 conference, which concluded Tuesday, highlighted Egypt's efforts to transform into a digital economy and become a regional leader in financial technology (fintech).

Seamless North Africa was hosted by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) under the auspices of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

It featured over 6,000 participants from 38 countries, including 100 experts, along with international, regional, and local financial and banking institutions, according to a press release from the bank Wednesday.

CBE Governor Hassan Abdalla affirmed that Egypt's promising market and supportive regulatory framework make it attractive for fintech investment.

Abdalla highlighted the CBE's efforts to build the countrys fintech ecosystem for digital transformation and financial inclusion.

The conference included a startup competition that awarded Cayesh, a supply chain finance company, $50,000 as well as a talent-search event that allowed students to present their ideas to banks and investors.

It also featured sessions on digital payments, e-commerce, cybersecurity, open banking, green finance, and more. During the event, 100 companies demonstrated their latest fintech innovations.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued a presidential pardon on Wednesday for researcher Patrick George Zaki and rights lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer among a number of prisoners, announced the Presidential Pardon Committee.

On Tuesday, Mansoura High Emergency State Security Court sentenced Patrick George Zaki, a well-known human rights researcher, to three years in prison on charges of spreading false news inside and outside the country.

Meanwhile, El-Baqer, a prominent human rights lawyer, has been serving a four-year sentence after he was convicted in December 2021, also by an emergency state security court, of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news inside and outside the country.

Zaki was held under pretrial detention in February 2020 but was released in December 2021.

El-Baqer was held under pretrial detention in September 2019 before he was sentenced in he stood trial and received a final verdict.

In November 2022, courts upheld a previous ruling to place El-Baqer and others on the countrys terrorism list for a five-year period in the case 1781/2019.

The verdicts of high emergency state security courts cannot be appealed.

However, the president has the prerogative to not ratify these verdicts or grant pardons to those convicted by these emergency courts, per the country's constitution.

Since April 2022, when the government started gearing up to convene a national dialogue, President El-Sisi issued a number of pardons for high-profile activists who were serving sentences after receiving final verdicts in a number of cases.

Moreover, the Public Prosecution also released hundreds of political activists who were in pretrial detentions.

Much praise



The Presidential Pardon Committee explained in statements on Wednesday that the pardons came in response to requests made by the Board of Trustees of the National Dialogue and other political forces.

Meanwhile, the national dialogue's board of trustees thanked the president for the new pardons, calling for more pardons, which would "confirm the state is moving towards the new republic with steady and solid steps."

In a statement, the board of trustees said these pardons decision "reaffirms the President's keenness to provide all positive atmosphere for the success of the national dialogue  as a means for consensus on the priorities of national action at the current stage and to gain more common spaces among the people of the country to build a promising and better future."

Meanwhile, the Coordination Committee of Party's Youth Leaders and Politicians (CPYP) welcomed the president's decision, saying it "confirms the president's keenness on the unity of the Egyptian ranks, without regard to any ideological or political differences."

The CPYP described the pardon decree as a message that supports opening the channels of "honest and effective" dialogue with all political forces.

NCHR statement



The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) hailed the new pardons "as a confirmation of the political leadership's determination to move forward with the advancement of the human rights situation in the country."

In a statement, the NCHR said these pardons reflect the determination to overcome many challenges stipulated in the National Human Rights Strategy -- a set of government commitments launched in September 2021 to improve elements of socio-economic, cultural, and political rights in the country over the next five years,

These challenges include the pretrial detention issue and preparing the Egyptian society for more political openness and deepening freedom of opinion and expression and a culture of human rights, added the NCHR.

"The successive releases of activists, be those serving sentences or in pretrial detention, confirms that there is a real will to open a new page with all political forces  [and] open the way for a boom in human rights work based on respect for freedom of opinion and all civil and political rights of all citizens."

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40 Romanian firefighters join forces involved in fighting wildfires in Greece.

The number of Romanian firefighters involved in fighting forest fires in Greece will be supplemented by 40 additional specialist firefighetrs, according to a decision approved by the National Committee for Emergency Situations, told Agerpres.

Of the 40 specialist firefighters with the Department for Emergency Situations, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and subordinate units, 30 will travel by air and 10 by land. The latter will travel in three forest firefighting vehicles, a 10,000-litre water tanker and a 4x4 vehicle (Duster).

The decision follows a request from the authorities of the Hellenic Republic, sent on Tuesday through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, the preamble to the decision states.

"If necessary, the unit will be supplemented by a mobile accommodation camp. The air transport of the 30 specialists (...) will be carried out with the support of the Ministry of National Defence. The funds necessary for the execution of the international assistance mission will be allocated from the budget of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, with the exception of accommodation and meals, which will be provided by the Greek authorities," reads the text of the decision.

On 14 July, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations announced that a contingent of 40 firefighters had left for Greece to replace the personnel who, over the last two weeks, have supported the Greek authorities by monitoring fire-risk areas in eastern Athens.
Famed American actor John Malkovich will perform on Thursday and Friday at the National Theater in Timisoara in Michael Sturminger's play The Infernal Comedy.

There will be three performances, one on July 20 from 7:00 p.m., and another two on July 21 from 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

"The National Theater in Timisoara continues the Romanian Drama Festival (FEST-FDR) Seasons with a one-off event, an absolute premiere for Timisoara and a peak moment of the city's European Capital of Culture program. The Infernal Comedy is a show its author, Michael Sturminger - who also signs the artistic direction of the production - wrote especially for the two-time Academy Award nominee actor, building a dialogue between spoken and sung language; the sound universe of the play is interspersed with music by Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Weber, Gluck and Boccherini, rendered by sopranos Susanne Langbein and Chen Reiss and the renowned Wiener Akademie Orchestra conducted by Martin Haselbock, creator of the musical concept of the show,'' the organizers said.

Malkovich arrived in Timisoara on Tuesday evening, with a flight that landed at the 'Traian Vuia' International Airport.

The show is part of the FEST-FDR Seasons, a component of the City Voices / Identity Workshop of the Timisoara - 2023 European Capital of Culture program, and is financed from private funds. AGERPRES
Decrees appointing new Ministers of Labour and Family signed by President Iohannis.

President Klaus Iohannis signed on Wednesday the decrees appointing the new Ministers of Labour and Family, according to a press release issued by the Presidential Administration, told Agerpres.

Simona Bucura-Oprescu was appointed Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity and Natalia-Elena Intotero Minister of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Wednesday at 14.00 at Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
Defence Ministry: 30 firefighters to fly to Greece on Wednesday in military aircraft, to fight wildfires.

A C-130 Hercules aircraft belonging to the Romanian Air Force will take off on Wednesday and will carry 30 firefighters who will join the Romanian firefighters who are taking part in fighting forest fires in Greece, told Agerpres.

"The Minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, has approved the take-off of a C-130 Hercules aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, on July 19, around 10:00, to Elefsis, Greece, to transport 30 firefighters with the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), who will join the intervention unit specialised in extinguishing forest fires already deployed by our country in the Hellenic Republic," informs the Ministry of National Defence (MApN).

Specialists with the IGSU are operating in Greece in response to the request for support sent by the Greek authorities through the Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS) under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, on account of the spread of wildfires in recent days.
The European Capital of Culture - Timisoara - attracts the best to the city and brings out the best in us - was the message of the mayor Dominic Fritz, after Wednesday's meeting with the great American actor John Malkovich.

"Welcome to Timisoara, John Malkovich! After today's rehearsal, we exchanged some impressions about the city, about the theatre and about life between different cultures,'' Mayor Fritz wrote on Facebook.

He characterizes the American star as "an exceptional actor and a dedicated soul".

''Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow he will perform 'The infernal comedy' in a completely full hall at the National Theatre. The European Capital of Culture attracts the best to the city - and brings out the best in us", said the mayor of Timisoara.

The famous actor John Malkovich will take the stage of the National Theatre in Timisoara on Thursday and Friday, where he will play in the play "The Infernal Comedy".

There will be three performances, on July 20, from 19:00 and on July 21, from 16:00 and 19:00.

The show is presented as part of the FEST-FDR Seasons, part of the Voices of the City / Identity Workshop within the Cultural Program "Timisoara - European Capital of Culture 2023" and is financed by private funds. AGERPRES
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for pardoning human rights researcher Patrick George Zaki on Wednesday, hailing the step as a very important gesture.

In a video message, Meloni announced that Zaki, 33, an Egyptian researcher, will be returning to Italy on Thursday to continue his postgraduate studies at Bologna University.

"Since our first meeting in November, I have raised the question [with President El-Sisi] and I have always found that he is listening and helpful. I want to thank the intelligence, the diplomats, both Italian and Egyptian," Meloni noted.

Earlier on Wednesday, President El-Sisi issued a presidential pardon for Zaki and a number of other prisoners who received final jail sentences in response to requests made by various political forces.

On Tuesday, Mansoura High Emergency State Security Court sentenced Zaki to three years in jail on charges of spreading false news inside and outside the country.

The verdicts of high emergency state security courts cannot be appealed. However, the president has the prerogative to not ratify these verdicts or grant pardons to those convicted by these emergency courts, per the country's constitution.

Zaki is scheduled to be released from detention before 9am on Thursday, rights lawyer Khaled Ali told Ahram Online.

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BIS Teatru invites the public to the African Stories interactive show, which will be presented on July 28, at the Water Museum in Timisoara.

African Stories, performed by Shama Leah, a young actress of Ugandan origin, and Dada Love, also known as Andrada Grosu, is an interactive and educational show that promotes diversity and identity. The story brings to the fore the adventures of a little girl who disobeys her mother and falls into the trap of an ill-intentioned chimpanzee. The show is presented in Romanian, English and Ugandan and is perfectly understandable for the little ones," the organizers inform.

The event begins with an interactive moment, in which Dada Love encourages the children to list the seven continents of the world. After this introduction, the children will be told that they will witness a fascinating African story. Their waiting will be rewarded by the spectacular appearance of the actress Shama Leah, who arrives directly from Africa. During the story, the actresses play different characters, such as the Nsangi Girl, the Witch and the Chimpanzee. Children will discover unexpected similarities with traditional Romanian stories, such as Capra cu trei iezi/The Goat With Three Kids and Little Red Riding Hood.

"We are aware of the responsibility involved in making a show for children and we are happy to offer an event that promotes diversity and different cultures, in a way full of fantasy. The interactive parts, masterfully coordinated by Andrada Grosu, an actress with experience in working with children of all ages, they have the role of developing attention, general culture and the desire to know the little ones. The show can be adapted both for closed spaces and for outdoor shows," says Bogdan Saratean, representative of BIS Teatru.

African Stories is a 35-minute show, recommended for all ages. The costumes were created by Beia Voicu, the choreography is by Alin State, and the direction is provided by Bogdan Saratean. The technical team is coordinated by Alex Ciubar.AGERPRES
Two of the most important events within UPT Campus Creativ/Creative Campus - Open Campus Night / European Researchers' Night and FAST - Festival of Architecture Schools - will take place under the high auspices of the European Parliament, a release from the organisers sent to AGERPRES says.

These are the only events within the national cultural programme Timisoara - European Capital of Culture in 2023, which benefit from the moral support of the European Parliament, the aegis being granted to a limited number of non-commercial events. This symbolic patronage received from Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, puts the project UPT Creative Campus on the map of innovative initiatives,

"The patronage is a sign of trust and appreciation for the type of events we have prepared for this year within the UPT Creative Campus project. Through the aegis of the European Parliament offered to the two events combining art, technology and science, we have a new validation that what we create in our community can spark discussions with real impact on university life and society," said Alexandru Luca, project coordinator.

The campus of the Polytechnic University of Timisoara becomes between July and December 2023 a platform for social, cultural and urban regeneration. UPT Creative Campus brings to the attention of the public a programme with a significant impact on the life of students and the entire university community, but also on the community of Timisoara.

"1,380 students, 60 young researchers, 130 academics, 50 invited specialists and experts, 200 pupils, 50 pre-university teachers and 10 project partners will be involved in this pioneering project that will host exhibitions, events, workshops, urban and artistic interventions," the source mentions.

One of the most complex events within UPT Creative Campus is the Festival of Architecture Schools, organized together with the Romanian Order of Architects. It will bring together for the first time in Romania the 5 faculties of architecture in the country and other 2 in the Euroregion and will include presentations of internationally renowned architects, exhibitions, workshops and conferences.

The second event organized within UPT Creative Campus that will take place under the aegis of the European Parliament is Open Campus Night / European Researchers' Night. On September 29, the campus of the Polytechnic University of Timisoara will host a large meeting between the Timisoara community and researchers from several European countries, in order to translate for the general public, in an interactive way, topical research in various fields.

Three exhibitions, works that approach interdisciplinary fields such as materials engineering, architecture and urbanism, created as a result of collaboration between UPT teachers and artists from countries such as Romania, Norway, Holland and Belgium will be present on campus.

In addition to exhibitions, UPT research laboratories will be opened to be visited by the general public.

The event will also host three multimedia and virtual reality installations made by researchers from Serbia, Austria and the Netherlands.

The events are open to the general public and can be visited free of charge - Open Campus Night / European Researchers' Night on 29 September and Festival of Architecture Schools from 2 to 5 November.
French ambassador Laurence Auer said on Wednesday that "Romania is needed in Schengen" in the current situation.

The French diplomat, who is ending her mission in Bucharest, gave an interview to the AGERPRES National News Agency.

"We the French, after trying hard, during the French presidency (of the Council of the EU, ed. n.), in 2022, to obtain unanimity, we support one hundred percent (the demarches, ed. n.) of deputy prime minister Catalin Predoiu and all the efforts made at government level. At the same time, we believe that the external borders of the European Union pass through Romania. We have enough challenges at present to think that it is better to have Romania in Schengen," the diplomat said.

Laurence Auer pointed out that, on the Schengen file, "currently, the country that has a say is Spain (which holds the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, ed. n.), because Spain makes the agenda of the files and obtains unanimity."

"As you know, we were in this position in 2022 and we did everything in our power. Minister (of the Interior, ed. n.) Gerald Darmanin came here with FRONTEX to see that the border area is safe. More importantly, there is a lot of pressure in terms of grain transport. The transport of cereals must take place by land and on the Danube. So we need Romania, even more so in Schengen, in the current situation," the French ambassador pointed out.

The AGERPRES National News Agency will broadcast on Thursday the full interview with the outgoing French diplomat in Romania.
If urgent fiscal adjustment needs to be made, it cannot be achieved by overnight tax increases alone (Concordia's Sucu).

Employers' organisations have asked the prime minister that decisions on tax measures should not be made without being consulted and that fiscal adjustment should not be made only through overnight tax increases, according to president of the Concordia Employers' Confederation Dan Sucu, told Agerpres.

Concordia Employers' Confederation and the National Council of Small and Medium-Sized Private Enterprises in Romania (CNIPMMR) had a first meeting with prime minister Marcel Ciolacu on Tuesday, the main topic of discussion being the improvement of the quality of social dialogue and public consultation in Romania.

"I am glad to have agreed with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu that we will give more weight to social dialogue. The employers' movement is undergoing a consolidation process in Romania, which we will continue together with our partners from the CNIPMMR. Precisely with the idea of transparent dialogue in mind, we have asked the prime minister that we should see, as soon as possible, the package of fiscal measures that the Government is discussing and that no decisions should be made before having consulted us and the economic sectors that may be affected. In our view, if urgent fiscal adjustment is to take place - and we want to understand how it got here - it cannot be done by overnight tax increases alone, but also by reducing and streamlining budget spending. If we don't spend public money more carefully, and if we don't collect from those who don't pay correctly today, then those of us who are paying our dues on time will always be told that there isn't enough money and we can't accept that," said Dan Sucu, according to a Concordia press release.

In his turn, the president of the CNIPMMR, Florin Jianu, stressed the importance of consultations with the employers' organisations, both under the formal mechanisms of the Economic and Social Council and the National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue, but also in working meetings.

"As far as fiscal measures are concerned, I explained that it is not normal to find out halfway through the year that we do not have enough money. Moreover, it would be a blow for companies to find out from one month to the next that they will have to pay extra taxes, especially when we all see that the economy is slowing down. For any tax decision we firstly need dialogue and then sufficient time for implementation. The Fiscal Code talks about a minimum of 6 months, but for certain types of measures more time is needed," Jianu said.

According to the press release, it has been agreed with the Prime Minister to hold regular meetings, both with him and with ministers of the government he leads. The two organisations also asked the Government to give more weight to the opinions of the Economic and Social Council (CES) and the National Tripartite Council for Social Dialogue (CNTDS) and to always give social partners and civil society enough time to analyse and formulate reasoned opinions on the proposed laws and public policies.

Concordia and the CNIPMMR are committed to coming to the dialogue table with the opinions of the members they represent, based on their own data and analyses. In conclusion, they called on the prime minister to work together at the European level as well, the two confederations being members of BusinessEurope and SMEunited, umbrella organisations representative at European level.

The two employers' organisations also requested the submission of studies and impact analyses on the proposed tax changes and strongly reiterated the importance of not amending the Tax Code until 1 January 2024.
The government relies on the support of the World Bank to back major investment projects and to carry out the reforms assumed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Wednesday, during the meeting he had at the Victoria Palace with Gallina A Vincelette, regional director of the international financial institution for the countries of the European Union, and with Anna Akhalkatsi, country manager for Romania and Hungary.

"We want to continue to have the support of the World Bank to advance major investment projects, especially in the field of infrastructure," said Ciolacu, quoted in a Government press release.

The premier added that for Romania, the investments in the railway infrastructure that make the connection with Ukraine are also a priority, both to be able to support the grain transit and to participate in the reconstruction process.

Ciolacu asked the World Bank to continue to provide support for the completion of the major reforms assumed by Romania through the PNRR, especially the reform of pensions and that of budgetary salaries.

The World Bank delegation conveyed that at the institutional level there is full openness for collaboration with the Romanian authorities in order to advance these vital reforms for Romania's future as quickly as possible, it is also shown in the Government's press release.AGERPRES
PM Ciolacu, Hungarian counterpart Orban, informal meeting in Bucharest.

Prime minister Marcel Ciolacu had, on Wednesday, in Bucharest, an informal meeting with the prime minister of the Hungarian government, Viktor Orban, during the latter's private visit to Romania, a release by the gov't informs, told Agerpres.

According to the source, Marcel Ciolacu emphasized that, in the overall Romanian-Hungarian relations, the Romanian side wants to maintain an open, positive, constructive approach focused on concrete projects for the benefit of the citizens of the two states.

Moreover, the Romanian premier welcomed the support shown by the Hungarian government for Romania's efforts to join the Schengen area and expressed the hope that Hungary will continue to be an ally of our country in this regard.

"The two prime ministers discussed the initiation of a joint infrastructure project that will have a significant economic impact for both countries," the press release adds.

Also, the Romanian prime minister stressed the need to intensify the investments of Romanian companies in Hungary.

In the perspective of Hungary taking over the Presidency of the EU Council in the first semester of next year, there was also an exchange of opinions on the subject of priorities at the European level, the source states.

Last but not least, during the meeting, prime minister Ciolacu highlighted the importance of sending messages of support for solidarity and unity at the level of the European Union, of EU and NATO support for Ukraine in the context of Russia's military aggression.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived on Wednesday afternoon at the Baile Tusnad spa resort in Harghita County, where he will attend the Tusvanyos (Baile Tusnad) Summer University.

A photo posted on Viktor Orban's official Facebook page shows him removing with a broomstick the water from one of the tents installed in the camping area of the Summer University. The caption of the photo reads "Vihar elotti vihar", which translates as "The storm before the storm". Orban also wrote that he arrived at Baile Tusnad.

This is the first time in recent years that Prime Minister Orban comes to Baile Tusnad right on the opening day of the Summer University. In other years, he used to arrive on Thursday evening; on Friday he would have meetings with the representatives of the Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin and on Saturday he would give his traditional speech.

The organizers of the event stated for AGERPRES that they know nothing about the Hungarian prime minister's private schedule, and only confirmed that on Saturday he will be present at the usual discussion panel at Tusvanyos University.

As part of his private visit to Romania, Viktor Orban met on Wednesday in Bucharest with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, with whom he discussed aspects related to bilateral relations.

Chairman of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) Kelemen Hunor posted on his Facebook page a photo showing him in the company of the two prime ministers, as well as with Transport minister Sorin Grindeanu, stating that Viktor Orban came to Bucharest at the invitation of Marcel Ciolacu.

"On Wednesday I met in Bucharest with Prime Ministers Marcel Ciolacu and Viktor Orban. During an informal meeting, we discussed bilateral relations, joint projects, investments and Romania's Schengen accession. Viktor Orban came to Bucharest at the invitation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu," Kelemen Hunor wrote on Facebook.
The elimination of holiday vouchers for the public sector would encourage the re-emergence of "black" tourism, and the increase of the hospitality VAT to 19 percent would result in an increase by a minimum 10 percent in tourist service costs, while permanently removing Romania from the map of international tourism, industry employers' associations warn in point of view issued on Wednesday.

"The National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT) has learned with surprise of the government's intention to roll back holiday vouchers for public employees exactly at a time when the grant of such benefits to private company employees is being discussed. Also, excessive taxation would raise a huge obstacle for tourism growth. Plans to increase the VAT on hotels and restaurants to 19 percent will lead to an increase by at least 10 percent in the costs of Romanian tourist services, but especially to social problems and to the deepening of the budget deficit. Even worse, after the tax on dividends was put up at the beginning of the year from 5 to 8 percent, increasing it even further to 10 percent is now being considered. Why doesn't the Romanian government seriously think about reducing budget expenditures and only sees a tax increase as the first solution? In an already difficult period for the industry, such a measure could reduce the country's tourist attractiveness and send tourist numbers dwindling," said ANAT first vice-president Alin Burcea.

According to a statement of the organization, amid discussions regarding the expansion of the voucher system to the private sector, these measures would have a major negative impact on tourism and the national economy, potentially driving the country into recession, because "Romania would risk losing a valuable opportunity", and "the government would blow up the potential of Romanian tourism by canceling holiday vouchers for public sector employees, while other private sector employees could still benefit from these facilities."

ANAT vice-president and vice-chairman of Romania's Consultative Tourism Council Adrian Voican argues that "increasing the tourism VAT rate for the second time in just a short period would lead to chain price increases." AGERPRES
The Agriculture ministers from Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia will ask the European Commission to extend trade curbs for a wider list of Ukrainian products, at least until the end of this year, Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu said as cited in a ministry release.

Florin Barbu joined on Wednesday the Agriculture ministers from Poland, Bulgaria (online), Hungary and Slovakia in a meeting in Warsaw that also saw the participation of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The main topic of the meeting concerned the situation on agricultural markets as a result of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and potential measures to ensure fair rules for the farmers in EU member states and candidate countries. The participants sought a common approach to the problems faced by farmers in these states, which will be also presented and backed at the next AgriFish Council meeting.

"It is obvious to all of us that we are united in further supporting Ukraine to resist the absurd war started by Russia. We are part of the European Union and we are determined to continue helping Ukraine to move its output to its outlet markets. At the same time, we are determined to support our farmers to properly capitalize on their production and the results of their work, to ensure food security for all of us. Romanian farmers were severely impacted by the war in Ukraine, just like the farmers in the states close to the conflict," said Florin Barbu.

At the end of the meeting in Warsaw, the officials signed a joint declaration regarding the need to extend the EU ban on imports of wheat, corn, rape and sunflower seeds originating from Ukraine.

In a common stance, the five Agriculture ministers show that these preventive measures, which have been in force since May of this year, have helped alleviate the pressure on local markets, while allowing the transit of Ukrainian goods towards traditional markets in non-EU countries.

At the same time, they specified that work is being done within the Common Coordination Platform to improve transit via the respective countries and identify new transport channels through the EU.

The joint declaration is signed by Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Kiril Vatev, Hungarian Minister of Agriculture Istvan Nagy, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Robert Telus, Romanian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Florin - Ionut Barbu, and Slovak Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Jozef Bires. AGERPRES
Romania ranks 14th in EU for new car registrations, in the first semester of 2023 (ACAROM).

Romania ranked 14th in the European Union (EU) in terms of new car registrations, in the first semester of 2023, with a volume of 73,645 units, an increase of 25.4% compared to the same period of the previous year, shows the statistics of the Romanian Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACAROM), based on the data of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), told Agerpres.

According to the cited source, in June of this year, new car registrations in the EU increased by 17.8%, compared to the same period last year, to a level of 1,045,072 units.

Also at the European level, between January and June 2023, 5,438,653 units were registered, an increase of 17.9% compared to the first six months of 2022. Increases in new car registrations were recorded in: Spain (+ 24%), Italy (+22.8%), France (+15.3%) and Germany (+12.8%).

Of the total number of cars registered in the EU, at six months, 703,586 units were fully electric and 1,756,955 cars had hybrid propulsion.

As far as car manufacturers are concerned, the most new cars registered in total in Europe are represented by: Volkswagen Group, with 1,704,959 units (+25.6% compared to S1 from 2022), followed by Stelantis Group - with 1,145,815 units (+5.3%) and the Renault Group (648,467 units, +24.1%). In the case of the French group, the Dacia brand represented registrations of 295,225 units (+30.1%).

Also, from January to the end of June, Ford cars represented a number of 275,692 new registered units, increasing by 6.6%, from one year to the next.

According to official statistics, Romania ranks 14th in the Union, with a volume of 73,645 new cars registered in the first semester of the current year, thus registering an increase of 25.4% compared to the same period in 2022. Of these, 6,998 units were 100% electric, and 20,933 were hybrid cars.

ACAROM is an associate member of the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA).
The recent power outages in the country were caused by increased consumption triggered by the ongoing intense heatwave, said Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Wednesday, in an answer to complaints from citizens about why the lights went out last week.

The increased electricity demand has strained the country's natural gas network which supplies the power plants.

We are currently implementing temporary load reductions to reduce pressure on the gas network, the prime minister said during the weekly cabinet meeting.

Madbouly added that the reductions will continue until the middle of next week.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy stated that national electricity consumption had reached record levels.

For the first time, electricity loads have reached the maximum consumption level recorded in previous years, reaching 34,650 megawatts, while efforts to stabilize the power supply continue, the ministry said in a statement.

However, the ministry stated that consumption did not exceed capacity, as the available electrical capacity was 44,900 megawatts, with a reserve capacity of 9,800 megawatts.

A week-old sweltering heat wave has been felt nationwide, with the Egyptian Metrological Authority (EMA) warning people to avoid direct sunlight.

Self-sufficiency



Egypt achieved self-sufficiency in electricity in June 2015 and now enjoys an electricity surplus of more than 25 percent.

Before, the country suffered from consistent power outages, especially in the summer months.

Furthermore, in early August 2022, the country launched a plan to reduce local power consumption by cutting the amount of natural gas used in generating electricity in order to direct the savings for export in order to increase levels of foreign currency.

This would generate $450 million per month - $4.5 billion per year, according to government estimates.

The electricity ministry affirmed that it receives all complaints on their hotline 121, or through their newly launched "Emergency Electricity" application, as well as the Electronic Platform for Unified Electricity Services.

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The situation discovered in the "horror old age care homes" will represent the immediate concern of me and the ministry, and a priority will be the amendment of the legislation in accreditation and licensing of care homes for the elderly, children and people with disabilities, announced the new Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity, Simona Bucura-Oprescu, on her Facebook page.

"The theme that shook the whole country and that left me speechless - as a human being, as a citizen, as a daughter - namely the situation discovered in the "horror care homes" will represent the immediate concern of me and the ministry, making a mission of belief in exercising the authority that the Romanian state has for the safety and care of our elderly. My priority is to amend the legislation regarding the accreditation and licensing of care homes for the elderly, children and people with disabilities," wrote Simona Bucura-Oprescu.

She emphasized that she also proposes a reorganization of the control institutions, so that their efficiency is strengthened.

"I no longer want many agencies stepping on each other's feet in terms of attributions, but few, but stronger and more efficient," the minister pointed out.

Regarding the Pension Law, she specified that all resources will be mobilized to finalize the new Law on pensions in the public system and - at the same time - to clarify the situation regarding the Service Pensions Law. At the same time, depending on the decision of the Constitutional Court (CCR), the necessary changes will be made in the law, so that it meets both the requirements of the CCR and those of the European Commission.

At the same time, the new minister of labor proposes the finalization of the Unitary Pay Law, there are already options in the works regarding the salary of teachers.

On the other hand, she announced that, as a minister, "but also as a person who has built in the private sector", she proposes a more than open dialogue with the entrepreneurial system, "a frank dialogue, with all the cards on the table, which is permanently based on good faith, reciprocity and efficiency".

"Social solidarity must be shown in relation to all public players, it must be found both in the relationship with those who work and with those who pay," the minister of labour wrote on the social network.

"The faster we complete, in a joint effort, the reforms assumed by the Government, the more Romania will be able to benefit from the PNRR installments on time, the more Romanians will have more money in their pockets, the more private companies will have viable resources for development," said Simona Bucura-Oprescu.AGERPRES
Dear Cathy: I am the birth-control advocate. We have had birth control for the human species for over 50 years. Why don't we have effective non-surgical sterilization for our beloved dogs and cats that suffer so in most parts of the world?  Francine, Killingworth, Connecticut

Dear Francine: Researchers have been trying to develop a pill or injection to address pet reproduction for more than 20 years now. Dogs and cats reproductive cycles are uniquely different from humans', so coming up with a solution has been challenging. Some previous efforts have led to severe side effects.

A few weeks ago, though, I wrote about a pill called megestrol acetate that was used on community cats during the pandemic to halt their reproductive cycles. Since it took longer than usual to get a spay/neuter appointment, this became a short-term solution. But it wasnt a long-term one. As with any birth control, the community cat caretakers would have had to give the community cats the medication indefinitely, which is not feasible in that scenario.

In early June, however, there was some welcome news for birth-control advocates. Researchers announced the development of a genetic treatment  a one-time injection that would halt ovulation in cats. It's considered safe and effective and lasts at least two years without side effects.

In the time it takes to trap one cat and take her to and from a clinic for her spay surgery, a single person could administer this injection to dozens, maybe even hundreds, of cats. A quick internet search should reveal dozens of articles about this new treatment.

If results hold out, this injection could "make a huge impact in the cat and dog overpopulation crisis worldwide," says Joyce Briggs, president of the Alliance for Contraception for Cats and Dogs.

"However, the possibility of that being available to pet owners is still likely years away  given the necessities of regulatory approval designed to assure all new pet-health products are safe and effective," Briggs added.

So, hope is on the horizon for an alternative to spay and neuter surgeries. Until then, this surgery is the only option to permanently spay or neuter our dogs and cats, and it's something I encourage everyone to do for their pets.

Dear Cathy: My wife and I are owned by a 15-year-old Westie. We rescued Charlie when he was 10 and have given him the best veterinary care, including annual dental cleaning. He'll be 16 when the next cleaning is due, and that's the problem.

My wife and I are at odds over whether to have it done ever again. She says annual dental cleaning is essential, especially because we don't brush his teeth at home. (Brushing his teeth is not an option for us.) I say that the risk of death or kidney failure from general anesthesia is too high. (He'll be under for about an hour or longer if an extraction is required).

We went to see Charlie's longtime vet to discuss. Charlie's health for his age is good except for developing hip problems, and his blood work is normal except for an early-stage renal abnormality.

The vet said there's always a risk, even for younger dogs, but it does increase with age. If we're anxious about it, she won't oppose discontinuing the annual cleaning. The unfortunate bit is, what will affect Charlie's quality of life and death first  dental issues from no more cleaning or other problems? Any insights you can provide to help us make this decision is greatly appreciated.  Tom, Yorktown, Virginia

Dear Tom: Your longtime vet gave you good advice. Why not just do it on an as-needed basis? You can monitor his dental health and schedule the teeth cleaning if things begin to go south. In the meantime, dental chews and dental additives  which can be added to his water  can help control tartar and plaque buildup. It might be all he needs to keep a healthy mouth in his golden years.

Dear Cathy: Regarding the cats who refuse to use the litter box, I had a foster who not only didn't go in the box but also didn't go anywhere near it. She used rugs, blankets and even an empty box. I used scented litter at the time. When I started using unscented litter, she began using her box again.  Karen, Newington, Connecticut

Dear Karen: It's always great when a simple change in litter solves the problem. Scented litter is solely for the benefit of humans so they don't inhale an unpleasant smell when passing by the litter box. Cats, though, generally prefer unscented litter. Thanks for sharing.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  The U.S.-led United Nations Command is trying to secure the release of an American soldier who fled to North Korea from the South Korean side of a border village.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, in his early 20s, had just been released from a South Korean prison where he was held on assault charges. Instead of getting on a plane to be taken back to Fort Bliss, Texas, he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border.

The incident comes at a time of high tensions as the pace of both the Norths weapons demonstrations and U.S.-South Korean joint military training have intensified in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

There have been cases of Americans crossing into North Korea over the past years, including a small number of U.S. soldiers. Some of the Americans who crossed were driven by evangelical zeal or simply attracted by the mystery of a severely cloistered police state fueled by anti-U.S. hatred.

Other Americans were detained after entering North Korea as tourists. In one tragic case, it ended in death.

Heres a look at other Americans who entered North Korea in the past years:

CHARLES JENKINS

Born in Rich Square, N.C., Charles Jenkins was one of the few Cold War-era U.S. soldiers who fled to North Korea while serving in the South.

Jenkins, then an Army sergeant, deserted his post in 1965 and fled across the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. North Korea treated Jenkins as a propaganda asset, showcasing him in leaflets and films.

In 1980, Jenkins married 21-year-old Hitomi Soga, a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978.

Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002. In 2004, Jenkins was allowed to leave North Korea and rejoin his wife in Japan, where he surrendered to U.S. military authorities and faced charges that he abandoned his unit and defected to North Korea. He was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 25 days in a U.S. military jail in Japan. He died in Japan in 2017.

MATTHEW MILLER

In September 2014, then a 24-year-old from Bakersfield, California, Matthew Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labor by North Koreas Supreme Court on charges that he illegally entered the country for spying purposes.

The court claimed that Miller tore up his tourist visa upon arriving at Pyongyangs airport in April that year and admitted to a wild ambition of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the countrys human rights conditions.

North Koreas initial announcement about Millers detainment that month came as then-President Barack Obama was traveling in South Korea on a state visit.

Miller was freed in November that same year along with another American, Kenneth Bae, a missionary and tour leader.

Weeks before his release, Miller talked with The Associated Press at a Pyongyang hotel where North Korean officials allowed him to call his family. Miller said he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.

KENNETH BAE

Bae, a Korean-American missionary from Lynnwood, Washington, was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone.

North Korea sentenced Bae to 15 years in prison for hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town. Baes family said he suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes, and heart and liver problems.

Bae returned to the United States in November 2014 following a secret mission by James Clapper, then-U.S. director of national intelligence who also secured Millers release.

JEFFREY FOWLE

A month before Bae and Millers release, North Korea also freed Jeffrey Fowle, an Ohio municipal worker who was detained for six months for leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin. Fowles release followed negotiations that involved retired diplomat and former Ohio Congressman Tony Hall.

While North Korea officially guarantees freedom of religion, analysts and defectors describe the country as strictly anti-religious. The distribution of Bibles and secret prayer services can mean imprisonment or execution, defectors say.

In 2009, American missionary Robert Park walked into North Korea with a Bible in his hand to draw attention to North Koreas human rights abuses. Park, who was deported from the North in February 2010, has said he was tortured by authorities.

OTTO WARMBIER

Otto Warmbier, a 22-year-old University of Virginia student, died in June 2017, shortly after he was flown home in a vegetative state after 17 months in North Korean captivity.

Warmbier was seized by North Korean authorities from a tour group in January 2016 and convicted on charges of trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

While not providing a clear reason for Warmbiers brain damage, North Korea denied accusations by Warmbiers family that he was tortured and insisted that it had provided him medical care with all sincerity. The North accused the United States of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the biggest victim in his death.

In 2022, a U.S. federal judge in New York ruled that Warmbiers parents  Fred and Cindy Warmbier  should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501 million they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.
JEFFERSON CITY  The owner of a Kirksville hospital is suing the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in a dispute over the health care providers ability to treat trauma patients.

The Kirksville Missouri Hospital Company LLC, doing business as the Northeast Regional Medical Center, sued the health department Monday in an effort to stop the state from stripping the hospitals Level III trauma center designation.

The health department denied the hospitals renewal application in a Dec. 19 letter to the medical center, citing five deficiencies including insufficient trauma surgeon coverage resulting in multiple documented cases where the trauma surgeon, on call at the time, did not respond to trauma patients bedsides within the promptly available time requirements.

But, the hospitals lawsuit said none of the five perceived deficiencies mentioned by the state involve adverse patient outcomes.

It said the 54-bed hospital is the only trauma provider of any kind in northeast Missouri and that losing its designation would cause irreparable damage to the hospital and northeast Missouri residents.

The designations  Level III is the lowest tier  determine whether ambulances bypass certain hospitals that arent equipped to provide necessary levels of care to trauma patients.

Removing the Kirksville hospitals designation would mean ambulances carrying trauma patients would have to make a 95-mile trip to the next-nearest trauma hospital in Columbia, the lawsuit said.

Trauma patients in northeast Missouri will have no option but to travel that additional distance before being evaluated and treated by trauma surgeons, the lawsuit said.

It called this an unnecessary risk to northeast Missouri residents, many of whom are already long distances from NRMC and are transported by rural roads.

In the states December denial letter, Nicole Gamm, system administrator for the Time Critical Diagnosis Unit of the DHSS, said that while the health department finds having Level III trauma centers beneficial, patients who experience delayed treatment have a greater potential to die or become even more critical while waiting for a trauma surgeon to respond to the trauma patients bedsides.

The state found multiple documented instances where the trauma surgeon arrival time after trauma patient notification was greater than thirty (30) minutes, the letter said, in violation of state regulations.

The December denial letter cites four other deficiencies that had not been resolved after a May 2022 review: insufficient resources for the trauma program, incomplete and non-current records submissions to the state on trauma patients, an inadequate performance improvement program, and no evidence that the hospital provided training and clinical resources to local and regional emergency medical services systems as required.

The lawsuit challenging the denial said the hospital appealed the states decision on Jan. 13 to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

While the state allowed the hospital to continue its trauma program while the case was pending, the Department now takes the position that it cannot continue to do so without a court order.

In addition to longer distances for trauma patients, the hospital said its trauma surgeons were also highly likely to leave if the hospital cant accept trauma patients, the lawsuit said.

It is exceedingly difficult to recruit qualified physicians to rural hospitals like NRMC, the lawsuit said.

The state in December said Northeast had two trauma surgeons to handle all trauma patients.

The lawsuit filed this week said that to provide trauma services, the hospital employs or contracts with several specially trained providers, including three trauma surgeons, trauma trained nurses, a trauma program director, and others.

If the hospital loses its trauma surgeons and patients, other employees jobs would be threatened, the lawsuit said.

Those losses are borne heavily by the community, which loses access to a valuable resource when lives are at stake  timely trauma care, the lawsuit said.

The hospital filed the lawsuit in Cole County Circuit Court and the case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Cotton Walker. A hearing had not been scheduled as of Wednesday.
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When it comes to listing things U.S. Rep. Cori Bush didnt do this week  like not filing required campaign finance reports  add attending a speech by Israel President Isaac Herzog to the list.

Bush, in boycotting Herzogs address Wednesday morning to a joint session of Congress, joined several members of the group of U.S. House members known as the Squad.

Bush announced her plan to stay away from the speech this weekend on social media.

The Israeli government is responsible for enforcing an apartheid state and rampantly abusing the rights of Palestinians, Bush wrote on Twitter.

Congress should not be giving a platform to the President of a country that shows no respect for human rights. I will not be attending his joint address, Bush said.

The Israeli government is responsible for enforcing an apartheid state and rampantly abusing the rights of Palestinians.



Congress should not be giving a platform to the President of a country that shows no respect for human rights. I will not be attending his joint address.  Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) July 13, 2023

Other lawmakers who planned to skip Herzogs speech included some fellow Squad members: U.S. Reps. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman and Rashida Tlaib.

The boycott talk that built up in the last week had remained relatively low-key, national media reported, until U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called Israel a racist state while speaking Saturday at a conference in Chicago.

Following that, news sources reported that Jayapal had pointed discussions with several key Democrats, including U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Jayapal later apologized for using the word racist in her remarks.

Jeffries then made it a point to praise Herzog, calling him a force for good in Israeli society. I look forward to welcoming him with open arms when he comes to speak before Congress.

But Bush and Tlaib stuck with the racism charges.

In a joint statement Tuesday from Tlaibs office, the pair said they would boycott the speech because the Israeli apartheid government continues to enable and directly support racism and brutal settler attacks ...
ST. LOUIS  The brother of an 18-year-old woman killed three years ago in north St. Louis is accused of tracking down and executing a man once charged in his sisters death.

Jacorren Riley, 25, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the June 22 killing of 21-year-old Levi Henning.

Henning was previously charged with murder in the death of Rileys sister, Carieal Doss, killed April 14, 2020, while out to meet a fellow teen in a parking lot. She was found with gunshots to the back of the head in the citys Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office dropped the charges against Henning in March amid repeated evidence issues, leaving Doss family frustrated and seeking justice.

More than three years after Doss death, Henning was on his way to court for a hearing for a separate pending robbery charge last month when he was shot and killed in the 5600 block of Bartmer Avenue in St. Louis West End neighborhood, according to court documents.

Surveillance video showed a man in dark clothing chase Henning and shoot him before walking over to stand over him and execute him, St. Louis police wrote in court documents. The suspect then got into an Audi A4 that police learned was rented by Rileys girlfriend that day, documents say.

Police wrote that Riley told detectives he drove the Audi that day. They added that cellphone records, surveillance footage and license plate scans all connect Riley to the crime.

Hennings former defense attorney, David Mueller, told the Post-Dispatch last month that he went to the hearing in Hennings robbery case and was surprised when his client didnt show. Mueller tried to call Henning afterward, excited to tell him that his case had been dropped after months of delays and legal wrangling, and learned the 21-year-old was dead.

Henning had plans to work for his father. He was ready to move on, Mueller said.

He was on the verge before the continued gun violence in our city claimed another young life, Mueller said.

Mueller also represented Henning when he was charged with killing Doss. Mueller described that case as mishandled from the start. He noted that a search warrant contained false statements, and prosecutors failed to turn over key evidence that pointed to another perpetrator, including a DNA report and Facebook messages.

In a May interview with the Post-Dispatch, Doss mother, Johnetta Doss, described months of anger, seething in court pews as the case was repeatedly delayed before being dropped altogether.

Riley was denied bond on Wednesday.
UPDATED with hometown, name of victim

A 15-year-old girl from Kansas died Sunday after crashing an off-road utility vehicle in northeast Missouri, authorities said.

The Missouri Highway Patrol did not release the girl's name, but an obituary identified the victim as Kenlee Luella Wallace.

The patrol initially reported the girl was from Eureka, Missouri, but later changed their report to say she had lived in Eureka, Kansas.

She was fatally injured about 9:15 p.m. Sunday on Sugar Creek School Trail in Adair County, Missouri. The crash site is about eight miles southwest of Kirksville, Missouri.

The girl was driving a 2017 Polaris Ranger 1000, an off-road utility vehicle. She lost control while traveling downhill on a gravel road. The vehicle ran off the road and overturned. She died at the scene.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected. The patrol initially provided an incorrect home state.
UPDATED at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday with charges

ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A Northwoods police supervisor has been charged with kidnapping after authorities said he helped one of his officers cover up a beating of a handcuffed man earlier this month.

Michael Hill is the second Northwoods officer to be charged in the case since Friday.

Hill, 51, of East St. Louis, was charged Monday with second-degree kidnapping. He was arrested Tuesday night in St. Louis and is being held in jail on $100,000 cash bail.

Charging documents say that Hill was the supervising officer of Samuel Davis, accused of beating a man with a baton and breaking the man's jaw.

Davis, 26, of Woodson Terrace, was charged Friday with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping and armed criminal action. He was arrested in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Monday morning.

Authorities said Davis and Hill took a man into custody at a Northwoods Walgreens on July 4 and handcuffed him behind his back. The man was put into Davis' patrol car.

Police said Hill went back into the Walgreens store and "made an incriminating statement" to an employee about what would happen to the man they arrested. Hill never turned on his body camera, police said.

Neither Davis nor Hill told a dispatcher they had someone in custody, and neither wrote a report about the incident at Walgreens or about what happened later to the man, authorities said.

Davis is accused of then driving the man to a remote area of Kinloch near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Hugo Avenue, where he pepper sprayed the victim, struck him repeatedly with a baton, and ordered him not to return to the City of Northwoods, according to a probable cause statement.

A witness called 911 after finding the man bloody and wounded. Both the victim and the witness told police an officer was behind the assault. The man was left with serious injuries, including a broken jaw. Davis did not write any department report connected to the arrest, according to court documents.

St. Louis County police are handling the investigation.

Northwoods police Chief Dennis Shireff confirmed to the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday that another Northwoods officer had been detained and said he believed it was in connection to the Davis probe. Shireff said county police didn't tell him about it  he learned about it from another of his officers who saw Hill being taken into custody.

Shireff said he was frustrated with the countys investigation of his officers.

I just hate theyre not being as transparent as I am. Im just lost, he said on Tuesday.

Shireff told the Post-Dispatch earlier this month that the department received several complaints after a Facebook post from a witness recounting the assault went viral.

He was almost choking on his own blood. He asked that we not let him die, the post reads.

Davis will be extradited from North Carolina to St. Louis County, where he will be held on a cash bail of $750,000.
ST. LOUIS A prominent attorney and retired judge who argued for former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner's removal from office was tapped to review the innocence case of a man convicted of murder in St. Louis more than 30 years ago.

Booker Shaw was appointed to review the 1991 murder conviction of Christopher Dunn, according to the announcement from St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore on Tuesday. Ultimately, Shaw will advise Gore on whether the circuit attorney should file a motion to throw out Dunn's life sentence. Support for Dunn's innocence has grown nationally, and the Midwest Innocence Project, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting for the wrongfully convicted, recently took on Dunn's case.

Gardner's last act in office the day before she abruptly resigned May 16 was filing that same motion to vacate Dunn's life sentence. However, in Tuesday's announcement, Gore stated he withdrew Gardner's motion last month shortly after he was appointed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson.

"In a case of this magnitude, a full review of the facts and the law is required," said Gore. "I could not think of a better attorney to assist me in conducting the necessary analysis. I would like to thank Thompson Coburn (Shaw's current law firm) for lending us one of their finest legal minds."

Shaw was hired earlier this year by the judges of the 22nd Circuit to represent them during a hearing to remove Gardner, during which he called Gardner's office "untenable and unsustainable."

Previously, Shaw served as the chief judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District. He also served as a judge for St. Louis' Circuit Court from 1983 to 2002. During that time, he was also the judge who sentenced Lamar Johnson to life in prison in 1995.

Johnson was freed on Valentine's Day after nearly 30 years in prison after St. Louis Circuit Court Judge David Mason approved Gardner's motion to vacate his 1995 murder conviction last year. She filed the motion in August, after facing years of legal hurdles, once state legislators approved an avenue for prosecutors to appeal cases in which they believe defendants were wrongfully convicted. That new law was inspired by Johnson's then ongoing struggle for freedom.

A five-day hearing was held for Johnson in December, and the law requires Gore go through a similar process if he opts to file the motion for Dunn.

In 2020, Texas County Circuit Judge William Hickle noted that there was clear evidence of his innocence, and said then no court today would convict Dunn, but cited legal hurdles in his bid for freedom.

Claims for Dunn's innocence in the murder he was convicted of rely on the lack of physical evidence linking him to the killing of a 15-year-old in 1990. The main two witnesses have since recanted their testimony, saying they were pressured by police and prosecutors at the time to make an identification, similar to Johnsons case. Dunn, now 53, maintains that at the time of the murder he was at home with his mother and sister.

Dunn's wife, Kira Dunn, told the Post-Dispatch upon hearing the news that she and her husband were hopeful.

"Judge Shaw is an esteemed judge who's done outstanding work for the community of Missouri. We're confident that he'll see the same truth that Judge William Hickle saw," said Kira Dunn. "He has proven his innocence and deserves his freedom."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct that Shaw was appointed, not hired.
The United Nations food agency said Tuesday it will reduce monthly cash aid for 120,000 Syrian refugees living in two camps in Jordan because of what it described as an unprecedented funding crisis.

Jordan is a country of 11 million people and hosts some 1.3 million refugees from Syria. Most of them live in towns and cities across the kingdom, while several tens of thousands have settled in two camps  Zaatari and Azraq. Starting in August, the monthly cash allowance for camp residents will be reduced from $32 to $21, the World Food Program said.

Jordanian officials have warned that the kingdom cannot fill the gap left by international donors.

The announcement by the World Food Program comes after the agency said last week it would gradually cut off 50,000 refugees in Jordan from its assistance altogether. The program had initially covered 465,000 refugees.

U.N. agencies and international humanitarian organizations for years have struggled to reach budgetary requirements for their assistance in Syria and for Syrian refugees in neighboring countries due to donor fatigue, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and Ukraines war with Russia.

Though Syrian President Bashar Assads government was able to reclaim large swaths of territory with the help of allies Russia and Iran, the crisis in the war-torn country remains in a stalemate.

As funding dries up, our hands are tied, said Alberto Correia Mendes, the WFP representative for Jordan.

The agency said that even with the current cuts, it still faces a funding shortfall of some $41 million and may have to impose additional measures.

Funding cuts have also impacted millions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Turkey, where anti-refugee rhetoric and calls for mass deportations have surged in light of economic and political turmoil.

Syrias uprising turned civil war, now in its 13th year, has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half of its prewar population of 23 million.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi spoke about the kingdoms inability to fill in funding gaps at this years annual donor conference on Syria in Brussels last June. Last week, he warned again that refugees will suffer.

This is not on Jordan. It is on those who are cutting support, he said. Providing dignified lives to refugees is a global responsibility. It is not ours alone as host country.

Dominik Bartsch, the U.N. refugee agency's representative to Jordan, said the aid rollback has forced agencies to look only to the most vulnerable families, leaving many in need without assistance.

There is an imminent risk that the situation is sliding back into a humanitarian crisis with serious consequences for refugees and host communities, Bartsch said.

In a visit to Damascus on July 4 where he met Assad, Safadi called on investment into Syria's battered infrastructure to speed up voluntary refugee returns. Jordan has also spearheaded regional talks with Damascus to reach a solution to end the conflict.

Western countries still sanction Syria, including for alleged war crimes and involvement in the drug trade, and have not endorsed restoring ties with Assad or funding reconstruction, as Arab countries have.

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ST. LOUIS  New top St. Louis prosecutor Gabe Gore says that six weeks into his term, hes taken the office from triage  barely having enough attorneys to cover felony court hearings and trials  to a functional unit.

We have stabilized things, Gore said at a news conference Wednesday to mark his first six weeks in office. We now begin the hard work of building the culture of excellence that I talk about.

Gore was appointed in May by Gov. Mike Parson after the abrupt departure of his predecessor, Kimberly M. Gardner, who resigned amid dysfunction that included multiple efforts to force her from office. Her severely understaffed team faced overwhelming felony caseloads and a backlog of more than 4,500 pending charge applications. Her final weeks were marked by attorneys quitting and not showing up to court, and threats of sanctions for prosecutors failing to turn over evidence on time.

Gore on Wednesday highlighted several areas of progress, including growing trial staff by more than 60%, clearing more than half of a pending backlog, and tapping a flood of prosecutors from other jurisdictions who offered help to get the office back on track.

Staffing

When Gardner took office more than six years ago, the office was fully staffed with about 60 attorneys. Only about a third of that number remained by the time she left.

Gore said Wednesday hes grown the trial staff from 21 when he took over to 35 by hiring 14 experienced prosecutors. The hires included prominent former assistant circuit attorney Mary Pat Carl, who ran against Gardner twice and rejoined the office earlier this month as lead homicide prosecutor, and Marvin Teer, a decadeslong prosecutor and former judge who returned as chief trial assistant after resigning from the same role under Gardner earlier this year.

When I accepted this job, that was probably my biggest question: Would people return and join us in this work? Gore said Wednesday. I can say the answer was a resounding yes.

At Gore's request, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed a bill last month authorizing the Circuit Attorney to raise staff salary ranges by 10% or more, and add additional pay bumps for extremely hard-to-fill positions.

On top of the new hires, at least eight federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of Missouri agreed to join the office on a limited basis as special prosecutors focused on pending murder and manslaughter cases. And three former prosecutors who are now attorneys with private law firms agreed to dedicate pro bono hours to help prosecute homicides.

Prosecutors with the Attorney Generals Office in Missouri agreed to cover hearings for people convicted of crimes challenging their convictions, and prosecutors in St. Louis, St. Charles and Franklin counties have loaned staffers to help cover hearings and administrative duties.

Beyond attorneys, Gore said hes focused much of his time on hiring other support staff, adding two victims advocates, and pursuing needed technology upgrades.

Case backlogs

Gore said one of the most pressing issues is still the volume of serious pending charges, including 250 murder and manslaughter cases and 3,000 other felonies that ballooned through a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic delaying trials and Gardners staffing issues.

Special assistants  the federal prosecutors and private attorneys working pro bono  have agreed to take 50 of the homicide cases off his trial staff. Still, he said, workloads in the office remain unsustainable."

Trial attorneys on the homicide unit are handling caseloads of 60 to 65 cases apiece, Gore estimated, far more than he would like.

In addition to the backlog of cases already charged, there was a backlog of an additional 4,500 applications for charges that hadn't yet been cleared when Gore took office. His staff has since reduced that number to 2,000, mostly by removing applications that were for low-level offenses, duplicates, had weak evidence, or had gone past the statute of limitations.

Theres a saying among attorneys that no case gets better with time. So when you let cases age, one result is going to be your evidence gets worse," Gore said.

Gore said the remaining 2,000-case backlog will take longer to clear, as only the more complex charging decisions remain. He hopes to clear those by the end of this year.

Gore also said he hopes once the office is fully staffed, he can focus on larger goals like a unit similar to one Gardner created to investigate claims of unjust convictions.

"I'm proud of the work we are doing," Gore said. "And I'm excited about the work going forward."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct salary range increases recently authorized.
EDWARDSVILLE  A special Illinois task force on warehouse safety met for the first time Tuesday, taking testimony from a local fire chief and the family of one of the six people killed when a tornado struck an Amazon facility here more than a year-and-a-half ago.

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The testimony could influence how safety standards are reshaped at warehouses across the state.

Our family was irrevocably broken that night, Carla Cope, the mother of 29-year-old warehouse worker and tornado victim Clayton Cope, told task force members. She called on them to strengthen standards and prevent future deaths.

The 16-member Warehouse Safety Standards Task Force, appointed by state officials, aims to create recommendations to strengthen warehouse structural safety, boost resources for first responders and improve emergency policies and procedures of warehouse businesses, which employ about two million across the state, more than double that of a decade ago.

The job wont be easy: Officials are calling on the task force to balance public safety with economic development, ensuring recommendations arent so expensive that they drive business away.

Those things should not have to be in competition with each other, said state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, a member of the task force. We dont want a race to the bottom.

The task force on Tuesday met at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Some of the testimony provided new details of the events of that night.

The tornado occurred on an unseasonably warm day in December 2021, first hitting Defiance, Missouri  killing a woman there  before skipping across the Mississippi River and touching down northwest of the intersection of Interstates 255 and 270 in Illinois. It then picked up strength, with winds around 150 mph, and struck the Amazon warehouse as an EF3 tornado.

Video from a nearby warehouse showed the moment when the tornado struck, where winds easily peeled off the roof like the lid of a tin can. Edwardsville fire Chief James Whiteford, who was on the scene that night, said the tornado sliced through the building, causing the 11-inch thick, 60,000-pound concrete walls to fall.

The warehouse was built to code in 2018 and leased to Amazon, then expanded from 650,000 square feet to 1.1 million in 2020. Experts have said the buildings tilt-up construction  which pours the walls on the ground and then lifts them into place  made it more vulnerable to damage or collapse during tornadoes.

But there are few regulations that require tornado shelters and none that require buildings to better withstand tornadoes, even though there is evidence that shelters save lives.

Whiteford, the fire chief, said Edwardsville sent all of its resources  one fire engine and two ambulances  when the first dispatch was issued. Amazon officials told them 80 people were working that night. An initial assessment of the scene, which typically takes a few minutes, took first responders up to 15 minutes because of the warehouses size.

Theyre like skyscrapers that are just laying on the side, Whiteford said.

He described the chaos: Gas leaks. Vehicles thrown into the nearby retention ponds. Downed 345,000-volt power lines lying in the ponds and across I-270.

Then, another storm approached, forcing them to halt search and rescue efforts. One first responder stayed in the warehouse rubble with an injured worker, Whiteford said.

By 2 p.m. the next day, emergency workers had recovered all six bodies from bathrooms on the buildings southern side. K9s from another first responder group confirmed to authorities that no one else was left in the building.

Throughout the next month, Whiteford said they used sonar and drained the ponds to confirm no one had been in the water.

On Tuesday, Whiteford told the task force he had three recommendations: Increase funding to the Southern Illinois emergency responder group to improve resources they can use during future disasters. Work to create new building codes that allow for more affordable storm shelters to be built. And help small communities like Edwardsville with additional building inspectors or code enforcers.

The room was somber after Whiteford finished speaking. Members of the task force agreed to consider the chiefs recommendations as well as hear from the Masonry Institute of Southern Illinois about storm shelters in a future meeting. The Masonry Institute has a representative on the task force.

The group also agreed to hold future meetings in other parts of the state, including around the Joliet area, outside of Chicago, where there are numerous warehouses. No date has been set.

Amazon was not present at the meeting. The company has said that it wants to reopen the facility, which has been repaired, but has not established a timeline.

The state Department of Labor is overseeing the task force. Its recommendations are due to Gov. J.B. Pritzker by Jan. 1, 2025.

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CLAYTON  The St. Louis County Council on Tuesday narrowly defeated a property tax freeze for seniors after more than a month of discussion, leaving it up to county voters to decide if they want to implement the plan through a ballot initiative.

Controversy over the bill before the St. Louis County Council centered around how the plan would impact county finances and the idea of wealthy senior homeowners getting a tax break, but advocates argued seniors desperately need tax relief.

Seniors need help now, said Dennis Ganahl, managing director of advocacy group Missouri Tax Relief Now. Voting no on this is a vote to do nothing for seniors now.

Four of the seven councilmembers voted against the bill. Democrats Shalonda Webb of unincorporated north St. Louis County, Lisa Clancy of Maplewood, Kelli Dunaway of Chesterfield and Rita Heard Days of Bel-Nor opposed the bill because of unanswered questions about how it would be enacted, and over concerns about its financial impact on school and fire districts, among other taxing bodies.

The bills sponsor, Republican Councilman Mark Harder of Ballwin, said he was disappointed the bill failed.

Right now, seniors wont have any help, Harder said. I hope the citizens of St. Louis County and especially senior citizens are paying attention to what happened tonight.

County voters could enact the plan through a ballot measure. Advocates would have to collect signatures from at least 5% of the number of people who voted in the 2020 gubernatorial election. A majority vote would put it in place.

In early July, Gov. Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 190, which allows counties to freeze property tax increases for seniors who are eligible for Social Security, own a home and are required to make tax payments on that home.

Councilmembers heard from opponents to the bill during a committee meeting Tuesday ahead of their regular meeting. Scott Lakin, director of the countys revenue department, said the legislation would cost school districts and other taxing bodies.

St. Louis County, which collects revenue and distributes it to taxing bodies such as schools, estimates its taxing districts would have missed out on nearly $34 million in revenue over the past four years if the plan had been in place, according to a memo from Lakin and other county leaders. The county estimates it could cost the county $125,000 a year in personnel, too.

And, under SB 190, taxing bodies couldnt roll up their levies to make up for the lost revenue without voter approval, according to an analysis by the state Legislatures research division.

There is a cost to the county to implement this bill. There is a cost to the taxpayer, Lakin said. But most of all theres a cost to those that receive the fund distributions.

Last week, representatives from Missouri Tax Relief Now questioned how the county came up with those numbers. Lakin said they used U.S. Census information as best they could to come up with estimates based on data that doesnt exist  the number of people who meet the laws eligibility requirements.

We dont have the ability to tell whether a taxpayer is 25 years old or 85 years old, Lakin said.

Despite questions about how it would be implemented, several Missouri counties are already considering enacting the plan, said Steve Hobbs, executive director of the Missouri Association of Counties.

A lot of counties are already being approached by taxpayers saying, Hey, when are you going to do this? Hobbs said.

Officials from St. Charles, Taney, Miller, Christian and Jackson counties have already reached out to Missouri Tax Relief Now for information, Ganahl has said.

Nearly two dozen St. Louis County school districts signed a letter opposing the bill from Paul Ziegler, CEO of EducationPlus, a nonprofit coalition of school districts in the metro region. Ziegler sent the letter Monday to Page and councilmembers, urging them to reject the county legislation, Bill 114.

School districts and other entities that depend largely on local tax revenue will be forced to make difficult decisions on how to meet budget needs, Ziegler wrote. School districts will have two options  either cut needed services for students or ask for a tax increase from other citizens.

Ganahl said his organization is already working on gathering signatures to get the measure on a ballot.
JEFFERSON CITY  After years of grappling with the effects of flooding, state officials are giving up on attempting to manage some parts of an urban conservation area in north St. Louis County.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is planning a nearly $30 million remake of the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area to remove portions of existing levees, which will eventually allow the area to flood naturally during high water events.

This will enable Columbia Bottom to assume its natural ecosystem function of a wetland, to slow, hold, absorb, and dissipate water during flood events, the agency said in a release.

Known for its fields of sunflowers, duck and dove hunting and bald eagle watching, the 4,318-acre tract has been under state control since 1997.

While the area has always been prone to flooding, the frequency of major floods has increased over the last decade with high water events occurring in 2008, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

The floods have resulted in lengthy closures of the area, including a six-month closure in 2019.

The decision comes amid concerns about the effects of climate change on the planet, with high temperatures around the globe raising alarm bells among scientists.

At the same time the department announced the changes, flash flooding ravaged the East Coast, while other parts of the country endured threateningly high temperatures and severe air pollution from Canadian wildfires.

Currently, the Missouri Drought Monitor shows the conservation area to be abnormally dry or in a moderate drought.

Efforts to determine a path forward for the area have met with some resistance.

In 2021, an avid duck hunter from St. Louis launched an online petition drive opposed to changes in the way the state manages the bottomlands.

That effort, led by Christopher Kellogg, who lives about 15 minutes from the area, failed to sway conservation officials to alter plans to limit access and restore damaged levees that create wetlands and help draw waterfowl to the area.

The department also closed the visitor center in 2020 citing low numbers of visitors.

Access to a boat ramp on the Missouri River was restored after the 2019 floods, but some roads, trails and parking lots were closed while officials evaluated whether to fix them or let them return to a natural state.

Under the new plan, Conservation officials plan to spend $27 million to remove damaged levees and construct a setback levee on the south side of the area to help protect downstream neighbors. Of that money, $15 million is coming from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Going forward, MDCs strategy will focus on managing the area to work with the natural flooding cycles of the river and cultivate the habitat benefits of a healthy floodplain, the agency said.

Among other problems caused by the current levee system is a buildup of debris and sediment. At the confluence of North Americas two largest rivers, sediment is 2 to 4 feet deep.

Efforts to hold back the rivers with levees, repair damage and manage the area for waterfowl hunting are incurring costs to Missouri taxpayers through expenses, MDC staff time and resources that are no longer practical, the department said.

Officials say one benefit to the new vision is connecting the river and wetland habitat during natural flood cycles, which has largely been disconnected across the flood plains.

The plan also will eliminate the need to repair and maintain an aging river pump station previously used to help manage the waterfowl hunting program.

Future waterfowl management at Columbia Bottom will focus on creating dry field hunting opportunities by planting winter wheat. This will produce opportunistic waterfowl hunting during wet conditions, the agency said.

Dove hunting at the site will remain a priority through the planting of sunflowers and small grain crops, but the new management strategy also could increase the diversity of birds and wildlife drawn to the area, officials said.

The conservation area is located off Riverview Drive, approximately 3 miles north of Interstate 270.

Photos: Sunflowers blooming at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
Mallinckrodt began processing uranium ore in St. Louis in 1942. Parts of St. Louis remain contaminated more than 80 years later. Here is a timeline of notable developments, including links to records and stories:

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1939  Albert Einstein urges President Franklin D. Roosevelt to secure a reliable source of uranium and speed up experimental work on nuclear energy, which he says can produce vast amounts of power. Einstein adds, It is conceivable  though much less certain  that extremely powerful bombs of a new type may thus be constructed.

1941-1945  Atlas Powder Company produces TNT and DNT under contract at the government-owned Weldon Spring Ordnance Works  a 17,232-acre facility near Weldon Spring in St. Charles County  as part of the World War II defense effort. The TNT and DNT produced there are used in 6-inch (155mm) howitzers, 2.4-inch (60mm) explosive shells for M2 Mortars, the 36-inch (914mm) caliber mortar (nicknamed Little David), and the Mk 2 hand grenade.

1942  Mallinckrodt Chemical Works begins processing uranium ore at its downtown St. Louis factory, 65 Destrehan Street, for the Manhattan Engineer District (the Manhattan Project) to make the first atomic bomb. Edward Mallinckrodt Jr., chairman of the company, agreed to undertake the work after he is asked by atomic physicist Arthur Holly Compton, a key figure in the Manhattan Project and later chancellor of Washington University.

1945  The federal government transfers ownership of the Weldon Spring Ordnance Works site to the State of Missouri for what would become the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area. Another portion of land went to the University of Missouri for agricultural studies (later transferred to the state for the Weldon Spring Conservation Area). Additional parcels go to St. Charles County and the Francis Howell School District. The Army retains what remained of the property for use as a training area.

1946  U.S. government acquires a 21.74-acre property near the City of St. Louis-owned airport, near the Wabash Railroad and Coldwater Creek, and begins dumping radioactive wastes there. Mallinckrodt officials and security officers assure a St. Louis Star-Times reporter that the stored materials were not radio-active and not dangerous. The site would later be known as the St. Louis Airport Site, or SLAPS.

1948-1952  Mallinckrodt decontaminates two plants in its north downtown St. Louis plant, trucking much of the waste and debris to the airport site.

1953  The Post-Dispatch reports radioactive dirt spilled onto U.S. Highway 66, todays Dunn Road, two miles north of the airport, after a truck overturned into a ditch. The driver was hauling the waste from Mallinckrodts downtown plant to the airport. The dirt was not dangerous, it was pointed out, the newspaper reported, and volunteer firefighters washed it from the road.

1954  Sixty tons of captured Japanese uranium wastes are brought to the St. Louis airport site.

1955  The Army transfers approximately 200 acres of the former Weldon Spring Ordnance Works property to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for construction of the $33 million Weldon Spring Uranium Feed Materials Plant.

1957  Mallinckrodt, under contract to the Atomic Energy Commission, moves uranium processing from its north downtown St. Louis plant to Weldon Spring. The plant processes uranium-ore concentrates and a small amount of thorium between 1957 and 1966. Waste generated during these operations was stored at the Weldon Spring Site in four open-air lagoons called raffinate pits.

1958-1966  General Steel Castings Corp. in Granite City, under purchase orders from Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, X-rays uranium ingots in the Betatron Building to detect metallurgical flaws. This work was performed for the Atomic Energy Commission. When the work was concluded, the site was remediated. After it was surveyed again in 1989, it was remediated again.

1958-1962  Mallinckrodt contracts with Dow Metal Products, a division of Dow Chemical Co., to straighten some uranium rods at Dows plant in Madison, Illinois.

1965  In a survey of the airport site, the Atomic Energy Commission finds about 121,000 tons of uranium refinery residues and contaminated material.

1966  Mallinckrodt stops uranium processing in the St. Louis area. The Atomic Energy Commission demolishes the buildings on the airport site and buries them. Sixty truckloads of scrap metal and a contaminated vehicle are buried on the property and covered by 1 to 3 feet of clean fill material. Continental Mining and Milling Co. buys some residues to try to recover more uranium. The company moves the waste to 9200 Latty Avenue  a site later known as the Hazelwood Interim Storage Site, or HISS  for storage and shipment to the Cotter Corp. in Canon City, Colorado.

1966-1969  After foreclosure, Cotter ends up owning property and buys the rest of the residues. It dries and ships some tailings to Canon City. Federal authorities say improper handling by Cotter pollutes north St. Louis County roads.

1973  B&K Construction, a contractor for Cotter Corp., mixes about 8,700 tons of leached barium sulfate containing a low concentration of uranium with about 39,000 tons of dirt at the Latty Avenue site and dumps it at West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton. The Atomic Energy Commission conveys the SLAPS property to the St. Louis Airport Authority.

1976  The Post-Dispatch discloses the illegal dumping of radioactive material at West Lake Landfill. In a report completed in early 1977, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission investigators find neither West Lake Landfill or the Latty Avenue site presents an immediate direct radiation health hazard to the public.

1976-1978  Radiological investigation of both the airport and Latty Avenue sites finds contamination at both, along with elevated radionuclide concentrations north of the site in ditches along McDonnell Boulevard. The ditches are designated for remedial action under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP), a program created in 1974 to clean up sites contaminated by the nations early atomic energy program.

1977  The federal government promises to clean up nuclear pollution around the nation. Congress sets up various agencies to do the job, with the cleanup assignment eventually going to the newly created U.S. Department of Energy.

1979  Jarboe Realty, owner of the Latty Avenue site, moves 13,000 cubic yards from the western half of the site into storage on the eastern half. Jarboe builds a manufacturing facility for Futura Coatings Inc. on the western portion.

1984  The Department of Energy performs remedial actions at Latty Avenue, creating 14,000 cubic yards of additional waste to be stored onsite. The Department of Energy is directed by Congress to reacquire the airport property and use it as a permanent disposal site for waste already on the property, contaminated soil in the surrounding ditches and the waste from HISS. The City of St. Louis refuses to transfer the property to the Department of Energy.

1985  Custody of the Weldon Spring Site is transferred to the Department of Energy in order to clean up contamination left from the sites prior activities. The cleanup effort is designated the Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project. Surface remediation concludes with completion of a 41-acre, onsite disposal cell in 2001. The cell provides long-term isolation for 1.48 million cubic yards of low-level radioactive waste and chemical waste.

1986  The Department of Energy works with municipal governments of Berkeley and Hazelwood to remove 4,600 cubic yards of contaminated waste during road and drainage improvement projects and takes it to Latty Avenue.

1989  Congress places the airport site and the Latty Avenue sites on a priority list for environmental cleanup. In Madison, a survey of the Dow Chemical Co. buildings indicates low-level radioactive contamination is present in dust located on overhead surfaces in Building 6. About 2 cubic yards of contaminated uranium/thorium dust from Manhattan Project/Atomic Energy Commission operations is identified on roof beams at the facility. The Post-Dispatch publishes a special six-part series, Legacy of the Bomb, that explains the role St. Louis played in development of the atomic bomb and the contamination left behind.

1990  West Lake Landfill is designated a Superfund site by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA and the Department of Energy reach an agreement on assigning responsibilities for cleanup of St. Louis sites.

1995  The Department of Energy begins shipping radioactive wastes to a disposal facility in Utah that is run by Envirocare. First to go is 9,500 cubic yards of waste removed from the Mallinckrodt site north of downtown.

1996  The Department of Energy agrees to remove wastes from the airport and related sites instead of building a storage bunker onsite.

1997  The Department of Energy digs up 7,000 cubic yards of waste on the west end of the airport site and ships it to Utah. Congress transfers cleanup duties to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

1998  The Corps moves 24,000 cubic yards of waste from airport, downtown and Latty Avenue sites to Utah.

1999  The Corps moves 50,000 cubic yards of waste from the sites to Utah.

2000  The Corps continues cleanup work. Workers begin to scrape dirt from the radium pits at the airport site to ship to Utah.

2005  FUSRAP issues its record of decision on the cleanup of north St. Louis County sites.

2008  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in a record of decision, proposes to place a multilayered rock, clay and soil cap over the West Lake Landfill and install monitoring wells. Environmental activists, who want the radioactive waste removed, condemn the recommendation. Waste giant Republic Services buys Allied Waste, entering the St. Louis market and taking ownership of both the Bridgeton and West Lake landfills.

2010  Republic Services reports underground smoldering at the Bridgeton landfill.

2011  The Coldwater Creek - Just the Facts Group is launched by several residents of north St. Louis County concerned about what appear to be high death and disease rates among former classmates, family and friends who may have been exposed to radiation.

2012  Current and former north St. Louis County residents sue Mallinckrodt and other companies, claiming reckless and negligent handling of radioactive waste caused their cancers and other illnesses. Eventually hundreds of plaintiffs file suit. Some cases are settled; others remain active. A Bridgeton resident starts a Facebook group to share concerns about the landfills; that effort leads to the launch of Just Moms STL, an activist group, in 2014.

2013  The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) declares odors generated by the smoldering waste at Bridgeton Landfill a nuisance and orders Republic Services to pay for air sampling. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster sues Republic, accusing the company of violating state environmental laws. An agreement, reached in May, outlines a plan of action that includes capping the landfill by early September. Republic Services agrees to build a fire break between the Bridgeton and West Lake landfills to alleviate concern that the reaction will spread to radioactive contamination in West Lake.

2014  Republic Services is nearly finished with a wastewater plant. A leachate collection system, a gas extraction system and a cap and flare system to reduce odors and gases are in place. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services analyzes eight ZIP code areas (63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63043, 63055, 63134 and 63138) in the Coldwater Creek watershed and finds elevated levels of certain cancers. A DNR consultant warns that fire is approaching the northern area of Bridgeton Landfill, which is adjacent to West Lake, and is not under control, refuting Republic Services assurances. Republic Services launches a lobbying group, the Coalition to Keep Us Safe, to support the EPAs 2008 decision to place a rock, clay and soil cap over the West Lake Landfill.

2015  Another DNR consultant warns of air intrusion and the possibility of a subsurface fire, or the precursor to one, in close proximity to the radioactive waste in the West Lake Landfill. The EPA begins testing for radioactive waste it now believes may be in the northern edge of the Bridgeton Landfill, outside of the restricted West Lake area. DNR asks for more measures to control the landfill fire and keep it from reaching the northern portion of the landfill. Koster releases expert reports indicating that the fire is moving closer to the radioactive waste and that radiological contamination was found in some off-site vegetation. St. Louis County releases an emergency plan and school districts send letters home, prompting widespread concern. Construction on the barrier from West Lake, awaiting approval from the EPA, still has not started. The Corps says its testing finds low-level radioactive contamination from thorium 230 of residential properties along Coldwater Creek. Its the first time the government has confirmed radioactive contamination of residential properties caused by Mallinckrodt-produced waste.

2016  Regional EPA officials say they hope to identify a proposed remedy to the Bridgeton landfill fire by the end of the year. Despite public outcry after the 2008 decision, EPA officials say they havent abandoned the plan to cap the landfill. But recent EPA studies identify radioactive contamination beyond where it was originally mapped, some of it outside a protective fence surrounding the landfill. EPA officials later announce that the decision had been postponed. Meanwhile, activists push for the Corps to take over West Lake landfill.

2017  Before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the agency would announce a cleanup proposal at West Lake in January. The following day, the site was named one of 21 Superfund sites in the country to be targeted for immediate, intense action, based on the recommendations of a Superfund Task Force. In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Pruitt calls for a back to basics agenda for his agency, prioritizing cleanup of Superfund sites like West Lake. Its unacceptable for the West Lake facility  to languish on a national priority list for 20-plus years, he says. EPA says its testing finds no radioactive contamination in Bridgeton homes near the landfill.

2018  The EPA proposes partially excavating the West Lake Landfills radiologically impacted material to a depth of 16 feet. The approach would be paired with installation of a cap designed to meet certain standards for containing uranium radiation. Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley reaches a $16 million settlement with landfill operators, ending the 2013 lawsuit brought by his predecessor, Chris Koster. The settlement reimburses state regulators and sets aside $12.5 million for community projects and grants in a fund administered by the St. Louis Community Foundation. The settlement also provides for monitoring requirements and pollution limits for the landfill operators.

AFFECTED ST. LOUIS-AREA SITES Sites where uranium ore was processed:  Mallinckrodt Chemical Works plant in downtown St. Louis.  Weldon Spring Uranium Feed Materials Plant. Sites where radioactive waste was stored:  The St. Louis Airport Site, or SLAPS.  The Hazelwood Interim Storage Site, or HISS, 9200 Latty Ave. Site where radioactive waste was illegally dumped:  West Lake Landfill, Bridgeton. Sites where radioactive contamination was detected, in addition to processing plants and storage sites, include:  Coldwater Creek watershed in north St. Louis County.  Weldon Spring area.  Former Dow Chemical plant in Madison.

2019  ATSDR issues a report evaluating community exposures related to Coldwater Creek. It has four key findings. It finds that radiological contamination in and around Coldwater Creek, prior to remediation activities, could have increased the risk of some types of cancer in people who played or lived there. But the agency notes that other exposure pathways of concern could have contributed to risk, but is unable to quantify that risk. The agency does not recommend additional general disease screening for past or present residents around Coldwater Creek, but supports ongoing efforts to identify and properly remediate radiological waste around the creek.

2021  Despite the Corps ramped up efforts to remediate the Coldwater Creek watershed, the work is not expected to be completed until 2038  nearly a century after uranium ore first arrived at the Mallinckrodt plant, the Post-Dispatch reports.

2022  The Hazelwood School District votes to close Jana Elementary in Florissant in response to a report commissioned by lawyers in an ongoing lawsuit. The report claims radioactive waste was found at the school up to 22 times the expected level. The Corps disputes the findings, and its subsequent tests and those by another consulting firm hired by the district say the school and the school grounds are safe.
WASHINGTON  Israels figurehead president speaks to Congress in an appearance Wednesday aimed at demonstrating what he calls the unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States, despite U.S. concerns over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus controversial judicial overhaul and ongoing settlement construction in the West Bank.

Isaac Herzog becomes the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. His speech will mark modern Israels celebration of its 75th year.

But the Israeli presidents visit also is exposing the difficulties that Democrats face in balancing longstanding U.S. support for ally Israel with disapproval of some actions by Netanyahus government, a coalition of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties.

The House on Tuesday passed a Republican-led resolution reaffirming its support for Israel with strong bipartisan approval  an implicit rebuke of a leading Democrat who, over the weekend, called the country a racist state, but later apologized.

The resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, passed with over 400 lawmakers backing the measure. It did not mention Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., by name, but was clearly a response to her recent remarks about the Jewish state. The measure was drafted soon after she criticized Israel and its treatment of Palestinians at a conference on Saturday.

Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, walked back the comments the next day, insisting her comments were aimed at Netanyahu and not the Jewish state.

I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist, Jayapal said in a statement. I do, however, believe that Netanyahus extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists driving that policy within the leadership of the current government.

The GOP-led effort highlighted the divide among House Democrats over Israel, with younger progressives adopting a more critical stance toward the longtime U.S. ally than party leaders.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.  the only Palestinian-American in Congress  who is boycotting Herzogs speech Wednesday, criticized the resolution as normalizing violence against those living in the West Bank, given the Netanyahu governments approval of expanded Jewish settlement there.

Were here again reaffirming Congress support for apartheid, Tlaib said during floor debate Tuesday on the Republican measure. Policing the words of women of color who dare to speak up about truths, about oppression.

Joining Tlaib in boycotting Herzogs speech is U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis. In a joint statement on Tuesday, Tlaib and Bush called Israel an apartheid state, adding: Bipartisanship must not be used as a justification for apartheid. Its important to remember that South Africas apartheid government also had bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress. It is shameful to deliberately ignore  and even normalize  this racist and oppressive system of apartheid by welcoming President Herzog or any member of the Israeli government to address Congress.

Over at the White House on Tuesday, Herzog sought to assure Biden that Israel remains committed to democracy amid deepening U.S. concerns over Netanyahus controversial plans to overhaul his countrys judicial system.

Netanyahu and his allies say the overhaul is needed to rein in the powers of unelected judges. Opponents say the plan will destroy Israels fragile system of checks and balances and move the country toward authoritarian rule.

Herzog has appealed for a compromise that has thus far proven elusive. Many American Jewish groups and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the plan.

Herzogs visit comes weeks after Israeli forces carried out one of their most intensive operations in the West Bank in two decades, with a two-day air and ground offensive in Jenin, a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank. Senior members of Netanyahus government have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israels control over the West Bank in response to a more than yearlong wave of violence with the Palestinians.

U.S. officials have broadly supported Israels right to defend itself from militant attacks but have also urged restraint to minimize harm to civilians and have lobbied against additional settlements that would further diminish the chances of securing a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinians.

With differences in plain view, Biden sought to stress the importance of the U.S.-Israeli relationship in his brief remarks before reporters Tuesday.

This is a friendship I believe is just simply unbreakable, Biden said. As I confirmed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Americas commitment to Israel is firm and it is ironclad.

Ahead of Herzogs visit, Biden spoke with Netanyahu by phone and invited him to meet in the U.S. this fall, although the president expressed reservations about several of the Netanyahu hard-right coalitions policies.

Herzog said the Biden-Netanyahu conversation sent an important message to the region.

I was pleased to hear about your conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu in which you focused on our ironclad military and security cooperation because there are some enemies of ours that sometimes mistake the fact that we may have some differences as impacting our unbreakable bond, Herzog said.

The Biden administration declined to say whether Biden would host Netanyahu at the White House  as the Israeli leader has hoped  or in New York on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly.

White House visits are typically standard protocol for Israeli prime ministers, and the delay in Netanyahu receiving one has become an issue in Israel, with opponents citing it as a reflection of deteriorating relations with the U.S.

The Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Kurds Are Blockading Assyrian Villages Again

(AINA) -- Since 2020, the establishment of three checkpoints in the Nahla area in north Iraq has significantly disrupted the daily lives of the resident of Nahla, who are all Assyrians. The residents of Nahla frequently need to travel to various locations for essential activities such as transporting groceries or animal feed to support their agricultural endeavors. However, they often encounter unnecessary interrogations and prolonged questioning by individuals who are already acquainted with them. These encounters occur without any reasonable suspicion or apparent justification.

While the stated reason for these checkpoints is security concerns related to the Kurdish terrorist group PKK from Turkey, it appears that officials are aware of the PKK's presence and other parties that deal with the organization, but choose to penalize the Assyrians of Nahla, potentially associating them with the PKK, having no reasonable evidence for such association.

A recent episode has caused tensions to flare again in the area after an ill elderly woman was made to wait an inordinate amount of time by security personnel working for the KRG. This action has outraged the residents of Nala, who feel that the removal of the checkpoints is now necessary for the safety and welfare of all parties.

Nahla has been repeatedly subjected to blockades and land expropriation because of its mountainous terrain, rich agriculture and prized location. Kurdish officials and individuals want to take the land from Assyrians.

The Chaldean Community Foundation has issued a statement calling for the removal of the checkpoints.

The Nahla Valley in north Iraq.

Land Dispute Issues

In the 1970s, due to the ongoing war, the people of Nahla generously allowed members of the Zibari tribe of Kurds to reside in their villages. While the Zibari Kurds expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the people of Nahla, their extended presence has become an issue over the decades.

In the village of Kashkawa, attempts were made to resolve the matter through traditional and tribal discussions, but when these failed, a complaint was filed with the authorities. Subsequently, in 2017, a court order was issued in favor of the people of Nahla, demanding the occupants to vacate the disputed lands. Unfortunately, compliance with the court order has not been observed, leading many in the area to complain of the effectiveness of law enforcement that is just and equally applied.

Currently, there are 67 problematic land dispute cases, some of which have received court relief but are still without proper enforcement. It is a matter of concern that while the courts may grant relief to the people of Nahla, the actual enforcement of these orders is lacking. This discrepancy between court-ordered relief and its implementation disproportionately affects the native Christian communities, who have suffered from discriminatory application of laws for decades.

The Chaldean Community Foundation has called for the immediate enforcement of court orders issued by the relevant authorities.
Israel carried out air strikes near Syrias capital of Damascus, wounding two Syrian soldiers, Syrian state news agency SANA said early Wednesday.

At around 00:25 at dawn, the Israeli enemy carried out an air assault with missile bursts from the north of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting certain positions in the vicinity of Damascus, SANA said, citing a military source.

The aggression wounded two soldiers and caused material damage, the agency said, adding that most of the missiles had been intercepted by Syrian air defense systems.

The strikes targeted military positions near the airport in the town of Dimas as well as the Beirut-Damascus highway west of the capital, where elite members of the Syrian army are stationed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.

The NGO, which has a vast network of sources in the war-torn country, said the strikes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Lebanese Hezbollah militant group.

The incident was the 20th Israeli raid so far this year, the Observatory said.

Earlier this month, Israel carried out air strikes near the government-held city of Homs, SANA said.

During more than a decade of war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its territory, targeting Iran-backed forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administrations second-in-command quietly stepped down amid reporting by The Associated Press that he once consulted for a pharmaceutical distributor sanctioned for a deluge of suspicious painkiller shipments and did similar work for the drugmaker that became the face of the opioid epidemic: Purdue Pharma.

Louis Miliones four years of consulting for Big Pharma preceded his 2021 return to the DEA to serve as Administrator Anne Milgrams top deputy, renewing concerns in the agency and beyond about the revolving door between government and industry and its potential impact on the DEAs mission to police drug companies blamed for tens of thousands of American overdose deaths.

Working for Purdue Pharma should not help you get a higher job in government, said Jeff Hauser, the executive director of the Revolving Door Project, a watchdog for corporate influence in the federal government. Too much collegiality is a problem. Its hard to view your past and potentially future colleagues as scofflaws. Any independent person would find this abhorrent.

Milione initially left the DEA in 2017 after a 21-year career that included a two-year stint leading the division that controls the sale of highly addictive narcotics. Like dozens of colleagues in the DEAs Office of Diversion Control, he went to work as a consultant for some of the same companies he had been tasked with regulating.

AP reported in May that Miliones consulting included testifying on behalf of the nations fourth-largest wholesale drug distributor, Morris & Dickson, as it fought to save its license to supply painkillers to hospitals and pharmacies.

A federal administrative judge determined four years ago that the Louisiana-based company failed to flag thousands of suspicious orders at the height of the opioid crisis but the DEA didnt move to strip the license until days after the AP inquired about the case.

New reporting found that during his time in the private sector, Milione also served as a $600-per-hour expert for Purdue Pharma as it fought legal challenges from Ohio to Oklahoma over its aggressive marketing of OxyContin and other highly addictive painkillers. Milione left the DEA again in late June just four days after AP sought comment from the Justice Department about his prior work for Purdue.

Milione said in a statement this week that he stepped down for personal reasons unrelated to APs reporting. Both he and the Justice Department said he recused himself at the DEA from all matters involving his private-sector work where there was a conflict of interest.

Milione said his consulting stint helped drug companies comply with DEA rules, just as his return to government gave the DEA insight into how business decisions are made in the real world.

I care deeply about the DEA, its mission and the brave men and women that sacrifice so much to protect the American public, he said.

But Milione never faced scrutiny from lawmakers over his consulting before taking the DEAs No. 2 position because the DEA has for more than a decade not filled the job of deputy administrator that requires a presidential appointment and Senate confirmation.

Instead, the DEA directly hired Milione to fill a career position with essentially the same duties but a slightly different title  principal deputy administrator  that requires no such oversight.

DEA has demonstrated a willingness to take painstaking measures to avoid the Senates watchful eye  including by potentially using a technicality to shirk Senate confirmation of a key agency decision maker, said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Avoiding congressional oversight is a tired game the DEA cant stop playing. It begs the question: What else is the DEA trying to hide?

John Coleman, who was head of operations for the DEA in the 1990s, said the Biden administration likely never nominated Milione to serve as deputy administrator, despite his many qualifications, because his conflicts would have surely raised questions.

Someone at the agency had to be aware of the implications of bringing someone back who was employed in the industry regulated by the agency, Coleman said. It was an obvious and classic conflict.

The DEA didnt respond to requests for comment. The Justice Department told the AP that Milione disclosed his potential conflicts when he returned to the DEA and that the principal deputy administrators position was created before Milgrams tenure.

It said the process for filling the confirmed deputy administrator position is ongoing and referred further questions to the White House, which did not respond to a request for comment.

The DEA made no announcement of Miliones most recent retirement but removed his bio from the agencys website over the July 4 holiday and replaced it with that of his successor, career DEA official George Papadopoulos.

But in an internal email to staff, Milgram hailed the 60-year-old Milione as a DEA legend best known for leading the overseas sting that in 2008 nabbed Russias notorious arms trafficker Viktor Bout.

I was thrilled that he agreed to come back home to DEA, she wrote in a June 26 email obtained by AP. Lou has used his skills as a master case maker to help us bring cases against entire criminal networks and to investigate the entire globally fentanyl supply chain.
Opportunity is ripe for Republicans to win back the Senate next year  if they can land the candidates to pull it off.

The GOP needs a net gain of one or two seats to flip the chamber, depending on which party wins the White House in 2024, and it's Democrats who are defending the tougher seats. Democrats hold seven of the 10 seats that CNN ranks as most likely to flip party control next year  and the top three are all in states former President Donald Trump carried twice.

But this spring's recruitment season, coming on the heels of a midterm cycle marred by problematic GOP candidates, will likely go a long way toward determining how competitive the Senate map is next year.

National Republicans got a top pick last week, with Gov. Jim Justice announcing his Senate bid in West Virginia  the seat most likely to flip party control in 2024. (Rankings are based on CNN's reporting, fundraising figures and historical data about how states and candidates have performed.) But Justice appears headed for a contentious and expensive primary. And in many other top races, the GOP hasn't yet landed any major candidates.

Democrats, meanwhile, are thankful that most of their vulnerable incumbents are running for reelection, while a high-profile House member has largely cleared the field for one of their open Senate seats.

The unknown remains West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin. Responding to Justice's candidacy, Manchin  who has said he'll decide about running by the end of the year  had this to say to CNN about a potentially messy GOP primary: "Let the games begin."

The anti-tax Club for Growth's political arm has already committed to spending $10 million to back West Virginia Rep. Alex Mooney in the GOP primary. And tensions between the club, which has turned against Trump, and more establishment Republicans could become a feature of several top Senate races this cycle, especially with the National Republican Senatorial Committee weighing more aggressive involvement in primaries to weed out candidates it doesn't think can win general elections.

In the 2022 cycle, most of Trump's handpicked candidates in swing states stumbled in the general election. But the former president picked up a key endorsement this week from NRSC Chair Steve Daines. The Montana Republican has stayed close with Trump, CNN has previously reported, in a bid to ensure he's aligned with leadership.

Democrats defending tough seats have previously used GOP primaries to their advantage. Manchin survived in 2018 in part because his opponent was state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey. That wasn't an accident. Democrats had spent big attacking one of his primary opponents to keep him out of the general election.

Last year's midterms underscored that candidates really do matter after Republicans failed to harness favorable national winds in some key races. In a presidential year, the national environment is likely to loom large, especially with battleground states hosting key Senate races. It will also test whether some of the last remaining senators who represent states that back the opposite parties' presidential nominees can hold on.

President Joe Biden, who carried half of the states on this list in 2020, made official last week that he's running for reelection. The GOP presidential field is slowly growing, with Trump still dominating most primary polling. It's too early to know, however, what next year's race for the White House will look like or which issues, whether it's abortion or crime or the economy, will resonate.

So for now, the parties are focused on what they can control: candidates. Even though the 2024 map is stacked in their favor, Republicans can't win with nobody. But there's plenty of time for would-be senators to get into these races. Some filing deadlines  in Arizona, for example  aren't for nearly another year. And there's an argument to be made that well-funded or high-profile names have no reason to get in early.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Israeli President Isaac Herzog sought to reassure U.S. allies Wednesday on the state of Israel's democracy and the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship, in a speech to Congress acknowledging intense and painful debate at home over actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline government.

Herzog, whose post in Israel is largely symbolic, became the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. While his speech officially marked modern Israels celebration of its 75th year, he also indirectly addressed deep unease in the Biden administration and among Democratic lawmakers over the Netanyahu government's controversial overhaul of Israel's judicial system, expanded Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, and other matters.

The divide was reflected in the audience of House and Senate members Wednesday. While lawmakers in attendance repeatedly rose to their feet in thundering applause of Herzog's recounting of Israel's founding, a handful of leading young progressive Democrats boycotted his speech.

On the eve of Herzog's speech to the joint meeting of Congress, the House passed a Republican-led resolution reaffirming its support for Israel with strong bipartisan approval  an implicit rebuke of Rep. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who over the weekend called the country a racist state but later apologized.

Mr. Speaker, I am not oblivious to criticism among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House. I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it, Herzog said.

But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the state of Israels right to exist. Questioning the Jewish peoples right to self-determination, is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism.

The House resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, passed with more than 400 lawmakers backing the measure. It did not mention Jayapal by name but was clearly a response to her recent remarks about Israel. The measure was drafted soon after she criticized Israel and its treatment of Palestinians at a conference on Saturday.

Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, walked back the comments the next day, insisting they were aimed at Netanyahu and not at Israel.

I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist, Jayapal said in a statement. I do, however, believe that Netanyahus extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists driving that policy within the leadership of the current government.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian-American in Congress, is boycotting Herzog's speech and criticized the resolution as normalizing violence against those living in the occupied West Bank, given the Netanyahu government's approval of expanded Jewish settlements there.

Were here again reaffirming Congress' support for apartheid, Tlaib said during floor debate Tuesday on the Republican measure. Policing the words of women of color who dare to speak up about truths, about oppression.

After the speech to Congress, Herzog was to return to the White House on Wednesday to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. Her office said the leaders will announce that both governments intend to spend $70 million over five years to support climate-smart agriculture programs.

During an Oval Office meeting with Biden on Tuesday, Herzog sought to assure Biden that Israel remains committed to democracy amid deepening U.S. concerns over Netanyahus plans to overhaul his countrys judicial system.

Netanyahu and his allies say the overhaul is needed to rein in the powers of unelected judges. Opponents say the plan will destroy Israels fragile system of checks and balances and move the country toward authoritarian rule.

Herzog has appealed for a compromise that has thus far proven elusive. Many American Jewish groups and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the plan.

Herzogs visit comes weeks after Israeli forces carried out one of their most intensive operations in the occupied West Bank in two decades, with a two-day air and ground offensive in Jenin, a militant stronghold. Senior members of Netanyahus government have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israels control over the occupied West Bank in response to a more than yearlong wave of violence with the Palestinians.

U.S. officials have broadly supported Israels right to defend itself from militant attacks but have also urged restraint to minimize harm to civilians and have lobbied against additional settlements that would further diminish the chances of securing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

Just before Herzogs visit, Biden spoke with Netanyahu by phone and invited him to meet in the U.S. this fall, although the president expressed reservations about several of the policies from Netanyahu's hard-right coalition.

The Biden administration declined to say whether Biden would host Netanyahu at the White House  as the Israeli leader has hoped  or in New York on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly in September.

White House visits are typically standard protocol for Israeli prime ministers, and the delay in Netanyahu receiving one has become an issue in Israel, with opponents citing it as a reflection of deteriorating relations with the U.S.

On Wednesday, Herzog evoked what are now 28 weeks of large grassroots protests at home against the proposed judicial overhaul by Netanyahu's government, a mix of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties.

Dear friends, its no secret that over the past few months, the Israeli people have engaged in a heated and painful debate while renegotiating the balance of our institutional powers, he said.

In practice, the intense debate going on back home, even as we speak, is the clearest tribute to the fortitude of Israels democracy, Herzog said.

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SEOUL, South Korea  An American soldier who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison, fled across the heavily armed border into North Korea, U.S. officials said Tuesday, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.

Private 2nd Class Travis King had been held on assault charges and was released on July 10 after serving his time. He was being sent home to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday, where he could have faced additional military disciplinary actions and discharge from the service.

According to officials, King, 23, was taken to the airport and escorted as far as customs. But instead of getting on the plane, he left the airport and later joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. He bolted across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists, on Tuesday afternoon local time in Korea.

At a Pentagon news conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that a U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody.

"We're closely monitoring and investigating the situation," Austin said, noting he was foremost concerned about the troop member's well-being. "This will develop in the next several days and hours, and we'll keep you posted."

The Army released his name and limited information after King's family was notified of the incident. But a number of U.S. officials provided additional details on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. It wasn't clear how he got to the border or how he spent the hours between leaving the airport on Monday and crossing the border a day later.

The American-led U.N. Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. North Korea's state media didn't immediately report on the border crossing.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Panmunjom, located inside the 154-mile-long Demilitarized Zone, has been jointly overseen by the U.N. Command and North Korea since its creation at the close of the war. Bloodshed and gunfire have occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for numerous talks.

Known for its blue huts straddling concrete slabs that form the demarcation line, Panmunjom draws visitors from both sides who want to see the Cold War's last frontier. No civilians live at Panmunjom. In the past, North and South Korean soldiers faced off within yards of each other.

Tours to the southern side of the village reportedly drew about 100,000 visitors a year before the coronavirus pandemic, when South Korea restricted gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19. The tours resumed fully last year.

During a short-lived period of inter-Korean engagement in 2018, Panmunjom was one of the border sites that underwent mine-clearing operations by North and South Korean army engineers as the Koreas vowed to turn the village into a "peace zone" where tourists from both sides could move around with more freedom.

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced toward the South. The soldier was hit five times before he was found beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom. He survived and is now in South Korea.

The most famous incident at Panmunjom happened in August 1976, when two American army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers. The U.S. officers were sent to trim a 40-foot tree that obstructed the view from a checkpoint. The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ to intimidate North Korea.

Panmunjom also is where the armistice that ended the Korean War was signed. That armistice has yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war. The United States still stations about 28,000 troops in South Korea.

There have been a small number of U.S. soldiers who went to North Korea during the Cold War, including Charles Jenkins, who deserted his army post in South Korea in 1965 and fled across the DMZ. He appeared in North Korean propaganda films and married a Japanese nursing student who was abducted from Japan by North Korean agents. He died in Japan in 2017.

In recent years, some American civilians have been arrested in North Korea after allegedly entering the country from China. They were later convicted of espionage, subversion and other anti-state acts, but were often released after the U.S. sent high-profile missions to secure their freedom.

In May 2018, North Korea released three American detainees  Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song  who returned to the United States on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a short-lived period of warm relations between the longtime adversaries.

Later in 2018, North Korea said it expelled American Bruce Byron Lowrance. Since his ouster, there were no reports of other Americans detained in North Korea until Tuesday's incident.

Tuesday's border crossing happened amid high tensions over North Korea's barrage of missile tests since the start of last year. A U.S. nuclear-armed submarine visited South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in four decades in deterrence against North Korea.
On Sept. 18, Illinois will become the first state in America to abolish the practice of automatically keeping low-income criminal defendants locked up before they are convicted of anything while letting those who are accused of the same crimes  but who have more resources  buy their freedom.

Thats not how advocates for cash bail generally define it, but thats ultimately what it is. Cash bail is a fundamentally unfair concept that has nothing to do with justice or public safety. Illinois now has the opportunity to demonstrate to Missouri and other states that justice systems can safely function without it.

Illinois lawmakers in 2021 passed, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed, a law ending cash bail in criminal cases throughout the state. Judges will still have the option of keeping defendants locked up while awaiting trial if theyre found to pose danger of violence or flight risk. But money is removed from the equation  as it should be. The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the law Tuesday, clearing the way for its implementation this fall.

Americans are so used to the concept of cash bail that we generally fail to consider what an unjust non sequitur it is: What does the size of someones bank account have to do with the question of whether that person should await trial in a cell or in the comfort of home?

Earlier experiments with reducing use of cash bail in the District of Columbia and New Jersey found no significant uptick in defendants failing to show up for their court hearings. This is unsurprising, given that such failure is a crime in itself, putting the defendant at further risk.

As for the argument that releasing a criminal defendant while awaiting trial poses a danger to the public, that  again  is an issue that should be decided separately from the issue of whether the defendant has the financial resources for a get-out-jail card during the weeks or months that a poorer defendant would be locked up under the same charges.

Opponents of the new law have flooded the zone with misinformation, including the false claim that it will force judges to release potentially dangerous defendants. The law has a mechanism for detaining defendants accused of the most serious crimes. It also gives judges discretion to detain suspects accused of lesser felonies based on case-by-case determinations of risk of violence or flight.

In a nation where innocent until proven guilty is the fundamental principle of the justice system, defendants who dont pose a substantial risk of flight or danger to society dont belong behind bars before their trials, no matter how impoverished they are.

And the argument works both ways: Defendants who do pose substantial risk should be detained before trial, no matter how wealthy they are. Money shouldnt factor into it.

This newspaper has never endorsed the misguided concept that no one should be detained before trial. Thats a naive stance that ignores real-world instances in which defendants have clearly demonstrated a threat of violence or flight risk.

But the issue of pre-trial detention should be determined by those issues alone  threat of violence or flight risk  and not by a defendants financial bottom line. It is now up to Illinois court system to show the rest of the nation that society no longer needs the plutocratic anachronism of cash bail.
The online world is far too vast and complicated for a dinosaur like me to navigate, and that is why I so appreciated the July 13 Post-Dispatch. Op-ed writer Max Boot did a great job of explaining DPCMs (even providing a pronunciation: Bravo!). Next, an Associated Press story on page A10 enlightened me about the Anthropocene (epoch, not era) which began about the same time I entered the world back in 1952. Who knew?
Both NATO and Russia have been sending to Ukraine all the armored vehicles they have access to. This includes retired vehicles kept in storage, like the Russian T-55s and T-62s. NATO countries a wide assortment of more recent armored vehicles, including some in development or newly developed vehicles designed to use in Ukraine. Despite NATO misgivings about the Ukrainian ability to master and quickly put these vehicles into action, the Ukrainians were able to do it. Wartime pressure solved that problem and the Ukrainians knew that better than their NATO supporters.

In early 2022, months after Russia invaded, Ukraine asked for light armored vehicles to carry and protect personnel or equipment. The United States promptly sent 200 M113s, including the M113A3 version which is the standard for most of the 10,000 M113s still used by the U.S. Army and reserve forces. The U.S. sent hundreds more after Ukraine found the initial shipment suitable. About 30,000 M113s are still used by several dozen nations. Most M113s still operational are used for support roles although Israel still uses them in combat.

The M113 is a boxy armored vehicle that entered service in 1961 with American army armored units and from 1963 on saw combat in Vietnam. It served effectively during the Vietnam War and was the main American APC throughout most of the Cold War. About 80,000 M113s were manufactured between 1960 and 2007. At 13 tons, although often closer to 15 tons with added armor and other accessories, the M113 is lighter than the M2 IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) and wheeled Stryker that replaced it in the combat role after the 1980s.

The major shortcoming of the M113 is the time and expense of keeping them running compared to wheeled armored vehicles. Thats because the M113 runs on tracks, like a bulldozer. That means it has a max speed of only 65 kilometers an hour compared to at least 100 for wheeled armored vehicles. Those tracks wear out quickly and have to be replaced at great expense (over $10,000 a set) every 6,000 kilometers or less. Traveling on roads wears out the tracks faster. The tracks also limit how much weight you can add. All American M113s have gone through the RISE (reliability improvements for selected equipment) upgrade that included a new, more powerful engine, several other improved mechanical components as well as new electronics. RISE began in the late 1980s when the U.S. Army had 20,000 of them. Export customers carried out similar upgrades or had the Americans do it.

The M113 is still in use because it proved to be a very flexible and reliable platform, lending itself to modifications by many of the dozens of armed forces that still use it or once did. Some countries have added turrets, mounting 25mm cannon. By the 1990s an updated M-113 cost less than $2 million each. This late model M-113 had much better armor protection and reliability but was still inferior to the M-2 that replaced it as an infantry combat vehicle.

In the 1980s the M113 was joined, but not replaced by nearly 5,000 25-ton M2 Bradley IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). This was a tracked armored vehicle with a turret armed with a 25mm autocannon and two TOW ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) launchers as well as a coaxial (with the autocannon) 7.62mm machine-gun. M2 required a three-man crew (driver, gunner and commander) and could carry six infantrymen.

The M2 required more maintenance to keep it operational and, like the M113 required regular track replacement. Tracks wear out quickly and have to be replaced at great expense (over $10,000 a set) every 6,000 kilometers (or less, as traveling on roads wears out the tracks faster). The tracks also limit how much weight you can add.

Tracked vehicles had their limitations, including cost. The M2 cost $3 million each, compared to $200,000 for a late model M113. The U.S. Army wanted something that ran on wheels but was more combat capable. This resulted in the 8x8 Stryker, which arrived in 2002. Nearly 5,000 were produced so far at a cost of about $5 million each. The basic Stryker does not have a turret and has been equipped with a variety of weapons, most operated via a RWS (remote weapons station) used by someone inside. These weapons include 7.62mmm and 12.7mm machine-guns, 40mm automatic grenade launcher or a 30mm autocannon. There is a two-man crew and up to nine passengers (usually infantry).

Strykers cost up to five million dollars each depending on accessories installed. The basic Stryker was a 17-ton vehicle that could carry eleven people (including the crew of two) or just the crew and over a ton of supplies. Stryker was also useful as a battlefield ambulance, carrying walking wounded or more serious casualties on stretchers, accompanied by some medical personnel. There was a temptation to load Strykers with accessories worth millions. and less than a Stryker

This led to the use of more MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected), which cost about five times more than military or commercial trucks but less than a Stryker. The MRAPs are more expensive to operate, and less flexible, than the HMMWV (hummer). MRAPs use a capsule design to protect the passengers and key vehicle components from mines and roadside bombs. The bulletproof MRAPs are built using construction techniques pioneered by South African firms, and have been a great success. The South African technology was imported into the U.S. in 1998, and has already been used in the design of vehicles used by peacekeepers in the Balkans.

One of the first new MRAPs were the Cougars. Basically, Cougar was a 12-ton truck that is hardened to survive bombs and mines, and comes in two basic versions. The four-wheel one can carry ten passengers and the six-wheel version can carry 16. The trucks cost about $730,000 each, fully equipped. MRAPs are also being supplied by other manufacturers, but their designs are very similar to the Cougar. MRAPs are more expensive to maintain and operate than the hummer, but their much lower casualty rate makes them very worthwhile. A later, more effective MRAP design was the RG-33, which came in 4x4 and 6x6 models. All have a V-shaped hull bottom and various modifications to protect passengers. MG-33s cost about $600,000 each and are still in wide use. Thats because the U.S. bought some 20,000 MRAP vehicles. Once American troops were out of Iraq many of these vehicles were found unsuitable for Afghanistan, where there are fewer roads and a special MRAP design was found more suitable. Eventually, most of these armored trucks were out of work. While some are still in storage, many were sold at a large discount or donated as foreign aid or to air organizations.

Security is often a problem in disaster areas and MRAPs were found popular with many NGOs and nations that have problems with security. The only downside is that MRAPs are expensive to operate. The U.S. has given or sold MRAPs to allies who participate in peacekeeping operations, and MRAPs are ideal for areas where bandits or terrorists are a threat (via mines and roadside bombs). The Ukrainians will take all the MRAPs they can get and put them to good use.
Its an ongoing problem keeping Libyas oil fields producing as well as guarding the oil pipelines that move the oil to ports where tankers are loaded for export. Once the oil is delivered, the customer deposits the money in the Libyan Central Bank. Since there is still no national government, the two main factions often argue over who should get what from the Central Bank.

Another problem with the factionalism in Libya is the growing use of kidnappings, arrests or worse for Libyan and foreign officials in Libya. This is another reason why few companies or countries want to do business with Libya, especially when that requires sending personnel to Libya.

Before the 2011 revolution overthrew the dictatorship, the 6.5 million Libyans had a per capita GDP of about $10,000 (50 percent more if adjusted for purchasing power parity). Many Libyans were content to get by on a low-stress government job and let foreign workers keep the economy going. That hasnt changed and Libya is seeking economic aid and foreign workers to carry out reconstruction of facilities that have been neglected since 2011. Egypt supplies the manpower while other Arab states, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are willing to supply some of the money. Until a unified government is operational throughout Libya, reconstruction projects are restricted to eastern Libya where there is enough law and order to permit the work to proceed. There are still plenty of local bandits and outlaw factions that see foreign workers and rebuilding efforts as a source of ransom and extortion income. Nationwide there is potential demand for over two million foreign workers, many of them temporary, to handle reconstruction efforts. With enough cash and foreign workers, the reconstruction can be completed within a few years. So far only eastern Libya has been stable enough to allow reconstruction work to proceed. Russian and Turkish troops in western Libya are not, according to Russia and Turkey, there to cause problems, but to safeguard economic deals those two countries have made with various Libyan factions. This situation will remain uncertain until there is a unified elected government in Libya. Currently this is supposed to happen by early 2024

Disorganized Violence

There is very little fighting going on in Libya and most of the unnatural deaths are the result of people smuggling operations run by criminal gangs. This is big business. In 2022 there were over 600,000 of these refugees from 41 African nations. So far in 2023, the number of refugees is down a bit but not by much. Some of the countries the refugees come from do not cooperate in taking back their citizens stranded in Libya. Some of these refugees flee the detention centers and find a hostile reception for them in Libya. Some are killed and there were reports that others were enslaved by local militias. The EU (European Union) provides money and other assistance to house stranded refugees and get them back to their homes. The EU also supplies cash for the Libyan Coast Guard for training, new equipment and operations to block smuggling efforts from Libya to Europe. Some of this aid is used to improve border security to stop the refugees from getting into Libya. The EU support has also reduced the ability of people smuggling gangs to get illegal migrants into Libya and then into Europe by boat. These gangs were part of a coalition including Italian and African gangsters who took in over a billion dollars from this in 2015 and found that kind of income was worth fighting for when European and Libyan authorities began efforts to shut them down.

Starting in 2017 the eastern faction and some militias in the west worked with Italy to shut down the smugglers. The Libyans have a plan for shutting down all the smuggling gangs and want more support from the EU to do the same with the European gangs which control more of this smuggling than the EU would like to admit. Italy took the lead implementing an EU program to organize (and subsidize) a revived Libyan coast guard and paying southern tribes to go after people smugglers. This effort continues but the smuggling gangs still operate to get migrants into Libya. The smuggling boats are far fewer in Libya and the Libyan Coast Guard regularly intercepts them. Some migrants still get into Europe, usually via Italy, but successful transportation of migrants to Europe has been much reduced because fewer boats are operating and most migrants are detained in Libya and returned to their home countries. Most of the fatalities among the illegal migrants occur at sea when overloaded smuggler boats sink and most of the people on board drown. Since the ultra-extreme ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) factions were destroyed or driven from Libya, there has been very little violence from armed Islamic extremists.

Foreign Troops

Russia and Turkey refuse to withdraw their troops from Libya until they receive guarantees that their interests in Libya are respected. The UN and NATO oppose that because the Libyan Tripoli faction wants to legitimize an illegal treaty signed by them in 2019 granting Turkey some of Greeces offshore oil and natural gas rights in an area between Libya and Turkey. This treaty ignored existing, and internationally recognized, Greek claims on that area. Turkey and Greece are both NATO members and NATO backs Greece in this matter. Turkey wont withdraw its forces from Libya until a new national Libyan government assures the Turks that the illegal agreement is confirmed by a national Libyan government. Many people in both factions do not want to be stuck with a treaty that the UN and NATO consider illegal. Russia is no friend of NATO and is currently at war with NATO-backed forces in Ukraine. Turkey is also a NATO member but most other NATO members would like to expel the Turks from NATO but there is no legal mechanism for that. Turks and Russians are troublemakers in Europe and Libya is a foreign branch of that mischief.

Despite all the divisive problems, all the factions agreed earlier in the year to support one prime minister and hold national elections before the end of 2023. Russia has moved its embassy from Benghazi to Tripoli. Delays were caused by security concerns. Tripoli still has problems with local militias. By reopening its embassy in Tripoli and backing the Abdulhamid Dbeibah GNU (Government of National Unity) faction in Tripoli rather than the Fathi Bashagha faction and the LNA (Libyan National Army) in the east, Russia is in effect cooperating with Turkey, whose illegal agreements with the Tripoli government include giving Russia some of Greeces rights to explore for oil and gas in areas of the Mediterranean. Libya is encouraging the reestablishment of embassies in Tripoli. The American embassy closed in 2014 but so far the Americans have no plans to reopen their embassy. A few dozen nations have, or are planning to reopen their embassies in Tripoli.

The Russian Wagner Group mercenaries in Libya are unaffected by the recent armed dispute between Wagner and Russian armed forces. That dispute was quickly settled and the Russian government told Wagner clients in Africa that Wagner operations would not be disrupted. Wagner forces have been in Libya since 2018, when Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the LNA (Libyan National Army) hired them. Haftar had a military background and was once a senior officer in the pre-2011 Libyan military. Haftar fled Libya in the 1980s after incurring the wrath of dictator Kaddafi. Now an American citizen, he returned to eastern Libya in 2013, revived some of the units of the Kaddafi-era military and began taking control of military bases from militias and Islamic terrorists. Eastern tribes rallied to Haftar, who had organized the most effective counterterrorism effort in the country. Haftar had the support of most Arab states, especially Egypt and the UAE. Egypt has a vulnerable border with Libya that was being used by Islamic terror groups to move people in and out as well as smuggle weapons into Egypt. The LNA continues to be a major military force in Eastern Libya. Khalifa Haftar, now in his 70s and suffering from health problems, turned over his military commands to one of his sons.

Egypt and Turkey have also recently settled their differences and are now seeking to agree on a unified policy towards Libya. Turkey thought getting involved in Libyan politics was an economic opportunity. Instead, the situation in Libya turned out to be more complex than expected and difficult to cope with. National elections and a unified Libyan government will have an unpredictable impact on relations with Turkey. The Turks are seen as unwelcome invaders and are reluctant to just leave.

July 13, 2023: The Sharara oil field and three other smaller ones were shut down by protestors from the southern al-Zawi tribe who were angry that one of their members, former finance minister Faraj Bumatari, was arrested at the Tripoli airport. Bumatari was a leading candidate to lead the Central Bank and was backed by the House of Representatives government in the east. The rival Tripoli government in the west was behind the arrest. Sharara is the largest source of oil and gas in Libya and the frequent target of attacks for no other reason because it has always been a place you could shut down to protest some actions you did not agree with. Sharara is located about 700 kilometers south of Tripoli in the Murzuq Desert. Total Libya oil production is 1.25 million BPD and Sharara accounts for a quarter of that. Another major oilfield in that area, El Feel, produces 90,000 BPD and together with Sharara accounts for a third of national production. The smaller El Feel oil field was also shut down by a similar protest along with the Ibn Tufal and the 108 oilfields. During the first six months of 2023 Libya managed to earn $7 billion from oil sales. Thats 11 percent less than the same period in 2022. The two main factions continue trying to cooperate, spending that income on essentials and not corrupt expenditures. Corrupt businessmen dominate the Libyan economy, which increases the price Libyans must pay for everything. Oil and natural gas exports

July 14, 2023: Protests outside several large oilfields has reduced national daily production by about 30 percent.

July 12, 2023: A meeting between Russian and members of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council met and agreed that Libya must decide for itself what its future will be. It was also agreed that all foreign troops should leave Libya. Currently this means forces from Turkey and Russia. The Russians are willing to leave if the Turks do so as well. Turkey will not withdraw its forces until agreements it signed with the Tripoli government are acknowledged by all Libyans as legitimate and binding. Russia does agree that a unified Libyan government was needed to settle issues like the Turkish agreements with the Tripoli faction.

July 11, 2023: Libyas Central Bank cannot ignore an American court ruling that Libya must pay a $20 million judgment to a foreign investor who won an arbitration case. The foreign investor proved Libya was responsible for the fraud and had to compensate the investor. Ignoring the American court ruling would only bring more legal action against foreign banks with Libyan oil income accounts. Corruption has long been a problem in Libya and foreign investors protect themselves by depositing the investment cash with foreign banks where Libya has oil income deposited.

July 10, 2023: Turkey and Egypt have agreed to resume diplomatic relations by exchanging ambassadors and reopening embassies closed for a decade. This makes it possible for Turkey and Egypt to resolve, or attempt to resolve their disputes in Libya.

July 7, 2023: In Tripoli the numerous local militias continue to cause problems for the Tripoli government and Turkish troops. Unruly militias refuse to disband.

July 4, 2023: Khalifa Haftar, the head of the LNA (Libyan National Army) in eastern Libya, threatened military action if a mutually agreeable arrangement to divide oil revenues between eastern and western factions cannot be achieved by the end of August. Such agreements and the difficulty in negotiating and enforcing them has been a perennial problem because there is no unified national government. Discussions on this issue have been underway for over a year and so far Libya has had to get by with a series of temporary agreements. The National Oil Corporation has, over the last two years, restored normal oil production levels of 1.2 million BPD (barrels per day) and is maintaining that level of production and seeking to increase that to two million BPD by 2027. The eastern faction forces guard the oil production and export facilities and concentrates its efforts on that. The Turkish forces stay in Tripoli and a few other coastal areas and leave the oil production and exporting activities alone. The two rival Libyan governments generally cooperate when it comes to oil and split the income from exports. There is a military standoff here because while the Tripoli government can threaten the coastal oil export ports they have not got the ability to advance inland and take the oilfields. These are guarded by eastern faction troops. Haftar has already demonstrated that he can shut down most (all but about 400,000 BDP) oil production if he decides to.

June 29, 2023: An unidentified (but probably Turkish) UAV launched guided missiles at Wagner Group base 150 kilometers south of the eastern city of Benghazi. There were no casualties. There used to be 2,500 Russian mercenaries in Libya, but the war in Ukraine and other problems back in Russia have reduced the Wagner Libyan forces to a few hundred armed men concentrated at the base south of Benghazi. The reduction of the Wagner forces was largely the result of the UAE reducing its financial support for Wagner operations in Libya. The LNA and the eastern Libyan government have had to make up the difference. With less money for the Wagner force, many had to be sent back to Russia.

June 9, 2023: Libya is encouraging the reestablishment of embassies in Tripoli. The American embassy closed in 2014 but so far the Americans have no plans to reopen their embassy. A few dozen nations have, or are planning to reopen their embassies in Tripoli. A few dozen nations have, or are planning to reopen their embassies in Tripoli. China has not waited for its embassy to open and has already negotiated several investment deals, including a $33 billion railroad/bus route transportation project and a license to mine for gold in the south. China is accused of bribing local tribes and others to enable these projects to move forward.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Alibaba Group



Photo credit: Shutterstock

The hypermarket operator cut about 235,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in its fiscal 2023

Sun Art Retail "most advanced enterprise" in China's food and daily necessities retailing industry for sustainability: S&P Global

Chinese hypermarket operator Sun Art Retail aims to hit carbon neutrality by 2030, according to the group's ESG report for its fiscal year 2023.

The company achieved a carbon reduction of more than 235,000 tonnes between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, as it rolled out energy-conserving best practices and reduced waste throughout its supply chain.

Sun Art, the operator of over 500 digitally-enhanced grocery stores, saved another 50,000 tonnes by buying around 84 million kilowatt hours of green power and nuclear power.

"Sun Art Retail is devoted to becoming a green benchmarking enterprise in the retail industry," CEO Lin Xiaohai said in a foreword for the 2022/2023 Environmental, Social and Governance Report published last month.

The company, in which Alibaba Group acquired a controlling stake in 2020, is working to become carbon neutral across its operations, as well as the gasoline and diesel consumption of its logistics fleet, by 2030.

As a country, China is working to slash pollution, and the government has rolled out legislation as it looks to reach peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

For its part, Alibaba has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 as well and is on track to cut 1.5 gigatons of carbon emissions throughout its ecosystem by 2035.

Food plays a big role in sustainable development for many Chinese consumers, 97% of whom said they believed environmental concerns are important to consider when buying grocery products in a survey by research group Daxue Consulting last year.

Sun Art was named the most advanced food and daily necessities retailing company in China in terms of sustainability initiatives by global rating agency S&P Global.

"In the past fiscal year, Sun Art Retail continued to practice the concept of sustainable development and steadily improved the level of corporate performance from the three aspects of environment, society and governance," Sun Art's CEO said in a statement following the publication of the ESG report.

The company operates 486 hypermarkets, 12 larger RT-Super stores and 84 community-level RT-Mini locations across 212 cities in China as of March 31, 2023.

Waste Not, Want Not

Sun Art is working to reduce waste by optimizing garbage sorting, better regulating water use and cutting kitchen waste.

Globally, agrifood systems - from rearing livestock to land clearing to food manufacturing - account for a third of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a 2021 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. And unfortunately, roughly the same proportion of food winds up in the garbage bin every year, per FAO estimates.

During the 2023 fiscal year, the number of Sun Art stores sorting waste grew to 156 in 35 cities. All its cardboard boxes are recycled, according to the report.

In order to save water, Sun Art has also installed wastewater storage and wastewater circulation systems to purify and reuse as clean water. And for the first time, Sun Art has set a target of reducing 3% of kitchen waste from its stores in its 2024 fiscal year.

Powering Change

Sun Art stores are being powered with more energy from sustainable sources like the sun, cutting back the company's reliance on fossil fuels.

By the end of March, induction lamps had been installed in the stairwells of 70% of Sun Art Retail stores. This will cut electricity consumption by approximately 2 million kWh throughout the upcoming fiscal year, according to the company.

Sun Art stores consumption of renewable energy from solar power increased 17.6% year-on-year during the 2023 fiscal year, according to the ESG report, from just over 11,000 mWh to over 13,000 mWh.

During the reporting period, 22 stores also installed solar panels on their roofs. Altogether, these will be capable of generating more than 13,000 mWh each year.

"We have laid a solid foundation for enhancing our climate resilience by further identifying the risks and opportunities of climate change, proposing countermeasures, and performing impact assessments," said Sun Art CEO Lin in the report.

Please refer to https://www.alizila.com/esg/ for additional information about Alibaba's sustainability efforts.

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View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Alibaba Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Alibaba Group

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/alibaba-group

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Alibaba Group

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Alkermes

Colleagues at our Athlone (IRE) facility raise the Progress Pride flag

Each June, Pride celebrations around the world recognize the history, contributions and importance of the LGBTQ+ community while creating space to advocate for a future defined by complete equality and inclusion.

Our [email protected] Employee Resource Group (ERG) provides a dedicated space for supporting Alkermes LGBTQ+ community members and allies. Started in 2020 and now 200+ employees strong, [email protected] works to create a safe and welcoming environment where all our employees can be their true selves. The group helps to set goals, establish and execute strategic initiatives, measure our progress and promote a culture of understanding and inclusion throughout our business. They also help the organization respond to important external social and cultural issues and events, like Pride Month.

In recognition of this month-long celebration, [email protected] sponsored activities across our sites in the U.S. and Ireland:

Our Waltham team marched in the Boston Pride for the People Parade and hosted a happy hour open to all employees wanting to celebrate.

In Ireland, we held a gender diversity webinar focused on ways to support LGBTQ+ youth and combat unconscious bias, microaggressions, stereotypes and the shame compass.

Employees from Wilmington gathered to march in Cincinnati's 50 th annual Pride Parade.

annual Pride Parade. We hosted a company-wide webinar with Pride in our Workplace, which focused on the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and provided practical advice for how to be an ally.

[email protected] members also raised the LGBTQ+ pride flag at each of our sites.

We look forward to more events through the remainder of the year, led by all our ERGs. [email protected] is one part of our broader Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) initiative, which spans our entire organization as we strive to further embed diversity throughout our operations. For more information about our ERGs and our commitment to DIB, please visit the page below.

Visit our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging page

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Alkermes on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Alkermes

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/alkermes

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Alkermes

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Israeli air strikes on Wednesday near Syria's capital Damascus killed three fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad's regime and wounded four others, a war monitor said.

Syrian state news agency SANA earlier reported two soldiers had been wounded in the strikes overnight Tuesday-Wednesday. It quoted a military source as saying the bombing targeted "certain positions in the vicinity of Damascus".

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the targets included warehouses used by Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.

The non-government monitoring group, which has a vast network of sources in the war-torn country, said the strikes also targeted positions of the Syrian army's elite Fourth Division near the airport in the town of Dimas.

One Syrian pro-regime fighter and two foreign, Iran-affiliated combatants were killed in the strikes, the Observatory said.

SANA earlier said most of the missiles had been intercepted by Syrian air defence systems, while the Observatory reported the raid had caused fires.

During more than a decade of war in Syria, Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes on its territory, primarily targeting Iran-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters as well as Syrian army positions.

While Israel rarely comments on the strikes it carries out on Syria, it has repeatedly said it will not allow its archfoe Iran to expand its footprint there.

Syria's foreign ministry condemned the attack "in the strongest terms".

In a statement carried by SANA, it called on the United Nations and the Security Council to "take immediate action" to oblige Israel "to desist from these criminal policies".

Tehran says it has sent military "advisers" to support the Syrian army during the war, which has claimed more than 500,000 lives.

Some of those Iranians stationed in Syria have been killed in Israeli strikes.

According to the Observatory, Israel in early July carried out air strikes targeting Hezbollah sites near the government-held city of Homs, killing a member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Israeli strikes also targeted a Syrian air defence base in Tartus province, the war monitor said, reporting at least 20 Israeli raids so far this year.

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BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Danone North America, the purpose-driven food and beverage leader committed to bringing health through food to as many people as possible, is proud to collaborate with Spoiler Alert, a technology company focused on reducing food waste. By leveraging Spoiler Alert's innovative technology, Danone North America is taking a major step towards reducing its environmental impact and ensuring that more food is available to those who need it.







"Danone North America is committed to reducing food waste across our operations and supply chain, and we are excited to work with Spoiler Alert to further this goal. Their innovative technology and automation solutions provide us with a powerful tool to manage our excess inventory to keep food out of landfills and get it to the people who need it. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient food system for everyone," shares Austin Cutler, Zero Waste Manager, Danone North America.

According to the United Nations, one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste. The food waste crisis not only has environmental impacts but also results in financial losses for businesses. Spoiler Alert, a Boston-based B2B software company, helps leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) organizations manage excess and aging inventory to minimize waste and maximize margin recovery. By working with Spoiler Alert, Danone North America has taken a proactive approach to its ambition to reduce non-recoverable food waste by 50% by 2030.

As of the end of 2022, Danone North America has saved more than 37.7 million pounds of food from going to waste and has reduced its non-recovered food waste ratio by 30% since 2020.

Since partnering with Spoiler Alert, Danone North America has seen over a 50% increase in the sell-through rate of their excess product. As Danone North America works to reduce its excess inventory, Spoiler Alert has further supported with mitigation of remaining excess via its efficient inventory offering and analytics tools.

To further achieve its sustainability goals, Danone North America as part of the B Corp Community has also taken steps to donate food that goes unsold, including:

donating over 100,000 products to local residents at the start of the pandemic through Feeding Westchester

providing 24 million meals through Community Food Share

donating $25,000 to Conscious Alliance to address hunger relief efforts

donating over 4,000 products at the Food For Good initiative with Green Bronx Machine

Danone North America also continues to fight food waste and insecurity through its Two Good yogurt brand's "One Cup, Less Hunger" and Two Good 'Good Save' programs.

Earlier this year, Danone, the parent company of Danone North America, announced a global action plan to reduce absolute methane emissions from its fresh milk supply chain by 30% by 2030, adopting regenerative agriculture models, and making its food and water products accessible to as many people as possible.

Spoiler Alert's platform provides features such as Smart Awarding, negotiations, and offers comparison tools to help businesses sell their excess and aging inventory at the highest possible price. By partnering with Spoiler Alert, Danone North America has been able to divert food waste from landfills and reduce the environmental impact of its operations.

"We are thrilled to see these kinds of results through our partnership with Danone North America and will continue to work together to tackle the issue of food waste in the CPG manufacturing sector," Emily Malina, President & Co-Founder, shares about their partnership. "Our technology is designed to optimize supply chain operations and help businesses reduce waste while maximizing profits. This partnership allows us to leverage our expertise to make a positive impact on the environment while driving efficiencies and cost savings for Danone North America."

With the continued partnership between Danone North America and Spoiler Alert, the two companies are confident in their ability to make a significant impact in the battle against waste and achieve their sustainability goals.

About Danone North America:

Danone North America is a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. As a Certified B Corporation, Danone North America is committed to the creation of both economic and social value, while nurturing natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Happy Family Organics, Honest to Goodness, Horizon Organic, International Delight, Light + Fit, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STAK, Two Good, Wallaby Organic and YoCrunch. With more than 6,000 employees and 16 production locations across the U.S. and Canada, Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. For more information, visit www.danonenorthamerica.com/.

Danone North America is a Danone subsidiary.

About Spoiler Alert:

Spoiler Alert is a Boston-based, B2B software company helping leading CPG brands manage excess and aging inventory. Its customers, which include Campbell Soup Company, Danone North America, MondelAz International, Nestle, Unilever, and Kraft Heinz leverage Spoiler Alert's software and services to manage their discounting processes across a private network of discount retailers and nonprofit channels - with a focus on maximizing cost recovery, strengthening customer relationships, and increasing the effectiveness of CPG teams tasked with minimizing inventory write-offs. To learn more, visit www.spoileralert.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: [email protected], 617-917-4123

Contact Information

Chris Masterson

Senior Manager, Marketing

[email protected]

508-440-9660

SOURCE: Spoiler Alert

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OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Wine Growers Canada (WGC), the national association representing the Canadian wine industry, is proud to continue honouring industry leaders and champions through the 2023 Canadian Wine Industry Awards, which took place today in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Alongside Wine Growers Canada (WGC), Wine Growers Ontario (WGO) and Ontario Craft Wineries (OCW) announced the winner of the 2023 Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award.

This year's distinguished recipients are:

Canadian Wine Industry Awards of Distinction - Jay Wright & John Howard

Canadian Wine Industry Champion Awards - Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau & the Parliamentary National Wine Caucus

The Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award - Jean-Laurent "J-L" Groux

Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award - Rebecca Mackenzie

2023 Canadian Wine Industry Awards

The Canadian Wine Industry Awards, sponsored by national accounting, tax and business firm MNP, are presented annually by WGC to recognize individuals in Canada's grape wine industry and honour those who have gone above and beyond to support the growth of the wine industry in Canada.

The joint winners of the Canadian Wine Industry Award of Distinction - regarded as the highest form of peer recognition in the Canadian wine industry - are Jay Wright, former President & CEO at Arterra Wines Canada, and John Howard, Owner/ Founder of Megalomaniac Winery.

"Over the past two decades, Jay's pioneering legacy has helped take the Canadian wine industry to new heights," said Dan Paszkowski, President & CEO of Wine Growers Canada. "A passionate advocate and champion for VQA wine, Jay remained persistent in his vision and played a key role in growing the VQA premium Canadian wine category and served as a forward-looking voice on Wine Growers Canada's Board of Directors," added Paszkowski.

"John Howard brought his business savvy and entrepreneurial attitude to the Canadian wine industry, creating a lasting impact. He has been an integral part of the development of the Niagara Escarpment, and helped pave the way for Niagara wine country tourism," said Greg Berti, Vice President - Global Markets, Industry Relations, Business Development, Andrew Peller Ltd.

The Wine Industry Champion Award is presented to an individual who has provided exemplary support to the Canadian wine industry through media, policy or advocacy, and was awarded jointly to Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food and the Parliamentary National Wine Caucus.

"This year, our national industry awards committee knew that, if there was one sole initiative that made the greatest impact on every grape winery across Canada, it was the implementation of the federal government's Wine Sector Support Program," stated Paszkowski. "The Wine Sector Support Program is the direct result of the unwavering support and dedication from the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food, and a long list of Members of Parliament from every political party in wine ridings across Canada. We are delighted to recognize them today," added Paszkowski.

The Karl Kaiser Canadian Winemaker Award celebrates great Canadian winemakers, in honour of the legacy of the late Karl Kaiser, a Canadian wine industry pioneer and viticultural visionary. The recipient of this year's award is J-L Groux, the founding winemaker of Stratus Vineyards.

"J-L's contributions to the Canadian wine industry have made him a Canadian wine legend. He introduced new grape varieties to Canadian vineyards, and his passion for precision viticulture, sustainable practices, and the art of blending have made a critical mark on terroir-driven, appellation-focused wines across Canada," said Paszkowski.

2023 Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award

The Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award is bestowed to an individual who has provided exemplary support for the Ontario wine industry through media, research, policy and regulation, education or advocacy, or significantly contributing to the overall strength and long-term viability of the industry. The award recognizes champions who are passionate about Ontario wine and industry prosperity, beyond those employed directly in the industry.

"Ontario Craft Wineries and Wine Growers Ontario are excited to announce the second annual Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award winner. It is very important to our organizations that we recognize the significant contributions from people who make the success of our industry possible," said Aaron Dobbin, President and CEO of Wine Growers Ontario.

Wine Growers Ontario and Ontario Craft Wineries wish to congratulate Rebecca Mackenzie, President & CEO of the Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) as the recipient of the Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award! Rebecca is passionate about the interconnection between food, agriculture, tourism, arts, and culture. She has been instrumental in developing tourism experiences including Prince Edward County's award-winning Taste Trail and the Culinary Tourism Alliance's Feast On certification program. In her role as President & CEO of the CTA, she manages highly participatory and asset-based community development projects at the regional, provincial, and national levels. Rebecca oversees programming, partnership development, and comprehensive marketing partnerships that aim to increase awareness of Canada's food tourism offerings, including the recently (June 2023) launched Great Taste of Canada.

"It's an honour to receive this award - thank you to the OCW and WGO. The Ontario wine industry is a wonderful reflection of our taste of place," said award winner Rebecca Mackenzie.

Congratulations to this year's worthy recipients and thank you for your extraordinary contributions to the Canadian wine industry.

To learn more about the Canadian Wine Industry Awards, visit WineGrowersCanada.ca, and for information on the Ontario Wine Industry Champion Award, visit WineGrowersOntario.ca.

ABOUT WINE GROWERS CANADA

Wine Growers Canada (WGC) is the national voice of the Canadian wine industry, with membership representing more than 90% of annual Canadian wine production. WGC members are engaged in the entire wine value chain from grape growing, farm management & grape harvesting, to wine production, bottling, retail sales and tourism. For more information about Wine Growers Canada, visit WineGrowersCanada.ca. @winegrowersca

ABOUT WINE GROWERS ONTARIO

Wine Growers Ontario (WGO) are the leading Ontario wineries and grape growers that are committed to offering Ontario wine drinkers a wide range of quality wines to enjoy at any occasion. From 100% Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) to International Domestic Blends (IDB) wines, our award winning wines span the taste preference, quality and value appreciated by our local customers. We are generations of winemakers as well as new entrepreneurs. We cultivate vast acreages of grapes and smaller vineyards too. Together, we are proud of our international acclaim for award winning wines produced from the beautiful, rich and diverse Wine Country of Ontario. Visit WineGrowersOntario.ca.

ABOUT ONTARIO CRAFT WINERIES

The OCW champions and advocates for the growth and success of Ontario VQA wine producers. As a capital intensive and vertically integrated businesses, OCW helps its winery members navigate the industry, grow and be successful. Over the past five years, VQA wine producers have grown to 183 wineries from 161 in 2016. VQA production rose to 3.3 million cases in 2021 from 2.24 million cases in 2016, a striking 47% increase. VQA grape production rose to an estimated 40.6 tonnes from an estimated 31.2 tonnes in 2016. Annually, the Ontario VQA industry contributes well in excess of $2 billion to the province's economy and supports over 11,000 direct and indirect jobs. Visit OntarioCraftWineries.ca.

ABOUT MNP

MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada. Through partner-led engagements, MNP provides a collaborative, cost-effective approach to doing business and personalized strategies to help organizations succeed in Canada and internationally, and has an extensive history of working with food and beverage processors. For more information about MNP, visit MNP.ca.

Media Contacts

Caroline Henderson

Manager, Communications & Policy

Wine Growers Canada

[email protected]

Aaron Dobbin

President & CEO

Wine Growers Ontario

[email protected]

Richard Linley

President

Ontario Craft Wineries

[email protected]

SOURCE: Wine Growers Canada

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / When you work for Boston Scientific-an organization dedicated to transforming lives through innovative medical solutions-your job inherently involves helping others.

And yet many people at the company make the time to serve their communities off the clock as well. In 2022 alone, Boston Scientific employees volunteered more than 31,000 hours.

Each year, Boston Scientific honors employees who are particularly engaged in this local work through its Global Volunteer Awards. We sat down with this year's inspiring winners, who were selected from a pool of 40+ nominations across 18 countries, to hear about their recent projects, what ignited their passion for philanthropy and how Boston Scientific supports them in their efforts beyond its walls.

Continuing a legacy of service

Some of Mehak Sachdev's favorite childhood memories are of visits with her grandfather. She only saw him every few years-Sachdev grew up in Southern California and her grandparents lived in India-but noted his dedication to Seva, a Hindi term that means service, nonetheless.

"My grandfather spent his life helping people who were experiencing religious persecution," says Sachdev. "He was always one of my biggest inspirations."

In high school, Sachdev worked with Be The Match, an organization that registers volunteers for a global blood and bone marrow registry. In college, she volunteered with the Interfaith Youth Core, which aims to unite people of all faiths. When she landed at Boston Scientific in 2017, she worried the start of her professional career would mean the end of her community engagement. But Sachdev was pleasantly surprised by the company's commitment to supporting employees' volunteer work, and soon became the captain of the Young Professionals Network at Boston Scientific.

Two years ago, one of her mentors revealed that both of his parents had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Sachdev knew she had to do something to help. So for the last two years, she has been working with the Alzheimer's Association in Valencia, California, engaging more than 500 employees and helping to establish Boston Scientific as a local community leader and socially conscious employer.

"My personal passion aligns so well with Boston Scientific's core value of caring," she says. "There's this mutual understanding that our actions-no matter how small-have the power to transform lives."

Creating community at home and abroad

Precious Morton comes from a long line of givers: Her great grandmother, grandmother and mother all fostered children in their homes. "I learned that to make someone else feel seen and valued is the most rewarding thing," she says.

When she moved to Yok'Neam, Israel, in 2021, as part of her current role as senior quality manager, she sought out volunteer opportunities immediately. Within weeks, Morton had identified Alef, an organization that helps African refugees and asylum seekers, and got to work initiating activities there, first participating herself, then bringing in her new Boston Scientific colleagues.

Together, they cleaned, painted and renovated Alef's local community center and sponsored fundraising efforts for the organization. "Nothing binds you with your co-workers like building Ikea furniture together," she says with a chuckle.

When Morton learned she'd received one of this year's Global Volunteer Awards, she brushed the honor off at first. "Volunteering is something I do behind the scenes-my recognition comes from helping others," she says. Yet when the congratulatory emails began rolling in from co-workers who'd nominated her, she flashed back to the many soul-filling moments she's had working with Alef-and to her mom, who inspired this work in the first place.

"Investing in my local community is a personal value of mine, even while abroad," says Morton. "It was important to me to make sure the Yok'Neam teams experienced the Boston Scientific core values of caring and global collaboration. Though unexpected, this award means everything for being recognized for something already rewarding."

Protecting the beaches of her youth

Quality engineer Daniela Jinesta Rojas first connected with nature as a little girl, when she'd visit her grandfather in Los Nubes in Coronado, close to the Braulio Carrillo rain forest. As she got older, she grew to love hiking and scuba diving.

Yet spending so much time in the great outdoors came with one major downside: Jinesta noticed garbage in the most beautiful places, which prompted her to become an ardent advocate for the environment.

These days, Jinesta spends more than 200 hours a year helping to conserve corals and clean local beaches and rivers. She also creates opportunities for other Boston Scientific employees at the Heredia, Costa Rica, site to do their part to protect the environment, too.

"When you work with your colleagues to fill three massive trucks with garbage you've picked up on a local beach, it's proof that if each one of us makes a small contribution, we can make a big impact," she says.

A few years ago, Jinesta read about the Japanese word ikigai, which translates to a sense of purpose. She says it helped crystallize why gives back in the ways she does.

"We cannot just take and not give anything back-we'll be out of resources," she says. "Sometimes it might seem like you're not doing enough. But it's all the little efforts put together-and all the people you engage and ideas you set into motion-that make the difference."

Learn more about how Boston Scientific empowers its employees to feel valued, and create value, every day.

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View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Boston Scientific on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Boston Scientific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boston-scientific

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Boston Scientific

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Fast-growing jackfruit-based food company now part of the growing PlantX family

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / PlantX Life Inc. (CSE:VEGA)(Frankfurt:WNT1)(OTC PINK:PLTXF) ("PlantX" or the "Company"), the digital face of the plant-based community, operating a one-stop shop for plant-based products, today announced that it has added Jack & Annie's to its growing roster of brands adopting its ecommerce fulfillment solutions.

Colorado-based Jack & Annie's makes delicious whole-food meat alternatives using jackfruit as the base. One of the most underutilized and sustainable crops, jackfruit has a meaty consistency that results in food with both great flavor and texture, packed with nutrients, protein and fiber. Jack & Annie's lineup of frozen meat alternatives includes crispy tenders, chicken patties, buffalo patties, nuggets, meatballs, buffalo wings, breakfast sausage links, and breakfast sausage patties.

Through the partnership, Jack & Annie's plans to integrate PlantX directly with its product pages, and to direct customers to a dedicated Jack & Annie's storefront on the PlantX website here .

"Jack & Annie's is an inspirational brand and welcome addition to our platform," commented Lorne Rapkin, PlantX CEO. "Not only does Jack & Annie's make some of the most real, best tasting and nutritious plant-based food around, but it is doing this with admirable climate-friendly credentials by harnessing one of the most underutilized crops - jackfruit. Annie Ryu and team offer a lesson in sustainability for us all."

"Jack & Annie's is on a mission to deliver real food with real benefits," commented Jack & Annie's founder and CEO Annie Ryu. "We have chosen jackfruit as our critical first ingredient, and now we have chosen PlantX as one of our key ecommerce fulfillment partners for their unique capabilities to enable a seamless buying experience for our customers."

About PlantX Life

As the digital face of the plant-based community, PlantX's platform is a one-stop shop for plant-based products. With its fast-growing category verticals, PlantX offers customers across North America more than 5,000 plant-based products. PlantX also has other brands in the PlantX portfolio including a juice brand, a coffee company, a plant shop, and brick-and-mortar grocery stores. PlantX uses its digital platform to build a community of like-minded consumers and, most importantly, to provide education. PlantX's digital presence eliminates entry barriers for anyone interested in living a plant-based lifestyle and thriving in a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Connect with PlantX: Email | Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

About Jack & Annie's

Jack & Annie's, made by The Jackfruit Company , is on a mission to create real, delicious foods that feature jackfruit, an underutilized crop that is one of the world's most sustainable and regenerative plants, as the primary ingredient. Jack & Annie's plant-based offerings are more than just a delicious alternative to meat, they are also naturally nutrient-dense, high in fiber and protein, and lower in calories, and have a simpler ingredient panel than other meatless products. From crispy jack nuggets to savory jack sausage patties, the Jack & Annie's portfolio offers foods that are satisfying for meat eaters and plant-based eaters alike. Bite-by-bite, Jack & Annie's is building a better planet, supporting farming communities in India by preventing jackfruit from going to waste, operating the largest global jackfruit supply chain, and providing over 1,700 farming families with 10-40% of their income.

Connect with Jack & Annie's: Email | Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Contact:

Lorne Rapkin

Chief Executive Officer

(416) 419-1415

Forward-looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "likely", "should," "would," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "potential," "proposed," "estimate," "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. The forward-looking information contained herein includes, without limitation, statements regarding the availability of Future Farm products, PlantX promotional events and the business and strategic plans of the Company.

By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this press release including, without limitation: receiving sufficient demand for the Offering; the Company's ability to comply with all applicable governmental regulations including all applicable food safety laws and regulations; impacts to the business and operations of the Company due to the COVID-19 epidemic; the conflict in eastern Europe; having a limited operating history; the ability of the Company to access capital to meet future financing needs; the Company's reliance on management and key personnel; competition; changes in consumer trends; foreign currency fluctuations; and general economic, market or business conditions.

Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's continuous disclosure documents, which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com . Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: PlantX Life Inc.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / SYNLawn Pacific Northwest, a locally owned and operated business known as Vancouver Premier Contracting, announced it is now an exclusive distributor of SYNLawn, the largest manufacturer and unrivaled innovator of sustainable artificial grass and synthetic surfacing in North America. The company is set to open a new design and retail center later this year in North Vancouver.





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"We're thrilled to align our business with SYNLawn and join its strong network of distributors," said Adam Cottrell, owner and operator of SYNLawn Pacific Northwest. "As exclusive distributors, we'll be able to provide the highest-quality turf products available to our commercial and residential customers across British Columbia. Now, we're more than just a landscaping company. We are helping to build a greener future with SYNLawn's sustainable products."

The company started in the landscaping and construction industry more than a decade ago and has been installing artificial turf for the past eight years. It has installed over 500,00 square feet of turf for more than 100 residential and commercial installations. These design installation projects have included residential lawns, custom putting greens, pet-friendly turf spaces, court and sport surfacing, artificial green walls, playgrounds, roof tops, decks and patios.

"We're pleased to welcome SYNLawn Pacific Northwest to our global network of distributors," said George Neagle, executive vice president at SYNLawn. "With Adam and his team's experience in landscaping construction combined with our premium products, we'll be able to provide commercial and residential clients in British Columbia with first-rate service and the greenest turf available on the market."

Learn more about the premium products and services offered by SYNLawn Pacific Northwest at synlawnpnw.ca. Call 778-989-0145 for a free consultation.

ABOUT SYNLawn

SYNLawn is celebrating 20 years of leading the industry as the largest manufacturer and unrivaled innovator of artificial grass and synthetic surfacing in North America. As part of the Sport Group Holding family of companies, SYNLawn, along with sister surfacing brands AstroTurf, Rekortan, APT and Laykold, delivers the best products available on the market. SYNLawn's turnkey network of over 120 distributors seamlessly combines environmental stewardship with industry-leading innovations. Manufactured in Dalton, Georgia, SYNLawn uses bio-based ingredients, such as soy and sugarcane, and consumer-conscious additives, such as antimicrobials, to meet customers' wide range of needs. With more than 300,000 residential and commercial installations, the company is raising the bar for global synthetic turf standards and transforming the idea of grass. We have a proprietary system with a large percentage of renewable content. From rooftops to road medians and rocket-launch viewing sites, SYNLawn has installed over 150 million square feet of U.S. soy-backed grass across 300,000 installations in the United States of America and over 20 other countries since 2008. SYNLawn added more soy than ever to its products in 2021, which increased its use of U.S. soy by 10%. For more information, visit www.SYNLawn.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube.

Contact Information

Mackenzie Smith

[email protected]

574-524-5916

SOURCE: SYNLawn

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of a new interview with Cascadia Minerals discussing their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Cascadia Samples 3.88% Copper with 30.00 g/t Gold at its Catch Property, Yukon; Drilling to Commence in August

Cascadia Minerals Ltd. ("Cascadia") (TSXV:CAM) is pleased to announce prospecting, Induced Polarization ("IP"), Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetic ("ZTEM") and aeromagnetic survey results from a 2023 Phase 1 exploration program at the Catch Property ("Catch") in Yukon.

For the full interview with Andrew Carne and to learn about Cascadia Minerals, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

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themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Whirlpool Corporation has been recognized as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" after receiving a 100 percent score on the 2023 Disability Equality Index (DEI) for the seventh straight year. The DEI is the world's most comprehensive benchmarking tool to measure disability workplace inclusion for Fortune 100 companies.

"We are honored to once again receive a score of 100 on the Disability Equity Index in recognition of our efforts to ensure every employee is welcomed, valued, respected, and heard," said Carey Martin, EVP and chief human resources officer at Whirlpool Corp. "At Whirlpool Corporation, inclusion is a key pillar of our enduring values, and we remain committed to creating a culture that supports and empowers our differences so that we can be a better company to work for, produce even better products, and truly improve life at home and in the workplace."

As part of its long-standing commitment to inclusion and diversity, Whirlpool Corporation maintains 17 Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) worldwide which support the diverse groups and perspectives throughout the organization. As part of this initiative, in 2022, Whirlpool Awareness of Visible and Invisible Disabilities (AVID) and Whirlpool Veterans Association volunteers partnered with Disability Network of Southwest Michigan to complete three handicap ramp builds in Southwest Michigan. These volunteers dedicated 210 volunteer hours to provide greater independence and safety for people with mobility disabilities in their own homes.

The Disability Equality Index is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation's largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. To create the annual list, the DEI ranks companies across six categories including Culture & Leadership; Enterprise-Wide Access; Employment Practices (Benefits, Recruitment, Employment, Education, Retention & Advancement, Accommodations); Community Engagement; Supplier Diversity; Non-U.S. Operations. In 2023, out of 485 participants, 294 companies received a score of 100; 66 companies received a score of 90 and 45 companies received a score of 80. There were a total of 405 top scorers.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whirlpool Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Whirlpool Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whirlpool-corporation

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation

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The Board of Directors of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) today announced the election of Thomas S. Gayner as a director. Gayner, the CEO of Markel Group, joins the board effective immediately.

In other business, the board elected Henrique Braun as a corporate senior vice president and declared the companys regularly quarterly dividend.

About Thomas S. Gayner

Gayner has served as CEO of Markel Group since the start of the year and was co-CEO from 2016 through 2022. Markel is a holding company with operations in insurance, services and industrial operations.

Gayner joined Markel in 1990 to form Markel Gayner Asset Management, which provided equity investment counsel for Markel as well as outside clients. Prior to Markel, Gayner held roles with Davenport & Co. and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Gayner currently serves as chairman of the board of the Davis Series Mutual Funds and on the boards of Graham Holdings and Markel. He previously served on the boards of Cable One and Colfax Corp. He is a member of the Investment Advisory Committee of the Virginia Retirement System.

Gayner earned a bachelor of science degree in commerce from the University of Virginia.

About Henrique Braun

Braun has served as the companys President of International Development since the start of the year. The board has now elected him as a corporate senior vice president as well.

Braun oversees the companys operating units for Latin America; Japan and South Korea; ASEAN and South Pacific; Greater China and Mongolia; Africa; India and Southwest Asia; and Eurasia and Middle East.

Previously, Braun served as President of the Latin America operating unit from 2020 to 2022. Braun joined Coca-Cola in 1996 and progressed through a variety of roles in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

He holds a bachelors degree in agricultural engineering from the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro, a masters of science degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Georgia State University.

Dividend

The company declared a regular quarterly dividend of 46 cents per common share, payable Oct. 2 to shareowners of record of the company as of the close of business Sept. 15.
Improved User Experience Enables Active Learning, Collaboration, and Engagement In Online Classes and Virtual Instructor-Led Training

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Class Technologies Inc., the global leader in virtual classrooms, today announced the upcoming release of its next generation virtual classroom, Class 2.0.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718210993/en/

Class 2.0 is a next-generation virtual classroom that offers users an improved, simplified user experience with flexible layouts, giving instructors and learners more space to view content and multiple tools simultaneously. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Class 2.0 features enhancements and innovations that were informed by customer testing and feedback and focuses on enabling active learning, collaboration and engagement in online classrooms and virtual instructor-led training. Highlights include:

A simplified navigation and user interface designed to increase learner engagement and instructor effectiveness that can be customized to the individual needs of the user

A new collaborative feature set, which empowers instructors to go beyond screen share and enables real-time collaboration in the virtual classroom including sharing web pages, whiteboards, and working together in real-time on documents in Google Docs and Microsoft Office 365

Enhanced LMS integrations with Blackboard Learn, D2L Brightspace, OpenLMS, Moodle, and Instructure Canvas. Instructors can deploy LMS resources and content without leaving the virtual classroom environment. (Currently in Beta)





Inclusion of key feature sets from Class Collaborate, formerly Blackboard Collaborate, that enable Collaborate customers to accelerate their transition to Class

Improved stability and scalability

Class 2.0 is the next generation virtual classroom that will transform learning experiences with a robust, interactive, and accessible platform thats purpose-built for instructional settings, said Michael Chasen, co-founder and CEO of Class. With an emphasis on learner experience and instructor effectiveness, Class now combines the best of online and face-to-face learning.

Later in the year, Class will also make available the Class A.I. Teaching Assistant. Powered by ChatGPT, the A.I. TA will improve learning engagement and outcomes in live online classes and virtual training by enabling learners to ask questions and receive immediate, relevant answers based on what was taught in class.

To learn more about Class 2.0 and the next generation virtual classroom, please request a demo, here.

About Class Technologies, Inc.

Class is a next generation virtual classroom developed by Class Technologies Inc., a company founded by edtech pioneer Michael Chasen. Focused exclusively on online synchronous learning and virtual instructor-led training for education, corporate, and government, Class enables the active learning of 10M+ users from 1,500+ institutions worldwide and is the largest provider of virtual classroom software for education. For more information and to schedule a demo, visit class.com, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @WeAreClassTech.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718210993/en/

Jordan Slade

MSR Communications for Class

[email protected]

(757) 876-5809

Source: Class Technologies, Inc.
A 20-year-old from Hayward with end-stage kidney disease was chosen as one of 12 recipients as part of the Subaru Week of Wishes program, in partnership with Make-A-Wish

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Capitol Subaru, part of Northern Californias largest family-owned automotive group Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG), partnered with Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area to throw a surprise beach-themed party at the retailers showroom to reveal to a local Hayward child that his life-changing wish to travel to Hawaii with his family was coming true.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719805853/en/

Del Grande Dealer Groups VP of Sales Scott Pettitt, Capitol Subarus General Sales Manager Fernando Roque present Make-A-Wish recipient Moises De Paz with trip to Hawaii at Capitol Subaru. (Photo: Business Wire)

Moises De Paz, 20, has end-stage kidney disease. Moises thought he was going to run errands with his sister-in-law, but instead, he was surprised by the Make-A-Wish team, Subaru partners, family and friends, with a beach-themed bash at Capitol Subaru to celebrate the granting of his wish. The reveal event included a hula performance by the Legacies of the Pacific, along with a Kona Ice truck and his favorite snacks.

We know how physically and emotionally difficult medical treatments can be for children and their families, said DGDGs Capitol Subaru General Sales Manager Fernando Roque. We hope that our efforts can provide children like Moises with strength and positivity to fight against a critical illness.

DGDGs Capitol Subaru has partnered with Make-A-Wish since 2011 and we are grateful for our longtime partnership which allows us to help grant wishes for deserving wish kids, said DGDG CEO Jeremy Beaver. This is just one of the many ways DGDG gives back to local communities throughout the year.

Year-round, DGDG supports their local communities through DGDG Does Good, the charitable arm of the Del Grande Dealer Group. Through financial contributions, collaborations with nonprofit organizations, and employee volunteerism, DGDG Does Good brings positive lasting change to the community. To date, nearly $1 million has been donated to worthy causes and recipients.

Approximately 27,000 children are diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition each year, according to Make-A-Wish, and research shows that a wish can lead to better health outcomes and a higher chance of survival. Helping to grant wishes like Moises is just one way Capitol Subaru is committed to supporting the health and well-being of the community.

"We are incredibly thankful for the ongoing support from DGDGs Capitol Subaru, said Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area CEO Betsy Biern. Its thanks to our community partners that we are able to bring hope and joy to wish kids like Moises and transform lives in the community, one wish at a time.

Capitol Subaru is one of a dozen Subaru retailers across the country helping to grant childrens wishes over the span of one week as part of a national Week of Wishes initiative to make a lasting impact to wish children, their families, and communities. Through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event holiday campaign, more than 600 Subaru retailers across the country partner with Make-A-Wish to support children and families impacted by critical illness. Since 2011, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $32 million, helping to grant 3,300 wishes in the U.S.

Link to Photos here.

About Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fulfills the wishes of children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18 who have critical illnesses. The chapter was founded in 1984 and has fulfilled the wishes of more than 9,000 children in its 39-year history. The Greater Bay Area chapter serves 17 Northern California counties from Monterey County to the Oregon border. wish.org/greaterbay.

About Del Grande Dealer Group

Capitol Subaru is part of the Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG), Northern Californias largest family-owned automotive group. The dealer group comprises 17 brands and 19 dealerships in Northern California, including: Audi Modesto, Salinas Honda, Capitol Buick GMC, Capitol Chevrolet, Capitol Ford, Capitol Hyundai, Capitol Kia, Capitol Mazda, Capitol Subaru, Capitol Volkswagen, Concord Mazda, Fremont Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Fremont Hyundai, Genesis of Stevens Creek, Salinas Honda, Stevens Creek Hyundai, Stevens Creek Mazda, Team Cadillac, Team Chevrolet, and Team Mazda. DGDG.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719805853/en/

DeeDee Taft

Spin Communications

[email protected]

415.515.1229

Source: Del Grande Dealer Group
Extreme heat was forecast across the globe on Wednesday, as wildfires raged and health warnings were in place in parts of Asia, Europe and North America.

Firefighters battled blazes in parts of Greece and the Canary Islands while Spain issued heat alerts and some children in Italy's Sardinia were told to stay away from sports.

From California to China, authorities warned of the health dangers brought by searing temperatures, urging people to drink water and shelter from the sun.

"You can't be in the street, it's horrible," said Lidia Rodriguez, 27, in Madrid.

Temperature records tumbled around the world, with new heat streaks set in China and the United States, and fresh highs in France.

Beijing broke a 23-year-old record with 27 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), forecasters said.

Phoenix broke a similar record, in place for 49 years, with its 19th consecutive day of temperatures of 43.3 Celsius or higher, weather officials said.

In southern France, a record 29.5C was recorded in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, while 40.6C had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Read moreParisians are most at risk of dying in European heatwaves

In a stark reminder of the effects of global warming, the UN's World Meteorological Agency (WMO) said the trend showed "no signs of decreasing".

"These events will continue to grow in intensity, and the world needs to prepare for more intense heatwaves," John Nairn, a senior extreme heat adviser at the WMO told reporters in Geneva.

Heatwave on horizon

Northwest of the Greek capital Athens, columns of smoke loomed over the forest of Dervenohoria, where one of several fires around the capital and beyond was still burning.

Fire spokesman Yannis Artopios called it "a difficult day", with another heatwave on the horizon for Thursday, with expected temperatures of 44C.

A forest fire by the seaside resort of Loutraki, where the mayor said 1,200 children had been evacuated Monday from holiday camps, was still burning.

In the Canary Islands, some 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has ravaged 3,500 hectares of forest and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate, with authorities warning residents to wear face masks outside due to poor air quality.

Temperatures were unforgiving in Italy and in Spain, where three regions were put under hot weather red alerts.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to possibly surpass a continent-wide record of 48.8C recorded in Sicily in August 2021.

At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca told AFP.

In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms.

"They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low," Angioni said.

Many throughout Italy sought escape by the sea, including outside Rome, where the midday heat hit 40C.

"Certainly it's better at the beach, you can at least get a little wind from the sea. It's not even possible to remain in the city, too hot," said Virginia Cesario, 30, at the Focene beach near the capital.

Climate change impact

Tens of millions of Americans experienced dangerous heat levels on Tuesday.

In the town of San Angelo, Texas, where temperatures were expected to reach 104-108F (40-42C), the National Weather Service said it was "running out of ways to say that it's gonna be hot out there today."

"With temperatures across the area likely topping the 105 mark yet again, we implore you to continue to practice heat safety and try to stay cool," the agency said on Twitter.

And in Arizona, the mercury at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport again reached 110F on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 18 consecutive days at or above that temperature, set in 1974.

The heat waves across Europe and the globe are "not one single phenomenon but several acting at the same time", said Robert Vautard, director of France's Pierre-Simon Laplace climate institute.

"But they are all strengthened by one factor: climate change."

The record-setting heat came as US climate envoy John Kerry met with Chinese officials in Beijing, with the world's two largest polluters reviving stalled diplomacy on reducing planet-warming emissions.

Speaking Tuesday at Beijing's Great Hall of the People with China's top diplomat Wang Yi, Kerry called for "global leadership" on climate issues.

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Great Place To Work and Fortune magazine have honored Daversa Partners as one of the 2023 Best Workplaces for Millennials. This is Daversa Partners first time being named to this prestigious list, coming in at No. 22. Earning a spot means that Daversa Partners has surpassed rigorous benchmarks, establishing itself as one of the best companies to work for in the country.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719720014/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

To determine the Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials List, Great Place To Work collected nearly 500,000 responses from millennials at eligible companies. To be considered, companies had to be Great Place To Work Certified and have at least 50 millennial employees in the U.S.

"Being recognized on this list is a true testament to the dedication, talent, and innovative mindset of our millennial team members," said Paul Daversa, Founder and CEO of Daversa Partners. "Their tireless contributions have been invaluable in shaping our company's culture and driving our success."

He continued, "We've had the privilege of working alongside some of the greatest millennial founders and operators in the industry. Their ability to create generation-defining companies and products is nothing short of inspiring. This recognition underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every generation, especially millennials, can thrive and make a significant impact.

The Best Workplaces for Millennials list is highly competitive. Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for employees regardless of job role, race, gender, sexual orientation, work status, or other demographic identifier.

With the largest share of the workforce today, the workplace experience of millennials says a lot about your organization, says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. These workers are looking for authentic leadership, meaningful work, and a healthy work environment  and they show loyalty to those who can deliver.

Congratulations to all of the Best Workplaces for Millennials finalists, says Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell. These companies are setting themselves up for continued success by committing to the purpose-driven work that attracts the next generation of business talent.

In 2023, Daversa Partners also ranked No. 4 on Fortunes Best Workplaces in New York.

About Daversa Partners

For three decades, Daversa Partners has built the leading management teams across the most disruptive companies of this generation, focused on serving the global founder and funder community around the world. Having worked alongside techs top VC and PE firms, Daversa Partners has had the privilege to build over 10,000 consumer and enterprise companies, all of which hold a shared vision: push the throttle on innovation. The company today is an important strategic partner that moves top executives into startup and growth oriented companies.

About the Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials List

Great Place To Work selected the Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials List by surveying companies employing 7.5 million people in the U.S. with 1.3 million confidential survey responses received. Of those, nearly 500,000 responses were received from millennials at companies eligible for the list and these rankings are based on that feedback. Read the full methodology.

About Great Place To Work

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List.

About Fortune

The Fortune mission is to change the world by making business better. We achieve that by providing trusted information, telling great stories, and building world-class communities. We measure performance by rigorous benchmarks. And we hold companies accountable. Our goal is to make Fortune a force for good through its second century and beyond. For more information, visit www.fortune.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719720014/en/

Nicole Daversa

[email protected]

Source: Daversa Partners
MUSCATINE, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI) will host its quarterly conference call for investors to discuss second quarter fiscal 2023 results on:

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

11:00 a.m. Eastern

10:00 a.m. Central

9:00 a.m. Mountain

8:00 a.m. Pacific

To listen to the call, please dial:

1-855-761-5600 (Toll-free)

Conference ID: 7175411



Assistance is available throughout the

teleconference meeting. Press *0 to request

Operator Assistance.

A live webcast of the call will be available on HNI Corporations website at https://investors.hnicorp.com/events-and-presentations. A replay of the webcast and call will be made available from Tuesday, August 8, 2023, 1:00 p.m. (Central) through Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 10:59 p.m. (Central). To replay the webcast, go to the link above. To replay the call, dial 1-800-770-2030  Conference ID: 7175411.

HNI Corporation plans to release its second quarter 2023 results on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 before the market opens. Results will be posted on HNI Corporations website at https://investors.hnicorp.com/news.

If you have any questions, please contact HNI Corporations Investor Relations Department at [email protected].

About HNI Corporation

HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI) has been improving where people live, work, and gather for more than 75 years. HNI is a manufacturer of workplace furnishings and residential building products, operating under two segments. The Workplace Furnishings segment is a leading global designer and provider of commercial furnishings, going to market under multiple unique brands. The Residential Building Products segment is the nation's leading manufacturer and marketer of hearth products, which include a full array of gas, electric, wood, and pellet-burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings, and accessories. More information can be found on the Corporation's website at www.hnicorp.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718312665/en/

Marshall H. Bridges, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (563) 272-7400

Matthew S. McCall, Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development (563) 275-8898

Source: HNI Corporation
Hotel workers call on the city to pass a $30 minimum wage

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, UNITE HERE Local 11 filed an initiative in Santa Monica that would require hotels to pay their workers $30 an hour. Citing the housing crisis, the union is demanding employers pay a living wage so that workers can afford to live near where they work. The proposed law would be the highest minimum wage in the country.

Workers are demanding further wage increases in large part due to rising housing prices. In a UNITE HERE Local 11 survey, 53% of workers said that they either have moved in the past 5 years or will move in the near future because of soaring housing costs. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a single mother would need to make over $40 an hour to afford a 2-bedroom apartment in the Los Angeles area, still well above the proposed minimum wage. Meanwhile, the hotel industry in Santa Monica is booming with rates above $600 a night and revenue exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

The union is also fighting for higher wages in other cities in the region. Cities like West Hollywood have raised their minimum wages and others like Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Long Beach are also pushing similar legislation.

I have to work two jobs to be able to live in Santa Monica. Some coworkers live all the way out in Palmdale, Lancaster, San Bernardino or Riverside, said Salvador Garcia, a Santa Monica resident and hotel worker who is serving as one of the official proponents of the initiative. I signed onto this initiative so that more of us would have the opportunity to live nearby.

UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona that work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers and airports.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718949147/en/

Jonah Breslau, [email protected], 773 603 5174



Source: UNITE HERE Local 11
The immersive virtual experience wowed attendees at the week-long festival that celebrates the most innovative talent and thinkers in tech

LONDON & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Infinite Reality (iR), the global leader powering immersive, virtual experiences, today announced that it has partnered with Vodafone Digital Asset Broker (DAB) to develop and unveil a remarkable Metaverse Showroom experience at London Tech Week. The collaborative project from the innovative, forward-thinking companies resulted in an unparalleled digital experience that captivated attendees and highlighted the future of sales and customer engagement.

The virtual showroom, powered by Infinite Reality's cutting-edge immersive spatial technology, showcased Vodafone's DAB platform, a key element of Vodafone's new 'Economy of Things' initiative. The interactive digital experience illustrated the transformative potential of DAB technology which enables businesses across various sectors to convert physical goods into tradable digital assets in new online markets via the blockchain-secured platform.

The experience, set in a photo-real version of the QEII Centre and the surrounding London cityscape, introduced visitors to a digital twin of a cutting edge, all-electric vehicle. An advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) product expert interacted with guests, providing real time, comprehensive information about the experience, Vodafone's DAB technology, Infinite Reality, and the all-electric vehicle. The showroom experience was available in both desktop and virtual reality (VR) formats, demonstrating the versatility of the platform and catering to a wide range of attendees.

"We are thrilled to partner with Vodafone DAB to create this groundbreaking Metaverse Showroom experience," said Elliott Jobe, President of Infinite Reality. "This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and revolutionizing the way brands engage with consumers. The showroom experience represents an exciting new approach to sales, leveraging our technology to deliver highly personalized experiences that will undoubtedly reshape the future of customer engagement."

The tremendous success of the Metaverse showroom at London Tech Week further solidifies Infinite Reality and Vodafone's commitment to innovation, creativity, and providing unforgettable customer experiences, said David Palmer, Vodafone DAB Lead. From personalized content recommendations to real-time adjustments based on user reactions, Infinite Reality's Machine Learning (ML) and AI algorithms create dynamic and captivating environments that keep users engaged and coming back for more. The partnership with Vodafone DAB sets the stage for the widespread adoption of this new sales approach, redefining the boundaries of brand engagement.

About Infinite Reality, Inc.

Infinite Reality (iR) helps clients with audiences develop immersive experiences that convert those audiences into users. An iR powered virtual experience enables brands and creators to fully control the ways in which they commercialize their creations, distribute content, and communicate with their communities. With deep expertise in Hollywood production, iR develops world-class products and experiences that upend traditional, passive one-way viewership of events and static online retail transactions while shaping the future of audience engagement, brand loyalty, and fan commitment. The Services and Advisory teams manage, design, and oversee custom builds, leveraging the Technology teams platform development expertise. Infinite Realitys products are hardware agnostic, do not require any special equipment, and can be viewed and experienced on laptop, desktop, mobile phone, tablet, virtual reality (VR) formats, and Smart TV. iR Studios, one of the largest independent production studios in the country, works collaboratively with iRs expert Innovation team to develop proprietary technology for Metaverse creation and immersive experiences, including live event virtualization and remote collaboration tools, from their 150,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility. Visit theinfinitereality.com.

About Vodafone

Vodafone is the largest pan-European and African telecoms company. Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, digitalise critical sectors and enable inclusive and sustainable digital societies.

We provide mobile and fixed services to over 300 million customers in 17 countries, partner with mobile networks in 46 more and are also a world leader in the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting over 160 million devices and platforms. With Vodacom Financial Services and M-Pesa, we have the largest financial technology platform in Africa, serving more than 56 million people across six countries.

We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040, while helping our customers reduce their own carbon emissions by 350 million tonnes by 2030. We are driving action to reduce device waste and achieve our target to reuse, resell or recycle 100% of our network waste.

For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com, follow us on Twitter at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.

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Mark Smith

JPR Communications

[email protected]

Source: Infinite Reality, Inc.
Holzberger will speak at Insuritys Excellence in Insurance conference on industry trends surrounding innovation, the regulatory environment, and artificial intelligence

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Insurity, the leading provider of cloud-based software and analytics for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs, today announced that Stefan Holzberger, Chief Rating Officer at AM Best, will lead a fireside chat at its customer event, Excellence in Insurance. Excellence in Insurance brings together P&C insurers, MGAs, and brokers to connect, discuss, and generate new ideas that will propel P&C insurance forward. The event will take place October 4-6 at the Omni San Diego Hotel in San Diego, California.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher, and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. AM Best rating services assesses the creditworthiness of and reports on over 16,000 insurance companies worldwide. As Chief Rating Officer, Holzberger is responsible for AM Bests global ratings coverage. His deep expertise in the insurance and rating industry helps consumers and professionals make more informed personal and business decisions.

Insurity is the public cloud leader in P&C insurance software, with 330 of its more than 400 cloud customers deployed in the public cloud. With 95% of past attendees joining year after year, the Excellence in Insurance event marks an opportunity to bring together leading innovators within the industry to network, collaborate on todays challenges, and drive discussion on the latest P&C trends.

Holzberger will lead the fireside chat at Excellence in Insurance to decode the latest in innovation, the regulatory environment, and other industry trends in the P&C sector. He will be joined by Kirstin Marr, Chief Analytics Officer at Insurity, to discuss updates on Innovation Criteria as part of AM Bests financial strength rating and their new performance assessment for MGAs. Holzberger will also share his viewpoints on the current regulatory environment around advanced analytics, including machine learning and AI.

Excellence in Insurance is built specifically to be a peer forum for insurance and MGA executives, empowering attendees to bring back new learnings and best practices to implement at their organizations, said Kirstin Marr, Chief Analytics Officer at Insurity. Holzbergers insights from his 20-plus years with AM Best will shine a light on the trends were seeing and how theyll shape the way insurance organizations do business in the years ahead.

To learn more about the full agenda for Excellence in Insurance, including more details about Holzbergers fireside chat, please get in touch with Elizabeth Hutchinson at [email protected].

About Insurity

Insurity is a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs. Insurity is trusted by 22 of the top 25 P&C carriers and 7 of the top 10 MGAs in the US and has over 400 cloud-based deployments. Through its best-in-class digital platform and with unrivaled industry experience and the industry's most robust analytics offerings, Insurity is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value, empowering customers to focus on their core businesses, optimize their operations, and provide superior policyholder experiences. Insurity is a portfolio company of GI Partners and TA Associates. For more information, visit www.insurity.com.

About AM Best

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719249116/en/

Elizabeth Hutchinson

[email protected]

Source: Insurity
New ready-to-ship xGen NGS solution will enable researchers to combat challenging diseases of today and prepare for the next pathogen of tomorrow

CORALVILLE, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To meet customer demand for a multiplexed, multiple respiratory disease target panel that provides comprehensive genome coverage, Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) is revealing a new next generation sequencing (NGS) solution, the xGen Respiratory Virus Amplicon Panel. With 98.7% total genomic coverage of viral respiratory variants Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) A, RSV B, Influenza A H1N1, Influenza A H3N2, Influenza B, and SARS-CoV-2, the uniquely configured single panel is designed to monitor the evolution and spread of these six viruses. Leveraging IDTs well-established NGS amplicon technology, the panel creates super amplicons to reliably distinguish identified and unidentified viral variants of multiple respiratory viruses in a single panel and allows for tracing evolving epidemiological patterns.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719949441/en/

Integrated DNA Technologies is revealing a new next generation sequencing (NGS) solution, the xGen Respiratory Virus Amplicon Panel, to support researchers as they combat the challenging diseases of today and prepare for the next pathogen of tomorrow. With 98.7% total genomic coverage of viral respiratory variants Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) A, RSV B, Influenza A H1N1, Influenza A H3N2, Influenza B, and SARS-CoV-2, the uniquely configured single panel is designed to monitor the evolution and spread of these six viruses. (Graphic: Business Wire)

The IDT xGen Respiratory Virus Amplicon Panels single-tube workflow creates overlapping amplicons and goes from sample to sequencer in 2.5 hours with up to 1,536 unique dual indexing primers (UDIs) for multiplexed sequencing. Super amplicons result in increased coverage, even in changing or diverse genomes. Data can be sequenced from viral titers as low as 10 to 100 viral copies, using first- or double-strand cDNA. The xGen Respiratory Virus Amplicon Panel is also compatible with IDT Normalase technology.

With respiratory season just around the corner, IDT wanted to ensure labs can stay one step ahead by being equipped with a reliable NGS solution that can help them monitor and track known and unknown viral lineages quickly, said Steven Henck, PhD, Vice President, R&D at IDT. Our solutionwhich is powered by our differentiated super amplicon technologyincreases coverage for variable genomes, saving researchers critical time so that they can focus on monitoring emerging mutations and accelerate their path to discovery.

Using NGS to Enhance Understanding of Viruses

Respiratory infections are increasing, and monitoring known, and unknown infections is a top priority for health agencies. Pre-COVID-19, the use of NGS for pathogen surveillance was compelling, but underutilized. Now, it is projected to become more prevalent in the context of broader genomic surveillance, as NGS testing demonstrates its utility in researching, identifying and monitoring known and unknown pathogens in clinical settings. In addition, when compared with traditional, cultural-based methods which do not offer the sensitivity and multiplex level to monitor emerging mutations in a time sensitive manner, NGS is rising as a leading technology for respiratory pathogen research and monitoring due to its ability to detectat ultra-low pathogen levelsemerging strains and variants for prevention, vaccine development and therapeutics.

While its clear that NGS is here to stay for infectious disease surveillance, more adoption is still needed, Henck added. Its utility shows great promise and is one of the many reasons why IDTs xGen NGS suite of solutions will continue to be part of IDTs product roadmap. Were proud to add a new solution that expands IDTs existing NGS respiratory and infectious disease portfolio and supports the expected rise of cases for RSV and the flu during the fall and winter seasons to serve more researchers.

For information about IDTs xGen portfolio of NGS research solutions, click here.

About IDT

For more than 35 years, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT) has been empowering genomics laboratories with an oligonucleotide manufacturing process unlike anyone else in the industry, with the most advanced synthesis, modification, purification, and quality control capabilities available. Since its founding in 1987, IDT has progressed from a leading oligo manufacturer to a genomics solutions provider supporting key application areas such as next generation sequencing, CRISPR genome editing, synthetic biology, digital PCR, and RNA interference. Through its GMP* services, IDT manufactures products used by scientists researching many forms of cancer and most inherited and infectious diseases.

As the company seeks to fulfill its mission of accelerating the pace of genomics, the important acquisition of Archer NGS Research Assays was completed in Dec. 2022. When combined with its existing solutions, the expanded portfolio helps realize the shared vision of enabling researchers to rapidly move from the lab to life-changing advances.

IDTs infrastructure supports customers around the globe with its manufacturing headquarters situated in Coralville, Iowa, USA, with additional manufacturing sites in San Diego, California, USA; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Leuven, Belgium; and Singapore. For more information, visit www.idtdna.com and follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Disclaimer: RUO  For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, IDT does not intend these products to be used in clinical applications and does not warrant their fitness or suitability for any clinical diagnostic use.

*GMP refers to products manufactured under ISO 13485: 2016 QMS. Purchaser is solely responsible for all decisions regarding the use of these products and any associated regulatory or legal obligations for their legal marketing.

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Kristina Sarenas

Manager of PR

800-328-2661 (USA & Canada)

+1 319-626-8400 (outside USA)

[email protected]

Source: Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.
Award-winning top-20 retained executive search firm promotes eight senior Partners who have helped lead the organization during the highest growth in the firms history

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- JM Search, a premier retained executive search firm, announced the elevation of eight seasoned search experts to Managing Partner. Dan Campbell, Charles Egoville, Tom Figueroa, Andrew Henry, Jim McGinley, Drew Pressman, MaryJeanne Scott, and Hayden Tewell will serve as Managing Partners for the firm.

This announcement follows a record year in the 42-year history of the firm, which has organically doubled in revenue and in size over the past two years. These promotions will empower the newly appointed Managing Partners to play a significant role in supporting the firm and its clients during this next phase of growth. Collectively, these leaders have decades of highly specialized recruiting experience, as well as expansive professional networks within their respective sectors and within the private equity ecosystem.

JM Search boasts a 98% retention rate among senior recruiters at the firm and attributes the firms exceptional people-first culture as the key driver of its continued growth and success. The new class of Managing Partners will continue to collaborate alongside the firms CEO, John Marshall, to ensure a consistent, high touch, and hands-on experience for its established and growing roster of clients.

Weve carefully built a highly experienced, and well-connected team that understands the critical importance of getting it right when working at the C-level. Each Managing Partner has earned this new level of leadership and having these executives in place will allow us to continue to deliver exceptional client service and award-winning results. I believe we are well positioned to continue to be the preferred executive search partner for private equity investors and growth-oriented businesses based on the tremendous team we have continued to build and develop, stated John Marshall, CEO of JM Search.

As the firm continues to grow, it has been recognized by Forbes as one of Americas Best Executive Recruiting Firms, and JM Search ranked 14th on this years Top 50 Recruiters list published by market research firm, Hunt Scanlon Media, where they experienced the highest growth rate among the top 20 firms in this years ranking.

About JM Search

JM Search (www.jmsearch.com) is a premier retained executive search firm and trusted advisor to CEOs, investors, and boards of directors in recruiting, assessing, and delivering high performance leaders and transformational leadership teams. JM Search clients include private equity firms and portfolio companies, private and publicly held companies across North America. Founded in 1980, the JM Search team brings together former operating and financial executives, investors and experienced search professionals with deep industry specialization, functional expertise and proven access to talent spanning multiple industry sectors. With national reach and local market depth, the firms partner-led approach enables JM Search to deliver exceptional leaders who enhance organizational performance and drive shareholder value.

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Jessica Reilly

610-964-0200 x243

Source: JM Search
Accompanying her are private banking professionals Phil Donnici and Lauren Goeppert

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mechanics Bank (OTCEM:MCHB) has appointed Kelly Johnston as executive vice president and director of wealth management. The industry veteran will lead the Banks longtime Wealth Management unit, with a focus on providing additional offerings in trust and estate services, retirement planning, employee benefit plans, specialty asset management and private banking.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719583054/en/

Kelly Johnston. (Photo: Business Wire)

Johnston brings nearly three decades of experience in managing multigenerational family wealth, the administration of complex trusts and estates, and a host of family wealth services.

Before returning to Mechanics Bank, Johnston held leadership roles for nine years at First Republic Bank, where she most recently was president of First Republic Trust Company and executive vice president of Private Wealth Management. She began her career at Mechanics Bank in December 2008, overseeing numerous wealth management and trust services for approximately 14 years.

Johnston is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) from the Institute of Certified Bankers and a Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) from Cannon Financial Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Saint Marys College and an MBA from Texas A&M University.

Kellys accomplished career began at Mechanics Bank and it is wonderful to welcome her back, said Tony Kallingal, Chief Banking Officer for Mechanics Bank. She holds a tremendous amount of respect for our 118-year history, and values our time-tested practices and relentless commitment to protecting and growing our clients assets.

Working closely with Johnston are private banking professionals Phil Donnici, managing director, and Lauren Goeppert, senior relationship manager.

Donnici has worked extensively with entrepreneurial and established clients in many industries including legal, financial services, technology and real estate for 14 years. Before joining Mechanics Bank, he was a managing director and district manager at First Republic Bank.

With 13 years of industry experience, Goeppert specializes in providing banking and lending guidance to legal professionals through various phases of their careers. Previously, she was a senior relationship manager at First Republic Bank.

About Mechanics Bank

Mechanics Bank is an independent, full-service bank headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., with approximately $18 billion in assets, a best-in-class deposit franchise and 115 branches. Founded in 1905 to help consumers, businesses and communities grow and prosper financially, it has become one of the largest banks based in California, and is among the strongest, safest and most resilient banks in the nation. Mechanics Bank is known for consistently providing a highly personalized relationship-banking experience and a wide range of products and resources in consumer and business banking, commercial lending, cash management, private banking, and comprehensive trust and wealth management services. For more information, please visit www.MechanicsBank.com. Mechanics Bank is a Member FDIC institution and Equal Housing Lender.

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Greg Jones, Director of Communications, Mechanics Bank, (916) 797-8218, [email protected]

Source: Mechanics Bank
Transaction includes participation from Wellington Management

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MUSINSA, an online fashion platform in South Korea, and KKR, a leading global investment firm, today announced the signing of definitive agreements under which funds managed by KKR will lead the US$190 million Series C fundraise of MUSINSA (the Company), with participation from Wellington Management, one of the worlds largest independent investment management firms.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713401193/en/

Founded in 2001 as an online sneaker community, MUSINSA is today an online fashion marketplace in South Korea that features more than 8,000 local and foreign designer brands and an in-house brand (musinsa standard), anchoring the creator economy for fashion in South Korea. Over the years, MUSINSA has expanded to include a comprehensive ecosystem including communities, a brand incubator (MUSINSA PARTNERS), a direct-to-consumer brand operator, and an offline multicultural lounge (musinsa terrace) that allows for offline interactions with its customers and provides online-based fashion brands with a physical space for pop-up stores. In 2023, Fast Company named MUSINSA as among the 10 most innovative Asia Pacific companies of 2023 for globalizing K-fashion.1

This transaction marks KKRs first technology growth investment in Korea as part of its Asia Next Generation Technology (NGT) strategy, which seeks to support the growth of innovative, disruptive companies in Asia Pacific across key themes, including software, consumer technology and FinTech.

Mukul Chawla, Partner and Head of Growth Equity, Asia Pacific for KKR, said, MUSINSA has developed itself as a top consumer Internet platform in Korea and a differentiated marketplace by its ability to scale rising brands, enable the creator economy for fashion, engage and provide a high-quality e-commerce experience for customers. We see enormous opportunity for MUSINSA to build on its leading position in a fast-growing K-fashion market that continues to shift online and expand globally on the back of K-cultures explosive reach. We are excited to partner with the management team and look to leverage KKRs global network, operational expertise, and deep technology experience to take MUSINSA to its next phase of growth.

Munil Han, CEO of MUSINSA, said, We are delighted to welcome global investors of KKR and Wellingtons caliber, which we see as a recognition of the quality of MUSINSAs platform, and the potential of the Korean online fashion market. With this latest investment, MUSINSA looks to continue scaling our platform and creating new standards of success in the online and offline markets with domestic and foreign brands.

This Series C is the Companys third fundraise and follows its successful KRW 130 billion won Series B round in 2021 and KRW 100 billion won Series A round in 2019.

KKR makes its investment as part of its Asia NGT strategy and from funds managed by KKR. Other investments from the strategy include Lenskart, an omni-channel eyewear retailer in India; Advanced Navigation, a developer of AI-powered robotics and navigation technology in Australia; Privy, a digital identity provider in Indonesia; GrowSari, a business-to-business e-commerce platform serving small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines; KiotViet, a software platform for SMEs in Vietnam; and NetStars, the operator of Japans largest QR code payment gateway. Additional details of the transaction were not disclosed.

****

About MUSINSA

MUSINSA is one of the largest online and offline fashion business companies in Korea, and offers more than 8,000 domestic and foreign brands, including young casual, street, contemporary, formal, sports, and luxury, etc. The company has more than 13 million members and recorded annual GMV of more than KRW 3 trillion won (US$2.35 billion) as of 2022. MUSINSA strives to expand the diversity of the fashion ecosystem based on the core value that the success of partner brands is our success. The company operates a fashion-specialized venture capital subsidiary to energize new brands with great potential to take a step forward in growth. MUSINSA has a diverse business portfolio, including its core service Musinsa Store, online lifestyle select shop 29CM, online re-sell platform soldout, and in-house fashion brand musinsa standard. Currently, MUSINSA, which has unrivaled influence as the No. 1 in the online fashion market in Korea, is concentrating on strengthening its capabilities to exert itself in the offline fashion business as well. MUSINSA is also operating a 'global store' that is available in 13 overseas countries, including Asia, America, and Oceania, to help small and medium-sized Korean brands advance overseas and to provide a point of contact for meeting global customers who are interested in Korean fashion. Since investing in the Envisioning Climate Solution Fund, MUSINSA has continuously paid attention to various social issues, including climate change, and is concentrating on fulfilling its social responsibilities as Korea's leading fashion company.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKRs insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life, and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKRs investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKRs website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter @KKR_Co.

About Wellington Management

Wellington Management is one of the worlds largest independent investment management firms, serving as a trusted adviser to over 2,500 clients in more than 60 countries. The firm manages more than US$1 trillion for clients, including pensions, endowments and foundations, insurers, and global wealth managers. Wellington offers investment solutions that span global equity, fixed income, currency, commodity, alternatives, and private markets. Wellington Private Investing has raised nearly US$8 billion in global assets and invests in early-stage venture through late-stage growth across multiple sectors (consumer, technology, health care, financial services, biotechnology, and climate technology) and geographies (Asia, Europe, and the Americas). The Private Investing Team leverages Wellingtons 1,000+ investment professionals around the world, combining deep private market experience with public market expertise, extensive networks, and robust research to benefit both investors and entrepreneurs. For more on Wellington Private Investing, please visit wellington.com/privateinvesting.

1 Fast Company (February 2023). The 10 most innovative Asia-Pacific companies of 2023.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713401193/en/

Media



For MUSINSA:

MUSINSA Public Relations Team

+82 10 8921 8381

[email protected]



For KKR:

Wei Jun Ong

+65 6922 5813

[email protected]



For Wellington Management:

Robyn Tice

617 289 6739

[email protected]

Source: KKR
KNIME Analytics Platform Version 5.1 accelerates upskilling and enables users to augment workflows with AI.

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KNIME, the data science company focused on making analytics accessible to all, today announced the latest release of the open source KNIME Analytics Platform. The new version 5.1 features a modern interface, improved product onboarding, and a more intuitive way to build analytical workflows. With this release, KNIME also unveiled its first generative AI capabilities, including a new chatbot that answers questions and builds workflows, as well as an AI extension to empower users to augment their workflows using a series of nodes wrapping state-of-the-art LLM capabilities.

KNIME is distinct in its free and open approach to data science, ensuring that there is virtually no barrier to entry for getting started with no-code/low-code analytics. The KNIME Analytics Platform has always been available for free with full functionality, offering users from all backgrounds choice because of its integrative and extensible platform. To this end, the newly released KNIME Analytics Platform Version 5.1 with a significantly improved UX further reduces the learning curve for new users, as well as accelerates the upskilling of experienced users looking to advance their data skills. K-AI, the new AI assistant from KNIME helps onboard new users by answering questions or by automatically building workflows for users, just based on their directions. The first prototype, available as early release, already demonstrates how generative AI can accelerate upskilling and work side-by-side with humans to increase time-to-value for any data solution.

In addition to K-AI, KNIME Analytics Platform features several notable UX improvements include:

Improved navigation & search that allows users to quickly find the functionality they need to build their workflows. Users can now rapidly search through the 4000+ available nodes and identify the ones that serve their distinct use case.

that allows users to quickly find the functionality they need to build their workflows. Users can now rapidly search through the 4000+ available nodes and identify the ones that serve their distinct use case. Starter Perspective , designed to help beginners and spreadsheet users ease into building workflows. The Starter Perspective recommends a select set of nodes commonly used for data manipulation tasks  like reading and writing data to spreadsheets, cleaning, merging, aggregating, filtering and more.

, designed to help beginners and spreadsheet users ease into building workflows. The Starter Perspective recommends a select set of nodes commonly used for data manipulation tasks  like reading and writing data to spreadsheets, cleaning, merging, aggregating, filtering and more. Improved workflow annotations to help teams document and explain what theyve built, improving transparency, explainability, and knowledge sharing within and across teams. This further advances the collaborative nature of KNIME as a lingua franca across disciplines.

to help teams document and explain what theyve built, improving transparency, explainability, and knowledge sharing within and across teams. This further advances the collaborative nature of KNIME as a lingua franca across disciplines. Enhanced visualization capabilities to make exploring and interacting with data more efficient and to improve how insights are shared with stakeholders.

The release is designed to help spreadsheet users transition to the no-code/low-code approach to analytics and includes a new set of data wrangling features to enable users to easily automate and augment the work they typically do in spreadsheets.

Today, with the rapid rise of ChatGPT and colleagues, were seeing even faster innovation in the data science landscape. It has never been more importantboth for individuals and organizationsto keep up and adopt new techniques and approaches to making sense of their data. This is only possible with an open platform that can integrate and quickly embrace community innovations, says Michael Berthold, co-founder and CEO of KNIME.

In addition to a new look-and-feel and streamlined onboarding, KNIME Analytics Platform 5.1 also includes a new AI extension in early release mode, for advanced users. Designed to enable users to build their own AI assistant or to augment their workflows with AI, the extension supports both state-of-the-art OpenAI models as well as open source Large Language Models (LLMs) from Hugging Face Hub.

Continuously investing in analytic depth as well as ease of use and onboarding ensures that KNIME Analytics Platform can be used by anyone to make sense of data, irrespective of their background or level of experience. Users interested in learning more about KNIME Analytics Platform Version 5.1 can download it for free here, or register for the following webinar:

Exploring KNIME Analytics Platform 5.1: Modern UX and Generative AI Unveiled on August 1, 2023 4:00PM - 5:00PM (UTC+2)  interested participants can register to attend the webinar here.

For more information about KNIME Analytics Platform v. 5.1, please visit www.knime.com.

About KNIME

KNIME helps individuals and organizations make sense of their data. KNIME bridges the worlds of dashboards and advanced analytics through an intuitive interface, appropriate for anybody working with data. It empowers more business experts to be self-sufficient and more data experts to push the business to the bleeding edge of modern data science, integrating the latest AI and Machine Learning techniques. KNIME is distinct in its open approach, which ensures easy adoption and future-proof access to new technologies. Headquartered in Zurich, KNIME has offices in Austin, TX, Konstanz and Berlin. Learn more at www.knime.com.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Marissa Pasillas

Walker Sands for KNIME

[email protected]

Source: KNIME
French prosecutors said Wednesday they had opened an investigation into an online collection for a French policeman who sparked nationwide riots in late June by shooting a teenager dead in a Paris suburb.

The initiative on GoFundMe.com, launched by far-right media commentator Jean Messiha, received pledges of more than 1.6 million euros ($1.7 million) before it was closed in early July.

The mother of the 17-year-old shot dead in Nanterre on June 27 filed a legal complaint via her lawyer, alleging fraud, misuse of personal data and conspiracy in these crimes by Messiha.

A legal probe by specialised financial crime investigators was underway, the Paris prosecutor told AFP on Wednesday.

"We welcome the speed of the decision by the prosecutor," Yassine Bouzrou, who is acting for the dead boy's mother, told AFP.

Messiha was contacted for comment.

The 38-year-old motorbike traffic officer behind the killing of French-Algerian teenager Nahel Merzouk has been detained and charged with voluntary manslaughter.

The shooting, at point-blank range, sparked the most intense urban violence in France since 2005 and rekindled complaints about heavy-handed policing and racism in deprived areas of the country.

Messiha said the fund, which was intended for the officer's family, was "a cry from French people to demand order, a cry of love for their security forces."

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ladder Capital Corp (NYSE: LADR) (we, Ladder, or the Company) will release its second quarter 2023 results on July 26, 2023 after the close of markets that day. The Company will host a conference call and webcast for investors at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time that day to discuss the financial results.

The conference call can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-4018 domestic or (201) 689-8471 international. Individuals who dial in will be asked to identify themselves and their affiliations. For those unable to participate, an audio replay will be available from 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 through midnight on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. To access the replay, please call (844) 512-2921 domestic or (412) 317-6671 international, access code 13739730. The conference call will also be webcast through a link on Ladder Capital Corps Investor Relations website at ir.laddercapital.com/event. A web-based archive of the conference call will be available at the above website.

About Ladder

Ladder is an internally-managed commercial real estate investment trust with $5.9 billion of assets as of March 31, 2023. Our investment objective is to preserve and protect shareholder capital while producing attractive risk-adjusted returns. As one of the nations leading commercial real estate capital providers, we specialize in underwriting commercial real estate and offering flexible capital solutions within a sophisticated platform.

Ladder originates and invests in a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate and real estate-related assets, focusing on senior secured assets. Our investment activities include: (i) our primary business of originating senior first mortgage fixed and floating rate loans collateralized by commercial real estate with flexible loan structures; (ii) owning and operating commercial real estate, including net leased commercial properties; and (iii) investing in investment grade securities secured by first mortgage loans on commercial real estate.

Founded in 2008, Ladder is run by a highly experienced management team with extensive expertise in all aspects of the commercial real estate industry, including origination, credit, underwriting, structuring, capital markets and asset management. Members of Ladders management and board of directors are highly aligned with the Companys investors, owning over 10% of the Companys equity. Ladder is headquartered in New York City with regional offices in Miami, Florida and Santa Monica, California.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719364561/en/

Investors

Ladder Capital Corp Investor Relations

(917) 369-3207

[email protected]

Source: Ladder Capital Corp
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Liberty Energy Inc., (NYSE: LBRT; Liberty or the Company) announced today second quarter 2023 financial and operational results.

Summary Results and Highlights

Revenue of $1.2 billion, a 27% increase over the prior year

Net income1 of $153 million, or $0.87 fully diluted earnings per share, a 45% and 57% increase, respectively, over the prior year

Adjusted EBITDA2 of $311 million and 12-month Adjusted Pre-Tax Return on Capital Employed3 of 44%

Delivered strong second quarter free cash flow and returned $69 million to shareholders through share repurchases and a quarterly cash dividend

Repurchased and retired 2.7% of shares outstanding during the quarter, and a cumulative 9.7% of shares outstanding since reinstating the repurchase program one year ago

Achieved record average daily pumping efficiency for the quarter

Closed Liberty Power Innovations (LPI) acquisition of Siren Energy, expanding our integrated alternative fuel and power solutions for remote applications

We executed on another quarter with strong financial results, and Im especially proud of our operations team for safely delivering the highest quarterly average daily pumping efficiency in our history, a high bar raised higher! Liberty achieved adjusted EBITDA2 of $311 million and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.87. Our success in growing our long-term competitive advantage is illustrated by our trailing 12-month Adjusted Pre-Tax Return on Capital Employed3 of 44%, commented Chris Wright, Chief Executive Officer. Strong cash generation enables long-term investment, together with a strong return of capital program. In the second quarter, we returned $69 million to shareholders through the repurchase of 2.7% of shares outstanding plus our quarterly dividend. The compounding effect of our last 12 months of share buybacks is evidenced by the 57% year-over-year increase in fully diluted earnings per share on a 45% increase in net income.

During the second quarter, we closed the Siren Energy acquisition, expanding LPIs Texas operations. LPI provides CNG fuel and field gas processing services to provide a reliable source of natural gas fuels in support of our digiTechnologiesSM rollout. These technologies are the leading natural gas-fueled solutions in the completions industry and will drive higher earnings potential in the years ahead, continued Mr. Wright. Weve created a unique competitive position where we can take advantage of accretive cyclical and secular investment opportunities generating high returns while returning cash to shareholders and maintaining a strong balance sheet.

Outlook

Frac markets in North America are at steady, healthy activity levels, after moderating a bit from late 2022 as commodity prices retreated from the 2022 peak. Crude oil prices are now at pre-Russia-Ukraine war levels which has spurred private operators in oilier basins to reduce activity. Lower natural gas prices have led to a curtailment of activity in gas basins. In the second half of 2023, demand for frac fleets is expected to parallel recent rig count trends at approximately a one quarter lag. The rig count shows signs of stabilization emerging. E&P operators are already benefiting from lower well costs from consumable inputs, and some are evaluating plans to pull-forward completions activity. Natural gas markets likely dont meaningfully increase activity until 2024 in advance of rising LNG and Mexico exports.

More broadly, global oil markets are signaling a constructive outlook on a tightening supply-demand balance. OPEC+ supply cuts in recent months are beginning to take hold, and markets are anticipating a subsequent draw on global oil inventories. In the U.S., slowing production growth, a drawdown of oil inventories, and a likely shift to refilling U.S. strategic petroleum reserves aid the outlook. Despite recessionary risks, demand for oil remains resilient given several factors, including global travel trending towards pre-Covid levels, robust demand from India and strength in emerging markets. Underinvestment in global production capacity supports a resilient multi-year cycle for oil and gas.

Relative to prior cycles, frac demand has a natural floor as the large majority of completions activity is simply offsetting normal production declines. Operators are largely adhering to flat or very modest production growth targets. The combination underpins higher base levels of frac fleet utilization and more insulation from commodity price volatility than in prior cycles. The current, more consolidated industry is better prepared to navigate near-term softness in completions activity by reducing fleet counts to balance the market and protect margins.

The industrialization of emerging economies is driving long term demand for reliable, affordable energy, and the North American land market is in a strong position as the largest supplier of incremental production. Our industry remains healthy, even with a modest contraction in oil prices from 2022 levels and transient softness in natural gas markets. The discipline of producers and service providers alike, with investment programs fueled by cash flow, steadier activity levels, and strong balance sheets, supports an industry with healthy returns and free cash flow generation, commented Mr. Wright.

We anticipate North American completions activity will moderate in the second half of the year versus the first half. Service companies are reducing fleets in response, supporting a balanced frac market and a largely stable price environment. We expect to continue to deliver healthy free cash flow and return capital to our shareholders through opportunistic share repurchases and dividends, commented Mr. Wright.

Share Repurchase Program

During the quarter ended June 30, 2023, Liberty repurchased and retired 4,722,257 shares of Class A common stock at an average of $12.71 per share, representing 2.7% of shares outstanding, for approximately $60 million. Liberty has cumulatively repurchased and retired 9.7% of shares outstanding at program commencement on July 25, 2022. Total remaining authorization for future common share repurchases is approximately $240 million.

The shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, through block trades, in privately negotiated transactions, through derivative transactions or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. The timing, as well as the number and value of shares repurchased under the program, will be determined by the Company at its discretion and will depend on a variety of factors, including managements assessment of the intrinsic value of the Companys common stock, the market price of the Companys common stock, general market and economic conditions, available liquidity, compliance with the Companys debt and other agreements, applicable legal requirements, and other considerations. The exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company is not guaranteed, and the program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. The Company expects to fund the repurchases by using cash on hand, borrowings under its revolving credit facility and expected free cash flow to be generated through the authorization period.

Quarterly Cash Dividend

During the quarter ended June 30, 2023, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share of Class A common stock, or approximately $9 million in aggregate to shareholders.

On July 18, 2023, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of Class A common stock, to be paid on September 20, 2023 to holders of record as of September 6, 2023.

Future declarations of quarterly cash dividends are subject to approval by the Board of Directors and to the Boards continuing determination that the declarations of dividends are in the best interests of Liberty and its stockholders. Future dividends may be adjusted at the Boards discretion based on market conditions and capital availability.

Second Quarter Results

For the second quarter of 2023, revenue grew to $1.2 billion, an increase of 27% from $943 million in the second quarter of 2022 and a decrease of 5% from $1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2023.

Net income1 (after taxes) totaled $153 million for the second quarter of 2023 compared to net income1 of $105 million in the second quarter of 2022 and net income1 of $163 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA2 of $311 million, increased 59% from $196 million in the second quarter of 2022 and decreased 6% from $330 million in the first quarter of 2023. Please refer to the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) to net income (a GAAP measure) in this earnings release.

Fully diluted earnings per share was $0.87 for the second quarter of 2023 compared to fully diluted earnings per share of $0.55 for the second quarter of 2022 and fully diluted earnings per share of $0.90 for the first quarter of 2023.

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

As of June 30, 2023, Liberty had cash on hand of $32 million, an increase from first quarter levels, and total debt of $288 million drawn on the secured asset-based revolving credit facility (ABL Facility). Total liquidity, including availability under the credit facility, was $226 million as of June 30, 2023.

Conference Call

Liberty will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time (10:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Presenting Libertys results will be Chris Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Ron Gusek, President, and Michael Stock, Chief Financial Officer.

Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should dial (833) 255-2827, or for international callers (412) 902-6704. Participants should ask to join the Liberty Energy call. A live webcast will be available at http://investors.libertyfrac.com. The webcast can be accessed for 90 days following the call. A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 344-7529, or for international callers (412) 317-0088. The passcode for the replay is 2705748. The replay will be available until July 27, 2023.

About Liberty

Liberty is a leading North American energy services firm that offers one of the most innovative suites of completion services and technologies to onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. Liberty was founded in 2011 with a relentless focus on developing and delivering next generation technology for the sustainable development of unconventional energy resources in partnership with our customers. Liberty is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. For more information about Liberty, please contact Investor Relations at [email protected].

1 Net income attributable to controlling and non-controlling interests. 2 Adjusted EBITDA is not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP). Please see the supplemental financial information in the table under Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA at the end of this earnings release for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. 3 Adjusted Pre-Tax Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is a non-U.S. GAAP operational measure. Please see the supplemental financial information in the table under Calculation of Adjusted Pre-Tax Return on Capital Employed at the end of this earnings release for a calculation of this measure.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release includes unaudited non-GAAP financial and operational measures, including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and ROCE. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial and operational measures provides useful information about our financial performance and results of operations. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted to eliminate the effects of items such as non-cash stock-based compensation, new fleet or new basin start-up costs, fleet lay-down costs, costs of asset acquisitions, gain or loss on the disposal of assets, bad debt reserves, transaction, severance, and other costs, the loss or gain on remeasurement of liability under our tax receivable agreements, the gain on investments, and other non-recurring expenses that management does not consider in assessing ongoing performance.

Our board of directors, management, investors, and lenders use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess our financial performance because it allows them to compare our operating performance on a consistent basis across periods by removing the effects of our capital structure (such as varying levels of interest expense), asset base (such as depreciation, depletion, and amortization) and other items that impact the comparability of financial results from period to period. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because we believe they provide useful information regarding the factors and trends affecting our business in addition to measures calculated under GAAP.

We define Adjusted Pre-Tax Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) as the ratio of pre-tax net income (adding back income tax and tax receivable agreement impacts) for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023 to Average Capital Employed. Average Capital Employed is the simple average of total capital employed (both debt and equity) as of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022. ROCE is presented based on our managements belief that these non-GAAP measures are useful information to investors when evaluating our profitability and the efficiency with which management has employed capital over time. Our management uses ROCE for that purpose. ROCE is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, as defined by U.S. GAAP

Non-GAAP financial and operational measures do not have any standardized meaning and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of non-GAAP financial and operational measures is not intended to be a substitute for, and should not be considered in isolation from, the financial measures reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See the tables entitled Reconciliation and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial and Operational Measures for a reconciliation or calculation of the non-GAAP financial or operational measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

The information above includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included herein concerning, among other things, statements about our expected growth from recent acquisitions, expected performance, future operating results, oil and natural gas demand and prices and the outlook for the oil and gas industry, future global economic conditions, improvements in operating procedures and technology, our business strategy and the business strategies of our customers, the deployment of fleets in the future, planned capital expenditures, future cash flows and borrowings, pursuit of potential acquisition opportunities, our financial position, return of capital to stockholders, business strategy and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as may, expect, estimate, outlook, project, plan, position, believe, intend, achievable, anticipate, will, continue, potential, likely, should, could, and similar terms and phrases. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties. The outlook presented herein is subject to change by Liberty without notice and Liberty has no obligation to affirm or update such information, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this earnings release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions identified above or as disclosed from time to time in Liberty's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these factors, actual results may differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 as filed with the SEC on February 10, 2023, in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 as filed with the SEC on April 21, 2023 and in our other public filings with the SEC. These and other factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Liberty Energy Inc. Selected Financial Data (unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 Statement of Operations Data: (amounts in thousands, except for per share data) Revenue $ 1,194,988 $ 1,262,077 $ 942,619 $ 2,457,065 $ 1,735,389 Costs of services, excluding depreciation, depletion, and amortization shown separately 833,456 888,416 713,718 1,721,872 1,383,737 General and administrative 58,034 53,036 42,162 111,070 80,480 Transaction, severance, and other costs 985 617 2,192 1,602 3,526 Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 99,695 94,401 77,379 194,096 151,967 (Gain) loss on disposal of assets (3,660 ) 487 (3,436 ) (3,173 ) 1,236 Total operating expenses 988,510 1,036,957 832,015 2,025,467 1,620,946 Operating income 206,478 225,120 110,604 431,598 114,443 Loss on remeasurement of liability under tax receivable agreements (1)   168  4,333 Interest expense, net 6,475 7,891 4,862 14,366 9,186 Net income before taxes 200,003 217,229 105,574 417,232 100,924 Income tax expense (1) 47,332 54,483 235 101,815 1,065 Net income 152,671 162,746 105,339 315,417 99,859 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests  91 183 91 79 Net income attributable to Liberty Energy Inc. stockholders $ 152,671 $ 162,655 $ 105,156 $ 315,326 $ 99,780 Net income attributable to Liberty Energy Inc. stockholders per common share: Basic $ 0.88 $ 0.92 $ 0.56 $ 1.80 $ 0.54 Diluted $ 0.87 $ 0.90 $ 0.55 $ 1.76 $ 0.52 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 173,131 176,569 186,719 174,840 185,367 Diluted (2) 176,225 181,088 190,441 178,837 190,623 Other Financial and Operational Data Capital expenditures (3) $ 151,746 $ 129,654 $ 127,045 $ 281,400 $ 217,107 Adjusted EBITDA (4) $ 311,463 $ 329,885 $ 196,109 $ 641,348 $ 287,940

(1) During the second quarter of 2021, the Company entered into a three-year cumulative pre-tax book loss driven primarily by Covid-19 which, applying the interpretive guidance to Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 - Income Taxes, required the Company to recognize a valuation allowance against certain of the Companys deferred tax assets. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company achieved three years of cumulative pre-tax income in the U.S. federal tax jurisdiction, management determined that there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the Companys net deferred tax assets in the foreseeable future. For the year ended December 31, 2022 the Company recorded a release of the valuation allowance. In connection with both the recognition and release of a valuation allowance, the Company was also required to remeasure the liability under the tax receivable agreements. (2) In accordance with U.S. GAAP, diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2022, exclude 7 weighted average shares of Class B common stock outstanding during the period. (3) Net capital expenditures presented above include investing cash flows from purchase of property and equipment, excluding acquisitions, net of proceeds from the sales of assets. (4) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the tables entitled Reconciliation and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial and Operational Measures below.

Liberty Energy Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited, amounts in thousands) June 30, December 31, 2023 2022 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 31,667 $ 43,676 Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue 719,194 586,012 Inventories 201,069 214,454 Prepaids and other current assets 121,985 112,531 Total current assets 1,073,915 956,673 Property and equipment, net 1,546,187 1,362,364 Operating and finance lease right-of-use assets 149,868 139,003 Other assets 133,292 105,300 Deferred tax asset 21,240 12,592 Total assets $ 2,924,502 $ 2,575,932 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 705,689 $ 609,790 Current portion of operating and finance lease liabilities 38,541 38,687 Current portion of long-term debt, net of discount  1,020 Total current liabilities 744,230 649,497 Long-term debt, net of discount 288,000 217,426 Long-term operating and finance lease liabilities 102,422 91,785 Deferred tax liability 1,067 1,044 Payable pursuant to tax receivable agreements 114,842 118,874 Total liabilities 1,250,561 1,078,626 Stockholders' equity: Common Stock 1,704 1,791 Additional paid in capital 1,146,130 1,266,097 Retained earnings 531,974 234,525 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5,867 ) (7,396 ) Total stockholders equity 1,673,941 1,495,017 Non-controlling interest  2,289 Total equity 1,673,941 1,497,306 Total liabilities and equity $ 2,924,502 $ 2,575,932

Liberty Energy Inc. Reconciliation and Calculation of Non-GAAP Financial and Operational Measures (unaudited, amounts in thousands) Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income $ 152,671 $ 162,746 $ 105,339 $ 315,417 $ 99,859 Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 99,695 94,401 77,379 194,096 151,967 Interest expense, net 6,475 7,891 4,862 14,366 9,186 Income tax expense 47,332 54,483 235 101,815 1,065 EBITDA $ 306,173 $ 319,521 $ 187,815 $ 625,694 $ 262,077 Stock based compensation expense 7,965 7,178 4,201 15,143 11,014 Fleet start-up costs  2,082 5,169 2,082 5,754 Transaction, severance, and other costs 985 617 2,192 1,602 3,526 (Gain) loss on disposal of assets (3,660 ) 487 (3,436 ) (3,173 ) 1,236 Loss on remeasurement of liability under tax receivable agreements   168  4,333 Adjusted EBITDA $ 311,463 $ 329,885 $ 196,109 $ 641,348 $ 287,940

Calculation of Pre-Tax Return on Capital Employed Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2023 2022 Net income $ 615,860 Add back: Income tax expense 99,957 Add back: Loss on remeasurement of liability under tax receivable agreements (1) 71,858 Adjusted Pre-tax net income $ 787,675 Capital Employed Total debt, net of discount $ 288,000 $ 253,950 Total equity 1,673,941 1,330,016 Total Capital Employed $ 1,961,941 $ 1,583,966 Average Capital Employed (2) $ 1,772,954 Pre-Tax Return on Capital Employed (3) 44 %

(1) Loss on remeasurement of the liability under tax receivable agreements is a result of the release of the valuation allowance on the Companys deferred tax assets and should be excluded in the determination of pre-tax return on capital employed. (2) Average Capital Employed is the simple average of Total Capital Employed as of June 30, 2023 and 2022. (3) Adjusted Pre-tax Return on Capital Employed is the ratio of pre-tax net income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2023 to Average Capital Employed.

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Michael Stock

Chief Financial Officer

Anjali Voria, CFA

Strategic Finance & Investor Relations Lead

303-515-2851

[email protected]

Source: Liberty Energy Inc.
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The vast majority of Gen Z women (92%) acknowledge that their beauty or wellness routines are influenced by online creators, illustrating the trust and power creators hold in driving consumer behavior. 78% of Gen Z and 61% of Millennial women rank creators as their most trusted source for beauty recommendations, with social media ranking as the number one platform where they discover new beauty products, according to the new report released by creator-guided shopping platform, LTK.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719368696/en/

Even when compared to trusted traditional sources, Gen Z and Millennials prefer creator content over retailer websites, and Gen Z women even rank creators higher than friends and family when it comes to beauty and personal care recommendations. In fact, the LTK Beauty Shopper Study revealed that 83% of Gen Z women shop for creators' beauty and personal care recommendations online and 82% shop their recommendations in stores.

Influencing Beauty Shopping Choices

The study identified skincare, hair care, and makeup as the top three routines influenced by creators across the general population. Foundation, eye makeup, lip products, mascara, hair tools, and hair serums were found to be the most purchased beauty items from creators, while personal care products included body wash/scrub, moisturizers, shampoo/conditioner, face wash, deodorant, and acne products.

The fastest-growing beauty products through LTK Creators include the Dibs Beauty Duo Brush 15, Tangle Teezers The Ultimate Detangler Plant Brush, Tartes Maracuja Juicy Lip trio and IT Cosmetics Nude Glow Foundation SPF 40, demonstrating an interest in beauty tools and accessible beauty products. Meanwhile, products like Patrick Ta Contour & Powder Duo, Dyson Airstrait, Global Healing Oxy Powder, REFY Brow Tint Eyebrow Gel, and Benefit Cosmetics BADGal Bang! Mascara are among the top items purchased through LTK Creators for both Millennials and Gen Z shoppers.

Beauty and Personal Care: Recession-Proof Shopping

Despite 74% of women believing we are in a recession, the majority (61%) plan to maintain or even increase their spending on beauty and personal care. Shoppers tend to splurge on items they value, with 43% of the general population admitting to this behavior. Interestingly, Gen Z is more likely to shop for drugstore products (52%) and look for less expensive versions of luxury items (47%). Across the board, quality seems to trump price as the determining factor for a purchase among all generations.

The Impact of LTK Creators on Beauty

The beauty sector has shown remarkable growth on the LTK platform, outpacing other categories. Hair styling, GRWM (get ready with me) makeup videos, skincare routines, and wellness tips are the most viewed content from creators as shoppers find the content both educational and relatable, contributing to their popularity.

The study also highlighted the power of video in commerce guided shopping. LTK posts with video content result in a 64% higher retail sales per post to static images. Shoppers were found to purchase three times as much from LTK creator videos than other media types in the LTK platform, and most prefer video content over still images (66%) on social media.

In the evolving landscape of retail, creators wield considerable influence over consumer choices, especially in the world of beauty and personal care.

As more people turn to creators as a trusted source on beauty and personal care products, advice and inspiration, creators have become the best way for brands to reach their customers in an authentic and impactful way, said Ally Anderson, Director of Strategy & Insights at LTK. Brands that lean into the authenticity and trust creators have built with their communities are winning across an array of metrics that are leading to meaningful business growth.

The reported data is from a survey conducted in May 2023 among 1,044 participants, reflective of the US population with 97% confidence. To learn more about the LTK Beauty Shopper Study, please visit https://company.shopltk.com/the-beauty-blueprint.

About LTK

As the founder of creator guided shopping, LTK is the trusted and effective platform for creators and their businesses by powering the connection between content and commerce. Founded in 2011 by Amber and Baxter Box, the LTK mission is to empower creators to be as economically successful as possible. World premium lifestyle creators in 150+ countries drive more than $4 billion in annual retail sales through their LTK Shop profiles. Today, nearly 30 million consumers turn to LTK Creators in the LTK shopping platform each month to find inspiration and instantly shop the styles recommended by their favorite creators. And, more than 7,000 brands partner with LTK to gain access to its global creator network for content that converts against performance-driven, cross-channel KPIs. A three-time honoree on Fast Companys list of Most Innovative Retail Companies, LTK is headquartered in Dallas, TX and currently operates on five continents. To download the LTK shopping app, search for LTK in the App Store or Google Play.

For the latest updates from LTK, follow Shop.LTK.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719368696/en/

[email protected]

Source: LTK
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BizAnalytica, an industry-leading data cloud and modernization solutions provider, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Mastek (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704), a Turnkey & Trusted Digital Engineering & Cloud Transformation Partner. With this acquisition, BizAnalytica will scale new heights with global exposure in 40+ countries and access to an array of service portfolios with ~6000 diverse workforce committed to deliver business value for clients.

This transaction will help BizAnalytica augment its Data Cloud and Modernization capabilities with Masteks trusted ecosystem of Digital Engineering, Cloud Transformation, and Generative AI services. Essentially, Mastek will open a gateway for BizAnalytica to a spectrum of industry verticals across Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Government/Public Sector, etc. Together as One entity, both organizations will enable our customers to unlock the power of data, modernize applications to the Cloud, and accelerate adoption of AI.

We strongly believe Mastek is the ideal choice to reinforce our market-specific capabilities in data cloud and Generative AI. The transition is a turning point for BizAnalytica, and we're eager to collaborate with our joint customers in their transformation journey," said Lokesh Khosla, CTO and Co-founder of BizAnalytica. "With resonating cultural values and vision, BizAnalytica will bring a multitude of opportunities and contribute to Mastek's growth story."

Speaking on the acquisition, Mr. Hiral Chandrana, CEO of Mastek Group said, As organizations move data to the cloud, it is imperative that they optimize data assets across their value chain to make better decisions. This acquisition is a crucial milestone to accelerate our presence in data engineering & cloud and the fast-evolving Generative AI space. BizAnalyticas strong data cloud and modernization capabilities, differentiated solutions & partnerships with leading cloud platforms will help us de-complex the cloud transformation journey for our clients with trust, value, and velocity.

Clients globally are moving their Data workloads to the cloud and are looking to leverage this data to create enterprise specific Generative AI models. BizAnalyticas strong footprint in the US will help us unfold Mastek's potential in existing verticals such as Healthcare & Retail and new industries like Asset & Wealth management. We are confident that this strategic investment will help Mastek strengthen our existing Data Cloud & Analytics capabilities and deliver greater value to our clients. said Raman Sapra, President and Chief Growth Officer at Mastek.

About BizAnalytica

Established in 2017, BizAnalytica is a provider of end-to-end professional data cloud and modernization services, including architectural design, system integration, data migration, automation, management, and analytics. It helps enterprises define a smart data cloud and modernization strategy that results in intelligent, data-driven decisions to stimulate revenue and growth. The company has strategic partnerships with Snowflake, Databricks AWS, Azure, and other leading platforms. For more details, please visit our website www.bizanalytica.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719290020/en/

Press Contact

Katlan Bennett | [email protected]

Source: BizAnalytica
BORDEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Mon Courtier Energie Groupe (ISIN code: FR001400H3A0 - Ticker: ALMCE), a B2B energy brokerage company, today announced that TP ICAP Midcap, a brokerage firm and investment bank specializing in small and mid-caps, has initiated coverage of its shares.

In its initiation study, TP ICAP Midcap began covering the stock with a Buy recommendation and a target price of 17.80 per share.

About Mon Courtier Energie Groupe

Founded in Bordeaux in 2017, in just a few years Mon Courtier Energie Groupe has become the leading French energy broker on the B2B market. The Groups mission is to help companies with the global management of their energy budget in order to reduce or optimise their gas and/or electricity bill. Mon Courtier Energie Groupes service offer comprises brokerage and advice regarding energy purchasing, the management and optimisation of contracts and energy transition guidance.

Mon Courtier Energie Groupe draws on the expertise of more than 130 people at its head offices and in licenced branches around the country.

For further information, please go to www.moncourtierenergie.com.

Disclaimer on forward-looking statements and risk factors

This press release contains forward-looking statements, not historical data, and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts and data stated will occur. These forward-looking statements are based on data, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by Mon Courtier Energie Groupe. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe operates in a competitive and rapidly evolving environment. It is therefore not in a position to anticipate all risks, uncertainties or other factors that may affect its business, their potential impact on its business or the extent to which the materialization of a risk or combination of risks could lead to results that differ significantly from those mentioned in any forward-looking statement. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe draws your attention to the fact that forward-looking statements are in no way a guarantee of its future performance and that its actual financial position, results and cash flows and the development of the sector in which Mon Courtier Energie Groupe operates may differ significantly from those proposed or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this document. In addition, even if Mon Courtier Energie Groupe financial position, results, cash flows and developments in the industry in which it operates are consistent with the forward-looking information contained in this document, such results or developments may not be a reliable indication of Mon Courtier Energie Groupe future results or developments. Readers are advised to carefully consider the risk factors described in the Registration document approved by the French Market Authority (AMF), available free of charge on the Companys website. Should all or any part of these risk factors materialize or others, in no case whatsoever will Mon Courtier Energie Groupe be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or for any related damages. This information is given only as of the date of this press release. Mon Courtier Energie Groupe makes no commitment to publish updates to this information or on the assumptions on which it is based, except in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation applicable to it.

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to shares in Mon Courtier Energie Groupe in any country.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719705590/en/

Mon Courtier Energie Groupe

Charlie Evrard

Founder and CEO

[email protected]

NewCap

Mathilde Bohin / Dusan Oresansky

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau

Media Relations

[email protected]

Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98

Source: Mon Courtier Energie
Thales Luna HSMs meet the security requirements of Bangladeshs new Interoperable Digital Transaction Platform (IDTP), allowing secure real-time movement of funds

Acts as the root of trust for NCC Banks cryptographic operations, providing secure key generation and strong access controls to prevent unauthorised users from accessing sensitive data

PARIS LA DEFENSE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- National Credit and Commerce Bank (NCC) of Bangladesh has rolled-out Thales Luna Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) across its existing infrastructure to meet the complex security requirements of the recently launched Interoperable Digital Transaction Platform (IDTP), also known as Binimoy. The tamper-resistant hardware is the root of trust for NCC Banks real-time transactions, providing customers with a seamless yet highly secure user experience.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718959340/en/

Mr. Anisur Rahman Chief Information Officer (CIO), Information Technology Division at NCC Bank (Photo: Thales)

In November 2022, the Bangladesh Government launched the Interoperable Digital Transaction Platform (IDTP), allowing entities to move funds between bank accounts, mobile financial services, and payment system providers in real-time and at a lower cost. The platform connects customers, merchants, payment processors, e-wallets, banks, and more, supporting the Governments goal of a cashless society.

The IDTP relies on crypto operations to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all transactions. NCC Bank selected Thales Luna HSMs as its hardware-based root of trust for its cryptographic operations. Deployed for crypto operations and secure key generation and storage, Luna HSMs are FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified and offer a secure communication channel between HSM and application nodes. The deployment enables NCC Bank to trust payment transactions in real-time, ensuring an unhindered experience for the user while providing the highest level of security.

Thales Luna HSMs have been the Bangladesh Governments security platform of choice since 2010, when they were first rolled out at the inception of the Bangladesh Automated Clearing House (BACH). Over the last several years, the hardware has also been selected to secure the Government-owned Bangladesh Banks Nikash Application, developed to replace its existing Electronic Funds Transfer Network (EFTN). Once again in 2022, when the Government launched the IDTP, Thales Luna HSMs became the de-facto choice amongst participating banks, including NCC Bank, for their trusted security and capability to support multiple applications and use cases.

Anisur Rahman, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Division at NCC Bank, said, NCC Bank has a long-standing reputation for sincere personalised service and quality technology. We knew we had to rise to the challenge of the IDTP, ensuring our products and services across Bangladesh were interoperable, secure, and seamless for the customer. We selected Thales through comprehensive evaluation due to their reputation as the market leader in the security industry. Adding Luna HSMs to our existing infrastructure was smooth and seamless thanks to its efficient setup and administration.

Thales Luna HSMs allow the control and management of cryptographic keys across physical, cloud and hybrid IT infrastructures, including NCC Banks 125 branches. The overall security architecture supports the stringent security requirements of the IDTP, including multi-factor authentication and easy reporting for audits.

As Bangladeshs financial sector continues its digital transformation, NCC Bank will benefit from Luna HSMs scalable, flexible, and agile offering that can handle multiple applications with different crypto requirements.

Rana Gupta, APAC Vice President, Data Security Products at Thales, commented, Banks around the world entrust Thales to ensure the privacy of their customers. We are proud to assist NCC Bank's transition to digital technologies that benefit millions. Our Luna HSMs are designed to balance security and high-performance requirements for traditional and new technologies. For financial institutions like NCC Bank of Bangladesh, this means ensuring that digital currency has the highest level of security for its customers.

About Thales Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies within three domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Digital Identity & Security. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The Group invests close to 4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key areas such as quantum technologies, Edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity. Thales has 77,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2022, the Group generated sales of 17.6 billion.

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Thales Group

Cloud Protection & Licensing Solutions | Thales Group

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PRESS

Thales, Media Relations

Security & Cybersecurity

Marion Bonnet

+33 (0)6 60 38 48 92

[email protected]

Source: Thales
OSHKOSH, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading innovator of purpose-built vehicles and equipment, will issue its second quarter 2023 financial results on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. The results will be discussed during a live webcast that day beginning at 9:30 a.m. EDT. To access the webcast, investors should go to www.oshkoshcorp.com approximately 15 minutes prior to the event. Slides for the webcast will be available on the website the morning of August 1.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs approximately 15,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common cause: to make a difference in peoples lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG, Hinowa, Pierce, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh Defense, McNeilus, IMT, Jerr-Dan, Frontline Communications, Oshkosh Airport Products, and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

,  All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

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Financial:

Patrick Davidson

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

920.502.3266

Media:

Jennifer Stiansen

Vice President, Global Branding and Communications

240.500.6485

Source: Oshkosh Corporation
The third annual report highlights Q2s efforts to transform the banking industry and enable equitable access to banking through fulfilling its mission to build strong and diverse communities

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Q2 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: QTWO), a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for banking and lending, today released its third annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report. The report highlights how the company addresses the top ESG priorities that matter to its employees, customers, communities, partners and other stakeholders.

For the past 19 years, Q2 has pursued its mission to build strong and diverse communities by strengthening the financial institutions that serve them. With this mission in mind, Q2 set out to empower banks and credit unions to deliver customized services to their commercial customers by introducing Q2 Catalyst, a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help commercial bankers win more small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers, onboard them faster, serve them better, and grow stronger, more profitable client relationships. Through investments in customer-inspired innovation and acquiring leading technologies, Q2 has continually expanded its solutions to include commercial banking, regulatory and compliance, digital lending, Banking as a Service (Helix by Q2), digital account opening and switching, data-driven sales enablement, spending insights, and portfolio management solutions.

We believe that local banks and credit unions serve their communities in unmatched and invaluable ways, said Matt Flake, CEO, Q2. We are encouraged by the progress weve made in 2022 in moving the needle for our environmental, social and governance initiatives. We are excited about our continued commitment to innovation, diversity and sustainability as we continue to transform the banking ecosystem.

Among the priority areas addressed in this report are the following:

Small and medium-sized business (SMBs) are vital to the health and growth of our communities, yet they are often underserved. In 2022, Q2 announced the launch of Q2 Catalyst, its comprehensive suite of solutions designed to help commercial bankers win more deals, onboard clients faster, serve customers better, and grow stronger, more profitable commercial client relationships.

In 2022, Q2 was recognized for the 12th year in a row as one of Austin American-Statesmans Greater Austin Top Workplaces. On a national level, Q2 was recognized by Energage for the second time as a winner of the 2023 Top Workplaces USA Awards, as well as by Built Ins 2023 Best Places to Work Awards, as a U.S. 100 Best Large Places to Work.

Q2s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship is demonstrated through its increasing disclosures around Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Through the measurement and management of its environmental footprint, Q2 continues to deliver products and solutions in an energy-efficient manner.

In an effort to increase its community investment, Q2 introduced the Q2 Philanthropy Fund, an initiative led in partnership with Austin Community Foundation (ACF), a grantmaking public charity, to make it easier and more accessible for non-profit organizations to apply for grants from Q2. In 2022, the inaugural Q2 Philanthropy Fund cycle awarded $120,000 in funding to 12 recipients, including organizations that work to build strong and diverse communities in Nebraska, North Carolina, India and Texas.

Click here to learn more about Q2s ESG efforts and to view the full report.

About Q2 Holdings, Inc.

Q2 is a leading provider of digital banking and lending solutions to banks, credit unions, alternative finance companies, and fintechs in the U.S. and internationally. Q2 enables its financial institutions and fintech companies to provide comprehensive, secure, data-driven digital client engagement solutionsfrom consumers to small businesses and corporate clients. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Q2 has offices throughout the world and is publicly traded on the NYSE under the stock symbol QTWO. To learn more, please visit Q2.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to stay up-to-date

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Carly Baker

Q2 Holdings, Inc.

+1 210-391-1706

[email protected]

Source: Q2 Holdings, Inc.
New threat intelligence report demonstrates how cybercriminals persistently target financial institutions

WASHINGTON & PORTSMOUTH, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Searchlight Cyber, the dark web intelligence company, has released its new report, Dark Web Threats Against the Banking Sector, which outlines the tactics of cybercriminal reconnaissance against banking institutions. The report highlights the most prominent threats visible on the dark web - including Initial Access Broker posts on dark web forums, insider threats, and supply chain attacks - and explains how banks can use this intelligence to improve their cyber defense.

The research found that:

Initial Access Broker posts are the most commonly observed activity on the dark web.

The report explains how threat actors sell vulnerabilities such as remote network access, web shells, remote code execution, and SQL injection on dark web forums for other cybercriminals - including ransomware operators - to exploit.

The report explains how threat actors sell vulnerabilities such as remote network access, web shells, remote code execution, and SQL injection on dark web forums for other cybercriminals - including ransomware operators - to exploit. Insider threats pose a challenge for banks.

Searchlight analysts observed cases of employees proactively advertising their ability to undermine the security of their organization, as well as cybercriminals trying to recruit employees at banks.

Searchlight analysts observed cases of employees proactively advertising their ability to undermine the security of their organization, as well as cybercriminals trying to recruit employees at banks. Reconnaissance against banks supply chains can be observed on the dark web.

With criminals identifying the banks that can be impacted in posts targeting their suppliers.

The research includes posts from cybercriminals on dark web sites such as XSS, Exploit, and BreachForums targeting banks around the world, with examples from the United States, UK, France, Spain, South America, and Asia.

The report also explains how this type of dark web intelligence can be used by banks in security practices such as threat hunting, internal investigations, and gathering intelligence on the tactics of specific cybercriminals.

Commenting on the findings, Jim Simpson, Director of Threat Intelligence at Searchlight Cyber said:

While a lot of the cybercriminal activity described in this report sounds alarming, the point of this research is not to scare banks. In fact, it is to demonstrate the opportunity that the dark web provides to identify threats earlier. Banks are always going to be a target for threat actors, but monitoring the dark web allows them a chance to spot criminal activity in the pre-attack or planning stage and gives security teams valuable time to adjust their defenses.

For example, we have observed threat actors that are known to be associated with ransomware groups interacting with some of the Initial Access Broker posts in this report. Knowledge is power, and identifying vulnerabilities being sold before the ransomware operator is able to successfully breach their organization would be a huge win for defenders. These are the proactive defense opportunities that dark web intelligence provides.

Click here to read the full report.

ENDS

About Searchlight Cyber

Searchlight Cyber provides organizations with relevant and actionable dark web intelligence, to help them identify and prevent criminal activity. Founded in 2017 with a mission to stop criminals acting with impunity on the dark web, we have been involved in some of the worlds largest dark web investigations and have the most comprehensive dataset based on proprietary techniques and ground-breaking academic research. Today we help government and law enforcement, enterprises, and managed security services providers around the world to illuminate deep and dark web threats and prevent attacks. To find out more visit slcyber.io or follow Searchlight Cyber on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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[email protected]

Source: Searchlight Cyber
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN) (the "REIT"), an owner and operator of high-quality workplace real estate, today announced that Robert Armstrong, Partner and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Slate Asset Management, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Slate Office REIT. Armstrong will replace Charles Peach, who is stepping down from his role as CFO, effective August 17, 2023.

Armstrong brings over two decades of experience in corporate finance, financial reporting, and capital markets in North America and Europe to the role of CFO. He previously served as CFO of the REIT from 2015 to 2019 and has actively supported the REITs growth and operations as a member of the senior leadership team of Slate Asset Management over the last four years.

Prior to joining Slate, Armstrong was a partner in the real estate practice of Deloitte LLP in Toronto, Canada, where he was also on the executive committee for the Toronto assurance practice and was Deloittes Canadian IPO leader. Previously, he worked at Brookfield Asset Management Inc. in various treasury, finance, and financial reporting positions. Armstrong is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Roberts strong track record in corporate finance and capital markets and his experience as COO of Slate Asset Managements global investment and asset management platform will be invaluable to the REIT as we manage through a persistently challenging operating environment, said Monty Baker, Chair of the Board of the REIT. With the global office sector facing significant headwinds, we believe Roberts leadership and deep understanding of our business will enable us to further enhance the REITs financial strength and flexibility with a view toward long-term value preservation for our unitholders.

Baker added: On behalf of the entire Board, Id like to thank Charles for his many contributions during his tenure as CFO. The REIT has greatly benefitted from his leadership, expertise, and forward-thinking, particularly as the business has navigated a volatile and rapidly evolving macroeconomic environment. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Armstrong will work closely with Peach and the REITs senior leadership team over the coming weeks to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities.

About Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN)

Slate Office REIT is a global owner and operator of high-quality workplace real estate. The REIT owns interests in and operates a portfolio of strategic and well-located real estate assets in North America and Europe. The majority of the REITs portfolio is comprised of government and high-quality credit tenants. The REIT acquires quality assets at a discount to replacement cost and creates value for unitholders by applying hands-on asset management strategies to grow rental revenue, extend lease term and increase occupancy. Visit slateofficereit.com to learn more.

About Slate Asset Management

Slate Asset Management is a global alternative investment platform targeting real assets. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners. Slates platform has a range of real estate and infrastructure investment strategies, including opportunistic, value add, core plus and debt investments. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enable us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes forward-looking information as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect managements expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. The words plans, expects, does not expect, scheduled, estimates, intends, anticipates, does not anticipate, projects, believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, might, occur, be achieved, or continue and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SOT-SA

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For Further Information

Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

[email protected]

Source: Slate Office REIT
For three centuries, the al-Siraji Mosque, with its minaret fashioned from weathered bricks and its pinnacle inlaid with blue ceramic tiles, was a distinctive feature of the city of Basra in southern Iraq.

In recent years, it was one of the few tourist attractions in the oil-rich but neglected city, although locals complained that the minaret jutted out into the street, snarling traffic.

In the early hours Friday morning, the 11-meter-high (33-foot-high) minaret was razed to the ground, with the governor of Basra attending the demolition, igniting a wave of social media backlash among advocates for the preservation of Iraqs cultural heritage.

Heritage sites in Iraq, home to multiple civilizations going back more than six millennia, have been hard hit by looting and damage over the decades of conflict before and after the U.S. invasion of 2003. Most notoriously, the militant Islamic State group demolished numerous ancient sites in northern Iraq, including Islamic shrines, raising outrage among Iraqis and abroad.

Amid the relative calm that has prevailed in recent years, the country has seen a resurgence of archeology. Many stolen artifacts have been returned, and damaged heritage sites like the al-Nouri mosque in Mosul wrecked by IS have been restored after Iraq appealed for international funding to help.

However, this time, it is the actions of official authorities that have put an end to our heritage, said Jaafar Jotheri, an assistant professor of Geoarchaeology at Al-Qadisiyah University in Iraq.

The Siraji Mosque with its minaret was built in 1727. The mosque itself was not included in the demolition.

Basras governor, Asaad al-Eidani, said in public statements that the local government had received permission from Iraqs Sunni Endowment Office, which has authority over Sunni religious sites, for the minarets demolition. He said the whole mosque would be replaced with a modern, better designed one.

Some may say its historical, but it was in the middle of the street, and we took it down to expand the street for the public interest, the governor said in a video posted on the official Facebook page of Basra Governorate Media Office.

The governors office did not respond to a request for comment.

The minaret predates the street, Jotheri said, and it is one of the oldest sites in Basra. It was not encroaching on the street; rather, they encroached upon it.

The minarets significance lies not in its religious context, but rather its historical value, said Adil Sadik, an architect from Basra. This minaret does not belong to any individual or particular group; rather, it is the collective property of the city and a cherished part of its collective memory.

The minarets destruction has drawn attention to the gaps in Iraqs legal framework for heritage preservation. The country has two separate laws, the Antique and Heritage Protection Law and the Religious Endowments Law, which sometimes conflict. In the case of religious historical sites, the authority of the Endowments often supersedes that of the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage of Iraq.

Ahmed al-Olayawi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, criticized the destruction of the minaret. He said that the ministry had previously submitted proposals to the Basra government for the minaret to be dismantled and relocated away from the street. Al-Olayawi called for a judicial inquiry into the demolition.

The Sunni Endowment Office, in an official statement, denied granting permission for the demolition and voiced its shock.

We requested the Basra governorate to relocate the minaret, not destroy it, the head of the Sunni Endowment, Mishaan al-Khazraji, said in a televised speech.

Ali Nazim, a resident of Basra, said that he agreed with the goal of expanding the street and allowing for a better flow of traffic, but the way it was done has caused anger.

The incident has fueled a broader conversation about the preservation of Iraqs historical sites and cultural heritage.

In other countries, they protect even a tree during street expansions, said Ali Hilal, an Iraqi photographer dedicated to promoting historical sites in Iraq. Why did we destroy a 3-century-old site to widen the street?

After the uproar, the Basra governor said a Turkish company specialized in heritage preservation might take charge of rebuilding the minaret from the rubble.

Jotheri said he doubts thats possible. He noted that the bricks of the minaret were not numbered to allow for reassembly, and the use of a bulldozer damaged the unique features of the bricks.

Every visitor to Basra over the past 300 years has seen and formed memories with the iconic minaret, he said. But now, neither my son nor your son will have the chance to witness it.

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- Funding will be used to advance clinical development of the SURGE intraoperative immunotherapy programs

- Company doses first two patients in Phase 1/2a study for lead intraoperative immunotherapy candidate, STM-416, in patients with recurrent bladder cancer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SURGE Therapeutics (SURGE), a biotech company pioneering the delivery of immunotherapy during cancer surgery, announced today the completion of a $32 million Series B financing led by Bioluminescence Ventures, with participation from KdT Ventures, Piedmont Capital, and existing investors 8VC, Alumni Ventures, Camford Capital, Cancer Research Institute, Intuitive Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Pitango HealthTech.

The funding will be used to further development of the SURGE intraoperative immunotherapy approach, expand the team, and advance multiple clinical trials for its injectable biodegradable hydrogel, which may be administered during any surgical oncology procedure. In connection with the financing, Kouki Harasaki, Ph.D., Managing Partner at Bioluminescence Ventures, will join SURGEs Board of Directors.

The company recently dosed the first two patients in a Phase 1/2a trial for its lead intraoperative immunotherapy candidate, STM-416, in patients with recurrent bladder cancer  a major unmet medical need  to improve post-resection outcomes. SURGEs intraoperative approach enables extended, localized release of immunotherapy at the site of surgical tumor resection. This intervention may prevent tumor relapse and induce systemic antitumor immunity, potentially eliminating existing micrometastases.

The capital that we have raised to date will allow SURGE to generate proof-of-concept event-free survival data with our lead program and advance our second and third programs through Phase 1, said Michael Goldberg, Ph.D., CEO & Founder, SURGE Therapeutics. Intraoperative immunotherapy is a platform approach that can potentially confer clinical benefit across multiple cancer types, using different molecules. Surgery is the standard of care for most patients with solid tumors, and it is common for a small number of cancer cells to remain behind. Our mission is to ensure that nobody grieves the loss of a loved one due to preventable post-surgical cancer recurrence.

Currently, cancer surgery is a physical intervention only. Physicians typically do not administer any kind of immunotherapy during surgical tumor resection, which we believe is a missed opportunity, as post-surgical recurrence and metastasis account for 90 percent of cancer-related deaths, said Kouki Harasaki, Ph.D., Managing Partner, Bioluminescence Ventures. SURGE has a unique first-mover advantage in the intraoperative immunotherapy space to potentially improve patient outcomes and become the standard of care as a seamless complement to surgery. We are very excited about working with the SURGE team towards realizing this objective.

Reprogramming the bodys response to surgery from immunosuppressive to immunostimulatory may trigger the patients immune system to destroy both local and distal residual cancer cells, reducing recurrence and improving survival. In multiple aggressive murine models of metastasizing cancer, intraoperative immunotherapy vastly improved survival benefit relative to traditional routes of administration, whether systemic or local. Confirmation in patients could represent a major advancement in cancer care.

About SURGE Therapeutics

SURGE Therapeutics (The Intraoperative Immunotherapy Company) seeks to dramatically improve cancer patient survival by disrupting how, when, and where cancer immunotherapy is deployed. The SURGERx platform is designed to improve the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy treatment, concentrating the effective dose where and when it may yield tremendous impact. SURGE is based in Cambridge, MA. For more information, visit https://surgetx.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

SURGE, SURGE Therapeutics, SURGERx, and The Intraoperative Immunotherapy Company are trademarks of SURGE Therapeutics, Inc.

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Media

Kimberly Ha

KKH Advisors

917-291-5744

[email protected]

Source: SURGE Therapeutics
BROOMFIELD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Swisslog Healthcare, a leading supplier in healthcare technology combining pharmacy and transport automation, will host a simu-live webinar titled Flexibility is Futureproof on July 20, 2023, the latest in a series of webinars that includes diverse perspectives of healthcare industry experts. In this new episode, the participants will offer attendees summarized input from hospitals across North America about technology solutions, human capacity, and best practices to futureproof their institutions.

According to a 2022 Gartner survey, 85% of infrastructure and operations leaders who don't already have automation expect to become more automated within the next two to three years. Implementing automation technology helps minimize the risk of catastrophic failures, medication errors, and drug diversion in healthcare facilities  all of which contribute to increased costs. Based on insights gathered from Swisslog Healthcare partners, the Flexibility is Futureproof webinar discussion covers how many hospital executives are grappling with elevated costs and economic strains leaving healthcare facilities susceptible to potential recessions or future public health crises.

The conversation will feature Larry Bray, Region Director of TransLogic, a Swisslog Healthcare Company; Rob Banis, VP of Medication Management at Swisslog Healthcare; and will be moderated by Swisslog Healthcares Head of Communications, Amanda Costanzi. Recognizing widespread challenges in North America, Swisslog Healthcare is actively pursuing solutions to help clinicians maintain quality patient care. Webinar attendees will gain insights from each presenters extensive experience working with healthcare institutions and addressing various challenges and opportunities.

Automation is quickly sweeping across all industries, especially in healthcare, said Larry Bray, Region Director of TransLogic, a Swisslog Healthcare Company. Our partners are saying that technology and automation advancements have invigorated interest because of challenges they are facing. Advanced technology will continue to transform the workforce, reduce costs, and improve patient care.

Both Bray and Banis represent the interests of health systems across North America. Bringing an aggregated perspective from multiple organizations to the discussion, the two will offer ideas about futureproofing.

Centralized operations with lean initiatives are key to addressing efficiency challenges, both now and for the future, said Rob Banis, VP of Medication Management at Swisslog Healthcare. Many customers are road mapping consolidated services, center builds or enhancements to better leverage technology in their health system.

Flexibility is Futureproof will air on July 20 and a recorded version will be made available at a later date for those unable to attend. Webinar registration and additional information is available online at the registration portal.

About Swisslog Healthcare

Swisslog Healthcare provides integrated medication supply chain solutions to hospitals and health systems to assist providers in treating patients across the continuum of care. Integrating transport and pharmacy automation, value-added services, and intelligent software, Swisslog Healthcare enables healthcare providers to respond to patients' needs quickly and with greater accuracy. The company minimizes many sources of operational waste, so providers achieve higher levels of productivity to impact the well-being of patients in positive ways. For more information, visit www.swisslog-healthcare.com.

Swisslog Healthcare is a member of the KUKA Group, a leading global supplier of intelligent automation solutions. For more information, visit www.kuka.com.

About TransLogic

TransLogic, a Swisslog Healthcare Company, builds on its 100 years of operational technology expertise to reliably automate the delivery of critical items and leverage innovations which transcend industry standards in transport automation. TransLogic products are manufactured in the USA, resulting in nominal supply chain issues, fewer shipping delays, and quality controls which meet North Americas standards. Learn more about TransLogic solutions at translogic.com.

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Erica Fetherston

10 to 1 Public Relations

480.676.9141

[email protected]

Tristan Chavez

10 to 1 Public Relations

480-514-8088

[email protected]

Source: Swisslog Healthcare
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) (Ventas or the Company) will issue its second quarter 2023 earnings release after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, August 3, 2023. A conference call to discuss those earnings will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time).

The dial-in number for the conference call is (888) 330-3576 (or +1 (646) 960-0672 for international callers), and the participant passcode is 7655497. A live webcast can be accessed from the Investor Relations section of www.ventasreit.com.

A telephonic replay will be available at (800) 770-2030 (or +1 (647) 362-9199 for international callers), passcode 7655497, after the earnings call and will remain available for 30 days. The webcast replay will be posted in the Investor Relations section of www.ventasreit.com.

About Ventas

Ventas Inc., an S&P 500 company, operates at the intersection of two large and dynamic industries  healthcare and real estate. Fueled by powerful demographic demand from growth in the aging population, Ventas owns a diversified portfolio of over 1,200 properties in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Ventas uses the power of its capital to unlock the value of senior living communities; life science, research & innovation properties; medical office & outpatient facilities, hospitals and other healthcare real estate. A globally-recognized real estate investment trust, Ventas follows a successful long-term strategy, proven over more than 20 years, built on diversification of property types, capital sources and industry leading partners, financial strength and flexibility, consistent and reliable growth and industry leading ESG achievements, managed by a collaborative and experienced team dedicated to its stakeholders.

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Ventas, Inc.

BJ Grant

(877) 4-VENTAS

Source: Ventas, Inc.
World-renowned cybersecurity leader joins the Identity Security Companys Board

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Veza, the identity security company, today announced the appointment of Phil Venables to its Board of Directors. Venables joins Vezas Board at a pivotal moment for the company as it takes on traditional, legacy identity solutions with a revolutionary architecture and authorization based approach to modernize the identity industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719293610/en/

Phil Venables (Photo: Business Wire)

Phil is the most respected cybersecurity leader in the world and we are truly honored to welcome Phil Venables to the Veza Board, said Tarun Thakur, Chairman, Co-Founder and CEO of Veza. Since coming out of stealth a year ago, we have experienced significant momentum with customer adoption across Global 2000 organizations such as Blackstone, Expedia, Zoom, and Intuit. Identity needs a bold second act to go beyond tools like IGA and PAM. By leveraging authorization metadata, we are enabling our customers to address key business challenges in identity governance, privilege management and monitoring, cloud access management, and SaaS access security. Phil will be instrumental in guiding our product innovations and roadmap. We are humbled to have Phil join us in building an iconic identity technology company.

Venables has more than 35 years of experience working in engineering, management, and board level advisory roles, including for The White House. Before joining Google Cloud as Chief Information Security Officer in 2020, Venables was a Partner at Goldman Sachs where he spent two decades in various risk and cybersecurity leadership positions, in particular as their first CISO, a role he held for 17 years. He has been Chief Information Security Officer for other multiple large banking companies like Standard Chartered Bank and Deutsche Bank. He is on the board of directors at HackerOne, Interos, New York University, and he serves in advisory roles for The Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and NIST.

Every enterprise needs a privilege management program, but traditional tools make it hard to see who has access to what data and how they got it, said Venables. Veza has cracked the code on authorization with an innovative architecture that enables continuous monitoring and remediation across the entire modern enterprise. I look forward to supporting Tarun, working closely with the Board and the Veza leadership team as the company invests in this significant market opportunity.

Learn More:

Phil Venables: https://www.philvenables.com/about

Veza Identity Security Platform: https://www.veza.com/platform

Veza Free Trial: https://www.veza.com/free-trial-sign-up

Veza Customer Portfolio: https://www.veza.com/customers

About Veza

Veza is the identity security company. Identity and security teams use Veza to secure identity access across SaaS apps, on-prem apps, data systems, and cloud infrastructure. Veza solves the blind spots of traditional identity tools of IGA and PAM with its unique ability to ingest and organize permissions metadata in the Veza Authorization Graph. Global enterprises like Blackstone, Wynn Resorts, and Expedia trust Veza to visualize access permissions, monitor permissions activity, automate access reviews, and remediate privilege violations. Founded in 2020, Veza is headquartered in Los Gatos, California, and is funded by Accel, Bain Capital, Ballistic Ventures, Google Ventures (GV), Norwest Venture Partners, and True Ventures. Visit us at veza.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719293610/en/

Gillian Roberts

[email protected]

818-395-2948

Source: Veza
World-renowned cybersecurity leader joins the Identity Security Companys Board

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Veza, the identity security company, today announced the appointment of Phil Venables to its Board of Directors. Venables joins Vezas Board at a pivotal moment for the company as it takes on traditional, legacy identity solutions with a revolutionary architecture and authorization based approach to modernize the identity industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719293610/en/

Phil Venables (Photo: Business Wire)

Phil is the most respected cybersecurity leader in the world and we are truly honored to welcome Phil Venables to the Veza Board, said Tarun Thakur, Chairman, Co-Founder and CEO of Veza. Since coming out of stealth a year ago, we have experienced significant momentum with customer adoption across Global 2000 organizations such as Blackstone, Expedia, Zoom, and Intuit. Identity needs a bold second act to go beyond tools like IGA and PAM. By leveraging authorization metadata, we are enabling our customers to address key business challenges in identity governance, privilege management and monitoring, cloud access management, and SaaS access security. Phil will be instrumental in guiding our product innovations and roadmap. We are humbled to have Phil join us in building an iconic identity technology company.

Venables has more than 35 years of experience working in engineering, management, and board level advisory roles, including for The White House. Before joining a large global technology company as Chief Information Security Officer, Venables was a Partner at Goldman Sachs where he spent two decades in various risk and cybersecurity leadership positions, in particular as their first CISO, a role he held for 17 years. He has been Chief Information Security Officer for other multiple large banking companies like Standard Chartered Bank and Deutsche Bank. He is on the board of directors at HackerOne, Interos, New York University, and he serves in advisory roles for The Presidents Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and NIST.

Every enterprise needs a privilege management program, but traditional tools make it hard to see who has access to what data and how they got it, said Venables. Veza has cracked the code on authorization with an innovative architecture that enables continuous monitoring and remediation across the entire modern enterprise. I look forward to supporting Tarun, working closely with the Board and the Veza leadership team as the company invests in this significant market opportunity.

Learn More:

Phil Venables: https://www.philvenables.com/about

Veza Identity Security Platform: https://www.veza.com/platform

Veza Free Trial: https://www.veza.com/free-trial-sign-up

Veza Customer Portfolio: https://www.veza.com/customers

About Veza

Veza is the identity security company. Identity and security teams use Veza to secure identity access across SaaS apps, on-prem apps, data systems, and cloud infrastructure. Veza solves the blind spots of traditional identity tools of IGA and PAM with its unique ability to ingest and organize permissions metadata in the Veza Authorization Graph. Global enterprises like Blackstone, Wynn Resorts, and Expedia trust Veza to visualize access permissions, monitor permissions activity, automate access reviews, and remediate privilege violations. Founded in 2020, Veza is headquartered in Los Gatos, California, and is funded by Accel, Bain Capital, Ballistic Ventures, Google Ventures (GV), Norwest Venture Partners, and True Ventures. Visit us at veza.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719293610/en/

Gillian Roberts

[email protected]

818-395-2948

Source: Veza
Five-year contract to develop a single-injection, thermostable vaccine for melioidosis and glanders

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VitriVax Inc., a formulation technology company, has been awarded a $29M five-year contract by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense.

The overall objective of the research proposal titled Optimization and Production of Single-Shot Vaccines for Melioidosis and Glanders is to apply VitriVaxs single-shot and thermostabilization technology (ALTA) to the lead B. pseudomallei (Bp) vaccine candidate, which is currently a three-dose regimen, with the goal of developing a single injection, thermostable vaccine formulation to protect against melioidosis and glanders. The project will focus on preclinical studies and development of Good Manufacturing Practice protocols, working toward an Investigational New Drug Application submission.

We are excited about the opportunity to partner with DTRA and researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno to bring our technology to a class of vaccines that will benefit both military personnel and the general population in regions where the disease is endemic, said Kimberly D. Erickson, Ph.D., VitriVaxs Vice President of Operations and Principal Investigator.

VitriVax has built a strong research team consisting of formulation and analytical scientists, as well as particle engineers and manufacturing experts. They have strategically partnered with the University of Nevada, Reno and the Latham BioPharm Group, Inc., to compile a support team of industry veterans with years of Bp vaccine development, government program management experience, and government contract compliance knowledge.

About VitriVax

VitriVax, headquartered in Boulder, CO, has engineered its proprietary Atomic Layering Thermostable Antigen and Adjuvant (ALTA) technology platform to enable thermostable, single-shot vaccines across a broad range of indications, while maintaining or potentially even enhancing the immune response of vaccines. ALTA can be applied to a wide variety of vaccine antigens and adjuvants to protect against thermal and chemical degradation and enable controlled release, incorporating prime doses + additional booster doses in a single-shot administration. These technologies may also facilitate co-formulation of multiple, otherwise incompatible, antigens in a single injection.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230717408346/en/

VitriVax

Media Relations

Anne King

+1 (860) 415-3290

[email protected]

Source: VitriVax, Inc.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Warby Parker Inc. (NYSE: WRBY) (the Company), a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand focused on vision for all, today announced that its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023, will be released before market open on August 9, 2023.

In addition, the Company will discuss its results and business outlook during a live conference call and webcast at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 833-470-1428 from the U.S. or 404-975-4839 from international locations. The conference passcode is 514708.

A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the investors section of the Companys website at https:investors.warbyparker.com where presentation materials will also be posted prior to the conference call. A replay will be made available online approximately 2 hours following the live call for a period of 90 days.

About Warby Parker

Warby Parker (NYSE: WRBY) was founded in 2010 with a mission to inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and stylewithout charging a premium for it. Headquartered in New York City, the co-founder-led lifestyle brand pioneers ideas, designs products, and develops technologies that help people see, from designer-quality prescription glasses (starting at $95) and contacts, to eye exams and vision tests available online and in more than 200 retail stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Warby Parker aims to demonstrate that businesses can scale while doing good in the world. Ultimately, the brand believes in vision for all, which is why for every pair of glasses or sunglasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need through their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program. To date, Warby Parker has worked alongside its nonprofit partners to distribute more than 13 million glasses to people in need.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718821434/en/

Investor Relations:

Brendon Frey, ICR

[email protected]

Media:

Lena Griffin

[email protected]

Source: Warby Parker Inc.
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wind River, a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems, today announced that VxWorks is used in the On-Board Computer (OBC) to command the Astroscale ELSA-M Servicer spacecraft.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719286092/en/

Image credit: Astroscale

Astroscale develops innovative solutions to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the growing and hazardous buildup of debris in space. Astroscales End-of-Life service line (ELSA-M) provides a space debris solution to safely and responsibly capture and retire multiple satellites in one mission.

Astroscale is addressing the hazardous matter of space debris, and were proud to help them advance their mission to develop sustainable space programs, said Avijit Sinha, chief product officer, Wind River. Our industry-leading technology demonstrates the continuing Wind River leadership in real-time software solutions for mission-critical systems. For decades, Wind River has successfully supported complex space missions and helped customers navigate the unique challenges of these programs.

Our ELSA-M service strives to solve satellite operators end-of-life disposal challenges. With increasing regulatory, industry, and public pressure to prioritize space sustainability, Astroscales ELSA-M service presents a proactive way for satellite operators to protect the orbital environment and the services that they offer, said Stephen Wokes, director of engineering, Astroscale Ltd. The extremely complex rendezvous operations require the highest levels of precision, quality robotics, and onboard systems for successful maneuvering and capture, making it imperative to work with proven technology such as that from Wind River as our software foundation.

The OBC will support the rendezvous between Astroscales servicer spacecraft and the client satellite. Astroscales software applications on VxWorks are responsible for the computer vision processing for the computer system that will command ELSA-M. A high level of precision is needed for robotic operations, including maneuvers during rendezvous between the ELSA-M servicer and retired satellites.

An in-orbit demonstration (IOD) mission to capture an inactive satellite is anticipated to launch in 2025. This will be the first time a commercial active debris removal (ADR) satellite will complete the end-to-end operations of a removal service with a full-sized and fully representative client satellite. The mission is part of Astroscales partnership with OneWeb and the European Space Agency (ESA).

VxWorks delivers unrivaled deterministic high performance and sets the standard for a scalable, future-proof, safe, secure, and reliable operating environment for running mission-critical computing systems that demand the highest standards. For more than three decades, Wind River has delivered the most proven software platform to bring dozens of intelligent systems to space, resulting in some of the most significant space missions in history.

About Wind River

Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For 40 years, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of devices and systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability. Wind River software and expertise are accelerating digital transformation across industries, including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio supported by world-class global professional services and support and a broad partner ecosystem. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com.

About Astroscale

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company dedicated to on-orbit servicing across all orbits. Founded in 2013, Astroscale is developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of on-orbit servicing, including life extension, in-space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the growing and hazardous buildup of debris in space. Astroscale is also defining business cases and working with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives for the responsible use of space. Headquartered in Japan, Astroscale has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel. Astroscale is a rapidly expanding venture company, working to advance safe and sustainable growth in space and solve growing environmental concerns. Find out more at www.astroscale.com.

About ELSA-M

ELSA-M (End of Life Services by Astroscale  Multiple) is the follow-on mission from Astroscales self-funded ELSA-d mission, advancing from an in-orbit technology demonstrator. ELSA-M will show the commercial viability of in-orbit rendezvous and magnetic capture with existing in-orbit client satellites.

Scheduled to launch in 2025, the technology is being built in-house at the Astroscale UK facility, Zeus, at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. Once launched, the spacecraft will also be operated in-house in Astroscales Mission Control Centre. The ELSA-M servicer will support a range of future satellite operators, including constellations, which are equipped with a compatible magnetic capture mechanism such as the Astroscale Docking Plate.

The mission is supported by the UK Space Agency through the Sunrise Programme, which is run as a Public-Private Partnership between ESA and OneWeb.

See the ELSA-M commercial video on Astroscales You Tube channel.

Wind River is a trademark or registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc., and its affiliates. Other names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719286092/en/

Jenny Suh

Wind River

510-749-2972

[email protected]

Source: Wind River
Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY), a global organizational consulting firm, today announced that it has appointed Jeanne MacDonald as Chief Executive Officer, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Mathias Herzog will assume leadership of the firms Digital Solution.

Jeanne and Mathias are proven executives, and we are thrilled to have people of their caliber lead these offerings, said Gary D. Burnison, CEO, Korn Ferry. Jeanne is the natural choice to lead RPO after years of overseeing Global RPO Solutions and playing a fundamental role in the businesss commercial and financial success. Mathias brings in-depth consulting and technology expertise that will help further the digitization of our offerings and intellectual property to drive superior client performance. With Jeanne and Mathias, we are confident that our RPO and Digital solutions will continue to evolve and thrive.

Ms. MacDonald said, I am thrilled to take on this role at such an exciting time for Korn Ferry and our clients. The global business landscape is changing at an ever-faster pace, and the process of finding and hiring the right people to drive strategy and achieve goals has never been more important.

Korn Ferry is at the forefront of the latest wave of innovation, said Mr. Herzog. I could not be more excited to work with such a talented team to leverage our proprietary intellectual property, data and digital products for individual and organizational success.

About Jeanne MacDonald

Jeanne MacDonald joined Korn Ferry in 1998 and most recently served as President, Global RPO Solutions, where she was responsible for oversight of Korn Ferry's RPO businesses. She has worked in a variety of roles at Korn Ferry including Senior Recruiter, Business Development Director for North America prior to moving into various leadership positions within the firm. She holds a bachelor's degree with majors in both International Relations and French from the University of Virginia.

About Mathias Herzog

Mathias Herzog joined Korn Ferry in 2023 and currently serves as President of the Global Technology, Communications, Media and Professional Services Practice. Prior to joining Korn Ferry, he served in several executive-level roles focused on corporate strategy, business operations and GTM / Sales. He has held executive positions at Salesforce and Automation Anywhere and was a partner at multiple consulting firms. Mr. Herzog studied International Business at Reutlingen University (Germany) and holds an MBA from Georgetown University.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that relate to Korn Ferrys goals, strategies, future plans and expectations, and other statements of future events or conditions are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as believes, continue, expects, anticipates, may, should, will or likely, and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. Such statements are based on current expectations; actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the control of Korn Ferry, including global and local political and economic developments, demand fluctuations, and those risks and uncertainties included in Korn Ferrys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and Forward-Looking Statements of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023. Korn Ferry 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 otherwise required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719859139/en/

Investor Relations: Tiffany Louder, (214) 310-8407



Media: Dan Gugler, (310) 226-2645

Source: Korn Ferry
The Lion Electric Company (NYSE: LEV) announced today that the Company has closed the previously announced financing transactions, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$142 million (the "Financing").

The Financing consisted in (i) the issuance by way of private placement to a group of subscribers comprised of Investissement Quebec, Fonds de solidarite des travailleurs du Quebec (F.T.Q.) and Fondaction of 13% senior unsecured debentures that are convertible in accordance with the terms thereof into common shares of the Company at a conversion price of US$2.58 , for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$74 million , (ii) the issuance by way of private placement to a group of subscribers led by Mach Group and the Mirella & Lino Saputo Foundation of 11% senior secured non-convertible debentures, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of C$90 million , and (iii) the issuance by way of private placement to the holders of non-convertible debentures of a number of common share purchase warrants entitling them to purchase in accordance with the terms thereof a total of 22,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of C$2.81 per share.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Financing to fund working capital, strengthen its financial position, and allow it to continue to pursue its growth strategy, including the Company's capacity expansion projects in Mirabel, Quebec and Joliet, Illinois.

ABOUT LION ELECTRIC

Lion Electric is an innovative manufacturer of zero-emission vehicles. The company creates, designs and manufactures all-electric class 5 to class 8 commercial urban trucks and all-electric buses and minibuses for the school, paratransit and mass transit segments. Lion is a North American leader in electric transportation and designs, builds and assembles many of its vehicles' components, including chassis, battery packs, truck cabins and bus bodies.

Always actively seeking new and reliable technologies, Lion vehicles have unique features that are specifically adapted to its users and their everyday needs. Lion believes that transitioning to all-electric vehicles will lead to major improvements in our society, environment and overall quality of life. Lion shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LEV.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Financing, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such.

Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "may," "will," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "could," "plan," "project," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "target" or other similar expressions and any other statements that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements may contain such identifying words. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of estimates and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable when made and inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including economic factors. Such estimates and assumptions are made by the Company in light of the experience of management and their perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. However, there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, among other factors, those described in in section 23.0 entitled "Risk Factors" of the Company's annual MD&A for the fiscal year 2022 and in other documents filed with the applicable Canadian regulatory securities authorities and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors carefully when making decisions with respect to the Financing and not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are not guarantees of future performance and, while forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that the Company considers reasonable, actual events and results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by the Company. Except as may be expressly required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. "United States" and " U.S. person" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lion-electric-closes-previously-announced-financing-transactions-301880966.html

SOURCE Lion Electric
On 13 July, as the leaders of seven African countries met in Cairo for the Sudan Neighbours Summit to discuss the conflict in Sudan, the UN announced the discovery of a mass grave in Darfur. According to the UN, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible for the grave which contained 87 bodies. Many of the victims were from the non-Arab Masalit ethnic group.

The news brought back the ghosts of earlier rounds of atrocities in Darfur and signalled the widening scope of the conflict that started mid-May between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). It also confirmed Cairos worries over RSF activities in a region that borders Libya and Chad, including its use of the area to smuggle arms and militants from regional allies.

Attended by leaders of Libya, Chad, Central Africa, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, and the secretary-generals of both the Arab League and the African Union, the Cairo meeting called for an end to all foreign intervention in the conflict and for a mechanism to be established capable of reaching a ceasefire and attending to the pressing humanitarian needs of Sudanese both at home and those who have fled to neighbouring countries.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), three million Sudanese, half of them children, have been displaced by a conflict that has been characterised by extreme violence, including rape and torture.

An Egyptian government source said that while a formula to end the conflict would at some point emerge, at the moment SAF leader Abdel-Fattah Al-Borhan and RSF head Mohamed Dagalo are determined to improve their positions on the ground in the hope of gaining the advantage in any future political-security deal.

The source said it would take months for a solid ceasefire to take shape, and the danger is that Sudan falls into chaos before mediators get a working formula in place.

The fear of total chaos taking hold in Sudan has been keeping Egypts foreign policy-makers awake at night. According to several government sources, Cairo is doing everything it can to avert this scenario. It has engaged in intense lobbying of the most influential players, both during the Sudan Neighbours Summit in Cairo and in the course of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisis meetings during the African Unions mid-year coordination summit in Nairobi.

While the Nairobi meeting was dominated by AU reforms and cooperation, Sudan was the focus of sideline talks. Kenyan President William Ruto is the chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Committee on Sudan.

Worried about the close and complex alliance of interests between Dagalo and both Ruto and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed  Ethiopia is a dominant member of IGAD  Al-Borhan rejected IGAD plans for a subregional African peacekeeping force in Sudan.

Stability in Sudan is seen in Cairo as essential for security across the Nile Basin, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel and Sahara zones. A key Egyptian concern is that compromised security in any of these regions will facilitate the movement of militants and arms. Islamist groups such as Islamic State are already established in the Sahel and Sahara. Other militias, including the Russian operated Wagner, are also active, often serving as mercenaries in political and ethnic conflicts.

In addition to promoting a balanced approach towards an end to the conflict in Sudan, Egypt is promoting security cooperation with a number of African countries. According to government sources, while Egypt remains committed to inter-African economic and technical cooperation, it now has no choice but to prioritise security cooperation, even with countries with which it has political differences.

This pragmatic diplomacy extends to Ethiopia. After years of confrontation over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Cairo has now opted for engagement in view of two essential facts: The dam is all but a fait accompli, and the international community has little incentive to invest in mediating a fair and legally binding deal between Ethiopia and the downstream countries of Sudan and Egypt.

This week President Al-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced a plan to resume long-suspended GERD talks. The stated aim is to reach a deal within four months. The announcement was made after Ahmed took part in the Sudan Neighbours Summit in Cairo on Thursday and coincided with the planned start of the fourth filling of the GERD reservoir. During the last three rainy seasons, Egypt repeatedly complained about Ethiopias unilateral filling of the dam and the absence of any coordination with downstream states.

Today, with Sudan immersed in conflict and with promises of Gulf financial support for a comprehensive development package that will serve the food security and investment interests of the financing states and of Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, Cairo has opted to act pragmatically and pursue cooperation.

Government officials would not say whether the prospective deal is being viewed as a substitute for the legally binding arrangements that Cairo has long demanded, saying only that something will be worked out before the end of the year.

We have pursued every negotiation path possible for a decade and have been open to all mediations, remaining committed to working out a consensual deal despite Ethiopian intransigence, said Mohamed Ibrahim, a senior security affairs expert. Today, he added, Ethiopia has committed itself to not causing significant harm to Egypt during the GERD filling for this year and the next.

Ethiopia, Ibrahim said, has also committed itself to the pursuit of cooperation and now has a responsibility to live up to these commitments.

Government sources say that Egyptian, Ethiopian, and Sudanese officials are currently examining possible modalities for negotiations and the issues they will need to address. Technical talks will begin in a matter of days, most probably modelled on the three-way technical consultations hosted last year by the United Arab Emirates.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Reuters reports Wednesday morning, citing three unnamed sources, that Japanese automaker, Nissan and Frances Renault Group are gearing up to announce a restructured alliance in the coming days. According to the report, the two companies have finalized the deal, capping 10 months of tense negotiations.

"Nissan and Renault are engaged in constructive and ongoing negotiations. We will make a statement in due course when the agreements are concluded," the Japanese company said in a statement.

The automakers announced a framework agreement in February and had aimed to finalize negotiations as early as March but was delayed when senior Nissan executives and some directors challenged detailed provisions of the deal.

Under the original framework, Nissan would take as much as 15% of Renault's new electric vehicle unit, Ampere, while Renault would reduce its 43% stake in Nissan.

Talks have also been delayed due to a separate issue involving allegations against Nissan's Chief Executive Makoto Uchida. Uchida has been accused of carrying out surveillance of his then-deputy, Ashwani Gupta, after Gupta voiced opposition to some terms of the new Renault partnership.

Gupta, who held the position of Chief Operating Officer and was considered a strong contender for the role of Nissan's CEO, left the company in June. The board is awaiting the final report on the surveillance claims.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO) Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: We built further momentum in our Pilbara iron ore business for the quarter, and now expect to deliver shipments in the upper half of our guidance range for the year. The ramp-up of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine progressed ahead of plan, and we remain on track to more than triple its copper production by the end of the decade. Production downgrades during the quarter highlight that we still have much more to do elsewhere, as we roll out the Safe Production System to create stability and achieve excellence across our global portfolio.

We continued to take disciplined measures to grow in the materials the world needs for the energy transition, with investments to expand our low carbon aluminium production and increase our underground copper production at Kennecott.

We are taking practical steps and making investments to decarbonise, being the first to convert an open pit mine to renewable diesel at our Boron operations, signing a memorandum of understanding with Baowu to explore decarbonisation of the steel value chain and delivering first production from our ground-breaking BlueSmelting demonstration plant at Sorel-Tracy in Quebec in July.

Production* Quarter 2

2023 vs Q2

2022 vs Q1

2023 H1

2023 vs HY

2022 Pilbara iron ore shipments (100% basis) (Mt) 79.1 -1% -4% 161.7 +7% Pilbara iron ore production (100% basis) (Mt) 81.3 +3% +2% 160.5 +7% Bauxite (Mt) 13.5 -5% +12% 25.6 -8% Aluminium (kt) 814 +11% +4% 1,598 +9% Mined Copper (consolidated basis) (kt) 145 -1% 0% 290 -1% Titanium dioxide slag (kt) 303 +4% +6% 589 +4% IOC** iron ore pellets & concentrate (Mt) 2.1 -21% -18% 4.6 -8% *Rio Tinto share unless otherwise stated **Iron Ore Company of Canada

Q2 2023 operational highlights and other key announcements

Our all-injury frequency rate of 0.36 was a small increase from the second quarter of 2022 (0.35), and from the prior quarter (0.35). Investigations are underway following significant process safety incidents. There were two incidents at our Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium (RTIT) Sorel-Tracy complex which did not result in injuries. The Kennecott operation experienced an escape of furnace gas during the maintenance shut, where all treated people have been cleared. We are heightening our focus on managing these risks and continue to prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of our workforce, and communities where we operate.

Pilbara operations produced 81.3 million tonnes (100% basis) in the second quarter, 3% higher than the second quarter of 2022 as Gudai-Darri achieved sustained nameplate capacity during the period. Shipments were 79.1 million tonnes (100% basis), 1% lower than the corresponding period of 2022, reflecting the impact of planned major maintenance at the Dampier port and a train derailment. With continued operational improvements across the Pilbara system, and the implementation of the Safe Production System, full year shipments are now expected to be in the upper half of the original 320 to 335 million tonne range.

Bauxite production of 13.5 million tonnes was 5% lower than the second quarter of 2022 as our Weipa operations were impacted by the higher-than-average first quarter rainfall, which continued to reduce pit access and led to longer haul distances. Production was further affected by equipment downtime at both Weipa and Gove. As a result, our bauxite full year production is expected to be at the lower end of our 54 to 57 million tonne range, as we implement plans to recover lost production at both operations through the remainder of the year.

Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 11% higher than the second quarter of 2022 as we benefited from the continued ramp-up of the Kitimat smelter. Recovery at the Boyne and Kitimat smelters is progressing to plan with full ramp-up expected to be completed later in the year. All our other smelters continued to demonstrate stable performance during the quarter.

On 12 June, we announced an investment of $1.1 billion to expand our AP60 aluminium smelter equipped with low-carbon technology at Complexe Jonquiere in Canada. The total investment includes up to $113 million of financial support from the Quebec government. This expansion will coincide with the gradual closure of potrooms at the Arvida smelter on the same site. While at our Alma smelter in Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, we commenced construction to increase our capacity to cast low-carbon, high-value aluminium billets.

Mined copper production of 145 thousand tonnes (on a consolidated basis), was 1% lower than the second quarter of 2022. We benefited from the continued ramp-up of the high grade underground mine at Oyu Tolgoi. However, this benefit was more than offset by the continued operation of Kennecotts concentrator at reduced rates, as we recovered from a conveyor failure in March 2023, and unplanned maintenance, and lower crusher and conveyor availability, at Escondida.

Refined copper guidance has been reduced to 160 to 190 thousand tonnes (previously 180 to 210 thousand tonnes) and our copper C1 unit cost guidance has been raised to 180 to 200 US cents/lb (from 160 to 180 US cents/lb) as completion of the rebuild of the Kennecott smelter is now expected in September 2023 (previously August 2023). The extension of the rebuild is due to the addition of a full rebuild of the flash converting furnace to the scope, which is expected to further improve asset stability and process safety management.

On 20 June, we announced $498 million of funding to deliver underground development and infrastructure for an area known as the North Rim Skarn1 (NRS) at Kennecott. Production from the NRS will commence in 2024 and is expected to ramp up over two years, to deliver ~250 thousand tonnes of additional mined copper over the next 10 years2 alongside open cut operations.

Titanium dioxide slag production of 303 thousand tonnes was 4% higher than the second quarter of 2022, due to improved operational performance at our smelters. Notwithstanding, our RTIT Quebec Operations experienced two incidents in separate furnaces in June and July which we are investigating. Given these investigations and weaker market conditions, our full year production is expected to be at the lower end of the 1.1 to 1.4 million tonne range.

IOC production was 21% lower than the second quarter of 2022 as we lost ~3.5 weeks of production in June, primarily due to wildfires in Northern Quebec, together with a slightly extended shutdown. Operations have resumed, however our full year production guidance has been reduced to 10.0 to 11.0 million tonnes (previously 10.5 to 11.5 million tonnes), and remains subject to further disruption from fire conditions.

At our Rincon lithium project in Argentina, our $140 million estimate and schedule to develop the starter plant remains under review in response to cost escalation.

In the second quarter, we commenced deployment of the Safe Production System at a further two sites, taking the total to 20 sites. The Safe Production System focuses on continuously improving safety, strengthening employee engagement and sustainably lifting operational performance across our global portfolio. While we still have a lot to do to see sustainable improvement, site deployments are rolling out according to plan and we expect to be at the upper end of our range of four to eight new sites in 2023.

On 13 June, we an nounced that Ivan Vella, Chief Executive, Aluminium, has accepted a new position outside of Rio Tinto and will leave in December 2023. He will continue to lead Aluminium while a robust process to identify his successor is undertaken but has stepped down from the Groups executive committee.

We saw a cash outflow from an increase in working capital of circa $0.9 billion in the first half of 2023, reflecting a build in blasted and mine stocks in the Pilbara to support overall system health, and higher spares and stores (including seasonality due to the Diavik winter road). Payables were also lower due to the timing of spend, and normal volatility in amounts due to JV partners and employees. Operating cash flow was also impacted by lower dividends from Escondida during the first half ($0.3 billion in H1 2023; $0.6 billion in H1 2022).

All figures in this report are unaudited. All currency figures in this report are US dollars, and comments refer to Rio Tintos share of production, unless otherwise stated.
Investing.com -- Las Vegas Sands reported Wednesday second-quarter results that topped Wall Street estimates and reinstated its dividend as performance was boosted by an ongoing recovery in spending in Macao and Singapore following the pandemic lull.

Las Vegas Sands Corp (NYSE: LVS) fell more than 2% following the report.

The casino operator reported Q2 adjusted EPS of $0.46 on revenue of $2.54 billion, topping estimates of $0.43 on revenue of $2.39B.

The better-than-expected results come as the company saw a "robust recovery in travel and tourism spending underway in both Macao and Singapore progress during the quarter."

The company reinstated its quarterly dividend at $0.20 per share.
TORONTO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) (OTCQB: APMLF) (ApartmentLove or the Company), a leading provider of online home, apartment, and vacation rental marketing services to property managers, owners, renters, and vacationers from around the world is pleased to announce the signing of new channel partner agreements with Escapia providing a direct and real-time integration with the dedicated, efficient, and proven reliable Escapia ENET API and access to short-term vacation rental properties across the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.

For more than 20 years, Escapia has remained committed to an easy-to-use innovative vacation rental solution, growing property management vacation rental businesses nationwide. Having successfully integrated, tested, and launched the Escapia feed within the newly redesigned and greatly improved OwnerDirect.com short-term vacation rental marketing application, property managers, owners, and hosts using the Escapia system are encouraged to activate their entire listing inventory via the Escapia dashboard, at no cost, as the Companys service fees are paid entirely by the guest at the time of booking.

Integrating the Escapia API into our recently upgraded OwnerDirect.com short-term vacation rental marketing site provides property managers, owners, and hosts a direct and dedicated vehicle to activate their entire rental inventory with the click of a button, says Trevor Davidson  the Companys President and CEO. Adding, Increasing our daily active inventory of high-quality and readily available properties in the most desirable vacation markets from coast to coast is key to our growth and expansion plans. With millions of users from around the world visiting OwnerDirect.com, we are doing all that we can to make the listing and onboarding process as easy and straightforward as possible and integrating with Escapia both underscores our resolve and speaks volumes for the market adoption of our new OwnerDirect.com application.

About ApartmentLove Inc.

ApartmentLove Inc. (CSE: APLV) (OTCQB: APMLF) is a leading provider of online home, apartment, and vacation rental marketing services to property managers, owners, renters, and vacationers in more than 30-countries around the world. Promoting more than 350,000 daily active homes, apartments, and vacation properties on its network of short-term and long-term rental marketing websites, ApartmentLove has proven its ability to scale as a fast-growing "PropTech" in todays complex and dynamic markets. Seeking to consolidate the deeply fragmented internet listing industry, ApartmentLove has acquired multiple businesses that have many monthly active users, a history of recurring revenues, positive cashflows, and/or custom technologies that accelerate and destress the renting experience.

For more information visit www.apartmentlove.com/investors or contact:

Trevor DavidsonPresident & CEOApartmentLove Inc.[email protected] (647) 272-9702

Reader Advisory

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof. The Company will not update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place any undue reliance on forward looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -ApartmentLove | the feeling of home

Source: ApartmentLove Inc.
Mesa, Ariz., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, the largest international swim school franchise, is excited to announce the opening of its third location in Saudi Arabia and 139th location worldwide. Aqua-Tots Al Safa, owned and operated by franchisees Bader Al Saud and Mohammad Al Sharyoufi, opened for swim lessons at King Saud St, Al Safa District on Sunday, July 16, 2023.

With over 7500 square feet of space, the state-of-the-art, indoor swim facility offers a safe and comfortable environment for individuals of all ages to learn how to swim. The school will be open Saturday through Thursday, providing flexible scheduling options for busy families.

"We are thrilled to bring Aqua-Tots Swim Schools to the Al Safa District in Dammam," said Al Saud. "Our goal is to promote water safety and provide high-quality swim instruction to the community. We are confident that our experienced instructors and first-class facilities will make a positive impact on the lives of our students."

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is renowned for its comprehensive curriculum, which focuses on water safety, skill development and confidence-building. With small class sizes and personalized attention, Aqua-Tots Al Safa ensures that each student receives the necessary guidance to become a proficient swimmer.

"We are proud to expand our presence in Saudi Arabia with the opening of Aqua-Tots Al Safa," said Al Sharyoufi. "Swimming is a valuable life skill as well as a great way to stay active and healthy. We look forward to serving the community and helping individuals of all ages become confident swimmers."

Aqua-Tots Al Safa joins the existing Aqua-Tots locations in Al Malqa and Al Manar in Riyadh, further solidifying the brand's commitment to providing exceptional swim instruction throughout Saudi Arabia. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools proven program is used to teach more than five million swim lessons worldwide every year.

Aqua-Tots Al Safa is now offering small group (4:1 ratio) swim lessons, including the highly requested Parent & Tot classes, the Special Needs Aquatic Program (S.N.A.P.), Fast Track, Swim Club and Swim Team. For more information about Aqua-Tots Al Safa or to enroll in swim lessons, please visit aquatots.com/al-safa.

About Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in the Phoenix area, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is making waves as the largest international provider of year-round, indoor swim instruction, community outreach and drowning prevention education. Its trusted program is dedicated to children of all abilities from four months to 12 years old and features a proven curriculum used to teach more than five million swim lessons each year.

Recognized in Entrepreneur's Top 15 Childrens Franchises of 2023, Entrepreneurs Franchise 500, Inc. Magazine's Top 5000 and Franchise Times Top 200, Aqua-Tots has more than 135 locations in 25 states across 14 countries and is rapidly expanding with 90 locations in development. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit aqua-tots.com/franchise-development and for more information about Aqua-Tots or to sign up for lessons near you, visit aqua-tots.com and follow Aqua-Tots on Facebook and Instagram.

###

Attachments

Jacquelyn Lambert Aqua-Tots Swim Schools 480-621-3226 [email protected]

Source: Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
EDMONTON, Alberta, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitcoin Well Inc. (Bitcoin Well or the Company) (TSXV:BTCW; OTCQB:BCNWF), the non-custodial fintech business which future-proofs money by making bitcoin useful to everyday people, announces its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") of up to 41,666,667 units of Bitcoin Well (the Units) at a price of $0.06 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000. The minimum Offering size is $1,000,000, being 16,666,667 Units. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the Company (each, a "Common Share" and collectively Common Shares) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant" and collectively Warrants) being exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.18 per share for a period of three (3) years from closing.

The net proceeds from the Offering are intended to be used to establish a reserve for the investigation and closing of one or many strategic acquisitions of existing Bitcoin ATM operators in Canada. These acquisitions would add Bitcoin ATMs with proven revenues to the Companys current Bitcoin ATM network.

"We are excited to see a market that we believe is ready for consolidation, said Adam OBrien, founder & CEO of the Company. We acquired multiple operators as we went public in 2020 and in 2021. We are looking to use this same strategy to make accretive acquisitions of Bitcoin ATM networks this year.

Under the minimum Offering, the Company would aim to conduct a similar acquisition, but of a smaller Bitcoin ATM Operator, with a reduction in purchase price and working capital requirements. In any event, the acquisition would not be a significant acquisition under Part 8 of National Instrument 51-102  Continuous Disclosure Obligations. The net proceeds will also be used for general working capital purposes.

The Offering will be completed pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106  Prospectus Exemptions (the LIFE Exemption). Any securities issuable under the LIFE Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

If, during a period of 10 consecutive trading days between the applicable closing date and the expiry of the Warrants, the daily volume-weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other stock exchange where the majority of the trading volume occurs) exceeds $0.36 for each of those 10 consecutive days, the Company may, within 30 days of such an occurrence, give written notice to the holders, following which notice the holders of the Warrants will have 30 days to exercise their Warrants.

In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay certain finders (each, a Finder) a cash commission equal to up to 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised from those purchasers introduced by such Finders and/or issue to such Finders such number of non-transferable finder warrants (each, a Finder Warrant) equal to up to 8% of the total number of Units sold to purchasers introduced by such Finders, with each Finder Warrant exercisable to acquire one Unit at a price of $0.06 per Unit for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.

There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com and at www.bitcoinwell.com/investors. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

Completion of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of all regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. None of the securities issued in the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

The Offering is expected to close on or about September 1, 2023.

About Bitcoin Well

Bitcoin Well is in the business of future-proofing money. We do this by making bitcoin useful to everyday people to give them the convenience of modern banking and the benefits of bitcoin. Our existing Bitcoin ATM business unit drives cash-flow to help fund this mission.

Join our investor community and follow us on Nostr, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube to keep up to date with our business.

Bitcoin Well contact information

To book a virtual meeting with our Founder & CEO Adam OBrien please use the following link: https://bitcoinwell.com/meet-adam

For additional investor & media information, please contact:Tel: 1 888 711 3866[email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking information). Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", or the negative thereof and similar expressions. All statements herein other than statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking information, including but not limited to statements in respect of: closing of the Offering on the terms described herein or at all; the expected closing date of the Offering; the use of proceeds of the Offering, including Bitcoin Wells contemplated acquisition of a Bitcoin ATM operator; and Bitcoin Wells business plans and outlook. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

Bitcoin Wells actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, inability to obtain TSX Venture Exchange approval, competitive factors in the industries in which Bitcoin Well operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Bitcoin Well.

Bitcoin Well believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon.

Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents Bitcoin Well expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. Bitcoin Well disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

For more information, see the Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information found in the Bitcoin Well quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis.

Source: Bitcoin Well
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske, with the support of Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck issued the following statement today:

Canadas unions call on governments at all levels to commence a search for the remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman who has been named Mashkode Bizhikiikwe (Buffalo Woman) in the Prairie Green landfill.

The decision on whether to search the landfill, first and foremost must be made keeping basic decency, respect for human life and spirit in mind. Indigenous Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) women are not garbage. These MMIWG2S were sisters, siblings, daughters, aunties, and mothers. People loved them. Their lives mattered. Governments must do all they can to ensure that a landfill is not their final resting place.

As allies, we stand in solidarity with the families and communities of these MMIWG2S. The police have stated they believe their remains are in the landfill. A search must be conducted. It is unacceptable that the provincial government is not prepared to look at ways to move forward.

In 2019, the National Inquiry report into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls called for action directing police to put into place protocols to ensure that all MMIWG2S cases are thoroughly investigated. We must all heed the reports 231 calls for justice and work to improve the quality of life of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit and gender-diverse people.

The health and safety of workers must be prioritized in moving forward with search plans, including ensuring proper PPE, training, and expert planning at every stage.

"The families and community have been dealt with too many delays, court battles and jurisdictional disputes. We call on governments at all levels to begin a landfill search immediately, as the sooner the search begins, the sooner the healing and closure may commence."

This is our collective responsibility towards meaningful reconciliation.

Please contact:CLC Media Relations[email protected]613-355-1962

Source: Canadian Labour Congress
SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To support its efforts to improve nutrition security during the earliest stages of life, Dairy Council of California is thrilled to partner with Community Health Centers of America on a $250,000 grant awarded by the Legacy Health Endowment in Turlock. Through the grant, Dairy Council of California will partner with CHCA and other local organizations to provide evidence-based, culturally relevant nutrition education training and resources to health care providers and residents in Gustine, as well as extra funds for mothers and families with children between 6 months and 2 years of age to purchase nutrient-dense milk and dairy foods.

"The Legacy Health Endowment is pleased to award a grant to Community Health Centers of America and Dairy Council of California, long known for their commitment to collaboration and dedication to improving nutrition security and championing community health. Their partnership will have an immediate and sustainable impact. Funds will be used to highlight the importance of dairy as part of healthy eating patterns to underserved communities in the critical first 1,000 days of life, states Jeffrey Lewis, CEO, Legacy Health Endowment.

Nutrition fuels optimal growth and development from the start, which is why equipping parents of infants and toddlers with access to healthy foods and nutrition education is essential. Nutrition security is defined as reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food to avoid hunger and stay healthy.

Health professionals have a unique window of opportunity to share reliable nutrition information with parents and caregivers about nutrient-dense foods to support children and families in reaching their full potential. That is why collaborating with CHCA on the community program as both clinic partner and funding agency is so impactful.

CHCA provides dependable, affordable and compassionate healthcare services in regions that are historically underserved. Our commitment to improving health equity in underserved communities is made possible with partnerships like this one, which helps us in our quest to impact the health of entire communities, states CEO Naresh Channaveerappa of CHCA.

Dairy Council of California CEO Amy DeLisio explains further: We are deeply honored for the collaboration with CHCA and to be awarded the grant from the Legacy Health Endowment. Proper nutrition during the earliest stages of life supports a foundation for lifelong health and success. We believe in maximizing resources through collaboration and collective impact. This project will provide the opportunity for Dairy Council of California to work with local partners in Gustine to improve nutrition security by helping families stretch their food dollars while also supporting a healthy start in early life, through the introduction of wholesome first foods in a culturally relevant way.

About Dairy Council of California

Dairy Council of California is a nutrition organization working together with champions to elevate the health of children and communities through lifelong healthy eating patterns. Focusing on education, advocacy, dairy ag literacy and collaboration, Dairy Council of California advances the health benefits of milk and dairy foods as part of the solution to achieving nutrition security and sustainable food systems. Learn more at HealthyEating.org.

About Legacy Health Endowment

Legacy Health Endowment provides funding and technical support to create health care solutions and facilitate improved wellness within 19 specific cities and zip codes in Stanislaus and Merced counties. The mission of Legacy Health Endowment is to improve the health and health care of all residents residing under its jurisdiction by increasing access to various health care services and educating people about healthy lifestyle decisions. Legacy Health Endowments objective is to dramatically improve the quality of life within the Greater LHE Community by bringing together resources, expertise, vision and belief to make a difference. An emerging area of interest at Legacy Health Endowment is supporting the postnatal health of mom and baby to achieve the best start in life. Learn more at legacyhealthendowment.org.

About Community Health Centers of America

Community Health Centers of America began its journey in 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing dependable, affordable and compassionate health care services in regions that are historically underserved. Its commitment to underserved regions will attract providers who want to partner in the quest to impact the overall health of entire communities. Community Health Centers of America currently has clinics serving the Mariposa, Livingston and Gustine communities. Learn more at chcahealth.org.

Contact:Meggan RushCommunications ManagerDairy Council of California916.633.3644[email protected]

Source: Dairy Council of California
WASHINGTON, July 19, 2023  The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for Never Any! brand ready-to-eat (RTE) ham and cheese lunch kits containing chocolate chip cookies that may contain peanut, a known allergen, which is not declared on the finished product label. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers with an allergy to peanut are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are believed to no longer be available for purchase.







The ham and cheese lunch kits with the chocolate chip cookies were produced between June 27, 2023, and July 5, 2023. The following products are subject to the public health alert [view labels]:







2.9-oz. plastic tray packages containing NEVER ANY! UNCURED HAM & CHEESE LUNCH KIT with a Use By date of SEPT 18 2023.



The products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number 645 inside the Canadian mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.



The problem was discovered when the producing establishment was notified by their chocolate chip cookie supplier that the chocolate chip cookies may contain peanut residue, a known allergen, which is not declared on the label. The producing establishment then notified FSIS that the cookies were used in products distributed to the United States.







There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.







FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers refrigerators. Consumers with a peanut allergy who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.







Consumers with questions about the public health alert can contact Maple Leaf Foods Inc. at 1-877-526-4520. Members of the media who have questions can contact Maple Leaf Foods Inc. at [email protected] .







Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to [email protected] . For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.


MCLEAN, Va., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIIs (NYSE: HII) Mission Technologies division has been awarded a $41 million contract to provide integrated training systems installation and sustainment (ITSIS) for the U.S. Navy.



The task order was awarded under the Naval Sea Systems Commands (NAVSEA) SeaPort Next Generation contract to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Dam Neck Activity (NSWCDD DNA) and has a one-year base period plus one six-month extension.

The work expands upon HIIs existing support of training systems to the customer.

HII is excited to continue our partnership with NAVSEA and deliver shipboard and shore-site integrated training system hardware and software installation and life-cycle sustainment services, said Ryan Norris, president of Mission Technologies Fleet Sustainment business group. We have built a strong team with extensive experience installing, configuring, maintaining, modernizing and securing Navy networks, tactical systems and C6ISR systems. We look forward to supporting the systems that are critical to training naval warfighters and improving fleet readiness.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-award-naval-surface-warfare-centers-integrated-training-systems-2023.

With more than 30 years of experience delivering shipboard and shore-based installation and sustainment services to the U.S. Navy, HIIs team will provide hardware and software upgrades, system maintenance, training system integration, curriculum development and fleet training, cybersecurity, lab support, integrated logistics support, configuration management and life-cycle sustainment of integrated training systems.

About HII

HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world. As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 43,000 strong. For more information, visit:

HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/

HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII

HII on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII

HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII

Contact:

Greg McCarthy

(202) 264-7126

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ff038bd3-9312-45f2-b233-0c823b62c70e
With five state-owned companies passing into private hands last week, a closer look is taken at the companies and their new owners.

The government gave its stalled privatisation programme a strong boost last week by announcing the sale of five state-owned companies.

They included selling stakes in a company owning seven historic hotels, in companies in the oil and petrochemical industries, and in the government abandoning its stake in Egypts largest steel producer.

The buyers include the local Talaat Moustafa Group and Al-Ezz Dekheila (EZDK) as well as the Emirati Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ).

The slow pace of Egypts privatisation deals has been a main reservation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the structural reform programme that is currently being implemented, along with the not fully flexible exchange rate.

We welcome the Egyptian authorities announcement that they have signed contracts to sell equity stakes in state-owned entities worth $1.9 billion. Divesting is a critical component of the [IMFs] Extended Fund Facility (EFF)-supported programme, supporting the gradual withdrawal of the state from economic activity and providing resources for external financing and debt reduction, said head of the IMFs Communication Department Julie Kozack a day after the announcement.

A main feature of the deals is that the buyers in two cases are Egyptian private-sector companies. The sales of the public-sector entities will help the government raise foreign currency to cover its financing gap.

But another common factor is that all the companies sold earn foreign currency, meaning that by selling them the government is sacrificing a source of foreign currency. However, experts believed that the companies would attract serious investors who wanted to put their money in investments that would yield returns.

The announced deals include some of Egypts most famous and historic hotels. The Arab Company for Tourism and Hotels Investments (ICON), the hospitality arm of the Talaat Moustafa Group (TMGH), will acquire a 37 per cent stake in the recently established holding company that owns seven historic hotels in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor in cooperation with unnamed foreign investors.

The deal is worth some $700 million, Hala Al-Said, the minister of planning, said during a press conference held to announce the deals.

TMGH then released a statement explaining that ICONs offer includes buying significant stakes and management rights in the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, the Movenpick Resort Aswan, the Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, the Steigenberger Hotel Tahrir, the Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria, the Marriott Mena House Cairo, and the Marriott Omar Khayam Zamalek.

The deal will be implemented through a capital increase in the holding company.

This strategic move aligns with the groups growth strategy to solidify its position as the leading player in Egypts upscale hospitality segment, TMGH said.

The group, 83 per cent owned by Talaat Moustafa Group, already owns a portfolio of luxury hotels including the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, the Four Seasons San Stefano, the Four Seasons Sharm El-Sheikh, and the Kempiniski Nile Hotel.

Inclusive of projects under development and construction, the acquisition will bring ICONs hotel portfolio to a total of 15 hotels and increase its room base to some 5,000 rooms.

While the group will pay a lump sum in dollars to acquire the 37 per cent stake, the acquisition will add to its future revenues in hard currencies and is in line with its strategy to maximise recurring income activities, according to the statement.

TMGH plans to develop and upgrade the hotels to increase their operational efficiency and attract a higher quality of tourism to Egypt, leveraging their unique and historical significance.

The upgrades and modernisations will result in increasing their revenues as a function of higher room rates compared to the current levels achieved by these hotels, the statement said.

Last month, news reports said that the Qatar Investment Authority was in the final phase of negotiations to buy a 30 per cent stake of the holding company for $750 million, as the evaluations undertaken by an international financial house had put the fair value of the company as a whole at $2.2 billion.

The government had previously said that it would offer a stake in the hotels through a capital increase in dollars to be used to raise their efficiency and boost profitability in preparation for offering a stake on the Egyptian Stock Exchange.

Egypt is capitalising on the receipts of the sale of state-owned entities as a means to secure much-needed foreign currency. It had been betting on Gulf investors being interested in the local market, but problems with valuations due to the unstable dollar-pound exchange rate have slowed down the process.

ADQ is an exception, as since late 2021 it has heavily invested in a number of listed companies in key sectors of Egypts economy, building on its long-term commitment to investing in the countrys economic growth through its $20 billion joint strategic investment platform agreed in 2021.

The investments started with ADQ as part of a consortium with Al-Dar Properties buying 85 per cent of Egyptian real-estate developer SODIC for LE6 billion.

Since then, it has pumped investments into other major companies, such as the Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypts largest private-sector bank, the leading e-payments platform Fawry, the Alexandria Container and Cargo Handling Company, a prominent logistics player, and two companies from the chemicals industries, the Misr Fertilisers Production Company (MOPCO) and Abu Qir Fertilisers and Chemical Industries.

Last week, it succeeded in grabbing 25 to 30 per cent stakes in three oil and petrochemical companies for $800 million. These are the Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC), Egyptian Linear Alkyl Benzene (ELAB), and the Ethylene and Derivatives Company (ETHYDCO). The three companies had been put under the umbrella of the pre-initial public offer (IPO) fund affiliated to the Sovereign Fund of Egypt to prepare them for privatisation.

EDC is one of the leading drilling contractors in Egypt and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It was established in 1976 as a 50/50 joint operation between the Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC).

In 2017, Maersk sold its stake to EGPC for $100 million.

The company is not listed, so its financial results are not published. But online reports say it has an over $1billion balance sheet and controls 65 per cent of the Egyptian drilling market.

EDC owns and operates a total of 70 rigs offshore and on shore. It has active operations in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait in addition to dormant activities in Syria, Libya, and Qatar.

The second company sold to ADQ is the Egyptian Linear Alkyl Benzene Company (ELAB) established in 2003 to produce linear alkyl benzene, an important raw material used in laundry detergents, light duty dishwashing liquids, and industrial cleaners.

It is owned by state entities including the National Investment Bank, the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company, and the Ministry of Finance. The companys exports exceeded $100 billion in 2017, the latest available data on its activities found online.

Seventy per cent of the companys exports go to Europe and the rest to the MENA region as well as some countries in Asia and South America.

The Egyptian Ethylene and Derivatives Company (ETHYDCO) was established in 2011 with a total investment of $1.9 billion. It owns the largest petrochemicals complex in Egypt and Africa, according to its Website.

Last year, Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals (Sidpec), which owns a 20 per cent of ETHYDCO, expressed an interest in buying the remaining shares through a share swap. In February, Sidpec, a listed company, said in a Stock Market disclosure that Baker Tilly, a US financial consultancy, was evaluating the two companies.

On Monday, Sidpec said its board of directors had given the greenlight to the merger after approving Baker Tillys evaluation of the companies putting ETHYDCOs value at LE33.5 billion and Sidpecs at LE23.1 billion.

Sidpec will acquire a lesser stake than the one it initially targeted as ADQ now owns a 25 to 30 per cent of ETHYDCO.

Al-Ezz Dekheilas (EZDK) deal to buy out the governments stake in Egypts largest steel maker will grant the company and its parent Ezz Steel a tight grip on the local steel market.

EZDK will be buying out the governments 31 per cent stake for $241 million through a loan from Emirati banks. It was announced that 60 per cent of the value will be paid in dollars and the remainder in Egyptian pounds.

Ezz Steel owns 64 per cent of the company, and adding this to the 31 per cent EZDK is buying from the government means that 95 per cent is now in private hands. As a result, the company said it will undergo voluntarily delisting from the Stock Exchange.

EZDKs board of directors approved a plan last week to compensate minority shareholders affected by the delisting by buying their shares at LE1,250 each.

EZDK is Egypts largest steel manufacturing facility. It was established in 1982 under the name of the Alexandria National Iron and Steel Company (ANSDK). It was privatised in 2006 when Ezz Steel, owned by businessman and close aide of late president Hosni Mubaraks son Ahmed Ezz, bought 21 per cent of the company.

He increased his stake over the years to reach the current 64 per cent. EZDK has a market share of almost 65 per cent.

The new deals bring the total number of privatisation transactions in 2023 to seven as the state sold stakes in Telecom Egypt (TE) and paints producer Pachin in May.

The government is about one-quarter through a list of 32 state companies that it announced it would sell stakes in, and is preparing other sales of stakes in other companies, said Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli during a press conference this week.

On the list for the next few months are the Gabal al-Zeit Wind Farm, the military-owned Wataniya Petroleum, and a power plant built by Siemens, in addition to water desalination plants.

Madbouli put the receipts of future sales at $1 billion.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Gothenburg, Sweden, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Swedish medical technology company Integrum, a pioneer in the use of osseointegration technology in creating artificial limbs for amputees, is celebrating its 25th year in the industry. Since then, Integrum has helped improve the lives of hundreds of people by allowing them to have a more active lifestyle.

Osseointegration is a technology developed by Professor Per-Ingvar Branemark in the 1960s, and involves using titanium metal, which is not rejected by the body but instead integrates with the surrounding bone tissue. Initially, it was used for dental implants (and dental implants are still a major indication), but it was later adapted for prosthetic limbs. In 1998, Per-Ingvar's son Dr Rickard Branemark founded Integrum, specializing in artificial limb technology attached using osseointegration techniques.

The following year, Integrum's OPRA Implant System received the CE Mark, allowing it to be distributed in Europe, and the system was soon used to treat patients in hospitals also in the UK and Australia. Integrum later began exploring approval for use in the US, with Branemark attending meetings with the military to see how the OPRA Implant System could help soldiers who lost limbs in combat. In 2008, Integrum filed for FDA clearance, eventually receiving a humanitarian device exemption in 2015. The OPRA Implant System Fixture is coated with a new surface technology, BioHelix, that has been developed by Integrum after 15 years of research and clinical testing. This surface modification promotes faster and stronger attachment to the bone, resulting in a stronger bone-to-implant interface.

In 2016, Rickard Branemark, who was appointed visiting professor at the University of California San Francisco, conducted the first surgery using The OPRA Implant System in the US. Today, Integrum works with 15 of the top 20 hospitals in the US and continues to develop and refine the implant system. It has also developed new technologies, such as the implantable control system that recently received a $8.7 million NIH grant.

The implantantable control system allows bidirectional communication between the patient's brain and the prosthesis. Since it is a modular system, Integrum can place various types of electrodes inside, which will allow the patient's brain to control the artificial limb through muscles and peripheral nerves. The system does not require the installation of batteries inside the patient's body, creating better ease of maintenance, and it is shielded against electromagnetic interference. Branemark says having a robust prosthetic limb system is important to ensure that it works every single time, especially since the wearer will be using it for critical tasks, such as driving a vehicle.

According to Branemark, Integrum spent the past 25 years preparing a good foundation to scale up the business over time, and that he prefers steady and gradual growth over haphazard expansion and quick profit, to ensure that the technology is put to good use.

Our technology is a groundbreaking development in amputee care. I want to work with partners and investors that understand how important this technology is in improving the lives of people who lost their limbs. This is much more than a business opportunity  this is, by far, the biggest-ever change in amputee care!, Branemark says.

Media contact:

Name: Rickard Banemark, CEO

Email: [email protected]

Source: Integrum
VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jolt Health Inc. (JOLT and or the Company) (CSE: JOLT) (FSE: G1Q0) announced, as per CSE policy, that it has closed its previously announced private placement on July 10th, 2023. The company issued a total 6,984,266 units for gross proceeds of $100,125 at $0.0143 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one additional common share for a period of 2 years from the date of closing at a price of $0.05, subject to the Corporations option to accelerate the expiry date if the stock trades at $0.15 for 10 trading days.

One insider of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 1,400,000 units of the Company. The Company has relied on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation.

The company has paid finders fees of $1,125.25 and issued 87,500 brokers warrants in accordance with closing.

About Jolt Health Inc.

Jolt Health Inc. (CSE  JOLT) is a leading life sciences company focused on healthcare, biotechnology and artificial intelligence. The company currently holds exclusive licenses for innovative therapeutic and pharmaceutical products throughout Europe, the UK, and North America. The company is committed to transforming the industry through research, collaboration, and technological advancement, shaping the future of healthcare worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Telephone: 1 (604) 343-2977

E-mail: [email protected]

www.jolt-health.com

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", "may" 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, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID19, including the impact of COVID19 on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations, lack of investor demand for Bitcoin and/or Bitcoin futures exchange traded funds, 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.

Investor Relations Jolt Health Inc. 1 (604) 343-2977 [email protected]

Source: Jolt Health Inc.
Cannabis-friendly community bank drops account service charge to $0 to better serve industry

BONITA SPRINGS, FL, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Check Verified (GCV), the leading fintech connector and technology and insights provider in the emerging cannabis market, today announced its partnership with Main Street Bank, a locally run, independent mutual savings institution serving communities in Massachusetts. The partnership is empowering Main Street Bank to expand its cannabis banking program while dropping its cannabis account service charge to $0.

From a scalability standpoint, and from a compliance and cost standpoint, GCV cannot be beat, said Ellen Dorian, president and chief operating officer of Main Street Bank. By partnering with GCV, Main Street can better focus on our true mission  providing customer-focused, innovative products and services while working directly with our cannabis clients and helping them grow. By removing account service charge fees, we are excited to make our program more accessible and add better value to the cannabis businesses in our community.

Main Street Bank began offering cannabis banking services in 2019 to help meet the growing demand from local businesses and cannabis operators to safely and securely manage their funds. The partnership with GCV is empowering Main Street Bank to scale its cannabis banking services, ensure compliance, and offload various manual tasks that can zap efficiency and hamper growth  including performing in-house background checks, vetting deposits and tracking monthly sales.

Green Check Verified is proud to partner with Main Street Bank as its trusted advisor and partner in cannabis banking, said Kevin Hart, CEO and co-founder of Green Check Verified. This institution is driven by a relentless commitment to contribute to its communities by offering best-in-class products and services while keeping their customers at the forefront of decision-making. GCV looks forward to joining forces with Main Street Bank to advance this mission while streamlining and simplifying operational processes for cannabis operators.

Working with both leaf-touching businesses, such as dispensaries, as well as ancillary services, Main Street Bank is taking bold steps to help cannabis operators in a challenging economic environment as shown by their recent elimination of cannabis account fees.

Green Check Verified, which continues to broaden its footprint in Massachusetts and across the U.S., has now onboarded nearly 150 financial institutions and over 6,800 cannabis-related businesses on its industry-leading platform.

About Main Street Bank

Main Street Bank is a locally run, independent mutual savings institution serving New England. We are united under a culture that strives every day to contribute to our communities by providing customer-focused, innovative products and services for individuals, families, local businesses, and community organizations since 1860, with particular attention to education and financial well-being. Main Street Bank provides an extensive array of financial services and products for all personal and business life stages.

About Green Check Verified

Green Check Verified (GCV) is modernizing the way cannabis businesses and financial institutions work together. Founded in 2017 by a team of technology, banking, and regulatory experts, GCV provides industry-leading technology and advisory services to nearly 150 financial institutions and over 6,800 cannabis-related businesses. Green Check Verified was included in the 2023 Forbes Cannabis 42.0 and named one of 50 game-changers in the cannabis industry in the 4th annual The Cannabis 50. It has been repeatedly recognized as Top Compliance Company and Top Compliance Leader at the PBC Awards, the premier cannabis industry honors. It also was named as one of top three Best Places to Work in Fintech in 2022 by American Banker. To learn more about Green Check Verified, visit www.greencheckverified.com and follow it on LinkedIn.
MIDLAND, Texas, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Era Helium Corp. (New Era Helium or the Company) is pleased to announce that Arjae Design Solutions of Nisku, Alberta, Canada has begun construction of its Pecos Slope Plant, a 20,000 MCF/D natural gas and helium processing plant. To date, New Eras gas has been processed by a third-party to produce helium and natural gas. The Company is building its own natural gas processing plant to process its gas produced from the Pecos Slope Field. The Pecos Slope Plant, which will be located approximately 20 miles north of Roswell, New Mexico will produce approximately 2.7 million standard cubic feet (MMscf) of gaseous helium per month or an estimated 32 MMscf per year. The Pecos Slope Plant, which is expected to commence operations on June 1, 2024, will also produce 477,000 MCF per month of methane and 32,545 bbls per month of natural gas liquids.

The estimates for the various products that the Pecos Slope Plant will produce were developed by Arjae Design Solutions based on Pecos Slope Field Gas Composition samples. A helium sampling audit performed on 303 company-owned wells measured helium concentration levels ranging from 0.167 to 1.513 MOL%. The average helium concentration level was 0.486 MOL%.

NOTE: [In a prior press release, the Company misstated the estimate of helium production from the Pecos Slope Plant and associated pricing for helium due to a typographical error in the units of measure.]

In addition, New Era Helium recently completed a successful RFQ process, and the Company expects to finalize a 10-year helium sales agreement with a major global industrial gas company and a foreign Tier 2 gas company within the next 30  60 days. Helium pricing in these agreements will be consistent with recent transactions for comparable quantities.

New Eras CEO, Will Gray stated, With estimated annual helium production of approximately 32,000 Mcf, New Era Helium is poised to capture approximately 1% of the North American Helium Market. The Company has over 772 proved, probable, and possible drilling locations on its approximate 137,000 gross acres located within the Pecos Slope Field. This substantial inventory of drilling locations and associated reserves will provide the Pecos Slope Plant a daily inlet source of gas for an estimated 53 years. Once operational, the free cash flow generated from the Pecos Slope Plant will provide a foundation for New Era Heliums aggregation strategy of both helium production and exploration opportunities. Mr. Gray continued, Given the large number of small exploration start-ups in the southwestern United States and Canada, we expect to see an increase in M&A activity as companies seek to increase scale to provide greater access to capital. This is necessary to attain critical mass required for new liquefaction capacity and allow early investors to monetize their investments. New Era aims to be an active participant in this potential merger trend.

For more information please contact:

CEO Investor Relations - US Will Gray Jody Kane [email protected] [email protected] +1 475 477 9402

About New Era Helium Corp.New Era Helium Corp. is an exploration and production company that sources helium produced in association with the production of natural gas reserves in North America. The company currently owns and operates over 137,000 acres in Southeast New Mexico and has over 2.5 BCF of proved, probable, and possible helium reserves. More information can be found at www.newerahelium.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release may be forward-looking statements or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. Such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors such as the development of general economic conditions, future market conditions, unusual catastrophic loss events, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The Company does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or updated status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will the Company and its affiliates be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements in this press release or for any related damages.

Source: New Era Helium Corp.
ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) ("Company" or "Kraig Labs"), the biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of spider silk, announces today that it has filled two key researcher positions. These new hires hit the ground running with nearly 50 years of combined sericulture experience. The new staff members have been integrated into roles at the intersection of R&D and production to strengthen the transition of new technologies from the lab to the field.

The new staff has introduced new egg treatment/hatching protocol systems that could reduce the rearing cycle by up to 40% during scale-up. Once proven, this approach may allow the Company to accelerate the delivery of its four-strain "double hybrid" production system to its 3rd party contract manufacturer, cutting several months from its original timeline.

The new staff also identified and implemented alternative methods for screening the strength and health of our diverse silkworm colony. That work has led to addressing a previously unknown bottleneck in both laboratory and commercial production. We anticipate that over the next 60 days, this will lead to significantly increased throughput in our U.S. facility. Strengthening our team with these two sericulturists has dramatically enhanced the processes and systems for commercializing our spider silk technologies. We anticipate they will continue to add substantial value to our enterprise over the coming months.

"We are very excited to welcome these additional members to the Kraig Labs team," said COO Jon Rice. "The 50 years of combined expertise and hands-on sericulture knowledge they bring to the team perfectly complements the bio-engineering prowess of our molecular biology team."

The Company remains laser-focused on the commercial production of its recombinant spider silk technology. The Company has moved to allocate these additional resources and this new staff as part of its commitment to bringing its revolutionary spider silk technology to market. The Company remains on track for the rollout of its double hybrid production system, and these additional team members further strengthen that timeline.

To view the most recent news from Kraig Labs and/or to sign up for Company alerts, please go to www.KraigLabs.com/news

About Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (www.KraigLabs.com), a reporting biotechnology company, is the leading developer of genetically engineered spider silk based fiber technologies.

The Company has achieved a series of scientific breakthroughs in the area of spider silk technology with implications for the global textile industry.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Statements in this press release about the Company's future and expectations other than historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These statements are made on the basis of management's current views and assumptions. As a result, there can be no assurance that management's expectations will necessarily come to pass. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as "believes," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "foresees," "estimated," "hopes," "if," "develops," "researching," "research," "pilot," "potential," "could" or other words or phrases of similar import. Forward-looking statements include descriptions of the Company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions and goals. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

Ben Hansel, Hansel Capital, LLC(720) 288-8495[email protected]

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newcore Gold Ltd. ("Newcore" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NCAU, OTCQX: NCAUF) is pleased to report the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on July 19, 2023. Shareholders voted in favour of all resolutions set out in the Companys Notice of Meeting and Information Circular, dated June 15, 2023.

Shareholders voted in favour of setting the number of directors at nine and the following incumbent directors were re-elected as directors for the ensuing year: Douglas B. Forster, Blayne Johnson, Luke Alexander, Omaya Elguindi, Edward Farrauto, Douglas Hurst, Ryan King, George Salamis, and Michael Vint. The shareholders also approved the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors. A total of 61,206,747 common shares were voted, representing 44% of the Companys total shares issued and outstanding as at the record date of the meeting.

About Newcore Gold Ltd.

Newcore Gold is advancing its Enchi Gold Project located in Ghana, Africas largest gold producer (1). Newcore Gold offers investors a unique combination of top-tier leadership, who are aligned with shareholders through their 21% equity ownership, and prime district scale exploration opportunities. Enchis 216 km2 land package covers 40 kilometres of Ghanas prolific Bibiani Shear Zone, a gold belt which hosts several 5 million-ounce gold deposits, including the Chirano mine 50 kilometers to the north. Newcores vision is to build a responsive, creative and powerful gold enterprise that maximizes returns for shareholders.

(1) Source: Production volumes for 2022 as sourced from the World Gold Council

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Newcore Gold Ltd.

Luke AlexanderPresident, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations+1 604 484 4399[email protected] www.newcoregold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Newcore Gold Ltd.
PRESS RELEASE

REGULATED INFORMATION

Brussels, 19 July 2023  5.40 PM

Nextensa NV/SA : Information on the total number of voting rights and shares





In accordance with article 15 of the Law of 2 May 2007 on the disclosure of large shareholdings, Nextensa (the Company) publishes the following information as the double voting right has been granted to several shares in the Company (in accordance with article 28 of the articles of association).



Situation as at 19 July 2023 :

Total share capital: EUR 109,997,148.34

Total number of securities carrying voting rights: 10,002,102

Number of securities with double voting rights: 5,873,277(1)



Total number of voting rights (= denominator) : 15,875,379

On the basis of this information, the shareholders of the Company can verify whether they are above or below one of the thresholds of 3% (threshold set by the articles of association), 5%, 10%, and so on (in multiples of five) of the total voting rights, and whether there is therefore an obligation to notify the company that they have exceeded this threshold.

(1) 204 of these 5,873,277 shares giving the right to double voting rights in principle are held by a subsidiary of the Company. The voting rights attached to these 204 shares have therefore been suspended



For more information



Michel Van Geyte | Chief Executive Officer

Gare Maritime, Rue Picard 11, B505, 1000 Brussels

+32 2 882 10 08 | [email protected]

www.nextensa.eu

About Nextensa

Nextensa NV is a mixed-use real estate investor and developer. The company's investment portfolio is divided between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (41%), Belgium (44%) and Austria (15%); its total value as of 31/03/2023 was approximately  1.28 billion.

As a developer, Nextensa is primarily active in shaping large urban developments. At Tour & Taxis (development of over 350,000 sqm) in Brussels, Nextensa is building a mixed real estate portfolio consisting of a revaluation of iconic buildings and new constructions. In Luxembourg (Cloche dOr), it is working in partnership on a major urban extension of more than 400,000 sqm consisting of offices, retail and residential buildings.

The company is listed on Euronext Brussels and has a market capitalization of 442.1 million (value 30/06/2023).

Attachment
NEW YORK, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd (NYSE: JKS) resulting from allegations that JinkoSolar may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.



SO WHAT: If you purchased JinkoSolar securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16025 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On May 9, 2023, before trading hours, the Jacksonville Daily Record published an article entitled Federal agents issue search warrant at JinkoSolar plant in Cecil Commerce Center: Homeland Security said it is part of an ongoing investigation; the factory, whose parent company is in China, opened in Jacksonville in 2018. The Jacksonville Daily Record reported that [a]ccording to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal agents were assisting the Department of Homeland Security with the execution of a search warrant. Further, the article cited WJXT News4Jax, stating that JinkoSolar is one of several companies under investigation by the U.S. Commerce Department for circumventing trade rules by sending products to other countries before moving them to the U.S.

On this news, JinkoSolars American depositary receipt (ADR) price fell $3.91 per ADR, or 8%, to close at $43.47 per ADR on May 9, 2023, on unusually heavy trading volume.

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. 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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.

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Boston, MA, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SVN International Corp. (SVNIC), the leading full-service commercial real estate franchisor of the SVN brand, is excited to announce the addition of its newest franchise office, SVN | Innovative Commercial Advisors, located in Binghamton, New York.

Led by Managing Directors Scott Warren, CCIM, CIREC, and Angela Martinez, CIREC, SVN | Innovative Commercial Advisors is a rapidly growing firm with a seasoned team that boasts a combined 12 years of experience. The firm specializes in investment, multifamily, office, and industrial properties.

This was definitely the right move for us, said Martinez, highlighting the shared values of the SVN brand as a key motivation for joining. Additionally, they highlighted SVN Live's unparalleled marketing power and the core tenet of the SVN Difference, where advisors share commissions equally, 50/50, 100% of the time. SVN leverages the entire broker community nationwide to provide an even higher value to our clients. These factors, along with the exceptional training opportunities and access to national Product Councils, solidified their confidence in choosing to partner with SVN as a franchise office.

Looking towards the future, SVN | Innovative Commercial Advisors sets its sights on robust growth and strategic expansion. We look forward to growing the SVN brand throughout upstate NY and Northern PA, said Warren. By leveraging SVNs global platform and strong brand reputation as one of the most powerful brokerage firms in the United States, SVN | Innovative Commercial Advisors is poised to expand their team and services in the Binghamton, NY market and beyond.

For more information about SVN | Innovative Commercial Advisors, please visit www.svninnovative.com.

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About SVN

The SVN organization is a globally recognized commercial real estate entity united by a shared vision of creating value with clients, colleagues, and our communities. The SVN brand is comprised of over 2,000 Advisors and staff in more than 200 offices across the globe in six countries. Our brand pillars represent the transparency, innovation, and inclusivity that enables all our Advisors to collaborate with the entire real estate industry on behalf of our clients. SVNs unique Shared Value Network is just one of the many ways that SVN Advisors create amazing value with our clients, colleagues, and communities. For more information, visit www.svn.com.

All SVN offices are independently owned and operated. To learn more about becoming an SVN commercial real estate business owner, visit http://www.svn.com/franchise/.

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SVNIC Corporate Marketing SVN International Corp. [email protected]

Source: SVN International Corp.
FHLBank San Francisco CEO Delivers Keynote on Racial Equity in Homeownership at African American Credit Union Coalition Annual Conference

SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teresa Bryce Bazemore, President and CEO of The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco), in a keynote speech today at the 25th Anniversary of the African American Credit Union Coalitions (AACUC) Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, applauded the credit union industry for its support in closing the racial homeownership and wealth gap. Bazemores speech was titled, Advancing Racial Equity: Increasing Homeownership and Wealth Building.



Its an honor to address the African American Credit Union Coalition today to share the commitment and work were doing at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco to advance racial equity across the homeownership landscape. Supporting homeownership for all has been a core mission of the Federal Home Loan Bank System for more than 90 years and credit unions have played a pivotal role in empowering the communities we serve, said Teresa Bryce Bazemore, president and CEO of FHLBank San Francisco. I applaud the AACUC for their bold, mindful, and dedicated commitment to advancing racial equity and promoting financial inclusion. Together, we can build a future where every family has an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams of homeownership and economic prosperity.

FHLBank San Francisco directs a minimum of 10%  and up to 15%  of its net profits each year for grants and funding to support affordable housing, homeownership, and economic development throughout their region of Arizona, California, and Nevada. Bazemores speech gave a detailed overview of the impact this funding has had on expanding racial equity in homeownership, supporting underserved communities, and boosting upward mobility. Some highlights include:

FHLBank San Francisco changes lives for millions by providing liquidity to members to sustain the overall housing market and drive economic vitality within their communities while expanding access to affordable housing and homeownership.

Since 1990, the Affordable Housing Program (AHP) at FHLBank San Francisco has awarded $1.14 billion in grants for the creation and preservation of 141,000 housing units for lower-income families and individuals across Arizona, California, and Nevada, as well as other areas where their members do business.

Also, as part of the Affordable Housing Program, FHLBank San Francisco has disbursed $141 million in downpayment assistance grants to help nearly 10,000 families and individuals overcome systemic barriers to homeownership.



In 2022, FHLBank San Francisco invested $1.5 million in a Racial Equity Accelerator collaboration with the Urban Institute, a research and development initiative aimed at addressing and closing the racial disparities in homeownership and wealth building.



Understanding that knowledge is power, the FHLBank San Francisco introduced a $1 million matching grant program called Empowering Black Homeownership to ensure that homebuyers and homeowners of color have equal access to the information needed to purchase or sustain homeownership.



The mission of the FHLBank of San Francisco is to provide their financial institution members  including 155 credit unions  with reliable access to low-cost liquidity, essential financial services and expertise, and resources for affordable housing and economic development. This longstanding commitment makes communities more vibrant, equitable, and resilient through a variety of community programs, including homeownership initiatives .

Founded in 1999, the AACUC works to promote and foster financial inclusion and professional development for credit union members dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap. The five-day Legacy themed conference brings together credit union professionals from all levels of their organizations, as well as members of other financial institutions and relevant stakeholders. With a focus on DEI, attendees are offered training, networking, and educational opportunities to help foster inclusivity within the credit union community.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions  commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions  propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant, equitable, and resilient.

Media Contact:

Mary Long

Senior Director, Marketing Communications

415.616.2556
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid is a film made by Netflix, and I am happy to say that since it was first shown on 3 July it has become the number one film on the platform worldwide.

I am really proud that this is the first time that the world will have seen a film about the discoveries of two Egyptian archaeologists, in this case me and Mustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).

This film was made after the Netflix film about Cleopatra that was attacked by many people on the grounds of historical accuracy. That film was a documentary and therefore should have been accurate. I said in many statements at the time that if anyone showed Cleopatra as being blonde, I would object, in the same way that I objected to her being presented as black African, on the grounds of accuracy.

Our film, unlike that on Cleopatra, has been seen by millions since it opened.

My friend TV presenter Tamer Amin in his talk show on the Al-Nahar channel was wondering why I was attacking Netflix because of the film about Cleopatra. I called him and said that Unknown: The Lost Pyramid, made two years ago, would be aired on the same channel. Netflix is an international TV company that can broadcast films that are good for Egypt, I said, mentioning that many Egyptian actors and actresses have made great films with Netflix.

The documentary about Cleopatra was not among these films. But our film is now number one on the platform, and we have to thank Netflix for producing this great film that shows that the company is not against Egypt.

During a lecture tour in the US in May and June, I gave 23 lectures in 23 different cities. When I talked about my discoveries at Saqqara, I showed the trailer of the film and thus promoted it to over 40,000 people.

I have received many great comments on the film. Andy Numhauser from Chili said he had cried when he saw the film, as it is so incredible. John Norman, president of World Heritage Exhibitions, said it was the best show on archaeology he had ever seen. It was well done with perfect cinematography and sound. Plus you and Mustafa did a great job, very impressive, and I am so happy for you, he said.

Bruno from Brazil said very happy at the huge success of Unknown: The Lost Pyramid. Asked everybody that I know to watch.

In Egypt, many young people have seen the film. Ambassador Dominic Goh of Singapore hosted a dinner for the Cleopatra Group of ambassadors of foreign countries in Cairo at which he showed the Netflix film.

The story goes back more than three years when I was in Los Angeles and met my friends Leslie Greif and Peter Isacksen. I had earlier made shows with them, such as Live from the Bahriya Oasis and Live from the Pyramids with Mary Bovitsh. Greif produced 10 episodes of a series under the title Chasing the Mummies that has now been seen on the US History Channel by a billion people all over the world.

I told Greif that we had made great discoveries at Saqqara and really wanted to make a film with Netflix. It is the only TV channel that can be seen all over the world, and it makes films in many languages. Our film has been translated into 199 languages, for example.

Greif is one of the best film directors in Hollywood, and he can also be the best salesman. He arranged for me to have lunch with two people from Netflix, and they were convinced about making the film. I presented the discoveries made during my expedition to the Pyramid of Teti and the site of Gisr Al-Modier. We also included Waziris excavations near the tombs of Mia and others in the shadow of the Step Pyramid of Djoser.

I presented the discoveries made around the Pyramid of Teti because Teti was worshipped as a god during the ancient Egyptian New Kingdom, and many people wanted to be buried beside him.

When we started the excavations, we found a new pyramid built for a queen called Neit. This queen had never been heard of before. We know that Teti, the first king of the Sixth Dynasty, married two queens, one called Iput and the other called Khuit, but now we had found a new queen, the daughter of the king and also the daughter of the god Geb, god of the earth, near the Pyramid of Teti.

We found about 22 shafts going down for about 20 to 30 metres and a limestone sarcophagus. I went down one of the shafts, found the sarcophagus, and excavated the skeleton inside. In another shaft, we found many coffins, most of them containing mummies. We also found a shabti figurine and two games, one called game 20 and the other the sent game, which means cross. A box containing other shabtis was also found, along with a statue of the god Anubis and a statue of Ptah-soker.

A stela dated to the reign of Ramses II showed the deceased and his wife worshipping the god Osiris. Seated in front of them are their children by queen Nefertari. Another great discovery was a mummy with a golden mask.

SECOND SITE: The second site was Gisr Al-Modier, and this made Netflix really interested.

Greif arrived with Isacksen and film director Max Suleiman. I told them the story of this site where I was looking for a lost pyramid. In 1954, Egyptian archaeologist Zakaria Ghoneim had excavated the Pyramid of Skhemkhet at the site, and inside the burial chamber he had found a sealed sarcophagus that was placed there 5,000 years ago.

He decided to open it. President Gamal Abdel-Nasser had earlier gone to see the discovery of the Boat of Khufu that was found by Kamal Al-Mallakh on the Giza Plateau, and journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal advised the president to go to witness the opening of this sarcophagus as well. However, when it was opened it was found to be empty. I still do not understand why this was so.

I thought that there must be a pyramid for Huni somewhere who had come to the throne after Sekhem-khet of the Third Dynasty, so we began to look for this lost pyramid.

Suleiman interviewed me and Greif, and Isacksen was around to listen. He asked me how I had developed my passion for archaeology, and I explained that from the age of 16 I had dreamed of being a lawyer, and so when I finished high school I went to the Faculty of Law at Alexandria University. I bought the books, and then discovered that I would never love being a lawyer as it involved reading so many books.

I then moved from the Faculty of Law to the Faculty of Arts. I could not choose which department to be in, but some students told me that a new department had opened called archaeology. I asked them what I would do when I graduated, and they said I could work in translation.

I joined the Archaeology Department, but I am sorry to say that I was not a good student and did not study. I graduated with the lowest rank of degree, but at that time the government guaranteed a job to all university graduates, so I got a job as an inspector of antiquities.

However, when I went to the Department in Cairo, I found that the people there had no ambition. I decided to leave the department and to train as a diplomat. I passed the written exam but failed the oral. I tried to transfer to tourism, but couldnt, and so found my way back to antiquities.

When I was there, I met Gamal Mokhtar, head of the then Antiquities Organisation, who said I would have to join an excavation. I did not want to do this, but he said he would cut my salary if I didnt. I went to the site by train and was unhappy and unused to staying in a tent.

However, one day one of the workmen came to me and said that a tomb had been found and that I was needed to help in the excavation. He gave me a brush and asked me to help clean the site. While I was doing this, I found a statue in a niche, a beautiful statue of the goddess Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. It was then that I found my true passion for archaeology that later changed my life.

Suleiman did a lot of interviews with me for the Netflix film, but the most interesting question he asked me was who is Zahi Hawass. I think that he asked me this question more than 20 times.

During the interviews, Essam Shihab, my assistant, called me to say that we had found a cache with nine statues in it. I went to look and found one of them was a double statue of a man and his wife. She was holding his hand in love and affection. We did not find the name of the statue, but later, after the filming had finished, we found a false door in the same area giving the name of the owner of the door and the statues as Misi.

We found another shaft, and Suleiman followed me going down it. It was a surprise to find three statues of one person named Fetek and beside him a sarcophagus with a mummy in it. There was also an offering table with all the items that Fetek would have in the afterlife written on it.

A day later, I visited Marina, the producer of the show. She smiled all the time and was very nice and used to look at all the footage after shooting. I told her that the next day would be a great day, as we had found an intact sarcophagus dating back 4,300 years and would open it live for the show.

We arrived at the site early and were all waiting to see what we would discover inside the sarcophagus. The workmen put me inside a basket, and I went down about 60 feet underground. I saw a sarcophagus behind a stone vessel and pottery dating to 4,300 years ago. I examined the sarcophagus and found that no one had touched it since the Fifth Dynasty.

I called for Reis Ammar, the supervisor, and one of the workmen to open the lid, which weighed six tons. They began to use a machine known as the devil to raise it. I was standing with a flashlight in my hand, waiting for the moment to put my head inside the sarcophagus. The moment came, and until now I cannot explain the feeling: I saw a beautiful mummy covered with gold, the oldest mummy in good condition ever to be discovered.

Suleiman only showed 20 per cent of the film he made with me in the Netflix show, and possibly the rest would make another hour at least. I called Suleiman to ask him, but he is a diplomat and did not give me a straight answer. As a result, the final film omits many great photographs.

PART TWO: The second part of the film is about Waziris excavation of a large area containing shafts with many great coffins dating back to 500 BCE. He also found many artefacts near the coffins, with the most important being a papyrus more than 20 m long of the Book of the Dead now called the Waziri Papyrus.

Waziri appears with me twice in the film, with the best scene being at the end on the Giza Plateau in the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Khufu where we are shown hugging each other. Many people called me to say that this was the best scene in the film.

Suleiman decided not to make the film as a documentary with a foreign voiceover, and instead he asked me to be the narrator. The company has now made a film that has entered the homes of millions of people all over the world, and we have Netflix to thank for this as well as all the friends who worked on the film.

When Netflix agreed to do the show, I partnered with Dan Cohen at Story Syndicate to produce the show with me, Greif later told me. I brought in Peter Isacksen as executive producer to oversee the entire production. We hired Suleiman, a very talented Emmy-winning director.

Having produced shows with you for over 20 years, and with the Egyptian government, I was able to use my relationships and practical working experience to get all the proper permissions and organise all the local crew. I thought it very important that our crew be primarily Egyptian and not from other countries.The Egyptian crew did a fantastic job.

On the creative front, I was responsible for breaking the story and overseeing the script.

It was also extraordinarily important to establish a cinematic style that would separate our Netflix production from the ordinary shows that normally appear on Discovery or NatGeo in the US.

I monitored the storylines over the many months to make sure that both, you, Waziri, the antiquities, the government, and the country were all shown accurately, respectfully, and positively. During the editorial process, I worked closely with Suleiman to make sure that the final film had a clear narrative and that it shared your journey with the audience portraying both your and Waziris lifes work to inspire the world and future archeologists about Egypts rich culture.

As executive producer, my ultimate responsibility was to ensure the quality, integrity, and reputation of all involved. I am proud to have worked with a fabulous team lead by Suleiman and Peter.

Suleiman said about the film that it is incredibly humbling. I couldnt believe it at first: the number one film on Netflix in 190 countries! How is that even possible? Our film even beat the latest action movie starring [US actor] Chris Hemsworth. That is unheard of for a documentary.

Its even being compared to the Indiana Jones film now in movie theatres worldwide. I loved the Indiana Jones films as a kid, and those films are in part responsible or me wanting to be a director perhaps. To be mentioned even in the same breath as that film series today because of this film is a dream come true.

There are a lot of amazing moments in our film. From the beginning with Dr Hawass standing in an empty desert at sunset wondering what he will find hoping that he will find the lost pyramid of an ancient king from the earliest days of the Pyramid Age through a chain of stunning discoveries that leads him like a trail of clues to the end when we discover one of the largest structures ever found at Saqqara, Suleiman said.

But my favourite parts are the moments in which we witness Dr Hawass make history. In front of our cameras he discovers some of the oldest fully intact mummies ever found in Egypt. These are mummies that are over 1,000 to 1,500 years older than those of king Tut, Ramses, and the other royals of the 18th Dynasty.

Most of the mummies that are that old, be they of kings or high officials, are in terrible condition and hardly ever undisturbed and intact. But these were perfectly preserved, covered in stunningly beautiful beads and glittering gold. One of the archaeologists on the team said to us that he wonders, had he been alive four and a half thousand years ago, if he would have been permitted to even stand in the presence of these people.

To stand in the presence of those people even today is an honour. It truly takes your breath away. But that discovery is only the beginning of something even bigger, which youll have to see for yourself at the end of the film, Suleiman said.

Those final moments of the film, in which we see Dr Hawass make what could be the discovery of a lifetime and hear him dream about his future, have a huge emotional impact on me, even after over a year of editing the film.

Because archaeology is not a search for treasure. Is about the journey that takes you to making the discovery. And thats something that until this film has never been captured. And even when you make an incredible find, you are humbled by the fact that there is always more to be uncovered.

As Dr Hawass says, the story is never over.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Washington, DC, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the nation's largest minority education organization, announced its partnership with Axim Collaborative and Harvard University to further the development of HBCUv (HBCU Virtual). This collaboration showcases the commitment of UNCF and its nine partnering HBCUs to transforming higher education through innovative education technology, collaboration and rightful ownership by HBCUs, for HBCUs.

HBCUv is an online platform that will expand Black college education, enhance online learning, promote inclusivity and ensure equitable access to education for all HBCUs nationwide. With the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building as a driving force and the expertise of its nine partnering HBCUs, HBCUv seeks to reimagine the Black college experience for the virtual world.

We are thrilled to partner with Axim Collaborative and Harvard on the development of HBCUv, as it represents an important leap forward in higher education, empowering HBCUs to harness the power of technology and innovation while ensuring equitable access and inclusivity for all students, said Ed Smith-Lewis, vice president of strategic partnerships and institutional programs, UNCF.

Axim Collaborative is a nonprofit organization  a joint endeavor of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology  dedicated to fostering inclusive learning in support of strong student outcomes.

Axim Collaborative will contribute experience in the field of blended online education to the initiative, in addition to financial support. The partnership with Harvard will focus on developing a robust instructional design framework, establishing a repository of culturally responsive course resources, and leveraging existing knowledge, expertise and digital learning assets that exist at Harvard and MIT. Their collective contributions  working closely with UNCF and partnering HBCUs  will shape the strategic direction and innovative approaches employed by the HBCUv team to support faculty in enhancing student success.

"We are honored to partner with UNCF and the nine partnering HBCUs in shaping the future of education through HBCUv. Together we will drive innovation, foster inclusivity and empower historically Black colleges and universities to lead in the digital era, ensuring that students have equitable access to transformative learning experiences. I cannot think of a better inaugural project to invest in as we pursue Axims mission to elevate the playing field for students everywhere so they can realize their full education and career potential, said Stephanie Khurana, CEO of Axim Collaborative.

"Through our collaboration with UNCF, we are excited to bring Harvard's expertise in online education to this important initiative. By combining innovative teaching and learning practices and technologies, inclusive approaches, and a commitment to excellence, we aim to support this important work led by UNCF and the partner HBCUs in empowering students and faculty from historically Black colleges and universities to reshape the future of learning in a digital age, said Bharat N. Anand, vice provost for advances in learning at Harvard University.

UNCF, alongside the nine partnering HBCUs, has been driving the development of HBCUv, ensuring its alignment with the needs and aspirations of the HBCU community. This initiative has garnered significant support from philanthropic organizations such as Lilly Endowment, Inc., Bank of America Foundation, Citi Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Blue Meridian Partners, among others, reaffirming the significance and potential impact of HBCUv.

Through this collaboration, UNCF and partnering HBCUs, including Benedict College, Clark Atlanta University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lane College, Claflin University, Dillard University, Talladega College, Shaw University, and Jarvis Christian University, are leading the charge in incorporating leading digital technologies into the HBCU education experience. HBCUv will serve as more than an online platform; it represents a learning ecosystem that empowers students, faculty and institutions to thrive in the digital age, both inside and outside of the classroom.

For more information about HBCUv and its transformative impact on higher education, please visit hbcuv.org.

About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nations largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelors degrees, 5% of masters degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

About UNCF Institute for Capacity Building

UNCF founded the Institute for Capacity Building in 2006 to build upon its heritage of supporting Black colleges and their outsized impact on student success and community progress. The Institute partners with Black colleges and universities to propel a shared pursuit of student success, community advancement and the fight for racial-justice equity. Learn more about UNCFs Institute for Capacity Building at uncficb.org.

About Axim Collaborative

Axim Collaborative is a nonprofit focused on broadening access to education and deepening the impact for the millions of learners who have faced barriers in realizing their education and career aspirations. Axim Collaborative partners with institutions and organizations that serve students who have been systemically and historically underserved by our higher education systems, with the goal of catalyzing new digital and education practices that engage students in their course of study, enable them to persist through their programs, and excel in their careers.

Attachment

Roy Betts United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF) 2407033384 [email protected]

Source: United Negro College Fund, Inc. (UNCF)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that enacting the cannabis banking bill is a top priority for this summer, but it wont be simple without backing from GOP leaders. In a letter sent to his coworkers last week, Schumer made that statement.

The letter specifies that lawmakers will prioritize pushing defense and appropriations measures that must pass before moving on to other matters. To advance the bill in a

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NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the companys newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

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CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern  our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.

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First Tellurium (CSE: FTEL) (OTC: FSTTF) today reported that ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China create implications for both tellurium and the production of cadmium-tellurium solar cells. According to the update, China produces approximately 60% of the worlds tellurium, most of which goes into cadmium-tellurium solar cells. Beijing has warned that it may ban the export of technology used to make solar panels, an industry for which China controls at least 75% of its global supply chain. With potentially dire repercussions for the Wests drive for solar energy deployment and as the trade war heats up, the U.S. is looking to secure safe, domestic sources of tellurium and many other critical metals to pre-empt potential shortages. This is precisely why the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched its Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium (CTAC) a year ago, said Tyrone Docherty, First Telluriums president and CEO. They know the U.S. is vulnerable and has to establish safe and reliable sources of tellurium Were the only junior mining company in the world focused on tellurium exploration. With our Klondike high-grade tellurium property in Colorado, and the Deer Horn property in British Columbia with its mix of high-grade gold, silver and tellurium, were ahead of the curve in establishing strategic, domestic supplies for solar panel manufacturers like First Solar.

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/Odhan

About First Tellurium Corp.

First Telluriums unique business model is to generate revenue and value through mineral discovery, project development, project generation and cooperative access to untapped mineral regions in Indigenous territory with sustainable exploration. Its Klondike tellurium-gold property in Colorado and polymetallic Deer Horn Project in British Columbia anchor a diversified search for metals, working in alliance with Indigenous peoples, NGOs, governments and leading metals buyers. This is the future of mineral explorationgenerating revenue by exploring responsibly and leveraging diverse partnerships. First Tellurium proudly adheres to, and supports, the principles and rights set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and in particular the fundamental proposition of free, prior and informed consent. First Tellurium is listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol FTEL and on the OTC under the symbol FSTTF. Further information about FTEL and its projects can be found at www.FirstTellurium.com.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Bravada Gold Corporation(TSXV: BVA) (FSE: BRTN) (OTCQB: BGAVF)("Bravada" or the "Company") announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") with Endeavour Silver Corp. ("Endeavour"), granting Endeavour the option to earn an 85% interest in the Company's Baxter gold and silver property ("Baxter"), located directly north of Endeavour's Bruner project in Nevada's Walker Lane Gold trend. Baxter consists of 114 unpatented lode claims (approximately 920 hectares).

Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, Endeavour has the right to explore and the option to earn an 85% interest in Baxter (the "Option") by, among other things, incurring US$4.5 million in exploration and development expenditures ("Exploration Expenditures") on Baxter over a five-year period from the effective date of the Definitive Agreement.

The Definitive Agreement provides that Endeavour shall make annual cash option payments of US$100,000 to Bravada ("Option Payments"), 50% of which may be paid in common shares of Endeavour at its sole discretion, and incur the Exploration Expenditures on Baxter as follows (US$):

Year 1 - $ 250,000

Year 2 - $ 250,000

Year 3 - $ 500,000

Year 4 - $1,000,000

Year 5 - $2,000,000

Endeavour shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to accelerate any time period for incurring the Exploration Expenditures or to elect to satisfy any of the Exploration Expenditures by cash payment to Bravada.

Upon completion of the Exploration Expenditures and payment of all of the Option Payments, Endeavour shall have exercised the Option and Endeavour and Bravada will form an 85/15 joint venture, with Bravada carried to production with payback of Bravada's carried portion from the Company's share of net income from the sale of all minerals produced from Baxter.

Extensive low-sulfidation-type gold and silver mineralization is exposed at surface and in reverse-circulation holes drilled by Bravada and others on several target areas within Baxter. Additional mineralization may lie beneath a relatively thin veneer of gravel and post-mineral volcanics in portions of the property. Drilling at the Sinter target has outlined near-surface gold mineralization that is open along strike and at depth. The best hole to date at Sinter is BAX16-13 (previously reported), which returned 0.88 grams of gold per ton (g/t) from 32 to 64 metres (m) depth, including 6.1m of 2.2g/t gold. Approximately 300m along strike is a single hole, BAX17-07 (previously reported), which returned a 9.1m interval beginning at 198.6m depth of 1.38g/t Au, including 3.0m of 3.7g/t Au. The intercept in hole BAX17-07 is untested up- and down-dip, and the intervening ground to BAX16-13 is undrilled and covered by shallow alluvium. Exploration plans include detailed mapping, soil sampling and a geophysical survey that will be used to develop drill targets.

President Joe Kizis commented, "Endeavour Silver is a growing, successful mining company that owns the Bruner gold property, which is adjacent to Baxter and hosts similar gold mineralization. Bruner was historically mined and has unmined historic gold resources. Potentially high-margin, shallow oxidized gold from the Sinter Target at Baxter should be an attractive addition to a previously modeled historic heap-leach site on the Bruner property that is directly south of Baxter's claim boundary."

About Bravada

Bravada is an exploration company with a portfolio of high-quality properties in Nevada, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the World. Bravada has successfully identified and advanced properties with the potential to host high-margin deposits while successfully attracting partners to fund later stages of project development. Bravada's value is underpinned by a substantial gold and silver resource with a positive PEA at Wind Mountain, and the Company has significant upside potential from possible new discoveries at its exploration properties.

Since 2005, the Company entered into 32 earn-in joint-venture agreements for its properties with 19 publicly traded companies, as well as a similar number of property-acquisition agreements with private individuals. Bravada currently has 10 projects in its portfolio, consisting of 810 claims for approximately 6,500 ha in the Battle Mountain/Eureka and Walker Lane Trends, two of Nevada's most prolific gold trends. Most of the projects host encouraging drill intercepts of gold and already have drill targets developed. Several videos are available on the Company's website that describe Bravada's major properties, responding to investor's commonly asked questions. Simply click on this link https://bravadagold.com/projects/project-videos/.

Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr. (AIPG CPG-11513) is the qualified person for the Company and is responsible for reviewing and preparing the technical data presented in this release and has approved its disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Bravada Gold Corporation

"Joseph A. Kizis, Jr."

Joseph A. Kizis, Jr., Director, President, Bravada Gold Corporation

For further information, please visit Bravada Gold Corporation's website at bravadagold.com or contact the Company at 604.684.9384 or 775.746.3780.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, comments regarding: the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions regarding, the exercise of the Option and formation of a joint venture, general economic conditions, interest rates, commodity markets, regulatory and governmental approvals for the company's projects, and the availability of financing for the company's development projects on reasonable terms. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Bravada does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173995
Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Token RXT's parent company, Rimaunangis SDN BHD from Malaysia has decided to team up with Ourlines SDN BHD to start tuna exploration in the Indian Ocean. This business will complement the Food Security Program which is being continuously promoted by Rimaunangis SDN BHD. By utilizing blockchain technology, this tuna exploration will complement the NFT market place owned by Rimaunangis Digital LLC.

Image 1

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With the slogan "Fishing via NFT - You Do it On-Line, We Do it On - Sea" Rimaunangis Digital LLC will continue to be the pillar of Rimaunangis SDN BHD's digital business.

The Cooperation Agreement between Rimaunangis SDN BHD and Ourlines SDN BHD was carried out in the middle of the Hong Kong Sea, simultaneously with the Private Yacht Party Event held by RXT Token. The inauguration of this collaboration will be a new strength for Rimaunangis SDN BHD. Having survived 15 years in the Agriculture and Livestock business, a new era has emerged by adding Fisheries.

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Dato Abdul Haadi Azhar, representing Rimaunangis SDN BHD and accompanied by Chairman Dato Muhamad Firdaus Azhar and CEO of Ourlines SDN BHD Mr. Sopian Bin Bakar, said he was ready to start exploring for tuna in the Indian Ocean. Exploration will be carried out with special vessels equipped with first-class technology to catch tuna. This ship will be the first of its kind in Malaysia. There are indeed a lot of tuna in the waters around Malaysia. The project, which is planned to receive support from the Malaysian Government, will also be supported by technology owned by Rimaunangis Digital LLC.

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RXT token will create a special NFT for this collaboration, so that everyone can participate and enjoy the results of this tuna exploration. By sticking to the sharia-based agreement, RXT intends to take tuna exploration to a different level. The number of tuna caught, the number of tuna fishing vessels, equipment, and fishing grounds will be transparent and accessible on the blockchain.

Rimaunangis Digital LLC

Tblisi, Georgia

Contact:

John Henderson

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173753
Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged six individuals with a multi-million dollar Ponzi-like fraud scheme orchestrated by criminal recidivist Eliyahu Weinstein of Lakewood, New Jersey.

Along with Weinstein, the SEC charged Aryeh L. Bromberg, Joel L. Wittels, Richard M. Curry, Christopher J. Anderson, and Alaa Mohamed Hattab for their roles in the fraudulent scheme, which involved raising investments to fund purported deals to purchase, distribute, and sell in-demand healthcare products. The SEC alleges that, beginning in or around November 2021, Weinstein, Bromberg, and Wittels raised money from investors for purported deals through Optimus Investments Inc. while concealing Weinsteins identity, criminal history, and involvement from investors. Beginning in January 2022, Anderson and Curry allegedly began raising money for Optimus deals through Tryon Management Group LLC, and, by August 2022, they joined the other defendants in actively concealing Weinsteins role in the venture. Hattab provided substantial assistance to the other defendants in carrying out the scheme.

According to the complaint, by at least April 2022, when some of the purported Optimus deals proved to be unprofitable, Weinstein, Bromberg, Wittels, Curry, and Anderson allegedly undertook a fraudulent scheme to use funds raised from investors to make Ponzi-like payments to earlier investors while mischaracterizing them as investment returns. The SEC alleges that, collectively, the defendants fraudulent scheme raised at least $38 million from at least 150 investors.

Over and over, the defendants took money from unsuspecting investors for fake deals and shuffled funds around to pay out earlier investors to give the false impression that they were receiving real profits from those deals, sometimes even concealing Weinsteins criminal history and involvement in the deals, said Antonia M. Apps, Director of the SECs New York Regional Office. The SEC remains committed to holding accountable those who prey upon innocent investors and conceal the truth about their criminal pasts and schemes.

Weinstein is a twice-convicted felon. In 2013, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering in a real estate Ponzi scheme that caused $200 million in losses and then pleaded guilty again in 2014 to fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering charges in connection with a $6.7 million fraudulent securities offering. In 2014, Weinstein was sentenced to 24 years in prison in connection with both schemes. On January 20, 2021, then-President Donald J. Trump commuted Weinsteins sentence to time served.

The SECs complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Weinstein, Bromberg, Wittels, Curry, Anderson, and Hattab violated the antifraud provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For each defendant, the SEC seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement and prejudgment interest, a civil penalty, an officer and director bar, and a conduct-based injunction, which, among other things, would prohibit their future participation in the sale of promissory notes and investment contracts.

The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey and the FBI.

The SECs continuing investigation is being conducted by Teresa A. Rodriguez, Mary Kay Dunning, Laurel S. Fensterstock, Neil Hendelman, and Wendy B. Tepperman and supervised by Tejal D. Shah, all of the New York Regional Office. The SECs litigation will be led by Jack Kaufman of the New York Regional Office.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Skylight Health Group Inc. (TSXV: SLHG) (OTCQX: SLHGF) ("Skylight Health" or the "Company") and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Skylight Group") announce today the completion of transactions (the "Enforcement and Settlement Transactions") with their secured lenders, Families-Backing-Families Credit Fund I, LP ("FLC") and Walleye Opportunities Master Fund Ltd. ("Walleye") and the orderly wind down of remaining US operations.

As previously reported in the Company's financial statements for the third quarter of 2022, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern and to realize the carrying value of its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments when due was dependent on the Company generating positive cash flows and additional financing sufficient to fund its cash flow needs.

As at the time of the Enforcement and Settlement Transactions, FLC and Walleye were owed over US $11 million and US $4 million, respectively, by Skylight or its affiliates.

Following an extensive review of strategic alternatives the Skylight Group determined, in consultation with advisors, that no executable transactions were available that would allow the Skylight Group to continue operations or provide value sufficient to satisfy the secured obligations owing to FLC and Walleye. Accordingly, the Skylight Group determined that the Enforcement and Settlement Transactions were in the best interests of the Skylight Group.

Pursuant to the Enforcement and Settlement Transactions:

An assignee of the secured obligations owing to FLC proceeded with a foreclosure on all of the Company's indirect equity interest in NeighborMD Partners of Florida, LLC.

MVC Technologies USA, Inc. ("MVC"), an affiliate of Skylight, assigned to Walleye all of MVC's right, title and interest in certain receivables owing to MVC by Cmeddata Inc..

Skylight Group has transitioned their remaining US operating obligations to other service providers.

The Enforcement and Settlement Transactions will provide continued employment for a number of employees of the Skylight Group and continued services to patients and clients of the Skylight Group.

The Enforcement and Settlement Transactions are not anticipated to provide monetary recoveries to any creditors of the Skylight Group subordinate to Walleye and FLC.

Upon completion of the Enforcement and Settlement Transactions, Skylight and its affiliates will have no remaining material operations and intend to take steps to formally dissolve their remaining US subsidiaries.

The Company also announces the resignation of Tom Brogan from its Board of Directors. The Company thanks Tom for his contributions and wishes him well in future endeavors.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include predictions, estimates or other information that might be considered forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgments, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our opinions only as of the date of this release. Please keep in mind that we are not obligating ourselves to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events. When used herein, words such as "look forward," "believe," "continue," "building," "may be", or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements made by us herein are often discussed in filings we make with the Canadian and United States securities regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at: www.sec.gov, and Canadian Securities Administrators, available at www.sedar.com, and on our website, at skylighthealthgroup.com.

For more information, please visit our website or contact:

Investor Relations:

[email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174145
Irvington, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Healthcare organisation Sunrise Group of Companies recently hosted its annual health and wellness fair, a community initiative aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable people onJune 15th,2023 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event was generously sponsored by philanthropist and founder/CEO of Sunrise Group of Companies, Mr. Mohammed Naeem. It was meticulously organized by Tuseeaf Rathore, the president of the organisation along with Sabrina Shvartsman, a dedicated student at Brooklyn Tech High School and others.

Photo: Sabrina Shvartsman

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Held in Irvington, New Jersey, this year's health fair attracted esteemed guests and dignitaries from diverse sectors. Their presence accentuated the significance of this event and demonstrated the collective commitment to improving healthcare access for all.

As informed by Tuseeaf Rathore, President of Sunrise Group of Companies, "We conducted this health fair to primarily focus on serving three critical demographics: the homeless community, patients struggling with substance abuse, and individuals with psychiatric conditions."

With a steadfast dedication to preventive medicine, the Sunrise Group of Companies collaborated with 365 Care for providing essential diagnostics services like physical examinations, blood tests, COVID-19 testing, eye examinations and others. These services are invaluable in diagnosing and managing several health conditions, thereby, empowering attendees to take charge of their well-being.

In addition to the healthcare services, the annual health fair saw an impressive array of community organizations join forces to support the cause. Representatives from the Irvington Healthcare Department were on hand to offer guidance and assistance. The presence of organizations highlighted the comprehensive approach taken to address diverse healthcare needs.

"The annual health fair is a testament to the power of collaboration and community engagement," said Mohammed Naeem, Founder of the Company & sponsor of the event. "By bringing together various stakeholdersand by employing modern technology, we can address the pressing healthcare needs of underprivileged communities."

The health fair delighted attendees of all ages with a dedicated children's area featuring face painting, balloons, and various enjoyable activities, complemented by giveaways and raffles.

According toSabrina Shvartsman,"This fair is an incredible opportunity to make positive impacts on people with limited healthcare access. As a student at Brooklyn Tech High School, I am honored to be part of the organizing team and contribute to this meaningful event."

"Seeing the smiles on people's faces as they receive much-needed services and enjoy the festivities is truly heartwarming. It reinforces the importance of joining hands as a community to support one another," she expressed.

The Sunrise Group of Companies extended its heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers and community groups who contributed to the success of this health fair. Their dedication and support have proven instrumental in creating a truly transformative experience for the attendees.

About the Company:

The Sunrise Group of Companies, founded by Mohammad Naeem, is among the fastest growing healthcare service providers. Based in New Jersey, the group runs multiple organizations under its belt, providing various clinical services, counseling facilities, treatment of substance use disorder and infectious diseases, residential care, medication assisted therapies, etc. Some of those renowned centers are Sunrise Clinical Labs, Sunrise Clinical Services, Sunrise Diagnostic Laboratory and Sunrise Second Chance Foundation. By fostering partnerships and leveraging available resources, the group strives to create sustainable solutions to address people's evolving healthcare needs.

Media Contacts

Eugene Schwartz

Phone: 646-251-8770

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173905
Covington, Louisiana--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Peanut Butter and Jelly TV, more commonly known as PB&J TV, a leading camera system and streaming app for childcare and daycare centers across the United States and the world, has announced the launch of a new Artificial Intelligence (Ai) solution designed to enhance the safety and security of its partner schools.

PB&J TV's Real Time Gun Threat Ai, is a cloud-based application using the most advanced Ai technology to proactively detect and simultaneously alert schools and local authorities of any approaching gun threats to their center. It is the first TRUE End-to-End solution in the Child Care Industry that includes identification, verification, notification, and dispatch.





PB&J TV's Real Time Gun Threat AI is a cloud-based application using the most advanced Ai technology.



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The Threat Ai technology works by analyzing the live streams from PB&J TV's system via advanced algorithms to identify approaching objects that resemble a firearm. If a gun is detected, the software will send an immediate alert notification to a certified monitoring station to first verify that there is an actual threat approaching the center. Then, if this is confirmed, the call center will immediately notify local law enforcement via established back channels and the school's approved threat response list.

PB&J TV's CEO, Bobby Franzo, said their Gun Threat Ai solution was developed for the Child Care Industry in response to the increasingly alarming incidents of school violence. He also mentioned that, "until now, the only solutions that have been available for Preschools and Child Care Centers alike were reactive. And now with PB&J TV's new Ai Gun Threat solution, Schools can be proactive and obtain advanced notifications and automate their overall threat response. Saving seconds through advanced identification will save lives."

Franzo added that PB&J TV Gun Threat Ai is an optional add-on service that can be added to any PB&J TV package for a nominal fee. He said that the PB&J TV service is compatible with any camera system on the market.

About PB&J TV

PB&J TV is a leading provider of camera systems and streaming apps for childcare and daycare centers in North America. The company was founded in 2009 and has since partnered with Thousands of sites in all 50 states and across the world. PB&J TV's camera system and app allow parents to securely tune-in to their child's day online via a managed streaming program.

To learn more about PB&J TV and their latest Gun Threat Ai, please visit http://pbnjtv.ai/.

Press Contact:

Bobby Franzo, CEO

[email protected]

[email protected]

1-877-722-6358

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173695
While the Chinese-brokered deal to restore Iranian-Saudi relations is on course, unconfirmed reports from the Gulf speak of an informal deal between the US and Iran.

This week, the UAE released 15 Iranian prisoners, following Kuwait releasing 11 and Qatar seven. This took place two weeks after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahians late June tour of four GCC countries: Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and UAE.

Irans change of attitude towards its Arab neighbours started with the failure of talks with the US and Western powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the previous American administration withdrew in 2018.

Some analysts suggested that Tehran sought a regional instead of global reconciliation. With the issue of three Emirati islands in the Gulf occupied by Iran resurfacing, some reports claim Tehran is ready to negotiate a course of reconciliation with Abu Dhabi.

But Andrew Hammond, of Oxford University, disputes this whole idea: Who said it was an alternative? If [the Iranians] are giving up claims to the three islands, one can only imagine it is part of some grander deal with the US and lifting sanctions They would only trade the islands issue for something major, he told Al-Ahram Weekly. Any deal [with GCC countries] would only come after the US and Iran resolving issues.

That makes sense in the light of reports in the New York Times and Axios a few days ago of progress in talks between Tehran and Washington, sponsored by Oman and Qatar. Although Washington and Tehran have not announced an imminent agreement, it seems the general outlines of one are being drawn.

The Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies in Doha, Qatar, even summarised the main points of that deal: Iran making a commitment not to enrich uranium beyond 6.0 per cent, far more than the 2015 agreement, which set the limit at 3.67 per cent; Iran expands its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and stops providing Russia with arms to use in the Ukraine war; Iran releases American citizens it detains and reveals the fate of a retired FBI officer, Robert Levinson, who later worked as a CIA contractor and disappeared in Iran in 2007.

In return, the United States eases economic sanctions on Iran, stops confiscating tankers carrying its oil, and refrains from pushing the IAEA or the UN Security Council to take punitive measures against it, the centre, which also has a base in Washington, said. Most importantly, the US would lift the freeze on some of Irans money in international banks, provided that those funds go to third parties, and release four Iranian detainees.

Contrary to some optimistic reports that Iran is ready for concessions to improve its ties with Arab neighbours, the issue of the three islands was a cause of contention between Tehran and Moscow recently. After a meeting of the GCC countries with the Russians that ended with a statement asserting the UAEs position on the islands, the Iranian authorities summoned the Russian ambassador in Tehran to protest.

These islands belong to Iran forever and issuing such statements is in contradiction with the friendly relations between Iran and its neighbours, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week.

Positive moves following the Iranian foreign ministers tour of the Gulf countries appear to be small steps to keep the momentum of reconciliation on the rise, as one veteran Gulf commentator noted. But this trend of openness is subject to stress tests and challenges, not only concerning thorny issues like the islands but also the question of whether Iran is ready to scale down its support to proxies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.

Some analysts suggest that a major reconciliation between Iran and its Gulf neighbours is on the horizon, but others are not so optimistic. It all hinges on a deal with the US, as many agree. If anything is to be done, it will have to be soon, since we are heading into the heart of the US presidential election cycle, Hammond said. I suspect the US administration will be wary of a deal with Iran being used by Trump against them and stirring up opposition from the Israel lobby. So they would want to have it done by the end of this year so that it doesnt weigh heavily next year. Bidens chances are already looking dim.

There is another factor affecting speedy reconciliation between Iran and its Gulf neighbours. In a long piece for the Israeli daily Jerusalem Post, the Emirati political analyst and former Federal National Council candidate Salem Alketbi wrote, Irans position regarding a potential peace deal between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its perception of ongoing bilateral collaboration between certain GCC nations and Israel in the context of the Abraham Accords, will be subject to careful scrutiny.

Any further progress in the Gulf is dependent on Irans position regarding the US and Israel, probably to a far greater extent than the rhetoric about the priority of a regional detente would suggest.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 19, 2023) - Valhalla Metals Inc. (TSXV: VMXX) ("Valhalla" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the start of the 2023 exploration program at its flagship Sun project located in the World Class Ambler Mining District, Northwest Alaska. The 2023 program includes 3,000 - 4,000 metres of planned drilling using two drill rigs, LiDAR and orthophotography over the Sun and Smucker properties, and a ground gravity survey at Sun. The Company has engaged Major Drilling to execute the exploration drilling at the Sun project. Major Drilling has a long history of experience and success drilling in the Ambler Mining District.

Sun Project Work Program

The Company has recently completed the construction of a 24-man camp at the Sun project and mobilization of all equipment to support a plan of 3,000-4,000 metres of drilling. The 2023 exploration program at the Sun project will be one of the largest programs in the history of the project, and the first drilling program on the property in over 10 years.

This year's diamond core drilling program will focus mainly on resource expansion at the Main Sun and SW Sun copper-zinc-silver-lead-gold volcanogenic massive-sulfide deposits. This drilling campaign is designed to test for mineralization continuity along strike and down dip, in addition to testing for mineralization continuity between Main Sun and SW Sun deposits (Figure 1).





FIGURE 1:Plan view map showing historic drilling and the 2023 planned drilling.

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Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, Chairman states, "We are excited to get our drill program underway. The Sun deposit is ripe for expansion. A detailed evaluation of the VTEM survey indicates strong conductors between Sun and SW Sun, along strike and down dip. The deposit has long been drilled to a down dip depth of 200 meters, where as VMS deposits typically extend for kilometers down-dip and along strike. We see the potential to greatly expand the resource footprint with this summer's program and look forward to updating shareholders and investors later in the year, so stay tuned."





SUN23-002:Major Drilling EF75 setup and drilling at Sun23-002.

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SUN CAMP: New 24-person camp located along Beaver Creek, southern flank of the Ambler Schist Belt.

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About Valhalla Metals

Valhalla Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its mineral projects towards feasibility. Valhalla's flagship project is the Sun copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver VMS projects located in Ambler Mining District, Northwest Alaska. The Company also owns the Smucker project, a high-quality copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver VMS project located in the Ambler Mining District, Northwest Alaska. Valhalla Metals Inc. shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol VMXX. For more information about Valhalla, please visit our website at www.valhallametals.com.

Qualified Person

Ms. Bonnie Broman, CPG, Vice President, Exploration for Valhalla Metals Inc., is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 standards and has reviewed and approved this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plan", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based, are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSX-V and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information on the Company, please contact Valhalla Metals Inc.

Sorin Posescu, Chief Executive Officer

Email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173989
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (PRWEB) July 19, 2023

GenScript Biotech Corporation, a world-leading biotech company offering comprehensive solutions in gene, peptide, protein, and antibody research, is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Gene and Cell Engineering Virtual Summit on July 26, 2023. The event will kick off at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time in collaboration with the prominent science networking site, Labroots.

The summit will host an array of eminent scientists and researchers from academia, pharma, and biotech. Participants will explore the rapidly evolving landscape of synthetic biology technologies and their potential to create innovative therapies. The forum seeks to showcase the most exciting advancements in gene and cell therapy research, focusing on how these developments revolutionize therapeutic approaches toward diverse human diseases.

GenScript has been committed to making research easy for scientists worldwide for over two decades. GenScript has cemented its place at the forefront of the gene and cell engineering sector through its extensive services, which include gene synthesis, mRNA synthesis, peptide synthesis, custom antibody generation, and protein engineering. The company's strength lies in its strategic partnerships, licensing agreements for cutting-edge technologies, and collaborations with scientists conducting pioneering research.

The 3rd Annual Gene and Cell Engineering Virtual Summit will open with Dr. Dimitrios L. Wagner, Head of R&D, at the Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT) for his presentation titled "CD3 as a Novel Integration Site for Reprogramming Immune Cells with Chimeric Antigen Receptors". Attendees are invited to join the live event to learn more.

The event's agenda also features riveting presentations from leading experts, including:



"Advancing Protein Stabilization Therapeutic Development and DUBTAC Drug Discovery through Gene and Cell Engineering" by Dr. Yongli Shan from Vicinitas Therapeutics. Dr. Shan will discuss how Vicinitas Therapeutics uses gene and cell engineering for stable expression of disease-related proteins and screening of small-molecule drugs that inhibit protein degradation. He will also explore how genetically engineered cell lines facilitate induced-proximity-based small-molecule drug discovery.

"Characterization and Biodistribution of REGENXBIO NAV Platform Capsids: Under-employed Gene Therapy Vector AAV7" by Dr. Samantha Yost, Senior Scientist at REGENXBIO. Dr. Yost will shed light on the importance of studying naturally occurring AAV capsids and discuss the advantages of a whole-body approach when describing the biodistribution of novel vectors.

"Harnessing iNKT Cells for 'Off-The-Shelf' Cancer Therapy" by Dr. Lili Yang, Associate Professor at UCLA. Dr. Yang will discuss the generation of allogeneic HSC-iNKT cells in vitro, their ability to target tumor cells, their safety, and low immunogenicity based on preclinical study findings.

"SLEEK: A Highly Efficient Transgene Knock-in Technology in Clinically Relevant Cell Types" by Dr. John Zuris, Director of Editing Technologies at Editas Medicine. Dr. Zuris will highlight the capabilities of SLEEK, including its ability to generate multiplex-edited allogeneic T cells with near homogeneity and its capacity to insert up to four transgene cargos in tandem in a single knock-in cassette. He will also discuss the tunability of SLEEK and its potential applications.

The summit promises to provide a dynamic forum for discussing ground-breaking innovations in gene and cell engineering and fostering collaborations between scientists globally.

To register for the event or learn more, click here.

About GenScript Biotech Corporation

GenScript Biotech Corporation is the world leading science serving platform by providing reliable, high quality and innovative reagents and instruments with superior customer service to enable customer successes across a wide variety of existing and emerging life science research and development areas.

About Labroots

Labroots is the leading scientific social networking website, and primary source for scientific trending news and premier educational virtual events and webinars and more. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, Labroots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, Labroots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning. Offering more than articles and webcasts that go beyond the mundane and explore the latest discoveries in the world of science, Labroots users can stay atop their field by gaining continuing education credits from a wide range of topics through their participation in the webinars and virtual events. Labroots offers more than ever with Chati, a flexible, highly scalable event platform that allows for the creation of unique, effective, and memorable virtual events.

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CHICAGO (PRWEB) July 19, 2023

America Baez, a distinguished Chicago-based author and influential speaker, recently completed an international book tour across six European countries, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and empowering Latinas worldwide. The tour, centered around her acclaimed book "Courage: 12 Best Practices to Advance Your Career," showcased her unwavering dedication to inspiring personal and professional growth.

As an in-demand talent acquisition consultant and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader who has worked with many Fortune 100 companies, Baez has offered valuable advice to young and aspiring professionals. Writing "Courage," she says, "Allows me to reach a wider audience who can benefit from my experience and take their careers to the next level."

In "Courage," Baez shares her personal insights and wisdom that will benefit readers. They will discover that if they follow the practices Baez explains, they will have the courage needed to face challenges, make bold decisions, and create meaningful changes.

Making a decision without knowing the outcome, Baez says, shows courage. She asks questions through her book that readers can apply to their own lives and situations, helping guide them as they navigate through their lives and careers.

As one of 40 Latina authors who joined the "Today's Inspired Latina" European Cruise Experience 2023, Baez contributed to the Global Inspiration Conference as a keynote speaker. She captivated audiences with her talk that shared strategies for navigating professional challenges.

During the cruise, Baez organized a special soft launch of her book. She delved deeper into her inspiration for writing "Courage: 12 Best Practices to Advance Your Career," offering meaningful guidance and sharing nuggets of wisdom tailored specifically for Latina women.

The international tour encompassed visits to six countries, including Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, and France. In Cannes, France, she attended the prestigious Cannes Festival of Creativity, where she networked with influential leaders and showcased her empowering book.

Upon her return to the United States, Baez continued to promote her book at the Annual American Library Association Conference and Exhibition held at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. The conference allowed Baez to connect with fellow authors, industry professionals, and book enthusiasts, further solidifying her book's influence.

Reflecting on her tour, Baez expressed gratitude, saying, "This journey has been incredibly rewarding. My hope is that 'Courage' continues to encourage others, helping them unlock their potential and achieve their dreams."

With the conclusion of her three-week-long tour, Baez's international journey has created a ripple effect of empowerment and inspiration. Her book has garnered widespread exposure and acclaim, elevating her status as a leading voice for personal and professional growth.

For more information, visit AmericaBaez.com.

About America Baez:

America Baez has an extensive career as a global thought leader in talent acquisition DEI. She has implemented transformational global DEI talent solutions for Fortune 100 companies, including Accenture, Comcast, Pepsi, and Verizon, among others.

Growing up, Baez was inspired to follow her biggest dreams. However, before bravely moving from Mexico to the U.S., she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Rather than letting the diagnosis paralyze her, she refused to give in and change course.

Baez went on to earn her MBA in Texas and ultimately returned to Chicago, where she joined Prospanica, a Hispanic professional organization. There, she began a leadership journey that took her throughout corporate America while giving her a chance to uplift others, which is vital to her, personally and professionally.

About Fig Factor Media:

Fig Factor Media Publishing is an international publishing company with a "beeping" heart. Fig Factor Media has helped many authors achieve and support their dream of impacting their communities in the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Fig Factor Media is the official publisher of Today's Inspired Latina. For more information, http://www.figfactormedia.com.

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TOKYO (PRWEB) July 19, 2023

transcosmos inc. hereby announces that the company has offered a virtual space, the metaverse, to SAKURA Law Office (Lawyer and Representative: Kenshiro Michishita). The company will help the law office plan services and events for its clients. The SAKURA Law Office Metaverse (https://v-air.world/KcyF9Wv/cooperative-delectable-rendezvous) opened on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. With the aim of offering useful services, the law office will not only offer a Summary Law Center on the Metaverse (reservation only), a service which enables users who need legal advice to consult with lawyers via avatars, but also plans to hold regular events to share legal information, and more.

1. About SAKURA Law Office Metaverse

SAKURA Law Office Metaverse is a web based metaverse, which users can readily experience from their smartphones or desktops, no app installation required. An avatar-based Summary Law Center on the Metaverse (reservation only) enables users to ask for legal advice from lawyers without feeling intimidated as they are using avatars. The office also plans to deploy a robot lawyer*1, an AI service that enables users to ask about laws and regulations that govern the metaverse.

URL (no translation available): https://v-air.world/KcyF9Wv/cooperative-delectable-rendezvous

2. Planned services

SAKURA Law Office will offer various services including ones listed below;



Summary Law Center on the Metaverse (reservation only)

Regular legal seminars and events

Business matching (client and partner referral services with an option to use the metaverse space as a meeting space)

Robot lawyer

More to come soon.

SAKURA Law Office

With this reservation-only summary law center service, users can ask for legal advice via avatars. The service is free for up to 30 minutes. From there, users can choose to go in more details about their specific cases if needed (paid-service).Lawyers with extensive knowledge and experience in their respective fields will give advice in their professional fields. Sessions will take place in a room in the metaverse with sufficient security measures in place, making sure that users feel safe and relaxed during the session.For reservation (no translation available): https://forms.gle/PdsXxTgL36zVaQiW7 3. Story behind developing SAKURA Law Office MetaverseAlthough technology continues to evolve as digital technologies advance, traditional legal procedures remain complex, taking enormous time and effort to address a legal issue in most cases. SAKURA Law Office has been pursuing user-friendly services, offering non-face-to-face legal consulting services via phones, social networking services, and more. With these new metaverse-based services, users can ask for legal advice from anywhere at any time, free from time and location constraints. In addition, making the initial contact via avatars will help mitigate apprehensive feelings even more than non-face-to-face sessions. SAKURA Law Office will offer an environment where people can ask for legal advice more casually on issues that they feel difficult to confide in. Establishing laws and rules that govern business dealings in the metaverse will become more important going forward. Against this backdrop where a diverse range of metaverse businesses continue to emerge and expand, Sakura Law Office will offer relevant information to businesses and individuals through metaverse seminars, and more. 4. [Free Seminar] Series 1: Latest trends of the metaverse legislationsDate & Time: 14:00 to 14:40, Thursday, July 27, 2023Speakers: Kenshiro Michishita, Lawyer and Representative, SAKURA Law OfficeJin Mitsuda, Deputy Manager, Metaverse Promotion Department, transcosmos inc.Hiroki Tanaka, CEO, Urth inc.Online venue: Seminar Room in the SAKURA Law Office MetaverseRegister here: https://forms.gle/HJ976qHnjuzx1zRN7

SAKURA Law Office was established in January 2020, with a fundamental mission to help develop an infrastructure for the legal profession through offering the highest quality of legal services to clients. Always committed to building new practices and creating laws, the SAKURA Law Office has been a pioneer in Japan in working on a range of emerging legal areas including WEB3, the metaverse, NFT, DAO, AI and Blockchain. As the world stands at a major turning point in its history, all lawyers and staff at SAKURA Law Office will further enhance our expertise and collective strengths to offer the highest level of legal services as one team.

URL (no translation available): https://sakura-lawyers.jp/

*1 https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000018.000087375.html (no translation available)

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 171 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

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Turner brings global executive leadership experience in consumer products and food service.

MODESTO, Calif. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Almond Board of California Board of Directors selected Clarice Turner , an experienced global leader in consumer goods, food service and wine and spirits, as the next president and CEO.

Turner is joining the Almond Board of California (ABC) after most recently serving as president of iconic Napa Valley winery Joseph Phelps Vineyards. She has also held CEO and senior executive positions at Boudin Bakery, Starbucks Coffee Company, YUM! Brands, Papa Murphy's International and PepsiCo.

"The ABC Board is excited to welcome Clarice to the California almond industry," said board chair Alexi Rodriguez . "A tremendous amount of thought and effort went into the search process and we couldn't be more pleased with the result. Clarice brings extensive knowledge and experience that we believe will be a great benefit to the organization and the industry."

Turner is a ninth-generation Californian and has a long history of serving on corporate and non-profit boards including the Culinary Institute of America, Delicato Family Wines, the National Restaurant Association, Washington State University School of Business and San Francisco State University Lam School of Business.

Along with her former global executive positions, Turner was also an international business major at Fudan University in China and understands the role different nationalities play in trade, business and culture.

"I am honored to lead the Almond Board of California ," Turner said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to combine my California heritage, roots in generational farming and executive experience to build on the strong foundation established in 1950. I look forward to working collaboratively with the staff, board, growers, handlers and industry stakeholders in the coming years."

Rodriguez said that in September, Turner will begin working closely with the board, current President and CEO Richard Waycott and the ABC executive team to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months.

"We are thankful for Richard, not just for his commitment to the industry over the last 21 years, but also for his support during this transition period to make certain Clarice and the organization are set up for success moving forward," Rodriguez said.

Waycott informed the board of directors in November 2022 that he planned to step away from his ABC responsibilities at the end of 2023 to pursue other interests.

About the Almond Board of California

California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. The Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was established in 1950 and is based in Modesto , CA. For more about the Almond Board or California almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the Almond Living Magazine.

For more information:

Rick Kushman

Media Relations Manager

Almond Board of California

[email protected]

(916) 716-9909

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SEOUL, South Korea , July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloocus, a leading Data and AI-based cloud experts group specialized in Microsoft, announced today that it has won the Country of the Year 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

"We are honored and thrilled to be named the Microsoft Country Partner of the Year for the 3rd consecutive year. This award recognizes the dedication and expertise of Cloocus." said Steve Hong , the CEO of Cloocus.

"We are committed to empowering our client and maximizing their business values by leveraging the remarkable capabilities of Microsoft Cloud. We will continue delivering innovative solutions based on Data and AI drive growth and success for our valued clients. This achievement reinforces our position as a trusted partner, showcasing our commitment to excellence in digital transformation."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services, and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 106 countries worldwide. Cloocus was recognized for providing outstanding and services in Korea .

Cloocus has solidified its unique position as a Microsoft Cloud partner in the Korean Market by winning the Partner of the Year Award for 3rd consecutive year. It has been honored as the Top Partner for Data & AI at the 2023 Microsoft Korea Partner Awards. Additionally, Cloocus has achieved the prestigious "Elite" level, making it the first company in Korea to attain such status within the Databricks partner program.

Operating a dedicated AI Business Center , Cloocus provides comprehensive support to businesses aiming to leverage the exceptional capabilities of Microsoft Cloud to maximize their business value. It offers a wide range of Azure-based data analytics and AI solutions, including GPT/OpenAI, Databricks, Machine Learning, Synapse, and Power BI.

With a customer base of over 800 clients across various industries, Cloocus has successfully secured major corporations as customers, including SK, Hanwha, Samsung Engineering, Samsung C&T, and Hyundai Motors. Furthermore, it has established a strong presence within the gaming industry, with notable customers such as Krafton, PearlAbyss, and Netmarble.

Cloocus actively participates in the Microsoft Launcher program, which is designed for digital-native customers, including those in the gaming industry, through close collaboration with Microsoft.

As an indirect provider, Cloocus expands the partner ecosystem for Microsoft`s business and provides support to customers through ISV growth programs and other initiatives.

"Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards!" said Nicole Dezen , Chief Partner Officer , and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. "The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year`s winners demonstrate the best of what`s possible with the Microsoft Cloud."

Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the company`s global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 18-19 this year. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner Network blog: http://aka.ms/POTYA2023_announcement. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/inspire/awards/winners.

About Cloocus Co Ltd

Cloocus is the top Microsoft Partner in Korea and a certified Azure Expert MSP with over 800 clients. As a Microsoft partner with 10 advanced specializations and expertise in all 6 solution areas, Cloocus continues to invest in its capabilities and has become a best practice case within the overall Microsoft partner ecosystem of Azure, Microsoft365, Dynamics365 and Power Platform.

Cloocus has been working tirelessly to serve customers ranging from enterprises to SMBs and startups in various industries, including Hyundai Motor Group, SK Group, Hanwha Solutions, CJ, Netmarble, NC, PearlAbyss, Krafton, and more.

It has overseas offices in New York and Kuala Lumpur and plans to further expand its global business across the Asia and MENA regions.

For further media inquiries please contact:

Jiyeon Ahn (E.[email protected])

Dahyo Park (E.[email protected])

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SOURCE Cloocus
The combined companies plan to make generative AI accessible to any size organization, enabling them to build, own and secure generative AI models with their data.

SAN FRANCISCO , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks, the Data and AI company, announced it has completed its acquisition of MosaicML , a leading generative AI platform known for its state-of-the-art MPT large language models (LLMs). Databricks and MosaicML have a shared vision of making generative AI accessible for all organizations, enabling them to build, own and secure generative AI models, including LLMs with their proprietary data.

"Through this acquisition, we will be able to provide our 10,000 customers the ability to use their own data on the Databricks Lakehouse to train and deploy bespoke LLMs that offer a differentiated experience for their end users. Combining MosaicML with the Lakehouse provides a secure and best-in-class generative AI platform," said Ali Ghodsi , Co-Founder and CEO of Databricks. "We are excited to welcome the MosaicML team of top AI researchers and engineers to the Databricks family and look forward to collaborating with them to build the future of data and AI."

"Together with Databricks, we will empower enterprise customers to more securely and cost-effectively build LLMs and generative AI with their own data," said Naveen Rao , Co-Founder and CEO at MosaicML. "Our team is excited to join the Databricks family and continue innovating for customers and the open source community."

MosaicML's product, which enables companies to efficiently build and deploy large AI models on their own data and business processes, will remain available for direct purchase. In the coming months, the Databricks and MosaicML teams will work to make training custom models even more seamless for Databricks Lakehouse customers.

The Databricks Lakehouse Platform, combined with MosaicML's technology, will offer customers the state-of-the-art generative AI training platform while allowing them to retain control, security, and ownership over their valuable data.

About Databricks

Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide  including Comcast, Conde Nast, and over 50% of the Fortune 500  rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco , with offices around the globe. Founded by the original creators of Delta Lake , Apache Spark, and MLflow, Databricks is on a mission to help data teams solve the world's toughest problems. To learn more, follow Databricks on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Databricks
Two teens snag $10,000 cash college scholarships for creating snazzy Duck Tape prom designs

AVON, Ohio , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While it's nerve-wracking to put yourself in the public eye, it's paying off for two teens who came out on top of the 23rd Annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. Nearly 200 high school students from the U.S. and Canada crafted captivating prom attire completely out of Duck Tape for a chance to win $10,000 college scholarships. Those students were narrowed down to the top 10 by contest judges and now the public has voted on their favorite creations to crown the Grand Prize winners: Karla Torres Tejeda of Los Angeles, California , takes the prize for Best Dress and Ian Hernandez Rojas of Taylorsville, Utah , wins Best Tux.

Garnering the most online votes, Tejeda wowed the public with her dress inspired by 18th century art while Rojas stood out from the others with his suit that honors his Salvadoran roots. They will each take home $10,000 scholarships for their beautiful, handcrafted ensembles.

"From going viral on social media to fielding interviews with the media, the top 10 finalists gave it their all," said Ashley Luke , senior product manager at Shurtape Technologies, LLC, the company that markets the Duck brand. "With so many talented teens entering this year's contest, the competition was high, but Karla and Ian really exemplified how an ordinary material, like Duck Tape, can be transformed into artful attire."

Learn more about this year's winners and their standout Duck Tape promwear:

2023 Stuck at Prom Grand Prize Dress Winner: Karla Torres Tejeda

Tejeda used 14 rolls of pink, white and gold Duck Tape and spent 120 hours making her glamourous prom dress design with accessories, including a fan and clutch purse.

Inspired by an era of flourishing gold, elegance and pastel floral prints, her fashionable French-inspired dress is a full length, flowy gown with ruffle sleeves, lace-like details, and gold embellishments.

"This dress is inspired by 18th century French art that I saw at the Getty Museum," Tejeda said. "I was captivated by the amount of gold and extravagant paintings they had on display. I am fascinated by clothes and how they have evolved through the course of history. Although we are in the 21st century, it doesn't stop us from dressing up from any time period."

2023 Stuck at Prom Grand Prize Tux Winner: Ian Hernandez Rojas

Rojas used 11 roles of Duck Tape and spent 57 hours to create his Salvadoran suit.

Paying homage to the Aztecs and Mayans that settled near his homeland in ancient times, Rojas incorporates Mayan Gods Kinich Ahau, the God of the sun, and Kukulkan, the God of weather and life, as well as motifs into his tux. His prom accessories include a headdress and serpentine animal.

"My family is from El Salvador , and I wanted to make something to tribute that," Rojas said. "I wanted to fuse the culture of the Mayans and the elegance and formality of promwear without coming off as a costume."

Eight runners-up will each receive $500 scholarships and Duck brand prize packs worth $100 . These finalists include Neha Nanubhai of Sammamish, Washington ; Aubri Sparkman of Hattiesburg, Mississippi ; Ava Motl of Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Ziqin Chiodi of Orange County, Florida ; Xander Niles of Racine, Wisconsin ; Hailey Yoo of Duluth, Georgia ; Emma Chang of Midland, Texas ; and Evee Ashba of West End , North Carolina.

Learn more about the 23rd Annual Duck brand Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest at StuckAtProm.com. For more information on Duck Tape and to get inspired with craft ideas and instructions, visit DuckBrand.com.

About Duck Tape Brand Duct Tape

An American original, Duck Tape brand duct tape is the fix-all to help with everyday repairs, projects or crafts. Duck Tape offers a vast array of innovative, forward-thinking solutions that help everyone  from makers and creators to do-it-yourselfers and professionals  bring their ideas to life. The brand sets trends with its wide variety of colors and designs, inspires creativity and leads the way in DIY or jobsite projects, crafting, and more, by providing the tools consumers need to make or repair anything. Duck Tape brand is marketed by Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, with facilities worldwide.

Visit DuckBrand.com for additional product information as well as DuckTapeMaker.com for a source of everyday inspiration, imagination and creativity. Keep up-to-date on Duck brand news by joining our nearly 5 million fans on Facebook (Facebook.com/DuckTape and Facebook.com/TheDuckBrand), following us on Twitter (@TheDuckBrand) and Instagram (@TheDuckBrand), following our boards on Pinterest (Pinterest.com/TheDuckBrand) and watching us on YouTube (YouTube.com/TheDuckBrand).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duck-brand-announces-grand-prize-winners-in-23rd-annual-stuck-at-prom-scholarship-contest-301881066.html

SOURCE Duck(R) brand
BRUSSELS , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Union's new investment strategy can strengthen the role of Latin America and the Caribbean as a key part of the solution to regional and global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity and food insecurity, IDB President Ilan Goldfajn said at a historic summit between the two regions, which brought together governments from the European Union and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States for the first time in eight years.

The "New Agenda to strengthen the EU's partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean ," lays out Europe's goals for reinvigorating political and economic ties. The Agenda includes boosting investment though the EU's Global Gateway program to narrow the existing gaps.

" Latin America is now perfectly positioned to be part of the solution to the world's biggest challenges, including climate change, food insecurity and biodiversity protection. By working closer together, the public and private sectors of Europe and of our region can make this opportunity a reality," President Goldfajn said.

Latin America is key to the clean energy transition. 30% of LAC's total energy supply is from renewable sources  double the world average  and if properly harnessed, this number could grow exponentially. It is home to two-thirds of the world's lithium and 38% of its copper, both of which are critical to producing clean energy and electric vehicles, including those manufactured by European automakers. The region is also the world's top net-exporter of food but could produce eight times more food with right reforms and investment, alleviating food insecurity.

In addition, the region is home to 40% of the world's biodiversity. The Amazon alone absorbs a quarter of the world's carbon emissions, so protecting it is key to achieving global climate goals. For this reason, the IDB is launching the holistic umbrella program Amazonia Forever.

Europe's new agenda comes as foreign direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean is rising. Last year, it hit a record $225 billion , according to a new report from the United Nations. Europe's own direct investment in the region now surpasses its direct investment in India , China and Japan combined.

"This investment benefits not only Latin America and the Caribbean , but also the European Union, at a time of many shared priorities. The IDB has been the partner of choice of Europe and European companies to scale financing and maximize impact, including through our new and innovative financial tools," said President Goldfajn.

To promote closer ties and investment in the region, the IDB co-organized a Business Roundtable at the summit, attended by private and public-sector leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , Spanish President Pedro Sanchez , Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and CAF Executive President Sergio Diaz-Granados .

While in Brussels , the IDB delegation met with leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe , including from key private-sector companies such as Nokia and Siemens. President Goldfajn also met with heads of state from the region and with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell , who has been promoting stronger, more strategic ties between the two regions. He also met with Jutta Urpilainen , the European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

Thirteen European Union countries have been members of the IDB for almost half a century. They have partnered with the Bank on a vast array of projects, ranging from digitalization to climate adaptation and mitigation, gender equality, water and sanitation, infrastructure, community development and trade, all aimed at promoting sustainable development.

Over the past decade, the IDB and the EU have collaborated on regional policy dialogues, co-financed projects, and implemented 49 joint initiatives.

The collaboration includes examples such as Spain's contribution to a water and sanitation fund that has directly benefited over 3 million people. The IDB has also partnered with the French Development Agency to jointly finance $6.3 billion in social, climate, infrastructure and digitalization projects. And Germany helped the IDB launch the Green Bond Transparency Platform, which now covers well over three-fourths of the region's green bond issuances.

Over the past year alone, the European Commission has allocated $35.5 million in grants for IDB projects, from health to trade. European countries are also key contributors to the IDB's new Amazonia Forever program, which will protect this extraordinary natural space and facilitate investment in sustainable development.

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean . It helps to improve lives by providing financial solutions and development expertise to public- and private-sector clients. The Group comprises the IDB, which has worked with governments for more than 60 years; IDB Invest, which serves the private sector; and IDB Lab, which tests innovative ways to enable more inclusive growth. Take our virtual tour.

Contact: David Roman , [email protected], +34695594646

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SOURCE Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group
CINCINNATI , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Student is receiving national recognition for its industry-leading efforts in electrification and safety by winning two prestigious awards. The company is the National School Transportation Association (NSTA) Contractor of the Year and a Green Fleet Award winner by School Transportation News (STN).

The NSTA Contractor of the Year Award, presented in partnership with STN, honors excellence in operations and leadership. First Student recently developed and implemented two innovative programs to provide unmatched care to students and families, FirstServes and FirstAlt.

FirstServes is the next evolution in special needs transportation. Drivers and monitors receive enhanced training, clinically proven tools and communications guidelines to help ensure students with disabilities have an exceptional experience on their way to and from school.

FirstAlt is a safe and reliable alternative transportation option for students with special transportation needs, students experiencing homelessness and out-of-district students. It offers school districts a full-service K-12 transportation solution, utilizing a fleet of smaller capacity vehicles that are expertly operated and maintained, increasing efficiency.

"First Student has been proud to lead the industry, setting the highest standards and leveraging our vast experience to drive the industry forward," said First Student CEO and President John Kenning . "Our innovations support one goal: to provide an exceptional experience for our students, so they arrive to school ready to achieve their full potential. We appreciate the recognition from the NSTA and STN of our dedication to continually seek a better way to do things with operational excellence and sustainable practices."

First Student is also being honored for its commitment to create a cleaner, quieter and safer ride in the communities it serves. The company is the recipient of a STN Green Fleet Award, presented in affiliation with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

First Student is working toward an ambitious goal of transitioning 30,000 diesel vehicles to electric by 2035. It is the only school transportation provider to be recognized by the Biden Administration for its ground-breaking efforts. First Student's electric school buses have driven approximately two million miles to date, saving 250,000 gallons in diesel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 13,800,000 pounds.

About First Student

As a leading school transportation solutions provider in North America , First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. With a team of highly trained drivers and the industry's strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, fleet electrification, route optimization, scheduling, maintenance and charter services with a fleet of more than 44,500 buses.

Contact: Jen Biddinger

513.362.4600

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SOURCE First Student
After years of failed negotiations, is there finally some movement of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam file?

In a statement posted on Twitter on Saturday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Addis Ababa does not plan to cause any harm to sisterly Nile Basin countries. He was referring to the impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

For thousands of years, Ethiopia has been committed to sharing the Nile with downstream countries with integrity and trust. Let our brothers know that Ethiopias will to honour this commitment has never been stronger, Ahmed said.

One should welcome Ahmeds statements. They may lead to a breakthrough on a rather complicated issue, said a diplomat who asked that his name be withheld.

He added, however, that the latest statements contradict Ahmeds comments over the last three years, warning that unless his words are accompanied by deeds and action on the ground, one cannot rely on them.

Ahmeds remarks came days after he met with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi in Cairo last week on the sidelines of the Sudan Neighbours Meeting. Both leaders say they are committed to exerting all efforts to reach an agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within four months. The first sign of a possible change in Addis Ababas stance came when he told the Ethiopian House of Representatives that the filling of GERD would be postponed until late August or early September to give time to address the concerns of downstream countries.

This years filling will be different to the previous three rounds. It will be done in a way that alleviates the concerns of neighbouring peoples, Ahmed told parliament.

The seeming U-turn raised as many questions as hopes among political commentators. What are the reasons behind the sudden change in position? What does a one-month delay in the filling actually signify? And can negotiations that have failed for years be revived and end in success?

While some experts welcomed the Ethiopian prime ministers statements, others cautioned that, given Ethiopias lack of flexibility over the past 12 years and its refusal to sign the Washington draft agreement in February 2020, little is likely to change.

Abbas Sharaki, professor of geology and water resources at Cairo University, argues that the Ethiopian statements were no more than a diplomatic nicety and should be taken with extreme caution. He questioned how trustworthy Addis Ababas statements are given it has taken six unilateral decisions in the last three years, filling the dam in four consecutive years and operating two turbines without consulting with Egypt or Sudan. Ethiopia, he said, has already stored 17 billion cubic metres (bcm) and is on its way to store another 24 bcm. The total amount equals 74 per cent of Egypts annual share of Nile water.

Nor, says Sharaki, is there any agreement between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia on what constitutes causing harm. Ethiopia clearly views this years planned storing of 24 bcm as a harmless action and has been preparing for the fourth filling since late February despite the absence of any legally binding agreement.

Over the last three years, Ethiopia has unilaterally implemented three fillings of the dam. The first filling took place in July 2020, involving 4.9 bcm of water, the second involved 3 bcm while the third, conducted in July last year, took the total of water stored in the reservoir to 17 bcm.

Sudan and Egypt have repeatedly raised concerns about the possible impact of the dam on water supplies to both countries. Egypt depends on the Nile for irrigation and drinking water and the Blue Nile accounts for more than 80 per cent of the rivers flow. Sudan draws two-thirds of its water supplies from the Nile.

Ethiopias previous positions on negotiations and GERD hardly encourage us to believe that a breakthrough is imminent, said the diplomat. If their words are followed by deeds, however, all the parties involved will be winners.

Sharaki agrees. We can only welcome Ethiopias insistence that it is committed to reaching an agreement that regulates the filling and operation of the dam within four months as long as there is genuine political will to reach a solution, he said.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 20 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Technology enables inference of subjective outcomes from routinely collected data

PALO ALTO, Calif. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Verantos today announced two peer-reviewed publications on high-quality real-world data for migraine. The manuscripts describe the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on medical records to enable access to valuable clinical information such as headache severity, comorbid depression, associated symptoms, and a composite migraine impact score.

These soft outcomes  subjective aspects of a medical condition or its management  are poorly and inconsistently captured during the course of routine care, but generation of useful real-world evidence often requires understanding them.

Migraine impacts more than a billion people globally every year, particularly women and young adults. Migraine is linked to various comorbidities, including stress, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation.

"Breakthroughs in AI applied to rich clinical data enable life sciences organizations to understand real-world migraine care at a level that has not previously been possible," said Dan Riskin , M.D., CEO of Verantos. "High-quality data and high-validity evidence can enable better collaboration with providers, payers, and regulators to refine the standard of care and benefit patients."

By applying AI to medical records including clinical narrative data, it is possible to build and validate models of soft outcomes. In its highest form, a system can accurately develop an outcome score quantifying migraine severity at a point in time.

"Using artificial intelligence to identify patients with migraine and associated symptoms and conditions within electronic health records" was published in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. This manuscript demonstrates how detailed patient characteristics (phenotype) can be identified using unstructured EHR data and AI. "Development and validation of a novel model for characterizing migraine outcomes within real-world data" was published in The Journal of Headache and Pain. This groundbreaking work builds on phenotyping to develop and validate a model of migraine outcomes that uses information typically available in routinely collected data.

Verantos' Migraine Pragmatic Registry applies the technology and methodology from these publications and is available today.

About Verantos

Verantos is the global leader in high-validity real-world evidence for life sciences organizations. By incorporating robust clinical narrative data and artificial intelligence technology, Verantos is the first company to generate high-validity evidence at scale across therapeutic areas with measured accuracy, completeness, and traceability. Credible evidence accelerates clinical development, market access, pharmacovigilance, and regulatory initiatives.

Contact:

Dan West

Email: [email protected].com

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SOURCE Verantos
National Leader in Sustainable Redevelopment Transforming Potomac River Generating Station Announces Sponsorship of Leading Alexandria-based Workforce Nonprofit; Project Receives Virginia Development of the Year Award from American Planning Association

ALEXANDRIA, Va. , April 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP), a national leader in transforming obsolete industrial sites into sustainable economic engines, today welcomed guests to the site of the former Potomac River Generating Station to announce a partnership with local nonprofit, Computer CORE, which includes an initial $10,000 contribution to the nonprofit to help fund programs that prepare underserved adults to realize career aspirations with foundational digital and professional skills.



HRP joined the Old Town North Community when the company acquired the former power plant in 2020 and has since held regular site tours, community meetings, and events in collaboration with local organizations to share their vision for the site and receive feedback from neighbors. The company, which redevelops former industrial sites across the country, has released plans to transform the site into a vibrant and sustainable mixed-use destination featuring approximately 14 acres of publicly accessible open space on and adjacent to the site, including public waterfront access.



"We are committed to transforming this extraordinary site and delivering a vibrant and sustainable space that will create economic growth and opportunity for the Alexandria community," said HRP CEO Roberto Perez . "It is imperative that our neighbors have the opportunity to access the jobs this project will create. Partnering with a fantastic organization like Computer CORE, with over two decades of work here in Alexandria , will help to ensure that we deliver on our values of economic, environmental, and community sustainability."



The partnership between HRP and Computer CORE recognizes their shared mission of ensuring that Alexandria's workforce has equitable access to good-paying jobs, including the projected 2,000 jobs that HRP's redevelopment of the former coal-fired power plant will create.



"We thank HRP for their partnership and look forward to collaborating in our mission of training the workforce of tomorrow," said Computer CORE Executive Director Donna Walker James . "Since its inception, Computer CORE has provided technology education to more than 5,000 people. This contribution will ensure our programs are staffed and resourced to grow that number and ensure our students are qualified as they pursue opportunities in a modern economy."

Following a check presentation ceremony, Computer CORE volunteers and community members joined HRP team members to tour the previously inaccessible property along the Potomac River .

HRP's Alexandria redevelopment received statewide recognition earlier this week when the Virginia chapter of the American Planning Association named the project as the winner of the 2023 Red Clay Development of the Year Award, which "honors a development that exhibits the values of great planning, helping to create a great place in Virginia ." The City of Alexandria's Department of Planning and Zoning received the award alongside HRP representatives at the APA Virginia Annual Conference in Roanoke, VA on July 18 .

"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the American Planning Association for our plan to reintegrate this previously inaccessible site into Old Town North and reconnect Alexandrians to the waterfront," said HRP Executive Vice President of Mixed-Use Development, Melissa Schrock . "We look forward to continuing to work with the City of Alexandria and all of our partners to create a more sustainable future for this site and our neighboring community."

Learn more about HRP's redevelopment of the former Potomac River Generating Station at www.hrpalx.com.

About Hilco Redevelopment Partners (HRP): HRP is in the business of transformation. As a real estate owner, operator, and developer, we re-imagine complex properties across the United States to remediate and redevelop sites for the future. To do this we take a holistic approach to sustainable redevelopment that prioritizes the community, the environment, and the economy. We do this because we want to make lasting change. Our expertise spans multiple sectors, including modern logistics facilities, urban mixed-use projects, and life science ecosystems. HRP is passionate about and committed to making an enduring positive impact and improving communities through its transformational projects. www.hilcoredev.com

About Computer CORE: Since booting up in 1999, Alexandria -based Computer CORE has provided technology education to more than 5,000 people from 99 different countries of origin. More than 70 percent of its students are women and 95 percent are people of color. Computer CORE relies on more than 100 volunteers per year doing everything from teaching to refurbishing computers, staffing the help desk and handling administrative work. www.computercore.org

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SOURCE Hilco Redevelopment Partners
Accomplished Senior Executive, Strategist and Technology Leader to Take Involta's Manufacturing IT Solutions to the Next Level

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Involta , an award-winning data center, hybrid IT and cloud-forward consulting firm, is expanding its leadership team with the appointment of John Kehoe , Executive Vice President of Manufacturing. Kehoe brings 25 years of global experience across the digital infrastructure, manufacturing, industrial and technology industries. He has a proven track record of leading IT, operational and logistics divisions, empowering organizations to deliver a superior customer experience, increase operational efficiency and drive digital transformation.

Kehoe brings 25 years of experience across digital infrastructure, manufacturing, industrial and technology industries.

Kehoe's appointment comes on the heels of Involta's completion of the Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework, achieving an impressive Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score of 109/110. The SPRS score is used by the Department of Defense as a major part of the rigorous CMMC evaluation process to assess the risk of a supplier. A standard compliance benchmark for all government contractors, the SPRS score is based on value points related to cybersecurity practices, such as access control, identification, authentication and incident response. A strong SPRS NIST score demonstrates Involta is a low-risk technology partner for government contracts, particularly those in manufacturing.

"John is an exceptional senior leader who comes to Involta with a wealth of industry experience and expertise across a wide variety of areas, including manufacturing modernization, digital advancement, applications management, strategic planning and much more," said Jim Buie , President and CEO of Involta. "He will play a crucial role in expanding the mission-critical IT solutions and security services that are paramount to manufacturers in order to improve productivity, optimize operations and keep supply chains running smoothly."

Prior to joining the Involta team, Kehoe was Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Xylem, Inc., overseeing global IT operations supporting more than 350 locations across 65 countries. In this role, he led several significant initiatives to modernize business solutions and update key infrastructure, including the replacement of the company's entire global data and communications network, successfully increasing efficiency and reducing operating expenses.

"The Involta team is highly recognized for its exceptional technology solutions, leading-edge security services and innovative spirit, especially when it comes to serving the manufacturing industry," said Kehoe. "I look forward to leveraging my diverse experience and industry background to further drive Involta's manufacturing practice forward and meet the rapidly evolving technology demands of the organizations that keep the world running."

To learn more about Involta's Manufacturing Advisory Board and how the company enables manufacturers to optimize operations and meet the fourth industrial revolution, visit involta.com//industries/manufacturing .

About Involta

Involta, a leading, enterprise-class IT infrastructure partner, empowers clients to reimagine their worlds through technology. Providing advanced hybrid cloud solutions, superior data center experiences and first-class fiber and connectivity services, Involta offers a distinctive combination of robust technology and rigorous processes underscored by passionate people that truly deliver.

Involta has continually evolved and grown today to stand as an enterprise provider, empowering our clients to harness the power of technology  without sacrificing the grounded, thoughtful and individualized approach of a trusted regional partner. Always personal, never transactional, our team is always where our clients need us, delivering outstanding, unparalleled experiences that enable them to change their worlds for good.

To learn more about Involta, visit involta.com or follow them on LinkedIn , Twitter or Facebook .

Media Contact:

JSA for Involta

1.866.695.3629

[email protected]

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SOURCE Involta
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IronGate Capital Advisors, a venture capital investment firm focused on dual-use national security technologies, announced today the final closing and full allocation of its first discretionary fund with $25mm of commitments.

"IronGate invests in critical national security technologies with dual-use applications in the commercial economy."

These funds enable IronGate's mission to invest private capital into early-stage companies and venture capital partnerships to support technologies which are dual-use and dual-benefit. These technologies strengthen the national security of the U.S. and its allies while creating industries, jobs, and innovative civilian applications that are reshaping every facet of society.

The fund has been successfully deployed into direct and partnership investments in IronGate's six target investment segments: (i) robotics, unmanned systems, and hypersonics; (ii) ISR and integrated sensors; (iii) cybersecurity; (iv) artificial intelligence, advanced processing, and human-machine interface; (v) space; and (vi) critical infrastructure and key resources protection.

Hon. Tidal McCoy, Co -Founder and Chairman at IronGate ( Washington, DC ), said:

"IronGate was conceived and built upon the premise that nations which ignore the competition paradigm for new technologies will be overtaken by adversaries. Such awareness must be achieved through a rigorous process of discovery, then organized, funded, and executed in an agile fashion so as to ensure that the most advanced dual-use technologies will safeguard security and prosperity. IronGate is leading the way in renewing this vital process through our public statements, discovery, and funding of advanced technologies."

Andrew Magliochetti , Co-Founder and Managing Partner at IronGate ( Chicago, IL ), said:

"The successful closing and deployment of our first discretionary fund further establishes a strong foundation for IronGate's future. We intend to build upon this foundation to the benefit of our investors, our nation, and our allies. Private investment in cutting-edge, dual-use technologies enhances our intelligence and warfighting capabilities, protects our nation and allies, and strengthens our economic future."

Ryan Morfin , Co-Founder and Managing Partner at IronGate ( Dallas, TX ), said:

"This important milestone enables us to broaden our mission of ensuring that the United States and its allies can achieve peace through strength, and strength through innovation. The nations that achieve primacy in developing and deploying the most effective and advanced technologies will not only guide the geopolitical future, but also reap economic benefits on a massive scale. It is imperative that we not allow our adversaries to outflank us in the battle for transformational science and technology."

Hamlet Yousef , Co-Founder and Managing Partner at IronGate ( West Palm Beach, FL ), said:

"Since 2018, we've been a leading voice in calling for private capital investment in dual-use technologies that enhance our national security and economic interests. In the face of nation-states that are growing increasingly adversarial and hostile towards the U.S. and its allies, it is essential that we create and support strategic innovation."

About IronGate

Founded in 2018, IronGate's mission is to direct capital to the highest-performing ventures in the advanced technology arena, with a specific focus on innovations in aerospace, defense and intelligence, and national security that have dual-use applications in the civilian economy. IronGate is managed by a multidisciplinary team of experts in finance, national security, and technology. IronGate's investment approach provides investors with a diversified venture capital portfolio while supporting the early-stage companies that are poised to meet the most demanding national security requirements. For more information, visit IronGateVC.com.

Contact

outreach@irongatevc.com

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SOURCE IronGate Capital Advisors
Grants to support advocacy and expanding access to reproductive health care

DENVER , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust today announced $2,450,000 in reproductive justice grants will be awarded to 10 organizations that help broaden access to reproductive health care, as well as provide direct support to women seeking abortion care.

This is the eighth year Katz Amsterdam has awarded grants, with aggregate funding of nearly $48 million . Grants support not only reproductive justice, but previous funding focused on increasing access to mental health care, improving community-developed behavioral health services for communities of color and indigenous populations, and increasing civic engagement and participation to help realize a multiracial democracy.

Rob Katz , former ceo and executive chairperson of the board of Vail Resorts, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam , New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana's Pantry, launched the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust in 2017 and the Katz Amsterdam Foundation in 2018 to be a catalyst for eliminating inequities, increasing access to opportunity, and improving outcomes for all.

"Everyone should have both the freedom and ability to make their own health care decisions, particularly about when and whether to have children," said Rob Katz . "We must ensure ongoing access to the full range of reproductive health services, including abortion, for all people who have been adversely impacted by state bans, which are creating a nationwide health crisis. In the midst of this challenge, we are encouraged by the critical work of these organizations and all they are doing to expand access and advance reproductive justice at local and state levels, especially for communities of color."

The 2023 Katz Amsterdam reproductive justice grantees are:

1. Access Reproductive Care  Southeast - $150,000

Works to eliminate the economic barriers limiting access to reproductive care and abortion with financial and logistical assistance in Ala., Ga., Miss., S.C., Fla. and Tenn.



2. All* Above All - $300,000

National women of color-led organization working to promote abortion justice to ensure it is affordable, accessible and available.



3. Apiary for Practical Support - $75,000

National hub for groups that provide logistical assistance  transportation, lodging, childcare and more  to people seeking abortions.



4. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda - $350,000

National-state partnership organization focused on lifting up the voices of black women leaders working to educate and mobilize for reproductive justice.



5. Midwest Access Coalition - $125,000

Practical support abortion fund that helps people traveling to, from and within the Midwest (Ill., Ind., Iowa , Kan., Mich., Minn., Miss., Neb., N.D., S.D., Ohio and Wisc.) to access a safe, legal abortion by assisting with travel coordination and costs, lodging, food, medicine and childcare.



6. National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice - $350,000

Works in targeted states advocating for policies that improve the reproductive health and well-being of Latinas.



7. Plan C - $250,000

Public health creative campaign working to transform access to abortion in the United States by normalizing the self-directed option of abortion pills by mail.



8. Resources for Abortion Delivery - $250,000

Promotes and supports the continued existence and resiliency of the U.S. abortion delivery sector, so that abortion seekers have timely and equitable access to quality abortion care.



9. The Lawyering Project - $250,000

Uses the law to improve access to reproductive health care and abortions and provides legal assistance to uphold the rights of people seeking and providing abortion care.



10. URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity - $350,000

Mobilizes youth across the country to help create a liberated world where everyone can live with justice, love freely, express their gender and sexuality, and define and create families of their choosing.



In addition to these most recent reproductive justice grants, Katz Amsterdam awarded $2 million in 2022 to 11 organizations supporting reproductive health and justice. For more information on the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust and Foundation, visit katzamsterdam.org.

About the Katz Amsterdam Foundation

The Katz Amsterdam Foundation strives to be a catalyst for eliminating inequities, increasing access to opportunity, and improving outcomes for all. We know that everyone benefits from living in healthy and cohesive communities, but access to these benefits is unequal - a result of historical racial and social injustice. We work in partnership with communities to advance just and equitable approaches to accessing mental, behavioral and reproductive healthcare and protecting our civil rights by increasing civic engagement and participation in our multiracial democracy. We do this work by addressing systemic injustice, racial and social disparities in mental health, reproductive health, and well-being. As a foundation, our priority is to support community-driven work that meaningfully improves the lives of all individuals and the social well-being of our communities. For more information, visit www.katzamsterdam.org.

Media Contact:

Barb Jones

GFM|CenterTable

303-865-8157

[email protected]

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SOURCE Katz Amsterdam Foundation
TEL AVIV, Israel , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KELA , the leading provider of actionable cyber threat intelligence, is pleased to announce its distribution agreement with Vertosoft, a high-value distributor specializing in innovative and emerging technology solutions. This strategic partnership aims to deliver 100% real, actionable, timely, and contextual intelligence about cyber threats to the US public sector. By joining forces, KELA will gain access to Vertosoft's extensive network of contract vehicles at the Federal, State, and Local levels, as well as their trusted public sector partners.

Commenting on the partnership, Cara Maqsodi , Government Sales Director at KELA, said: "We are excited to make our cyber intelligence platform accessible to additional US federal, state, and local organizations and partners. Our goal is to deliver real-time, actionable intelligence to those who tirelessly guard our nation and work towards making this world a better place every single day. With our platform, customers can access risk-free and anonymous real-time data straight from KELA's unique proprietary data lake, covering valid cybercrime sources, while meeting legal and compliance requirements without exposing their scope."

KELA's comprehensive Cyber Intelligence Platform consists of various modules tailored to accommodate the different roles within organizations. These modules include:

Monitor: Automatically monitors an organization's cybercrime attack surface, providing targeted threat alerts aimed directly at the organization.

Investigate: Empowers analysts to conduct thorough top-down and bottom-up intelligence investigations on targets, topics, groups, and more.

Elite, Nation-State APT Intelligence Hub: Offers in-depth analysis of large volumes of data about active nation-state/state-sponsored APTs, including behavioral patterns, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), tools in use, IoCs, attribution, and targets. This information is sourced from KELA's unique proprietary data lake, covering data cybercrime sources and publicly available data.

By integrating these and other modules, KELA's platform offers an end-to-end solution that empowers government, intelligence, and law enforcement organizations with actionable insights and findings. These insights enhance investigations, neutralize threats, and prioritize security operations.

Furthermore, KELA's Cyber Intelligence Platform supports organizations in adjusting their Zero Trust policies to counter new tactics and techniques employed by cybercriminals. This adaptability ensures the continued effectiveness of cybersecurity measures, which is crucial for the public sector.

Vertosoft is thrilled to announce its partnership with KELA and the introduction of its cutting-edge cyber intelligence platform. Jay Colavita , Founder of Vertosoft stated, "We are excited to offer KELA's advanced cyber intelligence platform to our esteemed customers, empowering them with real-time insights and robust solutions. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to providing them with exceptional technology solutions that support intelligence and compliance requirements."

About Vertosoft

Vertosoft is a high-value distributor dedicated to providing the most coveted innovative and emerging technology solutions to the government. Our comprehensive solution portfolio coupled with our elite services provides channel partners and suppliers with the enablement, inside sales support, contracts, and compliant systems required to drive growth in the government market.

For more information visit vertosoft.com .

About KELA

An award-winning cybercrime threat intelligence firm, KELA's mission is to provide 100% real, actionable intelligence on threats emerging from the cybercrime underground, to support the prevention of digital crimes. Our success is based on a unique integration of our proprietary automated technologies and qualified intelligence experts. Trusted worldwide, our technology infiltrates hidden underground places and thoroughly monitors, hunts, and mitigates digital cyber threats to uncover real risks and allow proactive protection. KELA's tailored threat visibility, combined with cybercrime attack surface intelligence, arms you with highly contextualized intelligence, as seen from the eyes of attackers, thus enabling proactive network defense.

For more information visit kelacyber.com .

Media Contact

Efrat David

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

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SOURCE KELA
Kichler Lights the Way to a Brighter Future for Children Battling Cancer and Other Life-threatening Diseases

SOLON, Ohio , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kichler Lighting LLC, a leader in innovative lighting and ceiling fans, is once again joining forces with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to support its mission to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. As the exclusive national sponsor of interior and exterior lighting and ceiling fans for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program  for the third year in a row  Kichler has committed to donating at least $10,000 in fixtures per home annually.

"At Kichler, we're more than just a lighting company. We're a 'bring people together' company," says Kichler's Executive Vice President of Marketing Brian Nobbe . "There's no better reason to come together than to help save the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It's why we signed on as the first ever lighting and ceiling fan sponsor."

Through the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program, ticket buyers have a chance to win newly built, single-family homes in more than 40 cities across the United States , with proceeds benefiting St. Jude, whose work has helped push the childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent. Homes range in market value from $350,000 to $775,000 .

Kichler donated product valued at $608,000 for the 2022 campaign, working with builders and designers across the country to outfit 40-plus houses with fixtures. Braco Construction and Strickland Interiors were given the 2022 Kichler National Sponsor Award for outstanding use of Kichler product in the Monroe, LA St. Jude Dream Home.

"We thank Braco Construction and Jan Strickland for their remarkable use of Kichler Lighting fixtures in their design and build of the home," says Nobbe. "Their selections beautifully complemented the architecture and made good use of a variety of our products to add just the right finishing touches."

Dr. Donald Mack created the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway program in 1991, giving away the first house in Shreveport, LA . Today, the program has raised more than $600 million to ensure families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food  so they can focus on helping their children live.

KICHLER LIGHTING LLC

Kichler Lighting LLC strives to transform the home and workspace by developing fixtures that perform efficiently, install intuitively, and deliver an overall effect that combines style with purpose. With an extensive portfolio of more than 3,000 on-trend products  including lighting, landscape, and ceiling fans  and a commitment to providing services and project solutions, Kichler is the brand homeowners and professionals know and trust since 1938. Everything Kichler does, every single day, is with the intention of creating an environment that illuminates what matters most. As the first-ever and exclusive national sponsor of interior and exterior lighting and ceiling fans for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, Kichler is committed to providing fixtures for more than 40 homes across the U.S. annually. Kichler Lighting products are available at independent showrooms, Lowe's, Home Depot, electrical and landscape distributors, and online. For more information, visit www.kichler.com.

Connect with Kichler Lighting socially on:

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MASCO CORPORATION

Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan , Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Our portfolio of industry-leading brands includes Behr paint; Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures; Kichler decorative and outdoor lighting; LIBERTY branded decorative and functional hardware and HotSpring spas. We leverage our powerful brands across product categories, sales channels and geographies to create value for our customers and shareholders. For more information about Masco Corporation, visit www.masco.com.

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SOURCE Kichler Lighting
BOSTON , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - On-demand workforce technology company, LiveXchange, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert DeAngelis as the company's new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Robert brings a wealth of experience and expertise in finance, strategic planning, and corporate leadership to his new role.

As the CFO, Robert will oversee all financial operations, drive financial growth strategies, and play a vital role in shaping the company's financial future. With his extensive background in financial management, Robert will provide valuable insights and guidance to propel LiveXchange towards continued success and market leadership.

CEO Brian Prichard expressed his enthusiasm about Robert joining the company, saying, "We are thrilled to welcome Robert DeAngelis to the LiveXchange team as our new CFO. Robert's proven track record and deep understanding of financial dynamics in the customer experience industry make him an exceptional addition to our executive leadership team. His strategic mindset and commitment to excellence align perfectly with our company's vision and goals."

Robert DeAngelis brings over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting, having held key leadership positions in organizations in the U.S. , including Port of San Diego and Teleperformance. His expertise includes financial planning and analysis, mergers and acquisitions, capital management, and risk assessment. Robert has demonstrated ability to drive financial performance and optimize business operations.

"I am honored and excited to join LiveXchange as the CFO," said Robert DeAngelis . "The company's commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and growth aligns perfectly with my professional values. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at LiveXchange and contributing to the company's continued financial success and growth."

ABOUT LIVEXCHANGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

LiveXchange, founded in 2002, provides innovative solutions, revolutionizing how companies source, train, manage, and compensate their customer experience (CX) talent. Their GigCX Marketplace gives users access to 250K+ on-demand global CX workers all secured with their PCI Level 1 Certified Secure WorkSpace virtual desktop, and complimented by its fully integrated payment platform, PayShark.

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SOURCE LiveXchange Technologies, Inc.
NEW YORK , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mastek (MASTEK; BSE: 523704), a Leading Digital Engineering & Cloud Transformation Partner, announced today its definitive agreement to acquire BizAnalytica, a premier data cloud and modernization solutions provider headquartered in Boston, USA. The strategic acquisition will bolster Mastek's global Data Services & Generative AI capabilities and grant access to a talented pool of qualified data architects and scientists.

Mastek to Strengthen Data Cloud and Generative AI Capabilities with Acquisition of BizAnalytica

Established in 2017, BizAnalytica offers end-to-end data cloud and modernization solutions, including architectural design, system integration, data migration, automation, management, warehousing, and analytics. The company's expertise empowers enterprises to make intelligent, data-driven decisions that drive revenue growth.

A notable aspect of BizAnalytica's portfolio is its strategic partnerships with leading cloud platforms, such as Snowflake, Databricks, and AWS, further solidifying its position in the market.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Hiral Chandrana , CEO of Mastek Group, said, "As organizations increasingly embrace cloud solutions for their data, optimizing data assets throughout the value chain becomes critical for making informed decisions. This acquisition marks a pivotal milestone in accelerating our presence in data engineering, cloud services, and the rapidly evolving Generative AI domain. BizAnalytica's strong data cloud and modernization capabilities, along with its valuable partnerships with industry-leading cloud platforms, will enable us to decomplex the cloud transformation journey for our clients, delivering trust, value, and velocity."

Raman Sapra , President and Chief Growth Officer at Mastek, added, "With organizations across the globe transitioning their data workloads to the cloud, the demand for enterprise-specific Generative AI models is on the rise. BizAnalytica's strong presence in the US market positions us to unlock Mastek's potential in existing verticals such as Healthcare & Retail, as well as new industries like Asset & Wealth Management. This strategic investment will undoubtedly strengthen our Data Cloud & Analytics capabilities, allowing us to deliver even greater value to our esteemed clients."

Lokesh Khosla , CTO and Co-founder of BizAnalytica, expressed his confidence in the deal, stating, "We firmly believe that Mastek is the ideal partner to reinforce our market-specific capabilities in data cloud and Generative AI. This transition marks a turning point for BizAnalytica, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with our joint customers in their transformation journey. With shared cultural values and vision, BizAnalytica will bring numerous opportunities and contribute significantly to Mastek's growth story."

Mastek remains committed to unlocking the power of data, modernizing applications to the cloud, and accelerating digital advantage for businesses worldwide. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in our journey as we further solidify our position as a digital engineering and cloud transformation leader.

About Mastek: Mastek (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704) is a trusted digital engineering and cloud transformation partner that delivers innovative solutions and business outcomes to clients in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Retail, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Government/Public Sector, and more. The company empowers enterprises to unlock the power of data, modernize applications to the cloud, and accelerate digital advantage, ensuring customer success and decomplexing digital initiatives. With a strong pool of 2000+ Oracle experts and over 100 industry-specific solutions, Mastek is a preferred Oracle partner. Its workforce of ~6000 operates across 40+ countries in the UK , Americas , Europe , Middle East , and APAC, delivering business value with velocity. MST Solutions, a Mastek company, is a Summit-level Salesforce consulting partner trusted by several Fortune 1000 enterprise clients. For more details, please visit our website www.mastek.com.

Press Contact

Kashmira Chavan | [email protected]

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SOURCE Mastek
CONYERS, Ga. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonough, GA students and seniors are being invited back to party for the second annual Deborah Ann Watson Memorial Weekend, sponsored by Novae Cares, Inc!

The weekend will kick off on Thursday July 27th with Christmas in July at the Henry County Heritage Senior Center in McDonough . From 10am to 2pm seniors will be treated to a free lunch with games, a gift auction, a visit from Santa Claus, and prizes for all senior participants. Personal hygiene bags will be distributed by the Free Wishes Foundation.

For years, the Henry County Heritage Senior Center has played host at different times to the grandparents of Reco McCambry , the CEO of one of America's fastest-growing companies, Novae. In 2022 McCambry established the annual Deborah Ann Watson Memorial Weekend as a way to give back to the community where he grew up, in honor of his late mother and her parents.

On Sunday, July 30th , the party continues with the DAW Memorial Carnival and Back-to-School Giveaway. The back-to-school party will include games, a game truck, an ice cream truck, prizes, free hot dogs, free haircuts and styling for students, and a giveaway of hundreds of bags of school supplies. It will take place at the Rufus L. Stewart Park , located at 300 Simpson Street , McDonough, Georgia 30253.

The Henry County Schools will join the party with presentations about transportation options, safety, and job opportunities the school system currently has available.

"It's a fun day for the entire family," says Kathy Jackson , Novae's Director of Community Outreach. "The haircuts are huge, because students want to feel and look their best when they're starting a new school year." She notes that school supply bags will be available for students of all ages, kindergarten through senior year of high school.

Novae CEO McCambry says he hopes the event will inspire students to do their best in school this year, because great things are possible. McCambry himself attended school nearby before starting his first business at the age of 20 and since, building four multi-million-dollar companies.

As he chronicles in his book The Fatherless Father, it wasn't always an easy ride for him or his single mother Deborah Ann , who prioritized building his self-confidence and self-esteem. Now McCambry brings a framed photograph of his late mother with him each time he accepts an honor or award for his achievements.

"If I can do it," McCambry says to the students of Henry County , "so can you."

Media Contact:

Shanee McCambry

678-750-3787

[email protected]

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SOURCE Novae Cares Inc
Stitches in Time: Traditional Assyrian Dress Collected From Around the World

( Assyrian Cultural and Social Youth Association) Two cultural heritage initiatives have been launched by the Assyrian Cultural and Social Youth Association (ACSYA) and the Mesopotamia Group.

As part of its efforts to preserve Assyrian heritage, Jennifer Shahin from ACSYA says the association is keeping alive traditional Assyrian clothing.

Most of the world's Assyrians numbering between two and four million live around their traditional homeland, which comprises parts of northern Iraq, Syria, Turkiye and Iran.

In recent years, many have fled to neighbouring countries to escape persecution from both Sunni and Shiite militias during the Iraq War and, most recently, by ISIS.

Members of the Assyrian diaspora are spread out all over world. According to the 2021 Census data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 60,000 people identified as being of Assyrian Neo-Aramaic and Chaldean Neo-Aramaic origins, in Australia.

'Garments of Assyria'

A project called "Garments of Assyria", which began last year, seeks to collect and preserve Assyrian costumes from Iraq, Syria, and southeastern Turkiye.

"We currently own seven garments and have ordered another one from Paris and we look to have more in the future depending on the research we do of different villages, their clothes and who's currently making (outfits) around the world," Ms Shahin said.

( Assyrian Cultural and Social Youth Association)

The costumes are mostly sewn in villages in northern Iraq then sent to Australia.

Each town and village in northern Iraq and northeastern Syria has a distinctive type of clothing and colour scheme.

The costumes have been collected from the Al-Qosh region (northern Iraq) as well as the Tel Kaif region (northern Iraq), whose costumes were also distinctive, and from the Qaraqosh region (Baghdidah).

Finding seamstresses can be difficult

But collecting the costumes was not without difficulty, according to Ms Shahin.

There may only be one skilled person in each village, under the best conditions, who is making these costumes in Iraq and Syria right now, Ms Shahin said.

Further, some traditional costumes are also difficult to obtain due to the migration of those who manufacture them to Europe.

"We asked, for example, a person who is currently in France (an Assyrian immigrant) to manufacture a Khamalah costume," Ms Shahin said.

A woman wears traditional Al-Qosh dress. ( Assyrian Cultural and Social Youth Association)

However, the problems did not end here, because even after finding the right person to manufacture a particular costume, it prolonged the time required to get the outfit to Australia, she said.

Traditional fashion is 'disappearing'

According to Ms Shahin, traditional fashion is "disappearing" because the know how needed to make it is inherited, and not all makers are able to pass on skills to their children.

The aim of acquiring full costume sets is for members of the community to be able to wear them as well as display them during holidays and other special occasions to show current and future generations what their ancestors once wore, she said.

In addition to exhibiting the costumes in the community, the organisation wanted to introduce the wider Australian community to the costumes and their history, Ms Shahin said.

Assyrian costumes from Iraq and Syria were displayed in a hall in the parliament building in Victoria in late March 2023.

Ms Shahin said the colours of the costumes represented the colours of Spring, and, as the Assyrian New Year fell in April, Assyrians wore the colourful clothes in processions to mark the start of their year.

Due to the scale of this project, she said the work had been divided between seven board members and 60 other members.

Ms Shahin noted that many young men and women, particularly those born in Australia, hesitated at first to wear their traditional costumes, but that once they had tried them, they "fell in love" with them.

Music, singing are also part of the Arab and Assyrian heritage

The Mesopotamia Group, which was founded in 2006 in Australia, aims to revitalise Iraqi music and singing.

Founded and led by musician, Raed Aziz, the band has presented traditional songs from all regions of Iraq in concert and events in Australia for more than 16 years.

Mr Aziz said "music is a universal language that does not need translation".

The band has grown from two people in 2006 to about 16 now, representing most of Iraq's regions and ethnicities.

"Our presence in Australia has allowed us to develop some Iraqi traditional melodies and introduce some Western musical instruments, which have been well received by the broader Australian community," Mr Aziz said.
Consensus eluded a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of 20 countries that ended Tuesday in India as members failed to bridge their differences on Russia's war in Ukraine.

"We still don't have a common language on the Russia-Ukraine war," Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters after the two-day meeting wrapped up in Gandhinagar city without issuing a joint statement.

Instead, India, which is the president of the group this year, issued what is called a chair summary and an outcome document in which it summed up the talks and noted disagreements.

According to the chair summary, China and Russia objected to paragraphs referring to the war that said it was causing "immense human suffering" and "exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economy."

The failure to reach an accord was not unexpected. As the war in Ukraine is a matter of sharp diplomatic differences, India has not been able to forge a consensus document at any of the key G20 events held so far.

Several G20 members also condemned Russia for refusing to extend a deal to allow critical Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, India's finance minister said at a press conference.

Several members condemned it saying that "shouldn't have happened," Sitharaman said. "Food passing through the Black Sea shouldn't have been stopped or suspended."
HOHHOT, China , July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 14 , Yili held its 2023 Investor Day, and its management sat down with hundreds of investors and analysts from the world's top investment institutions for in-depth exchanges.

Pan Gang , Chairman of Yili Group, said in his speech that Yili will continue to be a pioneer of a new-type supply chain, a pioneer in digitalization and a practitioner of sustainable development, and make more contributions and create greater value for consumers, investors, and human health and well-being.

In the post-pandemic era, pro-health functional products that serve the whole population will become the core driver of the development of dairy products.

Yili is an early entrant in health sector. In recent years, Yili has launched functional pro-health nutrition products such as A2. This year it launched the world's first functional milk product capable of blood sugar regulation, and the world's first room-temperature organic pure milk with active lactoferrin, among other subdivided functional pro-health dairy products.

The launch of new pro-health products one after another was enabled by Yili's input and breakthrough in forward-looking innovative technology. Yili was the first to break the technological barriers and increase the retention rate of lactoferrin in room-temperature pure milk from 10% to more than 90%. In addition, Yili has started the construction of its lactoferrin factory in New Zealand , and after it is completed and put into operation, Yili will rank among the top three lactoferrin producers in the world, which will greatly enhance Yili's global influence in the industry.

Yili is making multiple breakthroughs in similar cutting-edge technologies, with the expectation of opening up new space for performance growth.

At the conference, Yili also introduced the latest development and growth potential of five of its brands: Satine, AMBPOMIAL, Jinlingguan, Chocliz and XinHuo.

Among them, Satine, the world's No.1 organic milk brand, bucked the trend and ranked first in the market share of the segment; China's No.1 yogurt brand AMBPOMIAL continued to innovate, with a market share of 66%; the infant powder brand Jinlingguan saw the fastest market share growth primarily driven by its high-quality products; XinHuo, the No.1 milk powder brand for the middle-aged and elderly, continued to expand the silver economy and grabbed a market share of 35%; China's No.1 ice brand Chocliz continued to grow, becoming China's first ice brand with sales of more than 5 billion yuan .

Based on high-performing sub-brands like these, Yili has become a household brand of considerable size and competitiveness. It always sits top of BrandZ's brand value ranking in China , and ranked second in the food and beverage sector and again first in the global dairy industry in 2022.

At the conference, Yili shared how digital and intelligent technologies had improved its overall efficiency. Yili Modern Intelligent Health Valley is so far the most digital and intelligent manufacturing base in the dairy industry. Its filling production line of liquid milk at this global model base of intelligent manufacturing produces 40,000 packs of milk per hour, nearly twice as many than before.

Through the digital and intelligent transformation of the entire industry chain, Yili's end-to-end product innovation cycle has been shortened by 20%, indirect procurement efficiency increased by 40%, procurement costs reduced by 10%, and the overall procurement cost has maintained about 7% less than the industry average.

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Caption: Chairman and President Pan Gang speaking

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Caption: Scene of the 2023 Investor Day

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SOURCE Yili Group
Thoroughbred Scholars program continues support of railroaders' children

ATLANTA , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100 children of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) employees will receive college scholarships through the Thoroughbred Scholars program, which launched in July 2022 . Each year, the program provides 100 scholarships for up to $10,000 over four years, along with three additional scholarships for distinguished students who will receive rewards of up to $40,000 over four years.

"Supporting our people means supporting their families, and this scholarship program is one of the ways we're doing that," said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw . "It's part of Norfolk Southern's commitment to making decisions in the best long-term interests of our colleagues and the communities we serve. Investing in these bright, young minds now, is an investment in our country's future."

This year's recipients come from 16 states across the company's network, with 90 of the scholarships reserved for children of conductors, mechanics, engineers, and other front-line workers who play a critical role in moving the U.S. economy.

The three distinguished scholarships highlight and include:

Community Scholar: Awarded to a student who has distinguished themselves through community leadership and volunteer work. This year's recipient is Lynsee Brown of Avella, Pennsylvania who is planning to study psychology and criminology at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania . Brown's father, John Brown , is a Signalman in Pittsburgh who has worked for Norfolk Southern for 27 years.

Awarded to a student who has distinguished themselves through community leadership and volunteer work. This year's recipient is of who is planning to study psychology and criminology at . Brown's father, , is a Signalman in who has worked for for 27 years. HBCU Scholar: Awarded annually to a student attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). This year's recipient is Alana Gulley of Atlanta who is planning to study psychology at Howard University . Gulley's stepfather, Edward Lee , works in Norfolk Southern's Sourcing Department as Supervisor Purchasing out of the company headquarters in Atlanta .

Awarded annually to a student attending a or University (HBCU). This year's recipient is of who is planning to study psychology at . Gulley's stepfather, , works in as Supervisor Purchasing out of the company headquarters in . STEM Scholar: Awarded to a student pursuing a degree in a nonmedical science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field. This year's recipient is Madeleine Bender of Mentor, Ohio who is planning to study biomedical science and biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University . Bender's father, Thomas Bender , is an Engineer in Conneaut, Ohio who has worked for Norfolk Southern for 18 years.

The Thoroughbred Scholars program is independently administered by Scholarship America. The organization is the nation's largest manager of scholarship and education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

This year's class of Thoroughbred Scholars represent the following states:

Alabama : 10 Indiana : 8 New York : 1 South Carolina : 5 Florida : 1 Kentucky : 2 North Carolina : 3 Tennessee : 4 Georgia : 24 Michigan : 4 Ohio : 12 Virginia : 7 Illinois : 6 Missouri : 4 Pennsylvania : 10 West Virginia : 2

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America . Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. , serving a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes . Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com .

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation
NY-Exclusive Insurance Company Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Auto Insurers in New York ; 1st in 4 out of 5 study factors

EDMESTON, N.Y. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, NYCM Insurance is proud to announce being ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction Among Auto Insurers in New York in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

J.D. Power published the results of its 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study on June 13 . Providing regional analyses of customers' perceptions of their auto insurer's ability to meet their expectations, the study examines customer satisfaction in five factors: (in alphabetical order) Billing Process & Policy Information; Claims; Interaction; Policy Offerings; and Price. NYCM Insurance ranked #1 in four out of the five study factors: Billing Process & Policy Information; Claims; Interaction; and Price.

"Winning a J.D. Power Award two years in a row is an incredible accomplishment, and to do so while placing first in four out of five study factors is a true testament to the dedication of our entire ecosystem here at NYCM," said NYCM Insurance President/CEO Cheryl Robinson . "As a carrier solely serving New York State , we feel especially honored to be receiving this award. Customer care is one of our biggest priorities and something we take very seriously. We're proud to offer award-winning insurance, and that our commitment to our customer's satisfaction is recognized."

The 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study also found that nearly one-third (31 percent) of auto insurance customers had experienced a rate increase during the last year. While overall satisfaction with auto insurance dropped 12 points (on a 1,000-point scale), NYCM Insurance improved its satisfaction score by 8 index points.

To learn more about NYCM Insurance, click here .

About NYCM: NYCM Insurance is a property and casualty insurance carrier that has been providing coverage to residents and businesses in New York since 1899. The company has grown tremendously over the last 120 years and is currently under the direction of founder VanNess Robinson's great-great-granddaughter, Cheryl Robinson . Aside from the Edmeston headquarters, NYCM Insurance has three additional offices in Sherburne , Canajoharie , and Orchard Park . With a team of over 850 employees, and a network of over 1,200 independent agents, NYCM Insurance is dedicated to providing superior service and a quality customer experience to over 535,000 customers. Insurance lines include Home, Auto, Umbrella, and Business. NYCM Insurance is a recipient of A.M. Best Company's Standing the Test of Time Award for maintaining an A rating for over 75-years. To learn more about NYCM's services, visit www.nycm.com .

About J.D. Power: J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies.

J.D. Power has offices in North America , Europe and Asia Pacific . To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com.

Contact: [email protected]

800-234-6926

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SOURCE NYCM Insurance
Office expansion marks OneSignal's first international headquarters to provide dedicated support to thousands of European users

SAN MATEO, Calif. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OneSignal , the world's leading customer engagement platform, today announced the opening of its EMEA Headquarters in London . This new office opening will accelerate OneSignal's mission to democratize customer engagement to enable every consumer-focused business worldwide to better engage and retain its users.

OneSignal has achieved a solid global presence, with nearly 70% of customers outside the United States . Europe is the company's largest market, and OneSignal is thrilled to open its first international headquarters in London , to provide dedicated support to its thousands of European clients. The new London office will bolster its existing locations, including its San Mateo headquarters, New York City office, and partner location in Singapore .

"We are thrilled that OneSignal has chosen to set up its EMEA headquarters in London ," said Janet Coyle CBE, Managing Director of Grow London at London & Partners. "We look forward to supporting their growth in London and beyond, as the company makes the most of our city's incredible talent pool and global tech and innovation community."

The decision to establish the EMEA Headquarters in London follows OneSignal's successful Series C funding round in 2022, raising $50 million to support geographic expansion and team growth, and its strategic investment from ServiceNow Ventures in January 2023 . Last year OneSignal's surging growth landed the company strong positions on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and the 2022 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 lists.

"OneSignal chose London for our EMEA headquarters because it supports our ability to hire high-performing, multilingual talent that is critical in serving our customers across the globe and building the best, easiest-to-use omnichannel customer engagement and messaging solution in the world," said Grace Lin , VP of Operations at OneSignal.

OneSignal has proactively prepared for its scaling business needs and continuous growth in EMEA. In anticipation of regional investments, the company has migrated its infrastructure to Google Cloud to ensure scalability while guaranteeing privacy protections and GDPR compliance for its EMEA customers. All personal data is now stored within the European Union, as the company serves all EMEA customers from data centers in the Netherlands .

Opening the EMEA Headquarters in London marks an exciting milestone in OneSignal's journey to empower businesses with exceptional customer engagement capabilities. With its expanded presence in Europe and commitment to providing outstanding support, OneSignal is well-positioned to enable organizations to better engage and retain their users.

To learn more, please visit OneSignal.com.

About OneSignal

OneSignal is the market-leading customer engagement solution, powering omnichannel customer journeys across mobile and web push notifications, in-app messaging, SMS, and email. The powerful and easy-to-use platform enables over a million businesses to deliver 12 billion messages daily. OneSignal supports over 500,000 mobile applications - nearly 15% of all apps, and 20% of all new apps - enabling companies in 140 countries, including Zynga, USA Today, Bitcoin.com, Upwork, Tribune, and more. OneSignal was founded in 2014 as a mobile app development company by Y Combinator alums George Deglin and Long Vo, and is venture-backed by SignalFire, Rakuten Ventures, Y Combinator, HubSpot, and BAM Elevate. The company is based in San Mateo, California , with offices in London and New York .

Media Contact

Dex Polizzi

[email protected]

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SOURCE OneSignal
DENVER , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping Identity was named a Finalist in the 2023 CRN Tech Innovator Awards by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company. The no-code identity orchestration service, PingOne DaVinci , that enables organizations to design better digital experiences with drag and drop simplicity was recognized in the Identity and Access Management category.

As the foundation of the PingOne Cloud Platform, DaVinci streamlines the integration and deployment of identity services through a no-code experience that makes it easier to design digital user journeys across multiple applications and ecosystems. DaVinci is vendor-agnostic, allowing organizations to integrate and orchestrate identity services from a wide range of vendors. It features a library of 100+ out-of-the-box connectors for a range of identity, IT, and automation services.

"Success is measured by our ability to improve the digital experiences for all customers within our ecosystem," said Alex Ryals , vice president of channel sales at Ping Identity. "DaVinci makes it possible by enabling organizations to design better experiences with drag-and-drop simplicity. We're honored to have DaVinci's innovation recognized by CRN."

"CRN's annual Tech Innovator Awards acknowledge technology vendors committed to new and updated products that are creating the biggest opportunities for the solution providers and strategic service providers working on the front lines with customers." said Blaine Raddon , CEO of The Channel Company. "Congratulations to each one of this year's CRN Tech Innovator Award winners. We are proud to recognize these best-in-class vendors that are driving transformation and innovation in the IT space."

This annual award program showcases innovative vendors in the IT channel across 37 different technology categories, in key areas ranging from cloud to storage to networking to security. To determine the 2023 winners, a panel of CRN editors reviewed hundreds of vendor entriesincluding solution provider testimonialsusing multiple criteria, including key capabilities, uniqueness, technological ingenuity, and ability to address customer and partner needs.

This award joins recent recognition by the Global InfoSec Awards , Cybersecurity Excellence Awards , Security Excellence Awards and the Globee Awards .

About Ping Identity

At Ping Identity, we believe in making digital experiences both secure and seamless for all users, without compromise. That's digital freedom. We let enterprises combine our best-in-class identity solutions with third-party services they already use to remove passwords, prevent fraud, support Zero Trust, or anything in between. This can be accomplished through a simple drag-and-drop canvas. That's why more than half of the Fortune 100 choose Ping Identity to protect digital interactions from their users while making experiences frictionless. Learn more at www.pingidentity.com .

Ping Identity Media Relations

Megan Johnson

[email protected]

757.635.2807

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace.

thechannelcompany.com

Follow The Channel Company: Twitter , LinkedIn , and Facebook

 2023 The Channel Company, LLC. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Natalie Lewis

The Channel Company

[email protected]

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SOURCE Ping Identity Corp.
LOS ANGELES , July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Resecurity, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions protecting Fortune 500 and government agencies, is pleased to announce its participation in F-AIR Colombia 2023, one of the major aerospace and defense exhibitions in Latin America (LATAM).

F-AIR Colombia is an international airshow that showcases the latest technologies and innovations in the aerospace and defense industry. The event is organized by the Colombian Air Force and takes place every two years in the city of Rionegro, Antioquia. F-AIR Colombia is the largest aviation event in the country and attracts visitors from all over the world.

The event features both static and aerial displays of military and civilian aircraft, as well as exhibitions of aerospace and defense products and services. F-AIR Colombia also includes a series of conferences and seminars on aviation, space, and defense topics, as well as cultural and recreational activities for visitors of all ages.

Resecurity is excited to participate in F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to a diverse audience from Aerospace & Defense (A&D) sector. The company offers a wide range of cybersecurity services, including cyber threat intelligence (CTI), digital forensics & incident response (DFIR), risk assessment, identity protection and security consulting. Resecurity's solutions are designed to help organizations of any size protect their critical assets, intellectual property (IP) and stay ahead of emerging threats.

Resecurity has extensive experience working with clients in the aerospace and defense industry, providing them with customized solutions to address their specific security needs. The company has a proven track record of helping clients in face of Fortune 500 corporations protect their sensitive information and prevent cyber attacks.

"Aerospace is one of the most targeted sectors by advanced espionage groups and nation-state actors. At Resecurity, we are committed to helping our clients worldwide stay ahead of the rapidly evolving threat landscape," said Gene Yoo , CEO of Resecurity. "We are excited to participate in F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase our unique expertise and intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions."

Resecurity's participation in F-AIR Colombia 2023 underscores its commitment to the Latin American market and its desire to expand its presence in the region. The company has a strong track record of working with clients in the region and has established itself as a trusted provider of cybersecurity solutions compliant with local regulatory requirements.

"We see tremendous potential in the Latin American market and are committed to expanding our presence in the region via specialized SaaS-based and on-premise solutions. This year, our business development in the region has proven a tremendous growth, as well as extension of our channel partner network, and we look forward to support Clients in A&D segment," said Jorge Chungandro, Business Development Manager at Resecurity (LATAM).

Resecurity's team of cybersecurity experts will be available at its stand in the USA Pavilion to answer questions and provide demonstrations of its solutions. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Resecurity's threat intelligence platform, incident response services, risk assessment solutions, and security consulting services.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to connect with visitors at F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase our expertise in cybersecurity," said Yoo. "We believe that our solutions can help organizations in the aerospace and defense industry protect their critical assets and intellectual property, and stay ahead of emerging threats. We look forward to meeting with our partners and clients from Colombia and exploring new opportunities in the region."

Recently Resecurity products have been also named a Gold Winner by the 2022 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in North America . Resecurity products and services received Gold recognition across 3 categories in highly competitive categories such as cyber threat intelligence (CTI), threat hunting, and third-party risk management (TPRM):

GOLD WINNER for Cyber Threat Intelligence in North America : Resecurity Context Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform

GOLD WINNER for Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) in North America : Resecurity Risk Supply Chain Risk Management Platform

GOLD WINNER for Threat Hunting in North America : Resecurity Hunter Research & Development

Resecurity has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan as a Leader in the Cyber Threat Intelligence Market and has been included as the top Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) Provider globally. The company has recently been highlighted in the latest Global TIP Market Report 2022 and External Risk Mitigation Platforms (ERMM) providing information about the most successful CTI and digital risk management industry players. The Frost & Sullivan report details the organization's market research, identifying trends in the market and top vendors and tools in the market.

About Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence. Known for providing best-of-breed data-driven intelligence solutions, Resecurity's services and platforms focus on early-warning identification of data breaches and comprehensive protection against cybersecurity risks. Founded in 2016, it has been globally recognized as one of the world's most innovative cybersecurity companies with the sole mission of enabling organizations to combat cyber threats regardless of how sophisticated they are. Most recently, Resecurity was named as one of the Top 10 fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies in Los Angeles, California by Inc. Magazine. An Official Member and a Gold Sponsor of InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), AFCEA, NDIA, SIA, FS-ISAC and the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA), Singapore (AmChamSG), Korea (AmChamKorea), Mexico (AmChamMX), and UAE (AmChamDubai).

To learn more about Resecurity, visit https://resecurity.com.

For more details about F-AIR Colombia 2023, visit https://f-aircolombia.com.co/es/f-air-2023/ to know more about the event and our participation.

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SOURCE Resecurity
SILVER RECOVERIES AVERAGE 66%, ON OXIDE AND MIXED MINERALIZATION, EXCEEDING HISTORICAL PRODUCTION RECOVERIES

VANCOUVER, BC , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver One Resources Inc. (TSXV: SVE; OTCQX: SLVRF; FSE: BRK1 - "Silver One" or the "Company") announces the completion of column cyanide-leach metallurgical testing and final results from six core holes from its Candelaria Project located in western Nevada, USA . The current silver recoveries on oxide and mixed (oxide-sulphide) mineralization average 66%, which exceed the historic production recoveries recorded by previous operators NERCO and Kinross who managed open-pit, heap leach (OP-HL) operations from 1985 to 1990 and 1993 to 1999 respectively. Historic recoveries averaged 51% during these periods.

Gregory Crowe , President and CEO commented: "We are very pleased with these results. The column leach tests show silver recoveries exceeding the historic silver recoveries by over 10% when compared to those achieved during the past production of the open-pit mine. This improvement is largely due to the addition of High Pressure Grinding Rollers ("HPGR") crushing prior to leaching."

The results reported belong to column cyanide-leach tests on oxide and mixed (oxide/sulphide) samples conducted by Kappes, Cassiday & Associates ("KCA") in Reno , Nevada. Details of these test results and other tests, including tests on sulphide mineralization, were reported in the Company's news releases dated June 14, 2023 and December 13, 2022 .

Current results suggest that Candelaria's existing mineral resources may be processed by low-cost open-pit, heap-leach methods, similar to those used in the past. However, better silver recoveries may be achieved by using HPGR technology, potentially improving the economics of the project. Tests completed to date show that an addition of HPGR to the crushing circuit may increase the historical recoveries by over 10%, which could positively impact the operational results.

The company has commenced additional studies with the objective of even further improving silver and gold recoveries beyond those achieved in our recent column leach testing and HPGR crushing. A chlorine oxidation test on mixed (oxide-sulfide) material is underway at KCA laboratory. Additionally, Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscope, X-Ray Diffraction and Cation Exchange Capacity (QUEMSCAN-XRD-CEC) tests are also being conducted at FLSmidth Inc. laboratory in Midvale, Utah , on material from six core samples. These tests are intended to better determine the silver and gold mineral phases as well as the bulk mineralogy, which will assist in the selection and optimization of the metallurgical extraction process. Results of these tests are expected by Q3, 2023.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert M. Cann , P. Geo , a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Silver One

Silver One is focused on the exploration and development of quality silver projects. The Company owns a 100%-interest in its flagship project, the past-producing Candelaria Mine located in Nevada. Potential reprocessing of silver from the historic leach pads at Candelaria provides an opportunity for possible near-term production. Additional opportunities lie in unmined historic resources as well as in previously identified high-grade silver intercepts down-dip, which can potentially increase the substantive silver mineralization along-strike from the two past-producing open pits.

The Company has staked 636 lode claims and entered into a Lease/Purchase Agreement to acquire five patented claims on its Cherokee project located in Lincoln County, Nevada , host to multiple silver-copper-gold vein systems, traced to date for over 11 km along-strike.

Silver One holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Silver Phoenix Project. The Silver Phoenix Project is a very high-grade native silver prospect, recently permitted for drilling, that lies within the "Arizona Silver Belt ," immediately adjacent to the prolific copper producing area of Globe, Arizona.

For more information, please contact:

Silver One Resources Inc.

Gary Lindsey - VP, Investor Relations

Phone: 604-9745274

Mobile : (720) 273-6224

Email : [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Silver One cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Silver One's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Silver One's limited operating history, ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry out its exploration and development objectives on the Candelaria Project, obtaining the necessary permits to carry out its activities and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Silver One undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

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.



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SOURCE Silver One Resources Inc.
SK-II debuts new science and innovations at the World Congress of Dermatology 2023

SINGAPORE , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pushing the boundaries of skin aging science and innovations, global prestige skincare brand SK-II debuts new skin aging discoveries and innovations and inaugurates its first PITERA Science Expert Panel with some of the world's leading dermatologists.

For over 40 years, SK-II has been collaborating with leading scientists and dermatologists on extensive research studies on skin and the skin transformative powers of its iconic and exclusive ingredient, PITERA. A pioneering longitudinal 10-year Akita Study and the PITERA 24/7 Skin Fluctuation Study on young skin has contributed to PITERA breakthroughs on skin.

At the World Congress of Dermatology 2023 in Singapore , Alexa B. Kimball , MD, MPH, President and CEO and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, presented the findings from a collaborative research article journal1 with scientists from renowned world-class research institutions.

With the findings, SK-II newly discovered, the Aging Trigger Factor "AT-0"2, accelerates signs of aging via a chain reaction, even as early as in the 20s. If left untreated, the aging chain reaction can lead to accelerated aging signs, resulting in more severe signs of premature aging.

The findings show that reducing "AT-0"2 and preventing aging chain reaction with PITERA, a naturally derived ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process exclusive to SK-II, can keep skin looking youthful.

Following the World Congress of Dermatology, SK-II inaugurates its first-ever PITERA Science Expert Panel in recognition of some of the world's foremost dermatologists who have partnered with SK-II to advance skin aging science.

Dr Kenji Kabashima , Professor and Chair of Dept of Dermatology , Kyoto University , Graduate School of Medicine

, Professor and Chair of , , Dr Gaku Tsuji , Associate Professor at Dept of Dermatology , Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Kyushu University

, Associate Professor at , , Dr Masutaka Furue , previously chairman and professor of Dept of Dermatology , Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Kyushu University

, previously chairman and professor of , , Dr Xiang Lei Hong , Professor and Vice Chair, Dept of Dermatology , Huadhan Hospital , Shanghai Medical College , Fudan University , leading dermatologist in China

, Professor and Vice Chair, , , , , leading dermatologist in Dr Wu Yan , Professor, Dept of Dermatology , Peking University First Hospital

SK-II also launched its new anti-aging innovation, SKINPOWER Advanced Cream inspired by the skin aging science and discoveries, celebrating the inauguration of its PITERA Science Expert Panel.

SK-II will continue to collaborate with the PITERA Science Expert Panel to further in-depth research and new insights on skin.

"At SK-II, we believe in being a leader in skincare expertise and craftsmanship. As the miracles of PITERA's transformative powers on skin continue to unfold through our research and collaboration with top dermatologists and institutes, we are thrilled to mark two new firsts at this year's World Congress of Dermatology." shared Sue Kyung Lee , CEO, Global SK-II. "A breakthrough of the Aging Trigger Factor as the root cause of accelerated skin aging with the launch of our new SKINPOWER Advanced Cream and our strong commitment to continue advancing skin science with our first-ever PITERA Science Expert Panel. We look forward to working closely with our partners to bring more breakthrough innovations to consumers with PITERA."

About SK-II

For more than 40 years, SK-II has touched the lives of millions of women around the world through skin and life transformation. The fascinating story behind SK-II began with a quest to understand why elderly sake brewers had wrinkled faces, but extraordinarily soft and youthful-looking hands. These hands were in constant contact with the sake fermentation process. It took years of research for scientists to isolate SK-II's iconic ingredient PITERA, a naturally-derived skincare ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process exclusive to SK-II. Since then, SK-II with PITERA haecome a special secret shared by celebrities all over the world such as Tangwei, Chun Xia , Qiu Tian, Haruka Ayase, Ayaka Miyoshi and MINA of global girl group TWICE. For the latest news and in-depth information, please visit http://www.sk-ii.com.

About PITERA

Iconic and exclusive to SK-II, PITERA is a naturally derived "miracle" skincare ingredient crafted from a proprietary yeast fermentation process that only SK-II owns. Packed with over 50 micro-nutrients  vitamins, amino acids, minerals and organic acids  the unique composition of PITERA harnesses the vital force of nature and is one that can't be achieved artificially or synthetically. PITERA resembles skin's Natural Moisturizing Factors. Skin recognizes and welcomes it, allowing it to be absorbed quickly and deeply5 into your skin delivering all goodness6.

1 Jarrold BB, Tan CYR, Ho CY, Soon AL, Lam TT, Yang X, Nguyen C, Guo W, Chew YC, DeAngelis YM, Costello L, De Los Santos Gomez P , Przyborski S, Bellanger S, Dreesen O, Kimball AB, Oblong JE. Early onset of senescence and imbalanced epidermal homeostasis across the decades in photoexposed human skin: Fingerprints of inflammaging. Exp Dermatol. 2022 Nov;31(11):1748-1760. doi: 10.1111/exd.14654. Epub 2022 Aug 7 . PMID: 36320153. 2 Aging Trigger Factor: refers to dry skin condition with topographic issue complex which can accelerate aging signs such as fine lines and roughness 3 Firm, Radiant, Everblooming skin refers to the skin condition resulting from hydration with continuous use 4 Refers to epidermis layer 5 Within stratum corneum 6 Over 50 micro-nutrients

* "Early onset of senescence and imbalanced epidermal homeostasis across the decades in photoexposed human skin: Fingerprints of inflammaging", Bradley B. Jarrold 1, Christina Yan Ru Tan 2, Chin Yee Ho 2, Ai Ling Soon 2,TuKiet T. Lam3, Xiaojing Yang 4, Calvin Nguyen 4 , Wei Guo4 , Yap Ching Chew 4, Yvonne M. DeAngelis 1, Lydia Costello 5, Paola De Los Santos Gomez 5, Stefan Przyborski 5 , Sophie Bellanger 2, Oliver Dreesen 2, Alexa B. Kimball 6,John E. Oblong1

1-The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio , USA 2-A*STAR Skin Research Labs, Singapore City, Singapore 3-Keck MS & Proteomics Resource, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut , USA 4-Zymo Research Corporation, Irvine, California , USA 5-Durham University, Durham, UK 6-Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts , USA

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SOURCE SK-II
BENTONVILLE, Ark. , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TUV Rheinland, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, is excited to announce the expansion and relocation of its existing laboratory in Bentonville, Arkansas , in 2023. The new state-of-the-art facility, fully owned by TUV Rheinland, will be located at a more accessible and larger site to provide customers with expanded and enhanced services including broader test scopes, cutting-edge testing technologies, and sustainable solutions. TUV Rheinland chose to purchase the facility instead of leasing it to establish a sustainable long-term base and offer the best services to major United States retailers and global brand customers.

The Bentonville facility was established in 2010 as an ISO 17025 A2LA Accredited lab in the Chemical and Mechanical Field of Testing. The lab offers a wide range of services including toy testing, softlines and hardlines testing for substances of very high concern (SVHC), and compliance with REACH and other related analytical chemistry-based regulatory requirements. Learn more here about chemistry testing.

"Our Bentonville lab's expansion and relocation demonstrates our commitment to our customers in the USA ," said Jonathan Kotrba , Vice President, Products Testing, Inspection and Certification at TUV Rheinland North America. "With domestic manufacturing and sourcing becoming increasingly popular for retailers and brands, we have proactively expanded our Bentonville capabilities to meet the growing needs of USA testing market", added Lauralee Donaldson , Head of Retail at TUV Rheinland North America. Explore TUV Rheinland Retail full portfolio.

TUV Rheinland's Bentonville lab is also an established CPSC-Accepted Testing Laboratory for a wide range of chemistry and mechanical tests. This includes many products, such as the new CPSC / Sturdy Act requirement for furniture. Customers benefit from TUV Rheinland's expertise in children's product testing to ensure their products meet regulatory requirements and are safe for children to use. Learn more about the STURDY act.

"In our new location, we will improve workflows for analytical chemical and mechanical testing. We are creating a world-class analytical chemistry capability scope for all types of toys and retail products", according to Lillian Peregrina , Director in Bentonville. Learn more about Toy testing .

For more details on the testing of your retail products by our Bentonville lab, contact TUV Rheinland today to arrange an online consultation. Click here to set up an immediate online meeting with TUV Rheinland experts in USA.

About TUV Rheinland

TUV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in virtually all areas of business and life. The company has been operating for more than 150 years and ranks among the world's leading testing service providers. It has more than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries and generates annual revenues of around 2.3 billion euros . TUV Rheinland's highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities.

Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com

Contact us for press inquiries:

Joel Pekay

Phone: +1 224 318 4098

Email: [email protected]

Mariana Taborda do Amaral

Telephone: +55 11 3514 5867

Email: [email protected]

Michael Garcia Carbajal

Phone: +52 55 3488 2108

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE TUV Rheinland
BOSTON , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group has welcomed Rafael Klotz to its Boston office as a Principal in the firm's Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice. Mr. Klotz brings nearly three decades of experience orchestrating major transactions around the globe. To learn more about Mr. Klotz , see his full bio at brattle.com/experts/rafael-klotz/.

Mr. Klotz has executed transactions in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Specializing in structuring and leading principal investments, divestments, financings, and restructurings, Mr. Klotz has executed transactions in more than 40 countries worldwide. He has worked with a wide range of industries, spanning the retail, commercial, and industrial sectors.

"Brattle is thrilled to welcome Rafa, a superlative team leader and dealmaker," Brattle Interim President & Principal David J. Hutchings . "His impressive global experience and wide-ranging commercial and insolvency knowledge will augment our capabilities across a number of practices."

A former practicing attorney and expert in cross-border insolvency, Mr. Klotz has led numerous acquisitions in US Chapter 11 proceedings and in insolvency administrations outside of the US, secured debt financings, debtor-in-possession (DIP) financings, sale-leasebacks of plants and machinery, raw material and supply chain financing, and inventory supply financings. In intellectual property (IP) related transactions, Mr. Klotz is a recognized global expert in converting consumer brands into asset-light licensing vehicles, and in the valuation of consumer brands, particularly in the context of asset-based lending and distress M&A.

"I look forward to transitioning into consulting alongside the esteemed experts at The Brattle Group," said Mr. Klotz . "I'm excited to leverage my experience working in multiple business lines and geographies to assist clients and expand Brattle's global presence as a market leader in insolvency and IP matters."

Prior to joining Brattle, Mr. Klotz was a Senior Managing Director in the International Division of Gordon Brothers Group. He previously practiced law at leading corporate law firms, specializing in bankruptcy, cross-border insolvency, and distressed M&A transactions.

ABOUT BRATTLE

The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit brattle.com.

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SOURCE The Brattle Group
Netanyahu and his allies, a collection of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties, say the plan is needed to rein in the powers of unelected judges. Opponents say the plan will destroy Israel's fragile system of checks and balances and move the country toward authoritarian rule.

"We are going through pains. We are going through heated debates," Herzog said. "We have gone through challenging moments. But I truly, truly believe and I say to you Mr. President, as I've said it as head of state to the people of Israel, we should always seek to find amicable consensus, and I agree with you on that as well. "

Herzog's visit came a day after Biden spoke with Netanyahu by phone and invited him to meet in the United States this fall, although the president expressed reservations about several of the Netanyahu hard-right coalition's policies. Netanyahu's government is pushing forward with judicial changes that have sparked widespread protest in Israel, and he has authorized the construction of thousands of new housing units in the West Bank.

Sitting by Biden's side at the start of their Oval Office meeting Tuesday, Herzog told Biden that Israel's democracy remains "sound, strong" and "resilient" while acknowledging the country is going through a fractious moment.

Israel's figurehead president Isaac Herzog sought to assure President Joe Biden that Israel remains committed to democracy amid deepening U.S. concerns over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial plans to overhaul his country's judicial system and ongoing settlement construction in the West Bank.

 Compromise Has Been Elusive

Herzog has appealed for a compromise that has thus far proven elusive. Many American Jewish groups and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the plan.

With differences in plain view, Biden sought to stress the importance of the U.S.-Israeli relationship in his brief remarks before reporters. "This is a friendship I believe is just simply unbreakable," Biden said.

During his U.S. visit, Herzog is also to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional leaders. On Wednesday he will become the second Israeli president, after his father Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. His speech will mark Israel's celebration of its 75th year of independence.

Herzog's visit comes weeks after Israeli forces carried out one of their most intensive operations in the West Bank in two decades, with a two-day air and ground offensive in Jenin, a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank. Senior members of Netanyahu's government have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israel's control over the West Bank in response to a more than yearlong wave of violence with the Palestinians.

U.S. officials have broadly supported Israel's right to defend itself from militant attacks but have also urged restraint to minimize harm to civilians and have lobbied against additional settlements that would further diminish the chances of securing a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinians.

The Biden administration declined to say whether Biden would host Netanyahu at the White House -- as the Israeli leader has hoped -- or in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

White House visits are typically standard protocol for Israeli prime ministers, and the delay in Netanyahu receiving one has become an issue in Israel, with opponents citing it as a reflection of deteriorating relations with the United States.

Herzog said the Biden-Netanyahu conversation sent an important message to the region. "I was pleased to hear about your conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu in which you focused on our ironclad military and security cooperation because there are some enemies of ours that sometimes mistake the fact that we may have some differences as impacting our unbreakable bond," Herzog said.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden on Monday expressed concern to Netanyahu over the judicial plan -- as he did when they last spoke earlier this year -- and urged the "broadest possible consensus" over the legislation that has been pushed by Netanyahu and his hardline coalition

Kirby said that during the call Biden also expressed his "ironclad, unwavering commitment" to Israel's security and that the two leaders discussed Iran's nuclear program and regional security issues. Biden also "expressed concern" over Israel's continued settlement growth in the West Bank and urged Israel to take steps to preserve the viability of a two-state solution with Palestinians.

Biden, Kirby said, also welcomed steps by the Palestinian Authority to reassert security control in Jenin and other areas of the West Bank and moves by Israel and Palestinians to move toward another round of direct talks.

 Boycott of Address

Progressive lawmakers -- Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush and Ilhan Omar -- have pledged to boycott Herzog's address in protest of Israel's policies.

Herzog's visit comes days after Representative Pramila Jayapal, chair of the influential 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, sparked outrage for calling Israel a "racist state," including criticism from House Democratic leader Representative Hakeem Jeffries. Jayapal later said she was criticizing Israel's government, not its existence as a country.

Kirby said Biden was glad she apologized. "We think an apology was the right thing to do," he told reporters Monday.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians claim all three territories for a future independent state.

Israel has annexed east Jerusalem and claims it as part of its capital -- a claim that is not internationally recognized. It says the West Bank is disputed territory whose fate should be determined through negotiations, while Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. Two years later, the Hamas militant group overran the territory.
Dortch Lindstrom Livingston leverages more than 60 combined years of practice

DALLAS , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran litigators Micah Dortch , Christopher Lindstrom and Lance Livingston have opened a new firm with offices in Dallas and Houston . Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group focuses on a range of commercial litigation and personal injury matters.

"We are very excited for this next chapter and the work to be done for our clients," says Micah Dortch . "Launching this new firm with two good friends who are also talented and experienced litigators is an incredible opportunity. Because of our respective backgrounds we're positioned to efficiently and aggressively handle a wide range of matters and are beginning with an impressive roster of cases."

During the past two decades, Mr. Dortch has served as lead counsel in more than 1,000 federal and state court matters, securing numerous favorable verdicts and settlements on his clients' behalf. This litigation has involved breach of contract, business torts, fraudulent transfer, copyright infringement, financial fraud, insurance policy interpretation, personal injury, product liability, and securities class actions. Mr. Dortch is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has been featured in several prestigious lists including The Best Lawyers in America, the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers, and National Trial Lawyers' Top 100.

For more than 20 years, Mr. Lindstrom has handled complex litigation for corporate entities and professional individuals in a wide array of cases, including business disputes, catastrophic personal injury, labor and employment, product liability, and insurance-related litigation. He also has extensive experience in litigation on behalf of bankruptcy trustees to recoup money for creditors and has prosecuted and defended claims related to intellectual property infringement, oil & gas related contracts, covenants not to compete, breach of contract, trade secrets and director/officer fiduciary duty claims.

Mr. Livingston has previously practiced with several well-known Texas law firms, successfully representing individual clients and companies in all aspects of litigation in both state and federal courts across the nation. Mr. Livingston's practice primarily focuses on catastrophic personal injury, breach of contract, business torts, financial fraud, and product liability.

Each attorney previously practiced with the Houston -based Potts Law Firm.

Dortch Lindstrom Livingston represents a wide range of corporate and professional entities in complex commercial litigation and personal injury cases. Based in Texas , the firm handles nationwide cases with a commitment to providing skillful representation, zealous advocacy, and comprehensive solutions tailored to each client's needs. For more information, visit https://dll-law.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Barry Pound

[email protected]

1-800-559-4534

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SOURCE Dortch Lindstrom Livingston
Bargaining for Contract Covering 340,000 Teamsters to Continue, Current Agreement Expires July 31

WASHINGTON , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As thousands of UPS Teamsters practice picket, rally, and mobilize around the country, UPS bowed today to the overwhelming show of Teamster unity and reached out to the union to resume negotiations. The Teamsters National Negotiating Committee and the company will set dates soon to resume negotiations next week.

The Teamsters agreement with UPS is the largest private-sector union contract in North America . UPS Teamsters are demanding the strongest possible contract or are prepared to strike  with rank-and-file members authorizing a strike by 97 percent.

Over 340,000 UPS Teamster delivery and warehouse logistics workers nationwide are fighting for a new five-year agreement that guarantees better pay for all workers, eliminates the two-tier wage 22.4 job classification, increases the number of full-time jobs, addresses safety and health concerns around heat illness, and provides stronger protections against managerial harassment.

UPS made more than $100 billion last year alone.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S. , Canada , and Puerto Rico . Visit Teamster.org to learn more. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610

[email protected]

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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
RALEIGH, N.C. , July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VinFast announced it will hold the groundbreaking ceremony of its electric vehicle factory in North Carolina on July 28 . This will be the first electric vehicle manufacturing facility in North Carolina , and will help contribute to the supply of electric vehicles in North America and accelerate the global green mobility revolution.

VinFast's manufacturing facility will be built at the Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County, North Carolina . Covering an area of approximately 1,800 acres, VinFast's factory is designed to reach a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year in phase 1. The factory will consist of two main areas: electric vehicle production and assembly. The complex will also house supplementary supplier businesses.

The project has received basic permits to begin Phase 1 construction. When the manufacturing complex commences operations, VinFast's factory will create an ecosystem of suppliers and help generate thousands of new jobs.

Madam Le Thi Thu Thuy , CEO of VinFast Auto. said: "The manufacturing facility in North Carolina is one of VinFast's key projects. When it begins operations, the factory will be VinFast's primary supplier of electric vehicles to the North American market, allowing us to optimize production and business activities. We hope the construction of the factory in Chatham County will contribute to advancing the clean energy economy in the US and help to support North Carolina's green mobility strategy."

The factory is expected to start production in 2025. Last year, VinFast was awarded a $1.2 billion incentive package from the State of North Carolina for this project, along with critical financial support from the City of Sanford , Chatham County and the Golden Leaf Foundation.

In addition to the factory, VinFast is accelerating its business and brand recognition in the U.S , by expanding its retail store and service center system, organizing local test drives and displaying products events throughout California . These efforts will aid in bringing opportunities for customers to directly experience VinFast's EVs.

About VinFast

VinFast - a member of Vingroup  envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam .

Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy for all to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.us/.

VinFast Safe Harbor Disclosure

This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions and include VinFast's expectations. Forward-looking statements typically can be identified by the use of words such as "will," "expect," "believe," and similar terms. While these forward-looking statements represent VinFast's current judgment on what the future holds, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, hazards customary in the automotive industry, competition in certain markets, the volatility of battery prices, failure of customers to perform under contracts, changes in government regulation of markets and of environmental emissions, and our ability to achieve the expected benefits and timing of our electric vehicle projects. VinFast undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing review of factors that could cause VinFast's actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect VinFast's future results.

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SOURCE VinFast
TOLEDO, Ohio , July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL) today announced it will release second quarter 2023 financial results after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, July 31, 2023 . The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 , at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss these results. The Company's earnings release will be available in the Investors section of the Company's website.

Investors and other interested parties may access the conference call in the following ways:

At the Company's website: www.welltower.com.

Via webcast: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/293509248. A webcast replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the conference call and will be available for 90 days. Joining via webcast is recommended for those who will not be asking questions.

By telephone: The participant toll-free dial-in number is (888) 340-5024. The international dial-in is (646) 960-0135. The conference ID number is 8230248. All phone participants are asked to dial in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure connectivity.

A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on August 1, 2023 and ending on August 8, 2023 . The dial-in number for United States participants is (800) 700-2030. For international participants, the replay dial-in number is (647) 362-9199. The replay conference ID number is 8230248.

About Welltower

Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL), an S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. The Company invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers, and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people's wellness and overall health care experience. Welltower, a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), owns interests in properties concentrated in major, high-growth markets in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, consisting of seniors housing, post-acute communities and outpatient medical properties. More information is available at www.welltower.com.

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SOURCE Welltower Inc.
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Two workers were killed after an accident at a coal mine in the Mexican state of Coahuila on Tuesday, Mexico's labor ministry said.

Another two workers were later rescued, the ministry added in a statement, which did not specify the cause of the accident. It said the mining company, Minera Fuga, had been flagged in an August inspection for safety concerns.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Kim Coghill)
FILE PHOTO: An American Airlines passenger jet glides in under the moon as it lands at LaGuardia airport in New York, New York, August 28, 2012. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

By Rajesh Kumar Singh

CHICAGO (Reuters) -American Airlines and its pilot union have begun negotiations to improve their tentative contract agreement on Tuesday ahead of a crucial vote on the contract, according to a union memo seen by Reuters.

The Texas-based carrier's pilots are due to start voting Monday on a new four-year deal that provides for a pay increase of about 42% and other benefits. But the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents them, warned ratification was in "jeopardy" after United Airlines raised the benchmark in its pilots' contract.

"Our respective bargaining teams have committed to working around the clock beginning tonight for the next few days to address crucial improvements," APA's head Ed Sicher told the pilots in a memo on Tuesday.

U.S. union employees are piling pressure on their employers for better contracts amid frustration with stagnant pay, high healthcare costs, scanty sick time and uncertain scheduling.

In the memo, Sicher said American Airlines CEO Robert Isom has "acknowledged that significant improvements must be made" to the agreement.

A union spokesperson said the talks began on Tuesday and will continue on Wednesday.

American Airlines declined to comment. On Tuesday, the company said it would work with the union to take care of its pilots.

American's union has said United's contract will lead to at least a 2% pay gap between American and United pilots. United's contract also offers better back pay, as well as more days off for junior pilots and sick time, it added.

"Is management serious about doing what's required? Do they understand the need for a genuinely competitive pilot contract?" Sicher wrote in the memo. "Time will tell, and it won't take long."

In a separate memo Tuesday night, American's pilot union instructed its staff to prepare for informational picketing by the close of business on Monday in case talks fail.

Airline unions negotiate their contracts in a so-called pattern bargaining process where a deal at one carrier acts as a benchmark for other agreements.

An industry-wide pilot shortage and a booming travel demand have also handed unions enhanced bargaining power.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh, Editing by Franklin Paul, Aurora Ellis and Susan Heavey)
By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) - A New Mexico state judge denied a prosecutor's request on Wednesday that the armorer for the movie "Rust" submit to random drug testing.

During Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's court appearance on the felonies she faces, First Judicial District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said prosecutors had not presented any evidence that would persuade her to order the drug testing.

Gutierrez, 25, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence over the on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021, who died from a gunshot after Gutierrez said she mistakenly loaded a live round into a revolver actor Alec Baldwin was rehearsing with, according to a transcript of a police interview.

The tampering with evidence charge stems from prosecutors' accusations that Gutierrez allegedly transferred cocaine to an unnamed person to dispose of evidence on the day that Hutchins was killed.

Gutierrez's lawyer, Jason Bowles, has said she will plead not guilty to both counts. Gutierrez was not required to enter a plea Wednesday. During the hearing the judge advised Gutierrez of her rights and formally told her of the charges she faces.

In requesting drug testing during the hearing, prosecutor Kari Morrissey noted that the defendant was allowed to possess a firearm as a condition of her release. It is a crime under federal law for "unlawful" drug users to own guns.

Bowles, Gutierrez's attorney, said the prosecution had presented no evidence showing his client was a drug user.

Gutierrez is the only person still facing charges for Hutchins' death after prosecutors dismissed charges against Baldwin and reached a plea agreement with first assistant director Dave Halls.

Gutierrez's next court appearance was scheduled Aug. 1.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas; Editing by Donna Bryson and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: 3D printed clouds and figurines are seen in front of the VMware cloud service logo in this illustration taken February 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's competition regulator provisionally cleared U.S. tech company Broadcom's $69 billion purchase of VMware on Wednesday, saying the deal would not weaken competition in the supply of critical computer server products.

The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) provisional approval of the takeover - Broadcom's biggest ever - follows a go-ahead from European Union regulators last week after Broadcom offered interoperability remedies to some rivals to address concerns.

"After examining the evidence gathered from Broadcom, VMware and other interested parties, an independent CMA panel has provisionally found the deal would not substantially reduce competition in the supply of server hardware components in the UK," the CMA said.

The proposed deal has highlighted chipmaker Broadcom's aim to diversify into enterprise software, but comes as regulators worldwide ramp up scrutiny of deals by Big Tech.

The British regulator, which had raised concerns in March that the deal could make servers more expensive, said it would now consult on its provisional approval before issuing a final report by Sept. 12.

Broadcom welcomed the unconditional approval, saying it expects to close the deal in the current fiscal year.

The CMA said it explored concerns that the deal could harm the ability of Broadcom's rivals to compete if the merged company were to make their products work less well with VMware's server virtualisation software.

"The (CMA) panel found the deal would be unlikely to harm innovation, in particular since information about new product adaptations only needs to be shared with VMware at a stage when it is too late to be of commercial benefit to Broadcom."

The $69 billion deal, consisting of $61 billion in equity and the rest in debt, is also being examined by U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

The CMA this year became the first major regulator to block Microsoft's deal to buy "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard, but has since said it could look again at a modified proposal. All sides involved are now working to resolve the dispute.

(Reporting by Muvija M and Paul Sandle; editing by William James and Jane Merriman)
WARSAW (Reuters) -Five central European countries want a European Union ban on Ukrainian grains imports to be extended at least until the end of the year, ministers said on Wednesday, with Poland threatening to keep borders closed if Brussels does not agree.

The EU in May allowed Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia to ban domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, while permitting transit of such cargoes for export elsewhere. The ban is set to end on September 15.

The countries include some of Kyiv's staunchest diplomatic supporters in its war against Moscow, but they say inflows of Ukrainian grain have hurt their farming sectors.

Solidarity with Ukraine is important but national grain markets must be protected, Slovakia's agriculture minister said after a meeting of central European agriculture ministers in Warsaw.

The collapse of a deal allowing Black Sea exports from Ukraine this week could lead to increased grains flows and bottlenecks, the countries fear.

Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said the five countries signed a common declaration regarding the extension of the ban until at least the end of the year, which they will present in talks with the European Commission.

"But also in the agreement is our joint declaration that we are very open to transit," Telus said, adding the EU should also consider long-term legal and infrastructural solutions as the issue of Ukrainian food exports would last for years.

The ministers have indicated they would also like an option where countries could individually ask the EU to add products to the ban list.

Poland will not lift the ban on September 15 even if the EU does not agree on its extension, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

Hungarian minister of Agriculture Istvan Nagy said that if there was no such agreement, Budapest would use "all measures to prevent further suffering of Hungarian farmers".

(Reporting by Marek Strzelecki and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw, Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest, Robert Muller in Prague and Luiza Ilie in Bucharest; Editing by Peter Graff and Mike Harrison)
U.S. Private Travis T. King (wearing a black shirt and black cap) is seen in this picture taken during a tour of the tightly controlled Joint Security Area (JSA) on the border between the two Koreas, at the truce village of Panmunjom, South Korea, July 18

By Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) - American and South Korean guards shouted "get him" as they scrambled unsuccessfully to stop U.S. Army soldier Travis King from sprinting into North Korea, a New Zealand woman who was on the same tour to the border area said on Wednesday.

"It all happened pretty quickly," said Sarah Leslie, who was in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) with some 40 other tourists who were walking around and taking photos in the moments before King made a mad dash to nuclear-armed and reclusive North Korea.

The group had just left one of the iconic blue buildings that straddles the border between the two Koreas and is used for negotiations, when King suddenly ran between the structures toward the North, she said.

"Someone ran close to me very fast and I thought, 'What is going on?'," Leslie told Reuters. "I don't think anyone who was sane would want to go to North Korea, so I assumed it was some kind of stunt."

The U.S. military was scrambling on Wednesday to determine King's fate after what officials said was a wilful, unauthorised crossing of the border into North Korea, throwing Washington into a new crisis in its dealings with the state.

King was wearing jeans, a black shirt and a black hat with the letters "DMZ" printed on it, Leslie said.

"I probably only saw him running for like a few seconds and that's all it would have taken to get across the border," she said.

One American soldier shouted "get him," and other American and South Korean guards ran after King, but he was already on the north side of the border, Leslie said.

"It was too late," she said, adding that he disappeared from sight and she didn't see him enter any buildings or be detained by North Korean guards.

The guards then quickly herded the rest of the group into a building and onto a bus to leave the area, she said.

"I can't think why anyone would want to do that. You could get shot crossing the line... It was quite frantic."

(Reportng by Ju-min Park; Writing by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Josh Smith and Bernadette Baum)
A nuclear-armed U.S. submarine Tuesday arrived in South Korea for the first time in more than four decades. The USS Kentucky docked in Busan in time for the inaugural meeting of a new South Korea-U.S. nuclear consultative group in Seoul.

The consultations were offered to President Yoon Suk-yeol by his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in Washington in April to quell South Korea's own ambitions to develop nuclear weapons to defend itself against the North.

The five-hour inaugural meeting was attended by 30 delegates from each side headed by deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo and Kurt Campbell, the U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs.
FILE PHOTO: People walk in the Central Business District on a rainy day, in Beijing, China, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo

By by Ella Cao and Kevin Yao

BEIJING (Reuters) -China on Wednesday pledged to make the private economy "bigger, better and stronger" with a series of policy measures designed to help private business and bolster the flagging post-pandemic recovery.

Weak growth in the world's second-largest economy has created an urgency to revive the private sector, a key growth driver that has been bruised by COVID-19 curbs and a wide-ranging regulatory crackdown that targeted sectors from technology to property.

China will strive to create a market-oriented first-class business environment, state news agency Xinhua said, quoting guidelines published by the Communist Party and the cabinet.

"The private sector is a new force to promote Chinese-style modernisation, an important foundation for high-quality development and a key force to promote China's comprehensive construction of a socialist modern power," Xinhua said.

The measures include protection for the property rights of private firms and entrepreneurs and steps to ensure fair market competition by breaking down market-entry barriers.

They will also create a "traffic light" system to make clear the areas in which private investors are able to invest, as well as encouraging some private companies to issue technology innovation bonds.

The guidelines will include support for eligible businesses to list and refinance, Xinhua said.

Authorities have started to reverse some restrictive policies on tech and property sectors to try to boost the economy, with policymakers holding a series of meetings with companies from sectors ranging from tech to modern logistics to try and increase confidence.

Private fixed-asset investment shrank by 0.2% in the first six months from a year earlier, in contrast to an 8.1% rise in investment by state entities, official data showed on Monday, highlighting the weak private sector confidence.

Other measures announced on Wednesday include support for so-called platform companies to play an important role in job creation and international competition. Private companies will be encouraged to increase investment in areas such as power generation and storage, and the industrial internet.

China is also encouraging private enterprises to increase investment in research and development and participate in investment and construction of new types of infrastructure.

The guidelines also say authorities will promptly refute "erroneous statements and practices" that could hurt private firms, and respond to their concerns in a timely manner.

China's economy grew at a slow pace in the second quarter as demand weakened at home and abroad, raising pressure on policymakers to deliver more stimulus to shore up activity.

(Reporting by Ella Cao, Kevin Yao and Bernard Orr; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Jane Merriman and Sharon Singleton)
FILE PHOTO: Xie Feng, China's new ambassador to the U.S., addresses the media as he arrives at JFK airport in New York City, U.S., May 23, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China does not want a trade or tech war but will definitely respond if the United States imposes more curbs on its chip sector, China's ambassador to Washington said on Wednesday.

Ambassador Xie Feng told the Aspen Security Forum China did not shy away from competition, but the way it was defined by the United States was not fair. He highlighted existing U.S. prohibitions on Chinese imports of equipment to make advanced chips.

"This is like ... restricting the other side to wear outdated swimwear in a swimming contest, while you yourself (are) wearing a Speedo," he said.

Xie referred to reports that Washington is considering an outbound investment review mechanism, and further prohibition on the export of AI chips to China.

"The Chinese government cannot simply sit idly by. There's a Chinese saying that we will not ... make provocations, but we will not flinch from provocations," he said.

"China, definitely ... will make our response. But definitely it's not our hope to have a tit for tat. We don't want ... a trade war, technological war, we want to say goodbye to the Iron Curtain as well as the Silicon Curtain."

The Biden administration has been finalizing an executive order that would restrict certain investment in sectors including advanced semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence, and a senior administration official said the aim was to wrap up reviews of it by Labor Day.

China targeted U.S. chip maker Micron Technology after Washington imposed a series of export controls on American components and chipmaker tools to ensure that they are not used to advance China's military capabilities.

The Cybersecurity Administration of China said in May that Micron failed its security review and barred operators of key domestic infrastructure from purchasing its products.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said last week at the end of a four-day trip to China she had spoken with Chinese counterparts about the proposed order, and said that any investment curbs would be "highly targeted, and clearly directed, narrowly at a few sectors where we have specific national security concerns."

She said the order would enacted in a transparent way, through a rule-making process that would allow public input.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; editing by Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: An Estee Lauder cosmetics counter is seen in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 19, 2019. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/

(Reuters) -Cosmetics maker Estee Lauder on Tuesday said a hacker had obtained some data from its systems, with the cyber incident causing, and expected to further cause, disruption to parts of the company's business operations.

The MAC Cosmetics owner was working to restore the affected systems and had implemented measures to secure its operations, including taking down some of its systems to mitigate the incident, the company said in a statement.

Estee Lauder, which also owns cosmetics brands like Bobbi Brown and Tom Ford Beauty, did not reveal further details about the impact on its operations, but said it was trying to understand the nature and scope of the breached data.

The incident comes at a crucial time for the cosmetics maker, which in May forecast weaker sales and profit for the year than previously estimated, blaming slow recovery at duty-free and travel destinations, especially in Asia.

A spree of data breaches have affected several U.S.-listed companies over the past year.

In September, Grand Theft Auto maker Take-Two Interactive Software confirmed early footage leak of the popular video game, prior to its release, while ride-hailing company Uber was forced to shut several internal communications for a week after a cybersecurity incident.

Wireless carrier T-Mobile in January faced its second major cyberattack in less than two years, which exposed over 37 million accounts.

In its statement, Estee Lauder said it was in contact with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts, but did not respond to Reuters' request for further comment outside regular hours.

The New York-based company did not name the hacker or the hacking entity.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal and Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru ; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
FILE PHOTO: High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell delivers a speech during a ceremony opening EU's Partnership Mission in Chisinau, Moldova, May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav Culiomza/File Photo

By Andrew Gray

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union's foreign policy chief on Thursday proposed a 20 billion euro ($22.4 billion) fund to pay for weapons, ammunition and military aid for Ukraine over four years, but the plan will need more scrutiny from EU governments before any decision is made.

High Representative Josep Borrell presented the proposal to EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels as part of an effort to put European support for Kyiv on a longer-term footing after more than a year of scrambling to respond to Russia's invasion.

The proposal comes amid an international drive to give Ukraine long-term security assurances, as announced by members of the G7 on the sidelines of last week's NATO summit in Vilnius.

"We proposed the creation of a dedicated section under the European Peace Facility to provide up to 5 billion euros a year for the next four years for the defence needs of Ukraine," Borrell told a news conference after the meeting.

"This is the evaluation of the needs and the cost of our long-term security commitments to Ukraine," he said.

The European Peace Facility (EPF), created in 2021 is meant to finance actions that prevent conflicts, build peace and strengthen international security. It was initially worth 5.7 billion euros, but has since grown to 12 billion.

The facility is used to reimburse EU countries for at least part of the cost of weapons, ammunition and other military aid that they give to nations outside the bloc.

Several ministers at the meeting welcomed the idea of longer-term military aid for Ukraine but said the details and amount of funding would be subject to further discussions. Their governments would have to pay for any boost to the fund.

"A fund for the defence of Ukraine is going to be developed," Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho told reporters. "As for the amounts, we are not there yet."

Borrell said detailed talks of EU foreign and defence ministers on the fund would take place during a ministerial meeting at the end of August in Spain.

LANDMARK MOVE

The EU's decision last year to bankroll arms supplies to a country at war was a landmark moment for the 27-member bloc, which for decades concentrated on economic and political cooperation and avoided involvement in armed conflicts.

But the debate on the new proposal are unlikely to be straightforward.

Hungary is holding up the disbursement of 500 million euros in current EPF funds for Ukraine aid, demanding that Hungarian bank OTP first be removed from a Ukrainian blacklist.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Budapest would take the same stance with the new proposal.

"Neither for the 500 million blocked so far, nor for the 20 billion now proposed, are we willing to engage in any kind of negotiations as long as OTP is on this list," he told reporters.

EU governments want to consider the Borrell plan alongside a proposal from the European Commission to provide 50 billion euros in economic aid to Ukraine over the same four-year period.

"It's not enough to simply put sums of money on the table," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters. "It has to be logically and sensibly interlinked and that's what we're talking about today."

($1 = 0.8929 euros)

(Reporting by Andrew Gray, Jan Strupczewski, Tassilo Hummel, Bart Meijer and Boldizsar Gyori; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Conor Humphries)
Sisters Olivia, 10, and Evelyn Black, 12, play in Gateway Fountains at Discovery Green park to escape the hot weather in Houston, Texas, U.S., July 18, 2023. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) -Severe weather disrupted parts of the United States on Wednesday, with a tropical storm skirting Hawaii, a tornado ripping over a North Carolina pharmaceutical plant and a relentless heat wave broiling the country's southern tier.

Poor air quality, which threatened to cause health issues for millions of Americans over the last few days, lifted in many places. But air heavily laced with smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada lingered in scattered locations.

HEAT WAVE

Some 80 million Americans remained under excessive heat warnings, watches and advisories on Wednesday as a prolonged and dangerous heat dome hung over a swath of the country stretching from Southern California to the Deep South.

The blazing hot afternoon temperatures were expected to reach as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius) in San Bernardino, California, 108 F (42 C) in Las Vegas and 104 F (41 C) in San Antonio, Texas, the National Weather Service said.

Phoenix notched its 20th straight day with temperatures of 110 degrees F or higher, with the mercury hitting 117 F by 2:30 p.m. local time. On Tuesday the city broke the record with its 19th consecutive scorcher.

SURGING ALERTS

Everbridge, a leading provider of emergency notification services, has issued 50% more heatwave alerts to the public in 2023 compared to last year, according to its vice president for global public safety, Brian Toolan.

Typical heatwaves used to last only a few days, Toolan said, but "now we're seeing ten, 15, 20 days of that same exact weather. We're just not prepared for that."

DEATHS IN TEXAS PRISONS

In Texas, at least nine inmates in prisons without air conditioning have died of heart attacks this summer, the Texas Tribune reported. Another 14 have died due to unknown causes during periods of extreme heat, the Austin newspaper found.

On Tuesday during a rally in Austin, the state capital, family members and advocates called on lawmakers to install air conditioning in all state prisons. Currently, only 31 of 100 lockups are fully air-conditioned, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

A department spokesperson said preliminary findings of the deaths indicate heat was not a factor in any of the fatalities.

TROPICAL STORM

In the Hawaiian Islands, Tropical Storm Calvin lashed the Big Island on Wednesday with strong winds and heavy downpours as it slowly passed south of the Pacific archipelago. The storm was expected to dump as much as 8 inches (20 cm) of rain as it packed winds of up to 60 miles (97 km) per hour.

The storm could cause flash flooding, dangerous surf and mudslides, the weather service said. Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared a state of emergency, closing all state offices and schools.

AIR QUALITY

Although most air quality alerts across the nation expired on Wednesday morning, smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting across the United States caused poor conditions in several spots in Virginia, the Carolinas and along the East Coast.

Forecasters urged people who have respiratory illnesses, the elderly and children to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

New York, the most populous city in the United States, was listed on Wednesday morning as No. 6 on a list of major cities around the world with the worst air quality, according to IQAir.com, a website that tracks global pollution.

POWER OUTAGES AND DESTRUCTION

In western Tennessee and Kentucky, about 90,000 homes and businesses were without power after several rounds of prolific thunderstorms knocked down power lines and trees across the area overnight and into Wednesday morning, according to .

A tornado hit northeastern North Carolina around 12:30 p.m. EDT, damaging a Pfizer manufacturing facility and sending several people to the hospital with injuries, according to private forecaster AccuWeather.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Deutsche Bank is seen in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

By Pete Schroeder and Chris Prentice

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Reserve said on Wednesday it fined Deutsche Bank and its U.S. affiliates $186 million for failing to sufficiently address money laundering control problems and other shortcomings previously flagged by the U.S. central bank.

The new penalty for lingering issues marks the latest blow for the German lender, which has struggled for years to get on solid ground with regulators in Europe and the United States.

Deutsche must prioritize addressing several of those issues or face "additional and escalated" penalties, the Fed said. It separately ordered the bank to improve its risk and data management.

The Fed had identified the previous issues in 2015 and 2017 consent orders, which stemmed from deficient controls in Deutsche's relationship with the Estonian branch of Danske Bank.

In a statement, Deutsche Bank said it is committed to addressing the Fed-identified shortcomings in the "near future," and said the fine is largely covered by provisions taken in prior quarters.

"We believe we are well positioned to meet our regulators' expectations," the bank said.

President Joe Biden's administration has vowed to crack down on repeat corporate offenders and illicit funds flowing through the U.S. financial system.

The new fine is also a new challenge for Stefan Simon, who took over U.S. operations for the bank this year after the departure of former U.S. chief Christiana Riley.

For Deutsche, the Fed's penalties mark the latest in years of regulatory struggles. In November, the German finance watchdog told Deutsche to improve its money laundering controls. U.S. and German regulators have launched probes into greenwashing allegations at Deutsche-controlled investment management firm DWS.

The bank in 2021 agreed to pay $125 million to avoid prosecution on charges that it manipulated precious metals markets and engaged in foreign bribery schemes. It also paid $75 million to settle a lawsuit by women who say they were abused by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, and accused the German bank of facilitating his sex trafficking.

In its latest order, the Fed said it found a "significant portion" of the $276 billion in transactions Deutsche cleared for Danske Bank involved "high-risk non-resident customers." Shortcomings in Deutsche's policies on money laundering persisted after its relationship with Danske ended in 2015, the Fed said.

In December, Danske pleaded guilty to a bank fraud conspiracy.

($1 = 0.8937 euros)

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder and Chris Prentice; Editing by Richard Chang, Will Dunham and Leslie Adler)
FILE PHOTO: A drilling rig operates in the Permian Basin oil and natural gas production area in Lea County, New Mexico, U.S., February 10, 2019. Picture taken February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of nearly 150 environmental justice groups urged the Biden administration on Wednesday to abandon talks with global energy companies on standards for "certified" natural gas, a form of the fuel that producers market as climate friendly, but critics say undermines the transition from fossil fuels.

The United States has held talks with energy companies and foreign officials on gas certification as it ships large amounts of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to Europe to displace Russian gas amid the war in Ukraine.

The Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Gas Leaks and other green groups argued the discussions are a diversion from President Joe Biden's pledge to move toward cleaner energy sources.

"While we strongly support robust and well-enforced regulations to cut methane leaks from the oil and gas sector, we oppose efforts that aim to provide 'extra credit' which the gas industry uses to promote growth in the production, trade and consumption of methane gas," they wrote in a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

But Tom Hassenboehler, a lobbyist who helped form the Differentiated Gas Coordinating Council industry group, said certified gas backers adopt practices to lower emissions throughout the gas supply chain.

"These practices should be encouraged not discouraged as efforts and momentum grow to drive down methane pollution," Hassenboehler said on Thursday.

METHANE EMISSIONS

A Department of Energy spokesperson said the agency "is not introducing or endorsing any natural gas certification measures or standards." It is working with gas importing and exporting countries to develop an approach to measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification of emissions that "provides consistency and accountability," and aligns with the administration's plan on methane emissions, the spokesperson added.

While gas burns cleaner than other fossil fuels, its main component is the powerful greenhouse gas methane, which can leak into the atmosphere - a top complaint from environmentalists, whose support is key as Biden ramps up his 2024 re-election campaign.

Gas producers have attempted to market certified gas at a premium for years, using third-party certifiers to prove the fuel was produced and transported in ways that minimize emissions.

But a lack of unified standards on measuring and verifying emissions across the supply chain has limited low-carbon gas markets. Certifiers rely on competing measurement technologies and differing methodologies on interpreting the data.

Brad Crabtree, a Department of Energy official, met privately with companies on the issue in March and told Reuters standards are needed because the "downside of all the innovation and creativity is that it also is very chaotic."

Scientists have long warned that climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions mainly from burning fossil fuels, will make heat waves more frequent, severe and deadly. They say governments need to drastically reduce emissions to prevent climate catastrophe.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Aurora Ellis and David Holmes)
FILE PHOTO: Female office workers wearing high heels, clothes and bags of the same colour are seen at a business district in Tokyo, Japan, June 4, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

By Sam Nussey and Anton Bridge

TOKYO (Reuters) - An overwhelming majority of Japanese firms think it would be difficult or impossible to fill at least 30% of executive positions with women by 2030, a Reuters poll showed.

The results underscore the challenge the world's third-largest economy faces to close its gender gap. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida set a target in June for women to hold at least 30% of executive positions at leading companies by 2030.

The latest initiative to raise female management participation was announced to boost female roles from 2.2% as of July 2022.

According to the poll, 60% of corporate managers said it would be difficult to hit such a target and 29% said it would be impossible.

The results reflect the lack of momentum in Japan towards enhancing the role of women in the workforce to improve diversity and boost economic growth.

This year Japan ranked 125th out of 146 countries in an annual World Economic Forum report measuring gender parity, down from 116th last year and below China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Japan's biggest business lobby, Keidanren, launched a similar initiative in 2020. Respondents to a Reuters survey two years ago were also pessimistic of expanding their female executive ranks.

Overcoming Japan's male-oriented corporate culture remains a roadblock, the survey respondents said.

Although there are young women in positions with the prospect of promotion, there is a lingering impact from older hiring practices that tended to allocate general office work to women, said a manager at a chemical company.

For others, the timeline to reach the 30% target would be too tight.

"It's an extremely short period in which to achieve the goal," said a manager at a construction firm.

More than half of companies polled said they have hired or plan to hire female managers externally, with 45% of companies introducing or planning to introduce measures to help juggle work and home life.

Other countries have pushed to enhance the role of women in business. For example, nearly 40% of board positions at companies on Britain's FTSE 100 index are occupied by women compared with 12.5% a decade earlier.

In contrast, women held 14.5% of board seats at Nikkei 225 companies in 2022.

On the overall business environment, corporate managers remained pessimistic with 74% saying conditions would be "not so good" or "bad" at the end of October. Additionally, 60% of companies said they were considering raising prices this year.

The survey, conducted for Reuters by Nikkei Research, canvassed around 500 large- and mid-size non-financial firms. About 250 firms answered the question on condition of female executives.

Click here for a more detailed breakdown of the poll result.

(Reporting by Sam Nussey and Anton Bridge; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The United States and Mexico reached an agreement to remedy violations of workers' rights at a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co plant in the Mexican city of San Luis Potosi, both countries said on Wednesday.

The Mexican government has committed to carry out a number of measures under the agreement, the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office said in a statement.

The measures include having Goodyear distribute and enforce a sector-wide labor contract, award additional wages and benefits to those eligible and give backpay for "Goodyear's failure to apply" the contract previously, the USTR added.

Goodyear must also inform workers of their labor rights and respect union activity, the USTR said.

Mexico will carry out periodic inspections of the plant, and if warranted, could impose sanctions on people, labor organizations or the company, the USTR said.

The two countries set a deadline of Jan. 19, 2024, to complete remediation proceedings, it added.

Mexico's labor ministry will continue to carry out a review of companies in the rubber industry and their labor agreements, it said in a separate statement with the economy ministry.

The remediation plan comes after a petition from a Mexican independent union, which found Goodyear was offering employees fewer benefits than an industry-wide agreement required.

(Reporting by Raul Cortes, Valentine Hilaire and Kylie Madry; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Sonali Paul)
The number of young Koreans looking for jobs fell by 71,000 this year even though there is no evidence that many of them found work.

In fact, the number has been decreasing for two straight years as many young people opt to stay in further education after graduation because the job market is so dire.

According to Statistics Korea on Tuesday, only 634,000 people aged 15 to 29 were looking for jobs in Korea in May, compared to 704,000 a year ago. The number of young jobseekers declined for the first time ever in 2022 and continues to fall.

Lim Kyung-eun at Statistics Korea said, "More and more students say they are not engaged in economic activities for 'other reasons,' and a majority of them are preparing for graduate school."
FILE PHOTO: Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard logo in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Microsoft, which is seeking to wrap up its acquisition of game-maker Activision Blizzard, urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to withdraw a case against the deal that the agency had brought before an internal FTC judge, according to a motion posted to the FTC's website on Wednesday.

Microsoft and Activision on Wednesday extended the deadline for the close of their $69 billion deal by three months to Oct. 18 as the American companies work to secure British approval for the biggest gaming deal in history.

In Washington, the FTC has been pursuing a two-pronged attack against the proposed transaction. One was in district court, which refused last week to slap a preliminary injunction on the proposed transaction. An appeals court also turned down a request for the deal to be paused.

The second is before an FTC administrative law judge, where a trial is to begin on Aug. 2. It was this prong that the companies asked the agency to withdraw.

"Withdrawal from adjudication is not only mandatory but is in the public interest. The district court had a full opportunity to consider the FTCs claims and found that the Commission was unlikely to succeed on the merits of those claims for multiple, independently sufficient reasons," the companies said in the motion.

The FTC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz and Jasper Ward; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Stephen Coates)
Head of Transdniestria Vadim Krasnoselsky takes part in a ceremony marking the Defender of the Fatherland Day in Tiraspol, Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria, February 23, 2023. REUTERS/Vladislav Bachev/File Photo

By Alexander Tanas

CHISINAU (Reuters) - The president of Moldova's separatist pro-Russian Transdniestria region vowed on Tuesday to solve the suspected murder of an opposition politician who was a rare advocate of reconciliation with the country's pro-European government.

Transdniestria broke away from Moldova before the end of Soviet rule and after a brief war against the newly independent state's military in 1992 has remained a separate entity, though with no international recognition.

Opposition politician Oleg Horgan was found dead in his home this week, apparently after being struck with a heavy object. A safe in the house had been emptied. Officials in Transdniestria said they believed the case to be a simple robbery.

In Moldova's capital, government ministers pointed to a political killing and the Deputy Prime Minister, Oleg Serebrean, asked the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Europe's biggest security body, to help in the investigation.

Transdniestria President Vadim Krasnoselsky said he would take "personal control" of the investigation.

"Evidence is being collected to enable us to determine a motive," Krasnoselsky told a visiting European Union (EU) delegation on Tuesday. "We will solve this crime and identify the criminals."

Horgan, a Communist, was a critic of Transdniestria's separatist administration and the large Sheriff company that controls much of the region's commerce. He had recently served 4-1/2 years in prison on charges of inciting civil strife.

A parliamentary committee summoned a special sitting of the assembly to discuss the suspected murder later in the week.

Horgan clinched an accord last week with a Moldovan opposition party, the Civic Congress, to work for the prosperity and civic freedoms of people in both Moldova and the enclave.

"We are the first who have dared openly to extend our hands in solidarity and support," their joint statement read.

Moldova has embarked on a drive to join the EU since the 2020 election of President Maia Sandu, who has roundly denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Moldova has been buffeted by the conflict, with Russian missiles occasionally landing in the country. Sandu has accused Russia of trying to unseat her government and Transdniestria leaders have alleged that Ukraine plotted to kill Krasnoselsky.

About 1,500 Russian "peacekeepers" remain in Transdniestria, whose leaders are still loyal to Moscow and receive Russian gas for the enclave practically for free.

(Edited by Ronald Popeski and Sonali Paul)
Police officers stand guard near the location of a reported shooting in Auckland, New Zealand on July 20, 2023. REUTERS/Nathan Frandino

By Amy Tennery, Irene Wang, Nathan Frandino and Praveen Menon

AUCKLAND (Reuters) -At least two people and an armed attacker were killed and five others wounded in a shooting in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland on Thursday, hours ahead of the opening match of the Women's soccer World Cup in the city.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the soccer tournament would proceed as planned, adding the shooting appeared to be the actions of an individual and that police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

"There was no identified political or ideological motivation for the shooting and therefore no national security risk," Hipkins said during a televised media briefing.

There would be no change to New Zealand's security threat level although there would be an increased police presence in the city, he said.

Auckland has welcomed thousands of international players and tourists for the ninth Women's World Cup which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

"Obviously we would prefer it not to have started in this way," Hipkins told journalists later in the day.

"It will be acknowledged what happened today at the opening ceremony. And I will be going, it is safe to go and we continue to encourage the whole community to get behind this," he said.

The gunman has not been formally identified but is believed to be a 24-year-old male who was employed at the construction site where the shooting occurred, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said at a news conference.

He was armed with a pump-action shot gun and moved through a building site shooting. After reaching the upper levels he contained himself within an elevator shaft and fired more shots before being found dead a short time later.

An officer was injured in the shooting, as well as four members of the public.

The gunman was the subject of a sentence of home detention but had an exemption to work at the site.

"The individual is known for primarily family violence history. There is nothing to suggest that he has presented a higher-level risk than was indicated by that history," Coster said.

Soccer teams from New Zealand, Norway, Italy, the U.S., Vietnam and Portugal were known to be in the city when the shooting occurred.

"FIFA has been informed that this was an isolated incident that was not related to football operations and the opening match tonight at Eden Park will proceed as planned," FIFA said in a statement to Reuters.

"The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place."

In the two opening World Cup matches on Thursday, Norway plays New Zealand in Auckland while Australia faces Ireland in Sydney.

A moment of silence was observed before the match started in Auckland, and players wore black arm bands in honour of those who died in the shooting.

SECURITY STEPPED UP

The shooting took place near the Norwegian team hotel in downtown Auckland, and several players took to social media to report they were safe.

"All seems calm, and we are preparing as normal for the match tonight," Norway captain Maren Mjelde told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang during the police operation.

Italy and the U.S. team's training was delayed as players could not get out of their hotel.

Douglas Emhoff, the husband of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris who is leading the presidential delegation to New Zealand for the opening ceremony of the World Cup, is safe, the U.S. embassy said.

A U.S. Soccer spokesman said that the U.S. players were just getting up for breakfast inside the hotel when the incident occurred.

"Our security sort of immediately liaised with the local authorities and Department of State. We determined immediately that everybody was safe and accounted for and from then on we just had to wait it out," Aaron Heifetz told reporters.

U.S. forward Lynn Williams said the incident was something she and her compatriots had dealt with "far too many times" in the United States, where gun violence is common.

"There was definitely a sense of, 'Let's come together.' We still have a job to do. But also recognising that there was lives lost and that is very real and very devastating," said Williams.

Several streets in Auckland were cordoned off, all ferry services into the city were cancelled, and buses were asked to detour some areas of the city.

Maurane Mifort-Paon, a 18-year-old tourist from France, said: "At first I was kind of worried but when I saw how the police were everywhere, it was very reassuring."

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said the shooting was not in any way related to the World Cup.

Gun violence is rare in New Zealand, which tightened its gun laws after a gunman killed 51 Muslim worshippers in Christchurch in 2019 in the country's worst peace-time mass shooting.

The government has banned all military style semi-automatics and other deadly guns.

(Additional reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Writing by Praveen Menon; Editing by Stephen Coates and Kim Coghill)
FILE PHOTO: Peru's President Dina Boluarte speaks as she meets with foreign press, in Lima, Peru January 24, 2023. REUTERS/Angela Ponce/File Photo

By Marco Aquino

LIMA (Reuters) -Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Peru on Wednesday in marches organized by groups opposed to President Dina Boluarte, while police took anti-riot measures against some demonstrators, arresting at least six.

Peaceful protesters affiliated with left-wing groups and unions marched in the capital Lima, while isolated incidents involving the police were reported in an Andean region linked to past social conflicts, media reported.

"We want justice, peace and calm, and that Boluarte leaves immediately," said protester Dionisio Flores in Lima.

Many Peruvians accuse Boluarte and her allies of illegitimately removing and jailing her leftist predecessor Pedro Castillo, which led to sometimes violent protests through March in which 67 people were killed.

By late evening, six civilians and two police officers had been injured as protesters carrying rocks and bottles squared off with security forces who resorted to tear gas, the ombudsman said.

"The protests may continue tomorrow," Interior Minister Vicente Romero told a press conference, adding that six protesters had been arrested.

Some 21,000 people took part in the marches, Romero said, though he added that some people were taking part to press on issues unrelated to the protesters' main demands.

The unrest is also fueled by longstanding anger over widespread poverty and deep inequality that has persisted even as the major copper-producing nation has grown wealthier.

Peru, the second-largest supplier of the metal globally, could also face disruption along its key mining corridor, where Castillo is popular and many communities support the protests.

Apart from Boluarte's removal, many protesters also want the right-wing Congress dissolved, elections, and a new constitution.

"This government is immoral, incompetent," said Martha Manami, who attended one of the marches. "It has used the armed forces to suppress us."

Some 24,000 police officers were deployed throughout the country in the lead up to the protests, officials said.

Transport officials said protesters blocked at least eight highways, most in the southern Arequipa and Cusco regions. They were open again by the evening, authorities said.

"We will respect the right of people to protest, but if these turn violent we will make rational use of force to impose authority," Lima police chief Roger Perez told reporters.

Jorge Pizarro, a spokesperson for one of the protest organizers, said demonstrators "will not seek a confrontation with the police."

But in the Andean town of Huancavelica, protesters set the door of a government building ablaze. Police doused it and then dispersed the crowd with tear gas, a television station reported.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Alexander Villegas, Will Dunham, Josie Kao and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
(Reuters) - U.S. cannabis producer Green Thumb Industries Inc said on Tuesday an employee had died of natural causes at its Rock Island, Illinois facility last Friday.

The Teamsters Union earlier on Tuesday urged Green Thumb to address workers' safety concerns following news about the death.

"To the best of our knowledge, this tragic death was not related to the working environment," a spokesperson told Reuters.

Workers at Green Thumb have filed at least five complaints with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, alleging serious safety and health violations, including two complaints that are under investigation at the Rock Island location, according to Teamster.

"There have been significant concerns about occupational hazards at this operation  particularly regarding respiratory health  in the past. We also know that those concerns haven't always been adequately addressed," said Jim Glimco, president of Teamsters Local 777, which represents workers across industries in the Chicago area.

Green Thumb regularly reviews working conditions, and results from air quality testing so far have "complied with all regulatory standards," the company spokesperson said.

(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi)
Signage is seen at the headquarters of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2021. Picture taken May 12, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

(Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating private equity firm One Equity over communications with investors, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

One Equity, which was once JPMorgan Chase's buyout arm, has recently been in settlement talks with regulators that have sought a fine of as much as $5 million, although One Equity has not agreed to that amount and the penalty could be lower, the WSJ report said.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru)
FILE PHOTO: A grain ship carrying Ukrainian grain is seen in the Black Sea, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near Ukrainian port of Odesa, Ukraine November 2, 2022. REUTERS/Serhii Smolientsev/File Photo

MOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) -Russia warned that from Thursday any ships traveling to Ukraine's Black Sea ports will be seen as possibly carrying military cargoes, after Ukraine said it was setting up a temporary shipping route to try and continue its grain exports.

The moves by both countries on Wednesday came just days after Russia quit a deal - brokered by the United Nations and Turkey - that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain for the past year, and revoked guarantees of safe navigation.

Ukraine has made clear that it wants to try and continue its Black Sea grain shipments and told the U.N. shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), that it had "decided to establish on a temporary basis a recommended maritime route."

But Russia's Defence Ministry then said it would deem all ships travelling to Ukraine to be potentially carrying military cargo and "the flag countries of such ships will be considered parties to the Ukrainian conflict".

In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, it said the move would start at midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT Wednesday).

The Defence Ministry did not say what actions it might take.

Russia was also declaring southeastern and northwestern parts of the Black Sea's international waters to be temporarily unsafe for navigation, the ministry said, without giving details about the parts of the sea which would be affected.

"It underscores that we're trying to work and continue to work in what is effectively a warzone," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday when asked about the Russian warning.

Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of damaging grain export infrastructure in "hellish" overnight strikes focused on two of its Black Sea ports.

"In the ports that were attacked today, there was about a million tonnes of food stored. It is precisely that amount that should already have been delivered to consumer countries in Africa and Asia," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address on Wednesday.

He said the terminal damaged the most held 60,000 tonnes of agricultural products intended for shipment to China.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Western countries of perverting the Black Sea grain deal for their own means, but said Russia would immediately return to the agreement if all its demands regarding its own exports were met.

'GLOBAL HUNGER'

Insurers were already reviewing their appetite for covering ships into Ukraine.

A cargo insurance facility providing cover for Ukraine grain shipments traveling under the Black Sea deal has been suspended, the policy's broker told Reuters on Tuesday. The marine cargo and war facility provided cover of up to $50 million per cargo.

Norwegian shipping insurance group DNK, which provides war risk policies, told Reuters on Wednesday it was currently unable to provide cover for Ukraine.

The U.N. said on Tuesday there are a "number of ideas being floated" to help get Ukrainian and Russian grain and fertilizer to global markets after Moscow quit the Black Sea deal.

The Black Sea pact was brokered to combat a global food crisis worsened by Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia are among the world's top grain exporters.

Russia's withdrawal on Monday also effectively ended a pact between the U.N. and Moscow in which U.N. officials agreed to help Russian food and fertilizer exports reach world markets. Under that agreement, the U.N. has said Moscow was no longer fulfilling a pledge to "facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil, and fertilizers" from Ukrainian Black Sea Ports.

Moscow quit the deal because it said its own grain and fertilizer exports still faced obstacles and complained not enough Ukrainian grain was reaching poor countries under the arrangement.

But the U.N. argued the deal has benefited those states by helping lower food prices more than 20% globally. Ukraine has also been a key supplier of grain for the U.N. World Food Programme's efforts to fight hunger.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "will continue whatever he can do to ensure that global markets have access to Ukrainian and Russian food as well as fertilizer," Dujarric said. "This is just too important for our fight against global hunger."

(Reporting by Reuters; writing by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Stephen Coates)
KYIV (Reuters) -A Russian attack on the southern Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk damaged grain export infrastructure and destroyed thousands of tons of stored grain, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky said on Wednesday.

He put the amount of grain destroyed in the overnight air strike at 60,000 tons, and said the grain should have been loaded and shipped 60 days ago under a wartime deal meant to guarantee the safe passage of grain via the Black Sea, he said.

Ukraine said the Russian air strike was an intentional and deliberate attack on the grain terminals and port infrastructure after Moscow quit the year-old deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.

"The night-time attack knocked out a significant part of the grain export infrastructure of the port of Chornomorsk," Solsky said on the Telegram messaging app.

He added that, according to experts, it would take at least a year to fully repair the damaged objects.

Solsky said that grain infrastructure of international and Ukrainian traders and carriers such as Kernel, Viterra, CMA CGM Group had suffered the most damage.

"This is a terrorist act not against Ukraine, but against the entire world. The world's food security is once again in danger," he said.

Kernel, Ukraine's largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil, confirmed on Wednesday that its grain transhipment facilities and stored grain in Chornomorsk "have been significantly damaged".

"Initial estimates suggest that extensive time would be required to return the assets into operation," Kernel said.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash and Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a televised meeting with officials to assess the consequences of an attack on the Crimean Bridge in Moscow, Russia July 17, 2023. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS I

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's dominant lender Sberbank is making around $3 billion each year from artificial intelligence, a return on investment of about 200%, CEO German Gref told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

Advances in generative AI by firms such as startup OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, are stimulating excitement about the potential benefits for business and society. Russia, shunned and sanctioned by the West, is having to develop the technology largely alone.

"Every year we invest a sum of around $1 billion in artificial intelligence technology," Gref told Putin at a televised event in the Kremlin. "And we get about $3 billion back from artificial intelligence."

"The scale is serious," Putin responded. "This is absolutely the future. If we talk about the importance for the country, for any country, it is on par with atomic or missile projects of the Soviet Union in the mid-1940s and 1950s."

During his time at Sberbank's helm, Gref has overseen investments in artificial intelligence, cloud services, big data and smart devices, transforming the former Soviet savings bank's image. He didn't specify which business lines within the AI segment were generating revenue.

Sberbank discloses little about its burgeoning tech business, but the lender has become a crucial player in helping Russia navigate Western sanctions imposed over the conflict in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
KABUL (Reuters) - The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, a major humanitarian organisation, has paused some of its operations, it said on Wednesday, after a Taliban order halting Swedish activities in the country.

The Taliban administration last week said all activities by Sweden in Afghanistan must stop in response to the burning of a Koran in Stockholm last month but it was not clear which institutions the order would apply to.

"Some activities of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA), have been paused," the aid group said in a statement after seeking discussion with the Taliban administration.

Thousands of Afghan staff work for the organisation throughout the country in health, education and rural development, and treated 2.5 million patients in its health clinics last year.

SCA did not elaborate on how many of its operations had been paused and said it was seeking approvals to resume operations as soon as possible.

The Taliban-run economy ministry, which administers non-governmental organisations, did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Afghanistan's aid sector has already been severely hampered by a series of restrictions, including on female aid workers. Funding reductions for a United Nations-led annual humanitarian plan suggests donor countries are pulling back on financial support.

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield and Mohammad Yunus Yawar; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
The Korean government will appeal the order of an international tribunal to pay about W130 billion to U.S. hedge fund Elliott Investment Management over the dodgy merger of two Samsung affiliates facilitated by bribes to then-President Park Geun-hye in 2015 (US$1=W1,260).

The merger allowed then-Samsung heir presumptive Lee Jae-yong to seize control of the publicly traded conglomerate thanks to its labyrinthine holdings structure.

The tribunal accepted Elliott's claim that it lost US$770 million as a result of a drop in stock prices due to interference by the Park government through the National Pension Service, a major Samsung shareholder, when it approved the merger between Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries.

But in a press conference Tuesday, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon said Korea has filed a complaint with the U.K. High Court's Business and Property Courts, which deal with international arbitration issues, to cancel the Permanent Court of Arbitration's decision.
KYIV (Reuters) - Talks being mediated by Saudi Arabia and Turkey on the repatriation of Ukrainian thousands of children taken to Russia since Moscow's invasion have been under way since at least April, a source with knowledge of the discussions said on Wednesday.

The source confirmed a Financial Times report that Riyadh and Istanbul were trying to broker a deal to bring home children who have been have been taken to Russia and placed in children's homes or adopted by Russian families.

Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out illegal deportations. Moscow, which controls parts of Ukraine's east and south, denies abducting children and says they have been transported away for their own safety.

"The Turks and the Saudis especially have been showing an interest in bringing Ukrainian children back," the source, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

The source said talks had been going on since April but also said they could have started earlier.

The Financial Times, quoting four people familiar with the talks, said on Tuesday that discussions had been under way for several months.

The source did not indicate to Reuters how the talks were going, but expressed doubt that a deal would be reached because it would depend on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"For him to give (the children) back would mean that he agrees that he's a war criminal," the source said.

Russian and Turkish officials did not immediately respond torequests for comment. Saudi Arabia did not comment on the Financial Times article.

The source said Riyadh had won trust after helping last year to negotiate one of the largest prisoner swaps since Russia's invasion in February 2022. About 300 Ukrainians returned home under the exchange, including commanders who fought a long battle for the city of Mariupol.

Kyiv estimates nearly 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea since last year's invasion. Ukrainian official figures show 385 children have been repatriated so far.

In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russia's children's rights commissioner, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine.

Russia rejects the ICC allegations, saying it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and calling the warrants null and void.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; writing by Olena Harmash; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
By Foo Yun Chee and Benoit Van Overstraeten

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A U.S. economist chosen for a senior European Union antitrust job pulled out on Wednesday after her appointment triggered criticism from the president of France and some EU lawmakers.

Fiona Scott Morton, chief economist at the U.S. Department of Justice during the Obama administration, had been due to take up the post as chief competition economist at the European Commission on Sept. 1.

"Professor Fiona Scott Morton has informed me of her decision to not take up the post as chief competition economist," EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager, who had announced the appointment a week ago, said in a tweet.

Vestager said she accepted Scott Morton's decision with regret.

Scott Morton, 56, was supposed to advise the European Commission on its investigations into Big Tech and its enforcement of a series of landmark rules to rein in tech giants.

"Given the controversy that has arisen because of the selection of a non-European to fill this position, and the importance that the Directorate General has the full backing of the European Union as it enforces, I have determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the Chief Economist position," Scott Morton said in a letter published by Vestager.

French President Emmanuel Macron and French lawmakers were the biggest critics of the new U.S. hire.

The French government stuck to its guns on Wednesday after Scott Morton's decision to quit.

French foreign ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre told reporters that Paris had been against Scott Morton's appointment because it potentially impacted the bloc's sovereignty and may hurt European businesses and consumers.

Legendre said in the future there should be more thought to recruitment rules especially where there could be conflicts of interests in the "most strategic and sensitive positions within the European institutions."

Namur University law professor Alexandre De Streel, one of 40 leading economists who backed Scott Morton, said Vestager could have handled the issue better.

"The Commission should have explained much better the difference between a technical advising role, for which Europe and its sovereignty will be best served by relying on the best expert in the world, and policy deciding role, for which nationality matters more," he said.

EU lawmaker Paul Tang from the Netherlands called for more transparency on conflicts of interest.

"Vestager needs to restart the procedure and include the possible conflicts of interests into the assessment of candidates right from the start," he said.

(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten and John Irish; Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout, David Holmes and Mike Harrison)
By Rachna Uppal

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi, the capital of major oil exporter United Arab Emirates, plans to double the contribution from its industrial sector to GDP, a senior government official said on Wednesday, amid growing regional competition to diversify from oil.

Last year the industrial sector's contribution to Abu Dhabi's gross domestic product grew 9.7% year on year to 90.8 billion dirhams ($24.72 billion), according to government statistics shared with Reuters on Wednesday, or 16.4% of its non-oil GDP and just over 8% of total GDP.

Abu Dhabi, which constitutes about half the UAE's industrial sector, wants to increase this to 172 billion dirhams by 2031.

"Oil is important to us in Abu Dhabi," Rashed Al Blooshi, undersecretary at Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development, told Reuters.

"But investing in non-oil sectors will have a bigger impact on the GDP ... and we will sustain the growth."

Since 2021, the UAE has also established a strategy of negotiating bilateral trade agreements with a key aim to boost non-oil exports to global markets.

In the first quarter, 27 new manufacturing operations got underway in Abu Dhabi, beating an internal target of 18, Blooshi said, adding the government wants 90 more in 2023 and another 100 by 2024.

Abu Dhabi holds the majority of the UAE's oil wealth, but Dubai, its more flamboyant neighbouring emirate, is considered the region's commercial, financial and tourism hub. The two sometimes compete, while a deepening UAE-Saudi economic rivalry simmers.

Abu Dhabi's non-oil GDP grew 6.1% in the first quarter, according to data from the statistics authority, outperforming overall GDP growth of 3.9% as lower oil prices weighed.

Average growth in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) bloc is expected to slow significantly to 1.5% in 2023 on lower oil prices, according to a Reuters poll on Wednesday, but the UAE economy is forecast to outperform at 2.8%.

($1 = 3.6729 UAE dirham)

(This story has been corrected to say 172 billion dirhams, not 171 billion dirhams, in paragraph 3)

(Reporting by Rachna Uppal; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
By Farouq Suleiman

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised on Wednesday to LGBT military veterans who endured sexual abuse, violence, bullying and harassment while serving in the armed forces before a ban on homosexuality was lifted in 2000.

Britain lifted the ban only after the European Court of Human Rights rejected an argument that it was needed to protect morale and fighting power amongst its troops, saying the policy had violated human rights.

Prior to that, many gay people had sought to hide their sexuality or risk being discharged from the armed forces.

An independent review was launched last year to examine the testimonies of LGBT veterans who served between 1967 and 2000 to recognise the impact of the policies. The review was published on Wednesday.

Sunak told a full House of Commons chamber on Wednesday that the ban had been an "appalling failure of the British state".

"As todays report makes clear, in that period many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment while bravely serving this country," he said.

"On behalf of the British state, I apologise."

The report said a public call for evidence had led to more than 1,120 responses being submitted, including about 300 from veterans who were dismissed or discharged because of LGBT same-sex sexual acts and homosexual orientation.

British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said the review had shone a light on "a shameful and unacceptable historical chapter in our Armed Forces history."

In a statement to parliament, Wallace said the review had made 49 recommendations for the government, including enhanced healthcare provisions for LGBT veterans and a financial award.

The government accepted the vast majority of those recommendations in principle and would respond in full after parliament's summer break, he said.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967 in England and Wales, and throughout the entire United Kingdom in the early 1980s.

(Reporting by William James, Writing by Farouq Suleiman; editing by Kate Holton and Bernadette Baum)
FILE PHOTO: Former president of El Salvador Mauricio Funes arrives at the attorney general office in San Salvador February 3, 2016. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo

By Raul Cortes

(Reuters) - The U.S. State Department added nearly 40 people from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, including former presidents and judges, to a list published on Wednesday of "corrupt and undemocratic actors."

Two former Salvadoran presidents - Mauricio Funes, who served from 2009 to 2014, and his successor Salvador Sanchez, whom Washington links to corruption, money laundering and embezzlement of public funds - were added to the list.

Funes and Sanchez, who both faced legal proceedings in El Salvador, now live in Nicaragua and cannot be extradited after receiving citizenship from the government of President Daniel Ortega.

"Corruption, a root cause of irregular migration, harms our national security," said Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, as he presented the report.

Guatemalan targets include Fredy Orellana, the judge who ordered the suspension of an anti-graft party after its presidential candidate, Bernardo Arevalo, garnered enough votes to take part in an Aug. 20 presidential run-off.

The so-called Engel list also features judges and prosecutors accused of persecuting journalists in Guatemala.

Guatemala's government meanwhile rejected the accusations on Wednesday, labeling the report "used by the United States to impose its jurisdiction on people abroad, as despicable."

It includes ex-officials from the government of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was extradited to the United States over drug trafficking links.

Politicians from Honduras' opposition Liberal Party also appear, including Liberal leader Yani Rosenthal, previously convicted of money laundering in the United States. Rosenthal responded in a tweet that he "categorically rejects the unfounded accusations made in the list."

The Nicaraguan section includes all of the country's parliamentary leaders, barring its president, who Washington has already sanctioned, and several judges and directors of Nicaragua's money laundering watchdog.

(Reporting by Raul Cortes in Mexico City, Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City, Gustavo Palencia in Tegucigalpa and Nelson Renteria in San Salvador; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday announced additional security assistance of about $1.3 billion for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the package including air defense capabilities, drones and munitions.

"This announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine," the Pentagon said in a statement.

The United States is using funds in its Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) program, which allow President Joe Biden's administration to buy weapons from industry rather than pull from U.S. weapons stocks.

The package includes four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions; 152 millimeter artillery rounds; mine clearing equipment; and drones, according to the Pentagon.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced the aid a day after a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, allies assisting Ukraine as its forces press a counteroffensive against Russian troops occupying Ukrainian territory.

Delivery of the weapons and systems depends on their availability and production timeline.

The Pentagon has provided more than $10.8 billion in security assistance for Ukraine under the USAI in fiscal 2023, in seven separate tranches. The planned package would be the eighth. In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2022, Washington put $6.3 billion worth of USAI funds to work buying for Ukraine's defense.

Overall, the U.S. has sent over $40 billion in the form of security and military assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

The package includes two different types of loitering munitions, the Phoenix Ghost drone made by AVEVEX, a private company in California, and the Switchblade, made by AeroVironment.

Earlier this month, the United States announced that it will send Ukraine cluster munitions - prohibited by more than 100 countries - to Ukraine. Human rights groups and some U.S. allies, including Germany and Canada, oppose that decision.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: New York State Attorney General Letitia James attends a U.S. midterm election night party for New York Governor Democratic Kathy Hochul in New York, U.S. November 8, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - A group of Democratic U.S. state attorneys general on Wednesday pushed back against claims by some of their Republican counterparts that many corporate workforce diversity programs amount to illegal discrimination.

In a call with reporters, the attorneys general (AGs) of New York, Illinois, Nevada and four other states said 13 Republican officials were wrong to suggest last week that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action in higher education has any impact on employer's diversity efforts.

The Republican AGs in letters sent to the CEOs of the 100 largest U.S. companies warned that they could take legal action against businesses that set hiring quotas or treat job applicants differently because of their race.

But on Wednesday, the Democratic officials said the vast majority of company diversity, equity and inclusion policies are designed to set aspirational goals or diversify pools of job applicants.

There is no corporation I'm aware of that promotes quotas or openly discriminates based on a number, New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

James and the other AGs said they wanted to make clear to companies that their states support diversity efforts and will not take legal action to dismantle them.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, a Republican who spearheaded last week's letter, said in a statement that the reasoning behind the recent Supreme Court decision makes clear that companies cannot factor race into employment decisions even if they have good intentions.

"Corporate America continues to have many avenues to help disadvantaged people and communities of all races without resorting to crude racial line-drawing," Skrmetti said.

The Supreme Court ruling last month said Harvard University's and the University of North Carolina's race-conscious admissions policies violated the U.S. Constitution.

The decision does not directly affect employers but is widely expected to spur legal challenges to corporate diversity initiatives that take race into account.

The Democratic AGs on Wednesday said the Supreme Court ruling has no bearing on employers' practices and that it was misguided to compare race-conscious school admission policies to corporate diversity initiatives.

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez said the main goal of workplace diversity programs is to address the difficulty that people from disadvantaged backgrounds - especially first generation college students - face in engaging in informal networking that often leads to jobs.

"A lot of the really qualified applicants who are women or people of color simply didn't know these opportunities existed and how to navigate the system," Torrez said.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: Citgo Corpus Christi Refinery is seen in Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S., January 25, 2019. Picture taken on January 25, 2019. REUTERS/Erwin Seba/File Photo

By Marianna Parraga

HOUSTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday renewed a license that protects Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum from creditors seeking to seize the company's assets to recoup claims against the country's state oil firm.

The renewal would allow the supervisory board that oversees Citgo to continue efforts to reach settlements with nearly a dozen firms seeking an auction of shares in the parent of the seventh-largest U.S. oil refiner.

A negotiating team representing the South American country has held settlement talks with some of those creditors and holders of defaulted PDVSA bonds.

The U.S. has shielded Houston-based Citgo from creditors since the company in 2019 severed ties with its ultimate parent, Venezuela's state oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela, which is controlled by President Nicolas Maduro.

Wednesday's Treasury license bars transactions in PDVSA debt through Oct. 19.

Horacio Medina, chief of the board that supervises Citgo, did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Citgo declined to comment.

A sales process for Citgo shares that could begin as soon as September is under consideration by a U.S. judge in Delaware. The proposed auction could be used to satisfy some $2.7 billion in claims for expropriation of Venezuelan assets and judgments from Crystallex International, ConocoPhillips, Siemens Energy and Red Tree Investments.

Six other companies also have attachments contingent on obtaining U.S. Treasury approval to seize assets. Their judgments total $3.46 billion. The six companies are: O-I Glass , Huntington Ingalls Industries, ACL1 Investments, Rusoro Mining, Gold Reserve and two Koch Industries units.

Citgo last year posted a record $2.8 billion annual profit, and a $937 million profit in the first quarter, giving it room to negotiate payments with some creditors, which in total are claiming more than $20 billion.

Holders of PDVSA's defaulted 2020 bonds, which are backed by a 50.1% stake in a Citgo parent, in 2020 won a court judgment allowing them to collect $1.9 billion in defaulted principal and interest payments. The group is asking a New York court to authorize the use of the company's U.S. oil pipeline and refining assets to help settle debt restructuring negotiations.

If PDVSA loses an appeal challenging the bonds' validity, U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla in Manhattan could release a hold on that case. Venezuela this month lost a separate appeal trying to block new creditors from attaching to the Delaware case.

(Reporting by Marianna Parraga in HoustonWriting by Gary McWilliamsEditing by Matthew Lewis)
John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate issues, gestures as he attends a press conference in Beijing, China, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said more work was needed to iron out agreements with China on major issues, after three days of talks in Beijing designed to rebuild trust between the world's two biggest greenhouse gas emitters.

"We - our team and the United States administration - came to Beijing in order to unstick what has been stuck since almost last August," Kerry told reporters late on Wednesday.

Climate talks were suspended last year following the visit of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, an island over which China claims sovereignty.

"This is our first in-person meeting since that time, and we're here to break new ground," Kerry told a briefing on Wednesday.

He said "despite the hiatus of the last year" the two sides found many points of agreement during three days of cordial but frank discussions, and they planned to work "intensively" in the weeks ahead as they prepare for crucial COP28 climate talks in Dubai.

"We are already pinpointing the time for our next meeting and even the next one after that, recognizing that we only have about four months before the COP, and we have to make up a certain amount of time for the period that this discussion has not been taking place," he said.

"This is not a one-off meeting," Kerry said, noting that the abatement of non-CO2 emissions like methane and the shift away from coal dependence were a crucial part of talks.

"We are trying to work with China to figure out the path ahead. China is working hard to try to develop some of those new technologies as well as deploy those renewables that will become the clean energy in the future. We look forward to working with China to accelerate that."

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Beijing and David Stanway in Singapore; Editing by Peter Graff and Jonathan Oatis)
KYIV (Reuters) - U.S. Agency for International Development chief Samantha Power pledged $230 million in new funding on Wednesday to help Ukraine's small and medium-sized businesses and boost the economy, hit by the war.

Speaking at Mykhailivska Square at the heart of the capital Kyiv, she said that the aid package would include both technical assistance and also support to businesses that seek to grow and expand their operations.

"USAID is going to work with the US Congress to invest $230 million in new resources for Ukrainian businesses," she told media at the end of her three-day visit to Ukraine.

"This new commitment is just one of many that the United States has made to the Ukrainian people this week."

A day earlier Power visited the Black Sea port of Odesa in southern Ukraine where she unveiled $250 million in aid to help the Ukrainian agricultural sector. On Monday she announced another $500 million in humanitarian assistance.

Ukraine's economy was severely hit by Russia's invasion, shrinking by about a third last year. The government hopes for modest growth this year but access to affordable capital is one of the challenges for many private businesses.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
A U.S. soldier who was facing disciplinary action fled across the border to North Korea on Tuesday.

According to the U.S.-led UN Command that oversees the Joint Security Area, the man was part of a group of tourists who visited the border truce village of Panmunjom on Tuesday afternoon.

He crossed over to the North Korean side of the military demarcation line before South Korean and American soldiers stationed there could stop him, and there were at that time no North Korean soldiers visible on the other side.

The UNC, which has jurisdiction over Panmunjom, tweeted, "We believe he is currently in [North Korean] custody." U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters, "What we do know is that one of our service members, who was on a tour, willfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line."
FILE PHOTO: Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal stands during his extradition hearing to U.S. at the High Court in Madrid, Spain, September 12, 2019. Emilio Naranjo/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

By Luc Cohen

MADRID/NEW YORK (Reuters) -The former head of Venezuela's military intelligence, Hugo Carvajal, arrived in the United States on Wednesday to face drug trafficking charge after being extradited from Spain, his lawyer said.

Carvajal is expected to make an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on Thursday morning, said his lawyer, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma.

On Tuesday, the Spanish court ordered Carvajal's immediate extradition after the European Court of Human Rights last week rejected his last attempt to avoid being sent to the United States.

Nicknamed 'El Pollo', the chicken, Carvajal - who was late President Hugo Chavez's eyes and ears within Venezuela's military for more than a decade - was first arrested in Spain in 2019, but went into hiding after a court approved his extradition. He was re-arrested in September 2021 in Madrid.

The U.S. in 2020 accused Carvajal of drug trafficking, along with more than a dozen other high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including President Nicolas Maduro. Carvajal has denied supporting cocaine trafficking to the United States.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan, which brought the charges, confirmed Carvajal had been extradited.

Prosecutors say Carvajal in 2006 coordinated the shipment of 5,600 kg (1,235 pounds) of U.S.-bound cocaine to Mexico from Venezuela.

Carvajal, who took part in the failed 1992 coup that lifted Maduro's predecessor and mentor Chavez to political prominence, is considered one of the most powerful figures of the socialist leader's 1999-2013 rule.

In 2019, after Washington recognized an opposition leader as Venezuela's legitimate president in an unsuccessful push to oust Maduro, Carvajal released a social media video calling on the military to facilitate the "return to democracy."

Carvajal is also wanted in Venezuela on charges including treason and financing terrorism.

"I hope the United States ... delivers to Venezuela a criminal like Hugo Carvajal," Jorge Rodriguez, the president of Venezuela's Maduro-aligned legislature, told reporters on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Emma Pinedo in Madrid and Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Deisy Buitrago in Caracas; Editing by William Maclean, Mike Harrison and Daniel Wallis)
(This July 19 story has been corrected to fix the name of the district magistrate to Pulkit Khare, not Pulkit Kare, in paragraph 9)

By Sunil Kataria

MATHURA, India (Reuters) - Many parts of India's ancient holy cities of Vrindavan and Mathura have been flooded by the swollen Yamuna river over the last few days, after heavy rainfall in northern India caused it to breach its banks.

On Wednesday morning, the portion of the river in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district, where the cities are located, recorded water levels of 166.68 metres - the 'danger level' is 166 metres, according to local authorities.

Footage from the cities showed entire alleys inundated with waist deep water, with partially submerged vehicles, abandoned by their owners, standing like islands amid the deluge.

While thousands of residents have been evacuated to relief camps by the district administration or have moved to relatives' houses, some have found themselves trapped in their homes because of the muddy, still water that has been skimming their doorsteps this week.

Vrindavan resident Shyam Singh, 57, was watching news about the floods on television when water started flowing into his neighbourhood.

"We couldn't get out. Water also came into our homes, causing a lot of damage to the structure and our belongings. Even the fodder of our cattle was destroyed," he said.

Although government officials say the water level is now reducing, the receding floodwater is leaving garbage and silt in its wake along with a strong stench, raising concerns about disease.

Officials from the district administration also acknowledged that they were concerned about the spread of contagious diseases.

"With this weather and the time of year we are in, there is a high chance of spread of contagious diseases, especially those related to gastro, skin diseases, and viral infections. This is where we have to be on guard now," said Pulkit Khare, the district magistrate of the area, who is also in charge of rescue and relief operations.

(Additional reporting by Saurabh Sharma, writing by Sakshi Dayal; editing by Alexandra Hudson)
0000045012 false 0000045012 2023-07-19 2023-07-19





UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549





FORM 8-K





CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934





Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):





HALLIBURTON COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 001-03492 75-2677995 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

3000 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston, Texas 77032 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code: ( 281 ) 871-2699

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)





Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share HAL New York Stock Exchange





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 









Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition





On July 19, 2023, Halliburton Company (the Company) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and providing access information for an investor conference call to discuss those results. The scheduled conference call was previously announced on June 26, 2023. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02. The press release will be published on the Companys website at www.halliburton.com .





The Companys press release announcing its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 and information to be discussed on the conference call contain certain non-GAAP financial measures (as defined under the Securities and Exchange Commissions Regulation G). Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a companys performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The Company has provided reconciliations within the press release of the non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.





In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information included in this Current Report under Item 2.02 and in the press release as Exhibit 99.1 is deemed to be furnished and shall not be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.





Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure





On July 19, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. A copy of the press release is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.





In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information included in this Current Report under Item 7.01 and in the press release as Exhibit 99.1 is deemed to be furnished and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.





Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits





In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in the attached Exhibit 99.1 is deemed to be furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.





(d) Exhibits









104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

















SIGNATURES





Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

















HALLIBURTON COMPANY Date: July 19, 2023 By: /s/ Bruce A. Metzinger Bruce A. Metzinger Vice President, Public Law and Assistant Secretary









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CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  The American soldier who ran into North Korea had been scheduled to fly to Texas to face disciplinary action after six weeks in a South Korean prison, but he slipped away from an airport near Seoul and made his way to the heavily fortified border, South Korean media and officials reported.

U.S. Forces Korea and the American-led United Nations Command offered no new details about the Tuesday incident.

South Korean court records detailed the offenses that had put him in jail.

Army Pvt. Travis King pleaded guilty to assaulting several people in October in Mapo, a popular nightclub district in Seoul, according to a trial summary.

On July 10, he left a prison in Cheonan city, 53 miles south of Seoul, specifically designed to hold foreign inmates, a corrections facility official told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday.

King apparently walked out of Incheon International Airport on Monday after passing through security but before boarding a flight to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced further disciplinary action by the Army, according to The Associated Press.

A day later, King left a U.N. Command-sponsored tour group and crossed the heavily guarded border at the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone, where the 1953 truce suspending the Korean War was signed, and is presumably in North Korean custody, according to the Army.

"We're closely monitoring and investigating the situation," U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, noting he was foremost concerned about the soldiers wellbeing. "This will develop in the next several days and hours, and we'll keep you posted."

USFK did not respond to requests for further information Wednesday. A U.N. Command spokesman, Australian army Maj. Christopher Rickey, provided no new details.

If and when the decision is made to release additional information, we will let you know, he told Stars and Stripes in an email.

Seoul police arrested King just before 4 a.m. on Oct. 8 in Mapo and placed him in the backseat of a squad car, according to records from Seoul Western District Court. He refused to answer questions, kicked the cars doors and ranted: F--- Korean, f--- Korean Army, f--- Korean police.

The court records redact the names of victims and the defendant; however, a court official on Tuesday confirmed by phone that King was the defendant in the case.

He was also fined about $3,950 and paid roughly $790 for damage to the police car, the records state.

King joined the Army in January 2021 and was a cavalry scout administratively assigned to the 4th Infantry Division in South Korea, according to Pentagon spokesman Bryce Dubee.

King was also accused of assault on Sept. 25, according to court records. Seoul police say he pushed and punched a fellow customer at a Mapo bar who refused to buy King a drink, records state.

South Korean officials regularly speak to the media on the customary condition of anonymity. South Korean law protects the identity of the accused unless in extreme cases of cruel crimes, such as homicide.

King faced disciplinary actions from the military and was in the process of being discharged.

Military police escorting King were not allowed to enter a security checkpoint at the airport, the Korea Times reported Tuesday. Once alone, King reportedly told an airline official that he had lost his passport and was led out to the departure gate with an employee.

U.N. Command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident, it said Tuesday on Twitter.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
An Army officer whose four-decade career included searching for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and responding to a Japanese earthquake has retired in Hawaii.

Austin Hamner, 63, who describes himself as the Armys longest-serving lieutenant colonel, will mark his July 1 retirement with an October ceremony aboard the retired battleship USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor.

Hamner was promoted to lieutenant colonel on Jan. 26, 2004, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Antonette Paguirigan, U.S. Army Pacific human resources technician, told Stars and Stripes in an email Tuesday. The command was not able to confirm Hamners claim of being the longest serving of his generation at that rank.

A native of Mount Auburn, Ind., Hamner began his military service in 1983 with the Utah Army National Guards 19th Special Forces Group after a year in ROTC at Brigham Young University. Mobilized as an infantryman in 1991, he spent the Gulf War waiting for deployment orders that never came, he told Stars and Stripes in a phone interview last month.

By the time the Iraq War began in 2003, Hamner was working in military intelligence. He deployed the following year to Camp Slayer, Baghdad, as a newly promoted lieutenant colonel in the Iraq Survey Group, searching for weapons of mass destruction, he said.

The group concluded that there was the possibility that some weapons existed in Iraq, but not of a military significant capability, according to a report cited by the BBC on Oct. 7, 2004.

Remembering heroes

Hamners job in Baghdad involved analyzing documents with the help of translators and looking for threats. The work didnt include raids, but Camp Slayer was under a constant barrage of mortars and rockets, he said.

Another former member of the survey group, Lloyd Oaks, remembered Hamner was a crack shot with a firearm.

He would have fun going to the rifle and pistol range and showing young guys they werent the only ones who could shoot, the retired Army colonel said in a recent phone interview from Tacoma, Wash.

In 2004, three days before Veterans Day, two men supporting the survey group from the Kansas Army National Guard  Spc. Don Allen Clary, 21, and Staff Sgt. Clinton Lee Wisdom, 39  were killed by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.

The incident prompted Hamner to write a letter to his three daughters to keep the heroes memories alive.

These two men were taken from this world on Monday of this very week protecting our unit, he wrote. They were very brave men who protected generals and your dad too.

The letter was read at the girls middle school on Veterans Day, printed in the local newspaper, discussed on radio talk shows hosted by Greg Garrison and Michael Reagan, made required reading by the Kansas National Guard chaplain for Guard families with children, and quoted by a Kansas congressman in a speech to his constituents.

Devastating tsunami

Hamner transitioned to active duty in 2009 and became a foreign area officer. To get the job, he declined promotion to full colonel, but it meant moving to Japan, where he had developed proficiency in Japanese as a young Mormon missionary, he said.

In March 2011, more than 20,000 U.S. troops worked alongside their Japanese allies during the emergency response to a magnitude-9 earthquake, the biggest ever recorded in Japan. The resulting massive tsunami that inundated the northeastern coast killed more than 19,000 people and caused a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

My Japanese language skills were useful coordinating with Japanese forces, recalled Hamner, who was then stationed at Yokota Air Base, home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo.

The two-month relief effort involved 24-hour operations as U.S. forces helped move supplies, vehicles and people around the disaster zone.

Hamner went on to work at Eighth Army and the United Nations Command in Seoul, South Korea, before a final assignment at U.S. Army Pacific in Hawaii organizing study by soldiers at universities across the Indo-Pacific.

In retirement, Hamner hopes to put his military experience and language skills to use in a civilian job in either Japan or South Korea.
(Tribune News Service)  Cannon Beach on the coast of Oregon is famous for Haystack Rock, a towering 235-foot sea stack that's one of the state's leading tourist attractions and the town square for plenty of seaside locals, including tufted puffins, seabirds and aquatic critters.

But an unexpected visitor graced Haystack Rock over the weekend: a cougar.

Authorities said a cougar was spotted on Haystack Rock early Sunday, leading officials to close a large portion of Cannon Beach "to allow the cougar an area to escape to, from off the rock," the Cannon Beach Police Department said on a Facebook post. A multi-agency task force of state and local officials was formed to keep both the public and the cougar safe, the department said.

By Monday morning, the cougar had vanished.

"Early [Monday] morning, Oregon State Police and the Department of Fish and Wildlife observed tracks that appeared to be from the cougar leading away from Haystack Rock," Jason Schermerhorn, the Cannon Beach police chief, said in a statement. "The Coast Guard just flew the area and did not see any signs that the cougar was still on the rock."

Local residents had gathered on the beach just beyond a cordon of caution tape to catch a sight of the mountain cat. "When we were in town it's all the news that you have to go out to the rock because there's a cougar, which is unreal," Carmen Goetschius, a longtime Oregonian, told local Fox News affiliate KPTV. "This was a must-see."

The sighting was uncommon, said Cannon Beach City Manager Bruce St. Denis.

"Nobody's heard of it but if you think about it, [the cougar] might go there every night because he can get in there in the dark and hunt, there's a lot of food there," St. Denis told KPTV. "If he leaves in the dark, no one's going to see him. It's the only time we've found a mountain lion going up into the rock in the morning."

According to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department, the state is home to about 6,600 cougars, which are largely found in northeast Oregon and the southwest Cascade Mountains. Encounters and sightings are rare, the agency said.

2023 Los Angeles Times.

Visit at latimes.com

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Command of the USS Ronald Reagans carrier air wing recently changed hands at high speed in the skies over the Indian Ocean.

Capt. Patrick Corrigan relieved Capt. Michael Sweeney as commander of Carrier Air Wing 5 on Friday during a hand-off overseen by Rear Adm. Pat Hannifin, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5.

The ceremony took place while all three were airborne in separate F-18 Super Hornet fighters, according to a news release posted Friday on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

The three officers used their jets radios to talk during the ceremony, which typically includes speeches and the official reading of orders, according to the release.

While the hourlong ceremony was not broadcast over the carriers intercom, crewmembers could listen in to the radio chatter if they wanted, Task Force 70 spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Seth Koenig told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

It has been an honor to serve with the men and women of Carrier Air Wing 5, the Navys only forward deployed carrier air wing, Sweeney said in the release. There is no harder job in carrier aviation than serving in the forward deployed forces, but there is also no job more rewarding than serving in the forward deployed forces.

The air wing consists of nine flying squadrons that include F-18s, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft, C-2A Greyhound turboprops and MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters, according to the air wings website.

Currently embarked aboard the USS Ronald Reagan for its annual deployment, the air wing is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and maintains 81 aircraft, according to the release.

Sweeney, of Arlington, Va., first joined the air wing as its deputy commander in November 2020 and took command in February 2022. His next assignment will be at U.S. Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Corrigan, of Miller Place, N.Y., is a naval aviator with a bachelor's degree in marine transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and a masters in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.

A former TOPGUN instructor, Corrigans past assignments include a stint as commander of Strike Fighter Squadron 125, tours with four other strike fighter squadrons and deployments aboard the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise, USS Abraham Lincoln, USS George Washington and USS Nimitz, according to his Navy biography.

Corrigan, prior to the ceremony, thanked Sweeney and his wife, Tisha Sweeney, for their support over the past several years and lauded the air wing as an amazing and resilient family, according to the news release.

I couldn't be more proud and excited to take command of the most capable air wing in the U.S. Navy as we transition to the air wing of the future, he said. Carrier Air Wing 5 will continue to be Americas 911 air wing.
AUSTIN, Texas (Tribune News Service)  Texas installation of a razor wire fence, which has led to an increase in migrant injuries, and a floating border barrier along the Rio Grande violates international law, Mexican officials and experts said.

Gov. Greg Abbott has also openly touted that Texas is ignoring federal permitting requirements when placing any structure along waterways.

U.S.State Department officials said Texas repeatedly ignored requests for proper inspection of wiring and buoys to ensure they do not violate any international treaties.

We arent asking for permission, Abbott tweeted in March, referring to the states erecting 60 miles of concertina wire.

Shortly before a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper sent an internal memo detailing what he called inhumane treatment at the border, Mexicos incoming foreign affairs secretary sent a diplomatic memo to the United States accusing Texas officials of violating bilateral treaties from 1944 and 1970.

On Friday in Mexico City, top Mexican diplomat Alicia Barcena told reporters she issued the memo on June 26 and is sending a team to inspect the razor wire fencing and floating buoys Texas installed.

The Mexican Government requested the United States that the buoys mentioned, just like the razor wire fencing, should be removed from the channel of the Rio Grande due to obstruction and deviation of runoffs toward Mexican territory, a press release from her office noted.

The Dallas Morning News asked spokespeople for several state and federal agencies to respond to Mexicos concerns.

In a written statement Monday, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Texas did not consult the federal government before laying down the wiring or buoys.

Travis Considine, a spokesman for Texas DPS, said agency officials will not comment on the diplomatic note because they have not seen it.

Andrew Mahaleris, an Abbott spokesman, said the governors office has not received any communications from President Joe Bidens administration or the Department of Homeland Security about the wiring or the buoys.

Mahaleris did not respond to questions about whether Texas was violating the treaties or skirting permitting requirements. Mahaleris instead cited Bidens immigration policies.

The absence of razor wire makes the job of Texas National Guard soldiers and DPS troopers more dangerous and difficult, Mahaleris said in a statement. The real problem is that President Bidens open border policies have unleashed chaos on the border thats unsustainable.

Abbotts office did respond on Tuesday afternoon to reporting that state troopers are being told to push migrants back into the Rio Grande. A joint statement was issued by DPS Director Steve McCraw, Texas Border Czar Mike Banks and Texas Adjutant General Major General Thomas Suelzer.

No orders or directions have been given under Operation Lone Star that would compromise the lives of those attempting to cross the border illegally, the statement read.

A story published Monday by The News, sent by a DPS trooper who is a part of Operation Lone Star, detailed how officials were ordered not to give migrants water.

Stephen Mumme, a professor of political science at Colorado State University who has written a book on international policy of the waterways along the U.S.-Mexico border said Mexican officials are correct in saying Texas is violating the law with the wire fencing and buoys.

The language and the treaties are very clear, Mumme said. It would survive any judicial test in an international arena ... .The law is on Mexicos side.

Mexican government officials are not alone in raising concerns about Texas border operations.

In an unsigned internal memo obtained by The News, an official of U.S. Customs and Border Protections Eagle Pass Station wrote that the razor wire is affecting agents visibility and stopping their ability to cross into the river to potentially save migrants who are in danger. The wire also is blocking access to the Rio Grande, the June 26 memo read. The memo was first reporter by the Houston Chronicle.

The concertina wire inhibits agents from effectively and efficiently apprehending at risk population (i.e. family units with infants and unaccompanied children), it noted. With water levels increasing and the concertina wire placed inside the river poses a high risk of injury as the wire is submerged and not visible.

A 19-year-old pregnant woman was also caught in the razor wire while undergoing a miscarriage, an internal email from a DPS trooper said.

McCraw wrote in an internal email over the weekend that the razor wire had led to an increase in injuries for migrants. In the previous week, McCraw wrote, DPS identified seven incidents where migrants were injured from the wire.

The email included photos where migrants required staples to close the lacerations.

2023 The Dallas Morning News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(Tribune News Service)  Like every tourist in a foreign country finds themselves at some point, Eyvin Hernandez was a little lost. The public defender from Los Angeles was traveling in the border town of Cucuta, Colombia, with a friend when they realized they needed directions. They were pointed to a dirt road that led to an unmarked bridge.

Thats where a man demanded Hernandez pay a bribe to enter Venezuela. According to his family, Hernandez refused, saying he wasnt trying to cross the border. Moments later, armed men grabbed Hernandez, accused him of being an American spy, blindfolded him and took him away. That happened in March 2022. More than a year later, Hernandez remains in a Caracas prison, facing trumped-up charges as a geopolitical pawn in negotiations between the U.S. and Venezuelas autocratic regime under Nicolas Maduro.

On Tuesday, a coalition of Hernandezs supporters rallied at the U.S. Capitol for his release, hosted by Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., Young Kim, R-Calif., and Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.

We know that the State Department and we know that the administration have a lot of tools in their toolkit, Kamlager-Dove said. We are asking you to use them  use every tool and then use it again.

Hernandezs family fled civil war in El Salvador when he was a toddler, settling in southern California. His father, Pedro Martinez, described how his son studied tirelessly in high school, then college and on through law school. Then Martinez stepped away from the lectern and dropped to his knees, clasping his hands together in prayer.

Please, Mr. Presidente, Im begging you to help me bring my son back, he said in a quavering voice. Give me a chance to speak with you  like a father.

As he was helped back to his feet, Martinez crossed himself and kissed the rosary he wore over a black Bring Eyvin Home T-shirt.

Although national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with Hernandezs supporters in May, they havent heard from President Joe Biden himself. Weve been asking to meet with him for 15 months. And he hasnt acknowledged us, hasnt made a phone call, said Drew Havens, a coworker of Hernandez who flew on a red-eye to Washington to attend the rally.

Hernandez faces charges of criminal association and conspiracy that, if convicted, could mean up to 16 years in prison. He is one of at least four Americans currently detained in Venezuela, along with Luke Denman, Airan Berry and Jerrel Kenemore. The U.S. State Department has designated Hernandez and Kenemore as wrongfully detained.

The U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Venezuela in 2019, after a presidential election that outside observers called a sham. The Venezuela National Assembly refused to recognize Maduros reelection, instead appointing opposition leader Juan Guaido as acting president. The United States, along with dozens of other nations, formally recognized Guaidos presidency, but he ultimately failed to remove Maduro from power. At the end of last year, Maduros opponents voted to end the interim government in the hopes of holding free and fair elections in 2024.

The United States stopped recognizing Guaidos presidential claims after the vote, but still refuses to recognize Maduros legitimacy. The Maduro regime has been accused of continuing Venezuelas democratic backsliding that began under his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.

Kamlager-Dove said its not entirely clear what Maduro wants with Hernandez, but that hes being used as a bargaining chip with the U.S. around restoring diplomatic relations and lifting economic sanctions against the oil-rich nation.

While being held by a foreign country just for negotiating leverage is an absurd, dehumanizing situation in any case, Hernandezs story is particularly Kafkaesque: A lawyer who has dedicated his life to freeing others from unjust imprisonment now finds himself locked up in a country he never intended to enter.

After an initial period of silence, Hernandez has been able to call his friends and family for brief periods a few times a week, describing grim prison conditions. Hes suffering, his father said.

Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, managed to secure the release of nine other Americans last year following a diplomatic visit to Caracas in March and a prisoner swap in October. Those releases were bittersweet for Hernandezs friends and family, a simultaneous source of hope and disappointment. But while his friends were devastated when Hernandez wasnt part of the prisoner exchange, he was happy for those who were.

The first thing Eyvin told his brother was Hey, did you hear the good news? Osman and Matthew are going home, Havens said, referring to Osman Khan and Matthew Heath, two Americans freed in October along with five others. He wasnt even thinking about himself, at least not in that moment.

Hernandez had become a source of strength to the other Americans, Havens said, who turned to the experienced legal counsel for emotional support. Osman Khan talks about [how] Eyvin helped him get through feeling suicidal, Havens said.

Kamlager-Dove introduced a resolution last week calling for Hernandezs release and urging the Biden administration to increase efforts to get her constituent home, and she wrote to the administration last year. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, shes also lobbied Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., to hold hearings.

This isnt the kind of constituency work Kamlager-Dove thought shed get when she won election last year. This was not at all what I was expecting as a first-term congressperson, she said in an interview last week. You think, this is what you would see on Netflix or Amazon Prime  you know, on TV.

But then an old coworker from her time on state Sen. Holly Mitchells staff called.

We really, really need help, Luan Huynh said.

Huynh has known Hernandez since they started at UCLA Law and is part of the ad hoc coalition of friends, coworkers and family trying to raise awareness of his detention. Movement on these types of situations, and [their] resolution, depends on attention, she said, pointing to advice given by former detainees.

Kamlager-Dove says shes had positive conversations with McCaul and Meeks and hopes her resolution can be included in a committee markup. But she also recognizes that shes a freshman in the minority party, and that outside efforts to increase Hernandezs profile may be seen as counterproductive by some negotiators. But that wont stop her from trying.

I dont know why you would walk these halls and talk about the history of this Congress and be excited about being in [the Congressional Black Caucus] because of Shirley Chisholm and all of these other icons, and then sit on your ass and not do anything and fight to bring somebody home, she said. I mean, if thats what youre going to do, then you should just shut the f up and leave.

So, Kamlager-Dove says shell keep pushing to raise awareness of Hernandezs plight.

Ill be at the White House next week for another event, and I will certainly be wearing my Eyvin Hernandez T-shirt, she said.

2023 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

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North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea in the early hours of Wednesday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said.

The missiles were launched from the Sunan area of Pyongyang and traveled a distanced of 550 km before falling into the sea. U.S. and South Korean intelligence officials are analyzing the details.

The launch came a week after North Korea fired a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. Just two days earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong threatened "shocking" consequences if the U.S. continues bolstering South Korea's nuclear defense.

On Tuesday a new nuclear consultative group giving South Korea a say in the U.S.' nuclear weapons deployment here met for the first time in Seoul while a nuclear-armed U.S. submarine, the USS Kentucky, arrived in Busan.

"North Korea's ballistic missile launches are grave provocations that harm peace and stability both on the Korean Peninsula and the international community," the JCS said. "We strongly condemn this clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions and demand an immediate halt."
Environmental advocacy groups filed suit Tuesday seeking to force the Navy, Defense Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect endangered species on Guam from development of the Marine Corps newest installation, Camp Blaz.

The Navy and Fish and Wildlife Service failed to protect and conserve more than a dozen endangered and threatened species at imminent risk of extinction on Guam, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court on Guam by the Center for Biological Diversity and Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian.

The environmental groups seek a court order forcing the Navy to mitigate construction damage and reinitiate consultations with the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect Guams endangered plants and animals.

The Marines opened Blaz in January behind a requirement to mitigate damage to endangered species there when hundreds of forested acres were cleared for the base, according to the lawsuit.

The Fish and Wildlife Service in 2015 and 2017 outlined measures for the Navy under the Endangered Species Act to offset construction of Blaz against conservation of habitat for endangered plants and animals, said Maxx Phillips, a lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity in Honolulu, by phone on Wednesday.

For example, the military was supposed to move 140 plants crucial to the life cycle of the endangered Mariana eight-spot butterfly but never did, and the butterfly is struggling as a result, she said.

The lawsuit claims construction at Camp Blaz destroyed 1,200 acres of Guams last remaining limestone forest and is causing great harm to Guams endangered plants and animals including some of the most imperiled species in the world.

Bulldozers took out acres of limestone forest, a unique ecosystem on Guam that harbors several endangered species, although an equal area of forest will be restored elsewhere, Adrienne Loerzel, Blaz forest enhancement program manager, said in April.

Phillips said a site visit to Blaz with a Navy escort showed the tree restoration project was failing, so far.

Camp Blaz took out an area previously designated part of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge and set aside to mitigate habitat lost to Andersen Air Force Base, according to a news release from the center Tuesday.

Its hard to understand why these culturally sensitive and ecologically sensitive areas were chosen for this development, Phillips said.

Construction of the base Firing Range Complex at a place called Ritidian or Litekyan, is devastating the once-pristine, biodiverse ecosystem there, one of the most ecologically and culturally sensitive places on Guam, the 104-page lawsuit states.

A spokeswoman for Camp Blaz, Maj. Diann Rosenfeld, could not be reached by phone or email Wednesday for comment.

Guam figures prominently in U.S. strategy to offset the challenge presented by Chinas growing military. The U.S. island territory south of Japan and east of the Philippines provides a power-projection and logistics platform in the western Pacific.

Camp Blaz is the first new Marine Corps installation since 1952 and covers 4,000 acres. About 5,000 Marines are expected to live and work at the base, along with family members.

The base is part of a plan to alleviate the burden of U.S. military bases felt by the population of Okinawa. Some of the Marines stationed at Guam will be relocated from Japans southernmost island prefecture.

In March, the Defense Department announced plans for a multi-million-dollar missile defense system on the island, for which planning, environmental studies and public input are underway. That project would entail 20 sites around the island where defensive missile batteries would rotate.
A U.S. soldier who darted across the border from South Korea was detained in North Korea, in a rare case of an American service member being held in one of the world's most isolated states. The incident has sparked a diplomatic emergency at a time of already strained ties between Pyongyang and Washington.

U.S. authorities identified the American as Army Pvt. Travis T. King and said he was believed to be in North Korean custody. They said he was punished for misconduct while serving in South Korea and was being sent back to the United States, when he skipped his flight.

Here's what we know so far:

Who is Army Private 2nd Class Travis King?

A cavalry scout, King joined the military in January 2021. U.S. officials have not publicly detailed the misconduct for which he was punished while serving in South Korea.

U.S. military personnel escorted him to the airport to be flown to the United States, but he did not board the scheduled flight, a U.S. official told The Washington Post, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the matter's sensitivity. King, who has not served on combat deployments, has medals listed in his provided service record that were perfunctory awards given to soldiers in South Korea, The Post reported.

According to the Associated Press, the 23-year-old was recently released from a South Korean prison, where he had been held on assault charges. The AP reported that he was due to be sent this week to Fort Bliss, in Texas, where he could have faced further disciplinary actions and discharge from the service.

Why did he cross into North Korea?

King's motives were not immediately clear. He was visiting the Joint Security Area (JSA) separating North and South Korea while on an "orientation tour," Army Col. Isaac Taylor, a spokesman for U.S. forces in South Korea, said in a statement.

"We're very early in this event, and so there's a lot that we're still trying to learn," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday. The service member "willfully and without authorization" crossed the military demarcation line during a tour, Austin told reporters at the Pentagon, adding: "We will remain focused on this."

The White House said U.S. agencies and the United Nations were "all working together to ascertain more information and resolve the situation."

What is the Joint Security Area?

Overseen by the United Nations, the frontier area that straddles North and South Korea is one of the most fortified in the world. The JSA is a section of the demilitarized zone, which has separated the North and South since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended in an armistice.

The JSA has been used for diplomatic discussions, and it's the only place where North Korean and South Korean guards stand face to face, near light-blue buildings on each side of the line.

The JSA in the border village of Panmunjom offers a rare window for visitors into what is technically North Korean and South Korean territory.

Koreans and tourists can visit fourteen "Education and Orientation Program sites" within the demilitarized zone to learn about the Korean War and armistice agreement, according to the United Nations Command.

What happened to Americans held in North Korea before?

King is the first American known to be detained in North Korea in nearly five years. North Korea has not commented on the incident so far.

Most releases of Americans detained after voluntarily entering the country have come from high-level talks between government officials.

The State Department has imposed a ban on U.S. nationals traveling to North Korea since 2017, after the death of Otto Warmbier. The American student, who traveled to Pyongyang and was detained on charges of stealing a propaganda poster, died soon after being released to U.S. custody and sent home in a coma.

Because there are no diplomatic or consular relations, the U.S. government cannot provide emergency services to its nationals in North Korea, the State Department notes in its travel advisory.

Among the instances of Americans held in North Korea in recent years was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who was detained in North Korea in October 2018 after crossing from China, North Korea's news agency claimed. He was deported to the United States in November 2018, after a historic meeting in Singapore that year between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The Washington Post's Alex Horton, Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Niha Masih, Kelly Kasulis Cho and Leo Sands contributed to this report.
Finland told Russia to close its consulate on the southeastern coast, deepening a diplomatic dispute between the neighbors.

The Nordic country is withdrawing consent for Russia to operate its consulate general in Turku as of Oct. 1, the government said in a statement on Wednesday. The Russian ambassador has been notified, it said.

The move is a response to a Russian decision to close Finland's consulate in St. Petersburg as of Oct. 1. Both countries have in recent weeks also expelled each others' diplomats, and Finnish missions in Russia have had difficulties with their bank accounts.

Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in early April, doubling the length of alliance's border with Russia. The decision to enter the bloc was prompted by Russia's war in Ukraine.

While many European countries are engaged in similar tit-for-tat disputes with Russia, the issue is severe for Finland, which has a land border of more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) with its former Czarist overlord with whom it has had two wars in the past century. Finland is preparing to build a fence on certain sections of the demarcation.
Educational exposure of ideas, assumptions or hypotheses, based on proven facts" (which need not be strictly current affairs) Value in judgments are excluded, and the text comes close to an opinion article, without judging or making forecasts , just formulating hypotheses, giving motivated explanations and bringing together a variety of data

Yugoslavias postgraduate physics summer schools were very much to the liking of us young PhDs in 1980. The Adriatic stretched out before John, Dora, and myself. Although our meetings were sporadic, we always liked each other. There were three topics in our conversations. Doras favorite was the political situation in Spain. Johns was my work on reactions between heavy cores. Mine was, avoiding as much as possible any delicate allusions, to inquire about some of the intricacies of the Manhattan Project, of which I knew John was one of the leading experts. John loosened up a bit at Doras blank stare and after a while of listening to him raptly, I asked the fatal question: What was Robert Oppenheimer like? Johns everlasting smile was barely dulled, but Dora gave me a serious look, then smiled, got up and ruffled my hair before walking away. I apologized to John (Robert Huizenga) and was sorry to lose the company of his young wife, Dorothy Koeze.

From then on, I began to research the scientific director of the first atomic bomb. I read a lot about him, but what interested me most was the testimony of some of his colleagues and, above all, of the disciples of those who were more or less my age. The greatest source of information I obtained, as is logical, was during the 18 years that I collaborated with the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen.

Thursday July 19 sees the release of a movie dedicated to Oppenheimer, which promises to be the cinematic revelation of 2023. And I would not be surprised if it were so because it deals with one of the most unique figures of the 20th century, due to his enigmatic and complex character and the circumstances in which he lived.

Julius Robert Oppenheimer was born in New York in 1904, into a wealthy family of Jewish and German origins. Possibly the most remarkable thing about his adolescence was the diagnosis he was given to explain his dark character: dementia praecox, i.e. schizophrenia. He was always enormously generous as well as petty and arrogant; puny, in poor health and aggressive to the point of two attempted murders; a pacifist in character, but a reckless horseman and daring navigator; hated and idolized; sexually confused and loved by women of singular intelligence and strong personality. I highlight only the latter and invite further research on Charlotte Riefenstahl, Jean Tatlock and Katherine Kitty Puening. The first left him to marry, twice, Fritz Houtermans, a nuclear physicist whom the Nazis arrested and tortured as a suspected Soviet spy, and given the same treatment by the Stalinists who accused him of being a Nazi spy.

Tatlock was a communist and psychiatrist of great renown, who eventually committed suicide. Kitty, with whom Oppenheimer had two children, was the widow of an International Brigade fighter in Spain, a fiery communist who was shot at the Ebro. Robert always denied having been a communist, but his brother Frank was, and he himself contributed decisively with oratory and finances to the defense of the Spanish Republic.

Robert Oppenheimer in the 1960s. Bettmann (Bettmann Archive)

Oppenheimer was so extraordinarily intelligent that he could learn difficult languages, such as Dutch or Sanskrit, in months and assimilate any physical theory, no matter how complex. That is what he did with quantum mechanics when his parents financed a long stay in Europe. There he met the patriarch of that science, the Dane Niels Bohr. When he returned to the United States, he realized that no one in the country had any awareness of the new physical science, proclaiming Bohr was God and Oppenheimer his prophet. Among the great European physicists there was a consensus that Oppenheimers ideas were interesting, but his calculations were wrong. His mathematics failed him and he could not set foot in a laboratory without messing something up. The former he gradually fixed; the latter he didnt even attempt. He became a disastrous professor and a revered teacher of doctoral students.

The last thing that I believe characterized Oppenheimer was how he replied to his friend, the great Jewish physicist Isidor Rabi, when the latter commented that he was puzzled by Christianitys combination of blood and gentleness: That is exactly what attracts me the most.

Nuclear fission

As soon as the Germans Strassmann and Hahn suspected that they had found fragments of a heavy nucleus and Frish and his aunt Lise Meitner explained the mechanism of this nuclear fission, it was intuited that they were on the verge of the possible release of an enormous amount of energy. Einstein and, above all, the Hungarian Leo Szilard, wrote to the then-president of the United States, the progressive Franklin D. Roosevelt, to alert him that Germany had the scientific and technological capacity to develop an atomic bomb, which would undoubtedly secure Nazi victory in the Second World War.

The United States had long since been imbued with anti-communism and so faced a dilemma with war in Europe unleashed. If its natural allies fell to Nazism, Washingtons role in the future would be blurred. But the Soviet Union was fighting the Nazis most fiercely. After the theatrical but fake pact between Stalin and Hitler, the Russians had become the greatest ally of free Europe and the United States. If the Nazis developed an atomic bomb, the future would be decided; but if the Soviets overwhelmed Hitlers forces, that future, although in the opposite direction, would be as distant from the American spirit as Nazi ideology.

Oppenheimer and General Leslie R. Groves in Alamogordo, September 1945. AP

The first calculations were shocking: developing an atomic bomb would involve the work of tens of thousands of people headed by the best physicists and engineers in the country, with a staggering financial investment and with the U.S. Army marshalling the entire organization. The project was codenamed Manhattan because that was where the headquarters of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was based. The military head of this vast organization was easily decided: Major General Leslie R. Groves, who had just directed the construction of the largest building in the world at the time, the Pentagon.

The main problem was who would lead the scientists. It was a dilemma for Washington: in terms of intelligence, leadership ability among equal and, above all, superior scientists, subject versatility, personal knowledge of the German physicists undoubtedly involved in the Nazi bomb, and many other characteristics, the ideal candidate was Robert Oppenheimer. But because of his avowedly communist tendencies, if there was any scientist who could be considered unqualified for the position of scientific director of the project, it was him. And that is where the overwhelming personality of General Groves came into play. If Oppenheimer was suitable to lead the project, Groves was responsible for the possible consequences of his ideology. One of the comments made by Oppenheimer when he accepted the job  to the considerable concern of the military  was that if the Spanish Republic had held out a little longer, Franco and Hitler would have shared the same grave.

The Manhattan Project was one of the greatest scientific feats in the history of mankind, accomplished in only two and a half years, but the result was so terrible that it was considered to be the end of physics, if not the end of science. The scientists and engineers who were decisive in the success of the project revolted when they saw that the mediocre and artful Harry S. Truman, who had replaced Roosevelt after the latters death, could accede to the wishes of the military and use the bomb on a civilian population that was not only unarmed but also defeated. Germany was destroyed from the ground up, Hitler had committed suicide months earlier and Japan, after being razed to the ground with napalm, was discussing terms of surrender.

Oppenheimer, with Albert Einstein in 1950. The New York Times / ContactoPhoto

Months earlier, the Manhattan physicists had proposed inviting Russian scientists to Los Alamos, the headquarters of the project, and to make the results of the science, as the field had always been, the heritage of mankind. Secrecy would only lead to a global nuclear arms race. The main proponent of the idea, the renowned Niels Bohr, is said to have been threatened by Winston Churchill when he suggested that this position would prove to be deadly.

But these are stories that Christopher Nolans film will undoubtedly reveal with full rigor and drama, as well as reflecting the complex personality of one of the most decisive and disturbing characters of the 20th century.I sometimes recall Dora Huizengas kindly rebuff that sunset on the Adriatic, as well as the countless conversations I have had with other nuclear physicists of my baby boomer generation. I think we all, particularly those of a progressive disposition, have come to the same conclusion that will haunt us until we have died out: if we had been faced with the choice of whether to join the Manhattan Project and participate in its terrible outcome, we would have agreed.

Manuel Lozano Leyva is Professor Emeritus of Atomic and Nuclear Physics at the University of Seville

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RIGA, Latvia  Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, will not attend next month's summit of the BRICS group of nations in South Africa "by mutual agreement," South Africa's presidential administration said Wednesday.

The agreement with the Kremlin puts an end to a diplomatic quandary for South Africa: As a member of the ICC, it would have an obligation to arrest Putin upon his arrival in the country.

The awkward situation, which had prompted some officials in South Africa to propose that the country withdraw from the court, highlighted how Moscow's war against Ukraine has damaged Putin's international standing.

Attending the summit was expected to be a key moment in Putin's diplomatic calendar for 2023, part of a Kremlin effort to portray him as a leader with many strong global allies, shaping a new multipolar world order as a challenge to the United States. Groupings like BRICS  composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  are key to that vision.

Putin's appearance at the summit also would have snubbed the ICC and undermined its authority.

"By mutual agreement, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the Summit but the Russian Federation will be represented by Foreign Minister, Mr. Sergei Lavrov," the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement.

The summit is to be held in Sandton, an upscale area about 12 miles north of Johannesburg in August, and the Kremlin said Putin would participate by videoconference.

The ICC, based in The Hague, has accused Putin of war crimes over his role in the abduction and forced transport of Ukrainian children to Russian-controlled territory. The arrest warrant, issued in March, has significantly curbed the Russian leader's ability to travel internationally.

Despite that, the Kremlin had pressed South Africa to find a workaround solution that would have allowed Putin to attend the summit, while South African officials were at pains to explain that there was no easy way to allow Putin to attend the BRICS summit without facing the risk of arrest.

South Africa is perceived in the West as one of Russia's strongest friends in Africa, but Putin's determination to attend the summit left Pretoria in an untenable position, analysts said, since failing to arrest him would have meant breaching South African law.

Not only is South Africa a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the international court, but it also has incorporated the statute into South African law. Any move to avoid South Africa's obligations by changing or repudiating the law would have to pass through the South African Parliament and could be overturned by the country's Constitutional Court.

The Russian pressure for Putin to attend caused disquiet among moderates in the ruling African National Congress, according to political analyst William Gumede, of the University of Witwatersrand School of Governance, who is chairman of Democracy Works Foundation, although younger ANC figures, who support Russia and oppose the West, had been eager to see him on South African soil.

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile told South African media this month that his government hoped Putin would not attend. Mashatile said South Africa did not want to arrest Putin. "That's why, for us, his not coming is the best solution," Mashatile said.

"The Russians are not happy, though. They want him to come," he said.

Mashatile said at the time that Ramaphosa was negotiating with Putin to dissuade him from attending.

"We want to show him the challenges that we face because we are part of the Rome Statute and we can't wiggle out of this," Mashatile said.

Ramaphosa said that Moscow had made it clear to his office that Putin's arrest would "be a declaration of war against Russia." He made the statement in a sworn affidavit to the Pretoria High Court made public on Tuesday, in answer to an application by the opposition Democratic Alliance party that South Africa commit to arresting Putin should he arrive.

"Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war," Ramaphosa said. "It would be inconsistent with our Constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia."

This was perceived in South Africa as bullying from Moscow, Gumede said. "It came down as intimidation and putting pressure on South Africa, rather than an equal partnership with a BRICS nation," he said.

Putin has often portrayed the war in Ukraine as central to his mission to undermine U.S. global dominance and build a new world order.

Calls by Russia and China for a multipolar world are supported in Africa, where many nations resent Western pressure to pick sides in the war against Ukraine. But Putin has made several stumbles that undermined his pitch to Africa, analysts said, even as he prepares for a summit meeting in Russia with African leaders this month.

Among these were his brusque handling of an African peace mission last month, when he interrupted a delegation before they finished their presentation, and Russia's reimposition of a naval blockade on Ukrainian grain, amid spiking food prices in Africa and an acute food crisis in the Horn of Africa.

According to U.S.-financed Famine Early Warning System Network, a record-breaking drought, conflict and high global food and fuel prices have left millions of people in need of emergency food assistance in the Horn of Africa.

"The grain blockade is going to batter his influence in Africa, among those countries that import grain," Gumede said. "People are beginning to look at Putin differently, in the context of Africa. There's a suspicion that perhaps he's not so much pro-Africa or acting in Africa's interests as people thought."

African leaders will probably press Putin to lift the blockade at this month's summit, although the Kremlin continues to insist without evidence that only 3 percent of Ukrainian grain reached developing nations, a figure disputed by the European Council.

Ramaphosa said in the affidavit that he had constitutional obligations to protect South Africa's sovereignty, peace and security and to promote the full rights of South Africans. Ramaphosa's statement to the court made clear that South Africa had been in confidential negotiations with the ICC, arguing that the country faced difficulties meeting its obligation to arrest Putin.

Ramaphosa's affidavit argued that the obligation to arrest Putin endangered an African initiative pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine.

"The ICC itself has expressed concern over Russia's nuclear threat, following the arrest warrant. South Africa has no capacity to declare or wage war with Russia. Nor does it wish to," the president said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked to comment on whether Russia had warned of "a declaration of war," said Wednesday that "no such wording was used."

"It is absolutely clear to everyone in this world what it means to attempt to encroach on the head of the Russian state, so no one here needs to explain anything," Peskov added.

Yet, in March, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia's Security Council, used this exact wording to describe how Moscow would treat any country's decision to uphold the ICC warrant.

"Let's imagine . . . the current head of a nuclear state went to a territory, say Germany, and was arrested," Medvedev said in a video posted on Telegram. "What would that be? It would be a declaration of war on the Russian Federation. And in that case, all our assets  all our missiles etc.  would fly to the Bundestag, to the Chancellor's office."

As the Kremlin prepares for this month's Russia-Africa summit, even pro-Kremlin analysts concede that Moscow has not delivered on commitments it offered African leaders at the first Russia-Africa summit in 2019.

"Many planned projects were put on hold for reasons that were both objective and understandable," Valdai Club program director Oleg Barabanov wrote in an article on the summit, referring to the war and pandemic. "Russia has departed from its usual, ordinary revisionism to pursue an open military and political challenge to the countries of the West."

As a result, African nations came under Western pressure to cut ties with Moscow over the war, and merely maintaining those ties was "an act of political courage," Barabanov wrote.

The Washington Post's Robyn Dixon contributed to this report.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized for the U.K.'s historic treatment of gay veterans following a damning report detailing electric shock conversion therapy, sexual assaults and blackmail suffered by personnel over decades.

The ban on gay and trans people serving in the British military, which was lifted in 2000, was an "appalling failure of the British state, decades behind the law of this land," Sunak told the House of Commons on Wednesday. "Today on behalf of the British state I apologize, and I hope all those affected will be able to feel proud parts of the veteran community."

Just before Sunak stood up in Parliament, the Ministry of Defence published a government-commissioned investigation  a draft of which was seen by Bloomberg in May  that included anonymous testimony from gay veterans exposing how personnel were still being referred to doctors for electric-shock conversion therapy as recently as the 1990s, despite homosexuality being legal since 1967.

The prime minister's apology and the MoD's statement that it accepted the report's 49 recommendations "in principle" open up the prospect of compensation for those who suffered under the historic policy.

The recommendations by Terence Etherton, the cross-bench member of the House of Lords who led the probe, include as much as 50 million ($65 million) of total compensation for the policy's victims, an examination of their pension rights and individual letters of apology. He also suggested the restoration of the commission and rank of individuals who were dismissed or discharged, the return of their medals, and the construction of a public memorial for LGBT veterans who served and continue to serve in the military.

"The report is a unique record of what, to the modern eye, is an incomprehensible policy of homophobic bigotry in our armed forces," Etherton wrote in a preface to the report. He said if the government accepted his recommendations, "a line may finally be drawn under this unjust aspect of the history of the UK's armed forces that persisted prior to 2000 but whose damaging consequences are still experienced by many LGBT veterans today."

The government accepts the recommendations "in principle whilst acknowledging that some may be delivered by different means," the MoD said in its statement, without elaborating. It said ministers are "committed to working with LGBT Veterans to ensure that all restorative measures delivered are appropriate."

"We cannot turn back the clock, but we can make amends and take action," Defence Secretary Ben Wallace later told the Commons. He said the government will publish a full response to the review after Parliament's six-week summer recess, which begins on Thursday. At that time, the government will deliver "restitution and redress" to LGBT veterans, he said, adding that lawmakers will also be given a chance to fully debate the report and the government's response.

"I cannot imagine what it must have been like to join the armed forces buoyed up by the great spirit of service, only to discover to your horror that many believed you didn't fit," said Wallace, who himself served in the military while the ban was still in force. "I cannot imagine what it felt like to be hounded out of the job you love simply on account of your sexuality."

The investigation, which exposed a "culture of homophobia" that existed in the British military for decades, also details the significant toll on the mental health of veterans that in some cases led to homelessness and suicide. The government on Wednesday said it was awarding 250,000 to LGBT organizations to provide support to veterans impacted by the ban.

Craig Jones and Caroline Paige, executive chair and chief executive of the Fighting With Pride charity, called the report "visceral" and urged the government to put in place "substantial reparations."

"Finally the voices of those who have lived for decades in the shadow of this abhorrent policy have been heard and their truth told," they said in the MoD statement. "We must wash away the shame felt by these veterans and bring a just and honorable end to this unjust and dishonorable war."
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged 16 Republicans who falsely claimed to be the state's 2020 presidential electors with forgery and other felonies Tuesday, bringing the first criminal prosecution against Trump electors as investigations over attempts to overturn election results intensify across the country.

Nessel, a Democrat, brought the charges against former state Republican Party co-chairwoman Meshawn Maddock and 15 others who submitted official-looking paperwork to the federal government asserting they were casting the state's electoral votes for President Donald Trump. Joe Biden won Michigan, and courts swiftly threw out lawsuits claiming Trump was the true winner of the state.

The charges stem from a state investigation that is separate from a federal probe by special counsel Jack Smith into attempts to reverse the 2020 results. Trump on Tuesday said he had received a Justice Department letter telling him he was a target of Smith's investigation.

After Trump lost, Republicans in seven states that Biden won  Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  filed paperwork claiming to be their states' true electors.

The GOP electors in Michigan are the first to face criminal charges. In addition to Smith's investigation, prosecutors in Arizona and Georgia are looking into the GOP electors in their states and civil lawsuits have been filed against electors in Michigan and Wisconsin.

In Michigan, each Trump elector was charged with eight criminal counts, including forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery and election law forgery. Some of the counts carry sentences of up to 14 years in prison.

In an online video announcing the charges, Nessel noted the 16 Republicans had submitted paperwork to the Senate, National Archives and elsewhere claiming to be the state's official electors. "That was a lie," she said.

"Undoubtedly, there will be those who claim these charges are political in nature," Nessel said. "But where there is overwhelming evidence of guilt in respect to multiple crimes, the most political act I could engage in as a prosecutor would be to take no action at all."

Nessel investigated the Republican electors after the 2020 election and last year referred their activities to federal prosecutors. After being sworn in for a second term in January, she announced she was reopening her own probe of the GOP electors because she didn't know what federal prosecutors planned to do with the case. At the time, she said the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol had turned up strong evidence to support charging the Trump electors from Michigan.

In addition to Maddock, charges were issued against Kathy Berden, William "Hank" Choate, Amy Facchinello, Clifford Frost, Stanley Grot, John Haggard, Mari-Ann Henry, Timothy King, Michele Lundgren, James Renner, Mayra Rodriguez, Rose Rook, Marian Sheridan, Ken Thompson and Kent Vanderwood.

Attorneys for those who were charged did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but Thompson told Michigan news site MLive that the charges were baseless. "It is an attempt to put pressure on the ill-informed and feed the narrative to a population that is woefully lacking knowledge of the processes of our government," he said.

Electors in every state met on Dec. 14, 2020, to cast their votes for president. Since Biden won Michigan by more than 150,000 votes, his electors gathered at the state capitol to cast their ballots. Republicans in Michigan had discussed hiding overnight in the state capitol so they could simultaneously have pro-Trump electors cast a competing set of votes, according to testimony former state GOP chairwoman Laura Cox provided to the Jan. 6 committee. Cox rejected the idea.

By then, Republican leaders knew they had lost a court case over the election and legislative leaders had told them they would not further challenge the results, according to an investigator's affidavit released Tuesday. The Trump electors met at the state Republican Party headquarters anyway to fill out the paperwork while others were kept out of the room. The Trump electors were told not to bring recording devices and were asked to surrender their cellphones to ensure no one recorded what they did, according to the affidavit.

The Trump electors then attempted to enter the state capitol to deliver their votes. They were turned away by police who said the state's electors had already arrived, according to a video posted online by the Detroit Free Press.

Later that day, Berden sent a text message to Haggard complaining that Maddock had written on Facebook about what they had done "even though we were all asked to keep silent," according to the affidavit. Haggard asked her fellow Trump elector whether she was told to keep quiet, and Berden told him they all were.

"We tried to gain access to the Capitol and we were denied," Maddock said at a news conference the next day. "We were holding our certified ballots in our hands. We also even just tried to say, 'Will you take these in?' or, 'Will you have somebody from Senate chambers come down and take them in?' We did everything we could to try to deliver our ballots to the Senate floor and they denied us that."

At the same news conference, Sheridan described the Republican electors as a "backup slate."

Maddock soon afterward was chosen as co-chairwoman of the state Republican Party. She did not seek another term this year.

A year after the Republican electors met, Maddock described what happened at an event hosted by the conservative group Stand Up Michigan. "We fought to seat the electors. The Trump campaign asked us to do that," she said, according to a recording obtained by CNN at the time.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) said Tuesday she was pleased to see charges being brought and hoped other states would consider following suit.

"I've spent a lot of today preparing for 2024's presidential election and a lot of those preparations entail trying to anticipate a repeat of what we endured in 2020," she said. "And so today's charges really give me a lot of hope that if we do see justice for what happened in the past, that's our best strategy for ensuring  our best hope for ensuring  that they don't recur in 2024 or in any other federal election."

David Becker, the executive director of the Washington-based Center for Election Innovation and Research, said he thought criminal charges were important.

"Accountability is absolutely essential to resolving the damage done to our democracy over the last several years by election deniers and election losers," he said.

A special prosecutor in Michigan is separately investigating whether a sheriff, a former state lawmaker, attorneys and others improperly gained access to voting machines as they attempted to look into how the 2020 election was conducted. Nessel initiated that investigation but turned it over to a special prosecutor last year because one of the subjects of the probe was Matthew DePerno, who at the time was running against Nessel for attorney general.

In Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) recently escalated her probe into the 2020 election, assigned a team of prosecutors to the case and had investigators interview many of the Trump electors and their lawyers. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis (D) has been conducting a wide-ranging probe of activities in her state since the release 2 years ago of a recording of Trump asking Georgia's secretary of state to "find" votes for him. Willis has indicated that she could pursue indictments in the coming weeks.

Prosecutors in other states have remained mostly quiet and avoided offering clues about whether they are investigating the Trump electors.
WASHINGTON  A new long-term U.S. arms purchase for Ukraine is worth $1.3 billion in air defense weapons and other munitions, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

The military aid is provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and will go toward the purchase of four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade drones and various rounds of munitions.

The aid builds on previous efforts to bolster Ukrainian air defenses against the Russian invasion. The funding for this aid is not for immediate battlefield use but to procure weapons and munitions from the defense industry or partner countries for a later date.

Most of the previous aid for Ukraine has been provided through the presidential drawdown authority, which means it will come directly from Pentagon stocks and sent quickly on an emergency basis. Aid given this way typically means it reaches Ukraine in a matter of weeks.

The newest deal comes less than two weeks after the Pentagon announced another round of military aid to Ukraine worth up to $800 million. For the first time, the package included cluster munitions to aid the Ukrainian counteroffensive against entrenched Russian forces. Cluster munitions are particularly effective against targets such as ground troops, artillery and truck convoys, but theyre banned in more than 100 countries because they have a high dud rate and can later be dangerous to civilians.

Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in early June in several key areas under Russian control, such as the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday that Russian troops are being worn down by the counteroffensive and their morale is low.

They have suffered a lot of casualties, the Russians, Milley said. The Russian situation is not very good.

Including the latest package, the U.S. has provided more than $42.6 billion to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

The list of weapons and items in the new package includes:

 Four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and munitions.

 152mm artillery rounds.

 Mine-clearing equipment.

 Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire-Guided missiles.

 Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems.

 Precision aerial munitions.

 Counter-UAS and electronic warfare detection equipment.

 150 fuel trucks.

 115 tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment.

 50 tactical vehicles to recover equipment.

 Port and harbor security equipment.

 Tactical secure communications systems.

 Support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.
WASHINGTON (Tribune News Service)  Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan said Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville's holds on military promotions are his "right," and called for compromise to resolve the blockade.

"Every senator has the right to place holds on nominees on an issue of policy importance," Sullivan said during an appearance on "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "I certainly have done this myself."

Tuberville, a Republican, has stalled over 250 military nominations since February  including the commandant of the Marine Corps  in an attempt to pressure the Biden administration to stop reimbursing service members' abortion travel expenses. His holds have raised concerns from top Pentagon officials about military readiness and drawn blowback from Senate Democrats. President Joe Biden has called on Republicans to lean on Tuberville to back down.

The holds pit two issues important to Sullivan  national security and abortion  against each other. Sullivan is a colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and ranking member on the Senate Armed Services readiness subcommittee. He has also supported limits on abortion access, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Individual senators can hold up nominations by objecting to unanimous consent. Sullivan has a history of holding up nominees for political leverage.

In response to a question about Tuberville's holds, Sullivan said on "Meet the Press" that the biggest threat to national security is the Biden administration's proposed military spending budget and pointed to a hold Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth had on 1,000 military promotions in 2020, which lasted less than two weeks.

Sullivan called for negotiation between Senate leadership, the Pentagon and Tuberville.

"Every single one of these kind of holds, 99% of them get resolved through compromise. And what needs to happen, the secretary of Defense, Senator Tuberville, Chuck Schumer need to sit down and have that pass," Sullivan told host Chuck Todd.

Sullivan did not respond to a question from the Daily News about his position on rolling back the Pentagon's policy of reimbursing service members for abortion travel.

In a Tuesday statement, he denounced what he called "the Biden administration's unprecedented politicization" of the Armed Forces. He criticized specific administration military policies on issues that he said have "nothing to do with warfighting and lethality" including climate change, racism and gender-affirming surgeries for troops.

Sullivan also said Senate leadership could bypass the holds by filing cloture and cutting off debate on the nominees individually, which would take up time on the Senate floor.

Unlike Sullivan, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski has criticized Tuberville's holds.

"I am not really liking the direction things are going right now. We are starting to see more members that are saying, 'I am just going to do a blanket hold,'" Murkowski told CNN last month. "Are we all gonna start taking hostages now?"

Murkowski's office did not respond to questions about the holds and Pentagon abortion policy in time for this story.

The underlying policy may be debated as an amendment to the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act, though it is unlikely to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate, and Tuberville has suggested a vote may not be enough to compel him to lift the holds.

The House of Representatives passed an amendment to the defense bill that would ban reimbursements for service members' abortion-related travel. Alaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola was sick and missed the amendment vote, but voted against the House defense package in opposition to that and other policies.

"We shouldn't be pitting pay raises that they deserve against the reproductive freedoms that they also deserve. That is a false choice, created for purely political reasons," Peltola said in a Friday statement.

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Conor Dolan is serving life for gunning down his friend Niall Fitzgerald

Callous killer Conor Dolan who is facing life for murdering his pal in a gangland hit tried to establish himself as a player in rural Irish towns by trading on his friendship with Dublin gang boss Karl Breen.

Dolan (33) pleaded guilty earlier this month to murdering his friend Niall Fitzgerald (36), a key lieutenant in Brian Rattigans gang, after he lured him to his death and shot him six times in a quiet country lane close to the Dublin-Wicklow border in 2016.

While the motive for the murder has never been revealed it is suspected Dolan was recruited to carry out the hit on behalf of other criminals feuding with Fitzgerald, who had been released from prison four months before the killing.

Dolan had been trying to establish himself as a gangland player in the run-up to the killing but was considered by some to be a cardboard gangster.

He operated in Cavan and Athlone and committed armed robberies as he tried to establish himself as a drug dealer.

Locals in Athlone claim he also tried to act as a pimp while based there and wanted to become the main player in drugs in the town but was unsuccessful.

He was also involved in armed robberies while in Cavan and was caught after failing to get rid of evidence which gardai found in his flat.

He was jailed for two years after being involved in two separate armed robberies after a roll of used 10 notes linked him to one of the incidents.

When he was arrested in relation to the robberies and evidence conclusively linked him to them, he claimed to be suffering from amnesia.

He pleaded guilty to a robbery at Ladbrokes, Main Street, Cavan Town on January 27, 2015 during which he put shopworker Susan Pidgin in fear before making off with 275.

Garda Bernard Smyth recalled how the day previous to the Ladbrokes robbery a man had entered the Next Door Off-Licence on Coleman Road in the town and sought to buy a can of Carlsberg.

As the shop assistant made to comply with the request Dolan pulled a knife on her before making off with 150 from the till.

Dolan was identified on CCTV and the person behind the counter also said she knew the defendant.

Conor Dolan with the champagne killer Karl Breen

A search warrant for Dolans home was attained but that same date a further robbery was carried out at Ladbrokes by Dolan.

 The following day a search of Dolans property was carried out and a roll of 10 notes were recovered with serial numbers matching those taken from Ladbrokes.

During the course of the search, Detective Jim McDevitt recovered the jacket worn by the Ladbrokes raider and, in a bin, found tracksuit bottoms similar to those worn in another robbery.

A small kitchen knife was also recovered and Dolan subsequently arrested.

Dolan was an associate of Champagne Killer Karl Breen who ran the Infamous D22 drugs mob which terrorised people in west Dublin.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th

Following Breens release from prison in 2014, after serving seven years for stabbing his pal Martin McLaughlin (21), the pair posed for photos with champagne flutes.

Breen died of a drug overdose the following February.

Locals in Athlone say Dolan asked Breen to act as godfather to one of his kids to boost his gangland credentials.

They say he tried to establish himself as a drug dealer in Athlone trading off his links with Breen and also tried to act as a debt collector and extortioner.

The Sunday World revealed last week that Dolan gave a 22-minute YouTube interview from a contraband phone in his prison cell last year while awaiting trial for the murder.

He boasted how he was getting drugs smuggled into him every week and insinuated he was dealing drugs in prison and bizarrely boasted how he would beat the murder charge.
People demonstrate near a fire on the 'Day of National Resistance' in protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 18, 2023.

Tens of thousands of protesters on Tuesday blocked highways and train stations and massed in central Tel Aviv during a day of countrywide demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus contentious judicial overhaul plan.

The protests, now in their seventh month, have taken on a sense of urgency in recent days as Netanyahu and his allies in parliament march ahead with the program. The first bill in the package  a measure that seeks to limit the Supreme Courts oversight powers  could become law as soon as next week.

The unrest also cast a shadow over a visit to the White House by Israels figurehead president, Isaac Herzog, who was invited to Washington to celebrate Israels 75th anniversary.

Herzog, a political centrist, has been involved in behind-the-scenes efforts to broker a compromise on the judicial overhaul, which has strained relations between Netanyahu and President Joe Biden.

In a meeting with Biden in the Oval Office, Herzog acknowledged that Israel was going through a heated debate as a society. But he said that debate shows that Israeli society is strong and resilient. He added that the country should seek an amicable consensus.

Biden, who has criticized the overhaul plan, said that the U.S. commitment to Israel was strong and the bond between the two countries was unbreakable.

Netanyahu and his allies say the overhaul is needed to rein in the powers of an unelected judiciary  particularly the Supreme Court  that they believe is overly interventionist in government decisions.

Their opponents, representing a wide cross section of Israeli society, say the plan is a power grab by Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox allies that will destroy the countrys fragile system of checks and balances. They also say the prime minister, who is on trial for corruption charges, and his allies are motivated by various grievances against the justice system.

Late Tuesday, protesters thronged outside the U.S. diplomatic offices, packed the central square of Tel Aviv and crippled the citys main highway. Police on horseback galloped among the crowds, trying to clear them away.

Earlier, protesters gathered outside Israels stock exchange and military headquarters. Business leaders have repeatedly warned that a weakened legal system will deter foreign investors. Reservists in key military units, including fighter pilots and cyber warfare agents, have threatened to stop reporting for duty.

Demonstrators, many of them reservists, created human chains and blocked one of the entrances to Israels military headquarters in central Tel Aviv.

Protesters flooded train stations during afternoon rush hour. Many blew horns or held up blue and white Israeli flags.

Outside the Tel Aviv stock exchange, demonstrators ignited smoke bombs, drummed and chanted, and held up signs reading save our startup nation.

We came to the stock exchange because this is the symbol of what this craziness of dictatorship is doing to Israels economy, said protester Tzvia Bader. Weve become a third world country. There is no chance for our economy.

A group of 161 reservists signed a letter to the commander of the Israeli air force saying they would not report for duty, and that the overhaul was leading to dictatorship. Israels military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, warned that a refusal to report for duty harms the army and the security of the state of Israel.

The Israel Medical Association also announced that doctors would hold a two-hour strike in protest of the legislation on Wednesday. Emergency operations will proceed as normal, said Dr. Hagai Levine, a former head of Israels association of public health doctors.

Police said at least 45 people were arrested on public disturbance charges.

Netanyahu heads the most ultranationalist and religiously conservative government in Israels 75-year history.

His overhaul plan has exposed wide rifts in Israeli society  largely based on religious and economic differences.

Netanyahus allies are motivated by an array of grievances against the court system.

His ultra-Orthodox allies, for instance, fear the courts will strip away exemptions that allow young religious men to skip otherwise compulsory military service in order to pursue seminary studies. Others have spoken out against rights for LGBTQ+ people, while several Cabinet ministers are hard-line settler leaders who remain furious about Israels withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and accuse the courts of siding with Palestinians.

The protesters, on the other hand, are largely members of Israels secular, middle class who believe the government is planning to clamp down on their way of life and on the countrys liberal traditions.

The coalition took office in December after winning the countrys fifth election in under four years. That election, like the previous four that ended in deadlock, were referendums on Netanyahus fitness to serve as prime minister while on trial.

The weekly mass protests led Netanyahu to suspend the overhaul in March but he revived the plan last month after compromise talks with the political opposition collapsed.

The Israeli parliament gave initial approval last week to a key portion of the overhaul that would prevent the Supreme Court from striking down decisions it finds unreasonable. Netanyahus coalition spent Tuesday rejecting 26,000 objections to the bill filed by opposition lawmakers.

The law is meant to serve as a safeguard against corruption and improper appointments to key positions. But Netanyahus allies look at it as an infringement on the powers of elected officials.

The judges invoked the clause earlier this year when they said the appointment of a veteran politician to the Cabinet was unreasonable because of his past conviction for accepting bribes and plea bargain over tax offenses.

The bill has already received preliminary approval in parliament and is scheduled to receive formal approval next week unless Netanyahu decides to freeze the legislation.

Other proposed laws in the overhaul would grant lawmakers greater control over the appointment of judges and give parliament the power to overturn high court decisions and pass laws impervious to judicial review.

The protests continued as Herzog landed in Washington. He was to address Congress on Wednesday.

The visit has drawn attention to Bidens refusal so far to invite Netanyahu to the White House. Such visits are standard protocol for Israeli prime ministers. But Biden has said he is unhappy with Netanyahus new government  both because of the overhaul and because of rapid expansion of West Bank settlements, built on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians.

Biden spoke with Netanyahu by phone on Monday and invited him to meet in the U.S. this fall. But he did not say whether the meeting would take place at the White House or a more neutral location, such as the United Nations General Assembly.

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Ileana Ioncea had come to Ireland in 2016 to earn a living,

A Romanian cleaner, who fell off a chair while hoovering the ceiling in a leading hotel, has settled a 60,000 personal injuries claim for an undisclosed sum.

Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain heard in the Circuit Civil Court how Ileana Ioncea rang her husband in the early hours of 8th March 2017 to raise the alarm after she injured her head, right ankle and thigh in the fall.

The 55-year-old Ioncea, who came to Ireland in 2016 to earn a living, told her barrister Conor Keogh that she worked from 8pm to 2am in the Pillo Hotel and Spa at Rath, Ashbourne, Co Meath, and had been cleaning in the swimming pool area when the accident happened.

Outlining the case Mr Keogh, who appeared with Murray Flynn Maguire Solicitors, said she had to stand on a chair to reach to the ceiling. Ioncea said she had brought the chair from the bar area and became dizzy and fell after reaching above herself.

Ms Ioncea, of Broadmeadow Castle, Ashbourne, said she had been cleaning the ladies changing room at the time and disagreed with defence counsel Eamon Marray that she had been provided with a long reach duster that she could have used.

She also denied that in using a vacuum cleaner to do the job she had removed the long steel extension pipe and had been overstretching with only the suction nozzle end of the cleaner.

Mr Marray, who appeared with OBrien Lynam Solicitors for the hotel, put it to her that at no time had she been asked by the hotel to do what she had done on the morning of the accident, kneeling on a bar chair and using a vacuum cleaner.

In relation to using her mobile phone to summon her husband Mr Marray said there was a manager on duty 24/7 each night in the hotel.

Judge Ni Chulachain was told that an ambulance had been called and she had been taken to hospital where she had been diagnosed with a swollen injured ankle, a head injury and mild concussion and pain to her right thigh.

Following talks and without the hotel staff giving any evidence the judge allowed a brief period for talks between the parties.

On return Mr Keogh said the case had been settled and could be struck out and all previous costs orders vacated.
Stacey Harcourt told gardai that she had undergone chemotherapy but cannabis is the only thing that works

A cancer sufferer who was growing cannabis at home as pain relief for herself has been ordered to carry out work in the community in lieu of a prison sentence.

At a hearing last February, the court heard that gardai acting on confidential information executed a search warrant for the north Dublin home of Stacey Harcourt (41) and found a pillow case containing plastic bags of cannabis herb. Harcourt told gardai that she had clipped the leaves from plants she had grown herself from seed.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that she was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010 and since then she has had eight operations on her neck and 15 operations related to malignant melanoma.

Harcourt told gardai that she had undergone chemotherapy but this hadn't worked and that cannabis is the only thing that works. She was using about five grammes of the plant every evening and said she never sold it on and never will.

Olan Callanan BL, defending, told Judge Martina Baxter that his client used the drug for pain and in her mind, for the suppression of the disease herself. She put it into oils, butters and ointments, for consumption and for topical placement.

In a very difficult decade, it's the only thing that has given her some comfort, he said.

Harcourt, of Carton Close, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her home on October 14, 2021. The total weight of the cannabis herb seized was 448 grammes, with an estimated street value given as 8,966.

Today as Judge Baxter ordered that Harcourt should carry out 240 hours community service in lieu of a two-year prison term, Harcourt spoke from the body of the court in praise of the judge.

Can I just say, you are brilliant. There are not many like you, Harcourt said.

Judge Baxter said that a report from the Probation Service indicated that Harcourt had impressed the probation officer and she had been deemed suitable for community service. She said she had taken into account the fact that Harcourt had demonstrated remorse and insight into her offending and she was continuing to try and rehabilitate.

The judge said she was happy to hear that Harcourt is cancer-free and wished her continued good health.

The court heard at the previous sentence hearing that the single mother had worked in security at large scale events, but has lost that work now as a result of this conviction. Garda Conor Garland told Mr Callanan that Harcourt was not on any garda radar for drug dealing.

She has a number of previous convictions for road traffic offences and one for impeding the arrest of a suspect. Garda Garland told the court that in 2005, she had facilitated the escape of a post officer raider with the proceeds of the robbery.

Judge Baxter had adjourned the case to allow time for a Probation Service assessment. She said she wanted urine analysis for drugs. Mr Callanan said that over the last ten years, his client had become attached to using the herb to treat her cancer.

Harcourt told the judge that she would try to cut down on her use of the drug but said; I ultimately cannot stop completely, I tried before to give it up and I got very sick.

She said it's not an addiction, and that she had never done any drugs before and only discovered cannabis after her cancer diagnosis.

Judge Baxter told the defendant she appreciated her situation but that in the eyes of the law, you are still committing an offence, every time she used the drug.
Adrian Hadamba is charged with possession and production of pepper spray as a weapon.

A motorist involved in a two-car road accident pepper-sprayed the other driver when he approached him to take the keys from his car, it is alleged.

Adrian Hadamba (44) is accused of producing the pepper spray as a weapon at the scene of the accident in north Dublin.

The case was adjourned at Dublin District Court for the accused to decide how he intends to plead.

Mr Hadamba, of Hampton Wood Avenue, Finglas, is charged with possession and production of pepper spray as a weapon.

The incident is alleged to have happened at Prospect Way, Glasnevin, on February 23, 2022.

Garda Sergeant Maire McDevitt told Judge Bryan Smyth that the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with in the district court subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered.

Outlining the allegations, she said gardai were called to a reported use of pepper spray in an assault on the day in question and arrived at Finglas Road to see the alleged victim covering his eyes, which were streaming.

The man and his wife told gardai he had been pepper-sprayed numerous times and a passer-by was helping him wash the spray out of his eyes with water.

The court heard there had been a traffic accident and the man had gone to the accuseds car and removed the keys from the ignition. When this was done the accused sprayed the injured party with the pepper spray, the sergeant alleged.

The man did not attend hospital for any treatment.

Judge Smyth accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court, instead of sending it to the circuit court which has tougher potential sentencing powers.

Defence barrister Tara McLoughlin said the prosecution had disclosed evidence previously and she sought an adjournment for the accused to consider a plea.

Mr Hadamba, who was not required to address the court, was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on a date in September.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
CABs case is against both Gately and his partner Charlene who previously won the argument to have some free legal aid their legal battle.

A JUDGE said Kinahan Cartel target James Mago Gately can have free legal aid for a specialist accountant and a quantity surveyor in his battle with the Criminal Assets Bureau but capped the fees at 14,000.

Quotes for the work that totalled 34,000 were described by Judge Alex Owens as outrageous at a proceeds of crime hearing today.

The case against Mago and his partner Charlene Lam centres on their Coolock home which CAB say they spent 440,000 on refurbishing using the proceeds of crime

Judge Owens said he was gobsmacked when he read the initial quote from a UK-based forensic accountant who said it would cost the equivalent of 24,000 for him to carry out the work.

A quantity surveyor had also quoted almost 10,000 to travel to the north Dublin property and to write up his report.

A lawyer for the couple said it had not been possible to find someone in this jurisdiction to carry the reports.

It was added the reports were needed because CABs case to seize the house rests on their valuations of the work carried out.

They claim the work was carried out far more cheaply and using less expensive materials than suggested by CAB.

Counsel for CAB said the amount of time being suggested as needed to carry the reports was excessive and that it could lead to more applications which would delay the case even further.

James 'Mago' Gately

Judge Owens said he regarded the suggested fees as outrageous adding that it took him just eight hours to read the entire CAB case of 1,152 pages.

He said he would allow legal aid in respect of an accountant at 150 per hour to be capped at 80 hours for total of 10,000 plus Vat.

He then allowed 16 hours for a total of 4,000 for a quantity surveyor added that they now have money to wave in front of people to carry out the work.

Please get on with it, he told counsel.

CABs case was first filed in 2021 and is against both Gately and his partner Charlene who previously won the argument to have some free legal aid to help them in their legal battle.

During that hearing, it was stated by counsel for CAB the couple had taken luxury cruises and enjoyed eye- watering foreign travel.

They went on two cruises including one that started in Singapore in which they had a cabin complete with a balcony visiting Korea, Japan and China.

Two cars and a 4,400 ladies Rolex watch are also being targeted by CAB which alleges the goods were paid for with the proceeds of crime.

Gately was lucky to survive in 2017 after being shot and wounded in an assassination bid carried out by Kinahan gunman Caolan Smyth.

The Sunday World recently revealed how the Coolock house is also the focus of another court case which a bank is trying to repossess.

The Ulster Bank has been going through the courts to repossess the house since 2018 when the Kinahan Cartel target stopped paying back the loan.

The semi-detached house was bought in 2013 with a mortgage of 112,500 but Ulster Bank started proceedings after he fell behind in mortgage payments.
Evan Muldoon pleaded guilty to public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

A young man found drunkenly squaring up to people and swinging punches on a city street was only a danger to himself, a court heard.

Evan Muldoon (23) had been out drinking when his friends left him and he got out of his depth, his defence said.

Muldoon, of Kiltalown Path, Jobstown, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to public intoxication and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

Judge Patricia Cronin adjourned the case and said she would strike the charges out if Muldoon made a 100 charity donation.

Dublin District Court heard gardai found the accused on OConnell Street, squaring up to people on the footpath in a fighting stance.

He was swinging punches and staggered into Dr Quirkeys casino. Gardai followed him in and found him incoherent and smelling strongly of alcohol. He was arrested.

The accused would not normally be in this condition and had simply no recollection of swinging his fists, his solicitor Michael Kelleher said.

He had only been a danger to himself in that someone could have got sick and tired of him and assaulted him. Muldoon had no prior convictions.

He had been out drinking with friends earlier but they didnt stick around, Mr Kelleher said.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
They have now pleaded guilty to entering the post office and attempting to dishonestly induce by deception a member of staff.

18/07/2023 Gareth Coakley (grey jacket ) from Carlow pictured at Carlow Circuit Court this afternoon for the first day of his trial after he and a co-accused allegedly brought the late Peadar Doyle, 66, into Hosey's An Post office in the town and attempted to collect his 246 pension on January 21st last year.....Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Two men accused of attempted deception at a post office in Carlow after trying to collect a dead mans pension have pleaded guilty.

Declan Haughney (41), of Pollerton Road, Carlow and his co-accused Gareth Coakley (37), of John Sweeney Park, were charged with attempted deception at Hoseys Post Office, Staplestown Road, Carlow, on January 21, 2022.

The pair were rearraigned at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court this morning. When they appeared before the court on Tuesday, they had pleaded not guilty and a trial was due to proceed today.

Peadar Doyle

However, shortly after 11.30am, defence barristers Richard Downey BL, for Coakley, and David Roberts, for Haugney, asked for their clients to be rearraigned.

They have now pleaded guilty to entering the post office and attempting to dishonestly induce by deception a member of staff.

It was also alleged Mr Haughney and Mr Coakley attempted to collect a pension payment of 246 owed to 66-year-old Peadar Doyle, whose body was later removed from the post office.

Judge Eugene OKelly dismissed the jury and thanked them for their patience.

Mr Roberts BL told the court that Mr Haughney is currently under an enhanced regime in Wheatfield Prison in Dublin and asked for a Governors report to be prepared before sentencing.

Mr Coakley, who had been remanded on bail after initially pleading not guilty, was taken into custody after his guilty plea.

A victim impact statement from Peadar Doyles family will also be given at the sentencing hearing.

Judge OKelly said the case had generated a lot of public interest after a deceased gentleman was taken out from the post office.

He said the bizarre circumstances of the case would be outlined at the sentencing hearing.

The court heard the offence carries a maximum imprisonment of five years.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
In footage of the attack posted on Twitter, two men in hoodies are seen throwing large objects through the windows of the house

The two men attack the building in Ballybrack in footage posted online

There has been widespread condemnation of an attack on a building that had been reportedly earmarked for asylum seekers in South Dublin.

Ridge Hall in Ballybrack was attacked and damaged by vandals and was also the scene of a demonstration by protestors who objected to the housing of refugees in the building.

Gardai kept a presence at the scene until late last night as several roads were closed in the area while the protest took place.

Dun Laoghaire TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill condemned what she described as the "unacceptable destruction and disruption" in a series of tweets.

She wrote: "Unacceptable destruction and disruption in Ballybrack tonight. Always happy to engage in a constructive way but vandalism of an empty building in an effort to frighten and intimidate local residents is not the way forward.

The attack has been widely condemned

"I am seeking more information from @DeptHousingIRL & @dcediy following an initial update tonight that Ridge Hall is currently being refurbished under the Department of Housing with Equality not yet notified of its availability yet.

"In the meantime, delighted to see positive integration of refugees in Eblana Avenue, with some recently being accepted into Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute. And no protests welcome on Eblana Avenue tomorrow for anyone cooking up any ideas."

In footage of the attack posted on Twitter, two men in hoodies are seen throwing large objects through the windows of the house. One also wields a large pole as smashes the glass while a voice shouts encouragement at the vandals.

Ridge House in Ballybrack, South Dublin getting smashed up by local young lads where undocumented male migrants are being housed, a message alongside the tweet reads.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th

A large uniformed Garda presence as well as members of the public order unit attended the protest later that evening that was attended by well-known far-right activists, according to independent.ie

Meanwhile, support has poured in for a local councillor who had been threatened for supporting refugees when a rock was thrown through the window of his elderly father's home.

The family home of Independent councillor Hugh Lewis was targeted at 11.30pm on Monday night. The councillor grew up in the house and his 78-year-old father, Patrick, still lives there. His father was in the room when the rock came through the window.

"Its my family home. My father lives there now. He is rather shook and upset. He was in the front room at the time, Cllr Lewis said.

A threatening note was attached, referencing the councillors support for refugees and asylum seekers and saying: This is your last warning.

Gardai say they are continuing to investigate the incident of criminal damage at the house in Ballybrack, Co Dublin.

Mr Lewis is a member of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Now an Independent councillor, he was elected for People Before Profit in the 2009 local elections. A number of councillors have removed their home addresses from the council website as a result of protests.

The councillor says he will continue to support refugees and asylum seekers, while also campaigning for social housing for homeless people.

"Its not about pitting one against the other, he said

"I have certainly made my opinions clearly known on the matter. There is an amplification of misinformation and scaremongering. I would appeal to people to get factual information, he added.

The area has seen a number of protests against the housing of refugees and asylum seekers. The councillor said it is difficult for local representatives to get information on the location of housing, which then makes it difficult to combat the stoking of fears.

People Before Profit (PBP) councillor Conor Reddy tweeted: A disgraceful cowardly act carried out by racist thugs. If you go to their protests, this is what you stand by. Violent scum who put pensioner's windows in. Criminal low-lives who trade in lies to spread fear. Solidarity with Hugh Lewis and his family.

Solidarity to Hugh Lewis and his dad, Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett (PBP) added: To attack someone who speaks up for the vulnerable and opposes hate is a terrible thing, not only for you and your dad but for the entire community. If fear and intimidation take hold, it will be a disaster for everyone.

The Government has also been warned that protests against accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees could escalate amid tensions within the coalition over how to respond do difficulties in securing housing.

In May, a temporary encampment for asylum seekers without accommodation was set alight by protesters on Sandwith Street.
Im a housewife. But you have to live the life to understand it and you will never understand it.

The wife of Kinahan bag man Declan Brady this week broke her silence after serving her sentence for helping launder 770,000 in cartel cash, insisting: I am not a criminal, I was made to do it.

In the first and only interview she has given, 57-year-old Deirdre Brady  who has been characterised in the media as a gangsters moll  said she had no choice but to do what I was told.

Its not as simple as I just went down the bank  its not as simple as that, she said.

People were killing each other, do you think I was going to stand up to them? Do you think youd say no? You just dont say no to them. And the courts know that as well.

Deirdre Brady talks to Patrick OConnell

Brady served three months of a one-year sentence handed down last December for her part in the laundering of cartel cash through mortgage payments on a Spanish holiday property, a wedding at Druids Glen and transfers to other gang members  including 141,000 to the head of the cartels UK operations Thomas Bomber Kavanagh.

Until this week, when the Sunday World called to her at an address in the east of the country, Brady said she had never been asked to give her side of the story or say whether she had willingly participated in the elaborate series of financial transactions.

You already know everything that was said in court, she began. But the whole length, when the court case was going on, no-one asked me: Was I made to do it?

And then you go to court on the last day and you are told: She did it of her own free will!

If someone had asked me was I made to do it. I would have said yes. But no-one ever asked me that question. But, of course, I was.

And I was just annoyed with the courts that I was never asked that.

Asked how she was made to do it, Brady responded: Its just, I was told to do it.

Im a housewife. But you have to live the life to understand it and you will never understand it.

Youd really have to.

Im an ordinary person and Im married to Declan since I was 20 years of age.

Were over 30 years married, we got married in 1987.

Declan was self-employed. Declan drove trucks. He worked in Robert Roberts and that came up in the papers before, so Im not telling you anything different.

We were comfortable.

Asked if she knew Declan was involved with the Kinahan cartel, she said: No, but then my house got raided for firearms and I got the shock of my life when that happened.

Deirdre was given a fully suspended sentence but was later ordered to serve one year in jail after this was appealed by the DPP on grounds of undue leniency.

Going into the Dochas Centre wasnt that bad, said Deirdre, which is very hard to believe.

Everyone was very nice to me. Honest to God, the courts and the media were more stressful to me.

Declan Brady

I was in the Dochas Centre and the first Sunday I was in I was on the front page of the paper.

Im a granny of seven children. Im not a criminal 

Im ashamed that it happened but I still want to have a little bit of a private life.

Speaking of her life now, Deirdre said: My neighbours wont even talk to me anymore....I never wanted to be famous, but imagine being famous for all the wrong reasons?

The search on the Bradys home in Celbridge occurred in January of 2017  shortly after gardai raided a warehouse in the Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole, from where Deirdres husband Declan appeared to be operating a legitimate transport business.

In every way, the warehouse appeared normal  but the whole operation was an elaborate front to conceal a terrifying arsenal of weapons that he was maintaining for the Kinahan crime gang.

Seventeen guns. including pistols, revolvers, a sub-machine gun and an AK47-style assault rifle were recovered.

Brady never got involved with the nitty-gritty of transporting weapons

And it was this discretion and intelligence that earned him the nickname Mr Nobody  an invisible man who was so vital to the Kinahan operation but on the outside appeared to be a successful, legitimate businessman.

When they (the gardai) raided the house, I asked them: For what? Deirdre Brady recalled this week. When they said firearms, I nearly died. I mean, I was very well brought up.

I met Declan when I was 20 and Declan did work full time. But hed also gone to school with all that crowd, so they always knew him. And with him working in the transport business 

It was after Bradys arrest over the guns cache, for which he is now serving an 11-and-a-half year sentence, that the Criminal Assets Bureau began to look in earnest into his finances.

This probe led to charges of money laundering being lodged against him, Deirdre and Declans mistress Erika Lukacs.

The offences involved four bank accounts  a joint PTSB account which Deirdre held with her husband, and which contained 94,000; an Ulster bank account, which held 347,000; an AIB account, with 205,000 lodged in it; and a Bank of Ireland account containing 85,000.

Money from the accounts was used to make mortgage payments on a Spanish holiday property, to pay for a 34,000 wedding at Druids Glen and transfers to other gang members, including 141,000 to the head of the cartels UK operations Thomas Kavanagh.

During Deirdres trial, Fiona Murphy SC, for the DPP, said there was nothing to suggest she had been under the coercive control of her husband.

Asked again by the Sunday World to explain what she meant by being made to launder the cash, Deirdre said: People were killing each other, do you think I was going to stand up to them? Do you think youd say no? You just dont say no to them.

At the end of the trials, Declan Brady had another seven years and three months for laundering cash for a criminal organisation added to his sentence.
The finds have sparked a huge search along the coastline involving Gardai and the Garda helicopter.

Gardai supplied image of one of the packages

Garda forensic officers examine the drugs cache discoverd by a walker at a remote beach in North Donegal. Photo: NW Newspix

A man walking on an isolated Co Donegal beach has discovered what is thought to be a consignment of cocaine worth more than 2 million.

The discovery was made at Tramore Beach on the outskirts of the seaside village of Dunfanaghy earlier this morning.

The drugs, wrapped in black plastic and bound by a rope, were found on the edge of the water at the remote beach.

The quick-thinking walker dragged the suitcase-sized bale up the beach and then tied it to a plank of wood after fearing it would be washed out to sea again.

The man then contacted Gardai to alert them of his find.

Gardai rushed to the scene and secured the area.

At the same time it is understood that another similar package was washed up further along the coastline at Fanad Head.

The finds have sparked a huge search along the coastline involving Gardai and the Garda helicopter.

The Garda helicopter is currently securing the area in case other drug consignments are washed up.

Gardai have not yet analysed the find but a spokesperson said they have sent a sample of the find away for analysis.

A large quantity of drugs discovered on a remote beach in north Donegal. Photo: NW Newspix

Local sources say both packages could weigh up to 40 kilogrammes and could have a street value of more than 2 million.

There are also unconfirmed reports that Garda had been monitoring the activities of marine vessels over the weekend after a tip-off that a board with drugs was due to land along the coastline.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed the substances found in the large parcels have been sent away for analysis.

An Garda Siochana are investigating the circumstances of the discovery of a number of packages along the North Donegal coastline this morning, 20th July 2023.

The packages are suspected of containing a substance which is believed to be a controlled drug (cocaine), subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

At approximately 8:30am, Milford Gardai were alerted to the discovery of a package at Ballyhiernan Beach, Fanad Co. Donegal. A half hour later, Gardai were altered by the public to another similarly package at Tramore Beach, Dunfanaghy.

An Garda Siochana recovered both packages, the contents of which are now subject to analysis. The scenes were subject of a technical examination by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.

An investigation is ongoing based in Milford Garda Station. Assistance will be provided by the Garda Air Support Unit and the Garda Water Unit, along with other state and voluntary services to search along the North Donegal/ Fanad Head Coastline this evening and in the coming days.

Investigations are ongoing.

Gardai supplied image of one of the packages

"An Garda Siochana in Milford are appealing to landowners in the Fanad Head area with coastal land and/ or any persons using the North Donegal Coastline over the coming days to be conscious of the packages that have been recovered today.

Any person who sees any similar package or any other marine debris that attracts their attention to contact An Garda Siochana at the investigation team at Milford Garda Station 074 9153060, their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential Phone number 1800 666 111.

Officers from the Garda Forensics Unit arrived at the scene of the Tramore Beach find late this afternoon to take samples and secure the scene.

The investigation is being overseen by officers at Milford Garda station.

Tramore Beach is only accessible by foot over sand-dunes and has been voted one of Ireland's most scenic beaches in recent years.
Revenue officers seized approximately 100 kilograms of cannabis resin with an estimated value of 600,000

Some of the cannabis seized in South Dublin

A man in his 40s has been arrested after 760,000 worth of cannabis was seized in a raid in Dublin yesterday afternoon.

Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) officers carried out a joint operation with Revenue Customs Service targeting people suspected of involvement in organised crime in the Dublin region.

During the course of the operation, Revenue officers seized approximately 100 kilograms of cannabis resin with an estimated value of 600,000, a garda spokesperson said.

In a follow up search, eight kilograms of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of 160,000 was also seized.

Gardai arrested a man in connection with this operation. He is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a garda station in Dublin.

Investigations are continuing.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
A part of a Russian cruise missile Kalibr is seen inside a building damaged during a Russian missile and drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine, on July 18, 2023.

Ukraine said its forces shot down Russian drones and cruise missiles targeting the Black Sea port of Odesa before dawn Tuesday in what Moscow called retribution for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge to the Crimean Peninsula.

The Russians first sought to wear down Ukraines air defenses by firing 25 exploding drones and then targeted Odesa with six Kalibr cruise missiles, the Ukrainian militarys Southern Command said.

All six missiles and the drones were shot down by air defenses in the Odesa region and other areas in the south, officials said, though their debris and shock waves damaged some port facilities and a few residential buildings and injured an elderly man at his home.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its strike of retribution was carried out with sea-launched precision weapons on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and Mykolaiv, a coastal city about 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the northeast.

It destroyed facilities preparing terror attacks against Russia involving maritime drones, including a facility at a shipyard that was producing them, the ministry said. It added that it also struck Ukrainian fuel depots near the two cities.

It was not possible to verify the conflicting claims by both countries.

President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine on Monday for striking the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with Crimea and was attacked in October 2022 and needed months of repairs. The bridge is a key supply route for the peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Ukrainian officials stopped short of directly taking responsibility, as they have done in similar strikes before, but Ukraines top security agency appeared tacitly to admit to a role.

Satellite images taken Monday by Maxar Technologies showed serious damage to both eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge across the Kerch Strait on the part nearest to the Russian mainland, with at least one section collapsed. The railroad bridge that runs parallel to the highway appeared undamaged.

The Russian military has sporadically hit Odesa and the neighboring region throughout the war, but Tuesdays barrage was one of the biggest attacks on the area.

Ukrainian forces have been targeting Crimea with drones and other attacks. Kyiv has vowed to reclaim it from Russian control, arguing that the peninsula plays a key role in sustaining the Russian invasion and is a legitimate target.

The onslaught also came a day after Russia broke off a deal that had allowed Ukraine to ship vital grain supplies from Odesa during the war. Moscow said the decision was in the works long before the bridge attack.

Even so, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov alleged, without offering evidence, that the specific shipping lanes and routes used for the grain transport under the deal were abused by Ukraine.

Our military has repeatedly said that Ukraine has used these grain corridors for military purposes, Peskov told reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine will continue implementing the grain deal. Peskov warned that such action was risky because the region lies next to an area where there is fighting.

If they try to do something without Russia, these risks must be taken into account, Peskov told reporters.

Zelenskiy said grain exports by sea and port security topped his meeting Tuesday with senior military commanders and government officials, adding that he received reports on logistics and protection of the coastal regions.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraines presidential office, said Russia is endangering the lives of millions around the world who need Ukrainian grain exports. Hunger is a growing threat in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

The world must realize that the goal of the Russian Federation is hunger and killing people, Yermak said. They need waves of refugees. They want to weaken the West with this.

The United Nations and Ukraines Western allies slammed Moscow for halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

At the U.N., Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said very active discussions continue with the world body and other countries and entities on how to keep grain flowing, but a key issue is what would occur if Russia attacked a Ukrainian grain shipment.

Asked whether there was any talk of an international force or deployment to protect shipments, he told reporters that, Everyone is looking for the way out, and every option is on the table.

Earlier, he urged countries at a General Assembly meeting to demand that Russia return to the deal and stop its hunger games.

USAID is giving Ukraine a further $250 million to support its agricultural sector as its chief, Samantha Power, visited Odesa and chided Moscow for its stance.

Russias disruption of maritime commerce since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, including blockading ports, delaying ship inspections, and, most recently, withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, has severely choked the amount of grain Ukraine is able to provide to the world amid a global food crisis, a USAID statement said.

The Kremlin said the agreement would be suspended until Moscows demands to lift restrictions on exports of Russian food and fertilizer to the world are met. Peskov reaffirmed an earlier Kremlin pledge to provide especially poor countries in Africa with grain for free, adding that the issue will be discussed at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg next week.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry also said its forces had foiled a Ukrainian attack on Crimea using 28 drones.

The ministry said 17 of the attacking drones were shot down, and 11 others were jammed electronically and crashed, with no damage or casualties.

Also on Tuesday, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Associated Press showed that a convoy of vehicles arrived at a once-abandoned military base in Belarus, which was offered to Russias private military contractor, Wagner. That followed a short-lived rebellion last month against the Russian Defense Ministry by Wagners chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The photos, taken Monday, show a long line of vehicles coming off a highway into the base near the Belarusian town of Osipovichi, some 75 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of the capital, Minsk.

Belaruski Hajun, an activist group that monitors troops movements in Belarus, said a convoy of more than 100 vehicles with Russian flags and Wagner insignia entered the country, heading for the camp. The group said it was the third Wagner convoy to enter Belarus since last week.

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As soon as the workers were gone, they were in on the house again, smashing the boards and breaking holes in it

The Dublin home of convicted sex offender Alan Kiernan was targeted by vandals on Monday night, just hours after it was set on fire in an arson attack, it has emerged.

Yesterday we reported on how emergency services rushed to the property on Larkhill Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9 on Monday, July 17 at 7.15pm.

Footage that was shared on social media showed smoke billowing from the windows as fire crews battled the blaze.

Another clip showed the house that has been covered in graffiti with thick, black smoke pouring out of it, as the fire catches hold.

Locals have now revealed that just hours after this incident, the house that had been boarded up by council workers in the aftermath of the blaze, was attacked once again.

Kiernan was injured in a previous incident

There were lads gathering there even as the Corpo (Dublin City Council) were putting up boards on the broken windows, one local revealed. As soon as the workers were gone, they were in on the house again, smashing the boards and breaking holes in it.

Another man told how the latest fire incident, which occurred after a previous arson attack, had frightened locals as they feared the blaze could spread.

That other time they lit one of the rooms downstairs on fire, the man said. But this time they set one of the bedrooms upstairs on fire. It wouldnt take much for that to spread to the other houses on that road.

One local said they were reluctant to let their children to play on a nearby green as youths have been congregating in the area since the violence started.

Sunday World previously reported how Kiernan (58) had been targeted in repeated attacks in recent weeks and gardai had been called to the scene on multiple occasions due to the ongoing issues.

Ambulances were called to treat Kiernan on three separate occasions over the space of less than 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday of one weekend after he was pelted with bricks and rocks by youths in the area.

The first time was around 5pm on Saturday, July 8 where he was treated for injuries in an ambulance after being pelted with rocks before he returned to his house.

As soon as gardai and emergency services left the scene the youths returned to attack the house again.

Shortly before 9pm gardai and ambulance workers were back again after he received another injury.

Once again, he returned to his home but by Sunday morning had called another ambulance.

He was taken to hospital with concussion and returned to the area around 2pm and they lashed him out of it again, a local said.

Later on, they pulled the wood off the windows and got in and sprayed the front of the house and were shouting burn him out.

A video showed Kiernan covered in blood during one of the attacks.

On the following Tuesday afternoon the fire brigade was called to the home after youths managed to set a fire inside. Emergency services managed to put it out before it could cause too much damage.

Locals say youths pelted gardai with eggs when they arrived at the scene.

They added Kiernan wasnt in the house when the fire was lit on Tuesday hasnt been seen back in the area since.

You couldnt live in the house at the moment because of the condition it is in.

The guards have been there since then sitting outside since. The whole house is destroyed. The window are smashed and its covered in graffiti.

Kiernan pictured previously at the property

Nobody wants him in the area but neighbours arent happy with whats being going on. Its gone too far. Where does it end? If someone set that house on fire it could spread to next door.

The local said the youths involved are between around eight and up to 14 and are not from the local area. Other locals in the area have tried to get them to stop and have also been pelted with bricks.

Kiernan has convictions for rape, unlawful carnal knowledge of a 15-year-old girl, stalking and harassment amongst other offences.

The local said Kiernan tried to talk to the youths attacking him and his property by claiming he didnt know his victim was underage.

.
He was a fantastic pupil - full of energy, kind, chatty, eager to learn and always had a smile on his face

A teenager who was killed in a road cash in Tipperary over the weekend will be laid to rest on Saturday.

Ignacy Sokoluk (19) of Ballywalter died following the two-car collision at Ballykisteen last Saturday.

It has been reported that Ignacy, or Iggy as he was known by his family and friends, had only recently completed his passing out parade for the Irish Army.

According to his death notice on RIP.ie, he will be sadly missed by his loving family, mother Maria, stepfather Sean McGrath, sisters Alice and Tia, grandparents, uncles, Army colleagues, extended family and friends.

It adds that his body will be reposing at Whelan's Funeral Home, Bansha Road Tipperary on Friday evening, July 21, from 5.30 to 7pm.

Mass for Ignacy will take place in St. Michael's Church, Tipperary on Saturday, July 22 at 12noon with burial afterwards in St Michael's Cemetery, Tipperary Town.

Meanwhile, numerous messages of sympathy have been left in the condolences section including that reads: We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to Maria and Sean and all the extended family on the tragic passing of Ingnacy. May he rest in peace.

Another adds: Deepest Sympathy to Maria, Sean, Alice, Tia and extended family on the sad passing of Ignacy. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Another message states that Ignacy will be remembered in all masses celebrated by the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service.

"May his gentle soul rest in peace and rise in glory and may you Maria, Sean, Alice, Tia and all who will miss him from this life know peace and consolation, it reads.

One person has written how they taught Ignacy in Infants in Saint John the Baptist BNS, Cashel.

!I have such fond memories of him in class, the message reads. He was a fantastic pupil - full of energy, kind, chatty, eager to learn and always had a smile on his face. I am so saddened to hear of his sudden passing. Sincere sympathy to Maria, Sean, Alice, Tia and all of his extended family. May Ignacy rest in peace.

Today's News in 90 seconds - July 19th
Eoin Fitzpatrick (36) and his son Dylan (10) died when the moped they were on collided with a bus in Alanya

The Kevin Bell Trust is assisting with the repatriation of a father and his young son who were killed in a tragic crash in Turkey this week, it has been confirmed.

Eoin Fitzpatrick (36) and his son Dylan (10), of Portlaoise, Co Laois, died when the moped they were on collided with a bus in Alanya on Monday afternoon just hours before they were due to fly home.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust has confirmed it is assisting with the repatriation of their bodies to Ireland.

The charity was set up to help alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families when a loved one has died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances.

Mr Fitzpatrick and his son Dylan were on holiday with family, including Dylans older brother, when the pair were involved in the accident on Monday.

Monsignor John Byrne, the parish priest of Portlaoise, said there was a dark cloud over the community since the news broke.

Both sides of the family are Portlaoise through and through, he told RTEs Drivetime. A great, just wave of shock and sympathy has been extended to them. We know that the family have difficult days ahead now but please God the support of their strong family and community will help.

He said Dylan had been in fourth class in a local school.

He said the loss of the father and son had sent ripples of sadness throughout the community and people are trying to do their best to get their heads around this and support the family.

How a family copes with this is really very, very difficult, he said. There is a strong community here and theyre well embedded in the community and there will be those supports.

Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley, a close neighbour of the Fitzpatricks, said family members were flying out to Turkey in the wake of the tragedy.

He said Mr Fitzpatrick and his sons had been due to fly home to Ireland just hours after the incident.

They would actually be neighbours of mine here in the estate where I live and obviously theres shock and devastation at the loss of these two people, he told RTE Radio 1s News at One.

Mr Stanley said Dylan was very popular here in the neighbourhood, he wouldve played and mixed with all the kids.

Really its an awful situation, and the mother of the boy was here. Shes obviously trying to get to Turkey, to fly out at the moment. So its a really serious situation, he said.

Mr Stanley said he had spoken to Mr Fitzpatricks parents.

Theyve lost a son and a grandson. Its a huge shock. In the last few hours of their holiday. It seems to have been a simple quick trip to pick up something. A last-minute errand and the fatal accident happened.

Portlaoise GAA chairman Eamon Fennelly said it was the second tragedy to befall the community, after the death of 15-year-old David Brown in a quad-bike accident in Laois on Easter Sunday.

This is the second tragedy thats after hitting us now in a number of months, he told the Sunday World.

Young David Brown was killed and that was horrific. He was a really talented lad. So, this is the second tragedy thats after hitting the club and this is a big shock as well because this is a family that is immersed in the club.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the extended family and well be there to support them in any possible way that we can, he added.

He said Mr Fitzpatrick had been a talented underage hurler.

His loss has been a huge shock for everyone in the club, he said.
Stuart Twinkle McBride suffered a broken leg, a badly injured pelvis, broken ribs and a potentially punctured lung

A video still of McBride falling from the bonfire

McBrides partner Nikita, whose father is Sam McCrory, and her mum Edith

He very nearly lost his life this week when he fell 20ft to the ground seconds after setting a 60ft wooden tower alight.

McBride was one of several experienced builders who helped assemble the bonfire at Portaferry Road, Newtownards.

But we can today reveal that McBride also has a close connection to deceased Ulster Freedom Fighters hitman Sam Skelly McCrory, who died in a tragic accident this time last year.

In his day, McCrory played a legendary role as a hooded gunman at several UFF bonfire events on Belfasts Shankill Road.

Stuart McBride is the partner of Sam McCrorys daughter Nikita and father of his four grandchildren.

Last night, Skellys former partner Edith Montgomery  who is currently enjoying the holiday of a lifetime in Mexico where she is celebrating her 60th birthday  told of the shock which ran through her when her daughter Nikita telephoned to say Twinkle had fallen from the bonfire.

A video still of McBride falling from the bonfire

Im glad to say he is recovering well although hes still in the High Dependency Unit in the Royal. He had been in surgery having rods inserted in his back and neck and in his leg, but he seems to be through it now.

Edith added: Its going to be very hard for him, but he seems to be getting there.

A bandsman with the Newtownards Defenders Flute Band, Stuart suffered a string of injuries in the bonfire fall last Tuesday night, including a broken leg, a badly injured pelvis, broken ribs and a potentially punctured lung.

The accident on waste ground near the Portaferry Road on the outskirts of the Co. Down town was the latest in a growing list of safety controversies surrounding loyalist bonfires.

A experienced bonfire builder, McBride had just lit the top of the pyre and was making his way back down when a wooden pallet came away in his hand, causing him to fall to the ground.

The shocking incident was caught on several mobile phones and shared widely on social media as 11th night bonfire celebrations got underway across Northern Ireland.

Friends raced to his aid and paramedics and police  who were on the scene in seconds  provided medical aid and rushed the injured man to hospital.

It is also believed doctors are still considering whether to carry out further operations on his damaged hip and badly injured foot. But we can today reveal that even though they never met, Stuart McBride is the father of leading loyalist Sam McCrorys grandchildren.

McBrides partner Nikita, whose father is Sam McCrory, and her mum Edith

Skelly  as McCrory was known in loyalist paramilitary circles  died a year ago next week in a tragic accident outside his home in Ayr, Scotland. The 57-year-old stumbled and fell down a concrete staircase just yards from his fourth floor flat at Stonecrop Place on the Kincaidston housing estate. And he died in hospital in Kilmarnock the following day.

From the Oldpark in north Belfast, Sam Skelly McCrory was one of the most notorious UFF gunmen of the entire Troubles.

A childhood friend of Johnny Mad Dog Adair, they joined the UFF together while still teenagers. And later, McCrory played a major role in Adairs infamous C Coy murder machine, based in the lower Shankill estate.

A death-dealing double act, the pair seized the reins of power in the West Belfast UFF when UDA brigadier Tommy Tucker Lyttle was jailed during the Stephens Inquiry into loyalist collusion.

But caught in a carefully planned MI5 sting operation, Skelly was sent down for 16 years, when he was convicted of conspiracy to murder.

Deceased UFF hitman Sam Skelly McCrory

A highly unusual loyalist paramilitary personality, Skelly came out as an openly gay man over 20 years ago.

But he had previously had two children  Samuel and Nikita  with his then partner Edith Madine, who was from a well-known loyalist family in west Belfast.

A successful businessman, Samuel Jnr died two years ago aged just 35. He is still remembered fondly on the Shankill Road, where he ran a busy tanning salon. Sams sister Nikita now runs the business started by her brother.

But following his fathers accidental death last July, Sams mother Edith attended Skellys funeral service in Scotland along with daughter Nikita.

At the time, Edith told the Sunday World: Like everyone else, Nikita and I came to pay our respects. Sam was a good man.

She added: I carry my sons ashes with me everywhere I go and I thought it would be nice to bring them to his fathers funeral.

And this week on social media, Edith Montgomery  as she is now  looked again to her deceased son Sam.

Just hours after Stuart fell from the bonfire, Edith posted: Sam, please look after your sister Nikita Madine and help her get strength to get through the next few days/weeks ahead whilst Twinkle recovers from his fall.

And on the morning of July 12, Edith also hit out at sectarian remarks posted on social media after news emerged about the accident at Newtownards.

Edith posted: Sickened by remarks about the fella falling from the bonfire last night. He is my daughter Nikitas partner and my grandkids father. He is in a bad way, but will hopefully recover. Please pray for his wee family.

controversies

The incident in Newtownards was one of a growing list of controversies surrounding 11th night loyalist bonfires.

The bonfire where Stuart sustained his injuries was draped in a huge green, white and orange covering.

It was burnt in the flames which lasted hours after McBride was rushed to A&E.

Later, Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing Bobby Singleton said the police had received a number of complaints relating to such items being placed on bonfires.

And he added that the PSNI were treating the incidents as hate crimes; officers had collected evidence and had begun investigations.

Eleven on-duty ambulance staff were attacked and assaulted at bonfire sites in a six-hour period between late Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Michael Bloomfield, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, criticised the violence directed at his staff from those attending bonfire events.

He said: It is absolutely disgraceful that they should be abused in the manner in which they were.

Last July, we reported how Larne bonfire builder John Steele lost his life after falling from a large bonfire on the Antiville estate in Larne.

A major Sunday World investigation earlier this year revealed bonfire sites in Larne are under the total control of the South East Antrim UDA.

And during this years 11th night festivities, the criminal organisation controlled a team of around 100 drug dealers peddling their wares to the thousands of young people who attended the bonfire at Craigyhill.

It might look like a bonfire, but in reality its a drugs fest, a Larne resident told us.
A Provisional Eastern Bay Local Alcohol Policy, if adopted, sets maximum alcohol trading hours for bars at 1am and prevents supermarkets and dairies from selling beer and wine before 9am.

After consultation with the community on a draft policy, a joint hearings and deliberations panel that included elected members from Kawerau, Whakatane and Opotiki district councils has recommended changes to its original draft policy.

The previous draft included 9am to midnight trading hours for bars and clubs and 8am to 10pm for supermarkets, an hour earlier than other off-licences. After deliberating on community feedback, the maximum trading hours have been changed to 9am to 1am for bars, 9am to midnight for clubs, and 9am to 10pm for supermarkets and other off-licences.

On July 6, Whakatane District Council voted to adopt the policy. Kawerau District Council will decide on Wednesday (July 19), followed by Opotiki District Council on August 1.

Councillor Gavin Dennis who represented Whakatane district on the hearing committee explained at the July 6 meeting why the changes had been made.

He said two of the submissions that affected him most were from Mem Jenner from Murupara who works with alcohol harm minimisation agencies and Community Action on Youth and Drugs co-ordinator Tikiahi Brown-Davis from Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust in Opotiki.

Their issue was that parents were dropping their kids off at school while some people were walking home with crates of beer under their arm, drinking on their way home. Kids were passing these people drinking and it was a really bad example.

"The one that really got me, was that for some people it was a choice between whether the household bought beer or breakfast. Because of those early opening hours, when people went into the supermarkets, the beer was readily available. This guy works in the community so I believe what he says.

We have a responsibility for the safety and the wellbeing of our community and were going to give the kids the chance to get breakfast instead of beer.

The committee also heard from owners of hotels and pubs who said though the existing regulations allowed them to trade between 9am and 2am, they rarely did.

We asked some of the pubs what time they actually closed. I think one pub in Opotiki stays open until 1am, the rest closed about 11pm to 11.30pm because everyone went home, Mr Dennis said.

Publicans stated that they wanted to stay open later [than midnight] so it gives the young people somewhere to go rather than travelling over to Tauranga. Because of that, the hearing committee agreed to allow pubs to close at 1am, even though the majority closed a lot earlier.

Off-licence liquor outlets felt it was unfair that supermarkets were allowed to sell beer earlier than they could.

"One of [the supermarket representatives] main statements was that they had to make allowances for shift workers coming home to be able to buy alcohol, Mr Dennis said.

As a shiftworker of 40 years, I found that really strange. I dont know many people that bought alcohol on the way home from a shift.

He said that there had also been subtle hints from one supermarket representative that there had been a court case last year against one council that tried to restrict their opening hours and that the supermarket had won.

I took a bit of offence that they actually mentioned that.

Councillor John Pullar was also on the committee and said he had voted against the policy. He felt that for people who had serious problems with alcohol the policy would not make a lot a difference.

Were only fiddling and faffing around with it really. Weve got to change peoples behaviour. If we wanted to get real about it wed have to ban alcohol altogether.

Mayor Victor Luca said that while he supported the policy, he agreed with Mr Pullars sentiments.

"We need to look to the root causes. What causes people to drink. Education is critical. This is tinkering around the edges a bit."

Councillor Nandor Tanczos pointed out a recently published study (University of Otagos NZ Drugs Harm Ranking Study) showing that alcohol is the single most damaging recreational drug available.

Having said that, I would never ban it, because weve seen that prohibition doesnt work.

He felt the biggest step New Zealand could take to minimise alcohol harm would be to ban alcohol advertising, something that was not within the councils power.

Councillor Julie Jukes said though she supported the policy she didnt agree with the assumption that people buying alcohol before 8am had drinking problems.

I generally do my grocery shopping before I go to work at 9am so I might put a bottle of wine in my supermarket trolley, which I will now no longer be able to do."

Councillors Tu OBrien, Ngapera Rangiaho and John Pullar voted against adopting the policy but were outvoted by the remaining councillors and mayor.

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A dozen trucks laden with 75km of fencing materials to help hundreds of Hawkes Bay get back on their feet after Cyclone Gabrielle has rolled into Hastings Showground ahead of a major community event on Friday.

The convoy was organised by charity the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) to bring about $375,000 worth of fencing to the regions farmers. About 250 farmers will receive the supplies at an RRT Farmers Community Connect (FCC) event at the Tomoana Showgrounds, Elwood Rd, Hastings from 8am Friday.

RRT NZ director Danny Blampied says the arrival of the materials in Hastings was great news for affected local farmers  who lost millions of metres of fencing during the crisis.

It was a great effort as the sun rose over Hawkes Bay today by everyone involved to get 75km of fencing materials and 20,000 fence posts loaded onto a dozen trucks for the Farmers Community Connect event on Friday in Hastings.

The convoy made a stop at Esk Valley and we said hello to some locals there and explained what RRT was doing to help local farmers hit by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Then we continued onto Hastings and arrived at the Showgrounds in preparation for Friday.

The excitement is growing now that we have all of the materials here and the RRT volunteers are gearing up to distribute the fencing to 250 registered Hawkes Bay farmers.

Thanks to the suppliers in Auckland, Wellington and Central North Island and to our great team of drivers who made the journey to Hastings Showground. What a great team effort all around and now we look forward to the farmers turning up on Friday for what will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with the local community.

The Hastings event will be the inaugural FCC celebration in New Zealand, focusing on the needs of Hawkes Bay farmers devastated by Gabrielle as they try to pick up the pieces. With their families, the farmers will also enjoy breakfast and lunch provided by RRT volunteers.

An important part of the day will be the opportunity for attendees to talk to around 20 rural support services, including local government, mental health providers and farm advisory.

We understand that there are over 2,000 stock and beef farmers in the greater Hawkes Bay area who have lost an average of 5 kms of fencing per farm due to flooding and slips because of Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Fencing Pack contains such things as posts, battens, and wire that farmers will require to rebuild their fences.

Established in 2013 by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, the Rapid Relief Team is a global charity made up of volunteers that provides tangible support to communities in need.

The Rapid Relief Team is supported by 14,500 volunteers across 14 countries who are inspired by community spirit and the gift of giving and are dedicated to giving back to the communities where we live and work.
Police are warning the community of a sophisticated overseas scam targeting international students in New Zealand, which just last month has almost cost someone more than $600,000.

Police are currently investigating three reports of a Chinese officials scam, which predominantly targets New Zealand-based Chinese students, however there are fears this could be wider-ranging.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton says it is imperative our communities are made aware of this scam before it is too late.

We are extremely concerned there are vulnerable individuals being scammed right now.

Given the large sums of money being transferred, we are asking people to be extremely vigilant with their communications as to not fall victim to this scam.

Sadly, for two people, this warning is redundant, as Police are investigating their massive losses of $230,000 and $330,000 respectively.

Our enquiries to date suggest those responsible for this scam are based offshore, which poses a huge challenge for NZ Police to identify who they are and exactly where they are.

We implore those who may be targeted to be wary of who is contacting them and where they are sending money, says Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton.

Similar versions of this particular scam have been reported and investigated in New Zealand previously, and a recent re-emergence of the scam has now been identified.

The scam involves an international student in New Zealand being contacted by someone, the scammer, posting as officials from overseas Government that are alleging that they or their family are suspected of peripheral involvement in serious crimes that are being investigated offshore.

The scammers will always ask for the remittance of large sums of money to offshore bank accounts.

Police note the communication is largely via online messaging apps such as WeChat or WhatsApp.

We are urging anyone who may believe they are currently in contact with a scammer of this nature to cease all contact immediately and get in touch with Police.

Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says there is no shame in making a report or contacting Police.

Your report alerts the Police to the scam so we can warn the public and follow up on any NZ based lines of enquiry.

Although, at this stage, we are finding there are no viable NZ-based lines of enquiry with this scam, hence the importance of warning the public.

If you believe you are or have been the victim of fraud, contact Police at 105.police.govt.nz , or call Police on 105 and report the matter.

Additionally, a number of resources are also available to those who believe they may or could be the victim of this type of offending.

There are several NZ Government websites that have information and advice to help avoid falling victim to common fraudulent activity and scams.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has more information on how you can prevent yourself, family and friends from being scammed.

Visit https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/scamwatch/

The Financial Markets Authority provides helpful advice on its website to help avoid falling victim to online investments scams.

Visit https://www.fma.govt.nz



CERT NZ provides advice on how to respond to an avoid cyber security incidents.

Visit https://www.cert.govt.nz/


People spend time near Fontana della Barcaccia, at the Piazza di Spagna, during a heatwave across Italy, as temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming days, in Rome, Italy July 18, 2023.

Officials warned residents and tourists packing Mediterranean destinations on Tuesday to stay indoors during the hottest hours as the second heat wave in as many weeks hits the region and Greece, Spain and Switzerland battled wildfires.

In Italy, civil protection workers monitored crowds for people in distress from the heat in central Rome, while Red Cross teams in Portugal took to social media to warn people not to leave pets or children in parked cars. In Greece, volunteers handed out drinking water, and in Spain they reminded people to protect themselves from breathing in smoke from fires.

Heat waves are really an invisible killer, Panu Saaristo, the emergency health team leader for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said during a Geneva briefing. We are experiencing hotter and hotter temperatures for longer stretches of time every single summer here in Europe.

The new heat wave in several parts of southern Europe is expected to persist for days. The U.N. weather agency said that temperatures in Europe, amplified by climate change, could break the 48.8-degree Celsius (119.8-degree Fahrenheit) record set in Sicily two years ago.

As concerns grew the extreme heat would cause a spike in deaths., civil protection volunteers distributed reusable water bottles at 28 popular spots in Rome. Authorities also encouraged visitors and residents to take advantage of the Italian capitals distinctive public drinking fountains, hundreds of which are located in the citys historic center alone.

Fausto Alberetto, who was visiting Rome from northern Italys Piedmont region on Tuesday, asked some volunteers how to use an app to find the closest nasone. Reading about the heat wave before his trip did little to prepare him for the reality of Romes 40 C (104 F) temperatures, he said.

We got information and we were prepared. But it is one thing to hear it or read it, it is another thing to feel it, Alberetto said as he walked near Piazza Venezia in the heart of Rome. Here, it is really dreadful.

Civil protection volunteers identified four people deemed to be suffering from the heat, but none of them was in serious condition, according to Giuseppe Napolitano, Romes civil protection director.

In Cyprus, health authorities confirmed that a 90-year-old man died over the weekend and six other older adults were hospitalized after all seven suffered heatstroke at home last week as temperatures surpassed 43 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit).

Heat records are being shattered all over the world, and scientists say there is a good chance that 2023 will go down as the hottest year on record, with measurements going back to the middle of the 19th century.

Preliminary figures suggest the global average temperature last month set a new June record, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. The World Meteorological Organization predicted that a number of heat records were set to fall this summer. The U.N. weather agency said unprecedented sea surface temperatures and low Arctic sea-ice levels were largely to blame.

Human-caused climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is making the world hotter and is being amplified by the naturally occurring El Nino weather phenomenon. But the current El Nino only started a few months ago and is still weak to moderate and isnt expected to peak until winter.

Temperatures above 40 C (104 F) were forecast to persist not only in the Mediterranean, but across North America, Asia and North Africa.

These are not your normal weather systems of the past. They have arrived as a consequence of climate change, John Nairn, senior extreme heat adviser for World Meteorological Organization, said. It is global warming, and its going to continue for some time.

Nairn noted a sixfold increase in simultaneous heat waves since the 1980s, and the trend line isnt changing.

A relentless summer last year saw Europe sweat through heat wave after heat wave, resulting in 61,000 heat-related deaths, scientists estimate. In 2019, as the world experienced its hottest July on record, the continent also sweltered, with even towns in the Arctic circle reaching new scorching highs.

Spain and Portugal had their temperature records shattered in 2018 when a mass of hot air moved up from Africa, igniting forest fires in the Iberian Peninsula.

The idea that hot weather could be a killer, not just an inconvenience, was impressed on much of Europe by a deadly 2003 heat wave.

France, the most-affected country, had around 15,000 heat-related deaths, many of them of older people left in city apartments and retirement homes without air conditioning. The deaths prompted the country to introduce a warning system and reassess how it dealt with extreme temperatures.

Other countries are taking steps to protect the publics help during the sweltering summer of 2023,

In Greece, authorities last week introduced changes in working hours and ordered afternoon closures of the Acropolis and other ancient sites to allow workers to cope with the high heat. A second heat wave is expected to hit Thursday, and temperatures as high as 44 C (111 F) were expected in parts of central and southern Greece by the end of the week.

Three large wildfires burned outside Athens for a second day. Thousands of people evacuated from coastal areas south of the capital returned to their homes Tuesday when a fire finally receded after they spent the night on beaches, hotels and public facilities.

Most of Spain is under alert for high to extreme heat with forecasts calling for peak temperatures of 43 C (109 F) in areas along the Ebro River in the northeast and on the island of Mallorca. Spain is also dealing with a prolonged drought that has increased concerns about the risk of wildfires.

Some 400 firefighters assisted by nine water-dumping aircraft labored to extinguish a wildfire that burned for a fourth consecutive day on La Palma in Spains Canary Islands. Authorities said a perimeter was established around the blaze but it remained active.

In Switzerland, some 150 firefighters, police, troops and other emergency teams backed by helicopters fanned out Tuesday to fight a wildfire that engulfed a mountainside in the southwestern Wallis region, evacuating residents of four villages and hamlets in the area.

In a report Monday, the World Meteorological Organization said a committee of experts has verified the accuracy of Europes all-time heat record: the 48.8-degree Celsius (119.8 F) temperature reached on August 11, 2021, in Sicily. A full report has not yet been published.

The previous verified record of 48 degrees Celsius (118.4 degrees Fahrenheit) was set in Athens on July 10, 1977.

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Job seekers are being given the chance to test drive jobs via virtual reality.

The Ministry of Social Development has joined forces with local employers to host the Tauranga Community Employment expo.

A mix of logistics, food production, hospitality, horticulture, and government employers will be on hand to promote work opportunities in their sectors.

Job seekers who are keen to see whats on offer can head down the Greerton Community Hall, 1257 Cameron Road between 10am and 12.30pm on Thursday, July 27.

People will be able to put on a headset to get a flavour of work in various industries and simulate actual tasks through Virtual Reality.

Job seekers interested in upskilling can talk to training providers about their next move.

Our clients want to work, and were committed to doing everything we can to support them back into employment, says Bay of Plenty Regional Commissioner for Social Development Mike Bryant.

Business owners who might be looking at hiring are also welcome to stop by and have a chat about how we can support them with their recruitment needs.

The expo is free so just pop down.
Police are responding to a serious incident on Auckland's Quay Street.

A number of armed police are responding, police say.

The public have been asked to stay indoors and avoid the area.

"The serious incident in Auckland CBD this morning is currently contained to a building in lower Queen Street, which is under construction," says a police spokesperson.

"Police ask all members of the public to avoid the lower Queen Street area and for those in downtown inner-city buildings to remain inside their buildings at this time.

"This is a significant incident with multiple emergency services responding.

"A large police presence will remain in the area.

"Police will provide a further update as soon as we are in a position to do so."

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A helicopter flies over the waters of the Eastern Pacific. It scans the blue surface of the ocean, on the trail of a moving black spot that reveals the position of a school of tuna. The operation follows the same roadmap of the past two months: the aircraft finds the fish, alerts the crew of the Maria Delia and the vessel sets course for the location. On July 12, however, something unusual happened. From the air, the pilots spotted a small white catamaran, with a mast but no sails. There was no movement on deck. A man looked up at the sky, covering his face, dazzled by the sun, signaling for help.

Immediately, the helicopter pilots contacted the Maria Delia. The ship hurried to the location. A boatload of sailors approached the catamaran, circling the vessel several times to make sure there was no danger. The man and a dog approached the side. He was wearing a brown vest and a shirt that was had been, once, white. On his head, he sported a hat on top of a cap.

Do you speak English, one of the crew asked him. Yes sir, thank you, the man replied as he held his hands to his chest. Are you OK? Thank you, the man repeated. We need to know if you have any drugs or weapons aboard, the crewman stated. No, I dont have any drugs or weapons, the man replied. Are you sure? Yes, you can check anything you like. Ive been fishing here, surviving.

Timothy Shaddock is examined by a doctor from the Mexican National Institute of Migration, on July 18 in Colima. MEXICO'S NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF M (via REUTERS)

A storm, raw fish and ducks

The last time Tim Shaddock, a 54-year-old Australian, had seen land before Tuesday was in the Sea of Cortez under a full moon in early May. He had set sail aboard his small white catamaran, the Aloha Toa, from the port of La Paz, in Baja California Sur, western Mexico. His only companion is Bella, a dog he adopted some time ago. The sailors on the Maria Delia are the first sign of human life the odd couple has seen in three months.

Shaddock is dazed, confused. Hes still not quite sure whats happening, but he cant help but be thankful. [Shaddock was] amazed by our arrival. I feel he felt lost: he turned around, saw us, and his reaction was not even one of emotion, Orlando Zepeda, one of Shaddocks rescuers, tells EL PAIS.

The crew lifts Shaddock onto the lifeboat after searching his vessel and checking that he is not hiding weapons or drugs. He is 1,200 miles (almost 2,000 kilometers) from the Mexican coast, in international waters. For the past three months he and Bella have survived by eating raw fish he hunted with a harpoon, ducks he caught when they landed on the catamarans deck and rainwater. The only shelter on the Aloha Toa is a small cabin that provided some shade.

When he finally finds himself safe and sound aboard the Maria Delia, Shaddock burst into tears. He was dehydrated, malnourished, and showing signs of sunstroke. His blood pressure was taken and he was fine. He was just lacking food because he had been there for a long time, and little by little he was recovering, Zepeda says.

Tim Shaddock and his pet dog Bella in images broadcast on social networks after his rescue.

Shaddock is an experienced sailor and has traveled extensively in the Aloha Toa. He was attempting to sail to French Polynesia, more than 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles) across the open sea. But a storm hit. First, it ripped off his sail. Then, the engine stopped working. Two pieces of bad luck, says Antonio Suarez, president of Grupomar, the company that owns the Maria Delia.

Despite his malnourishment, disorientation and bedraggled appearance, the Australian adventurer is doing well. Im just so grateful. Im alive and I didnt really think Id make it

Shaddock said Tuesday when the Maria Delia docked at the port of Manzanillo, Colima There were many, many, many bad days and many good days, he said. The energy, the fatigue is the hardest part. [In a shipwreck] youre always fixing something. I was trying to find happiness within myself. And I found it alone, in the sea.

A bohemian man, who likes nature

Shaddock is a singular individual. A bohemian man, who likes nature, as Suarez defines him. The Australian was an athlete as a young man and an employee of the multinational technology company IBM. In the 1990s, he was diagnosed with cancer. He started treating himself with conventional medical remedies, but later decided to opt for holistic methods. Many are surprised at my seemingly opposing passions for technology and that of nature and natural healing. Its actually all about technology for me, its just that nature has profound technology embodied in it when you know how to apply it, he said in an interview with The Raw Food Kitchen magazine in 2013.

Trips like the one he attempted to French Polynesia are a regular occurrence in Shaddocks life, although there is no record of him having suffered any similar accidents previously. His shipwreck is a very exceptional and very strange case, says Suarez. However, this is not the first time that one of Grupomars boats has found a vessel adrift. In the years that I have been in tuna fishing we have had four or five cases of encountering people with a broken engine, a small yacht with a family aboard... he explains. Once, one of his boats encountered a missile floating in the middle of the ocean. Now that was tricky, he laughs.

Providing assistance to vessels adrift on the high seas is an obligation under the United Nations International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. With tuna fishing you travel many miles, in international waters, and we are aware that we are exposed to encountering single vessels. As a human being, you always approach vessels that you see like this in order to rescue people who may be shipwrecked, its the normal thing to do says Zepeda.

When the Maria Delia docked at the port of Manzanillo on July 18, the sailors had been at sea for two months. The Australian, for about 90 days. He may not know it yet but his story has captivated the world and major international newspapers are scrambling to get an interview. Suarez, who followed the rescue with the same interest as the media, raced to meet the famous castaway: I arrived in the morning, went to the boat and met Timothy. He hugged me. He was worried because he had no money and asked how much it was going to cost. Well, nothing, were saving you for free, says the Grupomar president.

Grupomar president Antonio Suarez greets Shaddock. Grupomar

The Australian government, consulted by this newspaper, says that it is providing consular assistance, although it states that due to privacy obligations they cannot comment further on the matter. The sailors of the Maria Delia, meanwhile, are toasting the rescue. Suarez invited the entire crew to lunch and follows news about Shaddock closely. Medical tests on shore confirm that he is doing well. There was also another cause for celebration: under the Australians catamaran they found a huge school of tuna. When the rescue operation was complete, the fishing began.
Eugenio Cabezas Axarquia Compartir Copiar enlace

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The images speak for themselves. They are bleak. Agonising. Historic. Never in its 34 years of life has La Vinuela reservoir, the true economic heart of the Axarquia region in Malaga province, been so close to death. It is the first time that it has been below 9% of its capacity. On Tuesday it was at 8.9%, with 14.6 cubic hectometres in storage, compared to 22.2 a year ago.

The apocalyptic situation has come about with potentiall more than six weeks of heatwave still to come and, to make matters worse, with very high temperatures, which increases the evaporation rate. Last year, the scarce reserves forced the Junta de Andalucia to take a decision that was also unprecedented and very drastic: since 1 October, there has been no water for irrigation for the more than 6,300 hectares of crops located below the river. Irrigated under the Guaro Plan, this has for three decades allowed the development of a flourishing agri-food industry of avocados and mangoes.

Between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022 barely 239.6 litres per square metre fell in the reservoir. So far this year the figures are even more dramatic: just 214.9. This amount does not even represent 50% of the average of the last 15 years, which was 430 litres.

In addition to the losses in the agricultural sector, are the supplies to local areas which are partially supplied by the reservoir. There are 14 municipalities below the level of the dam. In at least six of them, night-time cuts have already been established, after the Junta cut the supply for human consumption by 20%. These are Velez-Malaga, Benamargosa, El Borge, Moclinejo, Iznate and Almachar.

Rest of Malaga province

In the rest of Malaga province, the last drought management committee agreed to reduce consumption by 10%. The Junta maintains that each municipality has "freedom and autonomy" to establish whether or not to carry out restrictions, as long as the stipulated reduction is complied with. Faced with the dramatic situation of the Vinuela reservoir, the Junta, as the exclusive water authority in the Andalusian Mediterranean basin, is still trying to implement emergency measures, after approving three drought decrees in three years. While the first two focused on the use of regenerated water from wastewater treatment plants for irrigation, the third decree focuses on trying to squeeze the most out of the little water that remains stored in La Vinuela reservoir

Emergency works

On Tuesday the governing council declared emergency works for the installation of surface pumps connected to the supply intake, to try to ensure that the water sent to the El Trapiche drinking water plant is of the highest possible quality. As the reservoir level becomes lower and lower, the quality of the remaining water is poorer, due to the presence of organic matter. For this reason, at the same time, all the animal species that inhabit the reservoir, such as fish and turtles, will be eradicated.

The budget is more than 700,000 euros and its execution will last eight months, according to a statement from the regional administration. As announced at the end of April, this work is included in the third drought decree approved by the Andalusian government and is being carried out by the regional ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. It is set to improve the quality of the water supply to Almachar, Benamargosa, El Borge, Comares, Cutar, Iznate, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo, Rincon de la Victoria, Velez-Malaga, Totalan, Algarrobo, Torrox and Nerja, with a total of 170,000 inhabitants.

"Drastic measures"

The Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno, has been repeating in recent months that if there is no significant rainfall before September, "drastic measures will have to be taken in autumn".

As for the project to build one or two desalination plants in the Axarquia, the delegate of the Junta, Patricia Navarro, did not specify last week in Nerja whether the initiative launched by the Junta a year ago to grant a private company a concession to build a plant in Velez-Malaga, with a capacity to generate up to 37.5 cubic hectometres, will continue or be definitively shelved after the announcement by the central government to provide one hundred million euros to build a desalination plant in the eastern region.

"Nothing is being ruled out, we are studying which model will be implemented, which one will guarantee supply and irrigation," Navarro said.

Desalination plants promise

Last May, in the middle of the election campaign, the Andalusian president, Juanma Moreno, at an election rally in Torre del Mar, made a commitment to build two desalination plants in the Axarquia, one private and the other public. Moreno promised that the private one would be awarded before the end of June. There are three companies interested in its execution: Aciona, Magtel and the alliance formed by Trops, Grupo Cobra and the University of Malaga.
Lucky escape for lifeguard on Costa del Sol beach after watchtower collapse The young man fell from a height of around three metres and suffered an injury to his arm after the beach surveillance tower in Torrox toppled

Eugenio Cabezas Torrox Compartir Copiar enlace

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A lifeguard on the Ferrara beach in Torrox on Tuesday a lucky escape after the watchtower he was standing on broke at the base, for reasons which are being investigated. He fell to the ground from a height of around three metres and was left lying on the ground, unconsciouos. Dozens of bathers came to his rescue after hearing the crash. The emergency medical services and Local Police were also quickly mobilised.

The young man, aged 18, and complaining of cervical pain, was transferred to the Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquia, where he underwent numerous diagnostic tests to rule out any possible internal injuries. However, he had no serious injuries from the heavy blow when he hit the ground, except for an arm injury as a result of the effort he made to try to hold onto the structure as he fell.

The lifeguard is now recovering at home, recovering from the shock of the fall.

Municipal sources have told SUR that they have given orders to close all the watchtowers on the coastline until they are checked by their technicians. SUR has learnt that the young man had claimed in recent days that the wooden structure, located next to the promenade, "creaked every time he climbed up and was at the top".

The PSOE opposition party in Torrox said in a statement it "deeply regretted the incident that happened on the Ferrara beach, where a watchtower fell with the lifeguard who was on duty at the. It added, "the PP localgovernment and the mayor Oscar Medina will have to give explanations and show the technical report of the last time that all the watchtowers on our beaches were reviewed."

Ampliar Image of the base of the watchtowe that collapsed on Tuesday on Ferrara beach in Torrox. SUR

Tuesday's event in Torrox was similar to the one that happened in July 2016 in Nerja. Then it was on the Burriana beach, where a lifeguard hired by the town hall, Juan Castillo, was slightly bruised after the wooden turret he was on broke due to its poor state of repair.
The TV series that brings the crowds to Nerja Verano Azul, etched in the memories of a generation, is a major tourist attraction for the Costa del Sol resort

Jennie Rhodes Nerja Compartir Copiar enlace

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Anyone visiting Nerja might be struck by the number of things called Verano Azul (blue summer) in the town. Right at the entrance to the popular tourist destination is a park, Parque Verano Azul; there are also Apartamentos Verano Azul and a housing development and other properties, all with the same name.

Those visiting from neighbouring Portugal and France, or Latin America and even Czechia, Poland and Bulgaria as well as Angola will probably get the connection to the hit 1980s television series, which was almost as popular in those countries as it was here in Spain. However Verano Azul, which was mainly filmed in Nerja as well as other locations in Velez-Malaga and Almunecar, was never aired in English-speaking countries.

The hit 1980s TV series was broadcast in France, Portugal, countries in Eastern Europe and further afield, but was never shown in English-speaking countries

Verano Azul was broadcast between 1981 and 1982 in Spain and centred around the friendship and adventures of a group of children and teenagers whose families were spending the summer in the town.

Teenagers Javi, Quique, Bea and Desi, and younger boys Pirana and Tito (Beas little brother) befriended Julia, an artist who was also spending her summer in the town; a local retired fisherman, Chanquete; and Pancho, a fellow teenager whose family ran the local dairy.

Other references to the series can be found around Nerja, including Tienda Pancho, which is a shop at the premises of what was in the series Panchos dairy. Calle Antonio Ferrandis Chanquete, which leads to Parque Verano Azul, is named after the late actor who played the iconic fisherman. Bar El Molino in Calle San Jose is also known as La Tasca de Frasco as it was called in the cult series.

A statue of Chanquete stands on Mirador de Chanquete to the west of the famous Balcon de Europa, which itself appeared regularly in the programme, and the fishermans boat, La Dorada I, can be found at the end of Parque Verano Azul. There are plaques with the characters and actors names and faces dotted around the park too.

Chiringuito Ayo on Burriana beach featured in the series and set the stage for one of the episodes in which Pancho wanted to thank his friends and treated them to a paella made by the owner of the restaurant, Ayo, or Francisco Ortega, who played himself in the show.

It seems a great shame that Verano Azul was never shown in English-speaking countries, considering how popular Nerja is among Brits, Americans and Canadians in particular, many of whom spend their winters there and others who have chosen the place as their adopted home.

From top: La Dorada I can be found in Parque Verano Azul, Bar El Molino appears the series and Miguel Joven points to the image of himself as a child actor playing Tito. J. Rhodes

The series success can be put down to a number of factors, according to Miguel Joven, who played young Tito and who still lives in the town. It was relatable, it showed children on a seaside holiday, making friends and having adventures, just like many other Spanish children did and still do, he says.

But more importantly perhaps, explains Miguel, is the time that Verano Azul was made. Spain had just come out of a dictatorship. Attitudes were changing and the director, Antonio Mercero, was not afraid to tackle issues that had up until recently been taboo in Spain.

He highlights the differing attitudes between the parents, who had been born and grew up under Franco and the children, who were the first generation to know democracy and freedom. He explains that some laws were changing so quickly that episodes had to be remade to keep up with the changing times. There is one episode that deals with divorce, but you couldnt use that term, so instead the word separation was used. However, before the series was aired, the law changed and divorce was an acceptable term, so the scenes that previously used the word separation were changed, he explains.

Verano Azul also deals with the threat of development on the site of Chanquetes boat and protests. In one episode the children discover a cave, in much the same way as the Nerja Cave was discovered by a group of children in 1959.

Now, over 40 years old, there are also aspects of the programme that are perhaps a little outdated and would not exactly be seen as politically correct now, but the show lives on and many aspects are still relatable today. As well as the more serious themes, there are teenage crushes, pop groups and other ageless coming of age themes.

Miguel spent many years giving tours of locations used in the series and of course has seen thousands of not only Spanish fans of the show, but people from other countries who watched the programme. Its when I started to hear people talking about what the programme meant to them that I realised what an impact it had had on peoples lives, he says.

Sometimes he adds, it wasnt the programme itself, but the memories that are associated with it, like watching it with loved ones who are no longer here, or other personal circumstances that were happening around the time that it was shown on television. One particularly emotive story he was told came from a family from Angola who explained that they remembered it being a safe time to go outside to fetch water because people would put down their arms while Verano Azul was on TV.

In fact Miguel, who was born in Germany to a German mother and Spanish father and came to live in Nerja shortly before filming began, was cast as Tito after Antonio Mercero had discovered Chiringuito Ayo. Miguels father was a waiter there and upon hearing that the director was looking for a boy around Miguels age for the youngest member of the cast, Miguel was put forward as a potential candidate.

With no previous acting experience, and unable to read at the time, he was given the role. Miguel recalls how for the 16 months of filming, his father would read the script to him every night before filming and the then six-year-old would memorise it. I would know everyone elses lines too and would regularly prompt them and tease them if they forgot, including the great Antonio Ferrandis, he chuckles.

So next time youre in Nerja, go and look for Chanquetes statue and take a moment to contemplate the Balcon de Europa and Nerjas coastline with him, or pick up a map from the tourist office or online: www.veranoazul.org. Look for Tienda Pancho and La Tasca de Frasco (Bar Molino) and have your own Verano Azul in the Costa del Sols most eastern destination. For anyone interested in watching the series, it can be accessed for free in Spanish on www.rtve.es.
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The Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard police blotter of arrests from police agencies around Central New York has been updated today.

The arrests added this week have dates between June 4 and July 16, but most of the new arrests are from the last couple weeks. Those arrests added do not include more than 470 charges filed during Syracuse Nationals. Arrests from that weekend be added to the blotter over the next week or two as Syracuse Police provide them to us.
Timothy Shaddok on board the Maria Delia after his rescue. Grupomar (Cortesia)

It has been three months since Tim Shaddock, a 54-year-old Australian sailor, and his dog Bella last set foot on dry land. Shaddock had set sail from La Paz, in Baja California Sur in Mexico, bound for French Polynesia, a journey of more than 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles). However, a storm damaged his boat. Weeks later, a tuna vessel came across the catamaran, adrift in the Pacific Ocean. On Tuesday, after months of eating raw fish and drinking rainwater to survive, Shaddock made landfall again in the port of Manzanillo, in the Mexican state of Colima. Im feeling all right. Im feeling a lot better than I was, I tell ya, he told the media as he stepped off the boat.

The helicopter belonging to the tuna vessel Maria Delia, captained by Oscar Meza, spotted Shaddock adrift in a damaged boat in the middle of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, in international waters, more than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from the coast. To the captain and fishing company that saved my life, Im just so grateful. Im alive and I didnt really think Id make it, he said.

At the time of the rescue, after three months at sea, Shaddock was showing signs of dehydration and sunstroke. Grupomar, the company that owns the tuna trawler, said he and Bella were both in a precarious position and had been without adequate provisions or shelter. Crew members provided water, food and medical attention.

The Australian sailor explained his passion for the sea when speaking to reporters after disembarking the Maria Delia and said he plans to sail again soon. Shaddock had previously traveled on his catamaran, the Aloha Toa, in other parts of the world. I have been through a very difficult ordeal at sea, he told Australias 9News. Im just needing rest and good food because I have been alone at sea a long time. Otherwise, Im in very good health. On Tuesday, although dishevelled, Shaddock said he felt great as he once again touched dry land. There were many, many, many bad days and many good days, he said. The energy, the fatigue is the hardest part.

The last time Shaddock saw land was in the Sea of Cortez in the Gulf of California, at the beginning of May, under a full moon.

Grupomar notified the various authorities, from the Ministry of the Navy to the Australian Embassy, of the rescue so that legal protocols could be initiated to allow the shipwrecked Australian to return home to Sydney.

Antonio Suarez, Grupomars president, said Tuesday that the voyage during which the Maria Delia rescued Shaddock may have been its final trip, because he is modernizing the companys fleet and the boat is its smallest and more than 50 years old. If so, it would be a marvelous farewell, saving human lives, Suarez said.

Shaddock hugged Suarez in gratitude, and Suarez invited him to go for a meal in celebration.

When asked what he would like to eat back on land, Shaddock, smiling and jovial as he slid into a waiting car, said tuna sushi.
Jordan, N.Y.  Terence Doddy was doing something he loved to do on Sunday: Enjoying a beautiful summer day on his boat on Cross Lake with family.

The 76-year-old man took a dive into the lake to join others in the cool water.

He came up, looked at me and tried to say my name, said Jacklyn Bell, Doddys granddaughter. Then he went back under.

What happened next was a frantic attempt by Bell, who is a registered nurse, and other family members to keep Doddy afloat, get him back to the boat and somehow to try to save him.

The family was out Sunday on what Bell called a typical summer boat ride on Seneca River before circling back to Cross Lake for a swim. Joining Doddy and Bell on the boat were her daughter, Doddys grandson and her grandfathers fiance.

Bell, Doddy, his 13-year-old grandson and Bell decided to go for a swim to cool off from the summer heat. Bell, who is 32, said she has swam in Cross Lake all her life.

Bell and the grandson jumped into the water and Doddy dove in soon after. Doddy came up and tried to swim. He attempted two breast strokes before he sank back under the water, Bell said.

Bell said she quickly grabbed her grandfather and pulled him above water, but he was unconscious.

She attempted to swim back to the boat holding her grandfather, but realized it would take too much energy. The boat had drifted away.

To conserve energy, Bell said she and the grandson treaded water, holding Doddy above water the best they could.

Bell yelled to her 12-year-old daughter, Lilly Noel, to call 911. She told Doddys fiance, Dianna Stevens, to try to pilot the boat closer.

Bell told her daughter to blow a whistle and honk the boats horn to get help from shore. Bell also blew a whistle attached to the life vest the grandson was wearing.

Bell said about eight minutes in the grandson began to struggle as he helped hold onto Doddy. Bell, worried about the grandson drowning, shifted to holding him on one side and kept Doddy afloat by his arm on her other side.

[He] looked at me and said were gonna have to leave him, and I said we will have to leave him if you feel too tired you let me know, Bell said.

Bell said even when she was in the water her training as a nurse made her realize her grandfather had probably died.

Bell said her priority was saving them both, but she mostly held onto the grandson as they approached about 15 minutes of treading water.

Stevens, who wasnt familiar with operating a boat, struggled to get the boat close to them. She was nervous she would hit them.

Finally getting close, Stevens handed Bell a rope and they tied it around Doddy. Then Bell heped getthe grandson get aboard the boat.

Bell struggled trying to pull Doddy the three feet from the water and onto the boat by herself. Moments later, two people on jet skis drove up to help her lift him up.

Once Doddy was on the boat, Bell started to administer CPR.

About five minutes later, an Onondaga County Sheriffs Office deputy arrived on a jet ski and took over, before a third person, an EMT, arrived on a jet ski to provide aid.

Bell piloted the boat to the dock to meet the emergency crews on scene. Despite all the life saving measures, Doddy had died.

Related article: 76-year-old man dies while boating on Cross Lake

Prior to the incident, Bell said Doddy was acting normal. But he did have health issues in the past, she said. ( An official cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.)

Bell, who lives in Camillus, says her grandfather was an adventurous guy who took loved ones on motorcycle rides and boat rides during the summer.

Doddy worked for Local 669 Sprinkler Fitters for 40 years, Bell said. He was also a veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Doddy was exposed to Agent Orange, a toxic, plant-killing chemical, and later developed renal cell carcinoma. He had a kidney removed 10 years ago and beat prostate carcinoma last year, Bell said.

Bell said Doddy was a family man who had four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was engaged to be married to Stevens and the two were coming up on their one year anniversary together this month.

Bell, who works at The Center For Childrens Surgery at Upstate University Hospital, hopes more people will consider wearing life preservers because Doddy wasnt wearing one when he jumped into the lake for a quick swim.

Boating personal floatation device laws in New York dont require people over the age of 12 to wear a life vest. Regardless of age, however, boaters are encouraged to wear a them when there is a chance of high boat traffic, severe weather, cold water, dangerous water conditions, boating off-shore, operating at night, poor swimming skills or if rescue or assistance is unlikely.

Bell said she knows Doddy was past the age where a life vest is required, but she said it could have helped keep her grandfather afloat and would have made it easier to get him back to the boat.

She just hopes now others realize the importance of a life vest for anyone swimming in a lake, river or ocean.

I know my grandfather would appreciate me trying to help save other people by saying, make sure that you always wear a life vest, Bell said.

***

Funeral arrangements are still pending. The family does plan a burial service at the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Howlett Hill Road in the town of Onondaga.

***

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
Dewitt, N.Y.  A woman set a fire in a Carrier Circle hotel room in DeWitt Tuesday morning, causing significant damage, police said.

Around 9:40 a.m., officers responded to Extended Stay America, at 6630 Old Collamer Rd. S, for a fire in a room, according to a news release Wednesday from the DeWitt Police Department.

When police arrived, guests and workers had evacuated the building due to the fire and heavy smoke condition on the third floor, police said. The fire was contained to room 305, they said.

The occupant of the room, Alicia McGinnis, 32 ,of DeWitt, had intentionally set the fire, police said.

Police found McGinnis in the lobby of the hotel and took her into custody, they said.

McGinnis was charged with second-degree arson, fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree reckless endangerment. She was arraigned in Centralized Arraignment Court and is being held in the the Onondaga County Justice Center on no bail.

A woman set fire to a hotel room in the Extended Stay America, at 6630 Old Collamer Rd. South, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The fire caused significant damage to the room, according to DeWitt police. (Rylee Kirk| rkirk@syracuse.com)

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
Live Nation is offering a special sale price for more than 50 concerts in Upstate New York, including more than a dozen shows at St. Josephs Health Amphitheater at Lakeview in Syracuse.

The Summers Live sale began Wednesday morning, featuring 4 tickets for $80 all-in to select concerts while inventory lasts. All-in means the price includes all fees, before taxes, for a value of about $20 per ticket.

Visit livenation.com/summerslive to see the list of participating events, artists or venues, including St. Joes Amp in Syracuse, Darien Lake Amphitheater, SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center), Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the JMA Wireless Dome, and the Landmark Theatre. (Scroll down to see the full list of which Upstate New York shows are currently on sale below.)

When you select a concert youre interested in, look for the Summers Live 4 Pack and click on it  it will automatically add a 4-pack of tickets to your online shopping cart for $80 (plus taxes). You can click on Filters to narrow down the tickets displayed to only show Summers Live 4 Packs.

Note: The package is four tickets for one show, but fans can buy 4-packs for multiple shows while supplies last. If a Summers Live 4 Pack is not listed, that means the sale is not being offered for that show or theyve sold out of the 4-packs being offered in the promotion.

The sale will last through Aug. 1 or until supplies run out. Live Nation says more performers may be added throughout the promotion period, so fans may want to check back to see if any 4-packs become available for the shows theyre interested in.

Some shows are not likely to become available as part of the sale if tickets are sold out or nearly sold out. For example, Phishs Syracuse concert has already sold more than 14,000 tickets; outside lawn chairs will not be allowed for that show or for Zac Brown Band at St. Joes Amp.

For more information, visit livenation.com/summerslive.

St. Josephs Health Amphitheater - Syracuse, N.Y.

July 29: Matchbox Twenty with Matt Nathanson ( tickets

Aug. 1: Mudvayne with Coal Chamber, Gwar, Nonpoint + Butcher Babies ( tickets

Aug. 3: Godsmack and Staind ( tickets

Aug. 8: Pantera with Lamb of God ( tickets

Aug. 11: Zac Brown Band ( tickets

Aug. 12: Disturbed with Breaking Benjamin ( tickets

Aug. 16: Goo Goo Dolls with O.A.R. ( tickets

Aug. 17: Yellowcard with Mayday Parade, Story of the Year ( tickets

Aug. 18: Ghost with Amon Amarth ( tickets

Aug. 24: Pentatonix with Lauren Alaina ( tickets

Aug. 25: Sam Hunt with Brett Young ( tickets

Sept. 2: Foreigner with Loverboy ( tickets

Sept. 12: Falling in Reverse with Ice Nine Kills ( tickets

Sept. 13: Shinedown with Papa Roach, Spiritbox ( tickets

JMA Wireless Dome - Syracuse, N.Y.

Aug. 5: Motley Crue & Def Leppard ( tickets

Landmark Theatre - Syracuse, N.Y.

Darien Lake Amphitheater - Darien Center, N.Y.

July 28: Foreigner ( tickets

July 29: Boy George & Culture Club ( tickets

July 30: Outlaw Music Fest feat. Willie Nelson, Nathaniel Rateliff ( tickets

Aug. 1: Matchbox Twenty ( tickets

Aug. 3: Jelly Roll ( tickets

Aug. 4: Fall Out Boy ( tickets

Aug. 5: 50 Cent with Busta Rhymes ( tickets

Aug. 6: Godsmack and Staind ( tickets

Aug. 9: Pantera ( tickets

Aug. 16: Nickelback ( tickets

Aug. 20: The Offspring with Sum 41 and Simple Plan ( tickets

Aug. 21: The All-American Rejects with New Found Glory, The Starting Line, Get Up Kids ( tickets

Sept. 1: Odesza ( tickets

Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) - Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

July 28: Govt Mule ( tickets

July 30: Matchbox Twenty ( tickets

Aug. 1: Foreigner ( tickets

Aug. 6: The Chicks ( tickets

Aug. 8: Goo Goo Dolls ( tickets

Aug. 13: Zac Brown Band ( tickets

Aug. 22: Brit Floyd ( tickets

Aug. 23: Pentatonix ( tickets

Sept. 15: Outlaw Music Festival feat. Willie Nelson, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros. ( tickets

Sept. 16: Killer Queen ( tickets

Artpark - Lewiston, N.Y.

at Artpark Mainstage Theater (tickets) Aug. 5: Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

at Artpark Mainstage Theater (tickets) Aug. 17: Parker McCollum

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts - Bethel, N.Y.

July 22: Boy George & Culture Club ( tickets

July 28: Dierks Bentley ( tickets

July 29: Outlaw Music Fest feat. Willie Nelson, Nathaniel Rateliff ( tickets

July 30: Hollywood Vampires (feat. Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry ( tickets

Aug. 3: The Chicks ( tickets

Aug. 6: Goo Goo Dolls ( tickets

Aug. 12: Zac Brown Band ( tickets

Aug. 24: Sam Hunt ( tickets

Kodak Center - Rochester, N.Y.

Aug. 1: Regina Spektor

Sept. 22: Ray LaMontagne

Oct. 13: Lewis Black

Empire Live - Albany, N.Y.

Oct. 13: Muscadine Bloodline
A new movie shot in the Syracuse area is coming to Hulu next month.

Miguel Wants to Fight, the eighth Hulu Original film from Liverpool-based American High, is a coming-of-age comedy about a 17-year-old boy who asks his three best friends to help him get in his first fight ever before moving to a new city.

Despite living in a neighborhood where fighting is stitched into the fabric of everyday life, high school junior Miguel (Tyler Dean Flores) has never found himself in one. And, to be honest, hes perfectly fine with that. But when a combination of events turn his life upside down, Miguel and his three best friends the stoic David (Christian Vunipola), the rowdy Cass (Imani Lewis) and the quick-tonged Srini (Suraj Partha) enter into a series of hilarious misadventures as he tries to get into his first ever fight, the official synopsis says.

Flores, whose credits include The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and The Dark Knight Rises, leads a cast that includes Raul Castillo (Army of the Dead), Dascha Polanco (Orange is the New Black), and Andrea Navedo (Jane the Virgin).

"Miguel Wants To Fight," the eighth Hulu Original Film shot by American High in the Syracuse area, is a coming of age comedy about a 17-year-old who asks his three best friends to help him get in his first fight ever before he moves to a new city. Mrs. Rodriguez (Dascha Polanco), shown. (Photo by: Brett Roedel/Hulu)

Hulu released a first look at the movie Wednesday that includes a photo of Flores fighting Jordyn Owens (Uncoupled) in a field with an Onondaga County Water Authority tower in the background. Other filming locations include American Highs headquarters at Syracuse Studios, the former A.V. Zogg Middle School and Liverpool high school.

The film is directed by Oz Rodriguez and written by Jason Conception and Shea Serrano and produced by American Highs Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps and Molle DeBartolo with Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon and Oz Rodriguez. Executive producers include Jimmy Price and Michael Glassman.

Miguel Wants to Fight will premiere Aug. 16 on Hulu. A trailer has not yet been released.

Its one of 16 feature-length movies shot in Central New York by American High over the past six years. Other American High titles include Sid is Dead, Its a Wonderful Binge, I Love My Dad, Crush, Sex Appeal, Plan B, The Binge, Big Time Adolescence, Looks That Kill, The Ultimate Playlist of Noise, Holly Slept Over and Banana Split, along with the upcoming releases Empire Waist and an untitled Kevin James film.

American High renewed a deal with Hulu earlier this year for more movies on the streaming service.
By Joshua Solomon | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul pulled in $4.5 million in donations during the first half of this year after winning a narrow election for her first full term as governor last November.

Hochuls campaign also touted $1.5 million collected by the oft-ridiculed state Democratic Party.

The large haul adds to Hochuls growing reputation as an impressive fundraiser.

I am grateful for the outpouring of support that we have received in our first full term as governor, Hochul said in a statement released by her campaign Monday.

Detailed information of her campaigns fundraising efforts, due on Monday, were not yet available with the state Board of Elections.

Hochuls statement emphasized the work she is doing to try and stem crime and improve the states economy. She framed her contributions in the perspective that it is a win for working-class families and small businesses.

Clearly, we have overwhelming support for that vision, Hochul said.

The support for her vision, although often ridiculed by Republicans and Democrats to her political left, has been robust since she took over following the August 2021 resignation of former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in August 2021.

Her fundraising strength has been so robust that some political observers pointed to it as the reason the primary field for governor has been so limited.

The gubernatorial campaign of Attorney General Letitia James, whose office was fresh off an investigation that produced a searing report on Cuomo, was short-lived. Her campaign shut down shortly after early fundraising numbers showed her far behind the totals Hochul amassed while in office.

Hochuls reputation as a prolific fundraiser has also drawn scrutiny by government watchdogs, journalists and political opponents.

Contributions from the family whose company won a massive, no-bid contract to distribute COVID-19 tests for the state led to criticism of Hochuls ability to at least avoid the appearance of an administration that was for sale.

The concerns over pay-to-play have long been flatly denied by Hochul. She says there is a firm firewall between her campaign and her administration.

Former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, last years Republican candidate for governor, often emphasized his concerns with Hochul taking political contributions from people with business before the state.

Zeldins campaign led to the tightest race for governor in over two decades. Hochul had been expected to win easily in a state that has twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans.

Since winning election, Hochul has turned more firmly to her concerns on crime, an issue Zeldin often highlighted and which has consistently polled as a top concern for New Yorkers.

She also made an attempted push for a major program to double the amount of housing expected to be built in the state over the next decade.

The plan was fought by lawmakers in the suburbs, who expressed concern about a measure to override local zoning laws. It also lacked support from liberal Democrats in New York City, who wanted to see more robust tenant protections and guarantees for the housing construction to be done by union workers.

Hochuls campaign has received generous support from the real estate and building industries.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
By Joshua Solomon | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  Gov. Hochul renewed her push Tuesday to build more housing that she contends would drive down costs and result in a more affordable New York.

Fresh off of a defeat on the proposal at the hands of the Democratic-controlled state Legislature, Hochul said she is taking matters into her own hands.

Hochul put forward a series of executive actions this week, including prioritizing the distribution of $650 million to pro-housing municipalities and extending portions of the controversial program that gives tax breaks to developers who construct buildings in New York City that include at least some affordable housing.

Were changing how were going to do business and were sending a very simple message that communities that do their part to build housing will get priorities for funding over those who will not, Hochul said in Brooklyn. How do you like that?

In addition to extending the controversial tax subsidy for New York City housing development, the governor signed an executive order clearing the way for the state to prioritize funding for housing to communities that the state deems as being inviting to new development.

The order also calls for a statewide study of the issue, along with state agencies avoiding putting forth new regulations that could impede housing growth. A new data dashboard shows housing vacancy rates throughout the state.

In order to substantiate the need for this executive action, Hochuls order it is onerous local government policies that unduly inhibit housing development generally or prohibit the approval of certain housing proposals and thereby increase development costs and restrict the housing supply.

The executive order notes that while pro-housing communities could have a leg-up on receiving state dollars for supplementing housing developments, it also includes a caveat that the other communities will not be deprioritized.

If the project is expressly for the purpose of funding housing development, including mixed-use developments that contain housing components, or would fund non-housing investments necessary for and made in relation to a particular housing development, one of the non-prioritized communities could still receive the funding, according to the executive order.

Housing expert Annemarie Gray, executive director of Open New York, cautioned that the reality is that few municipalities will take advantage of the new pro-housing designations.

These actions are necessary, important, and yet insufficient to address the scale of our housing crisis, Gray said. Nonetheless, we are pleased to see the governor do what she can to make up some ground after Albanys disastrous and inactive legislative session on housing.

Hochuls original plan, as she came off narrowly winning her first full term as governor, was to double the number of housing units that would be built in the state over the next decade. The plan included an assumption New York Citys controversial 421-A tax subsidy program would be extended by the state Legislature, which it was not. It did not include substantial elements aimed at growing housing upstate.

We announced this bold plan; the Legislature was not ready for it, Hochul said. But I still believe we need a comprehensive solution to meet the scale of the crisis.

The governors plan faced fierce opposition from multiples sides. Those objections came from suburbanites, of various political stripes, who opposed the potential overhaul of local zoning rights, liberals who wanted robust tenant protections like good causeeviction, and labor leaders who wanted any plan to include requirements for the work to be done by union workers.

I need the advocates on my side. I need labor on my side, Hochul said.

While the president of 32BJ SEIU spoke at the Brooklyn event with the governor on Tuesday, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, the state Senate Labor Committee chairwoman, quickly signaled her frustration with the plan.

Notably absent from todays announcement are the inclusions of any labor standards, Ramos said in a statement. New York should not subsidize poverty wages as part of our strategy for tackling the affordability crisis. What good is new housing if the people who build it cant afford to live there?

The project Hochul was specifically announcing, in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, was touted by 32BJ SEIU President Manny Pastreich for being done with organized labor.

But the project was not unanimously supported by labor groups.

We are disappointed in the governors decision to side with billionaire real estate developers over the hundreds of thousands of working men and women in the unionized construction industry, said the union leaders of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, state District Council of Iron Workers and Business Manager Cement and Concrete Workers, District Council 16.

It also was rejected by the Legal Aid Society, which said in a statement: With this executive order, Gov. Hochul continues to ignore the urgent needs of tenants statewide who are struggling each month to make rent.

Hochul described the issue of housing as politically fraught, but worth fighting for her initiatives, which she argues would stem the states nation-leading population decline.

It gets a little hot in the kitchen sometimes, Hochul said. Yeah, Ive been burned, but Im still here.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
Two elected Republicans from Onondaga County are taking early steps to seek the partys nomination next year for the 50th state Senate District seat that will be vacated by Democrat John Mannion.

Onondaga County Legislature Chairman James Rowley, a Republican, plans to announce Thursday that he will run for the open seat.

A second Republican, Salina Town Supervisor Nick Paro, told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that he is considering whether to jump into the race as well. But he wont make a final decision until next year.

Paro is up for reelection in November for the town supervisors post.

Mannion, of Geddes, said last week that he wont seek election to a third term in 2024 and instead will run for Central New Yorks seat in Congress.

Rowley said in a statement today that he will seek the Republican and Conservative Party endorsements for the state Senate seat.

Crime, taxes, over regulation  the list of issues plaguing New York is long, he said. We must do better. Winning this seat and breaking the Democratic super majority will be a big step in the right direction.

Rowley has served as Clay town supervisor and worked for Onondaga County as its chief fiscal officer. He now works for the Oneida City School District as assistant superintendent for finance and operations.

Rowley, 61, told syracuse.com in December that he planned to retire in 2024 from his school job and would not seek a new term this November on the county legislature.

He became the legislatures chairman in a political coup that brought together Republicans and Democrats.

Paro, 32, is finishing his first term as Salinas town supervisor. He was first elected to the town board in 2019.

Paro gained national attention earlier this year for his effort to keep New York City from temporarily housing migrants at the Candlewood Suites hotel in Salina.

A tremendous amount of people have called and urged me to run for the Senate seat, he said today. Its been kind of an interesting few weeks. Im flattered. I find it to be an interesting prospect. But my focus is very much on winning reelection in November.

Paro declined to identify who has recruited him, but he said the list included big-time donors, top party officials and some members of state government.

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
Craig Fox, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y. (TNS)

WATERTOWN  Kathy T. Plante-Hunt felt compelled to let the community know that a fentanyl overdose killed her daughter two years ago in Upstate New York.

Plante-Hunt thought that others should know that it could happen to their loved ones, so she arranged to put a billboard up on a downtown Watertown building.

A drug dealer sold my daughter her last breath, the sign facing Public Square says.

Her daughter, Tamarra A. Tammy Plante, died on June 15, 2021, at the age of 37 after struggling with drug addiction for about five years.

Plante-Hunt blames the drug dealer who sold her heroin laced with fentanyl and the friend who drove her to the place where the drug buy took place.

As she sees it, both should be charged with murder.

The community needs to know how many people are dying from drug overdoses, she said.

I decided that I had to do something, she said. Its been two years, June 15, since she passed.

Since it went up on a two-story building at 104 Court St., shes received overwhelming support about sending the message through a billboard where everyone going by could look up to see what caused her daughter to die, she said.

I want people to know what happened to her, Plante-Hunt said. I dont want more people to die.

Nine more lives ended tragically in the community within a month of her daughters death, she said.

And what about Tammy? What would she think about the billboard?

Tammy would want me to do this and try to help people, her mother said.

She last saw her daughter, a mother of four teenagers, about two weeks before her death when they went to the village-wide rummage sale in Sackets Harbor on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

After that weekend, the mother and daughter had a disagreement about Tammy not calling to find out about the condition of her grandmother who had brain surgery at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and was diagnosed with cancer.

She sent a text message to Tammy asking whether she cared about her grandmother.

She answered, Yes, Im sorry.

That was the last time she heard from her.

On the day she died, Tammy received a large check in the mail, so her 18-year-old son who lived with her, and a friend went to the Salmon Run Mall to go clothing shopping.

It started as a good day, her mother said. Tammy bought a number of items, went home and got a pizza. She went upstairs to her bedroom, where she was later found unresponsive in bed with a slice of pizza next to her, her mother said.

That night, Plante-Hunt got a call at about 9 p.m. from a mutual friend that a womans body was found in Tammys apartment.

She and her husband, Scott Hunter, immediately drove over to the apartment. Two police officers were there but the ambulance had already left, Plante-Hunt remembered.

She asked the coroner if she could see her daughter, who was lying on a gurney. Her skin was cool to touch. She kissed her.

The medical equipment, the tubing used to intubate her, and the Narcan and other medications used to try to save her life were left in her bedroom, her mother said.

The parents are left to clean it up, her mother said.

The heroin didnt kill her, her father said. According to the death certificate, she died of a fentanyl overdose.

The time of death was never determined, Plante-Hunt said.

Tammy began her struggles with drugs with Vicodin and using cocaine in a local bar with her girlfriends. When they learned she used heroin, her parents confronted her.

I told her she was playing with Russian roulette, her father said.

She answered, I know what Im doing.

During the last year she was alive, Tammy didnt have any contact with him for about six months, Hunter said.

With her mothers support, Tammy tried to get help. She went through outpatient treatment and drug counseling. Her mother tried to get her to go through inpatient treatment, but the drugs had control of Tammy. She wouldnt do it. Her counselor gave up on her, saying that she needed to help herself, Plante-Hunt said.

By that time, she had lost a lot of weight and her teeth. The drugs had taken a toll on her appearance. She was no longer a beautiful girl like before her addiction, Plante-Hunt said.

The drugs and the need for drugs caused her body to always ache and she had no energy. She declined numerous invitations to do things with her family, Plante-Hunt said.

Tammys problems with drugs also caused her to lose three of her children, who now live out of state with their father.

Growing up, Tammy was the wild child, a challenge for her parents, they said.

She was sassy, her mother said, adding that Tammy wouldnt take anything from anyone and also could dish it out if she wanted.

But she had dreams for herself. And she relied on God to help her through the tough times.

One thing about my daughter, she loved the Lord and was born again, but the drugs were too much for her, she said.

And dealers who supplied drugs also were too much for her, her mother said.

Drug dealers only care about one thing  making money, her mother said.

Many local drug dealers have regular day jobs in all kinds of fields, she said. Selling drugs is their side job.

Calling them potential serial killers, she said theyre predators who dont care that they turn the junkies they sell drugs to into zombies on the streets.

They are not scum bags. They are victims, she said. They had families and their lives mattered.

Shes pretty sure who sold the drugs that killed her daughter and who drove her there to buy them. But the police have told her they cannot make an arrest because they have no proof, she said.

She also blames the state for not doing enough to help people like her daughter. She also accuses the state of being an enabler for providing drug users with syringes, Narcan and Suboxone, a medication thats often used for addiction treatment for opioid use and helps manage withdrawal symptoms.

In 2021, the year that Tammy died, the state recorded 70,601 people dying of overdoses.

More should be done for users, more drug treatment clinics need to be built and families need more help, she said.

But people keep dying. And its families who are left behind with the pain and grief of losing loved ones, she said.

Its a cycle that needs to finally be broken, Plante-Hunt insisted.

___

(c)2023 Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.)

Visit Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) at www.watertowndailytimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Men help a firefighter as they try to extinguish a wildfire burning near the village Vlyhada, near Athens, Greece, on July 19, 2023.

Firefighting aircraft and ground crews from other countries headed to Greece on Thursday to help battle wildfires that have intensified as a heat wave baked much of southern Europe in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

New evacuations were ordered Wednesday as wildfires raged near Athens. In a round-the-clock battle to preserve forests, industrial facilities and vacation homes, evacuations continued for a third day Thursday along a highway connecting the capital to the southern city of Corinth.

In the small town of Mandra, located 25 kilometers west of Athens, resident Varvara Paraskevopoulou said the flames reached her doorstep before the Fire Service personnel did. She described fleeing the fire on Tuesday and then returning to help a group of residents trying to protect their properties themselves.

We extinguished what we could by ourselves and managed to save some homes. As youll see further up, three or four houses  residences and storage spaces  were burnt completely, Paraskevopoulou said.

Firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia were due in Greece on Thursday, and Israel pledged to send two firefighting planes, adding to the four from Italy and France that were already operating outside Athens.

Southern Europes second heat wave in as many weeks has brought extreme temperatures to Mediterranean countries. Temperatures in southern Greece were expected to reach 44 C (111 F) by the end of the week.

Alessandro Miani, president of the Italian Society of Environmental Doctors, warned that the aging populations in Italy and other countries are a concern because heat-related deaths most commonly happen in people over age 80.

The excessive heat together with humidity can make it difficult for sweat to evaporate, interfering with the bodys ability to regulate its own temperature, Miani said.

The heat in Rome eased only slightly after a sweltering 42-43 C (107-109 F) on Tuesday, while highs in Sicily and Sardinia reached 46 C (114 F). Parts of Spain were as high as 45 C (113 F) on Wednesday.

Amador Cortes, a resident in the southern Spanish city of Jaen, said people were doing their best to avoid the sun during midday hours and the early afternoon.

The truth is, they take shelter at home with the air conditioning, with the fan. In the street, the elderly suffer a lot. Anyway, we have to put up with it, he said.

In the southern Turkish city of Adana, a group of residents handed out desserts in the street, and many paid tribute to the late U.S. engineer Willis Carrier, who invented the air conditioner in 1902.

The people of Adana really need air conditioners. God bless him for making such an invention, city resident Mehmet Saygin told Turkeys DHA news agency.

The latest heat wave added to concerns about climate change. The World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations body, said preliminary global figures showed last month was the hottest June on record.

The extreme weather, an increasingly frequent occurrence in our warming climate, is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy and water supplies, WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said Wednesday.

This underlines the increasing urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible.

The firefighters were being sent to Greece as part of a European Union civil protection mechanism that includes the planned deployment of international crews to parts of southern Europe over the summer.

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Imagine being uprooted in ones own country. That is what happened to a 16-year-old boy, Dima. With a hodgepodge of Russian and Ukrainian documents, he escaped from the Crimean Peninsula  occupied by Moscow since 2014  and arrived a few days ago in Kyiv, where he now lives with his brother. To reach the Ukrainian capital, he had to travel for four days through three countries (Russia, Turkey and Moldova). A necessary detour to leave the peninsula that is part of Ukraine, but under Russian control, and return to territory that is part of the same country. It is clear from his testimony that he is not leaving behind a ruthless dictatorship, but a system that is trying to erase Ukrainian identity, history, and culture.

The big worry for many Ukrainians like Dima is that they will be forced to put on a Russian uniform, because they live in an occupied zone, and end up shooting their fellow countrymen. Although he is still a minor, that is what torments Dima (not his real name for security reasons) the most. Id run cross-country if I had to, he asserts. He already has acquaintances who, having just turned 20, have been conscripted into the occupation forces and are operating in the neighboring region of Kherson.

The same fear affects young men and women living in other Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, such as parts of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions, where Russification is also being imposed with the distribution of passports from the invading authorities as a condition for collecting pensions, paying bills, and banking. Even in school we were given pamphlets to brainwash us, the young man adds.

In Sevastopol no one cares about anyone else, everyone is trying to cheat and screw the next guy

The escape plan, tempered with the unwavering desire to return to his hometown of Sevastopol as soon as possible, is part of a process that has been simmering for some time and stems from a rejection of a life under the Russian tricolor flag. Dima was seven years old when the Russians occupied Crimea and remembers almost nothing of that assault, but as he explains, he has done his best to maintain the link with Ukraine and complete his education within its system. On the advice of his family, he had been studying for four years by distance learning in the Ukrainian education system, while attending face-to-face classes imposed in Crimea by the Russian Ministry of Education.

During the interview with this newspaper in a Kyiv store, Dima savors several glasses of Pepsi Cola, one after the other. Until now, they were an inaccessible luxury among the Russian imitations of U.S. soft drinks. With the beginning of the invasion last year, Ukrainian-made coketails that were stolen from establishments in Kherson started arriving in Crimea, he explains as he shows a photo of one of the cans on his cell phone. You could buy them in small stores, he notes.

Gradually his life is adapting to the capital. In a few days he will take the university entrance exams with the idea of studying economics or international relations. The Kyiv education authorities were surprised that he showed a Crimean birth certificate and his grades from a school in the Donetsk region for enrollment. In fact, although he has lived under Russian occupation of the peninsula for more than half his life, the war that began last year eventually affected his academic education. The first center where he was enrolled for distance learning under the Ukrainian system was located in the town of Volnovaja (Donetsk). It was destroyed last year and today is in the middle of the front line. Thus, he had to attend a school in Sloviansk, in the same region, and by taking the exams from Sevastopol, he obtained his Ukrainian transcript of records.

Dima arrives at our meeting straight from the hairdressers. His haircut, he claims, could be a reason for him to be picked on or called gay in Crimea, a closed and violent society. Because of details like that, he says he wanted to escape from a regime where they were always tightening the screws. In Kyiv he was surprised that a salesclerk took the time to ask about his preferences or that at the book fair a friend of his brothers was interested in him and his trip. And he didnt know me at all, he stresses. In Sevastopol no one cares about anyone else, everyone is trying to cheat and screw the next guy, he argues.

Dima left home with his 47-year-old mother on June 18 and arrived in Kyiv on June 22. His 46-year-old father does not have the opportunity to leave. To avoid being enlisted in the invading army, he is not registered with the Moscow authorities and this prevents him from traveling abroad.

Two hours by bus allowed them to get from Sevastopol to Simferopol. They then traveled some 20 hours by train to Sochi, Russia, leaving Crimea via the bridge across the Kerch Strait. The transportation link that was opened in 2018 by Putin to shore up the occupation was attacked this week for the second time. The young man acknowledges that they did not have to pass special checks by security forces but describes the carriage as a hellhole without air conditioning, old and very Soviet. A plane from Sochi then flew them to Istanbul. And thats when the familys original plan began to fail. The mother had to turn around because the Istanbul airport would not accept her Russian passport to take another flight to Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. Paradoxically, the minor did manage to pass with a Russian passport, and went on alone, he says.

His mother, a legal advisor, is now trying to get a Ukrainian passport  her old one had expired  to try again to leave Crimea.

The young man arrived alone in the Moldovan capital, where he says a border agent immediately began questioning him while rummaging through his suitcase. Everything changed when I told him that I was a Ukrainian refugee leaving Crimea and that I was going to join my family in Kyiv. Then he stopped asking me questions and helped me re-pack, he explains. A driver contacted by his brother picked up Dima and drove him to a Moldovan border crossing with Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region. If the Russian passport was enough to leave Crimea, the birth certificate was enough for him to gain access to Ukraine.

As he reached Kyiv by road with his brother and sister-in-law on June 22, Dima saw the damage caused by the Russian invasion with his own eyes. The vehicle was driving along the remains of the battle and houses and buildings reduced to rubble in the surroundings of towns such as Bucha and Makariv. He has not experienced that war landscape, as he describes it, in Crimea, where the shelling and clashes between the two armies are experienced in the distance.

Dima has also experienced how alarms in Kyiv still frequently warn of possible attacks. Just two days after his arrival, a Russian missile killed five civilians. The rumbling was heard at his brothers house in the middle of the night. There are no sirens in Sevastopol, he says while explaining that the Russians are trying to give everything a patina of normalcy on the Crimean Peninsula.

There his mother is now waiting for a new opportunity to leave. The city of Sevastopol is the base of Russias Black Sea Fleet, one of Moscows main military tools for keeping the occupied peninsula secure. In parallel, in 2014 the Kremlin launched a major resettlement program of Russians, both civilian and military, to mix with the Ukrainian population. Crimea had 2,350,000 inhabitants that year. By the end of 2021, the Kyiv government estimated that at least 600,000 Russians had arrived on the peninsula in that period, meaning a population increase of 30%. Dima and his family have noticed it in their own neighborhood community, where sparks often fly between Ukrainians and Russians.

Crimea is the jewel of the Russian occupation of Ukraine. Kyiv insists that its return is an essential condition for peace talks. Dima has just arrived in Kyiv, but keeps his desire to return home to Sevastopol on the horizon. He is optimistic and hopes that it will be in a year or a year and a half. The condition is that the Ukrainian flag will fly over Crimea. Meanwhile, on his bedroom wall, a map with the official borders of the country, those recognized worldwide, except by Russia, awaits him.
tp_dominator BHPian



Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Pune Posts: 186 Thanked: 888 Times

Sold off my Tata Safari Kaziranga XZA+ in just 9 months



Man proposes, God disposes.



The above line holds very true for me for what I can only call blessings showered upon me to have been able to own, drive and write reports about various cars which I have owned in a short span of time. Without wasting much time, let me introduce to you all my Tata Safari Kaziranga XZA+.



The Day I Got Her Home





Likes Great looks

Pliant suspension

Smooth Automatic mated to a potent engine

Good audio quality from the JBL speakers

Ample space for 5 people even with a child seat

Proper Big Car feel

Ventilated Seats

Good boot space with the 3rd row folded

EPB with Auto Hold Dislikes Infotainment is buggy - needs to be restarted every once in a while

Small fuel tank - lower range on the highways

Poor reverse camera quality

Pathetic fog lamps and high beams

Boot space with all three rows up

Lesser space for knick knacks in the front row After a brief stint with my Azure, Ford Ecosport S Diesel, where I drove it for nearly 77k kms in a little over 3 years and whose ownership review is there on Team-BHP, I was constantly on the lookout for a bigger vehicle ever since we knew our family was about to grow with a little one joining our lives soon. The basic requirements were as follows (in no particular order):- Good boot space - my wife loves to carry the house along with her and with the addition of a little one, the boot space on Ecosport was going to be an issue - precisely one of the reasons why I chose it over XUV 300 over 3 years ago. Pliant and smooth suspension - I had started despising driving my Ecosport over rough patches since it resulted in a lot of cabin movement and jerks were felt inside the cabin due to super low sidewall height. Once it gained enough speed, the issues were less but with a baby on board that would not have been an option. Diesel and automatic - the combo I wanted since forever - restricted only by budget. Also, added advantage of getting a good fuel efficiency. As feature rich as, if not more, the current Ecosport S. Once you get used to certain features, its probably very difficult to leave them - for example auto dimming IRVM. Budget to be under 25 lakhs with BH registration (so max ex-showroom cost to be 23.5 lakhs). ISOFIX child seat mounts - though its now available in most cars in the given budget. Presence, features and looks of the car and should most definitely have that fun to drive factor. Timeline for purchase was anywhere after August 2022. Below vehicles were considered before purchase:-



Hyundai Alcazar:- I was quite sure of getting this car since it fitted all my requirements including the features list and a frugal diesel automatic. But this was rejected by my Mom who did not find it spacious or comfortable enough. Though, as a family car package, this was hard to beat. Reluctantly I agreed on letting this one go.



MG Hector(Pre-facelift):- We walked into the MG showroom right next door of the Hyundai one in Wakad, Pune and once we sat inside the Hector, the quality interiors immediately made us forget the Alcazar. However, this car is plagued with a perennial problem of not providing a diesel automatic, which was non negotiable. Hence, this too was rejected. If MG had a diesel auto Hector, it would have been sitting in my parking space right now.



Mahindra XUV700:- I had booked a XUV700 in January 2022 and this was supposed to be delivered in March 2023 as per the Mahindra portal. We were in August 2022, so I did not even bother contacting any dealer as I knew, I won't be able to get my hands on one soon. Further, few missing features like auto dimming IRVM and the niggles reported at Team-BHP were making me apprehensive of moving ahead with this one. Though, a great vehicle in all respects, this had to be the last resort if all else failed.



Jeep Compass:- Diesel Auto out of budget, like wayyy out. However, was one of the most feature rich and premium looking car. Combined with my knee constantly rubbing the left console and a general feeling of crampedness, this was out of contention after a test drive on the diesel manual.



Tata Safari:- Around the same timeframe IIRC, Poitive had updated how he tackled the knee console issue with the Safari/Harrier by adjusting the seats on his excellent thread. "Choosing a car upto 22 lakhs". I had liked the Safari earlier but constant niggles reported and this specific knee console issue were putting me off. Also, when I had booked the XUV700 in January 2022, I tried getting a TD of the Safari which was elusive and never happened. However, things had changed by August 2022 and dealers were eager to sell their Safaris. Suffice to say, with the updated features like ventilated front seats, and my requirements, this was the most close to perfect vehicle for me. One TD on the bad roads and I was sold on the car. The JBL 9-speaker audio is also one of the best in the segment and the whole drive experience was pretty enjoyable.



Got it home in just 2 days. Booked on 6th September 2022 and got it delivered on 9th September 2022.



Let me spare you the details of the delivery and start with the review. However, delivery was just satisfactory with the car missing one rubber stopper on the bonnet and shabby cleaning of the car. However, my sales advisor at Saibaba Tata, Pune was among one of the best I have come across.



Drove about 120 kms on the day of the delivery and concluded the day with dinner at Sunny da Dhaba at Lonavala with my friend, as the family was away at the time of delivery.



Within a week I had completed a 1000 kms with one round trip to Kolhapur and got the first service done.



Issues noted before first service:-

1. The famous left pull - the steering would just move to the left at higher speeds if I was not holding it tightly enough - fixed with a subframe shift which took a whole day.

2. DEF was low - topped up.



Long trips undertook with the car:-



1. Regular Pune-Sangli-Kolhapur runs.

2. Pune-Alibaug/Kashid beach.

3. Frequent home runs to Bilaspur via Nagpur.

4. Pune-Panchgani.

5. Pune-Goa.

6. Frequent Pune-Mumbai runs.

7. Pune-Ahmednagar-Aurangabad.



Near Kashid Beach





At Panchgani





First Drive On The Samruddhi Mahamarg





On the way to Goa at Amboli Ghat





Durg Bypass while returning to Pune





Modifications on the car:-

1. Ceramic coating with PPF on headlights, ORVMs, all outside Piano black surfaces (excluding the roof) and interior piano black surfaces from Aquatint, Pune.

2. Nano ceramic films installed on all glasses except sunroof again from Aquatint, Pune.

3. Aozoom LED headlights on the fog lamps and high beams from Car Cupid, Pune.



The Aozoom LEDs





While the car has various positives highlighted by others as well, below are a few points which I encountered particularly on my long journeys. Points to note here are due to the nature of my job as well as my driving pattern, I like driving for as long as possible without taking a break. This is true for solo drives which I mostly undertake and others opinions or experiences might differ from mine.



1. The seatback is stiff and this made me uncomfortable on 10-12 hour long journeys. My back would start paining and nothing short of stopping would help.



2. The left pull would come back to haunt me everytime. Multiple alignments needed after every 5000 kms. Also, the steering was a touch too light at highway speeds. Needed a firm hand on the steering always. This would make my shoulder start paining unless I took a long break.



3. The throttle response is dull and it meant pushing the accelerator hard to gain speeds once lost due to traffic - leading to lower FE as well. However, with time I got used to this behavior of the car and used cruise control to counter it. However, CC is also slow to resume the set speed after it has been disengaged.



4. While on the point of the accelerator, the A-pedal is placed at an awkward angle which made my ankle numb and pain started transmitting to my calf area and subsequently to the under-thigh. I never had to check the A-pedal angle before buying a car. These are some basics which a manufacturer selling a 25 lakh rupee car should have been able to address and assess. The feet don't fall naturally to the pedals, combined with not being too close to the pedals due to the knee console hitting the upper-thigh or the knee region, this added to overall discomfort.



5. Small fuel tank of just 50 litres. My Ecosport had a 50l tank too but then the efficiency was also around atleast 70% better in similar circumstances. This meant scouting for a fuel pump at the 500 kms mark before I could proceed further safely.



6. The car fishtailed on quite a few emergency braking situations. No warnings were shown on the MID. This made me lose confidence on the car.



7. The piece de resistance - the front seats. I mean apart from the stiffness, how bad can somebody design a seat on such an expensive car. The car lacks under-thigh support and this became evident on the long journeys. Moreover, this might apply to a very few individuals who are of similar shape and size as me. But this was a H-U-G-E deal breaker for me. Also, if one monitors closely, the driver's seat is at an angle to the steering so you are always sitting in a cross position. This, with the nervous steering and the left pull - compounded the problems to a very uncomfortable level.





I seriously started missing my Ecosport which was just perfect barring a diesel automatic and the bumpy ride. Every long journey I took, firmed my belief that something was actually wrong and all these things were not in my head. I feel more fatigued at the end of every drive than what I felt on the Ecosport. With the last journey which I took and came back to Pune on 19th June, 2023, I had made up my mind that enough was enough and this is not the car for me. I was ready to bear the loss I would take after selling my 9 month old, 24k driven car. But comfort on trips was paramount. This had to be the basic premise of buying a D1 segment vehicle - the basics of seating and driving need to be right which Safari royally failed to do with me.





20th June - the car was put up for sale and I had parted ways with it in a week. The car was otherwise trouble free barring the need for constant wheel alignment/subframe shift required. Just that the drive experience was never good on longer journeys. In the city though, it was manageable and quite comfortable with the awesome suspension.





The Last Photo For The Ads









The search for a new car led me to two contenders - the Scorpio N and the XUV700, both of which have got the basics right - seats are supportive, steering is well weighted at speed and not nervous, great under-thigh support on both and moreover the A-pedal is not at an awkward angle. Lets see how the new ownership goes. That's it from my end.





Disclaimer:- The above views expressed might not apply to a lot of owners but this has been my experience. I was not willing to do this write up but had to let it out of my system before I embark on a new ownership journey. Wish other existing and future owners a trouble free and joyous ownership with their Safaris.





The Last Photo At The Handover







The Final ODO Reading





The Next Ride





Please feel free to chip in with your experiences/suggestions and I would be happy to answer any queries. I know what I have done can be termed as plain stupid or financial suicide, but sometimes, somethings are more important than money. For me, since my usage is high, the car needs to be comfortable first, niggles can anyway be sorted later.



Thanks for reading! Edit:- This is going to be a long post since I had started writing an ownership review, but the journey of the car itself has been short-lived with me, so I would try to capture the essence of my ownership of 9 months and 24,000 kms. This car is now sold and will be replaced with another one shortly. Kudos to mods for encouraging me to share the report nonetheless.The above line holds very true for me for what I can only call blessings showered upon me to have been able to own, drive and write reports about various cars which I have owned in a short span of time. Without wasting much time, let me introduce to you all my Tata Safari Kaziranga XZA+.The Day I Got Her HomeDislikesAfter a brief stint with my Azure, Ford Ecosport S Diesel, where I drove it for nearly 77k kms in a little over 3 years and whose ownership review is there on Team-BHP, I was constantly on the lookout for a bigger vehicle ever since we knew our family was about to grow with a little one joining our lives soon. The basic requirements were as follows (in no particular order):-Below vehicles were considered before purchase:-I was quite sure of getting this car since it fitted all my requirements including the features list and a frugal diesel automatic. But this was rejected by my Mom who did not find it spacious or comfortable enough. Though, as a family car package, this was hard to beat. Reluctantly I agreed on letting this one go.We walked into the MG showroom right next door of the Hyundai one in Wakad, Pune and once we sat inside the Hector, the quality interiors immediately made us forget the Alcazar. However, this car is plagued with a perennial problem of not providing a diesel automatic, which was non negotiable. Hence, this too was rejected. If MG had a diesel auto Hector, it would have been sitting in my parking space right now.I had booked a XUV700 in January 2022 and this was supposed to be delivered in March 2023 as per the Mahindra portal. We were in August 2022, so I did not even bother contacting any dealer as I knew, I won't be able to get my hands on one soon. Further, few missing features like auto dimming IRVM and the niggles reported at Team-BHP were making me apprehensive of moving ahead with this one. Though, a great vehicle in all respects, this had to be the last resort if all else failed.Diesel Auto out of budget, like wayyy out. However, was one of the most feature rich and premium looking car. Combined with my knee constantly rubbing the left console and a general feeling of crampedness, this was out of contention after a test drive on the diesel manual.Around the same timeframe IIRC, Poitive had updated how he tackled the knee console issue with the Safari/Harrier by adjusting the seats on his excellent thread. "Choosing a car upto 22 lakhs". I had liked the Safari earlier but constant niggles reported and this specific knee console issue were putting me off. Also, when I had booked the XUV700 in January 2022, I tried getting a TD of the Safari which was elusive and never happened. However, things had changed by August 2022 and dealers were eager to sell their Safaris. Suffice to say, with the updated features like ventilated front seats, and my requirements, this was the most close to perfect vehicle for me. One TD on the bad roads and I was sold on the car. The JBL 9-speaker audio is also one of the best in the segment and the whole drive experience was pretty enjoyable.Got it home in just 2 days. Booked on 6th September 2022 and got it delivered on 9th September 2022.Let me spare you the details of the delivery and start with the review. However, delivery was just satisfactory with the car missing one rubber stopper on the bonnet and shabby cleaning of the car. However, my sales advisor at Saibaba Tata, Pune was among one of the best I have come across.Drove about 120 kms on the day of the delivery and concluded the day with dinner at Sunny da Dhaba at Lonavala with my friend, as the family was away at the time of delivery.Within a week I had completed a 1000 kms with one round trip to Kolhapur and got the first service done.Issues noted before first service:-1. The famous left pull - the steering would just move to the left at higher speeds if I was not holding it tightly enough - fixed with a subframe shift which took a whole day.2. DEF was low - topped up.Long trips undertook with the car:-1. Regular Pune-Sangli-Kolhapur runs.2. Pune-Alibaug/Kashid beach.3. Frequent home runs to Bilaspur via Nagpur.4. Pune-Panchgani.5. Pune-Goa.6. Frequent Pune-Mumbai runs.7. Pune-Ahmednagar-Aurangabad.Near Kashid BeachAt PanchganiFirst Drive On The Samruddhi MahamargOn the way to Goa at Amboli GhatDurg Bypass while returning to PuneModifications on the car:-1. Ceramic coating with PPF on headlights, ORVMs, all outside Piano black surfaces (excluding the roof) and interior piano black surfaces from Aquatint, Pune.2. Nano ceramic films installed on all glasses except sunroof again from Aquatint, Pune.3. Aozoom LED headlights on the fog lamps and high beams from Car Cupid, Pune.The Aozoom LEDsWhile the car has various positives highlighted by others as well, below are a few points which I encountered particularly on my long journeys. Points to note here are due to the nature of my job as well as my driving pattern, I like driving for as long as possible without taking a break. This is true for solo drives which I mostly undertake and others opinions or experiences might differ from mine.1. The seatback is stiff and this made me uncomfortable on 10-12 hour long journeys. My back would start paining and nothing short of stopping would help.2. The left pull would come back to haunt me everytime. Multiple alignments needed after every 5000 kms. Also, the steering was a touch too light at highway speeds. Needed a firm hand on the steering always. This would make my shoulder start paining unless I took a long break.3. The throttle response is dull and it meant pushing the accelerator hard to gain speeds once lost due to traffic - leading to lower FE as well. However, with time I got used to this behavior of the car and used cruise control to counter it. However, CC is also slow to resume the set speed after it has been disengaged.4. While on the point of the accelerator, the A-pedal is placed at an awkward angle which made my ankle numb and pain started transmitting to my calf area and subsequently to the under-thigh. I never had to check the A-pedal angle before buying a car. These are some basics which a manufacturer selling a 25 lakh rupee car should have been able to address and assess. The feet don't fall naturally to the pedals, combined with not being too close to the pedals due to the knee console hitting the upper-thigh or the knee region, this added to overall discomfort.5. Small fuel tank of just 50 litres. My Ecosport had a 50l tank too but then the efficiency was also around atleast 70% better in similar circumstances. This meant scouting for a fuel pump at the 500 kms mark before I could proceed further safely.6. The car fishtailed on quite a few emergency braking situations. No warnings were shown on the MID. This made me lose confidence on the car.7. The piece de resistance - the front seats. I mean apart from the stiffness, how bad can somebody design a seat on such an expensive car. The car lacks under-thigh support and this became evident on the long journeys. Moreover, this might apply to a very few individuals who are of similar shape and size as me. But this was a H-U-G-E deal breaker for me. Also, if one monitors closely, the driver's seat is at an angle to the steering so you are always sitting in a cross position. This, with the nervous steering and the left pull - compounded the problems to a very uncomfortable level.I seriously started missing my Ecosport which was just perfect barring a diesel automatic and the bumpy ride. Every long journey I took, firmed my belief that something was actually wrong and all these things were not in my head. I feel more fatigued at the end of every drive than what I felt on the Ecosport. With the last journey which I took and came back to Pune on 19th June, 2023, I had made up my mind that enough was enough and this is not the car for me. I was ready to bear the loss I would take after selling my 9 month old, 24k driven car. But comfort on trips was paramount. This had to be the basic premise of buying a D1 segment vehicle - the basics of seating and driving need to be right which Safari royally failed to do with me.20th June - the car was put up for sale and I had parted ways with it in a week. The car was otherwise trouble free barring the need for constant wheel alignment/subframe shift required. Just that the drive experience was never good on longer journeys. In the city though, it was manageable and quite comfortable with the awesome suspension.The Last Photo For The AdsThe search for a new car led me to two contenders - the Scorpio N and the XUV700, both of which have got the basics right - seats are supportive, steering is well weighted at speed and not nervous, great under-thigh support on both and moreover the A-pedal is not at an awkward angle. Lets see how the new ownership goes. That's it from my end.The above views expressed might not apply to a lot of owners but this has been my experience. I was not willing to do this write up but had to let it out of my system before I embark on a new ownership journey. Wish other existing and future owners a trouble free and joyous ownership with their Safaris.The Last Photo At The HandoverThe Final ODO ReadingThe Next RidePlease feel free to chip in with your experiences/suggestions and I would be happy to answer any queries. I know what I have done can be termed as plain stupid or financial suicide, but sometimes, somethings are more important than money. For me, since my usage is high, the car needs to be comfortable first, niggles can anyway be sorted later.Thanks for reading! Last edited by tp_dominator : 19th July 2023 at 02:34 .
In a major shake-up to its pricing model, Netflix has silently killed the ad-free Basic plan in the US and UK, following a similar move that took place in Canada a few weeks ago.

If you head on over to the Netflix sign up page now, the Basic plan is absent from the subscription choices, as first spotted by Cord Busters.

The Basic plan was the cheapest ad-free subscription from the streaming giant, priced at $9.99/6.99 per month. It offered no simultaneous streams, but you could get HD streaming and downloads to one smartphone or tablet.

Now, the most affordable plan you can get is Standard with Ads (originally called Basic with Ads), which costs $6.99/4.99 per month. With that plan, however, youll have to put up with a couple of pre-roll ads, and then either one or two mid-roll ad breaks. It also has a more limited library, with many popular third-party series missing.

If you cant bear the thought of ads, then the next plan up is Standard, priced at $15.49/10.99 per month. This offers 1080p streaming, and two simultaneous streams. The most expensive plan, Netflix Premium, grants you 4K streaming and four simultaneous streams in exchange for $19.99/15.99 per month.

According to TechRadar, existing Basic subscribers will not be forced to change accounts; instead, they can stay on this plan until they change or cancel their accounts.

This move follows Netflix cracking down on password sharing, forcing people who previously used a friends or family members account to either sign up for a standalone account, or be added as an extra member.

Netflix has not yet publicly commented on removing the Basic tier. That said, the streamer is due to reveal Q2 earnings today, according to Variety, so we may learn more on the decision in the coming hours.
President of Israel Isaac Herzog delivers an address before a joint meeting of the US Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington, DC, USA, 19 July 2023.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog sought to reassure Congress on Wednesday about the state of Israels democracy and the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship, acknowledging heated and painful debate at home and criticism abroad over actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hardline government.

Herzog, whose post in Israel is largely symbolic, became the second Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, to address Congress. While his speech officially marked modern Israels celebration of its 75th year, he also indirectly addressed unease in the Biden administration and among Democratic lawmakers over the Netanyahu governments planned sweeping overhaul of Israels judicial system, expanded Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank and other matters.

The divide was reflected in his audience. While lawmakers repeatedly rose to their feet in thundering applause of Herzogs recounting of Israels founding, a handful of leading young progressive Democrats boycotted his speech.

On the eve of Herzogs speech to the joint meeting of Congress, the House passed a Republican-led resolution reaffirming its support for Israel with strong bipartisan approval  an implicit rebuke of Rep. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who over the weekend called the country a racist state. She later said her remarks were aimed at Netanyahu, not Israel.

Mr. Speaker, I am not oblivious to criticism among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House. I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it, Herzog said.

But criticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the state of Israels right to exist. Questioning the Jewish peoples right to self-determination, is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism.

The House resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, passed Tuesday with more than 400 lawmakers backing the measure. It did not mention Jayapal by name but was clearly a response to her recent remarks about Israel. The measure was drafted soon after she criticized Israel and its treatment of Palestinians at a conference on Saturday.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian-American in Congress, boycotted Herzogs speech along with Jayapal and some others. Tlaib criticized the resolution as normalizing violence against those living in the occupied West Bank, given the Netanyahu governments approval of expanded Jewish settlements there.

Were here again reaffirming Congress support for apartheid, Tlaib said during floor debate Tuesday on the Republican measure. Policing the words of women of color who dare to speak up about truths, about oppression.

During an Oval Office meeting with President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Herzog sought to assure him that Israel remains committed to democracy amid deepening U.S. concerns over Netanyahus plans to overhaul his countrys judicial system.

Netanyahu and his allies say restructuring Israels judicial system is needed to rein in the powers of unelected judges. Opponents say the plan will destroy Israels fragile system of checks and balances and move the country toward authoritarian rule.

Herzog has appealed for a compromise that has proven elusive. Speaking to Congress, he stressed the importance of an independent judiciary and emphasized Israelis were engaged in a fundamental debate, renegotiating the balance of our institutional powers.

Many American Jewish groups and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about Netanyahus court plan.

Herzogs visit also comes weeks after Israeli forces carried out one of their most intensive operations in the occupied West Bank in two decades, with a two-day air and ground offensive in Jenin, a militant stronghold. Senior members of Netanyahus government have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israels control over the occupied West Bank in response to a more than yearlong wave of violence with the Palestinians.

U.S. officials have broadly supported Israels right to defend itself from militant attacks but have also urged restraint to minimize harm to civilians and have lobbied against additional settlements that would further diminish the chances of securing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

Herzog made no explicit mention of the big policy differences among Israelis over the Palestinians, including the disagreements over settlements.

Just before Herzogs visit, Biden spoke with Netanyahu by phone and invited him to meet in the U.S. this fall, although the president expressed reservations about several of the policies from Netanyahus hard-right coalition.

White House visits are typically standard protocol for Israeli prime ministers, and the delay in Netanyahu receiving one has become an issue in Israel, with opponents citing it as a reflection of deteriorating relations with the U.S.

Much of Herzogs address Wednesday evoked the two countries strategic, political and cultural connections, in familiar phrases that drew U.S. lawmakers up for ovations each time. To us it is clear that America is irreplaceable to America and Israel is irreplaceable to America, he said.

He what are now 28 weeks of large grassroots protests at home against the proposed judicial overhaul by Netanyahus government, a mix of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties.

Dear friends, its no secret that over the past few months, the Israeli people have engaged in a heated and painful debate, he said.

In practice, the intense debate going on back home, even as we speak, is the clearest tribute to the fortitude of Israels democracy, Herzog said.

Herzog planned to return to the White House on Wednesday to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris. Her office said the leaders will announce that both governments intend to spend $70 million over five years to support climate-smart agriculture programs.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Why it matters: PC games haven't been able to take advantage of SSDs the way PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series games have because the proper APIs to do so aren't yet in place. That's finally starting to change with recent releases from Sony and Nvidia.

With the release of a new ray tracing-enhanced mod for Portal, Nvidia has debuted RTX IO, the company's method of implementing GPU decompression to drastically shorten load times. Sony's Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will also support the technology when it launches later this month.

Nvidia initially unveiled RTX IO in late 2020 alongside Microsoft's DirectStorage but hadn't mentioned it since. The latter technology is how the Xbox Series consoles leverage their internal NVMe SSDs for ultra-fast load times, an advantage that debuted on Windows earlier this year with the release of Forspoken. Another part of the puzzle, however, is drivers that tell the GPU to take over compression work that traditionally went to the CPU, which Nvidia introduced through RTX IO.

As a demonstration of the technology, the company has released Portal: Prelude RTX, an expansion of the free ray-tracing mod Nvidia released for Portal late last year. It brings path tracing to a highly-regarded fan-made level pack for the original Portal while demonstrating how GPU-based decompression loads high-quality textures faster than CPU decompression, minimizing texture pop-in.

More efficient decompression can also decrease game install sizes, which have ballooned beyond 100GB for most recent major titles. Nvidia claims that RTX IO shrunk Portal: Prelude RTX's install size by 44 percent, from over 30 GB to around 20.

The company plans to include RTX IO in its RTX remix suite, which will eventually let modders add path tracing and enhanced textures to certain classic PC games. Early testing has delivered transformative results in titles like Half-Life 2, SWAT 4, Max Payne, Need for Speed Underground 2, and more.

Intel and AMD also have plugins for GPU decompression through DirectX and DirectStorage, but it's unclear whether they're compatible with Vulkan, which RTX IO fully supports. If not, then GPU decompression for Vulkan titles could be exclusive to RTX GPUs in the short term.

Because Portal: Prelude RTX is designed specifically for Nvidia's cards, AMD Radeon and Intel Arc owners must likely wait until the PC port of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart ships on July 26 to see the difference GPU decompression makes.

Developers Insomniac and Nixxes confirmed that DirectStoage 1.2 will help the new release emulate the original PS5 version's near-instantaneous level transitions on NVMe SSDs, SATA SSDs, and HDDs. Blizzard plans to implement DirectStorage in Diablo IV, likely including RTX IO and other GPU decompression methods.
What just happened? The NYPD is increasing its reliance on cutting-edge technology to enhance the safety of residents during emergency scenarios. The department recently conducted tests of a novel drone-based broadcast system, but experts and overnight organizations are already debating its usefulness.

After weeks of persistent rainfall and extreme weather conditions in New York City, local police finally had the opportunity to put their new emergency broadcasting system to the test. The department announced the trial on Twitter, revealing the deployment of undisclosed "remote-piloted public messaging capabilities" in Queens.

The NYPD's new "audio drones" broadcast messages in areas where dangerous weather events are expected, alerting New Yorkers about the possibility of flooding and urging them to remain indoors or seek shelter.

Weather-related emergencies and other natural disasters have the potential to disrupt critical infrastructure, the NYPD said. Notably, the drones will only be deployed when there is a power or telecom failure.

A NYPD spokesperson did not share the results of the drone test, even though the city is still experiencing a "remarkable" amount of rainfalls and potential flooding events.

The @NYPDnews will be conducting a test of remote-piloted public messaging capabilities today, 7/16. The test will be conducted on Brookville Boulevard between 149th Avenue and Rockaway Turnpike in Queens.  NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) July 16, 2023

The NYPD initially avoided the use of the word "drone," as operating "talkative" UAVs could be in violation of the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act. The POST Act requires the NYPD to publish impact and use policies for surveillance technologies, seek public comment, and wait 90 days before deployment.

The NYPD could potentially bypass the stringent requirements of the POST Act by categorizing the new technology as an "enhancement" to devices already operating under existing policies, such as "Situational Awareness Cameras" and "Unmanned Aircraft Systems." The police department already possesses a small fleet of remotely-controlled drones (and dystopian robo-dogs), but their ability to communicate verbally has not been activated.

Policy concerns aside, the plan to utilize drones for broadcasting emergency messages is being met with skepticism. Albert Fox Cahn, the executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, expressed doubts, noting that the NYPD would require "thousands" of airborne drones to effectively cover the entire city. The department already has numerous alternative methods to issue warnings, including emergency push notifications for cellphones. According to Cahn, the drones are an ineffective means of alerting New Yorkers and primarily serve to create discomfort and unease.
A hot potato: More than 8,000 authors including luminaries such as James Patterson, Margaret Atwood, and Jonathan Franzen have signed an open letter asking leaders from the top six AI companies to not use their work for training models without first obtaining consent and offering compensation.

The letter, published by professional writers' organization The Authors Guild, is addressed to the bosses of OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, Stability AI, IBM, and Microsoft. It calls out the CEOs over the "inherent injustice" in using the authors' works to train their large language models without consent, credit, or compensation.

"These technologies mimic and regurgitate our language, stories, style, and ideas. Millions of copyrighted books, articles, essays, and poetry provide the 'food' for AI systems, endless meals for which there has been no bill," the letter states.

"You're spending billions of dollars to develop AI technology. It is only fair that you compensate us for using our writings, without which AI would be banal and extremely limited."

It's also claimed that many of the book texts that AI systems are trained on come from notorious piracy websites.

NPR writes that an incoming report from The Authors Guild reveals incomes for writers have declined by 42% between 2009 and 2019, with the median income for a full-time writer last year down to $23,000. With generative AIs such as ChatGPT and Bard adding to their pressure, and some companies already replacing workers with these systems, it's easy to understand where the anger comes from.

Mary Rasenberger, CEO of the Authors Guild, said the intention of the letter was to convince the AI companies to settle with the authors without going down the expensive and lengthy lawsuit route. Not that all authors are avoiding legal action: Sarah Silverman, Paul Tremblay and Mona Awad are plaintiffs in class action suits against Meta and/or OpenAI for training their programs on pirated copies of their work.

OpenAI said in a statement (via the Wall Street Journal) that ChatGPT is trained on "licensed content, publicly available content, and content created by human AI trainers and users," adding that the company respects the rights of creators and authors.

It's not just authors whose work is being used for AI training. Google updated its privacy policy earlier this month to explicitly state that the company reserves the right to collect and analyze pretty much anything people share on the web to train its AI systems.

The scraping of text by AI companies is a contentious issue right now. Elon Musk said Twitter limited the number of tweets accounts could read per day to allegedly address "extreme levels" of data scraping and "system manipulation" on the platform. He also threatened to sue Microsoft, which has invested billions into OpenAI, for illegally using Twitter data.

Reddit has also faced a slew of troubles since turning off free access to its APIs to stop data harvesting. The move resulted in over 8,000 subreddits going dark in protest and some switching to NSFW.
In brief: It's difficult to imagine performing almost any office-based job these days without full internet access, yet Google has launched a new program that will restrict employees' ability to use the web. The reason? Google workers are often targets of cyberattacks, and these restrictions should mitigate those security threats.

The pilot program Google is now running involves thousands of workers who have limited access to the majority of the internet. The only exceptions are internal pages and Google-owned sites and services such as Gmail and Google Drive.

CNBC writes that Google originally selected over 2,500 employees to take part in the program, but decided to allow participants to opt out  and allow others to volunteer  after looking at the feedback.

There are some Googlers who need the internet to perform their jobs; they will be the exceptions to the rule, the company stated. Some employees will not have root access to the desktops, either, meaning they won't be able to install anything or run administrative commands on the desktop PCs without authorization.

The program seems like a strange one for a company such as Google to implement, but there's a good reason why it believes restricting employees' internet access will be a good thing. Google says it aims to reduce the risks of cyberattacks against Googlers, who it says are frequent targets.

We've seen plenty of major security incidents at big companies that began with compromising a single employee's device. Google has 178,000 workers worldwide  a large number of potential targets. According to the company, severely restricting internet access ensures attackers cannot easily run arbitrary code remotely or grab data.

Google is pushing hard into the artificial intelligence field with its chatbot Bard and a companywide rollout of AI tools, which has partly prompted the tech giant to tighten its security practices even further.

Google is known for placing a major focus on employee security. In 2017, it started handing out physical security keys to workers to replace other forms of 2FA. One year later, Google announced that none of its then 85,000+ staff had been phished since it made using the keys a requirement.
Digital adoption platforms (DAPs) simplify user experiences by providing essential information for navigating unfamiliar software. These platforms offer convenience, particularly when dealing with complicated interfaces that can hinder product experiences and lead to potential customer loss. When selecting a digital adoption platform, it's crucial to consider integration ease, user analytics, automated content repurposing, and real-time user feedback.

Here are the top 5 digital adoption platforms in 2023:

1 CommandBar

CommandBar, a continuously expanding digital adoption platform, offers its latest innovation, HelpHub. This AI-powered user assistance platform accelerates user onboarding by making products easier to use. CommandBar achieves this through a suite of embedded widgets like magic universal search, in-app help, product tours, checklists, and more. Notably, CommandBar has been adopted by renowned PLG teams like Netlify, Gusto, and Freshworks, improving their dashboard navigation.

Features and Capabilities of CommandBar

CommandBar provides no-code options, including Universal Search and HelpHub, which can be seamlessly integrated. With advanced segmentation capabilities, the software tailors information for end-users. User analytics enable organizations to measure and iterate data obtained from website or app user behavior, empowering them to implement strategies for improved business ROI.

HelpHub

HelpHub, CommandBar's AI app, seamlessly synchronizes with a company's help center or domain. It functions as a support center utilizing natural language search to find relevant pages based on user queries, context, and keywords.

HelpHub delivers accurate information directly from the company's admin or domain, ensuring reliable responses. Personalized prompts enhance user experience, tailored based on the user's current page and past interactions. HelpHub also facilitates product tours and surveys and collects user feedback for continuous product improvement.

Universal Search

CommandBar's Universal Search revolutionizes traditional search bars. It allows users to directly search for features and content within their company's app interface, eliminating the need for FAQs or endless scrolling.

Universal Search offers diverse solutions with its built-in features, including turbocharging help content, providing contextual recommendations based on user analytics, enabling easy site navigation, and driving usage toward essential app features. It can also integrate with a company's database to deliver precise and accurate answers.

Turbocharge help content: All types of content are accessible through the main function of Universal Search. Articles, blogs, and videos, as long as they're within the company's database, become searchable with the built-in search bar of CommandBar.

Add contextual recommendations: This built-in search bar also offers recommendations based on user analytics like previous engagements, geographics, and so on while highlighting the product that matches the information.

Enable universal search: This feature allows users to navigate the site easily as they gain access to frontend content and action search capability within the app.

Driving usage to the best in-app features: The search bar also provides a quick and easy way for users to access any app feature just by searching. It lists down suggestions as possible queries that the user may type in.

Database integration: A search bar can empower the user with each answer it provides. When it's integrated into the company's database, it's capable of delivering precise and accurate answers that are aligned and published by the company.

Universal Search also allows easy customization so it can blend well with the appearance of a company's brand as if it's native to the domain. From its powerful user analytics and its flexible targeting functionality, this search bar elevates the user and product experience by making the search convenient yet gratifying for both parties.

Nudges & Questlists

Nudges and questlists act as guides for users to feature announcements, product tours, or multi-step onboarding checklists. They are a collection of widgets that can highlight important messages and educate users in-app.

These two enable easier navigation of a company's web page by encouraging them to take the right action at the right time. Not only can it streamline the user onboarding but also smoothen the transition from one course of action to another.

With no-code options, CommandBar offers easy integration of its innovations. CommandBar is yet to include more features and capabilities in its AI app, like answer shaping and chat analytics.

Users may access their docs and guides on how to set up and use CommandBar. But even with these three innovative products alone, coupled with their simplicity of design and creative functionality, CommandBar qualifies as one of the best digital adoption platforms of 2023.

2 ChurnZero

ChurnZero aims to fight customer churn with its real-time customer success platform. It allows businesses to understand their customers more intimately by learning about their product usage, health assessment, or their likelihood to renew. ChurnZero offers businesses the solutions to personalize the customer experience through integrations with its digital adoption platform.

Founded in 2015, ChurnZero is now an award-winning and top-rated digital adoption platform. It has gained recognition from G2 as the highest rated, ranked #1 by Top Rated in customer success platforms, and is titled the overall winner by Appealie. With these accolades alone, ChurnZero proves it can set businesses up for success with its customer success platform.

ChurnZero starts by integrating a company's data into its platform. It collects all customer touch points from support, product, finance, and sales and translates the information into real-time health scores. These health scores indicate the success or the failure of a user onboarding. By then, the digital adoption platform also notifies the business of the transaction status.

From usage drops or leads converted, ChurnZero helps businesses manage and truly personalize the customer experience. It understands that every account is different from its persona and product usage. Besides account insight and real-time alerts, the customer success platform contains more features that are advantageous in understanding the customer lifecycle.

ChurnZero is a unified platform where everything's in sight so businesses can worry less about analyzing consumer data and spend more time building long-lasting customer relationships.

3 Pendo

Trusted by leading companies worldwide, Pendo has one of the best digital adoption platforms in the industry. It's branded as an all-in-one platform that helps companies improve their digital experience. Even when it's packed with sophisticated features, the platform is easy to use and offers low-code solutions. Even a non-technical audience can navigate its functions.

Pendo contains analytics that lets businesses understand user behavior across multiple apps. From the collected qualitative and quantitative data, businesses can benefit from knowing how their users feel so they can improve and deliver the best product to their customers.

Moreover, this can create personalized in-app guides that function as walkthroughs for the customer. This also leads to greater product adoption to provide a more intuitive user experience.

Pendo also offers segmentation which delivers information aligned to the contextual background of the user. Paired with the feedback feature, companies can centralize all user requests and prioritize them. With these highlighted features, businesses can identify and address pain points in the user journey by utilizing the digital adoption platform of Pendo.

Pendo consistently performs as a leader in product analytics and digital adoption, making it one of the best and worthy platforms to choose from in this list. Whether for customers or employees, companies can trust Pendo to elevate the digital experience for all users.

4 UserGuiding

Founded in 2017, UserGuiding is another top-rated digital adoption platform trusted by over ten thousand businesses worldwide for successful user onboarding and churn reduction. It assists users with in-app navigation and displays helpful articles they can access, eliminating the need to leave the app.

UserGuiding also integrates well with other tools such as Slack, Google Analytics, and Hubspot, making the digital adoption platform holistic in its functions. Below are its key features:

Resource center: Companies can connect their knowledge database and provide users the ability to search through their domain. They can access all the blog posts, webinars, and articles published on the site without leaving the app.

Analytics: This feature provides actionable insights into the performance of a company's onboarding content. It shows data reports where users struggle to navigate the company's software, as it offers solutions to improve customer satisfaction.

Net Promoter Survey: This feature collects feedback on how likely customers will recommend a product. UserGuiding allows follow-up questions companies can customize to gain more insight into the score a user has provided in the survey.

Hotspots: This directs a user's attention to information and other features a company wishes to highlight in their software, making it interactive so users are likely to engage.

On top of being user-friendly, UserGuiding is also easy to set up and provides quality customer support.

Currently, UserGuiding offers a 14-day free trial for new users and a 30-day money-back guarantee so businesses can see for themselves why this digital adoption platform is one of the best in the industry.

5 Intercom



Intercom is a 6x Forbes Cloud 100 Honoree, with five offices globally, and a top-rated digital adoption platform that has accumulated over 25000 customers over time since 2011. For Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, Intercom is a trusted brand, as well as for companies of different scales to grow their businesses.

With its recent launch of Fin, an AI bot powered by Open AI, companies can instantly resolve customer questions and reduce their support volume. Fin offers up to 60% deflection and up to 50% resolution. It's sure to deliver accurate and relevant answers for the company. Its support is also transparent, allowing teams to monitor its responses to users visiting a site.

Moreover, Fin's answers are customizable. The AI app can prioritize them over its generated answers. Fin seamlessly transfers the user to the human support team when a live agent is needed to guarantee the best customer service possible.

Intercom has made Fin available on all devices, and its multilingual feature is soon to be integrated, removing barriers in communication that lead to potential customer churns.

Besides automation and proactive support, Intercom also offers an inbox that can house all communication channels in the digital adoption platform. It's fully configurable and accessible with one simple shortcut. It shows commands so the inbox can perform the user's designed action or deliver the appropriate message.

At the Starter price of $74 per month, users can start accessing these features of Intercom, which the majority commends, to create world-class customer experiences and drive more leads.

Businesses benefit from incorporating a digital adoption platform. Whether it's for support, engagement, or conversion, these five digital adoption platforms are worth looking into to improve the product experience of businesses and transform the relationships between customers and their trusted brands.

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Few possess the inherent courage and tenacity to steer their careers toward a cause that demands not only mental prowess but also empathetic dedication. One such individual is Sarath Chandra, an alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology in Madras, India, specializing in mechanical engineering and energy technology. The world wasn't the same after his graduation. It promised infinite possibilities, not only for him but also for the multitude of patients, doctors, and medical professionals he would devote his career to assist.

Sarath understood that technology and medicine are not merely allied but interlaced, paving the path for the future of healthcare. His vision is to develop groundbreaking products demonstrating the intricate synergy between these two fields.

His post-graduate journey began at the Indian School of Business as a Research Associate. He applied his intellect to optimize healthcare delivery systems in low-resource geographies.

Sarath's exceptional work led to designing a scalable medical supply chain for treating pulmonary tuberculosis, a prime cause of mortality in rural India. This venture expanded healthcare access and introduced advanced medical equipment, improving tuberculosis diagnosis across rural India.

In the process, Sarath realized the profound effect of inadequate healthcare for chronic conditions, which galvanized him to devote his career to improving healthcare accessibility, affordability, and outcomes.

To augment his technical proficiency and diversify its application in medical settings, Sarath relocated to New York City. He pursued Operations Research and Information Engineering at Cornell University, a challenging master's program that fortified his expertise to address contemporary healthcare challenges using machine learning, entrepreneurship, and product development.

Upon acquiring a robust technical and entrepreneurial skillset, Sarath embarked on various projects with the intent of leaving an indelible mark on the healthcare industry. His first entrepreneurial endeavor was co-founding SkinLens, an AI-based prognosis tool for skin-related ailments.

This tool, powered by an algorithm utilizing panoptic segmentation on PyTorch, achieved diagnostic accuracy levels comparable to trained clinicians. It was integrated into three Indian hospitals, assisting a thousand patients weekly.

At Evernorth, he furthered his journey as a Senior Full Stack Advisor (AI/ML Platform) where he supervised machine learning systems powering a wide array of models. In a mere span of three years, he revolutionized the patient and provider experience across diverse healthcare domains, such as disease progression, patient health risk, and underwriting.

Furthermore, he was instrumental in developing state-of-the-art cloud infrastructure to support these models. In this process, Sarath was able to provide affordable and personalized care to millions of patients seeking care in the US and understood the significance of technology in improving the population's health at scale.

Presently, Sarath is part of the founding team of ISHI, a virtual heart failure care enablement company revolutionizing the current standard of heart failure care. The vision behind ISHI is to deliver quality and equitable care for heart failure patients across socioeconomic strata.

As an integral part of the team, Chandra's main challenge was to design a state-of-the-art engineering system while developing intuitive software and machine learning products. These innovations address the complexities involved in delivering personalized heart failure care at scale, ensuring reliability, accessibility, and equity across various geographies.

As a leader of a talented team comprising software developers, cloud architects, data scientists, UI/UX designers, and project managers, Chandra is helping create a user-friendly care ecosystem that caters to the demands of the various stakeholders involved in heart failure care. ISHI has already partnered with medical device giants like Abbott and numerous heart failure clinics in the US, forging a path for evidence-based care.

Sarath Chandra's journey is a testament to his relentless efforts to make healthcare more equitable and efficient. Just a few years after completing his studies, Sarath's work isn't just changing lives; it's saving them. His work truly embodies the inseparable bond between technology and medicine.

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In one of the rarest of the rare occurrences in recent times, a French woman reported that she was hit by a mysterious rock in the chest, initially not knowing that it was a meteorite. The uneventful happening took place early in the morning in Schirmeck, a commune in the northeast of France, with the space rock first hitting a nearby roof before flying off to hit her.

There are small chances that a meteor or a meteorite would hit a person, as there are many factors that might affect its entry on the planet, especially to specific places like France.

France's Bizarre Accident: Woman Hit with Meteorite in the Chest

(Photo : Robert ATANASOVSKI / AFP)

French newspaper Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace (DNA) reported that there was a bizarre accident in the northeastern commune of France, particularly in Schirmeck, where a woman was hit by a meteorite early in the morning.

As per the woman, the first heard a loud "boom" on a nearby roof, but the next thing she knew was she was hit in the chest, near her ribs, by an unknown object. As per her recollection of the event, she and her friend initially thought that this was an animal, a bat, which flew straight to her.

However, they quickly discovered that it was indeed a rock of a bizarre appearance. At first, the woman and her friend compared it to concrete to determine its make, but it did not resemble the characteristics of concrete.

The woman did not have any serious injuries apart from the bruise on her chest because of the impact.

Read Also: Theory That Earth's Water Came From Melted Meteorites Debunked!

French Woman Survives, Geologist Confirms It is Meteorite

According to Interesting Engineering, the woman took the rock to a geologist named Dr. Thierry Rebmann, who went on to analyze it and determine what it was.

It was later deemed by the geologist that it was indeed of extraterrestrial origins, and not something from the planet.

Meteorites and Their Appearances on the Planet

Call it a bizarre or rare occurrence in France, this was not the first time this year that a space rock fell from the skies and went straight to the northern French province. An earlier reported discovery by astronomy and science group Vigie-Ciel has managed to get ahold of a rare 2023 CX1 Fireball around the Normandy region of the country.

The Mount Lemmon Observatory's David Rankin from Arizona has also discovered a rare cosmic phenomenon where an asteroid was seen around six hours before its actual impact. The said space rock crashed into Ontario Lake in Canada and was about 3 meters in size, which came from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

While objects from space are rare to enter the planet and fall to the ground, the chance of it hitting a person directly is a rare occurrence in the present. However, it still happened, and while the woman walked away unharmed, it surely will be a significant thing to remember especially when hanging out around one's terrace and sipping one's morning coffee.

Related Article: Scientists Recover Five New Meteorites in the Icy Desert of Antarctica

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In today's business landscape, relying solely on traditional perimeter security measures is insufficient to safeguard companies against potential threats. To ensure data protection and secure connections, organizations increasingly rely on network encryption technologies like VPN. While personal or consumer-grade VPN services may not meet the requirements of businesses, cloud-based business VPN solutions step in to provide an extra layer of protection for corporate networks. These business VPNs offer enhanced security measures to safeguard valuable business data in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

How Does a VPN Protect a Business?

A business VPN creates a secure encrypted tunnel between the user's device and the business network, preventing unauthorized access and potential data breaches. By enabling secure remote access, employees can connect to company resources from anywhere without compromising data security.

Besides remote access, a business VPN also enables access control through verification, authentication, and authorization to identify the user's level of access to the company's resources. Businesses can also leverage VPN protection by blocking harmful content to prevent threat actors from infiltrating and compromising the company network. Overall, a business VPN acts as a vital tool in safeguarding a business's sensitive data and network infrastructure.

The Best Business VPNs in 2023

We have evaluated various business VPN providers, carefully analyzing their features, utility, and reliability. This comprehensive assessment has allowed us to identify suitable providers that meet the specific requirements of businesses. We have considered factors such as security protocols, encryption levels, server network, ease of use, customer support, and overall performance.

Our findings provide valuable insights to assist businesses in making informed decisions and selecting a business VPN provider that best aligns with their needs and delivers the desired level of functionality.

Below are the top 5 best business VPNs in 2023:

1 UTunnel Secure Access

Overview

Founded in 2019, UTunnel Secure Access is a Cloud VPN and remote access solution founded by Secubytes LLC, a US-based networking solutions company. It offers an affordable, easy-to-use VPN for business along with zero-trust application access (ZTAA) solutions.

Currently, UTunnel serves thousands of small and medium-sized businesses worldwide with its business and cloud VPN solution, which are reliable and scalable to meet the demands and changes of the industry. UTunnel emerged as the top choice after a thorough evaluation process. It stood out for its extensive range of business-centric features, along with its highly flexible deployment options and competitive pricing.

Features

UTunnel's VPN solution is easy to deploy and configure, even allowing beginners to set up and manage their own VPN servers in just a few easy steps. Its Cloud VPN solution enables users to instantaneously deploy VPN servers on the cloud infrastructures using UTunnel's automated server deployment process. UTunnel has integrations with cloud IaaS providers including DigitalOcean, Linode, UpCloud, Vultr, Hetzner, Kamatera, and Exoscale, facilitating single-click VPN server deployment at 50+ locations across the world.

UTunnel also provides an On-Premise or Bring Your Own Server(BYOS) option, which lets you set up a VPN server on your own cloud server(VPS) or a server at your premises. Its web dashboard provides good visibility into the VPN network with its connection logs and enables hassle-free configuration and management of the VPN server. It also has features such as policy-based access control, 2 Factor authentication, Single Sign-On (SSO), split routing, DNS filtering, external DNS, etc. to name a few.

The VPN solution is seamlessly scalable and flexible to adapt to your organizational requirements and also allows you to stay connected with your branch/remote offices or Virtual Private Clouds using UTunnel's site-to-site VPN tunneling feature. UTunnel is also providing a Zero Trust Application Access-based secure remote access solution called OneClick and it allows single-click access to your resources through the web browser.

UTunnel supports IPsec and OpenVPN protocols and offers VPN client applications for all OS platforms. It maintains strict standards for software security compliance as the company is certified GDPR and ISO 27001 compliant. With its cloud integrations and seamless deployment, companies can leverage their business VPN service to establish securely connected business resource networks.

2 pfSense Plus

Overview

pfSense Plus is the business VPN solution from Netgate. Formed in 2004, Netgate is an networking company aiming to provide quality and affordable appliance and software-based security measures, like firewall, VPN, and routing solutions for personal and office use.

Netgate believes secure networks should be accessible to everyone, not just to a select few. Hence, the company has made pfSense free and manageable via a web interface. With the creation of pfSense Plus, Netgate has upgraded the software's features to deliver high-performance security while maintaining its easy-to-use solution.

Features

Since pfSense Plus's launch, there have been over 7 million installations. This business VPN solution has been deployed in business and professional organizations, as well as in education and IT infrastructure. The software is free to download and comes with additional charges when integrated with cloud marketplaces like AWS or Azure.

pfSense Plus contains multiple features built for network security, like its firewall or attack prevention, monitoring network traffic for potential cyber-attacks. With its business VPN solutions, pfSense Plus ensures security across multiple devices and sites. This software contains Layer Two Tunneling Protocol or L2TP/IPsec for remote access VPN on smartphones. It also contains OpenVPN to support other platforms like MacOS, Windows 2000, and Linux.

Remote access solutions are secure in the pfSense Plus software of Netgate, making connections safe and free for everyone through open-source technology.

3 Perimeter 81

Overview

Founded in 2018, Perimeter 81 is a network security cloud-based platform for companies to break free from the complexity and antiquity of legacy hardware. The company envisions a future where fragmented security measures or tools the industry uses are transformed or merged into one. With the creation of its cloud-based solution, Perimeter 81 aims to deliver holistic and affordable security made accessible for businesses and individual users.

Features

The platform of Perimeter 81 contains advanced capabilities that companies can leverage for network security, malware protection, firewall as a service, and zero-trust network access. Also, the platform is conveniently a cloud VPN with its VPN alternative.

VPN alternative contains a variety of protocols like IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard for traffic encryption. Company administrators can also gain visibility and control over all local servers and services through cloud integrations.

The platform of Perimeter 81 also allows segmentation to control the access of multiple users based on their predefined roles. Moreover, it's the only cloud VPN service that optimizes international search rankings, making it easy for businesses to monitor and manage their ads and relevant keywords in one platform.

Companies can leverage the platform of Perimeter 81 for its comprehensiveness and compliance with the highest standards of security, from ISO 270001, HIPAA, Soc 2 Type 2, and GDPR. Perimeter 81 is the go-to cloud VPN solution for complete network visibility and lower TCO.

4 Absolute VPN

Overview

Founded in 1993, Absolute helps organizations strengthen their cyber resilience. The company began as a track-manage-trace platform for computers in the education sector. Now, Absolute has positioned itself as the only provider of intelligent and self-healing security solutions.

Over the years, firms have embedded Absolute's platform with over 600 million endpoints, proving its capability to provide secure remote access solutions. The company currently offers two main products: Secure Endpoint, made for identifying vulnerabilities and malware protection, and Secure Access, which contains Absolute VPN, the company's enterprise VPN for secure remote connections.

Features

Made with self-healing technology, Absolute VPN can repair or reinstall itself if compromised or accidentally removed. It remains active without user input and delivers its full intended value. Companies can also leverage its built-in network resilience, as this corporate VPN solution remains functional even during network drops.

Absolute has specifically designed this product with different kinds of users in mind, extending its use to multiple operating systems so even remote and mobile users can have seamless access and secure remote connections with its enterprise VPN.

Moreover, since it is entirely software-based, Absolute VPN is also a cloud VPN solution, enabling companies to scale its functions to match their needs as their number increases.

Besides network security, companies can leverage Absolute VPN mainly to optimize the end-user experience and self-healing solution. This business VPN may not be the most accessible, yet it provides credible and quality performance and security.

5 OpenVPN Access Server

Overview

OpenVPN is the creator behind the Access Server. Founded in 2002, OpenVPN is a global private networking and cyber security company that protects organizations' assets through its cloud-based platform.

The platform was built on the notion of secure connections for invulnerable data transmissions, catering to businesses of all sizes. It is marketed as an alternative to costly and complex hardware systems, yet built with enterprise-grade features.

Features

OpenVPN Access Server is free yet limited to two concurrent connections. It offers flexible installation options on Linux, Windows, and VMware infrastructure and cloud integrations such as AWS, Azure, and DigitalOcean.

This platform also offers easy distribution of VPN clients and connection profiles through its client portal, making it easy for companies to deploy the model on a wider scale. In addition, the OpenVPN Access Server also eliminates the need for configuration when the number of users increases due to its high-scale deployment feature.

This platform offers secure remote access and site-to-site networking similar to other business VPNs. However, large organizations must upgrade to the custom version to accommodate up to 2000 users to ensure security across their workforce, onsite or remote.

OpenVPN Access Server is a full-featured VPN solution for businesses and extends itself to social institutions like local governments. Information is guaranteed to move confidently with the addition of Remote desktop protocol (RDP) and secure payment systems.

Conclusion

With the corporate world's transition to a remote workforce, it is high time for companies to use business VPNs to ensure secure remote connections. Not only do they provide an additional layer of security, but they also increase the level of confidence in protecting the assets and resources of the company.

Choose among these top companies with the best business VPNs to ensure safety across management and the workforce, especially extending to the organization's valuable assets as the world adapts to a digital workplace.

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The universe is full of mysteries, and one of its most captivating phenomena is the existence of supermassive black holes that produce powerful jets of high-energy particles, creating sources of extreme brightness in space.

When these jets are aligned with Earth, they give rise to an astronomical marvel known as a blazar. An international group of astrophysicists published new findings from IXPE about a blazar called Markarian 421 this week.

NASA's IXPE Unravel Blazar Secrets

To unravel the secrets of these high-speed jets and the particles within them, scientists turn to NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer), a cutting-edge space observatory launched in December 2021.

IXPE is equipped with three identical telescopes, which are intended to measure the polarization of cosmic X-rays of black holes, neutron stars, and pulsars.

Located in the constellation Ursa Major, approximately 400 million light-years away from Earth, the Markarian 421 blazar revealed an unexpected and fascinating feature: a helical magnetic field structure in the part of the jet where particles are being accelerated.

Lead author Laura Di Gesu, an astrophysicist from the Italian Space Agency, expressed the team's excitement, saying, "Markarian 421 is an old friend for high-energy astronomers."

"We were sure the blazar would be a worthwhile target for IXPE, but its discoveries were beyond our best expectations, successfully demonstrating how X-ray polarimetry enriches our ability to probe the complex magnetic field geometry and particle acceleration in different regions of relativistic jets," she added.

According to NASA, blazar jets can extend millions of light-years in length and emit intense brightness as particles approach the speed of light. They release tremendous energy and behave in ways that Einstein predicted.

The Doppler effect amplifies their brightness, making blazars appear brighter than all stars in their galaxies. Despite extensive research over decades, scientists have yet to fully comprehend the physical processes governing blazar jets' dynamics and emissions.

However, IXPE's X-ray polarimetry has provided an unprecedented view of these enigmatic celestial objects, offering essential insights into their physical structure and emission mechanisms.

Read Also: NASA Telescopes Capture Bright Galaxy With Supermassive Black Hole at Its Heart

Unexpected Findings

Conventional research models depict the powerful jet outflows as spiraling helix structures similar to how human DNA is organized. However, the unexpected finding in Markarian 421's jet was the presence of regions where shockwaves are accelerating particles.

IXPE's observations of Markarian 421 in May and June 2022 revealed surprising variability in the polarization angle. Scientists had anticipated some changes in the polarization direction, but the magnitude of the rotations was more significant than previous optical observations of many blazars had suggested.

The team planned several observations of the blazar, with the first showing a constant polarization of 15%. Initially, when analyzing IXPE's polarization data, there was a sudden drop to zero between the first and second observations.

However, upon further examination, it became evident that the polarization remained steady while its direction underwent a U-turn, rotating almost 180 degrees within a span of two days.

This intriguing phenomenon persisted during the third observation, with the direction of polarization continuing its rotation at the same rate. Markarian 421's helical magnetic field offers clearer evidence of a shockwave, exciting astrophysical jet studies with IXPE's observations.

Related Article: NASA's IXPE Reveals a Detailed, Nuanced Map of the Crab Nebula's Magnetic Field

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The future of bartending may be revolutionized by artificial intelligence (AI) as an expert foresees a day when customers' orders at bars could be taken by AI systems, even recognizing regular patrons.

AI at the Bar

According to Fox News, Glenn Tait, the product director of Zonal, a UK-based hospitality tech firm, highlighted six significant ways AI will shape the food and hospitality industry.

While the adoption of AI in the hospitality sector is progressing slowly, he noted that its potential to streamline work and enhance customer experiences is undeniable. Tait emphasized AI's efficiency in analyzing data at lightning speed, which would usually take humans days to accomplish.

Despite lingering skepticism and fears of a "Terminator-style" takeover, Tait noted that "Al is already a fundamental part of our everyday lives," from facial recognition technology to fully automated vehicles.

AI is poised to revolutionize the industry across six crucial areas: automating restaurant bookings and responses, enhancing stock management, advancing forward planning, providing hyper-personalized customer experiences, enabling predictive maintenance, and incorporating facial recognition technology.

"Such technology could be used to offer regular customers something personal, such as 'a glass of the usual' or their favorite spot by the window," he told the Daily Star.

"We could also see AI being used to understand how a customer is feeling, if they look unhappy or they have been waiting too long for their main meal, technology could prompt a staff visit to the table."

Read Also: PIGINet: MIT's New AI to Enhance Robots' Planning, Problem Solving, and MORE by as much as 80 Percent

The ChattyChef

However, it is important to note that AI's role extends beyond just culinary domains. In a related development, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Computing have made significant strides in creating an AI chef, using natural language processing models to assist users in cooking recipes.

The ChattyChef dataset, powered by the large language model GPT-J, engages in cooking dialogues with users, ensuring recipes are followed correctly. Unlike previous attempts, this AI chef understands user intent and precisely tracks recipe conversations.

Through user intent detection, ChattyChef identifies the user's current goal, such as requesting the next instruction or seeking ingredient details. Instruction state tracking accurately follows the recipe conversation, ensuring the most suitable responses are generated for user queries.

This innovation significantly improves response generation, enabling ChattyChef to provide relevant instructions without overwhelming users. The dataset is built using WikiHow recipes with positive ratings and less than eight steps, making it an efficient and practical AI cooking companion.

As AI continues to push the boundaries of technological advancements, its potential applications in various industries, including bartending and cooking, become increasingly evident. Time will tell if AI will soon take our orders at the bar or restaurant as it continues to advance.

Related Article: Are AI Detection Tools Effective in Assessing Artificially-Made Results? Here's Why They Aren't Always Reliable

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Colombian lawyer Juanita Goebertus was recently in Brussels to attend the summit of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) with a clear message: business talks in Latin America cannot ignore the discussion on human rights. With the final declaration in hand, she congratulates the two blocs for bringing up the serious public security and humanitarian situation in Haiti, the need to resume negotiations between the government and the Venezuelan opposition, and the importance of fighting the climate crisis together.

However, for Goebertus, the director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch, the declaration is far from providing answers to the serious human rights problems that affect the region. She is especially concerned about the silence regarding the dictatorships in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, and about the very serious human rights violations that take place in those countries, as well as the absence of references to the rise of authoritarianism, the risks to electoral systems and the crisis of insecurity or migration. She also dislikes that the process had constant objections from the [Daniel] Ortega regime in Nicaragua regarding the rejection of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

It is a sign that it is not possible to leave a regime like Nicaraguas adrift. Today more than ever, as a result of this declaration, it is essential to advance jointly in a process that allows for the recovery of democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua, she told EL PAIS on Tuesday afternoon. Hours earlier, she spoke to this newspaper in a hotel in the Belgian capital, near the building of the Council of the European Union, where the European and Latin American heads of state and government were negotiating the declaration.

Question. After eight years without meetings of this kind, the EU is looking at Latin America in this context of convergence of crises and in an attempt to counter Chinese influence in the region. At this summit, we have Latin American countries of different political persuasions, which will make it difficult to make a forceful statement against human rights violations. From your perspective, which red lines should not be crossed?

Answer. Having all the countries of the region here is important, it is a step, but it should be a means to achieve, for example, joint progress regarding the main problems facing the region. It is essential that in relation to the issue of Venezuela, for example, there are joint statements regarding concerns about the restrictions on the right to vote and political participation, particularly the recent decisions about returning to official control, the National Electoral Council or the concerns regarding the disqualification of Maria Corina Machado.

In the case of Cuba, we are very concerned about the more than a thousand political prisoners who are still in detention. They are evident violations of due process, among other rights. And of course, the serious humanitarian crisis that the island is experiencing. In Nicaragua, we have launched a group of friends of the people of Nicaragua, seeking not only to alert about the very serious violations that are committed every day in terms of not only arbitrary arrests, but expatriation, elimination of nationality, expropriation of assets of political prisoners... and also to try to find a sustained and integrated solution from different countries that over time commit to seeking a negotiated solution to advance towards democracy in Nicaragua. Being here together is an important step, but it should not be to ignore these very serious human rights violations, but rather to put more on the table and try to find solutions.

Q. What has been the response regarding the proposal of the group of friends of the people of Nicaragua?

A. In the case of Nicaragua, at least a glimmer of a greater consensus. Although there are different positions, I believe that one finds governments, both on the left and on the right, that recognize that what has happened in Nicaragua is already an open violation of the rule of law, of democracy and, of course, of human rights. We have had conversations with different foreign ministers, with different delegations, both European and Latin American, and there is interest. I believe that there is a consensus that solutions must be found, but we are still in talks with each of the delegations to try to activate this initiative, which is basically the starting point of saying yes, we all agree that this crisis exists, and we want to find some consensual and articulated and organized solution, and not to continue to think that what happened in Nicaragua is somehow a lost cause.

Q. In that region, Central America, we are seeing a rise in authoritarianism at different levels: we have the case of Bukele in El Salvador, with a state of exception that has lasted for more than a year, or the persecution of critical voices in Guatemala. But yesterday we saw that Josep Borrell signed very succinct memorandums of understanding with Honduras and El Salvador, in which they do not mention these concerns. Does it worry you that these rights violations are not being more forcefully condemned in Europe?

A. This relationship, which is important from a diplomatic point of view, should contribute not only to exposing different types of human rights violations, but also to seeking solutions. In the case of Guatemala, we are very concerned about the right to vote and political participation. Fortunately, the Constitutional Court of Guatemala has reached the conclusion that it protects the right of the Semilla party not to suspend its legal status. This is a fundamental step, but the fact that the Public Ministry headed by Prosecutor [Consuelo] Porras can continue with a criminal investigation against who is today one of the presidential candidates headed to the second round, is a threat to the possibility that Guatemalan men and women freely choose whomever they want. Especially in a context where criminal proceedings are being used in Guatemala to persecute judges, prosecutors, journalists. There are precedents for the use of criminal law as a strategy to persecute those who have fought against impunity in the past and those who have exercised political participation. Establishing mechanisms for dialogue about what is happening in Guatemala is important not only to condemn this type of act, but above all to guarantee that there is a transparent electoral process.

In the case of El Salvador, we have been documenting the state of emergency, that there are more than 68,000 people deprived of their liberty, in hundreds of cases, people who, in addition, were not part of the gangs. We have documented cases of arbitrary arrests, torture, people who have died in prison, more than 1,600 cases of minors, not to mention the very serious violations of due process. Hearings of more than 500 virtual people without access to a lawyer, among others. And, of course, we acknowledge that the security crisis in El Salvador and in other Central American countries has been dramatic and has been a very severe scourge for civil society and the population in general, but the response to this security crisis cannot be one of greater repression and another violation of human rights. So, direct dialogue with El Salvador, yes, but to put these issues on the table and to find solutions. We believe that a dialogue that simply favors trade discussions and takes the discussion on human rights away from the spotlight would remove Europes center of gravity as a beacon in terms of the rule of law and the protection of human rights, as it has been historically.

Q. On Monday, in the parallel business round table, there was a lot of talk about not repeating the extractivist model. What should be done to avoid replicating these models that have not done the region any good?

A. I would say we have two factors regarding that point. The first thing is to have a process to strengthen trade relations between Europe and Latin America. It is important and, without a doubt, it is related to the social and economic well-being of our region. But that shouldnt be an excuse to ignore other sensitive topics. Last year, someone from the European External Action Service told me: They cant keep bringing us bad news about Latin America. We want to move towards a constructive relationship, a positive relationship in commercial terms. Human rights should not be seen as bad news that must be avoided in order to address economic issues. As two regions, we should be capable of having adult, honest conversations that deal with both the strengthening of commercial relations and the guarantee of addressing the very serious human rights violations that take place and the crises that arise from these kinds of violations, which must be confronted directly and which have to stop if we want to have well-being.

That is one side of the equation. The other is a conversation about climate justice that involves recognizing that a sustainable development that makes and articulates processes of social, economic, and environmental development, has to understand that Latin America has immense potential in terms of its capacity to fight the climate crisis, particularly due to the ecosystem services provided by Latin Americas biodiversity. And preserving that biodiversity is essential to mitigate the effects of climate change, and to adapt to them. Achieving this requires conversations with Europe and with the rest of the world about what this biodiversity demands and how it must be protected, while advancing in the fight against poverty and inequality in Latin America.

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Neura Robotics, an emerging AI and robotics startup based in Germany, has successfully concluded a $55 million funding round with the support of European investors Lingotto, Vsquared Ventures, Primepulse, and HV Capital.

The company introduced MAiRA, the world's first market-ready cognitive cobot, shortly after its inception, combining AI and robotics. MAiRA is equipped with advanced sensors and artificial intelligence (AI), enabling it to perceive its surroundings and interact with people autonomously.

Neura Robotics' platform facilitates joint application development across various sectors, from industry to service and household, offering unparalleled flexibility and cost efficiency in automation. The startup hopes to advance its operations with the newly secured funding.

What Is Cognitive Robotics?

Cognitive robotics is a multidisciplinary field that combines principles from AI, robotics, neuroscience, and cognitive science to develop robots with advanced cognitive abilities.

The main goal of cognitive robotics is to create machines that can perceive, learn, reason, and interact with the environment in a manner similar to human cognitive processes.

These robots are designed to possess not only advanced sensorimotor capabilities for physical interaction with their surroundings but also higher-level cognitive functions that enable them to process and understand information, learn from experiences, and make decisions based on that knowledge.

By integrating AI techniques, cognitive robotics aims to equip robots with adaptive, flexible, and context-aware behaviors.

Read Also: PIGINet: MIT's New AI to Enhance Robots' Planning, Problem Solving, and MORE by as much as 80 Percent

All About Neura Robotics

Robots built on the Neura Robotics platform possess sight, hearing, and tactile perception. Coupled with reflexive sensory processing, these capabilities enable autonomous and predictive actions.

The founding team's extensive expertise in robotics and AI ensures that Neura Robotics' robots can collaborate with humans in various societal domains and within human-designed environments. According to the company, these robots could play a pivotal role in addressing the shortage of skilled workers in just a few years.

The $55 million capital infusion will fuel the company's expansion into the US and Japan and support the development of production infrastructure in Germany to meet the growing demand, which currently exceeds $450 million.

GP Bullhound provided advisory services throughout the transaction. Established in 2019 by David Reger in Metzingen, southern Germany, Neura Robotics aims to bridge innovation gaps in robotics and usher in the era of cognitive robots.

The company adopts a holistic approach, combining components, sensors, and AI in a single device, offering partners a versatile platform for developing applications across specialized areas.

"Since our genesis in 2019, Neura Robotics has been working to push the boundaries of innovation in robotics by rethinking the subject with artificial intelligence and a platform approach, ushering in a new era in robotics," David Reger, Founder and CEO of Neura Robotics, said in a statement.

"Today's funding round enables us to keep up the pace in delivering on our visionary promises," he added.

Related Article: Engineers Create One of the Fastest, Most Efficient Amphibious Robots Inspired by Flippers and Centipedes

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The recent full-page advertisement by Cruise, General Motors' self-driving subsidiary, that labels humans as terrible drivers has drawn strong criticism from Joan Claybrook, a former administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reported first by TechCrunch.

Claybrook Criticizes Cruise's Ad

The ad, which points to the alarming number of crash fatalities in 2022, presents autonomous vehicles as the ultimate solution to this issue.



In response, Joan Claybrook expressed her disdain for Cruise's advertisement, considering it unscrupulous and exploitative of the pain and suffering caused by these accidents.



Claybrook, who served as head of NHTSA from 1977 to 1981 and as president of the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen from 1982 to 2009, believes that using such tragedies to promote "an unproven and unsafe product" is ethically wrong.



She further criticized the ad, alleging that it serves as a ploy by General Motors to recover some of the substantial investment made in the development of Cruise's self-driving vehicles. GM reported a loss of $1.9 billion on Cruise in 2022, up from $1.2 billion in the previous year.

Read Also: Police Turns to Self-Driving Companies Waymo, Cruise for Video Footage

Controversial Ad

The controversial ad was published in major newspapers, including the Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times.



Cruise's message arrived at a time when the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) was forced to postpone a hearing on expanding Cruise's and competitor Waymo's permits to charge for robotaxi rides throughout the city 24/7, following increasing opposition.

Residents, safe street advocates, and city agencies such as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (SFMTA) have been voicing increasing criticism against the robotaxi services offered by companies like Cruise and Waymo.



These critics contend that the malfunctioning robotaxis are worsening congestion problems, disrupting traffic flow, public transportation, and emergency response services.



Although both Cruise and Waymo are presently providing limited robotaxi services in San Francisco, the CPUC has postponed the planned permit expansion hearing until August 10. The CPUC cited the necessity for "further review" as the reason for the delay.

Waymo was also pushing the narrative that humans can be unsafe drivers. The Alphabet-owned company released a blog post claiming that during a 10-day observation period using its robotaxis, cars exceeded the speed limit 47% of the time, with many surpassing speeds that were 25 miles per hour above the posted limit.

Waymo placed significant emphasis on these statistics and their implications on road safety, particularly noting that speeding stands as one of the primary causes of traffic fatalities.

By sharing their findings, Waymo aimed to bring attention to the pervasive nature of this issue and highlighted the crucial role of the Waymo Driver in promoting safer streets.

Related Article: US Safety Regulators Conduct Investigation on Cruise Robotaxi Braking and Clogging Reports

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The battle between Android and iOS, the two leading smartphone operating systems, has been a long-standing rivalry. Recently, Instagram boss Adam Mosseri commented on a Threads post about this debate.

It turns out that the IG boss favors Android over Apple's operating system.

Mosseri's Tech 'Hot Take'

In the midst of one of the most popular tech fights, a surprising twist occurred when the Instagram chief, Adam Mosseri, expressed a controversial opinion on the platform Threads.

Mosseri's comment, "Android's now better than iOS," ignited a flurry of reactions from both Android and iOS users, according to Android Authority. While some agreed with his stance, others vehemently disagreed which leads to a lively exchange of opinions.

Android vs. iOS

The rivalry between Android fans and iOS enthusiasts has become a hallmark of the tech world. Both sides passionately defend their preferred operating systems, sparking heated debates on various online platforms.

Android proponents praise the platform's versatility, diverse device options, and ability to connect with other devices and applications.

On the other hand, iOS supporters laud Apple's user-friendly interface, efficient software updates, and the overall reliability of the ecosystem. Some iOS fans argue that the platform has significantly improved over the years, reducing pain points and ensuring a smoother user experience.

Related Article: Meta Threads Sees First Major Update with New Features-Rate Limit Also Coming Like Twitter

Android's Dominance in the Smartphone Market

Android has captured a significant portion of the smartphone market, boasting a remarkable 71% share worldwide. Its popularity can be attributed to various factors, with affordability being a key advantage.

According to Phone Arena, in some markets, such as India, where budget-conscious consumers hold sway, Android devices dominate sales with a staggering 95% market share.

The availability of Android phones at diverse price points ensures a broader reach, resonating well with consumers from various economic backgrounds.

iOS's Dedicated User Base

Despite Android's widespread adoption, iOS maintains a devoted user base, commanding 28% of the smartphone market.

Apple's iPhones have long been admired for their sleek design, seamless user experience, and integration within the Apple ecosystem. This ecosystem includes iPads, Mac computers, and other Apple devices, offering users a seamless and interconnected experience that fosters brand loyalty.

Mosseri's comment on the Threads app only shows that the improvement of the existing operating systems is evident. This might push Apple to roll out enhancements as it readies for the upcoming launch of iPhone 15 soon.

In other news, Instagram reportedly prohibited some EU users from using the Threads via VPN. This happened after the EU said that Meta should comply first in line with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Read Also: Meta Threads App: Instagram Head Says ActivityPub Support Won't Be Available at Launch

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Netflix subscribers in the United States and the United Kingdom woke up to a major update on the streaming site's Plans and Pricing page.

Android Authority reports that the company has officially removed the $10 Basic tier, leaving only three tiers available: Standard with Ads ($6.99), Standard ($15.49), and Premium ($19.99).

Existing subscribers on the Basic plan can breathe a sigh of relief as they are exempted from these changes and can continue to enjoy ad-free content at the same rate.

However, if they make any alterations to their subscription, they will no longer have access to this tier.

Reason Behind the Netflix Pricing Update

Industry experts note that this shift in pricing options suggests a deliberate effort on Netflix's part to steer its users towards the Standard with Ads plan.

Moreover, this move could be a strategic maneuver to increase revenues by either attracting more subscribers to the ad-included plans or prompting existing users to upgrade to the more expensive ad-free alternatives.

Read Also: Meta Threads Sees First Major Update with New Features-Rate Limit Also Coming Like Twitter

A Closer Look at Updated Plans and Pricing

For new and rejoining members in the US and UK, the Basic plan is no longer a viable entry point to the streaming giant.

Instead, they must decide between the Standard with Ads plan, the Standard plan, or the Premium plan. The Standard with Ads plan offers a more affordable option, allowing users to stream on two devices in Full HD quality but with the inclusion of advertisements.

Users should expect to see around 4 minutes of ads per hour, ranging from 15 to 30 seconds each, and these ads cannot be skipped.

Opting for the Standard plan means a return to ad-free streaming at $15.49 per month, providing subscribers with two concurrent streams in Full HD quality.

This tier also allows users to download content for offline viewing on two devices and the flexibility to add an extra member to the account for a supplementary fee.

What This Means for Users

Until now, the Basic plan has satisfied users who sought an ad-free experience with HD streaming on a single device.

However, with its discontinuation, new members who prefer not to pay the additional cost for the Standard plan are now left with the Standard with Ads option, priced at $7 a month in the US and 5 in the UK.

This tier supports Full HD streaming on two devices simultaneously, but users must bear the interruption of ads during their viewing sessions.

In Other News

The first update to Meta's Threads app is now available, and it includes a slew of new features based on the company's most recent improvements, updates, and bug fixes.

Instagram software engineer Cameron Roth released a list of new app features, and since version 1.0, this current update delivers a great improvement to the various parts of Threads, such as translating posts for multiple languages, 'Following' upgrades, and more.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: TikTok is Getting iOS Passkeys Integration to Secure Your Password-Now a FIDO Member

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Nick Clegg, president of worldwide affairs at Meta, has spoken out against the present state of Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, calling them "quite stupid."

Speaking on the BBC's Today Programme, Clegg downplayed the dangers posed by AI, saying that the "hype has somewhat run ahead of the technology." He asserted that the AI models now cannot reach genuine autonomy or make independent decisions.

Following Meta's announcement that it will make its extensive language model, Llama 2, freely available for anyone, Clegg commented.

Large text databases are pieced together by large language models to anticipate the next word in a sequence, enabling chatbots like ChatGPT. While some AI researchers worry about possible existential risks from undeveloped AI systems, The decision of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to make Llama 2 open-source has caused controversy in the IT world.

Artificial Intelligence Can Be Abused

Llama 2's availability to researchers and for-profit companies has sparked worries about abusing such a formidable tool. Previous generations of chatbots have been programmed to promote hate speech, provide fake information, and issue dangerous commands. Whether Llama 2's safeguards are adequate to stop such abuse and how Meta will address any possible problems is yet to be seen.

Interestingly, Llama 2's accessibility is greatly influenced by Meta's collaboration with Microsoft. As a result of Microsoft's significant investment in OpenAI, the originator of ChatGPT, Llama 2, will be useable on Microsoft systems, such as Azure.

Read Also: Revolutionizing Warfare: Israel Implements AI Systems in Military Operations

The University of Southampton's Dame Wendy Hall, a regius professor of computer science, questioned whether the IT sector could be relied upon to self-regulate complex language models, particularly open-source models. She emphasized the necessity for careful management of such potent AI technology by comparing it and providing individuals with a blueprint to construct a nuclear weapon.

Addressing Safety Issues

In response to worries, Clegg reaffirmed that Meta had taken protective measures to guarantee Llama 2's safety. For months, the organization had 350 people rigorously stress-test the model to find any possible problems. Llama 2 is more secure than previous open-source big language models, according to the Meta official.

Clegg also remarked that not all AI models should be open-sourced, despite his belief that AI should be controlled. He added Meta's voice-generating model Voicebox will not be publicly launched, according to The Guardian.

The decision by Meta to open-source Llama 2 was made as a result of its expanding collaboration with Microsoft. Observers see the move as a deliberate attempt to counter OpenAI, a business that has benefited from significant investments from Microsoft.

With Llama's release in February, Meta has been highlighting its dedication to AI technology, per Business Insider. Although the business has been working on additional robust AI technologies, its absence of consumer-facing AI products has reduced its prominence in the AI market.

The open-sourcing of Llama 2 offers a glimmer of optimism for future advancements in AI technology and its potential to improve lives as Meta delves further into AI.

Related Article: Experts Warn of AI-Generated Misinformation in 2024 US Election Campaigns

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ChatGPT is still on the rise and OpenAI capitalizes on the opportunity, the same thing that Microsoft is doing right now. While this trend continues, Apple is discreetly working on its strategy for generative AI.

A Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman reveals that Apple is internally testing a chatbot called "Apple GPT" using the Ajax framework. This move is seen as Apple's answer to privacy concerns and a potential leap into the world of AI.

Apple GPT is Coming in 2024

Apple prohibited its employees from using ChatGPT because of data confidentiality in May. It joined other tech giants such as Amazon and JPMorgan Chase in this campaign.

However, who would have thought that the Cupertino giant could just be preparing for the launch of AppleGPT? This could be the new rival of OpenAI's tool if the report from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman is true.

Many people are using AI chatbots nowadays to help with their tasks. Since generative AI is a big help when it comes to marketing and other disciplines, businesses tend to heavily invest in these tools.

According to 9to5Mac, Apple is making strides in this domain. Gurman mentioned in its report that the company is preparing to reveal a new generative AI chatbot called "Apple GPT."

Built on the Ajax framework, which Apple initiated in 2022, this AI project aims to create shared machine learning foundations. Already, the company has applied AI advancements to improve its search, Siri, and maps functions, showcasing the capabilities of its AI initiatives.

However, the current testing of "Apple GPT" remains internally restricted, requiring special approval for access.

While Apple employees employ it for product prototyping, the output cannot be utilized for customer-facing features, addressing the company's cautious approach towards user privacy.

Related Article: Apple's Answer to ChatGPT Might Not be Another AI Model; Will Updated Siri be Enough?

How Will Apple Approach Generative AI

Unlike other AI developers, Apple does not plan to release "Apple GPT" publicly. This surprising move appears to be Apple's response to potential privacy risks associated with third-party controlled generative AI.

By exploring its in-house AI solution, the Cupertino firm aims to ensure greater control over user data and build an AI tool that aligns with its privacy-first approach.

Moving forward, it can be seen that Apple's commitment to generative AI is evident in its ongoing initiatives.

Collaborating between AI and software engineering groups, as well as the cloud services engineering team, Apple is actively laying the groundwork for potential AI-related announcements in the near future.

While the company does not have a fixed plan yet, speculations suggest a significant AI-related revelation by Apple next year.

We could recall via The Verge that Tim Cook told Good Morning America about Apple's plans for AI products. The CEO said that there's a need to sort out several issues related to AI.

Read Also: Unity Partners With Apple to Launch Developer Program for Vision Pro

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NASA's ambitious Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission has drawn criticism from the US Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, prompting the panel to propose a fiscal year 2024 budget allocation for the mission at $300 million, less than one-third of NASA's $949 million request.

The MSR mission aims to gather NASA's Perseverance rover's soil samples from Mars to study the planet's history and possible life. The Senate is skeptical about NASA's capacity to execute the mission, in particular, because of the project's rising costs and ongoing delays, according to a report from The Hill.

The Senate committee highlighted worries about the technical difficulties MSR faces and its possible effects on other approved missions in a report that accompanied the proposed budget. The panel doubted NASA's ability to keep the mission's cost under $5.3 billion. NASA's mission development expenses have increased to $9 billion from $4.4 billion early estimate.

The indicated cost covers creating and testing mission components but does not include launch, operation, or any potential additional sample-receiving facility building expenses.

US Senate Might Divert MSR Budget If NASA Fails to Comply

The Senate report has instructed NASA to present a comprehensive financial plan within 180 days of the budget's implementation, within the expected budget, to ease the worries.

Suppose NASA is unable to achieve these criteria. In that case, the Senate may withdraw the $300 million budgeted for the project, and NASA will need to look into possibilities to rework or de-scope MSR or risk mission cancellation, as reported by Spaceflight Insider.

In case of cancellation, the Senate report also suggested a strategy for reallocating the MSR funds. The money would go to NASA's Artemis program, the Dragonfly mission to Titan, the flagship orbiter probe to Uranus, and the Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission.

Read Also: Archaeologists Unearth Evidence of 12,000-Year-Old Human Occupation in Louisiana Forest

Additionally, the Senate urges NASA to build a Sample Receiving Facility in a state without a NASA facility if the MSR mission goes forward. National labs with established bioanalytical scientific capabilities, biological and environmental research facilities, and biodefense capabilities would be given priority by this institution.

The US House of Representatives and Senate must concur on a final budget before it is sent to President Biden for approval during the current fiscal year 2024 financial process.

Organic Matter Found on Mars

Meanwhile, NASA's Perseverance rover uncovered "diverse" signs of "preserved organic matter" in a crater, according to Gizmodo.

One thing Im #SamplingMars for is organic molecules, the building blocks of life. The rock I got these two samples from has signals suggesting they may be present. Signs of biology, or another process, maybe? Hear why scientists would love to study sample #6 or #7 up close: pic.twitter.com/cQheyDqybd  NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) July 12, 2023

Though life no longer exists on Mars, the latest findings illuminate the planet's ancient carbon cycle and potential to sustain life. The Perseverance rover's latest organic chemical discovery adds to the Red Planet's interesting past.

Astrobiologist Joseph Razzell Hollis of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Natural History Museum in London says the discovery supports earlier robotic missions to Mars and suggests the planet once had a lot of "organic material," mostly carbon and hydrogen. He said that every finding and observation helps in improving understanding of Mars' history and if it hosted life.

Related Article: NASA to Build First New Wind Tunnel in 40 Years That Will Turn Science Fiction Into Reality

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The U.S. auto safety regulators have opened a new special crash investigation into a fatal accident in California involving a 2018 Tesla Model 3 sedan.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday said that it suspects the possible involvement of the electric cars advanced driver-assist systems known as Autopilot around the time of the crash.

On July 5th, the Tesla Model 3 and a Subaru Impreza were involved in a head-on collision in South Lake Tahoe, California, which killed the driver of the car in the accident. It also fatally injured a three-month-old passenger in the Tesla who died several days later from injuries suffered in the crash, the California Highway Patrol said.

Ever since Tesla has been launched in 2016, the NHTSA has opened more than three dozen special crash investigations against the Autopilot, which involves more than 20 deaths from the crashes, reports Reuters.

Tesla promotes Autopilot as a safety feature on its website, and states: Autopilot advanced safety and convenience features are designed to assist you with the most burdensome parts of driving. Autopilot introduces new features and improves existing functionality to make your Tesla safer and more capable over time.

In the latest case, a California Highway Patrol spokesperson said that there are no charges pending at this time. Vehicle and car seat inspections are currently being done.

While the results of the NHTSAs investigation into the recent California crash are unknown at this point in time, the agency said it would take appropriate action if ADAS systems are found involved in the crash.

This is the first new special crash investigation open since March. Prior to that, in February, the NHTSA had announced another special investigation into an accident involving a 2014 Tesla Model S that crashed into a fire truck in Contra Costa County, California, where the driver of the Tesla was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other investigation in March involves a 2022 Tesla Model Y that seriously injured a 17-year-old student who got off a school bus in North Carolina.

In December 2022, the NHTSA opened two new special crash investigations into Tesla vehicles where advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) systems were suspected of being engaged in the crash.

More than 100 special crash investigations are opened by the NHTSA every year to look into developing technologies, like ADAS systems and other probable auto safety issues.
From left to right: Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels, on July 18, 2023

The European Union (EU) had plenty of incentives to ensure the success of yesterdays summit with CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), which began as an intergovernmental mechanism back in 1999. Since the last century, there has been a commitment for EU and CELAC leaders to meet every two years. However, these meetings have only materialized on two previous occasions. This past July 18 was seen as a recommitment to this partnership.

The war in Ukraine and the expansive force of China in Latin America have jump-started the EUs new decisiveness on Central and South America. Its incomprehensible for the EU  which purports to have a vocation for global leadership and claims to want strategic autonomy  to maintain an attitude of indifference to a group of countries that are, historically and culturally, so close to Europe. Many Latin American and Caribbean countries have similar values and political systems as European liberal democracies. Yet, due to insufficient attention from the EU, over the past two decades, China has surpassed the entire blocs trade relations with CELAC.

In the recent summit, the most important matter at hand was the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur  the trade bloc consisting of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay  which was reached four years ago, but has not yet entered into force, pending ratification. After 20 years of negotiations with successive leaders of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, its ratification was paralyzed with the 2018 election of climate denier Jair Bolsonaro to the presidency of Brazil. His administration clashed with the European Parliament, with countries such as France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Austria demanding greater commitment to the reforestation of the Amazon and the reduction of carbon emissions.

If the trade agreement comes into force by the end of this year  as President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have optimistically expressed  it will be the largest-ever trade agreement with the EU by volume of trade. With this ratification, it will be possible for European nations to try to recover the commercial position that they have lost to China.

It makes perfect sense for the EU to also have an alternative to the New Silk Road (or Belt and Road Initiative) promoted from Beijing. European leaders are promising an investment package worth 45 billion ($51 billion) in Latin America, under the European Commissions Global Gateway strategy. The sympathetic attitude that Putins war has found among some Latin American governments is explained by their desire to please President Xi Jinping  a supporter of the Russian leader and a major investor in Latin America  but also by the EUs diplomatic neglect of South and Central America.

The unfortunate reflection of such negligence has been the conspicuous absence of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the recent summit. He had expressed his interest in addressing the meeting, but was blocked by the intransigence of the Nicaraguan government. Managuas attitude has been starkly in favor of Putin, to the point of the regimes representatives withdrawing the countrys signature from the summits tepid declaration, in which the rules-based international order is defended and concern about the war in Ukraine is expressed, with no explicit condemnation of the Russian invasion.

Beyond the immediate results of the summit  as well as the ambiguous final communique regarding Ukraine  the success of this meeting will be measured by its capacity for institutionalization and follow-up. Above all, there must be a change in the entire EUs geopolitical attitude towards a group of countries that should count as close allies and partners in the international order that will emerge following the end of the war in Ukraine.

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On Wednesday, Thailand's Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat suffered major setbacks in his bid to become the country's new prime minister as the parliament denied his renomination.

On the same day, the Constitutional Court suspended him from parliament due to a disqualification case.

In its second joint sitting to pick the Southeast Asian kingdom's new prime minister, a majority in the current 748-member National Assembly voted against Pita's renomination after lengthy debates, citing the parliamentary regulation prohibiting the resubmission of a rejected motion during the same parliamentary session.

It was Pita's second failed bid to be the prime minister. He was the only candidate nominated for the post in the first joint parliamentary sitting last week but fell short of the simple majority required to be elected.

Hundreds of the partys supporters voiced their excitement, and disappointment, as Parliament voted against the MFP leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat. https://t.co/tDlKLFa2Lu  The Diplomat (@Diplomat_APAC) July 19, 2023

Wednesday's voting came shortly after the Constitutional Court suspended Pita as a member of parliament pending the court's ruling on his disqualification case submitted by the Election Commission, which accused Pita of violating electoral rules by owning shares in a media company at the time of registering his election candidacy for the May 14 election.

The Constitutional Court accepted the case and ordered Pita to cease his parliamentary duties immediately until a final ruling. Pita was required to explain the allegation to the court within 15 days.

According to Thai Constitutional Law, the prime minister does not necessarily have to be a member of parliament. After receiving the court letter, Pita expressed his compliance and left the parliamentary meeting before the bicameral vote rejected his renomination.

Pita said earlier that he would support candidates from the coalition partner Pheu Thai Party if he failed to get elected. National Assembly President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said that the next parliamentary vote will be held on July 27 to elect the new premier.
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Robert Oppenheimer, standing before blackboard and holding pipe, in an undated photograph. Bettmann Archive

J. Robert Oppenheimer is the central figure in the new Christopher Nolan film, where he will be portrayed by Cillian Murphy. The movie will focus on Oppenheimers significant contribution to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II and the subsequent controversy he faced when expressing concerns about the escalating arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union later in his life. Due to his political views and alleged associations with communist sympathizers, he became the subject of a government investigation, transforming from a celebrated scientist to a potential adversary of his own country.

Born in New York City in 1904, Oppenheimer displayed an early interest in science. Throughout his early career, he conducted groundbreaking research in theoretical astronomy, nuclear physics, spectroscopy, and quantum field theory. He played a crucial role in establishing the American school of theoretical physics, which gained prominence in the 1930s.

On October 9, 1941, two months before the United States entry into World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved a program to develop an atomic bomb. In May 1942, James B. Conant, Chairman of the National Defense Research Committee and a former lecturer of Oppenheimer at Harvard University, invited him to contribute to fast neutron calculations. The U.S. Army subsequently established the Manhattan Engineer District, also known as the Manhattan Project, in June 1942. Leslie Groves, who had overseen the construction of the Pentagon, was appointed as the projects director.

Despite Oppenheimers left-wing political views and lack of experience in leading large projects, Groves selected him to head the projects secret weapons laboratory due to his profound understanding of the practical aspects involved in designing and creating an atomic bomb. Recognizing the need for security and cohesion, Oppenheimer and Groves decided to establish a secret research laboratory in a remote location. They chose a flat mesa near Santa Fe, New Mexico, which was the site of a former boys school. The Los Alamos Laboratory, also referred to as Project Y, was built there under the operation of the University of California. Its mission was to design and construct the first atomic bombs.

Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein. Historical (Corbis via Getty Images)

Although initially lacking expertise in large-scale administration, Oppenheimer quickly familiarized himself with the responsibilities, becoming a permanent resident of Los Alamos. Those who worked with him noted his mastery of all scientific aspects of the project and his efforts to mediate between the scientific and military personnel.

In 1943, the projects development efforts shifted towards an implosion-type weapon, known as Little Boy, which replaced the earlier Thin Man design. On July 16, 1945, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, code-named Trinity, took place in the Jornada del Muerto desert in New Mexico. Oppenheimer, who chose the name Trinity, was inspired by John Donnes poetry. Witnessing the explosion, he recalled a verse from the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita, stating, If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the mighty one. He also later mentioned another verse translated as I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

Following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, Oppenheimer expressed regret during an assembly at Los Alamos that the weapon had not been available earlier to use against Nazi Germany. However, he and many others involved in the project were reportedly upset about the second bombing in Nagasaki, as they did not view it as necessary from a military standpoint.

On August 17, Oppenheimer traveled to hand-deliver a letter to Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, expressing his dissatisfaction and advocating for a ban on nuclear weapons. In October 1945, he had a meeting with President Harry S. Truman, which ended poorly after Oppenheimer stated that he felt he had blood on my hands, infuriating Truman. Following the meeting, Truman told Dean Acheson, his Undersecretary of State, I dont want to see that son-of-a-bitch in this office ever again. However, Truman awarded Oppenheimer the Medal for Merit in 1946.

American physicist Dr. Robert Oppenheimer points to a picture of the atomic bomb explosion over Nagasaki, Japan, as scientist Henry D. Smyth, major General Kenneth D. Nichols, and scientist Glenn Seaborg look on. Hulton Archive (Getty Images)

The FBI had been monitoring Oppenheimer even before the war due to his communist sympathies while working as a professor at Berkeley and his close associations with members of the Communist Party, including his wife and brother. On June 7, 1949, Oppenheimer testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee, acknowledging his past affiliations with the Communist Party and revealing that some of his students at Berkeley had been communists during that time.

On November 7, 1953, William L. Borden, a former executive director of Congress Joint Atomic Energy Committee, sent a letter to FBI director J. Edgar Hoover regarding Oppenheimer. Borden accused Oppenheimer of being an agent of the Soviet Union based on the governments investigative dossier. The letter alleged that Oppenheimer had financially supported the Communist Party since April 1942, employed several Communists at Los Alamos, and worked against the development of the hydrogen bomb and postwar atomic energy initiatives.

Upon receiving this information, President Dwight D. Eisenhower was concerned about the possibility of these allegations being true and ordered that a brick wall be placed between Oppenheimer and atomic secrets on December 3. Lewis Strauss, the Chief of the Atomic Energy Commission, harbored long-standing resentment toward Oppenheimer due to his opposition to the hydrogen bombs development and a past humiliation before Congress. On December 21, 1953, Strauss informed Oppenheimer that his security clearance had been suspended after a re-evaluation of his security file. Oppenheimer chose not to resign and requested a hearing.

The hearing primarily focused on Oppenheimers past communist affiliations and his associations with suspected disloyal or communist scientists during the Manhattan Project. Although many prominent scientists, government officials, and military figures testified in support of Oppenheimer, Edward Teller and Leslie Groves testified against him. Tellers testimony provoked outrage within the scientific community and resulted in his expulsion from academic science. Decades later, KGB archives revealed unsuccessful attempts by the Soviets to recruit Oppenheimer.

Robert Oppenheimer in Washington D.C. Bettmann Archive

Oppenheimers security clearance was revoked one day before it was set to expire. However, on December 16, 2022, Jennifer Granholm, the United States Secretary of Energy, overturned the 1954 decision to revoke Oppenheimers security clearance. Granholm acknowledged the flawed procedure used by the Atomic Energy Commission in 1954, which violated their own regulations. Over time, additional evidence has emerged, shedding light on the bias and unfairness of the process Oppenheimer endured, further affirming his loyalty and patriotism.

Following the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimer continued to lecture, write, and work in the field of physics. He delivered talks on the history of science, the role of science in society, and the nature of the universe, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the use of nuclear weapons. Oppenheimer passed away in 1967.

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Fentanyl is solely American problem, and it blames China

Xinhua) 08:19, July 19, 2023

This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Washington should face up to its own incompetence in fixing the prolonged woe largely "out of its own making," resulting from overprescription of legal pain medications, inadequate and piecemeal anti-drug plans corrupted by interest exchanges between drug companies and politicians.

NEW YORK, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States is the only country in the world that has been battling a grave opioid epidemic, and it is bent on blaming China.

The abuse of opioids, particularly fentanyl, has overtaken gun violence and car accidents in recent years to become the leading cause of accidental deaths across the United States.

Analysts said that while there are mixed factors behind the crisis, Washington should face up to its own incompetence in fixing the prolonged woe largely "out of its own making," resulting from overprescription of legal pain medications, inadequate and piecemeal anti-drug plans corrupted by interest exchanges between drug companies and politicians.

CHEAP, ABUNDANT STREET DRUGS

Fentanyl and its derivatives sufentanil, alfentanil and remifentanil are all synthetic phenypiperidine drugs, which are synthetic opioid receptor agonists.

A homeless person is seen on the sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles, California, the United States, Dec. 14, 2022. (Xinhua)

A painkiller for countless patients, fentanyl has many side effects. The drug has gradually become a menace to social security across the United States, a society long plagued by opioid addiction and abuse.

Statistics by the Council on Foreign Relations in April indicated that opioids, primarily fentanyl, are the leading cause of U.S. overdose deaths, which have roughly quadrupled over the last ten years for which data is fully available. In 2021, the death toll surged to 80,411, more than 10 times the number of U.S. military service members killed in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There have been three waves of opioid abuse in U.S. society, with fentanyl being the "main character" of the third wave.

The first wave began around 1991 when some pharmaceutical companies invested heftily to fund experts and organizations to promote the harmlessness of opioids, lobbying physicians to prescribe them indiscriminately and pharmacies to sell them aggressively.

On one hand, this practice led to the formation of a "painkilling culture" in American society, in which people were accustomed to using painkillers as a symptomatic but not a curative way of coping with illnesses. On the other hand, it led to a sharp increase in the prescription of opioids then, and the number of deaths caused by opioids rose sharply. The most typical example is OxyContin, a drug developed by U.S. pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma. From 1999 to 2017, a total of 200,000 Americans died from overdoses related to OxyContin and other prescription opioids. Ultimately, Purdue Pharma was sued.

The second wave started around 2010. As opioid pills became more difficult to obtain consistently both by prescription and on the street, drug users, especially young and new users, transitioned to heroin.

The grip of this insidious drug was fueled by its potence, accessibility and affordability. From 2002 to 2013, heroin-related overdose deaths surged by 286 percent. A 2013 study showed about 80 percent of heroin users reported their previous addiction to prescription opioids. After fentanyl entered the market, its ubiquity meant many unsuspecting users risk being killed by the drugs.

The third wave is mainly driven by synthetic opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Fentanyl, up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, became the new cash cow of the illicit drug industry.

Drug dealers mix cheaper fentanyl with heroin or counterfeit pills to boost profit and cut transportation risks, which means many patients developed fentanyl use disorder without the slightest knowledge. The consequence? An alarming surge of fentanyl-related overdose deaths.

Each wave of the drug overdose epidemic is driven by cheaper and more potent substances. The research community is warning that Wave Four is characterized by fentanyl overdose coupled with mental health struggles.

More alarmingly, with fentanyl use spiraling upward, victims of opioids are changing. Across the United States, the drug kills disproportionately, with Black people suffering a higher rate of deaths than Whites, and those aged below 45 hit the hardest, according to Bloomberg.

WASHINGTON'S BOTCHED RESPONSE

Now the epidemic is wreaking havoc on the U.S. economy and workforce, but Washington, though fully aware of it, seemed at its wits' end over how to fix it fundamentally, if not uninterested.

Photo taken on Dec. 8, 2022 shows the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Without investing sufficient resources in helping patients, the U.S. government left hundreds of thousands of citizens at the mercy of new and more drugs, condemned to endure recurring tragedies.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 107,375 people in the United States died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings in the 12-month period ending in January 2022, with a staggering 67 percent of them involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

"This is the price of liberalism. Society needs rules and regulations and they need to be enforced," said a British netizen by the name of BugKhan from Bradford.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in April questioned the U.S. strategy against the fentanyl crisis, saying it was relying on "palliatives" instead of tackling the root of the problem.

Behind a botched response from the previous U.S. administrations and the incumbent Biden administration is a sophisticated institutional fabric which has long frayed efforts to tackle the roots of social problems.

First, U.S. politicians knuckle under money politics.

Sizable political donations from pharmaceutical companies require them to turn a blind eye when formulating control policies for related drugs.

Ironically, the United States, a major chemical raw material country, has not yet permanently scheduled fentanyl-related substances.

By contrast, China took the lead in including the entire category of fentanyl-related substances in a controlled regulatory list as early as in May 2019, a step conducive to preventing illicit manufacturing, trafficking and abuse of the substance.

As the British newspaper the Guardian reported in 2017, pharmaceutical companies in the United States spent far more than any other industries to influence politicians. "Drugmakers have poured close to 2.5 billion U.S. dollars into lobbying and funding members of Congress over the past decade."

Besides, nine out of 10 members of the House of Representatives and all but three of 100 senators have "taken campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies seeking to affect legislation on everything from the cost of drugs to how new medicines are approved."

Moreover, medical representatives, who play a very important role in the U.S. medical system, lobby doctors to prescribe medicines by means of lecturing and funding, giving rise to more addictions.

Second, political polarization hinders drug control.

While both parties admit that they need to tackle fentanyl abuse as the problem gets increasingly out of control in the United States, they have been stumbling each other and stalling progress.

Photo taken on June 22, 2022 shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

In May, the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives approved the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act in an 289-133 vote that saw 132 Democrats oppose the bill even though the White House signaled support for it.

Drug control requires large funding and a detailed plan. No progress in the anti-drug war that began in the 1970s was made as the two parties have held each other back. The situation worsened as more fentanyl-related overdose deaths were registered in the United States.

American politicians are well aware that this fentanyl crisis was triggered by various factors including domestic politics, economy and social divisions. It did not develop overnight, nor can it be resolved overnight.

However, Washington finds it much easier to blame China for its own inadequate supervision on fentanyl when the problem is in essence demand-driven and a product of U.S. institutional failure.

The United States needs to reflect on itself, strengthen regulation and control of prescription drugs at home, step up public awareness campaigns about the harm of narcotics, and reduce domestic demand for drugs, instead of smearing and discrediting other countries, as such irresponsible acts do no good to global anti-drug efforts. Nor can they help the United States fix the intractable scourge at home.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A U.S. soldier stands outside of the Peace House, the venue for the planned summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a press tour at the southern side of the Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on April 18, 2018.

An American soldier facing military disciplinary actions fled across the heavily armed border from South Korea into North Korea, U.S. officials said Tuesday, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.

Two U.S. officials said the soldier detained was Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, who had just been released from a South Korean prison where hed been held on assault charges and was facing additional military disciplinary actions in the United States.

King, whos in his early 20s, was escorted to the airport to be returned to Fort Bliss, Texas, but instead of getting on the plane he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border.

At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin did not name King, but confirmed that a U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody.

Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldiers next of kin, Austin said, noting he was foremost concerned about the troops wellbeing. This will develop in the next several days and hours, and well keep you posted.

Details about King, including his hometown and what additional charges he faced, were not immediately available. It was also unclear how he managed to leave the airport while he was being escorted.

The American-led U.N. Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. North Koreas state media didnt immediately report on the border crossing.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248-kilometer-long (154-mile) Demilitarized Zone, has been jointly overseen by the U.N. Command and North Korea since its creation at the close of the Korean War. Bloodshed and gunfire have occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for numerous talks and is a popular tourist spot.

Known for its blue huts straddling concrete slabs that form the demarcation line, Panmunjom draws visitors from both sides who want to see the Cold Wars last frontier. No civilians live at Panmunjom. In the past, North and South Korean soldiers faced off within meters (yards) of each other.

Tours to the southern side of the village reportedly drew around 100,000 visitors a year before the coronavirus pandemic, when South Korea restricted gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19. The tours resumed fully last year. During a short-lived period of inter-Korean engagement in 2018, Panmunjom was one of the border sites that underwent mine-clearing operations by North and South Korean army engineers as the Koreas vowed to turn the village into a peace zone where tourists from both sides could move around with more freedom.

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced toward the South. The soldier was hit five times before he was found beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom. He survived and is now in South Korea.

The most famous incident at Panmunjom happened in August 1976, when two American army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers. The U.S. officers had been sent to trim a 40-foot (12-meter) tree that obstructed the view from a checkpoint. The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ to intimidate North Korea.

Panmunjom also is where the armistice that ended the Korean War was signed. That armistice has yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war. The United States still stations about 28,000 troops in South Korea.

There have been a small number of U.S. soldiers who went to North Korea during the Cold War, including Charles Jenkins, who deserted his army post in South Korea in 1965 and fled across the DMZ. He appeared in North Korean propaganda films and married a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted from Japan by North Korean agents. He died in Japan in 2017.

But in recent years, some American civilians have been arrested in North Korea after allegedly entering the country from China. They were later convicted of espionage, subversion and other anti-state acts, but were often released after the U.S. sent high-profile missions to secure their freedom.

In May 2018, North Korea released three American detainees - Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song - who returned to the United States on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a short-lived period of warm relations between the longtime adversaries. Later in 2018, North Korea said it expelled American Bruce Byron Lowrance. Since his ouster, there have been no reports of other Americans detained in North Korea before Tuesdays incident.

The 2018 releases came as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was engaged in nuclear diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump. The high-stakes diplomacy collapsed in 2019 amid wrangling over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.

Their freedoms were a striking contrast to the fate of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died in 2017 days after he was released by North Korea in a coma after 17 months in captivity. Warmbier and other previous American detainees in North Korea were imprisoned over a variety of alleged crimes, including subversion, anti-state activities and spying.

The United States, South Korea and others have accused North Korea of using foreign detainees to wrest diplomatic concessions. Some foreigners have said after their release that their declarations of guilt were coerced while in North Korean custody.

Tuesdays border crossing happened amid high tensions over North Koreas barrage of missile tests since the start of last year. A U.S. nuclear-armed submarine visited South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in four decades in deterrence against North Korea.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2023 - 17:12 | All, World

A senior Japanese diplomat in Oregon was attacked by a woman last month and sustained injuries, Japan's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, in what local media reports say was an alleged anti-Asian hate crime.

Yuzo Yoshioka, 62, head of the Consular Office of Japan in Portland, was pushed to the ground by the woman while walking alone in the downtown area of the western U.S. city around 1:20 p.m. on June 17, the ministry said. The woman was reportedly homeless.

The diplomat, who suffered a cut to his head after hitting the pavement, was hospitalized but discharged on the same day. He has since returned to work, according to the ministry.

The diplomat told a police officer the attacker pushed him down "unprovoked," according to a report. The officer saw "a lot of blood running" when Yoshioka was taken to hospital, the report said.

The alleged attacker, 23, has been charged with felony bias crime and assault, and is also accused of assaulting a 76-year-old man of Asian descent in August last year, according to the media.

The ministry declined to give any details on the suspect as the case remains under investigation.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2023 - 14:08 | All, World

North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan early Wednesday, South Korean and Japanese officials said, in apparent retaliation to moves by the United States and South Korea to deter Pyongyang from using nuclear weapons.

Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that the two projectiles apparently fell outside the country's exclusive economic zone, which extends some 370 kilometers from its coastline.

Each missile flew for up to 600 km with a peak altitude of some 50 km, Hamada said, adding that they may have traveled on an irregular trajectory.

The South Korean military said the North launched the missiles from near the Sunan area of Pyongyang between approximately 3:30 a.m. and 3:46 a.m.

The Japanese government has received no reports of damage to aircraft or ships following the launches, and it has lodged a protest with North Korea through a diplomatic channel, Hamada said.

Later Wednesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan "strongly" condemns North Korea for violating U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban it from developing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, adding that Pyongyang threatens "peace and stability in the international community."

The North's latest move comes after South Korea and the United States held their first so-called Nuclear Consultative Group meeting in Seoul on Tuesday, where they agreed to conduct joint military exercises and war simulations to deter Pyongyang from using nuclear weapons.

A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine capable of mounting ballistic missiles paid a rare visit to a South Korean port the same day.

Pyongyang test-launched a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile last week that marked a record flight time for a projectile launched by the nation.

On Monday, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said in a statement carried by state-run media that the United States "should stop its foolish act," which could imperil its security, and urged Washington to cease its joint operations with Seoul.

Some pundits say the recent series of North Korean ballistic missile launches could be a military demonstration ahead of the 70th anniversary next week of the suspension of open hostilities in the Korean War, and that the country may continue to undertake such provocative action.

During the war, which began on June 25, 1950, and ended on July 27, 1953, United Nations forces led by the United States fought alongside South Korea against the North, supported by China and the Soviet Union.
Nearly all of the 57 people on Louisiana's death row have asked Gov. John Bel Edwards to spare their lives, a historic request made after Edwards broke his silence on how he views capital punishment and pushed lawmakers to outlaw the practice.
The New Orleans 911 office doesn't need distractions. TikTok has benefits for Louisiana's youth. These are just two of the opinions voiced in letters to the editors this week.

We print opinions from readers like you in the pages of The Times-Picayune and The Advocate every week. In addition to editorials and staff columns, letters to the editor are an important part of reflecting the community's beliefs in these pages.

Interested in submitting your own letter to the editor? Submit here for NOLA.com and here for The Advocate editions.

There was a lot of interest among letter writers this week about the Legislature's veto session, with strong feelings on both sides about whether lawmakers should override Gov. John Bel Edwards' vetoes.

But here are some of the letters on other topics of interest that you raised:
Woodside boss Meg ONeill is sticking with the timetable on the energy giants company-defining Scarborough gas export project despite a logjam in approvals and a slump in its revenue for the latest quarter.

Perth-based Woodside on Wednesday posted a 29 per cent drop in revenue to $US3.1 billion ($4.5 billion) for the three months ending on June 30, as the average price for its gas exports slipped.

Meg ONeill has led Woodside for more than a year, overseeing the takeover of BHPs petroleum assets. Credit: Ben Searcy

The company received an average of $US63 a barrel for its products in the latest quarter, down from $US85 in the preceding three months and $US95 a year ago.

Woodside is banking on Scarborough to underpin its growth and make the most of rising demand for energy amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Getting the $17.7 billion project off the ground was key driver of Woodsides decision to taking over BHPs petroleum division last June.
The works in the exhibition that are the most interesting and effective are by those artists who spent time at Bundanon, listening to the landscape through the lenses of their respective practices. The exhibition opens with one of a pair of works by Tongan artist Sione Faletau, who is re-energising traditional Tongan weaving patterns, called kupesi, through sound. Fou ki moana / By way of the ocean is a video work and wall installation of sound waves, extracted and translated into repeating kupesi forms that are taken from audio recordings of the Shoalhaven River. Sione Faletaus video and wall installation Fou ki moana / By way of the ocean. Credit: Zan Wimberley Elsewhere in the exhibition, Fonua / Embedded in the land teases out the multiple meanings of the word fonua that suggest ideas of protection, shelter or nourishment. I was drawn to the fonua, looking at the architecture of the museum being embedded into the fonua, explains Faletau. In Tongan, the word fonua has four different meanings: land, but also people, grave, and placenta or womb.

Sione Faletaus projection Fonua / Embedded in the land. Credit: Zan Wimberley The kupesi here are drawn from soundwaves taken from a recording of his daughters heartbeat, captured at a six-week pregnancy scan. The set-up for Antonia Barnett-McIntoshs sound work Unspoken. Credit: Zan Wimberley Composer and sound artist Antonia Barnett-McIntosh also undertook field recordings during her residency, for her five-channel sound installation Unspoken. Here, a quintet of speakers murmur a conversational symphony: of birdsong, creaking doors and snippets of overheard gallery conversation (well go now, weve had a good look / Its just your perfect autumn day! / I dont want to go that way). These are laced with the artists own recorded observations of the riverbank from the jetty. For Sonya Lacey, an interest in ideas of invisible communication and cohabitation informed her work Chlorophyll (night vision), which was filmed in the weeks leading up to the exhibition using a modified camera that captured images on an infrared spectrum.

It sees what we cant see, explains Lacey, who trained her lens on the plants and weeds where the artists residence meet the bush. Ive been quite interested in the last little while in the physiological connections between plant and human health in terms of nutrients and a kind of reciprocity or overlap  The act of making the videos is a way to think through cohabitation. Sonya Lacey and Andrew Becks work seen hanging in Bundanon Art Museum. Credit: Zan Wimberley The idea of relationships and exchange is also of deep importance to Maori artist and researcher Sarah Hudson: Reciprocity is always a big part of my practice but it was particularly on my mind here being on someone elses land and trying to have a light touch. For the last three years Hudson has been researching and learning about customary Maori paint-making processes and earth pigments. On her site visit to Bundanon in April, Hudson connected with local First Nations custodians to learn about their cultural practices, particularly when it comes to ochre.

I was apprehensive about showing works about earth pigments here; to come out to the lands of people who have unbroken practice working with earth pigments. Its very intimidating and I also wanted to be humble, in a place where Im not from  bringing my practice onto someone elses land is a means to build relationships. Thats why the residency was really great. Hudsons work The hill inside is a pair of visually beautiful, meditative video works that explore rocks, soil and clay and the symbiotic relationship between rocks and water. The first video was originally commissioned by Auckland Pride, but its companion piece was inspired by the significance of the Shoalhaven River to Bundanon and was made after Hudson returned to Aotearoa. Sarah Hudsons video installation The hill inside. Credit: Zan Wimberley Draped canvas portals enclose the space where the videos are shown side by side, and another large canvas is installed overhead, all painted with earth pigments made from the rocks and topsoil above the museum. I wasnt comfortable bringing ochres from Aotearoa. The idea of shifting and selling land, which our material is, is very loaded for me, says Hudson. Im also not going to tap into the ochre sources here because its also not my place. So what I chose to use was the topsoil off the hill that the gallery is within, which is another acknowledgment of place.

The hill has been altered to fit the gallery inside and Im taking that hill and shifting its presence inside  as if this place doesnt have enough presence  but just to highlight the importance of place within a show that talks about language. Loading It is these kinds of reflections and site-responsive works that really illustrate what a gift Bundanon is for artists. Arthur really thought of Bundanon as a place where we didnt just learn about art, but what artists are  what they can achieve, how they work, says OBrien. He was a very great believer that this place could generate so many new thoughts in a creative field. The Polyphonic Sea is at Bundanon Art Museum until October 8.
Through 100 objects Barkley tells the global history of ceramics from 3000BC to the present. As his self-assessment suggests, his book is accessible and pithy. He describes a 3000-year-old Egyptian Bes pot having a goofy countenance. Barkley likens a 2100BC Mesopotamian cup to a disposable coffee cup. An equally humble 300BC Vietnamese bowl, whose raw, undecorated, irregular form Barkley says demonstrates clay as performance  full of rude energy.

Glenn Barkley disarmingly describes his own ceramic art as operating between the museum and the tip. His new history of ceramics follows the same expansive aesthetic, testing trash and treasure tastes. As befits a former curator at Sydneys Museum of Contemporary Art (200814) and the University of Wollongong Art Collection (19962007), Barkleys Ceramics: An Atlas of Forms is steeped in museology while also embracing contemporary conceptual work.

Revelling in the elegance of 800-year-old Jun ware that continues to inspire contemporary artists, Barkley scrutinises the unknown Chinese makers technical achievements in balance and colour with verve: Everything about this jar seems perfect  the rotund, ripe shape of the belly almost bursting; the relationship between the turned base and the slightly wider lip; the way the glaze is captured at a point of almost sliding off the pot; the mulberry-coloured stain, made by splashing copper-rich glaze over the form, which seems to ooze from the skin of the pot, offering just a shadow of decoration; the speckles of iron that seem to glisten as they break over the rim and burst sporadically across its milky blue-grey surface  and all those round shapes  the base, the rim, the handles, the entire pot. All give a sense of being whole, of total completeness.

Shoji Hamada-Ash glazed pot, 1965. Credit: Peter Morgan

Significantly for local readers, every piece is drawn from Australian and New Zealand collections. Such proximity means readers dont have to travel far to view any bursting and oozing in the flesh. It also offers a direct way of appreciating and questioning key themes of the book: how collections are formed, the issues around colonial and museological imperatives, and the ethical conundrum museums face today.

The Elgin marbles may be museologys most high-profile contested artefacts, but during the 19th and early 20th centuries pocketing foreign antiquities was the rage. Illicit excavations of the Nishapur region in north-eastern Iran, for example, was encouraged by Europes rapacious appetite for antiquities, Barkley writes. The US soon followed. New Yorks Metropolitan Museum began extensively excavating this important 10th-century Silk Road trading post in 1935.

Digs were often funded by subscribers, with the unearthed finds distributed globally to individuals and exhibitions. The books earliest entry is about 5000 years old, excavated from an Egyptian burial site by an English archaeologist in the late 19th century. The pre-dynastic Egyptian jar resides in the National Gallery of Victorias collection. Barkley acknowledges the dilemma in such collecting practices. We are in the midst of an international reckoning on looting cultural treasures, yet the caper provided foundation objects to many Australian museums.
Sometimes, though, looking back can be a wild ride. Symons: I look at [old episodes] very fondly. I think that early Marilyn period was really fun and fabulous, and I was so young. It makes me very nostalgic because I think those early years were completely bonkers. Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) and Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) in a publicity shot for Home and Away. Nicodemou: I was at school when the show started, and now Im in it. Its been a constant for such a long time. Everyone has a character that they relate to. There are so many life stages of the show. McGranger: When I started on the show [at 39] there was this assumption I knew what I was doing. I didnt have a bloody clue. Judy Nunn was the queen. She didnt even have to think about it. It was second nature.

Nicodemou: There is a great sense of community. Its like your happy place, but it tackles some really big issues. Twenty years ago, we didnt get the respect that we get now. Weve got a seat at the table, and I like that. At the heart of the relationship between these three women is a robust friendship. The fourth member of the quartet, says McGranger, is their co-star Parker. The former A Country Practice and All Saints star was not nominated alongside the trio this year, but shes not short of a Logie herself, having won six, including two Gold Logies. One of the central tenets of Home and Away is the way it tells the stories of older women. Ada and I naturally gravitate together, and in a way Georgie and Em naturally gravitate together, says McGranger. But the four of us all get on very well, and we all share similar interests. We also connect over different things ... and talk to each other about all sorts of things. Such friendships, in an industry that has not historically or naturally nurtured them, are important, says Symons. We have a lot of intense chats out the back, she says. Theres a little kitchen that we call my office, and thats where we go and hang. We share everything, books, movies, life. Its very, very important to me.

And such friendships start at the top, adds Nicodemou, referring to the shows executive producer Julie McGauran, producer Lucy Addario and production manager Amber Gardiner. We have also gone through a lot of life stages together, adds Nicodemou. Leah (Ada Nicodemou) marries Zac (Charlie Clausen) in the 2015 season of Home and Away. Its a microcosm of life, chimes in McGranger. Some people are with you for a reason, some for a season, some for a lifetime, she says. With the women on Home and Away, we have a very tight bond. We have our ups and downs, but we are there for each other, and we support each other. But with six nominees and one prize, only one of them has a shot at coming up trumps. Symons: A win for any of us is a win for the show. So its an award for everybody. If any of us wins it, I will be delighted. Im just delighted to be nominated. Im beside myself.

Lynne McGranger in a 2003 promotional shot for Home and Away. Nicodemou: Id love Lynne to win, we all love her and shes a real icon on Australian TV. But this isnt a competition. Its just lovely to be up there. McGranger: Or maybe Julia Zemiro or Kitty Flanagan or Celeste Barber will win. I would love one of us to win. It would be great for the show. And I want the show to win because then thats something everyone can rejoice in. This years Logies marks the first time they are back in Sydney after a gap of 37 years. They were previously held in Sydney in 1986; in the intervening years they have been mostly staged in their spiritual home of Melbourne, and for the last three years on the Gold Coast. Nicodemou: Sydney will put on a great show, but I remember the Logies in Melbourne, and I think its just because Im just reminiscing about going down on the Saturday [for the weekend]. Theres something about Melbourne that I do really miss.
There is one quick way to see if business leaders really trust their staff or whether they see them as just another widget in a production line: start a discussion about remote work.

Many business leaders who begrudgingly accepted working from home as a necessity during the pandemic  and who were thrilled to see revenue still generated despite restrictions  are now horrified to see how this new way of working has taken hold.

Bosses who dont trust their workers are showing a failure of leadership. Credit: Les Hewitt

While the remote work debate has predictably been focused on productivity of employees, it is time to flip the focus, accept the new reality and ensure bosses can lead a remote workforce.

What has become clear is that those most uncomfortable with remote working are also those who believe that unless they can see the people they lead working, they are not too sure they are working at all. Were now at a point, though, where we should take a breath before we throw out the flexibility we gained during the pandemic and attempt to return to a one size fits all approach to our working lives.
A police officer charged with Tasering an elderly woman who later died was not justified in deploying that level of force, a police expert said after reviewing video evidence, with prosecutors alleging his actions were grossly disproportionate and excessive.

The claims were contained in a police statement of facts released by the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday, one day after senior constable Kristian White consented in the court to having three standard bail conditions imposed on him.

Senior Constable Kristian White is accused of Tasering Clare Nowland. Credit: Matrix for Daily Mail Australia

White, 33, went to Yallambee Lodge aged care home in Cooma on the morning of May 17 after reports that 95-year-old Clare Nowland, who had dementia, was holding a knife.

He is accused of Tasering the great-grandmother, causing her to fall and hit her head and sustain an eight-centimetre bruise to the back of her head and an inoperable bleed on the brain. She died in hospital a week later on May 24.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2023 - 09:55 | All

Episode 4: Artificial Intelligence

What does artificial intelligence mean for schools and critical thinking?

Three Kyodo News journalists - Yamaguchi-san, Ed and Su-san - discuss recent guidelines released by Japan's education ministry which will allow the limited use of AI in the country's schools. They talk about the rapid pace of technological advance in recent years, their educational backgrounds, and hopes for the younger generation.

Article mentioned in the podcast: Japan publishes guidelines allowing limited use of AI in schools

Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.

Related coverage:

Podcast [English World] Episode 3 - Kyodo News Poll

Podcast [English World] Episode 2 - Rainy season

Podcast [English World] Episode 1 - Japanese summer festivals
On his day off, Raghe Abdis counter-terrorism case officer was out Christmas shopping when he received a phone call.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Danni McCann was notified that a man who had been shot dead by police on a highway south of Brisbane that morning may be Abdi.

Raghe Abdi, 22, who was shot dead by police after a suspected terrorist attack in 2020. Credit: Nine News

McCann, of Queenslands joint counter-terrorism team, had organised for the company that monitored Abdis tracking device  Broadspectrum  to notify him of any bail breaches by the 22-year-old.

The phone call he received from a detective on December 17, 2020, about the shooting was his first indication that Abdi had breached bail, before what was later described as a terrorism event.
Her family called her Nanny Nellie. For decades, a life-size sculpture of Nellie Bungil Walker showing her topless body was displayed at the Australian Museum to illustrate outdated theories of a century ago that Aboriginal Australians were a primitive and dying race of nomadic people.

A Ngarigo woman living in La Perouse in the early 1920s, Walkers sculpture, very likely done without her informed consent, was one of three unnamed figures designed to showcase an Aboriginal family group.

Aunty Irene Ridgeway with the newly clad version of the statue of her great grandmother Nanny Nellie, Nellie Bungil Walker, at the Australian Museum. Credit: Steven Siewert

On Wednesday, a more dignified statue of Walker fully dressed in clothes typical of the 1920s, was put on display after decades of research by descendants who wanted to tell the real story of her life and put a name to her face.

They were nameless objects in a museum, Walkers great-granddaughter Irene Ridgeway said of Nellie and the others in the group, Uncle Jimmy Clements, and a boy, Harold Marsh. We are rewriting that story. Giving them back a voice, said Ridgeway.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has conceded that public support for the Indigenous Voice to parliament is slipping but argues voters will rally around the proposal once they focus on the detail.

And he has dismissed suggestions from the Coalition that the referendum question should be altered to deal exclusively with the constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians and not insert the advisory body in the nations founding document.

Anthony Albanese argued establishing the Voice was not about a treaty or paying Indigenous Australians compensation for colonisation. Credit: AFR

In an interview on radio station 2GB, Albanese also argued establishing the Voice was not about a treaty or paying Indigenous Australians compensation for colonisation, and said his government would reject advice from the Voice to change the date of Australia Day, for example, if the body proposed such a change.

Asked by radio host Ben Fordham about the downward trend in a slew of opinion polls including Newspoll, Essential and this mastheads Resolve Political Monitor  which has seen support fall from 63 per cent last August to 49 per cent  the prime minister said voters were focused on other issues at present.
A former Deloitte partner leaked confidential Australian Defence Department documents he obtained while working at the consulting giant to associates at a new business he founded and which was seeking to win its own military contracts.

Leaked emails reveal Canberra consultant David Milo used and shared documents he had previously accessed on major military contracts while in a senior role for Deloitte.

David Milo, CEO of Synergy 360.

He shared the files with his new consulting firm, Synergy 360, which is at the centre of controversy over its ties to former Coalition minister Stuart Robert.

One of the documents shared by Milo was on the letterhead of the vice chief of the Defence Force and contained detailed draft findings relating to the ForceNet project.
Encouraging families to rent their spare rooms to international students tax-free has been raised as an option to help relieve housing stress by members of a high-level panel chaired by Education Minister Jason Clare.

The Council for International Education, which is co-convened by Labor MP Julian Hill and has input from several cabinet ministers and industry heads, is mulling the idea as a post-COVID surge in student arrivals adds to pressure on an already strained rental market.

International student Kate Phan lives with Melinda Mackay in West Pennant Hills in Sydneys north-west. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Lets be clear  international students are not the cause of Australias housing problems, Hill said.

That said, we must examine all ideas to expand and better utilise housing stock. Homestay for international students used to be a much bigger thing, and its a terrific option for people with a spare room to consider.
Brussels/London: One of the United States leading competition economists has been forced to quit a top job inside the European Commission following complaints by French President Emmanuel Macron over her American nationality.

Professor Fiona Scott Morton was announced last week as the next chief economist of the EUs Directorate General for Competition in Brussels which regulates big tech companies. She was one of just 11 candidates to apply for the job.

Fiona Scott Morton: I have determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw. Credit: Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy via Wikimedia Commons

Lauded by her peers in the US as an intellectual leader in the fields of industrial organisation, competition economics and antitrust policy, the Yale University professor was backed by 39 international competition experts and economists who said in an open letter that Europe was lucky to have lured someone of her calibre.

But her appointment sparked a backlash in France, one of the EUs two most powerful member states alongside Germany.
RALEIGH, N.C., July 18, 2023 -- VinFast announced it will hold the groundbreaking ceremony of its electric vehicle factory in North Carolina on July 28. This will be the first electric vehicle manufacturing facility in North Carolina, and will help contribute to the supply of electric vehicles in North America and accelerate the global green mobility revolution.

VinFast's manufacturing facility will be built at the Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County, North Carolina. Covering an area of approximately 1,800 acres, VinFast's factory is designed to reach a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year in phase 1. The factory will consist of two main areas: electric vehicle production and assembly. The complex will also house supplementary supplier businesses.

The project has received basic permits to begin Phase 1 construction. When the manufacturing complex commences operations, VinFast's factory will create an ecosystem of suppliers and help generate thousands of new jobs.

Madam Le Thi Thu Thuy, CEO of VinFast Auto. said: "The manufacturing facility in North Carolina is one of VinFast's key projects. When it begins operations, the factory will be VinFast's primary supplier of electric vehicles to the North American market, allowing us to optimize production and business activities. We hope the construction of the factory in Chatham County will contribute to advancing the clean energy economy in the US and help to support North Carolina's green mobility strategy."

The factory is expected to start production in 2025. Last year, VinFast was awarded a $1.2 billion incentive package from the State of North Carolina for this project, along with critical financial support from the City of Sanford, Chatham County and the Golden Leaf Foundation.

In addition to the factory, VinFast is accelerating its business and brand recognition in the U.S, by expanding its retail store and service center system, organizing local test drives and displaying products events throughout California. These efforts will aid in bringing opportunities for customers to directly experience VinFast's EVs.

About VinFast

VinFast - a member of Vingroup  envisioned to drive the movement of global smart electric vehicle revolution. Established in 2017, VinFast owns a state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing complex with globally leading scalability that boasts up to 90% automation in Hai Phong, Vietnam.

Strongly committed to the mission for a sustainable future for everyone, VinFast constantly innovates to bring high-quality products, advanced smart services, seamless customer experiences, and pricing strategy for all to inspire global customers to jointly create a future of smart mobility and a sustainable planet. Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.us/.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2023 - 22:03 | All, World, Japan

Japan has proposed to China setting up a dialogue involving nuclear experts from both countries to discuss Tokyo's plan to release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear complex into the sea, government sources said Wednesday.

China, which remains opposed to the plan, has yet to respond to the call for a working-level consultation, the sources said. Japan, which had received reassurance from the International Atomic Energy Agency over the plan's safety, aims to start the water release around this summer.

Tokyo and Beijing have been at odds over the planned discharge of water, which has gone through a process to remove most of the radionuclides, except tritium, into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima plant, wrecked by a devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami in March 2011.

The sources said Japan hopes the experts' discussions can prevent China from politicizing the water discharge issue.

The envisaged move comes as China has begun blanket radiation testing on seafood imports from Japan, according to sources familiar with the bilateral relationship.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said in a press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday that some of Japan's seafood exports to China have been stopped at Chinese customs.

Japan expects the talks to involve engineers of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, as well as senior officials from related ministries and agencies from both countries, the sources said.

Since May, Japan has conducted briefings with the South Korean and Hong Kong governments to explain that the planned water release will not negatively impact human health or the environment.

One of the sources said Japan hopes to "create a framework with China similar" to what it has with South Korea and Hong Kong and "engage in continuous discussions" with Beijing.

Earlier this month, the IAEA concluded in a report submitted to the Japanese government that the plan aligns with global safety standards and will have "a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."

But China has urged Japan not to go through with the plan, saying the IAEA's safety review does not constitute a "green light" for discharging what it calls "nuclear-contaminated water" into the sea.

Matsuno, the top Japanese government spokesman, urged China to have "discussions based on scientific evidence," saying the nation is disseminating "incorrect information."

Last Friday, while in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed his objection to "politicizing" the issue during talks with China's top diplomat Wang Yi.

Wang was quoted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying Japan should "scientifically discuss various ways" to deal with the Fukushima water problem.

Related coverage:

China begins blanket radiation testing on seafood imports from Japan

BREAKING NEWS: 80% say gov't explanation on Fukushima water release insufficient

Kishida to meet fishery group head over Fukushima water release plan
KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2023 - 22:17 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism

International travelers returned to Haneda airport's Terminal 2 in Tokyo on Wednesday following a closure of over three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operations are still limited to between 5 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with All Nippon Airways Co. using the terminal for outbound flights to London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei.

At the 5 a.m. opening, ANA staff greeted passengers in the departure lobby with bows before the travelers formed lines at the check-in counters.

"We have finally resumed operations (here) as we are moving out of the COVID-19 pandemic and are seeing a clear recovery in demand for international flights," said ANA President Shinichi Inoue.

Terminal 2 had been used solely as a domestic flight hub until the new facilities opened on March 29, 2020, in response to the airport's increased inbound tourist traffic and demand for overseas travel from residents of Japan.

But the facilities were closed just two weeks after opening due to a plunge in global travel demand caused by the spread of the coronavirus.

ANA, which seeks to increase the number of departures and arrivals in the near future, will use Terminal 2 alongside Terminal 3 for its international flights.

Japan Airlines Co., meanwhile, will continue to operate domestic flights from Terminal 1 and international flights from Terminal 3.

The number of visitors to Japan is recovering after the government removed coronavirus-related border control measures.

During the closure from April 11, 2020, Haneda's Terminal 2 was used as a filming location for dramas and commercials, and it even hosted a parkour competition, showcasing the urban sport in a unique setting.
By Peter Masheter, KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2023 - 19:57 | Arts, All, Japan

The first completed restoration among the "Hiroshima Panels" series of paintings that depict the horrors of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of World War II was unveiled to the media on Wednesday at a gallery dedicated to the powerful artworks.

The piece "Ghosts" is one of 15 works in the series by the late Nobel Peace Prize-nominated artists Iri and Toshi Maruki. It features a procession of otherworldly figures, many with charred and blackened skin, in the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.

The work's return to the Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, comes after about 18 months of restoration work at the Institute for Conservation of Cultural Property at the Aichi University of the Arts in central Japan.

Speaking after the finished piece was returned to its place, replacing a replica, in the space that displays all the panels in its collection, the gallery's Curator and Managing Director Yukinori Okamura said that he was "very happy that the original version I am so familiar with has finally returned."

"While there are no dramatic changes in a restoration, I hope visitors can see the work as they have before," he said.

Akiko Isogai, the researcher at the institute who headed the team of seven people behind the restoration, said she first and foremost felt "relief" that the work had returned safely and could be appreciated by the public again.

The piece, measuring 1.8 meters in height and 7.2 m in length, will be shown to visitors from Thursday.

The panels came about after the Marukis spent around a month in Iri's hometown Hiroshima in the immediate aftermath of the atomic attack. What they heard and witnessed inspired the pieces' creation, which began around three years after they left the city.

The first three panels debuted in 1950 and toured the country, offering people in Japan a visual representation of the atomic bombings at a time when the U.S.-led occupying forces censored information about the aftermath.

Of the Hiroshima Panels series released across 32 years from 1950 to 1982, 14 are in the permanent collection at the gallery devoted to the Marukis' work, which opened in 1967. The 15th piece, "Nagasaki," is displayed at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.

The works have, however, been deteriorating in the gallery's aging facilities, with ultraviolet exposure, insects, dust and temperature issues threatening their long-term future. To restore the artworks and renovate the building, the gallery began preservation fundraising in 2017, the 50th anniversary of its opening.

As of Dec. 15, 2022, the private gallery has raised donations of around 270 million yen ($1.94 million) for its preservation fund for the panels.

But while the gallery has been raising funds, at the present pace of 18 months for restoring each artwork, it would take decades for the work on all 14 pieces to complete.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Okamura said he takes a long-term view of the project. "One of the reasons I approached the preservation institute was they would be able to learn how to restore the works and pass on that knowledge even if the people involved change."

"If we can make a system now to keep it going, I'm sure we can restore all of the works over time," he said.

On the same day that "Ghosts" was unveiled, the second of the panels, "Fire," was checked and sent off to the conservation institute. It depicts in vivid reds and blacks the victims caught in the firestorm caused by the extreme heat from the Hiroshima bombing.

The restoration of the piece, which showed signs of warping to the panels and multiple holes made by insects, is expected to take about as long as that of "Ghosts" and lead to its return in 2025.

According to Isogai, the challenges will include a careful analysis of the pigments used, a precaution that has to be taken due to the Marukis' differing specializations as artists. While Iri specialized in Japanese suibokuga ink wash painting, Toshi was an oil painter.

"This is a work conceived not purely as Nihonga Japanese painting but by a couple who created together with differing styles, so what kind of pigments they used is something we have to analyze," she said.
U.S. Army Spc. Luke Harrison, a dedicated field artillery radar operator serving in the Wyoming Army National Guard and representing Region VI, has been bestowed with the honorable title of the Army National Guards Soldier of the Year. He has earned this esteemed distinction through his remarkable achievements in the 2023 All-Guard Best Warrior Competition, held from July 8 to 13 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bailey Ruff, a skilled horizontal construction engineer serving in the South Dakota Army National Guard and representing Region VI, has been named the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in the competition. This recognition comes from his exceptional performance, unparalleled expertise, and unwavering dedication throughout the competition.

Fourteen competitors, filled with anticipation, gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage to discover the outcome of the rigorous six-day competition. The events thoroughly tested the adaptiveness and lethality of these Soldiers, pushing them to their limits. The competition featured a series of challenging trials, including the Army Combat Fitness Test, land navigation exercises, shooting matches, and an arduous obstacle course. It culminated with a grueling 14-mile ruck march. Each participant showcased their resilience, skill, and determination in their pursuit of victory.

Harrison embarked on his journey to the national competition by willingly participating in additional training for the Wyoming Guard Best Warrior State Competition. Initially, his motivation for signing up was solely to gain further familiarity with various weapons systems and to test his physical fitness limits.

I never planned to compete at the state level, but now, here I am, expressed Harrison. I approached this competition as a training exercise, giving my best effort. Winning the title has made me realize the amount of effort and passion I invested in it. I am incredibly grateful for this victory.

In pursuit of triumph, 14 exceptional individuals from Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming converged in Alaska for the arduous competition. These esteemed participants, composed of seven Non-Commissioned Officers and seven enlisted Soldiers, emerged victorious in smaller contests at state and regional levels, signifying their status as the nations elite within the Army National Guard. Representing their respective regions, each NCO and enlisted Soldier embodied the epitome of excellence in their field.

Spc. Luke Harrison demonstrated outstanding dedication, commitment, and attention to detail in mastering and performing more than 40 graded tasks and events, leading to him winning the National Guard Best Warrior of the Year in the Soldier category, said State Command Sgt. Maj. Lindsey Schmidt. He is an example for all our junior leaders who prove effective training, being a good follower, and doing more than the minimum lead to individual success representing all of the Wyoming National Guard. Please wish him well as he advances to the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition.

As champions of the Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition, Spc. Harrison and Sgt. Ruff, along with Staff Sgt. Leo Kerfeld, Minnesota National Guard, Region IV, Spc. Bret Williams, West Virginia National Guard, Region II, Spc. Hunter Gammon, Missouri National Guard, Region V, will advance to compete against teams from the Regular Army and Army Reserves in the upcoming fall in a conquest for the Best Squad Competition. This next stage of the competition will bring together the best warriors from various branches of the Army to vie for the ultimate honor and recognition. With their exceptional skills and unwavering dedication, Spc. Harrison, Bailey Ruff, and their squad members will represent the Army National Guard with pride and determination in their quest for victory.

Harrisons exceptional skills, unwavering commitment, and outstanding performance have propelled him to the pinnacle of recognition within the Army National Guard.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 19, 2023 - 20:04 | World, All, Japan

Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday called for the continued deepening of friendship between the self-ruled democratic island and Japan during a meeting in Taipei with Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Tsai expressed the island's appreciation for the late Japanese premier's supportive stance, including his claim that "any emergency surrounding Taiwan would also be an emergency for Japan."

By advocating such a view, the longest-serving Japanese leader "adopted a position that attached further importance to Taiwan," Tsai said.

The widow, who is on a four-day trip to the island through Thursday, said in response that her husband's soul has been present during her visit and that she has felt a profound sense of friendship between Taiwan and Japan.

Earlier in the day, Akie Abe visited a military cemetery in New Taipei to pay homage to former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui (1923-2020), who had an affinity for Japan, as the slain Japanese leader had wished to do so.

Shinzo Abe was fatally shot on July 8, 2022, while giving an election campaign speech in western Japan.

Related coverage:

Widow of slain ex-Japan PM Abe to visit Taiwan next week

1 year on, Abe assassination leaves controversial issues unresolved

FOCUS: Weakening influence of slain Abe works in favor of Japan PM Kishida
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 59F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 59F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Showers this morning becoming less numerous during the afternoon hours. High 74F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low around 60F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
MACAO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Visitor arrivals in Macao surged 480.5 percent year on year to 2,209,662 in June, the Macao Special Administrative Region's (SAR) statistical agency said on Wednesday.

However, the figure represented a slight drop of 0.2 percent month-on-month, showed the latest report from the Statistics and Census Service.

Overnight visitors and same-day visitors soared 543.7 percent and 423.3 percent year on year to 1,163,784 and 1,045,878, respectively.

The number of visitors from the Chinese mainland jumped by 329.4 percent year on year to 1,444,933, while visitors from China's Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan region rocketed by 1,446.9 percent and 734.6 percent year on year to 601,663 and 42,964, respectively. 
An AG600M firefighting aircraft drops water during a gathering and dropping water test in Jingmen, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China-developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft have been verified as capable of performing firefighting tasks, the aircraft developer announced Tuesday.

AG600 aircraft have completed the typical firefighting verification flight-test subjects, showing that the large amphibious aircraft model is capable of carrying out such missions, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's leading plane-maker.

During the first half of this year, three AG600 airplanes conducted 172 test flights, with a total of 430 flight hours, at multiple sites across China, the AVIC said.

During the test flights, the performance of the aircraft's platform and its firefighting systems were verified. The test-flight aircraft conducted the water-dropping operations involving loads of three, six and 12 tonnes of water, and verified the aircraft's performance in various operation modes, postures, speeds and altitudes.

The relevant technical indicators are in line with the design requirements of the aircraft. At this stage, the AG600 amphibious aircraft have the practical application capabilities to safely perform firefighting tasks, the AVIC said.

Crew members of an AG600M firefighting aircraft disembark from the plane after a gathering and dropping water test in Jingmen, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 27, 2022. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Codenamed Kunlong, or "water dragon" in Chinese, the AG600 aircraft family has been developed as vital aeronautical equipment to strengthen China's emergency rescue capabilities.

The AG600 can combat forest fires, perform maritime search and rescue, and other critical rescue missions.

The year 2023 is vital in the aircraft's development. A series of flight test and ground test missions will take place this year to ensure that the aircraft is capable of carrying out firefighting missions. These tests will be conducted to ensure progress toward securing the airworthiness certification, the AVIC said.

The AVIC will continuously promote the verification of the aircraft's safety, firefighting functions and performance, performance in typical task scenes on plain and plateau regions, flight support capabilities, and emergency-response capabilities, said the developer.

By now, the AG600 aircraft has comprehensively entered the airworthiness certification phase. It is expected to receive a type certificate by 2024.


Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) asked IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler, a 13-year IRS special agent with the Criminal Investigation Division, about the money transfers from foreign companies to President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden at a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday. This is the first time Mr. Ziegler spoke publicly.

Also on Wednesday, YouTube removed EpochTVs livestream of the hearing, saying it found something that may violate YouTubes guidelines and giving our channel a strike. Subscribe to EpochTV to watch uncensored videos.
Letters to a special person are pieces of yourself

On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse sent the worlds first long-distance telegraph messageWhat hath God wrought?and so changed forever human communication. This union of electricity and human ingenuity next brought the convenience and speed of the telephone, followed by todays internet. In 2023, a father sitting at his dining room table in the United States can now press a button on a keyboard and deliver an email in 0.2 seconds to his daughter in India.

Each of these advances reduced the need for messages written on paper and delivered by hand. Less than 40 years ago, finding a letter in the mailbox was routine. Today it is a rarity, and snail mail, as it is derisively called, hovers on the edge of extinction. The hare in this modern race has defeated the tortoise.

But at what cost? Has the speed with which we dispatch our written thoughts and feelings also altered the depth and reflection we once put into a handwritten letter? From earlier ages, we have public and private letters revealing much about their senders and their times. Some of these letters even changed the course of history. Will our digital notes and missives be similarly preserved and read for their erudition, charm, and wit by future generations, ensuring some continuity between past and future?

If were in doubt about that outcome, these pre-internet writers may have some things to teach us, if we are willing to learn from them.

Greek Tweets

Those fierce warriors of the ancient world, the Spartans, were little noted for their literary skills, but they were renowned for their brevity, so much so that our word laconic derives from the Greek Lakonikos, meaning native of Sparta.

They also often managed to combine concision with wit. In 346 B.C. Philip II, king of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great, dispatched this message to Sparta after having conquered much of Greece: You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.

The Spartans replied with one word: If.

Legend has it that Philip later sent a second message threatening the Spartans, asking them whether they wished him to enter their city as friend or foe. Neither, came the answer.

Those looking to make their texts and tweets memorable might study some examples from Sparta.

Game Changers

In 1939, Albert Einstein signed a letter largely written by an immigrant scientist, Leo Szilard, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning of the possibility of a Nazi atomic bomb and urging the government to pursue work on a similar weapon. From that letter, the Manhattan Project took shape.

Other letters have affected the course of history. The 1917 Zimmermann Telegram proposing an alliance between Germany and Mexico helped push America into World War I, and Martin Luther Kings 1963 Letter From a Birmingham Jail acted as a spur to the Civil Rights movement. The Epistles of the New Testament addressed to communities in such places as Rome and Ephesus are part of the bedrock of the Christian faith, and even today St. Pauls letter to the Corinthians is considered a classic of letter writing.

This telegram was sent by German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the president of Mexico proposing a military alliance against the United States. (Public Domain)

These letters, and so many more, are reminders of the power and influence of the written word and should caution us to review and edit what we ourselves write.

A Renaissance Job Application

Long before he became a renowned artist, Leonardo da Vinci applied by letter for the post of military engineer for Ludovico Sforza, the duke of Milan. After a brief jab at others who count themselves masters and artificers of instruments of war, da Vinci promised to endeavor, while intending no discredit to anyone else, to make myself understood to Your Excellency for the purpose of unfolding to you my secrets.

Da Vinci then listed nine specific ways he was prepared to assist Sforza against his enemies. These plans included ships impervious to cannon fire, a tank-like vehicle that would penetrate the enemy and their artillery, and very light, strong and easily portable bridges with which to pursue and, on some occasions, flee the enemy. He ended with a tenth proposal, asserting that in peacetime I can give as complete satisfaction as any other in the field of architecture, and then added, I can execute sculpture in marble, bronze and clay. He closed by offering to demonstrate his talents to the duke.

His letter is concise, its promises concrete, its tone respectful. It has the marks of a good resume. Perhaps more importantly, da Vincis application might teach humility to the proud, as we consider that one of the great geniuses of history had to doff his hat and ask for a job.

Matters of the Heart

Is romance dead?

Ask that question of your phone or computer, and the responses are generally dreary and affirmative. Whether romance lies moribund or has simply taken a furlough is uncertain, but apparently plenty of people regard it as missing from our culture. Some may wonder whether it ever existed outside of poetry and the pages of literature.

The letters between Elizabeth and Robert Browning show the depth of love between them. Elizabeth Barrett Browning. (Public Domain)

For those seeking reassurances of real-life romance, letters from the past offer a rich hunting ground. Libraries, bookstores, and online sources all sport anthologies of such letters.

One of the greatest of these collections is the correspondence between Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett, who of course eventually married. This exchange of letters, which Ive only skimmed, stunned me. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height/ My soul can reach, Elizabeth famously wrote to her husband, and these letters from their courtship give evidence of that passion. Along with their multitude, their refinement, their banter, and their cultural observations, The Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett, 18451846 are an astonishing witness to the attraction, the romance, and the deep love between these two poets.

Reading even a handful of these notes and longer missives constitutes an education in itself in the art of winning the heart of another.

For the Children

Writing snail-mail letters to a beloved is to proffer a physical token, to place a piece of yourself, so to speak, in their hands. This same holds true for a child or an adolescent. Much more effective than shooting out an email, sending a letter to a son or granddaughter makes the mailbox a magical place, gives them a handmade gift, and keeps the culture of letter writing alive.

Over the years, in addition to birthday greetings, I have mailed scores of typed or handwritten notes to my many grandchildren. According to their parents, the youngest of them are so excited about receiving such a note in the mail, written just for them, that they carry this sheet of paper with them like a talisman. The teenagers, to whom I sometimes send advice, know that these are special thoughts just for them and were carefully constructed rather than being dashed out via email.

Girl Reading a Letter by Candlelight, circa 1700, by Jean-Baptiste Santerre. Pushkin Museum, Moscow. (Public Domain)

Will they keep these letters and read them someday after Im only a memory? I have no idea, but odds are that they are far more likely to do so than if Id sent them electronic messages. Will my letters help spark in them an urge to occasionally take a pen, put it to paper, and write to another? Again, I have no idea, but that is my hope.

Preserving the Graces of Our Culture

I own two reprinted books from the 128-volume set The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, first published in 1898. Both of my books contain mostly military correspondence. Whenever I thumb through these collections of letters, reports, and orders, Im always impressed by the clarity and grace of the writing. In its own way, this prose possesses a beauty all its own.

Reading all manner of old letters takes us back to a time when a writers thoughts, cautioned by a fountain pen rather than a keyboard, were expressed with care and dignity. Most of these letters shine with an elegance and an etiquette we might do well to emulate more ourselves.

By reading such letters and absorbing some of their grace and style, and by then incorporating them into our own correspondence, we are making our own small contributions to the preservation of our culture.

Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at features@epochtimes.nyc
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Guo Qigang, a fugitive suspected of duty-related crimes, has returned to China and surrendered himself to the authorities after four years on the run, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

Born in August 1963, Guo, a former Party chief of SDIC Power Holdings CO., Ltd., fled overseas in July 2019, according to the Fugitive Repatriation and Asset Recovery Office of the Central Anti-Corruption Coordination Group.

Fugitives must relinquish any notion of being able to escape indefinitely, said an anti-corruption official, calling on all fugitives to promptly return to China and turn themselves in if they want leniency. 
President Joe Biden convenes a meeting of his competition council at 3:00 p.m. ET on July 19 to announce new actions to increase competition in the American economy to lower prices.
California seems hell-bent on medicalizing our children as a pretense to take them away from their parents. Theres some really bad bills in the legislature right now  Your child, as young as 12 years old, could be talking to a school counselor and say, my parents dont support my decisions, and that day, that child could be routed to an in-home treatment center and not come home from school, says Alix Mayer, co-founder of Free Now Foundation.

Mayer is an advocate for parental rights and medical freedom.

Shes involved with one lawsuit against Santa Clara University because of its vaccine mandate. One of the plaintiffs, Harlow Glenn, says she agreed to get her first Pfizer shot to comply with the universitys vaccine mandate, but suffered a severe injury.

It put her in the hospital. She was urinating blood, she was numb from the waist down, she lost a lot of her hairshe was sick for months. And she still has medical problems to this day, and its two years later, Mayer says.

Despite this, her second request for medical exemption was also denied, and she was asked to get a second shot and booster to comply with the universitys mandate.
LUANDA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco has said that while foreign direct investment in Angola has shown progress, there is still work to be done to create a favorable business environment.

He made the remarks during the 38th edition of the Luanda International Fair (FILDA), which kicked off Tuesday in Luanda, the capital of Angola.

The president said Tuesday that his country's business environment for foreign investors has improved, with streamlined visa procedures and effective anti-corruption measures, pointing out the government's ongoing efforts to attract foreign investment through overseas diplomatic missions.

FILDA is Angola's largest platform for showcasing national production and promoting employment.

The five-day event has attracted the participation of 23 Chinese companies representing various industries, including telecommunications, automobiles, construction machinery, agriculture, furniture, and home appliances. 
Yi Bofeng poses for a photo at the platform of Kunming South Railway Station in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)

Yi Bofeng (1st L) interacts with passengers aboard the train D887 on July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng (1st R) and her colleagues prepare to board the train D887 at Kunming South Railway Station in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng (R) talks with her grandparents in Mengla County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Yi Bofeng inspects a carriage aboard the train D887 on July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng poses for a photo at the platform of Kunming South Railway Station in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)

Yi Bofeng (L) talks with her colleague aboard the train D887 on July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng tends a plant at home in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 15, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng learns Lao language at home in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 15, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng (4th R, rear) poses for a group photo with her family in Mengla County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Cui Wen)

Yi Bofeng (3rd L) has lunch with her family in Mengla County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Yi Bofeng (C) serves passengers aboard the train D887 on July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng broadcasts aboard the train D887 on July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng (R) interacts with passengers aboard the train D887 on July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng poses for a photo at the platform of Kunming South Railway Station in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Cui Wen)

Yi Bofeng tidies up her work outfit at home in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 15, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Yi Bofeng walks out of Mohan Railway Station in Mengla County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)

Yi Bofeng (R) serves a passenger aboard the train D887 on July 16, 2023.

Yi Bofeng hails from Mengla County in Yunnan Province. After graduating as a Lao major from a technical college in the provincial capital Kunming in 2020, she was recruited as a train attendant under China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. Yi was aboard the first train of the railway, witnessing the historical moment of railway operations.

The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos. The railway has transported more than 16.4 million passengers and over 21 million tons of cargo as of June 3 this year.

The railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 this year. One passenger train operates daily from Kunming to Vientiane and another one the other way around. Since then, Yi has been in service for over 20 round trips.

Along the railway line are regions with abundant tourism resources, rich species resources, and great concentration of natural and cultural heritages. Villages under Mengla County where Yi's family reside boast fruits and rubber trees planting. Owing to close proximity to the railway, the products from these villages can be soon delivered to the market so that villagers can enjoy the dividend brought by the railway. (Xinhua/Cui Wen)
A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more people and animals are getting sick from toxic algae that forms in bodies of water across the United States.

The report found that some animalsbut no peoplehave died from the effects of toxic algae. Some 16 states reported a total of 117 illnesses among people and at least 2,715 animal illnesses as a result of harmful algal bloom (HAB) events, said the agency in a report published this week.

The vast majority, or 90 percent, of toxic algae blooms occurred in fresh water, namely in reservoirs, impoundments, and lakes, according to the CDC. Based on 2021 data, some 368 harmful algae bloom events were reported, representing a major increase compared to previous years, as fewer than than 250 HAB events were reported in 2020 and 2019, it found.

The blooms occurred in Arizona, California, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. But Michigan and Pennsylvania saw the most, with 77 each, and Utah saw the most illnesses among people, the agency said.

Washington state saw the most animal sicknesses. In one instance, an algae bloom killed off 2,000 bats in the state, according to the CDC.

An aerial photo shows blue-green algae enveloping an area along the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Fla., on June 29, 2016. (Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post via AP)

HAB events of public health concern are primarily caused by microalgae (e.g., diatoms and dinoflagellates), cyanobacteria, and the toxins they can produce, the CDC wrote. HAB events, which can be intensified by factors such as nutrient pollution and warmer water temperature, can have public health, environmental, and economic impacts.

The algae bloom events generally peak in August, the report found, and about 90 percent occur in lakes, reservoirs, and impoundments, as well as other fresh water. The blooms emerge from the rapid growth of cyanobacteria or algae known as blue-green algae, the agency said.

These algae blooms are different than red tide events like the ones that impact Floridas coastal waters. For red tide, its formed by the bacteria Karenia brevis, which can make the water appear brownish-red.

Human illnesses occurred primarily in June, it said, noting the most commonly reported symptoms and signs were gastrointestinal problems, fever, headache, and dermatologic. Animals got sick mainly in August, the CDC report also found, and it mostly involved wildlife.

Advisories

Over the years, local officials in a number of states have issued advisories or even warnings about toxic algae in waterways. The toxic algae has also been found in Florida waterways for years as it thrives on excess phosphorus and nitrogen from fertilizers, sewage, and septic tanks.

A large algae bloom is blossoming across Floridas Lake Okeechobee this week, leading to health warnings and the closure of a local marina. The bloom is believed to be about 440 square miles and can be seen from space, according to images posted by NASA.

Last week, health officials in Kansas confirmed that nine of its lakes were impacted by blue-green algae and sent out several advisories. In Maryland this week, officials in Montgomery County said that people who may have ingested water in the Triadelphia Reservoir should contact the local health department.

The reason why is high levels of toxic algae and HABs were found in the reservoir, Montgomery County officials said.

The City of Toledo water intake crib is surrounded by algae, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, in Lake Erie, about 2.5 miles off the shore of Curtice, Ohio. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services in June 2022 said it detected high concentrations of cyanobacteria at Mascoma Lake and Goose Pond. The department had advised visitors to avoid contact with the water and to keep pets away.

In Vermont, officials in 2019 issued alerts about the algal blooms being found in Mallets and Missisquoi bays in Lake Champlain at the time. They said at the time that dogs are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects.

Scientists believe a combination of factors can trigger large blooms, including summer temperatures, slow water circulation, and excessive nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. And some blooms generate toxins such as microcystin, which can cause nausea, fever, and liver damage in humans and can kill animals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Health Viewpoints

College COVID vaccine mandates remain some of the most coercive mandates ever declared. While most colleges have rescinded their mandates, some refuse to let go, and Santa Clara University (SCU) in California is one of the most oppressive.

In late April 2021, after most incoming freshmen had committed, SCU announced that all students were required to get COVID vaccines for fall enrollment or after full approval, whichever was later.

Then by mid-summer, SCU announced that students would be required to receive the vaccine even if it remained authorized only for emergencies (EUA) and even though the CA Health and Safety Code codifies the Nuremberg Code. Section 24172 states:

There is, and will continue to be, a growing need for protection for citizens of the state from unauthorized, needless, hazardous, or negligently performed medical experiments on human beings. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature, in the enacting of this chapter, to provide minimum statutory protection for the citizens of this state with regard to human experimentation and to provide penalties for those who violate such provisions.

SCU (and many other CA colleges and universities) directly violate this code for removing informed consent by mandating EUA medical treatments.

Despite the lack of efficacy or adequate safety data for this overwhelmingly healthy young adult population, in December 2021, SCU mandated the booster midway through the academic year, when students would have no choice but to comply or leave tens of thousands of dollars behind. SCUs three-dose requirement remained through the 20222023 school year.

In complete disregard for the end of the emergency declarations, in early April 2023, when most universities like nearby Stanford were announcing the end of their COVID vaccine mandates, SCU updated its requirement for incoming freshmen.

On May 8, one week after the fall 2023 enrollment deadline, SCU quietly updated its COVID vaccine policy to require one bivalent dose for incoming freshmen (but not returning students), regardless of how many COVD vaccines they had previously taken. SCU backdated this announcement to May 1, thinking no one would take notice, but in private emails from incoming students, we learned that some were furious. We encouraged them to withdraw and accept another offer.

On May 31, SCU updated its policy again. It now requires either three previously taken monovalent doses or one bivalent dose for all community members. As with the universitys previous mandates, SCU offers no religious exemptions and limited medical exemptions for studentseven in the most extreme of circumstances, as explained below. Faculty and staff, however, are permitted to request exemptions.

SCUs policy is determined by its opaque COVID-19 team, believed to be led by campus physician Dr. Lewis Osofsky, who also holds several positions at Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA). SCCMA partners (pdf) with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPH) to maximize COVID-19 vaccinations. Santa Clara County is one of the most vaccinated counties in the country, with more than one-third of its residents having received the bivalent boostertwice the national averagewith 88.5 percent having received the primary series.

Dr. Osofskys positions in the SCCMA include chair of the Professional Standards and Conduct committee, tasked with promoting high ethical standards for physicians and investigating disputes involving unethical conduct. This is ironic, as Dr. Osofsky is believed to be a driving force behind SCUs ethically indefensible mandate. Medical ethics would require, at a minimum, both transmission prevention and a proven benefit for students. An antibody increase from vaccines, with no established antibody level correlate of protection, wanes in mere weeks and cannot support the ethics of a mandate. In fact, a recent study demonstrated that the greater the number of vaccine doses previously received, the higher the risk of COVID-19.

It is alleged that Dr. Osofsky has improperly denied students medical exemptions. In a March 2022 lawsuit (pdf) filed against SCU, Harlow Glenn, one of the student plaintiffs, claims that she had severe adverse reactions to her primary series of COVID vaccines, including an emergency room visit due to leg paralysis and abnormal bleeding. According to the complaint, Dr. Osofsky refused to grant her a medical exemption for the required booster and actively interfered with her doctor-patient relationship by contacting her private doctors to persuade them to retract their medical exemption documentation.

Such aggressive tactics are nothing new for Dr. Osofsky, as he apparently employs them against patients in his private pediatric practice. Parents have complained in online reviews that Dr. Osofskys office forced vaccines and didnt listen to their concerns. As it turns out, Blue Cross Blue Shield pays pediatricians in private practice a $40,000 bonus for every 100 patients under the age of 2 that they fully vaccinate if at least 63 percent of the patients are fully vaccinated (including the annual flu vaccine).

Dr. Osofskys roles with SCCMA, which is in partnership with the SCCPH, whose goal is to maximize COVID vaccination, as well as his aggressive private practice approach to vaccination, have likely played a significant role in SCUs continued COVID vaccine mandates.

On June 14, 2023, attorneys for the plaintiffs filed their opening brief (pdf) against SCU in the Sixth Appellate District in California. SCU is expected to oppose the appeal and insist on its right to demand that students submit to EUA boosters to protect the campus community. Protect the community? That justification went out the window long ago when U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky admitted that the COVID vaccine did not prevent infection or transmission. Recently released documents confirmed that Ms. Walensky actually knew this information in January 2021, well before colleges announced COVID vaccination requirements.

Given that the emergency is officially over, and the shots have proven to be both ineffective and, in some cases, harmful, SCU must now more than ever defend the science and ethics behind its refusal to drop its mandates.

Without such transparency, we are left to assume that Dr. Osofsky, SCCMA, and SCCPH must be using SCU students as mere pawns to achieve their unscientific and authoritarian vaccination goals and quotas.

From the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
Health Viewpoints

About a week ago I was invited to participate in a teleconference with Tim Ballard, a former special agent of the Department of Homeland Security, where he served on the [Internet] Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force [Program]. Tim left government service to found Operation Underground Railroada nonprofit organization for combatting the trafficking of minors for sexual slavery and organ harvesting.

Tims adventures are the subject of the gripping feature film, Sound of Freedom, starring Jim Caviezel, which was released in cinemas nationwide on the Fourth of July and was the top-grossing film of the weekend, in spite of a coordinated attack by robotic imbeciles who call themselves journalists.

Tims fluency in Spanish and his contacts in Latin America have proven especially useful in conducting operations against sex trafficking of minors in countries such as Columbia. However, he believes that the United States is one of the worlds top territories in which child trafficking is occurring.

Judging by this FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation] webpage about this uniquely depraved category of crime, it appears that the FBI agrees with Tims assessment.

Its very strange to me how little this abomination is being talked about. During our conference, Tim mentioned that the Abolition Movement began with increasing awareness such as that spurred by Harriet Beecher Stowes novel, Uncle Tom. Tim quoted President Lincoln, who told Ms. Stowe during a White House visit in 1862, So youre the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.

However, as I pointed out in the conference, the Abolition Movement was extremely vocal in Great Britain and the northern United States during the first sixty years of the 19th Century. Everyone knew about the sermons that were delivered every Sunday in church congregations in Boston and Brooklyn, and every seapower in the world knew about the British [Royal] Navys West Africa Squadron that was formed in 1808 to end the transatlantic slave trade. Parliament abolished the international slave trade in 1807 and the institution of slavery in British colonies in 1834.

According to the U.S. Department of States webpage titled About Human Trafficking:

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Walk Free Foundation, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), released Global Estimates of Modern Slavery in September 2022. This report estimates that, at any given time in 2021, approximately 27.6 million people were in forced labor. Of these, 17.3 million are exploited in the private sector, 6.3 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation, and 3.9 million in forced labour imposed by state. The definition of forced labor used in this report is based on ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), which states in Article 2.1 that forced labor is all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.

To be sure, 6.3 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation is just an estimate. However, even if the true number is a sixth of that, we are still talking about one million sex slaves. Why so little talk about this crime in the mainstream media?

Why, given the FBI and Department of State acknowledgements of this crime, did reviewers such as Charles Bramesco at The Guardian or Miles Klee at Rolling Stone, both write snarky reviews of Sound of Freedom, characterizing the film as an artifact of QAnon conspiracy theory? Are they simply brainwashed morons, or are they also afflicted with a dreadful moral blindspot?

Readers of our Substack may find my dialogue with Tim Ballard, Sen. Ron Johnson, and other notable public figures to be of interest.

Click HERE for the full conference.

Also, check out the Sound of Freedom trailer and do a web search for your local showtimes.

Reposted from John Leakes Substack

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Regional cooperation and game-changing initiatives are vital to building resilience against future shocks and delivering on the United Nation's 2030 Agenda, speakers told a UN forum on Wednesday.

Convened under the theme "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels," the UN's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which runs until Wednesday, explores policies and transformations needed to overcome crises that continue to threaten decades of progress worldwide.

Delivering opening remarks, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, underscored that progress towards realizing the 2030 Agenda must be significantly accelerated.

To this end, investing in social protection, gender equality, disaster resilience and tackling climate change is crucial. "Making food and energy systems resilient and sustainable and leveraging digital innovations and solutions will be powerful drivers of a sustainable transformation," she stressed.

Identifying critical areas of transformative action, Leila Benali, president of the United Nations Environment Assembly, called for a more robust interface among science, policy and decision-making.

Also essential are massive shifts and increases in public and private financial flows, debt and investment patterns. These changes require a combination of work through global partnerships and North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.

She said solutions must be placed at the forefront of science policy, including traditional knowledge systems of local and indigenous communities.

A panel was also held Tuesday on "Messages from the regions," with ministerial chairs of the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development reporting on the outcome of their respective regional forums and highlighting and identifying transformative actions for accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Garama Saratou Rabiou Inoussa, minister for the environment and the fight against desertification of Niger and chair of the ninth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, said African countries remain committed to achieving the global goals by intensifying transformative initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Great Blue Wall Initiative and the Battery Minerals Value Chain Initiative.

She stressed that science, technology and innovation should be at the heart of national development planning, highlighting the importance of building cities resilient to climate change by strengthening multi-hazard early warning and action systems.

Along similar lines, Pagnathun Theng, director general in the Ministry of Planning of Cambodia and chair of the 10th session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, said the multiple crises facing the world have pushed millions of people in Asia and the Pacific into poverty, increased inequality and hindered progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Outlining solutions to address these challenges, he said transforming energy and food systems to support a more resilient recovery remains a key focus.

He also underlined the need to tackle climate change, promote a transition to cleaner energy and address debt sustainability concerns through innovative financing from the public and private sectors.

Waed Abdullah Badhib, minister for planning and international cooperation of Yemen and chair of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2023, reported that more than a quarter of Arabs live under the poverty line while the Middle East suffers from high unemployment.

Against this backdrop, he noted that the regional forum outlined strategies to support developing countries to sustainably manage debt and facilitate access to concessional credit. The forum also called on Arab governments to develop plans to address wasteful spending and corruption.

"Regions represent the nuances that shape the universal nature of the 2030 Agenda," said lead discussant Javier Surasky, director of research at Cepei, Argentina.

He said empowering regions would yield concrete global outcomes, stressing that implementing and monitoring governance chains would be broken without them. 
In his brief life, Joseph Warren served the colonies as a doctor, spy, soldier, and finally, martyr

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison are names typically associated with Americas founding, but others deserving mention are cloaked in obscurity. One such man is Dr. Joseph Warren, a Massachusetts native and patriot who played an instrumental role in the drive for Americas independence.

Warren was a respected physician in the 1760s. The son of a farmer, he was educated at Harvard University and was an underground leader of the Sons of Liberty, a separatist movement seeking freedom from Great Britain a decade before July 4, 1776.

The affable and widely respected Dr. Warren authored a series of articles beginning in 1767 for the Boston Gazette under the pseudonym A True Patriot. Warren later penned the Suffolk Resolves, a document passed unanimously by the First Continental Congress. The declaration urged Colonists to cease paying taxes and trading with Great Britain in protest of punitive laws following the Boston Tea Party.

The Suffolk Resolves was seen as the precursor to the Declaration of Independence, but sadly the signature of this patriot whose tireless efforts helped make that freedom a reality is missing from the founding document.

Portrait of Joseph Warren when he was still a respected physician in Boston, by John Singleton Copley, circa 1765. (Public Domain)

Humble Beginnings

Warren entered Harvard as a freshman in 1755. At that time, students were ranked by their parents finances, and Warren was listed 34 or 35 out of 43 incoming students. Bright and outgoing, Warren befriended a number of sons from prominent families, and those connections proved invaluable later when he became a physician.

In October of his freshman year, his father broke his neck and died. As the oldest of three boys, Warren wanted to quit Harvard and help provide for his family, but his mother made him promise to stay in school and continue his studies.

At the time, Harvard had no medical school, and aspiring doctors had to learn their trade by apprenticing with doctors who had been trained in Europe. Warren chose wisely and was tutored by Dr. James Lloyd, a wealthy physician who taught him everything from obstetrics and smallpox inoculations to bedside manners and how to be a gentleman.

Warrens medical practice began at the same time that a smallpox epidemic was spreading. After 10 of the first 12 people in the area who contracted smallpox died, Warren and other physicians began using a new medical practice called inoculation. Warren personally administered over 100 smallpox inoculations, and when none of his patients died, his respect and reputation with the local citizenry flourished.

A Doctor and Spy

Dr. Warrens position as a physician to the loyalists in New England while active with the Sons of Liberty gave him unique access to both sides of the political divide. Warren was close to Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson, and he was the personal physician of Thomas Flucker, the Royal Secretary and the third highest position in the Colonies. These circumstances made it ideal for Warren to run a spy ring reporting on British troop movements to his fellow separatists.

Christian Di Spigna, a Colonial expert on the events leading up to the American Revolution and the author of Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolutions Lost Hero, believes it was Fluckers daughter, Lucy, who helped feed vital information to Warrens spy ring. Lucy eventually later married Henry Knox, a senior general of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and the artillery chief during most of George Washingtons military campaigns.

The spy ring also received word about the British putting a bounty on Samuel Adams and John Hancock, prompting Warren to direct Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn the two hiding out in Lexington. It was the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord that prompted Warren to leave his medical practice in the care of his assistant and spend the next six weeks prepping the militia for the expected battles with the British.

The Provincial Congress elected Warren as second in command of the Massachusetts forces for his efforts in training the militia.

A memorial to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. On the column bases are portraits of American Revolutionary War general Joseph Warren (left) and the Marquis de Lafayette. Independence declared 1776, designed by Joseph A. Arnold with lithograph by Thomas Moore, 1839. Library of Congress. (Public Domain)

The Battle of Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill)

Upon learning that British forces had landed at Charlestown on June 17, 1775, Warren hurried to Breeds Hill and the America

The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill by John Trumbull, 1786. Boston Museum of Fine Arts. (Public Domain)

n fortifications. Despite his rank, Warren insisted on fighting as a regular volunteer in the thick of the fight. The first two attempts by the British to take Breeds Hill were unsuccessful, but when the militia ran out of ammunition and were forced to fight solely with bayonets, the third British assault succeeded and a bloodbath ensued.

While rallying his men, Warren was shot in the face with a musket ball, dying instantly. Humiliated at Lexington and Concord, the British had intense bloodlust. Warren was stripped of his clothing, his body mutilated, and his family Bible taken from him before he was placed in a three-foot-deep mass grave.

Patriot Martyr

Nine months later, after the Continental Army regained Boston, Paul Revere led the search for Warrens body where hed been laid by the British. Revere was a part-time dentist and had crafted a denture for Warren the year before. Revere was able to identify the doctors remains by that denture. The doctor was posthumously hailed a hero, and his body was brought to Boston with full honors.

Thousands mourned the loss of the doctor and patriot killed on the battlefield who had done so much for American liberty. Warren became an instant hero, and John Trumbull immortalized him in his painting The Death of General Warren. Several states in New England and farther south named towns in his honor, and five ships in the Continental Navy and U.S. Navy bore his name.

Fort Warren in Boston is named for him, and in June 1875, Boston hosted a centennial celebration honoring Warren and all those killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, with 350,000 people attending.

Ironically, most of the Founding Fathers died peacefully in their beds years after America won its independence, but the inspiring achievements of the 34-year-old patriot who worked tirelessly for the cause of freedom the decade before have been largely eclipsed by his own martyrdom.

This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (C) speaks at an annual memorial service for UN personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty last year, at UN Headquarters in New York on July 19, 2023. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) on Wednesday paid tribute to its 77 personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty last year.

"We come together to honor the memory of the United Nations personnel who lost their lives over the last year, serving our organization. We are here to mourn together, remember together, and to pay our respects together," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an annual memorial service at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The 77 personnel, military, police and civilian, came from 36 countries.

"Their service embodied the principle and the promise of the United Nations -- the principle of our common humanity and the promise to act on it -- to work together to solve shared challenges and build a world of peace, prosperity and human rights for all. Mission by mission, program by program, day by day, members of the United Nations family breathe life into that noble vision," he said.

UN personnel frequently work amid jeopardy and difficulty. Peacekeepers are increasingly protecting civilians in places where there is no peace to keep. Humanitarian aid workers are venturing deeper into disaster-stricken regions, and closer to the front lines of conflict, he noted.

In a divided and dangerous world, the vision and values that the blue flag of the United Nations represents are more important than ever, said Guterres. "In the name of those we have lost, we resolve to continue our essential mission. We pledge to keep supporting families. We commit to continually review and improve the safety, care and well-being of our staff. And we vow to keep the memories of our fallen colleagues alive -- in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in our work to build a life of dignity and hope for all." 
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Beijing on Wednesday.

Addressing climate change is an important aspect of China-U.S. cooperation, Han said, adding that it is imperative to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state at their meeting in Bali, follow the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and create a favorable environment for China-U.S. exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Climate change bears on the sustainable development of humankind. As a responsible major country, China has adhered to the new development philosophy and actively addressed climate change in line with the inherent requirements of high-quality development, Han said.

Han added that China is willing to work with the United States to seek the greatest common ground on the basis of respecting each other's core concerns and full communication, promote the in-depth implementation of the Paris Agreement, and make new contributions to addressing global challenges such as climate change.

Noting that the United States and China are the top two economies in the world and have made a lot of efforts in climate change cooperation, Kerry said the U.S. side is willing to carry out high-level cooperation with China to promote the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai to achieve positive results. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
More information is emerging about the U.S. soldier who fled into North Korea on Tuesday. Court documents and a lawyer representing Travis King reveal that he was facing two assault allegations, and had been fined in South Korea for damaging a police car.

House Republicans are accusing the Biden administration of wanting to ban gas stovesbut without knowing how the home appliances actually work. Meanwhile, Democrats say the measure is not a ban, and that their proposals would only be beneficial to Americans.

The Biden administration is suspending funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The move follows a months-long review that determined the Chinese research institute was not compliant with federal safety regulations.

Topics in this episode include:

1. Court Docs Reveal More on Soldier in N. Korea

2. Witness Describes Soldiers North Korea Dash

3. House GOP Accuse Dems of Banning Gas Stoves

4. Pilot Explains Delays: Airlines Understaffed

5. Principal Leaves Education for Home Schooling

6. Cosmetics Giant Estee Lauder Discovers Hack

7. Commerce Dept. Adds Two Firms to Blacklist

8. High Defense Production a Good Thing: Fisher

9. Americans Not Saving Fast Enough: Report

10. New Heat Record in Phoenix: 19 Days Above 110

11. Home Geothermal Heat Pumps Offer Efficiency

12. Biden Admin. Suspends Funding for Wuhan Lab

13. Chinas Trade in Severe Situation: Official

14. Japan Responds to China Wastewater Criticism

15. Hong Kong Considers Japanese Seafood Ban

16. UK Spy Chief Seeks Info from Russians

17. Russia Cancels Grain Deal: Impact on U.S.

18. U.S. Passport Ranked 8th Most Powerful

19. Chicago Sausage King Brings Smiles

20. Could This Be Causing Your Stomach Pain?

21. Exotic Fish Caught in Neighborhood Pond
When all passengers but one cut their losses after their flight was delayed by 18 hours, one man found himself on the plane alone with a disgruntled flight crew. But by bonding over their odd situation, the group had fun and the footage he took on the flight went viral.

Phil Stringer had to get home to Charlotte, North Carolina, from a conference in Oklahoma City for a Monday morning meeting at his job as chief operating officer of a real estate brokerage. When his 6:20 a.m. flight with American Airlines on Sunday, June 25, was delayed by two hours, he stationed himself at a coffee shop at the airport to continue working.

A picture at the gate where Mr. Stringer boarded his flight from. (Courtesy of Phil Stringer)

It kept getting delayed a couple hours at a time, Mr. Stringer told The Epoch Times. I just ended up staying at that Starbucks, working the entire time. I never went to my gate, so I didnt see any other passengers.

Unable to find another flight that would get him home in time for his meeting, Mr. Stringer held on for updates. When the coffee shop closed, he moved to an empty table to continue working. Finally, after 18 hours, he was called to his gate just before midnight.

When I get to the gate there was nobody there, except for the one gate agent, he said. So I looked at her and I was like, Did you guys already board? Am I the last one on? and she was like, No, you are the only one left. Youre the only passenger on this flight.'

A shot of Mr. Stringers empty flight. (Courtesy of Phil Stringer)

The crew on Mr. Stringers flight. (Courtesy of Phil Stringer)

Watching the flight crew come in after being summoned from their hotel, Mr. Stringer saw the frustration on their faces.

I think they were surprised that the flight didnt get canceled, he said. Theyre like, Why are we here? Theres only one passenger! so they immediately just started picking on me, like, No snacks or drinks for you, you have to sit at the back of the plane in the middle seat.  I was like, Oh yeah, let me see how many times I can hit that call light button on the plane!' he said. We were just teasing each other, and ended up building this really cool rapport.

The group then made a collective choice of turning around a bad situation by having a good attitude about it. Not only did they loosen up, but their only passenger ended up getting five-star treatment.

Mr. Stringer with the flight crew. (Courtesy of Phil Stringer)

I got whatever food and drink I wanted, Mr. Stringer said. I popped up in first class, of course. We joked around, talked, played games, and even exchanged phone numbers.  next week Im going to be meeting up with them.

Mr. Stringer, who knew the situation was unique from the get-go, shot footage of the flight and later uploaded a montage to social media, joking that he had bought every single ticket on the plane so he didnt have to deal with anyone. The clip amassed 60 million views within days.

Everyone loves to see a light-hearted, positive story of a bad situation turning fun, he said, after his initial shock at the story going viral. Im a firm believer that your attitude determines your direction, and I believe that you can change any situation in life, whether its a silly one, like a delayed flight, or whether its a more serious, negative issue, or a disappointment in your life.  A lot of people have thanked me for that, for being patient [and] having a positive outlook.

For Mr. Stringer, who believes that he has always had really extreme luck in his life, there was one group of people who were not surprised by his story: family and friends.

[T]hey were just kind of like, Of course!' he said. Like, if this would happen to anyone, it would happen to Phil.

Watch the video:

(Courtesy of Phil Stringer)

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Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true

NR | 16 min 55 sec | Drama, Comedy | 1952

In a rare on-camera appearance as narrator, John Steinbeck introduces the film, The Cop and the Anthem, one part of the five-part anthology film, O. Henrys Full House. This adaptation of O. Henrys light-hearted short story, directed by Henry Koster, comically ponders the double-edged nature of socio-economic aspirations.

As Kosters film opens, Steinbeck tells of how William Sydney Porter, an American literary treasure, better known by his pen name, O. Henry, wasnt just a writer of short fiction, but was also a social critic, a humorist, and a word technician: Our folklore is full of O. Henry, his courage, his gaiety, and his people. He wrote so many good stories, its hard to choose. Heres one in point.

In a rare film appearance, writer John Steinbeck introduces The Cop and the Anthem. (20th Century Fox)

Every winter in 1900s Blackwells Island, professional vagabond, the portly Soapy (Charles Laughton) relies on pretended petty crime to land himself in the warm confines of prison. Pretended, because Soapys no criminal. Any crime will do, serious or staged, because even the worst prisons help him escape the icy wind and snow that New Yorks homeless brave each year.

To Soapy, prisons shelter without prejudice, in a way that policed parks and pavements dont, and philanthropic poor-homes wont. But, after 15 years of success, getting in seems harder than staying out.

Henry uses the literary tool of farce to show how goodness sometimes resides in the unlikeliest of people and places. Each instance of Soapys pretended villainy (theft, assault, vandalism, harassment), eyeing a warm prison bed, finds others beating him to it, or mistaking his villainy for virtue, or judging his misdemeanors too minor to bother the penal system with.

A vagrant friend (David Wayne, L) and Soapy (Charles Laughton) review a menu. (20th Century Fox)

Prison bars loom large in Kosters first scene. A cop accompanies a respectable-looking man to his cell, who, on observing inmates in neighboring cells, sits down to write. As the camera zooms in on the thoughtful, silhouetted figure, Steinbecks voice rings out, That man with the pencil is the real star of this picture, a reference to O. Henrys years in prison, among his most prolific as a writer.

This picaresque story plays on the maxim, Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true. Except, O. Henrys picaro is far from lowly. In fact, Soapy, with his hat, overcoat, and twirling umbrella, looks respectable, except when newspapers (meant to neuter the bracing cold) peep from under his overcoat, or when his hole-riddled shoes or gloves show. Yet, the gentleman he believes hes stealing that umbrella from looks distinguished too, until his thievery is revealed.

As he tries to cozy up to a lady (a cameo by Marilyn Monroe), in the hope of being jailed for impropriety by a nearby cop, Soapy learns how deceptive appearances can be. She turns out to be an escort, expecting beers from him, even if he cant pay for her services.

O. Henrys Symbols

Blackwells Island is symbolic because of its long-standing association with social stigma and infamy: state-run disability homes, asylums, prisons, and destitute homes.

The Sabbath anthem ringing out from an old church that Soapy stumbles on symbolizes his discarded, virtuous past, not much more than a memory now.

Recurring cop figures are symbols too; Soapy sees as many as half a dozen of them before he hears the one anthem. Sure enough, its the cop, not the anthem, that holds greater sway over Soapys fate, except, not in a way he imagines.

Koster depicts the fragility of destitute people, at the mercy of dominant elites. His cop characters exemplify this dominance. Kosters saying that the blame for lawlessness falls, usually, on commoners alone. But its elites wholl do the blaming, deciding whos being lawless, and when, where, and how theyll pay for it.

The elite may revel in their choices that mirror their many freedoms, such as choosing to holiday elsewhere when New York is covered in snow. Commoners, however, lack such luxuries. The cold reality of poverty blocks their way, first teasing them with permission to wish their wishes, then, mockingly, fashioning a tragedy even when granting wishes.

(LR) Soapy (Charle Laughton), a lady (Marilyn Monroe) and a cop (Robert Foulk), in The Cop and the Anthem. (20th Century Fox)

Prisons a metaphor for a comforting but destructive habit, or a deceptively soothing addiction. In Soapys epiphanic exclamation at church, it isnt my body thats sick, its my soul, O. Henry contrasts some of the seven deadly sins (sloth, gluttony, envy) with the seven capital virtues (prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude, hope, faith, charity). That the otherwise contented Soapy seems free of other sinslust, wrath, avarice, and greedis small consolation.

Laughtons flawless as the classy tramp. In her 120 seconds of screen time, the gorgeous Monroe conveys, with her eyes alone, anticipation, attentiveness, alarm, annoyance, awe, and appreciation.

The Cop and the Anthem

Director: Henry Koster

Starring: Charles Laughton, Marilyn Monroe

Not Rated

Running Time: 17 minutes

Release Date: Oct. 16, 1952

Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at features@epochtimes.nyc
BEIRUT, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib on Wednesday called for a comprehensive dialogue with the European Union (EU) to address the Syrian refugee issue in Lebanon.

In a letter sent to Josep Borrell, EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Bou Habib said a "constructive and comprehensive dialogue" between Lebanon and the EU needs to be launched regarding the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who have become "a threat not only to Lebanon's social structure and economic stability, but also to its continued existence as an entity."

"Lebanon adheres to its rights and responsibilities in facilitating the safe and dignified return of the displaced Syrians to their homes, in particular to safe areas, in line with the international law, and in a way that does not contradict the Lebanese constitution, which stipulates that Lebanon is not a country of asylum," the National News Agency (NNA) quoted the letter as saying.

He also underlined the need for the international community to address the causes of Syrians' displacement and to accelerate early recovery, including securing basic infrastructure and social services in Syria, to facilitate the return of the refugees.

The minister reiterated Lebanon's readiness to launch a dialogue with the EU to draw up a road map for the return of the displaced Syrians to their home country.

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with the government estimating around 1.5 million Syrian refugees.

The country has been suffering from an unprecedented financial crisis, and the refugees weigh heavily on the country's economy and infrastructure. 
HEFEI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The total import and export of goods in east China's Anhui Province grew 3.4 percent year on year to over 377.55 billion yuan (about 52.81 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2023, local authorities said Wednesday.

During this period, the province's exports increased to 251.26 billion yuan, surging by 14.5 percent over the same period of last year, while its imports stood at 126.29 billion yuan, down 13.4 percent, according to Hefei Customs.

In terms of export items, electric manned vehicles and lithium-ion batteries saw significant growth, reaching 1.69 billion yuan and 7.5 billion yuan, respectively, with year-on-year surges of 152.6 percent and 187 percent.

Trade between Anhui and countries along the Belt and Road soared to 125.2 billion yuan, up 26.8 percent year on year, accounting for 33.2 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume. 
SHIJIAZHUANG, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A flock of quacking ducks observed in a big wetland in north China late last month has caught the attention of the media.

Aythya baeri is the scientific name for the blue-headed species. It is categorized as severely endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and enjoys first-rate national protection in China.

They made their debut in July last year, attracting crowds of interested observers to Baiyangdian, northern China's largest freshwater wetland, where the prized animals have now become regulars.

The discovery of these uncommon ducks excites Hou Jianhua, a professor at Hebei University's School of Life Sciences, who says it is the latest beneficiary of the rising emphasis on the environment.

Baiyangdian Lake is located in the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei. Xiong'an, dubbed a "future city," prioritizes environmental protection, and the improved wetland is a typical depiction of China's efforts to pursue high-quality growth.

In contemporary Chinese literature, the lake is a significant landmark. Sun Li, a Chinese novelist, published "Lotus Lake -- Memories of Baiyangdian" in the 1940s. It is a story about the Communist-led resistance of northern Chinese peasants battling Japanese invaders.

A section of the book, a middle-school required reading item, was set in Baiyangdian's wetlands rather than the plains and farmlands. Reed beds, towering lotus fields, and an abundant harvest from the lake distinguished the Baiyangdian setting from other revolutionary battlefields.

However, Baiyangdian was severely impacted by industrial pollution between the 1960s and the 1980s, when sewage carrying chemicals poisoned water and lake beds, killing a great number of aquatic animals. Due to climate change in the 1990s, the lake nearly dried up. Bird populations plummeted after that, due to habitat degradation and human meddling.

Since the Xiong'an New Area was established in 2017, the lake's rehabilitation and protection activities have been bolstered.

Local governments strengthened their control over industrial and agricultural pollution sources by shutting down polluting firms. They also undertook efforts to replenish water supplies, allowing millions of hectares of agriculture to revert to wetlands.

Such efforts have paid off. The first sign of progress was in water quality, which has improved from Grade V to Grade III in the country's five-tier quality system.

More wild creatures are returning to Baiyangdian as the water quality improves. The number of bird species in the lake area has risen to around 254. It has steadily evolved into a haven for stunning lotus, blooming reeds, and a plethora of fish species.

Locals changed their attitudes as well. They understand now more than ever that conserving the lake can have both economic and environmental benefits. Locals are working to develop tourism.

"When the water quality was poor, almost no one came to the lake, and there was only one small restaurant in the village, with little profit," Zhao Wenxiang, a local village administrator, explained. "There are now over 10 restaurants and guest houses here to cater to birdwatchers and tourists."

Tech support is driving the environmental progress. The local bureau staff began deploying unmanned ship patrols with real-time video feedback. The 5G network's high speed and low latency, combined with virtual reality equipment, enable workers to conduct visual inspections of the lake surface and obtain real-time data.

According to the local authorities, Baiyangdian Lake is expanding and will eventually occupy an area of 360 square km.

Liu Xun, who snapped photos of the rare diving ducks in late June, said he is pleased to see the lake grow because it will attract more ducks. "I'm looking forward to reuniting with old friends." 
Chinese leader Xi Jinpings chief diplomat has been mysteriously missing from the political scene for weeks. Rumors are rife over Qin Gangs vanishing act. Was it due to health concerns, extramarital affairs, or falling out of political favor?

Taiwan is reporting a record number of Chinese warships circling the island. Whats driving Beijings military flex?

A top American institute is under investigation over its partnership with China for projects that might share cutting-edge technologies in military use.

An infamous Chinese fast fashion brand was taken back to court for stealing designs. But this time, its under a law for organized crime.

Topics in this episode:
SYDNEY, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Western Australia (WA) Police Force said on Wednesday that a large unidentified object has been removed from the beach at Green Head, north of Perth, with the space authority believing it a possible rocket debris.

According to a statement by the WA police, a giant gold-colored cylinder was reported to police on Sunday.

"The object was cordoned off from the public while the identification process commenced. It has since been rendered safe and was removed from the beach to an undisclosed location yesterday," said the WA police.

Police also noted that the object is related to a rocket system and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) will take over the ongoing assessment and identification of the object.

In a social media post, the ASA updated the public on the investigation into the object, considering it as "most likely a solid rocket motor casing."

"We're continuing the process of identifying the type of rocket and its origin through ongoing engagement with our global counterparts," the agency said. 
Alliances formed on basis of negativity never succeeded in country: Modi





NEW DELHI,

ON A day when opposition parties formed their INDIA coalition to take on the NDA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said an alliance formed for the compulsion of power, based on dynastic politics and keeping in mind casteism and regionalism is very harmful to the country. Addressing the leaders of constituents of the BJP-led coalition at a crucial meeting here, Modi said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unites the people of the country while the opposition divides them. He said the NDA recently completed 25 years - a period of giving speed to the countrys progress and fulfilling regional aspirations.

NDA is a beautiful rainbow of regional aspirations... So nations development through the development of states... At a time when we are working for a developed India, NDA is taking the lead in showing the spirit of sabka prayas, he said. Modi said there has been a long tradition of political alliances in the country but whichever alliance was formed on the basis of negativity, it never succeeded. In the 1990s, the Congress in order to bring instability in the country used alliances. They formed Governments and pulled down Governments. The NDA was formed in this period in 1998...It was not formed against anybody or to remove anyone from power, but it was formed to bring stability to the country, the Prime Minister said. He asserted that when there is a Stable Government, decisions that change the direction of the nation are taken. We saw it during Atal (Behari Vajpayee) jis tenure and we are seeing this in the last nine years. Due to a stable government, the confidence of the world in India has increased, he said.
Bastille Day Parade a tribute to ex-soldiers: Capt Jagtap





By Kunal Dutt

NEW DELHI,

YOU are going to march on the land where our ancestors made the supreme sacrifice -- these were the words Captain Aman Jagtap told the rank and file of an Indian Army contingent led by him, shortly before it stepped on the magnificent Champs-Elysees in the heart of Paris to participate in the Bastille Day Parade. An Indian tri-services contingent took part in the historic military parade on July 14, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honour. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force, along with French fighter jets, joined the flypast. Captain Jagtap, who led the Punjab Regiment contingent of the Army, said in an interaction with PTI on his return that this was our tribute to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives over a century ago while fighting on that foreign soil. Soldiers from the Punjab Regiment, one of the oldest units of the Indian Army, took part in both World War I and World War II, he said. An old monochrome photograph taken during the World War I (1914-1918) of Indian troops marching on the streets of France and a French woman pinning a flower to the uniform of a soldier is perhaps one of the defining images of the contribution by Indians and sacrifices made during the Great War. Captain Jagtap said this image and other photographs of Indian soldiers in France during the war were playing at the back of our minds when we reached Paris.

Asked what was going through his mind when he was leading the troops on the great French avenue Champs-Elysees, he said, The josh was super high among us all. Shortly before our march started, I told members of our contingent -- You are going to march on the land where our ancestors made the supreme sacrifice. March today as if the land is on fire. This is what I did to motivate them to give their best, and they did, Captain Jagtap told PTI. The 242-member Indian contingent consisted of the Punjab Regiment, followed by a band contingent, the next being the navy contingent led by Cdr Vrat Baghel and then the IAF contingent led by Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy, a helicopter pilot of the Indian Air Force, an Army official said.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Monday felicitated members of the tri-services contingent, which participated in the Bastille Day Parade in France on July 14, and said they made the armed forces and India proud. At an event held at the Manekshaw Centre here, the Army chief said the Indian contingent that went to France played a significant role in boosting countrys image. You have not only made the three services -- Army, Air Force and Navy -- proud but also the nation, he said in his address. Gen Pande also mentioned that some members of the Punjab Regiment got to visit the war memorial at Neuve-Chapelle, a World War I memorial in France built in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives, and paid their respects there.
DIVIDED THEY.....





NATIONAL politics is witnessing a show of strength on either side of the political divide. The showdown of meetings convened by the 38 parties in the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 26 Opposition parties in different parts of the country has now set the ball rolling for the general elections scheduled next year. The ruling alliance and Opposition parties have come out with their own ideas of saving the country and its democracy with a promise to lead India towards a better future. Which way the electorate opts to go will be decided in less than a year but the meetings have left some interesting points to ponder for the political experts, leaders and also the voters. While the NDA sits in one corner wrapped in total assurance of putting up a united fight with the BJP at helm, there are still questions over the exact nature of the Opposition unity. After two rounds of deliberations, there are still many issues that need to be ironed out before putting up a united face.

This is the biggest challenge for the Opposition before standing up to the NDA might in 2024. Though the flock of 26 parties came together banking on the United We Stand slogan, there is still a long way to go before the partners find a common ground. Their common agenda of defeating the BJP and Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi definitely binds them together but taking it further with their own ideological and political contradictions is a difficult task. Here, the term unity itself comes with a feeble coat around it. The 26 parties who have decided to join hands have their own regional rivalries that run too deep. Though the call is to overcome all differences for the sake of a united platform against the BJP, the intricacies of cobbling up a steady alliance are too tricky for all the partners. Without a face to the alliance, keeping all the partners together seems a precarious exercise. There are still too many claimants for the post of leader of the alliance. Hammering out consensus for one name is next to impossible given the stakes each partner has in national projection.

One thing that must be kept in mind is the fact that the current round of meetings is being driven by non-mainstream parties. Their presence is limited to a few geographical regions which goes against their own claim of leading the alliance. Furthermore, many such parties are direct competitors of the Congress party which always goes for the larger share in the pie on the tag of being the Grand Old Party. Another point that can derail the meetings is the stature of parties among all the equals who have managed to pip the BJP in various Assembly elections. The BJP has definitely lost ground in many States in the last four years with Congress taking the larger share of pipping it to the post. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), too, has many things to boast including the victory in Punjab and rise in seats in other States. These factors are too strong to be brushed under the carpet given the nature of the Opposition alliance which has many regional parties with hardly any identity at the national level.

Soft as they may sound but such issues assume prominence in the final arithmetic of fighting an election together. The Opposition alliance is yet to tick many such boxes starting from giving an identity to their joint group to working on the formula of seat-sharing. The concept of Opposition unity is not new to national politics. But past experiences have shown that such fronts have been successful at the State-level. At the top level, many of the Opposition parties have been functioning in a rudderless manner and waking up only on the eve of general elections. Putting up a ramshackle alliance built on a fragile surface of unity would hardly be a challenge to the NDA partners led by the always election-ready BJP.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/BENGALURU,

SENIOR Congress leader Oommen Chandy, who served as the Chief Minister of Kerala twice, died in Bengaluru in the early hours of Tuesday, his family said. The death of the former Kerala Chief Minister was announced by his son, Chandy Oommen, who in a Facebook post said, Appa has passed away. The 79-year old leader who always stood out in his trademark white cotton shirt and dhoti worn usually with a cordial smile, breathed his last in a private hospital in Bengaluru at 4.25 AM. Chandy was undergoing treatment in Bengaluru for the past few months. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of various States and leaders of political parties expressed their grief and conveyed their condolences on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge, top party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi along with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, paid homage to Chandy at former Karnataka Minister late T Johns residence. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, who was in Bengaluru to attend the meeting of Opposition parties, was also among the political dignitaries who paid their last respects to Chandy, who was the CM of Kerala twice for a total of seven years (2004 2006 and again from 2011 2016). Thereafter, the mortal remains of Chandy were brought to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday afternoon where a massive crowd of party leaders, workers and supporters gathered at the airport to pay their last respects.

The remains would be kept at various places including Durbar hall of the State Secretariat, St George Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, the KPCC headquarters and his residence in the State capital for the public to pay their last respects. On Wednesday his body would be transported by road to Chandys hometown of Puthuppally in Kottayam district of the State. The funeral would be held there on Thursday. Social media was rife with condolences pouring in from every quarter once news of his death came out.
INDIAN DEFENCE WILL BE GETTING A BIG BOOST WITH THE LATEST RAFALE DEAL





BY GIRISH LINGANNA

THE battle-hardened Rafale aircraft has proven its capabilities in various conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. Equipped with a formidable arsenal of potent weapons, this fighter jet possesses lethal capabilities, The Rafaleproduced by the renowned French defence company Dassault Aviationwas first introduced into operational service with the French Navy in 2004 and, later, with the French Air Force in 2006. India-France agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France on July 13 and 14 on the supply of the latest variant of Rafale is a big boost to the countrys defence capability The Rafale, a 4.5-generation aircraft capable of reaching twice the speed of sound (Mach 1.8) is a truly versatile fighter, or fully omnirole aircraft, which means it can simultaneously carry out at least four missions in a single sortie. The four missions include air superiority, ground attack, anti-ship and air-to-air refuelling. It can control air space over a battlefield, attack ground targets with precision-guided munitions, attack ships with missiles and refuel other aircraft in flight.

In September 2016, India and France entered into an inter-Government agreement (IGA) worth 7.87 billion ($9.4 billion or approximately INR 59,000 crore) for the procurement of 36 Rafale multi-role aircraft in flyaway condition.n September 2020, the Indian Air Force officially inducted the first batch of five Rafale aircraft out of the total 36 at the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana. These jets became a part of the Golden Arrow Squadron, and the remaining 13 were also stationed there to complete the first squadron of 18 jets. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were delays in the delivery process. By July 2022, the delivery of the entire consignment of 36 Rafale aircraft was successfully completed, marking the fulfilment of the procurement process initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi seven years earlier. The second squadron of 18 Rafale fighter jets, commissioned by India from France, was based at the Hasimara Air Force Basewhich holds strategic importance for Indian Air Force operations due to its proximity to Bhutanin Alipurduar district of West Bengal. Two squadrons are deployed on its eastern and western fronts to take on its adversariesnamely China and Pakistan. Chumbi Valley, close to Hasimara air base, where the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction is located, is in close proximity to Doka Lam, the place where a stand-off between the Indian and Chinese forces occurred in 2017. In the event of a potential attack by China targeting the Siliguri corridor to sever Indias northern region, Hasimara air base would serve as a critical launching point for a counter-attack. Industry officials say the navys decision to choose the Rafale-M has the advantage of 80% similarity with the IAFs 36 Rafale fighters, apart from its operational capabilities.

Dassault had set up a Rafale flight training and maintenance facility at Ambala, in Haryana, which could make it possible to cut down drastically on overall procurement expenses and speed up the navys introduction of the Rafale M. While Egypt, another user of the Rafale aircraft, faces extreme desert conditions, Indias battle conditions are influenced by a diverse weather pattern shaped by the Himalayas and the Thar Desert. The Dassault Rafales supplied to India are considered more advanced compared to those acquired by France and Egypt. They have been meticulously adapted to meet the specific requirements of the Indian Air Force. These modifications include such features as helmet-mounted optics and a mechanism enabling pilots to swiftly engage targets with their weapons. Due to Indias challenging border conditions with China and Pakistanparticularly in Ladakh and Kashmir where temperatures can drop below freezing pointthe Indian Rafale jets have been equipped with capability for cold engine starts. This allows them to operate from high- altitude bases, including Leh. Indian Rafales are also being equipped with the X-Guard fiber-optic-towed decoy system.

This advanced technology helps the aircraft avoid being targeted by both air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, enhancing their defensive capabilities. Engines: The Rafale aircraft is fitted with two Snecma M88 engines. Each of the engines can generate up to 50 kilonewtons (11,000 pounds-force) of dry thrust. When utilising afterburners, the engines can produce a thrust of 75 kilonewtons (17,000 pounds-force). Maintenance: The necessary upgrades for the Rafale aircraft will be conducted at the Ambala air base, which houses maintenance and repair facilities specifically designed for Rafale fighters in India. Weaponry package: The Rafale, with its 10-ton empty weight, is fitted with 14 hard points; five of these points can carry drop tanks or heavy ordnance. The total external load capacity is more than 9 tons (20,000 lbs). Rafale jets have the ability to carry a variety of formidable weapons. Notably, the Meteor air-to-air missile and Scalp cruise air-to-ground missile, crafted by European missile-maker MBDA, serve as the primary pillars of their weapons arsenal. Scalp has a long-range and low-altitude flying capability and the missile can operate at any time of day or night. Meteor is an advanced missile designed by MBDA to improve air-to-air combat. It is capable of engaging targets beyond the pilots visual range. The missile was created to counter common threats faced by such countries as the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Sweden. At a range of almost 100 km, it is capable of taking out hostile aircraft. The Indian Air Force has expanded the Rafales weaponry by including the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) all-weather missile, developed by Safran, in its arsenal. This addition was deemed necessary to enable precision strikes at shorter distances during missions. A fire-and-forget weapon, Hammer, which can be launched from a small range to a longer range without the use of GPS, operates up to a range of 70 km and is more immune to target location errors and jamming. (IPA) n (The author is a Defence, Aerospace & Political analyst)

I
BENGALURU,

SETTING the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 Opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition --Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)-- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Announcing the name of the Opposition bloc at a press conference here after a nearly four-hour-long meeting of the 26 parties, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, Well fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly and we will come out with great success. He said a committee of 11 members will be set up for coordination, and a convenor will be selected at the next meeting in Mumbai. Kharge also said a secretariat will also be set up in Delhi for campaign management of the alliance and specific committees will be formed for separate issues. He said the dates for the Mumbai meeting will be announced soon.

While Kharge evaded a direct reply on who would be the face of the new alliance, earlier in his opening remarks at the meeting, he said the Congress is not interested in power or the post of Prime Minister. Our intention in this meeting is not to gain power for ourselves. It is to protect our Constitution, democracy, secularism and social justice, he said. Addressing the joint press conference with other leaders, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said they have decided to prepare an action plan where they will talk about their ideology and programmes. The fight is against the ideology of the BJP and their thinking, they are attacking the country, unemployment is rampant, and the countrys wealth is being taken away from millions and handed over to a few of the friends of the BJP and the PM, Gandhi said. According to multiple sources, the name of the Opposition front was suggested by TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and there was a lot of discussion on the full form of the term, INDIA.

Taking a swipe at Modi, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said some people say we are fighting for family, they should know that the country is our family and we are fighting for our country. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party chief also asserted that the Opposition parties fight is not against a person but against dictatorship. People are feeling afraid as to what will happen, we want to say to them that there was a movie Main Hoon Na, so they should not worry, Hum hain na, Thackeray said. In her remarks at the presser, Banerjee, while acknowledging all leaders present, referred to Rahul Gandhi as our favourite. Referring to the name of the alliance adopted, Banerjee said, BJP, can you challenge INDIA? We love our motherland, we are the patriotic people of the country, we are for farmers, Dalits, we are for the country, for the world.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said Prime Minister Modi got the opportunity to do a lot for the country in nine years, but no development has happened in any sector. While most leaders, including Sharad Pawar, were present at the presser, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav had left before the press conference as they had to catch a flight. The 26 opposition parties are --the Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, JD(U), RJD, JMM, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), SP, NC, PDP, CPI(M), CPI, RLD, MDMK, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK), VCK, RSP, CPI-ML (Liberation), Forward Bloc, IUML, Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Mani), Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK).
Private jet carrying Sonia, Rahul makes emergency landing in Bhopal





By Deepak Tyagi

BHOPAL,

A private jet carrying Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi made an emergency landing at Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal due to rough weather on Tuesday. The Dassault Falcon 2000 (VT-HGL) jet had a technical snag and as a safety measure, the pilots decided to land it at Bhopal airport at 7:40 pm. Preliminary information revealed a technical fault in the plane caused due to heavy rains. The aircraft will be examined in Bhopal before being allowed to take off for Delhi. It belongs to charter operator Ashley Aviation.

Bhopals local Congress leaders including Suresh Pachauri, MLA and former Minister P C Sharma and MLA Arif Masood met Gandhis seated in the VVIP lounge of the airport. The mother-son later departed for Delhi in an IndiGo flight at 9:30 pm. Notably, they were on their way back home to Delhi from Bengaluru after the two-day meeting of Opposition parties that was attended by leaders of as many as 26 parties.
Special Court rejects NIAs plea to transfer proceedings of case to Mumbai Court





Staff Reporter

The Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Tuesday rejected the application filed by the NIA to transfer the court proceedings of the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari threat phone call case to NIAs Mumbai court. The District and Additional Session (NIA) Judge J P Zapate ruled that while the NIA will take over the investigation of the case, the court proceedings will continue to be held in the Nagpur NIA court. The case revolves around alleged threats made to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari via phone calls. It was initially registered by the Dhantoli police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The NIA had subsequently filed two separate FIRs in Mumbai based on the FIRs lodged by the Dhantoli police.

In response, the NIA sought to transfer the UAPA cases registered at the Dhantoli police station to the NIA court in Mumbai. The Nagpur police, on Friday, provided a No Objection certificate for the NIAs demand. Despite this, the Special NIA court in Nagpur declined the application, opting to retain the jurisdiction for conducting the trial. Sources have indicated that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued a notification directing the NIA to take over the investigation of the case. However, the notification does not specify that the trial must be conducted in the Mumbai court, leaving it open for the Special NIA court in Nagpur to oversee the proceedings.
Unique: MP Students Union brings buffalo in front of MPMSU to stage protest





Staff Reporter

Members of MP Students Union adopted a unique way to stage their protest against various irregularities and corrupt workculture prevailing in Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (MPMSU) on Tuesday. The students assembled at the premise of Medical Science University with a buffalo and started playing flute infront of it, before submitting a 7-point memorandum addressing to the State Governor through Vice-chancellor, MPMSU.

According to Abhishek Pandey, President, MP Students Union, as academic session 2023-24 associated with the Nursing and Paramedical Courses have been declared zero year, it will mentally and financially crush the students who will be forced to approach private universities which will recover hefty fees from them. The members also demanded sincere inquiry on the issue of three separate signatures of deployment of Pushpraj Baghel and Resgitrar, efforts made to misguide the Governor by giving fake information on Dean Faculty Scandel by the senior officers, Universitys FD Scam and others.
ISLAMABAD, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) emerged as the most successful and transformative project for his country, ushering in a new era of regional connectivity and economic prosperity, a Pakistani official said on Tuesday.

"It was the transformative impact of CPEC that China became the top foreign direct investor in Pakistan within just three years of the project's initiation in 2013," Pakistan's Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said.

He made the remarks at a seminar titled "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor at Ten: A Gateway to Regional Connectivity," organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, a think tank, on Tuesday.

The minister said China has become a key economic partner of Pakistan through implementing the multi-billion-dollar project.

Terming CPEC as a game changer for Pakistan and beyond, he said that the project has helped Pakistan in overcoming severe energy shortages by adding thousands of megawatts of electricity as well as establishing a vibrant road and rail infrastructure across the country.

He added that special economic zones (SEZs) and social welfare projects have also been implemented in the country, especially in the southwest Gwadar district, to boost socio-economic development.

Highlighting the role of the SEZs in enhancing trade, Iqbal said that China would provide Pakistan with technical know-how and expertise to increase exports and help the successful execution of the economic zones under the CPEC project.

"Pakistan wants Chinese assistance to increase its exports and in the successful execution of the SEZs," the minister said.

He said that the second phase of CPEC is business-to-business cooperation, not government-to-government. "The country needs to move towards industrial cooperation now under CPEC."

Pakistan needed export-oriented policies if it wanted to have sustainable economic growth, Iqbal said, stressing the importance of having surplus production of various items to increase the country's exports. 
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, will attend the 13th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security in Johannesburg, South Africa from July 24 to 25, and visit Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Turkiye before and after the meeting, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, was invited by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni of South Africa and the governments of Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Turkiye, spokesperson Mao Ning said in a statement.

Noting that the Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisers and High Representatives on National Security is an important platform for BRICS countries to carry out political and security cooperation, Mao said China looks forward to having in-depth exchanges of views with BRICS partners on the current international security situation and issues of mutual interest at the meeting, building up consensus and deepening cooperation, so as to provide positive energy for a world that is experiencing turbulence and transformation, and make political preparation for the BRICS Summit to be held in August this year.

Apart from attending the BRICS meeting, Wang will be visiting Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Turkiye on this trip. The visit to these countries shows how much China values its relations with these countries, Mao said, adding that during the visit, Wang will have meetings and talks with the leaders of the four countries respectively and exchange views extensively on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

China will follow the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity and good faith and its commitment to the greater good and shared interests and act in the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation as we work with Africa to deliver on the outcomes of the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to further boost the growth of the China-Africa comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, Mao said.

China will also work with Turkiye to actively advance Belt and Road cooperation and the China-Turkiye strategic relationship of cooperation, she added. 
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during the opening of the Ministerial Segment of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the UN headquarters in New York on July 17, 2023. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

Regional cooperation and game-changing initiatives are vital to building resilience against future shocks and delivering on the United Nation's 2030 Agenda.

UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Regional cooperation and game-changing initiatives are vital to building resilience against future shocks and delivering on the United Nation's 2030 Agenda, speakers told a UN forum on Wednesday.

Convened under the theme "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels," the UN's High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which runs until Wednesday, explores policies and transformations needed to overcome crises that continue to threaten decades of progress worldwide.

Delivering opening remarks, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, under-secretary-general of the United Nations and executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, underscored that progress towards realizing the 2030 Agenda must be significantly accelerated.

To this end, investing in social protection, gender equality, disaster resilience and tackling climate change is crucial. "Making food and energy systems resilient and sustainable and leveraging digital innovations and solutions will be powerful drivers of a sustainable transformation," she stressed.

A woman carrying a load is seen in the Somali Region of Ethiopia, June 11, 2023. The adverse effect of climate change has further worsened the existing "widespread food insecurity" in the East Africa region. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Identifying critical areas of transformative action, Leila Benali, president of the United Nations Environment Assembly, called for a more robust interface among science, policy and decision-making.

Also essential are massive shifts and increases in public and private financial flows, debt and investment patterns. These changes require a combination of work through global partnerships and North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.

She said solutions must be placed at the forefront of science policy, including traditional knowledge systems of local and indigenous communities.

A panel was also held Tuesday on "Messages from the regions," with ministerial chairs of the Regional Forums on Sustainable Development reporting on the outcome of their respective regional forums and highlighting and identifying transformative actions for accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Garama Saratou Rabiou Inoussa, minister for the environment and the fight against desertification of Niger and chair of the ninth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, said African countries remain committed to achieving the global goals by intensifying transformative initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, the Great Blue Wall Initiative and the Battery Minerals Value Chain Initiative.

She stressed that science, technology and innovation should be at the heart of national development planning, highlighting the importance of building cities resilient to climate change by strengthening multi-hazard early warning and action systems.

Along similar lines, Pagnathun Theng, director general in the Ministry of Planning of Cambodia and chair of the 10th session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, said the multiple crises facing the world have pushed millions of people in Asia and the Pacific into poverty, increased inequality and hindered progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

Farmers hold hybrid rice grains in Kihanga, Bubanza Province, Burundi, June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Outlining solutions to address these challenges, he said transforming energy and food systems to support a more resilient recovery remains a key focus.

He also underlined the need to tackle climate change, promote a transition to cleaner energy and address debt sustainability concerns through innovative financing from the public and private sectors.

Waed Abdullah Badhib, minister for planning and international cooperation of Yemen and chair of the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2023, reported that more than a quarter of Arabs live under the poverty line while the Middle East suffers from high unemployment.

Against this backdrop, he noted that the regional forum outlined strategies to support developing countries to sustainably manage debt and facilitate access to concessional credit. The forum also called on Arab governments to develop plans to address wasteful spending and corruption.

"Regions represent the nuances that shape the universal nature of the 2030 Agenda," said lead discussant Javier Surasky, director of research at Cepei, Argentina.

He said empowering regions would yield concrete global outcomes, stressing that implementing and monitoring governance chains would be broken without them.
DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A fresh Israeli missile strike targeting military sites in and around the Syrian capital Damascus wounded two Syrian soldiers after midnight Wednesday, said the Syrian military in a statement.

The Syrian air defenses intercepted most of the missiles, which came from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, said the statement.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the attack targeted weapon depots and it marked the 20th time Israel has struck targets in Syria this year.

For years, Israel has carried out attacks against airports and military bases in Syria that are alleged to house weapon shipments for Iran-linked fighters. 
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Seventy years ago, a delegation of British industrial and business leaders embarked on an adventure to Beijing, driven by a desire to initiate trade ties with China and a keen recognition of its market potential.

Led by entrepreneur Jack Perry, then chairman of the London Export Corporation, the British businessmen broke through the ideological barriers and blazed a trail of bilateral trade exchanges.

Over the decades, their bold move, known as the "Icebreaking Mission," has inspired generations of entrepreneurs committed to fostering connections and understanding between the Chinese and British peoples. Trade relations between the two countries have been elevated, and fruitful cooperation has flourished across a wide spectrum of fields.

THE PIONEERS

In 1953, at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Perry and a group of other industrial and business leaders defied the blockade imposed by the West on the newly founded PRC and began a groundbreaking journey.

They received a warm welcome when they set foot on the bustling streets of Beijing, where they inked a trade agreement worth 30 million pounds (39.2 million U.S. dollars) with the Chinese government, the first trade deal between a Western business community and the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Describing the audacious journey as "a historic breakthrough," Perry recounted his excitement in his memoirs. Driven by his vision of closer Chinese-British ties, he went on to found the first British-Chinese trade group in Britain, later known as the 48 Group Club, building a bridge for bilateral trade between the two nations.

In his congratulatory letter commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" on July 6, Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that the British entrepreneurs, represented by Jack Perry, keenly seeing the bright future of New China and the huge potential of China-Britain cooperation, broke the ice of ideology with courage, and took the lead in opening up the channel of China-Britain trade exchanges.

Despite the passage of time, substantial untapped potential exists in bilateral cooperation.

Given the multiple intertwined challenges confronting the world today, including headwinds against globalization, the imperative to break through the ice of protectionism and confrontation has become even more significant and indispensable.

"The more time goes by, the more one can see how far-sighted the original icebreakers were," said Keith Bennett, vice chair of the 48 Group Club. "The icebreaking spirit is needed just as it was 70 years ago."

Now the ice has melted and becomes a "river" of cooperation, he said, noting that China-Britain cooperation has developed into a considerable scale triggered by the icebreaking spirit of those pioneers and it is time to build on that foundation and try to emulate what they have achieved.

THE SUCCESSORS

At the age of 24, Stephen Perry, son of Jack Perry, commenced a journey that would shape his initial perception of China.

On his inaugural trip to China accompanying his father, Stephen was captivated by the sprawling rice fields and the busy laborers toiling in the fields.

The scenes left an indelible impression on his young mind, leaving in him a deep impression of the country and its people.

The Perry family's commitment to upholding the spirit of "icebreaking" and promoting China-Britain cooperation has been passed down through generations.

In 1993, Stephen assumed his father's role as the chairman of the 48 Group Club. Since then, the organization has developed and expanded, boasting over 600 members spanning across various fields such as business, culture, diplomacy, and academia.

Drawing inspiration from his family's confidence in China's development, Stephen said that contemporary British entrepreneurs shared the same belief in China's rosy prospects and the enormous opportunities the country harbors.

In a survey conducted by the British Chamber of Commerce in China, 86 percent of British companies are optimistic about the long-term potential of the Chinese market.

Recently, the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) dispatched another business delegation to China to boost trade ties.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, the CBBC chair, described the trip as "absolutely wonderful," likening it to "falling in love all over again and renewing an acquaintance with an old friend."

Andrew Seaton, chief executive of the CBBC, emphasized the prevailing consensus within the British business community regarding the need to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between China and Britain.

British companies have expressed "a very strong sense of commitment to the Chinese market, commitment to their presence in China, their investment in China, their engagement and so on," said Seaton, adding that the immense potential for cooperation in education, healthcare, financial services and green energy is widely acknowledged.

Like the generations before them, the modern-day "icebreakers" have witnessed and contributed to China's remarkable journey of opening-up and progress. They have expanded their businesses through mutually beneficial cooperation with their Chinese counterparts.

In 2008, the 48 Group Club established the "Young Icebreakers," an organization made up of young British and Chinese entrepreneurs, with the aim of empowering the next generation to chart their own path and embrace the spirit of "icebreaking." Stephen's children were also part of the initiative.

"Let the next generation take over and find their feet. My father gave me that opportunity about 45 years ago," said Stephen, reflecting on the intergenerational legacy. 
A human rights group, Ta'awunu Human Rights Initiative has faulted the management of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) for banning female Muslim students from using veil.

Some female Muslim students were prevented from writing examination recently because they wore their veil into the examination hall.

The Director-General of the organisation, Sulaymon Tadese said the veil worn by women is part of dressing of Muslim women and girls in accordance with Allah's injunction that females should conceal the faces.

Tadese said the decision of the university baning female Muslim students from using veil amounts to denying them of the right to practice their religion and an attempt to cause religious crisis in the institution.

He also noted that different courts of record have given judgements that the use of veil is not prohibited in Nigeria and not a criminal act.

He called of the Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Olusola Kehinde and the Dean of the Students Affairs Professor Oluseyi Ojekunle to respect the court verdict and desist from harassing female Muslim students wearing veil.

According to him, "even in the Northern part of the country where there are serious security challenges, veil is allowed within the ambit of recognized limit in which female security personnel check and frisk anyone wearing the veil."

In a press statement, the group said "The University has over the years disregarded the use of veil by Muslim women in the University premises as it categorised veil as indecent dressing and outrightly outlawed its use within the tentacles of the University to the extent that the university authority even erected a bill board having a woman in veil depicted as dressing indecently to that effect.

"Notwithstanding, the University continues to engender varying degrees of insinuation and allegations against the use of veil to disparage, demean and relegate the dressing in order to justify the ban it has placed on it by lamely identifying security reasons.

"Even in the Northern part of the country where there are serious security challenges veil are allowed within the ambit of recognized limit and ensure female security workforce are employed to check and frisk anyone wearing the veil.

"In this light, we are aware of the ridiculous statement credited to the Chief Security Officer of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta saying the University has no female Security personnel to check Muslim women in veil, as a way to make use of veil impracticable in the University premises. This statement if true, smacks of insincerity and further exposes the institution as one poorly managed in terms of gender sensitivity in employment.

"We are aware of how the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Prof. Olusola Kehinde has been been inflaming the tender national security through the Dean of the Students Affairs Prof. Oluseyi Zaccheaus Ojekunle to deride and deny freedom of religion in a Federal University despite the plethora of Judgment of the Federal High Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal to the effect that University cannot and has no power to ban the use of face veil in the University premises.

"We are equally aware of how 2 students were chased out of the Examination hall and another was denied entry into the University premises and could not write their examinations as scheduled.

"We believe the act of the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and the Dean of Students Affairs is the Crescendo of insurbordination and rascality to the law of our land as well as a contempt against the verdict of a court of competent Jurisdiction in Nigeria and would not go unpunished for such gross misconduct and abuse of office.

"We believe the Federal Ministry of Education, Department of State Security Service and other concerned Law enforcement agencies will not allow the Vice Chancellor Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Prof.Olusola Kehinde and the Dean of Students Affairs Prof. Oluseyi Zaccheaus Ojekunle plung the serene and peaceful Abeokuta into turmoil and destroy their efforts in promoting religious tolerance for a violence free Nigeria and the maintenance of National Unity in diversity."
The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to one of the most alarming, embarrassing and unnerving news making the rounds to the effect that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy soldiers to all the corners of the South East of Nigeria.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges the general public to disregard the unguarded and unreflective statement credited to Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro. The Tribune Online quoted Isiguzoro, urging President Bola Tinubu to deploy soldiers to every corner of the Southeast. The statement added that the second Biafra War has begun: In the words of Isiguzoro: We are telling Tinubu that the second Biafra war has begun and he should deploy soldiers to all the nooks and crannies of the Southeast

For the avoidance of doubt, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by one of the most experienced illustrious Igbo patriot, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba) can never contemplate the subjugation of the people of the South East to a military siege through the deployment of soldiers to all the nooks and crannies of the South East.

Second, Ohanaeze Ndigbo also debunks the news that the "Second Biafran War has begun in the South East". We wish to inform the world, especially our business partners, that there is no war in the South East of Nigeria. And that the phantom Biafran war rests in the figment of the imaginations of the purveyors of such news. The South East, comprising, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, is calm with a conducive ambience for people to go about their daily businesses.

Ohanaeze has repeatedly urged the media to always distinguish between the grains and the chaff or apply the Paul and Barnabas theory, in reporting issues affecting the Igbo. We have informed that the Igbo all over the world have an emotional attachment to the umbrella organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo that holds them together. Some of these mercenaries belittle the very purpose for which the Ohanaeze was inaugurated by eminent Igbo leaders, most of whom are now deceased. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo and indeed the eminent sons and daughters of Igbo land have pleaded with such mercenaries to desist from lowering the hallowed image of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to their levels. To the average human, it is strange that somebody would wake up in his room and begin to propagate views that at variance with the Igbo position, using the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

This group has been reminded to no avail that Ohanaeze represents the Igbo history, emotions, collective consciousness and solidarity that should not be dragged to the mud.

In the past, the fundamental tenets of the media held tenaciously to verifiable facts and authenticity of information before publication, a virtue that attracted dignity and honour to the journalists. For the Tribune to escalate such a sensational news that touches on the peace and security of the country is simply true to type and a disservice to the nation.

E-Sign

Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia (National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide)
NEW DELHI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed and some others injured Wednesday after a transformer exploded in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, police said. 
Children safe as bullet flies into classroom at Phuket Town primary school

PHUKET: Police are investigating a gunshot that left a bullet hole in a window of a classroom at a private school on the northern side of Phuket Town where 10-year-olds were taking art class yesterday (July 18).

Safetypolice

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:30 AM

No people were injured in the incident.

Lt Jitthiwa Thanawitwilas of the Phuket City Police was informed of the incident at 2pm.

Investigators from Phuket City Police and from Phuket Provincial Police soon arrived at the scene  a classroom on the fifth floor of a primary school building at a private school on Komaraphat Rd, in Talad Yai subdistrict in Phuket Town.

The Phuket Info Center did not name the school. Police have yet to issue any statement about the incident.

Prathom 5 students (about 10 years old) were taking art class in the room when the bullet came through the window, Phuket Info Center reported.

On realising what had happened, the art teacher quickly led the students out of the room.

Officers reported finding traces of gunpowder where the bullet passed through the window glass.

So far police have not confirmed finding the bullet.

Police are continuing their investigation and will check CCTV footage of inside the classroom at the time of the incident in the hope of learning more about what had happened, Phuket Info Center reported.
Grateful Australian Cast Away sailor back on dry land

MEXICO: An Australian sailor rescued with his dog after more than two months adrift in the Pacific Ocean arrived in Mexico yesterday (July 18) declaring I am so grateful. Im alive.

marineanimalsweather

By AFP

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:03 AM

Australian sailor Tim Shaddock gives a thumbs up after arriving at the port of Manzanillo in Mexico yesterday (July 18). Photo: AFP

Tim Shaddock was picked up with his dog Bella by a tuna vessel after the pair survived for weeks on raw fish and rainwater on their storm-crippled boat.

He arrived yesterday at the Mexican port of Manzanillo, thin, with a bushy beard and wild hair bunched into a red cap sporting a logo of fishing company Grupomar, whose vessel had come to his rescue.

To the captain and this fishing company that saved my life, I mean, what do you say? Im just so grateful, Shaddock told waiting reporters.

Im alive... I really didnt think Id make it, you know? So thank you, thank you so much.

Shaddock, who according to Grupomar is 54 years old, and Bella had set off from Mexicos seaside city of La Paz in April, and planned to sail about 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) before dropping anchor in tropical French Polynesia.

But they soon found themselves stranded after rough seas damaged the vessel, which he described as a French Polynesian traditional boat named Aloha Toa, and knocked out its electronics.

In an unlikely rescue reminiscent of the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away, the bedraggled amateur yachtsman was plucked from the water more than two months later by a Mexican tuna trawler, more than 1,200 miles from land according to Grupomar.

Feeling alright

Shaddock told reporters yesterday he was feeling alright. A little better than I was.

He said his health was pretty bad for a while, I was pretty hungry.

Patiently taking one question after another, smiling and emotional at times, Shaddock said he did a lot of fishing, especially after his provisions ran out.

But he lost his cooking utensils along the way, so it was a lot of chewing of sushi, he joked, and pointed out how skinny he had become.

Shaddock recounted there were many, many, many bad days at sea, but also good ones.

The fatigue is the hardest part, youre always fixing something, he said of the ordeal.

I would try and find the happiness inside myself, and I found that a lot alone at sea. I would go in the water too, and just enjoy being in the water.

Life is beautiful

The sailor had nothing but praise for Bella, whom he had found in Mexico.

She just kept following me onto the water, he said of adopting the dog after several failed attempts to get her another home.

Shes amazing. That dog is something else, he laughed. Im just grateful shes alive. She is a lot braver than I am.

Bella did not join Shaddock for the press conference, having remained on board the Grupomar vessel.

Shaddock said he looked forward to getting home to family and friends and to just take it easy.

He would probably not head out to sea again in the near future, he admitted.

Ill always be in the water, he said, though I dont know how far out in the ocean Ill be.

For Grupomar boss Antonio Suarez, the rescue was proof that life is beautiful.

We were responsible for saving the life of a human being and the little dog that accompanied him, he told reporters.

We have medical services on our vessels. He fell into good hands.

Suarez said the boat that picked up the pair was the oldest in the companys fleet and the trip that saved Shaddocks life would likely be its last.
Pita worried about attempt to block second vote

BANGKOK: Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has expressed concern that any attempts to block him from being nominated as prime minister again today (July 19) will affect the entire parliamentary system in the future.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 19 July 2023 08:35 AM

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat talks to reporters before a meeting of party MPs at its headquarters in Bangkok yesterday (July 18). Photo: Chanat Katanyu

He also reiterated that would he step aside and allow the Pheu Thai Party to take the lead in forming a government if he failed to secure enough support in the second round of voting for prime minister today, reports the Bangkok Post.

Yesterday, a meeting of representatives of the coalition allies, other political parties and senators could not reach a conclusion on whether Mr Pita could legally be renominated for prime minister today, after the joint session rejected him on July 13.

Mr Pita said the eight coalition parties earlier discussed the legal aspects of the question during their meeting on Monday. They concluded that a vote for a prime minister is related to the constitution and the citation of parliamentary regulations was not related. The nomination of a prime minister was not a parliamentary motion, he noted.

However, he admitted he was worried that any attempts to use parliamentary procedure to block him from being nominated a second time would affect the entire system because it would be politically binding and that may affect other parties.

If it binds me, binds my party, then it will bind the second, third and fourth parties, he explained. After this, the nominations of political office holders would be (parliamentary) motions.

Even courts or parliament, if such a thing happens, it will be a problem in the future for those who assume political positions. Its a big issue. Today, we must be clear in our minds - its the difference between a nomination and a motion.

Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said yesterday that he would not rule on the issue until after parliament debates it today.

Mr Pita said earlier that he would need to see a significant increase in the number of votes in the second round of voting to justify another attempt. Asked to clarify what he meant, he said the vote must be increased by 10% or to between 340 and 350.

Last Thursday he received 324 votes in favour and 182 against, with 199 abstentions, from the 705 members participating. He needed 375 votes - a simple majority of the 749 combined House and Senate seats - to win the office.

He received 311 votes in favour from MPs and 148 against, with 39 abstentions. He received just 13 votes in favour from senators, 34 against and 159 abstentions. Forty-three senators were absent.

Asked whether the eight coalition parties would adjust the memorandum of understanding (MoU) they signed in May in order to win more support for forming a government, Mr Pita said the MoU remained unchanged and he had not yet been contacted by any party to make changes.

He confirmed that Move Forward would stay with Pheu Thai if the latter took the lead to form a coalition government, saying it was what people wanted as the two parties and the six other allies had signed the MoU.

If I in my capacity as being in the winning party cannot continue, I will give way to the first runner-up. I think we will stay in the same boat because we have joined hands to form a government of peoples hope, he said.
Tha Chatchai Police defends pointless patrol pickup, rental car at Phuket Check Point

PHUKET: Tha Chatchai Police have responded to a complaint online that a patrol pickup truck that remains parked at the Phuket Check Point is a pointless waste of resources, and questioned why a rental car is allowed to remain parked at the checkpoint all day.

police

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 19 July 2023 12:30 PM

In a post online, Tha Chatchai Police thanked the Rabbit Moonshadow Facebook group for raising the issues, but noted that the person who made the post might not be aware of all the issues.

The statement issued was not attributed to any particular officer, but signed off as by the Tha Chatchai Police. The current Tha Chatchai Police Chief is Col Kanchawit Phoprasit.

The pickup truck mentioned in the Rabbit Moonshadow post, shown in a photo parked at the Phuket Check Point, remains there on standby in case it is needed, the police statement said.

Phuket Check Point is an important checkpoint of Phuket. It is used to prevent crimes such as drugs, firearms and [catching] criminals attempting to flee Phuket, all of which affect tourism, which is an extremely important [source of] income for Phuket people, the statement read.

There is only one way to enter and exit Phuket by land, and that is to go through the Phuket check Point. Therefore, it must be a strong checkpoint and must be ready to operate 24 hours a day for the safety of residents of Phuket and those on duty, the statement continued.

The police station has therefore arranged for a vehicle to be prepared to give chase immediately if a perpetrator attempts to flee or if there is an incident involving two cars, the statement explained.

Tha Chatchai Police pointed out that there is a police vehicle at each end of both bridges, Thao Thepkasattri Bridge leading onto the island and the Thao Srisoonthorn Bridge leading off the island.

Regarding the rental car that remains parked at the checkpoint, Tha Chatchai Police said a rental car remains at the checkpoint 24 hours a day in case it is needed.

The Rabbit Moonshadow post said the rental car had remained at the checkpoint for four months, with the supervising officer walking past it, oblivious that a private car remained parked at the checkpoint.

The police statement countered that at different times other rental cars were brought to the checkpoint, but no rental cars were permitted to remain at the checkpoint for 24 hours, or even long periods of time without moving.

It is not a waste of taxpayers money. Such cases may be misunderstood, the statement said.

Regular Traffic Police work only during the day. At night, patrol officers use the vehicles to perform their duties in order to achieve the full value of use, the statement added.

Tha Chatchai Police said that it was necessary to issue the statement so that the public understood the reasons for such instances, in police performing their duties and management of police functions, and assured that police will do their best to protect.

The people of Phuket are to be kept safe from illegal things and various threats, according to the intent of the commander, the statement concluded.
Trees felled by strong winds as weather warning extended

PHUKET: Cleanup crews have been deployed to clear trees felled by strong winds overnight and this morning (July 19) as the weather advisory warning of heavy rain and strong wind waves continues to be in effect, now extended to until at least tomorrow.

weatherSafetytourism

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 19 July 2023 10:36 AM

A large tree toppled across Soi Vachira, near Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, early yesterday. Workers took until the afternoon to safely clear the fallen tree and allow traffic to resume along the street.

More trees brought down by the winds affected homes and blocked isolated roads across the island last night, the Phuket Info Center reported.

People should beware of the severe weather conditions, Wirote Lewcharoenthrap of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast), based near Phuket airport, urged in his advisory issued yesterday, and reissued this morning.

During 19th-20th July 2023 the rather strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea and the Southern Thailand west coast. For this reason, the abundance of rain and heavy rain to very heavy rain will occur in some areas, he wrote.

Areas affected by the onslaught of heavy weather include the provinces of Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun.

Wind waves in the Andaman Sea are forecast to reach up two to three metres high, and above three metres in thundershower areas.

All ships should proceed with caution, and avoid putting to sea in thundershower areas. Small boats should keep ashore, Mr Wirote said.

The Marine Department yesterday deployed officers to the main piers in Phuket to observe and enforced marine safety requirements.

Meanwhile, pumps have been installed at three locations throughout Phuket Town to help alleviate any overload of runoff entering the drain network. The level of water flowing through the Bang Yai Canal, which flows through the heart of Phuket Town, is under watch.

The TMD Southern Meteorological Center (West Coast) branch forecasts more heavy isolated thundersowers across 80% of the island today, with gusts of wind expected to reaching up to 40km/h.

The main Tourist Assistance Center for Phuket (TAC P{huket) has urged all beachgoers to observe red flags posted on the beach where lifeguards have deemed the water too unsafe for people to safely swim.

People were urged to obey all instructions from lifeguards regarding water safety.
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LAGOS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian military killed two gunmen and arrested five others in a recent encounter with members of a rebel group in the southern Delta state, authorities said.

Gunmen from the Indigenous People of Biafra, a separatist group active in southern Nigeria, on Monday attacked a community in the Fuji area of Asaba city, the state capital of Delta, army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement late Tuesday.

The gunmen "succumbed to the overwhelming firepower" of local army troops dispatched to the community. Two gunmen were killed and others fled the scene, Nwachukwu said.

The troops trailed the fleeing gunmen to their enclave, where five of them were nabbed, he said.

Nigeria, the most populous African country, has been troubled by security incidents, including kidnappings, banditry and extremist attacks. 
This photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows the launching ceremony of five books in traditional Chinese characters -- an outline for the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and four books on President Xi's local work experience -- at the Hong Kong Book Fair in south China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

HONG KONG, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Five books in traditional Chinese characters -- an outline for the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and four books on President Xi's local work experience -- debuted Wednesday at the Hong Kong Book Fair.

The books were published and distributed by two publishers under the Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Ltd.

The five books serve as an important reference for various social sectors in Hong Kong and Macao to develop the economies, improve people's well-being, enhance patriotism and the sense of national identity, and advance the successful practice of "one country, two systems."

Senior officials from the central authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government as well as representatives from the publishing sector attended the launching ceremony. 
DG visits MHRC

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IMPHAL, Jul 19: Director General of Police Rajiv Singh made a courtesy visit to Manipur Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Justice UB Saha today.

The DGP and the MHRC Chairperson had a long discussion regarding the current tension and conflict between the Kukis and the Meiteis which broke out on May 3. During the discussion, Justice UB Saha made suggestions on how the police could strengthen their investigation to ensure speedy delivery of justice to the victims of the turmoil.
State of lawlessness since May 3 Eyes on Parliament

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The Government better accept this. Nothing is right. Everything is wrong. When the clanging of the electric posts carries a message which is deemed to be more important than the call from the Government to come to the negotiating table, when a statement issued by any of the power players from either side of the clash divide is taken to be more important and crucial than the curfew relaxation period daily announced by the Government to see if it would be conducive to go out for marketing, when the re-opening or closure of schools is decided by the power players and not the school authority, when those out late in the evening for some pressing family work or due to professional engagements need to see which road is blocked and not the curfew hours, then something is seriously wrong. This has been the state of affairs in Manipur ever since the State went up in flames in the evening of May 3 and more than 60 days down the line there is nothing to suggest that things are beginning to move on track. Situation is such that now every media professional feels the need to have the word Press boldly pasted on their vehicle and this is not only to tell the police that it is a media man or woman behind the wheels but all the leikai sentinels. How long will situation carry on like this ? Is this healthy for the growing youngsters, the young boy and girl, who would one day have to compete with the rest of the country and the world to be called a man and a woman ? No easy answer here and it is more than obvious that the Government too does not have a clue on how to go about resolving the issue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi is understood to have conveyed in an all political party meeting that Parliament is willing to discuss the Manipur violence when it meets from July 20. Apart from Union Home Minister Amit Shah who has been keeping a tab on the situation here, having even taken a first hand account of the situation, this will perhaps be the first time that Delhi will sit down to discuss the Manipur situation. How primed is the State Government to present its case in Parliament is the question that follows. Will the three MPs, including the Rajya Sabha MP, be in a position to give the story of Manipur without seeming to take sides ? This is where the mettle and preparedness of the political leaders of Manipur will become important. A half baked story or one sided presentation of the case will not cut ice with anyone in Parliament and this is a point which the three MPs should keep in mind.

Coming as he is from the Naga community, the take of Lok Sabha MP Dr Lorho Pfoze will be crucial. As someone belonging to a community which is not a party to the ongoing clash between the Meiteis and the Kukis, what Dr Pfoze says in Parliament will sound more palatable to the world and Parliament. One also hopes that Mizoram plays by the book and keeps its member in the Parliament reined in. Remember Greater Mizoram was a demand raised by the Mizo National Front but this was turned down when the Mizo Accord was signed in 1986 during the time of the late Rajiv Gandhi. Let Parliament discuss the issue, but yet at the same time, it should not be forgotten that it is up to the people to decide whether to put the State on the track of normalcy or not. Too many people have met senseless deaths, too many houses have been razed to the ground while thousands are still holed up in different relief camps opened across the length and breadth of Manipur. The Imphal-Dimapur Highway continues to be under the diktat of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and it has been like this since the evening of May 3. Something has to give. Manipur cannot afford to go on like this and this is where it becomes necessary to come to terms with the truth and nothing but the truth. The first step would obviously be to acknowledge that the opposition to the ST for Meiteis demand was just a facade to organise the Tribal Solidarity Rally on May 3 and the second is to acknowledge who drew first blood at Torbung on May 3.
YANGON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar will plant 24.619 million tree saplings this year as part of its concerted efforts to combat deforestation, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

The tree saplings will be planted across state-owned commercial forests, forests designated for industrial raw materials, and critical mangrove areas spanning the Southeast Asian country, the ministry's forest department said on Tuesday.

The extensive tree-planting initiative is aimed at safeguarding against soil erosion, protecting residents from natural disasters such as cyclones and storms, and contributing to Myanmar's economy by exporting wood products, explained an official from the forest department.

"To date, we have planted over 20 million tree saplings, achieving over 90 percent of our targeted tree growth for this year," said U Myint Naing Oo, assistant director of the Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

The majority of state-owned forests are located in Bago and Ayeyarwady regions, while the country's mangroves are concentrated in Ayeyarwady and Tanintharyi regions and Rakhine state, he said, adding that the department was employing different tree species according to specific locations, such as mangroves in coastal areas and teaks and ironwood trees in commercial forest areas.

Deforestation has been a concern, particularly in the central part of Myanmar, where local communities resort to downing trees for firewood. Additional factors contributing to deforestation include the expansion of agricultural lands, urban development and illegal logging, the official said.

While the forest department is actively working towards forest conservation, it acknowledged that its efforts alone are insufficient to protect all the forest areas, urging residents to help safeguard forests, which play a crucial role in society's well-being.

Myanmar, as one of the most resource-rich countries in Southeast Asia, has seen its forest coverage drop to about 42 percent in 2020 from over 57 percent in 1990, official figures showed.

The country has adopted a 10-year reforestation project, initiated during the 2017-18 fiscal year and set to continue until the 2027-28 fiscal year. Until now, approximately 45 percent of the project has been completed, the official said.

In 2022, Myanmar planted 23.57 million tree saplings throughout the country. 
Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Wednesday met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Beijing.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that the China-Algeria friendship has a long history and solid political foundation. He said China's NPC is willing to work with the Algerian People's National Assembly and the Council of the Nation to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance exchanges and cooperation at all levels, and provide an improved legal guarantee for practical bilateral cooperation.

Zhao congratulated Algeria on its election as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council for 2024-2025, and expressed a readiness to work with Algeria to build an open world economy and promote a more just and equitable global governance system.

Noting that Algeria and China have always firmly supported each other, Tebboune said that Algeria admires the great achievements made by the Chinese people through long-term hard work, and is willing to learn from China's experience and deepen cooperation in various fields to bring better benefits to the two peoples. 

Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" -- this core concept in China's pursuit of ecological progress has not just led to dramatic improvement in the country's environment, but also generated new growth impetus for the world's second largest economy.

As a national conference concluded Tuesday mapped out priorities for China's ecological and environmental protection in the next five years, more advancement is expected to be made in green and low-carbon development, which is key to the country's high-quality development.

From eco-tourism to new-energy industries, localities across China have explored various ways to achieve both ecological and economic progress. Their experience has shed light on how ecological conservation could give a boost to more balanced and sustainable development of the economy.

YUCUN: FROM "STONE ECONOMY" TO GREEN ECONOMY

Yucun, a village in east China's Zhejiang Province, used to rely on limestone mining and processing industries for economic output, leading to the destruction of its natural ecological system.

Rethinking the balance between the economy and nature, the people of Yucun gradually shut down the mines and cement factories.

While efforts were made to restore the local environment, villagers turned to leisure tourism, building tourist attractions and guesthouses to draw sightseers.

In 2018, Yucun became a national 4A scenic spot, the second-highest in China's tourist attraction rating system. Last year, Yucun received 700,000 tourists, with its tourism revenue totaling about 35 million yuan (about 4.9 million U.S. dollars) and the per capita income of locals hitting 64,000 yuan.

Parks have been built on the closed mines, while cement factories have been remodeled into libraries. In 2021, Yucun was named one of the "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

"I never thought before that Yucun would be in its glory today. This is the right path to take," said Pan Chunlin, a guesthouse owner in the village, when looking back at the shift from depleting mountain resources for development to fostering eco-friendly businesses.

Yucun is not the only Chinese locality transformed by a change in people's mindset that values human-nature harmony more than ever before. Some 2,631 km away in Yichun in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, an equally giant change is taking place.

YICHUN: "ASK THE FOREST FOR FOOD"

A city abundant in forest resources, Yichun was once an important supplier of timber in China and has a history of more than 60 years of forest exploitation.

To restore the ecosystem, Yichun completely banned commercial logging in 2013. After that, Yichun began to "ask the forest for food" by developing eco-tourism, forest food and medicine industries, and specialty breeding industries such as edible fungi, small berries and forest pigs.

Chi Tianqi, a 37-year-old local, manages a husbandry company that raises sheep. While straw, bean pulp and forest grass is used to feed the sheep, the animals' waste is utilized as manure for wood plantation and agricultural production.

"Compared with my father's generation, who lived on timber harvesting only, we now have more choices with the development of the non-timber forest-based economy," said Chi.

Nowadays, Yichun has expanded its protection of forest trees and woodlands to systematic protection of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and wildlife.

A set of data witnessed the ecological change of Yichun -- the city's forest stock volume has reached 375 million cubic meters, with an average annual net increase of more than 10 million cubic meters, while its forest coverage rate has reached 83.8 percent.

WEINING: "TOWN OF SUNSHINE"

As the county with the highest average altitude in Guizhou Province, Weining was once one of the most impoverished areas in the southwestern province due to unfavorable conditions for agriculture.

Its development dilemma was not solved until local people decided to capitalize on its geographical advantage given it had long been known as the province's "town of sunshine."

In 2011, the first wind power station was built in Weining. Since then, more new energy power projects have been put into operation in the county, with solar and wind power now accounting for over 93 percent of its electricity generation.

Nowadays, the town has become a perfect place for cultivating the new energy industry, which has produced both economic and ecological rewards.

In 2021, 5.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity was generated by Weining, which uses only 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours annually.

Solar power development not only contributes to carbon reduction, like other forms of new energy industries do, but also helps conserve soil and water in the mountainous region.

"The photovoltaic panels block the sunlight and reduce water evaporation, so the vegetation on the project site grows better," said Tian Haokun, operator of a local photovoltaic power project.

More places like Weining are marching on the path of green development as authorities have vowed to maintain harmony between humanity and nature when planning the country's development.

China is seeing greater synergy between green transformation and economic growth, said Fu Linghui, a spokesperson with the National Bureau of Statistics, who cited double-digit growth in the output and export of green products, such as new energy vehicles and solar batteries, in the country in the first five months of 2023.

"In promoting green transformation, we have fostered not only a better environment but also new growth drivers in the economy," Fu said. 
Bintou Keita, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO), communicates with engineers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC, in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province in DRC, July 18, 2023. An inauguration ceremony of a temporary bridge spanning the Luzira River in the Kalehe territory was held here Tuesday.

The bridge, essential to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the movement of the local population, was built by the engineers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC, under the order of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO). (The engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC/Handout via Xinhua)

KINSHASA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Bintou Keita, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Tuesday praised the unity shown by Chinese peacekeepers in carrying out a humanitarian mission in the eastern part of the country.

She made these remarks at the inauguration ceremony of a temporary bridge spanning the Luzira River in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province, an area stricken by heavy rains and flooding in May, which caused serious casualties.

The bridge, essential to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the movement of the local population, was built by the engineers of the 26th Chinese contingent, under the order of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO).

While congratulating the achievements of this humanitarian mission, Keita, also head of MONUSCO, praised in particular, the unity shown by the Chinese blue helmets.

"Built by Chinese engineers from MONUSCO, the bridge is an essential and safe passage for thousands of community members, including children," she tweeted after the ceremony, posting a group photo with the Chinese blue helmets taken at the ceremony.

According to the latest data by the Congolese authorities, at least 438 bodies have been found in areas hit by floods caused by heavy rains in the Kalehe territory of South Kivu province. Local authorities also estimate that more than 5,000 people are still missing. 

Chinese peacekeepers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) conduct construction work in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province in DRC, July 5, 2023. An inauguration ceremony of a temporary bridge spanning the Luzira River in the Kalehe territory was held here Tuesday.

The bridge, essential to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the movement of the local population, was built by the engineers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC, under the order of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO). (The engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC/Handout via Xinhua)

Chinese peacekeepers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) conduct construction work in the Kalehe territory of the South Kivu province in DRC, June 7, 2023. An inauguration ceremony of a temporary bridge spanning the Luzira River in the Kalehe territory was held here Tuesday.

The bridge, essential to the delivery of humanitarian aid and the movement of the local population, was built by the engineers of the engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC, under the order of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO). (The engineering contingent of the 26th batch of Chinese peacekeeping mission to the DRC/Handout via Xinhua)
Ateam of the Election Commission of India (ECI), headed by Nitesh Byas, deputy election commissioner (EC) in charge of West Bengal, will visit the state in August to review preparations for Lok Sabha elections, scheduled next year, though the hangover of the recently-held rural body polls is still on. The full Bench of the ECI may also visit the state before the Durga Pujas.

The ECI teams visit to West Bengal is significant at the backdrop of widespread violence, claiming around 60 lives belonging to all political parties, including both ruling Trinamul Congress and opposition since 9 June when announcement of date for panchayat elections in the state was announced.

The state chief electoral officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab has already started preparations for the parliamentary elections. He is scheduled to hold a meeting with district magistrates across the state on 22 July to discuss several issues before the ECI team comes to the state in the first week of August.

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The countdown for the LS polls kicked off on Tuesday when the CEO office in the state started to verify electoral rolls. Mr Aftab also visited Siliguri during day today to discuss issues in connection with electronic voting machines (EVMs) and electoral rolls of north Bengal districts like Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, North & South Dinajpur with respective district administrations.

The CEO may also hold another meeting with election officials of Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, South & North 24-Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore on Wednesday to discuss the same issues. Political observers felt that the EC team visit is highly significant because the state is virtually ravaged by regular incidents of unbridled political violence between workers of ruling Trinamul Congress and oppositions BJP, Left and Congress leading to loss of human lives, arsons, loot and setting fire on establishments in many districts during the past one-and-a-half months.

The Opposition has already moved the High Court in protest against rigging, looting of ballot papers, false voting etc, allegedly sponsored by Trinamul. The observers feel that the EC team would take the pre and post-poll violence issue seriously during their meeting with district magistrates.
Amid the ongoing meeting of the anti-BJP Opposition forces in Bengaluru to finalise the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday, asked the Congress and CPM to either join BJP or form a separate political platform against ruling Trinamul Congress in the state.

While issuing the appeal, Adhikari has reminded the grassroots level Congress and CPM workers that while in Bengal the latter are facing the onslaught of the ruling party activists, their national leaders are sharing the dais with chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari did not stop at that. He uploaded two contradictory pictures on his official Twitter handle.

One of the pictures shows Mamata Banerjee, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the same frame at the Bengaluru meeting. The other picture shows a news item where a Congress worker was killed allegedly by Trinamul Congress activists in poll-related violence during the recently concluded elections for the three-tier panchayat system. It is friendship at Bengaluru  and wrestling at Bengal .

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 While there are crude bombs, bullets and iron rods for common party workers, there are mouth-watering fried fish for the leaders, Adhikari said in his Twitter message. However, his call has been rejected by the leadership of both CPM and Congress. According to the CPM central committee member Dr Sujan Chakraborty, first Adhikari should come clear on whether BJP is serious about its battle against Trinamul Congress.

If that is so, why are so many ruling party leaders moving around freely in West Bengal despite their involvement in so many scams? His statements are baseless. Our general secretary has made it clear at Bengaluru on Monday only that in West Bengal we will build up equal opposition against both Trinamul Congress and BJP in West Bengal, he said.

Congress leader and counsel of Calcutta High Court, Kaustav Bagchi gave a counter call to Adhikari to quit BJP and join the joint opposition by Congress and Left Front against Trinamul Congress in the state.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will transfer Rs 25,000 each in the bank accounts of 78,641 meritorious students for the purchase of laptops during the Pratibhashali Vidyarthi Samman Samaroh (Talented Student Felicitation Programme) to be held at the Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal on 20 July.

According to state government officials, the said amount will be transferred to the students who scored 75 per cent or more marks in the first attempt in the class 12 examinations of the Board of Secondary Education for the session 2022-23 to purchase the laptops.

State Public Instructions Commissioner Anubha Srivastava informed that in the class 12 examinations of the Board of Secondary Education for the session 2022-23, 78,641 students across the state have scored 75 per cent or more marks in the first attempt. This year, all these students of government and private schools of the state will be benefited under the Talented Student Promotion Scheme.

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She said that 10,359 students of Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh and Bhopal districts of Bhopal division would participate in the programme at Bhopal. Other than that, one student from each remaining district of the state getting the highest marks will also be honoured in this state level programme.

The official said that in the other 47 districts, the remaining 68282 students would participate virtually.
Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Atishi on Wednesday informed that all the Central government agencies, Delhi government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are working together to drain out water from Rajghat.

Rajghat, which is one of the places of national importance, is affected by waterlogging caused by overflowing Yamuna.

Due to the flooding, several areas, including Rajghat-Shantivan, ITO, and Ring Road have been affected by waterlogging. The Central agencies are working on a war-footing together with Delhi government and MCD to clear the area of flood water.

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On Wednesday, the Delhi PWD minister, during an inspection of the ongoing water drainage work, said, The 250-acre premises of Rajghat have been severely impacted. Efforts are on to drain out the stagnant water. Being a place of national importance, Rajghat attracts visitors from all over the world. Therefore, all agencies are working together to drain out water as soon as possible.

On her visit, Atishi found that waterlogging near ITO flyover has almost been resolved, and the road has been opened for traffic. The work to remove the mud caused by the floods is also progressing rapidly. MCD and PWD are cleaning the roads through pressure pipes to ensure no inconvenience is caused to the commuters.

She also inspected the road stretch between Rajghat and Shantivan and observed that traffic is moving smoothly, but some parts of the road still have stagnant water. Atishi directed officials to deploy additional pumps and expedite the work of water drainage and road cleaning process for the entire stretch.

Atishi highlighted that the Ring Road section is crucial for Central Delhi and witnesses heavy traffic daily. To ensure no inconvenience to commuters, PWD is undertaking essential steps in this direction.
Parliaments monsoon session, beginning Thursday, is all set to be stormy although the government has assured an all-party meeting to discuss all issues, including the situation in Manipur, scarred by prolonged violence, as per rules and procedures.

The session has come just after the Opposition launched its anti-government alliance INDIA, and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held an extensive session to assert its confidence to defeat all Opposition moves, right up to the 2024 Lok Sabaha elections.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, All parties demanded a discussion on Manipur. The government is ready. When the Lok Sabha speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman decide the dates, the government is ready to discuss the issue, as per rules and procedures.

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Briefing newspersons about the session-eve all-party meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Joshi said the government was ready for the Manipur discussion when its date and time are decided by the speaker and the chairman. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the meeting.

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said his party will bring an adjournment motion on the Manipur situation on Thursday itself. He said he took up the Manipur issue at the all-party meeting. Prime Minister should come and answer in Parliament, he said.

Trinamul Congress leader Derek OBrien said it was time the Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the Manipur issue.

Chowdhury said, We made it clear that if the government wants to run the House, it has to allow the Opposition to raise all issues. They must give due regard to this. There has to be adjustment from both sides.

He said, We requested the defence minister for the discussions. We told him the all-party meeting is taking place under his chairmanship and he should help the Opposition raise its issues. We have many issues to raise during the session.

The Congress leader said the government has planned to bring 31 Bills for passage in just 17 days of the session. How will they be discussed and passed in such a short time. But if they want the Bills, then we are also ready to discuss, he said.

But we have just one request, please allow the opposition parties to raise their issues in the (Monsoon) Session, he said.

Congress leader in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said all parties were unanimous that, considering the sensitive situation in Manipur, the Prime Minister should personally reply on the issues.

There should be an opportunity also to discuss attacks on the federal structure, whether in Delhi, Punjab or Karnataka, wherever it has happened, he said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh said the party, supported by others, will oppose the Governments Ordinance taking away powers from the elected Government of Delhi.

He said this was an issue of Constitutional amendment and it could not be enforced through an Ordinance. It was brought to negate a Supreme Court judgement and to crush the rights of Delhis two crore people, we will strongly oppose it if comes up in the Lok Sabha, he said.

Telanganas Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) too opposed the Delhi Ordinance at the all-party meeting; as also the role of the Tamil Nadu Governor in dismissing a Minister, party leader K Keshava Rao said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chaired the Business Advisory Committee meeting ahead of the session. The newly-formed Opposition alliance INDIA will hold its first meeting on Thursday to discuss strategy for Parliaments monsoon session. A meeting of the NDA floor leaders is also scheduled for the day.

Several Opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party demanded a discussion on UCC (Uniform Civil Code). The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) wanted passage of the women reservation Bill and special category status for Odisha, partys Rajya Sabha leader Sasmit Patra told the all-party meeting. The monsoon session of Parliament will continue till 11 August.
Concern over the cross-border love story between Sachin Meena, an Indian, and Seema Ghulam Haider, a Pakistani, grew as a result of allegations that her uncle and brother are Pakistani soldiers.

The two gathered eyeballs when Seema illegally entered India with her four children in order to be with her partner Sachin. On Tuesday, the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) kept questioning them, but it appears that they were unable to obtain satisfactory answers to all of their inquiries regarding her motivation for entering India illegally. Investigators from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) were also present during the questioning.

Quoting sources, news reports claim that the IB had requested information from the Sashastra Seema Bal, the central armed police agency that patrols the porous border between India and Nepal across the borders of UP and Bihar, regarding Seemas undetected entry into Indian territory. She had previously told the Gautam Buddh Nagar police that she had entered India earlier this month from Sitamani in Bihar over the Nepal border.

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Seema and Sachin were transferred to the ATS safe house in Gautam Buddh Nagar for questioning along with the youngest kid of the former.

She was questioned about her relatives in Pakistan and her assertions that her uncle and brother were in the Pakistani army for hours on end on Tuesday.

A skilled team from the UP ATS scanned the phones of Seema and Sachin and attempted to retrieve data from the previous few months so that their online habits could be examined to determine her motivation for entering India illegally.

The couple was detained on Monday and allowed to go home after eight hours of questioning. Officers said they were verifying identity proofs and other documents of Seema Haider and her four kids. The exercise was a part of a general investigation into all Pakistani nationals living in India without valid documentation, according to Prashant Kumar, special director general (law and order), who stated this on Monday.

The online multiplayer game PubG, which gained popularity during the pandemic, is where Seema and Sachin first met. They started talking, and soon they fell in love. According to the two, they first fell in love and got married in Nepal in March 2023. Three months later, Seema and her four children made a daring escape from Pakistan and made it to Greater Noida via Dubai and the porous border between India and Nepal.
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 600 Chinese officials from about 120 central departments and organizations on Tuesday arrived in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to commence their three-year assistance mission in the westernmost area of the country.

The talent aid team, the 11th batch since 1997, is organized by the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

With an average age of 43 years, 73.1 percent of the dispatched officials hold master's degrees or higher, and 60 percent of them are professionals in technical fields or enterprise management.

Their mission involves providing support to address specific needs in the sectors of education, medical care, politics and law, science and technology, and culture and tourism.

Since its inception in 1997, the personnel assistance program has seen over 20,000 individuals working in Xinjiang and contributing to its development. 
The fourth Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under Indias G20 Presidency began in the city of Indore on Wednesday.

In the opening session of the meeting, Arti Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment and the G20 EWG Chair welcomed the delegates and recapitulated the discussions and achievements made during the last three EWG meetings.

The delegates from co-chair countries, namely Indonesia and Brazil, also made statements in the opening session and expressed their optimism on completing the work through fruitful discussions.

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India made a presentation on e-Shram, the worlds largest database of unorganised workers and National Career Service (NCS) Portal. The presentation on e-shram and NCS portals will also be shared with international delegates who expressed interest and curiosity on Indias achievement on these fronts.

In further sessions of the meeting, discussions took place on the Draft Ministerial Declaration & Outcome Documents aimed at finalisation of these documents.
The Department of Pre-University Education in Karnataka has initiated an inquiry into a social media post made by a Kannada lecturer at a PU college in Malleswaram. The lecturer in question, Hulikunte Murthy, who is also a Dalit activist, allegedly posted a tweet in Kannada that ridiculed the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

In his tweet, Murthy allegedly claimed that Chandrayaan-3 will be a failure and used the phrase Tirupati nama to suggest that the moon mission would fail once again. It is worth noting that prior to the launch of Chandrayaan-3, a team of scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had offered prayers at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.

The deputy director of PU from Bengaluru North was made aware of Murthys social media post on Monday and promptly took action. An explanation has been sought from the lecturer regarding the reasons behind his message, and he has been given until Wednesday to submit his response. Once the response is received, appropriate action will be taken based on the findings, say the authority.

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In light of the current incident, a concerned individual named Kumar wrote a letter to Bangarappa, expressing his dismay over the lecturers post. Kumar went on to question how someone with such views could motivate students and urged for clarification from Hulikunte Murthy. In addition to that, he emphasized the need for the lecturer to exercise caution and avoid repeating such irresponsible behavior in the future.

The controversy surrounding the social media post has drawn attention to the importance of responsible online conduct, particularly for individuals in influential positions like educators. As the investigation progresses, the Department of Pre-University Education aims to address the matter appropriately and ensure that the incident serves as a reminder of the significance of thoughtful and respectful communication, both online and offline.
Taking exception to noncompliance of its order to check beggary and rehabilitation of those living on begging, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a final reminder to the Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department of the Odisha government.

The apex rights body sought personal appearance of officials concerned in the event of non-submission of a compliance report.

Citing suggestions to eradicate beggary, especially the organized Beggars rackets, lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy had filed a petition before the NHRC.

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Poor children, women and differently-abled persons were being forced into beggary, due to which rackets of beggary exist, the petition stated while citing a couple of instances of beggary, wherein children were being forced to beg by their fathers, in order to fulfill their alcohol addiction in Ganjam district.

Pursuant to the notice of the NHRC, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India has formulated an umbrella scheme SMILE  Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging.

It covered a comprehensive welfare and rehabilitation measures including providing shelter-home, food, clothes, health care facilities, counselling and provisions of rehabilitation like education / bridge course for children, vocational training/skill development and financial assistant for entrepreneurship.

Currently, 19 States and 3 Union territories have either enacted their own Anti Begging Legislation or adopted the legislation enacted by other States. These Anti Begging Acts are mostly based on the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959.

The petitioner (Tripathy) has raised a pan- India issue and has presented that, with the advancement of time, begging has transformed into an organized crime and has found deep roots in the society, such problems that have interwoven in the societal fabric and are often taken as a usual occurrence, requires comprehensive approach to trace, identify and uproot it, the NHRC observed.

The State of Odisha failed to reply on the steps taken by the Odisha state Government to check and prohibit and control the menace of begging and for the rehabilitation and welfare of the victims and their families.

The Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Secretary, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department of Odisha Government were earlier directed by the apex rights panel to get the allegations, made in the complaint, and looked into and to submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks. However, the authorities concerned had failed to furnish ATR as directed by the NHRC.

The response is to be submitted within 6 weeks, failing which the Commission shall be constrained to invoke action under section 13 Protection of Human Rights Act,1993 and ensure physical appearance of the concerned authority before the Commission and explain, the NHRC stated in its latest order.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached two properties of a Delhi-based notorious smuggler in a case related to the seizure of over 102 kg of heroin smuggled from Afghanistan via the Attari border in Punjab Amritsar.

The immovable properties belong to Razi Haider Zaidi, 41, a resident of Okhla Vihar, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi. These properties, that were attached on Tuesday, include a residential plot measuring 121.35 square metres in Muzaffarnagar, U.P, which the accused Razi had purchased in his own name for Rs 4,00,000. The other property is a residential two-storied building at Okhla Vihar, Jamia Nagar, Delhi, purchased for Rs 24,50,000 in the name of the accuseds wife.

The properties were attached under section 68(F) of the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

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As per the NIA, both properties were acquired by Razi from the sale proceeds of heroin.

The drug consignment of a total of 102.784 kg of heroin was seized by the Indian Customs Department on April 24-26 last year. The narcotics, which had reached Integrated Check Post Attari on April 22 last year, were found concealed in a consignment of liquorice roots (mulethi).

NIA investigations revealed that the accused Razi was the receiver of this consignment of liquorice roots (mulethi) in which heroin was concealed.

As per NIA investigations, on the directions of Dubai-based absconding co-accused Shahid Ahmed, around 103 kg heroin concealed in the consignment of liquorice roots had been sent by Afghan-based heroin smuggler Nazir Ahmed Qani, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan, and it was supposed to be delivered to accused Razi who had handed over Rs 11 lakh in cash to another accused as advance payment of the said consignment.

Further investigations revealed that Shahid Ahmed alias Qazi Abdul Wadood had directed Razi to collect and deliver heroin consignments from various places in India from time to time who had delivered them to the different associates of Shahid Ahmed.

Further, Razi had also collected cash around Rs 2.5 crores from various states of India, as sale proceeds of heroin, said the NIA, adding from this, he had taken his share and had channelized some of the drug proceeds into the bank account of Shahid Ahmed.

Razi handed over the rest as cash to Shahids brother Azeem Ahmed and other associates of Shahid Ahmed, the NIA further said.

Prior to the consignment of heroin recovered in the instant case, in February 2022, the NIA said, Razi along with accused Shahid Ahmed and accused Nazir Ahmad Qani also smuggled heroin concealed in liquorice roots imported from Afghanistan.

Approximately 50 kg heroin was recovered from Razi by the Narcotics Control Bureau, New Delhi in a case registered against him and his associates in which a Charge sheet has already been filed by the NCB, said the NIA.

It has come on record that the accused Razi is a notorious drug smuggler and supplier and in February 2022, said the NIA.

Razi had imported 640 cans of chemicals through Iran for processing heroin at his rented godown in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh with the assistance of Afghan nationals sent by the Afghan-based accused Shahid Ahmed. The said narcotics were later seized by NCB, New Delhi in a joint operation with ATS, Gujarat, said the agency.

Investigations have also unearthed that in November 2021, on the instructions of accused Shahid Ahmed, Razi and two of his associates namely Avtar Singh and Mohd Imran had gone to Ahmedabad twice for collection of narcotic drugs, which they brought to Delhi and Razi supplied them to other associates of accused Shahid Ahmed.

Apart from these instances of drugs smuggling in which accused Razi was arrested by different law enforcement agencies, the NIA said, the accused had successfully smuggled heroin and collected money derived from its sales from various places of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

Initially, the anti-terror agency said, the case was investigated by Indian Customs, Amritsar and later, under directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIA took over the investigations.
No official state honours will be part of the funeral of former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy. The family of the departed leader has turned down an offer of state honours during the funeral of the departed leader to be held on Thursday.

The government had earlier decided to conduct the funeral of the late leader with full state honours.

The former chief minister had earlier informed his family that his funeral should be kept simple with no official honours. Oommen Chandy had informed this to his wife Mariamma before going to Germany for treatment.

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Appas last wish was not to have the governments official honours for his funeral,  said the senior Congress leaders son Chandy Oommen.

Chandys wife Mariyamma informed the public administration department in writing that only religious ceremonies would suffice and no official honours should be part of the funeral as suggested by the late leader.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, had informed the cabinet that Oommen Chandys funeral should be conducted with full state honours. Following this, the cabinet had delegated the responsibility of making the final decision to the chief secretary as the family insisted on Chandys wish. As the family of the former CM insisted to conduct the funeral according to the last wish of the departed leader, the government has decided not to provide any state honours during the funeral.

Chandys son Chandy Oommen said his father wished for a simple and normal funeral.His daughter, Achu Oommen said that the heartfelt tributes and love received from the people are the most significant recognition and honour for her father.

Oommen Chandys funeral will be held at 3.30 pm on Thursday at the St George Orthodox Church, Puthuppally in Kottayam. His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, the head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, will officiate the funeral rites.

Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala bid farewell to former chief minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday morning when his body was taken to Kottayam. Hundreds thronged on the sides of the road to pay homage to a leader who lived among the masses.
In a major setback to the Opposition unity before the Lok Sabha polls, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati has announced to contest the 2024 LS polls alone except in Punjab and Haryana.

Party supremo Mayawati on Wednesday told reporters that her party will contest the Lok Sabha elections alone along with assembly polls in three states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. However, in Haryana and Punjab, it will contest elections in alliance with regional parties in both Lok Sabha polls and in assembly polls, she clarified.

On the Opposition coming together under a new banner, Mayawati said the parties are forging alliances for their own vested interest, just to gain power. Targeting the Congress, she said the party was going with casteist and capitalist forces like himself.

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The BSP chief further said that the Congress remembers Dalits, backwards and the poor only when it is out of power. Neither BJP nor Congress cares for anyone when they are in power. In 2014, the BJP had promised to transfer Rs 15 lakh each in the accounts of every poor, which was never fulfilled, she added.

Describing the Opposition alliance as a forced alliance for their personal interest, Mayawati said that the BSP will strengthen its alliance partner in the upcoming elections.

On Tuesday, Opposition parties in a meeting in Bangaluru had announced a new front named INDIA to fight against the ruling NDA led by Narendra Modi.
Two persons have been detained by Pune police in connection with a bike theft case, the police said. The accused are currently being interrogated by the police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

The police department has also involved officials from the ATS to investigate a potential terror-related angle to the case. When asked about the investigation, a senior police official said, We are thoroughly looking into the matter from all possible perspectives. No further information can be disclosed at this time due to the ongoing probe.

Earlier in March, the Mapusa police arrested three persons in a theft case involving a two-wheeler. The arrested persons were identified as Prajyot Prakash Chari (34), Shahid Siddique (29) and Sandesh Bhagwan (27).

Kalim Mulla had lodged his complaint that on February 25 at around 4.30 am early morning, some unknown Persons stole away his two-wheeler parked in front of his garage, SDPO Mapusa Jivba Dalvi had said.

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The SDPO further mentioned that during the course of the investigation, all three accused were arrested. The police had also seized properties worth Rs 5,00,000.

Police have seized various vehicle parts from the accused persons such as goods carrier vehicle, fuel tanks of motorcycles, and three motorcycles. All the seized properties are worth Rs 5,00,000, the police had said.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to social activist Teesta Setalvad in alleged fabrication of evidence in 2002 Gujarat riot cases and ordered that she will continue to be on bail granted to her by the top court on September 2, 2022.

Granting regular bail to Teesta Setalvad, a special three-judge bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice Dipankar Datta made scathing observations against Gujarat High Court judgment for dwelling into the details of the case while rejecting her bail plea.

The court quashed and set aside the Gujarat High Courts order that had rejected regular bail to Teesta.

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Taking a dim view of the High Court order running into over hundred pages, the top court said that the High Court had interestingly observed that since she had not challenged the FIR and chargesheet under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or Articles 226 or 32 of the constitution, she could not claim that a prima facie case was not made out.

The top court said that if the observation of the High Court was accepted, then no bail plea can be decided at pre-trial stage without challenging the chargesheet under articles 226 or 32 of the constitution or Section 482 of Code of Cr98iminal Procedure.

Under Article 226 an aggrieved person can approach a High Court and under Article 32 a person can move the Supreme Court for the protection of fundamental rights. Section 482 of the CrPC provides for inherent powers of the High Court by which High Court can pass any order to give effect to any order under CrPC, or to prevent abuse of the process of any Court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice.

Ordering Teesta Setalvad not make any attempt to influence witnesses in the case and keep away from them, the top court in its order said, If she influences (witnesses), prosecution can move the Supreme Court directly for cancellation of bail. SC said.

Granting bail to Teesta Setalvad, the court also noted that the chargesheet in the case has been filed, she has been put to custodial interrogation and most of the evidence is documentary and in the custody of the prosecution.

Since most of the evidence is documentary and since chargesheet is filed we do not find that her custodial interrogation is needed, the top court said in its order.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Gujarat government, vehemently opposed Setalvads plea. Raju told the court that fabricated documents were sought to be used to implicate innocent senior ranking officers of Gujarat government.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal and Chander Uday Singh appeared for Setalvad. Sibal took the bench through the chronology of the case and said that what was being projected as fabricated evidence was in fact the complaints of the aggrieved riot affected people and it was on these complaints, the National Human Rights Commission had approached the top court for an investigation of riot cases by Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Setalvad had knocked the doors of the Supreme Court on July 1 itself  the day Gujarat High Court rejected her plea for basil. Protecting Setalvad from any arrest, the top court on July 1 had observed that the single judge of the High Court was totally wrong in not granting interim protection even for one week to Setalvad.

Was single judge justified in not granting time to Teesta to appeal against the rejection of regular bail, and In our opinion the single judge was totally wrong in not giving (her) interim protection, the bench had observed in the course of the special hearing by a three-judge bench that was held at 9.15 PM on July 1.

Setalvad was arrested by the Gujarat Police on June 25, 2022, on an FIR by the Ahmedabad Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on alleged charges of conspiring to falsely implicate innocent people in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots. She was arrested just a day after a top court judgment in which adverse observations were made against Teesta and others.

While praising the SIT for the indefatigable work done by it, the top court by its June 24, 2022, judgment had stated that the attempt by Teesta and others was to to keep the pot boiling, obviously, for ulterior design, the top court had said, As a matter of fact, all those involved in such abuse of process, need to be in the dock and proceeded with in accordance with law.

Besides Setalvad, others alleged to be part of the conspiracy included former DGP R.B. Sreekumar, x-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhat and former State Home Minister late Haren Pandeya.

After her arrest on June 25, charges were framed against her under sections 468 (forgery for cheating) and 194 (fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction for capital offenses) of the Indian Penal Code.

The June 24, 2022, top court judgment had come on a petition by Zakia Jafri who had questioned the SIT report giving clean chit to Modi and had refuted the allegation of inaction by the State administration and the police during the riots.

Zakia Jafri is the widow of former Congress member of parliament Ehsan Jafri who along with others was killed by the violent mob at Gulberg Society on February 28, 2002, during Gujarat riots. Teesta had joined Zakia Jafri in the case in the Supreme Court.
Two heavily armed Pakistani terrorists were on Wednesday morning killed in an infiltration bid in the Machhal sector along the Line of Control (LOC) of North Kashmirs Kupwara.

In another targeted attack, terrorists last night fired and injured two migrant labourers in South Kashmirs Anantnag. The injured labourers were shifted to the hospital for treatment.

Giving details of the Kupwara encounter, police said that in a joint operation by Army, BSF and J&K Police, two terrorists have been killed. Bodies of terrorists along with arms and ammunition have been recovered.

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Four AK Rifles, six hand-grenades and other war-like stores have been recovered from the possession of the dead terrorists.

A BSF spokesman said on specific intelligence of BSF a joint operation was launched and an infiltration bid was foiled by alert troops at the LOC.

Pakistan Army-backed infiltration bids by terrorists have been intensified in Jammu and Kashmir. Six terrorists have been killed in the Poonch sector of the Jammu division during the past two days.

Taking advantage of bad weather and forest foliage, terrorists have been making attempts to infiltrate through the LOC. Such infiltration attempts indicate that Pakistani agencies were trying to revive terrorism in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu.
At least eight people, including women and children, were on Wednesday killed due to flash-floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in the Bani tehsil of the Kathua district in the Jammu division.

Reports said several cattle heads have also perished in the natural disaster.

The vital Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar highways have been closed for vehicular traffic on account of the damage to a bridge and landslides.

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Reports said that five persons, including children, were buried alive as two houses of Mushtaq Ahmad and Abdul Qayum were hit by landslides in the Surjan Block of Bani area in Kathua. Bodies of Abdul Qayum and Tabseem Bano have so far been retrieved by the locals who immediately swung into action for rescue operations. Police have also reached the spot.

Body of a woman, Naseema Begum, resident of Mandhota Tehsil of Bani, was found buried under a landslide, while that of a class-seven student, Ajay Singh, was recovered from a landslide in Sitti area of Bani. Sham Lal, a resident of Bhullari in Bani, was also buried under a landslide. His body is being searched from the debris.

Nine goats were buried under a shed hit by a landslide in the Sira area of Bani.

The Kathua district police have advised people to stay indoors because of apprehensions of flash-floods. While, army has been called in for rescue operations in the landslide hit areas of Bani.

The Chenab and Tawi rivers were flowing above the danger mark. Several other rainfed rivers have caused extensive damage in the Kathua and Samba districts.

The Jammu-Srinagar highway is shut due to landslides at the Cafeteria Morh, Mehar and T-2 tunnel. The vital Chadwal bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot highway, that links J&K with Punjab, has been damaged due to flash-flood. Some pillars of the bridge have tilted.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of lives in house collapse and landslides triggered by heavy rains in Bani area of Kathua district.

In a condolence message, the Lt Governor said: I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic incident triggered by heavy rains in Kathua, in which a number of persons have lost their lives and many others are feared trapped under the debris. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway. I have directed the district administration to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones as well as medical assistance to the injured.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, in whose Udhampur Parliamentary constituency the area falls, wrote on Twitter: Concerned to learn about the damage caused to Chadwal bridge in Kathua due to flash floods, causing inconvenience to traffic. I have immediately got in touch with DC Kathua, Rakesh Minhas as well as the NHAI authorities. My office is constantly following up the matter for expeditious repair and redressal.

The building of the Fisheries Department was washed away by the overflowing Ujh river in Kathua. The district administrations of Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar have shut all schools as a precautionary measure.

The total discharge from River Chenab has risen to 3,597.62 cumecs. After entering Jammu and Kashmir from Himachal Pradesh, the river passes through Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi and Jammu districts before entering Pakistan. People living in low-lying areas have been advised to remain alert, avoid riverbanks and take precautionary measures.

Due to incessant rains the new track to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine has been closed while the helicopter service to the shrine has also been suspended.

Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari has expressed grief over the death of eight persons. He urged the authorities to gear up the rescue operations and shift the inhabitants to some safe place till the weather improves.
PHNOM PENH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni has appealed to all eligible people to exercise their right to vote in a general election, which will be held on Sunday.

In a royal message released to the media by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Wednesday, the monarch said people are free to choose any political leaders they like in the election.

"The election on Sunday, July 23, 2023, is a universal, free, fair, equitable and secret one based on the principle of multi-party liberal democracy," Sihamoni said.

"Therefore, I call on the people not to worry about any threats or intimidation from any person or political party," he added.

Eighteen political parties will contest in Sunday's election for the 125 seats in the National Assembly, the NEC said, adding that more than 9.7 million people are eligible to cast their ballots.

In the last general election held five years ago, the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen won all 125 seats in the National Assembly. 
Imagine an October surprise like no other: Only a week before 5 November 2024, a video recording reveals a secret meeting between Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The American and Ukrainian presidents agree to immediately initiate Ukraine into Nato under the special emergency membership protocol and prepare for a nuclear weapons strike against Russia. Suddenly, the world is on the cusp of Armageddon.

While journalists could point out that no such protocol exists and social media users might notice odd videogamelike qualities of the video, others might feel that their worst fears have been confirmed. When Election Day comes, these concerned citizens may let the video sway their votes, unaware that they have just been manipulated by a situation deepfake  an event that never actually happened. Situation deepfakes represent the next stage of technologies that have already shaken audiences perceptions of reality. In our research at the DeFake Project, my colleagues at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Mississippi, Michigan State University and I study how deepfakes are made and what measures voters can take to defend themselves from them. A deepfake is created when someone uses an artificial intelligence tool, especially deep learning, to manipulate or generate a face, a voice or  with the rise of large language models like ChatGPT  conversational language. These can be combined to form situation deepfakes.

The basic idea and technology of a situation deepfake are the same as with any other deepfake, but with a bolder ambition: to manipulate a real event or invent one from thin air. Examples include depictions of Donald Trumps perp walk and Trump hugging Anthony Fauci, neither of which happened.

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The hug shot was promoted by a Twitter account associated with the presidential campaign of Trump rival Ron DeSantis. An attack ad targeting Joe Bidens 2024 campaign published by the Republican National Committee was made entirely with AI. At the DeFake Project, our research has found that deepfakes, including situations, are typically created by some mixture of adding one piece of media with another; using a video to animate an image or alter another video, dubbed puppeteering; conjuring a piece of media into existence, typically using generative AI; or some combination of these techniques.

To be clear, many situation deepfakes are made for innocent purposes. For example, Infinite Odyssey Magazine produces fake stills from movies that were never produced or could never have existed. But even innocent deepfakes give reason for pause, as in the case of near-believable fake photographs depicting the Apollo Moon landing as a movie production. Now put yourself in the position of someone trying to influence the upcoming election.

What are the possible situations you might want to create? For starters, it would matter whether you wanted to tilt voting toward or away from a specific outcome. Maybe you would portray a candidate acting heroically by pulling a pedestrian out of the way of a speeding car or, conversely, doing something offensive or criminal.

The format of the situation deepfake would also matter. Instead of a video, it could be a photograph, maybe with the blur and angles that simulate a smartphone camera or the forged logo of a news agency. Your target audience would be key. Rather than aiming for the general electorate or a partys base, you might target conspiracy theorists in key voting districts. You could portray the candidate or their family members as engaging in a satanic ritual, participating in a festival at the exclusive and controversial Bohemian Grove, or having a secret meeting with an extraterrestrial. If you have the ambition and capabilities for it, you could even try to deepfake the election itself. In June 2023, Russias television and radio stations were hacked and broadcast a full mobilization order by a deepfake of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While this would be more difficult to do in a U.S. election, in principle any news outlet could be hacked to broadcast deepfakes of their anchors announcing the wrong results or a candidate conceding. There are a variety of technological and psychological ways to detect and defend against situation deepfakes. On the technological front, all deepfakes contain some evidence of their true nature. Some of these tells can by seen by the human eye  like overly smooth skin or odd lighting or architecture  while others may be detectable only by a deepfake-hunting AI.

We are building DeFakes detector to use AI to catch the telltale signs of deepfakes, and we are working to try to have it ready in time for the 2024 election. But even if a sufficiently powerful deepfake detector like ours cannot be deployed by Election Day, there are psychological tools that you, the voter, can use to identify deepfakes: background knowledge, curiosity and healthy skepticism. If you encounter media content about a person, place or event that seems uncharacteristic, trust your background knowledge. For example, in a recent hoax of a fire at the Pentagon, the building shown looks more square than pentagonal, which could be a giveaway.

However, try not to rely entirely on your background knowledge, which could be mistaken or patchy. Never be afraid to learn more from reliable sources, like fact-checked news reports, peer-reviewed academic articles or interviews with credentialed experts. Additionally, be aware that deepfakes can be used to take advantage of what you are inclined to believe about a person, place or event.

One of the best ways to deal with this is to simply be aware of your biases and be a bit guarded about any media content that seems to confirm them. Even if it becomes possible to create perfect situation deepfakes, how believable their subject matter is, is likely to remain their Achilles heel.

So, with or without a technological solution, you still have the power to defend the election from the influence of fake events.

(The writer is Postdoctoral Research Associate of Computing Security, Rochester Institute of Technology. This article was published on www.theconversation.com)
Indias problems with the price of tomatoes may soon pale into insignificance in the face of an anticipated surge in international grain prices following the Kremlins decision to end a deal which allowed Ukrainian grain shipments to reach the world.

The deal was brokered in July 2022 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the United Nations and the two warring countries and allowed grain to leave Ukraine from three designated ports ~ Odessa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny ~ under strict supervision. Vessels carrying the grain were subject to inspection and were escorted by pilot vessels through the heavily mined Black Sea. A total of 33 million metric tonnes was thus exported from Ukraine, and reached deprived countries, including those getting relief under the World Food Programme. The other effect of the shipments was that prices, which had risen sharply in the wake of the war, cooled down substantially. The Kremlin has now announced that it will not renew the deal, which means that many countries will face the prospect of famine; the Russian Federation and Ukraine are among the worlds largest grain exporters.

While attempts had been made in the past week, principally by UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to get Moscow to relent, these efforts now seem to have failed, as admitted by the head of the global body himself. In a statement, Mr Guterres expressed deep regret at the Russian decision, and noted that it would strike a blow to people in need everywhere. In his attempts to get Russia to relent, Mr. Guterres had secured significant concessions including two American waivers that exempted Russia from sanctions for food exports, a British waiver on insurance on Russian shipping and an EU exemption that allowed the unfreezing of Russian fertilisers. But this clearly was not enough for Russian President Vladimir Putin; a Kremlin spokesman confirmed on Monday that the decision was final. President Putin has demanded an end to sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank, resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery and parts, lifting restrictions on insurance and reinsurance, the resumption of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and the unblocking of assets and the accounts of Russian companies involved in food and fertiliser exports. It is unlikely that Western nations will concede these. Ukraine meanwhile has suggested that it may continue with the shipments even without Russian concurrence, a development that is bound to worry the West because it may lead to an escalation that draws Nato into the conflict. A Ukrainian spokesman said his country was not afraid and would keep the shipments going if Turkey allowed the vessels to use the Bosphorus Strait. The other option is for Ukraine to export grain through the land route via Eastern Europe. But that has its own set of problems, including logistical challenges and the backlash from farmers in the region who are worried they will be undercut by the Ukrainians. All eyes will now be on an Africa-Russia summit later this month, where President Putin will face pressure from African nations that have been among the recipients of Ukrainian grain.

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In a shocking dereliction of duty, barrage gates of the Yamuna were found jammed, leading to flooding. Water pits were left open, resulting in drowning of unsuspecting people, going about their usual business

Less than a week ago, the country witnessed an unsavoury court battle between the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister in Delhi over who gets to chair the panel for cleaning the Yamuna. Yet when the Yamuna is in spate, displacing thousands and causing untold misery, neither of the two is willing to take responsibility for the damage caused by the rampaging river.

The inescapable conclusion is that a fight between politicians is mainly for the fishes and loaves of office; this was well summed up by a Shiv Sena (Shinde) minister when the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP joined the Government who said: We had a full loaf, from now on we will have to make do with half a loaf. Predominance of such disheartening news has made reading the morning newspaper a depressing task; as if images of the Russia-Ukraine war, and famine and strife in the Horn of Africa were not discouraging enough, we have our own mini civil war in Manipur. Then there are floods in North India, particularly in the capital city, Delhi. The fury of the rain god can neither be predicted nor lessened, but good planning and timely action can definitely mitigate human suffering when the skies burst.

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Digging deeper into the news, one feels even more disturbed: six Delhi Police personnel have been arrested in as many days for offences like bribery and extortion. In fact, in a viral video, policemen are seen running with the CBI team in hot pursuit ~ a case of cops and robbers both being policemen. One wonders, if the police cannot prevent their own colleagues from engaging in criminal activities, can a common man hope that the police could prevent criminals from targeting them?

Failure to prevent violence during and after the Bengal Panchayat Polls, which was apprehended by everyone, and which did take place, prove this proposition. Whatever be the official figures, if one believes newspapers, criminals of all hues ~ cyber criminals, extortionists, vigilantes, murderers and thieves etc. ~ appear to be having a field day. At the same time, again through newspaper reports, one gathers that the administrative and police machinery is in deep slumber, waking up only to collect hafta or at politically opportune times e.g., to demolish the houses of suspected criminals.

No wonder, the Worldwide Governance Indicators ( WGI) that ranks 215 countries and territories on six dimensions of governance viz. Voice and Accountability; Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism; Government Effectiveness; Regulatory Quality; Rule of Law; Control of Corruption, placed India at 68th place with a meagre score of 48.9 out of 100. Perhaps, the social and electronic media have started an avalanche of negative news, which is also reflected in the print media, but surely it is the job of the State to ensure peace and security everywhere.

WGI did attract the attention of the Government; three years ago, the Principal Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance, gave a presentation on ways to improve Indias ranking in WGI. Certain valid objections were raised about the methodology adopted for the WGI ranking, but unfortunately, the entire emphasis was on countering the negative commentary on India by think tanks, survey agencies and international media ~ not on improving governance.

The days seem long gone when some few upright men of sterling character, with meagre resources but full determination, could provide good governance to the entire country. The present lot of administrators is much better placed in terms of resources ~ financial, infrastructural and technological ~ yet the output is definitely poorer, with good reporting substituting for good governance.

With time, the public has lost all hope in a system in which administrators blame politicians, and vice versa, and both curse the elements, foreign powers, or even Nehru, when things go wrong, The recent floods in Delhi are a classic example of blame shifting, with the Central Government blaming the Delhi Government for inaction, the Delhi Government blaming the Central Government and its own bureaucrats (who are controlled by the Centre) and the bureaucrats holding a press conference against Delhi ministers ~ all at a time when the first priority of everyone should have been mitigation of human suffering and prevention of flooding. Significantly, after this surfeit of verbosity the Army and Navy were called in for flood control and relief, who quickly did the needful.

The Delhi floods raise a question that would, mutatis mundis, apply to all metropolises, where flooding has become increasingly common: Why were all kinds of Government sleeping when floodplains and wetlands were encroached, lakes and ponds were built upon, drains were not cleaned, and the Yamuna River was not desilted. In a shocking dereliction of duty, barrage gates of the Yamuna were found jammed, leading to flooding.

Water pits were left open, resulting in drowning of unsuspecting people, going about their usual business. Paying tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his birth anniversary (Good Governance Day, 25 December 2021), the then Vice-President Naidu observed that good governance needed good legislatures to oversee the performance of the executive. Mr. Naidu, lamented that in a serious abdication of its responsibility, the Rajya Sabha had lost about 61 per cent of Question Hour time, in the just concluded Winter Session, on account of disruptions. Unfortunately, disruption of Parliament has only increased in the last two years, leading to an unsupervised executive.

However, the problems of officialdom are of a more basic nature. Over the years the bureaucratic machinery has become increasingly slothful and corrupt; most Government schemes fail to deliver desired results because they are not implemented properly by ill-trained and lethargic bureaucrats, who treat Government employment as a sinecure. To improve the functioning of the bureaucracy, the Government had launched the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (Mission Karmayogi) in September 2020, with a timeline of one year. However, so far, Mission Karmayogi has not taken off; there has been no impetus in the training of civil servants, and in many cases, the right person is not in the right position. But a much simpler solution is possible; the Government can make decision-making transparent and make the bureaucracy responsible for the decisions taken by them, including reasons for not taking a decision.

All that went wrong in the aftermath of heavy rainfall in Delhi could have been significantly lessened if certain mundane tasks had been completed in time e.g., drains had been cleaned before the monsoon, Yamuna River had been desilted and the functioning of barrage gates checked.

However, the devastation during the floods shows that the thousands of employees, supervised by hundreds of officers, employed in various Government departments, for these very purposes, totally neglected their duties. Going by precedents, one can be sure that if any enquiry is held into the circumstances leading to the flood, and the deficient response thereto, everyone will be given a clean chit, or at the most some lowly functionary will get a slap on the wrist.

The much-reviled Emergency was the last occasion when the bureaucracy performed its assigned role e.g., meeting targets, running trains on time and being available in office during office hours, which leads one to conclude that wielding a big stick is required to make government functionaries fall in line. So, another necessary reform could be streamlining the convoluted procedure to book delinquent officers, that makes action against bureaucrats virtually impossible.

This would put the fear of God in bureaucrats, particularly lower-level functionaries, who are the first point of contact for citizens. Brooks Atkinson, a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter, had said: The perfect bureaucrat everywhere is the man who manages to make no decisions and escape all responsibility. Perhaps, we already have a perfect bureaucracy.

The writer is a retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax
Netflixs newest true crime documentary titled Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case, will revisit the case of Lucie Blackman. The series, which will premiere on July 26th, into the disappearance and murder of the 21-year-old British woman, who was working as a hostess in Tokyos Casablancas nightclub at the time of her death.

In the year 2000, Blackman and her friend Louise Phillips decided to leave their careers in the UK and travel to Japan for a year of new adventures. The buddies landed in Tokyo on a 90-day visa in May and switched their British Airways flight attendant jobs for a more relaxed pub gig in the citys famous Roppongi neighbourhood. In addition to pouring beverages and basic hostessing, the girls profession required them to go on paid dates once a month (called dhan in Japan), and on July 1, 2000, Blackman went out with a paying customer.

However, she did not return home from the date, disappearing without a trace, prompting the commencement of a global missing persons search to find her.

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But what happened to Lucie Blackman, and what is the true tale behind her disappearance? Heres a detailed timeline of everything that happened up until her body was discovered.

Phillips received a phone call from an unknown man the day after Blackmans date, following her failure to return home. Akira Takagi, the caller, informed her that Blackman had joined a religious cult and that she was undergoing training. He also said she would never see her pal again.

Phillips, understandably alarmed, called Blackmans family in the United Kingdom to inform them that she had no idea where their daughter was or what had happened to her. Sophie, Blackmans younger sister, arrived in Japan three days after her disappearance, followed by their father, Tim, a week later.

Who was Lucie Blackman

21-year-old Lucie Blackman from Sevenoaks, Kent, and one of her friends Louise Phillips reached Tokyo on a three-month-tourist-visas. They gave up their jobs with British Airways to travel around the world. The two women shared a first-floor room in a lodging house near Tokyos Olympic Stadium. And within days, they got a job at the Casablanca bar in Tokyo.

Miss Blackman disappeared after calling one Miss Phillips. She told her that she was going out for an afternoon with a man. She was wearing a one-piece black dress and black sandals, a silver necklace with a heart-shaped diamond, and a black handbag.

Later, Miss Phillips got a call from a man who introduces himself as Akira Takagi, who informed her that Miss Blackman has joined a religious cult and that she will not see her family or companions again.
Tensions flared in the Maharashtra legislative Assembly on Wednesday as a protest erupted among several MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The cause of the uproar was remarks made by Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi regarding Vande Mataram, the national song of India.

Azmis statement that we cant bow our heads to Vande Mataram because we believe in one Allah stirred a heated exchange between the BJP and the Opposition alliance, to which the Samajwadi Party belongs.

Abu Azmi further expressed disapproval of chanting Vande Mataram, citing religious reasons and saying, We can not bow down our heads on Vande Mataram because we believe in one Allah. We dont bow our heads to our mother.

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The BJP MLAs strongly objected to his views, leading to Speaker Rahul Narwekar intervening to call for decorum and focus on the listed issues for discussion. However, the protest persisted, leading the Speaker to adjourn the House for more than 10 minutes.

The controversy further sparked a political storm, compelling Abu Azmi to clarify his stance on the issue outside the Maharashtra assembly. He stated, I respect Vande Mataram, but I do not want to read it because my religion says we should not bow down to anyone except Allah.

Abu Azmi of SP says I wont say Vande Mataram- I wont bow my head as my religion doesnt allow Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this Anti India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A India in name but not in agenda! Earlier SP released terrorists & patronised Yakub,Afzal pic.twitter.com/AOV61BC8Iy  Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) July 19, 2023

In response to this, Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Abu Azmis statement, questioning the opposition alliances commitment to India. Poonawalla highlighted that the newly formed coalition, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), claimed to uphold India in its name but allegedly failed to prioritize Indian values.

As the political debate raged on, Poonawalla challenged prominent leaders of the newly formed alliance, including Mamata Banerjee, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi to clarify their stance on the matter. Many other social media users have called the politician out for the same on social media.
A day after the inaugural session of the US-South Korea security dialogue, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported citing Seouls military.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) South Korea said that the launches were detected from the Sunan area in Pyongyang between 3:30 am and 3:46 am (local time), and they flew some 550 kilometres before splashing into the sea. The JCS condemned the launches as acts of significant provocation that harms peace not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the international community, and as a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond overwhelmingly to any North Korean provocations, the Yonhap news agency quoted the JCS as saying in a text message sent to reporters.

Meanwhile, the missile launch came after South Korea and the United States held the inaugural meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) in Seoul the previous day to bolster the US extended deterrence commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to defend its ally.

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The meeting coincided with the arrival of USS Kentucky at a key naval base in Busan, 320 kilometres southeast of Seoul, marking the first port visit by an American nuclear-capable strategic submarine (SSBN) since USS Robert E. Lee in March 1981.

Earlier on June 12, Pyongyang test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 12, Yonhap news agency reported.
In a gripping twist in the ongoing pursuit of justice for the iconic musician Tupac Shakur, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police have taken a significant step forward. With unwavering determination, they executed a search warrant at a hidden location in Henderson, Nevada, reigniting hopes of finally unraveling the mystery behind Tupacs untimely death. This development has ignited curiosity and turned the spotlight towards the prime suspect in the case: Orlando Anderson.

Orlando Tive Baby Lane Anderson, a notorious American gang member, emerged as the central figure in the investigation into Tupac Shakurs murder. Affiliated with the South Side Compton Crips, a California-based gang, Anderson became the prime suspect in the eyes of Detective Tim Brennan from the Compton Police Department. However, it is important to note that Anderson consistently denied any involvement in the crime and was never formally charged. Tragically, his life was cut short at the age of 23 in 1998 when he fell victim to a separate gang-related shootout.

The origins of this deadly feud can be traced back to a fateful incident at Lakewood Mall in July 1996. Anderson and his entourage engaged in a violent altercation, targeting Trevon Lane, a member of Death Row Records, and forcibly taking his Death Row medallion. Rumors circulated suggesting that the Compton Crips, to which Anderson belonged, had placed a bounty on Death Row medallions as part of their rivalry with the record label. This brazen act of disrespect left Death Rows founder, Suge Knight, Tupac Shakur, and the entire Death Row camp seething with anger.

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Andersons life came to a tragic end on May 29, 1998, when he was fatally wounded in a gang-related shootout in Compton. According to Detective Brennan, Andersons murder stemmed from a dispute over drug money with a rival gang and was unrelated to the Shakur case.

As the investigation into Tupac Shakurs murder intensifies with the recent search warrant, all eyes are on the revelations that may come to light. The quest for answers continues, driven by a relentless determination to bring justice to Tupac and his grieving loved ones.
John M. Crisp , an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service, lives in Texas and can be reached at jcrispcolumns@gmail.com .
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- In the first half of this year, procuratorates across China assisted elderly people, disabled people and women suffering domestic violence in filing 43,000 civil lawsuits, 21.9 percent more than the figure for 2022, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Wednesday.

Those people who receive assistance faced harm to their interests but were afraid to file lawsuits or had no knowledge on the subject, according to the SPP.

In the first half of 2023, Chinese procuratorates also provided assistance to 37,000 legal case victims who were facing living difficulties as a result, up 65.7 percent year on year, the SPP said. 
Zhang Jun (L), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, talks with other delegates before a UN Security Council briefing on artificial intelligence at the UN headquarters in New York, July 18, 2023. Zhang on Tuesday called for true multilateralism in developing artificial intelligence (AI) governance.

As a double-edged sword, whether AI is good or evil depends on how it is utilized and regulated, and how to balance development and security, said Zhang at the briefing. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for true multilateralism in developing artificial intelligence (AI) governance.

As a double-edged sword, whether AI is good or evil depends on how it is utilized and regulated, and how to balance development and security, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, at a UN Security Council briefing on artificial intelligence.

"The international community should uphold the spirit of true multilateralism, engage in extensive dialogue, constantly seek consensus, and explore the development of guiding principles for AI governance," he said.

China supports the central coordinating role of the United Nations in this regard, and supports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' efforts in holding in-depth discussions among all parties, as well as the full participation of all countries, especially developing countries, in participating in this cause and making their own contributions, he said.

Zhang stressed the principle of putting ethics first in developing AI.

The potential impact of AI may exceed human cognitive boundaries. To ensure that this technology always benefits humanity, it is necessary to take a people-centered and AI-for-good approach. Based on this approach, efforts should be made to gradually establish and improve ethical norms, laws, regulations, and policy systems for AI, he said.

There are many uncertainties in the development and application of AI-related technologies, and safety is the bottom line that must be upheld, he said.

"The international community needs to enhance risk awareness, establish effective risk warning and response mechanisms, ensure that risks beyond human control do not occur, and ensure that autonomous machine killing does not occur," he said. "We need to strengthen the detection and evaluation of the entire life cycle of AI, ensuring that mankind has the ability to press the stop button at critical moments."

Equal access and utilization of AI technology products and services by developing countries are crucial to bridging the technological, digital, and development divides between the North and the South, he said.

A certain developed country, in order to seek technological hegemony, seeks to build exclusive small circles, maliciously obstructs the technological development of other countries, and artificially creates technological barriers. China firmly opposes these practices, he said.

The development of science and technology needs to achieve a relative balance between technological progress and safe applications. The best path is to maintain open cooperation, encourage interdisciplinary, inter-industrial, inter-regional, and cross-border exchanges and dialogues, and oppose various forms of exclusive clubs, decoupling and disconnection, said Zhang.

"We need to promote coordination and interaction among international organizations, government departments, research and educational institutions, enterprises, and the public in the field of AI development and governance under the UN framework, and jointly create an open, inclusive, just, and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological development," he said.

The fundamental purpose of developing AI technologies is to enhance the common well-being of humanity. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on exploring the potential of AI in promoting sustainable development, promoting cross-disciplinary integration and innovation, and better empowering the global development cause, he said.

All countries should uphold a responsible defense policy and oppose the use of AI to seek military hegemony or to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, he said.

China has always participated in global cooperation and governance on AI with a highly responsible attitude. China stands ready to work with the international community to actively implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative in the field of AI. China will continue to prioritize development, maintain common security, promote cross-cultural exchanges and cooperation, and work with other countries to share the benefits of AI, while jointly preventing and responding to risks and challenges, he said. 
Inner Mongolia is home to about one-fifth of China's grasslands. Once threatened by desertification and degradation, the grasslands there have regained vitality in recent years. Join Xinhua's Liu Yutian and a Ghanaian expat to explore how technology has played a role in the process. #GLOBALink







Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Job Title: Parts Sales Representative (Fresher Jobs)

Organisation: CFAO Motors Uganda (formerly Toyota Uganda Limited)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

CFAO Motors Uganda is the exclusive manufacturer-authorised distributor of brand-new Toyota Vehicles and genuine parts in Uganda, as well as exclusively offering Toyota Manufacturers warranty. CFAO Motors Uganda is a subsidiary of CFAO Automotive, a division of the CFAO Group, which is part of Toyota Tsusho Corporation.

CFAO Motors Uganda are also the official distributors of brand-new Suzuki vehicles, Yamaha motorcycles, Hino Trucks, and Toyota forklifts. The company also proposes a range of short and long-term lease and car rental solutions for businesses through the LOXEA brand and its partner Avis Fleet. It also provides a raft of other services to expand the offering, including fleet management, geolocation, telematics and more.

Job Summary: The Parts Sales Representative will achieve departmental revenue targets and customer satisfaction by effectively selling parts to existing and new customers through prospecting, making sales, reporting on progress and debtors.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Achieve sales targets through effectively selling parts.

Record service rate and lost sales data accurately.

Provide Customer service assistance in terms of technical advice and respond to enquiries by customers.

Prepare quotations requested by retail customers, fleet owners and workshop.

Demonstrate the functioning and operation of products.

Ensure timely debt collection from customers









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant must hold a Bachelors degree or Diploma in a related business discipline or Automotive Engineering.

At least two years of experience in sales and marketing.

Knowledge of sales and marketing processes

Intermediate Computer usage

Commercial power

Good salesmanship  ability to develop and maintain good customer relationships.

Good communication skills, both verbal and written

Problem analysis and solving

Behavioral attributes

Integrity

Assertiveness

Cooperation and teamwork

Flexibility

Pro activeness

How to Apply:

All candidates should apply online at the link below.

Click Here

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Photo provided by the Chinese medical team to Ghana and taken on July 10, 2023 shows Chinese and Ghanaian doctors posing for a group photo after a surgery at a hospital in Oti Region, Ghana.(Xinhua)

The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team to Ghana has successfully carried out more than 100 free surgeries on local patients living in some poverty-stricken areas of Ghana's Oti Region, the team told Xinhua Tuesday.

ACCRA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The 12th batch of the Chinese medical team to Ghana has successfully carried out more than 100 free surgeries on local patients living in some poverty-stricken areas of Ghana's Oti Region, the team told Xinhua Tuesday.

The week-long activity that ended on July 14 was spearheaded by dozens of Ghanaian doctors and the Chinese medical team, aiming to offer door-to-door service to low-income residents struggling to pay their medical bills.

According to Xie Shuangcong, a member of the Chinese medical team, local residents living in Worawora town have been long facing a shortage of medical resources, including medical staff and operating rooms.

"Carrying out surgeries in such conditions also posed a grave challenge for all the Chinese doctors, who have been racing against the clock to save more patients," Xie said.

Photo provided by the Chinese medical team to Ghana and taken on July 10, 2023 shows Chinese and Ghanaian doctors performing surgeries at a hospital in Oti Region, Ghana.(Xinhua)

"We spent around 16 hours in the operating room every day, though sometimes it was already midnight, we could still see some patients queuing up outside the hospital," said Zuo Fan, a gynecologist of the team, adding that local patients' trust has tremendously encouraged him to work even harder.

Zuo told Xinhua that during a cesarean section, they found that one of the newborn infants suffered severe asphyxia and almost lost breathing and heartbeat, and the doctors instantly came to the rescue.

"After more than ten minutes of CPR, we finally heard the infant's first cry, which made us feel delighted and honored," Zuo added.

According to the team, aside from the surgeries, the Chinese doctors also provided free medical consulting to more than 1,000 locals in the region, which was also highly acclaimed by Ghanaian health officials and residents.

The team, which comprises 11 members from south China's Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, began their one-year service here in March. 
Job Title: Fares and Distribution Executive

Organisation: Uganda National Airlines Company Limited

Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda

Reports to: Assistant Manager, Ticketing and Reservations

About US:

Uganda Airlines is the flag carrier of Uganda. The company is a revival of the older Uganda Airlines which operated from 1977 until 2001. It began flying in August 2019.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Achieve load factor and revenue KPIs through the application of class-mix management.

Analyze data to identify booking trends, product performance, network transfers, etc. to take proactive measures to enhance and protect AWAs diverse revenue streams.

Devise control strategies to prevent revenue loss due to spoilage due to duplicate, fake, and/or partly paid bookings.

Evaluate market conditions and trends to inform inventory management decisions

Monitor route performance vis-a-vis agreed targets and liaise with the sales team to identify opportunities and threats proactively and take appropriate measures to ensure route revenue targets are achieved.

Liaise with other units and departments to identify and capitalize on potential revenue generation opportunities.

Provide support to interline and codeshare partners as required; conduct analysis of interline traffic being received from various partners.

Provide revenue performance reports on a weekly basis.

Ensure the fare filing process for quick and accurate fare filing is adhered to by all relevant parties.

Work closely with ATPCO and SITA for opportunities to improve the fare filing efficiency of Uganda Airlines.

Perform administrative processes such as updates of the Passenger Air Tariff Manual and passenger tax filing and ensure they are done in a timely and accurate manner.

Administer contracts and ensure billing with fare filing-related vendors are done in a timely and accurate manner.

Support any review of system enhancement and process reengineering to improve fare distribution efficiency.

Be the point of contact for all fare filing-related issues with stations and the pricing team.

Perform direct fare filing into ATPCO if necessary.

Provide advice to pricing teams in Head Office and overseas stations for filing approaches that achieve the desired commercial outcome by fully exploiting the capability of the fare filing system.

Research and develop a filing approach to achieve commercial objectives for cross-selling, ancillary bundling, and personalization.

Effective dissemination of tariff updates to the pricing team or relevant frontline sales and marketing staff.

Monitor SLA compliance with fare filing vendor.

Assist in managing a team of support staff in fare filing activities.

Perform fare filing and coding directly into ATPCO Fare Manager or any tools that may be made available for fare and product distribution.

Support customization of corporate contracts

Assess and improve the effectiveness of fare filing by the vendor. Monitor SLA of fare filing vendor.

Any other administrative duties required to support the activities of the department.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant for the Uganda Airlines Fares and Distribution Executive must hold a Bachelors degree

An IATA diploma an added advantage.

At least four years of experience in fares management, preferably in the Airline, Travel or Hospitality industry

Experience in pricing, tariff, and distribution

Prior fare filing experience using ATPCO will be a significant advantage

How to Apply:

All candidates who wish to join Uganda Airlines in this capacity should apply online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 31st July 2023

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
The Bengaluru city crime branch (CCB), on Wednesday, arrested five persons suspected of hatching a conspiracy to carry out terror attacks in the city. The CCB police, based on credible information, arrested the suspects  Suhail, Umar, Zahid, Mudasir and Faisal, from a house in Kanakanagar (Sultanpalya) in the Hebbal police station limits and also recovered seven country made pistols, 42 live bullets, walkie talkie sets, 12 mobile phones and two daggers and modern communication devices.



Bengaluru city police commissioner B. Dayananda, during a press meet, said, The CCB police has been successful in pre-empting and preventing a possible subversive activity in Bengaluru city. During preliminary investigation it was revealed that the accused had planned to carry out subversive activities The main accused Junaid is now absconding and is likely to be abroad. Junaid, an accused in the murder of one Noor Ahmad of RT Nagar, came in contact with alleged terrorist T Nazeer, who is an accused in the 2008 serial blast case. The duo radicalised the five accused in the Bengaluru (Parappana Agrahara) central jail. The five accused has spent 18 months in jail in the Noor Ahmad murder case. Junaid activated the terror module, provided funds through Google Pay and other channels and also equipment, to carry out subversive activities, informed the commissioner.



A case has been registered in Hebbal police station and the accused have been taken into police custody for 15 days. We have invoked Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and are investigating to ascertain the possible involvement of anti-national and anti-social elements and the motive and magnitude of their gameplan. We have formed a special team to investigate into the case and are in touch with central investigating agencies too, said the commissioner.



The police also confirmed that Junaid and his 20 accomplices had kidnapped a rival Noor Ahmad and hacked him to death in 2017. The radicalisation of the local rowdysheeters happened when they were all lodged in the Parappana Agrahara jail. All the accused are residents of Bengaluru and are in the age group of 25-35 years.



In 2020, Junaid had again landed in jail in another (red sanders) case and come in contact with Nazeer, who has links with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and is an accused in 19 cases including the 2008 Kozhikode serial bomb blast case. Only further interrogation would reveal their possible links with other terror outfits and modules, added Dayanand.



The arrests have once again exposed the sorry state of vigilance inside the prisons as many instances of criminals being radicalised inside the prisons are now being reported. To a question on prisons turning into safe havens for radicalisation, the commissioner said, Prison is a place where all the criminals meet and naturally there is exchange of information and ideas. One person can radicalise many. However, we can keep stricter watch and observe and conduct prison raids from time to time, admitted the commissioner.






It has taken a year for his first official trip to India. But Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be in India in an effort to make up for lost time. He will be in Delhi on July 20-21. On the agenda will be closer cooperation between the two neighbours and on enhanced connectivity.

The visit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is beginning to show signs of recovery. The countrywhich had been plunged into an economic crisis over the past yearhas received a bailout of 2.9 billion dollars from the IMF in March spread over four years. But difficult decisions will need to be made. And Wickremesinghe is in the hot seat to make it happen.

Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The visit will reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutual beneficial cooperation across sectors, a read out by the ministry of external affairs said.

Wickremesinghe who has taken over after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ousted, has the hard task of reviving the economy on the brink of a collapse. India emerged as a good neighbour during the economic crisis. A bail out with line of credit and financial assistance worth 4 billion dollars has been extended. It is no secret that India did reach out to the IMFto buttress the Sri Lankan caseso that the bail out could be secured.

On the cards of the visit will be discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a meeting with President Draupadi Murmu. But it will be a whirlwind visit. According to the Sunday Times, the President will be in India only for 27 hours. While the President has been considered pro-Indiaand pushed for closer economic tiesthe intentions could not be realised. The distrust between him and Prime Minister Maithripala Sirisena ensured his tilt towards India could not be converted into any concrete gains. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, so far has not been signed.

Sri Lanka will certainly be hoping to attract investments. And there may be a few on the anvil. There are talks of an oil pipeline connecting Nagapattinam, Trincomalee and Colombo. The two countries are also looking to have more air connectivity too.

But the shadow of the dragon remains. The Hambantota Port has been leased to China for 99 years to settle the debts. The docking Yaun Wong5, which was referred to by China as a scientific research vessel and viewed in India a surveillance ship in August has certainly ruffled feathers in South Block. Especially, as the incident took place soon after India has chosen to help Sri Lanka financially. There has been an attempt by Sri Lanka to assuage Indias fears, too. With a standard operating procedure for future calls on military research vessels and craft.
Just as the opposition parties named their alliance INDIA, the BJP has launched an scathing attack on the coalition, stating a new name won't change their character. The two-day meet of 26 opposition parties hosted by the Congress in Bengaluru decided on Tuesday to call itself INDIA, an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance.

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya took to Twitter to lash out at the opposition, stating the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had to acquire a new identity even when those who are part of the alliance haven't changed. "National Democratic Alliance was founded in 1998. 25 years later, on a day, an expanded, stronger, NDA is meeting. The UPA had to kill its existence and acquire a new identity, even when those, who are part of the new' alliance, haven't changed," he said.



"Character doesn't change by changing names," Malviya tweeted.



National Democratic Alliance was founded in 1998. 25 years later, on a day, an expanded, stronger, NDA is meeting, the UPA had to kill its existence and acquire a new identity, even when those, who are part of the new alliance, havent changed



       Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 18, 2023

In another tweet, Malviya said UPA had become synonymous with corruption and regressive politics and the same players are now regrouping under a different name. "But the new name of the opposition alliance will not make them any more credible," he said, adding that people will banish them to boondocks.



The BJP leader alleged it is apparent that the opposition parties have come together to save their shrinking turfs, not serve the people.



The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which met in Delhi on Tuesday, too hit out at the opposition parties, calling them "disoriented and confused." In its resolution, the NDA said the opposition is faced with a crisis of identity and relevance. "Today, the opposition is confused and disoriented."



Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal founder and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha too took to Twitter to poke fun at the new coalition, stating "It will now be Bharat Mata versus INDIA." He called the opposition's INDIA grouping an alliance of those who fill their pockets with the hard-earned money of the people and suck poor people's blood.



"Our civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies."



Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to opposition's INDIA by changing his Twitter bio from 'Chief Minister of Assam, India' to 'Chief Minister of Assam, BHARAT'



He tweeted, stating India civilisational conflict is pivoted around India and Bharat. "The British named our country as India. We must strive to free ourselves from colonial legacies. Our forefathers fought for Bharat, and we will continue to work for Bharat . BJP for BHARAT," his tweet read.



NDA resolution

The NDA has passed a resolution stating that it will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he will return to the helm for a third straight term with a "huge majority".



"As the world's most popular leader, Modi enjoys the unwavering trust of millions of Indians," the resolution said. It added that people's support for the ruling coalition grew manifold in 2019 than in 2014 under Modi and added that the voters had been rejecting and rubbishing the lies, rumours and baseless allegations of opposition parties.



"All parties part of the NDA repose full faith in the leadership of PM Modi to attain a bigger mandate in 2024 than that won in 2019," they said.



Shiv Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde proposed the resolution in the meeting while the AIADMK's K Palaniswami and the AGP's Atul Bora supported it. "All constituents of the NDA resolved that it will unitedly contest the Lok Sabha elections under PM Modi's leadership and he for the third consecutive time will become the prime minister of the country with a huge majority," it said.


Two militants were killed by security forces while trying to infiltrate into the Machil sector at Kupwara in north Kashmir on Wednesday.

"Two terrorists killed and four AK rifles, six hand grenades and other war-like stores have been recovered. Operation in progress," a tweet from the northern command said.

The operation was jointly conducted by Army, BSF and J&K Police.



The fresh infiltration bid comes a day after security forces killed four foreign militants in the Sindhara area of Poonch. The killing happened after a cordon and search operation was launched in the area after receiving intel about the presence of four militants.

"#IndianArmy & @JKP near Sindarah and Maidana villages in tehsil #Surankote of #Poonch district. Along with the terrorists four AK 47, two Pistols & other war-like stores were also recovered. Elimination of these terrorists has avoided major terrorist-initiated incidents in #Rajouri & #Poonch area. Search Operations are still in Progress," the northern command's tweet read.



The encounter started on Monday evening. Reinforcement rushed to the area, and the first engagement happened at 11.30 pm. Surveillance equipment, including drones, was deployed by Armys Special Forces, Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police to locate the militants.


Amid reports that the mystery space junk discovered on an Australian beach belonged to the ISRO, the space agency said it can't confirm whether or not the giant metal dome belonged to it.

ISRO chief S Somanath said the canister-like object was indeed part of a rocket. "We can't confirm it's ours unless we analyse it," S Somanath told the BBC.



His response comes amid reports that the object found at Green Head beach north of Perth was space junk and could be part of India's space mission.



The cylindrical object, about 2.5m wide and between 2.5m and 3m long, was covered with barnacles, prompting Australian authorities to confirm that the object was lying in water for some time. The Western Australia Police Force said the item is believed to be "space debris" and according to the Australian Space Agency, it could be an "object from a foreign space launch vehicle."



However, Alice Gorman, a space archaeologist from Flinders University in Adelaide, said the cylinder is likely the third phase of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) previously launched by India. "It is identical in dimension and materials, Gorman told CNN.



European Space Agency engineer Andrea Boyd too said the item fell off an Indian rocket. "We're pretty sure based on the shape and the size, it is an upper-stage engine from an Indian rocket that's used for a lot of different missions," she said. "Based on the amount of barnacles, it's probably not the one from this year," she said.



Boyd said the engine was designed to fall off after the launch. "It takes a lot of effort to get up to orbit, so the first and second and third stage (engines) usually fall off and end up in the Indian Ocean, so it's probably come from that with the currents and washed up on the beach," she said.



To this, Somnath said it could be a PSLV or any other. "Unless we see and analyse it, it cannot be confirmed," he said. The ISRO chief, however, added that some of the PSLV parts are known to have fallen in the sea beyond Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone and the object may have been floating for a long time and finally reached shore.



Meanwhile, Australian authorities are now treating the item as a "hazardous" item and have urged people to keep a safe distance as it could contain toxic materials.


Karnataka Assembly speaker U.T. Khader on Wednesday suspended 10 BJP MLAs till the end of the ongoing Legislature session for "unruly behaviour" in the House and for showing disrespect to the chair by flinging torn copies of the bills at the chair.

Interestingly, both the BJP and the JD(S) have issued notice seeking to move a no confidence motion against the Speaker.

The suspended MLAs are Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan, V. Sunil Kumar, R. Ashoka, Araga Jnanendra (all former ministers), D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Yashpal Suvarna, Dheeraj Muniraj, A. Umanath Kotian, Arvind Bellad and Y. Bharath Shetty.

On Wednesday, the House witnessed chaotic scenes when the BJP members entered the well of the House to protest against the Congress government deploying IAS officers for the two-day meeting of opposition parties held in the city this week. The BJP alleged it was a misuse of government machinery as it was a political programme.

The BJP legislators also objected to the speaker's decision to conduct the House proceedings (budget discussion and passage of bills) without giving a lunch break and tore the copies of the bills. They flung the paper bits at Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani who was officiating the proceedings in the absence of the Speaker. Lamani asked the marshals to send the agitating members out of the House and finally adjourned the proceedings.

When the House resumed in the afternoon, Speaker U.T. Khader told the legislators that they were doing a grave injustice to the people of the state and also tarnishing the image of the state Assembly by their bad conduct. The Speaker suspended the 10 BJP MLAs after Law Minister H.K. Patil moved a motion seeking the suspension.

In the meantime, Congress minister Krishna Byregowda raised eyebrows after he targeted the BJP for insulting a dalit deputy speaker. He was criticised for choosing to identify the deputy speaker only by his caste.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday denied reports that he was dissatisfied with the opposition conclave held in Bengaluru for not being made the convenor of the newly formed alliance and that he was not happy with its acronym INDIA.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating a month-long Malmas Mela' here, Kumar claimed that the BJP will be wiped out in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The meeting was very fruitful and we all are very happy with the outcome. I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape, the JD(U) leader said.

Soon after the conclave attended by 26 parties across the country, BJP leader Sushil Modi had claimed that Kumar returned to Patna without attending the press meet as he was upset over not being made the convenor of the alliance.

Kumar asked, "Who takes Sushil Modi seriously? Was he there at the meeting?"

The de facto leader of the JD(U) reiterated that he does not have any ambition for himself.

We are working to unify all non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Patna opposition meet was attended by 16 parties and there were 26 parties in Bengaluru. Our numbers are increasing and the unity of the opposition parties is getting strengthened," he said.

Kumar claimed that the number of alliance partners will increase further.

He, however, did not close the parties which are likely to join INDIA.

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 non-BJP parties on Tuesday formed the coalition - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) - to unitedly take on the ruling NDA.

"I am telling you that the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls will be in favour of the opposition alliance and the BJP will be finished, said Kumar.

He also denied the BJP's claim that the Bihar chief minister was unhappy with the acronym of the coalition INDIA.

"The name of the alliance was given after a detailed deliberation in the meeting. The name was decided unanimously. It's a good name INDIA means Bharat. Don't go by what the BJP leaders are saying," Kumar said.

Reacting to the NDA meeting held in Delhi on Tuesday, Kumar claimed the BJP is scared of opposition unity.

"No meeting of the NDA partners took place after Atal Bihari Vajpayee Jee. NDA meetings used to take place during Ataljee's tenure. After that, there was no NDA at all," he said.

Claiming the NDA has a number of small parties that people don't even know, the Bihar chief minister said, "There is no comparison between our opposition alliance and the NDA.

Without taking the name of Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM-Secular) party being an NDA partner, he said, I made him (Manjhi) the CM in Biharnow he has joined the NDA. He was working as the BJP's spy.

Earlier in the day, JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' described as "dushprachar" (canard) of the NDA reports of Kumar being unhappy with the acronym 'INDIA' and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition.

He also asserted that selecting the convenor was not on the agenda of Tuesday's meeting.

It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai.... Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry," Lalan said in Patna.
The water level of Yamuna breached the danger mark once again on Wednesday morning as Delhi and the upper reaches of the river continued to receive downpour. The water level had gone down the threshold during the early hours of Wednesday.

According to the Central Water Commission, the water level reached 205.48 metres at 8 am. It is expected to rise to 205.72 metres by 6 pm.



The flow rate at the Hathnikund barrage saw a marginal rise on Tuesday afternoon, oscillating between 50,000 and 60,000 cusecs. It dropped to around 39,000 cusecs by 7 am on Wednesday, reported PTI.



Heavy rainfall in Mumbai



The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its suburbs on Wednesday. An orange alert is in place for the city and Thane while a red alert has been issued for neighbouring Raigad and Palghar districts.



The island city of Mumbai, eastern suburbs, and western suburbs received 17.44 mm, 22.55 mm and 18.87 mm rainfall, respectively, between 8 am and 6 pm on Tuesday, the city civic body said.



The IMD Mumbai officials said their observatories in Colaba (representative of the island city) and Santacruz (representative of suburbs) recorded 102.4 mm and 109.7 mm of rainfall, respectively, in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday.



Uttarakhand, Himachal



The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy-to-very heavy rain at isolated places in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh until July 22.



Assam



#WATCH | Assam: Flood situation in several areas of Sivasagar, due to rise in water level of Disang & Dikhow rivers. NDRF & SDRF team rescue people from affected areas. pic.twitter.com/Q2ozc8HzwX  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

Though the flood situation in Assam improved on Tuesday, many parts of the state, including Sivasagar district, continue to suffer. As per the officials, nearly 18,000 people were affected in Sivasagar alone while over 89,000 people were hit across 16 districts.



The death toll in the flood this year so far has been eight, with no fatality reported in the last 24 hours, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) bulletin said.



At least four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, are flowing above the danger level at multiple locations. Assam State Disaster Management Authority said 54 villages under two revenue circles, Nazira and Sivasagar, have been affected. The district administration has set up 11 camps and five relief distribution centres.



Apart from Sivasagar, Golaghat remained the worst-hit district with 32,815 people affected, followed by Dhemaji with 23,798. As many as 2,333 flood-hit people are staying at 22 relief camps and another 39 relief distribution centres are also functional.



Various agencies, including district administrations, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force, have been pressed into rescue operations with 582 people and 30 animals evacuated by boats in the last 24 hours, it said.


Norway's Data Protection Authority, known as Datatilsynet, has taken a significant step to safeguard users' privacy by temporarily banning behavioural advertising on Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, the parent company. This decision comes as a response to the recent ruling by the EU's Court of Justice (CJEU), which found Meta's behavioural advertising practices to be incompatible with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The ban will be in effect from August 4 for a period of three months, during which Meta's platforms will not be allowed to engage in behavioural advertising in Norway. If Meta fails to comply with the legal requirements, it could face fines of up to 88,600 per day.

Datatilsynet's head, Tobias Judin, stated that commercial surveillance for marketing purposes poses a significant threat to data protection on the internet. The ban is aimed at giving users in Norway greater control over their data and protecting their rights. With a considerable number of Norwegians using Facebook (82%) and Instagram (65%), the authority felt the need for urgent action.

How Does the Ban Affect Users? It's important to note that the ban does not mean Facebook and Instagram will be blocked in Norway. Rather, the goal is to ensure that these services can be used securely while protecting users' privacy rights. Personalized advertising based on information provided by users in their profiles, such as location, gender, and age, will still be permitted. The decision only targets behavioural advertising, which relies on hidden tracking and profiling.

Behavioural advertising is a practice used by companies to show targeted ads to individuals based on their online behavior. It involves extensive data collection, tracking, and profiling to create detailed profiles of users, including their interests, preferences, and even personal information. Behavioural advertising has raised concerns about limited freedom of expression, potential discrimination, and interference in democratic processes. By using tracking and profiling, advertisers can manipulate what users see, leading to biased information and potentially reinforcing stereotypes. The targeting of political ads based on behavioural data is particularly worrisome from a democratic standpoint.

With Meta's European headquarters based in Dublin, the Irish Data Protection Commission typically oversees the company in the European Economic Area (EEA). However, Norway's Data Protection Authority can intervene directly in cases of urgency, leading to the temporary ban. The authority is also considering seeking input from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) after the summer to decide on further measures.

Meta, previously known as Facebook, has expressed disagreement with the Norwegian Data Protection Authority's decision. The company retains the right to challenge the ban in the Oslo District Court.

The ban on behavioural advertising will serve as a precedent in Europe, and it remains to be seen how other countries and regulators will respond to Meta's data-driven business practices. Meanwhile, the Irish Data Protection Commission is also investigating Meta's advertising practices and is expected to reach a decision on the matter in mid-August.
Physicists at the Macroscopic Quantum Matter Research Group, School of Physics, University College Cork, have unveiled a new type of superconductor that could pave the way for transformative advancements in quantum computing. This cutting-edge material, called uranium ditelluride (UTe2), exhibits remarkable properties that might address one of the most significant challenges in quantum computing, opening up a new frontier for future technology.

Understanding Superconductors: Power Without Resistance

Before delving into the exciting breakthrough, let's grasp the concept of superconductors. Superconductors are extraordinary materials that behave remarkably at extremely low temperatures. They possess the remarkable property of zero electrical resistance, meaning electricity can flow through them without any loss of energy or heat generation. This phenomenon was discovered in 1911 by Dutch physicist Kamerling-Ohnes and has since played a crucial role in various industries and technologies, including quantum computing and energy-related applications.

Superconductors operate on a principle called Cooper pairing, where electrons bind together in pairs. These paired electrons form what is known as a macroscopic quantum mechanical fluid. The intriguing part is that, contrary to their natural repulsion, these electron pairs exhibit an attractive interaction when they become Cooper pairs, thanks to quantum mechanics.

A new frontier in quantum computing

One of the long-standing challenges in quantum computing involves the stability of qubits, which are the basic units of quantum information. Unlike classical bits, which can hold either a 0 or 1 value, qubits can exist in a superposition, representing both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This property allows quantum computers to store vast amounts of data and solve complex problems with unprecedented speed.

However, a major hurdle lies in the vulnerability of qubits to disturbances. In existing quantum computers, qubits are often easily disrupted, rendering them unstable and leading to errors during computation.

UTe2: The key to quantum computing's future?

Enter uranium ditelluride (UTe2), a new superconductor that researchers believe could revolutionize quantum computing. Through the use of advanced quantum microscopy techniques, scientists at the Macroscopic Quantum Matter Group made a significant discovery: Cooper pairs in UTe2 demonstrate behavior reminiscent of classical rotation but on a quantum mechanical level.

This observation has garnered considerable excitement in the scientific community as it suggests that UTe2 may belong to a unique class of superconductors, known as topological superconductors. These materials possess special properties that enable qubits to be remarkably resilient to external disturbances, addressing the stability issue that has limited the practical application of quantum computers.

The promise of topological quantum computing

Topological quantum computing represents a promising avenue for developing highly stable and powerful quantum computers. In topological superconductors, qubits can exist for extended periods without collapsing into their lowest energy state, effectively preserving quantum states during computations.

If UTe2 indeed belongs to this exclusive category of superconductors, it could become a game-changer in the world of quantum computing. The discovery has already sparked significant interest, with major players in the technology industry, like Microsoft, investing heavily in topological quantum computing research.

Unraveling the mysteries of UTe2

While the discovery of UTe2's remarkable properties is a major milestone, there is still much to uncover about this extraordinary material. Scientists will continue to study its fundamental superconducting properties, laying the groundwork for the development of more practical and stable quantum computers.

As the world moves closer to unlocking the full potential of quantum computing, researchers at the Macroscopic Quantum Matter Research Group and beyond remain committed to solving the remaining pieces of the UTe2 puzzle. With each step forward, we inch closer to a future where quantum computers could reshape industries, revolutionize technology, and tackle challenges that have eluded classical computers.

The discovery of UTe2 represents not only a triumph in fundamental science but also offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of quantum computing. As we unravel the secrets of these exotic superconductors, the future of computing might be forever transformed.
A US soldier, on Tuesday night, crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea into North Korea. This is the first time a US soldier has crossed into North Korea in decades. The last time such an incident occurred was in 1982.



The soldier has been identified as Pvt. Travis King, a soldier, reported to the base at Fort Bliss, Texas. The US military is attempting to assess the situation and establish the fate of King. The incident throws Washington, who currently has a tense relationship with the North in a more difficult position.

King willfully and without authorization crossed into North Korea while taking a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area, US military officials said, CNN reported. We believe he is currently in (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) custody and is working with our (Korean Peoples Army) counterparts to resolve this incident, US Forces Korea spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor said in a statement to CNN.

King, who was detained in South Korea on assault charges for roughly two months was escorted to an airport for a flight back to the US. He, however, joined a civilian tour to the border and later crossed into the North.

The border between the North and the South is known as the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and cross-border crossings are highly unusual. There has never been peace between the neighbouring nations as there was never a permanent peace agreement to end the Korean War, which began in 1950. Only tourists from South Korea are allowed to visit the area after the 1953 armistice created the Joint Security Area. Unarmed soldiers are allowed in the area too.

Relations between the US and North Korea have also been fraught, especially in the last couple of years when the North has been testing ballistic and cruise missiles at increasing frequencies. Kim Jong Un's talks with former president Donald Trump ended abruptly without any diplomatic breakthroughs.

The North has been particularly vexed since an April summit between President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, where it was decided that US nuclear submarines would resume visits to the Korean peninsula.

What's next for King?

It is unclear as to the amount of information King could provide the North with. Having spent time at a military installation, he could give details like base layouts or what units and numbers of troops are there. Being a US soldier and citizen gives North Korea a valuable bargaining chip. The North could also use King for building on propaganda.

According to a CNN report, The United Nations Command, which oversees operations in the DMZ, said it was working with our (North) Korean Peoples Army counterparts to resolve this incident. It is unclear as to what the North might demand in return for King to be sent back to the US.

Previous incidents



There have been instances of Americans crossing into the North.

In 1965, Charles Jenkins, a US Army sergeant deserted his post and crossed the DMZ. He was used as an asset to further patriotic propaganda and was featured on leaflets and films.

In 1980, Jenkins married a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978. in 2002, Soga was allowed to return to Japan and Jenkins was allowed to join his wife in Japan in 2004. There, he surrendered to US military authorities and was dishonourably discharged and sentenced to 25 years for defection. He died in Japan in 2017.

In September 2014, Matthew Miller was sentenced to six years of hard labour by North Koreas Supreme Court on charges of illegally entering the country for spying purposes. Miller admitted to wanting to experience North Korean prison life to investigate the countrys human rights conditions.



Eventually, Miller was freed in November 2014 along with another American, Kenneth Bae, a missionary and tour leader.



In November 2012, Bae, a Korean-American missionary from Washington was arrested while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone. Bae was sentenced to 15 years in prison for hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature. In November 2014, Bae returned to the US as a result of a secret mission by James Clapper, then-U.S. director of national intelligence.



A month before Bae and Millers release, North Korea also freed Jeffrey Fowle, who was detained for six months for leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin. North Korea is largely known to be strictly anti-religious.



In January 2016, a student from Virginia, Otto Warmbier was held for trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years of hard labour. Warmbier suffered brain damage while serving time and was flown home in a vegetative state after 17 months in captivity. He died a week later.

-- With inputs from AP via PTI
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that any attempt to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visits South Africa would be a declaration of war against Russia. Putin has been invited to the BRICS summit in Johannesburg next month.

The President's stance was made clear in the affidavit submitted before a court. "Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war. It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia," the affidavit read.



Ramaphosa said South Africa is one of several African nations holding talks with Russia and Ukraine aiming to end the war altogether and the attempt to arrest Putin would be counter-productive, adding that this would go against his duty to protect the country.



Ramphosa's statement comes amid the arrest warrant issued against Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a provision that Pretoria as a member nation would be obligated to execute.



However, South Africa has shown reluctance to do so as Ramphosa warns enacting the arrest could threaten the security, peace and order of the state. The affidavit was signed in June and made public on Tuesday.



As per the ICC treaty, a member country should consult the court when it faces issues that stop it from executing an arrest warrant. The ICC may not go ahead with requesting the arrest if it would require a state to break international rules on diplomatic immunity. South Africa had earlier too refused to arrest Sudan's then-President Omar al-Bashir against whom ICC had issued an arrest warrant in 2015.



However, Ramaphosa is facing pressure from his opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which is forcing authorities to carry out an arrest on Putin should he set foot in the country. Ramaphosa described the DA demand as "irresponsible" and said national security was at stake.



DA leader John Steenhuisen said Ramaphosas argument that South Africa risked war with Russia was "farcical" and "flimsy". "When foreign policy decisions can decimate South Africas international reputation  and decimate our economy, it is crucial that government uphold its obligation to be open and transparent," Steenhuisen said in a statement.


China said on Wednesday it has dispatched navy ships in preparation for joint exercises with Russia's sea forces, in a sign of Beijing's continuing support for Moscow's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.



The move comes despite the growing economic and humanitarian repercussions of the bloody 16 month-old air, sea and ground assault.

China claims to be neutral in the conflict, but has accused the US and its allies of provoking Russia and has maintained robust economic, diplomatic and trade ties with Moscow.

The exercise involves more than 10 ships and 30-plus aircraft, according to China's Xinhua News Agency.

The ministry and Xinhua gave no details, but the exercises are believed to be set for parts of the Sea of Japan in coming days.

China has reliably backed Russia in opposing US condemnation of the Ukraine invasion in international forums, but says it won't provide arms to either side in the war.

The Defense Ministry said in a news release on Wednesday that Chinese ships had linked up with their Russian counterparts at noon.

Those included the guided missile destroyers Qiqihar and Guiyang, the guided missile frigates Zaozhuang and Rizhao and the supply ship Taihu.

The Chinese ships carried four helicopters, the report said.

Russian participants included the frigates Gromkiy and Otlichnyy, which have been hosting visitors for a week in the financial hub of Shanghai, China's largest city and biggest port.

A pair of Russian navy ships are visiting China as the countries reaffirm their military ties amid the war in Ukraine.

The joint drills focus on ship-to-ship communications, maneuvering in formation and maritime search and rescue, according to Chinese reports.

The visit follows a meeting in Beijing between China's defense minister and the head of Russia's navy, the first formal military talks between the friendly neighbours since a short-lived mutiny by the Russian mercenary group Wagner.

China has reassured Russia of its continued support since the uprising. Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu told Russian Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov that China hoped for increased exchanges, joint exercises and other forms of cooperation to help defense ties reach a new level, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

China operates the world's largest navy by number of hulls and vastly outstrips Russia's navy in both size and technical ability.

The countries' fleets have held a series of exercises and joint maneuvers since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, as have their air forces.
One of the most influential American scientists of the 20th century despite not having won a Nobel Prize. The man responsible for taking to greater heights one of the most prominent centres for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry, Princetons Institute for Advanced Studiesknown as a haven for scholars from every discipline, and whose residents over the years include more than 30 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein. A scientist-prophet who advocated for greater candor in matters of nuclear weaponry. A fierce patriot. A philosopher and a charmer. A scholar who was equally well-versed in Bhagavad Gita, Principia Mathematica, and the works of Shelley, Shakespeare and the like. A modern-day Galileo who was hounded and prosecuted for his views on science and its role in diplomacy and politicsarguably the most prominent victim of McCarthyism. J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man most popularly known as the father of the atomic bomb, was all these and more.

Born in a wealthy, unorthodox Jewish family, Robert Oppenheimer, or 'Oppie' to his friends, was an unusually gifted child, who at the age of nine, had told a cousin, "Ask me a question in Latin and I will answer you in Greek."

Like several Western intellectuals who were enticed by Eastern mysticism, in his 20s, Oppenheimer was attracted to the fatalism of the Bhagavad Gita. His fascination for Gita was manifested the most when he quoted verses from the book after the first detonation of a nuclear weapon.

Oppenheimer began to take an active interest in politics after January 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany. He was then a faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, and had a fellowship at Caltech. Oppenheimer's sympathies were with the Left. While he never bothered to have a Communist Party membership, he was always willing to contribute to noble causes, including offering money to support scientists fleeing Germany. His political affiliations and activism were to haunt him later, although he came to despise Communists as years went by.

Trinity, Little Boy, Fat Man

Oppenheimer transformed from an eccentric theoretical physicist with left-wing leanings to a "first-rate, highly organised leader" after he was recruited in 1942 to head the Manhattan Projectthe US government programme to build atomic bombs during World War IIby General Leslie Groves. He managed to combine his passion for physics with his fascination for the desert high country of New Mexico when he, along with few fellow scientists and Army officials, zeroed in on Los Alamos for 'Project Y,' the laboratory that designed and fabricated the first atomic bombs for the Manhattan Project.

According to German-American theoretical physicist Hans Bethe, the once hesitant and diffident Oppenheimer became a decisive executive at Los Alamos. Bethe observed: Oppie "never dictated what should be done. He brought out the best in all of us, like a good host." The best scientific minds of America were at work at Los Alamos, believing that they are working to bring a decisive end to a war that was threatening to consume the whole world.

Oppenheimer had a remarkable flair for drawing people into his orbit, and this worked in his favour at Los Alamos even as scientists burned the proverbial midnight oil to bring the bomb to fruition. His working style was distinct; according to physicist Eugine Winger, he rarely gave orders but managed to get what he wanted "very easily and naturally, with just his eyes, his two hands, and a half-lighted pipe.

According to his biographers Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin who penned American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimerthe 2006 Pulitzer Prize winner, on which the upcoming Christopher Nolan flick Oppenheimer is basedhis "brittle and delicate shell actually disguised a stoic personality built of stubborn pride and determination."

(FILE) Scientists and other workers rig the world's first atomic bomb to raise it up onto a 100-foot tower at the Trinity Test Site near Alamagordo | AP

After months of grueling work, on July 16, 1945, the world's first nuclear explosion, codenamed 'Trinity', took place under the watchful eyes of Oppenheimer and others, 330 kilometres south of Los Alamos. Recalling the test in an NBC television documentary in 1965, Oppenheimer said," We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita: Vishnu is trying to persuade the prince that he should do his duty, and to impress him, and takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of the worlds'. I suppose we all thought that, one way or other."

The moment of the testing was indeed euphoric for Oppenheimer and other scientists, but the announcement of bombingsLittle Boy and Fat Manin Japan was met with much somberness, especially in Nagasaki. In a letter to his friend Haakon Chevalier, he wrote of the bomb: "...the thing had to be done Haakon. It had to be brought to an open public fruition at a time when all over the world men craved peace as never before, were committed as never before both to technology as a way of life and thought and to the idea that no man is an island."

Oppenheimer did have qualms about the bombings, and during a meeting with President Truman, Oppenheimer confessed that he had blood on his hands. However, he was not pleased when a play, In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by German playwright Heinar Kipphardt, had his character expressing grief for his role in building the atomic bomb.

Revisionist historians assert that the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not a necessity as the Japanese were considering surrender. At the time, however, President Truman and Washington insiders wanted to end the war without Soviet intervention and they knew atomic bombs were the way. Oppenheimer's biographers write: "No one can be certain of Oppenheimer's reaction had he learned that on the eve of Hiroshima bombing, the president knew the Japanese were 'looking for peace' and that the military use of atomic bombs on cities was an option rather than a necessity for ending the war in August. But we do know that after the war, he came to believe that he had been misled, and that this knowledge served as a constant reminder that it was henceforth his obligation to be skeptical of what he was told by government officials.

'Chevalier affair' and 'defrocking' of Oppenheimer

While the atomic bombs catapulted him to the position of the poster boy of science and made him a household name, not everyone was enamoured by his charms. Despite his charisma, he had his fair share of detractors, including fellow theoretical physicist Edward Teller. Many despised him for his continued opposition to the development of hydrogen bombs and nuclear weapons stockpiling. There were even rumours that he was planning to defect to Russia.

It all began in the winter of 1942-43. During a dinner before he was to leave for Los Alamos, his friend Chevalier came up with a proposal. Chevalier said he has asked by a mutual acquaintance, a British-born physicist George E. Eltenton, to request Oppenheimer if he is willing to pass information about his scientific work so that the same could be passed to the Soviets. The argument was that the Soviet allies are fighting the same war but they were not receiving the support from the US that they are entitled to. Oppenheimer called the proposal "treason" and in clear terms told his friend that he would not be a party to Eltenton's schemes. The two brushed aside the incident, but it was to follow him throughout his professional, and even personal life.

Actor Cillian Murphy in a scene from Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'

The FBI got wind of the incident soon. This, together with his pro-left sympathies of younger days, and his occasional rendezvous with former lover and known Communist sympathiser Jean Tatlock, an American psychiatrist and physician, when he was in Los Alamos, made him a target of constant surveillance even as he headed one of the most secretive missions of the USthe Manhattan Project. His office was wiretapped, his mails monitored; he was constantly followed by FBI agents. At one point, he even considered quitting the project as he felt hounded by the investigations into his past.

Despite his scientific achievements and renown, Oppenheimer became a modern-day Galileo, a scientist who was prosecuted and whose loyalties were questioned. On December 23, 1953, Oppenheimer received a letter that charged that he was a security risk and hence his security clearance should be revokeda grave charge directed at the man who was chairing the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) then.

Lewis Strauss, the chairman of AEC, had always considered Oppenheimer to be a threat to national security. An anti-Communist, he felt that "fundamental defects" in Oppenheimer's character, and his opposition to the super-bomb programme were not in America's interests. Strauss' biographer Richard Pfau is of the opinion that he believed that Oppenheimer was a Soviet agent. "The FBI listened to (Oppenheimer's) telephone calls, followed his movements, and invaded the privacy of his relationship with his attorney, all with the approval and encouragement of Strauss," writes Pfau.

Apart from the 'Chevalier affair', the list of accusations against him included his intimate relationship with Tatlock, his association with outfits that the House Un-American Activities Committee had termed Communist front-organisationsAmerican Committee for Democracy and Intellectual Freedom, and the Western Council of the Consumers Union, among others. "...you stated in 1943 that you were not a Communist, but had probably belonged to every Communist front organisation on the west coast and had signed many petitions in which Communists were interested," the letter outlining charges against him read. Other charges included his brother Frank Oppenheimer's Communist party membership, his wife Katherine's party affiliations, and even an alleged subscription to a Communist newsletter. The letter of charges reeked of the worst form of McCarthyism or the second Red Scare.

Oppenheimer was arguably the most prominent victim of McCarthyism, and his FBI file ran into thousands of pages. Despite never having faced a criminal trial, he was viciously attacked and ridiculed during an inquisition-like AEC hearing to revoke his security clearance. His opposition to the development of the hydrogen bomb and his advocacy for greater openness in matters of science made him a soft target at a time when there was high paranoia about internal Communist threats.

His Communist sympathies during his younger days, association with various front organisations of the Communist party, and his continued friendship with fellow-travelers of the party, and the relationship with Tatlock were used against him in the hearing which was no less than a trial. Although many fellow scientists vouched for his integrity, the testimony of Teller was damning. "In a great number of cases I have seen Dr Oppenheimer act... In a way which for me was exceedingly hard to understand... To this extent I feel that I would like to see the vital interests of this country in hands which I understand better, and therefore trust more," he said.

Einstein had urged him not to submit himself to the hearing, and just walk away by resigning from the committee. When Oppenheimer refused to do this, Einstein reportedly told his secretary, nodding at Oppenheimer, "There goes a narr (fool).

While the board hearing the case said the US owed him "a great debt of gratitude for...magnificent service," it refused to renew his security clearance, saying his "continuing conduct and associations reflected a serious disregard for the requirements of the security system."

The hearing broke the man. His defeat was also perceived as the defeat of American liberalism. Once, when American drama critic and author John Mason Brown compared the hearing to "dry crucifixion," the scientist responded: "You know, it wasn't so very dry. I can still feel the warm blood on hands." According to his biographers, the hearing and its consequence always weighed on his spirit.

A scientist-philosopher and a complex man

In the words of CBS broadcaster late Eric Severeid, Oppenheimer was "the scientist who writes like a poet and speaks like a prophet." David E. Lilienthal, American attorney and the first chairman of the AEC, told the New York Times after the death of Oppenheimer that his friend Oppie was a "noble spirit", "a genius who brought together poetry and science." Einstein called him an "unusually capable man of many sided-education."

The pipe-smoking man in a porkpie hat knew how to throw a party, and his dry martinis were famous among his friends. He could converse on almost everything under the sunphilosophy, literature, poetry, music, and of course, Gita. Once a shy young man who allegedly tried to poison one of his professors over a minor disagreement, Oppenheimer metamorphosed into becoming the centre of attention at any party and could charm anyone to be his most willing audience with his erudition. But then, he could also come across as haughty, cold, distant, and often impatient with those in authority. He was a complex man!

His multi-faceted personality was aptly described when he received an honorary degree at Princeton in June 1966"a physicist and a sailor, philosopher and horsemen, a linguist and cook, lover of fine wine and better poetry. An impressed General Leslie Groves once said, "Oppenheimer knows about everything. He can talk to you about anything you bring up," except sports.

It was possibly his philosophical leanings and altruism which prompted him to advocate against nuclear stockpiling. He wanted the nuclear genie to be returned to the bottle. Oppenheimer detested secrecy in matters of science and called for the internationalisation of modern science. "...secrecy strikes at the very root of what science is, and what it is for," he had once said.

Once, when asked if humanity has the capability to destroy itself, he responded: "Not quite. Not quite. You can certainly destroy enough humanity so that only the greatest act of faith can persuade you that what's left will be human."






























The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference will focus on fast-tracking energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on adaptation to protect lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.



More popularly known as COP (Conference of Parties), it is to be held at the Expo City in Dubai from November 30 until December 12, 2023.



The president of COP-28 is Sultan Al Jaber, also the chief executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc). This is ironic as the world over, the Just Stop Oil campaign is gaining momentum.



It was recently revealed by a British newspaper that Adnoc was able to read the emails being sent out for COP-28.



Jaber, however, issued an impassioned statement which read, This plan is guided by a single north star. And that is keeping 1.5 within reach.



He further said, I challenge you to act in solidarity, put differences aside and put the interest of humanity first. That is the only way we can make transformational, practical progress that delivers for the climate, for our economies and for our people.



The 1.5 target refers to the goal adopted in the Paris Agreement (a legally binding international treaty on climate change) to limit the increase in temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is the temperature rise that the world saw in the pre-industrial era.



Experts now believe that the goal is no longer achievable. Just a week ago, the world broke average temperature records three times in a row.



COP28 has a call to disrupt business as usual to achieve desirable game-changing results.



We need to break down silos that are slowing progress. And we need to bridge divides that are blocking critical breakthroughs. We need to include everyone committed to solving the problem because everyone is affected by the problem. We must have an honest conversation about what empowers climate-positive development everywhere, in particular across the Global South. We must ensure energy access, security, and sustainability while creating jobs and prosperity. In short, we need to make climate and economic progress at the same time. It is not one or the other, said Jaber in an address.
Indore, Jul 18 (PTI) A top central government official on Tuesday said efforts are being made through the Employment Working Group (EWG) of G20 to assign the responsibility for global skills gap mapping to two key international organizations.

Aarti Ahuja, Secretary, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, said this on the eve of the fourth G20 EWG and the Labour and Employment Ministers' meeting that will take place in Indore from July 19 to 21.

"We are trying through the EWG of G20 to give the responsibility of mapping the global skills gap to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

"This mapping will be done in such a way that any country in the world will be able to see what kind of skills are lacking in its working population and how those shortcomings can be removed, she said at a press conference.

Ahuja said a technical group will be constituted with necessary resources for global skills gap mapping.

She emphasized that the proposed global skills gap mapping will form the basis of future steps for skill development and social benefits in the world.

The labour and employment ministry secretary said the fourth meeting of the EWG, being held under India's presidency of G20, will finalize discussion held in the last three conclaves on the topics of 'Gig and Platform Economy & Social Protection and Sustainable Financing of Social Protection'.

Ahuja said the meeting of labour and employment ministers of the G20 member countries will be held on Thursday and Friday under the chairmanship of India's Labour and Employment Minister Bhupendra Yadav.

Officials said around 165 guests will participate in different sessions of the three-day G20 meeting in Indore. These will include representatives of 20 members of the intergovernmental forum and nine invited countries as well as officials of global organizations of labour, employment and social security.

The G20, or Group of 20, is an intergovernmental forum of the worlds major developed and developing economies. India currently holds its presidency.



The group comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the UK, the US, and the European Union (EU).
Gandhinagar, Jul 19 (PTI) Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL) completed the e-auction of a land for setting up a hotel, marking it as the first project in the hospitality sector in the special investment region, officials said on Wednesday.

Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) is a greenfield industrial hub being developed in Gujarat's Ahmedabad district.

"This would be the first plot allotted to the hospitality industry in the region, which has become a key location for business and urban development. The competitive bid was won by M/s Aju Ryokan NCR Pvt Ltd," a DICDL official said.

DSIR, located around 100 kilometres south of Ahmedabad, has the best infrastructure to create the ideal hospitality required for various industries which are keen to set up manufacturing units there, according to a release.

It said, "228 acres of land have been dedicated to tourism and recreational activities in the SIR region. This accelerates the economic development of the region and boosts infrastructure."

The project as envisaged will be the first initiative from National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) to create a linear zone of industrial clusters and nodes to be developed in the influence area of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC).

DSIR has been planned over 920 square kilometres of land encompassing 22 villages of Dholera taluka in the Ahmedabad district.
This aerial photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a view of Qicai river resort in Burqin County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With abundant tourism resources, Burqin County has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Tourists visit a bridge at Qicai river resort in Burqin County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2023. With abundant tourism resources, Burqin County has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Tourists take photos at Qicai river resort in Burqin County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2023. With abundant tourism resources, Burqin County has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Tourists visit the Qicai river resort in Burqin County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2023. With abundant tourism resources, Burqin County has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This aerial photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a view of Qicai river resort in Burqin County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With abundant tourism resources, Burqin County has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a view of Qicai river resort in Burqin County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With abundant tourism resources, Burqin County has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Tourists take photos at Qicai river resort in Burqin County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 18, 2023. With abundant tourism resources, Burqin County has become an increasingly popular destination among travellers. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)
The significance of scalability, leveraging technology, transformative potential of AI, ABDM and people-focused initiatives in driving innovation within the healthcare industry emerged as key insights from the discussions between key healthcare stakeholders



Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (NewsVoir)



Three eminent entities from the Indian healthcare ecosystem - 2070 Health, a healthcare-focused venture studio, PeerCapital, a prominent Venture Capital firm, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), collaborated to spearhead a closed-door roundtable under the banner of HealthCraze. This initiative brought together healthcare startup founders, operators, academicians, policymakers, and investors for an invite-only discussion. The primary objective of the roundtable was to explore significant developments within the healthcare industry and understand opportunities that could shape the future of healthcare in India.



The underlying sentiment throughout the discussion was that the current climate presents an ideal opportunity for building and investing in healthcare in India. The roundtable underscored the importance of distribution and scalability when it comes to creating healthcare solutions. Significant focus was placed on understanding patient behavior and ideating solutions that are 10x better than the status quo.



During the roundtable, the following key themes emerged as critical factors that will shape the healthcare industry:



The first centered around scalability: The participants emphasized that healthcare is inherently hyperlocal, and companies should focus on dominating specific local markets rather than spreading too thin. Understanding the local dynamics and tailoring solutions to specific regions can lead to better outcomes and market penetration. They also acknowledged that the effective use of technology can then enable companies to achieve scale faster. Leveraging emerging technologies allows them to provide more efficient and accessible healthcare solutions, and lead to better healthcare outcomes over time. Another perspective discussed during the event was the significance of building technology solutions that target pain points of healthcare professionals. By enhancing their workflows and increasing efficiency, startups can gain greater acceptance and adoption by doctors.



Rohit M A, Partner-PeerCapital said, Scalability in healthcare typically has a longer gestation period and needs patience. And hence building redundancies within the team is essential for sustainable growth. Not everyone can operate solely on adrenaline, so having backup plans and a well-rounded team ensures stability and resilience.



The second area of the discussion revolved around exciting spaces within the healthcare industry, which include:



 The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) initiative generated considerable discussion. While acknowledging potential political risks, the consensus was that ABDM is here to stay, driven by the needs of the people. It was stressed that involving IT experts and CIOs in hospitals is crucial for successful implementation of digitization.



 The power of data in healthcare was recognized, particularly the conversion of unstructured healthcare data into structured formats. As healthcare systems become increasingly digital, leveraging data unlocks valuable insights for improving patient care.



 Artificial Intelligence (AI) stood out as a powerful and transformative force that can revolutionize diagnostics, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. AI has the potential to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes. Encouraging collaboration, fostering awareness, and highlighting the benefits of AI will be pivotal in driving its adoption.



As we move forward, it is crucial to promote collaboration among diverse healthcare stakeholders who may often operate in siloes. Startups, hospitals, doctors, and insurers are different pieces of the puzzle that must come together to foster innovation to build futuristic patient-centered healthcare companies. HealthCraze is a pioneering initiative in this direction aimed at bringing together these varied stakeholders to form a vibrant and collaborative healthcare community in India, said Dr. Pankaj Jethwani, CEO at 2070 Health.



HealthCraze provided a platform for robust discussions, ensuring an impactful and actionable session for all participants. The initiative will continue in other cities, including NCR, Mumbai, and Hyderabad in the next few months, to unlock further learning within the ecosystem.



About 2070 Health

2070 Health is Indias first Venture Studio building patient-centric healthcare companies from scratch by bringing together futuristic ideas, exceptional founders, and a powerful innovation platform.



Website: 2070health.com.



About PeerCapital

PeerCap Advisors LLP, operating under the brand name PeerCapital, is an early-stage, tech VC fund led by 3 peers-Ankur Pahwa, Karthik Prabhakar and Rohit M A who come with immense complementary experience across entrepreneurship, operations, growth and risk advisory management, fund ops, investment, deployment and returns management. The fund looks to invest specifically in Seed to Series A stages across tech sectors - consumer-tech, fin-tech, health-tech and SaaS.



Website: www.peercapital.in.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Expansion exemplifies the firm's commitment to India as a strategic growth market while demonstrating its dedication to fostering a skilled team to serve clients in the region



New Delhi, Delhi, India (NewsVoir)



Julius Baer, the largest foreign wealth management firm in India, is proud to announce its move to a new office at Worldmark 2, Aerocity in New Delhi. This milestone underscores the firm's five-year transformation strategy, announced in August 2022, which entails investments in people, products, operations, technology, and infrastructure.



Strategically positioned in a prime location in New Delhi, the new premise is equipped with cutting-edge energy-saving features with advanced infrastructure, central water points, reduced plastic consumption - all aligning with our unwavering dedication to long-term sustainability.



With India poised to become the world's second-largest economy by 2050, Julius Baer is confident of the immense growth opportunities present in wealth management in India. As part of the firms strategic hub and spoke model, this office functions as a satellite location, continuing to play a crucial role in serving clients in the Delhi NCR region and various locations across North India.



Rahul Malhotra, Head Private Banking Global India & Developed Market at Julius Baer, said, Every day, India welcomes nearly three individuals who join the ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNIs) club, with net worth in excess of USD 30 million. As the number of millionaires in the country continues to grow rapidly, Julius Baer India will take this opportunity to extend our footprint. Our move to this cutting-edge office space is testament to our commitment to India and we are focused on delivering best-in-class wealth management solutions to our clients. Our comprehensive range of managed solutions include discretionary portfolio management and wealth planning services to sophisticated clients across North India - a critical market for the firm.



Umang Papneja, CEO, Julius Baer India, said, India's wealth sector is valued at USD $600 billion and growing at a rate of 12% annually, yet only a quarter of this wealth is professionally managed. We are delighted to embark on this new chapter for our firm in India to access this opportunity. Located in a prime district, our new office in New Delhi offers excellent connectivity and enables us to establish even closer connections with our clients. With an expansive layout, the new premises provides an exceptional environment for collaboration, allowing us to come together to deliver an unparalleled and personalised experience to our valued clients. This modern workspace also offers an optimal setting for fostering innovation and creativity, and allows us to work on establishing a new standard of excellence within the wealth management industry.



Julius Baer currently employs over 200 professionals and maintains a pan-India network with a presence in seven key cities. The firm aims to double its headcount and triple its assets under management (AUM) in India within the next five years. To add innovation and diversification to its existing product offerings for High Net-worth Individuals (HNIs) and Ultra High Net-worth Individuals (UHNIs), Julius Baer has recently applied for an Alternate Investment Funds (AIF) license.



About Julius Baer



Julius Baer is the leading Swiss wealth management group and a premium brand in this global sector, with a focus on servicing and advising sophisticated private clients. In all we do, we are inspired by our purpose: creating value beyond wealth. At the end of April 2023, assets under management amounted to CHF 429 billion. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., the renowned Swiss private bank with origins dating back to 1890, is the principal operating company of Julius Baer Group Ltd., whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: BAER) and are included in the Swiss Leader Index (SLI), comprising the 30 largest and most liquid Swiss stocks.



Julius Baer is present in around 25 countries and over 60 locations. Headquartered in Zurich, we have offices in key locations including Bangkok, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, Monaco, Mumbai, Santiago de Chile, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Our client-centric approach, our objective advice based on the Julius Baer open product platform, our solid financial base and our entrepreneurial management culture make us the international reference in wealth management.



For more information visit our website at www.juliusbaer.com.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday said it has cancelled the licence of Uttar Pradesh-based United India Co-operative Bank Limited, citing lack of adequate capital and earning prospects.

Consequently, the bank ceases to carry on business, with effect from the closing hours on Wednesday, the RBI said in a statement.

On liquidation, it said every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to a ceiling of Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

"As per the data submitted by the bank, 99.98 per cent of the depositors are entitled to receive full amount of their deposits from DICGC," it said.

Giving reasons for cancellation of the licence, it said United India Co-operative Bank, based out of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, does not have adequate capital and earning prospects.

"The bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full," the RBI said, adding that the continuance of the bank is prejudicial to the interests of its depositors.

With the licence cancelled, the bank has been prohibited from conducting regular business, which includes acceptance and repayment of deposits.

The Commissioner and Registrar of Cooperative, Uttar Pradesh, has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank.
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty continued their dream run on Wednesday, reaching record high levels in early trade, driven by foreign fund inflows and optimism in the US markets.

Buying in index majors Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank also helped the markets maintain their winning momentum.

Rallying for the fifth day running, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 293.59 points to reach its new all-time intra-day peak of 67,088.73 in early trade. The NSE Nifty gained 80.3 points to hit record intra-day high of 19,829.55.

From the Sensex pack, NTPC, IndusInd Bank, Infosys, Power Grid, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank were the biggest gainers.

IndusInd Bank quoted nearly 2 per cent higher after the company on Tuesday reported 30 per cent jump in consolidated net profit for April-June at Rs 2,124.50 crore, helped by core income growth and lower bad loan provisions.

Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra, Asian Paints, Tata Consultancy Services, Bharti Airtel and Nestle were among the laggards.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their buying activity on Tuesday as they bought equities worth Rs 2,115.84 crore, according to exchange data.

"The market continues to be resilient, supported by favourable global set-up and sustained FII inflows. It is important to understand that the ongoing global market rally is primarily driven by the strength of the US economy, which is, so far, showing no signs of recession that the markets had feared and discounted in 2022," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

In India, an extra push is being provided by sustained FII flows, Vijayakumar said.

In Asian markets, Tokyo quoted in the green while Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong traded lower.

The US markets ended in the positive territory on Tuesday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.21 per cent to USD 79.46 a barrel.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday retained India's economic growth forecast at 6.4 per cent for the current financial year and 6.7 per cent for the next, saying robust domestic demand will continue to support the region's recovery.

The BSE benchmark had climbed 205.21 points or 0.31 per cent to settle at its new all-time high of 66,795.14 on Tuesday. Nifty gained 37.80 points or 0.19 per cent to end at its all-time high of 19,749.25.
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches against Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal on Wednesday as part of a fresh money-laundering investigation against him and others, official sources said.

The federal agency raided six-seven premises in Mumbai and some other locations as part of the investigation being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The money-laundering case stems from a recent FIR lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita and some former company executives in connection with an alleged Rs 538-crore fraud at the Canara Bank.

In February, the Bombay High Court quashed a money-laundering case lodged by the ED against Goyal and his wife on the basis of a Maharashtra Police FIR to probe charges of cheating and forgery on a complaint from Akbar Travels.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan quashed the ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report or the ED equivalent of an FIR) registered on February 20, 2020 and all proceedings against the Goyals on the ground of "being illegal and contrary" to law.

The court order came after the police filed a closure report, stating that they found no substance in the complaint and the dispute seemed to be civil in nature. As the ED case was based on the police FIR and was the predicate offence for filing a money-laundering case, it was declared quashed by the court.

The CBI FIR came about on the basis of the Canara Bank's complaint, alleging that it had sanctioned credit limits and loans to Jet Airways (India) Limited (JIL) to the tune of Rs 848.86 crore, of which an amount of Rs 538.62 crore is outstanding.

Jet Airways has since been grounded and the CBI said the account was declared "fraud" on July 29, 2021.

The bank alleged that the forensic audit of JIL showed that it paid Rs 1,410.41 crore to "related companies" out of the total commission expenses, thus siphoning off funds from JIL.

"As per the sample agreement of Jet Airways (India) Ltd (JIL), it was noted that the expenses of General Selling Agents (GSA) was to be borne by GSA itself and nor by JIL. However, it was observed that JIL has paid various expenses amounting to Rs 403.27 crore, which is not in tune with the GSA," the complaint, which is now part of the CBI FIR, alleged.

It said personal expenses, such as salaries of staff, phone bills and vehicle expenses, of the Goyal family were paid by JIL.

Among other allegations, it surfaced during the forensic audit that funds were also siphoned off through Jet Lite (India) Limited (JLL) by way of making advance payments and investing and subsequently writing off of the same by making provisions.

The JIL diverted the funds for its subsidiary, JLL, in the form of loans and advances and investments extended, the complaint alleged.
New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) Vistara on Wednesday said it has derostered an employee from duties for his alleged involvement in an incident of violence and abuse, amid an uproar over a pilot and her husband being beaten up for allegedly abusing a minor domestic help in the national capital.

Without specifically mentioning about the incident, a Vistara spokesperson said, "An incidence of violence and abuse has been brought to our notice, allegedly involving a Vistara employee."

"We will extend complete support to law and enforcement agencies, and, in the meanwhile, we have derostered the employee from his duties," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Earlier, IndiGo derostered the pilot in connection with the incident.

A pilot and her husband were beaten up by a mob in southwest Delhi's Dwarka for allegedly thrashing a 10-year-old girl working as a domestic help at their house, police said on Wednesday.

Police said they have arrested the couple for allegedly assaulting the minor and that action would also be taken against those who manhandled the couple as they have also received a complaint against attackers.
Shimla, July 19 (PTI) Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday sought the intervention of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav for allocation of funds for the restoration of damaged roads and bridges in Himachal.

Singh who met Yadav at New Delhi apprised the NHAI Chairman about the havoc wreaked by flash floods and cloudbursts triggered by incessant rains to the National Highways (NHs) across the state, a statement issued here said.

The minister urged the Chairman for his personal intervention in allocation of funds for estimates of Left Bank of River Beas, Manali, the Chakki-Pathankot Bridge and others on Manali-Mandi National Highways.

He also urged for the allocation of funds to reconstruct the damaged roads and bridges as per the estimates submitted to NHAI authorities, adding that more such estimates were being submitted.

He requested for speedy restoration and repair of Manali-Mandi NH, Nalagarh Bridge besides other bridges and roads and stressed for early restoration of the Chakki-Pathankot Bridge in Kangra.

Yadav assured the PWD Minister of releasing funds for repair and restoration of roads in the State at the earliest and stated that a central team has been sent to Himachal to assess the losses.

Vikramaditya Singh also met Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) Anurag Jain and informed that detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared under Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for widening and strengthening of road and would be submitted to the Ministry soon.
Chandigarh, July 19 (PTI) World Bank president Ajay Banga along with officials of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on Wednesday reviewed the functioning of the Centre of Excellence (CoE), set up in Phagwara, said a Punjab government release.

Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora inaugurated the CoE in Phagwara in May. In the centre, as many as 140 candidates, including 32 girls, have already enrolled themselves and are undergoing training in different job roles.

Punjab was among the four states, which were chosen to showcase the functioning of CoE before the World Bank President. Other three states were Karnataka, Odisha and Maharashtra, said the release.

This CoE was established under the World Bank-funded SANKALP scheme to provide skill training to the youth of Punjab.

Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM) had inked an MoU with Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) for setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Phagwara in February and the Centre was inaugurated on May 26.

During the virtual meeting, Banga also interacted with female candidates undergoing training at the CoE.

The CoE was set up with an aim to make the youth skillful and employable.

Pertinently, the Centre of Excellence has been providing training in automotive machine operator, fitter electrical and electronic assembly.

A total of 2,000 candidates will be provided training in the CoE.
Kathmandu, Jul 19 (PTI) An Indian national and a Nepali citizen have been arrested in Southern Nepal for trying to smuggle 70 kilograms of hashish into India, police said on Wednesday.

The Nepal Police arrested 35-year-old Manoj Kumar Paswan from Jharkhand and Raju Waiwa, 45, a resident of Makawanpur district, while carrying 70 kg of hashish hidden inside a vehicle.

The arrests were made on Tuesday night in Rapti Municipality in Southern Nepal, police said, adding that both were apprehended during security check of the vehicle.

The vehicle was on its way to India, they said.

As per a preliminary investigation, the hashish was being trafficked to India in the vehicle with an Indian number plate.
Cape Town, Jul 19 (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICS economic summit in Johannesburg next month, the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement Wednesday.

The decision means South Africa will not face the dilemma of whether it should carry out an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the Russian leader.

South Africa is a signatory to the treaty that created the ICC and would have been obliged under that to arrest Putin, although the country had given strong hints that it would have likely not executed the arrest warrant.

But Wednesday's announcement allows South Africa to avoid the problem and comes after Ramaphosa spoke with Putin by telephone in recent days.

The decision for Putin not to attend was by mutual agreement," Ramaphosa's office said. Russia will instead be represented at the Aug 22-24 summit by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The BRICS economic bloc is made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa had invited the leaders of the other four countries to the summit before Putin's arrest warrant was issued by the ICC in March.

The announcement brings to an end months of speculation over if Putin was going to travel to South Africa. Putin has not travelled to any country that is a signatory to the ICC treaty since he was indicted for war crimes over the abduction of children from Ukraine. (AP) SCY

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LUSAKA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Wednesday urged the private sector to join in tackling the problem of waste disposal in the country.

Collins Nzovu, the minister of Green Economy and Environment, said there has been a growing concern about the accumulation of waste around the country which requires collaborative efforts with all stakeholders, including the private sector.

"Undeniably, the rate at which waste is accumulating in our country is worrying. It is therefore for the private sector to support government efforts of managing waste by coming up with strategies that will encourage sustainable practices throughout the entire cycle of a product," he said.

In remarks delivered when he met chief executive officers from various companies at a meeting organized by the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), the minister said the high and rapidly increasing levels of environmental degradation and the problem of waste management were presenting serious development issues and negatively affecting the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

The ministry was implementing the extended producer responsibility regulations which limit the production of single-use plastic carrier bags of less than 30 microns and thin flat bags in an effort to sustainably manage the waste in the country, the official disclosed, noting that the government has continued to monitor the implementation of the extended producer responsibility and was in the process of enhancing it to compel more manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of various products and items on the market to be responsible for creating appropriate infrastructure to recycle their waste to reduce pollution.

"Further, my ministry has commenced the process of developing a green growth strategy aimed at transitioning to a circular economy which promotes sustainable production and consumption," he added.

ZAM President Ashu Sagar said the concept of the circular economy was gaining recognition among manufacturers with significant economic and societal benefits.

The waste generated by manufacturers was of greater detriment to the environment hence the need for manufacturers to take part in managing the waste, said Sagar, adding that the extended producer responsibility was an important tool to reverse the worrying trends of plastic pollution.

Muntanga Lindunda, the ZAM chief executive officer, said the growing concern about waste management calls for a collective effort in coming up with systems that were efficient, and sustainable in order to conserve and reduce effects on the environment. 
Cedar Rapids (US), Jul 19 (AP) Former President Donald Trump joked about his legal challenges while campaigning in eastern Iowa on Tuesday night, just hours after announcing he'd received a target letter in the Justice Department's investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Headlining a Republican county meeting, Trump attacked investigators while trying to make light of what could be his third criminal indictment since March.

"I didn't know practically what a subpoena was and grand juries. Now I'm becoming an expert," he told the audience at an Elks Lodge in Cedar Rapids.

He also taped a town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity that was set to air later Tuesday night.

The trip to the leadoff GOP voting state was yet another indication that, when it comes to Trump, none of the rules of politics ever apply. Trump did not cancel the trip to huddle with advisers, and he was not disinvited by organizers. Instead, he carried on as he has for months, incorporating his latest legal woes into his usual stump speech mixture of grievance, lies about the 2020 election, criticism of President Joe Biden and his agenda for a second term.

Iowa, with its caucuses just six months away, is a critical state for Trump, his party's decisive early front-runner, and his rivals.

He set off for his latest trip just hours after announcing on his Truth Social platform that he had received a letter Sunday informing him that is the target of special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the aftermath of the 2020 election and the events leading up to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol. Such letters often precede indictments and are used to inform individuals under investigation that prosecutors have gathered evidence linking them to a crime.

Trump has already been indicted twice  once in New York and once in Florida  and also faces potential charges in a separate election interference investigation nearing its conclusion in Georgia, a stunning and unprecedented legal onslaught as he runs for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

But the indictments have yet to damage Trump's standing. Instead, early polling shows Trump ahead of his closest rival, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, by 20 to 30 points, or more.

The monthly meetings of the Linn County GOP, typically lightly attended affairs, have become somewhat more popular in recent months as representatives from various Republican presidential candidates' campaigns have paid visits to build goodwill with party regulars.

But Tuesday's gathering was far from ordinary. More than 150 people  many wearing Trump's signature "Make America Great Again" red hats  squeezed into the hall of the Elks Lodge on the city's southwest side. Press covering the stop were cordoned behind the bar typically used for weddings and anniversaries.

News of the target letter, said Linn County, Iowa, GOP chair Bernie Hayes, only emboldens the former president's supporters.

"Does something like that engender sympathy? I think certainly it does," Hayes said, as the small event room filled beyond the number of chairs set. "The man's being persecuted, so they are just thinking of another way to persecute him."

Some Iowa Republicans have said in interviews that the mounting legal battles Trump faces could make it difficult for him to govern if elected and that they have begun looking to alternatives.

But Hayes said the developments have only strengthened the resolve of Trump supporters he talks to.

"If anything, people see President Trump is actually hardened by the trials he's gone through and knows what he's up against," Hayes said.

Before his speech, Trump was interviewed by WMT radio, and railed against the investigations while dismissing potential negative fallout.

"The people of our great country, they fully understand what's going (on). It's election interference. It's a weaponization of justice," he said.

Speaking of his supporters, he said: "They are never leaving us because they want to make America great again. They're with us. They have a passion like nobody's ever had."

The January 6 probe has centred on a broad range of efforts by Trump and allies to keep him in office, including plans for slates of fake electors in multiple battleground states won by Biden to submit false electoral certificates to Congress.

Legal experts have said potential charges could include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding, in this case Congress' certification of Biden's electoral victory.

In Washington, Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Trump's supporters would not be turned off by the developments.

"We'll see what they come up with . but I tell you, the more they target Donald Trump? I mean, boy, the base, they just eat it up," she said. "They see two systems of justice, one for Donald Trump and one for everybody else."

Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Senate minority whip, said that, with one indictment after the next, voters eventually "tune it out. It doesn't have the weight or the meaning that it does when you've got this many things coming at you."

"Now, on the other hand," he added, "it also creates, I think, kind of a lot of noise and distraction that always seem to surround the former president. At what point does that have some effect on people's opinions? I don't know." (AP) CK
Colombo, Jul 19 (AP) Sri Lanka's Parliament on Wednesday approved an anti-corruption legislation as the island nation attempts to overcome an unprecedented economic crisis.

The legislation is part of the prerequisites of an International Monterey Fund bailout package approved in March, under which nearly USD 3 billion in government budgetary support will be disbursed in stages to the bankrupt nation. The bailout is due for its first review in September.

The bill was passed without opposition in the 225-member parliament.

The IMF  which described Sri Lanka's debt as unsustainable  has stressed that anti-corruption and governance reforms are imperative in order to enable the Sri Lankans to benefit from the current economic reforms.

The development lender had said previously it was conducting  for the first time in an Asian country  an in-depth governance diagnostic exercise to assess corruption and vulnerabilities and "provide prioritized and sequenced recommendations.

The IMF Governance Diagnostic Report is set to be published in September.

The new legislation aims at preventing and eradicating bribery and corruption, and enhancing transparency while increasing accountability and enhancing public confidence in Sri Lankan administration, according to the bill.

Sri Lanka has been grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis since 2022, after suspending repayment of foreign loans because of a severe foreign currency crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, excessive borrowing by the government, and efforts by the central bank to stabilise the Sri Lankan rupee with scarce foreign reserves.

Sri Lanka's total debt has exceeded USD 83 billion, of which USD 41.5 billion is foreign and USD 42.1 billion is domestic.

In a bid to overcome the crisis, Sri Lanka has taken initiatives to restructure its both domestic and foreign debts.

Sri Lanka's economic crisis caused severe shortages of food, medicine, fuel, cooking gas and electricity last year which led to massive street protests that forced then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country and resign.

The economy has shown signs of improvement since current president Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as president last July. Shortages have been alleviated, power cuts have ended and the rupee has begun to strengthen. (AP)



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Warsaw, Jul 19 (AP) Five European Union countries will extend their ban on Ukrainian grain to protect their farmers' interests, their agriculture ministers said Wednesday, but food can still move through their land to parts of the world in need after Russia pulled out of a deal allowing Black Sea shipments.

The ministers of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania signed a joint declaration in Warsaw ahead of EU discussions on the matter planned next week in Brussels. The declaration said they support continuing to allow Ukraine's grain to move through their countries by road, rail and river to destinations where it is needed but will keep the import ban to their countries through 2023.

This coalition is not against anyone, not against Ukraine or the EU, it is in the interest of our farmers, Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus said after meeting with his counterparts and deciding to push the ban beyond a Sept 15 deadline.

Except for Bulgaria, all the countries border Ukraine, which faced a major blow Monday when Russia pulled out of a breakthrough accord brokered by the UN and Turkey to allow food shipments through the Black Sea to countries where millions are going hungry. Ukraine is a major exporter of wheat, barley, vegetable oil and corn.

The five agricultural ministers and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who met with them, said Ukrainian grain previously got stuck in their countries, leading to a glut that drove down prices for their farmers, and they don't want to see that happen again. Now, the grain moves through the countries to other markets in sealed and guarded transports.

They urged the EU to work out mechanisms that will get Ukrainian grain and other food to their destinations without hurting the agricultural industry in transit countries.

Today the EU should build proper law and infrastructure tools to regulate transport of Ukraine grain in the long term, Telus said.

We want to help Ukraine in the transit," he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said Tuesday that she was deeply concerned about Russia's move to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative," stressing that the "risk is that it brings food insecurity to so many vulnerable countries across the globe.

The European Union will, with all means, continue to work to ensure that food security for vulnerable people is given," von der Leyen said.

More than 45 million metric tons of grain, oilseeds and other products have been exported through Europe, she said.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was brokered in a bid to end a global food crisis caused by Russia's war in Ukraine, has allowed 32.9 million metric tons to get to the world, according to the UN. (AP) SCY

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London, Jul 19 (PTI) A British Sikh group launched a report in the UK Parliament complex on Wednesday to attack a recent independent faith review which had warned against the subversive, aggressive and sectarian actions of some pro-Khalistani activists in the UK.

The Council of Sikhs in Law committee, chaired by Professor Satvinder Singh Juss, alleged that the review by Independent Faith Engagement Adviser Colin Bloom submitted to the governments Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in April was not independent and impartial.

The Bloom Review has damaged the hitherto excellent relationship between the Sikh community and the British government, and risks continuing doing so, if it is not set aside by the British government, the report claims.

The Bloom Review proceeds on the basis of assumptions that are flawed and misconceived and betray an alarming lack of understanding of the Sikh community, such that it lacks the very faith literacy which it recommends the government to adopt in the future, it adds.

In his review entitled Does Government do God?: An independent review into how government engages with faith, Bloom had warned that there is a small, extremely vocal and aggressive minority of British Sikhs who can be described as pro-Khalistan extremists, promoting an ethno-nationalist agenda.

It felt as though Colin Bloom was in the dock for some sort of trial, and the findings are very much critical of his independent review, said Lord Indrajit Singh, Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO), with reference to Wednesdays report launch event.

However, the serious issues Bloom rightly raises, have largely been dismissed by Sikhs in Law. Sikhs must have an honest conversation about fringe elements in the community who are bringing disrepute to the broader British Sikh community with their bad behaviour, he said.

"They purport to represent the Sikh community with politicians and the civil service, but the reality is they only represent themselves, he said.

The Bloom Review had specifically called on the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs, which is chaired by Britains first female Sikh MP Preet Kaur Gill and has the first turbaned Sikh MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi as its vice-chair  both from the Labour Party, to review organisations allowed to exert influence in parliamentary affairs.

Recently, British Sikh peer Lord Ranbir Singh Suri stepped down from the APPG after raising concerns about the "entities involved".

Gill has been approached for a statement related to the veteran peer's exit but is yet to respond.
Cairo, Jul 19 (AP) Egypt's president pardoned two prominent rights activists Wednesday, including one with ties to Italy who was sentenced this week, the country's state-run news agency reported.

Among an unspecified number of people pardoned Wednesday by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi was rights activist Patrick George Zaki, who was a post-graduate student in Italy and who was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday over an opinion article he wrote in 2019, the MENA news agency said.

Zaki's case has echoed in Italy, where many were reminded after the sentencing this week of the tragic fate of Italian student Giulio Regeni who was abducted and killed in Cairo in 2016. The Italian government had repeatedly called for Zaki's release since his arrest in 2020.

Also pardoned was Mohammed el-Baker, a rights lawyer, who was arrested in September 2019, the agency reported. El-Baker was sentenced to four years in prison late in 2021 over charges of disseminating false news, misuse of social media and joining a terrorist group. El-Baker was arrested when he attended the questioning by prosecutors of another jailed activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah.

The report said the two were among a group pardoned on Wednesday but did not elaborate who else was included. Prisoners who are pardoned in Egypt usually walk free within days.

We welcome the news of their pardon and call for the immediate release of thousands still detained in Egypt on political grounds, prominent rights activist Hossam Bahgat wrote on Twitter.

He added that both activists should not have spent one day in jail for their human rights work. Bahgat is the executive director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represented Zaki in court.

In Italy, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani welcomed el-Sissi's decision to pardon Zaki. Thanks to the government's foreign policy we have given a decisive contribution to freeing this young student. Concrete results through work and international credibility, he tweeted.

Jubilation also resounded from the ranks of Italian opposition lawmakers following the pardon news.

Victory for Patrick Zaki. Pardon granted,'' tweeted Federica Onori, the foreign affairs commission whip for the populist 5-Star Movement. We never quit fighting. We never quit believing. We await you soon back home in Italy.

When Zaki was arrested in 2020, the 5-Stars led the government and Meloni's far-right party was in the opposition.

Speaking to the Italian state TV in a square outside Rome's ancient Pantheon, an Amnesty International official in Italy, Riccardo Noury, expressed satisfaction that the grave case (of Zaki) is resolved, but it doesn't resolve the theme of human rights in Egypt.

Zaki, who is Christian, was arrested in February 2020 shortly after landing in Cairo for a short trip home from Italy where he was studying at the University of Bologna. He was released in December 2021 after spending 22 months in pretrial detention but had to remain in Egypt and was not allowed to travel abroad, pending trial.

He earned a master's degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to travel to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference.

An Egyptian court sentenced him this week to three years in person over his conviction of disseminating false news related to an article of his about alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt.

Amnesty International swiftly condemned Egyptian authorities and said that the image of Zaki being dragged out of a courtroom and taken to prison on Tuesday was terrifying.

Egypt has pardoned dozens of detainees in the past several months, after its human rights record came under international scrutiny when it hosted the U.N. climate change summit in November.

The government has been relentlessly silencing dissenters and clamping down on independent organisations for years with arrests, detentions, prison sentences and other restrictions. Thousands of political prisoners are estimated by rights groups to remain in custody in Egypt, many without trial. (AP) MRJ

MRJ
Washington, Jul 19 (PTI) Describing India as a strategic partner to the United States, a top American general has told lawmakers that the India-US military-to-military relationship is robust and increasing in scope and sophistication.

"India is a strategic partner to the United States. Our military-to-military relationship is robust and increasing in scope and sophistication," General Charles Q. Brown told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"If confirmed, my strategy would be to continue to bolster the Major Defence Partnership with India by expanding our existing bilateral military-to-military dialogues and defence industrial and technology cooperation," Brown said in written response to a question.

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or "Quad" with the US, Japan, India, and Australia as its members is designed to uphold the international rules-based order, ensure freedom of navigation, promote democratic values, improve information sharing, and enhance technological collaboration, he said.

The Quad, he said, has emerged as a significant forum for mobilizing a collective commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific among like-minded partners. "Members are increasingly willing to address security challenges, especially in the maritime domain".

"The Quad offers a platform to ensure Maritime Domain Awareness, transparency, and resilience across the greater Indo-Pacific. Quad member states, while increasing cooperation amongst themselves, bring significant benefit to non-member countries," Brown said.
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court Collegium on Tuesday recommended the names of four advocates for appointment as judges of different high courts.

The Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, proposed the name of advocate Manjusha Ajay Deshpande for appointment as a judge of the Bombay High Court, advocate Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind as a judge of the Karnataka High Court and advocates N Senthilkumar and G Arul Murugan for appointment as judges of the Madras High Court.

It said 52-year-old Senthilkumar, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, has a standing of over 28 years at the Bar and his appointment as a judge of the high court will enhance the representation of marginalised communities on the Bench. The Collegium also said the appointment of Murugan will facilitate greater representation of the OBCs in the higher judiciary.

The SC collegium stated that the high court collegium presided over by the then chief justice of the Bombay High Court on September 26, 2022, recommended the elevation of Deshpande.

"The chief ministers and the governors of the states of Maharashtra and Goa have concurred in the recommendation. On May 2, 2023, the Supreme Court Collegium deferred its decision on the recommendation and decided to seek a report of the acting chief justice of the High Court of Bombay in view of the issues which were flagged by the government in the file.

"In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, judges of the Supreme Court conversant with the affairs of the High Court of Bombay were consulted to ascertain the fitness and suitability of the candidate proposed for elevation to the High Court," the Collegium said.

The Collegium, also comprising justices S K Kaul and Sanjiv Khanna, said it scrutinised and evaluated the material which has been placed on record for the purpose of assessing the merit and suitability of Deshpande for elevation to the high court.

"By a communication dated May 10, 2023, the acting chief justice submitted a report. The report indicates that before doing so, the acting chief justice discussed the matter with his colleagues at the Aurangabad Bench of the High Court.

"We have considered the inputs provided by the government in the file," it added.

The Collegium said in its assessment, it has found that Deshpande is a competent lawyer and has been in practice since 1991.

"The candidate is well versed in several branches of law, particularly in constitutional and service matters. She has been on the panel of the government since 2013. The elevation of the candidate would add to the representation of women on the Bench of the High Court of Bombay particularly amongst women lawyers practising before the Bench at Aurangabad," it said.

Regarding advocate Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind, the Collegium said the inputs in the file indicate nothing adverse to his integrity or character.

"The candidate has a standing of nearly 23 years at the Bar. He has appeared before the high court as standing counsel for various departments of the state government. He has appeared in cases resulting in 567 reported judgments.

"This, coupled with his average professional income is an indicator of his experience. There is a considerable amount of tax litigation before the Karnataka High Court. There is a need for specialised judges having domain experience in this branch of law," it said.

The collegium said Kurubarahalli Venkataramareddy Aravind is fit and suitable for appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Karnataka.

On the names of advocates N Senthilkumar and G Arul Murugan, it said their names were recommended for appointment by the collegium of the Madras High Court on August 3, 2022.

"By a communication dated June 27, 2023, the chief justice of the Madras High Court has forwarded the minutes of the High Court collegium in regard to the suitability of the two candidates. In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, the judges of the Supreme Court conversant with the affairs of the Madras High Court were

consulted to ascertain the fitness and suitability of the two candidates," it said.

The Collegium said Senthilkumar has a standing of over 28 years at the Bar and has been practising in constitutional, criminal, service and civil cases.

"The candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste. His appointment as a judge of the high court will enhance the representation on the Bench to marginalised communities. Having regard to the above factors, the Collegium is of the considered opinion that Shri N Senthilkumar is suitable for elevation to the Madras High Court," it said.

On Murugan, the Collegium said he has an experience of over 24 years at the Bar and has appeared before the Madras High Court and various tribunals.

"The candidate belongs to the OBC category. His appointment as a judge will facilitate greater representation of the OBCs in appointment to the higher judiciary. Having regard to the above aspects, the Collegium is of the considered opinion that Shri G Arul Murugan is suitable for the elevation to the Madras High Court," the collegium said.
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) Two BJP MLAs on Wednesday complained about courts infringing their rights by passing undue orders and sought Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar's intervention in the matter.

Narwekar as well as deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said they would look into the issue.

BJP MLA Captain Tamil Selvan raised a point of order in the assembly regarding the issues of residents of a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme in his constituency Sion-Koliwada in Mumbai.

A court said that MLAs should not to hold meetings in the SRA office, he said, adding "this is indeed serious and amounts to infringement of our rights as MLAs."



Ashish Shelar, another BJP MLA from Mumbai, cited two similar instances.

During the coronavirus pandemic, I noticed that a disinfectant available in the market was more effective than the one being used by the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) and I informed officials about it through a letter. BMC additional commissioner also held a meeting. But later, when somebody went to the court, the court issued a directive that an MLA must not hold meetings in the BMC office, he said.

A court had also taken a similar objection when he had held a meeting with BMC officials regarding an issue related to a dilapidated building, Shelar said.

We do not want to go against the court's directives. But as people's representatives, don't we have the right to hold meetings with officials regarding the issues of residents of our constituencies, he asked, requesting the Speaker to look into the matter.



Fadnavis informed that Tamil Salvan had brought the issue to his notice and said the issues raised by Shelar were also serious.

The government will discuss it with the advocate general and take it up with the courts. Also, the government will approach the Supreme Court, if required, the deputy CM said.



Speaker Narwekar said he will communicate with the courts in this regard.

Both the judiciary and legislative assembly are independent entities and must not interfere in each other's domains, he said.
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) The Bombay High Court has ordered the release of a 30-year-old man sentenced to around 83 years in jail in 41 cases, observing that any sentences imposed by courts must maintain a proper balance between deterrent and reformative objectives, and that it cannot permit "miscarriage of justice".

The convict - Aslam Shaikh - has been in jail since December 2014 and convicted for offences pertaining to theft. He is presently lodged at the Yerawada prison in Pune.

All his sentences were to run consecutively as the trial courts had not specified that the sentences would run concurrently with the previous convictions and sentences.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse in its judgment passed on July 17 on a plea filed by Shaikh said courts exist to do justice and that none of the trial courts considered the sentencing policy of deterrence and reformation.

"The sentencing policy of criminal jurisprudence mandates courts to pass such sentences as would meet its primary twin objects of deterrence and re-formation," the high court said.

The deterrent effect of a sentence is to prevent commission of a similar offence by the convict, it added.

"The sentence of imprisonment should also have a reformative aim, in as much as, it should not demoralise the offender and in fact, the offender should be given an opportunity depending on the nature of the offence to improve himself," the HC said.

"Thus, any sentence imposed by any courts must maintain a proper balance between the deterrent and reformative objects of a sentencing policy and must ensure that the said object is sufficiently met," it said.

Shaikh in his plea filed through jail had sought for the imprisonment sentences imposed on him by different courts in 41 cases run concurrently. Shaikh has been convicted to imprisonment ranging from six months to three years in the cases.



The high court noted that if Shaikh has to undergo imprisonment in all the cases consecutively then he would be compelled to undergo imprisonment of around 83 years and since he is not in a position to pay the fine imposed on, he would be required to undergo imprisonment of further ten years.



The bench noted that this would mean a total of 93 years - "Shaikhs entire life, with no hope whatsoever to even come out of jail".

"This is a sentence, more than what a life convict would have to undergo for murder. If permitted, this would certainly lead to travesty of justice. Being alive to this reality, we cannot permit this miscarriage of justice," the HC said.





The high court quoted Earl Warren, former Chief Justice of the United States of America, "It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive" and author William Scott Downey, "Law without justice is a wound without a cure".

It added that there would be serious miscarriage of justice if it fails to interfere and exercise its discretion.

"Courts exist to do justice, and this is one such case that begs our interference," the high court said.

The bench said it deems it appropriate to "put right the clock, to prevent miscarriage of justice, failing which the petitioner (Shaikh) would remain incarcerated for more than 90 years, in 41 cases for committing theft, with no prospect of coming out of jail anytime in the future".

The court noted that the actual period of imprisonment undergone by the petitioner is more than nine years and ordered for Shaikh to be released in all the 41 cases considering the time he has spent in jail as an undergone sentence.

Shaikh in his plea claimed that he is an illiterate who pleaded guilty in all the 41 cases under a belief that he would be released from prison for the period already undergone in jail.

The bench in its order noted that the facts of the case warrants the court to do justice.

"This is a glaring case warranting interference of this Court, as a protector of the fundamental right to life and personal liberty, lest there would be serious miscarriage of justice," the HC said.

The high court in its order noted that under provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code when a person undergoing imprisonment in a case is sentenced to imprisonment in another case then the second sentencing shall commence after expiration of the first conviction unless the concerned court directs that both the sentences shall run concurrently.

"Thus, it is evident that the court has the power and discretion to issue a direction that all subsequent sentences run concurrently with the previous sentence," the court said adding in the present case, in none of the convictions there is a specific direction by the court that the sentences shall run concurrently.

The bench noted that Shaikh at the time of his arrest was only 21 years old and was not defended by any advocate in any of the cases and was not offered legal aid too by the trial courts.

The HC said Shaikh had sought all the trial courts to show him leniency as he belonged to a poor family and his family was dependent on him.
QUITO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and one person was injured in an armed attack Tuesday night in Ecuador's capital Quito, police said on Wednesday.

The attack took place after 8 p.m. local time at a beauty salon in the Nueva Aurora neighborhood in south Quito, according to local media reports.

The National Police in Quito's Metropolitan District tweeted that there were six suspects traveling in two vehicles, and police was investigating the attack.

Quito, the country's most populated city, has seen several shootings in different parts of the city in recent weeks. 
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) Amidst heavy showers, a 25-year-old man was washed away in the swollen Poysar river in suburban Malad on Wednesday evening, civic officials said.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade launched a search operation for the man with the help of police and local residents, but could not locate him, they said.

The search operation was called off at around 8.15 pm due to downpour, darkness and strong flow of water in the river, the officials said.

A civic official said it was not immediately known how the man fell into the flooded river.
Imphal, Jul 19 (PTI) The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday said the party will raise the issue of ethnic strife-torn Manipur in Parliament, while condemning the incident in which two women were paraded naked and molested by a group of men in the northeastern state.

A five-member delegation of TMC MPs visited two relief camps each in Churachandpur, one of the most affected districts, and Imphal Valley.

The leaders also called on Governor Anusuiya Ukiye at Raj Bhavan here.

"People told us about their pain. The relief materials provided to the relief camps in both hills areas and the valley are not sufficient. Those camps should get sufficient relief," TMC Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee told reporters.

He said the governor has informed the delegation that if any relief is sent from West Bengal, she will ensure that the materials reach the affected people in relief camps.

We will raise the issue in the monsoon session of Parliament. Restoration of peace is the prime consideration of our party," Banerjee said.

He said that the delegation will give a report to TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

After a May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men, the TMC also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his 78-day silence and stand by the people of Manipur.

The party tweeted: Blood-curdling visuals have emerged from Manipur where two women... were paraded naked & sexually assaulted by a large group of men. What is stopping the Centre from dispatching fact-finding teams & commissions to Manipur? Why is the WCD Minister still silent on the matter?

The video was doing the rounds on the eve of a planned protest march announced by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Thursday to highlight their plight.

The TMC also attacked the saffron party saying All claims of Nari Shakti by the BJP ring hollow if we cannot ensure justice for the women of Manipur.

Earlier, upon reaching the BJP-ruled northeastern state, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev told reporters: Our leader Mamata Banerjee has sent a delegation of five MPs to listen to all the sides. Banerjee had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier and wanted to visit the state. But the home minister did not facilitate her visit. Later, she directed us to visit the state for a day or two."

Besides Kalyan Banerjee and Dev, the TMC delegation has its Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien, Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen and Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.

More than 150 people have lost their lives, and several injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Jul 19 (PTI) Private steel major Tata Steel on Wednesday said that it manufactured the crane used for the successful launch of the LVM3-M4 rocket, dubbed as 'Fat Boy', in the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

It said the crane was manufactured in Tata Growth Shop in Jamshedpur.

"Our cutting-edge crane technology played a crucial role... We supplied the Electric Overhead Traveling (EOT) crane which was installed at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh," it said.

"Through our contribution to the launch... we reaffirm our commitment to fostering India's technological advancement and growth," it stated.

The rocket was launched from Sriharikota on July 14.
Patna, Jul 19 (PTI) Bihar police on Wednesday arrested a key accused in the PFI Phulwari Sharif module case wanted by the National Investigating Agency (NIA).

According to the police headquarters here, Yakoob Khan, alias Sultan, was nabbed in Uttar Govindara village in East Champaran district and handed over to the NIA.

He was arrested in a joint operation by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the district police.

Khan, who belongs to a nearby village, has been on the NIA radar ever since the PFI's network was busted in Bihar capital's Phulwari Sharif locality last year, shortly before a ban was imposed on the organisation.

According to the NIA, Khan worked as a physical trainer but was allegedly involved in posting videos on social media "aimed at spreading communal tensions.

NIA has also accused him of involvement in a conspiracy to "execute a targeted killing", conducting recce and procuring weapons.

Bihar police claimed that with Khans arrest, it has succeeded in catching three of the six accused about whom inputs were received from the NIA.

In March, Irshad Alam was nabbed in East Champaran, while Mumtaz Ansari, belonging to the same district, was caught with the help of local police in Tamil Nadu last month.
Aizawl, Jul 19 (PTI) Methamphetamine tablets worth Rs 6 crore were seized in an area close to the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram's Champhai district and two persons were arrested, Assam Rifles said in a statement.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police nabbed two persons hailing from Assam with 20,000 Methamphetamine tablets on the Zokhawthar-Melbuk Road, it said.

The duo has been identified as Jaynal Uddin (27) and Fayzul Haque (28), both residents of Kakuripar village in Assam's Karimganj district, it added.
New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the opposition alliance 'INDIA' with the ruling party posting three short videos on social media portraying the 26-member bloc as ten-headed demon king Ravana.

In the short videos posted on Twitter, the BJP sought to portray that a government of multiple coalition partners cannot have farsightedness and the capacity to take decisive action due to differences of opinions among the constituents.

So far as farsightedness is concerned, one needs to have just two eyes like an eagle, not 20... Countrys vision will blur if it has to be with you for five years, the lead character in one of the videos tells the ten-headed person who wanted to use his telescope to see the scenery.

The video concludes with suggestion: Ravan ka dahan kiya jaata hai, chayan nahi" (Ravana is burnt, not elected).

By changing name, intention doesn't change, the BJP tweeted, posting the video.

The 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition -- Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) -- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In another video, the BJP sought to convey that people of the country are confused with the opposition parties alliance as it doesn't have any policy, vision and a leader.

Naam badla, per kya kaam badlenge (Name changed, but will the deeds also change)? the party asked posting the short video.

Countrys 130 crore people are confused looking at your mahathugbandhan (greater alliance of cheats). What is policy? What is the intent? And, who is the leader?, a mobile shop owner tells the ten-headed person, reacting to which each of the heads claimed himself to be the leader.

The video also sought to convey that the countrys progress will stall if the people vote for the united opposition in the 2024 elections.
Jaipur, Jul 19 (PTI) The opposition BJP on Wednesday demanded a CBI inquiry into Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) paper leaks and later staged a walkout from the state assembly as a mark of protest.

During the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore said the youth are disheartened due to the exam paper leaks.

"A member of the RPSC was arrested, another member's name has come up in a complaint in connection with which a former Congress minister has been arrested recently," he said.

Rathore demanded that all competitive exams conducted by the RPSC be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Rajasthan Police's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested former chairperson of State Ghumantu Jati Kalyan Board Gopal Kesawat and three others on July 15 for accepting a bribe of Rs 18.50 lakh to help a candidate clear the executive officer recruitment exam conducted by the RPSC.

Kesawat is a former Congress leader. He was expelled from the party in November 2018 for contesting the assembly elections as a rebel candidate.

Opposition members entered the well of the House before staging a walkout to protest the paper leaks.

Prior to Rathore, other BJP MLAs including Vasudev Devnani and Ashok Lahoti also spoke on the issue.

Devnani said, "Rajasthan is drowning in corruption and now constitutional institutes like the RPSC too are getting involved in it. Over 70 lakh youth of Rajasthan are troubled and seeking justice."

During the Congress government's tenure, around 18 exams have been conducted by the RPSC and papers for many of them have been leaked, he claimed.

"I demand that the RPSC be dissolved and new members appointed on the lines of UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)," he said.

Rajasthan has witnessed a few instances wherein it was alleged that exam question papers for recruitment were leaked to aspirants, including in 2021 during the hiring of teachers by the state education board and last year in a test conducted by the RPSC.

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police, which is investigating the paper leaks, had arrested former RPSC member Babulal Katara, his nephew and driver in April in connection with the senior teacher paper leak case of 2022.

The exam was cancelled after the paper was widely shared on social media before the commencement of the exam.
Srinagar, Jul 19 (PTI) A forest guard, injured in a militant attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, died at a hospital here on Wednesday, officials said.

Militants had fired upon a team of forest department employees who had set up a checkpoint to apprehend timber smugglers near the Bangender Bridge in the south Kashmir district on Tuesday night, they said.

In the incident, two employees were injured.

The injured -- Imran Yousaf Wani and Jahangir Ahmed Chechi -- were taken to a hospital, wherefrom Wani, who had received a bullet injury on his thigh, was shifted to SMHS Hospital here.

Chechi had minor injuries and was discharged after first-aid, the officials said.

However, Wani died at the SMHS hospital, the officials said and added that a case has been registered and an investigation is underway.
Jammu, Jul 18 (PTI) The All Reserved Categories Joint Action Committee (ARCJAC), an apex body representing tribal communities, has issued a stern warning that it will stage protests on the streets if a bill proposing reservation for Paharis is introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament.

Speaking on behalf of the ARCJAC, advocate Anwar Choudhary expressed strong opposition to the bill, claiming that it is illegal and unconstitutional.

He contended that Paharis do not meet the criteria for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and emphasised that the bill should not even be discussed but dropped entirely.

Another advocate, Mohammad Azam, raised the issue of population dynamics, asserting that the Paharis have a larger population than the Gujjars.

He warned the government that if the bill is pursued, the ruling BJP would face defeat in every Assembly seat in the Jammu region.

Advocate Mohammad Ayoub Choudhary sent a strong message to the government, emphasising that the Gujjars and Bakerwals, the third-largest community in Jammu and Kashmir, would not allow their rights to be taken away and given to upper-caste individuals.

He warned that they have the potential to influence the electoral outcome in 60 Assembly seats and cautioned that controlling the situation would become difficult if people took to the streets.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in October last year that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in favour of reservation for Paharis and the quota would be implemented in the near future.

"Justice Sharma has recommended Scheduled Tribe status for Paharis. Prime Minister Modi is going to implement the recommendation," Shah had said while addressing a mega rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri.
Srinagar, Jul 18 (PTI) Terrorists shot at and injured two non-local labourers in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday, police said.

The injured men were rushed to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be stable, they added.

"#Terrorists fired upon two outside labourers in #Anantnag. Both the injured #civilians have been shifted to hospital, where they are stated to be stable. Area being cordoned off for search #operation. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police informed on Twitter.

Three non-local labourers were injured on Thursday when terrorists fired upon them in the Gagren area of Shopian district.
Fishermen carry freshly-caught fish to a market at a fish port in Hodeidah Province, western Yemen, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

HODEIDAH, Yemen, July 19 (Xinhua) -- In a fish port of Hodeidah Province, western Yemen, several small wooden boats return from their fishing expeditions.

The modest vessels are roughly five meters in length, slighter longer than a sedan. Most of them are beautifully painted in light blue and white, some even decorated with exquisite Arabesque on the prow.

There are small cabins on the ships to store freshly caught fish and ice cubes. But the fishermen, facing the relentless storms and scorching sunshine of the Red Sea, must endure the trip from the deck.

Fishing in Hodeidah has never been an easy venture, but the ongoing conflict and the economic crisis in Yemen have turned it into a mission impossible.

"I didn't catch much fish," Essa Al-Wesabi, a fisherman, said disappointedly while standing on the deck of his ship. "The only silver lining is that I've returned safely."

For Al-Wesabi and his fellow fishermen, each fishing trip is fraught with peril. This coastal province faces constant threats of airstrikes and naval mines, as it stands in the confrontational lines of the yearslong conflict between the internationally-recognized Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels.

"Every time I set out to fish, my wife sheds tears, fearing I might never return home just like many of my friends," he revealed, recounting his own near-death experience of losing three fishing boats to airstrikes that almost claimed his life.

"I am one of the fortunate ones. My friend, Al-Yateem, and his sons went out and lost their lives, all for some fish," Al-Wesabi said.

Fishing has been the lifeblood of the communities in the coastal province for centuries. Though the land may lack fertility, the sea bestows an abundant wealth of fish.

"Without fishing, many of us will starve. It is either sitting idle and starving or gambling our lives at sea," said the fishermen.

The Yemeni fishery sector has borne the brunt of the conflict, incurring substantial losses estimated at nearly 6.9 billion U.S. dollars, primarily because of the destruction of harbors, landing centers, and fishing boats, as reported by Yemen's Fisheries Authority.

Yemen's coastline, once a thriving expanse of more than 2,000 km brimming with fishing grounds, supported thousands of livelihoods and bolstered the national economy.

However, the civil war that broke out in 2014 has plunged the nation into a humanitarian crisis, with over 17 million people reliant on food aid and over 2 million children grappling with acute malnutrition.

Mohammad Husein, another fisherman, also shared his dire financial struggles caused by the war, noting the conflict not only makes fishing more challenging but dampens local demand, further reducing the fishermen's incomes.

"Fish markets throughout the country have witnessed a big downturn in prices, severely constraining our incomes," he revealed, adding fewer and fewer people can afford to buy fish, leading to a diminishing market.

The harbor, home to nearly 100 ships, often remains quiet for days or even weeks. Pelicans linger nearby, hopeful of scavenging any unwanted fish tossed overboard, as fishermen stare blankly at the Red Sea.

"The only way to regain our lives is to restore peace and order in Yemen. Then the fishermen can venture out to sea, and the farmers can cultivate their crops," said Husein. 

Fishermen return to a fish port in Hodeidah Province, western Yemen, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

Fishermen transfer freshly-caught fish at a fish port in Hodeidah Province, western Yemen, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

Fishermen unload freshly-caught fish at a fish port in Hodeidah Province, western Yemen, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

A young man shows a fish at a fish port in Hodeidah Province, western Yemen, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

Local residents buy fish at a fish port in Hodeidah Province, western Yemen, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)
Thiruvananthapuram, July 19 (PTI) The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to recommend to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan to convene the ninth session of the 15th Legislative Assembly from next month.



A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took the decision to convene the new session from August 7, a CMO statement said.







This would be the first session of the House after the demise of veteran Congress leader Oommen Chandy who was part of the Assembly proceedings for more than half a century.







Chandy was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Puthuppally constituency 12 times in a row since 1970.







The Cabinet, in its meeting, condoled Chandy's demise and passed a resolution to that effect expressing its deep grief and sorrow over his passing, the statement said.







It also recalled his contributions to Kerala, its development and welfare of its people, the CMO statement said.







"His contributions as minister of important departments like Finance and Home Affairs and as Chief Minister cannot be forgotten. His work as UDF convenor was also worth remembering," the Cabinet noted according to the statement.
Jaipur, Jul 19 (PTI) Two youths, who had gone for a picnic, drowned in the Gogunda police station area of Rajasthan's Udaipur district on Wednesday.

Hitesh Patel (25) and Sandeep Lohar (26) drowned in the Kathar river, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) Hemraj Goswami of Gogunda police station said.

The body of Hitesh Patel has been taken out from the river with the help of villagers while the Civil Defense team is searching for Sandeep's body, he said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that six friends had arrived on the banks of the Kathar river for a picnic. Hitesh and Sandeep had jumped into the river to take a bath when they slipped into deep water.

Hitesh's body has been kept in the mortuary of the hospital for postmortem, ASI added.
A Salvadoran man and former employee of the Taste of Brazil  Tudo Na Brasa restaurant in Woburn, Massachusetts was sentenced Monday in federal court in Boston for providing false identification documents to Brazilian employees of the restaurant who lacked work authorization
Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's been notified he is a target of the Justice Department investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election




In a meeting at the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Joe Biden assured Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog of the unwavering friendship and support between the United States and Israel. Stressing the strength of the bilateral relationship, Biden reaffirmed Americas firm and ironclad commitment to Israel, a sentiment he also conveyed in a phone call with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu the day before.

During the meeting, President Biden underscored the United States dedication to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He acknowledged his administrations role in facilitating the opening of Saudi Arabian airspace to Israeli flights and expressed the need for continued efforts in that regard.

President Herzog expressed gratitude on behalf of the Israeli people, thanking President Biden for his unwavering support over the past 50 years and for his endeavors to foster greater normalization between Israel and Arab states. Herzog acknowledged that despite occasional differences, the bond between the two nations was unbreakable and urged those who misunderstand their cooperation to recognize the significant progress achieved in recent years.

Touching on the ongoing judicial reform debate in Israel, President Herzog emphasized the robustness of Israeli democracy and the commitment to seek consensus even amidst heated discussions. He expressed his determination to find amicable solutions and navigate the current crisis.

Ahead of President Herzogs visit, a small group of demonstrators gathered near Lafayette Square, with some waving Israeli flags and others brandishing Palestinian flags, reflecting the contrasting opinions surrounding the judicial reform issue.

Following the meeting with President Biden, President Herzog spoke about feeling at home in Washington due to the familial ties between the US and Israel. He highlighted the shared concerns regarding the Iranian threat, terrorism, and internal developments within Israel, stating that the concerns expressed by their friends in the US were rooted in genuine care for both nations.

President Herzogs visit to the White House occurred amid heightened tensions between Washington and Jerusalem. President Biden had recently referred to the current Israeli cabinet as the most extreme he had ever seen, citing their support for Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Differences also persisted regarding judicial reform and approaches to the Iranian nuclear threat.

While Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, and Ilhan Omar announced their boycott of President Herzogs address to Congress, progressive lobby J Street encouraged all members to attend, emphasizing Herzogs partnership with J Street and commitment to Israel, peace, and democracy.

President Herzogs itinerary included meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Vice President Kamala Harris. He was also scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and New York City Mayor Eric Adams in New York.

Accompanying President Herzog on his trip was Leah Goldin, the mother of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed by Hamas during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, with his body still held captive by the terrorist group.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




[By Freidy Orgad, Chabad Shlucha in Cluj-Napoca (Klausenburg), Romania]

As we approach the vacation days, I decided to share something Ive wanted to share for several years. I do not, G-d forbid, want to harm anyone, so its important to me that you read this with a positive attitude, and you are invited to comment respectfully.

The summertime is when many people travel abroad and rely on Chabad houses around the world. I need to highlight a few important things that many people do not know about Chabad houses.

So lets begin:

1. Chabad houses are not funded by any governmental body, neither the Israeli government nor the Jewish Agency. Every Chabad Shliach needs to work very hard (very, very hard) and secure donations that will sustain their activities throughout the entire year.

2. The activities in each Chabad house are very different. Some Chabads have a thriving local community with kindergartens, schools, youth movements, and so on. Some Chabads have a small community of elderly Jews, and some cater to an Israeli/Russian-speaking community. Each Chabad has its own unique assignment. One thing is for sure: all the Shluchim work hard to spread Judaism in their city.

3. Most Chabad houses in the world are not primarily intended for tourists, so they may only sometimes have suitable amenities. Keep in mind that you may need to adapt to the place and not expect the Chabad house to adjust to you.

Are you traveling abroad and need to rely on a Chabad house? With pleasure! Just make sure to clarify everything in advance. Just because you see a Chabad in a certain city doesnt mean theres a kosher restaurant, daily/weekly minyanim, a kosher store, or a mikvah. Some Chabad houses have kosher restaurants or a kitchen with a team that cooks, while others (like ours, for example  are self-sustaining and cook themselves. Consider what each place offers, and make sure it fits your needs and is active during your stay.

4. Mikvah  if you plan to use the Mikvah during your trip abroad, clarify in advance. In many places, you need to coordinate in advance so that they can heat the water and ensure privacy. Clarifying in advance can prevent a lot of stress (from experience).

5. Shabbat  planning to observe Shabbat abroad? If you are with a baby, be aware that there might not be an eruv, and it is forbidden to carry a stroller/baby in your hands. Check in advance if there is accommodation with a key/no sensors, the walking distance to the Chabad house/synagogue, etc.

Also, if you decide to join Shabbat meals at Chabad, make sure to RSVP on time. Imagine how you would feel if someone knew on Friday at noon that they were coming to spend Shabbat with you and brought along another six people?

7. Questions  do you have any questions related to your trip? Try checking if the answer is on the local Chabads website, Google, or tourist groups for your destination. I dont mean any offense, but as you know, sometimes there are dozens or hundreds or even thousands of questions, and it can be difficult to answer them all. Unless its an emergency, avoid calling the emissary in the middle of the night. And no, inquiring about ordering challah for Shabbat is not considered an emergency (true story!)

8. Payment  a question we sometimes ask ourselves: Why do Shabbat meals at Chabad cost money? The answer is in the first section: no one funds it. Did your flight, hotel, and transportation cost you? Similarly, Shabbat meals at a Chabad house. Did you arrive at a Chabad house that didnt request payment for the meals? Leave a donation. Be sure that it is greatly appreciated and much neded!

9. Leftovers. Do you have leftover items from your trip that you want to leave? Some products can truly make the Shluchim or community happy (sealed snacks, sealed dairy products, and generally non-local sealed products). But first and foremost, check if they want them, and do not leave open products/brochures or newspapers that need to be genizah.

10. Lastly, Chabad Shlchim go above and beyond throughout the world to spread Judaism, take care of Jews in distress, and ensure the well-being of Jews in general. Alongside this, they are individuals with families and personal lives. Have you encountered a Shliach or Shlucha whose behavior didnt meet your expectations? Find out what theyve been through that led them to act that way. Try to give the benefit of the doubt, and theres no need to criticize them in front of Shluchim in another country.

We are all one family  the Chabad Shluchim family, and we dont like to hear that. On the other hand, we are always happy to hear praise for another Shliach and pass it on.

In conclusion, I wish everyone a healthy summer, travel, and enjoyment! You are always welcome to our Chabad house with joy, love, and prior coordination.

NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.

DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE POSTED ON YWN? SEND IT TO US FOR REVIEW.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Police carted more boxes of potential evidence Tuesday out of the Long Island home of Rex Heuermann, who has been charged with killing at least three women and leaving their remains alongside a remote stretch of beach highway.

Items pulled out of Heuermanns home in Massapequa Park in recent days have included more than 200 firearms, a large doll in a glass case, a large portrait of a woman with a bruised face and a filing cabinet.

Investigators, some dressed in crime lab T-shirts and protective suits, were seen Tuesday carting away a desktop computer, a large picture frame, a mirror and many other household items.

It remains to be seen whether any of those items will help authorities build their case against Heuermann, an architect who was charged Friday with murdering three women and was said by a prosecutor to be a suspect in a fourth slaying.

Heuermann has denied killing the women, according to his attorney, Michael Brown.

Since his arrest, Heuermann has been on suicide watch at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, according to a spokesperson for the sheriffs office. The designation, which requires high security measures and close observation, came following an evaluation by county medical staff, according to the spokesperson, Vicki DiStefano.

The charges were a remarkable development in one of New Yorks most notorious mysteries.

Starting in 2010, police searching for a missing woman near Long Islands Gilgo Beach discovered 10 sets of human remains scattered along a long barrier island. The dead included eight women, one man and a young child.

Authorities concluded it was unlikely one person killed all of those victims, but that several of the bodies found relatively close together appeared to have been the likely work of a serial killer.

Heuermann, 59, is accused of murdering Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said investigators are continuing to work toward charging him in the death of a fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four women had been sex workers. Their bodies were found along the same quarter-mile (0.4-kilometer) stretch of Ocean Parkway.

Investigators in the case have also searched storage units that had been rented by Heuermann, who also owned undeveloped land in South Carolina and a timeshare condominium in Las Vegas.

The missing woman whose disappearance prompted the police search that led to the accidental discovery of the Gilgo Beach remains, Shannan Gilbert, was herself found dead in a nearby coastal marsh in 2011.

Suffolk Police concluded that she drowned accidentally  a finding her family has not accepted, believing she was also killed.

(AP)




A man who served a prison term for joining torch-toting white nationalists in marching through the University of Virginias campus in 2017 rally has been arrested on charges that he stormed the U.S. Capitol and attacked police officers.

Tyler Bradley Dykes, 25, of Bluffton, South Carolina, was arrested in Charlottesville, Virginia, and made his initial court appearance on Monday, according to court records. A federal judge ordered Dykes held in custody until a detention hearing on Wednesday.

Videos captured Dykes tearing down police barriers, attacking officers outside the Capitol and stealing a riot shield during a mobs attack on Jan. 6, 2021, an FBI affidavit says.

Dykes previously was charged in a Virginia state court with illegally participating in the August 2017 march on the night before the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Far-right extremists clashed with counterprotesters on the streets of Charlottesville before an Ohio man linked to a white supremacist group plowed his car into a crowd, killing 32-year-old civil rights activist Heather Heyer.

In May, Dykes pleaded guilty to a state felony charge of burning an object with the intent to intimidate and was sentenced to 5 years in prison, with 4 1/2 years suspended. He was given credit for time he served in South Carolina while awaiting extradition to Virginia and finished serving his state sentence on Monday.

An FBI task force officer met and interviewed Dykes around January 2019 regarding his potential ties to domestic extremist groups, the officer wrote in an affidavit for the Jan. 6 case. Dykes may still have ties to extremist groups such as the South Carolina-based Southern Sons Active Club, the federal agent said.

Active clubs are a network of white supremacists who see themselves as fighters training for an ongoing war against a system that they claim is deliberately plotting against the white race, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

In December 2021, the FBI received a tip from somebody who said Dykes had boasted about attacking officers at the Capitol. The tipster told the FBI that Dykes said he went there for fun and wanted to make a statement.

Dykes was wearing a gray gaitor over his face as he marched to the Capitol with two other people. Video shows him joining other rioters in tearing down barriers and attacking police officers on the east side of the Capitol, the FBI affidavit says.

Dykes stole a riot shield and raised it over his head before police deployed pepper spray toward him in an unsuccessful attempt to subdue him and regain control of their shield, according to the FBI. Dykes paraded around the interior of the Capitol building with the stolen shield, the FBI said.

The charges against Dykes include interfering with police during a civil disorder.

An attorney from the federal public defenders office was assigned to represent Dykes at his initial court appearance in Roanoke, Virginia. That lawyer said he cant comment on the charges.

(AP)




Ukraine said its forces shot down Russian drones and cruise missiles targeting the Black Sea port of Odesa before dawn Tuesday in what Moscow called retribution for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge to the Crimean Peninsula.

The Russians first sought to wear down Ukraines air defenses by firing 25 exploding drones and then targeted Odesa with six Kalibr cruise missiles, the Ukrainian militarys Southern Command said.

All six missiles and the drones were shot down by air defenses in the Odesa region and other areas in the south, officials said, though their debris and shock waves damaged some port facilities and a few residential buildings and injured an elderly man at his home.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its strike of retribution was carried out with sea- launched precision weapons on Ukrainian military facilities near Odesa and Mykolaiv, a coastal city about 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the northeast.

It destroyed facilities preparing terror attacks against Russia involving maritime drones, including a facility at a shipyard that was producing them, the ministry said. It added that it also struck Ukrainian fuel depots near the two cities.

It was not possible to verify the conflicting claims by both countries.

President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine on Monday for striking the Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with Crimea and was attacked in October 2022 and needed months of repairs. The bridge is a key supply route for the peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Ukrainian officials stopped short of directly taking responsibility, as they have done in similar strikes before, but Ukraines top security agency appeared tacitly to admit to a role.

Satellite images taken Monday by Maxar Technologies showed serious damage to both eastbound and westbound lanes of the bridge across the Kerch Strait on the part nearest to the Russian mainland, with at least one section collapsed. The railroad bridge that runs parallel to the highway appeared undamaged.

The Russian military has sporadically hit Odesa and the neighboring region throughout the war, but Tuesdays barrage was one of the biggest attacks on the area.

Ukrainian forces have been targeting Crimea with drones and other attacks. Kyiv has vowed to reclaim it from Russian control, arguing that the peninsula plays a key role in sustaining the Russian invasion and is a legitimate target.

The onslaught also came a day after Russia broke off a deal that had allowed Ukraine to ship vital grain supplies from Odesa during the war. Moscow said the decision was in the works long before the bridge attack.

Even so, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov alleged, without offering evidence, that the specific shipping lanes and routes used for the grain transport under the deal were abused by Ukraine.

Our military has repeatedly said that Ukraine has used these grain corridors for military purposes, Peskov told reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine will continue implementing the grain deal. Peskov warned that such action was risky because the region lies next to an area where there is fighting.

If they try to do something without Russia, these risks must be taken into account, Peskov told reporters.

Zelenskyy said grain exports by sea and port security topped his meeting Tuesday with senior military commanders and government officials, adding that he received reports on logistics and protection of the coastal regions.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraines presidential office, said Russia is endangering the lives of millions around the world who need Ukrainian grain exports. Hunger is a growing threat in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty.

The world must realize that the goal of the Russian Federation is hunger and killing people, Yermak said. They need waves of refugees. They want to weaken the West with this.

The United Nations and Ukraines Western allies slammed Moscow for halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

At the U.N., Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said very active discussions continue with the world body and other countries and entities on how to keep grain flowing, but a key issue is what would occur if Russia attacked a Ukrainian grain shipment.

Asked whether there was any talk of an international force or deployment to protect shipments, he told reporters that, Everyone is looking for the way out, and every option is on the table.

Earlier, he urged countries at a General Assembly meeting to demand that Russia return to the deal and stop its hunger games.

USAID is giving Ukraine a further $250 million to support its agricultural sector as its chief, Samantha Power, visited Odesa and chided Moscow for its stance.

Russias disruption of maritime commerce since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, including blockading ports, delaying ship inspections, and, most recently, withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, has severely choked the amount of grain Ukraine is able to provide to the world amid a global food crisis, a USAID statement said.

The Kremlin said the agreement would be suspended until Moscows demands to lift restrictions on exports of Russian food and fertilizer to the world are met. Peskov reaffirmed an earlier Kremlin pledge to provide especially poor countries in Africa with grain for free, adding that the issue will be discussed at a Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg next week.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry also said its forces had foiled a Ukrainian attack on Crimea using 28 drones.

The ministry said 17 of the attacking drones were shot down and 11 others were jammed electronically and crashed, with no damage or casualties.

Also Tuesday, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by The Associated Press showed that a convoy of vehicles arrived at a once-abandoned military base in Belarus, which was offered to Russias private military contractor, Wagner. That followed a short-lived rebellion last month against the Russian Defense Ministry by Wagners chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The photos, taken Monday, show a long line of vehicles coming off a highway into the base near the Belarusian town of Osipovichi, some 75 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of the capital, Minsk.

Belaruski Hajun, an activist group that monitors troops movements in Belarus, said several convoys with Wagner fighters have entered the country since last week, including at least 170 vehicles on Tuesday. It estimated that about 2,500 Wagner mercenaries are now in Belarus.

(AP)




An American soldier facing military disciplinary actions fled across the heavily armed border from South Korea into North Korea, U.S. officials said Tuesday, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.

Two U.S. officials said the soldier detained was Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, who had just been released from a South Korean prison where hed been held on assault charges and was facing additional military disciplinary actions in the United States.

King, whos in his early 20s, was escorted to the airport to be returned to Fort Bliss, Texas, but instead of getting on the plane he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border.

At a Pentagon press conference Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin did not name King, but confirmed that a U.S. service member was likely now in North Korean custody.

Were closely monitoring and investigating the situation and working to notify the soldiers next of kin, Austin said, noting he was foremost concerned about the troops wellbeing. This will develop in the next several days and hours, and well keep you posted.

Details about King, including his hometown and what additional charges he faced, were not immediately available. It was also unclear how he managed to leave the airport while he was being escorted.

The American-led U.N. Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. North Koreas state media didnt immediately report on the border crossing.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248-kilometer-long (154-mile) Demilitarized Zone, has been jointly overseen by the U.N. Command and North Korea since its creation at the close of the Korean War. Bloodshed and gunfire have occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for numerous talks and is a popular tourist spot.

Known for its blue huts straddling concrete slabs that form the demarcation line, Panmunjom draws visitors from both sides who want to see the Cold Wars last frontier. No civilians live at Panmunjom. In the past, North and South Korean soldiers faced off within meters (yards) of each other.

Tours to the southern side of the village reportedly drew around 100,000 visitors a year before the coronavirus pandemic, when South Korea restricted gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19. The tours resumed fully last year. During a short-lived period of inter-Korean engagement in 2018, Panmunjom was one of the border sites that underwent mine-clearing operations by North and South Korean army engineers as the Koreas vowed to turn the village into a peace zone where tourists from both sides could move around with more freedom.

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced toward the South. The soldier was hit five times before he was found beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom. He survived and is now in South Korea.

The most famous incident at Panmunjom happened in August 1976, when two American army officers were killed by ax-wielding North Korean soldiers. The U.S. officers had been sent to trim a 40-foot (12-meter) tree that obstructed the view from a checkpoint. The attack prompted Washington to fly nuclear-capable B-52 bombers toward the DMZ to intimidate North Korea.

Panmunjom also is where the armistice that ended the Korean War was signed. That armistice has yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically in a state of war. The United States still stations about 28,000 troops in South Korea.

There have been a small number of U.S. soldiers who went to North Korea during the Cold War, including Charles Jenkins, who deserted his army post in South Korea in 1965 and fled across the DMZ. He appeared in North Korean propaganda films and married a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted from Japan by North Korean agents. He died in Japan in 2017.

But in recent years, some American civilians have been arrested in North Korea after allegedly entering the country from China. They were later convicted of espionage, subversion and other anti-state acts, but were often released after the U.S. sent high-profile missions to secure their freedom.

In May 2018, North Korea released three American detainees - Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song - who returned to the United States on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a short-lived period of warm relations between the longtime adversaries. Later in 2018, North Korea said it expelled American Bruce Byron Lowrance. Since his ouster, there have been no reports of other Americans detained in North Korea before Tuesdays incident.

The 2018 releases came as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was engaged in nuclear diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump. The high-stakes diplomacy collapsed in 2019 amid wrangling over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.

Their freedoms were a striking contrast to the fate of Otto Warmbier, an American university student who died in 2017 days after he was released by North Korea in a coma after 17 months in captivity. Warmbier and other previous American detainees in North Korea were imprisoned over a variety of alleged crimes, including subversion, anti-state activities and spying.

The United States, South Korea and others have accused North Korea of using foreign detainees to wrest diplomatic concessions. Some foreigners have said after their release that their declarations of guilt were coerced while in North Korean custody.

Tuesdays border crossing happened amid high tensions over North Koreas barrage of missile tests since the start of last year. A U.S. nuclear-armed submarine visited South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in four decades in deterrence against North Korea.

(AP)




A child suffered serious injuries after falling out of a window on Tuesday afternoon in Lakewood. The incident happened at around 7:15PM.

Hatzolah Paramedics rushed the child to the Jersey Shore Trauma Center with serious injuries.

Please say Tehillim for Yehuda Leib ben Rochel Chana.

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Sarah Leslie thought she was witnessing a stunt when she saw an American soldier start sprinting toward North Korea.

Leslie and her father, tourists from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea.

Pvt. Travis King was among the group of 43 tourists, Leslie told The Associated Press, although he was casually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was supposed to travel home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

Leslie said her tour went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held. To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didnt seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running really fast.

I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do, Leslie said. But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy.

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

But the soldiers didnt have time to respond. She said that after running about 10 meters (30 feet) down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Leslie said she didnt see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadnt seen King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

People couldnt really quite believe what had happened, Leslie said. Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other.

Leslie, a lawyer from New Zealands capital, Wellington, said shed long had an interest in the Koreas after studying politics at university and seeing South Korean movies.

She said she found it hard to understand why King would head to North Korea.

I just didnt think anyone would ever want to do that, she said.

(AP)




A target letter sent to Donald Trump suggests that a sprawling Justice Department investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election is zeroing in on him after more than a year of interviews with top aides to the former president and state officials from across the country.

Federal prosecutors have cast a wide net, asking witnesses in recent months about a chaotic White House meeting that included discussion of seizing voting machines and about lawyers involvement in plans to block the transfer of power, according to people familiar with the probe. Theyve discussed with witnesses schemes by Trump associates to enlist slates of Republican fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden and interviewed state election officials who faced a pressure campaign over the election results in the days before the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

It is unclear how much longer special counsel Jack Smiths investigation will last, but its gravity was evident Tuesday when Trump disclosed that he had received a letter from the Justice Department advising him that he was a target of the probe. Such letters often precede criminal charges; Trump received one ahead of his indictment last month on charges that he illegally hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida.

Though its not known when charges might come, the scope of the inquiry stands in stark contrast to Smiths much narrower classified documents investigation. The vast range of witnesses is a reminder of the tumultuous two months between Trumps election loss and the insurrection at the Capitol, when some lawyers and advisers aided his futile efforts to remain president while many others implored him to move on or were relentlessly badgered to help alter results.

A spokesperson for Smith declined to comment about the target letter or the interviews that prosecutors have conducted.

Even before Smith inherited the election interference probe last November, Justice Department investigators had already interviewed multiple Trump administration officials, including the chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence and former top lawyers at the White House, scrutinized post-election fundraising and seized as potential evidence the cellphones of numerous lawyers and officials.

Since then, Smiths team has questioned senior administration officials including Pence himself before a grand jury in Washington and has conducted voluntary interviews with a wide array of witnesses inside and outside the federal government. Those include election officials in states where Trump associates waged fruitless challenges to get results overturned in the Republican incumbents favor.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who was personally lobbied by Trump to find 11,780 votes to overtake Biden, has been interviewed by Smiths team, as has Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, according to their representatives.

Wisconsins top elections administrator and election leaders in Milwaukee and Madison have spoken with federal investigators. And former Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who silenced a call from the Trump White House as he was publicly certifying Bidens narrow victory in the state, has been contacted by Smiths team, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

One person familiar with Smiths investigation said prosecutors in recent months have expressed interest in the ordeal of Ruby Freeman, a Georgia election worker who along with her daughter recounted to the House of Representatives Jan. 6 committee how their lives became upended when Trump and allies latched onto surveillance footage to level since-debunked allegations of voter fraud.

Smiths team has subpoenaed Raffenspergers office for any security video or security footage, or any other video of any kind from State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Nov. 3, 2020, according to a copy of the document obtained by The Associated Press. Thats the video Rudy Giuliani and other Trump allies have claimed showed Fulton County election workers, including Freeman, pulling suitcases of ballots from under a table. Georgia officials have repeatedly called those claims false.

A consistent area of interest for investigators has been the role played by Trump-allied lawyers in helping him cling to power, according to people familiar with the investigation who, like others interviewed for the story, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing criminal probe.

John Eastman, a conservative law professor, advanced a dubious legal theory that said Pence could halt the certification of state electoral votes to block Bidens win. Another lawyer, Sidney Powell, promoted baseless claims of voter fraud and pushed an idea  vigorously opposed by Trumps lawyers at the White House  that Trump had the authority under an earlier executive order to seize state voting machines.

Charles Burnham, a lawyer for Eastman, said Tuesday that his client had not received a target letter. We dont expect one since raising concerns about illegality in the conduct of an election is not now and has never been sanctionable, he said. A lawyer for Powell declined to comment.

Multiple witnesses have been asked about a heated Dec. 18, 2020 meeting at the White House in which outside advisers, including Powell, raised the voting machines idea, people familiar with the matter said. The meeting, which devolved into a shouting match, featured prominently in the House Jan. 6 investigation, with former White House official Cassidy Hutchinson memorably describing it as unhinged.

Giuliani, a Trump lawyer who participated in the meeting and who spearheaded legal challenges to the election results, was asked about that meeting during a voluntary interview with Smiths team and also detailed to prosecutors Powells involvement in failed efforts to overturn the election, according to a person familiar with his account. Giuliani has not received a target letter.

Giulianis interview was part of whats known as a proffer agreement, the person said, in which a person speaks voluntarily with investigators while prosecutors agree not to use those statements in any criminal case they might bring. Prosecutors have worked to negotiate similar arrangements with other witnesses.

As prosecutors dig into efforts by Trump allies to thwart Bidens victory, theyve focused on the creation of slates of fake electors from key states captured by Biden who were enlisted by Trump and his allies to sign false certificates stating that Trump had actually won.

Smiths team has also focused on Trumps efforts to punish officials from his administration who contradicted his false election fraud claims.

Chris Krebs, who was fired by Trump as director of the Department of Homeland Securitys cybersecurity agency after vouching for the integrity of the 2020 vote, was interviewed by prosecutors a couple of months ago about the perceived retaliation, according to a person familiar with the questioning.

(AP)




By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

The Gemorah in Gittin relates the story of a rich man who lived during the time of the Churban Bayis Sheini. He threw a huge party and sent his servant to invite a friend named Kamtza. The servant mistakenly invited Bar Kamtza instead.

Bar Kamtza and the host were, in fact, enemies.

The host demanded that Bar Kamtza leave the party. Bar Kamtza was mortified. He offered to pay for his food, then half the food of the entire party and then, after being twice refused  he offered to pay for the entire party. The host adamantly refused.

The Rabbis were present but did not involve themselves. Bar Kamtza took revenge and paid a visit to the Roman ruler, saying that the Jews were conspiring to revolt against Roman dominion. To test the situation, the Roman ruler sends a Korban shlamim offering to the Bais HaMikdash. Bar Kamtza, purposefully placed a mum that halacha holds is a disqualification, but Romans do not even consider as a wound.

The Sanhedrin, located in the Beis HaMikdash realize the quandary. They debate as to whether to allow the offering to be brought as is or not. Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulos argues not to because people will start to bring blemished animals as a korban. It is suggested that Bar Kamtza be put to death, but he rejects that as well because the penalty is beyond his perception of what is Torah law. We find in the historical record that there was a rather wealthy individual named Kampsos Bar Kampsos living in Tveriah at the time of Josephus. It may have well been him. If so this would back the assertion of the Maharsha that the two were father and son.

The great Rabbi Yochanan said that because of the humility of Rabbi Zecharia ben Avkulos the Temple was destroyed and Klal Yisroel was exiled from Eretz Yisroel. The Roman leader sent a roman legion to lay siege on Yerushalayim. Josephus as well (Wars Vol. II 17:2) writes that the beginning of the war was because of the refusal to accept the offering of the Roman leader.

The question that many ask is: But Why blame Kamtza?? It was the host of the party and Bar Kamtza to blame  not Kamtza! Why Kamtza?

Rabbi Yaakov Beer, in his remarkable Sefer, BIkvei HaGalus, explores several varying interpretations, and his thorough treatment of the subject matter opens up a much deeper understanding of that view. He brings forth explanations of that author from elsewhere in his work that sheds fantastic light on that view. He also compares and contrasts the different opinions with a well-honed Talmudic eye.

The Iyun Yaakovs pshat  Rabbi Yaakov ben Yoseph Reischer (16611733)  It teaches that one sin begets another sin. Kamtza and the host engaged in excessive feasting with each other. This caused the other incident to happen. It also teaches us [this is a second explanation] not to send important matters with fools who cannot distinguish between things. He further quotes his son [in a third explanation] who explained that if it did not mention Kamtza, people would have erroneously assumed that it was Kamtzas son who had caused the ruckus and not Bar Kamtza who was a different person? The Ben Yehoyadas pshat Chacham Yoseph Chaim (1832-1909)  It teaches that because care was not taken to distinguish between one detail and another  this caused the destruction of Jerusalem. The author points out that this is similar to explanation 1b above, but that there is a different emphasis. The author further points out that the Chasam Sofer (1762-1839) states the same explanation as the Ben Yehoyada. The Maharals pshat  Rav Yehudah Lowy (1526-1609)  It teaches that since there was an atmosphere of wanton hatred, Kamtzas friendship with the host was not because of friendship but the friendship was so that he could team up with person B to attack person C. Elsewhere, he compares it to BaMidbar 22:4 about Moav and Midyan (Moav was not friendly with Midyan and only befriended them to attack the Bnei Yisroel). The Maharal further explains that the very name Kamtza is one of discord -as Kemitza separates that which is in the hand from the the offering of the Mincha itself. All this readily demonstrates the authors ability to delve into the deeper understanding of that commentator. The Maharal further explains that this is the very opposite of Hashem  who tries to unify Klal Yisroel. The Chidushei haRims pshat  Rav Yitzchak Meir Rottenberg Alter  the first Ger Rebbe (1799-1866) as told by his grandson the Imrei Emes  It teaches that Kamtza is at fault, and it teaches that one should not attend a party when uninvited. Kamtzas presence convinced Bar Kamtza that his own invitation was not a mistake, but rather an attempt to make peace. This, in fact was not the case. He also cites the Midrash in Aicha Rabba (4:2) that the Minhag in Jerusalem was not to attend a party unless invited twice. The authors own pshat #1 is employs the Midrash that there would have been two invites because that was the custom. Had Kamtza just come with no I vitiation, that would have been alright, because it was likely that the host might have forgotten him. But since he got one invitation  it was clear that he was not forgotten. He, therefore, should not have come with only one invitation. The Maharshas Pshat  Rav Shmuel Eidels (1555-1631) and Rav Avigdor Millers pshat (1908-2001) was that Kamtza and Bar Kamtza were, in fact, father and son. Bar Kamtza was of the group of Herod supporters who would try to undermine the Rabbis. Bar Kamtza came with a desire to listen to what the religious Jews and the Rabbis had to say in order to report back to the Romans and to the pro-Herod group. Kamtza is blamed because, as bar Kamtzas father, he should have attempted to stop his pro-Herodian ways and educate him as to the value of Torah-true Judaism. He didnt do so sufficiently, and that is why the Gemorah blames them both.

Parenthetically, the author does mention the Chasam Sofers answer as to why the hosts name was not mentioned anywhere. He answers that the host was, in all probability, one of the great people mentioned in the Talmud at the time and the Gemorah did not wish to name him out of honoring a Torah scholar.

This is the pre-history of Tisha BAv.

Tisha BAv is the culmination, of course, of two national tragedies: the loss of the first Beis HaMikdash as well as the loss of the second Beis HaMikdash. Knowing the historical background of the churban helps us not only mourn its destruction, it helps imbue us with national identity as Klal Yisroel as well as a sense of our destiny.

OUR CIVIL WAR

Just as America had a civil war between the Northern States and the South, Klal Yisroel also had a civil war. This civil war caused much death and destruction. It brought the Romans into Eretz Yisroel. The Romans eventually destroyed the Bais HaMikdash. Here are the key dates

Rome annexed Syria and made it a province in 64 BCE.

Rome made Eretz Yisroel into a client state in 63 BCE  one year later.

Rome made Eretz Yisroel into the province of Judea in 6 CE.

The Bais HaMikdash was destroyed in the year 70 CE.

The Revolt of Bar Kochva began in 132 CE  a full sixty-two years after the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash. It ended in 135 CE.

In 135 CE, after becoming angry by the revolt of Bar Kochva, Emperor Hadrian combined Judaea province and Syria province and created the Syria Palaestina province.

Rome fell in 476 CE.

ENTER ROME

The civil war within Klal Yisroel was the event that got Rome first involved in the affairs of Eretz Yisroel. The Queen, Shlom-Tzion, had recently died and her sons, Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II, bitterly fought against each other in a terrible civil war.

Romans were always fighting wars. They were, the descendants of Aisav, so that is understandable. In 64 BCE, Rome soon emerged victorious in the Third Mithridatic War. As a result, Pompey, a Roman general at the time, had annexed Syria as a new Roman Province. Eretz Yisroel, however, did not become a province of Rome just yet. It first began as a client state and then eventually, forty-three years later, became the province of Judea.

HYRCANUS II ATTACKS HIS BROTHER ARISTOBULUS II

In 63 BCE, Aristobulus II was under siege in Yerushalayim by his brother Hyrcanus IIs armies. Aristobulus sent a messenger to Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, Pompeys representative in the area. Scaurus was also Pompeys shvogger  brother-in-law. Aristobulus offered a massive bribe to be rescued, which Pompey accepted.

THE EVIL POMPEY

But Scaurus began extorting Aristobulus asking him for huge sums of money. Afterwards, Aristobulus brought his taanos (levied accusations)to Pompey. Since Scaurus was Pompeys brother in law and protege, Pompey retaliated by putting Hyrcanus in charge of the kingdom as Ethnarch and High Priest, but was not given the title of King.

Pompey the Great seized Yerushalayim in 63 BCE. He profaned the Holy Bais HaMikdash by entering the Kodesh Hakodashim. The Kodash haKodashim, the Holy of Holies, was only entered once per year and only by the Kohain Gadol.

ENTER JULIUS CAESAR

In 60 BCE, three generals, Pompey, Crassus, and Julius Caesar, formed a triumvirate and took over Rome. After a seven year partnership, war developed between the Roman generals. When Pompey was defeated by Julius Caesar, Hyrcanus was succeeded by his courtier Antipater the Idumaean, also known as Antipas, as the first Roman Procurator. In 5755 BCE, Aulus Gabinius, proconsul of Syria, split the former Chashmonaic Kingdom of Israel into five districts of the Sanhedrin.

ENTER HURDUS (HEROD)

Both Caesar and Antipater were killed in 44 BCE, and Hurdus the Great, Antipaters son, was designated King of the Jews by the Roman Senate in 40 BCE.

Hurdus did not gain military control, however, until 3 years later  in 37 BCE. During his reign, the last representatives of the Maccabees were eliminated, and the great port of Caesarea Maritima was built.

THE LAST CHASHMONAIC KING

Roman rule was harsh. When 23 years later, the Parthians invaded Eretz Yisroel (40 BCE), they were greeted enthusiastically by the Jews. The Parthians appointed Matisyahu Antigonus II, the last king from Bais Chashmonai. He ruled for three years.

Rome was livid. The famous Roman legions were dispatched. There was a second bloody siege of Yerushalayim. And now Hurdus, that evil blood-thirsty puppet-king, was installed over Klal Yisroel in the year 37 BCE. He was hated deeply by the people. He also handed over the last Chashmonaic king to the Romans to be killed.

Hurdus ruled for 33 years. He died in 4 BCE. Emperor Augustus then divided up Eretz Yisroel among Hurduss three sons, who became tetrarchs. One of these tetrarchies was Judea  corresponding to the territory of the tribe of Yehudah, plus Samaria and Idumea.

Herods son, Herod Archelaus, ruled Judea so badly that he was dismissed in 6 CE by the Roman emperor Augustus, after an appeal from his own population.

DIRECT ROMAN RULE IS IMPOSED

Augustus then imposed direct Roman rule. This was the beginning of the end, rl. This step should have signalled to Klal Yisroel to do direct and complete Teshuvah. Unfortunately, the message was lost upon them.

Another son of Hurdus, Herod Antipas, however, ruled as tetrarch of Galilee and Perea from 4 BCE to 39 CE, being then dismissed by Emperor Caligula. The third tetrarch, Herods son Philip, ruled over the northwestern part of his fathers kingdom.

THE LOSS OF THE BIGDEI KEHUNA

The Bigdei Kehuna that the Kohain Gadol wore on Yom Kippur were taken away and were held by the Romans from the year 6 to the year 36. It further signified a loss of autonomy over matters of the Bais HaMikdash.

BACK IN JEWISH HANDS

In the year 35 CE, Lucius Vitellis was appointed Governor of Syria. When he visited Yerushalayim the Jews gave him much honor, and he wished to repay their kindness. He was approached by a delegate of Jews to grant a request. Could the Jews once again have autonomy over the Bigdei Kehuna? Vitellis sought permission from the Emperor. They received the emperors permission and for a period of time, the clothing was once again in Jewish hands.

Herods grandson, Herod Agrippas I, ruled briefly over a reunited Eretz Yisroel from the year 41- 44 CE. His son, Agrippas II, ruled over various sections of Eretz Yisroel in the 50s, but by and large, the period of Roman procurators began.

THE PREFECTS AND PROCURATORS

The Roman procurators administrated the land in what was called the Province of Judea. This was the period of the early Tannaim  those who lived during the time of the Bais haMikdash. Before Judea became a province of Rome, Eretz Yisroel was administered as an annex of Syria. It was thus headed by Romans of a lower rank  prefects, not procurators.

The first procurator was Fadus Cuspius (44-46). He tried getting the Bigdei Kehuna back in Roman hands. The Jews however succeeded in getting a delegation to Rome where they convinced Emperor Claudius to overturn Fadus request. Fadus may have lived during the time where there was a Navi Sheker by the name of Theudas. He told the people that he would split the Yarden. He led a type of revolt of sorts, but before he and his four hundred people could reach the Jordan River, Fadus captured them and killed some. Theudas was beheaded. Fadus tenure as procurator caused some unrest, however, and he was soon replaced. The next procurator (46-48 CE) was Tiberius Julius Alexander, who stemmed from a Jewish family in Alexandria. It was thought that Judea would be calmer if the new procurator was of Jewish origin.

Tiberius Julius Alexanders father was a citizen of Rome, something rather rare for a Jew, and he passed on that citizenship to his sons. Tiberius abandoned his Judaism, unfortunately, and rose to high prominence in Rome joining in the Roman military. He was appointed by Emperor Claudius as procurator of Judea. Under his tenure things were calmer, however there was a severe famine during his time.

Tiberius Julius Alexander appears in Philos philosophical discourses as someone who argues against Hashgacha pratius.

The third procurator was Ventidius Cumanus (48 to 52 CE). During his time there was much discord between Jews and Roman troops. There was a Samaritan murder of Jews which Cumanus ignored, which caused further violence between Jews and Samaritans. Ventidius was partial to the Samaritans and the situation was eventually brought before the governor in Syria. The governor Quadratus eventually replaced Cumanus with Marcus Antonius Felix and banished him. The Jewish side was supported by Aggripas II, who was a friend of Emperor Claudius. Marcus Antonius Felix was the fourth procurator (52-58 CE). His second wife, Drusilla of Judea, was a married Jewish woman who left her husband rl and married Felix, abandoning her religion. Eventually, she and her son died in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. She is mentioned in the Christian bible (Acts 24:24). There is a wealthy woman whose body was preserved in ash that, perhaps, may be her. The next procurator, number five, was Porceus Festus. His rule lasted roughly from 58 to 62 CE. Prutah coins were minted under his rule in 59 CE. He died in office in 62 CE. Lucceius Albinus was the sixth Roman Procurator of Judea, from 62 until 64 CE. Albinus was appointed procurator by Emperor Nero, following the death of his predecessor. Albinus faced his first challenge while traveling from Alexandria to his new position in Judea. The Jewish High Priest Ananus ben Ananus used the opportunity created by Festus death to convene the Sanhedrin and have James the brother of Yeshu sentenced to death by stoning  for violation of religious law.

A delegation sent by citizens upset over the perceived breach of justice met Albinus before he reached Judea, and Albinus responded with a letter informing Ananus that it was illegal to convene the Sanhedrin without Albinus permission and threatening to punish the Kohain. Ananus was deposed by Agrippa II before Albinus arrival.

Immediately upon his arrival in Yerushalayim, Albinus began an effort to remove the sicarii from the region. Josephus also records that Albinus became the friend of a Kohain Gadol named Ananus, due to the priests gift-giving. The sicarii responded to Albinuss efforts by capturing an assistant to the priest Eleazar, son of Ananus, and demanding the release of ten imprisoned sicarii in exchange for the assistant. The release was arranged by the Kohain Gadol, Ananus.

When Albinus learned that he was to be succeeded by Gessius Florus, he emptied the prisons by executing prisoners charged with more serious offenses and allowing the remaining prison population to pay for their release.

The procurator ( #7) whose impact was most devastating was from the Greek city of Klazomenai, located in what is now Turkey. His name was Gessius Florus (64-66CE). Why was he appointed? His wife and the wife of Emperor Nero were close friends. Upon his appointment, Florus began favoring Greek residents of Eretz Yisroel over the Jews. Marcus Antonius Julianus, was the eighth and final procurator (66-70 CE). He had taken over the role from Gessius Florus, who had done a poor job in avoiding conflict. He was unable to stop the revolt.

The author can be reached at [email protected]




A survey published on Monday by the Israel Democracy Institute shows that the majority of the Israeli public opposes the anarchist anti-government protests.

Less than a quarter (23%) reported that they participated in a protest compared to 77% who report that they did not participate, and many of those participating in the protests are aged 55 or over.

A majority of the public (70%) supports allowing protests in front of ministers homes but a majority of 69% opposes the blocking of major highways and 57% opposes the blocking of any roads.

One of the survey questions addressed the subject of a possible civil war, chalilah, in Israel.

Recently there have been estimates that Israel is on the brink of a civil war due to deep political disagreements between different parts of society. In your opinion, what are the chances that in the foreseeable future, a civil war will break out in Israel that will include violence between the various parties?

Almost half (49%) of Israelis believe that the chances of a civil war breaking out are low or very low, but an almost identical proportion (45%) believe that the chances are very high or quite high.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The Israel Medical Association (IMA) announced on Tuesday that doctors and nurses are engaging in a warning strike on Wednesday against the government.

During the two-hour strike, which will take place from 8:30-10:30 a.m., medical staff will cancel any non-urgent procedures and refuse to work in hospitals and medical clinics.

Dr. Idit Matot, the Director of the Anesthesia, Pain, and Intensive Care at Ichilov Hospital at Tel Aviv, and one of the leaders of the anarchist protests told Channel 12 News: I prefer to die because I took action rather than die slowly by having my rights trampled every day. She continued by claiming that the judicial reform will lead to discriminatory practices in medical care but did not provide any examples or evidence of her claims.

This is not the first time that the leaders of the IMA have hijacked it for political purposes despite the fact that thousands of doctors who belong to the union are adamantly opposed to it, with some afraid to openly express their opposition.

Over 600 doctors signed a petition condemning the IMAs strike in March, and a similar number signed a letter opposing the strike on Wednesday. Channel 12 News reported on Monday that 500 doctors signed a letter of opposition to the health systems strike and call to the head of the union to stop the madness.'

The letter, sent to the chairman of the IMA, Prof. Tzion Hagay, states: We, hundreds of doctors, most of us members of the Medical Association (and some of us left it when it started to adopt a political view), view with sorrow and shock the threats of the leadership of the Medical Association to shut down the health system. We apologize to the Israeli public for the irresponsible behavior of a small and vocal group of our medical colleagues who conduct themselves in a scandalous manner, threatening and pushing for a strike  based on the sowing of disinformation, baseless statements, and distorted interpretations. They invent a scenario of an erosion of the characteristics of democracy in Israel, and as a result, imaginary harm to medicine only because people with opinions different from their own were elected to the government.

It is mind-boggling to see doctors abandoning their medical work during demonstrations and protests, directly harming their patients. It is sad to see doctors bringing protest symbols into the treatment space, damaging the patients trust. The same doctors also create a false representation, as if all doctors in the State of Israel have one political opinion, and impudently blacken the name of the public health system in Israel. We call for the complete separation of any political position from professional and medical conduct and strongly protest all the false delusions and attempts at intimidation that our members are adopting in order to force their political opinion on Israeli society.

The Medical Association, being a workers organization, is supposed to represent us as such. For political issues, we choose our representatives in the Knesset. We call on you to come to your senses. Stop this madness. Dont threaten the citizens of Israel with a strike, dont harm patients in violation of the doctors oath. Occupy yourselves with medicine and its advancement  this is the only mandate you received from us.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Protest leader Shikma Bressler on Tuesday announced a protest march against the elected government from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, a distance of about 54 kilometers (33 miles), beginning on Tuesday evening.

According to the organizers, the goal is to march for four days and arrive in Jerusalem on Shabbos in preparation for the vote on Sunday on the reasonableness clause and on the beginning of the end of Israel as a democratic state.'

The participants are only marching in the evening and early morning due to the prolonged heatwave Israel is currently experiencing.

The march began at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening from Rechov Kaplan in Tel Aviv. The protesters stopped for the night at Sharon Park, where they set up tents to sleep.

Due to the high temperatures, even the small number of people seen marching on Wednesday in the video below is impressive  especially for a march based on lies, fearmongering, and hatred.

It is assumed that as the marchers enter Jerusalem, they will be joined by liberal residents of the capital who will help bolster their numbers and improve their publicity photos.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




HaRav Rafi Altman, the head of Chief Rabbi HaRav Dovid Laus office, described the feeling of the dayanim in the Rabbinical Court in Tel Aviv on Tuesday as anarchists stormed the building.

This was an unprecedented event, he said. For hours, hundreds of rioters stood in front of the court, blocking the entrances, preventing people from entering, knocking on doors and windows.

It was unfathomable. And the dayanim were imprisoned inside the building and couldnt provide service to the litigants.

Surprisingly, Rav Altman didnt have complaints about the police. The police eventually arrived. We were in continuous contact with the commissioners office, which followed what was happening and sent officers in response.

The Rosh Beis Din was smuggled out the back door. I think that even the protesters themselves didnt understand what the protest was about.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




British spies are already using artificial intelligence to hamper the supply of weapons to Russia, the head of Britains MI6 agency said Wednesday, predicting that Western intelligence agencies will increasingly have to focus on tracking the malign use of AI by hostile states.

In a rare public speech, Richard Moore also urged Russians who oppose the invasion of Ukraine to spy for Britain, saying others had already done so since the war began.

Our door is always open, he said.

In a speech that depicted artificial intelligence as both a huge potential asset and a major threat, Moore said his staff at Britains foreign intelligence agency are combining their skills with AI and bulk data to identify and disrupt the flow of weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine.

Moore called China the single most important strategic focus for his agency and said, we will increasingly be tasked with obtaining intelligence on how hostile states are using AI in damaging, reckless and unethical ways.

Moore, who has previously warned that the West was falling behind rivals in the AI race, said his service together with our allies, intends to win the race to master the ethical and safe use of AI.

But he said AI would not replace the need for human spies, arguing that the human factor will remain crucial in an era of rapidly evolving machine learning.

As AI trawls the ocean of open source, there will be even greater value in landing, with a well-cast fly, the secrets that lie beyond the reach of its nets, he said.

He argued that the unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant, highlighting spies ability to influence decisions inside a government or terrorist group.

Moore also told an audience at the British ambassadors residence in Prague that Russias military campaign in Ukraine had run out of steam and there appears to be little prospect of the Russian forces regaining momentum.

He said Ukraines counteroffensive was proving a hard grind against strong Russian defenses, but he was optimistic it would succeed.

Moore said the government of President Vladimir Putin was beset by venality, infighting and callous incompetence and the mutiny by Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin had exposed the inexorable decay of the unstable autocracy over which Putin presides.

He said Putin was under pressure after the brief rebellion and the humiliating deal he struck with the help of Belarus to end it. The Kremlin says Prigozhin attended a military meeting in Moscow with Putin after the mutiny.

He really didnt fight back against Prigozhin. He cut a deal to save his skin, Moore told the audience.

Prigozhin started off as a traitor at breakfast, he had been pardoned by supper, and then two days later he was invited for tea, Moore said. So there are some things that even the chief of MI6 finds a little bit difficult to interpret, in terms of whos in and whos out.

He accused Russia of using Wagner as a tool of imperialism in Africa, offering leaders in the Central African Republic, Mali and other countries a Faustian pact of protection in return for handing over mineral wealth to Russia.

Moore also called out Iran for fueling further conflict in Ukraine by supplying Russia with drones and other weapons  a policy he said has provoked internal quarrels at the highest level of the regime in Tehran.

Speaking publicly about spycraft is still something of a novelty for Britains intelligence services. The government refused even to confirm the existence of MI6 until 1992, and public speeches by its leaders are infrequent.

Moore chose to give Wednesdays address in the Czech capital, home of the 1968 Prague Spring freedom movement that was crushed by Soviet tanks.

Evoking that moment, he said many Russians now felt the same tugs of conscience as their predecessors did in 1968. The crushing of the Prague Spring spurred a wave of defections from the USSR to the West.

I invite them to do what others have already done this past 18 months and join hands with us, he said, assuring prospective defectors that their secrets will always be safe with us.

Most intelligence defectors names are never known  unless something goes wrong. Former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned and seriously sickened with a Soviet-made nerve agent in 2018 in the English city of Salisbury, where he had been living quietly for years.

Moore recounted how an agent codenamed Ecclesiastic, who penetrated German intelligence for MI6 in 1944, was looked after by the service until her death at age 100. He said MI6 agents then gathered to scatter her ashes in the English Channel.

Our loyalty to our agents is lifelong, and our gratitude eternal, he said.

(AP)
A boy refreshes himself with the water from the Barcaccia Fountain in the Piazza di Spagna in Rome, Italy, on July 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

Extremely high temperatures were recorded this week in at least a dozen European countries, including Albania, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Switzerland.

ROME, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Extreme heat warnings were issued across Europe on Wednesday as the best part of the continent was gripped by the most intense heatwave since records began.

In Italy, red alerts were in force on Wednesday in all but four of the country's 27 main metropolitan area. Temperatures during the hottest part of the day were considered a threat to even young and healthy individuals.

In Spain, the heatwave in more than 30 districts in the southern and eastern parts of the country was classified as "extreme," the most severe of the five categories.

A man walks by a fountain at a park in Nicosia, Cyprus, July 14, 2023. (Photo by George Christophorou/Xinhua)

Authorities in Greece issued health warnings for most of the country, warning residents and visitors against going outside during the hottest part of the day except for "essential" reasons.

Extremely high temperatures were recorded in at least a dozen European countries this week (Albania, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Switzerland).

The authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) have issued formal travel alerts to the country's citizens who planned to travel to Greece, Italy or Spain, warning them to take precautions against the heat if they travel there, though stopping short of allowing them to be compensated for canceled trips.

The soaring temperatures and dry weather have also sparked wildfires, causing massive economic and social damage.

Tourists drink icy water amid heatwave in Dubrovnik, Croatia, July 19, 2023. (Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL via Xinhua)

In Spain, a wildfire on the Canary Island of La Palma has burned over 3,500 hectares of land and destroyed around 20 houses and buildings. Wildfires in Greece have been raging for a third day on Wednesday, destroying forests and forcing people to evacuate, while Greek authorities warned of strong winds and a second heatwave for later this week.

The heatwave comes as Europe is about to relaunch its tourism sector. Early indications are that 2023 will be the strongest year for tourism on the continent since 2019, the record-setting year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has reported that in the first quarter of this year, the number of travelers in Europe was around 90 percent the level from the same period in 2019, and early data from the second quarter show even stronger results, meaning the totals for the year as a whole may ultimately surpass 2019 figures.

On Sunday and Tuesday, temperatures in Italy's island regions of Sicily and Sardinia and in Spain's Canary Islands may have surpassed the all-time high temperature for Europe, which is 48.8 degrees Celsius set two years ago, though that has not been certified by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

This photo taken on July 18, 2023 shows a burning house following a wildfire in Mandra, a western suburb of Athens, Greece. (Photo by Lefteris Partsalis/Xinhua)

But the WMO said this week it is "monitoring potential new temperature records" -- not only in Europe but in the entire Mediterranean basin, plus in North America, Northern Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.

"Intense heat is gripping large parts of the Northern Hemisphere in this summer of extremes," the WMO said in a statement released on Tuesday. "New daily and station temperature records have been broken, and it is possible that some national records may fall. The World Meteorological Organization will examine any potential new continental temperature records as the heatwave continues."

According to the WMO, the unusually hot weather in Europe and beyond -- last month was the hottest June ever recorded and July is also getting hotter -- shows the importance of planning for extreme weather events.

"Heat is a rapidly growing health risk due to burgeoning urbanization, an increase in high temperature extremes, and demographic changes in countries with ageing populations," the WMO said.

People are seen near the site of a forest wildfire in Mandra, a western suburb of Athens, Greece, July 18, 2023. Hundreds of Greek firefighters continued for a second day on Tuesday to battle two major wildfires near Dervenochoria, some 30 km northwest of Athens, and near the seaside resort of Loutraki, about 80 km southwest of the capital, authorities said. (Photo by Lefteris Partsalis/Xinhua)

"More intense and extreme heat is unavoidable -- it is imperative to prepare and adapt as cities, homes, workplaces are not built to withstand prolonged high temperatures," said John Nairn, senior WMO extreme heat advisor, in a statement.

"Vulnerable people are not sufficiently aware of the seriousness of the risk heat poses to their health and wellbeing," he noted. 
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House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined the Met Council on Jewish Poverty and CEO David Greenfield on Sunday in Brooklyn to distribute food to those in need. They were accompanied by Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, Executive Director of the Canarsie JCC. Throughout the event, over 500 food boxes, along with fresh produce, were distributed, demonstrating the organizations dedication to nourishing New York Citys communities.

Rep. Jeffries also took this opportunity to announce a significant achievement: an allocation of $1 million in federal funding for Met Council. This sizeable contribution underscores the Congressmans enduring commitment to the wellbeing of his constituents and his belief in the importance of Met Councils work. The allocation of resources and staunch support from Congressman Jeffries are integral to Met Councils ongoing efforts to assist seniors and feed the needy in New York City. The Congressmans advocacy is vital, especially now, in bolstering Met Councils ability to broaden its impact within the community. This latest achievement not only represents a significant boost for Met Councils Emergency Kosher & Halal food program, but also a major win for the countless individuals and families who depend on Met Councils services for sustenance and support.

Met Council is the largest charity in the Congress Members district and the nations largest Jewish charity. Met Council is the proud owner and manager of six affordable housing buildings and supporter of five Jewish Community Councils (JCCs) in Rep. Jeffries Congressional District. Each month, it serves over 20,000 people in the district, nearly half of whom are from minority and immigrant communities, living up to its mission of providing critical services to New York Citys most vulnerable populations.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said: Met Council has really been a shelter in the time of storm for the people that I represent here in the 8th Congressional District, particularly East New York, Canarsie, Marine Park, Brighton Beach and Coney Island. Met Council has done tremendous work  but that work was urgently necessary when a once in a century pandemic struck our community, struck the nation, and struck the world.

Met Council CEO David Greenfield said: We are so thankful for this vital funding from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who has always been a champion for Met Council and for the Jewish community. We know that Rep. Jeffries always has our backs in Washington and fights hard to make sure people have access to food, meals, and the services they need. We are grateful for his leadership and look forward to our continued partnership.

As the largest free distributor of Kosher food in the United States, Met Council helped get over 21 million pounds of food to more than 250,000 New Yorkers last year alone and provided services to over 325,000 people in need. With steadfast allies like Congressman Jeffries, Met Council will be able to assist thousands of more New Yorkers and ensure they are fed, housed and taken care of.
When my 17-year-old son Christian passed his driving test first time, it was something to celebrate, but also to worry about.

Would he be safe? Should I let him take friends as passengers? And would he ever understand that a speed limit isnt a speed aspiration?

One unexpected worry was the cost of car insurance. I couldnt believe the first quote of 2,917.82 from insurance brand Nubee for a car that cost me 223.14 to insure for myself with the AA.

Ironically, Id contacted Nubee because its website trumpets that it was created for users of Collingwoods Learner Driver insurance to help keep your costs down.

Subsequent quotes were not much better. I pointed out that I wasnt insuring a Mercedes, just a small Hyundai i20, recently valued at 2,000. But you have to consider the Mercedes your son might hit, one sales agent replied.

Young driver: Jane Knight with her son, Christian, who was quoted 2,917.82 to insure his humble Hyundai i20 car

The high prices reflect the fact that young drivers are much more of a risk to insure. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), those aged 17 to 19 make up just 1.5 per cent of license holders, but are involved in nearly 12 per cent of fatal and serious crashes.

However, there are ways to decrease premiums. I managed to get Christians insurance down to just over 1,300 with a company called Ticker, using a variety of hacks that are largely applicable to anyone purchasing car insurance.

To do this, I used three comparison websites, approached individual insurers and tried the insurance broker Adrian Flux - the latter quoted me 2,028.13.

Julie Daniels, motor insurance expert at price comparison website Comparethemarket, says: With every type of insurance, I cant emphasise enough the need to shop around. Providers update their premiums daily.

The price of car insurance is based on risk - anything you can do to lower that risk, such as having a small-engine car, will decrease your premium.

In terms of the risk factors, the type of car, the size of the engine, its age, where its parked, whether the driver has any convictions, the average mileage youll do  will all be considered, she says.

Apparently, if you leave it until a day or so before you need it, insurers think you are disorganised and, therefore, more risky.

I did, though, cut costs by adding myself as a named driver, even though the policy is in my sons name. I have 35 years driving experience, nine years no-claims bonus, and I will also drive the car, which decreases the risk of it being involved in an accident.

Be aware that you must never put someone down as a main driver if they are not going to be. This is known as fronting and is fraud. It can lead to a criminal conviction and the invalidation of your insurance.

As a named driver, I could use a handy MSE tip. Anthony Forchione, senior insurance analyst at the consumer website, says: Tweak your job title  by using an insurance job picker tool  to see if another job title for the same job can cut your cost. Whatever you do, always be truthful.

By entering editorial staff instead of journalist, for example, insurance that would cost 1,000 is reduced to 792, according to the websites job picker tool.

Another surprising tip is that it isnt always cheaper to get third-party insurance, which is the legally required minimum cover level.

This covers you for damage to someone elses vehicle, or injury to someone in an accident. This includes accidents caused by your passenger. It doesnt, however, cover medical costs if you are injured or repairs to your own car.

Those taking out third-party cover are statistically more likely to make a claim than those buying fully comprehensive cover, jacking the price up.

Increasing the voluntary excess [a sum of money you agree to pay towards the cost of a car insurance claim, which is separate from the compulsory excess set by your insurer, can also reduce your premium, but you should make sure that the excess is an amount you can afford to pay yourself should your car get damaged, says Sam Richardson, of consumer champion Which? Money.

Like all insurance, it is cheaper to pay annually rather than in monthly instalments. And you might shave off hundreds of pounds if you have multi-car insurance.

Savings: Like all insurance, it is cheaper to pay for your car insurance annually rather than in monthly instalments. And you might shave off hundreds of pounds if you have a multi-car deal

If you live somewhere where your child isnt going to drive much, consider paying per mile.

Marmalade quoted me 233.89 for every 500 miles after the starter price of 363.40, including the first 500 miles.

We live in the countryside, so this wasnt an option. Nor was a car club  a short-term car rental service that allows members access to locally parked cars for which you pay by the minute, hour or day.

Most require young drivers to have held their licence for at least a year, and some have a minimum age requirement.

Most policies I looked at involved using a telematics 'black box', a device fitted to the car which measures driving in terms of braking, speed, steering, times and distance.

The device is supplied by the insurance company. You can stick it to your windscreen or plug into the cigarette lighter. It communicates with an app on your phone. Sometimes, no device is needed  just a smartphone.

'Telematics policies can make a difference, particularly in year two, says Daniels, adding that companies reward good drivers with discounts.

Be aware, though, of any curfews which limit the times you can drive.

Bell, which is part of the Admiral insurance group, doesnt have a curfew, but in its FAQs it states that frequently driving at risky times such as after 10pm will reduce your driving score. A salesman was not able to define frequently, and suggested that if it was more than a few times, the policy wasnt for us.

Although my son has a black box with Ticker, and often drives after 10pm, he has maintained a gold standard driving score. So, hopefully, he can look forward to a lower premium next year.

Its not the same for his 85-year-old grandfather, though. The Association of British Insurers trade body says: Our data shows that for drivers aged 86 to 90, the frequency of claims and average cost is higher, which pushes premiums up for older drivers.

Nubee and Bell were approached for comment. Bell subsequently agreed that it had not adequately addressed the issue of what was considered regularly driving at night.

A spokesman later said that, if someone takes a short trip once or twice a week between 10pm and 4am, and overall drives a larger number of miles annually, then it should not impact too much on their driving score.
I am having a nightmare with the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) renewing my driving licence so that I can pick up a motorhome I am purchasing.

It is now well beyond the three weeks the DVLA claims it takes to issue the licence. The packet was signed for on June 6.

I sent it to the over 70 renewal office (I am 73) but apparently, because I also enclosed a clean medical, as requested, it should have gone to a different office.

But surely this could have been sorted out internally? The long and the short of it is I risk losing my deposit of 5,000, and even the van itself because of these delays.

The DVLA says it is trying to retrieve the paperwork but it looks as if I might need to start the whole process all over again including paying for another medical.

Road trip: A reader has been waiting more than three weeks for the DVLA to renew his driving licence so he can pick up his new motorhome

I have photographs of all the original forms, but it wont accept these unless the photo is certified by the same doctor, which is not possible to arrange in the time given.

The grandkids are now on their school holidays, and we have two trips in the new van booked and paid for at a cost of 1,300, including to Loch Ness to do a bit of monster hunting. I dread disappointing them.

J.A., Musselburgh.

Sally Hamilton replies: You were being driven round the bend trying to reinstate an authorisation allowing you to drive vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes. You previously had this authority  called a C1 accreditation  on your drivers licence.

However, because you had turned 70 three years ago, the authorisation was automatically expunged. You didnt reapply at that time as you didnt expect to be driving such a large vehicle again.

But recently you decided it would be fun to take your grandchildren away on a holiday in a motorhome and started hunting around for a suitable six-berth vehicle.

You found the perfect one, paid your 5,000 deposit and proceeded to complete the forms (in what you thought was plenty of time) to reinstate your right to drive a motorhome.

The process should have been straightforward but you soon hit a roadblock. As you described, the DVLA claimed not to have seen your forms  or your current licence and the necessary private medical to prove you are still fit to drive. You disputed this as you had a Royal Mail confirmation that it had been received and signed for on June 6.

You phoned the DVLA every day once the three-week deadline was up to check on progress but got nowhere. At the end of your tether, you asked for my help. This was on the Friday before the Monday you were set to collect your new motor so you were desperate.

I got on to the DVLA and asked it to pull out all the stops and get your paperwork sorted by the close of play.

It revved into action and put a manager in charge of dealing with you directly. But the day rolled by with no resolution. I contacted the organisation several times to chivvy it along.

In the end it said you would have to resubmit the forms along with a new medical.

Although you felt your blood pressure reach boiling point you managed to set up a private medical (and passed it) with a doctor some miles from where you live, at a cost of 50. You scanned the report and emailed it over, along with new forms, to the DVLA contact.

You and I thought that surely, all would finally be well. Not so. On the Monday morning, as you were preparing to travel to pick up the new van, it transpired the doctor hadnt completed the medical forms correctly. At this point the DVLA used its discretion to accept a photo of the original medical report (as a temporary measure).

Despite the continuing uncertainty you set off to Crewe to pick up the vehicle.

Eventually, before arriving at your destination, an email arrived in your inbox confirming your application had been processed and the deal went ahead.

I can report that you are now at the wheel of your new purchase and on the hunt for Nessie with happy grandchildren in tow.

Motorists who want to drive bigger vehicles should check dvla.gov.uk for the rules. Essentially, they can be in charge of a van up to 3.5 tonnes using a standard driving licence, but for anything over that weight drivers need an additional authorisation. Driving without this can lead to a fine of up to 1,000, or three to six penalty points on a licence.

Drivers aged 70 should be aware that they must renew their licences every three years. This can be done online for standard licences, but where extra categories like C1 are required, as in your case, the application must be completed by post.

In many cases motorists can continue driving while a licence is being renewed but only if they drive under the conditions of their previous licence (and if they are not disqualified). This exemption didnt apply in your case as your category C1 had been withdrawn.

Straight to the point On May 23, British Gas replaced my gas meter after it stopped taking readings. When I received a final bill for this meter, I was horrified to discover that my energy usage had gone up by 1,200 per cent compared to the same period last year. I contacted British Gas, which said it would send me a revised bill but this still has not arrived. I.H., Devon. British Gas says it used an estimated reading when it replaced your gas meter, which caused the inaccurate bill. It apologises for the error and has now updated your meter readings and sent you a revised bill. *** Last October, my husband paid 38 for a mattress and bed frame to be collected by Kingston Council, but it was never picked up. We have called and written to the council multiple times but have not had a response. Please help. M.L., Kingston. Kingston Council collected the mattress from your home on Monday, nine months after your original appointment. *** Earlier this month, my neighbour bought a Montpellier cooker from Currys but when it arrived it was faulty. Currys says it needs a code from Montpellier in order to replace the cooker, but Montpellier says it will only provide the code if the machine is inspected by an engineer, which costs 98. My neighbour cannot afford this. Please help. J.R., Chepstow. Currys apologises for the delay in resolving this issue and has replaced the cooker for free, which your neighbour is happy with.

Who spent my 5,000 Nectar points?

I am absolutely desperate. I have had a problem with my Nectar account since June 2022 when I discovered on returning from a river cruise abroad that two amounts of more than 5,000 Nectar points had been spent from my account somewhere in the South of England.

I live in the North East. I rang Nectar, which said it would investigate and a couple of days later it said the points would be reinstated but that I would be sent a new card.

I went to register the card online and was told a code would be sent to the phone number ending in three certain digits  but these did not belong to my phone.

I rang to complain but was told this was the number they had linked to my Sainsburys account. I dont have a Sainsburys account.

I went back and forth over the issue and even got Gateshead Trading Standards involved, as I was getting nowhere.

Someone there alerted the boss of Sainsburys, who did respond, and added 3,000 points to my account for the inconvenience. I tried the new card at an Esso petrol station and got an email from Nectar congratulating me on swiping my card there.

I thought that at last the card had been registered. But no, I still could not access my account as I encountered the same issue with the phone number.

This has still not been sorted nearly one year on. Please help as I calculate I have 70 worth of points that I cannot access.

P.G., Ryton-on-Tyne.

Sally Hamilton replies: I felt your frustration and asked Nectar, owned by Sainsburys, to sort out the phone number conundrum.

Your original account had either been taken over fraudulently by someone else or some lucky Nectar customer had inadvertently received and spent your points.

I couldnt get to the bottom of what had happened originally, but the good news is that within a few days of my intervention the situation was resolved, you had your new card properly activated and could finally access your account, where, as an apology Nectar had deposited an extra 100 worth of points to the 70 that had been sitting out of reach for so long.

A Nectar spokesman says: We have been in touch with your reader to apologise for her experience and offered her a gesture of goodwill.

Our technical team have reached out to finalise the registration of her new Nectar card.
Im supposed to be going on a big family holiday to Greece with grandparents and little ones in tow later this month.

But the heat looks unbearable, and Im worried about the fires, too.

Can I postpone the holiday  would my travel insurance cover this?

Hannah Metcalfe, Cambridge.

Dean Dunham replies: You need to look at the terms and conditions attached to your travel insurance policy to find out what circumstances and events will give rise to a claim.

There are three instances where you could potentially cancel and make a claim on your insurance.

The first is if you cancel on medical grounds and are able to obtain a doctors certificate saying that you cant travel due to the excessive heat as this will make a medical condition worse.

The second is if the UK Government issues a warning advising against all but essential travel to your destination due to heat.

The third is if a state of emergency lasting more than a few days is declared at your travel destination. I would advise you to check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before you travel.

A word of warning: if you were aware of the excessive heat at your travel destination before you made your booking, your insurance provider will be able to use this against you and decline your claim.

In all other circumstances, it is most unlikely you will be covered, as your insurer will likely say that nothing is preventing you from travelling and will label this as disinclination to travel, which will rarely be included in a policy.

> Read our new columnist Dean Dunham on how to fight for your consumer rights

Can I demand a refund if my flight is cancelled?

My flight is one of the 1,700 cancelled by easyJet earlier this month, many of which were due to fly from Gatwick between July and September. Ive been offered another flight but I just want my money back.

Can I demand a refund and will I also receive compensation?

Abigail Connor, Wembury, Devon.

Dean Dunham replies: When an airline cancels a flight it has an obligation to try to find passengers alternative flights, which is often referred to as re-routing.

Passengers then have the option to accept the alternative flight or to receive a full cash refund.

Likewise, if an alternative flight cannot be found you are entitled to all your money back  not just vouchers.

Your right to compensation depends on two factors: how much notice the airline gave you of the cancellation and the cause of the cancellation.

The law, known as UK261 or, in Europe, EU261, says that where notice is provided less than 14 days prior to the date of departure, the airline must pay compensation.

This is unless you are provided with an alternative flight and are delayed for less than two hours in reaching your final destination, or if the cause of the delay was outside of the airlines control and therefore falls within the definition of extraordinary circumstances.

Airlines will often claim the cause of the delay or cancellation falls within this definition. If you receive notice of cancellation more than 14 days in advance of the date of departure you will not be entitled to compensation.

The good news is that I understand easyJet is not claiming the cause of these cancellations falls within the definition of extraordinary circumstances, so those who received less than 14 days notice prior to the date of departure may be in line for compensation.
Jemma Brown was thrilled when she booked a four-bedroom Spanish villa with a swimming pool that was advertised on Facebook Marketplace.

But her family holiday was left in tatters on the day of their departure when she realised she had fallen victim to an elaborate scam.

Jemma, an artistic director who lives in Wiltshire, was looking for a holiday home in Majorca for her husband Anthony, 45, a conductor, and their two teenagers, when she came across the advert.

She says: It looked perfect, so I sent the owner a message and we chatted on email and over the phone.

I look back now and I think, you total idiot.

Holiday scams: Travel-related scams cost holidaymakers an eye-watering 15m last year, according to figures from Action Fraud

On the day of their flight in August 2019, she was told the villa had flooded and the ceiling had caved in, so they couldnt stay there. She never heard from the owner again.

However, she had already transferred a 300 deposit.

Travel-related scams cost holidaymakers an eye-watering 15 million last year, according to figures from Action Fraud.

Nine in ten people with trips booked leave online holiday shopping to the last minute, according to payments provider Visa.

Natalie Kelly, who is head of risk at Visa Europe, warns this opens them up to greater risk of falling for scams. She says: 'We understand the excitement and urgency that come with last-minute holiday shopping, be it booking a holiday deal or buying items for your trip.

'However, it's vital for consumers to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves from fraud.'

People fall for plenty of well-known tricks, such as booking accommodation that doesnt exist or buying ultra-cheap airline tickets that turn out to be worthless. Yet behind the scenes, criminals are working hard to find new ways to catch you out.

Here are seven of the latest ways that holiday fraudsters can spoil your trip overseas this summer and rob you of your hard-earned cash.

The social media sting

Holiday deals that pop up on your social media feed  on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok  could be as fake as some of the dodgy celebrity accounts that appear.

Links and attachments promising bargain trips may lead to malicious websites or viruses that are then downloaded to your device, stealing bank account details or personal information.

Protect yourself: Always check the URL before clicking, by using a link checker tool such as Google Safe Browsing.

Threat: Social media links and attachments promising bargain trips may lead to malicious websites or viruses that are then downloaded to your device, stealing personal information

You might appear to be on a trusted site, but fraudsters create duplicates of well-known websites.

Victims presume they are on the official website and hand over funds. Fraudulent sites may also take you to another, unknown site to provide payment.

Avoid clicking through from your social media account and book trips with reputable travel agents instead.

QR code parking ploy

When taking a short weekend break, some may choose to use a pay-and-display parking option at the airport.

Many car parks now require online payment using a QR code. Sneaky scammers are replacing the QR code with their own, which directs the user to a fake site where they put in their payment details, to which the fraudsters then have access.

Protect yourself: Look out for signs where a code appears to have been stuck on top of an official one. If cash payment is not available, try to pay by phone.

That way, you can check the phone number beforehand to ensure its legitimate.

USB charge point trick

A free phone-charging point at the airport may be a lifesaver if you have run down your battery by showing tickets and boarding passes on your mobile device.

But fraudsters can use the technology of charging points to access information stored on phones.

Plug out: Fraudsters can use the technology of charging points to access information stored on phones

Through the USB ports, scammers can introduce malware and monitoring software on to devices, giving cyber criminals the ability to access your personal information  from emails to credit card numbers.

Protect yourself: As there is no way to check if a USB connection has been hacked, invest in a portable power bank (15, Amazon) to pop into your carry-on bag. They are no bigger than a smartphone and good for three full charges before they need recharging.

Passport cloning ruse

Almost one in four of those scammed when booking travel arrangements had their identity cloned after submitting their passport details to a fake website, according to the cyber security company McAfee.

Armed with a cloned passport, the sky is the limit for fraudsters who want to steal your identity.

If youre a victim of identity theft, it can lead to borrowing in your name that can have a direct impact on your personal finances. It could also make it difficult for you to borrow on credit cards or get a mortgage until the matter is resolved.

Protect yourself: Be extremely cautious if you are asked for passport details by anyone other than a genuine airline. If youre in any doubt, you can call a company directly. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable agent.

Cashpoint skimmer scam

Criminals use skimmers to steal your payment card details. These are sneaky gadgets that attach to the front of a cash machine and can read a credit or debit cards magnetic strip. This information is then used to clone cards and spend your money.

Six million sets of stolen credit card details were located on the so-called dark web, say cyber security specialist NordVPN.

On home soil, you will be familiar with how an ATM looks and  hopefully  be able to spot any kind of device attached. Abroad, you will perhaps have less chance of noticing.

Card tricks: Skimmers are gadgets that attach to the front of a cash machine and can read a cards magnetic strip. This information is then used to clone cards and spend your money

The devices come in all shapes and sizes but are normally attached to where you insert your card. If its loose or there are signs of glue around the reader, it may be a skimmer. If the keypad is loose, that may be fake, too.

Look out, also, for suspicious holes facing down towards where you would insert your card  a hidden camera could be in place to capture your PIN.

Protect yourself: Find a cashpoint where you can go into a branch and scammers are less likely to attach dodgy kit.

Alternatively, consider using a prepaid travel card from providers such as UK Post Office or Revolut.

Then, if criminals get hold of the card details, they cant be used to steal your identity and dont give access to your savings. It is also much easier to freeze.

Complimentary wifi fiddle

Free roaming has been revoked for many smartphone users thanks to Brexit, so free open wifi networks abroad can be very handy  especially when youre visiting somewhere long-haul. But by using them, you risk compromising the information held on your smartphone.

Protect yourself: Be cautious when you are connecting to public wifi and make sure it is attached to a trusted source.

You can usually tell if a network uses encryption because it requires a password to join. You can also ask staff at the venue to verify the official wifi network.

Using a virtual private network (VPN), you can keep your connection secure and protect your personal data and activity as you bank, shop and browse online.

A VPN is a service that protects your internet connection and privacy online. It protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public wifi hotspots safely.

Youll need to pay for one. NordVPN, a top pick by PC Magazine, costs 2.79 a month.

If you dont have a VPN and want wifi, then order a cup of tea in a cafe and use theirs  or if you can, wait until youre back at your hotel, where you know there is a secure network.

Check-in phone call con

When you check into a hotel, brazen scammers phishing will call reception and ask to be put through to a room number.

When you answer, they will then pretend to be calling from hotel reception and ask you to confirm your payment card details, which gives them what they need to clone your card.

Protect yourself: If you receive a call from reception asking for payment details, never read out your card number. Tell them youll come to reception and confirm payment in person.

moneymail@dailymail.co.uk
Beauty entrepreneur Irene Forte has received a multi-million pound cash injection from an investment firm.

Irene Forte Skincare, which was founded in 2018, was looking to raise 3million as it eyes expansion across Europe and the US. But it has received more than that sum from private equity giant L Catterton.

Forte, daughter of hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, worked in the family hotels business after graduating from Oxford University, eventually running its spas in hotels across Europe.

Backing: Irene Forte (pictured), daughter of hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, worked in the family hotels business after graduating from Oxford University

Her firm developed products made in Italy with natural ingredients.

These are sold in luxury stores such as Liberty London, with its vegan face creams starting at 50, according to its UK website.

Forte said: This is the beginning of a new and exciting journey, and is the culmination of a voyage of discovery that began whilst working in my familys hotel business and fruitlessly looking for a skin care collection that was natural, but rooted in science.
Revolution Beauty and its top shareholder Boohoo have struck an agreement after weeks of wrangling.

The make-up groups chief executive Bob Holt and its chairman Derek Zissman have agreed to leave the beauty brand in a major victory for Boohoo.

Revolution and the fast-fashion retailer have been locked in a war of words after serious concerns were raised about the boards behaviour.

Boohoo owns a 26.6 per cent stake in the beauty brand and was among the three quarters of investors who voted to push out Holt, Zissman, and chief financial officer Elizabeth Lake in a shareholder meeting last month.

Peace deal: Revolution and its top shareholder Boohoo, have been locked in a war of words after serious concerns were raised about the boards behaviour

Just hours later, all three were reappointed by an independent director. Boohoo was pushing to appoint the former chief executive of New Look Alistair McGeorge and its own ex-finance chief Neil Catto as directors.

The company got its way yesterday with a deal that will see McGeorge brought in as executive chairman and Catto as a director along with two further appointments, former THG beauty chief executive Rachel Horsefield and veteran businessman Peter Hallett.

But in a concession to Revolution, Lake will stay on as Holt and Zissman depart.

Revolution Beauty said she would stay in place to allay concerns that the full-year accounts could be delayed and the companys trading on AIM [Alternative Investment Market] once again threatened.

Revolution Beauty was at pains to paint the agreement as in the best interest of the company and its shareholders to try to put to bed the unrest.

A Revolution Beauty spokesman said: Entry into the settlement agreement with Boohoo brings to an end the recent uncertainty regarding the company and avoids the ongoing costs and disruption that would be associated with any alternative courses of action.

Revolution Beauty shares rose 3.6 per cent, or 1.1p, to 31.8p, and Boohoo inched up 0.6 per cent, or 0.22p, to 35p.

Analysts have welcomed the end of the squabble.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Landsdown, said: A double change at the top would usually cause a share price wobble, but the ferocious row between Revolution Beauty and Boohoo has been so consuming that sentiment has surged towards the company.

Stepping down: Revolution chief exec Bob Holt

A corporate spat in the public eye was not a good look and there is clearly relief that a truce has now been reached, with the chief executive and chair stepping down as part of the deal.

There are hopes this announcement will bring an end to the hokey-cokey corporate shuffling.

Revolution Beauty products have been available at stockists on the High Street since 2014, targeting young people with an affordable make-up range.

But since floating on the AIM junior market in July 2021 with a valuation of almost 500million, it has struggled to gain traction.

Its shares were suspended last September after BDO, the firms auditors, raised concerns over its accounts.

The company failed to publish its annual results for 2022 but the shares resumed trading on June 28.

Last month, Boohoo accused the beauty firm of being unable to claim to be acting in the best interests of shareholders and labelled it self-serving.

In retaliation, Revolution Beauty described Boohoos actions as hostile.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: The final score in the fight between two beauty and fashion sellers is Boohoo 1, Revolution Beauty 0.

The latters board of directors is being overhauled after pressure from Boohoo and it looks like the two companies are going to work together amicably, rather than fight it out.

As 26.6 per cent owner of the beauty business, Boohoo has shown that it is not someone to mess around with.

However, while it has secured the upper hand in this situation, one mustnt forget Boohoos problems with its own business.

The fast-fashion industry is in a fragile state, Boohoos margins are below historical levels and both its sales and profits have been falling. Perhaps it needs to sort out its own house before meddling in others?
National Grid has sold a further 20 per cent stake in National Gas to its existing majority owners, a consortium of investors led by Australia's Macquarie Asset Management.

National Grid said the stake sale would be on the equivalent financial terms as when it sold a 60 per cent stake to the consortium in January.

That deal had implied an enterprise value of about 9.6billion pounds for the UK gas transmission and metering business.

Stake sale: National Grid has sold a further 20% stake of its UK gas transmission and metering business

National Grid also told investors on Wednesday it had entered into a new option agreement with the consortium, which could result in a full takeover of National Gas.

Proceeds of around 700million will be used towards corporate purposes, including debt repayments, National Grid said.

National Grid shares rose today and were up 3.11 per cent or 31.50p to 1,045.00p this afternoon, having slipped around 6 per cent in the last year.

The consortium has the option, exercisable between 1 May 2024 and 31 July 2024, to snap up all or part of the remaining 20 per cent.

John Pettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, said: 'We're pleased to reach the next milestone in this process, and we'll continue to work closely with the Consortium.'

Martin Bradley, European head of infrastructure for Macquarie Asset Management, said: 'This additional investment underlines our commitment to National Gas and the critical role it plays in the UK's energy system.

'We have been working closely with the National Gas team since January as they have continued to meet the energy needs of millions of households and businesses.

'We are pleased to continue our strong relationship with National Grid, and aspire to acquire the Remaining Interest in due course.'

National Gas's gross assets as at 31 January 2023 were 6.4billion, the group confirmed today.

For the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, the National Gas group generated a pre-tax profit of 320 million.

National Grid is the system operator of the UK's gas and electricity supply.
Greedy fuel retailers have fleeced motorists by more than 1billion this year, according to a new study.

Between January and April, diesel drivers on average shelled out 57 more than they should have done if forecourts were playing fair, House of Commons Library research found.

It means motorists have collectively paid 1.1billion more at the pumps because of profiteering retailers, the analysis estimates.

This month a damning report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) watchdog said Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons together made around 900million by failing to pass on the falling wholesale cost of petrol and diesel to consumers.

But this figure, based on the big four supermarkets charging 6p a litre too much for fuel, related to 2022 and only included their forecourts.

Between January and April, diesel drivers on average shelled out 57 more than they should have done if forecourts were playing fair, House of Commons Library research found

The new Commons Library research covers all fuel retailers and is for the first four months of 2023, highlighting how forecourts have continued to cash in.

Because it only relates to diesel and not petrol, the true figure could be more than 1.1billion.

It is based on retailers increasing their margins by an average extra 13p a litre on diesel, a figure corroborated by the CMA.

When this is multiplied by the number of litres of the fuel sold nationally between January and April, the latest period data is available for, it amounts to a 1.1billion windfall.

The research was commissioned by the Liberal Democrats. The party's transport spokesman, Wera Hobhouse, said: 'Profiteering during a cost of living crisis is totally unacceptable. People should not be taken advantage of at the fuel pump.

'The government should order retailers to pass on [wholesale] savings as soon as possible and cut prices immediately. It is high time that there is fair and transparent fuel pricing.'

Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK campaign, added: 'These figures likely barely scratch the opportunistic profiteering surface of rip-offs at the pumps that have been allowed by the Government to run rife for years.'

The AA's fuel expert, Luke Bosdet, said: 'The forecourts have been playing it dirty with diesel for many years.'

Ministers are planning to introduce a new law forcing fuel retailers to make up-to-date pricing information available to third parties.

It is hoped that the 'pump watch' proposals will create more competition and drive down pump prices overall.

This month a damning report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) watchdog said Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons together made around 900million by failing to pass on the falling wholesale cost of petrol and diesel to consumers

It will likely see new price comparison apps and websites launched for consumers.

The Government has also pledged to hand new powers to a public organisation to 'closely monitor' pump prices and 'alert' ministers if further intervention is needed.

As it stands the most well-known source for petrol price comparisons is the website PetrolPrices.com, which allows users to search within 20 miles.

However, it limits users to 20 searches per day and will only show the cheapest options so motorists cannot work out how much of a saving they could make. Prices are also not always shown in real-time.

According to the RAC, the average cost of filling up with petrol in the UK yesterday (THURS) was 143.42p a litre and 144.51p for diesel.

This is down from a peak of 191.43p for petrol and 199.07p for diesel in July last year as the war in Ukraine and other factors caused a record surge in prices.

While they are now lower there is concern that motorists are still not getting the best deal from retailers.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: 'The price of wholesale diesel was lower than petrol for three months from the end of March, yet drivers at the pumps would have been none the wiser as retailers kept pump prices artificially high.

'There's no question diesel drivers have been very badly treated on the nation's forecourts so far this year.'

He said that the motoring organisation believes that between January and April average retailer margins reached 25p a litre at some points as they were slow to pass wholesale savings on at the pumps.
Abcam (OTCMKTS:ABCZF  Get Free Report) is one of 397 public companies in the Biotechnology industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare Abcam to similar businesses based on the strength of its dividends, risk, valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations.

Dividends

Abcam pays an annual dividend of C$0.07 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Abcam pays out 42.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Biotechnology companies pay a dividend yield of 2.7% and pay out 11,176.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Insider & Institutional Ownership

43.6% of Abcam shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 25.0% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are owned by institutional investors. 25.1% of shares of all Biotechnology 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.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Abcam N/A N/A 135.14 Abcam Competitors $103.90 million -$25.22 million 27.58

This table compares Abcam and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Abcams competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Abcam. Abcam 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.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Abcam and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Abcam 0 0 0 0 N/A Abcam Competitors 386 1675 4427 27 2.63

As a group, Biotechnology companies have a potential upside of 90.19%. Given Abcams competitors higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Abcam has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Profitability

This table compares Abcam and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Abcam N/A N/A N/A Abcam Competitors -9,440.66% -223.91% -23.99%

Summary

Abcam beats its competitors on 6 of the 10 factors compared.

Abcam Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Abcam plc, a life science company, focuses on identifying, developing, and distributing reagents and tools for scientific research, diagnostics, and drug discovery. The company's principal products include primary and secondary antibodies; conjugated antibodies and conjugation kits; singleplex immunoassays; proteins and peptides that include cytokines; edited cell lines and lysates; and various other products, including cellular activity kits, biochemicals, and cell signaling pathway tools. It serves scientists and researchers in academic institutions and research institutes, as well as in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics companies. The company has operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, Japan, and rest of the Asia Pacific. It sells its products online. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.

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WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that a U.S. soldier crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "willfully and without authorization".

"A U.S. National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the DPRK," the U.S.-led United Nations Command said Tuesday in a press release.

"We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our Korean People's Army counterparts to resolve this incident," it added.

The U.S. soldier is identified as Private second class Travis King, aged 23.

Tours to the JSA, a small part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), from South Korea are open to the public. The other DMZ areas are heavily fortified by the two Koreas.

According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. serviceman faced disciplinary measures for assault and was slated to be repatriated to his home country. 
Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS  Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of Reduce from the eleven analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $4.73.

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Credit Suisse Group in a report on Monday. They issued a hold rating for the company.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Credit Suisse Group

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CS. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in Credit Suisse Group by 324.9% during the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 51,972,488 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $46,245,000 after acquiring an additional 39,739,500 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP boosted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 113.6% during the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 9,602,987 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,193,000 after purchasing an additional 5,106,960 shares during the last quarter. Kopernik Global Investors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 91.2% during the 4th quarter. Kopernik Global Investors LLC now owns 9,736,174 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,598,000 after purchasing an additional 4,643,341 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 60.8% during the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 8,527,900 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,588,000 after purchasing an additional 3,225,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 1,607.6% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 3,254,904 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,896,000 after purchasing an additional 3,064,287 shares during the last quarter. 11.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Credit Suisse Group Price Performance

Shares of Credit Suisse Group stock opened at $0.89 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. Credit Suisse Group has a one year low of $0.82 and a one year high of $6.36. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $0.88 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.76.

Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The financial services provider reported $3.33 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $19.96 billion during the quarter. Credit Suisse Group had a net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 23.83%.

About Credit Suisse Group

(Get Free Report

Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas.

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Simplicity Solutions LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) by 21.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,085 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,058 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF were worth $755,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Diversified LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Diversified LLC now owns 7,460 shares of the companys stock worth $926,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. Colony Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 1.9% in the second quarter. Colony Group LLC now owns 5,251 shares of the companys stock worth $587,000 after buying an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 2.4% in the first quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,862 shares of the companys stock valued at $603,000 after acquiring an additional 115 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 3.8% during the first quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $397,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Waddell & Associates LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Waddell & Associates LLC now owns 4,097 shares of the companys stock worth $467,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Price Performance

BATS QUAL opened at $138.78 on Wednesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $130.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $124.62. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 1 year low of $71.96 and a 1 year high of $88.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $31.39 billion, a PE ratio of 16.30 and a beta of 1.03.

iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector.

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Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. cut its stake in shares of Capital One Financial Co. (NYSE:COF  Free Report) by 22.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,090 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 900 shares during the period. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc.s holdings in Capital One Financial were worth $297,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Davis Selected Advisers increased its position in shares of Capital One Financial by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Davis Selected Advisers now owns 10,867,609 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,010,253,000 after purchasing an additional 49,543 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Capital One Financial by 7.9% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 9,362,367 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $870,326,000 after purchasing an additional 686,514 shares during the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Capital One Financial by 11.5% during the 4th quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 5,972,255 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $555,181,000 after purchasing an additional 616,973 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in shares of Capital One Financial by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,413,955 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $710,798,000 after purchasing an additional 95,770 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased its position in shares of Capital One Financial by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 3,785,441 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $351,895,000 after purchasing an additional 362,071 shares during the last quarter. 88.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on COF shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Capital One Financial in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Capital One Financial from $102.00 to $112.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Capital One Financial from $121.00 to $124.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Capital One Financial from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 31st. Finally, Credit Suisse Group dropped their price objective on Capital One Financial from $112.00 to $108.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Capital One Financial has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $110.48.

Insider Activity at Capital One Financial

Capital One Financial Price Performance

In other Capital One Financial news, insider Mark Daniel Mouadeb sold 469 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.00, for a total value of $51,590.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 16,396 shares in the company, valued at $1,803,560. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . 1.41% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Shares of COF stock opened at $116.07 on Wednesday. Capital One Financial Co. has a twelve month low of $83.93 and a twelve month high of $123.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $44.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.45. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $106.05 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $103.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88.

Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $2.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.80 by ($1.49). Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 10.90% and a net margin of 14.33%. The firm had revenue of $8.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $5.62 earnings per share. Capital One Financials quarterly revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Capital One Financial Co. will post 11.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Capital One Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. Capital One Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 16.55%.

About Capital One Financial

(Free Report)

Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One Bank (USA), National Association; and Capital One, National Association, which provides various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking.

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Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. decreased its holdings in Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG  Free Report) by 16.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,153 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,591 shares during the quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc.s holdings in Conagra Brands were worth $306,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Czech National Bank raised its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 56,097 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,171,000 after buying an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 31,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,200,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,870 shares of the companys stock valued at $227,000 after buying an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 29,348 shares of the companys stock valued at $958,000 after buying an additional 310 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keel Point LLC raised its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Keel Point LLC now owns 6,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $233,000 after buying an additional 311 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.80% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on CAG. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $43.00 to $36.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $36.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $42.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Conagra Brands from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut shares of Conagra Brands from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $46.00 to $37.00 in a research report on Monday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $38.25.

Conagra Brands Trading Down 0.3 %

CAG opened at $32.19 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.36 billion, a PE ratio of 22.67, a PEG ratio of 3.20 and a beta of 0.54. Conagra Brands, Inc. has a 1-year low of $32.05 and a 1-year high of $41.30. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $34.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.36.

Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 13th. The company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $2.97 billion during 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%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.65 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Conagra Brands, Inc. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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 paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.35%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This is a positive change from Conagra Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Conagra Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 92.96%.

About Conagra Brands

(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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Ameritas Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 22.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 38,351 shares of the natural resource companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,918 shares during the quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLCs holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $1,526,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in FCX. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 111.0% during the 1st quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 882 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 464 shares during the last quarter. 79.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on FCX shares. 3M restated an initiates rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Raymond James reduced their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Sunday, April 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on Freeport-McMoRan in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. They issued a market perform rating and a $41.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Freeport-McMoRan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Finally, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reiterated an initiates rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Freeport-McMoRan has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $39.27.

Freeport-McMoRan Price Performance

Shares of FCX stock opened at $40.41 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.71, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a twelve month low of $26.03 and a twelve month high of $46.73. The company has a market cap of $57.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.58 and a beta of 2.01. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.88 and a 200 day simple moving average of $39.87.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 21st. The natural resource company reported $0.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.05. Freeport-McMoRan had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 12.07%. The business had revenue of $5.39 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.25 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.07 EPS. Freeport-McMoRans revenue for the quarter was down 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Freeport-McMoRan Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.48%. Freeport-McMoRans payout ratio is presently 16.76%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Sara Grootwassink Lewis purchased 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of $34.90 per share, with a total value of $139,600.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 17,800 shares in the company, valued at approximately $621,220. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock.

Freeport-McMoRan Profile

(Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals, as well as oil and gas. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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PHNOM PENH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Guinea-Bissau's Prime Minister Nuno Gomes Nabiam will pay a working visit to Cambodia on Friday, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Nabiam will pay a courtesy call to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen during his visit, the statement said.

"The meeting will provide an opportunity for both leaders to discuss various bilateral topics, chart a course of action for advancing mutually beneficial cooperation, and exchange their perspectives on regional and international issues of shared interest and concern," it said.

During his four-day stay in Cambodia, Nabiam will have the opportunity to witness the Southeast Asian country's general election first-hand, scheduled for Sunday, and exchange electoral experiences, the statement said.

The West African country's prime minister is also scheduled to meet with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng.

Nabiam's visit will mark a significant milestone in the amicable relations between both countries and contribute to strengthening the bonds of good friendship and cooperation in the interests of the two peoples, the statement said. 
NEW DELHI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people, including a police official and three home guards personnel, were killed and six others suffered critical injuries Wednesday after an electricity transformer exploded in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, police said.

The transformer placed at a project site exploded, electrifying a bridge spanning across Alaknanda river in Chamoli district, about 266 km east of Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed grief over the deaths and ordered an inquiry into the incident. 
MOSCOW, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the upcoming BRICS summit via video link, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

"President Putin has decided to participate in the BRICS summit in the format of a video conference call," Peskov said, adding that the Russian leader intends to fully participate in the event.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend the summit in person, Peskov said.

The 15th BRICS Summit will take place in Johannesburg from Aug. 22 to 24, with the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism." 
MOSCOW, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Russia will regard all ships sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports as "potential carriers of military cargo," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

"Due to the termination of the Black Sea Initiative, and the curtailment of the maritime humanitarian corridor, all ships en route to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be considered potential carriers of military cargo from 00:00 Moscow time on July 20, 2023," it said.

The ministry noted that the countries whose flags will be present on those vessels will be viewed as parties to the conflict from the Ukrainian side.

It added that a number of areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been temporarily declared dangerous for navigation.

Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Turkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which allowed Ukraine to export its grain and other agricultural products from its Black Sea ports.

Moscow suspended its participation in the agreement on July 17, 2023, saying that it would return to the deal as soon as the Russian part of the agreements is fulfilled. 
A man has been charged with murder after an Irishman was killed in west London over the weekend, the Irish Post is reporting.

James JJ Donnelly, a native of Childers Park in Thurles, was found dead at his home in Station Road in Hayes, Hillingdon after police were called to the property at around 10am on July 15.

The London Ambulance Service also attended the scene, where 45-year-old Mr Donnelly, who is reported to have hailed from Thurles in county Tipperary, was found with a slash wound and pronounced dead at the scene.

At 3am on Sunday, July 16, officers arrested Leo Price, of Blair Close in Uxbridge, on suspicion of murder.

The 22-year-old was taken to a west London police station where he was later charged with one count of murder and three counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Another man, aged 51, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and theft.

He remained in custody at the time of publication.

Mr Donnellys friends and family have since paid tribute to him online, claiming he was a good friend, a great guitar player.

Mr Donnelly is a former member of the Irish army and served as a peace keeper overseas.

A former member of Ireland's UN Peace Force, Mr Donnelly is pre-deceased by his father Tom and brother Tony.

He leaves behind his mother Bernie and aunt Win, brothers Mixie and Ger and sisters Linda, Paula, Fiona, Maria, Teresa and Bridann.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
Irelands premier has vowed to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky on a visit to Kyiv.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion, before meeting the Ukrainian leader in the capital.

After an engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Mr Varadkar also paused for a moments silence at a memorial in central Kyiv for the children who have died in the conflict, placing a toy lamb among the other teddies.

At a press conference after an hour-long meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Varadkar insisted Ukraine would win the war.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

Volodymyr Zelensky, we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed in taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine areas.

He made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the Kakhoka dam and other areas.

        @LeoVaradkar.    : ,  ,       .     ,     ,    pic.twitter.com/ZNWiuxz9d1    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 19, 2023

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

I, first of all, would like to extend words of gratitude to you and to the whole people of Ireland for hosting our nationals in Ireland. This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

Mr Varadkar began an intensive schedule of engagements with a visit north of the city to the Kyiv Oblast region.

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside 24-year-old Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainians fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.
Irelands premier said coming to face to face with the horrors inflicted by Russia has convinced him that Ukraine will ultimately emerge from the war victorious.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pledged to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes after holding talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

On a day-long unannounced trip to the Ukrainian capital, Mr Varadkar visited the sites of several atrocities committed in the early weeks of the Russian invasion.

He was taken to the church grounds where a mass grave was found and a bridge where fleeing civilians were bombed and laid a soft toy at a memorial for children killed in the conflict, the youngest just two days old.

The Taoiseach also participated in a number of other wreath and flower-laying ceremonies to commemorate those who have lost their lives defending Ukraine.

I came face to face with the horror that Russias forces have inflicted on civilians here in Ukraine, he said afterwards.

After an hour-long meeting with President Zelensky, Mr Varadkar reiterated Irelands support for Ukraines accession to the EU and called for the negotiation process to start before the end of the year.

He also committed to taking a lead role to set up international tribunals to prosecute crimes committed in Ukraine and to assist in efforts to de-mine vast swathes of Ukrainian land.

The Taoiseach made clear that while Ireland was militarily neutral it was not politically neutral, and announced an additional five million euro in humanitarian funding to help respond to the attack on the kakhovka dam and other areas.

Perhaps Russia believes that it can break the resolve of the Ukrainian people, but I know from the way you fought for the past few years, and from my visit here, that it cannot, he said.

My visits to the sites of these atrocities this morning, and my meeting here in Kyiv, has confirmed to me that Russia will not succeed, and Russia cannot be allowed to succeed.

This is the 21st century and the idea that national boundaries can be changed by violence, or the democratically elected governments can be overthrown by foreign invasion, must perish.

We need to make sure that Ukraine succeeds, that it wins this war, so that no other country gets attacked.

If Russia thinks that targeting civilians and essential infrastructure will discourage Ukraines friends, including Ireland, well, its wrong.

He added: We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine will prevail and Ukraine will be rebuilt.

Mr Varadkar also revealed that an investigation is under way into an image of a drone downed in Ukraine which had a Made In Ireland stamp on it.

Asked how such a part could potentially have got into Russian hands, Mr Varadkar said: We dont believe any Irish companies have evaded sanctions, but there are third parties that find ways around the sanctions, and its really important that we crack down on that and we do take it very seriously.

Mr Zelensky thanked the people of Ireland for taking in tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion began.

This is a significant moral support to our nation, he said.

Youve hosted 86,000 Ukrainian citizens, youve provided them with accommodation, with funding, with access to education and health support, this is very important.

Mr Zelensky said it was a fruitful meeting where they spoke about the sanctions package against Russia, about how to stop Russia producing missiles and Ukraines accession to the EU.

Travelling with @LeoVaradkar in Kyiv today as he visited sites that still bear the scars of the Russian offensive to capture the Ukrainian capital in the early weeks of the war.@PA pic.twitter.com/A4UOqOYPAz  David Young (@DavidYoungPA) July 19, 2023

He also informed Mr Varadkar about the recent Russian attacks on its port cities, including Odesa. He said Russia was targeting residential areas and food infrastructure, which was not only an attack on Ukraine, but on global stability.

Its important that every country of the world which is striving for peace, for normal life, on all continents, its important for them to condemn the Russian terror and participate in common efforts to overcome this aggression, he said.

Ireland is participating in such common efforts.

Mr Zelensky also said he was very grateful that the Taoiseach began his visit in Kyivs suburbs, stating that he had seen with your own eyes the consequences of the war, the consequences of Russias aggression.

After the engagement with the president, Mr Varadkar then met Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

The Taoiseachs intensive schedule of engagements began in the early morning when he disembarked from an overnight train from Poland to travel to the Kyiv Oblast region on the northern outskirts of the city.

He was taken to the small cities of Bucha and Irpin, where scores of civilians were killed during a period of Russian occupation at the start of the war.

In Bucha, Mr Varadkar visited the Church of St Andrew where a mass grave was discovered after Russian soldiers retreated from the area.

Inside the building he was shown an exhibition of images of the graphic scenes captured during the exhumation process.

Ukraines prosecutor general Andrei Kostin accompanied the Taoiseach on the visit and explained the work done to collect evidence for war crimes investigations and secure justice for those killed.

The Taoiseachs tour also took him through the village of Horenka, where he was taken to an apartment block that was heavily damaged in a Russian aerial bombardment.

The shelling blew a huge hole in the side of the building and the interiors of the apartments that were destroyed are clearly visible.

Among the debris was a painting of an old man enjoying a bath, representing the defiance of residents.

Horenka is where Irish-born cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski was killed in a Russian attack in March 2022.

Mr Zakrzewski, 55, who worked for Fox News, was killed alongside Ukrainian freelance journalist Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova, 24.

The Irish premier also visited Moschun, a village that witnessed a pivotal battle in the fight to repel a full-scale invasion of Kyiv.

Mr Varadkar laid flowers and observed a moments silence to commemorate the Ukrainian fighters, most from the territorial reserves, who were killed in defence of the capital.

He also visited a bridge in Irpin where Russian forces bombed civilians fleeing the conflict. The bridge was later blown up by Ukrainian troops in an effort to prevent Russian tanks from entering Kyiv.

Later in the morning, Mr Varadkar visited Mikhailivska Square (St Michaels Square) in central Kyiv, where he watched as two Ukrainian soldiers laid a wreath on behalf of the Irish Government at a ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine.

The Taoiseach was then shown the remnants of several Russian tanks and other military vehicles on display in the square.

Later in the day, Mr Varadkar met a Ukrainian actor who was assaulted in Dublin last month.

Oleksandr Hrekov was attacked in Dublin city centre shortly after performing at the citys Abbey Theatre.

He was part of a Kyiv theatre company that had travelled to Dublin to put on a production of Translations by Irish playwright Brian Friel. The actor required stitches in hospital.

Mr Varadkar visited the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theatre company in Kyiv on his visit to the Ukrainian capital.

They performed a song for the Taoiseach before presenting him with a copy of Translations signed by the cast.

The Taoiseach then spoke to Mr Hrekov, shaking his hand and enquiring about his well-being since the assault.
July 19, 2023





In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are continually seeking innovative ways to stay ahead of the competition. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), social media, and other cutting-edge technologies, companies have a plethora of tools at their disposal to drive business innovation. These technologies, when harnessed effectively, can transform the way businesses operate, connect with customers, and generate new opportunities. In this blog post, we will explore the ways in which AI, social media, and business technology can be leveraged to foster innovation and propel businesses to new heights.







The Power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Business Innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer for businesses across various industries. Its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, automate processes, and make accurate predictions has opened up a world of possibilities. One area where AI is making significant strides is in customer service. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are revolutionizing the way businesses interact with their customers, providing quick and personalized responses to inquiries and resolving issues efficiently. This not only enhances the customer experience but also frees up valuable time for employees to focus on more complex tasks.

Moreover, AI algorithms can mine and analyze customer data to gain valuable insights into consumer behavior and preferences. By understanding customers on a deeper level, businesses can tailor their products and services to meet specific needs, thus increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. AI can also optimize supply chain management by predicting demand, reducing waste, and streamlining logistics.

Leveraging the Power of Social Media for Business Innovation

Social media has transformed the way businesses connect and engage with their target audience. These technologies continue to grow and evolve, with Meta even providing a new text-based solution to compete with Twitter called Threads. Moreover, platforms like Facebook (News - Alert), Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn have already become invaluable tools for marketing, customer service, and brand building. By leveraging social media effectively, businesses can not only reach a broader audience but also gain valuable insights into consumer trends and preferences.

One way businesses can harness social media for innovation is by actively listening to customer feedback and using it to drive product development. By monitoring conversations and sentiment analysis on social media, companies can identify pain points, uncover emerging trends, and gather valuable feedback on their products or services. This data can then be used to refine existing offerings or develop new ones that better align with customer needs, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Social media also provides a platform for businesses to showcase their thought leadership and establish themselves as industry experts. By regularly sharing informative and engaging content, businesses can build a loyal following, attract new customers, and differentiate themselves from the competition. Additionally, social media platforms offer advertising options that allow businesses to target specific demographics and reach potential customers more effectively.

Embracing Business Technology for Streamlined Operations

Business technology encompasses a wide range of tools and software that can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and foster innovation. From project management systems to customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, businesses have an array of options to choose from based on their unique needs.

For instance, cloud-based collaboration tools enable teams to work together seamlessly, regardless of their physical location. These tools facilitate real-time communication, document sharing, and project tracking, leading to improved productivity and streamlined workflows. Similarly, CRM systems help businesses manage customer relationships, track sales leads, and gather valuable customer data that can be leveraged for personalized marketing and improved customer service. Moreover, data analytics tools enable businesses to transform raw data into meaningful insights.

The Role of Employer of Record (EOR) in Driving Innovation

While AI, social media, and business technology play crucial roles in driving business innovation, one area where human resources innovation can significantly impact businesses is through the adoption of the Employer of Record (EOR) model.

An Employer of Record is a third-party entity that takes on the legal responsibilities of being an employer for a company's contingent workforce. This model allows businesses to tap into a global talent pool, access specialized skills, and scale their workforce rapidly without the burden of administrative tasks and legal compliance.

By partnering with an EOR, businesses can focus on core functions and innovation while leaving the complexities of workforce management to the experts. The EOR handles payroll, benefits administration, tax compliance, and other employment-related tasks, allowing businesses to streamline operations, reduce costs, and focus on driving innovation.

Additionally, the EOR model enables businesses to experiment and innovate with their workforce composition. They can engage freelancers, contractors, or international remote workers for specific projects or tasks, providing flexibility and agility in adapting to changing market demands. This agile workforce model promotes innovation by allowing businesses to access specialized skills and expertise on demand.
[July 19, 2023] Macnica and Dragos to Deliver OT Cybersecurity to Critical Infrastructure and Manufacturing Control Systems in Japan Tweet

Dragos, the global leader in cybersecurity for Operational Technology (OT), and Macnica Corporation (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Kazumasa Hara, hereinafter referred to as Macnica), have signed an agency agreement to provide Dragos's OT cybersecurity solutions in Japan, and today have announced availability. Challenges and Background of OT Security Cyber risks are rapidly increasing in critical infrastructure and manufacturing, driven by the rise of threat groups targeting OT and the rise in ransomware attacks. In particular, cyber attacks on critical infrastructure risk impairing societal functions, and countermeasures are urgently needed. The Japanese government is also planning to introduce an examination system to check whether sufficient measures to protect systems are being applied to critical infrastructure in 14 industries, including electricity and gas*1. Strengthening OT security has become an important theme. Countermeasures include cyber hygiene (defense approach to prevent incidents) and cyber resilience (early detection of incidents, early minimization of damage). Both are important, but it can be difficult to respond comprehensively, given that the threats and countermeasures in OT environments are different than in IT environments and require specialized knowledge and technologies. Dragos Products, Services, and Intelligence Offered Through Macnica Macnica supports the promotion of effective OT cybersecurity measures by addressing customers' OT security risks as a companion partner, by selecting products and services according to their issues and situations, introducing them, and providing operational support after introduction. Dragos Platform: A platform that provides visibility into assets, network communication, and vulnerabilities; detection of potential threats or breaches; and playbooks for forensics and response. Neighborhood Keeper option for "collective defense" that anonymously aggregates the detection status of threats for each industry and shares them in a timely manner.

Leveraging the power of the Dragos Platform, Professional Services include: OT Cybersecurity Architecture Review, which evaluates the design and implementation of the OT network; identifying security issues and providing actionable recommendations to improve the security posture of the OT environment. Compromise Assessment, included as part of an OT Cybersecurity Architecture Review or available as a standalone service, provides visibility within an OT environment, inspecting traffic samples for vulnerabilities, threat behaviors, and indicators of compromise. /li>

WorldView Products that provide useful information for countermeasures, such as the latest knowledge (incident analysis, attack TTP/IoC, vulnerability) and situation reports specialized for OT.





"Japanese companies are renowned for innovation as well as their commitment to societal good, and we are honored that our OT cybersecurity solutions will help protect Japanese businesses and communities at a time of rapid digital transformation," said Christophe Culine, Vice President of Global Sales and Chief Revenue Officer, Dragos. "Bringing Dragos's technology to Japan is key to our growth strategy and we are thrilled to enter the market through Macnica, given the company's esteemed reputation, history in the country, and commitment to helping Japanese businesses. Macnica's proven models deliver optimized value to each customer in its extensive customer base. This direction is aligned with our mission to safeguard civilization."

In order to protect society from cyber threats, Macnica provides security products and services for OT and IoT as a CPS security business. Going forward, it will continue to support the strengthening of Japan security by providing optimal solutions to companies in critical infrastructure, manufacturing, and other industries. About Dragos Dragos has a global mission to safeguard civilization from those trying to disrupt the industrial infrastructure we depend on every day. The Dragos Platform offers the most effective industrial cybersecurity technology, giving customers visibility into their ICS/OT assets, vulnerabilities, threats, and response actions. The strength behind the Dragos Platform comes from our ability to codify Dragos's industry-leading OT threat intelligence, and insights from the Dragos services team, into the software. Our community-focused approach gives you access to the largest array of industrial organizations participating in collective defense, with the broadest visibility available. Our solutions protect organizations across a range of industries, including electric, oil & gas, manufacturing, building automation systems, chemical, government, water, food & beverage, mining, transportation, and pharmaceutical. Dragos is privately held and headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with regional presence around the world, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the Middle East. About Macnica Corporation Macnica is a service and solution company that handles the latest technologies in total, with semiconductors and cybersecurity at its core. With 81 locations in 23 countries and regions around the world, we utilize the technological capabilities and global network cultivated over a history of more than 50 years to discover, propose, and implement cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, and autonomous driving.

About Macnica:www.macnica.co.jp Details of products/examples: https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/iot_security/manufacturers/dragos/ For inquiries about Dragos offerings through Macnica Corporation: E-mail: [email protected] *1: A system stipulated in the Act on Promotion of Economic Security (Article 52, Paragraph 1 of the Act) enacted on May 11, 2022, in which the government conducts a preliminary review of critical infrastructure companies when they introduce critical equipment (including systems) in order to reduce the risk of cyberattacks from the outside. It will be implemented in stages within two years of promulgation.

* Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macnica Corporation and each company.

* The information contained in this news release (including product prices, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of publication. Please note that it is subject to change without notice. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719604851/en/

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[July 19, 2023] PrismHR Receives 2023 CSO50 Award Tweet

HOPKINTON, Mass., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PrismHR, the leading HR technology software powering payroll, benefits, and HR for businesses across the U.S., today shared that it has been named a winner of a 2023 CSO50 Award from Foundrys CSO. The prestigious honor is bestowed upon a select group of organizations that have implemented security projects and initiatives demonstrating outstanding business value and thought leadership.

Given todays dynamic security landscape, PrismHR implemented enhanced email security and identity monitoring technology to protect the PrismHR platform and reduce risk to PrismHR customers. The protection uses methods and analysis to identify, detect and block large-scale phishing attacks. These indications trigger advanced monitoring of customer accounts to protect against suspicious activity. Dwayne Smith, CISO for PrismHR, explained, PrismHR works with companies across verticals, including a number of small- and medium-sized businesses. This project shows what can be done, as a service provider, to support the evolving security needs of our customers while reducing risk to their organization. Providing methods that protect the PrismHR platform and its users helps ensure PrismHR customers can operate without interruption and continue to grow their business. PrismHR will accept its award at the CSO50 Conference + Awards to be held October 2-4, 2023, at the We-Ko-Pa Resort & Casino in Fort McDowell, AZ. It is a privilege for us to honor the outstanding accompishments of the winners at the CSO50 conference and to bring together the information security community for great learning, networking and problem-solving, said Stephen Corrick, SVP, Events, IDG, Inc. "The powerful expertise and experience of our winners and partners make this a cant-miss opportunity for everyone in the field.



About the CSO50 Awards The CSO50 Awards recognizes 50 organizations for security projects and initiatives that demonstrate outstanding business value and thought leadership. The CSO50 Awards are scored according to a uniform set of criteria by a panel of judges that includes security leaders, industry experts and academics. The 2023 awards will be presented at the CSO50 Conference + Awards to be held October 2- 4, 2023, at the We-Ko-Pa Resort & Casino in Fort McDowell, Ariz.

Past winners include Adobe, Allstate, American Express, City of Raleigh, The Clorox Company, Comcast, Delta Dental, Genpact, HBO Latin America, Home Depot, Microsoft, University of Pennsylvania, Verizon and many more. A complete list of the winners can be viewed at www.foundryco.com. About CSO CSO is the premier content and community resource for security decision-makers leading business risk management efforts within their organizations. For more than a decade, CSOs award-winning website (CSOonline.com), executive conferences, strategic marketing services and research have equipped security decision-makers to mitigate both IT and corporate/physical risk for their organizations and provided opportunities for security vendors looking to reach this audience. CSO is published by Foundry (formerly IDG Communications, Inc.). Company information is available at www.foundryco.com. About PrismHR PrismHRs mission is to fuel the growth of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across the U.S. Our HR software, combined with our ecosystem of HR service providers, enables SMBs to manage payroll, benefits, and HR, leveling the playing field with large enterprises. Today, PrismHR software delivers world-class HR services to more than 80,000 organizations and over 2 million worksite employees, processing greater than $80 billion in payroll each year. PrismHR is located in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.prismhr.com. Note to editors: Trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein remain the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact: Jeanne Achille The Devon Group for PrismHR [email protected]

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[July 18, 2023] A new link to the Asia-Pacific region: CDL-Melbourne launches at Monash Business School Tweet

Toronto, Canada; Melbourne, Australia, July 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), founded at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, is launching a new site in Melbourne, Australias thriving technology hub. CDL-Melbourne will leverage a diverse regional ecosystem while also opening a new link to the Asia-Pacific region for the global CDL community. CDL-Melbourne is hosted by Monash Business School within Monash University  one of the worlds top 50 universities, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. CDL-Melbourne will offer a Prime stream for early-stage founders applying advanced technology solutions to a wide range of industries. Monash University is the driving force behind Monash Technology Precinct and surrounding National Employment and Innovation Cluster, one of Australias most diverse innovation landscapes for technology, advanced manufacturing, health, sustainable development and more. The Precinct is a hub for collaboration between researchers, infrastructure and industry, and is home to nationally significant research centres including CSIRO, Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO) and Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication. A home for ground-breaking work in mRNA innovation, Moderna is building its first mRNA production facility in the Southern Hemisphere within the Monash Technology Precinct. With its vibrant and multifaceted economy, Melbourne was a natural first step into the region for CDL, and an important move in expanding the CDL network to the Asia-Pacific region. Melbournes advanced technology landscape is underpinned by world-leading research across a range of industries including biotechnology, medicine, digital technology, renewable energy, sustainability and robotics. Melbournes flourishing regional ecosystem is matched by Australias robust domestic economy  the 12th largest advanced economy in the world. Australias resources sector is not only one of the worlds largest, but also uniquely focused on innovation and a push toward powering a future net-zero economy. A new shift to domestic critical mineral refining, as well as mine automation, coupled with global powerhoses in the industry, position Australia at the vanguard of the resources sector.



Australia is the home of so many incredible innovators in the science and technology space already. This is something I know will be of immense value to Australian organizations and more broadly, says Professor Simon Wilkie, head of Monash Business School and dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University. CDL-Melbourne will be able to draw on both the expertise of the Business School and that of Monash University as a whole. Monash University consistently ranks among the worlds best tertiary institutions, particularly in the biomedical technology field. I have long thought that Australia had great potential in innovation and the CDL model could unlock the wealth of scientific progress amongst our best Universities, said Professor Joshua Gans, CDL Chief Economist and former professor at the University of Melbourne. I am very excited to be helping bring this global network home and unlocking a startup ecosystem for Australia.

We are thrilled to partner with Monash University to launch CDL-Melbourne, shared Sonia Sennik, executive director of Creative Destruction Lab. CDLs proven objectives-based model has provided unparalleled access for founders to global leaders and industry experts who provide them with insights and mentorship to build massively scalable companies. In its first year, CDL-Melbourne will concentrate on placing early-stage founders of science-based technology companies through a structured and highly effective program designed by CDL that involves intensive mentorship with industry figures in Australia and globally, says Professor Deep Kapur, deputy dean, External Engagement; chairman, CDL-Melbourne; director, Monash Centre for Financial Studies. CDL-Melbourne will provide a springboard into international markets for founders looking to massively impact deep tech, driving the next wave of growth domestically and abroad, adds CDL-Melbourne Site Lead A/Prof Charlie Nave. CDL Prime In its first year, CDL-Melbourne will offer a Prime stream, for founders pursuing state-of-the-art technological innovations across diverse industries. Distinct from CDLs specialized streams that each focus on a particular industry or technology, CDL Prime admits diverse ventures pursuing many different applications of technology to industry problems. Applications for CDL-Melbourne Prime will close at 11:59 PM AEST on September 15, 2023. About Monash Business School Monash Business School, located in Melbourne Australia, together with the School of Business at Monash University Malaysia, make up the Faculty of Business and Economics  one of ten discipline-based faculties at Monash University, a globally-ranked top 50 university. The Faculty also runs specialist business units and courses at Monash Suzhou in China, the Monash Prato Centre in Italy and Monash Indonesia, located in Jakarta. Collectively the Faculty of Business and Economics is home to over 21,600 students (EFTSL) and over 420+ academic staff (EFT). The Faculty of Business and Economics is internationally recognised for excellence in research and education in Australia, the Asia-Pacific and around the world as ranked by some of the most prestigious and highly regarded international rankings of world universities. www.monash.eu/business About Rotman School of Management The Rotman School of Management is part of the University of Toronto, a global centre of research and teaching excellence at the heart of Canadas commercial capital. Rotman is a catalyst for transformative learning, insights and public engagement, bringing together diverse views and initiatives around a defining purpose: to create value for business and society. For more information, visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca. About Creative Destruction Lab Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is a nonprofit organization that delivers an objectives-based program for massively scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies. Its nine-month program allows founders to learn from experienced entrepreneurs, increasing their likelihood of success. Founded in 2012 by Professor Ajay Agrawal at the University of Torontos Rotman School of Management, the program has expanded to 13 sites across seven countries: Oxford, Seattle, Paris, Atlanta, Madison, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Halifax, Berlin, Estonia, and Melbourne. Learn more at creativedestructionlab.com. Attachment CDL-Melbourne

Amarpreet Kaur Creative Destruction Lab 4163339564 [email protected]

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[July 18, 2023]

AT&T Shares Filing Made by Pacific Bell Telephone Company in U.S. District Court

DALLAS, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* (NYSE:T) has received requests for a document filed today by Pacific Bell Telephone Company in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California. For the convenience of all interested parties, we are including a link to the content of that pleading in this press release.

*About AT&T

We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more informaion about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.







 2023 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

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SOURCE AT&T
[July 18, 2023] MDT Introduces Foundry Services and IP Licensing for Magnetic Sensors Tweet

MDT Offers Industrial Partners Advanced Magnetoresistance Wafer Fabrication Technology and Mass Production Capacity to Drive Technology Innovation and Synergetic Growth in Magnetic Sensor Market SAN JOSE, Calif. and ZHANGJIAGANG, China, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd. (MDT) introduces new service options to further enhance its comprehensive offerings, ranging from standard or customized magnetic sensor products to foundry services and IP licensing. By providing industrial partners with access to MDT's leading-edge magnetoresistance materials and wafer fabrication technology through its high-capacity 8-inch wafer fab, these expanded services aiming to facilitate innovation and collaboration in the magnetic sensor market. MDT manufacturers magnetic sensors in TMR (Tunneling-Magnetoresistance), AMR (Anisotropic-Magnetoresistance), and GMR (Giant-Magnetoresistance) technologies. Backed by a strong IP portfolio, MDT has established itself as a leading manufacturer in the industry, offering a wide-ranging product portfolio including linear and angular position sensors, speed sensors, current sensors, and switch sensors. Through the recent upgrade of its manufacturing facility to a self-owned 8-inch high-capacity wafer fab with IATF-16949 qualification, MDT is positioned to broaden its service offering while reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality magnetic sensor solutions to the market.



The enhanced service options include: TMR/AMR/GMR sensors in wafers, bare-dice, or packaged devices, offering customers the most suitable option from MDT's extensive product portfolios and design libraries;

Custom design services, allowing to create unique solutions that precisely align with application requirements;

Sensor design for integration with ASIC, aiming for compact, highly integrated, feature-rich, and cost-effective magnetic sensor solutions;

Foundry services for the entire spectrum of TMR/GMR/AMR sensor production, including thin-film deposition, sensing device processing, packaging, and magnetic property testing for both wafers and packaged devices, allowing customers to leverage MDT's advanced manufacturing capabilities to achieve consistent quality and fast time-to-market;

IP Licensing, enabling customers to incorporate MDT's cutting-edge technology and develop their own products with differentiation. MDT's renewed service options cater to diverse customer requirements, offering a variety of new possibilities for magnetic sensor integration and customization. By collaborating closely with MDT, customers can create highly differentiated products that are tailored to their application requirements. This collaboration enables optimized performance, reduced cost, and accelerated time-to-market. With access to MDT's leading-edge technologies, industrial partners can drive innovation in their respective markets with streamlined development processes and enhanced competitiveness of their products.

About MDT

MultiDimension Technology was founded in 2010 in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China, with branch offices in Shanghai and San Jose, Calif., USA. MDT has developed a unique intellectual property portfolio, and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities that can support volume production of high-performance, low-cost TMR magnetic sensors to satisfy the most demanding application needs. Led by its core management team of elite experts and veterans in magnetic sensor technology and engineering services, MDT is committed to creating added value for its customers and ensuring their success. For more information about MDT please visit http://www.multidimensiontech.com. Media Contacts

Jinfeng Liu, [email protected],

Tel: +1-650-275-2318 (US), +86-189-3612-1156 (China)

Jilie Wei, [email protected],

Tel: +86-189-3612-1160 (China) View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/mdt-introduces-foundry-services-and-ip-licensing-for-magnetic-sensors-301878549.html SOURCE MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.

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Algeria: In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the nation in shock, at least 34 innocent lives were tragically lost, and 12 others sustained injuries in a horrific road accident in southern Algeria on Wednesday. The country's civil defense revealed that the calamity occurred along the N1 national highway, near the town of El Bayadh, situated approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of the capital, Algiers.

According to reports, the accident involved a bus carrying a group of hardworking individuals, presumably commuting to their workplace, which collided with a heavy truck. The bus, carrying a total of 46 passengers, including the driver, bore the brunt of the impact, leading to an unimaginable loss of life and leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the collision, striving to understand how such a horrific accident could have unfolded.

The victims, numbering 34 souls, hailed from the nearby town of Ghardaia, their lives tragically cut short in an instant. Meanwhile, the injured, totaling 12, were rushed to a hospital in El Bayadh, where they are receiving medical attention and care for their wounds, both physical and emotional.

Also Read: Israel's Herzog tells Biden that despite US worries about a judicial reform, its democracy is still strong

This heartrending incident marks the latest in a series of distressing road accidents that have befallen Algeria, with the memories of a previous bus crash in May, claiming the lives of at least 43 people in the northern part of the country, still haunting the collective consciousness of the nation.

The gravity of this tragedy cannot be overstated, as families mourn the loss of their loved ones, and a nation comes to terms with yet another road accident claiming a significant number of lives. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to improve road safety measures and bolster awareness campaigns to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.

Also Read: Despite rising temperatures, Syria struggles to put out wildfires

As the country grieves for the departed and stands in solidarity with the injured, authorities and communities must come together to address the underlying issues and take concrete steps towards ensuring safer roads for everyone. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their memory serve as a catalyst for positive change in Algeria's road safety landscape.

Also Read: UN agency cuts cash assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan, warning of funding shortage

In conclusion, the headline "34 killed in Algeria road accident, deadliest in years" aptly captures the gravity of this heartrending event, with its concise and impactful wording. However, as we delve deeper into the details, it becomes evident that this incident is not just a statistic; it represents the profound loss of 34 precious lives, leaving an indelible mark on families, friends, and the nation as a whole.
[July 18, 2023] Resecurity to showcase cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions at F-AIR Colombia 2023 Tweet

LOS ANGELES, July 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Resecurity, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions protecting Fortune 500 and government agencies, is pleased to announce its participation in F-AIR Colombia 2023, one of the major aerospace and defense exhibitions in Latin America (LATAM). F-AIR Colombia is an international airshow that showcases the latest technologies and innovations in the aerospace and defense industry. The event is organized by the Colombian Air Force and takes place every two years in the city of Rionegro, Antioquia. F-AIR Colombia is the largest aviation event in the country and attracts visitors from all over the world. The event features both static and aerial displays of military and civilian aircraft, as well as exhibitions of aerospace and defense products and services. F-AIR Colombia also includes a series of conferences and seminars on aviation, space, and defense topics, as well as cultural and recreational activities for visitors of all ages. Resecurity is excited to participate in F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to a diverse audience from Aerospace & Defense (A&D) sector. The company offers a wide range of cybersecurity services, including cyber threat intelligence (CTI), digital forensics & incident response (DFIR), risk assessment, identity protection and security consulting. Resecurity's solutions are designed to help organizations of any size protect their critical assets, intellectual property (IP) and stay ahead of emerging threats. Resecurity has extensive experience working with clients in the aerospace and defense industry, providing them with customized solutions to address their specific security needs. The company has a proven track record of helping clients in face of Fortune 500 corporations protect their sensitive information and prevent cyber attacks. "Aerospace is one of the most targeted sectors by advanced espionage groups and nation-state actors. At Resecurity, we are committed to helping our clients worldwide stay ahead of the rapidly evolving threat landscape," said Gene Yoo, CEO of Resecurity. "We are excited to participate in F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase our unique expertise and intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions." Resecurity's participation in F-AIR Colombia 2023 underscores ts commitment to the Latin American market and its desire to expand its presence in the region. The company has a strong track record of working with clients in the region and has established itself as a trusted provider of cybersecurity solutions compliant with local regulatory requirements.



"We see tremendous potential in the Latin American market and are committed to expanding our presence in the region via specialized SaaS-based and on-premise solutions. This year, our business development in the region has proven a tremendous growth, as well as extension of our channel partner network, and we look forward to support Clients in A&D segment," said Jorge Chungandro, Business Development Manager at Resecurity (LATAM). Resecurity's team of cybersecurity experts will be available at its stand in the USA Pavilion to answer questions and provide demonstrations of its solutions. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Resecurity's threat intelligence platform, incident response services, risk assessment solutions, and security consulting services.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to connect with visitors at F-AIR Colombia 2023 and showcase our expertise in cybersecurity," said Yoo. "We believe that our solutions can help organizations in the aerospace and defense industry protect their critical assets and intellectual property, and stay ahead of emerging threats. We look forward to meeting with our partners and clients from Colombia and exploring new opportunities in the region." Recently Resecurity products have been also named a Gold Winner by the 2022 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in North America. Resecurity products and services received Gold recognition across 3 categories in highly competitive categories such as cyber threat intelligence (CTI), threat hunting, and third-party risk management (TPRM): GOLD WINNER for Cyber Threat Intelligence in North America: Resecurity Context Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform GOLD WINNER for Third Party Risk Management (TPRM) in North America: Resecurity Risk Supply Chain Risk Management Platform GOLD WINNER for Threat Hunting in North America: Resecurity Hunter Research & Development Resecurity has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan as a Leader in the Cyber Threat Intelligence Market and has been included as the top Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) Provider globally. The company has recently been highlighted in the latest Global TIP Market Report 2022 and External Risk Mitigation Platforms (ERMM) providing information about the most successful CTI and digital risk management industry players. The Frost & Sullivan report details the organization's market research, identifying trends in the market and top vendors and tools in the market. About Resecurity Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence. Known for providing best-of-breed data-driven intelligence solutions, Resecurity's services and platforms focus on early-warning identification of data breaches and comprehensive protection against cybersecurity risks. Founded in 2016, it has been globally recognized as one of the world's most innovative cybersecurity companies with the sole mission of enabling organizations to combat cyber threats regardless of how sophisticated they are. Most recently, Resecurity was named as one of the Top 10 fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies in Los Angeles, California by Inc. Magazine. An Official Member and a Gold Sponsor of InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), AFCEA, NDIA, SIA, FS-ISAC and the American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia (AmChamKSA), Singapore (AmChamSG), Korea (AmChamKorea), Mexico (AmChamMX), and UAE (AmChamDubai). To learn more about Resecurity, visit https://resecurity.com. For more details about F-AIR Colombia 2023, visit https://f-aircolombia.com.co/es/f-air-2023/ to know more about the event and our participation. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/resecurity-to-showcase-cutting-edge-cybersecurity-solutions-at-f-air-colombia-2023-301880475.html SOURCE Resecurity

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[July 19, 2023] Trading Update: Lleida.net Demonstrates Steady Growth in Second Quarter of 2023 Driven by its Patented Technology Tweet

MADRID, Spain, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spanish listed company Lleida.net (BME:LLN) (EPA:ALLLN) (OTCQX:LLEIF) disclosed today its trading update for the second quarter of 2023, showcasing continued growth in the usage of its cutting-edge patented technology. The company has witnessed significant advancements in various services, with active circuits for Click&Sign, SMS circuits, and Lleida.net PKI (formerly known as Indenova) timestamping all experiencing a surge in both unique users and the volume of transmissions. Active circuits for contract signings through API continue to show upward progression, with a 28.92% increase in June 2023 compared to June 2022. That growth is predominantly driven by telecommunications contracts, as well as real estate credit agreements in Europe, a rise in prepaid card usage in Spain, and consumer financing in Latin America. The introduction of new features, such as electronic signatures, has significantly contributed to the rise in active circuits. However, it is important to note that registered email production experienced a downfall due to the service suspension by 4-72, the Colombian postal company, owing to non-payment. Over the last six months, two major milestones were achieved: the production of the 100 millionth certified email and the acquisition of the 300th patent. Lleida.net rmains committed to strengthening its leadership position in the European market while providing unwavering support to its shareholders, who have been with the company since its initial public offering in 2015.



Certified SMS traffic during 2Q2023 exhibited a slight growth compared to the traffic generated in 2Q2022. This growth is primarily attributed to the utilization of certified SMS in insurance and utility companies' claims processes in Europe, as well as for debtor notifications in banking and financial defaults by utilities, along with notifications from governmental agencies. The timestamping service has been increasingly used for document finalization and to ensure the date and time authenticity of specific documents. From 2Q2020 to 2Q2023, the timestamping service has seen a substantial increase of 42.7%, with expanded diversification across various countries. Currently, Lleida.net provides this service for Eidas (Europe), the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Colombia.

Lleida.net was founded in 1995 and went public in Madrid in 2015. It subsequently executed a dual listing on Euronext Growth Paris in 2018 and on OTC Markets in New York in 2020. The company has been granted more than 300 patents by more than 60 countries around the world for its technology inventions in the SaaS industry. SAFE HARBOR

This press release contains statements regarding the future of the Lleida.net company and its innovations. Statements regarding the future may be accompanied by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "wait", "anticipate", "pretend", "power", "plan", "potential", the use of future time and other terms of similar meaning. No undue reliance should be placed on these claims. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including uncertainty of the company's commercial success, ability to protect our intellectual property rights, and other risks. These statements are based on current beliefs and forecasts and refer only to the date of this press release. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements, regardless of whether new information, future events or any other circumstance arise.



Pedrosa IR [email protected]

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[July 19, 2023] STARTRADER Achieves Unprecedented Growth Under Visionary Leadership of Peter Karsten Tweet

TAIPEI, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CEO Peter Karsten's exceptional leadership has led STARTRADER to achieve remarkable growth and expansion. With his extensive expertise and inventive approaches in technology and fintech, Karsten has steered STARTRADER to become one of the fastest-growing brokers that caters to global markets. Peter Karsten, a physicist and innovator, boasts an impressive collection of over fifteen patents in his name. With a wealth of experience working for renowned companies like Citibank and Nokia, he played a significant role in the creation of groundbreaking technologies ahead of their time. Notably, he contributed to the development of customizable ringtones, downloadable business cards, and innovative apps. Throughout his career, Peter has consistently demonstrated his ability to find technological solutions driven by a customer-centric approach. Recognizing the immense potential of STARTRADER, he decided to channel his visionary expertise and ingenuity back into the world of trading. Utilizing his prior background in technology and fintech, he has applied tactics that improve customer contentment and paved the path for offering distinctive services. Peter Karsten asserts that fostering enduring connections is crucial for exponential advancement, rather tha constantly forming new relationships. Consequently, STARTRADER has introduced cent trading accounts to assist clients in commencing their ventures with modest yet genuine trading accounts, rather than relying on demo accounts that may provide a deceptive perception of safety.



STARTRADER showcases its commitment to meeting the unique requirements of every customer through its wide array of approximately 200 payment options available to clients. The company's emphasis on swift withdrawals, effective transaction processing, user-friendly trading platforms, and dedicated customer support serves as the cornerstone of STARTRADER's efforts to earn the confidence of clients under Peter's leadership, positioning it to rapidly emerge as one of the top-growing brokers. Under the guidance of Peter, STARTRADER is poised to release an eagerly awaited trading app. This app aims to transform the trading process by merging state-of-the-art technology with user-friendly features, empowering traders in unprecedented ways. Equipped with an intuitive interface and advanced capabilities, the trading app will provide clients with the necessary resources to navigate the financial markets with accuracy and assurance.

STARTRADER is one of the world's fastest-growing brokers with whom clients can trade CFDs in hundreds of instruments across six asset classes  forex, metals, indices, bonds, commodities, and shares. STARTRADER offers its clients the confidence to trade efficiently by offering a high level of security of funds with a high paid-up capital. Known for our customer-centric approach, they ensure that the clients have all the tools and information they need to start their trading journey; that includes a flexible trading environment with ultra-fast execution. Official Website: WWW.STARTRADER.COM

Social Media: Linkedin l Facebook

Contact: [email protected] Trading and investing in Forex and CFD products are high risk. Losses can exceed deposits. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/startrader-achieves-unprecedented-growth-under-visionary-leadership-of-peter-karsten-301880638.html SOURCE STARTRADER

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[July 19, 2023] LONGi and SolarButterfly join forces to promote sustainable living as European journey reaches a successful conclusion Tweet

XI'AN, China, July 19, 2023 /CNW/ -- SolarButterfly, a solar-powered concept trailer project initiated by Swiss environmental pioneer Louis Palmer and his team and supported by LONGi, concluded its European tour on June 9th in the United Kingdom. The journey encompassed 27 countries in addition to the UK, including Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, covering a total distance of 32,745 kilometers. Along the way, the SolarButterfly team met with environmental pioneers and hosted over 210 joint events with communities, schools, industry organisations and NGOs. Discussions on climate change, as well as the use of environmental technology, drew the attention and active participation of a wide spectrum of groups, from local communities and students to industry experts. The SolarButterfly trailer's one-of-a-kind design allows its body to expand on both sides, converting it from a vehicle to a butterfly with its wings spread. The vehicle enhances the generation of solar energy by utilizing LONGi high-efficiency solar cells, integrating a solar-powered trailer system with a configurable living area. In May 2022, the project team embarked on a four-year global tour starting from Switzerland, spanning over 90 countries and regions, with the goal of visiting global climate pioneers, conducting offline discussions and sharing learning experiences, eventually arriving in Paris in December 2025 to mark the tenth anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Agreement on Climat Change.



The journey seeks to promote awareness of climate change and environmental conservation by encouraging attendees throughout the world to 'look globally and act locally.'

LONGi, as a global leader in solar technology, is committed to its role of advocator, practitioner and leader in the sustainable development of clean energy. As a SolarButterfly partner, the company contributes to the environmental initiative by supplying its proprietary high-efficiency cells and engaging with its local partners to participate in offline events at tour destinations, promoting solar power and a greener, lower-carbon lifestyle. LONGi will not only continue to invest in R&D and technological innovation in its photovoltaic products and solutions but also plans to continue its partnership with SolarButterfly, motivating individuals to take action and minimize their carbon footprint via the use of green power, in order to create a sustainable future. The trailer has now arrived in Canada and is on its way across North and Central America. It will journey from Canada to the United States, Mexico and beyond, continuing to spread the environmental message of the SolarButterfly to everyone it encounters. For more details about the journey of SolarButterfly, please visit:

https://solarbutterfly.org About LONGi Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world's leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation. Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com/en View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/longi-and-solarbutterfly-join-forces-to-promote-sustainable-living-as-european-journey-reaches-a-successful-conclusion-301880649.html SOURCE LONGi

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[July 19, 2023] TerraPay (Mobex) partners with Safaricom's M-PESA to facilitate seamless outbound cross-border remittances Tweet

LONDON, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TerraPay, a leading global payments infrastructure company announced its partnership with Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecommunications, IT and financial services provider. Together, both companies will usher in the benefits of financial inclusion by facilitating instant borderless payments. The partnership, through TerraPay's group company Mobex (Kenya), a licensed Money Remittance Provider, will enable more than 30 million M-PESA mobile wallet-holders in Kenya to send real-time payments through TerraPay's interoperable network across all wallets in Bangladesh & Pakistan, with plans to roll out India & Nepal in a few months. Given the rise of cross-border deals, in the six months to March 2023, M-PESA Global transactions grew YoY in volume & value by 2.2% & 5.6%, respectively.The adoption of mobile money payments in Kenya has been increasing following the Central Bank's push for the service, in recent times. Through this partnership, both companies aim to work towards creating a financially inclusive payments ecosystem while fostering financial empowerment & independence. Speaking on this new partnership Ambar Sur, Founder & CEO, TerraPay said, "We believe this breakthrough collaboration with Safaricom will spur a world of new possibilities for mobile financial service operators to directly scale globally and provide customers with a choice to send payments in a secure, transparent and swift manner. Our partnership with Safaricom will further boost our capabilities in providing an inclusive global financial ecosystem powered by our agile payments infrastructure and empower Safaricom customers with fast & affordable borderless payment options and access to TerraPay's widespread partner network of 7.5Bn+ bank accounts and 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets." Commenting on the launch of the partnership, Peter Ndegwa - CEO, Safaricom stated, "We are thrilled to partner with TerraPay as it comes at a time where a growing number of customers are embracing digital payments to send money to their loved ones. TerraPay's interoperable technology platform will enable our customers to execute secured & low-cost payments across key regions further encouraging the adoption of digital payments in the region. We look forward to a sccessful collaboration."



About TerraPay Headquartered in the United Kingdom, TerraPay believes that the smallest payment deserves a borderless journey as safe as the largest. The group has been building an ever-expanding payments highway that empowers businesses to create transparent customer experiences with an uninterrupted, secure, and real-time global passage for every payment, however small or large. Registered and regulated across 27 global markets, TerraPay is one of the leading global partners to banks, mobile wallets, money transfer operators, merchants, and financial institutions, creating a more expansive and inclusive international financial ecosystem. With access to an extensive network of 7.5Bn+ bank accounts, 2.1Bn+ mobile wallets, across 112 receive countries and 208 send countries, TerraPay enables its partners to become beacons of the promise of global financial inclusion.

For more details, visit terrapay.com Press Contact:

Sneha Dwivedi

[email protected] About Safaricom Safaricom is the leading telecommunication company in East Africa. Our purpose is to transform lives by connecting people to people, people to opportunities and people to information. We keep over 42 million customers connected and play a critical role in the society, supporting over one million jobs both directly and indirectly while our total economic value was estimated at KES 393 Billion ($ 3.1 billion) for the 12 months through March 2022. Listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and with annual revenues of close to KES 298 billion ($2.5 billion) as at March 2022. Safaricom provides connectivity through wide range of technology, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G in aggregate covering over 99% of Kenya's population. We run the world's largest mobile payment system and Africa's largest Fintech, M-PESA, the world's first mobile money transfer system. By empowering over 30 million customers to transact, save or borrow money through their mobile phone, M-PESA has driven financial inclusion in Kenya to more than 84% of the adult population from a low of 25% and generated over KES 107.6 Billion ($920 million) in revenue as at FY22. Our subsidiary, Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia, plans to deploy world class network and services in 2022, to contribute to Ethiopia's digital transformation. Safaricom is an equal opportunity employer, actively recruiting staff from different backgrounds reflecting the communities that we serve. We are committed to equal gender representation at all levels. Our target is to achieve 50:50 senior management gender parity by 2025. As part of our ongoing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we continue to work towards improving energy and resource efficiency in our network and facilities to reduce carbon emissions and our fuel consumption. We remain committed to becoming a Net Zero carbon-emitting company by 2050. For more details please visit www.safaricom.co.ke

For news, please visit: https://www.safaricom.co.ke/media-center-landing/press-releases

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[July 19, 2023] Broadband Forum and Fiber Broadband Association Agreement Broadens Support for Ubiquitous Broadband Service Delivery Tweet

Broadband Forum and the Fiber Broadband Association have today signed an agreement in principle to advance the industry forward with future-proof, high-capacity, low latency fiber broadband capabilities that will enable the Metaverse and beyond. With a common focus on developing and educating the broadband industry on best practices, the agreement will combine the Fiber Broadband Association's strong background and expertise in fiber advocacy, research, education, and member and community resources with Broadband Forum's technical strengths in best practices, interoperability, certification, and standards. Broadband Forum will leverage the new relationship by increasing awareness of its progress in technology, standards and certification work. It will also increase awareness and education amongst Tier 1, 2, and 3 operators and vendors of its mission to advance broadband innovation and the benefits of interoperability. The agreement will give the Fiber Broadband Association's Technology Committee leadership team increased visibility of Broadband Forum's work across all areas of fiber broadband service delivery from inside the building, across the fiber access network to the cloud. It will also give the Fiber Broadband Association the opportunity to contribute to current and future specification work and represent the needs of fiber broadband providers within the Broadband Forum community in the Americas. The Broadband Forum has held technical pre-conference workshops at the past two Fiber Broadband Association Fiber Connect annual conferences and will become a more integral part of the conference. "We are pleased to sign an agreement in principle with the Fiber Broadband Association and we look forward to its members' engagement and contributions," said Ken Ko, Managing Director at Broadband Forum. "The largest operators have traditionally contributed the most to industry standards, but now, operators of all sizes have a level playing field. The Fiber Broadband Association represents the full fiber ecosystem with 51% of its members being network operators and the other half representing the supply side of the industry, with the fiber manufacturers, equipment vendors, engineering consultants and deployment specialists, so its value cannot be overstated." "In an effort to achieve true progress, we recognize it takes a collaborative engagement across the entire broadband industry and that is why we have formed alliances with some of the most impactful broadband organizations across the globe," said Gary Bolton, President and CEO at the Fiber Broadband Association. "Our agreement with Broadband Forum is an exciting next step in our journey to advance fiber deployments across the Americas and finally connect every community to standardized, ubiquitous, high-speed broadband services."



The Fiber Broadband Association represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists in the advancement of fiber broadband deployments. The organization helps providers, communities, and policy makers make informed decisions about how, where, and why they should build better fiber broadband networks. Its ongoing work includes best practices for fiber-based network operator deployments and funding, complementing Broadband Forum's technical standards efforts. The collaboration between the two organizations will be represented at the Fiber Broadband Association's Fiber Connect 2023 event in Orlando, Florida, from August 20-23. Broadband Forum is presenting the Technology Deep Dives track. For more information, visit: fiberconnect.fiberbroadband.org

For more information about Broadband Forum, please visit: https://www.broadband-forum.org/. About the Broadband Forum Broadband Forum is the communications industry's leading open standards development organization focused on accelerating broadband innovation, standards, and ecosystem development. Our members' passion - delivering on the promise of broadband by enabling smarter and faster broadband networks and a thriving broadband ecosystem. Broadband Forum is an open, non-profit industry organization composed of the industry's leading broadband operators, vendors, thought leaders who are shaping the future of broadband, and observers who closely track our progress. Its work to date has been the foundation for broadband's global proliferation and innovation. For example, the Forum's flagship TR-069 CPE WAN Management Protocol has nearly 1 billion installations worldwide. Broadband Forum's projects span across 5G, Connected Home, Cloud, and Access. Its working groups collaborate to define best practices for global networks, enable new revenue-generating service and content delivery, establish technology migration strategies, and engineer critical device, service & development management tools in the home and business IP networking infrastructure. We develop multi-service broadband packet networking specifications addressing architecture, device and service management, software data models, interoperability and certification in the broadband market. Our free technical reports and white papers can be found at https://www.broadband-forum.org/. Follow us on Twitter @Broadband_Forum and LinkedIn. About the Fiber Broadband Association The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policy makers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at fiberbroadband.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719058784/en/

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[July 19, 2023] SAF+ Consortium signs a memorandum of understanding with Air France-KLM Group for e-SAF supply - First deliveries to start by 2030 Tweet

MONTREAL, July 19, 2023 /CNW/ - SAF+ Consortium, a world leader in the production and marketing of e-SAF (Electro Sustainable Aviation Fuel), signed a memorandum of understanding with the Air France-KLM Group for the supply of second-generation e-SAF during the Paris Air Show. The first deliveries of this fuel are scheduled for 2030. This agreement confirms the expertise developed by SAF+ Consortium at its Montreal plant since 2021. "The announcement of this partnership strengthens our leadership and accelerates our international growth," says Jean Paquin, President and CEO of SAF+ Consortium. "We are proud to be supporting the strategy of the Air France-KLM Group, which goes beyond the European mandate with the integration of e-SAF. We are excited to participate in the development of the SAF industry in France as part of this agreement. e-SAF meets the criteria of the roadmap set out by the French government, wich aims to reach a production volume by 2030 that will meet the significant needs of the aviation sector."



"Our government is making sure that Canada is a leader and strategic partner of choice in sustainable aviation," said the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Thanks to the work of Canadian innovators like SAF+ Consortium, our vision is becoming a reality. That's why we're proud to see the company establish a new strategic partnership with the Air France-KLM Group that will not only accelerate the greening of the Canadian aerospace sector, but also support the transition to a carbon-neutral economy." Synthetic fuel contributes to the decarbonization and reduction of the aviation industry's CO 2 footprint by using available raw materials and renewable energies that comply with international and European regulations (CORSIA and RefuelEU).

About SAF+ Consortium SAF+ Consortium, a world leader in the production and marketing of e-SAF, offers a sustainable and exceptional solution for decarbonizing the aviation sector. e-SAF is one of the only immediate and effective options available to the industry to achieve zero emissions by 2050. SAF+ Consortium has a state-of-the-art pilot plant in Montreal where it has demonstrated its e-SAF production expertise and capabilities. The company is currently developing a world-leading commercial-scale project in Quebec while establishing international partnerships to meet growing demand. SOURCE SAF+ Consortium

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[July 19, 2023] Coro EDR Earns 100% Accuracy Rating in SE Labs Tests Tweet

Coro, the all-in-one cybersecurity platform for midmarket organizations, today announced that its advanced EDR solution has received a 100% Accuracy Rating from SE Labs, an independent testing organization known for its rigorous methodology based on real-world attacks. As a result of its overall performance, Coro was awarded a AAA rating for Enterprise Advanced Security Protection. According to Simon Edwards, Founder, SE Labs: "We believe that real-world testing, using full chains of attack and tracking each phase of a breach attempt, is the best indication of a product's ability to defend and protect. Coro detected 100% of the threats in our EDR testing and didn't block or hamper legitimate software. This is a great result in a challenging test." SE Labs tested Coro's EDR capabilities using the widest range of exploits, fileless attacks and malware attachments currently available in any public test. All of the attack types are modeled after recent attackers/APT groups and represent a real and current threat to governments, businesses, and national infrastructure the world over. Coro was tested to measure how accurately the Company detects threats as well as handles legitimate applications. "We're extremely proud of the results of Coro's EDR testing," said Guy Moskowitz, CEO and Founder of Coro. "Not only does Coro consistently detect and stop threats early in the attack chain, our 100% Accuracy Rating proves that, unlike many EDR solutions, Coro correctly identifies, and doesn't block, legitimate traffic. By automatically identifying and remediating threats, Coro delivers enterprise grade security while offloading IT teams from 95% of security tasks." The full SE Labs Report can be found here.



EDR and Coro's All-in-One Cybersecurity Platform An integral part of Coro's all-in-one platform, Coro's API-based EDR works in real-time to handle threat detection and automatically remediate issues, protecting devices and cloud apps from malware, ransomware, zero-day exploits, account takeovers and more. Coro instantly identifies potentially harmful files, then quarantines them for further inspection, or blocks malicious attacks through various attack vectors. While it's standard for end point protection to monitor devices, Coro takes it one step further by using machine learning to understand the user's behavior, detect any unusual behavior associated with risks, and immediately act while notifying the IT/admin team.

Coro's all-in-one SaaS platform provides complete end-to-end protection for a company's users, devices, email, cloud applications and data. Coro helps ensure that midmarket companies meet data privacy and government, industry and supply chain compliance requirements, avoiding loss of customers, revenue and brand reputation, as well as costly penalties. About SE Labs SE Labs, Ltd. Is a private, independently owned and operated testing company that assesses endpoint, appliance and cloud-based products and services. The company is known for its rigorous testing based on the widest range of real-world attacks used by today's threat actors. The company's main laboratory is located in Wimbledon, South London. About Coro Coro provides modern cybersecurity that unifies comprehensive protection into a single platform. Coro empowers organizations to defend against malware, ransomware, phishing, data leakage, insider threats and bots across devices, users, and cloud applications. More than 5,000 businesses depend on Coro for holistic security protection, unrivaled ease of use, and unmatched affordability. Coro's modern cybersecurity platform automatically detects and remediates the many security threats that today's distributed businesses face, without IT teams having to worry, investigate, or fix issues themselves. Investors in Coro include Energy Impact Partners, Balderton Capital, JVP, and Ashton Kutcher's Sound Ventures. For more information, please visit Coro at coro.net, or via LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719356680/en/

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[July 19, 2023] How Long Does an Insurance Company Have to Settle a Claim in Nevada? Tweet

Insurance companies in Nevada typically have 30 days to investigate a claim and decide whether to accept or deny it says Leverty & Associates RENO, Nev., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In Nevada, insurance companies are required by law to settle claims promptly and fairly. The time limit for settling a claim, however, may vary depending on the circumstances of the claim. Once a claim is accepted, the insurer is required to pay the claim within 30 days of receipt. If the claim is denied, the insurer must provide a written explanation within 30 days. There are some exceptions to these time limits. If the insurer needs additional time to investigate the claim, they can request a 45-day extension from the claimant. Additionally, if the insurer disputes the amount of the claim, they may be given more time to negotiate a settlement. It is important to note that these time limits are not absolute and can be affected by various factors. For example, if the claimant fails to provide necessary documentation or information in a timely manner, this could delay the settlement process. Similarly, if there are legal disputes or other issues that arise, the settlement process may take longer. "Some claims seem straightforward at first but grow increasingly complicatd. Other times, it's clear from the start that achieving sufficient compensation will be difficult," says Attorney Patrick Leverty.



If an insurance company fails to settle a claim within the required time frame, the claimant may have grounds to file a complaint or bad faith lawsuit against the insurer. The court may order the insurer to pay damages, including any costs associated with the delay in settlement. To ensure that your claim is settled promptly and fairly, it is important to provide all necessary documentation and information to the insurer as soon as possible. It may also be helpful to work with an experienced insurance attorney who can help you ensure that your rights are protected in the instance of bad faith.

About Leverty Law Firm Attorney Patrick Leverty handles insurance bad faith and personal injury cases. He is committed to achieving the best outcomes possible for clients who have been injured or wronged by the negligence and bad actions of others. Leverty & Associates offers free consultations and contingency fee agreements. Visit www.LevertyLaw.com or contact them in Reno at (775) 322-6636 or Las Vegas at (702) 507-0201. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-long-does-an-insurance-company-have-to-settle-a-claim-in-nevada-301880071.html SOURCE Leverty & Associates Law Chartered

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[July 19, 2023] Trend Introduces Optimized Security for Endpoints, Servers, and Cloud Workloads to Cybersecurity Platform Tweet

Single platform delivery designed to consolidate protection, detection, and response and streamline IT and security operations DALLAS, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global cybersecurity leader, today announced Trend Vision One  Endpoint Security, the latest offering in its next-generation cybersecurity platform, which unifies prevention, detection, and response for user endpoints, servers, cloud workloads, and data centers. This comprehensive solution aims to support customers throughout their IT modernization. Trend Vision One  Endpoint Security helps IT and security organizations stop threats faster and take control of risk. To learn more about Trend Vision One  Endpoint Security, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/business/products/one-platform.html Kevin Simzer, COO at Trend Micro: "Surging IT complexity is placing unprecedented demand on teams and providing determined adversaries with more opportunity to infiltrate an ever-expanding attack surface. In response to this challenge, our customers want to simplify security without compromising effectiveness. Trend Vision One  Endpoint Security is a direct answer to this need, helping IT and security organizations stop threats faster and take control of risk." By leveraging the consolidated power of Trend Vision One, customers gain access to powerful attack surface risk management, cross-layer protection, and leading XDR capabilities to streamline and harmonize security operations while simultaneously enhancing protection, scalability, and performance. This approach enables security teams to holistically manage the attack surface, including and extending beyond the endpoint to achieve faster, more accurate threat defense and risk mitigation. Trend Vision One  Endpoint Security is built on market-leading capabilities. With a consistent history of endpoint security success, Trend has earned Leader recognition in every Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms since 2002*1.



Trend has also ranked as the top provider for Cloud Workload Security Market Share (IDC) for an impressive five consecutive years. By bringing industry-leading and context-rich visibility for user endpoints, servers, and cloud workloads to the platform, security organizations can significantly streamline operations:

Consolidate products, enhance visibility, and improve correlation : According to Gartner* 2 , "A recent Gartner survey found that 75% of organizations are pursuing security vendor consolidation in 2022, up from 29% in 2020." Minimize the cost and complexity associated with cybersecurity tool spread by consolidating point products and integrating user endpoint, server, and cloud workload security  reducing IT operation inefficiency and alert fatigue and closing exploitable security gaps while benefiting from high-fidelity detection and response alerting.





: According to Gartner* , "A recent Gartner survey found that 75% of organizations are pursuing security vendor consolidation in 2022, up from 29% in 2020." Minimize the cost and complexity associated with cybersecurity tool spread by consolidating point products and integrating user endpoint, server, and cloud workload security  reducing IT operation inefficiency and alert fatigue and closing exploitable security gaps while benefiting from high-fidelity detection and response alerting. Optimize and customize hybrid IT protection : Leverage specialized security features designed and optimized for physical servers, virtual machines, and cloud workloads.





: Leverage specialized security features designed and optimized for physical servers, virtual machines, and cloud workloads. Improve the IT and SecOps workflow : Access prevention, detection, and response capabilities at your fingertips  including ransomware rollback, predictive machine learning, device control, host-based intrusion prevention, application control, file integrity monitoring, log inspection, and generative AI support  to accelerate and connect SecOps and IT Ops goals.





: Access prevention, detection, and response capabilities at your fingertips  including ransomware rollback, predictive machine learning, device control, host-based intrusion prevention, application control, file integrity monitoring, log inspection, and generative AI support  to accelerate and connect SecOps and IT Ops goals. Reduce risk and pre-empt attacks: Proactively quantify and reduce endpoint and cross-layer risk with complete attack surface risk management (ASRM) with native network, cloud, and email data ingestion. Trend Vision One provides security for every layer of an organization's diverse IT infrastructure, including endpoint, servers, email, cloud services, networks, 5G, and OT (operational technology). With centralized visibility and policy management for all endpoint types, this latest development provides comprehensive protection, detection, and response (EDR) for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, whether on-premises or in the cloud, from within a single, user-friendly console. Jason Cradit, CIO, CTO at Summit Carbon Solutions: "With the company's environment being 100% in the cloud, having a solid understanding of the cloud was incredibly important. We needed a partner that could grow with us in a multi-cloud environment and move as fast as we needed them to while also providing us with a sense of peace that we are secure. Trend Vision One enables us to see and track a threat from potential to attack." Trend Vision One is now available on AWS Marketplace. Designed to seamlessly integrate into AWS environments, Trend Vision One offers a cybersecurity platform with a focus on empowering organizations to safeguard their cloud workloads. The platform provides advanced threat detection capabilities and in-depth insights, ensuring a resilient defense against evolving digital threats. For more detail, please visit AWS Marketplace:

https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-u2in6sa3igl7c?sr=0-10&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa GARTNER and MAGIC QUADRANT are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. *1 Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms (Peter Firstbrook et al., December 31 2022) *2 Gartner, Emerging Tech: The Impact of Emerging Trends on Security Solution Demand (Rustam Malik, October 7 2022) About Trend Micro Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, the platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central Visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 65 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trend-introduces-optimized-security-for-endpoints-servers-and-cloud-workloads-to-cybersecurity-platform-301880642.html SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated

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Buddhism, one of the world's major religions, has a rich history and a significant presence across various countries. One of the essential aspects of Buddhism is pilgrimage, which involves visiting sacred sites associated with the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. These pilgrimage sites hold immense spiritual importance for Buddhists and provide an opportunity for spiritual growth, reflection, and connection with the teachings of the Buddha. In this article, we will explore some of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites and delve into their spiritual significance.

1. Lumbini: The Birthplace of the Buddha

Lumbini, located in present-day Nepal, holds immense significance as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha. The site features the sacred Maya Devi Temple, which marks the exact spot of the Buddha's birth. Pilgrims visit Lumbini to pay homage to the Buddha's beginnings and to gain a deeper understanding of his life.

2. Bodh Gaya: The Enlightenment Site

Bodh Gaya, situated in the Indian state of Bihar, is where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. This site is regarded as one of the most sacred places in Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as a symbol of the Buddha's enlightenment. Pilgrims engage in meditation and offer prayers at this hallowed site, seeking spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

3. Sarnath: The First Sermon

Sarnath, near Varanasi in India, is where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. This significant event marked the establishment of the Buddhist Sangha (community of monks) and the spread of the Buddha's teachings. Pilgrims visit Sarnath to contemplate the teachings and to experience the peaceful ambiance that resonates with the essence of Buddhism.

4. Kushinagar: The Final Passing

Kushinagar, located in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the place where the Buddha passed away, reaching the state of Parinirvana (final liberation). The Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar serves as a pilgrimage site where followers pay their respects to the Buddha and reflect on the impermanence of life and the ultimate goal of liberation from suffering.

5. Shravasti: Buddha's Miracle Performances

Shravasti, an ancient city in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India, holds significance as the place where the Buddha performed many miracles and delivered numerous discourses. The Jetavana Monastery, where the Buddha spent a significant part of his monastic life, is a prominent pilgrimage site. Visitors come to Shravasti to witness the remnants of this glorious era and to learn from the Buddha's teachings.

6. Nalanda: The Ancient Seat of Learning

Nalanda, located in Bihar, India, was once an illustrious center of Buddhist education and monastic life. The ancient Nalanda University attracted scholars and students from across the world, making it a hub of intellectual and spiritual exchange. Today, pilgrims visit the ruins of Nalanda to connect with the rich Buddhist heritage and seek inspiration from the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

7. Sanchi: The Great Stupa

Sanchi, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, is home to the Great Stupa, an architectural marvel and a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site. The stupa is adorned with intricate carvings depicting the life and teachings of the Buddha. Pilgrims visit Sanchi to pay homage to the Buddha and to experience the awe-inspiring grandeur of the stupa, which serves as a reminder of the enlightened path.

8. Ajanta and Ellora Caves: Architectural Marvels

The Ajanta and Ellora Caves, located in Maharashtra, India, are renowned for their stunning Buddhist cave paintings and sculptures. These UNESCO World Heritage sites showcase the artistic brilliance of ancient Buddhist craftsmen. Pilgrims visit these caves to admire the intricate artwork and immerse themselves in the spiritual ambiance, gaining a deeper appreciation for the fusion of art and spirituality.

9. Koyasan: A Tranquil Retreat

Koyasan, nestled amidst the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, is a serene and spiritual destination. It is home to over 100 Buddhist temples, including the renowned Kongobuji Temple and Okunoin Cemetery. Pilgrims visit Koyasan to escape the worldly distractions, engage in meditation, and seek spiritual solace in the tranquil surroundings.

10. Mount Kailash: The Sacred Abode of Shiva

Mount Kailash, located in Tibet, is considered one of the most sacred mountains in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Buddhists believe that circumambulating this holy mountain brings great spiritual merit and purifies one's sins. Pilgrims embark on the challenging Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to experience the divine presence and connect with the higher realms of consciousness.

Buddhist pilgrimage sites hold immense spiritual importance and provide a transformative experience for believers. These sacred places offer an opportunity for introspection, spiritual growth, and connection with the teachings of the Buddha. Whether it is the birthplace of the Buddha in Lumbini, the enlightenment site in Bodh Gaya, or the ancient ruins of Nalanda, each pilgrimage site offers a unique journey of self-discovery and devotion.

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Molina Healthcare Names Aaron Dunkel Plan President for Kansas

Molina Healthcare, Inc. ("Molina") announced Aaron Dunkel will serve as plan president for Kansas. Dunkel will lead Molina's efforts in preparation for the upcoming KanCare Medicaid request for proposal from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Dunkel comes to Molina with years of experience working across the Kansas health care community, most recently as the executive director of the Kansas Pharmacists Association. Previously, he held roles as chief financial officer and deputy secretary with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Dunkel is also the current chair of the KanCare Meaningful Measures Collaborative.

Dunel is a fifth-generation Kansan, calling the Sunflower State home for more than 40 years. He holds a master's degree in public administration from Wichita State University.







About Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Molina Healthcare served approximately 5.3 million members as of March 31, 2023, located across 19 states. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit molinahealthcare.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719000718/en/
[July 19, 2023] DGT Associates Announces Connecticut Office Relocation Tweet

DGT Associates, New England's leading surveying firm, today announced their Connecticut regional office relocation from Preston, Conn., to historic Mystic, Conn. Building on DGT's and its legacy firms' 140 years of surveying expertise across the Greater Boston region and beyond, the new office will help to advance operations and further growth opportunities in Connecticut and Rhode Island. In the relocation to Mystic, DGT brings its extensive land surveying experience, innovative and cutting-edge technology, and professionals trained to perform to the highest accuracy and safety standards. DGT provides a full catalog of land surveying and construction support services to various stakeholders, from developers and construction managers to municipalities and homeowners. The firm's robust project portfolio spans iconic sites, including Fenway Park in Boston, the high-rise "Superman Building" in Providence, R.I., the Yale University campus in New Haven, Conn., and more. As a firm that embraces traditional and modern methods, DGT offers a variety of reliable services, including land surveying, construction support services, 3D scanning, Subsurface Utility Mapping, radar tomography, lidar, and other mobile mapping platforms.



"With a three-year history in Connecticut, we're excited to be relocating our office and putting down new roots in Mystic," said Michael Clifford, DGT Co-Founder and Principal. "The move represents an important milestone and is a testament to our growth and commitment to providing land surveying services in Connecticut. DGT's company history spans generations, and it is only fitting that the Mystic Parker Building has a story to match our heritage." DGT's new office building is known to Mystic locals as the Mystic Packer building because of its historical roots. In 1902, a descendant of one of Mystic's earliest families, Captain Daniel F. Packer, built the building for his newest business endeavor, a soap company. Packer chose the location neighboring the train station to easily distribute his soap products. Since its inception, there have been only three owners, including The Packer Tar Soap Company, The ABC Film Company, and the present owners, Mystic Packer LLC. The building was restored in 1984, which is reflected in the architecture and character of the building.

The building is located in the heart of Mystic at 12 Roosevelt Avenue, with proximity to the harbor, train station, and local businesses. The new Mystic location joins DGT's three Massachusetts-based offices in Worcester, Framingham, and the firm's headquarters in Boston. Learn more about DGT's Mystic office and service offerings here. About DGT Associates DGT Associates is New England's premier surveying firm, with offices in Boston, Framingham, Worcester, and Mystic, Connecticut. Guided by a 140-year heritage of legacy firms, DGT is committed to a tech-forward, no-corners-cut approach to its core services. DGT's experienced teams of surveyors, GIS professionals, utility mapping specialists, and wetlands experts utilize the latest technology to deliver valued, meaningful results. The firm's clients span a cross-section of community stakeholders across New England and the United States, from developers and construction managers to municipalities and energy companies. Learn more at www.dgtassociates.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718316097/en/

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[July 19, 2023] Lynsey Fitzgerald Joins Crescent Capital Group as Head of Consultant Relations Tweet

Crescent Capital Group LP, a leading alternative credit investment firm, announced today that Lynsey Fitzgerald has joined the company as Head of Consultant Relations. Based in Boston and reporting to Crescent's Global Head of Investor Solutions Jonathan Harari, Ms. Fitzgerald is responsible for managing the firm's relationships with global investment consulting firms. Ms. Fitzgerald brings more than 20 years of experience in consultant relationship management to Crescent Capital. She was most recently a Director in the Consultant Relations Group at Loomis, Sayles & Company in Boston, where she was the lead relationship manager for top-tier consultants across the Midwest, East Coast and Southern U.S. Prior to that, she spent more than a decade at BlackRock at its Boston, London and New York offices, most recently as Vice President in the firm's Global Consultant Relations Group. "We are fortunate to bring Lynsey onto our team given her imprssive track record, and look forward to her contributions as we further dialogues and relationships with our consultant partners across all client channels," said Mr. Harari.



"I am excited to be joining Crescent, a firm that has one of the longest-standing track records and is a leader across public and private credit markets. I look forward to partnering with the Crescent team in bringing best-in-class solutions to consulting partners and their clients," said Ms. Fitzgerald. About Crescent Capital Group LP

Crescent Capital Group is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Boston, London, and New York. With more than 100 investment professionals and over 210 employees, the firm invests at all levels of the capital structure, with a significant focus on below investment grade credit through strategies that invest in senior bank loans, unitranche loans, high yield debt, mezzanine debt, and other private debt securities. As of June 30, 2023, Crescent Capital Group managed approximately $42 billion of privately originated debt investments and marketable securities. For more information about Crescent Capital Group, please visit www.crescentcap.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719668733/en/

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[July 19, 2023] Syxsense Recognized as XCellence Award Finalist at XChange Security Conference 2023 Tweet

Syxsense, a global leader in Unified Security and Endpoint Management (USEM) solutions, today announced that it was chosen as a finalist for the 2023 XCellence Award for Best Newcomer at the XChange Security conference, hosted by The Channel Company. The XChange Security conference provides a forum for solution providers to meet with other security-focused decision-makers and build strategic partnerships to help effectively combat internal and external threats and create a safer and more secure future for everyone. In recognition of its outstanding products and services, Syxsense was chosen as a finalist for the 2023 XCellence Award for Best Newcomer by leading solution providers in attendance at the XChange Security conference this month in Dallas, TX. As a finalist, Syxsense celebrates its commitment to helping solution providers meet the pressing security needs of customers and minimizing risk. "This year's XChange Security was a resounding success, bringing together vendors and channel thought leaders for three action-packed days of keynotes, forums, and strategic breakouts designed to help address today's unrelenting security challenges," said Bill Jones, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Events, The Channel Company. "These vendors went above and beyond to share their dedication to helping solution providers secure their customers and provide the peace of mind they need and deserve. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the 2023 XCellence Awards for their important contributios to the IT channel."



"Being recognized by The Channel Company for not only our product innovation but also as a growing security company is further validation that we are helping customers meet their challenging and ever-changing IT and security needs," said Ashley Leonard, Founder, and CEO at Syxsense. "From our comprehensive vulnerability scanning and pre-built remediations to our powerful automation engine that helps enterprise teams and managed services providers easily build complex workflows with just a few clicks of a button, Syxsense is leading the charge to help organizations see, manage, and secure every endpoint, no matter where it is." The Channel Company's XChange Security conference, held from July 10-12, 2023, provided attendees with many opportunities to gain new levels of insight into the critical importance of security transformation through strategic thought leadership, interactive boardroom appointments, peer-to-peer breakout sessions, and networking time. Attendees learned from industry leaders, who presented the latest technologies, programs, and business models that are profoundly impacting the security landscape.

To view the full list of 2023 XChange Security XCellence Award finalists and winners, visit: https://event.thechannelco.com/xchange-security/awards About Syxsense Syxsense is a leading software vendor providing endpoint security and IT operations management solutions to Managed Service Providers (MSPs), enterprises, and government organizations. Its solutions provide real-time visibility and control over endpoint devices, networks, and cloud infrastructure, helping organizations to protect against cyber threats, improve IT operations, and reduce risk. Syxsense is the first Unified Security and Endpoint Management (USEM) platform that centralizes the three key elements of endpoint security management: security and patch vulnerability management, remediation, and compliance controlled by a powerful drag-and-drop workflow automation technology called Syxsense Cortex. Syxsense is a single cloud-based platform supporting Windows, Linux, Mac, and mobile devices on-premises and in the cloud. For more information, visit www.syxsense.com. About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert strategic consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the Channel Catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719131962/en/

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[July 19, 2023] 35 Years Strong: Buchanan Technologies Celebrates 35 Years of Innovation, Success, and Customer Excellence Tweet

GRAPEVINE, Texas, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Firmly rooted in providing innovative IT services with an emphasis on the customer experience, Buchanan Technologies proudly celebrates its 35th year in business this month.

Buchanan Technologies was founded as a technology services company in 1988 by Jim Buchanan out of his apartment in Las Colinas, Texas. Soon after starting the company, Jim leased office space, and during the next few years, the company grew at an average annual rate of 95%. Today, Buchanan has over 10 locations across the U.S., Canada, India, and Europe and serves hundreds of midsize, enterprise, and Fortune 100 companies worldwide. Notably, 46 of the esteemed 2023 Fortune 500 companies are or have been customers of Buchanan. Over the past 35 years, Buchanan has adapted to stay in tune with client needs as new technologies have emerged. Through multiple acquisitions, mergers, and organic growth, Buchanan has evolved into a full-stack service provider with a robust IT and business solutions portfolio. Looking ahead, Buchanan will continue to grow its existing services and hone is infrastructure, modern workplace services, and business application support to help customers adapt to todays ultra-competitive omnichannel marketplace, including advanced automation, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based solutions.



For 35 years, Buchanan has continually expanded our resources and refined our services to meet the needs of todays modern enterprise and can confidently say were well positioned to deliver the solutions and expertise required to help our clients succeed in an ever-changing technology landscape, said Jim Buchanan, Founder & CEO. As the companys services and operations continue to evolve, I have to give credit to our staff and partners and am proud to say that our underlying values that the company was founded on have remained constant  People Matter, Customers Matter, Principles Matter, Community Matters, and Every Interaction Matters, will continue to be at the core of everything we do. About Buchanan Technologies

Established in 1988, Buchanan Technologies is an award-winning managed services provider offering innovative IT services and customized solutions to mid-tier and enterprise-level organizations across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Buchanan offers flexible and customizable solutions to accommodate any IT needs  whether its help desk support, IT field services, or managed IT solutions  and believes every interaction matters with each customer to provide a seamless user experience. To learn how Buchanan can simplify your IT solution, visit. Media Contact:

LaRessa Cox, Vice President of Marketing

[email protected]

972-910-7544



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[July 19, 2023] NeuReality Appoints Intel Exec Ilan Avital as Chief R&D Officer Tweet

Former Intel Vice President of Engineering for Data Center Networking to lead development and commercialization of groundbreaking AI technology TEL AVIV, Israel, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Israel-based AI semiconductor company NeuReality, developer of high-performance AI Inference solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ilan Avital as the company's Chief R&D Officer. An Intel veteran, Avital brings a wealth of experience leading the development and commercialization of advanced networking solutions for data centers and cloud, and joins NeuReality in advance of a substantial growth period, with the company on the verge of delivering its innovative Network Addressable Processing Unit (NAPU)  a crucial component built for AI-centric servers, and a game-changer for complex generative AI and Large Language Model applications. Avital most recently served as Vice President and Head of Engineering for Intel's Data Center Networking Division, managing over 1,000 engineers globally. Avital led the executive engineering engagement with the Google Cloud Team and spearheaded the successful development and deployment of the IPU, Intel's flagship Programable Infrastructure Processing Unit, for Google Cloud Platform (GCP). During an Intel career spanning 29 years, Avital has managed several generations of Ethernet technologies and led the development of Intel's networking product lines for enterprise, data centers and cloud. "I am delighted to join NeuReality at such an exciting stage of its growth and to work with the company's talented team," said Ilan Avital, "NeuReality represents a remarkable breakthrough in the microchip industry, with a holistic approach and unique architecture to accelerate AI applications. I am excited for the opportunity to lead the company's transition from technology development to comercial production, and to help realize our commitment to make AI implementation easier and more accessible for our customers and all consumers across the entire AI market."



Moshe Tanach, Co-Founder and CEO of NeuReality, said: "As one of the most prominent leaders of the semiconductor industry, Ilan Avital has accumulated almost unparalleled knowledge and experience in research and development of complex products and innovative solutions, and we are thrilled to welcome him to our management team. Ilan will play a central role in the continued development of our technology, pursuing innovative products based on our unique architecture for large-scale customer deployment and leading the R&D team, as NeuReality accelerates into the next stage of growth and mass production." "The new era of generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, require very large processing arrays that are extremely expensive, consume an enormous amount of power, and introduce a variety of additional issues, including real-estate and other logistical challenges. Our technology answers the concerns of the AI market, enabling large scale deployment of AI applications to be faster, easier and less expensive  integral for a sustainable AI industry moving forward." Tanach added.

NeuReality is developing a first-of-its-kind capability that enhances the deployment speed of inference solutions and improves the performance of deep learning applications. Shifting processing tasks from generic CPUs to the company's AI server-on-a-chip solution, NeuReality's technology reduces costs and energy consumption, while dramatically upgrading performance. Ilan Avital's introduction closely follows the appointment of Lynn A Comp, Corporate Vice President of chip giant AMD, to the Board of Directors, where she joined other prominent board members, including Dr. Naveen Rao, CEO of MosaicML, which sold last month for $1.3 billion to DataBricks, and CJ Bruno, who served as Intel's Corporate Vice President and CEO of Intel America's Sales and Marketing Group. NeuReality intends to double the number of employees in the coming year in order to support the anticipated rapid commercialization of its groundbreaking technology. About NeuReality Founded in 2019, NeuReality is led by a management team with extensive experience in system architecture, silicon, and software for data centers. The company founders are Moshe Tanach, who serves as CEO; Tzvika Shmueli, vice president of operations; and Yossi Kasus, who serves as vice president of chip development. NeuReality management also includes Lior Khermosh, who serves as the company's CTO. NeuReality, which completed a $35 million Series A financing round at the end of 2022, currently employs about 50 employees at the company's development centers in Caesarea and Tel Aviv. Press Contact:

Gavin Horwich

Campaign PR

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neureality-appoints-intel-exec-ilan-avital-as-chief-rd-officer-301880859.html SOURCE NeuReality

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[July 19, 2023]

Casepoint Earns Multi-Year eDiscovery Contract with Virginia IT Agency

Virginia state and local agencies gain access to Casepoint's eDiscovery platform, including its legal hold, cloud collections, and advanced analytics.

TYSONS, Va., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Casepoint  the industry leader in legal discovery technology for litigation, investigations, and compliance  signed a multi-year contract with The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), the Commonwealth's lead executive branch IT and cybersecurity agency, to provide critical eDiscovery support to other Virginia state agencies, as well as counties, cities, and towns in the Commonwealth.

VITA's approval further cements Casepoint as the public sector's most trusted cloud-based solution for managing the top government use cases, including litigation, investigations, and public records. Virginia agencies and their counsel can now leverage Casepoint to securely meet their various records collection, processing, review, and production needs without delays for contracting or security vetting.

By pre-screening the security credentials, capabilities, and pricing of cloud-based solutions such as Casepoint, VITA helps simplify and streamline the eDiscovery procurement process for Virginia state and local agencies.

"VITA's approval is yet another testament to Casepoint's unmatched commitment to securing our clients' mission-critical data with our secure, innovative eDiscovery platform," said Amy Hilbert, Casepoint's Executive Vice Presidnt, Government Solutions. "This agreement enables Virginia agencies to improve collaboration and streamline workflows by leveraging Casepoint's legal hold, automated collections, and advanced analytics . That way, they can address their growing data and security demands and more efficiently utilize Commonwealth resources."







After a rigorous evaluation process, VITA awarded Casepoint the contract based on the strength of its legal hold application, admin features, advanced analytics, ingestion and processing capabilities, and its impressive list of security credentials.

Casepoint was the first cloud-based Legal Hold and eDiscovery solution to obtain both StateRAMP and FedRAMP Authorization . Casepoint is also the only such company to achieve DoD Impact Level 5 (IL5) Authority to Operate (ATO) from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

"We're confident that this new contract with VITA will place Casepoint atop the shortlists of even more state and local agencies," said Amit Dungarani, Casepoint's Vice President of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives. "Ultimately, this will equip more government agencies with the confidence to securely move to the cloud and start reaping the benefits of Casepoint's industry-leading technology."

As more government agencies look to migrate from on-premises eDiscovery solutions, Casepoint's configurable, cloud-based platform paired with the company's extensive experience working with government agencies, forms a reliable best-in-breed solution. The platform's role-based access, which supports single sign-on and multifactor authentication, enables secure cross-team collaboration. The platform also features built-in legal hold capabilities, customized workflows, and powerful AI to automate the analysis of large volumes of complex data for increased cost savings and efficiency, all while fulfilling the agency's critical need for data security.

About Casepoint

Casepoint is the legal technology platform of choice for corporations, government agencies, and law firms to meet their complex eDiscovery, investigations, and compliance needs. Powered by cutting-edge AI and advanced analytics, Casepoint helps teams cut through large volumes of data to quickly identify insightful and actionable information. Casepoint's secure and scalable cloud-based platform is designed to help organizations take control of their data and processes to maximize efficiency, mitigate risk, and lower overall legal spend. Casepoint's easy-to-use and intuitive interface provides legal hold, cloud collections, powerful data processing, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, review, and production.

Media Contact

Logan Flynn, Infinite Global

[email protected]

(646) 779-1463

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/casepoint-earns-multi-year-ediscovery-contract-with-virginia-it-agency-301880489.html

SOURCE Casepoint
[July 19, 2023] United Nations Partners with BRight to Advance Global Decade on Ecosystem Restoration Initiative Tweet

BRight, an innovative carbon-offsetting app created by Bright Data announced today that the United Nations has selected it to become a partner for the UN's Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. BRight's app empowers individuals to effortlessly reduce their CO2 emissions by advancing global reforestation, with over 12,500 trees planted to date. This collaboration marks a significant milestone n BRight's mission to positively impact the environment and contribute to the restoration of ecosystems worldwide.



Bright Data, the world's #1 public web data platform, created the pro-bono program Bright Initiative to power programs such as BRight and provide non-governmental organizations, nonprofits, academic institutions and public bodies with access to leading data technology and expertise to drive positive change. By joining forces with the UN and becoming a part of their growing partner network, BRight aims to advance the efforts of the UN Decade and accelerate the restoration of our planet's ecosystems. "BRight's support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a natural fit. Our innovative tree planting app harnesses the power of data and technology to reduce carbon emissions and promote a healthier planet through reforestation," said Or Lenchner, CEO of Bright Data. "This partnership allows us to combine our expertise with the global reach and influence of the UN, amplifying our impact and driving positive change at a larger scale."

In partnership with Dots.eco, BRight brings tree planting to life right on your cellular device each time you reach a milestone or complete a survey. By setting the app to open while your phone charges, you can offset your carbon footprint and actively contribute to a greener world. You can plant more trees effortlessly, utilizing your computer's free resources without any disruption to your regular activities with the desktop app. BRight taps into the web's information on publicly available sites through your IP address, enriching trusted organizations and business databases, conducting groundbreaking research and gaining competitive insights. Download the app now to make a difference. About The Bright Initiative by Bright Data The Bright Initiative by Bright Data now partners with over 700 organizations around the world. For more information, click here for Bright Initiative's 2023 Impact Report, which outlines several dozen social responsibility, environmental and educational initiatives, as well as special programs such as the credible journalism program and compliance. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718165383/en/

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[July 19, 2023] Government investing in projects to keep young people in PEI safe online Tweet

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI, July 19, 2023 /CNW/ - Young Canadians deserve to feel safe  both in their communities and online. While youth typically have positive experience on the internet, cyberbullying remains a harsh reality. Some three in ten young people report that they have been cyberbullied, with girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth disproportionately affected. The impact cyberbullying can be significant and far reaching, which is why the Government of Canada is taking important steps to keep young Canadians safe online. The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, today announced new federal support to fight cyberbullying and keep young people in Prince Edward Island safe online. Through the Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF), Public Safety Canada is investing $634,900 of federal funding over five years in the Cyberbullying Trauma-Informed Intervention Project. This funding will help Community Legal Information PEI deliver cyberbullying education, training and interventions, in collaboration with community partners and the Government of PEI. The project will be delivered in junior high schools and community centres across the Island. It will focus on vulnerable and underserved groups including Indigenous youth, 2SLGBTQI+ youth and youth with intellectual disabilities. Supporting evidence-based initiatives to stop crime before it starts, the Crime Prevention Action Fund is a central part of the National Crime Prevention Strategy. It funds programs that engage young people who may be at risk of falling into criminal behaviour, and helps set them up for success in life. Quotes "The impact of cyberbullying goes far beyond the online world. That's why we're supporting projects that take direct aim at it, and keep young Canadians safe online. These project both address the scourge of cyberbullying, and also build a society that is more accepting and inclusive for all."



- The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety "Technology is generally used to connect with others in a positive way. However, too many Islanders are subjected to the negative impacts of social media. This project will help to prevent incidents of cyberbullying and cyberviolence impacting the mental health and wellbeing of youth across PEI."

- Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown "Community Legal Information and our community partners are getting increased inquiries about cyberviolence. We want to create a community of support to respond to cyberviolence. Young people need tools to understand their responsibilities when interacting online and how to stay safe. Educators and caregivers need trauma-informed protocols when there is a disclosure of cyberviolence." - Ellen Mullaly, Executive Director, Community Legal Information PEI Quick Facts The expansion of the Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) supported by Budget 2018 and led by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), provided Public Safety Canada (PS) with $4 million over 5 years, beginning in 2018-2019, and $1 million per year ongoing to implement direct intervention, research and awareness activities aimed at preventing and addressing bullying and cyberbullying behaviours amongst children and youth.





supported by Budget 2018 and led by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), provided Public Safety Canada (PS) with over 5 years, beginning in 2018-2019, and per year ongoing to implement direct intervention, research and awareness activities aimed at preventing and addressing bullying and cyberbullying behaviours amongst children and youth. The CPAF supports initiatives that address known risk and protective factors associated with crime and respond to priority crime issues. Associated Links Crime Prevention Action Fund

National Crime Prevention Strategy

Cyberbullying Resources

It's Time: Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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[July 19, 2023] Pendo Introduces Pendo AI to Power Exponentially Better Digital Experiences Tweet

Pendo AI roadmap includes innovations focused on personalization, product discovery, and product-led growth RALEIGH, N.C., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pendo , the all-in-one product experience platform, today announced Pendo AI , a series of new innovations and long-term roadmap to enhance every part of the Pendo platform with artificial intelligence and automation, enabling companies to deliver exponentially better digital experiences across the software they buy, build, or sell. Beginning today, Pendo customers can access an ever-growing collection of AI-powered products and features that accelerate product discovery, drive product-led growth, and automate personalized in-app experiences at scale. Through innovations like one-click guides, instant summaries of qualitative user feedback, and auto-generated customer expansion campaigns, companies can eliminate hours of manual effort every day, and uncover insights they can use to drive impactful business outcomes, such as revenue growth, customer retention and productivity gains. "AI will completely transform how digital products are built and how they function, drastically improving the experience we all have with software," said Todd Olson, CEO and co-founder of Pendo. "Our foundation at Pendo is troves of product usage data that's already delivering automation for thousands of companies. Now with Pendo AI, our customers can leverage their product data in innovative new ways to drive their businesses forward." The power of Pendo AI is in its massive product usage data set, which includes 14 trillion clicks, swipes, poll responses, feedback requests and guide views, collected on behalf of over 10,000 companies that use Pendo. More than 17 billion of these data points are generated every day by the 700+ million people who use applications installed with Pendo. Pendo AI leverages proprietary customer-specific models built by Pendo's machine learning team, as well as leading large language models, to identify trends, and generate and summarize content based on customers' own data. Pendo adheres to all applicable data privacy and security laws and upholds its AI principles to not co-mingle customer data with the data of other customers or use customer data to train generally-available AI tools.



Visually, Pendo AI capabilities show up across the Pendo platform with a purple wand and sparkles. Grouped by theme, they include: AI-powered personalization: Automate the creation and delivery of personalized in-app content.

AI-generated guides and content: Jumpstart creation of in-app guides and walkthroughs to drive business outcomes like product adoption and workflow completion. Guide Magic serves as a writing assistant that can auto-generate content for guides. It also suggests steps to add to a walkthrough or campaign to drive users to complete a task or adopt a feature. AI-powered product discovery: Analyze, sort and identify trends in data to derive faster customer insights and build with confidence. AI-generated qualitative insights: Synthesize NPS responses and user feedback from multiple data sources and get AI-powered recommendations for what feature to build next based on the qualitative data. Make faster, more confident product roadmap decisions with insights surfaced by AI. AI-powered growth: Deliver business impact by reducing the manual effort and expertise required to drive better retention, conversions and engagement. Generative campaigns : Instantly segment your users to determine who to upsell, who's at risk, and other valuable signals to improve business outcomes. Auto-generate in-app guide campaigns to drive free-to-paid conversion, existing customer expansion, and drive adoption of features that lead to customer retention.

: Instantly segment your users to determine who to upsell, who's at risk, and other valuable signals to improve business outcomes. Auto-generate in-app guide campaigns to drive free-to-paid conversion, existing customer expansion, and drive adoption of features that lead to customer retention. Workflow suggestions: Uncover potential inefficiencies as users journey across applications to complete a task or business process; then get instant suggestions for where to place in-app guides to help users complete the journey. AI in the platform: Get to value faster with Pendo. AI tag assist : Measure and report on product usage with greater speed, accuracy and confidence with automatically tagged features and tag quality notifications. Our AI-powered tagging assistant reduces the need for technical knowledge when users get started with Pendo, accelerating onboarding and time-to-value.

: Measure and report on product usage with greater speed, accuracy and confidence with automatically tagged features and tag quality notifications. Our AI-powered tagging assistant reduces the need for technical knowledge when users get started with Pendo, accelerating onboarding and time-to-value. AI chatbot: Get personalized help and education in Pendo right when you need it via a new AI chatbot integrated with our knowledge base and product usage data. Learn more and join interest lists for these products at pendo.io/ai. Having access to analytics and engagement tools that leverage AI is critical for companies looking to the future. According to Gartner, "by 2026, AI-driven product and customer experience (CX) analytics tools will be the primary source of insight for 40% of digital product enhancements, up from 10% today". Gartner also reports that "by 2026, 30% of new applications will use AI to drive personalized adaptive user interfaces, up from under 5% today."1 Pendo's new capabilities will help companies be at the forefront of innovation using this emerging technology. Pendo will explore the power and potential of AI at this year's Pendomonium, its annual product festival held in Raleigh, NC October 17-19. Joining the lineup are AI innovators like Fraser Kelton, former head of product at OpenAI and current investor at Spark Capital, and Ali Arsanjani, Google's director of cloud partner engineering and AI Center of Excellence. During the keynote address, Todd Olson will also share the future vision for Pendo AI and highlight the growing roster of AI capabilities. Register here . About Pendo Pendo's mission is to elevate the world's experience with software. Pendo's all-in-one product experience platform allows companies to make product intelligence actionable with speed and scale, giving rise to a new generation of companies that put product at the center of everything. Pendo customers include the world's leading companies, including Verizon, Morgan Stanley, LabCorp, OpenTable, Salesforce, and Zendesk. Through Mind the Product and customer communities, sponsored events and a podcast, Pendo aims to support the success of product and digital leaders everywhere. Pendo is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and has offices around the world. For more information, visit: www.pendo.io . 1 Source: Gartner, Predicts 2023: AI's Profound Impact on Products and Services, Rajesh Kandaswamy, Tracy Tsai, Jim Hare, Kevin Quinn, Chris Meering, Published 13 January 2023

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pendo-introduces-pendo-ai-to-power-exponentially-better-digital-experiences-301880955.html SOURCE Pendo

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Belarus: Unnamed European diplomats told Politico that an informal agreement has been reached between EU nations regarding a fresh round of military sanctions against Belarus, a close ally of Russia.

According to the outlet, the new package will restrict the flow of battlefield supplies, including aviation parts, to Minsk. the list of prohibited items will be similar to the sanctions previously imposed by Brussels on Moscow due to the conflict in Ukraine. According to the diplomats, the package aims to stifle the allegedly illegal supply of military parts to Russia via Belarus.

They pointed out that the new sanctions are seen as a first step toward a larger EU agreement to restrain Minsk.

Also Read: Israel's Herzog tells Biden that despite US worries about a judicial reform, its democracy is still strong

According to the sources, the European Commission should communicate the military restrictions to the diplomats of the bloc as soon as Wednesday. Next week, they added, EU deputy ambassadors are anticipated to approve the sanctions against Minsk.

The so-called post-Cotonou agreement between the EU and 79 African and Caribbean countries, which had been long stalled due to Poland's position, was linked to the discussions on curbs aimed at Belarus. In order to ensure Minsk receives sanctions, the diplomats said Warsaw has agreed to drop its opposition to the agreement.

Also Read: Despite rising temperatures, Syria struggles to put out wildfires

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said last month that Western sanctions had "already turned from an instrument of enforcement of peace and security into a new complex threat on a global scale, condemning entire regions to hunger, cold, and poverty."

Also Read: UN agency cuts cash assistance to Syrian refugees in Jordan, warning of funding shortage

Despite the fact that Belarus is not directly involved in the fighting in Ukraine, the US and the EU have imposed severe restrictions on it. Russia has been able to use Minsk's territory for the military operation since it began in February 2022.
[July 19, 2023] Minister of Transport announces funding to improve cargo movement at the Port of Argentia Tweet

PLACENTIA, NL, July 19, 2023 /CNW/ - An efficient and reliable transportation system is essential to keeping communities connected and building an economy that works for all Canadians. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring our supply chains remain strong and create good, middle-class jobs, while making them resilient and adaptable to the effects of climate change. Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced an investment of up to $38 million under the National Trade Corridors Fund to improve cargo movement at the Port of Argentia. The project will expand the existing Fleet Dock terminal. This expansion includes the construction of approximately 460 m of berthing space for three new berths to accommodate larger vessels, a Roll-on Roll-Off ramp to facilitate the movement of containers and cargo, as well as increasing available dockside space by approximately 100,000 m2. The project will also promote environmentally sustainable practices, such as supporting green energy and low carbon fuels. These improvements will allow the Port to accommodate increased trade, improve operations, and increase economic growth in the region. The project is anticipated to more than quadruple trade volumes moving through the port over a 30-year horizon. The Government of Canada continues to invest to make the country's supply chain stronger, to boost economic growth and to create more opportunities for our businesses to grow internationally. This represents another long-term commitment to work with stakeholders on important infrastructure projects to address transportation bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and congestion along Canada's trade corridors. Quotes "This project will strengthen our supply chain, making the flow of goods to and from Canada more efficien. Through this investment, the Port of Argentia will be able to handle greater trade volumes and enhance its operations. The project will also contribute to regional economic growth and sustainable business opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador."



The Honourable Omar Alghabra

Minister of Transport "Today's announcement is certainly good news for local communities, the region, the province, and indeed, the country. This will help position the Port of Argentia to expand its operations, create more middle-class jobs, and make life more affordable by expanding our supply chain."

Ken McDonald

Member of Parliament "We thank our Federal Government partner for sharing the Port's vision and supporting this initiative as Argentia expands its capacity in serving key industry sectors and plugging critical gaps in the supply chain logistics relating to marine transportation. This facility will allow Argentia access to global projects and provide significant spin off opportunities to our local, regional, provincial, and indeed, national economy". Port Chairperson Genny Picco

"The Cooper Cove Marine Terminal expansion and infrastructure development is a game changer and will see Argentia attract major foreign investment with project developments in renewable energy, offshore supports and a range of other marine transportation operations. This capital investment at Argentia will create dozens of new jobs and an expansion doubling quayside capacity to 860 metres, enabling the Port to capture new opportunities in traditional and emerging sectors. Through this investment, the Port will focus on technologies supporting green marine practices as this development at Argentia aligns with both provincial and federal initiatives in reaching zero emissions by 2050". Port CEO Scott Penney Quick Facts Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, the Government of Canada is investing to help goods move smoothly throughout Canada's supply chains.

is investing to help goods move smoothly throughout supply chains. The National Trade Corridors Fund is a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada . A total of $4.6 billion over 11 years (2017-2028) has been allocated to the program.

. A total of over 11 years (2017-2028) has been allocated to the program. Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, Transport Canada is supporting improvements to Canada's roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade.

roads, rail, air, and marine shipping routes to foster domestic and international trade. The National Trade Corridors Fund's Increasing the Fluidity of Canada's Supply Chains call for proposals supports fluid and reliable trade flows between Canada and global markets, as well as internal trade corridors. Related Product National Trade Corridors Fund Backgrounder This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities. SOURCE Transport Canada

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[July 19, 2023] GGWP Unveils Free-to-Use Model of its Best-in-Class AI-Based Game Moderation Platform Tweet

GGWP, the leading AI-based game moderation platform, has unveiled free access to its moderation tools for all developers. The company has been implementing its capabilities with dozens of developers over the past year and is now ready to make the platform available to everyone. Founded by games entrepreneur Dennis "Thresh" Fong, Crunchyroll founder Kun Gao, and data and AI expert, Dr. George Ng, GGWP has raised additional funding from Samsung Ventures and SK Telecom Ventures to help fuel the growth of the platform. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718536072/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) "We have felt from the start that all developers should be able to support the healthy online experiences that players deserve," said Dennis Fong, CEO and Co-Founder of GGWP. "Even the best staffed developers can't keep up with even a fraction of reported incidents through human moderation. Leveraging AI and a sophisticated platform of tools, we address the vast number of incidents. And now with GGWP going free, we hope the whole industry will join us on our mission to help make our game communities safe and enjoyable social spaces." The additional funding will allow GGWP to continue working with teams on large AAA titles, as well as startups fueling the next wave of games. Teams using GGWP's AI-driven technology to fight toxicity have been able to triage an average of 98% of player reports through the platform, and flagged the most serious reports for additional review for human moderation, delivering the most complete and efective model for community moderation today.



All developers now have access to GGWP's entire suite of products - the same ones some AAA studios have been using - with flexible pay-as-you-go pricing, and no minimum commitments kicking in beyond the free tier. Custom pricing and volume discounts are available for larger games. GGWP's solutions work on any platform including web, PC, mobile, and consoles. GGWP is the first comprehensive game moderation platform and works to holistically combat harmful and disruptive player behavior through a variety of best-in-class solutions which can be used together or separately:

Player Reports: The most popular games in the world receive billions of user-submitted reports a year and are able to only respond to <0.1% of them. GGWP revolutionizes report handling by automatically validating, triaging, and prioritizing reports and improving the response rate to 98%+.

The most popular games in the world receive billions of user-submitted reports a year and are able to only respond to <0.1% of them. GGWP revolutionizes report handling by automatically validating, triaging, and prioritizing reports and improving the response rate to 98%+. Usernames: Usernames are more than just identifiers; they are the first interaction point between players within a game's community. GGWP catches the unnatural language, l33tspeak, and workarounds that gamers use to create inappropriate usernames.

Usernames are more than just identifiers; they are the first interaction point between players within a game's community. GGWP catches the unnatural language, l33tspeak, and workarounds that gamers use to create inappropriate usernames. Chat: GGWP goes beyond simple keyword-based filters by using contextual AI to identify and respond to difficult-to-detect behaviors like sarcasm, gameplay criticism, bullying, hate speech, child grooming, and more.

GGWP goes beyond simple keyword-based filters by using contextual AI to identify and respond to difficult-to-detect behaviors like sarcasm, gameplay criticism, bullying, hate speech, child grooming, and more. Player Behavior: GGWP uses AI to automatically detect behaviors such as intentional AFK, leaving a match early in a team-based game, friendly fire, feeding, griefing, trolling, and more.

GGWP uses AI to automatically detect behaviors such as intentional AFK, leaving a match early in a team-based game, friendly fire, feeding, griefing, trolling, and more. Reputation Platform: Every incident, whether it's AI-detected, user-reported, or identified through an external source flows through the GGWP platform and affects a user's reputation score. Credibility ratings are also generated based on how often GGWP validates a player's report.

Every incident, whether it's AI-detected, user-reported, or identified through an external source flows through the GGWP platform and affects a user's reputation score. Credibility ratings are also generated based on how often GGWP validates a player's report. Discord bot: GGWP's Discord bot leverages the same chat and reputation models to help moderate Discord servers and conveniently brings Discord incidents into the same view on the GGWP platform.

GGWP's Discord bot leverages the same chat and reputation models to help moderate Discord servers and conveniently brings Discord incidents into the same view on the GGWP platform. Game-specific Context: Our system uniquely takes into account additional factors to help determine player intention and context for every incident. For example, we don't penalize people for what appears to be toxic chat if they're goofing off with their friends. Other examples include: rank/skill of player, activity level, whether it's a casual or ranked match, etc. Developers wishing to learn more about GGWP can visit www.ggwp.com. About GGWP GGWP, founded by games and media veterans, is an artificial intelligence-based platform to help combat toxicity in online games. The company is backed by leading investors and game companies including BITKRAFT Ventures, Makers Fund, Griffin Gaming Partners, and Riot Games. Publishers and developers can learn more about how to fight online toxicity with GGWP at www.ggwp.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718536072/en/

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[July 19, 2023] Terabase Raises $25M to Accelerate its Digital and Automation Solutions Tweet

Terabase Energy, the leader in digital and automation solutions for solar power plants, today announced $25 Million in new financing, led by Fifth Wall, the largest asset manager focused on improving, future-proofing, and decarbonizing the built world, with participation from EDP Ventures and existing investors. This financing round will be used to support the commercial scale-up of the company's recently launched Terafab construction automation system, the world's first automated, digital field factory for solar power plant construction. "We are thrilled to drive this round of financing and support Terabase's vision of revolutionizing the solar industry," shared Anastasia Istratova, a Principal on The Climate Technology Investment Team at Fifth Wall. "Matt and his entire team's innovative approach to automating the construction of today's solar power plants is truly groundbreaking. Their mission has profound synergy with our core commitment to investing in technologies that are meaningfully transforming the scale up of renewable energy infrastructure." Luis Manuel, Board Member at EDP Ventures said, "Terabase is responding to the renewable energy sector's need to scale faster as it seeks to meet ambitious growth targets over the next several decades. Its bold solutions through digitization and automation will play a meaningful role in increasing the industry'scapacity to build PV power plants more quickly and in more remote locations, aligned with EDP's global commitment to expanding renewables."



"The sustained financial backing we're receiving is representative of the cross-industry enthusiasm surrounding Terabase's mission," said Matt Campbell, CEO and Co-Founder of Terabase. "This funding will enable us to expedite the scaling of Terafab production and will ensure that we are equipped to meet the rising demand effectively as we deploy Terafab." Terabase Energy's momentum also continues with its software products, led by the rapid adoption of its construction management software, Construct, being used by leading developers and EPCs on more than 5 Gigawatts of projects. Meanwhile, Terabase's solar energy modeling tool, PlantPredict, recently surpassed 2.8 Terawatts (2,800,000 Megawatts) of simulations across 30,000+ projects, demonstrating increasing demand for more accurate modeling of solar power plant performance.

About Terabase Energy Terabase Energy is on a mission to reduce the cost and accelerate the deployment of utility-scale solar through construction automation and software. The Terabase platform enables rapid deployment of solar plants at more competitive costs, supporting both grid-connected PV plants and the cost-effective production of green hydrogen with PV in the future. Terabase's suite of products includes PlantPredict: a cloud-based solar plant design and energy modeling tool, Construct: digital construction management software, Terafab construction automation, and power plant control and SCADA solutions. To learn more, visit www.terabase.energy. About Fifth Wall Founded in 2016, Fifth Wall, a Certified B. Corp, is the largest asset manager focused on improving, future-proofing, and decarbonizing the built world. Since 2016, Fifth Wall has raised the third-most capital of any venture firm globally ($2.9B), according to SEC Form D filings. With approximately $3B in commitments and capital under management, Fifth Wall is backed by a global mix of more than 110 strategic limited partners from more than 15 countries, including BNP Paribas Real Estate, British Land, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Hilton, Hines, Host Hotels & Resorts, Kimco Realty Corporation, Lennar, Marriott International, MetLife Investment Management, MGM Resorts, Related Companies, Starwood Capital, Toll Brothers, and others. This consortium represents one of the largest groups of potential partners in the global built world ecosystem, resulting in transformational investments and collaboration with portfolio companies to cut emissions, improve efficiency, and maximize returns. Founded in Los Angeles and headquartered in New York City, Fifth Wall's other offices include San Francisco, London, and Singapore. For more information about Fifth Wall, its limited partners, and portfolio companies, visit www.fifthwall.com. About EDP Ventures EDP Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of EDP, a global energy company present in 29 markets, focused on investing in Energy and Climate Tech startups. Its main goal is to support and develop innovative solutions that contribute to the transformation of the energy industry. EDP Ventures provides financial investment, mentoring, and access to EDP's network and resources to help accelerate the growth of promising startups in the energy sector. EDP Ventures invests globally and has a portfolio of 37 companies in Europe, US, LATAM, and Asia. To discover more about EDP and its strategy and projects, visit www.edp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719470883/en/

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[July 19, 2023] Unstructured Secures $25 Million in Seed and Series A Funding to Enable Enterprises to Use LLMs With their Data Tweet

Unstructured today announced the closing of its Seed and Series A funding rounds, raising $25 million. The Series A was led by Madrona with participation from the seed lead, Bain Capital Ventures, and joined by M12 Ventures, Mango Capital, MongoDB Ventures, and Shield Capital. Notable angel investors Harrison Chase of LangChain, Bob van Luijt of Weaviate, and Josh Lefkowitz of Flashpoint also participated. As part of the financing, Madrona Managing Director Karan Mehandru and Bain Capital Ventures Partner Enrique Salem joined the board of directors. Unstructured has rapidly emerged as a leader in data transformation, making it easy for enterprises to utilize their natural language data in conjunction with large language models (LLMs), regardless of file type, document layout, or location. Accessing and transforming this data is significant because over 80% of enterprise data resides in documents and other unstructured files. With over 700,000 downloads and integrated into more than 2,400 GitHub repos, Unstructured has established itself as a leading provider of LLM data preprocessing solutions, enabling organizations to leverage their unstructured data at a speed and ease previously unimaginable. "Organizations generate vast amounts of unstructured data daily, which, when combined with LLMs, can supercharge productivity," said Brian Raymond, Founder and CEO of Unstructured. "However, this data is often scattered across numerous databases, file formats, and document layouts. By automating the preprocessing of natural language data, Unstructured eliminates the need for laborious manual preprocessing, removing one of the most time-consuming and expensive bottlenecks data scientists encounter in deploying LLM-based solutions across their organizations." The company also released a major product update - a single API that further accelerates the ability for users to leverage their natural language data in conjunction with LLMs. Users can now simply point any file containing natural language at Unstructured's API and receive back data in a format ready for vector databases, LangChain, and LLMs. Additionally, the company has introduced more than 15 production-grade data connectors, making i possible to connect to natural language data wherever it is stored. Enterprises can use these connectors to build a data pipeline that can be continuously updated. Over the past six months, more than $40 billion has been invested in AI startups, and many of these companies are building solutions on top of LLMs. The introduction of Unstructured's API and data connectors will further accelerate companies' ability to connect, transform, and stage data for use with LLMs.



"In today's digital age, the world runs on documents," said Karan Mehandru from Madrona. "From research reports and memos to quarterly filings and plans of action, documents are the unit of information that organizations depend on. And yet, most of this information is trapped in inaccessible formats, and organizations have long struggled to unlock this data, leading to information silos, inefficient decision-making, and repetitive work. With the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs) and now with Unstructured, we believe that enterprises can finally realize the untapped potential of document data. We have been inspired by the early success Unstructured is experiencing with large customers in the commercial and government sectors and the open source adoption of the product. We are thrilled to partner with Brian and his team and help them build Unstructured to be an iconic company in the modern data stack." "Unstructured's rapid growth from an idea to working with more than 100 companies in a year is proof that there's a real market need to eliminate data silos," said Enrique Salem, partner at Bain Capital Ventures. "We led the seed round and doubled down on our investment because we believe in Unstructured's unique approach to LLM data preprocessing, which will help companies leverage their proprietary data and be able to effectively ingest it. Unstructured will become a must-have product for every business."

Unstructured has developed its technology in partnership with the open-source community and commercial enterprises, as well as select U.S. Government defense and intelligence organizations. The company has been awarded a Phase I and two Phase II Small Business Innovation and Research contracts by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Additionally, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) established a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Unstructured and has served as a key design partner since the company's infancy. This past winter, Unstructured partnered with SOCOM to help deploy the first use of an LLM on a stand-alone system and in conjunction with mission-relevant data. To further strengthen its advisory board, the company is pleased to welcome retired General Michael Groen. Mike is the former Director of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center at the Pentagon, where he built and deployed machine learning and analytics solutions across the DoD. Joining Mike on the advisory board are Mike Brown, former Director of the Defense Innovation Unit and the lead for Shield Capital's investment in Unstructured, and Ryan Lewis, a veteran of In-Q-Tel and AWS National Security. Unstructured offers three ways to get started: a rich open-source Python library, open-source containers, and a cloud-hosted API. To learn more about Unstructured and take the first step toward unlocking the full potential of unstructured data, visit unstructured.io. About Unstructured Unstructured is a leading provider of LLM data preprocessing solutions, empowering organizations to transform their internal unstructured data into formats compatible with large language models. By automating the extraction, cleaning, and staging of natural language data, Unstructured enables enterprises to leverage the full power of their data for increased productivity and innovation. With key partnerships and a growing customer base, Unstructured is driving the adoption of LLM-native data preprocessing worldwide. For more information, visit unstructured.io. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719773647/en/

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[July 19, 2023] DataVisor and Q6 Cyber Collaborate to Enhance Fraud Detection Capabilities by Integrating Threat Intelligence into DataVisor's Fraud and Risk Platform Tweet

DataVisor, the most comprehensive, real-time fraud and risk management platform that harnesses sophisticated AI and modern machine learning, today announced a partnership with Q6 Cyber, a leading cyber and fraud threat intelligence firm, to centralize relevant threat intelligence data in a single platform to increase fraud detection accuracy. Q6 Cyber's proprietary threat intelligence enriches DataVisor's existing fraud signals, providing financial institutions with a holistic analysis of all relevant transaction data and fraud signals in one centralized platform, immensely simplifying fraud and risk decisioning. Q6 Cyber's state-of-the-art technology provides continuous monitoring of the expansive "Digital Underground," including online sites, marketplaces, communities, and forums where hackers and fraudsters thrive. The company's round-the-clock coverage extends beyond the Dark Web and Deep Web to include peer-to-peer messaging apps and other cybercrime infrastructure. As a result, Q6 Cyber provides proactive signals that enable financial and other institutions to preempt a range of financial crimes and fraud, including check fraud, payment card fraud, ACH and wire fraud, mule activity, and many more. DataVisor's Fraud and Risk Management platform allows financial institutions to ingest and process numerous digital and fraud data signals, including Q6 Cyber's threat intelligence data, in real-time and leverage a multi-layered detection strategy using a combination of rules, device intelligence and advanced machine learning approaches. DataVisor's platform allows for the integration of dozens of other prominent 3rd party financial data integration, including identity and credit data, AML screening data, ID verification, and digital device and behavioral intelligence, translating data into actionable decisioning for proactive protection. Moreover, DataVisor is consantly building new data partnerships, like Q6 Cyber, to readily make available critical fraud and crime signals in its platform.



"Our partnership with Q6 Cyber marks another milestone in our commitment to revolutionize fraud and risk management for financial institutions," said Yinglian Xie, Co-founder and CEO at DataVisor. "The ability to receive and process critical fraud and financial crime data in real time is essential to fighting fraud proactively. Most legacy tools are not designed to ingest or process data effectively and there can be delays in integrating the data because of the significant amount of IT resources required. This results in reactive response to fraud attacks, opening up business to threats and vulnerabilities and extensive fraud losses. We are proud to be transforming how fraud is managed proactively by providing business with an open platform that is flexible, scalable and empowers fraud teams to harness the power of all available data with minimal IT dependence." The benefits of this centralized platform are already being realized by financial institutions. Since implementing DataVisor's comprehensive platform enhanced with Q6 Cyber data, a national federal credit union has been able to successfully thwart multiple coordinated loan application attacks involving synthetic and stolen IDs, effectively identified social security numbers and employment discrepancies, resolved address and geolocation disputes, and uncovered device-based fraud rings.

"At Q6 Cyber, we are committed to staying at the forefront of cyber and fraud intelligence and delivering proactive solutions to help our partners combat evolving threats," said Eli Dominitz, CEO of Q6 Cyber. "Together with DataVisor's modern AI-based platform, we are helping financial institutions stay a step ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraudsters." For more information about DataVisor's digital fraud solutions, visit www.datavisor.com. For more information about Q6 Cyber's threat intelligence, visit www.q6cyber.com. About DataVisor DataVisor is a comprehensive fraud prevention platform powered by the world's most sophisticated AI and modern machine learning capabilities. DataVisor empowers customers to protect against future attacks before they happen by detecting and acting on rapidly evolving fraud patterns in real time. DataVisor's adaptable solution and data-driven approach provides businesses with unparalleled protection in an ever-evolving digital landscape. DataVisor's award-winning solutions and continuous innovation make them the trusted partner of choice for Fortune 500 companies and leading organizations worldwide, specializing in financial services, banking, credit unions, fintech, and payments. About Q6 Cyber Q6 Cyber is an innovative E-Crime Intelligence company based in the USA and Israel, serving the world's leading financial, technology, healthcare, and retail corporations. We monitor the "Digital Underground" - a vast universe where cybercriminals and fraudsters operate and interact. Our 247 coverage includes not only underground forums on the Dark Web and Deep Web, but also malware networks, private messaging apps, and other technical infrastructure used by threat actors. We deliver targeted and actionable intelligence with unparalleled speed and precision, resulting in high ROI through significant reduction of cyber and data breaches, financial crimes and fraud, and other electronic crimes. Q6 Cyber is led by veterans of the NSA, US Secret Service, and Israeli Military Intelligence (Unit 8200). Learn more at https://www.q6cyber.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719292675/en/

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[July 19, 2023] Bakersfield, California, to Modernize Community Development Services with Clariti Platform Tweet

Clariti is elated to announce that the City of Bakersfield, California, is moving forward with its Community Development solution to deliver more efficient permitting, inspections, land use, code enforcement and business licensing services. Sperdian, a trusted partner of Clariti, has been selected to provide implementation services. With a population of over 400,000, Bakersfield is one of California's top 10 largest cities. In 2021, the city issued approximately 14,000 permits, 25,000 business licenses and conducted over 38,000 inspections. Bakersfield will replace a decades-old, on-premise system with the Clariti Platform, and leverage Clariti's managed integration with Avolve's ProjectDox for a seamless back-office plan review experience. On their decision to move forward with Clariti, the city noted the platform's reporting capabilities, digital inspection tools and ease of integrating with other systems as the key factors. Ultimately, the city wanted to improve efficiency for its staff and had been planning this project for years before starting the formal procurement process.



"The City of Bakersfield has made a massive commitment to improve critical Community Development services. We are excited to work with their team to implement a modern system and support the development of refreshed business processes that will improve efficiency and help support growth in the city for years to come," says Jake Dancyger, Clariti Co-CEO. Bakersfield is the latest major government in California to select Clariti. Other notable customers include Irvine, Santa Ana, Orange County and Yolo County.

About Clariti Clariti's government software helps North America's largest and fastest-growing communities deliver exceptional community development, permitting, and licensing experiences online. Founded in 2008, Clariti is built as an alternative to code-heavy, non-configurable systems that create technology barriers for governments to meet their community's evolving needs. Our software is trusted by government agencies that serve over 150 million people across North America. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719822157/en/

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[July 19, 2023] CROWN HOLDINGS EXPANDS ALUMINIUM STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE (ASI) CERTIFICATIONS TO ASIA PACIFIC REGION Tweet

Latest credentials in Thailand bring Company's ASI certified plants to 12; underscores Crown's focus on responsible material sourcing TAMPA, Fla., July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the commitments laid out in its Twentyby30 sustainability program to help advance responsible supply chains, Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com) has expanded its Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certifications into the Asia Pacific region. The Company's Nong Khae and Crown TCP beverage packaging plants in Thailand were recently awarded the ASI Performance Standard certification, bringing the total facilities in Crown's network with the designation to 12. Crown's operations in Brazil and Mexico have also achieved ASI Performance Standard certification. The ASI Performance Standard addresses environmental, social and governance principles for the aluminum value chain, confirming the recipient's production practices are responsible. Beyond meeting the required criteria as part of an independent, third-party audit, the recent certifications in Thailand can be linked to advancing employee training around biodiversity, safety and human rights. "Achieving this ASI certification is another proof point of our dedication to maintaining reputable supply chain relationships and meeting the evolving needs of brands in the Asia Pacific market," said Carlos Baila, President, Asia Pacific at Crown. "We are committed to operating ethically and remaining accountable to our own standards, as well as those of our partners, as we continue to serve customers around the world." "We are proud to have two of our facilities in Thailand join their peers in Brazil and Mexico to achieve this certification," commented Martyn Goodcild, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Asia Pacific at Crown. "It reflects strong collaboration among our employees and proves how activities taking place on a regional level can help accomplish the Company's larger sustainability goals."



To further expand its responsible and ethical sourcing program, Crown is pursuing ASI certification in other locations in its Asia, Europe and Middle Eastern operations. "We warmly congratulate Crown Holdings, Inc. for achieving Performance Standard Certification at two of its plants in Thailand," said Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI. "By training employees around vital sustainability areas such as biodiversity, safety, and human rights, Crown is driving positive change within its operations. Through this latest Certification in Thailand, Crown is extending its commitment to responsible practices and we look forward to the Company's continued pursuit of ASI Certification across its global operations."

ASI is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards and certification organization which works to maximize the contribution of aluminum to a sustainable society. The independent, third-party audit of Crown's Thailand facilities was carried out by LiberoAssurance. To learn more about Crown's efforts around responsible material sourcing and its comprehensive Twentyby30 sustainability program, visit crowncork.com/sustainability . About Crown Holdings, Inc. Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global supplier of rigid packaging products to consumer marketing companies, as well as transit and protective packaging products, equipment and services to a broad range of end markets. World headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.crowncork.com . For editorial inquiries: Emily Hogan, Senior Account Executive, FINN Partners; Tel: (630) 248-5232; Email: [email protected]. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, all other information in this press release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the statements made in this release or the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ are discussed under the caption "Forward Looking Statements" in the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022 and in subsequent filings. The Company does not intend to review or revise any particular forward-looking statement in light of future events. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crown-holdings-expands-aluminium-stewardship-initiative-asi-certifications-to-asia-pacific-region-301881301.html SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.

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[July 19, 2023] Global Marketplaces Report 2023: Strategies and Tactics of Some of the Most Interesting and Largest General Marketplaces in the World Tweet

DUBLIN, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "2023 Global Marketplaces Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. No longer just platforms for watching cute puppy videos and salivating over viral recipes, social powerhouses like TikTok, Instagram, and yes, even Gen Xers and their Boomer parents on Facebook are purchasing at the point of the influence, as social commerce explodes. How are companies protecting consumers from being duped by dupes? Authentication and certification are critical for safety and trust. Which companies are giving you the luxury of a secure purchase? Hint: AI plays a role. Inside the 130+ page report, you'll find: Strategies and tactics of some of the most interesting and largest general marketplaces in the world

Companies to watch

Marketplace groups by revenue: The world's Top 60

Top 50 list identifies the largest general marketplace and classified sites worldwide

The leading general marketplaces / classified companies in 66 countries

And much more Key Topics Covered: Executive summary



Industry trends Authentication providing new revenue opportunities It offers gives marketplaces a path to work directly with manufacturers and authorized resellers Social commerce: Accelerating marketplace transactions For marketplaces, tapping into social commerce helps drive transactions and reach new audiences of consumers Generative AI: ChatGPT used mostly in listing generators Horizontals have been slow to adapt ChatGPT largely because of their much more diverse customer bases Australians love thrifting, so why don't they do it online? Fashion marketplaces struggle with logistics across Australia's vast, sparsely populated territory Company spotlights Marketplace groups by revenue: The world's Top 60

The top two marketplace groups by revenue are both recruitment companies with huge international reach 58.com: CEO aligns company with digital push 58.com's CEO, who's also a deputy at the national congress, believes his company is well positioned to drive China's digital push Adevinta Hungary: Business for sale. Who will buy it? We project a valuation of $35 million to $38 million for the company, where revenue has been flat for a while Craigslist: Was 2021 the company's last hurrah? Craigslist traffic is down by a third, and revenue declined by a quarter. It's an ominous sign for the great dinosaur of classifieds EBay: Giant makes big push into luxury authentication EBay started getting serious about fashion in 2020,when online resale was riding high on the back of the pandemic



Mercari: On course to becoming No. 1 in the U.S. If Mercari can reignite its growth and Craigslist continues its freefall, Mercari could sneak into the lead by revenue in 20 OfferUp CEO Todd Dunlap: Our customers 'want deals'

A wide array of marketplace products, like recruitment, automotive, listing fees and premium listings help generate revenue Prosus: Global downsizing as company pulls out of LatAm The LatAm exits were expected, as OLX Group parent Prosus has long said it planned to focus on its core European markets Schibsted: Fast AI adoption; Plick grows; transactions, too Schibsted has chosen to drive the fashion resale business with a standalone vertical rather than via its existing horizontals like Finn and Blocket Companies to watch Kolesa Group: Real estate and autos in Kazakhstan Kolesa Group competes directly with Prosus-owned OLX.kz, the only other significant classified site in Kazakhstan Revolico: Dominant horizontal in a peculiar Cuban market Revolico has been forced to adapt and evolve within Cuba's highly stringent political and censorship conditions Top 50 marketplaces and classified sites



Top marketplaces/classified sites by country Companies Mentioned 2DeHands/2EmeMain

360LatAm

51Job

58.com

88DB.com.hk

999.md

Adevinta

AdsAfrica.co.za

Adverts.ie

Alibaba

Allegro

Alma Media

Amazon

AmeriCar

Apax 30

AtHome

Auctions.Yahoo.co.jp

Aukcije.hr

Aukro.cz

Auto Trader Group

Auto.ru

AutoHome

AutoAlkatresz.hu

AutoNavigator.hu

Avito.ru

Avito.ma

Avtoelon.uz

Axel Springer

Back Market

Baixing.com

Baltics Classifieds Group

Baraholka.Onliner.by

Bayut

Bazaraki.com

Bazos

Bikroy.com

BitAuto

Blocket

Bunjang.co.kr

CarGurus

CareerBuilder

Carousell

Cars.com

Carsales

Certilogo

Cho Tot

Classifieds.co.zw

ClickBD.com

CoStar Group

Cox Automotive

Craigslist

Cubisima

CustoJusto.pt

DBA.dk

DHI Group

DIP Corp.

Daangn.com

Depop

Divar.ir

DomClick

Domain

Dubizzle Group

EBay

EBay-Kleinanzeigen.de

EMPG

Emporium.com

En Japan

Esam.ir

Etsy

Etuovi.com

European Internet Ventures

Facebook Marketplace

Finn.no

Fril.jp

Frontier Digital Ventures

GOglasi.com

Ganji.com

Gde.by

GirnarSoft

Glassdoor

GulogGratis.dk

Gumtree

HaloOglasi.com

Haraj.com.sa

HasznaltAuto.hu

HeadHunter

HomeGate

Huuto.net

Indeed

Info Edge

Instacart

Jiji.ng

Jmty.jp

JobCloud

Jobs.cz

Jofogas

LaCentrale

LaendleAnzeiger.at

Lajumate.ro

Larixon Classifieds

Leju Holdings Ltd.

LetGo

Lifull

LinkedIn

Locanto

Loozap

Maimai

Makler.md

Market.kz

Markt.de

Marktplaats.nl

MarocAnnonces.com

MeineStadt

MercadoLibre

Mercari

Milanuncios

Mitula

Mobiliar

Monster.fi

Muaban.net

Mudah.my

Nagyhaszon.hu

Naspers

New Work

News Corp.

Nextdoor

Njuskalo

NoFluffJobs

OLX Group

OLXBrazil

OList.ng

Offer.com.cy

OfferUp

Oglasnik.hr

Oikotie.fi

OnTheMarket

OpenAI

OpenSooq

PetitesAnnonces.ch

PigiaMe.co.ke

Plick

Poshmark

Preloved.co.uk

Prosus2 26

Proto Corp.

QatarLiving.com

Quikr.com

REA Group

Randstad N.V.

Real Web Group

Realtor.com

Recruit Holdings

Redfin

Refash

Reluv

Revolico

Ricardo

Rightmove

Ringier

Rubrikk.no

Russmedia

Ruten.com.tw

SBazar.cz

SMG Swiss Marketplace Group

Sahibinden

Schibsted

Scout24 Group

Seek Ltd.

Sellpy

Shafa.ua

Sheypoor.com

Shopify

SidelineSwap

Skelbiu

StockX

Styria

Subito.it

Suumo.jp

Swag Kicks

Tencent

The Next Closet

The Volte

ThredUp

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Check EXCELLENT BLOG INFORMATION from a local right-wing outlet on the economic impact of money that many locals would rather not count in public . . .



And with 69% of those abortions being performed on out-of-staters, its clear the Kansas abortion tourism industry is booming.



So says Kansans for Life, citing statistics from the Kansas Department of Health and Environments annual Abortions in Kansas preliminary report. The states 12,317 abortions last year is a 57% increase from the year before, says KFL; 8,475 were on women from other states.





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Right now we share crime reporting, police action and important public safety update from throughout the metro & the region . . .



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City, Missouri, to consider in-house 911 call center Kansas City, Missouri, could soon look into what it would take for the city to establish its own in-house 911 call center.

Two suffer 'potentially life-threatening injuries' after stabbing, officer shooting in KCK Police reported two people were seriously injured Tuesday afternoon in connection with a shooting and stabbing.

Hit television show 'Cops' to follow Independence Police Department for 8 weeks Crews from the hit television show "Cops" will search for the "bad boys" of Independence, Missouri, over the next eight weeks.

'They're going through utter hell:' BTK Killer's daughter sympathises with Gilgo Beach suspect's family EXCLUSIVE: Kerri Rawson was just 26 when her father was unmasked in 2005 as the BTK predator who'd terrorised Kansas for more than three decades.

Opposing petitions filed to ask voters whether Missouri should allow local gun restrictions Since 2017, Missouri has been an "open carry" state, meaning you don't have to have a permit to carry a gun openly or concealed.

Independence police searching for hit-and-run driver who hit bicyclist The Independence Police Department needs the public's help to find a hit-and-run driver who hit and seriously injured a bicyclist.

KC police looking for 83-year-old man on way to Topeka, in need of medical care KCPD says Wesley Staley left the area of E. 66th and Locust Street around 8:30 a.m. in a red 2009 Hyundai Sonata.

Highway to be dedicated in honor of fallen North Kansas City officer Wednesday will mark one year since North Kansas City, Missouri Officer Daniel Vasquez was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Developing . . .
NEW DELHI: Highlighting India's notable progress in promoting its Neighbourhood First and Act East policies, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasized the significance of recent meetings held in Thailand, by the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC).

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar shared, "Concluded my visit to Thailand for the BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganga Cooperation meetings. Advancing Neighbourhood First and Act East policies."

Participating in the inaugural BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 17, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar engaged with foreign ministers from all seven member countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, the current chair of BIMSTEC.

The discussions during the meeting primarily revolved around India's foreign policy, particularly the Neighbourhood First and Act East Policy, with a focused effort to strengthen relations with Asia-Pacific nations.

Emphasizing the importance of collaboration on global issues and United Nations-related matters, the BIMSTEC Retreat highlighted the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the need to address climate change. A statement released by Thailand's Foreign Ministry reflected this shared perspective.

In addition to these key topics, the retreat delved into discussions regarding BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection, advancements in agriculture technology, cultural cooperation, youth exchange programs, and diplomatic training. The participating nations unanimously recognized the significance of establishing crisis response mechanisms to effectively manage potential contingencies in the region.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement stating, "There was a broad consensus on the importance of creating crisis response mechanisms to coordinate various contingencies. Food security, public health, energy, financial stability, trade, and economic cooperation were also central to the discussions."

Furthermore, the retreat explored the potential establishment of digital payment systems, trade settlements, as well as cooperation in cyber security and the prevention of transnational crimes.

The Retreat, chaired by Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don Pramudwinai, saw the participation of Foreign Ministers from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. They agreed to hold such gatherings on a regular basis, preferably in the first quarter of each year. Moreover, India extended an invitation to host the next BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2023.

Furthermore, on July 16, during the 12th Mekong Ganga Cooperation meeting in Bangkok, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, alongside his Lao PDR counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith, prioritized the implementation of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.

During this meeting, it was decided to establish a Mekong Ganga Cooperation Business Council to enhance economic cooperation and promote exchanges in agriculture, science and technology, as well as water resource management.

Additionally, the participants explored new avenues for development partnership, including the implementation of Quick Impact Projects, and furthered cooperation in culture, tourism, and museum-based initiatives.

The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, established in November 2000, consists of six member countries: India, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The primary focus of this cooperation lies in areas such as tourism, culture, education, transportation, and museum-based initiatives.

EAM Jaishankar Appreciates Gujarat for Securing Rajya Sabha Seats

EAM Jaishankar meets counterparts from Nepal, Bangladesh; Urges Bilateral ties

S Jaishankar Praises PM Modi's Leadership and Describes Lord Hanuman as the Best Diplomat
Sign of the times . . .

RAMPANT METRO CRIME CONTINUES TO IMPACT SERVICES FOR KANSAS CITY RESIDENTS!!!

Something to consider . . .

These locations aren't the most poverty-stricken locales in the area . . . The reality is that the populace is confronted with the realization that there aren't many consequences for stealing from retailers and, consequently, that has spiked theft across the area.

Here's the latest . . .

Both are Save a Lot locations: 3500 Blue Ridge Cutoff near Independence, whose last day in operation was June 20, and 6599 N. Oak Trafficway in Gladstone, which will close at the end of the month.



Value Grocers LLC vice president of operations Syed Haider wrote in a note posted on both grocery stores doors that the closings were the result of ongoing theft as well as general business decline.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

The Kansas City area is losing two grocery stores. The owners blame theft The owners of 11 local grocery stores have closed one and will close another at the end of this month.

Pair of KC-area Save A Lot groceries closing because of ongoing theft The Save A Lot on Blue Ridge Cutoff is already boarded up with doors locked. By the end of the month the Save A Lot in on North Oak Trafficway in Gladstone will join them.

Related and a glimpse at a worker suffering a broken arm amid rising crime . . .

OPPD: Store employee injured as shoplifting suspect leaves store The Overland Park Police Department is looking for a total of three people wanted in connection to a shoplifting incident that left a store employee injured.

Developing . . .
Our blog community gives Mayor Q a great deal of criticism regarding his strategy toward worsening local violence.

In fairness . . .

This is a bold and proactive move that contradicts a great deal of neighborhood chatter . . .



Investigators say Perfect Touch Auto Shop near East 57th Street and Prospect Avenue is an auto repair shop, but also housed an illegal after-hours club.



Nikko Manning, 22, Camden Brown, 29, and Jasity Strong, 28, died in a shooting at the unlicensed club on June 25. The shooting injured six other people.



Last week, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said his director for public safety filed paperwork asking the city to revoke the license and close the business.





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCMO revokes license of business allegedly operating illegally as nightclub The license of a business allegedly operating illegally as a nightclub, where a mass shooting took place in June, has been revoked, KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Tuesday.

Kansas City revokes license of business where 3 died Kansas City revoked the license of an auto shop at 57th and Prospect that investigators say operated as an unlicensed club where 3 people died.

Developing . . .
For our late night & early morning denizens we take a big picture peek at issue around the world & closer to home as we quickly review pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check www.TonysKansasCity.com news gathering . . .

Kansas City Double Dipping

Waldo and Plaza-area projects push for Port KC tax breaks Among the proposed developments are a market-rate development near the Country Club Plaza and a Waldo housing project that was rejected for incentives by another agency last year.

Local Medical Help Arrives

KCU medical students attend their first "White Coating Ceremony" During a time when there is an expectation of physician shortages in the coming years, the incoming class of medical students attend their first "White Coating Ceremony".

Biz Talk Over Drinks

Give them a drink, get to the real: This craft KC podcast serves entrepreneur vulnerability The Behind the Bar with Ashley and Hailee podcast sees its co-hosts welcome their fellow Kansas City entrepreneurs for a cocktail and casual conversation. "These are people who are working 24/7/365 - you just don't stop when you're an entrepreneur - but they do it because they ultimately care about people and care about what they're doing," said Hailee Bland Walsh.

Social Media Starlet Hangs Out

Kim Kardashian raises temperatures as she shares bikini images The SKIMS founder made the most of her generous bust in a tiny triangle top that looked maybe a size too small - the suits come in sizes from XXS to 4X. Kim is reportedly has a chest size of 34D.

GOP Saves The Planet?!?

House Republicans propose planting a trillion trees as they move away from climate change denial House Republicans are searching for solutions to climate change without restricting American-produced energy that comes from burning oil, coal and gas

White House Claps Back Against Guv Ron's Critique Of Troops

Biden campaign admonishes DeSantis' culture war fights as a 'contrived political stunt' President Joe Biden's campaign slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' culture war platform as a "contrived political stunt."

MAGA Preps Legal Fight

Trump strategizes with Hill allies to go on offense against January 6 criminal probe | CNN Politics Donald Trump has reached out to his top allies on Capitol Hill to strategize how they can help defend him against potential criminal charges over his effort to overturn the 2020 election - the latest example of Republicans racing behind the scenes to use their power and platforms to shield the former president without knowing details yet about the criminal investigation.

Eastern Europe Emerges As Tech Weapon Training Ground

Ben Wallace: Ukraine has 'tragically become a battle lab' for war technology The minister says new UK defence plans are influenced by lessons from Ukraine.

South Of Border Foreshadowing

Tequila Turn: Mexico To Front-Run The U.S. The market discount sees a Mexican central bank rate cut from November. We agree, and we in fact can see rates being cut faster than the market discounts thereafter.

Hip-Hop Cold Case Progress

Tupac Shakur's long-unsolved killing again under spotlight as Las Vegas police conduct search The investigation of the long-unsolved killing of Tupac Shakur nearly 30 years ago is ongoing, with Las Vegas police serving a search warrant in July.

Home Team Scores EPIC Win

Blanco comes inches from cycle in 11-10 win over Detroit I don't believe what I just saw!

Soggy Midweek Persists . . .

FORECAST: Rain chances continue Wednesday As we head through Wednesday afternoon, scattered showers and a few pop-up storms will pass in and out of eastern Kansas and western Missouri.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for the late night & early morning . . .
In this post we offer a peek at the offending remark and follow-up reporting that includes a social media switcheroo along with a demand for even greater consequences . . . Check-it . . .



The Facebook message, apparently written by Commander James Langley of the Department of Kansas of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was sent over the VFW Department of Kansas Facebook page. It read as follows:



"LBGQABC what ever is the jerk letter is next gets an entire agenda jammed down our throats. But, Veterans get 1 day. that's BULLSHIT. YOU NEED TO PUT A STOP TO THIS AGENDA!!!!"



The message was reportedly sent by Langley to state Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, on June 25 in response to the Democratic legislator's attendance at an Pride Month luncheon at Fort Leavenworth on June 21 hosted by the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Here's what national VFW says about anti-Pride Month comments from Kansas VFW leader While the national Veterans of Foreign Wars recognized LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Kansas VFW Commander James Langley criticized it.

Developing . . .
Andrew Palamarchuk is a reporter with Metroland Media Toronto and toronto.com. He has been covering the crime beat since 2002 and has a passion for giving a voice to those affected by tragedy and looking at societal issues that may have contributed to it.
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
Washington: President Joe Biden received a message from Israel's symbolic leader, Isaac Herzog, assuring him that his country is still committed to democracy in the face of growing US concern over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's contentious plans to reform the country's judicial system and the ongoing settlement building in the West Bank.

While acknowledging that the nation is going through a tumultuous time, Herzog told Biden while they were sitting side by side in the Oval Office on Tuesday that Israel's democracy is still "sound, strong," and "resilient."

Herzog's visit comes a day after Biden called Netanyahu and extended an invitation for a meeting in the US this fall, though the president voiced concerns about a number of the policies of the Netanyahu hard-right coalition. Despite widespread opposition in Israel, Netanyahu's government is moving forward with judicial reforms, and he has also given the go-ahead for the development of thousands of new homes in the West Bank.

Also Read: Four T-6C training aircraft are delivered by the US to Tunisia

"We are experiencing pain. We are having contentious discussions," Herzog said. "We have faced difficult circumstances. But I genuinely, firmly believe that we should always seek to reach an amicable consensus, and I agree with you on that, Mr. President, as I have said to the people of Israel in my capacity as head of state.

The plan, according to Netanyahu and his allies, a group of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist parties, is necessary to limit the authority of unelected judges. The plan's detractors claim that it will undermine Israel's precarious system of checks and balances and push the nation closer to authoritarian rule.

Herzog has pleaded for a solution that has been difficult to come by so far. Democratic lawmakers and numerous American Jewish organizations have voiced their concerns about the plan.

Also Read: Israel's Latest Airstrikes on Syria Wound Two Soldiers

In his brief remarks to reporters, Biden tried to emphasize the significance of the US-Israeli relationship despite the differences that were obvious.

Biden declared, "This is a friendship I believe is just simply unbreakable." "America's commitment to Israel is firm and ironclad, as I reaffirmed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday,"

Herzog will visit the US and meet with congressional leaders as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. After his father Chaim Herzog, he will address Congress on Wednesday, making him the second Israeli president to do so. He will deliver a speech to commemorate Israel's 75th anniversary of independence.

Following a two-day air and ground offensive in Jenin, a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank, Herzog's visit comes just a few weeks after Israeli forces conducted one of their most intensive operations in the West Bank in the past 20 years. In response to a more than 12-month wave of violence with the Palestinians, senior members of Netanyahu's government have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to firmly establish Israel's control over the West Bank.

Officials from the US have generally backed Israel's right to defend itself against militant attacks, but they have also urged restraint to minimize harm to civilians and lobbied against new settlements that would further reduce the likelihood of achieving a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Biden administration chose not to confirm whether Biden would meet with Netanyahu in New York or at the White House, as the Israeli prime minister had hoped to do during the UN General Assembly.

White House visits are typically customary for Israeli prime ministers, so Netanyahu's delay in receiving one has raised concerns in Israel, with detractors pointing to it as evidence of deteriorating ties with the US.

The conversation between Biden and Netanyahu, according to Herzog, sent a crucial message to the area.

Because some of our enemies occasionally mistake the possibility of some differences as having an impact on our unbreakable bond, Herzog said, "I was pleased to hear about your conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu in which you focused on our ironclad military and security cooperation."

As he did when they last spoke earlier this year, Biden expressed concern to Netanyahu over the judicial plan again on Monday, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, and he urged the "broadest possible consensus" over the legislation that has been pushed by Netanyahu and his hard-line coalition.

The two leaders spoke on the phone about regional security issues and Iran's nuclear program, according to Kirby. Additionally, Biden "expressed concern" over Israel's ongoing West Bank settlement expansion and urged Israel to take action to maintain the viability of a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

According to Kirby, Biden also applauded the Palestinian Authority's efforts to reassert security control over Jenin and other West Bank areas, as well as Israeli and Palestinian efforts to advance toward another round of direct negotiations.

Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, and other progressive lawmakers have vowed to abstain from Herzog's speech in opposition to Israel's policies.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the influential 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, sparked outrage by calling Israel a "racist state," prompting criticism from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the leader of the House Democratic Caucus, and Herzog's visit comes just days later. Later, Jayapal clarified that she was criticizing Israel's government, not the country itself.

Kirby claimed that Biden appreciated her apology. He told reporters on Monday, "We think an apology was the right thing to do."

Also Read: UN: The world needs to get ready for more severe heatwaves

In the 1967 Middle East conflict, Israel seized control of the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. All three territories are under Palestinian claim for a future independent state.

Internationally unrecognized, Israel has annexed east Jerusalem and claims it is a part of its capital. It asserts that Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, whereas the fate of the West Bank should be decided through negotiations. The militant Hamas organization seized control of the region two years later.
Sypnosis: Clemente Pedro Francisco Camenha, the esteemed Ambassador of the Republic of Angola, and Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, the distinguished Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, ceremoniously presented their credentials to the revered president, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic relations.

In a prestigious ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu graciously accepted the credentials of distinguished envoys from five nations. The impressive list of ambassadors included Dillah Lucienne, the esteemed representative of the Republic of Chad, whose presence added a touch of elegance to the event. Another notable envoy was Brigadier General Aloys Bizindavyi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi, who contributed to the international camaraderie.

Clemente Pedro Francisco Camenha, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola and Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, presented their credentials to the president

The esteemed gathering also witnessed the arrival of Kimmo Lahdevirta, the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland, whose distinguished background and diplomatic expertise brought depth to the occasion. Adding to the roster of eminent diplomats were Clemente Pedro Francisco Camenha, the Ambassador of the Republic of Angola, and Demeke Atnafu Ambulo, the Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Their presence exemplified the strong bilateral relationships between their respective nations and India.

As President Droupadi Murmu gracefully accepted the credentials presented by these eminent envoys, it symbolized the commitment to fostering international cooperation and strengthening diplomatic ties between India and the world.

Murmu to Award Bhoomi Samman Praman Patra to 15 District Collectors for land records update

President Murmu Chairs Indian Red Cross Society's Annual General Meet
Forester plans walks, talks on Kenai Peninsula

Photo by Wildnerdpix, iStock

Kenai Peninsula forests will be the topic of walks and a talk by UAF Cooperative Extension Service Outreach Forester Glen Holt this month.

Learn about the Kenai Peninsula forests in interactive walks and talks with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Services outreach forester. Glen Holt will discuss forest succession and ecology, identify trees and shrubs and talk about creating defensible space in case of wildfires. He also will discuss the Alaska Forest Stewardship Program and planning, preparing and implementing forest improvements on the Kenai Peninsula.

The walks will be hands-on and interactive. Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing. Rain gear, rubber boots and insect repellent are recommended. Participants must be 12 or older. No dogs, please.

The first walk begins on July 22 at 10 a.m. at the Tsalteshi Trailhead off Kalifornsky Beach Road. For directions and to register, visit https://bit.ly/TsalteshiWalk23.

On July 23, at 4 p.m., Holt will lead a walk at the Diamond Creek Trail just north of Homer. For directions and to register, visit https://bit.ly/HomerWalk23.

On July 24, Holt will be at the Homer Public Library, 500 Hazel Ave., to discuss forest improvement options on the Kenai Peninsula, as well as the Alaska Forest Stewardship Program and conservation plans. The free, in-person presentation begins at noon. Register at https://bit.ly/KenaiForest23.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to Alicia Glessing at 907-262-3442 or akglessing@alaska.edu.

221-23
The Ukrainian authorities may prosecute about 10,000 collaborators who cooperated with the Russian authorities during Russia's occupation of Crimea.

The Ukrainian president's permanent representative in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Tamila Tasheva, said this in an interview with Newsweek, Ukrinform reports.

"If you stay and participate in the illegal occupation and the war crimes committed by the Russians, you will be held to account. This won't be an easy process, which is why we are already developing the legal framework for future proceedings, including the lustration of former officials who are Ukrainian citizens that collaborated with the occupying administrations. They will be banned from holding government or official roles for a number of years, at least. Many will be held to account, but it won't be millions or even hundreds of thousands. It will be maybe 10,000," she said.

Tasheva added that Kyiv is planning a systematic evaluation of those who stay behind.

For those who are Ukrainian citizens, they will be seen as such by us, whether or not they had gotten a Russian citizenship since 2014, voluntarily or under duress. We are not talking about deportation, but 'forced expulsion,' which will be deployed only against non-Ukraine citizens who crossed into the country illegally since the annexation. There will be no mass deportations, but we will tackle the issue on a case-by-case basis. We are already in communications across various departments and our citizens in Crimea, telling them to leave the peninsula, if possible, rather than collaborating with the occupiers," she said.

According to her, it is too early to talk about amnesty.

"With regards to amnesty, [this] cannot really be discussed in detail or in earnest while the 'hot phase' of the war is ongoing. Our people are being killed daily, our towns are shelledthis is not the time or place to discuss any future amnesty of the perpetrators," Tasheva said.
The Odesa port terminal that came under a Russian attack last night had 60,000 tonnes of agricultural products that had to be shipped to China.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his evening video address, Ukrinform reports.

Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

Throughout the day, maximum attention was paid to eliminating the consequences of the Russian terrorists' attack on Odesa, on communities in the region, on Chornomorsk, on our ports. This was perhaps the largest attempt by Russia to inflict pain on Odesa in the entire period of full-scale war. Thanks to the air defense and all our defenders of the sky, the consequences of this strike are still less than they could have been. With each such strike, we appeal to our partners again and again: Ukraine's sky shield needs to be strengthened.

This attack proves that their target is not only Ukraine, and not only the lives of our people. About a million tons of food is stored in the ports that were attacked today. This is the volume that should have been delivered to consumer countries in Africa and Asia long ago. The port terminal that suffered the most from the Russian terror last night had 60,000 tons of agricultural products stored in it, which were intended to be shipped to China. That is, everyone is affected by this Russian terror. Everyone in the world should be interested in bringing Russia to justice for its terror.

I am grateful to all our warriors who protect our country from such attacks. I am grateful to all the rescuers, medical workers, employees of public utilities, local authorities, and volunteers who help our people overcome the consequences of terror. Odesa, Kherson, Zhytomyr, and Kirovohrad regions. Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Everywhere where there was shelling, missile and drone strikes. I want to thank each and every person who helps save lives!

This morning, the military, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, other government officials, and the specialized Deputy Head of the Office for Regional Policy reported to me on the conference call. In the communities affected by last night's strikes, initial repairs have already begun.

Today I held negotiations with the Taoiseach of Ireland, who was on a visit to Ukraine. Ireland is one of our most vigorous partners in Europe. Although the country is neutral, the Irish do not remain neutral to moral challenges. In the face of such aggression, they are clearly on the bright side of history: they are helping us politically, in security issues, economically, and with sanctions. Humanitarian support is very important. Today we have discussed our further joint steps, in particular, those related to the Peace Formula and the Global Peace Summit. I am grateful to Ireland for supporting our position on the grain initiative.

I also met with Samantha Power, head of USAID, the United States Agency for International Development. The day before, she was in Odesa and absolutely understands the importance of our ports for the world's food security and the Russian threat to global stability. Today we discussed in detail the possibilities of protecting our infrastructure and our global role. And it is very important that USAID is ready to continue working with Ukraine to support economic activity in our country, develop enterprises, and maintain jobs. I am grateful for this support!

And one more thing.

We are already actively preparing for international events scheduled for August and September. In particular, today I held a large meeting on the preparation of the Crimea Platform Summit at the level of state leaders and parliamentary level. We know for sure that the Summit will be meaningful and Crimea will become even closer to returning to the free world, even closer to liberation from occupation. All Ukrainian land and all Ukrainian people must be free.

Glory to all those who fight for Ukraine and freedom!

I thank everyone in the world who helps us!

Glory to Ukraine!
On Monday, the Russian side sent its objections to the extension of the grain deal to Turkiye, Ukraine, and the UN and de facto suspended it.

According to Ukrinform, Interfax reported this with reference to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

"Russia today officially notified the Turkish and Ukrainian sides, as well as the UN Secretariat, of its objections to the agreements extension," Zakharova said.

According to her, "a statement from the Foreign Ministry with detailed explanations of the Russian position will be published soon."

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the termination of the grain deal. He reminded that de facto "the Black Sea agreements have ceased to be in force today" and then passed on the Russian president's argument. Namely, "the part of these Black Sea agreements that concerns Russia has not been fulfilled so far, so it is terminated." "As soon as the Russian part of the agreements is fulfilled, the Russian side will return to the implementation of this agreement, immediately," Peskov told reporters.

As reported the day before, the last vessel under the UN-brokered agreement allowing the safe export of Ukrainian grain to the Black Sea left the port of Odesa on Sunday morning before the agreement's July 17 deadline.

The Black Sea Grain Agreement was signed in July 2022. Two documents were signed for this purpose: one with the participation of the UN, Turkiye, and Ukraine, and a separate one by the UN, Turkiye, and Russia.

Putin has repeatedly threatened not to extend the agreement, demanding the lifting of sanctions and obstacles to Russian exports.

Moscow's main demand was to restore Russian Agricultural Bank's access to the SWIFT international interbank network, from which the EU expelled Russia in June 2022 for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The EU is considering connecting Russian Agricultural Bank's subsidiary to SWIFT, which would allow for grain and fertilizer transactions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that last week UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Putin. In the letter, Guterres suggested that Moscow extend the agreement for several months to give the EU time to connect the subsidiary of Russian Agricultural Bank to SWIFT.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia's termination of the grain agreement.

I strongly condemn Russias cynical move to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite UN & Turkiyes efforts, von der Leyen posted on Twitter.

As noted, the EU is working to ensure food security for the worlds vulnerable. EU Solidarity Lanes will continue bringing agrifood products out of Ukraine and to global markets.

As reported, the Russian side on Monday sent Turkiye, Ukraine, and the UN its objections to the extension of the grain agreement and de facto terminated its validity.

The last vessel within the UN-brokered agreement, which allows the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, left Odesa port on the morning of Sunday, July 16.

The Black Sea Grain Agreement was concluded in July 2022. For this purpose, two documents were signed: with the participation of the UN, Turkiye, and Ukraine, and separately  the UN, Turkiye, and Russia.

Putin has repeatedly threatened not to extend the agreement, demanding to lift sanctions and obstacles imposed on Russian exports.

Moscow's main demand was to restore Rosselkhozbank's access to the SWIFT international banking network, from which the EU excluded Russia in June 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine.

President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Putin last week offering to extend the agreement by several months to give the EU time to connect Rosselkhozbank's subsidiary to SWIFT.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Akihiko Tanaka discussed the reconstruction of Ukraine and the launch of public-private partnership.

Denys Shmyhal said this in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is implementing in Ukraine an emergency recovery programme worth over USD 500 million. We are talking about projects in the field of transport, humanitarian demining, strengthening the energy system, restoring the agricultural sector, health care and education. We discussed today with the president of the agency, Akihiko Tanaka, Ukraines recovery and the launch of public-private partnership projects," the report says.

The Ukrainian prime minister thanked the Japanese government for its consistent support, including through JICA mechanisms, and the implementation of a joint project with Cambodia in the field of humanitarian demining.

"We expect to expand cooperation in this field, as well as in the field of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises," Shmyhal said.

The prime minister added that JICA intends to open an office in Kyiv.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are implementing two phases of the Emergency Recovery Programme for Ukraine totalling more than USD 575 million.
Croatia is offering its railroad network and ports in the Adriatic Sea to transport Ukrainian grain via alternative routes in the wake of Russia's blocking of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, Croatian State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matusic stated this at a meeting of the UN General Assembly during an open ministerial debate on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Croatia is ready to help find new routes for Ukrainian grain exports. Croatian railways and ports in the Adriatic Sea are among the possible alternative routes, he said.

According to Croatian State Secretary, Russia's decision not to extend the agreement provokes the threat of famine in many parts of the world.

In his speech, Matusic noted that from the first days of the Russian invasion, Croatia declared that it stood by Ukraine and its people. He emphasized that Croatia is ready to support Ukraine for as long as it is needed.

As reported, Russia has announced that it will stop extending the grain deal, which was signed on July 22, 2022, in Istanbul for 120 days and has been extended several times.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the grain initiative could work without Russia's participation, and that by withdrawing from the grain deal, Russia was disrupting its own agreements with Turkiye and the UN, as Ukraine has no agreements with the Russians.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed the participation of Irish business in the reconstruction of Ukraine with Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar.

"I held a meeting with Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar. In particular, we discussed the restoration of Ukraine and the participation of Irish business in this process. Our state, on its part, will provide all the necessary investment support," Shmyhal posted on Telegram.

Shmyhal cited a bright example of the Kingspan Irish company, which invests EUR 280 million in its project in Ukraine, and the CRH with an investment of EUR 25 million.

Shmyhal also informed Varadkar of Russia's attempts to disrupt the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. "The attack on Odesa port infrastructure endangers millions of lives around the world. The world should resolutely oppose Russia's attempts to create a global food crisis," the Head of Government said.

Shmyhal also thanked Ireland for its immediate assistance after the Russians blew up the Kakhovka HPP dam.

As reported, Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar is visiting Ukraine on Wednesday.

Photos: Denys Shmyhal, Facebook, Telegram
London: The chairman of the UK Parliament's Defence Select Committee has come under fire from other Conservative lawmakers, a candidate for the Labour Party, and Afghan activists for advocating that British diplomats should work with the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

The UK should "rethink and reengage" with the Taliban, said MP Tobias Ellwood in a two-minute video posted on Twitter on Monday. He claimed the Taliban regime had brought about a peace "not seen since the 1970s."

He continued, the "first step" for the UK should be to reopen its embassy there, and the "second step" is for Westminster to "get real," as otherwise Afghanistan's future "could be war again or life as a Chinese vassal."

Also Read: UK Military Studies Captured Russian Tanks to Gain Insights on Russian Military Technology

Critics, however, claimed Ellwood was omitting the plight of women in the nation, whose freedoms and rights have been severely curtailed, as well as that of journalists and activists, who have reportedly been detained and tortured by the Taliban.

According to Conservative politician Mark Francois, a member of the committee, "last night, following a visit to Afghanistan, (Ellwood) posted an utterly bizarre video lauding the Taliban's management of the country  something that was described to me, barely an hour ago, as a "wish you were here" video."

"He made no mention of the fact that the Taliban was still trying to track down and kill Afghan citizens who assisted our armed forces, nor does he make any mention of the fact that under that regime, young girls in Afghanistan aren't even allowed to attend school.

Also Read: Government's Migration Plan Sparks Debate: Is This the Right Way to Deal with Asylum Seekers?

Even though he used the title of committee chairman in a number of related articles, I want to make it clear on behalf of the committee that he was speaking for himself. In no way in our name.

Iain Duncan Smith, a former leader of the Conservative Party, said the video was "not a very welcome statement," according to The Independent.

"The clock is being turned back" on Afghanistan's progress under the Taliban regime, according to Tom Hayes, the opposition Labour Party's potential candidate for Ellwood's Bournemouth East seat. Hayes also stated that it is "deeply concerning" for any British MP, let alone the chair of the Defence Select Committee, to be promoting a brutal, medieval dictatorship that oppresses women, limits press freedoms, and attacks civil and political rights.

Girls are not permitted to enroll in secondary schools. Universities forbid the enrollment and teaching of women. Women are not allowed to work.

"I'd love to know how much engagement the current MP has had with the girls and the women who are being treated not as second-class citizens but as fourth-class citizens," says the commenter. "When the current MP talks about advocating the importance of reestablishing diplomatic relations with the Taliban."

As the head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and an Afghan human rights activist, Shaharzad Akbar said, "I guess critical-thinking skills are not a requirement for MPs. When visiting Afghanistan, it is past time for visiting officials to speak with women, detained and tortured journalists and activists, and members of marginalized groups, rather than denying the persistence of "gender apartheid."

Also Read: Russia attacks grain ports in Ukraine after terminating an export agreement

Zehra Zaidi, an Afghan activist and lawyer, asked the following question in a tweet: "Were Afghan women spoken to before the trip to Afghanistan and did they engage with women there? This video gives off the impression of being de facto authority promotional material. Women are marginalized in society.

Ellwood defended his remarks, claiming that while he was "far from being a Taliban appeaser," he had to "grapple with the harsh reality of the West's strategic mistakes" during his most recent trip to Afghanistan.
The Finance Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) have reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine amid Russias ongoing armed aggression.

The relevant statement was made by Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki after chairing the G7 meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to Kyodo.

The G7 finance chiefs issued the corresponding statement on the fringes of a financial gathering of the Group of 20 major economies in the western Indian city of Gandhinagar.

A reminder that G7 Leaders agreed on the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will pay a working visit to the UN headquarters in New York on July 17-18.

That's according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service, Ukrinform reports.

"On July 17, the Ukrainian foreign policy chief will take part in a ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine and a high-level event to mark the 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," the ministry said.

On July 18, Kuleba will deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly debate on the situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The minister will also hold a series of bilateral talks with foreign colleagues, the leadership of the UN Development Program and talk to a group of permanent representatives of African states to the UN.

On Monday, July 17, the UN Security Council will hold a ministerial-level meeting on maintaining peace and security of Ukraine.
On the anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed its condolences to the families and relatives of all the passengers and crew members of the plane who died, and also called on all states to cooperate in bringing Russia to justice.

This is said in a statement published on the website of the Ukrainian MFA, Ukrinform reports.

The downing of Flight MH17 is one of the most howling pages of the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and made it clear that the actions of the aggressor state have consequences for the entire world community, the statement says.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs called on all states and parties involved to fully cooperate in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2166 (2014) to hold Russia and all those guilty accountable for this shameful and brutal violation of international law.

According to the statement, Ukraine welcomes the decision by the District Court of The Hague, which found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment three people responsible for shooting down Flight MH17, and also welcomes the decisions of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Court of Human Rights, which found its jurisdiction to consider disputes regarding Russia's violation of its international legal obligations.

The ministry noted that during oral hearings at the International Court of Justice in June 2023, Ukraine emphasized Russia's violations of the provisions of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, in particular, through the transportation of lethal weapons to the territory of Ukraine, which led to the downing of Flight MH17.

Ukraine will continue to make all possible efforts to establish justice for the victims of the tragedy, hold Russia and all guilty accountable and have guarantees of non-repetition of such a tragic incident, the statement says.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied area of Donetsk region on July 17, 2014. There were 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board. All of them died. Last November, the Hague District Court sentenced Russian citizen Sergey Dubinskiy and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Kharchenko to life imprisonment for their participation in the fatal Boeing 777 crash over Ukraine in 2014.
Although Ukraine did not receive an official invitation to become a NATO member during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, this meeting is worth noting as important for our country. This is also evidenced by a number of events that took place during the summit or immediately after it.

"NATO's doors are open to Ukraine" - these words have been repeatedly said by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the leaders of the countries that are members of the most powerful defense and political organization in the world. However, our country will be able to approach these doors only after the war with Russia is over. The Russian Federation was invisibly present in the Lithuanian capital, although all NATO officials have denied and continue to deny its influence on the decision-making. However, the prime ministers and presidents of NATO member states could not ignore the fact of the largest Russian-Ukrainian war in the world in the twenty-first century, otherwise they would have become targets for devastating criticism of their opponents.

NATO has used a series of hybrid steps to assist Ukraine and secure its own interests. In particular, under the guise of information activity around the discussion of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, the Alliance resolved the issue of its own expansion at the expense of Sweden: Recep Erdogan withdrew his own reservations, and by the end of the year, the Scandinavian country with a powerful defense industry, as befits a true neutral in the past, will receive its flag on the mast in front of the Alliance headquarters. An extended partnership agreement was signed with Japan, which can be called a proactive step in countering China's expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

Japan was not absent from the most important document for Ukraine, which was made public in Vilnius. It is the "Declaration of the Group of Seven in Support of Ukraine," which defined the principles of cooperation between the world's leading democracies and Ukraine. The six powerful NATO countries and Japan are ready to provide Ukraine with military, technical, and financial assistance, train military personnel, and share intelligence in exchange for Ukraine's implementation of reforms, without which it is difficult to see itself as a member of NATO. The Washington Summit of the Alliance, which will not only mark its 75th anniversary, but will also take place on the eve of the US presidential election, may become a checkpoint for the implementation of this declaration.

During the NATO summit, the Polish Sejm unanimously adopted a resolution to honor the victims of the Volyn tragedy, which calls for Ukraine's apology for war crimes committed 80 years ago. The document was supported unanimously, and this is indicative of the mood in Polish society. The presence in Warsaw of Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk demonstrated Ukraine's readiness for dialogue, but could not change the situation. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who will lead the list of the ruling Law and Justice party, emphasized that Poles will not rest until the last victim of the Volyn tragedy is buried according to Christian customs.

The unannounced visit to Kyiv by the South Korean president, who visited Ukraine on his way back from the NATO Summit in Vilnius, is very telling. Yoon Suk Yeol held talks with Volodymyr Zelensky and visited the sites of racist crimes in the Kyiv suburbs. It is worth remembering that South Korea not only lives with the "38th parallel syndrome" that divided one nation into two parts, but also has a powerful defense industry whose products could strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On the other hand, Ukrainian grain could be used to provide humanitarian aid to North Koreans who regularly suffer from hunger.

Yevhen MAHDA, Institute of World Policy

The first photo: AP
Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte has expressed his condolences and wished additional strength to the relatives of the victims of flight MH17.

The relevant statement Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte made on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"Today, nine years ago, flight MH17 was brought down. 298 innocent people were ripped from their lives overnight. Today we remember them and reflect on the grief of the bereaved. The loss is great and lasting. On this difficult day, I wish them (relatives - ed.) extra strength and strength," Rutte said.

Since 2014, July 17 has become a special day in the Netherlands. Every year on this day, the families of the victims mourn their loved ones and once again remind the world of the terrible consequences of Russian aggression.

As Ukrinform reported, Ukrainians in the Netherlands observed a minute of silence in memory of those killed in the MH17 tragedy.

On the ninth anniversary of the tragedy, Ukrainians gathered at the memorial complex in memory of the victims of the tragedy near Schiphol Airport, from where the passenger plane MH17 took off on July 17, 2014.

Ukrainians laid bouquets of sunflowers at the MH17 monument, as the plane crashed into a field of sunflowers.

The Malaysia Airlines passenger Boeing-777, which was flying MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, crashed over the temporarily occupied part of Donetsk region on July 17, 2014.

There were 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board, all of whom died.

Former FSB officer Ihor Hirkin (Strelkov), former "Minister of Defense of the DPR", General of the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, head of the GRU of the DPR Serhii Dubynskyi and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Kharchenko who were found guilty in the case of the downing of flight MH17, must pay 16 million euros in compensation.

This decision was made by a court in the Netherlands.

Hirkin, Dubynskyi and Kharchenko were sentenced to life imprisonment. GRU Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Pulatov was acquitted.

The International Investigation Team concluded that the plane was shot down by a Buk anti-aircraft missile system belonging to the 53rd Air Defense Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Kursk.
The first consequence of Russia's non-extension of the grain deal will be a rise in grain prices around the world.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this on CBS, Ukrinform reports.

"You have to know one number. Last year, when the Black Sea Grain Initiative was introduced, grain prices in the world dropped by 20%. So, the immediate outcome of not extension of the agreement will mean that prices for grain all across the globe will go up. And people in the most vulnerable regions of Asia and Africa will feel it. And this will be the result of Russia's actions," Kuleba said.

Kuleba called on Russia to stop playing "hunger games" with people around the world.

"It is impossible to fully compensate for the blockade of Ukrainian ports by inland land routes. Russia is using hunger as an instrument to blackmail the world, pursuing its own commercial interests. Stop playing hunger games," Kuleba said.

As Ukrinform reported, on Monday, the Russian side sent its objections to Turkey, Ukraine and the UN regarding the extension of the "grain deal" and de facto terminated it.

The last vessel under the UN-brokered deal, which allows for the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea, left the port of Odesa on the morning of Sunday, July 16.

The Black Sea Grain Deal was signed in July 2022. Two documents were signed for this purpose: one with the participation of the UN, Turkey, and Ukraine, and a separate one by the UN, Turkey, and Russia.

Photo: Dmytro Kuleba/Facebook
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna have condemned Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and discussed global food security.

The Ukrainian foreign policy chief said this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

"During our meeting in New York, Catherina Colonna and I condemned Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Russia created this crisis by blocking Ukrainian seaports and now it continues to blackmail the world. We discussed steps to ensure global food security," the minister said.

During our meeting in New York, @MinColonna and I condemned Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Russia created this crisis by blocking Ukrainian seaports and now it continues to blackmail the world. We discussed steps to ensure global food security. pic.twitter.com/j0QmG85xZf  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) July 17, 2023

Russia on Monday notified Turkey, Ukraine and the UN of its objection to extend the Black Sea grain deal and de facto terminated its effect.

The last ship to travel under a UN-brokered deal that allows the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain left the port of Odesa early on Sunday, July 16.

The Black Sea grain deal was signed in July 2022. Two documents were signed for this purpose: one with the participation of the UN, Turkiye, and Ukraine, and a separate one by the UN, Turkiye, and Russia.
On July 17, during a high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the peace and security in Ukraine, Chancellor of the Government of Lithuania Giedre Balcytyte, on behalf of the Baltic States, condemned Russia's crimes and aggression against Ukraine, as well as Russia's recent unilateral decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

That's according to a statement posted on the website of the Lithuanian government on July 18, Ukrinform reports.

The chancellor said in her address to the Security Council meeting that today, Russia cynically continues its war of aggression and shows no signs of stopping.

"Russia's manipulation of internationally agreed rules and facts, violation of the UN Charter and other international agreements, abuse of international structures, weaponization of disinformation, and use of brutal force sets a precedent for future atrocities," Balcytyte said.

She also added that if Russia's actions are ignored and legitimized this time, "the future of many countries that have built peace, prosperity, and sovereignty due to the rules-based world order becomes at risk."

"Ukrainian Peace formula is the guideline we should follow in seeking just and sustainable peace, and Ukraine must have the final say on peace on its soil," Balcytyte said.

The statement, read on behalf of the Baltic States, also condemns Russia's war crimes against Ukraine, as well as the support extended by Belarus and Iran to Russian aggression. The statement emphasized the continued support of the Baltic States, the EU, and NATO for Ukraine and called on the international community to continue to mobilize all efforts to help Ukraine win the war launched by Russia.

The Chancellor also reiterated the strong support of the Baltic States for Ukraine's initiative to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

On behalf of the three Baltic States, Balcytyte firmly condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

"We strongly condemn Russia for unilaterally abandoning the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This only proves once again that Russia does not care at all about the global food security crisis," the Chancellor said.

The high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held at the initiative of the UK, which is presiding over the council this month. It was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Luxembourg and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba.

Photo: lrv.lt
Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, does not rule out that in the future the Special Tribunal will be able to punish the leadership of Belarus for participating in the war against Ukraine.

As the diplomat told a briefing on Tuesday, July 18, judicial bodies are created to punish for certain crimes, not to punish a specific person. In our case, we are talking about the creation of a Special Tribunal on the crime of Russias aggression against Ukraine.

According to Korynevych, currently, it is not possible to say for sure that the Special Tribunal will hold the leadership of Belarus to account for helping Russia in the war against Ukraine. At the same time, the diplomat drew attention to the fact that the actions of the Belarusian leadership fall under the international definition of an act of aggression.

Read also: Core Group on creation of Special Tribunal includes representatives of 38 countries and organizations

"We are currently unable to say who this judicial body [Special Tribunal] will be able to hold accountable for the crime of aggression. But providing the territory of a state to carry out an act of aggression against a third state is an act of aggression under international law. Therefore, obviously, there may be a reason for the Special Tribunal to work in this context in the future," the Ambassador said.

As reported, Ukraine, together with its partners, promotes the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute the leadership of the Russian Federation for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

The creation of such a tribunal was supported by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and individual countries.
Russias decision to pull out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative will have strong implications for international food security.

Thats according to a statement by Melanie Joly, Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Canada strongly condemns the decision of the Russian Federation to withdraw its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative () This reimposes a de facto blockade of Ukraines Black Sea ports, significantly affecting global food exports as well as security in the Black Sea, Joly said.

The top diplomat called on Russia to immediately renew its participation in the agreement to avoid any further shocks to global food systems already strained by its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Read also: Canada to launch new permanent residency program for Ukrainians fleeing war

"This is a grave escalation of the weaponization of hunger by the Russian Federation, which previously obstructed the operations of the BSGI, Joly stressed.

The decision made by the Russian Federation will lead to an increase of global food prices, impacting first and foremost emerging economies dependent on food imports, the foreign minister believes.

"Canada will continue to work with its partners to mitigate the impacts of Russias war of aggression against Ukraine on global food systems through humanitarian food and nutrition assistance as well as longer-term agriculture and food systems development assistance," the top diplomat concluded.

As reported earlier, Russia said it was terminating the extension of the grain agreement, concluded in Istanbul on July 22, 2022, initially for 120 days before being extended several times.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyi emphasized that the BSGI can operate without Russias participation of Russia, which is disrupting its own agreements with Turkiye and the UN, since Ukraine has concluded no agreements with the Russian Federation.
Lithuania to provide $27 million in military aid to Ukraine 19 July, 09:52 PM Arvydas Anusauskas (Photo:Arvydas Anusauskas / Facebook)

Lithuania will provide further security assistance to Ukraine worth EUR 24 million ($26.87 million) later this month, Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said in a Facebook post on July 19.

"Military support from Lithuania to Ukraine will be provided in July for 24 million euros," the statement said.

The minister also proposed to create a broader "coalition of wisdom" to help Kyiv reform and modernize its education system. Anusauskas noted that such a six-state mini-coalition is already functioning in Lithuania, while so much more is needed.

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During a visit to Kyiv on June 28, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced that Lithuania had purchased two launchers for NASAMS air defense systems, which will be transferred to Ukraine.

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.

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Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar and Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin visited the sites of Russian crimes in Bucha, Kyiv region.

According to Kostin, "Bucha is a free and safe town today. But we will never forget the terrible mass murders of civilians committed here by Russian troops," the Prosecutor General's Office posted on Telegram.

The Prosecutor General informed the Prime Minister that "more than 1,400 civilians were killed in Bucha district and even more were tortured."

He noted that "the systematic nature of these crimes shows that the aggressor is persecuting Ukrainians because of their national identity and pro-Ukrainian position. Similar cases are recorded in other liberated cities."

Read also: President of South Korea visits Bucha

"Ukraine has two main goals: to stop Russian aggression and to put an end to Russias impunity for international crimes. The Kremlin regime is a threat to the whole world. Therefore, the whole world should act jointly and in a coordinated manner to hold the leaders of the regime and their accomplices to account for all the evil they have committed," Kostin emphasized.

Photo: Prosecutor Generals Office
Ireland is allocating another EUR 5 million for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and is set to train Ukrainian mine disposal technicians and military medics.

This was stated by the head of the Irish Government, Leo Varadkar, who is on a visit to Kyiv, the Irish government press service reported.

"This morning I came face to face with the horror inflicted by Russias forces on the people of Ukraine. I gave a commitment to President Zelenskyy, and to the people of Ukraine, that we will continue to offer our practical as well as our political backing. We are giving a further EUR 5 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine  EUR 3 million to be spent in Ukraine by the Red Cross for its vital work, and EUR 2 million to the UN fund, said Taoiseach Varadkar.

Read also: Prime Minister of Ireland visits Bucha

Speaking at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv In response to a question from an Irish journalist, whether he considers EUR 5 million provided to Ukraine by Ireland to be a sufficient amount given the extent of the destruction he has seen, Varadkar noted that this is in addition to the EUR 100 million that his country has already allocated, in particular to the European Peace Fund, which was used to provide non-lethal aid.

Ireland is also joining the mission to train the Ukrainian military in the field of demining and military healthcare. In addition, the country is helping Ukraine in the field of infrastructure as it has provided certain equipment to restore energy supply and water purification capabilities, Irish Taoiseach noted.

As reported, Leo Varadkar is on a visit to Ukraine on Wednesday. Together with Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, he visited the sites of Russian war crimes in Bucha, Kyiv region.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna discussed further steps for the practical implementation of the Vilnius Summit decisions with the heads of missions and ambassadors of NATO member states.

The meeting took place at the Embassy of Lithuania in Kyiv, and Head of the NATO Representation in Ukraine Karen McTear took part in it, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

As noted, the participants exchanged views on the results and significance of the NATO Summit for the future of Euro-Atlantic security and also agreed on the importance of maximum use of all available tools of Ukraine-NATO cooperation.

Stefanishyna thanked Lithuania for the high level of organization of the Summit and the strong support for Ukraine. She emphasized that this support was felt in every corner of Vilnius.

"Today, a week after the Summit, we can see a broader picture of the results. NATO as a security alliance has established a clear position regarding everything related to the security environment around Europe, we have an unequivocal response to the Russian Federation regarding its nuclear and military threats. At the same time, the decision on security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO, agreed at the G7 level, is also a really strong decision," the government official said.

She stressed that an individual dialogue with each country regarding a clear security framework for Ukraine has already begun. Several European countries, apart from G7 members, already declared their readiness to join this process.

The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasized that the security agreements reached in no way replace Ukraine's membership in NATO, and the Alliance members are united in the fact that Ukraine is part of the European and Euro-Atlantic family, and Ukraine's future is in NATO.

As reported, during the Vilnius Summit on July 11, NATO member states agreed on a three-element support package that should bring Ukraine closer to joining the Alliance. It provides for the abolition of the requirement to implement the MAP; long-term military aid program; launch of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

Photo: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Turkey does not consider Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative to be any kind of revenge by the Kremlin because Turkey supported Sweden's application to join NATO and the de facto expansion of the Alliance's presence near the Russian border.

Chief Advisor to the President of Turkiye Akif Cagatay Kilic expressed this position in an interview with CNN, Ukrinform reports.

"We have been as a NATO ally, so very open in our relationship with the Russian Federation," Kilic said when asked whether Ankara's decision to support Sweden in the Alliance could have caused some friction with Russia and influenced the Kremlin's decision to withdraw from the grain deal.

"We are very closely working together with all the parties there, but also with the Russian Federation, and I don't believe that is that there's friction regarding the NATO Summit," the representative of Turkiye added.

As Ukrinform reported, on July 11, Turkiye announced its support for Sweden's application to join NATO after several months of blocking this decision. Later, Russia announced that it would suspend its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was signed on July 22, 2022, in Istanbul.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the grain initiative could operate without Russia's participation, and by withdrawing from the agreement, Russia was disrupting its own agreements with Turkiye and the UN, as Ukraine has no agreements with the Russians.

Photo: Getty images
Ukraine bolsters border with Belarus after Wagners arrival 19 July, 10:31 PM UAF also mines the area (Photo:The Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine/Facebook)

In response to the influx of Wagner Group mercenaries into Belarus, Ukraines military is reinforcing the state border with its Moscow-allied neighbor, Serhiy Nayev, Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a Telegram post on July 19.

We are aware that Wagner mercenaries have been entering Belarus recently, said Nayev.

However, we are already responding and making the Ukrainian state border (with Belarus) utterly impassable for enemy forces.

He noted that over 40 kilometers of anti-tank trenches have been dug in the Chernihiv Oblast, in just one direction towards Belarus. In addition, more than 30,000 various types of mine traps have been set up to incapacitate a potential invasion force.

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Nayev also revealed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have fortified sections of the state border with non-explosive and explosive obstacles, designed to catch the enemy off guard.

"If they dare to defile Ukrainian soil with their dirty boots, they will meet their deaths," he concluded.

On July 14, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported that Russia had withdrawn almost all of its military personnel from Belarus.

On July 18, CNN reported the arrival of the first column of Wagner troops at an abandoned military base in Belarus, with at least two more columns en route.

Following the June 24 Wagner mutiny, the Kremlin announced that the mercenary force will be either folded into the regular Russian army or redeployed to Belarus.

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth  consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.

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A FREE Bike Rodeo will be held at the Copiague Fire Department, courtesy of Senator Monica R. Martinez and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. A Bike Rodeo is an obstacle course designed to help educate children about bike safety skills, including the importance of seeing, being seen and remaining in control of the bike at all times. The Bike Rodeo will be held Wednesday, July 19 from 3 - 7 pm at the Copiague Fire Department - 320 Great Neck Rd. Copiague, NY 11726.

Parents are invited to bring their children with their bike and helmets for an afternoon filled with fun! Please find our flyer below and feel free to share with our community!
Anti-Corruption in Infrastructure Projects Workshop

Vientiane 13-16 June and Savanhnakhet Province 20-23 June (Lao PDR)  In recent years, Laos has embarked on a journey to enhance its infrastructure and facilitate economic growth. The country has witnessed significant progress in various infrastructure sectors, reflecting its commitment to improving connectivity, transportation, and energy systems. The development of new roads, bridges, airports, and hydropower plants has been a key focus, with the aim of bolstering regional integration and attracting foreign investments. These infrastructure projects are not only transforming the physical landscape of Laos but also fostering greater connectivity within the country and the wider region.



In this context, promoting the capacity of Laotian law enforcement authorities to address corruption in infrastructure development projects is of great importance. Recognizing this, the State Inspection Authority (SIA), with support from UNODC, organized two trainings on this topic for law enforcement authorities in the country.



The trainings were held in two locations, Vientiane, and Savanhnakhet Province, from June 13 to 23, and brought together a combined 64 officials from key stakeholders, namely, the SIA officials and relevant government officers. The participants learned how to identify and investigate common forms of corruption in the planning and building of roads, public buildings, and other infrastructure projects, as well as how corrupt officials and their accomplices conceal the payment of bribes using corporations and trusts based in the nation or another jurisdiction.

Additionally, they gained knowledge of the function of correspondent banks, the SWIFT system for international transfers, and how to obtain information from each source to track down and retrieve stolen money and bribe receipts. At the end of the training, participants had a basic understanding of how companies and trusts - both those incorporated overseas and in accordance with Lao PDR law - are organized, as well as what information is required when conducting an investigation. These workshops aimed to enhance the knowledge of related officials, as well as to sharpen officials skills to tackle corruption in infrastructure projects, as well as to develop an understanding of corruption in infrastructure projects overall in Laos by fostering dialogue, sharing best practices among participants and hearing the experts presentations.



This activity was funded by the Kingdom of Denmark through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (KMOJ).



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Anti-Corruption Workshop for Police Cadets in Thailand

Prachuap Khiri Khan (Thailand), 28-30 June 2023  The UNODC, in partnership with the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA), organized a training workshop for police cadets based on the success and positive feedback received from a similar workshop held in 2022. The primary objective of this workshop was to equip young police officers with the knowledge and skills to address and combat corruption effectively.



The workshop focused on providing the police cadets with an understanding of the characteristics of corruption and mechanisms to prevent and combat it. To achieve this, a series of presentations were delivered by various entities, including law enforcement agencies such as the anti-corruption division and disciplinary division of the Royal Thai Police, the prosecutor general's office, a former judge, academics, and specialized anti-corruption agencies such as the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (ONACC) and the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). These presentations aimed to introduce international standards of ethics and integrity in law enforcement to the participants.



In addition to the presentations, the workshop incorporated interactive group work sessions where the police cadets had the opportunity to discuss and present their perspectives on how to prevent and address corruption in policing. These exercises involved analyzing case studies or hypothetical situations related to corruption and disciplinary violations. Through the sessions, participants developed critical thinking skills and gained practical insights into handling corruption-related challenges.

The workshop concluded with a study visit to the Prachuap Khiri Khan Immigration Office, providing the participants with a real-world perspective on corruption prevention. Overall, the workshop aimed to enhance the cadets understanding of corruption, strengthen their immunity to corruption in risky situations, and foster positive attitudes and mindsets among future police officers. By providing the police cadets with comprehensive training and exposing them to international standards, this initiative aims to contribute to a more accountable and transparent police force in Thailand.



This activity was funded by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea (KMOJ) and the Kingdom of Denmark.



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Athens, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jul, 2023 ) :A sustained spell of dangerous heat was impacting the lives of millions of people across three continents on Wednesday as fires raged and health worries mounted.

Greece was battling wildfires that have been exacerbated by scorching weather and temperature records have been broken repeatedly in the United States, Europe and China.

Experts have said climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, has played a key role in worsening destructive weather like the current extreme temperatures.

The exceptional heat has prompted safety warnings, with France on Wednesday saying temperatures of up 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) were expected in parts of the nation's south.

Two forest fires, fanned by strong winds, were raging to the west of Athens, while another broke out on the tourist island of Rhodes -- forcing locals to make painful decisions on whether to flee.

"I am not leaving. I started building this house when I was 27 years old by myself," said Dimitris Michaelous, a resident in the fire-threatened town of Pournari.

"I will stay here at least to watch it burn. I am not leaving," he added.

With a new wave of heat expected to hit Greece from Thursday, the minister called on the population to be extremely careful to not spark new fires.

Beijing broke a 23-year-old record with 27 consecutive days of temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), forecasters said.

"At noon, it feels like the sun is roasting my legs, it feels like my skin is burning. It (Beijing summers) wasn't this hot before," said 22-year-old student Qiu Yichong.

Phoenix broke a similar record, in place for 49 years, with its 19th consecutive day of temperatures of 43.3 Celsius or higher, weather officials said.

In southern France, a record 29.5C was recorded in the Alpine ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, while 40.6C had been recorded for the first time in Verdun in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

- Heatwave on horizon - In the Canary Islands, some 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has ravaged 3,500 hectares of forest and forced 4,000 residents to evacuate, with authorities warning people to wear face masks outside due to poor air quality.

Temperatures were unforgiving in Italy and in Spain, where three regions were put under hot weather red alerts.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily have been forecast to possibly surpass a continent-wide record of 48.8C recorded in Sicily in August 2021.

At Lanusei, near Sardinia's eastern coast, a children's summer camp was restricting beach visits to the early morning and forbidding sports, teacher Morgana Cucca told AFP.

In the Sardinian capital of Cagliari, pharmacist Teresa Angioni said patients were complaining of heat-related symptoms.

"They mainly buy magnesium and potassium supplements and ask us to measure their blood pressure, which is often low," Angioni said.

Many throughout Italy sought escape by the sea, including outside Rome, where the midday heat hit 40C.

"Certainly it's better at the beach, you can at least get a little wind from the sea. It's not even possible to remain in the city, too hot," said Virginia Cesario, 30, at the Focene beach near the capital.

- Climate change impact - Tens of millions of Americans experienced dangerous heat levels on Tuesday.

In the town of San Angelo, Texas, where temperatures were expected to reach 104-108F (40-42C), the National Weather Service said it was "running out of ways to say that it's gonna be hot out there today." "With temperatures across the area likely topping the 105 mark yet again, we implore you to continue to practice heat safety and try to stay cool," the agency said on Twitter.

And in Arizona, the mercury at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport again reached 110F on Tuesday, breaking the previous record of 18 consecutive days at or above that temperature, set in 1974.

The heat waves across Europe and the globe are "not one single phenomenon but several acting at the same time", said Robert Vautard, director of France's Pierre-Simon Laplace climate institute.

"But they are all strengthened by one factor: climate change."
Brussels, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jul, 2023 ) :A US antitrust expert has dropped out of the running for a top job to advise the European Commission on regulating the tech industry following controversy over her nationality.

Yale University professor Fiona Scott Morton had been hired as chief economist by EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, but her appointment was criticised by EU lawmakers from the right and the left.

French President Emmanuel Macron also took issue with her selection, saying it raised "many questions".

In a letter posted by Vestager on Twitter on Wednesday, Scott Morton said she was pulling out due to "the political controversy that has arisen because of the selection of a non-European to fill this position".

"I have determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the Chief Economist position," Scott Morton wrote in the letter addressed to Vestager.

Vestager tweeted: "I accept this with regret and hope that she will continue to use her extraordinary skill-set to push for strong competition enforcement."
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th July, 2023) Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to participate in the BRICS summit via video conference format, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be present at the event, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the South African president's office said that Putin will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit, a joint decision has been reached on the matter.

"President Putin has decided to participate in the BRICS summit via video conference. He will fully participate in the work. Minister Lavrov will be present at the meeting," Peskov said.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th July, 2023) NATO has extended Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's term of office once again due to his role in facilitating the accession of Sweden to the alliance as well as guiding NATO's response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a source close to the negotiations told Sputnik.

Stoltenberg's term as secretary general was due to expire in October 2022, but it was extended for another year, until September 30, 2023, against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis. Earlier this month, the alliance extended his term for another year, meaning that Stoltenberg will remain in the post until October 1, 2024. He is the second-longest serving NATO Secretary General after former Dutch Foreign Minister Joseph Luns, who held the post from 1971 to 1984.

"First of all, negotiations are still ongoing on finalizing the ratification process for Sweden, and this is an issue to which Jens Stoltenberg has put a lot of effort, so the allies agreed that it would be the best for the alliance to extend his mandate so he can fulfill this task. Also, it is important for the alliance to support Ukraine as much as possible, and Jens Stoltenberg has shown great leadership and effort towards this direction, so the allies decided that it is better not to replace him, as the situation in Ukraine is ongoing, and negotiations on finalizing Swedish ratification are also ongoing," the source said.

The source noted that there were two female runners-up for the position.

"It was Kaja Kallas, the prime minister of Estonia, and Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister of Denmark, with Frederiksen being the most prominent candidate of the two. However, this didn't proceed," they stated.

When asked whether another prominent female candidate, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, would be considered for the position again in 2024, the source suggested that it was too early to discuss the issue.

"What I can say is that she is regarded as a very effective and successful European Commission president and she also has firsthand knowledge of the defense and geopolitical issues, as she was for a number of years the minister of defense of Germany. But it is up to the allies to decide and it's still very early and unreasonable to speculate on this topic," they concluded.

Last week, Stoltenberg said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to transmit Sweden's long-awaited NATO membership bid to the parliament and to work closely with lawmakers to ensure its ratification. However, no information has been provided so far with regard to the ratification deadline.

Sweden, along with Finland, submitted its NATO application in May 2022, several months after Russia had launched its military operation in Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized on Wednesday on behalf of the government to all LGBT people who had served in the British armed forces and had suffered discrimination due to the ban on homosexuality in the military, which was abolished in 2000

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th July, 2023) UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologized on Wednesday on behalf of the government to all LGBT people who had served in the British armed forces and had suffered discrimination due to the ban on homosexuality in the military, which was abolished in 2000.

"In that period, many endured the most horrific sexual abuse and violence, homophobic bullying and harassment, all while bravely serving this country. Today, on behalf of the British state, I apologize," Sunak said while addressing the House of Commons.

Earlier in the day, a government-commissioned review was published about LGBT veterans' experience of military service during the ban, covering the period from 1967-2000. The authors called on the prime minister to apologize to the community of LGBT veterans in parliament on behalf of the nation and recommended that the government pay compensation.
USM Graduate Students, Local Brewery Resurrect Science on Tap

Wed, 07/19/2023 - 09:23am | By: Gabriela Shinskie

Microbrewery owner Scott Hixson of Hops and Growlers in Ocean Springs is no stranger to The University of Southern Mississippis (USM) faculty and students and their research projects along the Gulf Coast and has revived a popular event at his establishment showcasing their work to the public - over a few suds - with the return of the program Science on Tap.

Science on Tap features USM faculty members, students, and researchers, as well as faculty from Mississippi State University (MSU), speaking about the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the marine life that inhabit its waters. Most recent talks have focused on blue crabs, manatees, gopher tortoises, climate change and impacts of Mississippi River diversions.

It was just a bunch of guys drinking beer and talking about what they did for a living, said Hixson of how the event originated. I got this crazy idea that it would be great, and the community would find it as a great resource. I found it fascinating and then they agreed to it.

Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, Hops and Growlers would run out of space with attendees eager to listen to a new talk about the coast. In 2020, the pandemic stopped gatherings and forced Science on Tap to take a hiatus.

Hixson waited out the pandemic like many business owners, hoping Hops and Growlers would be able to operate back to pre-pandemic numbers. When the pandemic started subsiding, Hixson was ready to resume the popular Thursday night gathering, but quickly realized many of the regular Science on Tap speakers have moved, retired or were no longer with the universities.

It was getting harder and harder to find people, said Hixson.

Hixson thought of ways to bring back speakers, and suggested USM graduate students speak on their research. Dr. Mike Andres in the USM School of Ocean Science and Engineering told graduate student Elizabeth Greenheck about Science on Tap and encouraged her to reignite the popular gathering.

Greenheck joined Dr. Mike Andres lab in 2021 along with the Marine Estuarine Graduate Student Association (MEGSA).

Not a lot of graduate students knew each other, and we wanted to bring community back to GCRL after COVID, said Greenheck. I started getting grad students to present as a way to practice conference talks and public speaking. This was also a way to get us to share our research with those not in in the sciences.

MEGSA was a huge part in bringing back Science on Tap to Hops and Growlers. Dr. Kelly Darnell, interim director of USMs Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL), is a proud supporter of the student organization.

MEGSA has organized several events that bring together GCRL faculty, staff, and students, said Darnell. They have also spearheaded efforts to engage with the broader community. Science on Tap is a great example that also supports a local business.

Other events MEGSA has organized, such as beach clean-ups, also reach beyond GCRLs walls to serve the Mississippi Coast. We are proud of MEGSA, not only because of this service, but also because of the excellent research its members do as graduate students at USM.

The first year-and-a-half were challenging to encourage people to attend gatherings, but in January 2023, Science on Tap took off.

A lot of this is to highlight student research, said Greenheck. We have some regulars in the community that come to see what is going on.

Greenheck has graduated from USM and handed the reigns of Science on Tap to the new MEGSA president, David May, a USM graduate research assistant.

MEGSA is a student-led organization. Being student led, its important to recruit students through this event opportunity, said May. It offers them an opportunity to publicly present their research. Its a judgement-free environment. The audience is a mix of experts and non-experts.

Hixson is thrilled to have Science on Tap attendees filling the seats in his bar, and said people are more likely to hear topics related to the environment in a relaxed setting like Hops and Growlers.

We knew this event would be good in our community, Hixson said. We have a lot of talented people around here who are doing really great things. We just want to put it out there for people.

Science on Tap is held every other Thursday at 6 p.m. at Hops and Growlers at 2339 Government Street in Ocean Springs and is open to families and people of all ages. Learn more about Science on Tap on their Facebook page. Visit the MEGSA website to learn more.


4DPLEX EXPERIENCES ADDED IN CAMBODIA, THAILAND



Korean tech firm CJ 4DPLEX has struck a deal with Thailands Major Cineplex to add two ScreenX locations in Cambodia and Thailand. One will be located at the AEON Mall Mean Chey, have almost 500 seats and have a 75-foot-wide central screen, making it the largest ScreenX auditorium in Southeast Asia. The other will be at Bangkoks ICONSiam Mall location, debuting on July 27.



ScreenX is a multi-projection system with an immersive 270-degree field of view. That creates a virtual reality-like setting with cinema quality resolution. Majors first ScreenX launched in 2022 at its Siam Paragon location in central Bangkok.



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Weve received amazing reactions and feedback from our moviegoers for ScreenX in Thailand and expect to generate the same response at our Cambodia location, said Vicha Poolvaraluk, CEO, Major Cineplex.



The two companies previously partnered on 4DX installations, where viewers experience motion, vibration, water, wind, snow, lightning, scents and other special effects. There are now 10 4DX locations across Thailand in Siam Paragon, Ratchayothin, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Central Westgate, Promenade, Central Festival Eastville, Korat, Mega Bangna and Icon Siam.



Major Cineplex has more than 177 locations with 828 screens in Thailand and abroad.

APPOINTMENT

Debbie Ramsay has been appointed as the new editor of 5 News, ITN, the British producer best known for producing news programming for major U.K. broadcasters, announced on Monday. Ramsay joins 5 News from Channel 4 where she is commissioning editor for news and current affairs and was previously with the BBC for 16 years.

It is a time of growth for 5 News  across Q1 2023, the program grew 12% year-on-year among individuals, averaging 2.9% share and 301,000 viewers. The upward trajectory continued across April and May with the overall program share up by 30% year on year.

Story continues

Ramsay will take up the post later in the fall, taking over from Cait FitzSimons who has been 5 News editor for five years.

MIND THE GAP

The Tokyo Gap Financing Market is set to make a return this year as an in-person event, having been held online only for the past three years due to the COVID pandemic. The three-day project market which is operated in parallel with the Tokyo International Film Festival, will run Oct 25-27 and be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-kan.



Organizers say that the market will cater to 15 live action and animation film projects that come with at least 60% of their finance attached. The focus will again be on projects originating from Asian territories or international projects that incorporate Asian elements.



TAIPEI AWARDS



The Taipei Film Festival gave out its International New Talent awards, including a cash award of NT$ 600,000 to Grand Prix winner, Tunisian film Under the Fig Trees. The special jury prize was awarded to the Yemeni film The Burdened. Japanese film Amiko received the Taiwanese Film Critics Society Award while the Audience choice award went to the Taiwanese film A Place Called Silence. The two main awards were selected by a jury headed by Chen Shiang-chyi, a Taiwanese actress, and also including Korean producer Oh Jung-wan, Hong Kong director Samson Chiu Liang Ching, Taiwanese director Lou Yi-an and the Berlinale head of programming Mark Peranson.



Guests in attendance included Kai Ko (director of Bad Education), Sam Quah (director of A Place Called Silence), Aleksandra Kostina (producer of Pamfir), Kattia G. Zuniga (director of Sister & Sister), Amr Gamal and Chen Ming-chang (director and music composer of The Burdened), Ann Oren (director of Piaffe) and Amanda Nell Eu and Foo Fei Ling (director and producer, respectively, of Tiger Stripes). Popular actor George Hu hosted the ceremony.



NEW LINE INTO TAIWAN



BBC Earth and BBC First have become available on Taiwanese OTT platform, LINE TV and can be found in two new branded zones on the service. The platform has 5 million monthly active users and more than 10,000 hours of licensed content including Taiwan drama, Chinese drama, animation, Korean drama and original dramas. The natural history and science documentary brand, BBC Earth, has shows including Frozen Planet, Planet Earth and Blue Planet. BBC First carries series including Sherlock, Maigret and Call the Midwife.

[This deal] represents the growing audience of our content in Taiwan, said Ding Ke, senior VP and GM of BBC Studios Greater China. The LINE TV platform is defined by its wide range of films and programs and is therefore honored to cooperate with BBC Studios, one of the worlds leading content providers, to further enrich our high-quality content, said Chen Li-ren, CEO of LINE TV.

RELEASE DATE

Sandeep Reddy Vangas gangster action drama Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandana, Bobby Deol and Tripti Dimri, has postponed its release date from Aug. 11 to Dec. 1. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumars T-Series, Murad Khetanis Cine1 Studios and Pranay Reddy Vangas Bhadrakali Pictures. It will release in the Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages.

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Built as a companion and partner program to UTSAs highly ranked Master of Social Work (MSW), the BSW will provide students with skills and knowledge to effectively address challenges at the individual, family, community and policy levels, opening doors to careers focused on making a positive impact on the lives of people who are vulnerable or marginalized.

I am very excited about the BSW program launch and the impact it is poised to have, said John Bricout, chair of the UTSA Department of Social Work. The synergies that will result from the close links to our MSW program, its practicum and professional networks, resources and faculty expertise will be of immediate and significant benefit to our new BSW students. The program is particularly well-suited to the missions of our department and UTSA and to better serve the vibrant, growing San Antonio community while advancing our capacity to realize a robust classroom-to-career pipeline.

UTSA faculty members intentionally designed the BSW program to align content, theories and focus with the universitys MSW program so that students are well-prepared to succeed in the work force. Students who successfully complete their BSW degree will be eligible to apply for UTSAs advanced standing, 36-hour MSW program instead of the standard 60-hour MSW degree, obtaining their masters sooner at a significant cost savings compared to similar programs at other colleges and universities.

Students begin the program with a social work core, including courses across all disciplines for a well-rounded approach to theory and practice. Classes include diversity and social justice, policy, human behavior, and social work practice skills. The program culminates with a 450-hour practicum in a community agency, giving students the experiential, on-the-job skills that will provide them with an edge for employment upon graduation.

These graduates will enter a workforce where social workers are in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, social worker jobs are expected to grow by 9% over the next decade faster than the national average for all industries.

We have a long-standing masters in social work but no means to train social workers at the undergraduate level, said Lynne Cossman, dean of the college.

Less time in the classroom working on the MSW means students can choose their career path sooner.
Student projects will be presented during the 31st annual McNair Scholars Undergraduate Research Symposium Tuesday, Aug. 1, in the Wyoming Union Family Room at the University of Wyoming.

The symposium begins at 9 a.m. with welcoming remarks, followed by presentations until 3 p.m. The event will feature research from 12 UW undergraduates.

The program is an opportunity for McNair Scholars to share the progress and findings from their undergraduate research internships with the broader community of scholars. Student presentations are from a diverse range of academic programs, such as anthropology, civil engineering, environment and natural resources, mathematics, molecular biology, nutrition, political science and psychology.

UWs McNair Scholars Program encourages undergraduate students from groups traditionally underrepresented in postbaccalaureate degree programs to pursue graduate studies by providing opportunities to define goals, engage in research and develop the skills and student/faculty mentor relationships critical to success at the doctoral level.

UW McNair Scholars presenting work, listed by time, hometowns, majors, titles of their projects and UW mentors, are:

9:30 a.m. -- Nolan Gerdes, Cheyenne, civil engineering, Evaluating the Recovery of Hydraulic Conductivity in Fire-Affected Soils, with Ryan Webb and Kori Mooney.

9:45 a.m. -- Nolan Nachbar, Evansville, mathematics, Investigating the Chip-firing problem and the Sandpile Group, with Bryan Shader and Caleb Cheung.

10 a.m. -- Dana Ramberg, Pinedale, molecular biology, The Critical Skill of Molecular Cloning, with Mark Gomelsky and Giang Pham.

10:15 a.m. -- Michaela Eddy, Casper, nutrition, The Road to Longevity Starting with Wyoming Food Access and Preference, with Jill Keith and Omer Faruq.

11 a.m. -- Jeremy Chappell, Laramie, environment and natural resources, Harnessing Technology for Conservation: A Review of Emerging Conservation Technology, with Drew Bennett and Travis Brammer.

11:15 a.m. -- Louise Larrew, Cheyenne, political science/geospatial information science and technology, Internal Refugees: Mapping Transgender Peoples Safety in the United States, with Michelle Jarman and Yen-Yi Wu.

11:30 a.m. -- Faith Riter, Cheyenne, history/philosophy, The Gendered World of Online Obituaries: A Case Study on Victims of Mass Shootings, with Harvey Hix and Janna Gentry.

1:30 p.m. -- The Role of Social Support in Chronic Disease Management, with Christine McKibbin and Abby Teply.

1:45 p.m. -- Amerikus Lucas, Bakersfield, Calif., psychology, Improving the Detection and Understanding of Undergraduate Students Experiences of Mood Symptoms, with Kasey Stanton and Olivia Grella.

2:15 p.m. -- Felicia Chambers, Rock Springs, psychology, Motivation in Videogames, with Sean McCrea and Matthew Sherrin-Helm.

2:30 p.m. -- Jaimie Adams, Benton, Tenn., anthropology, Evaluating Close-Range Photogrammetry (CRP) Methods: The 3D Reconstruction of Trinchera Cave Rock Art Panels, with Elizabeth Lynch and Casey Black.

2:45 p.m. -- Daisy Stone, Flagler, Colo., psychology, The Indirect Relationship of Working Memory on the Anxiety Sensitivity and PTSD Relationship, with Joshua Clapp and Robert Kaya.

For more information about the McNair symposium, visit www.uwyo.edu/seo/mcnair.
The University of Wyomings School of Computing has taken a major step toward its goal of creating a statewide, national and global impact with the hiring of tenure-track faculty members in applied artificial intelligence/machine learning and big data.

The School of Computing aims to provide Wyoming and the world with agile and ethical computing professionals, empowered to address societal challenges that are inherently interdisciplinary. The new faculty members showcase the breadth of computing envisioned by the school -- and the interdisciplinary nature of the field of computing -- as all have joint positions with other academic units.

We are delighted to welcome these talented individuals to our team, says Gabrielle Allen, director of the School of Computing. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will strengthen our interdisciplinary approach to applied artificial intelligence/machine learning and big data research, creating opportunities for innovation, addressing complex challenges and advancing curricular offerings in the School of Computing and across campus.

This years new faculty members are:

-- Ellen Aikens, a wildlife ecologist whose research is rooted in applied data science, uses big data techniques to address critical conservation and management issues. She joins UW as an assistant professor, joint with the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, and with an adjunct position in the Department of Zoology and Physiology.

She earned a bachelors degree in biology from Ursinus College and a Ph.D. in ecology from UW. She gained international experience through a postdoctoral position at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany before her most recent role as an assistant unit leader for the South Dakota U.S. Geological Survey cooperative unit.

Aikens will conduct research at the UW-National Park Service Research Station at the AMK Ranch in Grand Teton National Park, where she will study the full lifetime of ravens, which are well known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities. For this, her group will develop and apply cutting-edge methods to sensor, camera, movement and activity data.

-- Sean Field, who joins UW as an assistant professor, joint with the Department of Anthropology, and as a UW Derecho Assistant Professor, specializes in archaeological visualization. He earned a bachelors degree from the University of Northern Colorado in an interdisciplinary major through the Department of Anthropology and holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame in the Department of Anthropology.

Field brings expertise in climate modeling, geospatial analysis and remote sensing. His research revolves around understanding how communities adapt to climate stress in arid environments, using LiDAR technology to visualize and compare archaeological field sites. Field will continue his research in archaeological visualization, exploring the intricate relationship between humans and their changing environments.

-- Meridith Joyce will join UW in 2024 as an assistant professor, joint with the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and adjunct in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. She holds a B.S. in mathematics and a B.S. in physics from Bucknell University, as well as a Ph.D. in physics and astronomy from Dartmouth College.

Joyce is an expert in computational stellar astrophysics who has trained as a Lasker Data Science Prize Fellow at NASAs Space Telescope Science Institute and is currently a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Widening Fellow at the Konkoly Observatory in Hungary. She specializes in high-performance computing and data science, with a focus on astrophysics, computer science and data science intersections. Her research at UW will center on developing a significant numerical catalog in astrophysics, using large astronomical datasets and the MESA software instrument.

-- Benjamin Koger, joining UW as an assistant professor, joint with the Department of Zoology and Physiology, and adjunct in the Haub School, is an expert in the study of collective animal behavior. He earned a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Konstanz.

With a strong background in computer science and ecology as a Washington Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Washington, Koger combines deep-learning techniques and computer vision to generate valuable insights into animal populations and behaviors. His work contributes significantly to the conservation of the natural world.

-- Stefan Rahimi, an assistant professor with a major appointment in the Department of Atmospheric Science, joint with the School of Computing, and a UW Derecho Assistant Professor, was hired through UWs WY-ACT: Wyoming Anticipating Climate Transitions project. He is leading research on hydroclimate shifts and climate projection quality.

Rahimi earned bachelors and masters degrees in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. in atmospheric science from UW. As a regional modeling lead at UCLA, Rahimi has conducted research on understanding and modeling Wyomings unique weather patterns.

With the support of the National Science Foundation-funded WY-ACT project, Rahimi will explore the integration of artificial intelligence/machine learning methods in weather prediction and climate modeling. He will foster collaboration among the Department of Atmospheric Science, the School of Computing and other departments, driving advancements at the intersection of artificial intelligence/machine learning and atmospheric science.

-- Dane Taylor joins UW as an assistant professor, joint with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and adjunct in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the State University of New York-Buffalo. He completed his undergraduate education at UW with bachelors degrees in physics and electrical engineering, and he completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in applied mathematics at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Taylor specializes in the study of complex systems using mathematical models. His expertise is in developing algorithms and computational techniques to analyze various types of data, such as networks and interconnected information. His research centers on unraveling the patterns and connections within large datasets to understand the behavior and interactions of complex systems, including neural networks and self-organizing networks. Taylor will facilitate collaboration with colleagues from different disciplines, offering new insights into the behavior and applications of complex systems.

With the exception of Joyce, the new faculty members will begin their work on the UW campus this fall. They will play a crucial role in leading research efforts that directly relate to Wyomings computing and technology needs. They also will advance the application of artificial intelligence/machine learning and big data in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, specifically tailored to the states research interests and needs.
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Somalia's rebuilt national museum is hosting its first show after more than three decades of damaging war and conflict. The 90-year-old museum is holding an international exhibit for 18 artists. Mohamed Sheikh Nor reports from Mogadishu, Somalia.
EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER / iStock.com

Gasoline is a commodity, meaning its price is largely driven by supply and demand. But the final amount you pay at the pump is never simply a function of those two variables in your area. In fact, one of the biggest reasons that gas prices vary so much from state to state is due to the amount of taxes you have to pay.

Im a Millionaire: Why Im Not Passing Generational Wealth to My Kids

Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

States with the highest gas taxes are generally on the West Coast and in the Upper Midwest, but those with the lowest taxes are scattered around the country, coming from the East Coast, South, Midwest, Southwest and perhaps surprisingly, from the two non-contiguous states. Heres a list of the 10 states with the lowest gas taxes in America, ranked from most expensive to least, along with a look at how gas taxes work.

(Note that these figures include the 18.4 cents-per-gallon federal gas tax that is levied on top of state gas taxes. Gas prices are courtesy of AAA as of 7/18/2023.)

Missouri

Gas tax: 40.9 cents

Gas price: $3.231

Louisiana

Gas tax: 39.3 cents

Gas price: $3.129

Texas

Gas tax: 38.4 cents

Gas price: $3.178

Oklahoma

Gas tax: 38.4 cents

Gas price: $3.199

Arizona

Gas tax: 37.4 cents

Gas price: $3.768

New Mexico

Gas tax: 37.3 cents

Gas price: $3.474

Hawaii

Gas tax: 36.9 cents

Gas price: $4.687

Mississippi

Gas tax: 36.8 cents

Gas price: $3.007

Alaska

Gas tax: 27.4 cents

Gas price: $4.293

Connecticut

Gas tax: 23.4 cents

Gas price: $3.615

What Are Gas Taxes Used for, and How Are They Determined?

All 50 states and the federal government tax every gallon of gas sold. The proceeds are meant to fund various infrastructure products, such as repairing highways, maintaining bridges and tunnels, and managing traffic congestion and pollution.

While gas taxes may seem high to drivers, even in the 10 states above, the truth is they are woefully behind in terms of accomplishing their stated purpose. Part of this is due to the rising efficiency of gas-powered vehicles, along with the rise of electric vehicles. When drivers pay fewer taxes per mile driven, it makes it that much harder for gas taxes to cover infrastructure and maintenance costs.

Story continues

While the 18.4 cents-per-gallon federal gas tax has remained the same since 1993, states raise their gas taxes more frequently on average. In fact, since 2013, 33 states and the District of Columbia have raised their gas taxes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In most cases, state legislatures can act unilaterally to raise gas taxes. However, in some states, such as Missouri, voter approval is required thanks to constitutional provisions relating to increases in revenue.

The Bottom Line

If youve ever driven on a cross-country road trip, you were likely amazed by how much the price of the same gallon of gasoline can vary from state to state. This is due in large part to varying amounts of state gas taxes. However, its also important to note that supply and demand still plays a large role in the price you pay for gas.

In other words, just because a state has low gas taxes, it doesnt necessarily mean that the total price of a gallon of gas is cheap. As an example, take a look at the gas prices in Hawaii and Mississippi. Although both states levy an almost identical amount of taxes, the average price for a gallon of gas in Hawaii is $4.687, while in Mississippi its 36% lower, at just $3.007.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 States With the Lowest Gas Taxes
Fire planes and ground crews from several European countries are heading to Greece where wildfires have intensified as relentless heat wave conditions are keeping much of southern Europe above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Three firefighting teams from Poland, Romania and Slovakia are due in Greece on Thursday, while Israel has pledged two firefighting aircraft, adding to the four planes from Italy and France already operating outside Athens.

New evacuations were ordered on Wednesday as wildfires raged near the Greek capital. A second heat wave hit the Mediterranean country from the west following days of record-high temperatures that baked southern Europe.

In a round-the-clock battle to preserve forests, industrial facilities, and vacation homes, evacuations continued for a third day along a highway connecting Athens to the southern city of Corinth.

Temperatures in southern Greece are expected to reach 44 C (111 F) by the end of the week, in the second heat wave to hit Europe's Mediterranean south in two weeks. Alessandro Miani, who heads the Italian Society of Environmental Doctors, warned that aging populations in Italy and other southern European countries are a concern during heat waves, noting that deaths due to high temperatures most commonly affect people over age 80.

"The excessive heat together with humidity can make difficult for sweat to evaporate, interfering with the body's ability to regulate its own temperature," Miani said. The heat in Rome eased only slightly after a sweltering 42-43 C (107-109 F) on Tuesday, while highs in Sicily and Sardinia reached 46 C (114 F). Parts of Spain were as high as 45 C (113 F) on Wednesday. Amador Cortes, a resident in the southern Spanish city of Jaen, said people were doing their best to avoid the sun during midday hours and the early afternoon.

"The truth is, they take shelter at home with the air conditioning, with the fan. In the street, the elderly suffer a lot. Anyway, we have to put up with it," he said. In the southern Turkish city of Adana, a group of residents handed out desserts in the street, and many paid tribute to the late U.S. engineer Willis Carrier, who invented the air conditioner in 1902.

"The people of Adana really need air conditioners. God bless him for making such an invention," city resident Mehmet Saygin told Turkey's DHA news agency.

The latest heat wave prompted renewed concern over the impact of extreme summer heat. The World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations body, said preliminary global figures showed the month of June to be the hottest on record.

"The extreme weather, an increasingly frequent occurrence in our warming climate, is having a major impact on human health, ecosystems, economies, agriculture, energy and water supplies," WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said Wednesday.

"This underlines the increasing urgency of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible."

Countries with borders on the Mediterranean Sea weren't alone in suffering. Authorities in North Macedonia extended a heat alert with predicted temperatures topping 43 C (109 F), while Kosovo also issued heat warnings. Powerful storms that followed a string of extremely hot days caused chaos in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia late Tuesday, toppling trees, tearing roofs off buildings and causing power outages.

Emergency services in the three countries reported hundreds of interventions as the storm swept through the region. It also brought a much-sought relief from the heat. The firefighters were being sent to Greece as part of a European Union civil protection mechanism that includes the planned deployment of international crews to parts of southern Europe over the summer.
The U.S. and U.S.-led United Nations Command say they are working to resolve the situation involving a U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea at a border village. The incident involving Private Travis King comes at a time of high tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The pace of both North Korea's weapons demonstrations and U.S.-South Korean military exercises has intensified lately in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

Other Americans have crossed into North Korea over the years, including a few U.S. soldiers. Some were motivated by evangelical zeal or simply attracted by the mystery of a severely cloistered police state fueled by anti-U.S. hatred. Others were detained after entering North Korea as tourists. In one tragic case, it ended in death.

Heres a look back:

Charles Jenkins

Born in Rich Square, North Carolina, Jenkins was one of the few Cold War-era U.S. soldiers who fled to North Korea while serving in the South.

Jenkins, then an Army sergeant, deserted his post in 1965 and fled across the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas. North Korea treated Jenkins as a propaganda asset, showcasing him in leaflets and films.

In 1980, Jenkins married Hitomi Soga, 21, a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents in 1978.

Soga was allowed to return to Japan in 2002. In 2004, Jenkins was allowed to leave North Korea and rejoin his wife in Japan, where he surrendered to U.S. military authorities and faced charges that he abandoned his unit and defected to North Korea. He was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to 25 days in a U.S. military jail in Japan. He died in Japan in 2017.

Bruce Byron Lowrance

Its clear that North Koreas handling of American detainees is influenced by the state of its relations with Washington.

Lowrance benefited from cozy diplomacy in 2018 between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who met for a summit in June of that year, where they issued aspirational goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula without describing when and how it would occur.

Five months later, North Korea announced it was expelling Lowrance, who had entered the country illegally through China in October. North Koreas decision to deport Lowrance after only a month of confinement was remarkably quick by the countrys standards, apparently reflecting an eagerness to keep alive a positive atmosphere for dialogue with the United States.

During the buildup to the Trump-Kim summit in June, North Korea released three American detainees  Kim Dong Chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song  who returned to home on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

However, the diplomacy broke down after the second Trump-Kim summit in February 2019, when the Americans rejected North Korean demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

Matthew Miller

In September 2014, Miller, then 24, from Bakersfield, California, was sentenced to six years of hard labor by North Koreas Supreme Court on charges that he illegally entered the country for spying purposes.

The court claimed that Miller tore up his tourist visa upon arriving at Pyongyangs airport in April that year and admitted to a wild ambition of experiencing North Korean prison life so that he could secretly investigate the countrys human rights conditions.

North Koreas initial announcement about Millers detainment that month came as then-President Barack Obama was traveling in South Korea on a state visit.

Miller was freed in November that same year along with another American, Kenneth Bae, a missionary and tour leader.

Weeks before his release, Miller talked with The Associated Press at a Pyongyang hotel where North Korean officials allowed him to call his family. Miller said he was digging in fields eight hours a day and being kept in isolation.

Kenneth Bae

Bae, a Korean-American missionary from Lynnwood, Washington, was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group in a special North Korean economic zone.

North Korea sentenced Bae to 15 years in prison for hostile acts, including smuggling in inflammatory literature and attempting to establish a base for anti-government activities at a hotel in a border town. Baes family said he suffered from chronic health issues, including back pain, diabetes, and heart and liver problems.

Bae returned to the United States in November 2014 following a secret mission by James Clapper, then-U.S. director of national intelligence, who also secured Millers release.

Jeffrey Fowle

A month before Bae and Miller were released, North Korea also freed Fowle, an Ohio municipal worker who was detained for six months for leaving a Bible in a nightclub in the city of Chongjin. Fowles release followed negotiations that involved retired diplomat and former U.S. Representative Tony Hall of Ohio.

While North Korea officially guarantees freedom of religion, analysts and defectors describe the country as strictly anti-religious. The distribution of Bibles and secret prayer services can mean imprisonment or execution, defectors say.

In 2009, American missionary Robert Park walked into North Korea with a Bible in his hand to draw attention to North Koreas human rights abuses. Park, who was deported from the North in February 2010, has said he was tortured by authorities.

Otto Warmbier

Warmbier, 22, a University of Virginia student, died in June 2017, shortly after he was flown home in a coma after 17 months in North Korean captivity.

Warmbier was seized by North Korean authorities from a tour group in January 2016 and convicted on charges of trying to steal a propaganda poster and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor.

While not providing a clear reason for Warmbiers brain damage, North Korea denied accusations by Warmbiers family that he was tortured and insisted that it had provided him medical care with all sincerity. The North accused the United States of a smear campaign and claimed itself as the biggest victim in his death.

In 2022, a U.S. federal judge in New York ruled that Warmbiers parents, Fred and Cindy Warmbier, should receive $240,300 seized from a North Korean bank account, which would be a partial payment toward the more than $501 million they were awarded in 2018 by a federal judge in Washington.
President Joe Biden on Tuesday assured Israel's president that the friendship between their countries is "just simply unbreakable," amid Washington's concerns over events in Israel, including the leadership's push to amend the judicial system and recent settler violence in the West Bank.

Those words came during President Isaac Herzog's second visit to Biden's White House, an honor not yet accorded to the nation's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who began his sixth term in December.

"As I affirmed to Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, America's commitment to Israel is firm," Biden said. "And it is ironclad. And we're committed, as well, to assure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. So we've got a lot to talk about."

After the meeting, the White House said the two also discussed Tehran's growing defense partnership with Moscow.

Herzog also addressed Biden's concerns over Netanyahu's plan to overhaul the country's judiciary, which has sparked 28 straight weeks of massive street protests by Israelis who say the plan pushes the nation toward autocracy.

"It's a heated debate, but it's also a virtue and a tribute to the greatness of Israeli democracy," he said. "And let me reiterate, clear, crystal clear: Israeli democracy is sound, strong, is resilient. We are going through pains. We are going through heated debates. We are going through challenging moments. But I truly, truly believe and I will say to you, Mr. President, as I've said it as head of state to the people of Israel, we should always seek to find amicable consensus."

Millions of Americans with ties to Israel are watching.

They include those who support conservative American politics and policies and tend to also support Netanyahu.

But the majority of Jewish Americans lean left.

And on Tuesday, as protests in Tel Aviv turned violent, a clutch of about a dozen protesters also stood outside the White House, bearing signs critical of Netanyahu.

"We stand in solidarity with the protesters," said Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of the largest Jewish denomination in the U.S., Reform Judaism. He spoke to VOA via Zoom from his office near Washington.

"It is the best, greatest hope for Israel to continue to thrive as an inclusive democracy. There are so many issues at stake: everything from women's rights to LGBTQIA equality, to the rights of different forms of Jewish expression, and frankly, other faith groups that would seek to have their rights protected in Israel," he said.

On recent violence in the West Bank, he said: "We need to end the violence. And this coalition government led by this prime minister and his incredibly problematic partners  Itamar Ben-Gvir, [Bezalel Yoel] Smotrich and the like, who have normalized violence by settlers and by vigilantes against Palestinians  is anti-Jewish, it's inhuman, and it needs to end."

Other Jewish groups, like the more conservative American Israel Public Affairs Committee, disagree. In an email, AIPAC declined to give VOA an interview.

That group blames Palestinian leaders for violence in the West Bank and seeks a more forceful response.

"The United States must continue its efforts to persuade and enable the Palestinian Authority to act responsibly and regain control of the areas now controlled by Iranian-backed terror groups," the group said in a recent memo.

Some Republicans are demanding the Biden administration stay out of Israel's affairs.

"What this Biden administration has done, I think, has been disgraceful," said Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is running for president, at this week's Christians United for Israel summit near Washington. "The way they treat a strong ally like Prime Minister Netanyahu has been disgraceful. What they're trying to do, to shoehorn Israel into bad policies has been disgraceful. You have different things that go on in Israel, like with this judicial reform. Biden needs to butt out of that and let Israel govern itself."
Burkina Faso's junta leader on Tuesday lashed out at the "cowardice" of the country's jihadist rebels after local and security sources reported at least 10 civilian deaths in two attacks.

Residents of Nouna, local capital of Kossi province in the west, contacted by telephone, said shells hit the town late Monday.

"The toll is six dead and four wounded," one resident said.

Nouna has in recent months become a refuge for thousands of people who have fled repeated jihadist assaults on their homes.

A security source confirmed the attack on Nouna to AFP, saying "fragments of rockets were found in the area."

The same evening some 400 kilometers (250 miles) to the south, Tondoura, near the border with Ivory Coast, also came under attack, a local official told AFP asking not to be named.

"Terrorists attacked the village," he said. "Some villagers, armed with rifles, tried to intervene but were quickly overrun. "We have at least four dead, some wounded and various physical damage." Locals hide from suspected jihadists

Several locals said that, for more than a month, people have been forced to seek shelter from suspected jihadists in the nearby towns of Niangoloko and Banfora.

Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in a coup in September last year, denounced the jihadists for their "cowardice" and admitted "increasingly frequent attacks against civilians."

Speaking during a meeting with representatives of women's associations from across the West African country, Traore also lashed out at the "imperialists" he said "imposed this war."

An economic structural adjustment program by the International Monetary Fund, implemented in the 1990s, was "a way of weakening our armies. They succeeded," he said. Junta faces insurgency

Burkina Faso's ruling military junta faces a jihadist insurgency that swept in from neighboring Mali in 2015.

Anger within the military at failures to roll back the insurgency sparked two coups last year.
CAIRO  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned rights researcher Patrick Zaki a day after he was handed a three-year prison term on charges of spreading false news in a case that drew new attention to Egypt's crackdown on dissent.

Zaki had been studying in Italy before his detention during a trip home in 2020 over a news article in which he documented life as a Coptic Christian in Egypt.

He will return to Italy on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement in which she thanked Sisi for a "very important act."

Sisi's pardon, which was reported by a state news agency and confirmed by lawyers, also included Mohamed El-Baqer, a rights lawyer who represented Egypt's well-known activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah and was arrested in 2019 while attending his client's interrogation.

Zaki's case gained widespread attention in Italy, which had already been jolted by the killing and torture in Egypt of Italian student Giulio Regeni in 2016. Four Egyptian security officials have been charged in Italy over Regeni's disappearance and murder, while Egyptian officials have repeatedly denied involvement.

After Zaki's sentencing on Tuesday, Meloni had said Italy still had confidence over his case, while a U.S. state department spokesman urged Egypt to release Zaki immediately.

The head of Egypt's national dialogue, a state-controlled initiative to debate the country's future, had appealed to Sisi to use his constitutional powers to have Zaki freed as several members of the dialogue's board signaled they were quitting over the verdict.

Zaki, a researcher at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), had served 22 months in pretrial detention before being released in December 2021 pending the completion of his trial. EIPR said he was subjected to torture following his arrest.

His arrest came amid a far-reaching crackdown on dissent under Sisi, who led the overthrow of democratically elected Islamist leader Mohamed Mursi a decade ago before becoming president the following year.

Many of those swept up in the crackdown remain in prison, including senior Muslim Brotherhood figures and Abd el-Fattah.

Authorities have justified the arrests on security grounds.

Since late 2021 Egypt has taken a number of steps that it says are aimed at addressing human rights, including amnesties for some prominent prisoners, but critics have dismissed the moves as cosmetic and say arrests have continued.
Italy put 23 cities on red alert as it reckoned with another day of scorching temperatures Wednesday, with no sign of relief from the wave of extreme heat, wildfires and flooding that has wreaked havoc from the United States to China.

The heat wave has hit southern Europe during the peak summer tourist season, breaking records  including in Rome  and bringing warnings about an increased risk of deaths.

Wildfires burned for a third day west of the Greek capital, Athens, and firefighters raced to keep flames away from coastal refineries.

Fanned by erratic winds, the fires have gutted dozens of homes, forced hundreds of people to flee and blanketed the area in thick smoke. Temperatures could climb to 109 Fahrenheit on Thursday, forecasters said.

Extreme weather was also disrupting life for millions of Americans. A dangerous heat wave was holding an area stretching from Southern California to the Deep South in its grip, bringing the city of Phoenix its 20th straight day with temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Calvin lashed Hawaii, raising the potential for flash flooding and dangerous surf on the Big Island.

In Texas, at least nine inmates in prisons without air conditioning have suffered fatal heart attacks during the extreme heat this summer, the Texas Tribune newspaper reported.

Another 14 have died of unknown causes during periods of extreme heat.

A Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesperson said preliminary findings of the deaths indicate that heat was not a factor in the fatalities. Nearly 70 of the 100 prisons in Texas are not fully air-conditioned.

Temperatures soar in China, Italy

In China, which was hosting U.S. climate envoy John Kerry for talks, tourists defied the heat to visit a giant thermometer showing surface temperatures of 80 Celsius (176 Fahrenheit).

In Beijing, which set a record as temperatures remained above 95 Fahrenheit for the 28th consecutive day, Kerry expressed hope that cooperation to combat global warming could redefine troubled ties between the two superpowers, both among the top polluters.

Temperatures remained high across much of Italy on Wednesday, where the health ministry said it would activate an information hotline and teams of mobile health workers visited the elderly in Rome.

"These people are afraid they won't make it, they are afraid they can't go out," said Claudio Consoli, a doctor and director of a health unit.

Carmaker Stellantis said it was monitoring the situation at its Pomigliano plant near Naples on Wednesday, after temporarily halting work on one production line the day before when temperatures peaked.

Workers at battery-maker Magneti Marelli threatened an eight-hour strike at their central Italian plant in Sulmona. A joint statement by the unions said that "asphyxiating heat is putting at risk the lives of workers."

While the heat wave appears to be subsiding in Spain, residents in Greece were left surveying the wreckage of their homes after the wildfires.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions mainly from burning fossil fuels, will make heat waves more frequent, severe and deadly and have called on governments to drastically reduce emissions.

In Germany, the heat wave sparked a discussion on whether workplaces should introduce siestas for workers.

Heat and floods in Asia

In South Korea, heavy rain has pummeled central and southern regions since last week. Fourteen deaths occurred in an underpass in the city of Cheongju, where more than a dozen vehicles were submerged on Saturday when a river levee collapsed. In the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang, 22 people died, many from landslides and swirling torrents.

In northern India, flash floods, landslides and accidents related to heavy rainfall have killed more than 100 people since the onset of the monsoon season on June 1, where rainfall is 41% above average.

The Yamuna River reached the compound walls of the Taj Mahal in Agra for the first time in 45 years, submerging several other historical monuments, and flooded parts of the Indian capital.

The Brahmaputra River, which runs through India's Assam state, burst its banks this month, engulfing almost half of the Kaziranga National Park  home to the rare one-horned rhino  in waist-deep water.

A wall collapse from monsoon rains killed at least 11 construction workers in neighboring Pakistan.

Iraq's southern Basra governorate, with a population of around 4 million, said government work would be suspended on Thursday as temperatures hit 122 Fahrenheit. In Iraq's northern city of Mosul, farmers said crops were failing because of heat and drought.

The unprecedented temperatures have added new urgency for nations around the globe to tackle climate change. With the world's two biggest economies at odds over issues ranging from trade to Taiwan, Kerry told Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Wednesday that climate change must be handled separately from broader diplomatic issues.

"It is a universal threat to everybody on the planet and requires the largest nations in the world, the largest economies in the world, the largest emitters in the world, to come together in order to do work not just for ourselves, but for all mankind," Kerry told Han.
The countrys annual defense spending measure was narrowly approved by the Republican-led House of Representatives on Friday, and although the bill is several steps from becoming law, the White House has announced its opposition to a range of national security provisions, including inaction on the special immigrant visas (SIV) for Afghans.

The House version of the National Defense Authorization Act does not increase the SIV cap by 20,000 in fiscal 2024 or extend the SIV program beyond December 31, 2024, despite the administrations request to do so.

In 2009, the Afghan Allies Protection Act was approved by Congress, leading to the implementation of the Afghan SIV program  an immigrant visa program that helps military interpreters and others who worked for the U.S. government to come to the U.S. with a direct pathway to permanent residency.

Through this program, the U.S. government has successfully resettled more than 100,000 Afghans and their families in the United States. However, if the annual defense policy bill does not include an extension of the program, it would end a legal immigration path to the United States for Afghans who worked for the U.S. government during the war in Afghanistan at the end of 2024.

Giving our Afghan allies a chance to apply for legal status is the right and necessary thing to do, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, said in a statement.

Another strategy

On the same day the House passed its version of the NDAA, a bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) in the House and the Senate.

It would also expand SIV eligibility to include more Afghans. Women, who served in special counterterrorism teams, and others who worked with U.S. forces as commandos and air force personnel, could be eligible for the SIV program. It would also establish a path to U.S. citizenship for Afghans with humanitarian parole status living in the United States. SIV presently covers translators, interpreters, or other professionals employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan.

Dara Lind, a senior fellow with the American Immigration Council, wrote Tuesday that the NDAA has become a vehicle for many other legislative proposals to pass into law.

Because the need for the AAA is a direct consequence of the U.S. occupation of (and withdrawal from) Afghanistan, and the Department of Defense has long supported ways for Afghans who assisted the government to become U.S. citizens, including the AAA in the current defense authorization bill is thematically appropriate, to say the least. Its also, given Congress aversion to voting on standalone immigration bills, the most likely way the AAA will pass, Lind wrote.

In 2022, the AAA also was supported by a group of lawmakers from both parties and expected to be included in the omnibus spending package. But it failed to win congressional approval.

Senator Chuck Grassley, then-ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and others objected to the legislation on security grounds, VOA reported.

Following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, more than 70,000 Afghans were brought to the United States and granted a temporary humanitarian parole status that lasts for two years.

Humanitarian parole is given to those hoping to enter the U.S. under emergency circumstances. While it does not automatically lead to permanent residency, parolees can apply for legal status through the asylum process or other forms of sponsorship, if available, once they're in the U.S.

But the humanitarian status is only temporary.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, a Republican from Kansas, said Afghans who escaped to the U.S., face uncertainty because their original parole statuses are temporary.

[The AAA] legislation establishes a pathway for our Afghan partners to begin a new life while also establishing a critical vetting process to reduce threats to our national security, Moran wrote in a statement.

In January, VOA reported that more than 40,000 Afghans living outside the U.S. had submitted humanitarian parole applications since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Others were allowed to continue their SIV process inside the United States, which leads to a direct pathway to permanent residency.

Two decades of allyship merits much more than an unnecessary and unsustainable legal limbo. The Afghan Adjustment Act is precisely how we provide the stability our new Afghan neighbors deserve while demonstrating that the United States honors its promises of protection to its allies, Krish OMara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, told reporters.

The Senate has drafted and needs to pass its own version of the NDAA. Once both bills are approved, they will need to be reconciled, and a compromised version will have to be approved once again by the Senate and House.
Two conservative groups are asking a federal court to block the Biden administration's plan to cancel $39 billion in student loans for more than 800,000 borrowers.

In a lawsuit filed Friday in Michigan, the groups argue that the administration overstepped its power when it announced the forgiveness in July, just weeks after the Supreme Court struck down a broader cancellation plan pushed by President Joe Biden.

It asks a judge to rule the cancellation illegal and stop the Education Department from carrying it out while the case is decided. The suit was filed by the New Civil Liberties Alliance on behalf of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the Cato Institute.

The Education Department called the suit "a desperate attempt from right wing special interests to keep hundreds of thousands of borrowers in debt."

"We are not going to back down or give an inch when it comes to defending working families," the department said in a statement.

It's part of a wave of legal challenges Republicans have leveled at the Biden administration's efforts to reduce or eliminate student debt for millions of Americans. Biden has said he will pursue a different cancellation plan after the Supreme Court decision, and his administration is separately unrolling a more generous repayment plan that opponents call a "backdoor attempt" at cancellation.

The Biden administration announced July 14 that it would soon forgive loans for 804,000 borrowers enrolled in income-driven repayment plans. The plans have long offered cancellation after borrowers make 20 or 25 years of payments, but "past administrative failures" resulted in inaccurate payments counts that set borrowers back on their progress toward forgiveness, the department said.

The new action was announced as a "one-time adjustment" that would count certain periods of past nonpayment as if borrowers had been making payments during that time. It moved 804,000 borrowers across the 20- or 25-year mark needed for cancellation, and it moved millions of others closer to that threshold.

It's meant to address a practice known as forbearance steering, in which student loan servicers hired by the government wrongly pushed borrowers to go into forbearance  a temporary pause on payments because of hardship  even if they would have been better served by enrolling in one of the income-driven repayment plans.

Under the one-time fix, past periods in forbearance were also counted as progress toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, a program that offers cancellation after 10 years of payments while working in a government or nonprofit job.

Biden's action was illegal, the lawsuit says, because it wasn't authorized by Congress and didn't go through a federal rulemaking process that invites public feedback.

"No authority allows the Department to count non-payments as payments," the lawsuit says. It adds that the action came in "a press release that neither identified the policy's legal authority nor considered its exorbitant price tag."

The conservative groups say Biden's plan undercuts Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The Mackinac Center and Cato Institute say they employ borrowers who are working toward student loan cancellation through the program. They say Biden's action illegally accelerates progress toward relief, diminishing the benefit for nonprofit employers.

"This unlawful reduction in the PSLF service requirement injures public service employers that rely on PSLF to recruit and retain college-educated employees," the suit alleges.

The Cato Institute previously sued the administration over the cancellation plan that was struck down by the Supreme Court. The Mackinac Center is separately challenging Biden's pause on student loan payments, which is scheduled to end this fall with payments resuming Oct. 1.
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UN Command says a U.S. citizen is in custody in North Korea after crossing the fortified border from South Korea. U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Israels president Tuesday. Russian attacks target Ukrainian ports, a day after Moscow pulled out of deal for safe passage of Ukrainian grain exports.
Latest developments:

Russia issues warnings to ships sailing for Ukrainian ports, two days after pulling out of the deal that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

The Pentagon announces an additional $1.3 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

Russias defense ministry has issued new safety warnings to vessels bound for Ukrainian ports, two days after canceling an agreement that allowed ships carrying Ukrainian grain to pass through the Black Sea.

The statement issued on the Telegram social media channel said that starting at midnight Moscow time on July 20, All vessels sailing in the waters of the Black Sea to Ukrainian ports will be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo.

It added, Countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime.

The statement said a number of areas in the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation, and that Russia has issued warnings on the withdrawal of safety guarantees to mariners.

USAID chief Samantha Power told VOA on Wednesday in Kyiv, Countries and leaders near and far should be condemning publicly the decision [by Russia] to withdraw from an initiative that was all about getting food out of Ukraine to the rest of the world. Two-thirds of the wheat that came out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative export channel went to developing countries.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal brokered last year by the United Nations and Turkey, lifted a Russian blockade on Ukrainian ports that Russia imposed after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia announced Monday it would not renew the deal, which is credited with easing food shortages and inflation in many countries that depend on Ukrainian grain to feed their populations.

I saw firsthand in places like Somalia, Kenya and Lebanon over the course of the last year just how dependent those economies are on the import of Ukrainian wheat. So, you know, this is not a time for countries to stand back and lament this development. This is a chance for them to come out publicly or, better yet, engage Russian diplomats on the costs of this decision for global food prices Power told VOA.

Airstrikes on Odesa

Earlier Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said that Russian forces carried out airstrikes on the Odesa region in southern Ukraine for a second consecutive night while also targeting the capital, Kyiv, and other areas.

Ukraines air force said the military downed 37 of 63 missiles and drones that Russia launched across the country, and that the main targets were infrastructure and military facilities in the Odesa area.

Odesas ports were used to export grain under the now-expired grain initiative.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Russias latest attack targeted the grain deal infrastructure and every Russian missile is a blow not only to Ukraine, but to everyone in the world who wants a normal and safe life.

USAID chief Power told VOA, "We're very focused on Ukrainian farmers and their livelihoods because already it has been much more expensive in the wartime to bring their goods to market. So we need USAID to continue to support them, get access to financing, to seeds, to fertilizer and to storage, because now there will be questions about where their harvests will go in light of the fact that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has introduced recklessly this uncertainty.

Serhii Popko, the head of Kyivs city military administration, said on Telegram that air defenses intercepted all of the drones that targeted Kyiv and that there were no immediate reports of damage.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, Popko said.

After the first night of aerial attacks, which hit Odesa and nearby Mykolaiv, Russia said Tuesday it was acting in retaliation for an attack Monday that damaged a key bridge Russia used to supply its military in the Crimean Peninsula.

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 in a move not recognized by the international community.

Russia-installed authorities there said Wednesday more than 2,000 people were being evacuated after a fire broke out at a military training ground in the Kirovsky district. Officials did not specify the cause of the fire.

Ukrainian counteroffensive

In Washington on Wednesday, the U.S. Defense Department announced a new $1.3 billion security package for Ukraine.
In this detailed article, we will discuss 20 countries with the highest rates of infant mortality and the causes of such alarming numbers of deaths. If you want to skip the details, read 8 Countries with Highest Rates of Infant Mortality.

Countries with the highest rates of infant mortality do not employ sufficient measures to make treatment of preventable infant death causes accessible, owing to their limited resources and awareness. According to UNICEF, 5 million children, out of which 2.3 million were infants, died in 2021, which serves as a reminder to designate more resources to limit preventable deaths in infants and children.

The first 28 days of a child's life, named the neonatal period, are the days when an infant is the most vulnerable because they have the highest risk of catching infectious diseases, i.e., malaria. The global average of infant mortality (in the first month after birth) was 18 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021, which came down from 37 deaths in 1990.

If we talk about child mortality rate by region, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest infant mortality rate in the world (averaging at 27 deaths per 1000 live births), closely followed by Central and Southern Asia, where the average infant mortality rate is 23 deaths per 1,000 births. Out of average 6,700 infant deaths per day, 36% happen in Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Mozambique, Mali, Angola, and Benin, among others.

UNICEF stats say that a child born in Sub-Saharan Africa is 10 times more likely to die in the neonatal period than one born in high-income countries. Likewise, infant mortality is 9 times more likely in South Asia than in more developed regions of the world. These stats build a correlation between the investment made to provide infants with safe conditions and how exposed they are to fatal risks.

Speaking of low-income countries with the highest rates of infant mortality, we have already covered 30 Poorest Countries in Africa. Give this insightful piece a read to know what might be cause of such poor health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Story continues

What Countries Have The Highest Infant Mortality Rate?

As of current, Afghanistan has the highest child mortality rate by country, with 103.06 deaths per 1000 live births. Such saddening stats stem from the lack of sufficient childcare resources and birth practices with limited medical intervention.

According to the International Journal of Scientific Research & Technology, poor nutrition is the biggest cause of Afghanistan topping the list of countries with the highest rates of infant mortality. Approximately 55% of children under 12 face mental and physical incapabilities because of poor diet in Afghanistan, mainly because of hostile security situations and political unrest that limit the economy's growth.

Consequently, women that grow up with nutrition deficiencies give birth to babies with poor health and physical defects. The same is the case with African countries where poverty and limited health awareness put birthing mothers at risk of dying or losing their infants, as per the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Which Country Has The Highest Under 5 Mortality Rate?

While the global infant mortality rate is 26 deaths per 1000 births, the under-five mortality (children dying before they reach 5 years of age) is 38 per 1,000 live births. According to UNICEF, there has been substantial progress in child survival in the past 30 years, as 1 in 26 children died in 2021, compared to 1 in 11 in 1990.

Currently, Niger has the highest under-5 mortality rate by country, reaching 115.15 deaths per 1000 births, which is almost three times higher than the global average. Closely trailing Niger are Nigeria and Chad, with an under-five death rate of 110.82 and 107.07, respectively.

Companies Working For Better Child Health

Providing children with a healthy life in countries with the highest rates of infant mortality requires multi-dimensional changes like making childbirth medical facilities accessible to all, educating mothers about nutrition deficiencies, and ensuring the ever-rising poverty doesn't impact infant health.

The most crucial company working in the infant health sector is Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), which is working to improve health challenges for children worldwide. As part of its mission in pediatric health, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is working to develop nutrition that helps children thrive and grow. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is also creating the world's smallest heart devices and aiming to eliminate finger sticks for glucose readings to improve the pediatric health sector.

Some big names, like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), are also investing in childcare. In 2014, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) committed $30 million to improve newborn health and increase newborn survival until 2020. This commitment supported programs in 20 countries with high newborn mortality rates, including Nigeria and Ethiopia. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Save the Children have also partnered to provide lifesaving services like newborn resuscitation to around 1 million children worldwide.

Another notable name working in improving the quality of life for children in countries with the highest rates of infant mortality is The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), which created Pampers Mobile Clinic Program to provide free basic healthcare and products to mothers and their babies. This program, started by The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), reached around 2 million mothers in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Pakistan to make them aware of the risks associated with neglecting their health. The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) has a current market cap of $351.825 billion and is one of the biggest consumer goods companies.

Causes Of Infant Mortality

According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC), around 20,000 infants died within the first year of their life in the United States in 2020, which is considerably lower than countries with the highest rates of infant mortality. Diving deep, the main causes of this stark statistic are birth anomalies, and associated low birth weight, among other things.

Birth defects constitute the primary cause of infant deaths, which include conditions that occur in utero, like cardiac and neural tube defects to chromosomal abnormalities. These causes of infant mortality are often beyond the control of medical interventions.

Likewise, preterm birth and associated low birth weight can put child mortality rate on an upward scale. Infants born before 37 weeks of gestational age often grapple with complications like underdeveloped organs and compromised immune function, which renders them susceptible to a host of health issues and increases the probability of neonatal death.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death or crib death, is a mysterious and unexplained cause that can result in the sudden demise of an otherwise healthy infant. The exact causes of SIDS can vary, but the hypotheses revolve around combinations of genetic, environmental, and physiological factors.

Moreover, maternal complications during pregnancy, like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and infections, result in stillbirth, premature delivery, or neonatal death. Post-neonatally, causes of mortality shift towards communicable diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. Malnutrition exacerbates these conditions and reduces the infant's ability to fight off infections.

Which OECD Country Has The Highest Infant Mortality Rate?

The OECD countries, owing to their high standards of medical goods and nutrition standards, have the lowest infant mortality rates. Most OECD nations' infant mortality rates ranged between 2.5 and 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, with 4.1 being the average.

Currently, Colombia has the highest child mortality rate by country in OECD, reaching 16.8 deaths per 1000 live births. Closely following Colombia is Mexico, whose neonatal death rate is 12.9 deaths per 1,000 births.

The luckiest OECD countries in this regard are Iceland, Estonia, Finland, Japan, and Norway, where the infant mortality rate is even lower than 2.5.

20 Countries with Highest Rates of Infant Mortality

20 Countries with Highest Rates of Infant Mortality

Our Methodology

We ranked countries with the highest rates of infant mortality according to their average number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Our data sources for these deaths and causes of infant mortality were UNICEF, WHO, CDC, The World Bank, and CIA's World Factbook, among others.

Based on our findings, here are the 20 countries with the highest rates of infant mortality:

20. Burkina Faso

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 48.17

Burkina Faso grapples with a high infant mortality rate, partly due to poor healthcare infrastructure and limited access to essential services. Disease prevalence, like malaria, coupled with malnutrition, also worsens the situation. Also, as over 40% of the country's population lives below the poverty line, inadequate healthcare personnel, low-quality services, and limited health awareness contribute to persistent challenges.

19. Guinea

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 48.32

According to recent data, the infant mortality rate is alarmingly high in Guinea, reaching 48.32 deaths per 1,000 births. The country has such a high neonatal death rate due to 43.7% of the people living in extreme poverty, with malnutrition and prevalence of infectious diseases. The lack of comprehensive policies to improve the health sector further aggravates the situation.

18. Mauritania

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 49.95

Mauritania is one of the least populated countries in Africa but still struggles with high infant death rates. Poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and malnutrition are the major causes driving child deaths in the country. Poor maternal health, characterized by insufficient prenatal care, also heightens the risk of children dying within the first 28 days of their lives.

17. Pakistan

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 52.73

In Pakistan, overcrowded urban areas and rural regions with minimal healthcare accessibility result in high infant death rates. The country's weak health infrastructure and lack of skilled health professionals pose serious threats to the growing population. Given that Pakistan is the 5th most populated country in the world, such loopholes in the healthcare system can result in a high death toll if left unattended.

16. Cote d'Ivoire

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 54.04

Infant mortality remains a significant challenge in Cote d'Ivoire, largely attributable to substandard healthcare. As a big percentage of the country's population is poor, they lack the resources to get reliable health facilities. Therefore, efforts towards bolstering the healthcare system, like improved neonatal care and preventive measures for common diseases, are essential.

15. Benin

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 54.33

Benin has struggled with a high infant mortality rate for a long time, and its current neonatal death rate is 54.33. Although basic healthcare standards in the country are improving, uneven distribution of these resources, especially in rural areas, makes this challenge harder to overcome.

14. Nigeria

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 55.17

Infant mortality in Nigeria is 55.17 due to high malnutrition rates, limited access to clean water, and insufficient immunization coverage. Also, the limited availability of trained healthcare professionals and insufficient prenatal and postnatal care underlines Nigeria's healthcare shortcomings.

13. Comoros

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 56.01

In Comoros, high infant mortality rates pose a pressing issue and reflect the fragile healthcare system. The archipelago faces significant health challenges due to limited resources and shortness of high-quality prenatal and neonatal care. The country's geography further compounds these issues by hampering transportation, thereby hindering timely medical assistance.

12. Angola

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 57.2

Angola continues to face high infant mortality rates stemming from suboptimal healthcare services and pervasive poverty. While the government has committed to improving healthcare infrastructure, the task still requires more investment to improve the country's livability.

11. Mali

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 58.99

Mali, one of the poorest countries in Africa, has a high infant mortality rate. Like other countries with the highest rates of infant mortality rate, poor sanitation and limited access to clean water worsen health conditions in Mali. Intensive national and international efforts are needed to improve these conditions to foster a healthier future for Mali's children.

10. Democratic Republic Of Congo

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 59.12

Infant mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains alarmingly high, with 59.12 deaths per 1,000 live births. Persistent political conflicts that impact budget allocation in the country and widespread poverty further hinder healthcare delivery. Thus, addressing healthcare inadequacies and social disparities is critical for reducing Congo's infant mortality rate.

9. Mozambique

Infant Deaths Per 1000 Live Births: 59.77

With around 61% of people in Mozambique living below the poverty line, it's no wonder that the country's infant mortality rate is 59.77. Owing to limited means, malnutrition mostly impacts the mothers' health, and then the deficiencies transfer to infants, resulting in high infant death rates.

Click to continue reading 8 Countries with Highest Rates of Infant Mortality.

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Disclosure: None. 20 Countries with Highest Rates of Infant Mortality is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Fuel stations in Malawi's economic capital, Blantyre, are running on empty after a fresh, nationwide fuel shortage this week.

Long lines of motorists are waiting for hours, sometimes overnight, in hopes of fueling their vehicles, while public transport fares have doubled. Malawi's energy regulator says the country has depleted its fuel reserves, largely due to a lack of foreign currency.

The problem became apparent July 16 when motorists started to scramble for gasoline, though diesel still was readily available.

Now, both products have run out. Long lines, some as long as a kilometer from a pump station, are common, attracting a lot of speculation from motorists such as Labani Chirwa.

Chirwa has heard there are plans to hike the prices of fuel, leaving many thinking some filling stations are deliberately hoarding the fuel to make huge profits from the old stock.

The government has rejected that speculation.

This is the first time since March the fuel supply situation has reached critical levels.

The fuel scarcity has pushed operators of public transportation vehicles to almost double their fares.

However, the operators say despite the increase in fares they are not making any profits because they are spending a day or two lining up for fuel without doing any business.

The fuel scarcity is a big blow because many people and their families rely on minibuses, said Calisto Kambani, who runs a minibus business in Blantyre.

Malawi has been facing recurring fuel shortages since August 2022, largely because the country lacks enough foreign currency. The Reserve Bank of Malawi said in June that the government's foreign exchange reserves were not enough to last a month.

Henry Kachaje, chief executive officer for the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, told reporters Tuesday that Malawi cannot keep up with rising international prices for petroleum products.

"Previously, the country used to require an average of about $300 million worth of product, but when the prices of petroleum products on the market rose, as a country we needed almost $600 million worth of a product. Unfortunately, our export base did not double as the import bill doubled," he said.

Kachaje said the energy regulator is working with fuel suppliers to minimize the shortages.

"One way is to engage suppliers that are willing to give product to Malawi in Malawi Kwacha [local currency]," he said, "so we use that as a measure to supply to the main market on a daily basis while we allow our national importer, the National Oil Company of Malawi, to focus on restocking the strategic reserves."

Kachaje said if all works according to plan, the fuel strategic reserve in Malawi will be restocked by the end of August.

The current fuel shortage is temporary, he added, projecting it will be resolved within three days.
The killings of two journalists in one week in Mexico has renewed calls for the countrys media community to be given better protection.

The most recent attack took place Saturday in Acapulco, Guerrero state, when Nelson Matus, the director of news website Lo Real de Guerrero, was fatally shot outside a store.

The previous Saturday, the body of missing journalist Luis Martin Sanchez was found in Tepic, the capital of Nayarit state.

The prosecutors office said the body of Sanchez, who worked for the national newspaper La Jornada in the coastal state of Nayarit, showed signs of violence and that two handwritten signs were left with the body.

Authorities did not say what was written on the signs.

Mexico is the deadliest country for journalists outside of a war zone, with 13 killed for their work in 2022 and five slain so far this year, according to media organizations.

Reporters who cover corruption and crime are most at risk of kidnap, attack or death.

The country has a protection mechanism and a special prosecutor to investigate attacks on media. But reporters say those measures dont always go far enough.

In Matus case, Guerrero authorities say they are committed to investigating the killing. But with justice often elusive, journalists in Acapulco are demanding action.

Authorities [must] find those responsible for this murder, and the other [and] end impunity, said Jacob Morales, a reporter in the city.

A second journalist, Celeste Hernandez, echoed that, telling VOA, Whats important is that theres an investigation, that it is followed up, and that it is resolved  not just that it remains as one more case."

The National Press Club in Washington said the attack on Matus was the third known attempt on the journalists life.

We are exceedingly concerned at what is happening to journalists in Mexico who are simply doing their very important jobs to investigate and inform citizens, the clubs president, Eileen OReilly, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, said in a joint statement.

The club called on authorities to redouble their efforts to secure justice and to send a signal to criminals that the murder of journalists will not be tolerated.

Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, also issued a statement on the killing, noting that Matus and the news website he founded often reported on local violence.

Impunity for such crimes must not be tolerated, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice, she said.

Morales, who has been reporting in Guerrero for 13 years, said the killing and the wider issue of impunity have left him feeling vulnerable.

This case once again shows how pervasive impunity is and how anyone can suffer an attack and be killed, especially for those of us who practice journalism, he told VOA.

The Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Mexico sixth on its Impunity Index, which tracks prosecutions in the cases of journalist killings over a 10-year period.

At the time of the latest index in November 2022, Mexico had 28 unsolved journalist killings and had been featured in the rankings for 15 years.

VOAs Spanish language service contributed to this report.
Michigan's attorney general filed felony charges Tuesday against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for then-President Donald Trump in 2020, accusing them of submitting false certificates confirming they were legitimate electors despite Joe Biden's victory in the state.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced Tuesday that all 16 people would face eight criminal charges, including forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery, which range from a potential five to 14 years in prison each.

The group includes the head of the Republican National Committee's chapter in Michigan, Kathy Berden, as well as the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Meshawn Maddock, and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.

"The false electors' actions undermined the public's faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan," Nessel said in a statement.

Electors are people appointed to represent voters in presidential elections. The winner of the popular vote in each state determines which party's electors are sent to the Electoral College, which meets in December after the election to certify the outcome.

The group is alleged to have met inside the then-Michigan Republican Party headquarters on December 14, 2020, and signed their names to multiple certificates stating they were the qualified electors for Trump. These false documents were then transmitted to Congress and the National Archives.

In January 2022, Nessel asked federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation into the 16 Republicans.

In seven battleground states, including Michigan, supporters of Trump signed certificates that falsely stated he had won their states, not Biden.

The fake certificates were ignored, but the attempt has been subject to investigations, including by the House committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

False Electoral College certificates were also submitted declaring Trump the winner of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
More than 700 people have been sentenced to prison over riots in France late last month, the country's justice minister said Wednesday, lauding the "firm" response of magistrates.

In total, 1,278 verdicts have been handed down, with over 95 percent of defendants convicted on a range of charges from vandalism to attacking police officers.

Six hundred people have already been jailed.

"It was extremely important to have a response that was firm and systematic," Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti told RTL radio. "It was essential that we reestablish national order."

The most intense urban violence in France since 2005 began on June 27 after a police officer shot dead a 17-year-old boy with North African roots during a traffic stop west of Paris, in an incident recorded by a passerby.

SEE ALSO: France Sees 5th Night of Rioting Over Teen's Killing by Police The riots were contained after four nights of serious clashes thanks to the deployment of around 45,000 security forces, including elite police special forces and armored vehicles.

Dupond-Moretti had led calls for courts to hand down harsh sentences as a deterrent, with some staying open over the weekend of the clashes to handle a backlog of cases.

Many suspects faced immediate appearances and some defence lawyers have raised concerns about the fairness of the judicial process and the heavy use of custodial sentences.

The average age of the over 3,700 people arrested was just 17, with the minors appearing in separate children's courts.
It's possible that North Korea, which is in its summer military training period, will soon announce that it conducted an exercise to simulate detonating a tactical nuclear warhead mounted on its version of the Iskander over South Korea's southern port, where the U.S. ballistic missile submarine is known to be, Kim said.

North Korea has for weeks warned against the deployment of the U.S. nuclear submarine, which can carry 20 Trident II ballistic missiles, capable of traveling some 12,000 kilometers with multiple nuclear warheads.

The U.S. had pledged to South Korea in April to "further enhance the regular visibility of strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula, as evidenced by the upcoming visit of a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine to [South Korea]," as recorded in the Washington Declaration.
The Pakistani Taliban released an online magazine geared toward women this week. The third of its kind in six years, the magazine comes at a time when the militant group formally known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, is staging a resurgence with near-daily deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces.

Titled Banat-E-Khadeejatul Kubra, which means Daughters of Khadeejatul Kubra, the 36-page Urdu-language magazine released July 16 is named after Khadeeja, the first wife of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.

The look

The red and white cover features a photo of a warrior woman dressed in black from head to toe with only her eyes showing, sitting on a white horse, ready to shoot an arrow. For titles, the magazine uses red and pink colors, and many floral motifs; however, all illustrations show women in long, loose gowns and face coverings. None of the drawings depicts any facial features.

The message

TTP, an ideological offshoot of the Afghan Taliban, released its first official magazine for women in mid-2017. Titled Sunnat-e-Khaula, meaning The Way of Khaula, the magazine was named after a female warrior from Prophet Muhammads time and encouraged women to prepare to fight.

A second magazine, Khawateen Ka Jihad , or Womens Holy War, came out in March after a gap of six years. Observers say that was almost a trial run for the latest release.

The latest issue named after Prophet Muhammads wife focuses on womens domestic responsibilities with an emphasis on serving and supporting men.

Feminist scholar and author Afiya S. Zia told VOA the agenda of this magazine is not to spread extremism but maintain a patriarchal status quo.

Its to stabilize and support the extremist agenda like the 'B' team, she said in written comments. It gives women only a supportive role - not suicide bombers or jihadists but daughters and wives who sacrifice their men for the cause and testify to their martyrdom.

Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud, a journalist and founder of The Khorasan Diary, an online news platform that focuses on militant activity in Pakistan and Afghanistan, told VOA TTP sees women as an asset in promoting its extremist ideology.

Since the majority of Taliban and their families are Pashtun, Mehsud said releasing a magazine in Urdu shows TTP is trying to reach a wider audience.

The fact that this magazine has come in Urdu (Pakistans national language) and not just Pashto, shows that its not just Pashtun women but other too whom they [TTP] are creating content for, he said.

Unlike the Afghan Taliban who have put a ban on womens education, the Pakistani Taliban support womens right to education in this magazine. The writings, however, strongly criticize co-education with sweeping generalizations and declare certain subjects like engineering unnecessary for women.

Zia said the TTP takes a pro-education stance because there is no appetite for Afghan Taliban agenda in Pakistan - it has to be a softer version.

The timing

Although Pakistani military operations dealt a massive blow to the militant group, driving its leadership and many fighters into Afghanistan in the 2010s, TTP has staged a comeback since the Afghan Taliban regained power in Kabul in August 2021.

Under the leadership of Noor Wali Mehsud, allegedly present in Afghanistan, TTP has regrouped, reorganized, and expanded by taking more than 30 other militant outfits into its fold.

The group has claimed responsibility for more than 300 attacks this year, in which more than 800 people, mostly security personnel, were killed or injured.

The Pakistani Talibans official media outlet, Umar Media, named after Afghan Talibans founder Mullah Umar, has been ramping up production of slick video and text content.

While Pakistan has repeatedly targeted TTPs operational capacity, journalist Mehsud said the state has not focused sufficiently on countering its extremist ideology.

[This] is why the TTP manages to stage a resurgence again and again. For any militant group, their center of gravity is their ideology. We have seen that groups weaken operationally but their ideology remains intact because of which they bounce back again.

The magazine, like other extremist content, is accessible through various social media accounts that manage to dodge scrutiny with clever use of key words and hashtags.
Beijing has scored significant diplomatic gains in the Indo-Pacific lately, but one country in the western Pacific so far has said no.

"The most important thing is we have shared values; we believe in freedom and democracy," said Surangel W. Whipps Jr., president of the Republic of Palau, when asked how he justifies turning down attractive offers from Beijing in favor of sticking with the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies.

"It's important that our citizens understand we're part of the U.S. family."

Speaking to VOA on the sidelines of a U.S. House of Representatives hearing, Whipps said, "We're away on the western tip, but we're part of the U.S. family, and we believe that."

During the hearing, Whipps recalled what President Ronald Reagan said at the time when the Freely Associated States were established: Youll always be family to us.

Whipps was in Washington to testify at both Senate and House hearings on the Biden administration's proposed Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023.

Palau, along with Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, make up the three Freely Associated States, a status that grants the U.S. exclusive military access to the three independent nations. In exchange the U.S. provides security guarantees and economic support to the three, but the nations decide their own foreign policies.

Palau is one of a limited number of states that recognize Taiwan, a close partner of the United States. China, meanwhile, has made it clear to the Pacific nation that rewards abound should it decide to flip its diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

"'Join us, denounce Taiwan, and the sky is the limit.' That is what's been told to us," Whipps told VOA.

He acknowledged that there's no denying the material benefits  while they lasted  to the local economy, such as tourists from China: "Boats are full, hotels are full, fishermen were happy."

"But we have also seen that after that happened and we did not denounce our relationship with Taiwan, they decided to turn the spigot off, or reduce the number of visitors coming to Palau.

"Living through that and understanding that type of relationship where one party makes it clear that they want the partnership but does so by beating the other into it whoever does this, he said, is probably not a good partner."

"It's important that our people be reminded that a true partner is a partner that is there all the time.  United States has been there for us for 80 years. There's no reason why we should look elsewhere."

Republican Representative Bruce Westerman heads the House Committee on Natural Resources, which led the hearing on Tuesday. Asked if Washington ought to be more forthcoming in providing support to nations like Palau, Westerman said, "I feel much stronger about supporting our allies and those who have the same world view and vision that America does."

Westerman said at a May hearing examining U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific that "China's threat looms large over the national security interests of the United States and the world. In the Indo-Pacific, recent [Chinese] aggressions make our territories more important than ever before. As China routinely provokes these territories and encroaches into their waters, we must maintain our strategically crucial engagement in the area through our agreements with the Freely Associated States."

Regional allies

Whipps underscored another facet of relations with the U.S. and countries with shared values.

"Most importantly, we have friends in the region: Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Australia; we all share in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and most important  preserving our freedom and democracy. It's important we work with them to keep our Pacific peaceful and prosperous."

To preserve peace and build prosperity, Whipps says, his country would welcome a greater U.S. military presence, believing "presence is deterrence."

Since 2020, Chinese boats have been in his country's waters "three times," Whipps told VOA, each time featuring a different ship, all doing surveys.

Asked if his country would like to see more U.S. Navy and Coast Guard visits, he replied: "Absolutely."

'Part of the homeland'

In the event the U.S. Coast Guard is conducting missions elsewhere, "The U.S. Navy is around, we want them to show up, and show that they are there, because this is part of the homeland, and we shouldn't have people that are uninvited in our waters conducting activities that may infringe on the security of our nations," Whipps said.

One of the things Palau and the United States have been discussing, Whipps told VOA, is improving ports and airports in the Western Pacific nation to better facilitate visits, and access, by U.S. vessels and aircraft.

Whipps makes clear that economic co-prosperity is crucial to strong strategic partnerships, and he hopes to see the negotiations between his country and the other two associated states with Washington conclude and be ratified by Congress soon.

"The agreement's passing in a timely manner helps reassure our people of the importance of the relationship, that we're family and we support each other."

Whipps told VOA that support from the United States is crucial to helping his people recover from losses due to COVID and Chinas calculated reduction of tourism.

He said a key to the region's security will be continued U.S. investment backed by the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, which works to bolster U.S. public-private joint investment initiatives.

It is important that the agreement now under discussion has money for infrastructure, he said. "Whether it's water systems, roads, hospitals, all those things we need to help develop a strong economy."
South Africa announced Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be attending an August summit in person, ending controversy over whether Pretoria would abide by its obligations under the International Criminal Court and arrest him.

Putin is wanted by the court for alleged war crimes during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"By mutual agreement, President Putin of the Russian Federation will not attend the [meeting of the BRICS group of emerging economies]," said Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa. "However, Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov."

The announcement comes a day after it was revealed that Ramaphosa believed arresting Putin should he set foot in the country would amount to "a declaration of war."

South Africa, which is a signatory to the International Criminal Court's Rome Statute, had been looking for possible ways out of acting on the warrant despite pressure from the political opposition and rights groups to honor its commitments.

Mia Swart, a law professor at Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University, told VOA that South Africa is now relieved of any obligation to act.

"It will not be necessary for the government to go through any of the legal maneuvers they've been considering over the last month, such as even withdrawing from the statute," Swart said.

She added that the government's announcement shows they realized there was no way of escaping their international obligations.

"In some sense this is a good thing, it means that they take the ICC seriously, and one can read into this that there is no, you know, that there is no ... plan to withdraw from the ICC imminently," she said.

Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, director of the South African Institute of International Affairs, said that Ramaphosa's argument that arresting Putin would have been seen as a "declaration of war" by Moscow  which was rejected by South Africa's opposition  was not necessarily incorrect.

"I think that isn't an implausible assumption to make, not only in the case of President Putin but indeed in the case of any other head of state of any other country should  an attempt to arrest them in another country be executed," Sidiropoulos said. "And certainly, Russia would see it that way."

Asked if there is a possibility that Putin would ever face trial in The Hague, ICC President Piotr Jozef Hofmanski told VOA, "It is possible, but I cannot predict when it could happen. The ICC itself has no power to arrest anyone ... we rely on state cooperation.

"But [past examples] show that sometimes you have to be patient," he added. "The arrest warrants do not disappear."

South Africa has been widely criticized by the West for what is perceived as its bias toward Moscow, though the government rejects the allegations and insists it has taken an officially neutral stance on the Ukraine war.

Last month Ramaphosa led a delegation of African leaders to both Ukraine and Russia as part of an unsuccessful peace mission.

Foreign Minister Lavrov  who will now be attending the BRICS event alongside Ramaphosa and the leaders of China, Brazil and India  was welcomed to the country on a visit earlier this year, shortly before South Africa hosted Russian warships for controversial joint exercises.

Then in May, the U.S. ambassador to the country made the startling allegation that South Africa also had provided arms to Russia  something the government has denied but says it is investigating.

VOA's Misha Komadovsky contributed to this report.
A suicide bomber targeted a truck carrying security forces in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, wounding at least eight people, police said, amid increasing violence in the region.

The attack took place in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan and is a former stronghold of the militant Pakistani Taliban group, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, who have stepped up attacks on security forces in recent months.

The military truck was badly damaged. Police did not give details about any troop casualties.

A senior police officer in the city, Waqas Rafique, said the victims were taken to a nearby hospital and that the attack also damaged other nearby vehicles carrying civilians.
Taliban forces in Afghanistan fired shots into the air and used fire hoses Wednesday to forcefully disperse dozens of women staging protests in Kabul over a recent nationwide ban on beauty salons.

Witnesses said the incident happened as around 30 female owners and workers gathered outside their beauty parlors in a central part of the capital to demand the Taliban reverse the ban.

Protesters accused security forces of beating them with batons and snatching mobile phones from some of them to stop them from filming the violence. Rally participants carried banners that read: "Livelihood, justice, work and education."



Video posted on social media shows Taliban forces resorting to aerial firing and spraying protesters with water.

Taliban authorities did not immediately respond to the allegations.

"Reports of the forceful suppression of a peaceful protest by women against the ban on beauty salons  the latest denial of women's rights in #Afghanistan  are deeply concerning," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said on Twitter. "Afghans have the right to express views free from violence. De facto authorities must uphold this."

In early July, the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Propagation of Virtue ordered hundreds of beauty parlors across Afghanistan to close within a month. It noted that the decision had stemmed from a decree issued by the reclusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

In a subsequent video statement, a ministry spokesman defended the ban on beauty salons, saying they "implant hair and pluck eyebrows, which are against the Sharia (Islamic law)." Additionally, the Taliban said salons burden men with unnecessary and excessive costs during their wedding ceremonies when brides are taken to these facilities.

Owners and workers have since staged several rallies in Kabul and elsewhere in the country, appealing to Akhundzada to reverse the decree to prevent thousands of women-led households from being impoverished. They deny salons engage in any un-Islamic practices, saying they strictly adhere to personal hygiene and cosmetic services.



The ban marks the latest in a series of sweeping restrictions imposed on Afghan women by the fundamentalist Taliban government, or the so-called Islamic Emirate, effectively blocking their access to public life and education.

Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban have indefinitely barred teenage girls from attending schools beyond the sixth grade and blocked female students from university classes. Women are not allowed to visit public parks, gyms, and bathhouses.

The restrictions have outraged the international community, with the United Nations and human rights groups denouncing the de facto Afghan administration as a "gender-apartheid regime" and accusing it of trying to squeeze women out of public life.

No country has recognized the Taliban government. The U.N. and the United States maintain that curbs on women's rights must be lifted before they consider granting legitimacy to the de facto Afghan authorities.

Taliban leaders justify the policies, maintaining they are aligned with Afghan culture and Sharia, claims scholars in other Islamic countries dispute and reject.
Greg Rutkowski's name has been used as a prompt in AI tools that generate art more than 400,000 times - but without his consent

"My work has been used in AI more than Picasso."

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing life as we know it, but for digital artist Greg Rutkowski it is causing big problems.

He said his name had been used as a prompt in AI tools that generate art more than 400,000 times since September 2022 - but without his consent.

When he checked, his name had been used as a prompt more times than the artists Pablo Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci.

Polish-born artist Greg has had his work used in games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, but said his new found AI fame has caused concern for his future work.

Sites like Midjourney, Dall.E, NightCafe and Stable Diffusion are known as generative AI because they can make new, artificially-generated artworks in seconds from prompts that users type in.

They have learned to do this by scraping billions of existing images from the internet. Artists are complaining this has been done without their consent.

Greg Rutkowski says even he would struggle to distinguish between the AI versions of his work and his own

Greg said: "The first month that I discovered it, I realised that it will clearly affect my career and I won't be able to recognise and find my own works on the internet.

"The results will be associated with my name, but it won't be my image. It won't be created by me. So it will add confusion for people who are discovering my works."

"All that we've been working on for so many years has been taken from us so easily with AI," he added.

"It's really hard to tell whether this will change the whole industry to the point where human artists will be obsolete. I think my work and future are under a huge question mark."

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'Real art has personality'

While the problems are clear, there are some ways AI tools can be used to benefit artists, according to Cardiff-based animator Harry Hambley, who is the creative force behind internet sensation Ketnipz.

Story continues

"I think for me the biggest thing generative art can solve is tedium," he said.

"But it can be scary and the internet's already a wild place, and you mix AI in with that we don't know where it's going to go.

"Do I think that my job will ever be sacrificed to AI or AI will do it better than me? I don't know. I hope not."

Artist Harry Hambley says the biggest problem is we do not know how far AI will go

Harry said he thought there was more to art than how it looked.

"At the end of the day I think that there's a bigger reason why people are invested in Ketnipz and I don't think it's just the mere aesthetics of it.

"I think there's a personality behind it that I don't think someone imitating can really tap into."

'Just keep making art'

James Lewis's brush control has made him a hit on TikTok

Artist James Lewis, from Cardiff, creates videos of his painting technique for more than seven million followers on TikTok and Instagram.

He has yet to find out if his work has been used by the tools, but said because AI has learned from billions of artworks, it would be hard to trace which artists' works have been used in each image.

"If there was a way to go back and figure out who inspired this style of image that was generated, I think it would be fair for that artist to receive some sort of compensation," he said.

James Lewis' piece, Kaboom: "If there was a way figure out who inspired this style of image... it would be fair to receive some sort of compensation"

In the meantime he thinks artists should keep being creative.

"I do have hope that as much as AI art will develop and it'll get better, but it will never be able to capture that true human essence, that true creativity that we have as people," he said.

"You will still need your own creative ideas, your own initiative."

Artist Caroline Sinders says she will be exercising her copyright rights

For artist and human rights researcher Caroline Sinders, it is for AI companies to address the problem.

She said: "Part of the argument we hear from companies is, 'we have so much data, it would be impossible for us to tell, like searching for a needle in a haystack'.

"I would like to say, well, that's a 'you' problem, not a 'me' problem.

"I have a copyright on the images and I plan to enact my copyright if my images are used without my consent."

She said she was also worried about the bias that these tools created and how it meant AI art was not reflecting the real world.

"Let's say we ask an image generation AI system to generate a doctor assessing care to a family," she said.

"Most likely that doctor will be generated as male and probably as white, and the parent will probably be generated as female.

"And this is not an example I'm randomly making up. There have been tests done by asking these sort of blanket questions without gender being in the text prompt and, more often than not, it's reflecting these stereotypes."

This extends to racial bias and also ableism, said Irene Fubara-Manuel, a lecturer at the University of Sussex.

While they said they were excited about the possibilities provided by generative art, issues such as racial and gender biases in some images created were hard to overcome.

"I was trying to dye my hair over the summer, and I was just looking up 'people of colour, blonde locks'," they said.

Irene Fubara-Manuel says they noticed bias when searching for images to try out new hairstyles

"What I got in response was this regal, I would say, fetishised image of black people. You know, chiselled jaw lines, their skin was iridescent.

"It's like, there are black people who are that beautiful, but the images that you see commonly in a lot of AI are very, very fetishised representations of people.

"You would not see people who are plus size, or people who have visible disabilities, for instance."

Artists are now calling on regulators in the UK and worldwide to take more action to protect artists and the industry.

Irene said artists were not against AI but, "the argument is against exploitation".

"But I'm hopeful that it will contribute to human creativity in general, just like how the creation of computers added more to creativity. I'm excited for its contribution," they said.

Caroline said more regulation of the emerging AI industry in the UK would not "stifle" innovation.

"It makes things safer and that's why we have certain laws," she said.

"That's why right now we have seatbelts and airbags for cars and a lot of rules about them. When they were first invented, we didn't have any of that.

"So it's not at all out of step to sort of ask for, or to create, guardrails and protections."

Additional reporting by Lola Mayor.

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President Joe Biden held a second White House meeting with Israels moderate ceremonial leader, President Isaac Herzog, covering a range of issues including Russias increased ties with Iran. The two also discussed further diplomatic normalization with Israels neighbors and the Biden administrations concerns over the conservative prime ministers moves toward judicial system changes and increased settlements in the West Bank. VOAs Anita Powell reports from the White House
Religious discrimination in India, the world's largest democracy, has reached a "frightening" level, and some experts warn that the country must change its course or face targeted sanctions from the U.S. government.

"India has done better in the past and has to change course because the cycle of downward spiral in a country of that importance and the number of people who are involved. It is quite frightening," Rabbi Abraham Cooper, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, or USCIRF, told lawmakers on Tuesday.

"Religious discrimination should not be a matter of national pride," he said.

The USCIRF has recommended that India, along with Afghanistan, Syria, Nigeria and Vietnam, be added to the U.S. government's list of Countries of Particular Concern, or CPC, because of the worsening limits on religious freedom in these countries.

It also has called for targeted economic and travel sanctions against Indian government agencies and officials that are allegedly involved in violation of religious freedom.

The scathing criticism comes only weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the White House and addressed a joint session of Congress.

In 2005, the U.S. State Department revoked Modi's tourist/business visa because of his alleged role in religious and communal violence in the Indian Gujarat state in 2002.

"So, we're hoping that now that the trip has taken place and the victory lap has been earned and taken, there will be a serious review," Cooper said.

Human rights groups have accused Modi's government of fostering discriminatory religious nationalism targeting Muslim, Christian and Sikh religious minorities.

Amid recurrent incidents of religiously inspired violence, 12 out of 28 states in India have passed legislation criminalizing religious conversion.



Under review



Known for his disdain for news conferences, Modi nonetheless appeared at a joint news conference with President Joe Biden at the White House on June 22 where he was asked about discrimination against religious minorities by his government.

"I'm actually really surprised that people say so," Modi responded, adding that India is governed under a constitutional democratic order.

"There's absolutely no space for discrimination," he emphasized.

Last year, the U.S. government did not list India as a country of particular concern despite a USCIRF recommendation to do so.

"We are beginning our process for determining [CPC] designations this year," Rashad Hussain, ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom at the U.S. State Department, told the congressional hearing on Tuesday.

Hussain did not specifically say whether India would be designated a CPC this year.

The United States and India, both considering China as a strategic challenge, have expanded bilateral economic, military and political relations. With $120 billion in trade in 2022, the United States has become India's largest trading partner.

Global concerns

U.S. lawmakers express concerns about the worsening state of religious freedom worldwide, ranging from China to Nicaragua.

"Today, I am more concerned than ever about the further deterioration of religious freedom," said Representative Christopher Smith, pointing out that about half of the world's population is unable to practice faith freely.

Some lawmakers accused China of committing "genocide" against religious minorities, particularly the Uyghur Muslims  allegations the Chinese government has repeatedly denied.

While lawmakers called on the State Department to hold the perpetrator regimes accountable, experts said the U.S. should adopt a holistic approach and avoid worsening the plight of vulnerable religious communities in different parts of the world.

"It's critical [for] the U.S. to support vulnerable communities  Uyghurs in China, atheists in Pakistan and Bahais in Iran," said Susan Hayward, associate director of religion and public life at Harvard Divinity School.

"U.S. advocacy for religious freedom must be conflict-sensitive, so as not to render already vulnerable communities more vulnerable nor exacerbate religious dimensions of conflict," Hayward said.
North Korea stayed silent Wednesday about its detention of a U.S. soldier who dashed across the Koreas heavily militarized border even as he had been ordered to return to the United States to face possible discipline and discharge from the military.

Private 2nd Class Travis King ran into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on Tuesday, a day after he was supposed to leave for a military base in the U.S. King had been released from a South Korean prison last week after serving nearly two months for assault.

His immediate fate in North Korea was unknown, but the Pyongyang government has held Americans in the past and not quickly released them. The two countries have no diplomatic relations and tensions between them remain high.

On Wednesday, North Korea test-fired two ballistic missiles into the sea in an apparent protest of the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea for the first time in decades.

The arrival of the USS Kentucky, capable of launching Trident II ballistic missiles with a range of 12,000 kilometers, is a highly symbolic move signaling that Washington will stand with South Korea in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack.

Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea, told The Associated Press, "It's likely that North Korea will use the soldier for propaganda purposes in the short term and then as a bargaining chip in the mid- to long term.

King was escorted as far as a customs checkpoint on Monday but left the airport before boarding his plane. It was not clear where he spent time before joining the Panmunjom tour at the border between North and South Korea Tuesday afternoon. One woman on the tour with King initially thought his sprint across the border was some kind of a stunt.

Kings time in South Korea was troubled. Aside from his recent jail term, a court last February fined him $3,950 for assaulting an unidentified person and damaging a police vehicle in Seoul last October.

In that ruling, a transcript of the verdict said King had also been accused of punching a 23-year-old man at a Seoul nightclub, though the court dismissed that charge because the victim didn't want King to be punished.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that King willfully and without authorization crossed into North Korea. He said the U.S. was closely monitoring and investigating the situation.

Im absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troops, Austin said, and so, we will remain focused on this.

King is the first known American held in North Korea in nearly five years. Each detention has set off complicated diplomatic negotiations.

King's mother told ABC News she was shocked when she heard her son had run into North Korea.

"I can't see Travis doing anything like that," said Claudine Gates of Racine, Wisconsin.

Gates said she last heard from her son "a few days ago," when he told her he would return soon to Fort Bliss in the U.S. state of Texas. She added she just wanted "him to come home."

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since a truce ended the 1950-53 Korean War.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press.
A day that was supposed to celebrate strengthened nuclear coordination between the United States and South Korea was complicated by an American soldier who crossed into North Korea at the border, apparently on his own volition.

The highly unusual move occurred as senior U.S. and South Korean officials were set to face the media Tuesday afternoon in Seoul to discuss the inaugural meeting of the long-lauded Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).

The establishment of the group was first announced in April as part of the Washington Declaration, in which the leaders of the two countries laid out plans to strengthen U.S. extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threats.

White House Indo-Pacific National Security Coordinator Kurt Campbell characterized the efforts going into the NCG as unequaled since "the early periods of the Cold War."

He led a 30-person delegation, which included nuclear experts, to engage with his South Korean counterpart, Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo, on the scope of the consultative relationship.

Creating workstreams on nuclear consultation in crises and contingencies, integrating the U.S. nuclear military capability with South Korea's conventional capability, and security and information-sharing protocols were among agenda items discussed during the five-hour meeting. It was also attended by the two countries' foreign affairs officials and defense officials at the assistant secretary level, according to a joint statement.

The statement reiterated that any North Korean nuclear attack against the U.S. or its allies would "result in the end of that regime," and that a nuclear attack against South Korea would "be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response."

Kim told reporters the meeting convinced him that Seoul need not pursue its own nuclear weapons development, as the NCG offered "sufficient and assured extended deterrence."

The two sides agreed to hold quarterly meetings at the working group and principal levels, with the next principal meeting planned for later this year. A trilateral summit among the U.S., South Korea and Japan is being planned for August.

Indicating it was crucial to send a clear warning to Pyongyang, Campbell described the arrival of the USS Kentucky, the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to visit South Korea since the 1980s, as a manifestation of U.S. commitments. Message from North Korea

North Korea last Wednesday fired its new solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-18, for a second time, even as its state media churned out a string of aggressive statements against Washington, accusing it of flying illegal reconnaissance missions and warning it against the dispatch of a nuclear missile submarine.

In confirming the arrival Tuesday of the USS Kentucky at the port city of Busan, the U.S. military described it as a "launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles [which provides] the United States with its most survivable leg of the nuclear triad," given its ability to operate anywhere in the world.

The submarine can carry 20 Trident II ballistic missiles, the South Korean military explained in a separate release, boasting a range of some 12,000 kilometers.

"Ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) are the most powerful nuclear assets in the world," said Park Won Gon, professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. "North Korea's solid-fuel Hwasong-18 ICBM is no match to the SSBN.  North Korea is going to realize the imbalance between its nuclear capabilities and the U.S.'"

North Korea ready to talk?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong, widely viewed as his top spokesperson, issued a statement on the eve of the strategic nuclear submarine's arrival, citing the impending deployment among a laundry list of "realities" Pyongyang faced to justify its nuclear weapons program.

Kim Yo Jong said the Korean peninsula was at a state "far beyond the acute confrontation between [North Korea] and the U.S. in 2017," adding that the "worry the U.S. witnessed" was just the start of North Korea's "already-launched military offensive."

The detailed, lengthy statement published on state media KCNA  which lamented the temporary nature of U.S. commitments  nevertheless featured a wish list of actions that could indicate North Korea's first suggestion of an interest in rekindling talks with Washington, analysts say.

Among those mentioned were a withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Korean peninsula, a suspension of joint military exercises and sanctions relief.

"This is the first time in three years that North Korea has come up with very clear conditions, agendas, that they want to discuss with the U.S.," Park said, explaining the statements must be read between the lines.

"The Hwasong-18 ICBM could serve in a similar way as did the Hwasong-15 launched in November 2017," Park said, referring to the peak of a crisis year that saw Kim Jong Un and then-U.S. President Donald Trump engage in rhetorical escalation ("mentally deranged U.S. dotard" to Trump's "fire and fury"), only for Pyongyang to reverse course and send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics by early 2018.
A teenager from the United States who allegedly planned to go to Iraq to fight for the Islamic State group was arrested Friday as he tried to board a flight to Turkey.

Davin Daniel Meyer, an 18-year-old from the U.S. state of Colorado, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Colorado announced late Monday.

Meyer's lawyer did not immediately return a telephone message or email seeking comment.

According to his arrest affidavit, law enforcement began investigating him in June 2022 when someone who knew him contacted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The person said they were concerned because, after following white supremacist ideology, Meyer, then 17, had turned to Islam and was frequently watching and listening to "radical Islamic sermons online." The FBI was notified by the sheriff's office, it said.

The person, who was not identified in the document, said Meyer said "he wanted to die in his early twenties for Allah."

"In October 2022, the individual informed the FBI that Meyer had stated that if he could not go to the Middle East, he planned to get fertilizer and build a bomb in the United States," the arrest affidavit said.

The document noted that Meyer had previously undergone mental health treatment and has been diagnosed with conditions including autism spectrum disorder and major depressive disorder.

Soon after he turned 18 in November, Meyer began communicating online with someone he thought was an Islamic State facilitator but was actually a paid FBI informant, the document said. The following month, that person introduced Meyer to another informant who claimed to be an Islamic State travel facilitator, who met with Meyer three times to talk about his plan to pay and prepare for traveling to join the Islamic State.

Meyer talked about problems finding a job that would allow him to follow his religious practices, such as not having to interact with women or listen to music, it said. After his mother offered to pay for an apartment for him and cover some living expenses for him, he decided to use that money to pay for his trip and buy gear that he needed to become a fighter, the document said.

Concerned that his mother would worry about him, he talked about leaving a note on the counter saying he had left by his own choice.

Meyer bought a ticket for July 14 to travel to Ankara, Turkey, where he believed he would meet with Islamic State members and travel on to Iraq to become a fighter, the arrest affidavit said.

That day, he "repeatedly expressed anxiety and hesitation" to one of the informants, but he also "repeatedly expressed determination to go through with his plans," it said.
The United States has called on Egypt to release rights researcher Patrick Zaki after a court sentenced him Tuesday to three years in prison for an article he wrote.

The court in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura convicted Zaki of disseminating false news for the article in which he described discrimination faced by Christians in Egypt.

Concerned by 3-year sentence of Egyptian human rights defender Patrick Zaki, the U.S. State Department tweeted. Urge immediate release of him and others unjustly detained. Egyptians must be able to freely express themselves w/o fear of reprisal. Human rights progress is essential to strengthen bilateral relations.

Zaki was studying as a graduate student in Italy when he was arrested during a visit to Egypt in February 2020. He spent 22 months in detention before his trial.
People who have a particular genetic variant are twice as likely to never feel sick when they contract COVID-19, researchers said Wednesday, offering the first potential explanation for the lucky group dubbed the "super dodgers."

Those who have two copies of the variant are eight times more likely to never get any symptoms from COVID-19, according to the study in the journal Nature.

Previous research has suggested that at least 20% of the millions of infections during the pandemic were asymptomatic. To find out what could be behind these cases, researchers took advantage of a database of volunteer bone marrow donors in the United States.

The database included each person's type of human leukocyte antigen (HLA), which are molecules on the surface of most cells in the body. The immune system uses HLA to see which cells belong in the body, and they are thought to play a key role in the response to viral infections.

Subjects self-reported symptoms

The researchers had nearly 30,000 people on the bone marrow registry self-report their COVID tests and symptoms on a mobile phone app.

More than 1,400 unvaccinated people tested positive for COVID between February 2020 and late April 2021, the study said. Out of that group, 136 saw no symptoms two weeks before and after testing positive.

One in five of that group carried at least one copy of an HLA variant called HLA-B*15:01.

Those fortunate enough to have two copies of the gene, one from their mother and one from their father, were more than eight times more likely to be asymptomatic from COVID-91 than other people, the study said.

To find out why this was the case, the team carried out separate research looking at T cells, which protect the body from infections, in people who carried the variant. The researchers specifically looked at how T cells remembered viruses they had previously encountered.

This meant they were "armed and ready for attack when they encounter the same pathogen again," said Jill Hollenbach of the University of California, San Francisco, who was the study's lead researcher.

When people with the HLA variant were exposed to the coronavirus, their T cells were particularly primed for battle because they remembered similar cold viruses they had previously fended off.

Children often spared the worst

This theory  that recent exposure to colds and other coronaviruses could lead to fewer COVID symptoms  has previously been proposed to explain why children have often been spared the worst of COVID.

"Anyone that has ever been a parent knows that kids are snotty-nosed for five or six years, so I think that's a really reasonable thing to speculate might be happening," Hollenbach said.

She said the HLA variant was likely just one piece of the genetic puzzle behind asymptomatic COVID.

The researchers hope that studying the immune response to COVID could lead to new treatments or vaccines in the future. Hollenbach said one interesting idea was a vaccine that prevents COVID symptoms, as opposed to infection, which could potentially last longer than the currently available vaccines.

The researchers warned that most of the study's participants were white, which could limit the findings for other groups, and that it covered an earlier period of the pandemic and did not include re-infections.
Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change, has turned to door-to-door campaigning ahead of next months election, saying police are turning down its applications for public rallies. The police acknowledge refusing to authorize a number of opposition rallies but say they are also turning down requests to rally from the ruling party. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Harare. Camera: Blessing Chigwenhembe
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA  Every year on Nelson Mandela's birthday (July 18), the South African government calls on citizens to honor the global icons legacy by doing good deeds. But almost 10 years after the anti-apartheid legend's death, with South Africa suffering record levels of unemployment, widespread blackouts and corruption scandals, many say the current government is itself failing to honor Mandela.

Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison in his fight against racist white minority rule, is a hero to many in South Africa and across the world. After he became the countrys first democratically elected president in 1994 there was a great sense of hope for South Africa under his leadership of the African National Congress party, or ANC.

But his successors  all from the ANC  have had mixed reviews, with one  former President Jacob Zuma  facing trial on multiple counts of corruption.

Many critics say the once-storied liberation party has become bloated, corrupt and inept, though others argue the brutal legacy of the apartheid system has made it hard to turn the country around.

What ordinary South Africans who spoke to VOA on the streets of Johannesburg did agree on this Mandela Day, however, was that the man many refer to as tata, or father, is sorely missed.

Isaac Rabotapi, a security guard, remembered the day in 1990 when he was a young child and Mandela was released from prison.

We were so happy in Soweto even children, we couldnt sleep even in that day because we were so happy he was out of jail We do remember so many things about him. Actually, we miss him, Rabotapi said.

Rabotapi says the countrys current leaders havent lived up to Mandelas huge legacy.Im very disappointed. I think Tata would be very crying to see that South Africa is collapsing; really, its collapsing about water, loadshedding, electricity, those stuffs, the shortage of food, you know, so many things. The crime, Rabotapi said.

Agnes Mashole, who owns a beauty salon, also remembers the celebrations when Mandela and the ANC won the first election after apartheid.

But like Rabotapi, she laments the widespread power failures known here as loadshedding  which have badly affected Africas most developed economy  and expresses disappointment with the current government.

They failed, they like really failed. I wish we could just wake up Mandela and fix everything The economy is going down. This loadshedding, its worse, Mashole said.

Asanda Ngoasheng, an independent political analyst, told VOA South Africa was a complex country because of its history.

Yes, corruption does leave a stain in the ANC and it is a difficult issue to deal with and it is disappointing for South Africans considering the legacy of Mandela, but there is a lot that the ANC has done for South Africa and continues to do for South Africa, particularly Black South Africans, Ngoasheng said.

To mark Mandela Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated two new statues of the revered statesman, and made a speech about following in his footsteps.

However, if the ANC doesnt fix some of the problems plaguing the country, it may no longer be able to retain power simply by trading on Mandelas legacy.

South Africa holds elections next year and recent polls show the ANC might lose its parliamentary majority for the first time since coming to power.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Former President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has received a letter informing him that he is a target of the Justice Department's investigation into efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, an indication he could soon be charged by U.S. prosecutors.

New federal charges, on top of existing state and federal counts in New York and Florida and a separate election-interference investigation nearing conclusion in Georgia, would add to the list of legal problems for Trump as he pursues the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Trump disclosed the existence of a target letter in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying he received it Sunday night and that he anticipates being indicted. Such a letter often precedes an indictment and is used to advise individuals under investigation that prosecutors have gathered evidence linking them to a crime; Trump himself received one soon before being charged last month in a separate investigation into the illegal retention of classified documents.

A spokesman for special counsel Jack Smith, whose office is leading the investigation, declined to comment.

Legal experts have said potential charges could include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding, in this case Congress certification of President Joe Bidens electoral victory.

Smiths team has cast a broad net in its investigation into attempts by Trump and his allies to block the transfer of power to Biden in the days leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, when Trump loyalists stormed the building in a bid to disrupt the certification of state electoral votes in Congress. More than 1,000 people accused of participating in the riot have been charged.

Smiths probe has centered on a broad range of efforts by Trump and allies to keep him in office, including the role played by lawyers in pressing for the overturning of results as well as plans for slates of fake electors in multiple battleground states won by Biden to submit false electoral certificates to Congress.

Prosecutors have questioned multiple Trump administration officials before a grand jury in Washington, including former Vice President Mike Pence, who was repeatedly pressured by Trump to ignore his constitutional duty and block the counting in Congress of electoral votes on Jan. 6.

Theyve also interviewed other Trump advisers, including former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, as well as local election officials in states including Michigan and New Mexico who were targets of a pressure campaign from the then-president to overturn election results in their states. A lawyer for Giuliani, who participated in a voluntary interview, said Tuesday that he did not receive a target letter.

Trump has consistently denied wrongdoing and did so again in his Tuesday post, writing, "Under the United States Constitution, I have the right to protest an Election that I am fully convinced was Rigged and Stolen, just as the Democrats have done against me in 2016, and many others have done over the ages.

Trump remains the Republican partys dominant frontrunner, despite indictments in New York arising from hush money payments during his 2016 campaign, and in Florida, which appear to have had little impact on his standing in the crowded GOP field. The indictments also have helped his campaign raise millions of dollars from supporters, though he raised less after the second than the first, raising questions about whether subsequent charges will have the same impact.

A fundraising committee backing Trump's candidacy began soliciting contributions just hours after he revealed the new letter, casting the investigation as "just another vicious act of Election Interference on behalf of the Deep State to try and stop the Silent Majority from having a voice in your own country.

Trump was traveling to Iowa Tuesday, where he was taping a town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

The Trump indictments have proven politically challenging for some of Trump's rivals, who must be mindful of his deep support among many of the party's primary voters.

Asked about the letter during a press conference in South Carolina, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trumps most serious challenger, said he hadnt seen it, but delivered his most forceful critique to date of Trump's inaction on Jan. 6.

I think it was shown how he was in the White House and didnt do anything while things were going on. He should have come out more forcefully, DeSantis said. However, he added, But to try to criminalize that, thats a different issue entirely.

House speaker Kevin McCarthy, who had previously criticized Trump for his actions that day, accused Democrats of trying to weaponize government to go after their number one opponent.

Trump, since leaving office, has increasingly downplayed the events of Jan. 6, describing the rally he held that day as a lovefest and a beautiful thing. He has also embraced defendants jailed for their alleged roles in the insurrection, including promising to pardon a large portion and to issue an official apology to them if he is reelected.

In June, he spoke at a fundraiser for the defendants and earlier this year collaborated on a song called Justice for All, a version of the Star-Spangled Banner sung by a choir of Jan. 6 defendants and recorded over a prison phone line that is overlaid with Trump reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

One purpose of a target letter is to advise a potential defendant that he or she has a right to appear before the grand jury. Trump said in his post that he has been given a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and indictment." Aides did not immediately respond to questions seeking further information.

Prosecutors in Georgia are conducting a separate investigation into efforts by Trump to reverse his election loss in that state, with the top prosecutor in Fulton County signaling that she expects to announce charging decisions next month.

In his post on Tuesday, Trump wrote that they have now effectively indicted me three times ... with a probably fourth coming from Atlanta and added in capital letters, This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total political weaponization of law enforcement."

Trump was indicted last month on 37 federal felony counts in relation to accusations of illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. He has pleaded not guilty. A pretrial conference in that case was held Tuesday in Fort Pierce, Florida, where a judge said she expected to soon decide on a trial date.

____

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report.
Artificial intelligence may impact on many jobs held by humans, but the head of Britains main intelligence agency says spies can rest easy because theirs are safe. For now.

In a rare public speech in Prague on Wednesday, MI6 chief Richard Moore said that his agency does not see human intelligence gathering as a field that AI is capable of replicating.

Instead, Moore made it clear that MI6 considers that the "opposite is likely to be true," and that "the unique characteristics of human agents in the right places will become still more significant."

Moore left open the possibility that AI could develop to a level where it can "overtake some aspects of human cognition," and that it may happen faster than expected. At the same time, the spymaster expressed his belief that it would not be able to replace the "extraordinary bond" in human relationships that are the bread and butter of intelligence gathering.

Moore, who assumed his position in 2020, has for years spoken about the impact of AI on intelligence operations and national security.

Previously, Moore cautioned that Russia and China were pursuing faster AI development to further their geopolitical goals, and warned that the West needed to take this challenge seriously.

In his speech in Prague, Moore returned to some of those concerns, especially those relating to China. He accused Beijing of "hoovering up" swathes of data domestically and abroad for its AI pursuits. As an example, Moore said China used its export of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic as a means to swipe data from recipients. This, Moore said, creates a data trap that presents dangers for national security.

Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) Take Over Your Job?

For all the challenges posed by AI, Moore made clear that MI6 is already making use of the technology to help identify and disrupt weapons flowing to Russia for use in its invasion of Ukraine.

The agency is hardly alone among intelligence services that are pondering what AI means for spying. In the United States, both the CIA and the FBI have made clear they are looking at ways to utilize AI for operations, while protecting secrets from adversaries like China.
Elisabeth Valerio, leader of the United Zimbabwe Alliance, has been granted permission by the Electoral Court to contest the 2023 presidential election after her papers were rejected by the Nomination Court for late submission.

Valerio becomes the only woman presidential aspirant in a field of 11 men, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change.

Valerio said, Im happy that we have been allowed to get into the presidential race. I will be the only woman presidential candidate. Thats very good news for Zimbabweans.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) refused to accept her nomination papers claiming that she submitted them late at the Nomination Court.

Meanwhile, the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change says ZEC has given political parties unusable copies of the voters roll. The party says they need an electronic copy of the voterss register.

More details to follow 
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WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimers disease now requires a series of complicated and expensive imaging scans that look for abnormal protein plaques and tangles in the brain.

But in the near future, detecting signs of Alzheimers could be as simple as taking a finger prick blood test.

Researchers detected key Alzheimers-related biomarkers in dried blood samples drawn from a finger prick, according to findings presented Wednesday at the Alzheimers Association International Conference, in Amsterdam.

The finger prick method is very much a work in progress, but we are encouraged by this preliminary evidence, said lead scientist Hanna Huber, a postdoctoral researcher of neurochemistry at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

This study, along with two other research efforts featured at the conference, point the way to a future when Alzheimers can be more easily detected, tracked and treated, experts said.

There is an urgent need for simple, inexpensive, minimally invasive and accessible diagnostic tools for Alzheimers, said Percy Griffin, director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimers Association. A widely available, simple-to-use blood test for Alzheimers would be a great advance."

The two other studies involved the usefulness of blood samples to diagnose Alzheimers, and a new test that could more accurately detect the presence of tau protein tangles in the brain.

These studies are fascinating and the results inspire hope, Griffin said. They point to a not-too-distant future where multiple tools to aid in early detection and accurate diagnosis are more accessible to all people in all communities.

Alzheimers disease is defined by two types of proteins that start behaving abnormally in the brain.

Early in Alzheimers, amyloid beta protein starts to form plaques in the brain. As the disease progresses and cognitive symptoms arise, tau proteins begin twisting into tangles.

Currently, the gold standard way to see if a persons brain contains plaques or tangles is through imaging scans, said Dr. Randall Bateman, a professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and co-senior researcher of the tau test study.

But these plaques and tangles shed protein fragments into cerebrospinal fluid, which can then eventually make their way into a persons bloodstream, Bateman said.

If researchers can figure out a way to efficiently and accurately detect those protein fragments, they can use that data to assess whether someone has Alzheimers or is at risk for developing the disease in the near future, experts say.

Simple dried blood cards

For the finger prick study, Huber and her colleagues collected blood samples from 77 memory clinic patients at the ACE Alzheimer Center in Barcelona, Spain.

The finger prick samples were transferred onto dry blood spot cards and shipped overnight, without any temperature control, to the University of Gothenburg.

In the lab in Gothenburg, we extracted the dried blood from the cards and measured proteins that are related to Alzheimers disease, Huber said. These were markers of amyloid and tau pathology, neurodegeneration and glial [brain cell] activity.

The levels of these markers found in the dried blood samples were about as good as those derived from standard blood analysis using regular blood collection methods, Huber said.

A blood test from a finger prick requires less sample volume than standard reference methods in plasma, she said. Another advantage of the dry blood spot sampling is that there is no need for centrifuges or freezers to store and process the sample.

Once the test is perfected, doctors in rural areas or at smaller hospitals -- or even average folks -- could take a finger prick blood sample and ship it off to a facility equipped with the highly sophisticated technology needed to detect these markers, Huber said.

Our next steps will be a validation of our results in a wider memory clinic setting, and we will invite patients and caregivers do the dry blood spot collection themselves, she said. This could be in their home or unsupervised in the doctors office. This will allow us to understand if self-collection is attainable, and if we see the same results compared to the optimal settings as applied in our pilot study.

In the second study, researchers at Lund University in Sweden investigated the usefulness of blood-based Alzheimers biomarkers to diagnose the disease in a primary care setting.

The team recruited more than 300 middle-aged to elderly patients at 17 primary care centers in Sweden.

The patients underwent cognitive testing and an imaging scan of their brain, and afterward their personal doctor rendered a diagnosis of their brain health.

A blood sample also was taken and analyzed to estimate each patients levels of abnormal amyloid beta and tau.

As a last step, the patients underwent a thorough clinical examination at a specialized memory clinic to see how well the primary care doctor and the blood test performed in detecting Alzheimers.

The blood test correctly diagnosed Alzheimers or identified the presence of Alzheimers-related brain changes in more than 85% of cases.

By comparison, primary care physicians got it right about 55% of the time. As a result, more than half of the people who actually had Alzheimers did not receive treatment, while 30% of people without Alzheimers received treatment they didnt need.

Tracking a specific type of tau

The third study looked at a better way to detect tau tangles, with researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Lund University identifying a form of tau that could serve as a marker to track Alzheimers progression. Results were published July 13 in the journal Nature Medicine.

The study of more than 660 Alzheimers patients in the United States and Sweden revealed a specific form of tau in cerebrospinal fluid that tracks accurately with the amount of damaging tau tangles in the brain, as well as a persons degree of mental decline.

This comes from a part of the tau protein that actually makes up the tangles in the brain, Bateman said. The other tau biomarkers come from a part of the protein that doesn't make up the tau tangles, but it gets released in response to the presence of amyloid plaques. In order for us to really track the tangles, we need to get to the part of the protein that actually aggregates in the tangles.

Using this type of tau, called MTBR-tau243, researchers were able to detect Alzheimers and accurately assess the stage to which a persons illness had progressed, researchers said.

At this point, the tau test relies on a spinal tap to draw cerebrospinal fluid for analysis, but Bateman thinks it could be translated into a blood test within a few years.

In the past when we developed these tests for cerebrospinal fluid, it's just taken a few years to move from that to clinical blood tests that can be used in doctor's office, he said.

But science isnt at a point yet where any of these blood tests are truly reliable, said Dr. Joel Salinas, a clinical assistant professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health in New York City.

I wouldnt underestimate the length of that step in translating the tau test to blood samples, said Salinas, who reviewed the studies. There are sometimes issues with the amount of these proteins that can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid compared to the bloodstream. We can usually get kind of a sense of a parallel measure, but it's not the most direct measure, which is why there is yet to be a really good circulating biomarker for Alzheimer's disease, at least not one that everybody in the field feels very, very confident about.

While better ones are now available, "they're certainly not to the level where people are using them very, very readily in clinical practice, added Salinas, who is also chief medical officer for Isaac Health.

The advent of Alzheimers drugs that remove amyloid beta from the brain makes the search for these sort of blood tests even more imperative, Griffin and Huber said.

Lecanemab (Leqembi) recently became the first such drug to receive full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but patients taking the drug are required to undergo regular imaging scans to chart their progress.

These new findings are timely and important with the recent approvals of Alzheimers treatments targeting amyloid-beta, where confirmation of amyloid buildup and biomarker monitoring are required to receive treatment, Griffin said. While further standardization and validation are needed, blood tests may soon be one piece of the diagnostic workup in everyday practice.

Findings that are presented at medical meetings and not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal are considered preliminary.

More information

The Alzheimers Association has more about how Alzheimers is diagnosed.

SOURCES: Hanna Huber, PhD, postdoctoral researcher in neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Percy Griffin, PhD, director, scientific engagement, Alzheimers Association, Chicago; Randall Bateman, MD, professor, neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Joel Salinas, MD, clinical assistant professor, neurology, NYU Langone Health, New York City; presentations, Alzheimer's Association International Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, July 16-20, 2023; Nature Medicine, July 13, 2023
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The United States now has had eight reported cases of malaria, seven of them in Florida, state health officials reported Tuesday.

Considered a public health emergency, these cases are the first in two decades to be acquired within this country's borders, not reported by someone who had traveled elsewhere, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned last month.

Seven of the cases have been found in Sarasota County, including the latest, according to a report from Florida health officials. The remaining case was reported in Texas in June and is not connected to the Florida cases, according to Texas Department of State Health Services.

Despite the seriousness, public health officials are not concerned about a widespread outbreak because there are fewer places for mosquitos to breed than in past years as building development has expanded, plus screens and air conditioning have left people less vulnerable to mosquito bites.

We dont think this is going to go broadly  say, to a nationwide outbreak  for a number of reasons, Dr. Monica Parise, director of the CDCs Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, told NBC News.

Past U.S. outbreaks have been relatively small and contained, Parise said, and the latest one fits that pattern.

A parasite known as Plasmodium vivax caused the recent cases, according to the CDC. Its not as deadly as other parasites that can cause malaria, NBC News reported. Yet, it can still cause chronic infections for years if it lies dormant in the liver.

Symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They typically start about 10 days after a mosquito bite. Anopheles mosquitoes typically transmit the parasite to humans, according to the CDC.

Although malaria is considered eradicated from the United States, about 2,000 people are diagnosed with it each year, typically those who have traveled outside the country, according to the CDC.

Any case of malaria is serious and can progress to death. So, in any case, you want to make sure at the front line that you're doing prompt diagnosis and prompt treatment with the correct drug, Parise explained.

That treatment can include three days of medication to kill the parasite in the blood, then a two-week, at-home treatment to kill parasite in the liver. Among the ways to avoid infection are using bug spray, wearing long sleeves and pants, and draining standing water, the CDC advises.

Some of the patients in the latest outbreak had prolonged hospital stays.

They are dehydrated, some of them. They have low blood counts, especially platelets, which puts them at risk for bleeding. Some of them have had renal kidney failure, which is one of the complications of malaria, Dr. Manuel Gordillo, an infectious disease specialist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, told NBC News.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on malaria.

SOURCE: NBC News
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags lowered to half-staff through sunset this Saturday in honor of Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin. He was killed in action while responding to a traffic crash in Fargo last Friday. He attended the law enforcement program at Alexandria Technical and Community College.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Newmarket Films, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures

This list has been updated with the release of Oppenheimer.

The long-awaited (and much-speculated-about) release of Oppenheimer is upon us, and the film seems like a major turning point for Christopher Nolan. Of course, given the ambitious and obsessive nature with which he tackles all his projects, every Nolan film feels in its moment like the biggest one of his career. So where does Oppenheimer actually fit in the directors filmography?

Hold up! Before you go any further, know this: Christopher Nolan is an exceptional filmmaker who has made many great movies. As a result, any ranking of his films is bound to wind up with at least a couple of amazing titles near the bottom; thats the kind of problem most directors wish they could have. So lets take a look back over his career and figure out which of the directors films were the masterpieces, and which ones were merely near-masterpieces. Yes, this is something of a dangerous endeavor, given the fervency with which Nolans work is debated  by both his obsessive fans and his quite vocal detractors. Anyway, here they are.

12. Following (1998)

Nolans ultra-low-budget 1998 directorial debut was cobbled together while he was working full-time, using available light and cheap film stock. It does feel very much like a student effort: ambitious, awkward, bursting with ideas but often downright amateurish. Still, you can see the talent, and there are lots of fascinating elements here that would reemerge later: a nonlinear narrative, manipulative characters, a twist ending, the human psyche represented in material form. And the irony at the movies center  about a man who robs people to make them better appreciate their lives  is pure Nolan. (Also, the lead thiefs name is Cobb, the same as the head thief in Inception). Anybody interested in the directors films should check this one out. But its technical limitations, combined with Nolans own inexperience, make it one of his weaker works.

11. Insomnia (2002)

This adaptation of the 1997 Norwegian crime thriller  about a troubled cop with a past who, while investigating a murder in small-town Alaska, accidentally kills his partner and then tries to cover up his crime  showed that the director could go from making low-budget indies to successful studio projects. (He has said that in many ways this was the most important stepping-stone in his career, because it allowed him to ease into big-budget filmmaking.) Insomnia is impressive in many regards: Al Pacino is effectively haunted as the lead, and Robin Williams, at the time eagerly trying to shed his image as a cloying funnyman, is appropriately creepy and pathetic as the suspected murderer. Plus, theres loads of atmosphere. But the movie is also, at times, dreadfully dull. The somnambulant mood may be partly intentional, but its also wearying.

Nolan followed up the runaway worldwide success of The Dark Knight with a look at Batman brought low, his back broken by Bane (Tom Hardy) and thrown in a pit-prison where hes forced to watch Gotham destroyed from afar. And yes, it was a huge hit, but how could it have been anything other than a disappointment after something like The Dark Knight?

That said, this one doesnt get enough credit for how effectively it captures the heros feeling of helplessness  as the citys bridges and buildings are leveled, its people pitted against one another, the very fabric of society ripped asunder. For anyone whos been following Bruce Waynes efforts to try and make Gotham a better place, this is all quite heartbreaking to watch. Theres plenty of great stuff here, from Anne Hathaways jaded, sassy Catwoman to some eye-popping action sequences. It might be the most epic of Nolans three Batman entries. Until Dunkirk, it was his one film that could be called a war movie. But at times it seems as if the director has bitten off more than he can chew, as he wrestles with effectively trying to convey the villains evil plan. Plus, in order to truly show the breakdown of society, and the existential threat this represents, Nolan needs to condemn the people of Gotham a bit  but he pulls back, settling instead on vagaries.

9. Batman Begins (2005)

It didnt seem at all likely that Christopher Nolan would be the one to reinvent the modern superhero movie; his forte seemed to be mind-fuck thrillers, not action spectacles, and this was before young, newish directors were regularly handed billion-dollar franchises. But his take on Batman (immeasurably aided by Christian Bale, still the most talented actor ever to play the Caped Crusader) was both brilliant and deceptively simple: Batman had always been the relatable superhero  the one who didnt have magic powers, just money, vengeance, and will  so why not give us a Batman grounded in something resembling reality? Some will point to this movie as the beginning of turning everything into a dark, gritty reboot, but Nolans model borrowed the DNA of Richard Donners original Superman, with its matter-of-fact, ground-level approach to capes-and-tights derring-do. Bruce Waynes transformation into the Dark Knight is presented with uncommon psychological realism, set in motion by a somewhat-plausible series of events that explain how he became such a determined, effective fighter. The film only really falters in its last act, with a somewhat underwhelming final action set piece. Oh, and Katie Holmes seems strangely miscast as Bruce Waynes love interest/moral North Star.

There are parts of Tenet that feel like they were crafted as a direct response to those who criticized Inception for being too exposition-heavy. You can almost hear Nolan yelling, Okay, wise guy, how do you like it when I dont explain things? Nolans most oblique film to date  a sprawling, ornate action thriller in which the heroes can invert their passage through time so that they experience car chases and fights and all sorts of other things in reverse  is also one of his most ambitious, and, weirdly, one of his lightest. Were told early on in the film that we shouldnt try to understand it, but that we should feel it; thats pretty solid advice. Not unlike The Big Sleep, or The Parallax View, Tenet is a movie built out of brilliant, often beautiful setpieces whose overall placement in the broader puzzle is not always clear. Thats not to suggest, however, that the film is frivolous or meaningless. The idea that our future selves can hold sway over our present-day selves is an adorably Nolan-esque notion that plays out across pictures like Memento, Interstellar, and Inception. And how wonderful it is to see a filmmaker tackle a big modern genre movie in such challenging fashion  and on such a massive scale. Maybe some will call it a flop, but if it is, its the kind of flop that only Christopher Nolan could have made. It would have been fun to go back to the theater for repeat viewings during Tenets initial run to pick apart the timeline and the story, but the COVID pandemic rendered that pretty much impossible for most of us. That said, Tenet might be the Nolan film I enjoy revisiting the most nowadays.

7. Memento (2000)

An absolutely ingenious thriller: The story, told in reverse, of a man whos been trying to avenge his wifes death; but his mind cant form memories, and he forgets who, where, and what he is within minutes, so he has to tattoo his clues on his body in order not to forget them. Its an ideal marriage of structure and subject matter, as the nature of the storytelling ensures that we in the audience never really know what has happened before any given scene, which mimics the protagonists existential haze. This put Nolan on the map with its release in 2000, and is still considered his masterpiece by many fans. Does it lose some luster once youve figured it out? Not quite, though nothing can match that electrifying first viewing.

Consider this for a second: Nolan made a movie about high-tech thieves who break into peoples dreams and steal hidden ideas from them, but this time they are asked to secretly plant an idea in a persons head, so they go into that persons dream, but in order to hide their actions they have to go several dreams down, so they have to create a dream inside the guys dream so they can go into the next dream, then do it again, but they cant go too far down the dream levels because if they do theyll be stuck in a dream forever and their brains will melt, and also each level of a dream happens at a different speed, so that five minutes in the real world is an hour in dream time, and things slow down even further the deeper you go within the dreams, but anything that happens in one dream can affect the dream in the next level. Now consider this: Inception was beloved by millions and made $825 million worldwide. Fact: Christopher Nolan knows how to tell a goddamn story.

One of the saddest, loneliest space epics ever made, Nolans expansive sci-fi film  about Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway traveling through a wormhole to another part of the universe in an effort to find a new home for humanity  was divisive when it came out, but its slowly being acknowledged as one of his best works. Its certainly his most earnest movie, and maybe the mixture of eye-popping special effects, gee-whiz scientific phenomena, environmental dystopia, and unabashed sentiment was too much for some to take, as if 2001: A Space Odyssey had been hijacked by someones therapy session. At heart, this is a story about parents and children, about the fear of letting go, about the need to reconcile your dreams with the needs of your loved ones. At the same time, its a movie about survival  how planetary survival and species survival and individual survival often conflict with one another. The way Nolan ties these concepts together in a narrative that mixes heavy-duty scientific theories with nutty sci-fi invention can be jarring. But open yourself up to it, and Interstellar becomes one of the most emotionally overwhelming things youll ever see.

4. The Prestige (2006)

Nolans sole literary adaptation  based on Christopher Priests 1995 novel  also features his most subtle, complex characters. As dueling magicians in turn of the century London, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are both charming and sinister in their obsessions with one another. Maybe thats why, unlike so many other films that rely on puzzle-like structures and big twists, The Prestige continues to work so well on repeat viewings; if anything, it improves and gains depth the more you watch it. Its also a dazzling magic trick in its own right, with an intricate plot that keeps doubling back on itself and throwing red herrings at us. As in so many Nolan pictures, the movies structure and its effect on the viewer echo the characters own psychological journeys. Nolan understands something about his audience: He lays out everything we need to figure out whats happening, but its all just a bit too macabre for us to put two and two together. So we wait  until that incredibly disturbing, final image. (Aaand then a ridiculous Thom Yorke song plays over the end credits, but the less said about that, the better.)

3. The Dark Knight (2008)

If nothing else, this is one of the most influential movies of our time  the entire DC Universe of superhero tentpoles has basically been built around its success. But none of its imitators have come close to matching the sweep and power of Nolans second Batman entry, which is really a gangster epic masquerading as a superhero flick. And at the center of it all is one of the great performances of the decade, with the late Heath Ledgers wild, disturbing, charismatic turn as the Joker making a perfect foil for Christian Bales stolid, wounded, tormented Batman. With a story that could easily have made for three separate movies (and maybe should have) and each insane set piece topped by the next one, this is the rare comic-book film that earns the obsessive quality of its fandom. Thats also because Nolan doesnt shy away from tackling philosophical, moral, and political issues: When Batman turns all of Gothams cell phones into a citywide sonar system, is he essentially confirming Bush-era surveillance tactics? Or is he simply debasing himself and betraying his own ideals  essentially falling into the Jokers trap? If so, what do we make of the fact that he succeeds? But wait, does he even succeed, or is it the people of Gotham who redeem him by refusing to blow each other up? Nearly a decade after its release, you can still go down any number of rabbit holes thinking about The Dark Knight. There are very few movies  in any genre  about which you can say that.

In J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant (and tormented) physicist known as the father of the atomic bomb, Nolan has found a real-life avatar for so many of his key obsessions: the idea of hidden knowledge that could upend the world; of infernal machines that must never be used; of the way our greatest achievements sometimes become our greatest regrets; of the thin line between heroism and disgrace. In Oppenheimer, he weaves all these themes into a breakneck piece of history. Though technically not a genre movie, its faster than most action films and more terrifying than most horror flicks. Oppenheimer also turns out to be the perfect part for Cillian Murphy, who has given many great turns for this director but who gets the role of a lifetime as the scientist who channeled his anxieties and fascination with the quantum world into an earth-shattering achievement, then spent the rest of his life quietly tortured by what he had unleashed. Meanwhile, despite the fact that many of them occupy only a few minutes of screen time, Nolan somehow gets career-high performances from a massive cast of familiar faces. Seriously, I could watch these scientists arguing for hours and hours. The whole film builds and builds and builds majestically  until a shattering finale that might well be the most emotionally resonant moment in Nolans entire filmography.

An astonishing war movie, and perhaps the pinnacle of Nolans various experiments in editing and structure. In retelling the British evacuation of France in 1940  the result of an early, disastrous defeat against the Nazis  the director intercuts three narrative timelines of differing lengths, which leads to some surprising twists and turns in the story. But perhaps more importantly, its a film that shows Nolan willing to let go a little bit  to trust his audience to get what hes doing without his having to resort to lots of exposition and dialogue. In the process, it does away with many of the cliches of the war genre: no strategy meetings, no scenes of people explaining what were fighting for, etc. Instead, its tight, terse, and tense from its opening frame to its last. For what its worth  and somewhat ironically  it might also be the most hopeful picture Nolan has ever made.
Photo: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Hollywood red-carpet premieres just arent looking the same these days since SAG-AFTRA joined the WGA in a strike against the AMPTP. This means no A-listers and their silly sound bites and no influencer walks at the beginning. And if you havent considered the role of influencers in the SAG-AFTRA strike, youre forgetting about the biggest collab in Hollywood. While most influencers arent involved in the acting part of SAG, they do have an option to join the union through its Influencer Agreement. Even if an influencer doesnt want to be a contender for the next SNL cast member, many do interact with studios on film promotions, like for Hot Ones episodes, or reactions to entire TV series as they come out. But what separates an ally from a scab when the rules are as messy as disclosing sponsorships in 2015?

Can influencers be in SAG-AFTRA?

Yes! If they perform alone (no duos or groups, and they must solely produce the content themselves), are incorporated, own their intellectual property, and have direct relationships with the brand they work with. While they have the same protections (and rules) that actors in SAG do, they operate more like an ad agency, creating their own advertisements for the studios  well, as long as they properly disclose that theyre ads.

Okay, but can influencers collab with movie and TV studios?

Not unless you want more apology videos. Influencers under SAG (and those with Hollywood dreams to one day join SAG as an actor) cannot work with struck companies by creating sponsored posts or attending premieres during the strike. They are allowed to fulfill any contractual obligations made before the strike but are barred from making any new ones.

Does everyone understand the rules?

Sort of. It has been muddy waters for some influencers. TikToker Straw Hat Goofy (real name Juju Green) was living up to his user name by making a jokeless sketch with traveling-salesman energy because he assumed the strike wouldnt affect his ability to attend premieres and promote films. Others felt he was basically making an advertisement for studios to hire him to promote movies and spreading misinformation to others who might unintentionally scab if they followed his guidelines. WGA writer, SAG actress, and content creator Franchesca Ramsey responded to Green by explaining that a scab is someone who is typically not in the striking union but still takes work from the struck entities, like Hollywood studios, thereby replacing the workers on strike even if theyre not taking acting gigs. Green later did what influencers do best: releasing an apology video for his tone-deaf skit, explaining he had previous contracts with studios and content that had been filmed months in advance that would eventually be released. He also stated he has no interest in joining either union despite doing a voice cameo for Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken.

might as well get paid for what I was already doing for free while waiting for them to cave.



Im not an actor or a writer



These statements are why folks were calling you a scab @Straw_Hat_Goofy lets not rewrite history. pic.twitter.com/PojwC6kpl5  Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) July 17, 2023
Its hard to watch Secret Invasion without thinking about the planning that goes into nefarious schemes and savvy counter-schemes concocted by characters in a Marvel-level universe-builder  not to mention the behind-the-scenes planning that goes into making the movies and shows themselves. The MCU has been seeding mega-events like the Battle of New York and the Snap and the Battle of Earth for years, carefully constructing interconnected narratives with glorious payoffs.

Some of this is just fan hype, of course, that I imagine even Kevin Feige might freely admit does not reflect the flukier reality of how these movies and shows are made. But I also imagine that this season of Secret Invasion was, to some extent, outlined and maybe even written before any of it was shot and has some designs on taking Nick Fury from his preshow starting place to wherever he winds up at the beginning of this falls The Marvels. So its especially vexing that the show doesnt appear to be applying clever plot twists so much as rewriting itself as it goes along; sometimes an inadequate blueprint is considerably worse than no blueprint at all, which can at least allow creators some freedom to surprise. The penultimate episode of Secret Invasion calls so much attention to its characters plans that its makers plans start to seem pretty harebrained, as if Marvel shows are simply where plots too dumb for Marvel movies get their day in the sun.

To wit: In Harvest, Gravik makes one of his trademark pivots. Before, he was hoping to use his secret Skrull army to kick-start a conflict between the U.S. and Russia that would lead to World War III, distracting the planet for long enough (and killing enough humans) to facilitate a Skrull takeover. Engineering World War III has been a bad-guy dream for decades at this point, so presumably Gravik has been absorbing a lot of Earth culture during his time on this planet and probably finds this plot much fresher than the rest of us.

However, in the wake of the Skrulls failure to carry out the presidential assassination that was going to be blamed on the Russians, Gravik decides that he will instead use his Skrull-soldier version of Colonel Rhodes to reveal to the still-living U.S. president that Skrulls have begun their infiltration and fabricate a working relationship between the Skrulls and the Russians. This, he explains, will give him leverage with Nick Fury. Fury wont want a bunch of Skrulls and humans to be killed in the panicked U.S. response and will therefore be more willing to give Gravik what he really wants: Avengers DNA, courtesy of superhero blood spilled during the Battle of Earth (also known as the climax of Avengers: Endgame), retrieved at Furys behest by Skrull agents led by Gravik.

Gravik explains this to some of his discontented Skrull revolutionaries, who are demanding to know why he hasnt yet obtained this genetic material (which presumably holds the key to making Skrull that imitate superheroes power sets, rather than just their appearance). But does this plan, and explaining it as such, make actual sense as anything but a way to foment further Skrull unrest and make an extratextual #NotAllSkrulls point about Gravik being especially bad and ruthless? To convey this ruthlessness, he again turns to the big book of action-movie cliches and dispatches an ally who questions his leadership. He also attempts to put the other Skrulls in their place, deriding them as faceless, nameless servants of his grand scheme. This leads to an attempted mutiny at Skrull central, rapidly quelled by Graviks physical prowess in what is, admittedly, a pretty cool fight scene. It leaves several of his trusted soldiers dead and other Skrulls concluding that Gravik is a monster.

Its all pretty much by the book: Take a villain with a vaguely sympathetic point of view and make it clear that his true-believe bona fides dont necessarily extend beyond bolstering his own power. Its so familiar, in fact, that Nick Fury intuitively understands Graviks plan and explains it to his ally Sonya, using almost the exact same language as his enemy: Gravik is exposing his Skrull force for leverage. (Maybe if the show says leverage enough times, it will simply become a brainy thriller by sheer insistence.) But while Fury obviously doesnt want harm to come to Skrulls or humans, how does potentially betraying some Skrulls on the way to World War III give Gravik much additional leverage over Fury? Fury was already worried about the possible casualties in a Skrull-instigated war and was already trying to expose the Skrull threat. While theres surely potential for a mess if its falsely attributed to Russia, the final outcome of war seems unlikely to change.

Even the personal threat to Fury feels a bit misplaced. When Fury angrily confronts Skrull Rhodes at the presidents hospital where Fury has been loyally, angrily guarding the injured POTUS, Rhodes gets him to back off with something more likely to impact Fury directly: He has circulated footage falsely implicating Fury in the death of Maria Hill. But hes not threatening to do this; hes already done it. (Also, I raised this in a past episode, but is either Fury or Maria Hill famous enough for this to have much impact? Didnt Gravik step on his own moment by already implicating Fury in the Russia attack, albeit vaguely and nonsensically?) Its starting to feel like maybe no one in Secret Invasion has even seen the show Leverage!

Secret Invasion is trying to play around with Furys sense of guilt and culpability, both in his general neglect of the Skrulls (which has yet to be really explained in a meaningful way) and in the specific revelation that the Avengers DNA Gravik knows about was collected by Fury himself. This ties into his conversation with Sonya, where she asks the No. 1 smarty-pants question for any non-Avengers MCU project: Why isnt someone calling up the other, more powerful Avengers to solve the problem? Furys answer is a thin gruel of characterization, essentially about how he needs to reclaim his own power by not relying on those with godlike superpowers. But that the question is asked and answered at all offers a sliver of rumination, hinting at the power-behind-the-powers show that could have been.

With one episode to go, that thornier and more complex story, one more focused on character than plot, seems unlikely to materialize. There are more moments in Harvest that hint at something more character-driven, like Giahs story line as she grieves the death of Talos, her father, and visits Furys wife Varra, who assists her with a Skrull burial before they both fend off Skrull agents sent by Gravik to kill Varra. Hell, Olivia Colman brings whatever humanity she can to a cornball faux-woke Sonya line like, If theyre not busy gaslighting you, theyre threatening you with murder. Its what all the podcasts are about. (Slay, Sonya! Literally, because youre a government agent who shoots people!) She seems appropriately amused by Furys secret cemetery stronghold, where he keeps, yes, the vial of Avengers DNA (going to need a bit more of a citation on how that works), along with a bunch of his Nick Fury accessories. This stuff is silly; its also more convincing, in its way, than the idea that anyone inside or outside of this show has a legible master plan.

Secrets, No Lies

 Fury Fashion Watch: At Furys very silly and cool Finnish cemetery hideout, he retrieves his signature overcoat, eyepatch, and maroon skulking cap. The fashion watch is over; regular Nick Fury is back, baby!

 The aforementioned Finnish cemetery confirms that when Disney bought Fox, all rights to the Fox Forest were included.

 I admit I was mildly pleased to see the cameo from Rick Mason (O-T Fagbenle)  the guy who tells Fury that the helicarrier has been mothballed and makes some wan cracks about Fury being old and cranky  sheerly because hes a character from Black Widow, easily one of the best MCU movies of the past bunch of years.

 Lots of bad dialogue in this one, friends. Gravik actually says, Im raising the stakes, Fury; no word on whether hes taking things to a whole new level. Fury, for his part, offers an Its time. Lets finish this to close out the episode. He also fondly recalls the time his wife said, If you keep spending all your time chasing aliens, you might lose the one you married. I really hope he was paraphrasing.

 Okay, one good line, or at least a line that Sam Jackson makes good: You must be out of your Skrull-ass mind.
A 70% in Airbnb shares is lifting the fortunes of its co-founders: Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, and Joe Gebbia. Airbnb

Airbnb shares have surge 70% this year, boosting the fortunes of its cofounders.

In particular, CEO Brian Chesky's net worth soared nearly 80% this year.

The boost in the Airbnb founders' wealth contrasts with falling revenues for some Airbnb hosts.

It hasn't been the best summer for Airbnb hosts.

The post-pandemic pent-up demand for travel at any cost has ebbed, and guests are now far more budget conscious, scrambling for last-minute bookings that span a shorter stay.

But that hasn't stopped Airbnb shares from soaring 70% on the back of a broad market rally which has been propped up by still robust travel demand. And those reaping the fruits are the company's three cofounders: Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, and Joe Gebbia.

Chesky saw his fortune rise by 80% to nearly $12 billion this year, per Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This makes him the 160th richest person in the world as of Wednesday.

Blecharczyk and Gebbia saw comparatively modest gains at $3.7 billion and $3 billion, respectively  but they're still on Bloomberg's list of the top 500 richest people in the world. Blecharczyk is worth 60% more this year, taking his net worth to about $10 billion, while Gebbia's wealth climbed by 50% to hit $9 billion.

The trio founded the home-sharing platform in 2007. The stock made its debut on Nasdaq in December 2020.

Blecharczyk is Airbnb's chief strategy officer. Gebbia stepped down from his full-time operating role at Airbnb in July last year but still sits on the company's board and is the chairman of its nonprofit arm, Airbnb.org .

The bump in the net worths of the Airbnb founders contrasts with falling revenues for many Airbnb hosts, Insider's Dan Latu reported in June. Katie Kay Mead, who manages a basic two-bedroom rental in California, told Insider the property is going at a price that's 25% below what it went for last year.

With travelers pulling back on travel expenses, Airbnb is expecting a slowdown in its second-quarter bookings compared to 2022. The company's first-quarter revenues of $1.82 billion beat analysts' expectations. It has yet to release its second-quarter results.

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On Tuesday, Airbnb's shares closed 0.8% higher at $146.53 apiece.

Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

June 19, 5.25 p.m.: This story has been updated with information about Chesky and Blecharzyk's net worths as well as more information on the company's performance in 2023.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo: Steve Granitz Archive/WireImage

More than 25 years since Tupac Shakurs murder, Las Vegas police have issued a search warrant related to the legendary rappers death. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told AP News that they issued a warrant in the nearby city of Henderson but did not state what they were looking for. No arrests have ever been made regarding Shakurs death, but there has been plenty of speculation and investigation, both from the police and the media. The 2018 USA drama series Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. followed the police investigations into the murder of the two rappers, led by Detective Greg Kading and Detective Russell Poole. Most recently, Hulu released the documentary Dear Mama, inspired by the lives and legacies of Tupac and his mother, Afeni Shakur, in 2023, which was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
SINGAPORE, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alchemy Pay, the leading fiat-crypto payment gateway, has announced the partnership with Neo , the leading open-source and community-driven blockchain platform, becoming an official partner with the Neo APAC Hackathon .

Spanning from July to October 2023, this Hackathon orchestrated by Neo combines both virtual participation and on-site offline events across six APAC cities. It targets all Web3 enthusiasts from diverse tracks, including DeFi, NFT, GameFi, DAO, AI, and infrastructure, thereby fostering innovation and laying the groundwork for a brighter future within the broader blockchain industry.

As a proud partner, Alchemy Pay is committed to providing valuable assistance to all attendees of the Neo APAC Hackathon by offering discounted access to both on-ramp and off-ramp solutions. This will greatly benefit the participating projects, simplifying the onboarding process for Web2 users and driving mass adoption of blockchain technology. Participants are encouraged to visit Alchemy Pay's official website to access a discounted ramp service. Moreover, as a Singapore-based company, Alchemy Pay has received a special invitation to participate as a guest on the offline panel at the Singapore GAS Station event, taking place on September 9th-10th. This partnership between Alchemy Pay and Neo aims to foster outstanding ideas and talent, contributing to the advancement of the industry.

Hackathon Essentials: Total Prizes and Event Details

Neo APAC Hackathon allows participants to engage in a hybrid approach, effectively adopting virtual and on-site participation to enhance outreach and promote communication. Participants have the flexibility to join online panel discussions, coding workshops, and office hours, ensuring that geographic boundaries do not hinder engagement while also providing technical support. The event will feature GAS Stations in five APAC cities: Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangalore, Seoul, and Singapore, each hosting a two-day hacking weekend, offering elite Web3 developers an excellent platform to showcase their skills and establish valuable connections. The invite-only finale will take place in Hong Kong, where the ultimate prizes and winners in five categories will be unveiled.

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Neo APAC Hackathon presents five distinct categories: DeFi and Payment, NFT and Gaming, AI, Social and DAO, Infrastructure and Tooling, and General for participants to choose from. The victorious teams in each category will receive a prize of $10,000 in the Hong Kong finale. Additionally, two winning teams present at the offline events will be recognized with an Excellence Prize of $5,000 each and a travel grant of $1,000 to the Hong Kong finale. To access additional details, please visit the Neo APAC Hackathon official website .

Building Prosperous Web3 Together with Neo

Before this collaboration, Alchemy Pay and Neo have forged a robust and mutually beneficial partnership, positioning themselves as founding members within the Blockchain Infrastructure Alliance (BIA). Notably, Alchemy Pay has seamlessly integrated Neo's token into its fiat-crypto gateway to simplify transactions for users within Neo's ecosystem. Moreover, Alchemy Pay has introduced its ramp solution to the Neo ecosystem, allowing developers building on Neo to leverage the direct-to-customer plugin. This integration provides developers with accessible fiat-crypto solutions and the necessary support for their projects.

With the regulatory landscape in the APAC region becoming increasingly favorable, the Neo APAC Hackathon presents a significant opportunity for Alchemy Pay and Neo to strengthen their collaboration. Alchemy Pay, driven by its general mission to bridge the gap between fiat and crypto economies on a global scale, is eager to actively contribute to the industry's growth. The company is committed to identifying and supporting talented teams that can facilitate the connection of traditional users to the crypto space, thus expanding their presence in a broader territory.

Robert McCracken, the Ecosystem Lead of Alchemy Pay, expressed his thoughts on the partnership, stating, "We are delighted to be one of the official partners of Neo and the Neo APAC Hackathon. We are excited to join forces with Neo in empowering the Web3 developer community in the APAC region and collectively driving innovation in the blockchain industry. Together, we aim to create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all."

John Wang, Head of Eco-Growth at Neo comments on the partnership, "We are truly honored to have Alchemy Pay as a valued ally for the Neo APAC Hackathon. Our collaboration with Alchemy Pay signifies a long-standing friendship, and together, we are committed to providing enhanced support for startups in the Web3 space. As industry forerunners, it is our responsibility to nurture and uplift new players in the industry. We are thrilled to witness the continued prosperity of the blockchain industry as a whole."

Register Now

If you are passionate about advancing the Web3 industry and eager to be a part of this fantastic event, you can sign up by registering here . For all participants seeking fiat-crypto ramp support, you can reach out through email at ramp@alchemypay.org or via the website https://alchemypay.org/contact.

About Alchemy Pay

Founded in Singapore in 2017, Alchemy Pay is a payment gateway that seamlessly connects crypto with traditional fiat currencies for businesses, developers, and end users. With its On & Off Ramp solution, NFT Checkout, Crypto Card and Crypto Payments, Alchemy Pay supports payments in 173 countries.

The Ramp is a one-stop solution to buy and sell crypto and fiat, easily integrated by platforms and dApps according to requirements. The NFT Checkout enables direct purchases of NFTs using fiat payment methods. The Crypto Card solution empowers businesses and token issuers to provide users with branded virtual and physical cards for instant global spending. ACH is the Alchemy Pay network token on Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain.

Website Twitter LinkedIn Medium YouTube

About Neo

Founded in 2014, Neo is an open-source, community-driven blockchain platform designed to welcome developers into the Smart Economy. By enabling developers to digitize and automate the management of assets through smart contracts, Neo is built to realize the optimized digital world of the future. As the most developer-friendly blockchain, Neo meets developers where they are by integrating seamlessly with the world's most widely used languages and tools, and providing the most feature-complete blockchain platform for building full-stack decentralized applications. With native support for powerful infrastructure including decentralized storage, oracles, and domain name service, Neo is the ideal foundation for developers to build the next generation Internet.

Official Website | Twitter | Discord | Telegram | Facebook | Reddit | YouTube

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alchemy-pay-partners-with-neo-to-accelerate-innovation-at-neo-apac-hackathon-301880934.html

SOURCE Alchemy Pay
Mayor of seaside town says swimming fully dressed is "unacceptable".

A mayor in northern Italy has criticised the practice of "Muslim foreigners" bathing fully clothed on beaches as "unacceptable", claiming it creates "intolerable consequences" for preserving decorum.

Anna Maria Cisint, the mayor of Monfalcone in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, wrote an open letter to the local Muslim community, Italian media reports.

In the letter published on Wednesday, Cisint said that "those who come from different situations than ours are obliged to respect the rules and customs that apply in the Italian and local context."

Cisint, of the right-wing Lega party, claims that bathers entering the water fully dressed causes "bewilderment" on the popular tourist beach of Marina Julia in the Gorizia area.

The practice of bathing "in clothing other than swimsuits must cease", Cisint warned, adding that "forms of 'Islamisation' of our territory cannot be accepted".

Earlier in July a pool party designed exclusively for Muslim women near Monza in northern Italy was cancelled by the owners of the venue after Lega MEP Isabella Tovaglieri slammed the event as "an example of Islamisation" and "the segregation of women".
Zaki had received a three-year sentence on Tuesday.

Egyptian human rights activist Patrick Zaki was pardoned by Egypt's president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Wednesday, a day after being handed a three-year jail term on accusations of "spreading false news".

Zaki, who recently graduated with honours from Bologna University in Italy, was arrested in Cairo in 2020 after writing about his experiences of discrimination as a Coptic Christian in Egypt.

Zaki, a 32-year-old researcher on gender issues for the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), had been studying for a master's degree in Gender and Women's Studies in Bologna.

Il Presidente egiziano al-Sisi ha concesso la grazia a #PatrickZaki. Grazie alla politica estera del Governo abbiamo dato un contributo decisivo per liberare questo giovane studente. Risultati concreti attraverso il lavoro ed una credibilita internazionale.  Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) July 19, 2023

Zaki was accused of publishing false news with the intent of inciting social disturbance and using subversive propaganda against the Egyptian state, charges he has always denied.

His case sparked international condemnation, particularly in Italy, and in 2021 the countrys senate voted in 2021 to grant him Italian citizenship.

"It is a great joy for Bologna" - the city's mayor Matteo Lepore told La Stampa newspaper on Wednesday evening - "I hope it means embracing him soon and having him back in the city."
80th anniversary of Allied bombing of S. Lorenzo in 1943.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella is to attend a ceremony in Rome on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied bombing of the city's S. Lorenzo district in 1943.

The ceremony, scheduled to take place in the Parco dei Caduti at 10.00, is part of a series of commemorative events in memory of the victims of the S. Lorenzo bombing.

On 19 July 1943 Allied planes launched a sustained attack on the S. Lorenzo neighbourhood, adjacent to the capital's central Termini train station, targeting the freight yard and steel factory.

The bombing of S. Lorenzo resulted in 717 deaths and 4,000 wounded, causing widespread structural damage in the area, including to the Basilica di S. Lorenzo fuori le mura.

However the death toll for the city was far higher with the bombing also of the Tiburtino, Prenestino, Casilino, Labicano, Tuscolano and Nomentano districts.

These bombings left 3,000 dead and 11,000 wounded, according to the website of the Museum of Liberation of Rome, destroying 10,000 homes and leaving 40,000 people homeless.

During last Sunday's Angelus, Pope Francis cited the 80th anniversary of the S. Lorenzo bombing, calling for prayers for "the dear Ukrainian people, who are suffering so much.

Unfortunately, today too these tragedies are repeated" - Francis said - "How is this possible? Have we forgotten everything?"
French and European flags fly on the facade of city hall in Amiens

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A French-led backlash led to a U.S. economist withdrawing from a top European Union antitrust job on Wednesday, a move some economists said risks undermining competition policy-making.

EU antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, triggered the furore last week by picking Fiona Scott Morton as the chief economist of the EU's antitrust unit, the competition arm currently running probes into U.S. tech giants Alphabet, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Amazon's bid for iRobot.

It is rare for the Commission to pick a non-EU national for such a senior job unless there are exceptional circumstances.

France has in recent years been vocal about its determination to drive Europe's independence and wants to remove all possible U.S. influence from policy-making as it pushes for strategic autonomy in key industries, such as technology.

Scott Morton, 56, a Yale economics professor who held the post of chief economist at the U.S. Department of Justice just over a decade ago, has acted as a consultant for some Big Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and Microsoft. She would have had to recuse herself for up to two years from cases involving companies which were her clients.

France, from President Emmanuel Macron to its media and lawmakers, led criticism of her appointment, but leaders of the main political parties at the European Parliament also opposed the move.

A spokesman for the French foreign ministry said its opposition "did not relate to the qualities of the person concerned but to the compatibility of this appointment with two principles which are at the heart of our conception of the European Union: sovereignty and the protection of the interests of European businesses and consumers."

French politicians from all sides welcomed Morton's decision on Wednesday.

The EU has forged a reputation as a global pioneer for formulating privacy rules to keep the U.S. tech giants in check, handing out huge fines to Google for various anti-competitive business practices and forcing Amazon to change the way it uses sellers' data.

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Vestager said she accepted Scott Morton's decision to quit with regret but economists warned that the debacle will leave the bloc's competition commissioner weakened.

Vestager should have been more transparent on possible conflicts of interest, said EU lawmaker Paul Tang from the Netherlands.

"This transparency was needed to restore trust. Unfortunately, Vestager did not intend to give that transparency. That didn't help the candidature of Scott Morton," he said.

Vestager's defence of her choice at a hearing on Tuesday was disappointing, said EU lawmaker and French lawyer Stephanie Yon-Courtin, who opposed Scott Morton's appointment.

"Let's stop with criticism on nationalism. The issue with this nomination was neither American nor French, it is a matter of European interest," she said.

Namur University law professor Alexandre De Streel, who with Nobel economics Laureate Jean Tirole and Toulouse School of Economics' Jacques Cremer, has published academic papers jointly with Scott Morton and defended her appointment, said her decision to quit was a big loss for EU competition policy.

He faulted the Commission on its handling of the issue.

"The Commission should have explained much better that competition policy is engrained in business reality and therefore, having worked for firms should be seen as an asset and not a liability," he said.

Thirty-nine top economists on both sides of the Atlantic earlier this week rallied round Scott Morton with an open letter pointing to her vast experience, commitment to public service and call for a stronger regulation of large tech firms.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
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Anyone kicking off the summer holidays with a trip to the Mediterranean will have been greeted by back-to-back heat waves, starting with Cerberus, aptly named by Italian meteorologists after the three-headed hound of Hades that guards the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology. Get a curated selection of 10 of our best stories in your inbox every weekend. ArrowRight This weeks scorcher, called Charon, is pushing temperatures as high as 48C (118F) in Sardinia and Sicily. Greece and Spain are also expected to feel heat into the 40s. Thanks to the climate crisis, these extremes are no longer so unusual. That raises questions over whether our tourist hotspots and peak travel times will remain so in the coming years, and how the industry will cope.

This heat is dangerous  one 44-year-old road worker has already died in Italys extreme heat and its likely well see more casualties. A recent study calculated there were 61,000 heat-related deaths last summer as Europe baked. But tourists can stay comfortable, for example, by taking a day trip to the mountains or sheltering in an air-conditioned hotel room.

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Any conversation about tourism and climate change is complicated by the fact that the industry itself is a driver of greenhouse gases. How do we continue to support something that brings people joy and provides many with economic lifelines while slashing carbon emissions? Its an urgent question  one I wont cover in this piece  but the issue is front and center: airlines are investing billions on decarbonization, and low-carbon alternatives, such as train travel, are becoming more popular as governments push them.

Tourism accounted for 7.6% of global gross domestic product in 2022, down from 10.4% in 2019, though some countries, such as the Maldives and Greece, are particularly exposed  28% and 25%, respectively, of their gross domestic product comes from tourism.

Pausing international travel during the Covid-19 pandemic brought some benefits, such as cleaner air and water to some areas. But the economic losses also deepened poverty in particularly vulnerable places such as Bangladesh and Uganda, leading to increased animal poaching and deforestation during lockdowns. So its important to look at how a changing climate might shift tourism patterns, affect local businesses and potentially derail sustainable development.

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How are things changing? People dont seem to have been put off traveling this year. My colleague Andrea Felsted wrote recently that airlines, hotels and tour operators are facing another sizzling summer of travel, with Ryanair Holdings Plc, a specialist in short-haul hops around Europe, reporting record passenger numbers for June. The biggest pressures for now may come from good weather back at home, meaning holidaymakers avoid going abroad, and the cost-of-living crisis.

Theres also been a shift toward avoiding peak seasons to cut costs. That may now be driven by finances, but with oppressive, dangerous heat events set to become more intense and frequent, early fall and spring could become even more popular. One study looking at the effects of climate change on the Holiday Climate Index  a measure of favorable tourist weather  found that locations such as Antalya, Turkey, would become dangerously hot in the summer months by the end of the century, with the weather in the shoulder season being more desirable.

Summer travelers may instead increasingly look to cooler climes, or alternatives to typical beach and city escapes such as mountainous regions. Adventure travel is a growing sector, projected to expand at a compound annual rate of 15.2% from 2022 to 2030. But these trips are also being affected by climate change, from more frequent wildfires to unpredictable snowfall and intensifying rainy seasons.

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Tour operators and guides are under pressure to deal with new risks and heightened unpredictability. While theyve always worked hard on safety, many are now having to deal with more unpredictable conditions in all seasons. One operator in Argentina said in an email that, although the Andes is a challenge all year round, the summer rains  during the northern hemisphere winter  are becoming more extreme and making roads more difficult to pass through. In the Alps, the crisis is making mountaineering more dangerous, due to rocks coming loose as ice melts. At the extreme adventure tourism end, Nepals head of tourism blamed climate change for making 2023 one of the deadliest years on record for climbing Mt. Everest.

The climate crisis is messing up winters too. A lot has been written about ski resorts and the lack of snow. I visited Scotland in February to do some winter walking, but the freezing point was much higher than it normally would be for that time of year, meaning our guide had to go further up to find good snow to teach us vital skills. At the summit of one mountain, two experienced climbers remarked how sad and unusual it was that there was no need for crampons. Its not hard to imagine the winter season being drastically reduced in the future, and either reducing the amount of available winter guiding work  or pushing everyone to get up into the mountains for the brief period conditions are right.

The key is flexibility. Ski resorts have been trying to become four-season destinations for years, but the importance of that is shifting as winter snow becomes less reliable: It used to be a nice-to-have for resorts, something to aspire to for a business reason, Christina Beckmann, co-founder of Tomorrows Air and vice-president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, explained to me. Now its an imperative.

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The tourism industry isnt going to change overnight  there are reasons other than climate for why people travel when they do, such as school holidays, second properties and family reunions  but it will, undoubtedly, be altered. The industry will need to be ready to adapt.

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Hamtramck, Michigan, a city of 28,000 just north of Detroit, is a case study in the promise and perils of American pluralism, and a window on the political forces working to destroy it. A working-class enclave thats home to thousands of Muslim immigrants from Yemen and Bangladesh, Hamtramck made news in 2015 when it became the first US city with a majority-Muslim city council. At a time when Donald Trump was falsely claiming to have witnessed thousands and thousands of Muslims celebrating the 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center, Hamtramcks political trajectory seemed a renunciation of the bigotry and lies engulfing the Republican presidential primary.

It looks different now. With socially conservative Muslims in control of the local government, Hamtramck was in the news again last month, this time after the city council passed legislation banning Pride flags from flying on city property.

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The ban didnt take place in a vacuum. In May, national polling by Gallup showed a 7-point decline from the previous year, to 64%, when people were asked whether gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable. Similarly, the percentage of Americans supportive of transgender athletes playing on teams that match their current gender identity declined to 26% in 2023 from 34% in 2021.

The decline in acceptance of LGBTQ Americans accompanies a GOP campaign targeting them with discriminatory laws and demonizing rhetoric. Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in particular, has waged a relentless attack on LGBTQ rights and dignity, including seeking to remove mention of LGBTQ Americans from classrooms. While DeSantis and other GOP leaders wage a war on woke  formerly known as empathy  conservative activists, from Fox News hosts to the censorship advocates Moms for Liberty, have sought to make LGBTQ synonymous with sexual predation and exploitation of children.

Its an ugly game, intended to strike a responsive chord of bigotry in conservative communities. Of course, residents of Hamtramck were very recently on the receiving end of such a campaign themselves. One of Trumps first acts as president was an unconstitutional ban on Muslims entering the US (which he subsequently revised to pass court scrutiny).No doubt some of the hundreds who descended on US airports to protest that ban were LGBTQ Americans seeking to protect the rights of Muslims.

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But finding fault lines in American society, and driving wedges into them, is the work of contemporary politics, and the chief occupation of the Republican Party. Mexican rapists. LGBTQ groomers. Urban criminals. Such epithets are the product of the political laboratory. The targets of past GOP attacks  the purveyors of what Trump in 2016 called the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology -- are now recruited to join in current GOP attacks. Republicans are wooing Muslim voters by promising to protect them from L.G.B.T.Q. rights advocates, David Weigel reported in Semafor last month.

As Michelle Goldberg wrote in the New York Times, the backlash against whats sometimes called gender ideology is so strong that its creating space for strange new political bedfellows.

The turnaround in Hamtramck suggests how easily the Democrats multiracial coalition can be unwound under pressure from the rights culture war. The long conservative war against affirmative action in university admissions sought to recruit Asian-Americans to the grievance politics of White conservatives, turning them against Black and Brown minorities. Anti-Black sentiment among some Hispanics, and xenophobia among some Black Americans, are likewise wedges to turn racial minorities against each other, in service of White conservative rule. Feminist success in the American workplace and culture is easily recast as a victory that threatens to turn American men into losers. For men without valuable college degrees, including minority men who already perceive that their opportunities are too limited, the misogyny of bro politics may seem like self-defense. Meanwhile, affluent liberals, the most cosseted part of the Democratic coalition, may soon have to live their principles as the need for diverse housing shifts more attention to carefully cultivated suburbs. Will they act in short-term self-interest or long-term community interest?

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Multiracial pluralism, and the political coalitions that make it work, is difficult to build, and hard to sustain. The Democratic Party has traveled too far, and is too dependent on its diverse constituents, to turn back now. But the threats to that coalition will not stop even as the White majority recedes; they will evolve. Each piece of what the late New York City Mayor David Dinkins used to call the gorgeous mosaic is vulnerable, capable of being pried from the picture, leaving a gaping wound. The politics of scapegoating and reaction is in a race against the politics of multiracial liberalism. Given the corrosive effects of reaction and scapegoating, its a battle that American liberals cant afford to lose, and one that American conservatives cant afford to win.

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Francis Wilkinson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering U.S. politics and policy. Previously, he was an editor for the Week, a writer for Rolling Stone, a communications consultant and a political media strategist.

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Two months after Thailands general election, the country is still struggling to choose a prime minister. This time, the main bone of contention is not economic policy or claims of corruption, as in the past, but rather a law known as lese majeste that makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king or close family members. Rights groups have recorded a rising tally of prosecutions under the law over the last two decades, which have been marked by periods of violent political conflicts and military coups in Thailand. Pita Limjaroenrat, a young and progressive politician whose party finished first in the election, wants to loosen the statute, while royalist old guards, backed by the military, want to leave it untouched. After conservative forces blocked him from power and barred him from seeking the premiership again, Pita still faces disqualification as a lawmaker and his party could get disbanded.

1. What does the law say?

The law concerning lese majeste, a term based on the Latin for injured majesty, refers to Article 112 of the Thai criminal code. It calls for the imprisonment for three to 15 years of whoever, defames, insults or threatens Thailands king, queen, heir-apparent or regent, a person who exercises the functions of the monarch during an interregnum. Laws against royal defamation have been part of Thai criminal codes dating back to the 19th century, during the reign of King Rama I of Siam, as Thailand was then known.

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2. Whats the role of royalty in Thailand?

Siam was ruled by kings who held absolute power for centuries until 1932, when a bloodless revolution ushered in the current era of constitutional monarchy, with the king serving as the head of state. Every Thai constitution since has contained a provision that codifies the monarchy as an inviolable and sacred institution in Thai society. The current charter, written after a coup in 2014, stipulates: The King shall be enthroned in a position of revered worship and shall not be violated. No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action. Thailands reigning monarch is King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also known as King Rama X of the Chakri dynasty.

3. How often is the lese majeste law used?

Charges have been filed under Article 112 with some frequency in the past two decades, leading many prominent academics and political activists to flee Thailand and seek political asylum abroad to avoid prosecution.

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 According to Thai legal watchdog group iLaw, at least 36 people were charged with lese majeste over the years of political conflict that followed a coup in 2006. That year, the army seized power from then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was accused by a royalist movement of corruption and disloyalty to then-reigning King Bhumibol Adulyadej, father of the current monarch.

 ILaw registered at least 98 people charged with lese majeste following another coup in May 2014 that toppled the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksins sister. Sensitivities ran particularly high when Thailand mourned the death of King Bhumibol in 2016. The military regime of former army chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha, who is still the caretaker leader after the May election, ramped up its crackdown on critics of the monarchy.

 After King Vajiralongkorn was officially crowned in 2019, authorities seemed to slow down the prosecutions. Prayuth later said this was at the kings behest. But things changed again in 2020, when a youth-led protest movement broke taboos by making unprecedented calls for reforming the monarchy. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, at least 253 people, including 20 under the age of 18, were charged with the crime between May 2020 and July 2023.

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4. Whats the proposal for changing the law?

The Move Forward Party was the only mainstream political group to make the lese majeste law a part of its campaign for the May 14 election. The coalition led by the party won a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives, however Pita was denied sufficient support from the military-appointed Senate to become prime minister. Pita has said he seeks to improve the relationship between the monarchy and the people, especially in the aftermath of the protest movement calling for the laws total abolition. Move Forward proposes instead to amend Article 112. The party would reduce the penalty to a maximum of one year imprisonment if the insult is against the king, and less if its against the queen, the heir or the regent. And it seeks to limit the ability to lodge accusations with the police to specific interest groups such as the royal palace compared to just anyone currently. The aim is to safeguard against the law being used as a tool to silence dissent or quash political rivals, the party said.

5. Who wants to preserve the law as it is?

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Members of the military-appointed Senate and conservative political parties have voiced strong opposition to Move Forwards proposal, accusing the party of seeking to undermine the monarchy. Royalists argue that the monarchy must be protected at all costs as a matter of national security. Politicians who advocate for the lese majeste law say that the harsh sentences befit the kings superlative status in Thai society and that reducing them would undermine his inviolability, as enshrined in the constitution. As they rejected Pitas nomination as prime minister during the first vote on July 13, some conservative lawmakers said amending the law would unleash anarchy and lead to Thais killing each other in the streets.

(An earlier version corrected paragraph 2 to make clear royal defamation has been part of Thai criminal codes since the 19th century.)

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Hunter Biden, the son of US president Joe Biden, has a way of staying in the headlines. His work in Ukraine was a topic of the 2019 phone call that led to the first impeachment of then-President Donald Trump. Emails and photographs taken from his abandoned laptop computer spurred a dispute over whether social media companies censor legitimate news. Most recently, a plea deal he reached with the Justice Department over unpaid taxes and a lie he told on a firearms application prompted cries of unequal justice because it would spare him any jail time.

1. What are Republicans investigating?

The chairman of the House Oversight Committee, James Comer of Kentucky, says the Biden family sold access for profit around the world to the detriment of American interests. He also says the Justice Department gave Hunter Biden preferential treatment while investigating his past. And Comer has raised questions about Hunter Bidens latest career turn, as a painter. Biden has offered prints and paintings for sale, some listed for hundreds of thousands of dollars, raising questions about whether buying his art could be seen as a way to curry favor with his father.

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2. Why so much attention to a presidents son?

Hunter Biden, 53, has led a troubled life. Ive bought crack cocaine on the streets of Washington, DC, and cooked up my own inside a hotel bungalow in Los Angeles, he wrote in his 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things. In the last five years alone, my two-decades-long marriage has dissolved, guns have been put in my face, and at one point I dropped clean off the grid, living in $59-a-night Super 8 motels off I-95 while scaring my family even more than myself, he wrote. A lawyer by training, Biden pursued business opportunities with foreign parties after his father became vice president in 2009, often in ways that intersected with his fathers work.

3. What proof have Republicans turned up?

Its clear that Hunter Biden made money from foreign companies and individuals while Joe Biden was Barack Obamas vice president. But theres no proof that Joe Biden influenced or was aware of those dealings. Congressional Republicans say the Federal Bureau of Investigation received an allegation that Joe Biden and Hunter Biden each received a $5 million bribe; Joe Biden dismissed that allegation as a bunch of malarkey. Citing testimony from two employees of the Internal Revenue Service, Republican lawmakers allege the Department of Justice interfered with the criminal investigation of Hunter Bidens unpaid taxes. Attorney General Merrick Garland has denied interfering in the probe, which was conducted by a Trump appointee: David Weiss, the US attorney in Delaware.

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4. What was the result of the criminal probe?

Hunter Biden was accused of failing to pay more than $200,000 in income taxes in 2017 and 2018 and of lying when filling out a federal form before purchasing a handgun in 2018. (To a question about whether he was an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance, he answered no.) Under a deal disclosed on June 20, he would plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax charges, avoid prison and avert prosecution on the felony gun charge if he complies with certain conditions for a period of time. (Hes already paid his back taxes.) A judge in Delaware will make the ultimate decision on sentencing. Republicans have complained that the proposed punishment is too light and is evidence of a two-tiered justice system when contrasted with the criminal charges Trump is facing.

5. What sort of work did Hunter Biden do?

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Much of it involved corporate deal-making and consulting. In 2013, for instance, after flying to China with his father aboard Air Force Two, Biden joined the board of an investment fund co-founded by a Chinese private equity investor trying to raise $1.5 billion. Entities controlled by Hunter Biden and his uncle, James Biden, who ran a consultancy called the Lion Hall Group, were paid $4.8 million in 2017 and 2018 by Chinese conglomerate CEFC China Energy in relation to energy projects that never came to fruition, the Washington Post reported. A September 2020 report released by Republican members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee concluded that Hunter Bidens foreign work had created a potential conflict of interest for his father  especially as it related to US policy toward Ukraine  but didnt allege that any laws had been broken. That was one in a series of voluminous reports by Republican senators suggesting wrongdoing by the presidents son, in some cases with thin evidence.

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6. What did Hunter Biden do in Ukraine?

Burisma Holdings, one of the largest private natural gas companies in Ukraine, named Biden to its board in 2014. He served until 2020, and records suggest he earned at least $50,000 a month. In 2016, his father, as the Obama administrations point person on Ukraine, pressed successfully for the ouster of Viktor Shokin as prosecutor general. US allies, the International Monetary Fund and many Ukrainians had called for Shokin to be replaced on the grounds that he had failed to pursue corruption cases. But Trump and his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, alleged that Biden had targeted Shokin to derail an investigation into Burisma. Burisma issued a statement in 2017 saying that the investigation had been closed and that it had paid an extra 180 million hryvnias ($7 million) in taxes. In hindsight, Hunter Biden said, serving on Burismas board may have been poor judgment.

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7. How did that connect to Trumps impeachment?

In a July 2019 phone call, Trump asked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to look into Hunter Biden and whether Joe Biden as vice president had shut down the investigation of Burisma. That call came just days after Trump announced he was withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine  prompting Democrats to allege that Trump was using the assistance as leverage to pressure Zelenskiy into releasing damaging information about the Bidens. Trump denied extorting the Ukrainian leader, describing the call as perfect. Democrats in the US House of Representatives approved two articles of impeachment charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. In the Senate, Democrats fell well short of the two-thirds super-majority needed to convict Trump and remove him from office.

8. What happened with Hunter Bidens laptop?

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The owner of a computer repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware, says Biden dropped off but never reclaimed a damaged MacBook Pro that included explicit photos and videos of Biden taking drugs and engaging in sex acts. The owner says he turned the laptop over to the FBI and a copy of the hard drive to Giuliani, who shared it with the New York Post during the final weeks of the 2020 presidential election. The Posts front-page article focused on emails suggesting that Biden may have arranged for Ukrainian business associates to meet his father when he was vice president; the Post also published several unflattering photos taken from the hard drive. Citing concerns over the private nature of the material and whether it had been hacked, Twitter Inc. and Facebook (now part of Meta Platforms Inc.) restricted the ability of users to share the Post story. Subsequent reporting by other news organizations backed the authenticity of the material cited by the Post, fueling criticism that social media platforms and mainstream media had suppressed legitimate news. In one of his early moves as Twitters new owner, Elon Musk released internal emails showing there was dissension within the company over restricting access to the Post article.

9. What does President Biden say about all this?

He has denied knowledge or involvement in his sons business dealings and said he is proud of his sons recovery from addiction. I love him and hes on the straight and narrow, and he has been for a couple of years now, Biden told CNN in October. After Hunter Biden struck his plea agreement with the Justice Department, the president denied ever discussing the case with Garland, the attorney general he appointed. But Biden hasnt addressed criticism that he is shunning a 4-year-old Alabama girl Hunter Biden fathered by not counting or treating her like his grandchild.

--With assistance from Billy House.

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Ahead of a November vote on abortion rights, Republican lawmakers want voters to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution. The outcome today will have tremendous implications for the fate of abortion rights in the state.
Australian ad agency Thinkerbell is buying back the minority stake held by embattled professional services firm PwC, bucking a global trend of professional services firms muscling into the marketing and advertising sector.

PwC picked up a 10 per cent stake, worth $300,000, in the agency in 2017 just a few months after Thinkerbells launch.

Thinkerbell partners Jim Ingram, Margie Reid, Adam Ferrier and Ben Couzens.

Thinkerbell, the brainchild of Adam Ferrier, Jim Ingram and Ben Couzens, has now bought back the stake for an undisclosed fee.

The agency lends its services to local and international clients including IAG, XXXX Gold, Furphy, Menulog, Mars, Dan Murphys and Vegemite.
The Hollywood actors strike has started impacting Australian cinemas with the sequel to 2020s hit film The Dry being delayed until Eric Bana can promote it.

Writer-director Robert Connollys Force of Nature: The Dry 2, which has Bana returning as federal agent Aaron Falk, was due to open next month.

Delayed: Eric Bana in Force of Nature: The Dry 2 Credit: Narelle Portanier

But distributor Roadshow Films and production companies Arenamedia, Made Up Stories and Pick Up Truck Pictures have delayed the Australian and New Zealand release until the cast can promote the launch with interviews and Q&A sessions.

It is with some regret, but a large amount of conviction that we have decided to postpone the release of Force of Nature: The Dry 2, Bana, who is also a producer of the film, said in a statement. Im incredibly proud of this much anticipated Australian film and want to be able to do it justice by promoting it thoroughly.
Police say Gunes then chased Sherwani through grassland into an industrial estate towards Caroline Springs, while officers who later attended the collision scene found Gunes license in the Holden. None of Hasan Gunes, Ali Gunes or Sherwani has been charged with any arson offence and police are not alleging they are responsible for the arson attacks. Five police and underworld sources have told The Age that the feud commenced before the road rage incident and originally related to an aggressive push by a cartel of organised criminals to control drug prices and compel other gangs to put a floor price on cocaine. None of Hasan Gunes, Ali Gunes and Sherwani have been charged with any drug offences and The Age is not suggesting they are personally involved with any drug related activity.

The cartel, known as The Commission, has been trying to strongarm dealers into freezing supply of the popular party drug in a bid to reverse a recent slump in prices caused by other criminal networks flooding the market with cheap cocaine. However, other underworld sources pointed at a turf war between rival gangs and a personal dispute between key players as the potential catalyst for the spate of attacks. Loading The road rage incident which Gunes was charged for on Tuesday occurred just hours after the Port Melbourne offices of a building company connected to his brother, Ali Gunes, were broken into, doused in accelerant and set alight in the early hours. Sherwanis home was torched  twice  less than a week later, on July 9 and 10. The suburban home, which was badly damaged in the attack, had also been firebombed on June 27.

Images on social media show Ali and Hasan Gunes partying, fishing, attending family functions and travelling to the US and Europe together. In one of the photos, a young Hasan dressed in a crisp white shirt can be seen smiling to the camera next to Ali inside a club. My brother for the same mother, the caption reads. It is unknown how many people were travelling in the cars at the time of the incident, with police saying everyone involved had left the scene before they arrived. The men have not been charged over the arson attacks.

Court documents obtained by The Age show Sherwani has a long criminal history that includes charges for assault, recklessly causing injury, robbery, breaching bail, dealing with proceeds of crime and firearm possession. Sherwani, who was found in possession of a Comanchero vest and tickets to the gangs Christmas party during a series of police raids in 2014, was sentenced to six years in prison over the bashing of a former gang member in 2014. Sherwani repeatedly kicked and punched the victim as he lay on the ground of a smash repair shop, breaking both his arms and leaving him with multiple facial injuries. Police believe Sherwani, a Kurd from Iraq who came to Australia as a child to escape persecution, hasnt been a patched member for a number of years but remains connected to the outlaw motorcycle club.

There have been as many as 12 arson attacks dating back to June 24, which include the torching of two suburban homes, three businesses and several cars. No one was injured in the firebombings but the attacks caused extensive damage to homes and businesses. Detective Inspector Mick Daly said the Deer Park Bypass altercation and the incident on the Western Freeway had the potential to put other road users at significant and unnecessary risk. Loading We already know that these groups have very little concern for the safety of the broader community, as seen by the number of tit-for-tat arson incidents that have occurred as part of this dispute, Daly said. He appealed to anyone with information to contact police.

This is not acceptable behaviour in any way, and we have a significant police operation under way to disrupt these attacks and hold those involved to account, he said. Todays arrests are just the start, and I can assure the community that we will be relentless in doing everything we can to bring these incidents to a stop. Those linked to these groups can expect to see us sooner rather than later, Daly said. Gunes  appearing in court over the Ravenhall collision and confrontation, not the arson attacks  was remanded in custody to appear at the Sunshine Magistrates Court on July 29. Anyone who witnessed the incident, with vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Bangkok: The bitter battle to name Thailands next prime minister took a major turn Wednesday as parliament voted to deny Pita Limjaroenrat, whose progressive Move Forward Party won a surprise victory in Mays election, a second chance to be confirmed for the post.

Pita had assembled a coalition of parties holding a majority in the House of Representatives. But his nomination for prime minister was defeated in a joint vote of the House and Senate last week, with conservative military-appointed senators mostly refusing their support.

Supporters of prime ministerial candidate and leader of the progressive Move Forward party, Pita Limjaroenrat, react following his suspension. Credit: Getty

A joint session debated Wednesday whether Pita could be nominated for a second time, and House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha then put the question to a vote. A motion to deny him a second chance was passed by a vote of 395 to 312 with eight abstentions. The meeting of parliament was then adjourned with no immediate indication of when it would vote again on a new prime minister.

It was the second blow suffered by Pita on Wednesday after the Constitutional Court suspended him from parliament pending its ruling on whether he violated election law.
The gunman who killed two people and injured several others at a construction site in Aucklands CBD on Thursday morning was under home detention for offences related to domestic violence, police have revealed.

Two people were shot dead when the gunman made his way through the building on Queen Street, firing a pump-action shotgun. At least six others, including one police officer, were injured during the incident.

The assailant contained himself in an elevator shaft when he reached the upper levels of the building.

Police entered the building within minutes of the shots being fired and attempted to engage with the shooter. He fired more shots from his barricaded position within the elevated shaft, and police found him dead a short time later.
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Asian Pacific Elevator and Escalator - Market

Asian Pacific Elevator and Escalator - Market

Dublin, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia Pacific Elevator and Escalator - Market Size & Growth Forecast 2023-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market is poised for significant growth to 2029

With a size of 941.1 thousand units in 2022, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.90% during the forecast period. Leading manufacturers such as Otis, Schindler, TK Elevator, and KONE hold a combined market share of over 55%, reflecting their dominance in the region.

The Asia Pacific region has been attracting multinational enterprises (MNEs) and investments due to the increasing number of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). In line with this trend, Singapore has established the Southeast Asia Manufacturing Alliance to encourage manufacturers to invest in the country and other ASEAN nations. The Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore, and various manufacturers in the business sector are collaborating to foster this partnership.

In Japan, Hitachi and Nissan Motor have conducted an innovative experiment to power an elevator using energy harnessed from a mini electric vehicle (EV) called Nissan Sakura. By connecting a 20 kWh battery to the building through a specially developed adapter, the elevator successfully operated for nearly 15 hours and made approximately 416 trips. Hitachi Building Systems aims to introduce this system to apartment buildings in April 2023, providing a reliable solution for continuous elevator operation during power outages.

China, at the national level, has recommended the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in elevators and escalators through regulation GB/T 24476-2017. Additionally, provincial government regulations in cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen provide more specific guidelines on data and services related to IoT-enabled lifts. Compliance with these regulations is becoming obligatory in certain cases, highlighting the increasing importance of IoT in the elevator industry.

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With these developments and regulatory advancements, the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market is poised for growth and innovation.

Affordable Housing Schemes and Ascending Ultra High Net Worth Individuals to Hike Elevator Demand

Thailand's National Housing Authority (NHA) will provide financial assistance to about one-third of the targeted group of 2.27 million households (approximately 650,000) that cannot access housing financing from regular financial institutions. During the next five years (2022-2026), the NHA plans to raise B134 billion (about USD 4 billion) to fund 16 national projects.

Hyundai Elevator agreed with LG Electronics for Robotic Synchronization and Smart Building Solution Supply in August 2021. This will enable it to expand its elevator market through home networks applied with IoT, AI, contactless technologies, and connections with automatic driving robots.

Green Building and Certifications in the Building sector lead to the adoption of Energy Efficient Vertical transportation installations in the Asia Pacific Elevator And Escalator Market.

Adopting green building strategies and obtaining green certifications have been crucial in the building sector. These green certifications mandate the region's adoption of green or energy-efficient elevators. Furthermore, this leads to reducing of carbon emissions in the building sector. New regulations in China require that 70% of new urban buildings be certified green buildings by 2022. Major municipalities, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, plan to exceed that goal, requiring all new commercial buildings to be green. This also includes plans to renovate schools, hospitals, and public buildings to be more energy efficient.

Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, 13 urban renewal projects have been authorized (12MP). Under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development, all of these projects are at varying levels of planning and execution. Increasing competition among township developers in Malaysia and their major focus on increasing property value has pushed them towards undertaking various multifunctional development projects in residential, commercial, institutional, and healthcare facilities.

Elevators Over Their Average Life Expectancy to Create Demand for Maintenance and Upgradation of Components in the Asia Pacific Elevator and Escalator Market

The Ministry of Construction of Vietnam issued Circular 03/2021/TT-BXD, establishing national standards for apartment buildings due to numerous major accidents using lifts in apartment complexes. By July 2021, there will be more specifications for lifts in residential buildings.

The Malaysian context can be adjusted with a similar creative approach. Some nations, like Malaysia, also promoted the elderly using elevators rather than escalators. It was witnessed that elderly people were responsible for 30% of accidents on moving walkways, escalators, and elevators.

In 2019, Hitachi introduced an advanced lift remote monitoring and maintenance service in Singapore, providing real-time operational data about the lifts and implementation of preventive maintenance.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How big is the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

What will be the growth rate of the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

What will be the number of installed bases in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market in 2029?

What are the key opportunities in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

Which are the key players in the Asia Pacific elevator and escalator market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 152 Forecast Period 2022 - 2029 Estimated Market Value in 2022 941.1 Thousand Units Forecasted Market Value by 2029 1315.5 Thousand Units Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.9% Regions Covered Asia Pacific

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Key Vendors

Otis

KONE

Schindler

Hitachi

TK Elevator

Mitsubishi Electric

Fujitec

Hyundai Elevator

Other Prominent Vendors

Shanghai SANEI Elevator Co., Ltd.

SANYO YUSOKI KOGYO

Johnson Lifts Pvt. Ltd.

Cibes Lift Group

Kalea Lifts

Wittur Elevator Components

Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation (TELC)

Sigma Elevators

HANDOK ELEVATOR Co., Ltd

Stannah Lifts Holdings Ltd

HM Elevator

Japan Fuji International

Hualong Elevator Co., ltd.

SJEC

Analogue Holdings Limited

SUZHOU JIUDE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

Shenyang Yuanda Intellectual Industry Group Co., Ltd

IFE Elevators

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS



Machine Type

Hydraulic and Pneumatic

Machine Room Traction

Machine Room Less Traction

Others

Climbing

Elevators

Industrial Elevators

Carriage Type

Passenger

Freight

Capacity

2-15 Persons

16-24 Persons

25-33 Persons

34 Persons and Above

End-User

Commercial

Residential

Industrial

Others

Public Transit

Institutional

Infrastructural

Escalator Market Segmentation by

Product Type

Parallel

Multi Parallel

Walkway

Crisscross

End-User

Public Transit

Commercial

Others

Institutional Sector

Infrastructure

Industrial

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7h2x47

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A bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill on Wednesday that would require decentralized finance (DeFi) services to abide by the same compliance rules as financial firms like banks and centralized crypto exchanges.

The legislation, sponsored by Jack Reed (D-RI), aims to reign in criminals, drug traffickers, and hostile state actors such as North Korea, whove used decentralized finance for nefarious purposes, according to a description of the bill reviewed by Decrypt.

Named the Crypto-Asset National Security Enhancement and Enforcement (CANSEE) Act, the new rules would require decentralized finance services to abide by anti-money laundering (AML) rules and U.S. economic sanctions.

DeFi: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Decentralized Finance

Decentralized finance, often cited as DeFi, refers to services built using smart contracts that dont rely on financial intermediaries and exist on-chain, such as the exchange UniSwap and lending protocol Aave.

Anyone who controls a DeFi project would face penalties if a sanctioned person evades U.S. sanctions using their service. The description notes people whove invested more than $25 million in a project would be liable if no single entity is in control.

Overall, the legislation extends the U.S. Treasury Departments authority to crack down on illicit financial activity that may occur outside the banking sector, the briefing states. The bills full text has not yet been added to Congress website.

The bills description highlights so-called crypto ATMs, where people can purchase crypto using cash or debit cards at kiosks, as an area that would be impacted. It would require operators to verify the identity of those involved in transactions.

The DeFi legislation is co-sponsored by Mike Rounds (R-SD), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Mark Warner (D-VA), who said the bill is needed to protect the U.S.s national security.

I remain deeply concerned that criminals and rogue states continue to use crypto to launder money, evade sanctions, and conceal illicit activity, he said, adding participants who play by the rules can continue to take advantage of cryptos potential.

Story continues

Millions Worth of Bitcoin and Tether Used to Pay Chinese Companies Involved in Fentanyl Crisis, Says Elliptic

The description of the bill makes reference to cross-border fentanyl trafficking, arguing bad actors have used DeFi extensively to fuel the illicit trade. The sentiment mirrors concerns raised by Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

The U.S. Treasury Department has gone after decentralized protocols in the past. The agency sanctioned the coin-mixing privacy tool Tornado Cash last year, which whistleblower Edward Snowden described as profoundly authoritarian.

The crypto advocacy group Coin Center is currently suing the U.S. Treasury Department over the move, which it said unfairly penalizes a DeFi project, and argues the decision could set a dangerous precedent if left unchallenged.
Bitcoin and Ether rose during Wednesday afternoon trading in Hong Kong, along with all other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Bitcoin and Ether both returned above key levels. But market sentiment remained lackluster despite the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accepting the second Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) application for review earlier this week.

See related article: Weekly Market Wrap: Bitcoin rises past US$31,000, cryptos rally after Ripples win against U.S. SEC

Bitcoin, Ether return above key levels, top 10 cryptos mixed

Bitcoin rose 0.75% during afternoon trading in Asia to US$30,008 as of 4:30 p.m. in Hong Kong, after it dipped to a daily low of US$29,693 in the early morning.

Ether inched up 0.57% during afternoon trading in Asia to US$1,909, struggling to stay above the US$1,900 support level.

The XRP token was the days biggest gainer, rising 5.52% to US$0.7849. The coin is up 65.3% on the weekly chart, as traders remain upbeat after the ruling that the sale of XRP did not constitute a security.

This victory marked a significant milestone as the first-ever win for a cryptocurrency company in a case brought by the SEC, Simon Schaber, the chief commercial officer of Spool DAO, told Forkast.

Like the rest of this industry, the SEC is in new territory and is therefore creating new guidance and proposing new laws as it goes, which is why were unlikely to see the end of this by 2024.

Market sentiment appeared to lack conviction, despite positive news like the SEC accepting a second spot Bitcoin ETF application for review, from asset management giant Valkyrie.

The SEC agreed the same for the application by BlackRock on July 13, which along with several other Bitcoin ETF applications set off a bullish run in crypto for the past month. BlackRock is the worlds largest asset manager with US$9.4 trillion in assets. Tennessee-based Valkyrie had more than US$1 billion in assets under management in 2022.

Story continues

The total crypto market capitalization over the past 24 hours rose 0.46% to US$1.2 trillion while market volume decreased 11% to US$32.28 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data.

Bitcoin NFT sales inch up, Ethereum NFT sales fall along with Opepen Edition

The Forkast 500 NFT index fell 1.14% to 2,695.81 points in the 24 hours to 4:30 p.m. in Hong Kong and slipped 0.4% during the week.

After a weak Tuesday, Bitcoins 24-hour non-fungible token sales rose 1.67% to US$1.33 million, as sales for Uncategorized Ordinals rallied 44.03% to US$851,915.

Ethereums 24-hour NFT sales fell after yesterdays strong session, declining 24.11% to US$11.48 million, as sales for the largest Ethereum-native NFT collection, the Bored Ape Yacht Club, fell 38.39% to US$323,542. CryptoPunks sales also fell 38.43% to US$472,222.

The Opepen craze also subsided, as the collections 24-hour sales fell 59.02% to US$324,841.

Were on pace for another yearly low for total global transactions today, and in general, sales are pretty unremarkable across blockchains, said Yehudah Petscher, NFT Strategist at Forkast Labs, the parent company of Forkast.News.

The top collections are struggling to even reach US$500,000 in daily secondary sales, which is unusual to see. The index reflects a flat market.

All the Forkast Labs NFT indexes were in the red, with the Forkast POL NFT Composite sustaining the biggest daily loss of 1.76%.

Despite the market slump, interest in NFTs is surging. Last week, American rapper Snoop Doggs NFT music platform, Sound.xyz, secured US$20 million in a series A funding round led by a16z crypto, including participants like Coinbase and Scalar Capital.

Asian equities fall, U.S. stock futures rise on strong earnings reports

Image: elements.envato

Major Asian equities were mixed as of 4:30 p.m. in Hong Kong. Japans Nikkei 225 and the Shanghai Composite inched up while Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index and the Shenzhen Component declined.

Investors remained concerned about Chinas post-pandemic recovery, as economists believe that Beijings plans to boost consumer spending will not translate into a meaningful boost for the economy.

U.S. stock futures rose during Wednesday afternoon trading in Hong Kong, bolstered by strong earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures, the S&P 500 futures index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 futures strengthened.

U.S. financial heavyweights Bank of America Corp. and Morgan Stanley & Co. both beat analyst estimates in Q2 earnings, lifting investor sentiment. Later on Wednesday, Tesla, Netflix, United Airlines and Goldman Sachs Group all report earnings for Q2.

The CME FedWatch Tool predicts a 99.8% chance the Fed will raise interest rates by 25 basis points at the next meeting on July 26. U.S. interest rates are now at 5% to 5.25%, the highest since 2006.

The euro inched down 0.03% to US$1.12, remaining near a 17-month high, ahead of another expected rate hike to tackle inflation. Eurozone inflation declined to a 17-month low of 5.5% in June, but core inflation remained at 5.4%, near its all-time high of 5.7% in March.

The U.S. dollar rose 0.25% to stabilize above the 100 mark, remaining near a 17-month low against the euro.

See related article: Standard Chartereds great expectations for Bitcoin in 2024

Updates with equities section
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. Thos Robinson/Getty Images

BlackRock named Aramco CEO Amin Nasser to its board Monday.

Nasser leads the world's largest oil producer, which is mainly owned by the Saudi Arabian state.

His appointment clashes with Larry Fink's backing of ESG, or "woke," investing.

BlackRock has drawn the ire of conservatives ever since the world's largest asset manager came out in favor of investing with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in mind  a style dismissed by its right-wing critics as "woke."

Its decision to name Aramco CEO Amin Nasser to its board Monday provides further ammunition for those critics, signaling that the firm might not be as socially conscious as it says it is.

"Amin Nasser might be a delightful person. But it's symbolically and substantively representing Aramco. That is the wrong player here, unless [BlackRock CEO] Larry Fink really wants to blur their image on the ESG front," Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, the Yale professor and management expert, said on CNBC Tuesday.

Nasser leads the world's largest oil producer, which is mainly owned by the state of Saudi Arabia  the Gulf kingdom that commits flagrant human rights abuses and, according to an intelligence report from the Biden administration, approved the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

He'll now provide "a unique perspective" for a firm that's made promoting environmental sustainability one of its core business priorities, BlackRock said in a press release.

Amin H. Nasser, president and chief executive officer of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), speaks at the China Development Forum in Beijing, China, March 19, 2017. Shu Zhang/Reuters

Fink first brought mainstream attention to his and BlackRock's ESG embrace in 2020, saying in his annual open letter that "climate risk is investment risk."

It's fair to wonder whether he still stands by that statement now Aramco's CEO is on the board of the company that manages assets worth more than $8 trillion.

BlackRock has vigorously defended its ESG practices as both in-line with its fiduciary duty to put its clients' interests first, and a necessary part of properly managing investment risk.

Story continues

It's gone all-in on ways to invest in the transition to cleaner energy. Last year, one of its funds acquired a Massachusetts-based renewable natural gas company and it hired a former top McKinsey sustainability executive to help spearhead efforts to invest in a low-carbon economy.

The board appointment complicates that picture, despite BlackRock saying in Monday's press release that Nasser has established Aramco as a leader in promoting the shift.

Saudi Arabia launched a $1.5 billion energy-transition fund late last year, but at the launch of that venture Nasser called the effort to wean the world off fossil fuels "flawed."

"What we need is an optimal, realistic transition plan," he said. "We need to realise that today, alternatives are not ready to shoulder a heavy load of the growing energy demand and therefore we need to work in parallel until alternatives are ready."

Republican politicians have slammed Fink's embrace of ESG in recent years, criticizing BlackRock for implementing what they see as a liberal investing agenda  nevermind the significant stakes the firm owns in big oil producers.

Fink reaffirmed BlackRock's decarbonization efforts last month  but conceded that he'd stopped using the term "ESG" itself, arguing it had been "weaponized" by critics.

Now, conservatives may have another stick to beat him with.

Read the original article on Business Insider
LONDON (AP)  Computer chip and software maker Broadcoms $69 billion plan to buy cloud technology company VMware cleared another hurdle Wednesday after Britain's competition regulator gave the deal provisional clearance.

The Competition and Markets Authority said its investigation found the deal would not substantially reduce competition in the supply of hardware components for computer servers in the U.K. The deal also would be unlikely to harm innovation, the regulator said.

Thousands of British businesses and public bodies, including major banks, big retailers, telecom operators and government departments, rely on Broadcom gear and VMware software, the regulator said. Both companies are based in California.

The CMA, which said it's the biggest transaction it has ever investigated, will now seek feedback before issuing its final report Sept. 12. Broadcom is paying $61 billion in cash and stock for VMware and taking on $8 billion of its debt.

The European Commission, the EUs executive arm and top antitrust enforcer, cleared the deal last week after Broadcom made concessions to address its concerns about competition.

Broadcom wants to establish a stronger foothold in the cloud computing market, and VMwares technology allows large corporations to blend public cloud access with internal company networks. VMware has close relations with every major cloud company and provider, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft.
Campaign groups oppose the Sizewell C power plant in Suffolk - Gregg Brown/PA

Neglecting Britains potential to be a nuclear powerhouse has been a colossal mistake, Grant Shapps said on Tuesday as he earmarked 20bn for a new fleet of mini reactors.

Referencing the anti-nuclear protests of the early 1980s when hundreds of thousands of activists marched across Britain, the Energy Secretary said eventually that mood even percolated its way into government itself.

He added: Its time to put those misplaced fears of the past to rest and recognise the immense benefits that clean, reliable, home-produced nuclear energy can bring.

However, despite a shift in the political mood toward nuclear power  with even Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer acknowledging its importance  Shapps faces a different challenge for Britains fleet of mini reactors: finding somewhere to put them.

The planned 20bn Sizewell C power plant in Suffolk has been snubbed not just by many locals but also by pension funds.

The BT Pension Scheme and NatWest have told campaign group Stop Sizewell C that they will not back the project, joining money managers Legal & General and Aviva in their reticence.

Alison Downes, of Stop Sizewell C, said: Theres very strong opposition here. I mean, its not just local communities but also wildlife charities such as the RSPB, which has warned of a major impact on the area. Its a region popular with pensioners and retirees rather than would-be nuclear technicians, she added.

Yet local MPs are very, very keen to have nuclear power in their area, Mr Shapps said on Tuesday.

The Energy Secretary has earmarked 20bn for a new fleet of nuclear mini reactors - Rosie Hallam/DESNZ

Shapps comments came as he launched Great British Nuclear, an arms-length government body, and triggered the start of a competition to secure contracts for the designs of the small modular reactors (SMRs), also known as mini-nukes.

Companies including Rolls-Royce and General Electric are among those vying for the lucrative contracts.

There are so many locations where people are clamouring to get the high-paid skills and jobs, Shapps said.

Story continues

Public support for nuclear power is mixed. According to polling from YouGov, 31pc of adults tend to support the power source and 17pc strongly support it, figures which have drifted up in recent years. But strong opposition comes from 10pc of voters and a tendency to oppose from 21pc.

However, in the unlikely environs of the Snowdonia national park, nuclear planners may find a friendlier welcome, where there is demand for jobs and a familiarity with working with hazardous materials.

It is home to Trawsfynydd nuclear power station, which was approved in 1958, closed in 1993, and is seen as a potential site for new SMR power plants.

It is also a different way of providing jobs outside of agriculture and tourism, which currently prop up the local economy, said Dyfrig Siencyn, leader of Gwynedd Council.

He said: We have a desperate need to have good-quality jobs.

There is some resistance in the area, he conceded, but the most reliable indicator is locals voting with their feet until better work arrives.

Our area is declining in population at the moment, were losing people, so were in need of good-quality work, Siencyn added.

There is also expected to be huge demand for power as industries abandon natural gas and other fossil fuels and rely on an ever-greener electricity grid. Ministers want renewables to generate 25pc of the countrys electricity needs by 2050.

John Stevenson, the Tory MP for Carlisle and a prominent pro-nuclear voice in Parliament, believes GBN should start its search in places where nuclear power is already embedded in communities.

The launch is very positive, its clear that the Government is taking a much greater interest in nuclear energy, and that is extremely welcome, he said.

The starting point for SMRs, in my view, should be at existing nuclear sites up and down the country where there is already an acceptance within communities and the licensing and infrastructure is already in place.

In that respect, the two obvious locations are in West Cumbria, where you have Sellafield, and Wylfa [where two Magnox reactors are being decommissioned].

In Cumbria, Paul Foster, a former Sellafield executive, has co-founded Solway Community Power Company, which wants to bring SMR power stations to Cumbria backed by private investors and has selected Rolls-Royce as a designer.

He says community support is key, and argues that Sellafield has plenty because of its track record of storing hazardous waste safely for decades nearby.

This is a community-demanded project, not one imposed upon it, he said.

We are sat next to one of the most hazardous nuclear facilities in the world. And its been a source of income, a source of benefit.

Is nuclear power green?

The Government wants to make a final investment decision on which SMRs to build by 2029, although prospective bidders are hopeful that they will have a contract way before then, perhaps in the first few months of next year.

Mr Shapps said power should be generated by a new SMR in the 2030s  I hope in the early 2030s.

Asked whether that meant power from these projects could be 15 years away should there be any delays, he said that a mix of power sources will still be needed to supply enough green electric power.

When the wind doesnt blow and the sun doesnt shine, youve got to have another option, he said. I think its wiser to bet on a mix.

He admits that previous delays have not helped. I am critical of what governments have done in the past. I think we should have gone with a nuclear programme in the 1990s.

For local MP Mr Stevenson, there are plenty of areas that will welcome the work with open arms  the Government just needs to move at speed.

Potential bidders for the SMR contracts told The Telegraph that they needed urgent clarity on sites in order to raise the funds needed to begin construction.

Nuclear power has provided a source of stable, well-paid employment for generations of families in these areas and people recognise the benefits that has brought, Mr Stevenson said.

What is important is that the Government now gives the private sector the confidence it needs  and ministers cannot hang around.

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.
KUTZTOWN, Pa. - An insurance agent operating out of Kutztown is under arrest after authorities say he signed unsuspecting people up for policies without their knowledge.

The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General charged 24-year-old Justin Heck with insurance fraud, forgery and unlawful use of a computer.

Allstate Insurance began an investigation in 2022 when they were contacted by two individuals who allegedly received mail for insurance policies that were written by Heck without their knowledge or consent.

Investigators say between January and June of 2022, Justin Heck wrote nearly 150 insurance policies.

A review of a sample of those policies alleges they were cancelling as the effective dates arrived, without any premium payment being received by the customer. Authorities say most policies, if not all, were sent to collections.

Heck also allegedly provided non-working telephone numbers and email addresses for policyholders he signed up.

After their review, authorities found that Heck wrote and bound Allstate Insurance policies for 9 people without their knowledge.

Heck was released on his own recognizance. He's due back in court for a preliminary hearing September 5.
Numerous roads remain flooded Tuesday as cleanup efforts continue in Northampton County after storms moved through over the weekend.

A Crisis Clean-Up Hotline has also been established to connect those affected with information and possible assistance: 844-965-1386, according to a news release from the county. The Crisis Clean-Up Hotline is not affiliated with any local, county, state, or federal agency.

Northampton County Emergency Management Services asks that you drive with extreme caution and not attempt to drive through flooded roadways or over closed bridges.

As of Tuesday, 10 municipalities are still reporting municipal damages (Public Assistance) and providing preliminary assessments:

Bangor Borough (infrastructure, roadways)

County of Northampton (bridges)

East Bangor Borough (roadways)

Forks Township (infrastructure, roadways)

Lower Mount Bethel Township (roadways)

Palmer Township

Plainfield Township (infrastructure, roadways)

Stockertown Borough (recreational trail/park)

Tatamy Borough (municipal park)

Washington Township (infrastructure, roadways)

Four municipalities have enacted Disaster Declarations due to damages sustained:

Bangor Borough (7/17)

Lower Mount Bethel Township (7/16)

Plainfield Township (7/18)

Washington Township (7/17)

The county says residents and/or business owners affected by the flood events experienced on Sunday are strongly encouraged to work with their municipal officials. Municipal officials will be working to capture the damages affecting their residents and then provide the information to Northampton County Emergency Management Services.

If you have experienced damages and are unable to make contact with your municipal officials, please contact Northampton County Emergency Management Services at 610-746-3194 x3228.

This will ensure that the county sends detailed damage reports to both PEMA and FEMA to receive funding for those impacted, according to the county's news release.
The couple and their dog that found the western Pennsylvania escaped fugitive are receiving a reward.

Michael Burham escaped from jail and had been hiding out in the wilderness until he was found Saturday.

Warren County Crime Stoppers gave Ron and Cindy Ecklund $2,000 for Burham's capture.

They say their chocolate Labroador, Tucker, started barking, leading them to Burham, who they instantly recognized.

"The second he stood up, we knew, like all of you, the pictures were everywhere. There is no way you could not look at him and know who it was," said Cindy Ecklund, Tucker's owner.

The couple has already bought the hero dog new toys, a collar, and a ribeye steak.

The Ecklunds also will be getting $20,000 from the U.S. Marshals and the state.

The district attorney is launching an investigation into anyone who may have helped Burham escape.
Prosecutors in Idaho say they should not have to turn over genetic evidence police say led them to accused killer Bryan Kohberger.

Kohberger, who is from the Poconos, is accused of killing four University of Idaho students last fall.

His defense team seeks to cast doubt on the DNA evidence in the case.

Last month, Kohberger's lawyers even claimed the DNA evidence might have been planted.

Kohberger was arrested in Monroe County in December after driving back from the northwest.

His trial is set to begin in early October.
U. MAKEFIELD TWP., Pa. - Two children are still missing in Bucks County. Search efforts will transition from land and creek to a dive operation on Wednesday.

Crews are looking for a toddler and a baby who were swept away by floodwaters on Saturday. The community is mourning the loss of five other victims of the flooding as well.

"It's sad. It's tragic what happened. It's all those lives gone," said Chris Arndt, who owns Voltage Bikes.

On a summer night in Bucks County, Arndt is living less in the moment, as thoughts of this past weekend are hard to forget.

"You get 6 inches of rain in a matter of 30 minutes; anything is bound to happen," he continued.

He is referring to the flash flooding in Upper Makefield Township.

"We will have assets operating in the area and will continue to do so until we find what we are looking for, which is obviously our two missing angels," said Upper Makefield Fire Department Chief Tim Brewer during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Matilda "Mattie" Sheils, 2, and her 9-month-old baby brother Conrad have been missing since Saturday when the car they were in was hit by flood waters on Washington Crossing Road. Their mother, 32-year-old Katie Seley of South Carolina, was killed.

The other three family members in their car - the kids' dad, 4-year-old brother and grandmother - managed to escape safely.

"If today concludes with no discovery, the focus of the search will shift from the land based and creek based to a dive rescue operation or search and rescue operation," continued Brewer.

Four other people are dead, including 53-year-old Susan Barnhart of Titusville, New Jersey. Arndt owns a bike shop called Voltage Bikes. It's next to the post office where Barnhardt worked.

"That Saturday she walked by and said 'Hi, I got to get going and I'll see you, have a good weekend.' ...and four hours later"

She was gone but not forgotten, as a sign by her parking spot remembers Barnhardt and her dog Coda. Placed below are flowers and a farewell message.

The Bucks County coroner identified the other three drowning victims as:

- Enzo Depiero, 78, from Newtown Township

- Linda Depiero, 74, from Newtown Township

- Yuko Love, 64, from Newtown Township

Now the focus remains on the effort to bring Mattie and Conrad home.

Upper Makefield police shared a GoFundMe that was created for the Sheils family, and information on a prayer vigil scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Washington Crossing United Methodist Church.

A GoFundMe was also created to raise money for Susan Barnhart's mom, as Barnhart was her primary caregiver.
UPPER MAKEFIELD TWP., Pa. - Two kids lost in flash flooding over the weekend in Bucks County are still missing. Search-and-rescue operations continue, with all efforts focused on finding those two young children.

It's been three full days of searching and the efforts to bring them home are not slowing.

Fire Chief Tim Brewer updated media on the efforts during a news conference Tuesday. He says the search includes a ground search, water search, sonar, river search, and K9s.

"We have searched the entire flood zone. More than a dozen times," he said.

Upper Makefield Township Fire Chief Tim Brewer said Tuesday that rescue teams have covered about 117 acres in the search for Matilda "Mattie" Sheils and her baby brother Conrad.

"We tracked an area that is 1.5 miles long and the tracking logs are over 160 miles, meaning we backtracked several times," continued Brewer.

The 2-year-old and 9-month-old have been missing since Saturday when the car they were in was hit by flood waters on Washington Crossing Road. Their mother, 32-year-old Katie Seley of South Carolina, was killed.

Brewer described the flooding, saying "it involved 11 cars and resulted in five dead."

The other three family members in their car - the kids' dad, 4-year-old brother and grandmother - managed to escape safely. Tuesday's search for the children continues, with plans to change course Wednesday.

"If today concludes with no discovery, the focus of the search will shift from the land based and creek based, to a dive rescue operation," said Brewer.

Brewer thanks everyone for their continued support in this time of crisis but does ask that you stay away from the flood zone.

"We will have assets operating in the area and will continue to do so until we find what we are looking for, which is obviously our two missing angels," Brewer said during the news conference.

A prayer vigil is planned for Thursday night at The Crossing Worship Center. The center is located at 1895 Wrightstown Rd.

The vigil will begin at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
U. MAKEFIELD TWP., Pa. - Mother Nature is hampering the search for two young children lost in floodwaters in Bucks County.

"Unfortunately, weather and river conditions are not favorable nor conducive for what we had planned for todays search operations," Upper Makefield Township police posted on social media Wednesday morning.

They and numerous other agencies have been searching for 2-year-old Mattie Sheils and her 9-month-old brother, Conrad, since they were swept away by sudden flash flooding on Saturday evening.

Monday and Tuesday's conditions allowed crews to deploy a massive search effort, and officials had planned Wednesday to shift from a land-based operation to creek-based with divers.

Upper Makefield police said they will be monitoring conditions during the day Wednesday to see if they are able to deploy the search efforts they had planned.

"This setback has us all frustrated as we are desperate to bring Mattie and Conrad home," police said.

The young children are two of seven flash flooding victims from Saturday's torrential downpour.

Their mother, 32-year-old Katie Seley, was killed. The kids' dad, 4-year-old brother and grandmother managed to escape safely.

Four other people are dead, including 53-year-old Susan Barnhart, of Titusville, New Jersey. She worked at the Washington Crossing Post Office, where a memorial has been set up.

Upper Makefield police also said they personally knew Barnhart.

The other drowning victims were married couple Enzo and Linda Depiero, 78 and 74 respectively, from Newtown Township, and 64-year-old Yuko Love, also from Newtown Township.

Authorities have stressed that all of the victims, including those who were rescued, were caught in the sudden flash flooding and that they didn't drive onto flooded roadways. Police have said there was nothing they could have done as the floodwaters quickly rose and overtook the road.

Officials have estimated the Washington Crossing area got more than 6 inches of rain in less than an hour.

Police said they are working to put together a timeline of what happened Saturday evening, but in the meantime, the focus remains on the effort to bring Mattie and Conrad home.
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J.  The impact of recent flooding was among the key issues discussed at Tuesday's Phillipsburg Town Council meeting. The town received several inches of rain on both Monday, July 10, and Sunday, July 16.

In response to the flooding, council passed several resolutions awarding contracts to local construction companies to repair damaged roads.

Montana Construction Inc. and Top Line Construction were among the companies to be awarded six-figure contracts for repairs of Rosemary Street, Elder Avenue, Stockton Street and other areas. Council also awarded a separate $50,000 contract to Van Cleef Engineering to cover engineering needs of repairs beyond basic road construction.

Phillipsburg Mayor Todd Tersigni said he spoke directly with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in the aftermath of the flooding.

"I contacted the governor regarding the flooding issues in our town, and he responded within five minutes," Tersigni said. "He's been supportive and has said that he will be connecting the town to senior officials at the wastewater treatment facility."



Fire Chief Rich Hay spoke about the services available to residents seeking compensation for damage caused by the floods. Those looking for assistance should call 908-454-5502, extension 347, Hay said.

"If you have damage, it's very important to document this damage," Hay said.

During council's open session, council Vice President Lee Clark, Councilmember Keith Kennedy and council President Harry Wyant all thanked the town's first responders for their efforts during the flooding.
Lethal flooding has simultaneously hit India, Japan, China, Turkey and the U.S. Northeast. Scientists have long warned that more extreme rainfall is expected in a warming world. Climate pollutants such as carbon dioxide and methane hold more heat in the atmosphere, and a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture. That results in storms dumping more precipitation with sometimes deadly outcomes. Schools in New Delhi were forced to close Monday after heavy monsoon rains battered the Indian capital, with landslides and flash floods killing at least 15 people over the last three days. In Japan, torrential rain pounded the southwest, causing floods and mudslides that left two people dead and at least six others missing.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Illinois Tool Works is US$228 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of US$254 suggests Illinois Tool Works is potentially trading close to its fair value

Analyst price target for ITW is US$241, which is 5.6% above our fair value estimate

Does the July share price for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Illinois Tool Works

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$3.26b US$3.45b US$3.69b US$4.33b US$4.64b US$4.90b US$5.13b US$5.33b US$5.50b US$5.67b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x10 Analyst x7 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ 7.20% Est @ 5.67% Est @ 4.60% Est @ 3.86% Est @ 3.33% Est @ 2.97% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.5% US$3.0k US$2.9k US$2.9k US$3.1k US$3.1k US$3.0k US$2.9k US$2.8k US$2.6k US$2.5k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$29b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.1%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.5%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$5.7b (1 + 2.1%)  (8.5% 2.1%) = US$91b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$91b ( 1 + 8.5%)10= US$40b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$69b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$254, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Illinois Tool Works 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 8.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.070. 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 Illinois Tool Works

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Machinery industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and 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. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Illinois Tool Works, we've put together three additional factors you should further research:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Illinois Tool Works that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does ITW's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Authorities in Oregon say the deaths of four women whose bodies were found over three months are linked and that at least one person of interest has been identified. Police initially had said the cases appeared to be unconnected. In Portland, the Multnomah County District Attorney's office says no charges have been filed against anyone but added that the community is not currently in any danger. The women's bodies were found in and around Portland, Oregon, starting in February, with the last one found in May. The state medical examiner says the cause and manner of death for the women remain undetermined.
Q2 2023 production of 12,453 Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEO")

Production for the quarter in line with expectations

Las Calandrias heap leach project - Mining activities commenced, with first gold pour completed in early July 2023

LOM strategic plan continues to make good progress

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 19, 2023 / Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSX.V:CERT)(OTCQX:CRDOF) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") announces production results for the second quarter of 2023 ("Q2 2023") from the Minera Don Nicolas Mine in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina ("MDN"). Full financial results are expected to be released in August 2023.

Q2 Operating Highlights

Q2 2023 Gold production of 12,336 ounces and Gold Equivalent Ounce production of 12,453 ounces compared to 11,640 Geo ounces Q2 2022.

GEO sales in Q2 of 11,195 ounces.

Results continue to demonstrate stable mill throughput. Gold head grades 4.84 g/t and Gold Recoveries of 83.68% for the quarter.



Operational results presented for Q2 2023 highlight the stability of the operations. Since Cerrado acquired the Minera Don Nicolas mine, it has continuously improved performance during the first two years. As seen in prior years, Q2 and Q3 results are expected to show some variability, given the seasonal challenges in the winter months and given the Company is still developing and implementing its Life of Mine ("LOM") strategy.

Ore milled remained stable throughout the quarter, at above 1,000 tonnes per day. Production increases were driven primarily by ongoing efforts to reduce dilution and thus increase head grades, offset slightly by lower recoveries due to changes in ore type. Please see Table 1. for a summary of key highlights for the second quarter 2023. Sales for the quarter were lower than production, however, these sales should be recovered in the third quarter due to high-grade material entering the plant at the end of the quarter. Some challenges were experienced with recoveries, mainly for Chulengo, a high-grade deposit, but minor changes in operating strategies and throughput rates were found to be successful, and the operation stabilized with recoveries above 90% at the end of the quarter.

Story continues

Ongoing work to optimize mine sequencing and exploration work to upgrade and define new sources of resources remains the key focus of development at MDN. The operations team is focused on numerous new growth projects aside from expanding current open pit resources, including the construction of the Las Calandrias Heap Leach operation (first gold pour Q3 2023), underground development and production at Paloma, and a new Heap Leach operation at Martinetas.

Although the Las Calandrias project heap leach pad is still under construction, 33% of the pad is completed and is currently being loaded with ore and irrigation has commenced. Mining activities are at full production level, and gold production is anticipatd to ramp up during the 3rd quarter, with full production expected by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Table 1. Key Operating Information

Cerrado Gold Inc., Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Press release picture

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Sergio Gelcich, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Cerrado Gold Inc., who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Cerrado

Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company focused on gold projects in South America. The Company is the 100% owner of both the producing Minera Don Nicolas and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and the highly prospective Monte Do Carmo development project, located in Tocantins State, Brazil. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing it's 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec.

In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias Heap Leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.

In Brazil, Cerrado is rapidly advancing the Serra Alta deposit at its Monte Do Carmo Project, through feasibility and into production. Serra Alta is expected to be a high-margin and high-return project with significant exploration potential on an extensive and highly prospective 82,542 hectare land package.

In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium Project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron ore concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces contributing to the decarbonisation of the industry and the achievement of SDG goals.

For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Mark Brennan

CEO and Chairman

Mike McAllister

Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1-647-805-5662

mmcallister@cerradogold.com

Disclaimer

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, all statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado has made certain assumptions, including, but not limited to the time required to reach production capacity at Las Calandrias, the future operating costs in Argentina, as well the timing of the feasibility study at Monte Do Carmo. Although Cerrado believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

SOURCE: Cerrado Gold Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/768857/Cerrado-Gold-Announces-Q2-Gold-Production-Results-For-Its-Minera-Don-Nicolas-Mine-In-Argentina




agilon health, inc. (NYSE:AGL  Get Free Report) shares rose 6.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $18.58 and last traded at $18.55. Approximately 1,472,041 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 51% from the average daily volume of 3,007,305 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.45.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AGL has been the topic of several analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on agilon health from $29.00 to $32.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on agilon health from $35.00 to $27.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on agilon health from $28.00 to $27.00 in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Finally, Evercore ISI assumed coverage on agilon health in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued an inline rating and a $22.50 price objective on the stock. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, agilon health presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $29.28.

Get agilon health alerts:

agilon health Stock Up 4.0 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 1.93 and a quick ratio of 1.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.53 billion, a P/E ratio of -83.59 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $19.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.89.

Insider Transactions at agilon health

agilon health ( NYSE:AGL Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.03 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.08 billion. agilon health had a negative return on equity of 7.98% and a negative net margin of 2.88%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that agilon health, inc. will post -0.1 EPS for the current year.

In other news, insider Benjamin Shaker sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.79, for a total transaction of $594,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 79,543 shares in the company, valued at $1,892,327.97. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Veeral Desai sold 4,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.15, for a total transaction of $117,675.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 299,585 shares in the company, valued at $7,834,147.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Benjamin Shaker sold 25,000 shares of agilon health stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.79, for a total value of $594,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 79,543 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,892,327.97. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 94,241,304 shares of company stock worth $1,960,209,998 over the last ninety days. 3.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On agilon health

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AGL. FMR LLC increased its holdings in agilon health by 17.1% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 54,656,726 shares of the companys stock worth $1,298,097,000 after purchasing an additional 7,985,420 shares in the last quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership acquired a new stake in agilon health in the first quarter valued at approximately $80,109,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in agilon health by 14.7% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 18,770,560 shares of the companys stock valued at $439,605,000 after acquiring an additional 2,407,116 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in agilon health by 11.0% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 18,578,035 shares of the companys stock valued at $470,953,000 after acquiring an additional 1,834,890 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in agilon health by 222.9% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,304,003 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,721,000 after acquiring an additional 1,590,432 shares during the period.

agilon health Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

agilon health, inc. offers healthcare services for seniors through primary care physicians in the communities of the United States. As of December 31, 2022, it served approximately 269,500 medicare advantage members and 89,000 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. The company was formerly known as Agilon Health Topco, Inc and changed its name to agilon health, inc.

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Air Lease Co. (NYSE:AL  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their FY2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Air Lease in a report released on Thursday, July 13th. Zacks Research analyst S. Goswami now anticipates that the transportation company will post earnings of $5.89 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $5.88. The consensus estimate for Air Leases current full-year earnings is $4.69 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Air Leases Q1 2025 earnings at $1.73 EPS.

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Air Lease (NYSE:AL  Get Free Report) last released its 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $633.52 million. Air Lease had a net margin of 21.25% and a return on equity of 7.60%.

Air Lease Stock Up 2.9 %

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on AL. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Air Lease in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Air Lease in a report on Monday, May 15th. They issued a neutral rating and a $41.00 price objective on the stock.

Shares of NYSE AL opened at $44.27 on Monday. Air Lease has a 52-week low of $30.08 and a 52-week high of $46.20. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $40.66 and a 200-day moving average of $40.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.91 billion, a PE ratio of 10.75, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.88.

Air Lease Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 7th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 6th were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 5th. Air Leases dividend payout ratio is presently 19.42%.

Insider Activity at Air Lease

In related news, EVP Alex A. Khatibi sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $1,000,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 89,266 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,570,640. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Air Lease news, EVP Alex A. Khatibi sold 25,000 shares of Air Lease stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $1,000,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 89,266 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,570,640. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Yvette Hollingsworth Clark bought 2,600 shares of the firms 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 purchase, the director now directly owns 19,856 shares in the company, valued at $753,733.76. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 6.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AL. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Air Lease by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,709,215 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $301,082,000 after acquiring an additional 194,211 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of Air Lease by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,735,320 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $265,166,000 after acquiring an additional 83,021 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in Air Lease by 1.6% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,763,177 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $257,324,000 after buying an additional 90,225 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Air Lease by 36.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,446,382 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $243,180,000 after buying an additional 1,460,769 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Air Lease by 3.5% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,542,411 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $178,834,000 after buying an additional 151,988 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.61% of the companys stock.

About Air Lease

(Get 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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Armadale Capital Plc (LON:ACP  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 0.95 ($0.01) and last traded at GBX 0.98 ($0.01), with a volume of 1169916 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.98 ($0.01).

Armadale Capital Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 1.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 1.49. The firm has a market capitalization of 5.73 million, a P/E ratio of -17.75 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 15.53, a quick ratio of 41.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.23.

About Armadale Capital

(Get Free Report)

Armadale Capital Plc, an investment company, focuses on natural resources projects in Africa. It holds 100% interest in the Mahenge Liandu Graphite project located in Tanzania. The company was formerly known as Watermark Global Plc and changed its name to Armadale Capital Plc in July 2013. Armadale Capital Plc was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Esher, the United Kingdom.

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SorenP / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The half dollar is one of the most popular U.S. coins to collect. Many arent worth more than their face value  though older half dollars often hold value due to the silver in their composition  and the value of any coin is subject to its rarity, condition and demand, per CNBC Make It. However, some of the most valuable 50-cent pieces sell to coin collectors for thousands or even millions of dollars. Before you spend your coins, look out for some of these valuable half-dollars worth up to $1.5 million.

See: Check Your $2 Bills  They Could Be Worth Upwards of $4,500

Find: These 5 Rare Quarters from the Year 2000 Could Now Be Worth a Pretty Penny

1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar

The 1797 draped bust half dollar coin was the final draped bust design on the half dollar and only ran for two years, according to CoinCollecting.com. Fewer than 3,000 were minted, and its estimated that less than 200 coins exist today. In 2015, an MS66-graded coin sold for $1,527,500.

1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar 16 Stars

The 1796 draped bust half dollar earned its sixteenth star when Tennessee entered the union, and CoinCollecting.com estimated that only 40 coins still survive. In 2015, an MS66-graded coin sold for $822,500, but USA Coin Book indicated a coin in average condition could be worth over $47,000. Even the coins melt value is worth something  approximately $9.75.

1838-O Capped Bust Half Dollar (Proof)

This is an extremely rare coin, and CoinCollecting.com suggested less than 12 are known to exist  and only 20 proofs were ever minted. The 1838-O capped bust half dollar was the first coin minted at the New Orleans Mint and an SP64-graded coin sold for $763,750 in 2014.

Also: Keep an Eye Out for Rare Dime Worth as Much as $2,000  How To Spot It

1853-O Seated Liberty Half Dollar

This is another rare coin, and USA Coin Book said the rarest is the Type 1 1853-O seated liberty half dollar (without arrowheads at the date and no rays on the reverse). Only four exist; the most recent was discovered by accident in 2012 in very good (VG-8) condition. This coin sold for $218,500 at auction.

Story continues

1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar 15 Stars

The 1796 draped bust half dollar with 15 stars is one of the most famous collectible coins in the U.S. When Tennessee was added to the Union, the sixteenth star was added halfway through the year. In 2008, CoinCollecting.com said, an MS63-graded coin sold for $373,750. However, USA Coin Book noted that an example could be worth $1.6 million or more in uncirculated mint condition.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Check out This $1.5 Million Half Dollar Coin and Others Worth Well Over 50 Cents
Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. raised its stake in shares of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH  Free Report) by 2.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,348 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 907 shares during the period. UnitedHealth Group accounts for approximately 5.2% of Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD.s holdings in UnitedHealth Group were worth $16,233,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of UNH. Chelsea Counsel Co. bought a new position in UnitedHealth Group during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Investors Research Corp raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 51.1% in the 4th quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 71 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of UnitedHealth Group by 192.3% in the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 76 shares of the healthcare conglomerates stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of UnitedHealth Group in the 4th quarter worth about $42,000. 92.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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UnitedHealth Group Trading Up 3.3 %

Shares of UNH stock opened at $500.00 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $478.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $484.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.81. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated has a 1 year low of $445.68 and a 1 year high of $558.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $465.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.37, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.66.

UnitedHealth Group Increases Dividend

UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE:UNH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The healthcare conglomerate reported $6.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.92 by $0.22. The business had revenue of $92.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.97 billion. UnitedHealth Group had a net margin of 6.06% and a return on equity of 26.72%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 15.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.57 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that UnitedHealth Group Incorporated will post 24.84 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 19th were issued a $1.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $7.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.50%. This is a boost from UnitedHealth Groups previous quarterly dividend of $1.65. UnitedHealth Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 33.65%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UNH has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $564.00 to $555.00 in a research report on Monday. Truist Financial decreased their target price on UnitedHealth Group from $610.00 to $580.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $610.00 target price on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Raymond James reiterated a strong-buy rating and set a $630.00 price target on shares of UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler assumed coverage on UnitedHealth Group in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. They set an overweight rating and a $580.00 price target for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $586.10.

Insider Transactions at UnitedHealth Group

In related news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 6,160 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.49, for a total value of $3,002,938.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 86,564 shares in the company, valued at $42,199,084.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Andrew Witty sold 6,160 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.49, for a total value of $3,002,938.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 86,564 shares in the company, valued at $42,199,084.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Erin Mcsweeney sold 1,008 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $484.58, for a total transaction of $488,456.64. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 10,359 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,019,764.22. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 8,852 shares of company stock valued at $4,313,962. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

UnitedHealth Group Profile

(Free Report)

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. It operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage.

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Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Free Report) by 29.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 65,703 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 15,025 shares during the quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.s holdings in Phillips 66 were worth $6,661,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in PSX. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 100,843.8% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,979,304 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,038,646,000 after buying an additional 9,969,418 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Phillips 66 in the 4th quarter valued at $364,237,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 62.1% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 7,188,087 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $620,979,000 after buying an additional 2,753,700 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,961,625 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $724,566,000 after buying an additional 968,055 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 88.1% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,924,217 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $200,273,000 after buying an additional 901,115 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.52% of the companys stock.

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Phillips 66 Trading Up 2.1 %

PSX opened at $101.16 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.42 billion, a PE ratio of 3.91, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.37. Phillips 66 has a 1-year low of $74.02 and a 1-year high of $113.53. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $95.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $99.45.

Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement

Phillips 66 ( NYSE:PSX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The oil and gas company reported $4.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.58 by $0.63. Phillips 66 had a net margin of 7.13% and a return on equity of 32.37%. The firm had revenue of $35.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $29.76 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.32 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Phillips 66 will post 13.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 18th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.15%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 17th. Phillips 66s dividend payout ratio is 16.24%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Phillips 66 from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $110.00 to $123.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. StockNews.com raised shares of Phillips 66 from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, July 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $112.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $118.00 to $111.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $127.00 to $130.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $122.85.

Phillips 66 Profile

(Free Report)

Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas.

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Ceconomy AG (OTCMKTS:MTAGF  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 480,500 shares, a growth of 26.2% from the June 15th total of 380,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Ceconomy Price Performance

Shares of Ceconomy stock remained flat at 2.35 during trading on Tuesday. Ceconomy has a 52-week low of 2.35 and a 52-week high of 2.50. The companys 50-day moving average is 2.39 and its 200-day moving average is 2.29.

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Ceconomy Company Profile

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Ceconomy AG engages in the consumer electronics retail business. It operates stores under the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands. The company also offers professional assistance for the installation, connection, and troubleshooting of electronic devices at home under the Deutsche Technikberatung brand. It operates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary, as well as in Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe.

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China Construction Bank Co. (OTCMKTS:CICHY  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 16,900 shares, a decline of 39.0% from the June 15th total of 27,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 128,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.1 days.

China Construction Bank Price Performance

OTCMKTS CICHY traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $10.91. 102,940 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 89,734. The company has a 50 day moving average of $12.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.86. China Construction Bank has a 52-week low of $10.31 and a 52-week high of $14.29.

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China Construction Bank Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.9255 per share. This is an increase from China Construction Banks previous dividend of $0.92. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th.

About China Construction Bank

China Construction Bank Corporation provides various banking and related financial services to individuals and corporate customers in the People's Republic of China and internationally. It operates through Corporate Finance Business, Personal Finance Business, Treasury and Asset Management Business, and Others segments.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Citigroup from $65.00 to $67.00 in a research report released on Sunday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

DAL has been the subject of a number of other reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $40.00 to $48.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 14th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. 22nd Century Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $81.00 to $69.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Thirteen research 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, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $56.38.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Performance

DAL stock opened at $48.38 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 0.46 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $41.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.91. The company has a market capitalization of $31.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.43, a PEG ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 1.31. Delta Air Lines has a 1-year low of $27.20 and a 1-year high of $49.81.

Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 13th. The transportation company reported $2.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.40 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $15.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.44 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines will post 6.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.83%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is presently 8.62%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Director David S. Taylor bought 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $32.83 per share, for a total transaction of $164,150.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 25,360 shares in the company, valued at $832,568.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $277,229.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 107,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,977,155.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Delta Air Lines

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DAL. Pacifica Partners Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 117.6% during the 1st quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 740 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in Delta Air Lines by 1,136.7% in the 1st quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 742 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 682 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Sittner & Nelson LLC raised its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Sittner & Nelson LLC now owns 900 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. 68.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Delta Air Lines

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Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Seoul-Incheon.

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Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. (NYSE:CCU  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $15.51 and traded as high as $17.14. Compania Cervecerias Unidas shares last traded at $17.10, with a volume of 97,517 shares.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on CCU. StockNews.com raised shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, May 20th. HSBC lifted their price target on shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas from $16.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $15.13.

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Compania Cervecerias Unidas Price Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $16.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.53. The company has a market cap of $3.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.13, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Compania Cervecerias Unidas ( NYSE:CCU Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $878.44 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $876.73 million. Compania Cervecerias Unidas had a net margin of 4.07% and a return on equity of 7.59%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. will post 1.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CCU. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 12.3% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 26,174 shares of the companys stock valued at $392,000 after buying an additional 2,861 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 11.0% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 192,041 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,873,000 after buying an additional 18,967 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 13.2% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 461,665 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,907,000 after buying an additional 54,000 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 22.3% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 29,938 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,000 after buying an additional 5,468 shares during the period. 18.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Compania Cervecerias Unidas

(Get Free Report)

Compania Cervecerias Unidas SA operates as a beverage company in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The company operates through three segments: Chile, International Business, and Wine. It produces and sells alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer under proprietary and licensed brands, as well as distributes Pernod Ricard products in non-supermarket retail stores.

Further Reading

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Galway Metals Inc. (CVE:GWM  Get Free Report) shares dropped 4.1% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as C$0.36 and last traded at C$0.36. Approximately 133,998 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 386% from the average daily volume of 27,562 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.37.

Galway Metals Trading Down 1.4 %

The firm has a market capitalization of C$25.48 million, a PE ratio of -2.16 and a beta of 1.62. The company has a current ratio of 3.15, a quick ratio of 4.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$0.49.

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Galway Metals (CVE:GWM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The company reported C($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Equities analysts expect that Galway Metals Inc. will post -0.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Galway Metals Company Profile

Galway Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada; and Estrades mine, related Newiska concessions, and adjacent Casa Berardi claims located in western Quebec, Canada.

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Glatfelter Co. (NYSE:GLT  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $3.47 and traded as high as $3.48. Glatfelter shares last traded at $3.34, with a volume of 243,770 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Glatfelter in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

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Glatfelter Trading Up 4.8 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $158.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.58 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a current ratio of 2.21, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.73. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $3.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $3.48.

Insider Activity

Glatfelter ( NYSE:GLT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The basic materials company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $378.21 million for the quarter. Glatfelter had a negative net margin of 6.69% and a negative return on equity of 5.59%.

In other news, Director Kevin Michael Fogarty purchased 33,422 shares of Glatfelter stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $3.63 per share, for a total transaction of $121,321.86. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 150,000 shares in the company, valued at $544,500. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.59% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Glatfelter

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GLT. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in Glatfelter by 35.9% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 122,864 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,521,000 after purchasing an additional 32,486 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Glatfelter by 6.6% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 43,512 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $538,000 after buying an additional 2,692 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of Glatfelter by 8.9% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 52,236 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $692,000 after buying an additional 4,261 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Glatfelter by 56.4% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 23,331 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $289,000 after buying an additional 8,417 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in shares of Glatfelter by 14.1% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 38,385 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $475,000 after buying an additional 4,733 shares during the last quarter. 80.89% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Glatfelter

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Glatfelter Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered materials worldwide. It operates through three segments: Composite Fibers, Airlaid Materials, and Spunlace. The Composite Fibers segment offers food and beverage filtration materials for single-serve coffee and tea products; wallcover base materials for wallpaper manufacturers; metallized products that are used in labels, packaging liners, gift wraps, and other consumer product applications; composite laminates consisting of decorative laminates for use in furniture, household and commercial flooring, and other applications; and specialty engineered products, which are used in electrical energy storage, home, hygiene, and other engineered fiber-based applications.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $146.73 and last traded at $146.35, with a volume of 684774 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $145.49.

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Trading Up 0.6 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $10.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.35 and a beta of 0.91. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $140.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $141.29.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. TimeScale Financial Inc. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 900.0% during the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 190 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares in the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000.

About iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years.

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Mascoma Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 67.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 886 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 356 shares during the quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLCs holdings in General Electric were worth $88,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp boosted its position in shares of General Electric by 46.3% during the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 227,097 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $21,710,000 after acquiring an additional 71,850 shares in the last quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of General Electric during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,022,250,000,000. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of General Electric during the 1st quarter valued at about $560,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA boosted its position in shares of General Electric by 703.8% during the 1st quarter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA now owns 25,126 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,402,000 after acquiring an additional 22,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its position in shares of General Electric by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 23,775 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $2,273,000 after acquiring an additional 2,129 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.75% of the companys stock.

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General Electric Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE GE opened at $111.06 on Wednesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $105.49 and its 200 day simple moving average is $94.18. General Electric has a fifty-two week low of $48.06 and a fifty-two week high of $112.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $120.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.48, a P/E/G ratio of 7.81 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.92.

General Electric Dividend Announcement

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $14.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.46 billion. General Electric had a net margin of 11.85% and a return on equity of 9.45%. General Electrics revenue was up 14.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.24 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that General Electric will post 2.03 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 11th will be issued a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 10th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.29%. General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.17%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, major shareholder General Electric Pension Trust bought 35,160 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 30th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $995.44 per share, for a total transaction of $34,999,670.40. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 175,160 shares in the company, valued at approximately $174,361,270.40. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, SVP Scott Strazik sold 173,873 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.56, for a total transaction of $17,310,795.88. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 56,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,580,238.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder General Electric Pension Trust acquired 35,160 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 30th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $995.44 per share, with a total value of $34,999,670.40. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 175,160 shares of the companys stock, valued at $174,361,270.40. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 239,419 shares of company stock worth $24,144,151. Company insiders own 0.67% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of General Electric from $97.00 to $103.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of General Electric from $96.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of General Electric from $90.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of General Electric from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of General Electric from $95.00 to $109.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $109.63.

General Electric Profile

(Free Report)

General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. It offers gas and steam turbines, full balance of plant, upgrade, and service solutions, as well as data-leveraging software for power generation, industrial, government, and other customers.

Further Reading

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Chicago rap sensation G Herbo faces years behind bars after agreeing to plead guilty in Massachusetts to federal wire fraud charges, allegations that accused him of using stolen identities to fund private jets, a Jamaican villa and designer puppies, and then lying about it to federal agents.

A plea agreement laying out the terms of the deal was filed by prosecutors in U.S. District Court in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, the same day Herbo, whose real name is Herbert Wright III, was ordered to appear in court there due to his recent arrest on a gun charge in Chicago.

The potential plea, which still needs to be approved by the judge, comes more than 2  years after the Tribune first reported Wright had been indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The charge of lying to agents was added in a separate indictment in 2021.

The wire fraud count carries up to 20 years in prison, but under federal sentencing guidelines Wright would likely face a term in the two- to three-year range. Those details are still being worked out.

A plea hearing was tentatively scheduled for July 27 before U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni.

An attorney for Wright could not immediately be reached for comment.

Wright, 27, who hails from the South Side neighborhood some have dubbed Terror Town, was accused along with five associates  including promotor Antonio Strong  with using stolen identities to make up to $1.5 million in fraudulent charges for goods and services, including private jet trips, a personal chef, a vacation at a Jamaican villa and the puppies from a business in Michigan.

Wright vehemently denied wrongdoing at the time he was charged, even dropping a new song and video in late 2020 that mocked the federal investigation and touted his rise from troubled South Side streets to international acclaim.

Ask about me, I aint never been a fraud, he said in the two-minute video titled Statement, released on social media. I worked hard from the start, in my city Im a god, (expletive).

Story continues

The charges alleged Wright lied to a federal agent in November 2018 about his relationship with Strong, a Chicago rap promoter and the alleged mastermind of the identity theft scheme.

Specifically, Wright falsely said hed never provided Strong any money, never received anything of value from Strong and had no direct relationship with Strong. In fact, since at least 2016, Wright had received valuable goods from Strong, including private jet charters, luxury accommodations and exotic car rentals, the charges alleged.

Wright and Strong were also in frequent direct contact with each other, including phone conversations, text messages and Instagram messages, the charges stated.

The plea agreement contained numerous text messages between Wright and Strong, including one where Wright called Chicago the Raq and allegedly asked Strong to finesse him a hotel room, meaning to obtain one through fraudulent means.

Im in the Raq. See if you could get me sum for tonight like to check in when I leave for my show tonight, Wright texted to Strong on July 30, 2016, according to the plea. Finesse me a room or sum dude get us a crib while we out here or sum bro.

In 2017, Strong and Wright allegedly conspired to purchase two Yorkshire terrier puppies from a business called Woof Woof Puppies in Michigan, according to the plea. Strong, using the name Darren Geiger and identifying himself as Wrights manager, ordered the dogs for Wright using a stolen credit card.

The pet company appeared to be suspicious and asked for Wright to confirm the order by messaging it directly from his Instagram account, according to the agreement. Strong allegedly sent a text to Wright saying, Hurry just message that (expletive) hello.

The indictment alleged Wright did what he was told. The company representative messaged Wright back on Instagram, asking, You are getting 2 puppies correct? Wright then confirmed the order, according to the charges.

The puppies were delivered, but the deal apparently soured after the payment was reversed due to suspected fraud.

According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 6, 2017, Wright sent Strong a text message relating to the Woof Woof fraud, saying, I already finessed these dogs for you & didnt give no (expletive)... you sold at least one what you did wit the bread aint my problem.

Two months later, one of the Woof Woof owners threatened Wright via a direct message chat, saying they would go to the police if he didnt resolve it, according to the plea document.

We have you in the photo, witnesses, license plate. This is a felony, the Woof Woof owner wrote, according to the plea.

Wright allegedly responded: Dont you see the pictures on my page??? Does that look like me in that pic?? I never met you.

The Woof Woof owner replied that Wright had messaged directly from his Instagram page while they were on the phone, and the phone call was recorded.

All of this is going to the local police, the owner said. They will investigate. You messaging from your official Instagram page shows you were getting 2 puppies. What are you gonna say?? Thats not you??

Wright never responded further, and the dogs were never paid for, according to the plea.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Wright will pay $140,000 in restitution to a variety of alleged victims, including $10,458 to Woof Woof.

Meanwhile, Wright is still facing legal trouble after Chicago police officers pulled over a Cadillac Escalade the star lyricist had been riding in for failing to use a turn signal in River North two weeks ago.

The officer driving the unmarked police vehicle had begun to tail the Cadillac because of its tinted windows, police records said. As police approached the car, they saw Wright, who was in the back seat, move his hands toward the front center console, according to a police report.

Officers found four guns in the car, including a black Glock 33 pistol in the center console that was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible, the police report said. Police also found 248 grams of cannabis in the car, with an estimated value of $1,488, according to the report.

Wright was charged with misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon and bonded out of police custody a day later, according to court records.

Wright was allowed to remain on bond in his federal case after appearing Wednesday before a federal magistrate in Massachusetts, court records show.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Princeton Capital Management LLC reduced its position in shares of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 7.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,857 shares of the aircraft producers stock after selling 2,144 shares during the period. Boeing comprises 2.4% of Princeton Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest holding. Princeton Capital Management LLCs holdings in Boeing were worth $5,493,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sterling Investment Advisors Ltd. boosted its holdings in Boeing by 12.6% in the first quarter. Sterling Investment Advisors Ltd. now owns 1,791 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $380,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Investment Management of Virginia LLC bought a new position in shares of Boeing during the 1st quarter worth approximately $216,000. Aureus Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Boeing during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,690,000. First Heartland Consultants Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc. now owns 8,093 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $1,542,000 after buying an additional 459 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont boosted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 3,844 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $817,000 after buying an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. 60.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Boeing Stock Performance

BA traded down $0.64 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $210.93. The company had a trading volume of 541,226 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,735,417. The stock has a market cap of $126.89 billion, a PE ratio of -30.57 and a beta of 1.41. The Boeing Company has a 12-month low of $120.99 and a 12-month high of $223.91. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $210.05 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $208.27.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Boeing ( NYSE:BA Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($1.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.98) by ($0.29). The business had revenue of $17.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.56 billion. The firms revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($2.75) EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Boeing Company will post -1.3 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of research firms have issued reports on BA. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Boeing from $230.00 to $237.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Credit Suisse Group upped their target price on Boeing from $200.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Northcoast Research lowered Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $180.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Boeing in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, SpectralCast reissued a reiterates rating on shares of Boeing in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $223.14.

Insider Buying and Selling at Boeing

In related news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.36, for a total transaction of $84,196.32. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,181 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,511,109.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock.

Boeing Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital.

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PHX Minerals Inc. (NYSE:PHX  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Northland Capmk decreased their Q2 2023 earnings per share estimates for PHX Minerals in a note issued to investors on Friday, July 14th. Northland Capmk analyst D. Schafer now expects that the oil and gas producer will post earnings per share of $0.04 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.08. The consensus estimate for PHX Minerals current full-year earnings is $0.28 per share.

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Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on PHX Minerals from $6.00 to $4.70 in a report on Monday, May 22nd. StockNews.com initiated coverage on PHX Minerals in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Alliance Global Partners initiated coverage on PHX Minerals in a report on Monday, April 17th. They issued a buy rating and a $5.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, TheStreet downgraded PHX Minerals from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, PHX Minerals currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $5.07.

PHX Minerals Stock Up 3.5 %

PHX opened at $3.10 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $114.55 million, a P/E ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 0.65. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $3.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $3.03. The company has a current ratio of 5.13, a quick ratio of 5.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. PHX Minerals has a 12 month low of $2.33 and a 12 month high of $4.39.

PHX Minerals (NYSE:PHX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by $0.04. PHX Minerals had a return on equity of 20.20% and a net margin of 44.30%. The business had revenue of $11.86 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.97 million.

Institutional Trading of PHX Minerals

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of PHX. James Investment Research Inc. bought a new stake in shares of PHX Minerals in the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of PHX Minerals in the 1st quarter worth approximately $46,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of PHX Minerals by 900.0% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 10,000 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 9,000 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of PHX Minerals in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its position in shares of PHX Minerals by 129.3% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 11,327 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 6,387 shares in the last quarter. 35.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

PHX Minerals Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 22nd were given a dividend of $0.0225 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 19th. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.91%. PHX Mineralss payout ratio is 10.34%.

PHX Minerals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

PHX Minerals Inc operates as a natural gas and oil mineral company in the United States. The company produces and sells natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids. Its principal properties are located in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, and Arkansas. It sells its products to various purchasers, including pipeline and marketing companies.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Free Report)  Equities research analysts at Raymond James issued their Q3 2023 earnings estimates for Laurentian Bank of Canada in a research report issued on Thursday, July 13th. Raymond James analyst S. Boland forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.17 per share for the quarter. Raymond James currently has a Market Perform rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Laurentian Bank of Canadas current full-year earnings is $5.10 per share. Raymond James also issued estimates for Laurentian Bank of Canadas Q4 2023 earnings at $1.32 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $4.80 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $1.18 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.29 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $1.27 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $1.41 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $5.16 EPS.

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Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on LB. National Bank Financial raised shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a sector perform market weight rating to an outperform market weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Veritas Investment Research reissued a buy rating on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. CSFB lowered shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the company from C$33.00 to C$44.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. National Bankshares raised their price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$39.00 to C$51.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Finally, CIBC upgraded shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the company from C$37.00 to C$60.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$43.17.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Performance

Laurentian Bank of Canada stock opened at C$43.07 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$33.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$33.29. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.32, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.17. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a one year low of C$28.23 and a one year high of C$48.23.

Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported C$1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$1.14 by C$0.02. The firm had revenue of C$257.17 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$261.70 million. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a net margin of 21.97% and a return on equity of 7.69%.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be given a $0.47 dividend. This is a positive change from Laurentian Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 30th. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.36%. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.69%.

About Laurentian Bank of Canada

(Get Free Report)

Laurentian Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to personal, business, and institutional customers in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Capital Markets. The Personal Banking segment offers financial services, such as financial advisory services to financial intermediaries; and operates digital direct-to-customer platform to retail clients.

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Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR  Get Free Report) updated its FY23 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $2.13-$2.16 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.19.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

REXR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup downgraded Rexford Industrial Realty from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $66.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Mizuho initiated coverage on Rexford Industrial Realty in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a neutral rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. BMO Capital Markets cut Rexford Industrial Realty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $69.00 to $56.00 in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Rexford Industrial Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, May 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $60.67.

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Rexford Industrial Realty Stock Performance

Shares of REXR stock traded up $0.93 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $53.99. 2,397,866 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,591,778. Rexford Industrial Realty has a 12 month low of $48.74 and a 12 month high of $68.68. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $53.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 2.57 and a current ratio of 2.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.85 billion, a PE ratio of 56.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.81.

Insider Activity at Rexford Industrial Realty

Institutional Trading of Rexford Industrial Realty

In other Rexford Industrial Realty news, CEO Howard Schwimmer sold 35,505 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.94, for a total value of $1,986,149.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 50,862 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,845,220.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in REXR. Belpointe Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Rexford Industrial Realty by 112.7% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 1,176 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 623 shares in the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. bought a new position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty during the first quarter valued at approximately $151,000. Ossiam boosted its stake in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty by 21.3% during the first quarter. Ossiam now owns 2,096 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $125,000 after purchasing an additional 368 shares in the last quarter. Vident Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty by 26.0% during the first quarter. Vident Investment Advisory LLC now owns 3,247 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 669 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sawtooth Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty during the first quarter valued at approximately $249,000. 98.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Rexford Industrial Realty Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Rexford Industrial creates value by investing in, operating and redeveloping industrial properties throughout infill Southern California, the world's fourth largest industrial market and consistently the highest-demand with lowest-supply major market in the nation. The Company's highly differentiated strategy enables internal and external growth opportunities through its proprietary value creation and asset management capabilities.

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Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 1.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 81,677 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,128 shares during the period. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $3,332,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lam Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Mendota Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Freedom Wealth Alliance LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Arcus Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. 67.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Scott Gottlieb bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $38.58 per share, with a total value of $38,580.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $231,480. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Pfizer Trading Up 1.1 %

PFE opened at $36.24 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The company has a market cap of $204.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.61. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $40.74. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $35.35 and a fifty-two week high of $54.93.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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. The business had revenue of $18.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.49 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 31.25% and a return on equity of 37.53%. Pfizers revenue for the quarter was down 28.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.62 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

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 4.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 27th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.28%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, June 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, May 17th. Daiwa Capital Markets downgraded shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $38.00 price target for the company. in a report on Thursday, May 11th. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Friday, July 14th. They set a buy rating and a $50.00 price target for the company. Finally, Credit Suisse Group downgraded shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the company from $47.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $46.00.

About Pfizer

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report).

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Aenza S.A.A. (NYSE:AENZ  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,800 shares, a drop of 17.0% from the June 15th total of 9,400 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.3 days.

Aenza S.A.A. Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:AENZ traded up $0.02 on Wednesday, hitting $1.85. 1,967 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,739. Aenza S.A.A. has a 52 week low of $1.69 and a 52 week high of $5.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.43.

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Aenza S.A.A. (NYSE:AENZ  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $223.08 million during the quarter.

Aenza S.A.A. Company Profile

Aenza SAA., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the Infrastructure, Energy, Engineering and Construction, and Real Estate businesses in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, and Colombia. The company's Infrastructure segment offers long-term concessions or similar contractual arrangements in Peru for highways with tolls, Lima Metro, a sewage treatment plant in Lima, as well as operation and maintenance services for infrastructure assets.

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Louisiana-Pacific Co. (NYSE:LPX  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 2,680,000 shares, a growth of 35.4% from the June 15th total of 1,980,000 shares. Currently, 3.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 884,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Louisiana-Pacific

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in LPX. Berkshire Hathaway Inc boosted its position in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 21.5% during the 4th quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 7,044,909 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $417,059,000 after purchasing an additional 1,249,003 shares in the last quarter. Anomaly Capital Management LP raised its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 427.3% during the 4th quarter. Anomaly Capital Management LP now owns 911,101 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $53,937,000 after buying an additional 738,319 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Louisiana-Pacific by 24.7% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,311,921 shares of the building manufacturing companys stock worth $205,737,000 after buying an additional 655,132 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Louisiana-Pacific during the 4th quarter worth $37,576,000. Finally, Alyeska Investment Group L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Louisiana-Pacific during the 1st quarter worth $29,881,000. 87.75% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Louisiana-Pacific Stock Performance

NYSE:LPX traded down $0.48 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $77.43. The stock had a trading volume of 967,637 shares, compared to its average volume of 853,160. The stock has a market cap of $5.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.79 and a beta of 1.69. Louisiana-Pacific has a 12-month low of $48.20 and a 12-month high of $79.56. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $66.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $62.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 3.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

Louisiana-Pacific Dividend Announcement

Louisiana-Pacific ( NYSE:LPX Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The building manufacturing company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $584.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $618.23 million. Louisiana-Pacific had a net margin of 19.05% and a return on equity of 37.43%. The businesss revenue was down 56.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.08 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Louisiana-Pacific will post 3.08 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were given a dividend of $0.24 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.24%. Louisiana-Pacifics payout ratio is currently 12.06%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on LPX shares. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Louisiana-Pacific from $58.00 to $60.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. TD Securities cut shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the company from $75.00 to $86.00 in a report on Tuesday. They noted that the move was a valuation call. StockNews.com lowered shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday. Truist Financial upgraded shares of Louisiana-Pacific from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $49.00 to $82.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, DA Davidson lifted their price objective on shares of Louisiana-Pacific from $65.00 to $76.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $76.00.

About Louisiana-Pacific

(Get Free Report)

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides building solutions primarily for use in new home construction, repair and remodeling, and outdoor structure markets. It operates through: Siding, Oriented Strand Board, and South America. The Siding segment offers LP SmartSide trim and siding products, LP SmartSide ExpertFinish trim and siding products, LP BuilderSeries lap siding products, and LP Outdoor Building Solutions; and engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia products.

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Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (NYSE:TPH  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,560,000 shares, a drop of 26.9% from the June 15th total of 3,500,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,180,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Approximately 2.6% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Tri Pointe Homes Price Performance

Tri Pointe Homes stock remained flat at $33.47 during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The company had a trading volume of 752,547 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,056,846. The company has a current ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 2.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Tri Pointe Homes has a 1 year low of $14.59 and a 1 year high of $33.89. The stocks 50-day moving average is $31.30 and its 200 day moving average is $26.44. The firm has a market cap of $3.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.10, a PEG ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.46.

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Tri Pointe Homes (NYSE:TPH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The construction company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.32. Tri Pointe Homes had a return on equity of 20.83% and a net margin of 12.97%. The company had revenue of $768.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $586.76 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.81 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Tri Pointe Homes will post 3.07 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Insider Transactions at Tri Pointe Homes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on TPH. Wedbush increased their price target on Tri Pointe Homes from $27.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com started coverage on Tri Pointe Homes in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Tri Pointe Homes in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. They issued a buy rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $29.67.

In other news, CEO Douglas F. Bauer sold 19,076 shares of Tri Pointe Homes stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.24, for a total value of $557,782.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 423,514 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,383,549.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CFO Glenn J. Keeler sold 21,413 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.01, for a total transaction of $706,843.13. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 102,194 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,373,423.94. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Douglas F. Bauer sold 19,076 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $29.24, for a total value of $557,782.24. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 423,514 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,383,549.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Diversified Trust Co grew its holdings in Tri Pointe Homes by 96.4% in the 2nd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 26,314 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $865,000 after buying an additional 12,917 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its holdings in Tri Pointe Homes by 11.7% in the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 52,500 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,725,000 after buying an additional 5,500 shares during the last quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC grew its holdings in Tri Pointe Homes by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 133,601 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $4,390,000 after buying an additional 1,321 shares during the last quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Tri Pointe Homes in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $408,000. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 1,500,606 shares of the construction companys stock worth $49,310,000 after acquiring an additional 53,442 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.53% of the companys stock.

About Tri Pointe Homes

(Get Free Report)

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through a portfolio of six regional home building brands comprising Maracay in Arizona; Pardee Homes in California and Nevada; Quadrant Homes in Washington; Trendmaker Homes in Texas; TRI Pointe Homes in California, Colorado, and the Carolinas; and Winchester Homes in Maryland and Northern Virginia.

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State Street (NYSE:STT  Get Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a neutral rating to an underweight rating in a research note issued on Monday, Marketbeat reports. They presently have a $71.00 price objective on the asset managers stock, down from their previous price objective of $78.50. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price would indicate a potential upside of 4.08% from the companys previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on STT. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on State Street from $85.00 to $80.00 in a report on Friday, March 24th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of State Street from $100.00 to $87.00 in a research report on Sunday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered State Street from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their target price for the company from $84.00 to $73.00 in a research note on Sunday. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of State Street from $93.00 to $82.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their target price on State Street from $80.00 to $75.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, State Street has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $76.17.

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State Street Trading Up 2.6 %

Shares of NYSE STT opened at $68.22 on Monday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $71.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $77.64. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. State Street has a 52-week low of $58.62 and a 52-week high of $94.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.22, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.56.

Insider Activity at State Street

State Street ( NYSE:STT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The asset manager reported $2.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $3.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.14 billion. State Street had a net margin of 16.99% and a return on equity of 12.20%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.94 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that State Street will post 7.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, CFO Eric W. Aboaf sold 11,899 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.28, for a total value of $812,463.72. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 157,860 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,778,680.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CFO Eric W. Aboaf sold 11,899 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.28, for a total value of $812,463.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 157,860 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,778,680.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Michael L. Richards sold 1,814 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,263,039.49. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On State Street

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of STT. Raymond James Trust N.A. increased its holdings in State Street by 29.3% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 4,505 shares of the asset managers stock worth $392,000 after acquiring an additional 1,021 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its stake in shares of State Street by 14.3% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,756 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,547,000 after purchasing an additional 2,216 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in State Street by 3.8% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 280,353 shares of the asset managers stock worth $24,436,000 after purchasing an additional 10,187 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC bought a new position in State Street during the 1st quarter worth approximately $812,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in shares of State Street by 16.5% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 23,170 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,019,000 after acquiring an additional 3,276 shares during the period. 89.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About State Street

(Get Free Report)

State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody, accounting, regulatory reporting, investor, and performance and analytics; middle office products, such as IBOR, transaction management, loans, cash, derivatives and collateral, record keeping, and client reporting and investment analytics; foreign exchange, and brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; loans and lease financing; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Free Report) in a report issued on Saturday. The firm issued a sell rating on the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals Stock Down 2.1 %

Shares of AMPE opened at $0.25 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $0.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.26. Ampio Pharmaceuticals has a 52-week low of $0.18 and a 52-week high of $2.83. The firm has a market cap of $3.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.20 and a beta of 1.72.

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Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSEAMERICAN:AMPE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The specialty pharmaceutical company reported ($0.26) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ampio Pharmaceuticals

About Ampio Pharmaceuticals

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 0.4% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,996,074 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock worth $6,578,000 after buying an additional 61,269 shares during the period. State Street Corp boosted its position in Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 2.0% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,430,770 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,612,000 after purchasing an additional 66,375 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 0.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,307,338 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,375,000 after buying an additional 77,822 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 73.5% in the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 394,100 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 166,979 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HRT Financial LP lifted its position in shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals by 1,399.2% in the first quarter. HRT Financial LP now owns 217,052 shares of the specialty pharmaceutical companys stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 202,574 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.44% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biopharmaceutical company, develops therapies for the treatment of osteoarthritis-related pain. It focuses on the preclinical development of AR-300, a novel proprietary, small molecule formulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. The company is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

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Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) has demonstrated its ability to adapt and overcome challenges. Amid ongoing economic uncertainties, the bank reported positive second-quarter results last week.

The bank's strategic turnaround plan has also yielded encouraging results, with top-line growth in key areas driven by multinational and commercial clients. However, Citigroup remains mindful of investment banking and wealth management challenges.

Earnings update









Citigroup's second-quarter earnings highlight the bank's resilience amid global macroeconomic challenges. The global economy remains robust, with the U.S. labor market supporting the economy, the eurozone exceeding expectations and China's growth slowing down.

The New York-based bank reported net income of $2.9 billion (down 36% year over year) and earnings of $1.33 per share (down 39%), with revenue flat compared to the previous year at $19.4 billion.

Further, the company is on track to meet its revenue guidance of $78 billion to $79 billion and is pursuing cost-saving opportunities to offset transformation investments.

Citigroup Is Making Progress

Source: Investor Presentation

Notably, the company recoded positive performance in its Transaction Services and Security Services segment as revenue increased 15%. Markets experienced a 13% decline in revenue, while investment banking sales were down 24%, prompting it to focus on selected areas like technology and health care. In addition, the U.S. card businesses saw double-digit revenue growth, while retail services experienced faster credit normalization due to a cautious consumer environment. The wealth segment's revenue declined 5% due to a shift in deposit mix and lower investment revenue, though Asia's activity picked up.

Citigroup's asset quality remains strong with over $20 billion in total reserves, representing approximately 2.7% of funded loans. The bank's exposure to commercial real estate lending is significant, with 90% being investment grade. Consumer credit metrics remain stable, with net credit losses below pre-Covid levels. The balance sheet is also well diversified at $2.4 trillion, funded by a $1.3 trillion deposit base and liquidity resources of nearly $1 trillion. The Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio is 13.3%, exceeding regulatory requirements.

Story continues

Further, the Institutional Clients Group experienced a 9% revenue decline, mainly due to lower sales in markets and investment banking. However, Transaction and Trade Solutions showed strong growth. The Personal Banking and Wealth Management business saw a 6% revenue increase, with net interest income growth offsetting lower non-interest revenue. With increased net interest income guidance, Citigroup maintains its revenue guidance of $78 billion to $79 billion for the full year.

Finally, the bank expects net credit losses in the card business to normalize and maintains its expense guidance of approximately $54 billion.

Strategic progress on turnaround plan





Citigroup has made significant strides in its strategic turnaround plan, focusing on five interconnected businesses and achieving positive results during the first phase. The company's core businesses, particularly TTS and security services, have experienced notable top-line growth, driven by deeper penetration of multinational clients and momentum with commercial and middle-market clients. Despite investment banking and wealth management challenges, the company's diversified business model has helped offset overall performance impacts.

Citigroup Is Making Progress

Source: ID22 Presentation

Additionally, the bank acknowledged the importance of addressing the evolving regulatory environment and preparing for potential stress tests, increased oversight and changes in capital requirements. Citigroup emphasizes expense management and strengthening balance sheets to capture growth opportunities when economic conditions stabilize. Economic uncertainties have affected corporate clients' sentiments, while consumer clients have shown resilience despite the uncertainty.

In the second quarter, Citigroup faced headwinds in its markets and investment banking businesses compared to the previous year. Fixed income performed better than equities in the markets division, and the bank maintains its full-year revenue guidance while optimizing net interest income sensitivity. The company actively manages its asset-liability positions to benefit from rising rates while reducing asset sensitivity in anticipation of potential rate decreases. The bank's sensitivity analysis indicates a possible $1.8 billion reduction in NII with a 100 basis point decrease in rates, skewed toward non-U.S. dollar exposures.

Moreover, the bank has successfully executed its strategic turnaround plan, achieving top-line growth, meeting expense targets and building capital aligned with medium-term objectives. Key areas of success include the TTS business and security services, which demonstrated strong top-line growth. Despite the challenges, Citigroup remains committed to bending the expense curve, improving operating leverage, reducing stranded costs and capitalizing on investments.

As a result, the bank has achieved its CET1 target of 13% and remains disciplined in capital allocation, resuming buybacks while considering quarterly adjustments. Additionally, the medium-term ROTE target of 11% to 12% depends on revenue momentum, expense control, credit normalization, exits and regulatory changes. Citigroup's strategic priorities involve divesting non-core consumer businesses in Asia, releasing significant capital, with progress made in Indonesia and Taiwan, and winding down operations in China, Russia and Korea. The bank also intends to pursue an initial public offering for Banamex in Mexico, aiming to preserve revenue and positively impact financials.

Further, Citigroup is focused on bending the cost curve by reducing expenses through exits, transformation investments and organizational simplification. These initiatives are already yielding results and are expected to generate long-term shareholder benefits while enhancing efficiency and regulatory compliance. TTS has shown remarkable growth and a 50% win rate in client acquisitions, benefiting from global trends like supply chain diversification. The investment banking and trading segments face some challenges, but have potential in green and sustainable finance.

Finally, Citigroup is well capitalized, aiming to return capital to shareholders while meeting medium-term return targets and driving share price growth. The bank has an ROTCE target of 11% to 12% within three to five years, focusing on executing its strategy transparently to rebuild credibility and create value for shareholders amid macro and regulatory uncertainties.

Technical analysis





Technically, Citigroups share price (weekly timeframe) has been in the accumulation phase for over a year. Positive second-quarter earnings and major progress on the turnaround plan may serve as key factors for a breakout and the initiation of a markup phase in the stock price.

Similarly, the relative strength index suggested a bullish divergence during 2022. Since then, the price has constantly taken support around $42.50. Now that the price is compressing within the consolidation, forming a symmetrical triangle, large moves can be expected in the coming weeks. Further, the strength of the breakout may be accelerated by the interaction with the 200-day exponential moving average (black line). Overall, the current price is still near the support level, and taking long positions may result in an early entry in markup over the 200-day EMA.

Citigroup Is Making Progress

Source: tradingview.com

Takeaway





In conclusion, Citigroup's second-quarter earnings showcase resilience with positive performance in core businesses. The strategic turnaround plan has yielded notable top-line growth from multinational and commercial clients. Despite headwinds in markets and investment banking, Citigroup remains oriented toward achieving its CET1 target, divesting non-core consumer businesses in Asia and pursuing an IPO for Banamex in Mexico.

The stock's accumulation phase and bullish divergence followed by price concentration suggest a potential breakout and markup, bolstering investor confidence. With a focus on efficiency and shareholder value, Citigroup is poised for future growth.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Virgin Money UK PLC (OTCMKTS:CBBYF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 5,275,300 shares, a growth of 23.3% from the June 15th total of 4,279,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Virgin Money UK Stock Performance

Shares of CBBYF stock remained flat at $2.40 during mid-day trading on Wednesday. Virgin Money UK has a twelve month low of $2.40 and a twelve month high of $2.40. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $2.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.40.

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About Virgin Money UK

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Further Reading

Virgin Money UK PLC provides banking products and services for consumers, and small and medium sized businesses under the Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank, and Virgin Money brands in the United Kingdom. The company offers savings and current accounts, mortgages, credit cards, and home loans; business loans, overdraft facilities, treasury solutions, and corporate and structured finance; asset and invoice finance services; risk management; international trade services; and home, car, and life and critical illness insurance products.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The financial services provider reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.97 by ($0.01), MarketWatch Earnings reports. Western Alliance Bancorporation had a net margin of 28.75% and a return on equity of 21.73%. The business had revenue of $669.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $657.14 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.39 earnings per share. Western Alliance Bancorporations revenue for the quarter was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year.

Western Alliance Bancorporation Stock Up 8.1 %

Shares of NYSE:WAL traded up $3.24 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $43.07. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,657,663 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,350,424. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $36.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $47.30. The company has a market capitalization of $4.72 billion, a PE ratio of 4.92, a P/E/G ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.19. Western Alliance Bancorporation has a fifty-two week low of $7.46 and a fifty-two week high of $86.87.

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Western Alliance Bancorporation Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were given a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. Western Alliance Bancorporations payout ratio is 16.44%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Alliance Bancorporation

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. TheStreet cut Western Alliance Bancorporation from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $85.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Western Alliance Bancorporation from $46.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Western Alliance Bancorporation in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a hold rating and a $41.00 target price for the company. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on Western Alliance Bancorporation in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Western Alliance Bancorporation has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $55.04.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 400.7% in the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 696 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 557 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P acquired a new position in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation during the 1st quarter valued at $64,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its holdings in Western Alliance Bancorporation by 436.9% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 800 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $66,000 after buying an additional 651 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC raised its stake in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation by 118.2% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 993 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 538 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE acquired a new stake in shares of Western Alliance Bancorporation in the 4th quarter valued at about $109,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.15% of the companys stock.

About Western Alliance Bancorporation

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Western Alliance Bancorporation operates as the bank holding company for Western Alliance Bank that provides various banking products and related services primarily in Arizona, California, and Nevada. It operates through Commercial and Consumer Related segments. The company offers deposit products, including checking, savings, and money market accounts, as well as fixed-rate and fixed maturity certificates of deposit accounts; demand deposits; and treasury management and residential mortgage products and services.

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Kauno energija

AB Kauno Energija (hereinafter the Company) in accordance with Article 20, Article 23 of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Companies and the application of Kaunas City Municipality No. (33.200 Mr) R-1887 of 13 July 2023, On the convening of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of AB Kauno Energija, convenes the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of meeting of the Company, company code 235014830, registered office address Raudondvario pl. 84, Kaunas.



Date of the meeting: Thursday, 10 August 2023. Start of the meeting: 10:00, place Company's meeting room, Raudondvario pl. 84, Kaunas, the shareholders' registration starts at 9:30.



Agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders and draft decisions:

1. On reducing the number of the members of the Board of the Company Kauno Energija.

Draft resolution - Taking into account that Article 33 of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania stipulates that the number of the members of the Board shall not be less than 3, to reduce the number of the members of the Board of the Company Kauno Energija to 3 members from 5.

2. On changes in Statutes and granting the powers to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company Kauno Energija.

Draft resolution  To amend the Statutes of the Company to reduce the number of members of the Board to three members. To authorise the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (with the right for delegation of power) to sign the amended Statutes of the Company and all other documents necessary for the implementation of the amendment.

The Company does not provide the possibility to attend and vote at the meeting by electronic means.

The recorded date for the Extraordinary General Meeting shall be 3 August 2023. The persons entitled to attend and vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting shall be the persons who are shareholders of the Company at the end of the workday on 3 August 2023.

The authorised capital of the Company is divided into 42,802,143 (forty-two million eight hundred and two thousand one hundred and forty-three) ordinary registered shares. All the shares entitle their holders to exercise a voting right.

A person attending the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders must produce a proof of identity. A person who is not a shareholder of the Company, in addition shall furnish the document entitling to vote at the Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders. The authorised person shall have the same rights at an Extraordinary General Meeting as the principal shareholder. A shareholder's right to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting shall also include the right to ask questions.

Shareholders entitled to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may authorise in writing by electronic communication means a natural person or legal entity to attend and vote on their behalf at an Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. A shareholder must notify about the issue of the power of attorney in writing by emailing the power of attorney to d.guzeviciene@kaunoenergija.lt no later than by the end of a business day on 9 August 2023 (4:30 PM).

Please note that voting on the issues on the agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall be in the form of a general ballot. If the completed general ballot paper is signed by the person who is not a shareholder, the completed general ballot must be accompanied by a document evidencing the voting right. Properly completed general voting ballot papers must be delivered by post or brought to the Company at Raudondvario pl. 84, Kaunas, before 9:30 AM on 10 August 2023. The Company reserves the right to exclude a shareholder's early vote when calculating votes, if the general ballot paper does not comply with the requirements set forth in Article 30(3) and (4) of the Law on Companies of the Republic of Lithuania, or if the completed general ballot paper makes it impossible to verify the shareholder's actual intentions in respect of a particular issue.

The agenda of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may be amended at the discretion of the shareholders whose shares carry at least 1/20 of the total number of votes. Proposals to the agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may be submitted by mail or delivered to the Company's representative office at Raudondvario pl. 84, Kaunas, no later than before 27 July 2023.

Please note that a proposal to supplement the agenda of an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders must be accompanied by a draft decision or, where no decision is required, by the explanations on each proposed issue of the agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.

Shareholders holding at least 1/20 of the total number votes are entitled to propose new draft resolutions in writing on the issues on the agenda of the meeting at any time before or during an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.

Shareholders shall have the right to ask the questions concerning the agenda of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Questions should be emailed to d.guzeviciene@kaunoenergija.lt or delivered to the Company address at Raudondvario pl. 84, Kaunas.

As of 20 June 2023, the shareholders who come to the Company's registered office at Raudondvario pl. 84, Kaunas, or visit the Company's website www.kaunoenergija.lt, may get acquainted with the Company's documents related to the agenda of the Shareholders' Meeting, the draft resolutions of the Meeting and the information related to exercising of a shareholders rights.

Shareholders of the Company are invited to give priority to accessing the information provided by the Company on the website www.kaunoenergija.lt/bendroves-veikla/ in the section "Information for Investors / Material Events", and to submit their proposals for amending the agenda of the Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting by post (or by e-mail).

Story continues

Agne Sermuksniene, Economist of the Economic Department, tel. +370 37 305 602

Attachments




Hawaii governor declares state of emergency as Tropical Storm Calvin threatens to deliver strong winds and torrential rain to the Big Island
Estimates of Earths average temperature, having set a new record on July 3rd, have yet to fall back below the previous record, which was set just last year. That a run of very hot days should happen in July is, by itself, perhaps unsurprising. Two-thirds of the Earths land is in the northern hemisphere, and land warms up faster than water does, so northern summers are the hottest times of year for the planet as a whole. But the highest temperatures tend to come later in the season. That this years should start so early, rise so high and run so long is unprecedented.

So is what is happening in the oceans (see chart). Since March 13th the sea-surface temperature in low- and mid-latitudes has been higher than on the same day in any year since 1981. Normally highest in the southern summer (most of Earths water is in the south), temperatures are at record levels in the southern winter.

Within the rising global averages lie savage peaks in particular places. On July 16th a site in the Turpan Depression in Xinjiang, sometimes called Chinas Death Valley, reported a high of 52.2C. In America, in Death Valley proper, the same day saw a peak of 53.9C. Of more immediate concern than isolated spikes in deserts, temperatures have been dangerously high in places where hundreds of millions of people live, too. On July 6th, after the city measured its highest July temperature ever, authorities in Beijing announced their second red alert for heat in two weeks. July 19th marked the 19th day in a row that the temperature in Phoenix, Arizona, has exceeded 43C. Things are similarly sweltering in Italy and many nearby countries (see map).

Life in the greenhouse

Asked how such a thing might be, one climate scientist replies drily I suspect it might have something to do with accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. More greenhouse gas in the atmosphere results in more of the warmth from the sun being trapped near the surface and absorbed by the oceans. The level of carbon dioxide, the most important long-lived greenhouse gas, as measured at Mauna Loa, a mountain peak in Hawaii, reached 424 parts per million in May, the highest it has been for over 3m years. Methane and nitrous oxide, two other long-lived greenhouse gases, have also reached levels never before experienced by humans. The world is now, on average, around 1.2C warmer than it was before humans started thickening the glass in the greenhouse.

Story continues

The climate has natural variations, too, and the most famous of them, the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is adding to the warmth. ENSO is a sloshing back and forth in the winds and currents of the tropical Pacific ocean which sometimes sees the waters suck up more heat, and sometimes sees them give more heat out. In June the world entered an El Nino phase, in which heat is released. The greatest effect of an El Nino on global temperatures tends to be seen after it has been in place for a year or so. But todays ocean temperatures look like evidence of this one getting off to a flying start.

On top of these global effects, there is the fact that moving the top of a bell curve even a touch to the right can change the values in the tail a lot. According to James Hansen, a climate scientist at Columbia University, the sort of summer which would have been a once-in-a-century event between the 1950s and 1980s has become a once-every-five years event now. If sweltering summers are more likely everywhere, the chances of more than one region being affected at a time go up, too.

So are the thickening of the atmospheric blanket, an outpouring of heat from the Pacific and the random effects of year-on-year variation enough to explain this summers freakish temperatures? Or is there something more going on?

Dr Hansen thinks there is. He argues that the rate at which the world is warming seems to have gone through a step change in the 2010s, though he has not yet convinced his peers. This summers surprises, especially a run of record temperatures in the North Atlantic, might help change that. I wouldnt be surprised if we see papers appearing over the next few years saying [the Atlantic anomaly is] more than just another extreme, says Myles Allen, a climate modeller at Oxford University.

Several things could be speeding up warming. One is the change to the stratosphere brought about by the eruption of Hunga TongaHunga Haapai, a submarine Pacific volcano, in January 2022. This was the largest eruption on Earth since Mount Pinatubo, in the Philippines. In 1991 Pinatubo injected tens of millions of tonnes of sulphur-dioxide gas into the stratosphere, where it reflected some of the suns light. The result was a worldwide cooling of about 0.5C that lasted about a year.

The Hunga eruption did not throw anything like that much sulphur into the stratosphere. But it did pump in a great deal of water vapour; between 70m and 150m tonnes. Water vapour is a powerful greenhouse gas. In the lower atmosphere it condenses out into rain or snow fairly quickly. In the stratosphere, though, it lingers for longer. The Hunga eruption is thought to have increased the amount of water vapour in the stratosphere by 13%. That would have warmed the planetthough if Hunga is playing a role, it is one that is already waning.

Other possible influences are waxing. When ice ages end, methane levels in the atmosphere shoot up, ushering in the warmer climate of the interglacial to come. Some scientists cite recent increases in methane levels as evidence that something similar may be afoot today. Methane levels rose throughout the 20th century, mainly because of the rising use of fossil fuels and agriculture. They flattened off at the beginning of the 21st century, but are now growing faster than ever.

Some of this is doubtless still because of farming and fossil fuels. But a paper by Euan Nisbet, an Earth scientist at Royal Holloway, and his colleagues, and recently accepted for publication in Global Biogeochemical Cycles, argues that not all the extra methane can be explained that way.

The researchers think that the surplus may be coming from the growth of tropical wetlands, whose plants produce the gas when they rot. This is one candidate for the mechanism that drives the methane spikes seen at the end of ice ages. If true, it opens up the possibility of a feedback loop starting today similar to the ones that seem to have operated in the past. More methane means more warming, which means more wetlands, and therefore more methane.

That idea is speculative, for now. Perhaps a more plausible culprit is falling emissions of sulphur. The burning of coal and heavy fuel oil produces a lot of sulphur dioxide. Once in the atmosphere that gas forms sulphate particles. These particles cause air pollution leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. Environmental regulators have been trying to reduce sulphur emissions for decades.

But sulphate particles in the lower atmosphere reflect sunlight, just like those created in the stratosphere after volcanic eruptions. And, unlike those in the normally bone-dry stratosphere, particles lower down can help create clouds which reflect away more sunshine still. Controls on pollution mean that this climate-cooling side effect has been weakening.

Of particular relevance are new regulations on the sulphur content in shipping fuel that came into force in 2020. The regulations were brought in by the International Maritime Organisation on the basis of estimates that they would save around 40,000 lives a year. They are thought to have reduced sulphur emissions from shipping by more than 80%. The evidence is visible as a worldwide decline in ship tracks, long, thin clouds created when sulphate particles in a ships exhaust provide nuclei around which water droplets can form. Fewer, fainter ship tracks and other clouds mean less sunlight is bouncing back out to space, and is instead being absorbed by the oceans below.

The indirect effects that aerosol particles have on cloud cover are notoriously hard to capture in climate models. Estimates of how much cooling shipping pollution might have caused vary by a factor of ten. But Dr Hansen thinks the changes could plausibly explain most of the quicker warming that he sees in the data. From 1970 to 2010 the warming trend was 0.18C a decade. Since around 2015, Dr Hansen thinks it has been between 0.27C and 0.36C per decadebetween half as high again and twice as high. A study by Dr Allen and his colleagues published last year sees a similar increase in the trend, but warns that it may be strongly influenced by natural variability, with aerosol effects playing a much smaller role than that which Dr Hansen would assign them. Quantifying the role of human influence in these apparently unprecedented events is hard, Dr Allen cautions.

A sweltering world might try to find a way to keep the cooling properties of sulphates without the drawbacks for air quality and health. In 2006 Paul Crutzen, an atmospheric scientist, suggested this might be done by continuously injecting small amounts of sulphur directly into the stratosphere. Since there is no rain to flush them out, high-flying stratospheric particles last much longer than those in the lower atmosphere.

That means that a few million tonnes of sulphur dioxide added to the stratospheretechnically quite plausiblecould provide as much cooling as the 100m tonnes or so that humans dump into the lower atmosphere each year. And as with warming itself, its effect on extremes would be greater than its effect on averages. Unwelcome things in the tail of the distribution could be made a lot less likely.

Sunscreen for the planet

This idea, a form of solar geoengineering, is controversial, and with good reason. Its effects on stratospheric chemistry cannot yet be predicted accurately. Of particular concern are what it might do to the ozone layer, which screens out a good deal of the suns harmful ultraviolet radiation before it reaches the ground.

Because solar geoengineerings effects on rainfall, as well as temperature, would differ from place to place, a cooling tailored to the needs of one country might not be to the taste of others. Settling such disputes is beyond any current system of global governance. Above all, a technology that could cool the planet without ending fossil-fuel use might well slow or even scupper that phase-out.

So far these worries have carried the day. Research on solar geoengineering has been side-lined, and its possible role in climate policy has gone largely undiscussed. All those who take part in such discussions as there are stress that solar geoengineering should at best be seen as a complement to decarbonisation, shaving off extreme risks while the world moves towards a fossil-free economy. But the fear that it would instead be treated as an alternative is sufficiently persuasive as to be pervasive.

If 2023 is not an aberration, though, and the world really is moving into an accelerated phase of warming, that reluctance might be reassessed. Emissions reduction should be able to slow the warming of the Earth within a few decades. Pursued with real zeal, it might bring it to an end this century. But it provides no cooling in the meantime. If that proves to be what the world wants, solar geoengineering is the only thing which looks able to provide it.

 2023 The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved.

From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2023/07/19/are-the-current-heatwaves-evidence-that-climate-change-is-speeding-up
Kevin Spaceys defence team led by Patrick Gibbs has completed presenting its evidence for the actor at Londons Southwark Crown Court.

Spacey, who was artistic director of Londons Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015, denies 12 sexual assault charges involving four men.

Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London with his legal team, June 30, 2023

In testimony to the court last week, July 13 and 14, Spacey rejected allegations that he was a big sexual bully who abused his fame and power to make his alleged victims feel powerless and uncomfortable, arguing that he was just a big flirt. He also objects to their central claim that his trademark or preferred method of assault has been to grab aggressively other men in the crotch.

He insisted, I did not have a power wand that I waved in front of peoples faces whenever I wanted someone to go to bed with me and Ive never made a pass at anyone by crotch grabbing.

Instead, Sometimes conversation happens, you see someone across the room, your eyes meet and maybe theyre held a little too long.

Then you end up sitting down with that person, getting to know them and engaging with them.

Im an affectionate person.

Every experience I have had with a person is unique, the circumstance is unique, I cannot give you a rundown of what always happens, it is always different.

I find being intimate with another human being remarkable and beautiful, if you want to use the word thrilling then okay.

I have been fortunate, I have also fallen in love, been loved, remarkable friendship.

Asked if he became lonely and sought solace in sexual encounters, Spacey replied, Welcome to life.

He said that he could have had lots of sex with lots of people all the time, but he didnt, was attracted to masculine men but was unable to tell if someone was straight or not.

When Spacey first took to the witness stand last Thursday, he described the terrible consequences of the unproven accusations made against him in 2017 when another US actor Anthony Rapp became the first man to accuse Spacey of sexual misconduct, alleging he got on top of him whilst drunk at a party in 1986 when Rapp was just 14.

My world exploded... There was a rush to judgement and before the first question was asked or answered, I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days, Spacey explained. He says he is now bankrupt.

Spacey had to endure a five year wait before a New York jury in October 2022, deliberating for little more than an hour, rejected Rapps civil lawsuit and accepted Spaceys defence that the alleged encounter never happened.

In several exchanges with prosecutor Christine Agnew, Spacey accused the prosecution of having a weak case and at one point of making stuff up. He then addressed each of his four accusers claims.

Spaceys first accuser alleged that Spacey had fondled him on multiple occasions while he chauffeured for him. The driver claims he refused to continue working for Spacey after he was grabbed so hard I almost came off the road on the way to a White Tie and Tiara Ball party hosted by Elton John and his husband David Furnish to raise money to fight AIDS.

Spacey admitted he would touch his accuser who was a lads lad... funny and charming and flirtatious, but insisted it was consensual. It did not happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way. It was gentle... and it was in my mind romantic.

Asked by Gibbs if his accuser objected, Spacey said, No. The only thing he made clear is he did not want to go any further than we were going and I respected that.

Furnish appeared as a defence witness Monday. He also remembered Spaceys accuser as a young, handsome, cheeky, engaging London East Ender who engaged in playful banter and was relaxed in gay company.

Furnish had checked photographs of all the Balls and was certain Spacey had only attended the party once, several years before his accuser said he was attacked, which if true would run contrary to his stated reason for breaking contact with Spacey at the time he did.

Elton John had no recollection of meeting the driver. Both Furnish and John rejected the complainants earlier claims, supposedly backed up by a photograph, that he acted in some sort of capacity as Johns personal driver or provided security for him.

A second complainant says Spacey, drunk and dishevelled, subjected him to a barrage of lewd questions directed towards my race, size and character at a gala event at a West End theatre in 2005, and later grabbed him like a cobra backstage.

Spacey declared, I never said any of those things he claimed I said to him, and wouldnt, and never have, to anyone in my life, adding, Its madness. It never happened.

I wouldnt do anything to embarrass myself in such a way, he said. I wont accept a single word that comes out of his mouth.

When asked by Agnew why his accuser would make up such claims, Spacey replied, Money, money and then money, before adding, And I believe he has anger towards me. Maybe I wasnt as lovely to him as he hoped.

Julie Kate Olivier, who produced the event, appeared in court, saying she had not found Spacey dishevelled or that his breath smelt of alcohol, which would have been a matter of concern.

Spacey responded to the most serious sexual assault allegationsof causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity (in this case oral sex)made by his third accuser, a young actor who had written to him asking for mentoring advice.

The accuser agreed to go to Spaceys apartment late one night after Spacey unexpectedly called him. He claims Spacey drugged him and performed oral sex on him while he was asleep.

Spacey said, We had a consensual and, I believe, a very nice and lovely evening. If he regretted it immediately I dont know, I cant speak for him, but something was weirdit was strange.

I have a clear idea of what mentorship can be and thats not what he was focused on.

He may have had an idea of what that evening was going to be about and I had a different idea.

Its beautiful people can meet in the work space, its a wonderful thing, Spacey concluded.

Spacey said he kept in touch with the man for months afterwards.

He told the court that he would accept the allegation made by a man who claims the actor kissed his neck and fondled his crotch at a holiday apartment he was staying at in the Cotswolds in 2013. He told the court, We all had some drinks I made a pass and Im only happy that he testified that the moment he told me he was not interested, I stopped.

At the end of his evidence, Spacey also told the court about the pressure he was subjected to by members of the LGBTQ+ community, who had been pressuring him to come out as gay. He issued a press release at the same time as the Rapp allegations emerged saying, I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.

It was disastrous. Various celebrities condemned Spacey for choosing to hide under the rainbow to deflect from the allegations.

Spacey continued, Maybe now that the allegation against Mr Anthony Rapp has been proven to be false, maybe people will read [the statement] with a little bit more understanding now.

On Monday afternoon Gibbs read out ten character statements from less well known people who have worked with Spacey.

Christina Temple-Morris, the Old Vic Theatres head of events and development from 2006 to 2011, described Spaceys role in turning the Old Vic into the award-winning theatre it is today' and how he was 'committed to ensuring theatre should be accessible for all. Temple-Morris said that at show after-parties, There was drinking, laughing and flirting on those occasions, but I never witnessed anything I believed to be untoward.

Denzel Keim, who also worked at the Old Vic, said Spacey was polite and courteous, not just to the important people... but also to [him]. He was generous, fun, sometimes serious, professional and inspiring... a good and honest man.

Make-up artist Tania McComas insisted Spacey would fight for the underdog in the film industry.
A powerful and militant mood has taken hold among the over 10,000 writers in the Writers Guild of America (WGA), who have been on strike since May 2, and 65,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), who joined their class brothers and sisters on strike last week.



Hundreds of film and television workers picket outside Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles on July 18, 2023. [Photo: WSWS]

The attempt by the major networks and studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), in coordination with the leadership of the various unions, to isolate the striking writers has backfired in the face of strong opposition from workers in both unions unwilling to be abandoned and defeated.



Frightened by the prospect of the double strike continuing and expanding to include other sections of the working class, such as the 340,000 UPS workers, whose contract expires at the end of the month, and the over 160,000 autoworkers in the UAW, whose contract expires this fall, the Biden administration, as it did with the railroad struggle last year, is working in the shadows to suffocate the strike and enforce a corporate-friendly agreement.



On Tuesday, the Hollywood Reporter published an article headlined The Behind-the-Scenes Players Seeking a Path to Hollywood Peace. The authors wrote that growing fear of a lengthy standoff between talent unions and studios had prompted a handful of seasoned negotiators to begin working in the shadows to find a way forward.



The report disclosed that Javier RamirezPresident Bidens choice to be director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)and Jimmy Valentine, an FMCS commissioner based in Glendale, have had meetings with the parties [AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA] for weeks.



The FMCS was created as an independent agency as part of the passage of the anti-worker Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947, more commonly known as the Taft-Hartley Act. According to the US government, the mission of the FMCS is to prevent or minimize the impact of labor-management disputes on the free flow of commerce by providing mediation, conciliation and voluntary arbitration.



While the FMCS cannot force a deal on either of the parties, a federal mediator, speaking on behalf of the Biden administration, can provide a pro-company framework as the basis of any future deal.



While federal mediators, working hand in hand with Hollywood executives, operate behind the scenes to force a deal on workers, the union bureaucracies, in conjunction with the pseudo-left Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), are seeking to stab not only striking writers and actors in the back but UPS workers as well.



On Wednesday, the DSA-LA Labor committee will be sponsoring a rally with the chief Teamsters bureaucrat Sean O Brien. This past Saturday, OBrien held a similar event in New York City with DSA member and strikebreaker Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ocasio-Cortez, was one of three DSA membersthe others being Cori Bush (Missouri) and Jamaal Bowman (New York)to vote in favor of House Joint Resolution 100 last November that blocked some 110,000 railroaders from exercising their democratic right to strike.



The fact that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA leadership is promoting a rally with the same forces, OBrien included, who worked behind the scenes last year to block the railroad strike, is a warning to workers that the struggle is in danger. In order to countermand the plans of the studios, working in conjunction with their Democratic Party apparatchiks in the trade union bureaucracies, it is imperative that striking workers form independent rank-and-file committees, controlled by workers themselves, aimed at not only winning the contract, but formulating a strategy aimed at the fundamental reorganization of society to meet human need, not private profit.

The combined presence of federal mediators sent by Biden, the DSA, the Teamsters OBrien and Ocasio-Cortez is a sure recipe for sabotage and betrayal. Writers and actors, beware!



In contrast to the heads of the various unions, rank-and-file actresses and actors continue to speak powerfully against not only the corporations and their greedy CEOs but the capitalist system as a whole.



Leila, an actress and member of SAG-AFTRA (and SAG before the unions merger) for 30 years, spoke eloquently on the current and previous struggles of film and television workers and how she saw the way forward.



The studios have increased their revenue by quite a bit, and they also decreased the actual pay that actors and writers are getting. So there was no choice. Were seeing it all across the country, whether its UPS, whether its the railway workers. Its really nice to see a militancy in my own group, that Ive been sort of longing for ... Im glad were joining what other workers are going through right now.



Hotel workers, nurses ... I think we need a general strike in this country. We absolutely need to withhold our labor, she went on.

Leila, an actress in Los Angeles [Photo: WSWS]

We should all have healthcare, not through your union, just through our government. We should all have a living wage, no matter what. You should be paid for your physical likeness. With AI, they can do body scans and continuously use you. Everybody deserves a fair share for their work. Instead weve got [Disney CEO] Bob Iger talking about how its unreasonable that people want to be paid for the fruits of their labor, while he hoards all of the fruits of our labor.



Commenting on the letter issued by SAG-AFTRA members warning union President Fran Drescher and the rest of the negotiating committee not to betray the struggle, Leila said she was very pleased to see all the big-name actors who signed that letter because they actually dont have to. It would have been disgusting if they hadnt, but they dont have to. So they really are doing it for the rest of us and using their enormous platforms to stick up for us because most of us are barely scraping by as working actors as it is.

Striking SAG-AFTRA members picketing in front of Sunset Gowers Studios in Los Angeles, California, July 18, 2023.

I do think this is a different moment from the 2007-2008 strike and even a year ago. If you talked about militancy, even a year ago, some people bristled. Theres been a really big shift.



Reflecting on the 2007-2008 WGA strike, Leila revealed that we lost our house in that strike. Well never be able to own a house again in Los Angeles. My husbands a writer, so that was it. That was eight months. And what happens is, you dont pick up the day the strike ends. Its not like everybodys handing you checks.



Capitalism is broken. Its a cancer. It destroys itself in the end, right? But along the way its going to destroy the whole working class.

Actors on strike outside Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles on July 18, 2023. [Photo: WSWS]

If the dockworkers had absolutely turned everybody away, if Biden and everybody hadnt interfered with the railways, if we all joined a general strike and shut it down, we would bring this country to its knees.



Its why we dont see the French burning down Paris on cable TV. They dont want us to know this is what we could be doing if we dont want them to raise the retirement age or decrease our pensions. Its why Bidens given more money to cops than even Trump did, because they know that the pitchforks are coming for them.



My TwitterI mean, who caresbut my account was banned permanently because I said its time to bring back guillotines. The billionaires know whats coming, and theyre very explicit about the social murder they intend on committing. It was leaked to Deadline that this was part of their strategy. Some executive said: Our mission is to bleed them dry, when they start losing their homes and housing, then theyll have no choice but to come back to us. Thats a form of violence, you kick somebody out of their house, you deny them health care. We lose 68,000 people every year in the US because we dont have healthcare for everybody. A third of the people who died of COVID, they say its because we dont have healthcare.



Liberals love to focus on the National Rifle Association. I dont like gun violence either. But why are they silent about the fact that our government just allows health insurance companies to deny coverage, which leads to people dying every year?

Actors on strike outside Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles on July 18, 2023. [Photo: WSWS]

Leila continued, Even now, no ones talking about COVID. A thousand people a week are still dying of COVID. We just stopped reporting it. When Trump stopped reporting it, when he said the numbers will go down if we stop testing, people were outraged. Biden comes in, and thats fine. People are developing Long COVID. We have a mass disabling event, and nobodys talking about it. Even people who are nominally on the left arent talking about it.



I love the idea of forming rank-and-file committees, Leila said. Yes, if we could do that, if the rank and file from all the different unions banded together in a general strike ... So many of us have been talking about that in this country.



More and more people are affected by the greed of these ghouls, who are committing social murder. The rank and file from all the unions across the world should get together, worldwide socialism, that is the answer. It needs to be an international workers movement. A worldwide socialist movement, absolutely.



Chris, a young actor, told WSWS reporters on Tuesday that a lot of people cant afford their rent. They cant afford their mortgages. They cant afford to do daily activities with their family.



What a lot of people are going to see as a result of the actors and writers strike is that a lot of workers across America are undervalued, and this could start a revolution.



This strike is going to lead other people to start striking as well because theyre going to look in the mirror and say, Hey, were also not being treated equally. Were also being underpaid. Were not able to afford basic human needs, basic human functions. We cant pay our rent. We cant pay our mortgage. Theyre going to say, Maybe we should strike.



Chris, an actor in Los Angeles [Photo: WSWS]

There is power in numbers, always. Theres always power in numbers and in unity. And this is good for other people to see. People driving by, the cars driving by, they can see, Oh, theyre striking. Then they Google what the actors and writers are striking about. They can find some commonalities and similarities between their own struggles and their own workplace conditions. Eventually, the people have to have a voice.



After a while people get pushed to the limit and then wake up and say enough is enough. If a company wants to be greedy ... they have played their hand. Theyve showed their hand. Now people are starting to wake up and realize that they do have power and that they can speak up and they can say something. Thats what youre seeing in France with the riots. And I think thats what you saw during COVID and during protests for Black Lives Matter and things like that as well. People are starting to realize that they have a voice and that they have influence with that voice. So youre going to start seeing it happen a lot more often.
Statements continue to be sent to Macquarie University in Sydney, opposing its refusal to affiliate a student club of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, despite the IYSSE meeting all the requirements.

Managements claim that the IYSSE has the same aims as the pseudo-left Macquarie Socialists club has been refuted by both organisations. It is persisting in blocking the IYSSE, demonstrating that political censorship is at work. The IYSSE has established a change.org petition to mobilise opposition. Sign it today!

Below are statements from the IYSSE at New York University and a student in Chicago insisting that the Macquarie management end its anti-democratic attack and affiliate the IYSSE club.



***

From NYU:

The IYSSE at New York University denounces Macquarie Universitys blatantly political attempt to censor the universitys well-established IYSSE club. We commit ourselves to the fight for the clubs re-affiliation and call on all those who defend democratic rights to do the same.

New York University [AP Photo]

Our club is closely familiar with the argument that the IYSSE is too similar to other socialist clubs on campus to merit club status. We were denied club status multiple times in late 2016 and early 2017 on the grounds that we were too similar to the International Socialist Organization (ISO), despite our record of opposition to that now-defunct organization.

We were also told that the university lacked funding for new clubs on campus. This was a blatant lie; in fact, NYU is an immensely wealthy university with close ties to the military-intelligence apparatus, which we comprehensively exposed in a three-part series of articles in 2018.

Ultimately, we were able to acquire club status, and our club president was elected to the student senate partly on the basis of our demands for an overhaul of the draconian club application process at NYU.

Since our club was founded, we have held large public meetings on the history of the October revolution and the Fourth International, the rise of fascism, and the historical falsifications of the New York Times 1619 Project. We have exposed plans for racially segregated student housing at NYU, justified on the basis of identity politics, and we have intervened in the strikes of graduate student workers at NYU and throughout New York City, calling for independent rank-and-file committees and support for Will Lehmans campaign for United Auto Workers president.

Most recently, we held a successful meeting as part of the IYSSEs international meeting series, The War in Ukraine and How to Stop It, in the face of threats and attempts by pseudo-left and far-right elements to disrupt our meeting.

In the years we have been active, we have won a number of students and youth to the fight for socialism and Trotskyism, the Marxism of the twenty-first century. We have dealt significant blows to the pseudo-left, including the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and the noxious atmosphere of identity politics and upper-middle-class careerism that pervades the university.

It is abundantly clear from our experience, and from the experience of the IYSSE around the world, that the presence of an IYSSE club on campus transforms its entire political dynamic. Macquarie University is doubtless well aware of this, and any notion that its comparison of the IYSSE to Socialist Alternative is mere ignorance should be dismissed out of hand.

We demand that Macquarie University authorities reverse their politically-motivated decision and re-affiliate the universitys IYSSE club. We call on workers, students and young people around the world, including students at New York University, to join this fight and submit their own statements denouncing Macquarie Universitys attack on the right of students to organize and express a genuine socialist perspective.

***

From Chicago:

The rejection of the IYSSEs club affiliation by Macquarie University is a blatant denial of the most basic democratic rights. It is an attack on students right to organize and to have independent politics. The decision clearly shows that the University is in support of war and militarism. As a student and IYSSE member I strongly urge the University to reverse their previous decision and allow the IYSSE at Macquarie University to form a club.

The rejection to affiliate is not accidental. It is consciously intended to block students from hearing a genuine socialist perspective. In a world characterized by immense inequality and on the brink of world war, the politics and perspective of the IYSSE will resonate with large layers of students and young people who oppose the capitalist system.

The action taken by Macquarie University is not an isolated or individual event. It is part of a larger wave of attacks against the IYSSE and its politics, centered around our opposition to the US-NATO war in Ukraine against Russia and our opposition to the AUKUS war drive against China.

Similar attempts at censorship have occurred at campuses throughout the world, including recently at Humboldt University [Berlin] where the IYSSEs campaign for student government has come under attack by far-right forces. Attacks against the IYSSEs anti-war movement have also taken place in Canada and Sri Lanka. The far-reaching implications of these attacks cannot be understated. It is a crackdown on democratic rights, and a sign of the intensification of imperialist propaganda in universities across the globe.

Should the IYSSE not be allowed to affiliate at Macquarie, it would represent a sharp and disastrous turn to the right. This would be dangerous to students not just in Australia, but to students and workers globally. It would establish a dangerous anti-democratic precedent against the socialist movement.

We must prevent the universities from becoming mouthpieces for imperialist war propaganda. The IYSSE must be allowed to freely operate on campuses across the world.

Fabi  Chicago IYSSE member

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 for publication on the WSWS.
Five more bodies were recovered from a flooded underground road in central South Korea on Monday, bringing the number of people officially dead or missing in torrential rainstorms, landslides and floods over the past week to 50.

Through a search operation, fire authorities found 17 vehicles waterlogged in the underpass, including a bus, whose driver had drowned, exceeding their previous estimate.

South Korean rescue workers search for people in a house collapsed from a landslide caused by heavy rain in Yeongju, South Korea, Saturday, July 15, 2023. [AP Photo/National Fire Agency]

This tragic death toll in Cheongju, the capital and largest city of North Chungcheong Province, has caused widespread anger. It has also highlighted the failure of governments internationally to protect people from the extreme weather events fuelled by climate change.

Almost 300 mm of rain is reported to have fallen across South Korea on Saturday alone. So far, with rains still falling, people have died in terrible torrents and landslides, thousands have lost their homes and more than 10,000 have been evacuated.

This is the latest in a series of floods this month that have killed more than 200 people and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes across Asia, including in Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Cambodia and the Philippines.

South Korea regularly experiences annual monsoonal flooding, but deaths have usually been relatively low until now, with the corporate media depicting the country as typically well-prepared. The events of the past week have shaken that image.

This is the second year of record-breaking rains and flooding, which left more than 11 people dead last year, including two women and a teenager trapped in one of the many cramped semi-basement flats in the capital Seoul. Yet this years toll is much higher.

In Cheongju, victims families have criticised authorities for not shutting off access to the road tunnel earlier, when flood warnings were already in place. Residents accused them of presiding over a man-made disaster.

Kong Seong-pyo, a 60-year-old resident who frequently uses the underpass, said the government should have restricted access to the tunnel when flooding was expected. I would have also died if I were submerged. I have no words to express this frustrating feeling, Kong told Reuters.

Another resident, Jang Chan-gyo, said more should have been done to prevent the nearby river from bursting its banks. They have been warning us to be prepared for the rainy season from a week ago, but it doesnt make sense why the authorities did not preemptively build a strong levee that could have prevented the disaster, he told the Yonhap news agency.

In response, the provincial government said its emergency response manual did not require the tunnels immediate closure under those conditions.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, facing public outrage, went into damage-control on Monday vowing to completely overhaul how the country responds to such events, which he presented as simply inevitable. Extreme weather events like this will become commonplace. We must accept that climate change is happening and deal with it, he said.

During the disaster Yoon had been on a trip to the NATO summit in Lithuania, where he further aligned his government with the escalating war against Russia, and then to Ukraine. There he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and pledged to provide aid worth $US150 million this year, up from $US100 million last year, and increase shipments of nonlethal military equipment such as body armour and helmets.

To quell discontent over the flood calamity, Yoon ordered military deployments to devastated areas across the country. He also announced the designation of special disaster zones eligible for state support.

At the same time, Yoon sought to foist responsibility onto local authorities, saying that a lack of proper management in flood-prone areas had caused many casualties. Both the police and the Office for Government Policy Coordination announced investigations into why a traffic restriction was not imposed for the underpass and whether embankments along the Miho River had been properly managed.

This is far from the first governmental failure, however. Last August too there was a public outcry when no official guidelines and preventative measures were initiated after that months flood disaster in Seoul. It was revealed that flood prevention funding had been cut by 17.6 percent, or 89.6 billion won, that year, compared to the previous year.

South Korean scientists warned of further calamities, including extreme heat waves, related to climate change, and that rising sea levels could partially submerge parts of the country by 2030, including three of the largest cities: Seoul, Incheon and Busan.

Invariably, across Asia, as elsewhere, it is the poorest layers of the population, whether workers or small farmers, who are suffering the most from frequent climate-related catastrophes, such as floods, heatwaves, wildfires and droughts.

Last week, Japans Kyushu island reported record-breaking floods, which left at least eight people dead and others still missing, and forced the evacuation of over 420,000 people. More than 40,000 people in Chinas Sichuan province were evacuated because of floods that destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure and killed several people.

In northern India, just after blistering heat waves, authorities said almost 100 people had died in the past fortnight due to landslides, flash floods and property collapses. Monsoon rains in Pakistan since late June have killed at least 91 people, a year after floods killed 1,739 people and affected 33 million people.

Cambodias capital Phnom Penh was hit by flash floods last week, following what officials said was the heaviest rainfall in three years. In the Philippines, heavy floods occurred in the capital Manila.

Extreme rainfall and flooding have hit other regions also, including West Africa between May and October 2022 and New Zealand this February.

For decades, scientists have warned of the disastrous impact of global warming, which includes heavier and more intense rainfall events caused by greater amounts of moisture being held in the heated atmosphere.

A study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) network of last years flood catastrophe in Pakistan concluded that it was likely that climate change played a part, although natural weather patterns like the monsoon may have been involved too.

The WWA further stated that record-breaking heat across Spain, Portugal and northwest Africa this April was made at least 100 times more likely due to climate change. That danger has been further evident in recent weeks, with massive fires across Canada, producing potentially deadly smoke pollution in both Canada and the US, and more extreme heatwaves in parts of Europe and northern Africa, as well as North America.

Such are the extremities that in some countries, such as the US, India and China, searing temperatures have hit populations in areas, while heavy rain has caused floods in others, such as the northeast US last week.

However, despite the clear warnings of scientists since the 1960s and the overwhelming evidence that climate change is contributing to ever-greater hazards, profit-driven capitalist governments, based on rival nation-states, have failed to take the necessary globally-coordinated measures to avert the resulting disasters and threat to the future of humanity.

It is increasingly clear that combating the climate crisis is incompatible with a global economic order that places private profit over human life and the environment, and pours trillions of dollars into war operations and preparations that also threaten the people of the planet. The only solution is a fight by the working class, as an international force, to overturn capitalism and redirect the resources needed to establish production on a scientific, global and socialist basis.
On June 14, a fishing vessel carrying hundreds of refugees, the Adriana, sank off the Greek port city of Pylos. Roughly 600 people, including children, drowned. An investigation by German regional broadcaster NDR, the Guardian, the research agency Forensis and the Greek organization Solomon has now come to the clear conclusion that the Adriana was towed by the Greek coast guard towards Italian waters and then, when this was unsuccessful, capsized.

[AP Photo//Hellenic Coast Guard via AP]

The search team spoke to 26 survivors, evaluated the available court records and examined the logbook entries of the ships involved. The Coast Guard ship 920 reached the Adriana, which had just received water, food and fuel from the tanker Faithful Warrior, on June 13 at 10:40 pm. Video footage shows that the completely overloaded Adriana was already listing dangerously by this point, and that an immediate rescue action should have been initiated.

The Adriana had been drifting for hours due to a broken compass and lack of fuel, propelled only by the current. But after the arrival of the Greek coast guard, she again moved at a steady speed towards Italy. Survivors report that the coast guard led them, claiming that an Italian coastguard ship was already waiting for them.

Around 1:40 am on the morning of June 14, the Adriana stopped, apparently the engine had failed again. Then it moved a few hundred meters to the east, which cannot be explained by wind or current. Eyewitnesses report that after the renewed engine damage, masked men from the Greek coast guard ship boarded the vessel and attached a rope to the bow of the Adriana.

It is fitting that the coast guard ship 920 had left Chania in Crete and, according to the logbook entry, had taken a four-member team of the KEA stationed in Chania on board. The KEA is a military unit that specializes in carrying out dangerous operations at sea.

The coast guard claims that the rope was attached to stabilize the Adriana. However, Stefan Kruger, an expert on ship safety, expressed strong doubts about this version to the NDR. This kind of listing momentum, which you certainly bring on with such a tow, does not lead to the ship being stabilized. Kruger rather believes that the motivation was to tow the ship because the engine no longer worked. Only a short time after the tow rope was attached, the Adriana capsized.

Two survivors, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of the Greek authorities, told the BBC about how the capsizing occurred. They fixed a rope from the left. Everyone went to the right side of our boat to balance it out. The Greek ship quickly moved away and tipped our boat. They took it with them for a long time.

Another survivor told the Guardian that Greek soldiers had attached the rope and the Adriana had been pulled for about 10 minutes. I felt that they tried to push us out of the Greek water so that their responsibility ends. Other survivors said the Adriana suddenly moved forward like a rocket even though the engine was not running.

The fact that the version of the Greek coast guard does not correspond to the actual course of events is also evidenced by the testimony of the survivors before the investigating judge, who is examining the sinking of the Adriana. According to this, the statements recorded and published by the coast guard were made under pressure and manipulated.

As the Guardian reports, the statements made by two survivors of different nationalities, according to the coast guard, surprisingly agree word for word: We were on the boat that was old and rusty with too many people  That's why it capsized and eventually sank.

But under oath before the prosecutor, the same survivors days later blamed the Greek coast guard for the sinking. A survivor who told the coast guard in his testimony that the trawler capsized because of its age and overcrowding later testified, When they boarded the boat (and I'm sorry to mention that), our boat sank. I think the reason was the towing by the Greek boat.

Survivors told the BBC that they were intimidated by the coast guard. Whenever it was said that the Greek coast guard had caused the capsizing, they were told to shut up. You have survived death! Stop talking about the incident! Don't ask any more questions about it! they were told.

Other incidents demonstrating that the Greek coast guard was never interested in rescuing the refugees have come to light. The European border protection agency Frontex also remained idle, although it was informed at an early stage that there was an urgent case for a naval rescue.

According to information from the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, the boat was first sighted by Italian authorities at 6:51 a.m., according to an internal Frontex document. Frontex previously claimed to have only learned about the overloaded ship at 9:47 am through a reconnaissance drone. In fact, as early as 8:51 a.m., the sea rescue center in Rome alerted both Frontex and the control center in Piraeus, from where rescue operations of the Greek coast guard are controlled. The information also reportedly included the fact that two children had died on board the fish trawler.

Nevertheless, it took hours for the Greek coastguard ship 920 to leave Crete. It remains unclear why boats located much closer in Kalamata, Pylos or Patras were not alerted and sent. Speaking to the Guardian, a member of the Greek coast guard expressed his complete incomprehension that a rescue operation had not been initiated immediately: It was a situation in which you send everything you have. The trawler was clearly in need of help.

Clearly, however, the Greek authorities were more concerned with bringing on board members of the KEA stationed in Chania in order to remove the ship from Greek waters. An actual rescue operation was therefore not planned at any time.

The Greek coast guard has since confirmed that it was informed by Italian authorities at an early point. Greece's newly appointed migration minister Dimitris Kairidis said in Brussels that an independent judicial investigation is underway. If someone is found guilty, there will definitely be consequences. Until then, we should not jump to conclusions or bow to political pressure, he added.

Frontex has initiated its own pro forma investigation of the sinking. But at the same time, the EU Commission continues to back the investigations of the Greek authorities. These, however, focus on the nine Egyptians arrested after the shipwreck, who allegedly steered the boat and distributed water and food.

The Egyptians are accused of belonging to a human smuggling ring and causing the capsizing of the ship. If convicted, they face life imprisonment. Survivors reported to the BBC that the Coast Guard forced them to refer to these nine as masterminds and people smugglers. The Greek authorities detained them and wrongfully accused them of covering up their own crime, one survivor said.

The sinking of Adriana, which killed more than 600 refugees, was evidently an act of mass murder, committed either deliberately or by failing to provide assistance, for which the EU is responsible.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka held a memorial meeting to pay tribute to lifelong party member Jerani Ratnayake on July 8, the first anniversary of her death. Jerani died on July 8 last year at the age of 73 years of a heart attack induced by the complications of a COVID-19 infection.

SEP members and supporters, Jeranis co-workers from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and her family members, including her two children and four grandchildren, attended the event. Before the meeting started, SEP leaders laid floral tributes at her monument in the Boralesgamuwa Cemetery.

Ratnayake chairing the memorial meeting of Jerani on July 8, 2023

K. Ratnayake, the national WSWS editor in Sri Lanka and Jeranis husband and lifelong partner, chairing the meeting, said: Her death is a great loss not only to our family, but also to our party. She has been a great support to my political life.

Ratnayake explained the turbulent political developments in which Jerani joined the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), the SEPs predecessor, in 1974 and which have continued to the present reemergence of global class struggle. This has included the islands protracted civil war from 1983 to 2009 and the massacre of tens of thousands of rural youth in the late 1980s.

Jerani was very keen about the ICFIs intervention into the developing political situation. Although her bad health prevented her from actively campaigning among workers and youth during her last decade, she did not miss any public meeting or picket organised by the party. She welcomed the reemergence of the class struggle including last years mass movement in Sri Lanka.

SEP member and former leader of Central Bank Employers Union Mavee Kumbura addressing the memorial meeting of Jerani on July 8, 2023

Addressing the gathering, K.B. Mavikumbura, a long standing SEP member and one of Jeranis Central Bank co-workers, recalled her determined fight against pro-capitalist trade union leaders and for the revolutionary socialist perspective and program of the SEP.

In the early 1980s, a few years after Mavikumbura joined the Central Bank, the chairman and secretary of the Central Bank Employees Union (CEBU) had been suspended. The workers organised a protest march against this suspension. The management responded by expanding the witch-hunt and suspending more workers, including Mavikumbura, for their involvement in the protest.

In a CEBU meeting to discuss the managements witch-hunt, the union leadership, controlled by the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and Nava Sama Samaja Party, proposed to apologise to the management to secure the reinstatement of suspended workers. The RCL faction brought another motion opposing this shameless capitulation to the management. It called for the mobilization of the working class against the victimisations and the United National Party government's attack on social and democratic rights.

Recalling Jeranis remarks at the meeting, Mavikumbura said: Sinhala was not her mother language, yet she impressively articulated the motion in a convincing manner in Sinhala, despite some differences in the pronunciation. Her intervention made a huge impact on me, as I had not been much educated about Marxist principles. I voted for that motion, which was defeated, and I decided to join the RCL.

SEP political committee member M.Thevarajah addressing the memorial meeting of Jerani on July 8, 2023

M. Thevarajah, an SEP Political Committee member, who is from Jaffna, the same hometown as Jerani, addressed the gathering in Tamil. He observed that she had been an inspiration to him as she fought against the Tamil separatist organisations that emerged as a consequence of the LSSPs great betrayal and for the unity of the working class under the program of world socialist revolution. The LSSP, which claimed to be Trotskyist, joined the bourgeois coalition government of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in 1964.

Thevarajah recalled one incident. The RCL held two public meetings in Jaffna opposing the Indo-Lanka accord in 1987, which was accepted by separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), including its own disarming. Jerani translated Ratnayakes speeches into Tamil in these meetings. These events made a deep impression on the social consciousness in the North and was how the party was able to develop a strong presence in Jaffna. The RCL was the only party which opposed the Indo-Lanka accord on the basis of uniting Sinhala and Tamil workers on an international socialist perspective against both Sinhala chauvinism and Tamil nationalism.

SEP political committee member Wilani Peris addressing the memorial meeting of Jerani on July 8, 2023

Vilani Peiris, an SEP Political Committee member, noted Jeranis contribution in developing the partys political work among the Tamil-speaking workers and the oppressed. She translated important party documents and articles for the Tholilalar Pathai, the partys Tamil language paper, and later for the WSWS as well as speeches at public meetings.

Peiris spoke about Jerani during the anti-Tamil pogroms in July 1983 that marked the beginning of the islands civil war. The RCLs office was located in Wellawatte [a predominantly Tamil inner suburb of Colombo], and Sinhala racialist thugs came there also. At that time Jerani and Theva [Thevarajah], our Tamil comrades, were inside the office. Comrade Wije [former party general secretary] heroically escorted them on a motorbike to safety through the burning of houses and dead bodies of Tamils who were victimised.

During these racialist attacks, Jerani's house in Ratmalana was also burnt down. Despite this shocking and life-threatening experience she was firm in her understanding that these racial riots were the machinations of decaying capitalism to prop up its class rule and the only way to counter them was to fight for the revolutionary unity of the working class to overthrow the capitalist system.

SEP general secretary Deepal Jayasekara addressing the memorial meeting of Jerani on July 8, 2023

Addressing the meeting, SEP General Secretary Deepal Jayasekara said: The most important decision Jerani made in her life was to join the Sri Lankan section of the ICFI and that very decision reflects what she really was.

As a Tamil she had faced state-sponsored racial violence. Her father, who had been working in Colombo, had to flee to Jaffna with the whole family during 1958 racial riots when she was a nine-year-old girl. That happened in the aftermath of the SLFP-led government making Sinhala the only state language. The LSSP-CP-SLFP coalition government, which came to power in 1970, made Buddhism the state religion, further intensifying anti-Tamil racial discrimination.

Jayasekera said: As a response to this racial discrimination, petty bourgeois movements emerged among Tamil youths on the perspective that Tamils must organise separately to find a solution. This was enabled due to political disorientation created by the betrayal of the LSSP in joining a capitalist government in 1964.

SEP members mourning at Jeranis monument in Borelesgamuwa cemetery on July 8, 2023

He explained: Jerani understood that the only way to fight anti-Tamil racial discrimination and also other ruling class attacks on social and democratic rights was to fight for a workers and farmers government as part of the world socialist revolution. With these strong convictions she dedicated her life, over the span of five decades, to fight to build the revolutionary movement.

Jayasekera pointed out that Jerani was able to witness the mass uprising last year against the Rajapakse government in Sri Lanka. It was part of a global upsurge of the working class, powerfully vindicating ICFIs characterisation of this decade as the decade of the socialist revolution.

She died as a victim of the governments let it rip COVID-19 policy, amid the mass movement in Sri Lanka, at a moment when her service was much needed, he added.

Jerani Ratnayakes family members at her monument July 8, 2023

Jayasekera concluded by inviting all who appreciate her life to take up this political struggle to which she dedicated her life by joining the SEP as the best possible way to pay tribute to her memory.
Following brand pop-ups at music festival SXSW and an interactive gallery at Art Basel Miami, Doodles is turning its attention to a new audience for real-world events: kids and families.

The NFT brands new immersive experience and play area is opening in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago in a tie-up with Camp, a "shop-and-play" company that provides experiences for families. It will be the debut experience for the Chicago location of Camp, which opens on August 19.

Camps collaboration with Doodles will yield a 3,500-square-foot pop-up retail experience, with activities based on the pastel-hued Ethereum NFTs, which have generated some $610 million to date worth of trading volume per data from CryptoSlam.

Concept art from the Doodles x Camp experience. Image: Doodles

Camp is described as part toy store, part party venue, [and] part immersive theater space, and timed entry tickets for the Doodles experience will start at $28.

The experience lasts for an hour, letting attendees customize their own Doodles character, explore locations inspired by the projects cartoonish aesthetic, play games, create crafts, and journey through areas with names like the Lost Caves and Cosmic Clouds.

Adidas and Pharrell Release Digital Clothing for Doodles NFT Holders

The new Camp store also contains a Canteen2,000 square feet of retail space filled with toys, clothing, and accessories. It includes a slime creation station labeled The Schmutz Bar, a Splatter Room, a performance space for live events, and party rooms for childrens birthdays. That part of the Camp Chicago experience is open now.

There is also, of course, merch: a Camp and Doodles co-branded collection of clothing and accessories is on offer in the store, as well as online and in other Camp stores. This includes hoodies, t-shirts, backpacks, and stationary.

"The incredible team at Camp helped us bring new meaning to the bridge between physical and digital, said Doodles CEO Julian Holguin, in a release.

Many NFT brands market themselves on the idea that their tokens will offer access to exclusive experiences or benefits for holders. In this case, Doodles will host an exclusive ribbon-cutting experience for original Doodles NFT holders in advance of the grand opening, and provide a complementary visit to holders with up to five friends or family members once Camp opens to the public.

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Introducing our first flagship retail & entertainment experience - Doodles x CAMP, launching this summer! Through this partnership, we will grow the Doodles ecosystem by creating a real life emotional connection with thousands of new people, spanning generations. Here's how:  pic.twitter.com/9bbTgUiiZF  doodles (@doodles) May 31, 2023

The venture, which is set to move to other Camp locations after Chicago, marks the latest foray for Doodles into the mainstream, as the company expands beyond its original roots as a digital collectables brand with a high price point for entry.

In January, the brand signaled an expansion of its business with the acquisition of animation studio Golden Wolf, which worked on content tied to the popular TV series, Rick & Morty. Doodles also appointed musician Pharrell Williams as its chief brand officer last year, and is rolling out a Doodles 2 collection that could span millions of NFTs in time.

A photo of Camp Chicago. Image: Camp

Doodles first NFT collection launched in October 2021. The company raised $54 million in September last year in a round led by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanians venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six. The current floor price for an original Doodles NFT is about 1.55 ETH ($2,950), down from an all-time high of nearly 20 ETH (about $57,000 then) in May 2022.
A Leopard 2 tank is pictured during a demonstration event held for the media by the German Bundeswehr in Munster near Hannover, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. [AP Photo/Michael Sohn]

The German government adopted a China strategy for the first time on Thursday. The aim of the 64-page document is to reduce the German economys dependence on China in preparation for war against the rising Asian economic power.

In the coalition agreement between the Social Democrats (SPD), Liberal Democrats (FDP) and Greens, before taking office, China was still described as a partner, competitor and systemic rival. Since then, the China strategy states, the elements of rivalry and competition in our relationship have increased. Embedded in deceitful rhetoric about Western values, liberal democracy and human rights, the strategy document develops a whole bundle of economic and political measures against China.

In order to reduce dependence on China, supply and value chains are to be diversified and secured in the long term through broader risk diversification; the German government supports the German economy in developing diversified, sustained sources of supply in other countries.

In order not to become dependent on Chinese technologies in key areas, key technologies are to be identified at an early stage. The German government wants to invest more money in its own research, development and innovation and withdraw funding from projects with China in which knowledge transfer is likely. The risks facing German companies active in China will no longer be covered as before.

The EUs trade policy instruments are to be further developed to restrict trade with China. Direct investments by European companies in China are to be reviewed and stopped if necessary. With the investment review, we protect independence in security-critical areas and areas relevant to the supply of the population, protect the defence capability of Germany and its allies, and strengthen the technological sovereignty of Germany and the EU, the paper says.

Exports to China are also to be restricted. In order to avoid longer-term security risks for Germany, the EU and allies through exports of new key technologies, the federal government is committed to the further development of the lists of goods in the international export control regimes. This is to be applied, in particular, to the areas of cyber security and surveillance technology.

Fewer Chinese components are to be used in critical infrastructures, such as mobile phone networks. Corresponding regulations should also be developed for non-IT products.

Resilience against hybrid threats in politics, business, science, and society is to be increased. Chinese disinformation campaignsfor example, in connection with Chinas policy on Hong Kong and Taiwan and Russias war of aggression against Ukraine in violation of international laware to be combated at all levels.

The publication of the China strategy was preceded by months of disputes within the coalition. With a trade volume (imports and exports) of 299 billion last year, China is Germanys most important trading partner. Especially for the German car industry, which employs around 800,000 people, China is the largest sales market. An abrupt break in economic relations would therefore have devastating economic consequences.

The employers associations, in particular, warned against a too confrontational course and found an ear with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP). Employers President Rainer Dulger complained of Germanys moral policy in dealing with China. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (both Greens), on the other hand, urged a harder line.

The Greens are pioneers of a so-called values-based foreign policy that uses human rights issues to justify trade war measures and wars. Yet the values proclaimed only apply to rivals and opponents, not to allies like Egyptian butcher Abdel Fatah El-Sisi, Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman or Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is responsible for bloody pogroms. The red carpet is rolled out for them in Berlin. Criminal wars do not fall into this category either, if they are led by NATO, the US or other allies.

The China strategy now published is a compromise. This is the meaning of the constantly repeated formula that it is about de-risking, not decoupling.

The business associations signaled their agreement. BDI President Siegfried Russwurm said that they shared the assessment of the government, but that as the second largest market in the world, China remained an absolutely central economic partner. DIHK President Peter Adrian called the strategy a good approach and called for additional public funds to open up new sales, procurement or investment markets.

China strongly condemned the strategy. It will only achieve the opposite of what was intended and create man-made risks, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin. Clamouring over the so-called competition of systems, interests and values goes against the trend of the times and will only exacerbate divisions in the world.

The formula of de-risking instead of decoupling is ultimately just a matter of pace. The confrontation with China follows an inescapable logic. After siding unreservedly with the US in the proxy war against Russia and taking a leading role in NATOs deployment in Eastern Europe and the rearmament of Ukraine, the German government is also swinging on to the US line against China, which has declared the country its most important strategic adversary and is systematically preparing a war against China.

German security is based on the EUs ability to act and its internal cohesion, the consolidation of the trans-Atlantic alliance, our deep friendship with France and the close and trusting partnership with the US, the China strategy states. Chinas antagonistic relationship with the US is at odds with these interests.

Not only the US and Germany, but also all other imperialist countries are swinging towards a nationalist policy of war and economic war in the face of the deepest crisis of world capitalism.

In 1933, when a similar development was taking place on the eve of the Second World War, Leon Trotsky wrote in Nationalism and Economic Life:

Only 20 years ago all the schoolbooks taught that the mightiest factor in producing wealth and culture is the world-wide division of labor lodged in the natural and historic conditions of the development of mankind. Now it turns out that world exchange is the source of all misfortune and all dangers.

And he warned, Nationalism ... preparing volcanic explosions and grandiose clashes in the world arena, bears nothing except ruin. This was confirmed only six years later with the outbreak of the Second World War.

Today, the same danger looms again. Trade war and war are being fought on the backs of the working class and the youth, who are paying for it with their jobs, their incomes, their social gains ... and as soldiers with their lives. Only they can stop this dangerous development by uniting internationally and linking the struggle to defend their gains and rights with the struggle against war and capitalism.
Ascension nurses picket in Wichita, Kansas [Photo: National Nurses United Facebook]

On June 27, approximately 900 nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas went on a one-day strike, the largest nurses strike in Texas history. Nurses at two Ascension facilities in Wichita, Kansas, also went out on strike, to bring the total number of nurses on strike to about 2,000.

Following the action, in a move solely intended to intimidate the nurses, Ascension locked out the nurses in Texas and Kansas for three days. The hospital claimed that it was required to honor a four-day contract it had signed with the temporary agency that supplied replacement nurses during the strike. Clearly, though, a corporation as large as Ascension could have dictated the terms of the contract it signed, which, in fact, it did. When the nurses attempted to return to work the next day, armed guards physically prevented them from entering the hospital.

The nurses were in a very militant mood. In social media posts and news interviews, they displayed a willingness to fight and solidarity with their coworkers.

The main demand cited by nurses was for increased staffing. One nurse described the labor and delivery unit as very unsafe. Others described situations in which they have had to rush between births, some involving fetuses with serious medical issues, without any break. Some nurses told of situations in which they had to choose which patients received care and which ones did not. They described unclean workplaces and having to put up with violent patients and hospital visitors. Nurses complained about having to care for as many as eight patients per shift, when the maximum they should ever have to care for is no more than six.

In fact, studies have shown that when nurses have to care for too many patients, the patients are at greater risk of preventable medical errors, avoidable complications, injuries from falls, bed sores, increased length of stay in hospitals, and readmissions. For each additional patient in an RNs workload above the preferred nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4, the likelihood of patient death increases by 7 percent.

One study has shown that if all hospitals in the country increased their staffing levels to preferred levels, 5,000 in-hospital patient deaths and 60,000 adverse patient outcomes could be avoided every year. Still another study estimated that adding 133,000 RNs to hospitals would result in overall savings of over $6 billion per year. There are, however, no federal government regulations regarding the number of patients a registered nurse can care for at one time in a hospital.

Last fall, the Austin nurses overwhelmingly voted to affiliate with National Nurses United (NNU). The union, however, called the strike simply to allow the nurses to blow off some steam. While the union released statements decrying the lockout by Ascension, none of the news reports indicated that it had released strike funds to reimburse the nurses for the pay that they lost during the lockout.

A rally in Austin on the day of the strike was dominated by union representatives and Democratic Party figures. While these well-paid functionaries spoke of how they support workers, nurses should look at the actual record of these organizations to determine whether they are acting in the interests of workers.

In January of this year, the New York State Nurses Association, an affiliate of NNU, pushed through an agreement for nurses at private hospitals in New York that did nothing to fundamentally rectify staffing issues. A similar betrayal took place last December when the Minnesota Nurses Association, another NNU-affiliated union, pushed through a contract with inadequate pay raises that failed to address short staffing. Under the terms of the deal, hospital units must first cross a certain threshold of dangerous conditions for nurses and patients alike before management and the union will even re-evaluate staffing levels.

The sellouts carried out by the NNU are part of a national and international process in which trade unions, which in an earlier period served as defense organizations of the working class, have become integrated into the structure of management and the state.

The NNU works in close collaboration with the Democratic Party, which sees the unions as a means of suppressing workers strivings for better pay and working conditions. Last fall congressional Democrats, supported by the Biden administration, voted to block railroad workers from going on strike and imposed a pro-company contract. They justified their abrogation of workers right to strike by claiming a strike could have damaged the economy. What they meant, of course, is that a strike would impinge on the profits of the giant railroads, which have reaped record profits off the backs of workers

The only way forward for nurses and the working class as a whole is to form independent organizations democratically run by workers themselves. The Socialist Equality Party is working to assist in building these organizations, rank-and-file committees, to be the genuine voice of workers. Nurses who are interested in getting involved should contact the World Socialist Web Site for information.
A UPS worker speaks with Christina Brown.

Former Amazon employee Christina Brown visited a United Parcel Service worksite on Friday to seek justice for her sister, Poushawn, who passed away after being told to illegally work at a Northern Virginia Amazon facilitys COVID testing center.

Christina has been a relentless force seeking to expose Amazons illegal abuse of its workforce. In 2021, Christina and her younger sister Poushawn worked at Amazons DDC3 warehouse in Northern Virginia. In early January 2021, Poushawn, who had been working at Amazons short-lived COVID-19 testing department despite having no previous medical training (a violation of federal law) complained of feeling ill to management. Denied time off, she finished out her shift, went home to sleep it off and never woke up again. Local laws require the family to pay the prohibitively high cost for an autopsy if a death is not determined to be a homicide or suicide.

Christina, appalled by Amazons treatment of her family, has given countless news interviews, visited with Amazon workers throughout the country and has held a number of demonstrations outside company founder Jeff Bezos Washington D.C. mansion to expose its criminal abuses of its workforce.

Poushawn Brown

In bringing her sisters plight to UPS workers in the middle of an intense contract battle, Brown is seeking to unify the struggle of two very powerful sections of the working class in a struggle to place human needs over private profit interests.

Im reading every day about UPS [workers] striking, I want you to know you have my full support, she said in an open letter distributed at the hub. Not only do you have my full support, you have my familys full support and I know if my sister was here you would have [my sisters] support, 100 percent, she says.

UPS workers are currently in the last days of a contract which is due to expire at the end of this month. They are seeking improved wages, job safety and the elimination of a lower-paid tier of workers, called a 22.4, who have been used to reduce the pay of the companys drivers.

The 22.4 is a full-time combination driver, which means you have benefits but youre a cover driver youre not going to have a route, so youre going to have to run every route, said a worker who had recently transitioned to a driver position and was making the lowest pay possible under the contract. I made more inside the warehouse at full time pay than as a driver, they said.

You cant file overtime grievances, you cant file a G-8 grievance [a guaranteed eight-hour day] as a 22.4, the worker added. They push me up to 1314 hours a day in my shift. Theres three different pay scales depending on how you were hired.

Workers expressed deep sympathy for Christinas sister, and also anger and amazement at the conditions which prevailed at Amazon. Many asked if there was a GoFundMe account or somewhere that they could show support for her family. Brown asked that they also sign a petition which has been brought forward to demand justice for her family.

How would she know how to [give COVID swab tests]? A worker with 12 years seniority wanted to know. Christina explained that an L3, an entry-level position, trained Poushawn to take nasal swab tests while the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) was not being provided. She made $14.50 an hour to do this, she said, a poverty-level wage in suburban Washington D.C.

They [Amazon] played with my family for months] after Poushawns death, Christina explained. Finally, they gave the family six weeks of grief counseling. At the same time, they fired me because I wouldnt come back to work after my sister died.

Every day, an employer puts somebody in a position like that to save money, Christina continued. That was not her line of work. They worked her until she died. If [Amazon] didnt have the money to keep its workers safe then it shouldnt have been open during the pandemic, she said. She told others that it was her goal to introduce laws which would ban employers from forcing workers into positions like her sister was at Amazon.

Ive got very little experience talking with Amazon drivers, but the ones Ive talked to say the company is awful, said a UPS worker. What do they mean counseling? What does that help you do? Six weeks, its going to take a lifetime to get through the trauma. How much money is that son of a b Jeff Bezos worth? $200 billion? He could give [hundreds of dollars] to every person in this country and still be rich, the worker exclaimed.

Brown currently has an ongoing lawsuit against Amazon for its criminal treatment of Poushawn. The company has dispatched an assortment of lawyers to frustrate Brown, who is fighting her case without counsel.

Speaking of his own job, the worker explained this factory is a meat grinder If you work in a building with a turnover like this, you need at least $3040 an hour. This needs to be a career. I hope we do go on strike because this company made $13 billion in profits last year. Weve got 300,000 people, whats an additional $34 for us? I think they can manage it.

Another worker denounced UPS CEO Carol Tomes choice to push the disclosure of her most recent earnings until October, a transparent ploy to keep hidden her massive pay package from the public as the contract is discussed.

Heat exhaustion is a big issue. You hear about how the average UPS driver makes $93,000 a year. But do you know what you have to do to make that much? You have to work 60+ hours a week to make that. People are killing themselves to make that money.

When Christina explained that Amazons base starting wage was $15, the worker was incredulous: How is that possible? In fact, UPS also pays sub-poverty wages as low as $15.50 an hour in some areas, according to the provisions of the contract with the Teamsters. This is so low that in many areas of the country management has been forced to unilaterally increase starting pay to attract enough workers.

Christina continued, relaying a story she had previously shared with the World Socialist Web Site while working as a driver for Amazon.

I got in three accidents while working for them. Do you remember the ice storm we had in 2018? she asked. It slid the truck right off of the road. I called the manager and he said, Youre about a mile-and-a-half away from the [drop off points for] three other packages. Theyre in the same area. Can you go? I hung up the phone [on him], she exclaimed.

I think there needs to be a strike. People are dying at this job, the worker said. Of the prospects of a United struggle among logistics workers, he said, That would be huge. This is bigger than us.

Offering her thoughts about her discussion with the UPS workers, Brown told the WSWS that I think these guys want fairness. And they should get what they want. I dont think theyre asking for anything thats unreasonable.

Numerous workers were familiar with the Biden administration and Congresss intervention last year to impose a pro-company deal on over 120,000 railroad workers, many of whom were also Teamster members, when they threatened to strike. Workers were fearful that something like that would happen to them, with some noting that the government was watching their struggle.

A sharp warning must be made to the UPS and Amazon workers who are looking with hope to the official trade unions to resolve their conflicts with management: Without independent, rank-and-file organizations answerable only to the membership, the Teamsters bureaucracy will work hand-in-hand with the company and the government to strangle any serious strike, just as it did in last years railroad struggle.

It is for this reason that UPS workers from around the country have taken it upon themselves to form their own independent rank-and-file committee, intended to organize ourselvesnot to support the bargaining committee and to cheerlead for them, but to enforce our democratic will, and position ourselves to countermand the inevitable sellout.

The declaration also calls to expand their struggle. Our real allies are workers around the world who are fighting the same attacks by the same giant corporations and the same treachery by union bureaucrats. They are not the strike-breaking Democrats and Republicans whom the Teamsters bureaucrats cavort with.

Seeking to unite themselves with fellow logistics workers at Amazon and beyond is the necessary precondition to beat back the government-corporate attempt to reduce the logistics workers to industrial slaves. We encourage workers at Amazon and UPS to write in and join this fight.
In its latest foray into the realm of historical falsification, the New York Times on Tuesday published a news analysis pinning the blame for World War II on the Soviet Union. The lengthy article authored by Andrew E. Kramer, entitled A Current War Collides with the Past: Remnants of World War II in Ukraine, makes no mention of either the Holocaust or the Nazi war of annihilation against the Soviet people.

The article is only the latest historical lie by the Times in the service of the US-NATO proxy war in Ukraine.

From the wars start, the Times has attempted to legitimize the pro-fascist narrative of the Ukrainian nationalists. Key elements have been the downplaying of the Holocaust and the collaboration of the Ukrainian nationalists in the mass murder of Jews and Poles; the minimizing of the alliance of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) with the Nazi regime; the assertion of a political and moral equivalence between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union; and the repeated claims that there is no neo-Nazi and fascist influence in present-day Ukraine.

German artillery over Kiev, 1941

It is within this context that Kramer puts forth the astonishing claim that World War II started with the Soviet Unions invasion of Poland. He writes:

World War II began in what is now Ukraine in 1939 with a Soviet invasion into territory then controlled by Poland in western Ukraine, at a time when the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany were in a military alliance. When that pact broke down in 1941, Germany attacked and fought from west to east across Ukraine.

This assertion is a violation of the basic chronology of the war. World War II began not with the Soviet entry into the eastern one-third of Poland on September 17, 1939 but with the Nazi blitzkrieg against the countrys western two-thirds on September 1, 1939.

The Times, confronted with a flood of hostile letters, cynically altered the sentence, without explanation, and in a manner that perpetuates the aim of the original falsification. The sentence was changed to read, World War II reached what is now Ukraine in 1939 with a Soviet invasion into territory then controlled by Poland in western Ukraine The surreptitious verb swap does nothing to alter Kramers intention. The reader is meant to believe that the Soviet Union started WWII.

The partition of Poland, the Baltic states and Finland had been laid out by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact of August 1939.

Stalin, whose Popular Front appeals to the Western democracies of Britain, France and the US fell on deaf ears; his pleas taking the form of selling out workers movements to capitalist governments to curry favor concluded the agreement with Nazi Germany in a desperate attempt to postpone the inevitable consequences of his own betrayals of the European working class.

Stalins deal with Hitler was an utterly reactionary move and a stunning betrayal. As Trotskywho had predicted Stalins agreement with Hitlerexplained, Hitler needed the friendly neutrality of the USSR, plus Soviet raw materials to conduct his war policy. The pact produced a wave of revulsion against the Soviet Union and disoriented the international working class, and especially the workers of Germany, then suffering under the Nazi iron heel. [A]bout the working class, Trotsky wrote, these gentlemen do not think at all. He continued:

It is necessary to penetrate for a moment into the psychology of a revolutionary German worker, who, in danger of his life, is leading the illegal struggle against National Socialism and suddenly sees that the Kremlin, which commands great resources, not only does not fight Hitler, but on the contrary, concludes an advantageous business deal on the arena of international robbery. Has the German worker not the right to spit in the faces of his teachers of yesterday?

It must also be pointed out that Stalin was hardly alone in underestimating Hitlers designs. Just one year before his pact with the Soviet Union, Britain and France negotiated the notorious Munich Agreement with Germany, handing over Czechoslovakia to the Nazi hangmen. Like British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, Stalin deluded himself into believing that Hitler would uphold his part of the bargain. Moreover, imperialist Britain and France hoped that Hitler, rather than moving west, would wage war against the Soviet workers state.

Trotsky, in exile in Mexico and very much at the height of his powers of political analysis, warned that whatever concessions Hitler had made were at best of an episodic nature and their sole guarantee is Ribbentrops signature to a scrap of paper. Trotsky predicted, less than one year before his assassination at the hands of one of Stalins agents, that the Soviet Union would be invaded once Hitler had settled accounts on the western front.

Stalin and the bureaucratic sycophants who surrounded him had to disregard Hitlers testimonial Mein Kampf and innumerable rabid speeches in which der Fuhrer promised that Germany would wipe the Soviet Union off the face of the earth, destroy the Jews and subjugate the Slavic Untermensch of Ukraine and Russia to create lebensraum for the Aryan master race. Over the 21 months separating the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact from the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Stalin followed the non-aggression pact to the letter, disregarding repeated warnings that an invasion was imminent.

The Hitler-Stalin non-aggression pact did not just break down, as Kramer absurdly writes. Hitler repudiated it, in the form of what remains the largest-ever invasion in world history, Operation Barbarossa. Notwithstanding all of Stalins betrayals, the Soviet Union remained the central target of Hitlers designs. Kramer does not mention that some 27 million Soviet citizens were killed in the war, or that 900,000 Ukrainian Jews were murdered by the Nazis and their allies among the Ukrainian fascistsfascists whose direct political heirs populate the Kiev regime and its army today. The Times leaves aside another fact of immense importance: It was the invasion of the Soviet Union that set the stage for the Nazi regimes most ghastly crimes, including the Holocaust.

The rest of Kramers article recounts the uncovering of remnants of World War II, such as swastika graffiti, German corpses, decades-old trenches and the like, in the present conflict. Kramer can scarcely conceal his glee at such finds, nor his enthusiasm at how current fighting neatly mirrors the Nazi invasions attack on the Soviet Union decades earlier:

Ukraine is now echoing that [Nazi] World War II offensive, fighting at sites southeast of Zaporizhzhia in what the Ukrainian military calls the Melitopol direction. The strategic goal is the same as it was eight decades agoto isolate enemy soldiers in the Kherson region and threaten Crimea

Kramer sees the enemy soldiers of World War II to have been the Soviet men and women of the Red Army, which included millions of both Russians and Ukrainians. He feels no shame in presenting todays Ukrainian army, armed to the teeth by Washington, Berlin, London and their NATO allies, as the inheritors of the Wehrmacht.

Like the Biden administration and its NATO allies, the Times is all in on the proxy war in Ukraine. Its special role, as the leading organ of American liberalism, is to sell the war to a public that is instinctively suspicious of professions from the White House about fighting for democracy after decades of such bogus claims. But ever dutiful to Washingtons imperialist aims, the Times has filled its pages with claims that Putin is the latest andreally, this timetrue incarnation of evil, following Hussein, Assad, Gaddafi, Milosevich, Noriega, etc., and furthermore, that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was an entirely unprovoked act.

The World Socialist Web Site has intransigently opposed Putin, his government and the reactionary class forces it represents for decades, even while the Times celebrated the restoration of capitalism in Russia and the former Soviet Union. We oppose Putins reactionary invasion. But it was not unprovoked. The invasion was a desperate response to NATOs expansion. As has been openly stated by numerous pro-NATO strategists, Washington seeks to use the war to achieve regime change in Moscow and to break up Russia.

The Times has also been tasked with falsifying the nature and character of the Ukrainian regime. This is difficult, as Kievs embrace of fascism is there in the open, for all the world to see. Statues are erected to the Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera, while monuments to Soviet soldiers who fought against the Nazi invaders, in a struggle known to both Russians and Ukrainians as the Great Patriotic War, are desecrated and destroyed. Ukraines most celebrated fighting force, the Azov Battalion, is an openly white supremacist and pro-Nazi organization.

For the wars first year, the Times attempted to cover up such inconvenient truths. The Times pro-war propaganda has now given way to pro-Nazi apologetics. Kramer has presented readers with an interpretation of World War II with which Joseph Goebbels could find little to dispute. His article follows the Western medias utter silence over the Holocaust in Lithuania during the recent NATO summit in Vilnius, and the Times apologia for the wearing of Nazi paraphernalia by Ukrainian soldiers.

The Times re-writing of the history of World War II has not come out of thin air. As it did with its racialist falsification of American history, the 1619 Project, the Times has leaned on a few unprincipled academiciansexemplified by Yale ex-historian and present-day propaganda specialist Timothy Snyderand the complicity or silence of large swaths of the historical profession. Of course, it comes as little surprise that figures like Snyder, whose history-writing is made to order for the State Department, or the German Hitler admirer Jorg Baberowski of Humboldt University, or the neo-liberal Francis Fukuyama of Stanford University, who now openly praises the Azov Battalion, would enlist in the service of imperialist war.

But where are the legions of revisionist and left historians of Russia and the Soviet Union who know something of the Nazi invasion of World War II in general and the catastrophe in Ukraine in particular? There have been a few courageous exceptions, but many more have greeted the NATO proxy war against Russia with enthusiasm. The leading academic body of Russian studies, the Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES), has focused its forthcoming annual conference on the Decolonization of Russia. Would the CIA or Pentagon have given it any other name? Under the cover of war, the vilest anti-Russian and Sovietologist tropes, once assumed to be dead and buried with the excesses of the McCarthy era, are being revived.

A few years ago, the claim palmed off matter-of-factly by Kramerthat the Soviet Union started World War IIwould have been met with a wave of denunciation from historians. So too would his articles silence on the Holocaust and mass murder of Soviet citizens. But in 2023, historical lies and distortions rule the day.
Residents were evacuated from their homes in Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania early Monday morning following a nearby CSX train derailment.

Cars wait at a railroad crossing for a CSX freight train in Homestead, Pennsylvania, Sunday, June 18, 2023 [AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar]

Company officials said 16 of 40 cars derailed on Norfolk Southern tracks, including one carrying hazardous tetrachloroethylene, at approximately 4:50 a.m. in an area of Montgomery County that is 14 miles from downtown Philadelphia.

A CSX statement said, There is no indication of any leaks or spills of hazardous materials and there are no injuries to the crew of the train. Norfolk Southern also released a statement saying, There is no risk to the public.

Hazmat crews were called to the scene before police announced that there was no threat to the public, since the car carrying the tetrachloroethylene, an industrial chemical used in dry cleaning, was located intact.

Crews from both railroad companies were on site to begin cleanup efforts. CSX spokesperson Sherrie Bowman told news media that the cause of the derailment appeared to be a sinkhole stemming from weather-related issues.

One resident who was evacuated told CBS News Philadelphia that being told to leave her home at the crack of dawn was alarming. The woman, who was evacuated along with her daughter, said, It all happened really fast. We all don't have shoes on.

She added that she did not realize how serious the situation was until seeing all the lights, helicopters and fire trucks in the neighborhood. Right as you hear the door at 5:30 in the morning, she said, its a little shocking. And yeah, it was just scary. First thought for me always goes to my family and friends.

The CBS News report said officials reported that some silicone pellets were found leaking from the cars, but they don't pose any danger to the public. Other news reports said that five of the cars contained urea, a liquid fertilizer that is hazardous if it comes into prolonged contact with skin.

Once the evacuation order was lifted, by 9:00 a.m. Monday morning, railroad officials and local law enforcement made it clear that the number one priority was getting the trains running again. Speaking of the railroad corporations, Christopher Ward, chief of the Whitemarsh Police Department, said, It is their intention, due to the commerce on this line, to try to have the line back up and running, I think the last check was by Wednesday evening.

The Whitemarsh Township derailment comes a little more than five months after the disastrous train crash in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, in which 50 cars derailed, 20 of which contained hazardous material, including vinyl chloride. A decision was made by railroad officials to set the cars containing vinyl chloride on fire three days after the train wreck, claiming it was done to prevent an explosion.

However, the controlled release and burn lasted for two days, contaminated the soil and ground water, and resulted in the release into the air of a massive chemical cloud of hydrogen chloride and phosgene, which hung over the area and poisoned the local population. A subsequent investigation by the federal government determined that the intentional burning was unnecessary, since there was no danger of an explosion.

As suspected by many residents of East Palestine, the burning of five derailed cars by Norfolk Southern was the fastest way to clear the accident site, reopen the tracks and restart the trains. No one has been held accountable for this disaster.

Demonstrating his subservience to the railroad industry, Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed no concerns whatsoever about the veracity of the claims from CSX and Norfolk Southern, the fourth and fifth largest rail companies in the US, that everything was just fine after the derailment. Shapiro said he was monitoring the situation.

According to data maintained by the Federal Railway Administration (FRA), there are an average of three train derailments each day across the US, due to the crumbling rail infrastructure and to the railroad conglomerates policy of placing profits over the health and safety of their employees and the residents of the communities through which the trains run.

According to a study of federal rail incident reports by USA Today, there have been over 5,000 accidents involving hazardous materials spilling or leaking from trains that were either in transit or sitting in a rail yard. The data also shows 149 incidents of hazardous materials released from moving trains.

In 2022, the rail companies reported 330 spills or leaks of hazardous materials, six of which caused injury to people. The actual number of spills and leaks is likely much higher, and their severity much worse, given the fact that the FRA relies on self-reporting by the railroad corporations.
Around 20,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union are taking further strike action at 14 train operating companies (TOCs) on July 20, 22 and 29 against a pay freeze and brutal restructuring in the longest running dispute among the past years wave of strikes.

Rail workers voted by a massive 91 percent to strike, the third such result since the dispute began in June last year.

Striking rail workers on the picket line at Doncaster Marshgate depot in South Yorkshire, England, June 2022

This weeks stoppages come a fortnight after a government backed announcement by the employers Rail Delivery Group (RDG) that it will close the majority of 1,007 station ticket offices across England. The RMT has supported a toothless three-week public consultation exercise ending on July 26. But the closure program is earmarked for completion over the next three years and is already in full swing.

Appearing on Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday, RMT leader Mick Lynch said, This has never been about pay, as we have said consistently. Its about cutbacks, de-staffing and ensuring that the private sector operators maintain their profits. He confirmed 2,300 notices of job losses had been issued, with nearly a quarter of station staff being made redundant.

Lynchs claim that the RMT has fought against de-staffing and cutbacks is empty bluster. It conceals the RMT National Executive Committees role in agreeing to help the RDG enforce sweeping cuts as part of the Tory governments Great British Railways re-privatisation project.

In January, the RMT signed a proposed Dispute Resolution Agreement (DRA) based on a best and final offer from the RDG. This set out a Stage 1 meagre 5 percent pay increase for 2022, and a Stage 2 settlement of just 4 percent in 2023 based on accepting Workforce Changes. The DRA outlined plans for the mass closure of ticketing offices and other attacks on station staff and On-Board Train Crew, including inferior terms and conditions for new entrants.

Lynch and the RMT have publicly opposed the closure of ticketing offices, but the DRA stated, Whilst the RMT does not support TOCs proposals to conduct statutory public consultation on the closure or re-purposing of ticket offices the RMT acknowledges that the TOCs have the authority to implement such changes to ticket office provision that may arise from that process. Any changes that the TOCs then propose to implement will be subject to complying with their respective collective bargaining arrangements and statutory collective redundancy consultation.

As the World Socialist Web Site reported, this surrender document was universally rejected by the membership after the RMTs NEC brought it back.

In March, the RMT called off strikes by its 20,000 Network Rail members, balloting them on a repackaged deal only 1.1 percent higher than a previous proposal the union had described as a dreadful offer. While the RMT claimed it had not accepted Network Rails modernisation maintenance program, this was only because it was unilaterally imposed with the loss of 1,900 jobs. The cuts described by RMT leaders as an accident waiting to happen were allowed to sail through, with Eddie Dempsey, RMT National Lead for Network Rail, stating lamely, We may be able to continue to challenge modernising maintenance in the company processes and raising our concerns with the regulator.

At the end of April, the Dispute Resolution Agreement at the TOCs was scuttled after the RDG declared it would not pay the initial 5 percent raise or enter Stage 2 negotiations unless the RMT agreed to terminate the dispute, end all industrial action and not re-ballot members to renew their strike mandate.

In a video to members on April 27, Lynch said the RDG was reneging and reversing Januarys Dispute Procedures document. Its my strong feeling, and that of your NEC, that this is at the behest of the Tory government because they want to escalate this dispute and they do not want to give to us what was written down in clear terms in that document.

He continued, They are now saying that we have to go into the second stage negotiations without an industrial action mandate and without the ability to take that action if those talks break down and they seek to impose upon us those detrimental terms and conditions, which they are offering in return for a very poor pay rise of 4 percent.

But these were the same detrimental terms and conditions and very poor pay rise agreed in principle by the RMT executive in January! Having signed the DRA, handing the initiative to the Sunak government, Lynch and the RMT were now incensed that their capitulation was being used by the RDG to impose change unilaterally, leaving the RMT exposed.

On May 2, Lynch sent a letter to members offering contorted, threadbare arguments to try and conceal the shambles they had presided over.

Amid growing unease over the RMTs backroom negotiations with thousands of RMT members now having copies of the DRA, Lynch stated, your Union has never claimed that the documents have been altered. The RDGs announcement, he insisted, was rather a change of interpretation of the documents agreed in January.

Responding to the RDGs insistence that its demands for ending the dispute were based on earlier undertakings by the RMT, Lynch conceded that the RMT had agreed in the DRA that no further industrial action or legal challenges will be pursued, countering lamely, but a process is not an agreement on the issues in dispute.

He continued, The RMT's view has always been that what we were considering was a process rather than a resolution or agreement. At best the DRP was a stepping- stone towards an agreement and the termination of industrial action in the dispute not an agreement on the issues themselves.

According to Lynch, the RMTs NEC had merely signed up to a process, but this did not imply agreement on the issues themselves. Unfortunately for Lynch, the title of Januarys dispute resolution document was: PROPOSED DISPUTE RESOLUTION AGREEMENT RMT and PASSENGER TRAIN OPERATORS - WORKFORCE CHANGE.

The 16-page agreement made clear the entire purpose of the dispute resolution process was to impose massive attacks on jobs, terms, conditions and pay.

On April 27, the RMT announced their rejection of the dispute resolution agreement, with Lynch stating that the NECs understanding of the way forward had been destroyed. He revealed that the RDG had just announced a raft of new attacks against the unions train driver members.

Lynch urged rail workers to deliver a strong Yes vote for industrial action in the ballot closing May 4, declaring the dispute remains alive and that the RMT and ASLEF were fighting for a fair pay rise, defending conditions and job security.

The 91 percent strike vote was a rejection of the very conditions agreed by the RMT in January. ASLEF train drivers voted by more than 90 percent for strike action in June against a miserly 4 percent pay offer, with any further increase tied to surrendering terms and conditions.

Coordinated action between RMT and ASLEF members has the capacity to stop the governments Great British Railways blueprint in its tracks. But Lynch and ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan have again ensured that no unified action will be taken. After calling just 11 days of strikes last year, ASLEF is only authorising limited overtime bans from July 17-22. As for the RMT, this weeks action is the first since a one-day stoppage on June 2.

Lynch has used his undeserved reputation as a left firebrand to preside over the most ineffectual industrial action in recent history. Workers should reject the eulogising of Lynch promoted by the capitalist media and the Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Party and similar upper middle-class pseudo-left outfits that are part of the labour and trade union bureaucracy.

Workers fight against the closure of ticket offices, the tearing up of terms and conditions and decimation of jobs can be won only by taking the dispute out of the hands of the RMT bureaucracy. Rank-and-file committees must be established at workplaces, drawing up non-negotiable demands against the profit frenzy and social vandalism being imposed by the RDG and the Sunak government, linking up with postal workers, NHS workers and other sections of the working class.

The demand must be raised for the nationalisation of the major transport companies, the seizure of their ill-gotten fortunes and their conversion to publicly owned utilities under the democratic control of the working class.
ridvan_celik / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Have you ever dreamed about leaving your 9-to-5 job so you could start your own business? Youre not alone. In 2022, 5.07 million business applications were filed in the U.S.

The biggest obstacle for most people is not knowing where to begin. Start by thinking about what youre passionate about. If you love animals, you could become a pet sitter. If youre passionate about coding, you could start a web design business. The possibilities are endless.

Check Out: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job

Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

Most people dont just jump right into a business full time. Instead, it starts as a side hustle and eventually grows into a profitable business that allows them to leave their other jobs.

Here are four side hustles that others have turned into a full-time business.

Home Services

Being handy around the house can be a very valuable skill to have. When something breaks, you can easily fix it without needing to hire someone else.

If youre skilled at doing a lot of different projects around the house you could market yourself as a handyman. You could also become more specialized in doing one thing such as landscaping or painting.

I got started by offering my services to friends and family members who were looking for help with various home services, said Tommy Mellow, founder of A1 Garage Door Service. I quickly realized that there was a high demand for these services in my community, and decided to turn my side hustle into a full-time business.

The best part about starting something as a side hustle is that it allows you to figure out what works for you and what doesnt without the added stress of needing to make money from your services.

To scale my business, I focused on three key areas: marketing, customer service and efficiency, Mellow said. I invested in online advertising and social media marketing to reach a wider audience and attract new customers. I also made sure to provide excellent customer service, responding promptly to inquiries and addressing any concerns or issues that arose.

Story continues

Make Money With AI and ChatGPT: How To Earn $1,000 a Month

Digital Marketing

Another great side hustle that can be scaled into a full-time business is digital marketing. It could be through social media, content creation or search engine optimization.

According to the Small Business Administration, there were more than 31.7 million small businesses in the U.S. as of March 2021. That means there are millions of potential clients who are looking to gain visibility online so they can grow their own businesses.

I started building links as a side gig, said Milosz Krasinski, managing director of Chilli Fruit Web Consulting. It was just an activity I did in my spare time to earn a bit of extra money, usually around $200 a month. At the time, I had a nine-to-five job, and this was just a way to support my income and get my hands into the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Krasinski went on to say, As time passed, I began to realize that my side gig had potential beyond just making a few extra bucks. It was more than just building links  it was about understanding businesses, their target audience and how to connect them in the most effective way.

Digital Products

Creating physical products isnt for everyone. Not only do you need to have the resources to manufacture products, but you need a way to store them until theyre sold as well.

Creating and selling digital products is a much easier way to offer something of value to your audience, especially when you get the framework down.

I had the entrepreneurial itch like many people and spun up a site on Shopify selling a range of music related resources, said Cole Dash, founder of Rudemuzik.com. Dash went on to say that without the headache of storage costs, shipping costs and maintenance, its much easier to focus on scaling the business.

I scaled to a profitable business [in] two ways, he added. First, I consistently reached out to my customers to understand their pain points. Second, I narrowed down my product offerings to those that are laser focused on solving those pain points. Yup, I scaled by offering less.

Tour Guide

If youre a people person and live in a high tourism location, a great way to make some extra money would be to work as a tour guide. Find creative ways to show people all the great things your city has to offer.

In 2017, my partner Monique Hamilton and I started whats now one of the largest tour companies in New Orleans, said Christopher Falvey, co-founder of Unique NOLA Tours.

Falvey went on to talk about how their business started as a complete side hustle. Hamilton was the sole tour guide and he handled marketing and accounting for the business. As they began to grow, their focus was on hiring the best guides for their business and treating them with respect. This allowed them to love their jobs more, which ultimately gave customers a more positive experience.

The Bottom Line

Many people start a side hustle because they want to supplement the income from their nine-to-five jobs. However, many side hustles tend to focus on things people are passionate about, so why not make the necessary moves to turn it into a successful full-time business?

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Double Your Income By Turning These 4 Side Gigs Into Full-Time Businesses
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: I warmly welcome Peru's formal acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Peru's status as one of the leading marine fishing producers is a strong signal of the importance of the Agreement for global fisheries sustainability. This action serves as tremendous impetus to the growing support for urgent implementation of this agreement. By curbing harmful fisheries subsidies globally, we are taking an important step towards safeguarding the exports, livelihoods and food security of the people in Peru and across the world.

Minister Gervasi said: Peru is an important fishing leader country. According to the FAO's 2022 report on the state of world fisheries, we are the third most relevant marine fisheries power in the world due to our privileged geographical location and the presence of the Humboldt Current, which provides a wide diversity and large populations of resources. This advantage has helped us to become a highly productive country with a longstanding historical fisheries tradition that dates back to pre-Hispanic times, thanks to our rich marine fauna on our coasts.

The ratification of this Agreement is an example of the responsibility of my country towards the multilateral trading system. We are honoured to be the first Latin American member to deposit the instrument of ratification of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and we trust that with this act we will motivate the rest of the membership towards a prompt entry into force of this Agreement.

Peru's instrument of formal acceptance is the 14th instrument received by the WTO. Over one third of the acceptances needed for the Agreement to enter into force are now in hand. The list of members that have deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Agreement is available here. Acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are needed for the Agreement to come into effect.

Adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva on 12-17 June 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks. In addition, the Agreement recognizes the needs of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) and establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the obligations.

The Agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks, and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to making recommendations by MC13, to be held in February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

The full text of the Agreement can be accessed here. Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.
Dow extends winning streak to 7 days as US stocks jump on strong bank earnings

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

US stocks gained on a strong earnings season for among lenders.

Earnings reports from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley beat expectations.

But retail sales and industrial production fell short of hopes, signaling a consumer spending shift.

US stocks climbed on Tuesday on strong bank earnings and as investors get ready for another wave of big reports to come on Wednesday.

Retail sales and industrial production fell short of estimates to start the day on Tuesday. Retail rose by 0.2% in June, where estimates expected a 0.5% climb. At the same time, the Federal Reserve's measure of industrial production declined for a second month, dropping by 0.5%. Manufacturing output dropped 0.3%, the sharpest decline in three months.

But weaker macro data was offset by an upside earnings surprise from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, the latter of which beat estimates on record revenue in its wealth management unit.

Looking ahead, Tesla and Netflix are among big names to release their earnings on Wednesday. Investors are expecting second-quarter reporting season to represent a trough in corporate earnings.

Here's where US indexes stood at the 4:00 p.m. ET closing bell on Tuesday:

Here's what else has happened today:

In commodities, bonds and crypto:

Read the original article on Business Insider
DUNNELLON  A developer plans to build an RV resort that honors Elvis Presley's visit here in the early 1960s. Here's what we know:

What's the plan?

Southern Springs Inc., based in New Port Richey, wants to build Follow That Dream Park, a 228-lot RV resort on 30 acres off County Road 40. The land is north of the Withlacoochee River and west of U.S. 41 in the city of Dunnellon.

What's the Elvis angle?

"Follow That Dream" is a 1962 movie, starring Elvis, that was filmed near the resort land as well as spots in Ocala and Citrus and Levy counties. In fact, further west from the RV resort site the road is known as Follow That Dream Parkway.

Given that cinematic history, the park name "was kind of a natural for us," said Gary Blackwell, head of Southern Springs Inc.

What will the resort look like?

According to Blackwell, the resort will have a clubhouse, bath and laundry building, office, swimming pool, pickleball courts and a dog park. It will be gated and for residents age 55 and older.

"All our parks are top quality," Blackwell said.

What other RV resorts has the developer developed?

+ Three Lakes in Pasco County

+ Williston Crossings in Williston

+ Southern Leisure in Chiefland

+ Southern Springs in Ocala

Where do the plans stand?

Southern Springs Inc. is seeking an environmental resource permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud.) Blackwell said the city of Dunnellon also is reviewing the plans. He said the site already was approved for future development of an RV resort.

Southern Springs bought the land in October for $500,000, according to a deed on file with the court clerk.

jross@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Planned RV resort in Dunnellon evokes Elvis Presley memories
Readying a horse for riders at Jester Park Equestrian Center, Mark Martin says people fall into two camps: Those who love horses and those who dont.

And for people who love horses  even if they have yet to ride  the popular Yellowstone TV drama is alluring: stunning scenery, beautiful characters, compelling stories and horses so charismatic that they're as much the stars as Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes and Kelly Reilly.

Its got to be positive for the horse industry, said Martin, a retired Kansas teacher who now lives in Iowa and works part-time at the Jester center.

Riders on a guided equestrian tour at the Polk County Equestrian Center in Granger.

More: Everything to know about 'Yellowstone' Season 5 (and see Kevin Costner as Montana's governor)

Hes a big fan of the Paramount Network series. People are getting a sample of ranch life, he said.

Unlike Montana, where the series is shot, Iowa is better known for farms than ranches  and feeding pigs rather than wrangling cattle. But Iowa auctioneers, horse traders and breeders say interest in owning and riding horses here has climbed in recent years.

Increased demand and less supply have doubled and tripled the prices for horses, they say. And Iowa equestrian trails and campgrounds have attracted tens of thousands of visitors over the past two years.

A worker during a guided equestrian tour at the Polk County Equestrian Center adjusts a stirrup for Mia Jones, 10.

Previously: When damaged horses and wounded Iowa veterans meet, pulses slow and they find peace

Some attribute growing interest to the popularity of Yellowstone, which had 12 million viewers this year, but also point to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which in its worst days had Iowans looking for activities that their families could share outdoors, where the chance of contracting the disease is lower.

People were working from home, so they had time to go ride a horse, said Todd Peterson, who buys and sells horses in Iowa and Minnesota. And there werent enough horses, so you could ask a lot more and get it.

COVID-19 also had some Americans leaving large metro areas for acreages outside cities, giving them room for horses, cattle and other farm animals, said Tim Havens, a University of Iowa communication studies professor.

Story continues

Kevin Costner plays rancher John Dutton in the Paramount series "Yellowstone."

"Cities were pretty horrible places to be during the pandemic," he said.

Havens said Yellowstone and similar shows are unlikely to spark major lifestyle changes like buying a horse, which is expensive and requires daily care. But they can tap into cultural shifts that are already underway, he said.

Previously: Peterson: A Kentucky Derby win would be a dream come true for Ankenys Dennis Albaugh

COVID had a lot of people rethinking their priorities and decisions, he said.

Ankeny residents Tim Fox and his wife, Jasmine Rehman, said theyd like to buy a few rural acres near the Des Moines metro someday. They were taking their first step into ranch life by riding horses at Jester Park.

The guided trail ride was a first for Rehman, who was a little nervous about managing an animal that weighs up to 2,000 pounds. But Fox, who had ridden a few times, is already a horse fan.

"It gets us outdoors," he said.

Meet Metallic Cat, equine rock star of 'Yellowstone'

Peggy Auwerda, who leads Iowa State Universitys equine program, said she believes Yellowstone, ending this year in its fifth season, has helped boost interest in horses, along with its prequels 1923, starring Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, and 1883, starring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Theres a lot more interest in quarter horses and other ranch-type horses used to round up and manage cattle, Auwerda said.

Ava Anderson, 18, rides during a guided equestrian tour at the Polk County Equestrian Center.

The modern Western captures spectacular mountain vistas and the gritty independence of the people who populate that rugged landscape, she said. And the horses are excellent, including the world-renowned stallion Metallic Cat, whose pedigree Auwerda discusses in her classes. Sold to his current owner, Los Angeles Dodgers part owner Bobby Patton, for a reported $14 million, he has his own, frequently updated web page.

"Most of the students know the stallion," Auwerda said.

Christine Chappell, who raises horses in northeast Iowa, said the buyers of her foals are paying double the price she received a couple of years ago, and Yellowstone is part of the reason.

They want horses that can be trained to cut cattle out of herds like they see Metallic Cat do on Yellowstone, said Chappell, whose partner and friends hold Yellowstone watch parties.

Cutting horses leave Chappell in awe. "They move so fast," she said.

Ron Dean, who owns the Waverly Sales Co. horse auction in northeast Iowa, said the pandemic helped revive interest in horses, the value of which had fallen after the U.S. banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption  as well as prevented their transport to other countries for that purpose  in 2007.

Dean said horse breeders have raised fewer animals, and the Waverly business ratcheted back its horse auctions. Its big horse sales now take place in the spring and the fall, with 500 to 600 animals each.

But although Dean sells fewer horses, he said he sells them at higher prices.

Most horses are sold for recreation, trail riding or competition in local saddle clubs or 4-H shows, he and others said. It's an expensive hobby, Dean said. In addition to the purchase price, owners need a barn or stable to house their horses, halters, saddles and other equipment for riding them and trucks and trailers to move them. There's also the cost of feed and veterinary care.

"Horses aren't cheap to have," Dean said.

Peterson, the Iowa-Minnesota horse dealer, said horse ownership has become a status symbol for some.

"Now, everybody wants a horse," he said.

First-time riders often wear 'Yellowstone' shirts, cowboy hats

Kira Frederick, Jester Parks wrangler lead, said she sees young visitors, including first-time riders, wearing Yellowstone T-shirts and other show-branded merchandise.

People want a taste of American history  the Wild West and cowboys, Frederick said.

Mia Jones, 10, assists wrangler Karissa Merical in a safety lesson before a guided equestrian tour at the Polk County Equestrian Center.

Tour riders "can be pretty disappointed that theyre not running through the woods, she said, adding that those who come wearing cowboy hats must swap them for helmets.

Still, the guided tours attracted nearly 660 riders last year. So far this year, close to 500 people have participated in the trail program, which lasts through October. In addition, Jester Park Equine Center offers camps for kids and a program that pairs veterans with horses, among other services.

Frederick said horse owners also trailer their animals to the park to ride the trails that run along woods and Saylorville Lake.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said that since 2021, visitors have spent nearly 60,000 days at Brushy Creek State Recreational Area between Webster City and Fort Dodge, the largest of the states nine horse-friendly parks. Altogether, visitors to the state equestrian parks have reached about 123,300 over 2 years.

Caleb Harrelson, riding at Jester Park with his wife, Lindsey, and daughter, Cora Goemaat, said he finds riding peaceful. His wife agreed, adding she liked the connection riders make with horses.

They listen to you, even though they dont have to, Lindsey Harrelson said.

Cora, 11, who's been around horses since she was 5, said she has begged her parents for a pony.

I love them, she said.

This story was updated to correct the spelling of Kira Frederick's name. She's the wrangler lead at Jester Park Equestrian Center.

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: 'Yellowstone' fans help drive rising market, prices for Iowa horses
A field of wind turbines producing energy from the wind. Mariana Castelo Branco

Electricity prices in Europe fell into negative territory over the weekend.

That's as the region's green-energy push resulted in an abundance of supply.

In the Netherlands, prices for Sunday afternoon were as low as minus 73.76 euros per megawatt hour.

Electricity prices in Europe fell into negative territory over the weekend as the region's green-energy push resulted in an abundance of supply.

On Saturday, prices for the following day dipped below zero in about a dozen countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, according to Epex Spot SE data cited by Bloomberg.

In the Netherlands, prices for Sunday afternoon were as low as minus 73.76 euros per megawatt hour, or about minus $82.83.

The glut of energy is thanks to investments in green infrastructure, such as solar panels and wind turbines. Europe installed a record number of new solar panels last year to reduce its reliance on natural gas, which saw prices spike a year ago after Russia cut off supplies.

Earlier this year, the European Union saw monthly solar power generation exceed electricity from coal for the first time. Consumers have also reduced power demand after Moscow sparked the energy crisis last year.

This isn't the first time Europe's energy prices turned negative, and the occurrences have become more frequent.

Other examples include Finland, which saw its energy prices fall below zero after its newest nuclear reactor went online in April and unexpected floods produced a spike in hydroelectric power.

On May 24, the average energy price for the day was "slightly" negative, the CEO of Finland's grid operator told the Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

In practice, however, it didn't mean consumers were paid to consume electricity. People pay a markup on the electricity, and often pay agreed rates for power instead of the raw market price.

But the negative prices signal an imbalance in the market and could discourage future investment in more energy infrastructure. Adjusting consumption patterns, such as when EV drivers charge their cars, could help smooth out prices.

Meanwhile, Europe could face more volatility in energy markets if Russia further cuts off natural gas supplies and the region get hit with harsh weather in the winter, the International Energy Agency warned.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Stability AI founder Emad Mostaque Courtesy of Stability AI

Stability AI founder Emad Mostaque Courtesy of Stability AI

The CEO of one of the biggest AI startups warned that AI will "be the biggest bubble of all time."

Emad Mostaque, the cofounder of Stability AI, compared the hype around the technology to the dot-com bubble, CNBC reported.

Investment experts are divided as to whether the fast-growing industry will continue to grow or burst.

Even some of AI's biggest players don't think the craze and money surrounding the technology is going to last.

Stability AI CEO Emad Mostaque told UBS analysts that he thinks AI will "be the biggest bubble of all time," CNBC reported.

"I call it the 'dot AI' bubble, and it hasn't even started yet," the cofounder of the generative AI startup said on the call, according to CNBC.

Mostaque's comments liken the hype around AI to the "dot-com bubble" that unfolded in the late 1990s, during which a crop of new internet-based companies fizzled out after receiving hundreds of millions of dollars of investment.

Investors are eager to put their dollars into AI. In the first quarter or this year, venture firms poured about $1.7 billion into generative AI companies, doubling the total from the same period last year, according to data from Pitchbook.

Mostaque has benefitted from this investment boom. Even before ChatGPT's release to the public, investors funneled over $100 million into Mostaque's Stability AI, which is the developer of the open-source, text-to-image generator Stable Diffusion.

Many other investment and AI experts have commented on the fervor surrounding the industry, with some drawing similar parallels between the AI boom and the dot-com era.

In June, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said investor interest in AI was "wildly overhyped in the short-term," adding that "there's crazy stuff happening in Silicon Valley right now."

That same month, veteran ESG investor James Penny said that AI's overwhelming appeal to investors "smells very much like the dot-com era." And Michael Hartnett, the chief investment strategist at Bank of America Global Research, said in May that AI is "in a baby bubble." He added that the bubble could burst if the Federal Reserve resumes rate hikes  just like it did in 1999 before the dot-com burst.

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But others have been less quick to make the comparison.

Dan Ives, a research analyst at Wedbush Securities, made the distinction in June that AI is currently enjoying a "1995 moment," a nod to the investment surge in internet companies during that year, not a "1999 moment," which is when the dot-com bubble began to burst.

And in May, Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel was careful not to prognosticate about the future of AI companies.

"Long term I would say that they were probably slightly overvalued," he told CNBC about AI companies. "But for the short term, we know momentum can carry stocks far higher than their fundamental value and no one can predict how high they might go."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The simplest way to invest in stocks is to buy exchange traded funds. But investors can boost returns by picking market-beating companies to own shares in. To wit, the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) share price is 65% higher than it was a year ago, much better than the market return of around 14% (not including dividends) in the same period. That's a solid performance by our standards! And shareholders have also done well over the long term, with an increase of 41% in the last three years.

In light of the stock dropping 5.6% in the past week, we want to investigate the longer term story, and see if fundamentals have been the driver of the company's positive one-year return.

View our latest analysis for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

Given that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings didn't make a profit in the last twelve months, we'll focus on revenue growth to form a quick view of its business development. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth.

Over the last twelve months, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' revenue grew by 427%. That's stonking growth even when compared to other loss-making stocks. The solid 65% share price gain goes down pretty well, but it's not necessarily as good as you might expect given the top notch revenue growth. So quite frankly it could be a good time to investigate Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in some detail. Since we evolved from monkeys, we think in linear terms by nature. So if growth goes exponential, opportunity may exist for the enlightened.

The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. If you are thinking of buying or selling Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings stock, you should check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts.

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A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 65% in the last twelve months. There's no doubt those recent returns are much better than the TSR loss of 10% per year over five years. The long term loss makes us cautious, but the short term TSR gain certainly hints at a brighter future. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable) that you should be aware of.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

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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Nick Clegg

Current Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are "quite stupid", Facebook-owner Meta's president of global affairs Nick Clegg said as he played down the risks of the technology.

The former UK deputy prime minister said the "hype has somewhat run ahead of the technology".

Current models were "far short" of warnings where AI develops autonomy and thinks for itself, he said.

"In many ways, they're quite stupid," he told the BBC's Today Programme.

He was speaking after Meta said it its large language model known as Llama 2, would be free for everyone to use, known as open source.

Large Language Models - the platforms which power chatbots like ChatGPT - are basically joining dots in enormous datasets of text, and guessing the next word in a sequence, he said. He added that the existential threat warnings issued by some AI experts relate to systems which don't yet exist.

Meta's decision to make Llama 2 widely available for commercial businesses and researchers to use has divided the tech community. In some ways its hand has already been forced - the first generation, Llama, was leaked online within a week of its launch.

Open-source is a well-trodden path in this sector - opening up your product for others to use gives you an enormous amount of free user testing data, identifying bugs, problems and improvements along the way.

But the risk here is that this is a very powerful tool, whatever Sir Nick might say.

We know previous iterations of chatbots have been manipulated to spout hate speech, generate false information and give harmful instructions. Are the guardrails strong enough for Llama 2 to prevent itself from being misused out in the wild, and what will Meta do if it is?

Another interesting thing to note is Meta's decision to partner with Microsoft on this - Llama 2 will be available and usable via Microsoft platforms such as Azure - as Microsoft has also invested billions of dollars in ChatGPT creator OpenAI.

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This is a giant with its sights firmly set on AI, and the deep pockets to buy its way in with the key players. The risk is that the AI pool soon becomes full of a few very large fish - and is that healthy for competition in this still fairly young industry?

Open-source

Llama 2 marks a partnership between Microsoft and Meta.

Unlike Llama 2, GPT-4 and fellow rival Palm - Google's LLM which powers the Bard chatbot - are not free to use for commercial or research purposes.

It comes a week after US comedian Sarah Silverman announced she is suing both OpenAI and Meta, alleging that her copyright has been infringed in the training of the firms' AI systems.

Dame Wendy Hall, Regents Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, told the BBC that allowing AI to be open-sourced raised concerns around legislation.

"My worry about open-source is that is how we regulate them," she said.

"Can the industry be trusted to self-regulate, or will they work with the governments to regulate? It's a bit like giving people a template to build a nuclear bomb."

Sir Nick said her comments were "hyperbole", and clarified that Meta's open-sourced system could not generate images, let alone "build a bio weapon".

But he "strongly agreed" that AI needed to be regulated.

"Models are being open-sourced all the time already," he said.

"So it's not really whether open sourcing of these large language models is going to take place, the question is how can you do it as responsibly and safely as possible.

"I feel I can assert without any fear of contradiction, that the LLMs that we are open-sourcing are safer than any of the other AI LLMs which have been open-sourced."
megan, nimona, every body





ten best queer movies

As were about to hit the big doubleheader blockbuster of Barbenheimer, its time to look back at the year (so far) in film.

This year, weve already got several Oscar contenders among 2023's best queer movies, including an animated tale about a shapeshifter, a story about a trans woman reconnecting with her mother, and some terrific documentaries.

Here are our 10 favorite queer movies of the year (so far) in alphabetical order.

Blue Jean

blue jean

In British writer/director Georgia Oaklys debut film, a high school gym teacher named Jean (Rosy McEwen) is living in 1980s England when the Conservative party, led by Margaret Thatcher, announced Section 28, which prohibited the promotion of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship. This new law means that if Jean is discovered, shell be fired from her teaching position. McEwan is getting rave reviews for her powerful performance as a woman in an impossible situation.

Every Body

every body

Julie Cohens new documentary shines a light on part of the LGBTQ+ community thats often one of the most overlooked: intersex people. By following three intersex activists  Sean Saifa Wall, Alicia Roth Weigel, and River Gallo  the film allows us to see what life is like for different people in the same community. Its a poignant and personal film.

Knock at the Cabin

knock at the cabin

M. Night Shyamalans latest thriller starred Ben Aldridge and Jonathan Groff as two gay dads who travel to a cabin with their daughter for a little rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, when they get there, theyre confronted by a group of attackers led by Dave Bautista (in a terrifically chilling performance) who say that one member of their family must die in order to save the world. Its one of Shyamalans best in years and features great acting from the whole cast.

M3GAN

m3gan

A new horror icon was born early this year when M3GAN, a doll with a killer AI danced her way into our hearts. This movie was scary, campy, and all about the chosen family between a woman (Allison Williams), her niece, and the super intelligent and super deadly doll who co-parents her.

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Monica

monica

Trace Lysette shines in the kind of role weve been wanting to see from her for years in this understated family drama. In it, Lysette plays Monica, a trans woman who returns home to help take care of her ailing mother (Patricia Clarkson) who had kicked her out for transitioning years ago. Lysette gives an undeniably powerful and understated performance that is one of the best of the year and deserves real Oscar attention.

Nimona

Nimona

After it was originally supposed to be a Disney movie, Netflix scooped up this instant classic about a gay supervillain and his shapeshifting sidekick based on the award-winning graphic novel from ND Stevenson. Somehow the movie is even gayer (and dare we say, better) than the amazing book, and arrives with some of the most beautiful animation and one of the most powerful messages about seeing yourself and others for who they are youll see.

Scream VI

scram vi

The two latest Scream movies have revitalized the franchise with a new Core Four that includes the franchise's first out queer character Mindy Meeks-Martin, played by out actor Jasmin Savoy Brown. With others like Melissa Bererra, Jenna Ortega, Josh Segarra, Mason Gooding, and Hayden Panettiere, this twisty and tense slasher elevated the franchise once more.

Theater Camp

Theater Camp

Theater Camp is the delightful surprise of the summer. An indie movie coming out in the middle of blockbuster season is easy to lose track of, but Theater Camp is a true joy to watch. The mockumentary-style comedy follows Amos (Ben Platt) and Rebecca-Diane (Molly Gordon) as they write a musical at a summer theater camp thats in danger of shutting down.

Co-written by Gordon, Platt, Nick Lieberman (who co-directed with Gordon), and Noah Galvin (who plays the camps adorable tech guy Glenn), the movie takes place at Adirond Acts, a camp thats about to close as the owner goes into a coma and her crypto-bro son Troy must take over.

The movie has plenty of laughs, especially for any theater nerds in the audience, but you dont need to have been in drama to enjoy the movie. These characters are slightly over the top but grounded enough to remind you of the funniest people you know in real life. Galvin especially shines as Glenn and has some truly wonderful moments, especially in the third act.

Theater Camp is one of the most delightful and heartwarming indie movies in a while, and it will make you laugh, cry, and stand up cheering. Check it out in theaters now.

Of an Age

of an age

Of an Age is a tender gay drama set in Australia in the summer of 1999. It follows a Serbian teen boy who moved to Australia and has become an amateur ballroom dancer who has an unexpected and intense affair with his friends older brother. Its already destined to become a gay drama classic.

The Stroll

the stroll

Kristen Lovell and Zackary Druckers documentary about trans sex workers in Manhattans Meatpacking District is all about sisterhood. These two filmmakers  both of whom are trans women, with Lovell being a Black former sex worker herself  bring a new look to a segment of trans history weve seen glimpses of in Paris Is Burning and Pose, but this time, its coming from an inside perspective. Its one of our favorite trans documentaries.
BMW

German tuner Alpina has announced that its long-lived brand would be fully absorbed by BMW in 2025. Now the time has come to start saying farewell, with the limited-run Alpina B5 GTjust going on sale in Europe and Asia, but not headed to the U.S.set to be Alpina's last version of the 5-series.

The term "tuner" doesn't really do justice to the closeness of Alpina and BMW's long relationship. Alpina has always been a separate company and is registered in Germany as an independent automaker. But it has also worked with BMW on projects including its high-performance XB7 version of the X7, as well as running race programs and doing contract engineering work for BMW. The level of trust was such that Alpina typically has been given access to new models well ahead of them going on sale, so it could start working on its own variants.

Alpina's 5-series history



Many of the most famous Alpinas have been based on the 5-series, although few of those have reached the U.S., where the brand has normally only imported its largest and most expensive models. The first Alpina version of the mid-size sedan was the E12-generation B7 Turbo launched in 1978, with a turbocharged version of BMW's 3.0-liter straight six giving it a 155-mph top speed. (At the time, the brawniest car in the regular E12 range, the 533i, could only go 132 mph.) Aimed at the German market, where unrestricted autobahns made top speed relevant, Alpina had found a niche. Faster fives followed: By 1989, the E34-based B10 Bi-Turbo could do 180 mph, and the B5 GT has upped that to 205 mph.

BMW

Yet that figure is a conservative one, according to Alpina CEO Andreas Bovensiepenin testing, the B5 GT has gone considerably faster. B5 buyers also tend to use their cars hard, with Bovensiepen saying that 30,000 kilometers (about 18,600 miles) is the typical annual mileage for cars sold in Germany.

The B5 GT is an evolution of the B5 that has been on sale since 2018. The model is based on the M550i and uses the same N63-generation twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8, which is also the base for the M5's S63. The GT has more power than the regular B5 or the standard M5, with a revised intake system and a new ECU taking its peak to 625 horsepower, 26 more than the regular B5 and just two horsepower less than the mighty BMW M5 CS. But the GT wins on torque with a huge 627 pound-feet, which is 74 pound-feet more than the M5. The GT also has a center exhaust section to give it a more muscular tone.

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Compared to the regular B5, the GT also has a new reinforcement piece on its front bulkhead to improve steering precision, stiffer bump-stop rubbers, and new brake pads. Spring rates, plus settings for the active anti-roll bars and rear steering, are unchanged. The GT rides on bespoke Pirelli P Zero tires that have been developed specifically for Alpina, and they wrap the brand's traditional 20-spoke alloys, now with an optional bronze-gold finish.

BMW

The GT also gets some small "dive plane" wings on the sides of its front bumper to improve high-speed stability. Both sedan and Touring station wagon versions are offered, and the limited production run will consist of 180 Tourings and just 70 sedans. The full allocation is sold-out despite a price in Germany that starts at $137,500 at current exchange rates.

Alpina B5 GT on the track



Sadly, we didn't get to experience the B5 GT in its natural autobahn environment, but rather on the Zandvoort racetrack in the Netherlands. High speeds were possible but only fleetingly given the limited length of the 2.6-mile circuit's few long straights. The Alpina coped impressively well with the challenging environment, especially considering a storm the previous day had washed Zandvoort clear of much of the blown sand that often limits adhesion here.

While the comparison to the BMW M5 is an obvious one, the B5 GT's character is very different. Whereas the M5 is revvy and angry, the Alpina is much more about low-down muscle. Peak torque arrives at 3500 rpm, and there is little discernible lag; even in Zandvoort's tightest corners, third gear often seemed a better choice than second. The torque-converter transmission isn't as quick as a dual-clutch unit but still shifts snappily in its Sport and Sport Plus modes. Manual gear selection is possible through steering-wheel paddles, but leaving the gearbox to its own devices in Sport mode seemed to work nearly as well.

Chassis settings are softer than those of the M5, yet body roll is well contained even at track speeds, and the GT's steering feels crisp and natural. In tight corners, the B5's front end tended to edge wide under big loadings. The Alpina has all-wheel drive but with a conventional limited-slip differential rather than a torque-vectoring unit. The rearward bias of the power delivery is obvious, but it takes real provocation to make the GT surrender rear-end grip.

Switching to the Touring proves that the driving experience is similar, although the novelty factor is much higher. Alpina says the Touring is 220 pounds heavier than the sedan and loses a little structural rigidity, but differences at Zandvoort were limited to the different perspective in the rearview mirror and what seemed to be slightly more noise from the rear of the car. BMW has recently confirmed it will be making a Touring version of the next-generation M5; that will have to be very special to be a more compelling all-rounder than the B5 GT Touring.

BMW

Sadly, the B5 GT will be the last of its line. Bovensiepen says the logic behind the decision to sell the family-owned brand was simple: Third parties won't be able to add significant performance to EVs. Alpina's Classic division will continue and has plenty of greatest hits to work withthe B5 GT is set to be remembered as one of them.

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A Russian strike on the port city of Odessa injured six people and damaged critical infrastructure at the Chornomorsk port, which is a crucial to Ukrainian agricultural exports. Photo Courtesy of Ukrainian Ministry for Communities Territories and Infrastructure Development.

July 19 (UPI) -- Russia launched a wave of missile and drone attacks overnight on civilian and strategic targets in and around Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odessa, effectively destroying 60,000 tons of grain at the Chornomorsk port, according to Ukrainian officials.

At least six people were injured in the attack, while apartments, cars and critical infrastructure were damaged.

"On the night of July 18 and 19, Russia fired at port infrastructure facilities involved in the Grain Initiative. The aggressor once again proved that human values are an empty sound for him, there was no trust in his words," said Ukrainian Minster of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solskyi.

Solskyi says it could take up to a year to repair the port's grain export infrastructure.

"The port of Chornomorsk also destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, which was supposed to be loaded onto a large-tonnage vessel and send through the grain corridor 60 days ago," Solskyi said.

Ukrainian officials say the strike has resulted in the loss of 60,000 tons of grain that was meant to be exported. Photo Courtesy of Ukrainian Ministry for Communities Territories and Infrastructure Development.

Ukrainian officials denounced the strikes as an attack on Ukraine and the broader world.

"The attack on grain terminals is an aggressive act against the world. The goal of Russian actions is to disrupt grain supply routes to global markets. This terrorist state is not only at war with Ukraine but also with the people of Africa and Asia, for whom this grain is a matter of survival," said Minister for Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Ukrainian officials described the strikes as an "aggressive act against the world." Photo Courtesy of Ukrainian Ministry for Communities Territories and Infrastructure Development.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 37 of 63 missiles and drones, with falling debris and flying glass injuring a worker at an industrial facility. Also injured were two civilians, including a 9-year-old boy, in a residential district of Odessa and two civilians in the resort town of Koblev, 37 miles to the east, Odessa regional military administration head Oleg Kiper said in a Telegram post.

Residents of apartments on the second floor of a badly damaged building in Odessa described the blast from a missile strike as being similar to "an earthquake."

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Authorities in Russian-annexed Crimea were forced to close the major arterial Tavrida Highway and evacuate more than 2,000 people on Wednesday after a fire at at a munitions depot on a nearby military base. File Photo by EPA-EFE

"Two people were injured. They suffered light injuries caused by glass. And the entire facade, all floors, everything was damaged. There may be problems with the elevators," the manager of an 18-story apartment building told Ukrinform.

The bombardment came as the Crimea peninsula came under drone attack and the Russian-installed administration was forced to close a major highway and evacuate more than 2,000 people after a blaze tore through a munitions dump at a nearby military base.

Crimea Gov. Sergei Aksyonov confirmed the fire and closure of the Tavrida Highway, which links the main cities on the peninsula but did not link the fire to the drones of which he said 18 had been downed by Russian air defenses.

"There was a fire on a military field. Investigators will find out the reasons," Aksyonov said.

No one has claimed responsibility so far. "We can neither confirm nor deny," Ukraine Defense Intelligence spokesman Andrii Yusov told Politico.

But according to Russian military bloggers, the fire could have been the result of strikes by Ukrainian-made Grim-2 or British Storm Shadow long-range missiles.

The apparent tit-for-tat attacks come two days after Moscow vowed to retaliate over an explosion Monday on the Crimean Bridge linking Russia with Crimea that killed a husband and wife and injured their daughter.

Russia said it was holding Kyiv responsible for the apparent attack, the second in nine months after the structure was severely damaged in a deadly blast in October that killed three people.
A flock of Canada geese that called the Surfside Beach Club home have reportedly been saved from slaughter, after the communitys homeowners association scuttled plans for a culling, a leading conservation group announced July 17.

A lot of people who live in these communities dont even know this is going on. Their boards are making decisions without consulting the people that live there, Lisa Levinson, director of sustainable activism campaigns for In Defense of Animals, said. This is going on at a much larger scale than people realize.

HOA officials could not immediately be reached for comment, but Levinson said grassroots efforts by local animal rights activists warded off the killing of an unknown number of geese.

Levinson said volunteers would patrol the area during pre-dawn hours, ready to record and publish video of the animals being killed.

They do it every year here. Whether or not I catch it on film I know it happens, and it happens a lot, area resident and self-proclaimed goose whisperer Maria Pesce. And it shouldnt happen at all.

In Defense of Animals has pressured Surfside Beach officials for more than a year to develop a mitigation plan using non-lethal methods so the waterfowl can live harmoniously among residents.

More than 25,000 people signed a pair of petitions drafted by the San Rafael, Calif.-based nonprofit urging the town and its private developments to stop killing geese as a means of population control  even threatening a boycott of the tourism-reliant community

This is just one little area. Think of how much this is going on in the state and the country, Levinson said.

Outside of established hunting seasons, state and federal permits are required for killing the birds, which number around 50,000 in South Carolina.

Under town ordinances, feeding of ducks and geese is prohibited because nourishing them encourages waterfowl to halt their normal migrations and establish a residency in the town.

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Violators can be fined up to $200 for doing so.

The human hand-feeding of water fowl within the town limits is resulting in a public nuisance by the deposit of fecal matter, garbage, debris, and filth on surrounding properties, and destruction of lawns and ornamental shrubs, the towns ordinance states.

As development encroaches on habitat, goose encounters rise.

With their distinctive long, black necks, white cheeks and gray plumage, Canada geese can be attention grabbing. But with development creeping onto their natural habitat, the congregation of geese at public parks, swimming areas and water treatment facilities can make them a nuisance.

As both human and resident Canada goose populations have increased in South Carolina, conflicts have increased, the state Department of Natural Resources notes on its website.

The National Goose Protection Coalition on July 17 also announced that four Surside Beach subdivisions were cited for Gander Slander, a symbolic gesture the group uses to identify areas that use lethal goose control measures.

Were talking about animals that are highly bonded, and theyre doing this right in front of their babies, Levinson said.

Major animal rights groups including the Humane Society say mass killings of geese doesnt solve nuisance issues, since flocks will return the following year to the same place  drawn to planned developments for their generous sight lines and ample food and water supplies.

Its just done out of hate, Pesce said. There isnt a goose problem. Theres a hate problem and Ive seen it over and over and over again.

Pesce is administrator of Surfside Beach Geese, a Facebook page devoted to the birds that oftentimes shows video footage of them being harassed or driven out of nesting areas.

Everything matters, and you cant play God and say, I dont want this animal here anymore, Pesce said.

There are many options to control geese without killing them, officials say.

In Defense of Animals offers several methods to pursue when it comes to nonlethal ways of managing a Canada geese problem, including:
Margot Robbie in Barbie

In 1959, a mere 64 years before the release of Greta Gerwigs Barbie, Mattels signature doll hit store shelves for the first time and quickly became a Rorschach test for many girls and women as they transposed their own identity onto a plastic plaything. The small-scale doll was created by company co-founder Ruth Handlerpulling inspiration from Germanys Bild Lilli dollas a way to empower girls like her daughter Barbara (the brands namesake) to use their imagination in creating limitless worlds where they can be and do anything they want. It revolutionized play patterns for pint-sized consumers who werent just seeking the pretend solace of motherhood and domesticity. Yet for some adults, this tiny wonder represented an unattainable, manufactured version of perfection, subsequently transforming her into a lightning rod for controversy and feminist critique.

Nevertheless, Barbie persisted, blessedly changing with the increasingly enlightened times, diversifying her size and skin tone to become a more inclusive toy line. Co-writer and director Greta Gerwig repackages these goods in Barbie, her hilarious and heartfelt homage to the brand. By lovingly lampooning corporate missteps along with celebrating the successes, the films self-effacing humor, out-of-the-box smarts, and emotional potency strike the right tone. Gerwig and her creative collaboratorsincluding co-writer Noah Baumbachnot only give the formerly inanimate figure a sparkling personality and a pastel-shellacked pop-art playground, they also deliver genuinely meaningful sentiments surrounding the complexities of gender politics. Its the years best tear-jerking, thought-provoking comedy.

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Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) has always had the quintessential Best Day Ever. Shes awakened each morning by a song (Lizzos Pink provides her daily mojo), dines on perfect meals, wears the cutest fashions, and hangs out with her fellow Barbies (played by Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Emma Mackey, Alexandra Shipp, and Nicola Coughlan) and Kens (played by Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Scott Evans). Theres also Kens friend Allan (Michael Cera) and Barbies pregnant friend Midge (Emerald Fennell), whose presence is purposeful even though their dolls were both discontinued. In the plastic fantastic Malibu-meets-Miami enclave of Barbie Land, all jobs are held by women while the men exist to frolic on the beach and the dance floor. Its a fantasy utopia without walls or negativity.

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That is until Stereotypical Barbie begins suffering from the throes of an existential crisis manifested in the form of bad breath, too-cold showers, flat feet, and pervading thoughts of death. Hoping for a quick fix, she pays a visit to Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), a spiky-haired, shaman-like Barbie thats been played with too hard. Weird Barbie advises her to go into the Real World to find the person playing with her in doll form and cheer them up so life can return to normal. However, when Stereotypical Barbie and a stowaway Ken (Gosling) arrive in Southern California, they face fish-out-of-water hijinks while dealing with humans dysfunctional nature stemming from patriarchal toxicity, loss of adolescence, and adult disillusionment.



Since Gerwig and Baumbach are telling a story of a doll who has encapsulated all walks of womanhood over six decades, they find narrative weight in a multitude of supporting angles. In addition to Barbies main odyssey, theres a mother-daughter story between surly tween Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt) and her deflated mom Gloria (America Ferrera) thats touching and empowering. There are also heady statements about artistic creation, both in the visuals (one recalls Michelangelos Creation of Adam) and in Stereotypical Barbies relationship with her god-like creator, Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman), who receives her share of ribbing. Initially defining the tertiary Barbies by their profession speaks satirically to all the one-dimensional female characters weve seen before in cinema, only here theyre given space to grow and acquire a richer sense of internality.

The filmmakers dont pull any punches when skewering the commercialist underbelly of the brand. They allot screen time to a few ill-advised creations, like Tanner the pooping dog and Growing Up Skipper (The doll who grows breasts!). They make the all-male Mattel brass (led by Will Ferrells CEO) look like buffoons tripping over themselves and their faux-feminism to put Barbie and womankind back in a boxboth physically and metaphorically. Still, at times it talks out of both sides of its mouth, celebrating what it also condemns. Crass commercialism is handled with a sly wink and a nod, playing to audiences nostalgic memories while simultaneously encouraging them to purchase new dolls.

The world-building in Barbie is exceptional. Production designer Sarah Greenwood and set designer Katie Spencer have created a candy-colored confectionary dream for Barbies environments, heightening the carefully constructed stylistic surrealism. Theyve coated it with vibrant pink paint, molded plastics, and tactile backdrops harkening back to classic Hollywood musicals. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatts pop soundscape bolsters the synthetic atmosphere in Barbie Land, but they thread the needle perfectly in the Real World, blending musical themes from Billie Eilishs ballad What Was I Made For? to land the palpably moving moments.



Barbie | Main Trailer

Robbie nimbly handles the comedic rhythm of these worlds, igniting the spark of the dialogue and the slapstick as well as nailing the nuance and vulnerability of the grounded sequences. Her work sings in chorus with that of costume designer Jacqueline Durran, whose textures and tailoring augment the performance, and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, who illuminates the hidden facets within Barbies evolving psyche. Goslings portrait of Ken as a jealous, competitive himbo is absolutely divine, allowing him to show off his comedic chops, Gene Kelly-esque moves, and singing talents. (And abs!) Supporting cast members all shine, especially Rae, who plays President Barbie with crackling confidence, and Simu Liu, who plays Goslings adversary Ken with vigor.

Its a tall order for Gerwig and company to deliver a feature thats reverent and revelatory while speaking directly to the pressures of living up to an impossible feminine ideal. And yet they did it with crafty aplomb. Though a tad overstuffed with too many good ideas, pulling from loads of subtly identifiable cinematic references (everything from Powell and Pressburgers 1946 drama A Matter Of Life And Death to the more recent The Truman Show), Barbie ultimately leaves us entertained, emotionally exhausted, and ready to play again soon.

Barbie opens in theaters on July 21

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Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (exclusively hitting the big screen this Friday) isn't exactly the feel-good movie of the summer, and the writer-director-producer is more than okay with that.

Taking part in a post-screening panel attended by NBC Insider and SYFY WIRE this past weekend, the celebrated cinematic storyteller revealed that he wants audiences to leave the atomic bomb thriller "with some unsettling questions and some troubling issues" when it comes to the threat posed by atomic and thermonuclear weapons

RELATED: Watch This 5-Minute First Look at Christopher Nolans Epic Oppenheimer

Christoper Nolan wants Oppenheimer to leave viewers with questions

"My feeling was that the experience of his life, the experience of what these events were; and trying to understand, trying to feel what it mustve been like to be in these incredibly paradoxical situations would lead you to a place where you realize that we have tremendously troubling questions left at the end of it," continued Nolan. "The film does not pretend to offer any easy answers. The reality is, as a filmmaker, I dont have to offer the answers, I just get to ask the most interesting questions. But I do think theres tremendous value in that if it can resonate with the audience after theyve seen it."

Fellow panelist Carlo Rovelli  a theoretical physicist at France's Aix-Marseille University  echoed that sentiment, proclaiming that "everybody should see this movie" because it raises important topics about the responsibility and morality of science that remain relevant 78 years after the Trinity detonation.

"The Doomsday Clock that is supposed to estimate the risk of nuclear catastrophe has never been closer to midnight," he explained. "So we are in a situation in which the kind of concerns that Oppenheimer was expressing  are our concerns today. I think this is what the movie brings out so strongly."

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J. Robert Oppenheimer (played onscreen by Nolan vet Cillian Murphy) attempted to broach the thorny subject following the conclusion of World War II, begging for international disarmament, and became a pariah as a result.

"Oppenheimer, who keeps saying international cooperation is the only way out, seems to me a message that at least we should discuss more and more," Rovelli said. "So much of international politics is about prevailing against one another; leading the world, being the winning one against the other. And the risk of catastrophe is enormous."

Oppenheimer arrives on the big screen this Friday  July 21. Click here for tickets!

This article first appeared on NBC Insider.

Want more blockbuster thrills in the meantime? Jaws, Jurassic Park, The Da Vinci Code, The Hunger Games, Fast Five, Jurassic World, Knock at the Cabin, Cocaine Bear, Renfield, and more are now streaming on Peacock!
For most of us humans, the aquatic dance is the same.

We dive into a pool or a lake or an ocean, perhaps hold our breath for a few seconds as we swim underwater, and then surface to blessed oxygen.

The Deepest Breath, a new Netflix documentary streaming now, transports viewers to the exotic world of freediving, whose elite athletes free fall and then resurface from depths of 300-plus feet while holding their breath for upward of four minutes.

Definitely do not try this on summer vacation.

But while the documentary does make clear the risks incurred by freediving devotees, it lingers longer on the way in which the sport can prove emotionally liberating  much as it is for the films protagonists, Italian freediving world champion Alessia Zecchini and Irish safety diver Stephen Keenan.

The new Netflix documentary "The Deepest Breath" follows two divers who share a passion for the exotic and often dangerous sport of freediving.

Just as the popular 2020 Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher delivered landlubbers into the magical world of an oceanographer and his cephalopod pal, The Deepest Breath is a love story set in dramatic locations, from Egypt to the Bahamas. Call it a tribute to the devotion of two divers who shared a passion for the sea and each other.

"The thing about Alessia and Stephen is that it was just the start of something for them," says "Deepest" director Laura McGann. "The sacrifice made just does not get bigger."

Here are some things to know before you dive in:

What is freediving?

Humans have been freediving since we first ventured into the deep, holding our breaths to fish and explore. Today, some are still thrilled by the prospect of diving without clunky oxygen tanks, both for fun and for sport.

Alessia Zecchini (left) rises to the surface after a freedive and shares a smile with safety diver and friend Stephen Keenan in a scene from "The Deepest Breath."

Competitive freediving is overseen by a few global governing bodies that ensure athletes dive under conditions that prioritize their well-being. Safety divers stand ready to bring a diver who passes out to the surface. The death rate in competitions is roughly 1 in every 50,000 competitive dives, according to Apneaology.com, a website dedicated to freediving. Recreational freediving is riskier, with about 1 death for every 500 dives.

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"I cant speak for all people who freedive, but I can tell you everyone I met wanted to go home for their dinner in the evening," says director McGann.

Remember how Kate Winslet held her breath to shoot 'Avatar 2'? That's a form of freediving

"Avatar: The Way of Water," James Cameron's epic sequel, is set in a fictional ocean-focused world. In order to get the shots he needed, the director had key cast members learn the basics of freediving breath-holding techniques. Kate Winslet broke Tom Cruise's record when she held her breath for more than seven minutes.

Luc Besson's 1988 film "The Big Blue" is considered a freediving cult classic. And there have been more than a dozen movies, many of them documentaries, made about the sport's top athletes, including one about Russian phenom Natalia Molchanova (2020's "One Breath"), who disappeared while freediving in 2015.

What distinguishes people who love freediving?

Laura McGann directed the new Netflix documentary "The Deepest Breath," about two freedivers whose love for their exotic sport spills over into an emotional connection.

McGann says the time she spent around freedivers made it clear to her that "these people are all leaders, none of them are followers. Theyve stepped out of the mainstream to do this, and that makes for an interesting bunch of people."

As to why they dive, despite the inherent risks, McGann says freedivers will tell you "it's the freefall. You get to about 30 meters (100 feet) and then you just start to fall, and it feels like flying. You go into this gorgeous meditation on the ride down, but you have to keep a little of yourself conscious to make the trip back up."

Why are humans naturally predisposed to freediving?

In a competitive freedive event, athletes make their way down to a target to retrieve a tag, which they have to bring to the surface. "The Deepest Breath," a new Netflix documentary, looks at the world of competitive freediving.

McGann says she's not on a mission to bring more people to freediving. Rather, she was "just moved by Stephen and Alessia's story as well as their love of the ocean, which I know is a place that does so much for my own mental health, just putting on a snorkel and fins and looking at the kelp in the Irish Sea."

In research for her movie, McGann learned the human body, once submerged in water, has a natural response that extends a breath. "There's a physical reaction to having water on your face, which triggers the mammalian dive reflex," she says. "It all goes back to where we came from as humans, we crawled out of the sea."

McGann tried freediving while filming on location, but the trip was short. She made it only about 10 feet down before the pressure in her ears forced her to come back to the surface. "But it was beautiful," she says.

Does Alessia Zecchini still freedive?

Stephen Keenan and Alessia Zecchini in "The Deepest Breath."

More than ever. In fact, she recently set a new world record by diving to 351 feet and back, which required holding her breath for three minutes and 26 seconds.

McGann says she was nervous showing her documentary to Zecchini for the first time, but when the screening ended, she sensed some relief from the diver.

"She said 'Thank you,' and I just burst out crying," says McGann. "The next day, she asked me for a copy so she could show some friends. She said, 'Showing it saves me from having to explain what I went through.' "

From 'Extraction 2' to 'Creed III': Here are 15 movies you need to stream right now

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Deepest Breath': Netflix freediving movie will break your heart
An AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai

(Reuters) - Rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) such as Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT are complicating governments' efforts to agree laws governing the use of the technology.

Here are the latest steps national and international governing bodies are taking to regulate AI tools:

AUSTRALIA

* Seeking input on regulations

The government is consulting Australia's main science advisory body and considering next steps, a spokesperson for the industry and science minister said in April.

BRITAIN

* Planning regulations

The Financial Conduct Authority, one of several state regulators that has been tasked with drawing up new guidelines covering AI, is consulting with the Alan Turing Institute and other legal and academic institutions to improve its understanding of the technology, a spokesperson told Reuters.

Britain's competition regulator said in May it would start examining the impact of AI on consumers, businesses and the economy and whether new controls were needed.

Britain said in March it planned to split responsibility for governing AI between its regulators for human rights, health and safety, and competition, rather than creating a new body.

CHINA

* Implemented temporary regulations

China issued a set of temporary measures on July 13 to manage the generative AI industry, requiring service providers to conduct security assessments and perform algorithm filing procedures. A day before, billionaire Elon Musk hailed the country's interest in a cooperative international AI framework.

China's cyberspace regulator had in April unveiled draft measures to manage generative AI services, saying it wanted firms to submit security assessments to authorities before they launch offerings to the public.

EUROPEAN UNION

* Planning regulations

EU lawmakers agreed in June to changes in a draft of the bloc's AI Act. The lawmakers will now have to thrash out details with EU countries before the draft rules become legislation.

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The biggest issue is expected to be facial recognition and biometric surveillance where some lawmakers want a total ban while EU countries want an exception for national security, defence and military purposes.

FRANCE

* Investigating possible breaches

France's privacy watchdog CNIL said in April it was investigating several complaints about ChatGPT after the chatbox was temporarily banned in Italy over a suspected breach of privacy rules.

France's National Assembly approved in March the use of AI video surveillance during the 2024 Paris Olympics, overlooking warnings from civil rights groups.

G7

* Seeking input on regulations

Group of Seven leaders meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, acknowledged in May the need for governance of AI and immersive technologies and agreed to have ministers discuss the technology as the "Hiroshima AI process" and report results by the end of 2023.

G7 nations should adopt "risk-based" regulation on AI, G7 digital ministers said after a meeting in April.

IRELAND

* Seeking input on regulations

Generative AI needs to be regulated, but governing bodies must work out how to do so properly before rushing into prohibitions that "really aren't going to stand up", Ireland's data protection chief said in April.

ISRAEL

* Seeking input on regulations

Israel has been working on AI regulations "for the last 18 months or so" to achieve the right balance between innovation and the preservation of human rights and civic safeguards, Ziv Katzir, director of national AI planning at the Israel Innovation Authority, said in June.

Israel published a 115-page draft AI policy in October and is collating public feedback ahead of a final decision.

ITALY

* Investigating possible breaches

Italy's data protection authority plans to review other artificial intelligence platforms and hire AI experts, a top official said in May.

ChatGPT became available again to users in Italy in April after being temporarily banned over concerns by the national data protection authority in March.

JAPAN

* Investigating possible breaches

Japan expects to introduce by the end of 2023 regulations that are likely closer to the U.S. attitude than the stringent ones planned in the EU, an official close to deliberations said in July, as it looks to the technology to boost economic growth and make it a leader in advanced chips.

The country's privacy watchdog said in June it has warned OpenAI not to collect sensitive data without people's permission and to minimise the sensitive data it collects.

SPAIN

* Investigating possible breaches

Spain's data protection agency said in April it was launching a preliminary investigation into potential data breaches by ChatGPT. It has also asked the EU's privacy watchdog to evaluate privacy concerns surrounding ChatGPT.

UNITED NATIONS

* Planning regulations

The U.N. Security Council held its first formal discussion on AI in New York on July 18. The council addressed both military and non-military applications of AI, which "could have very serious consequences for global peace and security", U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

Guterres in June backed a proposal by some AI executives for the creation of an AI watchdog like the International Atomic Energy Agency, but noted that "only member states can create it, not the Secretariat of the United Nations".

The U.N. Secretary-General has also announced plans to start work by the end of the year on a high-level AI advisory body to regularly review AI governance arrangements and offer recommendations.

U.S.

* Seeking input on regulations

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an expansive investigation into OpenAI on claims that it has run afoul of consumer protection laws by putting personal reputations and data at risk, the Washington Post reported on July 13.

Generative AI raises competition concerns and is a focus of the FTC's Bureau of Technology along with its Office of Technology, the agency said in a blog post in June.

Senator Michael Bennet wrote to leading tech firms in June to urge them to label AI-generated content and limit the spread of material aimed at misleading users. He had introduced a bill in April to create a task force to look at U.S. policies on AI.

(Compiled by Alessandro Parodi and Amir Orusov in Gdansk; editing by Jason Neely, Kirsten Donovan and Milla Nissi)
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.

3 stars (out of 4)

The Barbie marketing campaign deserves raves. Margot Robbie established herself as a living doll on various red carpets  love that Day-to-Night Barbie throwback outfit!  while Ryan Gosling exuded the perfect amount of Ken-ergy. Bravo to all.

Now, playtimes over. And the answer to the big question is yes, life in plastic ... its fantastic. Or, without the benefit of paraphrasing a 1997 novelty song: The Barbie movie is a delightful, highly stylized and super-endearing crowd pleaser. See it once to marvel at the ace performances and impeccable fashion and production design; catch it again just to prove to yourself that the whole thing wasnt a neon-hued fever dream.

On the candy-coated surface, the highly anticipated comedy chronicles the adventures of the famed fashion doll (Robbie), known here as Stereotypical Barbie. In Barbieland  where pink isnt so much a color as it is a lifestyle choice  she wakes up with a smile and sunny attitude to match. She and her Barbie counterparts, played by the likes of Issa Rae, Hari Nef and Emma Mackey, reign supreme. They are Nobel Prize winners, political leaders, Supreme Court justices and more.

After the sun goes down, they party with choreographed dance moves. All that beachy Ken (Gosling) and his cronies (Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ncuti Gatwa) can do is passively clamor for their attention.

Then one morning, Stereotypical Barbie feels off. Her milk is sour; her perfectly arched feet go flat. She even fancies thoughts of death. The horror! As wise Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon) explains it, theres been a rip in the Barbie continuum. She must travel to the real world (i.e., Century City, California) and help the sad little girl playing with her. Only then will happiness return in both spectrums. Ken jumps in the convertible, and away they go on the big journey. It turns out to be a bumpy ride.

That narrative may sound as familiar as a gift-wrapped Barbie Dreamhouse in December. But Barbie happens to be co-scripted and directed by Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird, Little Women), a feminist auteur who often brings post-modern sensibilities to her work. This time, shes loaded her film with innovative and subversive twists.

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Its not enough to wring laughs just by watching shiny, happy Barbie and Ken stick out amid cynical Angelinos. They each come to an epiphany early on: Outside their bubble, Alpha Males are in charge and women are subject to endless scrutiny. In a cutting scene, a teen girl (Ariana Greenblatt) lays into Barbie about her role in the quest for unattainable beauty standards. Not even a frantic return trip to Barbieland can restore order.

Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros.

Its no fun to ruin the best Barbie surprises. Theres true joy in discovering all the imaginative details, from the fake plastic waves at the beach to the pop music choices. As for Robbie and Gosling? Theyre so uncannily cast that they may as well be a special effect unto themselves. Believe the hype about Gosling: The ever-game actor has never been this loose onscreen. (Honestly, did he even sing and dance with this much abandon on The New Mickey Mouse Club back in the day?) Not only is he hilarious, he brings a humanity in showing why Ken should be considered more than Barbies boy toy.

Gerwig has a lot to say about the importance of recognizing Barbies imperfections, so perhaps its fitting that her film is not without its flaws. When the power structure in Barbieland become askew, the Barbies rally each other not by actions but by speeches. Many speeches. Too many speeches. We know, we know  women have it tough! They need to be independent! All the talk about patriarchy and autonomy becomes numbing after awhile and will surely sail over the heads of the young girls (and boys) playing with a Barbie doll at this very moment.

To take it one high-heeled-step further: Barbie is marketed squarely at anyone who owned a Rollerblade Barbie back in the day. That means you, Gen Xers and older Millennials. Nobody else would appreciate all that Day-Glo, much less the Matchbox Twenty reference.

This has been a disappointing summer movie season on too many levels. What a relief that Barbie is a wonderful, whimsical effort delivered in such a brightly colored package. Just dont box her in.

Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!

Barbie opens in theaters on Friday, July 21.
Just when you thought you knew everything about clam cakes, a new book brings forth some amazing revelations.

The clam cake was born to be a filler. Who could imagine it was an afterthought?

Do you wonder where all the clams are in clam cakes? The truth is, they are hidden in plain sight.

Some clam shacks across the Rhode Island border aren't just making the familiar clam cake. They are amping things up with hot sauces. Oh, the horror.

Like the Ocean State, Virginia and Maine have signature clam dishes described as fritters. But they are as different as they may be alike. And don't ever say fritter in Rhode Island.

A Quito's Clam Shack clam cake by the water in Bristol.

All these clam-alicious details come from Carolyn Wyman, an author who fixed her gaze on many a quirky food. She was also raised on clam cakes at Rocky Point and Crescent Park.

"The Great Clam Cake and Fritter Guide" (Globe Pequot, $21.95), a paperback full of photos, recipes and lore, is subtitled "Why We Love Them, How to Make Them and Where to Find Them from Maine to Virginia."

Wyman's seven previous food books have included "Spam: A Biography," "The Great American Chocolate Chip Cookie Book" and "The Great Philly Cheesesteak Book."

"There are so many great foods in Rhode Island," Wyman said during a phone interview from her Philadelphia home. "But it didnt seem to me there is another one you could write a book on."

"Its got history. It tastes great. And its funny," she said. "It's also nutritionally naughty."

Doesn't that just sum it all up?

Clam cakes are on the menu at the Andrea restaurant, right by the beach in Misquamicut.

But it's crazy popular, too. Clam cakes are served by restaurants, seasonal seafood shacks and even at church suppers, or in the case of Rhode Island, breakfasts. Wyman doesn't miss a trick in her treatise including the fact that the clam cake is a vital part of the 154-year run of the May Breakfast at Oak Lawn Community Baptist Church in Cranston.

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What is a clam cake?

To those who've never seen one, Wyman describes them as doughnut holes. She explains they are made of "little chopped up or minced pieces of the toughest clams, extended with flour and sometimes a little cornmeal."

Carolyn Wyman isn't just an author of a clam cake book, she can juggle them, too.

She goes on to say it is "a dough ball that is merely flavored with clam juice and a few clam pieces." This is fine with Rhode Islanders as long as the clam cake isn't greasy or "a gut-ball sinker (so heavy that it immediately sinks to the bottom of your stomach)."

Wyman realized the concept doesnt travel well. She was having dinner with Philadelphia friends, who by the way love eating meat sandwiches covered in cheese, when she described the clam cake.

"They were like 'No thank you!' "

That's when researching and tasting the clam cake became her pandemic project. She entered the clam shack kitchens, at spots like Aunt Carrie's in Narragansett to see how they were made. Wyman also followed the trail of clams to similar clam fritters from Maine to Virginia. Though they do not have anywhere the popularity of clam cakes in Rhode Island.

While cooking them at home has become a dying art, these clam foods are mainstream in clam shacks and other restaurants, Wyman learned.

A new book reveals all about the Rhode Island clam cake.

The history of the clam cake

"They're only of a certain wonderful time and place," Wyman writes. Many a memory was forged enjoying clam cakes as part of a shore dinner at amusement parks like Rocky Point.

"Clam cakes are associated with summer, and travel and happy times," she said.

"They are not a Lone Ranger food," she added. "They are communal. You are grabbing these with other people. Its a communal experience."

And though Wyman found family recipes, she traced the origin of the clam cake to the picnic and clambake craze of the mid to late 1800s. Steamboats brought new money from industrialization along Narragansett Bay to resorts and to clam bakes for families in Warwick at Buttonwoods and Oakland Beach and at Fields Point in Providence.

Bigger meals meant bigger revenues, said Wyman. Baked clams could only go so far with chowder. During this era in the mid-1800s, clam cakes began being mentioned on menus. They were served for dessert, Wyman noted.

Political fundraisers of that era also served clam cakes.

It was at the amusement parks that grew to wild popularity, Rocky Point and Crescent Park, where the clam cake took hold as the taste of summer.

Aunt Carrie's in Narragansett was founded 103 years ago and was one of the first roadside clam shacks in Rhode Island. Clam cakes are still on the menu.

Also bringing clam cakes into the 20th century were the roadside restaurants catering to car trips. Wyman notes Aunt Carrie's as one of the first in Rhode Island.

Where are the clams

Jokes about not finding clams in clam cakes are nothing new. But if Wyman learned nothing else in her hunt, she explained the phenomenon.

"Restaurant owners arent lying to us about clams being in there," she said.

"The clams migrate to the outside of the batter and burn off in frying. They add flavor to the outside."

All those black marks on the crispy outside of the clam cake are actually the clams that cooked first when they hit the frying oil.

If you want to know where the clams are in clam cakes, look at the dark marks on the crusty exterior. Those are clams fried hot by the oil.

As we eat a clam cake, we are not necessarily aware there are clams there. "It's not the chewy things that you find at the end inside," she said.

Wyman did talk to a clam shack owner who told her who orders clam cakes: "People who dont like clams or seafood," he said.

Favorite shacks

Wyman doesn't like to play favorites, but when pressed will share some of the best clam cake experiences from her research.

"I like Cap'N Jack's (Wakefield) and George's of Galilee (Narragansett) for their clam cakes' flavor (and Jack's shore dinner hall feel, desserts and my family's history with that place)."

She notes a new spot in Charlestown, N.O. Bar Clam Shack (in the space that was Johnny Angels), "for their clam cake's perfect texture, especially the melt-in-your-mouth insides."

Destination Warren: An abundance of food and drink options you don't want to miss

She likes Macray's Seafood in Tiverton for their wonderful fry and notes Evelyn's Drive-In is also pretty great.

"And of course, Aunt Carrie's, for getting so many things right," she said noting the fry, the flavor, the desserts and the place.

Recipes and more

Wyman shares some 20 recipes for clam cakes and their accompaniments, such as clear Rhode Island chowder and Grape Nuts Pudding in the book.

There are also discussions on clam cakes in popular culture such as on "Family Guy" and about the recent drama at the Rhode Island Building at the Big E, New England's county fair where the state switched the vendor from Kenyon's to Blount Seafood.

Blount Seafood sells its clam cakes at the Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in the Rhode Island Building during the fair in September.

Wyman has also done an extensive guide to all the spots to enjoy clam cakes.

Those traveling the East Coast can also follow her guide for trying clam fritters. If you head to the southern Maine coast, you'll find something Wyman describes as more like a crab cake, but delicious. On the Eastern shore in Virginia, you'll find what she calls a "clam pancake" that is deep fried. You can put them in a sandwich.

On the Connecticut shore, you're just as likely to find your clam cake comes with hot sauces to dress them up.

But in Rhode Island, tradition and nostalgia rule. How else could the clam cake remain a taste of summer for so very long?

Carolyn Wyman, who is the daughter of the late Providence Journal executive editor Jim Wyman, will have several book signings coming up. She'll be at Aunt Carrie's in Narragansett for an outdoor book signing with music on Thursday, Aug. 3, 6-7 p.m. There's a signing at the Kenyons clam cake and chowder booth at the Charlestown Seafood Festival on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 1-4 p.m. She will give a talk about the history of clam cakes at the Barrington Public Library on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free but registration online at barringtonlibrary.org is required.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'The Great Clam Cake and Fritter Guide' details a RI favorite
A federal judge listened to more than two hours of arguments Tuesday about whether he should block a new Florida law that restricts people from China from owning property in the state.

U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor asked numerous questions of attorneys for the state and plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction against the law. He said he would make a decision as soon as he can but that a ruling would not be super imminent.

Four Chinese people and a real-estate brokerage that serves Chinese clients filed a lawsuit and sought an injunction after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law (SB 264) in May. The lawsuit, which has been backed by the U.S. Department of Justice, contends that the restrictions violate constitutional rights and the federal Fair Housing Act and are trumped by federal law.

DeSantis and Republican legislative allies this spring pointed to a need to curb the influence of the Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party in Florida. But Ashley Gorski, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney representing the plaintiffs, told Winsor the state has relied on pernicious stereotypes to conflate people from China with the Chinese government.

There are always all of these stereotypes and really tired tropes that governments have used, perpetuating Asians as foreigners and enemies of the state, Bethany Li, an attorney with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund who also represents the plaintiffs, told reporters before the hearing.

State Solicitor General Henry Whitaker said during the hearing that the law is designed to protect the security of Florida.

The state is concerned with the influence of the Chinese Community Party and their agents in Florida, Whitaker said.

Suit is specific to China but law affects others, too

As an indication of the interest in the case, an unusually large crowd packed a courtroom in the federal courthouse in Tallahassee. Before the hearing, dozens of opponents of the law gathered outside the building.

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The law affects people from what Florida calls foreign countries of concern  China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria, with part of it specifically focused on Chinese people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.

The legal challenge centers on such Chinese people. Under the law, they would be prevented from purchasing property in Florida, with some exceptions. For example, they each would be allowed to purchase one residential property up to two acres if the property is not within five miles of a military base and they have non-tourist visas.

Plaintiffs are in the United States on such things as work and student visas. One is seeking asylum, according to the lawsuit, which was filed May 22 and revised June 5.

The law also would prevent people from the seven foreign countries of concern from buying agricultural land and property near military bases. Those parts of the law would apply to people who are not U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.

Winsor and the attorneys engaged in back-and-forth discussions about a series of issues Tuesday, including whether the law violates constitutional equal-protection rights, the Fair Housing Act and whether it is preempted by federal law.

Part of the preemption issue stems from a federal law that created what is known as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, which has power to review real-estate transactions involving certain people from other countries.

Gorski argued that the Florida law deals with the intersection of national security, foreign affairs and foreign investment  and is preempted by federal law.

But Whitaker said there has been no indication that the Florida law would undermine the federal governments ability to scrutinize property sales.

The Department of Justice last month filed a 22-page statement of interest supporting the lawsuit and preliminary-injunction request, arguing the law violates the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Protection Clause.

Meanwhile, attorneys general from Idaho, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota and Utah filed a friend-of-the-court brief last week opposing the plaintiffs request for a preliminary injunction.
Ford

Production at Fords Kansas City Assembly Plant is back online Wednesday morning after a serious security sweep involving local law enforcement and the FBI. The law enforcement action came as a result of an anonymous and threatening call being made to Fords safety and risk management team on Tuesday.

The call was placed at around 5:20 p.m local time, according to a press release from the Clay County Sheriffs Department. The man on the line told employees that he was barricaded in the second-floor restroom in the paint area of the facility and that he was armed with explosives, a handgun, and a rifle.

Ford

The man who called said he was an employee and was disgruntled, the department statement reads. He gave a name that is not an actual employee of the paint area. He did name his supervisor, and that was the correct name. We have not been able to make contact with him since that time. We pinged his phone and believe the phone number that he used may be spoofed.

The automaker immediately ordered an evacuation on the site and halted production at the facility, which builds both the F-150 and the Transit. Law enforcement further noted that the road in front of the facility was shut down and the public was asked to avoid the area. The night shift was naturally canceled as well as the sweep got underway.

The Sherriff Office's Special Tactics and Response Team entered the facility to search for the allegedly barricaded individual, but were unable to locate the perpetrator. The department noted that it is possible that this was a swatting situation. The dangerous trend involves calling law enforcement agencies with a fake threat in the hopes that they dispatch armed units as a response.

Ford

"We are thankful there were no injuries," Ford Spokesperson Jessica Enoch told the Detroit Free Press. "We are grateful to employees for their cooperation with law enforcement, to UAW leadership for working together with Ford to manage the situation, and to law enforcement officers for their service. Production is resuming this morning."

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Kudos to Ford and the local Claycomo, Missouri law enforcement for their quick and measured response to the situation.

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Horrific new details have emerged in the case of an Ohio dad accused of executing his three sons. A bill of particulars filed in Clermont County laid out the alleged grisly details about the killings, the months leading up to the brutal attack, and the mother and sister believed to have tried to save the boys.

Warning: This story contains disturbing information.

Chad Christopher Doerman, 32, was indicted on charges of aggravated murder, kidnapping and felonious assault in the deaths of his three sons  7-year-old Clayton, 4-year-old Hunter, and 3-year-old Chase  and is being held without bail.

RELATED: Ohio Father Accused of Killing His Three Young Sons Allegedly Planned the Murders "for Months"

On June 15, police arrived at Doermans house in Monroe Township in response to a 911 call made by his wife. Body cam footage showed Doerman sitting calmly on his stoop with a rifle next to him. I aint gonna hurt you. I aint gonna hurt nobody, he said as he was apprehended. After being booked into Clermont County Jail, he later allegedly confessed to killing his sons with a Marlin Model HC .22 rifle that he kept in a gun safe next to his bed.

Chad Doerman's three sons in car seats

Chad Doerman's three sons Photo: Facebook

According to the bill of particulars obtained by ABC-affiliated TV station WCPO, Doerman came home from work early that day and asked his wife and boys to join him in the master bedroom for a nap. Meanwhile, his daughter watched television in the family room of the home, the document states. After lying down with his wife and sons for a bit, Doerman retrieved the rifle from the bedside safe, inserted a loaded magazine, and shot one of his sons twice, according to the document.

The mother immediately tried to help the boy and yelled for her other sons to run. By this point, the sister had made her way to the master bedroom in time to witness the first shots fired, according to the document. She followed one of her brothers as he fled, screaming for him to keep running, but Doerman allegedly hunted him down and continued firing until the child was hit and fell. Doerman eventually caught up to the boy and fired again at close range, the document states.

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The girl then returned to the house, where she picked up another brother in her arms and attempted to flee with him. Doerman allegedly intercepted them as they neared the road and, brandishing the rifle, demanded she put her brother down. The dad then fired, but the rifle didnt go off, with the gun seeming to be out of ammunition, according to the document.

RELATED: Washington Man Found Guilty of Murdering Woman Who Had Info on Him in a Burglary and Arson Case

The small boy ran to his mother, who was out in the yard attempting to provide some aid to the boy shot outside. The quick-thinking young girl then took off toward the nearby Monroe Township Fire Department, and alerted a passerby that her father was killing everyone," according to the court document.

Back at the house, the mother had picked up the third boy in her arms, and Doerman allegedly bit the woman as he tried to pull the boy away from her. In the scuffle, the woman grabbed the rifle and Doerman fired it shooting her through the thumb, the document states. She dropped the boy, and Doerman allegedly shot him once in the head.

A total of nine shots were allegedly fired that day by Doerman: one boy was shot once, and the other two children were shot four times each. The daughter was the only child who came out of the situation alive.

According to a neighbor, Doerman frequently lashed out at his family. He was angry every day, Richard Kincannon told WCPO. There wasnt a day he didnt yell at his wife and kids out there, the neighbor said, adding that he treated his wife "like sh-t."

RELATED: Texas Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Strangling Pregnant Sister to Death for Being "Embarrassment" to Family

Doerman allegedly admitted to authorities he had been thinking about murdering his sons since October, the court documents stated. He hadn't slept for three or four days leading up to the killings because the thoughts of having to kill his sons was so heavy on him," according to the paperwork.

Doerman was indicted on nine counts of aggravated murder, eight counts of kidnapping, and four counts of felonious assault. Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve called the killings an unspeakable tragedy, according to Law & Crime, and said that prosecutors would seek to the death penalty.

My goal is to have this man executed for slaughtering these three little boys, Tekulve said. It is an incomprehensible act of horror that he perpetrated on this family.

If youre experiencing domestic violence or know someone who is, call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

The set-up is all-too familiar: a crazed fan takes their idol hostage. Indeed, Im Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire (The Cell, to July 29), directed with a delightfully off-kilter mischief by Tyler Strubble, even references Misery, that famously dripping-in-sadism movie in which Kathy Bates infamously took a sledgehammer to James Caans ankles after rescuing him from a snowy car accident.

But Samantha Hurleys witty and unexpectedly moving play imagines more beyond a simple lunatic psycho torture talealthough it definitely has fun flirting with that too, and tweaking our nerves accordingly. It is set in South Dakota in 2004, where Shelby (Tessa Alberston), who is 14, has somehow managed to kidnap Maguire (Scott Thomas), and covertly transport him from Los Angeles to her home basement, where she has chained him to a pipe.

Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio Are Reliving Their Pussy Posse Glory Days

Dressed up in bridal drag, her longterm intentions comingle with her devotion and delusion: he isnt going anywhere. Janae Robinson plays both Shelbys unseen mother, upstairs but just as may as well be in another country. Robinson is also a kind of Maguire inner voice or phantom, tormenting him as he starts inhaling large quantities of aerosols to offset the tedium and horror of his enforced captivity. Robinson is also a scene-swiping real estate agent, Brenda Dee Cankles, who alights on Shelbys secret jailand we all know what awaits an interloper when they intrude upon a psychopaths despicable plans.

The surprising thing is, collectively, all the unexpected twists and subtleties accorded to both Shelby and Tobeyand the strange narrative spaces both occupy. Hurley writes in the program, This is for the girlies who were writing One Direction fan fiction and also for One Direction, hiding in the back of restaurants, spiriting to the car to avoid the aforementioned girlies. This is for anyone who has ever kissed a glossy Tiger Beat or M magazine poster in their room, and this is also for Zac Efron who probably has to put up with a lot of people telling him that they used to kiss posters of him in their room.

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Rodrigo Hernandezs design and costumes are so acute and perfect they are almost another character. We are absolutely in 2004, its low-slung jeans, crop-tops, and Maguire jousting for roles with Hollywoods hunkiest finest after his casting as Spider-Man. We are also led downstairs past posters of Maguire from papers and magazines, a blending of real-life and fictional surroundings. A picture from Tiger Beat dominates the space, which features Shelbys bedroom and the torture chamber she has created for Maguire.

Scott Thomas in 'I'm Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire.' Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

First, he cannot believe where he is, and thinks it must be a producers jape, or even a nightmare he can slap himself awake from. Albertson and Thomas sketch the eddying currents of captor and captive perfectly. Both are struggling with parts of their real livesShelby seeks the sanction of social popularity with her peers at school, and what being a fan does and doesnt mean; Maguire nervily considers the terrain of his own popularity and fame. They seethe at each other, toy with each other, lose their minds with each other, and then foggily navigate very different routes out of the situation.

The space is so intimate we see the duo very up close, including as Shelby delivers electric shocks to Maguires chained-up body. Albertsons face is a storm of teenage angst and swings of emotion (and Shelby is also truly crazy, with Albertson just as alarming in the moment as Kathy Bates could be). Thomas shows Maguires desperation, but also vanity. Each undermines the other, and then in a very sweet moment dance together in a kind of moment of comforttwo humans capsized and lostrather than desire.

The play ends as chaotically as its set-up would imply, but in its 90-minute sweep, Im Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire does and doesnt do the things you would expect it to. It toys with all kinds of familiar stereotypes and tropes, then upends them with intelligence and heart through its adept writing and performances. It also features some real shock and gasp moments. Just to ensure there is no misunderstanding, Hurley writes in the program: This is not a play for Tobey Maguire (sorry baby). **If youre Tobey Maguires lawyer reading this play, plz call me. I can explain!!!!

Orpheus Descending

Another couple in a complicated dance of personalities and desires take center stage in Theater for a New Audience/Polonsky Shakespeare Centers production of Tennessee Williams Orpheus Descending (to Aug 6). Maggie Siff as Lady Torrance and Pico Alexander as Valentine/Val Xavier play, variously, a no-nonsense shopkeeper and strange musician-loner who share both an understanding and need to escape the confines of not just the stultifying, deeply racist Southern town they are in, but themselves.

It is telling the play in its three acts, takes place in a kind of dusky gloam (David Weiners lighting is a design element in its own right); even when the second act is supposed to be in the afternoon, you never feel the warmth or exposure of daylight. Darkness hides, and there is much to hide here.

Maggie Siff, left, and Pico Alexander in 'Orpheus Descending.' Gerry Goodstein

We know what Lady must escape because the knocks of her sick, aging, cruel-seeming husband Jabe (Michael Cullen) echo horribly loudly and forbiddingly from their upstairs bedroom. Whenever she is about to express herself, the knocks thud like gut punches of lightning from abovecommands for her help and symbols of her forced confinement.

There are a satellite cast of other characters in the play, but they are really chattering clutter. Siff gives a mesmerizing performance. She is airily commandingItalian, so a foreigner in both reality and also spirit in this townat first dismissing Xaviers obvious flirting. She scythes any passing idiocy, yet takes gruff care of those that need it, particularly the damaged, roughed-up belle Carol Cutere (Julia McDermott).

Just as Siff is nobodys fool, Val isnt just the brooding, mysterious lunk he could be (and could be played as), but as determinedly elusive as she is. Over and over again, he shrinks from what people expect of him and from him. Is he a trickster, a stud? He wears a snakeskin cover as armor, then sheds it. Can she free herself from the dry goods store she runs with the same dutiful detachment she also occupies her marriage, both of which she really cant bear?

Around Lady and Val as they mull possibilities, lust, and escape, the town chunners on with its maddening bigotries and trivialities (Ana Reeders Vee stands out with her aspirations to make artand a brutish husband ready to squash any joy). But the play is really about Lady and Vals parrying, flirting, and ultimately tragic duet as they attempt a flit from a place of narrow ugliness neither belong in. Doom may await, but the tantalizing grist of Orpheus Descending is in the pair improbably finding each other, and inevitably losing it all.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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People rally to protest against Japan's planned discharge of radioactive wastewater in Seoul, South Korea, June 12, 2023. Local advocates worry about unforeseen consequences of releasing even highly filtered water into the ocean.

Its been 12 years since Japans catastrophic Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster, and the country is running out of space to contain the fallout. Over 1 million metric tons of radioactive water is currently housed in massive on-site metal tanksenough to fill around 500 Olympic sized swimming poolsbut authorities need to make room for the naturally occurring groundwaters and rains that will continue to become contaminated.

According to officials, however, treatment processes will render the stored waters safe to be slowly released into the Pacific Ocean over at least the next three decades. Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) is already filtering the water to remove most of its radioactive isotopes. To do this, contaminated water is passed through multiple standalone chambers, each containing various adsorbents to remove specific radioactive isotopes. A hydrogen isotope called tritium, however, cannot be sequestered from water due to a number of factors, including its high boiling temperature. To address this problem, Tepco is diluting the tritium-heavy waters down to levels widely regarded as safe by many governments and international regulatory bodies.

[Related: Fukushima fallout was almost twice as bad as official estimates, new study says.]

The water disbursal plan comes following a 2021 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assessment of Tepcos decontamination strategies, which the regulatory body determined to be consistent with relevant international safety standards. As The Washington Post notes, the wastewater in question will be diluted to just 1,500 becquerels of tritium per liter of clean water, which is far below global standards. Japans legal limit is 60,000 becquerels per liter, for example, while the World Health Organization sets their recommended maximum at 10,000.

Supporters of the plan argue that humans are exposed to low levels of tritium everyday via tap water, air, and rain. Meanwhile, other nuclear plants around the world currently release tritiated water into oceans and rivers at even higher levels than what will come from Fukushima. Critics and protesters, however, have voiced concerns for years about the impending water release plans, arguing that more research is needed to assess potential effects of long-term exposure to low doses of tritium.

Local fisheries are also concerned about potential public blowback and reputational damage that may stem from being associated with the nearby treated water release initiative. Residents in nearby China and South Korea also fear potential unforeseen consequences to the decades long remediation procedures. Protestors recently took to the streets of Seoul, South Korea to voice their concerns.

Despite lingering concerns, it is undeniable that the current stores of irradiated water have to go somewhere. While there is no perfect solution, the slow-but-sure filtering processes appear to be the best bet at handling what will be a decades long cleanup project.
JASON ALDEAN - Credit: ABC/Connie Chornuk/Getty Images

Its a time-honored tradition in popular music to embrace a persona or even fudge the truth a bit in service of an artistic statement. But maybe if your statement is an extremely jingoistic one rooted in myopic, rose-colored views of an American pastoral  like Jason Aldeans Try That In a Small Town  you might want to favor printing the fact over the legend (so to speak) and not use a bunch of footage from Canada in your music video.

The Try That In a Small Town video, directed by Shaun Silva, has already garnered plenty of criticism for the way it uses stock footage of protests, depicting them as violent, lawless, and devoid of any legitimate reason or cause. Additionally, the video shows Aldean and his band performing Try That In a Small Town in front of a courthouse reportedly located in Columbia, Tennessee, which was the site of a 1933 lynching.

More from Rolling Stone

(Despite the chorus being a vague warning to troublemakers, cop-haters, and flag-stompers, Aldean has rejected the interpretation of the song as pro-vigilante or pro-lynching. Instead, the musician said in a statement that he believes the song refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief.)

Digging into the stock footage featured in the video, Rolling Stone uncovered clips of protests and police brutality in places like Georgia and New York. But there was also a surprising amount of protest footage from our neighbors to the north. Most prominent is a clip at 2:01 featuring a burning cop car, which appears to have been taken from footage of the 2010 G20 protests in Toronto.

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A few moments before, at 1:55, theres footage of a bunch of cops in riot gear charging at a group of protesters. That clip comes from Montreal, likely from the wave of student protests that erupted there over planned tuition hikes in 2012. At the 1:01 theres another clip from Montreal, and you can even probably figure out where Silva found the footage: The stock media library Pond5, where its available for $70.

Neither Silva, nor Aldean immediately returned Rolling Stones request for comment.

Another inconsistency inherent to Try That In a Small Town has also gained some traction online in recent days: The fact that Aldean himself is very much not from a small town. The musician was born and largely raised in Macon, one of Georgias largest cities, which currently has a sizable population of about 150,000.

One of the songs co-writers, Kelley Lovelace, definitely has a bit more of a claim to the small-town background, hailing from Paducah, Kentucky  but Lovelace is also the source of maybe the wildest bit of contradiction in the whole Try That In a Small Town saga. As the great critic Ann Powers recently pointed out on Twitter, Lovelace is a longtime collaborator of Brad Paisley and co-wrote 2009s American Saturday Night, a song that warmly celebrates the American melting pot and our myriad differences. Or, as Powers succinctly put it, a song that represents the apex of Obama-era liberalism in country.

Best of Rolling Stone

Click here to read the full article.
A 'Jeopardy!' category on the rising cost of higher education to touched a nerve with viewers. (Jeopardy)

On Tuesdays Jeopardy!, one category shined a light on the rising cost of college tuition while educating some shocked viewers in the process.

The first-round category was called College Tuition: Then & Now, and while one of the answers on the board was about an impressive lack of tuition hikes at Purdue University, the other four answers showcased just how high tuition has climbed through the years.

One was about Houstons private Rice University, which had free tuition from 1912 to 1965, but has now reached $57,000 per year. Another revealed that tuition at Duke University in North Carolina was just over $7,000 in 1985 and has climbed to more than $63,000 for 2024.

We also learned that the University of Notre Dame in Indiana cost just $3,000 to attend in 1977 and now goes for $62,000 for tuition and fees. And the University of California Berkeley used to be free for state residents back in 1968, but now cost them $14,000 in 2023.

The category definitely reflected a major trend, seeing as how the average price of tuition, fees and room and board for an undergraduate degree has increased 169% from 1980 to 2020, according to a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. And taking that one step further is The College Board, which reported that more than half of a bachelors degree recipients from four-year colleges graduated in 2020 with debt, and that debt averaged $28,400.

And while the rising costs of college tuition has become a bigger focus in political circles (a recent Supreme Court decision derailed the Biden administration's student loan relief plan) and among young people the past few years, the category on Jeopardy! seemed to strike a nerve with some viewers, who experienced a bit of sticker shock at hearing the answers.

This Jeopardy category about how much tuition at various colleges cost back in the day is depressing as hell  Poptimist Prime (@Dill_Wodd) July 18, 2023

Ive always known that tuition can be high, but this #jeopardy category really shows how astronomically high tuition has gotten. 30-60k for a SEMESTER is wild  versed (@spideyidie) July 18, 2023

Tuition then and now just makes me angry  #jeopardy  Kara Beth (@AWhippleInTime) July 18, 2023

Hearing College tuition rising really makes me hurt my head #jeopardy pic.twitter.com/kjHTAKVTfj  Cartoon Hero (@toonmanyeah) July 18, 2023

Meanwhile, other viewers were just really hoping that older generations were taking notice of the issue.

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@Jeopardy def advocating for student loan reform w this tuition category hope the boomers are paying attention.  alexa (@lexklein) July 19, 2023

Huge shoutout to @Jeopardy for the category on college tuition then and now to show how drastically its changed for all the boomers who dont believe us  Erin O'Leary (@erinkoleary) July 19, 2023

Jeopardy! airs weekdays, check your local listings.
A new look and character details for John Wick prequel series The Continental have been released.

The new Peacock series focuses on the titular assassin hotel and follows the younger versions of Ian McShane and the late Lance Reddick's characters Winston Scott and Charon, played here by Colin Woodell and Ayomide Adegun.

We've now been given some more details on them and the other central roles, including Mishel Prada and Jeremy Bobb's KD and Mayhew.

Prime Video

Related: John Wick spin-off The Continental gets first look

The former is a police detective with "no patience for the corruption that riddles the force", who is fuelled by a personal agenda and comes face to face with a ghost from her past, while the latter is her superior, who warns her to stay away from The Continental.

Ben Robson plays Frankie, Winston's (Colin Woodell) older brother, a "natural born killer" whose stealing of a priceless object sets in motion a plot that reunites him with his brother, and Nhung Kate is Yen, Frankie's wife who is the "deadliest fighter of the entire group".

Jessica Allain takes on the role of expert martial artist Lou who runs a dojo left to her and her brother Miles (Hubert Point-Du Jour), a Vietnam vet who got into gun running.

Prime Video

Related: John Wick 4 ending changed because of early audience's reactions

Mel Gibson plays New York City kingpin and Continental manager Cormac, who is "ruthless, brutal, yet capable of charm" and drags Winston back into the criminal underworld when Frankie steals something of value.

Charon is Cormac's assistant at the start, though over the course of the series his "loyalties will be tested and hell need to pick between his protector and a potential found family", while Winston is working as a successful businessman in London when Cormac sets him on a quest to find his brother.

Speaking about his version of Winston before the start of the SAG-AFTRA strike, Woodell said: It's about 30 to 40 years prior to when the films take place.

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Prime Video

Related: John Wick 5 is still not guaranteed despite Lionsgate announcement

"We have all the producers from the films, so we have them overseeing and there is a really strict continuity to honour those and the style that they have in them. But what's also wonderful is, this is the 70s, so it is going to be stylistically different.

Adegun added of his role: Charon grew up in Nigeria with his father, and he's not from a wealthy background at all. He comes from a rich Nigerian culture, which is based on respect and loyalty. I think him choosing The High Table is to better his life.

James Dimmock/Prime Video

Related: John Wick 4 director's cut will add a brand-new character

"It's just the search for stability and a better quality of lifeI feel like that's always in the back of his mind. Lance Reddicks performance definitely inspired me. I think he was a great guy and actor. I've tried to see it from two perspectives.

"I could either see it as loads of pressure on me and crumble under that, or trust that my interpretation of the character will align with Lance Reddick's portrayal of Charon.

The Continental is scheduled to stream on Peacock in the US and Prime Video internationally in September. John Wick: Chapter Four is in cinemas now. The previous John Wick movies are available to buy or rent on Prime Video, plus DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD.

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HANOI, Vietnam, July 19, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global IT services provider FPT Software recently inked a partnership agreement with Nippon Seiki  the world's leading supplier of information display products for automobiles and motorcycles.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718131963/en/

FPT Software and Nippon Seiki signed an MOU on July 12 in Hanoi, Vietnam (Photo: Business Wire)

The partnership was launched at a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony in Hanoi, which announced FPT Software as Nippon Seiki's software development partner. In the initial phase of the collaboration, FPT Software will develop platforms and applications for Nippon Seikis motorcycle meters, leveraging its extensive expertise in software development and the automotive domain.

Nippon Seiki, a global tier-1 supplier of meters and head-up displays (HUD), with a market share of nearly 50% for these products worldwide, has been facing increasing market demands and a shortage of automotive software engineers globally. To meet Nippon Seiki's needs, FPT Software will convene a team of hundreds of highly skilled software engineers by 2025 and plans to double this workforce by 2027.

Joining forces with FPT Software will also enable Nippon Seiki to rely on a trusted, experienced partner for software while focusing on its core hardware development. This alliance expects to embrace the latest innovations in human-machine interfaces, bringing high-tech and high-quality products to vehicle manufacturers and consumers worldwide.

Before this collaboration, FPT Software had already worked on multiple unit testing projects with Nippon Seiki's subsidiaries, showcasing its exceptional delivery outcomes and expertise. The company has been known for providing comprehensive services and solutions to top-tier car original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and automakers to reduce time-to-market, achieve world-class certifications, and ensure safety and security for their next-generation vehicles.

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"As this year marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties and the 35th anniversary of FPT, we have developed many partnerships with Japanese firms. This partnership with Nippon Seiki holds great significance for us, opening up the next chapter for both companies in the future. We are committed to dedicating our best resources to this project to achieve good results for Nippon Seiki," said FPT Software Chairwoman Chu Thi Thanh Ha.

"Nippon Seiki always pursues safety, security, and technological innovation for our products. By integrating FPT Softwares capabilities, we look forward to achieving more rapid and significant improvements to benefit our customers worldwide," said Nagano Keiichi, Nippon Seikis Chief of Automotive Design Headquarters.

According to FPT Japan CEO Do Van Khac, the partnership with Nippon Seiki also adds to the companys established Japanese client base. FPT Software has operated in Japan for 18 years with 16 offices and nearly 15,000 employees dedicated to this market, working in Japan and other global locations. The company recently opened an innovation hub in Tochigi prefecture and a mobility hub in Shizuoka prefecture, adding hundreds of IT and automotive software engineers to the market every year.

About FPT Software

FPT Software, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, is a global technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam, with $803 million in revenue (2022) and over 27,000 employees in 28 countries.

The company champions complex business opportunities and challenges with its world-class services in Advanced Analytics, AI, Digital Platforms, Cloud, Hyperautomation, IoT, Low-code, and so on. It has partnered with over 1,000+ clients worldwide, 89 of which are Fortune Global 500 companies in Aviation, Automotive, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Healthcare, Logistics, Manufacturing, Utilities, and more. For more information, please visit https://fptsoftware.com/

About Nippon Seiki

Nippon Seiki is a global Tier1 (Supplier) company that manufactures and sales of instrument clusters, HUD for automobiles, motorcycles, construction machineries and marine instruments. Nippon Seiki has headquartered in Niigata Japan, with about $3 billion in revenue (2022) and over 13,600 employees in 13 countries.

The company has a top share in the world of instrument cluster and HUD for automobiles and motorcycles. It has partner with a lot of OEM clients worldwide, almost all of them are Fortune Global 500 companies in Automotive domain. For more information, please visit https://www.nippon-seiki.co.jp/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230718131963/en/

Contacts

Mai Duong (Ms.)

FPT Software

PR Manager

MCP.PR@fpt.com

https://www.fptsoftware.com/newsroom/
Dogstar announced this week that they will embark on a tour to promote their first album in 23 years. (Amy Harris / Invision / Associated Press)

People keep asking whether Keanu Reeves' band Dogstar is back and they really havent had an answer. But now, yeah, we're thinking they're back.

One day after playing at the L.A. venue the Roxy, the band announced Wednesday on Instagram that it will embark on an international tour this year and release its first album in over two decades.

"WE ARE BACK!!!" the group wrote. "We are so excited to announce our new album 'Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees' out on October 6th on our label Dillon Street Records. ... Next month, we kick off our 25+ date headline tour in North America & Japan."

Read more: Woaah, that's no air guitar. Keanu Reeves grabs his bass for a rare Dogstar reunion

The tour begins soon, with its opening night in Hermosa Beach on Aug. 10, before heading to Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and several cities in Colorado. Dogstar returns locally with late August gigs in Ventura, Solana Beach and Santa Ana. They will also play a Nov. 30 show in L.A.

Along with the announcement Wednesday, the group also released its single "Everything Turns Around."

"It feels like a fun summer song to us, the band said in a press statement. "It has an uplifting message and a positive vibe that hopefully makes your day a little bit lighter. Its one of our favorite songs to play live and cant wait to share it on our upcoming tour."

Read more: Review: Something Wick-ed this way comes (again)

The trio  completed by vocalist/lead guitarist Bret Domrose and drummer/fellow actor Robert Mailhouse  formed in the early 1990s with Reeves as its bass player. Largely riding Reeves movie stardom, the band put out two albums, toured and performed on Live With Regis and Kathie Lee and Jay Lenos The Tonight Show, before giving what was called a last performance in 2002 in Japan.

The alternative rock act played a 12-song set at the 2023 BottleRock Napa Valley festival in May. It was the groups first performance in more than 20 years.

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Times staff writer Jonah Valdez contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
[Editors Note: The following review contains spoilers for Justified: City Primeval Episode 1, City Primeval, and Episode 2, The Oklahoma Wildman. For non-spoiler coverage, read our initial review.]

Justified: City Primeval wastes little time throwing Raylan (Timothy Olyphant) back into the thick of things, which is about the same amount of time it spends pretending all that much has changed. Sure, hes based in Florida, which is where he was first based when Justified (Original Recipe) started; his soulmate, Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), is locked away in Kentucky, nowhere to be found; and Willa, his daughter (played by Olyphants real-life daughter, Vivian Olyphant), is now a teenager. But even as it brings us up to speed on Raylans life, the opening scene predominantly speaks to the lingering demons our favorite U.S. Marshal has yet to quell.

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Willa is on the way to what her dad calls camp, but what she refers to as conversion therapy. Either way, the young lady is going to be stuck there for an indeterminate amount of time, without a phone, so its no wonder shes doing her best to act like one of Raylans fugitives and escape. But the jokey parallels between his fatherly and federal duties arent the point. Willa is being shipped off to the boonies of Florida because she punched another girl in the face. You broke her nose, Raylan says, which she shrugs off with, She deserved it. Thats not the point, Raylan quips  and therein lies the catch. Not so secretly, Raylan is a little bit proud of his daughter, as many parents are when they spot common characteristics between themselves and their kids. But whats treated as a joke at the start of Episode 1 is anything but by the end of Episode 2, when Raylans penchant for violence leads him to break more than just a nose  while Willa watches.

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Justified: City Primeval goes to great lengths to make sure the elder and younger Givens are together in Detroit. Many parents wouldve found a way to get her home, even after she misses her air boat to camp/prison, but Raylan brings her along for the ride. Having a walking, talking, texting reminder of whats personally at stake for the lawman isnt just a means to up the series dramatic ante; its a way to remind viewers why Raylan needs to change  why he cant just keep playing cowboy and hope to live a long, happy life. He didnt seek out this gig. (Those carjackers oh so conveniently came after him.) But if its this easy for Raylan to become enmeshed in dangerous case after dangerous case, then maybe he needs a more substantial change than any vacation can offer?

These are questions for later. The first two episodes of City Primeval deftly balance our reunion with Raylan and our introduction to new, key characters, Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook) being first among them. Not just anyone can sustain a menacing vibe after blasting their own cover of The White Stripes song, Seven Nation Army, (at the start of the tape, you can hear the producer say, Clement Mansell, take two), but The Oklahoma Wildman lives up to his nickname. In the premiere alone, he a) steals a car from a gas station, b) shacks up in a penthouse thats not his, and c) kills a judge on a whim, along with his confidential informant to boot. Its a rap sheet that should cover a few years, not a few hours, and yet one gets the sense that Mansell has been behaving this way forever. (The flashback to start Episode 2 confirms if not forever, then at least six years.)

Timothy Olyphant, Victor Williams, and Adelaide Clemens in Justified: City Primeval Courtesy of George Burns, Jr. / FX

Just as troubling as what he does is how he does it: With every choice, Mansell exhibits a measured detachment. While it lends the man himself a certain swagger, its clear the sociopathy at play is beyond his control. Never mind what the Detroit P.D. first suspects: The death of Judge Alvin Guy (Keith David) isnt related to the earlier assassination attempt. Ol Alvin just flips the bird to the wrong guy, at the wrong time, and Mansell makes sure it never happens again.

Despite (or because of) Raylans own control issues becoming more evident at the end of Episode 2, Mansells provocative demeanor paired with his unpredictable motivations could spell trouble. For one, the Oklahoma Wildman has one helluva lawyer. Carolyn Wilder (Aunjanue Ellis) has Raylans hat spinning on the witness stand (proving once again why he hates going to court), and she preemptively approaches him about keeping his distance from Mansell a request that he, in turn, promptly violates. Despite originating in a book without Raylan Givens, Mansell seems engineered to push the Marshals flannel buttons. Hes greedy, heartless, vindictive, angry, and violent. Hes got a God complex (standing buck naked, quoting Rudyard Kipling, in an apartment he doesnt even own  plus Sweetys whole Apophis, serpent god of chaos parable), and hes unafraid of what typically makes criminals nervous (things like police, going to jail, or having the shit kicked out of him).

Raylans brutal attack on the Wildman is bad news for all involved  since it may make it difficult for anyone to bring a case against Mansell  but how quickly he snapped is good news for Justified: City Primeval. Like the original series, theres no time wasted in the new iteration. The first two episodes dole out critical (and plentiful) exposition without sacrificing forward momentum. Theres so much action in these initial hours that the car bomb plot  including the intense and comical arrest of the bomber  is barely an afterthought by the time the final credits roll.

Most importantly, the consequences for Raylan are evident and growing. He needs to worry about his daughter, his life, and, yes, his soul. Can he save the first two without sacrificing the third? Or will Mansell force him to work further outside the law than hes been able to before? In Justified, Raylan was always pushed to the edge, but at least he had reliable help at the ready  I cant say how much faith I have in the Detroit P.D., but its certainly less than Tim (Jacob Gutterson) and Art (Nick Searcy). Suddenly, facing off against Boyd Crowder feels like the safer option.

Grade: B+

Justified: City Primeval releases new episodes Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX, which are available the next day on Hulu. For more on the sequel series, check out IndieWires full-season review.

(El)More Leanings:

Its worth noting that Sandy (Adelaide Clemens) has produced not one, but two marks for Clement: One is Skender (Alexander Pobutsky), who we see her flirting with on her day off. Hes an Albanian fellow with a Penthouse crashpad who made his money from hot dogs? OK! But the aforementioned luxury apartment is not where we see Sandy and Clement crashing. That extravagant apartment belongs to Dale Weems, who weve yet to see in the flesh, but who Sandy met in the high-rollers room.

Its also worth noting Adelaide Clemens is an immediate Justified MVP, thanks to her dialed-in comedic work upon first meeting Raylan. Between her half-assed attempt to feign sickness and holding up her hands to tell left from right, Sandy is a gift Clement certainly does not deserve, but shes one well cherish as long as we can.

I wonder if episode co-writers (and showrunners) Dave Andron and Michael Dinner made a point to have Sandy describe Raylan as having dewey skin instead of first noting his hat, as most people tend to do. The subtle subversion gave me a sizable chuckle.

The way Clement says coro-brate: That is all.

Leave it to Keith David to make the most out of the judges explanation for what happened with his unique affair. I gave her son the maximum, and she still wanted a piece. Incredible.

City Primeval gets off on the right foot with a classic Raylan-ism: Theres no such thing as on time. Youre either early, or youre late. Welcome back, Givens.

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Nearly eight years after the conclusion of the original series, Justified has returned to FX. Tuesday marks the premiere of Justified: City Primeval, a continuation of the series that ran for six seasons.

From showrunners Dave Andron and Michael Dinner, Justified: City Primeval continues the story of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant). After leaving Kentucky for Miami, Raylan continued to work as a U.S. Marshall and raise his daughter. But when an elusive criminal known as The Oklahoma Wildman (Boyd Holbrook) emerges in Detroit, Raylan will have to uproot his life in his pursuit of law and order.

The eight-episode continuation is based on the novel City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit by author Elmore Leonard. Consider this everything you need to know about how to watch new episodes:

When does Justified: City Primeval premiere?

It depends on how youre watching. If youre tuning into FX, the first two episodes of this continuation premiere Tuesday.

Also Read:

Justified: City Primeval Star Vivian Olyphant Im Not Paying Much Attention to Nepo Baby Discussion

But if youre watching via Hulu, youll have to wait a day. The first two episodes of Justified: City Primeval will become available to stream starting Wednesday.

What time does Justified: City Primeval premiere on FX?

Linearly, you can start watching this new neo-Western drama starting at 10/9c p.m. Justified will continue on Tuesday and will premiere its first two episodes back-to-back.

What time does Justified: City Primeval premiere on Hulu?

New episodes of the drama will be available to stream on Hulu starting on Wednesday. Its difficult to say exactly when new episodes will be on the streaming platform, but typically, episodes of linear FX series are available on Hulu starting at 5:01 a.m. ET.

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Are new episodes released weekly or all at once?

After the first two episodes on Tuesday, Justified: City Primeval will switch to a weekly release schedule. New episodes will be available to watch on FX Tuesdays at 10/9c p.m. before coming to Hulu on Wednesdays.

Also Read:

Timothy Olyphant Pickets on Day 1 of the SAG-AFTRA Strike: Im on the Right Side of Things (Video)

Here is the full Justified: City Primeval release schedule:

Please note that all of these dates are for the series FX premieres. The Hulu premieres will happen a day later.

Episode 1: Tuesday, July 18 (City Primeval)

Episode 2: Tuesday, July 18 (The Oklahoma Wildman)

Episode 3: Tuesday, July 25 (Backstabbers)

Episode 4: Tuesday, August 1 (Kokomo)

Episode 5: Tuesday, August 8 (You Good?)

Episode 6: Tuesday, August 15 (Adios)

Episode 7: Tuesday, August 22 (The Smoking Gun)

Episode 8: Tuesday, August 29 (The Question)

Who is in Justified: City Primeval cast?

Timothy Olyphant has returned to reprise his role as Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens. Additionally, this continuation stars Aunjanue Ellis as Carolyn Wilder; Boyd Holbrook as The Oklahoma Wildman, aka Clement Mansel; Adelaide Clemens as Sandy; Vondie Curtis Hall as Sweety; Marin Ireland as Maureen; Norbert Leo Butz as Norbert; Victor Williams as Wendell; Ravi Patel as Rick Newley and Vivian Olyphant as Raylans daughter Willa Givens.

Will there be a Justified: City Primeval Season 2?

Its too early to know the dramas future. FX has yet to announce whether there will be more episodes.

Also Read:

Walton Goggins Isnt in Justified: City Primeval Because This Isnt the Right Place and Time
Tupac Shakur | Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Police in the US state of Nevada are still investigating the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, with CBS reporting that Las Vegas police searched a home on Monday in connection with the case. The 25-year-old Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas Strip in September, and died in hospital six days later from his injuries.

LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation, a spokesperson for Las Vegas police said in a statement, as per CBS. We will have no further comment at this time.

2Pac: Changes ft. Talent

The investigation into Tupacs murder has been going on for nearly thirty years, with no arrests having been made. Its a case thats gone unsolved and hopefully one day we can change that, Las Vegas Police Lt Jason Johansson told the Las Vegas Review Journal.

There have been countless conspiracy theories over the years about the rappers death  including that he faked it  but none, obviously, have ever borne out.

Shakur broke out in 1992 with his debut album 2Pacalypse Now and would release three more albums during his lifetime, the last being the classic All Eyez On Me, which arrived in February 1996; all up he would sell more than 75 million albums worldwide. Plenty more records were released after his death, and some of his biggest singles (Changes) were also released posthumously.

Just last month, the rapper was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the arts and to racial equality.

Tupac knew deep down that he was always meant for something great, Shakurs sister Sekyiwa told the crowd at the unveiling. And as his little sister, I had the privilege to watch that greatness unfold.

Further Reading

Tupacs Hail Mary Accidentally Published For Catholic Christmas Service

Kendrick Lamar Pens Emotional Tribute To Tupac Shakur On Anniversary Of His Death

Perth Producer Unveils Amazing New Flume & Tupac Mashup Album

The post Las Vegas Police Still Investigating 2Pacs Murder, Execute Search Warrant appeared first on Music Feeds.
Lav Diaz is concerned about the situation in his native Philippines. But it doesnt mean he will stop making films.

If you do any kind of cultural work, you can be branded as a communist and its a reason for them to kill you, he says.

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There arent many venues to show my films, so we basically give them away for free. Listen, I am aware of the danger. But you have to accept the reality, confront these issues and continue to make things. And be careful, because we know what happened to Salman Rushdie.

Diaz, speaking to Variety at Armenias Golden Apricot festival, where he headed the jury, also opened up about his upcoming Locarno world premiere Essential Truths of the Lake.

The film, which contends in main competition for the Golden Leopard, sees him returning to investigator Hermes Papauran from When the Waves Are Gone, played by John Lloyd Cruz  starring alongside Hazel Orencio, Shaina Magdayao, Bart Guingona and Agot Isidro  haunted by an unsolved case of a woman who disappeared years ago.

Rape, molestation, this whole macho culture Its everywhere and I have seen it since I was a child, and yet its not being addressed. So many women dont want to talk because these guys are powerful or well-known, but its time to name these names, he adds.

Papauran still hopes there is justice and truth in the world. As humans, we can be very desolate about what is happening, but we can also do something. I wanted to show that.

Ready to play with the genre  There are expectations that come with this kind of cold case story, but there is still a lot to explore. You just need to avoid the cliches  Diaz is not giving up either.

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We wake up and these are the things on our minds: Is the war in Ukraine going to stop? Will things get better in Syria? How many more migrants will drown in the Mediterranean Sea? Its around the corner: Suffering, danger. Putin. But you push yourself to finish your coffee, take a bath and meet your friends, he notes.

Indifference and denial manifest in everything, even elections, because people vote for a misogynist like Duterte. But are we going to accept that nothing is going to change, you as a writer and me as a filmmaker? No.

We have to convince others that life is worth fighting for. We also need to calm down, because rage can break us. Psychosis is a part of our being now. Putin is a psycho, Trump is a psycho, Duterte, Marcos. We need to be rational in order to overcome them, he says.

While Essential Truths of the Lake clocks in at over 200 minutes, short for Diazs standards, he is not changing his ways.

I will be presenting another 13-hour-long film soon. For me, cinema is very free, he stresses, mentioning hes juggling multiple projects at once.

Essential Truths of the Lake

Things overlap, just like in life. One, Henricos Farm, about Filipino domestic workers, we have been shooting and shooting. Its like writing a novel and I have faith in this process now, but my actors ask: When are we going to finish?! Its good they keep reminding me, he laughs, also recalling his crazy win in Venice with The Woman Who Left.

I was sitting between Konchalovsky and Tom Ford at a press conference and some journalist asked which camera I was using. I went: Sony a7S. These two, they wouldnt even use it as a toy!

Then again, joining the big leagues was never a plan.

Bigger budgets? Come on. If you do that, your cinema is gone. Suddenly, they want two-hour running time, return on investment and to add a song from their friend. Good luck.

Despite his outsider status, Diaz, a relaxed presence, doesnt really see himself as an auteur.

I would rather be punk rock. I want to be a part of the group, not live in some ivory tower, he says.

I grew up in the middle of a forest. My parents, instead of living comfortably, chose to stay with their tribes. Now, I thank them for doing that, even though we lost our village and are refugees in our own country. It manifests in my work, in all these wandering characters who seek refuge or home.

Following in their footsteps, he tries to create communities in his films, collaborating with non-professional actors.

My parents, who were teachers, sacrificed their lives for the indigenous people. When my father died, so many people came to thank him for their education. I hope my films can do that as well, he says.

There is dignity in my characters. There was this one guy everyone was laughing at in a village  next day, he was in Essential Truths. They were shouting to me: There are better-looking people here! But eventually, we made our peace.

You are not shooting on some set: Its a specific community. We employ them, involve them and after a while they are a part of the film. Also, you need to be humble, because they might be actually better off, at least emotionally. For them, one cow is often enough, and you want a mansion and a Mercedes. Or, in my case, a very expensive guitar.

Essential Truths of the Lake is produced by Epicmedia Productions, Rosa Filmes and Films Boutique, also handling sales. Tier Pictures, Volos Films Italia, Bord Cadre films and Sovereign Films co-produce.

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Logan Paul and Nina Agdal. Broadimage/Shutterstock

Logan Paul and fiancee Nina Agdal are on cloud nine following their engagement earlier this month, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly.

Paul, 28, and Agdal, 31, are ecstatic that they're going to spend the rest of their lives together, the insider says. [They] are absolutely elated.

The model, for her part, is still celebrating the fact that she and Logan are engaged, the source explains, adding that the couple havent fully started the wedding planning phase just yet.

Paul proposed to Agdal while on a vacation to Lake Como, Italy, in July. Engaged to my best friend , he captioned an Instagram photo on July 9 from the moment he got down on one knee.

While the newly engaged pair havent begun checking off their wedding to-do list, Agdal has spoken with her fiance about their future.

MEGA

They have discussed having children and know they want to start a family of their own at some point, however, that will come in due time, the source tells Us, noting the twosome are still getting used to calling each other fiance (and fiancee).

The WWE star hinted at his romance with Agdal in December 2022, sharing a series of snaps with his love via social media. Lucky me, he captioned the December 11 post, which included a video of the pair sharing a hug and a photo of them eating a breakfast sandwich in bed.

Agdal, meanwhile, confirmed their relationship status later that month ahead of ringing in the new year. 2022, the beginning of me and you, she wrote on December 31 alongside a series of cuddled-up Instagram photos.

Less than five months later, Paul gave fans another glimpse at his life with the Danish model on their first anniversary.

One very special year with my Danish queen, he wrote via social media in May while sharing a carousel of snaps of the twosome packing on the PDA. Agdal replied in the comments, Best year of my life .

When Paul popped the question in July, he took Agdal by surprise  a moment the YouTuber secretly recorded on video.

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So, you want to get married here? What about engaged? he asked in the clip, which he shared via Instagram on July 10.

Agdal got a big grin on her face as Paul grabbed a box that he hid in the bushes nearby. You are the love of my life. You are the girl of my dreams, he said while holding back tears. Baby girl, will you marry me?

Before finding The One in Paul, Agdal dated Christie Brinkley's son Jack Brinkley-Cook for four years. Us confirmed in November 2021 that Agdal and Brinkley-Cook, 28, split.

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Paul, for his part, was previously linked to Amanda Cerny, Chloe Bennet and Josie Canseco.
90 Day Fiance star Brandan left his small-town life in Eugene, Oregon, to be with his online girlfriend, Mary, in the Philippines. While TLC viewers watched Brandan dramatically say goodbye to his family at the airport during season 5 of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way, did he really move permanently overseas? Keep reading to find out everything we know about where the couple lives!

How Did 90 Day Fiances Mary and Brandan Meet?

Brandan met Mary on an online dating app. After sparking an instant virtual connection, the pair spoke nonstop for five days without sleep, ultimately leading to their now-obsessive habit of talking 24/7 by video call.

Mary wants to know what Im doing. Shes very clingy, Brandan explained during his season 5 debut of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way in July 2023. I really like that because Im kind of the same way. We have similar past histories.

90 Day Fiances Brandan Made Plans to Move to the Philippines to be With Mary

During season 5 of 90 Day Fiance, Brandan revealed plans to move overseas to be with his girlfriend.

I havent had a great experience living in America so far, the TLC personality explained during the July 10 episode while discussing his relocation to his girlfriends native country of the Philippines. I just cant wait to finally be together with Mary. Cause being on the phone is not good enough for either of us.

Fans watched as Brandan boarded a plane to his new life during the July 17 episode, but not without a major argument with Mary surrounding the random woman he was seated next to while on the trek.

Fk you, one text read from Mary read. Fk your girl.

While Brandan ultimately got his seat moved, the damage was done and he worried he couldnt take the arguing much longer once they were finally in person.

Were just so used to overthinking and fighting over the phone that it just become normal for us, he explained in a confessional. But I can only tolerate it up to a certain point.

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Did 90 Day Fiances Brandan Move to the Philippines?

While it is unknown if Brandan currently lives in the Philippines, his mother, Angela Stiggens, has seemingly already come to visit after sharing several photos of the couples wedding reception via social media on April 28. In Touch exclusively confirmed the couple's wedding amid their season's unfolding.

The images showed Mary in a white wedding gown and a tiara alongside Brandan wearing a plum-colored suit, and surrounded by their family. Angela revealed in another post that the wedding took place in the Philippines and mentioned in comments that TLC cameras were rolling at the event, which hints that fans will get to watch the wedding play out on a future episode of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way.
Image via Getty/John Elk

A man wearing a GoPro camera on his helmet ended up filming his own drowning, police say.

Per KTUU, the man in questionidentified as 43-year-old Paul Rodriguez Jr.was kayaking in Mendenhall Lake in Alaska when his boat overturned, sending him into glacial water.

In an initial press release shared on Monday, the Juneau Police Department said it was working with Alaska State Troopers to find Rodriguez after he went missing last week. By Sunday, police said, a vehicle registered to Rodriguez was found in the Mendenhall Visitors Center parking lot.

Later, per a separate statement on Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers credited a Good Samaritan with finding a helmet with a GoPro attached to it while multiple agencies were conducting an extensive search.

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"A review of the video determined Rodriguez had [drowned] on July 11 when his kayak overturned, and he went into the glacial water," Alaska State Troopers said. "It is believed he was not wearing a [personal flotation device] or appropriate protective clothing for glacial water sports."

The Troopers' statement added that the man's family has been informed of these developments. Meanwhile, the search for the man's body "will continue."

Complex has reached out to reps for the Juneau Police Department and Alaska State Troopers for additional comment. This story may be updated.
Mandy Moore is opening up about how much she's really getting paid in This Is Us residuals.

The actress, who hit the picket line amid the strike initiated by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), said she's received checks ranging anywhere from a penny to 81 cents from the show's streaming deal with Hulu.

"The residual issue is a huge issue," she told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday. "We're in incredibly fortunate positions as working actors having been on shows that found tremendous success in one way or another but many actors in our position for years before us were able to live off of residuals or at least pay their bills."

Mandy Moore walks the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on July 18, 2023 in Los Angeles, California

Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC Images Mandy Moore on the picket line in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike

Moore added that she's received "very tiny  like 81-cent checks" for starring as Pearson family matriarch Rebecca for all six seasons of the show. "I was talking with my business manager, who said he's received a residual for a penny and two pennies."

The This Is Us star was accompanied by Scandal actress Katie Lowes, who noted that she hadn't received any substantial earnings from Hulu or Disney for her respective series either.

"If you are someone who has been fortunate enough in our positions to do 120-plus episodes of a successful show in previous years  10, 15, 20 years ago  that re-airing would be the thing that could sustain you on years, where I did this smaller project, or I wanted to go do a play, or you have kids and you have a family to provide for," Lowes explained. "And that's just not a reality anymore. The entire model has changed."

This isn't the first time Moore has taken to the picket line to fight for better compensation and protections amid the strike. Last Thursday, she showed up and reunited with her "forever family," a.k.a her This Is Us castmates Chrissy Metz and Jon Huertas.

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Moore is one of more than 160,000 actors, broadcast journalists, DJs, dancers, and more currently on strike after SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and national executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced that the union's board had voted to strike after failing to reach a deal with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) last Thursday. They are demanding better working conditions and compensation amid industry shake-ups related to artificial intelligence and streaming.

Representatives for Hulu and Disney do not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.

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Marilyn Manson will plead no contest to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire, according to a filing by his attorney.

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Marilyn Manson

A Timeline of Abuse Allegations Against Marilyn Manson

07/19/2023

The rocker, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault stemming from the encounter at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019.

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A notice of intent filed Monday (July 17) says that Manson is expected to plead no contest to only one charge, and that prosecutors would dismiss the other in the fully negotiated plea. A no contest plea means Manson will not contest the charge and does not admit guilt.

Manson would face a sentence of a $1,200 fine with part of it suspended and 20 hours of community service within six months. Manson also would need to remain arrest-free and notify local police of any New Hampshire performances for two years.

A judge would have to accept the plea, which is expected to be entered Thursday (July 20) in Belknap County Superior Court. Thats in place of a final pretrial hearing that was scheduled in advance of his planned Aug. 7 trial.

Its not clear whether Manson would be required to be in court or be allowed to participate via video. His lawyer, Kent Barker, said Tuesday it would be up to the judge.

According to a police affidavit, Manson approached videographer Susan Fountain in the venues stage pit area, put his face close to her camera and spit a big lougee at her. She was struck on both hands with saliva. He also is accused approaching her a second time, blowing his nose on her arm and hands.

Prosecutors planned to dismiss the charge stemming from the first encounter, according to the notice. Manson initially pleaded not guilty in 2021. His lawyer had said at the time that the type of filming Fountain was doing commonly exposes videographers to incidental contact with bodily fluids.

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The defendants performance for the past twenty years are well known to include shocking and evocative antics similar to those that occurred here, Barker wrote. The alleged victim consented to exposing herself to potential contact with sweat, saliva and phlegm in close quarters.

Barker also had said Manson planned to argue that any contact related to spitting or sneezing was unintentional. If Manson had gone to trial on the charges, each could have resulted in a jail sentence of less than a year and a $2,000 fine if convicted. Manson also has faced abuse accusations unrelated to the New Hampshire allegation in recent years. He has denied wrongdoing.

In May, a California judge threw out key sections of Mansons lawsuit against his former fiancee, Westworld actor Evan Rachel Wood, claiming she fabricated public allegations that he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship and encouraged other women to do the same.

Mansons suit, filed last year, alleges that Wood and another woman named as a defendant, Illma Gore, defamed Manson, intentionally caused him emotional distress and derailed his career in music, TV and film. Several women have sued Manson in recent years with allegations of sexual and other abuse. Most have been dismissed or settled, including a suit filed by Game of Thrones actor Esme Bianco.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly.

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Fulton Financial (FULT) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.47 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.42 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.42 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 11.90%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this financial holding company would post earnings of $0.48 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.39, delivering a surprise of -18.75%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.

Fulton Financial , which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Northeast industry, posted revenues of $277.84 million for the quarter ended June 2023, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.79%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $240.65 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Fulton Financial shares have lost about 26.1% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 17.8%.

What's Next for Fulton Financial?

While Fulton Financial has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

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Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Fulton Financial: unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.40 on $270.3 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.62 on $1.08 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Banks - Northeast is currently in the bottom 5% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Bridgewater (BWB), another stock in the same industry, has yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2023. The results are expected to be released on July 26.

This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.31 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -24.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

Bridgewater's revenues are expected to be $29.1 million, down 14.9% from the year-ago quarter.

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Marilyn Manson Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit With Esme Bianco

Marilyn Manson will plead no contest to a misdemeanor count of simple assault, SPIN has learned. The shock-rocker was accused of spitting a big lougee on a videographer who was shooting Manson in the pit at an August 2019 concert at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion.

A second charge will be dismissed, according to the AP.

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Manson faces a sentence that includes a $1,200 fine and up to 20 hours of community service. In 2021, Manson pled not guilty to the charges. He faced up to a year in jail and a fine of $2,000 had he been convicted. He had been charged in 2019 but did not turn himself in until May 2021.

According to a police statement in 2021, the videographer had been subcontracted by a NH-based company to video the concert, and had been located in the stage pit area when the alleged assaults occurred.

The alleged assaults involved a videographer. Mr. Warner, his agent, and legal counsel have been aware of the warrant for some time and no effort has been made by him to return to New Hampshire to answer the pending charges, read part of the statement.

At the time, Mansons attorney said that it is no secret to anyone who has attended a Marilyn Manson concert that he likes to be provocative on stage, especially in front of a camera.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post Marilyn Manson Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit With Esme Bianco appeared first on SPIN.
A Raytown man who federal prosecutors say assaulted police and carried a pitchfork on the Capitol grounds during the Jan. 6 riot is facing nine charges, including multiple felonies.

Christopher Brian Roe, 39, was arrested Tuesday on some of the most serious charges to date among the 29 Capitol riot defendants from Missouri, federal court records show. The 27-page probable cause affidavit filed with the criminal complaint contains 48 photos that show a man it says is Roe breaching the Capitol, repeatedly scuffling with police and using a metal bicycle rack to try to break open a door.

Roe was charged July 12 with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; civil disorder; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; destruction of government property; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; act of physical violence in the Capitol ground or buildings; and parading, picketing and demonstrating in a Capitol building.

The probable cause affidavit said a search warrant served on Google showed that a cellphone associated with Roes email address was within the Capitol Rotunda, hallways and points of entry for about two hours and 12 minutes on Jan. 6.

Investigators then used Roes drivers license photo to conduct a search of images and videos from the Capitol building that day, the affidavit said. The search turned up an image from a police body-worn camera of a person matching Roes description. The man wore a red baseball cap, glasses, an American flag neck gaiter, a University of Kansas sweatshirt, black T-shirt and an orange-and-black backpack, it said.

A cropped version of the image was shown to a law enforcement officer who had arrested Roe in an unrelated matter on Dec. 9, 2021, the document said. That officer identified the person as Roe.

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Roe had attended the Stop the Steal rally on the Ellipse before arriving at the Capitol, the affidavit said. A video taken at the rally showed Roe standing next to a pitchfork stuck in the ground and topped with a red baseball cap, it said.

Christopher Roe at the pro-Trump Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021. In front of Roe is a pitchfork stuck in the ground, topped with a red baseball cap.

On the video, Roe said that he has zipties and duct tape, with the latter visible on the outside of his backpack, the affidavit said. After this statement, the person filming the video tells Roe to put his knife away, because 3 inch knives are the max. Roe responds, thanks, I appreciate it. As the person walks away, he said Roe had a six inch dagger.

When Roe arrived at the Capitol, the document said, he faced a line of U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers. Around 1:25 p.m., it said, he stood a few feet back from police, holding the pitchfork, which was pointed upward. He eventually flipped it so it pointed down.

Roe moved closer to the police line with the pitchfork still in hand, the affidavit said, then grabbed a bicycle rack that was in front of the officers and dragged it toward the crowd. The officers responded by pushing Roe away, which caused him to drop the pitchfork.

Roe quickly picked up the pitchfork as another altercation erupted between a rioter and a Capitol Police officer, the document said. With the pitchfork in his right hand, it said, Roe moved forward and pushed the officer with his left hand, then wrapped his arm around the officers arm.

One officer sprayed chemical irritant, the affidavit said, striking Roe in the face. As he recoiled, he dropped the pitchfork again and retreated into the crowd. He next appeared on the West Lawn of the Capitol and worked his way to the Upper West Terrace.

At 2:38 p.m., Roe followed other rioters into the Capitol through the Upper West Terrace door and went to the Rotunda, the affidavit said. There, he handed his cellphone to another rioter, who took a photo of him in front of a statue. Roe continued on to Statuary Hall, then stood with rioters who were gathering outside the House of Representatives chamber. He pulled his neck gaiter down, the document said, and smoked some kind of cigarette.

Federal prosecutors say this is Christopher Roe holding a pitchfork and standing a few feet from the police line outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Roe arrived at the east entrance of the House of Representatives wing of the Capitol at 2:55 p.m., it said. He stood near a metal detector while officers tried to remove rioters from the building. As an officer, identified by the initials R.D., pushed him toward the exit, Roe forcefully grabbed the metal detector, causing it to shake, the affidavit said.

Roe then turned back to the officer and said to them, you are protecting traitors and treasonists. They committed treason. And you shot one of us. Thats bullshit. Put your baton down and f***ing join us, the affidavit said. While making these statements, Roe pointed into the Capitol Building in the direction of the House chamber.

At the same time, it said, a rioter confronted other officers.

This confrontation eventually became violent, at which point Officer R.D. turned his attention away from Roe to respond to the situation, the document said. Roe then pushed towards the fight and shoved Officer R.D. backwards several feet. Roe also wrapped his arm around Officer R.D.s baton, impeding Officer R.D.s ability to defend themselves from the rioters.

Roe exited the Capitol at 2:57 p.m., according to the affidavit, after officers pushed the rioters outside and deployed chemical irritant toward them.

But Roe wasnt finished, it said. He went to the East Rotunda doors, where a few officers were trying to hold back rioters. At 3:21 p.m., the mob overcame police and rushed inside. Roe entered 10 seconds after the breach, the document said.

As Roe and the other rioters progressed forward, some rioters, including Roe, breached through the police line at the doors to the Rotunda, it said. In response, police closed the doors, separating the two groups of rioters. However, a few seconds later, Roe re-emerged from the Rotunda and held the door open with his body.

Prosecutors say Christopher Roe stood in the middle of a Capitol hallway with his fist in the air after breaching the building on Jan. 6, 2021.

Police pushed him toward the exit, but he stopped halfway there, the affidavit said. When an officer started to push against him with a riot shield, Roe pushed back.

After jostling with police, Roe then raised his right arm in the air with his hand in a fist, it said. As police continued to push Roe towards the door, he maintained his position and blocked police efforts to move the rioters out. At 3:28 P.M., after an officers riot shield moved close to his face, Roe grabbed the shield with both hands and pushed it away from himself. Moments later, as he is moved closer to the exit, Roe grabbed onto the arm of another police officer.

When police tried to push him out of the building at 3:30 p.m., the affidavit said, Roe spread both of his arms wide and grabbed onto the doors. He kept holding on to the doors until officers forcefully removed him.

Roe then went to the north door of the Capitol, the document said.

At approximately 4:16 P.M., rioters were trying to breach into the doors while officers were barricaded inside the Capitol, it said. In his own attempt to break down the doors, Roe brought a bike rack into the alcove and rammed it against the inner doors roughly ten times. At points, the door visibly buckled inwards against its hinges after Roes strikes.

Roe is the fourth Missouri resident to be charged since June 12. His arrest comes as the massive Capitol riot investigation has picked up the pace, two-and-a-half years after the Jan. 6 breach.

The arrest tally now stands at nearly 1,100, on charges ranging from demonstrating in a Capitol building to seditious conspiracy. And prosecutors vow to continue tracking down the remainder of the estimated 2,000 to 3,000 protesters who stormed the Capitol, causing nearly $2.9 million in damages.
An attorney for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Tuesday argued in front of the states highest court that a judge erred when he ruled that Bailey overstepped his authority when he attempted to inflate the estimated cost of a ballot measure to restore abortion rights.

The Republican attorney generals office appeared in front of the court to defend his decision to reject a fiscal note prepared by Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick that estimated the ballot measure would have no cost to the state. Bailey argues that it should have included a projected loss of $12.5 billion in Medicaid dollars  a figure pushed by anti-abortion groups that Fitzpatrick says is inaccurate.

The auditor could have and should have done more, said Jason Lewis, an attorney for Baileys office, arguing that Fitzpatricks estimates were argumentative not Baileys.

Robert Tillman, an attorney for Fitzpatrick, argued that Baileys move was unprecedented and that the attorney general overstepped his authority.

The attorney generals interpretation (of state law) requires performing legal gymnasticsand leads to a multitude of preposterous results, Tillman told the high court.

The fight between the lawyers for two statewide Republican officeholders happened in front of a crowded courtroom in the Missouri Supreme Court. The ACLU of Missouri filed suit in May, stating that Bailey overstepped his authority and was trying to delay the possibility of the measure reading the ballot in 2024.

Cole County Judge Jon Beetem ruled against Bailey last month and ordered the Republican to approve the fiscal notes filed by Fitzpatrick. Bailey ignored the order and appealed.

Tony Rothert, the director of integrated advocacy for the ACLU of Missouri, said in court that Bailey was deliberating delaying an initiative petition that he opposes  stall, stall and stall. Baileys actions were a threat to direct democracy, Rothert said.

For more than a century this court has been the guardian of direct democracy, he said.

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At issue are 11 versions of a state constitutional amendment that would restore abortion rights in Missouri, where the procedure is almost entirely banned. Anna Fitz-James, a retired St. Louis doctor, submitted the proposals in March.

The legal standoff has delayed Missouri in finalizing the initiative petition, preventing supporters from gathering signatures, an arduous, expensive and time-intensive process.

The Missouri Supreme Court made no decision on Tuesday and said it would take the matter under advisement.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who was dropped as a defendant in the lawsuit, faces a separate lawsuit from the ACLU of Missouri that accuses the Republican of crafting a misleading and unfair summary that would encourage Missourians to vote against the ballot measure.

Ashcroft, who is running for governor in 2024, has crafted a ballot summary for the petition which, in part, would ask voters to allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions.

Missouri Right to Life, the states leading anti-abortion group, on Tuesday endorsed Ashcrofts campaign for governor, saying he was the candidate that we need to combat the abortion culture, save unborn babies and protect women.

Tuesdays court battle also came a day after U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat, hosted a roundtable with House Democrats to discuss access to medication abortion and Republican efforts to ban abortion.

In states like mine with abortion bans people are forced to find abortion pills online where they are cheap and they are widely available, Bush said. But it should not have to be that way. You should be able to get it as easily as any other safe, any other common, widely used medication.
THIS WEEKEND

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

This film will be screened at 1 p.m. July 23 at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala. Tickets $5. This film is shown in partnership with Marion County Animal Services. There will be a special adoption unit outside of the theater from 1-3 p.m.

COMING SOON

'Peter Pan Jr.'

This musical, a production of Ocala Civic Theatre's youth company, will be onstage July 28-30 at the theater, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Details at ocalacivictheatre.com

Free first Saturday at the Appleton Museum of Art

Museum admission is free on the first Saturday of the month. On Aug. 5, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., artist Charles Eady will give free tours of his solo exhibition, The Unscene South: Charles Eady Revisits History. The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.

'The Gap Between Art and Life'

The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery presents this exhibition Aug. 7-Sept. 7. It is the gallerys first competitive exhibition of installation art. "After reviewing 89 submitted entries, the jury panel selected eight diverse artworks by four different artists that will allow visitors to interact with the gallery space in new and unique ways," CF said in a news release. An opening reception will be 5-7 p.m. Aug. 25. The gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Free. More at www.CF.edu/Webber or (352) 854-2322, ext. 1664.

Sharon Owens: Barbra Streisand Remembered

This tribute act will be on stage at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala. Tickets from $31. More at https://www.csculturalcenter.com/

Forever Motown

This tribute act will be onstage at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala. Tickets from $35. More at https://www.csculturalcenter.com/

Classic Albums Live: AC/DC's 'Back in Black'

This show will be at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala, at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Tickets from $25. More at reillyartscenter.com

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16th annual Applaud the Arts

This gathering, organized by the Marion Cultural Alliance, will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala. Signature cocktail, special photo ops, prizes, roaming movie characters and a discussion of the 1920s Paris art scene led by Tyrus Clutter beginning at 5:45 p.m. A screening of the film Midnight in Paris follows at approximately 6 p.m. Tickets $20.

ONGOING

The Unscene South

This exhibit will be up at the Appleton Museum of Art through Jan. 28. A little-known population of Blacks lived free in the United States, long before Abraham Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery, the museum says on its website. Through Charles Eadys paintings, The Unscene South shares evidence and details of their existence, and presents opportunities to view the realities of their daily lives, seeking to eliminate many misconceptions about Blacks and the South.

The Appleton is at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.

'Caught Up in History and Captured on Film: Randy Batistas Photographs of Florida and Cuba'

This exhibit is up through Jan. 28 at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Gainesville-based photographer Randy Batista "uses his lens to document his life and travel adventures," the Appleton says in a news release. "Comprised of silver-gelatin prints developed from film, the images in this show focus on Florida and Cuba  two places that have had a profound impact on the artist. Having lived in both locations, the artists awareness of place, time and cultural heritage are evident in his quiet but alluring street photography, landscapes and portraits." More at www.appletonmuseum.org or (352) 291-4455.

Bold and Inspired: Native American Regalia by Diana Lee and Abstract Island Expressions by William Lee

These art exhibits, the work of married couple Diana and William Lee, will be up through Jan. 4 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala. Both exhibits are free and open to the public. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Bold and Inspired" is on the first floor and "Abstract Island Expressions" on the second. More at (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.

Tony A. Blue, American Painter

This art exhibit from Tony Blue is up through Jan. 9 at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave., Suite 600, Ocala. This show explores Blues expressionist, abstract paintings, which are inspired by Floridas tropical natural landscape, the city says in a news release. The exhibit is free and open to the public. More at www.artoftonyblue.com, (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org and www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces.

Eternal Summer

This exhibit is up at the Appleton Museum, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, through Sept. 24.  'Eternal Summer' features paintings, prints, photographs and more that celebrate the theme of summer in Florida," the museum says. More at https://www.appletonmuseum.org/

The Beauty of Nature and Recyclable Refuse

This art exhibit from Albert Bevilacqua is up through Jan. 8 at the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. The building are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free exhibit is open to the public. More at (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org and www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces

Great list: Ocala restaurants that have opened, expanded, relocated or taken new owners in 2023

Patternz

This art exhibit from Kelsey Mahoney is up through Dec. 12 at Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. It is free and open to the public. City Hall is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. In a news release, the city says this exhibit highlights Mahoneys recent abstract work of detailed, vibrantly colored, mosaic-like ink drawings. More at www.facebook.com/kelseymahoneyartist, (352) 629-8447, artinfo@ocalafl.org or www.ocalafl.org/artincityspaces..

Gross Out

This Discovery Center exhibit is up through Aug. 26. The center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Science can be fun, but also gross, the City of Ocala said in a news release. This new exhibit will address some of the grossest science subjects, such as what blood is made of, how loud a burp is and the identification of animals by their waste. Visitors will explore the world of creepy crawlies, gross smells and stinky science.

General admission to the center is $8 per person or $28 for a family of four. Annual memberships are available. More at 352-401-3900 or www.mydiscoverycenter.org.

calendar@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala's weekend entertainment highlights include a movie, museum offerings
OPPENHEIMER - Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures

In the beginning, there were simply explosions. Smaller bangs  the big one would come much later, in the New Mexico desert. But for J. Robert Oppenheimer, the quantum physicist who would guide the greatest scientific minds of his generation toward creating a doomsday device, it was all just a constant collision and coming apart of matter in his head. Put the man in a lab, and hes hopeless. Let him roam in the world of theories, and Oppenheimer could hear what a mentor dubbed the music of science. Those symphonies gave him visions of black holes, collapsing stars, developing nebulae, gaseous eruptions, particles moving at the speed of light, molecules spinning, atoms splitting. He sees these things, and then we see these things, rendered in 70mm IMAX. Any filmmaker can create a cinematic universe. (Many have. Too many, some might say.) Very few can show you how a genius perceives the building blocks of our universe, right before that same person imagines something that threatens our existence in it.

This is what Christopher Nolan does in Oppenheimer, a biopic on the father of the atomic bomb, and in terms of getting you into the mindset of its subject, these bursts of abstract imagery are a brilliant move on his part. Its not the only ace the writer-director has up his well-tailored sleeve, mind you  there are somewhere between four to five timelines bumping against each other at any given moment, its shot in both saturated color and stark black & white, its sound design equally prizes dead silence and deafening booms, and the cast is comprised of seemingly every third actor with a SAG card. Not to mention a depth-charge performance by Cillian Murphy as the Man Who Would Be Destroyer of Worlds, one that allows the tiniest surface ripples to communicate the agony and the ecstasy of changing the world.

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But those interspersed shots of cosmic debris and microscopic detonations, some of which abruptly interrupt exchanges and others that smoothly transition viewers from one scene to the next, are perfect examples of how to let you experience someone like Oppenheimers perspective by showing, rather than telling. And it sometimes feels like those two camps  the cinematic and the chatty-to-a-fault  are fighting it out on Nolans massive canvas in a way that resembles nuclear fission minus the energy release.

Taking its cues from the exhaustive, Pulitzer-winning book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, Oppenheimer seeks to cram as much of the mans life, his work, his elevation to national hero, his eventual persecution, and his personal demons into three hours. Just for good measure, Nolan throws in not one but two competing courtroom dramas as well. Theres a roll-the-dice sensation throughout: Scenes of people sitting in rooms talking can seem thrilling or plodding, clarify historical conflicts and complicated concepts or confuse the hell out of you. Set pieces feel sweeping one second, and like theyre sucking the oxygen out of the room the next. Then, suddenly, the movie cuts to a huge close-up of Murphy, his eyes suggesting a man wrestling for his soul, and youre transfixed. As with so much of Nolans work, you can feel a truly great film peeking out in fits and spurts within a longer, slightly uneven one.

Its a tough thing to admit, given that Nolan is one of Hollywoods few name-above-the-title auteurs left standing. He can still get an original mega-budgeted film greenlit, and has taken on the mantle of keeping alive not just film as a medium but film as a physical means of storytelling. His work is intellectual yet visceral, philosophical yet pulse-pounding; hes always managed to smuggle big ideas into multiplexes via blockbuster templates, even in genres he hasnt completely terraformed. Like its better half in the joint entity now known as Barbenheimer, Oppenheimer isnt afraid to talk up to an audience (although in Barbies case, the degree of difficulty in doing that via a decades-old brand of dolls feels damn near revolutionary). And along with that shiny happy toy story, Nolans biography of a key figure of the 20th century has been burdened with the responsibility of saving motion pictures from financial instability and existential free fall. Heavy are the heads that wear the crown, etc.

So let us now praise movies about famous men, and the famous men who make them. Oppenheimer is most assuredly a Christopher Nolan film, complete with the blessings and the curses of what that phrase entails. The good stuff first: There are a handful of sequences that remind you why this 52-year-old director is considered a godhead by film geeks, genre freaks, and armchair arthouse-cinema scholars alike. When Nolan is on, he is on, as evidenced by the early scenes of Oppenheimer and his military liaison, General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon, all mustache and bluster), assembling the eggheads. Their plan is to turn the small New Mexico burg of Los Alamos into a self-sufficient, family-friendly town for a group of scientists and a top-secret think tank for a weapon of mass destruction. The military need the end result of the Manhattan Project to win WWII, preferably before the Germans develop their own version of the gadget. Oppenheimer, both compelled by and wary of the opportunity, wants them to maintain the moral advantage after the world sees what this thing can do.

Concentrating on the mounting pressure to deliver, the miniature steps forward with each behind-the-scenes breakthrough, and the accountability factor causing friction between the project leader and his patrons, Oppenheimer becomes its own ticking time bomb. All the while, fractures are happening within the team, and the precariousness of the situation, along with Oppenheimers willingness to go through with opening this Pandoras Box, brings things to a tipping point. These scenes remind you of how Nolan understands the use of sound and vision as a means of emotional engagement (helped in no small part by his regular cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema and composer Ludwig Goranssons score); how his ability to fold complex ideas into presentations of human behavior, and vice versa, comes through in his writing; how the timing of a cut and the framing of an image can transform a moment from grandiose or mundane to sublime. The gent is a genuine filmmaker. Hes a big-screen artist, the bigger the screens the better.

And these sequences, in particular, reinforce the notion of Nolan as a great director of actors, even if the performances overall are across the board in terms of screen time and effectiveness. Not just Murphy, whos worked with The Dark Knight director before and delivers an Oppenheimer that goes far beyond the there-goeth-the-great-man cliches associated with many biopics. Theres Damon, whose repartee with Murphy approaches screwball levels. Theres Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission who turns a perceived slight into a postwar vendetta against Oppenheimer. (Its not an exaggeration to say that Downey does some of the best work of his long career here.) Theres Gary Oldman as President Harry S. Truman, who turns a single scene in the Oval Office into a damning portrait of the POTUS as a complete bastard.

Theres Florence Pugh, and Emily Blunt, and Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Casey Affleck, Jason Clarke, Matthew Modine, Olivia Thirlby, Dane DeHaan, Alden Ehrenreich its actually quicker to list whos not in Oppenheimer. Nolan has said he wanted to cast recognizable faces so that audiences could keep track of whos who easier, but he also gives them opportunities to flex, whether its for a minute or the majority of the running time. And given that there are so many scenes of people conversing, reading, lecturing, interrogating, handwringing and musing over the morality of mass destruction, they have to keep things afloat as much as their ringmaster.

Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer peaks with the Trinity test, a roughly 10-minute sequence that follows the lead-up to the detonation of the first atomic bomb, its blast, and the sense of shock and awe that greets this game-changing gadget. Soon after, we see Oppenheimer addressing his fellow scientists about their victory, and hes greeted with visions of blinding lights, burnt corpses, and empty bleachers. Its a climactic gut punch and theres still another hour or so to go. Which leads us to the less-than-stellar aspects of Nolans A-list A-bomb-creators origin story. Threaded in between the race against time to craft this killing machine prototype are recreations of a 1954 tribunal over renewing Oppenheimers security clearance, in light of the Soviets now having their own nuclear weapons, and a 1959 congressional hearing on Strausss bid to join President Eisenhowers cabinet. Its here that we get flashback glimpses of the physicists career before Los Alamos, his tenure at UC Berkeley, his marriage to Blunts Kitty Oppenheimer, his attempt to reconcile what hes unleashed on the world and what turns out to be a contentious relationship with Strauss.

Its also where the movie starts to waver in terms of storytelling, cutting back and forth to create a tapestry of the 20th century thats meant to enrich the scenes of science being used and abused in the name of warfare (Nolans politics are a moving target in this film, as they are in much of his work, though its safe to say hes solidly anti-nukes here). They end up drawing both the focus and the momentum away from the movie, even if they do flesh some aspects out and give Downey a primo showcase. You suddenly become more aware of Nolans tendency to favor giant compositions and conceptual overreaches over connecting narrative dots in certain places, which has been a longstanding criticism. There are some questionable bits of business that play out as well. Its one thing to let Pughs Jean Tatlock, whose Communist affiliation would still haunt J. Robert decades after their torrid affair ended, to be the one who hands him the Sanskrit poem that would be his response to Trinity: Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds. Its another to have her do it while shes writing topless on top of him, which is a choice. And the less said about her and Murphy getting hot and heavy during an interrogation-session hallucination, the better  we can now say that sex scenes are not Nolans forte.

As those two trials intertwine and paint a picture of Oppenheimer as both McCarthy-era martyr and, ultimately, the victor over Strausss smear campaign during the movies last act, theres a slight sensation of listening to wind blowing through torn sails. In attempting to get a 360-degree picture of his subjects life and times on as big a scale as possible, it feels as if Nolan occasionally loses sight of the big picture as a whole. Oppenheimer is one of those shoot-for-the-moon projects that feels thrilling and wonky, brilliant and overstuffed, too much and yet not enough. Its also a movie that brings to mind the difficult era-spanning epics of yesteryear, from Reds to The Right Stuff, and is a movie made by adults for adults yet done with the sweep and majesty we now associate with movies made for kids and teens. Nolan has made what can sometimes feel like a maddeningly elusive attempt to make a grand statement about then and now, only to continually drown himself out in the technical equivalent of the Zimmer Honk. Hes also given us one of the only movies of the summer that you really have to see.

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Oppenheimer is Christopher Nolans best and most revealing work. Its a profoundly unnerving story told with a traditionalists eye towards craftsmanship and muscular, cinematic imagination. Here, Nolan treats one of the most contested legacies of the 20th century  that of J Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy), the father of the atomic bomb  as a mathematical puzzle to be solved.

In 1943, at the behest of Major General Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), Oppenheimer became director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, the Manhattan Projects New Mexico site for attempting to successfully build an atomic bomb. Oppenheimer, at first, was driven by moral imperative: he feared deeply, as a Jewish man, about what would happen if the Nazis were to develop a weapon of such deadly capability (that a non-Jewish actor has taken on a role in which identity plays such a central role is, in this light, somewhat strange).

Following Hitlers defeat, Oppenheimer continued to support the bombs deployment in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, convinced that such hellish destruction would not only bring an end to the war in the Pacific, but to all wars. Historians have since disputed the idea that the bombs were in any way necessary for Japans surrender (the real turning point, it seems, was the threat of Soviet invasion). And Oppenheimers own utopian vision was swiftly dismantled by fellow scientist Edward Teller (Benny Safdie) and the chair of the US Atomic Energy Commission, Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr), who pushed forward with the creation of the H-bomb, a thousand times deadlier in its scope.

Oppenheimer attempted, in vain, to halt the subsequent nuclear arms race between the US and the Soviet Union. He was promptly silenced using one of Americas most cherished tools of political oppression  anti-Communist hysteria. He was attacked for his personal associations with the Communist Party, through his brother Frank (Dylan Arnold), wife Kitty (Emily Blunt), and ex-lover Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). It was an act of pure, public humiliation.

Nolan observes each of these chapters with sickly wonder, as Jennifer Lames editing work and Ludwig Goranssons clattering score lend Oppenheimer a frightening momentum. The film is constructed in a way that allows its audience to comprehend, on an intellectual level, the profound power and chaos that led its central character to see himself as the Death, destroyer of worlds of Hindu scripture. Im not sure, however, that it burrows deeper than that  into that profound, emotional space that can be both overwhelming and difficult to verbalise. Its a little too conscious of itself, and the ways cinema crafts its own reality. Throughout, the film teases an unheard conversation between Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein (Tom Conti), its inevitable reveal delivered in the same tone as the solution to the teleportation trick in Nolans own The Prestige.

But the prioritisation of cleverness in Oppenheimer isnt necessarily a criticism of Nolan  more a testament to who he is as an artist. The detonation of the A-bomb, during its first test in the New Mexico desert, is depicted as booming tufts of flame in extreme close-up, coupled with enraptured onlookers. You sense its primal force, the kind of untapped power that led Oppenheimer to view himself as a kind of American Prometheus (also the title of a 2005 biography Nolan drew heavily from). But contrast that, perhaps, with how David Lynch approached the same A-bomb test in his 2017 limited series Twin Peaks: The Return. Lynch drew the camera in, slowly, confronting us with the full-scale of the weapons destruction, while sucking us into its very centre, damning us through its inescapability. Nolans A-bomb is wondrous until we consider its context; Lynchs A-bomb is pure nightmare.

The films non-linear structure (de rigueur for the Tenet and Inception filmmaker), with each timeline beautifully lensed by Hoyte van Hoytema in either colour or black and white, lends a little more focus to Oppenheimers post-war betrayal than it does to the blossoming of his guilt. Large swathes of the film play out as political thriller, the fuel in its engine being Downey Jrs titanic colouring of Strauss, all boorishness and manipulative charm.

But Nolan is still committed to understanding the innerworkings of his subject. Heres a man deep in denial. When confronted with photographs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he averts his gaze. Its horrors rumble (literally) in his peripheral vision, only clear to him when he imagines such brutality inflicted on the white Americans celebrating his victory in Los Alamos. Murphy creates his own devastating fission: brilliance torn apart by arrogance. Scene by scene, the light behind his eyes starts to dim. He even has sex the same way he builds bombs. After his extramarital affair turns sour, his wife Kitty chastises him: You dont get to commit a sin and then make us all feel sorry when there are consequences. In Oppenheimer, a mans private, internal, and political lives are strung together, each a component of the great equation that defines a mans soul.

Dir: Christopher Nolan. Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Tom Conti, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett, Kenneth Branagh. 15, 180 minutes.

Oppenheimer is in cinemas from 21 July
Peru's mining zones back protests, which Boluarte calls 'threat to democracy' FILE PHOTO: Peru's General Workers Union calls for a march against President Dina Boluarte's administration, in Lima

By Marco Aquino

LIMA (Reuters) -Residents of Peru's key mining areas are expected to support protests due to kick off this week against the government of President Dina Boluarte, who on Tuesday denounced the planned demonstrations as a "threat to democracy."

Communities along the main mining corridor in Peru - the world's No. 2 copper producer - have voiced their backing for the protests, which begin Wednesday, NGO leaders said.

Mining output was heavily impacted in January and February during an earlier round of protests following the ouster of former President Pedro Castillo, who was arrested after illegally attempting to dissolve Congress.

"We know some delegations (from mining communities) are going to arrive (in Lima), and they will also mobilize in their communities like at the beginning of the year," said Jose de Echave, head of environmental NGO CooperAccion, which monitors mining conflicts.

The mining corridor, which crosses poor, largely Indigenous communities in Peru's south, transports copper from mines such as MMG Ltd's Las Bambas, Glencore's Antapaccay and Hudbay's Constancia.

'VIOLENCE NOT ALLOWED'

Peru's government has warned that authorities will react to protests, called by unions and left-wing groups, with "legitimate use of force."

The initial round of protests were Peru's deadliest in decades, with human rights groups denouncing "extrajudicial killings" by security forces.

The protests call for Castillo's release, Boluarte's resignation, the closure of Peru's unpopular Congress and a new constitution. Boluarte said in a speech on Tuesday that the government is "not able to resolve" such demands.

Boluarte added that the protests represent "a threat to democracy" and that "acts of violence are not going to be allowed."

Her government has placed the military along the mining corridor and enacted states of emergency suspending constitutional rights such as freedom of assembly and freedom of movement as a way of blocking the protests, de Echave said.

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Economy Minister Alex Contreras also said on Tuesday that maintaining the peace was key for Peru's economy.

Organizers of the demonstrations, which have been dubbed "the third takeover of Lima," have said protesters are largely coming from Peru's poorer south, rather than the more economically prosperous capital.

(Editing by Daniel Wallis)
In a decision that capped off a devastating term, the Supreme Court ruled late last month to overturn race-based affirmative action in a pair of cases brought by Harvard and the University of North Carolina.

The twin judgements, which came down along the courts ideological lines, upended decades of legal precedent established to take race into account in college admissions, and were widely criticized as dealing a devastating blow to equity in higher education.

Supreme Court Ends Race-Conscious Admissions in UNC, Harvard Rulings

The ruling ends race-related affirmative action policies at the nations oldest public and private higher education institutions, respectively.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the only Black woman justice in the Courts history, stated that the courts conservative majority detached itself from this countrys actual past and present experiences in her dissent. With let-them-eat-cake obliviousness, today, the majority pulls the ripcord and announces colorblindness for all by legal fiat, she wrote. But deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.

Responses to the ruling from civil rights organizations and advocates likewise highlighted that racism is still alive and well in college admissions  and that legacy admissions (the process by which some colleges grant preference in admissions to applicants who have a familial connection to the institution) further perpetuate these racial inequities, and are still quite legal.

The ruling represents a significant setback for future generations of students of color, who remain underrepresented at selective colleges and universities. Research shows that state-level restrictions on race-based affirmative action policies lead to decreased enrollment of students from underrepresented communities, particularly Black, Latine and Indigenous students.

But what does the ruling mean for multiply-marginalized students  queer students of color, and Black and Latine queer students in particular? In addition to facing new hurdles in admissions as a result of the ruling, some worry students of color could face increased discrimination on college campuses  which would likely be compounded for queer and trans students of color. Them sat down with David J. Johns, the Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ civil rights organization National Black Justice Coalition, to discuss the Courts rulings, what they mean for queer and trans students of color, and what colleges and universities can do to abate their impacts.

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Why is this ruling so significant, and why is race-based admissions so important still? Why does an admissions process that doesnt account for race not work?

It doesn't work if one cares about equity or diversity or strengthening democracy in ways that are consistent with shifts in demographics across the United States. To be more explicit, it doesn't work if your goal is to dismantle white supremacy, or upend the tradition of people who are white, or who have access to the privileges afforded to white people because of phenotype, because of other practices, including legacy and elite sports, or because of legal challenges, like recent twin decisions. I want to be clear that for the federalists on the Supreme Court, as Bryan Stevenson says, their system is working exactly as it's designed to  which is to uphold the privileges associated with white supremacy.

There remain an overwhelming number of post-secondary institutions, alumni or communities, and leaders within the academy  leaders of colleges, universities, educators, people who are part of supporting systems of education, pre-K through postsecondary  who will continue to find ways to fill gaps and remove barriers for students who face challenges that have been erected to no fault of their own. That's always been a part of the legacy of post-secondary opportunities in this country.

We will continue to show up as we always do, in spite of these rulings."

It is very saddening and maddening that right wing extremists have won this moment with regard to winning the court. There's so many attacks on our freedom to learn academic freedoms programs designed to facilitate equity and access especially in post secondary spaces. I think the unintended consequences I'm worried most about are members of our community feeling less safe than they should, or being less likely to invite in or otherwise name or disclose parts of their identities.

Do you think that this ruling will reduce the amount of queer students of color at colleges and universities? What does it mean for students who occupy those multiple intersections?

I think that it will suppress the ability for us to accurately count the number of queer students of color and/or Black queer students at post-secondary institutions. What I know is that even before the terms existed or there were policies and practices that supported, named, and or otherwise invested in our communities, we occupied those spaces, and I don't expect that to shift.

What I do expect to change are the numbers of violence and hate crimes and mental health trauma that is recorded at these institutions. I think it'd be harder for organizations like NBJC, the Trevor Project, and GLSEN and researchers to collect data so that we can be more precise in developing policy solutions for minoritized communities. That will become more challenging, especially with the numbers of minoritized communities, which is already a challenge to track. But the core of what I'm trying to say is no, we will continue to show up as we always do, in spite of these rulings, and that will also bring with it other complicating factors.

Do you see this ruling placing a strain on HBCUs and minority-serving institutions?

I think a lot about HBCUs and minority-serving institutions more generally, or Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and those that are not designated based on federal law. HBCUs and MSIs have, including before these twin decisions, done a disproportionate amount of the work of providing post-secondary degrees, credentials, and certificates to non-white, non-wealthy, first-generation college students, including older adults who are returning to school after having disruptions. They in this moment will be required to do more with less.

My hope is that people who can't appreciate the ways that trans and non-binary folks get us closer to freedom will be moved by young people who didn't ask to deal with any of this shit.

Historically, most of these institutions are funded by states, and there are cases where there are, what one might deem competing institutions, like how Florida A&M University and the University of Florida are literally separated by train tracks. The University of Florida is overwhelmingly white, overwhelmingly funded, and otherwise supported by the state, which enables them to draw down more research dollars and attract more funding and have bigger endowments and enroll more students. And this disparity with regard to support, especially for state-funded HBCUs, has resulted in many of them being forced to close. So as I celebrate the legacy of us figuring it out, in spite of this, it is not without cost.

How do you think that institutions can better support queer students of color, particularly in this moment where they're under attack in so many other ways?

They could resist as educators at every-level are doing throughout the country, as queer educators continue to do especially in the face of no promo homo laws, which existed before the most recent spate of anti-LGBTQ bills, including Don't Say Gay. The same way library media specialists and librarians are finding ways to share books in spite of bans.

Folks can continue to invest in programs, policies, and practices that allow the most marginalized amongst us and student populations more specifically, to feel seen and safe and supported. [NBJC is] having conversations with institutions, and finding ways to continue to do the work and adapt to the necessary changes given the shifts in law as well as political climates in some spaces like Florida.

And then the last, I think, is to lean in to what students are expressing that they need right now in this moment. I would implore anyone who has the opportunity and or is empowered to create spaces for students, especially marginalized students, to find ways to ask them that question, and to respond with regard to policy and practice and honor what they're saying and to involve them in that process. What we know based on our asking of that question is that a lot of students are expressing the need for mental health support. The suicide rates for Black youth have doubled in the last two decades while decreasing for other communities of children. And we have more data now that says if you're Black and LGBTQ+  or if people think that you are in educational settings  those rates are exacerbated. And folks who are interested in finding access to high quality, competent mental health are finding it challenging to do so. I would name that as a primary solution for anyone seeking to be supportive.

What does this ruling mean for the state of the Supreme Court, and for the larger political climate around queer rights?

With regard to the Supreme Court and the system that underpins it, it should be clear to everyone that nothing is sacred. There's not a right that is off the table. Were living in a world where so many rights that have been fought for have been the result of needing to codify protections for people who are not white, cis, presumably heterosexual, able-bodied men. What additional complications might be presented from moving through the world or loving the person that you love, or finding ways to thrive in the body that you didn't ask to be born into? So, yeah, all of it's up for grabs.

LGBTQ\+ Advocates Are Sounding the Alarm After the Supreme Courts *303 Creative* Ruling

The decision saw the court side with a Colorado website designer who sued for the right to refuse service to LGBTQ\+ people.

I think a lot about young people. I taught kindergarten, third grade, and college. It's not lost on me that in spite of the geopolitical climate, there are grown ass adults who are political bullies  folks like the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, who stood in the pulpit of a Black church, and called queer kids garbage or trash or something like it. Think about all the things that he-who-shall-not-be-named in Florida has said about our community, think about Texas and all of the other states restricting access to gender-affirming care and criminalizing the provision of the kind of care that we need in order to exist.

In spite of that, the CDC found that more students now identify as anything other than strictly heterosexual. And what I know is that that's not an indication of the heterosexual agenda crumbling  it is an acknowledgment that young people know that these binaries and boxes and systems and laws designed to preserve privilege do not benefit the greatest number of us. My hope is that people who can't appreciate the ways that trans and non-binary folks get us closer to freedom will be moved by young people who didn't ask to deal with any of this shit, and to at a minimum, ensure that there are elected officials who care about them making decisions during this upcoming election cycle.

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Originally Appeared on them.
From July 2 to 15, Brevard County had three emergency restaurant closures. Ten restaurants received administrative complaints and 35 failed to pass inspection, according to inspectors from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Hotels and Restaurants.

Emergency orders

Domino's Pizza #5061, 2480 Aurora Road, Melbourne, was temporarily closed following a July 5 inspection where inspectors marked three violations, one of which was high priority:

Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found.

Additionally there was one basic and one intermediate violation marked. NOTE: A call back inspection on July 6 found zero violations and compliance with the emergency order.

Paisley, 2447 N. Wickham Road Suite 149, Melbourne, was temporarily closed following a July 5 inspection where nine violations were marked, one of which was high priority:

Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found.

Additionally there were seven basic and one intermediate violation marked. NOTE: A call back inspection on July 6 found four violations and compliance with the emergency order.

Pho 95 Of Giang And Linh Inc, 938 Dixon Blvd, Cocoa, was temporarily closed following a July 12 inspection where 13 violations were marked, two of which were high priority:

Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment.

Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found.

Additionally there were nine basic and two intermediate violation marked. NOTE: A call back inspection on July 14 found four violations and compliance with the emergency order.

Zero violations

Four servers were deemed without a single violation of state regulations:

Mayra Cabezas, 3280 Suntree Blvd. Suite 105, Melbourne (Catering)

Radisson Resort At The Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd, Cape Canaveral (Catering)

Genna Express, 7954 N. Wickham Road Suite 117, Melbourne

Pockets & Putters, 575 Barton Blvd, Rockledge

Most violations

The most prolific violator from July 2 to 15 was Marino's, 114 Harrison St., Cocoa, with 33 violations marked during a July 15 inspection and an administrative complaint. Two of the 33 violations were high priority:

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Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Multiple cooked food items in walk in cooler not date marked with mold.

Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found.

Additionally there were 31 basic violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Other leading violators were:

Twisted Biscuit Cafe, 4700 Babcock St. N.E. Suite 1, Palm Bay, had 30 violations during a July 7 inspection. See below.

Woody's Bar-B-Q, 4885 U.S. 1, Cocoa, had 28 violations during a July 11 inspection. Inspection standards met.

Hibachi Buffet, 735 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, had 24 violations during a July 12 inspection. Inspection standards met.

Country Cookin' Diner, 2301 State Road 524 No. 110, Cocoa, had 23 violations during a July 5 inspection. Inspection standards met.

Pineda Inn Bar & Grill, 6533 U.S. 1, Rockledge, had 21 violations during a July 11 inspection and 19 violations during a Jul 13 callback inspection. See below.

Gold Fish Bowl, 318 Mariner Way, Titusville, had 21 violations during a July 14 inspection. See below.

Jersey Brothers Diner, 2162 Harris Ave., Palm Bay had 20 violations during a July 13 inspection. See below.

Tree Of Life Cuban Bakery, 106 Main St, Titusville, had 20 violations during a July 10 inspection. See below.

Port St. John Lunch Box, 5601 U.S. 1, Cocoa, had 20 violations during a July 13 inspection.

Rec 225, 225 King St, Cocoa, had 19 violations during a July 13 inspection and received an administrative complaint. See below.

Area 142, 142 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, had 17 violations during a July 7 inspection and received an administrative complaint. See below.

Average Joes Kitchen, 688 South Park Ave, Titusville, had 16 violations during a July 6 inspection.

Indian River Bar & Grill, 5370 N. U.S. 1, Cocoa, had 16 violations during a July 6 inspection. Inspection standards met.

Yoshi's Izakaya, 1875 S. Patrick Drive Unit E, Indian Harbour Beach, had 15 violations during a July 11 callback inspection. See below.

Thai Bayside, 1850 Eldron Blvd. S.E. Suite 8, Palm Bay, had 15 violations during a July 10 inspection. Inspection standards met.

Beef O Bradys, 2301 S.R. 524, Cocoa, had 15 violations during a July 5 inspection. Inspection standards met.

Failed inspection

In addition to Marino's, Domino's Pizza #5061, Paisley and Pho 95 Of Giang And Linh Inc, these restaurants failed to pass inspection between July 2 to 15:

Radisson Resort Convention, 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, had four violations during a July 5 inspection, none of which were high priority. There were three basic and one intermediate violation marked.

NOTE: A July 13 callback inspection found inspection standards met.

Marina Bay Boutique, 217 King St, Cocoa, had 14 violations marked during a July 5 inspection, one of which was deemed high priority:

Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.

Additionally there were seven basic and six intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Average Joes Kitchen, 688 South Park Ave, Titusville, had 16 violations during a July 6 inspection, four of which were deemed high priority:

Food prepared in a private home.

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Stop Sale issued: Food originating from an unapproved source.

Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally there were three basic and nine intermediate violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Americas Best Value Inn, 3220 N. Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, had two violations during a July 7 inspection, one of which was high priority:

Establishment operating without a license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants.

Additionally, there was one intermediate violation. A follow-up inspection is required.

Twisted Biscuit Cafe, 4700 Babcock St. N.E. Suite 1, Palm Bay, had 30 violations during a July 7 inspection, seven of which were deemed high priority:

Dishmachine not sanitizing properly.

Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.

Pesticide-emitting strip present in kitchen near where clean dishes are stored.

Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature.

Stop Sale issued: Time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.

Additionally there were 16 basic and seven intermediate violations marked. NOTE: A July 11 callback inspection found inspection standards met.

Odyssey Pizza & Subs, 1424 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, had nine violations marked during a July 11 inspection, one of which was deemed high priority:

Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.

Additionally there were four basic and four intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

321 Eats, 34 S. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, had 13 violations marked during a July 7 inspection, four of which were marked high priority:

Administrative complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. D

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Stop Sale issued: Food not being in a wholesome, sound condition.

Additionally there were six basic and three intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

McDonald's 12519, 4625 State Road 520, Cocoa, had nine violations marked during a July 7 inspection, three of which were deemed high priority:

Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.

Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally there were six basic violations. NOTE: A July 10 callback inspection found inspection standards met.

Soul Bowl, 1070 Clear Lake Road, Cocoa, had seven violations marked during a July 7 inspection, four of which were high priority:

Establishment operating with no potable running water.

Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.

Administrative complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Additionally there were two basic and one intermediate violation marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Area 142, 142 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach, had 17 violations during a July 7 inspection, five of which were deemed high priority:

Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength.

Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food.

Administrative Complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area.

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Additionally there were six basic and six intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Le Crave Of Rockledge, 6525 3 St., Suite 107, Rockledge, had eight violations marked during a July 7 inspection, one of which was high priority;

Administrative complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Additionally there were two basic and five intermediate violations marked. A followup inspection is required.A follow-up inspection is required.

Bizzarro Pizza Of Bayside Lakes, 3450 Bayside Lakes Blvd. S.E., Unit 110, Palm Bay, had 11 violations during a July 10 inspection, one of which was high priority:

Stop Sale issued: Time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally there were six basic and four intermediate violations. A callback inspection on July 11 resulted in a time extension on five remaining violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Tree Of Life Cuban Bakery, 106 Main St, Titusville, had 20 violations during a July 10 inspection, five of which were deemed high priority:

Employee dried hands on clothes/apron/soiled towel after washing.

Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.

Nonfood-grade bags used in direct contact with food.

Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally there were 11 basic and four intermediate violations marked. A July 11 callback inspection found inspection standards met.

Chili's Hamburger Grill & Bar, 4702 Babcock St. N.E., Palm Bay, had 11 violations marked during a July 11 inspection, three of which were deemed high priority:

Cooked/heated time/temperature control for safety food not cooled from 135 degrees Fahrenheit to 41 degrees Fahrenheit within 6 hours.

Stop Sale issued: Time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally there were six basic and two intermediate violations marked. A July 13 callback inspection found inspection standards met.

Big Shot Bob's House Of Wings, 111 E. Central Blvd, Cape Canaveral, had seven violations during a July 11 inspection, one of which was deemed high priority:

Administrative complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Additionally there were three basic and three intermediate violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Bean Sprout Asian Cuisine And Sushi Bar, 2221 Town Center Ave. Suite 115, Viera, had nine violations marked during a July 11 inspection, three of which were deemed high priority:

Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.

In-use utensil stored in unclean water at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Administrative Complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Additionally, there are four basic and two intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Papa Murphy's Take N Bake Pizza, 4100 N. Wickham Road Suite 121, Melbourne, had two violations during a July 11 callback inspection. While there were no high priority violations, there was an administrative complaint:

Administrative Complaint: No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.

Additionally there was one basic violation. A follow-up inspection is required.

Pineda Inn Bar & Grill, 6533 U.S. 1, Rockledge, had 21 violations marked during a July 11 inspection, four of which were deemed high priority:

Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.

Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.

Stop Sale issued: Time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, there were 11 basic and six intermediate violations. A July 13 callback inspection extended the time on 19 violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Bella's Pizza, 4301 State Road 524, Cocoa, had nine violations marked during a July 12 inspection, one of which is high priority:

Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.

Additionally, there were six basic and two intermediate violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Chef's Kitchen, 1070 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, had 12 violations marked during a July 12 inspection, two of which were deemed high priority:

Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.

Administrative Complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Additionally, there were six basic and four intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

New England Eatery & Pub, 5670 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach, had 13 violations marked during a July 12 inspection, four of which were deemed high priority:

Four Dented cans of marinara present.

Container of medicine improperly stored.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. R

Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.

Additionally there were eight basic and one intermediate violation marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Panera Bread Store 2780, 4100 N. Wickham Road, Suite 104, Melbourne, had seven violations marked during a July 12 inspection, three of which were high priority:

Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.

Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, there were four basic violations marked. NOTE: A July 13 callback inspection found inspection standards met.

Broken Barrel Tavern, 4700 Babcock St. Unit 15&16, Palm Bay, had 11 violations marked during a July 13 inspection, three of which were high priority:

Three dented cans present .

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, there were seven basic and one intermediate violation marked. NOTE: A July 14 callback inspection found inspection standards met.

Pig And Whistle, 240 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach, had nine violations marked during a July 13 inspection, three of which were high priority:

Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength.

Stop Sale issued: Time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, there were six basic violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Rec 225, 225 King St., Cocoa, had 19 violations marked during a July 13 inspection, three of which were high priority:

Administrative Complaint: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.

Additionally there were 13 basic and three intermediate violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Port St. John Lunch Box, 5601 U.S. 1, Cocoa, had 20 violations marked during a July 13 inspection, one of which was marked high priority:

Food stored in ice used for drinks.

Additionally, there were 12 basic and seven intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Jersey Brothers Diner, 2162 Harris Ave., Palm Bay, had 20 violations during a July 13 inspection, nine of which were high priority:

No proof of parasite destruction or aquaculture documentation for cold smoked salmon served raw or undercooked.

Nonfood-grade bag used to cover blueberry muffins.

Pesticide-emitting strip present in food prep area.

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature.

Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. wiping gloved hands on towels.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

Vacuum breaker missing at hose bibb or on fitting/splitter added to hose bibb.

Additionally, there were seven basic and four intermediate violations marked. A July 14 callback inspection resulted in a time extension for five violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Third Culture Kitchen, 1000 Cheney Highway, Titusville, had 13 violations marked during a July 14 inspection, two of which were high priority:

Dented/rusted cans present.

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, there were eight basic and and three intermediate violations. A follow-up inspection is required.

Texas Roadhouse, 1181 Malabar Road, Palm Bay, had eight violations during a July 14 inspection, one of which was high priority:

Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally there were four basic and three intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection in required.

Gold Fish Bowl, 318 Mariner Way, Titusville, had 21 violations during a July 14 inspection, four of which were high priority:

Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area.

Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.

Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored.

Vacuum breaker missing at mop sink faucet or on fitting/splitter added to mop sink faucet.

Additionally, there were nine basic and seven intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

Prime Treats, 3720 Curtis Blvd., Port St. John, had eight violations marked during a July 14 inspection, none of which were high priority. There were three basic and five intermediate violations marked. A follow-up inspection is required.

As may be seen here, sometimes violations of state requirements are related to things technical, so its always good to read all the reports in full. Find it all at data.floridatoday.com/restaurant-inspections/brevard.

Regardless, if you notice abuses of state standards, report them and DBPR will send inspectors. Call 1-850-487-1395.

What restaurant inspection terms mean

What does all that terminology in state restaurant inspections mean?

Basic violations are those considered against best practices.

Intermediate violations are those which, if not addressed, could lead to factors that contribute to foodborne illness or injury, including insufficient personnel training, documentation or record keeping and labeling.

High-priority violations are those that could contribute directly to foodborne illness or injury, such as in cooking, reheating, cooling and hand-washing.

A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report.

An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Administrative complaints may be issued for basic, intermediate or high-priority infractions.

Says the division website, Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over.

An emergency order  when a restaurant is closed by the inspector  is based on an immediate threat to the public. In this circumstance, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect the health, safety or welfare of the public.

Twenty-four-hour call-back inspections are performed after emergency closures or suspensions of licenses and an establishment may reopen only after inspection shows that all high-priority violations that caused the suspension are corrected.

For additional information, go to myfloridalicense.com/DBPR.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard restaurants close following roach, rodent evidence
The post Sheryl Crow Rips Jason Aldean: This is Not American Its Just Lame appeared first on Consequence.

Sheryl Crow has condemned fellow country musician Jason Aldean for his controversial new song Try That in a Small Town. The song not only promotes violence against left-wing and Black Live Matters protestors, but its music video was filmed at the site of an actual lynching in Tennessee.

Im from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence. Theres nothing small-town or American about promoting violence, Crow wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.

You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting, Crow continued, referencing the 2017 mass shooting at Las Vegas Route 91 Festival, of which Aldean was a headliner. This is not American or small town-like. Its just lame.

Crow also retweeted a post listing the numerous small towns where mass shootings have taken place, including Parkland, Newton, and Uvalde.

In Try That in a Small Town, Aldean juxtaposes images of nationwide Black Lives Matters protests alongside threatening lyrics. Try that in a small town/ See how far ya make it down the road/ Around here, we take care of our own/ You cross that line, it wont take long/ For you to find out, I dont recommend you dont/ Try that in a small town, Aldean sings. He goes on, Got a gun that my granddad gave me/ They say one day theyre gonna round up/ Well, that shit might fly in the city, good luck.

Whats more, the songs accompanying video was filmed in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee  the site of a brutal lynching in 1927, in which 18-year-old Henry Choate was killed and hung from the building.

Its also worth noting that Aldean is not actually from a small town. He was born and raised in Macon  the fourth largest city in Georgia. He now resides in Nashville, Tennessee, the 21st most-populous city in the country.

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In a statement responding to critics, Aldean denied that Try That in a Small Town is pro-lynching. There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isnt a single video clip that isnt real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far, he stated.

.@Jason_Aldean Im from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence.Theres nothing small-town or American about promoting violence. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small town-like. Its just lame https://t.co/cuOtUO9xjr  Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) July 19, 2023

Revisit Crows most recent appearance on Kyle Meredith With

Sheryl Crow Rips Jason Aldean: This is Not American Its Just Lame

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Theres no denying that many Americans are struggling to meet their retirement savings goals. According to the 2023 Planning & Progress Study, an annual research report from Northwestern Mutual, Americans on average believe that theyll need $1.27 million to retire comfortably. But the average American has just $89,300 in retirement savings.

What this means is that, for most Americans, Social Security may be needed to make up a large part of the deficit. Most millennials and Gen Zers who partook in the Northwestern Mutual study are anything but optimistic about how realistic thatll be for them come their retirement. According to the survey, millennials expect Social Security to fund just 19% of their retirement expenses, while Gen Zers expect Social Security to fund just 15% of theirs.

Social Security: No Matter Your Age, Do Not Claim Benefits Until You Reach This Milestone

Learn: 3 Ways To Recession-Proof Your Retirement

Why are younger generations so pessimistic about Social Security? Are they right in their assumptions, or are they in for a pleasant surprise?

Why Are Younger Generations Pessimistic About Social Security?

The Social Security Administration itself might be a large part of why Gen Zers and millennials fear for Social Security. According to the latest report from the Social Security Board of Trustees, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund, which is used to pay retirement benefits, will be able to pay 100% of total scheduled benefits until 2033. After that, the funds reserves will be depleted.

According to this report, it seems as if the Social Security trustees themselves are telling everyone that in just 10 years, Social Security will run out of money. Under that scenario, it makes sense to assume that there wont be anything left by the time millennials and Gen Zers retire, as both generations are currently between 11 and 42 years of age. This isnt the full story, however.

Retirement Savings: Experts Say This Magic Number Is the Key  and Its Not $1 Million

Are Millennials and Gen Zers Wrong in Their Assumptions?

The depletion of the Social Security Trust Fund in just 10 years sounds alarming. That claim makes up only half the story.

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The second half of that same paragraph reads as follows:

[At that time]  continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 77% of scheduled benefits.

But, if the Social Security Trust Fund will be depleted in 2033, how will Social Security still manage to pay 77% of schedule benefits?

The reality is that the bulk of Social Security funding comes from current workers. Benefit payments are funneled to beneficiaries via payroll taxes. In past decades, revenue raised by the program exceeded the amount needed to pay retiree benefits, so the excess went into the Social Security Trust Fund.

Thanks to factors such as the growing number of retirees in relation to current workers, money in the Social Security Trust Fund is now used to supplement payroll taxes. But once the trust fund is depleted, ongoing revenue from the current workforce will still pay approximately 77% of needed benefits. While no one wants to take a 23% cut to their Social Security benefits, the idea that payments are simply going away is a misperception.

Additional Help May Be on the Way

Politicians already are looking at tweaks to make to the program so it remains 100% funded for the foreseeable future. In an overly simplistic analysis, all that needs to be done to keep Social Security solvent is to match expenses with revenue.

The two broad solutions to this are to cut expenses (benefits) or raise revenue. Because politicians who advocate for cuts to Social Security benefits may be committing political suicide, its highly likely that the raise revenue route will be chosen.

A few proposals made to accomplish this include:

Raising the full retirement age

Eliminate (or raise) the Social Security wage base limit

Increase the payroll tax rate

Reduce the size of the cost-of-living adjustment

Adjust (reduce) benefits based on the means of the recipient

Each of these suggestions has its pros and cons, and getting all sides of the political spectrum to agree on a single option may be difficult. However, given the importance of Social Security to American retirees, it seems likely that politicians will be more and more motivated to come up with a solution as full depletion of the Social Security Trust Fund approaches.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Gen Z and Millennials Arent Counting on Social Security  Are They in for a Pleasant Surprise?
ST. PETERSBURG  Kai Tomalin has never been to Colombia, but if you ask his abuelita, shed say hes been there hundreds of times  because she has taken him through her stories.

Tomalin spent his childhood listening to his godmother, Albaluz V. Marasco, and her mother, Ernestina M. Vargas, talk about their lives in Colombia. They are not blood-related, but Tomalin, the son of former St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin and late Tampa Bay Times reporter Terry Tomalin, considers them family.

Ernestina, whom he refers to as his abuelita, would regale Tomalin with stories about her childhood, laced with the magical realism of the spirit world, friendly animals and the flora of Colombias diverse landscapes.

Those stories have become an art and ethnography project, Dame tus Manos, which Tomalin, 22, will present for one night only at the Studio@620 in St. Petersburg on July 22.

Vargas told Tomalin her stories, he said, because she knew he would preserve them for the family. She told him that while everyone has a gift, not everyone opens the package. These gifts are a form of magic, and Tomalins magic, his abuelita said, is storytelling.

It feels like a sacred task to record these stories, Tomalin said.

The project began last year, while Tomalin was taking the summer artists and scholars program at American University in Washington, D.C. He was interested in using art as a tool for research. His proposal was to do ethnographic research  the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and cultures. Because of the threads of magical realism that pervade his familys stories, Tomalin wondered how he would present them in an academic setting.

The answer was to study the concept of placemaking  the way displaced people preserve their culture in a host land. Chinatowns in different cities are a perfect example, he said.

Theres a strong kind of longing to have some sort of connection or physical return to that host or to the home, he said. And so I was curious, in a nation that was so seriously impacted by violent conflict  that not only changed the ecology and the topography of the nation in a significant way, but also displaced people and a lot of things permanently. How does placemaking work when you cant always return to the homeland?

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The cornerstone of the project, which he calls an enchanted ethnography, is the idea that people who were displaced brought with them the seeds of magical realism that is rooted in Colombia, in order to preserve their culture.

The main character of the stories is his abuelita as a child. Shes a mischievous, curious girl who is at one with the natural world. Tomalin organized the stories and watercolor illustrations into four categories: the natural world, animals, spirits and people.

Each one of those four things served as a foundation for building this perception of her home, and most of these stories take place when she was a little girl, he said. Its so fun to listen to her tell the stories because she tells them the way she remembers them as being a little child.

His favorite story is about Ernestinas family cow named Blanca, who produced the purest milk despite never having a calf of her own. When a special black-and-white orchid from the spiritual world appeared in the physical world, Blanca wouldnt come to be milked because she wanted to stay with the flower  because it didnt have a mother. Ernestina fed the orchid to Blanca, and the next spring the cow delivered a baby calf with the same marking on its head as the flower.

As another layer of connection, Tomalin used a variety of foods native to Colombia as the pigment for his paintings. Doing so required a lot of experimentation, like leaving saffron threads and butterfly pea flowers in water to extract color, or layering watermelon juice on top of colors like a varnish. Skin tones are created with coffee; reds and purples with hibiscus. He dips his brush directly into a mangos flesh to build a delicious orange color. It all requires patience.

The cool thing is when we look at the illustrations, with the knowledge of what theyre painted (with), it makes them a kind of collage of lived experience and the ecology of the space within the image, he said.

Tomalin found that making these on watercolor paper was the only way to combat fading. But prints of the pieces have been made on canvases, which will hang in the show.

Tomalin recorded the stories  which he calls Cartas de Amor a Colombia (love letters to Colombia)  in English and Spanish. Guests at the opening can listen to them on headphones, in a space that he designed to feel like a living room. He made paper mache birds and monkeys that will hang in the space.

Ultimately, Tomalin would like to make a book of the stories and paintings so that as many people as possible can experience his abuelitas memories.

Itd be a great way to preserve these stories and these people and these animals, he said.

What to know before you go see Dame tus Manos

Dame tus Manos is up for one night only. Free. 7 p.m. Tomalin will give a presentation at 7:15 p.m. Studio@620. 620 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. thestudioat620.org
Tiger Woods ex-girlfriend Erica Herman has dropped her $30 million lawsuit which claimed he violated an oral tenancy agreement following their split.

Herman, 39, dismissed the case pending the result of her latest appeal of a judges order to throw out a different lawsuit she filed to nullify a 2017 nondisclosure agreement she signed with Woods, 47, according to documents obtained by Us Weekly.

Herman first sued Woods trust the titleholder on his home  in October 2022, claiming that he violated the oral agreement that stated she could live at his residence for a certain duration of time in exchange for performing valuable services.

In documents obtained by Us Weekly at the time, Herman alleged that she was locked out of the home by trickery when there were five years left of the pairs oral agreement. She claimed that $30 million represented the reasonable rental value of the property for the remaining five years of the alleged agreement.

Woods trust, for their part, filed documents to dismiss Hermans complaint in November 2022. The entity claimed in their response that per Hermans NDA with Woods, she was required to resolve any and all disputes, claims or controversies with the golfer through confidential arbitration.

By suing the Trust rather than Mr. Woods, Ms. Herman seeks to evade her obligation to adjudicate her claims in a confidential arbitration and, instead, seeks to gain leverage by litigating her disputes with Mr. Woods in a public forum, the documents read. The Trust also denied the existence of an oral tenancy agreement.

Tiger Woods, Erica Herman. Shutterstock (2)

While a hearing for Hermans lawsuit regarding the oral tenancy was initially scheduled for August, a court document filed on June 29 announced it had been canceled due to Hermans dismissal of the suit.

The Plaintiff, Erica Herman, by and through her undersigned counsel, hereby dismisses without prejudice her Complaint, filed on October 26, 2022, pending resolution of the appeal in Herman v. Woods and determination of whether her claims are subject to arbitration," the filings read, per The Post.

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Days before the lawsuits dismissal, Herman filed her second appeal after her case seeking to lift her NDA with Woods on the grounds that the athlete harassed her was thrown out. In May, Florida judge Elizabeth Metzger deemed the sexual misconduct claims vague and threadbare, according to documents obtained by Us at the time.

Earlier that month, Herman filed court documents that claimed Woods sexually harassed her shortly after she began working at his Florida restaurant in 2014. Her attorneys alleged that Woods "forced her to sign an NDA" in 2017 or else she would "be fired from her job." The twosome were already in a romantic relationship at that point, but the lawyers pointed out in the filing that "a boss imposing different work conditions on his employee because of their sexual relationship is sexual harassment."

Herman went on to claim that Woods sexually harassed her again in 2022 when he allegedly kicked her out of their home. "The landlord made the availability of her housing conditional on her having sexual relationship with a co-tenant," Herman's attorneys alleged in the court filing. "That conduct amounts to sexual harassment under federal and Florida fair housing laws."

Woods, for his part, called Herman a jilted ex-girlfriend who wants to publicly litigate specious claims in court, rather than honor her commitment to arbitrate disputes in a confidential arbitration proceeding," in his response, adding that the Speak Out Act which protects victims of sexual harassment and assault and was cited by Herman in her filing  was a transparent abuse of the judicial process that undermines the purpose of the federal statute and those whom the statute seeks to protect.

Woods and Herman dated for five years before their messy 2022 split A source exclusively told Us in March that Woods and Herman experienced a breakdown in their relationship and clashed over time and money, which ultimately led to their breakup.

Erica thought Tiger was never at home, and Tiger thought Erica was spending too much and living too lavish of a lifestyle, the insider told Us, noting that the former couples romance started out very strong.

Woods previously made headlines in 2009 when he was caught cheating on then-wife Elin Nordegren with several women. The duo  who share two children  finalized their divorce in 2010. Woods later sought treatment for sex addiction following the scandal.
Take a look: What's happening in July? Here's our events calendar.

We're not going to recommend anything outside for this weekend. It's hot, even by Southwest Florida standards. So stay cool and check out these fun things to do indoors.

5. 'Dumb and Dumber' actor performs standup at OTH

Actor and comedian Harland Williams performs standup this weekend in Naples.

Canadian actor and comedian Harland Williams  whose film credits include "Dumb and Dumber" and "There's Something About Mary"  performs standup at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 21; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 22; and 6 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. $30 general admission, plus a fee. offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901

4. Enjoy ice cream, now more than ever

As ice cream parlors go, it doesn't get any cooler in Southwest Florida and Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream at 2359 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 408, which opened in 2015 in Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt, North Naples. Watch ice cream made before your eyes in a flash-freezing liquid nitrogen process. And if the heat wasn't enough reason to enjoy it, July is National Ice Cream Month and July 18 was National Ice Cream Day. So what if we're a day or too late, we love ice cream year round, so visit any of the many ice cream spots in Southwest Florida. subzeroicecream.com

3. Serious new youth play in Bonita

"Bulletproof Backpack" is a new Arts Bonita Youth Theatre Production. See it this weekend in Bonita Springs.

"Bulletproof Backpack" is an award-winning contemporary play featuring some of the best young artists in Southwest Florida. "This gripping story explores the effects of an often unmentioned aspect of American culture  school students living under the constant threat of violence," its website promotion says, which also cautions that the show contains mature themes. See it at 7 p.m. Friday or Saturday or 2 p.m. Saturday or Sunday at Center for Performing Arts, Hinman Auditorium, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. $20 general admission, $25 reserved or $10 for students. artcenterbonita.org

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2. See one or both: 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' hit the big screen

This combination of images shows Margot Robbie in a scene from "Barbie," left, and Cillian Murphy in a scene from "Oppenheimer."

It's hot outside and it will be inside theaters too, when two major summer movies open this weekend (some even a few days earlier). "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" both hit the big screen at Southwest Florida theaters including Regal Naples 4DX & IMAX, 6006 Hollywood Drive; Paragon Pavilion, 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples; and Prado Stadium 12 at 25251 Chamber of Commerce Dr., Bonita Springs. More at fandango.com.

1. Go 'under the sea' at youth theater show

Enjoy a youth theater adaptation of Disney's "Little Mermaid Jr." at Gulfshore Playhouse, 755 Eighth Ave., Naples. Talented young stars bring the popular 1989 Disney animated musical film to life. Five shows at various times July 20-23 at. Tickets $25. More at gulfshoreplayhouse.org

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Things to do in Naples, Bonita Springs: Cool weekend indoors events
Travis Scotts planned performance at the Pyramids of Giza is facing pushback from Egypts Musicians Syndicate, Agence France-Presse reports. The group said that it is revoking a permit for the July 28 concert because it contradict[s] the identity of the Egyptian culture.

It is unclear, however, if the group has the official authority to cancel Scotts show, and, in a statement shared with Pitchfork, promoter Live Nation said: There have been no changes to Travis Scotts show in Egypt; any reports to the contrary are false. We cant wait to celebrate Utopia with you in Egypt!

According to an English version of Egypts government-owned newspaper, Al-Ahram, the syndicate said that it is committed to preserving the security and stability of our beloved homeland and rejects any actions that go against its societal values, and claimed that Scotts concerts involve strange rituals. The newspaper also reports that the opposition is due to the 2021 mass casualty incident at Astroworld that left 10 attendees dead. Scott announced his Egyptian concert just over a week after a Texas grand jury declined to indict the rapper on criminal charges.

As noted by the Los Angeles Times, the musicians syndicate banned Mashrou Leila from performing in Egypt after a crowd member unveiled a rainbow flag during the bands performance in Cairo in 2017. The syndicate also temporarily banned a genre of music has roots in the countrys 2011 revolution.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
You may have already spotted a fallen branch this summer around Sacramento as the days heat up and moisture dissipates.

Its not uncommon for this time of year.

The phenomenon known as the summer branch drop can create a disturbance in peoples daily lives. If suddenly a tree branch falls on your parked vehicle, it can certainly put a damper on your day  and deficit in your wallet.

Heres why branches fall during the summer, who covers damage and who is responsible for clean up:

Why do tree branches fall during summer months?

According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, drought stress can contribute to sudden branch drop  but its not the only factor. Generally, heat and lack of moisture in the summer months can cause trees to self prune and its more common with mature trees, The Bee previously reported.

Branch dropping is common in oak trees..

There is no way to prevent branches from falling, according to the University of California research. However, there are some preventative measures you can take:

Upkeep your trees by shortening long horizontal branches

Keep a proper watering schedule for your trees needs

Will my car insurance cover a fallen tree branch?

You may be covered if you have comprehensive coverage, but youll want to check your policy.

This usually covers policy holders on incidents that are out of their control or incidents often referred to as acts of God, The Bee reported in January. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car caused by something other than a collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism, windstorm, flood and falling objects, according to the California Department of Insurance.

Comprehensive coverage requires a deductible fee to move forward with a claim. Deductibles are typically around $500, but can be more or less, depending on what you picked when you selected your policy.

If a tree or tree branch falls on your car, you can file a claim through your auto insurance. If you only have liability insurance  coverage for accidents  the damage probably isnt covered.

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There is typically $500 limit to have a tree removed from the damaged structure, said spokeswoman Amy Harris in an email to The Bee. The fee only includes removal of the tree off the vehicle, not off the property.

Harris advises that people do the following if a branch or tree falls on their car:

Document the damage with pictures and video. This information can all be helpful in the claims process.

Get recommendations for contractors and shop around for the best pricing on car damage.

Make sure estimates are all detailed and dont pay for any work up front.

If the tree isnt from your property and you can can prove a neighbor or a public entity neglected the fallen tree, they may be responsible for damages. Otherwise: Its likely on you and your insurance.

Who cleans up the fallen tree in Sacramento?

Trees and their fallen branches are mostly a fact of life in Sacramento  especially in areas with a dense tree canopy.

Heres who is responsible for the cleanup:

A tree falls on your home

If a tree or a large tree branch falls on your home, youll need to call a private tree company to remove the tree, said county spokeswoman Janna Haynes in a previous Bee story. This also applies to private streets. Youll have to go through your insurance company to find out what damage will be covered.

The rules for the city of Sacramento are similar to those of the county. If a tree or branch falls on private property, the owner is responsible for clean up as they would for any other plant or shrubbery, The Bee previously reported.

A tree falls on the street

If a tree branch falls on a public street, you should report it to the city or county, depending on where you see it  and especially if you notice that its touching power lines. Here are some options to get in touch with someone to clean up the branch in unincorporated county:

Dial 3-1-1

Dial 916-875-4311

Make a report online at Sacramento Countys 311 website

If you need to report a fallen branch to the city of Sacramento, the rules are similar to those of the county. Dial 3-1-1 or 916-808-5011 to report fallen tress or branches on public roads.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Fox News

The same day Donald Trump announced that he is the target of Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smiths Jan. 6 investigation, the former president complained to longtime ally Sean Hannity during a pre-taped Fox News town hall that he was bothered by the developments yet would not be frightened.

In Trumps second town hall on the conservative network since the beginning of June, Hannity began with a softball question, asking his pal how he seems so unfazed by the several criminal investigations he faces.

Trump was indicted in March on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a case brought by the Manhattan District Attorney over hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. In June, a federal grand jury impaneled by Smith issued a 37-count indictment for willful retention of national defense information and conspiring to obstruct justice, among several other crimes, relating to his alleged mishandling of classified documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, while no longer president.

And in Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has suggested that indictments relating to Trumps 2020 election interference in that state could come before September. On Monday, the state Supreme Court unanimously agreed to toss Trumps bid to quash her investigation.

In light of all these never-ending attacks, as Hannity phrased it, it doesnt seem to bother you like I think it would bother so many other people. What is it about you that it doesnt?

Trump Loses It Over Letter Saying Hes a Target of Jack Smiths Jan. 6 Probe

Trump, though, didnt quite go along with the Fox hosts view of the situation.

No, it bothers me. It bothers me for everybody in this incredible sold-out audience, he said to those gathered in Des Moines.

Trump then regurgitated his complaint that the investigations into him are election interference, and that the Department of Justice is partisan.

They want to try to demean and diminish and frighten people, he insisted. But they dont frighten us because were going to make America great again. Thats all there is.

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Hannity dutifully replied that he has never felt more fearful of the state of this country than I am right now.

Minutes later, Hannityin classic Fox fashionattempted a clunky transition from Trumps legal woes to Hunter Biden.

We cannot ignore todays events, when you put out your Truth Social posts, Hannity said.

By that, I want to talk about what is clearly now what the Judiciary Committee under Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is looking into: whether or not our FBI and our Department of Justice have been weaponized and politicized, he said. I have two headlines here: FBI tipped off Biden team, Secret Service about plan to interview Hunter.

GOP Lashes Out Over Trump Target Letter: Worse Than Russia

Shortly after, Hannity name-dropped none other than Hillary Clinton.

Hannity, of course, denigrated the work of the House Jan. 6 Committee, which ultimately made four criminal referrals of Trump to the DOJ, two of which were for obstructing an official proceeding and defrauding the government by committing a conspiracy.

It remains to be seen which crime or crimes Trump will be charged with as a result of his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 presidential election.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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July 18 (UPI) -- A section of an Oregon Beach was temporarily closed when a cougar climbed a landmark rock in an apparent hunt for seabirds.

The mountain lion was spotted Sunday morning on Haystack Rock, an iconic location for seabird watching on the coast in Cannon Beach.

The animal was believed to have climbed the rock during low tide and became stranded when the water rose.

Authorities blocked off a section of beach and the surrounding dunes to give the cougar a path back to its usual habitat.

"While the forested areas along the coast are prime habitat for cougars, it is unusual that a cougar made its way on to Haystack Rock," ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Paul Atwood told KGW-TV. "Their primary food source is deer, but they will also consume elk, other mammals and birds."

Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife returned to the area Monday and confirmed the predator was no longer on the rock and had left tracks leading away from the area. The beach was reopened to the public.

Haystack Rock, a designated wilderness area protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, is iconic among birdwatchers for its nesting seabirds, including tufted puffins.
In case you needed definitive proof that Josh Flagg really knows how to summer, we have it for you. The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles agent has been spending time in Europe, taking in the sights and meeting up with special (and familiar) friends over the past few weeks. Be warned: What hes sharing will certainly induce all kinds of FOMO.

Check out photos of Josh Flaggs vacation in Europe

Josh most recently made some luxurious stops in France, sharing Instagram Stories from his time in Saint-Tropez, where he dined out with friends and did some alfresco shopping. That stop came shortly after he was spotted (well, posted photos to Instagram) at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap dAntibes, France.

Josh Flagg spotted with Tracy Tutor on vacation in France

Daily Dish Mdlla Josh Flagg Tracy Tutor 1

Heres Where Josh Flagg and Tracy Tutor Stand After the MDLLA Drama

By the way, he has also met up with the special lady in his life during his travels. He shared that while he was in France, he got in some QT with the one and only Tracy Tutor. Another night with [Tracy], another bad movie, he captioned a photo of the two snuggled up at the hotel, to which Tracy responded, The question is why watch the movie hes right next to me.

She also posted about the trip to Instagram, adding, Vivre la bonne vie! Thank you [Josh] for including me on your annual trip to [Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc]. It was exactly what I needed.









Josh Flagg vacations with Candy Spelling and explains their bond

Earlier this summer, he spent some quality time with another longtime companion and friend, Candy Spelling, in Italy and Paris. Around that time, he opened up about his tight-knit bond with his longtime BFF.

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Several weeks back, when sharing photos on Instagram from their travels, he opened up more about why he feels such love for Candy.

People always ask what the deal is with me and [Candy]. If you recall, I was extremely close to my grandmother [Edith Flagg]. We traveled the world together. We were best friends. She crafted me into the man I am today. She was the only one Id listen to when I heard the word no. She understood me and loved me because of who I was, and not despite. When my grandmother died, she left me with a lot of things, but Id give them all back for the chance to continue to have her as my best friend and travel companion, he wrote in a lengthy tribute.

Daily Dish Mdlla Josh Flagg Days Of Our Lives

Josh Flagg Makes a Huge Career Announcement  and It Has Nothing to Do with Real Estate (UPDATED)

He added, We went to something like seventy countries together. She was the only person who was spontaneous enough that if I said, Lets go to Paris for the weekend, we'd be on a plane a few hours later. While Candys not my grandmothers age (and shed murder me for even implying it), shes become the Edith figure in my life. I wonder if somehow Edith didnt send her to me. She and I now travel the world together. We shop together. And frankly, we just have tons of fun together. Its a privilege to call her my best friend. (It also doesnt hurt that we are practically the same person.) Im lucky to have had strong role models like my grandmother, my mother [Cindy], and Candy Spelling in my life. I love you all so much. So I hope everyone enjoys following our travels that we should call Edith II.





More on Josh Flagg's Life Today

Josh Flagg Tracy Tutor

Of course, when he's not hanging with BFFs like Tracy Tutor, he can be found back in Los Angeles where he's busy making real estate deals and chilling at this gorgeous home.

You can hear more from Josh in the video at the top of the post.
An American soldier who had just been released from a South Korean detention facility fled across the border to North Korea where he was taken into custody this month.

Here's what we know about the situation.

Who is the detainee in North Korean custody?

The soldier in question was identified as 23-year-old U.S. Army Private 2nd Class Travis King, according to a U.S. official. King has been a cavalry scout in the U.S. Army since January 2021 and has no deployments, according to service information provided by Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee.

King has received three medals while serving in the U.S. military: the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon. These medals are commonly received by American service members in Korea.

On Sept. 4, 2022, King failed to report for his daily formation and, when reached away from the base, stated that he "refused to return to post or America," a U.S. official told ABC News.

At the time, King was serving as a cavalry scout at Camp Bonifas in northwestern South Korea, just south of the southern end of the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, the heavily militarized border that separates North and South Korea. As a scout and because of where he was serving, King would have been aware of the risks in crossing the DMZ, according to the official.

The official said King was later found in Uijeongbu, a South Korean city some 25 miles southeast of Camp Bonifas.

PHOTO: South Korean army soldiers pass by a military guard post at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Why was he in a South Korean detention facility?

King served 47 days in a South Korean detention facility following an altercation with locals, according to a U.S. official.

South Korean media reported that King allegedly punched someone in the face repeatedly while drinking at a club in Seoul last September. He also allegedly kicked and broke the door of a police patrol car that was sent to the scene of a reported assault in Seoul last October, according to South Korean media.

After finishing his sentence, King was released from the detention facility on July 10, according to The Associated Press.

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A U.S. official told ABC News that King was set to face a "pending administrative separation actions for foreign conviction" upon his return to the United States.

PHOTO: Barricades are placed near the Unification Bridge, which leads to the Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone on July 19, 2023 in Paju, South Korea. (Chung Sung-jun/Getty Images)

How did he get to North Korea?

Two U.S. officials told ABC News that King spent about a week under observation at a U.S. military base in South Korea after being released from jail. He completed out-processing from the facility and on July 17 was escorted by U.S. military officials to South Korea's Incheon International Airport as far as the customs checkpoint.

The military escort had no ticket and was not allowed past the checkpoint, so King continued into the terminal alone, according to the U.S. officials.

A U.S. official told ABC News that King was supposed to board a flight and end up in Fort Bliss, Texas. Because King had finished serving his sentence, he was no longer under custody and, thus, an escort to the gate was not required. There was also no reason to suspect he would fail to board his flight.

But instead, King left the airport terminal for a tour of the DMZ. There was a gap of almost 12 hours from when King was dropped at the airport to the time he crossed the DMZ, according to U.S. officials. It's unclear when he bought a ticket for the tour.

While on the tour, the soldier "willfully and without authorization crossed the military demarcation line," according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who didn't identify King by name.

"We're very early in this event and so there's a lot that we're still trying to learn," Austin told reporters on July 18. "We believe that he is in DPRK custody. We're closely monitoring and investigating the situation, and working to notify the soldier's next of kin and engaging to address this incident."

"I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop. We will remain focused on this, and this will develop in the next several days," he added.

The United Nations Command also confirmed the incident via Twitter on July 18, saying an American "on a JSA orientation tour crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." The Joint Security Area, or JSA, sits in the DMZ along the border between North and South Korea.

"We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident," the U.N. command tweeted.

Witnesses told ABC News that King sprinted across the border.

Once he crossed into North Korea, King was immediately taken away in a van and is believed to have been taken to the capital Pyongyang, a U.S. official told ABC News. But the Pentagon said they see no reason to suspect the soldier planned his crossing with the North Korean government.

The U.S. military did not know that King was missing until the plane he was supposed to board landed in the United States. He was supposed to have been picked up by an escort, similarly to how he was escorted to the airport in South Korea, according to U.S. officials.

PHOTO: A group of tourists stand near a border station at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea, July 18, 2023. (Sarah Jane Leslie/AP)

What does his family say?

King's mother, Claudine Gates, who lives in Racine, Wisconsin, said she was shocked when she heard her son had crossed into North Korea.

"I can't see Travis doing anything like that," Gates told ABC News during an interview on July 18.

Gates said the U.S. Army told her that morning that King had crossed into North Korea. She said she last heard from her son "a few days ago," when he told her would return soon to his base in Fort Bliss.

She told ABC News that she just wants "him to come home."

PHOTO: A United Nations Command soldier provides a media tour as a South Korean soldier and others stand guard before the military demarcation line separating North and South Korea, at the Joint Security Area in Panmunjom on October 4, 2022. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)

What's next and what's being done to secure his release?

U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation, while the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of State work with the U.N. "to ascertain more information and resolve this situation," according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who declined to say how much political capital the Biden administration would expend to secure the soldier's safe return.

"I don't have more to share beyond that," Jean-Pierre told reporters on July 18. "We are looking into this."

Several U.S. officials told ABC News that North Korea has not yet responded to inquiries made by the United States about King's status. The contacts with North Korea are being made by the U.S. via the U.N. Command, not through U.S. military channels because they dont exist with North Korea, the officials said.

The top U.S. military general in South Korea heads U.S. Forces Korea and is also the head of the U.N. Command, which has regular -- almost daily -- contact with the North Korean military. While the U.N. Command was the channel that the U.S. request was made through, U.S. officials told ABC News that North Korea has yet to respond.

North Korean state media has also remained uncharacteristically silent on the matter.

"We're still doing everything we can to try to find out his whereabouts, his well-being and condition and making it clear that we want to see him safely and quickly returned to the United States and to his family," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on July 20. "Not for lack of trying, we just don't have anything."

Asked whether the U.S. Department of State fears for King's safety, its spokesperson Matthew Miller said North Kora's past treatment of Americans held in its custody was cause for worry.

"Certainly, I think we would always have concern given the treatment by North Koreans of past detained individuals," Miller told reporters on July 20. "And that's why -- one of the reasons why -- we are reaching out to ask for more information about his well-being."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made his first public comments about King on July 21 while speaking at a national security and foreign policy conference in Aspen, Colorado.

"We are very concerned of course about his well-being," Blinken said. "We'd like to know his whereabouts. We have communicated to North Korea seeking that information. I don't have anything more at this point."

When asked whether King might be tortured, Blinken told reporters: "There are certainly concerns based on what we have seen in the past and the way North Korea has treated those it detained."

ABC News' Joohee Cho, Shannon Crawford, Chris Looft, Martha Raddatz, Matt Seyler and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.

What we know about Travis King, the American soldier detained in North Korea originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Gen Z is making its mark on the workplace. Maskot/Getty Images

Some Gen Z workers are making AI work for them.

A director at VEM Medical told the BBC that Gen Z workers were boosting productivity with AI.

Derrick Hathaway said young workers were automating tedious jobs and optimizing workflows.

Some Gen Z workers are capitalizing on the rise of generative AI.

Derrick Hathaway, sales director at VEM Medical, told the BBC that Gen Z workers were giving the medical device maker a welcome productivity boost by using AI-powered tools.

He told the outlet: "Young employees' ability to use AI technology to automate tedious jobs and optimize workflows has grown our productivity dramatically."

Representatives for VEM Medical did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.

The remarks come amid concerns that junior positions usually held by young workers entering the workforce are at risk of being lost to increasingly sophisticated AI.

Companies haven't been shy about their excitement around the new tech and many are incorporating AI-powered tools into workflows. CEOs are also starting to be more open about their plans to scale back hiring in favor of AI.

At the same time, the long-projected job losses to AI automation are here for some workers. Employees have begun speaking out about their suspicions, or in some cases direct knowledge, that ChatGPT cost them work.

This trend is worrying young employees in the workforce. In a recent survey by job site ZipRecruiter, 76% of Gen Zers indicated they were concerned about losing their jobs to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT.

On the flip side, Gen Z is also well-placed to capitalize on the AI boom. Known for being the most technological-savvy generation, young workers can also boost their employability by leveraging generative AI skills.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The USA TODAY Network examined 227 "family annihilation" cases that occurred in the U.S. from Jan. 1, 2020, to April 30, 2023, and found several common threads in the tragedies that killed more than 750.

Three scenarios repeatedly jumped out from the data: Men who killed their wives or girlfriends and children; young men who killed their parents and siblings; and couples who conspired to kill their children and themselves.

In the majority of cases analyzed, neither the police, surviving family nor media reports revealed a reason for the killings or other key stressors. As a result, contributing factors are likely undercounted.

Still, the cases reveal a number of telling trends and patterns:

Bloomington police investigate after the bodies of four members of the Mumper family were found in their home Sept. 6, 2020. Evidence pointed to a tragic and increasingly common scenario in which a man killed his wife and two children, the shot himself.

Prior domestic violence

In at least 38 cases, prior domestic violence was documented by police records, court orders or the victims' family. In Florida, a man beat his ex-girlfriend and took their 7-month-old baby. Two weeks later, the violence escalated: he shot and killed the woman, their child and himself.

American Annihilation: US families face a unique danger  murder from within

Prior criminal history

At least 34 family annihilators had prior criminal records. Their crimes range from misdemeanor drug and theft offenses to felonies like aggravated assault, animal cruelty, rape and manslaughter. A Tennessee man at the center of a child abuse investigation killed his wife, 17-year-old daughter and himself the week after a grand jury indicted him.

Mental illness and stress disorder

In at least 33 cases, perpetrators reportedly had mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. An Arizona man shot his wife and 11-month-old daughter. He told investigators he made a deal with a spirit to kill his wife so they could be together forever.

How to find help: Where to get help for suicidal thoughts, child abuse, mental health, domestic violence

Jealousy and control

In at least 14 cases, perpetrators reportedly killed out of jealousy or to control their victims  most commonly when a female partner tried to leave the relationship. A South Carolina man shot his ex and her daughters after she went to the beach with another man.

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Money and job problems

In at least eight cases, perpetrators were facing money problems, job loss or even eviction. An Oklahoma couple with $138,000 in student loans debt killed their six children and themselves.

Drugs and alcohol

Only 4 perpetrators reportedly had drugs or alcohol in their systems when they killed their families. A Colorado man said he blacked out from drinking tequila when he shot his mother and teenage siblings.

Serious illness or debilitating conditions

In at least 13 cases, perpetrators or victims had documented illnesses or disabilities. Some family annihilators had significant diagnoses, including cancer, Parkinsons disease and traumatic brain injuries. Others were caretakers under pressure.

We are in an impossible situation with no way out, a Florida man told a 911 dispatcher after he killed his wife and stepdaughter  both of whom had terminal illnesses. I have to go, Im fixing to shoot myself.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Family annihilation: What's behind a person's decision to kill family?
2023 Travel Noire Awards: Favorite Black-Owned Tour Operator

Sometimes doing your own travel research just isnt enough, and you need the professionals to step in. For Black travelers, knowing where to go, where to stay and the cultural norms of the countries we travel to is important. Thats where this 2023 Travel Noire Awards category comes into play: Favorite Black-Owned Tour Operator.

These people-led companies show us where and how to travel with ease, and they may even come along for the ride. We narrowed it down to three picks in this years Travel Noire Awards.

Travel Divas is a Black female-owned travel company that specializes in group travel management. The brand has over 100,000 Instagram followers. The group was founded by Shanterria, a travel agent, who had a vision to create unforgettable, luxurious travel experiences.

Travel Divas mission is to offer destinations and travel events that many women in our community would not imagine. Their website is organized by trips and by year, so interested travelers can easily access information and view photos. So far in 2023, the group went to Ethiopia, Paris, Switzerland and South Africa. Next years trips are already planned and posted on the website. We recommend the Travel Divas if you want a professional, organized trip with experienced agents.

Kultured Travel is self described as luxury group travel experiences. Their mission is for you to focus on enjoying, while they take care of the planning. The group traveled to places, like Portugal, Brazil, Cuba and Greece. Kultured Travels Instagram page, with over 30,000 followers, highlights its 2023 trips. Each trip shows lively activities, such as boating, hot air balloon rides and local drumming lessons.

Turkey has been a hot spot for Kultured Travels, where they facilitated numerous trips abroad. While in Istanbul, the group spent the day doing a tour of the city, attended the Great Bazaar, tasted Turkish teas and made some delicious Turkish dishes. If you want a fully immersive cultural experience where youre sure to have a good time, then check out Kultured Travels. Theyre currently booking trips for 2024.

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Black Travel Worldwide is an unapologetically Black-owned and operated travel agency with over 20,000 followers on Instagram. The company was founded by Aleah and Kiera Coy, two cousins, who began blogging about their travel experiences, and grew it into a full-fledged business.

It is important for us to use Black Travel Worldwide as a means for people of color to access travel in a way that they would have never imagined, the pair states on their website.

Black Travel Worldwide is a bit different from other tour groups. They help you create your own trip rather than leading it for you. They give you the knowledge, tips and information to curate a personalized travel experience, which is why this group topped our list.

As far as favorite Black-owned tour operator goes? These three companies make a strong case. Click the link below to vote.

Read more about the Travel Noire Awards and vote for the finalists!
We see a skeleton in a dirt burial. There is a bronze bar with hooked ends across the skeleton's waist and a bowl to the upper right.

Archaeologists in Siberia have discovered the untouched 3,000-year-old grave of a person thought to be a charioteer  indicating for the first time that horse-drawn chariots were used in the region.

The skeletal remains were interred with a distinctive hooked metal attachment for a belt, which allowed drivers of horse-drawn chariots to tie their reins to their waists and free their hands. This type of artifact has also been found in Chinese and Mongolian graves .

Aleksey Timoshchenko , an archaeologist at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Live Science in an email that the object was found in its original placement at the waist of the person in the undisturbed grave.

A bird's-eye view of a grassy field that has exposed brown dirt with graves where the archaeologists excavated.

"This fact, along with direct analogies in burial mounds of China, allows us to determine their purpose a little more confidently," he said.

Timoshchenko led the latest expedition to the Askizsky region of Khakassia in Siberia, where Russian archaeologists have already spent several years excavating areas ahead of the expansion of a railway . The team discovered the charioteer burial and other graves this month near the village of Kamyshta.

Related: 2,700-year-old leather saddle found in woman's tomb in China is oldest on record

Unknown object

An aerial view of the charioteers burial, which is surrounded by a square perimeter of stones.

Oleg Mitko , an archaeologist at Novosibirsk State University in Russia who's a consultant for the finds but not an expedition member, said objects like the "charioteer's belt" had been found before but not understood.

"For a long time in Russian archaeology this was called a PNN  an 'item of unknown purpose,'" he told Live Science in an email. But recent discoveries of Bronze Age charioteer burials in China, along with the remains of chariots and horses, indicated that "this object is an accessory for a chariot."

No chariots had been found in Siberian burials, he said, and the hooked bronze belt plate may have been placed in the Late Bronze Age grave as a symbolic substitute.

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We see a skeleton on the ground with a bowl to the upper right of the skull.

Burial mound

The tomb of the "charioteer" was found among graves dated to about 3,000 years ago during the time of the Lugav culture, according to a translated statement . The burial consisted of an earthen mound heaped over a roughly square stone tomb; a bronze knife, bronze jewelry and the distinctive belt part were among the grave goods.

related stories

Indigenous people of the American West used 'sacred' horses a half-century earlier than previously thought

This 3,000-year-old horse got a human-style burial

2,000-year-old chariot unearthed at Pompeii

Timoshchenko said the Bronze Age people of the Lugav culture were mainly engaged in cattle breeding and were replaced in the region in about the eighth century B.C., during the Early Iron Age, by Scythian people of the Tagar culture .

According to the statement, the latest excavations unearthed burials from three Bronze Age phases in the region: the earliest from about the 11th century B.C., as the Karasuk culture transitioned into the Lugav culture; a second, with the charioteer, from the Lugav culture itself; and a third after the eighth century B.C., from the early Bainov stage of the Tagar culture.
TV_Africa New Wave Banner [Tina Tona](https://www.instagram.com/teenatona/?hl=en){: target="_blank"}

There is no shortage of talent when it comes to fashion in Africa. While figures like Virgil Abloh stand out as one of the most influential designers of our generation, there are so many individuals doing dynamic work in the field. From all over the continent, designers are innovating textiles, patterns, and textures to make beautiful garments for customers across the globe. And the world is watching with excitement.

While many Ghanaian designers are breaking away from traditional wax cloth and kente garments others in South Africa are embracing natural elements to reinvent everyday wear. There has also been a wave of designers focused on sustainability who up-cycle dead stock fabrics to make new items. Designer Bobby Kolade, who previously worked for Balenciaga, started Return to Sender in 2022 that has a mission to return Ugandas textile industry to the peak levels of the early 1970s, when more cotton was processed than exported."

Stateside, designers like Anifa Mvuemba of Hanifa are showing up in atypical places like Washington, DC to host major fashion shows. Im intentional. I like doing things my way and I hate conforming, being placed in a box, she told Teen Vogue in 2021. It honestly makes me uncomfortable. This show in D.C. was me staying true to myself and also challenging myself. The outcome was mind-blowing.

African designers on the continent and throughout the diaspora are showing up and showing out. Jacques Agbobly was born in Togo, attended Parsons, and was awarded a 2019 CFDA Scholarship. Kenneth Ize was born in Austria to Nigerian parents and became a 2019 LVMH Prize finalist. And Maram Aboul Enein left Egypt for Canada as a child going on to work for Pierre Balmain, Zac Posen and Oscar De La Renta.

See all 54 African fashion designers you should know, below.

Algeria

Ilyes Ouali won "Fashion Star Arabia" in 2019 and takes heavy inspiration from the glitz and glamour of the '70s in his recent work.

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Angola

Fashion designer and criminologist Nadir Tati uses fashion as a means of celebrating Angolan womanhood and promoting a culture of peace.

Day 3 - Lisboa Fashion Week 'ModaLisboa' 2017 Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

Lisboa Fashion Week ModaLisboa | Day 3 Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

Day 3 - Lisboa Fashion Week 'ModaLisboa' 2017 Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

Benin

With his brand Alledjo, Kassim Lassissi aims to channel all that he has encountered while traveling across the world, into sustainable fashion and style.

Botswana

From shining gold bodycon dresses to floor-length bridal gowns, DihDah offers a range of striking pieces.

Burkina Faso

Pathe'O has designed head-turning garments since the '70s, dressing African leaders such as Nelson Mandela.

Burundi

Content creator, stylist, and entrepreneur Juan Nsabiye crafts bespoke suits, with a focus on elegance for all genders.

Cabo Verde

Stylist-turned-designer Marvin Lima uses his brand Virtuoso to recognize African videographers, photographers, makeup artists, and models.

Cameroon

With a background in environmental engineering, Liz Ngwane creates both upcycled and one-of-a-kind garments under her slow-fashion brand Margo's Mode.

Central African Republic

O'poma Designs founder Olga Nganzi Samba-Pamza incorporates African kitenge fabrics into her clothes, which often teem with colorful hues.

Chad

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonas Berassengar sewed masks for members of his community, to extend the accessibility of protective measures.

Comoros

Sakina M'sa fuses her interests in contemporary art, dance, and philosophy into her art direction and fashion design work.

Congo

"For women without limits" is Hanifa's motto, which founder Anifa Mvuemba furthers through increased access to shows as well as inclusive sizing and model casting.

Christian Louboutin and InStyle Dinner Randy Shropshire/Getty Images

Cote d'Ivoire

Loza Maleombho fuses contemporary and traditional silhouettes through footwear, accessories, and made-to-order garments with gold accents.

DRC

Designer and creative director behind Moulandzaou, Aton Tsiba creates genderless clothes with loose form and fluorescent color palettes.

Djibouti

Yanie Ayoun draws inspiration from her mother and designs for the next generation of Djiboutian youth.

Egypt

Maram Aboul Enein reflects on her own spiritual journey with brand MARAM and plays with texture through sequins, ruffles, and electric colorways.

Maram - Runway - Dubai FFWD Spring/Summer 2017 Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Equatorial Guinea

Visionary Society founder Diosdado Sima draws from his early interests in typography and streetwear to create a brand centered on community.

Eritrea

Former costume designer and stylist Selam Fessahaye launched her brand in 2018 and features gilded embroidery and beading in recent work.

Eswatini

For her label Mamakatessa, Temahlubi Dlamin uses silks and tulles of every shade to make gowns for a plethora of occasions.

Ethiopia

Maisha Marshall-Ende's label Lehwatch explores cultural exchange, as its name translates to, and uses Ethiopian fabrics to create garments inspired by her move to Canada.

Gabon

Teddy Ondo Ella's label draws inspiration from Gabonese culture and dress, utilizing traditional pieces such as sarong wraps paired with bold patterns.

Gambia

Masaneh Badjie's dresses are rich with detail, including corset-style boning, applique, and crystal beading.

Ghana

Free the Youth began in 2013 by Jonathan Coffie, Winfred Mensah, Richard Ormano, and Kelly Foli; it has grown beyond its initial purpose of documenting Ghanaian streetwear and now encapsulates the brand and organization.

Guinea

Mariama Camara is a designer and humanitarian, whose interest in handmade textiles began at a young age when she watched her family design and dye prints.

Guinea-Bissau

Armando Cabral began working in the fashion industry as a model and shifted to design in 2009 as his continued interests in footwear and luxury clothing grew.

Kenya

Akiba Studios fuses functionality and playfulness through whimsical motifs and pieces with a street style twist.

Lesotho

Creative director and fashion designer Thabo Makhetha offers luxury coats, jackets, and capes inspired by Basotho blankets.

Liberia

Archel Bernard began her sewing factory with an all-woman staff in 2016, to help those impacted by the Ebola epidemic; after the factory's success, she opened her ethical fashion store, Bombchel, four years later in Atlanta.

Libya

Through minimalistic and geometric pieces, designer Ibrahim Shebani allows Born in Exile's ensembles to speak for themselves.

Madagascar

After studying fashion in Paris, Eric Raisina debuted his work in the mid-2000s, which focuses on tactility and color.

Malawi

Award-winning entrepreneur Lilly Alfonso's penchant for fashion design traces itself back to her youth, when she would upcycle and reinvent her mother's old clothing.

Mali

Lamine Kouyate's Xuly.Bet repurposes deadstock fabrics in his garments, a practice pulled from his mother and grandmother who would reshape old clothes for him and his siblings as children.

Mauritania

Kadiata Diallo of Niuku fuses form and function with hand-painted dresses and suits.

Mauritius

Fabien Fauzou is a designer and seamstress who specializes in geometric and vibrant dresses.

Morocco

Doum offers a range of bags, from totes to cross bodies, with summery, woven elements.

Mozambique

From a tracksuit touting the word "fearless" to sleek little black dresses, Taibo Bacar offers customers a range of garments and accessories.

Namibia

Melisa Poulton, founder of House of Poulton, describes her label as powerful, dramatic, and bold, and she aims to bring strength to her wearers.

Niger

Referred to as the "magician of the desert," Alphadi debuted his label in the mid-1980s and has crafted highly-detailed bustiers, maxi-skirts, and floor-length dresses since.

Nigeria

Kenneth Ize's unisex work features technicolor hues and traditional Aso-Oke fabrics on oversized tunics, waistcoats, and dresses.

Kenneth Ize : Runway - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring Summer 2022 Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

Kenneth Ize : Runway - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring Summer 2022 Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

Kenneth Ize : Runway - Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring Summer 2022 Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

Rwanda

The Mysteries plays with extreme silhouettes and textiles in its unconventional sets and individual pieces.

Sao Tome and Principe

D&D Clothing offers both ready-to-wear and custom ensembles, donning patterns that range from animal print to neon patchwork.

Senegal

Contemporary lifestyle brand Diarrablu innovates tradition through its inclusive clothing, jewelry, ceramics, and artwork.

Seychelles

Johanna Didon launched her brand Katiti in 2017, which focuses on classic styles with edgy twists, although she had been sewing clothes since she was 12.

Sierra Leone

Sai Sankoh looks to retro and vintage clothing for inspiration as well as pieces in her own wardrobe; her work brings luxury to anyone and everyone.

Somalia

Through a combined interest in jewelry and tailoring, Omar Munie began his award-winning work as a bag designer in the early 2010s.

South Africa

Swim, surf, and beachwear brand Bantu Wax is making waves with its graphics-driven apparel.

Sudan

Yousra Elsadig aims to dismantle stereotypes and sustainability through her work with brand Boutique de Nana.

South Sudan

Activist, doctor, and designer multi-hyphenate Mayada Adil uses clothes to empower women refugees and honor diplomacy.

Tanzania

Through her brand Naledi, designer Kemi Kalikawe celebrates spunk and youthfulness and advocates for women's equality at the intersections of fashion and technology.

Togo

Textile artist and designer Jacques Agbobly launched their made-to-order knitwear label, Black Boy Knits, inspired by the joy they saw as a child from customers of tailors and seamstresses in Togo.

Black Boys Knit - Presentation - September 2022 New York Fashion Week: The Shows Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Tunisia

Appearing on Project Runway Middle East, Malek Gheni juxtaposes maximalist bling with simple and geometric pieces.

Uganda

Bobby Kolade's brand Buzigahill aims to combat Uganda's secondhand clothing crisis, by making efforts to return its textile industry to the success it faced in the late twentieth century.

Bobby Kolade Show - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2015/16 Joern Pollex/Getty Images

Bobby Kolade Show - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring/Summer 2016 Joern Pollex/Getty Images

Bobby Kolade Show - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2015/16 Joern Pollex/Getty Images

Zambia

As an entrepreneur and founder of Debbie Chu, Deborah Chuma sees her label as a community, rather than a fashion design brand.

Zimbabwe

Vanhu Vamwe has created a community of macrame weavers and celebrates handmade objects and craftsmanship.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
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Technically, the United States is not at war in Africa. But the practice and terminology of the US-led War on Terror has changed, making the US militarys involvement more difficult to trace. In the past 15 years, the US government has quietly expanded its military footprint across the African continent, engaging in special operations with African troops in the name of security. Since the 2007 establishment of the Africa Command (AFRICOM), the defense departments regional combatant command for Africa, the US has adopted a military-first approach to securing its interests on the continent. This has had disastrous effects. Whether its the seemingly endless (undeclared) war against the militant group Al-Shabaab in Somalia or the wave of coups (in many cases led by US-trained officers), AFRICOM has contributed to the very instability it claims to address.

The decision to establish AFRICOM came at a time when US influence on the continent was on the decline  and Africas geostrategic significance was on the rise. By 2050, Africa is predicted to account for about 25% of the worlds population. It contains some of the worlds fastest growing economies, and by 2063, the continent as a whole is expected to become the worlds third largest economy, surpassing Germany, France, India, and the United Kingdom. According to the United Nations, approximately 30% of the worlds mineral reserves can be found in Africa, along with 12% of the worlds oil, and 8% of the worlds natural gas reserves. Africa is also home to 65% of the worlds arable land and 10% of the planets renewable fresh-water sources.

With this in mind we can make sense of the increasing number of foreign players competing for influence in Africa, including the US, China, Russia, Turkey, and Gulf Arab States such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Critics of AFRICOM decry the US governments reliance on the military to protect its access to resources and markets on the continent. And because of the legacy of colonial-era slavery and resource exploitation, Africans remain suspicious of US intentions and have protested agreements that give AFRICOM more power, arguing that it compromises the sovereignty of African states.

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The popularity of the film Black Panther and its sequel, Wakanda Forever, is closely tied to how these films center questions of colonialism and the scramble for African resources. The films reject racialized depictions of Africa as a poor, war-torn continent, instead suggesting that it is the US and Europe that have posed the greatest threats to peace and stability. In the Afrofuturist world of Wakanda Forever, it is African knowledge and wisdom that have contributed to the advancement of science and technology, and that protects the wider world from violent destruction.

Outside of Hollywood, though, todays reality presents a more sobering picture. Despite the efforts of anticolonial figures like Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere in the 1950s and 60s to craft a new, more equitable world, African leaders continue to navigate a racialized global order that is formally premised on equality, but is practically constituted by relations of hierarchy and domination.

AFRICOM uses the language of partnership to characterize much of its engagement with African countries, but this terminology conveniently elides the structural humiliations that continue to shape relationships between the Global South and Global North. Indeed, the US uses its influence as the International Monetary Funds (IMF) largest financial contributor as leverage in its negotiations with Global South states to ensure their cooperation on matters of security.

As scholar Zohra Ahmed has explained, The kinds of international relationships the United States cultivates in support of its wars fall somewhere in a legal gray zone between consent and coercion. As with other countries across the Global South, economic constraints and continued dependence on foreign credit have compelled African states to go along with the priorities of the US government.

African Solutions for American Problems?

What does this look like in practice? The US has become wary of costs associated with deploying its own troops to the front lines. For this reason, AFRICOM relies on African forces to assume the burden of counterterrorism missions on the continent. The underlying logic of AFRICOM can be traced back to the Clinton administrations Africa Crisis Response Initiative in the mid-1990s. As scholar Adekeye Adebajo explained in reference to US strategy at the time: The idea was that Africans would do most of the dying, while the US would do some of the spending to avoid being drawn into politically risky interventions.

Partnerships with elite African military units enable the US military to rely on proxy forces in cases where America is not officially at war and where the presence of US troops would garner scrutiny. These US-trained, elite African military units are often touted as the most professional and capable fighting forces in their respective countries; however, according to a 2019 article in the journal Current Anthropology, they are also the least accountable and most likely to brutally exercise their own authority domestically. Even in scenarios where these security forces are deployed for ostensibly humanitarian purposes  as in the case of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa  they have resorted to urban warfare tactics against civilians in the name of containing the spread of disease.

Equally significant, AFRICOMs cultivation of elite military units has prompted internal divisions within national militaries across the continent. In Somalia, the sheer number of US-led training of different (in many cases, newly formed) security bodies within the country has spurred competition for power among security actors. The formation and training of these elite units also causes a division between the special forces and the common soldier, a phenomenon political scientist Rahmane Idrissa described as a military caste system.

It is partly in this context that analysts have drawn a direct link between US military trainings and the wave of coups that have taken place in recent years. In Guinea, for example, American Green Berets trained a special forces unit led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who went on to lead a coup in September 2021. In Mali, the colonel who seized power in 2020 was also the leader of an elite special forces unit. Both were alumni of an annual training program known as Flintlock, sponsored by the US military.

By the mid-1990s military coups in Africa had become an exception rather than the norm, but the events of the past few years may signal the return of growing political instability. And while mainstream news outlets often frame these developments as the outcome of local tensions, the role of the US military in training and emboldening certain armed actors is increasingly difficult to deny.

Americas alignment with unpopular regimes that are friendly to US interests has also provided cover for those regimes to crack down on protest and dissent in the name of security. Growing frustration with abuses by security forces is spawning new activist movements across the continent, including Missing Voices in Kenya and #EndSARS in Nigeria, which called for the abolition of the countrys deadly, secretive police force known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The Crisis of Democracy

But there is a broader political-economic context that we also need to consider: International policymakers emphasize the importance of restoring democracy and civilian-led governments, but there is increasing recognition among Africans that the formal apparatuses of democracy, like elections, mean very little in the face of worsening socioeconomic conditions.

As Amy Niang, associate professor of political science at the African Institute, observed in a recent article for the Review of African Political Economy: Overwhelming media attention of the military governments standoff with the international community muddies an understanding of very urgent crises that will not be resolved by another round of elections. As long as fundamental problems of economic sovereignty, of the states capacity to raise financial resources internally, and to provide security and social services to its population are unresolved, rushing to elections will merely enable a change of guards to run the same derelict institutions. The democratic struggle is first and foremost a struggle for a political model that is responsive to peoples demands for basic public goods.

At a time when Africans are confronted with skyrocketing food prices and spiraling debt, the recent coups should prompt discussion and debate about AFRICOMs support for highly trained militarized actors and about the crisis of democracy itself. If the December US-Africa summit in Washington, DC, was any indication, though, the US government and its security partners on the continent will continue to view political frustration and economic desperation as threats that warrant a militarized response. Given the rich history of protest on the continent, those most affected are not likely to passively accept their fate, but to actively take the lead in what could amount to Africas second struggle for independence.

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Update, 7/21/23: Former president Donald Trump agreed to return Israeli antiquities following news reports that they were at Mar-a-Lago. "These historic items were presented by a representative of the Israeli antiquities authority with the full support of the organization," a Trump spokesman said, per the Wall Street Journal. "As the items were displayed as originally intended, the office will be expediting their return to the organizations representative."

Original, 7/19/23: Antiquities that Israel loaned to the United States in 2019 are at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's Palm Beach residence, Israeli paper Haaretz reported yesterday.

In 2019, the Israel Antiquities Authority sent antiquities, including ancient ceramic oil lamps, to the White House on the condition they be returned within weeks. They were sent for use in a Hanukkah candle lighting event held by the Trump administration in December 2019, but they ended up not being displayed, in what Haaretz described as a "bureaucratic difficulty raised by the Americans."

After, Israel intended to send a representative to bring back the items in person, but the COVID-19 pandemic waylaid their plans. "We wanted our man to go and bring it back, but then Covid broke out, and everything got stuck," then-Israeli Antiquities Authority director Israel Hasson explained to Haaretz. So, the department asked Israeli-American donor Saul Fox to hold onto them for a limited timeyet they have somehow ended up at Mar-a-Lago. It's unclear how, and whether or not Trump knows the lamps are there.

Eli Eskozido, who took over the director role from Hasson, has been trying to get the antiquities back, to no success. The Antiquities Authority has sought the help of Israeli and American officials in getting the items back, but has so far been unsuccessful. An anonymous source told the Israeli paper they would not be surprised if "the items Israel seeks are also eventually found in some bathroom," referencing how the FBI found government documents stored in the bathroom of Trump's Florida home when they executed a search warrant last summer.

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This article originally appeared on Outside

Ashley Bugge told her story to producer Sarah Vitak for an episode of The Daily Rally podcast. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I was at home with my one and three-year-old, six months pregnant.

I got a call from the shop manager, panicked. Saying, "Is this Ashley? Is this Brians wife? Theres been an accident on the boat. Where are you? Were coming to get you."

I just went white. I remember shouting, "No, no, no, no, no, no." The kids are sitting next to me like, "Whats going on, Mama?"

I am in my closet in Vancouver, Washington. So the Pacific Northwest. Im a full-time author, so I write and I do a couple freelance jobs here and there. For fun, I am a master SCUBA diver and I travel on different expedition teams. I just got back from one in Norway swimming with some killer whales and humpback whales.

Im a military widow. Im raising three kids, ages four, six, and eight, on my own. Life is very busy.

Brian and I met when I was 19 and he was 20. We were both living in Portland, Oregon. He lived with my older brothers best friend, and they were all in this metal punk band. I used to go to his shows and I was like, Oh, hes kind of cute.

I was home from college and we ended up dating for the summer. We bonded over our love of the ocean. Any chance we got, we would drive out to the coast.

His big plan after dating eight weeks of the summer was, "Im gonna join the Coast Guard and then we can get married." Im 19 and Im like, "Absolutely not. No way. Im not ready to be married." And so we ended up breaking up.

We went our separate ways. I moved to New York City. He joined the Navy. We both lived very separate lives for 10 years, and then I ended up moving back to Portland. We still had a lot of mutual friends, but we just happened to connect about this band that was coming to town that we both liked. So we ended up chatting, and then he called me one day when I was at work. I went in the break room of the bank that I worked at, and ended up talking to him for over an hour.

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I got off that phone call and I was like, Im gonna marry him. He is still the man that I loved ten years ago. I was not ready then. Im ready now. I am not gonna let this time pass us by. And we were married 11 months later on the coast in Manzanita, Oregon.

In 2013, which is the year that we got back together, I went up to his house at Gig Harbor. He had this flyer on his refrigerator and it said, "Learn to SCUBA dive, $99." And I was like, "We should do that." And he was like, "I know Ive always wanted to dive and Ive never tried it." And then, you know, life happens. He kept going on these crazy deployments. I was living in Portland and we had this long distance relationship, but his birthday was in June and my birthday was in August.

And because he was gone for basically those two months, when he came home, we exchanged both of our birthday presents. I gave him this envelope for SCUBA diving lessons, and he gave me an envelope, and he had gotten me SCUBA diving lessons

But, I ended up getting pregnant with our daughter, our firstborn, and so we had to push it off. But in 2014, when we were in Hawaii, we a discover SCUBA dive course. You go down 20 or 30 feet. We surfaced, and we hugged and we kissed and we said, "Oh my God, this is it."

We were hooked after that. So from 2015, we just traveled the world with our kids when we could. We dove all around the world, and that was gonna be it.

He really wanted to learn to cave dive. That was his goal. He found, this class in Honolulu and signed up for it, and took a couple courses. As part of his training, he was learning to dive on a rebreather, which is a very technical piece of diving equipment far outside of recreational SCUBA diving.

There were all these just things that came up along the way that should have been red flags. At any point along the way, we should have said, "This is not a good shop. This is not how things should be done." But when youre excited about something, you dont worry about it.

It was a beautiful, beautiful, sunny hot Hawaiian day in May. That day was his last class for this basic certification. He used to buy this tea tree oil shampoo. I woke up and I could smell that coming outta the shower. So I knew he was in the shower. He came out, we went downstairs, we tiptoed past the kids rooms, and made coffee. And just talked for a few minutes before he left, made a plan.

Our plan was always that he would text me before he got in the water, and then he would text me when he surfaced. That was our diving plan. Always. I always knew where he was, who he was with. He texted me that he was headed out. It was about eight oclock in the morning.

My kids woke up, came downstairs. Our big plan was to go to Target for the day to get stuff for the baby. I was six months pregnant, and we were just sitting on the couch getting ready to go. Literally keys in my hand when my phone rang.

We raced through the streets of Honolulu to the hospital without knowing anything other than there had been an accident. I got to the hospital, and waddled my pregnant self across the parking lot, and ran inside and saw his whole dive team there that he had been in his class with.

They didnt know anything, but one of them told me that they had performed CPR on him. That was the first time that I knew there was at least a portion of the morning where he hadnt been breathing, and then it sunk in. I might be finding out that hes dead, that hes not here anymore.

Finally, my doctor and a security guard came out. As soon as I saw the security guard, I knew that that was it. There was no reason for a security guard to come out with a doctor unless they were telling me that my husband didnt survive. And soon enough, thats what they said.

He went out, and he had been trained to turn his oxygen off for the boat ride out, so he did that. He had his brand new camera on him, which he had never used before. The instructor had asked him to take pictures of the class.

So Brian was in the water with his camera, not paying attention to his gear, and basically hadnt turned his air back on before getting in the water. He used up everything he had in his closed loop system, and drowned right in front of his class, and nobody noticed. Eventually his instructor brought him back up, but it was too late.

Later that night, I got a call from the organ donation place. He had been an organ donor, and I had to consent to what they called the harvesting of his organs. I had to go through each organ--his skin, his tissue, his bones, his eyes, everything--and say either yes or no. You can have this, you cannot have this. It was just the absolute worst. It just doesnt get worse than that.

I knew he wanted to be an organ donor, so I knew that that was his wish. It was not up to me. However, he had these piercing blue eyes, and I couldnt imagine him without them. So I said yes to everything below his neck.

At the end of that phone call, they ask, "In the event that anything is able to be used, would you want to be contacted by the donor or the donor family? And I said, "Yes."

Almost a year later, I was preparing to fly back to Hawaii for the one year memorial. I had his remains turned into a living reef memorial, and organized his dive team to all fly to Hawaii, and we were going to lower his living reef memorial onto the ocean floor where he died. As Im getting ready to fly back to Hawaii, I got a letter in the mail, and my heart just stopped. When I saw it, I opened it, and it said, "From your grateful recipient."

So almost a year to the date of his dying, I received a letter from Alyssa, who was the recipient of his ACL.

I got to read all about Alyssa and her family, and how Brians donation has changed her life and let her continue to lead this really beautiful, adventurous life of running and hiking and climbing with her three boys. It just kind of went back and forth for a couple of years. I explained who Brian was and his love of diving and travel and adventure, and now she and I have this really beautiful friendship thanks to Brian and this donation, and this really, really, really awful phone call that I got to go through the night that he died.

When she flew to Hawaii to meet me and our kids for the first time, she got to dive to his living reef memorial, and put her hands on him and just complete this weird circle of him and her. Were all at the bottom of the ocean together, and our kids are on the boat above us, and its just wild and crazy, but also really special.

I dont just miss him as my husband and I dont just miss him as the kids' dad. I just miss him. He was just this really incredible human. That doesnt go away. Thats still a minute-by-minute thing. I just miss him.

We cant change the fact that hes not here, but we can use his death as a tool to help us live our best lives. So as a way to honor him, we literally get out there and just live the shit out of life every single day.

In one of his journal entries, he wrote, "I just dont have a bucket list. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and I dont want to waste any time." And that has just resonated so deeply with me. Dont, dont save this for some day. Dont make a plan for your future of this one event that you really want to do before you die. Instead, make the plan of how youre gonna make that happen now.

Thats how my kids and I live. We live with no bucket list. We figure out what we want to do and we go after it.

Ashley Bugge is an author who chronicles her life as a young military widow turned polar explorer in her books, Always Coming Back Home and The Ocean is Calling. Shes also a master SCUBA diver. You can learn more about her on Instagram @ashley.bugge.

You can follow The Daily Rally on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. Subscribe to our newsletter and nominate someone to be featured on the show.

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Best of Bangladesh in Europe, which will take place in Amsterdam on Sept. 4-5, is refining the concept of transformative journeys, making a point to bring policy makers, manufacturers and brands together to talk about ways apparel from the South Asian nation can be more widely integrated into the global matrix.

Its a journey that has been more than 10 years in the making, Mostafiz Uddin, CEO and founder Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) told Sourcing Journal. BAE is organizing the event, which is supported by the Bangladesh Embassy to the Netherlands. The idea and importance of these events is getting more refined with each edition. I was doing events since 2014, including the denim expo in Bangladesh. But Ive been waiting for the right time to take these to the next level, he said.

More from Sourcing Journal

BAE also organized the first Bangladesh Circular Economy Summit in Dhaka in June, and has planned for the first Bangladesh climate conference for the fashion industry on Oct. 12.

People think Bangladesh is a poor country, with fighting and cheap garments, but Bangladesh has strengths in many other categories which we will showcase. We will also have panels with experts from different parts of Europe, including policy makers, representatives of non-government organizations, the International Labor Organization and others, and the location in Europe lends itself to a stronger presence from countries across the region. Netherlands is also a base for the International Accord, Fashion for Good, Good Fashion Fund, etc, he said.

The timing is important too, as the European Unions stringent sustainability targets for 2025 and 2030 draw nearer. Small manufacturers and players are being cut out, and the bigger manufacturers are getting more focus, and being asked to make huge investments, said Uddin. These targets are important, but what about the human quotient? What is the impact of this, and how are jobs being affected by these targets?

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The Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, Riaz Hamidullah, said, Netherlands is the 16th largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, Bangladesh is 35th in terms of nominal GDP. For almost five decades Bangladesh has been in the developing category. Now, we are looking at Bangladesh at the intersection of business and finding ways to meet these challenges. Every challenge is a business proposition.

Mentioning a population of 170 million people, of which an estimated 30 million belong to the fast-growing middle class, Hamidullah said that the Dutch were increasingly looking at Bangladesh through the lens of impact investments, and finding that even in the villages people are receptive to technological advancements.

You dont go and put your money where you dont find the society stable, harmonious, inclusive. They say returning investment is important, but the key part is how strong is the society, how cohesive is it. This is where Bangladesh is very strong, he said.

He noted that post Brexit, more than two dozen companies had shifted their headquarters to the Netherlands which was being seen as the capital for business and trade, innovation and finance.

The event would have the strongest representation from the apparel sector, which accounted for 84 percent of the countrys $55 billion exports in this fiscal year ending June 30, with apparel exports of 46.99 billion, up from the previous years $42.61 billion, a gain of 10.3 percent.

Other sectors like agriculture, digitization, leather, jute, handicrafts, pharmaceutical and light engineering will also be showcased at the event. Bangladesh is a manufacturing hub from shirts to ships, but the potential to look beyond that is enormous, too, Hamidullah pointed out.

Last week, commerce minister Tipu Munshi said that Bangladeshs commerce ministry set an export target of $72 billion for fiscal 2023-24, which targets growth of 11.5 percent.

The inauguration at the event will include Jan Peter Balkenende, former prime minister, Netherlands and minister of state; Tipu Munshi, commerce minister, Bangladesh; and Shahriar Alam, state minister for foreign affairs, Bangladesh. There will also be a panel on worker safety in which Alexander Kohnstamm, executive director, Fair Wear Foundation, Ashish Damle, Bangladesh country director for Oxfam, and Peter McAllister, executive director, Ethical Trading Initiative, will participate.

Click here to read the full article.
Netflix

If you were scrolling through Netflix during the winter of 2018, you'll probably remember seeing Sandra Bullock's Bird Box in the carousel of hot new movies. The horror film followed Malorie Hayes (played by Bullock), who leads two children through an apocalyptic world to a safe utopia. In the film, the country was overrun with a mysterious creature that caused people to go insane when they looked at it, and often, led them to die by suicide. As a result, everyone would cover up their eyes when they went outside.

In the original Bird Box, there are some characters who can look at the mysterious creature and survive, but the film never gives a lot of explanation for how this is possible. Enter: Bird Box Barcelona. In the new film sequel, the audience hears things from the perspective of the troubled characters in the first film, including Sebastian, the new film's main character. Sebastian is among a group of people (known as "seers") who can look at the creature and survive. And he makes it his life mission to force other people in Barcelona to look at the creature and die.

With such a disturbing and confusing premise, you may have left your couch with a few follow-up questions. Don't fret. Women's Health has you covered on any and all questions about the Bird Box universe below.

Warning! Spoilers ahead. Stop reading if you don't want to know what happens at the end of the movie.

Is Bird Box Barcelona connected to Bird Box?

Netflix

Yes! The stories are not exactly the same, but the events in both movies happen around the same time. Bird Box takes place in the United States, while Bird Box Barcelona takes place in Spain.

Sandra Bullock, sadly, does not make an appearance in Bird Box Barcelona. Instead, the film follows Sebastian, played by Mario Casas. This character is a "seer," which also flips the script on the original Bird Box film.

Do you see the monster in Bird Box Barcelona?

Shop Now Watch "Bird Box Barcelona" on Netflix $8.99

Nope. Similarly to the first film, Bird Box Barcelona never shows the audience what the monster looks like, which obviously builds up a lot of suspense. In the movie, characters explain that the monster causes a person to visualize their greatest fear, or most negative emotions. So the "monster" could just reflect a vision of what people fear above all else.

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Unlike most of the original Bird Box characters, Barcelona's Sebastian believes the creature is a divine entity, rather than something evil. When he sees people look at the creature and die, he believes he is "freeing" them. In fact, the monster shows itself to Sebastian in the form of his late daughter, Anna.

For Sebastian, seeing his daughter die was his worst fear, and her apparition convinced him that he was doing the right thing by forcing people to look at the creature, per Decider.

Who survived in Bird Box Barcelona?

At the end of the film, Sebastian seems to recognize that his beliefs about the monster are wrong. He ends up sacrificing himself to protect two other characters that he planned to expose the monster to: Claire and Sofia.

Similarly to the first Bird Box film, Claire and Sofia make it to an encampment of survivors and are temporarily safe from the creature.

What does the ending of Bird Box Barcelona mean?

Once Claire and Sofia make it to safety, the plotline is pretty much at its end. Sofia reunites with her mother, and Claire is taken away to be examined by a doctor.

The doctor draws Claire's blood to develop an antibody from the creatures. The doctor also explains why Sebastian and other characters in the Bird Box universe react differently to the monster. He says that extreme stress and grief can cause a change in DNA, leading to different reactions when seeing the creature.

Another man, who, like Sebastian, believes the entity is divine, also has his blood taken by the doctor. The final scene in the movie shows the doctor injecting the man's blood into a rat. It's unclear what happens after this point, but it might mean that the Bird Box doctor will be able to find an antidote for the mysterious monster's effects. The movie's cliffhanger ending could also leave room for more sequels to the Bird Box universe. Only time will tell!

Was Gary from Bird Box already infected?

After watching Bird Box Barcelona, you may be remembering one other troublesome seer from the original movie named Gary. While Gary isn't in the new movie, he is in the Sandra Bullock film.

In the original film, he joins Mallorie's group of survivors after explaining that he was with a group of survivors who were able to look at the entity. Unfortunately, Gary ends up forcing several people in the film to look at the evil entity, causing them to die by suicide.

According to Bird Box Barcelona's explanation of how seers are able to function after looking at the monster, it's likely that Gary's mind reacted similarly to Sebastian's after seeing the monster. Gary probably saw people close to him die before he looked directly at the entity, allowing him to survive through seeing his "deepest fear." So, while he was already infected, his mind reacted to the creature in a different way.

You can watch Bird Box Barcelona on Netflix now.

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Habib Battah was traveling from Paris to Toronto on Air France on June 30, 2023, when he smelled what he thought smelled like manure coming from the footbed below his and his wife's seats.

They were also traveling with their cats, who were in carriers below the seats. At first, Battah thought maybe the cats had an accident, so he looked at the cats, but they were fine.

However, and this is where the nightmare begins, Battah then noticed a wet stain underneath the cats' carriers. He flagged a flight attendant, who gave him some wet wipes. But when he started cleaning, what got on the wipes was BLOOD RED.

As it turned out, it was human blood. According to CNN, "The day before, on a Paris-Boston flight, a male passenger had suffered what Battah says the crew called a 'hemorrhage.'" Although the passenger "survived," the aircraft had not been cleaned. Worse, because the flight was full, Battah his wife, and the cats, were unable to move their seats.

It was later confirmed by Air France that the liquid was blood and feces.
General Motors has idled its factory in Canada that builds electric delivery vans for its subsidiary BrightDrop due to a parts shortage.

On Wednesday, GM said its CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersol, Canada, will remain shut down until the end of the month. GM makes its Zevo 600 electric delivery van, which resembles the big brown UPS-style truck, at CAMI for BrightDrop. The factory will also assemble a smaller EV410 midsize delivery van for BrightDrop in the future.

General Motors subsidiary BrightDrop starts production of its electric delivery vans at GM's CAMI Assembly in Ontario on Dec. 5, 2022, making the plant Canadas first large-scale EV factory. BrightDrop also announced it is adding DHL Express Canada as a customer.

"CAMI observed GMs annual Summer Shutdown the weeks of July 3 and July 10," Monte Doran, GM Canada spokesman told the Detroit Free Press in an email. "We extended shutdown for the weeks of July 17 and July 24 to help us manage through parts availability issues, with regular operations resuming on Monday, July 31."

Mysterious parts shortage

The exact nature of the parts shortage is a mystery. According to a report in an Ontario newspaper, The London Free Press, Unifor Local 88 Shop Chair Mike Van Boekel said high demand for GMs Ultium battery and limited production is to blame.

Theyre out at all GM plants, they need batteries and it stems from a raw material bottleneck, Van Boekel said in the article. Sales are through the roof. Things are good, but we just dont have batteries.

GM President of North America Rory Harvey helps to reveal the new 2024 Chevrolet Traverse during an event at the Lansing Delta Assembly Plant in Lansing on Monday, July 17, 2023.

Van Boekel sent a message to the Free Press through his union vice president saying he is unwilling to confirm or deny the specifics around the GM part shortage only that Unifor represents the workers at the Ingersoll facility and is not necessarily privy to specifics of GM's parts inventory."

But Unifor Auto Director Dino Chiodo told the Detroit Free Press in an email, Unifor can confirm that the CAMI plant is idled until July 31 due to supply chain issues, of which the battery shortage is one component. The temporary shut-down impacts 1,250 Unifor production members. GM has been working collaboratively with the union to keep workers apprised of the operational flow."

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On Monday, GM President of North America Rory Harvey told the Detroit Free Press that supply of battery modules was tight and it is the main production hiccup to production of the GMC Hummer EV pickup and the Cadillac Lyriq, when asked about the low sales of the pickup and the Lyriq electric SUV this year.

GM denies a battery shortage as the cause of shutdown

GM spokesman David Caldwell told the Detroit Free Press only that it is "a parts availability issue  not involving battery raw materials, not involving battery cells."

GM's electric delivery vans for BrightDrop, as well as its newer EVs such as the Hummer and Lyriq, use GM's new Ultium propulsion system. The batteries for those vehicles are made at the Ultium Cells LLC factory near Lordstown, Ohio. Ultium Cells is a joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution. The joint venture is building two new battery cell plants, but they won't open for several months. One is in Spring Hill, Tennessee, due to open late this year, and the other near Lansing is set to open in 2024.

BrightDrop, which GM started in early 2021, currently has FedEx, Merchants Fleet and Walmart as its biggest clients. It has said it expects to be making 50,000 trucks a year at CAMI starting in 2025.

GM has hit its EV production target, many in-transit

Caldwell said GM has hit its target to build 50,000 total EVs in North America in the first half of the year.

"Theres no change to our previously stated targets for the second half of 2023 and into 2024," Caldwell said. "Both cell production and Ultium Platform production are on the rise. We're planning to provide an update on EV production at earnings next week  specifically during the call with investors."

GM has said it plans to double its first-half EV production in the second half of this year. It targets building 400,000 EVs across 2022, 2023 and the first half of next year.

For the first half of this year, GM delivered 49 Hummer EV pickups, which are made at Factory Zero located in Detroit and Hamtramck. That's down from 371 Hummer pickups delivered in the first half of 2022.

A 2023 Cadillac Lyriq rolls off the assembly line and drives into a special event celebrating the start of retail products for the electric vehicle on March 21, 2022, at the General Motors Spring Hill assembly plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The event marked another milestone for GM and its commitment to an all-electric future.

GM delivered 2,316 Lyriqs in the first half. The Lyriq has a starting price of $61,795, lower than the $98,400 starting price of the 2023 Hummer, so the Lyriq is meant to be a higher volume vehicle. The Lyriq is assembled in the Spring Hill Assembly plant. There's no year-ago comparison because GM started building the Lyriq in the third quarter last year.

More: GM promises more of its newer EVs will be built in the 2nd half after slow rollout

Caldwell said GM has "more than 2,000" Lyriq and Hummer EVs in-transit on their way to dealers and customers and that the "reported sales numbers dont reflect vehicles produced, but yet to arrive."

Harvey said on Monday that GM is coming "up to speed on battery capacity and building momentum and I anticipate a lot more EVs being built in the second half of this year than the first half of this year.

Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GM shuts down CAMI Assembly plant in Canada due to parts shortage
The strike at 30 Canadian West Coast ports is back on.

Just five days after 7,400 union dockworkers and their maritime employers agreed to a tentative four-year deal that presumably ended 13 days of work stoppages, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada voted down the recommended settlement terms offered by Canadas federal mediator.

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As of Tuesday afternoon, the ILWU Canada longshore division went back on the picket line, according to a statement from union president Rob Ashton.

Ashton said the unions longshore caucus did not believe the recommendations had the ability to protect the workers jobs now or into the future, noting that the four years of the term were far too long when accounting for the uncertainty across global financial markets.

Our position since day one has been to protect our jurisdiction and this position has not changed, Ashton said. With the record profits that the BCMEAs member companies have earned over the last few years the employers have not addressed the cost of living issues that our workers have faced over the last couple of years as all workers have.

In a statement, the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said that caucus leadership rejected the tentative agreement before it was even taken to a vote by the full union membership.

The BCMEA, which represents 49 marine terminals and ocean carriers operating in the Canadian province, said the tentative deal included considerable hikes in wages and benefits over and above an approximate 10 percent increase received over the past three years.

According to the employers, the settlement also included specific provisions that addressed the unions concern regarding contracting out work and measures to improve training, recruitment and retention of ILWU trade workers now and in the future.

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Costs of living and the outsourcing of contract work were two of the three major talking points among ILWU Canada as the union also shared concerns about the increasing impacts of automation.

The BCMEA said it agreed to provide benefit coverage for all casual trade workers, a tool allowance that enables workers to purchase the equipment they prefer, as well as a commitment to increase apprentices in the industry by 15 percent.

Throughout the past five months, the BCMEA has continued to advance reasonable proposals and positions in good faith with the urgent objective of making progress, reaching a fair deal, and ensuring ports are open and supply chains are stable and reliable, said the BCMEA union statement. We strongly believe the tentative four-year agreement fairly recognized the skills and efforts of B.C.s waterfront workforce, while allowing for the safe restoration of critical cargo operations for all Canadians.

At around 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday, picketing workers had returned to the BCMEA dispatch office near the Port of Vancouver, according to the CBC. Chants of an injury to one, an injury to all and one day longer, one day stronger were heard from ILWU members.

Bridgitte Anderson, president of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, said in a statement that she was dismayed and disappointed that the strike had resumed.

We are greatly concerned about the impacts the continuation of the strike will have on Canadas international reputation as a reliable trade partner, Anderson said. In less than two weeks, business across Canada were facing shortages, temporary layoffs, and, in some cases, total shutdowns.

When talks between the ILWU and the BCMEA stalled, Canadian Labor Minister Seamus ORegan called on federal mediator Peter Simpson to propose a new contract. Pressure had been mounting as North American trade groups called for the federal government to enforce back-to-work legislation.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canadas opposition Conservative Party, criticized both ORegan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for failing to solve the dispute.

What colossal incompetence by Trudeaus Labour Minister. He claimed hed gotten a deal to end the strike, and now its back on with massive costs to consumers, workers & businesses.



We cant afford this incompetence.  Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) July 18, 2023

A port shutdown calculator published by a group of Canadian trade associations the day the strike was called off said an estimated $9.9 billion in trade had been disrupted since the stoppage began July 1. The Royal Bank of Canada estimated that 63,000 shipping containers were still waiting to be unloaded at the B.C. ports.

Even when the strike was off, estimates indicated that longer-term impacts would continue all summer long.

According to an estimate from the Railway Association of Canada, it would have taken three to five days for every day the strike lasted for networks and supply chains to recover. Prior to the 13-day strikes initial pause, that would have taken until late August to late September.

Click here to read the full article.
You can now bite into a Louis Vuitton handbag or a pair of Air Jordans, thanks to some clever dessert trickery.

Jeff Rubys Steakhouse in Cincinnati is serving up elaborate cakes in the form of your favorite luxury goods. Inevitably, the food illusions have become great social-media fodder, as the over-the-top presentation is made for Instagram and TikTok.

More from Robb Report

The Ruby Reserve cakes have been on the menu since the restaurant moved to its current home in October, pastry chef Eric Clark told Robb Report. But Clark never expected them to be such a huge hit; he thought theyd sell maybe two or three a night. Instead, theyre averaging 10 to 15 every day and generating quite a pretty penny. (The cakes cost $75 each.)

It was just kind of something that developed into something different for Cincinnati, Clark said. Its like bringing what you would see in Vegas or L.A. or a big city toIm not going to call Cincinnati a small city, but its nowhere near the size of any of those other ones.

The idea for the cakes came from Clarks own personal interests: He and executive chef Dylan Jones are both big sneakerheads who have been collecting kicks for a while. The duo started with the Air Jordan IV, making sure they had permission from Nike to sell a cake version of the shoe. Designer bags followed shortly thereafter as the restaurant was trying to figure out a more feminine approach to the decadent desserts. (The Ruby Vuitton is currently on the menu, but the kitchen has also served up edible replicas of bags by Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, and others.)

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Such precise reproductions require a good deal of time to create, Clark said. From start to finish, the process takes about nine hours for just one cake. That includes filling the mold, freezing the cake so it doesnt lose any of its detail, and then hand-painting each one. The team uses pulverized dust and a spray gun to create realistic texture. Plus, theres all the work that went into developing the recipes: The Air Ruby features chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, salted caramel crispy pearls, Chambord cream, and Cognac-caramel sauce, while the Ruby Vuitton combines strawberry mousse, French vanilla cake, shortbread crunch, St. Germain-strawberry coulis, and milk chocolate-passionfruit ganache.

All of that hard work has paid off, though, with the cakes gaining a cadre of celeb fans. Clark said that Robert De Niro came in multiple times while filming in the area, and Mark Wahlberg got a green Jordan IV. Jack Harlow was one of the first to receive a custom shoe: He wouldnt have been able to post about a Nike sneaker because of his deal with New Balance, so Clark and his crew whipped up a special NB for the rapper.

While the cakes are currently only available at Jeff Rubys Cincinnati location, Clark said theyll eventually be served in all outposts. Given that the restaurant is getting ready to roll out a Rolex replica, it might be time to head to the Ohio city.

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July is a popular time for both locals and tourists to visit Oregon's iconic Cannon Beach, but apparently, it's a great time for other species, too. Over the weekend, a cougar was spotted on the beach's landmark, Haystack Rock, and it caused quite a stir for beachgoers.

Even though they're native to the area, cougars, which are also known as mountain lions, don't usually make their way to the beach. As KGW8 reports, officials had to close off part of the beach to give the wild animal an escape route.

What a cool thing to see! This cougar must've been in search of food when they made their way to Haystack Rock. Unfortunately, rising tides kept the animal there for much longer than anticipated. Even though the beach was closed for most of the weekend, it wasn't until Monday that the mountain lion wandered back into the woods.

The first reports of the cougar sighting came in early Sunday morning, so officials were quick to shut off the closest part of the beach. Many plans were ruined that day, but keeping a safe distance between the animal and the public was well worth it.

However, no one could see the animal on the beach or the rocks by Monday morning. Security camera footage confirmed that the animal did climb down and leave the area during low tide, so Cannon Beach is completely open yet again.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends backing away calmly and slowly in the event of a cougar encounter. Running away might trigger the cat's instinct to chase, but if the animal approaches, you can slowly wave your arms to make yourself look bigger. Attacks are rare, but when they do happen it's best to fight back with any resources that may be available.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a sweeping plan on Tuesday to rip the woke out of the military and restore a mission first vision for American servicemembers, claiming that liberal political and social agendas had weakened the countrys ability to defend itself.

Speaking in Columbia, S.C., DeSantis vowed to reinstate U.S. service members who refused to comply with a coronavirus vaccine mandate, saying that the military erred in requiring its members to receive the vaccine. He also promised to rid the military of a long list of policies and priorities, including diversity and inclusion efforts and climate and environmental considerations.

The goal, DeSantis said, is to return the military to its core mission.

Were now in a situation where we find ourselves seeing the military go down a very different path, he said. Its a military that has been ordered by civilian officials to pursue political ideology, to pursue social experimentation, to be yet another institution in American life that gets infected with the woke mind virus.

The plan touches on the same theme that has defined DeSantis 2024 presidential campaign: that the federal government and its institutions have been overrun by liberal ideologues and are in desperate need of reform.

He vowed to ban drag shows on military bases, prohibit transgender people from serving in the military under their preferred gender and require military members to meet gender-neutral physical qualifications.

DeSantis also took aim at the curriculum of U.S. service academies, saying he would defund and ban any courses associated with so-called Critical Race Theory and ensure that the academies are focused on what he described as appropriate fields of study.

We need our service academies to stand apart from that, we need to be different and we need to make sure theyre upholding martial values and martial education, DeSantis said.

In outlining his plan, DeSantis pitched his vision for the military as a matter of national security. He blamed what he described as the politicization of the military for its recruitment struggles and claimed that Americas adversaries, like China, are laughing in our face.

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The more and more you inject this political agenda into the military, you are giving China a competitive advantage, DeSantis said.

The plan to reconfigure the countrys military was the latest proposal released by DeSantis in recent weeks. Late last month, he rolled out a border security and immigration plan that called for deputizing state and local law enforcement to enforce immigration law, finishing construction of a wall along the U.S. southern border and establishing rules of engagement for shooting suspected drug traffickers crossing into the U.S.

Hes also spoken frequently about tearing down and rebuilding the federal bureaucracy  a plan that would include moving many federal agencies and employees away from Washington, D.C., firing federal workers regardless of civil service protections and even eliminating entire government agencies, like the IRS and Department of Education.

The slew of policy proposals come as DeSantis struggles to gain traction in the race for the 2024 presidential nomination. Since launching his campaign in May, the Florida governor has failed to make up ground with the races frontrunner, former President Donald Trump.

That DeSantis chose South Carolina as the place to roll out his military plan was notable in itself. The state boasts a large military population and hosts the first-in-the-South presidential primary.
(Photo Credit: Christian Phillips / Getty Images)

Summer means long walks with your dog. And that means lots of sniffing and even eating all sorts of discoveries on the ground. Unfortunately for our four-legged friends in Maine, veterinarians are now warning dog parents there about the threat of poisoning from wild mushrooms.

Vets caution dog parents about mushroom poisoning

While some dogs will ignore mushrooms in the wild, others  especially young dogs  may be intrigued by them.

We see a lot of younger dogs eat mushrooms, theyre kind of curious a little more than a normal pet they tend to put everything in their mouth, Dr. Kate Domenico, president of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association, told News Center Maine.

The wet weather in the state means more fungi along hiking trails. The Amanita mushroom is the most poisonous type of mushroom in Maine.

That one is one you definitely do not want. You want to avoid it, Louis Giller of North Spore told News Center Maine.

What to do if your dog eats a mushroom

Because its challenging for people to identify mushrooms properly, you might feel confused about what to do if your dog eats one. Giller recommends photographing the type of mushroom your dog ate if possible.

I wouldnt take chances with my dog, Giller said. See if you can narrow down what it was they ate, and you can find one with high confidence a similar mushroom.

If your pup does wolf down some fungi, Dr. Domenicos advice is to monitor your dog. If anything seems off, seek veterinary care immediately. In the case you cannot get to a veterinarian right away, you can try to induce vomiting in your dog. But your pup still needs to be seen by a professional sooner rather than later.

These are not benign things for your pet to ingest, Dr. Domenico said. Eating fungi can cause a lot of problems for dogs, she added. Therefore, its your responsibility as a dog parent to be vigilant and limit access to fungi as much as possible on walks.

Read more on mushroom poisoning in dogs, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment. Also, find out when its OK for dogs to eat mushrooms and what kinds are safe.

The post Dog Parents Warned About Dangers of Mushrooms in Maine appeared first on DogTime.
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The famous sandals that mold themselves to your feet are finally on sale, but theyre selling out fast.

Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

If youve been on the hunt for the perfect anytime shoe that works for running errands, hanging with friends, or even in the office, there are plenty of options, but few are as beloved as Birkenstock sandals  although they can be pricey. Thankfully, the highly anticipated Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is finally here and open for everyone to shop now. The department store is cutting prices across tons of categories, including footwear. If youve always wanted a pair of Birkenstocks but felt that they were a little too deep into the splurge category, nows the time to take advantage.

The heritage shoe brand has been creating comfy yet stylish sandals for decades, with fans from celebrities to busy moms chasing tiny tots, and even people just trying to enjoy a few lazy hours on the weekend. What theyre most well known for is how the signature cork and latex footbeds mold to the feet of the wearer, ensuring a perfect comfortable fit for years to come.

During the two-and-a-half-week sale, Nordstrom is featuring two timeless Birkenstock styles  the Arizona and Madrid sandals  to their endless list of major steals. If youve been on the fence, nows the time to buy. Just make sure to hurry, because while the sale goes through Sunday, August 6, popular items tend to sell out long before that date.

Related: Birkenstock Loyalists Say These Amazon Sandals Feel Like 'Walking on a Marshmallow'  and They're $25 Right Now

Birkenstock Arizona Sandal

Nordstrom

$170

$130

Buy on Nordstrom

When you think of Birkenstock, the Arizona is the quintessential style that usually comes to mind. Youll still get the comfy EVA sole with arch support, but this particular model features a double strap with oversized gold-tone adjustable buckles, making it dressier than the more understated Arizona variations youre used to seeing around.

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One shopper praised the sandals for being able to easily be dressed up or down, and another shared that they felt these Arizonas elevate a look without compromising comfort. As a practical breaking-in hack, one reviewer shared that they wore them around the house for a day after which they molded to their feet.

Whether youve already got some Arizonas as part of your collection, or are looking to finally get started on the Birkenstocks path, its hard to go wrong with a versatile pair like this one  especially when theyre on rare sale for $40 off.

Birkenstock Madrid Sandal

Nordstrom

$150

$110

Buy on Nordstrom

The signature Birkenstock cork and latex footbed gets a revamp thanks to the leather single strap upper design on the Madrid sandal that also comes with an oversized gold-tone adjustable buckle. Meanwhile, the glossy finish creates a sleek effect. We think this is a versatile style that can work at the beach, during Sunday brunch, or even just to run errands around town.

We love that this sandal can be worn just as easily with dresses as it can with jeans, making it a fantastic travel shoe that can serve multiple purposes. According to one reviewer, They can be paired with wide-leg linen pants, maxi skirt, cropped pants, and gathered-waist shorts, while another raved that the shoe is immediately comfy out of the box. If the single strap was a concern, another shopper revealed that the strap adjusts pretty wide to ensure a comfortable fit for every foot.

Note that like the Arizona, its only available in the ecru shade for the Anniversary Sale  which, in our opinion, is a fantastic neutral that goes with anything.

Whichever Birkenstock style appeals to you the most, know that this is a brand thats known for durability, so youre sure to love them for years to come. More importantly, your feet, legs, and back will thank you for picking a shoe that provides proper support. Popular sizes are selling out fast, so dont wait until its too late to snag this deal.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and well send you our favorite travel products each week.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Former Sacramento Kings player Richaun Holmes has settled his defamation lawsuit against the parent company of The Sacramento Bee with an agreement that the McClatchy Co. will be dismissed from the action and will not pay any money to Holmes.

An online filing in Sacramento Superior Court on Tuesday by Holmes attorney Samuel Moniz says that the parties have reached a settlement in this matter involving McClatchy. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.

This lawsuit settlement  which includes no payment to Richaun Holmes  affirms the First Amendment rights of The Sacramento Bee, Colleen McCain Nelson, executive editor of The Sacramento Bee and McClatchys California news outlets, said in a statement Wednesday. In her columns and editorials, Bee opinion writer Robin Epley reported fairly and truly on Mr. Holmes custody dispute and appropriately represented her opinion on his ex-wifes allegations.

Holmes sued McClatchy, opinion writer Robin Epley and Holmes ex-wife, Allexis Holmes, over a series of columns and editorials about a custody dispute between Holmes and his ex-wife.

He claimed in the suit, which was filed in March, that the stories damaged his reputation, personal brand and goodwill in the community.

McClatchy argued in court papers that the statements in the columns about Holmes were fair and true reports of the judicial proceedings involving Holmes and were protected by the First Amendment. The company also argued that Holmes had not been damaged by the columns.

We believed all along that the columns about Mr. Holmes were a fair and true report of judicial proceedings and expressions of opinion by The Bee, McClatchy attorney Karl Olson said. And I think the settlement of this case without any payment by The Bee to Mr. Holmes is consistent with that.

Holmes attorney Camille Vasquez issued a statement Wednesday lauding her client and the fact that the lawsuit has been settled, adding that Holmes was awarded custody of his son, an extremely rare feat for a father, but also found him to the be only parent capable of caring for his child.

Were pleased the matter has now been resolved and Mr. Holmes is enthusiastic about a new chapter in his life as a father and basketball player, Vasquez said.
After getting some good surf during the last couple of days of the Corona Open J-Bay, the competition is officially over.

Filipe Toledo and Lakey Person have claimed victory in South Africa.

Bothers surfers were psyched in the congratulatory clips posted by the WSL.

The post was captioned:

"Congratulations @filipetoledo, now a 3x winner of the #CoronaOpenJBay! "

Winning the contest also means Toledo has provisionally qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and will represent Brazil at Teahupoo, Tahiti.

Meanwhile, a congrats clip was also posted for Peterson.

The WSL commented on the post: "Congratulations @lakeypeterson, winner of the #CoronaOpenJBay "

This year's Corona Open J-Bay was Peterson's first CT win since 2019.

According to the WSL, "Peterson answered the standard set by Molly Picklum and upped the ante with an excellent 8.50 to solidify her first win of the 2023 season. Peterson now moves to No. 6 ahead of the final stop of 2023.

Naturally, both surfers received an outpouring of congratulatory comments on each post.

Tatiana Weston-Webb, who won the contest last year said: "Goooo lakey!!!! so happy for you! Hard year and so well earned. We are all going through the same thing together. To see your tears of happiness and the hard work paid off is beautiful "

One viewer said to Toledo: "Great win!! You're an incredible champion! And a really awesome example of what a classy and respectful human looks like! Yew!!!"

***

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New data published Monday in the journal of the Alzheimers Association reveals that senior citizens who reside in the East and Southeast regions of the United States are more likely to suffer from the disease.

It is the first time researchers have been able to detail the spread of the disease at a county-wide level. To obtain their results, they surveyed 3,142 jurisdictions which housed more than 10,000 residents aged 65 and above.

The report indicates that the highest number of cases are occurring in Baltimore. 16.6 percent of that city's 87,800 residents aged 65 or older are estimated to have dementia, according to the study. Miami-Dade County, in Florida, and New Yorks Bronx County also saw a similar percentage of cases, with both counties coming in around 16.6 percent.

Maryland has an overall case rate of 12.9 percent amongst seniors, just ahead of New York (12.7 percent).

Based on changes over time in the age composition of their populations, the West and Southeast are expected to experience the largest percentage increases in people with Alzheimers dementia between 2020 and 2025, the study found.

This interactive map shows the results by county:

MAP TIME!



Counties with most cases of Alzheimer's among over-65s REVEALED



Spent perhaps a bit longer than I would like to admit making this map



Data from Alzheimer's Associationhttps://t.co/xhraLOAfWi  Luke Andrews (@LAMA_andrews) July 19, 2023

Having this information is very helpful because I think it adds to the urgency of the work that were doing, Dr. Halima Amjad, a geriatrician at Johns Hopkins Medicine and chair of an Alzheimers council in the Maryland state government, told CNN. (She was not personally involved with the study.)

For dementia, a lot of the care and support that is offeredthrough legislation or programsoften occurs at the state and local level, rather than at the national level, Dr. Amjad admitted. So we need to have that focus, both through planning at a public health level and backing up that planning with finances, to bolster the care and support thats available.

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Dementia is three times as likely to affect those aged 7579 than it will those aged 6569. Patients aged 85 and above are 15 times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than those in the younger brackets.

Rates in women are 13 percent higher than those among similarly aged men, while Black seniors were 2.5 percent more likely to have the disease than white seniors of the same age.

The difference in risk for Alzheimers and other dementias among racial and ethnic groups is most likely explained by disparities produced by the historic and continued marginalization of Black and Hispanic people in the United States, the study states. Disparities between older Black and Hispanic populations and older white populations in life experiences, socioeconomic indicators, and ultimately health conditions.

It also warns that members of the LGBTQ+ community may face an increased dementia risk, at least indirectly, through pervasive exposure to systematic discrimination, marginalization, disadvantage and/or exclusion from social institutions and enterprises.

Though that may all seem very discouraging, theres some good news on the Alzheimers front this week as well.

Researchers in Verona, Italy recently found that compounds in espresso, including caffeine, are beneficial for staunching the development of the disease. That means your mid-day coffee break, or even those espresso martinis after dinner, might just be saving your life.
The new service will only operate on the third Sunday of the month.

GABRIEL BOUYS/Getty Images A Freccia Rossa (Red Arrow) high-speed train of Trenitalia train operator at the central railway station in Milan.

Its now easier to visit the historic town of Pompeii, Italy, thanks to a new high-speed train route.



The new service will only operate on the third Sunday of the month, as a nonstop train from Rome to Pompeii, Euronews reported. While the service initially launched on July 16, the next service dates will be August 20, September 17, and October 20.

The train will depart Rome at 8:43 a.m. and return at 6:40 p.m.

Tickets for the high-speed Frecciarossa train service are sold on the Trenitalia website. The train will save travelers as much as 30 minutes, and cost approximately 29.90 euros (or 33.47 dollars), however Euronews noted that prices have yet to be confirmed.

GABRIEL BOUYS/Getty Images A Freccia Rossa (Red Arrow) high-speed train of Trenitalia train operator at the central railway station in Milan

"We are delighted to hear about the launch of the new and direct high speed route connecting Rome to the magnificent archeological site of Pompei by our long standing partner Trenitalia," Bjorn Bender, president and CEO of Rail Europe, told Travel + Leisure in a statement. "This route will become available as part of the Rail Europe inventory as soon as tickets are on sale."

Pompeii reopened a local museum with new artifacts in 2021, after being closed for four decades. Daily tickets to visit the ruins of Pompeii start at 19 euros (or 21 dollars), and can be purchased on the museums website.

Tourism site Visit Pompeii shares that most of the ruins can be viewed in approximately four hours, which makes the same-day train service a feasible option for travelers looking to explore the area.



As travelers flock to Italy for summer holidays, the country, along with most of Europe, is under a major heat wave causing Italys Ministry of Health to issue a heat warning to tourists and locals alike.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Profits plunged at Goldman Sachs (GS) during the second quarter as the Wall Street giant struggled with its core businesses of dealmaking and trading while taking nearly $1 billion in impairment charges on consumer and commercial real estate holdings.

Goldman's investment banking revenue declined 20% from a year ago and trading dropped 14%. That and the impairment charges helped drag earnings down 58%, to $1.2 billion.

It was the firm's lowest quarterly profit since early 2020.

The results are likely to intensify the scrutiny of CEO David Solomon, who is wrestling with everything from partner unrest to concerns about strategy as he tries to put a costly consumer-banking experiment behind the company.

The results this quarter included more costs from that consumer retreat, as Goldman took a $504 million write-down related to the declining value of a specialty lender called GreenSky that Goldman purchased in 2021.

"This quarter reflects continued strategic execution of our goals," Solomon said in a release. "I remain fully confident that continued execution will enable us to deliver on our through-the-cycle return targets and create significant value for shareholders."

Goldman had been downplaying its results ahead of today's release. Its stock closed up roughly 1% after Solomon told analysts he was optimistic about the direction of capital markets and how that might impact his business.

"It definitely feels better over the course of the last 6 to 8 weeks than it felt earlier in the year," he told the analysts on a conference call.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)

Goldman is the latest of several big banks to report a continued slowdown in investment banking and trading.

Revenues from those businesses dropped during the last quarter at Citigroup (C) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) but were up at Bank of America (BAC). At Morgan Stanley (MS), investment banking was flat compared to a year ago while trading revenues were down.

Goldman's drops in investment banking and trading were the second-worst among its peers, behind Citigroup.

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Equities trading was one positive, with $3 billion in revenues that were up 1% from the year-ago period. Fixed-income trading was down 26%.

Its overall firm revenues of $10.9 billion were also more than analysts expected.

'Green shoots?'

The global slowdown in dealmaking began last year after a boom in 2021, causing firms across Wall Street to slash bonuses and staff. It continued in 2023 as worldwide investment banking revenues for the second quarter fell 52% from a year ago, according to Dealogic.

Goldman is among the firms on Wall Street that have made or announced cuts of roughly 12,000 jobs since the end of 2022.

Bank executives and analysts are still predicting "green shoots" ahead, citing an uptick in announced M&A deals over the second quarter that could mean an improvement during the back half of 2023.

Morgan Stanley's CFO Sharon Yeshaya told analysts Tuesday that "sentiment and activity improved towards the end of the quarter, evidenced by green shoots that emerged across our businesses."

JPMorgan CFO Jeremy Barnum said investment banking was better than expected in June, but cautioned analysts on Friday that it was "too early" to label it a trend.

"We will see," he said. For overall capital markets, "July should be a good indicator for the remainder of the year."

Solomon on Wednesday said Goldman's investment banking and trading unit "delivered solid returns in an environment with cyclically low activity levels and we remained #1 in completed M&A  a testament to our world-class client franchise."

Retreat from Main Street

Goldman has challenges beyond Wall Street. It is also scaling back its onetime ambitions to become a major presence on Main Street, an effort that started with a savings account and personal loans in 2016 under former CEO Lloyd Blankfein.

Read more: The best high-yield savings account rates for July 2023

The strategy deepened after Solomon became CEO in 2018, including a credit card partnership with Apple in 2019 and the $1.7 billion purchase of buy-now-pay-later fintech lender GreenSky in 2021.

The effort has taken a toll on the firm. Solomon acknowledged earlier this year that a chunk of its consumer business had lost $3 billion since 2020, saying that "we tried to do too much too quickly."

The CEO has said Goldman would try to sell GreenSky. The Wall Street Journal has also reported Goldman is now trying to end its partnership with Apple.

On Wednesday Goldman said it took a $504 million write-down in the second quarter related to GreenSky. It also took impairments of approximately $485 million related to consolidated real estate investments, some of them office properties.

That helped push operating expenses up 12% from the year-ago period.

Commercial real estate properties across the US have been under stress over the past year due to rising interest rates from the Federal Reserve.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Watching a one-minute video on gun safety can lower the risk that children will touch a found firearm. (Illustration: Victoria Ellis for Yahoo; Photo: Getty Images)

Watching a one-minute video on firearm safety can lower the risk that children will touch a gun that they find. That's the major takeaway from a new JAMA Pediatrics study that put kids in a playroom setting and monitored their interaction with hidden, unloaded guns.

The study included 226 kids between the ages of 8 and 12 who were randomly sorted into two groups. One group saw a one-minute video on gun safety conducted by the police chief at Ohio State University; the other group saw a similar video on car safety.

With their parents' consent, the children were invited to play a week after watching the video in a lab at Ohio State that was disguised as a playroom. The room had a range of toys and games to play with, along with an unlocked file cabinet that contained two disabled 9 millimeter handguns.

Nearly all of the children found the guns, and a disturbing 53% handled the gun. But there were differences in how children reacted to the guns, depending on which video that they saw.

Children who watched the gun safety video were three times more likely to tell an adult that they had found the firearms (34% compared to 11% in the car safety group). They also were less likely to touch them: Nearly 40% of children in the gun safety video group handled the guns, compared to 67% of those in the car safety group.

Why this study is important

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., and cases have doubled over the past decade, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Children are now more likely to die from gun violence than they are in an automobile accident, KFF points out.

"We asked parents beforehand, What do you think your child will do when they find a gun? Most said my child definitely won't touch it. They'll immediately tell an adult  but that's not what happened," Brad Bushman, co-author of the study and a professor at Ohio State who studies the causes and consequences of human aggression and violence, tells Yahoo Life.

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Bushman points out that, while it's helpful the video was linked to a lowered risk that children would touch the guns, the results are still not ideal: "39.3% still touched it compared to 67% of the others. That's a big difference, but you want that percentage to be zero," he says. "Guns are not toys."

Why was the video helpful?

The study didn't analyze why the video helped some children avoid guns  it simply found an association. However, Bushman has some theories.

"We used an authority figure and our kids were 8- to 12 years old," he says. "Research has shown that children of that age respect authority figures." The police officer featured in the video was in full uniform and the video was shot in a professional studio, Bushman says.

"We also know that kids have pretty short attention spans  they may zone out with longer programs," he says. Kids like to watch videos, too, so creating something that matched all of that criteria seemed to be a good choice, Bushman says. "We're delighted to find that it was as effective as we had hoped," he says.

Bushman points out that the National Rifle Association (NRA) also has a gun safety video, but it features a cartoon bird. "That may not be as impactful as a police officer in full uniform," he says.

How parents can keep their kids safe around guns

Experts say the study highlights the need to talk to kids about guns. "Guns are one of those topics parents may be worried to discuss, with the thought, If we discuss it, will it make them more curious about guns?" Hillary Ammon, a clinical psychologist at the Center for Anxiety and Women's Emotional Wellness, tells Yahoo Life. "While its understandable to have that concern, it's typically not the case. Instead, it is better to discuss guns, address gun safety and let your children know they can come to you with questions or concerns about guns."

But experts say that it's crucial for gun owners to take precautions around the weapons. "At the end of the day, it's always an adult's responsibility to prevent unauthorized access to guns  not a curious child's responsibility to avoid guns," Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and senior adviser at Everytown for Gun Safety, tells Yahoo Life. "Teaching your kids about gun safety is an important precaution, but it's critical to remember that it's never a guarantee."

Bushman says the study findings underscore the importance of storing weapons safely. "Children are naturally curious, and adults underestimate their ability to find hidden firearms," he says.

Andrews agrees, saying that "the strongest research shows us that gun owners securely storing their guns saves lives, and that means firearms are stored unloaded, locked and separate from ammunition to prevent child access from happening in the first place."

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
Christopher Nolan's latest film, "Oppenheimer," is, like the title suggests, about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist largely credited as the "father of the atomic bomb."

But he's not the only Oppenheimer physicist in the movie. J. Robert Oppnheimer's younger brother, Frank Oppenheimer, has a central role.

Who was the real Frank Oppenheimer? And what become of him after the Manhattan Project? Read on.

Dr. Frank Oppenheimer (Denver Post / Getty Images)

Who was Frank Oppenheimer?

Born on August 12, 1912 in New York City, Frank Oppenheimer was eight years younger than his soon-to-be renowned brother J. Robert Oppenheimer, according to his bio on the Exploratorium, the museum he founded.

He earned degrees in physics from Johns Hopkins University and the California Institute of Technology, where he researched artificially induced radiation.

While J. Robert Oppenheimer made a name for himself in the U.S. through groundbreaking research on theoretical physics, Frank Oppenheimer worked on various nuclear physics projects throughout the country before joining his brother at the Los Alamos lab on the Manhattan Project in 1945, which J. Robert Oppenheimer directed during World War II.

Oppenheimer (Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures)

At Los Alamos, he worked on planning and coordinating the instrumentation for the Trinity bomb test in July 1945. He was later sent to the Project's facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to monitor equipment.

"The echoing went on and on, and  but I think the most terrifying thing was this really brilliant purple cloud, black with radioactive dust, that hung there, and you had no feeling of whether it would go up or would drift towards you," Frank told science historian Charles Weiner in a 1973 interview catalogued by the American Institute of Physics. "The fact that it worked  one knew immediately that it would work. It was really so very surprising that it worked."

Following World War II, both brother expressed feelings of guilt, gravity, and moral reckoning over the atomic weapon they had worked to create.

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"One quote from Frank is that when he heard the radio announcement that they dropped a bomb over Hiroshima, his very first thought was, 'Oh, thank God it worked,'" actor Dylan Arnold, who plays Frank in the Oppenheimer movie, told Datebook regarding his research of Frank. "Then right after that, before that thought could even be completed, he thought, 'Oh, those poor, poor people.' It seemed like from my research, all of the scientists felt this immense guilt."

Communist ties

In 1947, the Washington Times-Herald published an article linking Frank to the Communist Party, which he first denied. He retracted his denial while testifying before the House Un-American Activities Committee, per his obituary.

During his testimony, Frank Oppenheimer said that he and his wife had joined the Communist Party in 1937 and left in 1940, after feeling the party had failed to produce a satisfying solution to unemployment, per Time's reporting.

The ensuing public backlash regarding this affiliation led to Frank's resignation from his faculty position at the University of Minnesota. He was 36 at the time.

Though J. Robert Oppenehimer never joined Communist Party, other close associates of his were also members, including romantic interests Katherine Puening and Jean Tatlock.

Frank Oppenheimer (Shirley Streshinsky / Getty Images)

What happened to Frank Oppenheimer?

Unable to find work in academia, Frank Oppenheimer spent the following decade as a cattle rancher and high school science teacher in Colorado.

Returning to particle physics research in 1959 at the University of Colorado, Frank also worked on developing science pedagogical methods, created a "Library of Experiments" that formed the basis of the institution he would soon establish in San Francisco. The Exploratorium is an interactive science museum that received over 300,000 visitors in 2022.

In 1965, Frank Oppenheimer won a Guggenheim fellowship that took him to Europe, where he explored European museums and developed an idea to build his own in the U.S.

"It differs in a number of respects," said Frank Oppeneheimer in his interview with Weiner regarding the Exploratorium's role among science museums. "One is that it doesnt try to glorify anything, and I think a lot of science museums do ... Another factor was my thinking about the role of perception, as the core which would be available to all kinds of people, and which would not be considered unadulterated science."

Dr. Frank P. Oppenheimer (Bettmann / Bettmann Archive)

Frank Oppenheimer founded the Exploratorium in 1969 and served as its director until his death from lung cancer in 1985.

"Everything that had ever happened to him in his life went into the Exploratorium, from his childhood to his work on the atomic bomb to his being exiled from physics after the war," science writer K.C. Cole, who was personally mentored by Frank Oppenheimer, told NPR.

He never was reconciled, she added. He wasnt the only physicist who has never reconciled. But he was never reconciled with the fact that he worked on the bomb.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Kolab Now in use 1.

Most popular email platforms are free to use. But, nothing is really free. In exchange for using these tools, you agree to let the owner harvest your data for advertising purposes to earn money. Theres a popular saying that If youre not paying, then youre the product.

A lot of people arent comfortable with giving their data to third parties that can use it to improve advertising algorithms or sell the data directly to other people. Hence, they seek the best secure email providers as alternatives, and Kolab Now is a suitable one.

Kolab Now was founded in 2013 by Apheleia IT AG, the same company behind the Kolab open-source software suite. The company is based in Switzerland and its secure email platform became popular in the aftermath of global surveillance leaks in 2013. It has built a solid reputation as one of the most secure email alternatives in operation.

Kolab Now: Plans and pricing

Kolab Now doesnt have a free plan, which is a disadvantage. But it offers a 30-day free trial for new subscribers to its premium plans. You can choose from two plans; Just Email and Full Kolab.

The Just Email plan costs 5 Swiss Francs ($5.5) per month. It gives you access to 5 GB of storage, end-to-end encryption, and a responsive web client. The Full Kolab plan costs 9.9 Swiss Francs ($11) monthly. It gives you access to all the features of the Just Email plan plus extra features such as a voice and video conferencing tool and third-party integrations.

Kolab Nows pricing is similar to that of its main competitors like Proton Mail and Tutanota .

Kolab Now in use 2.

Kolab Now: Features

Kolab Now offers many beneficial features, including:

End-to-end email encryption

End-to-end encryption is a security protocol that prevents third parties from accessing information while its in transit from one server to another. Your emails contents are encrypted on Kolab Nows mail servers and can only be decrypted on the recipients mail server. If someone were to intercept the contents in transit, theyll be useless because that person doesnt have the encryption keys.

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Thanks to end-to-end encryption, not even Kolab Now can access your emails. They wont be able to provide it if any legal body requests for it.

Two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires two modes of identification before granting access to your account. The first mode is your password and the second is a one-time code sent to your smartphone. You can download a companion two-factor authentication app for Kolab Now on your smartphone, and you'll receive a code each time you want to access your account.

The essence of this feature is preventing an unauthorized party from accessing your account even if they somehow get the password.

Calendar

Kolab Now gives users access to a calendar app. Users can create calendars to plan their schedules rigorously. They can create multiple calendars for different activities, e.g., one for workdays and another for weekends. You can share your calendar with other Kolab Now users, e.g., colleagues and family members.

Contacts

You can store and manage contacts on Kolab Now. You can easily create contacts and organize them. Whenever you need information about a certain contact, just open the tool and check for where you saved them. Kolab Now lets you import contacts from other contact management apps.

Voice and video conferencing

Kolab Now offers voice and video conferencing tools, although theyre still in the beta stage. The company is testing these features to identify any bugs and perfect them for users.

You can launch voice or video calls with other Kolab Now users at the click of a button; you just need to grant the web app access to your camera and microphone for it to work. When you press the Voice & Video button, you'll see a screen that'll assist you in configuring your camera and mic; you can test them at this point. Afterward, you can start calling.

Kolab Now has a simple voice/video calling interface similar to what youll find on the likes of Zoom and Google Meet . Just like its competitors, Kolab Now allows you to share your screen for other people on the calls to see. As an administrator, you can control who is allowed to tune into your meeting.

Because this feature is still in the beta stage, you might experience occasional bugs. Feel free to report any to Kolab Nows team so that they can fix it.

Alias addresses

An alias is an alternate email address that forwards to your main address. It uses the same prefix as your main email but with a + button followed by a word, e.g., John+Facebook@kolabnow.com or John+Amazon@KolabNow.com . Its a creative way to interact with other people or apps while hiding your main email address.

Kolab Now in use 3.

Kolab Now: Interface and use

Kolab Now has an intuitive and simple interface that youll likely find easy to navigate. Its primarily a web-based tool. Theres no native mobile or desktop app, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to the competition.

Kolab Now: Support

Kolab Now offers direct support to all subscribers. You can open tickets by filling out the support form or by messaging the company's support address directly. Theres also a Knowledge Base with details about all the platforms features; you can consult this page for a potential solution before seeking direct support.

Kolab Now doesnt offer direct telephone support.

Kolab Now: Competition

Proton Mail is the main competitor to Kolab Now that well like to highlight. This app gives you access to a wider range of features; a Proton Mail subscription also includes access to a virtual private network (VPN) service, cloud storage, and a calendar. It also has a mobile app, unlike Kolab Now. The drawback is that Proton Mail is a more expensive tool.

Kolab Now: Final verdict

Kolab Now is an ideal choice if you want a simple and secure email platform. It protects your email contents vigorously and prevents any third party from accessing your data. The main drawbacks are that the platform has no mobile app and theres no free plan.

We feature the best email hosting provider.


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Margot Robbie's Barbie press tour and its fashion marathon were cut short due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which began after the cast did the London premiere of the film. Still, Robbie did a fashion marathon of Barbiecore looks and sometimes straight Barbie doll outfit recreations in five cities: Los Angeles, Sydney, Seoul, Mexico City, and London. Her stylist Andrew Mukamal celebrated this by dropping photos of six press tour outfits that didn't get as much if any news coverage. Four out of six were very, very pink.

The first image includes Robbie in a metallic strapless Versace dress with pink socks, white loafers, and a white box bag:

The second image is of her in her Clueless-inspired Chanel two-piece yellow tweed set, a look that received some press coverage.

The third image is of Robbie in a magenta pink crop top and skirt by Versace with pink heels and a pink bow pocketbook.

Instagram

The fourth image was from Sydney, when Robbie dressed in a white print minidress. She was channeling the original Barbie during her appearances that day.

The fifth image appeared to be from Robbie's Mexico City stop, featuring her in a pink printed Versace minidress posing in a Barbie doll box to promote the film.

Instagram

And the last image had Robbie in another pink print minidress, this time short-sleeved with matching heels by Valentino.

Instagram

KISS FM UK also posted a video of Robbie in another not-seen press look: an embellished pink dress. She appeared with Ryan Gosling, speaking on Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely's show. They pre-taped the interview while in London before the strike.

Robbie and the cast were supposed to do premieres in Berlin and New York City before the actors' strike ended all movie promotion. Robbie is a SAG member and spoke about her support for the union.

Robbie said at Barbie's London premiere that she'd absolutely be part of the strike. I'm very much in support of all of the unions, she told Sky News. And I'm a part of SAG so I would absolutely stand by that.

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An Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

Reports of the 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics cards poor sales performance have spread online, including in Japan and markets that normally perform well in PC gaming, like Germany. And it seems that this has affected Nvidias confidence in its own product, or at least enough to warrant a total stealth launch.

Normally, we receive advanced samples of a new graphics card so we can have a review ready at launch, just like most of the publications you trust. But this time around, Nvidia has clearly failed to give any tech websites an advanced review sample of its latest card, the 16GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti , and instead opted to release it without any promotion or reviews whatsoever. This means that any tech journalists interested in testing and reviewing it will have to purchase a card for themselves.

Well of course see reviews coming out in the next few days or even weeks once writers get their hands on one. Itll be interesting to see how the doubled VRAM, which is the only difference between the 8GB and 16GB versions, will impact performance. For instance, the doubled VRAM should mean a higher framerate in memory-intensive PC titles, but the 16GB card has the same 128-bit memory bus and PCIe Gen4 x8 interface as the 8GB version, and that may significantly impact performance.

Why did Nvidia ignore the reviewers?

The number one reason why Nvidia didnt bother to send out review samples is most likely due to the extremely awful sales of its 8GB RTX 4060 Ti . If that version underwhelmed at retailers despite having a generally good review reception, then sending out samples for the 16GB version wouldnt have much impact on sales.

Of course, theres another reason why Nvidia may not have bothered and this points to a general apathy toward graphics cards as a whole. Currently, the manufacturer is making bank on AI-related projects and products like Neuralangelo , an AI model that transforms 2D video clips into extremely high fidelity 3D structures, and Project Helix , which is a team-up between Dell and Nvidia that brings AI-powered hardware solutions to enterprises.

These investments, as well as its tensor-core technology, have helped bring Nvidia to its current trillion-dollar value . Essentially, Nvidia is really the only company right now with tech sophisticated enough to carry out matrix multiplication efficiently, which is absolutely essential for any machine learning process . This naturally makes Nvidia extremely valuable, so much so that it does not seem bothered that many of its graphics cards are tanking.

What this means for Nvidias future in graphics cards production is unknown, but were already seeing a consequence of that devil-may-care attitude in the form of less-informed consumers due to the lack of reviews.
Authorities in Kenya have exhumed the bodies of over 400 people that are said to have died in connection with a doomsday cult.

Officials in the area told the Associated Press (AP) that they believe all of the victims to be followers of a doomsday cult in the coastal town of Malindi led by a local pastor, named Paul Mackenzie, who allegedly ordered them to fast to death in order to meet Jesus.

Mackenzie has denied the allegations, previously telling CNN in June he has never seen anybody starving. Per the BBC, it's said he also told the Kenyan Nation newspaper, "Is there a house maybe or an enclosure or a fence somewhere that has been found [at the farm] where people might have been locked in?"

New developments in the story, which first broke back in April of this year, came earlier this week when Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha told the outlet that an additional 12 bodies were exhumed on Monday, July 17, bringing the total number of those who have died in connection to the Good News International Church to 403.

Of the 403 bodies uncovered, pathologists said a majority were already in advanced states of decomposition, though, Onyancha noted that 253 of the bodies had undergone DNA matching.

>>> Sign up for Parade's Trending News newsletter and we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments and celebrity news everyone is talking about <<<

Onyancha added that an additional 95 followers had been rescued, and detectives are still working to locate more mass graves as some 613 people have been reported missing to Kenya Red Cross officers in Malindi.

In May, relatives of those involved with the cult began speaking out, Stephen Mwiti, whose wife and six children joined the cult and are possibly among those who died, told Reuters: "He [Mackenzie] told them to starve themselves ahead of the worlds end on April 15, saying he would be that last one and that he would lock the doors."

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Local hospital staff that spoke on the clause of anonymity also confirmed Mwiti's statements, telling Reuters that survivors described similar accounts. "He [Mackenzie] had an elaborate plan of killing children, youths and then adults, telling them he would be the last one to starve himself to death," one recalled.

While the search for the missing continues, AP reported that Mackenzie, along with 36 other suspects, are currently in police custody, but none of them have been charged.

Kenya's president, William Ruto, said what transpired in Malindi was "akin to terrorism" and vowed to crack down on "those using religion to advance their heinous acts."

It is believed that Mackenzie moved to the forested part of Malindi in 2019 after his church was closed over the pastor's preaching, which is said to have included asking children not to go to school. He was also previously arrested and released on bond over the disappearance of children, per AP.

Next: Former Iowa Football Player Cody Ince Dead at 23
Work to increase the height of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge could start as early as next year, but first Georgia highway officials are asking the public for feedback on their plan.

The proposed project includes replacing the bridges cables, bridge bearings and joints for maintenance reasons. In addition, the cables would be shortened to create a taller clearance for ships going to and from the Port of Savannah.

If all goes as expected, officials say the bridge would remain open while the work is done. Lane closures in both directions are anticipated.

Obviously, safety is the focus, said Kyle Collins, a communications and marketing strategist for the Georgia Department of Transportation. He explained that similar bridge maintenance projects have been undertaken in Mississippi and Ohio without long-term bridge closures.

Collins said officials have not determined how high the bridge would be raised. That figure would be established as part of later engineering work.

The four-lane cable-stayed bridge, which was first opened in November 1990, has 185 feet of clearance space for ships at mean high water. As a comparison, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge that connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant, offers 186 feet of clearance space.

Average daily traffic is more than 20,000 vehicles, according to the transportation department.

The Port of Savannah is the fourth-busiest port in the United States, following Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; and Long Beach, California. It also is the nations fastest growing port.

Public comments are being accepted until July 27 on the work, known as the US 17/SR 404 Spur Bridge Major Maintenance Project. Comments will be part of the National Environmental Policy Act environmental document being prepared for the project.

Georgia DOT will respond to comments and publish a Comment Response Letter to the project web page approximately 30-45 days later.

The project is expected to be awarded to a construction contractor in late 2023 and construction could begin in 2024.

Those wanting to comment may complete an online form, or write the Georgia Department of Transportation, Attention: Eric Duff, state environmental administrator, 600 W. Peachtree St. NE, 16th Floor, Atlanta GA 30308.
Retailers are starting to get anxious about a possible UPS worker strike on Aug. 1.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) shared its dismay with the stalled contract negotiations between UPS and the 340,000 workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

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Reliable and quick shippingensuring the timely delivery of essential goods such as groceries, medicine and school supplies to customers doorstepsis the hallmark of our industry and the UPS fleet plays a critical role in that operation, the statement read. Uncertainty is like kryptonite for supply chains.

A strike would risk disruptions to nearly 40 percent of U.S. courier operations, according to data from Everstream Analytics. While it is easier for retailers today to diversify their carriers compared to when the 1997 UPS strike occurredwhich lingered for 15 days and cost the company $850 millionno merchant will be insulated from any potential slowdown.

While competitors like FedEx, USPS and Amazon have the capacity to handle some of the transferred load, no U.S. carrier has sufficient capacity to handle all of it in addition to their own normal courier volumes, said Mirko Woitzik, Everstreams global director of intelligence solutions. UPS handled an average of 20.8 million packages per day in the U.S. in 2022, with Pitney Bowes estimating it ships 24 percent of total parcel volume in the country.

Although FedEx said it will be accepting additional parcel volume for a limited time ahead of the strike, retailers should be forging relationships with smaller shipping companies alongside the bigger names, according to Charles Haverfield, CEO of U.S. Packaging & Wrapping.

The best approach is for businesses to cast their net wide, Haverfield said. Be sure to review the terms and conditions within your carrier contract regarding service disruptions and alternative arrangements first to identify any penalty clauses that may apply.

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RILA also exercised caution about wider impacts to the overall economy, highlighting that while retailers can often be adept at navigating supply chain challenges, a strike would result in billions of dollars lost.

Retailers are preparing contingency plans, but even the most robust planning wont shield retailers or consumers from the impact of shutting down a key component in the supply chain as we head full-steam into back-to-school and then holiday shopping seasons, RILA said.

One think tank, Anderson Economic Group (AEG), tagged a potential 10-day work stoppage at more than $7 billion in total economic losses, with UPS customers bearing the brunt of those losses at $4.6 billion.

The impact of a supply chain disruption is no longer an academic exercise, the association said. We need only look in our rear-view mirror to see the economic and consumer harm that resulted from supply chain bottlenecks and delays that rippled throughout the economy post-pandemic. Having worked through these challenges methodically over the past two years, retailers are loathe to stress-test contingency plans again.

Haverfield said e-commerce retailers in particular are the most at risk of negative fallout from a potential UPS strike. He noted that these retailers should currently be bulk ordering whenever possible.

With fewer deliveries being made, businesses can expect production delays and inventory shortages caused by transportation disruptions, hindering the overall functioning of businesses, Haverfield said. Being proactive and ensuring stock levels are well-maintained ahead of the strike deadline could save a headache later on.

The trade association concluded in its statement that it was optimistic a resolution could be reached, while urging all negotiating parties to remain at the table until a deal is struck.

The Teamsters and UPS have until July 31 to reach a new contract agreement. The unions outspoken general president, Sean OBrien, has been unyielding in his conviction that Teamsters-represented employees will strike on Aug. 1 without a deal in hand. The talks have remained at a stalemate since July 5.

OBrien even asked the White House to stay out of the unions contract negotiations, with Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su reiterating that she has not yet seen a need for federal intervention.

Ironically, on Wednesday morning, the Teamsters Twitter account retweeted a tweet from the handle of President Joe Biden, who is seen pictured with a union worker for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Unions built the middle class. pic.twitter.com/Q8khYrB9VP  President Biden (@POTUS) July 19, 2023

Although the two sides have come together on a collection of issues, such as dissolving the 22.4 two-tier wage classification for hybrid workers, ending forced overtime on drivers days off and installing air conditioning in the package carriers iconic brown delivery vehicles, they are still far apart on wages.

The starting UPS part-time wage is now a minimum of $16.20 as mandated for federal contractors. UPS offer to raise part-time wages amounts to crumbs, according to OBrien. That offer has not been made public.

Click here to read the full article.
We don't know what the Prinze family did last summer, but this year, they embarked on a fun adventure in Italy.

On Tuesday, Sarah Michelle Gellar (46) shared a few photos from their family vacation in Florence, Italy, on her Instagram Story. While the Do Revenge star typically keeps her family life private, she included a few rare snaps of her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr. (47), and their two children, Charlotte (13) and Rocky (10).

Instagram/@sarahmgellar

Although Gellar covered her kids' faces with green heart emojis to protect their privacy, fans still got a glimpse of the happy family during their getaway. In one photo, they all pose together from the balcony of a building during a fun outing. Gellar wrote, "La mia famiglia a Firenze Italia," which means, "My family in Florence Italy."

In another snap, Rocky and Prinze Jr. do some father-son bonding as they enjoy the sights outdoors.

Instagram/@sarahmgellar

And in another pic, Charlotte, who's donning a silky white dress, poses with both of her parents by a set of stairs.

Instagram/@sarahmgellar

In 2019, while discussing her decision to keep the kids out of the spotlight and social media, Gellar told Cafe Mom, "My husband and I both have careers in the public eye, but my kids haven't chosen this for themselves. They haven't chosen to have their lives put out there, to be judged, to have comments by people they've never met over just a snippet. The best way for us to deal with that was to just keep our private life private."

It's for this reason that Charlotte, who already has her sights set on becoming an actress like her mom, isn't allowed to pursue acting until she turns 18. Gellar told The Hollywood Reporter, "We have rules in place. She cant be in front of a camera until she graduates high school. She says to me, Thats unfair. You were a child actor. Yes, I was. But I was not the child of two famous parents.

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Until then, we'll be on the lookout for more rare snaps of SMG and the family.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar Debuts Stunning New Bob and Uses Mother Nature as Her Wind Machine on Instagram


Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. are enjoying their summer in one of the most beautiful places on earth: Florence, Italy! The Buffy The Vampire Slayer star shared rare photos of her and Prinzes kids on the trip, and it looks like a blast.



Siamo arrivati (let the Prinze family Italian adventure begin) #florence, Gellar captioned a selfie on Instagram of her and her husband. She also shared several photos on her Instagram Stories from the trip, including one with Prinze and their son Rocky, 10, looking over a balcony at the beautiful Florence architecture.

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In another photo, Gellar wears a black, one-shoulder dress with heels as she stands next to Prinze, dressed in a pink t-shirt and black jeans. His arm is around their daughter, 13-year-old Charlotte, who is wearing a white mini dress. The teen is already taller than her mom in the photo!



Gellar shared several pictures of her and her Scooby Doo co-star enjoying a night out in Italy. She also shared one photo of the entire family, writing La mia famiglia a Firenze Italia. In the photo, Gellar has her arm around her son, who is dressed in a white button-down shirt and white jeans, and Prinze is standing next to their daughter. In all the photos, Gellar placed heart emojis on the kids faces to protect their privacy.

Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

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In Oct. 2022, the Wolf Pack star opened up about keeping her kids off social media. Our rules are probably stricter than most. Our kids dont have social media, Gellar told Yahoo Life. Theyre allowed to look sometimes when its our phones. Sometimes, our kids will be like you guys are the strictest household! But I say, yes, but everyone still wants to come here!'



She continued, I believe kids need to know what their limitations are, and they actually thrive in that environment. Were not mean, were not unnecessarily strict, but we have rules. And the same way I abide by my code of rules, I expect the same from our children.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar shares the reason why she isn't letting her daughter become an actress just yet. https://t.co/8k0ALeMmbQ  SheKnows (@SheKnows) January 19, 2023



They may be strict, but they know how to have fun, too. It looks like the Prinze family is having a blast in Florence, and we are officially jealous!

These celebrity parents have gotten honest about their rules when it comes to technology.



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Key Insights

The projected fair value for Healthia is AU$1.71 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Healthia's AU$1.09 share price signals that it might be 36% undervalued

Analyst price target for HLA is AU$2.46, which is 43% above our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Healthia Limited (ASX:HLA) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Healthia

Step By Step Through The Calculation

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

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) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$39.0m AU$26.7m AU$20.4m AU$17.2m AU$15.4m AU$14.4m AU$13.8m AU$13.4m AU$13.3m AU$13.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ -23.46% Est @ -15.83% Est @ -10.50% Est @ -6.76% Est @ -4.14% Est @ -2.31% Est @ -1.03% Est @ -0.13% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 8.0% AU$36.1 AU$22.9 AU$16.2 AU$12.7 AU$10.5 AU$9.1 AU$8.0 AU$7.3 AU$6.7 AU$6.2

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$136m

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) 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 8.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$13m (1 + 2.0%)  (8.0% 2.0%) = AU$226m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$226m ( 1 + 8.0%)10= AU$105m

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 AU$240m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$1.1, the company appears quite good value at a 36% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Healthia 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 8.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.011. 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 Healthia

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Healthcare market.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess 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 example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Healthia, there are three pertinent elements you should look at:

Risks: You should be aware of the 4 warning signs for Healthia (1 is concerning!) we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does HLA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian 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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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.

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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
Sofia Vergara has officially taken Instagram by storm, mesmerizing us all with her ongoing Italian escapades. It feels as if the star has been living it up in the popular tourist destination for ages, giving us a glimpse of her sun-drenched snaps that truly scream la dolce vita. For her 51st birthday (can you believe her age?!), the actress shared a five-part photo series of herself posing on a yacht, captioned, what a bday day!!! along with an emoji blowing a party horn and two Italian flags.

She absolutely slayed her swimsuit look by wearing a white one-shoulder bathing suit with see-through lace cutouts inserted throughout the piece. Her fellow Americas Got Talent judge Heidi Klum joined the fun and sent her wishes by commenting, Happy Happy Happy Birthday, along with several heart-eye emojis.

In the middle of Sofias numerous vacation snapshots, fans couldnt help but speculate as to why her husband, Joe Manganiello, was not present to celebrate with her and why Sofia ditched her wedding ring. It seems that their speculations were correct, as reports have just emerged that Sofia and Joe will be getting divorced after seven years of marriage.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara)

Sofia Is A Total Babe In A White Swimsuit In Capri

The Modern Family alum took to Instagram to share with fans her impeccable birthday style. Soaking up the sun aboard a yacht in the waters of Capri, she was accompanied by her friends as they pictured themselves going for a bite to eat. The mom-of-one left fans in shambles with her holiday fashion. Sporting a crisp, white asymmetrical one-shoulder bathing suit adorned with sheer lace cutouts, she effortlessly donned the see-through trend thats been making its rounds all summer long. She definitely turned heads with this chic mesh ensemble!

The Colombian sensation allowed her milk chocolate locks to freely flow through the air in a straightened style while choosing to go for a subtle makeup choice. She had on just a touch of nude eyeshadow and a lovely rose-colored lipstick that added some charm to her overall appearance. To complete her birthday outfit, she adorned herself with a gold chain necklace and fancy square sunglasses, perfectly tying in her entire wardrobe for her big day!

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara)

Fans Praise Sofia For Her Age-Defying Face And Body, But Have Questions About Her Absent Husband

Of course, fans rushed to the TV personalitys comments section to hype up her beauty and how youthful she looks all the time. One fan commented, Happy Birthday Sofia, looking amazing as always. We agree! Another fan commented, So beautiful. You are stunning!

Some fans were quick to address the elephant in the room. One user commented, Wheres Joe? Im worried. Another user went as far as tagging Joe Manganiello in her comments and asking him, Where are you? Yikes! The last time the couple posed for a photo together that was posted on her grid was just two weeks ago, but even that snap was a throwback, as Sofia captioned it, #tbt to summer! Italy, accompanied with two sun emojis and two pizza emojis.

Confirming the swirling speculations around their relationship dynamics lately, several sources have just revealed that Joe and Sofia will officially be going their separate ways after seven years of marriage. Based on their statement to Page Six, it seems that the split was mutual and ended on a mature note. The couple will be marking the end of their life together as a duo by moving forward with a divorce.
Was Tuesday supposed to be a turning point for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign, the moment when he emerged from behind former President Donald Trump to lead the Republican Party toward a triumphant return to the White House?

If so, yikes.

After shunning the mainstream media for several months, DeSantis agreed to a 15-minute sit-down interview with Jake Tapper on CNN  a rare appearance on the non-conservative, corporate media that he has tried so hard to vilify.

But Tuesday also turned out to be the same day that Trump took social media by storm to announce he expects to be indicted and arrested on charges related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. That was on top of other breaking Trump news: a hearing in Florida federal court where lawyers sparred over when the ex-presidents trial will be held on charges he violated the Espionage Act and kept classified documents in his Mar-a-Lago home after he lost the 2020 election.

Instead of a statesmanlike moment for DeSantis on Tuesday, it was Trump, Trump and more Trump  even on CNN. Once again, DeSantis found himself being defined by The Former Guy. This, after DeSantis polling numbers have barely budged and amid reports that some campaign funders are getting nervous.

It should be noted that Trump said on his Truth Social website that he received the horrifying news on Sunday that he is a target of a grand jury investigation led by Special Counsel Jack Smith. But he waited until Tuesday  minutes before DeSantis interview was set  to announce it. Coincidence?

DeSantis response, when Tapper inevitably asked him about the announcement, was to downplay the former presidents mounting legal problems  and deflect. He attacked the Department of Justice and the FBI as being weaponized and criminalizing political differences. He said he hoped that Trump wouldnt be indicted because it would be bad for the country. He insisted he was going to look forward, not back.

Earlier in the day, at a press conference in Columbia, South Carolina, hed sounded a bit tougher on Trump. He said the former president should have come out more forcefully against the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But to try to criminalize that, DeSantis added, thats a different issue entirely.

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Maybe so, but what if we were talking about former Democratic president or current President Joe Biden? No doubt DeSantis would be all in on prosecution.

But back to Trump. The news about a potential third indictment, news he chose to break himself, would have tanked any other candidate without his cult-like following. But with Trump, its hard to know if this latest case will be the one that finally drags him under.

Though he is bogged down by two other indictments  the hush money case for Stormy Daniels in Manhattan and the top-secret documents case in Florida, as well as the E. Jean Carroll case in which he was found liable in civil court for sexual abuse and defamation  he marches along without a discernible difference, seeking the spotlight, basking in the attention. There are other cases that may still be filed, including one in Georgia. Yet nothing, so far, has shaken his core support. That must be maddening for DeSantis.

DeSantis was supposed to be Trump without the liabilities. But as the baggage piles up, DeSantis  like us  has to be wondering when, if ever, it will finally be too much.
This article originally appeared on Outside

I lie half naked and miserable in a puddle of my own sweat. I open the tent flap to breathe but there's no relief, even at midnight. Who comes to the Guatemalan jungle in July?

Yesterday's hike was rough, but the 15 miles today were raw pain. The mosquitoes were so vicious that by mile two even our local guides had asked to borrow our 100 percent deet. Bugs here suck down lesser repellent like an aperitif. Nothing provides complete protection.

Our destination is La Danta, one of the largest pyramids on earth. It's located in the ruins of El Mirador, a centerpiece of Maya civilization from 800 B.C.E. to 100 C.E. that was abandoned nearly 2,000 years ago. There are no restrooms, no gift shops. In fact, the site is still being excavated.

This is where Angela and Suley want to get married. So, accompanied by a pair of guides, a half-dozen pack donkeys, and their ten toughest (or least informed) friends, the brides are determined to march us 60 miles over five days through Parque Nacional El Mirador in northern Guatemala to La Danta to say "I do." It's our second night on the trail.

I close my eyes and wait for Tara, a.k.a. Tent Dawg, to start snoring. I met her 48 hours ago. Broad shouldered and sharp jawed, she looks like she could win a car-tossing competition or spit and hit Mars. A major in the U.S. Army, she's been training soldiers on how to survive in the field since before Survivor was a tiki torch in Mark Burnett's eye. Back in the small town of Flores, the night before we all set off, she'd said something about a kidney condition with a shrug. Nothing fazes Tent Dawg.

I slip out of our nylon cocoon to pee, swimming through the liquid night. Humidity 83 percent. Cicadas buzz from thick-vined shadows--the jungle's 24-hour booty call.

The misshapen moon shimmers like a mirage. I drop my underwear and flash a rounder moon at the donkeys. A languid tail whips a fly. Because my body temperature nearly matches the outer world, it's hard to feel the boundary line. So I watch to be sure the piss is pissing. At least it runs clear; I've been pounding water to replenish the gallon I sweat off every hour.

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No sound emerges from our five tents, just green-black humming in all directions, 1.6 million acres of primeval rainforest teeming with the richest biodiversity in Central America. I shake my hips, pull up my skivvies, and float back to my tent.

I flop down and remind myself, This is the opportunity of a lifetime, when a mosquito the size of a Winnebago chomps my left butt cheek. The pain is electric but passes quickly. After frantic swatting and cursing, I drift off, anesthetized by this single dart.

It was not a mosquito.

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It was just another day in South Park. The kids were making fun of each other on the playground, while the parents were all doing their best to maintain their sanity in the small Colorado town. And then there was me, a tech journalist going door-to-door warning about the impending AI apocalypse. No, I wasn't actually guest starring on the long-running TV series  I was thrust into an episode entirely produced by the Showrunner AI model from The Simulation, the next iteration of the VR studio Fable.

All it took was some audio of my voice (recorded during a call with The Simulation's CEO Edward Saatchi), a picture and a two-sentence prompt to produce the episode. And while it wasn't the best South Park episode I've seen, I was shocked by how watchable it was. It begins with my AI character popping into Sharon and Randy Marsh's house in the morning, warning them about the AI uprising. Randy is intrigued, but Sharon is annoyed by my arrival (both of which were set up in one sentence of the initial prompt).

"They're [AI] infiltrating every aspect of our lives," my AI character says. "They're in our cars, our phones... even our toasters."

"Our toasters, really? I always knew that little bastard was up to something," Randy replies.

Sure, that's not exactly a tightly crafted joke, but it was enough to make me chuckle. And again, it didn't take much for Showrunner AI to piece that conversation together. Watching this episode made it clear that generative AI can actually produce watchable content (certainly more so than that AI Seinfeld project), but it also made me even more worried about the role of AI in media.

At this moment, writers in the WGA and performers in the SAG-AFTRA unions are striking for better residual pay and protections against potential AI exploitation. A tool like Showrunner AI, which can produce decent content without much effort, threatens creatives everywhere. The WGA strike and the fears around AI-generated content is also the main plot line in the demo South Park episode, "Westland Chronicles."

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The Simulation Showrunner AI South Park demo

"Maybe it's a mistake to release it, I'm not sure," Saatchi said over email, when I asked if it's really the best time to launch Showrunner AI. "If our focus was becoming 'the AI TV studio' and gloating that we can make shows with no staff I'd feel very queasy  but we're trying to build a simulation and we need infinite story to make that work."

He added: "Now is the moment, in the biggest strike in 60 years, before AI has achieved takeoff, to negotiate the most aggressive protections possible for writers and actors from producers' use of AI  negotiations now so that these tools are in the hands of artists and creators only and not the hands of producers trying to become Griffin Mill Robert Altman's The Player."

(That character famously said, "I was just thinking what an interesting concept it is to eliminate the writer from the artistic process. If we could just get rid of these actors and directors, maybe we've got something here.")

The idea of building intelligent characters isn't new for Saatchi. In 2018, we discussed Fable Studio's VR adaptation of Neil Gaiman's The Wolves in the Wall, which centered on an interactive character named Lucy. Even then, he thought AI-powered beings were more intriguing than the notion of VR storytelling. Now, thanks to the proliferation of generative AI models, he can finally make that happen.

The Simulation Showrunner AI South Park demo

His goal with The Simulation is right there in the name: He wants to create simulations of characters living their lives in specific environments, similar to The Truman Show. That content could be cut down into episodic summaries with Showrunner AI. Like so many in the AI field, Saatchi eventually wants to build AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, "an AI that reaches and surpasses human intelligence and is, ultimately, a new lifeform."

While many AI experts remain skeptical about the viability of AGI, Showrunner could still end up being a powerful tool. But of course, like any tool, it could end up being used for good or evil. Saatchi envisions it being helpful for creators to build their own shows without a huge budget, but he also admits it could be used by studios to "undermine artistic expression."

The Simulation Showrunner AI South Park demo

After watching myself starring in a South Park episode, though, I'm more worried than hopeful. The tech isn't perfect yet  my voice sometimes sounds overly robotic, and characters pronounce my name differently almost every time  but it's close enough. Saatchi and his team, including the AI research Philipp Maas, who developed the South Park simulation, still preview every episode to ensure they make sense. But with no end in strike for the Hollywood union strikes, it's hard not to imagine some studio looking at this tool as a potential savior.

We arent releasing the Showrunner commercially and arent in talks with the South Park people (though we are with several studios about their IP, as well as creators to make original IP) but we used South Park only so that people have a comparison point between a super high quality human show and an AI show," Saatchi said. "If the showrunner was ever released with the permission of an IP (letting fans create their own episodes) we believe all the revenue should go to the IP holders  these are just remixes after all!"

Currently, The Simulation is developing showrunners around other animated concepts, like a space exploration series, and a Silicon Valley satire dubbed "Exit Valley." The technology can't produce live action content yet. The company is also releasing a research paper explaining how its showrunner AI technology works, with the hopes of encouraging more AI workers to build on it.

The most striking thing about my South Park episode is that it actually feels like an episode of the show. Over the course of five minutes, I visited the local school, where all of the kids proceeded to make fun of me. One wisely lectured me about overhyping claims about the AI apocalypse, while I was also warning them to watch out for clickbait. By the end, I was eager to see more. And that was the most worrying thing of all.
United Airlines

United Airlines announced a new historic route connecting American travelers to the Philippines, according to a press release from the carrier.

Beginning in October, the airline will begin serving flights from San Francisco to Manila. United Airlines is the first United States carrier to offer direct flights from the United States into the southeast Asian country.

The announcement came along with promises of additional route expansion to other countries. United Airlines also will connect travelers to 15 other destinations this winter throughout the Pacific. The new long-haul flights will make United Airlines transpacific network 50 percent larger than all other U.S. airlines combined, according to the PR Newswire.

United offers more flights to more destinations across the Pacific than all other U.S. airlines combined, said Patrick Quayle, United Airlines senior vice president of global network planning and alliances. United is the flag carrier of the U.S. and we are excited to bring this new service to Manila while expanding access to Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Due to strict government regulations, flight expansion into China is limited. However, United Airlines is touching many other destinations and ensuring American travelers have access to feasible routes. The carrier began initial expansions earlier this year by increasing U.S. flights to Australia and New Zealand by 40 percent. According to the press release, the airline has increased flights across the Atlantic by 32 percent since 2019.

Now, United Airlines has its eyes set on building more infrastructure around expansion in the Pacific. Quayle says the opportunity for expansion is ripe and plentiful as the carrier enters into new territory.

In general, the Pacific is as strong, if not stronger, than the Atlantic today, he said.

Flights from San Francisco to Manila are already on sale on United Airlines website. However, the Philippines route isnt the only United flight making its way across the Pacific. The carrier will also resume nonstop flights from LA to Tokyo/Narita as well as adding routes from LA to Tokyo-Haneda. There will also be two new daily flights from San Francisco to Taipei. Uniteds new and expanded Pacific routes will begin in October.
Tidwell escaped police with a shoulder mount of a bull elk sitting in the bed of his truck. Someone thought it was a poached carcass and reported it to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brian L. Tidwell of Clarkston, Washington, is being held in Idahos Nez Perce County Jail on $25,000 bond after what can only be described as a whirlwind 24 hours on the run. Tidwell currently faces three Class C felony charges: two counts of eluding a pursuing police officer and one count of first-degree reckless burning. He led officers on a high-speed chase across multiple counties. Tidwell was also suspected of poaching a bull elk at one point, though officials later realized the head, neck, and antlers seen sticking out of his truck bed were actually a part of a shoulder mount.

On June 30, Asotin County Sheriffs Office deputy James Gibson responded to a call about a fire at a residence in Clarkston, Washington, according to arrest records obtained from the Asotin County Clerk's office by Outdoor Life. The report shows that Tidwell was living near where the fire occurred, and a friend of Tidwells neighbor had made the call. Gibson got in touch with Tidwells neighbor, who alleged that Tidwell was burning trash at his residence when the fire got out of control and spread to the neighbors residence. Tidwells entire trailer home, multiple farm implements, and the back of his neighbors barn and outhouse had all been damaged.

Two weeks later, while Gibson was on patrol at roughly 7:30 p.m., he spotted Tidwells truck, an orange and black Dodge, at a local park. Tidwell was still a suspect in the burning incident at the time, so Gibson parked his patrol car in front of Tidwells truck and approached the driver's side of the cab, which appeared to be empty. But as Gibson got closer, Tidwell popped up and immediately turned his truck on, saying he had to go. Gibson opened the truck door and told him he wasnt free to go, but Tidwell slammed the door shut again and sped away.

A high-speed pursuit began and another officer got involved, chasing Tidwell down the highway while Gibson stationed himself closer to town. Eventually, Tidwell drove back in front of Gibson again, who observed him run a four-way traffic stop full of cars. The second officer noted that Tidwell was exhibiting signs of driving under the influence. As the chase continued, Tidwell eventually drove the wrong way up a one-way exit ramp, forcing several vehicles to pull off the road. Once he got to the top of the ramp, he fled across the Washington state line (formed by the Snake River) into Lewiston, Idaho. The Asotin County officers communicated with the Lewiston Police Department and Nez Perce County, who eventually called off the chase for the night.

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The next day at 6:00 p.m., Gibson received word from the dispatcher that a vehicle matching the description of Tidwells truck was fleeing Whitman County. Gibson set up on the Clarkston side of the Red Wolf Bridge and watched as Tidwells truck drove across. As soon as he crossed, Gibson turned on his lights and siren and attempted to pull over Tidwell, but Tidwell drove straight into a heavily trafficked area, forcing Gibson to abandon the pursuit again for the safety of pedestrians and other vehicles. Later, Tidwell came back into the county. Officers tried to use spike strips to stop the truck, but just barely missed the tires. Tidwell escaped back into Lewiston again, where he was eventually captured on foot.

A press release from the Whitman County Sheriffs Office, which was posted to their Facebook page, provides some different insight into what happened on the second day of the pursuit.

The vehicle in question had been reported to [the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife] earlier in the day of possibly poaching in the area and at that time the vehicle was not located, the press release reads. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle using emergency lights on Steptoe Canyon Road but the driver refused to pull over and drove around the patrol car that was northbound on Steptoe Canyon Road. While following the vehicle an elk head with antlers was observed in the bed of the pickup.

WDFW communications manager Staci Lehman confirmed with Outdoor Life that WDFW is not conducting a poaching investigation into the incident since the antlers and head in the truck bed turned out to be part of a shoulder mount and not a poached carcass. But Lehman also says that law enforcement is looking into whether the mount could have been stolen.

Read Next: Thieves Are Stealing More and More Racks From Hunters in the Westand Their Profits Keep Growing

Class C felonies get a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If Tidwell is convicted of all three charges, he could face triple that. But the punishment doesnt stop there. Because one of his attempting to elude a pursuing police officer charges involves endangering countless lives with his reckless escape driving, he will get a mandatory 366-day sentence enhancement to whatever penalties he receives, court documents read.
womens travel rights

Male guardianship rules are restricting womens travel rights in North Africa and Middle Eastern countries, according to a 119-page report from the Human Rights Watch. The report comes after cries from women remained unanswered as additional restrictions limit womens travel both within countries and abroad.

Destinations like Algeria and Libya have the toughest restrictions of womens travel, according to the report. In Algeria, women cannot obtain a passport without permission from a male guardian. In May, Libyas Internal Security Agency decided women would no longer travel without a male guardian present. Women traveling independently have to provide forms about their current and past travels. These regulations also are in Iran and Qatar.

Although many of these foreign governments claim the male guardianship rules are to ensure the safety of its female citizens. Many believe control is the reason womens travel rights are limited, according to Radio France Internationale. This includes preventing women from leaving men they no longer desire to be married to and fleeing the country.

Courts may also use womens disobedience to restrict womens access to divorce and deny them financial rights or custody of their children, the report read. This can trap women contemplating filing for divorce from leaving the home.

Photo credit: LT Chan

Rothna Begum, senior womens rights researcher at HRW, said these countries control women under the guise of male protection.

From leaving the home to leaving the country, authorities in the Middle East and North Africa are imposing varying restrictions on womens right to freedom of movement, Begum said. Women in the region are fighting against restrictions that authorities often claim are for their protection, but in reality, deprive women of their rights and enable men to control and abuse them at will.

In some places, the restrictions extend beyond just womens travel. According to HRW, many North African and Middle Eastern countries do not grant natural guardianship to mothers. As a result, 14 countries in those regions do not allow women to secure passports for their children. This ensures women cannot leave their residence countries with their children unknowingly. Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia are the only countries women are equal to men when securing passports for dependents.

Some justify the restrictions as a part of the regions culture. However, the HRW believes male guardianship deprives women of their legal status to make decisions about their own lives and can cause deep harm. Although some countries are making strides, most women in North Africa and the Middle East endure injustice in silence.

Even as womens rights activists win some freedoms, the authorities seek to take others away, rolling back not just womens rights, but harming children, families and society, Begum said. All authorities in the Middle East and North Africa should eliminate any and all discriminatory restrictions on womens freedom of movement including all male guardianship rules.
This article originally appeared on Outside

A 21-year-old Canadian woman was attacked by a bear on Thursday, July 6, while she was planting trees near a wildlife preserve.

The attack happened shortly after 3 P.M. near Bearhole Lake Provincial Park, in northeastern British Columbia, according to a news release from the province's Conservation Officer Service.

"The bear first bluff-charged and the victim retreated to a nearby roadway, where the bear attacked," the release says. "The bear eventually disengaged and ran off. A co-worker came to her aid and called for help."

Conservation officers did not encounter a bear when they arrived on the scene, but they saw signs of bruin activity in the immediate area. Officials believe a grizzly bear was responsible for the attack.

The victim suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Prince George, the CBC reports. As of last week, officials said she was in stable condition.

Investigators believe that the bear was startled and acting in self-defense.

"Due to the defensive nature of the attack, and remote proximity of the location, Conservation Officers believe the risk to public safety is low and are not undertaking any trapping efforts," the release says.

Up to 16,000 grizzly bears live in B.C., where the population is considered vulnerable. Habitat fragmentation and loss due to development is one of the largest threats the animals face, according to Parks Canada. The black bear population in B.C. ranges between 120,000 and 160,000, representing about one quarter of all black bears in Canada.

Last October, a "rare predatory attack" by a black bear injured three people, according to the CBC. That incident also occurred in northeastern B.C.

In its bear safety pamphlet for tree planters, B.C.'s Forest Safety Council provides useful information for anyone entering bear country. The guide emphasizes the importance of not surprising bears.

"Be especially careful when traveling in thick vegetation, into the wind or along creeks or streams, where bears are less likely to hear your approach," the pamphlet says. "On hot days, bears may be resting in shady and cool areas such as near streams or under thick vegetation."

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
A 16-year-old boy from Guatemala died as a result of an on-the-job accident at a poultry plant in Mississippi, authorities said Tuesday.

It happened at about 8 p.m. on July 14 at the Mar-Jac Poultry plant in Hattiesburg, Forrest County deputy coroner Lisa Klem said.

Workers under the age of 18 are not allowed to work in poultry plants because its deemed to be too dangerous and therefore a violation of child labor laws.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Labor Departments Wage and Hour Division have launched investigations into the incident, a spokesperson said. Any company found to be in violation could face a federal fine of more than $30,000 per incident.

The death was caused by equipment at the plant, Klem said, adding that the results of an autopsy will be released Wednesday.

Duvan Tomas Perez. (via Facebook)

A worker who was on duty at the time of the accident spoke of hearing the boy screaming for help, but it was already too late.

Two times he began to scream, Help! Help! the worker said.

I knew he had died, the worker added.

The victim, identified by local authorities and a family member as Duvan Tomas Perez, was a middle school student who arrived in this country from the town of Huispache about six years ago.

Were very sad, said the relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they face a pending immigration issue. He was generous, smiley and very fun and very responsible at work.

Joe Colee, the manager of the Mar-Jac facility, said in a statement that our employees are our most valuable asset and safety is our number one priority."

"We strive daily to work as safely as possible and are truly devastated whenever an employee is injured," he added.

Colee also acknowledged the OSHA investigation and said the company is cooperating fully.

Any issues identified in the investigation will be corrected immediately," Colee said.

The incident marked the second time in two years a plant worker died from injuries sustained in an accident.

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The Mar-Jac poultry plant in Hattiesburg, Miss. (Google maps)

In May 2021, an employee was killed when he got pinned "partially under" a machine after it snagged his sleeve, according to OSHA records.

OSHA fined Mar-Jac $27,306, but the company contested it and the case remains ongoing.

Debbie Berkowitz, former OSHA official from the Obama administration, said the company has a "horrible safety record" and previously "fought to prevent OSHA from looking for safety violations after previous serious injuries."

An OSHA enforcement record from October 2021 notes that inspectors who went to the companys Georgia location were unable to complete an inspection because they were denied entry.

Mar-Jac did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the 2021 death.

The latest incident comes as the Biden administration is cracking down on child labor violations involving migrants.

NBC News reported last month that a federal investigation into Guatemalan children working in the U.S. in violation of child labor laws has expanded to include meatpacking and produce firms that have allegedly hired underage migrants in at least 11 states.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Avricore Health Inc.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avricore Health Inc. (TSXV: AVCR, OTC: AVCRF) (Avricore Health or the Company) is pleased to announce its agreement with Ascensia Diabetes Care, a global diabetes care company, to integrate their blood glucose monitoring (BGM) systems, marketed as CONTOURNEXT GEN and CONTOURNEXT ONE, with Avricores pharmacy-based point-of-care testing (POCT) platform, HealthTab. Ascensia Diabetes Care is a subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523).



The partnerships objective is to support patients and pharmacists in Canada in better managing diabetes by linking the daily blood glucose testing results and pattern history data collected via the CONTOURNEXT GEN or CONTOURNEXT ONE meter the patient uses to the patients HealthTab account. The partnership also seeks to support utilization of each technology by opening discussions related to collaborative communications to ensure patients and pharmacists are able to take advantage of what these data insights offer.

Health data silos are leading to terrible outcomes for patients, but with this collaboration we can ensure patients and their pharmacists have the right information for better care decisions, said Hector Bremner, CEO of Avricore Health. This is also the first time we are integrating a device that is with the patient and not located in the pharmacy, opening doors for exciting possibilities for HealthTab.

Combining these new daily data insights from the patients BGM with the results, such as the patients HbA1c and lipids profile collected during the patients regular consultations with their pharmacist utilizing HealthTab and its associated instruments, this collaboration will deliver a more robust personal health data tool for the fight against diabetes, which affects 1 in 10 adults around the world (Source).

At Ascensia we strive to make diabetes management as simple as possible. We enable people with diabetes, and their caregivers, to use data to make informed decisions with their health care provider. It is important to provide systems that make monitoring easier and well-suited to modern-day living, said Annika Pawaroo, Head of Region Americas, Ascensia Diabetes Care. This partnership is a vital step in elevating patient care delivery to the next level.

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Avricore Health and Ascensia anticipate being able to conclude the technical work and launch the patient interface by Q3 of this year. Ongoing work will be done to identify ways to communicate and encourage patient engagement. Both parties look forward to updating on progress as work continues.

About Ascensia Diabetes Care

Ascensia Diabetes Care is a global company focused entirely on helping people with diabetes. Our mission is to empower those living with diabetes through innovative solutions that simplify and improve their lives.

We are home to the world-renowned CONTOUR portfolio of blood glucose monitoring systems and the exclusive global distribution partner for the Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems from Senseonics. These products combine advanced technology with user-friendly functionality to help people with diabetes manage their condition and make a positive difference to their lives. As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, we collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and other partners to ensure our products meet the highest standards of accuracy, precision and reliability, and that we conduct our business compliantly and with integrity.

Ascensia is a subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523). Ascensia products are sold in more than 100 countries. For more information on Ascensia Diabetes Care, visit https://www.ascensiadiabetes.ca/. 2023 Ascensia Diabetes Care Canada Inc.

About HealthTab

HealthTab is a turnkey point-of-care testing solution that combines best-in-class point-of-care technologies with a secure, cloud-based platform for tackling pressing global health issues.

With just a few drops of blood from a finger prick, the system generates lab-accurate results on the spot and data is reported in real time. The test menu includes up to 23 key biomarkers for screening and managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease (e.g., HbA1c, Lipid Profile, eGFR). HealthTab has also recently added capabilities for bacterial and viral tests, such as strep and COVID-19.



The HealthTab network model is unlike anything in pharmacy today. It gives knowledgeable and trusted pharmacists a greater role in primary care delivery, while empowering patients to take more control of their health. It also reduces costs and waiting times and provides many potential revenue streams including equipment leasing & consumables, direct access testing, disease prevention & management programs, sponsored health programs, decentralized clinical trials, real world data (RWD) sets, and third-party app integration through API.

To find a location near you, please visit: healthtab.com/locations

HealthTab Market Fast Facts

Point-of-Care Testing Market to reach $50.6 Billion USD in 2025 (Source)

Glucose monitoring (diabetes related) to make up the largest growth within the sector. (Source)

Nearly 13.6 Million Canadians expected to diabetic or prediabetic by 2030, with many undiagnosed (Source)

Over 1 in 3 Americans, approximately 88 million people, have pre-diabetes (Source)

Close to 160,000 Canadians 20 years and older are diagnosed with heart disease each year, often its only after a heart attack they are diagnosed. (Source)

There are more than 10,000 pharmacies in Canada, 88,000 pharmacies in the US, nearly 12,000 in the UK.

About Avricore Health Inc.

Avricore Health Inc. (TSXV: AVCR) is a pharmacy service innovator focused on acquiring and developing early-stage technologies aimed at moving pharmacy forward. Through its flagship offering HealthTab (a wholly owned subsidiary), its mission is to make actionable health information more accessible to everyone by creating the worlds largest network of rapid testing devices in community pharmacies.

Contact:

Avricore Health Inc.

Hector Bremner, CEO 604-773-8943

info@avricorehealth.com

www.avricorehealth.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information in this press release that involves Avricore Health's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Avricore Health generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," "future," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming," and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements.

In this press release, forward-looking statements include statements regarding: the completion of the placement and the expected timing thereof and the Company's expected use of proceeds from the placement; the unique features that the HealthTab platform offers to pharmacists and patients. Forward-looking statements reflect the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts of Avricore Health's management. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to Avricore Health as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Avricore Health and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations, including without limitation: failure to meet regulatory requirements; changes in the market; potential downturns in economic conditions; and other risk factors described in Avricore's public filings. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




HENDERSON COUNTY - Many people think the coronavirus pandemic is in the past, and while it's true that cases continue to decline, experts say it isn't over yet and likely won't be anytime soon.

Just a day ago, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said he had tested positive for COVID and would be working remotely. Although the federal government ended its national public health emergency for the coronavirus on May 11, it's a virus that will always be with us, according to World Health Organization Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Last week, COVID-19 claimed a life every three minutes  and thats just the deaths we know about," said Ghebreyesus on May 5, briefing the media at the agencys headquarters in Geneva a week before the federal government's national public health emergency ended. It is still killing and it is still changing. The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths.

An AdventHealth Medical Group member asks questions of a patient March 19, 2020 as teams provide COVID-19 testing for patients outside Medical Office Building at 50 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville.

Globally, as of July 12, there have been 767 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6.9 million deaths, reported to the World Health Organization's dashboard at https://covid19.who.int/. Although the numbers are staggering, since the start of the virus in January 2020, there has been a large decline in cases and deaths, the CDC reported.

That is true locally as well. At both local hospitals, UNC Health Pardee and AdventHealth Hendersonville, there is a minimal number of patients being treated for COVID.

"As of 11:30 a.m. July 10, there were two patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at UNC Health Pardee," Dr. Greg McCarty, chief medical officer of UNC Health Pardee, told the Times-News on July 18. "Pardee saw a decline in cases around the end of flu season in early May and has not experienced any drastic increases or decreases since that time. An average of two to three patients at any given time has been fairly typical for the past few months."

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AdventHealth Hendersonville hasn't had a COVID patient since June 28, according to spokesperson Victoria Dunkle.

"AdventHealth Hendersonville continues to see the steep decline in COVID-19-positive patients requiring hospitalization. Over the past month, we had only three days in which we had a COVID-19-positive patient in our care in the hospital, the most recent being June 28. On each of those days, our team was caring for just one COVID-19-positive patient," Dunkle said on July 18. "This trend aligns with the benefits of the vaccines at reducing the severity of symptoms and access to medications that reduce the severity and length of COVID-19 infections in people."

Sherman's Sports and Army Store worker Becca Chamberlain rrings up customer Ruth Benson of Charlotte during the first hour of the Open Streets event in downtownn Hendersonville May 30, 2020. Store owner Becky Banadyga placed a sign on the front door asking customers to wear face coverings to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 infection

In Henderson County, the total number of deaths caused by COVID since the virus was first reported in January 2020 is 384, with the most being in 2021 (127) and 2022 (134), according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. So far this year, there have been 18 deaths.

The key to the decline is vaccines, McCarty said.

"Vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing serious illness as a result of COVID-19. We continue to encourage vaccinations for those individuals in our community who remain unvaccinated, and boosters for eligible individuals, particularly those who are immunocompromised," McCarty said. "If you are over age 50, and especially over age 65, and have either not been vaccinated or have significant medical conditions, please consider wearing a mask in more crowded public spaces."

According to an article by the Cleveland Clinic, in the weeks before May 11, 2023, the CDC was still reporting more than 100,000 cases in the US every week, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths in the thousands.

"Its probably safe to assume numbers are continuing to decline - especially as we move into the summer - but the virus isnt in the rearview mirror by any means," the article said.

Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Still a threat: Despite decline in cases, deaths, pandemic isn't over
The European Union is sending firefighters and water bomber aircraft (pictured) to Greece as that country deals with a growing number of wildfires around Athens, amid a record heat wave gripping the continent. Photo by Vasilis Psomas/EPA-EFE

July 18 (UPI) -- The European Union is sending firefighters and equipment to Greece as that country deals with a growing number of wildfires amid a record heat wave gripping the continent.

Firefighters from Belgium already are now at work on several large fires in forests around Athens, while four Canadair water bomber aircraft from Italy and France also are being deployed, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius tweeted Tuesday.

Greece's predominantly pine forests surrounding Athens are tinder-dry at the moment, presenting an extreme wildfire risk.

Wildfires burn precious forests in #Attica since yesterday. reacts:  4 Canadairs from & prepositioned firefighters from Nature restoration & making our forests & soils resilient are the long-term solutions to avoid the worst impacts of this recurrent threat pic.twitter.com/4a5tClWooz Virginijus Sinkevicius (@VSinkevicius) July 18, 2023

The assistance is provided under the EU's civil protection mechanism.

Since the weekend, Greece, Italy and other large parts of Europe have been bracing for temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit, brought on by the Cerberus heat wave.

Crews also are battling wildfires in Spain's Canary Islands and in Switzerland's mountainous terrain, too.

"Temperatures in North America, Asia, and across North Africa and the Mediterranean will be above 40 C (104 F) for a prolonged number of days," the World Meteorological Organization said Tuesday.

The soaring temperatures led Britain's Foreign Office to issue travel alerts for anyone heading to Spain or Greece.

Extreme heat forced officials in Athens to temporarily close the Acropolis this past weekend.

Forecasters predicted the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia could see temperatures up to 120 degrees this week, which would be an all-time high.

The previous high was set in Sicily in 2021 when temperatures hit 119.84 degrees Fahrenheit.

A report out earlier this month found more than 18,000 people died as a result of extreme heat in Italy last summer, while more than 61,000 people met the same fate across the whole of Europe.
Michigan Humane is reevaluating its presence in Livingston County, including putting the building at 2462 Dorr Road up for sale.

GENOA TWP.  Michigan Humane is reevaluating its presence in Livingston County.

The nonprofit provides animal welfare and sheltering services in metro Detroit. It's not to be confused with the Livingston County Animal Shelter at 418 S. Highlander Way, which rescues and provides temporary shelter and care to over 2,000 animals annually.

Officials at Michigan Humane, which operates the Livingston County Center for Animal Care at 2462 Dorr Road, have put the property up for sale. The nonprofit is now reassessing what its presence in Livingston County might look like in the future, according to communications manager Anna Chrisman.

"Much of the building is currently not being used," she said. "We want to ensure the current property is purchased by someone who needs it and can utilize the whole building."

The approximately 10,900-square-foot property is listed for sale for $2.35 million. The center currently offers preventative veterinary care there by appointment.

The building was once home to the Humane Society of Livingston County, which folded its operations and merged with Michigan Humane in 2019 after operating in the county since 1977. While, at first, Michigan Humane continued to operate an adoption center and veterinary services in the building, they later closed the adoption center, "in part due to slow traffic of both people and animals," Chrisman said.

"We looked at other organizations in the community who were already serving the needs that Michigan Humane traditionally serves," Chrisman said. "We want what's best for the people and pets in this community and we feel Livingston County Animal Shelter is an excellent organization and currently fills the pet adoption needs of the county."

She didn't say whether the veterinary clinic will relocate.

"We need to fully assess what the needs are for the residents in Livingston County and for Michigan Humanes capability to meet those needs," she said.

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Meanwhile, she said officials at Michigan Humane hope the Livingston County Animal Shelter might purchase the building on Dorr Road.

"We are aware the facility is for sale," Livingston County Administrator Nathan Burd told The Daily. "We did have some good conversations with the folks over at Michigan Humane. Were currently exploring options for our animal shelter.

"We do have some space constraints and we have a higher workload there than weve had in the past. Were looking at various options to address some facility needs and some space needs for our shelter, but nothing (has been) determined at this time."

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Pet surrenders are up nationally, and shelters are facing an "overwhelming number" of surrenders, Chrisman said, "largely due to owner's concerns over serious behavior and medical issues."

"A challenge for many animal shelters right now is animals staying in care for longer periods of time," she said. "It's our belief that organizations should focus on working upstream, supporting efforts to keep pets in their homes."

 Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: The animal shelter outlook is changing in Livingston County
In 2021, officers engaged in Operation Tourniquet are shown gathering outside Georgia Square Mall, where they organized to arrest numerous gang members.

The gang unit for the Athens-Clarke County Police Department was recognized recently in Athens during a convention of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association held at the Classic Center.

The departments gang unit along with the gang units with the FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation all shared in the Regional Investigator of the Year award.

The award was presented for work performed under Operation Tourniquet, an undercover operation that focused on the distribution of fentanyl and other drugs by gang members in the Athens area.

The operation culminated in 2021 with the arrests of 13 suspects, along with the seizure of 60 firearms, more than $1 million in cash, and various drugs including cocaine and heroin with a street value of more than $800,000.

At the time, police said the investigation had targeted high-level gang members involved in the drug trade.

Middle District U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary also attended a news conference in Athens to announce the arrests.

The Gang Investigators Association was formed in 1998 and now has more than 500 members from law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

Drug sentencing: Three sentenced to prison in U.S. District Court in Athens for dealing meth, heroin

Game thefts: Fantasy games thief remains unidentified after Oconee burglary

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens-Clarke police gang unit receives award at state convention
A photo posted on Twitter by the Republican Party of Arizona showed the electors sitting in prayer before casting their votes for Donald Trump on Dec. 14, 2020. Despite Joe Biden winning Arizona, the Republicans filed documents with Congress falsely claiming to be Arizona's true electors.

Trailblazing is tough.

There are obstacles to overcome. Dense foliage to cut through. Rivers to cross. Mountains to circumvent or climb.

Arriving late to such a party can be a good thing.

Prosecutors in two other states have been carving out a path for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a narrow track through the legal wilderness by which Mayes might escort Arizonas fake presidential electors  to prison.

Brnovich never pursued fake electors

It was during the term of former Attorney General Mark Brnovich that the fake electors in Arizona tried to steal the presidential election by pawning themselves off as legitimate and giving Joe Bidens electoral college votes to Donald Trump.

Brnovich, a Republican, was hoping to get himself elected to the U.S. Senate. Since the fake electors were also Republicans, Brnovich decided to leave the matter to federal investigators.

By the time Democrat Kris Mayes was elected Arizona attorney general, however, Georgias Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was investigating a fake elector scheme in her state.

And so, too, was Michigans Attorney General Dana Nessel.

16 in Michigan now face felony charges

On Tuesday, Nessel announced that she had charged 16 individuals connected to the fake elector scheme in Michigan.

Each defendant faces potentially long prison terms connected to felony charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery.

Nessel said, They werent duly elected electors and each of the defendants knew it. They carried out these actions with the hope and belief that the electoral votes of Michigans 2020 election would be awarded to the candidate of their choosing, instead of the candidate Michigan voters actually chose.

Does that sound familiar?

It should.

Arizona's fake electors pulled a similar heist

Arizonas fake electors also knew they werent duly elected.

That was made clear in a widely reported email to a Trump adviser from Arizona attorney Jack Wilenchik.

Former Arizona Republican Party Chair Kelli Ward and her merry band of operatives to were trying to overturn the will of Arizona voters, portraying themselves as legitimate electors, when Wilenchik wrote to Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn, We (Arizona Republicans) would just be sending in fake electoral votes to Pence so that someone in Congress can make an objection when they start counting votes, and start arguing that the fake votes should be counted.

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Another view: Ariona's fake electors may finally feel the heat

Later, Wilenchik sent a follow-up email saying, alternative votes is probably a better term than fake votes, followed by a smiley face emoji.

At the same time Ward and Arizonas other Trump minions were whining about nonexistent voter fraud, spouting wild conspiracy theories and claiming that the election had been stolen, the GOPs fake electors in Arizona were trying to pull off the biggest vote heist in state history.

The path is clear for Attorney General Mayes

Last week the Washington Posts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez reported that Mayes was broadening her inquiry into Arizonas fake electors, assigning prosecutors and contacting pro-Trump electors and their lawyers.

Just in time.

The path to justice has been cleared for Mayes. The signposts are there.

All the attorney general needs to do is put on her hiking boots and follow the trail blazed by the other prosecutors.

And maybe pack some handcuffs.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

For more opinions content, please subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fake electors in Arizona should face justice like those in Michigan
Everyone noticed the lack of socks.

When President Joe Biden stepped off Marine One on a recent Sunday morning at Dover Air Force Base, he had just wrapped up a Delaware beach weekend. With his bare feet tucked inside his sneakers, he walked slowly across the tarmac to board Air Force One, which was headed to London for the start of a four-day European swing.

The informality of the presidents wardrobe distracted from something else  something reporters who travel with him have been noticing for some time. Biden boarded using the shorter set of retractable stairs that fold into the belly of the plane. The routine began a few months ago, the president increasingly avoiding the grander, more traditional doorway near the front of the aircraft on the main passenger level, higher above the tarmac.

The new routine looks to be another subtle accommodation to the presidents age. It is hiding in plain sight, although the White House wont concede that interpretation. Three weeks ago when the president traveled to New York, again using the lower stairs to board, Bloombergs Justin Sink pressed press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about it during her in-flight gaggle. Was Biden having mobility problems, Sink asked, or was it to address  you know, hes had a couple incidents falling on the stairs getting up and you guys just decided that it would be better for him?



I dont have any decision process to walk through, Jean-Pierre replied. I'm sure there's a protocol that's used for the  for Air Force One. I just don't have one.

Traditionally, presidents have used the lower stairs when heavy rain or wind makes the taller steps unusable or in rare cases  like, famously, during a diplomatic spat after President Barack Obama landed in China in 2016  when a portable set of stairs is not available to place next to the main door.

Last week, Biden used the small steps to board Air Force One for every flight on his European trip: to London, Vilnius, Helsinki and back to Washington. None of those arrivals or departures  all of which are public and witnessed by the traveling press pool  were marked by inclement weather. He used the large stairs to descend from the plane upon arrival in London, Vilnius and Helsinki, when his hosts arranged more formal greeting ceremonies, but not to climb back aboard. And the overseas trip came on the heels of several recent domestic ones where Biden predominantly used the lower stairs on visits to and from Rocky Mount, N.C., Chicago, San Francisco and Philadelphia.



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There are a series of factors that go into the logistical decision-making on this, including weather, what kind of airport were landing at and whether there is a formal greeting planned for the tarmac where we expect that press will want an official photo at the bottom of the tall stairs, a White House official said. Theres not one hard and fast rule  it is a decision made on a variety of factors in a wide range of settings and circumstances.

While many Biden advisers POLITICO contacted would not comment publicly on the change, two privately acknowledged an intentional shift to steer the 80-year-old president to the lower stairs more often to make his travel easier and limit the possibility for missteps. Why climb 26 sometimes wobbly steps at Joint Base Andrews, raised off the back of a pick-up truck that drives up beside Air Force One, when you have the option of stepping up or down just 14? Especially when few outside the press corps are likely to even notice.

The age factor is arguably the presidents biggest political problem as he embarks on a reelection campaign. Biden has addressed the issue head-on, with the occasional levity on the stump and, in interviews, by emphasizing the wisdom gained over his years in politics. But Democrats concede that there is no great way to paper over it.



Satchel Paige famously said about age: Its mind over matter  if you dont mind, it dont matter. But this does matter to voters, said Rick Ridder, a longtime Democratic strategist in the West with experience on several presidential campaigns. And Bidens physical fragility complicates his effort to convince voters that re-electing him is a vote for stability. Because its hard for anyone to embody stability at 80 years old.

Thats largely why aides are also trying to limit situations where any signs of physical frailty might be on heightened display  and to ease the burdens of travel where possible. For instance, last weeks leaders dinner at the NATO summit was the third such gathering Biden either skipped or left early in the past year.

Ultimately, the White House wants to keep the focus on the presidents record of historic legislative accomplishments, a surprisingly resilient economy and a foreign policy that, even Republicans concede, has restored Americas alliances.

Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Biden to lean hard into that approach. During an appearance Wednesday on MSNBCs Morning Joe, she said Biden should embrace his age. Pelosi, 83, continued: Age is a relative thing and I think this country is very well served by his leadership, his experience, his knowledge.

The White House has released a summary of the presidents annual physical and acknowledged earlier this summer that he is using a CPAP machine to mitigate sleep apnea.

The sneakers are another concession to comfort necessitated by age.

One person close to the president said Biden used to always resist wearing anything other than dress shoes, believing that any other footwear look was unpresidential. But he has eased up on that stance in recent months. Moreover, the person said that Biden  whose gait has noticeably stiffened, to the point where it was noted by his doctor in his annual physical  is also at times still bothered by residual soreness from the foot he broke while playing with one of his dogs during the transition more than two years ago.

Ultimately, theres no real way to obscure how the rigors of the worlds most demanding job are affecting the oldest person to ever hold it. And maybe it wont matter much in a general election matchup against former President Donald Trump, who is 77.

Nothing has been as dramatic as his fall on stage at the Air Force Academys graduation last month when he tripped over a sandbag, or his stumbles ascending the big stairs to board Air Force One during a 2021 trip to Atlanta. But as Biden wrapped up a successful trip across three countries last Thursday, he strode across the tarmac in Helsinki to board Air Force One using the lower stairs. And he still stumbled slightly going up.
David Miran, ODA chief of amusement rides, said Top Thrill Dragster's green train, as seen in this file photo, lost an "L-shaped" bracket on the back of the train car during an Aug. 15, 2021, ride. [Karen Schiely/Beacon Journal file photo]

The wait is almost over.

Cedar Point is finally ready to reveal its plans for the shuttered Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster.

The park turned to social media Tuesday afternoon telling coaster fans to "Get Revved Up" for apparent announcement coming on Aug. 1.

Workers have already been repainting the coaster's yellow tower and red track that stretches some 420 feet in the air, removing sections of track and putting in new footers in and around the former loading platform for the Top Thrill Dragster.

Signs and logos already posted around the ride, which has been closed since a serious accident in 2021, indicate that Cedar Point plans to keep some type of racing theme for the "reimagined" coaster.

Cedar Point plans to announce the future of the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster on Aug. 1.

The timing of the announcement comes soon after a lawsuit was just filed by Michigan resident Rachel Hawes, who was struck in the head by piece of metal about the size of a hand in 2021. The lawsuit says she is permanently disabled and has already amassed some $2 million in medical expenses with future expenses expected to be more than $10 million.

Injury and lawsuit: Woman injured in 2021 by metal part from Top Thrill Dragster files lawsuit against Cedar Point

Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster accident

A section of the Top Thrill Dragster ride at Cedar Point that investigators said showed signs of "impact and deformation."

The ride was immediately closed after the mishap and has never reopened.

A state investigation was launched and found loose bolts, signs of wear, deformation, and impact marks on train cars and sections of track over the spot where a metal plate broke from the ride and fell striking the then 44-year-old woman.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture  charged with the inspection of amusement rides  found in its final report that Cedar Point had no knowledge the ride was in an unsafe condition the day of the accident.

State investigation: Cedar Point had no knowledge Top Thrill Dragster 'was in an unsafe condition,' state says

Some 18 million people rode the coaster, which sent riders in the air at 120 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds, before its abrupt closure.

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When it opened in 2003, Top Thrill Dragster was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, but those records were surpassed in 2005 by the Kingda Ka coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cedar Point to announce plan for shuttered Top Thrill Dragster coaster
A Chipotle ordering bar. Chipotle

Chipotle is the ninth largest restaurant chain in the US, in terms of sales.

It's grown to over 3,200 restaurants with a strategy of building in cities with high foot traffic.

Now, it's expanding to small towns and hurting chains like Chick-fil-A, according to Placer.ai.

After spending years growing in large suburban communities and metropolitan cities, Chipotle is going after small towns in America, according to the Wall Street Journal.

And small town locals are loving it, swapping out Big Macs and big steaks for Chipotle's burrito bowls, according to foot-traffic analytics firm Placer.ai.

Chipotle, the ninth largest restaurant chain in the US in terms of sales, is seeing success in these markets and it's coming at the expense of brands such as Texas Roadhouse, McDonald's, and Chick-fil-A, according to Placer.ai data.

Chipotle told the Journal that four of the five best restaurant openings for Chipotle in the past year occurred in smaller markets, including San Angelo, Texas.

The Texas entry was bad news for McDonald's, which is about five miles away from a Chipotle that opened in December.

McDonald's saw traffic dip 20.82% in April and nearly 30% in May, according to an analysis by Placer.ai. Popular steak house chain Texas Roadhouse, which is 1.6 miles from the new Chipotle, saw year-over-year traffic slide by 5.27% in April and by 3.92% in May 2023.

In May, fried-chicken chain Chick-fil-A took a hit when Chipotle opened a new restaurant in Covington, Louisiana, where the 2020 population was 11,564.

A Chick-fil-A less than a mile from Chipotle, saw foot traffic decrease four out of five weeks in May, Placer.ai reports. It says the biggest drop came during the week of May 22, where traffic plunged 27.33% year-over-year.

Covington's Texas Roadhouse also saw minor dips in traffic  less than 2%  for the last two weeks in May, Placer.ai said.

Chipotle is known for its innovative mobile drive-thru lanes, and easy digital ordering tools that cater to busy suburbanites and office workers.

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But the chain launched its small-town growth strategy 18 months ago when executives noticed some stores in smaller cities were outperforming other restaurants, according to the Journal. The executives "started crunching numbers" on locations like Camden, Delaware, and Battle Ground, Washington, the Journal said.

Chipotle Chief Financial Officer Jack Hartung told the Journal that some of these restaurants in less populated towns are opening with two to three times the sales of an average Chipotle.

Restaurant consultant Tim Powell said Chipotle is likely getting a boost in traffic from Gen Zers and millennials, who like to support brands that share their same ethos.

"I think Chipotle is a brand that Gen Z and millennials recognize. Its higher price points and positioning as a socially conscious brand will go farther with 18-34 year-olds but not so much with rural Gen X or Boomers," said Powell, the managing principal at the industry consultancy Foodservice IP. "The latter are less intrigued with the Chipotle draw, but their kids will be."

Still, he said it's a risky move for Chipotle to expand into territories that are less dense, more fragmented, and less likely to spend money on restaurants. "I don't see how Chipotle's brand can transfer to small towns."

Chipotle isn't betting all of its growth on small towns. On Tuesday, Chipotle, which has restaurants in Canada, the UK, France, and Germany, announced plans to expand to the Middle East.

Are you a fast food insider with insight to share? Got a tip? Contact this reporter via email at nluna@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As New College trustee Christopher Rufo approaches the protesters following DeSantis' signing of several higher education bills, Catherine "Libby" Harrity moves toward him.

A New College of Florida student who was charged with misdemeanor battery by the state for an alleged spitting incident involving conservative activist and college Trustee Christopher Rufo has pleaded not guilty, according to court documents.

Catherine "Libby" Harrity, a 20-year-old New College student, was named in a charging document from the state accusing them of first-degree battery against Rufo for allegedly spitting at him after a May 15 state bill signing by Gov. Ron DeSantis on New Colleges campus. DeSantis visit drew vocal protest from students, who have organized against his reshaping of the college since January. The governor has said he wants to turn New College into a classical liberal college akin to the Christian, conservative Hillsdale College in Michigan.

Harrity had been scheduled to appear in court on July 27, but waived an appearance. Harrity's attorney will appear on their behalf.

Documents filed also requested the start of the discovery process in the case.

Rufo, a conservative activist vocally critical of diversity policies and critical race theory, approached a crowd of protesters following DeSantis' signing of legislation banning state funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Florida's public universities. He pressed charges against Harrity after they allegedly broke the police line and spat at an "unknown location" near Rufo, according to the police narrative filed in court.

More: New College board considering hotels for student housing, dorm renovation amid mold issues

In Florida, misdemeanor battery can carry a maximum sentence of a $1,000 fine and one year in jail. Battery is defined in Florida statute as when someone "actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other," or "intentionally causes bodily harm to another person."

Rufo was not immediately available for comment prior to publication.

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Harritys attorney Matt Sandburg declined to comment, citing the circumstances of the case still pending.

Follow Herald-Tribune Education Reporter Steven Walker on Twitter at @swalker_7. He can be reached at sbwalker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College of Florida student pleads not guilty in battery case
WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga last week sought an opinion from President Joe Bidens administration on the restart of Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.

Palisades owner Holtec International is currently seeking federal funds to restart the plant, which closed in May 2022 and is in the midst of decommissioning. Huizenga, R-Zeeland, brought up the efforts during a subcommittee hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, July 13.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga last week sought an opinion from President Joe Bidens administration on the restart of Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.

During the hearing, Huizenga asked John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, about Palisades and its restart effort. The plant, located in Covert Township, is in Huizengas congressional district.

Huizenga said significant baseload generation is important and the country needs to reduce dependence on global bad actors for energy resources.

Im curious, do you believe projects like Palisades and others ... help us achieve our goals and reduce CO2 emissions?" Huizenga said. "Whats your view on restarting some of these nuclear power plants?

In response, Kerry said the administration is very proactive on nuclear energy and said nuclear energy is necessary to meet outlined climate goals.

The Biden Administration is very proactive on the nuclear front, Kerry said. We believe that  you cant really reach the targets that've been set without some nuclear.

More: U.S. House subcommittee member seeks answers on Palisades

The hearing is available to view on YouTube, with Huizengas portion beginning at 2:22:00. Huizenga released a statement following the hearing, saying Palisades is a worthwhile exploration that needs state and federal support.

Examining the repowering of Palisades is a worthwhile exploration to address our energy needs, he wrote.

Holtec is seeking a loan from the Department of Energy to aid in restarting Palisades. The plant went offline in May 2022 after 50 years of operation. Holtec says restarting the plant would return 800 megawatts of baseload generation to Michigans energy grid.

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Efforts to restart Palisades have already received state support, with $150 million set aside in the recently approved budget to aid the plant.

Subscribe: Receive unlimited digital access to your local news coverage

If the DoE approves the loan, Holtec will still need the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reverse several actions taken to cease operations at the plant  in addition to securing a power purchase agreement and rehiring and retraining staff. Holtec has estimated the process will take about two years.

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Huizenga calls repowering Palisades 'a worthwhile exploration'
Eric Schmidt bought the Alfa Nero, a superyacht linked to a sanctioned Russian billionaire, at auction in June. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; VWPICS/Nano Calvo/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Eric Schmidt bought a superyacht linked to a sanctioned Russian billionaire at auction in June.

The Russian mogul has denied owning the vessel  but his daughter now says she's its true owner.

She filed an appeal after her previous attempt to stop the auction failed, Bloomberg reported.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently paid $67.6 million for a stranded superyacht that has been linked to a sanctioned Russian billionaire. The Russian chemical mogul's daughter now says she's its true owner and wants it back, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Schmidt bought the 267-foot Alfa Nero at auction last month. The US Treasury said that the yacht was bought by Andrey Guryev for $120 million in 2014 and Antigua and Barbuda said in a March 2023 notice that the vessel that it was "owned/controlled" by Guryev, but the billionaire has repeatedly denied being the owner.

A legal representative for Guryev told Bloomberg in March that he "neither owns nor controls the Alfa Nero and has simply used the vessel from time to time under commercial charter since 2014."

Guryev, whose wealth Bloomberg estimates to be at $9.75 billion, is the co-founder and largest shareholder of fertilizer giant PhosAgro. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine he was sanctioned by the US Treasury, which described him as a "known close associate" of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Guryev was also sanctioned by the UK, and his son was sanctioned by the US, the EU, and the UK.

Alfa Nero had been anchored by the Caribbean island of Antigua since last spring, and FBI agents searched the vessel in August. Local authorities say the yacht was abandoned. Antigua and Barbuda took control of the vessel this April, and mounting crew expenses left authorities eager to auction it off.

But on Wednesday, lawyers for Guryev's daughter Yulia Gurieva-Motlokhov filed an appeal saying that she was the vessel's true owner, Bloomberg reported.

She said in a filing that she was the "sole adult discretionary beneficiary of the 'Tyne Trust' and 'Flagstaff Trust,'" which own two companies that own both the Alfa Nero and the artwork on board, per Bloomberg. Her previous attempt to stop the auction had failed, Bloomberg reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a planes emergency evacuation slide fell off during a United Airlines flight and landed in the backyard of a home near the Chicago OHare International Airport on Monday.

When reached for comment by Complex on Tuesday, an FAA spokesperson confirmed that an investigation had been launched in connection with the incident, which took place on a flight originating from Switzerland.

Maintenance workers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport discovered an emergency evacuation slide was missing from a United Airlines Boeing 767 (UAL Flight 12) that had just landed safely after a flight from Switzerland, the FAA spokesperson told Complex. The slide was located in a nearby neighborhood. The FAA is investigating.

More on this

Speaking with regional outlet WLS-TV, Patrick Devittthe owner of the residence where the slide ultimately landeddescribed the object as larger than a small car. While Devitt wasn't home at the time of the slide's arrival, his son and father-in-law were both inside enjoying an otherwise typical lunch when they heard a loud sound come from outside.

During its crash landing, the slide struck a portion of the house before coming to rest in the backyard. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

"We immediately contacted the FAA and are working with our team to better understand the circumstances around this matter," a United Airlines spokesperson told Complex on Tuesday.

Complex has confirmed that the flight, which took off from Zurich, made a safe landing in Chicago. The plane in question was a Boeing 767-300 with 155 customers and 10 crew members on board.
Dr. Mario Kinsella followed a simple rule during the COVID-19 pandemic: Wear a face mask indoors and take it off when he walked outdoors.

Erie's poor air quality in recent weeks has the UPMC Hamot pulmonologist now doing the opposite. He is wearing a mask when he goes outside but removes it when he's indoors.

"A face mask is not perfect, but it's better than wearing nothing," Kinsella said. "I recommend it for people with lung issues who have to go outside when the air quality is poor."

Buildings in downtown Erie, normally visible from West Grandview Boulevard, are shrouded in a smoky haze on June 28.

Erie has suffered through its worst stretch of air quality in decades as air currents bring smoke from Canadian wildfires to northwestern Pennsylvania.

Since June 1, Erie's air quality monitor has reported nine days with unhealthy levels of ozone  known as smog  or particulate matter  known as soot. Here is a breakdown through Monday, according to the Airnow.gov:

Orange level (unhealthy air for sensitive groups)  four days for particulate matter, two days for ozone

Red level (unhealthy air)  three days for particulate matter

By comparison, Erie didn't report an unhealthy day of air pollution from 2018 to 2022, and the last time it reported this many days over an entire three-year period was 2012-14.

"I haven't seen the air quality this poor since I moved to Erie 22 years ago," said Dr. Jeffrey McGovern, a Saint Vincent Hospital pulmonologist. "My office is getting calls from patients with lung issues who are having problems, and our ER has seen an increase in lung-related problems."

https://data.goerie.com/air-quality-index/

What are the effects of poor air quality?

Poor air quality can affect people with all types of lung diseases, but especially those with asthma, McGovern said.

The tiny particles in the air can lodge in a person's lungs, causing inflammation and making it more difficult to breathe.

"It's a trigger for these people, just like seasonal allergies or perfume," McGovern said.

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"If you have asthma, you often have inflammation in your airways to begin with, and this can cause additional inflammation," Kinsella said.

More: Erie's air quality rating is unhealthy from Canadian wildfires. How long will it last?

Suggested precautions

McGovern and Kinsella both said that anyone with lung problems should pay attention to the Air Quality Index. When the level is 100 or more (orange level or higher), they should take the following precautions:

Limit any outdoor activities

If they must go outside, wear a face mask  preferably an N-95 or KN-95

Leave their windows closed and use an air conditioner to stay cool

"Even healthy people should pay attention to the Air Quality Index and avoid doing strenuous outdoor activities when the level is high," McGovern said.

If someone feels short of breath, dizzy or unable to function, they should contact their doctor or visit the ER, McGovern and Kinsella said.

A cold front sweeping through northwestern Pennsylvania late Monday was supposed to help improve air quality levels in the near future, according to the National Weather Service, but the Canadian wildfires were expected to rage for weeks, if not months.

"Air quality is just something else we need to pay attention to, at least for now," Kinsella said.

Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie dealing with poor air quality due to Canadian wildfires
The News

President Joe Biden on Monday invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.S. for the first time since the Israeli leader came back to power last year.

The invite, which was extended over the phone, comes after several cancellations and a long delay.

Tensions between Biden and Netanyahu have peaked following months of disagreements over a judicial overhaul undertaken by the Israeli leaders right-wing government, which has spurred violent anti-government protests. The U.S. has also criticized the expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Weve curated insights from experts on Netanyahus long-sought meeting with Biden.

Insights

 A long-sought meeting with Biden may not give Netanyahu nearly the political boost or the victory lap he so desires, Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment wrote a day before Bidens invite. Especially considering that some of his European visits intended to rally support against Iran, including those to France and Germany, havent gone all that well given concerns about Israels democratic backsliding and the controversial judicial reform plan, Miller noted. And much of the same awaits him in Washington, especially from the Jewish community.

In Israel, one analyst believes that the invitation is ill-timed, if not off-message. Despite Bidens recent criticism of Netanyahus judicial overhaul plans as well as his extreme right-wing coalition, the U.S. president chose to extend an invite to Netanyahu shortly before anti-government protesters in Israel were set to hold a day of resistance. Bidens decision potentially undermines those protesters who the U.S. government has hailed as exemplifying the strength of Israels democracy. 

Know More

John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, said that the two leaders will probably meet before the end of the year but details on when and where are still being determined. Some reports say that Biden and Netanyahu may meet on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this September.

Israel, in Washingtons view, has long been regarded as the least extremist country in the Middle East and has received the largest amount of military aid from the U.S. since the countrys formation in 1948.

But Biden has expressed that Netanyahus right-wing government is the most extreme in Israeli history. Kirby affirmed that Biden still stands by his claims and that concerns about the direction that the country is heading in are still valid and disturbing.
Students walk in and out of FAMU Towers North and South residence halls on campus.

After the student housing crisis that Florida A&M University experienced last summer ahead of the 2022-23 school year, things have been handled a lot differently this time around.

There is no backlog this year, unlike the 506 students who were on the universitys waitlist last year when news of an unexpected housing shortage burst into the headlines. The incoming freshmen were told all available beds on campus were already taken and they would have to find off-campus housing on their own.

That sparked a backlash of calls from parents to the university and scathing posts on social media critical of the disruption in plans. It also sparked a blitz of land and property acquisitions by the univeristy that will further expand FAMU's footprint and student housing options.

FAMU Vice President of Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr. says the improvement is mainly due to communicating more effectively with students and parents.

Our wait list is empty, Hudson told the Tallahassee Democrat Tuesday. We stopped putting students on the waitlist in May because we were already approximately full, and thats one of the changes we made  we communicated early and did not put students on the waitlist after a certain time.

William Hudson, Jr., vice president for student affairs, Florida A&M University

Communication is key

Around this time last year, the hundreds of FAMU students who had no choice but to find a place to live off-campus contended with Tallahassees hot real estate and rental market.

President Larry Robinson offered the scrambling students a financial plan that included assistance for off-campus housing rent and an on-campus meal plan.

Those measures no longer apply after administrators engaged in overcommunicating  providing students with timelines early on during the application process and more outreach  which included sending updates through FAMU student emails on deadlines and how to effectively secure housing.

FAMU is expecting to have between 1,500 and 1,600 first-time-in-college students start in the fall with 1,433 of them living on campus while 780 transfer students have been admitted this year, with 138 of them staying on campus.

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Hudson says FAMUs housing is at 95.48% occupancy, with the remaining space being reserved for resident assistants. This leaves any late-coming underclassmen who might be interested in staying on campus responsible for finding off-campus housing instead.

The university currently has 2,679 beds on campus compared to the 2,450 on-campus beds that were available in fall 2022.

More on FAMU housing shortage: With hundreds on the waitlist, FAMU responds to freshman housing crunch with financial aid

Housing crunch: Students, parents on a 'stressful' hunt for off-campus housing: Here are some solutions

FAMU's future housing plans: FAMU housing surge: A look at the financing, timeline and why it's a 'desperate need'

Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson speaks on the 22nd floor of the Capitol during FAMU Day on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Additionally, the universitys communications office, housing and enrollment management team met biweekly to review data on how many students have signed up for housing and submitted their deposits to indicate how many students are really coming onto campus.

Our housing team has implemented new procedures that provided much earlier notification for returning students while ensuring that we prioritize housing for first-time-in-college Rattlers, Robinson said.

Summer changes, renovations ahead of the fall

This years empty student housing waitlist at FAMU also comes after the university acquired new complexes, including Citivue at Railroad Square and Lighthouse at Brooklyn Yard  now known as Rattler Pointe East and Rattler Pointe West.

The apartment-style complexes  which are near FAMUs campus and add 234 beds to the universitys on-campus housing  will be occupied by upperclassmen while the residence halls on the main campus will be occupied by underclassmen.

Unveiling of the Rattler Pointe sign on FAMUs campus as members of the U.S. Department of Education visit FAMUs recently purchased housing on Wednesday April 26, 2023. The units were purchased with HEERF funds.

Related news: Florida A&M University unveils naming of recently acquired apartment complexes

It's official: FAMU closes on $13 million purchase of apartments, adding 116 beds for housing

One important piece of the puzzle: FAMU acquires apartments to add 118 beds for students

Although some non-FAMU residents are currently living in the acquired complexes near campus, their leases end July 31, and they will be moving out ahead of FAMUs move-in process.

FAMU residents who are already living in the complexes have the option of renewing their lease for the upcoming academic school year, according to Hudson.

In addition, changes are taking place in a couple of the residence halls on FAMUs main campus, as well.

Our facilities team and housing team have worked throughout the summer to renovate some of the older residence halls and equip them with new furniture and appliances to provide an improved living experience for FAMU students, Robinson said.

He referred to Palmetto South and Palmetto Phase 3 that are being renovated, which will also include renovated windows, cabinets and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.

Florida A&M University's Palmetto Phase 3 Apartments are located on Palmetto Street in Tallahassee, Florida.

The two residence halls have been closed since the end of the spring semester due to the renovations and will reopen in August ahead of move-in.

Here are the fall move-in dates:

Monday, August 21 - FAMU Towers

Wednesday, August 23 - Polkinghorne Village, Sampson Hall & Young Hall

Friday, August 25 - Palmetto South, Palmetto Phase 3, Rattler Pointe

Saturday, August 26 - Everyone who has not checked in

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.

Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMUs student housing waitlist is empty ahead of 2023-24 school year
an image of material burning. small flames go down lines at the left. on the right is another sample with a very large flame at top

The next frontier for fire-in-space experiments may be the moon.

The longtime leader of fire experiments on a private International Space Station (ISS) cargo vehicle says he is considering similar work on a robotic moon lander for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land people and payloads on the lunar surface in the next few years.

"We really need to be on the lunar surface to get long duration," David Urban, fire investigator and chief of the low-gravity exploration technology branch at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Ohio, said in a press conference on Tuesday (July 18).

Urban stressed that the idea is still in the proposal stage. But he hopes to study fire-safety practices on a NASA-funded Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) robotic moon vehicle. Experiments aboard an Orion astronaut vehicle or NASA's planned lunar Gateway space station, he said, could not last nearly as long.

Related: Watch NASA light a fire on a spaceship on purpose. You know, for science.

an image of material burning. small flames go down lines at the left. on the right is another sample with a very large flame at top

The Saffire-V experiment burns a sample of polymethyl methacrylate, also known as Plexiglas. (Image credit: NASA Glenn Research Center)

Urban leads the Spacecraft Fire Experiment-VI (Saffire-VI) aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus freighter, which will launch no earlier than Aug. 1 at 8:30 p.m. EDT (0030 GMT Aug. 2) atop an Antares rocket.

The Cygnus will fly to the ISS with a suite of science gear and supplies from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. You can watch the liftoff live here at Space.com, via NASA Television, when the time comes.

Cygnus will remain docked at the space station for roughly 90 days before departing with the fiery experiment on board, en route to its planned destruction in Earth's atmosphere. Like the five experiments before it, Saffire-VI will only turn on when Cygnus is at a safe distance from the ISS.

The Saffire series has been using Cygnus spacecraft to see how flame grows in material used in crew cabins, to test NASA's material selection processes. (The agency, naturally, wants to keep its astronauts as safe as possible during flight.)

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"We want to raise the oxygen concentration of the spacecraft to get near the exploration atmospheres," Urban said of the new experiment, which will require extra bottles of compressed oxygen to achieve that goal.

Experimenters will also test a new "extinguishing strategy" for the materials used "to make sure there is plenty of time (for the fire) to go out," Urban said. This should improve future space safety, he added.

cylindrical spacecraft with two solar panels attached, with earth as backdrop

Cygnus spacecraft have regularly been used to run fire experiments as the spacecraft is on its way to a planned destruction in Earth's atmosphere. (Image credit: NASA)

Saffire experiments generally use large samples up to roughly 40 inches (100 centimeters) across, a luxury that's possible because Cygnus carries no astronauts. Video from Saffire is sent to Earth after the tests are finished, which does not allow for real-time adjustments to the experiments, Paul Ferkul, SoFIE project scientist at NASA Glenn, previously told Space.com via e-mail.

SoFIE (Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction) is another fire investigation; it's installed in the Combustion Investigation Rack, located on the ISS's Destiny module. Unlike Saffire, SoFIE investigators can change parameters such as ignition factors, oxygen, pressure, radiant heating and flow speed during the experiment. But SoFIE uses smaller samples, measuring roughly 4 inches to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) long, for crew safety reasons.

Ferkul has said his team's experiment will also be beneficial for future moon habitats. "Understanding how flames spread and how materials burn in different environments is crucial for the safety of future astronauts," he noted in a 2022 NASA press release.

Other ISS space-borne fire experiments included the Flame Extinguishment Experiment, or FLEX (which in part was looking at how oxygen influences combustion) and the Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME), which aimed to reduce emissions from combustion.

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 Fire on the space station! Astronauts preparing ongoing combustion research

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 Fire-safety experiment among science gear launching to International Space Station

NASA's Artemis program aims to put an astronaut crew on the lunar surface during Artemis 3, now scheduled to launch in 2025 or 2026 depending on progress with SpaceX's Starship spacecraft, which will be the mission's lander. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is investigating Starship's launch attempt in April that rained concrete and other debris around the launch site in coastal Texas.

The Artemis 1 mission flew around the moon uncrewed in late 2022 on a successful test of Orion and NASA's Space Launch System rocket. Artemis 2 will send four astronauts  NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian Jeremy Hansen  around the moon no earlier than November 2024.

NASA and its international Artemis partners also plan to put scientific payloads, landers and rovers on the moon's surface via the CLPS program.

Other experiments and payloads launching to the ISS aboard the Cygnus NG-19 mission on Aug. 1 include:
Traverse City is one of my favorite places in Michigan, where I live. Its a small resort town in the northern part of the state thats close to pristine lakes, sand dunes and wineries.

Yet its natural beauty wasnt in the news recently. Instead, a controversy over a local salon owners comments on social media gained national attention.

Christine Geiger, who owns Studio 8 Hair Lab, wrote the following (now deleted) on the salons Facebook page this month: If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period. Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as hey you. 

The post continued, This is America; free speech. This small business has the right to refuse services."

Christine Geiger cuts a customer's hair on July 12, 2023, in Traverse City, Mich. After announcing that certain members of the LGBTQ+ community are unwelcome at her Studio 8 Hair Lab, a product line that Geiger regularly used, promoted and sold at her salon has distanced itself from her remarks. Jack Winn Pro said in a statement: "The stylist who made those comments no longer has authorization to represent our brand or products."

Conservatives, dont pick unnecessary fights

I am a staunch defender of our First Amendment rights, and the right to free speech protects comments we find despicable  not just those we like. Thats why it exists.

But Geiger's comments were over-the-top, cruel and a bad business decision.

And she didnt post the statement on her personal social media page. She unleashed her rant on the business' Facebook account.

Geiger has stood by what she wrote, telling The Associated Press that she just doesnt "want the woke dollar, and that shed rather not be as busy than serve clients she fundamentally disagrees with. She may very well get her wish, given that at least one supplier has now refused to supply products to her business.

Attacks on free speech: Liberals call drag queen protesters 'bigots.' So what's it called when they attack free speech?

Geiger also has attracted the attention of local and state Democratic politicians, who are eager to put Michigans recently expanded LGBTQ+ civil rights protections to use. Discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation is now explicitly prohibited, including at public accommodations.

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The salon owner claims she has never denied service to anyone, regardless of their status. So, at this point, the controversy is about her comments only.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Michigan salon owner comments are very different from 303 Creative case

One of the things that is damaging about instances like this one is that it blurs the line between what could be illegal discrimination  if Geiger actually refuses to serve an LGBTQ+ customer  and a business owners protected First Amendment rights.

Much of the reporting on the Traverse City salon post has linked what the owner did with the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling that defended a Colorado website designers right to refuse to design sites for same-sex weddings  something that goes against her religious beliefs.

303 Creative case is free speech win: Supreme Court web designer ruling is victory for First Amendment

These are fundamentally different cases, and business owners like Geiger, who say they are conservative, do a huge disservice to creative artists like Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, whose business was at the center of the court's recent ruling.

The political left already paints Smith and other artists with religious convictions as bigots and is eager to lump all instances of discrimination together. Posts like Geigers give them ammunition to do that.

Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, speaks to reporters outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 05, 2022.

The Supreme Court, however, made sure to distinguish between public accommodation rights and the fundamental harm that could come from the government trying to compel  or prevent  speech, as was the case in 303 Creative.

The nation's highest court found that designing a website is actual speech. But thats certainly not the case with every business service.

Cant we all just get along?

There have been several instances in the past year of conservatives being denied service at restaurants or being asked to leave, and Ive called attention to them because its a form of discrimination.

Denied service: Another conservative faces public shunning. Liberals grow bolder with their intolerance.

Conservatives shouldnt be afraid to go out in public because of what they believe. Most civil rights ordinances dont protect political ideology, however. Some do, like the city of Seattle, and other communities should look into it.

As culture wars heat up around the country, instances in which people are denied public accommodation because of their political and social opinions are likely to become more prevalent.

USA TODAY columnist Ingrid Jacques

Most businesses must adhere to civil rights laws, and thats a good thing.

If conservatives dont like it when theyre treated as if they're second-class citizens, then they should go out of their way not to do the same to others.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan salon's anti-trans post blurs free speech and discrimination
The leader of the University of Michigan's Flint campus, Chancellor Deba Dutta, will leave this fall for the University of Illinois, the university's president told the U-M community in a message Tuesday.

"Chancellor Dutta has been a strong advocate for the UM-Flint campus even before he was appointed chancellor in the fall of 2019. He accepted this key position knowing the challenges that lay ahead  even before the pandemic disrupted everything," U-M President Santa J. Ono wrote.

Dutta is slated to become a senior adviser to the University of Illinois president, a post that still needs approval by its board of trustees, according to a board agenda posted online. If approved, Dutta would begin his new role at Illinois on Sept. 16 and earn an annual salary of $425,000. (He currently earns $469,000 at U-M Flint, according to a spokesman.)

Dutta did not immediately return a request for comment through a U-M spokesman Tuesday.

In recent years, the number of students at U-M's Flint campus has shrunk and its graduation rate has dipped. There have been financial struggles as well, leading to cuts and rising faculty concerns about the future direction of the school.

Last year, then-U-M President Mary Sue Coleman told the Flint campus leadership it needed to conduct a "transformation" study to determine the course of the campus' future. In a letter explaining the move, Coleman cited a 25% decline in enrollment over the last seven years and six-year graduation rates ranking at the bottom of the 15 public universities in the state. Recent figures show 1 in 3 U-M Flint students graduates in six years.

We must make changes, and they must be bold, if U-M Flint is to thrive, Coleman said at a Board of Regents meeting at the time announcing the move.

U-M Flint chancellor Debasish Dutta speaks to students during a graduation for the U-M Flint College of Arts and Sciences on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at the Riverfront Conference Center in downtown Flint.

"We've not been attractive for what the students are considering when they are considering what college to attend," Dutta told the Free Press for a February news article. "In this competitive environment, we have lost ground. We have to make it up."

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The overall U-M system was ready to invest up to $100 million into the Flint campus, officials had said, with the goal of not only turning U-M Flint around but growing it and stabilizing it, as well as the surrounding city of Flint.

Ono said that Dutta "has maintained that commitment and strongly advocated for the transformation of the UM-Flint campus to better align the academic programs with the skills sought by employers throughout mid-Michigan. I applaud him for this essential work that seeks to create new opportunities for UM-Flint students and the entire Flint community."

More: Trump's fake electors charged by Michigan AG in alleged 2020 election scheme

More: Judge to Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley: Life without parole still on the table

Ono added that he expected to name an interim chancellor in the coming weeks as well as launch a nationwide search for Dutta's permanent replacement.

"This transition also will require a pause in the transformation work that so many UM-Flint faculty, staff and students have helped to develop. The Board of Regents and I remain firmly committed to a brighter future for the Flint campus. I want to assure you the transformation work will move forward once we have a new campus leader in place," Ono wrote.

Dutta came to U-M Flint after serving as chancellor of Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Before Rutgers, Dutta served at Purdue University as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity.

Moving to the University of Illinois would be a homecoming of sorts for Dutta. Prior to joining Purdue in 2014, Dutta served as associate provost and dean of the graduate college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a professor of mechanical science and engineering and served as interim vice-chancellor for research.

Former Free Press staff writer David Jesse contributed to this article.

Contact Matthew Dolan: 313-223-4743 or msdolan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @matthewsdolan

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: University of Michigan Flint campus leader to depart this fall
LGBTQ Centers

In what lawmakers have called an unprecedented move, House Republicans introduced and moved a last-minute amendment stripping three community projects of funding as part of a committee markup for the 2024 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development spending bill. Of the 2,680 projects previously approved, these three all serve the LGBTQ+ community.

The ranking member of the committee, Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro, called the GOP move one of terrorists.

The Republican-led House Committee on Appropriations took up and passed a last-minute amendment that sought to strike funding for three community centers that serve LGBTQ+ seniors in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. LGBTQ Senior Housing Inc., William Way LGBT Center, and LGBT Center of Greater Reading were all stripped of funds.

Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley said the projects make up 0.1 percent of the funds requested.

Rep. Brendan Boyle, whose Philadelphia-area project was defunded, tells The Advocate that he and many of his colleagues suspect that Republicans just searched for the keyword LGBTQ to see which projects to target.

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Quigley also wondered whether Republicans just looked for the term. Is this going to be part of the process as we go on? Quigley asked. Are we reconstructing the closet here?

Democrats point out that these projects passed muster and review, and their only problem is including that acronym in their name.

Floridas Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said that in 18 years, she has never witnessed members strip funds from another members project in this way on the Appropriations Committee.



She said the only explanation she has is Republican bigotry.

They want to strip funding for LGBTQ+ senior housing and community centers, which offer critical resources like HIV testing, career development, and mental health services, she said, addressing the committee.

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How far will this bigotry and hatred go? I ask you to close your eyes and take yourself back to as if it were the 1930s or '40s, and substitute the acronym LGBTQ+ for [Jewish community center] or African American community centers. This is the bigotry of the moment. It was OK back then for most people to discriminate against Jews and African-Americans, and now unfortunately, Republicans believe that its OK to erase gay people and their lives and their livelihoods and their quality of life. Well, I wont stand for it. We wont stand for it.

She added, This latest attempt to strip funding from a persecuted group is just another example of craven submissiveness to right-wing extremists, and its shameful. This committee and the nation [are] better than that.

Rep. Andy Harris, a Republican representing Marylands Eastern Shore, claimed that the three projects were targeted because of things he found on their websites.

He said that while the projects ostensibly supported LGBTQ+ seniors, in his opinion, they were grooming children.

Far-right extremists have used the false smear that LGBTQ+ people groom children for exploitation.

Regarding the LGBT Center of Greater Reading, Harris made outrageous claims.

It has social and support groups for 7-year-olds, I guess, to groom 7-year-olds, the medical doctor said. 'Cause why else would you have? Its not for adults; its not an adult group.

He continued, The same group that promotes hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery referrals. I dont know what goes on in those support groups. They might be doing that in those support groups. And Ill be darned if I want taxpayer dollars going to funding [that].

Finally, regarding LGBTQ Senior Housing Inc., Harris complained that the facility discriminates against people who are not LGBTQ+ or allies of the community because the center requires either for residents.

So if you happen to disagree, you dont get these publicly funded dollars, Harris grumbled.

He also made a bizarre comparison between the extremist group Moms for Liberty and the Ku Klux Klan regarding the LGBTQ+ communitys First Amendment rights. This made little sense but caused Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright, who had yielded his time, to distance himself from the comment.

The chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan, wondered how many other websites Harris had reviewed to engage in his bigotry.

Boyle explains that a version of earmarks called Community Project Funding was introduced to Congress two years ago. Earmarks had been banned for more than a decade. In addition to the money one can designate for a members district, they must meet a rigorous set of objective criteria for each project to qualify. Each member can pick up up to 15 projects.



In March, every member was required to submit their projects, and for the past several months, Boyle says, the appropriations committee has been vetting these projects. As of last week, members learned which projects were approved, and most, if not all, got approved.

In his district, Boyle requested $1.8 million to upgrade the William Way Community Center, a historic building that has served the LGBTQ+ community for decades with hope and support. In addition to job counseling and meals for seniors, it has provided many other resources that have been vital to the community, he said.

Boyle notes that the project clearly qualifies, and Republicans had targeted it based on disgusting and ugly bigotry.

The amendment also eliminated two other Democratic-requested programs. Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan lost $970,000 for an LGBTQ+ center in Reading, while Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts lost $850,000 for an organization that supports LGBTQ housing for older Americans.

Now all of a sudden, at the last minute, the Republicans have an amendment out of 3,800 approved projects to strip three from the bill, Boyle says.



Never before in the history of earmarks, once theyve been approved, have you ever seen a situation in which the majority party has voted to strip out a project that was already approved and in there, and I had been told that literally what the Republican majority did was run a simple search in the document for anything that had been had LGBTQ in the title so that they could zero in on it.

Boyle adds, It is absolutely outrageous. It is the single most blatant and obvious case of discrimination and bigotry that I have seen in my congressional career.

Pressley expressed her dissatisfaction with House Republicans to The Advocate.

Day in and day out, Republicans demonstrate the contempt they have for the most vulnerable people in America, and their stripping critical housing funding for senior members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Massachusetts 7th is the latest example of that, she said.

It is unconscionable that Republican committee members would hold senior citizen-specific housing hostage and continue their dangerous national trend of targeting the LGBTQ+ community. This process is intended for our communities to advocate for projects that have the highest impact, and this move by Republicans is blatant homophobia designed to attack some of our most vulnerable seniors.

She added, To our LGBTQ+ siblings, know you are seen and loved, and I wont stop fighting to get this funding over the finish line and advance the critical investments you need not only to survive but to thrive.

Quigley, who is the ranking member on the subcommittee holding the markup, and who offered an amendment (which was also voted down) to add the projects back into the bill, tells The Advocate that he has never seen anything like this.

In the 10 years Ive served on the Appropriations Committee, I have never seen such blatant bigotry, he says. It could not be clearer that the one and only purpose of this amendment is to harm LGBTQI+ individuals. These are good, important projects that will have a positive impact on their communities. They help meet critical needs for LGBTQI+ people. I will not stand by and be silent while Republicans try to bring their extremist homophobic campaign into this chamber.

Quigly says that the reasons behind the Republican move to strip funding from LGBTQ-related projects is clear.

The old Latin phrase res ipsa loquitor  it speaks for itself, he says. Looking at it on its face, its easy to understand whats happening. [Republicans] are flipping reality into nonsense.

The amendment passed with 32 Republicans voting for it and 26 Democrats voting against it.

Late Tuesday, the bill passed a full committee vote 34-27 and now moves for a vote by the House of Representatives.

Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries noted his dissatisfaction and tells The Advocate that his caucus will continue fighting for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

"The continued assault by extreme MAGA Republicans on the LGBTQ+ community is disgusting," the New York congressman says. "Right-wing bigots are determined to turn back the clock and make America hate again. We will not stop fighting until we achieve full equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

Speaker Kevin McCarthys office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This story has been updated to reflect the margin of the bill's passage out of committee and to include comments by the Democratic leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
Li urges close climate cooperation

08:34, July 19, 2023 By MO JINGXI ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Premier Li Qiang meets with John Kerry, the United States' special presidential envoy for climate, in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

Premier Li Qiang told United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on Tuesday that China and the US should cooperate more closely to address climate change, saying that enhanced cooperation between the two countries would not only benefit each other, but also the world.

Kerry started a four-day visit to China on Sunday, making him the third senior official of the administration of US President Joe Biden to travel to China in recent weeks, after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

During a meeting with Kerry in Beijing, Li underlined the importance of the two countries implementing the consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Biden in Bali, Indonesia, last year. China and the US should properly manage their differences and bring bilateral ties back to the track of sound and stable development at an early date, he said.

While developing countries should make their due contributions, developed nations should take the lead in reducing emissions and fulfill their financial commitments, Li said, calling for adherence to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

The premier said developed countries should provide more technological support to developing nations in order to promote global transformation to green and low-carbon development.

Li expressed his hope that China and the US will continue to uphold the spirit of cooperation, respect each other's core concerns and engage in full communication to seek common ground while reserving differences.

He also encouraged the two sides to explore more pragmatic mechanisms for cooperation, promote the multilateral climate governance process and ensure the full and effective implementation of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

Kerry expressed Washington's wish for a stable US-China relationship, saying that the US is willing to strengthen cooperation with China to jointly address climate change and other pressing global challenges.

Also on Tuesday, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Kerry in Beijing.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said China-US cooperation on climate change has great potential, but it requires understanding and support from the two peoples and also a good bilateral relationship.

It is hoped that the US will pursue a rational, pragmatic and positive China policy, continue to adhere to the one-China principle, properly handle the Taiwan question, and work with China by upholding mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, he added.

Noting that the US attaches great importance to stabilizing US-China relations, Kerry said the US is willing to make joint efforts with China to further improve bilateral relations for the benefit of the world.

He also said that the US always adheres to the one-China policy.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Infinidat

WALTHAM, Mass., July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Infinidat, a leading provider of enterprise storage solutions, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Infinidat as a Finalist for the 2023 CRN Tech Innovator Awards. Infinidat is being recognized for its InfiniBox solution in the StorageEnterprise category.



The InfiniBox family is constantly recognized as one of the top enterprise storage solutions in the industry, said Eric Herzog, CMO at Infinidat. CRNs recognition of Infinidats solutions in their annual CRN Tech Innovator Awards further demonstrates that our channel partners are selling an industry acclaimed, state-of-the-art solution to their enterprise customers. Infinidat continues to gain momentum with our solutions that deliver our partners, and their customers, not only unmatched technical benefits, but also unparalleled financial advantages.

The InfiniBox solutions portfolio offers two major choices: the InfiniBox SSA II solid-state storage array and the InfiniBox hybrid storage array. For enterprises that require consistent sub-millisecond latency for every I/O, Infinidat provides the InfiniBox SSA II, which is the industrys fastest all-flash storage array with latency as low as 35 microseconds, driving unsurpassed real-world application performance. The InfiniBox hybrid system combines DRAM, flash caching layers, and high-capacity, cost-effective HDDs, optimized by Infinidats patented Neural Cache technology. The use of HDDs dramatically lowers the cost of storage, while delivering 100% guaranteed availability, powerful cyber storage resilience, and incredible ease of use with Infinidats autonomous automation.

With its cyber storage capabilities, InfiniBox is one of the most exciting enterprise storage solutions on the market today, addressing one of the critical concerns of Fortune 500 CEOs  cyber security. Congratulations to Infinidat for repeatedly receiving industry awards for their technological innovation and the business value they bring to our enterprise customers. As a trusted partner, Infinidat continues to provide a powerful storage solution for enterprises who need to get the most out of their storage investment, said Bob Elliott, Vice President, Storage at Mainline Information Systems.

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Infinidats technology allows enterprises to modernize their storage infrastructure and consolidate workloads, so IT decision-makers can obtain payback in only 11 months and a compelling ROI with the adoption and expanded use of Infinidats enterprise storage solutions. Infinidats solutions are backed by extensive guarantees, adding to the level of trust that enterprises, cloud service providers, managed service providers, managed hosting providers, and channel partners have in Infinidat.

CRNs annual Tech Innovator Awards acknowledge technology vendors committed to new and updated products that are creating the biggest opportunities for the solution providers and strategic service providers working on the front lines with customers, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. Congratulations to each one of this years CRN Tech Innovator Award winners. We are proud to recognize these best-in-class vendors that are driving transformation and innovation in the IT space.

This annual award program showcases innovative vendors in the IT channel across 37 different technology categories, in key areas ranging from cloud to storage to networking to security. To determine the 2023 winners, a panel of CRN editors reviewed hundreds of vendor entries  including solution provider testimonials  using multiple criteria, including key capabilities, uniqueness, technological ingenuity, and ability to address customer and partner needs.

The Tech Innovator Awards will be featured in the August issue of CRN and can be viewed online at crn.com/techinnovators.

About Infinidat

Infinidat helps enterprises and service providers empower their data-driven competitive advantage at scale. Infinidats software defined storage architecture delivers microsecond latency, 100% availability, cyber storage resilience and scalability with a significantly lower total cost of ownership than competing storage technologies. The company offers an award-winning portfolio of enterprise storage solutions for primary and secondary storage deployments. The corporate headquarters are based in Herzliya, Israel, and U.S. headquarters in Waltham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.infinidat.com .

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Demonstrators block traffic while holding Israeli flags and chanting for Democracy during a protest in Jerusalem against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government judicial overhaul bill on Tuesday. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

July 18 (UPI) -- Demonstrators protesting judicial reforms championed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stormed buildings and blocked traffic on Tuesday.

As Netanyahu's conservative government continued to push reforms that many critics say would remove the independence of the courts. Protesters rallied in various cities as the reforms picked up steam in the Israeli legislature.

One crowd swarmed the Rabbinical Court in Tel Aviv in what it called a "day of resistance." Protest organizer Moran Zer Katzenstein told hundreds that the reforms would turn Israel into a dictatorship.

"Men and women are standing shoulder to shoulder to say no to the court that wants to expand its influence," Katzenstein said. "We're here to tell them they won't take us backward -- and they won't make us Iran."

One woman was detained after spray painting the word "shame" on the wall of the court.

A woman looks out a window at demonstrators chanting for Democracy during a protest in Jerusalem against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government judicial overhaul bill on Tuesday. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

Another group of protesters blocked the entrance of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and made it inside to continue their demonstration. They claimed the reforms would cause financial damage to Israel.

Israeli military reservists who are demonstrating under the name Brothers and Sisters in Arms blocked the entrance to the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv. Some placed plastic tubing on their arms to make it more difficult for authorities to remove them from the site.

Israeli security blocks demonstrators from stopping traffic during a protest, in Jerusalem, against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government judicial overhaul bill on Tuesda3. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

More protesters created a slow-moving convoy on Tel Aviv's busiest highway, creating a buildup of heavy traffic. Demonstrators protested outside the home of Histadrut labor federation chief Arnon Bar-David in Kiryat Ono. Ben-David has refused to call a union strike in support of the protests.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed Congress on Wednesday morning, describing the U.S.-Israeli relationship as a sacred bond, linking criticism of the country's government to antisemitism and seeking to ease concerns that his democracy is backsliding.

Herzog's speech to a joint meeting of Congress marked the second by an Israeli president, after his father, Chaim Herzog, delivered one in 1987.

He characterized the true friendship between the U.S. and Israel as one based on values" and praised the Trump-brokered Abraham Accords, as well as the Biden administration's efforts to broker an Israel-Saudi Arabia rapprochement. Herzog also described a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians as his "deep yearning," though he did not endorse any specific proposals, in keeping with his largely apolitical and ceremonial position as president.

Shortly after his address, senior Biden administration officials announced that they had tentatively reached an agreement to let Israel enter the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, so long as it meets the program requirements by Sept. 30.

Later Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris met with Herzog at the White House. They announced a $70 million joint investment, split evenly among the two countries, in climate resilience and food security initiatives.

"The United States has an unbreakable bond with Israel," Harris said in introductory remarks with Herzog. "Our commitment to Israel's security is ironclad."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris as he addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress at the U.S. Capitol on July 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Herzog's speech on the floor of the House of Representatives stirred controversy as some liberal Democrats planned to boycott of the Israeli presidentas speech, underscoring tensions between the two countries. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

Herzog spoke amid U.S. concerns over the Israeli government's settlements in the occupied West Bank and a proposed judicial overhaul led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which would give Netanyahus allies control over the appointment of judges, among other proposals. Proponents of the overhaul say it would curb the powers of unelected judges, while critics say it would gut the guardrails of Israels democracy.

Herzog, who has been critical of the proposal, offered a tacit concession to observers who say the overhaul imperils Israel's democracy, but he also moved to assuage those concerns.

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While he called the debate over the plan "painful" and "deeply unnerving," Herzog added that he is confident Israel's democracy remains strong, even as the country works through its "issues."

"Israel has democracy in its DNA," he said.

The U.S. is Israel's largest arms supplier, and the country has long enjoyed robust bipartisan congressional support, but some Democrats, particularly progressives, now appear increasingly skeptical of the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, apologized Sunday for calling the country a racist state" after her remarks drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans.

I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us, that it does not even feel possible," Jayapal said as she addressed a group holding Palestinian flags at a conference for the progressive Netroots Nation in Chicago over the weekend.

Jayapal walked back her remarks Sunday, saying they were directed at Netanyahus right-wing government. On Monday, 43 congressional Democrats issued a statement calling her comments unacceptable.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., chair of the nearly 100-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, talks to The Associated Press about her goals as a champion of human rights issues, and President Joe Biden's domestic agenda, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. Now in her third term, Jayapal represents Washington's 7th District and is the first South Asian-American woman elected to the House of Representatives. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP file)

Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people and efforts to delegitimize and demonize it are not only dangerous and antisemitic, but they also undermine Americas national security, the lawmakers wrote.

In his speech, Herzog said he respects criticism of the state of Israel, "including some expressed by respected members of this House," even if he does not necessarily have to accept it. He did not mention Jayapal by name, but he appeared to link her criticism, and that of other progressives, of the Israeli government to infringing on the country's sovereignty.

"Criticism of the state of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the state of Israel's right to exist," Herzog said. "Questioning the Jewish people's right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy. It is antisemitism."

The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution, authored by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, condemning antisemitism and expressing support for Israel, with 195 Democrats joining all Republicans in voting for the measure. The measure which did not mention Jayapal by name, said Congress believes Israel is not a racist or apartheid state and rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., criticized the resolution, arguing it normalizes violence against those living in the occupied West Bank. She, along with several other progressive lawmakers, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., boycotted Herzog's address.

Were here again reaffirming Congress support for apartheid, Tlaib, a daughter of Palestinian immigrants, said Tuesday as Congress debated the resolution. Policing the words of women of color who dare to speak up about truths, about oppression.

Israeli forces this month carried out their most extensive operation in the West Bank in decades after months of intensifying troop incursions into the West Bank as Israels far-right government faces domestic pressure to crack down after a spate of militant attacks.

International observers have long accused Israel of human rights violations in the West Bank. A 2021 Human Rights Watch report said the country's policies constitute "crimes of apartheid and persecution."

The withdrawal of troops from the camp ended an intense two-day operation that killed at least 13 Palestinians, drove thousands of people from their homes and left a wide swath of damage in its wake. One Israeli soldier was also killed. (Majdi Mohammed / AP)

Herzog said any peace between the two sides cannot be anchored in violence" and described peace between Israel and the Palestinians as his "deep yearning." He also insisted that "Palestinian terrorists" were fueling the conflict and soiling attempts to create conditions ripe for negotiation.

Herzog thanked the Biden administration for its effort to broker a historic Israel-Saudi Arabia rapprochement, but he struck a less favorable tone as he spoke about Iran's nuclear program.

U.S. and Iranian officials have traveled to Oman several times this year for indirect talks about reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a U.S. official and two Western officials who were not authorized to speak on the record because of the sensitive nature of the discussions have said. Under the Obama-era nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA, Iran curtailed its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of some international sanctions. The State Department has said the two countries have not reached any agreement related to Tehrans nuclear program.

Herzog did not mention the deal by name but said "perhaps the greatest challenge Israel and the United States face at this time together is the Iranian nuclear program," as many in Congress began to applaud.

"Let there be no doubt Iran does not strive to attain nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he added.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Imagine being stuck in bed, utterly exhausted and forced to live in total darkness because your body cant tolerate light. The slightest sounds can cause writhing pain.

That was Rebecca Schleiders life in Ohio for several months in 2020 during her first prolonged illness from COVID-19, before she recovered enough to move to Stuart, Florida, with her fiance in January 2022.

Its not like youre blind; any light is painful, any sound is painful, the 41-year-old said, as if retelling a scary dream. I just existed in darkness.

Now, as a COVID long-hauler, Schleider starts each day with a brief meditation before rising slowly to allow her blood pressure to increase as her body wakes up.

She then paces her movements: Start a load of laundry, rest. Fold some clothes, rest again. Chop vegetables for soup, take another break.

I try to accomplish tasks as much as I can. Ive found that pacing with television commercials is pretty good for me, said Schleider, who cant stand for extended periods without feeling fatigued.

Its been her reality for nearly three years as she manages a diagnosis of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, commonly called long COVID.

Shes grappled with a range of medical conditions after contracting COVID twice: first in March 2020  before reliable testing or vaccines existed. She got sick again in August 2022 working part time in Stuart, after being vaccinated and double boosted.

The first was horrific, Schleider said. The second time was still enough to severely disable me.

What is long COVID and who gets it?

Millions of Americans are COVID long-haulers, suffering with life-altering symptoms that endure for months or even years after an initial infection. Their different experiences present a challenge to help people with a condition that creates profound and varied problems.

Symptoms of long COVID vary from person to person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Theres no firm data on how many people continue to suffer after a year or more, or are permanently disabled because of long COVID. U.S. estimates suggest somewhere between 7 million and 23 million Americans have the condition.

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Acupuncturist Kathryn Thomas works on Rebecca Schleider, 41, of Stuart, Fla., Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Corner Acupuncture in Stuart.

In a study released in May funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers identified symptoms that are the most distinctive to long COVID, including: fatigue, especially after exercise; brain fog; dizziness; gastrointestinal symptoms; heart palpitations; issues with sexual desire or capacity; loss of smell or taste; thirst; chronic cough; chest pain; and abnormal movements.

Treatment strategies are based on patients specific symptoms and may include existing therapeutics, such as steroids or anti-inflammatory medication. Trials are underway to test new therapeutics for long COVID patients.

Medical records Schleider provided to TCPalm show her long COVID diagnosis has involved chronic fatigue syndrome, tachycardia (increased heart rate) and extreme exertion malaise, which the CDC describes as the worsening of symptoms following even minor physical or mental exertion.

She also experiences postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS, which affects involuntary nervous system functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure, usually upon standing from a reclining position.

First exposure

Schleider had asthma when she first got sick, but being 39 and in reasonably good health, she expected to fully recover. She felt fatigue with low oxygen levels, but she was never hospitalized.

Still, her illness dragged on.

Baffled, she hunted online for information and found others like herself, sick with long COVID and sharing their stories.

I knew I wasnt right, she said. I was starting to slow down mentally and  getting confused very easily.

Just walking into a doctors office triggered a crash episode that spiraled into a months-long ordeal.

I just declined and declined, she said. Thats the crash that put me in the dark.

She experienced photophobia in both eyes, defined as an abnormal sensitivity to light, that causes pain in the eyes or head. She was bed-bound and so weak she could barely stand.

A Valentine's Day card Rebecca Schleider, 41, of Stuart, Fla., gave to her fiance, Scott Simmons, during her struggle with long COVID in 2021. He said it was one of the sweetest moments during her illness. "I still look at it from time to time," Simmons said. "Because at that point, it was incredibly hard for her to write. It was very meaningful to have that sort of gift."

For months, her fiance, Scott Simmons, a philosophy professor at Indian River State College, cared for her. She had a medical buzzer to push when she needed help.

I would have to run around the apartment, shut all the blinds and turn off all the lights so she could handle walking into the hallway, Simmons said. About a 3-foot span to the bathroom.

They were realizing how terrible her illness could become.

We started contacting a dozen or more doctors, he said. And each doctor you talk to opens up another door to another specialist.

Schleider in Ohio was treated at Cleveland Clinics ReCOVer Clinic, a multi-disciplinary medical center for people diagnosed with long COVID.

Dr. Lyssette Cardona, the department chair of infectious diseases at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health in Stuart, said via email that long COVID patients are evaluated to exclude other medical conditions and then are referred to appropriate specialists for symptom management and follow-up care.

Doctors in Florida, Cardona noted, may also consult with colleagues at ReCOVer Clinic, which accepts patients from all over the country.

Battle for disability benefits

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, at least 1 million people with long COVID are out of work because of it.

That includes Schleider, who hasnt worked since August 2022, when her illness forced her to quit a part-time retail job.

In Ohio, she worked at a bank and a grocery store, putting in about 60 hours a week before she fell ill during the first wave of the pandemic.

I had a high-intensity job with a bank where I had recently been promoted and I was very successful, Schleider said. I got a lot of awards with that.

And for fun, she was teaching herself Korean before going off to work.

Im a nerd like that, she said.

Being a long-hauler not only ended the work life she once enjoyed, she has struggled to maintain health insurance. She applied for disability coverage through the Social Security Administration in Ohio, but she was denied, despite having two qualifying medical conditions, she said.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, long COVID may be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act if it substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Schleider is appealing her disability denial before an administrative law judge seated in West Palm Beach.

The challenge, she said, is while long COVID may qualify as an ADA disability, theres no definitive way to diagnose it.

You kind of have to believe doctors and believe patients who say theyre disabled. But judges like objective testing, Schleider said. And being very, very sick makes it harder to go about doing the work of proving youre disabled.

Shes undergoing more medical tests and searching for an attorney to help with her appeal.

Applying for disability has utterly destroyed my mental health, she said.

Living as a COVID long-hauler

Rebecca Schleider, 41, of Stuart, Fla., gets ready to appear before an administrative law judge for her disability denial appeal case, Friday, May, 26, 2023, at 400 S. Australian Ave. in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Surviving COVID has been so traumatizing, Schleider said shes received treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

My PTSD is a lot better than it was, she said.

Shes still blessed, she said, because through it, Simmons and her family and friends trusted her word with an unwavering faith as shes endured the fear and frustration of an uncertain future.

Shes hopeful, too, that better treatments are coming for all long COVID patients.

I know theyre coming; I look forward to more healing, Schleider said. But I try not to place the expectation of a day when I am healed, because that day may not come.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of "Uncertain Terms," a true-crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast.

Rebecca Schleider, 41, lays down on her bed, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Stuart, Fla. Schleider has lived with long COVID since contracting the virus during the first wave in 2020. "If I could be guaranteed that if I got COVID again, I would be fine or die, that would be more comfortable for me," Schleider said. "But what I can't handle is the torture of just having to sit there and exist ... it is horrible." Her ailments include chronic fatigue, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, known as POTS, and extreme exertion malaise.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Long COVID illness becomes 3-year struggle for Stuart, Florida, woman
For the first time in decades a US soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody. That is a scenario that could cause a diplomatic headache for the United States while it, alongside ally South Korea, tries to keep pressure on Pyongyang as the isolated nation ramps up its ballistic missile tests and bellicose rhetoric.

The US Army has identified the soldier who crossed the demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday as Pvt. Travis King.

US military officials say King willfully and without authorization crossed into North Korea while taking a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area, a small collection of buildings inside the 150-mile-long demilitarized zone (DMZ) that has separated North and South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

We believe he is currently in (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) custody and are working with our (Korean Peoples Army) counterparts to resolve this incident, US Forces Korea spokesperson Col. Isaac Taylor said in a statement.

Heres what we know so far.

Who is Travis King?

King is a cavalry scout who joined the military in January 2021. At the time of his rotation in South Korea, King was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, according to Army spokesperson Bryce Dubee.

US officials did not say how long King had been in South Korea, but at some point he faced disciplinary action for assault and spent 50 days in a detention facility.

Travis King has been identified as the US soldier who crossed into North Korea. - Travis King/Facebook

It is not known whether King spent that time in South Korean custody or in US military custody, but according to US officials, at some point after his release he was escorted to an airport for a flight back to the United States.

At the airport, Kings escorts could not get past a security checkpoint with him, and at some point after that, he left the airport and later made his way to the tour of the Joint Security Area.

King is believed to be the first US soldier to cross into North Korea since 1982.

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His mother, Claudine Gates, told ABC she was shocked by the news. I cant see Travis doing anything like that, Gates told ABC, adding that she heard from her son several days ago and he told her that hed be returning to his base in Fort Bliss.

Why does this matter?

Relations between the United States and North Korea have been fraught for decades, but things are particularly difficult right now.

Tensions between Pyongyang and Washington have been rising, as the North has ramped up its nuclear and missile programs in the years following a breakdown in talks between former US President Donald Trump and North Koreas Kim Jong Un in 2019.

Those talks, which spanned three in-person meetings and saw Trump become the first sitting US President to step over the same demarcation line King crossed Tuesday, ended without any meaningful diplomatic breakthroughs.

To date, North Korea has tested intercontinental ballistic missiles three times this year and accused Washington and Seoul of inflaming tensions with military exercises and weapon deployments, including that of a US Navy nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine to the South Korean port of Busan this week.

Last year, North Korea, test fired more than 90 cruise and ballistic missiles, including one that flew over Japan, in defiance of international sanctions. The uptick in testing has sparked concerns it may be preparing for a potential nuclear test  its first since 2017.

The United States does not have official diplomatic relations with North Korea. Instead the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang acts as a liaison for the US.

What are the risks for Travis King?

King is now in the hands of a notoriously autocratic and opaque one party regime that regards the United States as a mortal enemy.

What military intelligence value King could provide to North Korea is uncertain. As a private, he would not likely have access to top-level information, but just by being on a US military installation, he may be able to talk about things like base layouts or what units and numbers of troops are there.

But as a soldier and US citizen, King also gives Pyongyang a potentially powerful bargaining chip.

The United Nations Command, which oversees operations in the DMZ, said it was working with our (North) Korean Peoples Army counterparts to resolve this incident. What North Korea might demand to return King back to US custody is unknown.

Or North Korea could use King for propaganda purposes.

A handful of US soldiers defected to the North Korean side in the decades after the end of the Korean War, but there has not been a recent defection.

And it is not clear at the moment what Kings intentions were.

Even so there have been plenty of more recent instances where US nationals have come unstuck in North Korea or been held in custody, sometimes for long periods of time as US officials try to secure their release and Pyongyang looks to extract concessions.

What has happened in the past?

The last American known to be held by North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who, according to North Korean state-run media, crossed from China into North Korea.

Pyongyang accused Lowrance of working for the Central Intelligence Agency, but released him about a month after he was taken into custody, with the Swedish Embassy in North Korea facilitating the release.

The most famous recent case of an American being held in North Korea was that of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who went there as a tourist in 2016.

His planned five-day stay turned into a 17-month detention after he was accused of trying to steal a political banner from his hotel.

Warmbier was sentenced to 15 years hard labor on the charge, but was released to US officials in 2017. However, Warmbiers physical condition was poor, with Washington saying he had been tortured in custody.

He died less than a week after returning to the United States with severe brain damage.

Perhaps the most famous case of a US soldier crossing into North Korea was that of Charles Jenkins, a US Army sergeant who crossed into the North in 1965 while stationed at a US military unit near the DMZ.

Jenkins later claimed to have regretted his defection and blamed the decision on alcohol.

While in North Korea, he appeared in propaganda films, taught North Korean spies English and spent up to eight hours a day studying the writings of North Korean leaders.

He was allowed to leave North Korea in 2004, two years after his wife, a Japanese national who was kidnapped from her home in Japan in 1978, was allowed to leave North Korea under a deal between Pyongyang and Tokyo.

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Issue 1 is unneeded, unpopular and undemocratic. It is opposed by 250 organizations, and former governors and attorneys general of both parties. As a voter and political activist in Ohio for 50 years, I encourage you to vote no. Heres why:

When 41% of voters can stop adoption of a constitutional amendment that 59% of voters want, that is minority rule, not democracy.

Constitutional amendments proposed by voters provide a check on legislative overreach or neglect. Passage of Issue 1 would remove that check and balance voters now have.

Issue 1 will make it impossible for citizens to propose changes; we will be "stuck" with changes proposed only by our Legislature or its deep-pocketed corporate partners.

Issue 1 doubles the number of counties citizen groups must collect signatures from. If even one of Ohios 88 counties cannot collect the required signatures, a vote never happens.

Issue 1 is unfair. Legislators only have to convince fellow legislators to put an amendment on the ballot. Voters will have to get hundreds of thousands of signatures to force a vote.

Issue 1 is not just about abortion rights. It is also about stopping minimum wage increases, curbing gun violence, creating an independent redistricting commission, and every issue on which conservatives and liberals disagree.

The legislators goal to prevent outside interests from changing the Constitution is bogus. Legislators accept campaign contributions from outside interests during every election. Why shouldnt voters be allowed to do the same?

Issue 1 erases the meager 10-day period for citizens to collect additional signatures. Legislators have no such barrier; even proposals that die after a two-year legislative cycle can be reborn the next year.

Ohios Constitution it is not under attack. Your right to change it is under attack.

Connie Rubin, Plain Township

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: Here's why you should vote no on Issue 1
Many migrants seek asylum in the US by crossing from Mexico into Texas, making it a hotspot for border patrol activity (file image)

The death of an eight-year-old migrant girl in US border custody has been called "a preventable tragedy" by an independent report.

Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez died in hospital on 17 May after she fell ill at a border patrol site in Texas.

Investigators later determined that she had an underlying medical condition and was denied repeated requests for care.

A "series of failures" by border agents resulted in the girl's death, the report concluded.

The report was written by Paul Wise, a paediatrician who is tasked with ensuring that the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) comply with providing basic services to migrants under their care.

In his report, filed to in a federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Mr Wise accused Border Patrol of systemic failures that ultimately led to Reyes Alvarez's death.

These failures "should not be viewed as rare anomalies, but rather as systemic weaknesses that if not remedied, are likely to result in future harm to children in CBP custody," he wrote.

Reyes Alvarez, a Panamanian girl who was chronically ill with sickle cell anaemia and heart disease, was detained by border agents after crossing the US-Mexico border with her family.

Mr Wise's report stated that border patrol staff were told about her medical condition when she arrived at the site where she was held in Harlington, Texas. But that information was not passed on to other agents, he wrote.

A few days later, she fell ill with the flu and was given fever medication.

Her health worsened, and she and her mother requested medical care at least three times on the day that she died, Mr Wise wrote. Investigators said her mother had repeatedly asked for an ambulance to be called.

During the final request, Reyes Alvarez appeared to have suffered a seizure and was unresponsive.

"Only after the child lost consciousness and suffered an apparent cardiac arrest was an ambulance called," Mr Wise wrote. She was later pronounced dead in hospital.

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Mr Wise accused medical border staff of poor decision-making when it came to the child's health.

A separate report by Customs and Border Patrol in June also concluded that staff were not aware of the girl's chronic illness.

In a previous interview with AP, her mother accused agents of ignoring their pleas for help.

"They killed my daughter, because she was nearly a day and a half without being able to breathe," she said.

"She cried and begged for her life and they ignored her."

In a statement on 1 June, the acting head of CBP Troy Miller called Reyes Alvarez's death a "deeply upsetting and unacceptable tragedy".

It has put the treatment of migrants under US custody back into the spotlight.

Reyes Alvarez was the second child to die within two weeks, after a 17-year-old Honduran boy, Angel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza, died in a shelter in Florida run by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Vanessa Peyton

More than 50 million people in the southern United States will be under oppressive heat conditions in the coming weeks. The temperature is expected to soar in the high 90s to 100s for a number of days in a row, with excessive heat warnings issued across the state of Mississippi.

Under these conditions, completing a simple task like going to the grocery store can pose severe and even life-threatening health concerns, including heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Certain communities, like those living with chronic conditions, can be more susceptible to heat-related illness.

Many of the patients I see through Teladoc Health in the last few weeks have been seeking advice and treatment due to heat-related illnesses. However, if you know the risks and signs, and you receive regular counsel from your doctor, you may be able to avoid falling victim to these dangerous conditions.

Here are my top considerations every Mississippian should know in this heat:

Extreme temperatures

Mississippi can have dangerously high temperatures during the summer months, sometimes exceeding 100 degrees. Prolonged exposure to such high temperatures can strain the body's ability to regulate its temperature, leading to heat-related illnesses. The humidity amplifies the hot weather effect, making it even more uncomfortable and oppressive. Humidity hampers the evaporation of sweat from the body, which is the primary way that the body cools itself down.

When sweat doesn't evaporate efficiently, it becomes harder for the body to maintain a safe internal temperature. Heat stroke is a severe medical condition that occurs when the body overheats, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion in hot weather. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. The initial signs and symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, hot, dry skin, a rapid heartbeat and dizziness.

Vulnerable populations

Although any of us could be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to overexposure, certain groups of people are more susceptible, including the elderly, children, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those who engage in outdoor work or physical activity for extended periods of time. Mississippi has a large elderly population, and these individuals may have reduced heat tolerance and therefore could be more prone to dehydration and otherheat-related complications.

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In some cases, people in Mississippi may not have access to air conditioning, which can significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Without proper cooling mechanisms, individuals are more likely to experience prolonged exposure to high temperatures and struggle to find relief from the heat.

Urban areas in Mississippi, like in many other cities, can experience the "heat island effect," where the concentration of concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorbs and retains heat, resulting in higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas. This effect can intensify the heat and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for individuals living in these urban areas.

How to combat Mississippi heat

To stay safe during hot weather in Mississippi, it's important for individuals to stay hydrated, seek shade or air-conditioned environments, wear lightweight and breathable clothing, and limit physical activity during the hottest parts of the day. It is especially crucial to check on vulnerable populations and take appropriate measures to ensure their well-being during extreme heat conditions.

Additionally, if a large segment of the population suffered from extreme overheating and required emergency medical attention, the Mississippi hospital systems would be over-burdened. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat advisories this week for a hefty variety of the country, including Mississippi.

When it comes to your health, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient is unique and it is vital that you have regular check-ins with your primary care provider (PCP) to receive tailored recommendations based on health conditions, risks and personalized needs. With virtual care, its easier than ever to stay connected with your PCP through virtual appointments.

Individuals can receive care on their terms, wherever and however is easiest for them. With these tips and considerations kept in mind during this heat, Mississippians across the state can be better equipped to stay on top of their health.

Dr. Vanessa Peyton holds a board certification in Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, currently providing primary care services through Teladoc Healths Primary 360 program, including to Mississippi patients.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Doctor details risks of Mississippi summer heat
This U.S. Geological Survey photograph shows the extent of the flooding through which Annette Mills and her family traveled in 1998.

The water was rising quickly in southeast Ohio 25 years ago.

Late in June 1998, a Canton family got caught in the worst of it. Driving home from a pleasant vacation in North Carolina, the Mills family drove into a storm that included tornadoes and flooding. Suddenly their trip turned harrowing.

Annette Mills was driving her 1996 Pontiac Bonneville north when they entered Ohio and encountered the storm. In the car were her mother Shairron Reed, her 16-year-old son Andrew Melott, her 15-year-old daughter Mindy Foy, her 4-year-old son Christopher Mills, and her toddler granddaughter Abbey Foy.

They left Marietta behind and headed north on Interstate Route 77 through Washington County into Noble County. A sign said that I-77 was closed ahead.

"There were no cars on the southbound lane," said Mills. "I had no idea how high the water was (on I-77)."

Soon, they were directed off the highway, recalled Andrew Melott. They got gas at a service station, one of the last cars to be able to fill up, as it turned out. Her mother went inside and bought water.

There was a Best Western motel near the gas station, but there were no vacancies. They and others gathering to wait out the storm were offered space in the lobby, but the large room was walled in by glass windows, not the place to be huddled during a threatened tornado.

Sheriff's deputies advised the family to head east on Route 147.

Water rises, mud flows

"We tried to navigate the back roads," Melott remembered.

Those roads were narrow and winding and hilly. Visibility at times was a few yards.

"We continued on," said Mills. "Basically, I just kept driving and the weather was getting worse. The water was coming up on the sides of the car. It was getting deeper."

At one point, when the car was crossing a causeway, with a lake on either side, water rose so high that the family opened the electric windows, so they wouldn't be trapped if the vehicle was swept into deeper water. They made plans for older children to hold younger ones if they had to hastily leave the car.

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Mills recalls at one point seeing mud slide on a hill beside the road, something she later admitted frightened her worse than the rising water.

Melott doesn't recall being scared at any time during the ordeal.

"I've always had a sense of adventure," he explained. "And, I think we were a bit naive. We didn't realize how bad it was getting around us.

"Plus, I think we felt there was safety in numbers. There were other cars doing the same thing."

Indeed, a caravan of several cars had developed, all following Mills. It was the middle of the afternoon, but much of the sky looked like night.

Finding higher ground

"I saw a knoll on the right and it said 'Bait Shop,' said Mills. We drove to the highest point on that hill. Cars followed me. To be totally honest, I had no idea where I was going. I just looked for higher ground."

When they finally found that high ground, they met a woman living in a mobile home next to the water.

"She came out and told us that the road we came in on was totally under water," recalled Mills. "So, we were stuck."

Mills said they spent the night in their car, as did other travelers. It was "incredibly hot and humid," she recalled. Mosquitos swarmed. Mills said she never slept.

"We did run the car periodically to cool it off," said Mills.

Early the next morning, Mills managed to reach out to her husband, who had stayed at home.

"To my knowledge, I was the only one who had a cell phone," Mills explained. "It was a bag phone and it only would work down by the water. It sometimes did and sometimes not."

Her husband, David, first contacted the Noble County sheriff and then reached out to his brother, Mike, who lived in Zanesville and who rode horses on those back roads. His knowledge of the area would assist in an attempt to reach the family.

Man steps up to the rescue

But, before that reunion could occur, an unlikely rescuer showed up.

"In the daylight, we could see how many people were up there with us," said Mills.

They also could see the devastation flood water had caused. Farms were flooded. Boats and docks were submerged. And radio reports suggested that higher water was on its way.

"Then a gentleman came to the car," Mills remembered.

He identified himself by his disconcerting nickname.

"Hi, my name is Rotten Randy and I'm a biker and I've done a lot of bad things in the past, but today's your lucky day."

The bearded and burly man, a little scruffy and appearing rough around the edges, moved Mills' family and another family, along with a woman with a bad heart, across the water on his pontoon boat.

Rotten Randy initially took his passengers to a biker lodge, Mills said.

"They were very nice," said Mills. "Then they took us in vans to a gymnasium in a local school, where we could use phones and take showers and they had beds set up."

The emergency shelter was an elementary school, said her son. And it's where David and Mike Mills caught up with them.

"They came to get us in a pickup with an extended cab and they took everybody back to Mike's place in Zanesville," said Mills

About a month later, she was able to pick up her Bonneville. Mills said crews fixed the roads during the intervening time.

"My car started right up. I couldn't believe it," she said. "I drove it back home."

Mills said the story of the weather-plagued trip has become a bit of a "standard story when we're all together as a family." It's been told often. And what is her favorite part of the tale?

Rotten Randy, of course.

She called him "a gift from God."

"He was a blessing," Mills said. "Never judge someone by the way they look."

Reach Gary at gary.brown.rep@gmail.com. On Twitter: @gbrownREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: The Monday After: Canton family escapes rising water after vacation
The fact that multiple Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) insiders offloaded a considerable amount of shares over the past year could have raised some eyebrows amongst investors. Knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more helpful when evaluating insider transactions, as insider selling can have various explanations. However, when multiple insiders sell stock over a specific duration, shareholders should take notice as that could possibly be a red flag.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

View our latest analysis for Danaher

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Danaher

In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Executive Vice President, Joakim Weidemanis, sold US$3.3m worth of shares at a price of US$273 per share. We generally don't like to see insider selling, but the lower the sale price, the more it concerns us. The silver lining is that this sell-down took place above the latest price (US$241). So it is hard to draw any strong conclusion from it.

Danaher insiders didn't buy any shares over the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Danaher Insiders Are Selling The Stock

The last quarter saw substantial insider selling of Danaher shares. In total, insiders dumped US$292k worth of shares in that time, and we didn't record any purchases whatsoever. Overall this makes us a bit cautious, but it's not the be all and end all.

Insider Ownership Of Danaher

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Danaher insiders own about US$20b worth of shares (which is 11% of the company). Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders.

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What Might The Insider Transactions At Danaher Tell Us?

Insiders sold stock recently, but they haven't been buying. Looking to the last twelve months, our data doesn't show any insider buying. But it is good to see that Danaher is growing earnings. The company boasts high insider ownership, but we're a little hesitant, given the history of share sales. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Danaher. At Simply Wall St, we found 1 warning sign for Danaher that deserve your attention before buying any shares.

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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The News

Kenya was rattled by massive protests against tax hikes Wednesday, a day after opposition leader Raila Odinga ordered his supporters to take to the streets for three days of demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Kenyan President William Ruto said that the opposition is merely using the tax debate to blanket their real grievance of Odinga losing the 2022 election.

Previous protests contesting Rutos election have already led to more than 300 arrests and several deaths, with international actors and religious leaders warning that the country is spiraling into unprecedented civil violence.

Weve curated insights and reporting on how the demonstrations will impact the country.

Insights
Facing multiple sexual assault allegations, country music star and Milton native Jimmie Allen is filing a countersuit against one of his accusers.

In a July 13 filing in federal court in the Middle Tennessee District, Allen countersued a woman accusing him of recording a sexual encounter the two had without her consent.

"As a result of numerous false allegations, I have engaged with a legal team to proceed with an appropriate course of action to protect my reputation and refute these claims that have caused severe damage to my family, mental health, and business," Allen said in a statement released Thursday to the Tennessean.

Jimmie Allen performs as the supporting act during Carrie Underwoods Denim and Rhinestones Tour concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

"Ive taken a couple months before publicly responding to these claims, because I wanted to fix my family first. This situation has caused me great humiliation, and I felt it was necessary to seek professional help. For years, I have delt with racism and harmful threats solely because I am a Black man in the country music industry, and this situation has only amplified that. As the son and brother of rape victims, and the father of daughters, these false claims are extremely hurtful to me and everyone around me.

"These false allegations have caused me to lose a vast number of business and endorsement opportunities that I worked extremely hard for. These false allegations have also not only harmed me, but have caused severe financial damage to my band, my team, and their families.

"As the legal process runs its course, I look forward to the opportunity to clear my name. I am forever thankful for those who have stood by me and helped me share the truth. My team and I look forward to putting this behind us and getting back to the music."

The encounter

Allen said in countersuit he and a unnamed woman met on a flight to Nashville. They agreed to meet in Las Vegas for a bowling tournament from June 27 to July 2, 2022.

In his counterclaim, Allen said the two had a consensual sexual encounter in his hotel room after an event.

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The encounter was recorded by Allen, who said in the claim the plaintiff did not deny consenting to being recorded.

When Allen fell asleep, the woman left and took his phone. She then demanded the encounter be deleted. She took the phone with her and mailed it to the Las Vegas Police Department.

In her claim, the woman alleged battery, assault and invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and neglect against Allen.

Allen's response

In his counter lawsuit, Allen argues the plaintiff's claim for assault, battery and invasion of privacy are not barred by the act of consent and denies the plaintiff suffered any medical or psychological damage as of a result of any actions alleged in the complaint.

Because the woman took Allen's phone, he claims her domain over his phone was not justified.

Allen is seeking a jury trial and compensatory damages against the woman, punitive damages for what he claims are intentional, malicious, fraudulent and reckless conduct.

Allen is facing multiple allegations of sexual assault.

In a separate claim, an unnamed plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed in May, claiming Allen used his power over her to sexually abuse and harass her while she was his day-to-day manager from 2020-2022.

The plaintiff says her boss, Wide Open Music founder Ash Bowers, knew about the alleged abuse and did not take any action to protect her.

One of the alleged incidents occurred after a March 2021 taping of an "American Idol" episode that Allen appeared in. The plaintiff said Allen raped her in the hotel room while she was incapacitated.

The plaintiff claimed Allen made it clear that her job depended on her staying silent.

The abuse, the woman said, continued until about September 2022, the plaintiff claims. She said she was terminated a month later.

Timeline of events: Jimmie Allen slapped with 2nd assault claim from new accuser

Milford native: Jimmie Allen, 'BMF' stars to hoop in Delaware celebrity game. Here are ticket details

On tour?: Jimmie Allen headed 'on tour in September,' says fan at surprise Delaware performance

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Jimmie Allen files counter lawsuit against sexual assault accuser
A year ago today, Netflix reported its largest quarterly loss ever, with 970,000 subscribers dropping the service. The company has since crawled out from under the rubble. Netflix revealed Wednesday that, for the second quarter of 2023, the streaming giant saw a jump (or should we say leap) in 5.9 million global subscribers, bringing the total to 238.4 million subs.

The subscriber addition far exceeds industry guidance; analysts forecasted an increase of 1.7 million subs. Netflix ended Q1 with 232.5 million users.

Netflixs quarterly earnings results arrive a few hours after news broke that the streamer dropped its basic plan in the U.S. and the U.K.

New subscribers can no longer pay $9.99 or 6.99/month for Netflix without ads and instead must cough up $15.99 or 10.99 for the standard plan. Users can also downgrade to the ad-supported tier, which costs $6.99 or 4.99 per month. Netflix pulled the same move for new subs in Canada last month when it quietly axed its $9.99 CAD basic plan.

The removal of the basic plan is just another money-grubbing ploy made by Netflix as it tries to boost its revenue. For instance, the company recently launched its paid sharing rules in the U.S., which prohibits members from sharing their accounts with users outside their households for free. Members now have to pay $7.99/month for an additional membership.

Netflixs significant subscriber gain this quarter reflects the impact of its paid sharing rules. Netflix wrote in its letter to shareholders, "In May, we successfully launched paid sharing in 100+ countries, representing more than 80% of our revenue base." The company added that today it's rolling out paid sharing to "almost all the remaining countries," including Croatia, Kenya, Indonesia and India.

TechCrunch previously covered the streamers success with the launch of the extra member feature, citing a report from Antenna that revealed Netflix gained nearly 100,000 daily signups following the password crackdown.

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Moreover, Netflixs ad-supported tier gives the company an additional revenue stream since it collects money from advertisers for every viewer. Netflix revealed during its first Upfront presentation that its ad plan has nearly five million monthly active users. In a recent Antenna report, 17% to 20% of new Netflix signups during the second quarter were for its ad-supported tier.

Netflix reported $8.2 billion in revenue and a net income of $1.5 billion.
In the span of 16 years and more than 30 seasons, Food Network star Guy Fieri and his crew visited 15 Oklahoma restaurants, showcasing bits of Sooner cuisine to the world on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

Unfortunately, since visiting, two of those locations have closed their doors for good: Ingrid's Kitchen and Stone Sisters Pizza Bar.

The 14 restaurants, though, remain open for business.

Including barbecue, pizza and fried chicken, here are the Oklahoma restaurants that have made a meal out of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

More: It's anniversary time for Jones Assembly and Waffle Champion. Here's how they're celebrating

Guyutes

730 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City

405-702-6960, guyutes.com

Season 32, episode 12: "From Authentic to Inventive"

Guyutes was started by high school buddies Jarrod Friedel and Wayne Perotka, two Phish fans who named the restaurant after one of the bands songs. Their unique take on food can be seen in menu items like The Guyute, the restaurants namesake dish comprised of creamy mashed potatoes, juicy pork belly, crispy wonton and basil whipped cream.

Chick N Beer

Chick-N-Beer in Oklahoma City's Uptown district specializes in hot wings with Vietnamese flair and local beer on tap.

715 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City

405-604-6995, chicknbeerokc.com

Season 32, Episode 11: "From Vikings to Wings"

Locally owned by husband and wife duo, Chynne and Truong Le, Chick N Beer focuses on unique wings that emphasize all things local. The traditional wings are gluten-free and double-fried. All the beers on tap hail from Oklahoma's finest breweries.

Travel by Taste Deli and Market

4818 N MacArthur Blvd, Warr Acres

405-787-2969, travelbytasteok.com

Season 31, episode 13: "Flavortown International"

Owner Parviz Rezaian opened Travel By Taste Deli and Market over 10 years ago, with a vision of creating Oklahoma Citys finest Mediterranean dining experience. The restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties like samosas, chicken kebab, hummus, and Persian stews.

On the deli and market side, Travel by Taste offers ingredients inclufing a full spice rack, feta cheeses, specialty bread like tandoori-style pita, Martedella bologna, and Halal-quality meats.

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The Saucee Sicilian

1807 N Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City

405-493-9023, thesauceesicilian.com

Season 32, episode 12, "Sicilian and Seafood"

Gannon Mendez started the business as a pizza truck with a wood-fired oven but now also has a brick-and-mortar location. He uses homemade dough and his grandmothers old-school recipes to create dishes like Neapolitan-style pies and Nonnas Meatballs

Florence's Restaurant

1437 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City

405-427-3663, florences.restaurant

Season 31, Episode 9, "Down-Home Flavor"

Florence Jones Kemp, founder and owner, started Florence's Restaurant in 1952 and has been serving up award-winning Southern comfort food ever since.

In 2022, Florence's was among six recipients of the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics Award, which is given to locally-owned restaurants with "timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community."

You won't find better fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings or oxtail in town, and no one offers a better selection of sides from collard greens to candied yams with "a nice little salad" in between. Entrees come with three plus corn bread and yeast rolls.

Clanton's Cafe

319 E. Illinois Ave., Vinita

918-256-9053, clantonscafe.com

Season 2, Episode 4, "Local Flavor" and Season 0, Episode 37, "Amazing Appetizers"

Clanton's Cafe features an 80-year-old recipe for their famous chicken-fried steak. The "mac daddy" steak has been called one of the best on Route 66, and, for a trip off the road, they're dishing out calf fries, or Rocky Mountain Oysters, as well.

Eischen's Bar

Debbie Brown assembles at to-go order of fried chicken at Eischen's Bar in Okarche, Okla. on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. Brown is part of the fifth generation of Eischens that are running the iconic restaurant.

109 N 2nd Street, Okarche

405-263-9939, eischensbar.com

Season 7, Episode 6, "You Picked 'Em"

The spot holds the title as Oklahoma's oldest bar, as it was built by Peter Eischen as a watering hole in Okache in 1896 - a decade before Oklahoma's statehood.

A few hundred regulars wrote in to get Triple D to stop at this fried chicken haven that's serving theirs the same way they did in the '60s. They go through 24,000 pieces of fried chicken a week.

The Rock Cafe

114 Main Street, Stroud

918-968-3990, rockcafert66.com

Season 2, Episode 2, "Route 66"

The Rock Cafe was literally built from rocks used for Route 66. And although the restaurant opened in 1939, the menu reflects a modern take on roadside eats. Guy Fieri tried the Buffalo Burger, the famous Alligator Burger and German Spaetzle.

Rock Cafe proprietor Dawn Welch, a long-time promoter of U.S. Route 66 in Oklahoma, is the basis for animated character Sally Carrera in the Pixar film "Cars". The cafe features items left by the crew and gifts received from her time working with Pixar and Disney.

The Diner

213 E Main Street, Norman

405-329-6642, thedinerofnorman.com

Season 7, Episode 12, "Diners Times Three"

The Diner is the latest in a long tradition of chili parlors and diners that have been operating continuously in their Main Street building for over 100 years. Owner Bonnie Amspacher is the fourth generation of a Norman family famous for its chili and great down-home Tex-Mex cooking. Try a classic bowl of chili, the chili dog dinner or the chili burrito with ranchero sauce.

Nic's Grill

Burgers and fries at Nic's Grill, Friday, March 27, 2015. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

1201 N Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City

405-524-0999, facebook.com/Nics-Grill

Season 7, Episode 3, "Name That Cook," Season 0, Episode 44, "Knockout Burger Joints," Season 1, Episode 10, "Triple D Nation: Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch"

The 15-seat joint became a legend for its mouthwatering half-pound burgers served with an overflowing basket of french fries and a fork.

Mama E's Soul Food

4500 S Sunnylane Road, Oklahoma City

405-424-0800, facebook.com/mamaesoulfoodokc

Season 6, Episode 13, "Mama's Cookin'"

Mama E's started in 2003 with just their signature wings and waffles - topped with powdered sugar and hot sauce - but has since expanded the menu to include other soul food favorites. Diners have become devotees of this "real soul food" that features pig's feet.

Mama Es holds a special distinction: it is the only restaurant visited by both Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and Robert Irvine on Restaurant: Impossible.

Leo's BBQ

Inside Homeland, 625 NE 36th St, Oklahoma City

Season 0, Episode 52, "Dynamite Desserts," Season 1, Episode 6, "Local Legends," Season 1, Episode 9, "Triple D Nation: BBQ, Burgers and Beyond"

Since 1974, Leos BBQ has been a staple for great food in Oklahoma City. When Fieri visited the barbecue joint in 2007, they were located at 336th and Kelley, but in 2021, they entered a partnership with Homeland to relocate their barbecue joint to the grocery store at Northeast 36th Street and Lincoln Boulevard.

Now the ribs, the sides, and famous strawberry-banana cake are all fresh and available at the new Homeland store.

Cattlemen's Steakhouse

Michael Sharp, a server at Cattlemen's Steakhouse, middle, discusses the menu with former NBA player and TNT analyst Charles Barkley as Elly Trickett, executive editor of weightwatchers.com, gives Barkley advice on what to order at Cattlemen's Steakhouse during a tour of Oklahoma City, Friday, June 1, 2012. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

1309 S Agnew Ave, Oklahoma City

405-236-0416, cattlemensrestaurant.com

Season 0, Episode 58, "Meaty Masterpieces," Season 7, Episode 9, "Blast From the Past,"

Originally named Cattlemen's Cafe, the restaurant has operated continuously since 1910 in the heart of Stockyards City, making it the "oldest continuously operating restaurant in Oklahoma City,

The steakhouse has been honored by the newly established National Steakhouse Hall of Fame, as part of the organization's inaugural class.

Get the "Presidential Choice" t-bone steak, named after President George Bush Sr., who ordered it while visiting the steakhouse, or try the popular pepper steak with peppercorn sauce.

Guy Fieri from the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" made a stop May 19, 2009, at Ingrid's Kitchen in Oklahoma City.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: List of Guy Fieri Oklahoma food spots
Police are searching for Paul Jose Rodriguez Jr., 43, of Juneau, Alaska, who inadvertently filming his own drowning at Mendenhall Lake.

Alaska State Troopers are searching for the body of a man who inadvertently filmed his own drowning.

Paul Rodriguez Jr., 43, was wearing a helmet with a GoPro camera attached when the kayak he was on overturned in a glacial lake in Alaska on July 11, Alaska State police said. The camera was found and turned over to authorities, who confirmed it belonged to Rodriguez. Investigators were able to determine what happened from the GoPro footage.

The recording continued showing that the kayak overturned due to a strong current coming from the glacier, Troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain told the AP.

DeSpain told USA TODAY Tuesday that they are still searching Mendenhall Lake for his body.

U.S. Forest Service employees alerted police Sunday that a vehicle had been parked at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area since July 11. Police determined it was registered to Rodriguez.

An empty kayak with a dry bag  or waterproof sack  had been found floating on the lake on July 11, though it did not have any identifying markings, police said.

FILE - Chunks of ice float in Mendenhall Lake in front of the Mendenhall Glacier on April 29, 2023, in Juneau, Alaska.

Friends reported they had last seen Rodriguez on July 10. A social media post by Rodriguez the following day showed the kayak on a beach that appeared to be taken near Nugget Falls, which is in the recreation area along the lake.

State police said the helmet  and the attached camera  was found on the lake shore and turned in to troopers Monday.

Alaska kayaker was an outdoors enthusiast

Rodriguezs son, Jaden Rodriguez, told the AP his father was kindhearted and enjoyed being outdoors, doing activities like fishing, paddle boarding, and snowboarding. Rodriguez also was a gifted photographer, his son said.

He said Rodriguezs life changed for the better when he found God and said Rodriguez would often tell him that life is short.

He was a good person, he said.

Search continues at Mendenhall Lake with dogs, helicopter

Alaska State Police said an extensive search is underway with Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS  Southeast Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground Search. A chartered helicopter has also been engaged to help search Mendenhall Lake and shoreline areas.

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"Next of Kin has been notified," Troopers said. "Teams will continue to search the lake to recover the body."

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police hunt for body of Alaska man who filmed his own drowning death
SHEBOYGAN - A single article can capture a glimpse of someone's life, but their stories continue on.

Businesses continue operation. Groups continue advocacy. Individuals continue making a difference.

The Sheboygan Press revisited several previously reported stories, checking in with people on projects and community work.

Here's what to know about two key developments and several people making an impact in the area.

Popeyes could get a second chance

FILE - The front of Popeyes restaurant, 3900 Calumet Ave., in Manitowoc, as seen April 24, 2021.

A Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen could come to Sheboygan after delays over the last two years.

The city received a new application for the project at 3207 S. Business Drive this week, after the conditional-use permit expired.

Popeyes was supposed to open in summer 2021, but Marc Rodriguez, CEO of SmitCo Eateries, Inc., told the Sheboygan Press supply chain issues delayed construction for other sites in the state.

Local bakery closes: Sheboygan's Whisk Bakery closes its doors after four years downtown

Rodriguez estimated construction on the Sheboygan location would've started in fall 2022 after the delays.

The original plan proposed demolishing one of the former Ryder Truck buildings and dividing the land into two plots  one for Popeyes and the other for future development.

Memorial Medical Center demolition begins

Demolition on Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center, 2629 N. Seventh St., began this summer, after sitting vacant for about a year.

The building was built in 1933 and closed when Aurora Medical Center  Sheboygan County opened last summer.

Aurora is still in early phases. It has about three years to tear down the building and redevelop the space to fit with the residential neighborhood, likely into housing.

Exterior demolition will take several months, and Aurora needs to secure a developer, according to a statement from Aric Kinney, president of Aurora Medical Center  Sheboygan County.

Sheboygan sisters surpass 400 pillowcase dresses for Haiti

Sisters Mary Leonhard and Nancy Zvitkovits, last covered in the Sheboygan Press for their vibrant pillowcase dresses, have made about 600 dresses to date.

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They were at about 400 dresses when the Sheboygan Press spoke with them last summer.

They partnered with nonprofit organization Hope for Haitis Children to send about 270 pillowcase dresses to Haiti and Sheboygan's Crossroads Church to send 115 dresses to Mexico this year.

The Sheboygan Press and Leonhard received many inquiries about donating materials, like pillowcases and fabric since last summer.

Leonhard, the TAPP/Parenting Lab Program coordinator at Sheboygan Central High School, is still engaging her students in the project.

In addition to dresses and baby booties, Leonhard said a group of students is sewing bookbags toward earning early childhood education credit. They will distribute the bags, with donated books from Sheboygan Area School District librarians, when the students complete their practicals at a day care.

We believe this is a great way to promote both child/care-giver bonding and literacy, Leonhard said in an email.

Tattoo stories: Lobsters, bluebirds and a yellow school bus  Sheboygan-area residents share tales behind their tattoos

Alongside that, the sisters will continue sewing pillowcase dresses.

To donate materials, contact Mary Leonhard at mleonhard@centralhs.org.

Be the One campaign mobilizes youth across state

The American Legions mental health campaign  Be the One  has ballooned in the region.

The campaign aims to end mental health stigmas, specifically among veterans and youth.

American Legion of Sheboygan County (and Second District Legion Riders) handed out 3,300 red Be the One wristbands when the Sheboygan Press spoke with YiaYia Wischki, Sheboygan County adjutant to the American Legion, in the fall.

To date, theyve handed out 22,000 wristbands at grade schools and colleges (like University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and for veteran programs, like National Guard Military Family Day at Lambeau Field and Wisconsin National Guard Children & Youth Program.

The Legion also facilitated a video competition for local middle and high school students to spread awareness about mental health and have partnered with educators for extensive programming related to Be the One and veterans.

Veterans can stay at temporary housing through Milwaukee VA Medical Centers Hoptel program while receiving outpatient care for cancer, surgery or other treatments. They usually travel more than 50 miles.

Students at Random Lake Middle and High School, one of the first schools Wischki visited for Be the One, made 500 kindness rocks for them on their journeys home.

Wischki said, Sometimes, being the one means just Being the One willing to build the bridges.

Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @alexx_garner.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan could get a Popeyes, Memorial Medical Center being torn down
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an awarding ceremony for Russian team members who won medals at the Winter Paraltmpic games on March 17, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images

Putin ordered Danone and Carlsberg seized after Kremlin-friendly businessmen expressed interest, per the FT.

A Chechen leader and a businessman close to Putin have taken over the companies' assets in Russia.

Observers say there's a "redistribution" of wealth in Russia to those friendly to Putin's regime.

Kremlin-affiliated businesspeople and oligarchs may be reaping the spoils from Russia's seizures of Western assets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin passed an order to seize the local operations of the Western food and beverage giants Danone and Carlsberg after people close to his regime expressed interest in the assets, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed people close to the Kremlin's decision.

Moscow appointed Yakub Zakriev  Chechnya's agriculture minister and a nephew of the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov  as the new head of Danone, the Russian business-news outlet Vedomosti reported Tuesday.

The regime installed the businessman Taimuraz Bolloev as the head of Carlsberg's subsidiary in Russia, per the news outlet. The FT said Bolloev was "a longtime friend of Putin."

Russia seizing the local operations of Danone and Carlsberg was not the first time the country took control of Western firms. In April, Moscow took control of the subsidiaries of Germany's Uniper and Finland's Fortum.

Managers from Rosneft, a state-owned energy company headed by Igor Sechin, an ally of Putin, took over both energy companies.

Analysts told the FT that they expected more foreign assets to be parceled out to Putin loyalists.

A Russian oligarch who has known Putin for decades told the FT that "it's a new redistribution of wealth" to the president's circle.

Russia's takeover of Western companies comes amid a corporate exodus from the country because of the Ukraine war, with many firms writing down assets and selling their subsidiaries.

The independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported Thursday that Russian businessmen had bought the assets of 110 Western companies "that have fully or partially left Russia" at bargain-bin prices.

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Russia has been making it increasingly difficult for foreign firms to exit the country. In December, the Kremlin started forcing corporate sellers to dispose of assets at a 50% discount.

Russia also imposed lengthy administrative processes and several other charges on exiting companies.

The political analyst Ekaterina Kurbangaleeva wrote on the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace website on Friday that the corporate exits allowed Russia to acquire the abandoned assets at a massive discount and redistribute them.

"The middle layer of Russia's social structure will be shaped by the redistribution of assets among those well-off Russians forced to focus on the domestic market by international sanctions," Kurbangaleeva wrote.

"In return for their loyalty, they will receive high-quality assets at a significant discount, which may turn them into a pillar of the regime and a source of patriotic optimism and even radicalism," she added.

And this redistribution of assets could create "a new class of crony capitalists or oligarchs," Hassan Malik, a senior sovereign analyst at the Boston-based investment-management consultancy Loomis Sayles, told Insider in March last year.

Danone said in a Sunday statement that it was "preparing to take all necessary measures to protect its rights as shareholder." Carlsberg said on the same day that the seizing was "unexpected" and that the company was assessing "the legal and operational consequences of this development."

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In this Jan. 25, 2016, file photo, a passenger talks on the phone as an American Airlines jets sit parked at their gates at Washingtons Ronald Reagan National Airport. Utah Rep. Burgess Owens has introduced an amendment that would increase the number of incoming and outgoing flights from the Reagan National Airport. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press

Facing opposition from some airlines and Democratic senators, Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah introduced an amendment in front of the House Committee on Rules Monday that would increase the number of incoming and outgoing flights to the Washington, D.C., airport.

It adds an additional seven round-trip flights from Ronald Reagan National Airport, Owens, a Republican who represents Utahs 4th Congressional District, said in his remarks on the House floor. That equates to one route for each airline currently operating out of DCA. Not 28 routes, as was originally requested. Not 14, which was a reasonable compromise, but seven, one route for each carrier.

What is the result of each carrier having one route? It mitigates the high cost millions of Americans must budget to visit our national capital, he said.

Why are there restrictions on flights from Ronald Reagan National Airport?

This amendment  added to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill  seeks to increase supply and competition, and lower ticket prices, Owens said.

Owens said in his remarks the proposed 2% increase in air traffic at the airport poses no threat to existing services and flight routes. He also cited a study that says the airport can handle 90 additional flights, though the amendment only proposes seven more.

Ronald Reagan National Airport falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government and enforces a perimeter rule, established in the late 1960s, which limits nonstop flights originating more than 1,250 miles from the airport.

A nearly 60-year-old, federally-imposed perimeter rule has made Washington Reagan one of the most expensive airports in the country. Its also the only airport in our nation that has been sheltered from the benefits of the free market by D.C. legislators, Owens said. This bipartisan effort will begin to modernize the arbitrary, protectionist federal policies put in place for the economic protection of one airport and one airline.

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Apart from serving locals and tourists, lawmakers have a vested interest in this airport that sits four miles away from Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, the neighboring Dulles International Airport, roughly 45 minutes away from the Hill, handles most of the long-haul domestic and international flights.

Delta and Southwest Airlines said they would support Owens amendment to add seven more round-trip flights a day from the airport, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, United Airlines, which has a dominant hold over long-haul flights from the neighboring Dulles Airport, said that these additional flights would increase delays and cancellations.

Politico noted that American Airlines also has a large presence at Dulles Airport and aligns with United on the issue.

The amendment faces opposition in Senate

Owens held a press conference Tuesday, and he was joined by other supporters of the amendment, including Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas.

Roy said he represents San Antonio, the seventh-largest city in the country and home to the largest joint base as well as numerous other military installations, and it does not have a direct flight to Reagan National.

Thats ridiculous and that is a product of an old rule that was arbitrary.

The House is scheduled to vote on its version of the FAA reauthorization bill this week. Roy indicated that Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, will help shepherd the bill through the upper chamber.

But there will be resistance ahead. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., has threatened to oppose the reauthorization of the FAA if it includes additional long-distance flights at the airport. He is joined by other Democratic senators from Virginia and Maryland.

We need an FAA reauthorization bill, Warner said, adding that if the legislation causes disturbance to the balance between other airports in the area, Im going to do everything I can to make sure that bill does not become the law.

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President Jack Potter said that the proposal would add more stress to an already challenged airport.

Its the busiest runway in America and whats being proposed is additional flights that would bring 3 to 4 million more passengers. We do not have the capacity to handle this, Potter said, per Politico.

But, Owens said during the press conference, Every American should have the opportunity to visit our nations capital and witness their government in action.

The key, though, is once the competition gets in there, it should impact an entire country, and people who may be able to come, for instance, to Salt Lake City.
A new report released Tuesday found that the death of an 8-year-old girl in Border Patrol custody was preventable, citing shortcomings of the agencys medical protocols.

Anadith Danay Reyes Alvarez, an 8-year-old girl from Panama, died in U.S. custody on May 17 in Harlingen, Texas. According to the newly released report, her death was a preventable tragedy that resulted from a series of failures in the [Customs and Border Protections] medical and custodial systems for children.

An internal investigation had previously found that Border Patrol medical staff declined to review the medical file of Alvarez, who had a chronic heart condition and sickle cell anemia. The day Alvarez died, a nurse practitioner declined to review the documents about the girl and denied three to four requests from Alvarezs mother for an ambulance.

The failure to consult a physician or a local health facility for more extensive testing raises fundamental concerns regarding the ability of the CBP medical system to care appropriately for children at elevated medical risk, the report states.

The report made public Tuesday was completed by an independent monitor that was working to ensure the agency was complying with the Flores settlement agreement, which is meant to work toward child welfare protections for those in immigration custody.

Alvarezs mother told the Associated Press that she notified staff about her daughters health conditions when they crossed the border, but officials did not notify other staff when the family was taken to a second facility. After six days, Alvarez tested positive for the flu and had a temperature of 101.8 degrees, the report said that

The report noted that there was no documentation that the health provider who diagnosed Alvarez with the flu consulted an on-call physician or that a transfer to a local health facility was contemplated. The report said that on the day of her daughters death, Alvarezs mother asked for her daughter to be transported to a local hospital because her condition was deteriorating, but no transfer was initiated.

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The report said that an ambulance was called only after Alvarez had lost consciousness and suffered an apparent cardiac arrest.

These failures occurred at multiple levels and should not be viewed as rare anomalies but rather as systemic weaknesses that if not remedied, are likely to result in future harm to children in CBP custody, the report said.

The Hill has reached out to Customs and Border Patrol for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Passive investing in index funds can generate returns that roughly match the overall market. But you can significantly boost your returns by picking above-average stocks. For example, the Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan Joint Stock Company (LON:HSBK) share price is up 68% in the last 1 year, clearly besting the market decline of around 1.6% (not including dividends). If it can keep that out-performance up over the long term, investors will do very well! Having said that, the longer term returns aren't so impressive, with stock gaining just 24% in three years.

Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

See our latest analysis for Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During the last year Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan grew its earnings per share (EPS) by 33%. This EPS growth is significantly lower than the 68% increase in the share price. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it a year ago.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? If you're interested, you could check this free report showing consensus revenue forecasts.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan's TSR for the last 1 year was 121%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

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A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 121% over one year. That's including the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 19%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. 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 Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan (1 is concerning) that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on British exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Top Russian military leaders will likely start hiding information from Putin out of self-preservation, a Russia researcher wrote for NYT.

Those generals are "now even more dependent on Mr. Putin for their safety and positions," she added.

Indeed, as Russia is at a critical point in its war against Ukraine, Russian military officials have shown more interest in sniping at each other.

Russian military leaders will likely start concealing bad news about the war in Ukraine from the Russian president because they are increasingly concerned about their own safety.

That's according to Dara Massicot, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation who focuses on Russia.

"In this atmosphere of suspicion and uncertainty, where prominent generals disappear and Mr. Putin is quick to blame traitors, self-censorship among top military leaders is likely to become more prevalent," Massicot wrote in a New York Times op-ed.

She added that Russia's defense minister and a top general  both of whom have found themselves in hot water at various times in the war, especially in recent months  are "now even more dependent on Mr. Putin for their safety and positions," and "could be more likely to hide or soften bad news from the battlefield to keep his confidence."

And that could hinder Putin from getting a detailed and accurate picture of Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Kyiv's slog against Russian defenses has been hitting a wall, as minefields and other threats slow progress along the front lines. But increased aid from the US and NATO allies is giving Ukraine additional tools to help its advance, such as cluster munitions, mine-clearing capabilities, and long-range stand-off weapons like Storm Shadow missiles.

If Ukraine can achieve a breakthrough, it would, obviously, spell trouble for Russian forces. But even if the counteroffensive fails to shatter Russian lines, Russia is expending munitions and personnel that would be essential for the army to go back on the offensive.

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But even though Russia is at a critical juncture in its war against Ukraine and the Russian army continues racking up losses, Russian military leaders have focused more on sniping at one another.

An irregular commander who launched a mutiny is in exile. A recently sacked general accused Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, of treason, and another front-line general has reportedly been dismissed. A top general with connections to the Wagner mercenary group was also reportedly detained in the wake of the group's rebellion against senior military officials.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, most famous now for his failed mutiny and subsequent exile, resurfaced in a new video posted Wednesday, in which he criticized Putin's war in Ukraine as "a disgrace" despite the Kremlin's efforts to silence him.

Meanwhile, Shoigu and Gerasimov  both of whom Prigozhin frequently lambasted over their Ukraine strategy  have been "retained by Mr. Putin for their loyalty," Massicot wrote, adding that they're "now even more likely to suppress negative information and present a distorted image of the war."

But there is a significant risk in that approach, she said. "For the sake of familiarity, the Kremlin has chosen to reinforce failure."

Read the original article on Business Insider
In case one needed more evidence that there's a massive appetite for generative AI, SAP, the Germany-based consulting giant, yesterday invested in three major generative AI players: Anthropic, Cohere and Aleph Alpha.

The terms of the direct investments, which weren't disclosed, build on SAP's $1 billion-plus commitment to back AI-powered enterprise tech startups from Sapphire Ventures, the enterprise venture capital firm. SAP also recently highlighted several internal AI efforts at its annual Sapphire conference, including a digital assistant in its customer experience tooling.

"We're at a watershed moment, with generative AI poised to fundamentally change how businesses run," SAP chief strategy officer Sebastian Steinhaeuser said in a press release. "SAP is committed to creating an enterprise AI ecosystem for the future that complements our world-class business applications suite and helps our customers unlock their full potential."

All three of the investments -- Aleph Alpha, Anthropic and Cohere -- are very clearly aligned with SAP's business interests. SAP provides a range of sales-, service- and commerce-oriented products, all of which stand to benefit from text-analyzing AI.

Anthropic is building an AI system, Claude, that helps with a range of business-to-business tasks, including generating answers, coding, automating workflows and processing text within the context of natural conversations. As for Cohere, it provides a generative text platform that's accessible through an API as a managed service and can be deployed on virtual private clouds or on site to meet companies where their data resides. Aleph Alpha -- which was already a SAP Partner -- creates and hosts multimodal, multilanguage models, meanwhile, with a focus on interoperability, data privacy and security.

Cohere's president and COO, Martin Kon, said that working with SAP was an "obvious fit," given their European roots and Cohere's ambitions in Europe.

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"This investment builds on our existing enterprise collaborations with Oracle, McKinsey, NVIDIA, Salesforce, Sentinel One, and others, as we bring our independent, cloud-agnostic, data-secure approach to generative AI to enterprises globally," Kon told TechCrunch via email.

Aleph Alpha founder and CEO Jonas Andrulis said in a statement: "We're very pleased to have found another partner in SAP who supports Aleph Alpha's pioneering role in the field of trustworthy and explainable generative AI technology. This strengthens our ability to bring AI technology to companies which operate in complex environments and handle sensitive data."

Anthropic didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

SAP's announcement comes after McKinsey said that it would partner with Cohere to help enterprises adopt generative AI -- marking the firm's first partnership with a text-generating AI model provider. And it follows a raft of other announcements from big consulting firms underlining their seriousness about generative AI as a technology.

Accenture earlier this year pledged to invest $3 billion in AI over the next three years, with the bulk to be put toward staffing. The company plans to double its AI-focused army of consultants to 80,000 through a mix of hiring, acquisitions and training.

Not to be outdone, PwC said it would spend $1 billion on AI over the same time frame to expand and scale its AI offerings. As part of the push, PwC will partner with Microsoft to create offerings using OpenAIs GPT-4 and ChatGPT alongside Microsofts Azure OpenAI Service, which packages OpenAI technologies in an enterprise-friendly format.

McKinsey -- which is a tad biased, granted -- estimates that generative AI could add $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, almost the economic equivalent of adding an entire new country the size and productivity of the U.K. ($3.1 trillion GDP in 2021) to the world.

But other strategists say that the AI boom won't lead to massive profits, warning that the hype mirrors that of the tech bubble of the 1990s. Time will tell who's right, as always.
WASHINGTON  Following a tumultuous year for crypto, a bipartisan duo in Congress is seeking to direct the U.S. government to regulate the industry with a bill that, they say, could prevent another FTX-style disaster.

Last week, Sens. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced a reworked bill based on the one they revealed months before the collapse of FTX last fall; they have dubbed it "the most comprehensive" bill to address the digital currency space.

We know how to regulate it. We know how to safely define what is a commodity and what is a security, Lummis said in an interview at her office in the Senate Russell Building. We can put sufficient consumer protections and safeguards on this industry so that something like the failure of FTX would likely not happen in the United States.

Their proposal would, for the first time, draw a clear line between a security and a commodity, and allocate enforcement authority to the agencies that oversee them.

The legislation also looks to empower the Securities Exchange Commission to play more of an aggressive role in ensuring consumer protections.

Over the past year, we worked together and with key stakeholders to improve our framework  we added strong new consumer protections and anti-money laundering provisions, delivered additional resources to regulatory agencies so they can enforce new regulations, and created clarity so that businesses can innovate responsibly, Gillibrand said in a statement.

Under the bill, companies would be required to disclose cryptocurrency risks to consumers by proving reserves and communicating with customers using clear, plain language.

The bill also grants the Commodities Futures Trading Commission jurisdiction over nonsecurities crypto assets, and requires all crypto asset exchanges to register with the commission.

Lummis said she and Gillibrand believe the CFTC is ready for its role in regulating the crypto industry, and that the SEC is very capable of providing adequate consumer protections and disclosures because of the commissions existing experience in the space.

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Because last years version of the bill viewed many digital assets as intangible ancillary assets, most cryptocurrencies would have been treated as commodities under CFTCs purview. This time around, the senators said they tried to remedy the SECs concerns that the legislation would cede too much power from the regulatory arm.

In recent months, SEC Chair Gary Gensler has beefed up scrutiny over the crypto industry, charging industry giants Binance and Coinbase with violating securities laws  as supporters of digital assets say Gensler is misusing his authority.

Lummis said its just another argument that proves the industry is ready for regulation.

Companies like Kraken and Coinbase have gone to the SEC and asked them to be clear and lay out the regulatory requirements that the SEC believes should apply to them, she said. And theyre frustrated because they feel like they were trying to comply, but instead some of them got enforcement actions slapped on them.

Facing regulatory uncertainty, interested lawmakers and investors alike fear crypto companies will ramp up their businesses overseas and eventually leave the U.S. altogether. In a report issued this year, JPMorgan urged lawmakers to produce a comprehensive framework on how to regulate the crypto industries and the relative responsibilities of SEC vs the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Despite some crypto skeptics in Congress wary of propelling decentralized finance into the mainstream, Lummis and Gillibrands legislation isnt the only game in town.

Over in the House of Representatives, Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry, R-N.C.  who launched the first-of-its-kind subcommittee dedicated to providing oversight of digital assets  has released a Republican-led discussion draft of his regulatory framework.

The proposal is more targeted than the one put forth by the two senators, and thats in part due to the hesitancy of some lawmakers to address the untested industry head-on; on the other side of the Capitol, there is an appetite for a more piecemeal approach.

McHenrys draft, introduced last month alongside Reps. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, French Hill of Arkansas and Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, is guided by the same principles as the Lummis-Gillibrand bill when it comes to distinguishing what falls under the SEC versus the CFTC, according to one senior GOP aide familiar with the House plan.

I appreciate Senator Lummis and Senator Gillibrands continued work to provide clear rules of the road for the digital asset ecosystem. I look forward to reviewing their legislative proposal and seeing where we can find common ground in this bipartisan and bicameral effort, McHenry told NBC News in a statement.

A close ally of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., McHenry has planned hearings in key committees and aims to incorporate feedback from members on both sides of the aisle before officially filing the bill, the aide added.

A regulation by enforcement-only agenda does not serve consumers or American competitiveness. McHenry said. Lawmakers who want to ensure the United States continues to lead the world in technology development will support these types of proposals that protect and encourage innovation here at home.

Lummis, a longtime crypto proponent, said that in the divided Congress, regulating the digital asset space is perhaps one of the only areas of compromise between Democrats and Republicans, as both sides have also worked to prioritize other areas of technology, like artificial intelligence.

This is one of those rare subjects where its bipartisan, its bicameral. There is a pretty strong recognition by the people on the committees of jurisdiction that its time to regulate, Lummis said, and that these approaches have been vetted through the industry and the regulators and the House and Senate, and that theres enough consensus as to the general approach, that its time to proceed, she continued.

On Wednesday, Lummis and Gillibrand partnered with another unlikely bipartisan duo, Sens. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to introduce an amendment to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act that would prevent the use of cryptocurrency assets in illicit financial transactions. The amendment is not currently expected to come up for a vote, but it speaks to the urgency on both sides of the aisle to regulate the industry, even on a piecemeal basis.

As for how the unusual partnership between an East Coast Democrat and a self-described libertarian-leaning rancher came together, Lummis said Gillibrand comes from the financial center of the country so shes motivated because of her position as a New York senator with expertise in securities. Im motivated by my states role, and our personalities just seem to dovetail.

Lummis quipped, You know, I have a typical Western, kind of laid-back personality. Shes more, you know, an aggressive in-your-face New Yorker.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Etowah County would fare differently in competing redistricting plans being considered by the Alabama Legislature, as lawmakers race against a Friday deadline to change the states congressional map.

The House on Wednesday approved a plan, which had cleared a committee on Tuesday, that would keep the county in District 4, represented by Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville. .

However, the Senate on Wednesday approved a plan offered by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, co-chair of the Legislatures reapportionment committee, that would place 12% of Etowah Countys population in Aderholts district (Mountainboro, Sardis, Walnut Grove and the Egypt and New Union areas) and the rest in District 3, represented by Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks.

The plans will be considered on Thursday by committees in the opposite houses, and a conference committee could have to work out a compromise before the deadline.

Alabama must redraw its congressional district lines after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month that the current map, which has just one majority Black district, the 7th, likely violates the Voting Rights Act given that 27% of the states residents are Black.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which originally ruled against that map, set the Friday deadline, and Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session for that reason. If the deadline isnt met, or if the results arent satisfactory to the judges, a special master could be appointed to draw the map.

State Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, whose District 10 includes Etowah County, is a member of that Senate committee and voted against Livingstons plan both in committee and in the full Senate. It was the only non-party-line vote cast on the plans.

Jones in a Facebook post on Tuesday said, Our area is currently well represented by both of these men (Aderholt and Rogers), but that he wanted to see the county kept whole.

Etowah County should continue to have only one congressman, as it has had for decades, he added.

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Jones told the Alabama Reflector that constituents hes heard from oppose the split.

Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford, who recently wrote an opinion piece advocating that Etowah County remain in Aderholts district, briefly left Tuesdays City Council meeting to take a call from the congressman and unloaded on the Senate committees mood afterward.

Nothing against Congressman Rogers, hes a friend of mine, but that would be a disaster for Etowah County for them to split us in half, Ford told the council. The ones that get split get nothing, referring to federal funding that the city has greatly benefited from under his administration.

In a subsequent statement, he challenged Jones to go to battle for Etowah County, so we can stay with the congressman that (the county) has chosen 14 times over two-and-a-half decades.

Ford decried political games being played with the reapportionment process and said the countys legislative delegation needs to be in lockstep about what Etowah County voters have chosen for a quarter of a century.

He again said its no knock against Rogers but has everything to do with preserving the preferences of Etowah Countys voters.

Etowah County Commission Chairman Craig Inzer Jr. said his preference would be to remain in District 4, because of the relationships and rapport county officials have developed with Aderholt over the years. "He's been good for Etowah County," Inzer said.

He said county officials would try to work with Rogers if the Senate map prevails, but he thinks the county should be in a single congressional district, regardless of the representative. He's adamantly against splitting it across two districts, noting that the Senate map would put Commissioners Jamie Grant and Tim Ramsey in different congressional districts from their colleagues.

Jones said he hoped the dispute can be resolved without a filibuster, but Ford raised the possibility of legal action to the 11th Circuit to show they divided our communities of interest and gerrymandered Etowah County to satisfy the political agenda of another senator.

The mayor also pointed out that the Senate plan would mean a minority population of only 38% in District 2, which is the subject of the debate, compared to 42% in the House version. (Democrats insist neither plan will pass court scrutiny.)

He suggested that the Senate take away the new part of Tuscaloosa County in District 4 to keep Etowah County whole. Its an even swap and better reflects the 4th Districts original makeup.

Ford, a longtime legislator, was in Montgomery on Wednesday and will return on Thursday for the debate.

The mayor in a statement on Thursday said, The consequences of this decision will have generational impacts on Gadsden and Etowah County, and I know from experience this is a live football and were just coming out of halftime. So, thats why we need our entire state delegation to fight like hell to uphold the will of our voters who have overwhelmingly chosen Congressman Aderholt as their representative for 25 years straight.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: One redistricting plan would divide Etowah County
A US soldier has been arrested after crossing the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between South Korea and North Korea.

Colonel Isaac Taylor of United States Forces Korea Public Affairs told The Independent: A U.S. Service member on a JSA orientation tour willfully and without authorization crossed the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK). We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident.

The soldier was part of a group taking a tour of the Joint Security Area  the border village in the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, which is heavily guarded by soldiers from both sides.

The UN Command said in a statement: A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

An anonymous official told The Washington Post that This was a deliberate decision on part of the service member to cross.

Key Points

US national crosses DMZ into North Korea from South, says UN border force

A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line'

This was a deliberate decision on part of the service member to cross'

17:00 , Gustaf Kilander

An anonymous official told The Washington Post that This was a deliberate decision on part of the service member to cross.

Colonel Isaac Taylor told Reuters that Were still doing some research into this, and everything that happened.

The Independent has reached out to the US Army for comment.

This man gives out a loud ha ha ha, and just runs in between some buildings

16:30 , Gustaf Kilander

A US official told CBS News that the service member was being escorted back to the US following disciplinary issues but was able to return and join the border tour after going through airport security.

According to the local press, a foreign national crossed the border at 3.27pm local time  2.27am ET.

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An individual who said they witnessed what took place and was taking part in the tour along with the US soldier told CBS News that they had visited one of the buildings in the area when this man gives out a loud ha ha ha, and just runs in between some buildings.

I thought it was a bad joke at first, but when he didnt come back, I realised it wasnt a joke, and then everybody reacted and things got crazy, they told the outlet.

The witness told the network that no North Korean soldiers could be seen where the man ran, adding that they had been told that there hadnt been any present since the pandemic as North Korea attempted to fully close its borders.

The witness said that after the man had crossed the border, the tour group was taken to Freedom House to give statements and then to be taken to their bus.

Im telling you this because it actually hit me quite hard, the witness told CBS News. It was on the way back in the bus, and we got to one of the checkpoints ... Someone said we were 43 going in and 42 coming back.

US soldier gave out loud ha ha ha before crossing DMZ into North Korea, witness says

16:00 , Gustaf Kilander and Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The US soldier arrested after crossing the demilitarized zone (DMZ) from South Korea into North Korea gave out a loud ha ha ha as he ran towards the border, a witness has said.

The soldier was part of a group taking a tour of the Joint Security Area  the border village in the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, which is heavily guarded by soldiers from both sides.

The UN Command in a statement said: A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The American national is believed to be currently in custody in the North, the authorities said, adding that we are working with KPA (North Korean army) counterparts to resolve this incident.

US officials later confirmed that the individual was a US service member and that he was thought to be in the custody of North Korean forces.

Read more:

US soldier gave out ha ha ha before crossing DMZ into North Korea, witness says

The American detained in North Korea after crossing the border was a US soldier, officials tell AP

15:40 , AP

U.S. officials say an American detained after crossing the border from South Korea into North Korea was a U.S. soldier.

There were no immediate details about how or why the soldier crossed the heavily fortified border or whether the soldier was on duty. The four officials spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter ahead of a public announcement.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The crossing happened during heightened tensions over North Koreas nuclear program. The American-led U.N. Command overseeing the area tweeted earlier Tuesday that the detained U.S. citizen was on a tour to the Korean border village of Panmunjom and crossed the border into the North without authorization.

It said that he is currently in North Korean custody and that the U.N. Command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident.

North Koreas state media didnt immediately report on the border incident.

VIDEO: U.S. Army Soldier Taken Into Custody by North Korea After Crossing Joint Security Area Border

15:20 , Gustaf Kilander

US nuclear-armed submarine visits South for first time since the 1980s

15:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Ohio-class USS Kentucky submarine arrived at the port of Busan on Tuesday afternoon, the Souths defence ministry said. It is the first visit by a US nuclear-armed submarine to the South since the 1980s, it added.

Periodic visits by US nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to the South were one of the agreements reached by both countries in April. They also agreed to establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group and expand military exercises.

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced toward the South

14:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Panmunjom, located inside the 248km-long demilitarised zone, was created at the close of the Korean War in 1953. The area has been a venue for numerous talks and is a popular tourist spot.

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced toward the South. The soldier was hit five times and later rescued from beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom. He is now in South Korea.

Former US president Donald Trump met his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un in the DMZ in June 2019.

The arrest comes amid heightened tensions between the US and the North as Pyongyang rushes to fulfil its nuclear aspirations.

Washington deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to its ally, South Korea, for the first time in 40 years as officials from both countries met in Seoul to discuss strengthening their nations deterrence capabilities against the North.

Border crossing happened amid high tensions over North Koreas barrage of missile tests

14:30 , AP

Tuesdays border crossing happened amid high tensions over North Koreas barrage of missile tests since the start of last year.

The United States earlier Tuesday sent a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades as deterrence against North Korea.

Americans detained in South Korea often freed after high-profile US missions

14:15 , AP

In November 2017, North Korean soldiers fired 40 rounds as one of their colleagues raced toward freedom. The soldier was hit five times before he was found beneath a pile of leaves on the southern side of Panmunjom. He survived and is now in South Korea.

There have been a small number of U.S. soldiers who fled to North Korea during the Cold War, including Charles Jenkins, who deserted his army post in South Korea in 1965 and fled across the DMZ. He appeared in North Korean propaganda films and married a Japanese nursing student who had been abducted by North Korean agents. He died in Japan in 2017.

In recent years, some Americans have been arrested in North Korea after allegedly entering the country from China. They were later convicted of espionage and other anti-state acts, but were often released after the U.S. sent high-profile missions to secure their freedom.

In 2018, North Korea released the last three known American detainees as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was engaged in nuclear diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump. The high-stakes diplomacy collapsed in 2019 amid wrangling over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.

DMZ filled with landmines, surrounded by electric and barbed wire fencing and surveillance cameras

14:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The DMZ, one of the most fortified places in the world, is filled with landmines, surrounded by electric and barbed wire fencing and surveillance cameras.

While there are very few cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to the North, more than 30,000 North Koreans are believed to have crossed the border to the south since the 1950s.

Washington has banned American nationals from entering North Korea due to the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of US nationals.

The US government is unable to provide emergency services to US citizens in North Korea as it does not have diplomatic or consular relations with North Korea, the US travel advisory for North Korea reads.

The ban was implemented after American college student Otto Warmbier was detained by the North while on a tour of the country in 2015. He died in 2017, days after he was released from prison and returned to the US in a coma.

An American national has crossed into North Korea without authorization and has been detained

13:45 , AP

An American has crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea into North Korea, the American-led U.N. Command overseeing the area said Tuesday, amid heightened tensions over North Koreas nuclear program.

The U.N. Command tweeted that the U.S. citizen was on a tour to the Korean border village of Panmunjom and crossed the border into the North without authorization.

It said he is currently in North Korean custody and that the U.N. Command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident.

Cases of Americans or South Koreans defecting to North Korea are rare, though more than 30,000 North Koreans have fled to South Korea to avoid political oppression and economic difficulties at home since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Panmunjom, located inside the 248-kilometer (154-mile)-long Demilitarized Zone, was created at the close of the Korean War. Bloodshed and gunfire have occasionally occurred there, but it has also been a venue for numerous talks and a popular tourist spot.

The area is jointly overseen by the U.N. Command and North Korea. No civilians live at Panmunjom.

A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line'

13:34 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The UN Command in a statement said: A US National on a JSA (Joint Security Area) orientation tour crossed, without authorisation, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The American national is believed to be currently in custody in the North, the authorities said, adding that we are working with KPA (North Korean army) counterparts to resolve this incident.

US national crosses DMZ into North Korea from South, says UN border force

13:33 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

An American citizen has been arrested after crossing the demilitarised zone (DMZ) from South Korea into North Korea, according to the UN Command which oversees the border.

The person was part of a group taking a tour of the Joint Security Area  the border village in the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas which is heavily guarded by soldiers from both sides.

Read more:

American national crosses DMZ into North Korea from South, says UN
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  Vladimir Putin has agreed not to attend an economic summit in Johannesburg next month that will include China's premier and other world leaders because of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for the Russian president, South African authorities said Wednesday.

Russia and summit host South Africa reached a mutual agreement that Putin would not attend the Aug. 22-24 gathering, which brings together a bloc of developing economies known as BRICS, though he was initially invited, the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

The development could be viewed as embarrassing for Putin, who is now expected to be the only leader of a country in the bloc not to attend.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that Putin has decided to take part in the summit via video link, without confirming if he had intended to attend the summit.

It ended months of speculation over whether Putin would travel to South Africa, which is a signatory to the Rome treaty that formed the International Criminal Court and therefore has the obligation to arrest the Russian leader if he sets foot on South African territory.

South Africa had given strong hints that it would not arrest Putin if he attended but had also been lobbying for him not to come to avoid the problem.

South Africa said as recently as last week that the Russian leader had been determined to attend, perhaps as a way to challenge the ICC warrant, which Moscow has dismissed.

Moscow has showcased the BRICS alliance as an alternative to the Wests global dominance, but this year's meeting has proved awkward for Putin following the ICC's move in March to indict him for war crimes relating to the abduction of children from Ukraine.

Although Moscow dismissed the warrant, Putin has not traveled to a country that is a signatory to the ICC treaty since his indictment. Analysts have said that the public debate about whether the Russian leader would or would not travel to South Africa was in itself an unwelcome development for the Kremlin.

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The South African government has strong political ties with Russia, but Putin's attendance would have exposed it to possible diplomatic and legal repercussions.

South Africas main opposition party recently took the government to court in an attempt to compel it to arrest Putin should he travel to the country. The ICC treaty has also become part of South African domestic law, meaning the government could be taken to court in South Africa if it failed to honor its commitment to the international court.

Ramaphosa spoke with Putin by telephone this weekend and held more consultations" with BRICS officials on Tuesday, Ramapohosa's office said in a statement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would attend the BRICS summit in person to represent Russia, Ramaphosa's office said.

Meanwhile, the leaders of all the other BRICS nations, including China's Xi Jinping, would attend the summit, Ramaphosa's office said.

Wednesday's announcement comes a day after a court document was made public in which Ramaphosa said that any attempt by South Africa to arrest Putin would be viewed as a "declaration of war" by Russia. The affidavit made by Ramaphosa was part of the government's response to the court challenge brought by the country's main opposition party to compel it to arrest Putin.

I must highlight, for the sake of transparency, that South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender President Putin, Ramaphosa said in the affidavit. Russia has made it clear that arresting its sitting president would be a declaration of war."

However, Kremlin spokesman Peskov denied that.

No one has indicated anything to anyone," Peskov said. In this world, it is absolutely clear to everyone what an attempt to encroach on the head of the Russian state means. So there is no need to explain anything to anyone here.

___

AP writers Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, and Mogomotsi Magome in Johannesburg contributed to this story.

___

AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
Former President Donald Trump revealed he was sent a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith that says he is a target of an investigation related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Also in the news: Record heat grips parts of the U.S. and what "Barbenheimer" means.

 I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Ketchup and mustard! Happy National Hot Dog Day!

Now, here we go with Wednesday's news.

Donald Trump predicts arrest and indictment

In a written statement, Trump said Tuesday Special Counsel Jack Smith sent a letter "giving me a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment."

The special counsel probe centers on whether Trump incited supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and also includes Trump's efforts to overturn Biden's wins in several states.

What's a target letter? This is a document that prosecutors send to people under investigation, inviting them to testify about their actions and warning them that they could be subject to arrest and indictment.

Trump did not say whether he would appear before the grand jury. He also did not detail what specific charges may be pending and said his attorneys spoke to him about Smith's letter.

Trump complained of "evil prosecutors and a weaponized Department of Justice Tuesday night as he made an unannounced stop through a local county party meeting in Iowa.

More: Trump's fake electors charged by Michigan AG in alleged 2020 election scheme.

Former President Donald Trump departs after a visit with campaign volunteers at the Grimes Community Complex Park, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa.

US soldier detained in North Korea got there on a tour bus

Army Col. Isaac Taylor confirmed Tuesday that a U.S. service member "willfully and without authorization" crossed into North Korea, sparking the latest diplomatic incident between the Cold War foes. The Army identified the American soldier as Pvt. Travis King, who is believed to have gotten to North Korea on a tour bus. King had prior contact with local law enforcement before he spent time at his Army base in South Korea where he was processed before his scheduled flight to the United States, the official said. King was last seen entering a van and being whisked away by North Korean officials. North Korea has been silent about the highly unusual entry. Read more

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A general view shows the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, on July 19, 2022.

More news to know now

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Biden's new student loan forgiveness plan is underway

Dozens of people, most of them student loan borrowers and many holding back tears, on Tuesday implored the federal Education Department to finally do something about their debt. The four hour-long, livestreamed hearing was the first step in a process that President Joe Biden is tapping as part of his revamped effort to provide broad relief. The administrations hope is that this process will result in changes to the countrys primary higher education law that enable widespread student loan debt forgiveness. But its expected to take months, if not longer, and a resulting rule may also face legal challenges. Read more

Why Biden's new student loan forgiveness solution could be excruciatingly long.

Little heat relief in sight as Phoenix reaches record highs

The southern tier of the U.S. continued to swelter Tuesday as temperatures and heat indexes soared above 100 degrees over a large chunk of the nation from Southern California to Florida. In Phoenix, the "Valley of the Sun" is accustomed to extreme summer conditions, but the city set a new record Tuesday: it has now endured 19 straight days with high temperatures of at least 110 degrees, breaking a 1974 record. Meanwhile, heat warnings and advisories were in effect for more than 90 million Americans as record-breaking temperatures swept across the South with little relief in sight. Read more

Heat stories: How people are coping with heat waves across the country.

A car drives on Seventh Street as the temperature of 115 degrees is displayed on a digital billboard in downtown Phoenix on July 17, 2023.

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These articles are for USA TODAY subscribers. You can sign up here.

The 'Barbenheimer phenomenon, explained

The Barbenheimer meme was born early last year when it was announced that Warner Bros.' Barbie would be released in theaters the same day as Universal Pictures Oppenheimer. Twitter instantly latched onto the dichotomy of the two films, cracking jokes about the light and dark nature of the respective movies, and their tongue-in-cheek battle for the soul of America. But the internet running gag has become a real-world sensation in recent weeks, with AMC reporting that 40,000 of its movie club members have already purchased tickets to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer on the same day. Read more

''Barbie'' review: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling dazzle in a hilariously heady toy story.

Christopher Nolan made ''Oppenheimer'' because he thought he'd die in a nuclear Armageddon.

Margot Robbie, left, and Cillian Murphy in their respective summer movies 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer.'

Quick hits

Photo of the day: Lionel Messi's first Inter Miami practice

With David Beckam watching on the pitch, Messis first practice with Major League Socecer was open to at least 200 media members for 15 minutes, and closed to the public. But it didnt stop several fans from lining the streets leading up to the practice field and stadium, hoping to get a glimpse of him. Or a helicopter from hovering above the pitch to get a bird's eye view of the historic moment. Read more

Lionel Messi gives a thumbs up toward journalists on the sideline as he participates in a training session for the Inter Miami MLS soccer team Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this  subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump indictment, North Korea, student loan, heat, weather, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Messi: Daily Briefing
Texas is launching an investigation into a state troopers claims that officers were instructed to push migrants back into the Rio Grande River and not give them water, despite dangerous temperatures in Eagle Pass.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to The Hill the Texas Office of Inspector General is investigating the troopers allegations, noting, There is not a directive or policy that instructs Troopers to withhold water from migrants or push them back into the river.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) began deploying buoys in the middle of the Rio Grande River earlier this July as part of his latest push to secure the border with Mexico. The buoys are supposed to serve as floating barriers to prevent people from swimming across the river and into the United States.

In a July 3 email shared with The Hill by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the concerned trooper-medic said he and other trooper-medics came across an exhausted and tired group of 120 people camped out along the fence line. The trooper said the shift officer in command ordered the troopers to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico. When troopers voiced their concerns about drowning to the command, the trooper said he was told to tell them to go to Mexico and get into our vehicle and leave.

The Houston Courrier was the first to report on the email.

The trooper told Texas DPS of four people he treated on the same day, including:

A 4-year-old girl who tried to cross the razor wire but was pushed back by Texas Guard soldiers in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. He claimed she later passed out due to exhaustion.

A man who had a laceration to one of his legs from what he claims was the razor wire.

A 15-year-old boy who broke his right leg while trying to avoid the razor wire.

A 19-year-old woman who was stuck in the razor wire while having a miscarriage.

With the causality wire running for several miles along the river in areas where it is easier for people to cross [] It forces people to cross in other areas that are deeper and not as safe for people carrying kids and bags, the trooper wrote in the email.

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The trooper claimed five people drowned in the same week near the buoys, including a mother and two children who attempted to cross over a more treacherous part of the river.

In a separate email shared with The Hill, officials from the Texas DPS discussed an increase of injuries from the wire, with the agencys director, Steven McCraw, pushing for a review of safety measures.

The smugglers care not if the migrants are injured, but we do, and we must take all the necessary measures to mitigate the risk to them including injuries from trying [to] cross over from the concertina wire, drownings and dehydration, McCraw wrote in an email chain.

Abbott on Tuesday addressed the troopers concerns in a joint statement with Texas Border Czar Mike Banks, McCraw and Texas Adjutant General Major General Thomas Suelzer.

No orders or directions have been given under Operation Lone Star that would compromise the lives of those attempting to cross the border illegally, reads the statement from the governors office. The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department continue taking steps to monitor migrants in distress, provide appropriate medical attention when needed, and encourage them to use one of the 29 international bridges along the Texas-Mexico Border where they can safely and legally cross.

The statement also addressed the claims of withholding water, stating, All personnel assigned to Operation Lone Star are prepared to detect and respond to any individuals who may need water or medical attention.

The Hill has reached out to the Texas Office of Inspector General for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Attorneys for a Topeka woman say the state's "Stand Your Ground" law gives her immunity from prosecution for fatally stabbing a man who was under a court order to not make contact with her, and had just struck her.

But prosecutors question why the man's body was found wrapped in plastic bags. They also say someone apparently cleaned the house after his death and the woman only admitted stabbing him after being questioned more than 10 hours.

Testimony was heard Monday and Tuesday in a Shawnee County District Court hearing focusing on whether Serena M. Sanchez, 26, should be bound over for trial or has self-defense immunity under Stand Your Ground.

Sanchez faces a charge of intentional second-degree murder linked to the March 6 stabbing death of Rodney D. Clayton, 57, of Topeka, at Sanchez's home at 232 S.W. Harrison.

The hearing was to resume Thursday and was likely to conclude that day, said Shawnee County District Court Judge Maban Wright, who is presiding.

What brought about the killing of Rodney Clayton?

A Topekan contends she's entitled to immunity from prosecution after fatally stabbing a man who was under a court order to not make contact with her.

Shawnee County District Court records show that Clayton, who went by the nickname of "Detroit," was charged Jan. 6 with battery and interference with a law enforcement officer.

A motion for immunity filed April 13 on Sanchez's behalf says those charges against Clayton were linked to an Oct. 7 incident in which he allegedly punched Sanchez, slapped her in the face and dragged her by the hair.

Clayton was ordered, as a condition of bond, to have no contact with Sanchez, the motion said.

In a video aired at Tuesday's hearing showing a police interview conducted late March 6, Sanchez told a detective she invited Clayton into her home earlier that same day in an effort to reconcile with him.

Clayton then got into a shoving match at Sanchez's house with a guest, Richard Aldape, Sanchez's motion for immunity said.

Rodney Clayton died after an artery in his shoulder was severed

That motion said Sanchez stepped between Clayton and Aldape, Clayton hit her in the mouth and she reached into her pocket for the pepper spray she normally carried there.

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The pepper spray wasn't present but a knife was, and Sanchez grabbed it while planning to hit Clayton on the shoulder with the knife while keeping its blade closed, Sanchez's motion for immunity said.

Only after Sanchez hit Clayton with the knife did she realize to her horror that it was open and she had stabbed him in the right shoulder, severing an artery, Sanchez's motion for immunity said.

"She tried to get Aldape and the other people there to help her put pressure on the wound and call 911," it said. "No one would help her."

Clayton walked outside, Sanchez tried to help him and he fell over and hit the ground, Sanchez's motion for immunity said.

"Aldape and other people moved Mr. Clayton's body around to the back of the house," it said. "She left to go talk to her mother about what happened."

Aldape and Clayton were on methamphetamine at the time of the stabbing while an autopsy showed Clayton was also under the influence of amphetamine and alcohol, Sanchez's motion for immunity said.

Detective: Body was tightly wrapped in multiple layers of plastic bags

An unknown person on the morning of March 6 submitted a CrimeStoppers tip saying a dead body was at 320 S.W. 3rd and that the suspect was "Serena Sanchaz," Topeka police Detective Victor Riggin testified Monday.

Riggin said he and two other detectives went to that address, talked to the resident and found nothing there.

Detectives then knocked on the front door next door, where no one answered, Riggin said.

He said that after he went to knock on a separate door at that house, he saw a drop of blood on a nearby sidewalk.

Upon further investigation, police found Clayton's body tightly wrapped in multiple layers of plastic bags outdoors on the ground toward the back of the house, near its southeast corner, Riggin said.

Sanchez was subsequently found to be alone in the house, which had apparently been recently cleaned, he said.

Witness was on supervised release after serving time for murder

Witnesses testifying Tuesday included Aldape, who insisted he did not move Clayton's body.

Tuesday's hearing also included testimony from Topeka police Detective Luke Jones, who said Aldape told him Sanchez had confronted Clayton, then Aldape had stepped between them.

Jones said Aldape told him that after Sanchez stabbed Clayton, she and another person moved his body.

Aldape remains on supervised release by the state of Kansas, having been paroled in 2021 after serving time for first-degree murder in the 1994 shooting death in eastern Shawnee County of Sarah Belle Jones, 27.

Aldape testified after being brought to court from the Shawnee County Jail, where records showed he was being held on a court order linked to the case against Sanchez.

After Aldape finished testifying, Wright said he would be released from jail but would need to provide contact information to the court in case he was needed again.

What arguments are made in Serena Sanchez's motion for immunity?

Kansas' Stand Your Ground law considers a person justified in the use of deadly force against another when the person using force reasonably believes such use of force is necessary to prevent "imminent death or great bodily harm" to themselves or a third party, Sanchez's motion for immunity said.

Sanchez acted in defense of both herself and Aldape, that motion said.

It stressed that the law gives prosecutors the burden of proving that the defendant's use of force wasn't justified.

Sanchez's motion for immunity acknowledged prosecutors might argue that evidence of guilt has been provided by Clayton's body's being moved, the house's being cleaned and the differing statements Sanchez gave to police.

"However, in the totality of the circumstances this court should still find in favor of Ms. Sanchez, because any statements by Aldape are self-serving bias to avoid going back to prison," it said. "The State has no evidence tying Ms. Sanchez to the moving of the body. Ms. Sanchez admitted that she was scared. She went to tell her mother what happened."

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shawnee County murder case hearing focuses on Kansas self-defense law
Generally speaking long term investing is the way to go. But that doesn't mean long term investors can avoid big losses. For example, after five long years the VITA 34 AG (ETR:V3V) share price is a whole 68% lower. That's an unpleasant experience for long term holders. We also note that the stock has performed poorly over the last year, with the share price down 49%. The falls have accelerated recently, with the share price down 26% in the last three months.

Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

Check out our latest analysis for VITA 34

VITA 34 isn't currently profitable, so most analysts would look to revenue growth to get an idea of how fast the underlying business is growing. Generally speaking, companies without profits are expected to grow revenue every year, and at a good clip. That's because it's hard to be confident a company will be sustainable if revenue growth is negligible, and it never makes a profit.

In the last half decade, VITA 34 saw its revenue increase by 29% per year. That's better than most loss-making companies. In contrast, the share price is has averaged a loss of 11% per year - that's quite disappointing. This could mean high expectations have been tempered, potentially because investors are looking to the bottom line. Given the revenue growth we'd consider the stock to be quite an interesting prospect if the company has a clear path to profitability.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

Take a more thorough look at VITA 34's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet.

A Different Perspective

Investors in VITA 34 had a tough year, with a total loss of 49%, against a market gain of about 11%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 11% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks, for example - VITA 34 has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

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If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Trump's one-time White House lawyer told CNN he thinks the former president could be indicted in Jack Smith's Capitol riot investigation as soon as Thursday.

Ty Cobb also said he thinks Trump could be charged with conspiracy, obstruction, and aiding insurrectionists.

Smith's office informed Trump that he was a target in the investigation over the weekend.

Former President Donald Trump's one-time White House counsel said Tuesday that if Trump is indicted in the Justice Department's Capitol riot probe, it'll happen as soon as Thursday and no later than Monday.

Ty Cobb, who served as Trump's White House special counsel in 2017 and 2018, told CNN's Erin Burnett that he believes Trump will be charged with obstruction of justice, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy to defraud the US. He added that he also thinks there's a chance Trump could be charged with giving aid and comfort to insurrectionists.

"There are a variety of ways to charge this that all boil down to the same conduct," Cobb told CNN Tuesday.

Specifically, he was referring to Trump's efforts to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject electors from battleground states that Joe Biden won in the 2020 election; efforts to stop some of those states from certifying Biden's victory; and his potential interference with witnesses.

"There's an outside chance that he could be charged with giving aid and comfort to the insurrectionists," Cobb added, "as a result of his three hours of inaction" on the day of the Capitol riot, and his "intervening message calling Pence a coward."

Cobb has long believed that special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the Capitol riot is the most dangerous legal threat the former president faces.

"No matter what, the most serious case he faces is the January 6 investigation," Cobb told Insider last August. "Not necessarily because of January 6 alone but coupled with the fake electors scheme and the interference alleged in Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere."

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"That's the case that has him at the most risk and is more at the heart of what the Justice Department would take seriously," he added.

Trump said on Truth Social Tuesday that Smith's office sent him a letter over the weekend formally notifying him that he is a target for criminal prosecution in connection to the sprawling January 6 investigation. Target letters often  but not always  precede an indictment, in which prosecutors formally lay out the criminal charges they're bringing against someone.

Trump's announcement Tuesday was the biggest sign yet that he could be indicted for a third time. He was previously charged in New York in connection to a $130,000 payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels, and he was federally indicted in Florida in relation to his handling of classified documents.

Insider reached out to a lawyer for Trump for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Woohae Cho - Getty Images

On July 18, the 170-meter-long Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Kentucky glided up to a quay in the port city of Busan, South Korealocated at the southeastern tip of the Korean peninsulawhile under escort by two U.S. missile destroyers.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Craft/US Navy - Wikimedia Commons

This was the first visit to South Korea by a U.S. submarine designed to lob intercontinental-range nuclear missiles in 42 yearsone aimed at demonstrating what Biden described as the U.Ss ironclad commitment to extend nuclear deterrence to South Korea. South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, his wife, and members of the local press were invited onboard the submarine for a tour.

But just a few hours after Kentuckys arrival, North Korea responded to the visit as gracefully as observers have come to expectby launching two short-range ballistic missiles at 3:30 and 3:46 AM. According to South Koreas military, the eastward-bound missiles traversed 340 miles, flying in a relatively shallow arc (with an apogee of 160,000 feet). The weapons demonstratively performed evasive maneuvers before splashing down into the Sea of Japan without incident.

Shortly after the US ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) arrived in South Korea, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea at roughly the same distance as to Busan where the submarine is docked with 90 nuclear warheads onboard. https://t.co/utuK3sF4Zt pic.twitter.com/QYAWo1bo2V  Hans Kristensen (@nukestrat) July 19, 2023

North Koreas defense ministry stated with characteristic maximalism the visit might incite the worst crisis of nuclear conflict. Kim Yo Jong, sister to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, also claimed that the foolish act[and] extended deterrence system and excessively extended military alliance system would cause North Korea to go farther away from the negotiating table.

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Lately, North Korea has also been mad about U.S. surveillance flights over nearby international airspacea North Korean spokesperson threatened that ...there is no guarantee that such a shocking accident as the downing of the U.S. Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen. In addition, the country was upset about the meeting of a Nuclear Consultation Group between South Korea and the U.S., designed to work out how they would collaboratively respond to a North Korean nuclear attack.

Ironically, while the nuclear-armed Kentucky may be one of the most destructive weapon systems on the planet, its probably incapable of harming North Korea while visiting South Korea. Indeed, the symbolic visit is likely aimed more at influencing the leadership of South Korea than North Korea.

Why is Kentucky in South Korea?

Kentucky is one of 14 remaining nuclear-powered Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (known as SSBNs or boomers). Four of the original 18 were converted to carry large numbers of non-nuclear Tomahawk cruise missiles. One such converted cruise missile sub (or SSGN), the USS Michigan, actually visited Busan about a month earlier for a special warfare exercise. This exercise occurred with a drydeck shelter visible on its decklikely for transporting exotic reconnaissance systemsas seen in the last visit in 2017.

Handout - Getty Images

Meanwhile, the remaining Ohio-class SSBNs still carry up to 20 Trident II D5 ballistic missiles (down from 24 to meet a New START treaty requirement), each armed with multiple nuclear warheads that can threaten targets over 8,000 miles away. Thanks to nuclear propulsion, the submarines can quietly cruise underwater for two to three months.



The Kentuckys port visit is an unusual event, as the Navy usually exposes its SSBN fleet to the minimum of public scrutinywhich one would expect of such apocalyptic weapons.

That said, South Korea became the first Pacific country ever visited by an American SSBN when USS Sam Houston buzzed by Chinhae in December of 1976. The Carter administration had wanted to reassure South Korea of the U.S.s security commitment after withdrawing nuclear weapons from South Korean soil and pressuring the country to abandon its nuclear weapons program. The withdrawn nukes included Nikes-Hercules air defenses missiles, and MGR-1 Honest John, and MGM-29 Sergeant tactical ballistic missiles.

Baek Jong-sik (CCA-SA 2.5) - Wikimedia Commons

Thirty-four additional port visits by earlier-generation U.S. boomers followed before the program was abruptly and mysteriously discontinued after a final visit by SSBN Robert E. Lee in March of 1981. In 1991, the U.S. withdrew its last remaining tactical nuclear weapons from Korean soilincluding various nuclear gravity bombs, artillery shells and even nuclear landmines (ADMs).



Over 40 years later, the U.S. first announced plans to resume periodic U.S. SSBN visits to South Korean ports late in April, following a trip to Washington by South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeolthough, date of the first visit wasnt specified at the time to preserve operational security.

Specialist 2nd Class Adam Craft/US Navy - Wikimedia Commons

But the visit to Busan should be read as a symbolic act, not a direct projection of military power.

First of all, the Kentucky doesnt pose any sort of enhanced threat to North Korea when visiting South Korea, as its intercontinental-range ballistic missiles are designed to engage targets from over 7,400 miles away.

In fact, the Kentuckys Trident II D5 nuclear missiles are likely entirely incapable of threatening North Korea when visiting South Korea, as theyre estimated to possess a minimum range of 1,200 miles or more. Quite simply, a ballistic missile lobbed into the stratosphere with enough force to send it across the Pacific Ocean cant pull off a hairpin turn to hit a target just a few hundred miles away.

Lt. Jennifer Bowman/US Navy - Wikimedia Commons

The Kentucky, therefore, actually poses a much greater threat when its lurking far away than in a South Korean port. There, instead of being able to hide out of sight, its observable and within easy striking range of North Koreas military.

Kentuckys visit is really aimed at South Korea, not North Korea. In particular, its aimed at reassuring South Koreas leadership that it is reliably protected by U.S. nuclear deterrence at a time when there is growing domestic support for South Korea developing its own nuclear weapons. Thats something that South Korea could do very quickly, due to its mature civilian nuclear power sector and prior military research.

For now, South Korea still abides by a 1992 agreement with North Korea (which the latter flagrantly violated) not to test, build, or deploy nuclear weapons.

Of course, the visit also officially serves as a warning to North Korea over its vigorous testing of a wide variety of nuclear-weapon delivery systems in the last few years. The country has launched more than 100 since 2022.

Most recently, on July 11, that list of launches grew to include a solid-fuel variant of the Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile, which demonstrated enough energy to reach deep inside the continental United States. Compared to liquid-fueled missileswhich must be laboriously gassed-up prior to firingsolid-fuel missiles can be fired on very short notice, greatly reducing visible forewarning to surveillance assets.

However, the U.S. is probably not so deluded to think that the Kentuckys visit will greatly affect North Koreas resolve, as countless other warnings and shows of force over decades have failed to do so. Instead, the visit simply reminds North Korea thatat any given timemultiple SSBNs are lurking faraway in the Pacific ocean, and North Koreas military simply has no realistic ability to locate and attack preemptively.

Nicknamed the Thoroughbred of the Fleet, SSBN 737 Kentucky was launched in 1990 at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Connecticut, its low-carbon steel alloy hull christened with bourbon in homage to its namesake state.

Specialist 1st Class Amanda R. Gray/US Navy - Wikimedia Commons

In 1998, Kentucky collided with the Los Angeles-class attack-submarine San Juan during a training mission, damaging the boomers diving planes and, more seriously, breaching San Juans forward ballast tanks. Fortunately, no injuries resulted, and San Juan remains in service today. Kentucky, meanwhile, underwent its mid-life overhaul and nuclear refueling between 2012 and 2015, and resumed service in the U.S. Pacific Fleets Submarine Squadron 17 (SUBRON 17) based at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington.

It remains unclear how long Kentucky will stay in Busan.

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Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Twitter

Travis King, the 23-year-old American soldier who crossed the border into North Korea willfully and without authorization on Tuesday, had been breaking down after the tragic death of his 7-year-old cousin earlier this year, Kings uncle told The Daily Beast.

Carl Gates, the brother of Kings mother, said in a phone interview on Wednesday that he had been one of the last people to communicate with King over the phone before he defected to North Korea.

His mom came down on a few occasions, and she then talked to him and let him know what was going on with my son. And it seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot, Gates told The Daily Beast. Because he couldnt be here. He was in the Army, overseas.

Gates son, KingNazir, died in late February 2023 from a rare genetic disorder that had him on life support in the final days of his life. His case made local news headlines as one of few children in the world to have been diagnosed with SPTLC 2, which is untreatable.

When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away Travis started [being] reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die, Gates, who described himself as a father figure to King, told The Daily Beast. I know it was related to what he did.

U.S. Soldier Reportedly Cackled HA-HA-HA! While Defecting to North Korea

King, a U.S. Army private from Racine, Wisconsin, had been locked up in a South Korean detention center for 47 days before being scheduled to fly back to Fort Bliss, Texas, on Monday, according to U.S. officials who spoke to CBS and ABC.

On Wednesday, Reuters reported that King had faced two assault allegations and had been fined for damaging a police car in South Korea in an incident last October.

He was reportedly escorted to Incheon International Airport as far as the customs checkpointbut instead of boarding the plane, he left the airport and joined an organized tour of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and Joint Security Area (JSA) separating the Korean Peninsula.

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While the tour was underway, King crossed, without authorization, the Military Demarcation Line into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States Command said in a statement. We believe he is currently in DPRK custody and are working with our KPA counterparts to resolve this incident.

One witness quoted by NK News, who was reportedly on the same tour King had joined, recounted the moment King allegedly made a run for itaway from the group and across the border into North Korea.

To our right, we hear a loud HA-HA-HA and one guy from OUR GROUP that has been with us all day runs in between two of the buildings and over to the other side It took everybody a second to react and grasp what had actually happened, then we were ordered into and through Freedom House and running back to our military bus, the witness allegedly wrote in a social media post.

Kings uncle Gates told The Daily Beast that the U.S. soldier loved and cherished his son, adding that he was concerned for the family in the aftermath of the tragic death.

Picture yourself being in the Army and your baby cousin from your favorite, my only child, hes struggling and going through pain. And hes crying like a baby, and now youre in the service and you cant do nothing about it. And then youre crying like a baby, Gates said. The pain came from my son, and it escalated to this shit.

In a statement to ABC, Kings mother, Claudina Gates, said she was shocked by the news of his crossing into North Korea and that she only wants him to come home.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters that the U.S. governments first priority is the welfare of our troop, adding that he expects more information about Kings circumstances to emerge in the next few days.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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[Source]

A United Nations expert group that conducted an investigation on the arrest and detention of Cambodian American human rights activist and lawyer Theary Seng has issued a call for her immediate release.

Unlawful detention: In a judgment released on July 12, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that Seng is being "arbitrarily detained in violation of international law."

Seng was sentenced to a six-year prison term in June of last year after being convicted of conspiracy to commit treason and other charges in a mass trial. Cambodian authorities accused Seng and her co-defendants of organizing the failed attempt by the Cambodian National Rescue Party's leader, Sam Rainsy, to return from exile in 2019.

At the time, the U.S. condemned the trial for being politically motivated, aimed at curbing opposition against the rule of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1998.

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Political motivation: The UN report stated Seng was jailed for making two Facebook posts criticizing Hun and her conviction was due to the regime's "political motivation." According to the report, Seng's detention is part of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression, taking into account the various violations of due process she faced that were aimed at silencing her.

Seng, who escaped Cambodia as a child following the genocide under the radical-communist Khmer Rouge regime, grew up in Michigan before returning to Cambodia in 2004. She founded two non-governmental organizations focusing on human rights and civic engagement.

The Perseus Strategies, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Freedom House organizations represented Seng pro-bono and brought her case before the UN working group.

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Imbued with a moral compass that never waivers, Theary Seng is a hero of human rights, democratic reforms, and justice," international counsel Kerry Kennedy said in a statement. "Her voice, fearless and mighty, was then and is today vital to freedom. In concert with the recommendations of the Working Group, Theary Seng must be immediately released."

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Hold to power: The UN report comes just over a week ahead of Cambodia's general election, which is expected to result in a landslide victory for Hun Sen and his ruling Cambodian People's Party.

The only viable opposition party, the Candlelight Party, was disqualified from participating in the election due to a technicality imposed by the National Election Committee. Pro-democracy groups have long criticized Cambodian courts for their perceived lack of independence from Hun Sen's influence.

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Ruling out any possibility of pardoning Seng, Hun publicly instructed the Justice Minister last month to dismiss any requests for amnesty or sentence reduction on her behalf.

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Arata Isozaki, renowned architect of iconic buildings throughout the world, dies at 91
South Korean and US soldiers at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, in July 2017. Jung Yeon-Je/AP

US soldier Travis King "willfully" crossed into North Korea, the US defense secretary said.

The soldier's uncle said he had been "breaking down" over the illness and death of his young cousin.

"I know it was related to what he did," his uncle told The Daily Beast.

A US soldier who crossed into North Korea on Tuesday had been "breaking down" over the death of his seven-year-old cousin, his uncle told The Daily Beast.

US officials identified the soldier as Travis King. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was believed to be in North Korean custody after he "willfully and without authorization" crossed the border between South Korea and North Korea.

King's uncle, Carl Gates, said he was one of the last people to speak to King before the incident, and described himself as a "father figure" to him.

He told The Daily Beast that King had struggled with his son's illness and death.

Gates' son, King'Nazir, spent days on life support before dying from a rare genetic disorder in February.

"When my son was on life support, and when my son passed away Travis started reckless [and] crazy when he knew my son was about to die," Gates said.

"I know it was related to what he did," he added.

"And it seemed like he was breaking down. It affected Travis a lot," Gates said. "Because he couldn't be here. He was in the army, overseas."

An Army spokesperson told Insider that King joined in January 2021.

King had been held in a South Korean prison for almost two months over assault charges before the incident, and was being brought back to the US on Tuesday, but left the airport and joined the tour instead of getting on the plane, US officials told The Associated Press.

A witness on the same tour as King told CBS News what happened at the North Korean border.

"This man gives out a loud 'ha ha ha,' and just runs in between some buildings," they said, adding: "I thought it was a bad joke at first, but when he didn't come back, I realized it wasn't a joke, and then everybody reacted and things got crazy."

Story continues

It is unclear what King's motivations were, and if he was defecting to North Korea. It's also not clear what North Korea will now do with him.

Austin said the US military was "closely monitoring and investigating the situation, and working to notify the soldier's next of kin, and engaging to address this incident."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Magical Diplomacy Tour

On a recent trip to Beijing, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and her dinner companions feasted on Chinese wild mushrooms that are believed to be hallucinogenic, CNN reports, setting off questions and a surge of interest in the fungi on both sides of the pond.

The mushrooms, known as jian shou qing, are so potent that they can send you on a bender for days, according to an expert who spoke to CNN. But they're known as a delicacy in China's Yunnan, a landlocked province that borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

"I have a friend who mistakenly ate them and hallucinated for three days," mushroom expert and professor at the Kunming Institute of Botany in Yunnan Peter Mortimer told CNN.

Trip Sitter

Thankfully, there were no reports of Yellen or her dinner companions suffering hallucinogenic bouts after ordering four portions of the shrooms from the Yunnan-style restaurant chain Yi Zuo Yi Wang, which translates into "In and Out." Apparently, the mushrooms are rendered harmless when you cook them properly.

After Yellen's visit earlier this month, CNN reports that Chinas state news agency Xinhua interviewed shoppers buying the same shroom Yellen ate, which are knobbly looking and have a reddish color, with one person saying eating them sent her on a tailspin: "You thought you were walking straight but you just fell sideways."

Back in America, hallucinogenic mushrooms  by far the most common being psilocybin remain illegal at the federal level but are slowly gaining acceptance for recreation and the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. For example, Oregon allowed adult use of psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, earlier this year.

Mushroom Diplomacy

The occasion for Yellen's trip was to smooth over the often turbulent US-China relations, according to CNN. Perhaps her willingness to eat at a Yunnan-style restaurant went a long way towards making a favorable impression, since her dinner was avidly followed on the Chinese micro-blogging website Weibo.

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The restaurant confirmed the visit and said in a translation provided by CNN: "Our staff said she loved mushrooms very much. She ordered four portions of jian shou qing (a Yunnan wild mushroom species). It was an extremely magical day."

The visit prompted a surge of orders for the same dish, CNN reports  and the video segment from Xinhua, thankfully, provided guidance on how to ingest them without getting high as heck.

More on mushrooms: After Blowing Up Crypto Industry, Exec Turns to Magic Mushrooms
The News

A new video appears to show Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group, making his first public appearance since his failed rebellion against the Kremlin more than three weeks ago.

In the video, which has not been independently verified, a man who appears to be Prigozhin is welcoming his troops in Belarus, telling them, What is happening at the front is a shame in which we do not need to participate, according to Meduza.

He says, And wait for the moment when we can prove ourselves in full, adding that they will be in Belarus for some time.

Belarus offered to host Wagner troops in return for putting down arms during their attempted coup.

Here are curated insights from experts and advocates on what to make of Prigozhins speech and his plans for the mercenary group.

Insights

Veteran Russian military officer Dmitry Utkin, a central Wagner figure, also appeared to have addressed troops in the video. A potential takeaway from his and Prigozhins speeches was that a significant cadre of Wagner personnel may have have been assigned to train the Belarusian army, according to conflict analyst Alec Bertina. Prigozhin allegedly vowed to make it the second army of the world in his speech. Utkins apparent appearance in the video is no small thing either and confirmed that Wagner would be based in Belarus, Bertina said.

Wagner has several other less chaotic and more reliable rivals that can provide security services in Africa , writes former UN Security Council investigator Amanda Kadlec. Wagner has proven immensely popular in some countries like the Central African Republic, but that could change if the spat between Prigozhin and Putin shows Wagner as incompetent or unreliable because of the chaos at home.

The U.S. and EU should take lessons from their sanctions battle against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda to kill the Wagner virus abroad, actor George Clooney and The Sentry co-founder John Prendergast write for The Economist. Building an ad-hoc coalition" and targeting lawyers and financiers who enable Wagner in Africa, would deter any future alliances on the continent and weaken a large cog in Russias colonial looting machine, the pair argue.

Story continues

Know More

I want to ask everyone to really pay attention to the fact that Belarusians welcomed us not only as heroes, but also as brothers, Prigozhin reportedly tells his troops in the video.

He also suggests that the mercenary group should recover and prepare to set off on a new journey to Africa, and only return when we will be confident that we will not be asked to make an embarrassment of ourselves and our experience.

A CNN satellite imagery analysis confirmed Tuesday that the first convoy of Wagner fighters arrived in Belarus on Tuesday, with at least another two expected to arrive over the coming days.
Brenza Duane Mills reacts to a prosecutor's recommendation that he be held in lieu of $100,000 bail in Yakima County Superior Court Monday, July 17, 2023. Mills is accused of stabbing a 70-year-old man in a fight the day before.
(Bloomberg) -- Jefferies Financial Group Inc. is expanding deeper into private credit by raising its first private business development company focused on providing first-lien senior secured loans to private equity-backed US companies.

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Jefferies Credit Partners, the asset management arm of Jefferies Finance LLC, is launching the BDC, according to a statement Wednesday. A unit of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority will anchor the vehicle with a $625 million of equity investment. The BDC will start with $1.7 billion of investable capital.

Investors are interested in getting exposure to private credit and what they find is differentiated about the Jefferies platform is the power of the sourcing engine provided through over 1,400 investment bankers, Jason Kennedy, chief executive officer and president of the BDC, said in an interview. We are at the front end of levered buyout and financing opportunities coming into the market.

The BDC will seek to lend to mid-sized borrowers with more than $75 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization that benefit from established track records, seasoned management and operational scale, the statement said. The fund has already deployed 12% of available capital.

Private credit has grown into a $1.5 trillion industry as companies seek to avoid choppy broadly-syndicated financial markets and investors look for opportunities to lend at higher yields. Jefferies launch of a non-traded BDC follows a string of similarly-structured vehicles by firms including Golub Capital, HPS Investment Partners, Blue Owl Capital, Apollo Global Management and Fidelity.

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Jefferies Finance is also contributing capital alongside ADIA to get the fund off the ground, kicking off global marketing of the fund, Kennedy said.

This agreement with ADIA to seed our first BDC comes as the tailwinds in the private credit market have never been stronger, Thomas Brady, president of Jefferies Finance, said in the statement.

(Adds executive quote in final paragraph. An earlier story corrected the size of the private credit industry in the fifth paragraph.)

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The Columbia River runs through the 580-square-mile Hanford nuclear reservation in Eastern Washington where plutonium was produced for the nations nuclear weapons program.
John Kerry Says the US and China Need More Time to Break Ground on Climate

(Bloomberg) -- Washington and Beijing need more time to break new ground in their shared mission to combat global warming, US climate envoy John Kerry said after days of talks in Beijing ended without sweeping new commitments.

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We got a long way with it, and we just ran out of administrative time and capacity to chase it down, Kerry said in an interview Wednesday night. But were in the chase.

The US and China committed to work intensively in the weeks ahead, with talks proceeding on an accelerated schedule ahead of a critical UN climate summit starting this November in Dubai, Kerry said. China agreed with the US that countries should strive to limit warming to no more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels  a critical tipping point  and that we have to be reducing coal faster, he added.

Chinese officials havent yet offered public comment on the outcome of the negotiations.

Initial conversations in weeks ahead are set to focus on integrating renewable power to scale down the use of coal-fired electricity, Kerry said in the interview. Both countries also are set to discuss better addressing methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, going beyond carbon dioxide, as they lay a foundation for formal 2035 climate pledges under the Paris Agreement.

The lengthy meetings between Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua provided a key opportunity to reset bilateral relations nearly a year after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis controversial visit to Taiwan scuttled plans for a retreat, a working group and other collaboration on stemming planet-warming pollution.

Kerry stressed that negotiators did not want to rush out a joint statement that wouldnt spur significant action. The goal is to do something real and compelling, he said, and ensure were not just putting words on paper.

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Still, the lack of a grand declaration is a setback for global climate negotiations, whose success so often depends on alignment between the US and China, the worlds top two greenhouse gas emitters. Even as talks were ongoing in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned the nation will not let outsiders dictate its carbon-cutting path  further underscoring the difficulty in finding consensus.

Read More: Xi Says China to Decide Its Own Path to Reduce Carbon Emissions

Kerry is the third major US official to visit Beijing in recent weeks, as the Biden administration seeks to restore broader dialogue amid tensions on trade controls, human rights and other issues. Republicans blasted Kerrys quest, saying he was returning to the US empty-handed.

The trip was a waste of time, said Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican from Washington state who heads the House energy committee. Chinas goal isnt reducing emissions, but ensuring the US is dangerously dependent on them for our energy needs, she said.

Scientists have warned the world faces more dangerous extreme weather events with every fraction of a degree that the Earths temperature rises. Greenhouse gas reductions by China and the US are essential to preventing that from happening. China alone was responsible for about a third of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere in 2021. The US also has spewed more of that planet-warming gas over decades as it burned coal, oil and natural gas to build its economy.

US-China collaboration on the issue has helped pave the way for global climate pacts, including the 2015 Paris Agreement and an accord inked in Glasgow two years ago.

It will be important the two countries can find a way to send a collective signal before the COP28 summit in Dubai, said Thom Woodroofe, founding director of the Asia Society Policy Institutes China Climate Hub. The optics bode well for future rounds of discussion, possibly including between President Joe Biden and Xi at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit in California in November, he added.

Amid turbulent US-China relations, even the plan to keep talking is important, stressed Joanna Lewis, an expert in China and international policy at Georgetown University. But, she added, the clock is ticking: With only four months until COP28, there isnt much time to get to something more concrete.

During this weeks negotiations, China also backed findings from the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which has warned the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C is almost out of reach, according to a senior State Department official said. Thats a notable shift following moves by China to downplay the IPCCs work in recent UN negotiations, the official said.

Read More: This Year Is Already on Track to Be the Hottest Ever Recorded

But there were disputes over Chinas plans to expand its fleet of coal-fired power plants, a major source of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions. Even as it sets records installing wind and solar farms, China permitted the equivalent of two new coal plants a week last year as it seeks to shore up energy security, according to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Though the facilities may never run at full capacity, the coal buildout offsets some of the benefits of Chinas mammoth renewable installation. Kerry repeatedly  and unsuccessfully  pressed for a curtailment this week.

He also appealed to the countrys self-interest in combating climate change, highlighting the extreme heat now menacing parts of the US, Europe and Asia as a sign of whats to come.

We are trying to break new ground  and thats hard, Kerry said Wednesday night, as he prepared to leave China. But if we dont break new ground, its going to be even harder to be able to tame the monster that has been created in terms of the climate crisis.

--With assistance from Dan Murtaugh, Luz Ding and Colum Murphy.

(Updates with comment from Republican lawmaker in tenth paragraph)

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Nu sunt de acord cu acest rasism

Controversatul artist Gheboasa a ridicat un nou val de discutii in mediul online si in comunitatea muzicala dupa ce a fost amendat de catre Jandarmeria din Cluj in urma versurilor interpretate pe scena festivalului Untold. Artistul acuza ca amenda si actiunea jandarmilor au fost motivate de rasism, generand astfel o dezbatere [citeste mai departe]
(Bloomberg) -- Kering SA is speaking to defense advisers as activist investors including Bluebell Capital Partners Ltd. circle the French luxury group, people with knowledge of the matter said.

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Bluebell has taken a stake in Kering and recently met company officials, some of the people said. It is seeking improvements at Kerings Gucci business as well as organizational changes and potential deals, according to the people.

The French company has been dusting off its defense strategies and preparing to beef up shareholder engagement efforts, they said. Forcing change at Kering could be difficult for any activist, given the Pinault family is the biggest shareholder with a 42% stake and 59.3% of voting rights as of the end of last year.

Kering shares rose as much as 7.7% on Wednesday for their biggest intraday gain in more than eight months. The stock was up 7.5% at 5:18 p.m. in Paris, giving the company a market value of about 65.9 billion. Kerings stock has heavily trailed rival luxury groups LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE and Hermes International over the last 12 months.

Gucci Changes

Kering, led by Francois-Henri Pinault, said Tuesday that Guccis chief executive officer will leave the brand as it moves to turn around the previously high-flying Italian label following a slump in its performance.

Gucci sales disappointed in the first quarter, rising just 1% on a comparable basis against analyst expectations of a 2.7% increase. The brand, which sells everything from Double G belts to furry Princetown slippers, accounted for around two-thirds of Kerings operating profit last year. Kering reports first-half earnings on July 27.

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Theres a lot going on Kering at the moment, said Ariane Hayate, fund manager at Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management in Paris. Notwithstanding the management reshuffle, second quarter results are expected to be pretty weak and Kering needs to show real improvement in its results if it wants to re-rate further.

Corporate Shake-Ups

In its meetings with Kering, Bluebell also brought up the merits of a merger with Richemont, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Bluebell targeted the Swiss luxury group last year and sought changes to its board and model for shareholder representation.

Richemont investors ultimately rejected Bluebells proposal to add one of its founding partners, former Bulgari CEO Francesco Trapani, to the board. Still, the activist claimed partial victory as the Swiss company granted more influence to Class A shareholders for the first time in more than 30 years.

Johann Rupert, Richemonts controlling shareholder, said in May that investment bankers had pitched a potential tie-up with Kering two years ago, but for the record, we said no.

In 2021, when it acquired Danish eyewear brand Lindberg, Kering said it wouldnt rule out transformational M&A. Last month, it agreed to acquire high-end perfumer Creed in a step toward building a powerful position in beauty and fragrances.

Theres precious little an activist can do at a family-controlled company, according to Luca Solca, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. Challenging controlling shareholders in this sector is difficult, as the recent Cie Financiere Richemont example shows, he said.

New Designs

Bluebell was co-founded by Giuseppe Bivona and Marco Taricco. In recent years, its launched campaigns against high-profile companies ranging from French food group Danone SA to Toronto-based cinema chain Cineplex Inc.

It has also taken positions and pushed for changes at British drugmaker GSK Plc and German chemical producer Bayer AG. Bluebells previous targets have often attracted attention from other investors including Elliott Investment Management and Artisan Partners.

Gucci is weathering a transition after naming Sabato De Sarno as its new creative director in January. The Italian designer, who is joining from Valentino SpA, will unveil his first collection in September at Milans Womens Fashion Week. His clothes wont be available in stores until early next year.

Read More: TPG-Backed CAA in Talks to Sell Majority Stake to Pinault

--With assistance from Nishant Kumar, Angelina Rascouet and Julien Ponthus.

(Adds analyst comments in paragraphs seven and 12.)

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Sixth District mayor Tamas Soproni has run out of patience with Magyar Telekom over the companys failure to dismantle disused phone booths in the district, as promised.

Soproni said the company assured him in April that although it did not plan to reduce the number of booths that still have working telephones, it would at least dismantle those that were used mostly as pissoirs and bar counters in the absence of phone sets. For example, on Terez korut and Podmaniczky utca.







This apparently did not happen, as the mayor declared on his Facebook page on Tuesday that we have had enough of their lack of action, so we decided to make it obvious to everybody that Magyar Telekom is responsible for the state of the booths, for the shame that is in the heart of Budapest, which can be seen by thousands of people every day.







Soproni personally pasted posters on the phone booths on Terez korut asking:

- Do you also think this looks like a public WC? The company responsible for cleaning it is Telekom.

- If this booth were ours, we would be very ashamed. This booth belongs to Telekom.

- Do you know whose job it is to clean this booth? Telekoms.







Soproni said he has corresponded since 2021 with Magyar Telekom and the media authority NMHH so that these indescribably ugly, dirty, mostly useless downtown telephone booths should disappear or at least they should be cleaned, but they never got around to that.







The NMHH can decide how many telephone booths it is mandatory to maintain in a settlement. Such booths stand every 100 metres on Terez korut, but Soproni argues that this number is entirely unjustified, regardless of the condition of the booths, as the telephones are used for 20 minutes a month, on average.
Hungary is extending its cooperation agreement with the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) by one year with the aim of improving the situation of children fleeing Ukraine, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in New York on Monday.

Basic questions concerning the future of children in Ukraine were becoming uncertain, so children should be helped the most, Szijjarto said after meeting UNICEFs executive director, adding that more and more children would turn into the wars victims the longer it lasted.



Hungary, he noted, signed an agreement with UNICEF last year with a view to ensuring refugee children from Ukraine maximum support, with access to education and health care.



Around 1,300 schools and kindergartens in Hungary have taken in Ukrainian children, he added.



Today we are extending the agreement by one year, he said, noting that UNICEF and Hungary are cooperating on implementing professional programmes for the children involved.



Szijjarto also emphasised that UNICEF moved its global service center to Hungary eight years ago, and the possibility of its expansion would be discussed.
With the launch of support for Microsoft SharePoint Online and Google BigQuery, customers can see and secure their organizations data across the entire digital landscape

TEL AVIV, Israel & NEW YORK, July 19, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Laminar, the leading agile data security platform provider, today announced it has added Microsoft SharePoint Online and Google BigQuery to its existing support for Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Snowflake. The additions make the Laminar Data Security Platform the first and only cloud-native data security solution to support all major cloud service providers (CSPs), leading data warehouses, and common software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications used by todays top enterprises.

The clouds limitless potential is rooted in the data that an organization has, and what they do with it. To power innovation, 94% of enterprises use cloud services and applications. Microsoft SharePoint is the third most popular enterprise application, with 65% of its users adopting the cloud version, SharePoint Online. Employees routinely collaborate on shared content, and developers work with it as well to automate business processes, track progress, and share information across departments or with partners.

Similarly, Google BigQuery is one of the top three data warehouse solutions. It is a powerful analytics platform that excels at processing and analyzing massive volumes of data quickly and efficiently. With its scalable architecture and advanced querying capabilities, BigQuery enables organizations to gain valuable insights from their data in real time, empowering data-driven decision-making and accelerating business growth.

Both solutions enable developers, data scientists, and other innovators to be creative and extract the maximum value from their operational data. For instance, business intelligence staff may use these tools to analyze customer purchase patterns or sales trends, while data scientists may look out for hidden associations within the data to inform new strategies. Unfortunately, these same activities also open organizations up to significant risk by generating unknown or "shadow" data  a top concern for 93% of data security and governance professionals.

Story continues

Data security needs to be agnostic to the infrastructure in which data resides. Security posture must also travel with the data, as it moves through the cloud and the related data warehouses and applications. By adding support for Microsoft SharePoint Online and Google BigQuery, customers using the Laminar Data Security Platform can now discover, classify, and secure data in even more environments. Thus, data security and governance teams can see and secure their organizations data consistently across the entire digital landscape.

"Data security is different, and more challenging in the cloud. Shadow data is everywhere and data security pros want to know where their sensitive data is, how it is accessed, used, and protected. Whether its structured, unstructured, managed, in SaaS, data warehouse, or embedded database" said Amit Shaked, CEO and Co-Founder, Laminar. "They are not experts in SaaS/PaaS/IaaS and certainly not individual data storage services. They want visibility into all their cloud data from a single source. Our continued support for the diversity of cloud environments, including now SaaS, means customers can have a unified, consistent approach to data security."

The news continues Laminars ongoing product innovation, following the announcement of support for GCP and Snowflake, as well as data detection and response (DDR) and data access governance (DAG) capabilities.

To learn more about the Laminar Data Security Platform, visit https://laminarsecurity.com.

About Laminar

Laminar is the leading agile data security platform and provides organizations with the visibility and control they need to achieve data security, governance, and privacy in the cloud. Our cloud-native data security solution continuously discovers and classifies all cloud data, structured and unstructured, across managed and self-hosted data stores, including unknown shadow data, without the data ever leaving your environment. It analyzes access, usage patterns, and security posture, and provides actionable, guided remediation for data security risk. Laminar connects to your multi-cloud environment including AWS, Azure, GCP, Snowflake, BigQuery and SaaS applications via APIs and is agentless, asynchronous, and completely autonomous.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719002397/en/

Contacts

Touchdown PR for Laminar

Shannon Cieciuch

laminar@touchdownpr.com
Thanks to the establishment of an international school in Debrecen, high quality multilingual education is now available not only in the capital, but also in another dynamically developing part of the country.

International recognition has recently arrived: in its fourth year of operation, the school has been awarded the International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation for all three of its educational programmes: the Primary Years Programme (from kindergarten to Grade 5), the Middle Years Programme (secondary school) and the Diploma Programme (last two years before graduation).



Director Tom McLean explained, that the aim all along has been to create an IB education in Debrecen from kindergarten to graduation.







ISD opened its doors to students four years ago in the heart of the Great Forest, in Debrecen. Over the past four years the foundations have been laid of an innovative international education system.



ISD attained Primary Years Programme authorization in May, 2022, Diploma Programme in April 2023, and the Middle Years Programme this June. In addition, ISD is on track to be authorized by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) in Spring 2025.



Thus, our first graduating class will also graduate with a United States high school diploma. On the back of our accreditation success ISD is currently experiencing an explosion in student numbers and a rapidly internationalizing community with approximately 50% of our students coming from nations other than Hungary.  Tom McLean explained.







To gain IB authorisation schools must demonstrate that they meet rigorous standards and practices. They must have a clear mission, values, and strategy; outstanding physical, digital, and human resources; a robust policy framework; and a curriculum grounded in best practices in approaches to teaching, learning and assessment.



As an IB Continuum school, ISD can attract top quality teachers from all over the world and guarantee the highest quality of international education.



The school has a constantly growing, outstanding and dedicated team of international and Hungarian teachers, with an additional 20 international and 10 Hungarian teachers joining in the 2023-24 academic year.







"The IB's core mission is to make the world a better place," said the Director. Teachers are learner-centred, collaborative and strive for growth - which is why they teach using a collaborative, inquiry-driven methodology rather than just study the given material.



Students need to become ethical, critical thinkers so they can make their own decisions and become part of a community rather than isolated individuals. We teach them to creatively generate new and important insights."



For more information about ISD visit isd.debrecen.hu
This is part of a series of in-depth interviews with some surprising members of the community, written by Marion Merrick.

Photo: Gyula Zaczfalvi



The close relationship between the Finnish and Hungarian languages is often mentioned in acknowledging their mutual difficulty, though the fact that they belong to the same language group does not mean Hungarians and Finns understand each other in practice. However, strong links have existed between the two nations in a language that requires no translation: music.



Anni Kallioniemi grew up in the small town of Kuusamo in northern Finland, near Father Christmas, she says. She then moved first to Oulu and then Helsinki to study. My plan was to become a cello teacher, but I began to feel that maybe Id like to learn more and perform more. Living in a small town, I didnt realise how big the world is, in a way, and so I applied to study in Budapest as an exchange student for a semester.



The fact that Annis brother had earlier studied in Budapest meant she had had previously been to Hungary. When I visited, I just loved the city; I saw all those statues of Liszt and Kodaly, and this was music Id loved as a young musician  Hungarian music culture has always been a part of Finnish musical education. Its very respected. And I saw here the streets and squares named after musicians  we didnt have that where Im from.



Thus, in 2011, Anni arrived to study at the Liszt Academy. I made lifelong friendships during those months here, she says, and I met Luke, who later became my husband. I studied the cello with Otto Kertesz, and chamber music with Gabor Csalog.



She also met a violinist from Finland with whom she would later come to form TrioMe, together with a Finnish pianist. That exchange visit opened a new door for me, Anni says.



At the conclusion of her semester at the Zeneakademia, Anni returned home, yet knowing that she wanted to go abroad once again. She applied, and was accepted, to complete a Masters in Copenhagen, where she subsequently went in 2013.



I had a great couple of years, but Copenhagen is so expensive, I had to get a student job. I worked for an online, second-hand fashion shop  I learnt a lot about online marketing and social mediaI didnt realise then how useful that was going to be later.



Annis relationship with Luke was ongoing, and together they decided she would return to Budapest where Luke was employed, and where Anni still had her musical connections.



For the first couple of years, I did a lot of chamber music, says Anni, and I recorded with some bands  not just classical music  and I had a lot of cello students. But I had the feeling that I really wanted to work in an orchestra.



The overriding message imparted to music students in Finland was that this path was the one to follow. It would provide a safe, regular salary  something of a luxury to musicians. Thus, Anni decided to audition with Hungarian orchestras, including the Savaria Symphony Orchestra. She had only meant this to be an initial practice audition since she had neither the intention nor possibility of decamping to Szombathely where the orchestra is based. However, they offered her a full-time post.



It transpired that the orchestra owned a flat in the town where Anni would be able to stay during the week to save commuting from Budapest, and so she accepted their offer. They were super nice, says Anni, and there arent so many jobs, theyre very sought after and very competitive.



So it was that Anni spent most Mondays and Tuesdays rehearsing with the orchestra in Szombathely, with Wednesdays given over to playing to children from local schools, and Thursdays and Fridays performing in concerts.



Sometimes we would travel to Italy or Germany or Austria  we did a lot of concerts in Vienna, Graz and Salzburg  and in Budapest at MUPA, the Vigado and the Music Academy. They were so nice to me, they always put me in the concerts that were in Budapest, and they also made allowance for my chamber music concerts.



Anni playing with the Savaria Symphony Orchestra



It was just as Annis three-month trial period with the orchestra was coming to an end, that a freakish accident occurred. I was getting undressed for bed when I caught my finger in my jeans and broke it, she explains. Id finally got a job in an orchestra, and Id passed my trial period, and now Id broken a finger on my left hand!



Doctors at the hospital refused to confirm that her finger would heal sufficiently for her to continue with her career. Two months followed of having it in a splint, in addition to a further month of physiotherapy. Fortunately, since Anni had a full-time position, she was entitled to sick pay.



I felt that I was finally on the right path, that my skills had improved, that my colleagues liked meI had a lot of concerts which I then had to cancelI laugh about it now, but then it felt like life was ending.



Although the finger healed and she was able to resume work in the orchestra, the accident had caused Anni to consider moving on to a new stage in life, of having a family and spending less time away from home.



She decided to audition for another orchestra which she had always admired, and which was based in Budapest. However, on the day of the audition though she was not nervous, she felt unwell and vomited repeatedly. Unsurprisingly, Annis audition was not successful.



I felt terrible, she recalls, and I had to go to the doctors  but there it turned out I was pregnant!



As the new year (2020) began, the Savaria orchestra was scheduled to play in northern Italy just as news of Covid began to circulate. It was decided that Anni should not travel but begin her maternity leave early.



Anni gave birth that June though her family were unable to visit, and she and Luke were alone with their new daughter. Luke was doing online school and there was no music  everything was in lockdown.





Anni with her daughter, Lumi



It was at this point that a classical music organisation in Finland named Musequal, whose intent it is to make classical music more equal (playing more women composers and ethnic minority compositions), asked Anni for her help.



She had already worked with them since 2016, and now their Artistic Director and Founder, Linda Suolahti, approached Anni for assistance with their website, social media and press releases for their annual festival.



We also organised an international competition in 2021 for a resident composer, so I was acting as an organiser for that, says Anni.



I found it very interesting: theres all this production side to music that I seemed to have knowledge about because of the job in Denmark where Id learnt about graphic design, how to build a website, how to make a press release or a newsletter  lots of skills.

I decided at the end of 2022 that I was going to make myself a website and build myself a personal brand where I could help other musicians. I wanted to do something that was my own. I had already learned a lot: how to make a poster, who to contact to make a logo, how to make a concert pamphlet, how to work with websites... But I needed to spend hours and hours on Youtube watching tutorials to learn all the rest!"



It is is very time consuming, she explains, and busy musicians who are touring and practising dont have the time to learn these skills to promote their careers.



Anni began to make tutorial videos, posts and social media posts for musicians. In just a few weeks I started to get clients! she says.



For example, I had a soprano from the Netherlands who had an album release concert and she wanted help with what to post, and how to advertise it to reach as many people as possible.



Using the knowledge she had acquired in Denmark, Anni soon had her own webpage and Instagram account, as well as many new clients. And because Im a musician, they dont have to explain every little detail to me  theres so much jargon, it would be impossible for someone whos not a musician to do this. Its very exciting!

Anni, Luke and Lumi in Finland

Inevitably, with a small child, Anni resigned from her orchestral job and now works freelance. She is still involved with the festival in Finland, and will be playing for them in August, and she still plays chamber music concerts, teaches cello students and occasionally works in orchestras, alongside her newest venture.



It is now eight years that Anni has been living in Hungary. Though both she and Luke are expats, they have learnt Hungarian and feel at home.



We absolutely love it here, she enthuses. Its so family-friendly, child-friendly, so cultural with all the concerts and exhibitions. Our Hungarian friends are so loyal and open-hearted. At first people can seem a bit stand-offish, she laughs, but when you get past that, theyre amazing. I feel they appreciate it, not just that I speak the language, but that Im familiar with their culture. Lumi [their daughter] loves Hungarian food, particularly Gulyas soup! Shes very happy in her Hungarian nursery.



Anni admits to missing both Finland and her family, who nevertheless visit regularly. But she explains her enduring desire to remain in Hungary, describing a phenomenon most likely familiar to all those who have been settled here for a longer time:



A German teacher I had here told me that I would notice that people come to Budapest for two weeks, and then theyre here for twenty-five years  which is actually what happened to her. I didnt really know at the time what she was talking about, but Ive kept meeting people here whove got that Budapest fever, as I call it. And all I can say is that Ive got it, too!





Marion Merrick is author of Now You See It, Now You Dont and House of Cards and the website Budapest Retro.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that by 2024, projects worth Rs 5 lakh crore would be finished in Uttar Pradesh. Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari said this while gifting development projects worth more than Rs 3300 crore in Lucknow on Monday. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were also present on the occasion. Along with this, he also made a number of announcements for the residents of Lucknow, including a new flyover at the Engineering College Chauraha.

Gadkari said that huge investments had already been made in UP for the state's development under PM Modi's leadership. Those whom Yogi ji invited to invest promised that they would make a significant investment in UP, Gadkari asserted. He said that while UP was once sick, it is now developing under CM Yogi's direction.

PM Modi has set a goal that India must develop into a self-reliant, happy, prosperous, and powerful nation with a five trillion dollar economy. Our infrastructure needs to meet international standards for this. Infrastructure development received top priority from PM Modi. I had the privilege of performing work worth Rs 50 lakh crore in the department that I had the opportunity to see over the course of nine years, he said.



Gadkari said that initially, people did not believe that it was possible. "Delhi to Dehradun is a nine-hour drive, but I insisted that we could complete the trip in two. Now it takes 1.5 hours from Delhi to Haridwar, 12 hours from Delhi to Mumbai, 2 hours from Delhi to Jaipur, and 2.25 hours from Delhi to Chandigarh. The trip from Chandigarh to Manali used to take nine hours; now that we have built a tunnel and are inaugurating it, it will take just three," he said as per a press release.

This change is very helpful for the country's infrastructure. I want to assure you that by the end of 2024, projects worth about Rs 5 lakh crore will be completed in Uttar Pradesh, while some new works will be started. I am pleased that UP's roads have improved significantly. When PM Modi assumed leadership of the nation in 2014 and CM Yogi assumed control of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, the picture changed, Gadkari stated.

The Union Minister asserted that Lucknow has been significant since the Ramayana era. This city is named after Lakshman, the brother of Lord Shri Ram. For the development of UP, Yogi provided a solid vision. I told him that I had been talking about ethanol since 2004. Not only will ethanol from the UP be used to power vehicles in the future, but also the world's aeroplanes. The Union Minister also praised CM Yogi for improving the law and order of the state, it read.
Mumbai: Actor Alia Bhatt shared glimpses from her recent visit to New Delhi with co-actor Ranveer Singh for a song launch event ahead of the release of their upcoming film 'Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. The 'Gully Boy' stars arrived in the national capital for the launch of their new song 'Ve Kamleya' on Tuesday. Alia took to Instagram on Wednesday to drop pictures from the event and captioned it, "Dil waali Delhi mai apni Kahaani lekar aaye hai Rocky aur Rani."

Alia channelled her character Rani, who wears stunning sarees in the film, for the occasion. She opted for a beautiful ombre saree and looked stunning in her minimal make-up look and wavy hair. Ranveer, on the other hand, left everyone drooling with his dapper look. He looked dapper in a black suit. His cool hairdo amped up his style quotient.





Alia and Ranveer were in a completely fun mood during the song launch. They answered fans' and media questions in a fun and energetic way. The two also showcased their singing skills at the event. The latest song, 'Ve Kamleya' song is from Karan Johar's upcoming film 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. The film marks filmmaker Karan Johar's comeback after seven years.

Also Read: Project K: Prabhas' First Look Out, Pan-India Star Set to Fight As Rebel In Nag Ashwin's Sci-Fi Film

Apart from Ranveer and Alia, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles and is set to hit the theatres on July 28.

'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' promises to be a wholesome, big-screen entertainer, blending Johar's storytelling finesse with an impressive ensemble cast, grandeur and music. There were also many scenes of the two romancings and fighting, celebrating all kinds of festivals with their families, and possibly a wedding.
New Delhi: In a recent Instagram image, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg covered the faces of his children Maxima and August with a smiley face emoji. Not only does Zuckerberg do this, but many other famous people do it as well, including Gigi Hadid, Adele, and even Indian celebs like Virat Kohli, Sonam Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt.

A recent campaign by the Assam police highlights how keeping kids off social media is more than just honouring their consent. At first glance, celebrities' decision to withhold the faces of their children may appear like only a privacy concern. (Also Read: Turning Dreams Into Profits: This Creative Business Idea Seeks Rs 3 Lakh Investment, Promises Rs 50,000 Monthly Gains)

The Assam police have launched a new social media campaign in which they advise parents to avoid being "shared" and to avoid posting too much information about their kids online.

Likes fade, but the digital scars remain, according to the official tweet. Protect your child from Sharenting's dangers. Take care with the information you post about your child on social media. The official tweet states, "#DontBeASharent.

Even the tech CEOs who founded social media platforms, such as Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and even Steve Jobs, had issued warnings and admitted that they do not post pictures of their children online. According to the former CEO of Apple, "There are some things that I won't allow; I don't want them on a social network."

Sharing images of children comes from a place of love even if social media is a platform where people may share their memories, photos, and more to treasure with friends and followers. Children who don't even understand what the internet world is are more susceptible to these threats because the online world has never been a safe mirror for grownups.
New Delhi: The first meeting of opposition alliance INDIA will be held on Thursday to chalk out a joint strategy for the monsoon session of Parliament. Sources said the meeting will be held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. "The meeting has been called to discuss the issues to be taken up in Parliament from day one of the monsoon session," an opposition party leader. The monsoon session of Parliament will begin on July 20 and conclude on August 11.

Twenty-six opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition --Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)-- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Also Read: Alliances Formed On Basis Of Negativity 'Never Succeeded': PM Modi Slams Opposition At NDA Meeting



The strategy to be followed by INDIA opposition grouping in Parliament was a point of discussion at the two-day opposition meeting in Bengaluru that concluded on Tuesday, sources said. All party leaders unanimously decided to coordinate on issues that they want to take up against the government in Parliament, the sources said.

The 26 parties have a combined strength of about 150 seats in Lok Sabha, as against over 330 of the NDA, and are in power individually or in alliance in Delhi and 10 states.

Also Read: 'It Is INDIA vs Modi Fight': Opposition Parties Target BJP After Forming New Coalition

The 26 opposition parties are --the Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, JD(U), RJD, JMM, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), SP, NC, PDP, CPI(M), CPI, RLD, MDMK, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (KMDK), VCK, RSP, CPI-ML (Liberation), Forward Bloc, IUML, Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Mani), Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK).
New Delhi: Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who entered India illegally in May and is staying with her partner Sachin Meena in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, was on Wednesday quizzed by UP Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad, the third day of grilling by the agency. Haider's Indian partner Sachin and his father Netrapal Singh are reportedly being questioned.

Seema Haider, 30, and Sachin Meena, 22, met each other on the mobile game PUBG and were first arrested by the local police in Greater Noida on July 4 but were granted bail by a court on July 7. While Seema was arrested for entering India illegally, Sachin was held for sheltering illegal immigrants.

She reportedly entered India along with her four children from Nepal in May to live with Sachin. The couple, who claims to have gotten married in Nepal earlier this year, first got in touch in 2019.



Is Seema Haider A Pakistani Agent?

When asked if Seema Haider is a Pakistani agent, UP Police on Wednesday said that all agencies are doing their work.

"This matter is linked to two nations, it is not right to say anything unless there is sufficient proof. She had once been to jail and is now on bail. Further action is being taken," Prashant Kumar, the Uttar Pradesh Special Director General Law & Order, said while speaking to the media.

"No team is going anywhere," he said when asked if a team is going to Nepal.

'I will end my life instead of going back to Pakistan': Seema Haider

Seema Haider hails from Sindh province in Pakistan and was settled in Karachi after her marriage in 2014. Her husband Ghulam Haider works in Saudi Arabia.

During her interactions with the media, Seema said she does not wish to go back to Pakistan and wants to live with Sachin in India only. She also claimed to have converted to Hinduism.

"I will end my life instead of going back to Pakistan. He (Sachin) also cannot live without me," Seema told reporters earlier this month when asked for her response in case the Indian government deports her.

She said that she did not wish to go back to Ghulam Haider and claimed a threat to her life if she returns to their native place in Pakistan, citing stringent local laws.

Sachin, who works at a grocery store, also said he wants to live with Seema and her children in Greater Noida only. The duo said they would contact lawyers to find out a way to legalise her stay in India.

Seema Haider, Sachin Meena met in Nepal

In March this year, Seema Haider and Sachin Meena met in Kathmandu in Nepal where they stayed together for seven days and got secretly married, according to police. Later, she went back to Pakistan and Sachin returned to India.

Back home, Seema, who claimed discord with her husband, sold a plot for Pakistani rupees 12 lakh and arranged for fight tickets and a visa for Nepal for herself and her kids.

In May, she reached Nepal via Dubai and spent some time in the tourist city of Pokhara in the Himalayan nation. She then took a bus to Delhi from Kathmandu and reached Greater Noida on May 13 with her children where Sachin had made arrangements for her to stay in a rented accommodation without disclosing her Pakistani identity.

More than one-and-a-half-month later, local police got a whiff of a Pakistani woman and her children's illegal presence in their area. Sachin, Seema and her children tried to evade police arrest and fled, but were caught in Ballabhgarh in Haryana. Police then questioned them and officially arrested them on July 4.

They also arrested Sachin's father Netrapal Singh, accusing him of helping in sheltering illegal immigrants. The three were then granted bail by a court in Jewar.

Pakistan's intelligence agencies, meanwhile, have reportedly informed the country's government that 'love' was the 'only' factor that caused the mother of four to sneak into India to live with a Hindu man.

'Won't tolerate any illegal activity': UP Deputy CM on Seema Haider

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday said that the state government will not tolerate any illegal activity and probe agencies were investigating the matter of Seema Haider.

"We will maintain law and order in the state. We will not tolerate any illegal activity. State agencies, as well as Central agencies, were investigating the matter," Pathak said while speaking to the news agency ANI.
New Delhi: With opposition parties naming their alliance INDIA, the BJP on Wednesday dismissed the move as "old wine in a new bottle", saying a change in name does not change someone. BJP leaders also took a swipe at opposition parties over Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi comments on 'Vande Mataram', with Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan saying the opposition continues to behave in the same old way.

"More than the change of name, this incoherent alliance needs to change its intention and mindset about India, its people and symbols of Indianness. What respect for the country will people with such sentiment about the national song have," he said.

The BJP's reaction came after Azmi, while raising the Sambhajinagar district riot issue in the Maharashtra assembly, said chanting 'Vande Mataram' was unacceptable to him.



Asked about the name 'INDIA' chosen by opposition parties for their alliance, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Someone does not change by changing name. They are the same people. It is a old wine in new bottle."

Several other BJP leaders also hit out at Azmi.

"Abu Azmi of SP says 'I won't say Vande Mataram, I won't bow my head as my religion doesn't allow it'," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet.

"Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A," he tweeted, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition of 26 opposition parties.

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, the opposition parties on Tuesday formed the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Poonawalla alleged India is in the name of the opposition parties' alliance but not in their agenda.

"Earlier SP released terrorists and patronised Yakub (Memon), Afzal (Guru). Congress questioned the surgical strike, Balakot, and 26/11 was blamed on India, not Pakistan. This is their true face," he alleged.

"Will Mamata-di, Kharge ji, Rahul ji tell us their stand?" Poonawalla asked.

The Maharashtra legislative assembly was adjourned on Wednesday following a noisy protest by BJP MLAs over Azmi's remark on chanting 'Vande Mataram'.


Kathmandu: The mystery surrounding Seema Haider, the Pakistani woman who is currently under investigation for illegally entering India after falling in love with her Indian partner Sachin Meena whom she met while playing PUBG mobile game, has further deepened with more shacking details coming to the fore. Now, the owner of a hotel in Nepals Kathmandu, where the two stayed, has claimed that the pair booked a room under fake names.

Seema, Sachin Booked Room Under Fake Names





According to news agency ANI, the two stayed at the Nepal hotel for almost a week in the month of March. Ganesh Roka Magar, the Nepal hotel owner, had revealed to news agency ANI that the couple stayed in the room most of the time during their stay there.

They came to my hotel in March (2023) and stayed for seven-eight days and then checked out of the hotel, the owner of New Vinayak Rolpa Jaljala Rukmeli Guest House said.

Seema-Sachin Stayed Locked Inside The Hotel Room Mostly

Most of the time they used to stay in the room... They used to go out of the Hotel in the morning and evening but they would return within a very short time because our hotel is usually closed after 9:30-10 pm daily and they used to come two hours early... They mostly use to have fruits brought from outside and here in the hotel they only ordered Nepali Veg Thali and didnt go out that frequently, Roka Magar recalled.

Seema-Sachin Made Payment In Indian Currency'

He further revealed that Sachin came to the hotel first and booked the room and told them that his wife is en route and the woman came the following day. The pair then stayed for about 7 days. While checking out the hotel, it was Seema who checked out first and then Sachin left on the following day...Only the two had come, they didn't have the children with them..., Roka Magar said.

The hotel owner also showed the entry logbook and said, When I saw in the news then I realised that theyre Sachin and Seema as they made their entry under the name 'Shivansh. "They had made the payment in cash in Indian currency notes," he added.

IB Seeks More Info From SSB, UP Police

The central intelligence agency  IB  has sought a report from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Uttar Pradesh Police on Seema Haider who travelled through Nepal to reach Noida from Pakistans Karachi. A senior official confirmed that the central agencies, which got alerted about Seema Haider, have asked for detailed reports from SSB and UP Police.

2 Video Cassettes, 4 Mobile Phones, 5 Pakistani Passports Recovered

The Uttar Pradesh DGP office issued a brief note - "...Two video cassettes, four mobile phones, five Pakistan-authorised passports, one unused passport with incomplete name and address & ID card recovered from Seema Haider. Investigation of the same is underway. She, along with her four children, entered India illegally and District Police is carrying out an investigation in this regard."

"Intelligence agencies have asked for a report from SSB and UP Police to find out how she managed to cross over without being verified by police personnel at the border. We have also demanded a report from UP Police as she entered India via UP border and stayed with her partner for many days," Prashant Kumar, the Uttar Pradesh Special Director General Law & Order, said.

While refusing to say anything about Seema Haider going to jail, the top cop said, "This matter is linked to two nations, it is not right to say anything unless there is sufficient proof. She had once been to jail and is now on bail. Further action is being taken.

The UP DGP added that they are verifying the claims about her journey she made in TV interviews and they are also finding out who assisted her in arriving in India from Pakistan.

For the unversed, Seema Haider, who is now being referred to as Pakistani Bhabhi, had crossed over to India to live with Sachin Meena whom she befriended via an online game. The couple started living together in Greater Noida. However, Haider was arrested on July 4 for illegally entering India without a visa, while Meena was put behind bars for sheltering the illegal immigrants. The Indian officials are investigating who assisted her in arriving in India from Pakistan.

Seema Haider, who does not want to go back to Pakistan, claims that she befriended Sachin Meena via playing PUBG online game.

It has also come to light that Seema's husband, who is working in Saudi Arabia, used to send Rs 70,000-80,000 per month. After all expenses, Seema could save Rs 20,000 to 25,000 per month. Seema had also bought a house for Rs 12 lakh, which she sold after three months of buying as she wanted to come to India.

(With ANI Inputs)
Srinagar: Two non-local workers were wounded by terrorists gunfire in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district on Tuesday, police said. They added that the injured men were taken to a hospital, where they are stable.

"#Terrorists fired upon two outside labourers in #Anantnag. Both the injured #civilians have been shifted to hospital, where they are stated to be stable. Area being cordoned off for search #operation. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police informed on Twitter.

Terrorists shot at three outside workers on Thursday, injuring them in the Gagren area of Shopian district


Key Insights

The projected fair value for Heineken Malaysia Berhad is RM22.71 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of RM26.66 suggests Heineken Malaysia Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value

The RM31.40 analyst price target for HEIM is 38% more than our estimate of fair value

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Heineken Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:HEIM) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Heineken Malaysia Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM450.0m RM475.4m RM475.0m RM493.0m RM507.7m RM523.7m RM540.9m RM559.1m RM578.2m RM598.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 2.98% Est @ 3.15% Est @ 3.28% Est @ 3.37% Est @ 3.43% Est @ 3.47% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10.0% RM409 RM393 RM357 RM337 RM316 RM296 RM278 RM261 RM246 RM231

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM3.1b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM598m (1 + 3.6%)  (10.0% 3.6%) = RM9.7b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM9.7b ( 1 + 10.0%)10= RM3.7b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM6.9b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM26.7, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

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 Heineken Malaysia Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Heineken Malaysia Berhad

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Currently debt free.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Beverage industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Beverage market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Heineken Malaysia Berhad, there are three further items you should further research:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 1 warning sign for Heineken Malaysia Berhad we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does HEIM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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SRINAGAR: Security forces foiled a major infiltration bid by terrorists at the Line Of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector of Kupwara in North Kashmir in which two unidentified terrorists were killed. The two slain terrorists have crossed over to Kashmir from the other side of the LoC in the POK. The operation is still going on in the forest area despite inclement weather conditions.

Top Army officials said that in a joint operation launched by Indian Army, BSF and J&K police, an infiltration bid was foiled Wednesday morning by alert troops along the LoC in the Machil sector of Kupwara. Two terrorists were killed and four Ak riffles, six hand grenades and other war-like stores have been recovered. Operation in progress," it said.

Todays infiltration bid was foiled a day after security forces killed four foreign terrorists in the Poonch district of the Jammu region. Total eight terrorists, most of them foreigners (Pakistanis), were killed in three different operations during the past three days in Jammu and Kashmir, which reflects the frustration of terrorists sitting across the LoC in POK.



Sources said that terrorists are trying to destabilize the ongoing peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir particularly when Amarnath Yatra is going on and that's the main reason behind continuous infiltration attempts by terrorists waiting in PoK, but the troops in Jammu and Kashmir are on high alert mode and have foiled the nefarious designs of terrorists.
New Delhi: A court has sentenced Tollywood actor couple Rajasekhar and Jeevitha to one-year imprisonment in a defamation case. However, the couple was granted bail.

In a judgment pronounced on Tuesday, the 17th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000.

However, the court later granted bail to the actor couple to enable them to go for appeal in a higher court.



In 2011, the actor couple made certain allegations against Chiranjeevi Blood Bank run by megastar Chiranjeevi.

Rajasekhar and his wife had alleged that after collecting the blood free of cost from donors, the Blood Bank is selling the same.

They had alleged that large scale irregularities took place in Chiranjeevi's Blood Bank and Charitable Trust.

They had reportedly stated that Chiranjeevi's Charitable Trust which got Rs. 14.5 lakh from the state government for the maintenance of their blood bank, was selling a unit of blood at Rs 850.

Allu Aravind, film producer and brother-in-law of Chiranjeevi, had filed a defamation suit against the couple.

Aravind had said that the allegations made by them and their follower Harikrishna Goud against Chiranjeevi's Charitable Trust and the Blood Bank run by it, and also against its trustees, were completely false and politically motivated.
New Delhi: Google has announced that it is testing a new feature in Meet, which allows users to create background images with artificial intelligence (AI). The feature is in testing under Workspace Labs, which is a trusted tester program for users to try new AI features by invitation, the company said on a support page.

The Workspace Labs program is currently available to trusted testers in US English. The new 'Generate a background' feature is available in Meet for the desktop.

The tech giant also mentioned that generated images are for use only within Google Meet. "Workspace Labs generated images are designed to bring your imagination to life in Meet, and may not represent real-world situations," it explained.



The company also warned to not provide any personal, confidential, or sensitive information while using the feature. To use the new feature, users have to open meet.google.com and select a meeting.

Then at the bottom right of the self-view, click Apply visual effects> Generate a background. There, users will be able to enter a prompt. For example, "Luxurious living room interior" or "A magical sunny forest glade."

Moreover, users will be able to create an AI-generated background image during a meeting. Last month, the tech giant introduced a new quick action for Meet on Web, which allows users to easily access popular features.

By hovering the mouse on top of their own video feed, users can access video effects such as immersive backgrounds or fun filters to bring more fun to their meetings and a reframing option to improve their visibility.

Users can also turn off the video feed from other participants using the quick action on their video. This can be helpful when users want to focus their meeting view on just the presenter or hide participants with distracting video feeds.
New Delhi: In a surprising turn of events inside the Bigg Boss OTT house, Nishchay Malhan, the brother of contestant Abhishek Malhan, has expressed his admiration for fellow housemate Manisha Rani. Nishchay's appreciation comes as a pleasant surprise to fans and has further strengthened the bond between the two contestants.

Nishchay Malhan recently spoke highly of Manisha Rani, acknowledging her remarkable personality and unique qualities. He remarked, "I like Manisha as a person, and I love her accent! The way she talks so sweetly! I love her Bhojpuri accent! She's very real, and she is very straightforward!"

Manisha Rani, known for her honesty and down-to-earth nature, has garnered a significant fan base within the Bigg Boss OTT audience. Her genuine personality and unwavering spirit have struck a chord with viewers, and now, it seems, with Abhishek's brother as well.



Furthermore, Nishchay wholeheartedly approves of the hashtag #abhisha, which has been trending on social media platforms. The hashtag, created by fans to celebrate the beautiful friendship between Manisha and Abhishek, has gained immense popularity. Nishchay's endorsement of the hashtag serves as a testament to the bond formed between the two contestants and the positive impact they have had on each other's lives.

The audience has witnessed the camaraderie between Manisha and Abhishek, who have supported and encouraged one another throughout their Bigg Boss OTT journey. The hashtag #abhisha has become a rallying point for their fans, reflecting the admiration and respect they hold for this remarkable friendship.

With Nishchay Malhan expressing his appreciation for Manisha Rani, it is evident that her authenticity and charisma have transcended the confines of the Bigg Boss OTT house. As the show progresses, viewers eagerly anticipate how the dynamics between these individuals will unfold and how their bond will evolve.
A couple in Delhi has been brutally thrashed by local residents for allegedly employing and torturing a minor domestic help in their residence. A video of the incident is going viral on social media, showing how a large crowd of angry people dragged the couple out of their house and thrashed them in public view. A case has been also registered in the matter and the accused have been detained. As visuals of the incident are going viral on social media, the latest reports suggest that the accused woman, who is employed as a pilot, lives with her husband, who is also an airline staff, in Delhi's Dwarka area.

The incident reportedly came to light after a relative of the 10-year-old girl saw severe injury marks on her face and arms and contacted the police. The news also spread among the locals, leaving them infuriated.

In a video shared by news agency ANI, the couple can be seen arguing with the locals from inside the gate. However, the wife is then dragged by a few women, following which her husband tries to save her, only to get thrashed by the men around.



The visuals show the people repeatedly slapping and thrashing both the husband and wife. A few also pulled the woman's hair, as she continues to scream and tries to apologise.

Watch:

#WATCH | A woman pilot and her husband, also an airline staff, were thrashed by a mob in Delhi's Dwarka for allegedly employing a 10-year-old girl as a domestic help and torturing her.



The girl has been medically examined. Case registered u/s 323,324,342 IPC and Child Labour_ pic.twitter.com/qlpH0HuO0z July 19, 2023

As stated by the police, the girl was employed by the couple a few months ago, following which they used to allegedly torture and assault her. Presently, the girl has been medically examined and the couple has been arrested on multiple charges.

Another Domestic Help Horror In Delhi

This incident came months after another similar event was reported from the national capital. Another couple in Gurugram was arrested for torturing their minor domestic help, following which they were also sacked from their respective jobs.
Whenever employees need a day or a few days off from work, the procedure they need to follow is to get permission and approval from their boss. However, this wasn't the case with a Jaipur Discom employee who gave an epic response to his boss after being asked for the reason for remaining absent during a surprise inspection in the office. The employee went on to charge the company's chief engineer, stating that he, too, is never on time. The response will clearly leave you baffled, but it's actually the truth. Let's break it down for you.

Jaipur Discom Employee's Response For Being Absent From Work

The incident is from Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited where a person employed as a commercial assistant was asked for being late to work. He was given a notice, seeking an explanation for why he was not present during a surprise inspection that was conducted by the distributing company's chief engineer.



To this, his reply to his boss was, You yourself never come on time, so neither do I.

It happened when GS Bairwa, the chief engineer of the Kota zone, conducted a surprise inspection at the accounts office of the zone on July 14. During the inspection, he found that the signature of Ajit Singh, a commercial assistant, was missing from the attendance register, and thus sent a notice to him, demanding an explanation.

A surprise inspection was conducted at your office on 14.07.2023, at 09:45 in the morning during which it was found that on the mentioned date and time, your signature was missing on the attendance register of your office, indicating your absence. Please clarify the reason," a part of the notice read.

In response to this, Ajit Singh wrote in Hindi, "You are never on time, so neither do I come on time." The notice went viral on social media in no time, drawing multiple reactions from people.

Talking on the same to India Today, the Jaipur Discom employee noted that he had a "fair and appropriate response, further adding that many other employees also received similar notices on the same day.
There have been several incidents of residents making fake emergency calls in the name of pranks or having fun with friends and authorities. However, things went way too far after a woman in Japan made more than 2,000 fake calls on emergency hotlines. So, what was the reason behind it? The woman said she was just lonely. The incident took place in the Japanese city of Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture where a 51-year-old woman named Hiroko Hatagami has been arrested after she admitted to having made over 2,000 false emergency calls for over a period of three years.

According to a local daily, the woman, who is a resident of Matsudo, allegedly obstructed the operations of the local fire department by making fake calls, as a result of which, a case was filed against her, resulting in her arrest last week.

The 51-year-old woman was accused of repeatedly making emergency calls from her home and the neighbourhood through mobile phones and other means with multiple medical complaints like stomach ache, medicine overdose, leg pain, and being unwell, among others, and further for seeking ambulance services between August 2020 and May 2023.

However, when the ambulances would arrive, she would turn them away and refuse to be transported while denying making any call.

She was also given multiple warnings from the fire department and the local police. However, as she continued doing so, the authorities were prompted to file a damage report case against her.

According to the report, Hatagami made 2,761 unnecessary emergency calls over a period of two years and nine months. Upon interrogation, the woman admitted to having made the calls, further explaining that she was lonely and wanted someone to listen to her and give her attention.

She also noted that making the calls felt like a cure for her loneliness.
Seoul: North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern sea early Wednesday in what appeared to be a statement of defiance as the United States deploys a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in decades.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said that from 3.30 to 3.46 am North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from an area near capital Pyongyang that flew about 550 kilometers before landing in waters east of the Korean Peninsula. Those flight details were similar to the assessment of the Japanese military, which said the missiles landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone and that there were no immediate reports of damage from ships or aircraft in affected areas.

The flight distance of the North Korean missiles roughly matched the distance between Pyongyang and the South Korean port city of Busan, where the USS Kentucky arrived Tuesday afternoon in the first visit by a US nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea since the 1980s. Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada told reporters that the North Korean missiles travelled on a low trajectory, with their maximum altitude reaching about 50 kilometers, and possibly demonstrated "irregular maneuver" in flight.

Japan has previously used similar language to describe the flight characteristics of a North Korean weapon modelled after Russia's Iskander missile, which travels at low altitudes and is designed to be maneuverable in flight to improve its chances of evading missile defences.



Wednesday's launches marked the North's first ballistic activity since July 12, when it flight-tested a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile that demonstrated potential range to reach deep into the US mainland. That launch was supervised by the country's authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, who vowed to further bolster his country's nuclear fighting capabilities in the face of expanding US-South Korean military activities, which he blamed for worsening the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have rose in the region in recent months as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and US-South Korean joint military drills have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.

The launches came as the US-led United Nations Command tries to secure the release of a US soldier who fled to North Korea from the South Korean side of a border village Tuesday afternoon.

Private 2nd Class Travis King, in his early 20s, had just been released from a South Korean prison where he was held on assault charges. Instead of getting on a plane to be taken back to Fort Bliss, Texas, he left and joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom, where he ran across the border, US officials say.

Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles while attempting to demonstrate a dual ability to conduct nuclear attacks on both South Korea and the continental United States. The allies in response have stepped up their joint military training and agreed to increase the deployments of US strategic assets like long-range bombers, air craft carriers and submarines to the region.

Periodic visits by US nuclear ballistic missile-capable submarines to South Korea were one of several agreements reached by the two countries' presidents in April in response to North Korea's expanding nuclear threat. They also agreed to establish a bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group and expand military exercises.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced a temporary upgauge of its Boeing 737-8 services to Airbus A350-900 services from 17-20 October 2023, and again on 26 and 27 October 2023 in India. Subject to regulatory approvals, this change of aircraft type from a narrow-body to a wide-body over the Durga Puja period will help meet the surge in demand for travel during the festival, said the airline. Daily A350-900 operations during this time will also offer customers an inventory of 40 lie-flat Business Class seats per day as opposed to just 10 on the B737-8 aircraft.

Singapore Airlines currently flies daily from Kolkata to Singapore, operating its 154-seater B737-8 aircraft from Tuesdays to Fridays and its 303-seater A350-900 aircraft every Monday, Saturday and Sunday. With this upgauge, the Airline will operate daily A350-900 services from 14-23 October 2023 and again from 26-30 October 2023, thus increasing SIAs total capacity from Kolkata by 22% over the Durga Puja period.

Sy Yen Chen, General Manager India for Singapore Airlines, said, We are delighted to announce this temporary capacity increase from Kolkata over the Durga Puja period, when demand for travel usually exceeds availability of seats. We are fully committed to the West Bengal market, and we want our customers to enjoy their holidays with seamless connections to their preferred destinations on their favourite Airline.



Our modern Airbus A350 medium haul aircraft, combined with award-winning inflight service and complimentary Wi-Fi across cabins, will provide enhanced comfort to travellers from Kolkata, further demonstrating SIAs commitment to product and service excellence. Mr. Chen added.
The Indian aviation industry is going through a transformational change, with the government not only implementing multiple policies to ease air travel, but focusing on developing world-class infrastructure. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new integrated terminal building (NITB) of the Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A few days back, the Aviation Minister of India, Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the fourth runway at the Delhi International Airport, making it the only airport to get 4 runways along with India's first dual elevated taxiway.

Apart from these expansion activities across airports in India, the government is building a number of new airports, putting India on the top of the global aviation map. Civil Aviation Minister Scindia recently said that India will have 200 airports in the next 5 years. He said that while in 68 years, 74 airports were made operational, the PM Modi-led BJP govt has made the equal number of airports operational in last 9 years, taking the total number of airports to 148. Here's a list of the Top 5 upcoming airports in India:





1) Noida International Airport - Jewar, Uttar Pradesh

The upcoming greenfield airport in Jewar, called the Noida International Airport is easily the biggest airport project currently in progress in India, developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG. Being the second airport in Delhi-NCR, the Noida Airport is expected to ease high traffic load at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.

The construction of the airport started in 2021 and the first phase is expected to be operational by 2024. Initially, a runway will be made operational, and the airport will have a capacity to handle 12 million passengers, before slowly expanding to become a 60 million passenger airport. It will improve the connectivity between Noida, Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and NCR.

2) Navi Mumbai International Airport - Mumbai, Maharashtra

Another big and ambitious project for India is the second airport in the Mumbai region, the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which will work alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, the second busiest airport in India. The airport is expected to ease the load on the Mumbai Airport and will have domestic, international and cargo terminals.

Based on a land patch of over 1,000-hectare, the airport is expected to handle 25 million passengers a year once the first phase is operational by 2025. The airport will be made functional in three phases and is being made by the City and Industrial Development Corporation along with the Adani Airports Holdings Limited.

3) Bhogapuram International Airport - Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

The Bhogapuram Airport, also known as the GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport is a major upcoming airport coming in Andhra Pradesh, in the port city of Visakhapatnam. The airport will be the first major airport in the region and is owned by GMR Group, the group behind the Delhi and Hyderabad Airports. It is being made in public-private partnership with Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation (APADCL) and the government of Andhra Pradesh.

While there's an existing airport in Visakhapatnam, it is being run by the Indian Navy. Once the new airport is constructed, Indian Navy will move the existing Visakhapatnam Airport civil enclave to Bhogapuram. The construction of the airport began in 2023 and is expected to be completed in early 2025. The airport will have one terminal and one 3,800m long runway, with 6 million passenger capacity in the Phase 1.

4) Purandar Airport - Pune, Maharashtra

The Purandar Airport is an upcoming airport in the city of Pune, Maharashtra, and the first international airport for the region. The current Pune airport is a civil enclave inside the Lohegaon facility co-shared by the Indian Air Force and has limitations of operating flights after certain hours. The necessity to have an international airport in Pune was decided a long time back, but there's still no on-ground work initiated.

This Greenfield project has been stalled due to multiple site clearances and pending approvals and is located near Saswad and Jejuri in Pune's Puranadar Taluka and would be owned by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) would be in charge of the airport's operations and management.

5) Shivamogga Airport - Shimoga, Karnataka

Last on our list is the Shivamogga Airport in Karnataka, which was inaugurated six months back on February 27 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The commercial operations in the airport are likely to begin from August 11, 2023 Industries Minister M B Patil said Thursday. This will be the first airport in Karnataka to be run by the state government. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has handed over it to Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation for operation and maintenance.

Since operations at the airport will begin from August 11, all preparations will be made by July 20, he said. Among the pending works include deputing ambulance and other essential vehicles for the airport, opening a cafe, and a few appointments of technical and non-technical staff.
Key Insights

DSM-Firmenich's estimated fair value is 106 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With 102 share price, DSM-Firmenich appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Our fair value estimate is 21% lower than DSM-Firmenich's analyst price target of 133

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of DSM-Firmenich AG (AMS:DSFIR) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for DSM-Firmenich

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:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 1.12b 1.00b 1.57b 1.64b 1.69b 1.72b 1.75b 1.77b 1.79b 1.81b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x7 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 2.89% Est @ 2.15% Est @ 1.63% Est @ 1.26% Est @ 1.01% Est @ 0.83% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.3% 1.1k 887 1.3k 1.3k 1.2k 1.2k 1.1k 1.1k 1.0k 984

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 11b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.4%) 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 6.3%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 1.8b (1 + 0.4%)  (6.3% 0.4%) = 31b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 31b ( 1 + 6.3%)10= 17b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 28b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 102, the company appears about fair value at a 3.4% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at DSM-Firmenich as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.986. 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 DSM-Firmenich

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Chemicals market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Dutch market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For DSM-Firmenich, we've put together three fundamental factors you should explore:

Risks: To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with DSM-Firmenich (including 1 which can't be ignored) . Future Earnings: How does DSFIR's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the ENXTAM every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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IAS Success Story: In an emotional letter, IAS officer Tina Dabi, the 2015 UPSC exam topper, bid farewell to the Jaisalmer district as she leaves for maternity leave. Dabi, who formerly held the position of district collector for Jaisalmer, has appealed to the Rajasthan government to transfer her to a non-field position in the capital city, Jaipur. Dabi thanked the people of Jaisalmer on Instagram for their 'love and support' in a heartfelt post.

Tina Dabi IAS: Heartfelt Note

The former District Collector and Magistrate of Jaisalmer uploaded a series of images in the post that show the many initiatives and projects that were launched during her leadership. One of these were the Jaisalmer Shakti (Ladies First) and Swachh Jaisalmer campaigns. Dabi wrote, "Alvida Jaisalmer! I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve this wonderful district for one year as its District Collector and Magistrate." The International Desert Festival will take place in 2023 thanks in large part to Dabi's efforts, which also helped Jaisalmer earn All India Rank 2 in Niti Aayog's Aspirational District Programme.



IAS Tina Dabi: Love For Jaisalmer

Dabi praised her experience in Jaisalmer and spoke of the "invaluable knowledge" she picked up while serving as the DC, calling it 'fantastic' and 'amazing' throughout her note. A sincere statement of gratitude was included in the note's conclusion. I leave Jaisalmer today with a wealth of knowledge that I will always treasure. Working here has been a fantastic learning experience, and I am very grateful for the opportunity. Jaisalmer, you will be missed! Dabi was the first female collector in Jaisalmer. The IAS topper from the batch of 2015 has been employed in the district since 2022 and is currently on maternity leave. Before taking a break from her employment, Dabi posted a lovely message saying goodbye to Jaisalmer.

The Ashok Gehlot-led administration has chosen Ashish Gupta, an IAS officer, to take her place. Gupta, an IAS officer from the 2013 batch, serves as the managing director of RajCOMP Info Services Limited in Jaipur. In the Department of Information Technology and Communication, he also holds the positions of Joint Secretary and Commissioner.
IAS Officer Anupama Anjali's Success Story: Clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination is a challenging task that requires hard work and a positive mindset. IAS officer Anupama Anjali successfully completed her journey in UPSC by maintaining her mental and physical fitness. After failing the exam once, Anupama Anjali achieved success on her second attempt, and her story serves as an inspiration to students aspiring to crack the UPSC exam.

Anupama Anjali obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering before starting her preparation for the UPSC exam. However, she faced failure in her initial attempt. Despite this setback, she did not lose hope and decided to give the exam another try.

Dream Realized in 2018

After her initial failure, Anupama Anjali focused on keeping herself mentally and physically fit. In the 2018 UPSC examination, she achieved success and secured the 386th rank nationwide, fulfilling her dream of becoming an IAS officer.

Helping Those in Preparation

Following her success in clearing the UPSC exam, Anupama was allotted the Andhra Pradesh cadre, and her first posting was as the Joint Collector of Guntur district. She helps underprivileged children in her district and provides guidance to those aspiring to clear the UPSC examination.

Learning How to Help

According to a DNA report, Anupama Anjali's father is an IPS officer. Anupama mentioned that she grew up observing her father and grandfather, who were both civil servants, and learned how they could help people around them and make crucial decisions. Pursuing a career in the UPSC became an inspiration for her.

Starting the Day

During her preparation for the UPSC exam, Anupama Anjali would start her day after meditating in the morning. She believes that no matter how hectic the day may be, it is essential to start the morning hours correctly. After meditation, Anupama would sit alone with a cup of tea and engage in self-talk, keeping herself motivated.

A 20-Minute Walk Is Sufficient

Apart from meditation, she also engaged in physical exercise. She emphasizes that many students tend to neglect their physical and mental health while studying for 12-12 hours a day. The truth is, even a 20-minute walk during the day can rejuvenate and refresh your mind beyond imagination.
New Delhi: The government has convened an all-party meeting on Wednesday to deliberate on a host of issues related to Parliament's monsoon session, which will begin from July 20. It's a customary get-together on the eve of a session's start as various parties put across their issues at the meeting attended by senior government ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also participated in many such meetings.

A similar all-party meeting called on Tuesday by Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar has been deferred due to non-availability of leaders of many parties. While opposition parties are holding a meeting in Bengaluru, the ruling National Democratic Alliance is meeting in the national capital.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with some of his Cabinet colleagues, including Pralhad Joshi and Piyush Goyal. While Goyal is the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Joshi is the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

Sources said it was in connection with the all-party meeting called by the government as they gave final touches to its points of view.



Separate meetings of BJP leaders followed by those from the BJP-led NDA will also be held on Wednesday as the ruling bloc frames its strategy for the session. With the BJP and opposition parties sharpening attacks on each other as they gear up for a host of assembly polls this year and the Lok Sabha election next year, the Parliament session is expected to be stormy.

The Congress and other opposition parties are seeking to corner the government over the Manipur crisis besides the issues of price rise and alleged misuse of probe agencies. The last session was also marred by frequent opposition protests. Alliances Formed On Basis Of Negativity 'Never Succeeded': PM Modi Slams Opposition At NDA Meeting
New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Wednesday announced that her party will fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections alone and slammed the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as well as the newly formed opposition coalition 'Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance' (INDIA) for being anti-Dalits. Addressing a press conference, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also said that the BSP will fight the upcoming Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana on its own.

Mayawati said the BSP was open to tie-ups with regional parties in Punjab and Haryana, provided they have no truck with the ruling NDA alliance or the 'INDIA'. While the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA alliance were strengthening themselves, BSP too was holding closed-door meetings of party workers across the country, she said.

She also lashed out at the alliance of 26-like minded parties -- INDIA -- and said the Congress is dreaming of coming back to the Centre by forming an alliance with 'casteist and capitalist-minded parties' like itself.



19-07-2023-BSP PRESS RELEASE-MAYAWATI JI ADDRESSING MEDIA pic.twitter.com/DnrgnnTb7M  Mayawati (@Mayawati) July 19, 2023

"We will fight the elections alone. We will contest the assembly elections on our own in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana this year," she told reporters in Delhi.

Congress party is forging an alliance with like-minded casteist and capitalist parties to come into power. BJP is also strengthening NDA but their policies are anti-Dalit and anti-Muslim, she said.

"Had the Congress kept aside its casteist and capitalist mindset, worked towards the welfare of the poor and the oppressed and listened to BR Ambedkar, the need to form the BSP would not have arisen," Mayawati said.

"Whether it is Congress' Garibi Hatao, or BJP's tall promises of depositing Rs 20 lakh each into the account of poor are the prime reasons why the BSP has decided to maintain distance from both the ruling and opposition alliances," she said.
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday shared a picture of his mother Sonia Gandhi onboard a flight, a day after the aircraft carrying the mother-son duo made an emergency landing due to some technical glitch. Rahul Gandhi shared a picture of his mother on Instagram in which she can be seen wearing an oxygen mask. The picture was possibly clicked while they were headed to the national capital from Bengaluru after attending the mega Opposition meet on Tuesday.

The Congress leader shared his mothers photo with the caption Ma, the epitome of grace under pressure.

The Delhi-bound had to make an emergency landing in Bhopal due to a technical glitch. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing due to bad weather, said Bhopal police. The plane was going from Bengaluru to Delhi. The emergency landing was caused due to bad weather conditions. After the 26 like-minded parties convened the second opposition meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the Congress leaders returning from the meeting had to halt in Madhya Pradesh. The aircraft carrying them had to make an emergency landing, the officials said.

Senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Womens Commission chairperson Shoba Oza also informed, The chartered plane carrying Sonia ji and Rahul ji made an emergency landing because of some technical snag.

As the news spread, a group of Madhya Pradesh Congress leaders including Oza, former Union minister Suresh Pachori, MLAs PC Sharma, Arif Masood and Kunal Choudhary rushed to the airport to meet the Gandhis.

Leaders of 26 parties concluded their two-day meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The first meeting was held in Patna on June 23 and chaired by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case of alleged fabrication of evidence to frame innocent people in the 2002 post-Godhra riots cases. A three-judge bench of Justices B R Gavai, A S Bopanna and Dipankar Datta set aside the order of the Gujarat High Court rejecting her plea for regular bail.

The top court said a charge sheet has been filed in the case against Setalvad and her custodial interrogation is not necessary.

"The passport of the appellant already surrendered will be in custody of session court. The appellant shall not make any attempt to influence witnesses and shall stay away from them," the bench said.



The bench also granted the Gujarat Police liberty to directly move the apex court if attempt is made to influence witnesses in the case.

Setalvad was taken into custody on June 25 last year along with former Gujarat Director General of Police R B Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt in a case registered by the Ahmedabad crime branch police for allegedly fabricating evidence to frame innocent people in the post-Godhra riots cases.

An Ahmedabad sessions court had on July 30, 2022 rejected the bail applications of Setalvad and Sreekumar, saying their release will send a message to wrongdoers that a person can level allegations with impunity and get away with it.

The High Court had on August 3, 2022, issued a notice to the state government on the bail plea of Setalvad and fixed the matter for hearing on September 19.

Meanwhile, she moved the Supreme Court (SC) for interim bail after the high court refused to consider her plea.

The apex court, on September 2 last year, granted her interim bail and asked her to surrender her passport with the trial court till the time the Gujarat High Court decided her regular bail plea.


New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmis refusal to chant "Vande Mataram" on the grounds of his religion led to uproarious scenes in the Maharashtra Assembly which was finally adjourned after noisy protests on Wednesday. While raising the issue of a riot in the Sambhajinagar district, Azmi said chanting 'Vande Mataram' was unacceptable to him. "Some people say that if one has to live in India, 'Vande Mataram' must be chanted. We can not do it. We believe only in one God," he said.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi says, "I respect 'Vande Mantram' but I can't read it because my religion says we can't bow down to anyone except 'Allah'. pic.twitter.com/uYJmkR7GWj  ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2023

BJP MLAs, however, took strong objections to his statement, leading to a heated exchange in the Assembly. The state assembly was adjourned by Speaker Rahul Narwekar following noisy protests by BJP MLAs over the SP MLAs comments.

BJP Takes Swipe At INDIA

The BJP took a swipe at the opposition parties over the Samajwadi Party legislator's remark in the Maharashtra Assembly on chanting 'Vande Mataram', asking if this was their idea of 'INDIA'. The BJP's reaction came after Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi, while raising the Sambhajinagar district riot issue in the Assembly, said chanting 'Vande Mataram' was unacceptable to him.

"Abu Azmi of SP says 'I won't say Vande Mataram, I won't bow my head as my religion doesn't allow it'," BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet. "Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A," he tweeted, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition of 26 opposition parties.

Abu Azmi of SP says I wont say Vande Mataram- I wont bow my head as my religion doesnt allow



Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this Anti India?



SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A



India in name but not in agenda! Earlier SP released terrorists & patronised Yakub,Afzal pic.twitter.com/AOV61BC8Iy  Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) July 19, 2023

Setting the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, 26 opposition parties on Tuesday formed a coalition - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) - to unitedly take on the ruling NDA with Rahul Gandhi asserting that the fight will be "between INDIA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Poonawalla alleged India is in the name of the opposition parties' alliance but not in their agenda. "Earlier SP released terrorists and patronised Yakub (Memon), Afzal (Guru). Congress questioned the surgical strike, Balakot, and 26/11 was blamed on India, not Pakistan. This is their true face," he alleged. "Will Mamata-di, Kharge ji, Rahul ji tell us their stand?" Poonawalla asked.

The Maharashtra legislative assembly was adjourned on Wednesday following a noisy protest by BJP MLAs over Abu Azmi's remark on chanting 'Vande Mataram'.

Abu Azmi's remark kicked off a massive political storm, forcing the Samajwadi Party MLA to issue a clarification on the matter later.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday met his former ally and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for the first time after the NCP leader joined the Eknath Shinde government. Thackeray, a member of the state legislative council, attended the house proceedings for a brief period. It was also his first visit to the legislature after deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe, his one-time party colleague, joined the Shinde-led rival Shiv Sena.

"I asked him to do good work for the state and people," Thackeray said after meeting Pawar, who is also the finance minister, at his office.

The former chief minister noted that he had worked with Pawar in his cabinet and knew his style of functioning. Pawar was Thackeray's deputy in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government.



"I am confident that people of the state will get aid because he has the keys to the treasury," Thackeray added.

Earlier this month, Ajit Pawar and eight other Nationalist Congress Party MLAs joined the Shinde government, virtually splitting the party founded by Sharad Pawar.
New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday denied reports that he was 'upset' with the Opposition meeting held in Bengaluru for not being made the convenor of the newly formed alliance. His response came a day after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sushil Modi claimed that the JD(U) leader returned to Patna without attending the press meet after the meeting as he was 'upset' over not being made the convenor of the Opposition's new alliance - Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

"The meeting was very fruitful and we all are very happy with the outcome. I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape," Nitish Kumar told the reporters.

"We are working to unify all non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Patna opposition meet was attended by 16 parties and there were 26 parties in Bengaluru. Our numbers are increasing and the unity of the opposition parties is getting strengthened," he added.



He also took a dig at Sushil Modi and asked 'who takes him seriously'.

Besides Kumar, those not present at the press conference included RJD president Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav, the current Deputy CM of Bihar, both of whom travelled with the chief minister.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sushil Kumar Modi issued a statement and claimed that Kumar deliberately skipped the press conference held after the meeting since he felt slighted over not having been made 'sanyojak' (convener) of the new alliance.

He also likened Kumar's early return from Bengaluru to the action of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the last month's Opposition meeting in Patna. The AAP delegation had skipped the press conference after the meet in Patna, and soon afterward, came out with a statement lashing out at the Congress for not assuring support on the ordinance issue.

Meanwhile, 26 opposition parties on Tuesday set the tone for their 2024 Lok Sabha campaign and formed the coalition -- INDIA -- to unitedly take on the ruling NDA.
Emily Hanley is a writer and comedian. Emily Hanley

Emily Hanley is a freelance copywriter, writer, and comedian.

She said she started losing work when clients decided to use ChatGPT instead of hiring a copywriter.

Hanley says that if a robot can do your job for less, it'll end up doing that.

I always dreamed of going viral because of my brains or my undeniable beauty. I never thought it would be because I made a TikTok about losing my job to AI.

I'm a writer and stand-up comedian. Like most creatives, I've always worked a day job. For the past several years I worked as a full-time freelance copywriter; I'd work on webpages, branded blogs, online articles, social-media captions, and email-marketing campaigns. I wasn't raking in the big bucks or living fancy-free aboard a yacht in Capri, but I was comfortable. For the first time I felt I had a sustainable career.

In the push for innovation, we've always celebrated the advancements that rendered workers useless; we marveled at the printing press with little thought for the scribe and rejoiced at the ease of an elevator button even though it swiftly replaced the lift operator.

Still, it's different when it happens to you

First, the work slowed. Instead of 10 assignments a week, I had five. Then three. Then one.

Like any good self-doubting millennial, I first thought it was me. I'd finally been discovered as a talentless hack with no business being a "professional" writer.

The majority of my freelance assignments came through a single agency working with several brands. When the assignments stopped coming, I emailed my editor/boss to ask if I'd been fired or if all the brands had just voted me off the island, "Survivor" style.

The good news was it wasn't me, but the real reason made me wish it had been.

Clients were simply unwilling to pay for copywriting any longer unless that writer could also provide email management and a funnel-building system, most likely because of the newfound popularity of ChatGPT. Most of my clients were small businesses, startups, and young brands, which are typically the first to adapt to new technology to cut costs  aka me.

Story continues

Trying to find a job in an oversaturated market is like trying to talk to someone at unemployment  many of us remain on hold

For the next three months I steadily applied for content and copywriting positions. With each passing week I widened the scope of my search, desperation pushing me forward like a stage mom to a shy child.

Several successful yet fruitless interviews later (one of which I did in Hawaii on the day of my best friend's wedding), I remained jobless. (Side note: That beautiful trip to Hawaii sent me into a debt-stress spiral akin to nothing I've ever experienced. I now understand "Death of a Salesman" on a far deeper level.)

Then I came across a promising position through a rather pushy recruiter. The six-month contract was for a well-paying, albeit exceedingly vague, role at a global conglomerate, the name of which I cannot share because of an NDA. I entered the pre-interview interview hopeful and left wishing I'd followed my father's advice and become an electrician.

The company was looking to hire a copywriter to train its artificial-intelligence source, improving its humanlike communication abilities. The contract was six months, because that's how long it'd take the AI to learn to write just like me but better, faster, and cheaper.

If you're under the assumption that I turned down the follow-up interview because the job would take away my future ability to find work, you'd be wrong, my friend. On the brink of financial collapse, making the "right choice" for future sustainability becomes a distant concept, replaced by frivolous needs for the present, such as food and shelter.

In a hilarious turn of events, even though I would've taken the job, I didn't end up getting it

Instead, I got hired as a brand ambassador, which is a fancy way of saying I offer samples of sparkling water at grocery stores. I'm still applying for jobs, but in the meantime this allows me to keep the lights on.

In January, two months after its launch, ChatGPT surpassed 100 million users, solidifying its status as the fastest-growing consumer application. The more users input instructions, the smarter ChatGPT gets, and the more writers will join me  and the elevator operator  in obsolescence.

While I and countless other out-of-work copywriters are the first wave of AI collateral, the collapse of my profession is probably just the tip of the AI iceberg. Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that artificial intelligence led to nearly 4,000 job losses in May.

I naively assumed that artists and creatives would be safe from automation technology, because how could anything replace the wonder of the human mind  and even if it could, why would we want it to? Hah! I now understand that in even the most creative industries, creativity never comes before the bottom line. If a robot can do your job for less, you better believe that's exactly what's going to happen.

Emily Hanley is a freelance copywriter and comedian.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Lucknow: The land seized from mafia-politician Mukhtar Ansari will now be used to provide housing for the poor. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has decided to construct 72 flats on the land seized from Ansari, his sons and other family members in the city's Dalibagh area. The construction will be done under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Senior LDA officials have written a letter to Lucknow District Magistrate Surya Pal Gangwar to provide the land .

We are planning to construct 72 flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Dalibagh. A letter has been sent to district magistrate to make the land available for the project, said an LDA official. The LDA had identified 2.321.54 sq.metres of land of the Ansari family in Dalibagh.

It was enemy property which was illegally occupied by the Ansari family and they had illegally constructed bungalows and apartments on this land.



Earlier this month, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had given possession of 72 houses in Prayagraj to the poor and these houses had been built on land which was illegally occupied by slain gangster Atiq Ahmad.
New Delhi: Global technology brand realme on Tuesday announced the "Early Bird Sale" for the upcoming realme C53, the first and only smartphone in the segment with a 108MP camera, in the country on July 19.

The sale will be held between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on realme.com and Flipkart. Buyers can avail discounts up to Rs 1,000 on the 6GB + 64GB variant of the realme C53.

realme C53 offers the largest storage in the segment with up to 12GB Dynamic RAM + 128GB ROM. The smartphone features a 7.99mm ultra-slim shiny champion design with a 90Hz display.



It comes powered by a massive 5000mAh battery with 18W SUPERVOOC charging support and runs on a powerful octa-core chipset.

realme is a technology brand that specialises in providing leap-forward products with a comprehensive superior experience for global users. The brand was officially established on May 4, 2018, by a young and strong team with rich smartphone industry experience.

Currently, realme has over 70 million users in India, committed to creating a smart, connected, and trendy lifestyle for the youth, realme democratises leap-forward technology to provide the best technology products in each price segment.
New Delhi: Prior to the company's planned launch event on July 26, Samsung teased other items on Wednesday in addition to its newest generation of foldable smartphones. The blog post by TM Roh, president and head of MX Business at Samsung Electronics, gives some suggestions as to what will be revealed during the significant launch in South Korea the following week.

That includes the new tablets and smartwatches, as well as the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5. Samsung has a head start in the field of foldable phones, which Roh argues have "raised the standards."

According to him, "every gramme and millimetre in a foldable device requires an engineering breakthrough," and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 will be "thinner and lighter than their predecessors."



According to reports, the Z Flip 5 and the Z Fold 5 will both have new hinge designs that will enable the handsets to eliminate the "hinge gap" present on earlier iterations while also reducing the weight of the phones.

According to rumours, the Flip 5 will reportedly have a cover display that is far larger than the Moto Razr 40 Ultra, which was just released. Additionally, both devices are probably going to get new hardware and better photography experiences.

The next-generation "Galaxy Tab and Wearables designed in the same spirit," says Roh, and "they work with each other harmoniously in an ecosystem that opens up a powerful connected experience, serving as a seamless extension of your needs, priorities, and unique personality."
New Delhi: Elvish Yadav, who entered the 'Bigg Boss OTT 2' a few days back, has been continuing to reign as the dictator of the house, with audiences enamored by his presence. However, a twist awaits as Bigg Boss assigns Avinash Sachdev a secret task, to dethrone Elvish from his leadership position.

Avinash's challenge involves sitting on Elvish's throne and speaking ill of him, attempting to erode the support Elvish enjoys among the housemates and viewers. Meanwhile, Jiya Shankar receives a task to cook something special and feed it to Elvish directly from her hands, aiming to create a bond and potentially sway his opinions in the process. enamouredAdditionally, Falaq's mission is to give Elvish a soothing head massage while praising him generously, adding a layer of complexity to the secret task.

Also Read: Project K: Prabhas' First Look Out, Pan-India Star Set to Fight As Rebel In Nag Ashwin's Sci-Fi Film



As the task unfolds, Avinash Sachdev, Falaq Naaz, and Jiya Shankar diligently complete their respective missions. The tension rises as they skillfully play their roles, keeping the true nature of their tasks hidden from both Elvish Yadav and the rest of the housemates.

Also Read: Rumoured Lovebirds Ananya Panday, Aditya Roy Kapur Enjoy Scooter Ride, Video Goes Viral

However, amidst the subterfuge, keen observer Abhishek Malhan senses that something is amiss. His suspicions are aroused as he puts together the pieces of the puzzle, gradually realizing that Avinash's group is executing a secret plan to dethrone Elvish Yadav. Will he successfully crack and expose the secret task? The fate of Avinash's mission to dethrone Elvish hangs in the balance.

Live Updates:

SHAME ON JIYA SHANKAR

Elvish Yadav becomes DICTATOR of the house in a task, and he just asked Jiya Shankar for a Glass of water, She mixed soap purposely in the water and started laughing with that Shitty person Avinash

What kind of behaviour is this ?

ELVISH YADAV_ pic.twitter.com/3Q6kedf4DL  Chef Billa __ (@milanpatel211) July 18, 2023

Who will emerge victorious in this intense game of secrets and power? Only time will reveal the outcome of the high-stakes mission, as the drama inside the Bigg Boss OTT 2 house unfolds, captivating viewers and housemates alike.
NEW DELHI: In 2016, a blue-eyed Pakistani tea seller with striking looks had become an overnight sensation after his photographs selling tea at his small team stall at a Sunday Bazaar in Islamabad went viral. Back then, the man in question, Arshad Khan, grabbed a lot of attention after a photographer named Jiah Ali shared his photos on social media. Khan was then flooded with several modelling and acting offers. However, he preferred to remain a chaiwala a moniker which he got from social media.

Why is Arshad Khan Making News Again?





The blue-eyed Pakistani 'chaiwala' is back in the media spotlight for opening a cafe in London now. Yes, you got it right, Khan has now opened a cafe - Cafe Chaiwala - on East London's Ilford Lane. Ilford Lane is home to many Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

His London cafe is designed to promote South Asian culture, featuring traditional elements such as truck art, hand-decorated Vespas, and desi paintings.

Khan has been personally sharing news about his journey as an entrepreneur on his Instagram account. Sharing updates about the London cafe, Khan wrote on his Instagram account that he plans to visit London to brew tea for his fans.

Besides the London cafe, Khan also operates similar Cafe Chaiwala brands in Islamabad, Lahore and other locations in Pakistan.

According to a press release, the London cafe boasts traditional and cultural South Asian elements, from truck art and a hand-decorated Vespa, desi paintings on the wall and the interior that is modern and Dhabba at the same time.

Sharing details about the cafe, Khan said, "My visit is being planned and I would love to brew tea for my loving fans. I have received thousands of requests for a London visit. Our first international Chai shop is now open on Ilford Lane and the response is massive already. With the Durrani brothers, we decided to start from Ilford Lane due to the fact that it's home to a large number of Pakistanis and Indians who love Chai. I will be in London soon in person."

Despite being flooded with several modelling and acting offers in 2016, Khan was not carried away by the instant global fame and attention he got back then. He instead decided to sharpen his language skills and learn the nuances of business. He readily embraced his new identity as a chaiwala, and used all the limelight as a stepping stone in his career with the launch of a cafe named 'Cafe Chaiwala Rooftop' that opened in Islamabad in 2020.

In his previous interview with Urdu News, Khan recalled that the name 'chaiwala' holds a special place in his heart, as it is an integral part of his identity and his entrepreneurial journey.

Surely, Arshad Khan has come a long way from being a modest daily wage tea seller to a budding entrepreneur.
ROME/BEIJING: Italy put 23 cities on red alert with temperatures set to reach up to 46 Celsius (114 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, one of the global hotspots as a wave of extreme heat, wildfires and flooding wreaks havoc from the United States to China. The heatwave has hit southern Europe during the peak summer tourist season, breaking records including in Rome and bringing warnings about an increased risk of deaths.

The Lazio region, focused on Rome, said it had seen a 20% increase in medical emergencies over the same time last year because of the heat.

Wildfires burned for a third day west of the Greek capital Athens and firefighters worked throughout the night to keep flames away from coastal refineries.



Fanned by erratic winds, the fires have gutted dozens of homes, prompted hundreds of people to flee and blanketed the area in thick smoke. Temperatures could climb to 43C on Thursday, forecasters said.

In China, which was hosting U.S. climate envoy John Kerry for talks, tourists defied the heat to visit a giant thermometer showing surface temperatures of 80C.

In Beijing, which set a new record as temperatures remained above 35C for the 28th day in a row, Kerry expressed hope that cooperation to combat global warming could redefine troubled ties between the two superpowers.

A global pattern of heatwaves that scorched parts of Europe, Asia and the United States this week has thrown that challenge into sharp relief.

Temperatures remained high across much of Italy on Wednesday, with 45-46C expected on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

The health ministry said it would activate an information hotline and teams of mobile health workers visited the elderly in Rome.

"These people are afraid they won't make it, they are afraid they can't go out," said Claudio Consoli, a doctor and director of a health unit.

Carmaker Stellantis (STLAM.MI) said it was monitoring the situation at its Pomigliano plant near Naples on Wednesday, after temporarily halting work on one production line the day before when temperatures peaked.

Workers at battery-maker Magneti Marelli threatened an 8-hour strike at their central Italian plant in Sulmona. A joint statement by the unions said "asphyxiating heat is putting at risk the lives of workers".

While the heatwave appears to be subsiding in Spain, residents in Greece were left surveying the wreckage of their homes after the wildfires.

"Everything burned, everything. I will throw it all," said Abbram Paroutsidis, 65.

Not everyone went willingly. Footage by Greek police showed officers imploring a reluctant group of nuns to evacuate a convent.

Scientists have long warned that climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions mainly from burning fossil fuels, will make heatwaves more frequent, severe and deadly.

In Germany, the heatwave sparked an unlikely discussion on whether workplaces should introduce siestas for workers.

El Corte Ingles, one of Spain's largest department store chains, said sales of air conditioning units had jumped, as had interest in cooling pads for pets.

"The current extreme heat is due mainly to a slow-moving anticyclone, a high-pressure system, that is dominating the upper atmosphere over southern Europe," explained Florian Pappenberger, Director of Forecasts at ECMWF.

"While the current heatwave is expected to last until around 26 July, another period of extreme temperatures may follow if the heat dome persists."

HEAT AND FLOODS IN ASIA

In South Korea, heavy rain has pummelled central and southern regions since last week. Fourteen deaths occurred in an underpass in the city of Cheongju, where more than a dozen vehicles were swamped on Saturday when a river levee collapsed. In the southeastern province of North Gyeongsang, 22 people died, many from landslides and swirling torrents.

In northern India, flash floods, landslides and accidents related to heavy rainfall have killed more than 100 people since the onset of the monsoon season on June 1, where rainfall is 41% above average.

The Yamuna river reached the compound walls of the Taj Mahal in Agra for the first time in 45 years, submerging several other historical monuments, and flooded parts of the Indian capital.

The Brahmaputra river, which runs through India's Assam state, burst its banks this month, engulfing almost half of the Kaziranga National Park - home to the rare one-horned rhino - in waist deep water.

A wall collapse from monsoon rains killed at least 11 construction workers in neighbouring Pakistan.

In China's western Xinjiang province, tourists with broad-brimmed hats and umbrellas took selfies by a giant thermometer that displayed a real-time surface temperature of 80C (176 Fahrenheit).

Each summer, people flock to the Flaming Mountains on the northern rim of Xinjiang's Turpan Depression to see their corrugated slopes of brown-red sandstone and to take in the super-charged heat emanating from the ground.

In recent days, temperatures in Xinjiang and other parts of Asia, as well as Europe and the United States have shattered records.

On Sunday, a remote township in the Turpan Depression registered a maximum air temperature of 52.2C, smashing China's national record of 50.3C set in 2015, also in the basin.

Iraq's southern Basra governorate, with a population of around 4 million, said government work would be suspended on Thursday as temperatures hit 50C. In Iraq's northern city of Mosul, farmers said crops were failing due to heat and drought.

Extreme heat in parts of the world will likely be exacerbated by the return of the El Nino weather pattern in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, which is expected to push up temperatures.

The unprecedented temperatures have added new urgency for nations around the globe to tackle climate change. With the world's two biggest economies at odds over issues ranging from trade to Taiwan, Kerry told Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng on Wednesday that climate change must be handled separately to broader diplomatic problems.

"It is a universal threat to everybody on the planet and requires the largest nations in the world, the largest economies in the world, the largest emitters in the world, to come together in order to do work not just for ourselves, but for all mankind," Kerry told Han.

Reporting by Crispian Balmer, Giselda Vagnoni, Renee Maltezou, Emma Pinedo, Inti Landauro, Corina Pons, Ryan Woo, Valerie Vocovici, Sakshi Dayal, Hyonhee Shin, Sarah Marsh, Gavin Jones, Timour Azhari, Khalid Al-Mousily, Kate Abnett; Writing by John Geddie and Matthias Williams; Editing by Stephen Coates and Janet Lawrence
"Ballad of the Frailty of "Druzhba"

The transit of oil from the east may end in a few years.

The system of transit oil pipelines from Russia to Europe is called "Druzhba". The name now sounds ironic, and there are fewer and fewer friendly destinations.

Help ZN.UA. The "Druzhba" oil pipeline runs from Almetyevsk to Bryansk, after which it divides into two branches, namely the northern and the southern. Northern extended over the territory of Belarus, Poland, Germany, Latvia and Lithuania (from the spring of 2023 - practically inactive). The southern branch runs through Belarus (Mozyr), the territory of Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary (see Fig. 1).

At the beginning of the 2000s, friendship with the Baltic states disappeared, then the Kremlin shut down the section going there for "scheduled repairs", which dragged on forever.

This year, it seems, there will be no more transit of the northern branch of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline to Poland and Germany. In 2022, another 24 million tons were pumped there, in the same year, both Berlin and Warsaw refused to buy oil from the aggressor.

Ironically, only one "Ukrainian" part of the oil pipeline, through which oil goes to Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, remained for the workers, although its prospects are not indifferent. Actually, the very fact that this section of transit is still working is due to a complex balance of interests and contradictions.

The European Union has introduced an embargo on Russian oil and oil products, but it does not apply to deliveries via the southern branch of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline.

However, with the beginning of the great war, an open joint-stock company called "UkrTransNafta", which is the operator of our section, sharply raised prices. If at the beginning of last year, transit cost 8.6 euros per ton, then the price was raised several times both last year and this year. Since June, it has been twice as high as before the war  17 euros/ton, and will rise to 21 euros from August. They wanted 27.2 euros/ton in general, but so far they have not agreed. And it's worth it, because in other directions the tariffs are even higher.

The deliveries themselves in 2022 have even increased slightly. Thus, 4.9 million tons were pumped to the Hungarians (45% more than the pre-war year), 4.2 million tons to the Czechs (an increase of 25%). Only the Slovaks bought, as before, 5.2 million tons.

Purchases took place against the background of shelling of the infrastructure (the pipe itself, however, was not hit) and fears that transit would be interrupted. However, serious failures were avoided.

Moscow tried to transfer the payments to ruble accounts, which caused the transit to stop for several days. Ukraine rejected these demands. In fact, oil is pumped for Hungarian MOL (it owns refineries in Hungary and Slovakia) and Polish PKN Orlen, which owns a plant in the Czech Republic. Against the background of the failures of the "successful military operations of the second army of the world", the Kremlin did not risk quarreling with Orban, and the issue of the currency of payment was settled by the oil buyers.

At the beginning of the year, according to leaked United States of America intelligence documents, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, proposed to study what would happen if the "Druzhba" oil pipeline was stopped. Political figures in Budapest even began to worry about this. However, there was a game on nerves. Although politicians in Kyiv are not happy with Orban's position, it will not interrupt the transit.

As a result, Ukraine receives diesel fuel  114,000 tons in 2022. Which is not superfluous both for agrarians and for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, money from transit makes it possible to support the operation of oil pipelines that pump Ukrainian oil.

Neighbors in Central Europe  three landlocked countries receive a resource for processing and ... time to diversify supplies.

That's why they started diversifying. Before the war, Slovakia was completely (95%) dependent on Russian oil, Hungary  60-65%, and the Czech Republic  half.

Already last year, the countries increased supplies via an alternative route  the "Adria" oil pipeline from the Croatian port of Omisal on the Adriatic Sea, which was laid under the Yugoslav communists (see Fig. 2). Ironically, once through it, an open joint-stock company "UkrTransNafta" was going to develop transit supplies of Tyumen oil.

In addition, the Czechs, together with the Austrians and Germans, will work on the modernization of another pipe  the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL) from the Italian port of Trieste. Polish PKN Orlen, which stopped buying oil through the northern branch of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline in the spring, promises to exclude Russian oil from its refineries in the Czech Republic. The agreement to increase the throughput of TAL to 4 million tons per year will allow the Czech Republic to get rid of its dependence on Russia as early as 2025.

For the Hungarians, the situation is a bit more complicated, they are going to expand the volume of Croatian transit there, but they do not want to give up the "Druzhba" oil pipeline completely yet. MOL is working on diversifying oil supply routes and expects to be able to choose between Urals and non-Russian oil for its refineries by 2026.

Their relations with Croatia are cheerful. So, back in 2009, MOL bought 49% of the local oil and gas concern INA (another 45% from the Croatian government). The result of the agreement was a criminal case against Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader. He was accused of accepting bribes from Hungarians. And in November 2012, the former prime minister was sentenced to ten years in prison. Naturally, MOL does not recognize the bribe, but such nuances (as well as Zagreb's appeal to international courts to terminate the contract) did not really strengthen "good cooperation".

Now the excitement has subsided a little, but when the long-term transit oil contract with Zagreb expired this year, they could not conclude a long-term replacement agreement (despite a year of negotiations). Hungarians accuse their neighbors of an inflated price tag for pumping  four times more expensive than they would like. Currently, a temporary contract for one year has been concluded. In general, "sworn friends".

Technically, to increase the capacity of "Adria" it will be necessary to strengthen the pumping station and modernize the approximately one hundred kilometer section of the oil pipeline, which requires investments in the amount of 100-200 million euros. By the way, during the forty-odd years of its history, "Adria" has never worked even at half capacity.

At the same time, Budapest is trying to enter the Serbian market, offering to lay a pipeline there from "Druzhba" (however, it offers to look for money in the European Union).

But, despite the nuances, the replacement of the Russian export mixture Urals is actively proceeding.

By the end of 2023, Slovakia wants to reach about a third of the processing of non-Russian (mainly Azerbaijani) oil. This is a minus of almost 2 million tons of transit through Ukraine.

Hungary, where before the war the share of Russian oil was about 60%, wants to reduce it to 40%.

Moreover, the European Union stimulated this process by banning the export of petroleum products produced from Russian raw materials. Slovak refineries exported up to half of their total volumes to the Czech Republic. And until the end of 2024, diesel fuel produced from Russian oil will still be able to be sold from Slovakia to the Czech Republic (and only there).

In Hungary, such a postponement is valid until December 2023. Even if it is extended for another year (and there are such attempts), both directions (Hungarian and Slovak) will settle down nicely.

Both Czech-Polish and Hungarian transit routes promise to be put into operation in the second half of 2025 with a corresponding reduction in transit through Ukraine. Instead of the current 10 million tons pumped to Hungary and Slovakia, an open joint-stock company "UkrTransNafta" will have 3.54 million tons left in two to three years. The Czech Republic with its 5 million tons will go to zero in general.

Internal transit of its oil (1.52 million tons) will not make up for such losses.

After unlocking the ports, transit from the sea will appear. But so far it is not much.

In June, they again mentioned the construction of the "eternal" oil pipeline Brody-Adamova Zastava. At the negotiations with the Polish PERN, it was mentioned that it will connect the Ukrainian and Polish oil transport systems, highly evaluating the degree of readiness for implementation. These words are imprecise, without the slightest specificity, the project has not been developing for twenty years. Although it was emphasized that (when it comes to the metal) the pipeline will pump in both directions. And this will give Ukraine the opportunity to receive oil from the Baltic Sea. It is promising for Poland as well as for other countries of the European Union, but... only after unlocking Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

The traditional question "Who will pay for the construction?"  no answer, and where to get the resource? Although the project in the European Union is included in the priority list, there is no clarity at the moment. All the more so since it really promotes the diversification of energy supply routes to the European Union market, which immediately cuts off political feet.

One thing is clear for sure  there will be no the "Druzhba" oil pipeline. What will happen after the "Druzhba" oil pipeline? So far, transformations are on the march, and it is difficult to say when and with what they will end. But the fact that the market will change beyond recognition, probably, as well as the fact that it is time for Ukraine to find a place on it now, while there are still free seats. It won't happen soon... At the very least, it is necessary to develop, or rather, to revive the same oil processing. It will not be easy and quick. Losses are also inevitable. But burying your head in the sand, expecting that somehow everything will resolve itself, will not work.

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Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, M&G Credit Income Investment Trust's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

The top 5 shareholders own 53% of the company

Using data from company's past performance alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

If you want to know who really controls M&G Credit Income Investment Trust plc (LON:MGCI), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 89% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of M&G Credit Income Investment Trust, beginning with the chart below.

View our latest analysis for M&G Credit Income Investment Trust

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About M&G Credit Income Investment Trust?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in M&G Credit Income Investment Trust. 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. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at M&G Credit Income Investment Trust's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Story continues

Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. M&G Credit Income Investment Trust is not owned by hedge funds. The company's largest shareholder is M&G Investment Management Limited, with ownership of 27%. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 9.7% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 6.2% by the third-largest shareholder.

On looking further, we found that 53% of the shares are owned by the top 5 shareholders. In other words, these shareholders have a meaningful say in the decisions of the company.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. We're not picking up on any analyst coverage of the stock at the moment, so the company is unlikely to be widely held.

Insider Ownership Of M&G Credit Income Investment Trust

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. 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.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of M&G Credit Income Investment Trust plc in their own names. It seems the board members have no more than UK82k worth of shares in the UK125m company. Many tend to prefer to see a board with bigger shareholdings. A good next step might be to take a look at this free summary of insider buying and selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 11% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over M&G Credit Income Investment Trust. 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.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for M&G Credit Income Investment Trust you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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While Major Drilling Group International Inc. (TSE:MDI) shareholders are probably generally happy, the stock hasn't had particularly good run recently, with the share price falling 18% in the last quarter. But that shouldn't obscure the pleasing returns achieved by shareholders over the last three years. After all, the share price is up a market-beating 66% in that time.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

Check out our latest analysis for Major Drilling Group International

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Major Drilling Group International became profitable within the last three years. So we would expect a higher share price over the period.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of Major Drilling Group International's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

A Different Perspective

Major Drilling Group International provided a TSR of 4.3% over the last twelve months. But that return falls short of the market. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 8% over five years. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. Investors who like to make money usually check up on insider purchases, such as the price paid, and total amount bought. You can find out about the insider purchases of Major Drilling Group International by clicking this link.

Story continues

Major Drilling Group International 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 Canadian 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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U.S.-based p0x Labs, the developer of the layer-1 zero-knowledge (ZK) blockchain Manta Network, has secured a US$25 million Series A funding round for Manta Networks expansion in Asia.

See related article: Solving the privacy issues of the financial system with Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Fast facts

The funds raised will be used to scale the projects network, user base and use cases for Manta Pacific, and will support the expansion in the key Asia markets, said p0x Labs in the announcement.

The Series A funding values p0x Labs at US$500 million, according to the company.

The announcement comes as Asian markets seek to attract Web3 industry investments, with economies including Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea all ramping up initiatives related to digital assets and blockchain technologies.

The fundraising was led by U.S. investment firm Polychain Capital and Chinese venture capital firm Qiming Venture Partners. Other backers included Alliance, CoinFund, and SevenX Ventures.

Qiming Venture Partners manages 11 US-dollar funds and seven RMB funds with a total of US$9.4 billion in capital raised. Its portfolio firms include Chinese tech majors such as Xiaomi, Meituan and Bilibili.

Manta Network also on Wednesday launched the testnet of Manta Pacific, an Ethereum-based layer-2 solution to provide toolkits for ZK application developers.

ZK technology is a cryptographic verification method that prevents exposure of underlying data to offer users more security and privacy. Polygon, the Ethereum layer 2 scaling network, launched the beta mainnet of its own Ethereum ZK solution in March.

See related article: Hong Kong? Singapore? Tokyo? Seoul? Dubai? The race is on for the Web3 hub of Asia | Part 1
Transparency Market Research

Significant adoption of hydroquinone as a preferred topical treatment for melasma is anticipated to propel market development. Asia Pacific is a lucrative market for melasma drug treatment due to the presence of a large patient population in the region.

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global melasma drug treatment market was valued at US$ 2.6 Bn in 2022 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2023 to 2031.



Increase in demand for effective and safe therapies for melasma is expected to offer significant business opportunities to companies in the market. Significant usage of hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, Vitamin C, corticosteroids, arbutin, and triple combination creams is anticipated to fuel market development.

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Introduction of novel botanical and non-botanical agents in oral therapies is likely to broaden market outlook. Growth in understanding of pathogenesis of melasma among the research community is also projected to strengthen market growth.

Key Findings of Study

Advancements in Melasma Topical Treatment

In terms of route of administration, the topical segment accounted for the dominant market share in 2022. Extensive adoption of topical gels and ointments among the patient population is anticipated to augment the segment. Hydroquinone is a widely-used topical therapy. It is prominently used as mono-therapy. Additionally, hydroquinone is preferred as a key ingredient in dual and triple combination therapies. Significant preference for this topical therapy for the treatment of hyperpigmentation is estimated to offer lucrative business opportunities to companies in the market.

Significant Demand for Treatments for Mixed Melasma

Based on type of melasma, the mixed melasma segment accounted for the major share of 70.0% in 2022. High prevalence of mixed melasma among the women population is a key trend expected to bolster the segment. Rise in demand for novel topical, oral, and procedural therapies for mixed melasma is anticipated to accelerate market development.

Story continues

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Key Growth Drivers of Global Melasma Drug Treatment Market

High prevalence of melasma in the general population around the globe is a key driver of the market. Melasma is more common in darker skin types than in lighter skin types and prevalent in females than in males.

Advancements in drug delivery systems, especially in transdermal drug delivery, and improvements in topical therapies are expected to augment market size

Regional Landscape

Asia Pacific is projected to account for the leading market share in 2022. Market demand in the region is fueled by the increase in prevalence of melasma. High prevalence of the disease in Asia Pacific can be ascribed to the presence of several risk factors such as high exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, pregnancy, usage of hormonal therapies, and regular use of cosmetics on sensitive skin. Increase in adoption of effective topical therapies is expected to bolster market development in the region. The affected individuals in the region, particularly women, seek treatments for cosmetic/esthetic reasons.

Significant prevalence and incidence of melasma among women in North America is anticipated to create significant business opportunities for companies in the market. Increase in demand for the disease treatment in dermatology clinics is augmenting the market size in the region. Rise in R&D activities in next-generation treatment modalities for melasma is likely to accelerate the market development in North America over the next few years.

Europe is also a lucrative market for melasma drug treatment. High adoption of treatments among the older population and rise in usage of topical treatments are trends that are likely to bolster the market value in the region.

Competition Landscape

Recent market trends indicate a growth in R&D activities in novel therapies. The business landscape is highly fragmented, since a large number of companies hold significant share of the market.

Key players in the market are

AbbVie, Inc.

GALDERMA

Obagi Cosmeceuticals LLC

Valeant Pharmaceutical

Abbott

La Pristine

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.



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Segmentation

The global melasma drug treatment market is segmented based on

Type of Melasma

Epidermal Melasma

Dermal Melasma

Mixed Melasma



Route of Administration

Oral

Topical

Drug Agent

Hydroquinone

Topical Retinoid

Topical Steroid

Triple Combination Cream

Others



Gender

Men

Women

Distribution Channel

Offline

Online

Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa



About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. The firm scrutinizes factors shaping the dynamics of demand in various markets. The insights and perspectives on the markets evaluate opportunities in various segments. The opportunities in the segments based on source, application, demographics, sales channel, and end-use are analysed, which will determine growth in the markets over the next decade.

Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision-makers, made possible by experienced teams of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants. The proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques we use always reflect the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in all of its business reports.

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Transparency Market Research Inc.

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FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of laptop users are seen next to a screen projection of Microsoft logo in this picture illustration

By Raphael Satter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp is expanding its suite of free security tools for customers, the software company said on Wednesday, following criticism that it was charging clients to protect themselves against Microsoft's mistakes.

The move follows a high-level hack that allowed allegedly Chinese spies to steal emails from senior U.S. officials - and complaints from security specialists and lawmakers against paying for tools

In a blog post published on Wednesday, Microsoft said the advanced features in Microsoft's auditing suite - which it calls Microsoft Purview - would be available to all customers "over the coming months."

Although not enough to prevent hacks on their own, digital auditing tools are critical for helping organizations figure out whether intruders are in their network, how they got in and how to get them out.

Microsoft's previous practice of charging for advanced versions of those tools has come under widespread criticism, especially following the recently disclosed hack at the U.S. State and Commerce Departments. That hack - which Microsoft later acknowledged was down to a breach and coding flaws - was only discovered because one of the victims spotted an anomaly while reviewing their digital logs.

In a statement released alongside Microsoft's blog post, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency official Eric Goldstein said that "everyone wins" when security tools are provided free of charge.

Charging for those tools "is a recipe for inadequate visibility into investigating cybersecurity incidents," Goldstein said.

(Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by Josie Kao)
(Bloomberg) -- At least three state attorneys general sent formal demands to Wall Street money managers asking for information about their climate work as GOP officials step up attacks on ESG investing.

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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sent a subpoena this month, according to people with knowledge of the process, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. Over the past few months Kentucky sent a subpoena and Montana a civil investigative demand seeking similar information, the people said.

The attorneys general asked money managers for their communications with Climate Action 100+ and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, which is part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero. The AGs are also seeking information about how the asset managers vote on climate-related shareholder resolutions, the people said.

Republican politicians over the past year have attacked Wall Streets environmental, social and governance financing strategies saying that money managers are promoting liberal goals such as climate change at the expense of the fossil fuel industry. Probes into a climate-finance group prompted some members to quit.

State GOP officials have also created boycott lists, pulled money from Wall Street biggest advocates of ESG investing, and introduced anti-ESG legislation.

Montana is seeking information to determine if asset managers had violated laws, including the states Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, by engaging in unfair methods of competition or deceptive acts in trade or commerce, according to a copy of its civil investigative demand seen by Bloomberg.

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Spokespeople for the attorneys generals declined to comment on the formal requests. Tennessee has previously sent similar demands to financial firms, Reuters reported last month.

Last month, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, sent a letter to Climate Action 100+ as well as environmental group Ceres seeking antitrust-related information. In March, a group of state attorneys general sent letters to asset managers to raise their concerns about agreements between asset managers to use Americans savings to push political goals during this years shareholder voting season.

(GFANZ is co-chaired by former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney and Michael R. Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court killed a plan by President Joe Biden to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans for millions of borrowers. Tens of thousands of business school graduates were among those affected.

That was just the start of the bad news for borrowers this summer. Student loan repayment had been suspended eight times since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic during the Trump administration, but the end of the road looms, and President Biden has announced there will be no further postponements. Interest on those loans is set to resume in September, and repayment dates are scheduled to begin again in October.

Now a new survey shows that many borrowers may not be ready for the pain. Intelligent.com found that among nearly 1,000 respondents, three-quarters had been confident they would not have to fully repay their loans  and as a result, nearly half of those spent more freely than they otherwise would have.

(See Poets&Quants reporting on other recent Intelligent.com surveys: Survey: 2 In 3 Class Of 2023 MBAs Say They Have No Job Lined Up and Minorities At The Leading U.S. MBA Programs: 2/3 Of The Top 30 Report Declines.)

BORROWERS SPENT ON HOME & AUTO REPAIRS, VACATIONS & RETAIL PURCHASES

Intelligent.com is a research platform that focuses on information about financial aid, internships, and study strategies at the top degree programs. Its latest survey, conducted between July 6 and 10, garnered responses from 977 borrowers who qualified for Bidens plan to forgive up to $20,000 in debt.

It found that 75% were somewhat or very confident that they would receive at least $10,000 in debt relief  and as a result of this confidence, 45% of these borrowers spent more money than they would have in the absence of a forgiveness plan. Among this group, 17% say they spent an additional $5,001 to $7,500, 9% say they spent $7,501 to $10,000, and 5% say they spent more than $10,000.

What did they spend on? The most common answers were retail purchases, other debt repayments, home and auto repairs, rent payments, and vacations.

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THE DREAM OF A FINANCIAL BREATHER HAS EVAPORATED

Survey results indicate that 58% of borrowers say they are very or somewhat unprepared for payments to resume. Conversely, 40% say they are very or somewhat prepared. As for their attitudes toward the Supreme Courts decision to reject the loan forgiveness program, 77% of borrowers say they strongly disagree or disagree.

The Supreme Court decision is a cold shower for those who had their hopes pinned on a $10,000 relief, says James Allen, a certified financial education instructor, in an Intelligent.com news release. Its like waiting for a tax refund only to find out the IRS made a mistake.

The impact? Well, its back to square one, folks. The dream of a financial breather has evaporated.

Click here to view the complete report.

DONT MISS WHAT IT COSTS TO ATTEND A TOP MBA PROGRAM and HOW TO DECIDE BETWEEN FEDERAL AND PRIVATE STUDENT LOANS

The post Nearly 1 in 3 Student Borrowers Say They Spent Money They Didnt Think Theyd Have To Pay Back appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Netflix (NFLX) reported second quarter financial results Wednesday that came in mixed as the platform continues efforts to trim costs and boost engagement in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.

Revenue, although 2.7% higher compared to the year-ago period, missed estimates despite new initiatives like the crackdown on password sharing, which rolled out in the US in late May, along with the recently launched ad-supported tier.

The streamer also guided to third quarter revenue of $8.52 billion, below expectations of $8.67 billion.

Shares fell in premarket trading on Thursday as a result, down more than 7%.

Here are Netflix's second quarter results compared to Wall Street's consensus estimates, as compiled by Bloomberg:

Revenue: $8.19 billion versus $8.30 billion expected

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS): $3.29 versus $2.90 expected

Subscribers: 5.89 million net additions versus 2.1 million net additions expected

Despite the revenue miss, profitability metrics like operating margin and free cash flow steadily beat expectations.

Operating margin hit 22.3% in the quarter, surpassing Netflix's own projection of 19%. The company reiterated its full-year operating margin guidance of 18% to 20%.

Free cash flow impressed at $1.34 billion, significantly above consensus calls of $542 million. Netflix boosted its full-year free cash flow guidance to $5 billion, up from the prior $3.5 billion, citing the impact of the double Hollywood strikes.

"We expect revenue growth to accelerate in the second half of 23 as we start to see the full benefits of paid sharing plus continued steady growth in our ad-supported plan," Netflix said in the release. "While weve made steady progress this year, we have more work to do to reaccelerate our growth. We remain focused on: creating a steady drumbeat of must-watch shows and movies; improving monetization; growing the enjoyment of our games; and investing to improve our service for members."

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Just ahead of the results, the company quietly removed its lowest-priced ad-free streaming plan in the US.

The "Basic" plan had been offered to US consumers for $9.99 a month. The removal of this plan, which the company also did in Canada last month, comes as Netflix more heavily leans on the ad tier, which comes at a cost of $6.99 per month.

In regards to the password-sharing crackdown, Netflix said it plans to roll out paid sharing to almost all of the remaining countries on Wednesday. Revenue in each region is now higher than pre-launch, the company said, with sign-ups exceeding cancellations.

Netflix attributed the year-over-year decline in average revenue per user to the timing of the paid sharing rollout, which occurred late in the quarter, coupled with limited price increases over the past 12 months and a higher mix of membership growth from lower revenue countries.

Netflix best positioned amid Hollywood strikes

People carry signs as SAG-AFTRA members walk the picket line in solidarity with striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers outside Netflix offices on July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Against the backdrop of earnings, Netflix executives addressed the double strike in Hollywood as actors join writers on the picket lines.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company is "super committed" to reaching a deal with actors and writers in order to end the strikes as quickly as possible.

SAG-AFTRA  the union that represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, recording artists, and other media professionals around the world  announced a strike last week after failing to negotiate a deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which bargains on behalf of studios.

According to a new report by Moody's released on Monday, Netflix is among the best-positioned companies in the event of a prolonged work stoppage, along with Comcast (CMCSA), Fox (FOXA), Sony Group (SONY), Amazon (AMZN), and Apple (AAPL).

"Major studios, network owners and streamers that are well-diversified by business, content genre (news and sports) or by geographic production and library, and have relatively strong balance sheets are least at risk," the report said.

Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter echoed this viewpoint in a recent interview with Yahoo Finance Live, emphasizing Netflix's ability to pivot amid the strikes.

"Netflix would love this to drag on for five more years," he quipped, adding the studio will "not be the first" to cave to demands given its strong presence overseas, breadth of content, and profitable balance sheet.

Alexandra Canal is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @allie_canal, LinkedIn, and email her at alexandra.canal@yahoofinance.com

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
(Bloomberg) -- Power demand in Europe looks set to drop to the lowest level in more than two decades as industrial production cuts appear increasingly permanent.

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Heavy industry shut down across the continent due to high energy prices, bringing demand significantly lower in the first half of the year, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday. It also warned of a rising strain on power grids from needing to cool buildings during times of surging summer temperatures.

The competitiveness of European energy-intensive industry is threatened by high energy costs, the IEA said in its report. There is no easy path forward.

The IEAs strong words come as European industries make key decisions about their long-term future in the face of higher energy prices, but demand for power is increasing around the world as electrification continues to rise. While European wholesale costs have dropped this year, major manufacturers are still evaluating where to expand or move production.

Electricity demand in the European Union is set to drop this year by 3% to levels last seen in 2002. Usage is also predicted to fall in the US and Japan, though the global picture will vary depending on changes in the economic outlook.

The IEA cited plant closures by chemicals giant BASF SE and Volkswagen AGs paused plans for a battery plant in Eastern Europe among a swath of abandoned or curtailed expansion plans by industry. EU business bankruptcies also jumped to the highest since at least 2015, it said.

The EU could increase state aid or increase energy price subsidies, but that may burden consumers and taxpayers, according to the IEA. Another option is to ramp up renewable and decarbonization efforts to fuel greener heavy industry, though that may come with heavy upfront costs. The IEA expects that renewables share of global power generation will exceed one-third by 2024.

Story continues

Higher record temperatures are also putting additional strain on grids, increasing the likelihood of forced power cuts, the report said. Extreme heat is set to intensify this week as temperatures reach as high as 47C (117F) in Italy and wildfires rage in Greece.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- New York City Comptroller Brad Lander slammed a decision by BlackRock Inc., its largest external money manager, to appoint the chief executive of the worlds biggest oil company to its board.

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BlackRock has clearly stated that climate risk is an investment risk, but actions speak louder than words, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said in an emailed statement. At a time when financial institutions need to take a collective approach to addressing the financial risks from climate change, BlackRock shareholders expect climate-competent, not climate-conflicted, directors.

BlackRock this week named Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser to its board, underscoring the investment firms commitment to the oil industry. The move comes as BlackRock finds itself at the center of a highly politicized debate around environmental, social and governance investing, with Republicans accusing it of focusing too much on climate change and social issues.

Environmentalists, meanwhile, have criticized BlackRock for its continued support of the fossil-fuel industry.

A spokesman for BlackRock declined to comment.

New Yorks pension plans oversee about $250 billion. They were among the first in the US to set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions across their investments. Lander said last year that BlackRock had backtracked on some of its climate pledges and, as a result, the New York City pension plan had been in conversations with the firm, saying that it couldnt meet its own emissions goals if its money managers dont meet theirs.

BlackRock managed about $54.6 billion for all five New York City pensions as of the end of April, of which $42.9 billion was for the three pension funds that have set net zero emissions goals, the comptrollers office said.

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Larry Fink, BlackRocks CEO, said Nassers leadership experience, understanding of the global energy industry and the drivers of the shift toward a low-carbon economy, as well as his knowledge of the Middle East region, will all contribute meaningfully to the BlackRock board dialogue, in a statement earlier this week.

Nasser has criticized ESG in the past. In February, he told investors gathered in Riyadh that ESG-driven policies that have an automatic bias against any and all conventional energy projects will result in underinvestment with serious implications for the global economy, energy affordability and energy security.

Ulf Erlandsson, CEO of the Anthropocene Fixed Income Institute, said its likely more clients will question how effectively BlackRock will be able to engage with portfolio companies over climate issues, given its new ties to Aramco.

This raises an interesting question, how should clients who exclude Aramco from their investment portfolios view the fact that Aramco is becoming an even more important voice at the service provider? Erlandsson said. It is possible that this move will trigger some client uneasiness; the flip side to the anti-ESG fire that BlackRock has come under in the US.

Aramco is widely blacklisted among ESG funds, due to the detrimental effect of its fossil-fuel business on a planet already buckling under the fallout of climate change. Sustainalytics deems Aramcos ESG risk to be severe, which is worse than more than 95% of the entities it tracks. Bloomberg LP, the parent of Bloomberg News, also provides ESG rankings: its current score for Aramco indicates the firm is underperforming peers.

Zsolt Lengyel, a founding member of the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy, described the link between the worlds biggest asset manager and its largest fossil-fuel producer as an own-goal for the planet.

Aramco will get smarter at greenwashing, he said by email. And BlackRock wont get anything useful from the alliance, he said.

(Adds comment from clean energy expert, Aramco ESG scores, in final paragraphs.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The online scam was discussed by the council at Harlech Old Library

A scammer has conned a community council out of 9,000, which is just under 10% of its annual budget.

Harlech Community Council in Gwynedd said it gave the money as an "advanced payment" to a man named Oluwafeni Odunuga for "consultative work".

The council said it was told by HSBC that it had been the victim of an "authorised push payment" scam.

The council clerk said the matter "had been dealt with" and would "not be discussed further".

Details of the matter were recorded in the minutes for a council meeting held on 9 January, which were only published in May, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

They state that Mr Odunuga claimed an advance payment was required before he could carry out his work.

The treasurer stated that she reported the matter to HSBC's fraud department and the bank was "looking into this and contacting the fraudster's bank".

According to the HSBC website, an authorised push payment scam is the type "in which a criminal tricks people into transferring money to them".

It said: "It differs from other types of fraud, where criminals get access to accounts and steal money without the account holder's knowledge."

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales said it had not received a complaint about the matter.

The council reported in March that it spent about 99,000 in 2022-23, almost 14,000 more than was earmarked in the budget.

The council's expenses, outlined in their expected spending for this year, include 2,200 for the clerk's wages, 2,000 for Christmas lights, 2,500 for footpath grass cutting and 400 for salt bins.

The council's clerk, Annwen Hughes, said: "This matter has been dealt with by the community council and will not be discussed further."

HSBC has been asked to comment.
It was announced by Taco John's on Tuesday that they will be relinquishing their ownership of the trademark for "Taco Tuesday" in the United States.

The company had owned the trademark for over 40 years, however, due to recent disputes regarding the rightful owner of the name, the company ultimately reached a settlement.

Weve always prided ourselves on being the home of Taco Tuesday, but paying millions of dollars to lawyers to defend our mark just doesnt feel like the right thing to do, Taco John's CEO Jim Creel said in a statement. As weve said before, were lovers, not fighters at Taco Johns. So in that spirit, we have decided to begin sharing Taco Tuesday with a pledge to contribute $100 per location in our system to restaurant employees with children who are battling a health crisis, death or natural disaster. And were challenging our litigious competitors and other taco-loving brands to join us in supporting the people who serve our favorite food to guests across the nation.

FILE - The Taco Bell logo is seen, April 19, 2019, at a restaurant in Miami. Taco Bell rang up a win Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in its quest to make Taco Tuesday" free of trademark restrictions, with Taco Johns formally abandoning its decades-old claim to own the phrase amid a challenge from its bigger rival. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) ORG XMIT: NYSS209

The fight for Taco Tuesday

On May 16, Taco Bell launched a petition to release the trademark of "Taco Tuesday", because the restaurant wanted the phrase available for anyone who wants to use it "to make, sell, eat, and celebrate tacos."

If a restaurant or company legally wanted to use "Taco Tuesday" in their branding or advertising, they previously had to obtain permission from Taco John's.

"Taco Bell is honoring peoples right to come together and celebrate the joys of tacos, on Tuesdays and every other day," the filing said. Nobody should have exclusive rights in a common phrase.

After Tuesday's decision, Taco John's challenged their competitors to prioritize supporting workers over hiring lawyers.

Lets see if our friends at Taco Bell are willing to liberate themselves from their army of lawyers by giving back to restaurant families instead, Creel said. We challenge them to match our $100-per-restaurant pledge  thats about $720,000  which is less than theyd have to spend in a legal battle for the mark. We also invite Del Taco, Taco Bueno, Taco Cabana, Jack In The Box and mom and pop taco shops across the country that intend to use Taco Tuesday in the future to join us in this movement to support working families and donate to CORE.

The dispute over the term "Taco Tuesday" predates Taco Bell's petition, too, according to the Associated Press. An attorney for Gregory's Restaurant & Bar in Somers Point, New Jersey, claimed his client trademarked the term before Taco John's did in the 1970s. Both Taco John's and Gregory's Restaurant & Bar reached an agreement in the 1990s to divide the ownership of the trademark between New Jersey and the rest of the United States.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taco Tuesday ownership lawsuit ends as Taco Bell, Taco John's settle
Police have arrested a second suspect in connection with a 2021 killing in north Fort Worth.

Johnathan Jordan, 19, was on Tuesday booked on suspicion of capital murder under the section of the statute that alleges the suspect was committing or attempting another offense at the time the victim, Joshua Balcazar, was slain.

Jose Nevarez Jr., 18, was indicted on capital murder in May. The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office alleges Balcazar was being robbed when he was was shot to death on Nov. 1, 2021. Fort Worth police arrested Nevarez in February.

Balcazar, also 18, left a party in the 3400 block of Wilbarger Avenue, driving in a black Dodge Charger. Balcazar was shot when he dropped off a friend in the 1700 block of Kachina Lodge Road, according to police.

Sarah Magana, second from left, holds a photograph of her son, Josh Balcazar, 18, who was fatally shot in 2021. From left, Julian Magana (stepfather), Sarah Magana (mother), Katie Gonzalez (aunt) and Savannah Balcazar, 15 (sister).

Balcazar was in his car when he was fired upon about 1:15 a.m. He died about an hour later at John Peter Smith Hospital of a gunshot wound in the back, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office.

Information police said they gathered from witnesses and surveillance footage suggested a black four-door sedan was driving near Balcazars car when he was shot.
Transparency Market Research

Focus on branding and packaging of ready-to-drink beverages by companies to attract customers is fueling market development. Europe is a lucrative market for ready-to-drink beverages owing to higher preference for specialized flavored drinks among the millennial population.

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transparency Market Research Inc. - The global ready-to-drink beverages market was valued at US$ 89 Bn in 2022. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2022 to 2032. The global ready-to-drink beverages market is projected to reach value of US$ 169.5 Bn by the end of 2032



Ready-to-drink beverages are packaged flavored drinks, which are available for direct consumption. Convenience and instant nature of ready-to-drink beverages are the key factors for their growing popularity across the globe.

Request Sample Report on Ready-to-Drink Beverages Market Analysis 2032. TMR - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=84856

Market Snapshot:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue US$ 89 Bn Estimated Value US$ 169.5 Bn Growth Rate - CAGR 6.6% Forecast Period 20222031 No. of Pages 350 Pages Market Segmentation Product Type, Distribution Channel, Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America Companies Covered Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., PepsiCo Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Nestle S.A., Kraft Heinz Foodservice, Suntory Holdings Limited, Gehl Foods, LLC, O-AT-KA Milk, William B. Reily and Company, Inc., and Danone S.A.





Competitive Analysis

The global market is moderately consolidated, with the presence of a few large players that control majority share. Key players are engaging in innovation and product development for expanding their product portfolio. Furthermore, large manufacturers are focusing on strategic acquisitions of local players in various countries to strengthen their geographical footprint.

Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., PepsiCo Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Nestle S.A., Kraft Heinz Foodservice, Suntory Holdings Limited, Gehl Foods, LLC, O-AT-KA Milk, William B. Reily and Company, Inc., and Danone S.A.

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Key Findings of Study

Availability of Range of Ready-to-drink Coffee Flavors Driving Market Expansion  Coffee is widely consumed in most parts of the world due to its rich smell, soothing and savory taste, and caffeine content. The energy benefits offered by ready-to-drink coffee is also luring the elderly population, as it is similar in taste to regular coffee. Therefore, familiar taste along with instant preparation is a key factor fueling market growth.

Availability of a range of popular flavors of ready-to-drink beverages offered by companies is propelling market expansion. This aligns with increase in demand for various flavors, as more consumers experiment with food & beverages and new flavors & tastes. Moreover, different types of coffee are available in ready-to-drink products, such as latte, mocha, and espresso, thus serving and fulfilling specific likings.

Rise in Demand for Flavored Tea Fueling Market Value  Availability of a range of flavors of tea at any given time is attracting consumers. In the U.S. and Canada, RTD that contains tea concentrate from China and India is a real treat for consumers. Moreover, real fruit and berry flavors are added to the tea. This creates curiosity among individuals to try new flavors, which is expected to increase demand for flavored tea in the next few years.

Increase in Demand for Carbonated Soft Drinks  In terms of product type, the carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) segment accounts for approximately 28% share of the ready-to-drink beverages market. Increase in shift toward calorie-laden beverages such as CSDs, which provide instant refreshment, is fueling the segment. Moreover, carbonated soft drinks are available in a range of flavors that allow consumers to choose as per their likings, culture, taste, and needs.

Procure Complete Report (350 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=84856<ype=S

Growth Drivers

Varied flavor offerings in ready-to-drink beverages is fueling the ready-to-drink beverages market

Changing lifestyle and increasing popularity of flavored food and beverages augmenting market growth

Regional Landscape

Europe held around 25% share of the global market in 2022. Growth in the region is ascribed to substantial demand for ready-to-drink products from millennials and their inclination for specialized flavored drink products. The ready-to-drink beverages market in Europe is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% in terms of volume during the forecast period.

East Asia and South Asia held significant share of the ready-to-drink beverages market in 2022. Increase in disposable income, high per capita consumption of RTD beverages, and growth in population are expected to lead to significant growth in both the regions in terms of volume during the forecast period.

The global ready-to-drink beverages market is segmented as follows:

Global Ready-to-Drink Beverages Market, by Product Type

Carbonated Soft Drinks

RTD Coffee

RTD Tea

Dairy-based Beverages

Fruit Juice



Global Ready-to-Drink Beverages Market, by Distribution Channel

Business to Business (Foodservice)

Business to Consumers

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

Convenience Stores

Specialty Stores

Online Retail

Departmental Stores

Vending Machine

Global Ready-to-Drink Beverages Market, by Region

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia

Oceania

Middle East and Africa



Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=84856

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques to gather and analyses information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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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. Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. However, after briefly looking over the numbers, we don't think VEEM (ASX:VEE) has the makings of a multi-bagger going forward, but let's have a look at why that may be.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for VEEM, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.054 = AU$3.8m  (AU$86m - AU$15m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022).

Therefore, VEEM has an ROCE of 5.4%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Machinery industry average of 13%.

Check out our latest analysis for VEEM

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for VEEM compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report for VEEM.

The Trend Of ROCE

When we looked at the ROCE trend at VEEM, we didn't gain much confidence. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 13% over the last five years. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's earnings from here on to see if these investments do end up contributing to the bottom line.

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Our Take On VEEM's ROCE

In summary, VEEM is reinvesting funds back into the business for growth but unfortunately it looks like sales haven't increased much just yet. Since the stock has declined 25% over the last five years, investors may not be too optimistic on this trend improving either. On the whole, we aren't too inspired by the underlying trends and we think there may be better chances of finding a multi-bagger elsewhere.

If you want to continue researching VEEM, you might be interested to know about the 1 warning sign that our analysis has discovered.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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By Marisa Taylor

(Reuters) - The head of the U.S. agency responsible for animal welfare has told lawmakers that it did not find any violations of animal research rules at Elon Musk's Neuralink beyond a 2019 incident the brain implant company had already reported.

Officials with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducted a "focused" inspection in response to a complaint about the company's handling of animal experiments, but identified no compliance breaches, the agency's secretary Thomas Vilsack wrote to Congressman Earl Blumenauer in a July 14 letter reviewed by Reuters.

The inspection included visits at Neuralink's two facilities in January 2023, Vilsack wrote, adding that there would be more inspections.

Musk has expressed grand ambitions for his brain-implant startup, saying its chip would allow healthy and disabled people alike to pop into neighborhood facilities for speedy surgical insertions of devices to treat obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia. He even sees them being used for web-surfing and telepathy.

Neuralink is preparing to test its brain implant device on humans.

Vilsack said in his letter his agency did not include in its inspection citations an "adverse surgical event" at Neuralink that occurred in August 2019. The company proactively reported it and took corrective action, which complied with the policy at the time, Vilsack added. The USDA changed its rules in 2021 so that self-reporting a violation no longer avoids a citation.

In the 2019 incident, a Neuralink surgeon used a sealant to close holes drilled into a monkey's skull that had not been approved by the animal research oversight panel, according to emails and public records obtained by the Physicians Committee of Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an animal-welfare advocacy group.

The complaint that triggered the latest inspection was made in February 2022 by PCRM against Neuralink and the University of California, Davis, which was collaborating with the company at the time. It alleged the company carried out deadly experiments on 23 monkeys between 2017 and 2020. Neuralink ended its collaboration with UC Davis in 2020.

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Since then, the USDA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG), at the request of a federal prosecutor, has been investigating potential animal-welfare violations amid internal Neuralink employee complaints that its animal testing experiments were being rushed, causing needless suffering and deaths, Reuters has reported.

Through interviews and internal documents spanning several years, Reuters identified four experiments involving 86 pigs and two monkeys that were marred by human errors. The mistakes weakened the experiments' research value and required the tests to be repeated, leading to more animals being killed.

Vilsack offered no update on the progress of the OIG probe. "Should (the OIG) investigate the Neuralink facility and find that USDA should take additional actions, we will fully cooperate to take those actions," he wrote.

Neuralink and OIG representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Blumenauer responded by calling for greater urgency in the probe. "I urge the Office of the Inspector General to quickly conclude their investigation and make public their findings," he said in a statement.

Ryan Merkley, PCRM's director of research advocacy, said the USDA was giving Neuralink "a free pass".

OVERSIGHT BOARD

U.S. lawmakers had also raised concerns to the USDA about potential conflicts of interest at an animal-research oversight board after Reuters reported it was filled with company insiders who may stand to benefit financially as the firm made progress with its goals.

Vilsack wrote that the law required the oversight board include an attending veterinarian and an individual unaffiliated with the research facility or its employees to provide an unbiased observer  a threshold that Neuralink formally meets. He said the agency's inspectors generally review such records and protocols, "which should surface any conflicts of interest."

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted a company request to begin testing its brain implant device in humans. It initially rejected Neuralink's request for a human trial last year, citing safety reasons, Reuters has reported.

Even after FDA clearance, the company faces other challenges. The Department of Transportation is probing whether Neuralink illegally transported dangerous pathogens on chips removed from monkey brains without proper containment.

(Reporting by Marisa Taylot in Washington, D.C.; Editing by Greg Roumeliotis, Robert Birsel)
Key Insights

The considerable ownership by retail investors in Tsakos Energy Navigation indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy

The top 19 shareholders own 50% of the company

25% of Tsakos Energy Navigation is held by Institutions

Every investor in Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (NYSE:TNP) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. We can see that retail investors own the lion's share in the company with 40% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Private companies, on the other hand, account for 27% of the company's stockholders.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Tsakos Energy Navigation.

View our latest analysis for Tsakos Energy Navigation

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Tsakos Energy Navigation?

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.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Tsakos Energy Navigation. 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 Tsakos Energy Navigation, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Tsakos Energy Navigation. Our data shows that First Tsakos Investments Inc. is the largest shareholder with 8.4% of shares outstanding. Nikolas Tsakos is the second largest shareholder owning 7.8% of common stock, and Kelley Enterprises Inc. holds about 5.2% of the company stock. Nikolas Tsakos, who is the second-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Chief Executive Officer.

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A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 19 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. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track.

Insider Ownership Of Tsakos Energy Navigation

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Shareholders would probably be interested to learn that insiders own shares in Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited. It has a market capitalization of just US$522m, and insiders have US$42m worth of shares, in their own names. This shows at least some alignment. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 40% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Company Ownership

Our data indicates that Private Companies hold 27%, of the company's shares. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Tsakos Energy Navigation better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 4 warning signs for Tsakos Energy Navigation (1 can't be ignored) that you should be aware of.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

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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GENEVA, 19 July 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- REYL Intesa Sanpaolo (REYL) is strengthening its impact programme by releasing the second edition of its thought leadership publication, FORWARD, which highlights how investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) has the potential to tackle the biodiversity challenge.

REYL Intesa Sanpaolo Logo

The report ( https://www.reyl.com/forward/ ) seeks to raise the quality of discussion on biodiversity issues and to highlight the potential role of innovative financing solutions. The report presents an overview of the current state of the earth's natural resources as well as the scale of international commitments agreed during the COP 15 summit. It explores the potential of Nature-based Investment Solutions to address biodiversity issues, including the challenges associated with scaling finance and matching investors with projects. The report concludes by exploring what is next for biodiversity.

The publication forms a part of REYL's broader impact programme, which focuses on improving communication and collaboration with different stakeholders: internally, the Bank supports employees to contribute to local environmental issues while externally, it focuses on partnerships to contribute and deliver sustainable results.

For this edition of FORWARD, REYL spoke to leading industry figures and academics working in the field of biodiversity, who have shared their views on potential solutions to the biodiversity crisis in a series of interviews available on the FORWARD platform.

REYL has spoken with academics who suggest that there is much to feel positive about the future of biodiversity, although still much to be done with targets and funding falling short of what is needed and ongoing discussion around regulation and market practices. Nonetheless, the recognition of the importance of nature and its parlous state is an important step in the quest to preserve the natural world.

About REYL Intesa Sanpaolo

www.reyl.com

REYL Intesa Sanpaolo ("REYL") is a diversified and entrepreneurial banking group, with offices in Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich, Lugano), Europe (London, Luxembourg, Malta) and the rest of the world (Singapore, Dubai). It manages assets in excess of CHF 26 billion (CHF 39.2 billion including minority interests) and employs around 400 professionals.

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The Group serves a clientele of international entrepreneurs, family offices and institutional investors through five business lines: Wealth Management, Entrepreneur & Family Office Services, Corporate Finance, Asset Services and Asset Management.

REYL & Cie Ltd is licensed in Switzerland and performs its activities under the direct control of the Swiss Financial Market regulator (FINMA). Its subsidiaries are also regulated by the FCA in the UK, the MFSA in Malta, the MAS in Singapore, the DFSA in Dubai and the SEC in the United States.

About FORWARD

www.reyl.com/forward

FORWARD, launched in 2022, is an independent platform, conceptualised by REYL Intesa Sanpaolo, which seeks to foster insight and dialogue on some of the key socio-economic issues of the day. The platform incorporates academic research, video and podcasts with renowned and leading international figures.

SOURCE REYL Intesa Sanpaolo
(Bloomberg) -- Australia is the top overseas destination for Chinese property hunters in the first half of this year, according to real estate firm Juwai IQIs latest ranking.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Chinese appetite for property Down Under topped their interest in other popular markets like Canada, the UK and the US, the report said, based on the number of buyer inquiries received on the platform.

The United Arab Emirates, which ranked 13th in 2021, shot up to eighth place. Germany fell out of the top 10, which included four Southeast Asian countries.

Meanwhile, Chinese demand is likely to grow as international travel resumes, according to Kashif Ansari, group chief executive officer and co-founder of Juwai IQI. A significant portion of real estate transactions are still dependent on buyers being able to go abroad, though outbound travel has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels due to limited airline capacity and expensive fares, he said.

Read More: Chinese Buyers Return to Resurgent Australian Property Market

A sustained exodus over the next few years will likely continue to drive Chinese property investments abroad. About 712,000 people from the country will migrate to the US, Canada and Australia from 2023 to 2025, the report estimated.

President Xi Jinpings push for common prosperity means Chinas wealthy have been flocking to more welcoming places like Singapore or setting up a backup plan, while three years of harsh Covid Zero restrictions have added to reasons to relocate. Capital flight from the mainland could reach $150 billion this year, as more people park their money abroad for fear of additional measures at home.

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While Western countries have long been a mecca for Chinese immigrants, Southeast Asia has emerged as a hotspot for high-net-worth Chinese individuals, with governments rolling out a plethora of golden visa programs that fast-track investors and professionals to residency.

Chinese citizens are the biggest source of demand for golden visa programs across the globe, which can allow people to stay as long as 20 years.

In 2021, Chinese accounted for 46% of approved applicants in two of the most popular programs: Greece and Australia. They made up 31% of approvals for Portugal.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- Sequoia Capital, one of the worlds most prominent venture capital firms, now looks very different than it did just a year ago  following a turbulent period of market upheaval, a breakup and at least five investor departures.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Longtime partner Michael Moritz is leaving the venture firm to focus on Sequoia Heritage, a wealth management business he helped start, Sequoia said Wednesday. Another senior partner, Mike Vernal, is also leaving, along with Michelle Fradin, one of the firms investors behind FTX, and partners Kais Khimji and Daniel Chen.

Moritz, who had been with the firm since 1986, will take on a greater advisory role at Sequoia Heritage, which is a more than $15 billion fund that he helped found in 2010. A large part of the assets of his family foundation, Crankstart, are at Heritage.

For now, Moritz will continue to sit on boards of various Sequoia companies like Stripe Inc., but will transition out of those roles over time, the firm said in a note to investors that was seen by Bloomberg.

We are immensely grateful for all of Michaels contributions, Sequoias Roelof Botha said in the note, citing Moritzs investments in companies like Google and PayPal. He helped establish Sequoia as one of the leading technology investment groups in the world.

Since its founding in 1972, Sequoia has made rich returns, but has had some recent stumbles. Sequoia was a major investor in FTX, the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange. The move lost the firm $214 million, the bulk of which came from its global growth fund. While the loss represented a fraction of the total cash in the fund, it still caused significant reputational damage for the firm.

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Among the recent exits were two investors involved in the firms bets on cryptocurrency: Fradin, a relatively junior partner who helped lead the decision to invest in FTX, and Chen, whose Twitter bio describes him as a crypto maxi.

Other departing partners are Khimji, who joined in 2019 and focused on later-stage companies, and Vernal, who joined the firm in 2016. Vernal will be taking some time off, according to two people familiar with the matter. His portfolio companies include Rippling and Notion Labs Inc., both of which Sequoia invested in two years ago. He also backed Verkada Inc., a camera company that fell victim to hackers and had to overcome a fraternity-style culture.

Vernal will keep his board seats, a spokeswoman for the firm said. The Information and the New York Times earlier reported news of the departures.

Sequoia has for decades been a stalwart of the venture industry, so the upheaval is notable. In June, the firm announced a major split with its operations in China and India. The move was due in part to mounting pressure on Silicon Valley to distance itself from China as geopolitical tensions rise.

In that breakup, the firm also spun off Sequoia Heritage, where Moritz is a founding founding limited partner and board member.

Sequoia's total venture assets, which are separate from its Sequoia Heritage and hedge fund businesses, are $55.58 billion, according to the firm's most recent filing at the SEC. That is up slightly from $53.29 billion in the March quarter, but down considerably from $85 billion from its March 2022 filing.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Key Insights

Sherwin-Williams' estimated fair value is US$206 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of US$268 suggests Sherwin-Williams is potentially 30% overvalued

Analyst price target for SHW is US$263, which is 28% above our fair value estimate

Does the July share price for The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value 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. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Sherwin-Williams

The Calculation

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. 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 discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

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10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$2.47b US$2.80b US$2.93b US$3.19b US$3.39b US$3.56b US$3.70b US$3.83b US$3.95b US$4.06b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x13 Analyst x9 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ 6.13% Est @ 4.93% Est @ 4.08% Est @ 3.49% Est @ 3.08% Est @ 2.79% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.2% US$2.3k US$2.4k US$2.3k US$2.3k US$2.3k US$2.2k US$2.1k US$2.0k US$1.9k US$1.9k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$22b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (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 8.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$4.1b (1 + 2.1%)  (8.2% 2.1%) = US$68b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$68b ( 1 + 8.2%)10= US$31b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is US$53b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$268, the company appears reasonably expensive at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Sherwin-Williams 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 8.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.019. 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 Sherwin-Williams

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Chemicals market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the American market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Sherwin-Williams, there are three pertinent factors you should explore:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Sherwin-Williams you should know about. Future Earnings: How does SHW's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

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Dave Ramsey and his followers have long characterized student loans as a crippling and predatory burden on young borrowers. Yet there was little mystery how The Ramsey Show would react when the Supreme Court rejected President Bidens effort to provide Americans with up to $20,000 in student loan relief: one that wouldve provided an estimated 40 million borrowers relief totaling $430 billion.

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The Supreme Courts rejection of a government solution put an exclamation point on the shows recent warnings on student loan debt. Ramsey Show host Rachel Cruze put it succinctly: Sitting and waiting around on any program or any one person to do that  youre not gonna get the change you want.

That change, as Ramsey viewers would expect, is proactive and not passive.

To be sure, President Biden announced last week that his administration would automatically forgive $39 billion in student debt for 804,000 borrowers. But waiting for even more help from politicians isnt exactly the most viable and prudent path to financial success.

We can help you get rid of this debt, another Ramsey Show host said. But you signed up for this.

From refinancing and side hustles to potentially painless ways to apply your raises at work, lets explore the direct and indirect ways you can do to your student loans that the government cant.

Pay more than the minimum

Beyond outright paying off the debt in one payment, this represents the most direct path to shrink your loan. Paying more than the minimum monthly payment can reduce your overall number of monthly payments and hasten the payoff. See this debt repayment calculator to see how much time and money you can shave off the life of your loan.

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Consider a side hustle

While you can pick up a conventional second job, the gig economy is teeming with freelance opportunities, from ride-share driving to taking surveys. These other outlets will keep you in control over your schedule and could help you to pay down that debt sooner. Numerous side hustles (weve identified six) can be done at home.

Apply salary raises to your loan: Especially thrifty workers often send some or all of their annual pay raises to their 401(k) accounts, pushing a percentage point or more to their contributions with each salary bump. For student loan holders, utilizing this money could offer a relatively painless way to increase debt payments without much impact on the income they were accustomed to before the raise.

Refinancing and consolidation

Refinancing debt at a lower rate will reduce your overall burden and allow you to combine multiple loans into a single, manageable monthly payment. It also simplifies the repayment process. Research different lenders and compare their offers to find the most favorable terms  and save money over the long term by reducing the interest you pay.

Read more: 3 big mistakes people make with cash back credit cards that cost them every time they swipe

Income-driven repayment plans

Income-driven repayment plans are designed to make loan payments more affordable based on the borrower's income and family size. These plans set monthly payments as a percentage of discretionary income  and thus provide flexibility for those with lower incomes. By enrolling in an income-driven repayment plan, borrowers can alleviate the strain of high monthly payments and focus on meeting or paying off other financial obligations.

Employer-provided assistance

In recent years, some employers have recognized the impact of student loan debt on their employees' financial well-being. As a result, many have started to offer student loan assistance as an employee benefit. Some workplaces provide direct contributions towards employees' loan payments or can distribute matching contributions, in similar fashion to a retirement savings plan. Leveraging these assistance programs can significantly accelerate debt repayment and relieve the burden on borrowers.

Budgeting and debt snowball method

While not a direct solution, adopting effective budgeting strategies can help you make substantial progress in repaying their student loan debt. You can start by shifting a part of a flexible line item (i.e. discretionary spending) to the loan payoff. If you dont have a budget, nows the time to make one. By creating a comprehensive budget that tracks expenses and identifies areas to cut back, borrowers can free up the extra funds they need.

Additionally, they can implement Ramseys beloved debt snowball method, which involves paying off the smallest debts first and then using the freed-up funds to tackle larger debts. This can provide a sense of accomplishment and momentum (along with some positive reinforcement) in the debt repayment journey.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
It's possible to achieve returns close to the market-weighted average return by buying an index fund. But even in a market-beating portfolio, some stocks will lag the market. While the Sime Darby Berhad (KLSE:SIME) share price is down 16% over half a decade, the total return to shareholders (which includes dividends) was 6.4%. And that total return actually beats the market decline of 0.8%.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

View our latest analysis for Sime Darby 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.

During the unfortunate half decade during which the share price slipped, Sime Darby Berhad actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 22% per year. So it doesn't seem like EPS is a great guide to understanding how the market is valuing the stock. Or possibly, the market was previously very optimistic, so the stock has disappointed, despite improving EPS.

It is unusual to see such modest share price growth in the face of sustained EPS improvements. We can look to other metrics to try to understand the situation better.

We note that the dividend has fallen in the last five years, so that may have contributed to the share price decline.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

Sime Darby Berhad is well known by investors, and plenty of clever analysts have tried to predict the future profit levels. Given we have quite a good number of analyst forecasts, it might be well worth checking out this free chart depicting consensus estimates.

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. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Sime Darby Berhad the TSR over the last 5 years was 6.4%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

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A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 7.1% in the last year, Sime Darby Berhad shareholders lost 5.7% (even including dividends). However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 1.2%, each year, over five years. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Sime Darby Berhad that you should be aware of.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
Key Insights

Singapore Telecommunications' significant private equity firms ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

The largest shareholder of the company is Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited with a 51% stake

Institutions own 20% of Singapore Telecommunications

Every investor in Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SGX:Z74) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. We can see that private equity firms own the lion's share in the company with 51% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Individual investors, on the other hand, account for 29% of the company's stockholders.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Singapore Telecommunications.

See our latest analysis for Singapore Telecommunications

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Singapore Telecommunications?

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.

Singapore Telecommunications already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Singapore Telecommunications, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Singapore Telecommunications is not owned by hedge funds. The company's largest shareholder is Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited, with ownership of 51%. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. With 4.7% and 3.3% of the shares outstanding respectively, Central Provident Fund Board and Capital Research and Management Company are the second and third largest shareholders.

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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 Singapore Telecommunications

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Singapore Telecommunications Limited in their own names. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own S$7.2m of stock. It is good to see board members owning shares, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been buying.

General Public Ownership

With a 29% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Singapore Telecommunications. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Equity Ownership

Private equity firms hold a 51% stake in Singapore Telecommunications. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Sometimes we see private equity stick around for the long term, but generally speaking they have a shorter investment horizon and -- as the name suggests -- don't invest in public companies much. After some time they may look to sell and redeploy capital elsewhere.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Singapore Telecommunications you should know about.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

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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nigel farage coutts

At an industry conference in the Square Mile last November, Sheldon Mills, a senior director at the City regulator, spoke at length about one of its key objectives: diversity and inclusion.

Mills, head of competition at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said that promoting diversity and inclusion in the financial services industry furthers the FCAs statutory objectives of protecting consumers, making markets work well and ensuring effective competition.

There is growing evidence that a diversity of perspectives and thought, when part of an inclusive culture, results in better judgements and decision-making, he added.

The speech highlighted the increasing focus City regulators are placing on diversity and inclusion and how they are pushing the companies they regulate to tighten their processes in this area.

Yet the revelation that Coutts closed Nigel Farages bank accounts because his views were at odds with its values and purpose has raised concerns about diversity and inclusion strategies now driving decisions at financial institutions.

While the FCA has said that the articulation of a companys purpose falls outside its remit, there are fears that the creeping pressure for banks to conform and meet certain targets has created an environment where lenders can exclude, or debank, customers based on their views.

The move by Coutts, which is owned by FTSE 100 lender NatWest, has been widely condemned.

Lord Peter Cruddas, chief executive of CMC Markets, told The Telegraph: It is totally wrong for a bank or any company  in particular a public one and partially owned by the state  to exclude someone because their values do not align with theirs or their purpose.

This idea of companies purpose is, I think, very sinister. It opens the door to the creation by businesses of an Orwellian dystopian environment and the [creation of] thought police where everyone has to be on message.

Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, concurred, saying: The Coutts scandal exposes the sinister nature of much of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) industry NatWest and other corporates who have naively adopted this politically biased dogma need a major rethink.

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Coutts is by no means alone in its conversion to the cause. Lloyds Banking Group, which currently owns The Telegraph titles after seizing control from the Barclay family in row over debts secured against the business, has espoused similar views.

On its website, it says: At Lloyds Banking Group, Pride isnt a month in the calendar, its an all-year celebration of sexualities and identities.

We are committed to providing a safe and supportive working environment for all colleagues and the way in which they wish to express their gender identity.

The DE&I industry has its foundations in 1960s America following the introduction of equal employment laws and affirmative action. The industry has since grown into a global behemoth and is expected to be worth more than $24bn by the end of the decade, according to one recent study.

In the UK, major corporations have been at pains to stress their DE&I policies in recent years, with most devoting entire sections of their annual reports to their diversity and inclusion activities.

NatWests most recent annual report is a case in point. The bank said: Creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace is integral to fulfilling our purpose. It enables us to work together to achieve great things with our colleagues, communities and customers.

We will stand up for people who are excluded, remove barriers that stop people progressing in their careers and create a safe, happy and healthy environment for all.

On Wednesday, Andrew Griffith, the City minister, said he was concerned about Farages case, who appears to have been debanked as a result of his comments about Brexit, his friendship with Donald Trump and Novak Djokovic and his views on LGBT rights.

Griffith said: It would be of serious concern if financial services were being denied to anyone exercising their right to lawful free speech.

Businesses have the right to protect against reputational risks  e.g. criminal activity  but the privilege of a banking licence in a democracy should imply a duty not to debank because you disagree with someones views.

Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, even chimed in, saying: No one should be barred from using basic services for their political views. Free speech is the cornerstone of our democracy.

While the FCA has no say over a companys values, its own direction of travel on DE&I issues and what it requires from the companies it regulates has been clear.

Last year it announced new rules requiring listed companies to report information and disclose targets regarding the representation of women and ethnic minorities on their boards and executive management teams.

It has also set new requirements for UK-listed companies to ensure that 40pc of a board of directors and at least one senior board member are women.

Asked by MPs if he was concerned about Farages case, Ashley Alder, chairman of the FCA, said: For banks as well as other commercial enterprises, it is fundamentally up to them to choose who they do business with.

However, for FCA regulated firms, they must treat people fairly. Reputational concerns about who you take on as a customer are frequently cited in the industry.

[In terms of] financial institutions and their own articulation of purpose, I think were talking about a much broader topic than one that falls within our own remit.

Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, also told MPs that youre not able to discriminate on the basis of political views, adding that the law is clear.

In his speech in November, Mills was more forthright in his assessment of the importance of inclusion. He said: For us, inclusion means that everyone feels involved, valued, respected, treated fairly, and that these elements are embedded into a firms culture.

Given the FCAs longstanding approach to supervising firm culture, it should surprise none of you that we believe that the benefits of diversity can only be realised within a healthy firm culture that actively promotes inclusivity.

However, the Farage saga could now leave City executives and regulators asking questions about the influence of DE&I. And, like in Coutts case, whether it could cause reputational headaches further down the line.

A Coutts spokesman said: Our ability to respond is restricted by our obligations of client confidentiality. Decisions to close accounts are not taken lightly and take into account a number of factors including commercial viability, reputational considerations, and legal and regulatory requirements. As the client has previously confirmed, alternative banking arrangements have been offered within the wider group.

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.
A crypto business owned by banking group Societe Generale has become the first entity in France to be licensed by the countrys financial regulator as a digital asset provider.

The approval of SG Forge, an investment firm which operates a digital assets platform, is the highest level of French regulatory certification currently possible for businesses in the space.

The current system of crypto regulation operated by the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) has two tiers: crypto firms are required to complete basic registration with the regulator in order to offer their services, but they can also opt to go through a more stringent process to secure a full license.

Although more than 80 companies are currently registered with the AMF, none had secured a full license until SG Forges approval on Tuesday.

According to a register on the AMFs website, SG Force has been approved as a digital asset service provider (DASP) to operate in four areas including custody and trading.

With the DASP license approval, Societe Generale  FORGE confirms its pioneering role in the crypto assets ecosystem, Jean-Marc Stenger, SG Forges CEO, said in a statement on Wednesday.

This step will allow us to continue supporting our institutional clients wishing to benefit from services on digital assets that meet the highest standards of compliance and banking security.

French crypto regulations and MiCA

The French system has attracted debate during the past year, as some lawmakers try to bring local regulations in line with Europe-wide ones ahead of the implementation of EU rules.

Politicians approved a compromise in March that would see companies that are already registered with the AMF able to continue operating with just the basic approvals, but new entrants to the market would have to secure a full license.

The obligations that firms face to secure Frances enhanced form of authorization are similar to those that will be expected once the European Unions Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation comes into force next year.

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French Regulator Considers Fast-Track to MiCA For Registered Firms

As part of the transition from domestic to Europe-wide rules, the AMF said in April it was looking into a possible fast-track route for registered entities to get them MiCA-compliant.

In its statement on Wednesday, SG Forge said that by becoming a fully-licensed firm, it was anticipating the implementation of MiCA.
For the first nine miles of every NASA Artemis mission to the moon, zero emissions are guaranteed: before liftoff from Kennedy Space Center, Artemis astronauts will be chauffeured in NASA's all-new, electric crew transport vehicles from the suit up room to the launch pad.

Last week, a fleet of three vehicles was delivered to Kennedy Space Center by Canoo Technologies, a California-based startup electric vehicle manufacturer. NASA Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and Assistant Launch Director Jeremy Graeber had the honor of taking one of the crew shuttles on the first trip to pad 39B.

Late next year, the agency's first crew of four moon-bound Artemis astronauts is slated to make the same trip ahead of liftoff of the 10-day Artemis II mission around the moon and back. It will not land on the surface, but will pave the way for Artemis III to do just that sometime before 2030.

Blackwell-Thompson served as part of the creative team that had a hand in selecting "many aspects of the design, from the interior and exterior markings to the color of the vehicles to the wheel wells," according to a NASA statement.

Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings

The collaboration between Canoo and our NASA representatives focused on the crews safety and comfort on the way to the pad ahead of their journey to the moon, Blackwell-Thompson said in a release. I have no doubt everyone who sees these new vehicles will feel the same sense of pride I have for this next endeavor of crewed Artemis missions.

The interior of the newest generation of astronaut transporters called Crew Transportation Vehicles, or CTVs for short, hasn't been revealed just yet, but Canoo describes the capacity as spacious enough "to carry fully suited astronauts, flight support crew, and equipment to the launch pad."

We are thrilled to be a part of the Artemis missions and to deliver NASA's first zero-emission built for mission crew transportation vehicles, Tony Aquila, Canoo's chairman and CEO, said in a release. It's a very proud day for Canoo and all of our partners who worked so hard to ensure we perform our part to transport the astronauts for the first nine miles of every launch.

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Canoo, which is publicly traded, builds its vehicles in Texas. They're marketed to the public as Lifestyle Vehicles, or LVs, thanks to their van-like design and interior bench seating. Base trims are expected to cost $39,950 and include a range of about 200 miles.

United Launch Alliance explosion: Debut Vulcan rocket launch further delayed until end of this year

Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 11, 2023. One of the zero-emission vehicles is shown here at Launch Pad 39B. From left are Jeremy Graeber, Artemis assistant launch director; Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director; and Tony Aquila, chairman and CEO, Canoo Technologies Inc..The fleet, which will carry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B for Artemis missions, was delivered by the manufacturer, Canoo Technologies Inc. of Torrance, California.

Canoo was awarded the contract to build the lunar mission cruisers last year, beating out a bid by Airstream, the makers of the Astrovan used by NASA astronauts during the shuttle era. The successor to that vehicle, ASTROVAN II, however, will be used by Boeing to one day transport NASA Commercial Crew Program astronauts to Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to board the company's Starliner capsule for missions to the International Space Station.

"The selection of our innovative technologies by NASA to take a diverse team of American astronauts to the moon showcases a great commitment to sustainable transportation, Aquila said. As a high-tech mobility company, we are inspired by NASAs pioneering and trailblazing spirit. Our customized vehicles are modular and upgradable throughout their lifecycle with a high level of recyclability at end of life."

Canoo's cruisers aren't the only electric vehicles in the astronaut taxi business.

For all SpaceX missions, including NASA Commercial Crew Program flights to the ISS and private astronaut missions that liftoff from KSC's Launch Complex 39A, a fleet of Tesla electric vehicles has been used since the company first began crewed flights in 2020.

The Canoo fleet won't have to sit in storage for long. As teams prepare to send the first crewed mission back to the moon since 1972, NASA plans to utilize the battery-powered moon mobiles for various training activities around the space center for the time being.

Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles designed by Canoo Technologies Inc. were delivered to NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida to carry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B for Artemis missions.

Contact Jamie Groh at JGroh@floridatoday.com and follow her on Twitter at @AlteredJamie.

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Canoo electric vehicles delivered to NASA for Artemis moon astronauts
AT&T stock fell to its lowest level since 1993 on Tuesday, extending its losses following a report earlier this month that some of the countrys largest network providers left thousands of lead-covered cables in several locations across the United States.

The Wall Street Journal on July 9 reported that companies including Verizon and AT&T have left cables coated in lead from the Bell Systems telephone network in the USs ground, water and on transmission poles.

That prompted a flurry of downgrades from analysts that in turn helped spur a steep sell-off in telecom stocks. Since the investigations publication, AT&T shares have tumbled roughly 14%, Verizon fell 10% and Frontier Communications slid 33%.

JPMorgan Chase analysts last Friday downgraded AT&T to neutral from overweight and lowered its price target to $17 from $22, citing in part concerns that it sees the potential liability as an unquantifiable, longterm overhang for the stock.

The carnage continued Monday as more downgrades rolled into Wall Street.

Edward Jones analyst David Heger on Monday downgraded AT&T to a hold rating from buy, flagging concerns that the investigation could limit upside in the stock and prompt legal actions against the company. AT&T shares on Tuesday fell to $13.45, its lowest closing price since 1993.

Verizon shares fell 7.5% to $31.46 on Monday to their lowest closing level since 2010 before paring back their losses slightly on Tuesday.

An AT&T spokesperson told CNN in an emailed statement on Tuesday that it is conducting additional testing, including at locations mentioned in the Journals stories.

That comes after the company said in a response to the investigation that the Journals testing methodologies are flawed and that its reporting conflicts with the companys own testing.

The scientific literature and reliable studies in the U.S. and abroad give no reason to believe that these cables pose a public health issue or a risk to workers when appropriate safety measures are in place, the company said.

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Verizon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

There will be clear financial and reputational risks for telecommunication companies. Akin to the experience of environmental and litigation impacts of historical asbestos and lead paint scenarios on industry participants, this will likely play out over the months and years to follow and mark a credit negative for many in the industry, Neil Mack, vice president for Moodys Investors Service, said Tuesday.

Lawmakers have demanded action to further investigate the network of toxic lead cables in the wake of the release.

Democratic Sen. Edward Markey in a July 11 letter to Jonathan Spalter, chief executive of telecom industry group USTelecom, demanded that the organization answer how they plan to address the environmental and health issues which may be putting people at risk.

This is corporate irresponsibility of the worst kind, Markey wrote.

USTelecom told CNN in an emailed statement on Tuesday that it is engaging with stakeholders on this important matter.

The U.S. telecom industry prioritizes the health and safety of our communities and workers. We have not seen, nor have regulators identified, evidence that legacy lead-sheathed telecom cables are a leading cause of lead exposure or the cause of a public health issue, the industry trade group said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
While there are no specific tax credits for parents of children with disabilities, caregivers might benefit from these other tax breaks.

Raising children with disabilities can be expensive. For example, according to Autism Speaks , lifetime costs for people with Autism can run as high as $2.4 million, and raising dependents with other disabilities may cost even more. Adding a high tax bill to this already expensive cost can be a burden for families. And while the IRS doesnt offer a special tax credit for children with special needs, some caregivers might be able to lower their tax bills by taking advantage of some of these tax breaks.

IRS Rules for Claiming Children With Disabilities

Having a child with a disability can affect your taxes. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit ( EITC ) is a refundable tax credit, meaning you could receive all or part of the credit as a refund. The credit is calculated, in part, based on the number of qualifying children you have. The IRS considers children with total or permanent disabilities qualifying children for the purpose of this credit, regardless of their age.

(Note: Generally, "qualifying children" must be under 19 or under 24 if a full-time student).

Can the Earned Income Tax Credit Help You?

Childcare for Children With Special Needs

If you pay for childcare for your special needs child, you may be able to claim the child and dependent care credit, even if your child is 13 or older. The credit is typically only available for children under 13. But if the IRS considers your dependent to be disabled (more on that below), they may qualify.

The credit is non-refundable, meaning it can lower your tax bill to zero, but you will not receive any part of it back as a tax refund.

The child and dependent care credit is worth up to $1,050 for one qualifying dependent.

The maximum credit is $2,100 for two or more qualifying dependents.

Does Summer Camp Qualify for a Childcare Tax Credit?

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Benefits of an ABLE Account

ABLE (Achieving Better Life Experiences) accounts are state savings programs that help parents and guardians pay for qualified disability expenses. While investment income is typically taxable, investment earnings from an ABLE are not, if distributions are used to pay for qualified expenses. Additionally, some states offer tax deductions for contributions that you make to qualified ABLE accounts. However, there are some important things to know before opening an ABLE account for your child.

Your child may still be able to receive Social Security disability benefits , even if savings in an ABLE account exceed $2,000.

The beneficiary must have received a diagnosis for the disability before age 26.

The annual contribution limit is typically equal to the gift tax exclusion ($17,000 for 2023).

Rules and potential benefits vary by state.

Who Will Get an Expanded Child Tax Credit This Year?

Tax Deductions for Children With Special Needs

To deduct medical expenses on your tax return, youll need to itemize deductions (rather than take the standard deduction ). However, you may be able to deduct more than the costs for doctor visits and testing. Modifications made to your home to accommodate a dependent with a disability may qualify as a medical expense.

Additionally, you may be able to claim dependent care expenses as a medical deduction as long as you dont use the same expenses to claim the child and dependent care credit. If your child has a service animal, you may even be able to deduct the costs of maintaining the animal (veterinary visits, food, etc.). Several other expenses may qualify for medical deductions. A CPA or other qualified tax professional can help you determine what costs you can deduct.

What's the 2023 Standard Deduction?

Special Education Tax Deductions

Some tax advantage savings accounts allow exclusions to the rules for beneficiaries with disabilities. For example, education tuition is not typically considered a qualified expense under an FSA (flexible spending account) or HSA (health savings account). These types of accounts allow you to pay for qualified medical expenses with tax-free dollars. However, if you have a letter of medical necessity (LMN), special needs education tuition may qualify for reimbursement.

(Note: A letter of medical necessity is a statement made by a health care professional that deems the service necessary to treat an illness or condition).

Record-High HSA Limit Coming for 2024

Who is Considered 'Disabled' by the IRS?

For the IRS to consider your dependent to be "disabled," your child must have a disability that meets one of the following criteria.

The disability must have lasted continuously for at least one year.

It will last continuously for at least one year.

The disability can lead to death.

You may need to provide proof of your childs disability to the IRS. Acceptable proof includes a letter from the doctor or a social services agency defining the disability.

States Eliminating the Tax on Diapers
Bryan Johnson, the California tech founder known for his efforts to reverse the biological processes of aging, admits on Twitter he has not always been rigid about his quest for longevity.

My body and mind were trashed in every way for 23 years, he writes. Chronic depression, obesity, terrible sleep, raising 3 kids, startup founder/CEO grind culture behavior (and even growing up w/ excess sugar, sun exposure, junk food).

Its worth remembering: 1) My body and mind were trashed in every way for 23 years. Chronic depression, obesity, terrible sleep, raising 3 kids, startup founder/CEO grind culture behavior (and even growing up w/ excess sugar, sun exposure, junk food). My turn around in 2 years  Zero (@bryan_johnson) July 18, 2023

In his Project Blueprint, 45-year-old Johnson religiously monitors his eating, exercise, and sleep. He also takes a range of tests to measure the age of his organs. According to the results he makes public, he has slowed the aging process by about 31 years, and has bodily inflammation 66% below the average 10-year-old.

This month, Johnson told Fortune Editor in Chief Alyson Shontell at our Brainstorm Tech conference in Deer Valley, Utah that he commits to about 100 protocols each day to reverse his biological age, including taking 61 pills each day, eating 70 pounds of vegetables every month, and adhering to 8:30 p.m. bedtimes. Its costing him $2 million a year.

No matter how extreme Ive had to be, no matter how eccentric people perceive me to be, because Im outside the norms, demonstrating that age can be arrested would change everything, the former CEO of Braintree said at the conference.

Johnson admits hes the happiest hes ever been and relies on his team of doctors and results to tell him the next steps.

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My mind was always a rascal and doing things that were self destructive in nature. I flipped it and I said Im going to put my body in charge of me, he said at the conference.

He adds, I pity the previous version of me that was on this roller coaster searching for his next hit all the time.

Since beginning his longevity journey about two years ago, he touts he is at near perfect whole body health markers, based on measures of his biofluids, among other things. He wants to inspire people, so they know its not too late to change routines.

However, to many, he is still a walking experiment, as longevity expert and Blue Zones LLC founder Dan Buettner previously told Fortune.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Elon Musk, who also controls Twitter, rocket company SpaceX, and a new artificial intelligence venture, has repeatedly faced questions from shareholders that he is overstretched. - REUTERS

Tesla unveiled record revenues but profits remained under pressure as Elon Musks company fights a bruising price war with rivals.

The Model Y maker reported revenues just shy of $25bn, beating its previous record that it set over Christmas.

Despite delivering record numbers of vehicles, Tesla has been forced to sharply discount its electric cars as rivals, such as Chinas BYD, gain ground.

Earlier this month, Tesla reported that it had delivered more than 466,000 cars during the three months ending in June, an increase of 80pc on the same period a year earlier.

The car company has cut prices across the US, Europe and China, where it has been overtaken as the number one electric car maker by domestic rival BYD.

Teslas operating margin dipped in the three months ending in June, to 9.6pc, compared to 11.4pc in the previous quarter and 16pc over Christmas.

Gross profit remained flat at $4.5bn compared to the previous three months and down since Christmas. The company said profits had remained steady due to cost cutting.

All electric car makers have also had to grapple with a dip in demand, amid the global economic slowdown and an increasingly saturated market. In its results, the company said: The challenges of these uncertain times are not over.

While electric vehicle sales are still increasing sharply, in some markets there has been a slowdown in interest, as the premium price of electric cars dissuades many consumers from upgrading. A spike in the cost of electricity has also increased running costs.

Mr Musk, who also controls Twitter, rocket company SpaceX, and a new artificial intelligence venture, has repeatedly faced questions from shareholders that he is overstretched.

Yet despite having slumped last year, Teslas share price has surged so far in 2023, with its stock more than doubling and valuing the company at over $935bn.

The company has also begun seeing revenue growth from its charging network, after signing up rival car makers such as GM and Ford to adopt its Supercharging standard. The company added it was in the final stages of getting its new pickup, the Cybertruck, ready for the market with road trials, while it expects to hit its target of building 1.8m cars this year. Shares were up 1pc in after hours trading in New York.

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The companys energy storage arm also received a boost, with revenues up 74pc compared to last year. The Telegraph revealed last week that Mr Musks company was also planning to register as an electricity supplier in the UK, providing its Powerwall home battery pack to UK households.

The battery technology charges up during the night, when power is cheap, and uses it during the day when it costs more.

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.
According to a tweet from Tesla TSLA on Jul 15, the company has finally completed the construction of its first Cybertruck at its manufacturing facility in Austin, TX. According to Reuters, this achievement comes after a two-year delay. Back in 2019, Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, unveiled the pickup truck, during which the vehicle's designer accidentally broke the supposedly indestructible "armor glass" windows.

Since then, Tesla has faced multiple setbacks and had to postpone the production timeline. Last year, Musk attributed the delay to component shortages for the Cybertruck. However, during a shareholder meeting in May, Musk expressed the company's goal of manufacturing around 250,000 Cybertrucks annually, depending on market demand.

The launch of the Cybertruck will allow Tesla to enter one of the most lucrative sectors of the U.S. market, providing competition to electric pickups offered by Ford Motor F and Rivian Automotive RIVN. Although both Ford and Rivian have already introduced their respective models in limited quantities, Tesla's entry into this segment is highly anticipated.

Strong Quarterly Growth to Drive Profits?

Tesla's aggressive pricing cut strategy, aimed at boosting sales and fending off competition, likely fueled its most robust revenue growth in five quarters. However, per Reuters, Tesla's earnings on Jul 19, are expected to show to a decline in profit margins, reaching a three-year low for the April to June period. The electric vehicle manufacturer initiated a price war in late 2022 to stimulate demand and counter competition posed by traditional automakers like Ford Motor and Chinese counterparts like BYD.

Although only marginally higher than the prior three months, the second quarter's growth in Tesla vehicle deliveries can be linked to the company's significant discounts, which came at the expense of its profit margins.

In an effort to expand its revenue streams amid a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales, Tesla has taken assertive steps to gain a larger market share in the U.S. charging industry. By collaborating with notable companies such as Ford Motor and General Motors GM, Tesla has facilitated the adoption of its North American Charging Standard, which has propelled Tesla's market value to $880 billion.

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While the immediate impact on second-quarter revenue due to these partnerships is expected to be minimal, with Refinitiv projecting a 45.2% increase to $24.59 billion, analysts anticipate a significant boost to Tesla's top line in the future.

By diversifying into the charging market and establishing itself as a prominent standard, Tesla aims to mitigate the effects of sluggish EV sales and tap into new avenues for revenue generation.

ETFs in Focus

Against this backdrop, investors can keep a tab on Meet Kevin Pricing Power ETF PP, Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund XLY, Fidelity MSCI Consumer Discretionary Index ETF FDIS, ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF ARKQ and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF VCR.

The above-mentioned ETFs have an exposure of 22.64%, 19.82%, 15.48%, 14.44% and 13.39%, respectively, in Tesla. These ETFs have also given returns of 59.11%, 36.11%, 34.15%, 40.75% and 34.16%, respectively (as of Jul 17, 2023).

(Disclaimer: This article has been written with the assistance of Generative AI. However, the author has reviewed, revised, supplemented, and rewritten parts of this content to ensure its originality and the precision of the incorporated information.)

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'That's what solidarity is': This UPS worker fired back at a commenter who said drivers don't deserve $42/hour because it takes 'zero skill'  explains the real reason they might go on strike

UPS workers are prepared to strike come August if the company doesnt meet their demands for better pay and benefits. But with the deadline looming, some Americans are now pushing back on whether the delivery workers are entitled to those higher salaries in the first place.

"No way you deserve 42 an hour as a delivery guy lol. Takes zero skill, wrote a viewer on one of UPS driver Juan Trujillos TikTok posts.

Dont miss

Trujillo fired back in a viral video, claiming that even $42/hour isnt enough, which is why full-time UPS workers will be getting a raise of around $1.50 this year. UPS typically adds a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to its wages each year in addition to any other base raises, but the company has yet to confirm a hike for this year.

Were not going on strike because the drivers arent getting a raise, Trujillo continues. Were going on strike because the part-timers are only making $16 an hour, and thats unacceptable.

If UPS and union members dont reach an agreement by Aug. 1, 97% of union members have voted to authorize a strike  which would be the first in 25 years for the shipping giant.

Why UPS workers may go on strike

The Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 UPS workers, is calling for better benefits, pay raises and to ax the two-tier wage system for part-time and full-time workers.

Delivering packages can often be a physically demanding job and especially with temperatures this summer hitting record highs, the conditions can range from uncomfortable to unsafe. UPS has reported at least 143 heat-related injuries to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration since 2015. In some cases, workers have been hospitalized, or even died.

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A tentative agreement over air conditioning in delivery vehicles was reached in June, but negotiations fell apart last week, with each side accusing the other of walking away from the table.

On the UPS website, it says full-timers make $95,000 a year and part-timers earn $20 an hour on average after 30 days  but union leader Sean OBrien told ABC News thats not telling the true story.

OBrien says full-timers work 60 to 65 hours a week, while part-time wages are actually closer to $16 an hour.

UPS is selective. They pick and choose on who they're going to pay, what area, and they can raise the rates, he says.

OBrien says part-time workers are currently working for poverty wages, and his goal is to ensure UPS establishes a livable starting wage for these workers. The company reported over $100 billion in revenue last year, and OBrien believes union members deserve to reap some of those benefits as well.

And many full-time workers agree. Ill sacrifice two weeks of work if [I have to] because thats what solidarity is. Thats what we do, Trujillo says in his video.

Read more: Here are 7 amazing 1-week vacations you can do for around $1,000

What a strike means for the economy

A 10-day UPS strike could cost the U.S. economy over $7 billion, with $4 billion in losses for consumers and small businesses, according to analysis from consulting firm Anderson Economic Group. This would also mark the most expensive strike in at least a century.

UPS makes up 24% of the market share by parcel volume, according to Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index. Competitor FedEx also revealed in an internal report obtained by NPR that, "In the event of a market disruption, no carrier can absorb all UPS volume.

If a strike goes ahead, Americans can expect slower delivery times, supply chain disruptions and even higher shipping costs.

Ohio State University logistics professor Terry Esper also told Forbes that rural areas with limited delivery options and small businesses that cant afford to switch providers will be hardest hit by the strike.

Esper says even if businesses do find another provider, since many are contracted to delivery companies, any last-minute switching to standard published rates could drastically push up costs  and likely result in those costs being passed on to consumers.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Some stocks are best avoided. We don't wish catastrophic capital loss on anyone. Anyone who held Theratechnologies Inc. (TSE:TH) for five years would be nursing their metaphorical wounds since the share price dropped 88% in that time. And we doubt long term believers are the only worried holders, since the stock price has declined 61% over the last twelve months. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 13% in the last 90 days. We note that the company has reported results fairly recently; and the market is hardly delighted. You can check out the latest numbers in our company report. We really hope anyone holding through that price crash has a diversified portfolio. Even when you lose money, you don't have to lose the lesson.

After losing 13% this past week, it's worth investigating the company's fundamentals to see what we can infer from past performance.

See our latest analysis for Theratechnologies

Theratechnologies wasn't profitable in the last twelve months, it is unlikely we'll see a strong correlation between its share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Arguably revenue is our next best option. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. Some companies are willing to postpone profitability to grow revenue faster, but in that case one does expect good top-line growth.

Over five years, Theratechnologies grew its revenue at 12% per year. That's a pretty good rate for a long time period. So the stock price fall of 14% per year seems pretty steep. The truth is that the growth might be below expectations, and investors are probably worried about the continual losses.

You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

If you are thinking of buying or selling Theratechnologies stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

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A Different Perspective

Investors in Theratechnologies had a tough year, with a total loss of 61%, against a market gain of about 8.4%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 14% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. 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. Case in point: We've spotted 4 warning signs for Theratechnologies you should be aware of, and 2 of them are significant.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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(Bloomberg) -- TikTok isnt yet fully compliant with upcoming European Union rules governing content, according to the results of a test conducted by the blocs governing body.

Most Read from Bloomberg

European Union Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton and his team carried out the so-called stress test at TikToks Dublin offices on Monday, according to a statement from the official, who determined that more work is needed to be fully ready EU Digital Services Acts compliance deadline on Aug. 25.

Recent events have shown the impact and effects that TikTok has in peoples lives and democracies, Breton said. TikTok counts more than a quarter of Europes population as users, Breton said, and most of them are teenagers. If its systems fail, the magnitude of the consequences can be dramatic.

The popular music video app owned by Chinas ByteDance Ltd. is among the large internet platforms that have to abide by a long list of moderation rules or face hefty fines or outright bans from EU countries. The test covered areas including child protection, TikToks content recommendation system and moderation, illegal content online, data access and transparency. Breton applauded TikToks voluntary agreement to undergo the test and the resources its committing to compliance  a slight change in tone from earlier discussions.

After a video call with TikToks chief executive officer in January, Breton said its not acceptable that users of the platform can access harmful and sometimes even life-threatening content within seconds. Breton told Shou Zi Chew that TikTok will be among the commissions first targets for scrutiny under the DSA, Bloomberg reported.

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TikTok, which has more than 1 billion users worldwide, continues to face potential bans in its major markets. In addition to the scrutiny in the EU, US lawmakers have proposed multiple bills that could block the app, and the Federal government still has an outstanding security review on its data privacy practices. In the EU and the US, the company has established plans to wall off data on local servers and enlist domestic partners to oversee its data access controls.

Breton said its now time to accelerate to be fully compliant. As of the end of August, we will be assessing whether real, tangible changes have materialized on the grounds.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Economist Fiona Scott Morton has declined to take up the position of chief economist in the European Unions competition directorate - Frederic Camallonga

A senior US economist has turned down a top Brussels job after a backlash from Emmanuel Macron and other European politicians who objected to her nationality.

Yale professor Fiona Scott Morton has declined to take up the position of chief economist in the European Unions competition directorate following a week of criticism of her appointment.

Prof Mortons appointment would have marked the first time a non-EU citizen had taken such a senior role in the European Commission and critics argued that Prof Morton could be biassed towards US companies.

In a letter to Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition, Prof Morton said on Wednesday: Given the controversy that has arisen because of the selection of a non-European to fill this position, and the importance that the Directorate General has the full backing of the European Union as it enforces, I have determined that the best course of action is for me to withdraw and not take up the Chief Economist position.

The letter came hours after Mr Macron called her appointment dubious and said it implies we have a very serious problem with all the academic systems in Europe.

The French president argued that Americans would not put a European at the heart of decision-making at the White House.

French president Emmanuel Macron objected to Prof Morton's appointment - Nicolas Landemard/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Last week the leaders of four groups in the European Parliament wrote to Ms Vestager criticising the decision to appoint a non-EU candidate.

The MEPs said: At a time of intense scrutiny of our institutions, vis-a-vis foreign interference, we fail to understand the consideration of non-EU candidates for such a high-ranking and strategic position.

German MEP Markus Ferber on Tuesday asked Ms Vestager: Out of 450 million Europeans, we couldnt find one who met the criteria sought?

As well as her nationality, Prof Mortons appointment had also sparked criticism because of her previous work as a lobbyist for American tech companies.

She had previous ties to Apple and Microsoft, which politicians viewed as inappropriate considering she would have been advising on the Digital Markets Act.

In response to Prof Mortons withdrawal from the role, Ms Vestager said on Twitter: I accept this with regret and hope she will continue to use her extraordinary skill-set to push for strong competition enforcement.

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Farm-raised bison meat and other bison products are for sale at a new Topeka business.

Midwest Bison LLC recently opened a storefront at 3106 S.W. 29th St. across from Brookwood Shopping Center. The products are produced on a ranch in Eskridge.

Owner Ken Doyle has been in the bison business for a decade, but he previously worked in surgical sales, helping to build integrated operating rooms for cardiologists and other medical professionals.

Doctors and cardiologists will tell you to stop eating beef, Doyle said. Were supposed to be eating bison, antelope, chicken. Cows are for profit, not for health. Im an organic person. I dont like big government or how the food industry has been monetized so that only five different businesses in the country control our meat supply.

Midwest Bison features variety of cuts and ground meat

Ken Doyle, owner of Midwest Bison, holds a few of his products at his new Topeka storefront, 3106 S.W. 29th St., last Thursday. Doyle operates his bison ranch in Eskridge and recently opened this location to sell his meat products and bison-related artwork.

Customers at Midwest Bison can find a wide inventory of cuts and ground meat, including bison steaks, strips, brisket, patties and 5-pound tubes of ground bison. All of the meat products are flash frozen to ensure freshness, Doyle said.

Doyle estimates that he sells about 2,000 pounds of bison meat per week, including bulk orders that are delivered to restaurants. Despite once being native to the state, Doyle said bison can be difficult to find in Kansas these days.

You go to Colorado or Montana, and theres bison everywhere," he said. "Kansas once had the densest population of bison in the world, and you cant get bison.

The Midwest Bison website encourages people to Live Healthy, Eat Native and explains the health benefits of consuming bison meat. In addition to bison meat containing half the fat of beef and more B-12 and Omega-3 fatty acids pound for pound, Midwest Bison doesnt use any pesticides, hormones or genetically modified organisms in its products.

I dont even use fly spray, Doyle said. Im in a position to raise animals in a natural, ethical way. These animals live on a big, beautiful ranch and are spoiled rotten. We practice a holistic approach to land management, which means we use rotational grazing.

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A wide variety of cuts of bison and ground meat fill the fridges lining Midwest Bison. Owner Ken Doyle says the meat is more nutritious than beef with half the fat and no pesticides, hormones or GMOs.

Rotational grazing involves moving the bison around to different ground and waiting a full 60 days before they are returned. This allows the land to recover and any parasites in the bisons manure to diminish. Doyle compares this practice to meat-packing operations for cattle, where the animals often stand in their own manure for long periods of time, increasing the risk of meat contamination during processing.

At Midwest Bison, Doyle said the animals are put down in an ethical manner and are immediately processed through Alta Vista Meat Co., a state-inspected facility.

Bison meat is not only better quality, Doyle said, but it only costs a few dollars more per pound than beef. Midwest Bison sells ground bison for $10 per pound and steaks for $20 per pound.

You can eat a pound of bison five days a week for $200 a month. If you eat a pound of bison, youll never eat ground beef again, Doyle said.

Midwest Bison owner says he spent years building superior herd

Rings made from buffalo nickels add to tattoos and other bison-inspired accessories adorning Ken Doyle, owner of Midwest Bison.

He has spent years building up his own genetically superior herd and said genetics are a big deal when it comes to this business. Doyle said North America was once flush with bison herds, but because of overhunting, the continent was down to only a handful of bison at one time.

Over a matter of 20 years, we killed almost all of them, he said.

When cattle were introduced to North America, they either intentionally or accidentally bred with bison, but modern-day bison producers like Doyle want to make sure their herds are genetically pure and free from any intersection or cross breeding with cows. He routinely conducts hair follicle DNA testing on his bison to guarantee that his herd stays pure.

Doyle said he recently acquired his main breeding bull from Beaver Creek Buffalo after the owner of that operation decided to retire after 30 years in the business.

In addition to meat, Midwest Bison sells live animals to buyers interested in starting their own bison herds and allows the public to tour the genetic herd at the ranch in Eskridge. The store in Topeka also doubles as an art gallery, with works from artists across the country that celebrate the majestic nature of the bison.

Ken Doyle describes some of the significance in the art featured in his store Thursday afternoon. Besides selling bison meat, Midwest Bison LLC also collects and sells artwork.

We have anything to do with bison  a bronze hand-sculpted statue, pictures, skulls, hides, coats, Doyle said. I do this because Im passionate about bison. Buffalo are so amazing.

Weighing between 2,400 and 2,700 pounds, Doyle said bison are the largest animals in North America. And while theyre magnificent creatures and beautiful to behold, he cautions the public about getting too close.

Theyre not pets, and people shouldnt try to touch them," he said. "Theyre incredibly aggressive, and theyll turn on you. I like to say theyre very naughty, but the truth is, they can be very nasty. You cant domesticate bison.

What are the hours of operation for Midwest Bison?

Midwest Bison is open for business at its southwest Topeka location from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The business also made its first appearance at the Topeka Farmers Market at the beginning of July, where Doyle said they sold out of meat.

Were just a few weeks away from going to the Lawrence Farmers Market, Doyle said.

Learn more about Midwest Bison LLC on its Facebook page. Like and share the page on or before Friday to be entered into a drawing to win a free bundle bag of steaks, jerky and ground bison. A winner will be announced Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka's Midwest Bison sells bison meat as alternative to beef
Transparency Market Research

Efficacy of triclabendazole for treatment of liver fluke at various stages of the infection is augmenting triclabendazole market growth

Wilmington, Delaware, United States, July 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global triclabendazole market stood at US$ 412.0 Mn in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2031.



Increase in incidence of liver fluke and efficacy of triclabendazole for treatment of the disease from the very early stage to mature stage are fueling the triclabendazole market.

Request a Report Sample to Gain Comprehensive Insights @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=82892

Liver fluke is prevalent in several regions of the world and is more common in animals than in humans. Liver fluke occurs in cattle and sheep of all ages, and can considerably affect live-weight of adult cattle, lamb, and calves. Veterinarians play a role in educating animal owners, for selecting treatment plan for using drugs to target the stage of the disease. This is because the selection of drugs that target the stage of the disease within the animal is critical.

Key Players

Key players in the global triclabendazole market include AdvaCare Pharma, Grampus Laboratories, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Shijiazhuang Shimu Animal Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Elanco, Bimmeda Inc., Zoetis Health, RV Lifesciences Limited, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Siflon Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Virbac, and Chanelle Pharma.

Growth Drivers

Rise in prevalence of liver fluke in sheep and cattle is fueling the triclabendazole market

Sustained growth of the dairy industry to serve the ever-increasing demand for high-quality animal protein is propelling the market

Get Customization on this Report for Specific Research Solutions at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=82892

Key Findings of Report

Increase in Demand for Quality Dairy and Meat Products Boosting Market Size  Rise in demand for quality dairy and meat products is translating into lucrative opportunities for companies in the triclabendazole market. Cost-effective production of high-quality and safe animal protein is necessary to meet consumer demand. Stakeholders in the triclabendazole market are increasing the availability of therapeutics for liver fluke in clinics, veterinary hospitals, pharmacies, and drug stores, thus boosting market expansion. Moreover, emergence of eCommerce as a key distribution channel has increased availability of therapeutics, thereby propelling triclabendazole market.

Pharma Companies Emerge Resilient to COVID-19 Pandemic - The COVID-19 pandemic hampered the growth of the triclabendazole market. Pharma companies in the market increased local production capacities to reduce dependence on other countries for veterinary medical supplies. Manufacturers worked at breakneck speeds to increase the production of tablet and oral suspensions.

In the veterinary landscape, the pandemic led to indefinite postponement of elective procedures, with poor demand sentiments affecting income sources of companies. Nevertheless, manufacturers strived to ensure business continued by maintaining optimum inventory levels.

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic compelled companies in the triclabendazole market to rethink supply networks, owing to logistic challenges. Furthermore, market stakeholders established balanced relationship with ecosystem partners and suppliers to keep economies running.

Government Initiatives in Management of Liver Fluke Boosting Triclabendazole Sales  Government initiatives in several parts of the world to control liver fluke infections is driving demand for triclabendazole. For instance, liver fluke is absent in Western Australia due to the strict monitoring of prevalence of the disease undertaken by the government health department. Moreover, animals imported in the country that could be carriers of the disease are subject to mandatory testing. This entails availability of treatment provisions by maintaining robust supply of triclabendazole medicines to continue freedom from the infection.

Liver fluke has high burden on the economy of a country. For example, the annual cost of liver fluke is estimated to be US$ 7.11 Bn in Brazil and US$ 1 Bn in Australia. Hence, stakeholders in the triclabendazole market are ensuring an uninterrupted supply of veterinary medical supplies to reduce the treatment burden on the government and other entities in the value chain.

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Regional Landscape

North America dominated the global market, with 30.9% share in 2020. Growth of the market in the region is ascribed to high livestock population and rise in spending on preventive healthcare. Increase in prevalence of liver fluke in cattle and sheep is anticipated to fuel market development in the region in the next few years. Furthermore, rise in awareness about the use of triclabendazole in the treatment of liver fluke is anticipated to create lucrative opportunities during the forecast period.

Elevate Your Business Strategy. Buy this Premium Research Report for Immediate Delivery

The global triclabendazole market is segmented as follows;

Global Triclabendazole Market, by Dosage Form

Tablet

Oral Suspension

Global Triclabendazole Market, by Animal Type

Cattle

Goat

Sheep

Others

Global Triclabendazole Market, by Distribution Channel

Veterinary Hospitals

Veterinary Clinics

Pharmacies & Drug Stores

Others

Global Triclabendazole Market, by Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa



About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. The firm scrutinizes factors shaping the dynamics of demand in various markets. The insights and perspectives on the markets evaluate opportunities in various segments. The opportunities in the segments based on source, application, demographics, sales channel, and end-use are analysed, which will determine growth in the markets over the next decade.

Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision-makers, made possible by experienced teams of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants. The proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques we use always reflect the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in all of its business reports.

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The London Underground could face huge disruption later this month after Tube workers announced week-long strike action - Paul Grover/Paul Grover for the Telegraph

London Underground staff will go on strike for four consecutive days later this month as their long running dispute over pay shows no sign of ending.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced the walkouts last week as workers also fight for better pensions and conditions.

The union said hundreds of jobs are set to be axed, affecting Tube stations and maintenance.

Tube drivers represented by the Aslef union have announced they will also strike in a separate dispute over pensions and working conditions. They join the walkouts on July 26 and 28.

Read on for everything you need to know about the dispute and how it will affect passengers:

When is the strike action taking place?

The RMT has said London Underground workers will walkout on the following days:

Sunday 23 July

Tuesday 25 July

Wednesday 26 July

Thursday 27 July

Friday 28 July

The union said there will be no strike on Monday July 24.

Which lines will be affected?

More than 10,000 workers are eligible to strike but the strikes will affect different sections of the Tube network and grades of workers on different days.

It is not yet clear which lines will be affected on different days.

What have union bosses said?

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the action would shut down the tube and show just how important these workers were.

He said: Plans by Transport for London (TfL) to cut 600 jobs and attack our members pensions are simply unacceptable.

We are aware that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has had the TfL budget cut. However, he needs to align himself with our union and his London Underground staff in pushing back against the Tory Government, exposing their damaging agenda to a key part of London transport infrastructure.

Aslefs full-time organiser on London Underground has said the union has joined the Tube strikes announced by the RMT because changes would make it impossible for drivers to organise their lives outside work.

Finn Brennan said: We take action only when needed. Unfortunately, the last few weeks have shown that London Underground management are determined to try to push through detrimental changes  despite trade union opposition  if they think they can get away with it.

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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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An attorney consulting on the future of academic medicine at the University of Minnesota is casting doubts over whether Fairview Health Services is a viable long-term partner.

The consultant Cliff Stromberg's concerns arise from what he described as the health system's relative lack of prestige along with a history of financial problems.

In comments this month to the Board of Regents, Stromberg said the U should own or control its teaching hospital within a larger health system that "embraces" the University's academic medicine mission. Currently, Minneapolis-based Fairview owns the University of Minnesota Medical Center and has said its current level of financial support to the U is not sustainable.

Stromberg didn't directly say whether the future health system partner should continue to be Fairview or could instead be Fairview's proposed merger partner Sanford Health, which is based in South Dakota.

But Fairview's financial problems might limit its support for academic medicine, Stromberg suggested, and thereby hurt the U's ability to recruit top physicians and maintain recent improvements in its medical school ranking.

"We can't say 'well, our health care partner isn't profitable, so we can't pay you what the University of Wisconsin was,' to a faculty member that we're trying to recruit," he said during a board retreat this month in Victoria.

"It is very hard for medical schools to maintain a top ranking without a hospital partner that's in a similar range," Stromberg said at another point in the meeting. "...The number of medical specialties in which Fairview is ranked nationally is zero. And that's not a new experience. ... So, we have this disjunction between how well [the University is] doing and how well Fairview is doing."

In a statement Tuesday to the Star Tribune, the U said it "would not be right to say that the University has doubts about the future of a partnership with Fairview."

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"Our current agreements [with Fairview] go through 2026," the statement said. "...We are continuing to assess both Fairview and Sanford as viable partners with the best interests of Minnesotans and our public academic health system in mind."

Fairview said its financial and operating plans are overseen by a board of directors that includes representatives from the University of Minnesota.

The partnership has delivered "world class care during a global pandemic," Fairview said, and an "upward financial trajectory" in recent quarters despite financial challenges confronting the industry.

"Instead of hiring high-priced DC legal consultants to advise them, university leadership would be wise to speak directly to those with actual insights and expertise in health care delivery, including the leaders who have responsibility over the health care we provide to our community," the health system said in a statement to the Star Tribune. "...The time for finger pointing is over. It's time for constructive dialogue."

Stromberg works for the Washington D.C.-based firm Hogan Lovells, which started working for the U on the Fairview-Sanford merger and related issues in August 2022.

Information the Star Tribune obtained through a data request shows that, by this spring, the University had paid $454,283 to Hogan Lovells and had an outstanding invoice for $126,292.

Fairview and Sanford announced in November plans for a merger to create a health system with some 78,000 employees and more than 50 hospitals. The University of Minnesota has opposed the merger because it would shift control of the U's teaching hospital out of state.

Attorney General Keith Ellison is conducting an investigation of the proposed combination. Under legislation passed this year, the U has a "consultative role in the Attorney General's public interest review," the university said in its statement.

The timeline for the merger has been delayed several times over the past eight months. Fairview says the talks are continuing.

Fairview bought the U hospital in a deal that closed on Jan. 1, 1997.

During this month's meeting, Janie Mayeron, the chair of the Board of Regents, said she understood one reason the stopped running the medical center was "we weren't doing it very well and we thought there were others who had better expertise."

In January, the University proposed resuming control of University of Minnesota Medical Center with $950 million in state funding to acquire and initially operate the hospital, although a top U official later suggested $300 million would be the upper limit of the state investment.

When Mayeron asked if other universities had taken back their teaching hospitals  an idea that she described as potentially "dicey"  Stromberg said the University of Southern California and University of Cincinnati were among the schools that had done so. But he also advised: "Your cautionary observations are exactly right."

"I can give you observations; I wouldn't give you a recommendation at this point," Stromberg said.

Fairview officials have been wrong in public comments, Stromberg said, to suggest that the health system's financial problems are a function of being linked to an academic medical center.

Fairview's financial support for academic medicine at the U increased through a 2018 agreement that launched M Health Fairview, a joint clinical enterprise between the parties. Whereas Fairview previously was providing about $35 million per year in support, the figure now is about $90 million  a number that Stromberg said is comparable to or less than sums provided elsewhere.

"They were getting a bargain and we were not being helped," Stromberg said. "And now we believe that number is appropriate."

Going it alone, however, would not be a very good option for the U. Academic medical centers should be connected to a large patient population, he said, through a network of hospitals and clinics that generate enough complex cases to keep sub-specialty physicians busy.

In his presentation, Stromberg said Fairview's leadership has lacked strategic vision.

He said health system leaders "fumbled their foray into managed care" and had to sell PreferredOne, a health plan based in Golden Valley. Fairview has not developed the broad network of ambulatory care sites that it needs, he said. And the lack of a solution to financial problems, including four consecutive years of operating losses, shows "a demonstrable lack of leadership," Stromberg said.

"In my experience it's unprecedented to go year-after-year-after-year with operating declines and then losses without the board demanding an actionable, immediate plan  and if management can't do it, then bring in a consultant," he said. "But that has not happened at Fairview. So, where do we go from here?"

Fairview said in a statement that its board, "including three prominent University of Minnesota leaders" approved the health system's current three-year finance and operating plan.

"We're currently performing ahead of that plan with a continued positive trajectory, thanks to the diligent work of our employees  including the academic faculty  all while having the best patient safety scores and the best customer experience scores of the last decade," Fairview said.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain met on Wednesday with President Joe Biden at the White House as the union briefed staff on contract talks with the Detroit Three automakers.

Fain, who was on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers to discuss the labor talks and the union's push for higher wages and benefits, has not yet endorsed Biden for re-election and has criticized some administration electric vehicle policies. Most other major unions have already endorsed Biden.

The UAW leadership had asked for time to brief White House senior staff on the Detroit Three contract negotiations, a White House official said. That meeting took place on Wednesday in the West Wing, and when Biden learned of it, he asked to also talk directly with Fain and the two had a brief meeting, the official added.

Last month, Fain harshly criticized the U.S. Energy Department plan to lend $9.2 billion to a joint venture of Ford Motor and South Korea's SK On to build three U.S. battery plants.

Asked about his message for Biden on how he could boost auto workers given the federal incentives, Fain said: "We just really discussed what options are out there. We just have to see where things go."

Fain said last week the UAW was not ready to endorse Biden. "We have expectations and that's why we haven't made endorsements yet. We expect people to be there for us if they want our endorsement," he said.

Fain was in Washington in April and met with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients.

Fain, who represents 150,000 U.S. hourly workers at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis, has not ruled out striking all three U.S. automakers if new contracts are not reached by the Sept. 14 deadline.

Fain told lawmakers what members were seeking in new contracts. He said the Detroit Three had earned nearly $250 billion in profit over the last decade in North America. "It's a very uneven playing field right now," Fain said. "Our workers have regressed. We've got to do better."

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Fain said Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares did not attend the opening of contract talks last week and Stellantis' chief operating officer for North America, Mark Stewart, was late.

"The fact that Tavares couldn't even show up for the beginning of bargaining, the most critical set of negotiations in this company's history, is shameful," Fain said.

Stellantis said Tuesday in response that it believed the opening session with the UAW "went well and we intend on continuing to approach these discussions in a respectful manner."

The UAW said in a memo Wednesday that during the opening of talks with GM the day before that the union made clear the Sept. 14 contract expiration "is not a suggestion, it is a deadline."

(Reporting by David Shepardson in WashingtonEditing by Leslie Adler and Matthew Lewis)
An advert for WhatsApp promoting the security of its encrypted messaging.

The UK government has amended powers that could be used to force tech firms to scan encrypted messages for child abuse images.

Tech firms such as Signal, WhatsApp and Apple have opposed the powers due to privacy concerns.

In amendments passed by the Lords on Wednesday, the government now expects a report to be written before the powers are used by the regulator.

But campaigners say this extra safeguard fails to protect privacy.

The government amendment comes after concerns have been raised by major messaging apps, other companies and technical experts.

The amendments to the Online Safety Bill say that a "skilled person" must write a report for communications regulator Ofcom before it uses the new powers to compel a firm to scan messages.

In previous versions of the bill this was optional.

The report could cover the impact of scanning on freedom of expression or privacy, and whether there are less intrusive technologies that could be used instead.

Another government amendment passed by peers means the regulator needs to consider the impact of the use of technology on journalism and the protection of journalistic sources.

The bill would let Ofcom force tech companies to use "accredited technology" to scan messages for child sexual abuse material.

The Online Safety Bill is currently in the later stages of its journey through Parliament.

Ministers, police and children's charities say the powers are necessary to tackle "record levels" of child abuse such as imagery and grooming on online platforms, and to prevent encrypted platforms allowing child abusers to "operate with impunity".

As end-to-end encrypted messages can only be read by the sender or recipient, critics suggest this means companies would need to scan messages before they are encrypted - so called client-side scanning.

This, they say, fundamentally undermines the privacy and security of encrypted messaging.

Meredith Whittaker president of Signal, an encrypted messaging app, previously told the BBC the powers would mean tech firms would have to "run government-mandated scanning services on their devices".

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The BBC understands that the new amendment is in response to concerns about the privacy implications and technical feasibility of the powers in the bill.

Government minister Lord Parkinson told peers he acknowledged "the concerns which have been aired about how these powers work with encrypted services" but he said strong safeguards had been built in to protect privacy.

Privacy concerns

Ofcom must take the report into account when deciding if it is necessary and proportionate to force a firm to scan messages and share a summary of its findings with the tech firms.

But campaigners, who have dubbed the powers a "spy clause", said that as a minimum a judge should have to authorise the scanning of user messages.

Index on Censorship said of the new plans: "This is not the legal oversight that these important new powers require, and give short shrift to users' rights.

"Judicial oversight is a bare minimum for a government appointed body to be able to break encryption and access private messages" the free-speech campaigners said.

The Open Rights Group which campaigns for digital rights has also criticised the government amendment:

"Given that this 'skilled person' could be a political appointee, and they would be overseeing decisions about free speech and privacy rights, this would not be effective oversight", the group wrote.

Other campaigners noted that noted that the reports weren't binding and lacked legal authority.

An amendment supported by Labour and Liberal Democrat spokesmen proposes oversight by judges. But Labour's Lord Stevenson did not move the amendment to a vote, though he urged further discussion about the issue at a later stage of the bill.

And Conservative peer Lord Moylan had proposed an amendment that would exempt encrypted services from scanning altogether. He argued the governments plans "opened a hole" in encryption and said the powers were a "major assault on privacy". But he did not move it to a vote anticipating that the house would vote against it.

But Children's charity the NSPCC backed the powers in the bill, telling the BBC it set out "a balanced settlement that should encourage companies to mitigate the risks of child sexual abuse when designing and rolling out features like end-to-end encryption".
(Bloomberg) -- The Russian Defense Ministry said all vessels in the Black Sea heading to Ukrainian ports would be considered potential carriers of military cargo starting Thursday, sending wheat futures soaring.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had said earlier that his country was studying options to get the grain corridor open again, including convoys for ships, according to the Interfax news service. Zelenskiy also said Russia had intentionally attacked grain-deal infrastructure overnight as he ordered his military to boost port defenses and diplomats to step up contacts with partners to continue exports of crops.

In Washington, National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said we have information that the Russian military may expand their targeting of Ukrainian grain facilities to include attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea.

The Biden administration announced $1.3 billion in new military assistance for Ukraine, although the weapons still have to be put under contract and produced so they wont arrive as soon as materiel drawn from Pentagon stockpiles. The latest package includes four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, mine-clearing equipment and Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade drones.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be participating in next months summit of BRICS leaders in South Africa online rather than in person, resolving a potential dilemma for that countrys authorities over whether to execute an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest.

Latest Coverage

US Warns of Russian Threat to Civilian Grain Ships in Black Sea

Wheat Surges 9% as Russia Warns on Safety of Ships to Ukraine

Putin to Skip BRICS Summit, Resolving South Africas Dilemma

Wagner Chief Reemerges to Say Mercenaries Moved to Belarus

Poland Gives EU Ultimatum to Extend Ban on Ukraine Grain Imports

Russia Hands Seized Danone, Carlsberg Assets to Putin Allies

Story continues

Markets

Wheat futures soared as much as 9% in Chicago after Russia issued its warning on the safety of new vessels headed to Ukrainian ports.

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A looming UPS strike could be bad news for online shoppers and small businesses.

But what about Amazon, the online retail giant that ships thousands of packages each week?

Despite the threat of a UPS work stoppage, Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly said the company does not expect a significant impact on customer deliveries because most of the companys orders are processed through its own network. Amazon does deliver a portion of its packages through UPS, but its use of the company has been waning.

Though Amazon is expected to fare better than smaller retailers if UPS Teamsters strike, logistics experts warn that some Amazon deliveries may take longer in rural areas that rely more heavily on UPS. Others say a strike could influence union organization among Amazon delivery drivers.

"Just in general, in the e-commerce space, people need to be expecting more delivery delays," said Jason Miller, interim chairperson for the department of supply chain management at Michigan State University. Even with Amazon, even for folks who get the Amazon deliveries from the post office, there could be some delays.

An Amazon Prime delivery vehicle is seen in downtown Pittsburgh on March 18, 2020.

How will the UPS strike affect Amazon shoppers?

Of the 8 billion parcels shipped by Amazon last year, 60% were sent through Amazons logistics network, according to shipping technology company Pitney Bowes.

That leaves 40%  or about 3.2 billion packages  shipped by other carriers. About 28% was shipped by the United States Postal Service and 8% by UPS, according to Pitney Bowes.

Delivery vehicles remain idle outside a UPS depot, Thursday, June 29, 2023, in New York.

While UPSs 160,000 nonunion employees are expected to work during a strike, a work stoppage from its 340,000 Teamster members means the company would be able to handle just a fraction of the nearly 25 million packages it typically delivers daily. Competitors like FedEx and the postal service could also see delivery times slow if the carriers get inundated with additional demand from UPS customers.

Amazon has a lot more ability to move orders in and around their network, said Gregg Zegras, executive vice president of Pitney Bowes. That said, they rely pretty heavily on a combination of the USPS and UPS.

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That could affect delivery times for Amazon shoppers in rural areas, who are more likely to have their packages delivered via UPS or the Postal Service.

"Amazon's delivery service providers, the Amazon vans, those are more for denser urban areas where you have a lot more package density, so deliveries per square mile," Miller said. "So your Amazon shoppers in rural areas, and just in general areas that have less customer density, they're the ones that are most likely to be affected."

Purchasing from third-party sellers on Amazon also could take more time because some handle their own shipping, Miller said. That means "there's a good chance that they could be using UPS."

Amazon spokesperson Kelly said the company has been working to streamline its network and expects record Prime delivery speeds this year.

What would a strike mean for unionization efforts at Amazon?

Amid the ramp-up to a possible UPS strike, Teamsters leaders have been clear that they have their eyes on Amazon.

Last year, the Teamsters launched an Amazon Divison dedicated to organizing Amazon employees, with General President Sean OBrien noting that the division offers a network of resources to all Amazon workers  including those "behind the wheel of any truck."

President Joe Biden, center left, talks with Teamsters union President Sean O'Brien, facing, after he spoke about strengthening the supply chain with improvements in the trucking industry, April 4, 2022, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.

The division already has seen some success. Earlier this year, 84 Amazon drivers and dispatchers working with Battle-Tested Strategies, an Amazon delivery service partner, organized with Teamsters Local 396 in Los Angeles. It was the first union contract to cover Amazon delivery network workers.

OBrien called the contract just the beginning in a press release and said Amazon had better pay attention because theres more to come.

A UPS strike could help pave the way for further organization efforts at Amazon, accordion to Robert Anthony Bruno, a professor at the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations.

I think it would have an enormous effect on Amazon, he said. Whatever agreement they got at UPS would serve as a platform to take to Amazon workers.

The efforts would come amid rising public support for unionization, with 2022 Gallup data showing Americans' support for unions is at its highest point since 1965. That could bode well for unionization efforts at companies like Amazon, especially if they see UPS Teamsters pull off what would be the largest single employer strike in U.S. history.

An Amazon worker moves boxes on Amazon Prime Day on July 11, 2023 in the East Village of New York City.

White House on UPS: White House 'confident' UPS, Teamsters will reach agreement ahead of potential workers strike

"Striking is contagious," said Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of Labor Education Research and a senior lecturer at Cornell University. Other workers might say "'If they can do it, we can do it.'"

But because Amazon's logistics network is made up of more than 1,500 independent delivery service partners that contract with Amazon  meaning many of Amazon's drivers are not technically Amazon employees  organization among drivers is expected to be difficult.

The delivery service providers are independent of Amazon, and they're going to be spread out among hundreds of companies. And so that effectively makes unionization broadly, I think, nearly impossible, Miller said.

Unionization efforts aside, Amazon may need to prepare for changes once Teamsters and UPS finalize their new contract.

All the things that Teamsters has achieved through their negotiations with (UPS) thus far will create a new standard as it relates to how delivery workers are treated, said Terry Esper, a logistics professor at The Ohio State University. Amazon is going to have to react to that in some capacity.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UPS strike 2023: What happens to Amazon if Teamsters halt work?
FILE PHOTO: Illustration picture of Chinese and U.S. flags with semiconductor chips

BEIJING (Reuters) - The U.S. government's moves to restrict trade threatens globalisation in the semiconductor sector and consumer interests, the China Semiconductor Industry Association said on Wednesday.

"Any damage to the current global supply chain, which developed over the past decades alongside the process of globalisation, could create inevitable and irreparable harm to the global economy," the association said in a statement.

China's semiconductor industry welcomes open cooperation and will continue to innovate, the statement said.

The industry association's statement came after U.S. chip company executives met with top Biden administration officials on Monday to discuss China policy.

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom)
(Bloomberg) -- The Senate adopted an amendment Thursday that blocks China from purchasing oil from the USs emergency stockpiles.

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The measure added to the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act comes amid a renewed focus on the countrys Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which stands at a 40-year-low following the Biden administrations 180 million barrel drawdown last year to help tame oil prices in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine. The measure, sponsored by West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, passed by a vote of 85-14.

The legislation is similar to a bill that passed the House in January that would prohibit the sale of US oil from the reserve to any company under the control of the Chinese Communist Party and ban the export of any crude oil from the SPR to China. The Senate version also bars the sale of oil to Russia, North Korea and Iran, according to Manchin.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve, created in the aftermath of the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, currently stands at 346.8 million barrels. The Biden administration has vowed to refill the reserve, though so far the pace has been a trickle.

Republicans, who have criticized the historic release as a ploy to lower gas prices before the midterm elections last November, have also raised flags about the administrations use of the emergency stockpiles, alleging the Energy Department transferred 900,000 barrels of oil to Unipec America Inc. The company is a subsidiary of Communist Party owned Sinopec Corp. and the recipient of billions of dollars of investment by BHR Partners, a private equity firm where Hunter Biden, the presidents son, was a founding board member.

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Read More: Massive US Oil Caverns Sit Empty and Will Take Years to Refill

The White House has said the Energy Department is required by law to sell the SPR oil in a competitive auction to the highest bidder, regardless of whether the bidder is a foreign company. It has also said that the release of oil from the reserve last year was needed to address price spikes caused by the conflict in Ukraine and ensuing supply disruptions.

The annual US defense policy bill is considered as must-pass because it authorizes pay increases as well as compensation for troops in harms way and is widely-supported by Republicans. The Senate is hoping to finish the bill before the August recess.

--With assistance from Roxana Tiron.

(Updates with vote results starting in first paragraph.)

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UPS to sweeten offer as Teamsters-represented workers prepare to strike UPS teamsters hold rally ahead of looming August 1st strike deadline, in Los Angeles

By Lisa Baertlein and Priyamvada C

(Reuters) - United Parcel Service on Wednesday said it would return to the bargaining table with a better offer for roughly 340,000 Teamsters-represented U.S. workers, in a bid to avert a potentially economically damaging strike on Aug. 1.

"We are prepared to increase our industry-leading pay and benefits, but need to work quickly to finalize a fair deal that provides certainty for our customers, our employees and businesses across the country," UPS said in a statement.

The union said the world's largest delivery company contacted it on Wednesday with an offer to resume talks next week, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said in a statement on Twitter.

Talks broke down on July 5, with each side blaming the other.

A key sticking point in the talks is pay increases for experienced part-time workers who are making roughly the same or even less than new hires because starting wages jumped due to the labor shortage in the last few years.

Any disruption to the business of UPS would be broadly felt because the company handles about 20 million packages a day - about quarter of the parcel shipments in the United States. Those include deliveries for online retailers like Amazon.com, high-value prescription drugs for doctors and hospitals, and inventory for millions of other large and small businesses.

A strike could be one of the costliest in at least a century, with the impact of a 10-day strike topping $7 billion, according to one think tank.

UPS pilots, who belong to a different union, would also stop flying in solidarity with the striking workers.

The Teamsters have been holding "practice pickets" in major cities around the country to keep pressure on UPS.

Despite all of the noise and hand-wringing, many transportation executives and analysts believe the two sides will reach a deal before the deadline.

That's because each side depends on the other.

UPS called its skilled and loyal Teamster employees a competitive advantage early in the pandemic, when orders of everything from home work stations and exercise stations to sofas and large TVs overwhelmed delivery companies.

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On the other hand, UPS is the largest employer of Teamsters at a time when unions are fighting to grow.

Meanwhile, Teamsters leader Sean O'Brien told Reuters last week he has asked President Joe Biden not to intervene in the talks, even as retail groups and other interested parties push for the administration to weigh in.

"We believe an August 1 strike at UPS remains possible but not yet probable," Susquehanna analyst Bascome Majors said in a client note. "Official news that Teamsters-UPS negotiations restart next week after a 2.5-week break clears a path to 'get to yes' before the deadline."

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles, Priyamvada C in Bengaluru and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Josie Kao)
Photo: Contributed Anna hugs Kyle after he was wheeled outside to get some fresh air for the first time after being released from ICU.

A West Vancouver firefighter who was the first person on the scene of a horrific crash on the Coquihalla Highway earlier this month says he doesnt often get to connect with the families of people he has helped save.

In my profession, we dont always get to hear the outcomes of certain accidents or incidents. It was really nice to hear from his family and how thankful they are, said Bryden Luscombe.

Its definitely good for my mental health as well to hear the positive impact it had on everyone.

Luscombe sent an email after Castanet posted a story about how Kyle Gagne and his loved ones were looking for those who jumped in to help save his life on July 10. Gagne and his partner Anna, were involved in a multi-vehicle collision that left Kyle pinned under the front end of a semi.

The West Vancouver firefighter was driving home from his parents cabin on Kalamalka Lake when they came across traffic congestion in the construction zone near the Great Bear Snowshed.

We all kind of had to slow down pretty abruptly and I saw this semi truck struck Kyle and Annas car. It looked pretty severe enough for me to pull over, said Luscombe.

He ran to assist and helped Anna out of the car. Then, using a hammer given to him by a dump truck driver, he was able to remove the windshield and start talking to Kyle, who was in shock and severe pain, with his legs crushed by the weight of the semis tire.

Thats when two other people, who Kyles father lists among his sons angels of mercy," stepped in. One was a trauma nurse and the other was a man named Terry. He had considerable emergency life support training and was carrying medical supplies in his vehicle.

Terry and the nurse hooked the injured man up to an IV to give him pain medication, while Bryden and another firefighter from the Kelowna area gathered fire extinguishers and did their best to clean up fuel that had spilled from the truck.

That second firefighter said it was one of the worst collision scenes hed ever come across. He was quite anxious to find out what happened to Kyle.

I basically spent the next day and a half trying to figure it out. There was lots of rumours, but then it was really good to see he actually survived," the other firefighter told Castanet.

In fact, Gagne is expected to make a full recovery, although he has a long road ahead. While Kyle is still on rotating dialysis and understandably still feeling pretty low, he is making good progress and is out of the ICU, said Lyle Gagne.

He managed to find the man named Terry who took charge at the scene. Kyle and the family hope to meet up with the Kamloops resident sometime in August.
(Bloomberg) -- A US congressional committee is investigating four venture capital firms for their investment in Chinese technology companies, the latest sign of Washingtons increasing scrutiny of American funds suspected of helping develop sensitive industries in China.

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Investments by GGV Capital, GSR Ventures, Walden International and Qualcomm Ventures are being probed by the House select committee on China, led by Wisconsin Republican Michael Gallagher.

GGV declined to comment on Wednesday night. The other firms didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The investigation, reported earlier by the Wall Street Journal, comes as Washington seeks to block Chinas development of next-generation technology that officials worry will dominate the security and economic landscape  specifically semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Both the White House and members of Congress are crafting policies to track and potentially block US investments in those fields in China, which they say are being used for human-rights abuses and advancing military capabilities.

Gallagher referred to the four firms on Wednesday as the committees initial targets, and said the investigation will inform the committees policy recommendations, including any requirements mandated by Congress to review outbound investment.

Gallagher said his two main concerns are that the Chinese companies receiving US investment could be contributing to human rights abuses in Chinas Xinjiang region and helping the Chinese military develop sophisticated technology.

Read More: US Plans Narrow China Tech Investment Limits, Likely by 2024

Story continues

Theres no such thing as a truly private entity in China, Gallagher told reporters Wednesday, a reference to Chinas so-called military-civil fusion strategy. Democrats and Republicans agree that we dont want to be fueling our own destruction.

The China committee, which was created earlier this year by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has subpoena power and is working on a report about US-China policy that will focus in large part on US business activity in the country.

The committee said in a letter to GGV that its being targeted for investments in AI developers, including Megvii Technology Ltd., and semiconductor firms. Qualcomm Venturess investment in SenseTime Group Inc. was also cited by the committee, among others.

Megvii and SenseTime in 2019 were placed on the so-called Entity List, which bars them doing business with American firms without US government approval.

Walden International was cited for its investment chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., which was is also on the US blacklist.

The letters, which each refer to recent research on outbound US investment by Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology, requested the companies respond to questions by Aug. 1.

--With assistance from Mackenzie Hawkins, Sarah McBride and Lizette Chapman.

(Updates with GGV declining to comment, in third paragraph.)

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Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Walt Disney's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

The top 25 shareholders own 37% of the company

Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business

To get a sense of who is truly in control of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. With 64% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

And institutional investors saw their holdings value drop by 4.0% last week. Needless to say, the recent loss which further adds to the one-year loss to shareholders of 14% might not go down well especially with this category of shareholders. Also referred to as "smart money", institutions have a lot of sway over how a stock's price moves. As a result, if the decline continues, institutional investors may be pressured to sell Walt Disney which might hurt individual investors.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Walt Disney.

View our latest analysis for Walt Disney

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Walt Disney?

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.

Walt Disney already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Walt Disney's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

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Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Walt Disney. The company's largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc., with ownership of 8.1%. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 6.6% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 3.9% by the third-largest shareholder.

A deeper look at our ownership data shows that the top 25 shareholders collectively hold less than half of the register, suggesting a large group of small holders where no single shareholder has a majority.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Walt Disney

The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that The Walt Disney Company insiders own under 1% of the company. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$43m of stock. Arguably recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 36% 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.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important.

I always like to check for a history of revenue growth. You can too, by accessing this free chart of historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

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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(Bloomberg) -- Wheat futures soared as much as 9%, the biggest jump since 2012, as Russia threatened ships sailing to Ukrainian ports, escalating a conflict over exports from the key Black Sea region.

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Russias defense ministry said that all ships headed to the ports from Thursday will be considered as potentially carrying military cargo. It also said flag countries of vessels sailing to Ukraine will be considered as on Kyivs side in the conflict. Chicago wheat prices, the global benchmark, quickly shot higher, rising by as much as the exchange limit. Paris wheat closed up 8.2%, the biggest gain since February 2022.

The move comes just days after Russia ended the Black Sea grain deal that had kept cargoes of staple crops flowing through the corridor. Wednesdays escalation increases the war risks in the region and stands to quell even vague hopes for Ukraine to restart exports, heightening uncertainty over global food supplies.

We saw it as unlikely that the grain deal would continue, but this is escalatory  after a number of escalations weve already seen, said Michael Magdovitz, a senior analyst at Rabobank in London. Ukrainian farmers crops are coming to harvest at the very time when their export capacity is being shut off, he said.

Ukraines Black Sea ports are a vital artery for its grain sales abroad  historically accounting for the bulk of shipments  and the harvest season is now underway.

The Black Sea grain deal had helped to keep that trade flowing for a time, marking a rare example of Russian cooperation during its war in Ukraine. The accord collapsed this week after Moscow made good on a repeated warning that it would pull out of the pact, which was initially agreed a year ago. In the days since its withdrawal, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraines agriculture infrastructure  shelling ports and damaging crop terminals in what one major trader said would take extensive time to repair and will hamper trade for the longer-term.

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While Ukraine can still ship grain by river, road and rail, its much more cumbersome and expensive than via its deep-sea ports. The corridors closure could slow the movement of crops from the upcoming harvest.

Together, Russia and Ukraine account for a whopping portion of the worlds agricultural shipments. In recent years, the nations exported so much wheat, corn, sunflower oil and other foods that the cargoes were equal to more than a tenth of all calories traded globally.

Some sea areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea have been declared temporarily dangerous for navigation, the defense ministry said on Telegram.

It would mark a dramatic escalation of Russias confrontation with Ukraines international allies if Moscow was to fire on any vessel that was carrying one of their flags. Russias defense ministry didnt specify what it would do to any ships that try to enter the ports.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said earlier that Ukraine was studying options to get the grain corridor working again after Russia announced its exit from the deal on Monday, including possible convoys for ships, according to Interfax.

Read more: Ukraine Plea to Keep Grain Moving Clashes With Shippers Reality.

Shelling on Tuesday and Wednesday hit agriculture terminals in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, two of the three that were operating under the grain deal, according to the Ukraines agriculture ministry. The damage knocked out a significant part of Chornomorsks grain-export infrastructure and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain there.

While Ukrainian harvests are already shrinking under the weight of the war, the country remains a significant global supplier  and counts on exports for a large proportion of sales. Curbing those flows could add further strain to farmers finances as they prepare to sow winter crops, such as wheat, in just a couple of months.

I have no doubt if this continues youre going to see massive financial challenges for Ukrainian farmers, who are going to say whats the point of planting this, Magdovitz said.

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UPS and Teamsters, the union representing nearly 340,000 UPS workers are trying to reach a new five-year labor contract before the current contract expires at midnight on July 31.

Earlier this month, the two sides departed the bargaining table without coming to a consensus on a new contract. Teamsters have repeatedly said they will strike starting Aug. 1 if a new contract is not ratified. In June, Teamsters passed a strike authorization vote, giving the union the ability to strike if and when they deem necessary.

On Sunday the Associated Press reported that International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien said he has asked the White House not to intervene in the dispute between UPS and the union.

Since June, the union has declared it will strike on Aug. 1 if a tentative agreement is not reached on a full contract before expiration on July 31 at midnight.

If Teamsters were to strike, it would be the largest single employer strike in U.S. history and would cause massive disruption to the supply chain and U.S. economy.

UPS supports the national and global economy. The company estimates it "transports more than 3% of global (gross domestic product) and about 6% of U.S. GDP daily," including everything from home-ordered Amazon packages to business shipments to medical necessities.

In an economy dependent on the logistics and shipping industry, a UPS employee strike could have drastic consequences. Customers could see slower delivery of goods to households and higher prices on products and shipping, according to the Associated Press.

Here's what we know about the federal government's involvement in the UPS and Teamsters dispute:

What is the White House saying?

Recently, O'Brien has started saying Teamsters would be willing to return to negotiations. He also recently asked President Joe Biden to not intervene between UPS and Teamsters negotiations.

"Anytime ... there are these discussions, we want to ensure we're playing a constructive and productive role," said U.S. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday during a White House press briefing.

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Jean-Pierre said the White House will continue to be in touch with both UPS and Teamsters and will "support any efforts to reach a solution."

"We are confident that both sides are going to come to an agreement," Jean-Pierre said.

Does the federal government have the power to intervene in a strike?

Yes.

Under the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, the president could ask the attorney general to seek a federal court injunction to prevent or block a strike in court that was found to be endangering the public's health or safety. If the strike was found to endanger the public's health or safety, the two disputing parties could be ordered to reach a settlement within 60 days to resolve the dispute.

In 2002, then-President George W. Bush enacted the Taft-Hartley Act to stop an 11-day shutdown of 29 West Coast ports, the New York Times reported then.

Congress stopped the railroad strike in December. Can it do that with UPS?

In December, Biden signed legislation to prevent a strike by the railroad companies under the Railway Labor Act which also governs the UPS pilots and aircraft mechanics. At the time, Biden warned a nationwide freight rail strike would be detrimental to the U.S. economy and would have triggered "a recession," USA TODAY reported.

Despite UPS having some of its employees governed under the Railway Labor Act, the UPS dispute between the company and Teamsters does not fall under the Railway Labor Act.

USA TODAY White House correspondent Joey Garrison contributed to this report.

Contact reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UPS workers strike: White House asked not to intervene in negotiations
As he campaigns for reelection, President Biden is telling voters hes a president for all Americans. If red states benefit more than blue states from legislation hes signed, thats fine with him.

Biden supporters, meanwhile, are praising him as a centrist who can easily win crucial swing voters in 2024, just as he did in 2020. The center-left think tank Third Way recently proclaimed that Biden is the most successful moderate President of the modern era. Among his supposed accomplishments: a manufacturing renaissance, a rejection of Medicare for all, 70 record stock market closes, and 10.5 million new-business starts. Biden sounds downright Reaganesque.

Hes not, of course, and the shape-shifting reflects fresh concerns about Bidens appeal to the near-majority of voters who consider themselves Independents, with built-in loyalty to neither political party. Biden did well enough among middle-of-the-road swing voters in 2020 to win a decisive electoral college victory over Republican Donald Trump. But it was a lot closer than many people remember.

Biden won three states  Georgia, Wisconsin, and Arizona  by less than one percentage point, and those states gave Biden the electoral votes he needed to win. Had those states gone to Trump instead, the 2020 election would have been a nightmarish 269-269 tie. Less than 1% of voters in three states swung the 2020 election to Biden.

Small blocs of swing voters could be just as important in 2024. Plus, theres a new X factor: plans by the third-party group No Labels to field its own ticket if the Democratic and Republican candidates turn out to be unappetizing.

No Labels, led by former Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman and the former Republican governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, emphasizes pragmatic bipartisanship and anti-extremism in politics. It says it will field a unity ticket for the 2024 presidential nomination if one of the two major parties fails to muster a candidate that represents the commonsense majority.

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For the foreseeable future, Biden will be a self-described moderate with crossover appeal to centrists in both parties. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The group hasnt said whether Biden and Trump are acceptable candidates. Voters dont want a Biden-Trump rematch, but that doesnt mean Biden and Trump are equally objectionable. Biden is unpopular, yet he has scored several major legislative successes, led the Western coalition supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, presided over a relatively healthy economy, and run a stable administration with little scandal. Trump, by contrast, went down in disgrace after the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol, and hes likely to be facing indictments in four separate criminal cases by the end of the summer.

Democrats worry that if Trump becomes the GOP nominee, No Labels will have the pretext its looking for to field a ticket. Theres no way the party could win the White House without the backing of a formal party apparatus. But it could siphon crucial centrist votes from Biden, the way Ralph Naders independent bid in 2000 may have cost Al Gore some vital votes. Many on the left are apoplectic that the group could wind up costing President Biden the election, Beacon Policy Advisors wrote in a recent analysis.

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, the moderate Democrat who vexes the partys liberal wing, appeared at a No Labels event in the early-voting state of New Hampshire on July 17. Theres speculation Manchin might want to be the No Labels nominee, though he said hed only consider it if he saw a way of winning, and there isnt a way of winning. So Manchin might be toying with Biden, rather than seriously considering a third-party presidential run.

[Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter.]

The Biden team, however, wants to completely preempt a third-party run and make sure theres no bipartisan ticket for voters to contemplate as an alternative to Biden-Harris. So for the foreseeable future, Biden will be a self-described moderate with crossover appeal to centrists in both parties.

Its not totally farfetched. Biden championed and signed the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill, which passed with a meaningful degree of Republican support. Some Republicans supported the 2022 CHIPS Act, as well. And theres independent research showing Republican-leaning states and districts are benefiting more from legislation Biden has signed than Democratic ones, as Biden has acknowledged.

Biden has also pushed for more liberal policies he hasnt been able to get. The Supreme Court struck down his huge effort at student debt forgiveness, forcing Biden to adopt a Plan B thats far less ambitious. Biden wanted Congress to raise taxes on businesses and the wealthy and roll out a bevy of social programs, but the votes werent there. Congress has essentially prevented Biden from being more liberal.

Its also true that the traditional concepts of liberal, conservative, and centrist politics are shifting, with Biden himself powering some of the change. Biden signed into law massive tax credits to subsidize new investments in certain sectors of the economy, a form of corporate welfare Republicans often stand accused of. Yet Biden is doing it to speed the transition from carbon energy to renewables, a liberal priority.

Republicans, meanwhile, attack businesses for being too woke and liberal on social issues, sometimes trying to strong-arm firms into adopting more conservative policies. Thats government intrusion. Biden is laissez-faire by comparison. Republicans also attack the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for investigating or prosecuting Trump and other conservatives, despite clear evidence of wrongdoing. That has left Democrats standing as the law-and-order party, by default. If the fog of politics leaves some voters thinking Biden is the man in the middle, he probably wont complain.

Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman

Click here for politics news related to business and money

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An art collection released on Wednesday that includes both NFTs and physical prints immortalizes the paint-splattered floor of Jackson Pollocks studio, translating elements of the artists distinct style to tokens on the Ethereum network.

Released by the Jackson Pollock Studio in collaboration with digital art platform Iconic Moments, Beyond the Edge showcases paint splatters that landed next to Pollocks masterpieces like Convergence and Blue Poles in East Hampton, New York.

A famed American painter, the late Pollocks work is synonymous with the art worlds abstract expressionist movement. Proceeds from the collections sale will help the museum maintain one of its most precious assets, studio director Helen Harrison told Decrypt.

Heres a sneak peek of an edge!#BeyondTheEdge prints are on Hahnemuhle museum etching paper with hand-torn edges. We worked closely with Laumont Studio and our art advisors to get the paper selection and texture correct to make these a showcase piece for any collector. pic.twitter.com/iQWPskvM7j  Iconic (@Iconic_NFT) July 19, 2023

The primary initiative is preservation and interpretation of the floor, she said. Its a wooden building, and its vulnerableto termites, rain, and just wear and tear.

The collections first series comprises 500 NFTs that capture four unique perspectives of the studio floor. Each NFT is accompanied by a physical print, embossed and numbered by hand at the Jackson Pollock Studio.

The series is available for people to mint on Wednesday for 0.8 ETH (about $1,525), but its initially limited to those within Iconic Moments' membership community and collectors of other partnered NFT projects, CEO Chris Cummings told Decrypt.

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John Gerrard's 'World Flag' Art Blocks Drop Points the Finger at Nationalism

Following the initial sale launch, art collectors will also have the chance to purchase items using a credit card. Cummings said it was essential to cater the collections release to both digital savvy collectors and more traditional ones.

The paint-splattered floor of Pollocks studio was uncovered in the late 1980s after his workspace was turned into a museum. The buildingoriginally used as a storage barn to house fishing equipmentwas first renovated in 1953, preserving the paint and floor under a layer of hardboard, Harrison said.

The floors famed colors have been licensed before, she added. For example, the pattern graced a limited-edition pair of Crocs first introduced in 2013. However, the images captured for the NFTs and prints are distinct for their fidelity, Harrison said.

The level of intensity with which you can scrutinize it is just beyond anything, she said, adding it's possible to view individual hairs embedded in the paint.

In August, the collection will expand to include a set of Pollock Ordinals inscriptions, leveraging the buzzy Bitcoin protocol to further preserve aspects of Pollocks legacy through several 1-of-1 (or single edition) digital art pieces.

Collaborations with three digital artists are also in the works to produce Art From Art, which will include homages to and renditions of Pollocks work. The first artist will be the pseudonymous Lucrece, whose work has sold at preeminent auction houses including Christies and Sothebys.

What if I told you Im going to be working with the legendary Jackson Pollock studio through the Iconic team to make something unreal?  https://t.co/Dos7n8UGFP  Lucrece (@DesLucrece) July 16, 2023

While Pollock could be considered a traditional artist by todays standards, his artwork turned heads in the mid-20th century. A colorful mix of kinetics and emotion conveyed with broad gestures instead of meticulous brush strokes caused some people to question his artistry, Harrison said.

She described Pollocks boundary-pushing methods as akin to digital artists who use cutting-edge technology today, despite some pushback to NFTs.

Each age finds its own technique, Harrison said, reprising a quote from Pollock. If he were with us today, he would probably be doing digital art, because that was the kind of innovation that appealed to him.

Cummings said that Pollocks work has played an influential role in shaping the generative art scene that looms large in the NFT art world. He said several digital artists have referenced Pollock as their main inspiration, andin some sensePollock was an early pioneer.

[Pollock] knew what color he was choosing and whether he was going to throw or drip the paint, but there was a randomness involved, he said. In generative art, youre writing an algorithm, setting some parameters, but you do not know what those outputs are going to look like.
(Martina Ibanez-Baldor / De Los; Getty )

Latino wealth has grown annually for the last 20 years, and data show that second-generation Latinos are faring better than their parents when it comes to their net worth.

But, amid these strides, Latinos still significantly lag behind white households when it comes to wealth accumulation.

And, its important to note, not all Latino wealth is equal.

Read more: Street vendors, a core part of L.A.s culture, often struggle to survive

A new Brookings Metro report looks at the underlying causes of the wealth gap between Latino and white families and finds the disparity is often misunderstood.

Public narratives about Latinos economic condition place far too much emphasis on individual behaviors of the group, rather than structural factors such as discrimination, racism, and segregation, according to the report by Brookings Metro fellow Tonantzin Carmona.

Wealth is what you own minus what you owe, the report notes, and its measured by considering the difference between assets and liabilities. Assets include vehicles, checking accounts and homes. Liabilities include mortgages, student loan debt and car loans.

The report cites data from the 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances showing that white families have median wealth of $188,200, compared with Latino families' median of $36,100.

It also highlights that major differences in asset ownership, not just debt, may be driving some of these wealth disparities.

Read more: Panaderia Barbie? The concha is a perfect accessory

When Latino households have assets, their median and average values are lower than those of non-Latino white households, according to the report, which also shows that Latinos under-index in stocks, life insurance and other assets that can increase their net worth.

That's why, Carmona wrote, it's worth looking further into disparities in non-retirement financial investments  such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds  "as evidence suggests that gaps in non-retirement equity ownership have contributed to the widening of the racial wealth gap."

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The report details that Latinos also have lower participation and allocation in retirement accounts, which could be due to some employers not offering plans or because some families are not eligible for employer-sponsored plans. Immigration status also plays a role in this.

For Carmona, these gaps are precisely why this report is so crucial. It's the first in a series on Latinos and wealth that will publish in the summer and fall. It will look into how history, migration waves and previous public policies could help better understand Latino wealth.

There's nothing wrong with us. There's nothing specific to Latinos that impede them from building wealth. So let us study the processes, the environments ... that prohibit us from building that wealth, and let's tackle those," Carmona told De Los. "We need to pinpoint those in order to then design the policy solutions to address those barriers."

In looking at liabilities, home and vehicle debt make up most of Latinos secured debt, according to the report. Vehicle debt, in particular, "is not commonly discussed" even as data show discriminatory barriers leading to more debt in that arena, Carmona said.

The report cites findings from the National Consumer Law Center showing that Latino and Black buyers face higher car financing costs, even if their credit scores and incomes "are just as good as those of white consumers." And Latinos in 44 states paid higher percentage markups for service contracts than non-Latinos.

"Seeing that not all debt is created equally or fairly, Latinos would benefit (and could likely see some of their vehicle-related debt decrease) if government officials and policymakers bolstered efforts to target discrimination in auto sales and lending," the report reads.

Carmona said it's also important to consider racial and regional diversity among Latinos in understanding issues surrounding wealth.

The report highlighted findings from the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute showing that "Afro-Latinos experience anti-Blackness in the economy and society despite their higher educational attainment rates and labor market participation."

Their outcomes in household incomes and homeownership rates are tied to those of the non-Latino Black community, according to the report.

It also included research from a 2019 report by Ohio State University, Duke University and the Insight Center for Community Economic Development finding that in Miami, white-identifying Cubans and Colombians had higher homeownership rates  53% and 49%, respectively  than Black Cubans and Colombians, who had rates of 23% and 29%, respectively.

As Carmona noted in the report, a third-generation Cuban American woman looking for a first home in Miami  who may be concerned about rapidly rising mortgage rates and housing prices  may approach building wealth differently from a Mexican and undocumented college graduate in Chicago, whose financial planning goals are in shorter-term increments due to his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status.

As the 2024 election looms, "we know Latino behaviors are going to be discussed," Carmona said.

"Latinos always care about the economy and economic issues, so why not examine Latinos' economic condition in the U.S. and really try to learn about this diverse community now?" she said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A condo for sale in Muskego is listed by the Stefaniak Group. Home sales have fallen in Milwaukee, but the metro area's market is doing better than most of the country.

Navigating the real estate market as a first-time home buyer can be overwhelming. When's the right time to buy? How do you get a lender? What Milwaukee neighborhood is right for you?

High demand and dwindling listings have caused home prices to increase by 9% in Metro Milwaukee in 2022. But even with limited options in a tight market, homeownership could still be an option for you.

Here's what to consider:

Should you rent or buy?

Before jumping into homeownership, take a look at the housing market and see what homes are available in your price range in your desired location. In Wisconsin, home prices were up 6.7% year-over-year in June, according to Redfin. In the same month, the number of homes sold fell more than 20% and the number of homes for sale fell 24.7%.

If you're planning on moving to another city or state in the next three years, homeownership might not be the right decision for you. If you're on the fence about the decision, local experts can help you decide if buying a home right now is the best choice for you:

United Community Center: Hosts free monthly seminars to educate prospective home buyers on the process of purchasing their home. Classes are offered in English and Spanish to learn about buying a home, getting pre-qualified for mortgage loan and grants.

Social Development Commission: Serves low-income individuals and families in Milwaukee county to prepare to purchase a home. Eligible participants could receive down payment and closing costs help, home buyer education, among other resources.

Housing Resources Inc.: Hosts home-buyer education classes through the month and provides counseling services to prospective low and moderate-income individuals.

GreenPath Financial Wellness: Housing experts can provide assistance with financial issues that should be worked on prior to beginning the homebuying process.

ACTS Housing: Provides one-on one counseling for individuals interested in purchasing a home for owner-occupancy. ACTS also helps families plan and execute home rehabilitation, focusing on reclaiming vandalized foreclosures.

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What's the median home price in Wisconsin?

Median home prices in the state are $307,200, according to Redfin.

What to consider when picking your neighborhood

You can change a lot things about a house, but one thing you can't change is where the home is located (even if you live in the boat house). Here are some factors to consider when picking where you want to live:

Do you work for home or will you need to commute to your job? Are you commuting via public transportation, bike or car?

Do you want to be in walking distance of shops, restaurants and parks?

Where do your friends and family live and is being close to them a priority for you?

If you have or are planning to have kids, what are the nearby schools?

Should I use a real estate broker?

While it's possible to purchase a home on your own, a good real estate broker can guide you through the process, said President of the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Mike Ruzicka.

Real estate brokers will be experts about your prospective neighborhood and can help you search for a home in your price range, said Ruzicka. During the home-buying process, brokers can also help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different types of mortgages and other paperwork.

For Milwaukee-based Realtors who have knowledge of various home-buyer assistance programs, you can visit Take Root Milwaukee or the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors website for a list of Realtors in your area.

How do you find a lender?

You can finance your home with loans from a bank, credit union, private mortgage company or state government lenders. Lenders can offer different rates and loan fees, so it's important to talk with several lenders before making your decision, according to the to Federal Housing Administration.

Your real estate broker should also be familiar with lenders in your area and advise you on which might be the best fit for you. For a list of lenders in the Milwaukee area, visit www.takerootmilwaukee.com.

Be wary of predatory lending. Mortgage loans can be predatory when the terms and conditions of the loan are beyond your own financial circumstances. You can contact the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, who helps protect borrowers against predatory home loans.

What grants are available for first-time home buyers in Wisconsin?

If you're looking for assistance financing your home here's some options to consider in Wisconsin:

Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance: Offers forgivable grants of up to $7,000 to help purchase a home in the City of Milwaukee. Details and eligibility requirements are on their website at www.city.milwaukee.gov.

Homebuyer Assistance Program: Provides funding to prospective homeowners rehabilitating foreclosed homes they will occupy as their primary residence. Forgivable loans of up to $20,000 are available to assist eligible home buyers.

OWNS Program: Encourages existing homeowners to buy City of Milwaukee owned properties to create rentals.

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity: Sells homes for no profit to families who show a need for housing.

How much money will I need to save to buy a home?

How much money you'll need to save for your home is going to depend on the cost of the home and type of mortgage. For starters, you'll need enough to cover the deposit, down payment and closing costs.

The more money you save for your down payment, the lower your payments will be on your mortgage. The minimum down payment on a house depends on the type of mortgage and type of property you're buying. Conventional loans usually allow for as little as 3% of the purchase price.

RELATED: Are you buying or selling a home in Wisconsin? Here's what $300,000 can get you across the state

If you're planning on financing more than 80% of the property's cost, you'll have to pay private mortgage insurance until you've reached 20% equity. The average range for PMI rates could be between 0.58% and 1.86% of the original amount of your loan, according to the Urban Institute.

You'll also need to save for closing fees, which range from appraisals to verification of the home value to attorney fees, according to Bankrate. The amount you'll pay in closing costs depends on the price of the home and location. In 2021, the average closing costs for buying a single-family home in the U.S. were nearly $7,000, according to real estate firm ClosingCorp.

What other costs come along with homeownership?

When you move in to your new home, you'll also have to pay for monthly utilities and property taxes. Your broker should help you determine how much utilities and taxes cost at your new home.

Depending on the type of property, you may have to pay homeowner association or condo association dues.

Here are some questions to ask when touring homes

You're going to want to make sure you're making a well-informed decision. Here's some questions to ask:

Why are the current owners selling the home?

How long has the home been on the market?

When was the house built?

What are the property taxes?

What are the average utility costs?

Have there been any major repairs to the property?

How old are the major appliances and systems? Are they included in the sale?

What's the sales history of the home?

Is there any water damage such as damp drywall, basement floors or open leaks?

Are there any cracks in the wall or evidence of cracks covered by wallpaper?

Can all of the windows securely close and have working latches?

Do all of the lights work? How is the condition of electrical outlets and switches?

Does the property have any lead pipes?

When was the roof last replaced and what's its current condition?

Are there any gutter leaks? Have the gutters been cleaned out, or do they need work?

What kind of drainage system does the property have?

Are there working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms?

Is there any asbestos in the property? Has an asbestos survey been completed?

Are there trees within 15 feet of the property? Will root growth be a problem?

If you're purchasing a condo, consider the following questions:

What are the average monthly condo fees? What do those fees include?

What are the condo association rules?

Are there any special assessments coming due?

How to make an offer on a house

When deciding on an amount to offer the seller, consider comparable homes, how long the property has been on the market and any necessary repairs. Your real estate broker should be able to help you make a realistic offer for the property.

You'll also want to decide on contingencies, which are clauses that let buyers go back on the sale. Some contingencies can include the home inspection, and appraisal, among others.

For first-time homeowners, it's common for the seller to reject your offer, especially with current market conditions, said Ruzicka. If you're able, you can start negotiating for the property and may have to offer more money. Negotiations on the price can go back and forth before the seller and buyer agree to a price. Make sure you aren't agreeing to spend more money than you can afford.

What about the inspection and appraisal?

After you agree on a price with the seller, your agent writes a formal offer, which is reviewed by seller. If the offer is accepted you'll need to submit "earnest money" which is a cash deposit, which will eventually count toward your down payment.

You can schedule a home inspection, which determines any structural issues with things like the roof or outlets, in the home before you finalize the sale. If possible, you can plan to attend the home inspection to ask questions regarding the condition of the home.

You can also get an appraisal on your home, which determines the fair market value of the property. Home appraisals differ from the inspection because a home appraiser isn't analyzing the property for specific issues, but considering the overall value.

How does closing work?

Before finalizing your purchase, do a final walk through of the property. At this stage, don't be afraid to ask any remaining questions about the condition of the sale. To finalize the purchase, the seller and buyer will sign paperwork to confirm the transaction, and the buyer will need to submit any closing costs.

Closing is generally between 30-40 days after an accepted offer, sometimes as short as 20 days or as long as 60.

More: Milwaukee has some of the fastest growing rents in the country, study says

More: Milwaukee home sales cooling down as interest rates are up sharply. Here's how the market compares with the rest of the country.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin real estate market: how to buy a home in Milwaukee
Some investors rely on dividends for growing their wealth, and if you're one of those dividend sleuths, you might be intrigued to know that Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is about to go ex-dividend in just 4 days. The ex-dividend date occurs one day before the record date which is the day on which shareholders need to be on the company's books in order to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade takes at least two business day to settle. Meaning, you will need to purchase Ford Motor's shares before the 24th of July to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 1st of September.

The company's next dividend payment will be US$0.15 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of US$0.60 to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Ford Motor has a trailing yield of 4.2% on the current share price of $14.17. Dividends are an important source of income to many shareholders, but the health of the business is crucial to maintaining those dividends. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

See our latest analysis for Ford Motor

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Its dividend payout ratio is 76% of profit, which means the company is paying out a majority of its earnings. The relatively limited profit reinvestment could slow the rate of future earnings growth. It could become a concern if earnings started to decline. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Over the past year it paid out 139% of its free cash flow as dividends, which is uncomfortably high. It's hard to consistently pay out more cash than you generate without either borrowing or using company cash, so we'd wonder how the company justifies this payout level.

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While Ford Motor's dividends were covered by the company's reported profits, cash is somewhat more important, so it's not great to see that the company didn't generate enough cash to pay its dividend. Cash is king, as they say, and were Ford Motor to repeatedly pay dividends that aren't well covered by cashflow, we would consider this a warning sign.

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. Ford Motor's earnings per share have fallen at approximately 18% a year over the previous five years. Such a sharp decline casts doubt on the future sustainability of the dividend.

Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. In the last 10 years, Ford Motor has lifted its dividend by approximately 12% a year on average. That's intriguing, but the combination of growing dividends despite declining earnings can typically only be achieved by paying out a larger percentage of profits. Ford Motor is already paying out 76% of its profits, and with shrinking earnings we think it's unlikely that this dividend will grow quickly in the future.

The Bottom Line

Should investors buy Ford Motor for the upcoming dividend? Ford Motor had an average payout ratio, but its free cash flow was lower and earnings per share have been declining. Bottom line: Ford Motor has some unfortunate characteristics that we think could lead to sub-optimal outcomes for dividend investors.

With that being said, if you're still considering Ford Motor as an investment, you'll find it beneficial to know what risks this stock is facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Ford Motor (of which 1 is a bit concerning!) you should know about.

If you're in the market for strong dividend payers, we recommend checking our selection of top dividend stocks.

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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Monday's surprise meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Rodrigo Duterte was a bid to rally support in the Philippines for a friendlier China policy as Manila moves closer to Washington, according to analysts.

During their talks in Beijing on Monday, Xi urged former Philippine president Duterte to "play an important role in the friendly cooperation between the two countries".

Xi said Duterte - known for his pro-China approach - had made a "strategic choice" to improve ties with Beijing when he was leader, which helped put relations "on the right track", according to state news agency Xinhua.

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"China has always attached importance to China-Philippines relations and is willing to work with the Philippines to promote the steady and long-term development of China-Philippines ties," Xi said.

The Philippines' relations with China have been tense in recent months amid territorial intrusions by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

Rodrigo Duterte meets Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Photo: Xinhua via AP alt=Rodrigo Duterte meets Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Photo: Xinhua via AP>

Ma Bo, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, said the meeting could be viewed as an extension of Beijing's "head-of-state diplomacy", noting that Duterte "almost single-handedly altered" Manila's China policy from one that was leaning towards the US.

"The engagement with Duterte signifies China's - especially President Xi's - commitment to honour those leaders who have contributed to strengthening bilateral relations with China," said Ma, who is also an associate professor at Nanjing University's School of International Studies.

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"It is apparent that China hopes Duterte will advocate for amicable relations with China, but they would also like him and his political alliance to criticise the US-Philippines 'charm offensive' against China in the South China Sea, and potentially in the Taiwan Strait."

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr - who took office last year - the Southeast Asian nation has sought warmer ties with the United States.

The Philippines in February expanded a military pact with the US that grants American troops access to four additional bases including one not far from Taiwan. In April, the two countries held an 18-day joint military drill involving some 17,000 soldiers.

And when Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and then Acting Defence Secretary Carlito Galvez Jnr met their counterparts in Washington the same month, the US "redoubled" its commitment to modernising a mutual defence treaty signed in 1951, and the two sides agreed on plans for joint patrols in the South China Sea.

Renato Cruz De Castro, a professor of international studies at De La Salle University, said China was alarmed by Marcos Jnr's moves to give the US a bigger strategic footprint in the Philippines.

"China is very much concerned by what they perceive as anti-China policies," he said. "Xi is sending a message to [Duterte's] followers that China preferred the old policy. He wants to return to the situation when the Philippines was appeasing China."

Diplomatic observer Charmaine Willoughby said Manila was "caught by surprise" by Duterte's visit to China this week and that it had "undercut Philippine institutions". Philippine media reported that the foreign ministry was not aware of the former leader's trip.

Beijing sees Duterte as someone who could challenge the alliance with Washington, according to Willoughby, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the National Interest, a Manila-based think tank.

As president from 2016 to 2022, Duterte sought closer diplomatic and economic ties with China and distanced the Philippines from the US, suspending joint navy patrols and limiting military engagement.

According to Xinhua, Duterte told Xi on Monday that he was grateful for China's support for the Philippines' economic and social development and that he was "willing to continue to play a role" in promoting friendly ties.

Chong Ja Ian, a political science professor at the National University of Singapore, said Xi was likely looking for ways to address Manila's pivot towards Washington.

"Perhaps Xi hopes that Duterte can use his popularity and supporters to help advance [China's] case in the Philippines," he said.

Cruz De Castro, from De La Salle University, said Xi appeared to be "trying to empower the [Duterte] faction within the current administration to put a check on what they perceive to be policies that gravitate towards the US".

That faction includes Vice-President Sara Duterte and Imee Marcos, the president's sister who has spoken out against her brother's foreign policy.

Willoughby said driving a wedge between the Philippines and the US would be a win for Beijing as it would be able to "get away with the South China Sea and even potentially Taiwan".

The Philippines' proximity to self-ruled Taiwan would mean that Manila could play an important role in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

But Cruz De Castro said it was unlikely Duterte would have much sway on the current administration's China policy.

He also noted that public opinion polls in the Philippines had found a high level of distrust towards China, with more confidence in the US. "One thing is clear, it will lead to greater division between the Duterte faction and those who are siding with the current administration," he said. "It might lead to an open confrontation."

Ma from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute said Beijing saw its relations with Manila as more volatile than with other Southeast Asian nations.

"Beijing is demonstrating strategic patience towards the Marcos Jnr administration," Ma said. "However, if these diplomatic efforts fail, Beijing might have no choice but to launch a new wave of operations in the South China Sea, targeting Manila's military and security cooperation with the Quad as a last resort."

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.
Photo: Alec Underwood A cloud of dust seen over the Elkview coal mine in southeast British Columbia.

A long list of toxic elements have been found within 30 kilometres of B.C.s biggest coal mines, raising questions over the health of nearby communities, a new study says.

The research, published this month in the scientific journal Heliyon, examined deposits laid down by dust clouds emanating from mountaintop-removal coal mines in B.C.s Elk Valley, home to the communities of Sparwood and Elkford.

Author Wyatt Petryshen, a mining policy and impacts researcher for Wildsight, said he was surprised to find such a vast dispersion of selenium, uranium and germanium, among other toxic elements, so far from the mines.

This study has demonstrated that there are heavy metals that are being transported from these mines and deposited nearby, Petryshen said.

This does show that there is a risk to human health.

What that risk is remains unclear. Petryshen said if officials want to uphold a precautionary principle for human health in the region, they should carry out more investigations into how people are being impacted.

B.C.s Elk Valley is home to four operational coal mines all run by Teck Resources Ltd.  the same company whose board former B.C. Premier John Horgan agreed to join before a proposal to spin off the entity was put on hold. Together, they employ more than 4,000 people and account for 80 per cent of Canadas metallurgical coal exports.

The mines recently topped the BC Mining Law Reforms annual dirty dozen list as one of the most serious pollution problems in North America.

Since the mid-1990s, surface runoff water leaching through mine tailings has repeatedly carried selenium into nearby rivers, contaminating drinking water and aquatic ecosystems, according to government inspections.

Between 2015 and 2022, 55 inspections led to 19 warnings and 13 referrals for administrative penalties, including a nearly $16-million fine issued earlier this year. The province is still actively investigating referrals for another six administrative penalties.

In an email, Teck spokesperson Dale Steeves said the company has a number of dust mitigation measures and dust monitoring systems currently across its Elk Valley operations. Its also piloting other innovative measures and monitoring approaches to improve dust management, he said.

Extensive air quality monitoring shows that levels of substances do not pose a risk to human health, wrote Steeves.

Very dusty place

To reach buried coal seams, mining through mountaintop removal first requires razing whatever forest sits on the surface. Next, explosives are used to blast away at the ground and reach the coal deposits.

Petryshen spent the last two years testing how that process affected water quality in the area. But people would also regularly email and text him about poor air quality, with layers of coal dust settling on their homes, cars and in their hot tubs.

When you drive around, you realize quite quickly it's a very, very dusty place, Petryshen said. No one ever really discussed the dust issues, and then what those impacts would then be on individuals' health.

Petryshen began by researching other regions where the impacts of mountaintop-removal coal mining had been better documented  places like the Appalachians. There, many towns had been built in the lee of coal mines, but none quite as big as the Elk Valley mines in B.C.

Photo: Alec Underwood Operations at the Elkview coal mine in southeast B.C. show dust billowing from vehicles. A recent study found dust from the mines is carrying potentially toxic elements up to 30 kilometres away.

He got in touch with Michael Hendryx, a researcher from Indiana University who since 2006 has documented how such coal mines has led to a public health disaster in nearby communities.

Hendryx has linked dust from nearby mining operations to spikes in lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, birth defects and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs), such as bronchitis and emphysema.

Altogether, the American researcher found there were roughly 1,200 extra deaths every year across the parts of Appalachia where mountaintop-removal mining took place  a figure that does not include people working in mining itself.

By 2017, he had published over 30 papers on the problem.

The coal industry does not like what we have to say, Hendryx said in a TED Talk that year.

Not only are death rates higher, but they increase as levels of mining go up in a dose response manner.

A natural sponge offers a snapshot of contamination

Having seen the large body of evidence in the U.S., Petryshen decided to look closer to home  and closer to his feet. Between May 29 and June 1, 2022, he tromped around Elk Valley taking samples from three moss species across 19 locations, each offering a three-year snapshot of contamination from Tecks Line Creek and Elkview mines.

Like clothing next to a smoky campfire, moss pulls everything out of the atmosphere  from nutrients to contaminants  and incorporates them into its tissues.

When you sample it, just like a sponge, whatever was in air will also be in the moss itself, Petryshen said.

Next, he tested each moss sample for 47 elements, ultimately finding the closer to the mine, the higher the contamination rates. Petryshen also concluded prevailing wind patterns and mountain ridge lines played a role in shielding or funnelling potentially toxic elements far from the mines.

Its not clear which part of the mining process  blasting, processing or transportation  is releasing the most contaminants, and Petryshen said more research needs to be done to find out.

We need to do a better job of making sure that the train load-up process and the coal cleaning isn't giving off dust. We have to make sure that the trains going through communities aren't giving off dust, he said.

Air quality stations are already set up in the valley to measure contaminants released into the air by wildfires and the burning of fossil fuels. But Petryshen said monitoring stations also need to be updated to measure the elements he found within that dust.

Balancing human health with economic benefits of coal

Other open questions remain around how much of the heavy metals Petryshen found in moss have made it into the surrounding soil.

The Teck spokesperson said selenium concentrations in all samples from the Wildsight study were below federal soil quality guidelines.

They are correct. But my samples are from moss, said Petryshen. Its literally apples to oranges.

Creating a baseline for how much heavy metal has made it into the region's soil would help scientists or governments measure how much selenium and other elements bleed into the surrounding environment, Petryshen said.

Local health area data indicates the region surrounding the coal mines has a nearly 30 per cent higher rate of COPD compared to the provincial average. But someone needs to go out and filter for other sources in order to determine whether its coming from a coal mine or something else, Petryshen said.

That would likely mean carrying out community-level health studies similar to what has been done in Appalachia. Without comparing the long-term health of residents in places like Sparwood and Elkford with communities further away from the mines, everyone will be left guessing how the mine dust might be harming people living in the area, Petryshen said.

In an email attributed to nobody in particular at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, a spokesperson confirmed the province is aware of the study and reviewing its conclusions. The statement added that environmental permits for Tecks mines require them to monitor air quality and manage coal dust.

If monitoring data demonstrates potential issues, management actions are taken to assess and mitigate potential impacts. Management and monitoring plans are reviewed on a regular schedule, the statement said.

Going forward, air quality impact assessments will consider the findings of this study.

As many governments look to phase out coal over the long-term, the metallurgical kind produced in Elk Valley may have more staying power. That's because unlike coal used to generate electricity, there are fewer alternatives to feed the coking process required to produce metals like steel. But even from an economic perspective, there is a limit to coals benefits: premature mortality associated with coal mining in four U.S. states is thought to cost at least US$10 billion per year above the economic benefits of coal.

For British Columbia, Petryshen said that means policymakers need to seriously consider if mining coal outweighs the cost to human health.



Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect Teck Resources Ltd.'s decision to pause plans to spin off its Elk Valley coal operations.
While the crypto market slumped at the start of the week, XRP has defied the broader trend by moving towards reclaiming last weeks yearly high.

On Monday, Bitcoin broke below $30,000, putting pressure on the rest of the market. Gains across the top 25 cryptocurrencies remained below 5%, with the exception of XRP and Stellar (XLM).

XRP is up 6.2% in the past day, currently changing hands at $0.78, while XLM soared 9.6% overnight, per CoinGecko data.

XRPs surge came following further developments in the ongoing case between the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple, as a judge directed the two parties to agree on dates for a possible settlement conference.

Ripple scored a big win on July 13 as the court partially ruled against SECs claims that XRP was a security.

XRP is up almost 65% on the week, following the landmark court ruling in Ripple's case against the SEC.

However, over the weekend, crypto prices slipped as Bitcoin (BTC) dropped back toward its $30,000 support and Ethereum (ETH) failed to build support above $2,000.

Potential SEC and Ripple settlement conference

On Monday, judge Analisa Torres, who gave the landmark verdict, referred the case to district magistrate judge Sarah Netburn for general pretrial, according to documents shared by Fox journalist Elanor Terrett.

NEW: Judge Sarah Netburn orders both @Ripple and the @SECGov to agree on 3 mutually convenient dates to schedule a settlement conference, if they believe it to be productive at this time. Also recommends scheduling 6-8 weeks beforehand due to the courts busy schedule. pic.twitter.com/zyU4Ku2OOu  Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) July 17, 2023

Magistrate Netburn will address the pretrial motions, discovery disputes, and also preside over settlement conferences and pass recommendations to the judge for a final verdict.

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Netburn recommended the two parties hold a settlement conference if they believe it would be productive at this time. The news prompted hopes that the risk of an appeal by the securities regulator against the courts decision might be reduced.

SEC Chair Gensler 'Disappointed' in Ripple Court Ruling on Retail XRP Sales

Additionally, Ripple made recent investments in the artificial intelligence and metaverse sector, giving a boost to its ecosystem and positive sentiment.

Ripple Labs participated in a $54 million Series A funding round for metaverse project Futureverse, which integrates the XRP Ledger into its gaming-focused blockchain The Root Network, and supports the use of XRP.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools is actively considering a requirement that students carry clear backpacks to school, Superintendent Mark Taylor wrote in an email message to parents last week.

A clear backpack and bag requirement is under discussion for the 202425 school year, Taylor wrote in the email, which was sent on Thursday.

Though he noted that clear backpacks are not required at the moment, Taylor asked parents to please consider them in preparing for the start of 202324 school year.

They set a positive example and send a strong message that I am safe, and I have nothing to hide, Taylor wrote in the email. If you and your child are looking at new backpacks and bags, please consider going clear now.

A clear backpack requirement has not been considered in other local school divisions.

Matt Eberhardt, deputy superintendent of Fredericksburg schools, said clear backpacks were discussed at a meeting of the divisions safety team  which includes school administration, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel  in the spring, but we decided to pause and gather more information.

Stafford schools spokeswoman Sandra Osborn said the division value(s) transparency and open communication with our community and would engage with parents and students before making a clear backpack requirement.

As this would be a significant change, we would want to engage (the community) and welcome their feedback before making any decisions of this magnitude, Osborn wrote in an email. It is also very close to the start of the school year, and many families have already purchased school supplies. We trust our families and respect their input as we make decisions regarding children.

Belen Rodas, a division parent and candidate for School Board, said she sees several problems with implementing a clear backpack policy.

What about girls who have a little pouch that they need to carry tampons in? Or girls who dont have a little pouch and just throw them in a backpack? she said.

Rodas said clear backpacks would also be an unnecessary intrusion for kids with disabilities or special needs who need to carry equipment or supplies.

In his message, Taylor wrote that the division is sensitive to the cost and burden of buying another backpack.

We have found clear backpacks to be in a price range similar to non-clear backpacks, he wrote.

But Rodas said that price range will be a very big deal for some families in the school division.

I dont buy my kids a backpack every year, she said. And I just dont believe (clear backpacks) are as sturdy as a good quality backpack.

Following the tragic school shootings of recent years, some divisions across the country, such as the Dallas Independent School District in Texas and South River schools in New Jersey, have mandated clear backpacks as a security measure.

Broward County Public Schools  home of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, where in 2018 a shooter killed 17 people and injured 17 others  announced in May that it would require clear backpacks for the 202324 school year.

But last month, the Broward County School Board voted to reverse that decision.

At the Regular School Board meeting held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the Board voted to NOT implement the proposed clear backpack policy for the 2023/24 school year, the school division announced on its website.

Kenneth Trump, president of the safety consulting firm National School Safety and Security Services, said school divisions are under pressure from the community to improve school safety, especially after recent high-profile incidents of gun violence.

But he describes clear backpacks as security theater.

School safety leadership sometimes means restraint and not jumping on trendy bandwagons such as clear backpacks that typically create security theater  making people feel safer rather than actually making them safer, Trump wrote in an email to the Free LanceStar.

Clear backpack policies force school administrators to spend more time playing the backpack police, which takes time away from their more important supervision and engagement in building relationships with students.

Trump said the most impactful safety measures schools can implement are less visible or even invisible.

The No. 1 way we find out about weapons, plots, and other threats in schools is when students and parents have strong relationships with school and safety officials, and come forward to tell adults that they trust about weapons and plots, he wrote. School leaders need to focus on staff training, student supervision, relationship building, and related human factors. When school safety works, its because of people. When it fails, its because of people.

In his email, Taylor said safety is our first concern and that Spotsylvania school officials are adding safety training and messaging that will be provided throughout the year.

Additional safety tools, including emergency communications radios and metal detection wands, are being provided, Taylor wrote. With only one wand per school, their use must be strategic rather than universal. A program to put some parent volunteers in schools to boost vigilance is also being developed.

He also noted that Spotsylvania County received a grant this summer from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services that will pay for three additional School Resource Officers and eight additional School Security Officers.
Midland University will host a pair of shows at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the Lueninghoener Planetarium on its Fremont campus.

The event is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Each program lasts approximately one hour.

The program is led by Dr. Ken Murphy, professor of physics and director of the planetarium at Southwest Minnesota State University. It will feature images from the James Webb Space Telescope, which was launched from Earth on Christmas Day in 2021 and has been taking remarkable images of the deep universe. The show will highlight recent images from the JWST.

Each event will conclude with a laser light show custom produced by Jack Dunn 69. Dunn got his start in the planetarium profession under the guidance of Dr. Gilbert Lueninghoener, a former professor at Midland. Dunn served as coordinator for the Mueller Planetarium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for 42 years.
The Keene Memorial Library Advisory Board approved on Monday night moving ahead with a proposal to develop three types of user library cards, a plan which if put into place in the future would allow parents to control what their children check out from the city library.

In a 5-0 vote, the advisory board instructed Library Director Laura England-Biggs to continue to research, develop and fine tune the proposal to have three types of patron library cards: one for juveniles, children up to 12 years old; a second "young adult" card for patrons age 13 to 18; and then an adult card for library users age 19 and older.

In a staff report provided with the boards agenda packet, England-Biggs described the differences between the various proposed patron library cards as well as listed 15 questions and concerns that dealt with specifics of the plan.

Under the proposal, parents would be able to opt-in their children for the juvenile or young adult library cards. Under the juvenile card restrictions, children age 12 and younger would be barred from checking out young adult fiction content, young adult graphic novels, young adult "playaways" and launchpads and any and all adult materials, which includes print items, DVDs, Books on CD and playaways.

For the young adult proposal, teens age 13 to 18 would not be allowed to access any and all adult materials. Adults library patrons would be classified as any person age 19 or older, and they would have access to all books and materials with no restrictions.

The proposed changes to the patron use cards does not include limits on any e-books or downloadable books in the database of the librarys Libby app or the State of Nebraska content database, called Overdrive.

England-Biggs told the board that as she and the librarys staff  notably the professional librarian trio employed by the city  tried to navigate the recent controversy over allegedly inappropriate books, they have received feedback from the public on possible solutions. One was the different patron cards for different ages.

My knee-jerk reaction was, no way, we cant do that. Then I started looking at it and thinking about it, and came up with this plan  this proposal. Should the board direct us down this path, it can be done, England-Biggs explained.

We can allow parents to opt-in and it will not be an across the board decision by the library. It would be a simple form saying, this is my child; this is me; these are the collections I want. They could choose a juvenile card only, or a juvenile and (young adult) card, she added. It would be restricted to parents and guardians, not grandparents. All adult DVDs would be off the table. All the adult material would be off the table.

England-Biggs said while the proposal does not include the Libby app or the states database, Overdrive, she and other library staff would work hard to help educate parents on how to install controls onto those online access apps so some content could be limited.

It will not be overnight, but it is something that is achievable, England-Biggs added about the plan.

The advisory board approved moving forward with the proposal in a unanimous vote.

Library board President Linda McClain expressed her thoughts on the proposal.

Is it going to fix everything? McClain asked. No. But I think this is a step in the right direction.

Library Board Member Ryan Fiala said the proposal for the different patron cards, still gives the parent the ability to control what (a child) is reading, in offering his support of the plan.

Local parent and book activist Scott Preston  who has repeatedly spoken about what he feels are inappropriate books in the library at numerous city council meetings  said he supported the differing age-based patron card proposal.

I do support this idea, Preston said.

The issue of restricting access to some content and books at the city library has been part of the wider debate over allegedly sexually explicit books and controversial LGBTQ-themed books raging in the city since late December.

Two parental rights activists at the center of the book debate  Sandra Murray and her daughter, Kelley Garay  spoke during meeting, expressing their repeated claims that sexually explicit and inappropriate books were in their opinion available to children in the Keene library.

Garay also said her only goal as a mother of two children was to protect her kids from inappropriate content. The mother-daughter duo have repeatedly spoken at city council meetings about books they believe are inappropriate, and the pair has also formally requested several books be removed from the library. Those efforts have been unsuccessful.

On Monday, Murray complained for second time in four weeks about a new book ordered by the library staff, Rainbow Parenting: A Guide to Raising Your (zero) to 10-year-old Queer. Murray spoke during the June 27 meeting of the Fremont City Council about the book, stating it was on order and was in her opinion, not appropriate for the librarys shelves.

The library has proven to us there truly is a war on parents for their childrens minds, Murray said while reading from a prepared statement. (The author) is a woke extremist who uses her new book to blatantly instruct educators to bring queer and gender-affirming lessons into the classroom without parental knowledge. The book is full of woke propaganda. Does this book bring literary value to the community?

Murray then asked why the library staff continues to purchase LGBTQ-themed and what she believes are inappropriate books for children.

These actions of the library staff have been a slap in the face to the parents of Fremont who care about their childrens innocence, Murray added. The library has spoken as if they are going to change the selection policies to maintain a more balanced collection. Upon review, I can see that the new policies do nothing of the sort.

England-Biggs contradicted the allegation from Murray that the staff has bought only certain types of books, telling the board and attendees that two books considered to be anti-transgender in topic had been ordered to give patrons opposing viewpoints on the issue.

McClain said the recent months-long debate over what books and materials are allowed in the city library as well as appropriate for children has been a challenge for both England-Biggs and the staff at the library.

That stress, she added, has also impacted the library advisory board  who are all volunteers  and had led to difficult months as numerous community members have complained about certain sexual education and LGBTQ-themed books and materials since late December.

McClain stressed that neither the library nor the library advisory board had ever received any complaints from parents alleging that grooming of children was occurring at Keene Memorial Library.

In response to claims from Murray and others in the community that, the idea that our staff is grooming children or sexualizing children, McClain said it is not happening in any manner.

I stand by our staff. Our staff is not grooming children. They are not actively grooming, McClain said.

The Keene Memorial Library Advisory Board meets once a month. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 21.
No one was injured in a fire early Monday evening at 429 S. I St.

Fremont Fire Department Lt. Terry Luthy said firefighters were called to the site at 5:30 p.m. Everybody was out of the house when firefighters arrived. Luthy told what preceded the call.

The resident was outside weed-eating and looked up and saw smoke coming out of the plumbing vents, Luthy said. He opened the door and saw fire over by the stove and refrigerator. He closed the door and called 911.

Another resident also was outside and reported the same thing.

When she peeked in, it was nothing but smoke, Luthy said. She couldnt see the fire; there was so much smoke.

Luthy said the fire went from the stove to cabinets and there was some structure damage. It took five to 10 minutes for firefighters to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters ventilated the structure and turned it back over to the residents.

No animals were injured. Luthy said a dog was outside with the tenants.

The fire was believed to be caused by a stove burner that was left on, Luthy said.
Christy Fiala knows a book can impact a child for years.

She cites the story of a fourth-grade teacher who asked students to bring items for a Show and Tell session. One child brought a book theyd had for years.

That book came from Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Fiala is executive director of Fremont Area United Way (FAUW), which works through the Imagination Library to provide books to children ages 0 to 5. Approximately 1,000 children receive a free book in the mail monthly.

To help raise funds for the project, the public is invited to the 13th Annual Hats Off to Literacy event. It starts at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 25 in the Rybin Community Building on the Washington County Fairgrounds in Arlington.

This years event, dubbed Books and Boots, offers country western fun to guests who are encouraged to wear cowboy boots and hats, while eating barbecued food from Muffs Prime Rib.

The event is taking place in Arlington, because the Imagination Library program has expanded to serve children in Washington County while continuing to serve them in Dodge County.

Fremont Area United Way covers Dodge and Washington counties, Fiala said. Previously, we only had Imagination Library in Dodge County and we are able now to also cover Washington County. Part of that is thanks to new donors and businesses doing United Way campaigns in Washington County.

Diane Stevens will serve as guest speaker for the event. Stevens is a retired principal from Washington Elementary School in Fremont and has been an educator for 30 years.

Fiala encourages people to go to the fundraiser.

I hope people attend because they understand the value in helping children collectively as a community, she said.

Fiala notes the importance of providing books to young children.

It helps children be ready for kindergarten, starting school off on a good foot, Fiala told the Tribune.

The nonprofit provides other data in a news release.

United Way has seen all the facts proving that children with higher reading scores are more likely to succeed in school and life, the agency stated. They know that children living in at-risk households are more likely to fall behind, especially if they do not have book readily available.

When books are made available for parents to read to their children, they are more likely to meet developmental, social-emotional and literacy milestones.

Children gain empathy, self-confidence, an expanded vocabulary and pattern recognition when they read. Books open doors to new ideas and thoughts.

Early reading benefits children and adults.

Its building a connection between a parent and a child or an adult and a child when there is time spent together reading  and it teaches children the value of books, preparing them for further education, Fiala said.

Any child in Dodge or Washington counties under age 5 can receive books.

The openness and inclusiveness of that is rare and special, Fiala said.

Anyone whod like books for their child can register online at fremontunitedway.org or call 402-721-4157 or stop in the office at 445 E. First St.

It costs United Way approximately $24,000 to provide the program each year. Anyone whod like to help support the program is asked to consider attending or being a table sponsor, event underwriter or sponsoring a child.

Tickets to the Hats Off fundraiser are $75 each and tables are $600. To sponsor a child for a year is $30. Go to the website or call the office number. Donations are tax deductible.

Fiala noted that parents have been grateful to receive books for their children and the nonprofit has received thank you notes.

She recalls a parent writing how much their child looked forward to receiving a book each month and was excited to get it. It made a bright spot in that childs life.

Another parent shared that their child felt cared for by the community, because they received a book in the mail.

Looking back, Fiala also thinks about the fourth-grade teacher, whose student brought their favorite book for Show and Tell.

The teacher shared that it was clear this book meant so much to this child, Fiala said. The teacher said she could see the impact of this program in the student who received the book.

Fiala said the story reminded her of the importance of books in a childs life.

Kids have a smaller view of the world than adults and books are their window to the world, Fiala said.

RVR Bank is the 2023 presenting sponsor for the Hats Off fundraiser.

More information about FAUW can be found on its website.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen visited Fremont on Tuesday, July 18, touting the collaboration of local officials, businesses and others that led to the completion of the U.S. Highway 77-Fremont Southeast Beltway project.

The new freeway segment south of the city connects U.S. Highway 77 south of Fremont to U.S. Highway 275 on the east side of the city. The bypass recently opened and, according to city officials, has already led to a reduction of semi-tractor trailer traffic through downtown Fremont.

Fresh off an economic visit to Vietnam, Pillen compared Nebraska to the Southeast Asian country, saying the people of the nation are very similar to Nebraskans, but a big difference is Vietnam lacks highway infrastructure needed to grow its economy.

My point would be, one thing (Vietnam) doesnt have is infrastructure. Infrastructure is a really, really big deal. This project is so critical to Fremont, so critical to the growing of Costco, so critical to the growing of Wholestone, Pillen said. Wholestone is going to have 300 trucks coming in every day  an extraordinary amount of activity. So, people are really, really excited about this project."

Pillen also expressed his gratitude to what he said was an, everybody in level of collaboration and cooperation between local and state government, as well as the business community, that made the project go smoothly, quickly and be completed faster than expected.

The other thing that was so important was, everybody was in. Everybody was all on the same team to make sure we got this project finished. It is really going to be an extraordinary hub, Pillen added.

When you think of the City of Fremont, and you think about the four lane roads of U.S. Highway 30 and U.S. Highway 275  hopefully we can get that sped up  the future for Fremont is absolutely extraordinary. It is really a privilege for me to be here, and Fremont is an incredible community. I commend everybody.

Construction of the $62 million project began in July 2020 and was finished in May, with traffic cruising on the bypass in June. Graham Construction was the sole contractor on the project, and the firm utilized local supply companies and workers on the three-year effort.

Joining Pillen at Tuesdays ceremony were numerous elected officials and business executives who were involved in the project, including Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg, Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Vicki Kramer, State Sen. Lynne Walz (Fremont) as well as Jessica Kolterman of Lincoln Premium Poultry and Dave Rexin, the construction manager for Graham Construction.

The Fremont Southeast Beltway is a 3.2-mile segment of four-lane highway that connects U.S. Highway 77 to U.S. Highway 275 to the east. The section of new highway was designed to help reduce heavy truck traffic through the city center of Fremont, replacing the route directly through the citys downtown on Broad Street.

Several massive agricultural facilities  including Costcos chicken slaughterhouse and processing plant, Lincoln Premium Poultry, and pork processing facility, Wholestone Farms  are based on the south side of the city, and receive hundreds of big-rig trucks per day carrying chickens and hogs.

Kolterman told the audience that she had been involved with both the development and construction of the LPP facility as well as planning the new Fremont Southeast Beltway since 2016, and was thrilled to see the project completed.

I had been tasked by (former) Gov. (Pete) Ricketts to help LPP and the Costco team navigate the next steps. Because of the relationships and partnerships we have (in small towns), we can get things done, Kolterman explained. It quickly became evident that in Fremont, this is a place for collaboration and partnership with a lot of people who are committed to growth.

Among the officials Kolterman credited with the beltways completion were Dodge County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Missel, Ricketts and former Fremont Mayor Scott Getzschman.

The community came together to petition the state to move this project (timeline) up. That change has allowed us to move product in and out of our facility without the encumbrance of being locked in by railroads, has provided a more consistent and even flow of traffic for our team members and our livestock, but also has lessened the transportation burden on the whole region," she added. "It benefits the entire community. There were so many people who made this a reality starting seven years ago, and they are all to be commended.

With the opening of the Fremont Southeast Beltway, the City of Fremont regained control and jurisdiction over a more than 3-mile section of the old U.S. Highway 77 that included the north-south corridor of Broad Street.

City officials have plans to either stop or significantly reduce heavy truck traffic on the former highway, with plans currently being devised on how to reduce that type of semi-tractor trailer traffic on Broad Street from Military Avenue to 23rd Street.

Spellerberg, who was elected mayor in 2020 as the beltway project was under construction, said he is elated that the crucial connector was now open for traffic. He also noted that Fremonts future is in front of the community, and economic growth is surging.

It is a tremendous, historic day. I want to thank the whole LPP and Costco team  your leadership and perseverance have gotten us here today. Costco and Lincoln Premium Poultry have been model corporate citizens, and the Southeast Beltway is an example of that, Spellerberg said, while also thanking Pillen and officials from NDOT.

This official ceremony today represents a great achievement toward improving Nebraskas infrastructure and ensuring the safety and economic growth of Fremont, he added. We do have a bright future here. This historic project today would not have happened without the collaboration and support of so many organizations and individuals in this community. This was a huge example of a public-private partnership. Todays groundbreaking does mark a milestone for our community in connecting the surrounding community. This is your Southeast Beltway.
An Omaha man accused of killing his mother and sister last week was ordered to be held without bail during his first court appearance Monday.

Prosecutors allege that Fernandez Mason, 22, shot his mother and sister to death inside their Irvington apartment Thursday. Lisa Cannon, 55, and Marquesha Cannon, 30, were found dead that evening after a neighbor called in a wellness check.

In court Monday, prosecutor Kevin Ryan said Mason bought a gun just hours before going to the apartment with the intent of killing his mother. Mason has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of using a firearm to commit a felony.

An arrest affidavit for Mason alleges the following:

Shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, a neighbor called 911 to request that police check the well-being of Lisa and her daughter. The caller said Lisa was terminally ill and had not answered the phone since the day prior.

Deputies with the Douglas County Sheriffs Office arrived and entered through the front door, which was closed but unlocked. The apartment was in disarray, according to the affidavit, with furniture overturned and cut open. A cardboard box with a label for a 9 mm handgun was in the kitchen trash can, and a plastic trigger lock was on the kitchen counter.

Lisas body was found in a pool of blood on the floor of the master bedroom. She had been covered with a sheet and a blanket, and a wooden back scratcher had been placed on top of her covered body.

In a second bedroom, deputies noticed a mattress, box spring, bedsheets and other items piled into the center of the room.

After finding Lisas body, deputies exited the home to talk with the 911 caller. The caller informed deputies that Marquesha had recently moved into the apartment to care for Lisa, who had terminal cancer. The caller also said Marquesha was injured recently and required a medical brace and crutches to walk.

Deputies recalled seeing crutches in the pile of items in the bedroom, and they re-entered the apartment to search for Marquesha. Her body was found underneath the box spring in the second bedroom.

As the crime scene was being processed, Mason arrived at the apartment complex in a Nissan Altima and entered the parking lot. Deputies made contact with Mason and noticed a handgun magazine in the door handle of his vehicle. Mason admitted to having a gun in the car, and he agreed to speak with deputies, the affidavit said.

Mason allegedly admitted to killing his mother and sister during an interview at the Douglas County Sheriffs Office headquarters. He said he received signs from unknown people in the community to kill his mother, according to the affidavit.

Ryan, the prosecutor, said in court that Mason bought the gun on the morning of July 13 around 10 or 11 a.m. and then carried out the killings around 3 p.m. He then disposed of the clothing he was wearing during the shooting at multiple dumpsters throughout the city before returning to the crime scene.

Mason does not have a significant criminal history or a felony record. In 2020, he was charged with misdemeanor assault on his mother, as well as criminal mischief and disturbing the peace. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 10 days in jail.

According to court documents, Lisas parental rights to Mason and her other children were terminated in 2009, and Mason became a state ward in 2011. He aged out of the foster care system in 2019.

Mason is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Aug. 23.

Photos: Husker football players, fans take fun indoors after road race canceled
Denver Mayor Michael Johnston, who took office on July 17, ran as a left-center moderate in a city whose electorate is heavily progressive. And thats the fundamental cause of Denvers decline. Most of his campaign promises will require the blessings of Denvers City Council whose progressive majority is very much to the left of Johnstons image and slickly worded campaign platform. The council will be a challenging obstacle for the new mayor, just as it was for Mayor Hancock before him.

One glimmer of hope is the decisive victory of Darrell Watson over incumbent city councilwoman Candi CdeBaca in Council District 9. Watson, a political newcomer, presented himself as sensible moderate whos replacing a radical, self-described communist firebrand, Denvers version of Alexandria-Cortez in New York City. Perhaps some Denver voters are finally coming to their senses?

Johnston promised hed govern representing all of the people. This is a standard cliche of partisan politicians of all stripes. Of course, hes technically representing all the people of Denver  since hes the only mayor. But that doesnt mean hes representing the public policy preferences of every Denverite (including Republicans who are largely disenfranchised in this one-party town.) Most Denver voters are well left of center on many issues like illegal migrants, criminal justice, gun control, public education, taxes, cultural issues, homelessness, affordable housing, rent control, radical greenness, wokeness, etc. To reverse Denvers decline, Johnston would have to stand up to Denvers radical progressives and their political agenda. He was endorsed by Rep. Leslie Herod whos as far left and woke as one can go in the state legislature. Shes term limited in 2024 and looking for a job, it wont be a good omen if he adds her to his staff. Nor is it encouraging that hes working with unions to create a new cabinet-level position of labor liaison in his administration.

When asked during the campaign if hes in favor of Denver police serving as resource officers in public schools, he dodged the question saying hed leave that up to the staff of individual schools, students and parents. Also, not a good sign.

Johnston says hell end homelessness by the end of his first term. Thats awfully ambitious. 20 years ago, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper promised to end homelessness in 10 years. As weve seen, its only gotten worse. In a campaign mailer, Johnston touted his plan to provide centralized services in micro communities for the homeless offering residents mental health care, addiction treatment, and job training. But he conveniently failed to address the thorniest part of the problem: how hed deal with street people, a very small fraction of the citys homeless whove had an inordinately damaging impact on Denvers quality of life.

Homelessness is a very expansive term. The great majority already live in government-provided congregate shelters, hotels, motels, transitional housing, and facilities provided by private charities. Johnstons plan may be effective with those who are only temporarily down on their luck and others who willingly seek treatment or job training. Non-government organizations like Step Denver, locally, and the Lucky Duck Foundation in San Diego have had success with such comprehensive rehab programs.

A much smaller share are unsheltered, defined as lacking a primary nighttime residence thats not a public or private place designed for regular sleeping accommodation. Within that group are what were once called  in the pre-euphemism age  vagrants, vagabonds, drifters, or hobos who dont want a regular job or family life and choose this lifestyle in the name of freedom and independence.

The aforementioned street people are a very small fraction of the homeless. These are unfortunate souls plagued with drug addiction, alcoholism and mental illness. They dont fit into Johnstons stated plan because they refuse assistance for their problems and dont want to be constrained by rules. We can pity them and provide some assistance, but their presence endangers public health and safety, obstructs public access, undermines neighborhoods, burdens hospitals, ERs, policing, Denvers budget, and makes the city increasingly unpleasant for residents, businesses, tourists and suburbanites who used to recreate here. The damage this does to Denvers economy leaves the city with even less money to help those in need.

Politicians tread lightly around this dilemma not wanting to appear uncompassionate. States with so-called Kendras Laws allow involuntary institutionalization and treatment of people with mental conditions that make them a danger to themselves and others. Enforcing this is difficult in the face of ACLU activism and progressive judges. But there may not be a practical alternative.

The decay of Denver and, even worse, cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland is a model of what not to do about street people.

Mike Rosen is a Denver-based American radio personality and political commentator.
The U.S. soldier who fled into North Korea on Tuesday had loose ties to the 4th Infantry Division based in Colorado Springs.

Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King, a cavalry scout, traveled to South Korea with the 1st Brigade Combat Team within the 1st Armored Division based in Fort Bliss, Texas. He was then administratively attached to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team within the 4th Infantry Division based at Fort Carson, Army Spokesman Bryce Dubee said in a statement. The Fort Carson brigade arrived in South Korea this summer, according to an Army news release.

Before King fled across the heavily armored border, he had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison on assault changes and was released July 10.

He was held in a designated detention facility under the Status of Forces Agreement with South Korea, according to CNN, which is an agreement that defines how U.S. servicemembers, their family members and other Defense Department personnel are treated and processed in a foreign country, including its justice system.

He was to be sent home to Fort Bliss on Monday, where he could have faced additional military disciplinary actions and discharge from the service.

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According to officials, King, 23, was taken to the airport and escorted as far as customs. But instead of getting on the plane, he left the airport and later joined a tour of the Korean border village of Panmunjom. He bolted across the border, which is lined with guards and often crowded with tourists, on Tuesday afternoon local time in Korea. He is now the first American detained in North Korea in nearly five years.

The Army released his name and limited information after Kings family was notified of the incident. But a number of U.S. officials provided additional details on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. It wasnt clear how he got to the border or how he spent the hours between leaving the airport Monday and crossing the border a day later.

King joined the service in January 2021 and had received routine awards, such as the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon, Dubees statement said.

The American-led U.N. Command said he is believed to be in North Korean custody and the command is working with its North Korean counterparts to resolve the incident. North Koreas state media didnt immediately report on the border crossing.

Gazette reporter Mary Shinn contributed to this report.
Re: PM, Singh do the same

There was an online link to pre-register for Pierre Poilievre's July 12 "Bring It Home Rally" in Penticton, still visible here, but a few days later I learned people were allowed into the event without having to pre-register.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would never insist on pre-registration for public events. Although Singh's May 6/23 meet-and-greet required pre-registration, he had met privately with local labour leaders and toured Greater Sudburys farmers market, as part of a brief tour of Northern Ontario. Trudeau's July 17/23 event in Halifax was a fundraising event, so obviously it also required pre-registration.

On July 12, I travelled to Penticton  not to attend Mr. Poilievre's meet-and-greet  but to see a relative, who suggested we dine at the Dragonboat Pub.

Whether it was random chance, providence or serendipity... a few minutes after our food was served, you'll never guess who walked in: Pierre Poilievre, his wife Anaida Poilievre, and a small entourage. The Poilievres made their way around the pub, introducing themselves, shaking hands and having their photos taken with several of the pub's customers.

Several minutes later the Poilievres arrived at our table. After an exchange of pleasantries, I asked Mr. Poilievre what he thought of Stephen Harper's recent photo-op with neofascist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and if he (Poilievre) were the Canadian Prime Minister, would he have a photo-op with him. Poilievre replied that Canadian Prime Ministers meet with all the world's leaders.

When I then asked what he thought of Orban's style of leadership, Poilievre replied that he didn't think about Orban at all, and doesn't have an opinion about him because he doesn't follow Hungarian politics.

Charles Adler is a 40 plus-year radio and television broadcast veteran. On July 8/23 Adler tweeted: "If Stephen Harper is serious about wanting Canadian Conservatives to embrace Viktor Orban, and if Pierre Poilievre is foolish enough to follow his mentors wishes, the Conservatives will be destroyed in the next Canadian election."

David Buckna, Kelowna
A Pueblo man intimidated Fountain police officer Julian Becerra moments before the officer fell to his death, an arrest affidavit obtained by The Gazette says.

Devon Bobian, 32, was charged with second-degree murder, vehicular eluding, motor vehicle theft, weapon possession by a previous offender and two counts of aggravated robbery for his actions in a car chase that led to the death of Becerra earlier this year.

According to the arrest affidavit, the incident began on Feb. 2 when Fountain police officers were notified of a stolen vehicle being driven by Bobian. Once officers located the stolen vehicle Bobian attempted to flee.

The affidavit states that Bobian during the law enforcement pursuit stopped at a Love's gas station and pointed a handgun at a woman in an attempt to steal her car, but when the woman refused to hand over the keys to Bobian and the two co-defendants, they left the gas station in the stolen vehicle they arrived in.

The pursuit continued until just before 8 p.m. when law enforcement officers were able to stop Bobian on a bridge on South Academy Boulevard, pinning the stolen vehicle between two police cars, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit details that officer Becerra was in one of the vehicles that had pinned the stolen car being driven by Bobian, and that when Becerra exited the car he was stuck between the guardrail of the bridge and the police vehicle.

Bobian attempted to flee on foot, and in doing so the affidavit states he jumped on the hood of Becerra's car, which is what police claim led to Becerra falling off the bridge.

"While on top of Officer Becerra's vehicle, Bobian stopped, turned toward Officer Becerra, standing over the top of him, leaning forward and pointing toward Officer Becerra, in a threatening manner," the affidavit states. "When Bobian was standing on top of Officer Becerra's vehicle and facing Officer Becerra, Officer Becerra fell over the guardrail."

Bobian was detained by officers shortly after attempting to flee on foot, according to the affidavit.

Becerra was immediately taken to the hospital but later died because of the injuries from the fall. The affidavit states that the El Paso County Coroner's Office ruled Becerra's death as an accident due to injuries sustained from the fall.

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The two other people arrested the evening of the incident  Danisha Pacheco, 29, and Anthony Vallejos, 33  each face four charges: two counts of aggravated robbery, menacing and a violent crime sentence enhancement.

Charges against Pacheco and Vallejos followed shortly after the incident took place, but charges for Bobian took over four months to be filed by the District Attorney's Office.

"This was an exhaustive investigation involving the Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office," 4th Judicial spokesperson Howard Black said last week when asked why it took it several months for charges to be filed against Bobian.

After the incident, Bobian was transferred to Pueblo County jail to face charges on outstanding warrants in unrelated criminal cases.

Court records show that in March, Bobian pleaded guilty to weapon possession by a previous offender in two different criminal cases, each charge landing him 18 months in the Department of Corrections.

Bobian was charged and arrested on the second-degree murder accusation on June 30, according to court records. Bobian is listed as an inmate in Bent County Correctional Facility with a mandatory release date of Aug. 22, 2024, according to Department of Corrections records.

As Bobian nears the start of his case in Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court, his co-defendants may be nearing the end of theirs. Pacheco and Vallejos are scheduled to begin their jury trials on Aug. 14, but will appear in court prior to that on Aug. 2 for pre-trial readiness conferences.

At their most recent court appearance, an El Paso County judge ruled that Pacheco and Vallejos could not be tried together, but left the door open to the possibility of their cases being combined prior to trial depending on if the prosecution opts to use specific evidence or not.

Bobian's first appearance in court has yet to be scheduled. His bond to be released from custody is currently listed at $2 million, according to court records.
Its been 50 years since Colorado Springs resident Doris Donley walked into a courtroom as a 9-year-old child and bravely talked about how her stepfather was sexually abusing her.

Its traumatic, she said. A child should not have to experience this.

The most vivid memory Donley has of the court proceedings is sitting in the witness chair and looking at 12 strangers in the jury box all looking at her.

It was the most intimidating Id ever felt, she said. If someone had been able to prepare me for that, it would have been great.

Children in El Paso County who testify in criminal and civil court cases now have a non-threatening way to help them understand what a courtroom looks like and what will happen when theyre there.

Safe Passage, a childrens advocacy center that works with kids who have been neglected, abused or witnessed a crime, recently received a free, play-scale size model courtroom that the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office will use to ready youngsters for what can be a stressful event.

Safe Passage and the 4th Judicial District, which covers El Paso and Teller counties, unveiled the model on Tuesday.

Handmade by Imagination Dollhouses for Children in Michigan, the wooden, table-top setup provides an overhead view of the layout of a courtroom.

Theres an entry door, a judge on the bench, jurors, tables for witnesses and lawyers, seats for onlookers and soft felt dolls that small hands can move around the space.

Every person in the Pikes Peak region is entitled to justice, regardless of age or where they come from, District Attorney Michael Allen said at the event. This will be an effective tool in preparing for what can be an arduous journey.

Kelson Castain, senior deputy district attorney in charge of the Special Victims Unit, demonstrated how children who have been victims or witnesses of crime, or are involved in a custody case or other dispute, will be introduced to whats to come.

He explained to 11-year-old Maeve Basenberg, who participated in the demonstration, who the dolls represent, where she as a witness would sit, how he as her lawyer and a familiar face would be with her, where her family would be, how people would ask her questions about what happened and she would have to promise to tell the truth, how the jurors listen to the case and other parts of the routine.

Maeve, the daughter of Maureen Mo Basenberg, executive director of Safe Passage, said she thought the model would be useful, if she had to testify.

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I think this would help me prepare and feel more confident and less scared about what Id have to do, Maeve said.

Many adults dont know much about the justice system, let alone children, Castain said.

Theres a lot of anxiety when they walk through the door and dont know what theyll see or what to expect, he said.

And anxiousness on top of the trauma theyve experienced can cloud their thinking, which can affect their testimony, Castain said.

Were not telling them what to say, were helping them feel comfortable and relieve that anxiety, he said.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, lawyers would sometimes take children into empty courtrooms so they could develop a brief feel for the location.

But Donley, now a volunteer for Safe Passage, said a vacant courtroom doesnt indicate how many people will be there or what the action inside will be like.

Children who have seen others be hurt or who have been hurt themselves are put on the stand to corroborate what theyve described to staff at Safe Passage, said Basenberg. The nonprofit organization is the first interaction kids have in describing their abuse.

Unlike when Donley was a child half a century ago, children no longer have to retell their story at multiple agencies.

Safe Passage opened in late 2021 a large Childrens Advocacy Center at 2335 Robinson St., where six other agencies that assist abused children have offices on site: Colorado Springs Police Departments Child Crimes Unit, El Paso County Sheriffs Office, El Paso County Department of Human Services, UCHealth, The Family Center and Kidpower Colorado.

The offices work collectively to conduct child abuse investigations and provide abuse prevention services.

We work to see that justice is served for children, and this will benefit them in the process, Basenberg said.

Donley said she has hopes that the new feature will enable children of today to get an opportunity to grow in healing earlier in life than she did.
An 18-year-old Castle Rock man faces a federal terrorism charge for allegedly trying to join the Islamic State group in Iraq as a fighter, court records show.

Davin Daniel Meyer has been charged by the U.S. Attorneys office for the District of Colorado with one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

An arrest affidavit for Meyer shows someone who knows him contacted law enforcement in June 2022 with concerns that he had increasingly radical Islamist beliefs, sought out extremist online content and talked openly about violent intentions.

Between November last year and July this year, Meyer communicated with two FBI informants he believed were Islamic State group facilitators, and met with one of them a few times, according to the affidavit.

He booked a flight for July 14 to travel from Denver to Munich, Germany and then Ankara, Turkey. The affidavit says he planned to meet up with Islamic State group members in Turkey and travel to Iraq.

The FBI arrested Meyer as he was about to board the airplane, according to the affidavit.

The person who originally contacted law enforcement reported Meyer said he wanted to either die as a martyr in Syria or or kill people in the U.S., including military servicemembers and police.

Last October, Meyer allegedly told the person he wanted to build a fertilizer bomb in the U.S., according to the affidavit.

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The person told investigators Meyer used to follow white supremacist ideology but started practicing Islam, perhaps as early as October 2020 and started looking at more radical content early in 2021, according to the affidavit.

n residential mental health treatment programs in 2021 and 2022, staff reported Meyer said racist and hateful things to people of color, women and Jewish people.

He has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, a learning impairment in mathematics and major depressive disorder, according to the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Meyer made two videos late in 2022 pledging allegiance to Islamic State group leaders. He also discussed with one of the informants plans to hide his plans to join the group, such as wiping his computers hard drive and claiming on a Turkish visa application to be a tourist interested in the Ottoman Empire.

He allegedly talked with the FBIs informants about getting enough money to travel because his mother paid for an apartment he moved into and gave him three months of living expenses.

Meyer also discussed how to tell his mother he had left and did not plan to return without revealing he had joined the Islamic State group.

The criminal charge against Meyer can carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, lifetime supervised release and a $250,000 fine. He has a detention hearing in Denver's federal court Thursday, court records show.
More than 1,000 new cemetery plots at the U.S. Air Force Academy, roundabouts near Peterson Space Force Base, energy-efficiency improvements at El Paso County buildings and full completion of a new Childrens Advocacy Center in Colorado Springs are among 94 projects in Colorado that are receiving funding from congressionally directed spending requests for 2023.

Colorado's U.S. senators, Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Democrats, identified the projects to be included in the $1.7 trillion fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee accepted the requests in December.

Each of these projects is an example of the progress we can make when the federal government invests directly in local communities, Bennet said in an email.

The practice of including local spending requests in the bill on a bipartisan basis was revived two years ago.

This process has been an opportunity for Coloradans to tell Congress about the challenges they face and resources they need, Bennet said.

Coloradans know best what their communities need, Hickenlooper said in a statement.

These projects are examples of how everyone wins when Washington listens to the needs of the people we serve, he said.

In this go-round, Colorado is receiving $178.3 million in funding for projects statewide.

Recipients go through an extensive application process to be awarded the federal funds.

The U.S. Air Force Academy is receiving $3.4 million, the largest local allotment, which will help add 1,200 plots at the cemetery on the federal military installation located between Colorado Springs and Monument.

As of Thursday, 499 burial spots remain open, along with 475 niche spots in the columbarium, said spokesman Dean Miller.

The cemetery is the final resting place for departed academy cadets, graduates and dependents.

The first burial took place on Sept. 28, 1958, and there now are 2,327 people buried, memorialized with a marker or placed in the columbarium, Miller said.

"In the last decade, internments more than doubled, and we expect that number to steadily increase, as the initial cadre of graduates are now in their 80s," he said.

Existing forested land will be cleared and the land transformed into new burial sites, according to a solicitation for contractors.

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A total of $4.4 million in funding has been approved for the expansion, officials announced at the Dec. 6 meeting of the Board of Visitors in Washington.

The $500,000 awarded to the Colorado Department of Transportation will pay for the city of Colorado Springs to finish the design of two new roundabouts at Peterson Road and U.S. 24, said Todd Frisbie, city traffic engineer.

The city had received an initial $500,000 grant from the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments to do preliminary design work and obtain environmental clearances, he said.

Standard roundabouts will replace two stoplights on Peterson Road near Peterson Space Force Base, located at the ramp intersections to the north and south of U.S. 24.

Roundabouts improve access, traffic flow and safety, Frisbie said.

The total project cost and timeline are yet to be determined, he said.

The new Children's Advocacy Center received the smallest amount, $360,000, but the money is of great significance, said Mo Basenberg, executive director of Safe Passage.

The organization helps children who have been sexually abused or witnessed a crime. It created the center in a renovated building at 2335 Robinson St. The center opened in November 2021 as a one-stop site where hurt children and families can receive physical, mental, legal and other child-safety assistance.

The money enables the nonprofit to sunset its two-year capital campaign and complete its goal of raising $2.7 million, Basenberg said.

Most recipients of the congressionally directed spending funds across the state are government agencies, although nonprofits also can apply. Basenberg said its meaningful that Bennet and Hickenlooper championed the Children's Advocacy Center, which she said their offices have toured.

We have huge gratitude and appreciation for both senators offices recognizing that weve added a best-practice model in our community and the good that weve achieved, she said.

The organization is applying $260,000 to paying off the loan for the building renovations; the remainder will be spent on additional landscaping and interior finishes, Basenberg said.

Basenberg attributes the increase in clients  143 more children were served in 2022 than 2021, for a total of 776  to the new center, which is larger than the organization's previous location and has room for Colorado Springs police to be on-site as well as a forensic nursing team from UCHealth and other groups.

CSPD can bring all the cases to us, whereas before we didnt have the space, she said. For better or worse, our numbers are pretty strong.

El Paso County will use its share of $445,000 to improve energy efficiency at all major county facilities, a spokesperson said, including the jail, courthouse, main county services building, public works, the Sheriffs Office and Centennial Hall.

LED upgrades will reduce county utility usage by an estimated 30% and enhance energy efficiency, the spokesperson said in an email.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Apple CEO Steve Jobs holds up an Apple iPhone at the MacWorld Conference, Jan. 9, 2007, in San Francisco. On Sunday, July 16, 2023, a first-generation iPhone sold at auction for $190,373, almost 380 times its original price of $499 when the groundbreaking device went for sale in 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

A first-generation iPhone has sold at auction for $190,373, almost 380 times its original price of $499 when the groundbreaking device went for sale in 2007.

LCG Auctions, which hosted Sunday's sale, said the 4GB iPhone model was 20 times rarer than the 8GB model released at the same time for $599. That's largely because the 4GB model was discontinued two months after launch given customer preference for the larger memory size.

A new bar was set Sunday night, said Mark Montero, the founder of LCG Auctions. "We are thrilled to be a part of this fantastic record breaking sale.

It is the third original iPhone to sell for record prices at auction in the past year. An 8GB model sold for $63,356 in February and another 8GB model fetched $39,340 in October 2022. All were factory sealed in their original packaging.

The iPhone is one of the world's most successful electronic products and helped make Apple the first publicly held company with a $3 trillion market value. The Cupertino, California, company reached that milestone 16 years after the first iPhones were sold.
Case was about free speech

A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll found that Americans were evenly split on whether the Supreme Court was right in upholding Lorie Smiths desire not to be forced by Colorado to design websites celebrating same-sex weddings. Smith did not seek to refuse serving all LGBTQ clients. All parties stipulated that she would gladly create custom websites for LGBTQ persons, just not a site that conveys a message with which she disagrees. Upholding the First Amendments right to free speech, the court ruled that people cannot be forced by government to produce speech, including expressive website designs, with which they disagree.

That decision seems eminently sensible. Should government force a LGBTQ designer to create a custom website condemning same-sex marriage; a Jewish artist to create a painting celebrating the Holocaust; a Black baker to custom design a cake honoring the Ku Klux Klan? Of course not. So why did an equal number of those polled disagree with the decision?

A likely answer is the media deceptively characterizing the case to favor the LGBTQ position. First, freedom of religious beliefs was not an issue in the case; the only issue was free speech. Yet many in the media minimized or ignored the free speech issue and falsely spun the case as a dispute between religion and same-sex marriage. Second, the media made the story about LGBTQ persons being denied services. But the case was about designing a message that Smith found objectionable, not about the persons requesting it, as she would have refused to design a website celebrating same-sex weddings requested by a heterosexual person. Third, the media described the LGBTQs position as being a right.

While the Gazettes editorial staff understood the issue, some of its news stories contained such misdirection. A Gazette headline in November proclaimed, Designer ready for high court fight on excluding gay couples, and the story said the case was a clash over religion and LGBTQ rights. A post-decision Gazette headline said, LGBTQ+ rights yield to religious interests at SCOTUS. As for the national media, the spin was much worse.

If the media had accurately portrayed this case, more Americans would have understood its free speech implications for all. As Justice Gorsuch said, A commitment to speech for only some messages and some persons is no commitment at all.

Douglas K. Barth

Colorado Springs

Isolating the elderly

I am writing about assisted living and the article in The Gazette. The worse thing that has happened was brought on by our government. My husband was admitted into an assisted living place. That was the last any of our family saw of him for a year. I realize COVID was a terrible thing and many of our elderly died, but depriving them of any family contact had to be much worse for them. Most did not understand why they were being shut off that way and they felt abandoned. I am sure the assisted living facilities didnt mind though, as there was no follow-up about the care given.

When I finally did get in to see him, I noticed there were things that just did not get taken care of.

And every time over the next year that any COVID cases came up, they shut the whole place down again for awhile. Isolating the elderly like that should never have happened, and our government should have realized this was much worse for elderly people than the chance of getting COVID.

Nancy A. Sullivan

Colorado Springs

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P

roperty tax escalation

The impending property tax escalation portrayed as inevitable due to rising property values should be a question of how much does the government scheduled to receive this tax bonanza actually need to provide service in line with responsibilities. If a reasonable calculation were made then passing the legislation necessary to adjust the mill rate solves the problem and should satisfy the property owners.

It might be useful for the governor and the legislature to revisit political history and become aware of the reasons for Bill Clintons loss in his bid to be reelected governor of Arkansas in 1980. Increasing taxes and fees during his first term sealed his election fate.

Is it possible that deep blue Colorado could resist California tax policies?

John Barton Matz

Colorado Springs

Renaming the July Fourth holiday

I wanted to give a capital ditto and a hearty hear! hear! to Gary Brunettes letter about Independence Day. I said the same thing to my nephews about how no one says Merry 25th of December, Happy 1st of January, etc., but then their dad told them Colorado changed the name to Independence Day because its Fourth of July (I corrected that misinformation by explaining where the holiday came from and showed them the federal and state statutes where the official paid time off holidays are named and assigned to which dates).

Its frustrating that this colloquial renaming the of holiday to Fourth of July contributes to the publics ignorance of history and what were really celebrating, which is the American colonies adopting the Declaration of Independence after passing a resolution to be independent from Great Britain two days prior.

Then again, in woke world, the Declaration of Independence is a white supremacist document advancing colonialism, so I guess it makes sense that those in positions of influence want to downplay the significance of the day by not using the correct holiday name and instead get people to think about it as just cookouts and pretty fireworks/drone shows.

God forbid we be reminded of our independence from tyranny and think about what liberty actually means and what is required to preserve it.

Priscilla Rose

Peyton
Safe, healthy cyberspace key for young people

08:55, July 19, 2023 By HU MEIDONG in Xiamen, Fujian and CUI JIA in Beijing ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Young people in China have shown greater respect for the code of conduct in cyberspace as internet companies and platforms have made more efforts to effectively regulate online behavior, according to a report on internet civilization development.

The "China Internet Civilization Development Report 2023", which was issued on Tuesday, said a comprehensive administrative system for cyberspace has been established in the country.

Mechanisms to report and deal with rumors spreading online have continuously been improved, which provided people with a healthy environment in cyberspace, said the report, released on the sidelines of the two-day 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference, which opened on Tuesday in Xiamen, Fujian province.

In the keynote speech at the opening session of the conference, Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, said that a healthy environment in cyberspace requires the full utilization of the latest technologies, including big data and artificial intelligence, to further promote traditional and contemporary Chinese culture.

It is particularly important to help young people learn more about how to use the internet safely in accordance with the law and oppose bad and illegal behavior online, Li said.

"More laws and regulations on the internet will be drafted to support the administration of cyberspace. Also, research on how to regulate new technologies and applications, including artificial intelligence and communication tools, must be carried out in advance to prevent risks," he said.

According to the report, cyberspace has become a key platform to promote fine social values, which have been shared by China's more than 1 billion netizens.

Zhuang Rongwen, head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said that the nation will continue to enforce measures to fight uncivilized online behavior. In addition, regular and long-term operations will be conducted to ensure a clean internet environment.

Besides the opening ceremony, the conference, themed on "pooling the strength of civilization to forge ahead on a great journey", includes a summit forum, 12 sub-forums and various activities, according to the administration.

Approximately 800 people, including government officials, representatives from internet companies and social organizations, experts and netizens, are expected to exchange their ideas at the event on internet-related issues such as combating rumors, digital tourism, personal information protection and data security, it added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Photo: The Canadian Press

Firefighters battling hundreds of blazes in British Columbia say they've been facing more than the usual obstacles when "irresponsible" members of the public interfere with operations.

The BC Wildfire Service says it has had to deal with several people riding all-terrain vehicles around active work sites, boaters interfering with helicopters trying to collect water and in one case, a drone forcing a halt to the air fight.

Fire information officer Donna MacPherson said Tuesday that the behaviour impacts efforts to put out fires and leaves both those interfering and firefighters at risk.

She said interference on the ground pulls resources away to deal with getting the unwanted visitors out safely, and any delays in air support can affect how well a fire is fought.

"So, there's multiple ways in which irresponsible public behaviour can impact the actual outcome that our firefighters are trying to achieve," she said.

In a statement, the service said there have been several reports of people riding ATVs around active work sites and getting in the way of heavy equipment operators and firefighters battling multiple fires in the Burns Lake area in northwestern B.C.

Last weekend, aerial firefighting operations in B.C's northwest were temporarily suspended due to a drone being flown near a wildfire.

MacPherson said that legally people need to stay away from fire sites in the same way that applies to places such as construction sites.

"Because the people that are doing the building are responsible for making sure that not only are their own people safe, but also that people don't enter into their work site without permission," she said.

"So for us, our work site is wherever we're working. So basically, if they see our equipment working, they need to get out."

Federal aviation laws ban drones from flying near wildfires, with penalties that include fines or even jail. Interfering with a wildfire work site could lead to a $1,150 fine under the provincial Wildfire Act, the service says.

MacPherson said firefighters are not focused on what motivates people to break the rules but make it clear to anyone they find that what they're doing is illegal.

They'll also collect names, if possible, as well as descriptions or other details to pass on to authorities including RCMP, conservation officers and Ministry of Forest personnel, who can issue fines.

Officials were not able to provide details Tuesday on how many fines have been issued this season.

MacPherson said it's difficult to know whether interference is a growing problem, but officials are making more of an effort to speak out publicly when it happens.

"I think a lot of what's happening is that we're being a little bit more forthright and assertive when it happens. We're saying when it happened, and we're trying to explain what happened, as best we can," she said.

"Where sometimes before, it would have just been a little bit more managed locally."

The province's wildfire season set a new record Tuesday for the total area burned in a year, with almost 14,000 square kilometres scorched and hundreds of fires burning across the province.
El Paso County's land-use code violated federal housing law by placing discriminatory caps on group-living facilities for people recovering from drug addiction, the federal appeals court based in Denver ruled on Tuesday.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit concluded the county provided no valid justification for treating rehabilitation facilities differently from other types of group homes, yet it imposed lower occupancy limits through its land development code. Because people in addiction recovery qualify as disabled under federal law, the county's differential treatment was unlawful.

"Sometimes, zoning officials might relent to housing discrimination after campaigns by neighborhood homeowners concerned that the presence of people recovering from addiction will degrade their quiet neighborhoods. In other situations, local governments may ban or more strictly regulate group homes for disabled persons without an adequate justification," wrote Judge Gregory A. Phillips in the panel's July 18 opinion. "In either situation, the result is the same: Group homes for disabled persons are zoned out of the neighborhoods of nondisabled homeowners."

Rachel B. Maxam, who represented plaintiff Soaring Hope Recovery Center, said if El Paso County does not change its code to comply with the ruling, she will seek an injunction.

"A court can decide a law is discriminatory on its face. It doesn't require a dispute over facts," she said.

A spokesperson for the county said staff are reviewing the decision with legal counsel, but noted that last year, the board of county commissioners enacted revisions to the portions governing group homes and addiction recovery facilities.

Case: Courage to Change v. El Paso County Decided: July 18, 2023 Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for Colorado Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Gregory A. Phillips (author) Paul J. Kelly Jr. Scott M. Matheson Jr.

Soaring Hope first sought to operate an addiction recovery center around 2011 in a single-family home in Colorado Springs, but the county denied its application. Soaring Hope filed a complaint with the federal government, prompting the Department of Justice to investigate. In response, El Paso County promised to amend its code to reflect the protections for disabled people in federal law.

In 2014, the county set a five-occupant limit for group homes for disabled people, requiring a special permit to exceed the cap. However, it allowed higher occupancy for other types of group homes  eight residents by default at homes for old-age residents, for example. Moreover, rehabilitation facilities were not allowed in single-family zoning districts under the revisions.

Soaring Hope, which began operating a five-bedroom, supervised facility on Spruce Road that same year, wanted to expand to serve more residents. But the county noted several of Soaring Hope's rehabilitation activities  yoga, therapies and "talking circles"  were prohibited in a residential district. El Paso County's planning director gave Soaring Hope the option of moving its rehabilitation services elsewhere and adhering to the five-person limit for group homes serving disabled people. Soaring Hope agreed to do so.

Soaring Hope closed the Spruce Street home in 2019 after financial difficulties from complying with the county's requirements.

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The organization then sued El Paso County, alleging discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and other provisions of federal law.

In July 2020, U.S. District Court Senior Judge William J. Martinez decided to send some of Soaring Hope's claims to a jury trial. He acknowledged the county imposed lower occupancy limits on group homes for disabled people than for other types of group homes. But the county gave two reasons: First, there is a limit of five unrelated roommates who can live together in a single-family home. Second, state law provides limits for certain nondisabled group homes.

"There may well be rational explanations for the different occupancy levels," Martinez wrote. Because a jury "could find that the different occupancy levels are based on bona fide governmental concerns," he declined to rule in Soaring Hope's favor.

At trial, a jury subsequently sided with El Paso County.

Soaring Hope appealed, arguing the county's restrictions on rehabilitation facilities and group homes for the disabled necessarily amounted to discrimination, because nondisabled group homes did not face similar prohibitions.

"Im not suggesting (El Paso County) cannot create zoning laws to some extent," Maxam told the appellate panel last fall. "They cannot do so to exclude disabled persons from residential communities."

The 10th Circuit agreed with her. Comparing group homes for people with disabilities to other types of group homes, it was clear the county singled out the former.

Martinez, wrote Phillips, incorrectly sided against Soaring Hope on the theory that El Paso County would provide "rational explanations" for its discrimination at trial. The county's only two justifications  the limit on unrelated roommates and requirements of state law  were invalid reasons for discriminating against disabled residents.

In addition to ordering Martinez to rule in favor of Soaring Hope on its claim related to occupancy limits, the 10th Circuit also directed him to evaluate whether El Paso County "zoned-out" rehabilitation facilities from single-family communities in a discriminatory fashion.

"The record supports a conclusion that the County treated nondisabled residents more favorably than it did Soaring Hope," wrote Phillips. "The County allowed other structured group-living arrangements to engage in medical and mental-health therapies in their homes while prohibiting the same activities in the Spruce Road home."
Colorado's second-highest court last week rejected an argument from Adams County that sheriffs' offices are not actually "public entities" that, consequently, cannot be held liable for deputies' motor vehicle collisions.

A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals acknowledged that multiple prior court cases stated as fact that sheriffs' offices are public entities, but none of them explained why. Adams County challenged that assumption, reasoning that if sheriffs' offices do not fit the description, Colorado law provides them immunity for certain injuries caused by their employees.

"We agree that, as a county officer, the Sheriff himself can be classified as a 'public employee,'" wrote Judge Katharine E. Lum in the panel's July 13 opinion. "However, we see no reason why this precludes the sheriffs office from being classified as a 'public entity.'"

Felipe Bohnet-Gomez, a civil rights attorney, noted that Adams County has made similar arguments in federal court to avoid liability, with the logical conclusion that a "sheriff's office" would cease to exist legally.

"While it may be the first time that the Colorado Court of Appeals has explicitly held that a sheriffs office can be sued under Colorado law, its by no means the first case dealing with claims against a sheriffs office," he said. "This was simply the first time that anyone had argued that a sheriffs office could not be sued."

Case: Dodge v. Padilla Decided: July 13, 2023 Jurisdiction: Adams County Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Katharine E. Lum (author) John Daniel Dailey Sueanna P. Johnson Background: State Supreme Court takes up governmental immunity cases for trip-and-fall, speeding officer

The Colorado Governmental Immunity Act limits the ability of people to sue public employees and public entities, with certain exceptions. If a public employee injures someone with a motor vehicle while on the job, then the "public entity" may be held liable under the law.

Timothy Dodge sued Deputy Jacob Padilla after Padilla allegedly failed to pay attention to traffic and pulled his vehicle out in front of Dodge's, colliding with him. Dodge originally named Adams County as a defendant, but the county pointed out Padilla was not their employee, but Sheriff Rick Reigenborn's employee.

Dodge refiled his lawsuit to include the "Adams County Sheriff" as a defendant. The county then claimed the sheriff was not a public entity that could be sued under the governmental immunity law for a motor vehicle collision caused by an employee.

District Court Judge Teri L. Vasquez rejected that argument, as Dodge was suing the sheriff in his official capacity. Because such lawsuits are equivalent to suing a government agency itself, the exception to immunity for public entities applied to the office.

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Adams County turned to the Court of Appeals, insisting a sheriff is actually a "public employee" who hires other public employees, but is distinct from cities or counties.

"Why cant we have both? Why cant the sheriff be classified as a public employee for things that he does in his capacity as a sheriff, and the sheriff's office can also be a public entity?" asked Lum during oral arguments.

The panel noted in its opinion that the governmental immunity law defines "public entities" as the state, counties, school districts and, among other things, an "agency." Lum wrote that sheriffs' offices easily fit under the definition of an agency.

Moreover, she explained, the governmental immunity law elsewhere defines public employees as those who work for public entities. Under the county's proposal, sheriffs' personnel would no longer be immune from lawsuit because they would not be public employees who work for a public entity.

At the same time, the panel acknowledged that civil rights lawsuits in federal court have treated the status of sheriffs unevenly. While there are different standards for claims under federal law, some judges have held that a sheriff's office can be sued, while others have ruled the counties themselves are the correct defendant.

In particular, Lum cited a 2022 decision of U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak, who is presiding over a case alleging Reigenborn retaliated against his subordinates for their political activity. There, Adams County argued the sheriff was separate from the county, so Adams County could not be sued  but also, the sheriff's office was not an entity that could be sued on its own.

"These positions are untenable," Varholak wrote, rejecting the liability "loophole" the county was proposing.

Taylor Pendergrass of the ACLU of Colorado praised the Court of Appeals for adhering to the principle that sheriffs' offices can be held liable for certain injuries their employees cause.

"Slamming shut the courthouse doors on people wrongfully harmed by police and deputies has led to egregious injustice, distrust of law enforcement, and enabled abusive police officers to act with impunity," he said.

The case is Dodge v. Padilla et al.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Children taken from their homes 70 years ago due largely to the religious beliefs of their parents will soon receive a formal apology from British Columbia's government, but their quest for compensation remains uncertain, says the province's ombudsperson.

Jay Chalke said he's "deeply disappointed" the province won't commit to compensating members of the Sons of Freedom Doukhobors, who were forcibly removed from their parents in the 1950s and placed in a former tuberculosis sanatorium at New Denver, B.C., for up to six years.

The Sons of Freedom were a small group within the Doukhobor community, an exiled Russian Christian group that was once known for naked protests and periodically burning down their own homes as a rejection of materialism.

There may be up to 100 survivors from the Sons of Freedom group, who are now aged in their 70s or 80s, Chalke said at a news conference.

His office released a report on the Doukhobors on Tuesday, entitled "Time to Right the Wrong."

Chalke said the report comes after recent complaints from Doukhobor survivors about government inaction.

The report is also a followup to a 1999 review by the Office of the Ombudsperson that called for a formal apology to the interned Doukhobors and compensation, Chalke said.

The government's commitment to formally apologize this fall was a "momentous" step forward, but compensation must also be addressed.

"Recently, I spoke with the descendant of one of the children and through her tears she told me that her family member, who had been at New Denver, had died the month before without hearing the apology he had been waiting for and the compensation he and my office believe he was owed," Chalke said.

The B.C. Ministry of Attorney General says in the ombudsperson's report it is committed to delivering an apology this fall and is also preparing a "recognition package."

Chalke said the ministry's response does not completely confirm compensation is forthcoming.

The Ministry of Attorney General was not immediately available to comment on the report.

"So, it will be critically important to ensure that this package will include compensation for individuals, family members and the community," Chalke said. "For justice to be fully realized in this case, I expect no less and will be reporting publicly on the development and implementation of government's articulation of what recognition will ultimately entail."

The report said between 1953 and 1959 about 200 children were removed at government direction from parents who were members of the Sons of Freedom Doukhobors, a group within the community in the West Kootenays known for acts against government regulations.

About half of the removed children were seized after their parents staged a nude protest near a school in Perry Sidings, B.C., on Sept. 9, 1953.

Many of the children reported being mistreated physically and psychologically at the New Denver facility, which they described as a prison-like institution bordered by a fence they were forced to build.

"Our parents could not have too much contact with us," a survivor told the ombudsperson in 1999 for the first report calling for an apology and compensation. "The fence was in the way. To kiss us we would kiss through the loops in the fence. To touch us, we would stick our fingers through the fence."

Chalke said the government apology will serve as a step toward achieving closure for people and a community who have been waiting decades for resolution.

"When government finally apologizes this fall, it will come too late for those who have died, said Chalke's report. "However, I trust that those still alive can take solace in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s reminder that 'the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.'"

B.C.'s ombudsperson is an independent officer of the legislature who investigates complaints of unfair or unreasonable treatment by provincial and local public authorities and provides general oversight of the administrative fairness of government processes under the Ombudsperson Act.
Photo: surplus.gov.ab.ca

One large donair costume to go, please.

The Alberta government is selling a donair costume as a part of its surplus auction. The wrap is enrobed in tinfoil and comes complete with replica meat, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and a dribbling of donair sauce, all of which looks real enough to eat.

The listing says the 1.4-metre-high costume snack is made of latex, vulcanized rubbers and synthetics, and it comes with a silver body suit to complete the "authentic tinfoil look."

The meaty suit was posted Friday to the Alberta governments online auction site, where it sells items it no longer uses. Bids opened at $50 and crept up in small increments before leaping to $1,000 on Wednesday.

The auction has generated interest as far away as Halifax, which declared the hand-held wrap its official food in 2015.

Nicholas Nahas, co-owner of the Halifax-based King of Donair franchise, has been monitoring the bidding and says hes interested in buying the costume.

A costume like that belongs in Halifax, Nahas said in an interview Wednesday. Theres no question about it.

The restaurant's founder, Peter Gamoulakos, is credited with bringing donair to Canada in 1973 and making it a Halifax staple. He adapted the gyro sandwich from his native Greece, replacing lamb with spiced ground beef and tzatziki with a sweet sauce.

The costume's visual condition is described on the government website as "excellent" if "dusty." Potential buyers are advised, however, that its "overall operational condition" is unknown.

This is not the first donair costume Nahas has heard of, but he has "never seen anything of this quality before, he said. Its pretty legit.

He noted the costume, in its current form, clearly depicts a western Canadian version of the wrap, as it features a controversial ingredient among the donair meat: lettuce. We dont use lettuce .... The OG, original gangster, donair is just onion, tomato, donair, Nahas explained.

As the dish moved west, it picked up lettuce along the way, he said, but ordering a donair with lettuce remains almost sacrilege on the East Coast. If he does end up with the costume, Nahas said he might paint over the lettuce.
A Frontena, Minn., woman has been identified as the person killed in an incident involving a "people mover" trailer as part of Winnebago Industries' Grand National Rally on Sunday.

According to a report from the Iowa State Patrol, 76-year-old Joyce Engstrom was killed when a two-axle trailer with benches was being pulled by a 2017 Ford F-150 around the Winnebago lots at 1007 S. Highway 69 in Forest City. The trailer became unhooked and the tongue ran into the hitch of the truck as it stopped.

The trailer traveled backward, snapping the safety chain. Engstrom apparently attempted to jump off the trailer but was pulled underneath, causing injuries that led to her death. She was airlifted to MercyOne North Iowa.

First responders were called to the scene at 6:51 p.m. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, Forest City Police, Fire, EMS and the Iowa State Patrol all responded to the scene.

Celebrity Birthdays: July 19 Abel Ferrara Anthony Edwards Atom Egoyan Benedict Cumberbatch Campbell Scott Chris Sullivan Ilie Nastase Jared Padalecki Jason McGerr Kaitlin Doubleday Little Freddie King Trai Byers
A Mason City man was sentenced to more than eight years in prison in federal court on Tuesday.

According to court records, 28-year-old Michael David Dalluge pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in February.

Dalluge allegedly admitted he was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by law enforcement after a crash before he and the driver fled from Mason City police in the area of First Street Northwest. Dallluge was apprehended about a block away from the stop.

A backpack Dalluge was carrying was located between the crash site and where he was apprehended. It contained methamphetamine and a loaded, stolen High Point 9 mm handgun and a paper copy of his driver's license.

Dalluge was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. He was sentenced to 102 months imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Dalluge was convicted of felony drug charges in 2019 and 2020. A press release from the U.S. District Court says Dalluge is from Mason City, but the original affidavit states his home address was in Ottumwa at the time of the incident.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Lammers and investigated by the Cerro Gordo Sheriffs Office, Clear Lake Police Department, Mason City Police Department, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, and the North Central Iowa Drug Task Force.

Celebrity Birthdays: July 19 Abel Ferrara Anthony Edwards Atom Egoyan Benedict Cumberbatch Campbell Scott Chris Sullivan Ilie Nastase Jared Padalecki Jason McGerr Kaitlin Doubleday Little Freddie King Trai Byers
A Winnebago County man who pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes in May has received a special life sentence.

According to court records, 36-year-old Brandon Lee Bassett was convicted of third-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts with a child and sexual exploitation of a minor Tuesday. Each count is a class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The special life sentence is permissible under Iowa Code 903B for class B or C felonies. Bassett is eligible for parole at a future date as determined by the Board of Parole.

The crimes happened in April 2022 in Buffalo Center.

The victim reported the assault to authorities Oct. 3, 2022. The child was interviewed at the Child Protection Center in Waterloo. The charges were brought against Bassett on Nov. 14 and a warrant for his arrest was served Nov. 21.
Mitchell County is off to see the wizard.

At this years Cedar Summerstock Theater, which gives local kids a chance to work with talented drama students from across the country, the final show of the 2023 season will be The Wizard of Oz. Opening night is 7 p.m., Thursday, July 27 at the Cedar River Complex in Osage.

The cast practices at South Square in St. Ansgar.

Most of the child actors in this years production are playing poppies, munchkins and flying monkeys. Two of these stars are Dylan Marcks, 13, of St. Ansgar and Graham Bremer, 11, of Osage. They are both veterans of CST.

Dorothy

The college performers arrived in Mitchell County in May. They love what they do and for the most part dont mind the workload  they understand what it takes to become a professional. The actors rehearse from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with only Sunday afternoon and Monday off.

They have already performed Monty Pythons Spamalot, Forever Plaid and Church Basement Ladies. They are still holding those shows as they practice for The Wizard of Oz  they have their matinee performances on Sunday.

Playing the lead role of Dorothy this year is Elizabeth Vichness, 20. She is a Virginia native who attends Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. Performers and technicians have come to CST from across the country. This year, there are around 30 participants from Colorado, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Delaware and Maine.

Vichness is a double major in theater and business administration. It is her first time in the Midwest.

I think its beautiful, Vichness said. I love all the wind turbines. I want to get to the top of one. Ive met wonderful people I would never have met under different circumstances  college students from across the country. Everyones been really kind.

Vichness loves live theater. Her favorite is comedy because of its audience interaction. She says that the audience is its own character in Church Basement Ladies.

The show wouldnt be the same without the audience we get every night, Vichness said.

Wicked Witch

While Olivia Reiter, 21, who plays the Wicked Witch of the West, is originally from Waterloo, she had never heard of CST until a friend of hers performed there and told Reiter all about her experience.

There are thousands of summerstocks I couldve auditioned for, Reiter said.

She serves as an ad hoc chaperone for those who have never been to Iowa. One of her first duties was to explain what a casserole was.

I hope they never leave so I can hang out with them forever, Reiter said.

Reiter will be a senior this fall at Oklahoma City University, where she plans to earn a bachelor of music in music theater. She has been singing her entire life. Growing up, she performed at the Waterloo Community Playhouse and the Cedar Falls Community Theater.

Her goal is to become a professional actress. She wants to stay in the business in whatever way she can.

Theres nothing like it, Reiter said of acting. Creating a space for people to get away from their regular lives  making people laugh and cry. The energy of an audience is so fulfilling. Its like getting to play every day of my life. I feel like Ive got the best job in the universe. I get to be a big kid and be creative.

I like telling stories, Vichness said of her love of acting. Especially those that usually dont get to be told, and presenting those to audiences.

Nancy Lee

Young actors Bremer and Marcks are making their marks in a humble way. This is their fourth and fifth years performing at CST, respectively. There is stage fright, but it is not too bad. Every actor, including Vichness and Reiter, has to eventually overcome stage fright.

As Ive gotten older, Ive channeled that energy into excitement, Reiter said. Now its become such a part of my life, when I go onstage I settle in. The crowd is nothing to be afraid of. They came here wanting to love you.

A lot of its about trust, Vichness said. You have to develop that. You trust yourself that you know the lines and everything is going to go well and you trust everyone else that they know what theyre doing. Theyre going to be amazing even if you mess up. Theyll cover for you, and youll cover for them. Its about teamwork. Its a tight-knit group.

In some ways, the youngest performers are too young to have stage fright. Children are born actors. They play pretend every day.

I really like acting, Marcks said. I like making the audience laugh.

I love acting, Bremer said. Its super fun, and I enjoy the cast.

Last year, Nora Balsley played the lead role of Matilda in the musical of the same name. This year, the local actors are taking more of a backseat. Bremer and Marcks only have a few lines, such as the lollipop guild song.

The college students help the local actors.

Nancy Lee is the founder of CST and a classically trained musician. She knows when to give the kids a break, but she also must be a taskmaster.

With this many kids, you have to be, Reiter said. Were coming to the end of a long week. Once we get in our costumes, it will all settle down. Its a big group of kids. Its a lot to ask from them.

But Nancy (Lee)s very sweet. Shes been doing a wonderful job. Shes great. You can tell she cares about each of us.

Shes a very genuine person, Vichness said. She genuinely wants whats best for everyone. I wish there were three of her to go around.

Reiter added that all the adults involved care about the actors.

Toto

Reiters job as the wicked witch is to scare the munchkins.

I dont think Im succeeding, Reiter said. They all kind of laugh at me. I dont think Im as scary as Id hoped.

In Church Basement Ladies, Reiter unintentionally provided another layer of humor. During one of her songs, she uses a fly swatter as a prop to threaten and scare a younger character. At one point, Reiter smacks the fly swatter on a tray.

It was a regular fly swatter, which Reiter had grabbed from the kitchen. Bits of the plastic were already coming off, but Reiter thought nothing of it.

During the third show, she smacked the tray as usual.

I wasnt looking at it, but I heard a clatter, and I thought a piece had fallen off, Reiter said. The next time I bring it in front of me, I see its just the wire. The entire plastic part is gone. So for the entire four-minute song Im threatening her with a metal wire. It was the hardest Ive ever worked to not break. I could see laughter in the eyes of the girl I was working with.

It was memorable for the audience as well. One woman saw Reiter a few days later and said, I was there when the fly swatter broke!

Vichness is still trying to train the dog who is playing Toto. While the dog, Ginger, is well-behaved, this is her first time acting. One of her owners is playing a tree in the show.

Shes night quite interested in me yet, Vichness said. Shell run in the other direction, so we have to figure out what to do. I have to figure out how to hold the dog and how to dance. Weve had to bribe the dog with treats. Originally she did not want the treats, so we switched the brand.

Gingers owner, Olivia, is one of three Olivias in the show. Olivia Reiter said it has caused some confusion.

Acting

Bremer said this may be his favorite play yet. It is the first time he has lines. Once he gets accustomed to his role, he is not afraid to speak in public.

You are the backbone of this show, Reiter said jokingly.

Bremer would like to become an actor when he grows up. He wants to study theater in college.

I didnt know until I was 16 that this was something I really wanted to do, Vichness said to Bremer and Marcks. So you guys have a long time. Even if you dont want to study it, you can study chemistry and still be in all the shows.

Before Reiter reached her senior year of high school, she wanted to be a band teacher.

Marcks wants to be an engineer. Hes good at solving problems.

No matter what these four actors do with their lives, right now, theyre in the middle of Iowa preparing for The Wizard of Oz. No one can take that away from them. Come opening night, once the curtains open, they will assume their roles, and hope that Toto does not literally run away with the show.

Opening night

Opening night for The Wizard of Oz is 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 27 at the Cedar River Complex in Osage. Other performances will be July 28-30, August 3-6, Thursdays-Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m.

Tickets Information: adults $25, students and children $10. Tickets available at the door, at St. Ansgar State Bank, the Cedar River Complex and online at Cedarsummerstock.org.
The chase of a stolen vehicle ended Sunday in Martinsville with the arrest of two people from Danville.

Martinsville Police Chief Rob Fincher said his officers received an alert of a Nissan Altima coming through Martinsville that had been reported as stolen from Danville.

After confirming the vehicle as stolen, our officers attempted a traffic stop on Memorial Boulevard as it approached the city limits going toward Commonwealth Boulevard, Fincher said. The vehicle fled to Lowes [Home Improvement on Commonwealth Boulevard], then back out toward Memorial Boulevard when, in front of the Hollywood Cinema entrance, the driver of the stolen vehicle lost control and struck another vehicle in the rear.

The stolen vehicle then struck a concrete bank and flipped over. Police officers ordered the occupants out of the vehicle and as three were being detained, a fourth person got out of the vehicle and ran away, Fincher said.

Jinez Larry-Darnell Hairston, 20, of Danville, ran from the crash on Commonwealth Boulevard near its intersection with Hollywood Boulevard and Martinsville police officer Matteu Harper gave chase, authorities said.

Officer Harper grabbed Jinez Hairston as he ran by and a struggle ensued, dislocating Officer Harpers finger, Fincher said. Jinez Hairston was gripping a bag at the time of arrest which contained three firearms, one of which had the serial numbers filed off. A 17- year-old juvenile from Danville was the driver of the vehicle.

The juvenile was charged with attempting to elude police, possession of stolen property, and driving without a license and sent to the W.W. Moore Juvenile Detention Center in Danville.

Hairston was charged with obstruction of justice, three counts of illegal possession of a concealed weapon, remove or alter serial numbers on a firearm and assault on a law enforcement officer. Hairston was jailed in the Martinsville City Jail.

Three other individuals, which were passengers in the vehicle, were taken into custody, interviewed and released to relatives, Fincher said.

Earlier last week, Fincher said his department had been dealing with a rash of vehicle thefts involving juveniles.

There is a national crime trend where it is shown on social media how to steal certain cars and it has found its way to Martinsville, Fincher told members of Martinsville City Council on July 11. For anyone that owns a 2017 or later Kia with a key ignition system, lock your doors and try to park so the car is blocked by another vehicle.

Multiple news organizations have reported a sharp uptick in vehicle thefts linked to viral video posted to TikTok and other social media platforms, that teach people how to start a car with USB cables that exploit a security vulnerability in some models that lack engine immobilizers.

Weve recovered all of them [stolen vehicles] and some of them were damaged and for the majority of these thefts, the doors were unlocked, Fincher said. All it takes is a screwdriver and a USB jump drive to steal a car.

The Henry County Sheriffs Office assisted the Martinsville Police with the incident and Fincher said the Virginia State Police is investigating the crash.
A Greensboro man is facing a murder charge in the shooting death of another Greensboro man in northeastern Forsyth County, authorities said Wednesday.

Quaymon Nicholas Swaringen, 20, of Borders Terrace is charged with murder in the death of Christian Lee Arrington, 21, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office said.

Swaringen is being held in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed, the sheriffs office said. Swaringen is scheduled to appear Thursday in Forsyth District Court.

Forsyth County sheriffs deputies were dispatched about 9:50 p.m. Tuesday after they received reports of someone wearing a mask and carrying a handgun walking on Kerner Road north of Kernersville, the sheriffs office said.

Deputies also received a report of gunfire in that area, the sheriffs office said.

A deputy found the armed person who surrendered a gun to the deputy without incident, the sheriffs office.

Other deputies searched the area and found Arrington suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, the sheriffs office said. Deputies attempted life-saving measures until emergency medical technicians arrived, but Arrington died at the scene.

The shooting was not a random incident, and there is no danger to the public, the sheriffs office said.

The person carrying the gun was taken into custody for questioning, the sheriffs office said.

We send our condolences to the family, the loved ones, the friends who are grieving at this time, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said. This is yet another young life lost to gun violence in our community. We must come together as a community to do better and to be better. We must take care of one another.

Anyone with information about this incident can call the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office at 336-727-2112 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904.

The Text-A-Tip program at 336-920-8477 allows people to text information, photos and videos to the sheriffs office.
GREENSBORO  To become fully licensed in North Carolina, most teachers must take and pass content tests specific to the grades or subjects they teach  typically within three years of getting their initial license.

That requirement can be reassuring for parents, but state department of instruction leaders have been discovering in recent years that theres a disconnect. Some teachers have proven themselves as effective teachers with how their students scores on state exams, they but cant pass their own required licensure tests, even with multiple attempts. One of the biggest tripwires has been the math test for elementary classroom teachers.

Thomas Tomberlin, the states senior director for educator preparation, licensure and performance, said its become clear that requiring teachers to pass these tests, especially the elementary math test, is actually keeping some good teachers from continuing in the profession, and harming the states teacher pipeline.

The department, however, isnt recommending that the state just scrap the tests, Tomberlin said.

Everybody wants to know that their kids math teacher understands math, he said.

Instead, theyd like to see the state offer additional, alternative ways that teachers could also use to demonstrate their competency to be fully licensed. One possibility, he said, could be using the teacher effectiveness ratings.

Currently, the only option for teachers who do not pass their tests in three years is to get the school board that employs them to apply for a non-renewable limited license for them. That allows them to continue to teach  but only in their current district  for up to another three years.

The NC Department of Public Instruction included the recommendation for alternate ways for teachers to demonstrate competency for licensure as part of a much broader package of reforms it has pitched to the General Assembly.

Tomberlin said its looking unlikely that the General Assembly will act on the recommendations as part of the current budget, but NCDPI is are hopeful it will happen in a future session.

In the meantime, the department announced that it is offering up to $500 per person in reimbursement to new and upcoming teachers for the costs of taking the tests.

For the elementary math tests, teachers actually have a choice of which exam to take from those offered by two different testing companies.

The Pearson test focuses mostly on ability to work math problems, including some problems more typical of middle and high school math than whats taught in elementary school.

The Praxis test is more focused on questions about how to teach the subject.

How to teach kids math is a different process than actually learning how to do math, said Kerri Richardson, the department chairwoman of teacher education and higher education at UNC Greensboro. You are having to learn how a child thinks about math.

Richardson said the test questions are hard, but that preparing for the Praxis test can be useful for students preparation for teaching. UNCG, she said, holds review sessions to help students out. Most students, she said, can pass the test if they get the support to do so.

Tomberlin said hes not sure why elementary math has stood out as difficult to pass, but his best theory is that some of the students who go into elementary education teaching didnt do much with math in their general education portion of college, prior to their teacher education training.

Both tests, Tomberlin said, have some algebra on them.

That may be difficult for people who havent been engaged in math for a while, he said.

Prior to 2014, North Carolina required teachers to pass the tests before being issued any kind of license. The state didnt have clear data on the people who didnt pass their exams, because they never applied for the license.

Since then, he said, theyve been able to compare pass rates for students who passed their content exams prior to starting teaching versus those who passed them later. The students who passed prior to starting teaching were somewhat more effective, he said, but there wasnt much difference.

Today, he said, the pass rate for the Praxis elementary math test is about 65% and the pass rate for the Pearson elementary math test is about 47%. Thats the percent of tests that were passed, not people who passed. Perhaps surprisingly, the Pearson test was actually taken a bit more frequently than the Praxis.

The percent of people who ultimately pass at least one of the tests, including those with multiple attempts, is more like 80%, Tomberlin said. But that still leaves a good-sized group unable to become fully licensed elementary school teachers in North Carolina. For some, its the end of their career.

Thats where we are starting to hear much more pushback about it, he said, explaining theyve been hearing both from individual educators and school districts, pointing out the teachers with great efficacy ratings who just cant pass. Not allowing them to continue, thats a much different thing than not allowing them to start.
Readers remind me Im long overdue for recommendations across the globe, across varietals and across price points. (And those price points just keep escalating, dont they?)

Heres a best bang-for-buck-whos-who, some pricey, some more wallet-friendly, all garnering critical acclaim.

Washington state is still a safe haven for very good wines at decent prices: 2021 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay ($16); 2021 LEcole No. 41 Semillon ($16); Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling ($10); 2019 Castle Rock Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($10).

Likewise, look to South America for bargains: 2020 Graffigna Glorious Selection Malbec ($19); 2020 Antigal Malbec Uno ($14); 2022 Veramonte Organic Sauvignon Blanc Reserve ($13); 2020 Domaine Bousquet Gaia Cabernet Franc ($20).

You cant go wrong with this international grabbag: 2021 Masciarelli Montepulciano dAbbruzzo ($15) from Italy; 2020 Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier ($13) from Australia; 2020 Bodegas Ego Jumilla Goru ($14) from Spain; 2019 Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve ($13) from France; 2019 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Crianza ($23) from Spain; 2021 Laurenz Five Singing Gruner Veltliner ($15) from Austria; 2021 Cederberg Bukettraube ($16) from South Africa; 2021 Dry Creek Clarksburg Chenin Blanc ($15) from California; 2021 Chateau Souverain Sauvignon Blanc ($11) from California; 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico Reserve ($28) from Italy; and Carpinetos little brother, 2020 Dogajolo Toscano ($15).

With an upcoming trip to Oregons Willamette Valley  home to world-class Pinot Noir  I rev my palate with elegantly lush counterpoints from California. Three Ive enjoyed recently: 2021 Gary Farrell Russian River Pinot Noir ($45); 2020 Papapietro Perry Russian River Pinot Noir ($61); 2021 Boen Russian River Pinot Noir ($32). Like Oregons Willamette, Californias Russian River appellation is known worldwide for Pinot Noir and its signature dried cherry, black raspberry, strawberry, cranberry and spice notes. These carry a heavier sticker tag, but they compare favorably to French burgundies at thrice the price.

At a recent tasting at Zeto in Greensboro, a California winemaker shared his wine journey and it was so reminiscent of mine I had to smile. Back in the early 1980s, the U.S. opened the floodgates to French Bordeaux  really good blends that leaned on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec. These were dominated by either Cabernet or Merlot with the other varietals providing an enticing spice rack.

Bordeaux had hit its stride with several blockbuster vintages and they were remarkably affordable by American standards. On a police reporters salary  and that was plenty paltry  I was sampling and cellaring top-flight French blends from the late 1970s to mid-1980s.

What follows are Bordeaux I bought then. Today, they command a heftier price tag but are stillfactoring in the passage of time  a bargain given the skyrocketing, triple-figure ask from this iconic wine region: 2020 Chateau Siran Margaux ($35); 2020 Chateau Phelan Segur St.-Estephe ($48); Chateau Ormes de Pez St.-Estephe ($30); 2020 Chateau Meyney St.-Estephe ($33); 2020 Chateau Gloria St.-Julien ($39); 2020 Chateau Talbot St.-Julien ($52); 2020 Chateau Prieure-Lichine Margaux ($49).

Each of these fall into the excellent category. If youre hunting a special bottle for yourself or to gift others, these make a statement.

****

Its never too early to plan attendance at upcoming wine festivals across North Carolina. These include:

Wine & Food Festival, Sept. 30, in Charlotte (www.charlotte.uncorkthefun.com).

Yadkin Valley Grape Festival, Oct. 21, in Yadkinville (www.yvgf.com).

Raleigh International Wine Festival, Oct. 21, in Raleigh (www.visitraleigh.com/events).

North Carolina Wine Festival, Oct. 28, in Cary (www.ncfestival.com).

Highlands Food & Wine, Nov. 9-12, in Highlands (www.highlandsfoodandwine.com).
Scaffolding is going up at the Cathedral of St. Helena as part of a comprehensive repair project to restore and preserve its architectural integrity.

Services will continue as planned during the renovation work for the church at 530 N Ewing St.

The south tower door will be closed, but the door to the south ellipse will be open. Entrances on the north and west side will be open as well.

The work was prompted followed by damage from powerful winds in November 2021, which displaced clay tiles and loosened many others on the south steeple. A temporary stabilization repair was completed by a specialty contractor using a high-lift bucket.

More permanent repair of the south steeple is now planned, which includes scaffolding to help worker access. The repair is expected to be completed by this fall, church officials said in May.

The Cathedral Advisory Council has decided to expand the repair project to encompass the north steeple as well as masonry repairs on the west side of the cathedral. Also, the west exterior of the cathedral will undergo a thorough cleaning. The repair of the north steeple is scheduled for 2024, church officials said.

As part of future phases of the project, the great stairs on the west side of the Cathedral will be repaired or replaced, with anticipated completion in 2024.

The plans have been presented to the city's historical preservation team, and no substantive changes will be made to the appearance of the cathedral or the stairs, preserving their historical significance.

Local contractors have been prioritized for the repair work whenever possible. However, due to the specialized nature of the clay tile repair, a specialty contractor was hired as there are no such contractors available in Montana, church officials said.

Efforts are underway to seek support from both the Cathedral Parish and the Diocese of Helena to get funding for the project.

Work started on the cathedral, now a local landmark that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, in 1904 and it was dedicated Dec. 25, 1914. European architect A.O. Von Herbulis drew inspiration for Helena's cathedral from the Votivkirche of Vienna, another neo-Gothic cathedral.
Five years ago, then-President Donald Trump traveled four times to Montana to stump for Senate hopeful Republican Matt Rosendale, a chain of support no president had offered to a Treasure State candidate in recent history.

On Wednesday, CNN reported Trump will not endorse Rosendale, Montana's current eastern congressional representative, in what is becoming a likelier-by-the-day challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Rosendale has yet to formally announce his intent to unseat Tester in 2024, which would be a rematch of the 2018 Senate race in which Tester fended Rosendale off by about 3 percentage points.

A spokesperson for Rosendale called a line in the CNN story in which Trump reportedly delivered the news to Rosendale "100% false." The spokesperson did not respond to questions seeking comment on Trump's reported decision, or what role the congressman believes Trump will play in Montana's 2024 election.

Speaking to CNN, Rosendale attempted to throw some water on the urgency of his announcement.

What Ive said  been very consistent  is that we got plenty of time, Rosendale told CNN.

Rosendale took federal office just as Trump was voted out, and has since gained some national prominence for his role in the Congressional Freedom Caucus' disruption in House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's election earlier this year. During that episode, a Bloomberg News photographer captured Rosendale rejecting an incoming phone call from Trump in the outstretched arm of Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Meanwhile, Montana Republicans Sen. Steve Daines, Rep. Ryan Zinke and Gov. Greg Gianforte have all endorsed political newcomer Tim Sheehy of Bozeman, as has a handful of Republican U.S. senators.

Daines is head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee charged with toppling Tester in 2024 in hopes of reclaiming the Senate. Quoted in Wednesday's CNN story, Daines said he is in frequent communication with the former president about the committee's strategy. Amid his mounting legal troubles, Trump has announced his campaign to return to the White House.

"I speak with President Trump frequently, and he wants to win in November '24  with candidates who will win," Daines told CNN. Through an NRSC spokesperson Wednesday he declined further comment.

Retrospective of the 2022 cycle, Trump's endorsements are widely considered to have put forward losing candidates into the general election, with those candidates wagging unproven claims of election fraud from Trump's loss in 2020. National GOP leaders have since done a heel-turn, instead embracing the methods some Trump supporters considered nefarious, including ballot collection and mail-in voting.
While western Montana has largely been spared the wildfires breaking out in Canada and the Pacific Northwest, a heat wave over the next week could change that in a hurry.

We are just getting to the cusp, and we are going to see real heat waves through the end of the month and thats going to cause a problem, Dan Borsum, a meteorologist with the Bureau of Land Management, said during a presentation at the Governor's Office on Tuesday.

Borsum, who works with the Northern Rockies Predictive Center, told Gov. Greg Gianforte during the monthly fire briefing that an early snowmelt this spring helped drive worsening fire conditions west of the Continental Divide. To the east, fire conditions are generally more normal.

The forecast is especially grim in northwest Montana, where a dry winter and higher-than-normal spring temperatures have caused Flathead Lakes water levels to falter. Over the past week several of the state's top elected officials have urged federal officials to release more water from upstream, following pressure from local communities. As of Tuesday, stream gauges showed the Flathead River at Columbia Falls was flowing at about 20% below its record low level set in 1941, while the lake had dropped to more than 2 feet below full pool.

Over the next three months, Borsum said conditions in the northwestern part of the state are likely to continue worsening. The region is already experiencing severe to moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitors July 13 weekly update.

"The pattern favors above-normal temperatures and really below-normal moisture for the critical end of the state," Borsum said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service was forecasting high temperatures in the mid 90s to low 100s throughout western Montana's valleys over the next five days.

Poor snowpack in northwest Montana already had federal forecasters predicting lower-than-normal water supply in the Flathead and Kootenai river basins earlier this year. But soaring temperatures in May caused many high-elevation locations to lose all their snowpack earlier than any other time since the agency started keeping records.

The real thing that changed this year was how quick our melt-off was in May, Eric Larson, a hydrologist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, said in an interview Tuesday. As its playing out, were seeing near-record (low) streamflows in a lot of those major rivers up there, including the Flathead.

June, the month that typically delivers the biggest shot of moisture to western Montana, bore out unevenly across the region. Butte recorded its fifth-wettest June on record, according to the National Weather Service, with nearly 5 inches of rain. Missoulas rainfall was in line with the average, while Kalispell had its 10th-driest June on record, with less than one-quarter of its typical precipitation.

It was also hot, with monthly average temperatures more than 4 degrees above normal for both Kalispell and Missoula.

Over the long term, northwest Montanas Lincoln, Flathead and Glacier counties are running a deficit of 20 or more inches of precipitation over the last five years, according to Borsum. Its a type of drought that can take a toll on the regions groundwater.

One of the things that makes me think about is, as soon as we go hot and dry, the plants are getting stressed, Borsum said. The reservoir for them to tap into isnt really readily available.

Across the divide, the data suggest that eastern Montana could face a relatively normal fire season.

Borsum noted that doesnt mean the eastern two-thirds of Montana will necessarily get off light.

When we say normal fire potential  that still means fire," Borsum said. We are still going to get fires. We are still going to have some fires that cause some problems. Just the biggest, largest fire potential is in the northwest part of the state.
DECATUR  Views diverge on what the sudden end of cash bail in Illinois will mean for the criminal justice system in Macon County.

But on one point there is wide agreement: its the biggest jolt the system has received in a long time. And its going to pose questions and stresses and strains that will play out in ways nobody can predict right now.

Macon County Court Presiding Judge Thomas Griffith rates it as one of the most massive upheavals in the legal system he has seen in some 40 years of practicing law. He said when the change kicks in September 18, arrested defendants will have right to a full detention hearing within 48 hours with both sides able to call and subpoena witnesses and with the finished charges already on file.

And whatever decision the judge makes is immediately appealable, he added. Its certainly going to create challenges for the judiciary and there is going to be a lot of time invested in it.

Griffith said the courts bond court judge, Lindsey Shelton, has already been meeting with Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter and Chief Public Defender Michelle Sanders to hammer out a working approach to the new rules. The aim is to come up with a streamlined system to keep cases moving forward at a reasonable pace. But the judge said the new legal landscape will impose heavy burdens on the public defenders office and, with lawyers often paid out of posted bond moneys, it will also remove a key funding source that compensates the attorneys.

But having said that, between Judge Shelton, who is very capable, and Scott Rueter and Michelle Sanders, who are also very capable, we will work through it, Griffith said. And well do our best to balance the due process rights of the defendant and the safety of the general public. And it is going to be a balancing act.

One of the biggest immediate questions is what happens to people held in jail awaiting trial under the old cash bail rules who previously werent able to post the money bond they needed for release?

Well, right now we dont seem to have any guidance at this point as to what to do with people who are already in jail, said Rueter.

We dont know whether the new law applies to them retroactively, what aspects apply, and what we need to do. These are questions to which we need to figure out what the answers are.

The intention of the new SAFE-T Act is to level the justice system by stopping defendants languishing in jail simply because they cant afford to bond out. Only those who meet certain criteria of posing a risk to public safety or extreme flight risk are likely to be held in custody awaiting trial.

Rueter also expects longer and more intense hearings to decide who gets released and who doesnt, and a lot more work for the court system at the same time it loses that supportive revenue derived from cash bail and posted bonds.

My expectation is that the result of todays ruling (by the State Supreme Court to end cash bail) will result in our criminal justice system being tested to its limits in terms of its ability to handle the cases and the number of hearings we would have to detain people, and the length of those hearings, Rueter said.

It will affect our staffing levels and the number of people we need to have in court to meet the requirements under the law.

Rueter, who opposed the end of cash bail, said he has even bigger fears for the fate of public safety, and the ability to keep people safe from those who have chosen to violate the laws of our society.

Moultrie County States Attorney Tracy Weaver, who was among those who filed a lawsuit against the state challenging the bail change, agreed.

The dissent written by Justice (David K.) Overstreet addressed the right to have the safety of the victim and the victims family considered in denying or fixing the amount of bail, as well as how the legislature impermissibly took away the power of our citizens in this respect, Weaver said in a statement.

Although we did not reach the result we worked toward with this litigation, the Moultrie County States Attorneys Office and local law enforcement will continue in our duties to protect the rights of the citizens of Moultrie County, the rights of crime victims, and to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

And while defendants accused of serious violence are not likely to avoid detention, Macon County Sheriff Jim Root said not all the misery that flows from criminality involves violence. Non-violent career burglars, for example, can also spread their share of despair throughout society once they get released back into it.

People have a reasonable expectation to be secure in their residences, said Root, who also runs the Macon County Jail.

And when you have a person who keeps going out and burglarizing their homes, that makes victims lives miserable. My concern now is that were not going to be able to protect people from the person who goes back out and reoffends.

Seasoned Decatur defense attorney Chris Amero isnt so sure we will be seeing less people locked up, however. He said some career criminals on violent charges have had no problem coming up with bond amounts of $100,000 or $150,000 previously, but wont have that option in the future and will be staying incarcerated.

He said the good news is that non-violent, small-time offenders will get to keep their freedom. From now on, theyre not going to have to sit in jail for a year just because they dont have the financial means to get out, Amero added.

He said those criticizing no cash bail as unworkable should take a look at the federal courts system, which has already been operating that way for a long time. No cash bail there, he said. They do a detention hearing the same way were now going to be doing that in Illinois.

On the negative side, though, the lawyer also sees plenty of opportunity for confusion and uncertainty to arise as the new system takes hold in the state. Amero acknowledged the difficulties surrounding the status of current jail inmates and expects to be filing motions to see if he can get some of his clients released.

Its going to involve a lot of trial and error, no pun intended, he said.

And revisiting past cases might prove to be a double-edged sword, however: While defense lawyers seek to get certain inmates released, could prosecutors seek to get other others, currently out on bail, put back behind bars?

If we push too hard to get individuals out of jail, the state might push right back and try to put other individuals back in jail, Amero said.

Someone is going to have to make a ruling on all this and there is going to be a lot of stuff over the next couple of years that just gets appealed. I mean, you are reforming the entire Illinois justice system and its going to be years before its running smoothly.

23 photos from inside the Macon County Jail through the years Cell block 200 block East Wood Street Inspection Jail keys 1971 Sheriff showing available space Clean cells Meeting area Typewriter Warden Office Sheriff Lockers Work area Check in area cooks Inspection Early cooks preparing meal Team of jail cooks Demolition of jail and sheriff residence Macon County sheriff Thrift Food sampling Jail prisoners
DECATUR  A courtroom outburst from a weeping family member on the condition of her gravely wounded relative helped a judge decide not to reduce the bail of a suspect charged with attempted murder.

Defendant David F. Ford had appeared in Macon County Circuit Court Wednesday arguing his $500,000 bail was too high.

The 79-year-old Decatur man is accused of shooting his 30-year-old neighbor in the upper abdomen on the evening of June 20. A sworn affidavit from Decatur police said Ford shot once in retaliation for being cussed at by the victim during a dispute sparked by a cup left by a child outside Fords home in the 2400 block of North Maple Avenue.

Defense attorney Jonathan Erickson had pleaded the bail  which would require a 10% bond payment of $50,000 for Ford to be released  was excessive. He argued that his client, who suffers from a barrage of ailments including diabetes, high blood pressure and nerve pain, would be better off with home confinement and posed no flight risk.

He is on limited means, he is retired, and has been in jail since his arrest, said Erickson. Neither he or his friends and family members are capable of posting a bond in the amount that has been fixed.

Judge Lindsey Shelton had then asked how the victim was doing and Erickson said he understood the wounded man was now out of hospital. That prompted the weeping woman in the public gallery to cry out, Hes in the hospital, and Shelton then halted the proceedings while Assistant Macon County States Attorney Thomas Wheeler spoke to the woman.

Judge, the report we have just received is that he is still in the hospital, and hes not doing well, Wheeler said, adding there were now fears for the victims survival.

Shelton said she had considered the pleadings of the defense, the nature of the alleged crime and the update on the victims condition. And based on the proffer of the current state of the victim and the possibility of this becoming something other than just an attempted murder, I am going to deny the motion to reduce bond at this time, she added.

Shelton had earlier found probable cause to try Ford on the attempted murder charge and further charges of aggravated battery and the aggravated discharge of a firearm. He entered not guilty pleas on all counts.

Erickson and Wheeler clashed several times during the hearing as the defense attorney sought to argue that the prosecution had not established that Ford had intended to kill the victim.

He said Ford, a military veteran who had served with special forces, would know how to kill people with pistols, if that had been his aim.

Wheeler counter-argued that Ford had confessed to what he had done and the prosecution had more than established enough evidence for the defendant to stand trial. The judge agreed.

Being shot in the abdomen is certainly probable cause for attempted murder and the other charges, Shelton said.

Ford is due back in court for a pretrial hearing October 5.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
DECATUR  Decatur Public Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 24, to present an update on Dennis School.

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the board room at the Keil Administration Building, 101 W. Cerro Gordo St.

No closed executive session is planned for the special meeting.

The district received notice from the Illinois Department of Labor on July 13 that an Occupational Safety and Heath Administration complaint had been filed regarding the safety of both Dennis buildings, which were closed in May due to structural concerns.

District staff had been allowed in some areas of the buildings to move the contents, but after the complaint, both buildings were closed to all and the contents have remained inside.

The district has also been waiting for the Illinois State Board of Education to render a decision on opening Dennis School late for the upcoming school year to allow time for modular classroom units to be delivered and installed at Garfield Learning Academy, 300 Meadow Terrace Place, where Dennis students will attend for at least the 2023-24 school year.

Photos: Special school board meeting on Dennis Lab School plans
Barbie is a lovely, eccentrically imaginative example of brand extension and raw, untrammeled commercialism. Well, maybe a little trammeled. Any $145 million studio movie based on a doll, accessories sold separately, no doubt comes with a few restrictions. And yet this one actually feels spontaneous, and fun.

Co-writer and director Greta Gerwigs project  her third consecutive success behind the camera following Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019)  has its merry, thoughtful way with everything Mattels implacable smiler in high heels has meant, pro or con, to millions. The toy company, working with everyones favorite new conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery, could have played things far more safely (and less interestingly) with their cinematic spin on the doll introduced in 1959.

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Instead, they let Gerwig and co-writer Noah Baumbach create a kind of cinematic seminar, full of ideas and feelings, along with the jokes, built around the cultural impact of a plastic star called out by her own movie as an emblem of sexualized capitalism and unrealizable physical ideals.

Right there you have two examples of why Barbie may take folks by surprise. Some movies do everything they can to please everybody; in that regard, those movies resemble the character we have come to know here as Stereotypical Barbie, unfailing to a fault.

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But Gerwigs Barbie doesnt have that tiring air of trying to be everything to everybody. With luck, and a big opening, it might actually find the audience it deserves just by being its curious, creative, buoyant self.

Mattel's emblem of perfection (Margot Robbie) prepares for another day in director Greta Gerwig's "Barbie." (Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures/TNS)

The premise is a familiar one: Take a beloved childhood character (toy, video game star, cartoon favorite, whatever) and introduce her to a rougher, harsher world than shes previously known. Barbie begins in Barbie Land, where all the Barbies enjoy days of relentless, sunny perfection. The Kens  Ryan Gosling, in a career peak, is surreally well-cast and very funny as the primary Ken, all biceps and relational insecurity  are the decorative, marginalized ones in this world. The Barbies run things and live in midcentury modern homes seemingly painted in liquid cotton candy. (Highest honors to production designer Sarah Greenwood, costume designer Jacqueline Durran and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto.)

Among the matriarchy, theres President Barbie (Issa Rae), physicist Barbie (Emma Mackey) and pregnant Midge (Emerald Fennell), who was in fact introduced and then quickly discontinued by Mattel. A lot of the biggest laughs in Barbie come at Mattels expense. Many more come from Michael Cera as Kens devoted, furtively lovelorn friend Allan, another arguable Mattel misjudgment but, for this films purposes, a valuable one.

One day, something glitches for Barbie (Margot Robbie); a fleeting thought of mortality crosses her mind during a dance party, and a sliver of uncertainty enters her consciousness. (This movies a lot like Dont Worry Darling in its setup.) Up until then, the Barbies of Barbie Land have assumed that in the real world, life for their human owners is as serene and confidence-instilling as it is in their own neighborhood. Now, though, Barbie, with stowaway Ken in tow, must travel to the real world to locate the human (America Ferrera), who works for the Mattel corporation  Will Ferrell plays the big, clueless boss  and who is somehow causing the disruption.

All this plays out smoothly, though the second half of Barbie bogs down a bit. While Barbie learns of the hostility toward the Barbie ideal among many contemporary girls in the real world, including the daughter (Ariana Greenblatt) of the Ferrera character, back home Ken and the other Kens transform the place into one big, macho man-cave. Whats next? A political maneuver to rewrite the Barbie Land constitutional laws to create a patriarchy? Yes indeed, and there goes the MAGA audience for this movie.

Gerwigs a wizard at tone management, and at keeping the spirit lively, even when things are looking less than happily-ever-after. Have I mentioned Barbie is practically a musical? Ken, in particular, works out his growing sense of self-doubt in song and dance, wondering aloud if the man behind the tan has anything of substance to offer.

Theres a moment in a real-world sequence where Ferrera (wonderful, by the way) delivers a monologue of long-repressed frustration at how women have not been set up for relational success or a fair shake, in corporate America or as parents. Or anything, really. Its right next door to Laura Derns monologue (the one that helped win her the Oscar) in Baumbachs Marriage Story. That one, in part, referenced Mary Magdalene, another fixture of unattainable womanhood; Ferreras is in the context of the phenomenally popular doll created in 1959 by Ruth Handler (played by Rhea Perlman).

Gerwig has talked about the authentic artificiality and hermetic soundstage magic of many movies she loves, from The Wizard of Oz to A Matter of Life and Death and the An American in Paris and Singin in the Rain dream ballets. Elements of these, and many more, inform the Barbie aesthetic, more so in design terms than in exhilarating camera movement or expressivity. The crucial partnership here is the one between director and performer, Gerwig and Robbie; anything Gerwig and Baumbachs verbally dexterous script requires, from Barbies first teardrop to the final punchline, Robbie handles with unerring precision.

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I admit it: I went into Barbie with no firsthand usage or any practical knowledge, even, of Barbie, or Ken, let alone Allan or Midge. Barbie is my first Barbie. So. Its kind of a big deal.

Barbie  3.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: PG-13 (for suggestive references and brief language)

Running time: 1:54

How to watch: Premieres in theaters July 20

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

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mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
SHELBYVILLE  One by one, every member of the Shelby County Dive Team resigned at a raucous county board meeting Tuesday evening after failing to secure the resignation of board member Sonny Ross, R-Windsor, from the committee that now oversees the team.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have seen how individuals on this board no longer have the countys best interests at heart, said dive team commander Austin Pritchard, tendering his resignation. They have manufactured this crisis with the dive team to further their narrative and their agenda.

The team has over 130 years of combined experience and that is not something that can be replaced overnight, he continued. I cannot and will not ask this team to endure this toxic environment.

The tense showdown came less than a week after Ross issued a stand down order of questionable validity to Pritchard to cease any and all operations until further notice over concerns that the team did not have proper insurance coverage under county policies.

Team members have accused Ross and other members of the Shelby County Board of using the insurance issue as a cover to sink the dive crew in retaliation over a previous dispute involving a mutual aid request from the Illinois State Police.

It only took days for that order to make a splash with potentially deadly consequences as, over the weekend, the Moultrie County Dive Team had to step in on a Kaskaskia River rescue call which normally would have been handled by the Shelby team.

Luckily, the person in question was successfully rescued by a Shelby County sheriffs deputy who decided to intervene given the lengthier response time.

The four-hour meeting attracted a standing-room only crowd inside the Shelby County Courthouse, a sight that has become common in recent weeks amid separate but interrelated fights that also include the status of the countys long-held farmland about four and a half miles northwest of Shelbyville.

Still, the long evening started with hopes that a compromise could be reached.

Following a one-and-a-half hour closed session, board members voted on a resolution to formally establish the dive team under the countys umbrella, apparently resolving the insurance issue.

Under the plan, which passed unanimously, the dive teams present command structure and standard operating procedures, excluding the charging of fees for services, would remain in place for 60 days while the county and the team worked to forge a more permanent policy.

The resolution places the dive team under the oversight of the boards seven-member public safety committee. Ross is a member of the committee.

While maintaining that the whole brouhaha was a manufactured crisis, many in the room signaled that the measure was a positive development.

However, the mood quickly shifted when Pritchard rose to speak during public comment period. He made one request, that Ross resign from the public safety committee.

Ross indicated that he would not, to the dismay of dive team members and most gathered in the room.

Board Chairman Robert Bobby Orman, R-Windsor, reminded everyone that the board could take no action during public comment. In any case, any changes to committees would take time and deliberation, he said.

Responding, Pritchard said he did not know how we can move forward with the the attitude and the temperament of Mr. Ross.

Next, in a dramatic and seemingly pre-planned sequence, dive team members one-by-one read their resignation letters to the board as Pritchard, their leader, stood next to them in support.

Some letters were lengthy, some were brief, but everyone concluded by removing their dive team shirts and throwing them in the center of the table where board members, including Ross, were sitting.

The accusations and half-truths plastered on social media have cut deep and broken the trust between our team and this board, said dive team member Scott Jefson, adding that the toxic environment created by this manufactured crisis left him no choice but to resign.

This has been my family for the past seven years. And now, a single individual has destroyed this family, added dive team member Craig Martin, referring to Ross.

Once all his team members resigned, Pritchard  with all the now-former dive team members standing behind him in support  tendered his own. Then, shortly before 10 p.m., they all walked out of the meeting together.

Ross, who was heckled all night by the audience, would exit the meeting soon after and not return. The meeting went on for another hour, with board members fielding comments from the angry crowd.

Ross, speaking with Herald & Review last week, said he had no choice but to indefinitely shut down the dive team. His reasoning hinged on the status of the dive teams founding documents, which are missing, or were destroyed, or never even existed, depending on which county board member one asks.

No matter the reason why, if the dive teams founding documents cant be located, then the county cant prove the group was legally formed, which makes insurance coverage void, Ross argues.

But many questioned Ross ability to unilaterally shut down the team. Orman, the county board chair, asked about it after Tuesdays meeting, said that, I cant answer.

Ross remains on the committee, but whether he will be in the long run is still an open question. Though most board members remained silent, Martha Firnhaber, R-Shelbyville, and Matthew Kessler, R-Pana, spoke up in support of Ross.

Not everything was done perfectly, Kessler said. But Sonny was trying to do the right thing. Maybe it came off really, really bad and the relationship did get sour. We all understand that. But he was trying to do the right thing.

Kessler, responding to the calls for Ross resignation, said that we cant have a mob mentality that screams for somebody to resign, have an ultimatum and have an entire group of people say if you dont resign, I am quitting.

Board member Tad Mayhall, R-Shelbyville, however, voiced support for the dive team.

Do not mistake what these folks are saying and what this team just did. Do not mistake it for people just wanting to quit, Kessler said. They dont want to quit. They did not come here to quit. They came here to continue to do their job.

They still have an opinion and still feel that they cant work with certain members, he continued. That needs to be addressed. Its our job as leaders to make sure that this happens one way or the other.

What happens next is unclear as the dive team was technically reinstated. But there are no members, who have vowed not to return with Ross overseeing them.

GALLERY: Lake Shelbyville through the years
Changing conditions caused by climate change pose a potential risk to eastern wild turkeys in North Carolina and other Southern states, new research shows.

Reluctance by the species to vary when it begins nesting could put that cycle out of sync with evolving weather patterns, threatening the availability of food and protective vegetation, according to a newly published study in the journal Climate Change Ecology.

There are implications here for turkey populations if individuals are inflexible in their ability to shift their reproductive activities, as resources are certainly going to change in the future, said Chris Moorman, a professor in N.C. States Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program. This could result in a (cyclical) mismatch, where the timing of an animals natural history doesnt match up with the food and cover resources that are critical for successful reproduction and survival.

When early European settlers arrived, turkeys were plentiful in North Carolina and were probably found throughout the entire state, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

By the turn of the century, however, few turkeys remained.

The decline, which continued into the 1960s, was primarily due to unregulated and heavy hunting, rapid deforestation and habitat destruction throughout the state, NCWRC said.

A restoration program led by the commission revived North Carolinas turkey population. Other states implemented similar efforts.

In 2022, North Carolina hunters bagged 20,576 wild turkeys, down from the record two prior years during the COVID-19 pandemic, but comparable to pre-2019 totals.

Despite strong numbers, questions remain about how the effects of shifting weather, emerging diseases and other factors will impact future populations, researchers say.

Turkeys are a highly adaptable species (and) this adaptability facilitated their ability to be restored, said the studys lead author, Wesley Boone, a postdoctoral research scholar at N.C. State. We want to know if theyre going to be able to persist in a future with a changing climate, and changing landscapes, too.

Earlier green-upTo determine the impact of climate change on turkey nesting, researchers tracked when eastern wild turkeys began nesting in five states in the Southeast over an eight-year period.

Working under safety protocols, researchers used nets to capture female turkeys; attached GPS transmitters to monitor the birds movement, including when they sat on their eggs to keep them warm; and visited the nests to confirm their location and determine if any eggs had hatched.

The researchers then used weather data between 2014 and 2021 to see if temperature, rainfall and the timing of spring green-up coincided with the period when turkeys started nesting with their eggs. They also projected whether turkey nest timing would shift by 2041-2060 under two climate-change scenarios.

When they analyzed the timing for 717 total nests and 186 successful nests that hatched at least one egg, researchers found that temperature and rainfall variations had minimal impact on when turkeys began nesting.

Factoring the turkeys observed weather-related variations into projected future changes in average temperature and rainfall, the study predicted the timing of successful nests would vary by a matter of a few hours, not days or weeks.

We did find relationships between nest timing, rainfall and temperature, but when we projected that into the future, there is no biological relevance in the shift in timing, Boone explained. However, the lack of change in response to a changing climate could be a problem because the critical food and cover resources linked with spring green-up are likely to shift earlier in the future.

Many animals are flexible enough in their breeding times to adapt to the environment around them, said Moorman, the biology professor.

We did not project drastic changes in the timing of when wild turkeys nest under climate change, he explained. Turkeys seem relatively inflexible as to when they reproduce. Nesting is initiated around the same time each year with only slight shifts in the timing, regardless of weather conditions.

Future studies will explore other measures of turkey reproductive success, including whether temperature and rain affect the survival of nests and hatchlings.

There could be a lot of factors interacting to cause declines, including timing of the hunting season, land-use change that impacts habitat, changes in predator populations, as well as weather, climate and diseases, Boone said. We need to begin chipping away at the questions to build a comprehensive understanding of the current and future threats to wild turkey population sustainability.
In North Carolina, the political label conservative is more popular than the terms liberal or progressive. In the most recent John Locke Foundation poll, for example, 46% of likely voters described themselves as conservatives, with 25% picking the liberal label and the rest either moderate or nothing at all. If we broaden out to include all North Carolinians, not just those who reliably vote, the gap shrinks a bit. But conservatives still form a plurality  and they significantly outnumber liberals.

These are just stated preferences, though. Theyre political brands, if you will. They arent definitions.

What is conservatism? Ask two self-identified conservatives and the two answers you get will never be identical. Over the past few years, in particular, the rise of populism on the American right has provoked a robust debate about the future of the movement. Should conservatives abandon their past commitments to free enterprise, balanced budgets, limited government, and local autonomy? Many self-styled national conservatives say yes.

I say no. And Im in good company. On July 13, more than 80 leaders from across the conservative movement  scholars, journalists, organizers, litigators, campaign veterans, and former public officials  released a statement declaring themselves Freedom Conservatives. Authoritarianism is on the rise both at home and abroad, they stated. More and more people on the left and right reject the distinctive creed that made America great: that individual liberty is essential to the moral and physical strength of the nation.

In the Freedom Conservatism Statement of Principles, the signatories of July 13 affirmed such propositions as:

 Essential to a free society is the freedom to say and think what one believes to be true. Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution, federal and state governments have a legal obligation to uphold and protect these freedoms. Private institutions have a moral obligation to do the same.

 The best way to unify a large and diverse nation like the United States is to transfer as many public policy choices as possible to families and communities. Much of the discord in America today comes from the fact that too many decisions are made for us by centralized authorities.

 The skyrocketing federal debt is an existential threat to the future prosperity, liberty, and happiness of Americans.

 We commit to reducing the cost of living through competitive markets, greater individual choice, and free trade with free people, while upholding the rule of law, freedom of contract, and freedom of association.

 Equality under the law is a foundational principle of American liberty. Unfortunately, today this principle is under attack from those who believe that the rule of law does not apply to them.

 Immigration is a principal driver of American prosperity and achievement. America is exceptional because anyone  from any corner of the earth can seek to live in America and become an American.

 We commit to expanding opportunity for those who face challenges due to past government restrictions on individual and economic freedom. We adamantly oppose racial discrimination in all its forms, either against or for any person or group of people.

 Americans are safest and freest in a peaceful world, led by the United States, in which other nations uphold individual liberty and the sovereignty of their neighbors.

I am honored to be among the signatories, who represent a wide variety of backgrounds, professions, leadership roles, and home states. We FreeCons dont necessarily agree on every policy issue or priority. What we have in common, however, are a firm commitment to Americas founding principles and a passionate belief that political movements defined primarily by what theyre against instead of what theyre for are unlikely to build and sustain a successful governing coalition.

You can read our statement in full at FreedomConservatism.org. Now, just to be clear: we describe ourselves as FreeCons not because freedom is our sole interest but because without it, our other fundamental values and institutions will prove impossible to sustain. Only a free America can be a great America.

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The pesky spotted lanternfly is no longer just a suburbanite in Forsyth County.

Specialists from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services took some time away from their work battling the states only known infestation in Kernersville Monday to investigate a confirmed lanternfly sighting near downtown Winston-Salem.

The search began in the backyard of a historic four-unit apartment building at the corner of Broad Street and West End Boulevard where a resident spotted one of the invasive pests while out with his German shepherd Saturday morning.

It expanded across Broad Street to the former Spring Park, which the city allowed to overgrow after a 2018 stream restoration project left too little space for active uses.

The sleuths were following the prime clue in just about any hunt for lanternflies: the so-called tree of heaven.

Spotted lanternflies are drawn to the highly invasive tree species, once a favorite for urban landscaping because of its rapid growth and natural repellant effect on most other insects. Thats where the lone lanternfly was discovered, on the underside of a branch about 10 feet above a flowerbed along a weathered white picket fence.

After looking for several hours in the yard, along busy Broad Street and deep into Spring Park, four searchers turned up no more lanternflies but did find potential clues that they could be lurking, said Amy Michael, NCDACS agricultural pest survey coordinator.

Prime among them were possible deposits of sooty mold on tree of heaven trunks. The black fungus grows on the goo excreted by lanternflies and is one reason the species is so despised.

Its possible (the black trunks) are from pollution, since they are near an extremely busy street, she added.

Michael mapped every observed tree of heaven through an app on her phone while also recording their size and other characteristics. The information was shared electronically with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would recommend appropriate levels of insecticide needed to control lanternflies on every tree.

If we find another one, well be ready, she explained, adding that if one lanternfly was spotted in a small area where at least 100 trees of heaven were identified Tuesday, more of the pests could turn up later.

If that happens, the lanternfly hunters will attack with a strategy similar to what theyve employed for more than a year in Kernersville  with a chemical typically applied to the bottom six feet of the trunk. Lanternflies feeding on treated trees would be poisoned and die.

Hitchhikers

Michael said its possible the Winston-Salem lanternfly traveled to the city from the suburban infestation in Kernersville.

Theres so much traffic going back and forth, she noted over the noise of vehicles traveling on Broad Street.

Lanternflies lay their eggs on any flat surface. If that happens to be a vehicle, those eggs can travel from place to place.

That means a delivery truck could end up transporting more than packages or cargo. School buses or other vehicles that stop for periods of time also could end up moving eggs for miles before they hatch.

We do get a lot of single hitchhikers coming into the state and if those are reported to us right away, we can go in and treat and make sure they dont get out, Michael said. Thats an ideal situation.

The first U.S. discovery of the spotted lanternfly was in 2014 in southeastern Pennsylvania. With the Kernersville concentration, North Carolina is the 12th known state with at least one infested area.

Spitting out lanternflies

The best way to prevent infestations is to eliminate the insects favorite host, Michael said.

The lanternfly and tree of heaven both came to the U.S. from China  although hundreds of years apart  so they share a common range.

The tree of heaven also offers an element of protection for the lanternfly, whose bright red hind wings as adults make them more visible to predators, Michael noted.

The tree of heaven smells really bad, right? she said. So what we think is (lanternflies) are kind of sequestering that chemical and it makes them taste bad.

Michael recalled a large citizen project aimed at documenting that phenomenon.

I think what it ended up being was a lot of pictures of birds spitting (lanternflies) out, she said with a chuckle.

In the area of the Winston-Salem sighting, another relentless Asian import, kudzu, aims to choke the life out of the tree of heaven.

Theres so many invasive species they tend to fight each other, Michael said. Every site is a little different.

In Kernersville, the tree of heavens fiercest foe is wisteria.

I wouldnt want to pick a winner in either fight, Michael added.

Rapid growth and hardiness arent the only factors in the tree of heavens dominance, however. The species also is prolific. Each year, one female tree alone can drop up to 10,000 seeds, whose wing-like shape allows them to be carried by the wind.

That reproductive prowess and preference by the spotted lanternfly should make the tree of heaven unwelcome on any property, Michael insisted.

She recommended felling larger trees then treating the stumps to prevent any new growth, and treating smaller trees with herbicide.

Consulting with a certified professional will help ensure the job is done properly, she added.

Michael and her colleagues plan to keep an eye on the Winston-Salem area where the lanternfly was found.

In the meantime, they have their hands full in Kernersville.

Because of the prevalence of lanternflies there, NCDACS is now focusing its eradication efforts on public places and businesses where people coming and going could take bugs for a ride, and referring homeowners to the N.C. State Extension Service or private resources.

Preventing hitchhikers is the key to keeping them from spreading, Michael said.

For more information or to report sightings of spotted lanternflies, visit ncagr.gov/plantindustry/Plant/entomology/SLF.htm
CONCORD  Tim Furr, a long-serving member of the Cabarrus County Board of Education, has informed the board members of his resignation, effective immediately, to pursue other career opportunities, according to a news release from Cabarrus County Schools.

The Independent Tribune has learned that Furr could be leaving the school board for the vacant seat on the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners.

Furr is the second Cabarrus official to resign this summer. Cabarrus County Commissioner Barbara Strang resigned to become a magistrate judge in Mecklenburg County.

Cabarrus County Commissioners could not decide on a replacement to appoint in the required 20 days, so now that decision rests with Cabarrus Clerk of Superior Court Bill Baggs.

Baggs was unavailable Tuesday afternoon.

Furr, a graduate of Central Cabarrus High School, completed nearly 10 years of service to the Cabarrus school board over three terms. His current term expires in November of 2024.

Filling the school position

The Cabarrus County Board of Education is seeking candidates to fill Furrs term on the board.

To be considered to fill the vacancy, prospective candidates should submit a resume by 4 p.m. Monday, July 24. All resume materials must be electronic and emailed to boardclerk@cabarrus.k12.nc.us.

Finalists for the vacancy will be notified via email and invited to speak for three minutes at the Monday, Aug. 7, board work session.
The Australian Academy of Vocational Education and Trades, which operates under the name Academia, has been hit by the Windows ransomware group known as Lockbit 3.0.

The attackers have given the organisation a deadline of 24 July to get in touch and presumably negotiate a ransom payment.

A countdown clock on the site shows there is a little more than five days to go before data is leaked.

The group has provided a list of files that it claims to have stolen on a separate page of its site on the dark web.

{Loadposition sam08}Academia appears to be aware of the attack. In a statement posted on its website on Saturday it said: "Academia Institute has experienced a data breach with denial of services late Tuesday 11th to early Wednesday morning 12th of July.

"We immediately contained and isolated our systems upon determining of the data breach.

"We have since recovered [with] our systems returning back to near normal operations by today Saturday 15th July.

"We will keep everyone notified as soon as we determine the extent of the data breach.

"Academia Management apologises for the disruption and any distress this may have caused."

Academia offers courses in English, hospitality management, childcare, aged care, commercial cookery, patisserie and hairdressing and beauty therapy.

The organisation has two campuses, in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Contacted for comment, Brett Callow, a senior ransomware researcher with the New Zealand-based security outfit Emsisoft, said: "Attacks like this are no longer surprising; theyre expected.

"The education sector continues to be extremely heavily targeted by ransomware, as do most other sectors. And governments shoulder much of the blame. They did too little, too late."
The number of companies and organisations that have been breached through a vulnerability in the secure managed file transfer software MOVEit Transfer has now reached 378, figures compiled by the security firm Emsisoft show.

In a blog post, the New Zealand-headquartered company's Zach Simas claimed the number of individuals affected was more than 19 million.

He said these figures, current up to 18 July, were based on data sourced from state breach notifications, SEC filings, other public disclosures, as well as Cl0ps website.

A month ago, there was a report that a number of US Federal Government agencies had been breached through the same vulnerability, with the ransomware group Cl0p being responsible.

Said Simas: "MOVEit is a file transfer platform made by a company called Progress Software Corporation. The platform is used by thousands of governments, financial institutions and other public and private sector bodies all around the world to send and receive information.

"In late May 2023, data started to be transferred from hundreds of MOVEit deployments. However, these were not normal file transfers initiated by legitimate users. MOVEit had been hacked and the data was being stolen by a ransomware operation called Cl0p."

Simas said there were 67 schools, 20 US public sector organisations and 31 international public sector organisations among the victims.

"Some of the organisations impacted provide services to multiple other organisations, and so the numbers above are likely to increase significantly as those organisations start to file notifications," he wrote.

"As an example, the National Student Clearinghouse, which was impacted by MOVEit, partners with more than 3500 schools in the US and each of those schools could potentially be impacted.

"So too could the 17.1 million students  who represent 97% of current post-secondary enrolment  whose information is processed by the National Student Clearinghouse, as well as students who were enrolled in previous years."

Simas noted that there would invariably be some overlap as far as individuals affected went.

"Some organisations had MOVEit exposure via multiple vendors, which means the customers of those organizations will likely have had multiple exposures too," he added.

Simas pointed out that this was not the first time that Cl0p had attacked a file transfer platform. "MOVEit-like attacks were launched against Accellion File Transfer Appliances in 2020-21, SolarWinds Serv-U in 2021, and Fortra/Linoma GoAnywhere MFT servers in 2023," he said.

CL0p's tactics appeared to have changed, Simas said. "While the actors behind Cl0p have previously deployed file-encrypting ransomware, they have increasingly switched to a smash-and-grab, exfiltration-only strategy, relying on the threat of releasing stolen data as leverage to extort payment.

"This is likely so that Cl0p can quickly exfiltrate data from as many organisations as possible, before the vulnerability being exploited is patched."

Three vulnerabilities in MOVEit were listed by the owner, Progress Software, in May and June. "On 31 May, Progress Software issued an advisory for a vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-34362 which the company stated 'could lead to escalated privileges and potential unauthorised access to the environment'," Simas wrote.

"In other words, it was a vulnerability which could enable attackers to access MOVEit and steal data  something which had already been happening since at least 27 May.

"On 9 June, Progress issued a patch for a second vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35036. On 15 June, a patch was issued for a third vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-35708. Both these vulnerabilities were critical and could have enabled the MOVEit platform to be further exploited."

Update, 20 July: A spokesperson for MOVEit said Progress had issued a patch for CVE-2023-34362 on 31 May. A complete revision history is available at this site.
The US has announced it will implement a cyber security certification and labelling program from 2024 named Cyber Trust Mark to help people choose smart devices that are deemed less prone to attack.

In a statement on Tuesday, the White House said devices included would be smart refrigerators, TVs, climate control systems and fitness trackers among others.

A number of manufacturers have said they would support the scheme, among them Amazon, Best Buy, Google, LG Electronics, Logitech and Samsung Electronics.

The Cyber Trust Mark would be a distinct shield logo on products which met the required criteria set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The new U.S. Cyber Trust Mark will give Americans greater peace of mind that the devices theyre bringing into their homes, classrooms, or offices are safer and less vulnerable to cyberattacks.



Watch as Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger explains: pic.twitter.com/srKubl4cjQ  The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 18, 2023

The statement said these criteria would include unique and strong default passwords, data protection, software updates and incident detection capabilities.

The initiative has been proposed by Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the agency will use a QR code that links to to a national registry of certified devices.

The NIST will also start working on a program to identify consumer-grade routers that are better able to withstand bids to eavesdrop, steal passwords, and attack other devices and high-value networks.

The US also announced an initiative by the Department of Energy and National Labs to certify smart meters and power inverters.

A number of companies and organisations have backed the initiatives, among them Amazon, Best Buy, Carnegie Mellon University, CyLab, Cisco Systems, Connectivity Standards Alliance, Consumer Reports, Consumer Technology Association, Google, Infineon, the Information Technology Industry Council, IoXT, KeySight, LG Electronics, Logitech, OpenPolicy, Qorvo, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, UL Solutions, Yale and August US.
An American semiconductor industry lobby group has urged the government not to impose any more restrictions on the Chinese market until the impact of existing curbs is properly assessed.

The Semiconductor Industry Association said in a statement on Monday: "Recognising that strong economic and national security require a strong US semiconductor industry, leaders in Washington took bold and historic action last year to enact the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen our industrys global competitiveness and de-risk supply chains.

"Allowing the industry to have continued access to the China market, the worlds largest commercial market for commodity semiconductors, is important to avoid undermining the positive impact of this effort.

"Repeated steps, however, to impose overly broad, ambiguous, and at times unilateral restrictions risk diminishing the US semiconductor industrys competitiveness, disrupting supply chains, causing significant market uncertainty, and prompting continued escalatory retaliation by China.

We call on both governments to ease tensions and seek solutions through dialogue, not further escalation.

"And we urge the administration to refrain from further restrictions until it engages more extensively with industry and experts to assess the impact of current and potential restrictions to determine whether they are narrow and clearly defined, consistently applied, and fully co-ordinated with allies.

The SIA statement came the same day that executives of American semiconductor firms, including Intel, Qualcomm and Nvidia, met senior administration officials to discuss chip policy, according to a Reuters report.

Among the senior officials were Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, National Economic Council director Lael Brainard and National Security Council director Jake Sullivan.

Asked about this meeting during a media briefing on Monday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken "looked at that meeting as an opportunity to do two things: number one, to share his perspective on the industry and on supply chain issues, especially after his recent visit to China; and number two, to hear directly from those companies about how they see supply chain issues, about how they see doing business in China.

"Weve seen China recently announce restrictions on the export of materials that are used to construct chips, and so he saw it as a productive meeting to exchange views on those two issues.

Last October, the US Department of Commerce introduced export control measures on high-end chip exports to China which have yet to be fully codified.

On 28 June, it was reported that Washington would further tighten these restrictions, with The Wall Street Journal saying moves were afoot to restrict leasing cloud services to AI firms in China as they were being used to get around the restrictions on chip exports.

Also claimed to be in the pipeline are laws that limit the extent of American investment in China and other countries considered to be geopolitical rivals.

On 30 June, the Dutch Government tightened the rules for export of semiconductor equipment. The Dutch firm ASML makes the world's most advanced lithography equipment.

China has hit back, placing curbs on exports of gallium and germanium. Both metals and some of their compounds are used for making chips, communications equipment and some defence devices.
In a coup for Chicago at a crucial moment, Edward Hall, a 57-year-old British director with extensive experience running theater companies, will be the new artistic director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Hall is the son of the late, legendary British director Sir Peter Hall, who founded Britains Royal Shakespeare Company and also ran the National Theatre. He will succeed founding CST artistic director, Barbara Gaines, who was at her post for 37 years. The nonprofit theaters board of directors makes the announcement Wednesday.

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I am going to move to Chicago, immerse myself in the Chicago theater community and make my life there, Hall said in a telephone interview. He said he would start as soon as his work visa is approved, most likely this fall.

Chicago Shakespeare also announced the hiring of Kimberly Motes, 56, most recently the managing director of Childrens Theatre Company of Minneapolis, as its new executive director, replacing Criss Henderson, who resigned last August. Motes, who also expects to start in the fall, has an extensive background in fundraising, having been development director at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., for five years, as well as senior vice president for institutional advancement at the University of St. Thomas.

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Chicago Shakespeare really is like a mini National Theatre, and in The Yard, youve got an extraordinarily adaptable new space that you can do almost anything in, Hall said. I will have a chance to build on what Barbara and Criss have done. And I want to get Shakespeare talking across all of our stages.

Hall was introduced to Chicago in 2003 with his production of Rose Rage, a surreal, bloody and all-male adaptation of Shakespeares Henry VI trilogy. He also was already scheduled to direct a new production of Richard III in February, suggesting the hiring, or the potential for the hiring on both sides, long has been in the works.

Although he has also worked in film and TV, Hall is known in theater circles for his work with Propeller, an all-male Shakespeare ensemble known for rigorous textual and physical work. Most recently, though, he was artistic director of the Hampstead Theatre, a small but prestigious London theater mostly known for new work. Hall left the theater in 2019 after some nine years in the job. The Hampstead Theatre was at the center of a firestorm last winter after the British Arts Council removed its public funding, leading to the resignation of Halls successor, Roxana Silbert. With an annual budget of some $20 million, Chicago Shakespeare is a far bigger operation.

Once he arrives in Chicago, Hall said he plans to reinvigorate the beloved Worlds Stage series, a season of theatrical work originating in other nations and long one of this theaters crown jewels. During the pandemic, international touring fell off and it is only now beginning to recover.

We should be doing event theater in The Yard, a wonderful place for producers to start new work, Hall said, speaking of an imagined future mix of big musicals, epic revivals and other large-format theatrical events across CSTs Navy Pier campus.

Halls appointment comes at a time of crisis, at worse, or recession, at best, in the nonprofit theater. Motes said she was aware of the situation. With some of the shifts that are happening in philanthropy, especially corporate philanthropy, she said, we have to continue to reinforce the enormous value of theater.

As is typical with new leaders coming into the Chicago theater community, both Hall and Motes said they would begin by listening and learning from those already here. Both also said they hoped to remove barriers to participation.

On its face, this highly experienced new team at CST looks more like a traditional artistic and executive director partnership for one of Chicagos leading cultural institutions, with Hall helming the artistic mission and Motes overseeing both the administration and the ever-crucial fundraising; previously, Henderson had functioned more as a co-producer, especially when it came to the Worlds Stage series.

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Chicago Shakespeare board of directors chair Paulita A. Pike called the theaters new hires ambitious, creative, and highly capable individuals, likely to further raise Chicago Shakespeares profile with a bold, forward-thinking vision.

As difficult as the current moment may be, thats likely the best way forward for a flagship artistic institution that only has had one set of leaders in its history.

Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.

cjones5@chicagotribune.com
2023 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report for Australia and New Zealand to measure an organisations Phish-prone Percentage (PPP), which indicates how many of their employees are likely to fall for a phishing or a social engineering scam.

This years report reveals that according to the baseline testing conducted, without security training, across all industries, 34.8% of employees in Australia and New Zealand are likely to click on a suspicious link or comply with a fraudulent request. Although this is a slight increase from last years 34.5% PPP for the APAC region overall, it continues to demonstrate the risk associated with a lacking security culture.

KnowBe4 analysed a data set of over 12.5 million users, across 35,681 organizations, with over 32.1 million simulated phishing security tests, across 19 different industries and seven geographic regions. The resulting baseline PPP measures the percentage of employees in organisations that had not conducted any KnowBe4 security training, who clicked a simulated phishing email link or opened an infected attachment during testing.

When companies implemented a combination of training and simulated phishing security testing after their initial baseline measurement, results changed dramatically. 90 days after completing monthly or more frequent security training, the average PPP in Australia and New Zealand decreased to 17.8%. After twelve months of security training and simulated phishing security tests, the average PPP dropped to 6.4%, indicating that new habits become normal, fostering a stronger human firewall and improved security culture.

The report also reveals which industries globally are most vulnerable to cyber threats and have the highest PPP which indicates where there is a stronger need for security awareness training. Across small and medium organisations, the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry has the highest PPP of 32.3% and 35.8%, respectively. Across large organisations, the insurance industry remains the most at risk for a second consecutive year with a PPP of 53.2%, relatively unchanged from 2022.

The report underscores the fact that while technology plays an important role in preventing and recovering from an attack, organisations cannot afford to ignore the human factor. Verizons 2023 Data Breach Investigations report states that 74% of breaches this year involved the human element. This is a slight improvement from last years 82%, however, organisations must continue to focus their efforts on the human element of cyber attacks by implementing proven training methods that directly impact their workforce.

The findings from KnowBe4s Phishing by Industry Benchmark report are a testament to the effectiveness of new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing, says Jacqueline Jayne, Security Awareness Advocate APAC at KnowBe4 (pictured below). An educated workforce forms a strong human firewall, which is key to practicing safe cyber habits and building a strong security culture.





To download a copy of the 2023 KnowBe4 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report for Australia and New Zealand, visit here.
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When this column appears, I will have just arrived in Odesa, Ukraine.

I want to see how Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are faring on the ground, as the country wages its counteroffensive against the Russian invaders. I also want to learn how the disappointing NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, has affected Ukrainian morale, and whether new weapons pledged by NATO countries will arrive fast enough to make a difference.

What many Americans don't realize is that Ukraine has a second enemy beyond Vladimir Putin's Russia.

That enemy is time.

In his concluding speech in Vilnius, President Joe Biden seemed to imply he expected Russia's war on Ukraine to continue indefinitely. He compared the struggle to the Cold War struggle for freedom in Eastern Europe. "Putin still wrongly believes that he can outlast Ukraine," Biden said. "After all this time, Putin still doubts our [NATO allies'] staying power. He is making a bad bet."

But, as a visibly disappointed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky understood, Putin's bad bet could still pay off if alliance leaders don't realize how hard it will be for Ukraine to sustain a long war.

NATO's Eastern European members do grasp the urgency of achieving victory in the coming year (before the U.S. election season) and securing Ukraine against future attacks with admission to NATO. But for some inexplicable reason, the Biden team still appears to believe that time is on Ukraine's side.

That lack of U.S. comprehension was clear when Zelensky let loose an angry tweet in response to NATO members' decision not to provide Ukraine with a clear timeline for joining the alliance. He was responding to language that said Ukraine would get an invitation "when allies agree and conditions are met" while steadfastly refusing to define any of the conditions.

Zelensky called that language "absurd." The U.S. response was to leak to the media the administration's pique at the Ukrainian's "lack of gratitude." Yet I fully understand this undiplomatic explosion (later smoothed over).

While the White House was referring to aid in dollars, ammunition, and tanks, Zelensky was thinking of human beings. This extraordinary man knows that the longer the war lasts, the more Ukrainian soldiers and civilians will die, and the harder it will be for his country to rebuild. Ukraine can't continue to lose its best and brightest indefinitely.

And if the war drags, according to the likely interpretation of NATO's "conditions" for membership, Ukraine will never be able to enter the alliance, and thus will never be secure. That means Europe won't be secure, either.

True, Biden deserves kudos for large-scale U.S. military and economic aid to Ukraine and for rallying Western European allies to do likewise. But this is not wasting U.S. money on a corrupt government, nor is it charity.

Biden rightly recognizes that a Putin victory will mark the end of a post-World War II era in which it was inconceivable that a great European or Asian power could invade and destroy a neighbor. It would also mark the formal demise of the United Nations, whose charter is based on preventing such military aggression. The world would have reverted to the Hobbesian chaos that existed in the 1930s.

But where Biden is mistaken is to compare the Ukrainian situation to the Cold War. Putin's Russia is not Stalin's Soviet Union, nor is Putin capable of playing Stalin. Russia's war has not only deeply damaged its economic future, but is splintering its army.

Putin's military is cracking. His response to the mutiny by Wagner militia chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was astonishing, letting this warlord fly around Russia, retrieve millions of dollars from his home, and reportedly meet Putin in the Kremlin. Even if Prigozhin ultimately "falls" out a window, Putin's indecision displays his weakness.

And that is not all. One of Russia's most important and popular generals, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, commander of the 58th Army in Zaporizhzhia, which is the key front for the counteroffensive, was just fired for telling the top brass that top Defense Ministry officials were "betraying his troops" by not sending vital weapons and man power. This further signifies a command structure in disarray.

Now, when Putin's focus is on internal political survival, is not the moment for NATO weakness. If Biden wants to convince the Russian leader that he can't outlast Ukraine, NATO should announce it will be working on specific conditions for Ukrainian membership, to be announced at the next summit in Washington, D.C., in 2024. Ukraine understands it cannot join the alliance in wartime, but the path can be clearly paved, and the end of the war accelerated.

Equally key, now is the moment to rethink how weapons from allies are delivered to Ukraine, and which weapons. For Ukraine to succeed in the counteroffensive, it needs coordination and concentration of weapons deliveries in critical mass. It also needs speedy delivery of specific systems that are most vital to break through Russian minefields. That includes airpower, long-range missiles, and ammunition.

Instead, Western weapons are delivered piecemeal, drip by drip, which gives the Russians time to develop countermeasures.

Why the White House is still dallying in green-lighting delivery of F-16s by European nations is beyond comprehension. As is Biden's refusal to send ATACMS long-range missiles.

Either we want Ukraine to push the Russians back and then move toward NATO admission, or we don't. That is the question. Again, a war of attrition means failure.

So I am traveling to Kyiv, Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities to write about how Ukrainians believe they can still win this war, and what we can do to help them. Help them in our own self-interest, to avoid giving a weak Putin a new lease on power and permitting him more time to destroy.

___

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Trudy Rubin

Philadelphia Inquirer

(TNS)

Previously:

 07/17/23: From hell to Harvard: One Ukrainian's escape and how you can help fulfill her dreams

 07/11/23: At the NATO summit in Vilnius: Will Biden seize or squander the chance to end Putin's war on Ukraine?

 04/21/23: The Pentagon documents leak will embolden Putin as he tries to outlast Ukraine

 03/22/23: The Russian attack on a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone underlines why we must help Ukraine win

 03/15/23: Will the White House have the courage to propel a Ukrainian victory this year?

 02/21/23: On the first anniversary of Putin's invasion, Ukraine fights on for its independence and for the security of the West

 02/17/23: A former Pakistani leader's death, and his wise peace plan that failed

 02/09/23: Earthquakes killed nearly 12,000 people this week. Three men are partly to blame

 01/24/23: As Russia murders civilians in Dnipro, why won't NATO send weapons that could end the war?

 12/28/22: What Zelensky worried about when he addressed a cheering Congress

 12/13/22: The US-China conflict to watch is the Chip War --- which centers on Taiwan

 09/14/22: Ukraine scores sudden breakthrough that should energize Western support

 09/09/22: Queen Elizabeth's death deprives Britain and the world of a rock of stability

 09/08/22: After Gorbachev's death, Putin wants the world to know he is the 'anti-Gorbi'

 08/26/22: 6 months after Russia's war vs. Ukraine began, the West still won't give Kiev the weapons to win

 08/15/22: Ukraine's civilian volunteers work to give aid and rebuild, even as Russia continues to bomb them

 08/08/22: A trip near the front lines finds Ukrainian troops ready for a battle that could decide the war

 06/13/22: The critical battles for Ukraine and for America are being fought right here, right now

 05/02/22: Save Odesa to save the world from hunger and high food prices

 05/02/22: Bloodless Ukrainian War, not utopian fantasy says one-time largest foreign investor in Russia

 04/11/22: The only way to end Putin's war crimes

 03/28/22: Don't let Putin's nuclear and chemical threats stop us from giving Ukraine what it needs

 03/24/22: An elegy for Mariupol, where I walked six weeks ago. Now razed by Russian bombs

 03/18/22: Zelensky's brilliant speech should impel Biden and Congress to protect Ukrainian skies

 03/11/22: Mariupol's bombed maternity hospital exemplifies why NATO should protect Ukraine's skies

 03/10/22: No 'no-fly zone'? Then NATO must find another way to protect Ukraine's skies

 03/07/22: The third World War has already started in Ukraine. Europe and the US should wake up

 03/04/22:Putin must be stopped from turning Kiev into Aleppo

 03/02/22:Why is Belarus helping Russia invade Ukraine? An explainer on the latest in the conflict

 02/25/22: What the UN should finally do about Russia

 02/24/22: Why Putin's Ukraine aggression will change the world --- an explainer on how we got here

 02/10/22: Ukrainian civilians train for war with cardboard guns: 'We are scared but we are ready

 01/13/22:Putin wants to reestablish the Russian empire. Can NATO stop him without war?

 12/10/21: Can Biden and NATO prevent Putin from invading Ukraine? Summit puts it to the test

 12/02/21: Boris Johnson stirs up new Irish Troubles for his own personal political gains

 11/22/21: Xi Jinping thinks America is on the rocks. Is he correct?

 08/18/21: President Biden, get our Afghan allies on evacuation planes

 08/18/21:The horror of Afghan women abandoned by Biden's troop pullout

 08/09/21:China is pushing a big COVID-19 lie that makes a new pandemic harder to prevent

 05/27/21: Punish Belarus leader for Ryanair hijacking before air piracy becomes dictators' new tool

 04/14/21: Can Beethoven temper the political tensions between US and China?

 06/01/20: US must stand with Hong Kong against Beijing's efforts to crush its freedoms

 05/20/20: COVID-19 offers a chance to halt Iran's hostage diplomacy

 05/21/14: Newscycle spurs visit to country my family fled

 04/21/14: Blind to Putin's strategy?

 12/24/13: Obama's Syrian indifference has led to more death and destruction. Meet some real heroes

 12/13/13: Where liberals have come to love the military

 12/09/13: The China strategy

 11/05/13: Return to Iraq is worth a close look

 10/01/13: Obama's call to Iran: Who was really on the line?

 09/11/13: How Obama got Syria so wrong

 07/24/13: It's time for Obama to tell Putin 'nyet'

 05/15/13: What Russia gave Kerry on Syria --- very little





Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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On Tuesday morning, former President Donald Trump announced that he had been informed, by special counsel Jack Smith, that he is a target of the Biden Justice Department's criminal investigation into Jan. 6 and Trump's efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election.

Legal experts, and practical experience, say that such messages usually mean an indictment is on the way soon. Thus, it appears that Trump will face a second federal indictment to go with the local criminal indictment he faces in New York City, for a total of three indictments against the former president.

The first Trump indictment, the Manhattan indictment, appears to have had a significant effect on Trump's poll ratings in the 2024 Republican primary race. The short version is that Trump went up. Last summer, Trump led main challenger Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) by about 30 points in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls.

From November through March, after DeSantis's impressive 20-point reelection victory in Florida, Trump's lead shrank to about 15 points.

But almost immediately after the Manhattan indictment, which most Republicans viewed as flimsy in substance and political in motivation, Trump's lead over DeSantis shot back up to around 30 points. At this moment, Trump's lead in the RealClearPolitics average is 33.5 points.

The second Trump indictment, which is also the first federal indictment from Smith, in the classified documents case, did not have much of an effect on Trump's polls. Trump's rating in RealClearPolitics has bounced around in a very narrow range between 52 and 55 points since the indictment was announced. So far, it does not appear to have hurt Trump politically with Republicans.

In both Trump indictments, huge majorities of GOP voters have seen the charges against Trump as politically motivated. After the Manhattan indictment, a Quinnipiac University poll found that 93% of Republicans agreed that the charges were "mainly motivated by politics." After the classified documents indictment, a Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 81% of Republicans said politics was "driving the case."

Now, if a third indictment comes, one that is based on two political events, the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 riot, how could Republicans not view the new indictment as politically motivated? Starting with the standard caution that there is no way to predict, it seems reasonable to guess that Republican voters will view an indictment based on the 2020 election and Jan. 6 as even more political than the classified documents case and at least as political as the Manhattan case, which stemmed from the 2016 election.

We don't know when the new indictment will arrive, although it likely won't be long. We don't know specifically what charges it will include, although anti-Trump lawyers have published a draft "prosecution memo" that might well foretell Smith's charges.

In the draft memo, Trump would be charged with defrauding the United States with his claim that he won the 2020 election, with obstructing an official proceeding by seeking to have Congress throw the election results in some states back to those states, and with inciting an insurrection on Jan. 6. All the charges are felonies.

Perhaps Smith's indictment will track those charges, or perhaps it will take some other course. But it will be an indictment based on the presidential election and Jan. 6. Trump's supporters, and Republicans more generally, are already inclined to view the existing prosecutions of the former president as tainted by politics.

How could they fail to think the same thing about the next set of charges?

(COMMENT, BELOW)




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Ahmad Alush obtained permission from Swedish authorities last week to hold a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm on Saturday. He intended, he said, to publicly burn a Torah and a Christian Bible in retaliation for the burning of a Quran in front of Stockholm's largest mosque last month.

The burning of the Quran on June 28  for which Swedish police had also granted permission  set off a deluge of outrage. The governments of numerous Islamic countries condemned the action. So did the US State Department and the president of Israel. With tensions running high, Alush's plan to set fire to copies of the Jewish and Christian scriptures was guaranteed to make an ugly situation even uglier.

But when the 32-year-old Alush, a Swedish resident of Syrian origin, showed up at the Israeli embassy on Saturday, he didn't burn any holy books. Instead he tossed his lighter on the ground and announced that he never intended to carry out his threat. "As a Muslim, I don't burn books," he told the assembled crowd. His goal, he said, was to protest the Swedish laws that treat book-burning as a form of free speech.

"Burning the Quran is not freedom of expression, it is an action. Freedom of speech has its limits," Alush insisted. "We have to respect each other; we live in the same society. If I burn the Torah, another the Bible, another the Quran, there will be war here. What I wanted to show is that it's not right to do it."

No, it's not right to do it  civilized people do not torch or desecrate the sacred books of others. But that does not mean it shouldn't be legal to do it. However depraved, hateful, or offensive such behavior may be, there is no question that it expresses an idea. And in free societies, the expression of even contemptible ideas must be protected. "In Sweden, you have the right to say almost anything you want," the government website affirms, and the right to stage public demonstrations is guaranteed by the Swedish constitution.

For Americans, steeped in the culture of the First Amendment, the right to express even the most odious ideas is a core value as well. No element of our legal system "more imperatively calls for attachment than . . . the principle of free thought," wrote Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. in 1929. "Not free thought for those who agree with us, but freedom for the thought that we hate."

That is why the many voices that condemned Sweden for permitting the burning of the holy texts  from the chairman of the Swedish Islamic Federation to the European Jewish Congress  were wrong. As was the UN Human Rights Council, which by a 28-12 vote adopted a resolution urging member states to undertake "the prevention and prosecution" of those who advocate religious hatred. Punishing people who preach hatred on the basis of religion, or who would express that hatred by putting a match to a copy of the Quran or Bible, may seem a small price to pay to keep bigots out of the spotlight. But a government that can make the expression of anti-Jewish or anti-Muslim hatred a crime today can make the expression of other disfavored opinions a crime tomorrow.

As an observant Jew who reveres the Hebrew Bible, I agree without reservation that book-burning is uniquely barbaric. "Where they burn books," the German playwright Heinrich Heine wrote with terrible prescience in 1821, "they will ultimately burn people also." Heine's works were among the tens of thousands of books torched in public bonfires by the Nazi regime after its accession to power in 1933  and Hitler and his henchmen did indeed "ultimately burn people also." So, in an earlier era, did the fanatics of the Inquisition who consigned "heretics" to the flames. So in our own time did the Al-Qaeda terrorists who turned the Twin Towers into an inferno.

Repugnant as book-burning is, however, I would not want to live in a society that would prosecute someone for buying a book and then torching it to express hatred or anger. Nor would I want to live in a society where someone could do such a thing without being widely castigated. They are two sides of the same coin: Hateful speech must be both vigorously protected by the government  and vigorously denounced by decent citizens.

Ahmad Alush, a Swedish Muslim, showed how to strike that balance. He established last week that he was free to burn the holiest books of Jews and Christians, then proved that he was wise enough not to do so.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission."
MATTOON  Although concerns linger about proper enforcement, Central Illinois law enforcement leaders say they are prepared to abide by the Illinois Supreme Court's ruling that upheld the constitutionality of eliminating cash bail in the state.

The state Supreme Court issued a 5-2 ruling along party lines Tuesday that determined the cash bail element of the landmark criminal justice reform law known as the SAFE-T Act will go into effect in September, nine months after it was set to be implemented.

The ruling comes more than six months after a lower court found the law, also known as the Pretrial Fairness Act, violated the bail and victims' rights clauses of the state constitution. The state Supreme Court stepped in, pausing the reform while agreeing to hear the case.

In the majority opinion, Chief Justice Mary Jane Thesis wrote: "The Illinois Constitution of 1970 does not mandate that monetary bail is the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public. Our constitution creates a balance between the individual rights of defendants and the individual rights of crime victims."

Coles County State's Attorney Jesse Danley, who was among the more than 60 county prosecutors who filed a lawsuit in opposition to the legislation, said his office will be prepared for the implementation of the law in 60 days, despite an ongoing shortage of prosecutors.

"I'm one of maybe dozens of counties that are severely understaffed and one of probably multiple dozens of counties that are mildly understaffed," Danley said. "I think that the challenges are going to be getting people here from Coles County."

Prosecutors could face heavier workloads, he said, because of tighter deadlines for bond hearings. He also predicted an increase in crime that could lead to higher intake volumes at the jail, prompting the need for more correctional officers.

Noting the standards laid out in legislation to determine whether a defendant should be held before trial, Danley said much of that information is already being considered under the current system through risk assessments, scales that determine the likelihood for a defendant to appear in court and personal recognizance bonds that allow defendants to be released from custody without bail.

"I would argue that we're already taking those things into consideration," Danley said. "When a judge in Coles County sets bond and the prosecutor asks for bond, violence is the first thing that we argue, and then lack of violence is the first thing a public defender argues when they represent them.

"I remain optimistic that we can find a way to make this work but in my mind, as it sits right now, my fear for my citizenry is that it lets people back out of custody that otherwise we would have been able to hold them to protect people," Danley added.

Coles County Chief Public Defender Duane Deters said the ruling was not a surprise due to the creation in 2020 of the Pretrial Implementation Task Force, which is intended to help prepare the justice system for the changes.

Were back in the same place we were in November, Deters said, referring to the period before the law was challenged in court and its implementation temporarily halted. I know some are gonna think that the world is ending and sound all sorts of alarm bells, but there were presumably steps in place by all counties.

Deters noted that the federal system has not used cash bail since 1984.

One way to look at it is this is not going to be punishing poor people anymore for not having the ability to come up with money to post bail on nonviolent offenses, Deters said. Obviously if the state believes that somebody is violent and needs to be detained, theyll have to file that petition.

Coles County Sheriffs Office Deputy Chief Tyler Heleine said he and other law enforcement leaders were not surprised by the ruling. They started preparing for the shift in November.

I know from when we went through this last time, there are going to be some challenges to it, Heleine said. Its new to everyone and although the law or the cash bail policy is the same for everyone, it may be a little different on how each county does it.

Heleine said the sheriffs office will be working with the state's attorney's office and court system to make sure that whatever protocols or processes they will need to put in place are communicated with their local agencies across the county.

All the other local agencies bring their people when they get arrested so it does affect us more than any other agency, Heleine said. We just need to make sure that we are on the same page and work closely with our states attorneys office.

Moultrie County State's Attorney Tracy Weaver sad in a news release that her office and local law enforcement will continue their duties in upholding the law following the Supreme Court's decision. The county was also among those that had challenged the constitutionality of the law.

Weaver echoed the sentiments of Justice David K. Overstreet, who had dissented along with Justice Lisa Holder White. He argued that the law violates the state constitutions Crime Victims Bill of Rights, which voters added in 2014.

"Although we did not reach the result we worked toward with this litigation, the Moultrie County States Attorneys Office and local law enforcement will continue in our duties to protect the rights of the citizens of Moultrie County, the rights of crime victims, and to hold offenders accountable for their actions," Weaver said.
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SPRINGFIELD  Emma Shafer was the most remarkable person Ive ever met.

Shafer, a Springfield community organizer and activist, was an agitator who had a penchant for stirring up good trouble in the interest of social justice.

She was also a very dear friend of mine.

Last week, I received a call no friend ever wants to receive. Its never good when someone begins a conversation with theres no easy way to say this.

I was told that my dear friend had been brutally stabbed to death the previous night following an alleged altercation with an ex-boyfriend at her apartment.

The ex-boyfriend, Gabriel P. Calixto, 25, fled the scene and is still at large, police have said. A warrant was issued last week for his arrest on three counts of first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery in connection with her death.

I could not believe it. Part of me still doesnt believe it. But its real. Emma is gone. And gone with her is a huge piece of my heart, that of the countless who loved her and that of the broader Springfield community. It's a devastating loss that has rippled across the community and the state.

At only 24 years old, she had long established herself as a mover and shaker in Springfield's community organizing and activist space.

And her causes were many: lifting the state ban on rent control, advocating for racial equity and criminal justice reform and  most recently  fighting the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline that would pass underneath Central Illinois, just to name a few.

Venues for this work included the Faith Coalition for the Common Good, where she worked as an organizer for a time, and Resister Sisterhood, a grassroots activist group where she was a board member.

She was also a worker at Contact Ministries, a transitional shelter for women and children. She was also involved with the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network.

But honestly, any listing of the groups and issues she was involved with would be incomplete as she had her hand in almost everything that was going on.

"This brilliant, kind, gentle and incredibly passionate woman taught me more about leading with love, by example, than people 20 years her senior," said Nick Dodson, a fellow Springfield community organizer, at a vigil held for Emma last Sunday.

"Her heart and mind shined so bright in every room she entered, be it when she was delivering groceries for the Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network, planning with the Resister Sisters, talking about walkable cities or hosting soup night at her apartment," he said.

I first met Emma while I was a reporter at The State Journal-Register, Springfield's daily newspaper, and she was an intern for Downtown Springfield, Inc., the nonprofit organization charged with creating and supporting a more vibrant central business district in Illinois' capital city.

This was another area of passion for Emma, who was finishing up her degree in urban studies at the New School in New York.

It was the summer of 2020 and the state had just allowed bars and restaurants to reopen with outdoor seating following the initial COVID-19 shutdown. The city had put up jersey barriers and other forms of fencing to carve out street space for al fresco dining and curbside pickup lanes. Many thought they gave off a cold, post-apocalyptic vibe.

Emma changed that by spearheading an initiative to paint the concrete barriers and adding planters to the metal barriers. What I expected to be five-minute interview on the topic lasted over an hour.

But that was Emma. She never met a stranger. And when you were talking to her, she made you feel like you were the most important person in the world.

In many ways, she was Springfield's Leslie Knope.

Beyond her blonde hair, contagious positivity and relentless nature, she loved her community with her whole heart and she believed it could be better. And she worked so hard to make it better for everyone.

"Her whole ethos was to build community," said Mawa Iqbal, a WBEZ statehouse reporter and friend of Shafer's. "In addition to just knowing all these different people, she was very intentional about connecting people with each other."

This was evident at the vigil, where hundreds of people gathered on the Old State Capitol Plaza to remember her. Many hugs were shared among people who probably would not have known one another if not for her.

"There's like one degree or two degrees of separation," Iqbal said. "It was because she made such a big effort to not have anyone be a stranger and to just have a community where people can rely on each other."

As someone who attended a number of soup nights at her apartment, I can attest to the connections that were made while breaking bread, reading poetry and engaging in thought-provoking conversations with people with much different lived experiences than myself.

Every community needs an Emma Shafer  someone who is rooted and willing to fight for it. Someone who's planning to stay, as she once put it in an op-ed.

At the vigil, Emma's cousin Elle Ryan recalled a conversation they had a few months ago when she asked "Emma, why Springfield? You grew up here, but you have such a huge personality, such a great light, you can help so many people" somewhere else, presumably a bigger place.

Emma's response, she said, was, "Why not? I'm needed here. I need to help my community. There's no one like me here. I can lead people, I can guide them, we can make change."

Though there are many people doing great work here, I can confirm that there is no one like Emma in Springfield.

There were times that she would express how exhausting it was to be the most liberal person in the room. Or how frustrated she was with the pace of progress. Change tends to happen in slow increments in a place like Springfield, a town that tends to resist sweeping shifts.

Despite this, she never stopped believing in the idea of a better community or a better world. And she refused to abdicate the responsibility she felt to do her part to move that change along.

She was a force multiplier  bringing people of all backgrounds together in hopes of building a better community. She elevated voices that have traditionally been ignored. She fiercely believed in diversity and inclusion and that there was enough room at the table for everybody.

"Our girl was a magnetic force of love, change and community," Dodson said. "We honor her today by loving harder, loving our community harder and loving one another harder by committing to not allow anyone to be a stranger within our community."

The world was a better place because of my amazing friend. It's lesser now that she's gone. I can only hope that we can all live up to the example she set about what it means to be a good person and a good community member.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the Illinois Statewide Domestic Violence Help Line at (877) 863-6338 or (877) 863-6339 TTY.

To contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-799-7233, text "START" to 88788, or visit their website, https://www.thehotline.org/.
Q: I noticed that the cooks at a restaurant used their bare hands to take out salad and other food items. They werent wearing gloves. I asked the manager if they shouldnt they be wearing gloves. He said he would tell them. Is there a law that requires people who are preparing food to wear gloves?  G.S.

Answer: Yes, the cooks should have been wearing gloves in that situation.

Josh Jordan, an environmental health supervisor for the Food, Lodging, and Institutions Program at the Forsyth County Department of Public Health, explained what people preparing food are supposed to do.

Section 3-301.11, of the NC Food Code, prevents food employees from contacting ready-to-eat food with their bare hands unless the food is subsequently heated to 145F. They shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves or dispensing equipment when handling ready-to-eat food that is not subsequently cooked, he said.

You can contact your local public health department to express any concerns you have about the way people in restaurants are preparing food.

Q: What do I do with outdated and other prescription drugs that I no longer need?

Answer: The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office has a container for disposing of medication that is no longer needed or is out of date.

You can drop off prescription medications at the sheriffs office at 301 N. Church St., Winston-Salem. Enter the building and go through the wood double doors. The service is called Med Return.

The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Only prescription drugs are accepted.

In Winston-Salem, the Winston-Salem Police Department has four locations for disposing of old prescriptions. This is for households, only.

The Public Safety Center located at 725 N. Cherry St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Check in with the officer at the front desk.

You can also drop off unwanted pills at any of the three district offices between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Check in at the front desk.

District 1, 7836 North Point Blvd.

District 2, 1539 Waughtown St.

District 3, 2393 Winterhaven Lane

The sheriffs office and the police department will only accept pills. Items that are not acceptable are liquids, gels or aerosol products.

Also, no needles or other sharp instruments or syringes are accepted.

In Greensboro, the Greensboro Police Department has three secure collection boxes located in the lobbies of the following substations for unwanted prescription pills or capsules.

100 Police Plaza in downtown Greensboro. It is always open.

300 S. Swing Road, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

1106 Maple St., it is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Items that can be dropped in GPD collection boxes include: EpiPens, prescription pills, patches, and capsules, they should be in zippered plastic bags, no loose pills.

Items that are not accepted in the collection boxes:

Over-the-counter drugs, liquids, pill bottles, sharps or syringes/lancets/needles (EpiPens are permitted), medication containers and packaging, bio medical waste, and illegal street drugs.
The plant, which once had as many as 570 employees, was down to about 200 employees as of HanesBrands' last count in January.
OMAHA  A construction crane hoisted a 20,000-pound dome atop a new west Omaha church, a blessed event for about 250 people who gathered to watch.

The crowning was not only a key step forward in constructing the new All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church but also a nod to religious tradition that reaches back centuries.

His Grace Bishop Constantine of Sassima, of the Holy Metropolis of Denver, attended the event on July 13 and blessed the dome before its raising.

I cant tell you what a joy this is for the life of the church, and when I speak of the church, Im not talking about just the church here in Omaha or Nebraska, he said. Im talking about the Orthodox Church worldwide.

He noted that dome raisings dont happen every day, nor are they even a regular occurrence.

But by all accounts, this is only done by the glory of God and always to his name.

All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church, under construction at 193rd and Harney streets, is one of two Greek Orthodox churches in the metro Omaha area. The other is St. John the Baptist at 602 Park Ave.

Parishioner Nikki Nader, who attended the event with husband Paul, son Rhys, 13, and daughter Raiyah, 16, credited persistence for making the new church a reality.

Its been amazing because this community has really been persistent, Nader said.

She said the church members took an unconventional approach  a very business-minded way of investment  to get it done.

They bought and sold land around the church site and put the profits back into the building.

John Birge, parish council vice president and retired architect, said the church coordinated with other parties to create a neighborhood around the church that includes a Montessori school and senior housing.

Birge said raising of the dome is part of ancient Byzantine Orthodox Christian tradition.

One of the worlds best examples of a dome is on the Hagia Sophia, a massive structure in Istanbul, Turkey, which has served as a house of worship for both Christians and Muslims over the centuries.

Its signature feature is a brick-and-mortar dome 102.5 feet in diameter.

The design of our church is in the tradition of Byzantine architecture, Birge said. And so the elements of it are consistent with Hagia Sophia.

Obviously, the scale is different, he said.

But the dome and the drum were substantial components of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople as they are at All Holy Spirit in Omaha, Nebraska, he said.

Parishioners wanted the building to reflect the centuries-old history of their faith, parish priest Father Alexander Lukashonok said.

Its in their hearts, he said. They wanted something that was not of their own creation but they wanted something according to the tradition of the church.

The Byzantine architecture provides a unity with their faith around the world, he said.

All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church was formed in 2006, and since then has held services in a variety of temporary spaces.

While the Greek Orthodox Church in America was largely started by Greek immigrants, All Holy Spirit Church members are ethnically and demographically diverse, he said.

He said the dome was used in ancient times by the church, and speaks to the faith that God is with us here. The presence of God is here, not somewhere out there.

On the underside of the dome, workers will place an icon, an image of Christ as the almighty judge, he said.

It means that he is in charge and sees all things and we recognize his lordship that way, he said.

Nader said shes looking forward to when the church is complete and the dome finished with a beautiful golden exterior.

We hope that youll be able to see it out on Dodge Street. Hopefully it will be a landmark. And eventually, when you go inside, every wall will be covered with icons.
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office cited one of its own deputies Tuesday for his alleged role in a crash that hospitalized a 20-year-old Boone County woman, the agency announced Wednesday.

Deputy Christopher Chance was on duty and driving his county-owned cruiser when he turned into the woman's path at 11 a.m. Wednesday near Raymond, about 8 miles north of Lincoln, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Chance was driving east on Raymond Road when he started to turn north onto Northwest 42nd Street  crossing into the path of the 20-year-old Albion woman, who was westbound on Raymond Road, Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said.

Medical personnel took the woman by ambulance to a local hospital with injuries that aren't thought to be life-threatening, Houchin said. She remained hospitalized Wednesday morning, he said.

Another deputy took Chance to the hospital with a wrist injury. He has since been released.

Chance, who has been with the Sheriff's Office for six years, told responding deputies that he saw the woman's 2014 Jeep Cherokee "crest the hill" as he started to turn across traffic, but he was "unable to avoid the collision," investigators said in the crash report filed in the incident.

The Sheriff's Office cited Chance on suspicion of failure to yield the right of way and a seatbelt violation, Houchin said.

The crash caused $20,000 in damage to the county's 2021 Ford Explorer and totaled the woman's Jeep.

Investigators don't suspect drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash, according to the report. Neither driver showed signs of impairment and neither was tested for drugs or alcohol, according to the crash report.

The crash marks at least the second time this year a Lancaster County Sheriff's deputy has been involved in an injury crash.

Most dangerous cities in Nebraska Dangerous Cities in Nebraska 6. South Sioux City 5. Scottsbluff 4. North Platte 3. Lincoln 2. Grand Island 1. Omaha A note about the numbers
Members of Justice in Action  a nonprofit created last year to address mental health and criminal justice reform  filled the Lancaster County board room Tuesday to oppose the more than $1 million budgeted to move jail inmates to other counties to deal with overcrowding.

Several speakers urged the county to use the money instead to expand diversion and mental health programs.

As people of faith, we believe in rehabilitation over incarceration, said the Rev. Kirstie Engel of First United Methodist Church of Lincoln and one of the organizations co-presidents. "We want people in our community to have access to organizations that give them the care and help they need to live positive and productive lives.

The groups appearance was prompted by a recent decision by county corrections officials to transfer 13 women in Lancaster Countys jail to a Washington County jail because there was no room for them.

County Corrections Director Brad Johnson had been warning of the possibility for months as the jail population increased during winter months when it typically goes down, and he included $1.1 million in his budget request to prepare for the possibility that theyll need to transfer more inmates to other counties.

The county is in the process of contracting with an organization to do an assessment of the local justice system to find ways to reduce the jail population.

I share their concerns of the jail being at capacity, County Board Chairwoman Christa Yoakum said after the meeting. The reason we are moving some of the women out is because the other option was to have them sleep on the floor, and thats not humane.

The money was allocated in case its necessary, but it doesnt mean they have to use it, Yoakum said. The board also approved a new corrections position to help inmates make discharge plans in an effort to help them be successful, she said.

Engel said the group  comprised of leaders of Lincoln and Lancaster County faith communities  hopes a recently hired community corrections director will look for more alternatives to incarceration, but the money allocated to moving inmates convinced them they couldnt just wait and see.

Tobi White, pastor of Our Saviours Lutheran Church, recalled a meeting in May discussing ways to increase diversion programs with county officials, and her group is incredibly disappointed to instead see the county allocate more than $1 million to rehousing inmates in other counties.

She said she knows many inmates suffer from substance use or mental health issues, and the organizations research has shown diversion programs are successful.

What I cant understand is why such a logical approach gets pushed under the rug, White said. You and the people in the room have the power to make important directions. This is one of them. Lets stop kicking the can down the road and start making wise decisions for the sake of our community. You have that power, so lets start using that together.

Several people said moving inmates makes it harder for families and attorneys to visit them, removes them from their support systems and leaves them feeling hopeless.

Former Lancaster County Public Defender Joe Nigro, who was with the public defenders office for 39 years, said moving people to other counties is harmful to the people being moved and could ultimately lead to a new jail  like it did a decade ago.

Expanding diversion is a better solution than sending people to other counties, and its certainly a better solution than building a new jail, Nigro said. Because if we build it, well fill it.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
In an airmail letter to his parents from besieged Corregidor Island in the Philippines, Army Capt. Ronald O. Pigg predicted he would have a bunch of stories to tell when World War II ended and he finally could return home to Omaha.

(I) assure you that I expect to stay OK, Pigg, 31, wrote in the letter, postmarked March 5, 1942 and published five days later in the World-Herald. Tell everyone hello for me, and see to it that we get the tools, weapons and planes we need, as there is a war on here  I know  first hand.

But Pigg did not live to tell his family those stories.

The garrison fell two months later and Pigg, a civil engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers, became one of the 11,000 POWs captured by the Japanese military.

Two and a half years after his capture, after untold suffering in a Japanese prison camp, Pigg was huddled with more than 1,200 other POWs in the hot, stinking hold of the Japanese transport hell ship Enoura Maru at Takao, on the island of Formosa (now Taiwan), when U.S. aircraft bombed it. An estimated 400 men died.

Pigg and the others had survived a similar attack on another hell ship, the Oryoku Maru, a few weeks earlier in Manila.

Its not certain whether Pigg died in Takao, or a few days later aboard another ship bound for the Japanese mainland. But he didnt get to Japan alive.

No one knows what happened to his body.

Now the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency is trying to find out. This year they have disinterred 71 caskets containing 431 sets of remains linked to the Enoura Maru and the Oryoku Maru from military cemeteries in Hawaii and the Philippines and brought the remains to the DPAA lab at Offutt Air Force Base for identification.

All have been buried in graves marked unknown since the 1940s.

DPAA anthropologists hope to identify many of the 985 missing service members from the ill-fated hell ship journey, including Pigg and 11 others from Nebraska. At least 16 more are from Iowa.

These guys held out for months against pretty tough odds, and they did a lot of heroic acts in the process, said Greg Kupsky, the agencys lead historian for the project, in a statement. If we can give them their names and identifications back, and send them home to their families, that would be great.

20,000 bones  so far

One Omahan with a keen interest in the outcome is Ronald L. Pigg, 81, a second cousin of the missing captain who has delved deeply into the background of the relative whose name he shares. Several years ago he gave the Army a DNA sample he hopes might lead to an identification.

I myself would like to see him recovered, Pigg said. To me it would make a difference because of the many, many hours Ive spent learning about him.

The Enoura Maru project is currently slated to last eight years and is the largest one ever undertaken by DPAA. Its even larger than the USS Oklahoma project, which wrapped up at the Offutt lab in 2021 and resulted in the identifications of 361 of 394 missing sailors and Marines from a battleship that was sunk at Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941.

The first coffins linked to the Enoura Maru were disinterred from Honolulus National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific on Jan. 9, on the 78th anniversary of the attack, said Carrie LeGarde, the Offutt-based forensic anthropologist who is leading the project.

On July 1, an Air Force jet flew more flag-draped coffins believed to contain 315 sets of remains to Offutt, bringing to 360 the number of remains now at the Offutt lab. The rest are scheduled to arrive later this summer.

LeGarde said about 20,000 bones have now been catalogued, with DNA samples extracted from some for submission to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Delaware.

We are in the inventorying stage, she said.

Considering the ordeal of the hell ship victims, it is remarkable there are any remains to identify.

After the fall of Corregidor, the POWs were transferred to several slave-labor camps in the Philippines. They were held for 2 years in appalling conditions; many died in captivity of disease and starvation.

Later in the war, Japan experienced severe labor shortages and began shipping thousands of Allied prisoners to the homeland. They packed them tightly into the holds of cargo freighters with little food, water or air, and no sanitation or medical facilities. They didnt much care whether the prisoners survived.

No combatants  suffered more horribly

The POWs came to call them hell ships because of the inhuman conditions on board.

No combatants in the war suffered more horribly than the prisoners on these hell ships, said historian Donald L. Miller in his 2001 book, D-Days in the Pacific.

Slow-moving and unmarked, the hell ships were easy marks for U.S. submarines and carrier aircraft. More than a dozen were attacked and sunk.

On Dec. 13, 1944, 1,621 POWs, mostly officers, were loaded into the cargo hold of a former Japanese passenger liner, the Oryoku Maru. They had minimal space, food, water and air. The temperature quickly rose to well over 100 degrees.

Men began to die of suffocation, and the insane were knifing anyone available to suck the blood of the victim to satisfy their thirst, said Maj. Arthur Peterson, a POW survivor, in a diary used at war-crimes trial after the war. By daylight there were several score dead either from suffocation or by murder.

Two days later, aircraft from the carrier USS Hornet attacked the ship as it sailed up the coast to Subic Bay. About 280 POWs were killed, some of them shot in the water by Japanese guards as they tried to escape from the sinking ship.

Some of them were too hurt or sick to be shipped, so they were taken to a cemetery and executed, LeGarde said.

Two weeks later, guards packed the survivors onto the Enoura Maru and a second livestock freighter, the Brazil Maru, for the journey to Japan. They arrived at Takao after four days, on New Years Eve. At least 20 prisoners died en route.

A mass of wreckage and dead

On Jan. 6, the POWs from the Brazil Maru were also crammed onto the Enoura Maru, making a dismal situation even worse.

Dysentery is spreading and the flies are out of control entirely. There are literally millions of them, Peterson wrote in his diary. The bulkheads appear to be a moving mass of black and green.

On Jan. 9, 1945, aircraft from the Hornet attacked the ship  once again, with no idea that it held prisoners. About 270 were killed in a direct hit.

Peterson described the forward hold as a mass of wreckage and dead.

The calmness of the men when under air attack is miraculous, he said. Most of them  would just as soon be blown up by Uncle Sams planes as starved to death by the Nips.

After a few days, some bodies were taken ashore and burned. Others were buried. All of the living  about 900 prisoners  were moved over to the Brazil Maru for the final tortuous journey to Moji, Japan, a port on the northern tip of the island of Kyushu.

During the 16-day ordeal, about 40 prisoners died per day  if not from their wounds, then from starvation, dehydration, disease or exposure.

The hold continuously has a pile of 40 to 50 emaciated bodies which are removed above decks once a day and buried at sea, Peterson wrote in his diary. It is impossible to recognize your best friend on the death pile due to emaciation, etc. It makes the identification of the dead extremely difficult.

A roll call upon landing at Moji indicated just 497 of the POWs had survived the voyage. A report for the war-crimes tribunal described the men who disembarked as walking skeletons.

They were scattered to several different prison camps in Japan, most still sick. Another 200 died before Japan surrendered in August 1945.

After the war, the American Graves Registration Services search for the remains of U.S. war dead brought them to Formosa in 1946. About 400 sets of remains  most, but not all, associated with the Enoura Maru  and were recovered and sent to Hawaii for reburial in communal graves.

The search was unable to recover remains from Oryoku Maru from the wreckage along the shoreline at Olongapo, near Subic Bay. But some POWs who died after making it ashore were recovered and buried at Manilas U.S. military cemetery.

One POW identified, hundreds to go

Several years ago, DPAA historians and forensic anthropologists started studying the historical files and decided to take on the identification of the Enoura Maru unknowns.

The service branches began tracking down relatives of the missing POWS to get DNA samples for comparison. So far, they have obtained samples from about 70% of the families of the missing, LeGarde said, or nearly 700. Defense Department rules call for at least 60% family reference samples before disinterments are allowed.

As a test, DPAA disinterred one casket in 2017 that records showed contained the remains of a single service member. Forensic anthropologists did identify one person  Marine Corps Capt. Lester A. Schade, 27, of Abbotsford, Wisconsin  from dental records. But the bones in the casket contained DNA from at least four different people.

LeGarde said other caskets also have been found to contain the bones from many more people than shown in the records, complicating identification.

They are very commingled, similar to the Oklahoma, she said.

Still, LeGarde said, the agency has made seven tentative identifications so far. Those IDs must be confirmed before families are notified and they are publicly announced.

So far, its working, she said. Thats good news for the project overall.

A clue in a diary

Ronald Pigg isnt getting his hopes too high.

About 20 years ago, he began researching his namesake cousin whom he had heard very little about while growing up.

He learned that the first Ronald Pigg was born in Massena, Iowa, in 1910. His mother, Myrtle, died when he was about 3. His father, Arthur, remarried about three years later, and moved to Omaha.

Pigg attended Park School near Hanscom Park and graduated from Technical High School in 1928. He attended the University of Omaha for a year, and in 1935 earned a civil engineering degree from Iowa State.

That same year, he married Ruth Stiver. They did not have children.

After graduating, Pigg got a job with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was sent to the Philippines in 1939 to help shore up Corregidors fortifications against a possible Japanese attack.

Though he worked for the Corps as a civilian, he was commissioned as an Army captain on Jan. 6, 1942, in the first desperate weeks of the Japanese invasion.

Im sure getting a workout, he wrote in his one letter home.

The prospects for Pigg and the rest of the POWs grew bleaker as it became clear no rescue was possible.

In July 1945, Piggs family was notified that he had been killed seven months earlier in the sinking of the Oryoku Maru, at the beginning of the hell ship ordeal.

During his research, however, the younger Ronald Pigg discovered a reference to his cousin in Petersons diary in an entry dated January 28, 1945.

Underway at 6 a.m. Deaths increasing, Peterson wrote. Captains Eichlin and Ronnie Pigg are dead.

That leads Pigg to believe that his cousin survived until just before the ship docked at Moji.

I never felt hed be recovered at all, Pigg said. I assumed they just put him overboard.

Still, identifications of the dead were difficult as the men on the ships suffered and died. Peterson himself said that many mistakes were made.

So theres at least a sliver of hope that Ronald Pigg could see the World War II hero who shares his name identified and brought home, perhaps to be buried next to his parents in Massena.

I would be ecstatic about it, Pigg said. I hope I live long enough to see the results.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
From alcohol to cigarettes, most adults have tried some form of recreational drug. Fewer people have experimented with prescription medication for recreational reasons, but certain areas of the country are experiencing a serious problem with opoid addiction. Other drugs like cocaine and LSD, are used sporadically among adults in the U.S.

Using data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Data Archive, the experts at HealthGrove, a health data site, ranked the 25 most commonly used recreational drugs. The substances are ordered by the increasing percentage of people age 12 and over who used the drug recreationally in 2015. In the case of a tie, the drug with a higher classification by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is ranked higher.

To collect this data, SAMHDA conducts the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in which they record use of illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco in the U.S. population aged 12 or older. It is important to note that this data only includes recreational use of drugs, not proper medical use.

Drugs that are legal, alcohol and tobacco, have the highest recreational use. According to the survey, nearly one in five people over the age of 12 also used marijuana in 2015. As the drug becomes legal in more states, recreational use is likely to increase. Other Schedule I drugs (drugs determined to have no medical benefit by the DEA) including heroin and DMT had a recreational prevalence rate of less than 1 percent in 2015.

Note: Not all images in slideshow depict the exact drugs.
A Grand Island business owner is being held on no bail in Missouri ahead of her return to Nebraska to face theft charges.

On Monday, Kelli Lepler pleaded not guilty on the charge of fugitive from out of state in the 11th Judicial District court in Missouri. Lepler faces 43 theft charges involving her Grand Island business, Monument Advisors. She was arrested July 13 in Wentzville, Missouri.

In denying her request for bail, Judge Dwayne Johnson ruled that the court finds reasonable grounds to believe Lepler would not appear on summons and is a danger "to the crime victim, the community or another person," according to court documents.

A bail hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

A warrant for Leplers arrest was issued July 3 in Hall County.

There will be an out-of-state extradition process that will take place prior to her return for arraignment, the Grand Island Police Department said last week.

The theft charges relate to Leplers business, Monument Advisors. She is accused of not delivering on paid monument orders.

Of the 43 theft charges, 36 are felonies and seven are misdemeanors.

After an investigation, the Grand Island Police Department turned the case over to the Hall County Attorneys Office in early June.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
Nebraska's recently enacted bans on abortions after 12 weeks and gender-affirming care for minors remain in place after a judge declined to rule on a request seeking to stop the law from being enforced.

Lancaster County District Court Judge Lori Maret took the lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland to block the law under advisement on Wednesday following an hour of arguments from attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.

Maret did not signal how she may come down on the lawsuit or when she plans to issue her ruling in the matter that was at the center of a brutal political fight in the Capitol this year.

No matter the district court judges decision, the case will likely be appealed by either side to the Nebraska Supreme Court later this year.

The ACLU of Nebraska sued the state on behalf of Planned Parenthood one week after Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB574 into law in late May and requested a temporary injunction to stop the law from being enforced while the case proceeded.

Planned Parenthoods attorneys have also filed motions for summary judgment in the case, while the Attorney Generals Office, which is defending the law in court, sought a motion to dismiss the temporary injunction and for summary judgment.

The lawsuit centers on a bill brought by Omaha Sen. Kathleen Kauth that prohibits transgender youths from obtaining gender-affirming surgeries in Nebraska and requires the states chief medical officer to develop rules and regulations for puberty blockers and hormone therapies.

Late in the legislative process, senators successfully added an amendment to LB574 banning abortion 12 weeks after a womans last menstrual cycle, or about 10 weeks after fertilization, which went into effect immediately upon Pillen signing it.

The ACLU argued the jamming together of a bill related to medical treatment for transgender youths and a less restrictive version of an abortion ban that stalled earlier in the legislative session violated Article III, Section 14 of the Nebraska State Constitution.

Over the course of a roughly hourlong hearing, attorneys from both sides reiterated their arguments for whether or not LB574 was passed outside of the normal process for bills to become law in the Legislature.

ACLU attorney Matthew Segal said Nebraskas single-subject rule, which has been in place since long before the unicameral system was adopted, said the tests developed by past courts have considered whether subjects in bills are naturally connected and incidental to each other.

Comprehensive bills that address multiple provisions  known in the Legislature as Christmas tree bills  have been permitted because they are generally focused on a broad purpose like medical licensure or public health, even if individual components differ widely, Segal said.

But LB574 combines two different issues with two different titles, enforcement schemes and starting dates, Segal said. He said Pillen even acknowledged as much in the signing ceremony for LB574 in May when he said this bill is simply two things.

They may be characterized as following within the broad concept of public health and welfare, but it would be the broadest subject ever accepted in a single-subject case, Segal told Maret.

If allowed to stand, Segal said future legislatures could pass more bills that contain multiple subjects, making it difficult for Nebraskans to gauge whether or not their elected leaders support each piece individually.

He added eliminating consideration of the single-subject rule could also hamstring future governors who can either sign or reject entire bills. Nebraska governors only have line item veto power for budget bills.

I understand this bill inspires strong feelings on all sides, but this is a short-sighted view of the law, Segal said. "The single-subject rule exists for good reason."

Assistant Attorney General Erik Fern, arguing on behalf of the state, told Maret to reject the plaintiffs suggestion that she consider the legislative history of LB574 and how the final version of the bill came to be, which he said was the result of policy choices made by elected officials.

Injecting a judicial review of how LB574 passed may run the risk of the court creating a test dictating how future state lawmakers craft and pass legislation, Fern said, which would violate the independence of the Legislature as a separate but equal branch of government.

Instead, Fern said the court should only consider what was within the four corners of the bill and whether or not the subjects of abortion and medical treatments for transgender minors pertained to public health and welfare.

Both subjects included in the final version of LB574 fit under that billing, Fern argued, adding that many of the cases cited by the plaintiffs were decided more than a century ago.

The state also argued the lead plaintiff in the case  Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States  did not have standing to sue on behalf of her patients. Fern said Nebraska law outlines a few instances when a third party can sue on behalf of another.

Jane Seu of ACLU of Nebraska, responding to that argument, said the lawsuit was brought on behalf of abortion providers who have been unable to practice since LB574 was signed into law.

Seu also told the court she didnt believe that looking at the circumstances that led to LB574s passage would create a new precedent for how the Legislature acts in the future.

Were not asking the court to examine the legislative process or look at other bills or what happened this session or in other sessions, Seu said. Were asking the court to look at what happened in this bill.

Maret will issue a written order at a later, unspecified date.

Photos and video: Scene at Nebraska Capitol as lawmakers pass LB574
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and 18 other attorneys general signed a letter seeking to block a proposed federal rule that would prevent state officials from obtaining private health information about residents who have abortions or receive gender-affirming care in other states.

The June 16 letter from Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and others, all Republicans, asks U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to withdraw the rule put forward in April by the Biden administration.

The change to the HIPAA patient privacy rules, proposed in April by the Biden administration, sought to block states from accessing health information about residents who obtained lawful abortions or gender-affirming care for criminal, civil, or administrative investigations or proceedings.

The federal government put the proposal forward after the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade last year, sending decisions about whether to restrict abortions back to the states.

Nebraska is among several states that subsequently enacted further restrictions on abortion when Gov. Jim Pillen signed into a law a bill (LB574) banning abortion about 10 weeks after fertilization that the Legislature passed in May.

But the Biden administrations rule has drawn criticism from Republicans, who say it goes too far and potentially infringes upon states abortion bans, as well as from Democrats who argued it didnt go far enough to protect women from having their private health records shared without a court order.

In a statement, Hilgers office said the comment letter he signed onto with his Republican colleagues across the country seeks to protect the status quo and the federal-state balance of power.

The Biden administrations proposed rule is based on the false premise that states want to treat pregnant women as criminals and punish medical personnel who provide lifesaving care, the attorney generals office said. Nothing in the proposed rule justifies upending settled law and creating a carve-out for abortion.

Hilgers did not answer questions from the Journal Star about Nebraskas interest in accessing the medical records of patients who obtain abortions in states where the procedure is legal or what other health records or information the state could seek if the rule is withdrawn.

The former state senator and speaker of the Legislature also did not answer questions about Nebraskas use of other legal mechanisms to obtain that information or whether or how Nebraska would compel the health information from states that decline to provide it.

The letter from the attorneys general accuses the Biden administration of trying to wrest control over abortion back from the people in defiance of the Constitution and Dobbs through executive action and of preempting the will of states.

For over 20 years, HHS regulations have safeguarded the privacy of individual health information while permitting disclosure of information to state authorities to protect public health, safety and welfare, the letter states. The proposal rule would upset that careful, decades-old balance.

They also fault HHS for including a broad definition of reproductive care in the proposal they say could obstruct state laws restricting gender-affirming care  something Nebraska lawmakers also passed earlier this year.

HIPAA does not authorize HHS to make broad policy judgments overriding or interfering with states decisions to protect prenatal life, maternal health and safety, and the integrity of the medical profession, the letter concludes.

Advocacy groups, including the ACLU of Nebraska, said the protections proposed by the Biden administration were desperately needed to protect the privacy of vulnerable individuals and communities in Nebraska and beyond.

There is a simple and chilling motivation behind this letter: keeping the door open for criminalizing people who seek abortions or gender-related care beyond state lines, said ACLU of Nebraska senior legal and policy council Scout Richters.

Whatever Attorney General Hilgers and this letters cosigners might say, it is not the governments job to interfere with or investigate these personal and private matters, Richters added.

Along with Nebraska and Mississippi, attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah also signed the letter asking the Biden administration to withdraw the rule change.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
OMAHA  When Sierra Edmistens son was hospitalized for over a week, the Hastings mother was torn between whether she should spend her time with him, or continue working in order to maintain their income.

Edmisten encountered similar dilemmas through several jobs that did not offer her paid sick leave, which eventually forced her to leave an industry she loved in order to have a job that offered the benefit. Tuesday, she was one of several people who spoke on behalf of a petition drive that aims to require all Nebraska businesses to provide paid sick leave.

No Nebraskan should have to choose between a paycheck and their health, or the health of their family, said Jo Giles, executive director of the Womens Fund of Omaha.

Backed by the Womens Fund and a dozen other state and local organizations, the petition drive launched Tuesday with a goal of putting the issue on the ballot for Nebraska voters in November 2024. To do that, organizers will need to collect around 60,000 valid signatures of registered voters by July 1, 2024.

If voters approve, the initiative would require all Nebraska businesses to provide some amount of paid sick leave for employees, depending on the organizations size  starting Oct. 1, 2025. Businesses with fewer than 20 workers would have to offer at least five days of sick leave, while larger businesses would need to offer at least seven days.

Some Nebraska lawmakers have unsuccessfully proposed similar measures in the Legislature, which Giles said prompted this effort to take the issue to voters. Rumblings about a petition drive have circulated for months, and organizers officially filed paperwork with the Nebraska Secretary of States Office in June saying they planned a ballot initiative.

Giles estimated roughly 250,000 Nebraskans currently work full-time jobs without guaranteed paid sick leave, primarily in the food, construction, education and transportation industries.

Andrea Skolkin, CEO of OneWorld Community Health Centers in Omaha, said a lack of paid sick leave disproportionately hurts people of color and other minorities. Workers without this benefit are less likely to go to the doctor or seek preventive treatment, she said, and are more likely to send their child to school sick rather than staying home to care for them, contributing to the spread of disease.

Skolkin and others said that not only does paid sick leave benefit the health of workers and their community, but it also helps the businesses that offer it. Craig Moody, co-founder of an Omaha sustainability and consulting firm, said offering sick leave has made it easier for his business to recruit and retain talent.

Besides the organizations backing the petition, state Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha also made an appearance Tuesday. Vargas, who also is a Democratic candidate in the Omaha areas 2nd Congressional District, was one of several lawmakers who previously tried to make paid sick leave mandatory through legislation.

As a working dad, I know how important it is to be able to care for your children when they are sick, Vargas said in a news release. Workers shouldnt have to worry that caring for their family or themselves will cost them their jobs or income.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
MOUNT PLEASANT  Zena Colemans dream to open a restaurant came true in 2000 with her first restaurant, Magic Kitchen on Douglas Ave.

The restaurant closed about a year later when Coleman became ill.

Now, Coleman is back and ready to try again with her new restaurant, Ms. Zs Magic Kitchen, 2101 Racine St., Mount Pleasant.

When her illness worsened in December of 2022, she took what she thought might be her final breaths on New Years Eve. But with the new year, she got better.

In recovery, she heard a voice that told her to try reopening a restaurant.

Being out of the business for a while, Coleman had lost contact with the former regulars of Magic Kitchen that supported her when it was open. She had to start from scratch.

Coleman isnt alone in living out her dream, as many members of her family  from her children and grandchildren to her aunt, nieces and nephews, and even her mother, Pinkie Smith  all pitch in at the restaurant when they get a chance.

Back when she ran Magic Kitchen, Coleman had the help of her two young daughters and her mother.

My two girls were very young, Coleman said, talking about the first time she opened Magic Kitchen. They waitressed and help with the dishes. But now, its me, my girls and my grandkids.

Coleman said she first learned how to cook with the help of Smith when she was a kid.

There were 12 of us. So at the age of 10, I was learning how to make full course meals under my mom, Coleman said. I did the safe management and restaurant certificate, but all my training was with my mom.

Coleman said she learned almost everything from Smith.

It feels great, Smith said about being able to help her daughter. I love to see my kids do whatever they like to do and help them make whatever they want to make. Ill do anything to help any of them do what they want with themselves.

Ms. Zs Magic Kitchen has all kinds of food on the menu, with soul food being a specialty.

The menu features burgers, wings and sandwiches, along with items like fried porkchops and meatloaf. Diners can also order sides of baked mac and cheese, collard greens and sweet potatoes, and desserts including banana pudding.

Many of the recipes are from Smith.

Smith said she also helps command the kitchen, making sure whatever is made is not only worth giving to customers but to her own family as well.

If we dont eat it, we wont give it to anyone, Smith said. Were gonna do it right or not do it at all.

Smith said she has told her children that if you do the right thing, people will always come back to you.

Taco Tuesday has become a staple of the kitchen and a success so far. Coleman hopes to bring more themed days  like Italian food on Thursdays  to the menu. The family is also working on more vegan options to accommodate people like Smiths daughter and Colemans sister, Renee Smith.

Pinkie said she recently made a vegan dish for Renee and thought it was the best thing she ever tasted.

Coleman and her families efforts have kept the restaurant open since May, but Coleman is working to get the funding needed to hire additional staff.

While her family helping out has been nice, she said availability has at times made it hard for the restaurant to have consistent hours.

Thats about the only challenge, Coleman said. I can keep it cooked and running.

Colemans sister, Laurie Coleman, handles the financial side of the restaurant and said she is applying for every grant the restaurant is eligible for. The family got the restaurant running out-of-pocket, leaving little funding left for advertising.

Still, the family said Ms. Zs Magic Kitchen is seeing enough people to remain in business.

Its a process, and were working hard to maintain, Laurie said. But, she (Zena) works hard, and its a passion for her and my mom. Shes doing great. Im proud of her, and she loves it.

Though it hasnt always been easy, Coleman is sure the magic will be around for years to come.

I keep going, Coleman said. No matter what it is, I keep going.
RACINE  Alex Riley knew progress was occurring when the student looked forward to meeting and carried herself in a more confident manner.

The first grade student was initially nervous for reading lessons. As she improved, though, the student was excited to learn, eventually asking for additional reading material as the school year went on.

The first grader was one of 10 West Ridge Elementary students Riley worked with last school year through Wisconsin Reading Corps.

Riley was one of 27 Reading Corps tutors who worked with about 500 students in the Racine Unified School District in the 2022-23 school year, and Reading Corps plans to have more tutors at RUSD in the upcoming school year to help elementary school students improve their literacy skills.

In 2023-24, Reading Corps aims to have 34 tutors at RUSD who will help 550 students.

With just a third of Wisconsin students achieving reading proficiency by third grade, the need for tutors is greater than ever, Itzel Galindo, executive director of Wisconsin Reading Corps programs, said in a news release. We are very excited to be expanding our reach in Racine this year. With an added boost from tutors, students can make incredible progress.

Wisconsin Reading Corps plans to add tutors at Goodland Montessori, Jefferson Lighthouse and Jerstad-Agerholm schools in 2023-24, meaning tutors will be at all 16 RUSD elementary schools.

Mallory Umar, RUSD assistant director of curriculum and instruction, had the goal of expanding Reading Corps to every elementary school, and she is proud it will happen later this year.

I cant say enough about the impact of Reading Corps, Umar said in an email. Our partnership with the program is invaluable.

Working to improve literacy

Last year was Rileys first with Reading Corps, and she worked at West Ridge for five hours every school day. She assisted 10 students in kindergarten through third grade, meeting daily with them for 20 minutes in individual lessons.

Riley said there was never a dull moment, and she enjoyed getting to know students and staff in West Ridges supportive atmosphere.

I genuinely loved what I was doing each day, Riley said. It never felt boring or mundane, and I loved the relationships that I got to build with my students.

Working with Reading Corps is one of several ways RUSD is trying to improve early childhood literacy.

Other ways include Title I instructors helping students at some schools and a curriculum that RUSD began using in the 2021-22 school year that focuses on the science of reading, which emphasizes rules and learning letters and sounds.

In the 2021-22 school year, 54.1% of RUSD students were below basic in English language arts, according to data from the state Department of Public Instruction.

In 2027, RUSD aims to have 75% of pre-K through third grade students meet internal reading proficiency benchmarks.

Our goal is to have all students perform at a level that does not require intense intervention by the time they reach third grade, according to RUSDs 2027 strategic plan.

The school district and entities like Reading Corps focus on young students because of the foundational nature of reading in education.

Students generally learn to read from kindergarten through second grade and read to learn starting in third grade.

If students are behind in their reading ability in third grade and beyond, that could negatively impact their work in all courses.

Every day you come across information, and its incredibly important to learn and know the information that you are reading, Riley said. I think theres power behind that.

Supporting students

Riley loved to read as a kid and had teaching experience before Reading Corps. She previously worked at a Montessori school and a childrens clinic and wanted to try something new.

After successfully applying for Reading Corps and receiving training, Riley started working at West Ridge.

The goal of the individual sessions is for students to meet a target set by Reading Corps. The type of reading intervention depends on the student.

It took time for Riley to become familiar with the various interventions, student personalities and school schedule.

The first couple weeks, there is a learning curve, Riley said. I felt like after the first month, I was hitting the ground running.

Riley worked with the West Ridge reading specialist and classroom teachers on student progress and ways to help them.

If students reach the Reading Corps target, they no longer meet daily with tutors, but there are weekly check-ins to make sure students reading abilities are still progressing.

Most of the lessons are from Reading Corps materials, but Riley tried to have students occasionally pick something they were interested in so that reading felt like less of a chore.

Riley stressed the importance of continuously using positive reinforcement to encourage students, even if a particular lesson didnt go well.

The most challenging part of the job, I think, is having to remind yourself that you need to be your students cheerleader no matter what, Riley said. I think you have to put your needs aside to support your students. Theyre going through so much at that age  One negative interaction with your student can set your relationship back or the progress youre doing, and you dont want that to happen.

Riley said the best part of the job is seeing students personalities blossom and confidence grow, like the first grader who eventually looked forward to lessons.

Riley will return to West Ridge as a Reading Corps tutor in 2023-24, with additional colleagues at more RUSD schools.

I had a blast last year, and Im really looking forward to having a blast again this year, Riley said.

In photos: free haircuts for kids at the Racine NAACP center Zakee Darr Jace Mayfield Denim Hicks Jayden and Maggie Precision Timothy and Shaun
KYIV, Ukraine  Russia unleashed intense drone and missile attacks overnight Wednesday, damaging critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounding at least 12 people, officials said.

The bombardment crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraines Agriculture Ministry.

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It came days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger.

It also followed a vow by Putin to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014.

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Putin said Wednesday that Russia could return to the deal if the West offers Russian banks involved in servicing payments for the countrys agricultural exports an immediate access to the SWIFT payment system, adding that Moscow wants action, not ideas.

He said Moscow has shown miracles of patience and tolerance by repeatedly extending the grain deal while Western nations used it shamelessly enrich themselves, violating its declared goal of helping relieve hunger in poor countries.

Further raising the stakes, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement that Moscow has declared international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea temporarily dangerous for shipping. That follows Ukraines pledge to continue grain shipments despite the Russian pullout from the deal.

The ministry warned it will see any incoming vessel as laden with military cargo starting from midnight. The countries whose flags those ships will fly will be seen as involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime, it said.

Ukraines Agriculture Ministry, citing experts, estimated it would take a year to restore the facilities damaged Wednesday. The destroyed grain was supposed to have been loaded onto a vessel and sent through the grain corridor two months ago, the statement said.

Such attacks by Russian terrorists are not only affecting our country but also global stability, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a briefing with the visiting Irish prime minister in Kyiv. He said Ukraine needs more anti-aircraft defense systems to protect the port.

Zelenskyy said his government is trying to find a way to maintain a corridor to keep grain exports flowing despite Russias decision to abandon the deal brokered with the U.N. and Turkey.

The corridor must be secure. In fact, knowing Russia, it wont be safe unless the U.N. starts working very clearly and firmly at the level of the secretary-general, he said.

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Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi warned that if Ukraine cannot export food, the population of the poorest countries will be on the brink of survival! The price of grain will increase, and not all countries will be able to afford buying agricultural products, which means food prices will significantly rise: flour, cereals, meat.

Wheat prices rose more than 2.5% on Tuesday and nearly 8% on Wednesday amid the attacks in Odesa, a key hub for exporting grain, illustrating jitters in global markets. Wednesdays trading price of $7.23 a bushel still was nearly 80% below last years peak.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted that Putin hasnt just blown up the Black Sea Grain Initiative; now he has hit the port city of Odesa with a hail of bombs for the second consecutive night.

In doing that, he is robbing the world of any hope of Ukrainian grain. Every one of his bombs also hits the worlds poorest, she said.

Gov. Oleh Kiper said Oniks and Kh-22 missiles were used to hit grain and oil terminals. Debris from those that were shot down struck apartment buildings, seaside resorts and warehouses, sparking fires and injuring several people.

Video from warehouses elsewhere in Odesa showed firefighters extinguishing blazes, as thick, black smoke billowed from the explosion.

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The attacks were part of what Russias Defense Ministry described as a strike of retribution after Mondays attack on the Kerch Bridge, a key span used for military and civilian supplies. The attack, apparently by maritime drones, damaged part of the roadway on the bridge but rail traffic continued.

Ukraines top security agency appeared to tacitly admit a role in the attack but stopped short of directly claiming responsibility, echoing a response after a strike on the bridge in October 2022 that took months to repair.

Russian emergency officials in Crimea, meanwhile, said more than 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at a military facility.

The blaze forced the closure of an important highway, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Moscow-appointed head of the peninsula. He didnt specify a cause for the fire at the facility in Kirovsky district.

Elsewhere across Ukraine, authorities reported that drones and missiles were sent against more regions than in recent days.

A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, in a statement on Telegram.

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He said the attacks were especially fierce in Odesa for a second consecutive night. The Ukrainian armys Operational Command South reported at least 12 civilians were wounded in the region.

The attacks on Odesa injured at least six people, including a 9-year-old boy, showering them with shattered glass and other debris. The remnants of a downed Kh-59 missile created a large crater in another part of the city, wounding three civilians and damaging several buildings.

Eight Iranian-made Shahed drones were also shot down in the wider Odesa region, where two warehouses containing tobacco and fireworks were reported damaged.

Russia also attacked Kyiv with Shahed drones without result, Popko said. Air defenses intercepted all the drones aimed at the capital and a preliminary investigation showed there were no casualties.

Strikes elsewhere in Ukraine in the past 24 hours that killed one person and wounded 21 others.

The death occurred in the northeastern Kharkiv region, near the volatile Kupyansk area, while 10 people were injured in the shelling of seven cities in the Donetsk region, including Avdiivka, Mariinka and Chasiv Yar. Two people were wounded by shelling in the Mykolaiv region and one person was injured in the Kherson region.

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Russian drone attacks in the Zhytomyr region damaged some infrastructure and private homes, but no casualties were reported, said Gov. Vitalii Bunechko.

Attacks also were reported in the Poltava and Kirovohrad regions.

USAID chief Samantha Power said the agency will work with the U.S. Congress to provide an additional $230 million to boost Ukraines economy and reconstruction.

The new funding will help businesses to meet European Union regulations to export more products and services to Europe, an agency statement said. On Tuesday, Power said USAID would provide $250 million in other funds for Ukraines agricultural sector.

Separately, South Africas president announced that Putin will not attend an economic summit next month in the country, which faced a legal quandary over whether to arrest the Russian leader on an International Criminal Court warrant related to Ukraine.

Although Moscow has dismissed the warrant and Russia doesnt recognize the courts authority, Putin has not traveled to any country that is a signatory to the courts treaty since he was indicted by the ICC in March for war crimes relating to the abduction of children from Ukraine.

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South African authorities had given strong hints they would have likely not executed the arrest warrant against Putin, but South Africas main opposition party has taken the government to court to try to compel it to arrest the Russian leader if he sets foot on South African territory.

Russia will be represented instead Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to South African President Cyril Ramaphosas office. All the other leaders will attend, it said.
PRESS RELEASE

12500 N.E. Tenth Place  Bellevue, WA 98005  JPFO.org  800-869-1884  info@jpfo.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 19, 2023 Contact: Floyd Neeland

JPFO's influence keeps growing

Born many years ago in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Venitt worked as a chartered financial consultant with CHFC credentials, a Fellow of the Life Underwriting Training Council. Sandy is a long-time shooting enthusiast and hunter who has frequently traveled internationally and domestically to pursue his hunting interests. A regular attendee at gun shows, he has personally trained hundreds of people, including many youngsters, when he had been an NRA-certified firearms instructor, and as a private citizen concerned with public safety and the Jewish community of which he is a part.

Sandy believes, "All people, not just the Jewish community, should learn gun safety, marksmanship, self-defense techniques and rules, especially considering outspoken detractors we face for our sport and our rights." He firmly supports gun ownership for all responsible adults. Deeply concerned with the state of affairs in the nation's politics, he is becoming more active in JPFO, and AzCDLthe Arizona Citizens Defense League, and more, to address these concerns.

He ran a financial services firm from 1982 to 2022, responsible for investing approximately $100 million in assets for clients. His wife Betsey joined the firm in 1991. His interests include dogs, gun collecting, shooting sports, and good tequila, "but not at the range," he quickly adds.

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Yes. Killeen has already committed $100,000; if funding is halted, it will all be for nothing.

Yes. It's important for the city to follow through on its obligation to voters on this issue.

No. The city has already spent too much taxpayer money on this. Cut off the funding.

No. The ordinance is illegal. The city should have repealed it and adjusted city policy instead.

Unsure. It's hard to say. There are some valid points on both sides of the argument.

Vote

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A Grand Island business owner is being held on no bond in Missouri ahead of her return to Nebraska to face theft charges.

On Monday, Kelli Lepler pleaded not guilty on the charge of fugitive from out of state in the 11th Judicial District court in Missouri. Lepler faces 43 theft charges involving her Grand Island business, Monument Advisors. She was arrested on July 13 in Wentzville, Missouri.

In denying her request for bond on Monday, Judge Dwayne Johnson ruled the court finds reasonable grounds to believe Lepler would not appear on summons and is a danger "to the crime victim, the community or another person," according to court documents.

A bond hearing is scheduled for 9:05 a.m. Thursday, July 20.

A warrant for Leplers arrest was issued July 3 in Hall County.

There will be an out-of-state extradition process that will take place prior to her return for arraignment, the Grand Island Police Department said on July 13.

The theft charges relate to Leplers business, Monument Advisors. She is accused of not delivering on paid monument orders.

Of the 43 theft charges, 36 are felonies and seven are misdemeanors. In Nebraska court documents, Leplers earliest charge dates from Sept. 21, 2020 (theft by deception, more than $5,000, a class 2A felony). The most recent charge is from Feb. 9, 2023, also theft by deception, more than $5,000.

After an investigation, the Grand Island Police Department turned the case over to the Hall County Attorneys Office in early June.
As the summer continues on and the hot days keep rolling in, we are taking full advantage of all Viroqua has to offer. Our Mermaid Pool Party is back for another year! On Friday, Aug. 4, join the McIntosh Memorial Library for our last day of the Youth Summer Program at Bigley Pool at 12 p.m. to swim, and meet some mermaids! Registration is required, so please either stop by the library or call 608-637-7151, extension 6 to do so. We are so excited to introduce our mermaids to you at the party. Come and join in on the summer fun with the library.

On a different note, as many of you may know we are working with the Vernon County Health Department for the Stuff the Bus Program. We are super excited to be giving school supplies to those in need in the community and surrounding county. To do this we are hosting two backpack stuffing parties. Need to boost your resume with volunteer hours? Or just would love to help out those in need? Our packing days are Tuesday, July 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Aspen Place in the Coop, this is the entrance off of Garfield Street in Viroqua. Our second packing day is Monday, July 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Maplewood Terrace in the dining room. This will be a great chance to come together, over many generations to do good for our community.

We are also hosting a fundraiser at Walmart. On July 29, which is a Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. we will be with the Lions club selling brats, accepting monetary donations, and handing out a list of our most needed items that can be purchased at Walmart if you are going to shop anyway. We will be taking all the supplies we have gathered back to Bethel Home who has partnered with us for a space to store our items. We are so excited to share our love for the community with you all and cannot wait to see you all there.

If anyone is interested in volunteering, or has questions or comments, please reach out to Maggie Strittmater. Email: m.strittmater@wrlsweb.org. Phone: 608-637-7151, extension 7.

Last but not least for this edition of Book Buzz, dont forget to check out our Vernon County Reads featured author Jeff Nania! His books are available for check out at the library. He will be at the Legion in Coon Valley in August to discuss the Northern Lakes Mystery series published by Little Creek Press. This is a free event that is happening at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24. You dont want to miss out on this Wisconsin writer and the stories he has to tell.

As always, we have more information on our website at mcintoshmemoirallibrary.org and our Facebook page and Instagram.
A group of tourists stand near a border station at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Sarah Jane Leslie/AP)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand  Sarah Leslie thought she was witnessing a stunt when she saw an American soldier start sprinting toward North Korea.

Leslie and her father, tourists from New Zealand, were part of a group that left Tuesday morning from Seoul to visit the Demilitarized Zone that divides South and North Korea.

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Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King was among the group of 43 tourists, Leslie said, although he was casually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and she had no idea at the time that he was a soldier, or in legal trouble.

King, 23, was a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division who had served nearly two months in a South Korean prison for assault. He was released on July 10 and was supposed to travel home Monday to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he could have faced additional military discipline and discharge from the service.

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Leslie said her tour group went a step further than many by visiting the Joint Security Area in the village of Panmunjom, allowing tourists to effectively step on North Korean soil inside one of the buildings, which are jointly held. To get on such a tour, she said, required submitting their passports and getting permits in advance.

The group left Seoul by bus in the early morning, and Leslie noticed that King was traveling alone and didnt seem to talk to others on the tour. At one point, she said, he bought a DMZ hat from a gift shop.

The tour was nearing its end Tuesday afternoon  the group had just walked out of the building and were milling about taking photos  when she saw King running really fast.

I assumed initially he had a mate filming him in some kind of really stupid prank or stunt, like a TikTok, the most stupid thing you could do, Leslie said. But then I heard one of the soldiers shout, Get that guy.

Leslie said the command was shouted by an American soldier, one of a group that patrols the area along with South Korean troops.

But the soldiers didnt have time to respond. She said that after running about 30 feet down a narrow passageway between the distinctive blue buildings, King was over the border and then disappeared from sight. It was all over in a few seconds.

Leslie said she didnt see any people on the North Korean side. The tour group had been told earlier the North Koreans there had been lying low since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After King ran, she said, the soldiers hustled all the tourists into a building and then took them to an information center to give statements. She said many of the tourists, including her father, hadnt seen King run but a soldier explained the events to them.

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People couldnt really quite believe what had happened, Leslie said. Quite a few were really shocked. Once we got on the bus and got out of there we were all kind of staring at each other.

Leslie, a lawyer from New Zealands capital, Wellington, said shed long had an interest in the Koreas after studying politics at university and seeing South Korean movies.

She said she found it hard to understand why King would head to North Korea.

I just didnt think anyone would ever want to do that, she said.
A preliminary hearing has been set for a 16-year-old La Crosse male who was waived into adult court after he was accused in the June 14 homicide of his young niece.

Kamitri L. Riles faces a single felony charge of first-degree intentional homicide. La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Gloria Doyle scheduled the preliminary hearing for Aug. 3 after Riles obtained a public defender during a Tuesday calendar call.

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a Winneshiek Road address in La Crosse, where a child was found unresponsive. The child sustained numerous injuries to her face, hip and stomach.

An autopsy was performed June 15 in Rochester, Minnesota. The pathologist concluded that the child died from blunt force trauma. Riles was arrested June 22.

The childs name and age havent been released by authorities. A criminal complaint from a separate case at the same address identifies children born in 2015, 2016 and 2018 living at the residence.

Riles is being held in the La Crosse County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.
The Great Rivers 211: Carrier Alert Program is changing how mail carriers can look after people who might need extra help in the community.

Imagine a mail carrier, who visits your house almost every day, also checking in on your elderly neighbor or the kid down the street with special needs. Thats exactly what Great Rivers 211 in Wisconsin is all about. Its an innovative way to use something ordinary, such as mail delivery, to do something special and important  ensuring people in the community are safe and well.

A partnership between Great Rivers 211 and the U.S. Post Office, the program offers a free solution for those who may be unable to get help if they fall or have a medical event. Its available for people living in their own homes in La Crosse County and other communities in the Great Rivers 211 service region.

Once enrolled, the resident receives a sticker for their mailbox alerting their mail carrier theyre in the program. Then if the resident doesnt collect their mail, the carrier alerts 211, which will check on them and send emergency contacts or emergency services if needed.

Carla Lundeen is director of Great Rivers 211.

How has enrollment in the program changed over the past 10 years?

Participation in the Carrier Alert program has declined over the past several years. Many factors likely led to this decline, such as personal emergency response systems and people moving to assisted-living facilities. But the largest reason is a declining lack of awareness. When the Carrier Alert program first started back in 1984, serving only La Crosse County, there were as many as 100 members. Now, we have about 20 participants.

Our goal is to work hard this summer to get the word out about the program. Even if someone has a personal emergency response system or carries a cell phone, there are times when they might not be able to use it. The Carrier Alert program provides an extra layer of security and peace of mind to the person and their family that someone will check on them if they dont collect their mail the previous day.

If you could have a celebrity spokesperson for the local Carrier Alert program, who would you choose?

Denzel Washington would be a perfect spokesperson for Carrier Alert. He has a straightforward, honest delivery and a demeanor that encourages trust. He speaks clearly and thoughtfully and seems to have great follow-through. The Carrier Alert program is like that. It is a program offered free of charge and supported by two trusted community organizations: the United States Post Office and Great Rivers 211.

Denzel would be the ideal spokesperson to share that anyone, including people who are elderly or have a disability, can live well and for a long time in their own homes with the right support plan. The Carrier Alert program can be a key part of that plan! And, like Denzel, 211 call specialists are warm, welcoming, and respectful when connecting with people. Great Rivers 211 provides that caring and confidential service 24 hours a day.

Can you describe a specific situation where Carrier Alert worked just as it should?

Great Rivers 211 has seen many instances over the years where a build-up of mail caused the mail carrier to set the Carrier Alert process in motion. Thankfully, all the instances had happy endings! Most often, people had forgotten to tell their mail carrier that they will be gone for a few days and not picking up their mail. These examples prove how well the system works.

The Carrier Alert program does not replace other safety options like carrying a cell phone or wearing a personal emergency response system device. But, like a strong safety net, it does provide extra support in case those two options are not available. And, for people who may not have access to other options, Carrier Alert provides a line of connection, support, and safety and is available at no cost.

IN PHOTOS: La Crosse River Marsh wildlife Wildlife in the La Crosse River marsh Wildlife in the La Crosse River marsh La Crosse River Marsh 1 La Crosse River Marsh La Crosse River Marsh 2 La Crosse River Marsh Wildlife in the La Crosse River marsh La Crosse River Marsh Wildlife in the La Crosse River marsh Wildlife in the La Crosse River marsh
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  Former President Donald Trump joked about his legal challenges while campaigning in eastern Iowa on Tuesday night, just hours after announcing hed received a target letter in the Justice Departments investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Headlining a Republican county meeting, Trump attacked investigators while trying to make light of what could be his third criminal indictment since March.

I didnt know practically what a subpoena was and grand juries. Now Im becoming an expert, he told the audience at an Elks Lodge in Cedar Rapids.

Trump also taped an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity in front of a live audience, where he vented his frustrations. It bothers me, he said as he continued to cast the cases as politically motivated. Its a disgrace whats happening to our country.

The trip to the leadoff GOP voting state was yet another indication that, when it comes to Trump, none of the rules of politics ever apply. Trump did not cancel the trip to huddle with advisers, and he was not disinvited by organizers. Instead, he carried on as he has for months, incorporating his latest legal woes into his usual stump speech mixture of grievance, lies about the 2020 election, criticism of President Joe Biden and his agenda for a second term. For Trump, indictment news is now routine.

Iowa, with its caucuses just six months away, is a critical state for Trump, his party's decisive early front-runner, and his rivals.

He set off for his latest trip just hours after announcing on his Truth Social platform that he had received a letter Sunday informing him that is the target of special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into the aftermath of the 2020 election and the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Such letters often precede indictments and are used to inform individuals under investigation that prosecutors have gathered evidence linking them to a crime.

Trump has already been indicted twice  once in New York and once in Florida  and also faces potential charges in a separate election interference investigation nearing its conclusion in Georgia, a stunning and unprecedented legal onslaught as he runs for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

But the indictments have yet to damage Trumps standing. Instead, early polling shows Trump ahead of his closest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by 20 to 30 points, or more.

The monthly meetings of the Linn County GOP, typically lightly attended affairs, have become somewhat more popular in recent months as representatives from various Republican presidential candidates campaigns have paid visits to build goodwill with party regulars.

But Tuesdays gathering was far from ordinary. More than 150 people  many wearing Trumps signature Make America Great Again red hats  squeezed into the hall of the Elks Lodge on the citys southwest side. Press covering the stop were cordoned behind the bar typically used for weddings and anniversaries.

At least as many Trump supporters remained outside the event, unable to get in, and were left on the sidewalk to greet the former president as he arrived and departed.

News of the target letter, said Linn County, Iowa, GOP chair Bernie Hayes, only emboldens the former presidents supporters.

Does something like that engender sympathy? I think certainly it does, Hayes said, as the small event room filled beyond the number of chairs set. "The mans being persecuted, so they are just thinking of another way to persecute him.

Some Iowa Republicans have said in interviews that the mounting legal battles Trump faces could make it difficult for him to govern if elected and that they have begun looking to alternatives. But Hayes said the developments have only strengthened the resolve of Trump supporters he talks to.

If anything, people see President Trump is actually hardened by the trials hes gone through and knows what hes up against, Hayes said.

Teresa Horton-Bumgarner from small-town Solon, east of Cedar Rapids, echoed that she and Republicans in her circle believe strongly the Biden administration is using the judicial system as a political weapon.

Nothing that (Trump) did on Jan. 6, that Ive ever seen that incited violence. He said to peacefully protest, and lawfully, said Horton-Bumgarner, 56, who described the indictments against Trump as so egregious that Republicans tend to rally behind him.

Before his speech, Trump was interviewed on local radio, and railed against the investigations while dismissing potential negative fallout.

The people of our great country, they fully understand whats going (on). Its election interference. Its a weaponization of justice, he said.

Speaking of his supporters, he said: They are never leaving us because they want to make America great again. Theyre with us. They have a passion like nobodys ever had.

The Jan. 6 probe has centered on a broad range of efforts by Trump and allies to keep him in office, including plans for slates of fake electors in multiple battleground states won by Biden to submit false electoral certificates to Congress.

Legal experts have said potential charges could include conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of an official proceeding, in this case Congress certification of Bidens electoral victory.

In Washington, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Trump's supporters would not be turned off by the developments.

Well see what they come up with . but I tell you, the more they target Donald Trump? I mean, boy, the base, they just eat it up," she said. They see two systems of justice, one for Donald Trump and one for everybody else.

Trump called a top GOP ally in the House, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, to rally Republicans against the investigation and discuss their strategy for going on offense, according to a person familiar with the conversation and granted anonymity to discuss it. Trump also spoke with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the person said. McCarthy once criticized Trump over Jan. 6 but on Tuesday accused Democrats of trying to weaponize government to go after their number one opponent.

Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the Senate minority whip, said that, with one indictment after the next, voters eventually "tune it out. It doesnt have the weight or the meaning that it does when youve got this many things coming at you.

Now, on the other hand," he added, "it also creates, I think, kind of a lot of noise and distraction that always seem to surround the former president. At what point does that have some effect on peoples opinions? I dont know.

Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report from Washington.
A Kenosha Unified School District custodian is facing criminal charges after allegedly stalking a woman and then fleeing from Racine County Sheriffs deputies.

Octavis T. Leverson, 47, was charged in Racine County Circuit Court with one count of felony stalking, one count of felony operating a vehicle to flee or elude an officer, one count of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and four counts of felony bail jumping.

Leverson, of Racine, made his initial appearance before a Racine County court commissioner last week where a $5,000 cash bond was imposed. A preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday.

On July 12 around 10:30 a.m. a Racine County sheriffs deputy was dispatched to a business in the 21000 block of Spring Street in the Village of Yorkville for a suspicious person complaint. A woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, who was identified as Leverson, was parked outside of her workplace and that he had been stalking her, according to the criminal complaint.

When questioned by deputies Leverson, who was sitting in his Chevy Malibu, reportedly said he was attempting to speak with the woman and had been there since 6 a.m. waiting for her.

When asked why he was waiting there Leverson reportedly said that he was attempting to get back with her.

A deputy asked Leverson to step out of his vehicle but he allegedly started driving away.

A pursuit lasted over eight miles, according to the complaint, with Leverson reaching speeds between 80 and 110 mph in a 55 mph zone. Several motorists had to brake and pull over to avoid a collision.

During the pursuit a deputy spiked Leversons vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop at Crossway Road and Durand Avenue. However, as the vehicle was slowing down, Leverson allegedly opened the driver side door and exited the vehicle and began running westbound into a nearby woods.

The pursuit ended when Leverson fell in a swampy area. Leverson was escorted back to the street, according to the complaint.

A work identification card for the Kenosha Unified School District was discovered during a search.

The woman he had been allegedly stalking reportedly told deputies she deleted him off of all her accounts and blocked his phone number. Investigators allegedly found dozens of messages on the womans phone sent from Leverson via email and payment apps.

At the time of the incident Leverson was free on bond for a 2022 case involving alleged strangulation and suffocation and fleeing from law enforcement.

According to a Kenosha Unified School Board agenda Leverson was a night custodian at Indian Trail Academy & High School.

Mugshots: Kenosha County criminal complaints from July 13-14 Onwar D. Albright NO PHOTO AVAILABLE Onwar D. Albright, 30, of Kenosha, faces chares of contempt of court (disobey order), disorderly conduct, stalking resulting in bodily harm, second degree sexual assault/use of force, criminal damage to property, and second degree recklessly endangering safety. Billie James Chomicki III Billie James Chomicki III, 30, of Pleasant Prairie, faces charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine (between 1-5 grams), and bail jumping. Rebecca A. Farrar Rebecca A. Farrar, 43, of New Auburn, faces charges of harboring or aiding a felon, and resisting or obstructing an officer. Amir Chakafrancis Furlow Amir Chakafrancis Furlow, 34, of Kenosha, faces charges of probation and parole, vehicle operator flee or elude an officer, possession with intent to deliver narcotic, possession with intent to deliver heroin (less than 3 grams), possession with intent to deliver designer drugs (between 3-10 grams), and resisting or obstructing an officer. Sam Tomas Jimenez Sam Tomas Jimenez, 34, of Kenosha, faces charges of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (4th offense), and bail jumping. Terence Quintell Majors Terence Quintell Majors, 37, of Kenosha, faces charges of probation and parole. Dionia O. Scott Jr. Dionia O. Scott Jr., 28, of Racine, faces charges of probation and parole, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of THC (2nd+), and resisting or obstructing an officer. Jonathan Allen Stinnette Jr. Jonathan Allen Stinnette Jr., 18, of Winthrop, Illinois, faces charges of probation and parole. Tymant Robert Travis Tymant Robert Travis, 22, of Wisconsin, faces charges of battery or threat to judge/prosecutor/officer (aggravated assault). Chaylen Terrell Wright Chaylen Terrell Wright, 25, of Chicago, Illinois, faces charges of probation and parole, and resisting or obstructing an officer.
A 34-year-old man who was arguing with two women Wednesday morning at a residence in the Grand Crossing neighborhood opened fire wounding both women, one fatally, before turning the gun on himself, Chicago police said.

Shortly before 9 a.m., the man was involved in a verbal altercation with two women, ages 32 and 53, at a residence in the 7600 block of South Michigan Avenue, authorities said. The man pulled out a gun and opened fire in their direction, striking both several times in the abdomen, police said.

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He then shot himself in the head.

Both women were taken in critical condition to UChicago Medicine where the 32-year-old was pronounced dead. The man was taken to the same hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

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The circumstances leading up to the fatal attack were not immediately available.
U.S. officials on Monday approved the first long-acting drug to protect babies and young children against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

RSV sends tens of thousands of American children to the hospital each year. The virus is a cold-like disease for most healthy people. But it can be life-threatening in the very young and very old. Last year, a large increase in RSV cases crowded U.S. hospitals with sick children.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the injection for infants and children up to 2 years old who face increased risk of severe RSV.

The approval helps reduce the impact of RSV disease on children, families and the health care system said FDA's Dr. John Farley in a statement.

The drugmaker AstraZeneca developed the drug. It will be sold under the name Beyfortus. It is a laboratory-made version of an antibody that helps the immune system fight off RSV.

Under the FDA approval, babies  including small infants  can receive a single injection to protect against their first season of RSV, which usually lasts about five months. Children up to age 2 can receive another dose to protect them during their second season facing the virus.

Beyfortus is already approved in Canada, Europe and Britain. It did not immediately announce the U.S. price of the treatment.

FDA officials approved the drug based on three studies. They showed Beyfortus reduced the risk of RSV infection between 70 percent and 75 percent among infants and children 2 and younger.

Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet early next month to recommend exactly who should get the drug.

A similar antibody drug won FDA approval more than 20 years ago. But the drug is only recommended for high-risk babies and requires monthly injections. Doctors say that drug is underused. But they expect the longer-lasting effect of AstraZeneca's shot to be more popular.

In the U.S., about 58,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized for RSV each year. Several hundred die.

After years of setbacks for RSV research, drugmakers have made big improvements this year. In May, the FDA approved two RSV vaccines for older adults from GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.

In August, the FDA is expected to make a decision on approving Pfizers vaccine for pregnant women. The aim is for the vaccine to pass along protection to their newborns.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from The Associated Press.

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Words in This Story

infant  n. a very young child

antibody  n. a substance produced by the body to fight disease

dose  n. the amount of a medicine, drug, or vitamin that is taken at one time
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says it aims to lower food prices and increase competition among agricultural businesses.

The department plans to work with 31 states and the District of Colombia to target unfair price-setting activities. It also plans to act against anticompetitive behavior in the food and agriculture sectors.

On Wednesday, the USDA said it would work with a group of attorneys from both political parties. It aims to enforce laws on price fixing and the consolidation of businesses.

The government says farmers have been unhappy about low prices for their products and unfair contracts with the biggest buyers and processors in the agriculture industry.

Months of rising food prices have some farm groups and lawmakers wondering if companies were unfairly raising prices. Recent reports, however, show that food prices are easing.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: "We can ensure a more robust and competitive agricultural sector."

The partnership will bring attention to anticompetitive activities including price fixing and gouging. Price gouging happens when a seller demands unfairly high prices from buyers during periods of increased demand.

The department also said it wants to create new research programs to study the problem.

In the coming months, USDA will also complete new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act. A top administration official spoke about the changes in a call with reporters. The Packers and Stockyards Act is a law meant to protect members of the livestock, meat and poultry industries from unfair trade and businesses that have too much influence over markets known as monopolies.

The USDA says it has already proposed two of the three expected rules.

The department will also give money to expand the meat and poultry industries. The goal is to increase the number of processing choices available to farmers who raise animals.

Vilsack said the new effort is linked to President Joe Bidens executive order this month supporting competition in the American economy. The order calls for a whole-of-government competition policy.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Leah Douglas reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it with additional materials for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

sector  n. an area of an economy

attorney  n. lawyer

consolidate  v. to join or combine together into one thing

artificially  adj. not happening or existing naturally

robust  adj. strong and healthy

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A construction crane hoisted a 20,000-pound dome atop a new west Omaha church Thursday, a blessed event for about 250 people who gathered to watch.

The crowning was not only a key step forward in constructing the new All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church but also a nod to religious tradition that reaches back centuries.

His Grace Bishop Constantine of Sassima, of the Holy Metropolis of Denver, attended the event and blessed the dome before its raising.

I cant tell you what a joy this is for the life of the church, and when I speak of the church, Im not talking about just the church here in Omaha or Nebraska, he said. Im talking about the Orthodox Church worldwide.

He noted that dome raisings dont happen every day, nor are they even a regular occurrence.

But by all accounts, this is only done by the glory of God and always to his name.

All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church, under construction at 193rd and Harney Streets, is one of two Greek Orthodox churches in the metro Omaha area. The other is St. John the Baptist at 602 Park Ave.

Parishioner Nikki Nader, who attended the event with husband Paul, son Rhys, 13, and daughter Raiyah, 16, credited persistence for making the new church a reality.

Its been amazing because this community has really been persistent, Nader said.

She said the church members took an unconventional approach  a very business-minded way of investment  to get it done.

They bought and sold land around the church site and put the profits back into the building.

John Birge, parish council vice president and retired architect, said the church coordinated with other parties to create a neighborhood around the church that includes a Montessori school and senior housing.

Birge said raising of the dome is part of ancient Byzantine Orthodox Christian tradition.

One of the worlds best examples of a dome is on the Hagia Sophia, a massive structure in Istanbul, Turkey, which has served as a house of worship for both Christians and Muslims over the centuries.

Its signature feature is a brick-and-mortar dome 102.5 feet in diameter.

The design of our church is in the tradition of Byzantine architecture, Birge said. And so the elements of it are consistent with Hagia Sophia.

Obviously, the scale is different, he said.

But the dome and the drum were substantial components of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople as they are at All Holy Spirit in Omaha, Nebraska, he said.

Parishioners wanted the building to reflect the centuries-old history of their faith, parish priest Father Alexander Lukashonok said.

Its in their hearts, he said. They wanted something that was not of their own creation but they wanted something according to the tradition of the church.

The Byzantine architecture provides a unity with their faith around the world, he said.

All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church was formed in 2006, and since then has held services in a variety of temporary spaces.

While the Greek Orthodox Church in America was largely started by Greek immigrants, All Holy Spirit Church members are ethnically and demographically diverse, he said.

He said the dome was used in ancient times by the church, and speaks to the faith that God is with us here. The presence of God is here, not somewhere out there.

On the underside of the dome, workers will place an icon, an image of Christ as the almighty judge, he said.

It means that he is in charge and sees all things and we recognize his lordship that way, he said.

Nader said shes looking forward to when the church is complete and the dome finished with a beautiful golden exterior.

We hope that youll be able to see it out on Dodge Street. Hopefully it will be a landmark. And eventually, when you go inside, every wall will be covered with icons.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
HOLDREGE  Last Friday, the Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District and Dawson Public Power District postponed a revote on their plan to merge. The decision was welcomed by Citizens Opposed to the Merger (COTM) President Gary Robison.

Representatives from COTM and CNPPID met last week to discuss the groups concerns about the merger, Robison said.

Nothing was decided, but the meeting was productive and we agreed to meet again, Robison said. We fully intend to work with Central in the hope that we can secure the water and ensure irrigation delivery for another 80 years. We will continue our efforts until Central follows through on its commitment to address all of COTMs concerns.

In the meantime, Robison reiterated that his group remains opposed to the merger.

I dont understand why Central would ever give up control of the water, and I have never understood what we are getting in return, Robison said. No one has been able to convince me that Central benefits from this merger.

Central directors are telling irrigators that the district has big maintenance bills coming due and will need Dawson to help pay those bills, Robison said.

But, Central has done just fine maintaining the system without anybodys help, he said noting that Central has $100 million in cash reserves set aside to cover maintenance and upgrades. Those funds were set aside to cover these type of expenses, and I am worried they will be used for other purposes if the merger goes through.

While the benefits are uncertain, Robison said the risks are clear. In addition to the loss of control, Robison fears that Centrals reserves will be used to satisfy Dawsons debt.

Dawson has over $50 million in debt, most of which must be refinanced in order to merge, he said.

Robison said that Central has never adequately explained how they intend to refinance or what refinancing will cost, but noted that the Consolidation Plan would allow funds needed to pay off Dawsons debt to come from Central and its cash reserves.

We need those reserves to offset dry periods and pay for irrigation system improvements, not to refinance Dawsons debt, he said.

Having local control of our water is crucial to the future of farming and economic growth in the Tri-County area, Robison said. I have nothing against Dawson. I would be against turning over control of the water to anybody. While I disagree with the CNPPID Board of Diretors position on the merger, I believe the Board has done an admirable job stewarding the water for decades, and I want to keep it that way.

Robison is a Bertrand area farmer who formed COTM along with other Phelps, Kearney and Gosper County farmers, landowners and business owners in November 2022 after the two power districts voted to merge last fall. One of the groups main arguments against the merger was the loss of adequate board representation for water users in the newly formed district resulting in a loss of local control of water.

Citizens Opposed to the Merger has attracted more than 100 members and more than $400,000 in its grassroots effort to stop the merger. It has also filed a lawsuit in Phelps County District Court alleging that CNPPID did not comply with Open Meetings laws and failed to fill a vacancy on the board before the historical merger vote. That lawsuit is still in the discovery phase.
Lightning is one of those weather phenomena that should always command respect. I dont know how well I follow my own advice when I am standing out in the open with a camera pointed at the sky but I swear the pictures and in the case of Monday, July 10, video was worth it.

The area woke up to a slight risk covering the mid-section of Nebraska and northern Kansas. Storms were expected to initiate during the early evening and congeal into a line and head down south into Kansas.

By 3 p.m., a Severe Thunderstorm Watch had been issued for most of south central Nebraska.

For my part, I had one eye on the radar and could see storms starting to form in the Sandhills and begin moving to the southeast. I decided the best thing to do was wait until the storms arrived in the local area, which wouldnt be for another hour or two.

I fulfilled my work duties by sitting in on the Lexington school board meeting, but with one eye on the radar to keep track of the storms progress.

A foreboding clap of thunder seemed to mark the end of the meeting and I was out the door headed east toward Elm Creek to cut off a cell that I could view from clear air. Storms seemed to be all around as hit Highway 30, it was my kind of night.

In retrospect, I should have jogged west of Lexington because a larger core of precipitation formed and bore down on the town, leading to torrents of rain.

I had arrived at Elm Creek and drove north to get eyes on the edge of the storm; the mass wall of rain impacting Lexington was evident to the west. Aside from the edge of part of the updraft, there wasnt much to see from my area.

I decided to head back south with the idea of getting a look at the leading edge of the precipitation that was moving out of Dawson County into Gosper and Phelps. My parents recently relocated to a home along the Platte River and my Dad had recently redone the roof, so I was praying there was no hail.

I got down to Road 747, which I have only ever known colloquially as the River Road, and headed east to try and get eyes on the leading edge of the storm. However, the transition into a line of convection was taking place just to the south and I ran into a wall of rain on a gravel road and decided to turn around.

That plan foiled, I checked the radar once again and could tell an area of the line of storms was beginning to bow out as the complex charged southeast of Kearney. I could also tell there was a good amount of lightning on the trailing edge.

As I took the River Road to just south of Odessa, I could note nearly continually flashes of lightning within the storm, even though conditions were still fairly light.

I came to a stop at the intersection with T Road and let my GoPro camera mounted in my car continue to roll as I stepped out. It was raining lightly but not enough to keep me from snapping photos.

The lightning continued to be nearly constant to my southeast and at times I would just point the camera in the general direction and hold down the button, shooting continuously to see if I could get any bolts appearing from the clouds.

I wasnt sure how long I was going to stay in this position but I made the decision to stay put for the moment and my patience paid off.

Just before 9 p.m., the rays from the setting sun were beginning to creep around the edge of the storm off to my west and were casting their glow on the clouds to my east, creating a partial rainbow and giving far better contrast to cloud features than earlier.

I was glad the road was nearly deserted because I spent some time trying to line up shots with more interesting composition by placing the camera directly on the highway.

I turned around and was treated to possibly the best show of the night. The western convection had progressed enough so that the sun was no longer hidden and the rays were illuminating the rain curtains still in the air, firing them with a vibrant orange color.

All the while, the nearly continuous lightning was becoming even easier to see as the light faded. After I had my fill of the sunset shots, I turned my attention fully to the south.

On a small scale, all lightning is essentially the same  a channel of ionized air carrying electrical current between two differing areas of charge.

The polarity of a lightning channel end can affect the way it propagates and branches in space and time, but in the end, its all an electrostatic discharge  a spark in its fundamental sense.

The little static sparks between your finger and a doorknob are, technically speaking, the same basic process at work, just on a smaller scale.

I have heard a storm chaser describe the dangers of the different types of lightning: One will likely kill you and the other will kill you.

The one that will likely kill you is negative lightning strikes, which originate from the lower-level clouds in a thunderstorm. Negative bolts often strike directly under the thunderstorm where the ground is positively charged.

Negative bolts consist of multiple return strokes, the viewer will see the channel flash multiple times in rapid succession.

The type that will kill you is positive lightning strikes, which are luckily rare and make up less than five percent of all lightning strikes. I have only seen this type under strong supercells and did not see any on July 10.

Positive bolts usually consist of only one return stroke, which is typically very bright and intense relative to other lightning activity in a storm. If see a positive lightning strike, its hard to miss.

I saw an abundance of cloud-to-cloud lightning, the most common type of discharge. It is inside a single storm cloud where both ends of the bidirectional leader stay entirely in the storm cloud.

Intra-cloud lightning is sometimes called sheet lightning because it lights up the sky with a sheet of light. All or parts of the actual channel may be obscured inside the cloud, and may or may not be visible to an observer on the ground.

What was most impressive was to watch a negative cloud-to-ground strike occur and cause multiple cloud-to-cloud bolts to extend outward, with branching leaders searching for the most conductive path through the air.

Finally, as darkness fully closed in, I decided it was time to stop having fun with the lightning and head for home.

I have seen some active lightning storms prior to July 10, but this was the first night I was in a position to just sit and watch, rather than having to try and maneuver to keep up with the storm.

Given all of this, I should remind people the National Weather Services official guidance is to go inside when you even hear thunder. Lightning can strike several miles away from the parent thunderstorm.

We all elect to take our own risks when documenting severe weather.

Just do me a favor and make sure my cameras memory card survived if I happen to turn into an inadvertent lightning rod.
The IRA has announced its second ceasefire in three years starting at noon tomorrow.

It follows a statement by republican political party Sinn Fein last night urging the IRA to call a truce, but the speed of response has surprised politicians.

Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam MP will monitor IRA activity over the next six weeks to decide whether Sinn Fein will be admitted to the all-party peace talks scheduled for 15 September.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said he supported a ceasefire because of a commitment by the two governments (UK and Republic of Ireland) to inclusive peace talks.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair had underlined this resolve by making his first big speech as head of the new government from Belfast on 16 May.

In June he set out the conditions for Sinn Feins inclusion in the all-party talks in a speech to the Commons.

He offered a clear timetable for talks  to be completed by May 1998  within six weeks of a ceasefire.

Mr Blair also suggested weapons decommissioning was not a pre-condition for negotiation.

Many unionists in Northern Ireland believe IRA disarmament is essential to any peace process and are angered by British concessions on the issue.

Security spokesman for the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) Ken Maginnis said: I dont expect anyone to take a ceasefire declaration at face value.

There will have to be a definite commitment to a permanent, complete and universal ceasefire with an indication that disarmament and the disbandment of the terrorist organisation can take place, he added.

The Irish peace process reached a stalemate under the last British Government which made concessions to unionists over decommissioning, in return for their support in Parliament.

Mr Blair is to meet UUP leader David Trimble in the next couple of days to ensure unionists participation in Septembers multi-party talks.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The ceasefire came into force on 20 July in an atmosphere of muted determination rather than celebration.

A new round of peace talks, including Sinn Fein, resumed on 15 September at Stormont, near Belfast.

None of the five unionist or loyalist parties attended and attempted to get Sinn Fein excluded.

Talks continued at Stormont as David Trimble and the UUP began to participate.

In October 1997 Tony Blair shook Gerry Adams hand and became the first British PM for 70 years to meet a Sinn Fein delegation.

Negotiations and sporadic violence by loyalist and republican splinter groups continued until the Good Friday Agreement was signed in May 1998.